Chapters Past

The One Ring: The King's Own
GM
Lisa
Starting Year
Fourth Age, 1 (3021 TA or 1421 SR)
Current Year
Fourth Age, 1 (3021 TA or 1421 SR)
The Fellowship
Laramie Twofoot Déor, Horseman of Rohan Vidar, Son of Veig Gilithion Thorondir Theowulf Former Fellowship Members Primrose
Resources
Chapters Past

Earlier Travels!

Scene Setting: Recent Canon Events

The Year is now 3021, Two Years after the War of the Ring, but War is not over and Shadow still lingers in parts of Middle Earth. Much has been devastated, burned, and destroyed. Now the slow rebuilding and healing process is starting to show signs of flowering. Few lands were left unharmed by the Enemy; rebuilding efforts run from Dale to Osgiliath to Rohirric villages to the heart of the Shire.

In Arnor, the pragmatic see-it-to-believe-it Bree-landers still haven’t fully grasped that Strider’s a king and that the Rangers are nobility of old. 
Barliman Butterbur was shocked to learn that Strider was made a king - not a "mere ranger.
" For even some Rangers this has been breathtaking news; they were scattered at the time of Aragorn’s muster and not all got word of it or were able to journey South. Many are still keeping threats of Shadow and Corruption down in the North.

In these two years after the fall of Sauron:

3019

• March 25- Fall of Sauron and the Destruction of the One Ring
• May 1, 3019 - Aragorn is crowned King Elessar of the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor; Gandalf helps Aragorn to find the sapling of the new White Tree.

• Mid-year's Day (between June and July) 3019 - Aragorn marries Arwen Undómiel.

• July 3019 - King Théoden is laid to rest beside other Kings of Rohan in Edoras. The announcement of Faramir's and Éowyn's betrothal.
 They are married later this year.
• Peace is brokered with Harad: Harad is forfeiting South Gondor and Umbar in exchange for a pardon of fighters, POWs, etc, allowed to return home unmolested

• Thorin III Stonehelm and Bard II, fast friends and allies, are rebuilding Erebor and Dale.

• As a chief commander for King Elessar, Faramir has been tasked with clearing out Minas Morgul and the lost territories of Gondor and act as march-wardens. His and Eowyn's hands are full.

• November 19, 3019 - Battle of Bywater; death of Saruman and Wormtongue; the end of the War of the Ring.


3020 - some events may not have happened depending on our start month. These may help for context purposes.

• Elessar and Eomer rode out against remnants of Mordor

• Spring 3020 - Samwise Gamgee marries Rosie Cotton and together they move to Bag End.

• The Sea of Rhun is proving to be hotly contested vs. the Easterlings

• Thranduil settles his borders at the Mountains of Mirkwood to help his own people thrive.

• Legolas and Gimli share their travels through the Glittering Caves and Fangorn Forest. Legolas is now returning to Mirkwood to recruit elves to heal Ithilien while Gimli is setting out to recruit members of Durin’s Folk to go to the Glittering Caves.

• Durin VII, a descendant of Thorin III, has expressed his wish to return to Moria soon.


3021

• Fourth Age - March 25 3021
• Spring 3020 - Samwise Gamgee marries Rosie Cotton and together they move to Bag End.

• 3021 - Éomer marries Imrahil's daughter, Lothíriel of Dol Amroth.
• September 22, 3021 - Bilbo marks his 131st birthday, surpassing the Old Took.

• September 29, 3021 - Elrond, Galadriel, Gandalf, Frodo and Bilbo depart from the Grey Havens and go to the Undying Lands.

• Celeborn assumes full rulership of Lothlorien after Galadriel’s departure. He plans on extending domain to South Mirkwood and is currently holding both sides of the Anduin.

• The twins Elladan and Elrohir assume a joint lordship of Rivendell in Elrond’s departure. Both expressed wishing to clean the land of Arnor and continue to work with the Rangers. They also expressed a project to translate the works of Rivendell’s library for the use of Men. Neither has stated whether he wishes to choose mortality like Arwen.

• October 6, 3021 - Samwise returns to Bag End.

Part 1, The Fellowship Forms

Chapter 1: Gondor: Blood on the Snow

Rumors of attacked and destroyed farmsteads in Anórien come to the ears of the Company, though whether the cause is Dunlending raiders, Druédan sorcery, or fell beasts is not determined. As there are many regions to search for the truth of the matter, the Prefect of Osgiliath assigned the Company to be a posse together, as a full posse of Guardsmen led by Captain Belfan, and a civilian posse led by Léora of Lamedan have already mustered. Léora has a look of disdain or suspicion against Belfan. Laramie is declared the head of the posse as he is already sworn to service, and is given bone maps with carved ridges that line up with the beacon mountains to help find vales with homesteaders. Léora's posse departs immediately while Belfan's stays on for a hearty breakfast.

The Company is lent horses from Minas Tirith. Asking about Belfan, who appears quite the braggart and Dunlending-hater, reveals the rumor that he may have killed a man, back when he was a minstrel, for playing one of his songs. In Minas Tirith, the Company also meets dwarves and elves who are beautifying the city and engaging in planning work. Their current quarrel is solved by the suggestion of a roundabout, allowing for both navigatable streets and greenery.

Although winter still clings to the land and snow lays on the ground, the four-day journey through Anórien is pleasant and without event. The first homestead encountered was deserted and highly damaged, and at the second, an attack was clear, with bodies, blood, and ruin. A dying man described an unnaturally tough and foul creature that came from "the Morgelad" a word meaning dark path or pass. After burying the dead, the Company followed the tracks and drag marks left in the snow to the Morgelad, a particularly blighted vale where the shelves of shale and twisted tree branches block out the sunlight.

