"Hail, Lord Gorlim, I am here on business refering to King Arvedui. Strange times... I just came from the Downs, whilst passing I came across an Orc camp, an unnatural fog and a few Dunlendings."
Itarilde get's off Annare...
"I also found a man, I think he was with you? He was dead, a look of pure terror in his features..
Tell me, what happened?"
"Strange, fair Elf maiden? I should certainly say so. The Downs are cursed. The dead warriors of the Cardolani are buried there, and attack all who pass through their burial grounds; we were nearly killed by them. Three beset us, killing six of our men, and nearly killed my two friends Anglomir and Talin. Another dozen men have been lost to the fog."
"Where are my manners? I am William Took, of the Shire." The Hobbit offers his hand.
Probably when it is established that she is a Noldor emissary from Cirdan, Vardalain, you might take more notice! That puts her right up on YOU level! A friend or rival- depending on how your Noldor spirit feels today.
Likewise, Itarilde, Elrons seems to have TWO representatvied with this party. Hmm!
Now, I have already told Candy of the plot of this game so there is no need to get bogged down in it- you can have told her all about Arvedui and the Prophecy and the planned union with Cardolan and just why you are going to Baronar, and why you tried to cut through the Downs to avoid trouble...
This, of course, clearly did not work. And Aiwendil- a land sensitive Animkst- and Itarilde- a Mage- can between them decipher and somewhat comprehend what has happened.
At some point then, during the Winter, the burial grounds of the Cardolani nobility have been violated by an enormous and drastic use of power. It can only be the Witch-King- but none of you ever dreamed he could do such a thing. Such power is so extreme that neither of you think there is any possibility of a cure in the near future- not until the world is mended and that could be a long time even for an Elf.
The Cardolani nobility live on- as the Barrow Wights, terrible, cold creatures of evil. The Barrow Downs, as they become known, will be forever quarantined from this point on. Any traveller who wanders in error into the Fog on the Barrow Downs is not seen again.
These are dark times indeed, and the raise the stakes somewhat. Cirdan has sent Itarilde to discover things of exactly this nature- Palanfirith and Vardalain, you cannot help thinking that Elrond would need to know as well. He most likely felt it also. In fact, you are curious at the way that Cirdan seems to have been worried for a while whilst Elrond has seemed carefree- yet sent you two to Arthedain at this particular time, of all times. You are not great believers in coincidence.
Still. This is no place to tarry. The Dunlendings are abroad, and your men weary and reduced in number. On to Baronar! Everything is bound to get better there, isn't it?
Itarilde, this all seems a worthy enough cause. And if Mithrandir (Gandalf) has recommended it... well! He's a smart being.
Panic not... my thingy gives four Middle-Earth herbs that can treat burns, one specifically for frostbite.
Jojojopo- what a silly name! Must come from the north. It is a leaf.
That saud, you are more likely at thius point to use 'Aloe', which doubles the heal rate for burns, apparently. Still, as I say, more Vardalain's area.
And so, finally, after a long and wearying journey, you see ahead of you the quite hefty walls of the Fortress of Baronar...
"Typical," says Gorlim. "No welcoming party..."