Gryfflet has been keeping the company of the Sons of Elrond at the Camp of the Host, looking out over Dagorlad in anticipation of his impending adventures therein. It is with some distaste that he realises his first task is to return to Imlad Morgul to burn some more horrid flowers, but he is mollified when it turns out that he was asked to do so by Gandalf, rather than the Herbalists of Minas Tirith who are now his unfriends: he is more offended at being attacked by a powerful spirit that nearly defeats him. On our return to the camp we meet up with Lord Golasgil who has been tasked with encouraging the soldiers so he makes the wise decision to emulate his dear departed friend Forlong and throw a party. On his next attempt to leave the Camp Gryfflet is intercepted by Daervunn and Pippin who send him back to Aragorn and Gandalf: the latter is worried about what Frodo and Sam might be up to with Gollum, whereupon we indulge ourselves with a Session Play as Gollum. We watch as the three climb the stairs into Cirith Ungol and we witness Gollum's interview with Shelob while considering the game's choices in how to portray this vital sequence. Aragorn professes his trust in Sam's good Hobbit sense and asks us to encourage some of his fellow Rangers, then sends us into the Wastes to clear the way. He finally leaves the Camp and commences the slaughter of the local wildlife, including some that have strayed from the nearby Dead Marshes. He also investigates some ruins, searching for the treasures sought by Éomer, while we indulge in some Lore discussion. At one point we meet the hound Faroth for the first time and calm his fears enough for his return to the Camp where we hope to meet him again. Finishing up his slaughter and avoiding a deadly Roving Threat, his archaeological search takes him to a ruin infested with Orcs where he finds more of Éomer's treasures just in time for the end of the session.
"Let's burn some flowers…probably get attacked…ah, thought we might!"
"I don't care, they're dead to me!"
"Collect beer and gather soldiers!"
"Oh man, the only thing Gollum knows how to do is murder!"
"She's not into you, man!"
"Something's shooting me?"
"I'm doing more archaeology, I need to find more millipedes…"
"Excuse me, are you ravenous?"
"Give me the artefacts, man, just the artefacts!"
Lore discussed this week mostly centred on Gollum and his relationships with Frodo and the Ring; we also discussed how the game adapts some of JRRT's more abstract concepts.