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.

It’s late evening when we arrive at the Old Ford bridge. Our surprise seeing the guards, “We thought the orcs tracking us would have overrun you!?” But their preparation of many campfires implied a waiting army; the orcs bypassed the bridge. A peaceful night of story telling. Morning sunrise highlights a copse of tree just outside Mirkwood hosting a flock of song birds; an inspiring vision that boosts morale (Inspiration).

Rambler angles us off the original path to take a side-trip to Woodmen’s town where he presents the axe shard (given to us years ago by the hermit along the old elf path thru northern Mirkwood), “It is called ‘Wolfbiter’.” The town elder Adalard is pleased, “My cousin wielded this axe. And you say it was found in Dol Guldur. I can’t imagine what he was doing there. But we are grateful it has been found. You are always welcomed within our walls (Sanctuary). Now sit and feast and tell us of world events.”

Come morning, as we draw closer to Rosgobel, Rambler pulls his collar higher and hood further over his face. Which perks everyone’s curiosity; is he an escaped felon? Inquiries point to a copse of trees within the wooden walls; Radagast’s dwelling inside. But our attempts to follow the pea-gravel lined path only offers headaches and disorientation as we find ourselves back at the beginning of the path. Rambler offers meaning, “You need invite.”

And that’s when a squirrel chatters from the tree above. Rambler and Galanon chattering back. “Says Radagast gone but will be back tomorrow.” Brackrog takes cue to find the nearest pub for a long and boisterous night of drinking and entertainment as Rowlie joins in with local minstrels.

[Arrival Phase] Morning finds the same squirrel dancing on our thatched roof to then bow at Rambler for another exchange of chattering.

We follow the animal into the copse finding the hut door open and Radagast hunched over a table tending an injured hedgehog.

His focus disrupted when Brackrog opens with, “We come bearing foul questions.” But the wizard injects, “Let’s eat first.” Thus throngs of animals bring trays of food which barely make it past the hobbit stuffing his face despite the lack of meat. Soon belches imply all are full, “So dwarf, foul news you say?” Galanon recalls the attack on Írimë and our thrust into a dream as Rowlie mentions, “Torturer of Dol Guldur (DG).” The wizard offers, “Yes, dreadful news. But my spies watch DG; no activities reported. But it is a foul place…don’t visit for corruption still lingers in the lands and ruins. But you intrigue me. Would you be willing to investigate further? Seek Hartfast at Mountain Hall. You saw him already? But did you ask about the torturer? Then seek him out but he is closed mouth; you’ll have to pull the info from him. As for a fortress in the Gladden Fields: an ancient Numanorian fort destroyed long ago. Known as Dwimmerhorn; shadowy, moves in the fog, attracts evil. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a patient to attend.” Ladee invites himself along to watch a master healer at work on a deer[which earns him +1 Medical bonus].

[Journey Phase] Our morning breakfast interrupted by Bonna (looks able to hold her own), “I’m to escort you to our boats so you can sail up the Anduin?” As we trek west to the hidden boats, Ladee is constantly plucking snacks from his pockets as Bonna asks our destination. Rambler pissed when Rowlie tells all. Hours pass till we arrive, pulling branches hiding the well concealed boats.

Few pay attention to the bubbles along the water’s edge, until 5 marsh-hags rise out of the river! Arrows sink deep but blades seem to slide off their watery-textured skin. In response, they lash out with sinewy claws that latch onto their prey; Bonna held fast. Ladee understands their tactics and rushes forward to cut the tendrils before the hag can drag Bonna into the river depths.

Rambler/Rowlie/Brackrog close for melee while Galanon sticks with arrows shot into the thick of things. Rambler breaks thru tendrils grappling himself while Ladee has to surgically cut sinew around Bonna grappled by a hag on the other side. As the lone surviving hag slides back into the water, Bonna has had enough, “Screw this adventuring! I’m going back home to an easier life.” But Galanon intercedes with encouraging words that lend inspiration to her deeds. She departs with renewed confidence in her abilities.

Obviously there are no sailors in our group; Ladee the lone rower actually rowing correctly. Except him sitting low in the canoe means the oars only cut the air above the water. The canoes adrift till others find a rhythm rowing north against the current. And just as we start to feel better about our path, we draw abeam the Gladden Fields to the west. Fog rolls across the water surface blinding our direction, as swarms of biting flies weary our already tired bones…exhaustion begins to set in for some. Days of draining rowing till we come upon silver boats sailing south; elves speeding south as they synchronously row with the current…an inspiring sight! Not long before we come to the Anduin island that marks our landward trek. Care to hide the canoes for our return voyage…we hope!

