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

Tom's Elvish greeting is answered not in words but by the quiet, graceful arrival of a green-clad Elf with a curve-bladed sword scabbarded at his belt and a typically elven bow at the ready - but his free hand is away from the arrows quivered at his shoulder and raised palm-up in the familiar empty-hand gesture that shows peaceful intentions. He seems little hindered by the dense greenery; and he answers in the Westron speech with a little less than complete fluency but the musical tones that Rowena more than half expected, although he gives Tom a polite bow that suggests he appreciates the attempt to converse in Elvish.

"Welcome, strangers! I am sorry to say that orc-filth loose in these woods is becoming more common than I like, and while I have seen no sheep-stealers myself, your news comes as little surprise and I should not wonder if they had worse deeds to their charge already. Sadly there are few enough within easy call to deal with nuisances such as these, so if you are intending to do something about them then you have my gratitude and that of some others.

"Indeed times are becoming more troubled lately, as those have noticed who have ears to hear and eyes to see the disquietude that seems to lie upon the very trees and pleasant valleys hereabouts. I, for one, do not relish the reappearance of such creatures, such a short passage of days as it seems since the Shadow was overthrown and the new hope dawned.

"Still, perhaps we can make some common cause. I, Idhrenion, humble tender of these few score woody acres, bid you welcome - and I believe you will find your quarry not far from here. As the ground rises and the trees give way to scrub and scree, you will find several caves of some size in the lands beyond. You will see where a land-slip perhaps only a few score to hundreds of years ago has exposed large fissures in the rock beneath - enough for such creatures as these to lair in, and leading perhaps to quite large caverns beyond, though I do not foray there alone or with only the few of my kind that are at hand, and so I cannot offer you first-hand account of what lies there. If you wish to rest yourselves, I can show you good camp-ground where the water is refreshing and there is little danger of prying eyes while you recuperate."

Tom says (in Westron) "Thank you Idhrenion for your kind words and helpful offer."
He introduces Idhrenion to the rest of the party, then continues "If you could describe the route to these caverns, that would undoubtedly help us find the orc-filth - even if we happen to lose their trail. Also we would relish knowing where there is a good and safe place to camp."
Tom is remembering spending the night in boggy ground - a recommended camp-site appeals to him!
He turns to the party. "I suggest we listen carefully to Idhrenion's directions, then ask him to take us to the camp-ground. We can rest there, heal our wounds and recover our spells. Then next morning we travel to the nearby caverns and attack the orcs. What say you all?"

Rowena smiles at Tom's question about her look--she also warns herself to be in better control over her emotions, since Tom seems extremely attuned to such things.

Her attention is quickly diverted by the arrival of the Elf. Her first real-life experience of his kind proves that the tapestries, illustrated scrolls and paintings she's seen haven't exaggerated the physical beauty of Elves. Nor have stories glorifying their otherworldly grace and noble bearing overpraised them.

She quickly hides her awe, not wanting the others to be as canny as Tom was just now, and tries to focus on what Idhrenion says, rather than merely how he's saying it. (Or how he looks when saying it, for that matter, she thinks with some embarrassment.)

Tom's deft, ready response again surprises her. He just described himself as a peat farmer, but he must have vastly more experience than he's letting on, or has spent much time studying explorers and battles and suchlike.

Attack the orcs. Or, as people apparently call them, "orc-filth." That is not the lofty speech she expected from an Elf. Rowena looks at the ground, hiding her concern and doubt. Following a set of violent orcs into caves with the intent to slaughter them over a pair of sheep... it seems like madness.

Regardless, she has no better option than to follow. Rowena's come too far now to travel back on her own. She must stick with the group or risk getting lost--or worse.

"Whatever you lot think best," she murmurs with a casual shrug. Forcing her chin up to look directly at the Elf, she nods. "And thank you for the offer."

Gade looks on with something like awe or perhaps love in is eyes as he views elves as the best of folk and some of the few that seem to have mastered the balance with nature that all should aspire too.

