As the debate continues into the evening, the company sets watch and stays quiet as prepared.
At 9pm a single figure approaches and gets within easy eyesight of Gil-Gandel who is on watch. Gwaelur recognizes the figure as Riglo.
Riglo greets the party and gets brought up to speed. He greets Hodwain reservedly.
His opinion, "Let us at least wait out the night and let the spell casters be at full. Having two invisible Hobbits would not hurt. If we attack first thing in the morning, I would welcome Hodwain’s help. It sounds like Hodwain, Gwaelur and myself supported by the archers could hold any hall in this mound. That leaves the spell casters and archers to protect us from their spell casters and the Hobbits to spy and cause confusion. As to the kind offer of the Mead of Life, can Ghân, Renee and Deor determine if it is safe or has Gil-Gandel at least heard of it before?”
Ghân, Renee, Miron are all excellent Herbologist. Ghân can also ID pure water and Deor has some Alchemy training. Riglo does not know about Miron’s herbology skills, so he did not mention them. Gil-Gandel has not heard of Mead of Life but it might be a secret in the Anduin Valley.
I will post an updated map tonight of the mound if the party is going to assault it.
“I would be happy to help examine the potion as well,” Miron offers, peering at Hodwain curiously as he inquires “Is the potion’s makeup a secret, or would you be willing to share the recipe with fellow herbologists?”
Riglo relates, “I found signs of several more, small orc groups. I think we tumbled the largest already and it is under guard. It makes sense as it appears to be a way in and out of Mordor near to Barad-Dur. I believe there are at least three more Orc lairs of similar population levels to this one. From your descriptions of this hill fort, it may be a 1st age pre-Sauron fort that the Orcs buried and further excavated over the millenniums, I doubt it was ever a fort of Gondor. It looks like nearly all of these lairs of greatly depleted from the numbers they could hold. If true a good sign for Gondor and Nûrn.”
Deor’s not trusting enough to drink anything he doesn’t understand. If Hodwain’s willing to reveal the ingredients (preferably to Deor, but probably still acceptable if to Renee or Ghan), there’s a chance he’ll do it.
Deor supports a daylight raid- it’s a slight risk, but we’ll have a clear line of retreat and the orcs and Vampire would be weakest during the day.
Although the DM may not require this vampire to conform to “real-world” vampire rules, I wonder if it’s not worth trying some as they are listed in the Monster Manual (at least for 3.5, which is what I’m looking at). Maybe Ghan or one of the rangers can come up with some garlic (which would give us an excellent indication of whether Hodwain could be a Vampire in disguise) or some sharp wooden stakes. It goes beyond MM rules, but “real-world” vampires are also supposed to be distracted by seeds thrown on the ground, and I’m sure a Druid could come up with a handful of seeds with little trouble.
Ghân explains to Hodwain that the party is nervous / /cautious because they are in wilderness with orc tribes and a vastly experienced Shapechanging Undead about.
He makes sure Hodwain has clear directions to Minas Tirith, plus a guide to possible wilderness dangers and an idea how to contact the authorities there.
Ghân then asks if Hodwain will let a fellow animal + plant lover into his Mead recipe secret. Ghân promises to tell no-one, and to use the Potion only to defeat Evil + protect Nature.
I prefer an attack in the morning, everyone will be recovered and we can cause more havoc that way. The Orcs should be fairly sleepy and unaware.
I suggest Elfstan and I sneak back in first thing and check to see if anything has changed, prisoners found, orcs miserable, details of where and when the vampire is and will apear.
After that, we let you into the fort and we deal with the place.
If Renee and Ghan are happy with the brewing of the Mead of Life, I’ll try some.
And doesn’t anyone think that if Hodwain were not on the level, that Missy would have gone ballistic by now. My instincts may be flawed, but I bet that hers are not. No offence, Hodwain.
Plea from me the Ref, the Vampire, probably known as Grilianch is not undead and nothing like the vampires of the book. He or she is more of a demonic figure. In their natural form, they are bat-like humanoids that fly well and swiftly. The shape changing power is not guaranteed and the vampire may have magic use.
Hodwain takes Ghân aside and explains, “The Mead of Life is not just a matter of mixing the right ingredients, and it is a family secret that we rarely let other’s partake of. Even if I chose to violate my family’s trust, I could not anyway, as a goodly portion of the magic comes from what you would consider a spell that I cannot teach, just as I cannot teach you to change your shape. I understand your fears and I am but a stranger from a strange land. I take no offense though I did hope you would trust me, usually people do.”
Renee, “If Hodwain was a vampire or undead, I am sure Missy would sense the foulness, however she could not tell if he were evil and intending to poison or drug us.” Slight pause, “Not that I wish to imply that I think you have any such intentions, in fact, I believe you are good and intend only to help us. If there is spell involved and it supports life and safety, I can perhaps aid you and increase its potency.”
