Chapter 3: In the Deep Places of the World

[wolfpack]

No knocking let us either force it open or move on.

[Urson]

Therone

Therone calls back over her shoulder. I'm only one of many here- but I say force it! She keeps up her watch.

[rredmond]

"Forcing, or any undue noise, would bring many hidden eyes upon us," Naruthirdor cautions. Let us see what our young perian friend can discern from the door before making any hasty decisions."

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

Let us wait until Folco has a chance to see what he can find, The dwarf cautions quietly. If we need to force the door, I'd rather move along. The less noise we make the better. And if the door is closed, maybe they don't come out and bother us.

[SocraticLawyer]

Tinuwen nocks an arrow, scanning for any dangers around the other cave entrances, while the party opens the door to this one.

[Inferno]

The Lost Halls of the First ElvenKing, Mountains of Mirkwood, Rhovanion, Middle Earth
Dusk. March 22, Year One of the Fourth Age
Day Four. Damp, cold




Beneath the black yawning cave mouths, among the tangle of briars and thorns, Folco the hobbit fearfully watches the eerie stone carvings above the door as if expecting them to suddenly spring to terrible life. After a long while, he convinces himself that the terror and dread of his strange premonition is all in his mind.

The company stands guard against the darkness of night, whispering in tense hushed voices as Folco dares take another step forward, moving beneath the horrific leering visages cut into the cliff wall. A dead grasping branch catches his hood as if warning him away. He ignores its dire omen.

Folco's tiny fingers expertly probe the crudely hewn stone and wood. They find no deadly surprises lurking, waiting to be sprung. Folco takes a breath and presses one small pointed ear against the rough splintery wood of the door and hears nothing beyond it.

Suddenly, a raven caws loudly just above Folco's head, and the little hobbit jumps in surprise!

Impatient and fearless as any dwarf, Gilly strides toward the door...


Actions?!


Map of the Ravine at the First ElvenKing's Halls:

The company is at cave mouth D.



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
  Red: Guard Dog: Move: 12", AC: 6, HD: 2+2, HP: 11/11, AT: 1, D: 2-8, THAC0: 16

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)

[Urson]

Therone

If someone here can speak to the ravens, we might gather more details about this place.

[OGRE MAGE]

Folco spins around and holds his hands up to Gilly before she can bash the door in.

"I don't hear anything beyond. Perhaps we should try our luck at the next opening over there in that clump of trees instead of just barging in here?"

Before anyone else can get close enough to the door, the tiny hobbit gets low to the ground to look for any foot prints that might lead into or out from the wooden orc door.

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

Rumil continues to stand watch by the door as Folco works away.

Whispering "Can you easily open it or is it barred?"

[OGRE MAGE]

Folco looks a little embarrassed for not even checking if the door would open.

He nods at Rumil and moves back to it before gently trying to push it in, but just a crack.

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

I agree with Folco. I think we may be better off continuing to the next cave. If we can avoid dealing with the denizens of a cave, I vote we do so. I don't think there is much benefit to exploring caves unnecessarily.

[rredmond]

Loath to use a spell when danger is near, Naruthirdor feels a thrill of excitement at the thought of information gathering. "Therone, I can compel the ravens to speak to me and answer, if they come within range. What questions would everyone want answers? Once cast, I will have 4 minutes of time to get answers."
As the others offer suggestions, and if the ravens come within range, Naruthirdor casts Speak with Animals.

[Urson]

Therone

There is no such thing as useless information. Anything they can tell us will help, I am sure.
Therone backs toward the others a step or two, keeping her eyes on the woodline.

[ravenn4544]

Elbenarin can't help but agree to move to the next tunnel - leave the door for if there is no other way...

[wolfpack]

Elbenwin will stand guard watching the rear as the others decide

[hedgeknight]

"From bats to birds, eh?" Gilly asks, halting her assault upon the wooden door. She glances around at the ravens overhead and then back at the door and her companions. "Standing around out here in the open scratching our heads be almost as worse as bashing in a fracking door!" she hisses. "Red, find us a true path inside the mountain. That's a good boy."
She sends Red off on a mission, hoping for the best, but expecting the inevitable...and actually looking forward to a little orc-bashing.

[ChubbyPixie]

"Ask this one above the door who lives here. And how many... can birds count? Do they care about numbers?" says Gilwennen quietly from the left of the group.

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

"Ravens are one of the more intelligent of animals I have heard. May very well be able to count at least to a small sum."

[Inferno]

The Lost Halls of the First ElvenKing, Mountains of Mirkwood, Rhovanion, Middle Earth
Night. March 22, Year One of the Fourth Age
Day Four. Damp, cold




In the moonlit vale of thorns, creepers and bramble, the young heroes debate their next move in tense, hushed voices.

(The ominous clatter of dice comes from behind the DM screen)

Folco finds no orcprints in the rocks before the stout door. He pushes the door gently and it doesn't budge. He feels a sharp pain; a splinter in his finger tip!

At Gilly's command Red trots forward, sniffs the door and growls, having clearly picked up a scent.

Naruthirdor the elf asks a lurking raven how many orcs live beyond the door.



At closer inspection the winged scavenger is unwholesome, unclean. It flaps down, alighting on a sundered rib cage. "Many have lived here in the past," it caws for the elf's pointed ears only. "Their number were legion then. Now, most have gone. Marched south to war. Leaving only a few to feed us," the scabrous avian complains, pecking bitterly at human bone and cartilage.

Naruthirdor softly translates for the company.


Replies? Actions?!


Map of the Ravine at the First ElvenKing's Halls:

The company is at cave mouth D.



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: 3/4 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
  Red: Guard Dog: Move: 12", AC: 6, HD: 2+2, HP: 11/11, AT: 1, D: 2-8, THAC0: 16

PC Magic:

• Speak With Animals (Naruthirdor) Duration: 3 rounds.

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)

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

We need to decide on a plan quickly. The longer we stand around, the more likely someone spots us. It sounds like there aren't many orcs in there. I vote we enter and eliminate them. If we need to, we can hole up inside. It looks like it could be defensible. If we want to make an argument for leaving, I think we should try to go straight to the Halls of the Elven King.