CHAPTER 15 - Banners Bloody and Torn

[Telcontar]

"Steady and in Order! The stray sheep is first taken by the wolves!"

  Did the advance riders return? How many of us are mounted vs on foot?

[tomcat]

"Longspear, you know the ways of orcs better than any other here.  How do you read this riddle?"

I am not needing any narrative adjusted or getting into a character pissing match, but Esgalwen has the trait Enemy-lore (Orcs), as well, and she has her own thoughts on this.

The Orcs and wolves pursued but did not press their attack - even when it was apparent their numbers were greater than that of the Fellowship. Esgalwen spoke to Hathcyn once more, "Hear me Longspear - the enemy does not move to attack us, only pursue. Why? You and I know these creatures well, do we not? Having faced them so many times. I believe it is their purpose to drive us away and we are allowing them to do just that. But what do they drive us from and to what do they drive us to?"

[Eclecticon]

Apologies, Doug.  It's been a while since I checked the character sheets, it seems!

[tomcat]

No, it's all good, Paul! I am not picking any nits.    Just as an Ithilien Ranger, orcs are her hated foes. That said, she is far from home and Hathcyn (and the folk of the vale) would have a better understanding of their mountain orcs.

Still, I am just wondering why they are seeming to be fine with us running away. There has to be an ulterior motive.

[Telcontar]

  Yeah I was hoping the two recon riders would have sniffed that. i dont like this steading idea but there is nothing holding this band together. If pressed I'm planning on charging them with the riders while the dismounts move on to the wall.

[GandalfOfBorg]

As the group hustles towards the homestead, Gwaithlim peers ahead into the gloom to see if any trouble may befall their strand of hope.

 

Awareness - 1d12 : 5, total 5
Rolled 2d6 : 3, 1, total 4

[Eclecticon]

Snatching a glance ahead of them, Gwaithlim sees only twilight and rain between the small company and the shelter of the wooden walls.  Not even any smoke can he spy to show that allies await them there.  As ever over the edge of the Wild, it seems, much must be left to chance and fate. 


Apologies for the intermittent service.  I'm hoping things will calm down soon, though I realise I've said that more than once before.  In any case, let's do some preliminary Battle rolls:

Esgalwen

1d12 : 7, total 7
Rolled 2d6 : 4, 5, total 9

Gwaithlim

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

Hathcyn

1d12 : 6, total 6
Rolled 3d6 : 5, 1, 4, total 10

Luindîs

1d12 : 10, total 10

[Telcontar]

  so nothing from the two riders we sent ahead?

[Eclecticon]

No.  Or at least, not yet.