Outfitting the Expedition

nr Sandamyr, 11th Kabe, YT330

“By the time Olorin and Amethalriel had agreed upon their itinerary it was the 11th of Khabë. The delay was spent pleasantly at the Painted Courtesan and it was with some reluctance that we eventually headed out into the winter chill. The chosen route was westward toward the Eol homelands and the Dungeon of Hring. Initially we headed for Sandamir, and finding that town too small to supply all our needs, on to Tarnau Gora, where we stayed at the Boar’s Head, for further victualling and supplying. The latter town, being so named for its tower, has a substantial population of Szekely. Though I am an indifferent merchant, with my scant expertise limited to the tools of my own profession, it was left to the Lady Amethalriel and I to procure our supplies - the other party members being largely incompetent to fulfil the task or preferring to scoff at our efforts from the comfort of the bar room. Use leaves they said! They’ll be laughing out of the other side of their faces when I’ve got my vinegar and sponge and they are looking for butt wiping foliage in the middle of winter !!!!!

Shortly after the completion of our supplying we departed Tarnau Gora for the wilderness. On our very first night in the wild we suffered a salutary lesson in camp maintenance for some form of hungry animal managed to spoil some of our provisions (perhaps the Khazad will eat it anyway). We must do better if we are to survive the journey.”
From the Journal of Voweslaw