Dale in the Fourth Age: Session One, "DEWy-eyed novices"

Tom has listened carefully to Arewe's advice and completely agrees. (He realises his combat experience is limited to precisely two encounters. :iiam: )
So he suggests:

- we keep a watch (thanks, Aster and Eli!)
- we separate the two Snaga (i.e. out of earshot of each other) and (assuming either they speak Common or one of us knows Orc) ask them the same questions*
- we threaten to take them back to the farming community for a trial if they don't answer
- if they are helpful, we disarm them and tell them to leave the area forever (on pain of death)

* - are you part of a group? (if so, how many in the group and who is the leader?)
- did you steal a ram?
- where are you going?
- is there a larger group of orcs nearby?

Eli has no little experience with orcs, and was once badly wounded by one while serving in the Royal Army of Arnor. He says, well outside of the orcs' earshot, "Orcs are bad, all the way down to their smelly toes. Freeing them, even after disarming them, would just mean unleashing them on some unarmed farmer or dairy maid after they re-arm themselves with, say, tree limbs - plenty of those around - which they could use as clubs. No one puts orcs on trial. I'd take no pleasure in it, but I say we kill them after we've gotten the information we need from them."

Quote:

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Originally posted by Stebb

Gabe rubs his hands and mutters a few sing song words as he touches Bruno to do what healing he can (CLW).

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Perhaps to Bruno's wonderment since he may never have known the like before, he looks on as the strange green magician lays a gentle hand on the ugly-looking gash left by the orcish scimitar, and the skin and flesh close with hardly a sign that the Beorning was ever hurt. Even the sting of the wound fades like the memory of an unpleasant dream. OOC: The cure would have put back six hit points if Bruno had lost so many.

"Thank you Gabe, thank you indeed."

Rowena sits back on her heels and watches in unabashed awe as the Druid works his magic. Better than anything she could accomplish, and with no apparent pain on Bruno's part or much strain on Gabe's.

Getting up, she mumbles a dry "you're welcome" to Bruno. He doesn't appear to have noticed her at all. Likely these people are so used to having wounds handled by such as Gabe that they have little use or regard for manual aid.

She busies herself by balling up the now-bloody shawl while pretending to be calm. She's taken aback by the responses of the others that speak of killing the orcs who are currently sleeping--taken aback and chilled. Having never killed anything unless hunting for food, Rowena can't fathom doing so except in immediate peril, to save herself or friends. At least Tom considers an attempt at speaking to these wretched creatures, though that seems to have been brushed aside as useless. If she could she'd appeal to Gabe, who as a druid must esteem nature and life so highly. But he's been essentially uncommunicative to everyone but his owl and Westerly.

If only there were a cleric of some sort among them, someone who might have answers to her anxious doubt. Is any creature born evil? Evil through and through, as Eli claims? Rowena almost wishes it to be true. It'd make choices easier. All the lore she's learned certainly depicts issues that are black and white, characters who are heroes and villains. Good and Evil.

This is not like songs or stories, jokes or legends. This is real life and death in front of her, and worse: she has herself played a part in it. With a guilty stare at the two unconscious orcs, she swallows before speaking.

"I didn't send them to sleep in order to make them easy targets for--for killing. It doesn't seem..." Words fail her.

No, they don't truly fail her; they rarely do. She knows what she meant to say. It doesn't seem noble, or gallant, or dashing or gentlemanly or even fair: any of the other attributes she associates with adventurers. But again, her knowledge is of tales, dramatic and most likely idealized or exaggerated even when relating a historic saga. Rowena knows how foolish and naive she will seem if she continues in that vein.

She forces her focus onto the stained shawl still bundled in her hands. "I need to clean this before it's ruined," she blurts. "I think we passed a puddle not far from here. I will--I'll be back." When she turns to leave she can't help but mentally hissing coward to herself with each step.

