Mountain Hall

[tomcat]

Awesome post, Tom!

Matt - treasure in this game is very abstract. The overall troll hoard was worth 8 Treasure ranks, of which Grimbeorn, Bandy, Arbogast, and Esgalwen split into 2 each. Rorin found a precious item and so is disqualified from the regular treasure.

Now what is the treasure? It could be gold, silver, gems, jewelry. I leave it to you to decide, but it is bulky enough to cause you to take 2 Encumbrance for your share - at least until you take it to where you want it stashed. The 2 rank gives your PC the ability to live at Rich Standard of Living for one month, or lower standards for longer.
The companions moved about the cavern, searching for things of worth as they did. The stories of troll holes were legendary and this one did not break that myth. Behind broken swords and shields was found bags of coins - coins of silver and gold! Jewelry littered the botton of a small wooden box. Other things were there, too, standard items of worth like old lanterns and straps of leather; boxes of tools; boxes of nails; horseshoes, etc.

It was very evident that the trolls were indiscriminate as to who they waylaid, or what they took.

Esgalwen hunched by a grouping of shields leaning on the wall, with sword hilts protruding behind the stack. She shoved the items away and grabbed one of the swords. It was still beautiful in its crafting and the devices upon it were of Westernesse. She beamed with delight at what she saw while turning the blade over and admiring it.

The feeling came over her in moments - a Shadow filled her. In Esgalwen's mind came the vision of a golden fleet sailing to the West, but a terrifying cloud in the shape of an eagle loomed over it. The sky was dark under that cloud and the sea on which the boats sailed was rough. Panic filled her as she continued to gaze at the sword and the vision in her mind changed to mountains - the Misty Mountains? At their feet was a huge encampment with banners that furled black, adorned by the Seven Stars - next to them were sky-blue and gold banners. She knew these banners - Elendil and Gil-galad!

Her memory served her and she remembered that Elendil had camped under the mountains, before his fateful journey south to stand against Sauron. In her vision, the woman saw two tall figures and just like that, they were swallowed by a terrible shadow. The vision went black and all that was left was an orange ember, glowing like an evil eye. The Dúnadan tossed down the sword, as she knew that it was the source of such terrible darkness. Wrapping her arms around herself, Esgalwen moved quickly to the fire. She did not share any of her thoughts.

Not far away, Rorin, too, looked through the treasure hoard. He shoved over a wheel that had been taken from a wagon. They'll pillage everything, he thought. The wheel had been covered with a heavy tarp, and it, too, pulled back when the wheel fell. And there it was...a small wooden box that was handsomely carved. Elven runes and natural symbols of branch and leaf were worked in the wood. It looked like the item had been untouched for however long these trolls had sat here. They must have even intended for the tarp and wheel to confine the box.

Rorin gently picked it up and opened it. Insides was a mottled bed of fabric, rotted with time, but upon that bed was a gold necklace. A pendant hung on its length - a golden cage of fine metalwork that contained a perfect pearl. To his mind, Orophin came at once - the elf smiling at him and Rorin seemed to hear him speak, "From Eregion does your treasure come, crafted by the masters of that time and place. Long will it be the symbol of your family and forever will it be a bond between you and the Elves, as long as it is never tarnished by ill-will."

The Dwarf shook his head and Orophin disappeared. He was certain that the voice was naught more than his imagination. The delicate chain and caged-pearl pendant sat in his large, calloused hand.

[tomcat]

Rorin, you have found a precious item. A golden necklace with a pearl pendant crafted in Eregion of old. It is worth 80 treasure!

[GandalfOfBorg]

Grimbeorn laid in the cave while his friends searched about. There is a rustling and clanging as they sifted through what remained of the troll's hoard.  "What does a Beorning need with gold and silver?" he thought, then he recalled his battle with the trolls and his broken shield up on the ground.  So once he had strength enough to stand, Grimbeorn made his search throughout the foul trove.

Soon something gave him pause as he came near the pile of rent shields, broken blades, and rotted leather jerkins -- more of a feeling than the glint of something gold. So Grimbeorn began his own search through the piles of leftovers and filth.  When he had cleared through what Esgalwen had left behind, a large shield was found wrapped in tatters and half-buried in muck and mud.  The young man could tell this is what sparked his interest.  Wiping away the muck, he used a bottle of water to wash away the rest of the filth to see what was found.