At the mouth of the Morgelad, the Company encounters Imhar the Dunlending and his party, survivors of the beast's attacks. They have been hunting it for a month and a half. As the company dealt well with Imhar, and Gilithion spoke straightforwardly and fairly with Imhar, he was willing to work together. The Company was joined by Léora and her posse, who mistook their tracks for that of Belfan, crossing them at some point. She agrees to help as well, though they were tracking Belfan, whom she claims murdered her brother.

As the Company caught sight of the beast, a particularly large snow troll, they were finally joined by Captain Belfan himself, who mistook the scenario for a trap sprung against the Dunlendings. He was promptly dragged off by the snow troll, meeting a certain demise. Although his hide was indeed tough and teeth fierce, the Company prevailed against the snow troll, taking his head and hoard as proof. The Ranger Thorondir took the beast's hide. The Company convinced Imhar to journey back with them as they could retell the tale and improve relations between Dunlendings and Gondorians. Lóra's posse and the guard were all witnesses to their valor.

Upon return, the Company presented the head of the troll and the Dunlendings to the Prefect. The Prefect agreed to negotiate an audience with King Elessar for the Dunlendings and the Company, who wished that much of the hoard would go to help the survivors of the troll's attacks. With some insight, the Prefect asked the Company to stay in Minas Tirith while this was negotiated. He presented the events to the King.

While the Dunlendings were granted a formal audience, the Company was not. Upon hearing both the makeup of the Company and their success from the Prefect, the King took note. Upon learning that two of the party members were indeed known to him since his childhood and kin, the King opted for an informal audience with himself and Queen Arwen Undomiel to meet their companions and offer them a grand undertaking that perhaps only a group such as theirs might accomplish, a mission to find the lost palantiri of Arvedui.

Chapter 2: Rohan: Red Days Rising

Starting in Minas Tirith, all are celebrating the anniversary of the Fall of Sauron, end of the war, and the start of the Fourth Age. Aragorn engineered seating at one of the nightly feasts so that the Company could be identified by Eomer, King of Rohan. Being in close proximity to the head table led the Company to engage in a debate as to the highest virtues of a warrior, the results of which impressed Eomer. Eomer called the more impressive debaters up to him and related his current strife, feuding marshalls, and his wife, Lothiriel of Dol Amroth, offered the idea of a wedding to give a valid reason to cease hostilities. The Company could act as impartial messengers and could earn great favor with the King. As the Company planned to travel in the King's entourage/train to Edoras and thence to Isengard, this would be mutually beneficial.

Travel through Anorien to Aldburg was smooth, and spring was now showing. The Company was able to gather much information on the journey about the feuding marshalls and the two childhood friends picked out to marry each other for the sake of peace. In particular, the Company talked with Sunnifa, the Queen's servant, Galmod, Cenric's foster son, and traders from the Toft. The Marshals are Eogar of the Westfold, Second Marshall and Lord of the Hornburg (Helm's Deep) and Cenric of the Eastfold, Third Marshal, Lord of Aldburg. The unknowing Romeo and Juliet of our story are Mildryd Shielding of Westfold, Captain of Eogar's personal eored, and Esmund of Eastfold, a brave captain. Both, as it turns out, are recently widowed, and Esmund has a small child. Most asked agree that the two should've gotten together but had married out of duty. The feud between the marshalls is several generations old, but recent killings over a woman, and lack of weregild, have ignighted tensions. Indeed, it appears as though Grima Wormtongue kept the tensions aflame for his own profit and better control of power. While loyal, a new king brings uncertainty and a shakeup of power, one all the more precarious as positions remain unfilled from wartime deaths.

In addition, the Traders from the Toft, Odovacar and Mathilda, related the fate of the Toft. When asked where they were from, and their route, they both became saddened - their home has been destroyed, first by popular uprising, then by the Enemy to be used as a staging ground to invade Mirkwood and Laketown/Erebor, and then by the Galadhrim, the Elves of Lorien, who currently claim the territory, including a part of South Mirkwood. Indeed, the "Sorceress" claims both sides of the Anduin, bringing some concern and ire to the traders. They also noted reavers in the Western lands of Rohan. THis plus a lack of major towns led them to only go as far as Edoras before turning their route back.

From Aldburg, the Company turned to Deor's home village, the Entwade, border and river crossing between West and East, to hear news of Cenric, out seeing to his herds, and Esmund. There they participated in and resolved a bout of flyting between warriors of the Eastfold and Westfold that might've easily come to blows and bloodshed, especially between the two in front, Ashgar of Westfold and Maerstan of Eastfold. This won them the respect and welcome of the participants and onlookers. In the Entwade, they also borrowed horses. From there they encountered Leothere Five Fingers, a wandering minstrel, and his apprentice, a girl named Bida Softsong. After an exchange of news and song, the Company continued to find some of Cenric's outriders and cattle herd. With a storm breaking upon them, the Company helped quell a stampede, reducing loss of cattle and injuries to riders. This gained them Cenric's thanks (in the form of a steed) and his ear for their message. Through their good choices of talk to see the right of the endeavor, both Cenric and Esmund were persuaded. Esmund followed the Company to the Entwade to wait for Mildryd... or word of a nay reply.

