A16- Restoring Rightful Power

King Thranduil was pleased with our reported kill of the goblin and his Basilisk. So much so, he provided Lembas bread for our next trip southwest to Mountain Hall to investigate reported problems. We’d already told how mayor Hardfast  was under false influence by the evil Madric we’d encountered in the Gladden Fields oh so long ago. But latest news was even more troubling.

So we are off; barely hours along the old elf pass beyond the black stream, and we encounter webbing stretched across our path.

Ladee squints tree-ward seeing 2 large spiders at about the same time Rambler torches the webbing. No surprise as most of our arrows miss their mark as the foe spring into action. A glob of webbing restrains Rambler as the rest of us get off another round of arrows. Then bows changed for melee as the fight evolves. Ladee moves to grab the woodsman’s dropped torch to burn the webbing constricting Rambler (what’s a little 2^nd degree burn compared to spider bite!).

Fortune the spiders drawn to the glint of Brackrog’s armor; their stings deflected. So one moves to confront the elf Galanon. Ladee moving to flank. Except he’s exposed to the sting and thus paralyzed. At least the others score hits eventually dropping the foe. Search to confirm no other human prey cocooned in the spider lair above. Ladee’s paralysis slowly wearing off such that we continue along the path till Galanon calls halt for the night.

Morning travel soon has us out of the western forest gate and into the honey-suckle fields of the Beornings. Chance to visit with Grimbeorn (Rambler’s patron) and the hobbits Dody and Dindy running the Easterly Inn. A time of great spirits, feasting, and stories till the discovery, “What? No longbottom leaf pipeweed?!“ Seems the goblin threat in the High Pass imposes high tariffs curtailing wagon shipments. “We’ve had to resort to raising sheep. At least we’re the only establishment within hundreds of miles serving mutton.”

Morning carries us along familiar southern paths till we reach the Old Ford gate. Only one familiar guard, “Hail trusty friend. Call Eberulf out of the privy that we might celebrate old times.” But Eberulf has retired. News somewhat calm this side of the river. “But across the river…Beorn struggles to control the goblin infestation. Goblin Town has re-emerged. And if you cross the mountains, don’t venture north of the Trollshaws. Evil grows faster than jock-itch and is more deadly. Why even the elves have resigned to give up the land as they travel west to sail across the seas.” At least Ladee revives the spirits when he breakouts the last of his longbottom weed.

Morning across the bridge has no roads leading south. Forging our own trail when late afternoon, “Is that an eagle flying our way? Looks larger than any eagle I’ve seen. In fact longer wings!” Scramble for cover as the clouds seem to thicken at its approach, “SCREECH.” Rambler obviously disturbed (Shadow Point). Galanon already deciding to change destination, “I must report this to Lorien. Did you not recognize that was a servant of the ancient Witch-King riding the back of that dragon flying north, then turning northwest!?” The others convince the elf to stick to our task, “Mountain Hall is but a side-trip. You can continue to Lorien AFTER.”

We camp within a copse of trees with watch set around a sunken campfire. We break camp early morning as we angle to the woodsmen fortress. Come 10am we cross path with 6 woodmen heading north; spotted before we can hide. Rambler stepping forward to talk with his kinsmen, learning they come from Mountain Hall. “I am Gundovald. We recognize you from years ago when you delivered those refuges. We could no longer tolerate the abuse. Everything turning to crap once mayor Hardfast  died and that madman became advisor to the mayor’s son Hardfell, too young to rule alone. Madric his name. Everyone laboring in the mines. Those refuges treated as slaves; even their children forced into the mines. The rest of us working for pittance wages. Orders to keep YOU out.” Ladee asks, “How did you get out?”

Galanon manages to convince the woodsmen to join us in overthrowing Madric. “We’ll show you the passage under the bridge but we will not raise swords against our brethren. Well maybe Madric’s loyal men.” So we are led south of the hall along the river before turning north till we spy the bridge with guards on patrol. Gundovald explains, “See that brush under the bridge? The sewers flow forth and the brush not cut back now hide the entrance. The guards change about every 20 minutes. We rush across to the base of the bridge, use handholds to cross to under the brush. Then climb to the sewer opening that leads into a building privy.” Sounds easy.

Not! Everyone’s throat stretched at the sounds of Brackrog’s clanky armor as we TRY to stealth toward the bridge. Phew! Then Galanon slipping on the handholds almost falling into the river. As for Rambler’s dog Garl, “Stay!” We climb to the sewer. Well, all except the dwarf…”CRASH.” From above, “What was that?” Galanon lowering a rope that Brackrog climbs JUST getting to the sewer mouth when the guards peer over the side above. “That must have been one nasty turd spilling out of the sewers.” Phew! No, I mean “PHEW” as in the stench of the shit-covered-dwarf!

Ten brave men (the 6 woodmen came along) exit the shitter of the Gathering Hall. An effort to disguise ourselves before stepping out into the Mountain Hall courtyard. Shock at the depressing sight of the oppressed folk dragging their worn bodies about. Till a woman stops before Rambler, “You look familiar. YOU’re one of the one who led us refuges to this hellhole!” Rambler responding, “Worry not. We’re here to set things right.” Then convincing the woman not to shout glee that would raise an alarm.

