FELLOWSHIP PHASE: Part 2 - Surprises at home

[tomcat]

FALL TO SPRING OCTOBER 2951 THROUGH MARCH YEAR 2952 T.A.

I give you open forum to write up your characters' / the party's activities (undertakings) through the winter months of 2951 and into spring of the new year.

Arbogast will find upon his return that he is a father-to-be. The child will be born with the new spring.

All character ages updated for the new game year 

Each PC will earn the number of AP equal to what is checked off on their sheet plus 6

Each PC will earn 12 XP.

Also, I need Rorin and Arbogast to give me a roll of the Feat die for their Holdings:

• if the die roll result is equal to or less than the Holding's rating, you earned enough income to keep your PC's current standard of living.

• if the roll is greater than the rating, the PC gains his standard of living and treasure equal to the difference of the die roll and the rating.

• if the roll is , the PC earns his standard of living and the rating of the holding is reduced by 1 due to some good fortune.

• if the roll is , the holding suffers some disaster of misfortune. If the hero does not take action the next Fellowship Phase, the holding may be destroyed, or have its rating increased.

[Telcontar]

Narrative to follow. Double checking after the last fellowship phase i should have xp3 and AP3
Total of 15 and 16

XP Valour to 3 for -6
Short sword to 3 for -6 leaves 3

AP 16
Insight F to 3 -9 leaves 7

Before i change me sheet check my math please

[Eclecticon]

In a similar vein, I have a single XP stored up and 7 AP.  Adding the haul from the last adventuring phase gives me 13 XP and 23 AP - or 24 if his Persuade roll with Caewin was a success. 

I'm going to spend 10 XP to increase Valour to 4.  Because once you've gone toe-to-toe with a wight king, most other things don't seem so scary. 

I'll spend 16 xp to raise Courtesy and Inspire to 2.  I'm in two minds about the rest.  I could buy a point of Lore, or Awe (or both, if I get that last AP), or do something else that I haven't yet thought of.  I'm open to suggestions. 

for the changes listed above. 

[Telcontar]

Bandy was soon busy with Rorin cleaning out the forge and making all the necessary repairs to the shop after having been gone for so long. The two set to it and in no time the forge was hot and the orders for the dwarf's work began to pour in. Fearing that he would again be gone in the spring many repairs that would normally wait for the turning of the season to be done where sent in now. Highest among his orders and his priorities however was the sharpening of swords. There was little for Bandy to do in this regard so once things were running he was soon out and about as usual. For the Hobbit the season passed by with little of note saving two events. The first was that he was asked by some of the men of the town to give instruction in the use of bows. The woodmen relied more on spears, but the skill the Hobbit had with a bow was a valuable thing and his expertise was questioned by none. The second event, and more significant, occurred soon after their return.

Late in October the Halfling set out to see Radagast in the pursuit of some lore as to the foul creatures they had encountered. The Halfling expected the Wizard to be home for the path took him straight to the house without the confusing turn a bouts that occurred when he wasnt at home. Upon arriving however another figure sat outside the door off the wizard.

"Well hello, what's this?" Said the Hobbit.
There he saw a man, his face was long, with a high forehead, he had deep darkling eyes, hard to fathom, though the look they now bore was brave and benevolent and a little weary. His hair and beard were white, but strands of black still showed about his lips and ears. And though seated Bandy saw that he was tall and clad all in white.

"Ahh, the Hobbit of the Shire I have heard about. Master Bracegirdle, a barrel of beer has ripened at the moment of our meeting."

"Why that's very kind of you to say so sir, a most pleasant welcome indeed. You seem to know me, but I dont know you begging your pardon sir."

"I believe you have questions that need answering, or so I have been told." The voice of the old man was mellow and soft, but seemed to touch the Hobbit as if they had been long friends and it was only the passing of time that had hidden the old acquaintance from immediate recall.

"Indeed I do sir. Many and deep for the master of the house, is he home?"

"He is not at the moment. I came here to speak with him as well, but perhaps I can aid you in his stead."

Bandy never knew anyone to be here when the Brown Wizard wasnt, but something of the bearing of this man said that he too was powerful and mighty, perhaps even more so then the one whose council he sought.

