Shore up the Defenses

[tomcat]

With the decision made, the companions set about securing the old Millfort's defenses. Looking around they saw that the windows still had heavy, iron-bound shutters, though the bolts were frozen with rust. There were two entrances into the tower - the main entrance, in which they had come, as well as a back door that led out to what had once been a garden. The trellises that would have once allowed for tomato, or grape vines, have long since collapsed and the area was now overgrown - reclaimed by the forest. Yet among the scrub plants that grew were still the fruits and vegetables that were able to compete, now growing wild.

The doors to the small fort were still present, reinforced by now-rusted iron bands, but were not in good working order. The front doors would not close evenly and one of the back door had come off its hinges. Outside in the garden area, the well still was filled though algae and other plants had grown atop the water. Still, the old pump within the keep drew water when someone of strength was able to raise and lower the lever.

On the second floor, the roof was broken and exposed the daytime sky. The broken stones had fallen through the wooden floor, making the first floor accessible. Still, there was an old hatch cover that could be closed over the stairwell and the old table could be broken to provide wood to patch the second floor.

It was possible that the fort could be made defensible once more  - they had work to do and little time to do it.
I am going to need a series of rolls from your characters as they try to restore the Millfort's defenses.

Each PC will be allowed to perform up to three tests, which will signify the hours spent doing their part to secure the fortress. All TN's are listed below by skill that may be used - but any PC that has a trait directly related to the skill, and how it is being applied, may reduce the TN  by -2. Each success in an area will increase that part of the fort's defenses by adding that particular reward.

Area

|

Description

|

Skills

|

TN

|

Successes

|

Value per Success

|

Rolled Successes

Doors

|

repair the doors

|

Craft or Battle

|

14 or 16

|

3

|

20

|

3 (60)

Windows

|

enable window hatches to close

|

Craft or Battle

|

14 or 16

|

3

|

vantage

|

3 (3 vantages)

Garden

|

food and water

|

Craft or Lore

|

14 or 16

|

2

|

days

|

3 (6 days)

Second floor Hatch

|

repair the Hatch

|

Craft or Battle

|

14 or 16

|

2

|

20

|

2 (40)

Second floor flooring

|

repair the 2nd floor

|

Craft or Battle

|

14 or 16

|

4

|

10

|

2 (20)

The Values per success are defined as such:
• numeric value - this is the amount of END scored by the repair. Any attacker will need to reduce that Defense's END to 0 and THEN achieve a piercing blow to compromise the defense
• vantage - for each success made, an attack vantage point will be created. Any PC that uses that vantage will gain a Defense score of 9+PARRY no matter what stance they use. Also, ranged combat will be allowed at said vantage (no matter the number of attackers), gaining the Rearward stance Defense score of 12+PARRY.
• days - each success will award 2 days worth of food and water, allowing anyone holed up in the fort that amount of time

If you have any questions, let me know. Also, I am still running through my logic on these mechanics, so somethings might change [if anyone has a suggestion, I would love to hear your ideas].

[tomcat]

Seeing as Battle is her only real strong suit - Esgalwen will work on busting up the table and then securing the boards to the floor above to strengthen that area. The floor can benefit from a max of 4 successes, so let's see how her three attempts go...
TN 16 Battle 2d

roll 1 1d12 : 11, total 11
Rolled 2d6 : 1, 2, total 3

roll 2 1d12 : 12, total 12
Rolled 2d6 : 2, 2, total 4

roll 3 1d12 : 3, total 3
Rolled 2d6 : 3, 5, total 8

[tomcat]

A freaking !

Oh well.

