Middle Earth FA65 D&D Game: Next Adventure – (11th)

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764

Replying to Thoroncir, “Where are my manners, I am Ludvik son of Reinar and this is my sister-son Mikas son of Niclas.”

Gwaelur & Thoroncir were informed that there are 600 Dwarves in Rhûn that hold alleigiance to King Oluf son of Bænadikt .

Baygir is happy with the plan, “Good grazing to you.”

Thoroncir & Gwaelur are brought in. Mikas asks Gwaelur quietly, “Have you traveled far? I would like to go adventuring some day.”

They go through tunnels where Thoroncir has to stoop but finally reach after many twists and turns that have him lost and disoriented and magnificient huge and well lit chamber. Ludvik questions Gwaelur about Saruman in Dwarvish. (I’m assuming Gwaelur provides an info dump.)

Ludvik, “King Oluf, our cousin and his friend a Knight of King Aragorn, bring dire word of nefarious doings of the sniveling cowards to the south. This is Gwaelur son of Gwaelin of the Lonely Mountain and the Glittering Caves. His companion is Sir Thoroncir of Gondor.

The King asks many questions and most importantly how sure are you that Saruman has returned.

Ninthel continues her scouting and finds the map very accurate. The Orcs are quartered in the higher sections (purple on the map).

The Smithy is active but no signs of Saruman. She determines that about 60 orcs are quartered here and this night a dozen went on patrols at a time. There appears to be maybe 50 adult Gnomes and 18 juveniles. But at least 10 of the adults are not accounted for on the main levels.

The main level (in black) and the lower level (in red) have apartments for the gnomes. The Barracks on the lower level are not in use. There is an Alter to Maubin .

The armory and foundry are located on the lowest level (olive colored). There are shafts going deep with well built and maintained hoists in the lowest level. She verifies the lower escape route with a heavy sliding wall and gates. Unlike Goblins all the murder holes and traps seem to be oriented to the entrances and exit.

Does Ninthel dare the lower levels?

All is well with the main party.

765

Having bade farewell to stout-hearted Baygir for the moment with a further quiet word and an affectionate stroke of his neck, Thoroncir enters and, as he goes, looks around the Dwarven-caves with great interest. He naturally treats King Oluf with all due respect. He relies on Gwaelur to tell the monarch everything he needs to know about Saruman’s threat in order to recruit him and his people to our cause (and to provide the occasional Dwarvish interpretation for Thoroncir of what is being said, when needed). He will answer any questions the King or Ludvik son of Reinar might have.

766

Gwaelur bows deeply following proper dwarven etiquette perfectly. “Your majesty, it is unfortunately true. Saruman has assuredly returned.” Gwaelur proceeds with an infodump of the most recent adventures and everything they know to this point carefully leaving out all elven involvement. He specifically mentions Bitur and his fine knowledge of how the machinery works.

767

The information found so far seems pretty useful, and elves don’t live such long lives by being care-free. Ninthel will carefully try to return to the surface.

768

It looks like you very much have the King’s attention and interest. It would be a great time for a rousing speech and call to arms by a Persuasive warrior.

Ninthel finds the front entrance closed off, she can wait until it reopens, which might be hours or try something else to get out.

769

Sir Thoroncir, knight-errant of Gondor and captain of the Sea-knights of Linhir, rises. He says, as respectfully but as persuasively as he can, “O great Dwarven-king, having heard and been warned of the danger now posed to the Free Peoples of Middle-earth by the threatened return of so powerful and evil a wizard as Saruman, will you now please aid us? Will you stand with us, my lord, most royal Oluf, in refusing the thralldom that a resurrected and rapacious Curunir, the fallen Istari of dread memory, would surely impose upon us all?”

770

The King was already looking favorably on you two. The idea of the Gnomes working openly with Orcs is of great consternation to the King Oluf.

He stands, he raises his mug of dark Dwarven Ale and practically shouts, “Prepare for battle Dwarves of Steinføtter, we march to war. First troop leaves in the morning, send runners to all the halls and ask the ravens to spread the word to the farther halls.”

He is greeted by cheers and mugs crashing together. At least a few calls of “Death to the Gnomes” or “Death to the Orc lovers”. Which when you think of it is pretty much by Dwarven standards the worst insult there is.

As 6 young Dwarves run out, full mugs of ale are shoved into the hands of Thoroncir & Gwaelur. Thoroncir knows the only diplomatic thing is to make a show of drinking some. He finds this ale strangely tasty and mellow. Far better than the stuff from home and as good but different from the famed ale of the Prancing Pony. Gwaelur if pressed would probably admit it is better than the ale of his people and he realizes stronger.

Summary

It is pretty much a Baltic Porter.

After about 15 minutes of toasting and shouting, the King calls for quiet. He pulls in his guests and his Captains that have now arrived. After an hour of tactical discussion, here is the plan.

