The fellowship decided to journey north on their way to Celeb-Ost. Arbun loaded up his dire-wolf, Judi, with all of his supplies and belongings. Before they set off, Kifak sent a message to King Eldarion in Minas Tirith:

“We have found two Palantir, it has grown colder and is very snowy. We have encountered many Orcs and are now heading to Norr-Dum in search of a third Palantir”

King Eldarion sent the following message back:

“Greetings, that is indeed hopeful news. Things are challenging in Minas Tirith. Cold, ice, and snow have settled on the city. Have sent the palantir of Minas Tirith into exile. Not safe to say where. Be safe and secure.”

The party set off on their two day travel to Celeb-Ost. The fellowship noticed that the weather became colder and colder with more snow on the ground as they continued north. Kifak guided the party and they were able to make their way north without losing their trail and found rabbits plentiful on their travels. After a full day of travel, the party came to a pond and a hollow under an escarpment that appeared to be a good place to camp for the night. The fellowship started a fire and roasted rabbits before resting for the night. The first watch passed without incident.

During the second Watch, Hallamir heard something from on top of the escarpment and went to investigate. Hallamir climbed up the escarpment and discovered two Trolls on the escarpment that were stalking their campsite. Hallamir was able to remain undetected and returned back the camp to warn the others.

The Trolls then attacked the camp and soon the fellowship found that they were surrounded by four Trolls. Hallamir struck at the closest Troll and almost cleaved off an arm with an elegant swipe. With the battle engaged, Arbun misty stepped up to the escarpment to provide a better line of sight for his ranged attacks.

A vicious battled ensued with the Trolls dealing terrible claws attacks balanced by the fellowship backing the Trolls away with Sword, Axe, and arrows dealing damage. The tide was starting to turn with two Trolls being killed when suddenly a Oni emerged from the forest to the south:

“Kill them my children! End them!”

Hallamir smartly cast Cloud of Fog that enveloped the Oni. The Oni terrified the fellowship by flying up out of the cloud right and landing next to Kifak and Jesoc. The fellowship were able to dispatch the other Trolls leaving just the Oni to deal with. Jesoc lunged and grappled the legs of the Oni leaving the rest of the party to overcome the Oni.

The rest of the party converged on the Oni and eventually were able to deal the killing blow. The Oni released a horrifying death scream and dissolved into a purple mist leaving only his mask behind. Jesoc examined the mask and picked it up and attached it to the inside of his shield. The fellowship rested for the rest of the early morning before setting out the next morning for Celeb-Ost.

After a long day of travel the party came to the gates of Celeb-Ost in early evening. The Dwarven guards saw that the party has one of Durin’s folk with them and gladly invited them in. They greeted Kifak and offered to escort them to the Prince-Regent, Narvi the 10th.

Narvi welcomed the fellowship warmly and explained that Norr-Dum was suiffering under a blockade:

“These are dark times – the kingdom of Norr-Dum has been isolated by a Winter witch and her minions. They are trying to starve out Norr-Dum and take the treasure of our kingdom. The Orc Fortress Kula Dulakurth guards one river that leads to Norr-Dum and the lair of Bairanax guards the other river. Those two rivers are the only way through the mountains to Nor-Dumm.”

“We are delighted to have one of Durin’s folk join us. Anything we have is yours. Our stocked river and farming makes us self-sufficient while we mine and smith”

“Visit the Silver Axe, Healer, and Library if that interests you”

Narvi also offered that the fellowship could visit the storerooms, armoury, or Smiths to replenish their supplies. The fellowship gratefully accepted and upon visiting the armory, Kifak selecting a finely crafted set of imposing smoldering armor. Hallamir selected a Dreadhelm which made his eyes glow red when worn. Jesoc took the opportunity to ask the smiths to combine two blades into one for upcoming battles.

The party decided it was time to make their way to The Silver Axe, the only tavern in Celeb-Ost. The party opened the door under the sign and were welcomed into the chaos of a true Dwarven tavern. Lozin Nobleshoulder welcomed the fellowship in and arranged for lodging for the party. The tavern was filled with smoke, shouts, and contests of arm wrestling, ale drinking, and beard pulling. Lozin Nobleshoulder informed the party that entry into the contests cost 10 gold pieces with the winner winning all the money wagered.

A broad smile filled Kifak’s face and he quickly ordered a round of Ale. Hallamir followed that up by ordering a round for everyone in attendance for the meager sum of 10 gold pieces. The fellowship quickly down their ales and made their way over to the contest tables of arm wrestling, ale drinking, and beard pulling contests. Jesoc looked around and noticed that the only non-Dwarves were himself, Hallamir, and Arbun.

