TOR - Fellowship of the Marsh screenshots

[Hector Trelane]

Screen shots and session reports from Valarian's tutorial run for The One Ring (a well-designed rule set that is fun to play!):

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=25468


EDIT: This thread has now morphed into a game session and screen shot log for The Darkening of Mirkwood (https://www.cubicle7games.com/product/the-darkening-of-mirkwood/) campaign, which is where the storyline naturally progressed to from the introductory adventure (The Marsh Bell).

[Raz_Kabooz]

Another screen shot from the same session. Great game!

https://i483.photobucket.com/albums/rr195/Rumnaheim/Session%203_zpszdsztqk5.png

25470

[Raz_Kabooz]

oops posted same reply twice...

[jasonthelamb]

Valarian always runs great games and has done a beautiful job with the ruleset!

[Trenloe]

Courage or ???

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=25472

[Hector Trelane]

There's also this from Tabletop Audio which isn't half bad--although not strictly Tolkein.

https://tabletopaudio.com/

Halfling Festival
music + ambience
Nobody parties like halflings. Nobody.

[Valarian]

Try the Lord of the Rings Online soundtracks.

[Hector Trelane]

Try the Lord of the Rings Online soundtracks.

Very familiar with LOTRO--still have characters on a server but I think my MMO days are over. FG based RPGs allow far more creativity... and of course require less time, which shows you how much time MMOs take!

There are a number of very nice music pieces. I've never explored Tolkein soundtracks much but I think there's lots of "fan fiction" music?

[Hector Trelane]

The lost dwarves have been found! Now, to rescue them:

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=25515

[Trenloe]

Join the mewlip conga line!

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=25516

[Dolarhyde]

Looking forward to the adventuring continuing in the new year!

[Hector Trelane]

Fellowship actions, in rank order, The Trailman would like to take:

Open Sactuary at Laketown
Study up on Herbs
Go to market to get a better musical instrument

[Dolarhyde]

Definitely agree with opening a sanctuary since we've continuing our adventures.

[Hector Trelane]

Definitely agree with opening a sanctuary since we've continuing our adventures.

It turns out Esgaroth (Laketown) already starts as a sanctuary for characters, according to the rules on page 193:

“At the beginning of the game, there is only one place that adventurers may consider already a sanctuary: the town of Esgaroth on the Long Lake. Other locations may be gained access to by visiting them and choosing the Open New Sanctuary undertaking (see page 199).”

Does this have your blessing, Valarian?

[Valarian]

It turns out Esgaroth (Laketown) already starts as a sanctuary for characters, according to the rules on page 193:

“At the beginning of the game, there is only one place that adventurers may consider already a sanctuary: the town of Esgaroth on the Long Lake. Other locations may be gained access to by visiting them and choosing the Open New Sanctuary undertaking (see page 199).”

Does this have your blessing, Valarian?
Yes

[Hector Trelane]

Another follow up question: is there reputation the successful adventurers gain in Laketown or among the Dwarves of the Lonely Mountain for being able to rescue two such notable dwarves, Oin and Balin? Or perhaps favor with Gloin? (Okay if not--just wondering if there's a mechanism in game for this.)

[Valarian]

This is supposed to be what Standing and Patron mechanics are for. I don't think Standing as written does adequately reflect reputation gained during adventure phases. In the past, I've used a reputation mechanic similar to standing, which is culture specific but helps with encounters with those cultures - though it can hinder encounters with other cultures. In other games, I've occasionally added an undertaking after a number of adventures working for the same culture (e.g. Patron or Receive Title).

[Hector Trelane]

Clarification: the rules state that there is only one action per Fellowship phase, regardless of whether you're located in a sanctuary or not. The exception is during a winter phase or another period ruled as especially long by the Loremaster (GM). SOOooooo... all of us PCs should be picking one Fellowship action and making it count (unless our Loremaster bestows Favor of the VALARian upon us ;) )

[Valarian]

(unless our Loremaster bestows Favor of the VALARian upon us ;) )
Someone finally noticed where that handle/alias comes from. My megalomania kicking in :)

[Hector Trelane]

To the group: for the third adventure (in Feb/March), I'm proposing to run a published adventure (unless another player prefers to do so, in which case I'll defer). Playing through the adventure series in Tales From Wilderland, beginning with "Don't Leave the Path" makes good sense to me. Would that work for everyone?

[NotRussellCrowe]

Hello!

I'm good with that. I might not be able to attend each and every session or I may have to leave in the middle as I may have some OT to do from time to time but otherwise I'm there!

Happy gaming!

[Valarian]

To the group: for the third adventure (in Feb/March), I'm proposing to run a published adventure (unless another player prefers to do so, in which case I'll defer). Playing through the adventure series in Tales From Wilderland, beginning with "Don't Leave the Path" makes good sense to me. Would that work for everyone?
Sounds good to me.

[Raz_Kabooz]

May we change the schedule to alternating Sundays?

[NotRussellCrowe]

May we change the schedule to alternating Sundays?

I'm in favour of this.

[Hector Trelane]

Sounds good to me.

The world awaits: what character will Valarian make?


May we change the schedule to alternating Sundays?

That'd work a bit better for me too.

[Valarian]

The world awaits: what character will Valarian make?
A dwarf. Beldan of the Lonely Mountain. (https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B75Lr5C1Hpx3VjF5c0tHcExkY3c)
25630


May we change the schedule to alternating Sundays?

I'm in favour of this.

That'd work a bit better for me too.
Would Saturdays work? I'd rather do a weekly game, more from that I have enough difficulty remembering which week it is.

[NotRussellCrowe]

I would not be able to do Saturday, but I'm good with stepping away from this game so that everyone else is able to continue on and you can find someone to replace me. Even if we keep to every Sunday I'd have to withdraw for the summer anyways.

Since my availability seems to be the most limited please plan around me and if I can make work what you plan and there's still room for me I'll happily follow along with everyone while you journey Middle-earth.

Kelly

[Raz_Kabooz]

Would Saturdays work? I'd rather do a weekly game, more from that I have enough difficulty remembering which week it is.
Sundays weekly are fine but a bi-weekly game would be more manageable. As for remembering the week, I'm certain Hector will pester you with reminders. :D

[Hector Trelane]

I like the strong dwarf contingent that is present. Lots of good history and lore driven by the dwarves.

[Dolarhyde]

To the group: for the third adventure (in Feb/March), I'm proposing to run a published adventure (unless another player prefers to do so, in which case I'll defer). Playing through the adventure series in Tales From Wilderland, beginning with "Don't Leave the Path" makes good sense to me. Would that work for everyone?

Works for me!


Also - I can switch to Saturdays if that's what we decide. I can also do bi-weekly, but prefer every week. Most happy though with whatever helps us keep the adventuring going!!

[Valarian]

We'll stick with Sundays then. I'd prefer to stay weekly, but if every two weeks is better for everyone then I'm okay with that. It's fortnightly though, or bi-monthly. Bi-weekly to us Brits is twice a week. I'm not sure I can run two sessions a week :)

[Valarian]

I like the strong dwarf contingent that is present. Lots of good history and lore driven by the dwarves.
My character is a grizzled old veteran in his second adventuring career. Bit rusty in the old combat techniques.

[Raz_Kabooz]

We'll stick with Sundays then. I'd prefer to stay weekly, but if every two weeks is better for everyone then I'm okay with that. It's fortnightly though, or bi-monthly. Bi-weekly to us Brits is twice a week. I'm not sure I can run two sessions a week :)

Every other Sunday is better for me. I DO enjoy the term fortnightly which sounds like something the good profession would use. ;)

[Dolarhyde]

My character is a grizzled old veteran in his second adventuring career. Bit rusty in the old combat techniques.

Sounds like Beli has a mentor. Hope you want a protege.

[Valarian]

Sounds like Beli has a mentor. Hope you want a protege.
It's a character I created for another campaign. I might look at a rebuild, but keep the background. For someone who's seen the history he has, he probably ought to have at least one point of Lore.

[Hector Trelane]

Your characte’s Tale of Years sets the bar high! All of us other players are going to have to put pen to paper now.

Of course my Woodman will have a long memory that stretches back an entire 10 or 15 years…

[Bidmaron]

Does this belong in the galleries section?

[Valarian]

Does this belong in the galleries section?
Not really. It belongs in The Tavern (or possibly the Other Systems) section. It's a campaign session summary/discussion thread.

[Hector Trelane]

Raz Kabooz has Hobbit Tales, the (semi-)related card game by Cubiice 7. What say you all to playing that as an interlude? It would simulate a tale told during the Fellowship phase or even on the Journey, and could get us into the spirit of the game.

Here’s a link: https://cubicle7.co.uk/our-games/hobbit-tales/

[NotRussellCrowe]

Raz Kabooz has Hobbit Tales, the (semi-)related card game by Cubiice 7. What say you all to playing that as an interlude? It would simulate a tale told during the Fellowship phase or even on the Journey, and could get us into the spirit of the game.

Here’s a link: https://cubicle7.co.uk/our-games/hobbit-tales/

I've been wanting to find a copy; this is good fortune! When are you thinking and how would this work remotely?

[Raz_Kabooz]

Raz Kabooz has Hobbit Tales, the (semi-)related card game by "Cubicle 7". What say you all to playing that as an interlude? It would simulate a tale told during the Fellowship phase or even on the Journey, and could get us into the spirit of the game.
As long as Hector is hosting at his place and serves up the pints! ;)

https://i483.photobucket.com/albums/rr195/Rumnaheim/20181222_174900_zpsoqcy7nrs.jpg

https://i483.photobucket.com/albums/rr195/Rumnaheim/20181222_175856_zpszn0oxwxo.jpg

https://i483.photobucket.com/albums/rr195/Rumnaheim/20181222_180635_zpsoasspsmy.jpg

https://i483.photobucket.com/albums/rr195/Rumnaheim/20181222_181734_zpsw3slmwsx.jpg

[Hector Trelane]

Raz can scan in the cards and convert it to FG, I’d think

[Raz_Kabooz]

Raz can scan in the cards and convert it to FG, I’d think
I'll defer to you on that.

[Hector Trelane]

I don’t own the game. If you send me your copy I suppose I could.

[Dolarhyde]

I own the game, but have never played. I think this is a really, really GREAT idea. I have a conflict tomorrow and next Sunday, but am open almost any other time. I'd really like to see this happen.

[Hector Trelane]

I own the game, but have never played. I think this is a really, really GREAT idea. I have a conflict tomorrow and next Sunday, but am open almost any other time. I'd really like to see this happen.

I hear the game is rare and out of print. Did you pay a lot in the resale market or were you wise enough to buy it when the game first came out?

[Dolarhyde]

I hear the game is rare and out of print. Did you pay a lot in the resale market or were you wise enough to buy it when the game first came out?

I preordered it when it was announced. I order everything they release for TOR and AIME. So I was lucky enough to get in on it while it was cheap.

[Raz_Kabooz]

Happy twelvety-seventh birthday to J.R.R. Tolkien, born on January 3rd 1892. A toast to the Professor!

[Raz_Kabooz]

Reviewing the Fellowship Phase material in both the TOR and Adventurer’s Companion prior to our Sunday session and thought it would be fun to mention the entry in the companion pg 146 "But what has it got in its - pocketses, eh?" that adds an interesting bit of RP item background (if allowed).

[Dolarhyde]

Ewwww, that seems cool.

Are we on for this Sunday? I’ve really missed playing TOR.

[Valarian]

Are we on for this Sunday? I’ve really missed playing TOR.
We are.

[Hector Trelane]

We are.

Looking forward to it.

P.S. I have in my pocketses: chapstick, given me by the store clerk, which I keep since it's winter time. (Or did you mean my character, Raz Kabooz?)

[Trenloe]

We are.
I'm doubtful for this weekend. I've been ill this last week and game start is now 7am for me. I don't think there's much chance of me making that and being compos mentis at the moment...

[Dolarhyde]

I'm doubtful for this weekend. I've been ill this last week and game start is now 7am for me. I don't think there's much chance of me making that and being compos mentis at the moment...

Now 7 am? Did the starting time for the game change?

[Valarian]

Now 7 am? Did the starting time for the game change?
No. The game is still 2pm UK time.

[Hector Trelane]

I'm doubtful for this weekend. I've been ill this last week and game start is now 7am for me. I don't think there's much chance of me making that and being compos mentis at the moment...

Compos mentis is optional... but eat lots of chicken soup and dream of hobbits. We’ll keep your chair warm.

Valarian shall we post our Fellowship phase actions here or would you like us to do that in session?

[Bidmaron]

Could you guys please move this discussion where it belongs instead of the galleries forum?

[Hector Trelane]

Could you guys please move this discussion where it belongs instead of the galleries forum?

I don’t have moderator rights... you could simply could simply unfollow the thread.

[Trenloe]

Moved.

[Hector Trelane]

Here's a screenshot of today's session, part ways through--a pleasant outing in Mirkwood.


https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=25837

[Dolarhyde]

25839

This is how our clothing should look.

[Hector Trelane]

25839

This is how our clothing should look.

It’s good to be a dwarf...you can carry lots of gear!

[vyruxx]

hello . sorry how can u change portraits? , i can not...

[Valarian]

hello . sorry how can u change portraits? , i can not...
The single person icon in the top right.

[Dolarhyde]

Are we playing this Sunday?

[Valarian]

Are we playing this Sunday?
According to the Calendar. Yes.
https://www.fantasygrounds.com/calendar/?id=3256

[Dolarhyde]

Sorry, guess I should have just checked the calendar.

[Trenloe]

Hi everyone. I'm going to have to drop from this. I just don't have the availability at that time now that I'm no longer in the UK. It was great playing with you all, I really enjoyed myself - love the setting and love The One Ring RPG. Thanks for having me for a short while. :)

[Hector Trelane]

Sorry, guess I should have just checked the calendar.

I’m looking forward to Sunday’s game!


Hi everyone. I'm going to have to drop from this. I just don't have the availability at that time now that I'm no longer in the UK. It was great playing with you all, I really enjoyed myself - love the setting and love The One Ring RPG. Thanks for having me for a short while. :)

Good to game with you Trenloe. Maybe you can make guest appearances as a troll? How’s your Troll-speak?

[Trenloe]

Maybe you can make guest appearances as a troll? How’s your Troll-speak?
I usually spend my time pursuing and neutralising trolls... ;)

[Hector Trelane]

Nice shot of today's session, in which the Companions successfully completed their mission to Eagle's Eyrie (a pleasant surprise):

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=26039

[Raz_Kabooz]

Nice shot of today's session, in which the Companions successfully completed their mission to Eagle's Eyrie (a pleasant surprise):
Nice shot, sorry I missed out. Does the journey continue next session?

[Hector Trelane]

Nice shot, sorry I missed out. Does the journey continue next session?

Is the word given?

Yes indeed, the road goes on. Autumn time in Dale for the ten year anniversary of the Battle of Five Armies, followed by the games in Laketown.

[Hector Trelane]

I’m hosting our next session on Feb 3, and I’ve posted my server alias to the calendar entry. Valarian, can you share character files and anything else you want to share via Google Drive? (I already follow you there.) We could create separate campaign files or share, as you prefer (or share partial campaign info by exporting a module).

For players: could you find a larger portrait for your PC that you share via link or attachment here? This may be the same as your portrait on your character sheet, but sometimes you can find a higher res shot that is nice to put on screen—or even multiple shots of your character in action.

As part of our next session, it’d be nice to hear why this group of Companions is sticking together: is it practical expediency? A formal contract, as between Mr. Baggins and Thorin’s Company? Are some true friendships emerging?

(For the Trailman, the answer is: he’s a carefree spirit who makes friendships easily and has found this group of Companions to be helpful to his wanderings—and more importantly, he’s glad to be helpful to all of you, as is his nature.)

[Valarian]

Valarian, can you share character files and anything else you want to share via Google Drive? (I already follow you there.) We could create separate campaign files or share, as you prefer (or share partial campaign info by exporting a module).
Done. Link is in the Calendar GM announcements.

[Hector Trelane]

Done. Link is in the Calendar GM announcements.

Got it, thanks. I have everything loaded up successfully.

One glitch: I can't seem to get the portraits function to work, meaning to assign images to the PC sheets. Any trick to this? I can't even get my portraits window to open up (typically I double click on the portrait).

[Trenloe]

One glitch: I can't seem to get the portraits function to work, meaning to assign images to the PC sheets. Any trick to this? I can't even get my portraits window to open up (typically I double click on the portrait).
The player needs to assign the portrait. Connect another localhost instance, open the PC sheet, then click the portrait button in the top right of the desktop to open the portrait selection window.

[Hector Trelane]

The player needs to assign the portrait. Connect another localhost instance, open the PC sheet, then click the portrait button in the top right of the desktop to open the portrait selection window.

Aha! Very clever. Mostly I wanted to make sure my setup is working properly.

[Raz_Kabooz]

Unfortunately I must bow out of the game. My current schedule will make it unlikely of being able to make the regular sessions.

This is a beautifully crafted mod and Valarian has brilliantly captured the look and feel of Middle-earth in his hosted adventures. This has been an excellent experience indeed and I thank you very much for hosting!

Therefore, with the end of the current journey and change of seasons, Paladin Bunce, heavy with treasure and heavy of heart, will say his farewells and make his way back to Michel Delving to become the respectable Hobbit that his family desires. He'll be certain to carry any correspondence back to The Shire that Trotter may wish to send. Who knows, perhaps Paladin may join the Bounders and we shall meet again upon your return.

Good journey to each of you and all the best!
Raz

[Hector Trelane]

Unfortunately I must bow out of the game. My current schedule will make it unlikely of being able to make the regular sessions.

This is a beautifully crafted mod and Valarian has brilliantly captured the look and feel of Middle-earth in his hosted adventures. This has been an excellent experience indeed and I thank you very much for hosting!

Therefore, with the end of the current journey and change of seasons, Paladin Bunce, heavy with treasure and heavy of heart, will say his farewells and make his way back to Michel Delving to become the respectable Hobbit that his family desires. He'll be certain to carry any correspondence back to The Shire that Trotter may wish to send. Who knows, perhaps Paladin may join the Bounders and we shall meet again upon your return.

Good journey to each of you and all the best!
Raz


Sorry to lose you. How about that game of Hobbit Tales before you sail off to the Gray Havens? (Like that?!)

[Dolarhyde]

I lucked out and found a decently priced second copy of Hobbit Tales. I’ll try to scan the cards and PM a link so we can use them. Sound good?

[Hector Trelane]

I lucked out and found a decently priced second copy of Hobbit Tales. I’ll try to scan the cards and PM a link so we can use them. Sound good?

Sounds good indeed! There’s a card dealing extension that could be helpful here. Thanks!

[NotRussellCrowe]

I lucked out and found a decently priced second copy of Hobbit Tales. I’ll try to scan the cards and PM a link so we can use them. Sound good?

I'm interested. I've never played before or read the rules so I am going in blind though.

[Valarian]

I won't be able to make this week's session.

[Hector Trelane]

I won't be able to make this week's session.

Ok. How about Nemir—can she join?

[Dolarhyde]

Sounds good indeed! There’s a card dealing extension that could be helpful here. Thanks!

I'll get it done as soon as they arrive. They should be here around Thursday.

[Hector Trelane]

I'll get it done as soon as they arrive. They should be here around Thursday.

That'll be nice as a supplement to TOR while in session

To play Hobbit Tales straight up, for today's session, check out this option: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=769894409

[Hector Trelane]

Screen shot from today's session: ambushed by a hobgoblin! What's he doing on the edge of the Long Marsh?

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=26207

[Dolarhyde]

N
That'll be nice as a supplement to TOR while in session

To play Hobbit Tales straight up, for today's session, check out this option: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=769894409

That looks great! I’m not sure the printer I plan to use will work. I’ll keep trying though.

[Hector Trelane]

Reminder: game this Sunday! Server name is on game calendar entry.

Trotter can't attend this Sunday and has had a schedule change so may be a periodic, rather than regular, character. If so, shall we open the game to one or two others? I think the sweet spot is 3 to 5 regular players. Right now we have 3...

[Dolarhyde]

I’m fine with adding another player or two.

[Hector Trelane]

I’m fine with adding another player or two.

Me too. If agreed, Valarian, would you mind changing the calendar settings to "Accepting players"?

[Hector Trelane]

Screen shots from today's session--the first day of Dragontide, the Day of the Black Arrow!

A new Dwarf of the Lonely Mountain joins the Companions:

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=26356



Trouble in the market square--look to your purses!

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=26357

[Hector Trelane]

Reminder--game this Sunday! Fun things in store...

[Dolarhyde]

Looking forward to it!

[Hector Trelane]

Another fun session yesterday! Guess who came a-visiting to Dragontide?

The Companions made short work of him via deftly-aimed blows. The poor creature didn't even get a chance to swipe or mash the heroes. I ask you, is that fair?!

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=26573

[Valarian]

The Companions made short work of him via deftly-aimed blows. The poor creature didn't even get a chance to swipe or mash the heroes. I ask you, is that fair?!
With thrown dagger and a mighty blow of his mattock, Beldan took down the beast almost before the fact that it was under attack registered in its tiny brain.

[Hector Trelane]

Hi players--game is ON for this Sunday at normal time, which is 9:00 Eastern, correctly listed in the game calendar here (not sure whether daylight savings has thrown us off): https://www.fantasygrounds.com/calendar/index.xcp?id=3256


This weekend I'll need to stop at 3 hours sharp since it's St. Patrick's Day, a bigger party in the States that even in Ireland, I understand, and I have to host a family party that afternoon...

We'll get underway on the Second Council of the North at the end of November in Laketown. This will take 2-3 session, then we'll get back into more traditional journey mode...

[Hector Trelane]

We'll have another session or two of the Second Council of the North in Esgaroth--we got off to a nice sandbox and RP-centric start last weekend, I thought!

Players, your feedback is welcome here: if you want more or less of something, posting is fair game. Valarian, thanks for having Beldan clearly indicate his interest in the growing conflict of the Viglundings with the Beornings and the threat that could pose to dwarven trade routes around the northern end of Mirkwood. I'm reading up on that now!

[Hector Trelane]

A game is on for this morning! Friendly reminder

[Hector Trelane]

Screen shots from yesterday's session:

A troubled trio of Woodmen lurk about Lake-town while the Second Council of the North continues into its second day, with several proposed trade pacts, building projects, and expeditions heating up the deliberations:

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=26917


In the meantime, Una the Fair, Queen of Dale, has joined the Council and put her husband, King Bard, in a notably lighter and more joyous mood.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=26918

[Raz_Kabooz]

Hi Hector, I recently saw a post on the One Ring Loremaster guild via Facebook promoting a Loremaster class and Q&A scheduled for Saturday April 27th at 1 p.m. central time (8 p.m. Europe). This looks like a great opportunity for aspiring Loremasters or anyone wishing to learn more on TOR to get their toes wet! ;) I believe this includes both The One Ring and Adventures in Middle-earth systems.

The Facebook and Skype links below:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TORLguild/

https://join.skype.com/invite/xbnj273Q8RD8

https://oi483.photobucket.com/albums/rr195/Rumnaheim/invite_zpscbvvkhvx.png
https://oi483.photobucket.com/albums/rr195/Rumnaheim/invite%20update_zpsi0ydftdl.png


Also, it's Cubicle 7's 10 Year Anniversary Celebration! Good stuff!

https://www.cubicle7games.com/10yearanniversaryday1/

https://oi483.photobucket.com/albums/rr195/Rumnaheim/Cubilce7-10-year-Celebration-1_zpsvpnmho05.jpg

Cheers,
Raz

[MirkwoodElf]

Hi! New Fantasy Grounds member here. Just wanted to say that I'm very happy to see TOR is active here! Looking forward to get more familiar with the forums and hopefully find a TOR game! Best.

[Raz_Kabooz]

Welcome aboard MirkwoodElf!

[Hector Trelane]

Hi! New Fantasy Grounds member here. Just wanted to say that I'm very happy to see TOR is active here! Looking forward to get more familiar with the forums and hopefully find a TOR game! Best.

