A13 - Chain Gang

The dwarven army marched across the Celduin bridge and laid into the orc invaders. By dusk all was quiet as medics tended the wounded. “Not much of an invading army. You suppose this was but a diversion?” King Bard is anxious to return to Dale especially when we recount sighting the Shadowy mist flying north, “Do you suppose it goes to join its main force?” Over the next 11 days to return to Laketown and Dale, King Bard seems concerned as he mentions he’s lost contact with his main emissary sent east. Another indicator of the main force possibly coming from the east and thus squashing any spies or emissaries who might give warning?

Esgaroth farmers pay little attention as the army marches past their lands; they are too busy still harvesting their fields late in this cold November, getting ready to survive any siege upon the lands. When we reach Dale, we are ushered into the palace for comfort and food as possible advisors to the king. But Ladee is anxious to check with the House-of-Healers and lend aid to their dealings with the poisoned soldiers. Rambler is off to Esgaroth shopping with his new-found 100 gold reward. He’s also backtracking the swindler Lockman who’s the source of the poison and Rambler’s stolen gold from his tournament win.

All of us gather rumors:

1. The king’s missing eastern emissary is a secret; his name, anonymous.

2. There are reports of skirmishes from many of the eastern outposts.

3. To the west there is confirmation the goblin gate is indeed closed. Beorn does what he can but knows the southern gate is still open.

4. Those traveling from far south as Gondor mention the return of THE evil one.

Meanwhile, Brackrog has settled in a chair at the local pub, a dozen empty mugs lined before him as his beard drips with the last remains. “Ah, I thought I’d find you here.” It is Ori (one of the original 13) come to relay King Dain’s request to see the dwarf warrior. “That calls for another drink. Dilly, dilly.”

The dwarf gathers his allies for the short journey north where Ladee gazes in wonder at the massive restored gates into Erebor. The hobbit constantly getting separated from the others per his gawking, “This way Baggins”.   It’s a long walk inside the walls of Erebor, full of grandeur, passages enough to get lost, till they are led to the tall iron doors of the king’s chamber. Traditions are in order for introductions and salutations as the group notices the crown upon the large dwarf seen still wearing traditional iron-banned miner shoes.

“Thank you for coming as I seek help interpreting events. Yes, Lockman came to us with a forged letter of introduction. Us too enthralled with the treasure he offered in exchange for gold. The ‘Shield-of-Thrain’ he claims found in the east and bought for pittance. It was Thror's shield who died and it went to Thrain who lost it when he was held as a prisoner in Dol Guldur. [Thror is Thorin's grandfather and Thrain is Thorin's father.] But us not questioning how Lockman got his hands on it. Nor why he was willing to sell it back to us so cheap. Thus we didn’t suspect his request to look through our library (which we politely denied). No follow-up when our librarian here (a longbeard named Mooning) reported a midnight noise that proved to be nothing. But now that Lockman’s treachery has proved out, we’ve reviewed events and now realize he did sneak into our library cutting a page from a book. Here.”

Ladee is already climbing the library shelves to reach for the referenced book, but Rambler’s reach is greater as the woodsman plops the book on the table. A huge volume detailing a northern watchtower called Zirakinbar, “Built within the distant Grey Mountains north, to defend against the great wyrms. They were tasked to send a message if one was sighted. Of course no such message was received when Smaug flew south. Now the tower has been deserted for centuries. We wondered why Lockman might be interested in the tower so we sent thrush to investigate. But none have returned.” Rowlie flips the pages around where the missing page once was, “I suspect the page may have included a map or layout of the tower. We’ve heard and seen of other ancient strongholds now being occupied by orcs. Dwimmerhorn in the Gladden Fields, Dol Guldur. Could this Zirakinbar be another hideout for the main invasion?”

Ladee suggests research of other tower books. Maybe glean ideas of what Lockman stole. “Did you build tunnels connecting the towers?” But research proves the theory wrong. HOWEVER, they do learn:

1. The upper level doors were designed such that opening correct door combinations created airflow that produced musical cords. The “Chamber of Winds”. 

2. Open the right doors and the sound could be deafening!

3. Usually a concealed entrance to the tower. “Use an axe or hammer ‘Thrice’.

And so the group gathers winter gear and supplies for a cold northern trek, “Just think. We’ll be the first to gaze upon the lands since the northern door was just cleared. We may even see dragons!” As the ancient dwarven doors are pushed open, the group gazes upon the frozen trackland, “Yeah, a real treat!” And so Brackrog Guides us north thru light mist and bone-chilling winds. Come dusk our Scout Rambler builds a fire to stave off the cold and exhaustion. 