Kifak was first to try the arm wrestling competition but on the first try his sweaty palm slipped and he was defeated leaving raucous shouts and yelps from all those assembled.

Arbun decided that strength was not his forte and entered the ale drinking contest and was doing well until losing in the final contest. Jesoc tried his hand at the arm wrestling contest before losing as well in the first contest.

Kifak gathered himself and decided to enter the beard pulling contest. Kifak acquainted himself better and was able to emerge as the winner earning himself 70 gold pieces.

Finally, Hallamir decided to also try the arm wrestling competition. Hallamir’s contests were pitched battles with him barely emerging as the victor in the first two contests before clearly overwhelming the dwarf in the final contest. Hallamir decided to use his winning to buy seven rounds for the entire tavern making him the favourite patron of the tavern.

The fellowship were tired and inebriated and retired to their rooms. Kifak and Arbun retired to a Dwarf-sized room while Hallamir and Jesoc retired to the only room with human-sized beds.

Arbun quickly fell asleep due to the ale drinking contest and was loudly snoring when Kifak decided to send another message, this time to a friend in Erebor asking if things were well in Erebor. Kifak received this response:

“Cold here, Orcs also in countryside surrounding Erebor. Safe so far in Erebor”

Kifak responded back:

“Thank you, see you in Erebor soon. Currently in Caleb-Ost”

Kifak then joined Arbun in a deep snoring sleep.

The fellowship awoke the next morning with mild hangovers. Kifak decided to go to the Healer while everyone else sought out the library. Jesoc was welcomed by the librarian Fonmus Frostfury. Fonmus informed Jesoc that all the books were mining books except for one. That one book was written in an unknown elvish tongue with gold and silver inlays. Upon examination the book looked to hold verses of some sort. Fonmus informed Jesoc that the book was rumoured to come from lair of Uruial – an Ancient Red Dragon. No one know if he still lives, but Fonmus informed Jesoc where the dragon’s lair was. Fonmus also informed Jesoc that the dragon’s hoard was rumoured to include the Tears of Varda – an invaluable artifact rumoured to come from Valinor.

Fonmus gave the book to Jesoc which he gratefully accepted, The party then left the library to join Kifak at the Healer.

When Kifak entered the healer she introduced herself as Kubal Emberborne. Kifak asked about healing potions and Kubal shared that she could give two healing potions to each party member. She gave two healing potions to Kifak and Kifak waited for his other party members to join him.

Shortly after all the remaining members of the fellowship joined Kifak. When Jesoc entered, Kubal gasped and said that Jesoc was under a curse. Jesoc told Kubal about the feeling of being stalked and Kubal offered to remove the curse. Jesoc gratefully accepted and Kubal grabbed a jar of leeches from the shelf behind her. She applied the leeches and after some blood-letting and the uttering of prayers, Jesoc finally felt free and unencumbered.

After Kubal gifted two healing potions to each of the other members of the party, Kifak asked if Kubal had some diamond spell components. Kubal said that she indeed did and gave the spell components to Kifak as requested.

The fellowship decided to return to visit Prince Regent Narvi to help decide on where to go first to help to end the blockade of Norr-Dum. They were welcomed by Narvi who congratulated them on their successful night at the Silver Axe. Kifak asked if Narvi could supply any assistance on their quest to end the blockade. Narvi stated that sadly they are just a mining outpost and could provide supplies but that they have no warriors. The fellowship also inquired if the Winter witch could control Bairanax. Narvi said that while she is known to be able to control Bairanax, the ice drake is not known to leave the river he is guarding.

Kifak then asked what treasure does Norr-dum have that would cause it to be the target of a blockade and why Celeb-Ost is not a target with it’s treasure. Narvi shared that while Celeb-Ost has riches, it is a drop in the bucket compared to what resides in Norr-Dum. Jesoc interrupted and shared that they had heard that Norr-Dum has a palantir and asked if that could that be the reason for the blockade.

Narvi shared that he is aware of that rumour as well and that could indeed be the reason. The party shared that they have decided to attack the Orc fortress of Kula Dulakurth and Narvi offered them a boat to quickly travel down the river. Narvi also shared that the river flows under Kula Dulakurth so they couldn’t try to sail past the fortress.

The fellowship sailed down the river and soon saw the dark fortress loom ahead. The fortress looked dark with no sign of activity or light. The fellowship pulled off to the riverbank to plan their attack.