Miron most assuredly isn’t; the soap thing’d been bothering him for a while, and Thoroncir just happened to be the first person to provide him with a chance to unload it.
The elf bobs his head in a grateful acknowledgment, returning to dig through his luggage for a long moment before coming back with a thick, lightly wrapped bundle. “I can’t thank you enough for taking care of this,” he repeats, “I was anticipating serving in my capacity as a healer, and when I was called to reinforce a small party I didn’t think to get rid of some of my less practical supplies.”
He falls silent in thought for a moment, glancing about the party for a moment before continuing “Come to think of it, I believe I’ve met most of my new companions, but I’d be eager to hear of your previous exploits, and perhaps of what you would need me to do. Most of my experience has been as an outrider or a rear scout, but I’m happy to do whatever I can.”
Nobody needs to feel obligated to go into detail, but I thought it’d be good to give him an IC excuse to be familiar with our backstory.
Caramir suggests, “I hope Miron can work with your group as Captain Helton has requested Theogrim work with them as one of his Lieutenants.”
Theogrim is in fact off talking to Captain Helton at this point.
Caramir continues, “Why don’t you settle in, make acquaintances and share notes and tactics and prepare to leave on the additional mission tomorrow with Riglo. Now I need to see to some other reports, good luck and again welcome Miron and Elfstan.”
Thoroncir bids Miron and Elfstan sit down on some nearby rocks, and begins recounting a brief version of our adventures since leaving Minas Tirith, giving full credit to the other members of the party and modestly downplaying his own role.
Gwaelur overhears Thoroncir’s recounting of the tale and shouts over to him “You don’t give yourself enough credit boy! Besides you left out some of the best bits. I suppose I should take a break anyhow, let me come over and tell you how it really happened.”
Gwaelur puts down his tools, pops open one of his kegs of ale and sits down with the other three to tell his only version of the story so far.
Never one to turn down a good tale, Elfstan listens intently. Having heard it twice already (from Mulligan and again from Gil-Gandel on the journey to camp), he helpfully makes sure that Thoroncir gets the credit he deserves.
Miron happily sits down to listen, and although his attention seems to be keenest during the descriptions of fights, presumably in the interest of working out what sort of strategies and tactics the party typically uses, he seems to be quite happy to hear every aspect of the tale.
As the stories begin to take shape, and he gets a better idea of who has been doing what, he begins to take advantage of the lulls and breaks in the stories to ask Renee about the plants and herbs that she has encountered during the trip.
Sitting at careful attention during the storytelling, Deor watches Miron’s hawk with interest. He’s a little intimidated by the appearance of another elf, but eager to make himself visible.
When the storytelling is finished, he’d like to discuss with the group whether to head back to Minas Tirith or continue scouting along the tracks that Riglo discovered. He’s a little nervous heading onward so quickly, but also excited to be out adventuring and making a positive difference in the King’s service.
Oh, and he agrees with Ghan that it’s probably worth the risk to carry the two evil items back to Minas Tirith. Would Caramir be willing to take them for us, though, if he’s going to be headed back that way? That way we wouldn’t have to lug them around on this new assignment.
Caramir, “Deor, I’m staying put and waiting for reinforcements. Ghân has grown a great garden for fodder and vegetables and even some of the Hobbit’s taters. We are in good shape for building a small fortified camp here. We will of course take charge of the evil items. That is taken care of.”
After a short pause, “I am hoping that your group is not yet weary and will undertake the scouting mission for Riglo.”
Miron indicates that he’ll go where the party goes, but he might prefer the scouting trip. “I have spent many years working in Minas Tirith with , and I am eager to venture back into the wilderness.”
Thoroncir declares, “I am yours to command, O Prince. If Riglo needs my assistance, he shall have it. I have no pressing need to return to the White City just yet.” He will take care to notice Renee’s reaction to the discussion about the party’s next steps.
Omi and Rogue, by now you’ll probably have noticed that Thoroncir is deeply in love with Renee and would prefer to remain with her, unless ordered otherwise.
