The King under the Hill...

[tomcat]

Ceawin looked at Arbogast and nodded, "Yes, you come with us and the rest of your companions check the other chamber. We must see where the tunnels lead and where your friend has been taken."

Esgalwen spoke, "Very well, but I think one of us should remain above with the horses. If anything should happen to us, one must get to the town to bring word."

"It is not advisable for any one person to be left alone," responded Ceawin. "That is exactly what happened to your Dwarf companion." Esgalwen nodded at the logic, "Very well - call if you are in need."

The two groups moved from the antechamber and took separate routes deeper into the barrow. With weapons in hand and torches aloft, Grimbeorn led the Company down the main tunnel, while Ceawin entered the burrowed passage to the left.

The main tunnel off the antechamber went further in the hill another fifteen feet before it opened out into a large sepulcher. In the center of the chamber was a stone tomb with ornate carvings in its sides and top. There was a figure laying atop the vault and Grimbeorn was not sure if it was carved in the stone, or simply laying there. He swung his torch back and forth and again saw two dug passages into the room, one on either wall. There were also small alcoves, which held oil pots like those in the antechamber. The other companions moved in and as they spread out, the body of a man was seen laying just at the foot of the tomb.

Arbogast took up the lead before Ceawin and followed the passage into utter blackness. His brand guttered as he moved it back and forth and up and down before him. The men flinched at times due to the long strands of roots that hung down out of the ceiling, which would occasionally brush against their face and necks. It was disturbing to say the least, and did not add to the pleasure of being in this place.

The burrowed passage opened up into a small room though it continued further, branching into a y-shaped passage. From one direction, Arbogast could hear his companions in the chamber beyond and knew where the right passage went. The other held a mystery. Also was the mystery of the room that they just entered. Thick roots of one of Mirkwood's great trees grew straight down into the room, concentrated in its center and taking up the better part of its space. It was like whatever had dug the passage had hit the root, and then proceeded to dig around it to get past.

The smell of earth, root, and worms were strong in the chamber and the light that was cast from the torch found many squirming insects and centipedes; all of which scurried to find a hiding place. Ceawin's two guards moved past the tight chamber and into the passage beyond to get an idea where it went.

The stillness and quiet was chilling combined with the knowing that something was there. Each individual struggled with their fears just to remain within the barrow.
Does anyone remember if Ayrn said he was going away for a period of time again? He has been offsite for over two weeks and I do not want to have to play Idunn, too. Ayrn if you read this and are available, I just want to know you are playing.

All characters must make a Corruption test TN 16 each hour within the barrows:
TN 18 wisdom by PC

Arbogast 3d 1d12 : 8, total 8
Rolled 3d6 : 5, 2, 6, total 13

Bandy 4d 1d12 : 8, total 8
Rolled 4d6 : 6, 3, 5, 1, total 15

Esgalwen 4d 1d12 : 6, total 6
Rolled 4d6 : 5, 5, 5, 3, total 18

Grimbeorn 4d 1d12 : 2, total 2
Rolled 4d6 : 6, 4, 1, 2, total 13

Idunn 4d 1d12 : 11, total 11
Rolled 4d6 : 4, 1, 1, 3, total 9

Rorin 3d 1d12 : 2, total 2
Rolled 3d6 : 2, 3, 2, total 7

Ceawin 3d 1d12 : 6, total 6
Rolled 3d6 : 3, 4, 1, total 8

[tomcat]

Results:

• Arbogast rolled 21 Great Success
• Bandy rolled 23 Great Success
• Esgalwen rolled 24 Success
• Grimboern failed - will use bonus success die from Bandy's song in last thread and a Hope point   (Roll(1d6)+0: 2,+0 Total:2) 15+2+4 = 21 success
• Idunn failed - will use bonus success die from Bandy's song in last thread and a Hope point   (Roll(1d6)+0: 5,+0 Total:5) 9+5+5 = 19 success
• Rorin failed - gains 1 Shadow point
• Ceawin failed - gains 1 Shadow point

[disench4nted]

 

Rorin is gunna need to see a good therapist after this adventure.....

[Eclecticon]

Arbogast stands by Caewin, noticing the unease plain on the chieftain's face.  He listens as the footsteps of Caewin's warriors echo away down the narrow tunnel, towards dark and unknown things. 

[tomcat]

I am going to wait to see if any other players post before I move things on. I don't want to isolate the game to two players (Paul and Tom), but neither do I want to slow the pace too much. If I don't have anything new from anyone by tonight - I will post and fill in character actions and dialogue.

[Eclecticon]

That sounds reasonable.

