Open for dots.
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An otherwise idyllic day at the Easterly Inn, replete with the gourmet cooking and fine ale provided by Dody and his wife, Agatha, was shattered by a Beorning stumbling into the inn, bleeding from several wounds. Recognizing your Company from your visits to Beorn's House, he identified himself as Ralnar and implored your assistance. He had lost some companions to an Orcish war band, one that had ran west once they realized Ralnar would escape their clutches.
Knowing better than most the type of violence an Orcish war band could inflict, your Company set out at once.
Some of you are aware of what you might represent; excepting the Battle of Five Armies (which, more than anything, was a happy accident) it has been more than an Age of the world since Dwarf, Elf, and Man toiled together against the yoke of the shadow.
Your Company has crossed the mighty Anduin River, ranging west. Off in the distance, those possessing keen sight make out the farms of some Beornings along your path. As you get closer, you hear sounds that set your hair standing on end; the baying of wolves.
Coming closer, you see that the Wolves have ringed a herd of goats, and are circling them slowly. Several Beorning farmers stand and are shouting, some armed with crude spears, but they do not possess the necessary arms to stand against these cruel Wargs.
Battle is not yet joined; what do you do?
Ayluin, his cheeks hot from the Companies madcap dash to catch up to the Orcs. But hardy indeed was the race of Elendil, and fatigue did not touch the mighty Ranger. Upon spying the vile Wargs, Ayluin unlimbers his bow, looking over at Caunlaigdir.
"Let us strike first with our darts! Then our blades will set to righteous work while your bow sings! Together, friends; let us not leave these Beornings at the mercy of these beasts."
Ayluin sets up to fire an Opening Volley with Cuanlaigdir. After the first shot, he will move to an Open Stance. He first gathers himself, focusing for the battle to come.
There appear to be 8 wolves. One of them is larger than the rest.
Your bow shot will hit one of the wolves, Ayluin. Anyone else with a ranged weapon is entitled to an Opening Volley; Caunlaigdir, your Woodland Bow affords you two.
"We must take the fell creatures before they are aware of our presence."
one bonus dice
Seeing his comrade strike one of the creatures, Gori aims for the same one, hoping to start to thin out the wargs.
After the initial shot, Gori will be forward with long-axe in one hand and shield in the other.
Gori, your bow strikes true!
The arrow sinks deep, and might end the warg...
And indeed it does! Your mighty shot pierces deep; you and Ayluin have joined together, felling one of your foes.
I failed to mention; after the Opening Volley, Ayluin will fight in an Open stance.
Ah, yes; after Opening Volleys (or if you have no ranged weapon, now), please declare what stance you will be using.
As his companion's arrows fly Aeddan draws his axe. He warns with a grim smile, "Let the foul beasts come to us."
That is a bonus die for you as well, Aeddan!
As the group runs after the orc band, Caunlaigdir settles into his working relaxation, almost causally watching for a reason to snap back fully awake.
Spotting the wargs even as Ayluin calls for action, the elf slows and displays the source of his name as he, again, overdraws his bow twice, letting arrows fly at the wargs before settling in for a more standard fight.
for a 20.
for a 16.
A 12 is an automatic success on rolls; on a weapon roll, it is a Piercing Blow which threatens a Wound. Indeed, any time the feat die roll equals or exceeds the weapon's Edge (for a bow, that is 10), you threaten a Wound. The Injury TN of Bows is 14.
A Wound will automatically kill an enemy unless they have a special ability to protect them
One Warg fails it's Protection Test, and falls to the denizen of Mirkwood's well-placed arrow! Another is injured by the bow shot.
Six Wargs remain. Ayluin, Aeddan and Gori, you enter Melee range. Two Wargs face each of you.
You hold the initiative; you three may take your actions, then Caunlaigdir.
Gori, the warg larger than the others is with you. Aeddan, the previously wounded Warg is one of the ones facing you.
Take your turns!
Ayluin approaches the Wargs, Urfael sliding from it's sheathe and promising only a swift death.
Ayluin's face is grim; gone is Rambler, the friend to all folk of Wilderland. In his place was a Ranger, hardy and dour-handed, a blight to the Enemy and all his servants.
"Come, beasts, and meet your end! Begone from this land and trouble Rhovanion never again in this life!"
Urfael flashes out, biting left and right, as Ayluin attempts to bring down both of his enemies.
Urfael flashes, it's keen edge glinting in the bright sun. Where two Wargs once stood snarling, there is only a Ranger with a blood-covered blade.
Gori will focus on the smaller of the two Wargs, hoping to even the odds before facing the larger beast.
