A1.4 Audience with the King

Early April- Onward to Minas Tirith: It was another 2-day trip back to the Lonesome Coach Inn (Crossing of Erui) where Theo paused to harvest honey from his hive left there weeks ago. But even the Inn offered little respite for Thran who suffered nightly visions of Sauron tormenting his dreams. Olaf the owner greeted them warmly, having forgotten the bar fight 10-days ago, “First drink is on the house.” Tina, the barmaid, doted on Hugo for having saved her from that fire. But while the others raised a ruckus in the Inn, Theo took solace in the barn where he hid the iron coffer (holding the shard). He kept silent guard most of the night while relying on the animals to wake him if anyone (or anything) approached.

Arrival at Last [roll 7+5=12: high spirits]: At least the last 2 days were traveled along the paved road. The sight of the white city only bolstered their spirits [all but Thran (per his nightmares) removed 2 Shadow Points]. Maybe Kyan recognized the strain on the elf as he became their spokesman at the gate, “We come with grave news for the king! Evil taints the land.” But the gate guard only mocked, “What do you know of evil? My father fought and died in the last great war that rid us of Saruman’s threat.” But Kyan countered, “Then maybe your father fought bravely beside me as I too faced the foul-wizard’s threat.” Thran added, “We come with news of Umbar corsairs spying upon your defenses as a prelude to war.” It wasn’t long before the Captain-of-the-Guards arrived to escort them up the ramparts to the palace above the city.

But once again they were stopped to explain their cause to an advisor. [Tradition] Kyan recognized the man’s rank and showed respect as he begged forgiveness at the interruption, “Were it not such grave news for a king. Great evil is upon the land; where we thought Sauron vanquished, pure evil can only be contained a little while.” What began as them scheduled for an audience days from now… Kyan’s last words prompted action. They were led down a great hall (with magnificent sculptures and paintings) toward twin ornate doors when the king’s personal guards stood at attention. “Right this way.” One guard broke his attention to query the hobbit who entered while munching on a carrot.

Kyan led the group forward to the dais that held 2 regal thrones where an elder man and woman sat (mid 80s). He stopped 30ft away and knelt while speaking, “King Elessar, we come with grave news for your ears only.” Thran knelt and spoke in elvish to the royal couple but was corrected by their escort who whispered, “They only know a little elven taught by their old friend, Legolas. Please address them in common.” 

And with that the escort spoke, “My Lord Faramir and Lady Eowyn, these travelers mentioned Umbar war drums and evil.” Eowyn broke the awkwardness, “We sit on the throne while the king tends to personal business. In fact, dear hobbit, he journeys to the Shire to pay his respects to the crowning of the new Thain of the Shire: Peregrin Took’s son, Faramir I.” It was now Lord Faramir who blushed at the memory of his friend Pippin (Peregrin) who named his son after him.

Hugo was caught staring at the lady’s dress. To which Lady Eowyn puzzled, “Tell me dear hobbit why you would choose men’s clothing to hide your female form?” That brought silence to the gathering! Hugo finally admitted, “I find it easier to travel outside the Shire in men’s clothing. Women are expected to stay home and clean.” Eowyn bellowed with laughter, “If it were not for us women, there would be no generations nor hands to slay the evil Witch King of Angmar.” Hugo faced the others, “My real name is Margo, but if you don’t mind, call me Hugo unless I’m in a dress.”

Once Faramir sent the advisor away, Kyan began, “Umbar pirates are of concern for your army but we bring more urgent news. While clearing an ancient crypt south of the White Mountains, we came upon a cavern dedicated by the Dunedain of old. Per murals and evil sights that entered our minds, those thousands of years ago when Sauron fell to the blade of King Isildur, not only did his ring fall aside as his finger cleaved, but the amulet about his neck also fell and shattered unto 6 pieces. And thus it was 6 races of the world each took a shard to their distant lands to be hidden to prevent Sauron from returning. The shard we found was that of the Dunedain race.” Thran spoke up, “I made the mistake of touching the shard. Sauron entered my mind and flooded my visions as if I was at his side at the time he fell. And he turned to leer at me to find the remaining pieces so that I could become one of his lieutenants. I have been troubled by nightmares ever since.” Maybe it was his confession that eased his mind as Thran finally felt relief from his nightmares [removed 2 Shadow Points].