Welcome to the forums, MirkWoodElf. The game chronicled in this thread can be found here on the calendar: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/calendar/?id=a

Valarian is the ruleset author and has been keeper of the flame for TOR on FG. Some of us have joined more recently and are quite enjoying it!

[MirkwoodElf]

Welcome to the forums, MirkWoodElf. The game chronicled in this thread can be found here on the calendar: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/calendar/?id=a

Valarian is the ruleset author and has been keeper of the flame for TOR on FG. Some of us have joined more recently and are quite enjoying it!

Thanks Hector Trelane! Sadly, the time difference is not in my favor. Once I get more familiar with FG, I'm sure I'll give it try to game master a TOR on my time zone. Have a great day!

[NotRussellCrowe]

Thanks Hector Trelane! Sadly, the time difference is not in my favor. Once I get more familiar with FG, I'm sure I'll give it try to game master a TOR on my time zone. Have a great day!

What timezone is Mirkwood located in anyways? :p

Welcome, MirkwoodElf! I look forward to seeing more TOR on Fantasy Grounds, it really is a great system.

Happy gaming!

[MirkwoodElf]

What timezone is Mirkwood located in anyways? :p

Welcome, MirkwoodElf! I look forward to seeing more TOR on Fantasy Grounds, it really is a great system.

Happy gaming!

I originally purchased the book because of the art! Played a few times long time ago but the screenshots from Hector sparked that enthusiasm to play again. This Mirkwood is on Pacific Time. Slowly modifying my profile.

[Raz_Kabooz]

I look forward to seeing more TOR on Fantasy Grounds, it really is a great system.
Totally agree!


Once I get more familiar with FG, I'm sure I'll give it try to game master a TOR on my time zone.
Please do keep us updated on your progress!

[Hector Trelane]

I originally purchased the book because of the art! Played a few times long time ago but the screenshots from Hector sparked that enthusiasm to play again. This Mirkwood is on Pacific Time. Slowly modifying my profile.

Feel the same way about the art.

If you'd like to pop in as a guest for a single session of the East Coast timezone game, that can be arranged...

[Hector Trelane]

The Second Council of the North concluded safely after the Companions interrupted a three-headed assassination/corruption plot. The royal house of King Bard mourns for the poisoning death of a trusted handmaiden of Queen Una, but it might have been far worse: the Queen might have drunk a lethal dose from her cup at the banquet table, and the King (or his good friend, King Dain) might have been struck by an arrow from a would-be assassin lying in ambush during the hunt. With winter coming, hardships might have been far worse if a deluded Woodman had not been prevented from unleashing a cage of diseased rats into Lake-town's granary.

Pictured here are several of the heroes: The wood elf Nemir [wrong portrait, sorry], and newcomers Achernar of Lake-town and Rothror, Dwarf of the Blue Mountains.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=27214

The Council itself maintained cooperation between the Kingdoms of the north and extended their practice of jointly addressing major issues, even if little was resolved. Threats were identified and trade matters discussed: trade delegations are headed west, south, and east from each people and an effort by Woodmen and dwarves to rebuild the Old Forest Road received tacit support, or at least no opposition, from the assembled kings. A notable issue unresolved is the growing demand for timber from Mirkwood and whether the elves' dominion over the forest will be respected or whether farmers and frontiersmen may fell trees.

Threats include reports of slavers, orcs in the forest, goblins multiplying at Mount Gunbadad, and wargs aggressively stalking travellers and settlers in the north Anduin vales. Even darker rumours fly from the south of Mirkwood, where shadow is seen growing once again.

[Hector Trelane]

Next session to-do list:

Fellowship phase (double-)actions for the winter of 2951;
New adventure, perhaps to be run by Valarian?


We have thus far been adventuring from the starting adventure and the Darkening of Mirkwood campaign. We could continue this route, or use a pre-written adventure from Tales from the Wilderland, or do a combination of the two.

[Hector Trelane]

For Beldan and The Trailman, what shall the AP and XP award be?

[Hector Trelane]

Players, the Companions should choose Fellowship Phase actions for the winter of 2951-52. Please post them here.

To review, the Fellowship Phase includes a series of decisions:

Choose Destination (sanctuary or home)
Standing Upkeep (if you have any)
Spend Experience Points
Spend Advancement Points
Choose Undertaking(s)

Since winter is a long rest, there is time for two undertakings. (Note that you can't choose the same undertaking twice.)


To get the ball rolling, here's what The Trailman will do:


Travel home to the Woodmen realms to spend the winter at Rhosgobel;
No Standing, so no upkeep
No Experience spending
No Advancement spending
First Undertaking: Confer with Radagast the Brown (AC, pg. 120) and gain the Beast-lore trait;
Second Undertaking: Go Hunting with the Woodmen (HotW, pg. 91), Hunting roll to roll on table (to be done in-game).


The Adventurer's Companion has a convenient summary of all Fellowship Phase Actions starting on page 120. However, the rules say you're not limited to this list:


"Players should not feel bound by this list, however – they are invited to come up with new and exciting ways to spend a Fellowship phase. Often, players need look no further than the recently concluded Adventuring phase, as the story that was just completed might have provided several leads worth following, like a new friendship to consolidate or a new sanctuary to be granted access to. Any activity that could have a lasting impact on the character can be considered an undertaking."

[Dolarhyde]

Is there a game tomorrow?

[Valarian]

Is there a game tomorrow?
Yes. As long as we have 3 players.

[Valarian]

Is there a game tomorrow?


Yes. As long as we have 3 players.

Checking the calendar, we don't have three players. So no game tomorrow.

[Dolarhyde]

Okay. See everyone next time.

[Dolarhyde]

I need to access Beli so I can work on spending some XP and AP. How can I do that?

[Hector Trelane]

I need to access Beli so I can work on spending some XP and AP. How can I do that?

You'll have to log in to Valarian's FG campaign, but in the meantime, can you see his basic stats from the core rule book?

[Valarian]

I've loaded the exported character sheets up on the campaign drive folder. You should have access to the latest version. You can also view your character read only via Manage Characters.

[Hector Trelane]

I've loaded the exported character sheets up on the campaign drive folder. You should have access to the latest version. You can also view your character read only via Manage Characters.

Very handy, thanks!

[Trenloe]

You can also view your character read only via Manage Characters.
Yep, you'll have access to the PC(s) you had control of the last time you exited a GM's campaign in Manage Characters. It's read only in Manage Characters, but you can export the PC to XML and then load it up (in Manage Characters -> ruleset, or in a campaign) and edit it.

[Hector Trelane]

Yep, you'll have access to the PC(s) you had control of the last time you exited a GM's campaign in Manage Characters. It's read only in Manage Characters, but you can export the PC to XML and then load it up (in Manage Characters -> ruleset, or in a campaign) and edit it.

Trenloe, will Harma make a cameo appearance? What say you? This Sunday is a Woodland elf party that a delegation from Dale will attend, at King Bard’s request. I’m sure nothing could possibly go wrong...

[Trenloe]

Trenloe, will Harma make a cameo appearance? What say you? This Sunday is a Woodland elf party that a delegation from Dale will attend, at King Bard’s request. I’m sure nothing could possibly go wrong...
I'd love to, but now that I'm back in the USA this is a little too early for me. Plus, this Sunday I'll be with the Woodland elves myself (camping).

[Hector Trelane]

I'd love to, but now that I'm back in the USA this is a little too early for me. Plus, this Sunday I'll be with the Woodland elves myself (camping).

Funny, I've switched most of my gaming to mornings and early mornings since that tends to work better for my schedule, driven by small kids. Well, you can be our wingman anytime.

[Trenloe]

Well, you can be our wingman anytime.
Thanks! :)

[Dolarhyde]

Okay, here's how I'd like to spend my EXP and APs.

I have 25 exp, so I will spend 6 points to increase Wisdom to 3 and take the Virtue "Stiff Neck of the Dwarves." I will raise my Mattock Skill to 4 for 10 EX Points. That will leave me with 9 current exp.

I have 19 APs. I will raise Awareness (Favored) to 2 for 6 points. I will raise Battle (Favored) to 3 for 9 points. I will raise Awe to 1 for 4 points. That will leave me with 0 APs.

That sound okay?

[Valarian]

Okay, here's how I'd like to spend my EXP and APs.

I have 25 exp, so I will spend 6 points to increase Wisdom to 3 and take the Virtue "Stiff Neck of the Dwarves." I will raise my Mattock Skill to 4 for 10 EX Points. That will leave me with 9 current exp.

I have 19 APs. I will raise Awareness (Favored) to 2 for 6 points. I will raise Battle (Favored) to 3 for 9 points. I will raise Awe to 1 for 4 points. That will leave me with 0 APs.

That sound okay?
Sounds okay to me. I'll start the server up early on Sunday so you have time to make the changes.

[Hector Trelane]

Screen shots from our most recent session: leaving from Dale, the Companions deliver word to towns and settlements in the Northern Dalelands of King Bard's treaty with the Woodland Realm not to fell trees from Mirkwood. Then, at a feast hosted in the Great Clearing--ambush by a terrible beast--the Werewolf of Mirkwood!


https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=27833



https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=27834

[Dolarhyde]

Is there a way to learn specialities? Specifically smoking.

[Hector Trelane]

Is there a way to learn specialities? Specifically smoking.

Yes: from Adventurer’s handbook page 121 or better yet 197-98 of the core rule book:

Gain New Distinctive Feature/Speciality
Anywhere
Replace old Trait with a new one.

[Dolarhyde]

Ahh, okay. So you can only trade them out. Thanks for the quick response.

[Dolarhyde]

So sorry, but I had something come up. My son is out of town and we have to go pick him up. Sorry, but I’ll have to miss the session. So bummed. I was looking forward to Beli hanging out in the Woodland King’s Halls.

[Hector Trelane]

So sorry, but I had something come up. My son is out of town and we have to go pick him up. Sorry, but I’ll have to miss the session. So bummed. I was looking forward to Beli hanging out in the Woodland King’s Halls.

Logging in shortly—running a few min late this morning

[Dolarhyde]

I might be about 5 mins late. Sorry.

[Hector Trelane]

Good session yesterday! After a Spring Fellowship Phase, the Companions met in early Summer 2952 at The Archer's Eye tavern in Dale, to which the two dwarves, Beldan and Beli, called one another to learn of an expedition each had been separately invited to embark upon. Achernar of Lake-town and Lifstan, a new man from Dale, joined the dwarves there; and now, not one, but two excursions have been accepted!

Postlude to the tavern scene: Before departing the Archer's Eye, the young Barding noble Saxulf, son of Runolf, tells the Companions to keep their plans quiet, since not only may the avaricious interfere, but King Bard himself may disapprove of dangerous ventures by Bardings into Wild lands that may stir the Shadow or provoke goblins out from their hiding holes. The chief steward as the castle, Magni, son of Mord, is ever advising unity of purpose among the lords of Dale and counsels that King Bard values farmland, harbors, docks, and defenses over gold and treasures hidden in the Northland.

Next session: Preparations and the Journey!


https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=28279


https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=28280


https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=28281

[Bidmaron]

Hector, your postings are always my favorite.

[Hector Trelane]

Hector, your postings are always my favorite.

Thanks! Much appreciated.

I think it’s fun to “play” between sessions since it keeps the game alive in my mind and plot lines and characters can marinate.

[Bidmaron]

Makes me wish I were in your games. Oh, to have more time. Anyway, must be a joy to be in them.

[Hector Trelane]

In today's session, the Journey to the Narrows of the Grey Mountains began, with the Companions and their caravan staying at the last wayside inn of the Northern Dalelands for a final night of cheer and warmth. Elven lady Nemir's music is appreciated only by the Barding lord Saxulf, a quiet and observant man who complemented her playing and showed interest in Elven verse. Was his interest mere politeness, or something more? In the meantime Beli struck up a friendship with the innkeeper Vali and arranged to have a load of fine-cut building stone delivered, at his expense, to improve the inn.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=28525



The caravan pressed on from there, getting caught in a storm of grit and dust blowing in on a cold wind from the Withered Heath. Both scouts made it back only just in time, and at last led the caravan to shelter in narrow ravine. But the next day, the Look Out, Nemir, spotted to wargs prowling towards the road. An ambush was laid to draw the dangerous creatures away from the baggage, and by the end of it, not two, but seven wargs lay slain. Beli and the Beran, a Beorning of the Mountains took pains to foil pursuit by covering the caravan's tracks.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=28527


Next time: already some Companions feel fatigue, and one is weary from battling the cruel and cunning wargs. The journey will continue, but can a caravan of nine souls and a dozen ponies travel quietly and safely? Can they find, in the vast wild, old enemies and lost legends when their search is based on rumors and one eyewitness whose only information came from glimpses caught over his shoulder while fleeing in panic?

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=28528

[Valarian]

Further trials have taken their toll on the company and all but the young elf, Nemir, are weary. The company follow the signs of the lost caravan, discovering a long dead pony and dwarf. Having laid the dwarf to rest, the company follows the trail as it leads up into the mountains. Further signs of the lost caravan are found with some broken and abandoned goods. No signs of goblins, but another encounter with a troll. This time not all of the company find a hiding place before discovery. Our spokesman, the eloquent lakeman Achenar, distracts the troll - allowing the company to attack.

29200

Luck is with the company and the troll is defeated without any major wounds or deaths. The man of Dale, Lifstan, takes the brunt of the troll's ire and is brought close to the limits of his endurance. After a brief rest, the company continues their search.

Overnight, a goblin scout spies on the camp and is discovered. Beldan gives chase and runs down the creature, a pale and spindly form.

A second troll stomps past the company as it's members hide in the undergrowth. Beli takes a wound as his foot becomes wedged between two rocks. Once danger passes, the search continues. The aged veteran, Beldan, scouts the way ahead and discovers a cave entrance with small tracks leading in and out. Signs of a goblin lair.

[Poppyseed]

The company explore a goblin tunnel, fighting salamanders and goblins, narrowly evading the returning party of goblins through stealth and distraction from setting the caged animals that were found in the dead-end where the first batch of goblins were found.

They crawled through an ice tunnel to a large, open area with treasure laid out neatly on tables, seemingly long abandoned. While Beldan looked for a way out, Lifstan and Beli were lured to the treasure, packing it into chests to take with them. Achernar and Nemir explored further in and found a sarcophagus and, giving into her lure of secrets, Nemir opened it to find a dead lady in a white dress, surrounded by bridal ornaments and trinkets, as well as a banner in the colours of Old Dale, and a stag sculpture. Achernar, with the lure of power guiding him, picked up the banner and before he could take the stag, Nemir picked the stag up, examining it.

They returned to the main hall and Nemir told the rest that it was a burial chamber, setting the stag sculpture down. Before they could do much though, a spectural figure came down from where the sarcophagus was, pointed a finger to Nemir and screeched...

To be continued...

[Hector Trelane]

The company explore a goblin tunnel, fighting salamanders and goblins, narrowly evading the returning party of goblins through stealth and distraction from setting the caged animals that were found in the dead-end where the first batch of goblins were found.

They crawled through an ice tunnel to a large, open area with treasure laid out neatly on tables, seemingly long abandoned. While Beldan looked for a way out, Lifstan and Beli were lured to the treasure, packing it into chests to take with them. Achernar and Nemir explored further in and found a sarcophagus and, giving into her lure of secrets, Nemir opened it to find a dead lady in a white dress, surrounded by bridal ornaments and trinkets, as well as a banner in the colours of Old Dale, and a stag sculpture. Achernar, with the lure of power guiding him, picked up the banner and before he could take the stag, Nemir picked the stag up, examining it.

They returned to the main hall and Nemir told the rest that it was a burial chamber, setting the stag sculpture down. Before they could do much though, a spectural figure came down from where the sarcophagus was, pointed a finger to Nemir and screeched...

To be continued...

Welcome to the forums, Poppyseed, and thanks for the great write up!

[Talen]

Beautiful game!

[Dolarhyde]

Nice write up, Nemir!

Hey, Hector Trelane - what and when are you running TOR games for FG Con?

[Hector Trelane]

Nice write up, Nemir!

Hey, Hector Trelane - what and when are you running TOR games for FG Con?

Hi Dolarhyde, it’s right here: https://www.fg-con.com/events/the-one-ring-a-final-pilgrimage-home/

If you or others are interested in playing we can accommodate you...although we have six players we can add a seat or two and sometimes there are cancellations. If you do join there may be interesting continuity plot lines since this is a prequel to our main storyline.

[Dolarhyde]

Hi Dolarhyde, it’s right here: https://www.fg-con.com/events/the-one-ring-a-final-pilgrimage-home/

If you or others are interested in playing we can accommodate you...although we have six players we can add a seat or two and sometimes there are cancellations. If you do join there may be interesting continuity plot lines since this is a preq I uel to our main storyline.

Yeah, I think I’d like to play if there’s room. No sweat if not though.

[Dolarhyde]

Are we starting an hour earlier than usual this week? Or is it a result of transitioning to standard vis a vis daylight savings times?

[Hector Trelane]

Are we starting an hour earlier than usual this week? Or is it a result of transitioning to standard vis a vis daylight savings times?

Should be back to normal on both sides of the pond. To remove any confusion, however, see this link: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?msg=TOR+Fellowship+of+the+Marsh+reg ular+game&iso=20191124T09&p1=3919&ah=3

[Dolarhyde]

Strange. For some reason the calendar page shows 7:00 am CST. It’s typically 8:00 CST.

[Hector Trelane]

Strange. For some reason the calendar page shows 7:00 am CST. It’s typically 8:00 CST.

The calendar time listing for Nov 24 is an hour too early (since it was created before the daylight savings time change, and the listing didn't auto-correct for it).

So no one is confused, the proper time is: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?msg=TOR+Fellowship+of+the+Marsh+reg ular+game&iso=20191124T09&p1=3919&ah=3

[Poppyseed]

The companions begin their journey back to Dale and are attacked by gorecrows, which scare away some of their ponies but don't manage to harm their heavily-injured companion, Saxulf. Saxulf gets a fever during the night, which the companions heal, and Saxulf gives Lifstan a message to take to Dale, thinking that he wouldn't survive the night. Nemir tells Saxulf of what she found out from the elven notes and they share a moment of levity and mild joy, before Saxulf begins to slip into unconsciousness. Before he does, though, he confesses his love to Nemir in a feverish haze. Nemir spent her sleepless night on watch writing a letter to give to Saxulf, should he survive the journey back. On the journey forward, they are attacked by an orc war band but somehow, they manage to flee to a defensible hill and survive the first wave. After a volley of arrows after the first wave, a group of elven wardens appear and drive off the remaining orcs. After thanking them for their help, Nemir, Lifstan, and Achernar plead with the elves to help Saxulf and told them about the dangers that they'd encountered when asked about it. The elves agree to help Saxulf, and to escort them through Mirkwood. The leader of the elf wardens was revealed to be Legolas, prince of Mirkwood.

[Hector Trelane]

Another great write up. Thanks, Poppyseed!

[Dolarhyde]

We playing this Sunday, right? Looks like I’m the only player to confirm so far.

[Hector Trelane]

We playing this Sunday, right? Looks like I’m the only player to confirm so far.

Good news, game is ON! Please rsvp on calendar other players to let us know if you can attend.

(Yes, this sets up a collision course with last-minute Christmas shopping.)

[Poppyseed]

The companions return towards Galford through Mirkwood, accompanied by the elven wardens. Tension brews between the dwarves and some of the wardens and the company have to fend off a giant toad but it’s an overall uneventful journey. They do encounter a patch of forest that seems to have been tainted by the shadow and Nemir helps as the elves heal some of it and are forced to burn away the centre of it. Legolas and the elven wardens take Nemir to a beautiful gazebo one night at camp, which shows the light of the stars and is illuminated through a few elven words. The human companions, Achernar and Lifstan, also listen as the wardens talk about the constellations and share knowledge about the stars, while the dwarven companions – Beli and Beldan – look on, suspicious and confused at elven fascination with the stars.

They arrive at Galford and rest, with Achernar and Lifstan speaking to merchants and the innkeeper about trade. Beli buys drinks for everyone sharing a table with them and it’s a good night. The next couple of days, they return towards Dale but Frar’s people approach them and surround them, outnumbering the companions by a lot. Frar tries to convince the companions to release the treasure that they’re transporting, even resorting to bribery at one point, but the companions convince them to stake their claim to the treasure through the proper means. After that encounter, they reach Dale, ready to sort out the claim to the treasure, and rest.

[Hector Trelane]

Great summary, Poppyseed! But the Grey Mountain Dwarves protest: it was fair and proper payment, not bribery! Such an unkind word :)

[Dolarhyde]

I forgot to write down how much current XP and AP Beli has. And I don’t recall all my specific skills. How can I get a copy of my char sheet?

[Trenloe]

How can I get a copy of my char sheet?
Use the FG "Manage Characters" functionality and connect to the campaign - you'll then get access to a read only version of your character sheet.

[Dolarhyde]

Thanks.

[Valarian]

I forgot to write down how much current XP and AP Beli has. And I don’t recall all my specific skills. How can I get a copy of my char sheet?
I've also now updated The One Ring Characters PDF file in the game files folder.

[Dolarhyde]

Thanks!

[Dolarhyde]

For the new adventures, I highly recommend the rules for Taking Courage as set forth in the Adventurers Companion at page 104. Is Lifstan's new character going to utilize the Heroic Heritage from the Revised Rules at page 282?

[Poppyseed]

During Saxulf's recovery in Dale, Nemir visited him and slipped him the letter that she wrote to him when he was feverish, so that he would find it when he woke. While she was away from her companions, she also began to write a song of lamentation inspired by the tragic tale found in the old texts that she translated with Saxulf.

Nemir's letter to Saxulf: "My dear Saxulf, I am writing this in the hope you live to read it, as you've been a good friend in the short time we've been travelling together. You professed your love to me in your feverish haze the night that I told you about the end of the quenyan verse and, while I don't know whether you meant it, my mind lingered on it. You believe me to be a princess of Mirkwood but I should tell you that I am merely the daughter a noble sindar elf who travelled east with the late king Oropher. A friend of the crown but not a relative. Knowing this, I hope your opinion of me hasn't lessened. I care about you, melon-nin (which means: my friend), and I promised you that I'd teach you elvish someday. My promise holds. This being said, my heart yearns for adventure and I hope that, unlike my kin, you understand this. However, I will always return to a place I call home and I will not forget you, I promise. - Your elven lady, Nemir."

[Dolarhyde]

Really fantastic, Nemir!

[Hector Trelane]

Really superb job with this in-character post, Poppyseed! Bravo!

[Poppyseed]

The companions gain an audience with the King upon returning to Dale, returning the relics, telling him of the treasure they found and the dwarves that lay claim to some if not all of it, and telling him about the orc raiding party they encountered and the threat to the north. Nemir mentioned the scrolls that she translated with Saxulf and read part of it out, enough to give the idea that it was a romantic story hidden in lore, and the Queen seemed pleased, inviting Nemir to read the rest to her later.

The companions go to a tavern and were introduced to Euric and Leaf Sole, who had arrived in Dale after travelling from the east, where the Woodmen and Beornings dwell. They quickly became friendly over several rounds of pints, as Nemir and Beli banter about their journey and Euric shares a tale about himself, and since they appear to be travelling the same way, the companions offer to travel together and it's agreed on.

Nemir shares her translations with the Queen and secures a friendship and potential line of influence, should she need it. She also asks around to be told what will be done about the threat to the north once a decision has been made, planning to send this decision to Prince Legolas through a letter as she promised, and to imply through the letter she could be useful if he wanted to give a message to the King about the threat. Nemir spends the week of waiting offering counsel at the royal court, having laid her song to the side temporarily, and practises the communication with nature she saw and experienced during their trip through Mirkwood. In addition to this, Nemir thinks up a list of names for her woodland bow, something that has served her well throughout her travels, settling on the name "Tyelca", a name she got when translating her Quenyan texts meaning 'Swift'.

Beli and Beldan fight for Frar's claim to the treasure they found and Nemir, though trying to stay out of it, does say that her companions give good points, and Frar is given the treasure with the condition that he doesn't use it for war or trouble.

