The Great Golden Hoard Game Thread - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

THE Ka · 08-09-2006, 10:47 AM

Kafkalina had come through fields, and now the ent had ended up in one with a tricky first face value. The grass, which was high enough to rival saplings, was not the new problem. Underneath stood hundreds of thistles, which at first stood no challenge to the ent’s tough ashen bark, but over time they quickly began to have effect. It would have been easier to think this out, if it wasn’t for the sun overhead, which caused Kafkalina to sweat, while all the leaves would rather spend a day to photosynthesize. The ent stopped for now, and gave thought to a more resourceful nature.

Ha Hmmmm! Thistles, you scourges… Most likely the last testaments to entwives’ gardens. Indeed, I am glad I didn’t join up in that great walk to these lands, teaching northern Huorns was a good change of plans. Is this a punishment, then? No, no, most likely meant for other things of more deviance. I am just an ent, covered in prickles… and half of me wants to take in the sun and just sit here…

Kafkalina searched through her bag, mostly full of entwine, it was something that was saved and eventually had a good use. Taking a bit out in her stone bowl, it helped to quench some of the thirst off for more concentration. The ent’s roots meanwhile took this as a sign that they would be standing here for a bit, and began to slowly burrow into the ground. Then, the ent noticed two things.

This ground is quite soft, far less density it would seem from river rock and sand. Hmmm, maybe walking above is not the answer, but to furrow the plants from below and make a path. It won’t be as fast as before, but patience is a specialty of mine, which I have almost forgotten. I may have never made great gardens, but we ents all have the same secrets I guess.
Wait, I thought I had prickles all over… Oh ghoulish goblin axe, my sap is running…

The ent found the familiar sight of most trees in distress, thousands of drops of sap had begun to flow from where the prickles once where. Now they were covered and flowing within the drops. Soon, Kafkalina came upon a great idea.

Even if I furrow from below, I will still have to contend with the thistle’s little arrows. Sap would help keep them from directly harming me, but they would stick to me. Wait! Ho hmmm! It does not matter how many stick, they can be a good investment later. They can offer protection I see, a sort of armor! Oh great mallorn sprouts, maybe today is a fine day for a walking…

She rummaged through her things in tow and found more entwine, taking sips here and there helped to keep the sap flowing as the ent’s roots furrowed with diligent speed ahead. As predicted, the thistles’ heads where all but decapitated once they touched the sap, and began to collect upon her bark.

What to much younger creatures would seem an eternity, Kafkalina managed to find near the end of the field some small hills where a few trees clung to them for survival. Kafkalina slowly made her way to the closest patch to rest for a minute.

Well, at least I am out of the thistles, though, I might have needed a few more here and there...

Kafkalina gave a laugh to this, but it seemed rather a forced one. She then readied herself for continuation of the journey, maybe soon she would be able to share a laugh, just maybe.

Gil-Galad · 08-09-2006, 11:20 AM

Galadster look around... he was in a pickle, a hurting, poking pickle...he looked around, seeing that the end of the field was still 10 feet away and the sun was making it hotter and hotter.

I try to keep walking. oww. ouch.OWW. alright that won't work. maybe i can start cutting the thistles. though i risk losing my leg if i do that hmm. There are alot of bushes and twigs around. What can i do with Twigs and bushes that will make the thistles dissapear fast. something that can go fast. perferably a redish colour too.

Galadster stood there thinking. Then it came to him. I'll burn the field! The days of being a Easterling-Scout has finnally came back to his memory. Galadster grabbed the twigs and bush and began to make a fire. brushing the twigs together a spark ignited. then blew out. Galadster started another fire, but that also blew out. So he started a third fire! that one fell out of Galadsters hands, into his shoe, causing burns, and then blew out. But his fourth fire stayed and soon the fire was spreading through the field burning everything.

I stood there watching the fire, then i realized that i should be going now before the fire catches up with me. going now. jogging now. running now. Jumping from fire to fire not to get ablazed, waiting for the fire to burn a path for me to go through.

So Galadster ran as the fire grew and grew and the msoke could be seen from all around.

Glirdan · 08-09-2006, 11:50 AM

Glirdingo decided to go straight, into the wide open fields, with tall grass. It was a hot day and he was sweating like a big on a stick. He noticed that there was an Ent, a Dwarf and a Man ahead of him. It was then that he noticed he was rather itchy. "Probably from all this persperation," he thought to himself lazily, and he continued on, ploughing through the field at a slow, casual pace.

