Middle Earth FA65 D&D Game: Tenth Adventure – On to the Quest

"None that I know of, though that's a low bar to clear, all things considered. I would imagine that this is more likely a personal or familial connection; what do we know about those buried here?"

Rorimac looks slightly askew at Thoroncir. "You wish to spend a night on the Downs? I was hoping to make a run for Bree. Or if not, straight north for the main road, which should be closer. That Rod is going to attract everything evil for miles around. Let's get it out of here. Yes, the treasure here is a sight to behold and may come in exceedingly useful. But I would rather I could walk and talk in the sunshine, than remain trapped in a barrow wrapped in those goods."

"I suggest we all pick something quickly and then leave at pace."

Those around can tell that Rorimac is beginning to get a little jumpy as the sun begins to set.

Ceol nods in agreement with Rorimac. "It would not be my preference to stay overnight on the Downs."

Unless someone else desires it, Ceol will request the emerald pendant from the chamber of the younger princess.

Gilraen asks, "So stay or go? I see merit to each. If we stay we best make a strong defense and plan on most staying up until dawn. If we go, we should make haste, scatter the coins and items after taking 1 item each. Who will transport the Rod? I cannot. It is surely the item we sought."

"Given that Khosal is probably more than likely to turn up at Night than not, I suggest an expeditious retreat", says Mulligan. "I wouldn't want to be around, at Night on the Barrows, fighting off wraiths and then to have to face whatever he is. As for the Rod, I'll carry it, if no-one else will. I'll just make sure someone else is holding this ring and besides, if I run off, Freya will always know where I am."

"I will carry the Rod, Mulligan," says Thoroncir, "in one of the spare sacks I always have with me. Then let us be off, with each member of the party taking along an item or two as well."

Ceol will wrap up the emerald pendant (if it remains unclaimed), and secure it under his armor. He will encourage Wilfred and Cwenhild to each select an item from the treasure pile. Once all have taken an item, he will help to scatter the remaining items (as we depart if we decide to attempt to leave the Downs now).

"I would carry the rod as well if it were needed. Besides, if this thing is truly as evil as it's supposed to be, we probably want to trade it off between multiple people, lest its corruption affect the current holder.

"As far as taking an item, I have little use for any of the arms or armor, but one of the cloaks or boots might be useful.

"And I'm in favor of leaving the area as well rather than spending the night here. No one's really going to get any sleep anyway if we stay here."

Deor twists his Ring nervously on his finger and declines to carry either the Rod or Mulligan's ring. His Pendant is a powerful ward against his own ring, but it seems unwise to stretch its power.

Deor would select either the diamond ring or the woven gold belt. If anyone else would like to claim one, he'll take the other. If not, he'll take the belt.

Gil-Gandel is interested in the "no-encumbrance" backpack - he's a lifelong fan of travelling light which is sometimes at odds with the needs of the adventuring life, and this would help to square that circle. Fearing wights, and all that go abroad by night, rather less than do the sons of Men, he would still as soon be well clear of this place ere the Sun be gone.

Rorimac is considering the King's bracers or possibly the gauntlets if no-one else was interested and if they could fit him.

Mulligan looks at the King's knife. "Gilraen, do you think you could purify this somehow. I have a feeling it come in useful."

Gilraen listening replies, "I suspect that knife might be innately evil, but I do not know. I doubt we have the time purify much of anything. But with more leisure we could try. Gil-Gandel, I believe the Rod is safest in the hands of a Dwarf or a Hobbit. As it was made to entrap the Dunedain in particular, I believe Thoroncir should not carry it at all and Deor should stay clear of it of course already more susceptible as practitioner of wizardry. Myself, I am repulsed by its very presence and hope we can destroy it somehow. Perhaps in Imladris lies our answers. I believe I count 32 items of power including the Rod. There is only 12 of us. Perhaps we can retreat for Bree and send some off to Fornost and some to Imladris and perhaps a few south. We should pick an item for Lorlianna at least. Let's split these items up 3 per person except whoever is carrying the Rod itself. We determine the split perhaps with more leisure in the light of day within the hedge of Bree. That is my thought."

