Book 6: Act 2 - Men-I-Naurgrim

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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Post by Muskrat » Fri Oct 20, 2017 6:57 pm

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

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Post by Shurijo » Sat Oct 21, 2017 12:25 am

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.

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Post by Vardaen » Mon Oct 23, 2017 5:03 pm

"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!"
"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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Post by Blubbo_Baggins » Mon Oct 23, 2017 5:42 pm

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."

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Post by Vardaen » Mon Oct 23, 2017 7:33 pm

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.
"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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Post by Muskrat » Mon Oct 23, 2017 9:03 pm

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.

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Post by shipwreck » Mon Oct 23, 2017 11:53 pm

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

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Post by Shurijo » Tue Oct 24, 2017 10:16 pm

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.

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Post by Vardaen » Wed Oct 25, 2017 3:38 pm

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.
The Coffer has 20 points of Treasure init! You'll have to split up some how
"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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Post by Blubbo_Baggins » Wed Oct 25, 2017 4:42 pm

"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.
So do we need to decide OOC, whether we will continue, or turn back and return to the Woodmen or the Easterly Inn? And if we do return, is it the end of the adventure? Doesn't matter to me if the adventure keeps going, just curious.

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