Hunt for the Palantíri RPG

[piosenniel]

After his ‘encouragement’ of the Elven brothers and the Lossoth concerning their need to visit the healer, Rôg joined Luindal’s group in one of the smaller caverns on the northern end of the big cave. ‘Might as well get in on the action,’ he said to the captain, as he lit the torch he’d brought and bent down close to the floor with it. It was back breaking, dirty work - all hunched over, eyes glued to the surface of the floor, hands prying through whatever silt had mounded up around objects on the floor. Rôg inched along, on his knees for the most part, brand in one hand, knife in the other for prying at likely objects.

After a bit, Luindal motioned him over. ‘I’m worried that we might spend too much time in here and the tide start to come in,’ the captain said. ‘I’ll have my little group move back out to the main cavern. Can you contact the other groups and tell them to head back there, too? Once we’ve all gathered together and all are accounted for, we can head back to the ship and make plans for the morrow.’

With a great sigh of relief, and a small rub to his back to ease the cramped muscles, Rôg handed the captain his torch and changed back to a little bat. Soon he was zipping in and out of the tunnels, bringing the message to the search groups . . .

[Arry]

It was Carandû who took the lead this time. He’d spied another tunnel half hidden behind a pile of loose rock that had apparently fallen down from the ceiling. The four searchers cleared away the pieces – carefully, as Freyn and Galhardir reminded them that the rock, though soft and easily flaked often bore sharp edges where it had separated from the surrounding stone facings.

Freyn was tied on to Carandû and him in turn to Galhardir, with Annû bringing up the rear. The tunnel itself was short, and thankfully high enough that it could be crawled through without elbows or skulls hitting the sides and top of the passageway. Once they were in, the cavern it connected with was another small sized on, at least in ground area, but to the Elves’ delight, it was tall enough for them to stand.

‘I think we should untie ourselves and each take a torch,’ offered Galhardir as he looked about the area. ‘Good idea,’ said Annû. ‘We can each go over a quarter of the ground.’ He looked about the small area. ‘It does look promising. The tunnel was big enough for the smaller of the palantir to be wash in. and there are plenty of piles of loose rock that it could be hidden beneath.’

The four men divided up the search area and going to the farthest boundary of their part of the little cavern. They got down on their hands and knees and began an examination of the floor, moving the piles of rubble carefully as they did so..

‘Remember,’ said Carandû, calling out from his lit corner, ‘work as quickly as you can without hurting yourselves. We can’t spend long in here. The tide will be coming back in soon . . .’

[Orofaniel]

"The tide!" Galhardir exclaimed. He had completely forgotten about it; The water would be flowing all over the place when the tide came. They ought to be out before then. What happened if someone didn't make it out until that time, Galhardir couldn't say for sure, except for that they would indeed be in a difficult situation. He shuddered while thinking about it, before he followed the others through a new narrow, dark path.

"Do you actually think we'll find something?" Galhardir whispered to Annû. He didn't quite know why he was whispering, but he couldn't help it.

"It depends, I guess," Annû said. "But it's too dark," Galharidr replied. "Aye, it is. But if the thing we are looking for really is here in the caverns, I don't think the darkness will stop us finding it," Annû then said. Galhardir shrugged. "You're probably right," Galhardir then said, thinking about the others who were also looking around in the other tunnels. They had to find it eventually.

Galhardir then turned his thoughts towards Rodhal. He still felt a bit bad because he left him behind. But at the same time, it wouldn't be responsible to bring him along. Rodhal was old enough to know that and he had shown his uncle how mature he was by telling just that to him.

"I think we should return to the others," Carandû then said after a while. He didn't have to repeat that as all four of them moved quickly. As they came towards the end of the tunnel, Rôg asked the two eleven brothers to help two of the other elves that were stuck further down the tunnel. Galhardir gasped as he heard the news. How would they get out? But he trusted the Carandû and Annû as the two of them followed Rôg. Freyn and Galhardir continued forwards, waiting for Annû and Carandû, together with the two elves to return...

[Lalwendë]

Lalwende's post

Tarn moved quickly down the tunnel, following the elves and Galhardir. He was eager to keep up with what they were doing and did not move quite so awkwardly on his return to the main cavern. He moved in short bursts, stopping to hide when he thought he may be spotted, carrying on when he could remain within the shadows. A change in the level of the voices indicated that he had arrived back at the main cavern; they were not so clear, and it sounded as though a crowd had gathered. Yet when he peered around to look, there was just a handful of elves and men.

Creeping along the dripping wall of the cavern, away from the light, Tarn edged out of the tunnel and into the wider space. He started to breathe a little more easily, and side-stepped along until he came to a corner where he could hide. He heard who he thought was Nilak move into the corner next to him, but his breathing was different, and he seemed to be taller.

"Outside, now " said Marreth

Tarn didn’t refuse. He was desperate to be outside once more. As soon as he left the cave he stretched, screwing up his eyes as they adjusted to the light, and greedily breathed in the clear, fresh air as though he was drinking after a long thirst.

