Book 1: Chapter 1 - Troubles in Tharbad

Muskrat · Post by **Muskrat** » Thu Dec 03, 2015 9:04 pm

"Aye, Master Hartley, that's a good idea," says Halleth. "We can give people sanctuary. Perhaps we can help mediate disputes in the town. And protect the weak from those as would prey on them. I suppose we can start with the sort of ordinary rogues you'd find in a place like this and build up support that way. Along the way, we should learn more about the Master. And once we have enough support from our good works, then we can move against him. And we can see what help the people of Dunlend and Enedwaith need as well, out from under the Master's eye. We will have to build slowly, but that may be the surest path." He ponders a moment, then says, "But all this means, we need to learn more. If we are to help people, we need to know who needs to be help and who's bullying others."

Post by **TetNak** » Fri Dec 04, 2015 5:31 pm

"That is wise, Master Hobbit," Aravule agrees, "But as far as coin, what coin do we need, when we can sustain what we need. Food and water can be gotten from the river, or cultivated elsewhere. Protection we can give, to those from afar and within." He nods to himself, "As for those in town, the best place to start are these toll-takers." Everyone remembers Aravule's first response to these men. "They should be eliminated."

Blubbo_Baggins · Post by **Blubbo_Baggins** » Fri Dec 04, 2015 5:43 pm

"Should we eliminate them, or capture them, and see if they work for themselves or for the Master?" replies Telurin. "I would prefer to learn what we can and see if we cannot first turn them, or exile them from Tharbad."

Post by **TetNak** » Fri Dec 04, 2015 5:48 pm

"If it is possible," Aravule says, "I do not believe exiling them is realistic, though. They will sneak back in if they wanted, and would do so under our noses, and then likely cause us much grief. I do worry we will not have the people to enforce such freedoms with just our numbers. That is why I wished to recruit others first."

Blubbo_Baggins · Post by **Blubbo_Baggins** » Fri Dec 04, 2015 5:54 pm

"Then let us first recruit others. We do not know the factions here, and if we make a move against one that seems small, we may end up facing a much stronger opponent than expected. I think we should go toward the Dunlendings or the people of Enedwaith, as you first suggested Aravule. Do the rest of you agree?"

Muskrat · Post by **Muskrat** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 10:51 pm

"Aye, let's see what we can do to help people, what grievance they have, before we move. Many may regard the toll takers as but a minor annoyance. We should try to find out who the big predators are first. Start with the ones that don't seem tied to the Master. But we'll have to be able to exert some strength. If we were to remove the toll takers, we would have to man the place they take tolls, hold it ourselves, so no one else moves it to use it for that purpose." Halleth shakes his head. "I think our best plan at this moment is not anything definite, but to ask around and see where we can help honest folk who are being oppressed, then decide our next move. We know too little now to make detailed plans."

Wbweather · Post by **Wbweather** » Mon Dec 07, 2015 6:53 am

"Aye, that we should. Information is a most valuable commodity. Perhaps rather than take out the toll collectors, we could rather escort those passing in and out of town. A strong group of soldiers acting as protection might discourage them from collecting their coin, although I fear that it would not long for a confrontation to take place, in which case we would fight them anyway."

Post by **TetNak** » Mon Dec 07, 2015 6:21 pm

"We need to start small, Halleth, then grow. We cannot take on an army yet." Aravule shakes his head, "If we join others as protection, well, the same event will occur, we shall engage with the toll takers. It would be best if we did it on our terms." To Hartley, he considers the hobbit's words for a moment, "We have only us. We did not sway them earlier, did we? We need to collect the strength to exert our will first."

Wbweather · Post by **Wbweather** » Mon Dec 07, 2015 6:31 pm

"Then let us go to the Dunlandings. They are the closest thing we have to an ally here. Perhaps if we can prove our worth to them, then they will show themselves willing to assist us or at least provide us men."

Wbweather · Post by **Wbweather** » Tue Dec 08, 2015 9:49 pm

One day on a whim while emptying a few mugs at the Empty Mug, Harley engages the proprietor of the establishment with hopes of getting some leads.

"Well, good sir. For the last 8 months I have been visiting this place fairly frequently. As you can tell, our company doesn't intend on leaving Tharbad just yet. What we'd like is to do some good about this place and help build a more proper town here. Everywhere you go there seems to be a shadow over everything and that shadow seems to come from the island. You know most folks about here as well as anybody. What might make this town a better place? Is there folks that would be willing to back us up if we were to make some positive changes? I really do think that the rangers I am with want to see things made better for the people in Tharbad, but where do we begin? Do you know of any folk that could use a hand or someone to fight a noble cause for them?"

Login • Register