The Narrows of Mirkwood

[tomcat]

Two days later with the rising of the sun, the companions mounted once more. Ceawin and his people were gathered around, preparing their own horses, and Amaleoda also stood near to say her goodbyes.

It was anticipated that the trek would take another nine days and the Lord of Sunstead wanted to take advantage of as much daylight as possible. The woods were a dark place and the sun was one of their few allies, though its light would only barely reach them. Still, it was said that the Narrows was the shortest crossing and the trees were not as dense, so Ceawin anticipated few problems.

Arbogast stood near Lindwine and the two talked quietly between themselves, while his friends checked straps on their gear and the supplies they had gathered. Amaleoda was very pleased with the coin that Ceawin had provided her for the supplies she offered towards his expedition home. It was apparent that the man and his people were having great success, thus far, on the eastern edge of the forest. But then again, the eastlands of Rhovanion had always offered great wealth. With the demise of Smaug, merchants now moved throughout those lands in great trains - and where there was merchants, there was trade, and thus money.



"SADDLE UP!" came the cry from Ceawin's caravan master. Esgalwen watched with a quiet smile as Arbogast said his final goodbyes. I'll see him home safely, she thought to herself, making a promise to the woman that loved her friend.

"It's a great day!" laughed Ceawin. "A great day!" The Lord of Sunstead spurred his horse forward, out of the gates of the Black Tarn, and behind him the caravan master waved his arm forward signalling all to follow. The Company were the last to ride forth, as Lindwine hesitated at letting go.

The air was hot and thick. The trail, what trail there was, weaved left and right seeming at times to double back on itself. It went up and down over small hillocks and into valleys and more than once did the caravan have to double back because something blocked their way. Ridges appeared that dropped straight down into rocky divides; deadfalls lay stacked and impenetrable; and sometimes the trees themselves along with thorny brush grew in tight walls. The horse hooves thumped an unending beat, yet the noise of the wood was greater still. But even that seemed muted, or muffled, in some way, like a blanket lay over all.

The entire party rode along and only spoke in hushed voices. At night when camps were made, only small fires were lit to cook over and to allow for light. Sleep seemed impossible as clouds of insects flew in ears and noses, biting and itching, and buzzing through the night. It was like two worlds existed - a heavy aired muffled day, or a thick, dangerous night that was a cacophony of noise.

Black flies came out in swarms and harassed men and beast alike. Their bite was awful and they greedily hungered for the blood of whomever they landed upon. Three of Ceawin's people took a fever after receiving multiple bites from the Mirkwood flies and Idunn was pressed to keep them comfortable. The heat of the forest under daytime canopy along with their fevered flesh was terrible for those taken ill. Even a horse staggered from the many welts it had from hundreds of bites, throwing its leg as it did, and thus was needed to be put down. The caravan master ordered all the supplies moved to other horses, and the rider to walk - since the pace was that of a footman, anyway.



On day seven, it began to rain. The forest grew dark under the cloudy skies and the patter of rain was heard above, but only small amounts of it made it to the forest floor. Bandy choked on the humidity that followed, his whole body feeling as if it had been immersed in a pool of salty water, his clothes damp and stained with travel and sweat. The rain also seemed to stir the insects, which created more torture.

It was on day eight of the crossing that things became worse. Throughout the travel, each of the companions served in some capacity to help the caravan make the transit. Bandy, with his exceptionally keen-eyes, took position as look-out riding alongside the forward scouts. Unfortunately for the Hobbit, his lack of knowledge about the twisting maze of Mirkwood almost led them into a disaster. Mistaking the long, leafy ropes that draped down to be vines, Bandy did not realize that the thick cords were actually tendrils of web left as snares and triggers by the evil spiders that plagued the woods. The Hobbit quickly discovered his mistake and called for the scouts and guides to change their course.

It was almost in time.

[tomcat]

Okay, here is how the two Hazard episodes are working out in the narrative:

The first was rolled by Arbogast during test period 1. The target of the test ended up being Bandy as Look out. The test required to overcome the hazard was a TN 18 Awareness. I rolled the following for Bandy:

1d12+2d6 and got a 6+4+6=16

I assumed Tom would be fine to use a Hope Point to make the test a Great Success. Thus, Bandy got them back on course out of the potential spider webs.