When she gets a chance, she motions Mulligan over and whispers very quietly, “Mulligan, are you there?” A short pause to allow for a quick response. “I will have Know Alignment in the morning and I will use it. Please inform everyone else secretly. If he allows my help with my song, I should have a strong feeling if the magic is for good or for ill.”
Hodwain, “My fair elfen lady, I should be most pleased with your help. This is a strange power I have never heard of save among the elves. There might be more elven blood in your background than even you believe.”
Renee laughs as does perhaps a few other party members, “I know exactly how much of my background is elven, my family keeps record like many other high Dunedain nobles that reach back to Númenor and before.”
Riglo, “Perhaps we should hit at least one of their raiding parties tonight and try to get a lot more information about Grilianch and what powers this creature has.”
Hopefully in a few in game Days, it will be the Vampire that used to be known as Grilianch.
I will pass word round discretely.
When they said Renee was as beautiful as some of the Elves, they were not idly talking in jest were they. It does happen on occasion or so I have heard.
A sound idea, after all, they seem in fear of it and only seem to suffer it to maintain some form of independence from the Shaman that was killed in our last battle. They might change their minds if they knew what we knew.
Miron is all for hitting some of the raiding parties, if only to decrease the number of foes we’ll have to fight at one time. He does, however, warn that if we chose to take the raiding parties we’ll be committing to the dawn raid, as if the patrol or patrols fail to report in it will likely put the remaining orcs on alert.
For the Record, Renee has a charisma of 18 and as she is only 16 she may actually go up higher as she matures. I believe Mulligan is one of the party members that know who she really is. I might be wrong at this point. This would of course mean she is over 3/8th elven. Her mother is among the fairest Children of Illuvatar that even lived. Arwen is compared to Tinuviel and considered by many to be more fair than her Grandmother Galadriel who was the fairest of the Noldor.
Renee clearly looks as elven as the Princes of Dol Amroth or the children of Arwen and Aragorn.
Elfstan is ready to support the party however he is asked and is looking forward to more adventures with Mulligan. He trusts the intuition of Renee and Missy and will try the Mead if Renee gives it her blessing. For now he decides to try to get some rest while the Big Folk make up their minds.
That is Thoroncir’s thought, as well. If we attack a raiding party now we may lose the element of surprise come the morning. Whoever goes will also be out and exposed if the vampire comes by. But if there is to be an attack, he will be in the forefront. His longsword has been dry for too long already.
Thoroncir smiles at Hodwain’s remarks about Renee’s background and looks admiringly at the fair maiden.
Hodwain takes Ghân aside and explains, “The Mead of Life is not just a matter of mixing the right ingredients, and it is a family secret that we rarely let other’s partake of. Even if I chose to violate my family’s trust, I could not anyway, as a goodly portion of the magic comes from what you would consider a spell that I cannot teach, just as I cannot teach you to change your shape. I understand your fears and I am but a stranger from a strange land. I take no offense though I did hope you would trust me, usually people do.”
Ghân thanks Hodwain and says he will try to help Hodwin reach Minas Tirith.
Ghân says to the party:
if genuine, Hodwain has an important diplomatic mission (if not, we certainly don’t want to go into the orc lair with him)
we don’t know enough about the Vampire (it’s not Undead; it may use magic etc…)
the orcs don’t know we are here
Therefore we should now accompany Hodwain to Minas Tirith, introduce him to the right people, learn all we can about the Ancient Being and then return here to kill it.
Riglo replies to Ghân, “That is not a bad plan. The Vampire does not appear to be going anywhere. I found out what I need to about these other Orc lairs, we seemed to have found the largest one in the area. The Vampire is mainly feeding on Orcs, so if he continues for a few more months it is not real problem. Hodwain’s mission sounds important and your company can probably ride there and back again quickly enough to help stead the main Orc lair and these smaller ones. I am sure we can find a horse or two for Hodwain to borrow. I would stay with Caramir at that point. I might venture over the pass and into Mordor itself next to do some more scouting.”
Miron seems to be satisfied by the plan as well - “I can’t help but worry, considering getting into a fight with an enemy that we know virtually nothing about.”
Thoroncir grimaces. “We may be leaving some who are not orcs at hazard in this region by leaving now; the orcs will also have the opportunity to reinforce their lair. I still think we should stay and attack; with Hodwain’s help, if he’s willing to give it.” He sighs. “But as ever, I will abide by the orders of Gil-Gandel or Ghan.”
I sense the GM’s hand in glee’s most recent post. :dubious:
It just makes sense to Riglo and I am trying to keep the NPC with semi-distinct personalities. Renee did not speak up and Hodwain would enjoy killing a bunch of orcs before lunch.