Riglo presents his plan and information, “No more than 8 leagues* from here I found some odd tracks and some older orc tracks. The tracks were like none I have seen and were only a short distance like a creature of the air that rested for a while. It was smaller than a Dragon and larger than a great Eagle. The prints were different from both and not like any hoof I have seen. I would guess only a little heavier than a great Eagle. In particular I am glad for the 3 archers in your group; I fear they might be vital.
The orcs I wish to track to the mountains. It was a smaller group and traveling swiftly. A strange feeling came that I should not stay there by myself and that I was needed back at the camp. Glad am I already that I followed that feeling.
I would like to set out at first light in the morning. Just a feeling, but do you all have silver arrow heads? If not perhaps good Gwaelur here could assist you in making a few and then we could quickly prepare a few.”
In this case a league is as Tolkien appeared to use the term 3 miles. Those that have a 12” movement rate can travel roughly 3.4 miles.
Deor you could make Folca invisible again and if you don’t mind, we’ll say Missy got a fresh spell a few days back.
D_Odds: We’ll play out the critter in PMs I guess, I want to move along now that it is Monday
Miron frowns as he listens to Riglo present his plan, kneeling to feel and sniff at the ground they’re standing on. “I’m worried about our animals,” he offers, shooting a curious glance towards Ghân, “If whatever was airbone proves to be hostile, it might frighten them by passing by overhead, and even if they don’t startle, such a predator might chose to systematically pick off our animals, preventing us from catching up to the orcs.”
Miron stands and dusts off his hands, glancing about for a moment before adding “I know that I, for one, am going to keep a very close eye on my hawk.”
(Miron proceeds to relay Riglo’s briefing to both hawks, warning them against airborne threats and cautioning his own goshawk to stay with him for now.)
DM, exactly what kind of terrain are we standing in? (e.g., how much forest cover could we expect?)
DM, exactly what kind of terrain are we standing in? (e.g., how much forest cover could we expect?)
You are on some fairly desolate plains just north of Mordor. This is very near Ered Lithui and it is not pleasant except where Ghân has jump started a new flowering. The lands you will be going too are still scrub and trees are rare. So do not expect any forest cover.
Riglo responds to Miron, “That is a good point and of course I was on foot when I was scouting. It might be best if most of us stay on foot. Though a few may wish to remain mounted to speed us along. They are your horses and friends, not mine.”
Sorry about my absence - I’ve been off work for a week and my Broadband connection has refused to work for about that long. :eek:
Ghân welcomes both Elfstan and Miron to the group. He explains his Druidical abilities and inroduces Brownie and Fang. Ghân asks to be introduced to Miron’s Goshawk and makes sure Folca is also presented.
Ghân thanks Rigolo for his plan and offers to look at the odd prints (though Ghân doubts he will know any more than Rigolo).
Hearing about silver weapons, Ghân explains he uses blowpipe darts, the spell ‘Flame Blade’ and (in emergency) a +2 Scimitar. Does Rigolo have any comment on this?
Riglo on Ghân’s questions, “I would think the magic Scimitar would work as well or better than silver, I don’t know what affect the ‘Flame Blade’ would have.”
Miron returns to his draft horse to sift through his belongings, transferring a few items into his backpack before quickly returning to the group. “I have no silver arrowheads myself,” he offers, “So any help in procuring some before we have need of them would be greatly appreciated.”
In response to Ghân’s request he happily introduces his goshawk, and politely introduces himself to Folca while they’re at it.
As he and his goshawk are happy to explain, his family has specialized in training hawks for a great deal of time. Every few years his hawk retires, to be replaced by a younger one.
I don’t think he came with a name… I’m assuming I should give him one?
Renee, “I am ready to continue, my patients are all in good shape and recovering. The fruits and vegetables that Ghân has provided in bounty will stand the camp in great shape. It sounds as if Riglo has some fear this creature might be numbered among the undead, if true I have some small if mostly untried skill in this area.”
As to the goshawk, he has no name in elvish or Westron, but his name in Hawk would roughly translate to “Swift brown like the freshly dug earth of a chipmunk in the spring of Ithilien Wing” son of “Exceptional Diver with eyes the shade of the full moon light spruce tree on a hazy summer night”.
So **Swift Wing ** would probably be adequate for referring to him.