Tom thanks Gabe, then reluctantly disagrees with Eli. He says slowly "It doesn't seem right to me to first interrogate these captives, then execute them. If they are so dangerous that we cannot let them go then surely we should mercifully end them whilst they sleep. But my inclination is to find out valuable information in exchange for sending them away. What do we all think is right?"

Bruno replies, "We can't let them go. We can promise a quick merciful death vs. a forcemarch to Dale or Erebor."

To Bruno "You are most welcome Bruno, you fought bravely"

Gabe is more animated than usual as the party discusses the fate of the Orcs although still talks in his sing song way it seems more urgent and definitive than usual, he is used to making such decisions alone.

"These Orcs are evil and must be ended as kindly as we can for the good of our own souls. question them if we must, but they are poison to the earth and like poison cannot be released without ourselves becoming the poisoner. Let those that speak Orcish question them but then they must end lest we become responsible for their evil acts".

"Question them and then put them to a peaceful sleep again before killing them, if that makes you feel better, Tom," Eli says, crossing his arms. "But I'm here neither to guard orc prisoners nor to escort them somewhere else."

Tom nods gratefully. "I accept Eli's suggestion! That way we get information and the villains get a merciful end. Now - does anyone speak Orc?!"
He also checks with Rowena that she can Sleep the Snaga again today...

Having ventured a little way from the site of the battle (and avoiding the conversation that proceeded without her), Rowena will hopefully find a puddle or stream where she'll distractedly rinse her shawl. She'll also splash some water on her face, needing to feel clean.

Tom checks that Rowena is OK, then returns to the party and sums up.
"None of our party speak Orc, so unless the Orcs speak Common, questioning them is pointless. Bruno, Eli, Tom and Gabe are in favour of execution. Rowena is against and Arewe doesn't want us to behave like Orcs.
So unless anyone wants to say more, it appears we painlessly execute the Orcs whilst they are still asleep; check them for Magic (Tom can do this); take any useful equipment and continue tracking the other Orcs."

Tom looks depressed (these adventures are more emotionally difficult than he realised) and waits for the party reaction.

By the time you have had this discussion, the (bound) captives are awake again (Tom had no particular awareness of how long the sleep would last for). Some of you will know that the accounts of the famous adventures that Bilbo and other hobbits had do mention some creatures of orc-kind as being able to converse in the common tongue, even if they use the Black Speech among themselves; Eli will be well-acquainted with the stories that have been circulating around the Shire all his life, Rowena has picked some up as bardic lore as they're among the most significant pieces of history of the last century or so, and Arewe knows that there was at least one holbytla during the War who made a great impression on King Theoden and the now-King Eomer.

Arewe says "I hope you have not misunderstood me, Master Tom. I mean that we may not speak untruth to captives, nor treat one leniently and another harshly in defiance of justice; we may lawfully put them to a swift end so long as we do so by what means will cause no unnecessary pain, nor shame ourselves by mocking those we put to death. So the Orcs do; so we must not do. For waylaying us and seeking our harm unprovoked, they merit such an end, and no blame to us for that."

Aside from some orcish gear and weaponry -- largely trash, and for these sized rather too small for any but the hobbits -- the two who were not archers prove to have each upon them a small vial, perhaps a gill in capacity, which does register as Magic.

Tom cheers up on hearing Arewe's wise words.

He takes the two vials (telling the party they are Magic) and asks the party to separate the two Orcs (i.e. out of earshot) and then asks each Orc in turn (in Common):

- are you part of a group? (if so, how many in the group and who is the leader?)
- did you steal a ram?
- where were you going?
- is there a larger group of orcs nearby?
- what does this vial do?

Once the interrogations are over, Tom checks that Rowena can handle Arewe's statement and reasoning why that the Orcs can now be executed.
Then he asks the party to finish each one swiftly (he can throw in a Ray of Frost on each if that helps speed the end.)

One of the orcs gives you a mad laugh and cackles "Ha ha! The sky-blue wolves are in the fold! You'll get yours soon enough, rammed right where you don't want it. Ha ha ha!"

