mushgnome wrote:
mgtremaine wrote:On the way back to Edhil Baraglin would bring up the topic of camp defense. He would wonder if it would be possible to build a palisade next time with the local resources or if we should try to bring some suitable wood from lower elevations to erect a proper defense. He would be willing to contribute to a fund to purchase another wagon, or should the group lack such funds he would be will to put forth the amount needed as an investment with the hope that he would be repaid from whatever take we find.
Sili says: "
Baraglin, wee chap, fortress defense is on my mind too. Our 1st mistake was not fixing the broken gate. 2nd was neglecting to scout the surrounding area and choose a safe camp spot. 3rd was failure of the night watch to detect the ambush and wake the camp in time. (We need a Dwarf and guard dogs on duty at all times!)"
He thoughtfully fingers the lanyard he has made from the canine teeth of his slain companion
Alf the Dog. He speaks not with keen insight (Int 8) but rather from many years' experience:
"We need a
base camp within a day's journey of the gate, where our noncombatants, animals, and wounded can be protected. The ideal terrain will have fresh water, perhaps a cave or natural stone fortification, hidden by forest, defended by might and magic. Far enough that a Troll leaving Moria at sunset could not strike our camp at midnight and return home by dawn. Until the threat is understood, only willing scouts and warriors should approach near the gate. We can use signal fires to warn of a raid.
"I have learned to respect the skills of each race. With Elf archery, invisible Halfling spies, the cunning of Mankind, and Dwarven steel to punish the Goblin-kind, we shall not fail!
"With my
last silver penny I will write to Fili of Erebor, informing him of our dire straits and requesting his generous patronage!" (Vestri and Midvitnir are moved to humility by this gesture; they will forgo their nightly binge-drinking out of loyalty.) "In honor of fallen Hepti, I shall spend his share of the coin to hire an Dwarven
Engineer to restore the gates and defenses of Moria to their glory! My Dwarven bretheren; what news and request for aid would you have me send to Erebor?"
(Note that Sili is illiterate, and therefore his offer to compose the letter is an empty gesture. He'll pay for the stamp. He asks Fili for a chest of silver and a small party of reinforcements, consisting of replacements for our hirelings and mercenaries, plus any new Dwarf PC's joining the party. Is it crazy to send the recovered goblet back to Dwarf-land as a token, along with the letter? Not that Sili would ever suggest such a thing...)
(Sili loads the iron ore, tools, and hardware onto his mules. With Vestri's labor and the supervision of an engineer, Sili intends to thoroughly fortify all future campsites! Are all 4 mules still alive? If so, would one of the other Dwarves in the party like to lead Hepti's mule?)