Erebor news archive 2013-03: Difference between revisions
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Latest revision as of 09:53, 19 March 2013
IC News for March 2013
Date posted: Tue Mar 05 2013
By: Brev
Title: A flaming finale!
In the dead of night, the orcish camp was rudely disturbed by a most untoward sight: a horse at full gallop dragging their War-Drummer SHAVYAK behind it, his foot still caught in the stirrup. The scout RUHKET was quick to take control of the horse and release her unhappy comrade, but the damage had been done, for following hot on Shavyak's heels were the Bardings (both cavalry and footsoldiers) and their Dwarven allies. The orcs leapt into action under Zonk the Foul's direction and battle was joined!
The cavalry split in attempt to encircle the orcish camp, but Isengard's wargs and their riders (long kept hidden) leapt forth to engage them with tooth and claw. Meanwhile a contingent on foot led by Dale-lands' Lieutenant HRODWYN pressed forward despite the hail of arrows loosed by the goblin scout VRUTHA and other archers. Yet within the trees lurked an unknown menace: the Mordain troll GROX stepped forth and roared a challenge into the night. None seemed overkeen to answer, but Dale-lander BREV chose to gamble his fleetness of foot against the beast's hulking strength: indeed, he managed to keep it distracted at only minor cost to himself until with the arrival of a contingent of Dwarves the creature lost interest and disappeared whence it had come.
The Blue Mountains Dwarf NELETH was thwarted in his attempt to find and slay the orcish archer who had taunted him in a previous engagement, for not one but two of Rukhet's barbs sank deep into tough Khazad flesh. Hrodwyn, meanwhile, had engaged Shavyak in what became a battle of shields as much as swords. Then Zonk the foul unleashed his masterpiece - a fiery barrier in the shape of a flaming cross, lit by the arrows of Vrutha and his fellows. Confusion ensued, and in the end the bulk of the orcish forces were able to slip away. One of them (Rukhet), was last seen tracking ... a horse? Will her ambitions to become a rider succeed? Only time and RP will tell.
Date posted: Wed Mar 06 2013
By: Bardur
Title: Anything but a song!
Another of those damp, dismal days was drawing to a close and BARDUR was sitting under a tarpaulin, bemoaning that it was impossible to tune his instrument in this weather, when BALDRUIN's wagon rolled in. The old Blue Mountains Dwarven ale-merchant didn't seem to know much about recent orcish encounters but did break out a couple of mugs of his famed ale in exchange for news. Bardur, perhaps emboldened by his first sips of the heady brew, chose to deliver this in verse. One verse and Baldruin had heard enough! Talk swiftly turned to other matters such as Baldruin's business prospects (after all, all those Men need to drink /something/, right?) His first mug downed, Bardur was seen wandering toward the bushes at the edge of camp looking decidedly fuddled. Must be good stuff, that ale! Wonder if I could wangle some?
Date posted: Tue Mar 12 2013
By: Dorn
Title: Use the reamer, Dorn
On our way back to Laketown, I saw the odd fellow BREV - he's not from around here, is he? What with how he speaks and how he wields those silly tiny butterknives - trying to shave by the lake in the cover of the soon arriving night. But he was hurt, stabbed in the back or something, and so the dwarven Warder Scout DORN asked him if he would like him to watch his back while he's doing that painful-looking ritual. I thought it was kind of nice of him to offer, seeing as dwarves don't really know the meaning of 'shaving' themselves. Maybe he does and that's why the two got along so well? There was talk of the dwarven ambassador - not sure who that is -, the daggers and working the wood. Another thing dwarves are not very known for! Well, the man told Dorn to use something called the reamer and that some time he'd show the dwarf what he meant by it. I didn't catch what the Warder was trying to carve but it couldn't have been pretty. A wooden shaving knife, perhaps?! Ha ha ha. Geddit? Hahahaha. Oh, nevermind, you're hopeless!
Date posted: Tue Mar 12 2013
By: Hrodwyn
Title: Taking shelter in the Armor Shop
Sometimes, it is surprising how events turn out.
During a nasty thunderstorm, the dwarf BARDUR and the Dale-Landers RIOLAN (played by ISOBEL), ISOBEL, and HRODWYN all found themselves taking shelter inside the Esgaroth's Armour Shoppe. Hrodwyn, who after carrying out some business in the shop, was unable to leave due to the storm began the interactions among this motley crew by telling Riolan to stop playing with his sword's scabbard, informing the browsing Bardur that Dale armor was liable to be inferior to dwarven armor, and telling the inquiring Isobel that the armor Master Halgan was out with illness that day. Perhaps her mood was influenced by the fact that the Lieutenant of the King's Men was wearing a forest green dress rather than military attire?
