Hunt for the Palantíri RPG

[Child of the 7th Age]

Niluial's post

Elwё’s heart jumped as Luindal asked him to search the shore for any indications of company. “Be careful when you go! I am probably wrong, but it’s possible we have company. Make sure you are not seen. And if you see anything unusual, come back and tell me. Oh, yes, and one last thing, whatever you do, do not walk out on the ice itself. Stay on the snowy banks.” Luindal said concernedly, followed by a meaningful pat on the shoulder.

“I’ll be careful and I swear I won’t miss any evidence, if there is evidence.” And with that Elwë turned around beaming. Pride and pure ecstasy filled Elwë. Me! I was asked… me!

He started walking towards Andtuariel, ready to tell her the wonderful news. He stopped. She probably won’t want me to go. Hmm, or she’ll worry herself to death. He turned around once again, changing his direction towards a fellow elf. “If Andtuariel asks you where I am, say I have gone to fetch wood.” Elwë said softly.

“Sure!” said the elf.

Elwë entered his tent. He was no longer filled with joy but instead a mixture of feelings. He was excited, because he was chosen and yet fearful of what could happen. What if I fall in an ice hole? No, remember what Luindal said, “whatever you do, do not walk on the ice itself” just stay clear Elwë, step by step. He tried to clear his thoughts but another one jumped right into his head. What if there is company and I bump into our ‘company’?. “Get a grip of yourself!” he hissed allowed to himself.

Slightly shacking Elwë tightened the laces on his leather boots and put on a warm, soft fur coat. He sighed slightly and walked back outside in the bitter cold. Slowly he started to walk in the direction of the shore. His feet felt as heavy as a thousand bricks and they kept sinking deeper and deeper into the snow making it harder to lift them. The snow-laden wind cut into him like needles penetrating his skin.

What felt like hours he finally arrived at the shore. Whatever you do, do not walk out on the ice itself. Stay on the snowy banks echoed in his head numerous times. He looked around, shielding his eyes from the piercing snow. He just noticed how dull everything was; there was nothing but whiteness and different shades of grey.

He searched carefully, like an eagle does for its prey. He squinted; sure there was nothing when something black caught his eye. He bent down and picked it up. It was a rough, homespun sort of cloth, it was black with crystallized sea water on it, “odd but not enough evidence” he murmured. He shoved the cloth into his pocket and was just about to walk off when something in the snow glinted. He bent down and started to dig. There it was, a silver pocketknife; its handle embellished with diamond and square patterns, its curved blade was extremely sharp and it was slightly rusted yet well kept and polished. He used his sleeve to wipe the snow off it. Elwë then inspected it closely, surely it’s too ‘rich’ looking for a Lossoth, but not too ‘rich’ looking for a looting Corsair.

Elwë quickly shoved the knife in his pocket and looked around, making sure the company wasn’t near by. He turned around and walked faster than before. He was excited of what he had to show Luindal and wanted to get out of the cold.

When he got back to the camp Andtuariel ran up to him and hugged him. Elwë rolled his eyes, “who told you?”

“I thought you were lost while getting the wood! And, wait, told me about what?”

“It doesn’t matter!” he said, his eyes searching for Luindal.

“But, where is the wood?” Andtuariel said suspiciously.

“Like I said it doesn’t matter.” He said impatiently.

Luindal spotted him and gestured him to come over. “Did you find anything?” Luindal asked rapidly.

“Yes!” he dug in his pockets and pulled out the knife and black cloth and handed it to Luindal. “I found these two items.”

“This knife must belong to one of them, I have never met a native, Lossoth with a knife such as this one.” Luindal said while examining it closely.

“Me neither. Unless it belongs to one of our men but I haven’t seen anyone with a pocket knife like this.”

“I’ll have to ask, but I doubt it. This cloth, no one here has clothes made of this cloth.” Luindal said depressingly. “Thank you, you have done a great deed Elwë.”

[Child of the 7th Age]

Arry's post

Carandû was silent as they walked back toward their tent. The ebb and flow of conversation between his brother and Elwë flowed over him without penetrating his thoughts. Annû caught up to him and tapped him on the shoulder, intruding on his quandary with his words. ‘Well, what do you think, big brother. Think there might be a chance we’ll find what we’re looking for?’

