Sept 24, 3018 TA (Chapter completed early morning)
Upon arriving in Bree, Dwalter was resting inside the Prancing Pony, talking to a woman captain and male hobbit when he realised that his important letter from King Dain II Ironfoot to the stewart of Thorin's Hall, Dwalin, was missing from his pouch.
Retracing his steps to a provisioner in the Bree market-square, the hobbit, Bolbins, discovered part of the letter (the bottom part) wedged underneath a cart-wheel. The remainder of the letter (the main part) was nowhere to be seen. The provisioner provided Dwalter with a description of somebody who was earlier fossicking around the cart-wheel. It remains to be seen whether this stranger can be found and whether he knows anything about this missing letter.
ADVENTURE TRANSCRIPT FOLLOWS BELOW:
Bolbins begins to smoke.
Dwalter walks into the Prancing Pony and takes a look around
Bolbins stares into the fire, pipe in hand
Bolbins is solemn.
Bolbins turns, noticing the stranger
You say, '<<mostly to himself>> A bit quiet this evening.'
Dwalter observes the hobbit smoking his pipe briefly but then turns his attention to the barman at the counter
Bolbins says, 'Tell me... what is the price of compassion tese days? Hmm?'
You say, 'Ha Ha, now that's I need. <looking at the bar>'
Bolbins seems exsasperated, almost crazed
Bolbins says, 'A livlihood, a career...!'
Bolbins says, 'Can ou put a price on that!? Hmm? Hmm?'
Bolbins suddenly relaises its a stranger in front of him
Dwalter notices the hobbit's mumblings
Bolbins says, 'Ah.. hmm. DO beg my pardon.'
Bolbins bows deeply before Dwalter.
You say, 'What it is, youn hobbit. You seem unnaturally disturbed for somebody of your folk'
Bolbins says, 'Mr Bolbins Longpipe of Frogmorto-'
Bolbins stops himself
Bolbins says, '- of the Shire.. At yer service'
You say, 'Dwalter, son of Dwalil, at yours and your family's'
You bow.
Bolbins says, 'My family's! Pff!'
Bolbins says, 'Now there's a sotry..'
Bolbins seems to again remember he is in the company of a stranger
You say, 'Really <ponders Dwalter>'
Bolbins says, '.. err.. Indeed, a pleasure to meet you Mr Dwalter.'
Bolbins fumbles in his pocket
Arynnva gets closer to the bar giving Barliman an order for the ussual ale-stein
Arynnva takes a drink.
Dwalter smirks slightly, interested in this unusual hobbit character.
Bolbins says, 'Pipeweed, sir? I don't have much, but its good stuff'
Bolbins says, 'All of the stuff I could take before I was forced out'
Dwalter considers the offer briefly
Bolbins begns filling his pipe from the small pouch
You say, 'Hmmm. No I think not on this occasion, but your offer is welcomed, in any case. It is ale I am more interested in right now. Would you care to join me?'
Bolbins says, 'The strong the better.'
Bolbins grimaces
You laugh.
You say, 'Now that's the spirit!'
Arynnva takes a drink.
Bolbins nods his head in greeting to the lady beside him
You say, 'Hail there, Barman, what can you recommend for us?'
Arynnva hails everyone.
Arynnva raises her mug in greeting to the strangers
Bolbins begins to smoke.
Dwalter listens to Barliman's reply "I can recommend Barliman's Best, a mighty fine brew master dwarf and hobbit
Bolbins throws some coins on the counter
Bolbins says, 'Pour some up, then, man.'
You say, 'Well how about we make that two. What you do say master Longpipe?'
Bolbins says, 'All on me, sir.'
Bolbins says, 'Madame, shall I get one for you?'
Arynnva raises an eyebrow at the hobbits offer "Huh.. well why not, its been ages since ive been invited to a drink"
You say, '<with a grin> Well you certainly know how to make an impression, master Longpipe. Thank you.'
Bolbins says, 'Can't let a little thing like being broke get in the way of halfling hospitality'
Bolbins chuckles
Bolbins takes the horns of ale and leads the way to a table
Arynnva shrugs and trots after the hobbit
Bolbins sits down.
Arynnva takes a drink.
Arynnva sits down.
Bolbins takes a long swig
You sit.
