"My name is Felareth Took. Merry was - is, since the best I know he still lives - my third cousin. A bear the same relation to Pippin. We’re all great-grandchildren of The Old Took himself.
"They left the Shire in the late spring of last year. I was one of many that rode with them as they set off, riding south from Sarn Ford on the southern boundary of the Shire.
"It’s an emptier place without them, and the wanderlust soon bit me again.
“Perhaps I’ll get to regale the gathering with a tale or two of them later.”
anyone that wants to post more in the tavern is welcome to, especially as a past tense post.
Mirëgol required a couple of days to determine how to repair the Elf Stone. She consulted with Gilraen whose bauble is also enchanted by Galadriel. Eventually she sent for Gilraen, Bitur, Ghân, Felareth the Bard and of course Hejren the archaeologist and historian along with several Elves of the Haven.
What is needed but missing is a few grams of Galvorn, the closest possible source would be a small amount in the hoard of the ancient troll chieftain of Mt Sininen. Far to the north in the Blue Mountains.
Would anyone here be willing to attempt to retrieve the Galvorn?
It would be a great deed and dangerous. It would also be most helpful for those that populate the Northern parts of Ered Luin. The trolls are dangerous. Felareth knows they have grown rich over the decades stealing from the Dwarves.
Mirëgol will stay here working on the Elfstone, but will try to help you if she can.
Ghan considers the matter carefully before he speaks.
“I left my tribe and my home to repay the King who gave my people their land.
Since Queen Arwen wishes to repair the Elfstone, that becomes something dear to my heart.
If it involves defeating evil, so much the better.”
Ceol bows to Mirëgol. “If this metal will make it possible to restore the Princess’s elfstone, then we must recover it. And, if doing so, and slaying the trolls which have it, brings peace to the area, all the better. I shall gladly undertake this quest.”
He’d come to enjoy this home away from home. The last two days hd been intellectually challenging, running down obscure references in Mirëgol’s libraryand offering suggestions, with the occasional spell thrown in – particularly the spell allowing translation of very old dialects.
It had been pleasant meeting the Princess Gilraen once again. Fortunately she did not remember the rides she would ask for in her pre-teen days, and how she would stare amazed at the floor through the invisible carriage. He was careful to treat her formally in this setting.
The evenings had been fun as well, regaling the patrons of the Half Pint with stories of Merry and Pippin, mostly light-hearted ones. He did tell the story of Merry’s ride with the Rohirrim, and the nickname of Master Bag. This led to a recounting of the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, and the lament for the fallen.
Still, he had to admit that it was time for a change of scenery, and his purse had begun to shrink. A stock of new stories was just what he needed to earn a bit more coin.
“I will join with you on this quest. Perhaps my bardic lore will be of use in the journey. And one of us has to cook decent dinners.”
Why was the name Galvorn bothering him. He was sure he’d heard of it once before.
"No Hejreth, it is not. This instrument is one of seven almost legendary music makers.
"In the land of Numenor, before it became corrupted by the desires of Men, there were seven colleges of Bardic lore. Their names have been preserved by bards down the ages - I learned them when I dwelt in Rivendell many years ago.
“Each college had its own special instrument, one of which was presented to newly anointed Masters of the college. This” and he paused to strike a chord, the mellow tones ringing through the room "was one of those special instruments.
"I do not know who bore it last, or how it came over the Sea to Middle-earth, but there is no doubt it is one. My powers of divination are not great, but they are sufficient to tell me this.
“I found it in a small building in the heart of the deserted city of Annuminas. No-one lives there, although it appears that the city has been kept in repair. Why I entered that building is not material now, but when I did I was drawn to the chamber containing this instrument, even before I knew it was there.”
Gilraen speaks up, “I will go to tend to the wounded, I doubt I will be much help beyond that.”
Her Estë Prayer song will give a Bless in 60’r, last 2r/lvl after done singing giving. Whenever a target makes an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the attack roll or saving throw.
So pretty useful support. she can aid up to 5 allies. It also gives the save bonus D4 to any non-combatants, like the horses, cat and bird(s).
Not very useful for combat, since it’s a concentration spell until it’s effect goes off, but it provides one touched creature with a d4 bonus to any attribute (skill) roll. It lasts up to a minute and ends when either the minute is up, the concentration is broken, or the attribute check is made. Also, the d4 can be rolled after the check is made which means you don’t have to use it until you need it. (Though, realistically how many attribute checks are you going to make in a minute where you’ll have the option to bank it?)
Ghan smiles at the enthusiasm of the party.
“I will stand with Princess Gilraen as a fellow Healer during combat. I can also help by summoning a wolf pack and speaking to animals we encounter.”
He then politely discusses healing strategy with the Princess.
With reflection and a bit of research it came to him.
The most famous creation of Eol the dark smith was not Galvorn. It was Anglachel.
Anglachel was one of two swords forged by Eol from star-metal - a fallen meteorite. It was also black, like Galvorn. For many years it resided in the treasury of Elu Thingol before he gave it to Beleg, his March-warden, when Beleg went to search for Turin. Beleg had to rescue Turin from Orcs. Turin woke and, believing Beleg to be an Orc in the darkness, slew Beleg with Anglachel.
Turin’s life toook many turns until, learning that he had made his lost sister pregnant and killed a cripple for saying so, took his life with the blade, which shattered.
But since Anglachel was not made of Galvorn, it would not contaminate the Elfstone with evil. He sighed with relief.
And the other sword? Eol kept Anguirel until it was stolen by Maeglin, his son, who later betrayed Gondolin to Morgoth.
Mirëgol will arrange passage by boat to the human town of Wovell. It is the northern most town on the River Lhûn that a ship that can carry horses can reach. This ship will deliver you in a day.
From there the trip by horseback should only be about 200 miles, but roads and trails get scarce quickly up there. It will be very cold near Mt. Sininen where the trolls are. She will indeed provide a flask of miruvor. She leaves it in the charge of Gilraen to use when needed. Those with Elven Cloaks & The Cloak of Seals will be fine in the cold. The rest should pack some winter gear despite the month.
Felareth organised some cold-weather gear for himself. He added a heavy cloak for times when he would not need to sneak around.
On the morning of departure he emerged from his room clad in half-plate armour, boots on his feet – the first time any of the others can remember him going other than barefoot – with a part full backpack, and wearing a cloak of shifting green, brown and grey hues. He carried his mandolin case in one hand.
He was armed with a rapier on his left hip and a sling to his right hand. Four pouches hung off his belt.
“This will be a new experience,” he said cheerfully. “Don’t think I’ve been on a ship before.”
Ceol walks to the harbor, carrying his saddle over one shoulder, and his pack (which contains his newly-purchased cold-weather gear) over the other. His warhorse, Leofwin, follows him without need for a bridle or lead – the big horse is a bay stallion, with bright, intelligent eyes.
Leofwin gives the ship, and the boarding plank, a sidelong stare for a moment. The blonde Rohirrim talks soothingly to his friend: “It’s just another ship, my friend, and you’ll only be on it for a day this time. I’ll be with you the whole time.” Leofwin flicks his ears, then seems to almost sigh, before following Ceol onto the ship.
The warrior smiles to Felareth. “It does take a bit of getting used to, but I expect it should be smooth, being a river voyage. And, the ships of the elves are particularly well-built and stable.”
Hejrun looks up at the tall masts with her heart quickening, a broad smile on her face as she leads her mare onto the ship. She muses to herself: “Ah, the breeze in my hair, the wind filling the sails, the glint of sunlight off of the water…it’s been awhile since my last sailing, too long…”
