MEE-S1E7: Breeland/Holed Up in Staddle
MEE-S1E7: One Less Empire
Otbert (Bill)
Beorning Wanderer |
Zim (Tony) Hobbit Treasure Hunter…absent |
Ricfried (Brian)
Woodsman Warden…absent |
Lorig (Matt) Dwarven Scholar |
Mud
(Duane)
Wood Elf Wanderer |
Axel
(Geoff)
Rohanian Warrior |
Short Fellowship: They waited for months for any word from the rangers regarding Gorlanc, but the fort-leader had melted away. No news. Even the groups’ own searching turned up nothing. Over the months:
- Otbert – returned
to Bree to contact Berelas in servitude to Eoin Appledore’s family, “You met
Gorlanc in person; what does he look like? We are still on the hunt for him.”
Long-haired, bearded weakling. Otbert also visited the Bree cemetery to see if
more graves had been violated per the dying mother Rose’s comment to her
daughter Violet. Nope. Rose’s comment was based on the slow delivery of gossip
regarding old Timeas Heatherton’s body stolen by the troll.
- Mud –
journeyed with the ranger Haleth back to their base at Lake Everdim. He studied
their operations while also learning about Gorlanc, “A charlatan delving in
minor magic. But obviously charismatic enough to gather followers.”
- Axel –
Shire folk took notice of the human riding down their streets. Till they saw
the hobbit riding behind him. Zim called out, “He’s with me folks.” Hobbits
started to line the path, “Wonder what the slick-finger-fool did now? Must have
tried to rob a king and is being brought to justice by that constable.” Over
the months, Axel found solace among the glades as he practiced with his blade
to relax his mind (removing Shadow points).
- Lorig –
the dwarf found his solace treating minor cuts and broken bones suffered by the
local farmers. And as he traveled the roads, he was always on the lookout for
herbs that might be useful toward his poisoned brother’s treatment. Alas,
disappointment at finding the same old herbs failed to clear his mind (no
Shadow recovery).
Sept 8, 2952: As Axel rode east out of the Shire and across the east bridge thru Buckland, scowling hobbits lined the road, “Tell those Undertrees wasn’t kindly of them to snub us from their annual Mid-Summer Festival.” Axel turned in his saddle to ask Zim seated behind him, “What’s that all about?” Zim filled him in, “The Undertrees are THE wealthiest family in Bree-land. Magnificent Hobbit hole surrounded by a bountiful apple orchard. Usually, without fail, they host their annual Mid-Summer Festival. Apple pies, apple-cider, gifts,…” Zim’s mind temporarily lapsed as he thought, “Magnificent home, gifts, wealth, treasure,…” Axel brought him back to now, “What was that you said last?”As soon as they entered the gates of Bree, Zim hopped off, “I’ll see you later. Business to tend.” As if it was just yesterday, Axel settled at the corner table with his fellowship as Hilda balanced 5 mugs of ale for the 4 of them, “I know the dwarf too well.” Hilda explained the thin crowd, “Fall harvest, workers still in their fields. Nor does it help that Barnabas lacks the apple-cider he normally serves.” Lorig spoke up to the group, “A boring few months. No news of Gorlanc. Nothing exciting…unless you’re a hobbit and concerned about young Matt Woolfoot rumored to be afraid of ‘Big folks and trees.’ ” Mud seconded the lack of news, “The rangers have been searching around every rock and tree and haven’t found any signs of Gorlanc. As if he fell off the edge of the earth.” Axel added his bit, “Local’s are upset there was no Mid-Summer Festival. I’d hate to be an Undertree seen in this town!”
Axel scanned the small crowd and decided to add some
excitement as he spoke out loud, “You folk hear about oakmen that look like
wooden-hobbits? Let me tell you a little story that begins with a merchant’s
caravan…” Barnabas Butterburr grumbled from the bar, “Where is that Mirabar and
his wagons?! They should have passed thru here a month ago. I was hoping he’d
restock my dwarven ale from the Blue Mountains. Nor the apple-cider I get from
the Undertrees. At least I have my honey-mead thanks to Otbert’s and Hilda’s
honeybee farm.”
And that’s when Hilda caught sight of the hobbit passing
down the street, “There’s young Albert Undertree now.” Lorig strolled out the
door out of curiosity while Mud slipped outside into the shadows to observe
from afar. [Which meant more ale for Otbert and Axel still at the table.] Lorig
watched as Albert entered the grocery store and bought lots of dried food he
loaded into his push-cart. Along with sacks of human-size cutlery…strange. And
a nice collection of roots and herbs…things a herbalist would use to concoct
medicinal potions and poultices. Not cooking spices. Strange indeed.
Mud released the man but pressed for answers, “Why are
you following the hobbit?” To which the man replied, “What is YOUR interest? If
you must know, there is to be an apple-pie contest at the coming Apple
Harvest Festival. I was trying to spy on my competition…see what kind of
spices the Undertrees add to theirs.” The man brushed Mud’s arm aside, straightened
his shirt, and left. Lorig filled the silence, “Strange indeed. I found young
Albert acting a little scared and lying to me too. Something is going on. Care
to get the others and find out what? Add some excitement to the day?”
