A Blade For a Life

Bestowal dialogue

'Oh, it's terrible! Blake, the brigand-captain who wanted the sword, came and told me he knew Nate was dead and that he knew I had something to do with it! I tried to tell him I didn't, that I would have another sword for him soon, but he wouldn't listen. He said he's taken my daughter, Maribell! If I don't give him another sword, and soon, he'll kill her!

'You must save her! Please! Get the sword from Lofar, then go to Blake's camp. It's in the Bree-fields, up north of Bree. I'm sure he'll release my daughter when he has the sword.'

'Please hurry! I don't know what I'll do if they harm her... You should bring a few seasoned warriors with you - Blake's men are rutheless!'

Background

While you were gathering the materials Kenton needed to finish his work for Lofar Ironband, the brigand Blake took Kenton's daughter captive.

Objective 1

• Talk to Lofar Ironband

Lofar can be found at the stone cottage north of the Bree crossroads.

Kenton Thistleway told you that Blake, the brigand-captain, will kill his daughter, unless he gets a new sword. Kenton has asked you to retrieve the sword from Lofar.

Kenton Thistleway: 'Have you gotten the sword from Lofar yet? Please hurry, my daughter's life is at stake!'

Lofar Ironband: 'Those accursed brigands took Thistleway's daughter? This is bad. This sword isn't ready yet! And I know these types of fellows. They won't take "no" for an answer. They'll kill that girl!

'You'll have to mount a rescue and free Kenton's daughter! Hurry now! And gather friends...I fear you'll need them to face Blake!'

Objective 2

• Find Maribell Thistleway
• Protect Maribell Thistleway

Blake's brigand camp is in the Bree-fields, north-west of Bree-town.

When you spoke with Lofar, he told you that the sword was not ready yet. He urged you to go to Blake's brigand camp and try to convince the brigand-captain not to harm Kenton's daughter. The sword will be ready soon. He also suggested you take friends in case there was trouble.

Lofar Ironband: 'Don't dawdle here! Go to the Brigand's Watch and rescue that poor girl! Hurry now!'

Maribell Thistleway: 'Thank you, thank you! I filched the key a while ago, but I was too scared to use it. Now, with you here, I can use it, and we can escape.

'Hopefuly we can get away before Blake notices!'

Maribell Thistleway says, "Quick! Follow me! With Blake dead, we can make our escape!"

You have rescued Maribell

Maribell Thistleway says, "Thank you! I think I can make it back to Bree from here!"

Objective 3

• Talk to Kenton Thistleway at Thornley's Work-site

Kenton Thistleway resides among the smiths in Bree, not far from the West-gate.

Blake, the brigand-captain, took Kenton Thistleway's daughter, Maribell, captive. You rescued Maribell, who has returned to Bree. You should return to Kenton with news of your success.

Lofar Ironband: 'Aye, good tidings! Glad no harm came to the lass. While you were away, I went over and collected the work from Kenton, and I must say that I think that Man has the hands of a dwarf. The work was excellent quality, so much so that I think I'll get double for it. I told him he could expect more work from me in the future.

'Seems my kind heart lead me to a good find. Thanks to you, that is.'

Kenton Thistleway: 'Oh, bless you! You've returned my daughter safe to me! I can't thank you enough! You've done so much for me, in more ways than you know!

'While you were away, I busied myself with Lofar's work. I had to do something to being myself overcome with worry. No sooner had I finished the wrok, than Lofar came over to collect it. He seemed pleased with it -- even admitted that it came close to dwarf-work! He promised to send me more work in the future!

'<name>, you've saved my family and given me a hope for a brighter future. I can't thank you enough!'

Forging a New Blade

Bestowal dialogue

'Now I'll help that Kenton Thistleway by forging another sword, but with two conditions. First one is that if that brigand don't come around, looking for the sword, I get it back. Second, Thistleway gives me a hand and does some of the simpler work I've got piling up around here, while I forge the new blade.

'Here, take these things over to him to work on. The axe needs a new haft, the bellows need new leather, and the helm needs to be reshaped and reinforced. Take that over to Kenton and tell him if he gets it done, and I'm happy with the work, we'll call it even on the cost of the two swords.

'Now off with you, I've got to get to work on this new blade.'

