Middle Earth FA64 D&D Game: Seventh Adventure – The Ruins of Old Hatha

Perhaps, dear lady, perhaps. He is indeed more quiet that I would be and might make a fine forward scout in looking for traps. If we are going to send in a single person to clear the way for dangers ahead before going in with our full force he would be my choice. Still I would hate to see him on the front lines if it came to a fight in a more confined area. He can hardly take the damage that I can, and I doubt he is as good in caves. And don't forget that with my helm I now have even further enhanced night vision.

But I have said my peace. I will not question the captain's decision.

"I question the wisdom of venturing into enclosed spaces when our expected foes greatly outmatch any one of us," wonders Ithilneth. "While I do not suggest we lay siege, perhaps it better to wait for them to egress to where we have the advantage. But I will defer to the experience of Gilgandel."

"A fair point, Ithilneth," the Sea-knight says, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Perhaps, now that the way is clear, an invisible Hobbit or two, or an Elf, ought to do some scouting while we await the nighttime departure of what may be just a single remaining troll."

Prestolwen whispers to Gilraen, "Why must we pursue the troll at all? Cannot we proceed on our journey which is sure to be fraught with dangers of its own?"

Not so loud, Prestolwen. Trolls are not deaf. :) I fear we must see if there be another troll here - finding these creatures is part of the reason why we are here. I pity them, for they did not ask to be made as they are, but by all I have ever seen or heard the only mercy that can usefully be offered to them is as quick a despatch as possible, and may the One grant healing of their spirits. It is for no love of slaughter that I advocate this, but to spare some innocent the consequence if we shirk our duty. Sooner or later a troll will prey on the weak and helpless, and tales tell of a mere three accounting for a village and a half in a few weeks.

Rorimac, are you willing? Our dwarves are mighty in battle but something less than stealthy, and if you can find anything out, it might be as well. And when it comes at last to tunnel-crawling, we should indeed have Gwaelur or Bitur lead the way followed by the other, and then by me. I much respect our other archers, and their turn will come, but I want a clear view for the sake of effective leadership. Put Deor next; I will soon drop out of his way if his power is needed. Our Men had better come last and guard our rear with mail and sword, while we frailer folk remain safely in the centre.

Cael listens, and nods.

"I agree, we need to deal with the remaining troll, or trolls, before they can cause any more problems. While I would rather not face it in its lair, at least we know where it is."

Rorimac smiles at Gwaelur comments before nodding at Gil-Gandel "I will be fine scouting ahead."

Turning to Gwaelur "I thank you for your concern, but don't forget what is close confines for a Dwarf, let alone a Troll is a wide open space for a Hobbit. And while you could certainly endure more damage than I, what makes you think a Troll could hit me. As for it being underground, although we may not delve as deeply as Dwarves, we are certainly not unaccustomed to it."

Turning back top the rest of the party, "Besides, we are looking for Trolls, big things, more than twice the size of a man, let alone a dwarf. While I doubt Theogrim would be able to charge down the tunnel at them, mores the pity, two marching side by side should be less of an issue."

As the minor debate goes on, the horses start neighing up above. Thoroncir and Koldanar understand it as a warning of a single rider approaching on a large wolf. Theogrim picks up general distress of a warg rider approaching. Gil-Gandel specifically understands Cúran warning of the danger of a single wolf rider, probably human, wolf larger than a warg though.

The stranger sees the small herd of horses near a ravine. They are neighing and warning of his approach. Many of the horses are exceptional, at least one he would think of as an Elven Horse and many top horses of Rohan.

Bitur is fine with taking 2nd in the order when the time comes, but has no opinion one way or the other as to whether the hobbits should go scouting ahead first.

(I am assuming, by your post, we can hear the horses?)

Redward interrupts, as quietly as he can. "Everyone, we have company; A single rider on a large wolf...this sounds like a scout to me."

"Rider on a wolf? Not a friendly scout, I'll wager."

Sir Thoroncir, more information please - you are nearest the entrance and can communicate well. With such wise heads among them, our horses have little to fear from a lone rider, but I want to know what he is up to.

Does anyone head up?