The second was rolled by Bandy during test period 3. The target of this test ended up being Arbogast as scout (kind of ironic). The test required to overcome the hazard was a TN 18 Explore. I rolled the following for Arbogast:

1d12+3d6 and got a  2+1+4+4+3=10

Even with a favoured Hope point, it is a failed result. Thus the last line in my narrative above.

[Telcontar]

This journey was particularly hard upon the Hobbit, whether it was from the feel of the wood, or simply his growing dislike for the Lord of Sunstead, the travel was weighing him down. He didn't think the feel could be more oppressive, but when the rains came and the humidity increased ever further he his spirits sank even lower. Even the thought of a pipe did little to cheer the Hobbit. His friends were constantly hearing his mumblings around the camp, so unlike the usual songs and tales that he told.

"Blasted big folk and their mucking about with the dead. Only a man would spend his time above ground and then decide that he wanted to live in a hobbit hole for peace. Too late for that when you're dead..." thought the Hobbit.

Bandy looked about and spied the vines crossing the road and wondered what horror they were connected to. His sour mood changed however when he realized that they were not vines, and that they were connected to a real horror. The vines instead belonged to the great plague of Mirkwood, the spiders.

The Halfling waved to the other scouts and pointed, not wishing to disturb the strands or wake the spiders. The hobbit was not a warrior and now had no idea how he would fight on horseback if they were attacked. If he dismounted to fight he worried he would be left behind, but if he stayed mounted he would be useless to his friends.

Damn this helm of peace. 

[tomcat]

Arbogast now led the van as scout. He had with him two others from Ceawin's entourage. If all their efforts had been a success, they should exit the woods within the next four days.

The rain had stopped, but the humidity lingered and everyone was on edge. Two fights had erupted while camping and it had taken threats from Ceawin himself to cow the men into obedience. The journey almost being over had only increased the tensions - as the whole party wanted nothing more than to be free from the damnable woods. Some in the company spoke of other things - more malevolent influences - that plagued them and caused the ire of all to rise.

The Fire-watcher sat atop his horse and looked out into the endless trees. Nothing moved. He looked to his left where one of the other outriders sat some thirty feet away, and Arbogast pointed for him to advance. The Wood-man spurred his own horse forward to continue the march.

It happened without any warning.

It was the outrider's horse that screamed in panic, as suddenly a large mass fell from above, covering both man and mount. Arbogast looked in surprise at the sudden flurry of movement and his blood ran cold. The man was knocked from his horse, which now galloped away, screaming as it did. On top of the man was a spider the size of the horse he had ridden. It removed two dagger-long fangs from his chest and began to coil him in webs. The Fire-watcher began to feel panic as the forest itself seemed to come alive - well-camouflaged spiders jumped off the tall tree trunks in pursuit of the horse. It did not take long for them to bring it down.

"AYYY!" cried the man to his right. "SPIDERS! SPIDERS ARE UPON US...."

The other outrider drew his sword in time to stab down into a spider that rushed him. It squealed in pain, but its mass continued into the man's horse - both were barreled over. Ceawin's scout swung his blade left and right, hacking into the spider and killing it. He turned to Arbogast, "Quickly! We must be gone from this place. We must warn the others that we ride into an ambu..!"

It was all the man was able to say before another mass of hair and legs leapt on him driving him to the ground. The Fire-watcher could see him under the beast, his sword driving up and into its abdomen. Screaming filled his ears and he suddenly realized it was both his own voice and that of his horse.

Bandy had been successful at stopping the caravan from marching directly into the spiders' woven wood, but still the dark creatures had become aware of the travelers. They hastened through the treetops to get in front of the caravan and now sprung their trap.

[tomcat]

The outriders were not far ahead and so the rest of the caravan is able to hear the commotion.

Ceawin and his entourage number 13. One is now dead from the ambush, one is under attack and being overcome. Three of his people are sick, but one is well enough to fight.

That leaves (including the Lord of Sunstead and the warrior fighting a pitched battle) 10.

With the company, you guys have 16 able-bodied folk to fight. You all must decide if your PC will fight from Horseback (which none of you are trained in). If you do, you will be at a disadvantage.

From Horse-lords of Rohan - For this reason, a mounted character making a skill roll of any type (Common or Weapon skill) while fighting can never roll more Success dice than their Athletics skill score would allow (including any bonus Success dice granted by preliminary rolls).