While we rest our tired arm muscles from the days of rowing, it’s still exhausting for the slow climb up into the foothills of Mountain Hall. Welcoming by the familiar tower guard Bernald, him relaying news how the families we delivered last year are working out; hearty miners. “Hartfast? He’s in the mines.” Lit sconces line the descending walls, an anchored rope waist high (head high for Ladee) provides balance on the slick floor drenched from seeping water. Brackrog in his element; others somewhat uncomfortable.

Hastfast is hard fast denying knowledge of “The Torturer.” We fail to draw any news from the stubborn miner, who seems distracted by others with ears to the wall, “Listen. Tapping. I tell you it’s goblins on the other side trying to find fissures to break thru.” Brackrog offers to break thru to skip the drama, “Face them now rather than surprise when they break thru.” Hartfast reconsiders our questions, “So Dol Guldur is silent. Where would this ‘Torturer’ have gone?  Dwimmerhorn in the Gladden Fields (GF)? I’d recommend seeking the trapper Maggrith (odd fellow pushing 70 but brings the finest pelts snared around GF). Expecting him any day; but bring ale and coin to buy his pelts if you hope to get answers and help.” We retire for the night expecting to push out in the morning to intercept this trapper.

It’s 2am when all are waken by the sounds of alarm and screams, “There’s one!” Rambler taking time to don his light armor; Brackrog hesitant to rush out without his heavy armor (time of the essence). Others pointing out goblins climbing the mountain edge give Galanon purpose;

his aimed arrow dropping the lead goblin then Rambler aiding for them to drop the last 2 before they escape. “They stabbed Baldric.” Investigation to learn not goblins breaking thru the mines; rather, descended the mountain raiding a storehouse. First time goblins have penetrated the city defenses; new tactics. Ladee suggests tripwire alarms set along the mountain rim before he rushes to Rowlie calling for aid (he has found Baldric still alive…barely). But the hobbit too late; the guardsman dying in his arms. The morning will bring a funeral pyre for his passing.

A somber morning of songs and service before we head out. Within a half-day hearing songs wafting our way. The trapper Maggrith weighed down with a large backpack stuffed with pelts greets us with a hearty-ho. Rowlie bartering to enlist his services; Rambler paying 2 gold for his pelts to avoid wasted time going back to Mt. Hall. “Gladden Fields you say. Yes I’ve seen Dwimmerhorn; a black rock shifting in the fields. Nasty creatures there, but the best pelts. Feel how smooth these are (Rambler notes that are better than he’s seen)…they are Ettercap. Marshy bog requires more waterproof skin oil; thus, better quality pelt.” The discussion convincing Brackrog to wear a pelt under his armor to avoid chaffing and raw nipples.

[Embarkation and Journey Phase] With Maggrith as guide into Gladden Fields, Brackrog and Ladee succeed as hunters downing the wild sheep the trapper points out hiding in the cattail grasses. Plentiful evening meal. Morning brings another river crossing near a collapsed bridge. It’s the dwarf falling in the river today; the elf standing opposite shore only slightly grinning. While the others cross, Rambler takes time to fish, “Here, rub the fish oil on your skin to thwart the biting flies.”

Maggrith turns serious as we enter the bog, “Quiet. Step where I step least you sink to your death.” Night spent in a bed of reed; no fire = exhaustion.

We awaken to fog and scene of a distant black rock…unnatural…out-of-place…buildings on top. But the sound of huffing and crashing brings us to focus on someone running along the narrow path toward us. Howls behind edging him forward. We duck for cover within clumps of reeds; the dwarf and elf standing their ground in the open.

Soon an emaciated shackled human stumbles toward us. Rambler whispers for him to hide but Brackrog’s raised Warhammer [a sign of greeting?] frightens him to angle into the swampy bog near Rambler. Maggrith now panicky pleading for a weapon as sniffing and snorting worgs come within sight.

An elven arrow arches into the lead worg’s side which spurs the creature forward into a blood-lust charge. Surprise as arrows from Rambler and Ladee drop the beast as they fire from cover. Surprise as Maggrith burst from hiding, diving into the bog as he yells, “It’s an ambush!”

Rambler surprised at the traitor among us. Re-focused as the orcs dismount the remaining worgs which charge while the 3 orcs (with spears and swords) take cover in other reed patches. More arrows drop another worg while the other engages the dwarf. Rambler breaks from hiding to flank the worg killing it as Brackrog now draws his bow to fire upon a distant orc. A hit. Rowlie’s taunting song draws out the orcs who close for melee. We flank as Galanon fires into melee; his first arrow clipping Ladee’s collar, the 2^nd parting the fletching of the eagle feather in the hobbit’s cap before impaling the engaged orc. The bog soon draws quiet except for Ladee rushing to the human prisoner’s aid. 

“What the hell just happened?!”