[Hector Trelane]

Another very nice write up, thank you Poppyseed. I have a backlog of screen shots to post that will eventually be here to supplement your narratives.

:square:

[Poppyseed]

The companions journey back up to the grey mountain narrows but Beldan, exploring ahead, comes across four hobgoblins. He stands his ground against them, shouting in kuzdul and attacking, which the rest of the companions hear and begin to navigate to where he is.

Nemir quickly finds a perch that she could stand to shoot the hobgoblins and the others find their way down to where Beldan is but before they could reach him, Beldan was knocked unconscious. Seeing the companions running toward them, the hobgoblins decide to cut their losses and leave, with two of them dragging Beldan with them. Euric charging in on his horse saved Beldan from being killed, along with a well-placed arrow from Nemir, and the two hobgoblins drop Beldan.

Unhappy with the fact that they'd been seemingly robbed of a proper battle, Euric, Leaf Sole, and Beli chase after them, much to the exasperation of Nemir, who tries her best to get down from her perch and follow them while Achernar and his sister tend to Beldan. Leaf Sole gets poisoned from the weapons of one of the hobgoblins as the smaller group encounter them again, and Beli kills one but the hobgoblins flee again and are gone by the time Nemir arrives.

They group up again and find a safe space to heal wounds and regain energy and decide to stay there for the night, not knowing when they might find a similar area. Nemir voices her frustrations and worry at Beli but they both marvel at how Beldan managed to hold his ground and survive when completely outnumbered. She also tries to teach Beli the correct pronounciation of a few elvish words that he tried to say to light an elvish lantern earlier in the battle but he remarks that he might need fancy shoes like Nemir to be able to say it properly, earning a laugh from her.

[Hector Trelane]

Euric charging in on his horse saved Beldan from being killed, along with a well-placed arrow from Nemir, and the two hobgoblins drop Beldan.

Yes indeed. Swift action under pressure saved Beldan, and the difference between heroism and tragedy was as slim as a sword’s edge.

Was it courage displayed by the dwarf in making his stand? Rashness? A display of virtue? Or hatred?

[Dolarhyde]

When is our next game? I was confused last game, and am free on Sunday, March 1, 2020.

[Hector Trelane]

When is our next game? I was confused last game, and am free on Sunday, March 1, 2020.

Yes that’s the right day. I just posted a day and time here:
https://www.fantasygrounds.com/calendar/index.xcp?id=3500

[Poppyseed]

The companions travel onward the following day, with Leaf Sole sneaking glances towards Achernar's sister, Astrid, which goes completely unnoticed by Achernar as Nemir asks him about healing herbs. The hobgoblins attack again the next night, having tracked them to their new campsite but Nemir dispatches two quickly and easily - shooting one in the throat and plunging her blade through the other. Beldan is slightly annoyed at not being able to fight but Achernar realises that they were the same hobgoblins and shares this information. Leaf Sole, Beli, Achernar, Euric, and Nemir chase after the third hobgoblin, which had escaped when it saw the other two die, and Leaf Sole, Nemir, and Euric kill it. Beli got injured during the chase, which he tried to convince Nemir was because of a bear but revealed to Beldan that he slipped. Nemir, though exasperated, still hovers around him worriedly until his wound is treated.

They carry on their journey but along the way, the ponies get spooked the ponies get spooked by high winds. Euric and Nemir work together to calm them, with Euric calling on his knowledge of horses and Nemir using her elven magic to sing and soothe the horses. Achernar notices Nemir soothing the animals and questions whether her apparent affinity with animals was something she was born with. She explains that she started learning how after the company’s encounter with the elven sentinels but she’s found it comes naturally to her. They share a joke but Nemir reveals to Achernar that her home is starting to suffer from the shadow and she can feel it, creating a moment of companionship as she references back to what they saw on their previous journey. Achernar asks if she and others with her connection to nature could help Dale and Laketown and she agrees to try. The company are caught out in a rain storm and Nemir spends a night struggling to get warm.

During the next day, they encounter a family travelling on the road with cows, to which Achernar asks Nemir if she can ask the cows whether there was any danger. Feeling self-conscious about the idea of walking up to the family to talk to their cows, she lies and tells him her abilities don't quite work that way, when in reality, she's not sure. Her abilities were new to her and it might only have been very difficult. The company warn the family about the hobgoblins and trouble that they encountered and the family tell the companions that the Beorning warrior patrols are increasing in response to the danger. The father of the family gifts them with some milk and cheese as they part, thanks to Achernar proposing business deals to them for when he returns to Dale.

[Hector Trelane]

I like how Achernar is oblivious to his sister drawing the interest of others in the caravan. Good stuff.

Lots of journeying hazards this time, shaped by many Eyes of Sauron rolled by players and LM alike.

This group of Companions is developing a very nice sense of authentic companionship. Looking forward to our next session!

[Dolarhyde]

Sorry, but I won’t be able to make it this Sunday.

[Hector Trelane]

A quick comment on this campaign: at this stage we are fully playing The Darkening of Mirkwood (https://www.cubicle7games.com/product/the-darkening-of-mirkwood/). The more I delve into the material, the more I am drawn into it. NB: The rules and this campaign emulate Pendragon in a number of ways, and this makes me love it even more.

Players, we should draw out your personal storylines and give them center stage by investing more time in the Fellowship Phase, I think. The rules on Holdings make for a fun personal plot that will rise and fall with the fortunes of the region and could tie you into the main action. So far Achernar and Euric has been moving towards getting personal holdings (a house in Dale; a farm in Beorning territory), and more Companions might explore this.

Brainstorms to provide examples:

Would Beli open his own mining seam in the Grey Mountains, or get enough standing to do the same in the Lonely Mountain?
Would Beldan open his own forge or better yet have a commanding post at a Wardens watchtower somewhere?
Would Nemir open her own scribe service or look after a Lord's library somewhere?
Would Leaf Sole want to get married or have a timber lot or a hunting range of his own?


You can also pursue other long term personal plot lines such as declaring an heir. Or decline this entirely if your character has wanderlust or something that drives you away from home.

[Dolarhyde]

I might be able to make it as things turn out, I'm not 100% sure though. Also, it looks like the game isn't starting until 7 central time? Is that just some daylight savings time confusion? Do we still start at 6 central time?

[Hector Trelane]

You are right, the time change scrambled the intended time. Should be an hour earlier... but since we are so close to the starting time date, let’s leave the time as is. I will login early to be there in case players are logged in early as well

[Hector Trelane]

I might be able to make it as things turn out, I'm not 100% sure though. Also, it looks like the game isn't starting until 7 central time? Is that just some daylight savings time confusion? Do we still start at 6 central time?

Dolaryhyde we are starting soon if you're able to join us...

[Hector Trelane]

Quick session report:

Euric, Leaf Sole, and Achernar learned about the tense situation awaiting ahead of them in Beorning lands through conversation with Beran;
Beran appealed to each of them to help the plight of the Beorning familes under duress from Vigulunding agression. He asked each for help, appealing to them emotionally, and Euric and Achernar agreed; while Leaf Sole said he would if Bofri consented;
The Companions reached the Forest River just as another storm hits. The first span of the bridge collapsed as Leaf Sole crossed it, leaving the group in a quandary as to how to get 10 people and 12 steeds across. Leaf Sole felled some trees to repair the bridge; Achernar search for a place to safely launch a raft; and Euric looked for a quieter river section which could be forded by the horses and ponies tethered together. In the end it was Euric who found success and led the party across through masterful skill with the animals.
On the other side, no dry camp could be found, but Leaf Sole tracked two deer to their shelter and brought back meat to fill the bellies of the weary Company, which keeps their spirits up by storytelling in the rain storm.



Next session: the final leg of the journey to reach the end of the Grey Mountain Narrows, marked by the Mouth of Dust.

[Hector Trelane]

Quick session report:

The Companions safely make the final leg of the journey westward and out of the Grey Mountain Narrows. There they reach the Mouth of Dust, marked by a standing stone.
The stone is being repaired by two dwarves who turn out to be brothers. After some initial hesitancy, the Companions rest and water their ponies and horses, sharing news with the dwarves. They are from the Lonely Mountain and are establishing a waystation on the trade route. One is a scholar showing interest in the history of the Standing Stone, which dates to Thror's time.
Nemir hears quiet footsteps concealed in the brush, and meets, when she goes to investigate, a shy, but friendly dwarven woman, Herja, wife of the scholar Parin. She greets Nemir with a gift of a wildflower bouquet.
The Companions continue South Southwest, descending from the Grey Mountain foothills into the wide expanse of the Vales of Anduin. The landscape opens up and the vista of the Misty Mountains looms into view, a breathtaking sight.
The Companions decide to decline their Beorning guide's advice to steer clear of Viglund's heartland and take the direct route through his territory. There they have several tense encounters with Viglunding warriors, who seem through their posture, hard stares, and menacing manner to be threatening use of force at any time. But the caravan passes without incident, save a few insults, thanks in no small part to Beldan the dwarf interposing himself between hostile factions of men.
But at a ford for a stream in a steep-walled gully, a large Viglunding warband blocks the way, stating they are looking for a "Beorning criminal, Beran." The Companions did their best to conceal his presence in the middle of the caravan, but the Vigluning captain stares directly at Beran the entire time the Companions deny his presence or dodge Viglunding questions. The captain allows the caravan to pass since they "say the criminal is not with" them.
The Companions think better of camping close to the large warband and press on as dusk falls to cover as much ground to the Forest Gate as possible. They succeed, but at the cost of great effort in the dark by their guide, Beldan, who becomes (temporarily) weary as a result.

[Dolarhyde]

Are we playing? Neither the game nor TS server seem to be up.

[Hector Trelane]

Are we playing? Neither the game nor TS server seem to be up.

Sorry not to have communicated properly, Dolarhyde. Only two players, and maybe a third, could make it, so I thought that was too few proceed with the game. As it turned out, I also needed the time for Easter activities with young kids.

We are on for our next regular session, and we’ll have a bunch of good scenes awaiting. Can’t wait to get back into the action!

[Poppyseed]

The company rest near Mirkwood. In the morning, Beli stumbled across gems and old trinkets as Achernar collected berries with Beran. The farmer (named Iwald) who had given them the hint about the Viglundings looking for Beran appeared again at the edge of their camp. He talked in a vague way about the life many of the farmers live in Viglund's lands, paying a toll for "protection" and becoming "indentured servants" when they couldn't pay (with the heavy implication that they were just turned into slaves). He implied that they needed help and told them that the Viglundings had moved ahead of them during the night, showing Leaf Sole a hidden elf path but something in his manner and tone felt off to Leaf Sole, as if he wasn't completely being sincere.

When Euric, Draigoch and Nemir were watering the horses, they heard a commotion close by. Viglundings had chased a wounded man up a tree, claiming that he needed to pay his debts to them and dragging the man's daughter behind them. Euric told Draigoch to get help and Nemir tried to argue with the Viglundings that they were being excessive, ever moving closer to them with her bow. The Viglundings used vicious words against the father, daughter, Euric, and Nemir and hurt the daughter, making her scream. Although the Viglundings warned them away, Euric and Nemir stayed. Nemir walked closer. Having heard Iwald's talk of how people who couldn't pay their debts were treated and since they looked like they would attack her too, Nemir intervened, shooting her bow and creating an opportunity for the daughter to escape. They attacked Euric and Nemir, wearing them both down heavily and poisoning Euric. Then their companions arrived and Leaf Sole ran up to the warrior attacking Nemir and got between the attack on Nemir. He raised his shield but was staggered and hurt a little as his reaction was slightly too slow. Even so, he saved her from falling unconscious. Beli was wounded by a poisoned weapon and went unconscious, causing a shadow of dread to fall over Nemir and Beldan. Instantly, Beldan reacted and hit him back with incredible force and ferocity. The Viglundings were defeated with everyone still alive but one of them got away. They made it back to camp and Nemir stayed by Beli's side, though exhausted and recovering herself. When Beli woke up, Nemir gave him a sad, weary smile. He asked whether she was okay and she reassured him that she was just tired and told him "Don't do that again. Don't get that close to death". Beldan realised that the Viglundings were using orc poison, leading them to believe they might be working at least in part with orcs, and he searched the spearmen's pouches for the poison to use as evidence.

[Dolarhyde]

“Lift those legs, Beli. We must hurry,” Achernar yelled.

The fates must shine upon me this day, I’m in for Man humor, Beli thought as he drove his stout legs into the loosely packed earth of the trail. Already, he could feel the trickle of sweat run down the sides of his eyes, absorbing into his course beard. His helm slide back just a bit as he pounded down the path. Don’t know why I’m in such a hurry - huff huff huff - The damnedable elf will have killed whatever it is by the time we get there. - huff huff huff- She’ll probably wait to kill it right as I arrive. - huff huff huff -

Tightening the grip on his mattock, he could feel the soft crunch of the supple leather wrapped around the haft. - huff huff huff - He could feel the slight imperfection in the strap, which he had wrapped perfectly to position a slight rise between the index and middle finger of his right hand.

The field opened up as he rounded a curve in the trail. -huff huff huff - There they are!, he thought feeling the warmer air of this small clearing in the woods. Eyes darting left to right; top to bottom, Beli took in the battlefield and nearly instantly identified that the sun shown brightly through the canopy to his enemies right and a stone stuck out of the ground behind him and to his left. - huff huff huff - Does Nemir not see these advantages? Turn him to your left, Nemir, he thought . . . She’s on her heels; off balance . . . He’s pressing his own advantages . . . Is she hurt? - huff huff huff -

Gritting his teeth until it hurt; the rest of the battlefield blurred into a dark rage that made his empty stomach roil.

So intent in his drive to get to Nemir, Beli never perceived the danger. He made no move whatsoever to avoid the spear that had been hurled at him.

Huuurrrrmmmppphhhhhh

All the air left his lungs as he heard, more than felt, the spear-blade pierce his Dwarven hauberk.

I’m falling . . . have to get back to my feet quickly . . . fire in my veins . . . what is this . . . can’t find my . . . can’t stand . . . still falling . . . what is this . . . fire in my stomach . . . arms. . . head pounding . . . . can’t see . . . help . . . her . . . .

[Poppyseed]

I was really inspired by your post Dolarhyde! Seeing the battle from Beli's perspective (even if he didn't see much of it, due to him passing out) made me want to write the same period of time from Nemir's perspective so here we go:

The Viglundings outnumbered them by far. Euric had sent Draigoch to go and get help but would help come quickly enough? Nemir dodged one Viglunding attack only to step straight into the swing of the other one. She cursed herself. Falling out of touch with the sword was probably her worst decision yet, even if it did mean she was incredible with the bow. Now it could be fatal. The one with the spear lunged for her but she saw it too late to dodge it completely - it hit her side but missed any vital areas. She could be thankful for that at least. Her heart hammered in her chest as they traded blows with her and Nemir gritted her teeth as her first swing missed, then the next. Eru help me, I'm not suited to fighting in close quarters.

The exhaustion of the fight was setting in and Nemir could feel herself ready to drop. Somehow, her swings were less accurate than before and the enemies seemed to be getting quicker. Would she even have the energy to dodge the next attack? She could barely hold her sword.

The Viglunding with the axe swung again and the answer to her question flashed in Nemir's mind - No - but right before it should've hit, a body and a shield were between them. Help? It took a moment to recognise the one who'd saved her was Leaf Sole but before she could express any kind of gratitude, she heard a noise from behind her. Instinctively turning, Nemir's heart and stomach dropped as she saw Beli crumple to the ground.

Her mind swam.

Looking at Beli's almost lifeless body, she tried to pull a thought from the swirling vortex consuming her but couldn't. Whether it was from exhaustion or panic, or a combination of the two, for a brief moment, her legs wouldn't move, nor her arms, nor her eyes while every instinct urged her forward. The Viglunding stood over Beli, about to land a final blow but Beldan knocked the Viglunding aside with impunity. She was useless. That thought lept out of the vortex at her as she watched how quickly Beldan protected him.

Nemir lunged again at the Viglunding with the axe, who Leaf Sole had protected her from, distantly thinking that if she could just land one hit, she wouldn't be such a failure.

Another miss.

That settled it, Nemir thought with a distant and dry sense of amusement. That amusement was short lived as she trudged over to Beli and her gaze landed on the poisoned veins eminating from the wound. Her heart dropped further. How close was he to death? Had he passed the point of no return? As the group returned to the camp, a reality struck Nemir in a way it hadn't quite before. If Beli died, a small piece of her would die with him.

That, perhaps, scared her most of all.

[Dolarhyde]

Loved it, Poppyseed.

[Hector Trelane]

Very cinematic scenes drawn up by Dolarhyde and Poppyseed. The First person perspective puts the drama on center stage. Fun to read from the LM’s chair. Well done!

[Poppyseed]

Worn and weary, the company decided to travel onwards through the edges of Mirkwood for safety only to find that the band of Viglundings were there and surrounded them. The Viglundings made an effort to intimidate them but the group wouldn't back down. Each side was looking for Beran to come with them and the leader of the Viglundings was playing to his men to build them up for a fight even while they wouldn't cross the invisible barrier formed by the company's threatening postures. Beldan began to threaten them back to show he wouldn't be intimidated by their show of force and Achernar ensured the tension didn't lead to blows with diplomacy. Leaf Sole hung to the back and looked for a way to escape should he need it and soon enough, Nemir had the same idea. Worn and weary, Nemir knew that if it came to a fight, they wouldn't last very long. Two were injured - Euric and Beli - and she was almost ready to drop. Nemir couldn't say how Beldan was but Leaf Sole looked tired as well. She quietly touched a branch of a tree and whispered in elvish, asking if there was a weak point in the group that surrounded them. The trees answered her and she learned that there was an opening that one or two people could use to slip away and escape.

With this knowledge, she told Beli in a whisper that if things go south, run. She pointed the way and told him that he would be safe but he replied that he wouldn't run from a fight. "It would be an honour to die alongside you" he said, and continued by saying that she might be one of the only good elves he's met. She placed a hand on his shoulder, replying "And you, my friend" and they shared a moment of understanding. Then and there Nemir decided that she wouldn't abandon Beli - she would fight for as long as they both remained standing - but the route of escape still pulled at her mind.

Eventually, Beran submitted to the Viglundings and he was bound and whipped before being taken away. Nemir closed her eyes and clenched her teeth, wishing to unhear that sound, and the others seemed to have similar reactions. They told the Viglundings to leave - they had what they came for but the Viglundings pushed further with an infuriating facade of innocence. They ordered the companions to hand over their weapons and when they refused, attacked from all sides.

[Poppyseed]

For the purposes of this dive into Nemir's thoughts, time is frozen or at least going very slowly but I thought it would add a bit of flavour and insight into where she's at right at that moment (since there's a very real possibility this could be one of the last times I write in her perspective and I wanted to really milk it haha).

So this is it, Nemir thought to herself right before their attacks fell on them, All of our adventures together and it's led to this? Death by the hands of glorified ruffians, outnumbered and half-dead already? It's not even heroic - not like the tales father used to read with me - instead, we'll die without anyone knowing about it and we will soon be forgotten. I suppose there was a part of me that thought that I could become the kind of hero I used to look up to, that I could forge and write my own story and if I died, it would be a glorious death on a battlefield or saving lives. The kind of death scholars would teach for generations. And what have I done? I haven't made a name for myself yet - I'm still only the daughter of an elf lord; I'm still only a traveller that found a couple of artifacts; I'm still only that elf that helped kill a troll that one time...

I'm still only Nemir.

Nemir tightened her grip on her bow and forced back a defeated and bitter laugh.

And I had such plans too. To become someone in Dale - I still have the favour of the King and my reputation, surely he would've granted me a title. To become someone in Mirkwood - I have the knowledge of scrolls and scrolls of Quenyan writings that I could've shared with them. I had a promise to fulfil to my prince - to tell him what Dale will do about the orcs to the North. And with the ear of Dale's Queen too? Would it have been such a stretch to believe that I could've become someone? And Saxulf. My dear Saxulf, I had every intention of teaching you elvish but it looks like I might be forced to break my promise. These Viglundings you see, they mean to kill me. To kill all of us. I hope my letter was enough. I wrote it thinking that you might be the one to die before we meet again but I never thought it might be me.

Nemir looked to Beli, his axe in his hands and ready to fight.

And yet here I am. Beli won't run so I have to stand by him and fight. I can't bring myself to abandon him. He says it would be an honour to die fighting alongside me but for once, I wish he would take the coward's choice and slip away. At least then, he would be safe. Alive. If I died giving him time to escape - to live - it would've been worth it. I would be remembered, even if it was just by one person. If that one person was Beli, it would've been worth it. He, more than anyone, knows what I've been through because he's lived through it with me. Still, I will protect him until the very end. No matter what.

Eru protect and guide me. I may just do something stupid to save the dwarf's life.

[Hector Trelane]

Great stuff, as always, Poppyseed! The stakes are high in this scene… I will post some stuff about what players can prepare for and look forward to in our next session.

[Dolarhyde]

With a grunt and clinched teeth, Beli began his march near the front with Beldan. The veteran Dwarf still wasn’t much of a talker, even after these few years. But much could be learned from him if one but just watched.

Nearly every uneven step on this path was fire in my side where the packed medicinal herbs still worked their curative effects. At least it wasn’t draining as much this morning and most of the effects of the Orc poison had worn off. Only a splitting headache remained from that foul substance. Leaf Soles’ skills as an herbalist and healer had been tested and found exceptional.

I was exceedingly tired and weary. Much of this day was spent merely putting one foot in front of the other. Just one more step. And another. And another. Just one more. Somewhere along the way I found myself using my Mattock as a cane. I hope Beldan didn’t notice; he’d surely frown upon my using a weapon in this manner. But it helped.

As if from a dream state, we were nearly surrounded by Viglundings. An ambush had been laid in order to take Baren to their chieftain to answer for some crimes. Beldan lead the discussions for our side. I’ve little recollection of what was said. It’s all echos and ringing in my ears.

There goes Nemir again, talking Elvish to a damn tree or something. Peculiar people, these Elves.

Beldan snapped my thought back to the moment at hand and asked me if I was ready to fight, I think. “Yes, I’ll be fine. And I’m ready,” I replied through clenched teeth. Okay, so pull yourself together, Beli. They need you to be ready. They need you to fight.

It had been so cold, and now I’m roasting and lathered in sweat. Praps the poison is still working it’s way out of my body.

I heard Nemir tell me something about a path or clearing to the south. I guess the birch and oaks gave her an answer. “What’s there,” I asked? She replied safety. But no, I cannot leave my companions. Beldan is a friend I cherish and respect. I look to him like I might my own father, we’re he still alive. I cannot leave him to die whilst I scurry away through the woods like a rat. More importantly I cannot leave Nemir. I know full well she is an elf, but she is my closest friend in this world. I don’t even know how that came to be, if I’m being honest. I hope she knows that. And I hope she doesn’t know that, too. I’d never hear the end of it.

“If this is the end, then it would be an honor to die fighting beside you, Nemir.” Indeed, it would. Indeed, it seems it will be, in fact. I cannot bear the thought of seeing Nemir fall. There must be some other way.

I asked what monetary price there might be for Baren, as I’d gladly pay it not to have to fight right now, but their captain rebuffed my question.

More words echoing in my mind and then Baren surrendered himself. In starts and fits, it seems; but, yes, he’s going over to them in surrender. It’s honorable, but they’ll surely kill him, I think as a rage swells inside me. How many of these Viglundings are there? Too many to count with this fire burning in my side.

At least this madness is done for now. They have what they wanted and we can go aid Baren later when we’re not so ragged and worn.

What did that pig-faced mule just say? Give him all of our weapons? He meant to fight us from the beginning regardless of whether Baren surrendered or was given over or not. And we let Baren go with them. How cheap is our friendship?

Beldan is saying something to them, but i see how he just shifted his Mattock there. Imperceivable to others most likely, but a clear message to me; this will be blood.

I take a quick look around at my companions . . . hopefully not for the last time.

