Journal of October 10th
{Congratulations to Strom, Vori and Mallion who all made a level from the prior game}
Our group has traveled half the night eastwardly away from Mirkwood, trying to evade the Wolfriders, finally stopping early in the morning (about 3 - 4am) to steal a few hours sleep. A gray dawn brings a drizzling rain and Rolan is already up, having gone to a nearby stream to get water when he encounters another person. A man from Laketown, Garm, and his Sheephound Ragnar. He finds out Garm has been tracking sign of the Wolfriders, so he invites him back to camp. Back in camp, Vori notices the ring that Garm wears, denoting a 'dwarf-friend'. He also recognizes Ragnar, a well-known wolf-bane hound. Garm is invited to join the group, and they all decide to head back into the barren lands, northwest.
On the way, Balgrim spots a Plains Ogre paralleling the group. It is believed to be the same one that slew the 2 Northman a week ago, but it retreats. Hours later the group comes within site of the mountains, and their destination. By 2 large creatures, believed to be Trolls, are seen following the group at a far distance, maybe a half-mile back. The group hurries for the mountains ahead, but then sights a group of Wolfriders ahead of them. Now they have enemies in front and back. Then turn to the side (southwest) looking for someplace closer and defensible.
They are lucky to find a pre-arranged camp-fort. Up 60' of stairs, then turns into a 40' diameter, (4' high) stonewalled camp, with 7 stones and pillars set within to channel attacks. Vori recognizes this as dwarven work, and sets the group to prepare. While the group prepares inside, Vori finds a dwarven cache containing weapons and shields.
A Stone Troll has come up the stairs unseen and attacks the group before they are fully prepared for it. Kansefni and Derek are brushed aside as it storms into camp and attacks Balgrim and Strom. A hunger-maddened ghoul has hidden within the cache compartment and attacks Vori. Garm has looked over the other wall and has spotted the other Stone Troll trying to sneak in behind and start firing arrows while Rolan and Mallion throw rocks. Strom is able to cripple the Troll with a massive blow to the back of it's knee, and with Balgrim's help it dies under a rain of blows. Garm makes a great bow shot and slows the 2nd Troll on it's way up the wall. Vori beats the Ghoul to a pulp, then helps Rolan and Mallion topple a massive boulder onto the 2nd Troll, which knocks the Troll all the way back down. It loses interest and leaves.
After the battle, an argument ensues when Rolan attempts to enter the dwarf-cache without Vori's permission. Harsh words follow, and Vori shoots Rolan with his crossbow, then kills him. Mallion attacks Vori, who retreats into the cache. Mallion tries to hold open the door, but almost loses his hand, stuck in the door by the dwarf. Balgrim is able to talk Vori outside, and gives the dwarf his crossbow back, in exchange for the map. It is decided that Vori will leave and return to his kingdom to report what has happened. Garm will return with him, as a witness in Vori's behalf. Garm's word is that Mallion provoked the fight. Everyone else will continue on.
Before they can leave, they notice that Wolfriders have begun to gather below, waiting for the group to leave the camp-fort. The group stays awake all night prepared for an assault by the wolfriders. As many as 30 - 40 gather, but they don't dare an assault, so the groups split in the morning.
The group makes it to the base of the mountain, but is encountered from behind. Vori and Garm (with Ragnar) return, with 2 new travellers. Khamdar, a dwarven emissary/ noble/ adventurer (?) has come from the Iron Hills on a mission to reclaim Dwarven relics rumored in the hoard of a Dragon's lair! He travels with Wylis, an aged dwarven warrior once of the King's Guard. It is the same Dragon as identified in the 'moon-runes' on the map the group found in town. Khamdar has been entrusted with the other half, detailing the inside of the lair. This is a young Dragon is Anca-Dur, an Ice-Drake sired by Scatha the Worm, Eldest Spawn of Glaurung, Terror of the North, Dwarf-bane.
Khamdar says he knows a way to avoid the Orc-Lair, then a back way into the Dragon lair. The group decides to dare this. Behind them are the Wolfriders, ahead a young Dragon, and within reach a Dragon's hoard. They dare much, but what rewards!
