Frustrated in Ost Guruth

Ost Guruth will give you hope as to the existence of actual civilization in the Lone Lands. Here the Eglain have established a Ruin-hold near the Great East Road in the remains of the fortress. They and others have gathered to defend the surrounding area, scavenge local ruins, ply their trades, and simply to seek the security of numbers. This is also the home of the odd fellow Radagast The Brown.

I found dire tasks here where the risks were grave. The residents needed assistance with extreme dangers, vital tasks, and of course the assorted wild life population issues and miscellaneous errands.

This area is overrun with all sorts of dangerous creatures. Wargs, Spiders and vicious birds plague travelers and locals alike. Worse still are the hordes of foul undead in the swamps near the Ruin-hold, the massive trolls of Harloeg to the south and the grave robbing Dour Dwarves to the west.

Dealing with the various animal populations was as simple and time consuming as always. However, reducing there number helped secure the security of locals and wanderers alike which made the monotony worth wile.

The Dour Dwarves were another matter. These moraless traitors were difficult, but manageable in small numbers. They'd taken over the former Ruin-hold of the Eglain who never violate the sanctity of the dead. A code the Dour do not share. I fear that their dishonorable actions might be a contributing case of the strength and aggression of the ghastly horrors that wander Haragmar.

I made a number of forays into the death plagued swamps close to Ost Guruth. While I had some success at thinning their numbers the more powerful Wights in the ruins were nearly my undoing. I tried several approaches but in the end, I could not engage them in small enough numbers to be successful. I'll need to recruit others before I can hope to take them on successfully.

I ran into a similar problem in the South. The swamp was overrun by Bog Flys, Muck Crawlers and a host of other creatures. I found a small friendly encampment in some ruins. The folk here had not even begun to establish themselves when marauding trolls attacked, scattering their supplies to the wind. After tracking down the losts good for them I set out to take on these Trolls. The creatures were powerful and deadly. I managed to engage a single Troll which nearly cost me my life. After some rest I scouted around the outskirts of their encampment only to discover they were many, and mostly in groups of three or more. Much as I hated to do it I retreated, I'd need help if I was to engage these terrors.

Searching for Aric the Stone-speaker to the south I camp across another area of ruins over-run by the Undead. As with the swamp to the north the creatures on the edge of the ruins were manageable, but the deeper one goes, the stronger they become. I had to fall back, I could go no deeper on my own. Once again, I the Lone Lands had frustrated me.

I headed back to Ost Guruth in disgust. How would I manage these larger threats on my own? I'd made it my mission to protect townsfolk and secure their homes yet I continue to be thwarted by organized groups of dangers that cannot be eliminated alone. Much as I hate to admit it, I fear I need more than help, I need to find fellows whom I can count on. I have no desire to return to the Militia, but I see little choice at this point.

Once my repairs were complete and I'd gotten a meal and some rest in the Ruin-hold I learned of trouble in Trestlebridge in North Downs. Though there were still many hazards to be addressed here I decided to accept this request. I'd expected to travel through Bree on the way, allowing me to seek the council of Daisy Appledore. Yet in the blink of an eye I found myself in the village of Trestlebridge. Whatever strange power did this it appears to have had no ill effect. Perhaps once I've assisted in whatever issues plague the folk here I'll be able to visit Daisy in Bree to discuss my options.

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Forsaken Inn secure

Its been a hard road here at the Forsaken Inn. The locals had a host of needs and concerns to address and I had to deal with a great number of these minor concerns to gain their trust. I ran a number of errands back to Bree, cut down the populations of dangerous creatures and gathered materials for the locals as requested. I even ran a number of messages for them. Ultimately, the greatest threats I faced where those that put not just the Forsaken Inn, but Bree-land at risk, the large numbers of Goblins and the Orcs in the area, most of which bore the White Hand mark of Saruman.

There were a number of Goblin camps to the north of the Inn. Being scattered with low numbers of the creatures at each encampment dealing with them was a simple matter. The locals eventually told me of a larger encampment south of the Inn in the ruins of Ost Laden. This encampment required much more care and strategy to address.

Ost Laden was completely over-run with goblins. Additionally, there was a large number of wargs and spiders in the southern section. Stealth was key in order to deal with small numbers of White-Hand Goblins at a time without alerting the others. It took several forays into this area to clear the way to the main camp where Nishruk had his command post.

