Deor will work with the Dwarves to keep the camp in a state of readiness for an attack, preparing for wounded or another attack. He’ll keep a watchful eye (and ear, and hawk!) out for any additional orcs or wargs approaching.
The two wargs attack Elfstan. He has no choice but to strike with Sting and his knife. He goes for the injured warg but it strikes first. Elfstan takes a bite to his leg and a second bite on his arm. The mithril chain protects his arm at least. He took 9 points. Elfstan hits the injured one with Sting but misses with his knife. It drops anyway.
The two remaining Goblins attack Curunauth as the warg strikes from behind. Curunauth cleaves through both Goblins but falls to the warg’s assault.
At this point Gil-Gandel rides up and fires at the Warg. He hits once for 5 points.
The warg clamps down hard on Elfstan’s leg. He takes another 12 points for 21 total. . Elfstan strikes with both blades and does 11.
Gil-Gandel plugs an arrow into the warg on Curunauth for another 7. (12) The warg charges at Gil-Gandel but Cúran dances out of the way and Gil-Gandel hits again for another 6 (18) and finally a third time for 8 (26).
Thoroncir comes charging in and strikes the warg on Elfstan for 17 more. It dies as Elfstan slices it open further with his knife.
Gil-Gandel puts a final arrow into the warg and drops it.
Gilraen arrives and rushes to Curunauth. She immediately casts her cure light for 9 and feeds him 8 berries. Ghân casts a cure light for 7 more. He is now down only 4. The pair then attend to Eflstan. Gilraen casts cure light for 11 and Ghân casts a cure light for 5 more. His leg is wrapped and he has 5 more berries to be full.
About this time Mulligan and Miron come running up.
Back at the camp, Deor and Lorliana see to the horses and ensure none were injured along with Deor using Folca to keep a watchful eye.
Ghân decides to let Gil-Gandel explain to the two ‘explorers’ about their wandering off at night to see how well their swords work - just after the party have been attacked.
(He is relieved there have been no party casualties, and returns to camp to help Deor keep watch on the rest of our paying customers.)
To Ghan, “Thank you for the berries and your spell! Although I hope it’s the last time I need them, I fear it won’t be.”
To Gilraen with a bow, “Thank you, Fair Princess. Without you my wounds would have been weeks in healing.”
He then turns to Sir Thoroncir and Gil-Gandel, “Le hannon! Thank you! You arrived in the nick of time for both me and Curunauth. I owe you both yet more debt.”
He then goes to Curunauth’s side, “Well fought, friend Elf. When the wargs fell upon us, I feared that neither of us would see the rising of the next sun. Manen nalyë?”
Curunauth replies, “Im gelir ceni ad lín*. Eithel far, well enough indeed thanks to Gilraen and Ghân and especially Gil-Gandel. If not for his timely arrival I suspect I would have been beyond their aid.”
- ‘I am happy to see you again’ used in this case in a slightly self-mocking way as Curunauth knows he nearly got them both killed.
As the adrenaline fades from Deor’s bloodstream, he begins to study a few of his spells, stretching gently as he does so to help untense his excitement-cramped legs. He’ll run Lorliana through her paces again, reviewing the day’s lessons about magic so as to provide her with something familiar and calming to take her mind off the battle that just occurred.
Lorliana, “I can’t believe this. So much blood, so much violence. I didn’t think travel would be this dangerous.” She breaks down crying.
Oh, right, we were wondering why Lorliana decided to be a cloistered sage, not a wandering sorcerer.
Putting his spellbooks away, Deor awkwardly places his arm around Lorliana and leads her back to her bed, hoping to let her cry her emotions out into his shoulder before the majority of the party gets back. Deor tries to catch Ghan’s eye as he the Wose returns, hopeful but wary of the sort of advice the Wild Man might give.
Thoroncir makes sure that the wargs and their goblin riders are all dead, then cleans and sheaths his sword. As he searches the corpses for anything of value or of interest, he curses himself for being overoptimistic and careless in assuming the battle was over when a threat still remained out in the woods.
He guides Elfstan, Curunauth and the others back to the main party. Seeing her distress, he comforts Lorliana, saying, “Please, my lady, do not weep. Not all journeys will bring you to such hazards. This was a perilous night, but now all is well. You are surrounded by friends who will protect you no matter what. Look, and see! We have come through a great ordeal little the worse for wear, all in all. Think of the new day to come, thank the Valar for our victory, and be glad.”
He asks Gilraen to have a word with her, as well.
Searching the warg riders the party finally finds something of value. The first goblin killed in this last mêlée carried a pouch teeming with gold. There must be at least 45 gold and 80 silvers and a small silver ring.
Returning to camp; Gilraen takes over from Deor who looks uneasy and helps settles Lorliana down. She does request Gil-Gandel play a soothing song to help.
As Lorliana is being comforted by Gilraen, Ghân tells Deor that of course he did nothing wrong and that sometimes you have to actually experience something to learn.
Ghân adds that petting an animal can be soothing - perhaps Folca would oblige?
(He doesn’t feel Fang or Anca are right for this task!)
To Curunauth (and to fate), “I should know better. The last time I experimented with Sting’s glow turned out poorly too. It’s almost as if the glow is a counter to Hobbits’ luck.”
With that he heads back to camp, making sure Curunauth is coming too. If a fire is burning, it’s good enough excuse to light a pipe. What he really wishes for though is a pint!
Everyone returns to camp.
What do you do with the prisoner?
Ghan has a knack for this. I suggest the Wose interrogate him while Deor glowers and fingers his axe-handle not far away, if he would be so kind. Suggested questions:
Where is the orc from?
Under whose immediate command is he?
Under whose ultimate command is he?
Are there any orc-lairs nearby?
Where did the wargs come from?
What may we expect to find on the road to Tharbad?
Gwaelur probably does the glowering-axe-handle-fingering routine better.
The orc to the first question, “Why should I answer, you going to let me go?”
Yeah, does Deor even have an axe? Sheesh! I am in for bad cop, it’s my favorite role.
Lemme pull out the big 2 hander for this.
They promised me I could play with you if you don’t answer, so personally I am hoping you stay mum.
Several other Dwarves go in chorus, “Orc play… FUN!”
"Yes. Go free, and tell those you meet that the old days are over. There is a King in Gondor now and it is Man’s law from now on, until a time that even the Elves cannot see. Live where you can, in what comfort you can contrive for yourself, for the days that are left you; but you will not be permitted to make a nuisance of yourselves.
“What ill you and your fellows may have done I know not, but they have paid dearly enough for it and I am content for today. Speak, and live.”
I mean, I’ll do it, but I’m not so sure that anyone would be intimidated by me fingering an axe handle while being obviously unable to lift it. Or I could do it in mime!
Deor will stand near Lorliana and Gilraen, trying to be helpful, though he’s quite uncertain what to do.