(004) The West Hall

[waysoftheearth]

doctorx wrote:
Lmluin ponders the situation, eyeing the Eastern passage thoughtfully...

"Fall back to the top of the stair and tend our wounded," he says; "And perhaps a scouting party to seek for the Trolls' lair..?"

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Very well.

The company falls back across the whole length of the great stone chamber, going as they do between the two mighty rows of thick columns that flank the central road all the way from the eastern end of the hall to the western. Two of Soval's Men carry the body of Grim, while Norin and Sili all but carry Vestri the distance, and it takes them some few minutes to cover the distance.

When the top of the stair has once more been attained, a space is staked out in which the wounded can rest a while under the watchful eyes of those unscathed.

Who will take watch in this great dark place, lit only by Soval's lantern and now Hepti's second torch?

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Sili, Dernfara and Vestri could all benefit from rest and/or healing (although hot water would be required for the latter).

"You good people seek out the lair of the enemy if you so wish," says Dernfara of Westfold stoically. "I will rest here a time and watch over our Dwarven friend's recovery."

The tall Rohirrim Man rummages a while through his back and produces a beaten up old lantern and a flask of oil. As he sets about lighting it he smiles grimly, "Wouldn't want to be left in the dark though..."

---

(Note; A PC is twice as likely (i.e., 4 in 6) to be surprised while resting.)

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
What now good people?

Excluding the stair, there are four known exits from this vast chamber...

Here is a scratch-map:

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
@@@@@######################@@
@@@?==....................#@@@
@@@@@#.oooooooooooooooooo.((up
down((X...................))down
@@@@@#.oooooooooooooooooo.==ahead
@@@@@#....................#@@@
@@@@@######################@@
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

ooo columns
X Company

Of course the vast chamber is almost entirely dark.

[waysoftheearth]

heartless wrote:
Lady ‰ohild and her Mercenary Barald will stand guard while the other heroic adventures rest. "Rest well men for you deserve it, soon we march again to search the lair of these evil creatures", she says.

Once they are rested ‰ohild and Barald will join the search for what the trolls were hidding in here.

[waysoftheearth]

ehiker133 wrote:
Norin says, "I'll take a watch outside the doorway here to the grand hall while the wounded rest up. Even though it might not seem necessary, I'd suggest we have someone watch the stairs, as well. When we're done resting, I think we should go down the passage where the trolls came from..."

Norin rests his warhammer on one shoulder and steps out into the grand hall to stand guard.

[waysoftheearth]

doctorx wrote:
"Telthalion, do you watch the stairs," says Lmluin, eager to press on, but acknowledging the wisdom of allowing the wounded to rest. He casts an eye about the shadow-strewn floor for anything with which to make a fire.

"For we healers to use our skills to best advantage we need hot water and for that we need fuel."

His keen eyes search out the corner where Largo and Baraglin are skulking.

"What say the halflings make themselves useful and bring such things hither from the surface? Mayhap we can create a store of supplies here for our future need." He eyes the Hobbits coldly; "And it would seem wisdom that those who have done the least labour now while the rest of us rest."

[waysoftheearth]

mushgnome wrote:
Sili slumps against a pillar and slurps down a beer. "Let me just rest my eyes for a minute..."

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:

Once they are rested ‰ohild and Barald will join the search for what the trolls were hidding in here.

Let us deal with the resting firstly...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Eohild dumps her heavy pack and takes up a position of watch along with Norin while Dernfara and Sili take a moment to loosen their gritty armour, wash their wounds and rinse their parched throats with drink.

Meanwhile Lomeluin scans the hall for fuel to burn, but alas, anything worth burning beyond a few ancient mace and axe hafts has long ago been scavenged, and that which does remain is petrified with age, and dry and brittle as a dusty scroll.

When he does seek out the Halflings they are greatly distressed to be thought of as errand boys.

"We little folk do what we may, and happily," they state, nodding sagely and agreeing with one another emphatically.

"Were it not the Shire-folk who did the greatest errand ever told?"

"Indeed it was, my good Sir, indeed it was. And not even the mightiest Lords among Elves and Men would do."

"Not even the mightiest, no, but leave it to the Shire folk to clean up their right pickle,"

"As ever, if you don't mind!"

And so it goes on...