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EARLY SUMMER TO SPRING YEAR 2951 T.A.

Our second chapter end.

Here I give you open forum to write up your characters' / the party's activities (undertakings) through the summer and winter of 2949 and through the following year to the spring of 2951. It is not necessary that you are all together, but include the reasons why you come back to Rhosgobel to be part of the company. Enhance the relationships you all share and give us details as to why you are all becoming fast friends. I will include these posts in here in the roleplaying experience rewards of our next Adventure phase end. Be creative and add things to the story, whether about your home, wives, relations, whatever - anything you add I may use as story arcs. If you have a question whether you can add something, don't hesitate to PM me. You do not have to include but one post here each about your PC's, but feel free to work together to formulate the activities and flesh out Mirkwood.


The trade along the new routes continue to be harried by raiders and Amaleoda's crops and fishmongers are continuously robbed.

Orcs bearing a sigil of a Blood Moon begin to appear in the southern Anduin Vale.

THE PC'S MAY MAKE TWO FELLOWSHIP PHASES DUE TO THE TERM OF THIS PHASE (spanning most of two years).

Without wishing to appear mercenary, how many Experience and Advancement Points should we have to play around with?  I ask because it will affect how we phrase our posts. 

:ooc: Rewards for our last Adventure Phase and the 2-year long break after it will be:

AP - each PC will get a number of AP equal to the buttons checked on your sheet plus 8 (so Arbogast has earned 15)

XP - each PC has earned 12 points

:ooc: Cheers.  Full post to follow. 

:ooc: Hey Paul, as usual if you would record here your experience and advancement buys.

Thanks!

:ooc: Alright, I'm going to spend eight of those shiny APs on increasing Song from one to two.  I think I'll save the remaining seven, unless anyone thinks it's worth increasing a Common skill to one (Courtesy and Search both spring to mind, but I don't see a pressing need for either). 

I'll spend six XP to increase Wisdom to three, and bank the remaining four.  I'll take Herbal Remedies (TOR p.111) as my new Virtue. 

My first undertaking is to Remove Corruption (unsurprisingly). 

[size=8]DC 14 Song 2[/size]
(http://rpg.avioc.org/boards/Themes/default/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
:00: 1d12 : 6, total 6
Rolled 2d6 : 6, 2, total 8

EDIT: Cross-posted again, Doug.  Sorry.

The return trip to Rhosgobel is hard, as if the Shadow-tainted land were loath to release those it might claim.  By an unspoken consensus, the fellowship travels not north to Tyrant's Hill, but west - following the afternoon sun until the green lands of the Anduin vales lie before them and the snow-capped Misty Mountains beyond.  Though the woods lie, full of silent threat, on their right-hand side, nothing troubles the fellowship as it makes its way back to the point where the trees imperceptibly change from twisted, lightless gloom wherin nations might vanish, to the refuge of the Woodmen, and the empty grasslands begin to ring with the calls of sheep and cattle, and the hails of their herders. 

It is a solemn, sorrowful occasion when they return to the table of Radaghast, under the boughs where they had made their plans such a seemingly long time ago.  The Brown Wizard thanks the heroes for the pains they have suffered, and bids them rest well, but not to forget the horrors they have seen. 

Arbogast turns his heels once more to Black Tarn Hall, where he finds that little has changed.  Amaleoda's folk, however, mark a change in the young man.  His long silences have taken on an air of unspoken menace and resentment, and he finds himself less and less in the company of his fellow Men and more frequently venturing out into the woods.  There he gathers the herbs and roots that he increasingly relies upon to stave off sleep, and wonders at the extent of the evil that he has set himself against. 

His attendance on Lindwine becomes a fitful thing - less frequent, but slowly growing more possessive.  Yet she is kin, albeit distant, to Amaleoda, and her clan will not hear of marriage to a poor man given to mysterious errands in the company of outlandish folk, even though he may serve Radaghast on occasion.  As the winter of 2949 progresses, he watches the woman dance on the frozen lake like a lunatic might watch over the stones of a river - passionately and uncaringly at the same time.  For her part, Lindwine makes it subtly clear that she will not wait for him forever. 

