In the Old-town of Bree, across from the famed well, the Dwarf-house is a big stone house, with a wide wooden portal permitting passage into the large cobblestone courtyard behind the house.
Stables for many pack animals open onto the walled courtyard, as does a long warehouse, and some extra buildings than can be used - as they are now! - to lodge merchants, or else to store equipment and such.

Tonight, on the first night of the Fair, the Dwarven family that runs the house - a sort of caravanserai for Dwarves coming or going between the East and the West - are treating all to a fine dinner. To celebrate good trading, and thank the merchants for their patronage.

You arrive and join the long tables that have been set out in the courtyard, to accomodate the numerous guests, from Dwarven heads of families, to simpler guards or mule-drivers.

Vidar walks in, his powerful firm erect, and proud.  In his gloved hand he carries a golden torch.

As Vidar enters the courtyard of the Dwarven-house, people nod and admire him.

Avery old-looking Dwarf, seated on the steps. with a white beard and a scarlet hood smiles and claps his hands:
"Well done, Flar would be proud of his son!"
He continues muttering to himself, but too low to be understood...
Glancing over, Vidar realizes he had not seen this Dwarf here before, but the face is familiar--
--depending on how much Vidar knows of Erebor...
This is Balin son of Fundin, of Royal blood, who fought at Moria, was with Thorin Oakenshield at the death of the Dragon, and now serves Dáin Ironfoot, the King Under the Mountain, as one of his most trusted officers.

This message was lightly edited by the player at 14:38, Fri 24 Dec 2021.

"I am honored that you say so Lord Balin.". He responds, his deep voice sincere.  "It will be given to him, a minor trophy perhaps, but I beat an Elf in claiming it.". He chuckled at that, not being a fan of Elves, old grudges holding fast to new wrongs.  "What brings you here?  If I may ask."

Balin bows before Vidar's praise, then chuckles too:
"Aye, yes, some feel the Elves are not always the kindest to our kin... ah, well, though I think we should have pleasure in this nice dinner that has been prepared for us. And in celebrating Spring! With renewed hope..."
He glances around, and leans closer to Vidar:
"I was hoping to find you and some others here. Some who might help me. In a matter concerning Dwarves... Disappeared Dwarves."
This message was last updated by the player at 16:11, Fri 24 Dec 2021.

"Vidar, son of Flar holds by his Oaths, and is ready to help Dain, King Under the Mountain and his Officers at home or abroad.". Vidar replies in a whisper firm with resolve.  "I can not speak for others, but I know Homnir and Aski are here.  Though I have not seen them since the Torch Run started.  There may be other Dwarves willing to help as well.  If your need is great, and too few remember their alliegence, you might ask Kelda.  She was one of our guides from Dale, and will remember the Reach of Erebor.

Balin smiles:
"Aye, hold by your Oaths, hold by them."
Then he turns somber and looks away:
"For what I wished to come to near these lands for had to do with Oaths-a-broken... and how what is broken maybe cannot be unbroken nor fixed."
He looks back at Vidar:
"But, right now, I came for other disappeared Dwarves. Recent merchants who are gone. And, yes, those you speak of seem like People who might help rescue others."

Homnir enters, having taken the time to clean up, taking extra care with his beard, since the hobbit's pie eating habits had the unexcepted side effect of scattering crumbs all over, and many of them had gotten into his fine beard, and it took a while to get them all out.

As he enters, he nods at the hosts "Sorry for the delay, but I had to make myself presentable. I do thank you for the honor of such a meal."

"Ah, well spoken, Homnir, of whom others" - Balin looks at Vidar - "speak so highly!"
Balin smiles at Homnir, and, briefly passing his hand over Homnir's signet ring, he bows:
"It is an honor to partake in a meal with you!"
Homnir most probably recognizes Balin son of Fundin, of Royal blood, who fought at Moria, was with Thorin Oakenshield at the death of the Dragon, and now serves Dáin Ironfoot, the King Under the Mountain, as one of his most trusted officers.
"Before looking for anything, even missing Dwarves, looking for one's seat is important, is it not?"