Morning has our Lookout Rowlie pointing out a statue ahead. That proves to be a frozen orc leaning against a post. Died of exhaustion. Now with glowing green eyes: the Shadow spies and knows our presence! Rowlie beheads the orc lookout and the shadow departs leaving Corruption in its wake. Despair and forlorn. Then signs of other orc tracks going north. We continue till our Hunter Ladee spies goats that are quickly brought down for a warm dinner and skinned for gloves.

Days of plodding thru the snow as the wind howls as if a voice of despair – Corruption. Endless days under the oppressive taint of evil and its Corruption, till we come upon a stagnant pool where an ancient tree sways in the wind. 

Then realization the tree actually turns to face us, “Are you more orces?” In a slow, deliberation speech, “I am…well…Witherfingers. Are you orc in disguise?” She reaches out to touch Rambler’s face, moss and worms drop from her rooty fingers as she confirms the woodsman’s skin remains attached. She then reaches towards Ladee’s shiny coat buttons which he offers 2; that she plops into her mouth, “Thank you, I’ll save for later.” She then recounts the passage of 20 orc two days ago, “Dragging a huge chain.” Rowlie remembers the chain per dealing with the wizard Radaghast years ago. Each link the size of a skull. “The Chain-of-Thangorodim said to be used to bind the will of anyone bound in its links.” Thoughts of the orc binding a wyrm gives reason to their northern quest!!

It’s comforting rest under the leafless bough of the great Ent Witherfingers. Morning goodbyes as we trudge on into the foothills of the Grey Mountains. Foul moods and short tempers. A steady climb into the Withered Heath. Jagged peak ridges, clouds moving around suggesting something within, smell of ash on the wind. Then a winding path down into a shadowy gorge lined with caves along its edges. Stealth as we cross the land careful to avoid the center trail that still holds orc footprints. Rowlie’s stumble passing one cave earns a noisy grumble.

Brackrog’s clanking armor brings forth a roaring Abominable snowman! Claws and bite versus sharp blades. And Ladee swinging his dagger from its underside gives distracting advantage to his allies. The foe tumbles down the slope into a stream after a crushing hammer smash by Brackrog. We take advantage of the smelly but warm empty cave to tend wounds. Within the half-hour another Yeti and assault, before we clear the caves.

And that’s when we catch sight of the tower carved into the Grey Mountains. Some upper doors open and smoke pouring forth. Sniffing then grumbling by the dwarf, “That’s gold I smell! Those damn orc are melting your gold Rambler.”

Conversation cut short at the appearance of a spectral shade holding his hands palm up. Brackrog recognizing him as the master of Laketown who’d fled with the city coffers 10 years ago when Smaug emerged. “They have come for the gold. I’m cursed till I complete a deed. Look to the north for it now comes.” It doesn’t take elven eyes to see the great cloud approaching from the north. “As we suspected. Well don’t just stand there, they’ve attracted a wyrm they hope to catch.”

We reconnoiter the base of the tower, Brackrog’s dwarven eyes easily spotting the outlines of a well hidden door. Three raps with his great hammer and the door creaks open. Loud, dusty, dark. A central room with passages to the sides. Footprints leading to a door across the room. Careful search of the other passages as we work our way to the door where the hobbit leans in to listen. The door warm to his ear as he hears the roar of a fire inside. As he turns to whisper to the others, the door opens. Both Ladee and the orc are surprised! This is the furnace room where a goblin shovels gold into the bowels of the great furnace. Upon seeing enemy, the goblin slings hot gold at Rowlie. Arrows and blade quickly dispatch the foe. Rowlie rushes forward trying to scoop gold out of the furnace, “Maybe if we shut off the smell of gold the dragon will lose direction.” But we all know a dragon’s sense of smell is too great. He’s coming.

We search passages till we find stairs going up. Adjoining rooms. Rowlie listens at a door hearing movement and orcish conversation. A plan for the Breeman to draw them out into our killing field at the other door. Rowlie quietly opens the door spying more than he’s prepared for: orc and a troll focused on the front door of the tower. The Shadow may have told them of our approach, but we’ve caught them by surprise. Rowlie unleashes 2 arrows dropping 2 orc before the others turn and charge. In their mad fevered rush to kill the enemy the orc fall into our trap.

Better yet, they are between us and the slower troll who plows thru them to get at us. While we quickly dispatch this group, we did not expect other doors within the tower foyer to open, spilling out more orc and troll! Almost a dozen foe. This time the troll first. And Ladee up to his established tactics, except now exposed to orc spearing from behind the troll. But the stout troll legs are like thick tree trunks giving him cover. Till the troll falls from his allies constant hacks and slashes. Fortuned planning with the door denying the mass of orc from attacking more than one-at-a-time.

As we survey the pile of orc bodies we realize more are possibly upstairs in the ‘Chamber of Winds’. “Maybe if we can drag the chain down into the furnace and smelt it before the Shadow can imprison the wyrm… “