EVENTS
1. (or less) A Chance Encounter
The company meet a fellow traveller or a group of travellers. Perhaps a band of dwarves, Mannish merchants out of Lake-town or Dale or Woodmen hunting their supper. The Scout may either make a Dexterity (Stealth) ability check to lead the company past the travellers undetected if the company wish to avoid them or any member of the company may attempt a Charisma (Persuasion) ability check if they choose to interact with them.
If the Persuade check is successful the company may choose to gain some snippets of information concerning the path ahead of them, in which case the first roll of their next travel event is made with advantage. If the Persuade check is unsuccessful, the company has made a poor impression on the travellers and the information they receive is inaccurate or misleading, resulting in the first roll of the next event being made with disadvantage.
2. Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit
The company finds signs of easily foraged food or useful herbs at a fortuitous moment, perhaps as their own supplies are running low. The Hunter must make a Wisdom (Survival) check in an attempt to take advantage of this. If successful, they may choose to either gather food (in which case they may prepare a meal which will restore 1 exhaustion level or 1 Hit Die to each member of the company) or they may collect herbs (Selected by the DM). If they fail this roll, the Guide’s Arrival roll will incur a -1 penalty.
The roll made during this task is subject to disadvantage/advantage if the Guide’s Embarkation roll was either 6 (Meagre Supplies and Poor Meals) or 7 (Feasts fit for the Kings of ancient times).
3. An Obstacle
Fallen trees, a fast flowing river, a rockslide, or a fallen bridge block the path ahead. The company must work together to clear their path. The Guide must make a Wisdom (Survival) ability check and each of the other company members must make their choice of Wisdom (Survival) or Strength (Athletics) ability check.
If the company has horses or ponies, one of the company must instead make a Wisdom (Animal Handling) check. All these checks may be subject to disadvantage or advantage, depending on whether the Guide’s Embarkation roll was either 4 or 9. If all of the checks are successful, the company has worked well together, clearing the route and feeling a sense of satisfaction from their unity. As a result, the Guide’s Arrival roll will benefit from a +1 modifier.
If half or more of the checks are successful, the route is cleared with some difficulty and no bonus or penalty is incurred.
If less than half of the rolls are successful, but not all fail, the company has struggled to overcome the obstacle and each of them gains a point of exhaustion.
If all the rolls fail, the company is forced to backtrack to bypass the obstacle. Each of them suffers a level of exhaustion and the Guide’s Arrival roll is subject to a -1 penalty.
4. In Need of Help
The company discover a band of travellers who have suffered some misfortune, or a small settlement beset by woes. The company may choose to help them, or not. If they choose not to, they must make a Wisdom Save to avoid gaining a point of Shadow.
If, instead, they choose to help, the company must make three checks, chosen by the Loremaster, to reflect them aiding the innocent souls.
Each check must be made by a different character (unless there are fewer than 3 Player-heroes in the company) and will typically be selected from: Survival, Traditions, Insight, Persuade, Animal Handling, Medicine or Nature.
It is possible that the same skill may be called upon more than once, in which case it must be attempted by two different Player-heroes.
If all of the checks are successful, each member of the company gains Inspiration. Additionally, the company will receive a +1 bonus to the Guide’s roll upon arrival at their destination.
If half or more of the rolls are successful, the company may select one of its number to gain Inspiration and the company receives a +1 bonus to the Guide’s Arrival roll.
If 1 of the rolls is successful, the company receives a +1 bonus to the Guide’s Arrival roll.
If all the rolls fail, the company is slightly despondent and receives a -1 modifier to the Guide’s Arrival roll.
5. Agents of the Enemy
Hostile scouts or hunters cross the company’s path, this may even be a sharp eyed Crebain, gathering news for the Enemy.
The Look-out must make a Wisdom (Perception) check to spot the enemy before they become aware of the company.
If successful, the company has seized the initiative and may decide how to proceed. They may either sneak past the hostile force or ambush them, in which case they benefit from a round of surprise.
If the Look-out’s Perception roll fails, the hostile scouts set an ambush and they benefit from a round of surprise.
If combat ensues, the Loremaster may resolve it as normal, setting out the combat abilities of the small enemy party to give a small to moderate challenge to the company.
All rolls made outside of combat during this task are subject to disadvantage/advantage if the Guide’s Embarkation roll was either 3 or 10.
6. The Wonders of Middle-earth
The company finds itself presented with a spectacular vista. A sunset, a forest glade, a mountain range. Each member of the company must make a Wisdom check or Intelligence (Investigation) check (their choice).
If successful, they see the beauty of the scene and feel invigorated, recovering from 1 level of exhaustion.
If unsuccessful, they instead see brooding clouds, hard paths yet to be walked or steep and daunting hills to be climbed and suffer a level of exhaustion.
If all members of the company are successful, they receive a +1 bonus to the Guide’s Arrival roll. If all fail, the Guide’s Arrival roll incurs a -1 penalty.
