MEE-S1E6: Breeland/Strange Men, Strange Roads (conslusion)

MEE-S1E6: Bringing Down the Fort

Otbert (Bill) Beorning Wanderer

Zim (Tony) Hobbit Treasure Hunter

Ricfried (Brian) Woodsman Warden...was called away at the start

Lorig (Matt) Dwarven Scholar

Mud (Duane) Wood Elf Wanderer

Axel (Geoff) Rohanian Warrior

May 4, 2952: And so, the fellowship plus the rangers did battle with the Wraith who rushed to the blacksmith shop where the blacksmith Len Ferny hammered away at the super-heated ring. Eventually the ring broke apart in sparks and burst of radiation causing all to cover their eyes. When they looked again, the specter was gone. Haleth spoke, “Now about that favor…You will need camouflage as Mordor’s forces have many lookouts. Such as the Crebain. It was their circling overhead that led us to the hidden fortress. We need a small force like you to raise a portcullis in their drainage ditch.”

May 5-6: Mud led the way since they were going thru his favored-lands (Weather Hills) till they entered the North Downs Otbert was most familiar with. A day-and-a-half to travel the 50 miles north, hampered by a rockslide that exhausted Otbert and Zim. Maybe the group should have taken that into consideration when they selected both to stealth forward against the two guards posted around the drainage exit. “It’ll be easy. The clouds will cover us from the Crebain overhead.” Otbert gave Mud one of his ‘screech-arrows’, “If we made a noise, shoot this into the air. Once the clay vibrates off, it SHOULD sound like a Nazgul we heard last year. Frighten the birds and the guards.”

Otbert should have paid more attention to his own stealth instead of watching Zim sneak around one guard to then hide at the drainage exit. “Snap!” Otbert froze but then tried to bluff his way forward, “I’m your relief.” If only he’d thought to carry one of the Gorlanc amulets they’d removed from the dwarf Gror or Herlinon. The twang of an arrow relaxed Otbert thinking Mud shot the screech-arrow. Except this arrow sank into the guard’s leg. The crows cried out as Lorig rushed forward from the treeline to attack. Change of plans from the Beorning, “Take cover, we’re under attack!” Otbert rushed to the far guard also crouching behind the rocks.

Arm hairs rose per the feeling of shadowy evil as the crows dove to attack Mud and Lorig [+2 Shadow]. While not heavily armored, the guards put up a fight. But outnumbered and fooled by Otbert, they were soon silenced. As the crows flew off, Otbert finally took time to recognize his foe, “Hillmen of Rhudaur. Gorlanc has gathered quite a collection of followers.” After retrieving 2 more amulet necklaces, they broke down the wooden barrier blocking the drainage exit. Only to find Zim returned from the inside, “Portcullis ahead and more guards on the other side. I was able to unlock a door crafted into the portcullis before returning to give you the good news.”

Equal numbers and the bottleneck of the portcullis door slowed the assault. The Hillmen gave as much as they took. Long minutes of doubt as the battle swayed back and forth before Lorig could finally heal his wounded allies as the portcullis was raised. Which signaled Haleth and her rangers to storm forward from their own hiding where they had been laying siege to the fort. Haleth ignored the blood-soaked bandages on the assault team, “Well, are you just going to stand there, or join in the fun?”

Another half-hour to secure the fallen fort. The reports came in, “Our lookouts saw a large group of hillmen escape north during the fight. No sign of Gorlanc. Many of his fighters viewed him as some-kind of wizard. Not Astari like Gandalf or Radagast. Sounds like more a well-read treasure hunter. [Zim’s ears perked up.] Word from the survivors is he and a small band of fighters left hours before we arrived, traveling south.” Mud spoke up, “Once we neared the North Downs we left the Greenway and entered the east woods to stealth north toward the fort. If he fled down the Greenway…he is either VERY lucky to avoid us or has a very good network of spies.”

Once again Haleth called on the group, “Join me in tracking the foul leader.” The Greenway is not a solid road; its name aptly describes it overgrowth which aided tracking the band of 8 foe. Till Haleth called “Halt” as they all looked quizzically at the rolling/seething black shape that covered the road. Axel was first to question, “What kind of trickery is this?” Haleth silently answered him by charging forward, with Mud following close behind. Suddenly the black mass burst into thousands of crows taking flight in all directions. Minutes to gather their composure till Haleth pointed out, “A distracting trick. Notice how the birds have muddied the ground and wiped away all tracks.”

Undaunted, Mud and Otbert spread out trying to pick-up the trail. The elf called out, “Over here! They split up. A trail south and another east.” Haleth split her own force, “Mud, take your group east while I led my rangers south.” And that’s when the Beorning spoke up, “The sun is setting, we’ve been on the trail all day; anything for exhaustion?” And that’s when the elf dug into his backpack to finally offer some of his Lembas bread while the dwarf Lorig offered, “I could brew up some of my Kingsfoil herbs.” [Gee, where were they hours ago before the fight?!]

