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Post by waysoftheearth on May 25, 2011 4:13:27 GMT -6
The hirelings begin doubtfully to ease the loads on the pack animals and to pace out a likely spot among the trees whereto make a camp.
The sun is almost directly overhead, but already it has begun looking toward the east.
Sili and Norin investigate the source of the Gate Stream, and find that is sprung from many babbling pores in the ancient rock and comes cascading down the side of the Silvertine into the little valley. There is no road ahead for any but the most intrepid mountaineer.
Meanwhile Legandir examines the dark entrance into the mountain side that is embraced between the ancient rock falls. To either side a mighty, flat stone slab seems to be trapped between the mountain side and the rubble... as though they were once great doors...
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heartless
Level 1 Medium
Kill monsters, take the treasure
Posts: 12
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Post by heartless on May 25, 2011 5:31:42 GMT -6
While we wait for all the scouts to return, Soval will eye the land for the most defensible large camp area, or suggestions thereof, in the event that we indeed make it. advice is not without merit, Soval judges. Camping within the trees would -- at the very least -- keep the animals away from the dangerous precipice. And, he concedes, the trees might also be made to provide some measure of cover against detection. A rude fortification might also be established by the placement of certain rocks between certain trees, if one were prepared to work at such an endeavor. Or so might think a fighting Man... Arbenbard awaits tidings from the scouts, with Nat at his side, among the holly trees in the NW corner. walks up to Arbenbard and greets him, " It's a nice day. My name is Lady Éohild of Rohan. I fear the night will not be as safe. I agree with you to set up a camp within the trees. Our hireling can guard our horses and supplies while we venture on from this base camp. Let us help Soval find the most suitable place to defend. I suggest we barricade up between the trees with wood and rocks, and make a stockade for the animals where we can tie them up." " Come on Barald and Gleowine, we have work to do", as Éohild gestures to her hireling for help. |
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Post by doctorx on May 25, 2011 6:29:07 GMT -6
Meanwhile Legandir examines the dark entrance into the mountain side that is embraced between the ancient rock falls. To either side a mighty, flat stone slab seems to be trapped between the mountain side and the rubble... as though they were once great doors... "The doors stand open, it seems," Lomeluin says quietly. He stares into the darkness beyond, a pale gleam flickering in his eyes... |
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Post by Mushgnome on May 25, 2011 7:40:57 GMT -6
Sili is most interested in the dark gate! He takes cover just inside short range of his crossbow (around 8" if I'm not mistaken) and watches the opening.
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Post by ehiker133 on May 25, 2011 7:59:22 GMT -6
Sili and Norin investigate the source of the Gate Stream, and find that is sprung from many babbling pores in the ancient rock and comes cascading down the side of the Silvertine into the little valley. There is no road ahead for any but the most intrepid mountaineer. , too, heads towards the supposed entrance of the mines. Just before Sili stops and takes cover, Norin pauses mid-stride. He squints his eyes (even more so than dwarven eyes already are) and scans the area around the opening. They stop on a small cluster of rocks and boulders - is that where great-grandfather Nar hid while Thrain went inside to take back what was his? That bit of discoloured earth in front of the entrance - is that where the king's head landed when it was tossed out? Of course it isn't - why would the earth still be stained after several hundred years? He drops to one knee, placing his left hand on the ground. He squeezes it into a fist, taking up a handful of dirt in the process. "Sili," Norin whispers roughly, "This is where our king died." |
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Post by crusssdaddy on May 25, 2011 9:41:19 GMT -6
Arbenbard: "Well met, Lady Éohild. 'Tis strange company we keep, eh? I would like to help make camp but for now I shall wait in the shelter of these quiet trees - yon Dwarfs appear reckless, impatient to test the Mines before the company is ready. I shall watch for a moment to see what results from their folly."
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Post by Mushgnome on May 25, 2011 9:56:48 GMT -6
"Sili," Norin whispers roughly, "This is where our king died." whispers: "Oh yes, I've read that story many times." [OOC: he is illiterate...] |
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Post by ehiker133 on May 25, 2011 10:20:55 GMT -6
"Sili," Norin whispers roughly, "This is where our king died." whispers: "Oh yes, I've read that story many times." [OOC: he is illiterate...] OOC: LOL |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2011 15:51:14 GMT -6
"Indeed", says Legandir .