"Well spoken, Balin, son of Fundin! One must always find a safe place, like one's seat, before one wanders off!" Homnir says as he raises his flagon filled with ale, and takes a big swill before continuing "What missing dwarves are we talking about?"

Balin shakes his head:
"Long lost Dwarves... that what I was first traveling to seek information about.
I had wandered here in order to explore some, wishing to locate an ancient tower somewhere in the foothills to the South.
Maybe remains of a powerful castle from the time of the Kings.
For I have heard wanderers speak of an eerie blue light that sometimes can be seen even from the Greenway.
Like a star shining above the mists.
No one goes there.
But, recently people have been rumored to have disappeared on the Greenway, between Bree and Tharbad.
A pair of Dwarven merchants are said to be among those.
I feel they should not be left without someone looking into this."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 12:44, Sat 25 Dec 2021.

Homnir nods "I agree, and in fact, I have gotten from one of the merchants in town a dwarven coin which corroborates it. I have it right here." and he produces the coin he has purchased, giving it to Balin, should he wish to examine it. "I have an approximate location of where it was found, and the merchant and his boy thought it was of Elven make."

Balin bends over and leans in to Homnir's hand, to examine the coin-- without taking it:
"That was Thráin's call for war..."
Balin looks at Homnir:
"Upon losing his father, Thráin mourned, speechless. Then, he shouted: "This cannot be borne!"
He sent forth scouts to all Dwarves. Spreading news of the tragedy that transpired. And giving such tokens to call all Longbeards, us kin of Durin, to join in gathering the armies.
He also called forth other Dwarf clans. As the degradation of the most ancient house of the Dwarves should greatly enrage them too.
For three years, from TA 2790 to TA 2793, most all came. Returning their tokens, pledging their warriors.
But not all Houses of the Dwarves joined.
If this token is here, then it means there is a House that did not answer. That did not bring the token back. Nor take part in the War of the Dwarves and Orcs, to avenge Thrór's capture and death at the hands of Azog the Orc-chieftain of Moria."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:41, Mon 27 Dec 2021.

Homnir's breath is held as Balin tells the story. "It could well be that whomever killed the token's bearer stopped that House from even knowing their aid was needed. And if we explore that location, we might find evidence as to who did it."

Balin listens... and then nods, mumbling to himself: "True. Could there be a Dwarven House that... never knew.
Maybe still do not know? Is that possible...
Or are ashamed still...?
Possible, possible..."
Before looking up:
"Vidar, Homnir... brothers. Would you have time to help an Old Dwarf? I thought the two of you would be well suited to seek out information about such matters as these missing merchants of our kind.
What with one seeming a good leader, and the other a foe of Orcs and champion of our People."
Glancing around, he nods to Kelda:
"And taking one who is not a Dwarf along, one who is so young, yet who knows more than we do of various People and Folk and their customs... taking such one as Kelda, daughter of Kolbeinn, would be a good idea, or so I think.
We shall ask her if you think this worth doing?
One the dinner is over!"
He smiles as he eyes the plates of meat being brought out.

Vidar listens as Balin and Homnir talk, considering their words carefully.  "Perhaps the two are connected.  Perhaps they are not.  Either way, I think they both bear investigating."  Vidar states, his deep voice low but clearly audible to Balin and Homnir.  "Appoint a time for departure, and I will be ready.". He says, just as the meat arrives, and a servant refills his tankard.  "If I should not return Balin, please see that they package in my room is delivered to its' address in Dale, and that my father, Flar, recieves the torch and such other possessions of mine as may make it back."

