D&D 5E [IC] Adventures in Middle-Earth – ‘Where Rivers Run With Gold’

[JustinCase]

Ursa calms down as the brigands flee, her heart warming as she sees the boy and his father are reunited.

Her weapon lowered, she takes a few breaths to avoid sounding agressive, then says softly, ”Let ‘em go. They’ve learned their lesson.”

She is not fully convinced of that last bit, but she was no orc. Ursa refuses to become a cruel murderer such as the wicked creatures that killed her family.

”My name is Ursa, of the Bear,” she introduces herself with a brisk nod.

 

[eayres33]

Ulfred closes the distance to the old man and Ursa, he was torn about following them or not, but nodded when Ursa suggested to let them go. “I know of those men, a group of low character from old Lake-Town, Jonar, Kelmund and Finnar be their names. We can alert the local authorities of their crimes once we get to Dale.”

Ulfred smiles warmly at the old man and the boy, “I am sorry to meet the two of you under such circumstances, I am Ulfred of Dale. How did the two of you happen to find yourself in the company of those hooligans?”

 

[Tesseract]

Caranthir

With the conflict at an end, Caranthir leaves his hiding spot and moves towards the others. He stays alert should the thugs decide to circle around.

 

[GreenKarl]

As the fury leaves Ursa and Ulfred and Caranthir approach the old man smiles and introduce himself "Thank you, thank you. You save me for sure. Well meet, Usra and Ulfred. I am Baldor and this is my son Belgo. We thank you so much."

"I..." he stumbles looking down the path where the thugs had run off too. "I... trust too easy my wife says. But what choice did I have..."

Looking at the trio he adds "I am sorry to ramble like a fool. I am too old but we lost must of our wealth with the destruction of Lake-town and I am forced back on the road." As he says this he points to a string of eight pack ponies laden with heavy packs hobbled in a small clearing nearby. "We are bringing iron works and toys from Esgaroth to the Elf-Realm and I know the journey could be dangerous. That is why I hired those three... as guards."

 

[JustinCase]

Ursa frowns. She knows next to nothing of elves, and she wonders while studying their new elf companion, whether they are truly interested in toys. Eventually she shrugs, thinking that elves may compare the crude toys of Men to the intricate and delicate wonders created by Elves.

”Shame,” she refers to the thugs. Looking at Ulfred, she knows he must be thinking the same thing. She didn’t know about the elf, but his reaction would at least give some insight into his character.

”We could escort you.”

 

[Tesseract]

Caranthir

The elf nods at the woman’s words. ”I agree! Although you may not know us, at least you have seen our intent by our actions against your attackers.”

 

[JustinCase]

Ursa smiles. Whatever his story, the elf has a good heart, she’s sure of it.

 

[GreenKarl]

Baldor face lights with a grin at the suggestion that the heroes might escort them, while Belgo practically beams and starts jumping up and down "Can them come Da, can they?"

Baldor glances down at his son proudly and addressing the group "I have no right to ask you to perform such a task. I am sure you all have business of your own to attend... but if you are willing I can offer you 50 silver pennies each when we reach the Forest Gate of the Woodland Hall. The money I had promised those rouges."

"I... I have planned the journey... taking the ponies to the edge of Mirkwood to where I have an Elf-Friend will meet us. These ponies are strong but they would never pass under the leaves of that wood. So my friend has arranged for paddle boats to unload the good onto and make our way to the hall."

"If you are willing to help protect us there, I would be most grateful indeed."

 

[eayres33]

“Well it looks like the other two are good to join you so I see no reason I shouldn’t as well.” Ulfred said as he sat down and took a small bit of food out of his pack. “I was just planning on going into Dale to tell stories and get drunk. If I go with you to Mirkwood I’d have more stories and more silver to drink with. So it sounds like a win for me.”

Ulfred took a bite of food wandering what type of toys the elves would like. “Anyway it’s good to meet you Baldor and Belgo."

 

[JustinCase]

Ursa nods in assent before producing an old stained rag. With it she starts cleaning the blood off her axe, fast and efficient.

”What other troubles do you expect on the road?” she asks curiously.

Then she smiles broadly at Belgo. She’s fond of the lad already, although she’s unsure what to say. Awkwardly she asks, ”Shall I teach you how to defend yerself?”

As if susprising herself, her eyes shoot to Baldor, seeing if he objects.

 

[GreenKarl]

"Hmm" Baldor mutters as he rubs his chin, adding "Too be honest this is the first time I have traveled this route. Its taken some years to get together enough goods to make the trip profitable. But there are many strange and frightening tales of the Mirkwood and most of our trip is along its edges... orcs, bandits... and worst they say roam its shadowy depths."

