I agree, I think the pot will serve him well.
The pot would be fine with me as I don’t see Elfstan or Mulligan wanting to lug it around. However, it would be interesting to have a rough idea of its value. For most magic items, there is a vast difference in their value compared to the 25gp to double his fee.
Although it was never specifically mentioned (and I meant to), did we teach Gorbo about pipe weed? If so, we could make a gift out of some remaining leaf.
Elfstan would certainly be happy to have the bridle for Flower, but he realizes that Flower is already faster than some of the other mounts, so it might be put to better use elsewhere.
He’s unsure of the dagger. As Mulligan mentioned, it would be rather noisy trying to use it to climb a wall. Steath is important for us. However, would that be useful for a dwarf, being able to cut stone and all?
Otherwise Elfstan would be interested to see if Curu could add any enchantments to his new blade?
“Speaking of this sword… does anyone have any suggestions for a name for it?”
The value of the pot is probably around 500gp at the maximum. It is one of the cheaper items.
Gorbo never took to the pipeweed. No sense taking a hobby he cannot expect a regular supply for anyway.
Curu will examine the sword and get back to Elfstan.
The pot really is a big overpayment, especially if it’s worth ten times his promised fee. So I propose we give it to him anyway- he’s done very well by us, and we’ve been a tougher party to guide than he bargained for.
I am all in favour of accepting Curunauth’s offer as well; even if Thoroncir turns out to be the major beneficiary, that will be to the benefit of all in the long term. Never pass up the chance to make the meat shield more viable 
And I really like my new horn - even if it did nothing but confer immunity to poison and make a nice sound it would be a splendid item! Any info that can be found at Imladris concerning the playing of such items will be invaluable, and more than an adequate share for my part.
Oh, and as to the pot, I agree about that too. We have plenty of ways of staying fed (beginning with numbering two hobbits among our ranks) and can well spare this little novelty where it will be of use.
I note that over half the party seems favorable so with that Gorbo rigs the pot to his pony, secures his treasure of gold and silver and heads off leading the pony back home. Now the final leg to Rivendell.
August 10[sup]th[/sup] & August 11[sup]th[/sup] go by on the road peacefully.
On the morning of the August 12[sup]th[/sup] Curunauth leads the party on the hidden zigzagging path. It is steep and leads down into the valley out of the bright yellow heather of the moors. The path takes them through many trees, firs up high giving way to oak and beech further down. Finally the path arrives at a narrow stone bridge over the southernmost branch of the Bruinen. Across the bridge on the north bank is the House of Elrond.
Once across the bridge many Elves greet the party. It appears that everyone is known already.
“Hail child of Arwen you are far from home,
Welcome back to the cradle of your parents.
Greetings children of the gentle Shire,
The laughing folk are always welcome,
Heir of Samwise and Niece of Pippin,
Already making names for yourselves,
Elfstan of the storied sword
and Mulligan clad in ancient elven mail.
Gwaelur of the mountain folk,
May your beard grow ever longer,
May your shield always shine
and axe always gleam.
Quiet Miron of Legolas’ folk,
brave Ranger and quick bow,
Orc Bane and Hawk Friend,
Healer and Hunter both.
A Wose returns to Eriador,
Speaker to the good birds
and healer of all animals.
Welcome Ghân, Radagast friend.
Thoroncir of the sea people,
Your ambitions are high,
Stay brave and true
And remember the story of Estel.
Deor the Wizard of Rohan,
Always smart and clever
and now learning to be wise,
Someday your staff shall sprout.
Lorliana, student of Gondor,
Put away your fears,
Now you will be safe,
Study and song are yours to have.
Gil-Gandel of Celeborn’s folk,
Star Harp and Unicorn’s flute,
Come sing some songs with us
And exchange many tales.”
One elf comes over, “Elrohir and Celeborn await you. Word of the death of the Delgwil precedes you. A large lunch is prepared with hungry adventurers and especially hungry Hobbits in mind. Elladan is currently out scouting but Glorfindel is due back today. I have heard that a large party of Dwarves and Hobbits are expected soon. My name is Farofind. Please follow me. Curunauth, Agli is desperately waiting to see you; something about Aulë’s Glass?”
He escorts the party in for lunch except Curunauth and possibly excepting Gil-Gandel.
**Please decide on if any items are desired to be kept and if the rest will be traded in. I will contact or post for each of you Curu’s possible upgrade or item. Post if there is something in particular. I am thinking arrows for Gil-Gandel and Miron but swords are very readily available. Thoroncir of course has a special commission already. Does anyone want the bridle? Are Ghân and Mulligan still interested in Elven Cloaks? **
Elfstan would like to know if there is anything Curu can do to help with his new sword. If there is nothing, he is interested in the bridle, but as mentioned before, it seems that others can put it to better use. If neither of those come through, whatever else the elves can come up with in trade would be fine. If nothing, so be it. As long as we can help party members and make the party stronger as a whole, it’s good!
Deor’s quite happy with his ring and spellbooks. He’s intrigued by the Buttons of Fastening, but doesn’t really need them and will take them only if no one else really wants them. He might be interested in a potion, once he’s identified them.
Thoroncir is awestruck by the beauty of Rivendell, of which he’s heard and read so much. The grace and charm of the Last Homely House, the gentle play of the river’s waters, the vault of the stunning blue sky high above the valley’s rocky walls… so much history has been written, so many tales have been told, so many songs have been sung, all here. Right here!, he marvels. Right here were Elrond and Arwen, Gandalf and Bilbo, Aderthad and Olindril…and the first Gilraen.
