Middle Earth [TA 2997]: The Phantom of the Northern Marches

[Inez Hull]

You gather directions to the Hunter’s Lodge, which lies just north of the town and set out from the Thegn’s house with a final promise to do all you can to investigate the phantom that plagues the town. A short walk along the town’s dusty streets in the gathering dusk takes you out of the north gate, which is set into the well constructed wall sections that stand in ineffectual vigilance over the north of Nothva Rhaglaw. The large hall of the lodge is visible a few hundred yards outside of town and soon you stand outside, listening to the sounds of song and laughter.

Entering the hall you see around two dozen men and women, gathered at long tables, eating, drinking and talking. At the far end of the hall there are many bunks and hammocks, around which a couple of men are throwing knives at a target. Most of the folk here are of the same hardy northman stock as the townfolk and most here are young adults. A couple of older men are cleaning furs and an elderly man sits talking with a giant of a man bearing a shock of white hair and a great bushy beard. As you look around the room a tall, barrel chested man wearing the pelt of a black bear walks up to you and introduces himself, “Greetin’s, I be Geof Bairhid, master of this lodge. Ye’re all obv’usly not from ‘round here, but woodsfolk of any parts are welcom’ here, so take a seat and have yerselves a drink.”

 

[Festy_Dog]

Antroine nods and smiles gratefully.

"Thank you," he says, "A drink would be welcome indeed, but we're here to investigate the phantom first and foremost. Can you suggest anyone we should talk to about it?"

 

[Manzanita]

Valandil

"Yes, greetings, Geof. We are willing to try our hands at ridding this town of its menace. Have you any advice?"

 

[Inez Hull]

"The phantom, eh? Hmm, several of us woodsmen 'ave searched 'round the woods for any sign of the trouble, but no ones found much. 'Cepting Aski over there, he saw the ghost at twilight in the northern Drebiwyd and got 'imself away quick as c'n be. Or me'bbe ye could talk with Artos, the huge big fella over there, I understand he went serchin' a few times by 'iself."

"All I know is that Beroth was a good man and too skilled a huntsman ta be caught un'wares by wild animals. As for the lads that went missin', Ceola 'n' Buacail were both sensible boys, but there was no signs of their passin'. Strange 'tis. Some been sayin' that some devil out of Angmar's living in the woods now, an' I've not a mind ta argue given what's happen'd."

 

[Festy_Dog]

Antroine held his pipe in his teeth as he listened to Geof.

"Hmm, most interesting," he said, "I'll go talk to those you pointed out to me. Thanks again."

First Antroine approaches Aski.

"Aski? I'm Antroine," Antoine extends a hand to shake, then sits down if theres an empty seat nearby, "I'd like you to tell me about when you saw the phantom if you don't mind. My comrades and I came here to see if we could rid the town of it and any information is greatly appreciated."

 

[Inez Hull]

Sorry guys, busy week - Should update tomorrow. Mirth feel free to introduce yourself to the party if you are itching to get started.

 

[Manzanita]

Valandil

Valandil will approach Beroth. "Greetings. Do you have a moment to discuss the recent events in the forrest?"

 

[Mirth]

Antroine held his pipe in his teeth as he listened to Geof.

"Hmm, most interesting," he said, "I'll go talk to those you pointed out to me. Thanks again."

First Antroine approaches Aski.

"Aski? I'm Antroine," Antoine extends a hand to shake, then sits down if theres an empty seat nearby, "I'd like you to tell me about when you saw the phantom if you don't mind. My comrades and I came here to see if we could rid the town of it and any information is greatly appreciated."

"Please don't ask him to tell that story again," the words come from the white-haired giant in the back of the lodge, who doesn't turn to face the party. "If you want that sort of thing, take Aski over to the Limpid Pool tavern and buy him a pint or two... or three, for it'll take all night for him to get through it all." The rest of the lodge breaks into a fit of terse, subdued chuckles.

Aski looks back towards the one who spoke, "Now 'at's not fair, Artos. Well, not completely fair, anyhow. I may 'ave embellished a bit 'ere and there, but I saw what I saw. Believe what'cha want, but 'at was a ghos..."

"That's quite enough!" Artos booms, cutting off the trapper in mid-sentence. As he stands and turns to face Aski, the massive build of the man is seen for the first time. At a formidable seven feet tall, Artos is literally head & shoulders taller than the other Northmen gathered here. Clad in a simple blue woolen tunic and leather boots, his most striking feature is his snow white hair, both the color and the quantity of it. Looking much like a sheepdog, the entirety of Artos is covered in white curls and his full, thick beard covers his face, leaving only his ice blue eyes and a hint of a mouth visible. In addition, he wields a massive double-headed axe, which he leans on as he continues berating Aski, "We all know what you saw. What good does it do to tell it again? The whole of the town is gripped in fear and suspicion now. Until the Thegn decides what to do, don't you think it better to let that story rest?"

Turning towards the group, Artos grunts and says, "Why don't you lot come sit with me over here and I'll fill you in on what little we actually know... all embellishments aside." He looks briefly in Aski's direction before calling out to the lodgemaster, "Geof, a round for the house on me. And whatever these 'brave heroes' want, as well." Underneath his tremendous beard, a hint of a smile is glimpsed as Artos winks at you all.

 

[Manzanita]

Valandil

"Hey, " Valandil smiles. "We're getting somewhere." Valandil takes a seat, removes his long wooden pipe, accepts a mug of ale, and sits back for a story.

 

[Inez Hull]

Aski turns back to his drink and conversation with the man sitting across from as the rest of the hall resume their previous activities, Artos's outburst seemingly taken as the norm. You all move over to the giant's table, pull up chairs and settle down to a freshly pulled ale.


[Nicely done Mirth, in fact I'll let you continue if you don't mind telling a story BTW Manzanita, Beroth is the hunter who was killed, the Huntmaster is named Geof and the trapper who witnessed the ghost is named Aski]