Esgalwen earns 1 success (even with a Hope point, her Heart score is not enough to gain a success on her third roll) 

[tomcat]

Bofri will now do his part working on the doors. His stone-craft trait will reduce the TN by -2.
TN 12 Craft 4d

roll 1 1d12 : 10, total 10
Rolled 4d6 : 1, 5, 5, 1, total 12

roll 2 1d12 : 2, total 2
Rolled 4d6 : 1, 2, 5, 2, total 10

roll 3 1d12 : 4, total 4
Rolled 4d6 : 6, 5, 4, 1, total 16

[tomcat]

Bofri secures the doors. You guys can focus on other things.

[Telcontar]

Bandy smiled as his companions went about the defense of the fort. The plan and resources outlined gave each of them something to do and the Hobbit hoped that even if they were to survive one night the spiders would know that they were serious. Apparently they were already known among them, this would grow their reputation and hopefully allow for the road to be opened. As the bigger and more warlike folk set to work the Hobbit looked at the garden.

"Its full of weeds, but this surley is the job for a Hobbit if ever there was one." Bandy tucked the gem in his pocket and set out for the garden.

Lore Tests (Not sure if I can use Clever or not to lower the TN but I am going high and let you decide. )

TN 16

Rolled 1d12 : 8, total 8

Rolled 3d6 : 5, 5, 5, total 15

TN16

Rolled 1d12 : 12, total 12

Rolled 3d6 : 5, 5, 5, total 15

TN16

Rolled 1d12 : 4, total 4

Rolled 3d6 : 4, 2, 6, total 12

[Eclecticon]

Arbogast spends a little time trying to build piles of kindling beneath the windows and before the doors, but the wood he finds is damp and noisome, and far beyond his ability to burn.  As Bofri works with cunning efficiency to restore the doors, the Fire-watcher begins to do the same for the windows, attending first to those on the higher floor, which will provide a better vantage for archery.  He finds himself longing for a stout spear, for an axe (even one as well-wrought as the Axe of Mordinkai) is a poor choice for fighting through narrow confines. 


Rolling Battle to get some windows shut:

1d12 : 3, total 3
Rolled 4d6 : 4, 5, 1, 4, total 14

[Eclecticon]

...and again:

1d12 : 9, total 9
Rolled 4d6 : 1, 1, 6, 5, total 13

[Eclecticon]

Doug, would there be any value in Arbogast using his Natural Watchfulness to get an idea of the nearby terrain - perhaps to predict the spiders' likely direction of approach (which I suspect will be 'from every direction at once', but you never know...)?

[tomcat]

I am fine with you guys using anything that might be cool and add to our story. Let me think how it might benefit and I will add it to my next narrative post tomorrow.

For now, I am off to bed!

[GandalfOfBorg]

Grimbeorn sets about securing the upper level.

Repair Hatch

TN 16 Battle -  1d12 : 3, total 3
Rolled 2d6 : 1, 1, total 2

TN 16 Battle -  1d12 : 8, total 8
Rolled 2d6 : 6, 1, total 7

TN 16 Battle -  1d12 : 1, total 1
Rolled 2d6 : 1, 6, total 7

[Telcontar]

  we said repair the hatch, not destroy the hatch.

[tomcat]

Matt, you can spend a hope and gain 1 success from your rolls. Let me know.

[GandalfOfBorg]

  Ya I'll use a Hope.

[Eclecticon]

Standing on the dilapidated second floor, Arbogast spies the wood about the Millfort.  As the sun draws toward the shadow of the Misty Mountains, the trees are already heavy with the anticipation of the coming battle, and their branches tremble even in the absence of any wind.  Our foes gather round, he thinks, marking the silence where the evening birds would normally sound their call, but how many?  Has the great beast that was here deigned to return?

Attentive to the slightest detail, he watches, and listens, as the last rays of sunlight fade, little by little. 



So, I'm going to try to get an idea of the total forces we're likely to face tonight.  If I can gather any clues that would enable Grimbeorn's Spider-Lore to predict their morale and/or tactics, then I'll do that, too. 
DC 14 Explore 3

1d12 : 9, total 9
Rolled 3d6 : 5, 3, 2, total 10