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It turned out that the companions would wait one more day.

The travel would be long and dangerous and supplies were critical to survival. Codi was hesitant to offer any of his stores, but he made sure they had water and dry cram in good supply. It was Grimbeorn and Arbogast's return in the early afternoon of that day with a small deer. The successful hunt was immediately dressed down and the meat quickly harvested. The companions then set about cooking the meat until it was well-done and cured as possible. It would last the better part of their trip.

After three days in the small outpost, and with no sight of Borfri or Rorin, the companions rose with the early light and prepared their things. Arbogast made a mental count of days and determined that it was the 25th of October. He hoped that they would be done with their task well before the coming of winter.

Their packs on shoulders, the four companions gave thanks to Codi and set off once more deeper into the eerie light of Mirkwood.

---

:ooc: This is the next leg of our 3-leg journey.

Leg Two  will start at the Roadwarden Outpost and travel east along the Old Dwarf Road, passing the Haunted Hills,  and going further until the company can turn north to the mountains.

Distance = 60 to 120 miles (20 to 40 leagues) depending on whether the Company wants to travel all the way across Mirkwood, or cut north through the Pass of the Mountains of Shadow. You guys need to let me know (map below).

Terrain = Daunting but I am reducing to Severe due to the opportunity to follow remnants of the Dwarf Road  x3

Speed (on foot) = 20 miles per day

TOTAL = 9 to 18 days dependent on your decision of course; with 3 or 6 Fatigue tests at TN 20; may roll Lore test TN 14 for advantage dice

I will conduct tests after I hear the party consensus.

Esgalwen and Morirúsë updated for last day of rest  :csu:

Grimbeorn argues that they shouldn't waste time taking the "safer" route, believing that speed is required in their endeavor.

 :ooc: I kind of messed up that map above...it is not clear as to distances.

I will update shortly.

Competing impulses struggle within Arbogast's heart.  On the one hand, a shorter route will see the journey over sooner, and return him the sooner to his home, hearth and family.  On the other, the longer route holds out a promise of greater likelihood of eventual success.  His mind gnaws at the question like a hound with a bone for a while but, as ever, his patience wins out. 

"I hold that the way around the mountains, while longer, will present dangers better known to us.  The Wood we know well, but I know little of what we may face in the mountains that rise above it.  It serves no-one but the Enemy if we are delayed, or beaten back, by malefactors we knew not to prepare for." 



:ooc: Despite his words, Arbogast is equivocal on this one - it's not a hill he'll die on.  If Tom wants to use his casting vote to go through the pass, then he'll go over the mountains without any griping.   

:ooc: I updated the map.

Now it should be easier to understand the two options for our current Leg 2 and the following Leg 3

Morirúsë spent the time in the Wood Cutters lodge thinking on all that had transpired. The journey through the forest had wearied him and his experience swimming the river had changed him. Since being at the lodge he had slept deeply to recover his weariness in body and soul. He had been dreaming in those times, but he could not remember his dreams. He awoke each morning feeling as if some debate had raged within him, or that something he once knew, or needed to know, was coming to the fore.

The debate as to which road to take broke him from his silent reflection.
"Danger and the journey's end will find us no matter the road that we take. Whether it be short or long we will not escape our fate. Our only real choice has been wether to hunt the beast or not, and having made that choice we have bound ourselves to what may be."

The elf thought for awhile in silence, watching the wisps of breeze from the rough cut roof stir the ash of the evenings fire.
 
"Grimbeorn Madiglihe, yours is the hand that will rule your people. You have decided, so let it be so."

:ooc: Cool - choice 1 it is, which means the party will go to the first dot and then travel north through the pass of the mountains.

Leg Two will start at the Roadwarden Outpost and travel east along the Old Dwarf Road, to the Haunted Hills. From there, the company will turn north to the mountain pass.

Distance = 60 miles (20 leagues)

Terrain = Daunting but I am reducing to Severe due to the opportunity to follow remnants of the Dwarf Road  x3

Speed (on foot) = 20 miles per day

TOTAL = 9 days of travel; with 3 Fatigue tests at TN 20; may roll Lore test TN 14 for advantage dice

DICE ROLLS

Lore tests
TN 14 lore by PC



• Arbogast will rely on his Mirkwood-lore for an auto-success and 1 advantage die
• I am leaving Morirúsë's use of lore skills in Tom's hands.