But even as he continued on, the itchiness didn't disappear. He searched his pack for his canteen of water and remembered that he forgot it back at his home in Lorien. "I KNEW there was something I forgot!" he cried out loud. As he searched, his hand hit something hard and hollow. "What's this?" he asked as he pulled the object out. It was his canteen. "Well, that's wierd. I proabably forgot to take it out after that walk up to Mirkwood last month. But it's empty. A lot of use that is," he said sarcastically, putting the canteen back into his pack.

He continued on, hoping to come across a stream sometime soon. Unfortunately, the itchiness continued on relentlessly. "Ugh! Why am I so itchy!" he thought irritably. He scratched his arm and withdrew it quickly with a sharp "Ow!" He looked down and noticed that he was covered in thistles. "I should have known that there was more to this field than first appeared." He looked around hopelessly, trying to see the end of the field. "Hmmm... 20 feet around me in each direction. No use in me stopping to remove these now. I shall wait until I reach the end," he thought to himself, a slight exahsperated laugh escaping his lips at that exact moment.

He ploughed on, straight to the end of the field, trying to ignore the continuous itchiness from the thistles. He reached into his pack and pulled out one of his many lembas breads, broke half of it, put the other half in his bag, and continued on, munching on his food in an attempt to forget his itchiness. It was then that he noticed that the grass had lessened and in a few more minutes he stepped out of the field, just as he took his last bite of his lembas bread.

"Well, that didn't take as long as I expected! Now to remove these blasted thistles." He looked around once more, hoping to find a stream in which to fill his canteen but there wasn't one for miles. "I couldn't bear with these thistles as far as that stream," he thought. So he started unpacking his pack to see if there was anything in it that could aid him to be rid of the thistles. "Hmmm...lembas, no. Bow and arrows, definetly not. Rope? Perhaps... Sword? I'm not looking for a death wish!! Extra clothes?? I'm not changing here!! Well, let's try this," he finally said as he took up the rope. He wrapped around himself just above his chest which was where the thistles began. Once it was completely wrapped around himself (loose enough for him to move up and down himself, but tight enough so it wouldn't fall off), he pushed it down his chest, over his stomach and down his legs. "HA! It worked!" he thought triumphantly, staring at the length of rope which was covered in the thistles he had just removed from himself. He shook it and all the thistles fell off. "Now to remove these blasted things from my arms." He repeated the same thing twice more (once for each arm) and shook the rope clean. "Gotta love this rope," he thought to himself smiling happily as he put everything back into his sack.

He had a quick snack (the other half of his lembas bread) before continuing. "That was definetly an interesting barriers, but they're only going to get harder as I go on," he thought silently and he laughed a merry laugh, his voice clear and young (after all, he was still a young Elf in the reckoinging of his people). "Maybe I shall have more laughs with others along this road?" he said out loud happily, walking slowly towards the West.

Sleepy Ranger · 08-09-2006, 11:52 AM

"Argh... a stupid elf." is all that went through Ransley's head as Eoln spoke. It was not that Ransley had anything at elves, it was just that he did not like them and for that matter he did not like anyone. In fact he knew he was here more so for making things harder for the other adventurers rather than for winning. "Quite a temper? Its just a sissy elf. I'd like to see him lose his temper. I think it would be fun to see if theres a dwarf near by." Ransley mused as he began to head in his chosen direction.

"Thats odd... everywhere is itchy." thought Ransley, a bit agitated. So far his plan of making life bad for others had not quite started though he was still in full hopes he would have a shot to pester someone ere the night came to an end. Which was perhaps a safe thing to say, night was quite far off. At present however he had other things to worry about, this field of thistles he was currently walking in for example. "I could make short work of them with my sword but the sane mind always picks the harder and more inconvenient way first." he muttered to himself as he turned his head skywards.

Lo behold! Larks! Larks ate seeds. He brought his fingers to his mouth and whistled loudly, a small flock of larks swooped down near him. "I hope they understand common because I don't speak bird." he took in a deep breath and began to speak. "Righty-o larks of the land! If you'd be so gracious as to guide me through where the thistles aren't so pointed and hopefully less denser than they are here I'd be grateful. In fact I may even have a little something for your trouble." He said to them cheerfuly. "And its pretty hot so if a couple of you'd, the stronger ones would lift this..." He drew his metallic sheet out. "...over my head and keep the sun off me I'd be quite grateful."

