Eagerness for the Wilderness - Company

Post date: Dec 22, 2016 11:46:58 AM

-- by Thalamath Stoutarm--

The best adventures are the ones shared with friends.

Many say this. More think this. Few realize how foolish this is. If you choose to make a journey with companions, they need to be selected carefully, with precision and ruthlessness. The road is dangerous. You need to be sure that those beside you will be up to whatever challenge is thrown your way.

Firstly, make sure they can fight. Swing an axe, thrust a sword, smash a hammer, this doesn’t matter - as long as they can hold their own in combat, they’ll be ok. The last thing you want is for someone to be cannon fodder. Cannon fodder is a terrible concept in small groups. If you’re attacked by bandits and someone falls, the only purpose that serves is to strengthen the attacker’s resolve and redouble their ferocity.

Secondly, it’s all very well being able to handle a weapon. But your companions must also be battle tested. Many show great prowess on the training ground, but falter when it comes to the real thing. You must be sure of their ability to stand their ground against foes, and count on them not to turn and run at the first sign of trouble.

But strength in arms isn’t everything. Trust is also of utmost importance. Spend time before you leave getting to know your companions. Make sure they aren’t the type to sell you out or take all the profit for themselves. Honest, kind dwarrows often make the best travelling partners.

It’s not a huge list of criteria. These people should be easy to find. “But how many should I take with me?” do I hear you ask? That varies.

Long journeys are better suited for large groups - strength in numbers, as they say. Bandits and brigands will be less inclined to attack if they see a large group of well-armed dwarves, rather than just two of three.

But, for those shorter journeys to the Shire or Breeland, a large company can do more harm than good. You’ll attract unnecessary attention, you’ll be slow moving, and it’ll take ages to organise. No, for a short trip, take one or two friends.

Attracting unnecessary attention will be almost certain on a longer trip, as there is, mathematically, a far greater chance for foes to stumble upon you. Thus, I deem it better to make sure you’re well prepared for such encounters, rather than travel in small companies and attempt to pass unnoticed.

Choose right, and you’ll be able to reminisce over a mead about the “Journey of a lifetime” with firm friends you made on the road. But this is the most important point I’ll make. The friends must be made on the road. You must not be friends before you set out. At least, not all of you. Disagreements will be overcome in the heat of the moment, don’t worry about this. But if you journey with people you’ve known for years, and love dearly, you’ll make rash decisions. You’ll endanger the entire endeavour. And the loss of these people will make it all the more unbearable.

I speak from experience. Choose wrongly, and you’ll face years of sorrow, grieving for those you lose. And that’s if you make it back at all...