Fatigue test 1 -
TN 20 Travel by PC





Fatigue test 2 -
TN 20 Travel by PC





Fatigue test 3 -
TN 20 Travel by PC

 :ooc: OH COME ON!!!Two! :~~:

:ooc: Yikes...quite a few Hazards rolled.

RESULTS

LORE
• Grimbeorn earns 1 advantage die
• Arbogast earns 1 advantage die

TRAVEL
Group 1
• Arbogast fails test 1 by 7 and accrues 3 fatigue (may use Advantage die and 1 :vv: )
• Esgalwen fails test 1 by 11 and accrues 3 fatigue  :csu:
• Grimbeorn fails test 1 by 3 and accrues 3 fatigue (will use 1 :vv: to make this a success)  :csu:
• Morirúsë fails test 1 by 2 and accrues 3 fatigue (may use a :vv: )

Group 2
• Arbogast fails test 2 by 8 and accrues 3 fatigue (may use Advantage die and 1 :vv: )
• Esgalwen succeeds on test 2 with a great success
• Grimbeorn fails test 2 by 1 and accrues 3 fatigue (will use Advantage die here to make this a success)  :csu:
• Morirúsë fails test 2 by 7 and accrues 3 fatigue HAZARD

Group 3
• Arbogast fails test 3 by 15 and accrues 3 fatigue
• Esgalwen fails test 3 by 8 and accrues 3 fatigue HAZARD  :csu:
• Grimbeorn succeeds test 3 with a :g: great success  :csu:
• Morirúsë fails test 3 by 7 and accrues 3 fatigue HAZARD

• Since Matt is out of town, I am going to assume he will use the Advantage and 1 :vv: so that Grimbeorn takes on no fatigue.
• Paul, let me know if you want Arbogast to use a hope plus the advantage die roll on either of his tests where it might prevail.
• Tom...well, it is not looking like this Elf out of the glorious First Age is providing much help.  ;)  (-D

I will determine the HAZARDS in the next series of posts.

:ooc: HAZARD EPISODES

Roll the targets:

:ooc: CHALLENGE ROLES

I will adjust these accordingly based on any Fatigue issues once I get your inputs as to what you guys want to spend to potentially avoid weariness.

Scout (Arbogast)
TN 20 explore 3d


Huntsman (Grimbeorn)
TN 20 hunting 3d


Look-out (Morirúsë)
TN 20 Awareness 4d

:ooc: RESULTS

• Arbogast fails his roll, but could succeed with a :vv:. Fatigue will not play into his roll no matter what he determines above and if Arbogast will even be WEARY.

• Grimbeorn auto-succeeds with a :g:

• Tom... (-D not sure what to say here. A :vv: would help, but it depends on whether or not Morirúsë ends up WEARY from above.

I will wait to hear from you guys on the above tests and whether :vv: will be spent on this tests before I determine the next result.

 :ooc: ..... uhmmm......he's old?



 But probably just cursed.

:ooc: I'm going to hold on to my Hope, thanks.  The fatigue gain will suck, but Arbogast will up his Fragrant Herb intake to compensate. 

Sorry about the Explore fail, guys.  That trail really looked like it had broken flagstones underneath it.

EDIT: :csu:

:ooc:  Tom, do you have any desire to use Hope on any of your fails above.

:ooc: Wait, wait!  I can use my bonus die on the Explore test, can't I?  (Implied by p 151.)

:ooc: Aaaaaaaaaaand we're back to apologies again.  :(

I cant afford to.

I should have ditched this armor. It's killing me. Literally.

 :ooc: Do you want to retro the situation and say the armor was left in either Rhosgobel, or Woodmen-town?

You can also abandon it on the path - a great relic for some future adventurer to wander upon.  ;D .

:ooc: Last rolls for the Hazards and then we get back to the narrative:

:ooc: The rolls were in order, so Arbogast received the 5 which is Fatigue [Add Fatigue again, twice on an :~~: ] - so I am increasing his Fatigue by 3.

The 1 was for Morirúsë, which is Weariness - and the Elf is already weary.