And that’s when a new voice entered the conversation, “Can this be related to Belemir’s discovery?” They turned to see a ranger step from behind a pillar. At Lord Faramir’s prompting, Calanhir told his story, “Months ago my twin brother Calanlas and I along with Belemir journeyed near the Ettenmoors where we came upon a band of Orc also carrying a shard. We learned they came upon it in the Mines of Moria. Pursued by more Orc, Belemir sent me south to warn the king here in Gondor. Belemir and my brother traveled west to lead them off before turning south to join me here. Yet neither has arrived.” Lady Eowyn spoke, "Belemir's absence is a loss for our whole Kingdom, if indeed a recovered ancient relic was in his possession.  If some foul fate has befallen him, the relic may now be in the hands of bandits, Orcs, or worse." Theo handed the iron coffer to Calanhir, “I leave this in your care. As for myself, I am an emissary for my chieftain Grimbeorn who wonders what other evils threaten the lands as we have seen a great uptick in Orc and goblin sightings. Forgive me for saying, but men ask for information yet seem reluctant to share. Thus, I was sent as Grimbeorn’s eyes and ears.”

Assignments: The royal couple recognized the urgency as Faramir directed, “Calanhir, make haste and travel to Rivendell to seek help from the elves. Perhaps Elladan and Elrohir have records of these shards and can advise our king.” Turning to the group, Faramir asked, “If there are pirates and spies within my lands, then perhaps new faces would not draw attention. There is a ship sailing within a few days for Grey Haven where King Elessar should soon be. I ask you to board the ship Ark Royal (docked at an Osgiliath’s pier) and carry the news to our king. With the land still frozen, sailing will be fastest (10-14 days versus months trekking overland in these waning winter months).” Lady Eowyn reached into a bag and presented each with a gold medallion, “Show this only when needed to signify you work for the king.”

Before departing, Calanhir approached the group and offered an arrow from his quiver, “Note the white-streaked fletching; my twin brother Calanlas carries the same. If you find him with the king, use this as evidence you know me.”

Thran had his own request, “The elder couple whose farmland was the site of the crypt gave us this sword to bring to their son Thorn who enlisted in the king’s army. If we might meet with him to hand over this Dunedain family heirloom.” They were directed to the quartermaster who reluctantly scanned his rosters, “Thorn Halbarad. He travels with the king as we speak.” An attendant arrived with a note to which the quartermaster addressed them, “It seems the Lord has granted each of you an item from our armory.” And with that, each picked out their own cultural heirloom. “And one more thing: show this letter to the stablemaster. Seems each of you are allowed a horse for your ride to Osgiliath.”

LEVEL UP 2

under re-construction

the once capital of Gondor

Osgiliath: While it was only a 20-mile journey to the city on the River Anduin, Kyan wasn’t comfortable in the saddle. But he was soon distracted by the city that lay before him. This once capital of Gondor, destroyed in the 2^nd Age during the War of the Last Alliance, was under re-construction since the end of the War of the Rings 63 years ago. While not yet rebuilt to its once splendor, nonetheless, it was an inviting site full of activity. Merchants hawked their ware and shop owners hovered at their doors inviting customers. But Thran was focused, “Can you tell us where the docks are? Follow our noses? What does that mean?” Kyan laughed at the closeted scholar’s ignorance.

After handing over their horses to a royal stableman, they soon found the river docks. Winter hadn’t fully released the river yet as ice still blocked the river above the city. Workers labored out on the ice shelves to keep the river clear south of the city. They were directed to the harbormaster, who held out his hand for pay to give out information. He grumbled when Kyan flashed his medallion, “Ark Royal… the Cog is tied up at pier #3. Scheduled to depart in 2 days.”

Dockside: They arrived at the pier just in time to watch the crew carrying bags of cargo onboard and down into the hold. A foreman directed the lifting of a huge cow via a boom-crane, “Careful now, she’s getting scared. Careful I said!” Indeed, the cow kicked and bellowed as the strapping cut into her underbelly. And that’s when they heard the boom groaning with the weight and stress of the panicking animal. Theo rushed forward to lend a hand [failed Animal Handling] but only scared the cow worse. Thran failed just as miserably. “CRACK!” The boom gave way, dropping the cow to the edge of the pier to then topple into the freezing cold river. [Persuade] Kyan directed a rescue team, “Everyone grab the rope and heave!” But while the cow was rescued, all noticed its broken leg. The foreman thanked them for their help, “I’m the ship cook. Name’s Cook. Guess we’ll be serving meat early in the trip; we’ll have to do without milk.” Thran changed Cook’s mind when the elf healed the cow. The crew was pissed, “You mean meat is now off the menu? Milk? What about ale?”

