OOC>>In future posts, if anybody wants to maintain private words with another, that is not intended for all to hear and learn, it would be best to utilize this forum's PM messaging. That could serve us well...that no spoilers get out.
:D
<font color=skyblue>Turín had been brewing over the information that he had received two days ago. It troubled him greatly that there would be a traitor in the ranks of this small group, and that this person had been the downfall of their prvious operation, including the death of many great beings, men, elves, and dwarves alike. The traitor could never be an elf, so that left Roland or any of the dwarves.
What was he to do? He had to find out who it was now, or they would always be in jeaopardy with future missions, including the one that they currently faced.

It was not fair for the other troops either, to keep this a secret. Their lives were their own to live, and if he withheld information from his good men that could save their lives, he was a murderer.

He acknowledged Hrolf.

"Now that we are secluded and safe for a time, it is my responsibility to all of us gathered to introduce you to the revelation that one of us sitting here is a traitor who sabatoged our mission, and will continue to do so unless we find him out now. I ask that everybody put down your weapons if you are with one, and keep your hands clearly in the open. If anyone makes a move in a defencive or offencive motion from now forward will be considered the enemy and attacked by all of us. I know that no elf could ever side with Morgoth, so they shall become our judges. I enter this challenge myself, that you will see that I have nothing to hide.

Feldorn, will you take the lead and examine each of us men and dwarves, excluding the lady Robyn, who was not with us, but was with the other elves when we were attacked? You will be looking for evidence either on ourselves or in our travel gear that might prove one of us the traitor. Any sudden moves from anyone, and you have my permission as the leader of this party to bind him with strong cords, that he not escape. Do this now.</font>

OOC>>>I hope this is acceptable, dplax. It is the only thing I can think of that makes sense and saves the rest of us.

[ 03-23-2004, 11:32 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

Feldorn motions to the other elves and they start searching each and every member of the party. After they have finished they move on to their equipment and sacks. Finally after about 10 minutes of going through everything they find nothing. <font color=green>"We haven't found any physical evidence, although it might be that all necessary information is only in the traitor's mind." </font>

<font color=skyblue>And I trust that an elf would have access to mind reading spells? Please do what you can, for I must know who the traitor is. I will not risk another man or woman lost to treachery.</font>

<font color=green>"I think Therlion could do that." </font>

OOC: Bozos just PM me with the order you want to mindread the characters in.

<font color=silver>"Yes, I will begin at once. But I must ask one of you who has any skill at mindreading to use it on me at your own discretion. I must be sure we have complete trust in eachother."</font>

<font color=red>"Well, I have some access to lie detecting spells, which should do well enough. It might not be alot but at least it is something to aid Therlion, if not more."</font>

[ 03-23-2004, 07:37 PM: Message edited by: The Fallen One ]

<font color=green>Feldorn

"OK then Therlion I think you can go ahead with mindreading the others."</font>

Therlion looks deep into Roland's eyes and his conciousness is transferred into Roland's mind, like a thought among thoughts. Navigating through the intangible thoughts, Therlion started reading the thoughts, memories and feelings but still leaving the man's privacy. Nothing. Therlion smiled and moved on to Kirun. The same procedure produced no ill effect. Bober was his target now, and after the mind read he came clean too. Therlion looked at the remaining ones and realised that one of them is probably a traitor. Hoping noone notices, Therlion magically lifted a fist-sized stone behind the group and left it levitaning behind Hrolf's head. He proceeded with the mind read.

<font color=gold>Hrolf </font>

She knew the moment Therlion started mindreading her that he would find out the truth. She knew that in order for her children to survive she could not let him get the information out of her.

<font color=gold>"Stop"</font> - she shouted suddenly, thus breaking Therlion's concentration. At the same time she reached behind her head and grabbed the stone she had heard rising in the air earlier. She moved back a step, but then stopped suddenly as Feldorn fitted an arrow to his bow and pointed it at her. She dropped the stone which fell with a thud to the floor.

<font color=gold>"Please don't shoot. I can explain everything. I am indeed the traitor. Firstly I would like to say that I am sorry for all of those that have died because of me. I didn't mean for that to happen. I only had to put information on the parties movements on paper and leave them along the way where they could be found. I did not know what they would do with it. You must understand me, they forced me to do this. They have my twin sons as captives. I am sorry for all that have died. They were my friends."</font> - she slowly started crying.

