Light and Darkness

[tomcat]

The companions all stared at Bandy's shadowed form, each in a bit of awe.

The Hobbit had become more anguished with each passing day since they had departed the Elven realm. He had blamed himself as a burden to all. He had taken blame for the wounds of his companions. Slowly the bright spirit that had buoyed the rest began to fade. Now Bandy had slain the creature in cold-blood. Granted the orc was worthy of such a death, but Arbogast worried at how the Hobbit's seeming innocence must now be shadowed.

The Fire-watcher looked to the others - there was none here to soothe. The heart of the company had always seemed to come from either Bandy - or Esgalwen, and she had been sent south. The thought of the ranger suddenly made Arbogast wonder to her well-being. He hoped she was okay and that the children were safely returned.

The wind was cold as it blew through the hills. It was as if the land was as cruel as the folk that resided within its many miles. Grimbeorn still panted in pain, his wounds having never healed. Rorin who was sometimes pleasant of word and demeanor had become increasingly quiet. The Shadow had taken these lands from men and it was like it now leeched into their beings.

Just to the north, beyond the few hills that they had used to hide was the She-elf Ruithel and a few other captives. There goal was in sight and mission near end. Strangely, it was Essylt that spoke first of their need to move.

"þeir sitja fer os to taka." [They wait for us to reach]

[GandalfOfBorg]

"Alright, it is done then," said Grimbeorn matter-of-factly.  He would shed no tear for the corrupt creature.  Readjusting his grip on Bear Claw, he turned to rush off towards the remaining captives.

[Telcontar]

Bandy looked at the woman, "wapens, you?"

He held his hand out for his sword back and looked to follow Grimbeorn's lead.

[Eclecticon]

After a moment's consideration, Arbogast raises the Warden's Axe and smites the body of Shukrag, cleaving head from body.  He hefts the ruined head in his hands and follows Bandy and Grimbeorn.

[Telcontar]

  what's the plan?

[tomcat]

Athletics opposed test [for GM needs]

Grimbeorn
TN opposed athletics 3d

1d12 : 7, total 7
Rolled 3d6 : 4, 6, 4, total 14

Orcs
TN opposed athletics 3d

1d12 : 4, total 4
Rolled 3d6 : 3, 6, 3, total 12

[tomcat]

Even as Bandy wondered as to their plan, the companions followed after the loping hulk of Grimbeorn. Even wounded, the man created a pace that made it hard for both Bandy and Rorin to maintain, while Arbogast sprinted along like a deer.

It took little time, but Grimbeorn was soon caught up to the two fleeing orcs. They heard the thump of his heavy boots and quickly turned in fear of being run through the back. Steadying themselves, they pulled forth grim blades and held their ground.


I did this for two reasons:

1) to give you guys an opportunity to catch the fleeing orcs before they could warn their camp.

2) to pass the orcs by and have the lead on them.

I can ret-con the above narrative based on what you guys want to do. If you attack, you have the initiative Matt.

[Telcontar]

  fear fire foes!

[Eclecticon]

Taking them on here and now does sound like the sort of thing we do. 

[Telcontar]

The fire to kill these beasts still ran hot in the Hobbit of the Northfarthing. All of the troubles and suffering of their long journey since leaving the milfort culminated in this moment. By the fire and with his feet up Bandy was still a scholar and inquisitive, now however, with bettle joined he had grown hard like the folk of Wilderland he adventured with.

Bandy grabbed his blade from the woman of the north and made for the encampment. In the deeping gloom and the tall heather the Hobbit soon disappeared from the sight of the big folk.

  i'll spend a point of hope to use my art of disappearing and make my way into the Orc camp towards where the elf is bound.

[GandalfOfBorg]

"I'll handle these," says Grimbeorn as attempts the end the flight of these orcs.

  Changes stance to perform Double Attack.

 

Axes -  1d12 : 7, total 7
Rolled 1d6 : 6, total 6

 

Axes -  1d12 : 2, total 2
Rolled 1d6 : 2, total 2

[GandalfOfBorg]

  Hope if helpful.

[Eclecticon]

Arbogast lets himself bring up the rear of the company.  Fatigue, darkness and the weight of the severed orc head in his left hand all make running difficult.  Besides which, he feels the need to keep an eye on Essylt.  The Hill-woman, despite demanding a weapon, was conspicuous in her absence from the fight mere seconds ago. 

Rorin, on the other hand, plows forth - an engine of devastation in travel-dulled mail.  He times the swing of his maul as only a seasoned warrior can and aims for the gnarled orcish knees before him... 


Rolling for Rorin, who is shifting into Forward stance. 

1d12 : 11, total 11
Rolled 5d6 : 5, 3, 6, 1, 5, total 20

  10, Edge 9, Injury 18

[Eclecticon]

The sound of shattering bone rings out in the gloom, and an orc topples to the ground. 

[tomcat]

The companions ran past the newly fallen orcs, closing the distance to the encampment.


Attack results

• Grimbeorn needs to spend 1 to hit with a 19 great success against Orc 5 TN 17, causing 13 END loss [KILL]

• Rorin hits with a 20 great success against Orc 4 TN 17, causing 16 END loss [KILL]