As the fastest way to the Westfold would be through Edoras, the Company headed there to pass on word of Cenric and Esmund to Eomer, and hear news of Eogar's whereabouts. Last word was that he was on patrol in the Gap of Rohan, so the Company rode out for the Fords of Isen for better word. Enroute, the Company encountered a messenger, Rynelda Fast-Rider, with news that Eogar was raising a muster of Westfold, and to see Grimborn at the Fords of Isen. The Company could not get more from her as she sped off to take her message to Edoras.

At the Fords, the Company learn the unsettling recent events: on a regular patrol in which Eogar brought his family, raiders or reavers kidnapped his wife, Esfled. Judging from their tracks and direction, the raiders were marked as Dunlendish Gaesela. The Company learned that the West-march was home to Dunlending tribes such as the Gaesela and to tribes of mixed Rohirrim and Dunlending blood, such as the Wulfings, who are territorial. As lord of Grimslade, Grimhelm son of Grimborn was raising the muster riders to prepare for either enemy while Eogar and a handful of riders had sped to track the raiders and find Esfled. The Company was told to head South, down a muddy road. Frightened Wulfing villagers pointed the way to Eogar's camp, which was still guarded by a handful of riders. These riders in turn related what happened, and why they suspected the Gaesela, and pointed the way to Eogar.

While following Eogar and the raider's tracks, the Company turned slightly more southward into the Derne Wood (Eogar was around the North end of the wood. This was fortuitous, as the Company had been following the raiders' tracks directly while Eogar had lost them. The Company was fortunate again in hearing the raiders and had an opportunity to sneak up on them. The Company spotted Esfled, bound and hooded, in the middle of the raider's camp in a small clearing. Attempt at an ambush was unsuccessful, and the Company came under fire from arrows and spears. However, the Company had the upper hand in the end: Thorondir was able to sneak up to Esfled, and with one unconscious member and one out of arrows, the raiders withdrew. Notably, the Company pegged two leaders who looked to be brother and sister, the sister coordinating much of the raiders fighting and when to get out. The brother had been holding on to Esfled, but abandoned her and the fight early on.

The Company brought Esfled out of the woods and they regained the trail to Eogar's camp. Although initially greeted warily, a cry of joy and relief for Esfled's return roused Eogar and his son, Erkenbrand, who ran directly to his mother. The Company easily identified Mildrey Shielding as the imposing shieldmaiden to Eogar's side.

Reunions - and the companions' message- were interrupted by the arrival of Deormod, nephew and lieutenant to Frana of Frecasburg, Lord of the Wulfings. While riders made move to protect Eogar and his kin, Deormod plunged his sword into the ground and issued a formal question to the presence of Rohirrim in Wulfing lands, and mild accusations that Eogar was behind the raiders. After explaining the situation that led Eogar to the Derne Wood, Deomod was molified, however, the air indicated hours of questions and negotiations to come. The Company, however, were able to describe the raiders and Deomod gladly identified them as the twins Caswelun and Rhonwen, and said their raiding was notorious to the Wulfings.

After more peacable relations at camp, the Company related the message of Eomer to Eogar, Esfled, Mildryd, and Deormod. Having his wife returned to him softened Eogar considerably. While being in Deormod's presence certainly couched his actions, perhaps Eogar also took advantage of the chance to appear more peaceable to Frana's nephew and lieutenant. Although surprised, Mildryd accepted the offer, so long as Eogar would release her from service. As he did so, Eogar appeared fatherly, a rare showing of hidden but strongly held emotions.

The Company returned to the Entwade with Mildryd. Mildryd was a bit unsure of how to act, having also kept her emotions and demeanor hidden for some time. Soon, however, Mildryd and Esmund were reconciled. A disruptive rider named Blodred attempted to break the peace, having latched on to the feud completely. Some words from the Company kept him at bay, but ultimately, the riders the Company talked down earlier, Ashgar of Westfold and Maerstan of Eastfold, came to aid the union and took Blodred away without blows. In the lull that followed, Mildryd loudly announced her impending marriage.

Back in Edoras, Eomer and Lothiriel thanked the companions and bestowed gifts of treasure and steeds of quality. The King and Queen announced that as their celebration would be held at the end of summer and the start of harvest, the wedding between Esmund and Mildryd should be at Midsummer. The companions were, as a matter of course, invited to attend both. From this happiness, the companions began to turn their minds to what secrets of the palantiri might await in the libraries of Isengard.

Chapter 3: Rohan: White Lies

The Company turns from Edoras to Isengard to discover and information on the palantiri that might still be in the libraries inside Orthanc. As promised, they received horses for their deeds from Éomer and were allowed to request any needed provisions before travel. They set out with the goal of wintering in Isengard, not knowing how long searches may take.

The weather is fortunately clear, but the waters at the Fords of Isen are still cold and swift from the recent snowfalls. At the Fords, Déor meets with Rynelda Fastrider again, who tells of the muddy but clear road conditions and the tentative peace made (mostly thanks to the Company) and hopes that it lasts through the winter. She also advised that the villagers of Isengard are Dunlendish and insular. Meanwhile, Vidar met a lone wanderer named Dera. While Vidar learned that she often protects people lost or in need, he failed to learn anything else or persuade her to join the Company for supper.