Euric is there. An excellent rider and fighter. I’m glad he’s with us. Leaf Sole . . . a strange name even for Woodland people, but I can vouch for his medicinal skills. Achernar has been with us from the beginning. I should get to know more about him if we survive this day. His sister is there, too. I wonder if he knows how much she drinks from my stash of whiskey? Ha! None of his business, I say. I will honor them this day.

Turning back I see Beldan in his wroth. Damn if I’d want to face that veteran in battle, even on my best day. I’ve tried to learn what I can from him. Does he know how much I respect him? I will honor him this day.

I cannot even look at her. I cannot even think her name. Does she see the fear in my heart? Does she know it’s not for my life? Does she know I march forth in this blinding pain for the sake of our friendship? I will honor her this day.

[Hector Trelane]

First class, Dolaryhde! This is truly dramatic storytelling.

[Poppyseed]

The Viglundings and the companions finally came to blows. Euric sent his squire, Draigoch to escape and potentially find help but stayed to fight himself until he fell. Unwilling to see his sister harmed, Achernar called out that he surrendered and laid down his weapons with his sister next to him. Leaf Sole slipped away with Bofri, unnoticed by the Viglundings who were focussed on dealing with Achernar's surrender, and Beldan's attacks, covered by Beli and Nemir who stayed and fought.

Beldan had a little success, which gave the Viglundings pause for a moment, but Nemir could see her escape route slipping away. Fighting any longer meant giving up the chance to slip away but Beli was still standing, fighting. He wouldn't leave Beldan but she couldn't leave him behind. Knowing, perhaps, that it was futile, she pleaded with Beli to escape with her but Beli refused. He continued fighting alongside Beldan, who only told him "Go". Still, Beli couldn't bring himself to run away and abandon Beldan. As Beldan made a rush to Beran, to try to free him, drawing some of the Viglundings with him, Nemir pleaded once more, sensing their last opportunity and not wanting Beli to die in the battle, until an idea came into her head. It would mean swallowing all of her pride and bearing the humiliation that would surely follow from the jibes and jabs of the Viglundings and her own mind fighting against her but would it make them more willing to spare Beli if they had another prisoner instead of another escapee? Short of knocking Beli out and dragging him away, it was her best chance.

While Beli joined Beldan and they fought until they couldn't anymore, Nemir surrendered. It's for Beli, she told herself but the shame ate away at her even as she placed her bow down and was forced to the ground. She was fighting every instinct she had that was telling her to run. The forest was calling out to her and she wanted desperately to heed it but she'd blown her chance the second she laid down Tyelca. Her precious woodland bow - what would they do with it? What would they do with her? Was this just prolonging death? She clenched her jaw and gritted her teeth. It's for Beli.

The Viglundings bound them and soon, they were travelling as prisoners - "criminals", as one of the Viglundings was very quick to point out to them. Every word was venom. Nemir glanced over to Beli. Still breathing, still alive. Bound like the rest of them. One thing was to be said about her kind: they endured - and she would endure this and much more to come, even if it weighed heavily on her heart, even if all other hope seemed to be lost, she would endure it. As long as she kept reminding herself what she was fighting for. She would fight for the chance to make a name for herself and create a story of her own, for the chance to see her family again and the woodland halls - in all her wanderlust, as the possibility of seeing her home again grew dimmer, she suddenly felt homesick - for her companions themselves, who were the reason she kept wandering far from home and reason enough to continue doing so... and for the dwarf who had become the unlikeliest of friends but meant as much to her as family.
For Beli.

[Hector Trelane]

This is known as a down beat in fiction. Definitely an intensification of pressure on the protagonists. As the film director Sydney Pollack said, and I paraphrase, "For some reason you can't have just happy things happen to your hero and heroine, otherwise your movie ends up looking like a credit card commercial."

Once again, very nice writing, Nemir. Thank you for chronicling the story.

[Poppyseed]

Draigoch rode south towards Hartmut's Hall, having escaped from the battle on Euric's warhorse, to get help and Leaf Sole and Bofri, who had slipped away first, did the same. Draigoch arrived first to tell his tale to the Beornings, who all gathered to listen and were soon riled up by his tale even if the telling of it was long and rambling. The reaction was unanimous. Outrage and disgust. But they also seemed like they expected something like this to happen. There was a gathering filled with shouting and drinking that night, when Leaf Sole arrived with Bofri and began to re-tell the story of the battle and their companions' capture only to find they already knew - and that Draigoch was here.

Bound and captured, the rest of the companions were at the mercy of the Viglundings. Achernar persuaded them to let him and his sister, Astrid, tend to the dwarves under the condition that they also tend to the injured Viglunding soldiers. Astrid protested at Achernar but he told her to just do it. As the Viglundings prepared to leave and secured their dead to the ponies, it became increasingly apparrent that they intended to leave Euric for the wolves so Nemir called out to them: "At least let us give him the dignity of a proper burial." Something in the note of her voice must have struck a cord with the second-in-command, as she gestured to allow it. Digging the grave alone was difficult work for her already weary body but Achernar was tending to Beldan and Beli and Nemir would be damned if she asked for the help of any of the Viglundings watching her. It would be an insult to Euric's memory and they would probably refuse anyway. Still, she pushed on until the grave was dug and covered, then, not knowing the funeral rites of his people, she followed as close to the elven traditions as the Viglundings would let her. She gathered flowers to place onto his grave, wishing she had seeds to plant or a sapling and sung an elven song of mourning softly, hiding the words and the melody from the Viglundings who were undeserving to pay witness to an elven burial song.

The Viglundings and the captured companions headed to Viglund's halls, with bags placed over the companions' heads. Along the way. Beldan sowed seeds of doubt with every guard that delt with him after overhearing a goblin one night talking to them as a jester might. He also shouted about them being slave-takers and orc-friends when they entered settlements, sowing even more doubt with the locals as he touched on the idea that they might be next. Beli seemed to shut down in guilt and sorrow as they travelled and with the bag over her head, Nemir listened carefully to everything as something to distract her from the hopelessness she felt growing inside of her. She had to do something, else she felt she would fall into despair. In the settlements, Nemir overheard the talk of someone wanting to escape and another, convincing them to stay, and Nemir realised that they were afraid of the stories they'd been told of the elves in the forest. Paying more attention as they went further along, she noticed they were also afraid of her.

The companions and Viglundings arrived and were brought to Viglund's Hall, where the war band's leader proclaimed them to be criminals and murderers, which Beldan and Nemir argued against, saying that they were only acting in self-defense and that they were the aggressors. Their bags were ripped off their heads and the companions finally saw the inside of Viglund's Hall but Nemir's eyes quickly found those of the two elves beside him and her soul flickered with rage and betrayal. Two dwarves were also beside him, grimacing at the reveal of the companions. Beldan furiously exchanged words with the dwarves, in Kuzdul, outraged that they would seemingly side with that of the Viglundings. Nemir straightened to her full height from slouching, beginning to look every bit the noble that she was raised to be despite her circumstances, and spoke in the elvish tongue: "If you side with these people, who take slaves and are friends and make deals with orcs, then you are traitors to your kind." It was met with a cold reply from the female elf (Nimrodel) that she did not know what she was interfering with and that she should hold her tongue. She addressed Nemir with "Nemir, daughter of Lord Thalon" and at the mention of her full name and title, with the commanding air she used it with, Nemir was silenced but Beli, hearing her name amongst the elvish started forward only to be quickly stopped by the guards. He shouted "You have no right to even speak her name!" but was met by idle skepticism at most by Nimrodel and the other, Aredhel. It soon dawned on the company that they had just been brought into the middle of some very tense diplomatic negotiations.

Upon request by the elven and dwarven emissaries, Viglund allowed the companions to be unbound and for the emissaries to summon and talk to their people. Nemir rubbed her wrists as the bindings came off, glad to be free of them, and the companions were given their first few moments of privacy in many days. Until now, she had been trying to hold herself together - making sure Beli ate the food the Viglundings gave them on the journey despite not having much of an appetite herself, listening to her surroundings in distant hopes of escape, reminding herself of what she was fighting for - but she was exhausted both physically and emotionally. Once the eyes were off her, the hopelessness she had been fighting to keep at bay sank into her and weighed heavily - too heavily - on her heart. She knelt and hugged the unsuspecting Beli and, in the hug, murmured "We'll be alright" but it sounded more like she was trying to convince herself of it. Subtly, he leant into the hug. Her hopelessness eased a little and gathering her resolve, Nemir quickly broke from the hug and straightened, once again resembling nobility as she watched the room, waiting to be summoned. She rubbed her wrists again absently but otherwise did her best to hide her discomfort. Hugs were not something she was particularly used to giving, being a more human form of affection, and this might not have been the best time to try it but it was a little too late to start thinking that now.

Soon enough, Beldan and Beli were summoned by their people and Nemir was summoned by hers. Left to analyse the halls, Achernar spotted the man that guided them to the forest route and set them up for ambush. Beldan told the dwarves of their mission, what they had seen, and the orc-poison that Beldan had taken off of one of them. They discussed the situation between the nobles that had authorised the missions, finding conflict in the approaches taken and the dwarves vowed that they would help Beldan and Beli out of this mess but worried for the cost it might bring them.

Nimrodel spoke coldly and condescendingly to Nemir as she called her a child, told her to keep quiet in the proceedings that followed and said her "little outbursts" brought shame to the elves and her kingdom. Her last point hit a nerve with Nemir and she bit back with "And making deals with slave-takers and orc-friends does not?". Nimrodel seemed unbothered as she said "Such is the way men are", with the exception of the woodmen and Nemir got angrier. Her mind went to Achernar, Astrid, Leaf Sole, and Euric, to Saxulf, King Bard, and Queen Una. Such is not the way men are, she thought. "Not the men of Dale," she said, "nor Laketown, nor anyone except from the Viglundings. I expect better of men - I have known better." In their exchange, Nimrodel told her that ensuring their border was secure was the only concern and it took Nemir aback. Is that really all the King cares about? The border that separates our kingdom from the rest of the world? She couldn't quite believe it to be true. Surely, her own kind was not so willing to turn a blind eye to the Viglunding's cruelty? Surely they were not so willing to overlook dealings with orcs and goblins? And yet here was an emissary, sent by King Thranduil himself. It couldn't be true... could it?

[Hector Trelane]

Once again a great first person perspective, Poppyseed, and also a very helpful journal of many events in a busy session (which the LM deeply appreciates [bows low]). It’s also important that you have unpacked a number of crucial diplomatic nuances of this charged situation—valuable for all players.

Thank you!

[Dolarhyde]

Brilliant as always, Poppyseed.

[Poppyseed]

Draigoch and Leaf Sole urge the Beornings to haste, both gaining alliances and with Draigoch becoming closer with Garsendis over tales of Beran. After a few days, they prepare to set off in the morning with the Beorning caravan and travel ahead of the group to help with the stockade and position themselves with advantage at the parlay site.

During their time as prisoners and political hostages, Beli and Beldan got into a fight with two Viglunding warriors who used schoolyard bully tactics to provoke them, Achernar spread words amongst the Viglunding servants that he befriended of what he had heard and seen. The dwarven and elven diplomats both gave the same message: let them handle things at the hearing. Achernar introduced himself to a lady who was revealed to be the Aesid, daughter of Viglund, who he noticed sitting upon the dais with a man standing beside her. Nemir saw the recognition in Achernar's eyes as he looked at Aesid and through reading the body language and scene, could tell that Aesid saw no use for the man, presumably her betrothed, to her side.

During the hearing Viglund agreed that Beli and Beldan would be given over to the dwarves and Nemir to the elves after the parlay that would take place the next day. It was only after Beldan's prompting for Achernar and Astrid to also be handed over that the dwarven diplomat, and then elven diplomat from not wanting to lose an opportunity to the dwarves, began negotiating for their release too. It was agreed. Viglund afterwards made a show of killing an orc with the orc-poison, ignoring the comments from the company of it already being somewhat obvious that they could succumb to their own poison, and Beldan's comments about using it being orc-work. In the morning, they would set off together to the parlay site.

[Hector Trelane]

Thank you for the session notes, Poppyseed

[Poppyseed]

Draigoch and Leaf Sole arrived ahead of the rest of the band of Beornings, with only a few groups of spearmen and axemen. They immediately got to work to plan their approach of the field, stationing some men in the forest to dissuade an ambush and a scout up ahead to watch for signs of the Viglundings.

Nemir, Beli, and Beldan noticed Achernar talking once more with Aesid, daughter of Viglund. She appeared to be interested in Achernar, more so than she was to her own betrothed, who she managed to send away without him being any the wiser. Quietly chafing against the situation she was in, Aesid seemed to be encouraging his interaction with her. Looking at it, Nemir saw an opportunity to change the way the Viglundings worked from the inside. It would take longer and perhaps it was a plan that wouldn't even work, but if the dwarves and elves were so determined not to fight the Viglundings, perhaps all opportunity was not lost.

On the road, Nemir thought back to her last meeting with Nimrodel, who had explained in no uncertain terms how the elven court back in Mirkwood would react to her costing them the position they had before once news of how the negotiations had gone got out in rumours and whispers. Fear flickered in Nemir's heart. It would cost her and her family some of their reputation at court. Reputation that Nemir hadn't even begun to build herself. "So what? You're going to shun me for being in the wrong place at the wrong time?" she cried as tears stung at her eyes. Nimrodel told her that it was the truth of what was going to happen because of her part, no matter how unwilling, but her tone seemed to be that of a teacher telling her how the world worked. In some ways, it reminded her of her father's teachings but Nimrodel didn't soften her words to comfort her like her father did. She only told the cold truth. Nemir looked down, with her cheeks growing red from shame as she willed herself not to cry. Not here. Not even anywhere else in Viglunding's hall but especially not in front of Nimrodel. Nemir nodded. "I'll make a note of that." Nimrodel's gaze seemed to soften as Nemir said that, and she touched Nemir's hand and told her that she would be okay. Looking at Nimrodel again, Nemir understood a little more. She still didn't agree with dealing with the Viglundings but that wasn't a fight she could win. Not yet.

The dwarves'd had similar conversations with their diplomats. Soon enough, they reached the parlay grounds, with a table set up for diplomatic discussions to ensue and places for the elven and dwarven diplomats to mediate and watch the preceedings. There was argument, shouting, and conversation back and forth. Draigoch and Leaf Sole lay concealed in the trees, ready to strike if things came to battle and Leaf Sole noticed Viglundings moving to take postition in the trees. He prepared his men to move the minute the Viglunding spearmen moved. Draigoch and his men started a chant for Beran and Garsendis rushed to the table, asking about him.

Tensions grew and Beli, Beldan, and Nemir began to look for a way off the potential battlefield and as the battle begun, Nemir slipped away with Achernar unseen. Beli dashed off, with Beldan following but got cut off a little by some people's movement. They headed towards the wagon that held their weapons far back behind the Viglunding's ranks. The Viglunding spearmen in the forest moved in an attempt to ambush the Beornings but were ambushed themselves by Leaf Sole and his men. Leaf Sole moved his men behind the Viglundings as the Viglundings created a wall between the Beornings and Viglund, who was retreating off the battlefield. Nemir, Beli, Beldan, and Achernar reach the camp where their weapons were and got to retrieve them. Leaf Sole and his men cut off the retreat by siezing control of the choke point off the battlefield and the battle turns very lethal to the remaining Viglundings. Axes and hatchets fall and fly and the remaining Viglundings that got cut off were killed. Draigoch faced the one who struck down Euric and he fell under Draigoch's axe.

Nemir, Beli, and Beldan protected the Viglunding servants from being harrassed from Beorning warriors and returned to find Leaf Sole and Draigoch, seeing the massacre on the battle before them. Nemir was horrified by the utter mess of bloody bodies and gore left behind even though most of the casulties were Viglunding. The tales never told of this. In all of the battles of glory from the past, they never said how horrifying it could be to see the battlefield of fallen foes when all was said and done. Just like Lady Nimrodel's words, she knew this image would stick with her as she headed back home.

[Poppyseed]

This fellowship phase is going to be quite important for Nemir's growth as a character after such an intense journey she found herself caught up in with the Viglundings so I'm going to be adding multiple snippets and scenes of what she does during the winter fellowship phase and her thoughts on what she's been through and what's to come because she has a lot to sort through and a strong drive to act after what she's been through, especially from the realisation of what matters to her as she was preparing to fight with the Viglundings, and what she learned from her encounter with Lady Nimrodel. So, to start off, we have the beginning of Nemir's return journey.

Saying goodbye to her companions until they met again, Nemir headed into Mirkwood, weary and homesick from the ordeal that began as just another adventure but the words of Lady Nimrodel rang again in her head. Already, she was beginning to dread having to deal with the elven court. If everything that Lady Nimrodel predicted rang true, she was in for some harsh judgement but, even worse, so was her family. Nemir’s heart and stomach twisted at that idea. Herself, she could deal with or, if she couldn’t, she had other options – she could hide away in Dale or Laketown – but her family had built their entire lives here. They’d settled. Itholdiel was even betrothed to another Lord’s son. At the thought of her sister, Nemir sighed. It seemed clear that Itholdiel was everything her parents wanted Nemir to be too – the ideal daughter – but after this, Nemir felt like the disgrace of the family. She tried, she really did. She’d worked hard at her studies to become a scholar like her father, she’d learnt how to curtsey, how to properly greet someone, she’d learnt how to gain attention and how to slip away unnoticed. But still, it wasn’t enough. Her heart pulled at her to see the world beyond the forest borders, but her parents wanted her to settle, to give up her friends – almost her second family – and live a peaceful life. No doubt, this incident wouldn’t help with her argument.

Wrong place at the wrong time. Nemir scoffed. That was the only thing she had been guilty of but it wasn’t as if Nemir could deny the effects that it’d had – even if dealing with Viglundings was foul as a concept, the court wouldn’t see it that way. Nemir kicked a loose lump of dirt as she walked down the path. Her mood had somehow worsened since she’d said goodbye to her friends. Perhaps it would be okay to delay her journey for the afternoon. Nemir took a deep breath and navigated her way to a stream, where she sat amongst the grass and scattered wildflowers. Staring into the stream at her reflection, she let her hair down and it tumbled far past her shoulders in copper waves. Nemir stared at it for a while. She imagined taking her dagger to it all and cutting it short but soon realised it would be another thing to explain to her family and that would be more trouble than it was worth. One thing at a time. Instead, Nemir took some time to add braids to her hair and tie it back up. Might as well look presentable. A wry smile played on her lips from that thought – who, exactly, was going to see her? She still had a while to go before she reached the nearest settlement, and even longer before she reached somewhere she’d be easily recognised. Still, Nemir tied it up and brushed loose strands aside anyway and looked again at the reflection. The face staring back at her looked so drained. Even as ‘guests’ of the Viglundings, Nemir had still been uneasy trying to sleep or even slip into a restful state and that had taken its toll. Not to mention the dangers and horrors they’d faced. But would the court care about that side of the story? No. They would likely only see what it cost them. Nemir picked herself up and began to follow the stream deeper into Mirkwood, towards her home.

She had to make this right.

A little for herself maybe, but mostly for her family. Nemir paused in her tracks as she considered how her parents would react, her gut twisting when she imagined it. Would they be angry? She’d done nothing wrong. Disappointed, then? Would that be better or worse? Her footsteps fell heavier as she continued on, lost in thought. Even though the idea of telling them terrified her, the thought of returning to those angry or disappointed stares was even worse. She couldn’t bear it. If she told them herself, she could tell the whole story – she could put it into her own words and soften the blow. Nemir’s paces grew faster and faster. It needed to be her that told them. Not whispers flying around the court. Not some other noble asking whether what they heard was the truth about their wayward daughter. It needed to be her. Nemir silently begged the fates to let her have this one thing – to let her break the news instead of the elven court, who didn’t – and couldn’t – know the entire story.

Nemir’s foot caught on a branch and her speed sent her plummeting to the ground. She groaned in pain as she got back up and brushed the dirt off her, glaring back at that tree branch with annoyance. If that was the fates’ idea of an answer, it was a terrible one.

[Hector Trelane]

Thanks for the session summary, Poppyseed. Really compelling story material. We’ve weaved quite a tale.

And I enjoy and appreciate the window into Nemir’s thoughts. She is thinking through some of the many ripples of the stone (boulder?) that just hit the water and it makes strong dramatic material. I can’t wait to find out what Nemir will do next!

[Poppyseed]

I'll be posting this scene in two sections since it's too long to post all as one - apologies if any of it sounds a little disjointed, I've been working on it for a while and there have been a few longish breaks inbetween a couple of parts.

The whispers had already begun. Not fully, not yet, but there were some that had heard; Nemir could see it in their eyes. She tried to ignore them as she navigated the cold, snowy halls but a pit swirled in her chest as her thoughts spiralled, overthinking every little glance. One, two, three, four. Nemir focussed on her footsteps as they hit the floor. Each one brought her closer to home. One-two-three-four, one-two-three-four, one-two-. Nemir came to a dead halt as she looked up. There it was – her home. The familiarity was like a punch to the gut; it hadn’t changed a bit.

Cevendir was waiting just outside the front door, waiting for her.

His eyebrows were knitted and drawn upwards – a picture of worry – but he tried to give her a small smile as he saw her. Nemir willed her feet to move. When she reached him, Cevendir placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I’m glad to see you’re back safe. Are you hurt?” Cevendir gave her arms a cursory glance, looking for injuries while Nemir shook her head. All she had were scrapes and bruises.

“Just exhausted. It’s been a long journey.” Nemir hesitated and shifted her weight several times from foot to foot. Eventually, she met Cevendir’s eyes. “Have you… heard?”

“About the rumours? You’re better than me at finding trouble, I’ll grant you that.” He crossed his arms and tried to play it off light-heartedly but the performance was half-hearted at best. Cevendir’s smile faltered and he sighed. “Mother and Father are waiting for you inside – I just thought I’d give you a little warning.” He gave her arm a squeeze. “Promise you’ll find me later?” Nemir nodded quickly – the dread was already building inside her. She watched as Cevendir left, waiting until he was gone from sight to delay turning back to the door for as long as she could but as soon as he was gone, she had no other excuse for standing around. Nemir took a deep, unsteady breath, turned the doorknob, and headed inside.

[Poppyseed]

As soon as she stepped inside, Nemir was ushered to her father’s office. Muffled conversation was happening behind it that sounded like an argument but Nemir only caught a few sounds and words at the tail-end of it. “--n’t----r---child!" The voices stopped as soon as the servant accompanying her knocked on the door. Her father sat at his desk, which was piled high with stacks of books and papers, looking like he had been writing a letter. Several, if the envelopes to the side were any indication. Her mother stood beside him, with a disapproving glare now levelled at Nemir. It was too close to how Nimrodel had looked at her – Nemir shrank under the weight of it.

Waving the servant away, her father put his papers and pen aside. Her mother left with them. Subconsciously, Nemir began to pick at the ends of her fingers – lectures from her father were rarer and she couldn’t quite tell how this one was going to go. There was only a pressing sense that she wouldn’t like it. He stood, never slouching or hunching over and levelled his gaze at her.

“Sit down, Nemir.” His tone was unreadable. She wasn’t sure if it was calm or just restrained. She wordlessly did as she was told, bringing a chair from the side of the room closer to the desk. The silence between them lingered like a thick fog. Nemir swallowed the lump in her throat and looked up.
Her father began to speak. “When you said you wanted to see more of the world, I allowed it, despite the fact that you are still so young. I thought it would be beneficial for you to gain some experience with what lies beyond our borders.” He began to pace slowly along the bookshelves that lined most of the back wall. “You were not satisfied with simply the stories. It was understandable – you are young. You wish to see things for yourself.”

Nemir shifted in her seat. She wanted to tell him that it was more than that but the tone that seemed more restrained than calm told her to keep quiet. Her father continued to speak. “When you refused to apprentice yourself to the master scholar that Lady Celemirel had arranged for you to meet, I allowed it even then. It was troublesome to explain to the scholar that you would not be visiting but ultimately, I was able to smooth everything over.” Her father finally came to a stop in front of the window in the centre of the back wall. “You were given freedom, Nemir. More so than that of your siblings.” He turned to face her. Nemir was somewhat taken aback by the anger now visible in his features even though she’d heard the tension in his voice slowly rising. “So tell me why, now, I am hearing of your interference of an important diplomatic negotiation to the west?”

