Logfile from Elendor.
Under the Silvertine(#813Ranto)
The looming shadow of the
cliffs of the Silvertine cloak the road east. Through the night's
darkness you spy two giant trees, dark and silent, that frame the cliff's face.
Nearly at your feet is a still, dark pool of putrid water. The stars reflected
in its surface seem almost swallowed by its depths. Once there may have been a path that lead to the Silvertine's face, but now the water
is risen to such a point that you can see none in the night air.
Contents:
Oin - Calriel
Watcher - Lorthoron
[Rukghash]
It is a cloudy night on the west side of the
The
Limbs and branches from a nearby tree lie
half in the water and half out, creating some natural seating and an even more
disturbing atmosphere for the lake. The air is still this close to the Misties,
though the air still carries a cold chill in this time of Novembre. Only a few
Days past the death of Balin the Dwarves inside the
mountain still cling to their recaptured realm, though orcs beat on the Main
Gates of Moria for time untold.
[Oin(#24093)]
Khazad-Dum, the mighty city of
This deep, autumn night, it is another Dwarf Lord whose
footsteps echo within the halls near the Western Gate: it is Oin, brother of
Gloin and once companion of Thorin Oakenshield.
While the main host of the remaining
Dwarves hold the Eastern Halls, it is he who has come to the other side
of Moria; his deep voice heard only by the shadows, as he says to himself
"Will the orcs have besieged this Gate as well? Or is it open still to the Dwarves as a route to escape? We shall
see..."
And with that, leather gloves that are dark in color and
carry the signs of many ages, press against the Gate.
Slowly, but certainly, the Gates of Khazad-Dum swing open, where once the road to
Eregion was well kept as well as a vigilent watch of the Warders of Moria.
[Watcher(#28583)] The waters of the
[Oin(#24093)]
Devoid of life it seems, and of a sudden, a sharp, eery
autumn breeze kicks up in this dark and isolated locale. At its whim the forked
beard of Oin starts fluttering as soon as the Dwarf steps outside. A low grunt,
coming deep from within his throat, portrays a mixture of suspicion and content
- at least the orcs seem to have overlookedd the other entrance to the mines!
Tucking his beard within his thick leather belt, that is
crossed over his suit of glimmering armor, the Dwarf snorts.
A few moments pass, the old eyes of Oin glancing, trying
to pierce the veil of mist. Idly, he steps forward...
*splash*
*splash*
the laced boots of the Dwarf sound in the water. "A
lake." his gruff voice echoes. "A lake!",
he says louder as he playfully stirs the water with foot. "No orcs! Hah!"
- his voice no morre secure, almost triumphant! This
road is still unblocked!
You paged Oin with 'Call back into the mines towards a
group of Dwarves next pose..I'll pose for them'.
[Watcher(#28583)] Ripples rush outwards from the dwarf's
feet, and make their way over the surface of the
From the depths of the pool, a shadow stirs. Huge and
mighty it seems, as the unclean water swells anew, and into the night air comes
forth a twisting shape, a snake of darkness swaying in the dimly lit scene.
Raking back and forth, it seems to take note of Oin, and slips silently towards
him, the waves parting before it in its haste.
[Oin(#24093)]
His hand at his mouth, head turned around towards the
entrace where only a steep staircases leading up can be seen in the darkness,
Oin cries "The coast is clear!" - the full
voice of Oin seems to echo against walls of nightly shadows. Who is he speaking
to? Are there more Dwarves?
Then, the ripple in the water splashes over the Dwarf's
boots and catches the attention of Oin whose stern features seems to be crossed
by a look of surprise. A moment later, he seems to perceive the oncoming shadow
as his bushy eyebrows rise, only to be replaced by a deep frown on his forehed.
"By Durin's beard! What is this!?"
[Rukghash]
From just inside the West Gate of Moria comes a
clattering of three pairs of metal boots clomping against the stone floor.
