Blood Run: A Terror Returns RPG

[Finduilas]

Ash was greatly relieved when no one seemed put out by Orin's performance. But he still needed to talk to him. Ash looked over at Leanora and signaled her to follow, as he retreated to a corner dragging Orin along.

“So Lea, what are we going to do with him? It might be dark before he gets home, and these days it isn't safe for a child to be alone at dark. We might have to take him with us for today, and return him home tomorrow. I hope father doesn't get worried about you,” he said, turning to Orin, who was still sputtering about being called a child.

“Oh, that's no problem. He said I could stay at Derin's house tonight, so he wont be expecting me back till late tomorrow,” Orin replied, as if well satisfied with his brilliancy.

Ash rolled his eyes then turned to Lea to hear what she thought.

[Thinlómien]

"Is there truly no other way? I guess you don't want to skip some of this and take him home...?"

She did not say it seriously, she knew Ash would not agree. She did not need to turn her head to see Ash shaking his head. She knew he would be doing it. Sometimes it was good to know someone that well.

"Alright, Orin, now listen to me", Leanora said, "you may come with us tonight - if Mr Toby has nothing against it. But don't rejoice yet! You will not do anything stupid. Nothing like that stupid song of yours. Otherwise we make sure Dad will know about every single silly thing you've done today, or any day before today."

"And we'll never take you with us to town or to a forest trip again", Ash added.
"And I'll tell Chessie she can't give bring you sweets anymore", Lea said, "Agreed?"

Grudgingly, Orin nodded.

"I guess that's the best we can do with him", Lea sighed.

[Groin Redbeard]

Gorin had been traveling all day at a rapid pace. He was anxious to get to Bree before the Sun had set, but know it appeared as if it was to late, the Sun had long since set in the west and the darkness covered all of the land.

Gorin quickened his pace up the slanted hill, still hoping to reach the town before the gates were closed. He was so tired that he didn't see the small bramble hedge that he was heading into. In an instant his feet were tangled in the thorny strands; he tried to yank his foot out, but all it did was cause him to lose his balance. Gorin stumbled about trying to gain his balance, instead he fell rolling down the small hill which he was climbing.

He came to a stop at the bottom, his pack rolling down beside him. He stood up cursing himself for not seeing the hedge; even now the brambles clung to his legs, almost as if some invisible hand had tied them to him.

He stopped for a moment listening to the silence that surrounded him. Finally, he rose to his feet, knowing that it was hopeless; the town's gates were probably already closed. He placed his pack up against a tree, removed his battle axe from his belt, and began to settle down.

One more night in the darkness, one more night sleeping in the cold air, but by tomorrow he would be in Bree. It was the only comforting thought he had all day. He closed his eyes, blocking out the sounds of the night, and was asleep.

[Dunwen]

That dratted dwarf just stood there, pack in hand, waiting for for Sam to take him to Master Cengal's. The hobbit couldn't belive the fellow's utter foolishness. He was so dumbfounded at Kuric's arrogance that he didn't notice Leanora and Ash conferring about their brother.

Sam fought an urge to pound his head against something hard, like the Prancing Pony's wood-panelled wall. He could imagine Master Cengal's reaction to the dwarf. Kuric's high-handedness would get no more response from the finnicky old man but a door slammed right in their faces.

Finally he found his voice. "And without seeing anything on Cengal's land, just how do you plan to figure this one out, master dwarf? What questions do you think you'll ask him?" He continued with uncharacteristic forcefulness. "What we actually need is someone patient enough to look around the places where the attacks took place and find out what clues were left and hack everything to pieces." He glared back at Kuric. "I think it would be helpful to have at least one more Breelander with us when we talk to Master Cengal."

[Dimturiel]

Erling had sighed with relief when he realised the group would soon set out, even if that meant only looking around town for now. Even that was a start, and he hoped there would be no more uncertain talk or rash remarks to delay them. He wanted to leave, he wanted to think they were actually doing something, not merely sitting and talking while that thing was at large.

Hearing Sam suggesting Edin Cengal as a source of information, he could not help nodding in agreement. Edin was a friend of his father, and Erling had heard many things about him. He knew that Master Cengal was said to have sharp eyes and to observe things most of the Breelanders ignored. Yet he also knew that Edin was quite proud, and he was sure the sight of Kuric-and most of all, of his attitude-would not please him much, or maybe it would even make him feel too suspicious to say anything. Therefore, when Sam suggested they should have another Breelander accompanying him and Kuric to Cengal, he did not hesitate to volunteer.

“I wish to go with you,” he announced, getting up. “You see, master Cengal knows me slightly, and I think I could persuade him to be open to us.”

With that he got up and headed for the door. There he stopped and looked from Kuric to Sam, a questioning expression in his eyes:

“We are going now, right?” he asked, on a slightly uncertain tone.

[mormegil]

Kuric snapped his fingers, pretending to think a bit. “Edin, right I know that lad. Good bet he’ll have some useful information fer us,” Kuric stated with a quick chuckle. “Let’s get going then, you two and without waiting for any rebuttle from the other defenders, Kuric quickly grabbed Sam by his left arm and looked up to Erling, quickly speaking as he began heading for the door, “well, let’s get going lad, no more wastin time here. The others’ll be checking the other placer fer us now.” With that Kuric made for the door, with Sam walking shortly behind him and Erling following.

It was nearly dusk as the hit the streets of Bree and there was a cool breeze blowing against the dwarves grizzled features. “Won’t be long now,” he muttered thinking of the excitement to come. By now Kuric had convinced himself, that indeed it was a troll or some other creature of their like he would find in the wild. With that thought he began to trot through the streets of Bree, ignoring the protests coming from his companions.

Despite being a dwarf, Kuric loved not the closed dark quarters offered by a cave, but rather the open cool darkness of a night in the wild; for Kuric it had been far too long since he was last in the wild. Sensing that his companions were lagging a bit as they approach the gate Kuric sharply turned around and barked out his displeasure at their delay, “Ya better get movin you two, we’re nearly there.”

Arriving at the gate, the keeper greeted Kuric with some dismay at the rushed approach of such a dwarf. “What can I be helping you with Master dwarf?” was the question issued to Kuric. “You can open that gate fer us now. We’ve got a bit of business from the mayor of Bree to take care of so ya best get movin fer us.,” Kuric curtly replied. Kuric began advancing on the gate not letting the gate keeper reply. The gate keeper, obviously surprised by the dwarf’s manners, but not wanting to interfere with mayoral business quickly opened the gate. Without so much as a glance backward, Kuric roared with glee and began to run down the road into the oncoming darkness.

[Groin Redbeard]

Gorin was suddenly awakened a loud rustling and pounding of feet. He jumped to his feet and grabbed his axe. He looked around trying to find the cause of the noise. A scream broke silence of the night. Gorin looked up hill, which he had tried to climb a couple hours ago, as something that looked like a boulder rolled down at him.

Gorin grabbed his pack and tried to run, but the object slammed into him, knocking him down. Gorin fell to the ground, landing squarely on his back. He groined, rubbing his head as he lifted himself up. Much to his surprise as he started to move so did the boulder. In fact it wasn’t a boulder at all, if was another dwarf!

The two stared at each other dumb founded. Finally the other dwarf seemed to come to his senses and began to pull a huge mace from his back, as Gorin took his axe and shield in hand.

As the two stood there, ready for battle, the stillness of the night was broken yet again by three loud cries; they were calling for someone someone named Kuric. Gorin watched as a tall figure appeared on the hilltop and descended towards them, followed by a man who's stature reminded Gorin of a child.