Despite this inauspicious start, things took a turn for the better. Riolan and Bardur began to discuss dwarven-made arms as gift for Riolan's father while Isobel and Hrodwyn exchanged introductions.
But once the words "Hrodwyn of Karath" had been pronounced, attention was drawn to that soldier's recent exploits, and despite demurring on her part, Bardur, a skald, began to compose lines to tell of her deeds:
"Wrathful Hrodwyn, bright blade wielding
Faced the foul-spawned filth unyielding ...
Turned back troll, and goblin foe
Sent them shrieking, scattered woe."
And so, what started out sourly, turned out just fine.
Date posted: Mon Mar 18 2013
By: Bardur
Title: Heroes in Song!
A new work by Dwarven Skald BARDUR son of Mardur received its inaugural performance in the Fiery Flagon last night. A rainy evening ensured that the tavern was filled to the brim and likely to stay that way however painful the singer's voice (well, within certain limits of course!). After an initial dispute on the manner of the performance (Bardur refused to mount a table, claiming it beneath his dignity!) space was cleared for the Dwarf and his viol and the music began: deep-throated singing of the Dwarves to a slow, steady drum-beat, interspersed with showy variations from the viol. Its subject matter? Why, that would be 'living legends'.
Among those there to listen were a Taurdain trio: Lady ISOBEL and Masters LOREN and BREV (the latter two uncouth fellows seemed disposed to banter and the Lady had to hush them as the song began) and various groups of Karath, one including young RIOLAN (did you hear about him in the Flagon the other day? No? Well, I'll not spoil the tale for you). Isobel revealed her sheltered upbringing as she expressed awed surprise at the mighty deeds of 'bear-strong Bernar'. A verse in Hrodwyn's favour brought a ragged cheer from the younger Karath contingent; praise of Dorn, Neleth and Ganon elicited quieter approval in the form of nods and wagging beards from those Dwarves present. One verse, however, appeared to cause consternation as the revelation that Brev had 'taunted troll' turned Isobel's gaze to ice and left the dun-skinned sawbones muttering red-faced about 'poetic licence'. Just as well there were more verses to follow to divert attention: praising Wray, Arzi and Gerik.
Bardur's song ended with an exortation to
"Hearken, hear now, hold them true:
Heroes all - high praise is due!"
Audience acclaim led to more than a few ales being sent the Skald's way, and vicious rumour has it he was to be seen outside the Dwarven embassy at the crack of dawn serenading his kin with an instrument cunningly constructed from a Flagon bar stool and played with a 'bow' formed by his own beard ... No wonder the Dwarven caravan didn't depart for Erebor until almost noon!
Date posted: Tue Mar 19 2013
By: Dorn
Title: Beardless Ravenfeather!?
An evening after the glorious night of dwarven poetry in Esgaroth, the caravan of Erebor and Ered Luin dwarves had already reached the roadside camp between Esgaroth and the Lonely Mountain. There, they were setting up for the night when an elder scout arrived, making inquiries, quietly at first and then calling out the name of DORN son of Lufur. The young Warder had no chance to duck behind anything so he had to face the music, so to speak.
As it turns out, the elder was ZHARIN(Bardur) son of Karin, a Ravenfeather scout, an elite gathering of rather exceptional dwarves - scouts, sneaky and somewhat quiet. He spent a time complaining about Dorn's lack of beard even though the lad's been trying to grow the three hairs in a row on his chin but understandably it's not as easy as it sounds, at least for the dwarven youngster. Zharin suspected - and rightly so! - he'd trimmed it himself which is a capital offense among the bearded kin. Well, once he did get over it(though admittedly his beard twitched every time he gazed at Dorn), Zharin announced that Dorn had was being recruited into the Ravenfeather Scouts, a group that has been taking many losses of late with some poorly organized expeditions into the Mirkwood. Dorn of course thought it was a joke, a prank one of the other Warders were responsible for. But nay! The young scout was promptly set straight and told to grow a beard because among the Ravenfeather Scouts, the beardless were not looked favourably upon! He also received his first orders, telling him to report to Ravenhill and then head out onto patrol.
Whatever will happen to our favourite silly dwarf now? Will he, too, get lost in Mirkwood, never to be seen again? Will he at last have a giant spider kill under his belt soon, to impress the girls with? However will he cope with solitary patrols, social beast that he is? Find out soon when Dwarf Tales returns!"