The fellowship awoke from a subsequent rest after the horrifying vision of Thuringwethil. They were shaken and decided to leave Mirkwood as soon as possible by heading west.

The party finally exited Mirkwood after travelling for an hour. They continued west and came upon the mighty Anduin river after another hour. The fellowship saw that two Keelboats were anchored on the other side of the river. The Anduin was at least 100 feet across and very fast moving here but thankfully there was a stone bridge that was close by. The fellowship carefully examined the bridge for traps and decided to cross.

The fellowship carefully crossed the bridge but when they got on the other side they found themselves back on the original side of the bridge again. Puzzled, the party tried to cross again and they found themselves back on the original side of the bridge once more.

The fellowship continued to try different ways of crossing but to no avail. Whether they crossed backwards, on the bridge railing, or crabwalking, they found themselves back on the original side.

The fellowship then decided to send just Arbun and Hallamir over by themselves to see if they could cross alone and to see what happened to them. Surprisingly, Arbun and Hallamir disappeared as soon as they reached the mid-point of the bridge and appeared right behind Kifak and Jesoc. Kifak and Jesoc also tried to cross and appeared behind Kifak and Jesoc.

The fellowship agreed that this must be some sort of magic spell and started to look for clues on how to dispel it. Arbun could smell the scent of Enchantment magic near the foot of the bridge on the near side. Hearing this, Kifak cast Dispel Magic and and the smell disappeared! The fellowship inspected where the smell was the strongest and found a rock just under the water with the following inscription:

“Alison Teodor Barley”

The fellowship correctly deduced it was a password for the bridge, but they confirmed they no longer needed it when they crossed the bridge on the next try.

As soon as the fellowship stepped off the bridge, they heard someone greeting them from their left:

“Trades! Trades for anything at all! Gnimo has whatever you require!”

Gnimo was seated at a table with a sack beside him. Gnimo explained that he could produce any item that was desired for any other item or items of equal value. After some discussion and haggling, the party bartered for the following items:

• Hallamir – Manual of Quickness of Action
• Kifak – +1 Smouldering Armor
• Jesoc – Boots of Elvenkind
• Arbun – +1 Studded Leather

Gnimo shared that he was a visitor from another realm and frequently visits other realms to collect items. Gnimo was so pleased that the entire party traded for items that he then gifted the party with a whistle they could blow once a week to summon him to trade again. In addition, he also gave them Gnimo’s magic discount dice to use when they meet again.

Kifak asked asked Gnimo if he could trade for two Superior Healing Potions before Gnimo left and Gnimo agreed. As Gnimo was about to leave they asked Gnimo if he knew whose Keelboats these were. Gnimo shared with then that they were left by Aenwyn for the party to use. The party was pleased to hear this and when they turned around to thank Gnimo, he was gone.

The party went over to one of the Keelboats and boarded. They carefully untied the Keelboat and started to float down the Anduin. It was going to take the party two days to get to Minas Tirith with the current.

Kifak immediately went to the front of the boat, placed one leg on the bow, and surveyed his surroundings. Jesoc cast unseen servant and had them clean everyone’s boots.

Somewhere in the first hour Jesoc wondered aloud where they left the horses. Collectively the rest of the party slapped their heads.

Kifak then prayed for Divine Intervention to guide him on the waters. Kifak immediately felt more confident and crafted himself an eyepatch to feel more complete. Kifak was able to confidently steer the ship as they glided down the Anduin.

As they sailed down the Anduin, the fellowship noticed that the winter and famine had receded. The snow had all disappeared and the farmlands were green and being tilled.

The fellowship decided to dock for the night and as soon as they tied the boat up they heard screeching from above. Three Vrocks being ridden by Vampire Nightbringers descended and attacked! Kifak smartly cast Spirit Guardians and the fellowship eventually wore their opponents down. They first disposed of the Vrocks and then turned their attention to the Vampire Nightbringers. They suddenly remembered they had holy water and Kifak and Jesoc finished of the last two Vampire Nightbringers with holy water. Jesoc slammed the head of the last Vampire Nightbringer with two flasks of holy water. The Vrocks dissolved into Ichor and the Vampire Nightbringers dissolved into dust.