60 Dwarves on Ponies will leave before first light. Veterans and cross bowyers. They’ll be at the Gnomes within two days.
Another 300 Heavy Infantry will set out as soon as possible with war wagons and will arrive early June 22nd.
An additional 200 will arrive in groups of 30-50 over the next 3 days after that.

771

Thoroncir, after a refreshing mug (or two) of this most excellent ale, says, “I thank you, O King, for your wise and courageous decision. My friend and companion Gwaelur and I are deeply grateful, and we look forward to riding forth with you to confront those who would shackle your people, and ours.”

772

A bit later in the night, (like 11:45pm) Thoroncir would be awoken by a sending from Hejren checking in. While he has nothing but good news, he and Gwaelur should probably rush back to give the party full strength.

773

Thoroncir agrees. He tells Gwaelur, and then the king or his steward, begging leave to depart with Gwaelur at first light. If permission is given, he will ensure that Baygir is fed, brushed and curried, and comfortably quartered for the night.

774

Ninthel will slink back up to the great room where she spotted the window. She looks to see how difficult it would be to open it and crawl out. If it looks too challenging or risks rousing the attention of the enemy, she can use her little bit of elven magic to misty step. All she needs is to be able to see out the window.

775

The window won’t open but the Misty Step works fine and she makes it back to the party without problems bringing a detailed map to discuss.

776

Gilraen welcomes Ninthel back, “What have you learned of the enemy? What can we do to slow their plans?”

777

By King Oluf’s leave, Thoroncir and Gwaelur will ride back to meet with the party, leaving detailed directions for the Dwarven army’s route.

778

On their ride back Gwaelur and Thoroncir spend some time chatting.

“So, you like riding around all the time like this do ya? Seems like a good way to get your legs to stop working right to me.”

Other possible topics of conversation include “So, have you and the lady Gilraen set a date for the wedding yet?” and “what do you see as the advantages of a sword over an axe? Ever given changing your weapon of choice up any thought?” as well as “top ten ales you have ever had, and top twenty taverns of all time.”

779

Thoroncir laughs. “My legs still work just fine, friend Gwaelur. If you would like a footrace sometime by way of proof, I would be glad to see just how well my legs compare to yours. But come, you must admit that wingfooted Baygir takes us where we need to go faster than either of us could run, while leaving us much less fatigued… if not less saddle-sore.”

More soberly, he says, “The lady Gilraen and I have plighted our troth, and have her royal parents’ blessing, and we would wed tomorrow, nay, this afternoon, if we could. But they believe she is too young to marry just yet. Her elder sister, the fair Silmariën ('though not so fair as Gilraen, in my opinion), is also not yet wed, and in royal circles it would be… awkward if the younger were to marry before the elder.”

As the miles roll past, he muses, “I have always wielded a sword and, meaning no disrespect to the favored weapon of the Dwarves, have found it a more versatile weapon than an axe, on the few occasions when I have, forced by circumstances, taken up axes. If you would instruct me in the proper use of the axe in combat,” he allows, “perhaps I would change my views of the matter.”

“Hmm. Top ten ales? And twenty best taverns? Well, the Prancing Pony in Bree and its offerings must perforce appear on both lists, I think, but let me see…”

780

Ceol listens to the information which Hejren, Felareth, and Ninthel share about the gnomes’ fortress, and their various allies.

“Far more than we would hope to be able to fight in one sally, though perhaps we can draw some out first. If Ninthel did not see any sign of Saruman, he must be in the lower levels, if he is still in the fortress at all.”

The tall Eorlingas thinks for a time. “Thank you for taking the risks you did to learn all of this. Perhaps Gwaelur and Thoroncir will learn more that can help us, as well.”

781

June 20th Thoroncir & Gwaelur have return. The Party needs to plan.

Keep in mind
June 21st 60 Dwarves on Ponies will leave before first light. Veterans and cross bowyers. They’ll be at the Gnomes within two days.
Another 300 Heavy Infantry will set out as soon as possible with war wagons and will arrive early June 22nd.
June 23rd to 25th: An additional 200 will arrive in groups of 30-50 over the next 3 days after that.

Still no word from the Elves.

782

Thoroncir is grateful to Gwaelur for going “there and back again” with him, and now glad to be back with the party. Gilraen has done well in his absence, he hopes.

783

OK, Ghan summarises what we know - so we can make a plan.

  • Saruman is in a new fearsome body
  • the body was probably made by gnomes in a nearby Fortress complex
  • there are several levels to the Fortress and Ninthel has mapped the top one (see Dec 14 post for map)
  • there are at least 60 orcs and 50 adult gnomes in the top level
  • we have some Dwarf allies arriving in three groups (first 60 dwarves arrive in 2 days)

So one possibility is to attack with just the 60 dwarves.
Another would be to wait for another 300 dwarves to join us soon afterwards.