Nishruk had wisely surrounded himself with the elite of his Goblin warriors. Shock troops guarded the rope bridge that led to the camp and the skill of these beyond only increased. I penetrated the lower camp multiple times so that I might surveil Nishruk in the hopes of finding a path to him. If he could be eliminated the Goblins would be thrown in disarray and their progress against the surrounding townsfolk would be halted. But there was no safe avenue to reach him, he had covered every approach.

Knowing I could not reach him alone, I called on others for assistance. F orming a small fellowship we were able to overcome the defenses and put Nishruk down. He was a tough opponent and a solid strategist. With him and his elite core eliminated it will likely take months before Saruman will be able to find a suitable replacement and get them reorganized.

I took advantage of the turmoil and put down hundreds of Goblins over the next few days. This radical reduction in their numbers should elimate them as a threat for some time. Now it was time to turn my attention to the Orcs.

I found Orc encampments to the north of Weathertop. Using stealth and gile I was able to take down small pockets of Orcs without issue. Eventually I found the main camp. It had been wisely built so that there was only one way to approach it. The Orcs guarding the camp were spread between rope bridges allowing me to deal with small groups one at a time. I eventually penetrated deep enough to find War-Master Uzorr, the leader of the White-Hand Orcs in the Lone Lands. He was surprisingly easy to reach and dispatch. Uzorr was no Nishruk.

As with the Goblins I devoted several days following Uzorr's demise to thining the Orc population. Hundreds fell to my spear and the locals began to refer to me as "Champion of the Lone Lands".

With the end of the immediate Orc and Goblin threats, the folk at the Forsaken Inn were safe and had surprisingly little left for me to assist with. I decided it was time to move on and took the road east to Ost Guruth. I'd heard there were many threats facing the folk of Ost Guruth and that they were virtually surrounded by danger. I will see what, if anything I can do to assist them.

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Arrival in the Lone Lands

The road to the Lone Lands was a long one. The trip though uneventful was difficult. There was a stark difference between the landscape of Breeland and this desolate place. After a long run I came upon a dilapidated structure that was the first sign of friendly folk I'd seen. It was appropriately called the Forsaken Inn.

There was an assortment of odd and surly characters there. As with all of the settlements I've been to there were an assortment of tasks these folk needed someone to take on. I began helping wherever I could.

The first task of note was to locate a missing wagon and driver. I found it on the edge of the Midgewater Marsh. The Goblins had destroyed the cart and killed the driver. While I was a able to dispatch the brood responsible, I doubted this would be the end. It was disturbing to see that these goblins were already operating in Breeland. Was I already too late.

I needed to address the Goblin problem quickly. Not wanting to make the mistakes of my past I took a cautious approach and began scouting the area around the Inn. I discovered a number of Goblin camps. The appeared fairly well organized which was not a good sign. Along the way I found pockets of orcs and a host of hostile wildlife. I've seen no evidence of organization among the orcs yet, though rumor has it that they have camps somewhere to the north of Weathertop. I'll need to investigate this soon.

I returned to the Inn and began working on the simple tasks there. I've seen them before. Materials needed, animal populations reduced, lost items recovered. I hope that my efforts here will help me gain the trust of the locals. They have been here for quite some time and I suspect they may know more then they will willingly tell a stranger. time will tell.

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Moving On

The days following the party were filled with conflict and trials of many kinds. I slayed all manor of trouble makers be they men, beasts or undead horrors. I tracked down historic sites and rare flowers. I even entered the depths of the Great Barrow and slayed Sambrog the Wright-Lord. I was showered in titles and thanks for my various accomplishments.

As time went on, fewer and fewer townsfolk came to me with concerns. It looked as if we'd finally brought order to Breeland. I was starting to consider retirement, perhaps even settling town in Bree to pursue a career as a woodworker. That fantasy was not to be.

One particularly bright morn Daisy Appledore visited me at the Prancing Pony. She congratulated me on my many accomplishments (not the least of which was keeping up with her hectic training schedule). After a fine breakfast she began to tell me of the many rumors coming for outside Breeland. It became clear that though we had our troubles at bay, this security would not remain if we didn't start taking the fight to the enemy. To truly be safe Bree needed men to meet threats before they ever reached our boarders.

Though all of the territories surrounding Bree had their troubles, the Lone Lands seemed to be a particular threat at the moment. It was rumored that hordes of Goblins and Orcs were massing there. This could mean an all out assault on Bree and that could not be allowed happen.