She wiped her nose with the sleeve of her tunic. <font color=gold>"I am sorry."</font>-she said again. She slowly unfastened the amulet around her neck and handed it to Feldorn. <font color=gold>"I'd like you, Feldorn to take this amulet to my sons. They are being held captive where you are headed." </font>

Then as Feldorn lowered his bow to take the amulet she turned round and with a sudden movement jumped clean out of the window. A few moments later a horrific sound was heard as her body struck the forest floor below. (OOC: The elven encampment is high up in the trees) Everyone stood in silence for several moments afterwards. It was Feldorn who broke the silence: <font color=green>"She chose death by her own hands rather than living on in shame. I respect her memory for this choice." </font> He then looked inquiringly at Turin as to what would happen now. In the background elven voices could be heard converging on the body far below.

[ 03-24-2004, 12:39 PM: Message edited by: dplax ]

<font color=steelblue>Turín

Turin's reaction to the whole scene was grim, but quiet.

In response to Feldorn's inquiry, he said,

"Let us go down, gether the body and give her a proper burial. She has earned that much. The lives of her children outweighed the lives of all of us, including her own. We shall honor her for her strong family devotion."

And without waiting on any agreements or disagreements, he walked out the door to go do just as he had said.</font>

The burial was made at nightfall following dwarven customs. Hrolf was buried along with all of her possessions and wepons except the amulet, which Feldorn was going to keep until he managed to give it to the sons of Hrolf. During the night a falling star fell in the sky, which the elves of the encampment interpreted as her soul going to its eternal resting place. Next morning a few hours after daybreak the group sat around Turin waiting for him to finalize the plan.

<font color=skyblue>

"Alright. It is time for us to make our moves. We shall be seperating into our tasks now.

Hrolf did not reveal this secret to our enemies, though I am concerned that if her body is not found among the dead in the field we left three days ago, that the enemy will know that there are survivors. Yet I doubt that they would ever consider that we would actually walk right up to their gates and request to come in. It will be the one place that we are not looked for.

But now there is a problem. There are only two dwarves and three elves. One of the dwarves is a healer. I think that may look too suspicious. Therefore, I need to ask one of the elves to stay behind and not go with the others. I am wondering if one of the mages can use his magic to appear human for a time. That would create two groups of four. The four of us "humans" would go do our task of searching out any human enemy spies and the two elves and two dwarves would penetrate the fortress of Morgoth. Their task would be to spy on the enemy and maybe map out the coordinates of captives as well as what information could be used for the attack on them.

I shall lead my group and Kirun could lead the others, since the dwarves have to maintain the appearance of the ones in control of thier supposed captives.

How does this sound with everyone?</font>

<font color=green>"What if the humans took one of the elven mages as a "captive"? What does everyone think about that?"</font>-added Feldorn.

<font color=silver>"I volunteer to be that captive. I like the idea."</font>

OOC: Finally back. Thanks to dplax now I know what is going on.

Bober didn`t too much liked the idea of getting into Morgoth`s stronghold since he knew that lives are at stake. But as a Dwarf he naturally hidden his fear and pretended that everything is alright. <font color=white>"Let`s go!"</font> he said.

[ 03-25-2004, 04:24 PM: Message edited by: Xen ]

Roland too fit a bit uncomfortable since this is the first time in his life he's doing something incredibly dangerous. <font color=green> "I won't back out on my allies." </font> he whispered to himself.

[ 03-27-2004, 12:36 AM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

<font color=skyblue>"I suppose that will work as well.

The captive idea could work, but I think it might be more dangerous for that particular elf.

However, if we aleady have a volunteer, then that settles it. If you so choose to do so of your own free will.