"Maybe you can be..." Bandy found that he poured out to the man all the questions that he had about wights, and the barrow beasts, as well as deeper questions about the Necromancer's Tower and the state of Wilderland. The hobbit seemed to talk and speak without any care as to the passing of the time..."and well I guess those are my biggest concerns, but now I dont even know your name do I."

"I am Saruman the White." And with that simple statement the Hobbit, though not really knowing the man, then knew in his heart he was in the presence of one of the great wizards of the age. With that the Wizard explained to the Hobbit the great struggle that was occurring, and how it was a great burden to prepare against, but that the stout hearts and brave deeds of even the smallest would prove helpful in the days ahead. With those words the Hobbit was comforted, and felt that his insight into the workings of the enemy were clearer and his sense of purpose renewed. Then to the surprise of the Hobbit he was delighted when the old man took out a pipe and asked the Hobbit if he would have a bowl with him and chat now that the important business was taken care of.

As the two smoked the Hobbit found that the kind old man was very interested in the Shire and wished to know all the places that Bandy knew and delighted in the stories of the people and places to the point where Bandy himself thought that he was home again in the telling of stories with someone who had shared the same experiences.

Soon their smoking was finished and the conversation took on a more serious note. "The hour is growing late Master Bracegirdle, and I see that I can not await upon our friend any longer. You are right to seek the council of the wise, and should you need my council I may be found in Isengard, away to the south a bit and to the west. Between the arms of the mountain you may find me and my folk. While I prepare and labor for the coming war I will have time for you and your news, and to provide what aid I might. It lightens my heart as well to speak of such a place as the Shire and we may speak of it again. Perhaps you can draw me a map of the North Farthing so that I may know what lays in relation to what. In any case you must keep up your struggle against the enemy. Ever will he grasp at me and I must husband my strength for the final battle and can do little until then but advise and help with knowledge as I may. Seek me when you have need for aid, and as for the fell beasts the woods must be cleared of them when and as often as you can. Ever will they grow otherwise and eventually find their way to his armies."

With a nod and a bow to the old man the Halfling found himself on his way back to the forge, with a lighter heart, and a sense that he and his companions had a job to do in the coming years.

  Undertaking Meet Patron: Saruman   

[Eclecticon]

Holding roll
TN 9

1d12 : 9, total 9

[Eclecticon]

The company's return to Black Tarn Hall is noticed well ahead of their arrival, and the cheers and smiles of the folk of the Western Eaves are a welcome change after the darkness and flies of the forest.  Before they can be ushered into Sweartmereseld to eat and rest, Arbogast turns to his friends.  "Each of you has proven themselves to me a dozen times or more, and each of you has made themselves known as a steadfast friend of my people.  This favour I beg of you now: to accompany me as I make an offer to Amaleoda for Lindwine's hand." 

They do not have to go far.  Lindwine appears by the Fire-watcher's side seconds later, and takes his hand with a grin.  Amaleoda awaits them at the southern gate, well-arrayed and surrounded by the elders of the House.  "Welcome once more Esgalwen of Gondor and Grimbeorn, son of Beorn.  Welcome once more Rorin Helm-Smith, and Bandobras Brace-girdle!  Welcome home, Idunn, my kinswoman.  And welcome home Arbogast, who I believe has a boon to ask of me." 

Beneath the grime of many days of travel, Arbogast's face flushes, and he freezes momentarily in place before Lindwine subtly shoves him forward.  "Indeed," he stammers. 

"I think we can take its nature to be commonly understood," Amaleoda says, to good-natured laughter.  "Have you a suitable handgeld?"

"That I do."  He opens the bag of treasure from Caewin and places it on the ground before her.  "Gold rings, and silver, that I have from the Lord of the Sunstead." 

"You will keep some, I trust, for a morning-gift?" 

"Of course." 

"And have you a weapon to bear in the defence of my kinswoman?" 

Arbogast draws forth his axe and hands it to her.  Though its handle has been cloven nearly in twain by wight blades, its head is yet bright and sharp.  Amaleoda looks it over, her face full of mock-concern. 

"You will need to take better care of it!  Still, it is a fine axe.  Has it a name?" 

Arbogast thinks for a second of the fight with the wight-king, and of how it bit into wizened and twisted things in the darkness beneath the earth.  "Wyrtácléofa," he replies. 

"Good.  Bear it well." 