After reading through this rule, I think that it means that the horses are also war-trained and have the traits necessary to stand, or charge in battle. Instead, I am going with the idea that you will be disadvantaged like Weariness - if you stay mounted to attack, your success die will count as 0 on rolls of 1, 2, or 3.

Comment below if you think I should change this ruling.

The spider count is indeterminable at this time due to the confusion of the ambush and endless forest.

I need you guys to decide whether you will try to flee, or fight.

If fighting, please say so here. I am rolling battle rolls so that I have them ready if it is to be a fight.

[disench4nted]

Rorin heard the screams from the outriders up ahead and they chilled his blood. Orcs and men he could fight, but he knew nothing of the legendary spiders of Mirkwood save that they were ruthless killers, and that scared him more than any he thought possible.

The dwarf's first reaction was to leap off his horse to fight on foot, but the moment he began to dismount Bandy shouted at him, "Rorin wait! We may yet need to flee!". In a panic Rorin looked toward Grimbeorn and bellowed, "Grimbeorn! We follow your lead!" If anyone knew how to handle themselves in the face of these monsters of the forest, it would be the Beorning.

[tomcat]

Battle rolls:

Character	Roll result	Success die
Arbogast	21	1 success
Bandy	12	-- fail
Esgalwen	14	1 success
Grimbeorn	5 w/	-- fail
Idunn	8	-- fail
Rorin	20	2 great success

[Telcontar]

Bandy sat upon his pony looking at the tall son of Beorn. One hand on his bow the other the bridle.

"Grimbeorn, the decision is yours. Do we stand or fly?"

[tomcat]

Esgalwen drew her longsword from its scabbard, but she too waited to hear the Beorning's answer.

[GandalfOfBorg]

  Oh great  LOL
Grimbeorn sighed and closed his eyes to gain control of himself in the brief moment he had before they were overwhelmed.  "Bandy, you and Rorin, get to Ceawin and protect him.  Your keen eye and hammer will be needed to safeguard the retreat.  Idunn and Esgalwen, keep to your horses and lead the way out.  Arbrogast and I will hold the rear guard."  He slips from his horse and stretches to reach his ancestral weapon.  "Stay to the clearings as much as you can and watch the branches above!"

"Keep to your horse as you please, but I cannot swing freely mounted."  At that, he charges the nearest attacking spider.

  Is there any effect of having Enemy Lore: Spiders?

[tomcat]

Hey Matt,

Yea - I will let you invoke your trait tp change your failed battle test to an auto-success and gain 1 success die.

You could also invoke it if a die roll is needed at some point unforseen, to allow you to act.

You could also invoke to gain an advancement point.

ALSO- in your post above you mentioned wagons - there are no wagons. You guys are just on horseback.

[GandalfOfBorg]

  updated post... will keep those options in mind, won't use now for success die.

[disench4nted]

"Bandy, stay close to me and loose your arrows true." With that Rorin dismounted and quickly loosed the straps containing his gear from the pony so that they slipped to the ground, he tossed his reigns into a nearby bush and hoped that they would tangle and keep the pony from bolting. He then made his way towards Caewin with Bandy at his side, hammer raised and ready for anything that may attack.

 
Rorin is in the Defensive stance.

[Telcontar]

Bandy was on the ground in an instant from the word of Grimbeorn and Rorin. As he slipped from the saddle the Hobbit stuck his blade in the ground before him and wrapped the reins around its hilt. The sword would be there in case of the last defense and until then hopefully keep his pony from bolting.

The Halfling moved quickly and took his position by Rorin's side. He hoped there would not be so many that it would turn to knife work, but for the instant he trusrted in his bow to serve him well. 

  Doug, will Bandy be able to get an opening Volley or two? If he can not take a Rearward stance he will draw the blade leaving his pony and take up a position by Rorin's side.  Also, do I gain an advancement point for the great success on Awareness?

[tomcat]

I updated PC sheets for:

Bandy for Awareness 
Esgalwen for Battle 
Rorin for Battle 

Thanks for the reminder on the AP points, Tom!

To answer the other questions:

Tom, you may take an opening volley, but only one due to the ambush. You may also take up a rearward position.