Now...here is another thing to think on. There is no way to know how long our tasks would take...but if we decide to come back here to regroup when we are finished...we assure ourselves to wait the period of a time and "if" that time passes, the group that is here goes looking for the group that is lost. Is this well with everyone? </font>

[ 03-27-2004, 12:43 AM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

<font color=green>Feldorn

"I agree with that, I think that the group who gets back here should wait at least a few days before going to help the other one."</font>

<font color=yellow>Robyn nodded her silent assent, folding her arms and shifting her feet somewhat impatiently. Her eyelids flickered for just a moment as her glance fell on Turin.</font>

<font color="FF3300">Kirûn</font> nodded as Turin and Feldorn spoke. <font color="FF3300">"Aye, patience and caution is key. I will not lightly lead allies to their deaths. Me feet already feel leaden at the thought of walking into the jaws of death, but with a wee bit o'thought and careful preparations, I think this plan is manageable. Is there a way signs of progress could be left behind so as not to be detectable by the Enemy, but trackable by keen elven eyes? A patch of stripped bark, arranged stones, dropped gear as from our prisoners? Meanwhile, I shall prepare myself for this ordeal."</font>

[ 03-27-2004, 06:31 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

[img]graemlins/offtopic.gif[/img] /OOC: Close your HTML tags Cienden.

The group said their goodbyes to each other and then they split, the three humans and Therlion heading northeast and the two elves with the two dwarves north. Both groups had about 4 days journey ahead of them.

OOC: I shall refer to the two elves and the two dwarves as Kirûn's group and the humans and Therlion as Turin's group after their designated leaders.

For Kirûn's group:

After binding their captives hands on the third day of their journey, so that after a surprise encounter they could sell their story, they continued on. The forest was becoming sparser and sparse as they got nearer and nearer to the stronghold. Areas started appearing in the forest where the trees had been chopped down and just lay there untouched since months and maybe even years. The corrupting influence of the stronghold could already be felt in their hearts.

They had just started out again after a brief stop to eat when suddenly inches from Kirûn's face an arrow struck a tree. <font color=blue> "Halt!"</font>-a thickly accented elven voice shouted in the common tongue from among the trees. The elf appeared presently from among the trees an arrow on his bow. <font color=blue>"Traitors to the free people of Middle Earth"</font>-he snarled. <font color=blue>"I demand you release your elven captives at once dwarves! If you don't, me and my companions shall have to kill you." </font> He made his bow bear exactly on Kirûn while his two companions who had just appeared leveled their bows on Bober.

For Turin's group:

The journey so far had been eventless. From the maps given to Turin by Feldorn they could see that they only had a few hours journey left. They were now moving in a grassland where the only vegetation was the grass and here and there some bushes. So they spotted the group on horseback from a long way away. They were bearing down on them fast though. Having nowhere to hide they had nothing to do but wait. The riders, about two dozen of them stopped 50 meters away from the group and three riders came up to the group. <font color=orchid>"Whats brings you into our lands humans? Are you friend or foe? More importantly do you serve lord Morgoth? And how the hell did you capture that elf?" </font> His words might not have been unfriendly, but certain aspects of his attitude showed that to answer wrongly could bring death.

<font color=skyblue>Turín looked angrily at the one who spoke to him, and then to Robyn, who was behind him, then again at the speaker.

"Sir, your words are an offence to the lady that is present with us, and I request that you make an apology on her account...then you may address us.
And as for this elf...is it the tale of his capture you wish to hear, or is there another reason why you baffle at his presence among us?</font>

[ 03-30-2004, 11:33 AM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

<font color=orchid>"Excuse me for my harsh words, but we can never be sure of travelers in these lands. Let me introduce myself. I am Kalan Easthome son of Lord Easthome who rules these lands all around you. And you happen to be trespassing, so please identify yourselves. As to why I was surprised at seeing the elf? Well you do not see that many elves outside of their pathetic forests don't you?" </font>

<font color=white>Y`all will taste my Axe! This is a time of a conflict. Let us know who and why are you here. Becuase if you are servents of Evil prepare yourslef to die!</font>

[ 03-30-2004, 02:23 PM: Message edited by: Xen ]

<font color="FF3300">Kirûn looked across at the threatening elves thoughtfully, as he folded his arms across his chest.</font>

<font color="FF3300">"Well...I'd like to oblige ye...but, we got a bit o'problem. Why don't ye just ask yer kin here standing behind me? I'll not stop ye."</font>

A rapid conversation followed in elvish between the unknown elf and Terias and Feldorn. After a few minutes talk the elf addressed Kirûn. <font color=blue>"We shall not stop you from continuing your mission. We shall give out the word that you not be hindered while crossing our lands. As to your dwarven companion, whatever he may be called I suggest he be more careful with what he says, since I have kinsfolk who are much quicker to anger than I am. May the luck of the valar be with you!"</font> He turned around and in a matter of seconds disappeared along with his companions.

