Trails into Mirkwood

[Eclecticon]

We've just started keeping the roster here.

[Eclecticon]

I'll have a post up tomorrow morning (my time).  Are we fine with declaring that Mike has gone dark and handling Anar by Loremaster fiat for now?

EDIT: Never mind - I just remembered that we have a Hazard to resolve.

[tomcat]

1 target:

Rolled 1d12 : 9, total 9

2 hazard:

Rolled 1d12 : 1, total 1

[Eclecticon]

That's a Look-out hazard, risking Weariness for the duration of the journey.  Might I suggest that the company has rested dangerously close to the nest of an adder (not common in the shade of Mirkwood, but not unknown among the Western Eaves), and that someone risks a painful, energy-sapping bite unless it's spotted in time?

[tomcat]

Yea, Paul - I have it all set.

Sorry for the delay again, guys. I made my rolls last night and then I went and set up the Characters dropdown code, as well as got Matt's PC data input onto his post for Grimbeorn.

I will get the hazard narrative up tonight, but it will be after my Roll20 game that goes from 830 to 11PM.

[Eclecticon]

Take your time.  GM burnout is a terrible thing. 

[tomcat]

No one was named as Look-out, so I am exacting one to allow Grimbeorn to make the roll:

TN 14 Awareness 3d

1d12 : 7, total 7
Rolled 3d6 : 2, 6, 6, total 14

[tomcat]

I am taking the from the Fellowship pool, but Grimbeorn passes with flying colors!

success

[Paladin003]

Anar can be whatever role is needed including lookout. Sorry for the delay

[tomcat]

Anar can be whatever role is needed including lookout. Sorry for the delay

I will put Anar into the Look-out position, although I am still costing the company the for this last test. I still have no stats for Anar. Did you save a copy of his character sheet? Do we need to reconstruct him?

As to delays and game play - guys I understand delays. I am a father of four, married, career-driven man and I know how Real Life has precedence over all other things. I would never think differently.

That said, I need a commitment from the players that they will try to at least READ what is happening in the game weekly - including OOC notes and messages sent by me (or other players). I would like to see at least two to three in story posts from players weekly, otherwise our games run to a halt as everyone waits. I would like to see more content in a post than just the basics of what your character is doing (include any OOC information if it needs to be further explained). We are telling a story here, I would like everyone to see it as such and contribute to it as such. Lastly, if you use game mechanics in your post, label what the roll is for and any other information necessary (hope points spent, advantage dice used, etc.)

If you have questions, please ask. We are the easiest going group of gamers you will find.

If you are struggling to lace your character into the weave of the story, ask for help. I promise you - if you start talking in character to any of those PC's that have been here since the beginning, they will help you become a part of our story tapestry. The latter is to see our long-running players hesitant to make interactions with characters that might not be here in a month.

If you can't participate in the game as requested above, that is okay, too! You are welcome to hang out on our boards for as long as I have them running. You can read along with our story, contribute to General Discussion content, as you wish, or just lurk and use the content for ideas of your own game. But we would ask that you step out of the game so we can keep it running the way it has been going now for fifteen years.

Now... on with the story...

[tomcat]

The Dusky River followed a small vale that lay on the western side of Mirkwood, a mere twenty miles within the forest canopy. Its headwaters started at the lower end of the Mountains of Mirkwood - more specifically, the Beacon Hills - and it meandered south until at last it filled in the Black Tarn. Many smaller tributaries fed in and out of the river, but no other major artery was known.

It was an invaluable resource to the Men of the Vale. It provided water for the people, ease of travel, and was a natural barrier to some of the many threats within the Heart of Mirkwood. Arbogast was as familiar with the run of the Dusky from Woodland Hall to the Tarn, as most of the bargemen that plied its dark waters. The Fire-watcher was especially knowledgeable about the river in the surrounds of the lake all the way to Rhosgobel.

What they saw now defied that knowledge.

With the easing of winter's terrible hold, the snow melts had filled the riverbed to bursting and the overflow had turned the surrounding lands into a morass of bogs and sinks. Arbogast was reminded of the dark lands around Dol Guldur with its dangerous meres and small little islets that supported the Fenbridge. The Dusky River was now as dangerous - if not more, for the people would not realize the changes until too late.

The Company had traveled from Rhosgobel into the forest with little to bar their way, save new sprigs of growth and fallen limbs from ancient trees. As guide, Arbogast led the Beornings, Eorling, and Dwarf along a weaving trail that headed north and east. The land pitched up and down where spurs of stone escaped the ground - these topped by trees whose roots weaved around like webs - but for the most part it was easy terrain.