We part ways with the woodsmen. No plan as we cross to the main 2-story building; 2 guards at the entrance. To Rambler (whom they think a woodsman who belongs within these walls) they inquire, “Why bring that child here? Take him to the mines where he belongs.” The woodsman pauses before realizing they reference Ladee, “He’s a retarded one, but we’re here to see Madric.” Ladee ignores the slam, whimpering, “Mommy, I want my mommy.” Galanon grips his sword beneath his cloak as the guards retort, “Tomorrow.” But Rambler insists, “We must see Madric now for the boy reveals a plot against the young ruler.” The guards smile as they counter, “Accidents happen.” As if they know there IS a plan to eliminate young Hardfell. “But this plot targets Madric too.” We are hastily ushered in with the guards in trail.

The throne room is empty except Madric sitting upon the throne fiddling with a scroll. He looks up at hearing our entrance, stuffing the scroll into his waistband. Rambler bows, “Master, there is danger.” Rambler approaches uninvited then draws his bow at the foot of the throne-dais steps. Initiative! Galanon turns slashing a guard behind him who drops. Rambler shoots and hits Madric (Critical – 3xDamage + Con-check). Brackrog attacks the other guard as the elf closes the doors to muffle the combat noise. As Rambler notches another arrow, Madric rises off the throne running behind it for cover. Ladee rushes forward only to find, “He’s gone!” A quick search finds blood smear along the base of the wall…a trap door chute escape.

Ladee disarms the latch then opens the chute before rolling in to follow. Brackrog manages to block the chute from closing as the others soon follow. Torch-light reveals a cut tunnel with a bloody trail angling left that we follow. Around the corner we find Madric collapsed. Rambler advances to check for a pulse…with the end of his blade…deep plunges. “Yeah, he’s dead.”

We search the body for the scroll: it’s a crud goblin map with writing, “Cut east off from west.” Horizontal closely spaced parallel lines, then a vertical line, a circle (with small box inside) to the northeast of the intersection. An arrow points from the circle to the intersection. Two concentric circles to the southeast of the intersection. Ladee sparks up, “Hey, those are the concentric circles we found on the basilisk-goblin scroll. And that’s Weathertop to the north! “

Brackrog summarizes, “OK, so we know they plot something across the mountains. But where was Madric going? What lies ahead?” A fork ahead. Left is a deadend. To the right: a long cut wall with the path sharply angling back to the right. “Over here! Careful, it’s trapped with a deadfall stone block.” With a rope around his waist for the others to jerk him out of danger if the stone falls, Ladee inspects the door. Ready to open the door when he last-minute spies the thin filament wire stretched across the face of the door. A pulley setup at its end which would trigger the trap. Ladee jams his dagger into the pulley before cutting the filament, “All clear.”

The next chamber angles up. Every 20 feet sunlight spills from openings cut into the upper corners. The right leads to shitters. Left leads to a “Y” intersection. Tracks. Foot AND handprints line the path that leads to a door. Then realization by the dwarf oh so familiar with dungeon traps, “Don’t break the sunbeam!” First Galanon crawls across the path. After everyone follows, the elf throws a stone into the beam. 4 spears spring out of the light openings. Ladee finds a basic lock on the door, yet Rambler steps forward to open it: a lockpick inserted (rolls 25), “click”.

Brackrog peers inside then quickly closes the door. “That’s goblin town! Or a goblin outpost. There could be hundreds of those little buggers on the other side of this door.” Rambler ready to cave-in the area. Logic, “They can quickly dig this out. Besides, there could be other doors within these tunnels. Let’s search more before we decide actions.” Continued search finds more branches, deadends, connecting passages, a large cavern weapon storage area, and the mouth to another cavern from which light spills forth. Grunting noise. An unknown language. We sneak forward with bows ready.

Almost a dozen (10) warriors mill around. Rambler boldly enters, “Do you speak common?” Weapons raised as they grunt at him…sounds kinda orcish…and they are NOT happy. From our hiding, we loose arrows in surprise. Two warriors drop. The others advance…their eyes suddenly glowing red as if on fire. [WIS-check to avoid being frightened] Only Brackrog stands firm as his allies faulty in fear. Till Ladee raises his sword [Flame-Of-Hope] breaking the fear of his allies while bestowing Inspiration. The dwarf and hobbit in melee as the others twang arrows. The Hillmen of Gundabad fall. A search of the bodies reveals goblin gold. Forces of evil.

“So it’s settled. We rescue the young Hardfell and counsel his orders to send warriors into the tunnels to attack the goblin. First strike to send them scurrying away instead of forward.” As we backtrack the tunnels, Rambler gathers Madric’s body which he drags along. We find an unexplored passage echoing with the clinging of iron on rock. The slave miners! We explain events and their freedom. Joy rings out as they drop picks and shuffle out of the mines. Ladee takes time to reset the deadfall trap just in case the goblins pour out sooner than expected.

As we climb up to the trapdoor behind the throne, we enter the throne-room where we find Gundovald conversing with young Hardfell. “While you dealt with Madric, we rescued our true ruler.” Rambler steps forward, “Fear not master for your torturer is dead.” The woodsman drags the body into view. Hardfell shrieks in initial panic before revealing, “So cruel. Always telling scary stories to keep me in line. How he’d kill me just like father.” Brackrog stepping forward to remind all of unsettled matters. “You won’t have much of a kingdom to run till you deal with the goblin infestation below.”