Tarn's eyebrows shot up when he heard Marreth’s plan. He didn't know whether to say something defiant to the captain, to try to refuse, but this sounded like a task he could relish. He nodded his assent and started to climb with speed. He was eager to be one of the first to reach the ledge above the cave entrance and as Tarn was a good climber, nimble and surefooted, he was soon standing near Marreth. He began loosening a boulder, working quickly but with a wry smirk on his face.

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Rinfanawen’s post

Diera climbed quickly up the jagged rock wall alongside her captain and other officers. Despite the fact that she still hated the land immensely, she loved the thought of not entering the caves for at least an extended length of time. She smiled merrily at sun. A bright light was finally shining on their mission. The top of the cave soon came, and the crew stepped foot on the peak. Marreth began to address them once again:

“The plan is to push the rocks on the ledge onto the ground below, making it look like a rockslide, so that the Elves are not suspicious. When they try to get out, they will be trapped. So…there are some large boulders here and we will need to work together. Who will help me push these rocks down?”

The corsair crew immediately began to aid Marreth in loosening the boulders from atop the cave. Some, Marreth for one, used tools such as crowbars or metal rods to loosen the protruding rocks. Others, Diera included, chose a more subtle approach. She began with the smaller rocks near the edge of the cliff, tossing them aside for lack of purpose, which slowly began to free the larger rocks from their positions on the cave wall. If nothing else, Diera thought. We could use the smaller rocks for hurling directly at the Elves, just in case one manages to escape. The rocks began to shift slightly as the stones beneath them were removed. Diera smiled evilly. She returned to the previous side of the larger boulders and began to push against them, aiding their plunge to the cavern entrance.

[Regin Hardhammer]

Marreth had chosen a medium sized rock which was perfectly situated for blocking the cave's entrance. He began to heave his entire weight against the boulder with the assistance of two of his crewmates. The stone shuddered mightly and then began rolling downward. With a thud it hit the earth, right in the center of the opening. A few smaller rocks fell as the tremor created by the original reverberated through the mountain.

This is a good start, thought Marreth, but they needed more rocks. And larger ones too. The Captain selected a bigger boulder that was a few feet from the edge. Once again, Marreth pushed the rock with all the effort he could muster. bearing down on his crowbar. It budged an inch, but refused to move any farther.

Marreth turned toward his men and yelled, "What are all you standing there for. We need more than three people to push this boulder. Get your behinds over here and lend a hand. All of you."

Marreth turned his attention back to the rock and pushed, waiting for his entire crew to pitch in. Pushing boulders over the edge was not as easy a task as he had first thought.

[Imladris]

Jynne slouched over to help the captain. Naturally, he would not be allowed to go back to the boat. It was not the captain's way to award the brains.

The rest of the crew trailed along after him. Nestling his shoulder in a little cranny, he heaved and felt the rock skid across the rough land. He felt one of the crew put their grubby hands on his shoulder to aid in pushing the heavy boulder. "Hands off," he hissed, sending a daggerous glare at him. "Push on some other lout."

The boulder tumbled from onto the other, a cloud of dust accompanying it. A thin smile stretched Jynne's hollow cheeks. The elves could not escape once the opening was completely covered.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he followed Marreth to another suitable boulder.

[Kitanna]

Nilak had crawled out of the alvoce and was following Tarn back to the main entrance. He could still hear the Elves and their Lossoth allies moving about the cave. For fear of being caught Nilak moved along the wall and a few feet behind Tarn. Two would be easier to spot then one. He was swift and like a shadow, making as little sound as he could.

When he moved into the main cavern he shrunk against the wall to avoid unfriendly eyes. Tarn was not five feet away. Someone moved next to him. It was Marreth. Nilak barely made out what he said, but when the Lossoth and Corsair headed for the entrance to the cave he followed.

It seemed Marreth was planning on pushing boulders down to block the entrance of the cave. This captain was Nilak's kind of scum. Marreth and two of his crewmen were able to free a medium sized boulder and it rolled down and blocked the entrance. The Elves would be trapped inside.

"What are all you standing there for. We need more than three people to push this boulder. Get your behinds over here and lend a hand. All of you." Marreth snapped.

Nilak smiled a wicked smile and went to aid the others. This was a job Nilak could enjoy. Eliminate those who were after his treasure.

[Imladris]

Crouching in the shadow of a nearby boulder, Jynne wiped the sweat from his eyes, and began to pick out the fine grain of stones that had lodged themselves in his skin.
The glare in his eyes hardened as he looked at his hand. It was becoming patchy. Blotches of the white skin were beginning to spread like mold upon old bread.

With a frown he glided to his feet and put his shoulder to the rock. It moved easily under the loose dirt, toppled over the edge, and landed on top of the other boulders with a cracking thud.

