Joined: Sept 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 1,218 Location: Melbourne, Australia Karma: 195
(005) The Gate Camp « Thread Started on Aug 1, 2011, 6:07am »
As the main body of the expedition continue to delve deeper into the dark of Moria, Celglin carries Dernfara of Westfold's humble lantern to light the way ahead of the strong Rohirim and the Dwarf Vestri, who carry with them the body of Grim the Dunderling.
It is a long, dark, winding stair and it takes the small group some twenty minutes to reach the bottom of the stair and Hollin Gate. Their eyes are dazzled by the brightness of what is actually a cool, gloomy afternoon -- but even are they glad to feel the fresh breeze upon their faces once more!
Now they carry their sore burden, and tiding back to the camp proper, where all those who stayed behind leap to their feet and assist the adventurers back to the comfort of the camp-site, asking many questions.
Dernfara's lantern is still three quarters full when Celglin extinguishes it.
Joined: Sept 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 1,218 Location: Melbourne, Australia Karma: 195
Re: (005) The Gate Camp « Reply #1 on Aug 1, 2011, 6:08am »
Vestri the Dwarf immediately casts himself down in an exhausted heap and declares "Bring me ale surgeon, to steady my bones. I've seen Trolls, by Thror's Beard, Trolls!"
Joined: Jan 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 329 Location: Lexington, KY Karma: 9
Re: (005) The Gate Camp « Reply #4 on Aug 19, 2011, 2:58pm »
Men of Eriador, they burn their bodies in pyres? They are buried in cairns? Celglin suggests that a cairn may be constructed in the wood, and would also like to examine the dried water course for soft earth. While examining the area, he begin silently composing a song appropriate to ward a location from the Darkness. We should not blaze a fire at the foot of the three peaks...
Joined: Sept 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 1,218 Location: Melbourne, Australia Karma: 195
Re: (005) The Gate Camp « Reply #5 on Aug 19, 2011, 8:06pm »
Soval's troop of mercenary fighters discuss the encounter with the Trolls at length among themselves, speaking in terms of tactics, strengths, weaknesses and so on. They shake their heads over Grim's untimely demise and each take a swig of their flasks in honour of their fallen comrade.
Meanwhile Celglin wanders the small vale examining the stream bed as he hums a mournful tune to himself.
The gate stream is by no means dry. A cold and swift water runs through the valley, over a bed of rocks broken down to rounded stones and pebbles by ages of weather and water. Most of the soft earn of the little valley appears to be at its northern end, where most of the Holly trees grow.
Celglin recalls his history and muses that this soil and silt must likely have been deposited there at the time this vale was dammed, and the whole of it submerged beneath a cold lake...
Joined: Sept 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 1,218 Location: Melbourne, Australia Karma: 195
Re: (005) The Gate Camp « Reply #6 on Aug 19, 2011, 8:09pm »
Now Celglin approaches the precipice to gaze thoughtfully out over the patchwork plains of Eregion, far below.
Lighting a pyre may indeed bring unsought mischief. But the only alternative seems to carry the body down into the plains of Eregion, hither, and conduct the funeral at a distance from the Hollin Gate.
But afternoon will soon be turning to evening... the shadows lengthen over the land, and a chill is beginning to gather upon the air despite the day time warmth. Come nightfall, this mountain face will be bitter cold, and there is little doubt that Wolves, and other fell things, will be out on the prowl...
Joined: Jan 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 329 Location: Lexington, KY Karma: 9
Re: (005) The Gate Camp « Reply #7 on Aug 21, 2011, 12:35pm »
Celgin returns to the party at the gate. "Tonight we will stand vigil over Grim, and also over our companions in the Halls, by barring entry to those now inclined to enter this gate." To this end I would like keep Grim in the entry hallway, and prepare barricades and obstacles to place in the already difficult passage in, hopefully not too obvious to observation from without.
(OOC: roughly how long a journey would it be down to where the waters of the Sirannon calm - and back? Wondering whether the river could bear a floating bier)
Joined: Sept 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 1,218 Location: Melbourne, Australia Karma: 195
Re: (005) The Gate Camp « Reply #8 on Aug 21, 2011, 5:43pm »
Soval's company of grim fighters mutter skeptically amongst themselves, and the members of the baggage train seem nervous about spending the night within Moria. Whether the animals can be dragged into the Mines and made to stay there is another question...
Dernfara the ranger surveys this anxious discussion and says quietly to Celglin, "Perhaps it would be easier on our bold retainers if we were to barricade the gate and guard it from without?"
He moves easily over to the precipice and surveys the waning afternoon view with Celglin. "I dare say it would take the best part of a day to descend this climb to the river valley proper. And another to return."
Joined: Jan 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 329 Location: Lexington, KY Karma: 9
Re: (005) The Gate Camp « Reply #9 on Aug 27, 2011, 11:02am »
It is likely the case that we should stick with the original plan and camp hidden among the trees. In the morning, the decision to take Grim to the river or to bury him here will be made and implemented.
It is likely the case that we should stick with the original plan and camp hidden among the trees. In the morning, the decision to take Grim to the river or to bury him here will be made and implemented.
Celgin and Dernfara agree upon this course, and head back to the main camp to communicate the plan with Soval's mercenaries and the rest of the train.
With the afternoon truly waning now, the folk get themselves busy with preparation for a chill, mountain-side evening...
Joined: Sept 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 1,218 Location: Melbourne, Australia Karma: 195
Re: (005) The Gate Camp « Reply #11 on Sept 19, 2011, 8:29am »
An hour later...
Dernfara, ever watchful, is gazing out over the lands of Eregoin from the precipice of the gate camp as the afternoon begins to stretch out toward a brisk dusk.
By his sharp eye he does spot a small company approaching the final stair that climbs a long, and narrow course up to the gate camp along side the falls of the Siranon.
He has watched their approach from afar, and reckons them to be a company of five Dwarfs. Whatever their business, he hopes they have brought good woollens for the cold night ahead.
Still, it will take them half an hour yet to climb the stair, and by then he will be beginning to think about keeping warm himself.
Joined: Sept 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 1,218 Location: Melbourne, Australia Karma: 195
Re: (005) The Gate Camp « Reply #12 on Sept 19, 2011, 8:36am »
Oin and Hrok, your adventure begins.... now.
You have marched five days from Edhil, aware that a large company of Men and Dwarves set out for the Mines a day ahead of you. Some of them are even reckoned "heroes", it's said.
Whatever their virtues may be, you'll be a dead Dwarf before Durin's ring of power rests upon any Man's finger! And that besides, everyone knows there's gold and silver that rightfully belongs to Dwarfs that just needs... finding"... in the deep vaults.
And you be just the Dwarf fer that particular job!
Joined: Sept 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 1,218 Location: Melbourne, Australia Karma: 195
Re: (005) The Gate Camp « Reply #14 on Sept 21, 2011, 8:28am »
The Dwarves of the camp, for there are several, are heartened by this news, saying there will be good song and ale tonight to celebrate this good fortune -- the camp before Hollin Gate could never have too many Dwarfs!
But the others camp followers are nervy. The evening will come soon, and with it the cold and dark of night.
"We had best prepare a fire, Ser," suggests Balain, a wide eyed boy of Esgaroth, who appears now at Dernfara's side. "It will be fierce cold tonight,".
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