Fantasy Fellowship: Flight to the Ferry

"It is mine, I tell you. My own. My precious. Yes, my precious."

"Now, now, my dear hobbit!" said Gandalf, "Come! Do as you promised: give it up!"

"No, Gandalf, I mean to keep this ring," said Bilbo.

"Very well then. However, in that case, you must remain here in the Shire. I must attend to something. Your plan to leave must wait until my return." Gandalf whirled and ducked through Bag End's door, away into the night.

Bilbo was miserable for a time, having to suffer talk about his disappearance at his birthday party. He remained holed up in Bag End as often as possible, taking few visitors. Until the day that Gandalf returned.

"We must leave immediately," Gandalf instructed Bilbo after having seen the ancient letters adorning the Ring. We will head toward Rivendell and consult Master Elrond."

As they stole away from Bag End with little but Bilbo's pack on his back, Halbarad, the mighty Dunedain, met them among the trees. "Master Gandalf, the borders are clear for now." "Good," replied Gandalf, let us make haste.

As they neared the Brandywine river, a bird whistled out from the trees. Halbarad stopped the party, directing them into the bush. A hidden whisper startled Bilbo, "Hello friends!" said Haldir, emerging from what they had thought was the trunk of an oak tree. "Three Wraiths are nearby, though I do not think they know yet the location of the Secret. They sense it is near, however, so we must make haste for Bucklebury Ferry.

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Jon and I have started playing through the Fantasy Fellowship campaign. Our first game last night, Flight to the Ferry, went well for both of us. My Fellowship, currently consists of Bilbo, Gandalf, Halbarad (a Ranger), and Haldir. Jon's consists of Bilbo, Gandalf, Eowyn, and Farmer Maggot (and pups!).

Both of us succeeded in reaching the Ferry with ease, killing off the three Wraiths in pursuit. In my game, I battered the first Wraith with Gandalf's staff, eliminated the second with a sorcerous blast, and defeated the third by discharging him of will (through patience) and then charging him with Gandalf, after which he faded out. No damage was caused to any of my party. In Jon's turn, he blasted the first Wraith back to the Eye, defeated the second through combat (and precious use of Might), and the third faded out through Jon's patience and Gandalfian assault. Eowyn had taken damage, though saved from wounding through use of all her Fate. One highlight was Farmer Maggot, immobilized, warding off a mounted charging Wraith as his dogs stood by, helpless to assist.

Mike's Fellowship, taking refuge in the forest as a Black Rider approaches

I plan to put up a small website, linked from our campaign site, to track both Jon's and my progress through the Quest of the Ring!