"A good camp site should not be passed up and who knows if we may pass this way again and make use of such a place".

"As for the Orcs, well if we can recover the Ram then we should do that, if we have to kill Orcs to do it then that too is acceptable but taking on what may be a whole orc tribe or war band may be unwise, we should scout carefully and try to return the Ram without being noticed if we can".

Eli knows no Elvish, but bows deeply and says in Westron, "Hail, Idhrenion, and well met! I am Elihu Proudfoot of the Shire. Thank you for your good counsel and encouragement. May your stewardship of these lands prosper for many years to come."

Bruno says, "Ah, a dry camp would be a good thing."

Tom thanks the party for their helpful responses.
He turns to Idhrenion. "We are happy to accept your courteous offer. Do please describe the route to the caverns and then take us to the camp-site."

Tom reminds the party to ask if they need healing. Once they reach the camp-site he will organise watches for the night.
In the morning Tom will recover his spells and try Spellcraft on the unidentified Potion.

Idhrenion leads you by a path that is narrow and more difficult for you to follow than it seems to be for him, but everyone manages it and you find yourself in a slight dell deep in the woods where a spring flows from one bank and a gentle breeze will carry even the smoke of a small fire away from the upper slopes, where it might have been smelled. This is probably as good a time as any to break out the mutton you were given earlier since the meat would benefit from being cooked soon and this is the best chance you have had for a while of a hot meal.

If there are any other Elves about then they do not show themselves for the present; but Idhrenion converses politely with you, seeming pleased to have some company from the fair town of Dale and more than willing to offer comfort and support to those who may be about to go up against Orcs for the first time in their lives. He apparently recognises that Eli has some prior experience with the breed, but he cautions the party:

"Be warned. Orcs are not like Men or Elves. The worst of our kind have our faults, gross faults in some cases, to our lasting shame; but when you are dealing with Orcs you are dealing with creatures that, though shaped not unlike ourselves, are in fact as unlike as any creatures could be. If you show them mercy, then do so because cruelty degrades you, and not from any lingering sense that 'we are brothers under the skin'. That is not so. Orcs delight in everything from petty mischief to gross cruelty, with every possible shade of callousness in between.

"I can put it no plainer than this (and I speak from extensive knowledge of our lore and history): if you fell into the hands of these creatures, and they had license to do as they would with you, then they would certainly inflict unspeakable shame upon you which I will not name more plainly; they would cheerfully kill you when it amused them to do so; they would joyfully flay the skins from you for trophies and they would eat your flesh as the most delectable feast they know. Which -- did the grace of the Valar closely attend you -- would happen in the order in which I gave you.

"Campaign against them with caution, and you may live long if you be true and stout-hearted companions. But trust not over-much to luck, and more to good planning. In the morning I will lead you to where the caverns can be clearly descried."

Arewe -- who has had some training in the ways of Orc-kind by her trainers in Rohan -- nods sagely at the Elf's words but makes no attempt to add to his eloquence.

As the party are settling in, a wolf-howl echoes faintly and distantly on the night air. Idhrenion's eyebrows lift for a moment and his lips purse slightly. "So. This is an unwelcome development."

Tom quickly mutters to Idhrenion "You know this place - in how many directions can a wolf-pack come at us? Will you take a position in the front line?"

Tom suggests to the party that Bruno, Gabe, Arewe and Idhrenion take on the enemy, whilst Eli attacks from stealth and Rowena and Tom stay behind the front line.

He apologises to the party for any 'bossiness' - but we need to be co-ordinated and act swiftly...

Bruno nods grimly and readies his axe. He is ready to try to cleave the first wolf that tries to attack the party.

Idhrenion listens for a while, then says "For now they are far distant. See about your rest - those that can sleep soundly when there are wolves about, even a few miles off, have my respect! Should they come at us tonight, I will gladly bear a hand, and I will watch for now with whichever of you feels the least need of sleep.

"Wolves have been rare in this land for many years, and I do not welcome their return."

Bruno prepares a fairly smooth dry spot and catches some rest until needed.