To scholars and those of Elven-kind, it was a great shield of the realm of Laurelindorinan, the Golden Wood, made for the old wars against Sauron and other ancient evils of the world.  But what Grimbeorn saw was a shield that stood three-quarters his height and three-quarters abreast of him at the top.  It was made of gray wood, light and sturdy.  It's form was that of a leaf, delicately gilt along the edges and the face stained in grayish green.  When looking straight on at the face of the shield, the device of the realm was molded as the left side reading as Tengwar "L" but to him it was nothing more than a flourish allowing for easier use of a spear.  Lifting it with his damaged left arm, the shield cradled expertly next to his body and to his surprise it could be wielded with no more difficulty than his old shield.

This would be the first time he's smiled in many days.

[Eclecticon]

Arbogast gratefully accepts a share of the trolls' ill-gotten hoard - a handful of silver coins and a pair of golden cloak pins.  He also takes a heavy lantern, of Mannish make but wrought with a skill beyond that of the Men of the North. 

All in all, a fine dowry for Sunne when we reach Mountain Hall.

[tomcat]

Please update your PC sheets with your treasure ranks and fatigue, posting a character sheet updated    when done.
It was mid-afternoon on the day that the companions left the troll-hole that the crag in which Mountain Hall sat, came in to view. They marched quietly into the village, once more being halted by the gate guard. It was not so much a gate, but a bridge that crossed a fast-rushing river that tumbled over a fall not thirty-feet from the crossing. Mists rose and chilled the air, but the sight was spectacular. Rorin's love for mountain and stone made him long for home, if not to make this his home.



"HAIL!" came the call from across the bridge. The companions stopped and replied in kind. "Speak your names and business in the Mountain Hall, house of our Chieftain, Hartfast, son of Hartmut."

Again the companions replied with the information, but Esgalwen added, "Please may we cross. Two of our companions have been harmed in a skirmish with trolls, a half-day south of your gates. Though they have been slain, still Grimbeorn has been wounded and the travel has caused him suffering."

The Company noticed a stir among the guards at the mention of Grimbeorn's name. Esgalwen cursed herself for it was only after that she remembered that there was contention between the Mountain Hall and the Beornings.

A few moments passed but then a man carrying a spear and dressed in mail stepped out onto the span. "Cross, but know that you will be taken forthwith to the Master of this house and there ye shall be judged."

[GandalfOfBorg]

  Character sheet updated 

[disench4nted]

Rorin could not believe his luck in finding this treasure, and the words of Orophin stood out in his mind, "Forever will it be a bond between you and the Elves"...the experience was too real to discount as daydreaming, but how was it possible for his friend speak to him from the grave? Perhaps the Brown Wizard could help unravel this mystery. But for now, he carefully closed and latched the box, wrapped it in his travelling blanket and packed it tightly in the bottom of his pack.

Finally, their journey had ended...hopefully he could run this errand in the Mountain Hall without too much hassle and be on their way back home.

 
I added the necklace in my gear, and did not increase my fatigue. If you want me to just say the word.
CSU 

[tomcat]

Hey disench4nted, no - you don't need to increase fatigue. Your treasure was the small necklace and box.

Anyone who took troll hoard - meaning a level 2 treasure rank - has to increase encumbrance. Matt, you should only increase your encumbrance by what the shield would impose.

More to come in a bit - reading up on Mountain Hall.

[GandalfOfBorg]

  My previous shield was Encumbrance 3 as well, so in the end it didn't change.

[Eclecticon]

Arbogast nods politely to the guard at the bridge, but has eyes only for the place that will become his sister's home.  The water will give her some comfort, even if it is faster (and colder!) than the Dusky River.  I must try to meet Theodwin, and see for myself what manner of man he is.


  The treasure replaces the weight of my broken spear, so overall encumbrance doesn't change. 

