Hunt for the Palantíri RPG

[piosenniel]

Imladris' post - Jynne

Jynne craned his neck to the shoulder, listening to the bone creak with morbid pleasure. He peered into the gloom, towards the coast where the duped Snowmen would be huddling together against the fury of the storm. A little sneer curled about his thin lips. He remembered their naivety as the Corsairs had pulled into harbour. Some had thought the Corsairs would be their friends, that they would actually make them chiefs over their various tribes. A laugh almost escaped him. If anything, a trusted Corsair would be made the Snowmen’s leader. But the more they were deluded, the better able were they to control and manipulate them as a potter at work with his clay.

Behind him, Nilak and Senir were arguing with each other. A thin smile stretched his thin face. These Snowmen had not been successful in finding the drowned Seeing Stones. Their silly seals had come up spluttering and breathless and empty handed every time they dived. His eyebrows shrugged slightly. But what else was to be expected? They were power mongers, grovelling at the chance for power and control.

The Seeing Stones must be found. With them Castamir could spy upon his enemies, listen to covert secrets whispered in the darkness.

[piosenniel]

Elves are a helpful lot, thank the stars . . . especially these two . . . This comforting thought slid through Rôg’s mind as Carandû and Annû grasped him firmly under the arms and walked him from the rail and down the hatchway steps to the galley below. Despite the buffeting winds, the protected waters of the bay were indeed calmer. He felt his stomach settle down into some semblance of normalcy as they entered the small kitchen area. His nose took in the steamy scent of new brewed tea.

‘Think I could have a cup of that?’ he asked, seating himself at the small table. The Elf at the stove looked him over, taking in the chalky appearance behind the normal olive tinge. ‘Peppermint, perhaps . . . and a little honey, for you,’ the Elf laughed, whisking the pot of regular tea out of Rôg’s reach. ‘What about you two?’ he said, waving two clean mugs toward Carandû and his brother. In the same breath, he asked about what they had seen above-deck. Others of the crew had come down with news of sighting the Corsair ship. From what he could glean from their hurried reports he knew there was only one . . . but how big was she, he wondered. And had they seen any longboats in the water or near the shore. Or any of the skin-boats of the Lossoth tied up to the ship?

Rôg shrugged his shoulders at the Elf’s questions. He actually hadn’t seen the ship, having been otherwise occupied with his perusal of the waves slapping at the sides of the Sea-Spirit. Accepting the welcome mug of honeyed tea from Elf’s hands, he blew across it to cool it a bit. ‘What about you two,’ he said, between small sips of the fragrant liquid. ‘You see anything like that?’

[Arry]

Carandû nodded his head to the offer of a hot drink. His brother chuckled under his breath as he hung all their oilskins on the pegs outside the galley. ‘I heard that!’ Carandû snorted, handing his brother a mug of the welcome drink when he’d entered the room. ‘I’ve not forgotten my taste for the brandy-wine, brother mine. Just warming up to it first.’

Annû sat down at the table, across from Rôg. ‘The ship was a large one, but sleek. Fast, I’ll wager, in open water. And set up for attack and defense I’d also say. She was between us and the far shore, though, couldn’t see if any boats were tied up to her port side.’ He took a gulp of his tea and raised his brows at his brother who leaned against the door’s frame.

‘No, I saw no boats.’ Carrandû shifted his back against the wood, trying to find a more comfortable position. ‘You know, though, I think we might have sailed far enough beyond their position to catch a glimpse.’ He gave up his quest for the perfect spot and sat at the table with the others. ‘Have you seen the Captain come below,’ he asked the Elf who’d made the tea.

‘Not yet,’ said the Elf refilling Rôg’s mug. ‘He’s the one we should probably be asking. I’d imagine he’s had his spyglass trained on them since first sighting.’

[Child of the 7th Age]

Luindal had found safe harbor for the Spirit in a cove sheltered from the worst of the storm. Slowly, the wind and rain subsided. He had berthed the Elven swanship a considerable distance from the Corsair vessel and now it bobbed up and down in shallow waters on the western side of the Bay. The Spirit’s sails had been tied back onto the masts, and her anchor tossed over the side to rest on the muddy bottom.