I had no choice. I spent the rest of the day preparing. Sharpening my Spear, crafting new Javelins and getting may belongings in order. Tomorrow I'll set out for the Lone Lands. My Goal is to disrupt, if not destroy, the forces massing there in the hopes that they never get the chance to threaten the townsfolk here.

It's a tall order, and one I'm not at all sure I can accomplish alone, but this is what the townsfolk have come to expect from me and I owe them nothing less.

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Return to Duty

Finally back to my feet I headed out of Bree reinvigorated and focused on repaying all the kindnesses of late by pushing back the evils that threaten townsfolk across Breeland. First though, I had unfinished business.

I headed strait from the Old Forest. That Haunted Barren Oak would burn in the fire at the Prancing Pony tonight! I knew where to find the evil thing, but along the way I stumbled upon a path I'd not seen before. As it appeared to be a quicker route to my bark clad target I followed it.

A few steps in the path opened into a clearing. Once inside I was immediated assailed by towering vicious timber! It appears this clearing was home to an entire forest of menacing hardwoods. A wiser man would have turned back, but I had vengeance and the loss of my eye on my mind.

Hours went by as bits of bark, sap, and my own blood flew all about. I crushed roots under foot as one after another the demonic trees were feld. I lost count of how many went down. I stacked their remains high to later return with a wagon to collect them. I was exhausted, spent, but not yet satisfied.

Pressing on though waves of spiders and clinging webs I finally reached the topiary menace that had taken my eye. I was in full blood lust, my judgment clouded with retribution and foolhardy from recent victories. Without a thought I charged in, tearing into the Oak as it's roots and spiders assaulted me from all sides. As if surprised, the thing stumbled backwards. pressed into it, driving my spear deeper and deeper into its trunk. It fell to my feet as I was nearly over come by it's henchmen.

Fighting nearly to the bitter end I crushed the last spider under my boot and collapsed. Though I knew it was not safe here I remained prone as I regained my strength with a few tarts and some wine. It took quite awhile to recover (I even impaled a spider on a javelin thrown without even rising to my feet). When I was finally refreshed I chopped a few trophy branches from the horror and collected what useful wood their was from it and it's brethren before returning to Bree.

That night, the Prancing Pony was exceptionally warm as the remains of the evil vegetation of the Old Forest burned bright in the fires. A impromptu celebration of the victory went on through the night that even drew Buckland folk to Bree. Daisy Appledore, though she simply came to congratulate and bestow the humorous "Root-Hewer" title upon me, ended up passed out on a bench in the corner. Gib Heathstraw made an appearance but was soon off on his own engrossed in whittling. He simply could not resist working with the unusual wood I had returned with.

It was a night to remember followed by a morn of pain that I'd have given anything to forget.

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A Long Recovery

The longer I live the more life surprises me. After my near death at the hands of that evil spawned tree I traveled to Bree to recuperate. I took up residence at the Prancing Pony inn and might well have lost myself in a dark sea of spirits and self pity if not for the kindnesses of others. My spirits rose even as I choked a bit on the guilt if felt.

After setting me up in a room innkeeper Baliman sent for Polly Leafcutter. She's an expert healer, but the damage was significant. After consulting with several friendly minstrels and healers it became clear that my right eye was lost.

Polly and others visited daily, mending and treating my many wounds. Polly was particularly concerned about secondary illnesses and was constantly tormenting me with foul smelling ointments and horrid potions. Though I hope never to experience these torturous treatments again, I must admit, I healed rapidly. All but my eye.

I was in the Prancing Pony for a few weeks. I was starting to wallow in self-pity, boredom and wine when surprise visitors started to appear. I'd become jaded, during my travels , thinking more and more townsfolk were lazy and unable or unwilling to complete the simplest tasks. But when word of my plight reached the surrounding communities those same folks responded in force.

The first to visit was Mason Thorne from Combe. He delivered fresh tarts his wife had sent along and spent hours visiting, telling tall tales and thanking me for my assistance. He also carried presents and letters from a number of people in Combe, all wishing me well and thanking me for my efforts on their behalf. I

A few days later I was shocked to see Widow Froghorn from Staddle arrive. This woman wouldn't even harvest her own fields or deliver her own messages and yet she traveled all the way to Bree to look in on me. She brought me an amazingly soft blanket and spent several days visiting, running little errands for me and keeping me company by the fire as we shared a pipe.