Rolls made for this task are subject to disadvantage/advantage if the Guide’s Embarkation roll was either 5 or 8.
7. A Hunt
The Hunter sees signs or tracks left by some game that would likely prove a far better meal than their travelling rations, perhaps at a point in the journey where the company’s supplies are running low, or when their spirits seem to be flagging.
The Hunter must make a Wisdom (Survival) ability check to hunt down this game. If the roll is successfully made by 5 or more, the prey is brought down and a great feast is had, restoring 1 level of exhaustion and giving a +1 bonus to the Guide’s Arrival roll.
If the roll is successful, the company enjoy a hearty meal and each may remove 1 level of exhaustion.
If the roll fails, the hunt was unsuccessful and the company spend a hungry night, resulting in each gaining a level of exhaustion.
If the Hunter fails their roll by 5 or more, the hunt was a disaster, pulling the company off course and leaving them with nothing to show for their efforts but sore feet and growling bellies. As a result, each gains a point of exhaustion and the Guide’s arrival roll becomes subject to a -1 penalty.
The roll made during this task is subject to disadvantage/advantage if the Guide’s Embarkation roll was either 6 or 7.
8. A Fine Spot for a Camp
The Scout has spotted a location that has the potential to be a safe and comfortable place to make camp. Perhaps it is a sheltered glade, close to a fresh water stream, or it may be an existing campsite, used by travellers, already stocked with firewood and canvas to fashion shelters from the elements. It may even be an ancient building, easily defensible, allowing the company to rest a little easier on their journey. The Scout must make an Investigation check as the company draw close to the site.
If the roll succeeds by 5 or more the camp site is all the company could have hoped for, and they may benefit from a long rest in addition to recovering a level of exhaustion. As an added bonus, the Guide will receive a +1 modifier to their Arrival roll.
If the roll is simply successful, the company has an undisturbed night, and if needed each may recover a level of exhaustion.
If the roll fails, the campsite proves to be less than it might have been. The company spend a restless night, beset by feelings that they are being watched perhaps, or discovering that the spot they have chosen is rocky and uncomfortable or prone to flooding. They awake weary and dispirited and suffering from a level of exhaustion.
If the roll failed by 5 or more, the camp is already occupied by something hostile and dangerous; a Troll, sheltering from the sun, an Orcish war party, a band of Evil Men, intent on dark deeds, perhaps even a bear, seeking only to rest up for winter, becoming enraged upon being disturbed. Whatever the nature of the threat, the company have blundered into its midst and combat will surely ensue.
Regardless of the result of the combat, assuming the company survives, the night is a poor one at best and the only memories they carry with them of the camp are those of hard knocks and a final, unfulfilling rest. In addition to any damage sustained the Guide’s Arrival roll is subject to a -1 modifier.
9. A Lingering Memory of Times Long Past
The company discovers a relic of past ages. A statue, a building, the remains of an ancient settlement, perhaps even some finely wrought trinket half-buried in the earth. It is even possible that they witness a travelling company of Elves, making their way towards the Grey Havens.
With good fortune and a light heart, the company will be uplifted by this sight, sensing something hopeful for the future in this glimpse into the past. With poor fortune, the company will be filled with a sense of doom, seeing the decay of lost glory and the end of hope.
Each member of the company should make a Wisdom check. If successful, they are filled with Hope regarding their journey and their struggles against the Shadow and gains Inspiration.
If they make the roll by 5 or more they are so positively affected by the sight that they may also remove a level of exhaustion.
Additionally, if at least half of the company is successful, a +1 modifier may be applied to the Guide’s Arrival roll.
With a failed roll, they see only the fleeting nature of life and the fall of all that is good, and must make a Corruption check to avoid gaining 2 points of Shadow.
If they fail the roll by 5 or more, they feel morose and wearied by the scene and suffer a level of exhaustion in addition to the Shadow points. Additionally, if more than half of the company fail their roll, a -1 modifier must be applied to the Guide’s Arrival roll.
10. A Place Touched by the Shadow
The essence of something dark and terrible lingers here. It may be the site of some ancient battle, haunted still by the shades of the fallen, it may be a place where the Necromancer worked foul magics, long ago, or a ruin that was once home to some great servant of the Enemy. In Middle-earth, places have memories, and not all the memories are pleasant. That said, even the darkest of Shadows may hide something bright and good.
The Scout must make an Intelligence (Investigation) check to become aware of the darkness surrounding this area before the company blunders too deeply into it.
If the roll is a success by 5 or more, the company witness some sign that reaffirms their hope in the struggle against the Enemy. Perhaps they see evidence of the downfall of whatever evil thing once lived here, perhaps bright sunlight bursts through brooding clouds to bathe the darkened place in bright light, lifting the spirits of all who witness it. Whatever the reason, each member of the company may remove one point of Shadow and gain Inspiration. Additionally, the Guide will receive a +1 bonus to their Arrival roll.