And that’s when 1^st mate Earl barked at the men below deck, “You fools! You don’t know SHIT. How long have you been working the docks? Any man worth his weight knows Ship High In Transit. Don’t stack that grain on the ballast. Stack it high, off the floor so it doesn’t get soaked. Wet grain ferments… next thing you know we have an explosion! Ivory, where did you find these men?! Get them off my ship and find others who know SHIT.”

Thran offered to stay behind to help load the ship as the others entered the town to do some shopping. The hobbit? Nowhere to be seen. Kyan led Theo into the streets and followed the sound of hammering. They soon came to a blacksmith’s shop where a dwarf labored away. Kyan wisely admired the craftsmanship as he bartered for a dwarf-forged mattock while speaking in dwarven. “I’m on king’s business and need to show the might of us dwarves.” Glom the blacksmith wasn’t impressed, “We’re all on king’s business getting his city rebuilt. Mattock will cost 8 gold.” Kyan pulled out a Dunedain coin, “Worth 5 gold in Minas Tirith.” Glom countered, “We ain’t in Minas Tirith.” Long minutes before Kyan handed over the coin and his old armor and mattock. And Glom pulled a forged mattock off the shelf, “Your lucky day as I just happen to have one laying around.”

It was Theo’s turn to barter for his weapons: in need of 2 dwarf-forged hand-axes. Too bad he didn’t enlist Kyan’s help. It cost him both of his Dunedain coins, and the jar of honey collected from his Lonesome Inn hive.

Margo waited tables at the Come On Inn. The bartender was just thankful for the help. She playfully kidded with the customers as she delivered drinks. They didn’t mind her laughter and tickling. Of course, none were the wiser that she was helping herself to their coin purses. A few coppers and silvers and almost 2 gold, until the well-dressed merchant felt the tug at his waistline and almost caught her hand! Funny how the mug of ale accidentally spilled just at that moment.

Theo exited the blacksmith shop and rounded the corner in front of another store, when suddenly a smallish man ran into him. The man looked up (and up) apologetically, “How did I miss seeing you?!” He hustled on his way just as another man exited the same shop, “Stop, thief!” And Kyan warned, “Don’t look now Theo, but I think you’ve been pickpocketed.” Kyan gave chase after the thief who rounded a corner into an alley. [failed-DEX] Kyan rounded the corner and tripped. [Pre-planned tripwires along his planned escape route. With plans to find Theo’s room later than night to retrieve his steal.] Kyan looked up in time to see the thief enter a door at the end of the alley. He gave up pursuit and returned to the shop, where he found Theo being tied up by city guards.

Theo tried to explain, “I checked my pockets per your warning and found that.” He nodded at the store owner who held a jeweled necklace. The owner ignored the dwarf as he explained to the guards, “Obviously this tall man is in league with Baker’s Dozen, our local thief. Explains how he’s never been caught red-handed.” Kyan held up his medallion, “He’s no thief. if you check his pocket, you’ll find he too has a king’s medallion to show we work for the king.” But the owner was insistent, “He probably stole that too!” It took further explanation before Kyan convinced the guards they worked for the king. As they untied Theo, “Which way did you say Baker ran?”

Kyan and Theo found Hugo standing outside the Come On Inn with Thran at his side. Thran bandaged the blisters on his hands as he explained, “Thank goodness the hobbit came and got me. Manual labor is hard work and all I got were a few copper coins as payment. But at least I met a few of the sailors aboard the ship”:

Earl (1^st Mate): next in line below the captain. Gruff man! Direct and unforgiving.

Ivory: hardworking sailor whose been paired with Earl now going in 8 years.

Cook: the cook. Easy going man.

Sheet: takes shortcuts when the boss isn’t looking. Lazy.

Salt: coughs a lot. Looks weak, but eventually gets the work done.

Quinten: bully. No higher rank than Salt but treated him like dirt. “Of course, he only acted up while below deck and out of sight from Ivory or Earl. He tried to threaten me till I pulled my bow on him. He only laughed at my threat and pointed out it’s a long voyage and men have been known to accidently fall overboard.”

NEXT SESSION: A2.1 Fair Winds and Following Seas