Fellowship of the Dice

Varuthil looks on intrigued, nodding at Finn's words, but saying nothing herself, since Finn has already said what needs to be said.

Having the staff taken from him, Borir looks to his kin, waiting a response to the question. He sits the small chest down on the ground and then collects the last item, the small casket. He waits to hear the lore of the staff, before moving onto the casket.

"What's it purpose?" Bofri says, "It is the Roadwarden Staff! Don't you understand what that means? No, I suppose you don't being a man from Lake-town. It is the sign of authority, the rightful ruler of the Dwarf Road! This, this means I can rally other dwarves to my cause, to get workers, and labor from my people. I can... I can prove this whole venture wasn't in vane!" He holds it lovingly then takes a stronger grip on it, like a king might hold his scepter, "It means that Brok didn't 'die in vain!"

Finn breathes a sigh of relief. He was glad to know their scouting mission was considered a success by their patron, Bofri. Now he wondered if it would be worth the time and risk they had taken. He turned to Varuthil and whispered, "At least, I hope, we can begin to leave this forest. I've had enough stifling trees and darkness for a while."

Nalir nods overhearing Finn, "Me too! We can get out of here, I think going further along the road is pointless. With that..." he points at Bofri's new staff, "...things change. I'm ready to set out first thing in the morning." He then heads over to the fire down on the first floor and sits down eating something from his pack.

Varuthil frowns, then asks, "I am glad we have found the staff--I will be glad of anything that helps restore control of this road to any one of the free peoples and takes it out of the hands of the Shadow--but will your people rally to you simply because you have found the staff? Will there be others who contest your right to have it? And how many will willingly follow you here? I suspect we must follow this road to its other end if you are to convince others that it safe to reclaim it." Unlike the others, she seems unphased by spending more time on the Shadow-blighted road.

As if in response to Varuthil's reaction. Rathar coughs and stirs in his sleep.

Borir raises his hand saying, "Not so fast, Nalir," hoping to pause his kin from retreating from the room. "There's this small coffer remaining." He looks around the room to see if anyone has any comments before he begins to look inside.

Bofri considers Varuthil's words, "Perhaps, but I think with the recovery of this, my people will rally, and see hope in this task. We can return west and I can take a safer road to Erebor and rally a large expedition to scout and clear the road now."

Borir stops Nalir, and turns to the coffer, he opens it and finds fair sum of treasure within, gold and silver coins, and gems and jewels of a great amount!

Rathar coughs, he's a live still, almost forgotten.

"Is he going to be OK?" asks Finn of Varuthil, ignoring the treasure for now. It was a good sum, but amongst so many it wouldn't be much, enough to at least cover their expenses.

He was very glad to hear Bofri confirm that it was time to leave, to return to the Anduin. And for Finn, perhaps it was time to visit his home again. He wanted to find Ceawin's settlement on the Eastern side of Mirkwood, and see what could be done to trade with them.