The route north to Isengard starts well, but gradually changes to scenes of devastation and debris remaining from both the flooding of Isengard by the Ents and the destruction of the natural landscape by Saruman in his quest to build an army of orcs and uruk-hai. Farmsteads and hamlets are only half rebuilt, the topsoil has an oily film to it, and plants are only slowly starting to grow back. In Isengard itself, the old road was widened to make room for an army muster, many of the woods were felled, and only a few orchard rows were kept to screen the view of the deep pits and fractures in the wizard's military-industrial complex. The landscape is still flooded; the pits have not yet been filled in while the water is sinking out slowly into ground drainage. Only the natural spring-fed lake is still pure, as it was for drinking water and is consistently refreshed.

At the tunnel through the encircling ring, the Company met the Gondorian guards Ohtar and Hallas and the door warden, a wizened old lady named Dianach. A young stableboy was able to show them around and get quarters for them. The company was surprised to see that they were treated as guests and were not expected to pay for anything, including noon meals. Upon reflection, they realized that the folk of Isengard would have only ever helped guests of the wizard, accepting the last few years of his time. As a shared property of Gondor and Rohan, the land is still the property of the Kings, and the Company was received as guests of the Kings in place of the wizard. The Company also learned that many store rooms and tunnels exist in the encircling ring, and the folk and guards have not yet sorted them all out.

While in the village area of Isengard, Gilithion caught sight of a woman taken aback and led off by another companion. In asking about it later, he learned the woman was the mother of Melmidoc, a boy sick with the "Dark Cholera" spreading through the region. When Gilithion tried to heal the boy, he recognized his ailment as one that did need special ingredients brewed together in an ale. Neither the mother nor her friend knew what they were, however, he identified one as a relative of athelas. This used to grow around the area, but has not been seen since the fall of Saruman as the land was too ruined. Gilithion told the Company, and they hoped to find dried samples or a more complete recipe for the cure in the wizard's possession.

Entering the tower of Orthanc, the Company met Rohirric guards (and twins) Fenwyn and Fenwine. Fenwyn led the Company around the tower and introduced many of its eccentricities. The Company requested to go to Saruman's rooms where they found a secret entry barred by a heavy and cunningly locked door. While smoking out the only window, Laramie recognized that there must be an extra room above the wizard's quarters. Gilithion climbed to the top using a grappling hook and rope, where he found a trap door on the room, and a secret stair wrapping cleverly around the top floors, ending to the passage. Now inside the passage, the Company discovered the secret forge of Curunir, and recalled that his name meant crafty - he had been the maia for Aule.

In the forge, Gilithion found copious but abandoned noted and tools. Vidar recognized that they were all still useable, and both saw that they included tools from all races. Gilithion also found a blessed silver gorget.

Vidar successfully fell through the trapdoor on the roof and uncovered the old room for keeping the Orthanc seeing stone (which is in Aragorn's possession). The plinth broke the dwarf's fall.

While the company found Saruman's stash of journals and identified that they were sorted by subject, they could not find the plant needed for the ale. Turning to the books, they did find the recipe. The recipe, while confirming the herbs used, also called for a drop of the Ent-draught, giving the COmpany a new hurdle to overcome. They sought out the scriptorium keeper, Bocaern, to let him know their plan and ask for advice. The grumpy keeper was only willing to help if they helped his village with the sickness. He revealed that his apprentice was the Melmidoc, the ill boy. If they saved his apprentice, he would be in their debt and promised to help in all ways possible.

That night the Company learned that the boy's mother had also fallen ill, and they made ready to set out in the morning. They asked if anyone knew the way well and were directed to Éobrand, a young rider who was courting Fenwyn. Éobrand told them much of the way over the pass and into the forrest, and volunteered to watch their mounts at the edge of the Fangorn so that the Company could take them over the pass and enter the forest on foot. The journey over the pass was thus shortened to a day's ride, and they made camp at the edge of the trees.

While setting up camp, and into the first watch, the Company was being watched by two unknowns. The first would present itself to be a bear called Stoneclaws, who Primrose welcomed into the camp and befriended. She noted the bear's intelligence and asked its help. The bear, in return, started to lead Primrose into the forest. Éobrand woke Déor, who roused the group. Éobrand stayed with the horses as promised while the Company followed the bear into the night. Stoneclaws led them to a stream and the Ent Beechboe, a tall, slender ent with silvery bark and laughter that ripples his tiny leaves. Beechbone often acts as a messenger and is of good humor to the visitors. The Company explained their quest, and the Ent happily agreed to help and took him to his stash (one of many) of Ent-draught. However, in learning that an herb was needed, the Ent expressed worry that the plant might be depleted if the disease spread. The Company agreed to only take cuttings but to take a couple of plants in their entirety so that the plant could be cultivated in Isengard again. That pleased Beechbone and he obtained amphorae to use as pots.

Upon their return to camp, the Company learned of the second unknown: Éobrand had seen and heard something stalking just inside the trees, similar in size to the bear, but dark and full of malice.

The Company returned to Isengard as heroes; the cure could be brewed, the plant cultivated, and the amount of Ent-draught would be enough to see the village through several seasons of disease. Bocaern expressed his gratitude and willingness to share lore and information with the Company and help them on their searches in Orthanc. The Company also learned that there were rumors of something dark going after villagers in the nearby hamlets, which they took to be the bear.

The Company now prepares to winter in Isengard and search the wizard's trove for information on the palantiri and intriguing treasure. Vidar finds a carving of a boar with agate eyes. Primrose finds a quiver made by the Hillmen with scenes of a hunt wrapping around it. Laramie finds a shield, once made for a young horse lord to wield on his first battle as a child. Déor finds an old jade signet ring.