The fellowship rested for the night before heading off the next morning. Early in the morning, Captain Kifak cut a hole in his eyepatch with his battle axe to see better.

The fellowship slowly sailed down the Anduin. They didn’t really notice the roaring of the falls until if was much too late. The finally realized they were coming up on the Falls of Rauros, but there was no place to dock with sheer cliffs all around.

After quickly determining that there was no way to avoid the falls, Captain Kifak took charge. Captain Kifak steered the boat successfully and only glanced off a couple of rocks.

Finally they were coming up to the falls and seeing no options, the fellowship planned to go over. They gave Hallamir the Drowner’s Pearl and held on.

Captain Kifak guided them well and although the fall was rough, the boat and the crew were intact. The fellowship recovered themselves and sailed the rest of the way to Minas Tirith without any further events. The party again noticed that the weather was warmer and warmer and the fields became even more lush. They could see orchards full of fruit bearing trees. The winter and famine were indeed gone.

The fellowship glided into Minas Tirith and were welcomed by a strange sight. Children rushed to greet them and cheered their arrival. Even stranger, the fellowship noticed that the children were dressed like them. They were welcomed into the city while the children played imagining themselves as their favourite fellowship member!

• “Look! I’m Kifak! Taste my battle axe”
• “Tough! I’m Jesoc. I fight for honour!”
• “Shh! I’m Arbun. I will steal anything”
• “I’m Hallamir, I can find any path!”

The party returned to Fionn MacCools Tavern and didn’t pay for a drink all night they were welcomed as heroes and promised an audience with the king in the morning.

They met King Eldarion in the morning and the king informed the fellowship that the Palantirs were indeed stolen by the King’s Seer and his acolytes who had been replaced by Hollowed Ones. The King shared with them that he had heard that the Palantirs were taken to Serke in Dol Amroth who sailed away with them to Gerlkuneshe. The king also shared two maps that were found in the Seer’s quarters.

King Eldarion informed the fellowship that all of Minas Tirith consider them heroes as they believe the winter and famine to be vanquished forever. The king shared that he knows their situation to be more dire than ever and that their world is teetering on the edge of a knife. The king asked them to keep that secret and to not destroy the hope of his people – for whatever little time they have left.

The fellowship solemnly agreed.

After hearing this the king gifted the fellowship 10,000 gold pieces and two ships in Dol Amroth:

• Sea Ghost – churning hull
  • Captain Elias “Saltwind” Marrow
  • Officer Brigid O’Shaughnessy
  • Officer Tomas Greyhook
  • Officer Selene Driftwater
  • Officer Finnian Blackreef
  • First Mate Garrick “Barnacle” Holt
  • Bosun Mirella Stormsong
  • Quartermaster Joren Tidebreaker
  • Cook Anya “Red Sails” Veyra
  • Sailor Kaelen Moorwake
  • Sailor Dorin “Old Anchor” Vass
  • Sailor Ysabel Seawraith
• Emperor of the Waves – churning hull
  • Captain Calder “Ironhook” Veylan
  • Officer Maris Gullwhisper
  • Officer Roderick “Two-Eyes” Brann
  • Officer Elira Waveborn
  • Officer Silas “Deckrat” Crowe
  • First Mate Niamh Stormwake
  • Bosun Borin “Sea Ox” Darran
  • Quartermaster Cassian Driftmoor
  • Cook Petra “Lanternjaw” Korrin
  • Sailor Thalos Brinehand
  • Sailor Mirek “Ropeburn” Jast
  • Sailor Ysolde Tideveil

The king gave them their leave and wished them well in wherever they needed to go.