 :ooc: there is a story here, he has two relics from the past. Do they have a deeper purpose? Does he need to part from them to be free of the past? Is it a trial? Who knows, because I do not.

I'll hold on to it and see what happens.

They marched.

There was naught but torment.

Torn flesh, scraped by cruel thistles that reached out from brush and tree. Weariness of bone and muscle. Thirst, for they did not want to squander the rations they had. Hope...they held onto it but each of the companions felt it bleeding away.

Only Grimbeorn seemed to be un-phased. The large man marched in silence, grim in his countenance, but never missing a step. When even Morirúsë faltered, the Beorning stepped up and took the lead.

They slogged through fetid marshes, the ground saturated by the run off from the mountains to the north. Black flies and biting insects tortured them in their incessant quest to find unprotected flesh. Tree roots, brush, and thick weaves of cobwebs hindered their course. But somehow they kept their direction and the occasional landmarks would appear in the form of paver stones laid by Dwarves long ago, along with the ruins of small warden outposts. In these, after careful inspection, they would take rest.

Quiet ruled them, as they did not want to use the energy to make conversation - nor did they want to mark their presence. The looming forest watched them closely and resisted them in every way it could. Instead, they resided in their own thoughts and troubles, which in turn only added to the burden of the journey. Hunger and weariness depleted their positive mindsets and so they dwelt on the ever increasing hopelessness of the task.

Why did I leave my family?! thought Arbogast. So far away and dangers ever increasing! What a fool I am!

For these folk I put my life at risk? They are not of my kindred, and those who were are long dead. This is their world now. What desire do I have to rid it of the Shadow that still plagues them all. Morirúsë's face was a constant frown. The weight of his armor, worn for so long now, hung heavy on him and he longed to leave the burdens of Middle-earth behind.

What have I achieved here? Emissary of Gondor? Really? Esgalwen rebuked herself. I came to aid in unifying these people - to offer them the aid of the Steward of Minas Tirith - but instead they grow steadily apart. They sit within their long houses and care only for their own. Weak and separated, they shall be crushed individually. What allies could they possibly be to my proud country?

"There is a change."

The sound of Grimbeorn's voice was like a bell sounding in the silence, and the other three companions quickly looked up at the man. He stood alone at the head of their company and he leaned on a large, moss-covered tree-trunk.

"Wha..." Esgalwen heard her parched voice croak out and she quickly stopped herself.

"The land...it is changing. It has been rising to the south of us. I think that is what they call the Haunted Hills. But so, too, does it in the north where it is now more rocky. The trees are changing, as well. Did you not notice? Oak and beech have been dominate, but now we see tall pines. The air - what little there is - is cooler, too, and smells heavy of the pine."

"And look," said Morirúsë, "there is a structure on the northern facing of the hill to our south. It is large and somewhat formidable."

"The Beacon Tower," said Arbogast, softly as if to himself. The Woodman had no idea of certainty, only the old tales that he had been told.

"Some one walks before us," replied Esgalwen. Her voice now clearer and more strong. "They march away from us along the road."

The other three companions turned to look where the Ranger now pointed and it was true. Ahead of them, on the Dwarven road, the shapes of men could be seen marching east.

Quote from: Telcontar on Oct 17, 2017, 10:04 AM:ooc: there is a story here, he has two relics from the past. Do they have a deeper purpose? Does he need to part from them to be free of the past? Is it a trial? Who knows, because I do not.

I'll hold on to it and see what happens.

:ooc: Very cool! I like this, man.  :tup:  :)

:ooc: I have to say - it is really hard to give you guys narrative of these long wooded marches. I hope the stuff you are reading is not becoming redundant and boring as I try to explain the hardships your characters face.

 :ooc: no way, I like it a lot... very in the vein of the professor.

"Shall we then?  The only thing keeping from getting there now are our legs," Grimbeorn urged.  He knew his companions were not getting on well, even the Elf's inscrutable demeanor was cracking. "Let's get this over with."

Arbogast gives the Men on the trail a wary look.  "Be not too hasty, friend.  By moving, we will make ourselves easier to see, if we have not already been marked.  Though the spiders are keeping their distance, I fear that the business of Men so far from the halls of the Free Peoples bodes ill for us."