Bolbins sighs
Arynnva says, 'Something troubling you good sir? i thought hobbits enjoy good ale and comfort'
You say, 'Here's to you, master Longpipe, a most gracious host'
Bolbins smiles at Dwalter
Arynnva raises her stein as well "Aye"
Bolbins says, 'Cheers'
Dwalter raises his tankard
Bolbins says, 'To some welcome company. Its been a hard few weeks.'
Bolbins raises his tankard before taking a long swig
You say, 'Yes, it has been hard for many, including my folk as well.'
Arynnva says, 'Hey there no need to down it all at once, im sure Barliman has more where that came from'
Bolbins says, 'Have ye ever paid visit to the Flotaing Log in Frogmorton?'
You say, 'No I have not had the pleasure'
Arynnva says, 'Cant say i ever did'
Dwalter takes his first mouthful of Barliman's best
Bolbins nods slowly, someone sadly
Bolbins says, 'I ran that place, for nigh on 30 years.'
Bolbins says, 'Finest coney pies in the Shire, I served up.'
You say, 'I'll be passing near there, on my way to Ered Luin.'
Bolbins says, 'Well, I would thoroughly reccomend you not to.'
Bolbins says, 'The place was owned by uncle, the old hobbit, and'
You say, 'Ah, yes. One thing I have learned about hobbits, they are marvellous appreciators of food. <with a grin> Of course, us dwarves are no slouches either.'
Barliman Butterbur says, ''I should have you work here every day, my friend! Now bring me the next goods!''
Arynnva takes another swig of ale "Then what happened?"
Bolbins says, 'Not more than a month ago he finally kicked the bucket, and there was a... little problem with his will.'
You say, 'Oh dear'
Bolbins says, 'I mean, naturally I would hate to call foul play amongst my own kin... but somehow, despite that tavern being my home, my work... my life.... it has fallen in to other hands.'
Arynnva says, 'Not good hands i assume..'
Bolbins says, 'A distant cousin, hardly ever met him before, inherited the palce from the will and has forced me off'
Arynnva says, 'Ouch...'
Bolbins says, 'with little more than what I'm wearing.'
Bolbins sighs
Arynnva says, 'So you are trieng to earn your living in the east now?'
You say, 'It reminds me of the trouble our Steward of Thorin's Hall had with the Dourhands.'
Bolbins says, 'I've been trying.'
Bolbins listens to Dwalter, relighting his pipe
Bolbins says, 'The dourhands?'
You say, 'Of course, it doesn't compare to some of the issues us longbeards are having now, of course. There are dangerous things going on far from here.'
Arynnva says, 'Bah, ive met some dourhands awhile ago in the frozen north.. not the best company thats for sure'
You say, 'It is why I am here now, far from my homeland....in Erebor.'
Arynnva says, 'What do you mean?'
You say, 'Yes m'lady I agree with you on that.'
You say, 'I have an important message to deliver to the steward of Thorin's Hall, Dwalin, son of Fundin.'
Bolbins takes another long swig of the ale
You say, 'A message from king Dain Ironfoot himself.'
Bolbins says, 'Good heavens.'
Dwalter pauses, before taking another drink.
Arynnva says, 'Must be a great honour to be charged with such an important task.. though i can imagine youd rather split some orc and dourhand heads'
Dwalter shout indeed
You say, 'Indeed'
You say, 'I am one of the king's champions, and occasionally I will perform duties like this.'
Bolbins says, 'Well, perhaps you could put in a good word for me, if his highness is looking for innkeeps'
Bolbins chuckles
Dwalter grins at the hobbit
Arynnva says, 'My homelands been troubled for a good while as well now.. but not all battles are won with weapons'
Bolbins sits down.
Dwalter looks grimly at the lady
You say, 'I fear this one will need to be.'
Dwalter slaps his pouch on his left thigh.
Bolbins says, 'From my experience, if you're in the business of throwing someone out of their home and country, a shifty amendment to a will will do the trick'
You say, 'In here is the letter that I must deliver to the steward'
Bolbins glances quickly at the pouch
Dwalter critically, fails to notice at that moment that his pouch is actually open.
Arynnva looks into her half emptied stein "Well.. i travel back and forth from Angmar and lands in the south to trade, the profit goes into buying food and weapons for my people you see"
You say, 'That is a noble pursuit'
Bolbins says, 'Indeed.'
