^{Old Warrior's Message Board}
(page background image by Cutlass)

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Roual wrote:

Quick question for OW, if someone dies, can the others recover their equipment? So if I die, can one of the little guys pick up my sword? (not that they'd be able to lift it)

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spinningdice wrote:

Provisions/Bandages sound like a good idea? But I'm not quite sure how much we should be hoarding our money?

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The future always in motion it is...

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Aecrylis wrote:

1 Leather Helmet (30)...
2 Bandages (100)

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Turkish, Thorin Oakenshield was the head dwarf in a party of thirteen who were to head off to the Lonely Mountain to recover their long-lost treasure hidden there. Perhaps I should say it was not so much hidden as guarded by the dragon, Smaug.

Anyway, the dwarfs were afraid that their number of thirteen would be quite unlucky, so I agreed to get them a fourteenth member for their party. One whom I also hoped would prove to be a useful thief who could "steal" back their treasure for them.

Bilbo Baggins was the one I recommended, knowing that his Tookish blood would likely persuade him to go off on the adventure. By joining this party of dwarves, I thought both the dwarves and the hobbit would mutually benefit from the proceedings, the Dwarves by regaining their treasure and Bilbo by getting his fourteenth share of the treasure.

But, alas! What has become of the party is beyond my knowledge, for I had become quite preoccupied with other... more pressing matters.

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There are various evil things going on about the whole land. Ancient evils, which have been stirring for some time now, have begun to come out into the open. Why, even as I speak, there are some evil forces moving about the Shire itself. Even Hobbiton may not be exempted before long.

I hesitate to say this, but I think that you will soon enough see some of these things firsthand. The dark lord, Sauron by name, has again established his reign in the Dark Tower of Mordor. He has sent out spies, search parties, Ringwraiths upon black horses, and other creatures to find The One Ring. Whatever the cost, I must make sure that he does NOT acquire that ring. For if he does, it will be the end of peace and comfort for all the free peoples.

The rumors I have heard that have been spreading throughout the land are that a hobbit, or a halfling as some call them, has stumbled upon The One Ring. Normally I do not quickly believe rumors. Therefore, I have been conducting my own investigations. I have come to the conclusion that Bilbo, or someone of his size, found the ring and actually used it to disappear. There is a serious problem with putting it on and using it: it draws the attention of Sauron himself and some of his more sinister servants.

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Does anyone have any questions? I must soon leave and this might be your only chance to question me. I am not sure whether we shall ever meet again, though I suspect we shall.

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Turkish, my dear hobbit, the things we must face scare even me, but we all have our part to do. Some must stay to defend the Shire, while others like yourselves must go off on another mission. Without your help to find Bilbo, I am afraid that nothing, and no one, could properly protect the Shire for very long. If everyone stayed home, the war would certainly overwhelm us all.

Besides, I believe that even hobbits can find much more courage than they think they have when the occasion calls for it. Remember that courage is not the absence of fear, but rather it is the doing of our duty inspite of the fear that we feel.

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Well, Ryhart, my friend, I have given your question much thought on my way to the Shire for this meeting. And, no matter which way I try to figure it out, it would seem best that you follow the original trail that Bilbo and the thriteen dwarves were to take. They were to take the road from Bywater to Bree and to continue on from there due East until they passed through Mirkwood to the River Running. From there they intended to follow the river North to the Lonely Mountain.

But, as I at least partially alluded to before, I am not too sure how far along they had gotten themselves before their plans might have changed. I recommend that you seek out those along the way that might be able to tell you more of the party's passing through and which way they may have taken.

I know an innkeeper in Bree who hears a lot of things, Butterburr I think his name is -- my memory fails me a little these days, since I have been long absent from many of my friends and acquaintences. Perhaps he could help you. But, before that, you might check with the hobbits in Bywater.

Other than that I have no more information as to which way to go. Doubtless you would be wise to learn all you can along the way and make more informed decisions at each fork in the road.

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