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(005) The Gate Camp

Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2011 2:35 am
by waysoftheearth
waysoftheearth wrote:
ragnorakk wrote:It is likely the case that we should stick with the original plan and camp hidden among the trees. In the morning, the decision to take Grim to the river or to bury him here will be made and implemented.
Celgin and Dernfara agree upon this course, and head back to the main camp to communicate the plan with Soval's mercenaries and the rest of the train.

With the afternoon truly waning now, the folk get themselves busy with preparation for a chill, mountain-side evening...

(005) The Gate Camp

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 1:29 pm
by waysoftheearth
waysoftheearth wrote:
An hour later...

Dernfara, ever watchful, is gazing out over the lands of Eregoin from the precipice of the gate camp as the afternoon begins to stretch out toward a brisk dusk.

By his sharp eye he does spot a small company approaching the final stair that climbs a long, and narrow course up to the gate camp along side the falls of the Siranon.

He has watched their approach from afar, and reckons them to be a company of five Dwarfs. Whatever their business, he hopes they have brought good woollens for the cold night ahead.

Still, it will take them half an hour yet to climb the stair, and by then he will be beginning to think about keeping warm himself.

(005) The Gate Camp

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 1:36 pm
by waysoftheearth
waysoftheearth wrote:
Oin and Hrok, your adventure begins.... now.

You have marched five days from Edhil, aware that a large company of Men and Dwarves set out for the Mines a day ahead of you. Some of them are even reckoned "heroes", it's said.

Whatever their virtues may be, you'll be a dead Dwarf before Durin's ring of power rests upon any Man's finger! And that besides, everyone knows there's gold and silver that rightfully belongs to Dwarfs that just needs... finding"... in the deep vaults.

And you be just the Dwarf fer that particular job!

(005) The Gate Camp

Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 8:54 pm
by waysoftheearth
kesher wrote:
Denfara briefly enters the hubub of the camp and informs Ceglin of his observations.

"They seem by their gait to be dwarves. I will return to the stair and await their approach--it is best to be on our guard."

(005) The Gate Camp

Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 1:28 pm
by waysoftheearth
waysoftheearth wrote:
The Dwarves of the camp, for there are several, are heartened by this news, saying there will be good song and ale tonight to celebrate this good fortune -- the camp before Hollin Gate could never have too many Dwarfs!

But the others camp followers are nervy. The evening will come soon, and with it the cold and dark of night.

"We had best prepare a fire, Ser," suggests Balain, a wide eyed boy of Esgaroth, who appears now at Dernfara's side. "It will be fierce cold tonight,".

For a boy of 13 he has a remarkable foresight.

(005) The Gate Camp

Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 1:37 pm
by waysoftheearth
kesher wrote:
Derfara grins and says

"Aye boy--make your fire. We wouldn't want our dwarven friends to get frost in their beards!"

Shrugging his cloak closer against the bite of the air, he strides back to the stair.

(005) The Gate Camp

Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2011 12:23 pm
by waysoftheearth
waysoftheearth wrote:
For all its remoteness, the gate camp busy with beasts and folk.

There are present three Dwarves, eight Men and a boy, and one Elf. There are also five mules, a pony, three horses and a guard dog.


To be more specific, the following are here:

Celglin, and Elvish Seer of Rivendell,
Vestri the torch bearer and Miodvitnir the animal handler, Dwarves in Sili's employ,
Ymir, Norin's Dwarf physician,
Hallam, Einar, Ran and Sutherland (Fighting Men in Soval's mercenary company),
Dernfara of Westfold,
Dalain and Balain, brothers (Man and boy) of Dale in Celglin's employ,
Frewine of Rohan (Lomeluin's groom) and Rohemnet (his horse),
Deorwyn of Westfold, and Gleowine the rouncy; Eohild's groom and mare,
Alf the guard dog and Frosti the mule, Sili's beasts,
Fumbul, Hepti's mule,
Tug, Vestri's mule,
Ned, Soval's pack mule,
Deor, Dernfara's courser,
Piglet, Eremin's horse,
Ladybird, Baraglin's mule,
Doloris the nag, Largo's pony.

And also the body of Grim the Dunderling.

(005) The Gate Camp

Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2011 12:29 pm
by waysoftheearth
waysoftheearth wrote:
Balain sets about gathering some fire-wood from the thin Holly trees about, while the Dwarfs chat fearlessly, encouraged by the prospect of swelling their own numbers.

Soval's mercenary crew sit about grim-faced and nervous, picking at their trail rations and scratching stubbled chins.

"It is a pity we didn't bring fuel for a fire," remarks the boy to Celglin.

The seer couldn't agree more. Perhaps Men should have been sent down into the vale to gather wood while light lingered... but it is far too late for that now.

(005) The Gate Camp

Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2011 6:01 pm
by waysoftheearth
ragnorakk wrote:
"It will be a difficult night to be sure, but take heart!" says Celglin. "Perhaps our presence will be less easily noticed this way. We can keep under the eyes of the stars. "

(005) The Gate Camp

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 11:45 am
by waysoftheearth
waysoftheearth wrote:
The approaching party of Dwarves are well upon their way up the stair by the time Balain has created a small fire place from a ring of rocks and heaped it with what fuel he has found among the holly trees.

The mercenary fighting Men are gathered now at the top of the steep stair, as are the Dwarves, all awaiting the new arrivals.

"Hail, Men of Eregion!" calls the leading Dwarf from 60 or more yards down the stair.

Ymir, the Dwarf physician, leans out over the ledge and hails back, "There are other than Men afore the West Gate, Master Dwarf!"

This produces a hearty laughter and happy exchange between the Dwarves on the stair and ledge, as the climbers draw near.

It is clear now that there are five Dwarves approaching, and they will arrive upon the ledge in ten minutes, ere dusk falls...