Both ships were now positioned far enough from the shoreline that there was no danger either would collide with the burgeoning ice banks that ringed the edge of the Bay. The captains could, however, see each other's vessels.

Several hours had passed since their first arrival; the sun was sinking lower. Most of the crew remained below enjoying a well-earned respite from their arduous labor over the past week and chatting about the task that lay before them. Delicious odors, merry words, and snatches of song poured up through the open grill-hatches. Luindal caught the whiff of dinner and heard the voices of his companions speaking his name below. He would have preferred to go downstairs to join them and see how his friend Rôg was doing. But, at the moment, he had something else to do.

Leaning against the rail, he peered through his spyglass. A party of twenty had congregated on the coast. Each man climbed into a small coracle constructed of ash lathes and overlaid with hazel that was woven much like a basket. To make sure that the boats would not let in water, the Snowmen had smeared pitch over the outside frames. Each coracle was similar to the one Luindal had built as a youngster to ply the streams of Lorien. He watched as the Lossoth maneuvered their craft into the water using long poles, but then shifted to paddles when they progressed out deeper.

These looked to be the same folk Rôg had described. Many wore leggings and boots with thick fur mittens and parkas. Even from the deck, Luindal could see the gleem of hunting knives and axes hanging suspended from their belts. These men looked totally different than any other he had known. Yet he suspected that they had feelings about their own land that were not too different than the way his own Elves felt about theirs.

As the boats drew closer, the leader of the Snowmen signaled an intent to come aboard. Luindal watched in fascination as the solitary Lossoth climbed the ladder and clambered awkwardly over the railing, walking onto the deck. When the leader threw back a thick fur hood, Luindal was even more surprised to see that the face now revealed was that of a woman. She was small and sturdy with dark eyes and hair that hung down in two grey plaits tied back with scraps of leather. He could not have guessed her age. Among her people, she would have been counted an Elder.

“Alahseey. I am Alahseey,” she hastily explained, speaking perfect Westron. “I bring new from the Elders. They have asked me to come and speak with you. With me are the Lossoth who will help you to find the missing stones. They each know a bit of Westron, enough that you may talk with them.”

Luindal looked down at the coracles, each filled with a volunteer or two, and smiled readily at the welcome news. For a short time the two sat together on the deck speaking privately about how the Lossoth might best be used and what should be done next. By now, the small boats were tied up in a line and attached to the starboard side. Then Luindal beckoned the Snowmen to come aboard and to follow him down the ladder to greet the Elves.

*************************

There was silence below at the first sight of the strange new recruits, but it was quickly broken by the round of introductions. Alahseey brought forward each of the Lossoth volunteers in turn. The last to be introduced were Freyn and Galhardir, along with the latter's nephew Rodhal whose parents had finally consented that he come along, and Hilda Halvardsdatter who had been assigned to do a bit of cooking for the Elves as well as to tidy up the cabins on shipboard. Elwën and Andturariel nodded their head in greeting, while Carrandû and Annûlas came forward to welcome the new arrivals. After a few moments of chatting and a round of drinks, they all sat down together to listen to what Luindal and Alahseey had to say.

"Your help is most welcome," Luindal addressed Alahseey first and then smiled in the direction of the other volunteers. "I know little of these regions or its waters. We will rely heavily on your own knowledge and common sense for, without that, I am quite sure we will never find the Stones. As to what these Stones can do, .... and why the Corsairs would want them? I have heard some say they are magic, but that is not so. "

"It is more like the harpoon that you carry. In the hands of many, it is a dead and lifeless thing because they lack skill. For some, it becomes an instrument of killing and they strike out unwisely at other men. But for still others it is an instrument that gives life: a tool to be used with great skill so that they can feed and cloth their family. So too it is with the Stones. To those who know and understand the old tales, these Stones can be used for good purposes, for talking across long distances. But for those with evil intent, they can become instruments of enslavement or torture. This is what we must stop."

