Dale News - 2013-02
| Date | Location | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 02 | ESGAROTH | Rose-tinted glasses? |
| 04 | IACH CELDUIN | Where the wolf howls, the orc prowls! |
| 04 | ESGAROTH | Arathmor Statement |
| 05 | ESGAROTH | Letting things slide |
| 06 | ESGAROTH | Does absence make the heart grow fonder? |
| 08 | LONDAROTH | Mist, mud and Menfolk |
| 10 | BY THE CELDUIN | A Skirmish at Night |
| 10 | ROLLING DALES | Dinner!! |
| 12 | IACH CELDUIN | Smoke in the water |
| 14 | ESGAROTH | The Pot Crack'd from Side to Side |
| 15 | ROLLING DALES | Beards, Hammers and Tricks |
| 15 | ESGAROTH | A Cold Caller |
| 16 | ROLLING DALES | A venomous discovery |
| 18 | ROLLING DALES | A lesson in stealth |
| 19 | IACH CELDUIN | Fighting fit? |
| 23 | ESGAROTH | Just an accident? |
| 24 | ESGAROTH | In sickness and in 'elf |
| 26 | ROLLING DALES | It's a bird! No, it's an orc! |
| 28 | ROLLING DALES | Bonfire party |
| Post Title: | Rose-tinted glasses? |
| Author: | Brev |
| Date posted: | 02 February 2013 |
| Mistress ELLINOR Taurdain is never short of a trick or two when it comes to soliciting custom. Why, the other day I saw her persuading Master BREV to take a look at some of her wares when I could see fine well he was only looking for Lady ISOBEL. He declined to look at trinkets, but did agree to buy a tinted glass flask for infirmary use. She'd have had him pay over the odds for it, too - the fellow only made a half-hearted attempt at bargaining - if Lady Isobel hadn't appeared in person at that point. Of course, then the glassblower became all smiles and changed her price. Wonder if the Heir of Taurdain was taken in? Seems to me she was only interested in Brev. Ugh! If they're going to gaze at each other all dewy-eyed like that, can't they do it somewhere I don't have to watch? | |
| Post Title: | Where the wolf howls, the orc prowls! |
| Author: | Bernar |
| Date posted: | 04 February 2013 |
| During a routine dusk patrol across the bridge to the west of Iach Celduin, to the forest lying some miles east of Mirkwood, Lord BERNAR Karath's mixed company found the hiding spot occupied by the larger variety of orc that have occasionally plagued Dale's southwest.
The enemy announced itself with an arrow to Lord Karath's shoulder, which was answered by a cavalry charge and followed up by Captain CELYS of Taurdain's Esgaroth Watchmen. Lieutenant HRODWYN of Karath's rear guard prevented either from being flanked. Though many of the Watchmen and, indeed, the younger troops from Thrush Hill, as well, had never seen battle, they comported themselves with discipline and valor in the face of orcs (SHAVYAK), wargs and warg-ridden archers. The only mystery is why there were not more of them... and their ultimate destination. The force withdrew in good order rather than engage an unknown number of wargs by night. Time will tell what scouts will find by day. The swiftest boats from Iach Celduin were dispatched to Laketown immediately with the garrison's report and a request for the trade capital of the Realm to dispatch healers soon, now that the training exercise seems to have become a prelude to war. | |
| Post Title: | Arathmor Statement |
| Author: | Kanyaria |
| Date posted: | 04 February 2013 |
| Earlier today, the head of house Arathmor, KANYARIA, released the following statement in regards to the death of Lord Roskar:
"It is with a great sadness upon our House that the news of Lord Roskar's arrest and subsequent death have reached us. Despite what the town may have thought, he was a respected member of our household and I ask that the citizens of LakeTown remember us in our time of mourning. However, it is not without great consequences the events that have led up to the arrest of Lord Roskar. His official charges have been released and most of the town has been made aware of his crimes. The charge of treason and the documents which have been submitted into evidence showing the our Lord was directly responsible for starting the war in Buhr Mahrling has hit the hearts of those of us in ranking positions among Arathmor. As Head of House, I have ordered an audit to be conducted and all injustices steming from the reign of Lord Roskar be brought to trial. Many may be aware that several arrests have already taken place. I assure you I was not aware of these transgressions and going forward I will work to do my best to see that such tragedy and misuse of our power will not be allowed to happen again. Despite his transgressions, Arathmor is deeply moved by the response to Lord Roskar's death while in jail. We fully support the move to replace our Steward who allowed this to happen to my kinsman before he was given a fair trial. We thank those of you who have rallied for this on our behalf. . The House Arathmor offers up our sympathies to Buhr Mahrling and will be working in coordination with our contacts there to do whatever possible to right this terrible wrong. Sincerely, Kanyaria Arathmor" | |
| Post Title: | Letting things slide |
| Author: | Brev |
| Date posted: | 05 February 2013 |
| Did you see BAN Rhinvan coming back across the Bridge the other morning? He left town all dapper with a fancy red handkerchief sticking out of his pocket, you'd have thought he was off to a business meeting and not just taking a walk with his baby son. But when he returned he was all over mud - oh, and I think the baby had puked down him too - and carrying a lump of muddy cloth that wasn't in his hands before.
