Middle-Earth Role Playing Campaign

"Perhaps that wind we have been fighting with ever since we left the slate mine had something to do with the storm we saw yesterday," said Bradlegar.

"I think it was," Bauglir said in reply. "And by the looks of those clouds to the north, we are getting more of it by tomorrow. Whatever reprieve we have been granted will end within a couple of days."

"Then we should be looking for a place that provides shelter," said Mîriel.

"Yes, a place where we can light a fire this time," her sister added. "A cave would be great."

"We are heading into an area where we are likely to find caves," said Bauglir. "But before we camp out in one we should make sure it is not already occupied. You want to be thorough before entering a cave in Angmar."

Thee broke camp and started again. The ground was rough and broken, making travel difficult. Around them they could see ravines and fissures in the ground. Luinár led the way, poking the snow in front of them with her spear. Five hundred yards from the camp she found what appeared to be a trail and started following. But she had led them only a short distance when Bauglir suddenly cried out.

"Luinár, where are you going? You're about to fall down a chasm!"

Luinár prodded the ground in front of her but could feel nothing.

"What makes you say that, Bauglir?" Mîriel asked. "You needed something to say, or you have a reason?"

"I have a reason. What we are following is not a trail but a crack in the ground, and about ten feet from Luinár's spear-tip it drops down rather abruptly."

"I see nothing," said Luinár. "It appears to be a trail to me."

"If this be trail, no one uses it in many sleeps," Rhôn said.

"Show me this chasm," said Luinár.

"Walk ten feet ahead," Bauglir replied.

"If you have a better handle on the ground here than other people," said Mîriel, "then you should move to the front."

Bauglir dismounted from his horse and searched through the snow at his feet. Finding a rock, he picked it up and walked to where Luinár was seated on her horse. He tossed the rock gently in front of him. The area of snow it landed on collapsed completely and vanished from sight, leaving behind a gaping hole seven feet across.

"Thank you," said Luinár. "You are more than just a pretty face."

"Thank you," came the reply. "I shall now resume my spot at the back of the line." And he returned to his horse.

They started out again, careful not to follow grooves in the rock. The temperature continued to rise and within couple of hours the snow had all but vanished. In addition to making travel easier, it greatly reduced their chances of another misadventure with a covered gap.

Travel was uneventful, a small mercy in this dangerous land. Only once did they see any sign of others in the area: less than three miles from their camping spot, they came across the trail of the caravan they saw the night before. Rhôn and Dennenor followed it carefully for a hundred yards but could not determine if it had been made by men or Orcs.

By nightfall they had located a suitable place to pitch camp. They posted the same watches as the night before: first Dennenor and Mîriel, then the two Elves, then Araquenval and Bradlegar. Like the day that had preceded it, the watches passed quietly and nothing disturbed the travellers in their rest.

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Guided Tour

Day 7: The Cave on the Nan Angmar

Day 5: Storms and Visions

MERP Campaign #2: Index

MERP Campaign #3: Paul's MERP Campaign

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Brian Lowe / Winnipeg PC User Group / blowe@wpcusrgrp.org
Based on events played to May 09, 1997. Accesses since September 30, 1998: