Darkness and Desperation - Round 7

[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 1/2

Situation Modifiers:
• The Nameless Thing has the initiative. 
• Anyone in a Rearward stance may attempt to climb the tunnel out of the hill - this will require multiple Athletics successes.
• The Nameless Thing may only be attacked by characters who first make a Valour roll against TN 17. 
• Essylt may be calmed by an Inspire or Song roll (TN 18) or physically restrained with a successful Dagger roll (vs her Parry of 4). 

Physical Modifiers (complications):
• Unless at least two torches are lit, the TN to hit the Nameless Thing is increased by two. 
• A lit torch 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

• 18/26 • 27/27 • 31/31 • 16/29

Open Open Defensive Rearward

normal normal normal WEARY

ENEMY		PARRY		ARMOUR		HATE		END		NOTES
The Nameless Thing		• 5		• 3d		• 6/10		• 39/84		• WOUNDED

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]

Already oozing pale ichor from several wounds, Grimbeorn's latest strike drives the Nameless Thing to seemingly forget about the Ranger now trapped beneath several of its misshapen legs.  Yawning wide, its mouth instead lunges for Grimbeorn who, constrained by the tight confines of the tunnel, holds high his broad shield and forces it forward, seeking to smite the thing back before its teeth can meet about his arm. 

As he does so, a moan sounds from Essylt as her nerve, long strained by the fearful surroundings and the loathsome foe beneath, snaps at last.  Down she casts the two thistle torches, one snuffing out the moment it strikes the earth, the other guttering bravely though shedding but little light.  The Hill-woman's face, as she climbs past Hathcyn like a fleeing beast, is a mask of terror, skin taught and pale, eyes wide and lit with madness. 


Yet another and yet another revelation episode.  The Shadow is paying quite a bit of attention to the goings-on underneath this hill.  The semi-darkness increases the TN to hit the Nameless Thing by two, and the only still-burning light source will go out in a few rounds:

1d3 : 2, total 2

In the meantime, the Nameless Thing attacks Grimbeorn again (TN 20):

1d12 : 12, total 12
Rolled 4d6 : 5, 3, 6, 3, total 17

[Eclecticon]

Surging forward with an intensity to match the Nameless Thing, Grimbeorn's shield-strike yields the satisfying sound of a long and jagged-edged tooth breaking free of the Thing's maw, and the horror withdraws a pace, then another, confounded by this unexpected resistance.  Seeing an opening, Arbogast darts forward to offer his hand to Esgalwen.  "Rise!  Rise and fly!" he calls to her. 


The helping hand lets Esgalwen make her next Athletics roll vs TN 12, rather than 14.  No roll needed to escape from combat, since the Nameless Thing is momentarily retreating. 

[Telcontar]

Hathcyn scrambled to grab the torch. He knew in his heart he had not the strength to fight the beast, but at the least he could carry the light for group.

  What action do I need to take to get some better light going?

[tomcat]

Hauled upright, Esgalwen saw her friend's pleading face in the dim light. She saw, too, the blood of his wounds that had come from her idleness. It drew a fire within her heart and the fear of the Shadow fell from her. She was born of the Dunédain - she was made of sterner stuff than what she was allowing.

"Nay, friend," she whispered, "You have been hurt. Get ye up the path and prepare for Grimbeorn and my ascent."

With that, she turned towards the beast and brought Nimronyn around in a scything swing.

[tomcat]

this may be stupid seeing as the TN12 Athletics test is a boon, but she has yet to suffer any harm, so...

She goes to Open stance and will attack.

Valour test
TN 17 valour 4d

1d12 : 12, total 12
Rolled 4d6 : 4, 2, 6, 1, total 13

[tomcat]

BAM! Thank the Valar!

I am not sure if that great success awards anything, Paul, but if it does, I would love it to lend a potential bonus to this attack.

TN 16 longsword 5d (Shadow Bane trait offers a +1d)

1d12 : 11, total 11
Rolled 5d6 : 5, 4, 3, 6, 6, total 24

11  edge: 8   injury:18

[tomcat]

A fucking !

But still a 24 success for 23 loss.

[tomcat]

Tom, I think you need to make a successful Craft roll to create better light. I know that is the skill for fire-starting.

[GandalfOfBorg]

  Getting me right in the feels with that roll.


"Arbogast, fly!  Your errand's conclusion is nigh, get you gone!"

 
Stance: Defensive, Action: Defensive Fighting (-3d, +6 Parry)

Valour -  1d12 : 6, total 6
Rolled 4d6 : 5, 4, 5, 4, total 18

If successful,

Axes -  1d12 : 11, total 11
Rolled 2d6 : 3, 2, total 5

[tomcat]

Dude! The rolls are falling out of the freakin' woodwork! This is crazy!

 

[Telcontar]

  you think this is bad.....wait until the crazy "lets go parlay with spiders part" sauron will show up with popcorn for that hair brained idea. I mean.... If we live through this. 

[Eclecticon]

Taken unawares by the sudden ferocity of its attackers, the Nameless Thing lets forth a wheezing bellow that sounds like nothing ever heard above the surface of Middle-Earth.  Nimronyn bites deep, leaving a gash behind its mouth that foams as the ichor of the beast's deep veins meets the still and stale air. 

I am not sure if that great success awards anything, Paul, but if it does, I would love it to lend a potential bonus to this attack.

How's this: the Thing doesn't get to spend a Hate point on Hideous Toughness for that injury - it takes the full amount of damage. 

Tom, I think you need to make a successful Craft roll to create better light. I know that is the skill for fire-starting.

Tom, I'll give you this one for just spending an action - the torch is right there, after all. 

[tomcat]

I am not sure if that great success awards anything, Paul, but if it does, I would love it to lend a potential bonus to this attack.

How's this: the Thing doesn't get to spend a Hate point on Hideous Toughness for that injury - it takes the full amount of damage.

Oooo! Very nice! Thank you!