CHAPTER 6 - NAN ANGMAR!!

[tomcat]

Interludes:

1.) The creak of the wagon was all he knew, that and the harsh bumping and shifting that the frozen road caused. He was blindfolded but he would not have had the wits about him to know anymore if his eyes were unveiled. He had been beaten, and now he lay freezing in the back of the wain on a doomed road. He had no doubts as to where he was being taken nor that his life would soon be over. The only thing he did have was the grim satisfaction that he and the men he had led had dogged the Witch-king and spoiled many of his plans. Camentir smiled at his fate and tried to block out the pain that stemmed from the tips of his finger lacing through his whole body...

2.) He stood over a horridly ensconced bowl that glowed with a purple light that caused his garbs to occasionally flicker revealing the hooded robe was empty of any head. The wraith leaned back after his farseeing and silently cursed Arkish, the Ashâktur of Barad Eldanar. The castle was lost?!? His glimpses to that area did not show him all, only that it was besieged. Who was this Company out of Fornost? Was it large? Did King Argeleb seriously send a force to threaten his iron land? Er-Mûrazôr, the Witch-king turned towards one of his lieutenants that stood behind him and the man trembled from that gaze. The Nazgûl decided it was time to bring his ally into the game. It was a shame that the beast would not get to burn out the elves of Rivendell, but he would see to it that Scatha would stop any would-be attackers on Angmar! "Prepare my mount," was the whispered command...

Setting: The Company stood winded and wounded within and about the once proud castle of Barad Eldanar. The fortress sat upon the very gates of Angmar and has for many years been under its rule. Their victory seemingly complete, now horns sounded out in the grey of the dawn and all wondered if there was enough strength to hold off their foes!

SCENE 1 – A Foothold in the North
Days 108-109 January 17-18, Barad Eldanar

Horns! Horns rang out through the grey of morning. Dirnhael looked at the fallen form of Arkish and then about at his companions, many were wounded including himself. The Dúnadan did not know if his force was going to be able to repel a new attacker. Still, they needed to know what was approaching.


The condition of the Company as it stands here:

Daelhun -8 damage, Winded, 4 Courage
Dirnhael -17 damage, 0 Courage
Durgil -0 damage, 0 Courage
Edrahil -12 damage, Winded, 0 Courage
Fengel -11 damage, 3 Courage
Lunduf -37 damage, 0 Courage
Nain -49 damage, 0 Courage

NPC members of the Host left:
Warrior 2 (Wounded with 3 HITS -5)
Warrior 3
Warrior 4
Scout (Wounded with 1 HIT -1)
Loremaster/Healer

*You guys have 4 prisoners (2 with the Loremaster at your camp, 1 with the scout on the western battlement, and 1 inside the donjon sprawled on the floor).

OOC: I will be gone through the weekend but will check the site as I can. You can start adding any dialogue that you wish and we will officially commence with the beginning of the week.

[sdrotar]

Upon hearing the bleat of the horns, Dirnhael gestured to the nearest members of his party that were still hale enough to run.
"Quickly! Search below and find Camentir! We must make haste lest we face an oncoming horde!"

Turning with a piercing glare in his eyes, Dirnhael bent down and heaved the prisoner to his feet; and with a snarl, smashed him against the stone wall while holding the defeated man up by his collar.
"Who comes this morn? Tell me!"

Intimidation (Power) +6
Roll(2d6)+6:6,5,+6 Total:17

[Stefan]

Nain watches as the human blusters against their newly captured prisoner.  Now that the fighting had ended the pain of his wounds was starting to be felt and he wished that there was an ale or at least a cot nearby to keep them at bay a little longer.  He rests the head of his axe on the ground and leans against it carefully, noticing as he does that the rivulets of blood seeping down his hands are not entirely that of his foes.  With dire reslution he retains conciousness as he turns his head to look in the direction of the horns and a wave of vertigo washes over him.

As the echoes fade into the depths of the castle walls Nain looks back toward his companions.

"Friend Elf, when you have a moment I find myself in need of your singular talents."

HE then closes his eyes and waits patiently for a response.

[tomcat]

Fengel and Durgil both jumped to respond to Dirnhael's command. The Éothraim yelled out to his companion, "Come Durgil, we will make haste and search this keep, but we shall go together so as not to be set upon by any stray Easterlings that may be about!"

The Easterling quailed as the Dúnadan hefted him up and he cried out to him, "I know not for whom the horn sounds! But message was sent to Durac for he and his troop to report here!"

Edrahil nodded to Nain and came to him and helped the dwarf into the adjoining room. Within was a large dining room and there were many couches for the wounded to lie down. Along the west wall was a large hearth and the heat of the fire warmed the chamber. Once Edrahil had both Lûnduf and Nain within the hall, he began tending to their wounds.

[sdrotar]

OOC: Judging by the sound of these horns, can we determine roughly the number and distance of the oncoming group? How much time do we have before they arrive at Barad Eldanar?

[tomcat]

One of the horns is blowing on the east wall... it is an Easterling who had survived and snuck off to hide. He saw movement in the night and started blowing his horn. Now there are other horns blowing and they are not far away... you guys have about 3 to 4 minutes...

[GandalfOfBorg]

"I am with you," the young Dunadan replies.  Tired as he may be, Durgil follows eagerly to search for Camentir.

[sdrotar]

One of the horns is blowing on the east wall... it is an Easterling who had survived and snuck off to hide. He saw movement in the night and started blowing his horn. Now there are other horns blowing and they are not far away... you guys have about 3 to 4 minutes...

