Wind and Ridges

[Eclecticon]

Forsaking anything that could be taken for a path, Beorn leads the Fellowship directly up the steep sides of the peak.  Here, at least, the slope is not as steep as the bluff that they climbed to topple the Shadow stone and enough hardy plants still cling to the stony soil that finding foot- and handholds is easy enough.  Trees are few, however, and far between, and the westerly wind blows unrelentingly, snatching at hair and cloaks, and casting grit into unguarded eyes.  Nowhere does there seem to be shelter, and though the high ridge-line is now shrouded in gold, the shadows are deepening on the eastern side of the mountain.  None need to be told that with nightfall will come terrible cold. 

"I've not been this way before," Beorn growls during one of the all-too-rare rest breaks he calls, "and I don't know where we might stop that we won't find our bones frozen come daybreak.  So we've a choice before us: to find a sheltered rest, or to make one out of a bower we can weave while the light lasts." 


This part of the adventure will resolve essentially as a series of journey episodes, though they'll often involve more than one PC.  On this occasion, you can try another cooperative Craft challenge (needing fewer successes than toppling the stone, though the TN will be a little higher than that) or use Explore to try to find a place. 

[tomcat]

Esgalwen knew the imminent threat that was before them. She had not spent much time in the heights of the Misty Mountains, but knew the dangers from her experiences in both the White Mountains of her home and the Mountains of Shadow where she toiled with her fellow Rangers.

"I trust not in my ability to weave a defense, though my companions might know better. I say we explore further in hopes of finding a windbreak in the mountain-side, or even a cave.

"But I will follow the company's decision and aid with the best of my talents."

[Eclecticon]

Arbogast regards his hands critically, as if considering a purchase at a market.  "I have always been a far better finder of paths than a craftsman.  I too would look further for a resting place."

[Telcontar]

"Then let us divide the effort. Seek for us a path and we'll gather what dead fall we may in your absence. Should you find a spot we can hail it along for a fire, if not many hands will make quick the making of a windwall."

[GandalfOfBorg]

Gwaithlim nodded in agreement.  Though the elements themselves are but a trifling of discomfort to elves, protection for his companions is important, if not also as a means to hide their presence.  So that is the focus of his efforts in assisting the construction will be in using the natural environs what's available to help obfuscate the shelter.

 
 

Craft -  1d12 : 5, total 5
Rolled 2d6 : 3, 5, total 8

[Eclecticon]

Nodding agreement, Arbogast turns to Esgalwen.  "Come," he says.  "let us see what there is to be found." 


Let's do some Explore rolls.  A basic success from either character will find somewhere where you won't die.  Each degree of success after that will reduce the Endurance you lose from the conditions. 

Arbogast

1d12 : 2, total 2
Rolled 4d6 : 6, 5, 4, 1, total 16

Esgalwen

1d12 : 1, total 1
Rolled 3d6 : 6, 3, 1, total 10

[Eclecticon]

Doug, I'll leave it up to you whether you want to spend Hope for a success.  If you do, though, you'll reduce the Endurance loss by two points (from three to one). 

[Telcontar]

Another opportunity to excel at craft.

Rolled 1d12 : 7, total 7

Rolled 1d6 : 5, total 5

[tomcat]

I am sorry to say that I won't be putting a towards the roll. I can recover but not . Sorry, you guys.

Once again though - we see that her efforts in anything but swinging a sword always leave us wanting. It makes it real damned hard to earn any AP.

[Telcontar]

  im not sure being a generalist works in TOR.

[GandalfOfBorg]

im not sure being a generalist works in TOR.

  I would contend most characters are generalists because this is a no-magic system with very limited special abilities, so we pretty much only have skills to work with.  Though when it comes to the stone cracking, we could have used Valour test as this was a special situation combating something of the ancient Shadow.

[Eclecticon]

Going left and right across the mountainside, Esgalwen and Arbogast search for shelter while Hathcyn and Gwaithlim busy themselves trying to gather loose stones and deadfall branches to both hide their resting place and block the incessant wind.  Little can be found here, however, so near to the tree line, and Beorn argues against venturing lower.  "The trolls will already be stirring deep down where the mists are thicker," he counsels "and we are already too few to fight them off if one should stumble upon you while you gather deadfall."  So it is that only a pile of stones awaits the Ranger and the Fire-watcher upon their return, the former empty-handed but the latter with the news that a shallow crevice is to be found not far to the north. 

Slight indeed is the Woodman's proposed refuge!  Barely is it deep enough to hold all five of the Fellowship seated and propped against the stony walls, and narrow enough that Beorn cannot comfortably fit inside but sits crosswise, his broad shoulders and furred cloak almost plugging the opening.  The stones found by Elf and Man create a low and fragile wall to the Old Bear's side, but do little to conceal them, or to hold back the winds that wail and dance beyond the entrance. 

Night falls all too quickly, bringing with it numbing cold, for there is no space to light a fire and the outraged howling of mountain trolls sounds throughout the endless dark hours, and though the companions emerge safely, they do so stiff, sore and in poor humour.  Beorn says nothing, but growls in response to any question, his cracked ribs palpably paining him.  Still, once their fast is broken their way is clear, for a ridge-line winds its way above the mists towards a northward peak and it is plain that Beorn intends to walk it. 

Coaxing aching muscles into lifting packs and drawing summer's cloaks once more about them, they begin to shuffle forth. 


  Everyone gains two points of Fatigue (I haven't marked off character sheets yet but will at the first opportunity). 

[GandalfOfBorg]

The mood of the group and the situation has brought the mood of all down, including the normally even-keeled elf.  The previous day's adventure has taken its toll and the new day doesn't appear as though it intends to make amends.  He keeps his mouth shut unless absolutely necessary as these Men are quick to ire and spite.

[tomcat]

Esgalwen fatigue updated to 16 on dropbox

[Telcontar]

Hathcyn was not happy about the wind, but at least stretching out and walking relieved the muscles that had tightened from lack of space and proper rest.

"This mountain side inn is not to my liking. I shall be sure to steer the guests of the Fox's Tale away from these parts. The bed was lumpy, the beer more like water, and the fur covered door growled and snapped. I shall press on in the hope of better accommodations and shall not pay the inn keeper when I depart."

Hathcyn hoped for a warmer night at the end of the next days rest and hoped to be better armed for it.

"Wood is scarce here on the scree of the ridge. But I intended to gather what I may see as I we walk should it cross my path. Perhaps together we may gather enough to at least have a warm meal when next we rest."