Year 2949: Kinstrife and Dark Tidings

[Vladim]

The Road to Beorn's House, Wilderland, Late Spring of 2949

Part One: A Funeral Boat

With Black Tarn rebuilt, and the companions have spent their time resting as they pleased, they gathered once more in Rhosgobel, before journeying north, at the Brown Wizard's behest, in order to deliver a small shipment of herbs - normally, the job would have been entrusted to Beran or Banna, but both had been preoccupied in Black Tarn, and the Company was passing through that way on the way to Mountain Hall in either case, so it was convenient. The journey goes quite simply and easily - after all, these are Beorn's lands, and he does not permit any trespass from creatures of Shadow. Leaving Stoneyford behind, the Carrock was clearly visible in the distance, Beorn's home perhaps ten miles away. The sun had already begun to set, but with Beorn's dwelling this close, it woould be meaningless to look for a campsite. The land had fully awakened from the winter, and even here, close to the edge of Mirkwood, nature took it's due - the grass glistened with dew, birds flew overhead, insects buzzed, and the leaves of trees gently whispered in the wind, here and there.

For most of the travelers, this was at least not the worst of times to travel - but it was different for Idunn. Something felt amiss - where others saw birds and associated them with the upcoming summer, the huntress' eyes could pick out that the birds were too dark to be songbirds local to the area, and that most circled a spot up ahead. In the dying light of the sun, things began to suddenly look much less pleasant, as the road neared the river, an odd noise could be heard, rhythmic and hollow, resembling a drum. No crickets could be heard - instead there was a loud buzzing of flies. Looking closer, Idunn can tell that, tangled in the weeds and thick rushes on the east side of the stream, there is a boat, with two slumped shapes within it - flies buzz overhead, and a limp arm trails in the water.

 

Investigation

There are a few things you can do here. Rather than outline all the skills possible and what they will do, I will simply say that if you give me a roll and can justify it to me, it will work out. But generally, 'Investigative' skills are things like Riddle, Search, Awareness, Hunting, and Lore, with other ones possible. The TN is 14 unless otherwise specified!

 

New Players

After this scene finishes, you guys get your cue to enter!

Private Content for: Jacob Lewis, thesloth, Varon777

The idea is, you are a patrol returning to Beorn's House - he's likely quite happy with you from the previous adventure with the Hobbits, the summary of which I will post tomorrow! Also, it would be good if you picked a Role for yourself in the company - Scout, Lookout, or Hunter all work - There can only be one guide, but multiple others. Deciding on a Fellowship Focus is also a good idea!

[Vladim]

Travelling through the lands of the Beornings, Idunn was looking forward to the conclusion of this little errand. She was much more interested in hearing from Beorn, and learning from him all the latest news and developments. In particular, she was curious about the Viglundings in the North, and Thane Guthred especially, and she hoped that all disagreements between him and the folk of Beorn had been settled. But also, she wished to stop by Stonyford on her return journey to Mountain-Hall, to see how her Beorning friends and relatives were doing.

As she approached the river, though, she sensed that something was off, and quickly she warned her companions.

’There is something… strange, over there.’ she said, pointing towards the boat with the slumped shapes in it. ’It feels like an ambush, or a trap… Be careful!’ she concluded, readying her spear as she looked around carefully. She had not forgotten her encounter with Cenric and Gizik months earlier, and although it had taken place far in the North, away from Beorn’s lands, it proved that there were still vagabonds and other dangerous folk to be wary of. This was still Wilderland, after all: no place to be letting one's guard down, no matter how pleasant the scenery!

[Vladim]

Nori was occupied with a “debate” between him and Hunir. The raven, who spoke broken Common tongue, was insisting on a snack, to which the dwarf made various replies:

“I’d rather lug around the biscuits and you – not the biscuits in you.”

“You’re more cow than crow at this point!”

“Another word about cram and I’ll pluck you bald.”

