What Once Was Great . . .

What Once Was Great

Day 7 - 

Finding and gathering the escaped slaves took much more time than I thought.  Many ran from us as well as their captors.  I wish them luck in their travels.  28 former slaves are now under our protection.  I find Artem and Podo discussing a thing they found in Valtar's tent.  It seems he had a head in a chest.  But not a war trophy.  No it is a tool of the Shadow.  It is used to communicate with others.  So it comes to show that once again Valtor deserved destruction.  And that the Shadow's corruption is spread further than thought.  

It also shows that Men are easily corrupted.  Men are weak.

We begin our march North - home.

Day 8 -

Artem has hunted early and brought down two elk.  More than enough to feed all of us for the return trip.  He has also discovered a shorter route to return us to Beorn's Hall.  I have not traveled these paths long but again Artem shows the difference between us.  Men are weak.  

As we explore the South and journey North I wonder how my companions are handling the company of the young race.  Also I begin to think of the weakness of Men and find myself wondering if I am making excuses for my own short comings.  Isn't it easier to blame my race than myself?  It is a thought that leaves me cold and unsure as we travel on. 

Day 9 -

Artem and Podo hear of a fight in the distance and use their stealth to investigate.  Braegin follows behind while I find a suitable place to watch over both my companions and our charges - the now freed slaves.

A dirty man stands before 4 of the bandits we recently made leaderless.  I can not hear them but Artem and Podo tell me he was repaying a debt he owed them and was keeping the bandits from us.  Artem and Podo listen for a short while before Artem unleashes a deadly volley.  Braegin charges into the fray and the dirty man also joins the fight.  The bandits fall before I can even make my way closer.  I am weak.  The companions collect some weapons before returning to the group.

The dirty man is called Shanker.  He talks a little with Podo and then leaves.  I am not sorry to see him go.  He disturbs me for an unknown reason.  He is known as a troublemaker in Beorn's Hall.  Again I am not sorry to see him go.  I am weak.

Selva a slave Podo rescued splits off from us here.  She will make for the Mountain Hall.  It seems she is a woodsman after all.  The way she holds herself speaks of a martial upbringing.  I am not worried for her safety.  We send her with a few weapons and more than enough elk to make the short journey.

Day 10 -

We arrive at Beorn's Hall a full day earlier due to Artem's woodland skill.  I am weak.  Beorn invites us in and listens to our story.  Podo sings a beautiful song of our deeds while Artem plays a melody to compliment Podo's voice.  It has inspired me to try and sing in the future.  Beorn wise and good allows the escaped slaves to stay at his Hall.  He will find places for them if they wish to stay.  

Artem explains in more detail about the head we found at Valtor's camp.  It seems an agent of the Shadow lies somewhere to the South.  Beorn listens to the plea for help but decides he is unable to help without a foe to see.  With no target to vent his rage upon he will not act.  For the first time I disagree with my chief and offer my services to Artem as well as Beorn.  I will become Beorn's hound and find this foe for him hiding in the South.  Beorn disagrees with me in return but allows me to go all the same.  Does Beorn also think I am weak?  Too weak to even be a faithful hunting dog?  

We feast for the night.  I make sure to return Odo's sword to his shield maiden.  Her tears bring anger to my heart and I am glad again for the death of Odrik.  I am weak.

Day 11 -

I stop and visit my father and explain my reasons for leaving him for an extended time.  I have made preparations for Brunor to check on him from time to time and see he is kept stocked.  We argue at first but finally gives up.  Instead he gives me Giantbane.  A great spear passed down from father to son for many generations.  I accept the gift with reluctance and promise to return it.  

Artem, Podo, and Braegin believe the agent of Shadow dwells in the heart of the Old Forest Road.  We will go to Dell and Rivendell to ask aid for keeping several small outposts safe upon the Old Forest Road so that we may have both aid and safety if we need it.

Day 12 - 

Artem once again impresses me with his archery and his hunting.  Podo's breakfast is once again delicious and seems to wash away the weariness of the road.  Braegin speaks with a raven and learns news of his homeland.  Before we are set to investigate the Old Forest Road we will prepare ourselves.  Promising to meet at an Inn to the North in a month's time we go our own ways.

I will go South to better my skills and make myself familiar with the creatures, woods, and dangers we will be facing in the future.

Day 33 - 

I begin my return trip today.  I make way for the Inn and my companions.  I find myself missing them far more than I had thought possible.  We have known each other such a short time but it seems to have impacted me greatly.

Day 43 -

It is the day of our promised reunion.  Podo and I await Artem and Braegin eagerly.  Podo was the first be here and sits comfortably near the fireplace.  

Soon the four of us are reunited and set pace for the Dale the first of our stops.  Telling tales of our journey I feel lighter than I have since Beorn's Hall.