[tomcat]

Beranald was the Doorwarden of Mountain Hall and he led the companions from the bridge towards the house beyond. Old Beranald had been in charge of meeting all who approached Mountain Hall by way of its narrow bridge since when Hartmut, father of Hartfast, was only a boy. Yet, the man's hands were strong and sure, as was his gait, though his hair was silver and age sat heavy on his brow.

The fast-flowing river waters that protected Mountain Hall were left behind, but still the icy cold mist hung in the air within the crag. The waters tumbled down from the snowy heights of the Misty
Mountains above, to churn and cascade around the hall, surging down a gully that was shaped and widened by many years of craft. The hall had no protective hedge or walls – it needed only the river and the cliffs. The narrow bridge that crosses the river, was the only easy entrance. A road led to a knot of outbuildings and storerooms at the front of the hall. Behind the long hall itself, a watchtower rose as if in imitation of the towering peaks around.

The companions are led first to the Doorkeeper's House, a spacious house of wood and stone with a few comforts. Beranald has lived here the better part of his life and once inside, he turns to the companions. "Make yourselves comfortable. I have sent word that you are here and we must await the word of Hartmut that you shall be received. In the meantime, your wounded folk may rest and take comfort. Would you care for food?"

The company was offered a simple meal of bread, cold water and grey mutton.
I am now going to do the basic rolls for this encounter.

I will give you the results based on the rolls. If you wish to change anything with a Hope, let me know.

[tomcat]

Insight TN 14 for Advantage dice:

Arbogast 1d12 : 1, total 1
Rolled 2d6 : 1, 6, total 7

Bandy 1d12 : 10, total 10
Rolled 2d6 : 4, 4, total 8

Esgalwen 1d12 : 5, total 5
Rolled 1d6 : 4, total 4

Grimbeorn 1d12 : 4, total 4
Rolled 3d6 : 3, 6, 3, total 12

Rorin 1d12 : 7, total 7
Rolled 2d6 : 5, 2, total 7

Bandy and Esgalwen have the highest Courtesy ranks and I need a TN 14 for Beranald to even allow them past his house:

Bandy 1d12 : 6, total 6
Rolled 3d6 : 3, 3, 6, total 12

Esgalwen 1d12 : 1, total 1
Rolled 2d6 : 1, 4, total 5

[Telcontar]

Does that give me an advancement point for the great success?

[tomcat]

Results:
Bandy earns 1 Advantage die
Grimbeorn earns 2 Advantage die, also earns 1 AP  
Rorin earns 1 Advantage die

Bandy achieves the courtesy necessary to make Beranald take them further; he also earns 1 AP  

Tom, feel free to add to this scene in regards to Bandy's approach to the old Doorwarden.
Bandy was most courteous to their host and assisted him in the plating of food. Once the plates were prepared, the Hobbit laughed and delivered each to its intended recipient. Trying the bland food himself, Bandy masked his distaste with accolades for the fare. All the while, he interjected subtle ideas to add to the food - herbs and and vegetables that might enhance the taste - but was never rude.

Soon, the old Doorwarden was chuckling alongside the Hobbit, "It's actually rather tasteless, isn't it?" He laughed hard, "At least our beer is good and strong here. Mayhaps on your next journey up the mountain, you can bring me some of the herbs of which you speak?"

To that Beranald poured them all a pint and as a group, they drank the bitter-sweet brew.

[tomcat]

The encounter Tolerance is 5 (3 highest Valour -2 for Bandy and Grimbeorn for being the cultures they are +1 for Arbogast's standing and a woodman +1 for Rorin being a Dwarf +2 for slaying the trolls)

Introduction
You guys need to decide if this is a group intro, or if you will have a spokesperson before Hartfast. I would prefer you all discuss it somehow between yourselves before a bunch of test rolls are done. If you guys just give me a bunch of rolls, I will interpret it as best I can.

Lore test TN 14 (to see if any of you know which form of introduction Hartfast prefers:

Arbogast 1d12 : 8, total 8

Bandy 1d12 : 4, total 4
Rolled 2d6 : 4, 6, total 10

Esgalwen 1d12 : 8, total 8
Rolled 1d6 : 2, total 2

Grimbeorn 1d12 : 5, total 5

Rorin 1d12 : 8, total 8
Rolled 1d6 : 6, total 6