‘What I think,’ said Carandû, turning to his brother, ‘what I think is that there is something strange going on here. Why am I not going on the search teams? You know what the Captain wants me to do? He wants me to take care of the reindeer. The reindeer! What sort of a make-do job is that?!’

Annû and Elwë raised their brows at learning the job Carandû had been assigned. Annû noted his brother’s eyes had taken on a certain determined glint. ‘What are you thinking of doing?’ he asked, his hand reaching out to touch his brother’s forearm.

A faint smile creased Carandû’s face, disappearing as he turned and headed back again toward the camp. ‘I’m going to mind the reindeer, of course. What else is there to do?’

What else is there to do? Annû watched his brother disappear into the tent, thinking that he most likely did not want to consider the answer to that question.

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[Child of the 7th Age]

The campsite was quiet; most of the Lossoth and even the Elves had settled down for the evening. Luindal sat poking at the last embers of the firepit. He looked down one more time at the knife and swatch of cloth that Elwën had found on the snowy bank in the exact location where they planned to search for the Stones. The fabric appeared to be a diferent color but the very same type that he had picked up earlier from the caves. Little doubt remained in his mind: the Corsair crew was planning something for them on the morrow. But what that was he could only guess.

They would have sturdy weapons at their side to fight off any intruders and thick ropes around their waists to lessen the possibility of an "accident" on the ice turning into a disaster. He had spoken to Alahseey earlier in the evening, and she had confirmed that the currents in this part of the Bay could be quite treacherous even close to shore. But she had again stressed that this was an area that would need to be searched, because of the strange rocks that had been discovered, which were inscribed with Elvish runes.

Moreover, this early in the year, there was the very real danger of cracks and fissures unexpectedly forming in the ice. Sometimes entire ice blocks abruptly broke off and floated out to the Sea. And who was to say that the Corsairs would not find some way to exploit these natural dangers?

Yet it was not the Corsairs who worried him most. He was certain his brave companions would stand up to them and fight. It was the unknown spy within the camp who could wreck the most mischief, by pulling tricks of a sort that no one could possibly guess ahead of time. And who was to say that there was only one mole digging about for information? Possibly there were two or three.

With a sigh, Luindal settled down in his bedroll and willed himself to relax, gazing up at the stars and thinking about his family and what they might be doing tonight in the West. He wondered if the constellations looked different from the place where they were, or if they could see the same ones that he was staring at now. Before long, his eyes grew weary and sleep overcame him.

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

With the approach of dawn, the camp again sprung to life: Luindal woke early, brushing the newly fallen snow from his clothing, and afterwards setting out his weapons and pack. As he had instructed the others to do, he wound the rope tightly around his waist and knotted it, rolling up the long end in a loop that he swung over his back. After hastily eating a few chunks of travel bread, he gestured that the group should come together for final instructions. Once they had gathered, he began to speak, "Take care this morning. Those going out onto the Bay must step lightly on the ice and try to avoid fissures and holes. Those remaining on shore must survey the land in back of us for signs of attack or ambush. Just as important, keep watching to see if any of those on the Bay have been swept off the ice into the water. If that happens, we're relying on you to tug hard at those ropes. The waters here are swift and deep, and a man can get swept away very quickly. And do not forget, if you see any sign of the Stones, give a hollar, and we'll be over to help."

With that, he handed his own rope to Freyn and one of the Elves he'd known from Lorien who was also helping. Slowly and with great caution, be began inching out onto the frozen Bay. Galhardir passed the end of his rope to Alahseey and Hilde, walking close just a pace ahead of Luindal. Soon the other team had done the same with their ropes, following just behind the Captain and Galhardir. For the moment at least, all appeared well.

[Orofaniel]

With small steps and great caution the two of them approached the ice. The cold breeze hit Galhardir in the face, but it only refreshed him. "After you," Lindal whispered. Galhardir then gave the other end of his thick rope to Alahseey and Hilde. "Be careful, both of you," Hilde said as Galhardir turned. He nodded, although he wasn't sure she noticed it.