Orcs.  Artem hears the sounds of many feet.  Braegin smells their foul odor and announces they are orcs.  Braegin and I position ourselves in the middle of the road and await their arrival while Artem and Podo wait for an ambush.  

The orcs are many in number and at first seem to be taken back by the sight of us blocking the road but soon begin fleeing deeper into the forest or up the road.  Some attack us upon the road but Braegin and I make short work of those that tally to long within the reach of our weapons.  Artem and Podo devastate those that flee and I am gladdened to see the ground littered with orc corpses.  Soon a party of elves appear.  They were the cause of the orcs fear and rightfully so.  These elves differ from Artem who seems to be a natural extension of the forest.  These are like the stars.  So bright and pure they make me feel small and dirty and unworthy to be in their presence.  Artem exchanges many words with the hunting party in a language I do not understand.  The mere sound of it is like beautiful music.  Again I am reminded that Men are weak.  

Artem introduces us to the elven party.  Legolas and Lady Irime shine even more brightly than the rest of the elven party.  Lady Irime invites us to dinner and it is clear from Artem that this indeed a great honor and something we can not refuse.  

Oh but I wish too!  

The Lady smells of lilacs and all that is good on a warm spring breeze.  I am unkempt and covered in orc blood.  I have not bathed in this week yet and even if I had do not feel it would have been enough to attend a table with her.

Smiling and nodding I lock these emotions deep within my heart and follow Artem deeper into the forest.  Artem and the Lady share some small words that I can not hear.  Before long we are brought to a clearing that has a feast laid out fit enough for a kingdom.  A large silver wash basin is noticeable and I take great care to clean myself as best I can.  For the first time I am able to see that I am not the only one affected so.  Braegin seems to have been struck mute with the Lady's beauty and Podo also seems beside himself for the first time.  

Dinner passes by very quickly and honestly I remember very little other than ashamedly sneaking glances at the Lady Irime.  Suddenly I find myself addressed by the Lady.  In a panic I ask her to please tell a tale of Men.  She does me a great kindness and tells a tale of Men who dwelt to the North that I may be descended from who had a once great kingdom.  Sadly it was swallowed by the ocean and the Men fell into barbarianism.  Men are weak?  But were not always so?  I am a decedent of decent and honorable Men.  A Man of Twilight.  I feel my heart quicken and surge with hope, regret, and embarrassment.

The rest of the night flashes in a blur.  Artem and Podo sing a song and please the Lady.  Braegin exchanges wits with the Lady and seems to both challenge and please her.  I can only sit at the table and keep the emotions in my heart from showing on my face.  

Only now in privacy can I write my feelings to paper and banish them from my heart.

Men are weak.   What once was great.  

Men were once strong but now have fallen.

Men were honorable but have been corrupted.

Men had a kingdom even the elder races acknowledge but time has claimed it.

Men were once great but now are weak.

But once was great can be reclaimed.  What once was great can be remade.

Men are weak but a person, a Man, could be a guiding example.

Exploring the past.  Accepting the failings of Men and pushing forward.  

Men could reclaim their greatness if we had a leader.  

I am not that Man but perhaps I can find him.

Men are not weak I am.

But I now know this and will seek to correct it.

It is only later - now - that I am reminded that we will be escorting the Lady Irime West.

I only pray that I do not embarrass my companions on our journey.

An Unexpected Fellowship

An Unexpected Fellowship

My name is Beran to any who may find this journal I ask that you return it to Beorn the Bear.  I am sure a reward will be made available to you for it's return.  Beorn, my chief, if I have fallen . . . know I fell honorably and upon my feet.  

Day 1 - 

Beorn has asked I keep a detailed notes on my dealings with these "visitors" until they can be called friend.  I was called down from my patrol up North to help find the murderer of two Thanes.  They were my friends and great wardens.  Their spears and shields will be missed.  They were discovered dead by Artem the elf, Podo the halfling, and Braegin the dwarf.  These "visitors" claim to have no involvement in their deaths and wish to assist in tracking their murderers.  Arrows removed from the victims prove an orc tribe attacked them.  Artem claims that a third man, a prisoner, was in the boat at the time of the attack as well.

I will believe it when we reach the scene of the murder.  It makes no sense that orcs would attack two Thanes to free a prisoner.  The prisoner would not have been a creature of the Shadow . . . so why did the orcs attack and free "him"?  The elf accuses me that Men are weak and claimed by the Shadow.  I wish to argue but am unable as I have seen it happen.  Men are weak.  The dwarf speaks up now and agrees with the elf and accuses me of being too young to help.  Again I wish to argue but I can see the years of experience etched upon his face.  Men will never the amount of years he has seen.  Men are weak.

