A15- A Putrid/Paralyzing Breath

Another Fellowship has the party going separate ways. Ladee once more across the Misty Mountains to bring smiles to his parents awaiting in the Shire. Months holed up by the winter snows gives time for research but the hobbit libraries are wanting. Hints of Dunedain treasures scattered among the ancient ruins, but no real clues for the hobbit thirsty for secrets. Thus, it’s early spring 2952 when the hobbit says his goodbyes as he treks once more eastward toward the mountains. A short stop in Rivendell to study in the great elven library. Intrigued by the mention of Weathertop that has been a side note to his comings and goings all these years (halfway between the Shire and Rivendell). “Maybe treasure lies among the ruins, that could be used to battle the now growing shadow. Or knowledge of its weaknesses.”

Weathertop was a large hill upon which Amon Sûl the watchtower was built by the Dúnedain of Arnor. It was the southernmost of the Weather Hills and stood upon the norther side of the East/West Road. Its summit was well over a thousand feet and its strategic position was not lost on the kingdom of Arnor, as it overlooked the Great East Road for many miles, offering a commanding view in every direction. During the reign of Elendil, the watchtower was built upon its summit. The most powerful of Arnor’s three Palantíri was kept in the tower, which enhanced its strategic importance. When Arnor split into three smaller kingdoms, the tower stood at the junction of their borders. Amon Sûl became the most coveted prize between the warring factions of the northern kingdoms of Arthedain, Cardolan and Rhudaur. With the rise of Angmar in the far north and its ally Rhudaur, the tower on Weathertop was taken and destroyed by the Witch-king.

But for now, Ladee departs the elven realm to rejoin his allies in Dale. A long march indeed as he circles south to the pass near Mountain Hall. It’s late Spring by the time the hobbit finds Brackrog at the same inn, same table, with a dozen empty mugs lined before him. “Did you even move while I was gone?” At least the arrival of Rowlie brings movement, “King Dale requests our presence.” What could he want? We’ve heard the rumors of easterly trade drying up; western wagon trains attacked preventing goods in and out of Eriador.

A14 - Chamber Music

Having dispatched the main force of orc gathered at the main entrance, the group takes time to search the immediate area. They find a trap laid just for them…a crushing block that would have fallen upon opening the front door.  In a small side room, “Over here. Looks like a rope ladder to reach the 3^rd floor.”

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?

A12 – “They’ve Got a Troll!”

[Darrick/Brackrog was absent]

Rowlie puts on his best scowl face as Rambler splashes water on the unconscious orc prisoner. In orcish he interrogates, “How many scouting parties have already crossed the River Running? Where did you cross? What are your plans?” Overconfident and the least bit intimidated, the orc replies, “We’re here to destroy and burn for the main army but 2 days south. Bow now and I’ll offer kind words in your behalf to our leader, the Gibbet. He may be caged in a rolling wagon but his powers reach beyond his cell. He can animate the dead or possess other bodies. Tremble before him for he is…” The sentence cut short as the Breeman’s blade slices his throat. “Blah, blah, blah. He’s bad, he’s evil. Like we haven’t seen that already.” We search the orc bodies finding poison tipped arrows and blades. Not surprising. We press on south.

A11 – It’s All Fun and Games Till Someone Gets Hurt

After traveling to Lorien to report on Dwimmerhorn and the shadowy figure, some of us parted ways for a long awaited fellowship. Rowlie stayed, enthralled by the sweet elvish music. Galanon stayed for rest to purge his Shadow Points under care of fellow elves. Brackrog traveled to Rosgobel seeking his own means of purging his Shadow: by drowning it away with ale…LOTS OF ALE. Meanwhile Rambler traveled east to the Woodland Hall while Ladee traveled west to his Shire. Thus it was early October when the group rejoined at Galanon’s home in Lorien. The hobbit Ladee reporting first, “The goblins are more active having closed the High Pass; for now the Middle Pass near Mountain Hall is still open. And since it was so close, I stopped in to checkup on the families we’d rescued and escorted there. Except the gate guards turned me away; curiosity to thus sneak in. Where I learned the traitor Magric is now advisor to lord Hartfast and preaching isolationism. The peoples happy because the goblin threat has melted away; and their pockets getting lined by gold as they now mine for treasure and iron-ore they smith into weapons.”

Brackrog’s hand clamped down on Rowlie’s shoulder as the Breeman seethed, wanting to kill Magric. “We have more important business. Radaghast suggests we travel to Dale for the 10^th anniversary of the ‘Battle-of-the-Five-Armies.’ He tasks us as emissaries representing our own races. Rambler scowls, “He wants us to party instead of kill a traitor?!” Disorder and division till the dwarf finds the words to restore focus, “The wizard foretells dire events north. There is reason for us to go as we have seen the most over these last years.”

A10 - The Orcs at Dwimmerhorn

[Bill/Ladee was unable to attend]
The shackled man sat in the bog-reeds shaking in fear, not sure if he’d been rescued, or just jumped from the frying pan into the fire. He relaxed as Rambler removed his shackles, then introduced himself as Valar. He’d been lured here by Maggrith and taken into slavery by Orcs in the old fort called Dwimmerhorn. Rowlie decided it would be a very short conversation with Maggrith should their paths ever cross.

Valar narrated the tale of his escape, and the luck of finding a goat path on the back side of the old fort. “There are about a hundred of us slaving away mining ore for those damn brutes. Working near starvation and death. I’d rather get the hell away from here. But yeah, if staying with you improves my survival chances in this fog and bug infested swamp, I’ll lead you to the fort but no further.”

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.