Eli, too, knows the importance of getting enough sleep while out in the field, but says, "Someone should be on watch. I will stand the first watch, and also cook that mutton for our later eating, if there is no objection."

Tom is happy to see Eli and Idhrenion take the first watch (and offers to help Eli cook the mutton in the morning.)
Perhaps Stebb and Arewe could take the middle watch, leaving Bruno, Rowena and Tom to cover the last watch.

"If there are wolves around," Rowena says quietly, "perhaps we shouldn't cook anything to tempt them. I'd like a hot substantial meal, but I'd also rather have cram and water, and avoid the risk. At least while they're within hearing distance."

Tom nods at Rowena's careful cooking precaution, but adds "Idhrenion can guide us on whether to do it - note that there is a gentle breeze to carry away the smoke and smell."

Idhrenion suggests "Stew it slowly overnight in a covered pot - that will release much less scent than roasting it in front of the fire. I can show you a few roots and herbs that will improve the flavour. You may as well have hot food while you can, when you do not know how long you might have to wait for your next chance. Wolf-noses are good, but the same breeze that carries their howls to us will tend to carry smell away from them.

"A traveller's tip for another time: some small game can be wrapped in mud and the fire built over them, which will bake them in a shell of clay. That is most unlikely to betray your presence - and it also removes feathers and fur when you break the clay open.

"It concerns me that wolves might be moving back into this area, and more that they might make common cause with the orc-folk; but you had better concentrate first on the business you came here on. We may speak more of wolves another time."

"Thank you, Idhrenion," Eli says. He looks around. "Anyone have a pot with a cover?"

Tom pipes up. "Bruno has a sturdy iron pot with a three-legged stand! Also I have cooking experience. ;) "

Rowena knows that Elves--in fact, all the other members of the party--have closer ties to nature than she does. If they feel confident that the direction of the wind will remain in their favor, sending both sound and scent away from the wolves instead of toward them, she can hardly argue. She just nods silently.

A hot meal will be welcome, especially after sleeping in the night air without the benefit of her sole outer garment. Rowena briefly second-guesses her furtive gesture to cover the orcs' corpses with her shawl.

Then she remembers their faces and swallows. No. It was the right thing to do. Still, she's glad that the others weren't there to see, much less deride, her sentimental impulse toward the enemy.

Anyway, she thinks contentedly, the fire will keep her warm enough. "Should we look for wood to use as fire, or is that unnecessary with..." She looks from the Druid* to Tom to the Elf. "...With your various abilities?"


* OOC: Hey GM, can you confer with Stebb to get a consistent decision about this character's name?

Tom says he can probably put a small fire out (with his Ray of Frost), but he has no magic to make fire.

Even Gandalf admitted that he needed to have something to work with, and could not burn snow. But there is fuel enough for a fire, and anyone with even one rank in Survival is able to figure out how to start a fire in a forest (without actually burning the place down), so between the various party members who have field experience it is a small matter to find fuel, kindling, and materials to rig an impromptu hearth.

The occasional wolf-howl remains at a respectful distance, and remains something to be considered for another day rather than an immediate pressing concern, and the warmth of the well-shielded fire is indeed a comfort after the previous damp night in the swamp.

So the party can gather a few roots and herbs under Idhrenion's direction, make a small fire and slow cook the mutton overnight with the flavourings.

Tom politely reminds the anyone with an injury to take a Cure tonight (so the spell can be reloaded.)

The watches can be: Eli and Idhrenion; Stebb and Arewe; Bruno, Rowena and Tom.

If the night passes, Tom will use Spellcraft on the unknown Potion.

Gade (Not Stebb ... that is my user ID) is happy to take watch and can offer a cure to anyone in need, carting 2 as standard so just shout when you need them.

With no injuries, Rowena has nothing that needs curing--nothing that's curable, anyway. She will sit by the fire to keep warm, and asks the group as a whole whether they'd like to hear any music, and if so, if they request anything in particular--whether it's an individual song or just a style of music.


