Confrontation in the Gloom - Round 3

[Eclecticon]

Situation: The Fellowship has followed the servants of the Shadow to their lair beneath Lake-Town.

Combat Advantage dice:
• Arbogast 1/1
• Esgalwen 2/2
• Hathcyn 0/0
• Laeral 0/2

Situation Modifiers:
• The unseen foes have the initiative. 

Physical Modifiers (complications):
• Footing is treacherous.  Any character struck with a Great or Extraordinary success must make an Athletics roll (at TN 5 + Endurance lost) or fall.  Characters on the raft receive a +4 bonus to their roll.  Characters can also use a called shot (TOR p 178) to perform a Pummelling Attack (Adventurer's Companion, p 111) to automatically knock their opponent into the water. 

PC/NPC

PARRY

ARMOUR

HOPE

END

STANCE

STATUS

Arbogast Esgalwen Hathcyn Laeral

• 6 ( +3) • 6 • 7 • 8

• 2d ( +3) • 1d ( n/a) • 2d ( n/a) • 3d ( n/a)

• 12/16 • 10/14 • 8/13 • 10/12

• 12/26 • 27/27 • 16/29 • 17/28

Defensive Defensive Defensive Rearward

weary normal normal normal

ENEMY		PARRY		ARMOUR		HATE		END		NOTES
Unseen bowman 1 Unseen bowman 2 Bowman 3 Knifeman 1 Knifeman 2 Lake-Beast		• ? • ? • 4 • 3 • 3 • 4		• ? • ? • 1d • 1d • 1d • 2d		• ? • ? • 2/2 • 2/2 • 2/2 • 5/6		• ? • ? • 1/14 • 12/12 • 12 /12 • 0/32		?? Dead

STANCES

Forward - action order 1 Close combat TN 6+ parry Forward Maneuvers

Open - action order 2 Close combat TN 9+ parry Open Maneuvers

Defensive - action order 3 Close combat TN 12+ parry Defensive Maneuvers

Rearward - action order 4 Ranged combat TN 12+ parry Must be 2 other PC's in Close Combat; May not use if outnumbered 2:1 Rearward Maneuvers

From any Stance Escape combat Must start in Rearward or roll TN 10 + highest attribute level of opponents Athletics roll. On success, may safely flee from the scene of combat

[Eclecticon]

Try as he might, the Longspear cannot find a faster way through the dead forest between the timbers and the water, and so he edges along the planks behind Arbogast.  From deeper within the gloom, the bowmen continue to harass the companions, some aiming for those on the planks, some for those on the water. 


The bowmen shoot again:

Bowman 1 (at Esgalwen)

1d12 : 3, total 3
Rolled 2d6+3 : 6, 3 + 3, total 12

Bowman 2 (at Esgalwen)

1d12 : 3, total 3
Rolled 2d6+3 : 4, 3 + 3, total 10

Bowman 3 (at Arbogast)

1d12 : 8, total 8
Rolled 2d6+3 : 6, 6 + 3, total 15

[Eclecticon]

An arrow whistles past Esgalwen as she helps Laeral back on to the raft, its deck now rocking wildly, and another buries itself in the side of an empty barrel below her. 

Beneath his feet, Hathcyn feels the planks begin to shake as a high-pitched scream, whether of rage or terror he cannot tell, announces the arrival of a pair of men.  They are little more than ruffians, long knives clenched in thin-fingered fists and feet wrapped in rags against the cold, but their rushing onslaught leaves no doubt that they intend to drive the companions from this place or perish in the attempt. 

Both he and Arbogast steady themselves, ready to receive the charge.  Then, before his very eyes, Hathcyn sees a lucky arrow fly through the space beneath Arbogast's shield to strike his shin, drawing a cry of pain from his friend as the Fire-watcher topples...


Athletics test for Arbogast (vs TN 16):

1d12 : 12, total 12
Rolled 2d6 : 6, 1, total 7

[Eclecticon]

... for a heartbeat before righting himself in time to defend against the oncoming foe. 


The first knifeman attacks. 

1d12 : 11, total 11
Rolled 2d6+3 : 2, 3 + 3, total 8

The plank path is single-file, so the second man is blocked.  Hathcyn, with his spear, can attack either one. 

[Eclecticon]

Bugger me - these guys are rolling like demons! 

Arbogast loses another three Endurance (making him Weary) and needs a Protection roll (vs TN 12):

1d12 : 12, total 12
Rolled 2d6+3 : 5, 1 + 3, total 9

[Eclecticon]

Rather than rely on his blade, the first attacker simply drives his entire body into Arbogast's shield, smashing it backwards into the bar-nasal of his helm.  The Fire-watcher retreats a step, making Hathcyn hurriedly shuffle backwards to give him room, then shakes his head as if to fling the pain itself into the dark water and lets the Warden's Axe respond. 


Arbogast will remain in Defensive stance for now, but is attacking:

1d12 : 1, total 1
Rolled 4d6 : 2, 3, 3, 5, total 13

[Eclecticon]

That is... disappointing. 

[GandalfOfBorg]

Winded and drenched, Laeral regains her feet and a bit of determination.  "We must help them; this is getting out of hand."  Nocking another arrow, she peers into the darkness and fray for her old target.

 
Target - Bowman 3; Called Shot

Bows -  1d12 : 1, total 1
Rolled 3d6 : 4, 3, 3, total 10

[GandalfOfBorg]

 
Ugh, other advantage die

Advantage -  1d6 : 1, total 1

[GandalfOfBorg]

                      

[Telcontar]

Hathcyn managed to find a supporting beam to hang the lantern on and gripped his spear. Most of his body was covered by The Firewatcher and his shield but there was little time for finesse.

The Beorning saw that his companion was already growing weary from the frey. Mindless of his own safety he sought to even the odds.

Forward stance

Rolled 1d12 : 1, total 1

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

[Telcontar]

  oh for.....f sakes.

The position was awkward and no aid could Hathcyn give his friend.

[Eclecticon]

Gentlemen, I can only conclude that this entire game is cursed.

EDIT: I may be too hasty - perhaps Doug can save us?

[Telcontar]

  sooo for the next adventure I'll play a dwarf named Runeroller....

[tomcat]

I wasn't 100% sure Esgalwen would have an action this round, as she had sword in hand from last, but I leave it for you to tell us what can be achieved in a round regarding sheathing and drawing of new weapons. I will bolster the idea with some narrative, so here we go.
Seeing Laeral was safe but hearing the arrows hiss through the air, Esgalwen rolled to her knees while sliding Nimronyn back into its sheath. The Ranger's hands were a steady display of weapon's training as her bow came up next with a single arrow nocked to its string.

Scanning the darkness for targets, Esgalwen aimed down the line of light from the lantern and saw her quarry - her arrow was loosed.
She now is in

TN 16 longbow 3d

1d12 : 6, total 6
Rolled 3d6 : 2, 6, 4, total 12

7   edge: 10  injury: 16