OOC: What's Elvish for "oh, sh*t"?  :lol:

Dirnhael sheathed Anduring and quickly drew his bow from his back and nocked an arrow - smoothing it's feathers as he did so. He walked out from the foyer of the keep and glanced around the wall from parapet to parapet, but saw nothing.
"Find that man," he shouted to what was left of his force, "then return quickly and take defensive positions at the main gate."

He shouted down the starwell to his men, emploring them to hurry - they were almost out of time.

Then he put his bow back and drew Anduring once more. The blade glistened in the pale moonlight, but did not glow of it's own accord... yet.

[Lunduf]

Grips his axe upon hearing Dirnhael's words but realizes that he won't be too much good to the group being half dead. Looks to Edrahil.

"We don't have much time, make this quick."

[tomcat]

Edrahil heard the dwarf mumble but ignored him; he had others in the party that he had to get into the room before he could attend any of them. Thus the elf saw to his charges as Fengel and Durgil searched the donjon and Dirnhael and the few remaining soldiers sought the enemy that sounded the horn.

OOC: Healing tests:
Edrahil is Winded -1, Dazed -1, Healing +6
Nain TN 15 - Roll(2d6)+4: 6,5,+4 Total:15 SUCCESS (Restores 17 Health Points to Nain)
Lunduf TN 15 - Roll(2d6)+4: 1,6,+4 Total:11 FAILED
Soldier TN 20 - Roll(2d6)+4: 4,3,+4 Total:11 FAILED

Fengel and Durgil ran first to the lower level of the donjon. They searched room by room trying to find any trace of the lost commander or any sign of secret doors that might keep him hidden. The rooms were littered with a variety of items from supplies to weapons and armors. Some of the chambers were used for sleeping by the castle guard but after thoroughly searching, it was clear to the two Company members that the lower level was empty. They quickly made their way back up the stairs to head up to the next floor up.

Edrahil looked over his shoulder at Fengel and Durgil, but then returned to his administrations. Nain's wounds were bad but the dwarf should live. They were a resilient folk, kind of like his elven kindred, as long as no poison or sickness was present in the wounds.

OOC: You guys may make an Observe (Spot) TN 15 test or a Search TN 12. You will gain a +1 affinity bonus for any rank in Stonecraft.

Dirnhael looked up to the parapet as his two remaining hale soldiers of Arthedain ran in opposite directions away from him. They would locate this stray troublemaker while he stood watching the gates. The only other man with him was Daelhun, they would offer little defense against any attacking force, but Dirnhael had no choice, if a new attack was inbound they would need to hold the gate as long as possible until the other men could make it back to the donjon.

While they stood there, the Company's scout came around the corner with his prisoner striding before him. Dirnhael remembered Durgil saying that an Easterling had surrendered upon the wall in the initial attack.

The scout nodded to the two Dúnedain. "Sit down upon the stair and do not move," he said to his charge.

"Who sounds the horn?" he asked to Dirnhael.

Before he could reply, the sound of horse hooves could be heard thundering across the broken plain before the castle. It was apparent that they would all know soon enough. The three men gripped their weapons tighter and turned towards the broken gates of Barad Eldanar. Somewhere in the distance, the sound of the blowing horn ceased.

Suddenly, like a rushing wind, the castle bridge and then main gate was filled by a large number of haggard looking riders, their clothes, armour and mounts tattered. The Dúnedain could see in the morning grey that the men were also armed and ready!

OOC: I need an Initiative roll from the three of you; also I need a Wits test TN 10

Soldier Init roll:Roll(2d6)+2: 5,6,+2 Total:13
Soldier Wits Test TN 10: Roll(2d6)+1: 6,5,+1 Total:12 (SWEET SUCCESS!)

[Stefan]

One the elf had finished wrapping the bandages around his wounds Nain immediately brgan feeling as if he might live at least to the next battle.  He stood and flexed, it still pained him some but he would live that was certain.  He glanced quickly around the room that they were in then picked up his axe and prepared himself for what was to come as he hears the hoofbeats coming into the courtyard.

"Sounds like it's time to fight again.  I should have known getting involved with Humans would get me killed one day."

And with a mischevious grin he walks toward the door to stand and fight once again at the Donjon entrance.

Actions:
The healing brings me back up to Dazed so no penalties
Observe (Spot) (2d6) 2,6 +8 +3(stonecraft ranks) = 19

[Wiseman]

Init:  Roll(2d6)+2: 3,6,+2 Total:11
Wits: Roll(2d6)+1: 4,2 Total:6

Daelhun stood atop the battlements, by his commander whom he was starting to get a newfound respect for the man whom had stormed a castle with such a small gathering of men and won.

"Perhaps they should feel the sting of our arrows m'lord."  Daelhun said, never taking his eyes off the new enemies, hoping against hope that they would be able to stem the tide that would inevitabely come rushing through the castle gates.  Daelhun held fast his sword in front of him.

[GandalfOfBorg]

OOC: Observe (Spot) - (6+4)+3+2=15
Before they leave the lower level, Durgil notices something...


OOC: Initiative - (6+3)+2=11
?Wits - (6+5)+1=12
What a wonderful send off before I'm gone for a week

IC: Hearing the arrival of the horsed men, Durgil is wary and arms himself with his bow and strings an arrow ready to defend his comrades to the last if he must.

[sdrotar]

Initiative roll:
Roll(2d6)+2:2,1,+2 Total:5
OOC: Fantastic...

Wits roll (TN 10):
Roll(2d6)+1:1,6,+1 Total:8 - FAIL