What still lies in Dol Gormain?

[sdrotar]

  Dirnhael's Stamina Test:
TN 90 -- Stamina +3, Adaptable +2, Tireless +4 = +9 (x6) = +54

Rolled 12d6+54 : 1, 1, 3, 6, 4, 3, 3, 4, 1, 4, 6, 4 + 54, total 94

[tomcat]

Okay, I took all of your rolls and extrapolated out the day by day effects and then rolled a Survival test TN12 each day, based on Dirnhael's skills to create a sufficient encampment to allow for rest. So, the net result of all of the rolls is, it does take only six days to get to Dol Gormain and the following PC's will suffer weariness:

Celdrahil -1 Winded 
Ginnar -1 Winded 
Madoc -1 Winded 

Also Shawn, just so you know... Adaptable +2 is a Racial trait that is already built into the Stamina value, so I deducted it from your rolls.



And so, the companions took to saddle. Durgil said his goodbyes from the porch of Dirnhael's home, standing by his sister. He would make for Dorthad and then Fornost later in the morning. Ioreth ran to Dirnhael's mount and placing a foot on his, within the stirrup, pulled herself up to give him one more kiss. They shared a few quiet words and she lowered herself down with a smile. The knight knew it was real, even though it was forced. She was strong and she would once more steel him to see this through. With a wave from the others, the Company began to ride forth out of the stable yards and then east, across country.

Their path would take them up the ridgeland downs, a series of small downs that stacked upon one another as steps that go climb a staircase. It would make for difficult riding, but they needed to reach the Old North road, which ran the length of the downs and would take them to Dol Gormain and from there to Barad Eldanar.

The rain did not let up for the week. Gray skies plagued their travel and the party members felt the ache of weariness with each day. The better part of the last year Celdrahil had been home and out of the saddle, and he marveled at how much of an effect it had on him. Madoc had been an outdoorsman the better part of his life but he, too, was worn down by the pace of travel. Only Fengel and Dirnhael seemed undaunted by the travel, and the Elf showed little sign of weariness or lessening of spirit.

Each night Dirnhael would find them a place to camp, and so the days passed. With the sun passing noon, riding behind still gray skies, the trio of hills know as Dol Gormain appeared on the horizon. They slowly loomed closer with each footfall of the horses. Dirnhael and Fengel began to wonder about the ruin. The last time they had been here, it was very unpleasant. Very unpleasant, indeed.

Fengel who had taken a position before the group held up a hand to bring them to a halt. He then waved them forward to advance to him. "The ruin of Dol Gormain is before us. We need not approach it, but if I recall from our last time here... we had had little choice. The terrible shadow that haunted this place drew us in. What do you wish to do, Dirnhael? Do we press on past or go to see if the horror still lurks?"

When they had been here last, the vile spider-wraith Gorvorsang had made these hills and the ruins about its home. To it had come other spiders - living spiders - and they used the undead spider's magical ability to disorient anything that approached and thus made for easy prey. Gorvorsang had not desired food - only lusted to extinguish all life. The great spider had trapped many in its burrow and Fengel wondered at the treasures that could still be there.

[sdrotar]

Fengel who had taken a position before the group held up a hand to bring them to a halt. He then waved them forward to advance to him. "The ruin of Dol Gormain is before us. We need not approach it, but if I recall from our last time here... we had had little choice. The terrible shadow that haunted this place drew us in. What do you wish to do, Dirnhael? Do we press on past or go to see if the horror still lurks?"

When they had been here last, the vile spider-wraith Gorvorsang had made these hills and the ruins about its home. To it had come other spiders - living spiders - and they used the undead spider's magical ability to disorient anything that approached and thus made for easy prey. Gorvorsang had not desired food - only lusted to extinguish all life. The great spider had trapped many in its burrow and Fengel wondered at the treasures that could still be there.

Dirnhael remembered all too well. He had been dragged into the monstrous spider's pit and ensnared in its web then, unable to do anything but watch helplessly; fortunate that Fengel, Edrahil, Lunduf and the others had been able to chase it off and free him. He had little desire to tempt fate once again.

