The party continued up to the second level and found Ryex’s Magic Emporium. They entered and were welcomed by the Ryex Ruille, the proprietor. The party was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the inventory and asked Ryex how he had gathered such a collection. Ryex shared that much of it was initially provided by the wizards and that there are now many more people buying and selling magic wares since the wizards have returned as word is getting out that Maethleburg is a centre for magic items.

After some perusing and haggling, the party eventually purchased the following items:

• Kifak
  • Amulet of Health
  • Cloak of Elvenkind – hereafter known as Cloak of Dwelvenkind
• Jesoc
  • Adventurers Overcoat
  • two Identify scrolls
  • Alchemy Jug
  • Dragon Forge Shield
• Hallamir
  • Cloak of Arachnidia
  • Cottage chest
  • Cap of Water Breathing

Arbun searched and searched but couldn’t find anything to his liking.

Before the fellowship left they asked Ryex if he could tell them the command word of the Gateway Ring they had. Ryex said that he could not and informed the party that even the the Archiwizard, Avenior, would not be able to determine the command word.

The fellowship thanked Ryex and took their leave to visit the Private Squirrel tavern to gamble. The owner of the Private Squirrel welcomed the party and introduced himself as Martin Bordel.

Martin informed the party that they had three games of chance:

1. The Highwayman
2. Darts
3. Ord’s Gambit

The fellowship were enthralled by the possible winning odds for the Highwayman game and played multiple times. They won some and lost some, but eventually ended up on top.

The party then moved on to the Darts competition and watched the halfling champion, Bitan Undertree, willing to take on challengers. Bitan defended his title and won the first few games, but eventually the fellowship was able to defeat Bitan. Bitan then challenged the fellowship to games with higher and higher stakes. The fellowship won and lost some games before finally defeating Bitan.

Martin Bordel congratulated the fellowship on their winnings and offered them four rooms at no charge. The fellowship graciously accepted and retired for the night.

The fellowship ventured up to meet the wizards the next morning and were greeted by a child at the gate. The child introduced herself as Gilly Bunce and inquired as to their business. The party informed Gilly that they were here to see the wizards and she offered to take them to Avenior.

On their way to see Avenior, the fellowship saw open doors to buildings that held hoards of gold and other treasures. It was very apparent that the wizards were doing very well with their arrangement with the town of Maethleburg. Avenior welcomed the fellowship and told a tale of how they were eking out a living in Dol Amroth repairing ships until they were hired by Ninque to help in the restoration and search of Dol Guldur. The wizards eventually left Ninque after she refused to pay them and they came up to Maethleburg where they are now.

The fellowship asked Avenior to examine the bag of holding for the Palantirs and Avenior immediately dropped it and stepped back saying it had Hag magic all over it. The fellowship asked Avenior to also examine the Gateway Ring and Avenior again dropped it saying there was Hag magic all over it. Avenior refused to examine the objects any further.

Avenior having no love for the Hags offered a map of Dol Guldur to assist the party. The fellowship graciously accepted the map.

The fellowship took their leave of the wizards and asked Avenior to let them know if he became aware of any news about the Hags. Avenior agreed and wished them well.

The fellowship gathered up their horses and departed the city of Maethleburg.

As the fellowship left the city of Maethleburg they experienced that it was unnaturally cold. It seemed to be getting colder as they approached Dol Guldur.

The party could see the peak of Dol Guldur in the distance above the Mirkwood forest. Just before the forest they could see what appeared to be a hunter’s cabin. They cautiously approached and Arbun could hear some sounds from inside.

Arbun and Kifak went around to the back and entered only to be attacked by a band of Ettins. The Ettins moved forward to attack and were joined by their chieftain. The Ettins had salvaged this abandoned cabin and defended their home viciously with clubs and morningstars the size of Arbun.

Hallamir and Jesoc barged through the front door to aid their compatriots but not before Kifak had been hit multiple times.

Suddenly Kifak was hit again and flattened! He laid motionless and prone. Arbun moved over to quickly heal him before all life exited his body.

Kifak smartly got up and struck back before he retreated behind a tree. The fellowship was able to defeat the rest of the Ettins and searched the cabin but found nothing of value.

The fellowship continued on to Dol Guldur but decided to return to the cabin and rest before they entered Dol Guldur.