# Middle Earth FA63 D&D Game: Fifth Adventure - War in Goblin Gate **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Tags:** middle-earth-game\ **Created:** [December 5, 2008, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898 "2008-12-05T19:34:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 101
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/2001 "2009-05-12T16:25:42Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > The party makes it down below without any trouble and Gilraen lights up part of the cavern. Some can just make out the small island in the lake that must have been Gollum’s home. > > The Dwarves determine that lake is of some use and clean if cold. The fish stock appears to be fairly good. Ghân will Speak Animal to the fishes and see if they have anything to tell. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/2002 "2009-05-12T16:32:20Z")
Thoroncir agrees that “Nothing” is probably the answer to Gil-Gandel’s riddle. He offers this: “They speak not, but can be heard; their sovereign wears no crown, but is vital to their realm; their treasure is golden, but never struck as coins. Who are they?” ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/2003 "2009-05-12T16:48:19Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Thoroncir agrees that “Nothing” is probably the answer to Gil-Gandel’s riddle. > > He offers this: “They speak not, but can be heard; their sovereign wears no crown, but is vital to their realm; their treasure is golden, but never struck as coins. Who are they?” I’ll bee along with an answer to that in a minute. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/2004 "2009-05-12T16:51:33Z")
Ghân offers a Wose one. :eek: How do you keep a foolish person in suspense? I’ll tell you later! ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/2005 "2009-05-12T16:58:56Z")
Yes, bees, Gil-Gandel. As for you, Wose… Try this: “Most want it, but few know what to do with it. It is as easily misunderstood as it is often unappreciated. Once lost, it may be hard to find again. Complex songs and great works of art have been dedicated to it, but the simplest child may appreciate it. The best savor it; the worst abuse it. Even animals may sense it. It can come either with tireless work, or effortlessly. What is it?” ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/2006 "2009-05-12T17:00:38Z")
_sings_ _Ruled by a despot forever uncrowned, A voiceless folk, but we all know their sound; Abundant their vaults are piled with gold Not cast into ingots nor coined in the round._ Thank you, Thoroncir. An agreeable riddle. 🙂 _waits patiently and quite deadpan for Ghân to elaborate_ _thinks over the Sea-Knight’s second riddle_ Why, Thoroncir… is something on your mind? Is that a blush I see? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/2007 "2009-05-12T17:05:31Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > _waits patiently and quite deadpan for Ghân to elaborate_ Ghân shuffles his feet and looks guilty. :o Then he adds that he’d love to know the answer to Thoroncir’s riddle. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/2008 "2009-05-12T17:20:16Z")
Oooo, you’re both too good… or the knight-errant’s riddle-making is just too crude. “Powerful but helpless; adored but tyrannical; new but ancient; silly but serious. What is it?” ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/2009 "2009-05-12T18:07:01Z")
The riddle not answered is how Deor plans to get from the ceiling down, down, down to the tiny island. The fish have little to say. The see nothing and hear little under the water. Life is just a search for food and fleeing from the near touch of death. With that most scatter fast. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/2010 "2009-05-12T19:07:43Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > The riddle not answered is how Deor plans to get from the ceiling down, down, down to the tiny island. > > The fish have little to say. The see nothing and hear little under the water. Life is just a search for food and fleeing from the near touch of death. With that most scatter fast. Drive a metal climbing pin into the ceiling, then tie on a rope and lower myself down. Surely the good Dwarves here (or our very own burglar) can provide such a pin, or a reasonable facsimile? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/2011 "2009-05-12T19:12:10Z")
Just a reminder: [COLOR=“Blue”]Spider Climb Duration: 1 round +1 round/level[/COLOR] This will not be enough time to do everything you wish to do. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/2012 "2009-05-12T19:18:50Z")
Then shall we stay here overnight? You can cast Fly for tomorrow. Or Ghan, please ask the fish what the biggest/most dangerous predators are in the lake. If there’s nothing too fearsome, Thoroncir will swim out. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/2013 "2009-05-12T21:13:03Z")
Ghân is happy to oblige Thoroncir and duly questions the fish a little further. Since Deor has looked at the Island and near shore, Ghân will cast Detect Magic around the rest of the cavern. When he hears Deor ask the Dwarves for a climbing pin, a hammer and a rope, Ghân suggests that Deor come back and reconsider. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/2014 "2009-05-12T21:39:34Z")
I need to think about Thoroncir’s riddle, but here’s one of mine: I sit by the fire and stroke my kit With the part of the horse that swished to and fro; My kit is no mouser, and catches no birds, But she purrs and she sings when I pet her just so. What is my kit’s name? ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/2015 "2009-05-12T23:50:21Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > I need to think about Thoroncir’s riddle, but here’s one of mine: > > I sit by the fire and stroke my kit > With the part of the horse that swished to and fro; > My kit is no mouser, and catches no birds, > But she purrs and she sings when I pet her just so. > > What is my kit’s name? I can’t remember- have you named your harp? ---
**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/2016 "2009-05-13T00:15:40Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > I can’t remember- have you named your harp? Is his harp the type you use with a bow? ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/2017 "2009-05-13T06:19:09Z")
> [@Hoopy\_Frood](#): > > Is his harp the type you use with a bow? That’s more like. [Violin](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kit_violin). Thoroncir, “a baby’s smile”? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/2018 "2009-05-13T13:30:35Z")
Close. I was just thinking, “an infant.” It appears the fish are not going to return to talk further with Ghan. Thoroncir will take off his armor and don his Cloak of the Seals, a gift from his great aunt (local lore has it that the family has Selkie blood in its distant past). It keeps him warm and dry as he plunges into the bitterly cold Gollum’s Lake and swims with remarkable speed towards the island. > **[Selkie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selkie)** > > Selkies are mythological creatures that can shapeshift between seal and human forms by removing or putting on their seal skin. They feature prominently in the oral traditions and mythology of various cultures, especially those of Celtic and Norse origin. The term “selkie” derives from the Scots word for “seal”, and is also spelled as silkies, sylkies, or selchies. Selkies are sometimes referred to as selkie folk (Scots: selkie fowk), meaning 'seal folk'.\[a\] Selkies are mainly associated with t... ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/2019 "2009-05-13T13:58:17Z")
To those with better sight or even a little second sight, it appears Thoroncir has turned into a seal and swims very swiftly to the small island. When he pulls himself up and though he look normal. He pulls out his lantern and lights it and finds that at some distant time a goblin or three had ransacked the island and all is now muck and rot. It is a small island. Only 20’ across and only a few few above the water itself. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/2020 "2009-05-13T15:05:40Z")
Thoroncir swims back, shakes his peculiar cloak dry and reports on what he found as he puts his armor back on. He has thought up another riddle for his compatriots: “I am loved by most despite my secretive ways, but none truly know me. I sometimes enjoy the company of friends, one above all, but at other times I value solitude. I am a creature of habit, rewarding the patient. I reveal myself gradually, only to hide once more. To touch me is to die; to see me is to yearn. Who am I?” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898.md?page=100) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898.md?page=102)