Background

Worried that the brigand Blake will come looking for his sword and, not finding it, will harm his family. Kenton Thistleway asked you to speak with Lofar Ironband about forging a new blade. Lofar reluctantly agreed, but wants something from Kenton in return.

Objective 1

• Bring the items to repair to Kenton Thistleway

Kenton Thistleway can be found at the southern end of Thornley's Work-site north along the Greenway.

Lofar Ironband has agreed to forge a new blade for Kenton Thistleway, but in exchange, Lofar has given you three items to take to Kenton for him to repair. The dwarf said that if he likes Kenton's work, he will call it even on the cost of the two swords he is having to make.

Lofar Ironband: 'Take those along to Kenton and tell him that my assistance comes with a price.'

Kenton Thistleway: 'Of course I'll do this work for the dwarf. Here, let me see what he has sent...' Kenton examines the items. 'All of these can be easily repaired, but I don't have the materials to do it. I hate to ask this, but could you help me gather what I need?

'For the helm, ask Foreman Rosethorn over there for a few iron straps for reinforcement. Thebellows will need some new leather, and I'll wager that some flawless hides from the boars near Bree will suffice.

'For the axe haft, I need something splendid to set in it. In the past, I've salvaged small gems from old trinkets that I've found in the boar hollow to the east. There are small mounds of ruins there, look like barrow-stones. If you search through the debris, you might find some suitable trinkets.'

Objective 2

• Collect iron straps
• Collect flawless boar-hides (0/3)
• Search for trinkets (0/3)

Foreman Rosethorn is east under the canopy at Thornley's Work-site. Boars can be found all over on the outskirts of Bree-town. The debris-piles in the boar-hollow to the south-east of Thornley's may contain hidden treasure.

Kenton can repair the items you brought from Lofar, but needs your help gathering the materials he needs. Speak to Foreman Rosethorn about iron straps to repair the helm. For the bellows, gather some flawless boar hides. Finally, search the debris in the boar-hollow for trinkets Kenton can use to decorate the axe-haft.

Kenton Thistleway: 'Hello, <name>. Have you gathered all the materials I need yet? I can't begin repairing those items for Lofar until I have the materials.'

Foreman Rosethorn: 'Bah, he wants iron straps? Kenton always needs something...he is straining the cost of this project. We have no straps in our stores.

'Here, take this old iron pot. He can make some straps out of that.

Collected iron straps

Objective 3

• Bring the collected materials to Kenton Thistleway

Kenton Thistleway can be found at the southern edge of Thornley's Work-site, north along the Greenway.

Kenton Thistleway sent you to gather materials he can use to finish his work for Lofar Ironband. You should return to Kenton at once with the materials you found.

Kenton Thistleway: 'Oh, good you've returned! Here, gives me those things! While you were away, something terrible happened! Please, I need your help!'

Getting the Blade Back

Bestowal dialogue

'Now, I want to set matters right. I do! And maybe you can help do that?

'See, like I said before, Nate said that before he gave the sword to Blake, he was going to test the blade against the workers at the unfinished silo site to the east. The site is just before the graveyard and at the top of the hollow of boars.

'If you find him there, maybe you can convince him to return Lofar's sword and leave my family alone. What do you say?'

Background

Threatened by Nate, a lackey of a brigand named Blake, that he must provide him a sword or his family would be harmed, Kenton Thistleway stole Lofar's blade.

Objective 1

• Find Nate

Nate may be found near the abandoned work-site to the east of Thornley's Work-site, before the graveyard and at the top of the boar-hollow.

Kenton told you that Nate said he was going to test the sword on the workers to the east of Thornley's Work-site. If you can find Nate there, perhaps you can get Lofar's sword back.

Kenton Thistleway: 'Have you found that Nate yet? He should be by the abandoned work-site to the east, just before the graveyard. He has Lofar's sword. I just hope you can get it back...and that you put a stop to him.'

The brigand Nate looks as if he was badly mauled by a large animal.

Nate: As you kneel to examine Nate, it is clear that he is quite dead. His hands grasps the hilt of a sword, but the blade has snapped off and is nowhere to be found. You take the hilt from the dead brigand's hand.

Objective 2

• Bring the broken hilt to Kenton Thistleway

Kenton Thistleway can be found, working, at the southernmost section of Thornley's Work-site along the Greenway.