Refreshed with some bread, Zim unloaded his cooking gear and setup camp. Refreshed, Otbert spreadout on the forest floor and soon fell asleep to begin his ‘night-walk’ as a bear. And after 4 hours of rest, Mud too tracked east along the foe’s trail aided by the half-moon light.

May 7: Otbert awoke to report, “Hours into the Chetwood Forest, I saw campfire lights. I kept my distance to not spook them. But they were not the hillmen I assumed we tracked. These were hobbit-like. Looked like nomadic wanderers. So, I went around to see the human tracks continued east toward the Midgewater Marshes. I wonder if they use that barrow we found last year as a hideout?”

Mud led them east thru the northern edge of the Chetwoods across dells and hillocks amid the various animal calls, till midafternoon, when he came upon a glade carpeted in violet-blue flowers. Otbert was more distracted by the sweet-smell of honey to notice the 3 hobbit-creatures squatting before their fires. Zim called out to his fellow kind but he was only answered with silence. The strange creatures just stared. Mud reasoned them confused and maybe surprised to see humans in their woods; so, he tried to use sign-language. The creatures signaled all forward to partake of their mushroom stew. Otbert pulled out some honey-cakes and joined in while Lorig was more skeptical. Zim too joined in and even pulled out his pipe and tobacco.

And that’s when more of the creatures erupted from the forest to attack with clubs! Otbert’s 7ft height meant nothing to the 15 creatures that swarmed. There was something magical about the creatures, for when the fellowship missed an attack, they struck at themselves instead. The fellowship was near collapse, everyone severely wounded and hanging on with half the foe remaining. When suddenly, the creatures melted back into the forest. With gleeful chatter sounding much like squirrels. Time to heal and inspect their enemy closer…what could only be described as wood-hobbits.

Lorig upset the wood-hobbits had faked friendship; so, he opened his pants to piss on the nearest tree, “Here’s what I think of you wood-creatures!” And that’s when he spied the human body near the tree. “One of the hillmen we were tracking. I guess they too were laid upon by the creatures.” But Otbert wanted to believe better of the creatures, “Maybe the little-ones offered friendship but were themselves attacked. So, they didn’t know how to accept our offered friendship. But at least I’ll know to be wiser and more cautious next time.” Zim settled back down to the stew they left behind, “Delicious meal. Besides, this is as good a place as any to camp for the night.”

May 8: Mud picked up the trail once again as the fellowship tracked eastward as the terrain gradually descended out of the woods. By noon they came upon a stream draining into ponds of dark waters. The dank smell overpowering. As Otbert bend over to gag at the smell, he recognized signs of a camp. They searched the area finding a couple of backpacks still full of their gear. Only one set of footprints led away to the east. No signs of a struggle. Otbert thought, “Is Gorlanc evil enough to kill his minions to improve his chances of escape?”

But that was when Axel spoke, “Anyone else hear that? Muffled voices? Could those be ‘Will-o’-Wisps’ known to haunt bogs and marshes?” Mud pressed his ear to the grass, “Sounds like its coming from below.” And that’s when the voices grew louder, “Stop moving up there. You’ll make it collapse and bury us alive. Yes, we are the hillmen you’ve been tracking. We stopped to rest for the night but creatures attacked and pulled us underground. Please, help us get out.” Axel offered, “Not before you tell us where Gorlanc is.” Confusion below ground, “He must be with us but not answering.” So Otbert asked, “What size shoe does he wear? Because from the looks of the lone tracks, it looks like he abandoned you. Where was he leading you?”

Gandalf

badger-men

And that’s when the fragrant smell of pipeweed wafted thru the camp. All turned to spy the tall-capped old man leaning on a staff, “Well met. Butterburr knew what he was talking about when he send me out here.” Most of the fellowship instantly recognized, “Gandalf?!” It was hard to keep up with any conversation because Zim was abuzz in non-stop chatter excitedly mentioning Bilbo and asking if his adventure was true. But for those who listened, they learned the footprints fled east but then turned south “toward the Foresaken Inn or at least the East Road. As for these men, what shall I do with them?” Zim didn’t miss a beat speaking about Bilbo to then insert, “Deliver them to the reeve in Bree. He’ll judge them fairly.”

Before all parted ways, having to drag Zim along, “But I’m not done asking him questions…”, Gandalf offered a weapon, “I found this magical sickle discarded in those brush. Gorlanc must have departed in a hurry and left it behind. I think it will serve you well in future confrontations.” Then looking at the hobbit, “And when we meet again, you can tell me all about YOUR stories. Now run along as your adventures await. as for me, I have some Badger-men to talk to.”

The lone tracks led them just west of the Foresaken Inn, angling west onto the East Road. Where they lost the tracks that blended into the well-traveled road. Thus, they arrived in Bree with no clues what Gorlanc looked like. Haleth and her rangers were already settled at the Prancing Pony lifting their ale, “Any luck? Nor us. And those prisoners Gandalf delivered were clueless. Minions who followed for greed, not loyalty. Anyway, we are indebted to you for your help. I’ve already paid Barnabas coins for a month for your food and ale.” With a wink Haleth added, “Except for your dwarf and hobbit…I couldn’t afford the king’s ransom to cover their tab.”