The other looks the PCs up and down and sniffs meaningfully at Bruno, and sneers "Or you'll do what, big man? Why, you milk-drinking, cheese-eating, sheep-shearing* bunny-lover, you don't have the - "

The editor omits here the vile creature's next word, which Bruno devoutly hopes the women in the party do not understand; and he lapses into Orcish, possibly to say "May He who rules the Winds and She who kindles the Stars bless your going out and your coming in to the end of your days", but taken all in all, probably not.

*At least it was presumably "shearing", although the word was a little slurred.

Bruno accommodates the extra rude orc by bopping him hard with the flat of the axe head on both knees. Probably going to do some permanent damage. "Watch your mouth orc"

Eli smiles slightly to himself, approving of Bruno's physical reprimand. He has no love for orcs, either, clearly.

As Rowena returns to the edge of the area where the rest of the party--she can't think of it as her party right now when she's never felt so separate--she freezes in place, not far from the trees that stand ready to hide her if she can't bear what she's about to see. Her hands twist the wet scarf, less to wring it dry than to take out her tension.

The orcs' insults mean nothing to her. She's spent most of her years in and out of taverns where rough language and threats were commonplace. But Bruno's violent strike makes her wince. She can't think of anything to say or do except flee, and that feels wrong as well.

Then she hears a hoarse but familiar voice, and is extremely surprised to realize it's her own. "Why were you lying in wait? Who were you expecting?"

Tom understands why Bruno and Eli are annoyed, but reminds the party that Arewe stated we should not going to behave like Orcs by bashing prisoners. Tom agrees with this completely.
if the Orcs won't answer our questions, then just execute them swiftly.

Gabe sees that Rowena is unhappy and wonders at how 'people' would rather protect the most vile creatures than protect nature itself. He also gently explains to Rowena:

"nature is itself cruel and for our part we can only help the Earth in saving it from the avoidable perils that creature like Orcs provide". He goes on with a gentle sing song voice "It is an unpleasant and sometimes disturbing responsibility but it is a responsibility none the less and we must discharge it, look away please while we do what must be done but do not judge too harshly, the kindness we do to nature in this act is necessary".

With that Gabe turn towards the Orcs with what looks like bitter determination in his eyes and approaches the Orcs.

OOC assuming they are helpless and that we have the answers we are going to get Gabe will Coup de Grace the orcs unless anyone else wishes to help.

Arewe says "A buffet for such vile speech as this is hardly unlooked-for, but I agree, it is unfair to draw this out longer than needed."

Waiting to see if they will respond to Rowena's question, and seeing that they will not, she approaches one of the two and gives Gabe a nod as he stands by the other. "Ye go clean to your long homes, and if against all hope this is better than ye believe, I am content that ye reach it swiftly."

The Ranger and the Druid strike in the same moment, and the orcs are gone in a single efficient blow apiece.

With a weak nod, Rowena acknowledges the response from Gabe, though her gaze is fixed on the orcs--using all her will to keep it there. Kindness to nature, the Druid said. Aren't all living things nature, she wants to ask, but senses the answer won't help her understand, and her question would be just as useless to the others.

Arewe's words are, as ever, like poetry, and the bard in Rowena can't help appreciating such beautiful use of language. But when the shocking deed is done and two captured beings collapse to the ground, there's no beauty or peace or even, to Rowena's numb confusion, any emotion on her own part at all. She just continues to clutch her shawl, no movement but the rapid rise and fall of her chest.

Tom thanks the party for a difficult decision.
He reassures Gabe that he (Tom) fully appreciates Nature - he used to earn his living from the land. ;)
Tom's only objection (about the evil Orcs) was striking prisoners.

He then reminds the party that he has acquired two Magical vials.
Tom uses Spellcraft on both vials (to Identify their purpose.)
He invites anyone else (especially those trained in the Spellcraft Skill) to 'have a go'!
Tom mentions that if he doesn't succeed today, he can try again tomorrow ... and so on.

