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

[Mirth]

"Of course. We are hear to help. These 'undead' are my speciality, in a sense. I am aware that creatures exist who could do what you describe. Perhaps the hall of the sleeping King is a good place to start looking for an answer to this riddle."

Artos raises his eyebrow at Valandil's suggestion, "That is definitely something I hadn't thought of before. Of course, finding such a rumoured place might be a bit harder than it sounds. Let me think on that one."

"As Valandil says, we are here to help. We would be honored to help put this matter to rest. On the matter of where to start, how close together were the locations of the incidents?" Arathorn asks.

"Artos, I also am here to lend what hand I can. Although I would like to know just how far away was your friends body from this village, and where are these sheperds keeps?" Breor queries while drinking his ale.

"There are two woods here, the northern Drebiwyd and the southern Witbeamwyd, both of which are north of town," The barbarian answers, drawing a imaginary diagram on the tabletop with one large finger. "The Witbeamwyd begins about a 1/2 mile north of town and the boys herded their flock in an area about 5 miles into that wood, not that far from here actually. Beroth, on the other hand, traveled quite far from town and I found his body near a stream about a mile into the Drebiwyd." The giant continues making indications of distance and location on the top of the table as he talks, "Considering that the Witbeamwyd stretches 9 miles north to south and 5 miles east to west, with a southern third that goes on a further 6 miles west, and the Drebiwyd starts a 1/2 mile north of the Witbeamwyd past a break in the foliage, covering another 3 miles north to west and 6 miles east to west, then that puts Beroth's body about 12 miles away from town, quite a long ways from the boys' location. Of course, Aski's "ghost" was in the Drebiwyd too, so that's something else to consider."

Under the impression his comrades are asking the right questions, Antroine sits back and lets them do the talking.

The huntmaster stands looking over Artos's shoulder, nodding at the shaggy giant's words and looks over each of you with a measuring gaze as you promise aid to the town.

"These sem like cap'ble men Artos, and we'll happily have you aid our town, few 'ere have been willin' ta risk the ire of the phantom, whate'er it be. Tell 'em what ye know, an' I'll fill in an'more that I be knowin'."

"Thanks Geof," Artos smiles as he takes a fresh tankard from his friend. "I'm not sure I have much else to add. You?"

 

[Inez Hull]

Geof frowns and nods in the right places as Artos tells his tale and then speaks to Artos's invitation, "Aye Artos, ye've the right of 't, the Drebiwyd sems to be the only place wher' we know ther's trouble. The boys tha went missin' ranged with their flocks, an' ther' was no sign of their passin'. If ye be leadin' off to tha Sleepin' King's hall, I b'lieve 't lies in a vale dep in the north of the Witbeamwyd."

After a moment of introspection he adds as an afterthought, "If you be leadin' these lads off to met ther' fates, it be best if you all pay a visit to the village of Gersebroc up north. 'Tis custom'ry to visit Gerse's shrine before a great undertakin', an' a days travel will get you ther'. Well, good luck to yer all, our hopes 'll be with ye...... an' ware the phantom."


Geof sets you up with spartan lodgings for the night if you wish and you discuss your plans for the morrow over ale and roast venison.

 

[Manzanita]

Valandil

"It seems unlikely to me that we'll find much so near the town. Perhaps we could visit Gerse's shrine, as Geof suggests, then cut into towards the Sleeping King's Hall. Personally, I feel that this Hall must be involved."

 

[Festy_Dog]

"Sounds like a plan, we have our work cut out for us," Antroine says, blowing lazy smoke rings into the air above his head.

 

[Inez Hull]

OODM: I'll move the party onwards towards Gersebroc tomorrow unless anyone has any other plans or discussions to carry out.

 

[Mirth]

"I'll come and collect you in the morn, then, and we'll be off to Gersebroc," Artos says to the group as he stands and grabs his axe. "Get as much rest as you can. Who knows what dangers lie before us."

 

[Mirth]

el bumpo

 

[Inez Hull]

Sorry about the lack of updates guys, RL has been hectic but in a very good way. I'll try and kick things off again on the weekend.

 

[Manzanita]

OOC: Don't tell me, Inez. You've met your local version of Sandra Bullock and have been holed up in a seedy hotel room for days! Wedding bells to follow.

 

[Mirth]

That's cool, IH. Take your time. I was worried that MEd20 had taken another DMs soul