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Situation: The Fellowship has followed the servants of the Shadow to their lair beneath Lake-Town.

Combat Advantage dice:
• Arbogast 0/1
• Esgalwen 0/2
• Hathcyn 0/0
• Laeral 0/2

Situation Modifiers:
• The companions have the initiative. 

Physical Modifiers (complications):
• Footing is treacherous.  Any character struck with a Great or Extraordinary success must make an Athletics roll (at TN 5 + Endurance lost) or fall.  Characters on the raft receive a +4 bonus to their roll.  Characters can also use a called shot (TOR p 178) to perform a Pummelling Attack (Adventurer's Companion, p 111) to automatically knock their opponent into the water. 

The platform ahead is slippery, but broad enough that characters are not in danger of falling.

PC/NPC

:+~:

PARRY

:<>:

ARMOUR

:vv:

HOPE

:<3:

END

:-X-:

STANCE

:##:

STATUS

Arbogast Esgalwen Hathcyn Laeral

• 6 (:<|: +3) • 6 • 7 • 8

• 2d (:C|: +3) • 1d (:C|: n/a) • 2d (:C|: n/a) • 3d (:C|: n/a)

• 10/16 • 10/14 • 8/13 • 9/12

• 8/26 • 27/27 • 19/29 • 20/28

Open Rearward Defensive Rearward

weary normal normal normal

ENEMY	:+~:	PARRY	:<>:	ARMOUR	:@:	HATE	:<3:	END	:csu:	NOTES
The Haunter of the Lakeshore Bowman 1 Bowman 2 Bowman 3 Knifeman 1 Knifeman 2 Knifeman 3 Knifeman 4 Knifeman 5 Knifeman 6 Lake-Beast		• 6 • 4 • 4 • 4 • 3 • 3 • 3 • 3 • 3 • 3 • 4		• 2d • 1d • 1d • 1d • 1d • 1d • 1d • 1d • 1d • 1d • 2d		• 9/10 • 2/2 • 2/2 • 2/2 • 2/2 • 2/2 • 2/2 • 2/2 • 2/2 • 2/2 • 5/6		• 39/50 • 1/14 • 1/14 • 1/14 • 0/12 • 0/12 • 12/12 • 0/12 • 0/12 • 12/12 • 0/32		?? ?? ?? Dead Dead Fleeing Dead Dead Fleeing Dead

STANCES

:-X-:

Forward - action order 1 Close combat TN 6+ parry Forward Maneuvers (http://rpg.avioc.org/webimages/lotr/tor/forward.jpg)

:-->:

Open - action order 2 Close combat TN 9+ parry Open Maneuvers (http://rpg.avioc.org/webimages/lotr/tor/open.jpg)

:<|:

Defensive - action order 3 Close combat TN 12+ parry Defensive Maneuvers (http://rpg.avioc.org/webimages/lotr/tor/defense.jpg)

:<->:

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 (http://rpg.avioc.org/webimages/lotr/tor/rear.jpg)

:<>:

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

:ooc: In view of the fact that several of the companions have bows nocked and ready, and it'll take a second or two for the knifemen to make contact with Hathcyn and Arbogast, you guys now have the initiative. 

EDIT: To be clear, only Laeral can currently see the Nazgûl.  To everyone else, it's just a feeling of dread that grows the closer you approach. 

"No!" calls Arbogast as he advances on to the platform.  "Fly!  Heed not the commands of the one who is all Men's enemy!"


:ooc: Arbogast is trying a long-shot Awe roll to see if he can break away one of the knifemen.  This requires a great or extraordinary success to succeed. 

:ooc: That's good, but not quite enough to break the hold of the Ringwraith.  I'll use his advantage die:

:ooc: And that makes it over the line with a Hope spend.   

 :ooc: i was going to try something of the like too. What is the result of Arbogasts attempt?

:ooc: I am not sure if Esgalwen is able to see any of the oncoming foe, so here is a roll to see (if necessary), followed by a bowshot at Knifeman 4.

I will leave it to you, Paul, as to the success of either roll.