So it is that a day in March of 2050 finds him hip-deep in the water shortly after dawn, having spoken not two words together for close to a month.  His eyes glisten (perhaps from the light reflecting from the slight waves, perhaps not) and he stares, unseeing, as footsteps approach from the shore. 

"Arbogast," comes the voice of Lindwine, "why do you stand so?  And the water still so cold!" 

For a few moments, no other sound can be heard but the lapping of the water.  When the Woodman speaks, his voice is scratchy from disuse at first.  After a moment, though, it carries the lightness of a man speaking out of profound awe. 

"The horns of the morning
Are blowing, are shining,
The branches are bright
With the coldest dew;

The dawn on the tarn
Is the softest of singing,
The sky spreads its vans out
The sun hangs in view.

Here, where no love is,
All that was hopeless
And kept me from sleeping
Is frail and unsure;

For never so brilliant,
Neither so silent
Nor so unearthly,
Has Earth shone before."

His song is followed by the sound of footsteps in the water, then a hand on his shoulder.  "You are wrong, Arbogast."

"I am wrong?"

"You are wrong about this place.  For there is love here indeed." 

Without great hurry or fanfare, Lindwine takes Arbogast's hand.  "Your skin is cold.  This is no place for a fire-watcher.  You have not slept?  Then come to bed." 

At this, he turns to look at her.  "Your kin will not like you visiting my poor house." 

She gives an expressive, single-shouldered shrug.  "I am not my kin."

:ooc: A couple of quick notes:
1.  Bandobras is free to continue living at the Black Tarn, I just didn't want to write for another PC.
2.  I've put a self-imposed requirement on Arbogast that he can't get married until his Standing is at least two.  Obviously helping this along is a priority. 
3. I'll leave my second undertaking until I know whether people want to do whole-fellowship things like opening a Sanctuary.

:ooc: Well she is definitely worth getting up for in the morning, and heading out to hunt and gather!  ;) I like your self-imposed requirement for marriage - that is a neat way to do that.

Nice roll on the Song skill - don't worry about the tamper. I hate that it does that when two posts collide.

So you restore 4 points of corruption, did you clear your sheet already?

It looks like I might need to increase the number of lines on the sheets for Rewards and Virtues, maybe for Traits, too, at some point.

Anyway, GREAT post!

 :ooc: Rorin will spend 12 XP points to increase both Wisdom and Valour from 2 -> 3.
For his new Virtue he will take a Raven of the Mountian.
For his new Reward he will make his hammer a Keen weapon.
He will save all of his Advancement points.

His first undertaking will be to Remove Corruption.

CRAFT - DC 14 Remove Corruption



I will wait for the second undertaking until the party decides if we are doing anything collectively.

 :ooc: That was a great success on the Craft roll so I can remove 4 Shadow points, Rorin had 3 so he is now at 0.
 :csu:

I will post a RP post in the next several days.

Bandy has a total of 15 experience, 12 from this session and 3 from a previous. He will spend 10 to increase his bow to 4 and 4 more to increase Valour to 2. he will add grievous to his bow, increasing the damage rating by 2.

Bandy has a total of 16 APs, inlcuding those left over from before. He will spend 12 to raise Song to 3 and bank the rest.

My first undertaking will be to remove corruption.




I'll post again with a narrative.

That's not good at all. Since we are in a sanctuary, I bleieve I get a second try.

Cripes! I feel a bout of madness coming on.

 :ooc: Don't we have the Fellowship pool to divide up still?

Yes, you do.

It might be neat to play on the idea that Bandy was really affected by the time in Dol Guldur - hence no Shadow reduction.

 :ooc: My thoughts exactly Doug.

 I am only down one Hope point but I have 5 Shadow. I would take a point, but if others need it more than me, help yourselves to the Fellowship pool.

The memory of Orophin weighs heavily on the hobbit as the brooding fellowship silently retrace their steps through the dim and tangled forest. As much as he tries, his mind constantly fills with images from the bridge and the enticements of the watery dead. These scenes, freighted with emotional weight, fatigue mind and body. Reaching for his pouch of Old Toby, he finds it missing. "Oy," he cries out loud when he discovers his last link to the Shire has been left in that accursed place. Bandy says no more. Only the thought of returning to the safety of Rhosgobel offers hope.