That should be 12 endurance damage.
Carefully considering the flow of the battle before him, Caunlaigdir chooses to push the limits just a bit, to help end things even faster. He aims at one of the beasts on Aeddan , preparing to follow up with a snap shot at the largest of the wargs.
You absolutely hit; I have, however, decided that when you use a Favoured Weapon (which long-hafted axe should be for you, Gori) you use your Favoured Body Score as your Damage Rating. So you deal 14 Endurance Damage, more than enough to drop the Warg! Your axe gleams as it slashes down, and a quick yelp is all our unfortunate foe has time for.
Caunlaigdir, that will miss, despite the 12 on the Feat Die.
Caunlaigdir, as you failed to roll a 6, your called shot is sadly unsuccessful.
Aeddan's axe falls up and down as the wargs advance upon him.
Aeddan; the damage of a Long-hafted axe should be 5, not 10. If you wish to use it two handed (and forego your Shield bonus for this round) you will instead do 7 damage.
I will assume you do not wish to use it two handed.
Ayluin lashes out, slaying two Wargs in an eyeblink. Gori fells one swiftly with his axe. In addition to the ones felled by your bows, only three remain; one is badly hurt in front of Aeddan, one is uninjured, and one larger wolf remains to attack Gori.
Aeddan's attackers miss, but the other wolf does manage to bite Gori, causing 5 points of Endurance Damage.
It is a new round; if anyone wishes to change stances, declare it and you will act in the according order.
Also, I'd like to request that you all add your Parry modifiers into your stat lines; include the total, with any value derived from your shield in parentheses.
Ayluin looks to his allies, deciding that the larger Wolf in front of Gori poses the bigger threat at the moment. He will engage the Warg in an Open stance and make a normal attack.
The Ranger's mighty weapon slashes down, catching the warg before it can rend Gori with it's sharp fangs!
A telling blow is struck; it seems for a moment that despite it's force, the warg might continue on, but after swaying, it falls, blood pooling beneath it.
Gori is now free of enemies, though Aeddan has one badly injured wolf in front of him, and one that has not been injured.
Aeddan and his hound press the attack against the warg. He wings his mighty axe with abandon but can't seem to find purchase in his opponents flesh.
Slightly embarrassed, the elf slows his breathing and targets a single warg.
for 19 with a potential 5 endurance damage.
Aeddan' Strike misses; CaunlIgdir's arrow finds purchase and drops the Warg, leaving only one. It is Gori's turn.
Grunting in pain as the warg bites him, Gori strikes again hoping to end the last of these fell beasts.
if that hits it should be 14 endurance damage
That does hit, and 14 is enough to bring the beast down!
You are out of combat, and the farmers, who had been fearful mere moments ago, throw down their crude weapons and clamor with joy and appreciation. They approach you, shaking your hands gratefully and talking excitedly, asking your names and offering to share some bread and wine with you.
Aeddan, you, however, know that there is little time for that. In this part of the Anduin, you are in the lands of Hartfast, a Woodman Chieftain and Lord of Mountain Hall. It is your duty as a Woodman to carry news of Wargs and Orcs so close to his hall's doors to Hartfast. If you set out now, it is only half a day's journey.
Also Gori- your total damage was correct, but note that your Long-hafted axe's damage is 5/7, not 6/8. Fell-handed raises your personal damage rating by 1, but that's only applied on a Great Success, not an ordinary hit.
Aeddan reluctantly accepted the praise of the woodsmen. Abruptly he announced to his companions, "These good people and the lands be under the protection of the Chieftain Hartfast. It would be wise if we did not tarry and took word to him of these events.
"At least let us pause to bind our wounds and ensure these good folk aren't facing more wargs in the moments after we leave. Surely we can spare a few moments."
Aeddan shrugged his shoulders at the dwarfs remarks, "Depends on if you want to get to Mountain Hall before nightfall." He smiles as he adds, " I'd prefer not to travel after dark with wargs and such about."
"Indeed, let us have a look; we cannot leave these people in danger."
It does not seem that the farmers or their herd are in any danger; you track no more Wargs. Gori, as you are not Wounded, your Endurance loss will heal with only a little test; after a half hour, you feel right as rain.
"If you feel we must," the Woodsman reluctantly agreed. "But let us not tarry in this task."
Ayluin claps Aeddan on the shoulder warmly.
"Fret not, my friend! I am certain that their Lord will be grateful that we ensure their people's safety ere delivering news of the darkness encroaching in their lands."
Once Ayluin is satisfied that the common folk are not in danger, he will make ready to leave for the Mountain Hall.
