Fellowship of the Dice

"Maybe, maybe not. We do what our boss tells us to do. You follow orders when you live inside Mirkwood like us, otherwise trouble arises."

"That's right, one man falters, everyone suffers.", says the other man.

Borir listens to the wizard and the men as he proceeds with the questioning. The dwarf considers their responses. After a moment he asks, "Who is Mogdred? Is he your boss?"

Wren's mind wanders, in awe while inside of the home of Radagast. It's like a forest...inside of a forest. He snaps out of it when he beckons them to move outside and give the wounded time to rest. Wren finds the exchange between Varuthil and their captives intriguing. If there is one thing he's learned about the she-elf, it's that her verbal prowess matches or even exceeds her battlefield prowess, and that is not good for those that would oppose her.

"What about that awful woman?" Pipkin asks. "Is she one of Mogdred's lieutenants?"

"Mogdred is the Lord of the Hill, we all follow him, even Dagmar. He commands many well-equipped men, just like us, and Southern Mirkwood and the Narrows fall under his domain. Some of the settlements in the southern vales pay him tribute."

One of the men adds, "Not sure where he comes from, but he took over the tower of the Hill, and since then has kept the peace there."

The other man replies to Pip, "Dagmar? Yeah she's one of his, but she's a hot head, as you figured out. I bet she'll have hell to pay when getting home again."

"No doubt. He doesn't like failure."

"Nor does he like antagonizing our neighbors for no reason."

Both men chuckle at thinking what trouble Dagmar might find when she get's home.

Varuthil says, "That's odd. You accepted a total stranger, of unknown background, as your lord. What lead you to do that? And how does he keep the peace? I think that would be easy enough with your fellow Woodmen, but how does one keep the peace when one's neighbors are orcs and giant spiders? And is Dagmar one of your people or did she come with Mogdred?" Varuthil is beginning to suspect that Modgred is secretly in league with the Enemy and may have the power to manipulate people's wits in subtle ways.

Borir listens to the questioning and answers given. The dwarf isn't too impressed with this men nor their groups. As they talk, the dwarf eyes the settlement hoping to find a tavern or smith.

Aerth is likewise mystified by his surroundings. He had been to this area before, but never to Radagast's home, obviously. He watches the prisoners impassively, they seemed like louts, no doubt. It was likely they didn't know much, but even what they do know would be far more than any of them understood about Dagmar of her 'lord'.

"He's a Woodman, like us, or from the Vale, it matters not. He's chieftain now of The Hill, and he's kept us safe, and prosperous. Without us lands like these might be overrun with Spiders or worse by now. Hardly matters, he's the boss and that's the way it is."

Varuthil shakes her head in disgust. "I should think it would matter to you whether your lord was a man of honor or a thug. It is one thing to serve the former and another the latter. How did Mogdred come to be lord? And what is it like in his service? Does he treat you with respect? Does he look after the well-being of all his people?"