The Wizard's cottage offers safety from physical hurt but cannot protect Bandy from his own thoughts.  He sneers when Radagast warns the companions not to forget the horrors of Dol Guldur. Forget? I shall never forget though I will do my damnest to do just that.

Soon after that last meal together, Arbogast announces his intention to return to Black Tarn and invites the Hobbit to join him. Bandy declines. He feels welcome under Arbogast's roof, but he no longer feels as though he has home of his own. Bandy could not bear to witness whatever contentment Arbogast would find at Black Tarn. A longing to return to the Shire grips the young Bracegirdle, but the time is not right. Scarred by his experiences, hardened by the acts he has committed, he fears that he is no longer right for the Shire. Not yet. At Rhosgobel, he throws himself into his writing, an act that has always soothed his hurts. But this time the words do not come. What words are there for Dol Guldur and for the loss of Orophin? He puts away pen and parchment.

The last time he remembered being happy was at Tyrant's Hill of all places, playing with Acca and Kenway. I must see them he thinks, and then he remembers something Kenway said. "I have heard the name Brandybuck before. A man named Brandybuck opened an Inn." Bandy begins to ask around Rhosgobel if anyone has heard of a Brandybuck running an inn.

 :ooc: What Bandy does next will depend on if he learns anything and what it is.

Bandy made his way around the folk of Rhosgobel, inquiring with each about the news he had heard of Hobbits - or someone named Brandybuck - opening an inn. At long last, he came upon a man named Walen Sander, who was a well-traveled merchant. The man was currently stocking supplies on his large wain that he drove north and south, peddling his wares.

The small Hobbit approached Walen, as the man studied the fore axle on his wagon, all the while scratching at his pate. There was little hair atop, though a thick horseshoe grew around from ear to ear. Usually Walen was adorned with a large, soft-cap that covered his head, but it currently hung from the brake handle. The merchant's oxen roamed freely about the yard of Radagast's home, which the animals - all animals - seemed to enjoy.

"Hey now, Master Walen," said Bandy, causing the larger man to start and bump his head on the wagon, under which he stooped. "Oof! Who that be now?"

Bandy introduced himself, again, and the merchant smiled as he rubbed the bump that slowly grew atop his head. "Should have had on me hat," he said, after the diminutive Hobbit made his inquiry. "Aye...there be an inn to the north, owned and operated by folk of your kind. I believe the proprietor's name be Dodinas Brandybuck. He and his wife Agatha, along with his brother, Dindy, hail from a land far off to the west...some place called Buckland. Sounds foreign to me." Another rub on his head, "Know anyone abouts these parts that are good with strapping an axle? Dont' want this to crack further, whil'st on the road."

Bandy marveled at the news. He knew of Dodinas Brandybuck, who went by Dody. Dody was his second cousin once removed, on his father's side! He had been an aspiration for Bandy when he, too, pulled up his life and moved it away from the Shire. Bandy had no idea that Dody and Agatha had crossed the Misty Mountains and settled in the Anduin Vale.

Walen continued, "Yea...they run a quaint little place. I stop in on my journey's as oft I can. They call it the Easterly Inn and I reckon you'd fit right in, as it is small though it accommodates us large-folk well enough."

---

:ooc: I am starting the opening scenes of our next chapter, but that does not mean that the Fellowship phase is over. I just want to get these thoughts out of my head before they fade.

 :ooc: One question:

1) I think I'd like Esgalwen to make a trip back home... is that possible. There's a number of matters that she'd like to take care of... return the sword she retrieved to the family it belongs to; visit her father; make an official report to the Steward (or her captain if she is not allowed an audience with the Steward); make an in person request for equipping Mogdred and his men with food stuffs, armor, and weapons; and see with her own eyes the Mount Doom alit. Can I attempt all of this in one fellowship undertaking? I would see it playing out something like this:

- Return Ardil's sword to next of kin (this would be Standing upkeep... or maybe it might raise her standing back home?)
- Report to superior officer/Steward on her work in the north and request aid for Tyrant's Hill (like opening up a modified trade route?)
- Visit with father; see Mount Doom a lit (mostly just fluff for story writing.)