Day 2 -
We arrive at the murder.  A prisoner did escape.  He has stolen Oddo's sword.  About midday I discover the corpses of two orcs killed by one spear.  Obviously Morovik's work.  His spear strength was second only to Beorn.  My companions pretend to help while playing in the river.  I discover another body that they had missed.  This one killed by a single sword stroke.  The prisoner?  He avenged the Thane?  He has a four day head start.  I would ask to pick up our pace but Podo seems to be hard pressed to keep pace now.  We may lose him if we do not hurry or if he doesn't stop.

The dwarf now accuses Men of not being able to fight the Shadow.  I do not rise to the bait.  He is right again.  It has taken me many years to learn to wield my axe and I am still learning.  I will die before mastering the weapon while he is still young.  Men are weak.

Day 3 - We are closing in on the prisoner.  The elf Artem . . . his woodland skills are impressive.  He moves like the wind and can shot the eye of a cony at 60 yards.  A small outpost lets us know the prisoner was a young man from Stoneyford.  We press on.

Day 4 - Come upon a farmstead just outside of Stoneyford.  The elder is kind enough to let us stay.  He has seen the prisoner - his name is Odrik.  We will reach Stoneyford tomorrow.  Soon we will have answers.
I decide to hunt for the elder in repayment for his kindness.  Artem beats me to it.  He brings a full string of cony.  Podo hunts and finds all kinds of herbs both for cooking and medicine.  The elder is well supplied.  I am once again reminded of how Men are weak.

Day 5 - Arrive at Stoneyford.  I am told to go into town and find out what I can.  Podo will accompany me.  Artem and Braegin fear resentment from the town.  Or that the attention will alert Odrik.
The town is led by a woman filled with hate.  She almost does not let us in.  I find that Odrik's adoptive father lives here.  I go to question Helmgut.  Podo decides to wander.  Helmgut is not too helpful.  He is drunk in regret.  Men are weak.  Raffik his son was killed by Odrik and that was why he was a prisoner.
I go to ask Broomhilt about the night and am met by Artem and Braegin.  They had found Broomhilt first.  I am able to piece the night together between her and her father's story.

Odrik loved Broomhilt and asked her to leave with him.  Raffik her husband returned and a fight ensued.  Raffik struck Broomhilt and Odrik attacked to defend his love.  The weapon belonged to Raffik and I believe was accidentally used to kill him.  Helmgut arrives and disarms Odrik.  Odrik is set to go for judgement from the Beorn.  He uses the orc attack to escape and kills the orc to avenge the Thanes.
He may not be a bad man but the elf is quick to remind me that this would not happen if it had been elves such violence does not exist.  Men are weak.
     
Broomhilt finally admits that Odrik had returned to ask her to come again.  He is across the river.  We journey across the river in pursuit.  We are in Woodmen territory now.  We are forced to camp once it gets dark.  Odrik is close I find a used fire pit and the ashes are warm.

Day 6 - Find Odrik's broken dagger.  Dwarf is quick to remind that if it had been dwarf make - it would have never broken.  Men are weak.

Find site of a struggle.  4 bandits try to attack us.  We quickly dispatch them.  2 to the elf. 1 to the dwarf.  we take a prisoner.  Men are weak.  Artem questions the prisoner and learns Odrik was captured.  I believe he will join the bandits.  Men are weak.  The bandits are lead by Valtor the Bloody - he will attack the Dale.  Artem then kills the prisoner.  Interesting.

We find the camp.  It is full of slaves.  Podo and I agree to free the slaves.  Podo goes under disguise to free the slaves.  Braegin has no interest and camps in the trees.  Artem stalks the Valtor the Bloody.  For the stability of the Wildlands he must fall.  I enter the camp in disguise to help free slaves and help Artem.  Odrik is within earshot he is selling out all of his friends and family.  Men are weak.  I signal Artem to attack.  Artem attacks and kills Valtor in seconds.  I accuse Odrik of working with the assassin.  Odrik is attacked by his new friends - fitting.  A man attacks me but I am able to get a clean blow in on his stomach and split him like a rotting deer.  Podo has unlocked almost all the slaves.  Panic begins to work in our favor.  Odrik is almost free and going to escape.  I signal Artem to finish him.  I watch as Odrik falls.  He deserved no better.

We will lead the slaves back to Beorn's lands.  Here they will be safer.

Artem has struck a blow on my behalf.  He did not need to help with the bandits.  He could have forfeited like the dwarf.  I will follow him to repay the favor and perhaps I will become stronger.

Men are weak - it is true but that makes us strong too.
We are not disillusioned like the Elves and Dwarves.
We acknowledge our weaknesses and seek to overcome.
This is our strength and our weakness as we can be corrupted by it.
We are short lived - so we will live to the fullest
We are barbarians - so we may adapt and thrive and pass it on
We are passionate - so we may live and feel the world around us instead
of hide in it's past.

I will keep this in mind to embrace and overcome it - if I travel with these companions will I become more than Man?