Book 3: Act 1 - Of Leaves and Stewed Hobbit

It is the year 2946 of the Third Age, and the lands east of the Misty Mountains are astir. From the cloud-shrouded peaks above the High Pass to the spider-infested gloom of the forest of Mirkwood, paths long-deserted are trodden once again. Busy merchants carry their wares to new markets, messengers bring tidings from foreign realms, and kings send forth armed men to extend their influence and the rule of law. Some say that a new age of freedom has begun, a time for adventure and great deeds to reclaim glories lost in long centuries of oppression and decline.

But adventures are not really things that people go out and look for. They are dangerous and rarely end well. While it is true that a handful of valiant individuals set out to make their mark on the world, for others it seems that adventure chooses them, as though it is the path they are fated to tread. They are restless warriors, curious scholars and wanderers, always eager to seek what was lost or explore what was forgotten. Ordinary people call them adventurers, and when they return successful, they call them heroes. But if they fail, no one will even remember their names...

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Re: August 17th, 2947 The Third Age, Late Summer

Post by TetNak » Mon Sep 01, 2014 9:08 pm

With a shrug, Aerth comments, "Here and there. Mostly self 'taught'." He smiles at that, "Years on the road, mostly alone with nothing else to do." He tries to repeat Pipkin's technique but largely fails. After a few attempts Aerth laughs aloud, "I am afraid I will never match your proficiency in this craft, Master Pipkin."
"Kings have no friends, only subjects and enemies."

- King Stannis Baratheon, First of His Name

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Re: August 17th, 2947 The Third Age, Late Summer

Post by Vardaen » Mon Sep 01, 2014 9:11 pm

Pipkin nods, "Its rare you find someone out this way with the skill." He puffs on his pipe, "Most of the tobacco out this way hardly is worth even smoking. I did find a sweet blend in Dale once, said it was from a place called Dorwinion, but where that is I rightly don't know." He sends out three small smoke rings in a hurry. "You puff your cheeks a bit more and you've got it."
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

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August 20th, Beorning Bee Pastures

Post by Vardaen » Wed Sep 03, 2014 12:25 am

Breaking camp on the 18th of August the Fellowship sets out north once more. The terrain becomes easier as you traverse the fields of the Beornings. You have very little worry of running afoul of danger here other than boredom. Two days into the trip since Pipkin's apple cobbler Borir has some how lead the group further and further westwards away from forest and toward the river and the mountains.

Wren, your lookout spots a great field of wildflowers abuzz with bees, and far off a few figures working the bee pastures and you realize you are off course. Borir's lack of focus, or perhaps his desire to be away from Mirkwood has taken you off course. It's easily fixed out in these wide open spaces, but he has to lead you back around the fields to avoid the bees, the best way to do that seems to be clear enough, but if those figures some hundred yards off are in fact Beornings perhaps its worth pausing to speak to them.


Second Leg: Old Forest Road To the Easterly Inn
1 Travel Test: Easy Terrain (this land is under the Beorning's Protection) TN12

Everyone's Bonus Dice are used up, straight rolls.

Aerth: 3,2 = 5 Fail: Fatigued 2 - 1 For Pony = 1 Fatigue

Borir: Sauron Rune, 2,4,3 = 9 Fail, Hardy Trait No Lost Fatigue

Pipkin: 7,6t,1=14 Success

Varuthil: 8,2 = 10 Fail: Fatigued 2 - 1 For Pony = 1 Fatigue

Wren: Gandalf Rune, 1 = Success



Borir Hazard - Lost Direction

Travel Test: 7,3,2,5 = 17 Success

You Avoid This:
The guide makes a Travel test. On a failure, all companions double their penalties due to failed Fatigue tests for the length of the journey. Additionally, the group takes one extra day to get to its destination.

Borir can get the group back on course on his own, or you could stop to speak to the men (100+ yards away through the bee pastures)
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

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Re: August 20th, Beorning Bee Pastures

Post by Muskrat » Wed Sep 03, 2014 3:02 am

Varuthil says, "Might I suggest we speak to those men over there? We seem to have lost our bearings. And we may gather some news, if there is any to speak of, from them."

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Re: August 20th, Beorning Bee Pastures

Post by TetNak » Wed Sep 03, 2014 6:50 pm

"Remember the last man we met in the Mirkwood," Aerth warns, "I suggest moving on ahead. If they approach us, so be it, if not, better still." The half-elf does not seem overly eager to make friend while on the road.
"Kings have no friends, only subjects and enemies."

- King Stannis Baratheon, First of His Name

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Re: August 20th, Beorning Bee Pastures

Post by Trogdor » Wed Sep 03, 2014 6:58 pm

"We might even be able to get some honey from them," Pipkin muses. That would be wonderful in some tea, and perhaps drizzled over some wheat cakes in the morning."

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Re: August 20th, Beorning Bee Pastures

Post by Vardaen » Wed Sep 03, 2014 7:31 pm

Wren with his keen elven eyes looks at the two men, "We likely are traveling through their pastures now. These are the Beorning's lands, and they looks like such men to me." He also reminds Aerth they aren't in Mirkwood, "They don't look like crazed hermits to me."
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"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

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Re: August 20th, Beorning Bee Pastures

Post by Muskrat » Wed Sep 03, 2014 11:24 pm

"Indeed, given that we are traveling on their lands, they might take it amiss and regard us with suspicion if we did not introduce ourselves," says Varuthil. "And the situation with the mad hermit did not turn out badly in the end. We were even able to help him--and Ingomer was able to learn the truth of what happened to his son."

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Re: August 20th, Beorning Bee Pastures

Post by Shurijo » Wed Sep 03, 2014 11:57 pm

Borir rubs his beard as he listens to the others. Then he states, "We're not lost. I was.. uh.. heading over to talk with them. We can head back to the trail after we've spoken to them. They may have news or other information that could aid in our journey."

The dwarf looks at the others and says, "I say we speak with them."

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Re: August 20th, Beorning Bee Pastures

Post by Eilandor » Thu Sep 04, 2014 8:41 pm

As the group pauses and decides whether to push on or engage with the Beornings, Wren searches through his pack. "Ah, here we are." He produces an apple, one of the not quite ready apples Pipkin used in his cobbler a few nights prior. Taking a bite, it is in fact not quite ripe but the elf prefers his fruit out of hand as they say. He muses to himself, It just loses something the moment you cook it.

When Borir states he was intentionally leading the group to the Beornings, "Ha! Is that so Borir?" With a half eaten apple and rather large grin, "Well why don't we go and introduce ourselves."
Number Two: "You are number six."
Number Six: "I am not a number, I am a free man!"
Number Two: "Muh ha ha ha ha!"

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