The Doom-Ring at Wuduseld

[Telcontar]

  The goal is for several reasons. First, I'm proposing that a town chief is ineligible for the position as the law was rendered and that this is wise because it means the warchief may speak for all woodmen and not overly concerned with the needs of their town.

Second, if we can invalidate Mogdred and Caewin as a point of order it means we dont have to outright campaign against them. So saving a friendship with Caewin to help him later and removing Mogdred as a candidate and marginalizing him.

Third any other candidate those two would have to propose will be weaker than the two already put forward with Arbogast a more likely choice and in the lead.

Fourth, if there is sufficient doubt planted any power play by the others can be challenged later.

Finally, as we say colloquially in the US, "Mogdred can eat the biggest of dicks, F that guy." Embarrassing him and making him look ineffective is not only a joy, but keeping a promise. 

[Telcontar]

  so yes, a good faith attempt as part of the opening shots of the contest.

I'm also hoping Mogdred is sufficiently prodded to rebut and the dogs bark him down. 

[tomcat]

On Hathcyn's endnote, Esgalwen stands, too. "Thank you, Artamund, for your insight into the customs and laws of your people. As an outsider, I have little to add to this moot, save as witness to the last Folk-moot that Ingomer hosted those years past - enough years that some of the younger clansmen here might not have been present, or aware.

"You say that the law of the folk binds each of the clans in a common agreement, but I remind this - one who has presented himself was never accepted into the clans, by vote. The Toft was never part of the clans of Woodmen, either. So, as I am a stranger from my lands of Gondor far away, so too are others who are present here, even though their houses border your own.

"Do you wish the interests of the Woodmen clans to be guarded by outsiders? Outsiders with interests of their own? Or shall you present and choose from among your sons and daughters for this honorary position?"

With her question asked, Esgalwen sits back down.

[Telcontar]

 

[Eclecticon]

Interesting!  Let's see how well your arguments are received with some Persuade rolls: 

Esgalwen

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

Hathcyn

1d12 : 8, total 8
Rolled 3d6 : 6, 4, 6, total 16

[Eclecticon]

Before the Ranger has even finished speaking, Caewin holds up a hand in a gesture of peace.  "Now, now, let us not be hasty," is as far as he is able to go before Mogdred rises once again, a thunderous look in his eyes.  "This is an outrage!" he cries.  Then, as if on cue, every hound in the hall begins a terrible barking and howling, drowning out any further word he tries to speak. 

As if by some unheard command elders and warriors, visitors and locals alike are all of a sudden rising to their feet and pointing angry fingers at one another, each man and woman shouting dire accusations that go all unheard beneath the frenzied noise of the dogs.  Barely has the hall begun to calm when Artamund dashes an earthenware pot against the stony side of the firepit.  Shaking with rage, he faces the two outsiders.  "ENOUGH!" he screams, the word silencing all other voices in the hall.  "Such matters are for the elders of the doom-ring to decide, not for wandering wastrels to speak to us!  We will hear no more of such things and you, who think so little of our ways should perhaps seek hospitality elsewhere!" 


So, two things have happened here: your rolls both succeeded, which has shifted some opinions, but you've also suffered a Revelation episode (given the current goings-on, the threshold for Revelation in the lands of the Woodmen is lower than usual and you've had one hanging over your heads for a little while).  Hathcyn and Esgalwen will have to make some apologies to the elders if they want to address the doom-ring later on, and should probably look for somewhere else to finish the evening. 

Let's let the dice-gods determine how many elders' support slips away from Arbogast due to his obvious association with you two troublemakers:

1d6 : 4, total 4

[Telcontar]

  can we get a listing of the elders and where they are from?

[tomcat]

I have no idea what just happened.

We both succeeded at our arguments - Hathcyn with an Extraordinary success - but we failed with some kind of Revelation and also lost support? What triggered the Revelation?

I can see Mogdred getting pissed off from our persuasive arguments, but we lose here? "Wandering wastrels"?

Esgalwen is about to let the Woodmen stick it where the sun doesn't shine.

[Telcontar]

  lol, I too thought of going all Archilles and sulking in my tent. However, we rolled an  previously and Paul banked the "revelation" episode for later.

Also, I can rationalize it that we just caught the law giver potentially messing up the only thing he was supposed to do.

The wastrel comment though is 100% coming back up later. I'm going to use tactical patience and see if Matt wants to jump into the stew pot with us before I respond to this immediate outburst. Im not going to have my man silently exit this scene.

I also dont think we lost. What we may have done is win over a bunch of people and or clearly determined where the line was where everyone else was dithering.

Id like to get the status of who and where all the elders are from and then get to work on them too.

[Eclecticon]

Oh, so that's your game is it?  Have the GM come up with nearly 40 NPC names and keep them all straight, huh?  And track their political leanings individually rather than as abstract numbers with a few recurring spotlight characters to illustrate the course of the debate? 

FINE.  Have it your way. 

You can use the attached sheet (best viewed with the font installed) to keep track as we go. 