He kneels and begins to scan the ground around the entrance carefully, reading the plants and earth as others might a book.
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heartless
Level 1 Medium
Kill monsters, take the treasure
Posts: 12
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Post by heartless on May 25, 2011 15:53:59 GMT -6
"I think a camp on the far side away from the dark entrance into the mountain side will be the safest place. Where the orc tracks do not travel. If no other suggestions lets make camp, for we have exploring to do?", says Éohild.
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Post by waysoftheearth on May 25, 2011 16:42:58 GMT -6
Hollin Gate indeed stands open. And will never again shut for all the great pile of broken rocks that are fallen over them in a time long past.
The entrance to the great Mines is a flat wedge of darkness like a wound in the mighty flank of the Silvertine. A cool but stale waft of air can be detected by the Dwarves and Elves nearest the entry, but no sight nor sound of any enemy is revealed.
Within, the squinting eyes of Norin can just make out a mighty stone stair at the end of a wide hall, littered with much detritus.
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Post by waysoftheearth on May 25, 2011 16:50:08 GMT -6
As Sili and Norin recall to mind the bravery of their ancestors at this site, Legandir reads the ground about the gate with an uncommon care.
Though it is in the main hard beaten stone, broken twigs and bent shards of grass, and the tiny leaves of weeds clinging to the cracks speak to him of the foot traffic.
It seems to his keen eye that a host of soldiery has passed this way within a week. Who they were or exactly there number he cannot say with certainty, but it seems likely that they were at least two score and possibly four, and passed into the Mines not longer than a week since. And who would pass into the Mines in such numbers but Orcs?
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Post by waysoftheearth on May 25, 2011 17:02:17 GMT -6
As Soval, Eohild and their retains discuss the best position for the camp, it occurs to the seers Celglin and Ardenbard that the Doors of Durin were constructed by the Elves of the Second Age and were decorated with ithildin metal. [Celglin and Ardenbard you know this lore.] |
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Post by calithena on May 25, 2011 17:11:29 GMT -6
Soval and the others concerned estimate the most defensible point and establish a perimeter. With Berangar and Grim he himself moves a few rocks and fallen branches into position. Yet he does not work as hard as he might, eyeing the Hollin Gate.
When a half-elf is free to talk, he asks: "Are the mines open? Or are their spells and charms we must bring down ere we cross that way?"
If there is a riddle or barrier that must be passed, he will call on his men to help him set a strong camp, and that be the end of it.
But, if the way is open, he will address the group when a majority of them have returned. "I think it senseless," he will say, "to camp here for longer than we must, given the dangers of nearby armies and the certainty of our eventual detection. Rather should we eat, and perhaps nap an hour or two, but head in as soon as we are scantly rested and our heads clear: for fights are much easier won as the unheralded aggressor, than as the outthrust rock of defense upon which the tides of conflict crash."
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Post by crusssdaddy on May 25, 2011 22:30:06 GMT -6
Arbenbard and Nat approach the gate. He gives a look and a nod.
"These doors have been opened to allow evil in... perhaps it is time they were closed again? The password is known to me so we shall never have entry refused, but if we can deny entry to more Orcs it would be good."
[OOC] Can the doors be cleared, or is such a task beyond us?
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Post by waysoftheearth on May 25, 2011 23:16:05 GMT -6
[OOC] Can the doors be cleared, or is such a task beyond us? Durin's Gate is old indeed and it is not known whether the enchantments of latter days yet hold. However, the rubble could be cleared with many hands and much labour, given the right tools. It might take a day or even two, and the company's supplies are not without limit... |
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Post by Mushgnome on May 26, 2011 8:43:49 GMT -6
Sili continues to cover the doors with his crossbow from some concealed vantage point. Mentally he calculates how long it would take to clear the rubble using his laborers and team of 4 mules (though truth be told he is terrible at math).
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Post by tombowings on May 26, 2011 12:52:19 GMT -6
"With the provisions in short supply, I will take a hunting party out in search of any nearby game," says Elindir. "Come by brethren, let us take a walk in the woods together. I would like to seem them one last time before descending into the darkest depths below the mountain."