There it was. Nemir had guessed it was coming but the wording riled her. Interference? That made it sound like she’d had a choice. Was that what the court was saying? “I didn’t mean to-”

“Whether you meant to or not, you caused a costly setback.” He cut her off coldly.

Nemir shot to her feet, with both hands pressed onto the desk. “We were ambushed!” she exclaimed. A moment of silence passed - perhaps out of surprise – and Nemir saw an opportunity to carry on. “We were outnumbered ten to one and already in terrible shape. The Viglundings wouldn’t let us leave and we couldn’t fight them, not really. Then they dragged us to Viglund’s hall as prisoners and told lies about us, what were we meant to do?” Nemir’s voice grew tight and she spread her arms out desperately as if she could emphasise the pure hopelessness of the situation they’d found themselves in. She opened her mouth again to talk but no words came to the surface. She needed something – anything – to make him understand. Her father sighed. There was annoyance there – perhaps from being interrupted like she had – but Nemir waited for him to speak.

“And there was no opportunity to escape?” He asked. Nemir hesitated. There had been, a voice whispered in her mind as she drifted back to the memory of the battle. She lowered her gaze to the desk with her shoulders suddenly feeling very heavy.

“No.”

More silence. Did he believe her? Nemir rose her head to risk a glance but was met with a neutral expression before her father turned to half-face the window again.
“Very well, but that still holds the question of why you were in Viglunding lands in the first place.” His voice was no kinder than before, just frustrated. “You wander far, Nemir. The last I had heard from you, you were heading to Dale.”

Nemir didn’t know how to reply. Somehow, she didn’t think mentioning Beldan’s job from Erabor would help the situation but talking about Beran’s request for help might work. She didn’t get the chance to answer because her father continued on after a couple of moments.

“Your adventures are only bringing us trouble and I cannot keep track of where your next incident might come from next, or from whom.” Her father put his fingers to the bridge of his nose. “I should have known better than to think you wouldn’t gain an affinity for it – it’s in your blood.” Although the words were directed at her, the last sentence sounded more like he was talking to himself. Nemir was taken so off-guard that she couldn’t even process an argument. It was as if all words had been stolen from her. It’s in her blood? What did that mean? An eternity passed – or perhaps just a few seconds – before she managed to find her voice again.

“What?” Her voice came out quiet and distant. Her father looked at her again but she couldn’t read his expression. Nemir slowly built up the confidence to press the question. “What do you mean by that? What do you mean ‘it’s in my blood’?”

Her father’s sigh held exasperation and frustration. “That does not matter. These adventures must stop.” His hands rested behind his back and the stony expression on his face told her not to argue.

Nemir’s couldn’t help but stare. She forced back the tears that threatened to form in her stinging eyes as she imagined not being able to see her friends again. Wasn’t this what she’d fought to prevent back in the Viglunding ambush? Wasn’t this why she’d surrendered – to make sure they would survive? “But…” She started to speak but another voice also spoke inside her mind. Liar. Coward. You were ready to flee. You would’ve abandoned them to their fates.

“With the trouble this has caused, another incident could hurt us. Another adventure of yours ending up like this one has could damage our reputation.” Her father continued. It barely brought her back to reality.

“I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again. Please…” Nemir pleaded desperately as she tried to quieten the part of her that told her she deserved this.
“There are already whispers and rumours spreading about you – none of them are complimentary. At best, you are seen as reckless or foolish-” Her father’s voice was rising in tension and sternness but Nemir couldn’t back down from this.

“Please, I promise, I have plans to make this better – I can make this better!” Nemir clutched the fabric around her chest tightly as she looked for a reaction but it wasn’t enough to tell what her father was thinking. She let her hand support her weight on the desk again and her head dropped. Her voice was small as she added, “My friends – they mean the world to me. I can’t give them up.”

A moment passed. Her father’s voice was softer as he spoke again. “They are only mortal, Nemir.”

She couldn’t give that an answer.

Instead, Nemir began to talk about her plan. Bit by bit, her thoughts unravelled into a story of what she would do or could do and her father walked to his desk and sat in his chair as she talked. Nemir hoped it was enough. To call it a proper ‘plan’ was perhaps an exaggeration – as it was, it had holes and so many threads that didn’t tie back to Mirkwood but it was all she had.

Silence.

Nemir stood there with her head still hung. Her limbs and head felt heavy and for a moment, all she wanted to do was lie down in the comfort of her own bed. To not have the prospect of seeing her friends and the world beyond Mirkwood be slipping away from her. Another incident like this and it might be gone for good. Eventually, she took a glance up – he seemed to actually be considering it. Or considering something at least.

“I will consider what you have said here but until I give my decision, you are to stay at home or be accompanied by someone. You are not to go out alone, do you understand me?”

Nemir nodded, trying not to feel let down. It was less than she’d hoped for but that seemed to be the theme of her encounters lately. At least freedom wasn’t wholly out of her grasp.

[Hector Trelane]

This reads like a novel. Well done, indeed. And I follow it: Nemir has absorbed all the layered complexities of what she encountered, and it’s tugged and pulled her in contradictory directions. Thanks for giving us a peak inside her heart and mind as she struggles through it all.

[Poppyseed]

Nemir’s door lay open as she sat on her windowsill and watched the snow fall through the trees. From right where she was, she could hear when the front door opened and closed as long as her door was still open; so she listened to the quiet. Light footsteps travelled up and down the hallways. Faint murmurs of far-off or quiet conversation reached her ears, even if she couldn’t pick out any distinct words from it.

Nemir had always trusted her ears over her eyes. It had been spring when Cevendir had dragged Nemir out on a hunting trip insisting that she wouldn’t really know how to use a bow until she’d used it to hit something other than a target in the training grounds. When he’d tracked a couple of rabbits, he brought Nemir to a vantage point and told her to shoot. She’d missed. Eventually though, she’d learned to listen for the rustles and small movements and although she still wasn’t a great huntress, her bow skills had kept her and her party safe multiple times.

Still, her bow skills weren’t enough to fight with if she was outnumbered. The fight that they’d had before taking the forest path had proven that. Leaf Sole’d had to protect her, Beli had gone down. She hadn’t even landed one hit. In close quarters, she was utterly useless. She hugged her knees to her chest and turned the strange runestone she’d carried for a year now over in her hand absently. The sound of the front door closing interrupted her thoughts – Cevendir was back.

Nemir grabbed her bag and weapons and went to find him.

They set off through the forest until they reached a small clearing by a stream. A perfect place to practice swordfighting. On the way, she’d enlisted his help, knowing that he was the better of the two when it came to swords under the promise that she’d talk about her adventures after they duelled.

“Ready?” Cevendir asked with a grin. He drew a battle stance and Nemir nodded and did the same. As ready as she would ever be. Cevendir lunged first and within a minute, Nemir’s weapon had fallen out of her hand. He gestured towards it and Nemir swallowed her pride and picked it back up. This was going to be a long couple of hours.

This time, Nemir struck first but it wasn’t long before she was knocked to the floor. Cevendir pointed his sword to her and laughed. “You’re going to have to try harder than that.”

The duelling went on like that for a couple of hours until Nemir finally gave up. Her limbs were aching at that point and she hadn’t had much luck. What was worse was that the more irritated she got, the more blows simply hit thin air, only making her even more frustrated. She let out a sigh. It formed a cloud of white in the air.

“You actually weren’t doing so badly – you definitely made progress during the fight,” Cevendir said as he climbed into a tree, making it look seamless and offered a hand out to her. “Now, last summer, you said you would come back with more stories and it certainly seems as if you have a story to tell, so out with it,” he said as she took his hand, scampered onto the branch and steadied herself. Cevendir sat and leaned against the trunk of the tree.

Nemir sat down too, preparing to begin her story. “Well we actually went on two journeys. In the first one, we found an ice-cave that might have been the tomb of one of the forest-folk that some old Quenyan scrolls Saxulf had found talked about. We translated them over our journey there-” Nemir cut herself off and rooted in her pack for her journal. “Look,” she said as she opened it to her translations and offered it to Cevendir. Cevendir took it with curiosity but with less interest she thought the translations deserved.

“Who’s Saxulf?” Cevendir asked as he scanned the notes.

“Oh,” Nemir self-consciously chuckled, “he’s from Dale and he was one of the people journeying with us – I met him not long before we set off.” She smiled at the memory and at the memory of the first few nights, where she spent her time translating the old texts.

Cevendir raised his eyebrow at her. “What did he look like?”

“None of your business.” Nemir leant forward and pulled her journal out of his hands as Cevendir laughed. He crossed his arms.

“That pretty huh?” he teased “I think I’d like to meet him.” He leant forward and raised his eyebrows suggestively and Nemir couldn't help but laugh.

“Father would kill you,” Nemir said, shaking her head as she put her journal away.

“Not if he didn’t know,” Cevendir retorted with a mischievous grin. He leant back against the trunk of the tree and gestured loosely as he said, “But carry on.”
Nemir shook her head with a smile and wove the story of how they found the cave and the tomb that was full of treasure and giant statues of ice, then finding the coffin and opening it. The incredulous expression Cevendir was giving her throughout it all morphed into pure horror and disbelief as Nemir explained, “Unfortunately, by opening it, I think I woke up the dead lady.”

“You…. woke up the-”

“And the ice statues.” Nemir added. She bit the inside of her cheek. “I’ll admit, it was a bad move on my part.”

Cevendir ran a hand through his hair with wide eyes, visibly trying to process what she’d just told him. He laughed. “When I said you were better than me at finding trouble, I will admit, this is not what I pictured. What happened?”

“We tried to fight them but it wasn’t working very well so we had to run. Achernar got charmed and thought she was the love of his life for a bit though, no matter how hard he tries to deny it happened,” Nemir lingered for a bit on the lighter tone before she continued. “I’d assume they’re still in the tomb, where we left them. After we got out, we… Well, we found the people we were travelling with had been attacked, one of the dwarves had been killed and Saxulf was incredibly close to death.” Nemir’s voice grew quieter as her stomach tightened. Their encounter in the tomb hadn’t been a victory but they still all got out alive and that was victory enough but it had been soured by the destruction their camp had faced in their absence. She curled her knees to her chest and rested her head on them. Cevendir’s posture shifted softly as he watched her. “We treated him as best we could on the road and decided we had to go back to Dale instead of continue our journey but there was still a night where we almost lost him. He got feverish. There was nothing I could do other than rely on Achernar to help heal him. None of us were sure whether he would survive the night.”

Cevendir placed a hand on her arm. Nemir gave a small, quick smile but shifted into and even tighter ball as Beli’s more recent scrape with death forced its way into her mind. She tried to push it away and continue with her story but it lingered in her mind as she carried on. “I think that was the first time someone I knew and liked was that close to death. We’d been in dangerous situations, obviously, but even as we ran for our lives out of the tomb, none of us got wounded as badly as Saxulf had been. It wasn’t the last, either.” Nemir bit the inside of her cheek again. “He wasn’t conscious for most of our journey back, or the week we stayed in Dale to recover.” She swung her legs over the side of the branch in one swift movement and let them hang lifelessly in the air. “After staying here for a bit, I was going to visit him again. I might still just go, no matter what Father decides.”

“Don’t, it’ll only make this worse for you.” Cevendir’s tone held caution buried amongst the worry and he reached forward to grab her arm. Nemir glared at the ground below her silently. “Wait until you’re allowed to go – Father won’t make you stay forever. Or at least weave a plausible cover story before you do. I can help you with it, just don’t disappear off into the night.”

A moment of silence passed and Nemir sighed, then nodded and pushed herself off the branch. Snow crunched as she landed and pulled her bag down. Cevendir followed suit. The sun was setting and the sky was getting dark – they needed to start heading back. Cevendir prompted her for more of the story as they began to walk and ended up leading her a much longer route home so she could finish telling the story of the second journey. Even though it brought up experiences not yet healed from, Nemir found a small amount of comfort from telling him about it. She realised was slowly beginning to tell her own story.

[Hector Trelane]

Nemir is very reflective and growing in wisdom. Enjoyable read once again.

PS It’s fun to see all these adventures chronicled in one place!

[Poppyseed]

After a month spent in Mirkwood, Nemir set off to Dale, accompanied by her father’s assistant: Orelon. It had been one of the conditions her father had set out for her and Nemir had readily agreed to it, longing to not lose the freedom she’d found in adventure. Still, she hadn’t quite settled her mind from her troubling experiences like she’d hoped she would by spending time amongst her family. Perhaps it was the bleak atmosphere of winter, the snowstorms that had been building up recently, or perhaps it was the fact that a reminder of her last adventure followed her home, but her worries didn’t ease. Instead, over her time there, she’d grown more confident with the sword and slowly learned how to create elf lights – another fragment of elven magic.

In Dale, Nemir and Orelon stayed in an inn close to the castle, and Nemir would often visit the Queen and talk with her. It seemed the sense of companionship they shared from the previous autumn had not been forgotten and a friendship grew. After these visits became routine, Orelon stopped accompanying her with as much frequency to the castle, preferring instead to spend time on the scrolls and books he had brought with him, as long as Nemir let him know when she was going. Nemir had no such luck with trying to convince Orelon to do the same with her visits to Saxulf. Nevertheless, she was glad to see Saxulf recovering and looking far further from death than he had been before. Nemir received the title of Thegn from the king, using her reputation and favour granted to her during the past autumn and cut her hair short into a bob on a cold, winter’s night when the snowstorm raged the hardest. It was sometime after that Nemir learned Galford had been attacked during that snowstorm, with rumours from some of the refugees of ice giants and a wraith amongst the orcs and goblins. A tale that sounded all too similar to something Nemir had encountered before…

[IrishBouzouki]

Discord just updated, and the update is required or it wont launch, and it is not in the Manjaro repositories yet... may be out of touch a few days until it gets packaged for Manjaro linux.

[Hector Trelane]

Discord just updated, and the update is required or it wont launch, and it is not in the Manjaro repositories yet... may be out of touch a few days until it gets packaged for Manjaro linux.

Ok no problem

[Poppyseed]

Hearing the news of Galford being attacked, Nemir, Beli, and Achernar met up in Dale and travelled to Castle Orlmond with Orelon (who was accompanying Nemir) and Astrid (Achernar's sister). There, they learned more of what had occurred and heard another account of seeing a ghostly figure and giant beings among the goblins that were attacking. Nemir's face paled to almost pure white when she heard it, recognising that it was her fault that this ghost was free. Beli mentioned the idea that it could be tied to what they did and she nodded, casting a quick, nervous glance to Orelon. It would be a pain if he found out this was her fault. More importantly, it would be a pain if her father found out - she was in enough trouble as it was - but perhaps it wouldn't be revealed. After all, only she and her companions knew exactly what happened in that tomb almost a year ago. After realising that Galford was now overrun and they couldn't meet their other companions there as Beli's letter to them had asked, they made a plan together to travel along the border of Mirkwood, giving a wide bearth to the trouble at Galford and aiming to intercept the others on their journey over.

For both halves of the company, the journey was difficult and tiring but they managed to find each other thanks to Beli and Nemir's efforts to scout the paths that Beldan, Leaf Sole, and the new companion, Alaric (who'd joined them after Draigoch resolved to travel to Rohan with Euric's body to give him a proper burial in his home), might be taking. Soon after, they were attacked by goblins but the party made short work of them.

[Poppyseed]

The company exchanged greetings and caught each other up with what was going on at Galford and who their new companion was. Before long, however, there was a crash as a boulder was thrown into the middle of the lake, breaking the ice over it. Icy wraiths appeared from the lake, soon followed by the snow-troll which had thrown the boulder coming out of the woods. After the company managed to defeat some of the whirling ice winds, a pack of goblins appeared to join the fray. Beli, Leaf Sole, and Nemir took on the snow troll while Alaric, Achenar, and Beldan fought the newly appeared goblins. After many goblins were defeated, the two remaining ran off, and the snow troll was killed with Beli landing the killing blow.

In the breather afterwards, Nemir sat under a tree with Achernar and sang an old elvish song while he smoked his pipe. Orelon came into sight again and Nemir apologised to him in elvish that he got mixed up in all of this, figuring that it must be a shock after being so used to the safety of the Woodland Realm. He seemed to take it in his stride and dismissed the issue. Beldan discovered a piece of knotted string along the shoreline, near to where one of the icy wind creatures shattered, which seemed to be connected to them, which Orelon suggested was done by someone skilled with magic but neither he nor Beldan could tell exactly what it was. Leaf Sole tended to the wound Alaric recieved in the battle and sang a staunching song that raised his spirits.

The company began to move to Galford, hoping that once they get there, they could begin to fix the situation. When they got to Galford, Leaf Sole and Nemir made a plan to scout ahead to the seemingly deserted town and see if there was any danger. Orelon argued against Nemir going. He told her that it was rash and the situation was not her business but she managed to persuade him that if the threat wasn't dealt with here, it could come to threaten their home too. Orelon conceded and kept silent but seemed annoyed that she'd made a valid point. As they snuck forward, Leaf Sole tripped and made a loud clatter as a frying pan flew out of his pack and collided with a rock. Nemir flinched at the noise, half-expecting several goblins or another snow troll to appear, alerted by the noise, but tried to carry on as quietly as she could. As they got closer, they heard noises coming from inside Galford's inn and the left side of the hamlet, signaling that the place wasn't so deserted after all.

[Hector Trelane]

Good update, Poppyseed. Thanks!

[Poppyseed]

The companions retook the inn at Galford and survived wave one of the counter attacks. The remaining goblin groups seemed to be circling and lying in wait for a slip-up in attention, or for the company all to fall asleep. Instead of running out to meet them, the companions set to work fortifying the inn and keeping an eye on the closest ones. As night fell, they skirmished out to meet one of those groups, ensuring that they kept quiet and had the element of surprise. Leaf Sole and Alaric stayed behind to keep up the appearance that the inn was being guarded. At the last moment, the goblins spotted them and sent a volley of stones, hitting Nemir under her left eye and wounding her. It was a quick battle but it still made an impact and tired them. They got back safely but the situation was getting to some of them as they sat in the barricaded inn. Nemir sat quietly and thought of home as Leaf Sole sang a staunching song and tended to her wound.

Night fell and there was the sound of horns and jabbering. Peeking outside, Nemir could see the faint light and hear far-off voices - a gathering of goblins far away. From what she'd read in old lore, Nemir figured it was some kind of goblin celebration/ceremony/ritual. She heard a new sound, like a croak or cry wailing into the night. The goblins cheered, there was a scream of a person, then all was quiet. After another hour, she heard walking in the grass to the north, to the west. Perhaps this was building up to something bigger than they could handle on their own. In the middle of the night, Nemir continued to listen as sentries seemed to return to where the goblins from the skirmish had been, watching the inn and trapping them. They were surrounded from all sides. It suddenly became very, very cold and a chill began to descend upon them, reaching into the company's hearts. It was a rough, sleepless night for most.

[Hector Trelane]

;):ogre:

[Hector Trelane]

Here's a shot of the action from Poppyseed's post #216 here (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?46806-TOR-Fellowship-of-the-Marsh-screenshots&p=548564&viewfull=1#post548564). I have a significant backlog of screen shots from this campaign, which has steadily continued, and I hope to catch up on posts eventually.


After the inn (The Lantern) was cleared out of the peculiar pale, crudely-equipped goblins, the Companions are greeted by multiple groups of scavengers and hunters, who at first stare, then begin to encircle and rush the gate...

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=40179

[Poppyseed]

In the morning, the companions made breakfast and patrolled the wall of the inn. To the south-east, Achernar saw an old woman in a cage with goblins around her, and there were goblins surrounding the inn. Deciding that they had to rescue the woman, the companions made a plan. They couldn't hold the inn forever, and couldn't clear out all of the goblins on their own. They needed reinforcements if they hoped to take back Galford properly. With goblins on all sides, leaving the inn with fewer people would probably mean it would get overrun and there were no good options so they decided to go all-out and run to the cages before carrying on towards the barricade that King Bard had talked about setting up between Castle Orlmond and Strandburg.

Achernar and Nemir got to work making ten fire-arrows each while the rest of the group dismantled the barricades they'd set up around the inn. They gathered the horses, telling Astrid and Orelon about the plan and formation and got ready to move. With a burst of inspiration, they got the idea to set the wagon they'd previously been using as a barricade on fire and push it down the hill so that the group of goblins below would panic and scatter. It was a spectacular success. The companions rushed close behind it, taking advantage of the panic to gain ground unopposed, and Nemir and Achernar worked together to dissuade any other groups of goblins with their flaming arrows.

They reached the cages and the companions fought off the goblins while Astrid freed the woman from her cage. They encountered a strange creature that screeched and slithered out of the hole it was lying in when Beldan dropped a torch onto it. Nemir and Achernar shot fire arrows at it. The arrow Achernar shot sank into its gullet and it gave a loud shriek before it died. The remaining goblins seemed to stop and wail at its death, giving them the opportunity to get the woman properly out of the cage and run. Beldan and Alaric recognised the creature they'd killed as a hatchling wyrm.

They made it back to Castle Orlmond without further incident, where they could rest and recover.

[Poppyseed]

The companions returned to camp, a crowd gathered to welcome the old woman they'd rescued - Dalla - and listen to the tale that the companions had about their time up north in Galford. Nemir, Achernar and Beli saw fear in the eyes of refugees and nervous whispers among themselves. Achernar and Nemir gave an inspiring speech to give them hope - that although this was a tragedy, Galford would be retaken and they would recover from this. Seeing the hope her speech gave to the crowd, she gained the confidence that she had improved in strengthening the effect of her words.

Beli talked to a man who seemed like he knew a lot about goblins and hunted them. He was quite closed off but Beli talked quite a bit to him about what they'd faced up there and after their conversation was over, the man left, seemingly heading north. Beli returned to where the companions had gathered to sit and rest and talked about him, voicing his impression that the man had lost a lot.

Nemir got her injury tended to a bit more, although it had already mostly healed over the time they'd spent travelling. Nemir was left with a small scar under her left eye where the stone had hit. She looked at it with a small mirror that she'd tucked into her bag and forgotten about and curiously ran her finger along it. She didn't mind it half as much as she'd thought she would - it showed she had been brave, that she'd faced her foes and survived or, at least, that was how she thought Beli might view it and that gave her some comfort - but it was still strange to see.

Nemir and Beli went to tell Valli, the former innkeeper of Galford, that they had been in Galford and break the news that they didn't find anyone other than Dalla up there. He sobbed and the three did their best to comfort him. Nemir stood up Leaf Sole sang an old woodman song in hopes of soothing him. It helped and Valli thanked Beli for what they's tried to do up there. Beli reassured him they would take it back.


Over the down time when the companions were resting and recovering, Nemir spent her time around Castle Orlmond and the refugee camps, journalling her experiences and discussing lore with Orelon. She often sat with him, softly singing ancient elvish songs as she made her notes. She tried her best to be useful and ease the worries of the refugees by helping out whenever she could and her efforts brought a lot of comfort to her. Orelon had some wisdom to share with her on easing the weight on her soul and talked about the elves that went to the Grey Havens. Nemir began to appreciate sitting in his company and he also seemed to begin to appreciate the responsibility she was showing to the refugees.

News of events reached the ears of the companions individually as Beldan and Beli went back to Erebor, Achernar went back to Laketown, Alaric spent his time in Dale, and Nemir and Leaf Sole stayed around the refugee camps and Castle Orlmond.

In Dale, recruiting went out and with an emphasis on getting people from all around to come to the east bank and build up farms there. From hearing everything going on and his own intuition, Alaric pieced together that King Bard was worried that they wouldn't be able to produce enough food both for his own growing people and for the ever-growing multitude beneath the Lonely Mountain. He does not want to fail his ally, King Dain, or for Dale to lessen in importance to him. In Dale, some of the new nobility have conducted themselves with arrogance and have demanded at Esgaroth.