Balin listens to Vidar, and nods:
"Aye, wise words, Vidar. Connected or not they may be, and finding out could be interesting. Yet, the most pressing would be finding out if anything bad happened to the two Dwarven merchants."
He looks around, and lowers his voice:
"It was such a joy to regain Erebor, and see the Free Peoples unite. Even though we lost Thorin...
Such a joy to see trade and exchange rise, the Forest-road being rebuilt, our Folk traveling more...
But, somehow, it seems the Darkness was only pushed back, and is now returning."
As a servant refills Vidar''s tankard, Balin grabs his plate, ready for the meal:
"For now, lets us eat and rejoice!"
Just before slipping a nice piece of roasted lamb into his mouth, he nods to Vidar:
"I am sure you will return, but, if not, not one of your possessions shall be lost to your father Flar, but for this package which I would deliver to Dale myself."

The time for departure will be after our IRL New Year, when Kelda returns to us.

His mouth full of the lamb, Balin has one last dark look, his eyes nearly glowing black:
"Oh, and if you cross paths with Orcs... no need to leave even one alive."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:18, Tue 28 Dec 2021.

Homnir smacks the table with his hand "We will find out what befell the merchants, and return with news. And I have great hopes that the Darkness can be pushed back even further." And he takes a bit out of the juicy piece of roast lamb served to him.

"If we cross paths with any Orcs, we will make sure they never see the light of day ever again."

Nodding to Homnir, Balin snaps a lamb rib-bone in two, as though finishing off an orc.

"I don't leave orcs alive.". Vidar states, as he carves into the mutton.  "Thank you.". He says to Balin, in response to his assurances that his will would be carried out, in the event of his death.  "It is the nature of darkness to lurk at the edges of the light.  As the light dims, fades, and goes out, the darkness returns.  For darkness is nothing but the absence of light.  Harder it is to see it when it appears between bright lights, for even light casts shadows."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:57, Thu 30 Dec 2021.

Balin looks at Vidar:
"Oh, a scholar too, Master Vidar?! A champion... of deep thoughts. Yes, yes, I imagine that thus is our task: bring light to push the Darkness away."

The grand dinner held outside in the cobbled courtyard of the Dwarf-house is a fine affair.
The fresh, roast, spring-lamb is good, and Luki, the Dwarf head of the family that runs the Dwarf-house, moves around, from table to table, to make sure all are having a good time.

As you eat and drink and make merry, with flutes and drums and fine voices keeping people awake with songs till late at night, Homnir and Vidar are still intent on finding out about this mission they have been entrusted with.

Asking some questions, listening to tales, they do gather that the tower with the lights they might be seeking is most probably what is left of a mighty fortress built at the time of the North Kingdom of Arnor.
One of their Southern outposts.
There is a rumor that it was built atop a Dwarven subterranean ruin.
It is said to have been besieged at the time of the war with Angmar, and fell after a long resistance.
Some whisper-- that treasonous Dwarves betrayed the Dúnedain, allowing the forces of the Witch-king to enter the castle by secret ways.
Dwarves betraying their oaths?
Like Petty-Dwarves...

But you do not let such dark thoughts mar the fine party--

--especially when, Luki, the grey-bearded steward of the Dwarf-house, starts singing bawdy songs that ring loud, and make all laugh, filling your hearts with cheer.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:12, Sun 02 Jan 2022.

Balin slips a piece of advice, before he slips away to retire for the night:
"When you leave, tomorrow morning, you will see a well... The Well, the Well of Bree, just outside the Dwarf-house.
'Tis a source of pride to all the Bree-folk, and it is said to grant luck to any traveller who takes a drink from it before heading off on a journey down the East Road.
I am sure it will work too for the South, down the Greenway."
He smiles, and winks at you.
"Anyhow, given that it’s the source for the water used to brew Barnabas’s Best, perhaps it’s true that there’s always a taste of Bree on the lips of those travellers who partake of this tradition!"

As dawn breaks, Vidar and Homnir are awoken by the sound of people cleaning up the remnants of last night's party.
Tables and stools are carried away, empty barrels rolled back to the Pony.

It is the day to start out on Balin's mission.

Homnir is in good spirits. He wakes up, braids his beard, and puts on his armor. It is good to be on the road, and find out the fate of the two merchants, and possibly, discover more about the history of his people.
His armor on, he grabs his weapons and heads out to meet with his companions.