The gauntlets appear too large but one has heard of magical gauntlets adjusting in size. The bracers are also too large.

Rorimac looks at the sky and surrounding area. "Haladain, how is it looking, any sign of trouble yet?"

Mulligan takes her ring off and puts it on a chain before handing it to Rorimac, before asking Thoroncir for that spare sack.

Rorimac accepts the ring before picking up the gauntlets and bracers. "Ok, everybody grab three items and let's go. North is that way. We can hopefully clear the Barrows and get to the road before dark and then head along it to Bree."

With daylight fading quickly, Ceol will take any three "items of power" with him, and makes sure that the other paladins do the same, as the group prepares to depart.

Carefully not touching it directly, Thoroncir puts the Rod into a sack and hands it to Mulligan with a nod. He will stuff another three items that have not already been selected into a sack, nudging them in with his sword.

Bitur will take any three items.

"Mulligan, if you find the rod too evil of a burden at any point, I will trade my items for it."

Bitur will watch Mulligan carefully for any change in demeanor while she is transporting the rod.

Gil-Gandel takes two more items, wrapping them each in cloth and stowing them separately on his person.

"Understood Bitur, although you might be better keeping an eye on Freyja instead. If her demeanor changes towards me, it's time to take the Rod."

August 24^th, FA65
The party mounts up and races north for the road. Drindoleth gives everybody and every beast a Goodberry to strengthen them for the race. He then takes on his eagle form to scout the way ahead.

Gilraen rides with her bauble out. She recommend that swords that glow when undead are near are kept out. Cwenhild and Wilfrid both ride with their Swords at the ready. Cwenhild's star etched blade glows a bit as it gets darker.

The swiftest path out of the downs will be single file in many areas. Haladain says, "It will take us directly past one of the oldest barrows but is only a little over 13 miles. If we trot the horses for a little over an hour we can be clear of the downs shortly after sunset. Perhaps Gil-Gandel has some song to sustain our spirit and the horses endurance."

Gil-Gandel needs no further prompting, and at once extemporises in time with the rhythmic trotting of his horse Cúran, who is making little of the pace – his rider sits him easily and is lightly clad.

Sing, ye travellers, swiftly tread
At closing of the day;
Few the miles till fire and bed
When Valar smooth the way;
Green the grass and clear the air,
Bright the evening sky -
Sing, ye travellers, sing all fair,
Passing swiftly by.

See the Sun descend to rest,
See Earendil bright!
Soon the loveliest and the best
Lady of the Night
Sends the stars to shine on high
Till the coming morn
Flames anew the Eastern sky
Blazing with the dawn.

Soft the sward and clear the trail,
Swift our willing steeds!
Home and welcome shall not fail
Soon to meet our needs.
Seeking then our warmth and cheer
Haste our rest to win!
Food awaits, and foaming beer,
At the kindly inn.

The horses indeed look invigorated and fall into a smooth swift stride. Additionally for those that can speak with them, the horses are eager to get off the downs themselves and well fed thanks to Drindoleth.

The race is on ...

Rorimac is happy to take point with Haladain. He will be keeping Khosal's Bane free to see if it glows.

Mulligan is feeling quite nervous, in the middle of the group and holding something quite nasty. She uses Heliox to keep looking around for anything invisible, hoping to see things coming first.

Thoroncir will speak to each of the horses and put them at ease with his words, if he can. He will remain near Gilraen, ready to defend her if necessary. He keeps Arcirist in hand and glances at it from time to time to see if it glows.

Ceol rides with his short sword (which is particularly effective against undead) drawn. He keeps an eye on the other horses, for any sign of distress among the steeds. As he rides, he murmurs encouragement into Leofwin's ear. "We shall be away from this place soon, my friend."

Idh Uihreb is also drawn...

As the sun lowers to the west and it gets darker, dark clouds gather and mists are rising. At the same time a large increase in birds is seen.

