Book 6: Act 1 - The Folk-Moot at Rhosgobel

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...

Run by the Loremaster Vardaen
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Re: Book 6: Act 2 - The Folk-Moot at Rhosgobel

Post by Blubbo_Baggins » Tue Nov 29, 2016 6:41 pm

"Well," says Finn overhearing their conversation, "A representative of the Beornings at the Folk-Moot, to listen and report to Beorn wouldn't hurt." He turns back to Pipkin, who has momentarily buried his nose in a book, waiting for his reply.

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Re: Book 6: Act 2 - The Folk-Moot at Rhosgobel

Post by shipwreck » Sat Dec 03, 2016 12:41 am

After Pipkin's declaration, Rathar smiles politely and nods to Beleran. "I have been traveling with this company for less than a year now, but they are stout folk! I would welcome another on this journey...especially if we will be shorthanded."

He then grows terribly quiet. When the room dies down and he finds a moment he speaks with Pipkin. "You are sure about this? About staying?"

When the Hobbit nods Rathar sighs. He has deeply enjoyed his time with the little marvel and will miss him on the road. But he doesn't say as much. The Woodman simply nods and puts a firm hand on Pip's little shoulder.

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Re: Book 6: Act 2 - The Folk-Moot at Rhosgobel

Post by Shurijo » Tue Dec 06, 2016 2:11 pm

Borir grabs Rathar and Beleran by the arms, which is surprising because it seems like the dwarf already has his hands full with multiple tankards of ale. Pulling the two men over to the table of dwarves, he nudges them to take one of the tankards and then lifts his own along with the other dwarves sitting at the table.

"Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To seek the pale enchanted gold."

As Borir begins to sing (well, sing as might as a dwarf of Borir's statue and lack of soberness is possible), the fellow dwarves stand knocking their chairs back. The table's tankards are raised along with the voices of the fellow dwarves as the song continues.

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Re: Book 6: Act 2 - The Folk-Moot at Rhosgobel

Post by silverfoxdmt73 » Tue Dec 06, 2016 4:14 pm

The Beorning lets himself be dragged, along with Rathar by the rather over-friendly dwarf to the table of dwarves. He looks to Rathar to see if this is Borir's normal behaviour and somewhat reluctantly takes a tankard in his large hand.

He listens to the words of the song, recalling having heard something similar in tales Beorn told him, and in unison with the dwarves, he lifts the tankard to his mouth and takes a very conservative sip of the ale - purely to be sociable. At the first opportunity he puts the drink back on the table and looks to remove himself from the rather boisterous activity.
Last edited by silverfoxdmt73 on Wed Jan 11, 2017 10:14 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Book 6: Act 2 - The Folk-Moot at Rhosgobel

Post by Vardaen » Tue Dec 06, 2016 6:15 pm

"Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To seek the pale enchanted gold."

The three dwarves sign with Borir, raising their voices in song and goading anyone else in the place to sing along with them. Their voices are loud and booming, and consume the air in the small common room. The two Leofrings raise their mugs to the dwarves, and buy the trio, now quarter with Borir, a round in hopes that will keep the dwarves busy for a bit with drinking and not socializing with them. One gives Beleran a piteous look as he's dragged into the festivities.

The plans for tomorrows venture are dotted among the merry making: the group will travel south to Rhosgobel, a trip now they have taken enough times to know the best ways.

So the evening turns to night and Borir and the Blue Mountains Dwarves (Garik, Garin and Happ) drink on into the night. The moon is up when Happ produces a viola and begins to play. The hobbits have all gone to bed save for Pipkin who is left to man the ale casks to keep the dwarves from pillaging it. The two men also offer their salutations and head to bed leaving just the company and the trio.

About an hour after midnight Pipkin shouts for last call and the dwarves all groan and moan but after their final tankard they produce long clay pipes and sit smoking the halfling leaf known as Southern Star for another half of an hour before finally Garin passes out shortly followed by Garik and then Borir, and last of all is Happ playing a sad turn on his viola till he slips off to sleep.

Cock-a-doodle-do!