You found the brigand Nate, who stole Lofar's blade. Unfortunately for him, the blade broke and he was slain by one of the boars he sought to kill. You should speak to Kenton Thistleway and let him know that Nate will no longer trouble his family.

Kenton Thistleway: 'What? The blade broke, and Nate is dead? Oh this is bad...very, very bad. What if Blake comes looking for his sword? I won't have one to give him, and they'll do something terrible to my family! I need a sword to give him! If only I had another blade to give them.

'Wait, do you think Lofar would make another, if you explained the situation to him? My family is in danger! Could you please ask him?'

Objective 3

• Bring the broken hilt to Lofar Ironband

Lofar Ironband can be found at the stone house just north of the Bree Crossroads where Chief Watcher Grimbriar has set up his post.

You found Nate dead and Lofar's sword broken. Now Kenton Thistleway is afraid that the brigand Blake will come looking for his sword and will harm Kenton's family when he finds that it does not exist. Kenton has asked you to convince Lofar Ironband to forge another that he can use to appease Blake.

Kenton Thistleway: 'Hurry now, Lofar awaits your return at the stone cottage south along the Greenway.'

Lofar Ironband: 'Another blade...he cannot be serious! I am already behind on other work, and now I must forge a new blade in time to fill the order this broken sword was meant for. "Time is precious, don't give it away for nothing," my father used to say....'

Lofar cuts himself off, lost in thought for a moment, then continues.

'Actually lost my father to brigands a few years back...wouldn't wish that on anyone....

'Bah! Give me that hilt. I must be going soft. I'll do it to keep his family safe, but he's going to have to do something in exchange!'

A Dwarf-made Blade

Bestowal dialogue

'Hail, good <race title>! I was wondering if you could help me with a bit of a problem. It seems that no sooner did I set my latest blade out to cool, than someone stole it!

'I didn't see who made off with the sword, but I suspect it was one of those Man-smiths working out at Thornley's. Their craft is nothing like dwarf-craft, and likely their jealousy of my workmanship moved one of them to steal my blade.

'If I were to ask them about my blade, they would just ignore me. You though, by the look of you, are a great warrior. If you were to ask them about my blade, they'll be honest with you. How about it, can you find my stolen blade?'

Background

Lofar Ironband has told you that someone has stolen his newest blade. He has asked you to find out who stole it and return it to him as quickly as possible!

Objective 1

• Talk to the smiths of Bree

Most of the smiths of Bree dwell near the West-gate or are working at Thornley's farm along the Greenway.

Lofar has told you that he thinks his latest blade was stolen by one of the Man-smiths. He thinks that a warrior, such as yourself, might intimidate the thief into confessing and returning the stolen blade.

Lofar Ironband: 'Have you found my sword yet? It was one of those Man-smiths working at Thornley's who took it, I know it. Go talk to them. Seeing a warrior like yourself will frighten the thief into confessing!'

Pete Shadetree: 'Don't be bothering me with such nonsense. Dwarves always looking down on us, claiming we're jealous. Now they going to start accusing us of stealing?

'Shoo, off with you. I don't have to take this sort of nuisance! I'll complain to the mayor, I will.'

Flint Oakhewer: 'Bah, I don't be needing to steal some dwarf-blade. people like my work...it's quality! You tell that KLofar that I didn't steal his fool sword and try to pass it off as my own!'

Matt Haywood: 'Well, of all the insulting things to say! Those dwarves think that no one can smith as well as them. Well, if being busy means you do quality work, then mine is quality.

'Go tell that fool dwarf that I didn't take his sword!'

Kenton Thistleway: 'What...a stolen sword? Stolen from a Dwarf? I don't know what you're talking about...Please, go away, I don't know anything about it...'

Kenton mops his brow, nervously.

'Yes, yes, I admit it! I took it. Please, don't tell the constable! Please! I did it to save my family! See, a brigand named Nate, he told me that he would hurt my family, unless I made a sword for their captain, Blake. But I didn't have the iron to forge one, and I was desperate to save my family, so I took the dwarf's sword!

'Nate said that before he gave the sword to Blake, he was going to test the blade against the workers at the site of Thornley's silo, just before the graveyard and the boar-hollow. If you find him there, maybe you can convince him to return Lofar's sword and leave my family alone. What do you say?'