Caunlaigdir seems to enjoy interacting with the farmers, and nods as the companions discuss the potential additional threat. He spends the time to check the area as thoroughly as he can, too.
"I agree. No evidence of more immediate threats in the area. I can't argue with the push to notify the local lord." Somehow the tone of his voice suggests otherwise. "If we're ready, let us away." As he starts to move in the direction indicated, watching the others.
A half day journeys west brings you to Mountain Hall. It is the primary stronghold of the Woodman east of the Anduin, nestled in a valley just to the east of the Misty Mountains. The Anduin loops around a ring of grassland, set against the stony mountains, and it is there that Mountain Hall is located.
As you approach the Hall itself, an older man steps forward, waving in greeting.
"Well met! I am Beranald, Doorwarden of the Mountain Hall. What is your business here, well-armed as you are?"
Aeddan waved back in greeting to the warrior, "Well met Beranald, I am known as Aeddan of Woodlandhall and theses are my companions," as he gestured towards his group.
"We bring word to your master of Wargs and Orgs not more than a half days journey from his hall."
Beranald scratches his chin, frowning at your news.
"Aeddan, was it? Word has reached Mountain Hall of your deeds so far, and you are spoken of with regard. It is our custom to relieve outlanders of their weapons, but, if you, one of our people, vouch for your company, they may keep their arms.
I regret that I must inform you that Hartfast is not here at the moment; he has set out to Woodland Hall to gather some allies. There are some Goblins we have found in the mines that we work, and he is seeking aid wiping them out. I am receiving visitors in his stead, though, and will gladly speak of what has occurred. Tell me more of these beasts you have encountered!"
We are entering a Social Encounter here. At this time, everyone can roll Insight. If any of you succeed, your party gains the information listed in the spoiler, and your character gains one Bonus Dice to use on any roll in your social interaction. Great Success is two dice, and Extraordinary is 3.
You may roleplay and have a conversation with Beranald without rolling, but the more successes you get, the better for your party.
Ayluin is distracted by his first visit to the Mountain Hall, admiring the way the Anduin flows about the village. He doesn't read Beranald deeply, but inclines his head gratefully.
"I am grateful for your kindness, as I'm sure are all of us here! Well met to you, Beranald; I am Rambler, a traveler and enemy to Goblins and their ilk. Do you have a comfortable place to share tales? For I sense that we may have much to tell one another!"
Aeddan vouches for his companions and tries to get a read on the older Woodsman.
Since you have directly made a request, Ayluin, go ahead and roll Courtesy.
That is a Success.
Here is a more proper description of the Mountain Hall for you;
The fast flowing river waters that protect Mountain Hall are icy cold as they tumble down from the snowy heights of the Misty Mountains. The waters churn and cascade around the hall, surging down a gully that was shaped and widened by many years of craft. The hall has no protective hedge or walls – it needs only the river and the cliffs. A narrow bridge crosses the river, leading to the knot of outbuildings and storerooms at the front of the hall. Behind the long hall itself, a watchtower rises as if in imitation of the towering peaks around.
Beranald nods at you, Ayluin.
"Kind words, and well received, Master Rambler. Come, then, let us be at ease!"
He motions you forward, retreating back across the bridge, expecting you to follow. He leads you to the long hall, where three huge fire-pits have been dug into the ground. One of them is burning, and Beranald sits at a table near it. As you join him, you feel the warmth of the fire dismiss the chill of the air outside, likely an ever-present condition based on the proximity to the Anduin and the Misty Mountains.
Beranald signals to some guards, who, after a moment, bring you all a simple meal of bread, cold water, and grey mutton. Beranald shares this with you, raising a cup and toasting your health before drinking the water. After draining some of his cup, he sets it down and speaks again.
"It seems you've a tale to tell, then. What brought you out this way in the first place? Mountain Hall gets few visitors, though I'm certainly glad to have warning of evil afoot in our lands."
"Perhaps you have heard of the Easterly Inn? It is new to the lands of Beorn, but a most excellent refuge on the road. Yours is not the only land that sees strife from Goblins, and indeed, we rescued one of the innkeepers from a terrible end at their hands. In gratitude, they've given us lodgings there. While resting from our travels, we caught wind of a war band of Orcs, fleeing west. We were on their trail when we happened across some of your farmers, their herd of goats set upon by vile Wargs. We made swift work of them, and headed here, deeming that the presence of not one but two groups of enemies merited the attention of Mountain Hall. Aedda, here, was quite ready to do his duty!"
Ayluin- Courtesy is used for Introductions.
Persuade, Riddle, Inspire or sometimes Song are more what you will want to roll, so please use one of those.