I vote Rivendell as the next stop.
Ghan is also willing to be a contact (and can speak to any new mounts we get.)
“Mistress, we are greatly in your debt. Hopefully our next meeting will be a happier one. May the Valar be with you.”
“Going through Rivendell is probably a bit more of a direct route to the Sea of Rhûn then Rohan, so I suggest we start with that plan, but be prepared for diverging from that route if Grávund catches on to the scent somewhere else. While the Petty Dwarves are concentrated in the environs of the Sea, we have no guarantees that it’s them, and even if it is, there are no doubt communities in other locations.”
Ceol nods. “While I know that the Eorlingas would gladly provide us with horses – and there are no finer horses in Middle-Earth than those of Rohan…” He gives a rare smile. “…taking a route through Edoras would take us south, and quite possibly too far south. Since we do not know exactly where Saruman will appear, a more central location, like Rivendell, seems to be a better choice for us.”
“Indeed, a visit to Rivendell to await news of Saruman’s new arising would be most welome. That being said, the land of Arnor is wide, and we must cross many leagues to get there in a timely fashion.”
Gilraen says, “I’m certain we can pick up extra horses at Lake Evendim and then even more at Fornost. If we treat this as a long distance race, we could be to Rivendell very swiftly. Mirëgol please ask them to be ready to lead us in. Though I think I can find the path.”
Mirëgol suggests, “Ghân could Conjure Animals 3 times to get 8 riding horses or 4 Warhorses. This would spell the horses 3 times. Then use this riding system until you get enough horses.”
Baygir has Thoroncir & Gwaelur. Baygir is the fastest horse and magically enduring.
Leofwin could handle Ceol & Felareth without issue. Strong and enduring.
Kali can carry Gilraen & Bitur who can put Grávund in that special bag and probably his half plate. Fast and enduring
Palafax has Ghân & Anca the War Dog Fast horse
Altair can handle Hejren & Fang the Wolf
So as Baygir won’t tire, summon 4 War Horses every 2 hours and travel 11 hours a day at 7mph or 77 miles per day. The healers will need to attend to the horses and riders and Goodberries will help. 3 days to Evendim (about 200 miles)
Then with more horses to make it easier, 100 miles to Fornost. Get even more horses and 250 miles to the Bridge and finally 110 to Rivendell. So at least you’ll make Rivendell in 9 days tops for whatever happens with countdown.
Ghân give the ponies instructions to return to Wovell and we’ll look after them for you at the Havens.
Sandy speaks up, “I’ll take the ponies back, no one will be looking for us and I should be able to protect them. That will let you return to the Havens all the quickly my Lady.”
Altair.
Ghan is happy to conjure the mounts as suggested.
He can also shape change himself to become a horse if that helps.
Maybe of the last leg of each day. You could relieve any tiring horse. Altair is just a riding horse of normal speed so probably the one in most need of relief. Also as you can shapechange to a ½cr creature (that doesn’t fly) a warhorse is possible.
On that note, Hejren can go from a 100 pound Elf to 2 pounds Black Heron.
Finally Felareth can give a horse a break from up to 500 pounds for an hour at a time with Tenser’s Floating Disk. Technically I think he could do this for up to 10 hours a day.
Ritual casting doesn’t cost a spell slot, and Wizards don’t need to prepare a spell to be able to ritual cast it - just have it in their spellbook. Hence he could cast the spell many more than 10 times per day; but it will mean stopping for 10 minutes each time it needs ritual recasting.
Alternately, by prepping the spell he could cast it 10 times (that being the number of spell slots he has) and then resort to ritual casting if we still needed to continue.
Gilraen asks, “Felareth, can you teach that spell to Hejren? Then she could also bring up a floating platform. Each platform could support a Dwarf & a canine or some such mix. It will probably be a lot more comfortable for them and the horses.”
"I don’t see why not, ma’am. If there is enough of the needed inks to hand, it can be learned in two hours.
“Hejren, have you enough to copy a first level spell into your book? If you do, and are willing to learn it, let’s proceed.”
“I believe I have sufficient reagents on hand, thus I hereby accept your gracious offer.”
