Chapter 2: A Fool's Hope

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

Gandalf did say that the stronghold we seek is at the source of the river, so we don't need to cross it. At least, not right now. Maybe we come to a point where we can't follow the river from this side anymore, maybe we can follow it all the way to our destination. I think if we can follow on this side, we should instead of risking touching the water when we don't need to.

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

"I think the wise Glasik is right, we should only cross as a last resort."

[SocraticLawyer]

Tinuwen agrees. Aye, let us move along this bank of the foul river.

[ChubbyPixie]

Gilwennen keeps one hand on her bow and prepares to head south along the river with the others. "I do not like this wood," she says.

[wolfpack]

The source of the river will be in Emyn-nu-Fuin. We can expect goblins and orcs a plenty.

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

"And possibly other things even worse, even before we get there."

[Urson]

Therone

If we are sure that the path stays at the riverside, I see no sense in crossing. And if we encounter enemies when we arrive there- let them come! I have plenty of fury and pain to inflict on them for the massacre we just escaped.

Therone smiles a hard smile that doesn't reach her eyes- the smile of a carnivore readying itself to pounce.

[rredmond]

"Agreed that we should both not cross the water, and thus risk touching it, as well as be careful for enemies," Naruthirdor adds to the discussion. "One thing we can be sure of, the dangers that we know will be triplefold now that the darkness grows in our land," he says after pausing for thought.

[OGRE MAGE]

Folco Boffin heads straight for the water to get a drink when he hears the comments from the others. He stops in his tracks and nods his head, as if he remembered the words of the white wizard all the while.

"More orcs and goblins? And things even worse? I wish Perrin were still here. Or better yet, I wish that all of us could be back in the Shire, having a few mugs of good beer with our pipe bowls filled with the crackling of Old Toby."

The hobbit looks around the immediate area without getting any closer to the water. He searches for any signs of tracks, traps, or any indications that something has been here recently.

[hedgeknight]

"As long as we stay together, we be a match for anything foolish enough to get in our way," Gilly says confidently, having been silent for most of the trip thus far. One look at her face, though, shows that she is far from confident. She appears quite nervous and continually strokes Red's ears and keeps her hand on the pommel of the magic sword at her hip.

[Urson]

Therone

Therone says nothing more for the moment. She carries her bow in hand, an arrow nocked and ready.

[Inferno]

Mirkwood Forest, Rhovanion, Middle Earth
After Midnight. March 21, Year One of the Fourth Age
Day Three. Damp, cold



"I do not like this wood," confesses Gilwennen, deep in the heart of Mirkwood. Folco the hobbit searches the area and finds only that the bridge has been recently sundered.

The company have no choice but to leave the elf path now, against all dire warnings to the contrary. They follow the Enchanted River south from its eastern bank.

Bedeviled by gigantic moths and bats attracted by their torchlight, they continue on into the deep black of night.

Off the elf path, their pace drops considerably, as they cut their way through the tangled primeval wood. After hours of slow hard progress, the dawn comes, barely brightening the forest-roof.



The cloud of bats and moths disperse and they see the wood is thickest here. No beam of sunlight stabs through the dense tangled leaves, gnarled boughs and twisting twigs above. Cobwebs stretch overhead from tree to tree, filled with small spiders of ordinary size.

Another dawn. They have walked through the second night of their journey, and are weary with dread and much toil.


Actions?


The Company's Journey:

X = the Company.



PC Status:

• Elbenarin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 30/30
  Elbenwin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 30/30
  Folco Boffin: Male Hobbit Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 21/21
  Gilda 'Gilly' Ironfoot: Female Dwarvish Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 28/28
  Glasik Ironfoot: Male Dwarvish Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 24/24
  Gilwennen: Female Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 8/8, Spells: 1/1 1st lvl
  Naruthirdor Nowe: Male Elvish Magic-User 2: Move: 12", AC: 10, HP: 8/8, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl
  Rumil: Male Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 7/7, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl
  Therone: Female Elvish Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 22/22
  Tinuwen: Female Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 7/7, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl

PC Magic:

• None currently.

Player Resources:

• In Darkness and In Doubt (the story so far)
  Before The Fall (realms and maps of Middle Earth)
  The Fear and The Shadow (the story so far in images)
  History Became Legend. Legend Became Myth (clues and player notes)

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

"I think the same watches as last night are best."

[wolfpack]

I agree, also instead of 1 central fire we should also make a series of smaller fires in a immediate perimeter around where we sleep.

[rredmond]

"I agree to the same watch... off the path, we are in dire need of wakeful eyes," Naruthirdor agrees. Then directing a question to the wood elf, "Rumil, what are the evils we need to worry about in this section of the wood, and should we keep lit torches at hand to thwart them?" He will wonder, again, about that fourth eye of newt, peeking in his book of scribbles, before checking for any animals that he may get information from. He shuns the spiders, of any size, but hopes to get one of the bats within range.

When the bats fly close, Naruthirdor will cast Speak with Animals to see if he can get any information.

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

"The spiders of course, as well as any Orcs or there allies. The beasts are often warped and changed by the darkness as well. Best to just be cautious and avoid whatever we can. Fight if we must, flee if we can."

[Urson]

Therone

As usual, Therone says nothing. She walks the perimeter of the camping spot, then begins hacking down dead branches from the trees for firewood.

[ravenn4544]

Elbenarin will also help gather firewood, "We will need more than we think to keep several fires alight this night - let us stick close or ensure we are paired up if we need to range further afield"

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

"Agreed Elbenarin, never alone for sure."

[ChubbyPixie]

Gilwennen briefly considers interacting with the spiders, then she, too, thinks better of it. She makes an effort to find a resting spot away from the edge of the clearing, being wary of the eternally nighted woods. She keeps Naringë close to hand.