Wasteful Wanderings 7: in which Gryfflet reaches the beginning of the end of all things
13Gryfflet is more than ready to join us in our exploration of Skoironk having spent the last week in the company of the giant slugs who live there: we need to destroy tents and supplies, collect bones, and locate particular Orcs to defeat. In a burst of enthusiasm he attacks a nearby gate which resists his efforts to the point of leaving him stuck in combat so he beats up some Orcs to relieve his feelings. He proceeds through the tunnels wreaking havoc and practising his Burglar skills on the hapless inhabitants, giving us time to discuss a Lore Question. He collects enough bones to build bone idols, which do a good job of confusing the Orcs, and reports back to Thurindol who is disturbed to hear about the enormous maggots who might be responsible for digging the tunnels. Gryfflet is sent back to collect samples for investigation, and to confiscate Orc weaponry, while we discuss some more Lore. Thurindol is disturbed by the results of his investigation and finds a way for Gryfflet to apply his findings to discomfit the Orcs, so back we go into Skoironk one last time before rejoining Aragorn who has been waiting very patiently. We accompany him to the Black Gate, along with Gandalf and Pippin among others, for the parley with the Mouth of Sauron. Gryfflet helps Gandalf by fetching Frodo and Sam's possessions and then we are treated to a loud cinematic showing the ensuing events: the Black Gate opens, the armies of Mordor flood out, and we find ourselves at the long-anticipated Battle of the Morannon. We provide such help as we can, meeting many familiar folks and saving as many as possible until the battle reaches its final phase. Another loud cinematic marks where the game used to end, teasing the arrival of the Eagles, and since there is not much time left in the session we decide that this is a suitable place to pause.
"Is the door chasing me?"
"Oh, that is so embarrassing for you two!"
"I wish I could burgle their weapons from them!"
"Oh, just missed it, wrong hole!"
"It is useful, I like it!"
"Seriously, you can't find one? There's dead guys right there!"
"Well, Aragorn's no Walking Tree!"
Lore discussed this week included how long the One Ring stayed hot when heated up by various means and how literally JRRT meant the term "maggot holes".
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