"Aye, we're coming!" A Dwarf calls from inside to
Oin. After a few more moments three Dwarves Stand
in the Western gate of Moria, their eyes collectively passing over the waters
of the lake and out into the darkness beyond. "Well, at least there aren't
any orcs out here, though I'm wonderin' how long that main gate will
hold." One of the Dwarves offers up almost unconciously.
[Watcher(#28583)] The snake-like shape ducks under the
surface of the
Tentacles writhe in the dim light. Dark green, fingered
at the tip, the limbs sway murderously as they reach up and tower over the
khazad. Sharp blades of jagged chitin jut out from various fold of skin, and
the lethal shapes are tipped each by a pair of gnarled fingers. After twisting
a few seconds more, they arch downwards with alarming speed at Oin, arcing with
shuddering force at his upper torso.
Oin says, "By Mahal!" is the only thing that
Oin cries out, just the minute before the first tentacle rushes out of the
water. His mithril armor (for it is, of course, made out of the legendary
material once found in plenty in the Mines of Khazad Dum) glimmers in metallic
brilliance, only rivalled by the flicker in the Dwarf Lord's eyes - sharp as
lances under the starlight and no trace of fear lies within them.
No time is there to draw his axe. As the tentacles leap
out one by many, there is only a brief instance to duck! "Khazad ai
menu!" cries Oin as he jumps out of the way, slipping and landing on one
knee in the undeep water."
[Rukghash]
The trio of Dwarves within the entrance
to Moria are taken aback by this sudden burst of force from within the
lake. Moving back a few steps they watch in morbid fascination as these
tentacles reach out from the water and arc over and downwards at Oin. Barely
enough time to react one of them yells out, "Move Oin! Get out!" The
Dwarves wave frantically for Oin to make it back to the entrance.
After a brief moment the orcs realize that Oin isn't
going to be able to make it out without their help. Quickly, the trio ready their axes and rush into the shallow water -
trying to make their way to Oin, seperated by some feet.
[Watcher(#28583)] As the dwarves press forward, the water
suddenly erupts. A hulking, monstrous form emerges from the dark pool, the
water about it churning into froth. Four more of the squirming tentacles launch
themselves abruptly from the thrashing
Attacking as one, the vicious limbs fire forwards against
the Dwarf Lord, his knelt body a seemingly perfect target. They surround him,
and each reaches with its fingers to grab a hold of his hands and ankles.
[Oin(#24093)] His right hand searches for the hilt of his
axe, as Oin climbs to his feet. Not only his age is engraved in the depth of
his eyes, but also many battles, both small and great.
In the tumult of the new arrivals, cries in the Dwarvish
tongue and the splashing of water, it is Oin who now swings forth his axe with
his right hand.
Fiercely does the steel gleam, the red stone on the hilt
seems to leap fire as the axe strikes, slashing at one of the oncoming
tentacles, while his left hand is stretched out to fence off another of the
monstrous tentacles.
In a voice, lilting with the sound of disbelieve, Oin
cries "Where... where from does this monster come!?"
[Rukghash]
One Dwarf now lies semi-concious
against the stone wall of Moria. Another is high in the air held by a single
tentacle. But one is free, and this one swings his axe fiercly towards the writing
tentacle that holds his compatriot aloft. "You can't have him!" The
Dwarf bellows, his voice booming in the thrashing water.
[Watcher(#28583)] A roar shakes the very air, as Oin's axe
finds its mark, and hews a tentacle cleanly. The huge shape lifts itself higher
from the water, and draws closer, terrible to behold. A great, gaping mouth can
be seen as it approaches, foot long fangs lining the gargantuan maw. Several
more of the creature's limbs thrash the water furiously, and all the tentacles
close in unison upon Oin. Blow after blow is rained upon the brave khazad,
horrifying shrieks sounding from the monster.
As the the other dwarf attacks the beast, his axe too
severs a limb, and results in a further cry of rage and pain. The tentacle drop
lifeless into the water, and the dwarf it had gripped
makes a great splash as he himself lands in the
[Oin(#24093)]
As the large unholy shape lifts itself higher from the
water, Oin lets out a cry. Despite the horror of the moment, the cry is not
filled with fear or terror, but with stout determination.