The words from the dwarf were stern, but anyone could tell that the two were in playful banter. Nori allowed the raven to perch on the back of his pack as opposed to flying with the rest of the murder, as was the bird’s preference.

However, when Idunn alerts the fellowship to the troublesome sight ahead, Nori tries to turn his attention from Hunir to what has caught Idunn’s attention and raised her internal alarms. Blinking – his mind still caught up in the argument with his raven – the dwarf tried to scan the horizon for signs of danger, even a clue as to what Idunn was concerned about, but could see nothing of note. “Wha-“ he starts to say, a bit baffled and clearly caught off guard. “What is it?”

[Vladim]

As Idunn looks around, she can see nothing in particular that suggests that there is someone waiting in ambush - the air is silent, if only for the sound of buzzing flies, and the cry of the occasional bird. However, as she observed the surroundings for an ambush, the river shifts the boat slightly, and a ray of moonlight illuminates the face of one of the dead bodies, whose hand trails in the water. It is Merovech the Mighty, Beorn's Thane who presides over judgement... and her cousin.

[Vladim]

At first Idunn seemed uncertain – it looked as if one of the men in the boat was her cousin, but she refused to believe it, and thought that her eyes deceived her, and that the dim moonlight was playing a cruel trick on her. But despite her disbelief, the image persisted.

Forgetting about any danger, she cast her spear aside and rushed to the boat, eager to see if there remained any signs of life in the two bodies, and if it were possible to treat their wounds, however grievous.

[OOC: Healing check in the dice thread; I'll only spend Hope if it's possible to save someone; otherwise, let it fail.]

[Vladim]

After long weeks spent at Mountain-Hall, Fundor traveled back to Rhosgobel along with several Woodmen hoping to sell recently mined ore to the edge of the forest people. There, he met again with his companions before they are given a task by Radagast.They were again on the roads of the Anduin vales.

Several days later, Fundor was taking advantage of the easy path along the Anduin. The grass was green, flowers were blooming under Spring's Sun and in that region, an unfortunate event was very unlikely to occur. And yet, they find that boat with two dead bodies in it. Quickly Fundor looked for footprints or whatever mark on the ground that could give any hint on the murderer(s).

[Vladim]

Both men have been struck with black arrows, each taking two or three. The blood has since blackened and but has not yet crusted or dried - it has been perhaps a day since the attack, but no more. As Idunn rushes to the boat, she is able to see the face of the other corpse; it is Odo the Loyal, Merovech's battle-brother, and Thane of the Old Ford. Two faithful friends, Beorn has lost this day... Fundor's search yields the fact that there are orc tracks on the other bank of the river - but they do not seem to have crossed to this one, near which the boat now rests. Perhaps orcs have come from Gladden Fields? Gramtyng, telling Belgo to tend to the horses, follows closely behind Idunn, his face quickly turning the color of ash, all traces of a smile gone, when he sees both of the people who were so friendly with them not long ago, who helped them and rewarded them for their chase of the Sickle of the Moon - and now, to see them dead like this... "They're orc arrows. No doubt about it." He informs the rest with a hollow voice.

 

Rolls

Every Companion besides Ingi needs to make a Corruption check - these two men have been quite hospitable and friendly with the group, giving them presents at the end of the Theft of the Moon chase. Odo has fed them and hosted them in his home, even giving them the meat that is so rare in Beorning lands to help the dwarves feel more at home. He'd scouted their way for them at night and pointed them in the direction of Old Mab. Merovech was Idunn's cousin and the host of the festivities at Stoneyford. His wife, Ava - the thane of Stoneyford and mother to his son, Ragnar, would have to be told as well.

The Corruption check is TN14, and on failure, you take 1 point of Shadow.

[Vladim]

While looking for footprints, Fundor has a keen look at the other side of the river and soon find that long reeds have been trampled. The shore is quite too far away for a careful examination but Fundor's intuition tells him that it looks like Orcs work. But that's impossible, Orcs would never get so close to Beornings settlements. Fundor was probably mistaken ! But then the dwarf hears Gramtyng saying that the men were killed by Orcs arrows. He couldn't believe it, thinking that those vile creatures would dare coming so close to Beornings lands was a strike to Fundor's confidence [and 1 Shadow point].