[ 03-30-2004, 03:32 PM: Message edited by: dplax ]

OOC>>>Does anyone else want to speak that is in my party? I wanted to give you a chance if so.

<font color=skyblue>"Well met, sir. My name is Turin Turambar, from the country of Balar. The two humans that travel with me are Robyn and Roland, siblings of my father's second marriage. We were travelling in haste away from Balar, as it is supposed that the land will again be attacked by Orcs someday, so we are refugees looking for new residence in safer lands.

This elf attacked us along the way, and we captured him, in hopes to gain a ransome for his freedom. We are without money to buy food, and it was an act of desperation. We plan on treating him fairly until we can be established financially.

Is there anything else you would like to inquire about, good sir, or may we now have passage through your safe lands?"</font>

[ 03-31-2004, 01:25 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

<font color=orchid>"Yes there is. When traveling in these parts there is one very important question. I wish to know whether you serve Morgoth."</font>

[ 03-31-2004, 02:04 PM: Message edited by: dplax ]

<font color=skyblue>"I serve my self and my family and am only devoted to their well-being. If that is not the answer you wish to hear, then we will leave your land in peace and trouble you no more. "


Turin wondered what his associates were thinking about this conversation. </font>

<font color=orchid> Kalan Easthome

"That response may be enough for me, but if you continue on in these lands you shall have to answer more fully to others."

He dismounted from his horse suddenly. "Come Turin I wish to tell you something in private" He drew Turin to one side, away from his own men, but within earshot of the rest of Turin's group. "I can see from your words, that you do not tell the truth. I have to tell you that my father serves Morgoth although I myself wish no part of this evil. Therefore I do not care whether you do not serve the dark lord. However should you journey more in my father's lands you might meet other men of his who are more fanatical to him. My counsel to you is to tell others you meet that you serve Morgoth. I wish we could speak longer as I see some good in you, however there are some among my men, who spy on me and my actions are always reported to my father. I hope we shall meet again Turin." He walked back to his group, mounted his group and with a nod to Turin's party gallopped away in the direction they had come from. </font>

[ 03-31-2004, 03:10 PM: Message edited by: dplax ]

Eased that the horsemen left them, Therlion sighed. He thought of talking to the man, but being an elf that would have some problems if the man was a servant of Morgoth.

OOC >> Sorry guys, my pc is messed up and i sent it to the repair shop yesterday (and i finally got online from another pc :/). I probably wont be in IW for the next week or so I am sorry for any problems i might be causing.
Thanks for understanding [img]smile.gif[/img]

OOC: Okay then since the "problems" on the way have been solved the groups are nearing their targets. @The Fallen One: your character has not been needed so far if anything important should happen to him, I am sure we can wait.

[ 04-01-2004, 05:53 AM: Message edited by: dplax ]

For Turin's group:

As the riders disappeared in the distance you set out again on the path beaten down by their horses hooves. Presently the track turned south but you continued on in the north-northeasterly direction you had been taking. Two hours journey later Therlion whos elven eyes where better than any humans spotted the human encampment you were heading for. Not long afterwards even the others could see it. You had just reached a hilltop and the encampment stretched down below you. Several tents, wooden huts and one stone house were surrounded by a palisade wall, with four wooden watchtowers around it, two next to the gate which was on the opposite side of the encampment from the group and two on the side where the group was looking from. The encampment had a bustling activity about it. Small figures were moving all around between the different buildings, doing everyday activities.

For Kirûn's group:

After Feldorn briefly explained that the elves had had nothing specific wrong with dwarves, they only did not like their own kindred being captured they set out again. They traveled long into the night and the next day a few hours after setting out they cleared the forest and entered a barren, rocky land where some sort of stink could constantly be felt, although its source could not be identified. Just before nightfall as they climbed through a low pass between two hills they spotted the massive structure which was one of Morgoth's stronholds. It was huge, a tower of about a kilometer in diameter and about 400 meters with one of its sides merging with the rockface behind it. It was now only 2-3 kilometers away from them as Feldorn's elven eyes judged. All around it fires could be seen suggesting a great deal of activity.

<font color=yellow>Robyn strained her worried eyes, trying to catch a better view of the bustle of activity taking place in the encampment. All seemed to be calm, at least for now. Who knew what the next few moments or hours would bring?</font>