Slithering down, his eyes flitted across there work. A thin smile stretched his face. It was a fitting tomb for the elves. Hopefully they'd do the job right and find the Stones before they died.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Glad to be leaving the side tunnel, Luindal re-entered the main hall and noted that a number of Elves and Lossoth had already found their way to the spot near the back of the cavern where he had told everyone to gather. Weary and footsore, with backs and arms aching from bending down and squeezing through narrow holes, each of these told a similar account: despite hours of digging and close observation, they had seen nothing resembling magical Stones. There had been only endless twisting pathways covered with mud interspersed with an occasional patch of slick ice and cliffs that dropped precipitously downward.

"There's no Palantiri here," Luriel, one of the Wood-Elves, assured him. "Not even a hint of one. Can't we leave before things get worse?"

The Elf's heartfelt plea had mirrored Luindal's own thoughts. He could hear and see nothing of the outside world from this vantage in the cave, but the tide would soon be pounding against the shore, bringing with it a surfeit of water that would eventually submerge the entire cavern. Alahseey had told him grim tales of treasure hunters who'd hid shipwreck cargo within the recesses of the black cavern and, unwilling to give up their reward, had perished in the attempt to save it. This, as much as anything, had led to the cave's bleak reputation.

Holding his torch aloft to survey the men in his group, Luindal was appalled to discover that more than a few of their number were still missing. The reason for this soon became obvious. Rôg darted into the cave bringing a dire message: "The waters are rising in the lowest tunnels. At least one, perhaps two of the searchers, are having trouble getting through. The others have stayed trying to help them."

"Shall I send more Elves to help?"

The tiny bat blinked twice and seemed to shake his head. "It would do no good. Any more in such a narrow passage would only increase the risk. They are doing their best and I will help them."

Luindal turned towards the Elf, who had spoken with him before, "Luriel, lead this group outside. Wait on the shore. I'll stay in here till we get the rest

The brown bat had begun to flitter over to the side tunnel, but abruptly halted to alight on a rock, Rôg cried out in a tiny voice, "Can't you feel that? The vibrations from outside."

Luindal stopped and closed his eyes, leaning against the back wall of the cavern. he could definitely feel something. For a moment, he thought it might be an earthquake. Such things were not unheard of in lands made of ice. But then he had the clear sense of great giants thuds coming not from the ground underneath his feet but from somewhere over his head.

"Go now. A landslide!" he bellowed. "Get out of here as fast as you can...."

[piosenniel]

Pio's post

As he flew toward the tunnel where the searchers were still making their way out, Rôg noted that four people were just emerging from a tunnel near it. It was the two Elves who’d helped him on the ship – Carandû and his brother. In a flurry of little wings he flew to them and landed precariously on Annû’s thick fleece over-tunic. Working his way toward the surprised Elf’s ear, he squeaked a request for him and his brother to follow down the tunnel after him. ‘Two of the Elves are still down in the little cavern at the end of the tunnel,’ he said. ‘One of them may be injured. Help me get them out.’

‘And you, Freyn, can you wait here until we bring the Elves out? They may need your services.’

Rôg dove down the tunnel, the two brothers following . . .

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Arry’s post

By the time Carandû and his brother had reached the little cave, Rôg was already back in mannish form and kneeling by the injured Elf. It was Andtuariel! She looked quite pale, the blood on her face from the rock cut making her skin seem even whiter in contrast. The lower part of her leg had caught in a hole in the cavern floor and seemed quite firmly wedged.

Annû knelt down quickly opposite Rôg. He took out his big-bladed knife and began chipping at the rock edges of the hole. Elwë, too, was knocking at the jagged rim that held her boot tight. ‘At least her leg is not bent at an unnatural angle,’ whispered Annû to Andtuariel’s brother. ‘The boot has padded it a bit and hopefully there will be only a little swelling.’ Rôg stabilized the woman’s leg as the other two worked on enlarging the hole. After a number of minutes, the only sounds being the clack and scrap of steel against rock, Annû, Elwë, and Rôg were able to gently eas the Elf’s foot from where it had been trapped.

Carrandû had packed a thin piece of leather, all folded up, into the pouch slung at his belt. It was a fair sized piece with which he meant to wrap the palantir should they discover it. Now he laid it on the ground, and the four of them eased Andtuariel onto it. Her ankle was quite swollen and too painful for her to bear weight.

Rôg changed back to his bat form, flying quickly down the tunnel to alert Freyn. Carrandû knelt down and grasped the edges of the leather. He began backing down the tunnel pulling Andtuariel with him on the leather piece. ‘Sorry about the bumpy ride,’ he said, smiling at her as they jostled over a particularly rocky section of the tunnel floor. ‘Soon we’ll be in the main cavern, where the healer is waiting.’ Annû and Elwë took turns cradling the Elf’s booted leg as they inched toward the main cavern.

Finally, Carandû could just hear Galhardir’s voice saying, ‘Here they are!’ And hands reached down to take up the burden as he emerged from the tun