[Telcontar]

  sounds good. bandy was gonna try and lite the other pots with his torch but I'll stand by

[Telcontar]

The figure on the bier made the Hobbit nervous. Nothing that was buried in this tomb should still be there, and the shape did not look like his dwarven friend. With both the brand and the sword in front of him Bandy moved along the walls keeping his eyes on the center of the room. As he came to one of the clay pots he checked to see if it still had oil in it and then attempted to lite the wicks. He hoped that it would provide more light than the weak torch provided.

[GandalfOfBorg]

The scene, the smell, the circumstances all made Grimbeorn feel uneasy.  The hackles on the back of his neck raised upon entering this room and yet he could feel his ancestors were with him, the axe in his hand was light, almost thirsty to end whatever it was that inhabited these tombs.  "Let us get this over with," he said paying attention for any sign of script, scrolls, books that might give some idea of what they're dealing with.

 

 

Awareness -  1d12 : 8, total 8
Rolled 3d6 : 1, 3, 5, total 9

[tomcat]

Ceawin nodded to Arbogast, a sort of mutual understanding that nothing was in this chamber except the tremendous root. "Come, let us see what my men have found."

The Fire-watcher nodded in reply and took the lead in front of the noble, following the burrowed passage in the direction of the flickering brand that the Sunstead guards carried. It weaved, thinning and widening as it progressed, until it suddenly ended with another burial mound. The new barrow they entered was different than the first - this one was round with a central column, and there were three large alcoves off the central chamber. A dark corridor led off to the east.

Ceawin and Arbogast entered the tomb to find the two guards looking around, their torches held aloft. Suddenly, a sepulchral voice spoke, "You have come at last. We have been waiting...waiting..."

Out of the western alcove stepped a shadow. Two others appeared moments later, as if they emanated from the darkness that filled the chamber. Each man felt the stir of panic within and strove to resist...
Fear test
TN 14 valour by PC/NPC

Arbogast 3d 1d12 : 12, total 12
Rolled 3d6 : 6, 5, 4, total 15

Ceawin 3d 1d12 : 9, total 9
Rolled 3d6 : 6, 5, 4, total 15

Guard 1 1d 1d12 : 6, total 6
Rolled 1d6 : 1, total 1

Guard 2 1d 1d12 : 4, total 4
Rolled 1d6 : 1, total 1

[tomcat]

Arbogast resisted the terror that tried to encompass his heart and he could see Ceawin standing brave, too, but the guards were broken. The two swordsmen bolted back the way they had come, one dropping his brand as he did and running headlong into the pitch darkness. Their cries echoed down the burrowed passages, muted and thin.

"NO! Stand your ground," yelled Ceawin, but it was no use. He could not inspire his men to stay, let alone wait for him to follow. "Curse you both!" he spat, but then quickly turned to look at the shadowy forms. This was it - this was the moment that he had waited for. He must try to put his plan into action.

Forgetting about his panicked guards, and even that Arbogast still stood with him in the barrow, Ceawin drew forth the helm with trembling hands. He continued to hold his torch aloft even as he held up his Helm of Peace. "Kings of old; fathers of my fathers; I beg your leave in coming here, but bring you this wondrous gift. I present this Helm of Peace to you, to pay homage and to acknowledge your powers. I present it as a token to bind our relationship, as master to master, lord to lord, king to king, and ask that you respect our world and hinder not the free folk that pass close to your realm. I offer it as a gift with a promise that as you will not disturb the living, so too will the dead be allowed to rest in peace."



Arbogast was amazed at the strength of the man's valour before him, even more as the three shapes began to converge on Ceawin, slow but relentless. They did not draw a weapon, nor make any sudden move to attack. All they did was begin to sing...

Cold be hand and heart and bone
And cold be sleep under stone:
Never more to wake on stony bed,
Never, 'til the Sun fails and the Moon is dead.

The voices sounded like dried parchment being torn, but words were perceptible in the croaks. Ceawin began to tremble harder as they encircled him. The Fire-watcher did not know what to do - draw a weapon and stop this potential threat, or see the terrible procession through?

[tomcat]

Bandy covered the distance to the small alcove and picked up the small oil pot. He shook it around and was satisfied to hear the slosh of fluid within. Touching his brand to the wick, he smiled as the small lantern began to glow with light.