All the larks save one picked the sheet out of Ransley's hands and lifted it over his head, protecting him from the sun best it could. It wasn't much but it helped. The lone bird flew a bit and then chirped at Ransley, the ranger could only hope that meant 'follow'. He drew his short sword and began to chop away the thistles in front of him. It was still hard work and had him rather sweaty though the flapping of birds wings near him helped cool him and the sheet kept the sun off him, it would be steaming hot when he got it back he thought.

Once he was out of that thistle infested patch he stooped to the ground, searching for tracks of anyone else who had come this way as the birds placed his sheet near him. "One last task my fine feathered friends." He drew out one of his waterskins and drank a bit to quench his thirst. He then pulled out some blades of grass and spread them on the metallic sheet, pouring all the water left onto them. "Refill this with fresh water. Fly swiftly and try your hardest to get back to me before the night ends." One of the birds took the empty waterskin from him and flew off, the rest following close behind.

Ransley removed his cloak and soon the rest of what he had on and used the wet leaves [rather hot by now] to scrub himself. He then slipped back into his clothes and took a sip out of his other waterskin. He hoped the birds would be back soon though if needed he could live off the water he had for a week, maybe longer, he had done it before several times in the past. He then returned to scanning the ground for tracks.

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 08-09-2006, 02:09 PM

West? thought Éomeléo, well, there is no way I'm going due west to South Mirkwood! This was smart thinking, and he decided to venture north. Whatever evils he would encounter up there would have to be less than the power in Dol Guldur, which Gondor was rather worried about.

He strode along, and was soon out of sight of the others, a ramshackle bunch if ever he had seen one! Let them take the straight and narrow. Éomeléo chuckled at the thought of what they were heading towards.

He was really having a lovely time of it. It was a beautiful, sunny day and the birds were singing. In the late afternoon he discovered the catch in the route he had chosen. He was faced with the Celduin, also known as the River Running; and it was running pretty fast today. Éomeléo stood there thinking.

He gazed east and saw little of note, so he followed the river westwards for a few miles in search of a bridge or any method of crossing. There was none. At times he played some melodies on his ocarina but all this brought were the beautiful responses of the larks. He was definitely alone in the wild. He realised that he needed to get back onto the path, and so decided to test the river, knowing that he'd have to get wet to earn this wondrous treasure.

Placing his pack and his weapons on the grass, Éomeléo walked to the river, but stopped. He didn't want to get his clothes wet, particularly his waistcoat. So off came that, his cloak and his shirt. He looked quite the picture: half-naked but still partly resplendent in his Gondorian feathered hat. He waded in, for though the river was fast, he had chosen a shallow section of the Celduin, and he was strong enough to walk slowly and heavily to the middle of the river. It reached up to his neck at the deepest point, and the far bank was but 30 feet away from here.

He returned to his belongings and rearranged them. Wrapping all of his clothes together in his pack with his ocarina, he waded back into the river. Realising that he needed an arm to balance with in the water, he decided to hurl the pack across from where the water was just above waist-high. Being a young nobleman and having little else to do with his time but participate in sports, he achieved this easily, for the bag was not especially heavy, and it cleared the bank by a safe distance.

The weapons were harder to transport. Lifting them high, one at a time, Éomeléo practically skipped across the river this time. Never had it been so useful to be tall, and even then the river dragged his twinkle-toed approach far downstream before he reached the bank. It was very laborious, and when he finally got across he lay panting on the ground. He was soaking wet, and the sun was sinking in the sky; but his food, water and ocarina had been protected well by his clothing. It seemed good to young Éomeléo at this point, and he laughed out loud.

Roa_Aoife · 08-09-2006, 08:06 PM

Surprise! We mods have our own mini awards that we can give out at any time!

I am pleased to annouce that the first Special Mod Award goes to Kafkalina, for an outstanding use of her environment. Instead of turning lemons into lemonade, she turned thistles into armor! Well done!

