Middle Earth PbP (In Character)

[Antilles]

Brannadan couldn't help but shudder a little at the mention of wizards. If half the stories he'd heard about them were true, he'd rather face an army of orcs alone than angering one. The only reassuring thought is that they're bringing him his favourite pipeweed and he might be more favourably inclined towards them for that. Having resolved himself with that, he takes the reins again and urges the horses towards the guards.

[Girlfriday]

Bella sits on the back of the cart, head tilted back to look up at the tower. Her mouth hangs slightly open and she wears an expression that is a mixture of fear and awe.

"Yeah Gorbo mate... Wizards... great..."

[glimmerrat]

After pausing at the gates so that the guards can check your cargo, you are finally allowed inside the great ring of Orthanc. The first thing that you notice is the gardens – beautiful ornamental gardens with literally hundreds of very well-tended, very old trees. As you pass patches of brightly coloured flowers and bushes surrounded by busily working bees, you could swear that the trees whisper to one another. Bella and Gorbo are both reminded of the stories that they have heard of the Old Forest on the farthest eastern borders of the Shire, although neither of you feel particularly threatened, at least by the trees.  The second thing that you all notice (and this does make Bella and Gorbo feel a little threatened) are the Dunlendings.

What begins as the odd hide tent here and there swiftly becomes many, straddling the cobblestone track as you approach the base of the mighty black tower. There are horses and donkeys, and the odd bedraggled hunting hound, along with literally dozens of hill men, easily enough to form a sizeable army. Oddly enough, they are not as dirty and unkempt as the ones you encountered many days ago. They stand straight and seem to hold themselves with a certain pride and dignity not present in the other that you met. They are obviously warriors as evinced by their weapons and armour, and they seem fit, healthy and well fed – and they are all glaring straight at Erkenwulf with undisguised hatred. As you run the gauntlet of pointed stares, you come to the end of the track and exit the ring of gardens into a paved circular clearing at the base of the tower. As you look up, you spot two figures exiting a door roughly a third of the way up the tower and descending a long staircase that loops around the building several times before reaching ground level.

As the two men reach the ground and approach the party, you can clearly see that one is a Dunlending chieftain, and a big one at that. He has long black hair with grey streaks, and wears many fine wolf pelts. He carries a large ornate sword at his hip that is obviously not of Dunlending make. The second person is an apparently elderly man in long, flowing white robes that are spotlessly clean. He leans on a straight black staff that is topped with a small, clear gemstone, and he has long white hair and a white beard, although both are tinged with salt-and-pepper grey and black around his temples and his mouth.

“What is this, Saruman?” says the Dunlending chieftain, as he gestures at Erkenwulf. “You would insult me by bringing this forgoil filth into my presence?”

Saruman narrows his eyes, turning his head slightly and fixing the much larger man with a steely glare. “You would do well to remember where you are and in who’s presence you speak Bulwyf, before any of my guests choose to take offence at your discourteous behaviour.” He turns back the party. “Perhaps introductions are in order. This is King Bulwyf of the Dunlendings, and I am Saruman. Who are you, and what business brings you to Isengard?”

[Antilles]

Brannadan, despite being much of a talker, clearly sees how much trouble they could get in if their response was dictated by anger, quickly stands up and adresses the Wizard. "Greetings, Master Saruman, and to you, King Bulwyf. I am Brannadan Amaranth. My companions," and he twists around slightly to physically indicate which one he's naming, even though it should be fairly obvious who is who, "are Erkenwulf, Dren Perth, Kyan Addisheg, Gorbo Proudfoot and Bella Cotton. We were tasked to rescue and then escort young Saradoc Hornblower here, with his shipment of Longbottom leaf. "

"We have fought " The pause is barely noticeably, as is the small flicker as Brannadan's gaze leaves the Wizard and flickers almost to the Dunlending king, before snapping back to the Wizard, but the meaning is fairly clear. "bandits, orcs, and a fell black rider to retrieve hobbit and leaf and eventually get here. If our presence has caused any inconvenience, I do apologize, as it was not our intention."

[Girlfriday]

Bella looks at Erkenwulf for a response, then turns and sticks her tongue out at the Dunlending chieftain.

[Wolverine]

Erkenwulf's says nothing, but the way his eyes remain fixed on Bulwyf convey his emotions plainly enough. Were it not for the presence of the Wizard, and the Dunlending army, things would be very different.

[ahzad]

Kyan grips his axe a bit more tightly while looking at the dunlending king.

"If it weren't for the wizard's hospitality here, I'd remove your insolent head from your shoulders for the insult you toss at my friend, your army be damned! We came here to trade not to be insulted." 

