A Spy and a Son Returned

General Summary

A Wounded Spy

While out hunting near Rhosgobel, the companions encounter a wounded man. He stumbles towards them, his face pale as a ghost, yellow-flecked spit welling up from the corners of his mouth. He must have been waylaid by Giant Spiders in the woods, and their poison courses through his veins. He presses a crumpled note into the Hathus' hands before becoming unconscious.

Wounded Woodman by Jon Hodgson

As Hathus tends to the man's injuries, the rest of the fellowship spot a troupe of soldiers accompanied by huge wolf-hounds, each bearing an unknown livery, ghosting out of the woods around them. The leader of the soldiers, a Men of Wilderland woman, addresses the party. She announces herself as Dagmar, a free huntress of the forest. Pointing at the poisoned man, she claims that he, Beran, stole something from her, and demands that he should be handed over to them. Dagmar identifies herself as a follower of Mogdred, the Lord of the Tyrant's Hill. Her master, she tells them, claims the southern forest as his realm, and is a Woodman born of Mirkwood. During the de-escalation of hostilities, Hathus discretely deciphers the message carried by Beran. It warns that Beran saw Orcs in Fenbridge Castle, one of the outlying fortifications of Dol Guldur. A scrawled map notes the position of Fenbridge, and also marks a tower near The Narrows of the Forest (the Tyrant's Hill). The fellowship negotiates an uneasy truce with Dagmar and her men. Both parties agree to walk the short distance to Rhosgobel and seek the judgement of Radagast the Brown. The fellowship protect Beran from possible ambush by the well-trained troops all the way to Rhosgobel. Radagast the Brown knows the recovering Beran well, claiming that he is one of his scouts, and hears his story before granting an audience to the fellowship. They explain their reservations about Dagmar and Mogdred, but the warrior has ghosted away with her men by the time it is her turn to report to Radagast the Brown.

The Folkmoot

During the next few days, the fellowship relax at Rhosgobel as they share the excitement of the growing list of dignitaries from up and down Wilderland. They spend their time speaking with many travellers and learn many rumours. The following people catch their attention.

Ingomer Axebreaker, of the House of Woodland Hall: Ingomer is the head of the council of elders of Woodland Hall.
Hartfast, of the House of Mountain Hall: Old and quarrelsome, Hartfast son of Hartmut is the chieftain of the Hall.
Fridwald The Runner, of the House of Woodmen Town: Fridwald is a wiry old man who serves as chief messenger and runner between the three Woodmen settlements of Mirkwood for too many years to count.
Radagast the Brown: By ancient tradition, the Wizard attends all folk-moots as an honoured friend.
Amaleoda, Shieldmaiden Of The Black Tarn: in charge of her family since her father’s death, Amaleoda and her kin live on the western shore of the Black Tarn.
Ceawin The Generous: Golden-haired Ceawin is the leader of a band of settlers in the East Bight, on the far side of Mirkwood. Most of his followers are distant kin to the Woodmen.
Bofri, son of Bofur: A Dwarf from Erebor.

As the day of the Folkmoot arrives, the excitement is gradually strangled throughout a long morning by numerous dull introductions and speeches. Ceawin The Generous makes a plea for closer ties, and Amaleoda, Shieldmaiden Of The Black Tarn makes a passionate request to help her people build a village on the banks of the Black Tarn.

The Prodigal Son

As Ingomer Axebreaker is about to call for votes to the two proposals, a dozen riders emerge quietly from the shadow of the trees. The companions recognise the garb of the men of the Tyrant's Hill and spot Dagmar in their entourage. All are armed, and their weapons seem both well-made and well-used. Two of them have big sacks tied to the back of their mounts. At their head rides a dread figure, wearing a helm made in the likeness of a dragon.

“Only Woodmen and their friends are welcome here,” declares Ingomer Axebreaker.

The stranger removes his helm. “But I am a Woodman, by blood and birth. Don’t you recognise me? You called me Ingold, your son, though men now call me Mogdred.” Shaken, Ingomer Axebreaker sits down. Mogdred address the crowd. “For many years, I was a slave in the dungeons of the Necromancer! Now I am lord of the place you call the Tyrant's Hill, and I command many men.” He points his sword at Amaleoda, Shieldmaiden Of The Black Tarn. “You and yours would be long dead if it were not for our protection. Darkness returns to the forest, had you but eyes to see it. There are Orcs in Fenbridge Castle, and shadows stir in Dol Guldur.” A warrior in the crowd wants to know what Mogdred asks of this folk-moot. He responds with scorn, “A seat in the councils of the Woodmen, tribute from the Black Tarn, wives for my warriors, gold from the mountains. That stranger -” he points at Ceawin The Generous, “offered you trinkets and sweetcakes. My offer is of a more practical sort.”

Folkmoot at Rhosgobel by Jon Hodgson

Two of his followers up-end the sacks they brought with them. Dozens of Orc-heads tumble from them. “What say you?” he demands arrogantly.

The Vote

The Folkmoot is asked to vote on three proposals and many members have their say and attempt to influence the vote. Monin says his piece and Sigmarr's spectacularly offensive remark about Mogdred's outlandish hat causes sniggers to ripple around the audience and Mogdred to turn icy cold with anger as he glares at the man from Dale. The voting on the three proposals does not go as expected.

Welcome Ceawin’s people into the Woodmen: On the one hand, they are wealthy and an alliance with them would make the Woodmen stronger. On the other, Ceawin The Generous is a stranger, and the East Bight is far away – if Orcs have come back to Southern Mirkwood, then maintaining trade with the East Bight will be perilous. REJECTED
Build a new hall at the Black Tarn: Amaleoda, Shieldmaiden Of The Black Tarn’s folk are prospering, and establishing a new House would strengthen the Woodmen as a whole. The Black Tarn is rich in fish, and they have the friendship of the River-maidens. ACCEPTED
Welcome the Lord of Tyrant’s Hill into the Woodmen: Mogdred’s sudden appearance at the conclave means that few people are sure what to think. He strongly implied a threat — “If you’re not my friends, then you’re my enemies, and you already have more enemies than you know”. He demanded tribute instead of asking for friendship, and seemed to consider the Black Tarn part of his domain. However, is it not better to have his warriors as allies instead of enemies? REJECTED

The man from Tyrant's Hill hill departs immediately, with the threat of his words hanging heavily over proceedings, and Ceawin The Generous dejectedly starts packing for the arduous trip empty-handed back to the East Bight. Only Amaleoda, Shieldmaiden Of The Black Tarn and her small group of followers are able to rouse the subdued crowd into something resembling a celebration, as they start recruiting for helpers immediately. In the morning, the fellowship consider the revelations of the day before and make plans to travel to The Festival of The Five Armies in Dale.

Report Date

13 Sep 2020