:ooc: Not at all, Doug.  Journeys through the wilderness are one of the game's core activities, and that should be reflected in the narration.  If I had to make any criticism, it's that you seem to be doing over the hazards (aka 'the interesting bits') in favour of the drudgery.  Spending more time on the former might make journeys easier to write about.

Quote from: Eclecticon on Oct 17, 2017, 07:41 PM:ooc: Not at all, Doug.  Journeys through the wilderness are one of the game's core activities, and that should be reflected in the narration.  If I had to make any criticism, it's that you seem to be doing over the hazards (aka 'the interesting bits') in favour of the drudgery.  Spending more time on the former might make journeys easier to write about.

:ooc: Sounds good, Paul. In this instance, the two Hazards were fatigue and weariness - and I don't think I could go into that anymore than I did.

But I will definitely use the more crunchier hazards in our future as my narrative focus.

"On this, I am with Arbogast. I find it strange to see Men marching along this road so far from either the Vale or the lands east of the wood." Esgalwen was tired, but her guard was now up and her hand gripped the pommel of her sword.

Morirúsë was thoughtful and his voice took on the sound of being distant.

"Once the Teleri lived here in greater number. The love of the wood and the hills compelled them to tarry from the journey. Then later the Avari too took the woods of Greenwood as their home. Gone, all gone. Even their memory has passed from the land and the grip of the enemy has made this a place of sorrow. Will the stain of it ever truly come out?"

The elf began to look wane and hollow in the face again as he had after his fight with the werewolf.

"Like my people too. Gone. Gone to the halls of waiting or gone as exiles to an island in the sea."

He continued, but none knew if he spoke to them directly or to someone else who was not present.

"Should I go? Would any of you go if the decision were yours? We who were given this land as a gift to rule and cultivate, and watched it slip from us. Our birthright either lost or poisoned and gained naught but an island in the sea. Where is the song of Maglor to cheer us? Where even is the horn of Fingolfin the valiant, Finrod the wise. All lost."

His eyes cleared and he looked upon his companions. "Are the days so dark that all travelers are to be feared?"

Arbogast looks sidelong at Grimbeorn and Esgalwen as Morirúsë speaks to those who may tarry only in his long memory.  When the attention of the Elf appears to have returned to the here and now, he responds.  "Would that it were otherwise, but I cannot but suppose that they be about some dark business.  I am weary to my bones, though, and this perhaps darkens my mind and turns my thoughts against my fellow Men.  Have you the eyes to see them clearer?" 

Morirúsë stood and cast the hood of his cloak back. Even through all their trials and travels the elf looked clean and fresh, but all knew the deep weariness he carried.

Shading his eyes from the light he looked upon the road and attempted to discern something of the men that passed there.
Awareness

 :ooc: doug does an 18 do anything for us?

Edit: should be 14 I rolled an extra die so that last four is a no go.

:ooc: No, your 14 is good enough, Tom.

Feel free to respond further on this post. I promise that it won't take as long between my responses. I have been studying this week for a test next Friday,
 but I am giving myself the weekend off. Once it is done, I will be quicker on responses then, too.

---

The Noldo peered through the trees and murk and looked closely at the men that disappeared to the east.

Their gait appeared crooked and they were wrapped in what looked to be tattered cloaks - in their hands were shields and a long spear in the other. If they were sentries or guardians of the ancient Dwarf-hold, than surely they were far from any other settlement of Men, but there was an oddness about them.

Morirúsë turned to his companions.
"They are men folk, geared for war with lance and shield, but they are well worn and not perfectly supplied. I don't believe they to be guards for your friends, and there is something not quite right about them.."

The elf shaded his eyes and looked again, "Much do I know and more do I see, one of them has a limp from a childhood injury that was not set right, and another snores when he sleeps."

The elf laughed and lowered his hand and was serious again, "I believe it best to avoid them."

"What do your gifts tell you Arbogast, were you not graced with the speech of birds? Perhaps they may tell you of these men, or of the passing of our quarry. Should we make for that ruin and camp there? Perhaps if we can find a room not wholly ruined we may light the elven lamps without fear of attracting the werewolf."

Morirúsë was glad of the lamps, something in their light he found warming and comfortable. Though they had used them seldom now that they had passed north of the road he was cheered by the light and comforted by its presence.

