Illyria of Rohan's page

I'll totally take a look at it Illyria. I likely won't have something up today... though I should be able to have a full character set up by Friday. Oh what is it you need?

I'm sorry for the delay in replying to this, I've been really unwell. With Bergur's character leaving the party now has a Barding Scholar (who will be multiclassing to Warrior), a Dunedain Warden and a Hobbit Treasure Hunter. Both the Barding and the Dunedain have tied themselves into the Forester culture by parentage/marriage. If you are picking something other than a Forester or Wood elf it would be helpful if you can do something simlar.

Sorry, I've been really unwell but am back now.

Morwen - are you interested in joining my Mirkwood campaign? Bergur's player seems to have gone for good so I need another player and I'd rather have someone I know already :)

The rules for putting a character together are in the discussion section: link. I'd prefer characters who are tied to Mirkwood (Forester or Wood-elf). I hope you are interested!

Illyria continues to throw herself into the attack, aware that she doesn't have much more to give. She feels the warmth of her blood leaking from several wounds, the hilt of her sword is sticky with it but she grips with both hands and strikes as hard as she can.

Recless attack, advantage on the roll, but advantage to the enemy rolls

sword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
sword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Damage: 1d10 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 2 = 15

Illyria gives a sharp gasp of pain as the creature's unholy weapon strikes her again, but she foucuses her attention and keeps swinging her sword. They can bring this thing down, she's sure of it.

Using reckless attack to get advantage, but it gets advantage against me

Longsowrd: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Longsowrd, advantage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Damage: 1d10 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 2 = 15

widsom ssave: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Illyria stares back into the thing's glowing eyes, clearly not afraied. "You want death? I bring death." She slashes at it again with her sword. She gives a quick glance back at Morwen and Bergur, trying to encourage them. "We can end this thing. Keep going."

longsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage: 1d10 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 14

Using Inspiration to give Bergur advantage on his attack. This cacnles out the disadvantage and lets him use sneak attack this round for another 1d6 ⇒ 3 points of damage

Illyria hisses with pain as the axe strikes, drawing blood and sinding a chill through her veins. Seeing Bergur's arrow strike gives her the opening she needs as she swings again with both hands on her sword.

Longsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Damage: 1d10 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 = 13

Illyria grits her teeth. "I knwow that." She raises her sword to try and parry the ghost's attack. "But it's still annoying."

Illyria grits her teeth. "You keep sayint that. It's getting dull. Besides, I'm not a man." Leetting her anger get the better of her, she presses the attacck recklessly, swinging her longsword with both hnands.

Using reckless attack to give me Advantage, so it gets Advantage against me as well

Longsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Longsword, Advantage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Damage: 1d10 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 = 13

Looks like it's up to Morwen to save the day!

Illyria throws herself to owne side to avoide the attack, but in doing so her own strike goes wide and she misses. Her eyes narrow as she watches for the next opening.

Longsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Using Inspiration

Longsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11

I'm not worrried. If Bergur can land some sneak attacks this should be over before things get too bad.

Wisdome save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Illyria meets the terror of the night with a cry of defiant anger. "I break no oaths! You belong in the grave and I will put you there!" She lashes out with her longsword, a cold fury guiding her blade.

Battle fury

Longsord: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

Morwen. that sounds awful for everyone concerned. Sending you all good wishes.

I'm happy to carry a torch, I think Morwen and Bergur need both hands to use their bows

Illyria's sense of unease grows as they explore. Clearlye someone or something has been here before them, but their fate is a mystery. As they walk through the door into the great hall, she looks closely at the coins. "I don't like this she mutters to the others. "Let's keep together and see what else is here, but don't touch the coins."

Keeping close to the rest of the group, she moves forward to see what else is here.

Sorry to hear that, Morwen. Sending you good wishes.

Have we lost Bergur?

Yes, still here and wanting to continue!

Best wishes, Ónar. I hope you will make it back to gaming soon.

Illyria is the type who'd relentlessly mock their fighting (in)ability and point out that if jsut one of the girls could actually throw a punch, this owuld all be over already.

