IC Story Thread: Ch.1,Ad.1 - A Sensitive Matter

Andireg shakes his head, no, to Duinhir, "The father was there with them at the time of the abduction and no demand was made. And there's been no other communications that we're aware of. That said, please leave any communications with the Lady Diplomat to us. We are drafting and sending official communication."

Looking to Eothain, "We could move your horse to a military stable, where it will be cared for as one of our own, if that is acceptable?

However, if you plan to travel by ship, you are unlikely to find standard passage available until several days, or perhaps even a week or more from now. The passenger ships are generally fully reserved well in advance.

It is not the most direct path, however the Harad Road is a good road, and the trip by foot takes maybe two weeks at a leisurely pace. By sea, on a passenger vessel with it's additional port stops, is still 7 days. So there may be little or nothing to gain by seeking ship passage.

However, I leave that choice to you."

OOC:

@rpgventurer, I'm going to bring our conversation out "into the open" as there's no real reason to "hide" the workings of the game with regards to character abilities from the group. Nor really even any information you may know from your Culture/Class/Background abilities.

Group FYI: Eothain has an ability that can give him information about a new Region without having been there. I had just inquired as to what his character might be most interested in...

So, where you guys are going, everyone is Southron/Haradrim. There is no distinguishing custom/mannerism/or saying that will help pinpoint the captors that your Background ability will give you. However, Eothain can know a few customs/mannerisms/or sayings of the Harad, or even from Umbar specifically that could help just fit in.

Jul 31, 2023 9:22 pm

He takes courage and asks the officer, "forgive me, Commander Andireg. When you say the father of the children was present at the abduction... surely he must have tried to defend them? Was he assaulted, or worse? He must have had some kind of confrontation with those blackguards..."

"Shame there are no ships ready to sail... it sounds like following on foot is the only way, then, if we are to start as soon as possible."

Cirion begins to form in his mind a sort of goodbye letter to leave to his father, trying to word the difficult reasons why he is refusing to carry on the well-established family ropemaking trade in favor of an uncertain chase, no doubt dangerous. He scraps each attempt several times, his thoughts like ink lines trying to leave marks on a paper that keeps ripping.

Éothain

rpgventurer

Aug 1, 2023 3:56 am

Éothain cannot hide his smile. "I'm sure it would surprise no one here to know I prefer overland travel to a sea voyage any day. if we decide to take Harad Road, Skunktail will be pleased to join us on our journey as well."

The warrior leans back, then straightens up suddenly. "Say, does anyone speak Southron? I hope so, because I don't. As you can tell, I speak Westron and, of course, Rohan. My Sindarin is fair. Those three have done me well enough in the past."

Last edited August 1, 2023 4:10 am

emsquared

Aug 1, 2023 3:07 pm

Andireg nods at Cirion's words, "We really don't know much of the details of the attack or conflict, our rider was dispatched so quickly there was no time for him to gather a full report, particularly of the initial abduction attempt which he was not present for.

We know the father is alive - whatever happened, and an elder child - a brave daughter of Gondor - escaped, proving too much to be bodily hauled off if the captor were to still escape, and that's about it.

We expect to have a full report in the morning by carrier pigeon, but our rider is all we have at this point.

We know the abduction was well coordinated from the enemy's end.

They had men to bodily haul the children - escaping with the two younger - they had a group to run interference upon any guard intervention - employing nets to hinder chase, and even one man with an old iron implement well used by the Corsairs in the past to stop the outer gate from closing from above.

Our rider was dispatched before he could even know the resolution of the final fight upon the docks, but at least two of their number were downed, and three lept into the river as their ship sailed away.

And we do have military ships that could sail, but again, any such ship sailing into the waters of the Harad would be a reciprocation of this aggression and a possible provocation to greater conflict, not to mention, it would ruin any chance that you all will now have at surprise..."

He draws a slow breath, and takes what looks like his first drink from the ale that has sat before him all this time, "It sounds as though you are all in, I can't express the gratitude that Gondor has for you in this time.

One final thing. There is a contact in Umbar that you should seek out upon your arrival. A dwarf of the Lonely Mountain... his name is Onar and he is a scholar and a smith. He is a true friend of the Free Peoples and, although he will have no knowledge of this attack, he will be able to help you as a relative-local with knowledge of the city.

You can find him here...", he slides a folded paper into the table with an address.

"Unless there is anything else, I suggest you all get your rest, and I will meet you all at the south gate in the morning with the map, and the funds from the war-chest?"

Aug 1, 2023 3:37 pm

Thank you sir. We will bring honor to Gondor

Seònaid

Drakis2

Aug 1, 2023 4:36 pm

Seònaid picks up the paper and, sfter reading it, passes it along to the others.

