Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » Colder Than The Misty Mountains (FULL)

Time had passed since the One Ring had been destroyed and many never knew of it's passing. Unsuspecting travelers and adventurers alike had missed the darkness that loomed over Gondor and middle earth. In these days all seemed calm and safe... until a new darkness came. It was more subtle than that of the One Ring, certainly not as grave a threat, but a threat none the less.

None knew where this darkness came from, only that it's source was somewhere deep in the Misty Mountains. The elves in Rivendel called for support. Adventurers, Soldiers, Hunters, and all Warriors from every walk of life were beckoned to assemble in Rivendel and seek out the source of this darkness. A trek into the Misty Mountains.

I was in Bree, having a pint at the Prancing Pony. Things had seemingly been getting darker. More creatures were making their way down from the Mountains. It meant that as a Ranger of the North I was normally kept very busy, and so for the first time in a while I was able to sleep in an actual bed.

Micah sat in the back corner of the Prancing Pony sipping on some coffee and watching the rowdy crowds. He had just returned from a long trek into Aughire to help the locals with a warg problem. They paid rather well for a warg pelt and he had acquired a hefty sum of the things.

The door opened to the tavern and Micah took notice. He recognized the young man as the one who always brought the news, posters, and other such things for the inn owner, Barliman Butterbur, to post in his public establishment. The two exchanged a few words that Micah could not make out and then the young man left.

Micah stood up and casually meandered towards the front counter. "What news from the country Mr. Butterbur?" he asked.

Barliman glanced through the papers briefly and stopped on one. "This is the one I think you might be most interested in, Micah." He handed him a poster that was clearly written on Elvish parchment. Fine elvish parchment at that. Micah's interest was immediately peeked. It was not often that the elves sent out a notice of any kind to Bree. He read the paper...

"Men, Dwarves, Elves, and Little folk. Adventurers and Warriors of all kinds. The elves of Rivendel have a call to aid. We are assembling a force to investigate the growing darkness in the Misty Mountains. For those willing to aid us we will offer Elvish treasure as a hefty reward. The gathering begins in 15 moons and departs shortly after. See Allyud in Rivendel for details."

"Interesting," Micah said, handing the paper back to Barliman. "Very interesting..."

Nyx walked into the Prancing Pony and headed to an empty table. She was clothed in all black, with a hood covering her face. She had traveled to Bree from Ered Luin, and was looking for a place to rest. Being a half elf, most people tended to disrespect her, which is why she kept her face hidden. She was a little shorter than most elves, yet still taller than most men. Her facial features, and most others, we're mainly elven, but there was no mistaking the fact that she was not pure elf.

Xylia looked up at the sign of the Prancing Pony, tilting her head before going inside. She kept her head down but removed the shawl from her head, tying it around her waist as she moved o sit at a table near the back. The half elf brushed hair behind her left ear, her other hand pulling out a small book from her pocket. She opened it with her thumb and started to read. She was resting for the moment, allowing her horse to rest while she got something to eat as well and traveling raisons before continuing on the road to Rivendel.

It had been a long day. With his mule quietly clopping it's way to the prancing pony, he took out a book, from one of the bags on his ride. The book held a piece of parchment detailing the troubles in Rivendel, which the writers were asking for mercenaries of all sorts, That is exactly where he is headed, but not before a stop at a Tavern or Pub first.

The mule came to a slow stop outside the building. He gets off of it and ties it to a nearby pole. He walks in and has a sit down at the bar. Taking his helm off, he pulls out the book again and begins reading. "A mug of grog please." While the bartender was getting him a tankard, he had taken a look around the place from his seat. A bunch of drunkards, some shady-looking individuals, and random people. Seems about right.

I noticed the people walking in. There was something off about them. Two of them were too tall to be Men. I wonder if there's an Elven meeting of some sort, I wondered to myself. I quickly swept my eyes over the patrons in the Prancing Pony. I had noticed another man speaking to Butterbur earlier and was now wondering if it was connected.

"Ah, Mr. Ranger sir," one of the hobbit workers squeaked from behind me. I turned to look at him.

"Yes?" I asked in a short tone.

"A message was delivered earlier today by another ranger," the hobbit started, "it was addressed to you."