"Alahseey and I have agreed. We will begin the search in the great cave that fronts on the bay. The tide is low, much lower than usual, and it is possible that these things lost at Sea may now be found along the shoreline. The Corsairs have searched all the smaller caves already: only the great one is left. We will begin in the morning."

Bear turned an ashen face towards Luindal and queried, "The Great Cavern? That which we call the House of the Dead?" He shook his head and scowled. "But that is a terrible place. Even the Corsairs would not go there. The passages are so narrow that it is hard to get through. Some of the ground looks good and solid, but when you place your foot down it sinks into the mud or even breaks through the crust to deep water underneath. Parts of the cave floor are slick with ice, and I will not even mention the boulders scattered over the hillside always ready to come crashing down on the heads of the unwary. Surely you can not mean to start there?"

Luindal sighed. "Aye, mean it I do! Alahseey has looked at the maps and says this is the most likely place for the Stones to have settled, if they came onto the shore. We will begin at sunrise tomorrow. I would advise everyone to keep your festivities short and get some sleep tonight for tomorrow could be most difficult."

With that, Luindal walked over to Rôg and whispered a few hushed words in his ear. Then he gave instructions as to where the Lossoth would be housed on board, and asked Hilde to secure some provisions in town before nightfall. He escorted Alahseey back to her small boat, saying goodbye, but was surprised to see her paddling east across the Bay in the general direction of the Corsair vessel.

[Arry]

Carandû was pleasantly surprised at his first face to face meeting with the Lossoth. He’d only been on a very few trading voyages into the Ice Bay, and those only near the opening to the inlet. He was a mere seaman, and so he had not been sent out in the longboats with the traders who made the deals with the Lossoth hunters. None of the Lossoth had come aboard on those voyages, either. And all he could recall from those trips was that the men were broad in stature and maneuvered their boats deftly in the frigid waters as they came out to meet the trading boats (or at least he thought they were men – they were all clothed in thick furs and often had their fur-lined hoods pulled up around their heads). He’d often wondered what sort of creatures lurked beneath the layers of fur and leather.

Annû and he had gravitated toward a younger man, Galhardir, and his young nephew who accompanied him. Like the two Elven brothers, Galhardir was a merry fellow. Easy in strange company. A quite charming man, really with an infectious laugh. His small, deft hands flew like quick birds in the air before him as he spoke, emphasizing points and almost drawing pictures for his listeners to see.

And Rodhal, his nephew, was a rare treat for the two brothers. A skinny little thing, nine year’s old, with green eyes and freckles scattered across his nose and cheeks. A delight for the two brothers because among the Elves living in the havens, there were very few children. Like his uncle, he was quite charming in his own quiet way. And it was engaging how the lad followed his uncle’s lead in his interactions with the Elves.

‘I wonder,’ said Carandû, finishing his mug of tea, and noticing that Rodhal was making a vain attempt to hide his tired yawns from them. ‘Since you’re staying aboard and setting out with us for that cavern in the morning – would you like to bunk in with us?’ Annû nodded his head at this suggestion. ‘We’ve a small cabin below deck – but it’s got 2 pair of bunk-beds,’ continued Carandû. ‘You would be most welcome to use one of them, while we use the other.’ He smiled widely at Galhardir and Rodhal. ‘What do you say?’

Galhardir was about to reply when Annû spoke up. There was something that had been nagging at him ever since Luindal had spoken of the plan he and the old woman, Alahseey, had agreed on. ‘One other question, Galhardir, nothing to do with sleeping arrangements, though . . . I noticed that when Captain Luindal said Alahseey had suggested we search the Great Cavern – many of your peoples’ faces blanched, and there were some looks of fear on a number of them.’ He paused for a moment not wanting to upset the boy, but wanting more information than had been given. ‘The House of the Dead, someone called it. Just how dangerous a place is it do you think?’

[Orofaniel]

Galhardir sighed as he heard Annû's question; first of all, he knew less about it than other men of his kind, second; it frightened him - even speaking of it made him anxious.

