Book 4: Act 1 - Kinstrife & Dark Tidings

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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A Meeting of Wizards: May 28th

Post by Shurijo » Mon Nov 09, 2015 6:08 pm

Borir clears his throat to draw the attention of Gandalf. "I would very much like to join you." The dwarf takes out a smoking pipe from underneath his armor and offers it over to the wizard for some pipeweed.

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Post by Blubbo_Baggins » Mon Nov 09, 2015 6:22 pm

"Well," asks Finn after they've had a chance to look at it. "What do you think it is? I find it strange that a man from the South would suddenly set his sights on the Anduin Vale, having never been here before - at least as far north as the Old Ford - and believe that his band of ruffians could oust the likes of the Beornings."

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Post by TetNak » Tue Nov 10, 2015 4:26 pm

"I can never say no to good weed." Aerth did enjoy pipeweed immensely. He remembered when Pipken shared his fine hobbit-weed when they all first met. It was a pleasant thought. Aerth moves forward, hoping pipeweed would be the most of their conversation in regards to himself.
"Kings have no friends, only subjects and enemies."

- King Stannis Baratheon, First of His Name

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A Meeting of Wizards: May 28th

Post by Vardaen » Thu Nov 12, 2015 7:13 pm

Gandalf is a bit surprised so many of you would like a bowl of pipeweed, but he begrudges none of you a pinch. He produces a pouch and hands it to Borir first, "Southern Star." The pouch goes around and you fill your pipes.

He address Varuthil, "You must always remember your manners, it's what separates us from them. If you can't be bothered to have good manners, then all might already be lost. Sit Varuthil, let your mind wander from the shadows into the light. We shall talk about this thing when there is time." He motions to Radagast who tosses a cloth over the mummified head to break anyone from gazing it at it.

The Brown Wizard stands up and goes and gets you some drinks as the smoke begins to fill the room. "Simple pleasures, a good pipe, a good drink, good company. These things will hold the shadow at bay from day to day. A sword might slay an orc, but what do you have to come home to after the battle if all you've left behind are rude comments and a cold bed?"

For at least an hour the wizards puff away, drink, and make idle small talk about your travels, the Woodmen, Beornings and even the Easterly Inn. Varuthil, about to finally burst is eventually appeased as the talk turns to the head.

It seems even Radagast and Gandalf need some time to study things, even if it didn't seem they were during it all. A keen eye and mind might have noticed that as one distracted you with a smoke ring or a mug of ale, the other was peeking at the head and studying it. Finally Gandalf the Grey removes the cloth from it fully.

"To darker tidings then. There is some foulness to this, I can be certain of that," says the old Istari.

Radagast nods, "I can not say what manner of man it once was in life, but the touch of the Shadow is on it from what I can tell."

"I agree. The eyes are shut, but the mouth remains open. Perhaps that is more than just coincidence," replies Gandalf.

"It must be destroyed," both of them echo the other as they speak at the same time the same words.
"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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A Meeting of Wizards: May 28th

Post by Shurijo » Fri Nov 13, 2015 12:05 am

Borir nods in agreement with the words from the Brown Wizard and repeats, "Good pipe, good drink, good company. Aye." As he hoists his drink in the air, removes his pipe, and the takes a large drink from the container.

Once the pair of wizards state it must be destroyed, the dwarf once again hoists his near empty container and repeats, "Aye. Destroyed. M'axe'll do it just fine." He continues as he looks to sit down his drink and draw his axe.

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Post by TetNak » Fri Nov 13, 2015 3:51 pm

"Destroy how?" Aerth asks, "I doubt it as easy as chopping it as if it were wood. That seems to be the way of things."

The elf fills his pipe with the weed and takes a light, filling it as he begins to inhale. "Many thanks," he says to Gandalf, nodding his head in appreciation.
"Kings have no friends, only subjects and enemies."

- King Stannis Baratheon, First of His Name

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Post by Blubbo_Baggins » Fri Nov 13, 2015 4:39 pm

"If it is in your power to destroy it," adds Finn, "then let us know if there is some way we can serve you. Otherwise, we will take it, though we do not yet know the way to destroy it."
Sorry, had to take that opportunity. :-)

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A Meeting of Wizards: May 28th

Post by Vardaen » Fri Nov 13, 2015 7:23 pm

Gandalf drops the thing on the floor, "A dwarf axe should do the trick. Be my guest Borir."

Radagast adds, "After that, we shall burn in a fire outside the walls of Rhosgobel."

Both wizards seem to think that will be enough.
Not EVERYTHING needs to be tossed into Mount Doom!
"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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A Meeting of Wizards: May 28th

Post by Muskrat » Fri Nov 13, 2015 10:26 pm

Varuthil sits quietly and listens to the others talk, but says little herself, except when she feels the need to add some overlooked piece of information. Chastened by Gandalf's words, she makes every effort to keep her mind on the conversation and not the head. She feels a sense of relief when the wizards tell Borir to destroy it with his axe. "Do you have any notion what manner of being might have created this thing?" she asks gesturing at the head. "If we knew who or what had been manipulating Valter, we could keep a better eye out for their machinations in the future."

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Post by TetNak » Mon Nov 16, 2015 1:00 am

Aerth shrugs as they toss the thing on the ground. He steps away to let Borir do the chopping.
"Kings have no friends, only subjects and enemies."

- King Stannis Baratheon, First of His Name

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