Valesse · 08-09-2006, 10:35 PM

Valesseka blinked as the other adventurers scattered. Certainly there must be something wrong with this Berrick fellow. Not only had she come from the west, but probably passed right by this glittering cavern quite quickly in her rush east to find the Sea of Rhûn. Wandering north, she was fast to make sure to keep careful eye on where she was heading. Every once and a while having to alter her course slightly because of rocky obstacles. By the heat of the day, however, Valesseka found herself eeriely cooled. There was a loud, constant rushing sound, and in only a few more moments she would see it. Valesseka had arrived at the River Running.

After gapping at the speeding current for a minute, Valesseka took in her surroundings more collectedly (Though that is, in itself, and overstatement, if I might add.). A short walk to her left there was a small abandoned beaver dam. Eyeing the speeding current again, Valesseka figured she could reason out what had happened to the resident beavers. Behind her were still some trees, a few of which had noticably grabbed the attention of the watery rodents of yesteryear and fallen to their demise.

Wasting no time, Valesseka pulled out her throwing axe and got to work scrapping the remaining bark off of the most petrified looking of the fallen timbers. Not long after, however, began her collection of splinters, which grew to such a point where she had to stop working and see to her hands. Wincing, Valesseka finished her work and carefully push the log on top of the dam. With this she "broke" for dinner, snacking on dried bread and jerky as well as some water. With a gulp and a glug it was down and so was she, on top of the trunk.

With her pack tied to the top of the log, stave included, Valesseka sat backwards on the log and pushed off of the dam with her feet. Quickly she jumped in and held onto the trunk so it would not get away. Carefully, though through much mud and muck, she walked her pack across, clinging and paddling frantically when her feet could no longer reach the river bed. Reaching the other bank covered in sludge, Valesseka muttered as she was forced into her secound wool garb, washing the dirty one in the water which had ravaged it. "I bet that ent wouldn't have any problem going north." She muttered, "Hope I'm ahead...or at least not last."

Hanging her wet clothing on the rope she settled down for the day in from the riverbank.

Naria · 08-09-2006, 11:35 PM

Eoln ordered the words "go!" Narleah did not need a second tell. She headed away from the other group members. Thinking that she was the first one out, she couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the other Dwarf. "It's him!" She groaned "And it appears that he has chosen the straight path, well I will certainly not follow suit." Narleah ran further ahead and without pause, veered left. To Narleah's astonishment she ran out of steam quite quickly. Huffing and puffing she slowed herself to a walk. The scenery was quite beautiful she thought and flat, she chuckled as she just couldn't believe how flat the area was. Living in the Misty Mountains and being surrounded by....well mountains, Narleah was not at all used to the vast expanse of the vastness that was all around her.

Narleah plodded on for some miles when she came across a rocky outcrop. Feeling her belly telling her it was time for a feed, she wondered if there were to be something hiding in the rocks that would be easy enough to catch and eat. She had been picking her way up, down and across the loose stones when her next step startled a fairly large rat. "Ah ha, ya lil bugger!" She exclaimed with a wide grin and was about to give chase when suddenly the rocks that were about six feet above her came tumbling down. Narleah lost her footing and fell with a thud. She sat there peering at her now trapped legs and looking around, wondered if anyone had seen this gruff dwarf's predicament....no one....not a soul to be found. "Aye, well what to do now."

The hairy she-dwarf sat there for some time querying her situation. She pondered and pondered and pondered some more. "Hmmm I wonder if I were to just move this leg." So she did "And if I were to move this leg" She did this as well. Once again Narleah found herself tumbling down over the now long settled rocks that had fallen way earlier and came to, yet another thud...this time at the bottom of the outcrop. She stood up abruptly and dusted herself off, "Ahem...well right then."

By this time the sky had drawn its curtains and darkness was setting in. Narleah found another rocky outcrop, amazingly for such a flat land, and set camp. A flicker of light was seen not to far from where she was. The dwarf wondered if someone else had chosen the same path. "Maybe I will offer some idle chit chat whilst we await day break."

Valier · 08-09-2006, 11:53 PM

I am ending Day 1 now, seeing as everyone is done. But night will still end at 1am CST tomorrow

Players now pm me your votes for your daily favorite post. You may not vote for yourself.

Night will last 24hours

Players that may converse with one another are as followed in groups.

