Anthar relates the full story, "My family of 10 was making its early spring passage to Minas Tirith to trade seeds and buy good quality steel tools. We also hoped to buy some extra livestock this year and another horse.
As the oldest son, I ride our best horse and try to guard the family with my bow.
I failed. chokes up The Orcs came from all direction and surrounded the 3 wagons. I think they killed by Pa. I think I killed one of them and then I fled. I have no clue if they are there still or if my family is already dead, but I have heard tales that they like to take woman and child to be slaves. I think they would want the wagons and that would only slow them down. That is all I know for sure. My head wound was from escaping into the woods. I did not see a branch. "
It is easy to see that Anthar is no more than 18-20 years.
Moose goes, “Sure, when you hear me Bellow ‘Orc, CHARGE’ get off quick.”
Gwaelur: That is a sad story Anthar, but never worry, we will catch those Orcs. Do you have any idea of their number? The larger their party the more important the element of surprise will be.
He said earlier, “I don’t think there were more than a score of these foul folk, if they took the wagons they should be easy to track. I am well enough thanks to the marvelous Wose to lead you back. Please just help me to my horse.”
Now* Anthor * has calmed down and given the party more information, *Ghân * suggests the party ride pretty fast to catch the orcs before they can escape with captives and wagons.
Ghan tries to comfort Anthor by saying he did the best thing in riding for help.
Ghan thanks Moose for the advice and prepares to scramble off the moose when the warning is given.
Ghan briefly chats to Folca and shows Deor some of his ‘Goodberries’. If (by evil chance) Folca is injured, then Ghan will cure her as quickly as he can.
As the party continue riding, Ghan looks thoughtful.
He remembers some books that Radagast had, especially ‘Herblore of the Shire’. Could it be that the author is riding alongside him?
He respectfully asks Meriadoc if he is indeed the noted author.
*Ghan briefly chats to Folca and shows Deor some of his ‘Goodberries’. If (by evil chance) Folca is injured, then Ghan will cure her as quickly as he can.
In fact a berry a day would feed her so she had no need to hunt. Something worth thinking about.
As the party continue riding, Ghan looks thoughtful.
He remembers some books that Radagast had, especially ‘Herblore of the Shire’. Could it be that the author is riding alongside him?
He respectfully asks Meriadoc if he is indeed the noted author.*
Merry replies, “I had no clue my book was so well known, but then you trained with Master Radagast, did you not? I am indeed the author. Is it true that Radagast has taken up the ‘Art of Smoking’?” (It is)
Ghân mentions this to Deor and says there should be enough berries to both heal the party and feed Forca.
As the party continue riding, Ghan looks thoughtful.
He remembers some books that Radagast had, especially ‘Herblore of the Shire’. Could it be that the author is riding alongside him?
He respectfully asks Meriadoc if he is indeed the noted author.*
Merry replies, “I had no clue my book was so well known, but then you trained with Master Radagast, did you not? I am indeed the author. Is it true that Radagast has taken up the ‘Art of Smoking’?” (It is)
[/QUOTE]
Ghân happily tells Merry all about Radagast and his wonderful training.
No in-character opinion, as at this time Gil-Gandel is calmly awaiting delivery of a packet of sandwiches, or else bringing them up the trail at a brisk gallop. However, if one hair of the venerable Brandybuck’s head gets harmed, the Harper may have to use… harsh language.
A vegetarian falcon? There’s a sight you don’t see every day.
Although your suggestion is OK, I assume we’re in open country and that there’s room to manouvre.
You could swap Thoroncir and Theogrim to get ‘buddies’ closer together.
Damn, and I missed the perfect opportunity to use the word “frugivorous”, which is something else you don’t see every day.
On another note, I picked out a new pair of spectacle frames yesterday, and only after I’d decided I really liked them did I notice the style was called “Gandalf”.
I’ll stop cluttering up the thread with trivia now. Why is our MO one-dimensional, by the way? I thought we were in open country, not on a tramway.
Thinking about our marching order…we should have one for riding in open country; one for travelling through forest and one for underground.
I suggest:
In any event, the casters (Ghân and Deor) should be in the middle.
