The Shepherd audibly gasps at the hoard of wealth, but approaches no further.
Hanar falls to his knees, his mattock falling to one side, a bit of drool escaping from his mouth as he stares, awe-struck, at the horde.
Everyone that succeeds on the Corruption test may make a Battle roll. Anyone achieving a Great Success may rouse one of their companions from their stupor, allowing them to roll Battle and avoid being surprised.
The radiant light of the treasure seems to be reflected in tiny orbs all around the room; you realize that it is simply light reflecting off a multitude of eyes!
From the shadowy recesses of the room, a dozen creatures come towards you. They were probably Men, once, but their skin is sunken and grey, their eyes little more than milky white orbs. Any hair they have are matted wisps, and rather than wield weapons, their hands have devolved into claw-like appendages.
Their odor is foul, and attempting any action other than simply attacking will require great effort (an expenditure of a Hope point).
Companions that are not surprised, you may adopt a Combat stance.
Leadership
"Wake, Hanar! Here beneath the earth, let foes whither beneath the weapons of the Free Folk, raised together!
Hanar shakes his head, coming to his senses as Anariel shouts. Grabbing his mattock, he stands but is still caught off-guard by the sudden appearance of the creatures.
You are not surprised, Hanar, but you do not gain any bonus Battle die. You may adopt a stance.
Shepherd grips his axe tightly, ready to defend himself.
I'll give you that for Battle, Brandy. One success die for you :)
To advance a bit;
Anariel, Shepherd and Hanar, you each face two creatures. Any other Companion that adopts an Open or Forward stance will face two as well. Companions in the Defensive stance will face one. Rearward stance Companions are safe and it appears the creatures possess no ranged weapons. It is difficult to get an accurate count of the creatures, as battle is now joined.
Brandy, I will allow you to make an Opening Volley.
Companions, you may take your actions in combat, though any action aside from attacking will require a point of Hope.
Anariel chooses the dweller to the left, laying into it with his long sword.
I will say yes, but if your Called Shot fails, you will trigger a Called Shot from your enemy even if your attack roll does not result in an Eye of Sauron (11).
Anariel, you connect, and damage your foe.
The Shepherd swings his axe at his rightmost foe!
When the party finds the pile of gold, there is a gleam in Brandoch's eyes, and he seems tempted at first. But there's Hobbit sense yet in him, and he immediately becomes wary. "It's never that easy," he muses with a frown.
As the twisted once-Men make their appearance, Brandoch looses an arrow from the rear of the company, then follows it up with another as the clash begins. His usual look of anticipation and excitement is gone; instead he seems scared. He takes no pleasure in his shots.
Brandy, you can direct your shot. Each of your Companions is engaged with at least one enemy. Which ones do you want to have hit?
And...yeah, that second one is going to flat-out kill one of them.
Right, I've never mentioned this, but feel free to "Kill-Cam" and describe your kills if you wish!
The first shot is fired toward whichever of the twisted creatures is nearest, but the second shot Brandoch aims with particular care. He chooses to protect Hanar, loosing an arrow that soars past the doughty dwarf and slams into the throat of the fallen Man threatening him. The ghastly creature gurgles and crumples to the floor.
Let's say the arrow hits one or the Shepherd's opponents.
So, Anariel hits and the Shepherd and Gaelderon miss. Brandy damages one of the Shepherds's foes and kills one of Hanar's.
Mar, Hanar, Galadhon and Eradan have turns.
Hanar shakes his head again, still reeling from the effects of seeing the horde. With a roar of defiance he swings his mattock at the creature to his right, just barely connecting.
Remember, Hanar, that 9 is the TN to hit based off of your combat stance, but it is modified by your foe's Parry rating. Unless you will to spend a point of Hope, your attack will miss.
I will go ahead and roll for the creatures; if you haven't taken a turn I will "hold" for you.
Two attacks against Anariel;
Two against Hanar;
Two against The Shepherd;
One against Gaelderon;
Okay! Anariel, you are dealt 5 Endurance Damage. Shepherd and Hanar, you are dealt 4 Endurance Damage. Shepherd, you are dealt 8 damage by the Great Success. Gaelderon and Hanar, you must both make a Protection Test (roll your Armour's Protection against TN 12 or you will be Wounded.
That is actually correct, I mislabled it above, just edited it. You are fine, and not wounded. If you have been attacked or are in a Rearward stance, feel free to take another turn. I will wait to resolve what happens until Mar and Eradan take their actions, though.
Anariel grunts, the impact of his foe's attack thudding into his shield. He will shout loudly.
"Go back to the shadow!"
Anariel will attempt to use the Swift Strokes Called Shot, lashing out at both of the foes near him.
Anariel rushes forward with his shield, bashing the creature on his left back and creating some space. As the one on his right attempts to exploit an opening, Anariel spins swiftly, cleaving through it's head with one stroke. He swings his blade around his head once for momentum before spinning back to the initial creature, slashing downward through it's collarbone, ending the threat of the enemies in front of him.
That won't hit, Gaelderon. Anariel, your bribery of the dice gods continues, and you just wreck some faces.
Encounter with Galion; Insight/Awe rolls.
Galion informs your party of a darkness in the Marsh, a bell in a ruined tower that can enchant those that hear it.
Galadhon- Lore roll to determine whether or not you know of this place, dropping the Corruption test TN to 12.
Corruption Test, TN 12 :)
Athletics to try to stop Hanar from entering a pool of dark water.
Explore or Search to see what Anariel saw; the path into the ruins of the tower that holds the bell.
You now have a path into the ruins.
You have explored the ruins; this once was a place called Summerholdt, brought low by the Shadow exploiting the greed of Men. You could roll Lore for some Advancement Points if you wish.
You are now in a large underground chamber; you are entitled to an Awareness roll to have detected the odor and the golden radiance from behind the gate.
A TN 12 Corruption Test is now required or you will be dazed by the sight of wealth
If the roll is passed, you may roll Battle to gain bonus die for the combat.
One round of Combat has passed; if you are in a Forward or Open Stance, you face two foes. If you are in a Defensive Stance, you face one.
Brandoch begins wildly firing arrows into the enemies' ranks. Sadly, none of them find their mark.
You still have the penalty. It is from a special ability of the enemies you are fighting. That said, one of them has to be able to get to you to do it, so you're probably safe.
Mar has no idea what the journal might mean, but she can tell by the attitude of those more knowledgeable that it isn't good.
Corruption is Success Die equal to your Wisdom, and a d12. So 2d6+1d12
Mar sees the pile of gold, gems and other treasure. She is tempted to kneel and stare at the gold, but manages to shake off the temptation. "It's beautiful, but corrupeted.
Mar takes up an open stance, and attacks with her long handled axe. She's so shocked at the creature that is attacking her that she cannot get a good attack on the creature. "What are those things? I've never seen anything like them."
The Shepherd pants and sweats under his armor, trying to stay ahead of the foul things' claws. He won't give ground, however, and strikes out at the degenerate Man that Brandy wounded.
But the thing easily dodges his clumsy swipe.