Well, I knew there had to be a tale there so I asked one of the stable lads and out it came. He told me he'd seen that young ragamuffin LOUSE larking around, trying to make a snow-slide with her cloak as makeshift toboggan. Snow-slide? Mud-slide more like, in this weather! Apparently she and Master Rhinvan had a near-collision. Well, I'd have thought he'd tear a strip off the girl's hide - you know how he dotes on that infant of his, gets all uppity if you so much as look sidelong at a single hair of the child's head - but no. Louse just handed him her filthy cloak and swanned off without a care in the world. These Decks youngsters have such cheek! | |
| Post Title: | Does absence make the heart grow fonder? |
| Author: | Brev |
| Date posted: | 06 February 2013 |
| That was some nasty weather we had a few days back. Sleet, wind ... me, I ducked into the Town Hall to wait it out. Looked like plenty of others had the same idea. That carpenter Master BREV didn't seem to mind it though, he was eager to walk Lady ISOBEL home despite the cold and wet. Don't his bones ache in the damp like normal folks?
The lady must have been suspicious of his motives, I heard her ask if he had something to tell her. She might have been right, because he confessed somewhat reluctantly he'd be 'out of town for a few weeks'. And as the door closed behind them, I'd swear I heard Lady Isobel say something about 'running out'! You don't think he's trying to copy that former wife of his? I tell you, all foreigners are barbarians! Sure enough, Master Brev hasn't been seen since and that carpentry workshop of his is shut up tight. How the Wharf project and the Infirmary will fare in his absence remains to be seen ... | |
| Post Title: | Mist, mud and Menfolk |
| Author: | Bardur |
| Date posted: | 08 February 2013 |
| This report comes to us from a Londaroth worthy:
"Those Dwarves are a right queer lot! All grim and grouchy, you'd think we were due for a dragon or something. But at least they help fill up the tavern, right? Wrong! There's this one little fellow with a bit less beard than the rest - DORN I've heard them call him - who hasn't been in to sample the ales once! Stand-offish or what? Makes you wonder, it does ... "Another one of them, BARDUR, tried to foist his singing on us! Fortunately the Innkeep put him off right quick, we don't want any of that Dwarven caterwauling in these parts. Maybe in Dale they know no better. The Dwarven skald (is that like the proverbial cat?) was a bit miffed though, I heard him grumbling to his teetotal pal about it. So did old Harry, he walked up to the pair of them and I thought there was going to be trouble (we all know Harry's not quite right in the head). But no, they got bored sizing each other up and he wandered off. "Pity he did, I'll tell you what I saw afterwards: those two pint-size Dwarves hitting each other with sticks. Regular treat it was, better than a puppet show! Shame the short folk are meant to be leaving town soon." | |
| Post Title: | A Skirmish at Night |
| Author: | Hrodwyn |
| Date posted: | 10 February 2013 |
| On a cold night near the beginning of spring, the orcs of Isengard were about in the Dale-Lands, secured in a hide out. Knowing of this invading enemy, a small troop of the King's Men from Dale were scouting the land. When two wagons went barreling down a nearby road, the two forces met -- the orcs first raiding the wagons and the men arriving to counter-attack the orcs.
