The Saga of Devilry

Word have arrived in Imladris that a friend to the warband was heading to Moria and was calling for aid to ride with him into the cave of Azanarukar from which a vile stench was spreading forth. One of the Lady Galadriel’s people an Elf named Magor had ventured there but had not returned and she was concerned for what had happened to him. Thus the more senior of the warband, Elisbeth, Khalis, Tagos and Tzel made their way on their fastest steeds to Moria and down into its dark depths. Travel through Moria was more swift since the dwarven folk had begun to take control of some regions. The party arrived at the camp of Gwathrendath where Ril and a small friend was waiting. Ril informed the warband that his small companion was Clara a healer of some repute, a welcome addition to the fellowship. Once everyone was content with their preparations the group headed for the cave and ventured forth. It was soon clear that Magor must have encountered some of the orc fiends which seemed to inhabit the outer reaches of the cave complex for it was clear by their guttural speech that they had come across an Elf and that he had been taken to one of their leaders, known as Dhugluk. There was no possibility to maneuver about the caves without being discovered so the only alternative was to strike with speed and precision, something the warband were well trained for. And so the band drew their steel and as one like a slither of moonlight among shadow cut a swift slice through the orc encampments. The orcs were no match for the weapons and skills employed by the warband and with the twin blades of Ril and the song of Clara the band soon found the one they were looking for…Magor. He was being tormented by a trio of orcs, one of them being a great deal larger than the others they come across and he seemed to be the one dealing with Magor. With a flash Dhugluk was struck down as a javelin protruded from his back quickly followed by Khalis swift sword glowing brightly as it does in the presence of orc kind. As Khalis struck then there was a sudden swift volley of arrows from the two hunters Tagos and Tzel impacting so hard they got the attention of one of the orcs who turned from Khalis to seek out those who had inflicted such grievous wounds. Then followed the searing energy of Elisbeth unleashing the power of her runestones. Above all the clamour of battle the clear song being woven by the small Clara raising the morale of her companions and putting fear into their foes could be heard. Rils twin blades fell in rhythm alongside the singing blade of Khalis slicing into the flesh of Dhugluk. Just as swiftly as the strike began it was over, all that remained was the fallen forms of their enemies, now all that remained was to release Magor and get him to safety. Once released from his binds Magor seemed renewed with new vigour for he spurred the fellowship onward. Deeper they ventured battling several battle lines of the enemy including many deformed troll kind whose huge arms could strike at all those gathered before them and knock them flying through the air. Magor seemed to strike with frenzy with no thought to his own defence and thus Elisbeth turned her arts to binding his form with healing energies. As Khalis and Ril held the foul creatures at bay with their swords so did the arrows of the two mighty archers fly over their headed to embed deeply in the trolls thick hides. Then Magor stopped to speak with the fellowship once there seemed to be some respite from the onslaught. He informed them that below their was the source of the vileness that he had been seeking, and that now he would slip away and bring back aid. The fellowship must go forward and await his return. Thus Magor left the group to seek aid, and so the fellowship once more ventured ever downward. A few more minor skirmishes were fought until a cave opened up before them. In front of their eyes were two ancient creatures the Regmyl, one encased in fire and the other in a dark aura. These creatures were known in the lore of Imladris for they are called Flame-drinker and Gloom-walker. They seemed to gloat at the group assembled before their eyes so certain of their own prowess. And so battle engaged with the Flame-drinker striking first with the Gloom-walker keeping still. The fellowship did not understand why, but each of the creatures took turns to strike at the fellowship this enabled the band to concentrate their skills all at one target. And so by the creatures own folly were they swiftly struck down by the enchanted weapons wielded by the party. As the Gloom-walker fell to the last blow it uttered a word, a name and that name was Gwathnor. The fellowship soon discovered what creature owned this name for it lay not far ahead. There before the fellowships eyes was a mighty creature its back to a swirling vortex from whence it had come. Its clawed hands were seen to cut a swathe through the orcs assembled before it, many fell and those that were lucky enough to avoid its blows quickly fled ignoring the fellowship standing close by. Gwathnor then turned his attention to those who had not fled, a small band of elves with a man and a hobbit. With a roar that echoed throughout the cave it struck out at them and from the vortex came a small host of lesser Regmyl to its aid. Khalis screamed at Gwathnor leaping at it sword poised above his head and shield before him. The shout and bite of the elvish steel got the attention of the mighty creature. This left the others to attack quickly the others that had been summoned to its aid. There was no answer to the song woven by Rils twin blades, the lighting stones of Elisbeth or the rapid volleys of arrows from the two hunters. Strangely the sounds echoing throughout the cave were not that of the sound of battle for they were dwindled in comparison to the song being woven once more by the smallest of the fellowship, that of Clara. It seemed to put hesitation into the step of Gwathnors minions. With those that would aid Gwathnor now lying still and lifeless on the cold floor of the cave the fellowship now turned its full attention to the mighty creature. The small armoured form of Khalis had the creatures full attention as he danced about probing with his glowing elven blade. It had not noticed its allies had fallen and that now would come its own demise. As one the fellowship struck and Gwathnor was hit by a wave of attacks. Gwathnor was now fully aware that it was along versus the full might of elves and men, the old alliance was alive once again and with it a new ally was in the fold. Something which in the past had not been forseen, that of the small folk of the shire. Too late the lesson was learned . . . . .