On a successful roll, they manage to avoid the pervasive sense of corruption that lingers here and may count themselves lucky. Accordingly, the Guide receives a +1 bonus to their Arrival roll.
If the Scout fails their roll, the company has wandered into the heart of the area and feels the dark nature of the place touch their hearts. Each hero must make a Corruption check to avoid gaining a point of Shadow.
If the Scout’s roll fails by 5 or more, some dark thing still lurks here, ancient and evil, and the company have disturbed its slumber...
11. The Enemy is Abroad
Evil men, Orcs, Goblins or other servants of the Enemy are moving through the area. Avoiding them will be challenging.
If the Guide's result on the Embarkation roll was a 3, a confrontation is unavoidable.
In spite of this, a successful Wisdom (Perception) ability check roll from the Look-out will allow the company time to prepare and will grant them a round of surprise in the combat. A failed Perception roll in this instance will indicate that the company has little time to prepare and receives no such bonus.
If the Guide received a 10 on the Embarkation roll, the Look-out may make a Wisdom (Perception) or Dexterity (Stealth) ability check (player’s choice) to allow the company to find a path that will bypass the enemy force unnoticed. Should this roll fail, the company will still have time to establish an ambush, and as such will benefit from a round of surprise.
Should the Embarkation roll have been neither 3 or 10, the company may attempt to sneak past the hostile force. This will require a successful Dexterity (Stealth) check from each of them, with a single successful Animal Handling roll from one of the company should they have horses or pack ponies.
If any of these rolls fails, they have been spotted and battle will swiftly follow, with no advantage to either side. The Loremaster should make the combat reasonably challenging, without allowing it to dominate the entire session.
12. (or more) Many Meetings? Fly you Fools!
The company has encountered a traveller upon the road, but all may not be as it at first appears. This is no ordinary wanderer, but rather is one of the great and good (or fell) of Middle-earth. This will be a significant encounter not soon forgotten. Whether the meeting is for good or ill, for attaining this result the Loremaster may well choose to reward the company with Experience Points suited to the method they are using in their game.
The traveller may be Gandalf or Radagast, wandering the lands and appearing, at first glance, to be little more than a ragged wastrel. Or perhaps one of the sons of Elrond, Elladan or Elrohir, travelling to or from Imladris. It may be Beorn or Legolas, roaming the deep, wild forests or the rolling plains.
Alternatively it may be something more sinister. A powerful agent of the Enemy, or of other dark forces that are beginning stir once more in Middle-earth, casting a long, pervasive shadow, travelling the lands with foul and evil purpose. Player-heroes may well stumble upon a foe beyond any of them…
If the Embarkation roll was a 1, the encounter will automatically be with a servant of the Enemy. Conversely, if it was a 12 the company has encountered one of the great powers for Good. The outcome of such a meeting however, will depend on how the company approaches matters.
If neither a 1 or a 12 was rolled on the Embarkation table, the Look-out must make a Wisdom (Perception) check. If the roll succeeds by 5 or more, the company has encountered a person of great standing, and sees them for what they are.
Each member of the company may immediately remove one point of Shadow. They may also seek an Audience (see page 192) with them and, if successful, they may gain great knowledge of their path ahead which will grant them advantage on the initial rolls on their next encounter, and will also bestow a +1 bonus to their Arrival roll. If the Audience goes particularly well, the Loremaster may decide that the company have gained a Patron.
If the Look-out’s roll succeeds, they have spotted the traveller, but do not realise who they may truly be. The initial description of this encounter should then be played out as if it was a result of 1 on this table (A Chance Encounter). Should the company choose to interact with the traveller, successful Wisdom (Insight) rolls or some demonstration that the company has true and good purpose should lead to the true identity of the person they have met. Should this happen, the encounter should then play out in much the same way as detailed above.
If the Look-out’s roll fails, the company have encountered a dark and powerful foe way beyond any of them. For low-level companies this could be a superior force of Orcs, a pack of Wargs, or perhaps a particularly large and fierce Troll. At higher levels it could be something much darker and more powerful – a warband of Uruk-hai, or even a Nazgûl about his master’s dark bidding.
Companies must immediately make a Corruption Save to avoid gaining 2 points of Shadow and they must seek to avoid further confrontation by each making a a Dexterity (Stealth) check (with a single additional Animal Handling check if the company has horses or pack ponies) to slip away unnoticed.
Should more than half fail, they will need to flee in haste for fear of their very lives. All gain an additional level of exhaustion, additionally the Arrival roll will be subject to a -1 modifier.
If the Look-out’s roll fails by 5 or more they are automatically spotted, with no chance to sneak away. They must flee in haste for fear of their very lives. They automatically gain 2 points of Shadow, and an additional level of exhaustion, additionally the Arrival roll will be subject to a -1 modifier.