In this small fray, SHAVYAK of Isengard and Lieutenant HRODWYN of the King's Men, opponents in the past, met once again, meleeing mightily. Shavyak made the better blows in that duel. Still, the orcses retreated quickly, leaving behind exhausted men to retreat. And luck was with the men that night -- for RUKHET and her band of elite scouts, the Silent Night, had accompanied Shavyak but did not arrive before the bloodshed had abated. | |
| Post Title: | Dinner!! |
| Author: | Shavyak |
| Date posted: | 10 February 2013 |
| A winding road follows along the river Celduin throughout Rhovanion. Twin paths that fuel the machines of commerce and draw plundering hands from afar. Many hands. Delving hands. Wicked hands that poured from a hiding hole dug into a hillside when their scouts' horns alerted: a caravan of Dwarves, a force of Dale-Men on horseback. Too much temptation, too much chance of being discovered and one solution to the cave-bred mindset - battle!
With righteous fury the cavalry charged upon the largest visible contingent, BERNAR leading a clash with a masked Uruk-Hai (OXLRIF). The score of foot-soldiers took heavy casualties, but accomplished the orders of their lieutenant and that masked orc: unhorsing many to their end, and the misery of their now captive beasts. Should an eagle have flown above, the directions of forces mingling and retreating were indeterminable. With the way that the wind favored the Orcs' bowshot, saviors from above would have been welcomed. RUKHET and DORN found enough taste of each other, and distaste in the result, both escaping the other to fight again another day. AGARACUK and BARDUR found a similar unspoken agreement, the former retreating with his best mates to provide cover fire for the largely victorious orcs while the latter helped lead the dwarven folk on to safety. SAHGIGOTH and ARZI traded bowshots and curses, having enough of each other at length to retreat - Arzi with his kindred, Sahgigoth with an obscene ritual and a solo disappearance amidst the chaos. Caught in the epicenter of activity, SHAVYAK stood defiantly against the finest dwarven warriors led by NELETH. At half the orc's stature, the dwarf had an advantage swinging up that the mighty brute could not match with his attempts to swing down. Should the battle have continued, Neleth may have gained a mighty trophy in the death of an Uruk-Hai - but with the Orcs gaining the upper hand in the clash the wiser creature removed himself from the scene with his band largely untouched. Clearly Orcs grow more dangerous, and clearly they are present in troubling numbers in the Dale-Lands currently - but from whence did they come, and where might they appear next? All previous encounters in recent history have been in the midwest areas of this kingdom - do they venture forth to beat upon paths already tread? | |
| Post Title: | Smoke in the water |
| Author: | Brev |
| Date posted: | 12 February 2013 |
| A routine night patrol (mounted) sent out from Iach Celduin along the banks of the river came back with some rather odd reports. WRAY (Isobel) spoke of a disturbance at the riverside and a sudden overpowering stench, and how she and two of her comrades gave chase to some unseen beast but lost it in the mirk of the forest. Young HAROLD (Hrodwyn) told, with a quaver in his voice, of a blood-curdling scream that pierced the night and how he selflessly volunteered to escort Wray back to make her report. BREV spoke of hunting on foot for the source of the stench, identifying it eventually as a rotten fish. Quite why he was limping after a situation that involved no combat he wouldn't say (and just who put him on a horse anyway? I know we're short of men after the recent skirmishes, but he sits in the saddle like a sack of potatoes!)
Funny thing was, next day there was this odd smell in the air. Not like rotten eggs, more acrid. And there were a few fish floating belly-up in the water. I didn't think much of it ... but there's one or two folk been caught with the runs or having trouble keeping their dinner down. You don't think it's *lowers voice to a fearful whisper* plague? Of course, the diminutive Mordain shaman SAHGIGOTH will have quite a different tale to tell to his Isendrim allies, one involving ash of Ered Lithui and a shaman's curse. Is the Eye more powerful than the Hand? RP and find out ... | |
| Post Title: | The Pot Crack'd from Side to Side |
| Author: | Isobel |
| Date posted: | 14 February 2013 |
| Why, that street urchin LOUSE (played by BREV) certainly has a brass neck, and she grows bolder every day! Can you believe what she got up to in the Crafts Hall? She walked into poor Torwin's stall (after getting her grubby fingers all over my soap, that little--) and knocked over a pot - and then she refused to pay for it! There she was, shards at her feet, and she claimed it wasn't her fault. I'm so glad Mistress RHEDA (played by RIORDAN) and Lady ISOBEL interfered - us poor crafters have it hard enough as it is without having to put up with these sort of cheeky little... little... pip-squeaks! Though mark my words, Mistress Rheda had the right of it when she asked Lady Taurdain what good it would do to buy Louse out of trouble... well, next time I see that whelp in here I'm giving her a good spanking! ... Louse, I mean. Not Mistress Rheda or Lady Isobel! | |
| Post Title: | Beards, Hammers and Tricks |
| Author: | Neleth |
| Date posted: | 15 February 2013 |
| Flowing from the north, the river Celduin brings many good things to the people of the land - water for crops, fish for meals... this day, however, the river bore witness to yet another battle near its water. Two separate parties. One sent to scout the road. The other; to pillage, raid and burn with no discernible direction. Their meeting was unavoidable, if the stories of the past hold any sway on the present.
