Middle-Earth Role Playing Campaign

Here they left the trail to follow the lip of the ridge, Rhôn keeping a careful eye on the terrain in case they should need to turn back. It was difficult, though, for the land seemed unvarying, with few trees or rocks distinctive enough to use as landmarks. Everywhere he looked all he could see were gentle rolling hills, save for the large flat moor to the southeast.

The ride was easy but monotonous. It took a couple of hours to reach the swamp itself, and here they halted to give the horses a well-deserved rest. Araquenval also rested, tired as he was from the many spells he had cast the night before. While Dennenor stood watch, Rhôn-Hari-Rhôn, Luinár, and Mîriel descended the ridge to search the border of the swamp for herbs. A struggling aloe they left alone, but a bush provided five small red mirenna berries.

More searching turned up nothing, so they returned to camp. Bradlegar had also been busy: he now carried a colourful bouquet of small bright flowers. Once Araquenval awakened, they all mounted their horses and rode on. By now it was late afternoon, but they were anxious to get around the swamp and return to the river.

Two hours later they finally cleared the swamp, and an hour after that rejoined the river. Unwilling to tire their horses further, they stopped at the first suitable camping spot. At Mîriel's suggestion, Bradlegar went out with his bow and arrow, returning half an hour later with three freshly killed rabbits. These they quickly skinned, and Mîriel lit a fire to cook them into a stew. To decrease their chances of contracting a disease in this damp land, she mixed in some of the melandar mosses they had found near they tower they had taken a week after leaving the mine.

While the meal cooked, Bradlegar carefully preened the bouquet he had gathered earlier, discarding flowers damaged during the ride and those that even now had begun to wilt. Then he presented the arrangement to Luinár. She smiled warmly at the gesture, then kissed the Hobbit on the cheek.

Eventually the rabbits finished cooking, and they sat down to a hot meal, one of they very few they had eaten since their days before the mine. As expected, Rhôn did not join them, preferring instead a lembas cake supplemented with some berries he found in the area.

It was dark when they finished eating. Mîriel and Araquenval took the first watch while others turned into their tents to sleep. Dennenor relieved Mîriel for the second watch, and Bradlegar relieved Araquenval for the third. Save for a scare caused by Bradlegar mistaking a wolf for something more dangerous, all the watches were entirely quiet.

Back to top of page
Guided Tour

Day 25: At the Hill of Slaughter

Day 23: The Skuth-Rugrai

MERP Campaign #2: Index

MERP Campaign #3: Paul's MERP Campaign

Brian Lowe's Home Page

Brian Lowe / Winnipeg PC User Group / blowe@wpcusrgrp.org
Based on events played to February 27, 1998. Accesses since September 30, 1998: