LOTR: The New Shadow - Chapters IV & V
This had originally been posted in another thread, but I decided to post it here so that those who haven't seen it, will know it exists :)
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Okay so we played our second session back tonight and it went very very well :)
Tieu Thuy promises to have her Journal of Willow Brandybuck entries soon :)
In the mean time here is what I can jot down off the top of my head.
They arrived in Tharbad under the light of Dawn. As they roade towards the east Gate of the bridge they saw a very intersting ship in the port, not like any other they had seen. Illian, being from Dol Amroth recognized the style as Haradric, but it was not a merchant ship.
After a bit of trouble at the gate, then crossed the bridge and entered Tharbad proper. Arendan, Illian and Barahir went to the guard compound to get swords for Illian and Seeker (theirs having been lost fighting the Orcs in the Dunland Pass). Belengol, Andunae, Gror, Erynae and Willow all headed to the Greenway Garden, an inn on the westend of town.
Barahir got a new sword, but the Weapons Master was sure that Illian would get a better sword to replace his Knightly one at the market place. He agreed, and made his way to the Greenway Garden to stowe his gear and head with the ladies (Willow and Erynae) to the market. Meanwhile Belengol, Gror and Andunae stayed behind at the Inn to enjoy some drinks and relaxation.
Arendan and Seeker went to see the Marshall (Military commander of the forces at Tharbad) to give a report and for Arenden to write a letter home to be sent to his wife and children at Fornost.
There they learned that the Orc attacks were increasing and word from up the Greenway was that trouble was brewing in Angmar. Whispers of Witch-King circulated, but Marshall Brendis dismissed them. He also made mention of the fact that he had little faith in King Daerion, since he didn't dispatch men with Arendan to re-enforce Fornost.
Then Brendis left them to see to the morning revue. Seeker took his leave of Arendan as well so he could write his letter home in privacy.
In the market, Illian found a good sword, in the Numenorian style (but not actual Numenorian steel). The smith asked to see the armour Erynae was wearing, but she refused to show it. The smith took minor offense and the two left.
Willow spotted a cheese merchant she had bothered last time she was in Tharbad (his name escapes me right now) and the two sat down to dice and discuss news and rumours.
On his way to the Greenway Garden Seeker came across is fellow Ranger, Walker (Yes... that's right... Walker - Eriador Ranger). The two ducked into a tea-house and in Sindaran exchanged news. Seeker learned of the fact that a new Steward had been appointed over Mordor, Dolomir. He also learned that the Orcs of the Burning Skull had absorbed all the other clans in Angmar, and Walker feared that they had come this far south. He also let Seeker know that a group of Rangers had departed to investigate Mount Gunabad and determine if the Orcs had retaken it as a strong hold. Seeker learned that the name of the Ranger leading the group was called Long-Shanks. Agreeing to meet in Bree at the Prancing Pony, the two old friends parted.
Meanwhile Arendan, having finished his letter, headed to speak again with Brendis. Inquring about the ship he saw in port, Brendis relayed to him that it was indeed a Haradrim ship of some Prince. The most notable fact to Brendis was that the sails were made of silk.
Back at the market Willow had become lured to a Chancery and set herself down for some serious gambling. Erynae and Illian left her seemingly happy and returned to the inn.
Willow proceeded to fleece all the Middle-Men silly enough to sit across for her and then just as it seemed there would be no more takers, a Hobbit fellow walked up and took a seat. He introduced himself as Broca Took and the two began to converse while playing "Hobbit-style". Offering her some of his pipe-weed (Longbottom leaf he claimed) Broca gentley steered the converstation to Willow's adventures, comrades, destination etc. Unknown to Willow, the leaf was druged and she found herself spilling the beans about everything, including Erynae's enchanted armour and Mearas noless. Willow attibuted the light-headedness to her excessive drinking since arriving at the Chancery.
Arriving back at the Inn, Aredan and Seeker sat with the others and shared their news. Needing to make plans Arendan and Seeker went to fetch willow from the market. After they left, Belengol announced that he needed to make his way to visit Carangul the Red to share what they had learned. The company should make their way to Rivendell and if he didn't not join them by the next full moon, they should head to Bree and wait for him there.
For some reason I can't remember Erynae and Illian decided to join up with the others at the market.
Also somwhere in her they learned that another Elf named Celebeth was in town, and Andunae knew of him and did not trust him.
At the chancery Arendan and Seeker discovered Willow passed out at her table. When they picked her up to leave, they were accosted by the owner who took exception to them hoisting off one of his patrons. The ensuring arguement brought to men of Gondor to them, Menelcar and Tarthalion. As they attempted to mediate the dispute, Illian and Erynae arrived.
Illian recognized Menelcar as a middle-man from Dol Amroth who had wanted to be a Knight, but wasn't up snuff, so he became a soldier of Gondor. More importantly he recognized Tarthalion as a former Knight of Dol Amroth who had broken his oath when he took the sword of a combatant he had fell.
Nerely coming to blows, Willow and Broca (who arrived on the scene) managed to separate the men and the players headed back to the inn.
Back at the inn Willow took a turn for the worse and became very sick. Putting her to bed Erynae say watch over her. Seeker, curious as to her sudden illness noted the bag of Longbottom leaf she had and her pipe. Smelling both he noticed the burned leaf in the pipe had an acrid/almondy smell. Worried he made his way with Andunae to an Apocathary.
There he told them that he had sold some Troll-Root or Black Root to an Elf and a Hobbit that morning. When he was informed that Willow was ill, he realized that what was normally a sedative, if smoked, was a powerful drug that could make one susceptible to suggestion. Givng them a powder of King's Foil, he bade them to return and make Willow drink a tea of it.
After they left, Andunae told Seeker that Celebeth was not to be trusted. With a more determined and stern face than he expected she then slipped away into the crowds.
Seeker was able to get the tea mix to Willow, who under the watchful eye of Erynae was made to drink it and then went to sleep.
In Arendan's room Gror informed them that he needed to also part from them and head to the Blue Mountains so that he could deliver the message from King Daerion to his cousin, the leader of the Blue Mountains colony. The group agreed they would be sad to see him go, but he promised to make the rendezvous in Bree.
Then there was a crashing from downstairs.
Cont'd...