"As a Gondorian I will honour my allegiance and not fail in my efforts to bring our children home to their hearth. Fear not Andireg, we will find them." Seònaid finishes her ale and stands up. "I will talk to some people along the Pelargir docks to see if anyone noted anything about them, before it passed on Minas Tirith. Anyone wish to join me?"

Aug 1, 2023 4:46 pm

Bob and I will

Last edited August 1, 2023 4:46 pm

emsquared

Aug 1, 2023 4:50 pm

OOC:

I meant to bring this up at several points and seem to keep forgetting. He has the name of the ship as well: Storm-tide, and he gives that to you.

Aug 1, 2023 6:10 pm

"You have my allegiance too, Commander," he says standing up. "I will be at the South Gate tomorrow morning," he promises.

Seònaid says:

I will talk to some people along the Pelargir docks to see if anyone noted anything about them, before it passed on Minas Tirith. Anyone wish to join me?

"Not me, brave daughter of Gondor. I have a small... personal matter to attend to before leaving. If I can be excused..."
He nods in greeting at the new companions, then rushes outside, his head reeling.

A small personal matter! How the hell are you going to do this, genius? he thinks as he goes looking for a quiet spot to think...

Seònaid

Drakis2

Aug 1, 2023 7:44 pm

"I think the young lad has a sweetheart he needs to say goodbye too! Let us see if his courage can take him thru that! Hahaha!" Seònaid laughs at the departing back of Cirion.

"Your company is welcomed Ragnarr and Bob. Éothain? Duinhir? Are you joining us to learn more of the Storm-tide, or do you also have matters to attend too?"

Aug 1, 2023 7:48 pm

Please excuse me Seònaid, I will catch up shortly I want to check on something. Ragnarr sensing trouble on the young Cirion and follows him. Hail Cirion, what doust trouble thee?

Duinhir

Stefron

Aug 1, 2023 8:35 pm

Duinhir gets up. "Have no fear, Andireg. We'll find the children." he says with confidence and conviction. He believes this himself.
He is happy to be going by the road to Southron. He had never been on anything bigger than a river boat, and so the thought of a voyage in open vast sea feels a bit unsettling.

He looks to Seónaid. "I'll go with you. The more we know the better we fare. Besides, I am a traveller and need no preparation before leaving."

Aug 1, 2023 9:49 pm

Ragnarr says:

Ragnarr sensing trouble on the young Cirion and follows him. Hail Cirion, what doust trouble thee?

"Ah. Ragnarr..." he says surprised to see a celebrated hero showing an interest in him."Nothing to worry about, just... I have to find a way to tell my father that I am leaving. He taught me the ropemaker's craft, and he expects me to follow in his steps and stay in his workshop for the rest of my days..."

He looks out at the river waters, flowing freely, and sighs. "But I always wanted more, to travel, meet people and explore... This is my chance and I have to seize it."

Then turning to Ragnarr, he adds, "I will find a way. Just need some time to think."

Aug 1, 2023 9:54 pm

Any father should be proud to have a son who wishes to test himself in this world. I bet your father just wishes the best for you as his son and will eventually understand. Bob here is a page if you need some assistance writing him.

Aug 1, 2023 10:39 pm

"You and... Bob have my thanks. But these are words I have to find myself..." he says with a sorrowful smile, before turning into the dockside crowd.

There is one place Cirion knows in Pelargir where a man can be alone with his thoughts. It is the crow's nest of a docked ship, forever in repair.
He climbs with practiced moves, and once up top produces some crumpled paper from his worn out satchel, some writing styluses, and starts the hard thinking.

Aug 2, 2023 12:23 am

Good on you son. Doing this on your own. Ragnarr tells him with pride in his voice. Ragnarr and Bob will catch up to the others

Seònaid

Drakis2

Aug 2, 2023 2:50 am

OOC:

@emsquared: Seonaid is interested in scouring the dock workers for anything they may remember of the Storm-tide, such as any cargo, if the crew visited anywhere notable, what they said to anyone. Maybe find if any visited a tavern and if anyone there has news.

She’s also interested in speaking with the custom agents and the harbour agents who schedule the ships for entry and exit on the Anduin.

She’ll start with people she knows thru her families business and go from there. She’l try to be discreet, and generous with bribes.

@stefron: are you fine to try this angle? What do you think we shld try as well? Not surd we’ll learn much more than we already have but worth a try i think.

"Shall we visit the docks then Duinhir, and maybe we can share stories of our travels as we go? I think you have travelled farther afield than I, and it is making me equally envious and so very curious."

Éothain

rpgventurer

Aug 2, 2023 3:13 am

Éothain says to Seònaid, "Thank you for the offer, but I need to go to the academic district and finish some business. While I’m there, I’ll learn what I can about Umbar and the Haradrim."

Aug 2, 2023 3:50 am

Ragnarr will use his knowledge to find the right people to ask.

Rolls

Traditions (advantage) - (2d20H1+1)

(144) + 1 = 15

Aug 2, 2023 1:38 pm