Over the winter, the Company finds the following information:

Saruman's Journal

These were in papers on the palantir(i):

"Looking through, I turned my gaze Northward. As usual, there was little to see..." "Out of the ordinary, a presence in the far North not connected to the Eye. Is there one who survives in Angmar? The witch-king has been called to his master's side, but still, someone something? is watching from his realm. I have yet to devise who or what it is, nor why the sorcerous fiend would let him use the seeing stone. Surely it cannot..." [cut off as though interrupted, end of entry]

From collections of histories, a telling from the fall of Fornost:

Word was sent of the queen's departure and safe removal from Fornost:

"The Queen and the heir are safe. She and the child were guarded through the occupied land immediately Westward out of the citadel and, in their transit, turning South and East to head to Imladris. Sometime during this transit, or perhaps before in Fornost, the queen had selected one individual to secure their safety, but he refused to enter the Valley and turned back. We think he was charged with returning to find the King, but the plan was for us all to gather here first. We do not have any word of either this individual nor of the King's flight yet."

In addition, there were some further notes on the directionality and calibration of the palantiri and musings on who, if anyone - would ever try using one when so many dark presences are on them in Middle Earth. Musings continue on the master stones in both Numenor and Tol Eressëa.

Part 2, The Fellowship Travels North

Chapter 4: Company of the Wain

At the breaking of spring, the Company bid farewell to Isengard and their new acquaintances. After a brief stop for news at the Fords of Isen, the Company proceeded northwards on the Greenway (the old North-South road).

At Tharbad, the Company received the help of Kyna and Braden, who were looking to restore the "South Town." The industrious couple had restored enough to create a small boarding house, kitchen, and ferry service across the river. This - and the time of year before any major melts - made crossing significantly easier for the Company. "North Town" had a similar village but plentiful grasses for camping - including where a traveling fair had set up.

The traveling fair is the Company of the Wain, and is known for traveling up and down the Greenway in the summertime, gaining new members or trading for goods in the winter. However, many in the caravan are now under the command of their fortune-teller, a woman called Uathach. While initial forays into the Company of the Wain were pleasant and fruitful with purchased goods, observations led to seeing how many deferred to Uathach. (A few bought trinkets and woodwork. Gilithion freed a thrush, with whom he can communicate and promised to serve him for one year. Vidar bought outlandish but amazing set of furs.)

At a minimum, Uathach's minions included a dozen or so guards; Caradog, a Dunlandish bear-baiter; and Thelred, a mute horesman from Rohan; it is unclear if the other members of the Company of the Wain are with Uathach or independent operators. The only two to be known to have no part in Uathach's schemes were the brothers Appledore, fireworks makers from Combe.

Uathach herself appears to be of Gondorian or "southern" origin and had a clear understanding of elvish tongues. Some of the King's Company went in to get readings from her, and it was unclear as to whether she possessed any power or was mighty good at pretending.

Further observation at night revealed a bound man being ferried between the wins. While Gilithion was able to argue for a search to be conducted, the man was hidden by means of a diversion or shell-game by those loyal to Uathcah and not found until later when a rescue mission could be attempted. The name "Gorlanc" was also overheard as being a greater "power" in the North.

Realizing the need to move fast, the King's Company set into motion their own version of a shell game: first, Thorondir met with rangers Halleth, Randir, and Mallor in the village of Road's End, who agreed to look into the name "Gorlanc." Halleth and Mallor would meet Thorondir in one week's time at the Forsaken Inn to share their findings while Randir would keep tabs on the Company of the Wain.

Second, the company launched a rescue mission for the captive. The captive turned out to be Larry Appledore, who was questioned for information (but had none that he thought was relevant). However, he and his brother learned some of their trade via Gandalf, so it is possible revealing this led to Larry's interrogation.

Third, the Company split to provide a diversion - half would go along the road to take a fake "Larry" home to Combe, while another team, led by the hobbit Laramie, would secret the real Larry to safety in the Shire. Laramie led him to his sister Peony Brandybuck's home. Peony resolved to keep him safe. Indeed those going to Combe were followed by both crebain and the rider Thelred.

While this trick to secret away Larry Appledore turned into a great success, meeting Halleth and Mallor at the Forsaken Inn was not so. The Company arrived early and Halleth arrived late. However, the innkeeper, Jack, had seen Mallor earlier at the day and had stored his pack for him. An investigation led the Company to search the outside grounds of the Inn and led to the discovery of Mallor's body tossed down the well.

Chapter 5: Strange Men, Strange Roads

This chapter picks up with the cliffhanger at the end of Chapter 4 as the company has just found the body of the ranger Mallor, called Tarry-Mack. Investigation reveals that the ranger had been struck by preternatural cold, had his throat slit, and was tossed down the well of the Forsaken Inn. Footprints pointed to a scuffle or confrontation with no one leaving the property. An ice-cold knife was also found in one of the storehouses. As Thorondir buried the body, he also found a strange symbol in the ranger's pack, a list of names, and a vial of a restorative drink made in Rivendell.

In truth, Mallor had recognized the name of Gorlanc from some thirty years prior as the leader of a group of brigands and had begun to jot down all the names he could remember from the group. At the Forsaken Inn, he had searched through the belongings of the travelers and found the rune of Gorlanc among a lady traveler, Berelas' possessions. She was traveling with a man, Hirlinion, under the guise of being both brother and sister and, in addition, that he was a healer or potion peddler and she as his assistant. (Hirlinion had his on him). Spying on the two led to a confrontation and the calling of the Cold Shade to protect Berelas and the lesser ring of power she was bearing to Gorlanc - the Ring of Seven Jewels. The Shade chilled Mallor to near-death and Hirlinion cut his throat with Mallor's own knife, chucking the knife into a storage shed and Mallor's body down the well.