Theogrim doesn't like the idea of a warg approaching the horses unguarded. He will make the climb back up to see what gives.

Ceol's brow furrows. "Rider...on a *wolf*? Odd, at the least."

He accompanies Theogrim back up the hill. "Cousin, let us see what this wolf-rider is about."

Ithilneth glances at Gil-Gandel and motions with her eyes, and then covertly slips to the side to find an overlooking (and hopefully flanking) position where she can watch the approaching wolf-rider without being seen.

The men begin the climb. Ithilneth begins a swifter and stealthier climb where she knows she can get behind a slightly raised tumble of earth and stone.

Thoroncir will go up, as well, sword and shield at the ready. He had not thought to encounter a warg this far to the south, but long ago learned to expect the unexpected.

Seeing that his presence is now known, Drindoleth leads his wolf "Hound" a ways into the clearing, so those approaching up the hill can see him.

Drindoleth sits easily on the back of the giant wolf, with his elbows resting on the creatures shoulders. His green cloak hood is currently down. His curious look is framed by a mop of disheveled brown hair, and rather intense and searching eyes.

Between his hands, resting also on the wolfs shoulders is a staff, which must be a little taller than his 6ft frame.

He watches, and waits as the investigators approach, and as they come into view, opens his hands in a welcoming, and non threatening manner.

"I'm not normally easily distracted from my doings. But a party such as yours, carrying a sword such as that, is hardly a normal distraction, is it?"

Thoroncir cannot help but laugh. "No, I suppose it isn't. But then, it is not our sword. We are concealing it so that it may not be used against us by the trolls to which it belongs. Greetings, stranger! I am Thoroncir, a knight-errant of Gondor. What is your name, if I may ask, and how did you come by so extraordinary a mount?"

Prestolwen peers around the large rock she had hidden behind, lowering her bow as she takes in the scene.

Ceol relaxes a bit. "And I am Ceol, Knight of the Mark, and servant of Eonwë." He nudges Thoroncir with a faint smile. "Truly, the troll who owned the sword is no longer in a position to possess any item."

"Well met Thoroncir, my name is Drindoleth, of the Beorn. And this is Hound. Me and her have been together since she was a pup. A much smaller animal at that time."

Drindoleth offers a smile, and dismounts lightly from hound, while scratching her behind one massive ear.

"Did you say trolls?"

Thoroncir keeps a somewhat leery eye on the massive Hound, and says, "You heard aright. We lately slew seven, and believe another may have its lair nearby. We used this sword as a lever to secure passage into its cave. Tell me, what brings you to this area? Who, if anyone, is your liege?"

Hearing fairly normal talking, Gilraen calls up from below, "Is all well?"

Still eyeing the stranger and his wolf with some suspicion, Theogrim calls down, "That remains to be seen, milady, but for the moment there is no immediate danger."

Mulligan sighs, "Another large Wolf, I hope this one doesn't consider me to be breakfast at any point."

Rorimac to Gwaelur, "Given the size of the tunnel, why don't we both go down side by side as I am sure our expertise combined would be of use. I would hazard a guess that the tunnel is wide enough"

Once past the opening between the rocks, the passage should be wide enough for 4-5 Hobbits wide. Even 3 Dwarves or 3 tall men should be possible especially if fighting as a shield wall.

"I think that sounds like a fine plan Rorimac. It seems that our companions are in no danger from the newcomer and I am anxious to proceed."

Gwaelur calls up to the others

"Are there any of you who would join us in the cave? On the troll hunt?"

"To answer your question Thoroncir, I'm searching for Ents in this region. And if I have allegiance, it is to Lord Beron. Now, my business isn't exactly pressing, and certainly, if you and your party need help with eliminating trolls....
well I certainly can't allow trolls to just wander freely. I am at your service, should you require it."

Thoroncir says, "Thank you, Drindoleth. Who is Lord Beron?" He pauses. "I would like to introduce you to the other members of the party, but some of them... might not appreciate meeting, under the circumstances, the great Hound just yet. If you can, would you mind asking the wolf to remain here for the moment? I swear on my honor as a knight of Gondor that it will come to no harm while we speak with the others below."