Group 1
Eomeleo
Valesseka

Group 2
Kafkalina
Galadster
Ransley
Glirdingo
Thin-Gloomy

Group 3
Narleah
Novgorod

There will be no talking to other groups!!
This is the time to post as much as you like about anything you like (in character)

This map shows where you are all located on the end of Day 1

NIGHT ONE HAS NOW BEGUN

08-09-2006, 10:47 AM	#1
THE Ka Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: As with the flygja Posts: 1,403	Kafkalina had come through fields, and now the ent had ended up in one with a tricky first face value. The grass, which was high enough to rival saplings, was not the new problem. Underneath stood hundreds of thistles, which at first stood no challenge to the ent’s tough ashen bark, but over time they quickly began to have effect. It would have been easier to think this out, if it wasn’t for the sun overhead, which caused Kafkalina to sweat, while all the leaves would rather spend a day to photosynthesize. The ent stopped for now, and gave thought to a more resourceful nature. Ha Hmmmm! Thistles, you scourges… Most likely the last testaments to entwives’ gardens. Indeed, I am glad I didn’t join up in that great walk to these lands, teaching northern Huorns was a good change of plans. Is this a punishment, then? No, no, most likely meant for other things of more deviance. I am just an ent, covered in prickles… and half of me wants to take in the sun and just sit here… Kafkalina searched through her bag, mostly full of entwine, it was something that was saved and eventually had a good use. Taking a bit out in her stone bowl, it helped to quench some of the thirst off for more concentration. The ent’s roots meanwhile took this as a sign that they would be standing here for a bit, and began to slowly burrow into the ground. Then, the ent noticed two things. This ground is quite soft, far less density it would seem from river rock and sand. Hmmm, maybe walking above is not the answer, but to furrow the plants from below and make a path. It won’t be as fast as before, but patience is a specialty of mine, which I have almost forgotten. I may have never made great gardens, but we ents all have the same secrets I guess. Wait, I thought I had prickles all over… Oh ghoulish goblin axe, my sap is running… The ent found the familiar sight of most trees in distress, thousands of drops of sap had begun to flow from where the prickles once where. Now they were covered and flowing within the drops. Soon, Kafkalina came upon a great idea. Even if I furrow from below, I will still have to contend with the thistle’s little arrows. Sap would help keep them from directly harming me, but they would stick to me. Wait! Ho hmmm! It does not matter how many stick, they can be a good investment later. They can offer protection I see, a sort of armor! Oh great mallorn sprouts, maybe today is a fine day for a walking… She rummaged through her things in tow and found more entwine, taking sips here and there helped to keep the sap flowing as the ent’s roots furrowed with diligent speed ahead. As predicted, the thistles’ heads where all but decapitated once they touched the sap, and began to collect upon her bark. What to much younger creatures would seem an eternity, Kafkalina managed to find near the end of the field some small hills where a few trees clung to them for survival. Kafkalina slowly made her way to the closest patch to rest for a minute. Well, at least I am out of the thistles, though, I might have needed a few more here and there... Kafkalina gave a laugh to this, but it seemed rather a forced one. She then readied herself for continuation of the journey, maybe soon she would be able to share a laugh, just maybe. __________________ Vinur, vinur skilur tú meg? Veitst tú ongan loyniveg? Hevur tú reikað líka sum eg, í endaleysu tokuni?

08-09-2006, 11:20 AM	#2
Gil-Galad Psyche of Prince Immortal Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Above a Parapet Obvious exits are: North, South, and Dennis Posts: 4,734	Galadster look around... he was in a pickle, a hurting, poking pickle...he looked around, seeing that the end of the field was still 10 feet away and the sun was making it hotter and hotter. I try to keep walking. oww. ouch.OWW. alright that won't work. maybe i can start cutting the thistles. though i risk losing my leg if i do that hmm. There are alot of bushes and twigs around. What can i do with Twigs and bushes that will make the thistles dissapear fast. something that can go fast. perferably a redish colour too. Galadster stood there thinking. Then it came to him. I'll burn the field! The days of being a Easterling-Scout has finnally came back to his memory. Galadster grabbed the twigs and bush and began to make a fire. brushing the twigs together a spark ignited. then blew out. Galadster started another fire, but that also blew out. So he started a third fire! that one fell out of Galadsters hands, into his shoe, causing burns, and then blew out. But his fourth fire stayed and soon the fire was spreading through the field burning everything. I stood there watching the fire, then i realized that i should be going now before the fire catches up with me. going now. jogging now. running now. Jumping from fire to fire not to get ablazed, waiting for the fire to burn a path for me to go through. So Galadster ran as the fire grew and grew and the msoke could be seen from all around. __________________ Love doesn't blow up and get killed.