OOC: Oh yep I know your username, Stebb! I wanted Malacandra to ask you which name you want for your PC, because looking back at your posts it's varied from Gade to Gabe and back again. I'm happy to have it settled on Gade! Thanks!

Eli says, "I, for one, would not mind a quiet song or two here at day's end. Thank you, Rowena."

The rest of the night passes peacefully. Idhrehion chats quietly with Eli during the early hours and the Scout finds himself sharing more of his life, experiences, hopes and fears than he ever really expected to; the Elf (and whether he is old, young or in-between Eli can hardly tell) is a ready listener who, while never directly offering advice, seems to encourage Eli to develop all the half-formed thoughts in his own head, leaving him surprisingly well at ease and ready to sleep soundly when his turn comes.

Indeed, Idhrenion seems to take little more than the odd very light nap all night, now and then stirring to pass comment on some night sound when the watchkeepers had thought him asleep. While a distant wolf-howl is occasionally heard, they still come no closer for the present; and no other dangerous forest-creature makes its presence known.

As the sky clears and the slow-cooked mutton provides a welcome lining for stomachs that may have to wait a while for anything but cram and water, Tom fetches out the yet-unidentified potion. He is still uncertain; but Idhrenion asks politely to look it over and remarks sagely "Yes, typical Orcish curing potion. Low potency but may save a life if you are badly hurt! They take a pride in making their medicines either taste vile (if swallowed) or smart hideously (if applied to the skin), but the brews do what they are meant to do nonetheless." OOC: This is another potion of Cure Light Wounds and Tom now receives a +2 circumstance bonus to identify any Orcish healing potion, oil or salve

OOC: Knowing that you have a second potion available may influence Gade's spell selection. Stebb, don't forget that you also load a certain number of 0-level orisons for the day - which (like Tom's cantrips) can each be used as many times as you like.

Idhrenion guides the party to the edge of the woods and points out where the ground rises steeply, almost cliff-like, with a sizeable crack that would easily admit creatures of Man-size or smaller - and possibly even a recalcitrant ram.

OOC: choie, by all means back-fill the song from the previous night or whatever air Rowena uses to rouse the sleepers and brace them for the day's labours

Though the day is not yet hot, the sky is mostly cloudless and the daylight is bright even where not in direct sunlight.

Tom suggests that we send in a Scout (Eli?) to reconnoiter the crack and caverns beyond.
It will be nuisance if the party cannot get reasonably close to the crack (due to lack of cover), but perhaps the Orcs will be disadvantaged by the sunlight.

Tom thanks Rowena for her music and remarks "I am now quite well-informed on second breakfasts, peat cutting and Orcish Healing Potions!"

Eli, too, is grateful for any songs which Rowena may have sung, as well as for the chance to talk with Idhrehion - far and away the longest conversation he's ever had with an Elf, and one he's still turning over in his mind. After a good night's sleep, his morning ablutions and a quite palatable mutton breakfast, he's ready to resume his scouting duties for the party.

Bruno awakes after a good night sleep. "rAHHHaaah" he yawns and stretches.

Last night Rowena played a few gentle tunes familiar to the Hobbits, and while everyone digested the much-needed breakfast today, she switched to a spirited riding song from the Rohirrim, mustering courage.

Once everyone is ready for the off and have taken their leave for the time being of Idhrenion, the party manage to approach within a hundred yards or so of the cave entrance while still keeping to cover. At that point it becomes more difficult, and a matter for a trained Scout (and a Hobbit at that, able to make use of much smaller covers than a Man would) to come close enough to reconnoitre the cave entrance at all. Well in advance of any aid or succour, Eli takes more than a Hobbit's usual care to remain unseen. But it seems perhaps as though any Orcs nearby are skulking well away from the bright morning light, even though direct sunlight will not shine into the cavemouth for hours yet.