There were many visitors in that week. I felt guilty for thinking many of these folks lazy or incompetent. I was buried in baked goods, letters of thanks, even flowers. I had to rethink things. It still troubles me that so many of these people would lean on others so readily rather than take care of their simple needs themselves. However, how can I continue to see them in such a negative light when so many went so far out of their way to come to my side in my time of need?

I was rapidly cheering up when Daisy Appledore, my mentor, came for a visit. She delivered a letter from Archet's new Militia Captain, Joe Brackenbrook. In it he wished me well and assured me that there would always be a place for me in the Militia. Daisy however had other plans. Dragging me out of the inn she took me to the target range and insisted I begin practicing. I thought it silly until I finally threw the first javelin. I missed completely. The loss of my eye had ruined my depth perception.

We spent the rest of the day training. I saw little progress and my melancholy rapidly returnedas my shoulders burned . That afternoon I headed back to the inn in disgust, but I didn't quite make it. As if laying in ambush Gib Heathstraw popped out and took hold of me. He dragged to the crafting hall where I soon learned my injury had set me back there as well.

Daisy and Gib worked me over for weeks. I had near no time to rest as one or the other was constantly working me to relearn and improve my skills. It didn't end there as each evening one well-wisher or another kept me up late into the night talking and carousing. It took several months, but I'd finally learned to compensate for my injury to the point where I'd not only regained my former skills, I'd surpassed them. My confidence returned in force as I became more and more stir crazy. I had work to do, I needed to return to the wilds.

Daisy and Gib conspired against me one last time and surprised me with a party at the Prancing Pony. Many of the folks I'd helped came in from several towns to celebrate my return to full duty. It was a wonderful event where I once again had to put my jaded nature in check as I laughed and drank with those I knew, and many I just met.

Two particularly interesting new acquaintances I made that evening were brothers. Epicurean and Gillimer Grainline, hobbits of the shire. I must admit I enjoyed their sibling bickering and odd senses of humor. Though I'd just met them, they had brought the most helpful presents. Epicurean, a Tailor of some note had made a new set of armor for me. Gillimer gave me some weapon blades. He explained that he had wanted to make me a new spear and some javelins but when he learned I was a woodworker it thought it would be better simply to give me the parts I'd need to do it myself (sound's like Gib's handiwork to me).

Tonight, in a wine induced haze I head to bed exhausted from all the revelry. Tommorrow I head back into the field. Armed with a few new tricks, a deeper understanding of tactics and a deep desire to somehow makeup for all the kindnesses that have been granted me these past few months. First however, I must pursue a quest to improve my woodworking of Gib will let me know no peace.

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Beaten to a Pulp

Finally, I was able to pull those suckling hobbits of Staddle from my teat and move on. In need of training as both a Warden and a Woodworker so I headed to the large village of Bree. S o many townsfolk in one place, I feared the worst.

I was shocked to discover that while many of the residents of Bree needed assistance, for the most part their needs were genuine. Most notably were the foul undead creatures in an area called the Barrows. I attempted a quick run at this evil place and barely escaped with my life. I needed more practice with my newly learned skills.

I stumbled upon Adso's camp on the road back to Bree. Adso was an interesting character. Seems he was trying to build a road side inn at that location. I had just started to respect him when he asked me to find a clean source of water the project. How does someone start the construction of an inn without first finding critical resources, like water?

I was once again tasked with thinning wild beast populations, dealing with those ubiquitous Blackbold Bandits, and gathering all sorts of things along the way. It was perfect practice for my newly trained skills.

My trip into the eerie Old Forest to find fresh water for Adso the hindsighted was unnerving. The place had a sense of dread to it that chilled your bones. Discovering the living and violent trees was particularly disturbing (and strangely alluring) to the woodworker in me. Though I suspected it would be a mistake, I decided I'd explore the forest at length after I'd headed to Buckland to repair my gear and lighten my bags.

Sadly, the people of Buckland had many of the same petty needs as Adso, not to mention all the other small communities I've visited. It seems Bree may be the one beacon of reason in this sea of sloth and ignorance. At least most of their needs were in the Old Forest while were in line with my own plans.

While I'd been growing more and more powerful, there were threats in this wood that brought me to the brink several times. I was getting confident, cocky really, taking greater and greater risks for martial and the financial gains. I finally took it to far when I discovered the evil tree guarded by spiders. It seemed to be the root of the the problem in the Old Forest. using stealth and ambush I took down the spiders and the vile roots that surrounded it, leaving me with only the tree itself to deal with.

