The search - part 3

[tomcat]

Search for Ruithel

1) Each part will involve each PC needing to roll a Hunting test, Travel test, and an Explore test (TN by region of Upper Vales). If you add another test in to add to story, that is fine with me, but these three tests will drive the search.

2) Hunting tests will work two-fold. Each PC will roll against the TN and must succeed to provide any benefit, BUT the aggregate of everyone's rolls will also apply. I do this because I want more than one player throwing a Feat die - the more Feat die, the more opportunity for grand successes and potential threats.

3) The aggregate of the Hunting rolls must exceed 45+ score. This secures that the companions are on the right path towards Ruithel and thus move the party 1 step closer to her rescue. She is a number of steps away known only to me, of course.  

4) If a PC also achieves the area TN on the Hunting test, you will gain 1 additional step closer (2 steps for great success; 3 steps for extraordinary)

5) An result has a negative effect by reducing the progression towards Ruithel by 2 steps and determines a hazard or encounter.

6) If the aggregate of the Hunting roll is less than 48, the company might be moving closer, but not necessarily on the right path. An encounter, hazard, or other narrative will occur.

7) Each group Hunting roll is considered a day's worth of searching and traveling. A Travel test is required against the TN of the region the PC's are within. A failed test will increase the PC's individual fatigue and an can produce a hazard.

8) Finally, an Explore test is needed for each PC, again with a TN based on the region. If successful, the PC has made themselves a comfortable camp to get solid rest each night.

9) If successful, END is restored at the normal rate (based on wounded or non-) and the PC loses 1 level of Fatigue for that night's sleep.

10) If failed, neither END or FATIGUE is restored.

PREVIOUS RESULTS

• moved total 3 step closer to the goal

• Arbogast, Bandy and Grimbeorn gain a level of Fatigue (2 points)

• Arbogast and Rorin gain the only comfort out of their rest and reduce their Fatigue by one level (2 points)

[tomcat]

ROLLS

TN 16 hunting by PC

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

Bandy 0d 1d12 : 4, total 4

Esgalwen 1d 1d12 : 5, total 5
Rolled 1d6 : 4, total 4

Grimbeorn 3d 1d12 : 9, total 9
Rolled 3d6 : 4, 6, 1, total 11

Rorin 0d 1d12 : 6, total 6

TN 16 travel by PC

Arbogast 2d 1d12 : 8, total 8
Rolled 2d6 : 6, 6, total 12

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

Esgalwen 3d 1d12 : 3, total 3
Rolled 3d6 : 3, 6, 6, total 15

Grimbeorn 3d 1d12 : 11, total 11
Rolled 3d6 : 3, 2, 1, total 6

Rorin 3d 1d12 : 2, total 2
Rolled 3d6 : 5, 1, 3, total 9

TN 16 explore by PC

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

Bandy 2d 1d12 : 10, total 10
Rolled 2d6 : 4, 2, total 6

Esgalwen 2d 1d12 : 1, total 1
Rolled 2d6 : 6, 3, total 9

Grimbeorn 0d 1d12 : 6, total 6

Rorin 2d 1d12 : 2, total 2
Rolled 2d6 : 2, 3, total 5

[tomcat]

RESULTS

• the party makes 3 steps forward progression towards their goal (1 for aggregate and 2 for Grimbeorn). TOTAL progression is 6 steps.

• Bandy and Grimbeorn both gain 1 level of Fatigue (2 points); Grimbeorn is now WEARY. Plus 1 x (Grimbeorn)

• Arbogast and Bandy gain rest for the night and removes 1 level of Fatige (2 points each)

PC sheets  

[GandalfOfBorg]

Despite the news of their progress, Grimbeorn's surliness has reached new levels.  His wound is still bothering him and it's not making his progress in healing easy to say the least.  Is it him or is it really the weather and foul lands they are traveling through?

[tomcat]

With a new energy that belied his appearance, Grimbeorn led them out early the next morning. Arbogast's find had brought both an urgency and a new hope for the Company.

The day itself seemed to reflect this new found hope. The clouds cleared and the sun shone brightly above in a azure sky. A cool wind blew off of the Misty Mountains to the west and chilled them all, as their clothes and gear were damp from the previous night, but it did not change their determination. Magrac flew ahead of them all - a black dot in the sky.