When the bodies and vials have been dealt with, Tom looks forward to our skilled trackers picking up the trail of the remaining orcs. :cool:

Tom is able to identify one of the vials as Cure Light Wounds, even though when briefly unstoppered and sniffed it has a "bouquet" only an Orc could love. The other, though it is similar in appearance, he is unable to commit to. To save time, nobody else in the party presently has the ability to even attempt to identify items, so you will have to label this one as SNAGA_2 and if in a dire emergency it needs to be tried anyway, you may find out what it does.

The damp earth in the gully is still holding the trail well and the woodscrafty trackers soon pick it up again, continuing to wind towards higher ground.

Relieved to put an unfortunate but necessary incident behind them all, Eli takes the lead and resumes following the trail, with his customary diligence and alertness.

Rowena lags behind the others, slowed by her reluctance to leave these slain orcs on the ground, neither buried nor burned. Those killed in immediate self-defense are less troubling than the two who were executed. After a moment's desperate thought, she unwraps her shawl and lays it down to cover the latter pair's heads and shoulders. It will shield their pathetically unmourned faces from any rain or wind, at least. The fact that it shields her from seeing them is no small factor, either.

Choking in disgust, she straightens, wipes her hands on her skirt, and follows the rest.

When she catches up to the rest, Rowena wipes her sleeve across her eyes and tries to regain her aplomb. She's a performer, she can play a role.

Her emptier pack--minus the shawl--reminds her of a question she really should have thought of earlier. "Tom," she says, moving more quickly to pass Bruno and Gabe and reach the hobbit. She clears her throat free of some of its huskiness before continuing. "All those things you mentioned... it reminds me. You and Eli paid for some of those provisions earlier, the food from the farm, didn't you? I don't know about the others, but I forgot to offer my share. I'll pay my sixth, whatever you wish." If I ever get my hunger back, she thinks, but of course doesn't say this aloud.

She glances back at Bruno and Gabe: The Healed and the Healer, she might call them in a song. Then her focus returns to Tom. "I hope I've no need of the Potion, but I'm not--I'm not a fighter. And anyway, we can't wait till someone's injured or ill before demanding payment. So I'll pay for that as well." Her hand automatically reaches toward her life's savings, which are nestled in the purse sewn inside her bodice. Then, she drops her arm, flushing. "Um... would five or six coins be enough?"

Tom smiles ruefully at Rowena. "I'm sorry we didn't bury those bodies, but clearly our trackers are keen to follow the trail before it disappears."
He continues "I'm not that good at sums, but to cover the three and fifty gold, we have four from Bruno and Arewe could not help. I don't recall what Gabe, Eli or myself paid - but I doubt six from you would be enough..."

Fifty-three? Rowena's pace falters as she takes in the expense of traveling in larger groups than she's used to. "Oh. I didn't... I didn't realize it was that much," she says slowly.

Bruno has so little. A man of his strength? She's surprised he hasn't found a way to profit by that. Surprised, too, that Arewe was also unable to help. Rowena's spent no time in Rohan, but it's always seemed like a prosperous realm, at least since the departure of that demon in human form who'd held such sway over the now-late King. And Arewe herself has regal bearing. Then again, how many songs have been sung of people from low birth who nevertheless show nobility of spirit beyond their station or meager purses. Arewe could certainly be such a heroine.

Rowena's earned every coin in her possession. Well, depending on one's definition of 'earn.' She expended effort to get them... one way or another. So she's loath to part with them so soon. It's also a disappointment, she must admit, that she's thrown her lot in with a group that's not as wealthy as she judged them to be; so much for her original brilliant plan to guide them in search of possible treasure and a tidy reward for her trouble.

You just covered two slain prisoners with a blood-stained shawl. And you're already complaining about not fattening your purse?