"Nought of use have I heard from the birds regarding either.  The land through which we make our way is the domain of few birds beyond the gore-crows, who see both them and us as little more than meat yet afoot.  I am put in mind, though, of tales known to the eldest of my folk.  They speak of lines of Men who in ages past turned away from their kin to live as beasts in the Wood, and who venerate the spiders as dark and terrible gods." 

He considers the Beacon Tower for a time before continuing.  "The ruin, as you name it, was built by the same hands as the road, and is likely still intact in parts.  I am told that, in days gone by, it withstood assaults by the servants of Dol Guldur.  It may be that it now stands empty.  If so, it would allow us some respite before we brave the pass deeper into the mountains.  I am minded to try for it, once we can no longer be seen by others on the road." 

The Noldo elf almost felt that his sword stirred to the mention of spiders.

"Vile spawn of a terrible beast, but how much more horrible that any would worship them. A foul poison on this land. The deeds you and your companions did to thwart them are to be praised, and I doubt these men would be overly fond to find you back in their wood." 

"The old fortress sounds like a good idea to me, as well," said Esgalwen. Her hair was matted down from the humidity and stuck to her face. Just to be able to remove her backpack and sleep for a while would make it all worth it.

:ooc: Going with the assumption that the company will head for the tower - Arbogast suggested it, Esgalwen agreed, Matt is in Ireland, and the Elf needs sleep.

I am gathering some imagery, but will have a post up tonight or tomorrow.

 :ooc: Matt wishes he were back in Ireland.   Grimbeorn is good for going to the tower.

:ooc: Welcome home, Matt! Pictures on Facebook were awesome.

 :ooc: Thanks, don't afraid to use some of them ;) The trip was a blast (no pun intended for hurricane), can't wait to plan the next one.

The murky light under the boughs was slowly becoming darker, as the day's light was waning.

The companions waited until the three figures were well out of sight before they recommenced their own journey. The Beacon Tower's call was great and it was decided that it would provide them a few opportunities.

One, it would or at least should be a secure place to rest. Even if the gates were compromised, it appeared vast enough to allow the four heroes to find a place to hide, so as to recuperate their strength.

Two, the old tower still stood and it rose higher than the trees. If they were able to climb to one of its high balconies, they might be able to get a good view of where they were within the forest. Also, it would afford them the chance to breath clean air, once more.

The third hope was that maybe there were friends within. It was said that the old tower had never been taken in battle, but was abandoned. Perhaps the mere thought of its former prowess kept enemies away and gave succor to those that might be allies. Surely, thought Morirúsë, the Dwarves would strive for it, and the Elves would use it at times when they traveled.

The Dwarves had raised the castle when they built the Forest Road. It was located on a rocky promontory on the northern slopes of the Haunted Hills. The forest had reclaimed the castle walls and outbuildings, but the main keep and its tall tower still stood proud of the surrounding trees. Rumors spoke of mines
and tunnels beneath the keep delved into the hillsides. The Dwarves had found tin and iron there and excavated it to assist in their metal-works. The tower endured many sieges by the forces of Dol Guldur, but no foe ever took it in battle. It was said the Beacon Tower fell from within, when the Dwarves turned on each other.

The companions left the evident road and marched south. Weary to the bone, they at last passed through the moss-covered, broken outer walls and looked upon the old keep. It stood, though it was shattered in a number of places. From the keep rose the tower, covered as it was with ivy and webs. It cleared the upper-level of the treetops and into the early evening sky.

Esgalwen looked around. "Let us explore this keep before we are deep in darkness."

"Well let's be careful with this.  No need to be caught unawares like flies in a web again," cautioned Grimbeorn.  Their past adventures still weighed upon him.

Arbogast nods, and moves into the keep ahead of his companions.  Straining against the fatigue that weighs down his eyelids and whispers in his mind of the delights of rest and sleep, he tries to stay alert to the sounds and smells of this unfamiliar place. 



:ooc: I don't expect anything great to come of this, but Arbogast will scout ahead.  Explore and Awareness rolls follow, if you need them. 

Explore:


Awareness:

Light was required as they entered the great hall that constituted a better part of the keep. Though the early evening gray still shone outside the ancient windows, it was not enough to illuminate the interior.