The party of well-armed dwarves sent north to scout the road does little to hide themselves, staying between the road and the river as they move north, looking for signs of orcs. There is a hill not far away that blocks from view the party of orcs, moving back westward towards the road, looking for more havoc to reek. GANON the dwarf if the first to spot orcs climbing to the top of that not-so-far-off hill. SHAVYAK, at the top of that hill, begins to serenade his troop with a sort of... war song, one might call it. It he who leads the charge, leaving RUKHET and one other to shoot arrows down at the dwarves. Below, NELETH takes command of his cousins, urging them forward to meet their age-old foe. When its in yer toothies will ya get yer brew? NO MAN NO MAN CHEW CHEW CHEW! Shavyak's song end just as the two parties meet, and battle is joined with the swing of his sword at the first dwarf he sees, Ganon. Ganon is not alone, however, and Neleth is able to join in the dismantling of Shavyak. Meanwhile, at the edge of the battle arrows soar from darkened trees at the uruks. Soon, three figures (HORT) wearing the garb of the elves of the wood emerge. Their arrows are aimed at the orcs, and the dwarves have a few moments to be cheered - not yet noticing the fact that those arrows aren't actually hitting their targets. Two dwarves can be a handful. Shavyak's singing voice might be on higher notes is the future due to his encounter with Ganon. Only seconds after Neleth's blade cuts him deeply, Ganon's war hammer is swung upward at his taller foe's groin. OUCH! To make matters worse, amidst his retreat from the dwarf an arrow, shot at Ganon by the newly wakened and hung-over AGARACUK . The arrow sinks into the uruk's posterior, and he is saved from further damage by the dwarven retreat. The battle's tides turned quickly, though, as those "elves" turned their arrows upon the bearded folk, and executed one in a gruesome way before cutting his beard off in front of his comrades. Anger would have led the dwarves to chase those imposters, but with arrows now coming from the woods, and two of their number dead, Neleth calls for a retreat - something many of the dwarves find hard to do. They obey, however, and the field is abandoned by the dwarves. | |
| Post Title: | A Cold Caller |
| Author: | Isobel |
| Date posted: | 15 February 2013 |
| Wonder if Master Brev has given his betrothed permission to snoop around in his home when he's not there? Lady ISOBEL visited the Business Parade the other day and that young man who is staying with the carpenter let her in. He's a shy one but I think I've heard him being called GIDON? Anyway, she didn't stay long but then again her host isn't the chattiest of folks I've found. I peeked in through a window (on Master Brev's account, mind! We carpenters need to look out for one another, and he had awfully bad luck with his /last/ wife so...) and I saw the lady hand Gidon a package of some sort? No clue what was in it. If you want to know, ask him! ... and watch him give you a one-syllable answer ere running off. | |
| Post Title: | A venomous discovery |
| Author: | Sahgigoth |
| Date posted: | 16 February 2013 |
| As night fell in the rolling dales near Iach Celduin, SAHGIGOTH, Uruk shaman-corruptor of Barad-dur, after his recent river poisoning attempt against the folk of the Dale, performed another fell ritual in the forest of the valley, in order to resupply itself with yet more poison. Armed with treachery and cowardice, under the glum forest's cover, its vile intent being to despoil and defile, it managed to complete the ritual of poisoning, by using the entrails of forest animals and turning them into a venomous sludge.