Tightening her lips, Rowena reaches into the V of her bodice--modesty seems petty as well, and besides, the Hobbit's not tall enough to see anything she's not willing for him to see. With nimble fingers she pulls out several coins. "Here's fourteen... no, fifteen," she says, glancing at the shining pieces still warm from their hiding place. "It's all I can safely spare. I've no more in the world than what's with me, nor any family or anyone else to promise more." Sighing, she extends her palm toward Tom. "I hope that's fair enough?"

Tom thanks Rowena and adds "That should certainly cover it. I know I put in at least 15 gold too. When the others confirm what they paid, it will all be sorted. Also we have a second 'free' Potion of Healing, plus yet another Potion which I will try to Identify tomorrow."

Gabe has no idea (neither does Stebb!). Gabe has no real interest in money having lived off the land and valuing nature above all. He has 30gp and when the opportunity comes up he is happy to hand over 15gp or more, whatever others tell him is fair. He is extremely naive when it comes to money so will give away what he has without complain and without consideration for when he may need money next. Perhaps as his adventuring life progresses he may come to value it more but for now he sees no need for anything other than what he already has.

Tom thanks Gabe and assures him that he will pay no more than anyone else in the party.

Eli turns long enough to say, "Let me know what you need, and if I have it, it's yours," before returning to scouting.

Tom looks relieved and (so as not to disturb the tracking) mutters to the party "I've got it now. Arewe had invested all his money in a classy bow; Bruno paid 4; Eli, Gabe and Rowena each put in 12 and I completed the payment with 13 gold. So (on behalf of the party) I am holding two Potions of Healing and one more yet to be Identified."

Arewe invested all his money? Rowena tries not to show concern as she shifts her gaze first to the very-obviously female archer from Rohan, and then back to the coins of her own she sees Tom pocketing.

"You weren't kidding about the counting issues," she says lightly--though she rarely jokes about money. "I'm better at words than figures myself, but not so bad that I can't add up to fifteen--which is what I just gave you." She pats her chest for emphasis, unintentionally giving the impression that her breasts can tell the difference between 12 and 15gp.

"In fact, Gabe offered 15 too, we just heard him. Are you..." She squints in speculation and says softly to Tom: "You weren't hurt in the fight, were you? Or maybe you're just hungry? You Hobbits take a second breakfast, I know. Should you and Eli be eating?"

Tom is chuffed that he has clearly sorted out who paid what and balanced the total. He then realises that Rowena is teasing him and is just considering the bluff that announcing 'her and his bow' is an old Hobbit phrase when 'second breakfast' is mentioned. Naturally this drives other thoughts out of Tom's mind and he looks round hopefully for somebody (male or female) lobbing an apple in his direction.

Had he but known what Tom was thinking, Eli would happily lob an apple over his shoulder.

The trail continues to be easy to follow -- as was observed by another tracker, many miles and years from here, orcs seem to enjoy beating down growing things that are not even in their way -- and winds into a dense patch of forest that clings to the lower slopes of a tall chalk ridge. Here, dense undergrowth makes it difficult to make much progress other than on the path itself, where there are signs that now and then a large hooved animal was driven rather than carried. At need the hobbits could probably duck into the bushes and bracken off the path, but even they would not be moving very quickly.

Gabe finds the general feel of the woodland quite agreeable. A disquieting sense has sometimes come over him in the last year or so, suggesting that something strange is before, but while the orcish presence nearby is malign, in general the woods feel much as they ought to. But it is dim and awfully tree-ish in here, albeit not oppressive.

Tom quietly thanks the trackers and asks if they can tell roughly how long ago the Orcs passed through...

Eli will look carefully to answer Tom's question.

Tom has been slightly on edge since the combat with the Snaga Orcs.
However he is now reassured as Eli clearly can follow the tracks and Gabe looks quite at home in the forest.
Although staying alert (and ready to cast his last couple of spells for today), Tom cheers himself up with some thoughts about smart comebacks to the remaining Orcs (once we catch them):

- Hah! You look sheepish
- Don't plead innocence or we'll ram the truth down your throat
- Your plan was poor ... the result of woolly thinking

The group seems quiet, perhaps to be expected on a mission like this as they journey toward the next goal, whatever that may be. If their next destination was discussed while she lagged behind with the orcs' bodies, she missed it. Or perhaps she simply forgot.