He looks about him in wonderment and delight, and smiles when he catches Gilraen’s eye. “I can easily understand,” he murmurs to her, “why your parents might have found it difficult to leave this place, my lady; but I am glad, for Gondor and for all of our sakes, that they did.”
In time, he muses upon the meaning of that portion of the Elf-greeting which was directed at him.
Mulligan would be interested in the Elven cloak, more for the bonus to not being seen than the armour bonus. If Curunauth has any better ideas, I’m open to suggestion.
Good food, warm bed, safe haven. It’s a beautiful place.
Aside to Elfstan, “I wonder what treasures might be found here, although if I ask they would probably show me, which takes all the fun out of it.” 
Ghân is interested in the Elven Cloak, because he sees his value to the party in healing, bodyguarding and information.
Hopefully the Cloak will protect him, so he can do all that.
I’ll certainly take a light lunch at least to celebrate our safe arrival. After that, it’s me for the Hall of Fire to listen to some song, play a little in between times, and generally soak up the atmosphere which is like balm to the weary soul.
The three potions are identical in nature. The Flasks are leather covered heavy glass. All 3 provide Great Strength (22) +4/+10 6t+d6t.
Adding up all of the Gold and fees and expenses (Gorbo and a few others) plus the gems and Jewelry found the value is 1000 GP per person. It can be taken in gold or gems.
Mulligan, Curunauth and Elrohir offer you several trades. Your current cloak is rather valuable so combined with what Curunauth wishes to award and your share of the magic items traded in they offer you a +2 Elven Cloak of Protection and Elven Boots. This gives you of course a +50% on both Move Silently and Hide in Shadows. It also increases your base movement from 12” to 15” and pass without trace. Both items will keep you warm in weather cold enough for snow and yet are comfortable to wear in the heat of an Umbar summer. The boots also boost your AC by another 1.
Elfstan you may end up with the Bridle if Gwaelur does not want it and Curunauth thinks he can forge some “magics” into your new sword or perhaps even Sting. You may need to trade the +3 Knife in. He will look over both weapons and give you better details.
Ghân, take the Cloak the party found and we may have some small items that will aid your spellcraft. Are there any spells you are particularly interested in boosting?
Thoroncir: Your Sword shall be reforged into an undead slayer. I believe some additional enchantments will be made.
BTW: You stumped me and that is not easy in this area. Who are Aderthad and Olindril and how do they tie into Rivendell?
Deor: We believe the Mulligan’s Cloak would fit you. It is A Cloak of Protection +2 and give F pen. May not use with armor. Would that interest you with the buttons?
Gil-Gandel, Elrohir is sad to say that while he can make a few suggestions, he cannot instruct on the playing of Glinras. It was a one of a kind item made before Hollin fell and the smith who made it perished in the attacks by Sauron. I believe you will find it aids in both your Bardic charms and Bardic sleeps. We would like to offer you some arrows from our armoury and a magic bowstring but we have many old swords lying around if that would interest you more.
Miron we make the same offer, Arrows & bowstring or swords.
Gilraen Telcontar we have of course much to teach you in the ways of healing. We also have a few small items that may aid you.
Gwaelur, we can offer you an enchanted Dwarven Axe in exchange for your two. You can wield it one handed with the effects of your War Axe. It is a +4 weapon and has an overall +12 saves. The Bridle would probably do you more good than Elfstan but you may prefer the Axe upgrade. We have little else to offer you. We may have a few other things if this is not what you desire.
The lunch is extremely good and there is enough for even the Hobbits to feel full. There was plenty of juices, fine wines, cool crisp water with a hint of some flavor and good ale from the Prancing Pony no less. Elrohir plays hosts but does spend a lot of time talking to his niece. At the table are Celeborn, Erestor (who was the chief counsellor of Elrond), Lindir (an elven bard that was there when Bilbo sang his song about Earendil the Mariner), Farofind and 3 elven maids named Mirwen, Bélin and Cuin•glir.
Celeborn effectively asks Gil-Gandel for a very long report. Eventually Curunauth joins in looking clean and refreshed. With him are two elves he introduces as Agli and Narvil, they are both Smiths but Narvil is apparently also a mage.
Once we divide up the items and determine the trades, I will tally up the experience. Many of you if not all made level.
Mulligan’s smile just went from broad to absolutely radiant 
Well, I would be interested in hearing what else you have, but a new axe is hard to resist. Tell me more.
The Bridle might be best with me, since I am currently the one slowing the party down. If Elfstan doesn’t mind I would like to have it.
Or rather, what I meant to say here was. The Bridle might be best with me as it won’t speed the party up as a group, and we could really use that extra hitting power (and I personally like the flexability it provides me of being able to continue to work with my shield and still use it.) That is, if you don’t mind Elfstan.
What Exit? I currently have three axes (only two loaded) Will Curunauth take any two, or (and this is my suspicion) does he specifically want the two I have been using?.
I think your Dwarven Axe is the third? I was looking at the +3 War Axe & +1 Battle Axe (qualilty).
The Dwarven Axe is the third. I figured those were the two you were looking at, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. I don’t necessarily want to get rid of the Dwarven axe anyway, but I am now wondering what I will do with that other weapons slot. I don’t really see myself ever using the Dwarven Axe in favor of the +4.