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Post by waysoftheearth on May 28, 2011 0:33:51 GMT -6
Sili and Norin, heroes among the Dwarves, pass from the light under the West Gate and into the Halls of their Mighty Forefathers -- perhaps they are the first of the Dwarves to tread here since Balin's ill-fated foray almost three hundred years gone?
Behind them come the light footfalls of Lómëluin of East Lorien and Elindir the Half-Elven of Rivendell. 'Tis a strange party indeed, but these Halls have witnessed many strange things.
Within, Moria is all quiet. And dark.
The sunlight that spills over the valley beyond Hollin Gate seems aught but a subdued glow, and any sound of the outside world is sharply attenuated. The crunching of dust and rubble beneath the Dwarfs' boots is the loudest sound they hear, any of them.
Ahead of them, a great broad stair rises up, up and up into the greater dark. The stair is littered with rubble and dust, and no few bodies of the long fallen can be spied upon the road ahead. To be thankful, there is no movement nor sound to be seen or heard in the darkness.
"Durin's Way," whispers Norin reverently in Khuzdul.
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Post by Mushgnome on May 28, 2011 7:57:14 GMT -6
Sili feels brave in this tunnel carved by Dwarves for Dwarves. Whatever evil works within can be restored by Dwarves, and the treasure this Dwarf's to claim!
He mounts the stairs and pauses to examine the bodies along the path. Are they his people?
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Post by doctorx on May 28, 2011 12:53:14 GMT -6
Lómëluin follows close behind the dwarves, arrow notched on his bowstring, his elvish senses alert for any trace of secret doors or passages as they move towards the stairs.
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Post by waysoftheearth on May 28, 2011 19:02:57 GMT -6
The two Dwarves lead the way up the broad stair. The depth and rise of the steps are comfortably set for their legs, but less so for the Elves who follow after.
Sili kneels to examine one or two of the ancient corpses they pass. These are, skeletal husks of fighters long fallen. Dust and cobwebs choke the gaps between withered bones and broken armour. Some few are the remains of Dwarves, but more are of foul Orcs.
The scouts climb perhaps 40 steps, so that the sunshine is but a small, distant square long behind them. Ahead the darkness grows thicker so that even a Dwarf may not go on without risk of tripping in the gloom. The stair seems to rise ever upward into the gloom...
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Post by ehiker133 on May 28, 2011 19:54:41 GMT -6
Norin grunts.
"Looks like we're going to need a light source to go any further."
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Post by waysoftheearth on May 28, 2011 21:52:26 GMT -6
'Tis fortunate, then, that Sili the Dwarf has with him torches and a tinderbox with which to strike a flame...
Here is what each of the scouts has with him:
Sili(Dwarf F4, AC1/4, HD 4+5, hp 20/20, Load 14/15) : Clothing, Rackpack (1), Bedroll (1), Purse {1sp}, Waterskin {2 quarts} (1), Trail rations {1 day}, Erebor mail (4), Erebor shield, large (2), Erebor helm (1), Erebor flail (1), Erebor crossbow (1), boltcase (1), bolts {20}, torches {6} (1), tinderbox.
Norin(Dwarf F3, AC2/4, HD 3+2, hp 14/14, Load 11/17) : Clothing, Backpack (1), Bedroll (1), Purse {6sp 6cp}, Waterskin {2 quarts} (1), Waterskin {2 quarts} (1), Trail rations {2 days}, Erebor mail (4), Erebor helm (1), Erebor warhammer (2), Erebor dagger.
Lomeluin(Elf B4, AC4/6, HD 3+3, hp 12/12, Load 9/7) : Clothing, Backpack (1), Bedroll (1), Purse {13sp}, Waterskin {2 quarts} (1), Lembas {2 days}, Elvish mail (2), Galadhrim longbow (1), Lorien shoulder case, arrows {20} (1), "Andune" Elvish sword (1), Lorien small shield (1), Dagger, Belt pouch, Healer's herbs {12 uses}, Tinderbox, Bowstring, Bowstring.
Elindir(½Elf B3, AC3/6, HD 3+1, hp 10/10, Load 10/11) : Clothing, Backpack (1), Bedroll (1), Purse {}, Waterskin {2 quarts} (1), Trail rations {2 days}, Elvish mail (2), Elvish shield, large (2), Elvish sword (1), Elvish longbow (1), Belt quiver (1), arrows {20}, Healer's herbs {6 uses}.