[Eclecticon]

I may as well say outright, at this juncture, that the adventure as it exists in my head notes is not about taking each individual elector and working on both knobs (as they used to say in the delightfully practical-minded Australian Labor Party) until they come around to your way of thinking.  There are matters away from the doom-ring that will help you pull events your way, some of which you're already in the process of making manifest.   

[Telcontar]

  thanks paul. I was just looking for chief person and town but this will give us something more substantial to work with.


I thought it was just one elder per town this is much more clear on what is going on

[GandalfOfBorg]

Gwaithlim is amused, bemused, and a little taken aback all in the course of a minute.  Shouts, verbal and actual saber-rattling causes the elf to shrink further into the darker corners but he sees an opportunity to bring a bit of calm to the proceedings.

Artamund finishes his scolding and the fair visage of the older elf steps into the light of fire and torches, putting a hand upon the man's shoulder both as reassurance and announcement of his presence. He addresses the council, eyes of daggers coming from more than one, "Friends, please! This infighting must end.  The Shadow creeps in at times like this and its victory comes more assured if the coalitions of the Free folk sunder and become bitter.  I have traveled as wastrel," he gives a side eye and smirk to Artamund, "with many of your heroes for a time and have seen greatness, goodness within you all.  We have all been at odds but these grievances aren't above repair and reconciliation.  Pray give cooler heads and hearts a chance to prevail amongst you.  Prove the quality that your people have seen in you."

 
Use the Fair feature.  Come on dice gods   
 

Awe -  1d12 : 3, total 3
Rolled 2d6 : 6, 6, total 12

Use Hope if applicable.

[Eclecticon]

Like a fire doused, the wrath leaves from Artamud's eyes.  The faces of men and women all around the hall soften and accusations are put aside, for softly-spoken though they may be, the words of the Eldar are not lightly ignored.  For a short while, the only sound is the crackling of the wood in the fire pit.  Then, one by one and furtively, the Woodmen begin to speak again to their neighbours and a subdued murmuring, constant and peaceful as water over stones, once again fills Wuduseld. 


Nice work, Matt!  Over to you guys, now.  We can either move on to the next scene from here, or you can do anything else that your characters think is a good idea.  For example, Doug, this is a good time to have Esgalwen talk to Mogdred if you still wanted to do that.

[tomcat]

With the Woodmen returning to their quiet debate, Esgalwen left the ring. Grabbing up her cup of wine, she began to move from her seat next to Hathcyn only to hear the Foresthelm say, "Do not let it bother you, Esgalwen. We have achieved a small victory with our words. They now question their choices, where before they were already set in their mind."

The Beorning's smile was broad - he was enjoying the game - but Esgalwen was tired. She gave him a tight-lipped smile in return, and merely nodded. Moving away from the front of the ring, the Ranger sought the shadows of the hall and the quiet of solitude.

Should Arbogast receive this title, then he too will be committed to a task that will fill his time. Grimbeorn has taken his place as ruler of his folk, and even Hathcyn has risen to status as thane of his lands. The Dúnadan mulled through her thoughts, The Company of the Helm has moved on. The images of Bandobras and Orophin presented themselves in her mind, And you, my friends, have paid the ultimate sacrifice in this endeavour... perhaps it is time for Esgalwen, daughter of Eradin, to go home.

Of a sudden, a firm grip took hold of her shoulder and the woman was inexorably turned to see the face of Mogdred. There was fire in his eyes and his jaw was tight. The wine in her cup spilled all over her tunic, even as she tried to comprehend the moment.

"You think yourself smart or wise, woman? You think this some kind of game? Like a viper in the grass you are, striking with poison and deceit. Lǣwend I call you! Betrayer and cheat, and I strike from you my patronage, saying you are no longer welcome in my house." All of his words were a quiet hiss, and Esgalwen could see his arm trembling with the desire to maybe do her more harm. Still, the Ranger kept her calm and stared back into his eyes.

"You call me thus? Betrayer? After what I did for you? Forget you not, Mogdred, son of Ingomer, whose steel you wield and whose mail protects your soldiers. T'was I that made an appeal to the Steward of Gondor, but not for your behalf - but for all of the Men of the Vale." Esgalwen kept her voice calm and quiet.

"You have taken such courtesy that was extended and turned it against those it was meant to help. It was Mogdred that held ransom the Beornings for that which was already theirs, just as you tried to do with your father - holding him guilty for your sufferings. It is now what you try to do with all the woodmen clans.

"I see you, Mogdred. I see your desires and your willingness to do what you will, to have what you want. But I have stood before every threat that has come upon these people, and I will stand between you, as well. Know that word is sent to Ecthelion, Steward of Gondor, to cease any future aid of arms to the Vale. You may now have enough to strengthen your position, but slowly that strength will wither on the vine.

"So unhand me, Master Mogdred of the Toft, or face me in arms. But know this... you do not scare me."

I leave Mogdred's response with you, Paul.