08-09-2006, 11:52 AM	#4
Sleepy Ranger Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: On the field, kissing the 'Downs crest Posts: 1,654	"Argh... a stupid elf." is all that went through Ransley's head as Eoln spoke. It was not that Ransley had anything at elves, it was just that he did not like them and for that matter he did not like anyone. In fact he knew he was here more so for making things harder for the other adventurers rather than for winning. "Quite a temper? Its just a sissy elf. I'd like to see him lose his temper. I think it would be fun to see if theres a dwarf near by." Ransley mused as he began to head in his chosen direction. "Thats odd... everywhere is itchy." thought Ransley, a bit agitated. So far his plan of making life bad for others had not quite started though he was still in full hopes he would have a shot to pester someone ere the night came to an end. Which was perhaps a safe thing to say, night was quite far off. At present however he had other things to worry about, this field of thistles he was currently walking in for example. "I could make short work of them with my sword but the sane mind always picks the harder and more inconvenient way first." he muttered to himself as he turned his head skywards. Lo behold! Larks! Larks ate seeds. He brought his fingers to his mouth and whistled loudly, a small flock of larks swooped down near him. "I hope they understand common because I don't speak bird." he took in a deep breath and began to speak. "Righty-o larks of the land! If you'd be so gracious as to guide me through where the thistles aren't so pointed and hopefully less denser than they are here I'd be grateful. In fact I may even have a little something for your trouble." He said to them cheerfuly. "And its pretty hot so if a couple of you'd, the stronger ones would lift this..." He drew his metallic sheet out. "...over my head and keep the sun off me I'd be quite grateful." All the larks save one picked the sheet out of Ransley's hands and lifted it over his head, protecting him from the sun best it could. It wasn't much but it helped. The lone bird flew a bit and then chirped at Ransley, the ranger could only hope that meant 'follow'. He drew his short sword and began to chop away the thistles in front of him. It was still hard work and had him rather sweaty though the flapping of birds wings near him helped cool him and the sheet kept the sun off him, it would be steaming hot when he got it back he thought. Once he was out of that thistle infested patch he stooped to the ground, searching for tracks of anyone else who had come this way as the birds placed his sheet near him. "One last task my fine feathered friends." He drew out one of his waterskins and drank a bit to quench his thirst. He then pulled out some blades of grass and spread them on the metallic sheet, pouring all the water left onto them. "Refill this with fresh water. Fly swiftly and try your hardest to get back to me before the night ends." One of the birds took the empty waterskin from him and flew off, the rest following close behind. Ransley removed his cloak and soon the rest of what he had on and used the wet leaves [rather hot by now] to scrub himself. He then slipped back into his clothes and took a sip out of his other waterskin. He hoped the birds would be back soon though if needed he could live off the water he had for a week, maybe longer, he had done it before several times in the past. He then returned to scanning the ground for tracks. __________________ And tonight we can truly say, together we're invincible... Middle-Earth Football World Cup 2007

08-09-2006, 11:35 PM	#8
Naria Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 500	Eoln ordered the words "go!" Narleah did not need a second tell. She headed away from the other group members. Thinking that she was the first one out, she couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the other Dwarf. "It's him!" She groaned "And it appears that he has chosen the straight path, well I will certainly not follow suit." Narleah ran further ahead and without pause, veered left. To Narleah's astonishment she ran out of steam quite quickly. Huffing and puffing she slowed herself to a walk. The scenery was quite beautiful she thought and flat, she chuckled as she just couldn't believe how flat the area was. Living in the Misty Mountains and being surrounded by....well mountains, Narleah was not at all used to the vast expanse of the vastness that was all around her. Narleah plodded on for some miles when she came across a rocky outcrop. Feeling her belly telling her it was time for a feed, she wondered if there were to be something hiding in the rocks that would be easy enough to catch and eat. She had been picking her way up, down and across the loose stones when her next step startled a fairly large rat. "Ah ha, ya lil bugger!" She exclaimed with a wide grin and was about to give chase when suddenly the rocks that were about six feet above her came tumbling down. Narleah lost her footing and fell with a thud. She sat there peering at her now trapped legs and looking around, wondered if anyone had seen this gruff dwarf's predicament....no one....not a soul to be found. "Aye, well what to do now." The hairy she-dwarf sat there for some time querying her situation. She pondered and pondered and pondered some more. "Hmmm I wonder if I were to just move this leg." So she did "And if I were to move this leg" She did this as well. Once again Narleah found herself tumbling down over the now long settled rocks that had fallen way earlier and came to, yet another thud...this time at the bottom of the outcrop. She stood up abruptly and dusted herself off, "Ahem...well right then." By this time the sky had drawn its curtains and darkness was setting in. Narleah found another rocky outcrop, amazingly for such a flat land, and set camp. A flicker of light was seen not to far from where she was. The dwarf wondered if someone else had chosen the same path. "Maybe I will offer some idle chit chat whilst we await day break." __________________ MONEY Anyone who says it doesn't buy happiness.....is probably broke.