Drindoleth flies down and reports, "I have friends in the air but this weather is not natural and I can do nothing to counter it. It will be a bad thunder storm not too long from now. Something is pursuing us but not gaining ground at least. It is wrapped in a dark cloud about 2 miles behind us."

So far no swords are glowing to indicate nearby undead.

"Thank you for the information, Drindoleth. I think that we must assume that it is Kkósal, or his allies, who pursues us."

"If there is a pursuer behind us, wouldn't it make sense to get rid of it now, while there is still some light remaining on the Downs, rather than have it harry us in the dark all the way to Bree. I doubt that getting to the road is going to stop it." says Mulligan

Let us keep an eye on it - and look about us for a promising place to make a stand if we must. But keep moving.

Is there any way for Deor to know whether such a creature would be weakened more by sunlight or by being off its home ground?

Deor is fairly sure a wight would suffer from either but for some reason don't stray to the road. Kkosal however won't be worried about the road but will probably be stronger in the dark.

Thoroncir rides on, his longsword and shield at the ready.

Deor will ask the party to halt, and suggest that Kkosal is better fought in daylight. We should find a defensible strongpoint, even just simple hillside high ground, and prepare to fight. Unless we intend to outrun Kkosal altogether, we'd do better to stand and fight now, rather than be caught in the dark.

"Rorimac, Haladain. Can you see anywhere that might suffice?", asks Mulligan

Rorimac starts looking around for somewhere appropriate. "Can we not set an ambush beyond the barrows but before the road, twilight rather than full night, but still out of range of this cursed area."

A wise choice, I should say, though I doubt we will successfully execute an ambush - think rather in terms of a prepared stand.

Haladain & Rorimac think the party can get beyond the downs before the sun sets. There is an open area you can see on the north of the western Cardolan on the map Haladain had. We can make it there at least and probably around the old hedge line you see in green below the road. There has never been a report of a wight north of the old hedge line at least.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...arrowDowns.jpg

Thoroncir thinks it would probably be for the best, given the hour. He will look for the most defensible place along the hedge line.

So the party rides on, urging the horses to just a little extra speed to make the old hedge line before sundown.

Drindoleth will fly on ahead and use his spells to make a more defensive position. Let him know what the party wants. He is excellent at thick hedges if a tree as an arrow platform is desired he can handle that as long as the tree is already available. He also offers to get word to Bree by bird if the party thinks anyone there can be of aid.

"Ideally, a place where we can bottleneck our pursuer, so we can predict the direction he comes to us. And, also ideally, a place where we have an avenue of retreat, if needed."

After a moment, Ceol adds, "Now that I think about it, those might be mutually exclusive." He smiles slightly.

"There is a large hedge along the road. We could do with an entrance through it, which is blocked for several metres in both directions.", says Rorimac. "If anything goes wrong, we can retreat through and block it, giving us a chance to retreat if needs be."

"As for Bree, my father is there. Anyone he can rouse to meet us on the road would be more than welcome."

"Better to have too many swords than not enough," Thoroncir says. "By all means, send for reinforcements, if possible."

The party reaches the old hedge line as the sun is getting low. Drindoleth has chosen a location to build a low hedge and scrub fort that is about 100'x100'. It has 2 tall trees in it with several excellent branches from which to bow. The hedges are unlikely to slow wights much but may help somewhat. He reports birds have been sent to Bree looking for fast help and that on the off chance, even to look for Tom's house in the old forest, though from what Drindoleth has heard, Tom is unlikely to come help. He offers to cast Barkskin on any interested. He explains, "It will help protect the recipients from swords and arrows at least. If many creatures come in this dark cloud I plan to bring up a circle of fire around myself to fight them as a fierce flaming bear. The dark cloud will be upon us soon but I suspect they will hold until sunset."

Many of the horses are tired and well need rest. Drindoleth offers each another goodberry.

Gilraen says quietly, "I am strangely tired, probably still the effects of the stun but I will be singing the Estë's Prayer Song to aid us in this battle. It will last about 16 minutes after I stop singing. I will also cast up a Protection from Evil that will help protect all within 10 feet of me. It will last about 80 minutes. Think about any protection you might need and may the Valar watch over and protect us."