If she is able to go home, I think I'd like to spend the XP on raising her Wisdom to 4 and taking Noble Lineage as her virtue.

I would want to be back for the second fellowship undertaking. Journeying with Bandy to the inn sounds great!

I think since this adventure phases ended early in the year this seems like the right spot in the timeline to be able to do this. I think it works with what we are doing, but I'll let Doug chime in.

 :ooc: Sounds great to me! Feel free to fill in some gaps of your PCs background with names, places and relationships. As long as it ties with, or doesn't  interefere with the overall canon, go crazy with creativity.

I like the idea of increased standing based on this journey, and any PCs may accompany that want to.

Our current adventure phase just ended at the beginning of May 2949 and our new one doesn't start until March 2951, so that gives you 23 months to do the journey, which is plenty of time.

Understand, the next adventure phase is going to be a bunch of small adventures in one, so the trip to see Bandy's kin could happen during either the fellowship or in our new adventure phase.

Also, me or Tom will happily chime in with interacting NPCs as needed. Tom has a PC from the mid-1600's who might have heirs that now live along the reaches of Mordor, defending those lands.  ;)

  :ooc:  Grimbeorn attempts to avoid corruption of the Shadow...
 :00:

 :ooc:   :o  oh blurg...

Grimbeorn has 13 Advancement Points (13 new, 0 previous)
Courtesy +1 dot (4 ap)
Awareness +1 dot (9 ap)
0 AP remaining

Grimbeorn has 14 Experience Points (12 new, 2 previous)
Wisdom +1 (10 EP), Virtue: Skin-coat
4 EP remaining


Story to come...
 

  :ooc: Hey Matt, I updated your character sheet for you. :csu:

Quote from: tomcat on Oct 30, 2015, 06:43 AM:ooc: Well she is definitely worth getting up for in the morning, and heading out to hunt and gather!  ;)

Indeed!  Mind you, Arbogast looks like a former Calvin Klein underwear model...  Nota bene, I believe the actual woman is a player in one of the Swedish mega-LARPs, which undoubtedly means she's better educated and more accomplished than I am. 

Quote from: tomcat on Oct 30, 2015, 06:43 AMSo you restore 4 points of corruption, did you clear your sheet already?

Yes.   :csu: in all respects. 

Quote from: tomcat on Oct 30, 2015, 06:43 AMAnyway, GREAT post!

Thanks!  I worry sometimes that I'm letting myself go overboard with the drama in Arbogast's life.  It's nothing that would stand out in a Germanic saga or a medieval romance, but I don't want to annoy other players with masturbatory writing.  That said, I'm having a blast with the poetry - hence bumping Song up as an excuse to do more of it. 

Quote from: Bandobras on Oct 30, 2015, 12:40 PMSince we are in a sanctuary, I bleieve I get a second try.

Wait, Rhosgobel's already a sanctuary?  Whoops!  I'll stop banging on about it, then. 

Quote from: Bandobras on Oct 30, 2015, 01:51 PMI would take a point, but if others need it more than me, help yourselves to the Fellowship pool.

Don't forget that you get a point back automatically because your Fellowship Focus is still hale and hearty. 

Quote from: tomcat on Nov 01, 2015, 08:49 AM:ooc: Sounds great to me! Feel free to fill in some gaps of your PCs background with names, places and relationships. As long as it ties with, or doesn't  interefere with the overall canon, go crazy with creativity.

I like the idea of increased standing based on this journey, and any PCs may accompany that want to.

Our current adventure phase just ended at the beginning of May 2949 and our new one doesn't start until March 2951, so that gives you 23 months to do the journey, which is plenty of time.

Understand, the next adventure phase is going to be a bunch of small adventures in one, so the trip to see Bandy's kin could happen during either the fellowship or in our new adventure phase.

Personally, I'd be really interested to play through this, so I'd rather do it in an Adventure Phase.  It's hardly a deal-breaker, though, and Arbogast will accompany Bandy either way. 

