A6 - I'm not buying what you are selling

As Ladee searches the dead for potential maps or identifying items, Rambler gathers their discarded axes. Meanwhile Rowlie splashes water on the prisoner to revive him for interrogation. We soon learn this brigand (Ubar) is a member of a rag-tag collection of survivors who fled their homelands in eastern Ruhn. Driven out by the Wainriders (who have been in perpetual war with Gondor). Ubar continues, “Join us. I’m sure our leader Valter would welcome your skills. Our ranks have grown during our yearlong trudge southwest, welcoming many individuals abandoned by their own kind. This Oderic you mention could well be our newest member.”

A5 - The Jury is Still Out

Almost a year has passed since our last adventure, rescuing the hobbit merchant from the goblin caves. The Boerning attempt to eradicate the goblins unsuccessful; the leaderless cowards slinking further into the caves evading the woodsmen. At least the High-Pass can be declared open. As our group rejoins for drinks at the Easterly Inn, Rambler still absent, Ladee retells rumors he’s picked up: 1) King Bard has sent a human special envoy east beyond Rhun trying to extend his trade region; 2) What was assumed safe passage now in doubt as a party traveling the old forest road is reported overdue and missing.

Finally, Rambler enters the bar sporting a shiny silver badge, “Beorn requested us scout south into the East Anduin Vale, per rumors goblins seen moving into southern Mirkwood.” Pulling out a 2nd badge, the woodsman flips it into the air, “Who wants to be my deputy?” The haughty elf Galanon ignores the clamor. Rowlie scrambles but bangs his knee on the table. Ladee is already climbing atop the table to spring for the silver when the dwarf Brackrog grabs him by the ankle to snare the badge for himself.

A4 - A Hobbit By a Foot

As we got back to the circled wagons, the Bree men were already packing for departure. “The hobbit was captured and probably eaten. No reason we should stick around. Leave now while they are leaderless.” Rambler and Brackrog argue for a delay, “Till dusk. Give us time to rescue the hobbit and we’ll join you as additional guards. Leave now and you’re on your own, exposed. From what I saw, you weren’t doing so well before we arrived.” OK, dusk but not a minute later. As the adventurers depart for the cave, Ladee overhears a mumbled comment from the wagoneers, “Hell with sticking around as they stir the nest, I say take advantage of them keeping the goblins occupied and get the hell away.”

A3 - Search for a Hobbit. -from the book "A few little Journeys" by RowlieRushlight

The year in town with the Beornings passed quickly for some...and very slowly for others in the party.  Rambler’s day-long excursions into the forested areas outside of town barely held his anxieties of town-living in check.  Rowlie spent much of his time in conversation with Galanan, picking up bits of elvish language.  Brackrog spent a lot of time at the Easterly Inn drinking Dodi’s ale and picking up the latest news of the region from travelers passing through.  Ladee established a small shop providing herbs and healing for the local farmers and listening to the local gossip.  This would be a town the party could almost call home.  Knowing news from locals and around the regions would be important to the party.