While the innkeeper, Jack, and his boy were questioned and had alibies in working indoors during the afternoon, all guests at the inn quickly became suspects and were watched closely by the Company. These included four related dwarves (Vig, Vogar, Narvig, and Narvi), a charlatan-esque medicine man (Hirlinion) and his secretive sister/assistant (Berelas), an old crow-like merchant from Dorwinion (Mirabar), and a guide and his young Bree-lander assistant (Edoric and Eoin). They had been joined ostensibly as a trader caravan with Edoric hired to take them from Laketown to Bree.

While the Company was observing, Déor created a cover story for the company to be able to travel with the traders by faking minor injuries to the horses and spending the night out with them. This allowed the company to join them for the safety in numbers on the roads and the slow pace as the only trader riding a horse was old Mirabar. Over the course of the evening and days of travel, the Company would learn a lot more about the goings-on between the members of the caravan:

In addition to Hirlinion and Berelas, the travelers were led by their guide, Edoric, and his assistant, Eoin. Eoin was from Bree, on his first adventure, and returning home. He also had developed a crush on Berelas and admired her rare singing. Edoric was hired to lead from Laketown to Bree by the Dorwinion merchant Mirabar to go as early as crossing over the Misty Mountains was possible.

Mirabar had several wagons of goods and had several dwarves in him employ working as travelling tinkers. One dwarf, Vogar, was an old veteran and wounded. His brother Vig took on significant debt to care for him and relatives Narvig and Narvi joined to help pay off the debt. Mirabar, however, is questioning whether to dispense the debt or transfer it to someone as he saw the Cold Shade and believes it to be a portent of his own upcoming death.

In addition, the Company was able to see that Berelas was the true healer while Hirlinion was a clear charlatan benefiting from her abilities, though their darker secret of working for Gorlanc was not yet revealed.

As the travelers neared the Chetwood, they were faced by a wolf attack at night. The wolves were led by great white wold from the far North, lured by the Ring of the Seven Jewels. When one wolf jumped and went to attack Berelas, the Cold Shade was called and revealed to the Company.

After the attack, Gilithion was able to question Berelas on the sly and learn that the shade is connected to the ring she bears. Mallor had spied on her and Hirlinion. As she was surprised, it triggered the Cold Shade, which attacked Mallor. However, Hirlinion finished the job. Seeing his actions, and the actions of Gorlanc's shade, she had begun to doubt and fear her role in taking the Ring of Seven Jewels to Gorlanc.

The next night, passing the Chetwood, the Company was able to encounter elves in the wood. The Company was invited to the gathering by an elf named Cenedriel. The Company was able to learn a little about what they were up against from the elves, and Gilithion also learned about the departure of Elrond (among others) the previous fall. When the evening's talk and entertainment ended, the Company fell asleep to wake in the morning with restorative leftovers packed as gifts for them.

On the road that morning, the travelers came across a young girl who had reached the road to gain help for her sick mother and sister. This was Daisy Rushlight, seeking any medicine for her mother Violet, and sister Rose Rushlight of Staddle. While Hirlinion was happy to sell something, from the description, Berelas argued to go in person. This would provide an opportunity for the Company to separate Hirlinion and Berelas.

However, it was not without incident: Berelas saw the situation was dire and used the Ring of Seven Jewels to heal the Rushlights. However, this would call the Cold Shade and she had told the Company to stay back at a safe distance. However, this was not completely followed and some members - and the boy Eoin - faced the Cold Shade.

While the affected members, Eoin, and the Rushlights were warmed with fire and beverages, the Company confronted Hirlinion. Seeing he was cornered, Hirlinion made to take his own life (he failed but did poison himself). The Company discussed whether to finish him off or bring him into custody. Berelas agreed to stabilize his wounds so that Hirlinion could be brought to justice.

The Company proceeded to take Hirlinion to the Reeve of Bree. Members spoke convincingly with a variety of arguments and encouraged Berelas to speak as a witness. The Reeve found Hirlinion guilty but offered Thorondir the chance to sentence the culprit as the victim was a ranger. Thorondir spoke well and returned the sentencing to the Reeve. The Reeve was moved by the deferment to his authority by a fellow representative of the King. The Reeve weighed the options for the quite unprecedented crime and sentenced Hirlinion to death in two days time.

Further conversation with Berelas revealed that she had been held captive during the War, and was freed both in mind and body by Gorlanc. She had thought him a miracle worker and a force for good. He had tasked her to fetch the Ring of Seven Jewels and attached a shade to her for her protection - and thus the ring's protection. She accepted Gilithion's offer to go to Rivendell for safety, and for what to do with the ring. She agreed to stay in Bree while they recuperate and see Hirlinion's execution (though she fears it).