Illyria tests the blade of her sowrd, just checking it's as sharp as it was five minutes ago when she last checked. "I agree. Let's see what's in the keep befroe it gets dark."

Illyria thinks about what Morwen has pointed out. "So something came through the entrance door that was scary enough to make the guard get out the way as much as they could. Not that it helped them in the end. And then whatever it was went through all the other rooms and grabbed everyone before they could make a sound or even draw a weapon."

She shivers. "Am I the only one with a really bad feeling abuout this?"

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Illyria fails to spot the blood until Bergur draws atention to it. "That is a lot of blood, a mortal wound." She agrees with Bergur, niether option is comforting. "If they fled, they would have takent hte horses, I think. It takes, waht, a few seconds to loose one and then you are much, much faster than on two legs. Unless you were scared out your wits I suppose."

"Is there anything here that might indicate whether this was Drusilla's group?" He can't imagine it could have been anyone else, but Viglund will no doubt demand proof of some sort.

Illyria considers the question. She had assumed that this is Drusialla's group, but Bergur is right. there's no proof. "What about the gold coins the boy mentioned? Not many people carry gold. They should still have those with them."

I've come down sick with something the last few days (I don't have covid, it's just a stomach bug). I'm up and a little better but haven't been up to posting. I should get some posts up this evening or Saturday.

Oh, that's bad. Take care of yourself and all the bst for the test results.

Mhy voite is to explore the watchtower first, it looks like someone might have been there more recently.

Investigation: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Illyria takes sevarl hasty steps back as she realises what is rotting there. "Oh, you deserved better than that from your masters." Her blood boils as she realises that they probably died of neglect. "Looks like several people were here recently. If they ever left, they were in too much of a hurry to untie their horses and flee that way." Her face shows the disguts she feels. "If they're still here and they're not dead, I'm going to fix that."

Wis save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Illyria shudders as though someone walked ovre her grave, which perhaps they jsut did. The smell of decay is somehting she's familliar with, so taking a deep breath she wanders forward to try and see what the flies are feasting on. Prehaps they can get a clue as to what happened here.

Sorry Ónar, forgot about you! having a ditzy weak all round :/

Illyria shudders as she looks at what might be paeceful sight if it wasn't in Mirkwood. I don't like this. If I had that place, there'd be someone on the tower and guard on the walls. We'd have been challenedged by now, or shot at if they didn't watn to talk." She lets go Fæstlîeg's reins, trusting the horse not to stray from her side. "It looks like the gate is our only way in. I'll go first." She looks at Morwen who still isn't fuly recovered. "Bergur, if you follow me, then Harry. Morwen, you can be rearguard."

Holding her sword ready, she walks forward.

Vigilant Senses give me advantage on Perception to spot ambushes and nearby enemies. Should have metnioned this wehn we were attacked by the spdiers but I forgot about it!

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Perception advantage: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

glad you like it

Illyria nods, hiding a smile as Morwen boasts about being accustomed to pain. Get back to me when you've been dragged out of combat from the stirrup of your horse, breaking pretty much every bone you have.

"Understood. I will keep watch while Harry patches you up."

Yes, taht works for me.

Illyria shudders as the psider runs away, before cleaning the blood from her sword blade. "Thos things are unnatural." She gives Morwen a look. "I can see your insides from here, almost. You're no good to us dead. Harry, can you patch her up while we keep moving? Ther'es probably worse than spiders out here."

This does NOT seem like a good place for a short rest

And I thought moving to PbP meant I'd heard the last of those "you jogged my arm! I want a reroll" arguments >.<

Illyria pats him on the shoulder. Startled, he looses the arrow far too soon and nowhere near its intended target.

:O

Oh, sure, blame someone else for your dice rolls. Did Illyria also make you forget to use Inspiration for a reroll :P

With one spider dead, Illyria runs to the other one, giving Bergur a pat on the shouldre as she sprints past. "Great shooting, another one like that please!" She swings her sword at the spider.

Longsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

It matters, I do more damage on horesback :(

Bergur and Morwen, dot'nt forget to use inspiration to help you hit, we have points to spare

Seeing that Ónar is unharmed, Illyria moves to help Morwen. Letting go of Fæstlîeg's reins (she tursts the horse not to wander deeper into the woods), she draws her sword and strikes at the monster.

Longsorwd: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

+29 APRIL+

Illyria drops the rock she is holding, it misses her foot as she stares at Harry. Never lost anyone?! What land of peace is this Bree?! She's lost for words for a few moments. "You get used to it, evetntually." There's a bitter expression on her face but it fades as she retruns to piling up rocks.

+22 APRIL+

Illyria walks in silence while Bergur takls, and continues in silenec for some time afterwards. She has nothing in common with Bergur/Brigg's early experiences. Family has been a part of who she is, and after that she belonged in teh King's Guard. Only more recently has she had anything that resembles that sense of loss, of not having a place. She wonders what it must have been like to grow up with it, but she senses that Bergur is not looking for sympthay. She continues walking in silence. "I told you he was a good listener."

She walks some more. "Bergur's a nice name. So is Brigg. Whichever you choose to be, you're someone I'm glad to call a friend." That pretty much seems to cover it.

+29 APRIL+

Illyria tries hard not to swear as her good work is ofr nothing and the man dies. She sighs instead. "It's not your fault" she tells Harry. "I saw the look on his face, in hies eyes. Mabye this is a quicker and better way for him to go." She looks around. "I don't really want to leave him to the vultutres, but I can't see a good place to bury him. Maybe we can put these rocks to better use and make a cairn for him."

Assuming nobody tries to stop her, she will pile rocks oever him to try and keep the vultures and scavengers away.

That turned into a bit of a marathon - I honestly didn't expect it to take nine rolls for you to hit a DC 15 Survival check!

Also, these journey rules are amazing - worth the price of the books alone. I've never seen wilderness travel actually be fun to GM (and, hopefully to play as well)!

Reading your post, my heart actualy sank when we gained that exhautsion, and then in the next entry when we lost it was just such a relief.

"She sounds less and less of a leader the more we hear of her.", adds Harry. "I think we should seek out this fort without further delay!"

Illyria doesn't look at Harry, or anyone else, but that's easy to do when you're on horseback - there's always something to distract you. She fiddles with the reins, pretending toa adjust them. "My own attempts at leadership weren't a great success, eitehr."

Harry, I'm stealing yuour astersk thingy, it's a great way to break the post up! :)

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+22 APRIL+

As they leave the tiny village behind, Illyria dismounts to lead Fæstlîeg on foot for a while. She walks alongside Bergur, cradling her horse's neck with one arm and keeping the mount between them so that Bergur doesn't have to look at her if he doesn't want to. Her tone is covnersational. "You don't owe anyone an explanation. I get why a woman might want to dress as a man to avoid unwanted attnention. But if you want to talk, my horse is a great listener. He's seen a great deal, and he doesn't try to talk back." She thinks for a moment. "Fair warning, he will snort if you say anything espeiclly stupid, though."

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+25 APRIL+

Regardless of how their conversation ahs gone, Illyria actually hugs Bergur when the get into the cave. Leadig her horse through this moutanous, wooded nightmare has been an ordeal and with the weather on top of that she was about ready to give in. "Finding htis place might just have saved all our lives."

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+29 APRIL+

Assuming that the man lets them approach without trying to stab them, Illyria starts to clear the rocks from off the man's body so Harry can eaxmine him. It is hard going but she works at it.

Athlestics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Athlestics, Inspriation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Illyria isn't as certain as Morwen is. "Anyone who says thier liege can 'go whistle' isn't exactly sounding loyal to me. A stone fort and gold means better defences and a bigger army. Or maybe she killed htem for the lure of gold? It can take people that way, i've heard." Illyria knows about gold but hasn't seen very mcuh. She doesn't really understand the attraction.

She puts her heels to Fæstlîeg's flanks. "Anyway. You can ask her yourself once we catch up with her."