"The cave of the dead..." Galhardir muttered while looking at his nephew. Of course little Rodhal had been spared for all details when it had been talked of earlier; it wasn't appropriate to speak of such a place before such young ears. Annû noticed Galhardir's concerned look, but took no heed of it as he seemed curious about the cave. "Rodahl, you don't mind taking a short walk around the ship, do you?" Galhardir then asked him. Rodhal shrugged, but thought it could be quite exiting as he had never been on a ship before. He therefore gladly accepted this deal, and went for the door. "Be careful now, boy, and don't get into trouble," Galhardir then said, teasingly, as he knew how polite and kind his nephew was. The small boy smiled broadly as he left. "I'm sorry..." Annû then muttered. "No, it's alright," Galhardir then said. "I just don't want to frighten him, that's all," he continued.

"Well," Galhardir started nervously. "I know less about this cave then many of my kind, just so you are aware of it," he claimed. "I've been told many stories; however, few of them are true." Annü listened carefully while Galhardir was talking. "They say that the narrow, dark paths will make any man frightened of what really lies within the cave. It's very dangerous as rocks are falling down from the walls. Some say they fall down from "nothing", as they can't see it because of the great darkness. It has been said that as you walk the path disappears under your feet, which makes it difficult, or even impossible to return the same way you came. But since there are many small paths you still have a fear chance...but only if you find the right one. Those who venture within the cave cannot be sure to ever come out...That's for sure."

Annû swallowed, while Carandû gazed at him. They had been listening carefully to everything Galhardir had said and they were obviously not keen about it.

"Well, that's what they have told me," Galhardir then said, looking at the two elves, who hadn't said one single word after Galhardir had finished explaining. "I, personally, do not believe in it fully, although I do think some elements are true," he then stated. "Do not be afraid; most of it is probably made up by those who were too frightened to enter," he said, laughing a bit as he trying to seem more relaxed about it than he really was. The two others were still silent and amazed by what he had said.

"Y-you're probably right...." Annû then managed to mutter, looking at Carandû, who nodded politely. "I do not see a reason why people should lie about this cave though..." he then said, looking at Galhardir. "Nor do I," he then answered. "But some things are just made up, or exaggerated a little...or some times; quite a lot..."

Galhardir wasn't allowed to finished his sentence before Rodhal stormed in. "Uncle, it is amazing!" the boy said enthusiastically, dragging Galhardir by the arm. Galhardir laughed. "I knew you'd like it!"

"I almost fell over board!" Rodhal then exclaimed, merrily. "No you didn't!" Galhardir said teasingly as the boy laughed. "I'm joking uncle," Rodhal then giggled. "Oh..you almost had me there! You frightened me!" Galhardir then replied, smiling widely.

Annû and Carandû had then finally started to think about other things and joined the conversation; "You liked it then, eh?"

"Yes, sir!" Rodhal said politely.

"But, Rodhal, it's time to go to bed now, don't you think?" Glahardir then said, looking at the boy; he was tired, he could tell by the boy's eyes. "Oh..not now uncle! You must come with me and see the ship!" Rodhal exclaimed, horrified by Galhardir's suggestion. "And I will – tomorrow perhaps," Galhardir said. "But now you and I must rest – as well as these two gentlemen," Galhardir then explained the boy, while his eyes were turned to Annû and Carandû. The two elven brothers were still amazed and utterly curious about the cave and Galhardir’s story, or so it seemed. And yet, this was only the short version….

[Regin Hardhammer]

When the storm had finally calmed somewhat, Marreth decided he had better check on the sailboats that were used to haul supplies across the bay. His ship was sturdy enough to take the repeated bashing from the violent waves and harsh wind, but the smaller vessels were flimsier and could use a thorough inspection. The crews search had been frustrating enough, Marreth thought; they did not need to exacerbate matters by losing their tools and rations.