Eli watches closely and listens with all the concentration he can muster. It seems as though there is some orcish yammering from deep within the caves -- why so, Eli cannot guess, but the noise might cover his companions' approach for the present and they could get some way without being seen or heard. Turning his attention to any possible guard-posts outside the caves, Eli concludes after a while that if there are any Orcs outside, they not only mind the daylight much less than reputation suggests, but are better scouts than he is. An old wound, only half-remembered but never quite forgotten, gives him the merest hint of a twinge.

---

A respectable bowshot away, Arewe watches the scout's progress as best she can, a shaft already drawn and ready to loose. She smiles softly at the memory of Rowena's breakfast song, which is now circling in her mind's ear with a persistence that might have been annoying at another place and time.

If Eli beckons us forward. Tom suggests that the rest of the party try to get close to the cave entrance - hopefully to one side so they would not be seen from inside.
If we achieve that, Eli is welcome to reconnoitre inside (as we can cover him if he needs to suddenly run back out the cave....)

Eli goes back and reports all he found to the rest of the party. He is certainly willing to enter the cave and learn more, if he can.

Tom thanks Eli for agreeing to go in (scouting information is always so helpful!)

The only decision Eli needs to make is whether he prefers the party in their current cover (a bowshot away) or just outside the cave entrance...

Eli considers. "Closer would probably be better, if you can still maintain cover until I might need to call for help," he says.

Tom replies "We could lurk either side of the entrance - but of course anyone actually coming out would spot us. However we are here to defeat orcs, so that should be all right!"

Eli is able to find a spot close to the cave entrance where the rest of the party could lurk within summoning distance while he explores a little further in. Inside the cave, of course, the daylight quickly fades and Eli has only the limited ability of a Hobbit's night-vision - the same as a Man's, and no better - to help him make what he can of the lessening light. Sooner than he likes, he is having to make the unpleasant choice between risking a light or carrying on by feel.

His decision may be aided by the fact that, just as the cave begins to narrow and takes a slight bend, he hears voices quite close by, muttering in something that sounds very much like Orcish as far as he can tell although he does not know how to speak the language. There are what seems to be quite loud noises much further distant, echoing oddly in the cave. As to the nearer noises, he is certain their is more than one, and fears there could be three or more; but that's all he can tell for sure, and what he knows of orc-lore suggests that were he to approach more closely, they would be much more likely to see him in the dark than he them.

Bruno carefully gets to the lurking area. Afraid he might give away the groups position.

Eli decides that discretion is the better part of valor, at least for now. He quietly withdraws to report to his friends.

Tom states that with Eli's useful information the party have to make a big decision - either we leave the area (at least the local Elves now know there are Orcs here) or go in.

The Orcs will always have the advantage of darkness within the caverns, but if we do attack now we have two things in our favour: surprise and bright sunlight to cover our retreat.

Tom votes to go in and fight the nearby Orcs (with a retreat into sunlight if things go badly - e.g. strong reinforcements turn up.) As usual, melee Fighters at the front; Casters just behind.
He offers to have his Dancing Lights spell running, which will a) light the cavern b) distract the orcs a bit.
Perhaps another could also have a light...

How do the party vote?

Eli says, "I agree with Tom. There's no better time than this, given what we came here to do."

What we came here to do. Rowena listens, hugging herself with one arm as she bites at a thumbnail. She didn't enlist to be part of a rampaging, orc-killing mercenaries. Unpaid mercenaries, for that matter. And such a tiny band of mercenaries, trying to rout any number of hidden enemies!

A tug of loyalty keeps her in place. As well as... something else. She fears she’s not simply a coward, or too noble to kill, but also that she's denying herself the path she's been set on for as long as she can remember. Her gaze falls to the ground, torn by the growing concern that she's too inexperienced in the ways of the world to be a true Bard.

She wishes she could talk with Heribert. But he left her alone and must have done so for a reason. That leaves no one else. The others, still mostly strangers to her, seem so certain. Rowena's already shown her indecision and doubt; it would be shameful to expose even more. Besides, now isn't the time for such conversation.