08-09-2006, 11:50 AM	#3
Glirdan Energetic Essence Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Where Lark Nor Eagle Ever Flew Posts: 3,285	Glirdingo decided to go straight, into the wide open fields, with tall grass. It was a hot day and he was sweating like a big on a stick. He noticed that there was an Ent, a Dwarf and a Man ahead of him. It was then that he noticed he was rather itchy. "Probably from all this persperation," he thought to himself lazily, and he continued on, ploughing through the field at a slow, casual pace. But even as he continued on, the itchiness didn't disappear. He searched his pack for his canteen of water and remembered that he forgot it back at his home in Lorien. "I KNEW there was something I forgot!" he cried out loud. As he searched, his hand hit something hard and hollow. "What's this?" he asked as he pulled the object out. It was his canteen. "Well, that's wierd. I proabably forgot to take it out after that walk up to Mirkwood last month. But it's empty. A lot of use that is," he said sarcastically, putting the canteen back into his pack. He continued on, hoping to come across a stream sometime soon. Unfortunately, the itchiness continued on relentlessly. "Ugh! Why am I so itchy!" he thought irritably. He scratched his arm and withdrew it quickly with a sharp "Ow!" He looked down and noticed that he was covered in thistles. "I should have known that there was more to this field than first appeared." He looked around hopelessly, trying to see the end of the field. "Hmmm... 20 feet around me in each direction. No use in me stopping to remove these now. I shall wait until I reach the end," he thought to himself, a slight exahsperated laugh escaping his lips at that exact moment. He ploughed on, straight to the end of the field, trying to ignore the continuous itchiness from the thistles. He reached into his pack and pulled out one of his many lembas breads, broke half of it, put the other half in his bag, and continued on, munching on his food in an attempt to forget his itchiness. It was then that he noticed that the grass had lessened and in a few more minutes he stepped out of the field, just as he took his last bite of his lembas bread. "Well, that didn't take as long as I expected! Now to remove these blasted thistles." He looked around once more, hoping to find a stream in which to fill his canteen but there wasn't one for miles. "I couldn't bear with these thistles as far as that stream," he thought. So he started unpacking his pack to see if there was anything in it that could aid him to be rid of the thistles. "Hmmm...lembas, no. Bow and arrows, definetly not. Rope? Perhaps... Sword? I'm not looking for a death wish!! Extra clothes?? I'm not changing here!! Well, let's try this," he finally said as he took up the rope. He wrapped around himself just above his chest which was where the thistles began. Once it was completely wrapped around himself (loose enough for him to move up and down himself, but tight enough so it wouldn't fall off), he pushed it down his chest, over his stomach and down his legs. "HA! It worked!" he thought triumphantly, staring at the length of rope which was covered in the thistles he had just removed from himself. He shook it and all the thistles fell off. "Now to remove these blasted things from my arms." He repeated the same thing twice more (once for each arm) and shook the rope clean. "Gotta love this rope," he thought to himself smiling happily as he put everything back into his sack. He had a quick snack (the other half of his lembas bread) before continuing. "That was definetly an interesting barriers, but they're only going to get harder as I go on," he thought silently and he laughed a merry laugh, his voice clear and young (after all, he was still a young Elf in the reckoinging of his people). "Maybe I shall have more laughs with others along this road?" he said out loud happily, walking slowly towards the West.