Torches were quickly fashioned and lit and the companions marveled at the sight. Tapestries and tabards still hung from the walls, though they were torn, rotten and mildewed. Some had been defaced, or pulled from the walls and left to rot on the floor. It was plain to the heroes that none were of Dwarf make, or any house - they had to have been hung by orcs, some bandit-king, or the corrupted Men of Mikrwood.

They searched about but naught could be seen within the chamber.

:ooc: Ooh, shiny!  I vote we call dibs on this place and get filthy rich when we sell it back to the King Under the Mountain. 

Morirúsë inspected the stonework of the keep and touching the wall examined the gateway and hall for any other signs of habitation.

Awareness roll

The smell heavy in the air, even though the hall sat high atop the hill. Still the trees surrounding it subdued any winds that might blow through the broken windows.

The Noldo scanned the room and moved about with apparent reason. Occasionally he nodded as he looked at the floor, or a door, or any of the tables that were still upright.

Though it was certain that the Beacon Hall was not housing a large garrison of any folk, it was evident that someone resided here.

---

:ooc: I am going to leave this here for the moment. I am heading home from the office and once there, I am working on a layout for Beacon Tower.

I'll have more up tonight.

The companions finished searching the main hall of the Beacon Tower keep and moved into an antechamber. It must have once been storage, or a prep area for the main hall, but now it was dilapidated and moss and fern covered most of its walls and floor. Its wall was compromised, too, and a hole revealed an outer courtyard - also grown over with dense foliage. The forest was reclaiming what was once its own.

From the courtyard came a soft, green glow that illuminated the confines of old stonework and new trees.

Esgalwen moved from the antechamber to a doorway, though no door remained in the frame. She stepped out into the courtyard and was clear to see in the light, as she walked through the thick fern that carpeted the forest floor. It was cold and her breath was visible in the night chill. Behind her, the other companions followed.

The Dúnadan woman came at last to the center of the courtyard and she reached down. In her hand now was a green gem the size of a fruit, and from it came the glow. Esgalwen's eyes shone brightly, and her face was alight. Arbogast came to her and she said, "It is beautiful! Do you think it a treasure left here by the Dwarves?"

It was then that Morirúsë spoke out quickly, "Caution! Ware the guardians of this place!"

Both Grimbeorn and the Noldo drew their weapons, while the man and woman looked up from the stone and saw figures moving in from the three sides of the broken courtyard. They shuffled in their gait and they, too, seemed to glow with an eerie light. Morirúsë was certain that these were the same folk who had marched before them on the road. In their hands were spears, though the rest of their accouterments were old and ragged. There was a total of four of these strange men, and though they gave no challenge, their intent was plain - their weapons were raised to strike.

Dropping the gemstone, Esgalwen tore Nimronyn from its scabbard and prepared to meet any attack that would come her way. Beside her, Arbogast did the same pulling forward his shield and hefting his axe.

The figures continued to encircle the company, drawing in tighter as they did. The heroes could now all see that their faces were pale and dead eyes stared out from under their hoods.

"STOP!" Came a sudden cry from a broken arched wall that led further into the fortress yard. "What have you brought for me?" the inquiry was directed at the companions and the speaker hissed in a sort of glee.

Grimbeorn turned to see a shadow standing in the arch, holding a staff. It was not as tall as a man, but taller than a Dwarf. The individual stepped forward into the light revealing an old, haggard, man...or was it a woman?

Arbogast grips the handle of the Warden's Axe and holds it as steady as he may, but already he can feel the tremor beginning in his hands, and he knows that he has precious little strength left with which to fight a battle.  Hoping it does not show, and that the fear he feels is not evident in his voice, he responds: "we bring little, for we have wandered many ways, and are far afield from where we thought ourselves to be on this eve."  He spares a moment from watching the strange Men to gaze about in awe that is only half-feigned.  "Magnificent is your hall," he says.  "Would that steel could be sheathed, that we could properly seek your hospitality." 


:ooc: The longer we can keep this person (?) talking, I think, the better!  If you need it, Doug, I'll make a Riddle roll to kick off an Encounter. 



In the meantime, does my Shadow Lore or Old Lore tell me anything about the Glowing Men?  I'm guessing that they aren't anything that Mirkwood Lore would cover - I seem to have been way off base thinking that these guys were wild Men of Mirkwood!