Arynnva says, 'So.. since i know the customs here im more use making sure that the trev gallorg wont starve while fighting than i would be at the frontline, i simply do whats most important at the moment'
Arynnva says, 'After all.. you cant fight with an empty stomach'
You say, 'For us dwarves at Erebor, right now, we need council and possibly more warriors.'
You say, 'It is the warriors that I am seeking now. We have others that are seeking council.'
You say, 'This letter is the formal request for them'
Bolbins says, 'And tell me Mr Dwalter, are these warriors well catered for?'
Arynnva takes another swig, emptieng her stein "Whats your take on this mister halfling? war is profitable after all"
Dwalter pats his pouch again, once again, failing to realise that it is open.
Bolbins says, 'Indeed, madame. All this talk has, infact made my circumsatnces slightly brighter'
You say, 'They are, master Longpipe.'
Bolbins says, 'The hungrier the populace, the more coin in my pocket...'
Bolbins says, '... so to speak, of course...'
Bolbins coughs uncomfortably
Arynnva says, 'Hmn.. well i would be interested in buying grain for example'
You say, 'Pocket yes, hmmm.'
Bolbins nods
Dwalter glances at his pouch pocket.
Bolbins says, 'Well, please do keep in mind that I am, most unfortunately, landless as of late.'
Bolbins says, 'I have not even a lettuce patch to my name, let alone the means to feed an army'
Dwalter suddenly goes slightly pale as he notices the pocket is open
Dwalter quickly pokes his hand into it.
Arynnva nods "Hmn yes, well just keep it in mind sometime will you, one never knows when an opportunety may arise
Dwalter rummages around his pocket
Bolbins says, 'I suppose I may need to find other work in the meantime, anyhow.'
You say, 'Oh no'
Arynnva looks back at the Dwarf "Whats the matter.. you look as pale as a ghost"
You say, 'It's gone'
Bolbins looks across to Dwalter
You say, 'My letter, it's gone.'
Arynnva says, 'But.. you had it when you came into the tavern right?'
You say, 'Curse my foolishness. I've lost it'
Bolbins says, 'Ah, surely its fallen on the floor somewhere.'
You get angry.
Bolbins searches under the bench
Dwalter scans the ground and surrounds
You say, 'No....nothing'
Bolbins looks around.
Arynnva says, 'I suposse Barly or one of the tavernhands will find it sooner or later when they clean up, it il take a bit tho.. at least theres not much crowd here right now'
Dwalter walks back to the front
Dwalter whispers something discreetly to the barman
Bolbins says, 'Could it have been... pinched?'
Dwalter watches the barman shake his head
Arynnva says, 'Now what?'
You say, 'I certainly hope not, master longpipe'
Bolbins stows away his pipe
Dwalter starts to calm down a little and then starts thinking more clearly
Bolbins says, 'And this was a document of... some value.. eh, Mr Dwalter?'
Arynnva says, 'Oh oh.. are you going to offer finding the letter for a reward?'
You say, 'Extremely. I have memorised it in my head, of course, but I would not want the letter to fall into the wrong hands..... <He trails off>'
Bolbins says, 'Aye, perhaps I would'
You say, 'Er, ah, I don't know. I must think first.'
You say, 'The barman reported no sighting of the letter'
Arynnva says, 'Me cackles "Ha! you really have the heart of a businessman there"'
Arynnva cackles
Bolbins says, 'In any case, I'll help you find it. Moping around in a bar will not save my wallet.'
Dwalter tries to grin in return
You say, 'Thank you indeed master longpipe'
Arynnva says, 'Hmn what did it look like..? il help you finding it'
You say, 'Thank you m'lady'
You say, 'It was a folded letter, white in colour'
Bolbins says, 'Hmm...'
You say, 'Now I remember transferring my coins from my right pocket to my left just before I got into town'
Arynnva says, 'Hmn well no one got close to us in the main room, maybe its found its way into the bedrooms'
Bolbins says, 'West gate, you mean?'
You say, 'The left was the pouch that held the letter'
Bolbins says, 'Ah, you were paying the toll at the gate?'