The rooster's call is loud and early! Too much of both for the dwarves' liking who audible complain about that chicken, and threaten to batter him and fry him up if he doesn't shut up. Of course they do nothing of the sort. The storm has passed and the morning is bright if not very wet and muddy out. The preparations are made over breakfast, and the pair of Leofring Men eat quickly and are back on their horses before Borir has woken from his hangover. By late morning Borir is up, but Happ remains sleeping even as his companions manage to struggle to wake for something to eat (and drink - hair of the orc that bit you they say). After breakfast they wake their partner, and all three go upstairs and right back to bed!
"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: Book 6: Act 2 - The Folk-Moot at Rhosgobel

Post by Muskrat » Wed Dec 07, 2016 6:11 pm

Varuthil is up early and helps mind the hobbit children while their parents prepare breakfast. She will only be here a short while and she is, in her own cold and distant way, fond of the children. She takes them outside to play. She is a bit more talkative than she with them than she has been in the past, sometimes taking the time to point out various herbs, trees or small animals, to name them and tell the children a bit about them. For the most part though, she watches them silently. When breakfast is ready, she ushers them back inside.

When Borir finally comes down for breakfast, she says, "Well, Master Borir, I hope all that drink has helped fortify you for own journey."

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Re: Book 6: Act 2 - The Folk-Moot at Rhosgobel

Post by Blubbo_Baggins » Wed Dec 07, 2016 10:56 pm

Finn is up early. He is ready to hit the road after a long, yet productive Winter. More than ever though, he is looking forward to the Folk-Moot. He is hopeful to see what the Woodmen need, and whether new alliances can be formed.

Tom is soon awakened by the smell of bacon frying, and joins Finn and the others down in the hall.

"Morning Finn."

"Morning Tom. Are you ready to be on the road again? We aren't going far, so I don't think you need to be prepared to help carry extra supplies. I'll need you to serve as my page. Be thinking about the kind of things I need to present us well to the Woodmen. Whether it be a word, a phrase you've heard them say in our visits, a good argument, or some token that carries meaning... bring it along, or keep an eye open or both, and put your ears to good use. Whilst we stay with them, you might learn useful news."

Tom nods and smiles, and begins to dig into his breakfast. The lad has stacked his plate high with bacon, seeming to realize he probably won't get such a fine meal for weeks or more.
Tom will act as a Page this Adventure, to provide rerolls for Insight & Courtesy...

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Re: Book 6: Act 2 - The Folk-Moot at Rhosgobel

Post by shipwreck » Thu Dec 08, 2016 11:24 am

Rathar rubs his temples gingerly in between bites of bread and meat. He eyes the Leofrings as they depart. His eyes move to the dwarves when the go back up to bed and he feels a strong sense of irritation suddenly. The tall Woodman sighs, manages another bite, and stands.

"I need a sniff of air," he says, and strides outside hoping for a cool spring draught.

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Re: Book 6: Act 2 - The Folk-Moot at Rhosgobel

Post by Shurijo » Thu Dec 08, 2016 2:23 pm

Borir responds to Varuthil with a sluggish, "Aye." Turning to rest his hand on a fence post, he shakes his head a bit and says, "You should enjoy life while you can, fer tomorrow we could face orcs or death." His tired and monotone words come out flatly as he blinks his eyes to focus in the morning light.

"Well," he says as he takes a knee to inspect his traveling gear. "We should git a mov'on it. Daylight and 'all."

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Re: Book 6: Act 2 - The Folk-Moot at Rhosgobel

Post by silverfoxdmt73 » Thu Dec 08, 2016 3:28 pm

Beleran woke with the coming of first light, having slept soundly even as some of the others drank into the night.

As ever, he went through his morning ritual, checked for injuries, cuts and grazes as well as looking under his nails for mud and checking the soles of his feet for grass stains. Satisfied with the results, he ventured to the bar room and filled his growling stomach with eggs and bacon and sated his thirst before gathering his belongings and readying himself for the days travel.

He nodded courteously to the others and bid them all a good morning, saying goodbye and thanking the folk of the inn for their generous hospitality.

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