Swiftly the two of them went further onto the ice. Galhardir was in the lead, followed closely by his companion and captain, Luindal. Watching over his shoulder now and then he made sure that Luindal was still following. He was still uncertain whether the ice was as safe as he would have thought if would be. He didn't want to take any chances, it wasn't worth it. And if something horrible would happen here on the ice, one would only stand a small chance against the cold water and rough ice. One thing he had learned about the ice and the water beneath through the years was that it was ruthless and dangerous. Luckily he had the rope around his waist, which gave him great comfort. He trusted the ones that were holding the other end back at the shore. With these thoughts, he went straight forwards, with small worries considered their situation.

Hopefully this little walk would give a somewhat positive result.

[Regin Hardhammer]

Marreth had led his men forward to the shelter of the snowy banks even before dawn had broken. Now, he stamped his feet impatiently and gripped the hilt of his sword, eager for things to get under way. He was sick of planning and plotting, and would welcome the chance for action.

His eyes strayed to a nearby snow bluff where Jynne and Jarlyn were hiding. Jarlyn looked no better than before. Once they had demolished the Elves and returned to their ship, he would insist his friend rest a day or two to help regain his health.

Strange how things went! The sicker Jarlyn looked, the wider the self-satisfied smirk that spread over Jynnne's face. For one instant, Marreth considered that his friend's illness might not be just an accident. Then he brusquely rejected that idea. Marreth could have understood if the two men had come to blows, or even if one had plotted to slit the other's throat. But he knew little of poisons and how they worked, and could not have imagined that any of his men would use such a cowardly means to rid himself of an enemy. For all his commitment to Umbar and his ship, and to a life of looting and piracy, Marreth was not a naturally cruel man and did have a certain rudimentary sense of honor. He privately vowed to keep an eye on Jynne, and to trust him only so far. He would tell Diera to do the same.

Marreth watched as the lead team of Elves made its way out onto the ice. He cursed as he saw the rope entwined about Luindal's waist with two others standing a ways off anchoring it down. He didn't know whether to laugh or explode in anger. Still, let the Elves keep their toys! It won't matter at all. I would rather put a blade in an Elf's backany day than to let the current do my work.....

Looking down from his lofty perch, he saw a familiar face and grinned. This one had proven both faithful and useful. His mind ran back to their last meeting. Remember what we spoke of.... One snake in a den of mice can do a great deal of damage. He vowed to reward the informer as soon as they returned to the ship. He'd offered a token of gold the last time they'd met. This time, he would be more generous.

Just a bit further, thought Marreth, as he mentally urged the Elves to be quick about their business and step further out onto the ice. As soon as they hit the concealed holes, we'll be able to show what we're made of.....

[Niluial]

Andtuariel sat up pulled herself from her dream world and looked around, a dazed, slightly confused look on her face. Sometimes the dream world intertwined itself with reality and it was hard to pull them apart. She stared at the pale sky with pink and red streaks across it, looking like an unfinished masterpiece.

She turned her head and saw Elwë shivering, though his face was peaceful as he dreamed of elven lands that were far away from this iceland. Reality hit her like a ton of bricks. Today is the day we go searching for the Palantiri in the ice-cold snow.

“Elwë!” she whispered while shaking him.

“Please, it can’t be dawn already,” he said miserably.

“Well it is and we better get ready." She paused, hesitatingly. Then taking a deep breath as if she was about to go swimming in a dark ocean, she said quickly, "But we need to talk first.”

Elwë pushed himself into a sitting position and sighed deeply. "What about?”

“Everything. I am very concerned. Yesterday you went looking for wood and yet came back with none. You have been acting secretly and I know Luindal doesn’t trust some of us as we might be part of the other side. You are acting so strangely and I don't understand why," she said almost pleadingly. "I really don’t want him thinking you are on the Cor” she quickly interrupted herself, “you aren’t right?” She cast an anxious glance at him and chewed her lip. She didn't want to ask, but she had to. She had to know.