Legandir(½Elf R3, AC3/6, HD 3+2, hp 13/13, Load 12/14) : Clothing, Backpack (1), Bedroll (1), Purse {103sp}, Waterskin {2 quarts} (1), Lembas {2 days}, Great cloak, Elvish mail (2), Rivendell longbow (1), "Morfil" the Noldor sword (1), Rivendell small shield (2), Shoulder case, Shoulder case, arrows {20} (1), arrows {20} (1), Belt pouch, 60ft silk rope (1), Healer's herbs {6 uses}, Tinderbox, Bowstring, Bowstring.
The clomping boots and rattling mail of the Dwarves is by no means stealthy, which is a constant irritation to the Elves present.
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Post by Mushgnome on May 29, 2011 7:27:09 GMT -6
Sili lights a torch and leads the way, being careful not to step on any of the honorable ancient Dwarf-corpses.
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Post by waysoftheearth on May 30, 2011 6:37:50 GMT -6
Sili is a deft hand with spark and tinder, and soon has one of his torches sputtering with an orange flame and held aloft.
By this new light does the party see that the way rises up and up and up ahead. There are fewer ruined bodies as they pass now, for it seems most of the slain fell at the gate, below, or else slid or were dragged some way down the stair.
It is a tiresome climb that take some minutes... more than 100 broad steps Norin counted before giving up. And still they climb. The West Gate seems a tiny thing now, farther even than the moon on a cloudy, winter night.
[Sili has the torch in one hand now, what does he grasp in the other; shield, flail or crossbow?]
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Post by Mushgnome on May 30, 2011 10:25:09 GMT -6
" How far should we go on this first delve?" whispers Sili. [Sili has the torch in one hand now, what does he grasp in the other; shield, flail or crossbow?] A difficult decision but if possible to carry and shoot a loaded crossbow with 1 hand, he will do so. Else the flail.
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Post by waysoftheearth on May 30, 2011 17:26:16 GMT -6
" How far should we go on this first delve?" whispers Sili. [Sili has the torch in one hand now, what does he grasp in the other; shield, flail or crossbow?] A difficult decision but if possible to carry and shoot a loaded crossbow with 1 hand, he will do so. Else the flail. A loaded crossbow then.
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Post by tombowings on May 31, 2011 15:51:52 GMT -6
Elindir removes his fine elvish bow from his back and retrieves an arrow with his right hand, ready fire should trouble show its ugly face.
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Post by ehiker133 on May 31, 2011 18:12:04 GMT -6
Norin glances over at Sili holding the torch in one hand and a loaded crossbow in the other... and a look of concern crosses his face.
He quietly says something in Khuzdul to Sili.
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jun 1, 2011 5:28:56 GMT -6
At last, after climbing the stair cautiously for almost a quarter hour, Sili and Norin set foot in the first genuine hall of their forefathers.
It is vast beyond the reach of Sili's spluttering torch. What can be made out is a litter of detritus scattered about, and two enormous runs of mighty columns that hold a lofty ceiling high above -- vanishing into the dark ahead.
The company has emerged into the chamber through an arch in the western wall. The columns form a 60ft wide avenue through the chamber, to either side of directly east from the entry arch. The extent of the chamber cannot be guessed. From somewhere ahead in the dark there immediately comes a sound. Several. Are they snorts? Or heavy rocks clunking together? There must be several of whatever it is... 40 yards off perhaps?
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Post by tombowings on Jun 1, 2011 8:14:47 GMT -6
Elindir nocks and an arrow and listens for the direction of the sound, preparing to fire.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2011 16:26:36 GMT -6
Legandir silently draws his Rivendell longbow and fits an arrow, moving silently to flank Elindir .
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Post by ehiker133 on Jun 1, 2011 17:39:09 GMT -6
Norin squats down into a crouch, making himself a smaller target, and listens intently for more sounds.
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jun 2, 2011 6:16:29 GMT -6
There is another shuffle and a thud, then several harsh sniffing noises. More shuffles, and a guttural grunt. There is certainly someone or something out there.
The Elves now see several bulky figures in the gaps allowed between the mighty stone pillars. Then there comes a questing challenge of a growl, deep and throaty. And more sharp sniffing noises.
