Earlier Ghân finished curing Riglo with 3 cure lights. In the morning only Brin will be down and only 1 point.
Theogrim did bring the mounts a few spares and an extra large one for your guest.
The attack was completely out of character for the vampire, but I had no way to properly convey the clues as no one in the party knew enough about them. Only Gil-Gandel would know enough to be suspicious and not enough to know what it meant. Elenwë who is familiar with these creatures found the clues led to only one answer. Arwen or Legolas would have given you the same answer.
As it is dark it is not the best time to canvas for plants even for an elf. Nor for Swift Wing to fly. In the morning, they will need every Elf and Ranger and Dwarf and Hobbit looking for the hidden entrance. It might take a while but it will give Swift Wing plenty of time to fly.
Elenwë specifically addresses the Hobbits, “I believe you are both relatives of the companion of my brother among the nine walkers. I greet you. I have had a chance to meet Merry and Pippin, but I never met Samwise. I am happy to meet his Grandson and Heir. I have heard good things of Peregrine Took’s nephew. Theogrim and Caramir both spoke well of you. With you two along, I am sure a mere vampire stood no chance at all.”
Ghân recognizes the Unicorn or Minaras by reputation. His people know of them and Radagast passed on some information. They will nearly never act as mounts, are even more likely to fight the servants of the dark ones than the Eagles and usually remain hidden away. They have many magics associated with them. For Elenwë to ride one is quite exceptional. Your people have seen their relatives in the Druadan Forest and hunting or injuring one was considered worse than even kin slaying. There is an old tale of the One Horned Deer rescuing 3 Druadan children from invading orcs and all three live long and successful lives, but never eating venison or wearing buckskin. Ghân has of course never seen one before.
Ghân also believes that Neeya is abnormally large and that most of the Unicorns he has heard of could be ridden by any larger than a Hobbit.
Thoroncir volunteers to stand the first watch after dinner. He will, at the first opportunity, approach Renee alone and say, “My lady, I could not help but notice that you seemed reluctant to speak with Elenwe. May I ask why? If you fear she will recognize you as Princess Gilraen and reveal this to the others, I would be happy to speak to her privately and explain your wishes. If it is something else, may I be of any assistance?”
“Should I have a word with her on your behalf?” Thoroncir asks gently. “If you wish, I will. Or would you rather approach her yourself? I don’t think you can avoid her indefinitely.”
Well considering there are 30 riders now added to the camp, I guess I can look forward to a good nights unbroken sleep.
Definitely looking forward to searching the hill side in the morning for a dark creature lair, mainly to pit my wits against its creator and find new treasure within.
Cooking for so many could be interesting, we are going to need a bigger firepit.
Deor, since Ghân has ‘flexibility’ over his spells, this means he can cast Detect Magic up to 4 times tomorrow (even though he ‘loaded’ it only once…)
So would you like to take another Identify (or anything else)?
I suspect this creature is far more intelligent than an animal, and I wouldn’t rule out it being more intelligent than either of us
A good night’s sleep, then, and much searching of the surroundings come the morning. What between elves, dwarves, hobbits, rangers, and our assorted bestiary, I have quite high hopes.
Theogrim thumps Deor on the back and teases him, “It has only been a few days, that Vampire must have really shook you up.”
Renee to Thoroncir, “For now let us wait, I don’t expect we will be with Elenwë for very long. I am actually quite good at not being noticed.”
**It is the morning of June 12th **and according to Ghân’s Predict Weather the day will be clear and sunny and hot. It should hit a high of 87°. It is now 6am and only 70°.
The One Horned Deer speaks the languages of all Deer and thus Ghân’s Speak With Animals does work. Neeya is a very intelligent creature. Probably more than any animal Ghân has met.
Brin will take a Goodberry in the morning with thanks.
There are several horses that also appreciate your attention in the morning. The hunting is good for the Birds, Fang and the Wild Cat so they do not need berries today. The wild polecat successfully brings down enough food for both and shares with Brin’s young polecat.
When Ghân speaks to him, the polecat says it is willing to stay with Brin for now and help train the young one. The Wild Cat informs Ghân that it has chosen Mulligan to be his person.
Mulligan has the aid of 4 of the riders and Hodwain. They cook up a good meal but Hodwain seems to be trying to compose a song about the beauty of Elenwë, he doesn’t sound like he is doing well so far.
By 7am the party is searching the hill. It takes until 9am and it is actually Fang that finds the door. On the East side if the Hill behind some heavy brambles that makes approach from the ground very hard for any but Fang and the Hobbits, a old stone door is hidden and closed tightly. No gaps exist. The brambles will probably need to be cleared out.
Renee took a Detect Evil today, instead of her Purify Food and Water.
Thoroncir will hack away the brambles with his longsword, and help Gwaelur check for traps or deadfalls, if he’s willing. Thoroncir will then be first through the door, unless someone else wishes to go.
Renee, “When the party is ready, I will cast Find Traps which will last a full 30 minutes with a range of 30’ and then I will cast Detect Evil which will last only 25 minutes but has a 120 foot range.”
Much as I enjoy someone else going first setting off traps, perhaps you had better let me and Elfstan. Of course, Renee is going to take all the danger (and the fun) out of it.
If we do find a large and scary monster, we will let you handle it.
@Hodwain: “Don’t be downhearted. There are minstrels the length and breadth of Greenwood who have been unable properly to sing the beauty of Elenwë”.
It’d be no bad thing if Ghân gave any brambles the once-over - and he should be able to investigate whatever’s behind them without too much inconvenience to himself.
Miron volunteers to walk with or directly behind Thoroncir, so that he might use his bow to distract any foes that try to fall upon the hobbits as they explore.
Beware. Some DMs would take this as incitement. Renee just might pout and suddenly decide that it was time to wash her silky, lustrous, full-bodied hair as Grilianch’s three bigger, meaner brothers tore into the party.