The terrain continued to challenge them, but they were becoming accustomed with reading its changes and compensating their course. Rorin and Arbogast took over the lifting of the Hobbit, as needed, thus allowing Grimbeorn to conserve his strength. Yet it was evident the man was pushing himself beyond his means. Beads of sweat were affixed to his forehead, and his skin color was pale. He did not complain, but his wound had not healed in any way since their encounter with the warg.

Esgalwen, too, did not seem to have shown remarkable change in her wound, but it was apparent that it was not a problem for the ranger. The wound she had taken had not been as severe than her friends, and though unhealed, Esgalwen was getting the needed rest and nutrition she needed to carry on each day.

The Company stopped to take rest at the midday sun, finding a large boulder to break the wind that softly blew and to provide some cover from any eyes. They opened their pouches and distributed what was left of Fern and Argil's offering, as well as breaking out the Elven waybread. Next was dispensed the small flask of Miruvor that had been given them by Gandalf. Grimbeorn took a sip of the wondrous cordial and felt himself invigorated.

They quietly made counsel and munched on the food when suddenly Magrac flitted to a landing on Rorin's arm. All but Grimbeorn and the Dwarf heard a series of chirps and croaks that resembled words, but to the man and Dwarf came the speech of the common folk.

"A ford! A ford not far away. The Greylin is slow and tumbles over a cliff, but at its base it pools and then moves on at a pace. The pool is wide, but not deep and it would be easy to cross. Tracks there are there, too! And folk...men...and others."



Matt, I am ruling that Miruvor will make your weariness reduced, and thus only 1 and 2 will be counted as 0's on your success dice. The effect will last in hours equal to your Heart rating before you would need another sip of the cordial.

[Telcontar]

When the news of the ford was relayed to Bandy he simply nodded his head. The kiss of the miruovir on his lips revived him even though he did not drink, but still the weight of their journey hung heavy upon him. He sat with his back against a river worn stone and waited for the company to move on. 

[Eclecticon]

Arbogast spends the day's sodden march with a frown creasing his face.  Grimbeorn's wound clearly pains him, and it will be the worse for all of them if such a fierce warrior is laid too easily low.  Bandobras, usually the fellowship's uplifting light, is clearly succumbing to the despair that the Fire-watcher feels as a leaden lump in his own heart.  He wishes that he had Esgalwen's manner of speech, to lift his friend from the trough of his despond.  But the words of comfort and encouragement fall hollow and die between his mind and his lips. 

With no distraction forthcoming from the wind and hills, his thoughts turn inward.  His heart aches to think of his wife and children so far away, perhaps in perils of their own, and he worries at his lip.  But, like the flow of the river beside them, this thought leads to the memory of their parting and of her words of farewell.  Each of us plays their part in keeping the small perils of the world at bay, he thinks as Lindwine's words become his own.  But we seek out the great perils where they dwell, that they may never rise to darken the doors of our kinsfolk.  The maid Ruthiel has somewhere a father distraught that he could not protect his daughter, and a mother sick with fear at the thought of what may already have befallen her.  For them, I will and must go on until this business be ended.

Much later, he watches with an eyebrow raised as Magrac delivers his tidings to Rorin.  From the look on the Dwarf's face, it is interesting news. 

[tomcat]

Rorin quickly explained the tidings and the companions became excited and cautious, at once.

Men? At the crossing? What men? And who were these others? These were the common thoughts that ran through each mind, and then into conversation.

"We must scout it out quickly!" said Esgalwen. "If the other that Magrac speaks of is an Elf, then we can catch them there at the ford or certainly on the other side of the river. We are all tired. Grimbeorn and I both bear scars of the warg but we must push ourselves into this next action, lest we fail of body and the orcs escape."

The Ranger's words heartened them all, but so too came a challenge of thought. How could these orcs, who were days ahead of the Company, only now be arriving at the Greylin? Certainly they have moved beyond the river and into the Vale of Gundabad. The folk holding the ford may not be their quarry - instead an occupying force to overcome, which would only sap their remaining reserves of hope and determination.

"It is pointless to make such debate," answered Esgalwen. Her mood had grown dark at the words. "If we are to base all of our decisions on the unknown, and so by doing change our course, than wisdom has abandoned us! No matter what, we must scout forward and see this ford. We must see who holds it and we must cross. Aye, it might be the fate of a single female elf - one who is not our kind - but I will abandon no one to the accursed orcs. Not while there is still strength within my arm and courage to move me forward."