A thick, knotted and three fingered hand four times as large as a Man's grasps the edge of a pillar, and then an ugly rock of a head with tiny squinting eyes and great mandibles pokes into the central passage some 8 foot from the ground, sniffing repeatedly at the dark air. There is other movement behind it in the shadows.
Suddenly it fixes on a scent, and turns it head swift and low to glare directly toward the company, its tiny eyes boggling across the 60ft distance.
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Post by Mushgnome on Jun 2, 2011 7:02:22 GMT -6
Sili cautiously backs through the arch and into the hallway, so that we are not out-flanked. This is a scouting mission, not an all-out assault, after all.
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Post by ehiker133 on Jun 2, 2011 9:32:58 GMT -6
Norin, too, backs into the archway and moves towards the stairs.
"We interested in trying to take this thing on?" he inquires, quietly, as he grips his warhammer tightly in both hands.
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Post by Mushgnome on Jun 2, 2011 10:24:51 GMT -6
Norin, too, backs into the archway and moves towards the stairs. "We interested in trying to take this thing on?" he inquires, quietly, as he grips his warhammer tightly in both hands. "It's probably more scared of us than we are of it," whispers Sili. He holds his torch steady and aims his crossbow at the bully's heart, ready to shoot at the first threatening move. "On these Dwarf-carved stairs, our small feet will give us the advantage." (racial defense bonus vs. giant-types)
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Post by ehiker133 on Jun 2, 2011 12:15:51 GMT -6
"It's probably more scared of us than we are of it," whispers Sili. Norin nods agreeably at these words. "We could try drawing it back to the stairs. If it can't make it through the archway, then our thinfriends could turn it into a pin cushion while we watch from a safe distance... if it can, then we should at least have some sort of advantage against it, even if it does have the high ground."
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Post by tombowings on Jun 2, 2011 13:19:44 GMT -6
"I would rather not fight the beast single file on the stairway," motions Elindir. "I say we make our stand here and now. Or perhaps one of us should return to the surface and rile for reinforcements."
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2011 16:23:51 GMT -6
"Let us withdraw", whispers Legandir to Elindir in Sindarin. He paces slowly backwards toward the stair, his bow drawn taught and unwaveringly pointed at the beast.
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jun 2, 2011 16:37:08 GMT -6
"I would rather not fight the beast single file on the stairway," motions Elindir. "I say we make our stand here and now. Or perhaps one of us should return to the surface and rile for reinforcements." The stair is broad enough for two to stand and fight abreast. Possibly even three could fight abreast if they were drilled to do so in tight formation with thrusting and stabbing spears.
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jun 2, 2011 16:51:16 GMT -6
The beast gives a hatchet bark, and then pulls itself forcefully between the pillars and into the main passage way. By the time the Troll is revealed in its fulness of its ugly form, two more rock-like heads are thrust into view looking about questioningly -- one with Orcish limb dangling from its massive jaw.
The first of them howls and charges the company from only 40 feet away!
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jun 2, 2011 16:52:13 GMT -6
Gentlemen, combat ensues.
Neither side is surprised; what are your intentions?
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Post by Mushgnome on Jun 2, 2011 17:15:30 GMT -6
As previously mentioned, Síli has backed through the arch to the top of the stairs, crouched shoulder-to-shoulder with his country-Dwarf Norin. "They ate an Orc... disgusting!" he quips in Khuzdul.
Then, in the common tongue, "Heads up, treehuggers!" as he lets his readied bolt fly into the blackened heart of the lead Troll (assuming none of the woodland creatures prance into his line of fire).
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Post by ehiker133 on Jun 2, 2011 20:15:02 GMT -6
Norin continues backing up until they are a good 10' away from the entrance to the room, then he readies his warhammer for a swing just as soon as that ugly troll's head gets close enough.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 2:14:54 GMT -6
Legandir lets fly with his arrow, swiftly drawing another to replace it and continuing his smooth backward movement.
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jun 3, 2011 3:34:14 GMT -6
The situation is something like this...
@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#.@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#..@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#...@..@..@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#..O..O..O.TO/@o@@o@@o@@o@@@@ @@@#.........../.@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ ####...N....T-....@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ ||..l.L.S.........@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ ####...E..........@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#.............@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#..O..O..O..O.TO@@o@@o@@o@@@ @@@#...@..@..@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#..@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#.@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@
l Lomeluin L Legandir E Elindir N Norin S Sili T Troll || Stair down # Stone wall . Stone floor O Stone Column @ Darkness/Unknown?
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