Darkness and Desperation - Round 1

[Eclecticon]

Situation: The Fellowship finds itself in the lair of one of the nameless things that gnaws at the roots of the world. 

Combat Advantage dice:
• Arbogast 1/1
• Esgalwen n/a
• Grimbeorn 1/1
• Hathcyn 2/2

Situation Modifiers:
• The Nameless Thing has the initiative. 
• Essylt is in a blind panic, but can be calmed with an Inspire or Song roll. 
• Anyone in a Rearward stance may attempt a Search roll (TN 18 due to the bad light and ongoing fighting) to find the dropped gem.

Physical Modifiers (complications):
• The Fellowship is in complete darkness, and gains no benefit from their Stance until a torch is relit (with a successful Craft roll).   
• Until at least two torches are relit, the TN to hit the Nameless Thing is increased by two. 
• A torch, once relit, must be held, requiring a free hand to do so. 

PC/NPC

PARRY

ARMOUR

HOPE

END

STANCE

STATUS

Arbogast Esgalwen Grimbeorn Hathcyn

• 6 ( +3) • 6 • 4 ( +4) • 4 (Great Strength +3)

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

• 9/16 • 13/14 • 9/12 • 5/13

• 19/26 • 27/27 • 31/31 • 24/29

Rearward Rearward Rearward Rearward

normal normal normal normal

ENEMY		PARRY		ARMOUR		HATE		END		NOTES
The Nameless Thing		• 5		• 3d		• 10/10		• 84/84		•

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]

The hollow trembles with the movement of the Nameless Thing, and the Fire-watcher cries out in pain.  His cry, heavy with fear and frustration, resolves quickly into words: "NO!  I have dropped the stone!" 


Arbogast loses seven Endurance to the Thing's opening attack. 

[Telcontar]

"Essylt! Woman! Give us light to fight by or we'll all remain here!"

Inspire Roll

Rolled 1d12 : 6, total 6

Rolled 3d6 : 2, 1, 6, total 9

Really need her to help here. I have a two handed weapon.

[tomcat]

The Ranger left her sword hanging within its scabbard, and instead reached to the pouch on her other hip in which was her tinder. She called out to Essylt to bring a glowing brand near, while at the same time tearing a strip of cloth from her shirt.

Essylt reluctantly moved to her voice and Esgalwen wrapped the cloth around the remains of the torch. She held the tinder close and tried to steadily breath upon both in hopes that a spark would flame up. In her mind, the Dúnadan thought back on Morirúsë - the Noldorin Elf that had accompanied them into the darkness to slay the Beast of Mirkwood, and how he had rekindled the light of the Lamp. We are in need, dear friend, once more. If you can hear my heart, call once more to your Lady for the blessing of your people and help us light this darkness.
TN 14 craft 1d

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

[tomcat]

Esgalwen will spend a point to achieve the needed success to light the torch.

[tomcat]

As one of the torches rekindled, Esgalwen breathed in relief and cried out to Essylt, "Now light the other with our new flame!"

Tucking the tinder box back into her pouch, she reached for Nimronyn.
I know it makes no difference for this round, but Esgalwen will go to a Defensive stance until she determines the current situation.

[Eclecticon]

With shaking hands, Essylt takes the lit torch from Esgalwen and applies the flame to another in her other hand.  Holding the two flames wide apart, she scrabbles up the sloping edge of the hollow as the form of the Nameless Thing is revealed.  At least nine segmented legs support a long body, folds of pallid and glistening flesh hanging loose between segments of what might be chitin, that disappears into a tunnel leading yet further downward.  Shadowed by its own bulk, the suggestion of a wide, lamprey-like mouth faces Arbogast, foetid breath wheezing in and out with a noise like damaged bellows. 

Before the Thing, the Fire-watcher lies prone, his shield held above him as he tries to free his axe from beneath his side.  Of the gem he held but moments ago, there is no sign. 


Now that you can see the Nameless Thing, I'll put stats in the opening post. 

[Eclecticon]

Arbogast will free his weapon this round and get into a Defensive stance.  I believe that just leaves Grimbeorn?

[GandalfOfBorg]

"Essylt, behind me but keep the light aloft.  We must keep the torches lit lest this horror gain the upper hand," cries Grimbeorn.  His shield and axe at the ready, he puts himself between it and the others.

 
With the current Rearward stance, Grimbeorn opts for Evasion

 

Athletics -  1d12 : 4, total 4
Rolled 3d6 : 4, 4, 1, total 9