But its corrupting ways were discovered by the Khazad GANON, Warder of Ered-Luin. The brave Dwarf valiantly decided to take matters into his own hands and bravely attempted to set things straight right away, without sharing the discovery with his Khazad peers camping nearby, after the latest skirmish with the Isendrim Uruks. Khazad warhammer met rusty Uruk battle-axe in a spirited, fiery combat, where hatred and fury left skill and tactics aside. Soon, blood flowed and SAHGIGOTH, despite its frail appearance managed to score some wounds against the stout Khazad. GANON finally alerted his peers as to his discovery, as a mocking, taunting SAHGIGOTH fled deeper into the recesses of the valley's forest, leaving behind it a despoiled forest clearing and its pursuers. What plans next the treacherous Uruk SAHGIGOTH? How will GANON and the Dwarves handle this venomous discovery? Is this a organised, coordinnated attack on the Dale, arranged in prior by the various Uruk factions present or is it an isolated incident? RP and find out! | |
| Post Title: | A lesson in stealth |
| Author: | Bardur |
| Date posted: | 18 February 2013 |
| In the hour before dawn, the rolling hills and dark thickets of the lands bordering the Celduin were once more witness to spilled blood. It began with two dwarves, Skorri (NPC) and BARDUR, who were abroad before the sun had risen in order to spy out the lie of the land and locate the orcish group (and for Skorri to impart his wisdom to the young and inexperienced Skald, who was rather less than total in his stealth). They got more than they bargained for when a thicket that promised 'cover' proved to hold the Mordain shaman SAHGIGOTH; he and Skorri took turns hacking branches to bits until a lucky swing of Skorri's found orcish flesh and the shaman wriggled back into the bushes out of easy reach.
Bardur, meanwhile, had thrown himself flat to avoid AGARACUK's arrow; he spent a fair bit of time wriggling about in the mud before he realized he'd never find the archer and stood up to 'assist' his comrade. In actual fact the inexperienced Skald was more of a hindrance. Not only did Agaracuk have two clear targets now, but when outbursts of drumming from more than one direction ('an army!' claimed the wide-eyed Skald, 'two or three,' muttered Skorri) heralded the approach of more goblins Bardur darted forward into bowshot range to engage SHAVYAK, leaving his more heavily armoured companion to lumber after and become the target of not one but two well-placed arrow. War drummer and Skald exchanged a couple of rounds of middling blows and less-than-middling poetry, but in the end Skorri's plight recalled Bardur to the danger they were in and as the light grew the two scouts very sensibly chose to 'report back' at high speed. Others, of course, might claim they fled. | |
| Post Title: | Fighting fit? |
| Author: | Brev |
| Date posted: | 19 February 2013 |
| A clear, bright dawn saw many in the camp of Men at Iach Celduin up and about, with some seeking release from the healers' authority and others simply breakfast - though the uptake on that has been rather lacking of late. Lord GERIK was after both: he asked to return to duty despite a half-healed wrist that's surely not fit for swordplay. Worryingly, BREV actually let him. Perhaps that's down to the number of folk like WRAY, who approached the healer's tent looking as grey as the powder Brev sent her off with (she beat a frighteningly hasty retreat towards the nearest bushes!) How are we going to drive out those orcs with half the army hopping off their horses at every bit of shrubbery?
When Lord BERNAR demanded similar clearance the sawbones seemed inclined to balk, even going so far as to say - well, I shouldn't repeat it. But I'm telling you you'd not catch /me/ provoking our Lord like that! Gratitude for healing of one's kin only goes so far. However, then he must have relented because he disappeared into the tent for a bit and came out with a support for Bernar's healing ribs. I'd hung around because Lord Bernar and Lord Gerik were discussing tactics, reckoned I might find out what garbage they plan to dump on us. The word 'Dwarves' came up again and again, and I also heard talk of 'coordination'. I reckon there might have been a messenger or two sent out... Didn't hear more because Brev pushed past me on his way somewhere. The edge of camp, from what I could see. Here, you don't think he's indisposed too? No wonder there's so many folk queasy! Sick folk should have the decency to stay away from the healthy, that's what I say. | |
| Post Title: | Just an accident? |
| Author: | Brev |
| Date posted: | 23 February 2013 |
| It's rare to see Lady ISOBEL Taurdain in the Underdecks Infirmary, but she came in the other afternoon - whether to check up on the place in Brev's absence or to have a cosy chat with AILITH of Girion I don't know. Mind you, I'd as soon chat with a dragon! She doesn't mince her words, does Lady Ailith, especially now that she's .. well, rounder (don't, whatever you do, mention the word 'fat'!). She even has her father Lord Prius under her thumb; he was there too, hovering around and getting in the way while she did her work.