Fundor comes back to the boat, looking sadly at Odo and Merovech. Then the dwarf has a look inside the boat in order to check their gear and weapons and see if anything was stolen or whatever hint that could help them understand what happened, why Orcs would come so close to these lands.

[Vladim]

t was clear that the two men were beyond all help, but Idunn lingered stubbornly by the boat, refusing to believe what she saw, holding on desperately to a false hope. She heeded little attention to where her companions were, and what they were doing, and checked the Beornings’ injuries again and again, as if they would somehow magically revive from their mortal wounds: perhaps a shallow breath or a subtle twitch, anything to indicate signs of life, however feeble. But it was all in vain, for there were none, and eventually she had to admit it. They were dead.

Anger was the first emotion she felt after the fateful realisation: a quiet rage burned inside her, increasing in intensity with every passing second, ready to be unleashed onto those who had done the foul deed. But not just yet: for if they were orcs, then they had long abandoned the scene, and Idunn would have to track them down and slay them to avenge her cousin, something she was now determined to do. She checked the boat carefully, with great focus, seeking to find clues as to what had transpired here, how, and why.

[OOC: I’ll attempt a Riddle check to find more clues. @Diofant don’t forget to raise Eye Awareness for Idunn’s previous Sauron on Healing if you want!]

[Vladim]

Nori slowly approached the boat, eyeing his cousin briefly as the dwarf went about searching the bodies up close and personal. The rust-haired craftsman stopped just behind Idunn before the woodswoman stepped forward and began inspecting the boat as well. His beard hid a somber frown as he looked upon the men he had come to know, even if ever so briefly.

Hunir let out a lone, loud squawk but then went silent, as if understanding the gravity of the situation. Nori said nothing to the bird, his eyes instead traveling over the bodies of the men, the boat itself, and the surrounding area. Now that we was closer and his attention had been fully grasped, he hoped to make sense of what he saw.

As his eyes wandered, he murmured aloud, as if to break the silence that had ensnared the group, the dwarf said to Idunn, "I'm sorry lass... That's no way to go." There's a brief pause, Nori uncertain where to go - but his mouth apparently getting ahead of his brain. "... would you like a minute alone?"

[Vladim]

As Nori searches the bank of the river near the boat, on the other side of the river, he sees a dark outline of two orcs lying practically on top of one another, impaled by the same spear - a mighty throw it was, that managed to puncture through both of the foul things, AND their armors! The spear seems to be clearly of beorning make, as it is carved with images of bears, and is far too well made to be of goblin make.

 

Ghorin

There's nothing else to find, but since Nori rolled search already, I talked to Vladim and asked him if I could share the result of what Ingi found with Nori.

[Vladim]

Along with the others Ingi had been happily traveling his mind filled with thoughts of the honey cakes that his brother had so liked during the folk-moot the year previous. His thoughts were occasionally interrupted by Munirs teasing of the puppy Vethrfolnir and by the musings of Nori and Hunir. Now and then Ingi took the chance to toss Hunir some cram from the supplies his brother had left him – `to remind him of home` – although this met the displeasure of Munir who occasionally swooped in to intercept, and Ingi feared also Nori who seemed displeased with the ravens gastronomical obsessions. Despite the darkness of their previous adventures the spring air, the blessing of the brown wizard and the prospect of entering the Beorings land once again was carrying everyone’s feet lightly on this errand

This happy mood however was interrupted by Idunns cry. Looking around he noted firstly the boat tied up in the river and two figures, apparently bereft or almost bereft of life in the boat. Reading the orientation of the boat mooring in relation to the currents of the river Ingi searched the opposing bank saw the shape of two Orcs impaled with a single spear. On running toward the boat Ingi further noticed their capes bore the sign of the Bear. In a moment he realized that these were no strangers, and felt a heavy mood drift over the companies previously light air.