Belgo's eyes go wide at Ursa's suggestion and he asks in an excited voice "Could I swing an axe that big myself??"

GM: The journey is two days through the Long Marshes along a wide dirt road to the river bank that lead into Mirkwood and then to the Elf King's Halls, which is one day upstream. "Generally" this area is considered fairly safe in these days of new hope but occasionally things still happen.

 

[JustinCase]

Ursa grins.

”Eventually, maybe,” she says while looking at her axe with appreciation. Then she lowers it and continues, ”Best to start with wooden sticks, to avoid cutting anyone’s fingers off.”

OOC: Unless his father objects, Ursa intends to teach Belgo some very basic techniques with wooden practice sticks made from fallen branches nearby.

 

[GreenKarl]

Beldor beams again with pride towards his son but says to Ursa "You don't have to trouble yourself if you feel its a waste of time. But if you say he is not bothering you..."

GM: He is fine with you training his son he just doesn't want you to think you are obligated to

 

[eayres33]

“Ursa will have young Belgo fierce enough to take down cave trolls with a couple days time. I’ve never seen anyone fiercer with an axe,” Ulfred said chuckling softly.

Getting up and resituating his pack, Ulfred looked over towards the carts. “Well we are burning daylight, and it may be a good idea to put some distance between us and those hooligans. Wouldn’t want them finding some courage in the bottom of a bottle and sneaking up on us in the night.”

 

[GreenKarl]

The heroes aid Beldor and Belgo in getting the ponies ready for travel again and within half an hour they are head into the Long Marsh along the wide dirt road. Thick [FONT=Roboto, arial, sans-serif]ash, maple and oak trees quickly thicken along both sides of the road as the group journies deeper into the marsh, muting the daylight that can barely filter down through the canape.[/FONT]

GM: Beldor has already planned the journey but the heroes can aid if they want. He has enough food for everyone all the way to the Elf Hall. This is considered Moderate Terrain and a Short Journey. For Tasks you don't need a Guide or Hunter BUT someone can still fill those rolls if you want to lower any encounter results. Otherwise Scout and Look-Out are required. If people wish to take any of the Tasks pick them now and make the appropriate check please... *Guide - Wisdom or Survival *Scout - Stealth or Investigation *Hunter - Survival *Look-Out - Perception

 

[Tesseract]

OOC: Caranthir will take the Scout task. Stealth check : 1D20+7 = [10]+7 = 17

 

[JustinCase]

OOC: Hunter seems a good fit for Ursa.

 

[JustinCase]

OOC: Forgot my Survival roll: [roll0]

 

[eayres33]

OOC: Look out it is Look out: 1D20+4 = [9]+4 = 13

 

[GreenKarl]

GM: Secret roll: 1D12-2 = [9]-2 = 7[sblock=Results]7. Feasts Fit for the Kings of Ancient Times Perhaps game is plentiful, herbs, mushrooms and root vegetables seem to spring up out of nowhere along the company’s path, or the cook brought exactly the correct amount of salt and pepper. For whatever reason, the company’s meals during this journey are a thing to be anticipated with joy, and to be remembered for days after. Accordingly, all members of the company receive a +1 bonus to all skill checks made during this journey.[/sblock] Second secret roll: 1D12 = [6] = 6

Most of the rest of the day passes uneventfully with Caranthir acting as scout. Ursa had no luck that day at hunting, not even any game birds were seen as the marsh was quiet... Yet despite this Beldor seems to have planned well for the trip and that night his meal is especially grand, cooked to perfection. He laughs easily at any complements and clear joy shines in his eyes. The heroes bed down easily that night with not a care (although they still set watches). In the morning the routine is much the same as before but the forest clears out slightly, the land drier off the road.

As night is fast appoarching the hero come around the bend in the road when the heroes spot sunlight reflecting clear light upon the river ahead...

GM: 6. Wonders of Middle Earth... everyone needs to make Wisdom save or a Intelligence (Investigation) check DC 11. [sblock=Succeed]The beauty of the river is breathtaking as you round the bend in the road. But that is not all as we you see it, for just a flash, a herd of mighty white stags and doe are spotting drinking from the river. Their heads instantly turn towards you and bound out of sight almost before you realize that they are there. So majestic is the herd that you heart swells with joy.[/sblock] [sblock=Failure]The beauty of the river is broken as a storm cloud rumbles drawing your eyes away from the river and to the north. Black rolling clouds are quickly coming this way and a wave of wariness and dread falls over you.[/sblock]