A9 – He’s Not Home Right Now; Please Leave a Message

[Rob (Dolomite) was unable to attend]

[Embarkation and Journey Phase] Our southern path is set as we travel to Rosgobel to find the wizard Radagast and possible answers/interpretations of our dream centered on Dol Guldur and “The Torturer.” A farewell to the elves carrying Lady Írimë to Lord Elrond in Rivendell. No time for a long rest means we travel with little healing options and thus heightened needs to avoid enemy contact. But it’s harvest time, plentiful food, and an easy journey. And another chance encounter with a stooped Saruman now searching along the river banks.

He cannot find meaning to our dream, “Dol Guldur is well watched; any evil was driven out.” He leaves us with blessing and warnings, “Avoid Fangorn Forest as the shadow has been reported.” As we say goodbyes, Ladee offers his last bag of Longbottom weed and one of his pipes. The wizard’s smoke soon curls into shapes of us trekking over hill and dell before the images fade away.

A8 - Dreamscape

The eagles fly north to one of their aeries on the eastern slopes of the Misty Mountains, dropping Írimë and the adventures in nests before flying away. Surprised to find another dwarf among the ranks, “I am Dolomite, from Erobor. I was attacking the flanks of an orc army climbing the mountains, when this great bird swooped down and plucked me from the ground. I don’t know whether to be thankful or irked that he interrupted by battle.” A fireless night (fear of burning the nest) has most cold and shivering, exhaustion setting in. Except Írimë who rises to the morning sun with her songful voice carried across the mountains.

Which ushers in Gaeranon, Lord of the eagles sporting a dwarven crafted crown. “My lady is always welcome but who are these strangers that my children risked life; for Gaerthor lies mortally injured from a poisoned orc arrow.” Ladee quickly steps forward offering aid as he realizes it is ‘Chip’ the king mentions. Rowlie and Galanon pass along their kingsfoil salve as the hobbit healer is flown away. Hours pass before the hobbit returns, with a feather in his cap, “Fortune the cold slowed the poison. I was able to pluck the arrow and cleanse the wound (Medicine 27). With rest, he should recover soon.”

Gaeranon offers the nest only for another night, “No offense but your smell disturbs the others. And we have much to patrol. Troubles up north, orcs moving west of the mountains, and a curious fortress south near the river Gladden. What was long abandoned by men now has signs of shadow servants.” With that, the stay among the eagles is done, “We are grateful for your rescue. But we’d best leave now to not impose upon you more. Írimë has an appointment with her cousins. If you could fly us one last time.” And so it is we are once more walking the road only yesterday swarming with orc.

A7 – In the Presence of a Fading Light

[Tony/Galanon and Denny/Rowlie were absent]

The battle ground has grown silent; Ladee walks among the dead looking for any sign of life he might save. He pauses over the body of a 14 year-old child warrior, kneeling to inspect the amulet around his neck. What could possibly drive someone to this end? Is the amulet a curse or force of evil control? Meanwhile, Rambler walks among the dead scrounging for possessions. He pauses over the headless body of Valter retrieving the pouch slung over his shoulder. He reaches inside finding a severed human head. 

A slight jerk as the eyes open, “Ah, you are the one Valter told me about. So human, how does it feel slaying so many of your own? Doing my bidding. For I am the one.” Rambler fortifies himself with bold responses, “You are powerless now. We have slain your emissary Valter.” But the head only chuckles, “He was only a tool. Just like you’ve been for me.”

Ladee and Rambler return to the others with their finds; Rambler first, “Hobbit, you gotta see this.” Ladee reacts with shock at seeing the severed head. Then bewilderment when the eyes open and mouth speaks, “Ah, one of your kind I haven’t seen for ages. How do you feel killing your friends? Look closely at that amulet; do you not remember the merchants’ son?” Ladee drops the head in shock as he rushes back to the child warrior; indeed, Belgo from their first journey along the elven path. Ladee slumps in despair kneeling to bless the boy with his tears.