And with that, the handa sellan is made.  As Amaleoda takes Arbogast's hands, cheers resound and Lindwine is whisked away by Idunn and sundry other kinswomen, already whispering excitedly.  Arbogast stands with a stupefied grin upon his face. 

To the remainder of the companions, Amaleoda says "The hospitality of Sweartmereseld is yours.  I understand that your way has been long, and that some of you have far yet to go.  But if you may tarry but a few more days, you shall be honoured guests for the wedding."

[Telcontar]

I would go with Awe, you can use it in the combat stances.

[GandalfOfBorg]

  I will have my updates soon.

[Eclecticon]

I would go with Awe, you can use it in the combat stances.

Eh, I've already got plenty of Battle for that.  Awe would mainly be for social situations - and not immediately, as one die isn't all that much help. 

[tomcat]

In a similar vein, I have a single XP stored up and 7 AP.  Adding the haul from the last adventuring phase gives me 13 XP and 23 AP - or 24 if his Persuade roll with Caewin was a success.  

Hey Paul, no - that Persuade roll was not a success, the TN was REALLY high to get Ceawin to release that helmet.

Also - just so everyone knows, I messed up somewhere in our AP XP calculations and I am doing an audit of all characters. It won't change anything to this point - I am just trying to reconcile how many points I have given and I seem to be missing an advancement. I only count 4, but there seems to be five.

Anyway, no big deal...when I get done with the audit, your PC sheet will be up to date.

Paul's yours is done.  
Tom, I checked your math (only had one variance in XP balance) and updated your PC sheet with your changes.  
Matt, your sheet is updated; the AP and the XP cells have been adjusted for you to spend.  
Steve, your sheet is ready like Matt's  

Esgalwen has been audited   

[tomcat]

So that is how Saruman began to get his information about the Shire! Fill a pipe with weed and Bandy's mouth begins to talkin'. 

[Telcontar]

Saruman's first mistake was showing an interest. Figured I would start feeding the fire a bit. Bandys need for knowledge is a perfect hook for Isengard.

[tomcat]

Paul, unless you already have something in your mind for the story regarding Arbogast and Lindwine's upcoming Spring package, I want you to make a roll on the following table:

Die Roll	Result
1-5	The child is a girl
6-10	The child is a boy
	There is a special occurrence (i.e. twins, the child is marked as a future River Maiden, or something
	There is an awful occurrence (i.e. stillborn, twins but one is stillborn, handicapped, or something

The "or somethings" I am leaving to your creativity. If you turn it back over to me in regard to what has occurred, I will make the decision and post it in an upcoming narrative. Like I said, unless you have an idea already in your mind for the baby, I am going to leave it to chance - as that is kind of how life works.

I will have a Fellowship Phase narrative posted as soon as I hear from Matt and Steve regarding their phase advancements and any narrative they are doing.

Finally, the Fellowship pool is at 7 (six PC's plus Esgalwen's Noble-lineage), so you guys can disperse the Hope points.

Ayrn - Idunn will not be included in the party from this point forward, but she will be an ongoing character in the Black Tarn, should you ever get the time to play steadily. To all the other players, this means she will not be gaining any of the Hope points earned and will not add to the Fellowship pool in the next chapter.

[Telcontar]

Doug,
 I'll go back and reread how the Fellowship pool is supposed to work. My work trip next week was canceled so I'll be able to refrence some stuff if you want to figure out how some of the PbP games are going to go.

All,
I picked up another reward, but I am kind if split between making the knife from Mountain Hall a Kings Blade or a Bow of the North Downs.

The blade will let me burn a point of hope for an auto piercing blow with any    roll and I took another skill in shoert sword so that would stack nicely.

The Bow lets me add my valour rating to the skill roll to shoot and I got four skill in that.

After my pour showing at meleé I'm leaning towards the short sword so that Bandy isnt worthless and then probably get the Bow next time. Any thoughts from the group?

[GandalfOfBorg]

Paraphrasing the book on Fellowship Points:
- Fellowship points are used for replenishing members' Hope points during Fellowship phase
- Player requests a number of points of the group, the group agrees or doesn't; if they don't points still may be taken but Shadow points are accrued for each point taken in this fashion
- Number of points gained cannot exceed player's max
- Fellowship points are refreshed at the beginning of each gaming session
- Unused points aren't carried over between sessions