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Galadhon leaps forward, his sword thrust low to fall beneath the huge troll's guard.
"I am here, Servant of Darkness! Galadhon is here!"
That attack will miss, Galadhon, though if you'd like to spend a point of Hope for an Attribute Bonus, it will hit. The Troll is taken aback, assailed as it is by two of the Eldar.
Once Eradan rolls I'll post the Troll's action.
The Troll fails it's Protection Test against Gaelderon HARD. It is Wounded.
Eradan fights in open stance trying to attackw ith his sword without leaving himself too open.
Eradan, that attack will NOT be successful unless you wish to use a point of Hope to invoke an Attribute Bonus.
If you and Galadhon wish to do so, please let me know and I will subtract that Endurance from the Troll.
The Troll lashes out with his branch, attempting to hit the one that has done it the most harm, so it aims for Gaelderon;
And, taking your Parry as 6 (your Wits) and your Stance as 9, that JUST misses! The heavy branch thuds into the ground next to you, and a large spray of earth and water belches forth, soiling your garments! If not for the foresight of your Ranger ally, injuring your foe, that would have been a sure hit! It seems this Company works well together.
Next round! Everyone can declare their Stances. You may change Stance if you wish, or stay the same. Those two mighty blows seem to have taken their toll; the Troll might not survive much further damage!
Finally seeing an opening as the troll stretches out and swings down with its club - or, well, tree - the Hobbit archer draws the string of his bow back and takes a shot.
What's the +3 from, Brandy?
Anariel, seizing the initiative, will dash forward, attempting to inflict the most damage on his enemy. Sensing that it is waning before the onslaught of their Company, the Dunedain offers no quarter and attacks with all his fury!
Aaaah, got it! I thought the Bow did the Fair Shot thing, I got them mixed up.
Protection Test time! First against Anariel's vicious stroke;
It succeeds!
Now against Brandy's excellent shot;
Which it fails ABYSMALLY.
So- Anariel, the doughty Ranger, ducks under a swinging trunk as wide as his torso, quick as a serpent to deliver a telling blow. As the Troll howls in pain, Brandy spots a place on it's neck where it's scales are a bit thinner, and lets loose, putting forth all his skill into the shot. His arrow flies true! The Troll cries out once more, before falling to the ground, slain.
The Company has successfully defeated their foe!
Anariel will spin around, keen eyes scanning the area for more threats. Once it's clear nothing is threatening the group, Anariel will sheathe shield and sword. Grinning, the rush of battle still suffusing him, he will clap Brandy's soldier.
"Now, I'd wager my family's honor that few Hobbits have ever felled a Troll! How's that for an adventure, my friend? And there may be more yet; Trolls are, betimes, given to hoard valuables. Come, let us look and see if we may find some treasure to mark this momentous battle!"
Anariel will also check and make sure none of the Company is injured...are Balin and his Dwarf friends okay?
That's fine, Anariel, take your Advancement Point. Your roll is successful; where the Troll was crouched in the pool, you see a small chest. It would not be difficult to drag it out from the pool onto the bank.
For once, Brandoch doesn't have any words. He takes several deep breaths, staring at the fallen troll. The first sound that escapes his mouth is a long, drawn-out whistle. When he finally does speak, he only adds, "I don't think I'd have been able to make that shot without you good folk around. And besides, it was Gaelderon's spear which struck the mightier blow."
But the archer doesn't stare long at the fallen troll, for Anariel then speaks of the troll's hoard. The words 'valuables' and 'treasure' spark a glint in the Hobbit's eyes that sends him scurrying after the Ranger to help him in his search.
Anariel will drag the chest out (do you need a roll?) and set it on the bank. He'll turn again to Brandy.
"I think, as the one that brought that beast down, and our resident Burglar, the honor of opening this should go to you, my friend!"
Brandy, you notice that the chest is locked. With your tools, you could likely open it. I will call this a Craft roll, and your Trait definitely applies. You can't really fail but you might get an Advancement Point out of it.
"No, no! I'm honored, I am, but I wouldn't want to -" The Hobbit's words die on his lips as he examines the chest. He gets on closer as he notices the lock, then reaches for the burglar's tools he keeps on his belt. "Well, I suppose I could take care of the lock, at least, and maybe take a peek."
With that, the Burglar gets to work.
Yes, the Trait makes it an automatic success.
Anariel will address the Company.
"My friends, it seems that we are coming upon our first reward as adventurers. I will say this; we must be cautious as to how we proceed. Many are the tales in which lust for gems and gold tear asunder the love that friends have for one another, and I would not see that happen to we gathered here. I propose this; an equal share of all Treasure for all of us. If the Treasure we find is not equally divisible, we shall put that aside, none of us claiming it until we then once more find enough to divide evenly. And I will caution you once more; many have been the relics of bygone days found in forgotten hoards, ancient arms and armor and magic rings. You may find such an item; you may be [i[meant[/i] to. But you must choose to find it, and it may not be free from the taint of the Shadow. Be wary, and be prepared."