Regardless, she doesn't like having nothing else to concentrate on but the sounds of the underbrush supplemented with the low clanking of various armor, weapons and other supplies.

Normally she'd fill the silence herself with a song or tale, but she's not sure it'd be welcome--not even by herself. Heribert taught her that contrary to received knowledge, a good Bard won't just provide the entertainment, education, inspiration and distraction, but will encourage participation from others. So Rowena decides to try once again to stir the party into conversation.

The trackers are too far ahead, and Gabe and Bruno too far behind (and disinclined to speak even if they were closer). So she addresses the happily garrulous Tom beside her.

"What brought you here," she asks softly. "I know times have long past since Hobbits preferred to stay safe at home in their own villages. But is there something in particular that set you to travel?"

Tom grins at Rowena and whispers back "I thought my travelling days were over when I left the banks of the Anduin and entered the city of Dale. I only made that trip because I'd heard about the adventures of Bilbo and wanted to see one or two places he had visited.
However I liked the excitement of a bustling city (as opposed to cutting peat for a living!), so I took a menial housekeeping job with a local Wizard. Lucky for me, as when my Sorcerer powers manifested, he was able to explain what had happened and show me how to use my new abilities.
Then I heard there was a party visiting the Lonely Mountain and decided to join them just to sightsee ... and now I'm on an adventure!"

As the party toil up the steepening slope through the increasingly dense wood, progress becomes harder, with the trail here and there forced into quite a narrow place between fallen rocks that tumbled there an unknown time ago. However, Eli is heartened (as also are Bruno and Arewe) to see, by the increasingly clear marks, that the fleeing Orcs were clearly making at least as heavy weather of the trail, and have plainly lost ground on you despite the earlier ambush.

In the dim and rather tree-ish light of the wood, the sound of a clear voice from a previously-unknown speaker precedes any actual sighting of the owner of the voice. A few words in a pleasant, musical tone fall easily on the ear; but only those present who speak Elvish understand it.

Bruno has no idea what is being said, but it glad it is Elvish voices he hears.

"Let's ask the Elves if they've seen any Snaga in the last few days."

Tom speaks Elven (and is delighted to hear there is an Elf nearby.)
He responds politely (in Elven.)

Tom's actual reply in Elven is "Hail and well met! We are chasing a group of orcs that have stolen a precious Ram from a nearby farmer. These Orcs have tried to kill us. Have you seen them? And do you perchance speak Common?"

(He mutters a swift translation for the rest of the party.)

Eli Proudfoot has only met Elves twice before, and is pleased by the opportunity to meet more. He stops his scouting for the moment and rejoins the group.

Rowena's curiosity is piqued by the language, which she knows is Elven. More than mere recognition is beyond her, never having met an Elf, much less spoken to one. She'd only be able to identify a smattering of vocabulary used and translated in various ballads and tales both historic and fictional.

So great is their race's reputation within these stories that the girl's eyes widen in awe at the prospect of seeing one at last. Assuming that this is an Elf, which seems a safe bet.

Her gaze darts around in an attempt to perceive the location of the stranger. When Tom speaks she shifts to stare at him, quietly impressed by his fluency in High Speech. She then resumes her search in renewed excitement for this new experience--a thrill she thought died back with the orcs.

Tom notices Rowena is looking at him again. He admires her contribution to the party, so enjoys trying to work out what she is thinking. :psychic:
So the clues are:

- Tom was speaking Elven
- Rowena is a Bard
- Tom came from humble beginnings

Aha! It all makes sense! :cool:
Clearly Rowena was remembering an Elven song and was inspired to create a new ditty about Tom himself - 'The ballad of the Peat Farmer.' :smug:

Tom whispers his clever deduction to Rowena (whilst listening for any more Elven conversation.)