"I fear we face ancient evils aplenty, my friend," he said softly.

Despite Lunduf's loss, Dirnhael thought that this fellowship might be even stronger than the one he led when they first confronted the spider. He was stronger, and wiser, as was Fengel and even perhaps Edrahil. The newcomer, Madoc, seemed brave and hale, and Celdrahil's nobility was unyielding in any circumstance. Ginnar, Lunduf's cousin, seemed hewn from the same stone as his kin.

He wanted to rid the land of this monstrosity, and deep in his heart, he knew he wanted it personally as well. Perhaps that was the biggest risk of all.
"But if we choose to confront this one, the greater evil might go unattended. Better to hold to our path... if we can."

The two exchanged a wary look, both knowing that avoiding such a deadly encounter might not even be possible. After all, the spiders may have gained in strength, as well.

He put one hand on his sword, and the other on his reins as he spurred his mount forward.

[Nolmir]

Madoc perked up in the saddle. "What evil do you speak of, Lord Dirnhael?"

He followed Dirnhael's lead and unslung his bow from it's position on his back, his eyes glancing over the ruin as he spurred his horse to follow Dirnhael.

[sdrotar]

Madoc perked up in the saddle. "What evil do you speak of, Lord Dirnhael?"

He followed Dirnhael's lead and unslung his bow from it's position on his back, his eyes glancing over the ruin as he spurred his horse to follow Dirnhael.

"This is a realm of spiders," he said." "One in particular, which seems to pull others toward it. The land itself seems to shift, bewildering travelers and leading them into the den. We must be wary."

[Telcontar]

Celdrahil spoke, "A dark plague indeed. This hill mass would be a good outpost against the fell enemy. The fact that dark minions dwell here proves it." Celdrahil pondered, "Do we face this dark peril? I would not want to leave it behind us." The Dunedain looked around to take in his surroundings...."confuses the senses does it? We should guide ourselves by the stars then. Elbereth would not steer us wrong. We bear the blood of the her adopted children of Numenor and one of the true blood is with us. If there are creatures that mask the lay of the earth than in Elbereth and the immortal heavens we shall find true course."

[tomcat]

"T'was not that the land changed, as much as we were misdirected with each step," said Edrahil. "Even I could not break free from the creatures maze... with Elbereth shining above."

Fengel also chimed in, "We must go with the hope that with our last encounter, the creature was slain by your sword, Dirnhael. Surely, Andúring sent it to its final death, no?"

"Whether it is dead or not, our goal of Barad Eldanar lies beyond and we must decide..." the Sindar hesitated, "Do we investigate to see if it still remains? Even if it is dead, the numerous spiders that were present before will certainly still be here."

[Telcontar]

Celdrahil pondered for a moment, "I do not like to leave enemies in our rear, but this is not the threat we were sent to deal with. Occupying ourselves with side quests will not accomplish the task that Mithrandir has set before us. If the spider dead or alive is currently holed up here and of no concern then let us first defeat the active threat first and complete this siege of spiders when time allows."

[Nolmir]

"I agree with Dirnhael, we should proceed on," Madoc said, piping up. "Whether the spider lives or not, ridding this place of evil is work for another time. The evil that Gandalf warned us of is far more dangerous and we can't risk leaving it unattended by foolhardily seeking out danger."

[sdrotar]

"Then it is settled - we will keep to our task, if we can," Dirnhael said. "But be on your guard; the choice may not be ours to make."

[Posterboy]

"Aye," grumbled Ginnar, scanning the surrounding landscape suspiciously. "Let be on our way."

The dwarven berserker had a strong hatred for the creatures. They were more cunning and quiet than orcs, and he had lost half-a-dozen of his kin in an spider ambush once. The memory flooded back for a brief moment as he scanned the surrounding once more. Grim determination steeled his eyes. That mistake won't be repeated today.