Kyan turns his head to look at the wizard when he says the last.

[glimmerrat]

Saradoc smiles weakly and lets out a nervous chuckle as he raises a hand of greeting to Saruman. The Wizard listens to the introduction, and raises an eyebrow at Kyan’s comment – Bulwyf snarls as his hand darts to his sword, but with surprisingly swift reflexes, Saruman lowers his staff in front of the big Dunlending. “Control yourself.” He sighs and frowns. “This posturing on both of your behalves is becoming most… taxing. Bulwyf - these folk are my guests, here and anywhere else within your lands. Tend to your men.” The statement is obviously not a request. The Dunlending chieftain stalks off with a furious expression on his face. Saruman pays him no heed as he turns back to the party. “Perhaps we should go inside. It is so unseemly to discuss business outdoors.”

A little later inside the tower of Orthanc, you find yourself in a large, circular chamber. It has a very high vaulted ceiling, and the walls are made of some sort of twisting black rock that looks more like it was grown than carved. The floor is a polished black and there are many rugs scattered about. The chairs you sit in are made of the finest wood and upholstered with soft leather. In the centre of the room is some sort of short pillar, no higher than waist height with a sheet draped over it. The periphery of the room is covered with stuffed bookshelves and untidy tables. Saruman sits on a large black throne made of the same rock as the tower. A small, weasley servant scuttles in with a polished silver tray and hands you each a pewter goblet filled with red wine. Saruman speaks: “That’s better. Now, you were saying something about pipe weed.”

[Antilles]

A bit off-put by the sheer luxury of the place, Brannadan gulps down a mouthful of wine, before speaking again. "Yes, we've brought a cartful of Longbottom Leaf. We were told you wished to purchase a shipment."

[glimmerrat]

The Wizard strokes his beard as Brannadan speaks, then at first he doesn't respond. He looks at the others as if waiting for someone else to say something. When no-one else pipes up, he raises an eyebrow and says "In that case we should discuss price. I can offer you three thousand gold pieces for the whole shipment. How say you?"

Saradoc nods emphatically. "Yes, yes! That's more than fair... He pauses, fingering something in his pocket. Saruman's eye is drawn to the movement, and then he glances at the blade that Brannadan carries. "Why do I sense that this is about more than mere pipeweed? For example, that is a fine blade, and obviously not yours - may I see it?"

[foproy]

dren feels it best to let his compatriots do the talking, so he just sits back and enjoys the show.

[Antilles]

Brannadan glances over to Saradoc, before standing up slowly drawing the blade from its scabbard. "Certainly. I took it from the leader of the group of orcs we fought to get here. It's a fine blade indeed, and probably saved our lives in the fight against the dark rider." He lays the sword across his hands and offers it to Saruman in the manner of a precious item, not a sword.

"Three thousand is a good price for the pipe weed, though the journey here cost two hobbits and a dwarf their lives, and caused young Saradoc much distress. Such dedication in bringing you this pipeweed is surely worth something?"

While Saruman studies the sword, Brannadan suddenly remembers something, and turns to Saradoc.

"Oh yes, your father told us about the ring. You still have it?"

[OOC: I'm assuming he nods or says he does, if not ignore the next bit]

Turning back to Saruman, he waits until the wizard's attention in no longer on the sword, before telling him "The Hornblowers have a small family heirloom that supposedly have some small measure of magic in it. Since you are the undisputed expert on such matters, they hoped you could take a look at it and see if it does have some power, or if it is indeed just a pretty ring."

[Wolverine]

Erkenwulf stands near the chamber wall, shifting nervously from side to side. He remembers the tales told about Saruman, rumours mostly, but still enough to make him feel uneasy. To make matters worse, he had to leave Adelhard tied up at the base of the tower. Within very easy reach of those filthy villainous Dunlending.

He pays little attention to the deal being conducted over the pipe-weed, preferring to cast his eyes around the chamber. This experience will certainly make a ripping yarn for the children back in his village.

[Bill Whitmore]

Gorbo's eyes are wide as he takes in the uniqueness of the room.  The business at hand is for Saradoc to take care of, so Gorbo slips from his seat and examines more closely the odd walls, and then the carpet patterns, and even the furniture.  But his eyes keep wandering to the sheet-covered pillar.  What is so amazing that the wizard would keep it covered?  Is that where he keeps his fireworks?

[ahzad]

Kyan takes in the workmanship of the tower, marveling how it must have been made. When Brannadan moves to hand the sword over to Saruman he listens a bit more intently curious himself as to the origins of the blade.