08-09-2006, 02:09 PM	#5
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	West? thought Éomeléo, well, there is no way I'm going due west to South Mirkwood! This was smart thinking, and he decided to venture north. Whatever evils he would encounter up there would have to be less than the power in Dol Guldur, which Gondor was rather worried about. He strode along, and was soon out of sight of the others, a ramshackle bunch if ever he had seen one! Let them take the straight and narrow. Éomeléo chuckled at the thought of what they were heading towards. He was really having a lovely time of it. It was a beautiful, sunny day and the birds were singing. In the late afternoon he discovered the catch in the route he had chosen. He was faced with the Celduin, also known as the River Running; and it was running pretty fast today. Éomeléo stood there thinking. He gazed east and saw little of note, so he followed the river westwards for a few miles in search of a bridge or any method of crossing. There was none. At times he played some melodies on his ocarina but all this brought were the beautiful responses of the larks. He was definitely alone in the wild. He realised that he needed to get back onto the path, and so decided to test the river, knowing that he'd have to get wet to earn this wondrous treasure. Placing his pack and his weapons on the grass, Éomeléo walked to the river, but stopped. He didn't want to get his clothes wet, particularly his waistcoat. So off came that, his cloak and his shirt. He looked quite the picture: half-naked but still partly resplendent in his Gondorian feathered hat. He waded in, for though the river was fast, he had chosen a shallow section of the Celduin, and he was strong enough to walk slowly and heavily to the middle of the river. It reached up to his neck at the deepest point, and the far bank was but 30 feet away from here. He returned to his belongings and rearranged them. Wrapping all of his clothes together in his pack with his ocarina, he waded back into the river. Realising that he needed an arm to balance with in the water, he decided to hurl the pack across from where the water was just above waist-high. Being a young nobleman and having little else to do with his time but participate in sports, he achieved this easily, for the bag was not especially heavy, and it cleared the bank by a safe distance. The weapons were harder to transport. Lifting them high, one at a time, Éomeléo practically skipped across the river this time. Never had it been so useful to be tall, and even then the river dragged his twinkle-toed approach far downstream before he reached the bank. It was very laborious, and when he finally got across he lay panting on the ground. He was soaking wet, and the sun was sinking in the sky; but his food, water and ocarina had been protected well by his clothing. It seemed good to young Éomeléo at this point, and he laughed out loud.

08-09-2006, 10:35 PM	#7
Valesse Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: \|Away Posts: 614	Valesseka blinked as the other adventurers scattered. Certainly there must be something wrong with this Berrick fellow. Not only had she come from the west, but probably passed right by this glittering cavern quite quickly in her rush east to find the Sea of Rhûn. Wandering north, she was fast to make sure to keep careful eye on where she was heading. Every once and a while having to alter her course slightly because of rocky obstacles. By the heat of the day, however, Valesseka found herself eeriely cooled. There was a loud, constant rushing sound, and in only a few more moments she would see it. Valesseka had arrived at the River Running. After gapping at the speeding current for a minute, Valesseka took in her surroundings more collectedly (Though that is, in itself, and overstatement, if I might add.). A short walk to her left there was a small abandoned beaver dam. Eyeing the speeding current again, Valesseka figured she could reason out what had happened to the resident beavers. Behind her were still some trees, a few of which had noticably grabbed the attention of the watery rodents of yesteryear and fallen to their demise. Wasting no time, Valesseka pulled out her throwing axe and got to work scrapping the remaining bark off of the most petrified looking of the fallen timbers. Not long after, however, began her collection of splinters, which grew to such a point where she had to stop working and see to her hands. Wincing, Valesseka finished her work and carefully push the log on top of the dam. With this she "broke" for dinner, snacking on dried bread and jerky as well as some water. With a gulp and a glug it was down and so was she, on top of the trunk. With her pack tied to the top of the log, stave included, Valesseka sat backwards on the log and pushed off of the dam with her feet. Quickly she jumped in and held onto the trunk so it would not get away. Carefully, though through much mud and muck, she walked her pack across, clinging and paddling frantically when her feet could no longer reach the river bed. Reaching the other bank covered in sludge, Valesseka muttered as she was forced into her secound wool garb, washing the dirty one in the water which had ravaged it. "I bet that ent wouldn't have any problem going north." She muttered, "Hope I'm ahead...or at least not last." Hanging her wet clothing on the rope she settled down for the day in from the riverbank.