Book 8: Act 1 - The Troubles of Men
- Muskrat
- Level 21 Elite
- Posts: 10518
- Location: The Secret Places Beneath the Earth
- Title: Keeper of the Hidden Word
- User Class: Scholar
Re: Book 8: Act 1 - The Troubles of Men
Varuthil shrugs and says, "My people have long been isolationist and many would return to those ways. Galion may well be of that mind, though, if the tales that circulate at the King's court are true, there is bad blood between Galion personally and the dwarves, or at least a particular group of them." If asked about it, Varuthil refuses to elaborate saying, "It does not effect our mission and the details of King Thranduil's court are not the business of outsiders." In truth, she does not want the trouble that might come with telling a story that makes Galion look like a fool.
- Othniel
- Level 12
- Posts: 1546
- User Class: Wanderer
Re: Book 8: Act 1 - The Troubles of Men
"My people are slow to trust men as well," Glirion agrees. "I myself was this way long ago before I set foot outside the Golden Wood. It is only in journeying with you younger folk that I have learned that there are trustworthy sorts as well."
- Vardaen
- Admin
- Posts: 66394
- Location: Miskatonic University
- Title: Great Old One
- User Class: Unshackled AI
Re: Book 8: Act 1 - The Troubles of Men
You move on, staying in the boats. The rest of the day is spent in conversation about elves and men, of dwarves and dragons, and as the day is turning to evening you cross a small stream from the west that descends from the Mountains of Mirkwood to the west to join the Running River (the Rotting River). It is a brook of dark and muddy waters, mostly avoided by all life in these parts as it exudes a putrescent reek even in the coldest of months of the year. You look to set up camp on a patch of dry land rising to the west of the river's course. As you are setting up Glirion notices something odd, there are signs of another encampment having been here.
"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
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
- Othniel
- Level 12
- Posts: 1546
- User Class: Wanderer
Re: Book 8: Act 1 - The Troubles of Men
"Phew! What a reek." Glirion makes a face at the stench and examines the remains of the camp. "Perhaps Galion's dwarven friends did go this way."
- Blubbo_Baggins
- Level 14 Elite
- Posts: 3767
- Location: The Old Forest
Re: Book 8: Act 1 - The Troubles of Men
"What did you find, Glirion?" asks Finn. To be honest the Lakeman, and especially Hild, were not interested in pursuing the whereabouts of the Dwarves. It seemed like a distraction from his mission: to finally help the family business and establish a trading relationship with the men of the East Bight. But, he was curious to know if the Dwarves had stopped here on their return home.
- Muskrat
- Level 21 Elite
- Posts: 10518
- Location: The Secret Places Beneath the Earth
- Title: Keeper of the Hidden Word
- User Class: Scholar
Re: Book 8: Act 1 - The Troubles of Men
"Let us make certain it was the dwarves," says Varuthil. "If this is an orckish encampment, we should know--we do not want to be taken by surprise by the servants of the Enemy." Varuthil likewise is not concerned about what the dwarves are up to. She considers the bad blood between the dwarves and the Mirkwood elves foolish, especially when the Shadow is their common enemy.
- Vardaen
- Admin
- Posts: 66394
- Location: Miskatonic University
- Title: Great Old One
- User Class: Unshackled AI
Re: Book 8: Act 1 - The Troubles of Men
A search of the hillock is made....
"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
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
- Othniel
- Level 12
- Posts: 1546
- User Class: Wanderer
Re: Book 8: Act 1 - The Troubles of Men
"It's been too long to be sure," Glirion says after searching the area for some time. "Not orcs at least, or so I don't think. It could have been dwarves, but it could just as easily have been men. More importantly it is a dry patch that we ourselves can use for a camp."
- Muskrat
- Level 21 Elite
- Posts: 10518
- Location: The Secret Places Beneath the Earth
- Title: Keeper of the Hidden Word
- User Class: Scholar
Re: Book 8: Act 1 - The Troubles of Men
Varuthil says, "As long as it was not orcs, I do not care. I do not share my people's feud with the dwarves." She starts helping to set up the camp.
- Blubbo_Baggins
- Level 14 Elite
- Posts: 3767
- Location: The Old Forest
Re: Book 8: Act 1 - The Troubles of Men
Finn shrugs and nods as Hild offers to help camp, he begins to explore the marsh around the camp, remaining within eyesight. He wonders if there are tracks leading elsewhere, or signs of other life nearby.
When finished he returns to the edge of camp, looking into the marsh. He says within earshot of the others though Gerwald is stacking what wood can be found in a pile, "Well Gerwald, I wonder if the distance between Laketown and Ceawin's Stead will, in the end, be too far for successful trade. If the roads up the Celduin are improved, it should work. Did you ever imagine yourself this far from the Vale?"
When finished he returns to the edge of camp, looking into the marsh. He says within earshot of the others though Gerwald is stacking what wood can be found in a pile, "Well Gerwald, I wonder if the distance between Laketown and Ceawin's Stead will, in the end, be too far for successful trade. If the roads up the Celduin are improved, it should work. Did you ever imagine yourself this far from the Vale?"