Book 8: Act 1 - The Troubles of Men
- Muskrat
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Book 8: Act 1 - The Troubles of Men
Varuthil nods and says, "I an interested in the market."
When she arrives, she simply wanders about for a bit, studying the people around her--sometimes intently enough to make people uncomfortable--and wondering about their lives. Eventually, she looks to see if there are any book shops. She is interested in almost any kind of lore.
When she arrives, she simply wanders about for a bit, studying the people around her--sometimes intently enough to make people uncomfortable--and wondering about their lives. Eventually, she looks to see if there are any book shops. She is interested in almost any kind of lore.
- Wbweather
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Book 8: Act 1 - The Troubles of Men
"I am not one for crowds. I might enjoy hunting herbs along the banks of the river though. I would be grateful for some company, if I go."
- Vardaen
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Book 8: Act 1 - The Troubles of Men
Anything is possible here. Varuthil finds herself a book seller, there are no books of ancient age however. When Smaug attacked the city of wood burned, and its books along with it. Anything that didn't burn was lost to the waters. Still there are copies and texts from all over the region and she could spend days in here looking about.
The shores offer all sorts of adventure and with the right guide and knowledge Gerwald finds himself collecting herbs for himself. Some are of high quality, others just for seasoning pork. He spends a day in the wilds and returns with a good collection of Kingcup bright yellow flower used by farmers as lucky charms.
"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
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Book 8: Act 1 - The Troubles of Men
For his part, Glirion spends his time among the boat-builders of Esgaroth. He is interested in their shared craft, and would know more of how their boats handle. He willingly shares a few tricks of elven woodworking as well.
- Wbweather
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Book 8: Act 1 - The Troubles of Men
Gerwald finds some solace in the fields and marshes around the lake. It is good for him to get away from the bustle of the town from time to time. He is ready to set out again, finding it difficult for him to stay in any one place too long. Once the boats are acquired, he begins making preparations to set out.
- Muskrat
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Book 8: Act 1 - The Troubles of Men
- Blubbo_Baggins
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Book 8: Act 1 - The Troubles of Men
After Glirion finishes spending time among the raft-Elves, Finn is glad for his company making minor repairs and preparing the two boats for the journey. Soon the day comes for the company to set out down the River Running.
- Vardaen
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The River Running: Stairs of Girion
It takes a day to cover the fifteen miles that separate Lake-town from the southern end of the lake, close to where its waters pour out over high waterfalls (their loud roar can be heard slowly increasing in volume as the adventurers get nearer to the falls). Travellers going south usually disembark on the western shore of Long Lake, where several wooden piers jut out from the shingles. There, a number of huts huddle close to the lake and fires can be seen twinkling in the dark at night. These are the homes of the Lake-men that sometimes serve as porters for the Stair of Girion.
The Stair of Girion is a paved portage trackway, built long ago by the Lake-men with the help of Dwarven masons, allowing for the swift transport of boats and their contents from the lake down to where the Running River resumes its course beyond the falls (or up to the lake from the river, for boats coming from the south). Entire boats can be loaded on wheeled carts, that are then pulled along grooves dug into the paved trackway.
The Stair of Girion hasn’t seen a lot of traffic in the past few centuries. Not even the death of Smaug has provided the chance to put it to much use, as only well-armed and courageous merchants (a rare breed...) dare to approach the lake directly by boat. Fearing to enter the darkest parts of the Long Marshes, they prefer to unload their wares 90 miles south of the lake, where the Running River enters Mirkwood and the marshes, and then continue their journey overland along the eastern borders of Mirkwood.
You they arrive at the Stair at the end of the first day of you journey, and load your light boats on the trackway to proceed south the next morning. This will forces the Fellowship to camp close to the lake shore, and Finn asks for seats around a fire with the Lake-men. The porters are young and simple men; they are easily excited by the sight of such adventurers as yourselves daring to go south on a boat, and jump at the chance of hearing a good story or a song of the old days.
"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
- Muskrat
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The River Running: Stairs of Girion
Varuthil sits uncomfortably among the strangers, keeping her thoughts to herself. Any songs she knows are in the elven tongues and she fears the history she finds interesting will be dull to men such as these. Still, if asked, she will try to respond politely and is willing to sing in elven if the men are willing to listen to a song in a language they do not know.
- Blubbo_Baggins
- Level 14 Elite
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- Location: The Old Forest
The River Running: Stairs of Girion
Though she has been noticed by the porters, Hild remains in the shadows close to the gear.
Finn continues, "Our journey takes us south along the Running; tell us what news you've heard from there, or from the forest." As he speaks Finn draws his lyre from his back and begins tuning it, wordlessly hinting at the promise of a song of some adventure in exchange.