When the unavoidable tentacles finally find him, collide
with his arm, hid body, the dwarf is simply thrown to the floor by the might of
the blow. "Aaa-rargh!", comes the painful
grunt as his body smacks into a rock in the dark water.
[Oin(#24093)]
The Dwarf Lord lifts up his axe once more, though pain
seems to be flashing through his body for a moment as he grimaces. "Return
to the depths of the water from whence you came!" says he, as he hurls his
weapon at the monstrous head of the creature.
[Rukghash]
The Dwarf hits the water with a hard splash, and slowly
he rises to his feet shaking himself. A few cuts are visible through his
armour, and he limps noticeably. Running to his aide comes
the other Dwarf who freed him. "Are you ok?" The Dwarf questions
hurriedly, but he waits not for the answer as he sees Oin taken to the ground
by the tentacles. "Oin!!" The Dwarf calls
and tries to run to Oin's aide yet tentacles block his path. The other Dwarf
ambles for the entrance back in to Moria and the unconcious Dwarf nearby.
[Watcher(#28583)] As Oin falls, the monster's shriek of anger
turns to one of triumph, and several of the tentacles pounce upon his prone
form, the fingers struggling for purchase upon the gleaming armour. One manages
to coil about his ankle, and it hefts him from the water forcefully, dangling
him high above the surface of the
Almost on cue, the other limbs of the beast unite in
attack, and launch powerfully at the other dwarves. One is caught a glancing
blow on the head, and is sent spinning from the
[Rukghash]
"Inside! Inside!"
The beleagured Dwarven Warrior bellows. "Drag him in with you."
Moving backwards through the water and then rocky pebbles, the Dwarf slowly
makes his way back insdie the gate with his two battered comrades. His eyes
burn with horror as Oin is dangle, like a candy treat above the maw of the
Watcher. Enraged the Dwarf rushes forward again, to try and make one mroe
attempt to free Oin. "Oin!" The Dwarf calls
as his battle cry using his axe to try and fend of any blows.
[Oin(#24093)] His body up in the air, his weapon gone, there
seems little hope for the Dwarf, this hour of despair. Dark and bleak will the
day be remembered in the songs of the Stone Masters, as the elves of old
sometimes referred to the Dwarves.
"Run, you fools! Back into
the Mines and seal the gates!" Oin's commanding voice bellows through the
night. Catching his breath as his body is mercilessly shaken about,
more words leave the lips of the Dwarf: "This way is blocked, you MUST
tell Ori to hold the East Gate!"
[Watcher(#28583)] The tentacle swings Oin closer still to the
mouth, holding him high above, almost as if for sport. The mouth opens wide,
but at that moment, the other dwarf attacks.
Seemingly furious at the distraction, the leviathan beast
re-doubles the barrage of blows upon the valiant dwarf as he rushes forward to
try and save Oin. The limbs draw back, before thundering towards him. The dwarf
is knocked back as if struck by some force of nature as his body is flung
backwards against the gate, tumbling into the others, and laying them all out
inside the doorway.
Howling with triumph again, the beast roars still
further, and with a final gape of menace, it lets the Dwarf Lord fall...his
body tumbling through the air...and landing in its jaws. Seemingly with relish,
the jaws close shut with a vicious snap, and the dull crunch of bone can be
heard amid the satisfied grumble that the creature now makes.
[Rukghash]
Lying inside the West Gate of Moria two
of the Dwarves stir, their bodies slowly rising from the ground. Yet, at
nearly the same instant the West Gates begin to close. The doors begin to
swivel shut with ease, though they have been used little in recent years. At
last a final picture is cast to the Dwarves inside. That of
the falling Oin as he is devoured by the Watcher. Then, the door closes
without a sound, and the Dwarves disheartened and beaten begin the long trek
back towards the Eastern gate.