Interesting you bring that up, I'm planing to have Illyria be sceptical of the Shadow until she encuounters it a bit more. She knows nothing of Sauron or rings or the history there. In her view, orcs and spiders and dragons are bad enough without imagininng some vast secret force behind them all.

And I totalluy get Morwen doesn't want to say much without being asked. Those who know don't speak and those who speak don't know :)

Illyria listens carefully to Cedwin's story. The map he can skethc will be a great help, she has no doubt. "Thank you, Cedwin, and thank you Otbert for standing by yuour deal. It will make all our lives easier." She realises that the villages have fed them more than they can afford to, adn indiactes to the others that they should get going.

Ready to move on! Let's find this stone fort

I thought it was clear - no confusion here :)

Illyria nods. "I think we are all a bit briused and battered, apart from Ónar perhaps. But I hvae suffered worse." Her tone softens a little as she sees the youth struggle with what to say. "If it matters, I know who you are already. I have for months. And I don't mean what you think. I mean, you are someone who saved my life by shooting the spider that ambushed us. You are someone who braved a den of spiders, running along a web-bridge to singlehadnendly save an unwary merchant from certain death, earning the evelasting gratitude of his daughter." Her eyes sparkle with a bit of amusement at Bergur's expense. "You are someone I have shed blood with and alongside, and someone I am proud to call a companion. The incidetnal details are less important than you might think."

Illyria meets Bergur's eye as they wake up, doing her best to conceal the hurt she feels at having been lied to. She's not about to pick a fight though, especially with someone who they very nearly just lost in a real fight. "Glad you're still with us, that was touch and go for a while." Despite herself, she can sort of see the funny side. She cracks a half-smile. "I know a small girl who's father you saved who's going to be very disappointed."

She leaves aside the issue of who ows what to who. Thats not for her to jusdge.

Illyria looks puzzled, but does as Morwen asks, walking over to where the Ranger is busily working. "Why, what's the-" Warriors are good at dealing with suprises. Or they don't get to be warriors for very long. Her eyes widen and she is silent for a second or two, but then she gets to work helping Morwen consrtuct a covering. "Harry, you may need to just talk us through this one."

Questions whir through her mind, but she dismises them and concentrates on the job at hand. Well, all but the most trivial of the questions. So, is Bergur a girl's name too? Only Morwen is close enough to hear the next bit of the question, muttered underneath her breath. "or was that a lie as well?"

(Bergur is also close enough too, but not probably in a position to hear anything right now)

Illyria is dragged out of her strange mood by the Dale-man's collapse. "Bergur!" She glares at the surviving soldiers. "If he dies, I will not be responsible for your safety if you are still here."

She looks at Harry, at a loss. "I hvae no skill with medicine, but if you need help then give the word." Her main experience of healing is holding people down while the sawbones works on them. She desperately hopes it doesn't come to that.

Illyria silently backs up the dwarf, pointedly wiping the blood from her spear on the downed (but still breathng) leader, and retrieving the spear that she threw at the start of their encuonter.

Bergur, I'm fine with however you want to play it. This is a major part of your character arc, so it's all you :)

Wis save DC 11: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Illyria stares down at the dead body with an exrpession of spiteful pleasure. Vengeance is paid for the injury inflicted to her companion. She doesn't look at Bergur with concern, or ask Harry to attend to his injuries, as she might nromally be expected to do.

Instead she watches the red blood drip from her spear-tip and remembers the satisfaction of the killing blow. On refleciton, it's almost a shame Bergur didn't atculaly die, because then it truly would have been life for life.

But you can't have everything.

One advantage of cavalry is that you have a clear view of the battlefield. Even as she ducks the attack that is aimed at her, Illyria sees Bergur being almost spitted on an enemy spear. Fæstlîeg barely needs the guiding knee she porvides, seeming almost to read his Rider's thoughts. The horse swerves out of one combat, and into another.

Moving (provokes AoO) out of my melee to attack Bergur's opponent

Spear: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Using Reckless Attack, gain advantage but all attacks against me haev Advantage for the next round
Spear, Advantage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

This time, she strikes to kill, impalling the man on the tip of her lance.

What? you've never seen a hypocrit before? :P