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Post by doctorx on May 26, 2011 13:10:48 GMT -6
"Telthalion, will you accompany Elindir on his hunt?" Lómëluin says to his Warden companion; "I shall wait here a while and keep watch."
And he lingers by the dark doorway, gazing long into the shadows within...
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Post by waysoftheearth on May 26, 2011 16:22:11 GMT -6
Sili is ever optimistic about a Dwarf's capacity for hard work, and reckons that with a decent team and tools he could get the much of it cleared inside a day.
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Post by waysoftheearth on May 26, 2011 16:29:10 GMT -6
Do Elindir and Telthalion intend to descend the gate stair and hunt the craggy plains of Eregion below, in the valley of the Sirannon? It will likely take them the best part of a day to get out of the truly mountainous terrain where hunting might be a reasonable prospect.
Or do they mean to "hunt" the 200 square yards or so of Holly trees up here by Hollin Gate? There is clearly no large game around. If luck is with them, they might get a bird or two...
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Post by calithena on May 26, 2011 18:56:10 GMT -6
If Sili reckons it out loud, he has seven menfolk at his disposal to help with the menial clearing, less whoever they post on guard - which they are all doing now.
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Post by crusssdaddy on May 26, 2011 19:26:14 GMT -6
Arbenbard: "I will help clear the rocks from the gate - it will provide a chance to examine their workings. Perhaps the rocks could be formed into stout defenses. Nat can help clear or stand watch, whichever is needed."
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Post by ragnorakk on May 26, 2011 19:40:54 GMT -6
Celglin asks (assuming that the answer is not obvious) "Can we make it through without disturbing the debris? It might be better to leave as little sign of our entry as possible."
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Post by Mushgnome on May 26, 2011 19:59:02 GMT -6
"HOLD!" calls Sili, rising from his crouch.
"Orcs are active by night. If we can repair these stone-works by dusk, then I for one will sleep safer with a stout gate between our camp and whatever lives in that tunnel. Therefore I will lend my Dwarfs and mules to the effort.
"But if the task is too great for the daylight that remains, what purpose does it serve to create a great ruckus and leave the task half-done? Better to keep a low profile, I think, and hope our campsite in the trees goes unnoticed.
"Either way, nobody starts excavation on the Gate until I've had a chance to scout ahead a ways into the Mines. If there's something we need to know about just inside that tunnel, I'll not waste a day's labor sealing it from our reach!"
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Post by waysoftheearth on May 26, 2011 21:34:28 GMT -6
Celglin asks (assuming that the answer is not obvious) "Can we make it through without disturbing the debris? It might be better to leave as little sign of our entry as possible." It takes but a moment to ascertain that there is indeed a path through the rubble. It is wide enough for two Men to walk abreast, and weaves through a short "S" of a curve before passing through the Gate and into the Mines proper. The best purpose of clearing the rubble would be to free the great doors so that they might be closed once more, or else to re-use the rocks as part of a camp defense. |
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Post by doctorx on May 27, 2011 12:38:10 GMT -6
"Either way, nobody starts excavation on the Gate until I've had a chance to scout ahead a ways into the Mines. If there's something we need to know about just inside that tunnel, I'll not waste a day's labor sealing it from our reach!" "I shall walk with you, Sili,son of Vili," says Lómëluin, fitting a white-feathered arrow to his bow; "I too am keen to know what lies beyond." |
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Post by ehiker133 on May 27, 2011 12:45:48 GMT -6
Norin stands beside Sili, ready to enter the mines.
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Post by tombowings on May 27, 2011 12:55:26 GMT -6
Having given up with the hunting expedition, Elindir joins Sili and company, ready to enter the mines. "Allow me to assist you, my stout friend. Who knows what need of herb you will find within the deep."
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Post by waysoftheearth on May 27, 2011 23:47:54 GMT -6
Very well.
It is Sili and Norin of the Dwarves and Lómëluin and Elindir of the Elves who first dare pass the West Gate and into the darken halls of MORIA.
[Sili, Norin, Lómëluin and Elindir please goto the Durin's Way thread. Everyone else, please stay here in this thread.]
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