Breelanders All! RPG

[piosenniel]

Berilac

Once Lotar had given his slim list of needs, the Mayor conferred with Berilac and Telien. Their own list of what they thought would be needed was much longer, and Berilac chuckled to himself, thinking how the Breelanders were at heart creatures of comfort. By their own reckoning, they had figured far more would be needed to see the North men through. Harald sent Telien back to the gate, whispering some low instruction to him. Then he handed the list he and his clerk had drawn up, asking Berilac to present it to Lotar.

All of the items that had been discussed between the clerk and the mayor just yesterday had been obtained. From seed packets, and meats and vegetables to tools, implements, wood, and even a small portable forge had been garnered from the good folk of Breeland. There were quilts and clothes and herbs and unguents from the goodwives of the village. And from the outlying farmers there were some goats for milking, a number of setting hens and a rooster, and a few fine, fat pigs.

The outland leader’s eyes went wide as he read through items. Harald, thinking that something was amiss, stepped closer to peer over the Ranger’s shoulder. ‘This will have to do, my good sir,’ he said to Lotar. ‘It’s all that we can offer.’ He stopped to think for a few moments. ‘Now we can offer three of our great wagons, of course, for the carrying of it.’

Berilac nudged the hand of Lotar which held the list. And Kandel gently shook his father’s shoulder. ‘Father . . .’

‘We will not give weapons,’ said Berilac, if that is why you hold back. ‘I think you have enough of those.’ Still Lotar did not speak. Berilac then unfolded a small map and laid it on the ground for all to look at. They crouched down about it, and Berilac explained that there was an area around the western side of Lake Nenuial where they could easily settle and begin to rebuild. Plenty of land and game and available timber and water. ‘Mayor Harald, of course,’ said the Hobbit, ‘would like you to remember that Bree was helpful to your good folk. And when you get yourselves established, he and the traders in Breeland would be happy to do business with you.’

Guthwine had crouched down to look at the map. ‘We do not know this place at all,’ he said to Lotar. ‘How shall we find it?’ Berilac looked the man squarely in the eye. ‘One of the Rangers who knows the area will go with you. He and I have already discussed this, and he will take on this task to see you safely there.’ Berilac stood, picking up the map as he did so.

‘What say you two, then, to Breeland’s offer? They are prepared to send you on your way at once should you say yes to it . . .’