At least, she must ask that first question that leapt to mind. "What is it we came here to do? Save the ram, if it still lives? Punish those who stole it? Or just kill orcs generally?" Her throat feels dry when she tries to swallow. "Are we strong enough, prepared enough, to take on so many, if many there are?" Rowena warily eyes the opening to the cavern. "If you all think so, I--I will help, to whatever degree I can. I can't let you all down if there is something I can do."

"When you're all ready, I'll lead the way. Can our archers shoot around me in the cave? Maybe Tom can magic around me?" Bruno says and asks.

To Rowena Eli says, "Save the ram, certainly, if it still lives. Punish those who stole it, yes, if we can. Just kill orcs generally? No... although I certainly wouldn't mind the opportunity if it again arises." He smiles at her. "And come what may, I, at least, am glad you're here."

To Bruno he says, "My thanks, O large and strong one. I am not so pushy as to insist I go first once fighting begins, if it ever does."

Tom turns to Rowena and agrees with what Eli said.
Sadly there is evil in this World and we may have to deal with it on occasion. But it's not our main objective.

Tom then thanks the others for their support in the attacking plan and suggests that the tough lot (Bruno, Arewe + Gade, with Eli sneaking) use melee attacks. This makes it harder for the orcs to flee + summon reinforcements.
Tom and Rowena can assist from behind the mighty front line.

Tom adds that he would like a couple of rounds notice before the attack, so he can get preparatory spells off (including Dancing Lights to help everyone see on the cave.)

Arewe says "My arrows will not last forever, so I am willing to accompany my brother warriors into close combat for this time. If fortune favours us, these sentries will be inattentive -- duty such as this irks their kind, especially if something interesting is going on deeper inside. We should strike while we have the chance."

OOC: Stebb has some IRL issues at the moment which I won't elaborate on, but he should be able to rejoin us in due course. We can assume Gade is willing to go along with the majority

Rowena nods gratefully to Eli, and to both Arewe and Tom as she pulls out her own bow. When the other woman mentions concern about running out of arrows, Rowena frowns and wonders why Arewe fears extinguishing her supply so quickly. Personally, Rowena's never found her own quiver empty.

Of course, she's also never been in any situation requiring that many arrows. The most she's ever used was during a friendly archery contest. Even then, when it seemed she should've nearly run out and she'd muttered a grumpy plea that she was wrong and there'd still be more... the prayer came true: she'd miscounted after all. Her fingers never failed to grasp at the next nock and feathered fletching.

And so the thought of running out now is unthinkable. Terrifying. Imagine being surrounded by enemies, seeing her party members in need of aid, only to reach behind her shoulder in vain--

She hides a shudder and, not for the first time, uses her persuasive storytelling skills on herself. Well, it's never happened yet. And it won't happen now. It just won't.

After Tom has muttered a couple of spells OOC: Dancing Lights and Shield, I assume, but contradict me if necessary the sextet pile into the cave, Eli hoping to be able to use the distracting flicker of the lights to help him conceal himself while the three warrior types (including the tough Druid) look to take the battle more directly to the enemy.

Quickly disposing themselves for battle, the party find themselves in a low-roofed cavern (but roomy enough for not even Bruno to bang his head) and several Orcs scrambling for their weapons. One is larger than they saw before, an iron-helmed brute with a spear and hide shield who seems to be barking orders at the other four, one of whom is running for a small pile of heavy rocks that have been fashioned into an impromptu breastwork while the other three draw short curved swords with ragged edges and advance in a loose knot.

They do not seem inclined to welcome uninvited strangers.

Though the floor of the cavern is rough and strewn here and there with light rubble, it will not inconvenience anyone on either side who is planning on charging the enemy. As the two sides take each other's measure, they are about twenty feet apart (with Rowena and Tom lurking a little further behind).

OOC: Actions, please?

Eli, his sword already drawn, will see if he can edge around to the side and attack one of the smaller orcs while staying out of the way of the larger, stronger and more combat-capable members of our party. Otherwise, he will hang back and wait for a good opportunity to join the fight after the initial clash, without taking any foolish risks.