Beli and Beldan learned that Dain's Court handed down a decision to improve Girion's Stair. The winter raids of northern farmlands have tipped the balance. Dwarven engineers set out immediately, with stone masons and craftsmen of all kind to follow. However, tempers within the mountain are flaring. A dwarf miner collapsed a tunnel to block out another mining team from finding a new vein of gold ore and Bofur had to lead a special rescue. One dwarf was killed. A debate erupted in the taverns after Dain sentenced the dwarf for his rashness and greed, with many defending the dwarf's right to protect his prospect. Words erupted into fists and hurled flagons.

Meanwhile, in Laketown, Ketil the Boatman Guildmaster and leader of the fledgling Navy visited Achernar and mentioned that he asked to travel personally to the court of Thranduil to extend the timber treaty: he anticipates the need for much more timber. The elven diplomat was persuaded to support him in this to check the influence of the Dwarves of Erebor on the Woodland Realm's staunchest ally. For the first time, in Esgaroth, some young men took it upon themselves to dive in the waters of Old Laketown, its charred timbers sticking above the waters of the Long Lake like blackened bones, seeking treasures lost there despite the taboo centred around it.

On her many wanderings, the elven sentinels near the border of Mirkwood gave Nemir news from home. Thranduil was erecting tree-top sentinel posts along the northwest border of his realm, and he's sending out some scouts to walk the paths of the narrows and probe what can be learned in the foothills of the Withered Heath after hearing the news about the winter attack. Although Nemir was glad to hear it, her first thought was of the tomb. What would happen if they found it? Nemir could only hope they wouldn't deduce it all. After all, the only ones who could say what really happened were her company and they didn't want to admit it either. During their time around Castle Orlmond, Orelon also got a letter that he shared with Nemir. It said that in the Woodland Realm, the Elf Lords were becoming increasingly critical of the Dwarves and now the Beornings. "Their hearts are filled with gold lust and their heads with pride. And the Men, with bloodlust! Entanglements with these folk will snare us in their follies and deepen our woes." Nemir muttered an "Oh no..." under her breath as she read it. Was it foolish to wish they could get along? To wish that her people wouldn't make deals with the Viglundings and then turn their judgement upon the Beornings? Nemir let her hand with the letter fall onto her lap and ran her hand through her hair with a sigh. Bloodlust indeed. And where was their judgement for capturing a band of travellers and holding them as political hostages? No, of course that was her fault, not theirs. She folded the letter up and gave it back to Orelon, thanking him and trying to restrain the frustration from coming out in her voice, before going to wander away from camp and think.

[Hector Trelane]

Nice update and in-character reactions, Poppyseed!

P.S. the plot thickens. Diplomatic "negotiations" may play as significant a role as adventuring. Which does Nemir find more distasteful? (I have a guess ;)

[Poppyseed]

Meeting up again at the refugee camp that Leaf Sole and Nemir had been staying in, the companions got ready to head north again. Beli showed off his newly improved and decorated mattock and he and Nemir shared a moment of levity as they made a reference back to the shell he'd once thought was gold. Together, the companions travelled through Strandburg to Edric's town, where they saw the people there were gaunt and pale, having been forced to endure a harsh winter with low supplies. At first, they were met with suspicion. Others had tried to rob them not too long ago so they were more cautious than they would otherwise be but they were soon reassured that they had nothing to fear from them.

Achernar and Astrid tended to the sick while Nemir and Alaric hunted, bringing back a bounty for the townsfolk, and Beli and Beldan worked to improve the defences and stockade that had been set up. Beli also sent back a letter to Erebor requesting food and stone for Edric's town. The companion's efforts uplifted the spirits of the townsfolk and over the evening meal, the companions talked about what had happened with Galford, which the townsfolk thought was strange because they hadn't been attacked - it had just been the cold and isolation with the snows that hurt them. They also learned that a man that fit the description of the man Beli had met in the refugee camp (Kol) resided just outside town so they went to see him. Just getting to his house was slightly perilous, Nemir noted as she glanced dubiously at the various snares and traps they navigated around as they got closer. Kol welcomed them in and offered them food but most of the companions tried to politely refuse. After nearly walking into a long string of goblin teeth, Nemir wasn't eager to risk whatever dubious food he had. In an effort not to offend, Beli accepted Kol's offer and found the meat, though heavily salted, wasn't too bad. Kol talked about a drake to the east and the galford goblins that had gone north-east as the snows melted, abandoning Galford.

[Hector Trelane]

And don’t forget Achernar made another lady friend ... ;)

Thanks for the write up!

[Poppyseed]

After journeying on the road for a bit, they found a mine-cave to camp in but three trolls attacked them in the night from the upper ledges. The trolls gave them trouble, pushing rubble down onto where the ponies were and killing all of them apart from the few that Nemir managed to rescue and calm. They also managed to get Astrid and Orelon out of the caves before they could be hurt by the trolls and although it was a tough fight, the companions took them down.

Beli wanted to search further into the cave to see if there was any treasure but Nemir argued against it, saying that they needed to get moving and find someplace safer, reinforced by the fact that they'd noticed since the trolls were coming from above, this might not have been their lair. Beli and Beldan went further in to explore while the men looked at the tracks above and Nemir took the horses and led them up with Astrid and Orelon. When Beli and Beldan returned and they continued on, Beli showed her the small chunk of copper he'd found and she'd given him a smug grin, knowing she'd been right, and teased him for it.

The men's tracking of the troll prints led them to the cave the trolls were from which had a lot of treasure in coins, gems and other artifacts. Nemir found a green and ivory pendant necklace that she very much liked - it was beautiful. She put on and tucked under her shirt. She also claimed an elven forester's pruning hook that they'd found because she thought if she asked the right people, she would be able to tell where it was from or who it would belong to since it had a distinctive appendage on it. Beldan thought it was an item of special crafting. Leaf Sole asked whether he might be able to use it as a weapon on their journey but Nemir hugged it close to her chest and told him that she didn't want the potential for it to get damaged - for the lore it carried to be lost - and Leaf Sole graciously accepted her answer. They split the treasure evenly, with only a little remaining but they agreed that the extra treasure could be donated - either to help the refugees a little or to contribute a little to the opening of the Old Forest Road.

They encountered a dwarf further along the road, who was travelling the other way and asked them whether they'd seen another dwarf. As they hadn't, they told him no, and when he mentioned trolls, they said they'd killed three. He began to grow suspicious of them for some reason even though they were telling the truth that they hadn't seen his brother when they mentioned the trolls they'd killed.

Further on down the path, they found a broken wagon with a dead dwarf and a hungry-looking juvenile dog. Nemir offered the dog some food and petted him. He was a herding dog with black and white fur and golden eyes. The others repaired the wagon to have a way to carry their newfound treasure in a way that had less of a burden on the ponies and Alaric regretfully told the rest of his companions that he had to turn back to Dale - that he had enough now to buy some things that his farm needed and if he ran this errand now, he could help them this year so they bid him goodbye and good luck as he left with his share of the treasure.

Nemir took the dog they'd found along with them as they continued their travels, growing fond of him. She fed him and he seemed to like her a lot. The gold of his eyes reminded her of a painting she'd seen back home - of the Mallos flowers that were her sister Itholdiel's favourite - and it brought a smile to her face as she thought of it so Nemir named him after those flowers. She called him Mallos. Perhaps Itholdiel would also be fond of him when Nemir returned home with him once this business and trouble was over. Nemir stroked his fur as she sat with him by the campfire and he wagged his tail happily. He lay over her feet, which were covered only by socks now; her boots lay by her satchel. He's a good companion, Nemir thought. Cevendir, at least, will like him. And I'll take good care of him.

They reached the caves that held the tomb and found Beornings guarding the entrance but their mannerisms were off. Like they were under the control of somebody else. They looked frostbitten and had ice spears that they chucked at the companions when they tried to get closer into the cave. Still, the companions needed to get into the cave to see whether the ice lady was there so they initially fought to disarm and disable. However, as Beli, Beldan, and Leaf Sole got closer, it became more apparent that these men were already dead and some chanted words in black speech. As they and the companions fought, many of the companions got wounded and grew weary so Beli, Beldan and Leaf Sole fell back to the archery range, where Achernar and Nemir stood. One of the ice spears pierced Nemir's side under her ribs. The companions were triumphant though and after the battle, Nemir clutched her side and groaned in pain.

Achernar picked up the helmet that the captain of the Beornings had been wearing and said he thought he remembered it in his family before and went inside the cave. Nemir called after him, saying "Where are you going?" He seemed to shake something off and walked back out, saying he didn't think anyone was in there. Nemir agreed that she couldn't hear anything and suggested that they head back to camp to patch themselves up before going in even so, taking her hand off her side for a bit and grimacing at the fact that it was covered in blood.

Something strange had changed in Beli though; he'd become consumed by a sort of madness. When he rushed into the cave, panic arose in Nemir's chest and she immediately bolted after him, despite the sharp and ever present pain in her side. The other companions also followed, running after him. He was saying "Mine, it's all mine!" and then a little later "curses it's all gone!" as he got into the main bit of the cave and found that the treasure wasn't there. After ten minutes, he came back to them with an odd look in his eyes and a treasure chest in his hands.

Tears stung Nemir's eyes but she wiped them away before the dwarf could see them. Angry, she marched up to him and yelled "You had me worried! Don't do that again!" Panic and worry stung her voice and throat. She whacked him on the head and repeated herself: "Don't do that again you hear me?" He didn't answer her and Nemir took a few breaths to calm herself. Achernar, meanwhile looked at the sarcophagus and remembered his "fair lady" - thought that the others just didn't understand her beauty.

With a hand clutched to her side, and beginning to feel a bit lightheaded and dizzy, Nemir began to concentrate harder on her walking as they headed back. She walked at Beli's side and berated him in a long stream of "That was reckless - what if there had been something in there? You could've gotten into danger" and "What came over you to make such a move?". When Nemir paused, Beli snapped at her that perhaps she should look down at her fancy shoes and see they're a bit nicer.

She was stunned into silence and it took her a moment to process what he'd said. She stopped and looked down as Beli carried on in a huff. He was right. She hadn't noticed it before but her shoes had been adorned with the copper Beli had found. There were bits of it on the ends of her shoelaces and flecks around the toes of her boots, carrying around to the heel and up the back of her boots in a little bit of a spaced out pattern. They twinkled as bits of them caught the light. When had Beli done that? Nemir wondered, looking at his back as he marched on. Her worry, panic and anger just settled into guilt as she carried on, focusing ever harder on putting one foot in front of the other and carrying on until they got back to camp and she could rest.

[Hector Trelane]

Love it!

[Poppyseed]

Back at camp, Nemir sat on the ground with a sigh and looked at Orelon as he walked over. She could see in his face - where perhaps the others could not - the worry in his eyes and the way he held himself when he looked at her wound. He crouched down next to her and asked in elvish what had happened. She gave a pained wave of her blood-covered hand, and replied in elvish and tried to be somewhat dismissive of the seriousness of her wound. "I'm fine, don't worry. It's just-" she hissed in pain and pressed the hand back to her side - "It's just the dangers of travel, don't worry, we can handle these things". Orelon distinctly did not look convinced. His face grew even more serious, which told Nemir he was still worrying. "Really, I'm alright," Nemir said. She sighed and looked at Beli, who was hunched over his newfound chest. Probably filled with treasure, Nemir figured, or perhaps a set of shiny seashells - he mistook that for gold once before. A smile played at the corners of her lips as that thought came to her but it soon disappeared as she thought about what had transpired. "I should apologise to him," she murmured.

Achernar was wandering over with Astrid and must have caught what she said because he asked "Why do you need to apologize?"

Nemir grimaced as she looked at him, then guiltily back at Beli. Achernar began to bandage her up and tend to her wounds with the help of Astrid. "I... went a little overboard I suppose, with my chastising." Nemir ran a hand through her hair.

Achernar shook his head. "You don't need to apologize to anyone Nemir, you're fine. We're all a little stressed and tired right now."

Nemir gave him a weak smile and petted Mallos when he came padding over to sit beside her. Once she got patched up, Nemir went over to Beli and put a hand on his shoulder, quietly giving it a little squeeze. He apologised for losing his head, seeming slightly embarrassed, and Nemir returned that apology, thanking him for what he did to her boots. That seemed to be enough for both of them to come back to an understanding again.

Over the night, Nemir sat with Orelon, with Mallos over her legs, talking lazily in elvish, resting against a tree. Orelon listened as she tiredly rambled about unimportant things and the beauty of the place that Legolas had showed her the previous year - the starlight and the atmosphere that night as they were accompanied through Mirkwood. With a soft smile, she talked about Saxulf as well - how they'd translated the texts. Eventually though, her rambling trailed off and she closed her eyes to rest.

Achernar asked Beldan and Beli whether he thought it was Frar and the dwarves that had taken the treasure. Beldan gave a noncommittal grunt and Beli looked at him suspiciously, but Achernar's insight told him that they suspected it was but were uncomfortable talking about it. He huffed and said that he'd had enough of the stubbornness of dwarves for one evening, grabbing whatever drink was available and Nemir laughed quietly. She said in a lighthearted tone in Elvish "Ah, I swear the stubbornness of dwarves will be the death of me" then switched to the common tongue to say "You and I both, Achernar."

They took watches. Acharnar and Beli were up first and Achernar talked about presenting the centuries-old helm they'd found to the king but felt a conflicting tug inside of him. He showed the helm to Beli and they ended up talking about the smith-craft of the dwarves and Beli said "You can see influences of the dwarves in all craft unless you go for that elvish stuff" and they both laughed. Nemir perked up at this and opened her eyes to look at them. She said, "When you have milennia of practice, you can make incredible things so you shouldn't underestimate the smith-craft of the elves" They jumped and said they thought she was asleep but she told them that she didn't need it - not right now - and she was just dozing. In reality, she was tired; the wound had taken a lot out of her, but she could make it through the rest of the journey. She couldn't sleep out in the open like this. Not right now. Uneasiness stirred in her that she knew wouldn't lessen until she was somewhere safe. Leaf Sole, who had woken up for his watch, added a comment of the elves showing Sauron how to make his ring and Nemir's face went white. They laughed again and she, a little uncomforable, said "Well, yes" Leaf Sole apologised.

On their travels back east to Edric's Town, Leaf Sole, Achernar and Beldan encountered four large boars and narrowly avoided their tusks. They fled but Leaf Sole managed to take one down. The companions arrived at Edric's Town, where they were greeted warmly because of their past efforts to protect the town and help out. They then parted ways to heal, planning to meet back to travel east after a short time at home.

Nemir discussed the pruning hook with Orelon on the trail home. Analysing the hook, he said that it may have come from a family of foresters who'd fled west after growing weary of the world. The hook would allow foresters to care for the trees and allow for the collection of special herbs that grow at the tops of a type of tree. Orelon told her that he was willing to search for records of that family and she thanked him, promising to work with him. She finds out that with the moonstone, with the right training could help a forester heal the trees. From that information, her mind went back to what Legolas and his party had showed her when they travelled with them and thought that perhaps she could present this artifact to them sometime after they were done with their research. Even if they didn't have need of it themselves, they might know where or in whose hands it could be useful.

[Hector Trelane]

Nice write up as always, Poppyseed. This time I missed much of the interpersonal reaction among PCs, so I’m glad to be able to read it here!

[Poppyseed]

[It's been a while so I'm a little bit behind on the story of where we're at right now but this is hopefully a start at somewhat catching up so this is Nemir's autumn fellowship phase in Mirkwood]

Nemir returned home to the comfort of her family and was glad to be able to sleep in her bed again, safe and warm. She met with her father about the pruning hook that she’d found and told him about the treasure that she had recovered and collected over her travels along with her intentions to spend what she had to help them. That she’d spend the week she had at home to restore – and perhaps improve her and her family’s reputation.

She spent most of her mornings bleary-eyed, reading over documents with Orelon and hoping to discover more about the pruning hook while her afternoons were spent writing letters, meeting with other scholars, and building her reputation back up again. Itholdiel had returned home from visiting her fiancé and her gaze was caught to the small scar that rested under Nemir’s eye. She tentatively touched her fingers to it and traced its line and Nemir looked away, embarrassed. Itholdiel shook her head – the disapproval that Nemir was expecting didn’t quite show through – but nevertheless, she ran a hand over Nemir’s now-short hair and said she was still as beautiful as ever. The day before Nemir and her family were to attend a gathering of their fellow nobles, Itholdiel stole Nemir away to go out to the market to talk and shop for the clothes they would wear to it – a long, flowy dress for Itholdiel and a finely-embroidered tunic for Nemir – and a couple of gifts too. Nemir bought a pendant for Itholdiel, and a beautiful dagger sheath for Cevendir, managing to hide them and keep them secret until that evening, when she presented them. They both wore their gifts proudly to the gathering.

The gathering was in a large, beautiful open cavern with a stone tree, and stone paths winding through the grass. It was a garden lit by lamplight in the branches of the tree that stretched overhead, and scattered around near benches that a few elves sat on. Others lounged on the grass, all of them chatting amiably with each other. Nemir’s parents led Nemir to sit with their friends while Cevendir and Itholdiel went to sit and talk with Itholdiel’s fiancé, Anchon, and his family. Nemir discussed her travels with them and how she’d found her knowledge and the relic from journeying and seeing the world. When one of her father’s friends brought up the question of whether she would be staying in Mirkwood now, she spoke of the danger to the north that she had to aid in preventing. Nemir bit her tongue when her father said that was the sentinels’ job and her mother cut him off. She was inexperienced with politics, yes, but even she knew making the comment that the King wasn’t doing anything about it wouldn’t help her situation. Instead, Nemir moved the focus back to the pruning hook and the Quenyan scrolls and managed to poke at the scholars’ curiosity about the pruning hook.

Later on in the evening, Nemir’s mother took her aside and said, “Have your fun for another season or three but you will need to meet the sons of Lord Eriston, Lord Calaerdor, and Lord Iordaer.”

Nemir laughed lightly and nodded, hoping that appeasing her would give her more time on the road. “Perhaps I’ll meet them next winter; I will be returning for it after all.”

After some time at home, Nemir set off once again to journey, but already the nobles had seemed to take notice of the more confident and skilled way in which she handled and held herself. She made the promise to return home for the winter and gave a fond farewell to Mallos, who Cevendir had said he'd take care of while she was away, as well as to her family and Orelon. This time, they were slightly less worried to see her off again.

[Poppyseed]

With some time to spare before she had planned to meet up with her companions, Nemir travelled to Dale and visited Saxulf to go over the translations again. He teased her about not visiting for a whole season and Nemir joked about the dangers she’d faced, going up against lots of goblins and trolls, gesturing to the scar on her face and he said she looked more like she’d been battling the social dynamics at dinner tables. Nemir let out a tired laugh and ran a hand through her hair. “That too. Equally as deadly but I can’t stick an arrow through that one.”

They poured over the translations, sometimes bantering with each other, sometimes sitting in a comfortable quiet as they searched for any clues within it, and sometimes sharing ideas with each other on what they’d found. Nemir felt certain that the person who wrote it was a scribe from Rivendell recording the stories of a minstrel.

After a while of reading the texts again, Saxulf asked her about what the image on the sarcophagus had looked like and Nemir thought for a bit before doing her best to describe it. It had been a young woman, with her hair looking like it was floating in water and green and yellow colours – like spring. And then she realised. The ice hag had come out of that coffin. Somehow, she must have been corrupted and fallen to the shadow because she came out icy and malevolent. Winter. It all came out in one long, rambling sentence but Saxulf followed along. “She was heartbroken,” he said simply when she was done. Nemir looked up at him with her hands frozen in front of her and she nodded slowly as she pieced it together in her head. “Yeah,” Nemir said with a sombre realisation as it hit her, “She was heartbroken.”

[Poppyseed]

The companions met up in Strandburg and journeyed north again, following the task that Achernar had been given by the King and this time going eastwards.

The companions found themselves in the wastes, travelling under the baking sun over the dry and cracked land. It was a desolate place, with little life to it. Far from Nemir's forest home. In Strandburg, they'd heard of a plateu where they might find Erna, and that she travelled the east side of the wastes to hunt drakes. One step closer to who they were looking for. The journey itself was rough going. There was little water that was safe to drink and the water that was safe was brown and dirty. Nemir pulled a face when Achernar and Leaf Sole first brought it back but Beldan strained and boiled it to be as clean as they could make it and they set up camp.

As Nemir sat awake through the night, there was no sound. Occasionally, there would be a shift in sand far off or the scuttling of a creature and she heard it all but mostly there was just silence. Before drifting off herself, she walked the camp once more and found lizards coming towards them, as big as dogs. They had the stare of a predator. Ready to pounce. Ready to try their shot at eating her, probably. Nemir shot the closest one, killing it and the rest scattered. When Leaf Sole saw it, he realised they were venamous but there was some meat on them that they could eat.

To keep up their spirits the next night, they shared stories by the fire and Beli shared his song: "Three trolls are too many!" Nemir told tales of home while Achernar shared out the wine. "When we were younger, Cevendir and I would go out exploring in the forest, finding all sorts of mischief. I suppose not much has changed really." she said with a fond laugh, "But you should've seen the look on our mother's face when we'd fallen into a pond and came back covered in mud." A pang of homesickness ate at her as she looked around a little bitterly at the empty land around her. This was nothing like home.

After a long day of travelling, the Beli, Beldan, and Leaf Sole fanned out to search while the rest kept the camp so they wouldn't get lost and separated. Beli found a way through the land while Leaf Sole saw dust storms on the horizon and as they cleared away, the plateu that had been described. They came together in the evening to pitch camp and tell tales. Buzzards watched them from the dead shrubs they were perched on and Leaf Sole noticed all of the creatures were lean and thin - this was a predator's land. They pressed on the next day and passed through the canyon they'd found and it was rough going. They heard a scream of someone crying for help. Nemir grabbed her bow and climbed the ridge. A person was down below in a treacherous gulley. She looked as if she'd fallen and hurt her leg badly. Buzzards were feeding on the corpse of the horse that was near her. Nemir called down that they'd help her and Achernar shot one of the buzzards. The rest flew off and Nemir worked her way down. She heard more people up ahead but figured that they were perhaps her companions who also needed help until two men popped out from behind corners and shot at Nemir. From above, Beli noticed that the horse had been dead for some time and that something isn't right - he knew Nemir would be in trouble and began to head down to help. Nemir returned the shots - one at each brigand - and caught one in the neck and he died. The woman, who was not injured, and the other brigand began to run but Achernar had a line of sight and shot at the other brigand. The woman managed to scamper away and Nemir didn't give chase. As she noticed Beli, Nemir said, "One of them shot me".

"You don't look any worse for wear," he replied and Nemir began to look for the way back out of the canyon, radiating irritation.

"That was a dirty trick," she muttered.

Eventually, Beldan found what they were looking for - a tent or group of tents out in the distance; it was hard to tell whether it was one or a few. Nemir and Achernar, meanwhile, came across a grusome sight of a corpse faced down with a knife in the back - a goblin blade with poison on the edge - curved, black, wicked. He'd been robbed of any pack he might have had and looked to be from Laketown or Dale. They flipped him over and saw maggots - his chest had been hollowed out. Nemir stumbled back and put a hand over her nose and mouth, making a disgusted noise. They came across a thicket and small pit dug with wooden, sharpened stakes. Packs were strewn about and shredded with bones of people in the pit. Four skulls. Leaf Sole found signs of preying animals on the bones. Beli thought the stakes were for defense and some group made a last stand here. The heat of the day rapidly plummeted and a chill arose as night fell. In the quiet, Nemir heard something and turned around. There was a lizard staring at them and a flock of the large buzzards had also landed and stared. The hunger of the land was apparent and tried to worm its way into their souls and dishearten them but Achernar inspired their hopes with a rousing speech and they found a better place to camp.

They made it to the top of the bluff, guided by what the explorers found, and up there were three tents - two tattered but one intact and seemingly occupied, with a recently built fire. They approached, calling out to whoever was there but no response. Checking the tent, they found nobody inside either so, not wanting to intrude, they made their camp a little bit of a distance away but enough so that they could still see the three tents. Eventually, somebody calmly approached them with a hood and mask. "You wait patiently, what brings you to my camp?" She removed her mask, looking stern, determined and weary. Even though she was outnumbered, she looked confident. Nemir asked if she was Erna. "To give one's name in the wild is a precious thing. Let us sit and talk a bit. Yes, I am Erna."