At long last, the Company was able to recuperate at the Prancing Pony. While this did let them clean up, it also led them to catch the recent gossip and hear many rumors, including some involving the names on Mallor's list they were hoping to gain more information on. Rumors and gossip included the following:

Assorted Rumors:

• Market day is tomorrow
• Strange lights were seen at the Hall of Orgulas - a supposedly abandoned mansion built by an eccentric hobbit
• Young Warden of Bree Tad Tillfield has a sweetheart
• Schoolmistress Anna Wintermoss was seen wandering the barrow downs
• Ernest Mugwort, farmer, claims a ranger spent the night in his barn which caused his chickens to stop laying (it sounds like a troll, really)

Information on Timéas Heatherton:

• Timéas Heatherton was one of the names on Mallor's list.
• Tim Heatherton died recently and his nephew Tomas missed the funeral completely
• Tomas was found rummaging through his uncle's things
• Talking up an old drunk revealed that Heatherton owed him some 6 coppers but apparently knew it was coming and paid for his funeral, etc. Inference: he might have had special instructions for his body
• Tim had once gone adventuring but was brought back by a ranger. Probably set the man back on the right track as his associates had been rather ne'er-do-well in type.
• One fellow believed Tim Heatherton to have been murdered and says he saw lights - the killer might not have been human

Undertrees of Staddle:

• The Undertrees didn't invite anyone to their spring festival - they usually invite half the village
• Big Bog the Swineherd (the hobbit, not Small Bob the man) saw a ghostly figure around the apple trees behind the Undertree Smial. He also reported a missing piglet. Do ghosts eat piglets?
• Matt Woolfoot, one of the serving boys at the Undertree Smial, developed a crippling fear of Big Folk and Trees (presumably also Big Trees) and is recovering with relatives in the Shire
• There are so many buds already on the old apple tree above the Smial - sure to predict a bumper crop of apples this fall.

The Company also spied an old hobbit woman, cloaked, watching the younger ones talking about the Undertrees. Vidar also encountered a very rude dwarf who chugged the remainder of his beer, belched in his face, and left for the rooms in a huff.

Chapter 6: Old Bones and Skin

The Company was faced with multiple leads to follow based off of the list of names provided by the ranger Mallor before his death and the rumors gathered in the Prancing Pony, including the strange occurrences at the Undertree Smial in Staddle and the mysterious lights seen at the old abandoned Hall of Orgulas, an eccentric hobbit.

The Company decided to take advantage of the market day to confirm the rumors:

Vidar confirms rumors about the Heathertons has Timeas' nephew Tomas Heatherton pointed out to him (but fails to converse with the teen). In the afternoon, Vidar and Gilithion would venture to the Heatherton home in Old Town Bree. Gilithion attempted to awe and impress the young Tomas, who balked, shut the door in the elf's face and ran upstairs. Gilithion would return to the Company at the Prancing Pony but left Vidar to keep an eye on Tomas, leaving the dwarf to take up position for a good smoke in an alley across the street.

Déor confirmed that two other names on the list, Egri and Gron, were the names of ne'er-do-wells who, according to the local stories, killed each other in some sort of argument over a treasure. In the afternoon, Déor and Thorondir then rode to the Hall of Orgulas to find it undisturbed on the outside, but footsteps - and the dark taint of Shadow - were within.

Meanwhile, after finding a cloak in browns and greens for Primrose, she and Laramie found and were able to talk to Albert Undertree, the young "prince" of the prosperous family. Albert was purchasing seemingly unnecessary items like pots and Big Folk sized table settings, and food in quantities more for a party or feast rather than what even a wealthy hobbit family should use for a week. With a little persuasion and careful pressure, Albert confessed that strange Men had taken his family hostage and was using their cellar as a hideout. The leader was up to something dark and vile in their cellar and was poisoning his younger sister Blossom as leverage to keep the family in line. The poison was some strange purple crystals that Albert could not identify.

With these new turns and discoveries, the Company (excepting Vidar) met up in the evening at the Prancing Pony once more. Unfortunately from his position, Vidar could not have seen Tomas Heatherton slip out his window in the back of the building and shimmy down the pipes and trellis to sneak out... and venture to his uncle's grave.

Instead, Tomas is next seen interrupting the atmosphere in the Prancing Pony, calling for help over a ghost in the graveyard - a ghost that tried to kill him. The Company get Tomas to calm down and join them at their table so that he could tell his story. He confesses that he had indeed gone to search his uncle's grave for a treasure map - one he has seen and knows exists as his uncle would go every so often (or when really needed) to fetch a little money here or there to help keep the family afloat and comfortable. Tomas shares that no one believes him and he didn't know why his uncle didn't leave the map to the family. He believed his actions in the graveyard - disturbing the dead - called the ghost to rise.

While Tomas did show he was largely motivated for his family, he did confess some selfish interest (his uncle had shared the secret with him, after all) and thought that was what brought up the ghost. When asked to describe the ghost it became clear to the company that the "ghost" must really be a troll, which indeed would be a public menace. Tomas offered to share a part of his treasure to reward the company if they take on the troll. Déor and Thorondir attempt to counter offer for a majority share since they are the ones taking out the troll, which causes Tomas to balk - they were asking for his family's security as though it were part of an unclaimed troll hoard. In addition, Tomas did not know how much actually was left or ever was in his uncle's treasure.

While they argue, Laramie and Gilithion resolve to go to take out the troll as it needs to be done. They agreed to meet up with their gear at the graveyard outside of town as Gilithion needed to fetch Vidar first. This convinced Déor and Thorondir to join as they would not abandon their comrades (though they were still bickering about shares in the treasure).

In the graveyard, the Company found that the grave had been disturbed and was empty of the body or map. Primrose discovered faint troll tracks heading south. Considering the speed of a troll, the Company calculated that they would need their mounts and supplies for a few days travel.

With mounts and supplies, the Company pursued the troll to its lair in the South Downs, a cave at the end of a gulley, marked with cairns of bones leading to the entrance of the cave. There they discovered that Tomas Heatherton had finally caught up with them to try to find his uncle's body and the map. The company set an ambush for the old troll, slowly rousing and snacking in the growing twilight. The troll seemed to never weary in the fight. Although the troll was tough, dealt mighty blows, and wore chainmail from Angmar, the Company was resolute and prevailed over the troll.