Esgalwen drew up the right leg of her breeches and checked the bandages that she had changed earlier that morning. There was no new blood. Standing up, she flexed her leg and looked to them all. "Come, Rorin. Ask Magrac to lead us to this place so we can see what we can see."

[Eclecticon]

Gathering his things brings a welcome warmth to the Fire-watcher's fingers.  He nods to Esgalwen, ready to accompany her, then turns to Bandy.  "Come," he says.  "We have need of one with a brave heart and silent feet." 

And may it be that the furor and terror to come does not open a door to the Shadow within you.

[Telcontar]

Bandy got up and nodded. This was something at last that he could do.

He followed the Woodman a ways towards the crossing keeping up as beat he could. When they were close he motioned to him to stop and then went forward alone to see what he could see.

No sooner was he gone than the cloak of the Hobbit concealed him in the rocks. As if by some trick, though he had been watching the small Hobbit was gone.

  I'll use a point of Hope to use my art of disappearing to see what I can learn about the encampment.

[Eclecticon]

Arbogast and Esgalwen settle down to wait for the Hobbit's return.  As he does so, Arbogast relaxes, letting his ears and nose tell him what they may about their surroundings. 


I'll use Natural Watchfulness to see what I can learn about the nearby terrain.  The river we know about, but there may be other natural features that we can turn to our advantage. 

DC 14 Explore 3

1d12 : 9, total 9
Rolled 3d6 : 3, 2, 4, total 9

[tomcat]

Bandy left his friends behind and disappeared.

He moved slowly and quietly towards the location where Magrac made sweeping circles, high above. The Hobbit followed the terrain and made his way upward, so as to be able to look down upon the ford and soon he was atop a small hill that was an advantageous overlook. What he saw made his heart skip a beat.

There were men here. Tall men with long, brown hair that was weaved into braids. They wore skins and leather armor, along with kilts like that worn by Argil and his folk. They were very reminiscent of the Wood-men, but also of the Beornings. After a few moments, Bandy decided it was Grimbeorn's people to which these men were most like.

There were five of them and they appeared well armed. The ford also had a large shack that was made of wood and stone. Sitting within its shade on a large boulder, and staring with an evil eye out towards the men was a Hill-troll of unbelievable build. He had to be two of Grimbeorn in height! The last figure there was a large orc. He had gold hoops that adorned his ear and the left side of his mouth had been once wounded. Now healed, it opened to his cheek revealing an awful hooked fang.

Bandy watched and listened and words began to filter up to him. It was the orc speaking to the men in a cruel voice.

"You only brought us five? We could get a dozen on our own if your Viglund would let us prowl his land."

"It's our land!" said the tallest, and meanest looking of the men-folk. "You will get what Viglund agrees to send you...that is the arrangement that has been made. If any of your kind come into our realm, they will be brought back here minus a head. Or we will take them as our own and make them thralls."

At that the orc sneered, "You'll be leaving my people alone if you soft-skins don't want trouble! You rule because we allow it!"

A hand or two went to a weapon, but then the large man began to laugh. "We'll be back in a week with more...c'mon lads."

The five Viglundings all hoisted up a bag to their shoulders and then they turned from the orc and troll. They began to slowly march south along the bank of the river...back towards home?

Bandy watched and waited a bit longer. When the men were gone, the orc turned towards the troll and spoke, "Get them tied together. I will have them marched off tonight. These Viglundings serve no purpose! Their catch is always light and their demands are high. We are starting to just capture our own from among the Hill-men to the west. They can labor just as well as any of these folk in this vale."

The troll said nothing but gave a cruel, guttural laugh. It then reached out and plucked up a shape that Bandy had not noticed prior. The troll held in its large, clawed hand a man-child of twelve years, or so. The young lad was blindfolded and bound at wrist and ankle, but the Hobbit could see he was terrified and in pain.

The troll disappeared deeper into the dark of the large shack with his treasure.

Bandy quickly, but quietly moved away and raced back to his companions to report his findings.

[tomcat]

Paul, I will bring your Natural Watchfulness success into the story shortly.

[Eclecticon]

Just a point for clarification - it sounds like the Viglundings were delivering slaves to the orc and troll.  Apart from young Master Soon-To-Be-Troll-Shit-If-We-Don't-Intervene, are there any in evidence? 

[tomcat]

yes, Bandy would have seen the other four shapes that were delivered.