If room permits, Brin and Gil-Gandel can guard the flanks (and be free to move)
Mulligan riding would be best starting with the casters, then slipping off his mount with a good chance to go into hiding. If on foot, he could scout ahead.
Gwaelur should be at the front (tough, vertically-challenged!). That leaves Theogrim and Thoroncir - one at front, one at back.
In our current situation, I would add Ornan at the front, Merry in the middle and Anthor at the back.
With brackets representing the flankers, his would look like:
As the party slowly sorts itself out, Gil-Gandel swiftly overtakes them about 10 minutes after they left. He hands out packages to every rider, sandwiches, ale and water with Gimli’s compliments.
You note he rides Elf Style and the horse looks sleek and fast and appears to be moving leisurely where the ponies are trotting. Theogrim in particular notices this is no normal horse, nor akin to the Mearas. To Theogrim he can only think fairy horse, one-step removed from the fabled Unicorn.
He has also noted that Merry’s Pony is larger than the others are but also appears stronger and sturdier. This pony of his appears to be of the best of Rohirric stock. It is geared in high quality leather barding and he suspects there might be more to this old Hobbit than one would expect. He looks very easy in the saddle. A quick glance show Deor has spent little time perfecting the skill that is so common to his people, but the two Gondorians at least look sure on their lighter warhorses. Ornan’s and Thoroncir’s horses are wearing good leather barding and looks well cared for. He happily notes they both carry lances. Thoroncir took a little longer to join the party then others, as he would not go before barding his horse. He had plenty of help from the stable hand and dwarves. He easily caught up to the party only about five minutes after the others. He is wearing chain mail with the device of the King’s Marines on it. The pathfinder, Brin, rides a swift horse of average quality, a messenger’s horse from the look of him. Brin appears less than completely comfortable in the saddle. No horseman is this one. The much smaller hobbit rides another good pony, smaller than Merry’s and with armor, but then the Hobbit is at least a foot shorter than Merry and does not look like a warrior. He looks comfortable in the saddle. Gwaelur has two Sturdy Mountain Ponies and he has switched off once already to ease their burden. They are built for endurance not speed. Gwaelur looks comfortable enough in the saddle, at least as comfortable as any dwarf is likely to be. Anther’s horse is a good steed, and Anthar appears to be very comfortable in the saddle and with the horse. This brings us to Ghan; the Wose does not so much ride the moose as hangs on and clutches at the strong tuffs of hair behind his neck. The moose has a surprising smooth and easy gait or Ghan would have no chance of remaining on his “steed’.
The party is traveling through a land that is hilly and green, but slowly giving way to trees and stone. You are making very good time. The mounts are all doing fine, even the ponies.
Folca is out flying ahead. Anthar says that they may soon extinguish the torch as they will be at the old road through the valley and the path is well made.
After about 5 klicks, I’ll signal that this would be a good time to dismount, and approach on foot. I’ll suggest those going in direct should give the flankers 10 minutes to get into position and spy high profile targets.
“Douse the torch as soon as you like. I will draw ahead a little here - once there is room to do so, I shall take up a station ahead and to your right.”
Gil-Gandel eases through to the head of the pack, murmuring a constant stream of praise and encouragement to his good Cúran, his eyes searching ceaselessly for a sign of their quarry.
Remaining mounted for now, GG puts a furlong or so between himself and the rest of the hunt. If he is spotted, he aims to draw attention his way only. However, at the first sign of the enemy he will dismount and close on foot, unless they are going very fast. He will choose his ground as carefully as possible to keep from being skylined.
It looks like you have your answer; Gil-Gandel will be able to let you know if you need to dismount.
**Now 30 minutes since the party has left, Gil-Gandel comes upon the scene of the battle. An orc and a man lay dead and there are signs even he can read that three well-laden wagons were turned off the road near here. They are headed into the woods, rather than the mountains. The party should be no more than 5 minutes behind him. **
The Pathfinder can’t miss that. Gil-Gandel dismounts and follows this very clear trail on foot, leaving his mount to find a safe place to wait. His keen ears are alert for the sound of a lot of hard work and possibly screaming; he stays off the trail, in cover, as much as possible, bow at the half-draw and arrow on the string.
