Oct 3, 3018 TA (Adventure takes place at midnight and ends early morning)
PROLOGUE
A rumour has spread quickly across Ered Luin and beyond, from the somewhat obscure location of Thrasi's Lodge. Stories are circulating that the lodge was attacked by Dourhand dwarves - The reason is unknown.
It has also been told that there has been a call to any of the free peoples to help in this matter. What help is required is somewhat sketchy: some say to help in the cleanup, some say to help hunt the Dourhands. Those who choose to offer their help, undoubtedly, will find out more if they choose to do so.......
ADVENTURE
An unlikely hobbit, Fraylund (one with a stuttering impediment, no less), heard of the rumour and, for reasons not expressly revealed, decided to travel to the lodge and offer his help to the ranger, Langlas.
Upon arriving, Langlas reacted most kindly to the hobbit's self-sacrificing act and immediately saw how this small fellow could help.
It was revealed that the ultimate result of the dwarf attack (apart from the damage to Thrasi's Lodge and the death dealt out to some inhabitants) was the capture of the longbeard dwarf, Dwalter.
Langlas charged Fraylund with the task of infiltrating the dwarven hideout in Ringdale and to bring back news of Dwalter, if possible. Fraylund agreed and accompanied the ranger to the outskirts of the base before completing the remainder of the journey alone.
Fraylund was successful in finding out the fate of Dwalter: Firstly, that the dwarf was still alive and, secondly, that the dourhands were planning on (unexpectedly) turning him over to the wights of Emyn Hodeh. This greatly concerned Langlas as he knew that Dwalter was on his way to the steward of Thorin's Hall for an important reason.....
ADVENTURE TRANSCRIPT
Fraylund snorts
The Ranger, Langlas, looks at the dimminutive figure of a hobbit approaching in the distance
Fraylund snorts
Fraylund begins to smoke.
The front door of Thrasi's Lodge is broken down, there are many helpers trying to put things back together, some smashed windows can be seen as well. Obviously, something significant has occured here recently
Langlas looks again at the hobbit, and a thought comes to his mind
Langlas walks over to the hobbit.
Fraylund has a hideous stammer ''B..b.b.a.a....y-yes?
Fraylund puts down his pipe
"Excuse me, young hobbit," Langlas begins. "We do not often see your folk in these parts, and the fact that you have decided to come here makes me think whether you have heard something of the events that occurred here a couple of days ago"
"What say you to this," Langlas concludes.
Fraylund peers about nervously ''bb.b..a.yy..ee.s Iaahh.. I h-heard there h-h-ave been some troubles aroun-nn--nd-- lately?''
Fraylund says, 'snorts ''A-a-nd I d-do think i-i-can help you i think'''
Fraylund says ''May-y--mmmmmbe i am s-small! But i can h-h-elp''
Fraylund continues ''I-i-i--know a few d-d-waven words''
Fraylund grins
Langlas smiles and places a comforting hand on the hobbit's shoulder. "I have learned via tales and other sources, that the resourcefulness of hobbits should never be underestimated. But you need not be afraid here, all of these folk are free people and friendly"
Fraylund smiles to himself
Fraylund says ''T-t-t-hat is g-good!''
Langlas continues "Ah well, it is not the skill of language that is required here. I perceive that it may be stealth that is required."
Fraylund continues ''If p-p-people are mean!? I have this c-bllub on my backkkc..m''
Fraylund says ''b-b--byaa--yes..''
Langlas says "Well, if that is necessary, by all means, use it. But I ask you, how are you skilled in the manner of stealth? I have heard that hobbits are very skilled at hiding themselves when they want to"
Fraylund laughs ''o-o-ne t-time s-someone hid me in a cup-board''
Fraylund continues ''s-s-s--ssmmmo what c-can i say?''
Langlas gives one last smile before a grim look forms across his face......
Langlas says "We do have need of somebody who is willing to travel into enemy Dourhand territory to find out some....information for us, if possible"
Fraylund says ''b-b-b-yes Do not underestimate me mister!''
Langlas says "I won't hesitate in saying that the quest will be dangerous, but will be most suitable for a hobbit."
Fraylund snorts
Langlas smiles and shakes his head in amazement, remembering once more, a comment once told to him about never underestimating the courage and resourcefulness of hobbits
"You see," Langlas begins, adjusting his hood, "We were attacked by Dourhands, two days ago, but their goal was not to kill or destroy"
Fraylund nods twitchingly
Langlas says "They have kidnapped a dwarf who was staying here - Dwalter was...rather is his name."
Fraylund says ''Ahbb-b-byes''
Langlas says "We do not know why they want him, but we are concerned as we know that he was on his way to meet Dwalin, the steward of Thorin's Hall"
Fraylund says ''people g-g-et k-idnapped al-l--mm- th-the t-time where I l-live''
Fraylund nods
Langlas' eyebrows raise slightly "Really?", he adds briefly, before continuing.
Fraylund nods slowly as if he rembered something sad
Langlas says "Dwalter did not tell us of the matter he was to discuss with Dwalin, but if he has travelled all the way from Erebor to tell him, it must be important."
Fraylund nods
[Langlas] "If there is anything that we can find out, it may be most valuable to us"
Fraylund nods
[Langlas] "We know the Dourhands are based in Ringdale, to the north-east," Langlas continues, pointing to the trees in the distance.