And work there was: that young tearaway LOUSE came in (well, some pal more-or-less dragged her) looking a right mess. What had happened Louse wasn't saying and the other lad did a runner before Lady Isobel could question him, leaving Ailith to patch the hobbling youngster up. She'll be off that ankle for a week or two, I reckon. Isobel seemed inclined to take the girl's mumblings about lost money as evidence of a gambling debt, but Ailith had other ideas. Of course, Lady Isobel's led a sheltered life, while Ailith's seen enough down here to put two and two together. Sometimes you forget she's a Girion - why with that vocabulary she might almost be one of us! | |
| Post Title: | In sickness and in 'elf |
| Author: | Brev |
| Date posted: | 24 February 2013 |
| Did you know there's another Elf in town? Tall, thin, dark hair and fair of face ... well, they all are. No, I wasn't staring! Spotted this one in the Market Square the other evening - that young nuisance LOUSE was causing a blockage in the road. You just have to laugh at that girl and her broomstick crutch she's been using to get about on her poorly ankle! The Elf didn't laugh, though - instead she picked up something the girl had dropped and Louse muttered something grudging that I hope was a 'thankyou'. They exchanged names then - the Elf's sounded something like Leer-hen (LYRWEN) to me - and the Elf said something about hunting and tracking. Louse looked interested but when no tales of goblin- and spider-slaying were forthcoming the girl gave up and hobbled off.
Hunter and tracker, hmm? I'm sure there's a use for that ... | |
| Post Title: | It's a bird! No, it's an orc! |
| Author: | Dorn |
| Date posted: | 26 February 2013 |
| The orcs are still around. The two dwarves scouting the area around their camp - DORN and BARDUR - found that out by following the noises of cursing in black speech, huffing, puffing and pools of black blood in the mud by the river. It was SAHGIGOTH, trying to get away from the open area or maybe just trying to get some distance between himself and the dwarves, humans and who knows what else being after his tail! While Dorn, a scout of some experience, remained quiet as he prepared his bow for a shot, Bardur called out quite excitedly as he was fussing with his own bow but oddly enough, pointed his arrow somewhere completely different than the scout. Well, both released their arrows at the orc but neither of them hit - it was getting dark! It's not their fault! Dorn hit a rock and Bardur shot at a tree not even close to the Uruk, managing to rouse up a few deers. Sahgigoth scooted though and after a momentary consideration, Dorn took after him to see if there was an orc camp in that direction while Bardur was sent to warn the others of the dwarven caravan that orcs were still stalking the area. | |
| Post Title: | Bonfire party |
| Author: | Brev |
| Date posted: | 28 February 2013 |
| In the dark of the night,
The fires burn bright As orc-kind plan Their doom for Man ... Nigh on a hundred orcs must have been gathered there as Zonk the Foul praised his troops and declared his intent to curse the heart of the Northmen's lands. A volunteer he had - SHAVYAK - yet his ceremonies were interrupted by the arrival of unwelcome guests: an alliance of Barding horsemen and doughty Dwarven footsoldiers. The scout RUKHET moved nimbly forward to harrass the interlopers; Shavyak and his Wolf squad stepped up to the fight then, buying the High Hag SSAMORI time to evacuate the walking wounded to safety (the remainder she despatched in person and with honour; the bonds binding Sharku's troops are deep). Amongst the horsemen, one rider stood out as less competent and perhaps Shavyak thought to find BREV easy prey. Once unhorsed, however, the man proved fleet of foot as any forest lynx and his spear had a nasty sting into the bargain. NELETH, meanwhile, grew angered enough by Rukhet's arrows (though none found its mark in his tough Dwarven flesh) that he stomped off into the brush to seek her. In the end it was the Free Peoples who had the upper hand, though not without their own losses. With many of Shavyak's squad already corpses, the big orc and his remaining fellows retreated under cover of shouting and confusion to rejoin the remainder of their kind, heading ... where? Perhaps time and RP will tell. | |