Elwë sprung to his feet, his pale face becoming a splotchy red. “I can’t believe you would even think that! Why would you think that! I…” he shouted. “I am not even going to answer the question. It’s the silliest thing I have heard! And here I thought you trusted me! I thought I trusted you! I… oh I don’t care.” With that he threw his blanket down, grabbed his fur coat, and stormed out of the tent.

“Good morning” Annû said.

“Morning!” Elwë said acting as if everything was fine.

****

The wind wasn’t as strong as it was the day before when he went spying but the snow laden wind still cut into him and the others. Elwë walked closer to Annû. They smiled kindly to each other, they had connected lately and a real bond was forming between them. “I am a bit nervous about today. Luindal looks worried and I just know something… well I feel something is going to go wrong.” Annû said, looking down at the dry yet very cold ice.

“I feel it to, I really do.” Elwë said morbidly.

The rest of the walk was in silence. Elwë didn’t want to talk, he had too much to think about. The Palantiri, the attack that was bound to happen and Andtuariel. He tried his best to not think too much, he had to focus on the ice and the lifeline. He wasn’t cold anymore, his body had just become numb and lazy, it was hard to walk feeling so. Something is watching us, something. Before he could think any further Annû stopped the group as he found something. He took out a stout blade from his pocket and bent down, chipping through the ice but instead of finding the Palantiri he found a larg grey rock. The group sighed and kept looking.

[Imladris]

Jynne cast a smirking glance towards the hidden Corsair where Jarlyn languished. He was sick, oh so sick...it was good.

He smiled thinly to himself as he watched the elves rope themselves together. They had roped themselves together, the cunning scum, but that would not effect them crashing into the icy water. Cold tended to numb the muscles, make them slow and lazy. The Corsairs could still spring upon them and slash their moorings. They would sink like an anchor.

With a soft hiss, Jynne slipped his dagger from his sheath.

[Arry]

Annû

Annû shrugged his shoulders, moving his neck from side to side, in an effort to shake off his uneasy feeling. Elwë and Andtuariel led the way out onto the ice once the Captain and his team had gone forth. Someone was watching them. He could feel the attention directed their way, a vague but persistent interest. He shook the feeling off as best he could, focusing his attention on the task before them.

Aside from his weapons, which his brother had insisted he take today, Annû was armed with a stout pole sharpened to a point on the end, a present from his brother who had spent a fair part of the night crafting it for his use. He poked it soundly into the snowy ice before taking a step. A ways ahead he could just make out Luindal and Galhardir, their rope lifeline taut as they strove to cover as much area as possible. Annû’s gaze fell on his own little group. Elwë was moving carefully forward, as was Andtuariel, but Annû could see she still favored her injured ankle.

What a sight we all must make! he thought to himself. Like some great spiders, their webs spun between them, looking for prey.

Taking a deep breath, he refocused on the area in front of him, trying to imagine, as he poked his staff into the snow filled fissure that ran to the side of the clear ice, just how he would know if he’d found one of the palantiri. He tapped his staff on the ice, listening as he walked along to the different sounds it made. At one point, it sounded particularly dull and he called a halt to his group’s movement. With a stout blade he had brought for the purpose, Annû knelt down and chipped through the ice. But it was not a palantir, only a large stray rock caught in the glacial grip.

----------

Carandû

‘They look like big bugs out there on the ice,’ said Carandû softly to himself. He watched his brother make his way slowly along the icy floe, and it grated on him that he could not be at his side. Ignoring the Captain’s orders to ‘look to the reindeer’, Carandû had left the care of the beasts to one of the Lossoth more familiar with their habits than the Elf cared to be, and had followed along at a discrete distance behind the search teams. On a little rise along one of the snowy glacial walls, he’d found a small indent where he could remain hidden and have the ice field below in view. From his vantage point he could see the two teams, their lifeline ropes extending back onto the shore, each anchored to sturdy boulders. Rôg was there by them, as were three of the Lossoth.

Carandû narrowed his eyes against the ice glare and watched his brother’s team carefully. He knelt in the snow, his thick fur over-breeches cushioning his lower legs against the cold. His bow, strung, was in his gloved hand, an arrow knocked lightly should there be need of it.

‘Take care, little brother,’ he whispered, his frosty plea spiraling up in the cold air.