After conferring with Cwenhild, Wilfrid offers this, "We will fight on either side of Rorimac and try to get him to this one named Kkósal. It seems his blade will hopefully do to Kkósal what Meriadoc's did to the Witch King. Cwenhild would like to take on the role of her hero of course in that earlier battle."

Any other prep? This includes using spells, potions, or fortifying positions.

Thoroncir says to Gilraen, "Please, my lady, sit and rest a bit before the battle begins. And have a sip of miruvor; it will do you good." He will stand near her and protect her (and any others who wish to draw near) against any foe.

Gilraen, "Alas, I don't believe their is any more Elven Cordial in the party."

Ceol nods to Wilfrid. "If you are willing...this seems a daring plan, but it might well work. May Eonwë guide your blades, and strengthen your shields." He will gladly accept the Barkskin from Drindoleth, and will work with Thoroncir, Gil-Gandel, and Bitur on the best formation for creating a front "wall" of warriors.

Place our holy warriors of Rohan at intervals no nearer than fifteen feet nor more than twenty apart, with our others in between as seems best to them. Their aura of sanctity will lend useful aid to those close to them. Bid our steeds, you who are horse-whisperers, to remain a furlong away - the work of a few moments to gallop to us at need, but where they will not be caught in any cross-fire. They are sensible beasts and will follow whichever of their number they see fit.

Is this cloud cover stormy enough to Call Lightning from? If so, I shall work one up a quarter of an hour before sunset and keep a bolt on hand ready to fire.

On sight of the enemy I shall wind Glinras for the usual benefits. Now for my tree and a clear view. When the fighters advance against Kkósal I shall flame my two swords, cast Mirror Image and lend my aid to the attackers. Deor, Drindoleth, should the occasion arise do remember I have excellent protection from fire and if I were swamped by lesser wights I would have nothing to fear were you to burn them off me. :)

Bitur will arrange himself in the front with the other warriors, a potion of superheroism at the ready to quaff.

Thoroncir could've sworn he still had some of the Elven cordial among his gear.

He will speak to the horses as the Elf-captain bade him.

Deor will cast Invisibility on himself, slip on his minor Ring of Power, and station Folca in a tree to watch for the oncoming enemy. He'll also ask Drindoleth to prepare a line of daises or poppies thirty feet ahead of the party to serve as a marker for a three-foot-tall Wall of Force, hoping to trip or otherwise slow down any wights as they approach. Finally, Deor will lob Fireballs into the enemies ranks from the moment that they come into range until they're too close to the party to risk damage. If there are large numbers of weaker enemies, he'll try to fry as many as possible, since the strongest, oldest wights may not be so vulnerable to his flame.

Mulligan gets out an assorted set of sling stones. Dwarven, chalcedony and the strange skull-etched spellstones. "If anyone has some spare blessings for these, it might come in useful." She takes the sack containing the rod and ties a single piece of rope to each end before looping it over her and keeping it neatly close to her back and out of the way.

Rorimac is happy to take a central point. He will be using a potion of superheroism and will be lighting up the area with Belethil.

"Cwenhild, Wilbur, let's see what Kkosal brings, or indeed if there is anything of him there to hit, other than just a foul spirit controlling some minions. And Cwenhild, lets try to avoid having to spend 6 months in a House of Healing after this fight. I'd prefer to walk away instead of needing a litter."

"Bitur, don't forget to recharge that helmet your borrowed. It would be shame not to use it. I would suggest giving the wand to Gilraen or Deor, so they can recharge it in battle, without you having to worry about it. Deor, might be a good time to get that Golden Brazier burning. If you are planning a Wall of Force, try funneling them in to us, instead of trying to trip them up. If anyone has any Liquid Light, now would be the time to use it."

"... and if the worst does come to pass, I would suggest Mulligan gets on Kali and rides for Bree as fast as she is able."