:eek::smack:
DM, I **really **enjoyed getting out my elderly battered copy of ‘Fellowship’, unfolding the map and seeing everything that you mention. Shared culture is great! 
Ghân has taken some time to understand the various routes. He comments…
Anduin route:
Ghân’s not very good on boats… and doesn’t the Anduin flow strongly to the Bay of Belfalas (which means we’ll be rowing against the current all the way?)
Minas Tirth to Tharbad sounds fine. Again Ghân would prefer not the river continuation route, but the ‘small paths’ choice.
In general, with Folca (and Brownie) scouting, we are better off in the open countryside than on water.
Also it’s a long way, so it makes sense to use roads.
Ghân will happily accompany anyone buying an animal e.g. as a mount. He can hopefully find a healthy animal who is keen to adventure…
Elfstan, Ghân thinks that Anca would see you more as a giant Goodberry than a rider! :eek:
1500gp for the gloves and 104gp for the Lantern & Oil.
Ghân said that he would sell them to you at cost. So 1gp per dose.
Deor could cobble up some sleep doses for a cost of 10gp for a dose or 200gp for 50 doses. He would again need to set a price for you.
Malacandra: 
Well executed!
…Albeit one with a rather tough rind.
…and a bit of a sting.
We’re down to one or two items for Mulligan, requiring a price from Deor and verifying a horse for Ghân.
It sounds like the options of the road to Tharbad and then cross country to the Last Bridge is the most favored. You might want to hire a guide for that part. They should exist.
**What is the concensus on offering escort? You could advertise for Edoras, Aglarond area, Tharbad and the Last Bridge. **
Renee is looking forward to visiting Rivendell. You do not see her often as she is working in the House of Healing or in the Citadel.
Quick Note: Gilraen picked up Gloves of Healing: Gives a +2 per Die for cure spells. ∴ Her Cure lights are 2d8+4.
I wouldn’t be averse to offering escort others; could get some interesting NPCs that way. Otherwise let’s just bring Curunauth along.
Yes, please, let’s advertise. Everything up to Tharbad should be fairly quick* and on good roads, anyway.
For a friend that I trust? Sleep doses would be 11 gp a piece, 225 for 50. I’d give them at cost, but in the world of protectionist magic that What Exit? has set up, Deor can’t quite bring himself to do it. By the way, what am I doing here, exactly? Casting [color=blue]Sleep into a potion?[/color]
*Yes, I realize that just saying this means ambush after ambush. Still.
Are there any more of those?
How much do they cost?
Ghân has picked up a Light Riding Horse (called Scout), so can keep up with the party.
He’s going to contact his tribe - and may then have a little something to offer the whole party.
If it’s birchbark tea, I’ll pass.
Elfstan is fine with the idea of offering to escort those who may be in need of protection. However, he also believes that we should screen any prospects. We don’t need a knife in our own backs at a critical time. A certain story from Grandpa Samwise about stairs and a cave is coming to mind.
Deor is using his alchemy skill, not his magic spells.
Sadly there are no more gloves and it cost Gilraen her entire 2000gp share. However, she can loan them to you when the battle is over and it is triage time.
If advertising, someone created the Ad. Do you use just the bars in the lowest ring or also send a swift rider to Osgiliath and one or two local farm taverns?
Ghân echoes this advice.
How about this broadsheet, dated today and posted in the White City’s ten best inns:
*BE IT KNOWN that a strong and experienced party led by the noble Elf-captain GIL-GANDEL will be leaving shortly from Minas Tirith for THARBAD in the North Kingdom, and is willing to escort a limited number of additional travelers there. Applicants must provide three brief letters of reference and an address at which you can be reached in this city. You will be contacted for a brief interview, if necessary. If accepted, you agree to obey the lawful orders of the party’s leaders; assist in any camp duties; share in equal measure any necessary expenses along the way; and provide your own provisions and means of transportation. The party regrets that those limited to travel afoot cannot be accommodated.
Apply to SIR THORONCIR, Knight-errant of Gondor and Linhir, at the Citadel no later than two days hence.
May Eru and the Valar always bless and keep our beloved lord and sovereign, KING ELESSAR. Long may he reign!*
Are we offering the service for free?
I personally think we should offer this for free, but if there’s a consensus that we charge a fee, it should be determined by the applicant’s resources.
On further thought, proposed revisions in bold:
BE IT KNOWN that a strong and experienced party led by the noble Elf-captain GIL-GANDEL will be leaving shortly from Minas Tirith for THARBAD in the North Kingdom, and is willing to escort a limited number of additional travelers there. Applicants must provide three brief letters of reference, a short statement of the purpose of your journey, and an address at which you can be reached in this city. You will be contacted for a brief interview, if necessary. If accepted, you agree to obey the lawful orders of the party’s leaders; assist in any camp duties; share in equal measure any necessary expenses along the way; and provide your own provisions and means of transportation. The party regrets that those limited to travel afoot cannot be accommodated.
Apply in writing to SIR THORONCIR, Knight-errant of Gondor and Linhir, at the Citadel no later than two days hence.
May Eru and the Valar always bless and keep our beloved lord and sovereign, KING ELESSAR. Long may he reign!
After reading the latest revision Elfstan says to Thoroncir, “Some people in need of escort may not have three sets reference letters handy. For that matter, if they’re like some Bracegirdles I’ve met, they might even have a hard time writing a statement. Maybe a short interview with party members would be enough?”
He pauses and then adds with a wry smile, “That and a spell to detect evil of course.”
Curunauth offered to pay a nominal fee. How about we find out what a fair fee is for escort to the various destinations. We can then modify what we charge others based on need and ability to pay. I don’t think we should get hung up on either pay or other travelers though. Our main goal is to get Curunauth and ourselves to Rivendell where we can help with the problem Curunauth mentioned.
Just to add…
Elfstan’s idea is to have all potential travelers meet us in the common room at the Elfstone Inn a day or two before we depart. One of our casters then does a detect evil. Anyone questionable is asked to leave by a burly dwarf with a big axe and a Knight of Gondor. The Hobbit lass will be saved for those who are really unruly. 
After sorting out any potentially evil travelers, the rest will be given short, private interviews with the before mentioned Knight and several other party members. The party members can then compare notes and make a quick decision while the travelers enjoy a pint at the inn. We can then negotiate a fee (or not) before they leave, wrapping it all up in one sitting.