Ghân expects this will involve the use of ‘special herbs’ (like the potion we were offered).
He’s still not sure about Hodwain…
Hodwain, “Mead and well packed corn meal and flour are the main ingredients. Honey is what will make it taste great and an herb called Cinnamon.”
Riglo gets the party to his hill and begins verifying it for tracks before letting the party go up the hill. He gives the all clear and Gwaelur begins building a quick fire pit. Riglo says he will be back shortly with a scouting report and some fresh water.
Riglo, “One benefit of the heavy fog, it looks like the Crebain gave up. Make sure that fire is nearly smokeless.”
Any abnormal preps at the camp for daylight?
::Said privately to Ghân:: I’ll keep an eye on his cooking and see what he does.
Don’t get comfy everyone. A rest for a short while and then off again.
I suggest we have pair of watches around the area to keep an eye out and allow people to recover as well.
“Cinnamon?” What new deviltry is this? 
Thoroncir will settle in near Renee, offer her some water from his flask, and keep an eye out over the countryside. He will ask Elfstan, Miron and Gil-Gandel to do the same, so that we have all approaches covered.
Elfstan will keep watch, letting one of the sharp eyed elves take the direction that we came from. He will use his cloak and his skills to blend into the surroundings. As he settles in, he realizes that he’s been using his “treasure finding” abilities almost non stop since meeting this group. He wonders what his parents and old Grandpa Samwise would think.
Are there any trees in the area? If so, Deor will set Folca (still Invisible) to watch from a tree.
Good idea. Could we have one of the birds on “combat air patrol” overhead for the whole time we’re stopped?
Ghân will keep Brownie out of it, so we have a night guard.
But he will ask Fang to sniff the air for danger.
He will also speak to all our new animal friends and find out:
- do they want to go home?
- do they want to stay with any of us?
- if stay, do they understand what an adventuring lifestyle is like?
- do they have any preferred companions already?
Ghân will tell the party what he finds and see if he can do some matching!
(He’s interested himself, but will check with Fang if it’s OK.)
The Wild Cat is content to stay with Mulligan for now. He spends the break hunting.
The Polecat doesn’t know where it should go, but the younger one seems friendly enough and she would stay with him if his human is OK with it or with you the short human that is intelligent enough to talk to her.
Folca can easily keep guard during lunch as could Swiftwing.
Hodwain’s meal is excellent and he is happy to share his cooking secrets with Mulligan. Mulligan is convinced between Hodwain’s singing and cooking that this man, this Beorning could not possibly be evil.
Riglo returns almost exactly as the Hodwain’s flat round cakes he cooked in a pan are ready. Riglo has refilled most of the waterskins.
The round flatcakes are wonderful, filling and very tasty. They shore up the Hobbits especially and the humans well. Even the Elves find much to enjoy about them.
As everyone has their fill, a strange drowsiness settles over the party, but Renee gives a shout, “Awake! The vampire is at work again. We are found and another foul spell must be averted. Oh Awake everyone!”
The elves are easily roused and Gwaelur shakes it off quickly. Hodwain and the Hobbits are the toughest to arouse.
A fog starks up again, but Renee again kindles her bauble. This time she does not sing the Song of Este but rather a song of Elbereth the Kindler of Stars. Gil-Gandel knows the tune and quickly joins in and the Elfstan is surprised to recognize the song. It is one his mom use to sing to him and that he recalls she said the her father Samwise learned from Bilbo Baggins himself.
The singing bring Elfstan and Hodwain to singing with Hodwain adding a very gusty baritone to the chorus.
Riglo throws all the wood on the fire to make it flame brighter and some strange powder makes it flare up bright.
What does the party do?
Well, the birds were a big help, weren’t they?
Thoroncir draws his longsword and stands between Renee and the fog. He calls to the party to close ranks with warriors and bowmen to the front, facing the vampire’s approach from any quarter. He remembers learning Elbereth when he was a boy, and will join in the singing.
I’m going to regret that aren’t I. At least I’ll be a better cook for it
Well, do we defend this spot or move again?
If we get a notion that the Vampire is moving in Invisibly, Deor will try using Smokepuff to identify exactly where the enemy might be.
As he sings along with Renee, Elfstan makes sure his silver (+1 magic) sling bullets are handy.
So, we’re on top of a hill where we could see things approaching, except now there is fog again. We have some animals that should be able to sense things and the keen vision of the elves. We have a fire and are somewhat prepared. It’s possible that any help that’s coming could see our fire. On the negative side, I’m not sure if we want to be on top of a hill with the Crebain around.
If we leave the hill, we will have less preparation and possibly get hit from behind. However, any step we take is potentially a step towards more help. Will this help be more than vampire-fodder though if the rank and file don’t have magical or silver weapons? Perhaps it’s our duty to face the vampire here ourselves rather than risk it slaughtering more men by leading it to them?
Thanks, Rogue. Overall, better that we stand our ground here, I think, but I’m willing to be outvoted.
High ground is an advantage for our archers, of which we have many. If there are trees in the area (and I think there are, because Riglo had wood to throw on the fire) then Deor can help out with Web. Deor would also like to remind everyone that the strands of the Web are flammable, and can burn the person that they hold if lit on fire, a possible good tactic.
I agree with standing our ground. We are in good position.
Gwaelur will ready his x-bow with the silver bolts.
Folca sees the skies darken to the East. Swiftwing climbs higher, much higher.
A few minutes later, Folca & Deor is sure it is hundreds of Crebains.
Folca climbs to a great height, soaring up above where crows and their cousins fly.
The Crebain dive in as arrows, sling bullets and bolts fly into the air to meet them. Hodwain shifts into his bear form and stands in front of the casters to block them with his body.
Ghân casts Barkskin on himself and wakes up Brownie, telling her to flee.
Make that ‘advises Brownie to flee if she can outfly Crebain…’. Otherwise she’s welcome to take her chances with the party.
I told our DM already, but I’m running into computer troubles, so until I’m sure I can connect reliably, I’d appreciate it if Miron could NPC his way through the next couple of days. ^^