I stealthed in, hit it with an ambush and tried to stun the thing. In retrospect it makes sense that kicking a tree would have had little effect. We traded blow for blow, it's branches slashing at me from every direction. I was sure I had it, but a mis-step on the final lunge left an opening that the topiary menace exploited expertly.

The wound was devastating, the wicked branch not only slashed open my face, to destroyed my eye. The pain was unimaginable, I went down and the thing pounced, tearing me apart. I fell unconscious in a sea of red. When I awoke I was back in Buckland, a friendly minstrel was tending to me as best he could. Apparently he and a hunter had come upon my plight and rescued me for a future as fertilizer. After several hours he informed me that though he'd staunched my wounds, my eye was a lost cause.

I took a horse back to the Prancing Pony in Bree. I was going to need time to recover and consider my options.

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Staddle'd

While Townsfolk, and their apparent inability to deal with threats on their own has become an increasing source of frustration for me, the Hobbits of Staddle take this concept to new heights.

When I arrived and saw the rustic setting and the shear amount of farmfolk I was relieved. Surely these people know self-reliance. I was shocked to discover the the "town effect" as I've come to call it not only extended to these Hobbits, but they'd taken it further then I'd ever seen.

Straddle, like Combe and Archet had problems with beast populations as well as the Blackbold's. Rumors tell of a secret Blackbold hideout in this area which I hope will afford the opportunity to rid us of this blight for good. As always, I volunteered to assist with various dangerous issues to help secure the area. However, it became increasingly obvious that these folk were capable of, and more than willing to, take advantage of anyone who lends a hand.

As a Warden who's marshal skills grow daily I could easily deal with the physical threats facing the town and farms. But the errands, by my spear the errands were ridiculous! Farm folk of all people, apparently incapable of bringing things to market, sharing information with neighbors or even delivering love letters! Love letters! I half wondered if I should deliver that piece of scented paper via the tip of my javelin.

I begin to fear that an epidemic sweeps through Bree-land. Many fear the Evil Sauron and what he might have in store for all of us. But I tell you, the greater threats are sloth and complacency. How can a anyone hope to survive an evil onslaught if they cannot lift themselves from their rocking chairs to tend to their own crops or mail a letter?

I still have much to do here, not the least of which is to locate this rumored Blackwold hideout. However, my happiest day in a long time will come when I can no longer see any of these Staddle folk without looking over my shoulder. For the life of me I cannot understand why my father held Hobbits in such high regard.

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New place, same concerns

When I left Archet I headed south to the small town of Combe. It's larger than Archet, with more services including a crafting hall and a horse to Bree among other places. I was there but for a moment before I learned that the citizens of Combe faced many of the same issues that plagued Archet. I soon found myself aiding the townsfolk. Once again, local beasts were too numberous and those Blackwolds thugs threatened, though this time they were more numerous and better organized.

I took care of some immediate threats and then turned my attention to improving my crafting skills. My forestry was put to good use in this area and it fed materials to my woodworking nicely. I was beginning to craft better spears and javelins. Something I'm sure the Blackwolds wished I had not taken the time to learn.

One skill I continue to ignore is farming. Before my father passed me off to the Archet Militia he had wanted me to be a farmer so that I might take his place one day. I cannot imagine a time when I'll be so idle that farming appeals to me.

Though organized I found the Blackwolds easy to deal with so long as I approached them strategically. Impatience could easily lead to being overrun by dozens of their ilk. Better to use ambush tactics to take them down a few at a time. My tactics paid off and I dealt them some serious blows before I moved on.

One thing that troubles me from my time in Combe are some of the acts I agreed to in order to accomplish my goals and help improve the security of the town. The worst of which was poisoning the food supply of the wolves the Blackwolds used. If someone had suggested such a thing before the attack on Archet I would have leveled them. Now, I'm concerned. How far will I allow this to go? When do the ends no longer justify the means?

Now I must pack up and head to the town of Straddle to the south. There is a Blackwold hideout rumored to be there. Additionally, I need to meet with some experienced woodworkers in order to continue to improve my skills. Of course I'm sure they likely have hundres of little problems, beast overpopulation, etc. What is it about congrigating in a town setting that seems to weaken folks to the point that they cannot solve these little issues for themselves?

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