:ooc: Stupid bastard dice. 

:ooc: Hey Paul - yes and yes... on both of your lore traits.

Arbogast has heard legends of the dead walking where old ruins are found. These legends mostly speak of the north-lands around Angmar and across the Misty Mountains where lies the ruins of Arnor.

The legend speaks of the dead rising to the command of the Fallen Kings, they themselves who are slave to the Great Evil. These crooked abominations haunt ruins and other locations where the Shadow holds sway.

QuoteIn player terms, what this means (and understand your characters are limited to what they understand):

It is said that many who died in the wars against Angmar, and other realms ruled by the Shadow, fell victim to the Black Shadow, a terrible illness spread by the Nazgûl. But many others did not perish, and were slowly consumed by it instead. Condemned to a perpetual anguish by the sorcery of the Ringwraiths, they are still today their slaves, pale reflections of their dark masters, always intent at spreading darkness and corruption at their command.

Fell Wraiths appear as crooked wanderers, roaming among ancient ruins and the sites of forgotten battles. They are generally wrapped in cloaks to hide their spectral features; their flesh is almost transparent, and their eyes seem to glow like embers. If encountered in the hours of twilight, they may pass as Men, as they can speak, even if with an unusual hissing voice and strange accents. Fell Wraiths carry old weapons and battered shields, relics from an age of strife they employ to deadly effectiveness.

 :ooc: are there wisdom or valour tests or whatever against these creatures for fear effects?

 :ooc: Hey Matt, you only need to roll a valour test if these creatures exert that power on you.

So not yet... (-D

"Ho, ho!" cackled the elder. "But certainly you are the prize! Welcome to my home - you will be here for a while."

The small man, or woman, pointed to the company and gave orders to the fell warriors that stood near.

"Unarm them and see them to the cells...at least until I decide what it is I will do with my new pets." And then he spoke to Arbogast, "And do not try to stave off your fate...these dead warriors will do as I say, and they will kill you before they let you leave."

Esgalwen gripper her sword tighter as the dead men began to converge, all the while she looked to her companions to see their resolve. As for her, she would not be taken!

Morirúsë placed his hand upon the hilt of the sword at his side and reached for the elven lamp. In a moment the light blazed forth in his hand ignoring the risk of summoning the werewolf. The wholesome light of the lantern contrasted with the sickly tempting glow of the green gem.

"Creature of the shadow, no gifts shall you receive by our hands. Begone or be cast beyond the circles of the world." 

"NO! NO! NO!" yelled the small crone, "You won't be using any Elven tricks around here!"

The cloaked figure raised its staff and a terrible incantation was muttered - Darkas avhan darkneukuk.

The heroes felt a chill creep down their spine at the utterance of the Black Speech. The now brightly shining courtyard was suddenly wrapped by a terrible darkness that crept inwards towards the Noldo, and his Elven lamp.

---

:ooc: All right - the bad guy expends 1 :@:

All heroes need to make a Wisdom test TN 16 to not be ensorcelled. I am granting 1 bonus success die to each of your rolls for the effects of the Elven Lamp's light.

TN 16 wisdom by PC +1d





I will say...if Morirúsë fails at the above roll, the Lamp's light will falter.

Here we go....

:ooc: RESULTS

• Arbogast has a great success

• Esgalwen has a great success

• Grimbeorn has a success

• Morirúsë has a :g: success

The lamp in Morirúsë's hand blazed fiercely and the shifting darkness retreated wherever the light touched.

"Ai!" cried their enemy. 'Never mind! If they will not willingly accept their fates then kill them! Kill them all!"

The undead lowered their spears and moved forward - their eyes like embers.

---

:ooc: I will open up combat threads... the first for opening volleys and other combat items that need determined.

While in this place, and while the lamp is held aloft - ALL PC's will get a bonus 1d success die to any Wisdom or Valour saves.

 :ooc: HUZZAH for Morirúsë!

Morirúsë stood tall and bright, the darkness of the spell making the light of the lamp seem even brighter within the circle of its light as he held it up, the sword at his slide flashing as he wielded it now one handed.

"Your command of the spirits of the dead is false, and soon those bodies will be free of you, as is there secret fire."