As he walked down the path, Marreth began to reflect. What was he going to do about these new intruders? Surely, he reflected, the Elves’ arrival is not merely a coincidence.. They must mean to reach the stones before we do and take them for themselves. Then the urgency to find the Palantiri and give them to Castamir was that much greater, not to mention the danger posed by the patches of ice that were accumulating on the edges of the Bay. There was no way that he was going to let these pussyfooting Elves steal the stones from right under his nose. Despite all the obstacles standing in his way, a spirit of determination overflowed inside of him to complete this mission just as he had always done.

When he reached the sailing boats docked in a small harbor next to the main ship, Marreth thought he heard something moving in the bushes, but when he turned to see what it was, he saw nothing. The boats appeared to have weathered the storm fairly well and all of the masts, hulls, and rudders were intact. A few of the sails appeared to have slight tears in them that he would tell his men to fix as soon as he returned to the ship. As he turned to leave a dark, cloaked figure emerged from the side of the path where he had earlier heard the rustling.

Marreth drew his rapier and pointed it at this stranger. “Explain yourself!” he bellowed commandingly, “Who are you and what business do you have with me coming out of the shadows like this?”

The answer came swiftly. “I am a Lossoth who has some information that might be of interest to you. Have you seen these Elvish newcomers to the bay?” Marreth nodded. “They are also after those stones you seek.”

“I figured as much,” growled Marreth.

“Yes. But I can tell you where these fellows are going and what they will be doing. I can even tell you their plans so that you can lay ambushes and pounce on them. Are you interested?”

Marreth considered this strange offer and began to weigh his options. He did not even know who this Lossoth was. Although this seemed like an excellent opportunity to gain the upper hand on the Elves, Marreth realized that it could also be a trap. However, such an opportunity was too good to pass up. Reluctantly, Marreth nodded again and began to speak.

“Why are you doing this? What do you want? How do I know you speak the truth?”

“ I wish to take advantage of this opportunity to gain power. I do not take this power for myself, but for someone else who deserves it. The Corsairs are great and by providing you with vital information, I will be able to see something happen among my own people. I will need a goodly supply of gold and weapons.”

“Very well. That is possible,” said Marreth quietly. “Now tell me what you know.”

“They plan to search the great cave known as the Cave of the Dead. It is cold, dark, and very dangerous. There are parts that are extremely narrow and places where ground that seems solid slips under your feet. They will begin at sunrise tomorrow.”

“The Cave of the Dead” scoffed Marreth, “You lie. Even Elf vermin aren’t that stupid. That cave is so dangerous that even we dared not enter it in our search. If what your saying is true, then perhaps we should just wait for them to die there instead of going in after them. Entering the Cave of the Dead! Pure madness! Had that oafish Elf leader lost his mind?”

“No. I speak the truth. It was with great trepidation and fear that they decided to look there, but they seemed to think that it is the most likely place that they could find the Palantiri.”

“If you lie Snowmen, I swear I will have your head impaled on a pike! Do you hear me!” screamed Marreth. “I warn you,” ne continued in a calmer tone, “I shall meet you again out here in a couple of days if your information proves accurate. Watch for the flash of the lantern at sunset. Do not come to my ship, for I find it best that this be kept private for now. If you prove useful, I might just reward you. Now off with you.” With that, the Lossoth lumbered back into the bushes.

When Marreth returned to his ship, he gathered all of his crew for an announcement.
“Listen up mates, I have some new information here for all of you that will be very helpful in disposing of our new guests. The Elves plan on searching the Cave of the Dead tomorrow at sunrise for the Palantiri and we’ll be waiting for them. I want advance scouts to go ahead and make sure the coast is clear before the rest of us go in.” That way, thought Marreth, we won’t get suck into any ambushes, even if it was a trap. “I don’t want any fighting yet, just spying. We have to know our enemy and evaluate them. I want to know how many they number and how many weapons they have. Maybe we can give them a little surprise. Any questions?”

Marreth always asked if there were any questions at the end, and there never were. He always told the crew exactly what they needed to know and they never dared to ask anything else, at least to his face. His officers would speak with him privately if they wished.

“Good. Everyone get a good night’s sleep and no getting drunk on rum. We all need to be fully alert tomorrow. I fear we have a rough day ahead of us.”