Dale Journal - Oct 24

 

 

                The morning after Landroval's visit the group prepares to set out but is interrupted by the arrival of yet another giant eagle, a messenger from Landroval. The great eagle tells of a need for someone to cleanse the dead drake's caverns before morning and that our group is the closest. Who could refuse such an opportunity, to be of aid to the Lords of the Sky?

 

The group sets off at once, Balgrim and Strom leading the way and soon leaving the rest of the group behind. Once in the forest Balgrim moves on, following the giant eagle messenger, but Strom lags behind and is set upon by a small group of orcs. Garm sends Ragnar in to help but an orc arrow brings the hound down. Meanwhile, Strom is set upon and receives a grave wound of his own but shrugs it off and slays the orcs. After the fight Strom remains apart to settle matters with Trollslayer as the rest gather around Garm and Ragnar. Ragnar's wound is deep and the arrow is surely poisoned but, with the aid of some salves given to him by Wylis, Garm successfully removes the foul arrow and cleanses the wound. Ragnar will live but needs rest. The giant eagle messenger is called by Strom and soon arrives, with Balgrim not far behind, and agrees to carry Ragnar to safety.

 

Upon his return, Balgrim sees something has changed about Strom. This change is caused by Strom's acceptance of a grave duty, to bear Trollslayer and follow it's destiny instead of his own, forsaking all else.

The group sets off again toward the lair but some hours later a hippogriff attacks. The beast is wounded in flight by a shot from Vori's crossbow and crashes to earth, landing upon Wylis, Vori, and Khamdar. A short but furious battle ensues with the dwarves fending off attacks and striking from below while Strom, Garm and Derek rain blows upon it from all sides. Finally, the beast is slain, the final blow delivered by Strom as he thrusts Trollslayer through the creature's head. During the fight Strom has reopens and worsens his wound and Khamdar's left arm is mangled. Other less serious scrapes and bruises abound. Derek helps Strom while Mallion applies salves and bandaged to Khamdar's arm and shoulder, with a watchful Vori hovering nearby. Balgrim stands apart because his skill with wounds is best described by his own words, "I don't treat wounds, I give them."

 

Meanwhile, Morgan spies a figure in the woods, the elf Celethule, and with his help guides the somewhat battered group to a nearby place of rest. It is a wonder as the group comes upon a large mound upon which stands a massive tree. Between the roots an opening is revealed and the group is led inside and down into a large elf-made chamber with tables, chairs, a hearth and even some refreshments laid out before them. Strom is bidden to stay behind as the rest of the group goes inside. Celethule bids the group to spend the night here to mend and rest and then he and Strom go apart and take their rest in Celethule's ‘talan’, a small but comfortable dwelling high up among the tree limbs. The night is quiet with only the disturbance of the passing of a band of elves, Spearwielders, as one of them comes down into the rest place to see who occupies it. Only Mallion and Morgan see the elf that gives them one nod of greeting and departs without a word as silently as he arrived.

 

Strom and the elf spend most of the night speaking of Strom's new task in life and other things. They are interrupted by the arrival of a shadowhound, a Warg. Strom and Celethule fight the thing as it toys with them but its play soon stops when it realizes that it faces not only two skilled warriors but also the might of the great spear Trollslayer. The foul creature flees into the night. Celethule looks upon Strom with profound respect. This respect increases as Strom shows Celethule the gem he took from Halanca's lair. The gem is worth more than even it's size would indicate. It is a powerful tool if placed into the hands of one skilled in magic arts. Celethule tells Strom all this and once more extend to Strom and his companions the invitation to visit the elven realm in Mirkwood and to an audience with its king. As the need for their aid to passes with the night the group accepts the invitation.

               

The sights and wonders of the elven realm await…