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(002) Hollin Gate

Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 10:42 pm
by waysoftheearth
waysoftheearth wrote:
Hollin Gate indeed stands open. And will never again shut for all the great pile of broken rocks that are fallen over them in a time long past.

The entrance to the great Mines is a flat wedge of darkness like a wound in the mighty flank of the Silvertine. A cool but stale waft of air can be detected by the Dwarves and Elves nearest the entry, but no sight nor sound of any enemy is revealed.

Within, the squinting eyes of Norin can just make out a mighty stone stair at the end of a wide hall, littered with much detritus.

(002) Hollin Gate

Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 10:50 pm
by waysoftheearth
waysoftheearth wrote:
As Sili and Norin recall to mind the bravery of their ancestors at this site, Legandir reads the ground about the gate with an uncommon care.

Though it is in the main hard beaten stone, broken twigs and bent shards of grass, and the tiny leaves of weeds clinging to the cracks speak to him of the foot traffic.

It seems to his keen eye that a host of soldiery has passed this way within a week. Who they were or exactly there number he cannot say with certainty, but it seems likely that they were at least two score and possibly four, and passed into the Mines not longer than a week since. And who would pass into the Mines in such numbers but Orcs?

(002) Hollin Gate

Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 11:02 pm
by waysoftheearth
waysoftheearth wrote:
As Soval, Eohild and their retains discuss the best position for the camp, it occurs to the seers Celglin and Ardenbard that the Doors of Durin were constructed by the Elves of the Second Age and were decorated with ithildin metal.

(Celglin and Ardenbard you know http://www.tuckborough.net/otherbuildin ... s-of-Durinthis lore.)

(002) Hollin Gate

Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 11:11 pm
by waysoftheearth
calithena wrote:
Soval and the others concerned estimate the most defensible point and establish a perimeter. With Berangar and Grim he himself moves a few rocks and fallen branches into position. Yet he does not work as hard as he might, eyeing the Hollin Gate.

When a half-elf is free to talk, he asks: "Are the mines open? Or are their spells and charms we must bring down ere we cross that way?"

If there is a riddle or barrier that must be passed, he will call on his men to help him set a strong camp, and that be the end of it.

But, if the way is open, he will address the group when a majority of them have returned. "I think it senseless," he will say, "to camp here for longer than we must, given the dangers of nearby armies and the certainty of our eventual detection. Rather should we eat, and perhaps nap an hour or two, but head in as soon as we are scantly rested and our heads clear: for fights are much easier won as the unheralded aggressor, than as the outthrust rock of defense upon which the tides of conflict crash."

(002) Hollin Gate

Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 4:30 am
by waysoftheearth
crusssdaddy wrote:
Arbenbard and Nat approach the gate. He gives a look and a nod.

"These doors have been opened to allow evil in... perhaps it is time they were closed again? The password is known to me so we shall never have entry refused, but if we can deny entry to more Orcs it would be good."

(OOC) Can the doors be cleared, or is such a task beyond us?

(002) Hollin Gate

Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 5:16 am
by waysoftheearth
waysoftheearth wrote:
crusssdaddy wrote:(OOC) Can the doors be cleared, or is such a task beyond us?
Durin's Gate is old indeed and it is not known whether the enchantments of latter days yet hold.

However, the rubble could be cleared with many hands and much labour, given the right tools. It might take a day or even two, and the company's supplies are not without limit...

(002) Hollin Gate

Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 2:43 pm
by waysoftheearth
mushgnome wrote:
Sili continues to cover the doors with his crossbow from some concealed vantage point. Mentally he calculates how long it would take to clear the rubble using his laborers and team of 4 mules (though truth be told he is terrible at math).

(002) Hollin Gate

Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 6:52 pm
by waysoftheearth
tombowings wrote:
"With the provisions in short supply, I will take a hunting party out in search of any nearby game," says Elindir. "Come by brethren, let us take a walk in the woods together. I would like to seem them one last time before descending into the darkest depths below the mountain."

(002) Hollin Gate

Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 7:10 pm
by waysoftheearth
doctorx wrote:
"Telthalion, will you accompany Elindir on his hunt?" Lmluin says to his Warden companion; "I shall wait here a while and keep watch."

And he lingers by the dark doorway, gazing long into the shadows within...

(002) Hollin Gate

Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 10:22 pm
by waysoftheearth
waysoftheearth wrote:
Sili is ever optimistic about a Dwarf's capacity for hard work, and reckons that with a decent team and tools he could get the much of it cleared inside a day.