Awareness
TN -- awareness 2d


Ranged attack on Knifeman 4
TN 15 great bow 3d

:dmg: 7   edge: 10  injury: 16

I will use my last advantage die at need...

:ooc: If I need the Awareness test, I will use the advantage die if it can potentially attain the TN.

If I am successful at seeing -or- if I didn't need the awareness test, that is a piercing shot for 7 :<3: loss, TN 16 protection test.

:ooc: No need for an Awareness test, Doug - I think Esgalwen can make out enough to find a target.  Let's see how this guy does on his Protection roll:

Quote from: Telcontar on Jun 15, 2021, 09:48 PM:ooc: i was going to try something of the like too. What is the result of Arbogasts attempt?

Sorry for not making this clear (or putting any proper narration in - work called me away).  Arbogast was successful against a TN 18.  Was this the best use of a Hope point?  Probably not, but here we are. 

The dark spell over one of the wretched knifemen visibly breaks, and without pausing to draw another breath the man turns on his heel and flees, letting his hook fall to the platform floor.  A moment later, Esgalwen looses another shot and a second knifeman falls with a sob, transfixed by a yard-long shaft.   

Above the heads of those who fight and die, muffled shouts can be heard as the timbers resound with the heavy tread of men. 

Hathcyn felt the will over their opponents faltering. He hoped with a slight nudge the rest would flee and they could see what this dark threat before them was. Unknown to Hathcyn was that the foe they now faced was far greater than even the wraith in the Great Hall of the wood that had unmanned him.

"The House of Beorn is not made of frail men! Fly if you wish to live, fly before the spear and Axe of the Wood!"

The Fox Ring of gold glittered like fire in the lantern light and the bellow of the Beorning could be heard like a muffled war cry to the Lakemen above.

 :ooc: Attempting an AWE roll in the face of a Ringwraith seems ludicrous, but this is the stuff of heroes right. The Dice will tell their tale.

 

 :ooc: I expected better. Hathcyn you poor bastard.

Esgalwen hears Hathcyn's challenge and cries out to join him, "Not just axe and spear of the wood, but sword and bow of Gondor! And knife and bow of Beleriand!"

She knew the tales - long had she read the books and scrolls within her grandfather's house of the old days. Days before Númenor. Days before the world was rounded and the lands were submerged. She was not sure if Laeral was old enough to remember those times, or if she carried the treasures of those wondrous places, but she was of their ilk and that blood was powerful.

So, too, were the names that they bore.

---

:ooc: Here is a bit of hope... a 50% chance to give him what he needs. I throw my last advantage die for Hathcyn's check.

:ooc: BAM! Bitches! That should give Hathcyn a 20 :%: :%: success

:ooc: Not that she is able to use a Trait for someone else's skill roll, but I am drawing the strength from her challenge above (and her knowledge mentioned) from her Old Lore trait.

I write this just to explain how Esgalwen knows anything of the old days of Beleriand and the fate of the Elves.

:ooc: I see Old Lore as more stuff in the Third Age - anything before that is Elven Lore.  But I don't care that much.  Awesome teamwork there, guys - I've given you an AP each!

As Hathcyn and Esgalwen issue their brave cries, the light shining around the edge of Esgaroth's timbers grows brighter for a moment as the heavy winter clouds part momentarily.  The remaining mortal assailants need no further urging but turn and flee at once, the Ringwraith's spell forced from their hearts.  One casts himself into the wintry water, the other darts toward plank paths that wind further into the hidden depths beneath Lake-Town. 

The poor unfortunate sees never again the light of day, however, for not two steps has he taken before he stops as if poleaxed.  Before him, Laeral sees the spectral form of the Nazgûl draw its raiment about it, winding the very substance of shadow itself into a dark, heavy robe and cowl.  Last of all appears a claw which once was the hand of a man born free of service to darkness, now clutching and crushing the throat of a Lake-Town pauper. 

Revealed, the Haunter of the Lake Shore casts aside what was its thrall and advances.  As it was years before in the shadow of mount Gundabad, the fire of four face the darkness of one. 

:ooc: Laeral gets an action, and then it's the Haunter's turn...