So the strange race begins … 13 hours each day with 10 minutes breaks they’re in the saddle or on the disks. The healers use their arts on the riders and mounts. But they move, oh they move. Driving the Warhorses extra hard as they are but summoned creatures. They cover 90 miles a day.
70’ Palafax Ghân 100lbs
60’ Leofwin Ceol 225lbs
60’ Altair Hejren 100lbs
Float Disk : Gwaelur, Fang & Anca
70’ Kali Gilraen 90lbs & Felareth 40lbs
Float Disk : Bitur & Gravund
75’ Baygir Thoroncir 180lbs
They make it to Evendim early on Date: June 1 and get 7 more horses. Now Ghân can relax from the Conjure Animals at least. The next day at Fornost Date: June 2 they pick up another 13 warhorses. The loyal Steward at Fornost Halafas son of Halbarad was contacted by Queen Arwen who was contacted by Mirëgol. At this point Altair will get to graze as will the horses of Lake Evedim. The riders swap horses often. Ride them hard, fresh horses await you at Amon Sûl. The miles fly by and soon enough they reach the Hoarwell Bridge, what was known as the Last Bridge. Here as the party rest, Bitur is now certain they must get to the Sea of Rhûn. He’s had a lot of time on the Disk to figure out as much as possible about the machine. Date: June 5
Date: June 6 Hejren Portents: 12, 3 At 3am the guards make out a party of Elves coming towards them from the East. They are led by the Lore Bard Lindir.
He sings out, “Hail and well met party of the Princess. Lord Celeborn sends his greetings. We bring you aid and refreshment.”
“For the brave Knight of Oromë, a magic saddle of the Nahar that allows the horse to move swifter and more enduringly. +10’ and 12 hours.”
“For Hejren, we introduce you to Liessa, a young and swift Elven Mare. She will run tirelessly over the many leagues ahead and if you treat her well, perhaps she will keep you as her companion. A little secret, get her apples.”
Elven Horses are rare and you do not own them. You befriend them. They’re very long lived and tireless and can trot for longer than a horse can walk so their speed is effectively 90’. They are fearless, but not fighters.
“For Gilraen & Ghân, bridle for Kali & Palafax that will increase their endurance and health.”
The rest of the elves prepare a feast in the meantime and during the feast Lindir speaks to the party about all the know of Saruman and the machine. He relates the Petty Dwarves are led by a Lord Khîm son of Nîm and are known to trade with the Easterlings and orcs.
The party can now travel 95 miles per day, taking 14+ hours.
70’ Palafax Ghân 100lbs
70’ Leofwin Ceol 225lbs
90’ Liessa Hejren 100lbs
Float Disk : Gwaelur, Fang & Anca
70’ Kali Gilraen 90lbs & Felareth 40lbs
Float Disk : Bitur & Gravund
75’ Baygir Thoroncir 180lbs
Ceol bows deeply to Lindir. “Thank you for this wondrous gift. It will be of tremendous use in our travels. Please convey my thanks to your lord, as well.”
Thoroncir bows as well. “Thank you, sir, for these gifts and for this feast. We are most grateful, especially given how far and how swiftly we have come thus far.”
Felareth will offer to use his ability to Comfort Cook a refreshing meal each night, to ease the aches and pains of the journey. He grins inwardly when thinking about Cousin Sandy’s likely reaction to the pace.
When the Elves arrive, he greets Lindir formally. “Elen síla lúmenn’ omentielvo” he says. “May your days in this Middle-earth be long and fruitful.”
He enjoys the feast - what Hobbit wouldn’t? He makes sure to sample many of the dishes, and triple portions of anything with mushrooms.
He would express interest in developing his cooking skill at some other time.
Before retiring again, he thanks Lindir for the food, and for the aid they are supplying for the race to head off Saruman’s return. He asks that Lindir convey his greetings to the brothers Elladan and Elrohir.
Bitur will contribute 4 gallons of ale generated by his Alchemy Jug to the feast.
“Not quite the quality you’ll get from a true craft brew, but it’s surprisingly decent, especially since I’m not quite sure where it comes from…”
Ghan will have offered herbs to the Elves for the meal.