Yeah, you can assume you have 2 EXP to spend on the roll if it becomes relevant. Seems like you have a bit of RP and such before you even know what's in there, though.
"I'm open for the fair and square devided of treasures like gems and coins. But what about treasures like weapons and armors? Do we put those aside for later, or in cases of items that we only really have one of us who uses said equipment, allow them to take and use it right away?"
I am going to sleep for now.
I'll let you guys know; this WILL count as a Treasure Hoard, with a rating of one *. I'll give the exact amount of Treasure and a flavor description once Brandy opens it.
Here's how Hoards work, guys;
You roll a d12. If the Hoard has a rating of more than one star (*), denoting a particularly old or rich hoard, you may roll a d12 more than once; once more for each *.
On a roll of 1-10, you have found nothing.
On a roll of 11, you have found a notable item, but it is Tainted.
On a 12, you have found something truly amazing! You find either a Precious Object or a Wondrous Item, or even Famous. Arms or Armour
If you roll a 12, you may then roll a number of d6's equal to your unspent Experience Points. A roll of a 6 means you have potentially found a Wondrous Artefact possessing one Blessing. Two 6's mean you have found either an item possessing two Blessings, a Greater Blessing, or you have found Famous Arms or Armour. If you DON'T roll any 6's, you instead merely find a Precious Object, generally worth more than standard Treasure.
To actually OBTAIN the item, you must then pay Experience Points equal to HALF the Success Die you rolled.
Example; Brandy rolls a 12 on a Magical Treasure Hoard check and has 6 unspent Experience Points. He decides to roll four Success Die. One of the die comes up as a 6! I will select one of the magical items I have made for the campaign, and he can obtain it by spending two Experience Points. He can also opt instead merely to take a Precious Object.
Anariel considers Eradan's words.
"As far as I am concerned, whatever war gear we found may be claimed by those who have need of it. If there is a dispute, then I suggest we as a group decide who has the greatest need and give them leave to take the item in question. I doubt, though, that we will find much we wish to claim; the equipment of Orcs is inferior to the work of the Free Folk."
"That might be true, I was just thinking ahead in the case we found items the orcs and whatels have taken from our kin as trophies."
"Aye, we are friends and companions. A fair split seems fine. An' if ye disagree, I c'n fairly split ye!" Hanar says, with a roar of laughter."That was well fought, lads. Well fought, indeed. Split the bugger from balls to brain an' he couldn't have been more deservin'."
Gaelderon maneuver's the spear into the Trolls shoulder, moving him out of view of the nimble Hobbit. Taunting the beast, he easily dodges it frustrated, weakened blows. Clods of dirt and gouts of water erupt around him as he keeps the Troll's focus. As Brandy's missle protrudes from the back of the beasts skull, through it's open mouth, the Wood Elf releases his pinning grip and lets the fell creature fall to the earth.
Stepping back, the Elf cleans his weapon and once again assumes his quiet demeanor. He watches the Men and Dwarves lustfully eye the Trolls ill gotten gain but says nothing. Once they are finished, he does look to see if there is something that may have been taken from the Greenwood but sees nothing of interest.
"Well fought, all- though I suppose we'll have to embellish a bit if it's to make a good song.", he jokes.
Once there seems to be a general agreement on what to do about the treasure, Brandy finishes picking the lock with a small 'click' and slowly opens the chest. Then he steps aside.
"Fair things wrought by cunning hands were ever the delight of my kin in elder days," says Galadhon. "But it is the lesson of those days that it is folly to love them too well, as many have learned too late. We must in wisdom use whatever this seeming chance has brought us. What have you found there, Anariel?"
For all his words, the love of crafts and magic flows as strongly in Galadhon's veins as it did with his Noldorin ancestors. His long reading in lore in the House of Elrond have taught him to mistrust that instinct, however
Brandy, the lock comes open with a click. You may make a Craft roll to attempt for an Advancement Point.
As it opens up you see a pile of gems and jewels. It seems the Troll had decided to lair with a sunken chest and you believe it may have been part of the treasure taken by the Master of Lake-town when he fled, lost in his haste. This was a lesser bit of the hoard to be sure, though it does count as 10 points of treasure.
Anariel, while inspecting the pile, you come across a fine staff of strong yew. Into it are carved some letters in Tengwar. The inscription on Elvish reads "Gwadar uin Faras", which anyone speaking Elvish recognizes as meaning "Brother of the Hunt". You recall some old lore, that those Elves that dwelt in Hollin and maintained friendships with other folk would sometimes invite them to hunt at great festivals and gift them with such items. In stories, these staves of hunting carried the rumor of the earth, their shafts seeming to hum when their bearer's quarry was nearby.
This item confers a Blessing to Hunting.
"Good work my friends. Brandy what a magnificent shot. The stories I've heard about Hobbits are not exaggerated. " She slaps Brandy on the back sending him reeling slightly. She studies the hoard. "I agree fair distribution, and any time that can be of particular use to the person and their skills should go to them."