[Poppyseed]

Achernar noticed that Erna didn't seem to like that he was from Laketown so he played it off as if he also didn't like Laketown - complaining about his father and mother trying to get him married off and the pompousness and Nemir laughed along, thinking of her own mother and what awaited her back home. Since Erna gave her name, Nemir gave hers "Nemir, of Mirkwood and the Elvenking's halls." Nemir explained that they were looking for her and when Erna asked why, she talked about the events of Galford, narrating it like a story from her journal, describing the creature that they encountered as Erna poured tea for her and listened, paying very close attention to what she was saying.

Beli saw that part of why Nemir's tale worked was that she responded well to Nemir recounting how they hung in and battled and sung his battle song "Three trolls are too many" and introduced himself in the awkward silence that followed. Beldan handed her his spare axe and told her she could probably make good use of it, and she accepted it. Beli showed her his axe too, trying to impress her. She seemed to not mind their company and said "So, you've come for information. Ask me a question." She began to scatter bits of meat around and Leaf Sole noticed something about it that made his body language seem like something's wrong about it. She said "You tell me interesting news that one of the drakes is far from its nesting place. So they came here to find more wyrms to go back to their mistress." Erna asked what they would do and when Nemir said prevent it from happening if they can and protect the lands that may be in danger, Erna snapped spitefully "Well let them take care of themselves!". Nemir's body language went rigid and she said "Well Galford is a prime example of what happens when people like me don't help. We have to help." and muttered in elvish "You're exactly like my king" Erna asked what they wanted from her. "We need to know where to go to stop this. Winter is coming and this'll happen again." Nemir said.

"A repeat of last winter would devastate the northern towns" Beldan said. Erna said she would aid them in the morning. "Spend the night and my answer comes with the dawn." She walked off and Beli said she was worse than Kol and perhaps they should introduce them. Nemir commented they'd kill each other within the first five minutes. Nemir rubbed her temples and muttered in Elvish, then nudged Leaf Sole and asked him about his tenseness earlier. He told them that the bits of meat didn't look like animal and they should be on guard.

Beli did a circuit of the bluff perimeter, which turned up a half dozen nesting sites for the vultures, with feeding sits at each. Among the feathers, droppings, and filth were bones of animals--and bones that don't belong to animals. Only one goblin skull, a leg bone that was too straight and tall to be a goblin's, and it looked like multiple corpses had gone to the birds.

There was an air of worry and mistrust as they talked about it, theorising that perhaps bandits attacked her and they were already dead. Beldan said "One can hope". Leaf Sole noticed the goblin skull was fresh. Nemir stayed awake for all of that night, having rested during the afternoon. She kept an uneasy close and careful watch and everyone else had a fitful night of sleep. The morning came and Erna arrived at first light. She stared at Beli and Leaf Sole. As they had breakfast, she told them of landmarks to the north that they should go in pursuit of the goblins or wyrms. Erna said she would go with them on the journey.

The mention of Orelon came up as they ate dinner as a passing remark and Nemir revealed revealed that Orelon had been with her because she had been in trouble at home, that the trouble with the Viglundings had impacted her family at home and she had been doing her best to repair that. Orelon had been the compromise at the time for her to continue adventuring. She talked about how the nobles of Mirkwood don't tend to travel for adventure often and she was an outlier. Beli made a comment on the King of Mirkwood only caring about his own people and kingdom and Nemir answered it with a noncommittal, neutral sound.

[Poppyseed]

They travelled with Erna north-east, looking for wyrms that might pose a problem later on. A dust storm grew ever closer to them and they were in a large, open area – no cover. Nemir spotted a boulder and they ran towards it but Beldan and Nemir were slower. Beldan had tied himself to the pony. Beli picked Nemir up to try to get them both to the rock but neither of them made it. The dust storm hit before the three of them made it to the boulder and though Leaf Sole, Achernar and Astrid were the only ones who made it, and the storm hit with force, making everything seem like a more extraneous task. Beli took out the elf lantern, chanting the elvish needed to light it. Nemir smiled to herself as she listened to it, and it brought a little bit of comfort to her panic from the storm. Even so far away from home, she had a little bit of it with her. She always did. A bright light shone out from the lantern like a beacon. For a moment, Beli and Nemir could've sworn they saw three or four masked figures behind them but they shrank back. The companions could dimly see the light so they yelled to help guide them. Beldan tried guide himself and the pony towards the rock but some figures emerged from the mist and dust. They drew blades and attacked. Goblins. At the edge of Nemir's hearing, she could hear gutteral sounds and Beldan's shout of "Khazad!"

Nemir and Beli made their way through the sandstorm towards the sounds of combat from behind them, knowing it was probably Beldan. At one point, an axe was thrown at them from beyond the dust, knocking the lantern out of Beli’s hand and damaging it. The lantern went out. Nemir picked it up and managed to get it lit again but it was clear the lantern would need repairs to work as well as it did before. With Beli's navigation skills and Nemir's keen ears as she walked behind him with her hands on Beli's shoulders to keep them from being separated, they reached Beldan, arriving to see a goblin standing over him and that Beldan was badly pummelled. Nemir and Beli stood between him and the goblin protectively. The lantern's light scared it away. They heard sounds of battle to the north as well.

Achernar and Leaf Sole began to venture out, getting a little worried about their companions with a rope tied to each other to not be separated. They called out and a spear was thrown at them from the dust, missing Leaf Sole, and they saw the orc who attacked him. Nemir, Beli, and Beldan went north and ran into Erna, who led them back west. Leaf Sole ran in the direction of the rope tied to him and Achernar, away from the orc, and Achernar began to pull it, thinking it could be cut because it suddenly went slack, not taut. Leaf Sole and Achernar fought the orcs together. They all found each other and hunkered down to rest and wait out the storm. Tension was running high and Leaf Sole accused Erna of leading them into this mess. Nemir stepped between them and said this wasn’t the time for an argument, and that they were never going to be able to traverse this land without a fight anyway. Bitterness lay between Leaf Sole and Erna still but Nemir’s diplomacy calmed Erna a little. As the storm broke, Erna began to walk again. Nemir got up and gestured, saying “away we go”.

[Hector Trelane]

Nice account! Difficult going in The Waste. The

[Poppyseed]

On the journey, along the way, Erna, who had softened to Nemir the most told her, "A Dragon must wake from its slumber from time to time to feast, and by watching for that moment, a brave warrior can sneak in and lay a trap."

The companions came across an area with a number of different ruined, crumbling buildings and as they looked closer, Leaf Sole realised that it had been a concealed ruin and the dust storm had revealed part of it. There was a windmill, a collection of ruined buildings – some with fire-blackened foundations – and an old goblin campsite with a fire circle that was long cold, and a half-covered manor house.

Nemir wandered around the cluster of foundations but her mind was elsewhere. Beli followed her and found the remains of a smithy, noticing that there's no treasure to be found - it had been picked clean. He did realise, however, that it was possible that it was dragon fire was what scorched the buildings long ago. Beldan took the time to find a quiet corner and rest while everyone else searched. Leaf Sole went to take a look at the manor house while Achernar and Astrid went to search the windmill and saw that the edges of the burlap sacks inside had been gnawed through. Achernar managed to find a bronze coin with the head of a king on - almost like a coin from Laketown. He showed the coin to Beldan, who recognised the head on the coin from his childhood and was able to tell Achernar who the king on the coin was. Leaf Sole found a hearth against the back wall of the manor house. Above the mantle, Leaf Sole found some carvings showing a scene - a procession of men and women, with agricultural tools and a two-wheeled cart. Around the edges of the scene, there were words carved alongside in letters Leaf Sole had never seen. Not elvish, not dwarvish, not a man-script seen before. It was completely new.

Beli pointed out the buildings had been scorched by dragon fire to Nemir and Nemir nodded along as she looked where Beli was pointing and took notes in her journal while he explained how he could tell. "See there . . . and there. That takes an intense heat, no doubts. It's been well documented that this area was harassed by dragon-kin.." Nemir sat and draw the scene ahead of her. In the corner, she added a little doodle of a dragon breathing fire. Beli and Achernar began to search for a safe place to camp and ended up at the manor house, where Beli saw how the roof had seemingly been ripped into - more evidence of a dragon attack. He recognised that the carving was made of some kind of semi-precious stone perhaps from the far south that he'd never seen before. Erna brought Achernar and Astrid over to a herb garden she found and they got seeds Achernar thought he could plant back at home. She talked a bit about her husband and old stories and Achernar, though not very well, also told stories of Laketown.

Leaf Sole showed what he'd found when he got back. It reminded Nemir of Dorwinian lettering - Nemir had seen it from the writings of the Dorwinian man in Thranduil's hall - but it wasn't the same. She remembered people came up from the far south and traded at the river junction to the south east. Achernar called it Riverstead as she talked about it and helped to fill in a few details. Beli noted to Nemir that the other building was the last stand for the defenders of this place. There was evidence of the dragon ripping into and through the roof. Lots of arrow heads and a few arrow shafts were lying around. Markings on the wall tallied the numbers the defenders had dropped, but for naught. Nemir drew Leaf Sole's rubbing into her own notebook and added the notes that she remembered.

Over the night, Beli told her what he'd seen and figured out in more detail and Nemir listened intently. He also worked on the lamp to try to repair it a little bit but he became increasingly certain that a portion of it would require elven abilities to fully repair.

In the morning, Nemir headed over to the carving to see it herself and take rubbings. She noticed a broken loom also in the ruin, some familliar weaver's tools and spools and frames which would allow for intricate patterns being woven. A small side-table had been toppled over in a corner, with an unusual stringed instrument (like a lyre mixed with a lute), what was perhaps a bow to play it with and parchments nearby. The parchments all had musical notations and words on them in that same unrecognisable script. Nemir delicately picked all of them up, placed the parchments in her notebook and everything in her bag. She could take it to a scholar or study it herself and perhaps a skilled craftsman could recreate the instrument.

Eventually though, the companions travelled onward again. Buzzards attacked them and Nemir and Erna shot one each when a few began to swoop down. Soon after, the companions spotted cover to the east that could give them an advantage. Leaf Sole, Beli, and Beldan took care of the rest that had swooped down as Achernar, Nemir, and Erna ran for cover, and Nemir shouted back "Over here! We'll cover you!" The buzzards circling ahead followed them but couldn't attack because of Achernar and Nemir's covering fire. As Nemir looked further into the alcove, she saw a stirring of gravel and a large monsterous creature staring face to face with her.

Nemir shot two arrows at it, both going wide, then brought out her sword as she called out that they had company in here. Her arms were aching. This didn’t bode well, Nemir gripped her sword tightly, hopefully she was better with melee fighting now, after all of the practice that she'd put in with Cevendir. Her first swing missed and she stumbled into the wall. Outside, the rest fought off the buzzards as Erna helped Nemir fight off the creature inside. Nemir dodged its attack and cleaved into one of its fins. A bubble of pride rose in her as she connected with it – all of that training hadn’t gone for nothing. The creature hit Erna with its stinger, who was on the floor, unable to move with her muscles spasming. The battle went on and after the buzzards outside died, the rest of the companions rushed in to help kill the monster. It struck fear into many of their hearts but they fought through it. Nemir cut off several of its stingers while Leaf Sole broke its armour. Achernar shot it right in the mouth and killed it. They spent the night there, holed up safely in the area and listening closely to the sounds from outside. Erna had no idea what that creature was and had lost her iron-clad composure a little bit. Some vulnerability started to show.

[Poppyseed]

For two more days, they travelled onwards. They began to enter the foothills of the mountains and the land began to look rocky and steeper. They searched the land and found a promising area with a shallow cave and deeper burrow towards the back. They came across the armour of a fallen warrior but searching the cave, they didn’t see any signs of large animals living there. The next day, they found a wyrm lair and Erna excitedly said it must be. Nemir volunteered to go in, saying she was good at being unnoticed but shook her head when Beli volunteered to go, saying “The goal of this is to be quiet – besides I’ll need you to pull me out if trouble arises.” Leaf Sole also went with her, and they tied rope around their waists.

It was dark and dank inside the cave, with a strong stench. Nemir and Leaf Sole were forced to stoop in some areas. The firebrand Erna had given to them for some light picked up flecks of gold against the far muddy wall. Outside the cave, Erna saw something, her face went pale, and behind them was a large, wingless dragon-like beast. It spat acid their way, hitting Beldan with its full force and poisoning him. Beli and Astrid managed to dodge while Achernar sent an arrow flying back to the drake, only getting scathed a little by the breath. Hearing the roar and a yell of pain from inside, Leaf Sole and Nemir met each other's eyes with the sudden recognition that their companions were in danger, and sprinted to the cave entrance. The companions outside each dealt strong blows in retalliation, with Beldan's being the strongest blow out of all of them and managing to tire it significantly and making it howl in pain, but the wyrm was ready again with its acid breath again. Achernar managed to dodge it completely this time, along with Astrid, but Beldan was hit once again and fell, lifeless, to the ground. Soon after, Leaf Sole and Nemir made it to the entrance and saw the wyrm attacking their friends.

Beli shouted at the wyrm "You killed my friend, now your head will rest on my mantle!", which made the wyrm cower a little before him. Killed? That word felt strange to Nemir's ears. That wasn't right. Surely, that wasn't right. Who was killed? Beldan was on the ground but he was tough, he would make it through - and they'd patch him up once this creature was dealt with. Emboldened by Beli's war cry, Leaf Sole charged in with his axe and sliced the wyrm's neck, dealing it the final blow. Everyone but Erna went immediately to Beldan. His armour was still smoking from the acid but Nemir checked him over anyway. She wasn't the best healer, she couldn't really tell how she could help, but Achernar, Astrid and Leaf Sole were here so he'd be alright. She looked to them and they all had the same look in their eyes. Sorrow, despair. Why weren't they doing anything? Did he just need time to recover? Her mind refused the obvious answer as she tried to take this all in. A cold, numb feeling spread over Nemir's body as Beli took Beldan and held him close to his chest. Were those tears coming from Beli's eyes? This couldn't be right, none of this could be right. Beli's shoulders shook as he wept and Leaf Sole sang a lamenting song. Nemir wanted to reach over a hand to comfort Beli but her limbs were frozen. Was this... it? Beldan had been alive and the same as he'd ever been before she and Leaf Sole had headed into the cave, if a little tired from all of the encounters they'd had, but now... She couldn't say it. Her mouth was open to ask the question that she already knew the answer to but nothing was coming out. Nemir looked down at the ground, not wanting to look at Beldan's body any longer. "He's... not going to wake up, is he?" she murmured, with a tone of finality that hurt her heart. No answer followed but even that was enough. The answer was plain as day anyway.

The mournful silence was broken by a victory chortle from Erna “Haha, we did it!” and she began to do something to the corpse of the wyrm. Nemir was only half-aware of it. Achernar asked what she was doing and she told him she was claiming the tongue as a trophy, since she had led them to the beast. Leaf Sole claimed its heart but that began a bitter argument between him and Erna.

Sometime during it, Beli shouted at Erna "This was the point, wasn't it? To lead us here and have this exact thing happen?"

"To kill a wyrm, yes!" Erna replied, still with a joyful and enthusiastic tone. Nemir closed her eyes and tried to block Erna's voice out. Could this not wait? Could she not see they had lost someone? Beli gave an angered yell and swung his mattock at Erna. Erna stepped back and although Achernar stepped between them to try to diffuse the situation a little, Leaf Sole carried on with harsh words and threats that intimidated her into fleeing but not before she spat insults at them, particularly towards Beli. Hearing the ones aimed at Beli, Nemir glared at Erna and stared her down as she fled. Leaf Sole began his work on the wyrm, cutting it open to get its heart, taking the claws, scales, and fangs from it, and cutting off its head, thinking it could be a good grave marker for Beldan. After all, he had done a lot to help slay the thing. Beli and Achernar both searched around, collecting stones for the cairn. Nemir stood up and looked around in silence, at a loss for what to do. She had to do something - everyone else was helping - but she didn't know the first thing about dwarven burials. And she had no seeds to plant around his grave either - would he even want them? That was an elven tradition, not dwarven. The closest thing she could do would be to pick some and bring them over but... Nemir glanced doubtfully at the rocky landscape and sighed. The least she could do was try, she supposed.

In the end though, the search was fruitless and Nemir returned empty-handed but realised she had a flowered clasp on her cloak. It had been a gift from her sister Itholdiel before Nemir had set out into the wastes, which Nemir now touched tentatively. As they built the cairn and buried Beldan, the companions took turns to rest, and afterwards, Beli slipped into the cave with Achernar following him. Nemir took a fang from the wyrm as a token to bring back and after a little bit, went back into the cave with Leaf Sole to find Achernar and Beli, who had found the wyrm's hoard. They shared out the treasure and began to pack it up when Nemir heard something outside. She swiftly got out her bow and went to investigate with Leaf Sole and Beli following her.

[Poppyseed]

Outside was a small wyrm eating the corpse of the other one. It didn’t notice them because they’d been quiet enough and Leaf Sole thought that it would come after them if it did see them. He whispered “Back in the cave.” and they slunk back in. They talked about what they should do and laid a trap inside the cave, waiting in case it came in looking for gold. Leaf Sole created a snare and Beli set up rocks to fall when it fell into the trap. The wyrm approached on alert, catching their scent from inside the cave but it didn’t see their traps and fell into them. Achernar and Nemir instantly loosed arrows and Leaf Sole and Beli threw daggers. Nemir’s arrow hit it in its weak spot and wounded it so that the thing shrieked and wriggled, then fell still. It was dead. After a moment, Nemir gave a quiet, detached laugh of disbelief for how quickly they’d taken it down. That was one small victory at least.

The companions made a hasty escape from the cave and bade a final goodbye to Beldan. Nemir placed her flower clasp on top of the cairn. Beli took out the seashell from his encounter with the elf when they had still been doing their business in laketown and placed it under a rock on the cairn. Leaf Sole said a short poem of mourning. Then, it was clear that it was time to go.

[Poppyseed]

That should make everything up to date now ^-^
It's been quite an eventful adventuring phase and I'm looking forward to writing some more scenes to happen over the fellowship phase when they return :D

[Hector Trelane]

Fantastic write up. Thanks so much, Poppyseed. It’s a compelling tale.

Circumstance required that Beldan’s lament was hurried and hushed, but his Companions sang it, and it was no less heartfelt.

And now, the final resting place of a dwarf of Erebor is not in the halls of his fathers, but under the open sky amidst the perils he faced so his Companions might be safe.

[Poppyseed]

In their travels back home, they made camp and Leaf Sole picked a reed and whittled it, then played a sombre tune as they settled down for the night. Nemir stared into the fire and drifted into a waking sleep but hearing a noise, she looked up, she saw a figure in the shadows, carrying a pack in its mouth. She moved to fire a warning shot to see if it moved away but it looked her in the eye and revealed itself to be a wyrm. She fired two shots, moving her aim to strike it, and killed it. Leaf Sole saw it a moment later, and looked back at Nemir, wondering if she'd let him kill the other wyrm and beginning to doubt himself a little.

Achernar found a hedgerow that had signs it once had herders from the gear lying around. Beli found the centre and traces of old ruins that were once made by men. A former ranch and tannery with signs that it fell into decline at around the same time as the dragon attack from the last ruins. There were traces of goblins camping long ago. There was a somewhat recent campfire though, along with half a dozen bedrolls. A bandit camp.

They moved on swiftly, continuing their journey to put some distance between them and the bandit camp. Leaf Sole and Nemir caught a glimpse of wagons as well as a group of people walking. Leaf Sole saw that there were humans and animals. Gathering the others, Leaf Sole and Achernar went to scout them out to see if they were friendly. The caravan came into full view and the companions made an effort to show they weren't a threat as they approached together. Each of them introduced themselves, and the travellers appeared to be a caravan of traders from the south, heading south in the direction of Dale. As the leader - Domarr - agreed to let them travel together, he hugged Achernar, then Leaf Sole, then bowed to Nemir and she bowed back. He attempted to hug Beli but he refused the hug, and bowed instead. The man was confused and whispered to Achernar "You have a short, hairy, lady?" Achernar laughed and said "Don't mind her." The children were very curious about the companions, especially Nemir and Beli. Domarr mentioned they'd just been up trading with Zirakinbar, the dwarven watchtower to the north.

Nemir spotted a man named Joar as they travelled with the caravan. He seemed to be on edge and hiding something so Nemir approached him and asked "Are you alright?" At first, he put on a brave face, but she reassured him and he then admitted that he lost somebody. With a knowing nod, Nemir replied, "That must be painful. My companions and I have lost someone ourselves so I know at least some of your pain" and told him about Beldan. When she mentioned a wyrm, he cried out and said "You too?" and she nodded, describing how they'd found the lair of a wingless wyrm and it had found them too. "I didn't even see him fall. I got out of the lair and he was already... He was already on the ground" Nemir's face fell. Joar told her about the wyrm that attacked them - that it swooped down and talked - told them to bring all of the gold in the area, and when they did, it ate his sons. Nemir tried to reassure him that if it came back while they were travelling together, she and her companions would protect them. He thanked her but told her she had not seen the one he had encountered and its danger.

When he arrived back at Erebor, Beli sent a letter off to Beldan's family in the Blue Mountains with the last of the trading caravans heading west before the winter, informing them of his death.

[Hector Trelane]

Nicely told, as always. Thanks Poppyseed.

[Poppyseed]

Nemir returned home to Mirkwood for most of the winter and there, she began to research the strange instrument she had found with investigations into the writings. The scholars she talked about the instrument to wondered why she was taking such an interest in a relic of men's history rather than elves' but she still researched into it, collecting as many books as she could to read and research with while she stayed at home. And of course, she hadn't forgotten the promise she'd made to her mother of meeting the suitors. The feel of the forest around her was comforting after so long in a desolate wasteland and the pain she'd carried with her eased slowly as she spent time among the trees.


*****

The candlelight was burning low as Nemir sat at her desk, pouring over the books she’d collected together surrounding the topic of instruments and music. If she could find any information that could lead to finding out what the instrument she’d found once was, the late nights and several melted candles would be worth it. Nemir grinned to herself. Perhaps if she was able to get it recreated, she would be able to play some of the songs to Saxulf. He seemed to have enjoyed her songs in Galford’s inn, back when they were travelling together.

The most recent night they’d spent in Galford then flashed in her mind. The cold, chilling air and the knowledge that they were surrounded by goblins, who were always lurking. Always watching. Nemir’s smile faded and she made an effort to focus more on the notes she was taking with her notebook. The image was soon replaced by the thought of Beldan – the sight of him lying on the ground as she’d reached the mouth of the cave. His face, lifeless and cold as Beli cradled him, sobbing. Nemir set her pen down and ran both hands over her face. She sighed. A minute, then two went by, and Nemir finally moved to look at Mallos, who was curled up on the rug at the end of her bed. He seemed to be adapting well to his new home.

“At least one of us can sleep,” she murmured, “Must be nice…” Nemir rubbed her tired eyes to keep herself awake. On the road, she didn’t sleep very much. She would drift off for a bit but for most of the night, every night, she would sit awake to protect her companions, and she could deal with that, especially if it meant she would catch the threats that encroached on their camp. It was enough rest to keep her going at least. Nemir picked her pen back up and dipped it in ink once again. Even drifting off into a trance right now meant having to face Beldan’s face appearing in her mind again and she didn’t want that. It pulled at her heart, making it ache. It made her throat sting. It was better to focus on research tonight.

And so she read.

And she wrote.

And the sky outside began to lighten until it became a gradient of orange and red and purple. She hadn’t slept. With one glance at the window, Nemir placed her pen down once again and slammed her notebook shut. The research was getting annoying anyway. Then, she crept out of her room, opening the door slowly and gently so she didn’t disturb Mallos, then began to wander the halls. There were a few awake and about but Nemir still kept her steps light and silent to not disturb the mostly sleeping house.

Like a ghost in the halls.