Joining Idunn in her attempts to tend to the needs of the people in the boat Ingi also noted cut lengths of rope superfluous to any nautical needs alongside an empty sheath on one of the men. “ This may not be as straightforward as it seems - I think there was a prisoner of some sort here…. “

[Vladim]

Despite Idunn's grief - or perhaps because of it spurring her on - with the survey of the tragic scene complete, and all information the companions collected, a few things were starting to become clear. The two were journeying with a prisoner in the boat - and according to the very few supplies they had left, it seems like they were almost at their destination. The closest point of interest was, of course, Beorn's House. With Merovech being the Thane of Judgement who decided disputes, or presented people to Beorn for his own judgement, and Odo being the Thane of the Old Ford, it made sense that they were making their way upriver from elsewhere. The two dead orcs accounted for the arrows they were struck with, likely out of an ambush. Then there was the matter of Merovech's missing sword, and the severed bonds... Perhaps the prisoner they were transporting got free in the attack? That was difficult to judge, with everything present on scene.

 

---

 

A short time ago, slightly north of where the Company discovered the dead bodies, Dahl-Or and Annungil walked. Two very different folk from different upbringings, currently united by a common cause - an order of Beorn's to patrol the lands surrounding his home. The two had gotten back from their adventure turned hobbit rescue and splendidly helped the Easterly Inn thrive. With the inn being within Beorn's juristiction, and taking care of the inhabitants being a personal request from Bilbo Baggins to Beorn, this was something that the master of the Carrock approved of. Not to mention, the killing of goblins in the High Pass and slaying a wraith, as well as tricking even more goblins out of their loot and meal was something seen as heroics by the family of the rescued Dino Brandybuck (particularly his smaller nephews). With Beorn slow to trust, the words of Iwgar Longleg, an older Beorning who lead the caravan with three guards (Andy Blackthorn, Bill the Bowman, and Tom Lumpyface) hired in Bree, had a far greater impact on him than those of a hobbit. Leaving the head of Ubhurz on a pike near the Ringfort, where the battle took place, was also noted by the Beorning chief when he'd wandered over there later on. It wasnt clear why Beorn had sent them to check this portion of the lands - perhaps sheer instinct, but with the discovery of goblin tracks, things changed very quickly.

 

Rolls Required

Dahl-Or and Annungil, feel free to make a check you would use to survey the area - some suggestions are Awareness, Search, or Hunting. TN14 @Varon777 @thesloth

[Vladim]

"I don't know what are the Beornings customs about dead persons but I believe that we should take care of these 2 poor men and bring them to Beorn. Also when we meet him, we may explain him what we discovered and he can decide what to do."

[Vladim]

As Idunn inspected the clues, she begun piecing together what had transpired, and finally she reached the conclusion that the two men were escorting a prisoner. It was then that Nori called to her, asking if she needed some time alone. But the huntress had set her grief aside for the time being, and was now driven by sheer determination, and a burning desire for vengeance against those who had done this.

’There is no time to waste.’ she said, turning towards Nori. Her words were plain, and her tone cold, but a fire seemed to burn in her eyes. ’We must hunt these orcs down before they have a chance to escape. Merovech is dead, and it is my duty to avenge him.’

She shook her head in agreement to Ingi’s words, but presently she was not concerned with the fate of the prisoner. At best the captive was complicit to the killings, for there were no signs of him offering any help to the thanes. With time, he too would be tracked down and brought to justice, but not before the orcs were found. Yet Fundor was right – they could not simply leave the bodies.

'How far to Beorn's house?' she asked Fundor, for she was not sure if his proposal was feasible, and was loathe to let the orcs escape.

[OOC: If Born's house is too far, would it make sense to bury the bodies and then hunt down the orcs? Idunn does not want them to escape, and she is keen to avenge her cousin personally.]