"On your honor as a knight of Gondor, do you also pledge that this...thing...will not gorge itself on horseflesh while we're down below?"

Drindoleth turns to Theogrim, the surprise at the comment melting with a small smile.

"Horse Lord, this is my ally as a druid, and she has been thus since she was unable to eat but milk from the tit. I swear to you, she wouldn't feed on horse flesh if I left her with them alone."

He whispers a few words in the giant wolf's ear, and then steps away from her, nodding to Thoroncir.

"She will remain here. Lord Beron is the Lord of the Beornings, of whom I am. And I think I would very much like to meet your other troll slayers, if you would."

Drindoleth steps down the hill before Thoroncir and Theogrim, and awaits them to lead.

Theogrim would recall adventuring for a few weeks with a Beorning Druid named Mellowbeorn up in Angmar. Gil-Gandel would know of and some of the Beornings. Prestolwen's father was one of the woodmen that took Beorn for Lord and thus she is familiar with Lord Beron, Beorn's descendant.

The Sea-knight captain will whisper a Horse word of encouragement to his warhorse Baygir, asking him to keep an eye on Hound, sound the alarm and protect the other horses, if need be (although it seems unlikely). He will then lead Drindoleth and the others down to rejoin the rest of the party, unless any would prefer to remain to keep an eye on Hound.

Bitur answers Gwaelur:

"Aye. I'll accompany you two for scouting ahead. With our knowledge of stone and engineering and toe-to-toe combat, and Rorimac's agility, stealth, and knowledge of traps, we should be able to handle just about anything we encounter."

Assuming Ithilneth's overlook position is within earshot of the cave entrance, she'll stay there as a sentry until reinforcements are needed in the cave. No need for us to risk less friendly surprises.

"Very well, let the Beorning journey with us a while. Shall we descend again? I shall take up our rear guard once we are in the tunnels."

The party gathers back down as the Hobbits scout in invisibly and the Dwarves stand ready to charge. Gil-Gandel is ready to be next. Prestolwen and Redward follow as the other excellent archers. Gilraen and Deor will be next and then the 3 warriors and Drindoleth the Druid.

Ithilneth keeps a guard position with a reasonable view onto the plains and watching the mounts overlooking the ravine above the troll cave.

First Rorimac goes in cautiously without a sound or shadow and then Mulligan follows. They are both very quiet and trolls are not known for exceptional hearing but then Rorimac sees a troll flailing with a flail barely dodges out of the way. Mulligan quickly sees a second troll behind the first.

Never mind. I hate it when I simulpost with the gm

Back up and let everyone know, quietly of course.

"Drindoleth, It is I, Prestolwen, daughter of the woodsman whom you knew well! It has been many years since I first saw you; I was but a child. I am honored to be in such company." Prestolwen then bobs a (very) small curtsey and continues on with the others.

Do the rest of us hear this disturbance and have the opportunity to advance, forming a fighting line with the archers and spellcasters behind the dwarves?

People quickly hear but there is no chance of the trolls coming out of their cave and no shot into it.

Can Rorimac tell, more specifically, what the trolls were up to? What was the first one doing with the flail - was it trying to hit him or some other invisible foe, or something else?

Rorimac is pretty sure it was just flailing about with the flail almost like it knew something came through the opening.

I suppose quarters are a bit too tight for Theogrim, his horse and his Lance of Pretty Much Instant Death....

Can the Hobbits tell us a bit about the layout of the cave area where the trolls are? Could we form a battle line up there, or perhaps force the trolls back by point-blank arrow fire and then advance our swordsmen?

Theogrim stands ready to enter once all others who intend to go in have done so. He is ill at ease in close quarters, without his horse or lance, but he will not suffer his friends to go into danger without him. He will have his sword at the ready.

"Ah, Prestolwen. I knew your father well. He was my friend, and I am yours, and at your service."

After exchanging pleasantries with Prestolwen, Drindoleth follows the men towards the mouth of the cave. He awaits scouting reports, and order from the already fluent troll killers.

My guess is they are putting those oversize noses of theirs to good use.

They know we are here and they are not coming out, so either we force them out or wait them out.

There are two of them, both unhappy, back there.