You say, 'I knew I should have kept the coins separate from the letter, I just found it uncomfortable on the other side'
Bolbins nods
Arynnva sighs.
You say, 'Ah, no, just a moment, it was after the toll'
You say, 'Then I bought ......'
You say, 'some mushrooms in the market square.'
You say, 'I wonder,.....'
You say, 'I need to go back there'
Bolbins says, 'Indeed.'
Bolbins says, 'Lead the way, sir.'
Arynnva says, 'Well.. lets go then and take a look'
You say, 'Yes'
Arynnva says, 'hopefully it wont start to rain until we found it'
Dwalter is engaged in serious discussion with the Provisoner
Bolbins looks around on the stone
Dwalter watches the Provisioner nod his head
Arynnva looks at Dwalter with big eyes "So?"
You say, 'The good provisioner here has given his permission for us to search around his stall to see if the letter has fallen anywhere here'
Bolbins says, 'Ah, splendid.'
You say, 'Partly'
Arynnva says, 'With a little bit of dwarven persuasion i gues.. oh well'
Bolbins smiles graciously to the provisioner before commencing to rummage through his cart
Dwalter starts looking around the stall
Bolbins looks through an assortment of fruits and vegetables
Arynnva starts looking beneath the bags of potatoes looking for the letter
Bolbins says, 'Hmm'
Bolbins says, 'Not here'
Bolbins says, 'Walks to the back ot he counter'
Arynnva sighs "Meh at least we are not doing this by night"
Arynnva says, 'Found anything? all i had here are potatoes of.. questionable age and colour'
Bolbins seeing the provisioner look away, Bolbins takes the opportunity to quickly refill some of his tobacco pouch from a box behind the counter
You say, 'Not yet'
Bolbins says, 'No-nothing here'
Bolbins stuffing the pouch back in his pocket, goes to open the crate
Arynnva looks at the provisioner who starts to sweat somewhat at the notion of the old potatoes
Bolbins rummages through the crate
Arynnva says, 'Phew.. that stuff smells like a warg carcass'
Bolbins says, 'Nothing here either.'
Arynnva reaches out to look beneath the bags
Arynnva says, 'Huh..'
Bolbins searches under the goods on top of the counter
Arynnva says, 'Nevermind.. its just an old handcare'
Bolbins begins rummaging through the sacks beside
Arynnva lifts one of the fruit boxes and puts it next to the wagon
Bolbins begins searching under things - the sacks and crate
Bolbins checks underneath the cart
Arynnva moves the crate underneath the table around to check the inside
Bolbins says, '.. What's this..?'
You say, 'What!'
Bolbins says, 'Something... under here...'
Dwalter rushes to the hobbit's side
Bolbins says, 'The right wheel...'
Bolbins says, 'A bit of white paper'
Dwalter looks closely
You say, 'That is it. You have keen eyes master Longpipe'
You cheer at Bolbins.
Bolbins pulls it out, handing it graciously to the dwarf
You say, 'But it is only part of it....'
Arynnva looks back at the trader "Genius.. few would dare look around in that rotten stuff"
Dwalter grimaces
Bolbins says, 'Ah.. indeed it is.'
You say, 'The bottom part'
Bolbins says, 'Surely it contains the bulk of the message though, master dwarf?'
You say, 'The signature of the king is there but nothing else'
Bolbins says, 'Hmm'
You say, 'Just a moment'
Bolbins says, 'How strange that it became torn up...'
Arynnva shrugs.
Dwalter starts talking to the Provisioner again
Dwalter completes his discussion
Arynnva says, 'What happened to the rest? he didnt use it to clean his nose i hope..'
You laugh at Arynnva.
You say, 'No, no, nothing like that'
Bolbins says, 'Oh?'
Bolbins looks shiftily at the provisioner
Bolbins paying close attention to the state of his nose
You say, 'The provisioner remembers a character hanging around underneath the wagon not long after I left.'
Arynnva says, 'Underneath the wagon!?'
You say, 'Apparently he was fishing for a dropped coin or some such item'
Arynnva sighs "Bah.. towns"
Bolbins says, 'ANy descriptiomn of him?'
Bolbins says, '*Any description of him?'
You say, 'He gave me a description.'
You say, 'I'll have to go back to the Pony I think, and think about what I will do next.'
