Somewhere in the Wold

[tomcat]

Insight is my skill...

TN 16 Insight 2d

1d12 : 7, total 7
Rolled 2d6 : 6, 4, total 10

[tomcat]

Awesome! That is a success.

Tom - if you actually do not agree with us moving in, let me know in your post and we can re-think a plan.

If my successful Insight roll reveals something, too, that would cause us to be cautious, I will edit my post below and we shall re-think the approach.
From atop a rise, but using the foliage around for cover, Gárulf inspected the travelers. They were refugees, but from where? He looked at the sheep that huddled close and then to Raghnall, "I see no point in taking from these people - they have lost enough, it would seem."

The Eorlingas was a thief and rogue, but he did it for survival's sake - not out of malice. Only an orc saw his quick and brutal judgement.

"There are only a few that are armed and they seem downtrodden. Should we approach and inquire?"

A nod from the Bree-man was enough and Gárulf spurred his horse forward. "Come Cleofus," he said, "perhaps you can find some new, green shoots upon the plain."

[Nashan]

They look anxious and frightened. Although you notice that the presence of a young woman clad in leather and wielding a spear seems to bring them some relief and even some hope. As she speaks to her folk she sometimes gestures widely at the plain around her, as if outlining the shape of a future settlement.
Your greater success makes you believe that the leather and furs they are wearing are fitter for forests than plains.

[Telcontar]

Insight TN16

Rolled 1d12 : 9, total 9

Rolled 3d6 : 2, 1, 3, total 6

Raghnall also has Folklore. This allows him to gleen information on peoples or cultures I believe.

[Telcontar]

"We are too far for me to judge much more than what you see. Let's move closer and see and learn whhat we may."

[Nashan]

As you approach, half of dozen armed men step forward. The young woman you noticed earlier walks at the front and raises a hand in greetings. She nods at you in salute when you're close enough and speaks with a coarse voice and a harsh accent. « You have horses. Are you sent by the king ? » Straight to the point, as Raghnall can tell of the folk living in the north of the vales of the Anduin. 

  Please make you Awe, Courtesy, or whatever skill you wish to use, TN 14. Raghnall has automatic success thanks to his Folk Lore, although you may make the roll in case you score some Tengwar. Additionally you know that the vicinity of Gundabad did somehow stain some of the people living in the area. Indeed, hill men often went down in the valleys to require offerings and sacrifices from the folks. Most were forced to comply, but others did so eagerly. 

[Telcontar]

Courtesy TN 14

Rolled 1d12 : 12, total 12

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

[Telcontar]

Raghnall smiled, then laughed, and his face settled back into a grin.

"No, no lady. We have not been sent from the King. Many of the folk of this land ride and own horses. They are an independant folk and pride themselves on horses. You have nothing to fear from us. We too are coming out of the wild and moving to more settled lands to see and learn what we may. How came you here in the wild? You have not been here long, your sheep have the look of a journey and not of grazing on the thick grass of Rohan."

[tomcat]

My first question is - was the Insight roll above for Encounter advantage dice?

If so, I have 2 bonus dice for the encounter and you can ignore the next roll.

If not, here is an Insight roll for encounter advantages:

TN 14 Insight 2d

1d12 : 6, total 6
Rolled 2d6 : 6, 1, total 7

[tomcat]

I am not sure which is the case, but I would like to have encounter advantage dice for the Insight rolls - so if the first roll was not for advantage dice, I will spend a on the second to achieve the result needed to have 2 bonus dice.

Please let me know if the is necessary.

Now on to the encounter rolls...

Even though his Awe is his stronger skill, I don't see it as the approach Gárulf would make, so I will use Courtesy:

TN 14 Courtesy 1d

1d12 : 8, total 8
Rolled 1d6 : 3, total 3

[tomcat]

I will use one advantage dice to try and seal the deal...

Rolled 1d6 : 2, total 2

[tomcat]

Bummer! 

Okay - I will use my second advantage dice to make it a success!

Rolled 1d6 : 4, total 4

Still, Gárulf will sit quietly behind the Bree-man and allow them to talk - seeing as Tom had a nice success.

[tomcat]

Gárulf, though stern of face, nods back to the woman and her companions. "Lady," is all he says in introduction, as Raghnall begins to speak. The Rohirrim draws himself up, taller in his saddle, and listens.

[Nashan]

  Yes, you can consider it was a bonus for the encounter. Not sure if you've read the supplement yet, but as a reminder visitors must introduce themselves to the king and ask him leave to travel his land.

She eases a little bit. " I'm Edelyn, daughter of our chieftain. We come from the north, not far away from the place where the two rivers become one to form the Great River. Orcs have always been a threat but they came in so great number that we were forced to leave our village. We followed the river. Many times we thought we found a place to stay, but every time we had to move on. Until finally we arrived here. My people is tired, we have already lost too many of our own, especially from the elderly and the younglings. We want a place to stay. Could you take me to the king so he can hear our plea ?" 

[tomcat]

The question hung in the air for a moment - the outlaws not knowing what to say. Raghnall looked to Gárulf, whose face was blank.

Take them to the king? That could be a death sentence!

The new king was said to be unlike his father, but Gárulf was certain that the son would not look favourably upon him and his outlaw band.

Still, it would be nice to see Edoras and get a feel for what the Rohirrim thought of their new Lord. They could lead Edelyn to the town and leave her and her folk to garner any comfort they may from Thengel. Raghnall and he could wander the streets and get news - maybe even a little coin.

The Bree-man was about to reply when the gruff voice of Gárulf interrupted, "Yes, we can lead you to the town though you shall be on your own to speak before the king. Know this, too - it is law that no folk may cross the king's land without his permission...we will need be wary, lest they take us for outlaws or invaders."

Raghnall looked at his friend and a question was plainly in his eyes, but Gárulf ignored him. Instead he softly said, "We need to know this new king. Perhaps we can find clemency from our past."

The Eorlingas dismounted and stood before Edelyn, "I know you are poor travelers, but have you food to share? We can discuss more of your goals and seal this pact for our aid."