[Langlas] "Excuse me, north-west I should say"
[Langlas] "In any event, I will come with you for part of the way, until the point where stealth is required, then I will remain to see if you can find out anything from within"
Fraylund says '' okk.j-jjmmmkmmyes''
[Langlas] "If Dwalter has perished, then he has perished and we will have to deal with the consequences"
[Langlas] "Of course, I have not introduced myself, I am called Langlas the ranger, and you are...?"
Fraylund says ''m-m-m-mm-m-mm-m-mm-m-m-m-mm-m''
Fraylund swallows
Fraylund says ''b-b-bpleased to meet you.. my name is fraylund..''
Fraylund continues ''bb-but everyone calls me m-m-m fray''
[Langlas] "Well met, Fray," if you can achieve any sort of result for us in this time, you will have the eternal gratitude of many free folk of middle-earth," Langlas concludes, smiling softly.
Fraylund smiles
Fraylund looks out in the distance thinking, smiling, maybe because of how this is one of the few times some one has believed in him
Fraylund snorts
[Langlas] Langlas looks up to the clear sky. "It is just past midnight. This would be a good time to set out. We will have a better chance in the nighttime."
Fraylund nods
[Langlas] Langlas stops, eyeing the countryside, keeping an eye out for foes
Fraylund grips tightly around his club
[Langlas] Langlas changes direction, heading more north-westerly
[Langlas] "We will need to keep quiet," Langlas whispers to Fray
Fraylund nods
[Langlas] Langlas motions Fray to stop
[Langlas] "Cliff Hendroval here, " he says, we should go around
Fraylund pants
[Langlas] "Are you ok?" Langlas asked, "You handled your club pretty well", he adds, smiling
Fraylund nods
Fraylund raises his club towards the ranger showing marks on the club
Fraylund says '' e-e-e-each mark i-s-s one r-r-r-at''
Fraylund chuckles
[Langlas] Langlas nods with a grin
[Langlas] "Right....Bears and a dwarf over there"
[Langlas] "We'll need to cross in between them"
[Langlas] "Well done Fray," said Langlas, impressed with the path the hobbit found through the enemies.
[Langlas] "We're doing well now"
[Langlas] "here we are"
[Langlas] "This is the place. You'll need to go in alone from here. Remember your goal is avoid combat if possibe
Fraylund nods
Fraylund says '' d-d-d-dont worry''
[Langlas] Find out any information, if you can, about what has happened to Dwalter.
Fraylund waves away the ranger
Fraylund peers about
[Narrative] Three dwarves stand nearby
Fraylund scratches his hair
[Narrative] They are pretty quiet
Fraylund grips his club...
Fraylund looks towards the crowd of dourhands
Fraylund grips his club
[Narrative] The two dourhands guarding the gate seem to be in discussion about something
Fraylund kneels down to eavesdrop
[Narrative] Fray can catch a few words, but needs to be a tad closer to hear everything
Fraylund kneels
[Narrative] Fray can now catch the drift of the full conversation
[Narrative] "So where is that scum Longbeard dwarf being taken to," says one
[Narrative] "How dare he invade our hideout," the same dwarf adds.
[Narrative] "It sounds a bit odd," answers the other
[Narrative] "But they are taking him tomorrow to Emyn Hodeh"
Fraylund squints
[Narrative] "What?" says the first, "To the wights"
[Narrative] "Yeah," answers the second.
[Narrative] "What on earth for?" asks the first.
[Narrative] "I don't know," answers the second. "He has something, I heard, I'm not sure. Information perhaps, an item, I dunno"
[Narrative] "I don't like the sound of that," says the first. Meddling in such devilry. No good will come of it"
[Narrative] Both dwarves stop their chatter, reluctant to continue the topic of conversation.
Fraylund runs as fast as he can
[Langlas] Langlas sees the running hobbit
[Langlas] and follows him
[Langlas] Langlas hails the hobbit
Fraylund pants slightly
[Langlas] Langlas, astonished at the hobbit's pace, finally catches up with him
[Langlas] "Are you ok, Fray?" he asks
Fraylund nods several times
Fraylund says ''ffff-f--f-fnbn--n-ff-f-f-f--f-ff-f"
Fraylund catches his breath slightly
[Langlas] Langlas waits until Fray catches his breath, not rushing him to speak.
Fraylund says ''f-f--f t--th... I know w-h-here they are taking him''
[Langlas] Langlas' eyes widen in wonder "He is still alive?"
Fraylund says '' y.y.yeaah i-i think s-so they were t--talking about him''
[Langlas] "Where are they taking him, and when?" queries Langlas.
Fraylund ponders the question
Fraylund says ''t...t-t-t to ehm.. Imin hodo i-i-i- think''
Fraylund continues ''Tomorrow!"
[Langlas] Langlas' face forms another grim look "Emyn Hodeh", he repeats, nodding his head. "This is ill news, but most welcome"
Fraylund nods
[Langlas] "The wights", he adds. "There is something sinister going on here, no doubt"
[Langlas] Langlas places his chin in his hand, "but not until tomorrow."
[Langlas] "This gives us a chance."
[Langlas] Langlas looks down at Fray with a smile. "You have done extraordinarily well, young hobbit. You are indeed a credit to your people"
Fraylund grins and chuckles afterwards
Fraylund - "bb.h.h.eeh''
[Langlas] "Strider was not wrong what he told me about your people," he adds, as a final comment.