The four companions looked around the barrow chamber, as it now glowed with multiple sources of light. Grimbeorn noticed for the first time the sparkle of gold and silver - treasures of old lay scattered about on the floor, as well as some still contained within burial chests that had been gifts to those laid here to rest. The Beorning looked about for scrolls, or parchments that might have been left, but no such things were here. There was no shelf or case to store such items, and if any had been left, they had deteriorated away with time. The thing that did catch the man's eye was a large, two-handed sword that leaned in the corner. Its scabbard was leather and semi-rotten, but the gold threading that wrapped it shone brightly along with the blade that could be seen within.

Bandy also saw the treasure, but his eyes still went to the form atop the sarcophagus. The Hobbit was pleased, though, as it was revealed in the light to be nothing more than an ornate sculpture on top of the stone lid. But then his gaze went to the floor and his breath hissed when he saw the body that lay there. From his vantage, the scholar could see it was an adult man but he was very decayed.

Esgalwen and Idunn also saw the body and the ranger lifted her sword, moving towards the dead man, as she did. Suddenly, muted and thin cries came from somewhere off in the direction that Arbogast and Ceawin had marched. Moments later, the huffing and puffing of men running was heard in the burrowed passage to the east and then Idunn saw them run out into the antechamber down the hall. The men were Ceawin's guards and they were falling over each other to get out of the barrow.

"Idunn, go after them! Stop them and find out what has happened!" cried Esgalwen. "We will go to find Arbogast and Ceawin!"

The healer looked apprehensive, but then nodded in agreement. "Very well, but Grimbeorn...while you are within these holes, take this." Idunn handed the Beorning the small token that hung on the leather lanyard that Mother Leyna had given her earlier that day. "I know not what it is, but if it be some talisman...a ward against evil, have it and defend yourselves!"

With that Idunn ran after the two guards in hopes of catching them and finding out what they had seen. The three remaining companions held their weapons at the ready and...
Ayrn is back. I will get Idunn back into the barrow.

[Telcontar]

  epic roll for Abrogast!!  I'll get a post up soon.

[Eclecticon]

Arbogast maintains a manic grip on the handle of his axe and his brand alike.  It cannot be his imagination that makes the flame seem to dim as the shades of the dead move to surround Caewin.  In desperation he raises the fire as high as the roof of the chamber will permit, feeding it with the stale air, and for the briefest of moments the shades hesitate in their advance.  He uses the pause to slip in and stand back to back with the Lord of the Sunstead.  He lowers the brand slightly, ready to thrust it forward at the first sign of a hostile move.  

This was always a fool's venture, he thinks, the words rushing half-formed through his mind, and Caewin - King Caewin, by his own estimation! - will not see it until it fails despite all his labours...  And yet, I am hardly among the Wise.  What if I am wrong?

Hoping rather than expecting that his voice might not show his fear, he speaks.  "Kings of old, an offer has been made in good faith.  Will you accept the gift of the living and bind us in peace, or will you forsake it and seek to bar our way back to sun-lit lands?  For if you choose the latter, know that you shall learn how your descendants have so long withstood the Shadow!"  

[tomcat]

Arbogast tensed when the tallest of the shades revealed an arm and hand from out of its darkness, but immediately relaxed as he saw it was empty. The hand reached towards the helm and black fingers grabbed it, reminding the Fire-watcher of a spider.

Ceawin looked hopefully that his gift was being taken in good faith, but then he let out a horrific cry. The barrow-wight grasped the helm in its hand and a icy chill transferred from the undead king, through the gift, and into Ceawin's hand and arm. The unnatural cold raced up into his chest and wracked him with pain causing the man to double over. The Master of Sunstead fell to the barrow floor and the other two wights dropped over him like black cloaks.

The helm was now in the hands of the wight-king and it held it aloft. The things eyes burned a cold-white towards Arbogast and it began to chant dark words of power. Arbogast felt his strength being drained from him and incredible weariness settling over him. The axe in his hand became terribly heavy and he wanted to sink to the floor. The man knew that if he fell here, he would not leave this barrow ever again and so he strove with the dark powers that tried to overcome him.

Not far away, the other companions also heard the dark chanting and it brought a chill to their hearts. Esgalwen looked to the dark tunnel ahead and cried, "We must go forward unto darkness for the lives of our friends are at stake. Let no man's heart waiver while there are true friends there to stave off the Shadow! Forever shall the strength of Men stand before the night!"
Okay first, Arbogast must make a Corruption TN 16 roll against Dreadful Spells
TN 16 wisdom 3d

1d12 : 4, total 4
Rolled 3d6 : 1, 1, 5, total 7

Second, Esgalwen makes an Inspire test TN 16 to help her companions with the current situation
TN 16 inspire 1d

2d12 : 7, 12, total 19
Rolled 1d6 : 4, total 4

*noble lineage - roll feat die twice and keep best of two