Hmmm. How would they define “and worse”? What do they know, or have they heard? Sir Thoroncir, curious in a friendly way, will ask our traveling-companions the Dwarves for more details.
Haro says, “And worse would be wargs, orcs, trolls, brigands or angry Dunlendings rebels. Though I doubt the Dunlendings will assault this large of a troop. Their bands are usually very small. No one should go to the bathroom without escort however. Picking off someone alone would be the way of most of these from the wolves to the Dunlendings.”
Thoroncir thanks Haro son of Tamin for his words of caution. He will be vigilant.
Elfstan is happy to be back on the road and heading in the direction home (even if he isn’t planning on staying). He has the company of fine friends, food, a good stock of pipe weed, and a fine pony. Things are good!
Deor notes “There’s no reason not to try. We might try teaching you a couple of extremely simple spells, just to see if you have the aptitude.” He’ll start to teach Lorliana the cantrips Mend and Clean when we’re done traveling each day, carefully making sure that she doesn’t see the other spells in his book. She’s no mage, but there’s no sense taking risks.
Lorliana, “I would be happy to try and learn.”
Deor you will need to teach her about the basics of magics, tonal inclinations, incantations, and intricate somatic movements. It is by no means about reading and memorizing the words of the spells. Further the spells are written in magic and you will need to teach her to read magic. Finally you must teach her to channel her power to actually have magic work.
This will take a while to even work up to cantrips.
Well, we should probably find a decently fortified area to make our camp for the evening. Some place that has good protection for us as well as attack positions if we should get ambushed at night. Better safe than sorry. Also, we might want to elevate our food away from the easy reach of passing critters. No need to tempt them.
No, I figured as much. I don’t expect that she’ll learn even cantrips in the short space of time between here and Rivendell. But learning even a smidgen of the theories behind magic could open up her understanding of history, politics, nature, governance, or almost any field where magic can play a role. The principle of diminishing returns looks pretty favorable when you’re just starting out. Besides, it’ll be fun to teach her.
Let’s also have the party’s birds up for early-warning purposes, and maybe the dogs and other critters could scout a bit for us, too.
Yes, and Miron (especially) and myself at ground level - we both have keen eyes and ears, and he has extra training.
Once we go to camp we may as well space the wolf, dog and cat around the perimeter - they’re inconspicuous and hard to sneak past even if not actively on guard. I don’t believe there was a lot wrong with the watch roster last time round so we’ll stick with that.
Taken all in all, the pipeweed addicts may as well indulge themselves. Wild beasts, at least, will probably prefer to give the unnatural-smelling stuff a wide birth. And I for one don’t blame them
If you don’t mind, Ghân would like to keep his wolf and dog nearby.
They can still sniiff for trouble approaching, but can also guard Ghân (and be healed by him).
Brownie the owl will take the watch with Ghân and she’s happy to be up a tree with a good view.
July 19[sup]th[/sup]: The day is peaceful and the night is calm. It is a cloudless night and approaching a full moon. At various points people have gone for water or to relieve themselves and are always escorted and never too far from the party. The stars are bright in the cold camp.
At about 2:30am Deor and Thoroncir & Gil-Gandel are on watch along with three Dwarves. Gil-Gandel hears a murmuring that sounds like no animal but not even his keen ears can make it out. It is to the West of the party that he hears it.
Definitely read that as “watch rooster.” I was unaware Ghan had found a rooster who wanted to help us. 
Deor looks at Thoroncir and Gil-Gandel. This is their area of expertise. He’ll go ahead and wake up Miron and the Hobbits.
Gwaelur has been sleeping lightly and hears Deor go to wake the others. As he wakes up he thinks to himself “Why does this always happen during my turn to sleep?”
Sir Thoroncir whispers to Gil-Gandel, our Elf-captain, “Shall we send Miron to see what’s out there? Or one of the Hobbits, perhaps?”
Speaking of the Hobbits and critters? Are any invisible? Missy would be of course, but any others?
“I will go myself”. I’m the best all-rounder in terms of stealth, senses, protection, melee and missile capability. “Until Ghân, our designated Sergeant, is well awake, you are in charge of the camp.” At which point, making the best use I can of any available cover and my Cloak, I’ll head cautiously in the direction of the mysterious sound. If there’s much moon about, I’ll try not to put myself between it and the unknown creature.
Gil-Gandel sneaks off in the direction he heard the murmuring. He is able to get closer and a little to the south. He finds an Orc and a warg and hears the following exchange when he stops. “I spelled dozens of horses and a many dwarves and some humans and something else. THere are too many for us to take. You’ll need more help.”
Orc voice,“Come now 20 wargs and 50 of my lads should be plenty and pickings have been slim lately. All that horseflesh would be quite tasty. The Dwarves will probably have some good treasures.”
Warg, “Bah, those Dwarves will be armored I bet and those others worry me, worry me a lot.”
Orc, “Well can you sneak closer?”
Warg, “I don’t dare.”
Orc, “Well lets tell the others.”
:eek:70, even if we get the drop on them, is a whole heck of a lot.
With orcs and Wargs, it’s no stretch for us to take the first strike, I’d think. Could we set an ambush? Alternatively, though Gil-Gandel can’t hear me, can he eliminate those scouts?
Deor has loaded:
C: Change, Bee, Hide, Firefinger, Distract, Tie, Unlock
1: Sleep, Magic Missile, Shield
2: Web, Levitate
Folca is Invisible as usual.