Tauler the Hunter

[tomcat]

Hey Tom, Yea - I saw that. Bandy has 1 die though - he only achieved a normal success on his Insight.

So, Paul - you have it to use if you need it. Remember, too - there is always Hope!  

Should combat break out, whether by multiple failures in the Encounter, or if a PC says "screw it", I will open up a combat thread. The only PC armed with a ranged weapon is Esgalwen, so she will be the only one to gain an opening shot.

[disench4nted]

Rorin couldn't understand any of the words that the spider was saying, but he could feel it's desire to feast again in the deadly gaze it had turned towards the party.

"I am the rock among the trees and the bender of steel, and I am at your service."

Rorin saw Bandy turn a disapproving eye towards him and responded with a helpless shrug and growled under his breath, "I am a smith and a soldier! I was raised cutting treasure from stone, not concocting riddles!"



Rorin's intro roll.

Riddle

Rolled 1d12 : 9, total 9
Rolled 2d6 : 6, 6, total 12

[tomcat]

Wow! Great intro roll, Steve!  

Extraordinary Success which counts as 3.

So, we are at 4 Successes

Not to be a dick, but I adjusted the Success table to that in the book. I thought you guys might struggle a bit with this, but it looks like all is going well. You guys need 3 more successes, which will now be earned via interaction tests.

You also have 4 Success dice remaining!

[Telcontar]

  what we need is oil and torches. We are gonna have to kill things one day, might as well be this day.

[disench4nted]

Rorin watched the massive spider above him, and while it didn't respond to him, it didn't lunge at him either. The dwarf took this as a good sign. Before trying to speak to the spider again he whispered to Bandy once more, "I think I have it's attention, I'll keep it busy for as long as I can so you can plan our first strike."

He took several cautious steps forward and studied the thing before speaking again. "I know that you smell the hot blood that runs through my veins. And I also know that you have already fed twice on this day. There is no more blood for you at this place."


Rorin is studying the spider and will be rolling Insight.

TN 14 Insight

Rolled 1d12 : 11, total 11
Rolled 3d6 : 3, 6, 3, total 12

[Eclecticon]

"Indeed.  Though a great wolf now stalks the wood that would be worthy prey for one such as you.  In fact, it is said among Men that it is the mightiest hunter ever seen beneath the black boughs."


Rolling persuade - let's see if I can send this thing after the Werewolf!

Rolled 1d12 : 4, total 4
Rolled 3d6 : 3, 6, 4, total 13

[GandalfOfBorg]

"I am Grimbeorn, son of Beorn -- a name you should know well.  We are here for the one you hold in your possession and to regain this dwelling in the name of the Dwarves of Erebor."

 

 

Awe -  1d12 : 10, total 10
Rolled 3d6 : 2, 3, 6, total 11

[Eclecticon]

Beneath his beard, Arbogast's face turns white.  What is he doing?  What folly to utter such words!  Trying to keep his voice level, he says "I pray you, forgive my companion's hasty talk.  His is a proud line, but the doings of short-lived folk who go about the forest on two legs need not concern one such as you." 



Mate, we're currently having a pleasant-ish conversation with a spider the size of a minibus.  I know killing spiders is very much Grimbeorn's thing, but there'll be other opportunities to do that.  In the meantime, I strongly recommend that you don't piss it off!

Rolling Courtesy to try and mollify it somewhat:

1d12 : 6, total 6
Rolled 2d6 : 1, 4, total 5

[Eclecticon]

Aaaaaaaand I'll spend the extra success die I got from Bandy (thanks, mate!)

1d6 : 4, total 4

[Telcontar]

  Grimbeorn did tell it to piss off with a TN21. 

[Eclecticon]

Not helpful.

[tomcat]

I am in a bit of a quandary here - Grimbeorn had a Great success, but his dialogue was more of a challenge. I do not want to reduce the value of his making a great roll in Introduction, but I am not sure the effect of his Awe is positive.

Also - I updated Rorin and Grimbeorn's sheets for successful rolls. Paul, Arbogast did not achieve the necessary success level to earn more points for each of his successes.

Anyway, the party has earned enough successes to pass this encounter and only had 1 failure (which could be a success if Steve uses a bonus success die). The results will be interpreted in the narrative below.
Tauler watched as the Dwarf introduced himself and then Grimbeorn. The name was recognized. The Beornings were killers! So many young slain by their axes! So many mothers weeping for their brood! It was then that Tauler began to put things together - murderers! These were the ones that had destroyed the nest in the Narrows. The spider's eyes bore in on each of them remembering faces and now...names.

The companions could sense it. The giant spider was intensely studying them all and it created discomfort for each. Suddenly it hoisted itself up on its legs, still atop the round tower. Arbogast and Esgalwen heard within the hisses and clicks, "Muuuurdererrrs! Killers! Weeee knoooowwwww whoooo you aaaare noooooowwwww! Weeee shalllll hunt you forever! The forest issss nooooo longer safe for you....or yours."

With amazing speed that belied her size, Tauler moved off the top of the tower and into a tree. Silk from her abdomen lay behind her, like a wake, and she plucked other fine strands that were invisible to the Company, but stretched from tree to tree. The strands vibrated and words were sent.

The Company now stood alone in the old courtyard of the way-building and the Millfort was now accessible. From within came a low voice, "Hello?"

[Telcontar]

Bandy placed the sword in his sheath and a look of panc crossed his face.

"She plucks the strings of her web like a harpist calling its listeners to order. No doubt soon the spiders will be upon us and this clearing a death trap. Quickly, let us free Bofri or prepare to defend the Milfort."

The Halfling was no Captain of war and the memory of the spider fight in the narrows where he received his wound was still fresh in his mind. Once more he drew forth his bow and an arrow to marry to it. 

[disench4nted]

"Aye! These forts will hold against any foe when they are properly defended. We should retrieve the horses and get inside with quickly!"

[Telcontar]

"Hobbits may be small and short legged but we are often missed by the big folk. I'll fetch the horses in case speed or food is needed."

The weather was still the cool air of early spring but beads of sweat stood out on the hobbits brow. He was pale, but there was courage still in his voice.

"Mark the way and clear a spot for the horses."

The Hobbit tucked his bow away and like a toddler who is underfoot in the kitchen and gone missing the next the Hobbit of the Northfarthing was off after the horses.

  Doug, unless Bandy is stopped or called back by the party he is gonna fetch the horses and ponies. If need be to avoid detection by the spiders I'll burn a point of hope to 'disappear'.