Conspiracy in the Mists

General Summary

The party of two dwarfs, an elf and a hobbit were instructed to enter Bree and listen for rumours and information that might be vital to the house Noirin or the Crown. Billwise, who has family in Bree, decided to visit distant cousins in Chetwood to discover if they had any news. Dagaard, feeling that his main purpose of discovering the mysterious poisoner was being side-tracked, went off in search of other hints and rumours. So it was Limolas and Pick who rode into Bree to the King's Rest to discover what they could about the current state of events.
A lively mixture of travellers were gathered along with a large number of locals. Pick naturally gravitated towards the two travelling dwarves in the room and discovered that in Moria things are unsettled, with rumours of increased clashes with goblins under the Misty Mountains. Limolas, being the open and innocent abroad, tried to strike up conversations with everyone in the room, and was confused to be rebuffed by a group of Rhuadrrim fur traders. Finally, he found easier conversations with One-armed Harry, a veteran of the Northern marches campaigns. By the fire, a wandering minstrel is entertaining the crowd with a lively mix of tales and song, an island of merriment amongst the heated arguments raging in the bar.

During the evening, a fifth Rhudaurian enters and joins his countrymen. The arguments and jibes clearly disagree with him as he is soon spitting insults at all an sundry as he leaves the bar. Moments later, his companions gather their bundles and also leave, followed soon after by the minstrel. Curious, Limolas follows and as he nears the entrance to the stables hears a shout. Closely followed by a cry of pain. Risking a look into the stable yard, Limolas notices the minstrel prostrate on the floor and the Rhudaurrim mounted and about to ride rapidly from the gate. Letting the horse pass, Limolas rushes into the courtyard to give aid to the fallen bard. The bard croaks a warning about an evil plot but no more before he passes out. Limolas rushes into the inn to gain more help in assisting the wound songster.

In the commotion of discovery, the grandson of King Argeleb reveals himself to the patrons of the inn, and requests aid in pursuing these enemies of the realm. Already feeling that they should involve themselves, given their newfound status as retainers to House Noirin, Limolas and Pick step forward.

Swiftly, the party saddle horses and set off up the North road in pursuit of the Rhudaurrim. At the North gate, they find the guards have been drawn off and only a single gatekeeper, rendered unconscious, remains. Fearing losing ground, the party push on, hoping that the recumbent fellow will be found soon. The trail is soon located by Limolas and the hunt under a full moon is on.

Through the darkness, the hunters continue on the trail of their quarry, who are making little effort to hide their trail as they pass into the woods north of Chetwood. As the pursuers, exit the darkness of the wood into a night lit by a full moon they spy the riders fleeing towards the Weather Hills. In the distance, Limolas notices a dark figure stood high on a rocky outcrop. A chill in the air becomes noticeable. Mist begins to form. Soon, the quarry is lost, as is the moon, in a thick white fog. Sound becomes muffled and shapes loom out of the mist as the party pick their way into the broken terrain of the Weather Hills.

Dawn and the rising suns weak light casts an eerie glow when Pick's sharp eyes spot a hidden attacker. His swift warning alerts the party and soon a swift combat is finished without incident. Well except for the inexplicable moment where Pick winded himself by overreaching his killing blow.

On into the mist, the party intensely followed the trail of the final conspirator. All the while progress was hindered by the mist and the fear of another ambush. As evening closed in, the party were stopped in their tracks when they heard voices ahead. Limolas slipped into the mist, leaving his companions virtually unaware of his absence. Moving into a safe position, Limolas was able to observe two shadowy figures in the mist yet the conversation carried to his companions further back. The conversation revealed a plan to sow chaos with a raid by the Orc-band led by Gashtrak and in that chaos, using stolen uniforms, to waylay the emissaries from the south who were making their way to the conference. Furthermore, a man of noble bearing and mixed Dunadan/Hillman blood appeared to secure the uniforms. Unfortunately, it was at this point that the mist gave way and Limolas was revealed.

Realising he was outnumbered, by a large band of Orcs, now no longer hidden by mist, Limolas ran yelling warnings as he went. The party were thus able to prepare and although the party were outnumbered two to one they valiantly vanquished the foe. Although, Limolas managed to not only fell his own mount (without injury) in a misguided attempt to ride over the rocky difficult terrain.

Encouraged by the Prince, the party set out in pursuit of the mysterious mastermind. The mist had thickened again. The sun had drifted below the horizon. Darkness was falling. Slowly, lupine muzzles slipped out of the darkness. The party froze. A band of Wolf riders led by an imposing brute of an Orc began to drift into vision. Belegil identified the Orc as the feared Gashtrak. The party turned tail and fled.

Heading south in the hope of reaching the forces encamped around Amon Sul, they rode with wargs nipping at the very heels of their mounts. Time elongated. Fear rose in their hearts and turned to elation when the lights of the campfires became visible. Spurring their mounts to the limits of endurance, the party raced the wargs to safety. Finally, safety was assured as cavalry sallied forth in defence.

There were meetings and representations. A prince was reprimanded. Limolas and Pick were rewarded with citizenship and the King's hand. The found that they were also honoured to be amongst the Royal Rangers, and additional responsibility that left them wondering what would happen next. Meeting with their leige, the Dame Noirin, they managed to argue for a leave of absence in which to fulfill previous obligations, which was granted but with conditions.

Rewards Granted

Limolas and Pick have now been granted citizenship of Arthedain and granted rank within the Royal Rangers. Each has received a silver brooch that is the symbol of the Rangers and instructions to join the training base at Fornost. They have been granted permission to continue the investigation of a ruin in the Cardolan waste, but must also investigate rumours of strange things in Tyrn Gorthad on the way.

Missions/Quests Completed

Discover the plot
Pursue the plotters
Warn the King

Character(s) interacted with

King Argleb II
Dame Noirin
Galboron
Ham
Belegil
Prince Arvegil

Campaign

Maznalalbam

Protagonists

Pick

Report Date

29 Sep 2018

Primary Location

Bree