I raised on eyebrow as the hobbit handed me a letter. It was from the current Chieftain of the Dúnedain saying my presence was needed in Rivendell. I should get some rest now so I can leave early tomorrow, I thought to myself resignedly.

Micah glanced around at the tavern that seemed to be filling with new travelers rapidly. He glanced at the man reading the book who was seated at the bar not far from where Micah himself stood. He had some sort of book... for some reason it caught Micah's eye. He shook it off and turned back to Mr. Buterbur. "The usual provisions, if you will," he told the inn keeper.

"Of course," Barliman replied with a nod. He turned and stooped behind the counter, grabbing an already prepared bag of supplies. "Waiting and ready for you, sir."

Micah smiled and nodded. "I always can count you," he said, handing the inn keeper his payment for the supplies.

"Are you heading to Rivendel then?" Barliman asked him.

"Aye," Micah said. "By the sound of it things are getting quite mysterious up there..." he paused and thought for a moment. He shook his head and then finished. "Besides... I can't pass up elvish treasure!" he clapped Barliman on the shoulder with a strong hand.

"Can I convince you to spend the night and head to Rivendel in the morning?" Barliman asked.

Micah laughed. "Always trying to sell me something else." He shook his head. "No, I would like to get there as soon as possible. Perhaps on my next visit."

The two nodded to one another and Micah headed for the front door.

After watching the activities in the inn for a while, Nyx got up and wandered to the counter. She was rested and in need of a room, however she doubted she had enough coin to pay. Perhaps though there was some way she could work in exchange for a room. She knew there were no guarantees, but she would try. She got to the counter as a man was walking away, and waited to be noticed so she could ask about a room.

Xylia made sure to keep an ear open while she kept her eyes down, letting them run across the lore of beasts. On instinct, her fingers had moved to the her favorite pages, the tales of dragon before they disappeared. When hearing of another heading towards her destination, she closed her book and got up, following the human to speak with him.

A tankard slides down the bar, and he takes a sip. He then continues reading the book, flipping pages from time to time. He kept his focus on the book, but was overhearing the current conversation all too well..

I was slowly making way towards my room, keeping an eye out when I noticed a few other characters of interest. However, none of them seemed dangerous at this point of time. I paused at the bottom of the stairs and felt for my pipe in my pocket. I realized I hadn't had any time to relax and smoke in recent days so I took a detour outside where I'd be able to smoke in peace. I put my hood up and sat on the dirt slightly off to the side of the entrance, lighting the pipe.

Micah headed out the front door of the prancing Poney, noting a man nearby smoking a pipe. He intended to head straight to Rivendel. He wanted to get there as soon as possible and review all the information the elves had about this new rising darkness. He had heard there was very little information on the source.

After a while of arguing Nyx failed to secure a room. She continued to argue, but after a while realized it wasn't working. So she exhaled forcefully before turning and leaving the Prancing Pony, hoping to find somewhere else she could work for a room. Unfortunately she wasn't having very good luck at all that day.

"Sir?" The half elf asked as she went after him outside. She smiled politely and tilted her head. "Forgive me for listening to your conversation back at the Prancing Pony, and I too have heard odd things are going on. I am plan on heading there as well, but I do not know where to head to reach Rivendel."

After unintentionally eavesdropping a bit, he stands up from his seat and places his tankard on a table with other dirty dishes. "If you can, give me bag of dried rations for the road." He says to the bartender. The bartender comes back with a sack filled with dried meat and vegetables. He pays and walks out the door, back to his mule.

He puts on his helm and unties the beast, putting the sack in one of it's bags. He hops on and begins clopping away towards Rivendel. It's going to be a long ride...

The next morning I woke early and took care to make sure I had everything I needed for the trip to Rivendel. I went and found my horse in the stables. I got him ready and departed. I already knew which paths to take which would lead me to Rivendel quickest and it was those paths I rode.

Micah turned as an elf woman called out. "The way to Rivendel?" He queried. "Of course. I could show you on a map or you are more than welcome to join me on my journey. Our destination is apparently the same."

Micha glanced down towards the stables where his horse Syndar was waiting.

Xia overhead two people say something about going to Rivendell. She walked closer and gently tapped the man on his shoulder. "Um, excuse me. Did I hear you were going to Rivendell? Mind if I join you?" She asked politely.

OOC: Just posting to bump this up and hopefully get our rotation continuing.