Homnir's companions are simply Vidar.
The two of you are the ones setting out.
But you have ponies, prepared by Luki, the Dwarf-house master.

If you did not note those one your sheet, you can add them (tell me if you need some info' ; they can carry Treasure, and they help lessen the impact of Travel Fatigue).

In good spirits, Homnir is in the courtyard, waiting on Vidar, ready to set out in this early morning.

Vidar steps into the courtyard at the appointed time, dressed in battle attire.  "Morning Homnir.". He rumbles, as he goes to retrieve his mule.

"Morning Vidar, a great day to start our journey. Shall we be on our way?" Homnir leads his mule, eager to find out more about the ruined tower, and hopeful to find the two merchants.

You both set out from the Dwarf-house, heading towards the South of Bree.

Two Dwarves and a pair of mules.

Any stop on the way out of town?

Vidar and Homnir lead their mules, two move through Bree, from the Old-town to the center, where they will turn south, and go down past the Greenway in order to exit the Mannish town, leaving it through the South gate.

On you go? Straight out the gate-- or any stops before departing?

"Indeed.". Vidar responded, as he and Homnir walked towards the gate.  He filled such waterskin as he had at the well, then continued on out the gate with Homnir.

"Wasn't there something with the well? I must have been drinking a bit much last night." Homnir says as they start heading out.

Luki, the grey-bearded steward, bids you safe travels as you leave the Dwarf-house.
And, you do indeed pass-- the Well.
You do remember, despite what was drunk the night before, that it was said that any traveller taking a drink from the well before heading off on a journey was granted luck.
As you wonder if it is lucky to do so, you do also feel that the fresh water will wash away some of last night's partying.

Seeing you wondering what to do, some young Bree-folk who are gathered around the Old Town Well, call out to you:
"Give us a pair o' coins, Master Dwarf! I'll buys myself a pie in your honor with one, and toss the other in the well for you, for good luck!"

Homnir tosses a coin to the well, but seeing the crestfallen faces of the youths, he fishes out one more coin, and holds it up "Go get yourself something to eat."

The young Bree-landers call out, thanking "fine Master Dwarf!", as they whoop and rush off to purchase pies.

Homnirs' coin disappears into the well, with a faint splash...

@Homnir: please note that you gain (+1d) on your first roll for Event Resolution made during this journey you are undertaking.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:55, Mon 10 Jan 2022.

You meant +1d? or is +11d(!!!) really the case?

In reply to Homnir (msg # 37):
You meant +1d?
Yes.

or is +11d(!!!) really the case?
No.
The +11d for not being tired is when you smoke some Goblin crack-- but then you are wiped out when you finally crash!

Homnir and Vidar leave the well, and move West through the city of Bree, turning South when you reach the inn of the Prancing Pony.
You can check the Game Map for Group P.

You move South, down the street alongside the Green, where the Fair is still going strong.
And you exit Bree at the South-gate.

There, the gate-keeper pays you very little attention, as he is focused on all the Bree-folk moving back into town, coming from outside.
You hear these folk talking--
"A Troll. I did not see any Troll in the cemetery!
- It must have been eating fresh corpses.
- Makes me happy I did not just die. Wouldn't want to be eaten up!
- If you were dead, you wouldn't care!
- Not a Troll... Orcs! Orcs are in the cemetery, right now!"
--talking of a Troll, or Orcs, digging up the dead in the cemetery.

Exiting Bree, you see torch-lights flickering off to your left, at the end of the trail that leads to the cemetery.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:07, Mon 10 Jan 2022.

"Should we swing by there?". Vidar rumbles to Homnir.  "Might be worth a small detour to avoid a nasty surprise later."

"You mean bashing orc skulls now instead of waiting? I'm game." Homnir smiles at Vidar

Moving you over to the Orc bashing room--
--to the other thread.

I will merge the two Companies for a bit.
Doing the next part of Old Bones & Skin, and then getting the whole group back to the Mist to run that totally-- before going back to finish Old Bones & Skin.