Quote from: Eclecticon on Jun 17, 2021, 03:39 AM:ooc: I see Old Lore as more stuff in the Third Age - anything before that is Elven Lore.  But I don't care that much.  Awesome teamwork there, guys - I've given you an AP each!

:ooc: That makes good sense.

Is it safe to assume that she might have read old books in Gondor that speak of the beginning of the Second Age and the settling of Númenor? It might have hinted at Beleriand, too? I only ask, because I love to use the Tolkien's lore in our games, but I completely understand that the short lives of mortals does not allow for the vast catalog of ancient histories.

Anyway, on to the game... shits getting a little crazy now. I hope we have the mettle to solve this challenge.  ;D

:ooc: Hesitant as I am to run other people's characters, I'm going to put Laeral on autopilot for another round.  Matt, pipe up when you're back so I know to stop doing this. 

Lacho calad! Drego morn! cries the Elf, still in her youth as her ancient folk reckon it, calling out the battle cry of the North in ancient days.  Then, in a quicksilver motion, she raises her bow and lets an arrow fly. 


:ooc:  She's shooting at the Haunter, obviously. 

Quote from: tomcat on Jun 17, 2021, 07:05 AMIs it safe to assume that she might have read old books in Gondor that speak of the beginning of the Second Age and the settling of Númenor? It might have hinted at Beleriand, too?  

I think that's reasonable.  If not, she's certainly heard stories - quite possibly from Laeral.

:ooc: That's so close to being a serious hit!  I'm going to go ahead and spend a Hope point to make it one, as it seems like that's what Matt would do in the circumstances.

Laeral's arrow strikes the Haunter high, disappearing through the black robe into whatever shadow-form it might conceal.  The Ringwraith, uncaring and perhaps entirely unfeeling, sways for a moment before rushing soundlessly forwards.  One clawed hand draws a long sword of dull steel from a scabbard that was not there a moment before, and the other extends toward the two Men, weaving its black sorcery about them.  Hopelessness descends upon them like a heavy shroud as the will of the Shadow itself batters their souls


:ooc: Both Hathcyn and Arbogast need to make a Corruption test against TN 18 or fall unconscious from the Black Breath (and gain a Shadow point).  Failure with a :~~: brings its own special penalties. 

Arbogast


Hathcyn

:ooc: Were he not Weary, Arbogast would've sailed right through that.  As it is... these are the times that Hope is for. 

The Haunter will also spend a Hate point to Bewilder Arbogast, reducing his Parry score to the basic number from his stance (nine, in this case), and attack him. 

The tip of the Nazgûl's blade weaves hypnotically in the dimness, and for a time the Fire-watcher's mind is at the mercy of its spell, his mind elsewhere. 

I am drowning beneath the waters of the Black Tarn!  Where I had hoped beyond hope to take Wilone's tiny, soft hand once again in mine, there is only heavy wood.  Down the weight will draw me into the depths where lie only bones and silence...

His eyes glazed, he slowly lowers both axe and shield as the Ringwraith lunges.  But the wary instincts earned in many battles against the Shadow's servants are not so easily lost, and he wrenches the muscles in his sides to throw himself aside at the last second. 

Hatchyn moved Forward. Space was tight but his friend had already suffered blows and he hoped that the great strength of his people would serve him. He felt the assault on his senses, he knew their strength and power were greater than his own, but here he was and it was up to him to react. If only the light of day were here, to feel the warmth and fight under the sun.

"Though there be no light of day, feel the warmth of my steel shade "

Quote from: Eclecticon on Jun 17, 2021, 07:56 PMHis eyes glazed, he slowly lowers both axe and shield as the Ringwraith lunges.  But the wary instincts earned in many battles against the Shadow's servants are not so easily lost, and he wrenches the muscles in his sides to throw himself aside at the last second.

:ooc: I am confused - was that the attack on Arbogast, or the Bewilder roll?

I am trying to understand how Arbogast's Parry was affected, as it seems a 21 would hit no matter what. I am not trying to GM, just get insight as to what happened.  ;)

:ooc: The roll was for the attack - the Haunter can bewilder folks just by spending a Hate point.