Bolding Cross

Home to the few herb-gatherers willing to try their luck in the Mistvale. The Grenge (W . "Fish-tellers"), a family of Dwarves exiled long ago from Khazad-dum , maintained the fords over two small streams flowing north into Shading Lake. For reasons clear to noone living, the Arnorian engineers who laid out the Great East Road did not build culverts over these streams. The Grenge, who also owned the Birchline , a small inn at the western crossing , kept to themselves most of the time. Welsi and Tis, the only Dwarven women living publicly in western Eriador , wrapped scarves around their faces. Their general air of exhausted resignation warded off most stares ; the four male Dwarves in the family seldom had to resort to violence to defend their honor or privacy. The source of the shame that drove this family from their home city about TA 1440 had never been revealed. Since the Mistvale was known to be somewhat haunted and hard on the nerves of anyone who worked here, the Arthadan reeve at Mich Hollow was grateful to have someone willing to keep the place up. He ased no questions about the Grenge. Tormin Grenge, the family patriarch , was an undead creature , the victim , some three hundred years back , of his dabblings in alchemy and his own obtuse nature. The surviving members of his family kept him under control, using some old and powerful family charms. He, in turn , warded off the other spirits in this vale and provided sound advice about herbs and potions to anyone brave enough to visit "Old Crazy's " stinking , windowless shop , hidden in the woods just behind the inn. It had been years since Tormin sank his teeth into real, quality man-flesh. Welsi told anyone visiting Tormin to sign no deal without consulting her. Those who failed to heed her warning had accidentally signed away important body parts. Tormin always tried to make at least a finger or hand part of any business conducted, and he enforced his contracts with magic. Welsi used one of her charms and a book of Arthadan trade laws to counteract his spells.