Searching the troll's cave led to the discovery of many interesting (and some gross) things:

• Thorondir: a necklace of gold, crudely made, but valuable enough (2 treasure) and a few silver coins from Bree that were used as toothpicks by the troll.
• Primrose: A few skins of wine and a brace of stolen chickens (a good meal in the offing); she left untouched a coffin from Bree of a known miser, buried with lots of coins.
• Déor: A woman ring (2 treasure) and a woman's finger (eww);
• Vidar: A merchant's purse with a few real coins (1 treasure) and a larger number of tin coins painted to look like silver (9 false treasure); A box containing cheap but well-wrought jewels and rings made by the dwarves of the Blue Mountains (10 treasure)
• Gilithion: a bunch of well-gnawed bones, but then it paid off to find a cunning puzzle-box of dwarven make. Gilithion passed the puzzle box to Vidar to open, and inside was 7 treasure in coin and jewels and a letter, which if delivered to its owner in the Blue Mountains, would carry with it a reward of additional treasure (perhaps 5 or so). Gilithion kept the 7 treasure while Vidar kept the letter.
• Laramie: first spied the bones of a dwarf with a bag of coins underneath (2 treasure) a boot, with an old map inside. Tomas called out that it was his uncle's, leading to an investigation of the map.

• This is a total of 24 treasure spread amongst the Company, 9 false treasure, a chicken dinner, and 5 or so potential treasure from the dwarven letter. (Plus an unknown and Shadow laden amount in the coffin of the miser - estimated at least 7-10 by weight alone.)

The map was a clear drawing of the Bree crossroads area, and of a dwarven style with runes in the Angerthas Moria style around the perimeter reading: (N) HERE OF OLD WAS ARTHEDAIN LAST KING , (W) HERE ARE HALFLINGS IN MULTITUDE, (E) HERE OF OLD WAS THE ROAD TO DURIN'S GATE, (S), HERE CAME THE COMPANY TO SEEK TREASURE.

Noticing a lack of a mark and some ash and residue, Vidar pressed the boy to recall if his uncle had ever held fire to the map. Tomas affirmed the guess and Vidar, grabbing a torch, revealed the existence of smoke runes hidden on the map: magic calls the smoke to adhere to the letters just long enough to be read - a breeze or blow of breath can scatter the smoke to the winds again.

With the addition of torch smoke, together the Company saw a dot placed in the middle of the Midgewater Marshes and read:

HERE LIES THE BLACK BARROW, HERE LIES THE KING'S CHAIR, AND HERE IS WHERE THE KING CAN SEE ALL

Those familiar with the North and old lore recalled one ruin from some old princely house in the marshes with a dais and fireplace, now often called the King's Chair because of its resemblance to a throne. The Company Speculated that this must be where this "black barrow" is, hiding the treasure.

The Company realized they would need to resupply before a multi-day journey into the Marshes, and returned to Bree for tidings and refreshment. In Bree they learned that the convicted Hirlinion had escaped after his guard - young Tad Tillfield- was concussed and temporarily impersonated. Meanwhile, there had been no changes to the situation with the Undertrees in Staddle. A visit to Tad revealed that his attacker smelt badly of cider and something foul or rotten. Checking out the cell, a hobbit-sized ladies' handkerchief was found, reeking of cider and foul earth. Laramie surmised that the embroidered initials "GTU" were for Geneva Tunelly Undertree, Albert Undertree's mother (a great uniting of two prestigious families to boot).

The Company also checked in with Berelas, who, while nervous and unsettled with Hirlinion on the run, agreed to help cure any poison afflicting Blossom Undertree.

These revelations led the company to begin to formulate a rescue raid on Undertree Smial, with Déor swearing their target Hirlionion would not escape at least his justice again. That night, Laramie and Thorondir staked out the place, while the others plotted to separate Albert Undertree from his watchers on the morrow (another market day).

On the stakeout, Laramie and Thorondir were able to obtain a general layout of the grounds around the smial, including the presence of at least two mastiffs in the front garden, and Men as guards (with axes and bows) on the side and rear, where the apple orchard was. They could also see that the only openings for Big Folk to fit in were the front door, rear and side doors, and three big sunny windows for a hall or solarium on the second floor.

Unfortunately, noises were heard and one hobbit made a break for it, desperately running out of the side entrance for safety in the garden, hoping to make it to the road and passersby. Tragically, he did not make it and was shot dead by the guards.

In the morning, the rest of the COmpany put their own plan into action. Albert's watcher, a courier, was tricked and cornered in an alley between Déor and Gilithion at their most imposing. He broke easily, confessing that he acted as a courier between Gorlanc and his agents in the field. He confirmed that Hirlinion was one of those agents and was now holed up in Staddle at the Undertree Smial with Gorlanc and 10-12 of his men. He also confirmed Vidar's rude belching dwarf to be the other dwarf named on Mallor's list, Gror.

While the courier was confessing, Primrose and Vidar approached Albert. After showing him what was going on in the alley, Albert was willing to open up more about the strange and dangerous conditions in his own home.

(This knowledge - and any questions players have will be available at the start of the game to plan the raid - as well as any NPC's you've befriended or can persuade!)

Chapter 7: Death Under the Apple Trees

(The Company is set to raid Undertree Smial)