(005) The Gate Camp

[waysoftheearth]

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.

[waysoftheearth]

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!"

What does Celglin plan to do next?

[waysoftheearth]

Soval has also sent Einar and Hallam back to camp to see to the proper rites of their fallen fellow.

They confer with Ran and Sutherland (who were already outside) as to what should be done with Grim's body.

[waysoftheearth]

Celglin is weary from his trials, and returns to the camp with the others in order to think over what he has seen thus far...

[ragnorakk]

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...

[waysoftheearth]

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...

[waysoftheearth]

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...

[ragnorakk]

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)

[waysoftheearth]

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."

[ragnorakk]

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.

[waysoftheearth]

Aug 27, 2011 10:02:57 GMT -6 ragnorakk said:

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...

[waysoftheearth]

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.

[waysoftheearth]

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!

[kesher]

Denfara briefly enters the hubub of the camp and informs Ceglin of his observations.

"They seem by their gait to be dwarves. I will return to the stair and await their approach--it is best to be on our guard."

[waysoftheearth]

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,".

For a boy of 13 he has a remarkable foresight.

[kesher]

Derfara grins and says

"Aye boy--make your fire. We wouldn't want our dwarven friends to get frost in their beards!"

Shrugging his cloak closer against the bite of the air, he strides back to the stair.

[waysoftheearth]

For all its remoteness, the gate camp busy with beasts and folk.

There are present three Dwarves, eight Men and a boy, and one Elf. There are also five mules, a pony, three horses and a guard dog.


To be more specific, the following are here:

Celglin, and Elvish Seer of Rivendell,
Vestri the torch bearer and Miodvitnir the animal handler, Dwarves in Sili's employ,
Ymir, Norin's Dwarf physician,
Hallam, Einar, Ran and Sutherland (Fighting Men in Soval's mercenary company),
Dernfara of Westfold,
Dalain and Balain, brothers (Man and boy) of Dale in Celglin's employ,
Frewine of Rohan (Lomeluin's groom) and Rohemnet (his horse),
Deorwyn of Westfold, and Gleowine the rouncy; Eohild's groom and mare,
Alf the guard dog and Frosti the mule, Sili's beasts,
Fumbul, Hepti's mule,
Tug, Vestri's mule,
Ned, Soval's pack mule,
Deor, Dernfara's courser,
Piglet, Eremin's horse,
Ladybird, Baraglin's mule,
Doloris the nag, Largo's pony.

And also the body of Grim the Dunderling.

[waysoftheearth]

Balain sets about gathering some fire-wood from the thin Holly trees about, while the Dwarfs chat fearlessly, encouraged by the prospect of swelling their own numbers.

Soval's mercenary crew sit about grim-faced and nervous, picking at their trail rations and scratching stubbled chins.

"It is a pity we didn't bring fuel for a fire," remarks the boy to Celglin.

The seer couldn't agree more. Perhaps Men should have been sent down into the vale to gather wood while light lingered... but it is far too late for that now.

[ragnorakk]

"It will be a difficult night to be sure, but take heart!" says Celglin. "Perhaps our presence will be less easily noticed this way. We can keep under the eyes of the stars. "

[waysoftheearth]

The approaching party of Dwarves are well upon their way up the stair by the time Balain has created a small fire place from a ring of rocks and heaped it with what fuel he has found among the holly trees.

The mercenary fighting Men are gathered now at the top of the steep stair, as are the Dwarves, all awaiting the new arrivals.

"Hail, Men of Eregion!" calls the leading Dwarf from 60 or more yards down the stair.

Ymir, the Dwarf physician, leans out over the ledge and hails back, "There are other than Men afore the West Gate, Master Dwarf!"

This produces a hearty laughter and happy exchange between the Dwarves on the stair and ledge, as the climbers draw near.

It is clear now that there are five Dwarves approaching, and they will arrive upon the ledge in ten minutes, ere dusk falls...

[kesher]

Denfara welcomes their new companions, and urges them towards the camp. This chill night bodes ill, and we have stalwart friends still inside the ancient mines.

[waysoftheearth]

As the sun sets properly the five Dwarves make the top of the stair and set down their heavy packs, puffing and blowing from the climb, before introducing themselves with the doffing of caps and the flourishing of deep bows in the Dwarf fashion.

They are Hrok, son of Brok of Blacklock, a dubious ancestry to be sure, but Hrok appears to be a doubty fighter.

Then there is Oin of Ironload, a toerag of a Dwarf who carries with him a beautifully crafted harp, and brings three hirelings; Glorban, Yori, Ugrik, all Dwarves.

It is well that their packs appear loaded with supplies. Perhaps they may have brought with them enough to fill out the present short stores?

[waysoftheearth]

The delvers return from the Mines!

Please go to thread 007.