-Posted with Wayfinder
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Cenna hen, Galdadhon. A relic, one I think made by your people as a gift of mine, in the elder days ere Eregion fell to the Shadow. Wise is your counsel; I deem that this may be from the hoard of the Calamity in the North, and we ken well how the Dragon-lust brought low the mighty Thorin Oakenshield. I sense the art of old, even in so humble an item. I shall claim this, and take not the jewels and coins, for I sense that this will come to have great value to us all over time."
Anariel displays the staff for all to see.
The Troll's body is far enough away that you can return to your place of rest and not be bothered by it. Balin and his allies are there; they had decided to stay with the camp while you explored. They had started over when they heard the sounds of battle, but upon your quick work, they decided to head back. Balin is duly impressed.
"It's not just anyone that can stand against a Troll leaping out at them like that, and even less common are those that can fell such a fearsome beast so swiftly! My friend Gloin chose well when he sent you my way, and I am glad for it! You know, this does put me in mind of another time a Troll was laid low by the cleverness of a Hobbit..."
As you all prepare food for the evening, Balin regales you with the tale of Thorin and the Companions, captured and helpless against the Trolls, and the unlikeliest of rescuers; Bilbo Baggins.
The night passes pleasantly.
In the morning, you strike camp and return to the boats. It is time to resume your Journey.
Any of the Companions that are not filling a Travel Role may now choose to do so. I would like all Look-outs to make an Awareness Test for me, please.
Gaelderon returns to the fire to hear the tale of Balin. The tale told him by his Princes of the Dwarves and Hobbits travels differ somewhat but he says nothing. Later, he grows tired of the talk and takes his place just outside the light of the fire. He leans on the shaft of his Great Spear and looks off into the night....
By morning he has searched the area determined the best path forward toward their days journey...
Would like the "Lookout" position..
I may have missed it, but we are heading South along the western shore of the lake and the Celduin heading toward the old forest road?
That is correct!
Multiple people can fill the Look-out roll; Gaelderon, you roll an Extraordinary Success! Take an Advancement Point for Perception. I will give other Look-outs an opportunity to roll and post what you see later.
Brandoch rises early to the morning sun, seeming eager to continue with the adventure. He joins Gaelderon as a lookout as the journey begins anew.
Eradan helps with the lookout aswell
You made some treasure rolls. Anariel found something notable. No one else did. You each got 1 point of Treasure, and 2 are now held in the party reserve. You continue your journey and your Look-outs are making Awareness rolls. Galadhon, feel free to make that roll when you check in, but since others have succeeded I will proceed.
Eradan and Gaelderon, you qualify for an Advancement Point!
Those of you that succeeded notice, on the western banks of the shore, a band of Elves following you. Gaelderon, you immediately recognize the one leading them as Galion, the former cupbearer to Thranduil. He was assigned to patrols for his drunkenness, which allowed the Dwarves to escape the Elvenking's Halls.
Gaelderon, you know that if you wished, you could approach the Elves and speak with them.
Gaelderon motions to the others what he sees knowing that others have already saw the band following them.
The dour Wood Elf excuses himself from the group and says "A moment please, let me discover the reason of their errand and if there are any instructions from my king for this is Galion whom you Balin may remember."
Gaelderon approaches and greets Galion with the proper respect due his position...
"By order of the Elvenking, we are to patrol the borders of Mirkwood and observe those that might travel through our lands. You are of our people, yet you keep strange company, traveling with Halflings and Durin's Folk. Gather these here, that we may judge their worth."
This will be a Social Encounter.
Upon reading the errata it's clear that things work a little differently than I thought.
Not only will an Insight roll give you an insight into the general disposition of the person, succeeding on the roll will give you bonus die, just like succeeding on a Battle Roll will for combat situations. A Great Success is two extra die, and an Extraordinary Success is 3.
EW, instead of utilizing your rules for Lore rolls, I'm going to use that; when you plan for a Journey, a successful Lore test will give you bonus die. I think that's a bit more balanced with the rest of your stuff.
Anyway, anyone that wishes to may roll Insight.
I will wait for everyone to have a chance to respond before continuing.
Once Gaelderon comes back to the group with the news, Anariel will leave the boat and approach the Wood-elfs, slowly and with caution, ensuring that his hands are always clearly visible and free of weapons. When he speaks, he begins in Sindarin, displaying his familiarity with their tongue.
"Mae govannen, melloneamin. Anariel i eneth nin. Nanye Dunedain o Eriador."
Since my Courtesy isn't great yet, I'll use one of my bonus die.
Gaelderon speaks in Westron for the benefit of all "I keep strange company Galion? It was our king who sent me on this errand to celebrate OUR great victory over the Orcs. The great hoard of the Lonely Mountain has been shared and peace arranged. Is it not your own pride the questions this errand? We plan to open the great road once again, to fight the shadow that lives here? This is no longer Greenwood the Great. The shadows grow long and we have embraced our allies. Again I say, you are far from home and these are allies. Why would you question them?"
Wary
Mar chooses to stand quietly while those more insightful study the newcomers.