Axel rode into battle with his horse attacking with its
hoofs. And the short-legged dwarf finally arrived to join in the fight (only to
miss). Outnumbered, the man quickly perished. A wailing Albert cried out, “What
have you done?! My sister Blossom will surely die at the hands of that horrible
man. He’s poisoned my sister and has commanded my family to cooperate else he
stop giving her daily treatment to ease the poison. Gorlanc said if any harm
came to he or his men, my family will suffer!”
The group tried to calm the boy as Lorig tended to Mud’s
wounds. Axel offered, “We’re here to help. We’ll rescue your family, and the
doctor can save your sister (he hoped).” Otbert calmly persuaded Albert,
“Just tell Gorlanc you were mugged on the road. Thugs killed the man and robbed
the cart. You don’t have to lie, just tell what you saw. We’ll rob the man and
your cart to support your story. Practice your words. Good. Don’t worry about
your fearful tone, it goes with the robbery story. Along with that bruise on
your cheek. And your pee-stained pants.” Before leaving with the bag of herbs,
Albert confessed, “The wizard did something to our tree. It moves its branches
at night.” Lorig interrupted, “Tell me your sister’s symptoms so I can
determine what poison he uses. Sweating, fever. From the herbs you bought,
sounds like Saewesgal root poison. I’ll brew up the antidote and
give it to you next week when you come for supplies.”
Luck that Mud spotted the wolfhounds wandering in the
orchard. Which allowed Otbert over days to gain their trust [Animal Handle-pass]
as he offered treats. Eliminating any threat of their barking to sound an
alarm.
Plans discussed and tossed aside. “We need to draw them
out.” “No, we need to rescue the hobbits first else Gorlanc kills the girl as
he threatens.” “The 4 of us struggled to kill the lone man; how are we to face
ten or more?!” “Doors create log-jams letting us deal with a few at a time.”
“Time that Gorlanc uses to carry out his threat to the family.” Round and round
they went, till, “We’ll wing it. The gods are with us.”
Sept 15: This time 3 men
accompanied Albert into town. Lorig was already in the General Store to pass
along the antidote as he whispered without looking at the boy, “Takes about 30
minutes. And probably an hour before she can walk on her own. Tell Gorlanc his
men stopped at the bar, but you hustled along.” Albert whispered as he looked
busy, “Here’s a key to a secret entrance in the orchard. Base of a large apple
tree north of our house about 100 yards that looks deformed on the westside.
Careful. They know about it and patrol in that area.”
Lorig exited the store munching on an apple as he headed
to the Inn to gather his crew. Who setup their ambush outside of town. Almost a
half-hour before Albert and the cart passed and the men appeared. “Thunk,
thunk.” Arrows sunk into a thigh or shoulder, before the group exited their
hiding to confront the men. Or rather, the men charged their assailants. Poor
timing to miss now. Otbert killed one before going down himself. Lorig the
battlefield medic treating Otbert only to see Axel collapse next. By the time the
3rd man dropped, Lorig complained, “We haven’t even reached the farm
and I’m almost out of my healing potions. We need to rethink our plans.”
Lorig able to jump onto the table and swing normally as
any human standing on the table had to duck per the low ceiling, hindering his
attack. But the battle was still long and bloody. Again, Lorig called into
action as medic to heal Axel.
Once the brigands were eliminated, they rushed up the
spiraling dirt tunnel to the floor above. Fearing Gorlanc held a blade at
Blossom’s throat. But discovery only the hobbits occupied the rooms. “I’m
Alphonso and this my wife Mable. Blossom seems to be recovering but we still
fear Gorlanc and his men.” Axel spoke up, “Fear not. We’ve killed his men but
still look for the wizard. Run out of the house while you can and we’ll deal with
that scum.” As Alphonso ushered his family out, he instructed, “Gorlanc has a
lab in the basement. And a secret door to his room just to the north. Hurry and
you can trap him inside as that secret door is the only way out. Unless he’s
already escaped.”
Sounds of battle and blades replaced words. It was still
a tense battle despite their overwhelming numbers. Gorlanc held his own with
his poisonous dagger and his minor spells that stunned a few of the allies. But
in the end, Gorlanc was laid to rest. His plans to create his own empire within
Eriador thwarted.
As for Lorig, he soon realized, “This antidote! THIS
might be of aid to my brother!”
Otbert interrupted, “Not so quick on packing those herbs away. Gorlanc’s blade was poisoned, so if you don’t mine, I could use some of your healing. I’ve a long trip ahead of me. I wasn’t sure how or when to tell everyone, but my time around the hobbits is coming to a close. Beorn only gave me 2 years on my assignment until he expects a report back. Thus, I must journey over the Misty Mountains before the snow closes the passes. No telling where he will send me next, but if you are ever in the Carrocks, mention my name and you will be treated well. As for this special sickle, I’ve no need of it. As Gandalf said, it might come in handy for your next adventures. Maybe it will help you Lorig find your herbs. Or aid the Hobbit; where is Zim?”
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