Nemir shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. No, no ghosts. Not tonight.

She ended up at Cevendir’s room and knocked. Nemir figured she could probably do with some company, perhaps she could drag him out to practice swordfighting with her again. Or archery, just to add a few wins to her losing streak. The bow was her specialty after all. After a moment Nemir knocked again, louder this time. Still no answer. She frowned. With his hearing being as good as hers, that knock should have woken him up, but perhaps she would have to resort to throwing cold water over him.

“Cevendir?” Nemir called and opened the door, peering in and was met with an empty room and an open window that was letting cold autumn air in.
Movement sounded from outside and Nemir looked around for a weapon as something – likely someone – climbed towards the open window. Cevendir’s sword. Nemir lunged to grab it and stood ready to fend off any intruder that tried to get in. The sounds got closer and Nemir tightened her grip on the sword but as the person came into sight, she caught a sight of their face. It was Cevendir, sneaking in through his own window. Nemir sighed and re-sheathed the sword as Cevendir made his way in, picking out two leaves that had gotten tangled in his hair, and finally looked up at her. Recognition of the fact he’d been caught washed over his face and he gave her a smile that looked halfway to a grimace. Nemir crossed her arms.

“What was that you said two winters ago about not disappearing off into the night?” She asked dryly.

Cevendir laughed quietly and got up. “How do you remember that?”

“That winter’s not something I will forget very quickly.” Her voice was low and serious as she said it, and it was the truth, that winter had been one etched into her mind and the topic of a lot of her thoughts over the past year. Nemir leant against the wall and quickly changed the topic. “Where were you? What were you doing?”
“Other than climbing through a window?” Cevendir said as he closed the window and looked back at her with a grin. “It’s a secret, I’m afraid. Not for you to know.”
Nemir could sense something important being hidden underneath those words but the question was whether she should pry. The tone of his response, under the feigned levity, held nervousness and finality but he seemed happy enough. Surely he would tell her if it was something bad. If it was good, she would find out in time… probably. She shook her head, returning the grin. “Keep your secrets then, they’re not why I’m here.”

“And what does bring you here?” Cevendir mirrored her pose, leaning against the windowsill he’d just climbed through. Nemir chucked his sword at him and he caught it with one fluid motion.

“Hoping that you’d spar with me for a bit.”

After a moment of silence with Nemir inwardly hoping that he’d take her up on the offer, Cevendir shook his head and gently rested the sword back against his wardrobe. “I’m tired, Nemir, perhaps another time.”

He waited for her to leave and Nemir sighed. “Fine,” she said, drawing out the disappointment in her tone, and returned to her own room. Roughly grabbing her bow and quiver, she took a glance at Mallos, who had woken up and watched her move about the room. She called him to follow as she left and headed towards the wilderness.

[Poppyseed]

Nemir drew back her bow with a breath in. Thuck. The arrow hit the tree with a steady accuracy. She picked up another arrow. Fwip, thuck. Fourth one on target. With every arrow, she let the pain well up inside her and be released as she fired it. Her arrows had formed a line up the trunk. Mallos was sniffing around in the bushes behind her and barked, twice – a playful bark – perhaps he wanted her to throw a stick or give him some attention. One more shot, then she’d turn around and see what he wanted. A deep breath in…

“Lady Nemir.”

Her shot flew past the tree and Nemir spun around to see Orelon with Mallos at his heels. Mallos’ tail wagged excitedly as he barked again and nudged Orelon’s leg.
“Orelon. You followed me?” A hint of irritation at being disturbed seeped into her voice.

“You are pacing the halls at hours you are not usually awake.” Orelon countered evenly, stepping forward. “You seem troubled.”

Nemir sighed and walked over to the tree she’d been shooting at. “It doesn’t matter. Not to you, not to mother or father-” She plucked out three arrows in time with ’you’ ‘mother’ and ‘father’, then the fourth in silence before she continued, still facing the tree, “-it’s not some scandal that I’ve brought back home like last time.”

“Forgive the caution, but it was not unwarranted.” His tone was carefully somewhere between a reprimand and neutrality.

“Just leave me alone, Orelon.” Nemir stalked into the bushes to collect her last arrow. Orelon remained standing where he was, carefully observing her even as she trudged back and glared at him. “Beldan’s dead, if you want an answer that badly,” Nemir muttered bitterly, just loud enough for him to hear. She put her last arrow into the quiver, laid down her bow and sat at the base of the tree that she had been shooting. She watched as Orelon brought his fingers to the bridge of his nose and quickly let them fall again before going over to her. Mallos followed, overtaking him to burrow his way into Nemir’s arms with a whine and she ruffled the fur on his head.

“That is the price of growing attached to mortals, as Lord Thalon and Lady Celemirel have already tried to teach you,” Orelon said as he knelt on the grass. His voice was serious and matter-of-fact, which made the words sting more.

Nemir looked away from him, half-hiding her face in Mallos’ fur, as tears welled up in her eyes and threatened to fall. For a moment, she knew she couldn’t reply without her voice cracking. When she finally could, she whispered “Not like this.”

“Would you prefer to see them wither away, grow old and frail until there’s nothing left of them?”

Nemir looked at him then, eyes wide and watery once again, eyebrows pulled into a frown as she tried to process what he had just asked. Orelon’s expression didn’t change, a silent challenge directed at her to consider his words.

“Or perhaps you will disappear from their life one day. When you decide that the pain of watching them wither is too much,” he continued, then paused for a moment. “The mortals you travel with will not live forever and it would be wise not to create such attachments too strongly.”

Nemir wiped her eyes and faced away from him, trying to keep her breath steady. A part of her was still convinced they wouldn’t die – she knew they would, but she could never picture it, even when she tried to. “I’ll be prepared then,” she said stubbornly. Trying to convince herself. She would be prepared, she had to be prepared.

“Were you prepared?” Orelon asked. It was a simple question which Nemir wouldn’t answer. She just curled her knees up to her chest and rested her head on them, still not looking at him, still not speaking. Her tears finally began to fall and she sniffled. Orelon sighed next to her and put his hand on her shoulder. “Take solace among your own, my lady. We will be here much longer.”

[Poppyseed]

The first suitor that Nemir would have to meet was Lanthirdir, son of Iordaer. She couldn’t exactly say she was excited for it but she wore the dress that her mother had picked out and sat patiently while her hair was pulled and styled and a light touch of makeup was put on. A glance in the mirror afterwards showed Nemir a person ever so slightly removed from the her that she recognised. She touched the area under her eye with a heavy feeling forming in her chest. Her scar had been covered up.

Nemir tried not to let it bother her.

She dropped her hand and looked away from the mirror as she put on one of Itholdiel’s necklaces, feeling her sister’s watchful gaze from the doorway. Nemir glanced over to see Itholdiel’s smug expression.

“I told you – it’s the perfect fit for that dress. Are you nervous?” Itholdiel was also dressed up for the evening; she had her hair in a low, loose bun and was wearing a beautiful, flowing silver dress. Nemir could’ve sworn it had been a gift from Amdirnoen from before they’d been engaged. Even in their courtship days, Itholdiel and Amdir had seemed like the perfect couple, even if their meeting had been arranged by their parents and it had once been something Nemir dreamed of for herself. Nemir shook her head in reply to Itholdiel’s question.

“It’s just a meal. I’d rather not have to deal with the suitor issue but I don’t really have a choice.” Nemir explained as she sorted through Itholdiel’s bracelets and rings somewhat absentmindedly.

Itholdiel gave her an amused smile. “There is a chance you could enjoy his company,” she reminded Nemir, who smiled too and shook her head. Deciding on one of the bracelets and fastening it around her wrist, Nemir walked towards the door.

“If I do, it’ll be a pleasant surprise,” she said.

Cevendir caught up with them in the hallway, dressed in green and silver formal attire like they were. His hair half-tied with a ribbon. He greeted them both with a grin. “Well?” He said, “shall we be on our way?” Itholdiel shook her head with a smile as she walked past him and Cevendir bowed, offering his arm to Nemir. “My lady?” he prompted rather mockingly and Nemir scoffed but linked her arm with his anyway. Adopting a more serious demeanor and tone as the three of them drew closer to where their parents were waiting, Cevendir murmured, “You’ll be quite the centre of attention this evening. How’re you feeling about this?”

“Not sure,” Nemir murmured back, ignoring the twist of her stomach that was beginning to grow as everything began to feel more real. “But I can’t back out of this.”

“Well, if you need a distraction, let me know.”

Nemir looked at Cevendir then. His light blue eyes were steeled with resolve and the rest of his expression held nothing but sincerity. Itholdiel’s glance back at the two of them, although more optimistic than Cevendir’s expression, told the same silent story. Nemir took a long unsteady breath and nodded as a little bit of weight was lifted from her shoulders. The three of them were in this together.

[Poppyseed]

Lord Iordaer, Lady Sileves, and Lanthirdir arrived and each exchanged pleasantries and greetings with Nemir and her family. The bows, the words, the social rules, all blended together into one flowing, necessary welcome and lasted until all eight of them were seated at the dining table. A moment of appraisal. Sizing one another up. Nemir and Lanthirdir locked eyes as they bowed to each other and said their greetings. He didn’t so much as soften his icy features for a moment and he looked at her down his nose with a barely-concealed sneer. Nemir’s smile was plastered on as he walked with her to her seat. Mother would kill her if she didn’t at least make an effort.

Their parents began to ask about each other’s heirs and Cevendir was forced to join in to talk about his recent achievements. Nemir took a sip of wine to delay having to start her own conversation. Lanthirdir mirrored her and his gaze wandered dully around the room, a slight frown every time that his gaze landed on her. Uncalled for but Nemir couldn’t say that the sentiment wasn’t mutual. Say something to him, Itholdiel silently told her with a look and Nemir took another sip of wine, hoping that she could bury herself in the glass. Her attention snapped back to Lanthirdir.

“We have heard good things about you,” Itholdiel lied, placing a hand on Nemir’s arm. Whatever Itholdiel had heard hadn’t reached Nemir’s ears, if she’d heard anything at all. Lanthirdir’s expression shifted and his eyes became slightly more focussed. Curious. Entertained, almost. Nemir narrowed her eyes. She’s engaged, Lanthirdir, tread lightly.

“Oh? Is that so?” he said.

“You have been aiding in many of your family’s affairs, is that not so?”

“Yes, it is…” Lanthirdir sat back in his chair with a grin. He swirled the glass for a bit and watched the wine spin before commenting “Well I’ve heard a great many things about this family as well.”

Itholdiel fixed him with a diplomatic, even smile. “Not all of them bad, I hope.”

“Not all.” The coldness in his pale blue eyes told a different story.

“How much have you heard about me?” Nemir probed. His expression fell again and he looked at her in such a way that it chilled her.

“All about your little ‘adventures’,” He sneered and tilted his head as if he were observing a wild creature. “For a time, it seemed like that was all you knew but I’m glad you are starting to see better now. Such journeys are ill-befitting of a lady.” He gave her a once-over with faint disgust finding its way onto his face. Another swirl of the glass. Another sip. Lanthirdir set his gaze on her again and Nemir began to pick at her food to avoid his eyes.

“I find that much can be learnt by travelling. Especially about the world beyond our forest’s borders.”

Lanthirdir laughed dismissively. “What is there to know? The men are like fruit flies and the dwarves are uncivilised barbarians. They are beneath us.”

Nemir bit her tongue hard and forced herself to take another sip of wine without replying to his comment. She couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if he ever encountered Beli. No doubt it would turn to violence pretty quickly, but how quickly was the question. A minute? Thirty seconds? Even that might be generous. Nemir quietly took a deep breath in and out and set her cup down, mentally crossing out yet another line of conversation.

“I’ve found many interesting pieces of history,” she said, hoping it would redirect the conversation, and took a breath to carry on but Lanthirdir interrupted her.

“That’s very nice but if we are to be married, you will have to refrain from such irresponsible behaviour. I can’t have my wife disappearing for months at a time on a whim or searching for some relic of the past. You would be to look after the house.” Lanthirdir waved his hand uncaringly in yet another dismissive gesture. His condescending tone was starting to get on her nerves. Taking a breath in, Nemir drummed her fingers against her other hand under the table. Don’t start an argument. It’s not worth it. But she couldn’t keep the glare from creeping into her expression. She turned her head to Itholdiel for some kind of vindication for her rising anger but Itholdiel’s face was stunningly difficult to read. A calm, even mask covering up whatever reaction she might have had. With an ever-polite tone, Itholdiel changed the conversation.

The rest of the night went no better between them, apart from brief moments of respite when Cevendir and Itholdiel brought his attention away from her. One meal and he’s already talking about marriage? Not only that but telling her to give up her life? Nemir roughly rubbed the makeup off her face, starting with revealing her scar. A want to kick something welled up inside her. A want to scream. To throw something. Nemir buried her face in her towel to muffle her frustrated groan and dropped to a crouch. She stayed like that for a few minutes with frozen, heavy limbs, not wanting to move, before shifting to sitting on the floor instead. Bunching up the towel and chucking it across the room, Nemir scoffed. He’d really had her whole life planned out ahead of her.

[Poppyseed]

A knock on the door. Light but just loud enough to be heard, the familiar touch of her mother’s hand. Nemir paused her writing.

“Come in,” she called. Deep breath. In through the nose, out through the mouth. It’s only a conversation.

Her mother stepped in, a neutral but analysing look on her face. Nemir watched as her gaze shifted to the letters on her desk and put them away in a drawer before looking back. Those are private.

“How did you find the meal?” She asked.

“I will not marry him,” Nemir replied. It was better just to get to the point of it all. “I don’t see us getting along well enough to entertain the idea.” Her mother sat by the window and the slightest shift in her expression somehow radiated dissatisfaction.

“You could learn a great deal from your suitors if you try. With the next one, you must put some effort in,” she instructed.

“I already have been. The meal went as peacefully as to be expected, I followed every social cue and obligation, I am yet to cause any embarrassing scenes-” A pause held in the air as Nemir realised she had begun to get caught up in humour that her mother would not find funny. Better left for Cevendir. Even Itholdiel might be a better audience for those kinds of jokes than her mother. Nemir put down her pen after a moment and turned to face her. Her mother’s lips were pressed together and the hard stare told Nemir that stopping had been for the best. There was still something that lingered. “You covered up my scar.” Nemir’s voice was pathetically quiet but as level as she could make it. Vulnerability hidden behind a thin, cracked stone wall.

“Good first impressions are everything-” Her mother’s tone had slipped into Lady-of-the-House once again. “-when you are married it will be less of an issue but on a first meeting, you don’t want to present any… flaws.”

“There’s nothing wrong with my scar, mother.”

“You may not think so but some things are best left covered up.” Her mother’s definitive answer. That was it, then. Nemir turned back to her desk with no energy left to pick back up her pen.

“I see,” she said.

Silence passed between them for a full minute before her mother moved to leave. On her way out, her mother stopped behind Nemir and put a hand on her shoulder. An ache to melt into it ran through Nemir but she stayed put as her mother said softly, “Your father and I only want what’s best for you. In time, you will see that.”

[Poppyseed]

For once, it was a sunny day. Still cold outside, still frosty and white, but sunlight streamed into the hallways, and that was enough for now. Nemir poked her head around Cevendir’s slightly open door. He was scribbling away at his desk, so intensely focussed that he made no reaction to her appearance. The expression on his face was soft, with a light smile, and his shoulders were relaxed. From here, she could see the neatly-made marks of Cevendir’s handwriting but the angle and distance made the words themselves impossible to read.

“What’s that? A love letter?” she teased. She expected a snide remark back, perhaps relating to the suitors that she still had to meet. Even a 'mind-your-business' and getting shooed out the room. What she got instead, was startled deer-eyes as his head snapped up to her. That was a rare one. A strained half-chuckle escaped from him and he began to frantically collect his papers together.

“No, it’s nothing like that-” he began but his thoughts seemed to be cut off as he gathered the scrunched-up bits of several attempts prior scattering the floor. Nemir laughed in disbelief. Like glass. Cevendir didn’t often hide things from her but never had he been this easy to read.

“It is, isn’t it?” she prodded with a grin eating into her face. “Who’s it for?”

“Nobody! They’re not-” Cevendir expertly dodged her attempts at grabbing the papers and held the letters above his head. He hid the papers behind his back when she tried standing on tiptoes.

“Liar!” Nemir laughed as she hopelessly grabbed at thin air and her grin was starting to spread onto Cevendir’s face too. He shook his head and pushed her backwards.

“You’re a nuisance.” His words didn’t hold any malice. Cevendir sighed and hit her on the head with his papers as he passed by her to close the door. He didn’t turn back to her immediately, just looked up and around into the crevices and corners around the door. “Alright,” he eventually said, but the air of levity began to drain a little as he dropped the rejected attempts into a drawer and closed it. “You must not tell anyone though. You have to understand, Mother and Father must not know. Promise me, Nemir.”

Cevendir examined her expression with a guarded edge to his stance. Nemir nodded, “I promise,” she said and meant that promise with all her heart. Cevendir glanced at the door again so Nemir focussed on listening to what was on the other side. Nothing, quiet. “Nobody’s listening in. Or at least I don’t think so.”

Cevendir nodded, then took a deep breath and rested against the arm of his chair. “The person I’m writing to… his name is Fuindil. He’s one of the scouts that roam the forest and protect the border – a silvan elf.” Cevendir looked down with that same soft look from before.

So that’s why the secrecy. Nemir sat on the desk next to him, quiet as she processed everything. Nemir tried to picture someone but without anything to pull from but a name, she only managed a nebulous silhouette. “When did you meet?” she asked.

“A little after you left to go on your adventure. I was out hunting and I ventured out a little farther than usual. Night fell and I ran into spiders. It was a stupid mistake. Wandered into the wrong area, let my guard down too much. There were a lot of them but he found me just in time. He offered to accompany me somewhere safer and of course, I took him up on the offer.” Cevendir ran his thumb along the side of the chair arm. “It went from there, I suppose.”

“And Mother and Father aren’t suspicious?” Nemir asked cautiously. Cevendir raised an eyebrow at her.

“I have had roughly six hundred years of practice over you of not getting into trouble.” Cevendir teased softly, nudging Nemir’s side. A pause. Cevendir looked through the window opposite them. “No, I don’t think they are. They would have said something by now.” A smile was creeping back onto his face. “Or they’d be trying harder to marry me to a ‘lovely young lady’ who I’ll never have feelings for.”

“I wonder what that’s like.” Nemir said dryly.

Cevendir’s smile grew into a proper one. “You’re just upset because you’ve chosen your disappointment-of-the-family quirk and it’s not being unmarried forever.”

“Perhaps I could use Itholdiel’s.”

Cevendir shrugged. “I’d guess that you already have, with the Viglunding business.”

Nemir laughed hollowly. A pit in her chest began to ache in the silence that followed and she buried her face in her hands, forcing a smile. Stupid. This is supposed to be about Cevendir. Keep it together. After a moment’s hesitation, Cevendir placed a warm hand on her shoulder.

“Sorry… Whatever you see out there, you can always tell me what’s resting on your shoulders.”

Nemir nodded and sniffled, wiping the tears that had dampened her eyes away. “Yeah.” A tired resignation laced her tone.

“Nemir.” Cevendir pressed.

She nodded, and wiped the last of her tears away. “Yeah. Yeah, I know… Same with you. For anything about Fuindil, that is.”

Cevendir nodded and said softly, “I’d like to take you to meet him one day. And I will. Just… not right now. I don’t want to lose everything if I make a mistake.”

“I get that.” Nemir placed her hand on his and nodded.

[Hector Trelane]

I really like what you've done with your character in these posts, Poppyseed. You're developing her different facets and your writing is quite good!

[Poppyseed]

Thank you !! :D

[Hector Trelane]

We should talk about getting back in the saddle for this game and a potential schedule for doing so.

[Poppyseed]

The next suitor was an elf named Mirdandir. No support from her siblings this time, Nemir and her parents were travelling to Lord Eriston’s manor alone. Itholdiel was spending time with her fiancé and Cevendir’s official story was that he was going hunting. Somehow, Nemir doubted that was true from the grin on his face. He’d still made her promise to tell him about the afternoon she was about to have on her return.

Nemir picked at the lacy gloves she’d been made to wear as her mother lectured on and on with commands that Nemir had been trying to tune out for the last hour.
“We want to make the best impression, Nemir, so no foolish games or talk of your dangerous expeditions. Smile and keep good posture.” Her mother’s arm was linked with her father’s and they walked gracefully up to the front door.

“I know, mother.”

“Do try to remember all I’ve told you.”

Plastering a smile on her face, Nemir nodded. The door opened and there they were. Lord Eriston and Lady Hithfaerien. Both in navy with silver embelishments, with long, flowing hair that Lady Hithfaerien adorned with jewels and Lord Eriston simply let hang loose over his shoulders. Next to them, a younger elf with the same snowy white hair but cut short, with a fringe neatly swept to the side. Avoiding her gaze. Presumably, Mirdandir. They went through introductions, just as painful as last time, and Mirdandir, with a short glance to his parents, bowed and kissed Nemir’s hand. He still avoided looking at her and didn’t smile as he dropped her hand quicker than he took it. This was going to be another fun one. Mirdandir looked over to his parents conversing with hers with an unreadable expression.

Lady Hithfaerien placed a hand on Mirdandir’s shoulder. “Why don’t you take Lady Nemir to see the gardens for a little bit?”

“Of course.” Mirdandir turned and motioned with his head, “It’s this way.”

“Mirdandir,” Lord Eriston’s stern voice warned. Mirdandir clenched his jaw and with a smile just as forced as Nemir’s, offered her his arm. Nemir didn’t even have to look at her parents to sense the expectation in her mother’s look so she took it without much hesitation and he led her outside.

Mirdandir untangled his arm from hers as soon as they were away but the garden itself was beautiful and Nemir couldn’t help but feel relief to walk through it at her own pace. Bushes lined the stone path, with lanterns hanging from tree branches. Surely, in the spring or summer, when leaves had returned to every branch, the place would come to life but the frost and snow that covered the area offered its own kind of charm. A frozen wonderland. A fountain in the centre had an ever-flowing gush of water pouring from beneath a crystal – the top of the structure of woven, stone branches reaching ever upwards and outwards. Underneath a tree behind the fountain was an alcove of benches. Small details in even the armrests of them.

She needed to at least try. To appease her mother. Tracing her fingers along the fountain’s outer edge Nemir said, “This place is beautiful. I can see why-”

“What do you want?” Mirdandir asked and just like that, an invisible wall was thrown between them.

“I- What do you mean?” Nemir meant to smile while picking at her lace gloves again but it ended up more of a grimace. The gloves were going to have holes in by the end of the night.

“Do you actually want to marry me?” He asked.

That was a loaded question, considering the circumstances. Nemir pressed her lips into a thin line, regretting it when she recognised the habit as her mother’s. His words were unfriendly and there was clearly a correct answer. But was it yes or no? Was this a test or was it an opening for escape? The truth was probably best; no point in dancing around it if he was asking her directly like this.

“No.” Nemir answered. He looked stunned for a moment, then nodded and looked away.

“Good. Neither do I.” He said.

It was that easy? Nemir pulled at her glove’s loose thread as their agreement began to sink in. She dusted snow off the fountain’s outer wall and sat on it, revisiting those last few words and took a long breath in. “So what now?”

A long pause. “Should we pretend?” Mirdandir asked with a lighter voice than before. Something in his expression had shifted and, for once, he looked at her with something faintly resembling a smile.

“What do you mean?” Nemir watched him closely.

“Pretend to be doing exactly what our parents want for one afternoon, or even a few meetings. We can work together to find a way out of the marriage itself but I’d wager that we’ll get less trouble for turning away other suitors. We also may not have to meet as many others if they believe their plans are working out with us.”
An opportunity. Nemir felt a smile creep onto her face. “It’s a deal then.”

The afternoon passed peacefully. For once, the look on her mother’s face was one of satisfaction usually reserved for Itholdiel and Nemir was no longer a problem to be fixed. It felt like glimpsing into a mirage of an alternate life, so strange yet so fleeting.