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[MENTION=79945]JoeNotCharles[/MENTION] no worries, I should have pointed the roll out in my post. Who else are we waiting on?
We're waiting on me.

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Birch the mule makes his sure footed way across the causeway, which is anchored solidly into the lake bed on huge square posts, but when he reaches the floating rafts that make up Lake-town itself he begins to shy as the ground moves under his feet. Fortunately, right at the end of the bridge is a large stable which offers to put up travelers' horses and carts for a very reasonable fee, and transfer any goods into small boats for transport around town. The hobbits decide to leave their wares there while exploring the town on foot. They arrive at Glóin's abode with ease, almost simultaneously with the elves, who found the Lake-man's directions easy to follow.
The Dwarven embassy is a wide building with deep eaves, sumptuously decorated with scrollwork. Over the door is fixed a large metal shield bearing the symbol of the Lonely Mountain, and large G runes (
) are inscribed in the double doors.
Elves: A few moments after you arrive at the building, you spot a pair of very short people trotting down the street towards the house. They do not appear to be Dwarves, as they lack beards. You both have certainly heard of the extraordinary deed of Bilbo Baggins, who hid inside the Elven-king's very stronghold for over a month without discovery and then freed 13 Dwarven prisoners, who vanished without a trace, so you may be able to recognize these travellers as hobbits based on this story. (Although neither of you has actually
seen a hobbit before...)
Hobbits: Standing outside the doors, studying the building, are a pair of elves. You passed through the Elven kingdom in Mirkwood on your journey here (or so you assume based on Bilbo's notes) but saw no sign of any elves. Their halls must have been well-concealed, so this is your first sight of any of this kindred.
The doors open, and a dwarf steps out, and stops short in astonishment as he sees the two groups drawn up in front of the building.
[MENTION=51271]Voda Vosa[/MENTION]: You've been cooling your heels in Glóin's waiting room for several hours, waiting to meet with him regarding trade in the city. Before you left the Mountain, your master advised you to seek him out for an introduction to the traders in Lake-town, but so far you feel like you're wasting your time. When you arrived, a clerk said that he would see you "shortly", but since then every time you've enquired, the clerk simply says that he is "almost ready" and apologizes for the delay. You haven't quite given up on waiting (especially as you're pretty sure that walking out on such an important person could close doors for you in the future), but did decide to step outside for some air, just in time to meet the elves and hobbits arriving.
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[MENTION=59043]Walking Dad[/MENTION], [MENTION=6078]garyh[/MENTION]: How do you want to make Orin and Borin arrive on the scene? Any objection to them working for Glóin as messengers?
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