On day three, things began to change. The trails that Arbogast well-knew disappeared into mires of frigid, dark water. The mud sucked at their feet and strained to hold them from going forward. Black flies, newly awakened with the Spring sun, buzzed and bit at any exposed flesh. Eomund thought the land awful and mentioned so many times. The Dwarf, used to heavy burdens and long labors, grumbled with each sucking step. Even the Beornings were more dour than their usual countenance, with Hathcyn regretting his desire to see the lands south of the Carrock.

As the sun of the third day set on their camp, Grimbeorn sat as look out for the group. Among the trees, his sharp eyes made out the slim figure of a woman! Her dress shimmered with the fading daylight, but then as she moved, it would turn to black of night. She was far away, but made herself visible to the man, beckoning him forward, as she did. Grimbeorn felt a great weariness befall him, as if his shoulders were laden with more than he could ever possibly carry. His back bent with fatigue and his eyes drooped.

Sleep.

He desired it above all things.

Still his mind cried out in warning. Something was not right. The others lay around him resting upon their blankets and oiled skins, trying to keep the dampness from pervading all they wore, and the chill of night from digging into the bone.

Grimbeorn shook his head and closed his eyes. When he reopened them, the woman was gone.

His hand quickly went to the pouch that hung on his waist and he drew forth one of the wonderful honeycakes that his people twice-baked. Hard they were on the outside, but light and sweet within. He cracked one of the cakes open and munched it down, and immediately felt the wave of weariness retreat.

As always, he grumbled in thought, something works against us!

The next day was no easier for travel, but at last the Company made it to the river's edge. They were well north of the Tarn by 16 leagues or more, but Arbogast wanted to be on the north-side of the Eldosa tributary and work their way down the river in hopes of finding the lost men. Also, it was here that the Woodmen fashioned a simple rope bridge to cross the Dusky. It was simple - like how the Elves of Mirkwood made their crossings - one rope tied low from tree to tree, across the river, another tied high. It was a simple matter of walking upon the lower, while holding on to the higher.

Simple.

Arbogast shuddered when they saw the Dusky raging under the rope span. It was a dangerous torrent that could sweep away even the strongest of men. Still, they needed to cross.

[tomcat]

Crossing the rope bridge will require an Athletics test TN 14

I am making a 2d skill level assumption for Anar - if it is different, please let me know.

TN 14 Athletics by PC

Anar 1d12 : 8, total 8
Rolled 2d6 : 4, 1, total 5

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

Eomund 1d12 : 11, total 11
Rolled 3d6 : 4, 2, 3, total 9

Grimbeorn 1d12 : 6, total 6
Rolled 3d6 : 3, 3, 1, total 7

Hathcyn 1d12 : 5, total 5
Rolled 2d6 : 3, 6, total 9

[tomcat]

RESULTS

• Anar fails with a 13
• Arbogast succeeds with a 16 success
• Eomund fails with a 9
• Grimbeorn fails with a 13
• Hathcyn succeeds with a 14 success

So - here is how this translates.

Anar begins to fall as he crosses, but Arbogast with his great success is able to quickly move out onto the line and aid the Dwarf the final few yards of crossing. The same thing happens with Grimbeorn, but his banner-man assists with his own great success.

Eomund is the only one who fails completely, but will succeed if he uses a point.

Jacob, if for some reason you do not want me using a for your character, let me know, but then he will fall into the torrent below.

All PC's for advancement points and usage

[tomcat]

The companions started across the rope bridge. The heavy hemp was strong, but had been colored green by the algae that grew along its length. It made for a slippery crossing.

As guide, Arbogast went first with Anar close behind. The Dwarf was very familiar with rope-bridges that spanned over dark crevasses, but the raging water unsettled him. Half-way across, his foot slipped and it was only by luck that Arbogast was able to grab his pack and haul him back level with the span. Giving a nervous laugh, Anar thanked the man and they finished the crossing.

Eomund followed and it was by luck alone the Eorlingas made it - though certain in a saddle, the swaying rope bridge tested his balance. Hathcyn and Grimbeorn came last, and the scion of Beorn also needed assistance, but at last the Dusky was behind them.

Now their path would take them south, once more, and deeper into the wood.

Arbogast looked to the newcomers, "Now is the time to make your decision - should you wish to go no further, you may return without shame. But if you go, our lives will depend on one another to the end."

Eomund and Anar could see the Fire-watcher's serious face - there could be no mistakes, or the Company could be lost.

[tomcat]

Going to pause here to allow for player dialogue/narrative and give you guys a chance to add your parts.

We will be starting another set of tests for the Exploration and Travel back down the Dusky and in to Mirkwood. I will give the setup for those tests after I you guys have a chance to post.