Just a Squirrel Trying to get a Nut

General Summary

After uncovering the Mayor's smuggling scheme, the companions decided to focus on bigger threats and turned back toward Bree. Traveling back in the dark, the party met up with Hamish, a hobbit who had followed the curious path of glowing white lilies in the forest.
As Hamish and Rooty knew of each other, Hamish decided to join the band on their adventures.
After enjoying a filling breakfast at the Pony, the companions planned to head north toward the Downs to search out the bandits. Approaching the West Gate, they ran into a confrontation between a rotund hobbit woman named Daisy Whitbottom and the guards. It seemed Daisy's precious boy, Popo, had gone mushroom hunting and had not returned home. As the guards seemed overwhelmed by the agitated woman, the party agreed to step in and lend a hand.
Following the trail of the hobbit's pony, the companions found Popo's campsite amidst a field of mushrooms. Tracking Popo deeper into the woods, they found the hobbit halfway up a huge tree, his left arm jammed up to the shoulder in a bough hole.
To complicate the situation further, three large wolves circled the tree, intent on the hobbit for a meal.
The companions thought to sneak up on the wolves but Hamish missed his step climbing a nearby tree. The commotion of the treasure hunter crashing to the ground alerted the wolves to the intrusion and battle began.
Once the companions handled the wolves, Narik climbed up to Popo. The hobbit had chased a squirrel up the tree and caught the critter by the tail just as it jumped into the hole. Popo could not remove his arm without letting go of the squirrel and losing the gem the squirrel had stolen from Popo's pack. After some convincing by Narik, the hobbit released his hold and pulled his arm free. Luckily, Hamish was quick enough to grab the squirrel as it scurried from a hole at the base of the trunk.
Back on the ground, Popo explained that he 'borrowed' the gem to help finance his departure from Bree. He had his sights set on starting a new life away from his parent's shoe shop and his mother's insistent matchmaking.
And now the companions have to decide what to do with poor Popo and his rather volatile mother.

Report Date

14 Oct 2023