EDIT: Assuming anyone else is invited.  This may be something that Bandy keeps close to his chest. 

 Don't worry about typing too much about your character. The best part of the play by post narrative is that you are not hogging 'game time' f you want to ramble on about some facet of your character. Things like that provide a gold mine for Doug and I to create NPCs and stories that feel alive for the characters. Also, The One Ring is epic, maybe not in the same way that Sigfrid or other Sagas that are full of encounters and mighty deeds, this game is more of an elven epic that rolls out over many years. Its like an Annales School approach to gaming. Its all about the long duration and the respiration of humanity.

Rorin returned to Rhosgobel with a heavy heart, he had not felt the loss of a friend at arms since the Battle of Five Armies where his father and many other good dwarves fell to orcish blades. Upon his return Rorin found the first tavern in sight and spent nearly two full days there. He had lost three notches on his belt, and he had drank naught but water for as long as he could remember, and he intended to right both of these wrongs as quickly as possible. He spent his time alone at a table in the darkest corner of the room, lost in thought.

The following days held no joy for Rorin he was haunted by the grief of fallen friends and by fear of the evil that was sure to come from Dol Gulder. He could clearly hear the bell toll and feel the blast that had come from the tower after Rhadagast touched the waters, and he felt that any day a nameless evil would jump from a shadow and take his will from him.

Eventually Rorin decided to make use of this time to build something, and he began constructing a forge. It had been many years since he had worked the great forges of Erebor, but his hands remembered the skills taught him by his father and it wasn't long until he was creating fine steel tools for the residents of Rhosgobel. In his free time Rorin turned his eye to war hammer, and he spent many long nights reshaping and strengthening the weapon. He contoured the striking face to a smaller area so that it would more easily crack any armor that may stand in it's way, and he reinforced haft so that it would not snap even under the stress of an extreme impact. As he reforged his war hammer he let the heat of the forge-flames burn away his fears and the ring of his chisel chip away the feelings of anger and vengeance that had begun to consume him during his time in Dol Gulder. Though the dwarf knew no spells, he felt as though the spirits of those who were lost to him helped to guide his hand. Finally one morning when the sun rose over the trees, Rorin knew his work was complete and he felt a smile spread under his beard and the joy of a new day rise in his heart; he knew that the Shadow no longer held any power over him.

From that point on, Rorin worked to improve his forge to better serve the town of Rhosgobel which he now truly considered his home, for this was the first time since he had marched out from the Iron Hills for war that he did not feel burdened by the losses of his past. Rorin began to know the people of the town as they came to him with requests for spades, door hinges, garden implements, and even the occasional weapon.

 :ooc:
I have a question about Rorin's second undertaking. I would like to take Raise Standing in Rhosgobel as he becomes a respected business owner in the town, but the book states that you have to spend Treasure points to gain standing. And I don't think we have any Treasure points? If I can't Raise Standing, that's fine, let me know and I'll pick something else!

Also, if any of the other PC's are just hanging about Rhosgobel without much to do, Rorin would love some help with running the forge. If your character is interested, Rorin will ask for their help and we can roleplay that if you want.

:ooc: I will allow the undertaking to raise your standing, disench4nted - we will go with the assumption that Rorin was making money off of his labors at the forge, and thus reinvested back into his forge and products, thus increasing his reputation.

Don't worry about money so much - this new series of adventures in our next phase will supply you guys with treasure at last.

 :ooc:
Raised Rorins standing to 2
 :csu:

 :ooc: Am buried in work at the moment so have been slow to respond. Bandy will definitely head to the inn to visit with the Hobbits. I imagined that as the second part of the Fellowship phase, but before I commit to that I wondered if it work better as part of the story arc for an Adventure phase. I'd prefer to do what works best for the game.

:ooc: Awesome!

A quick accounting of this Fellowship phase - this is primarily for my brain. As an accounting/financial guy, my mind always needs to audit!  ;)

Character	Character Sheet	1st Undertaking	2nd Undertaking	Fellowship Pool
Arbogast	:csu:	Remove corruption (great success); removes 4 of 5, 1 remains	Establish holding at the Black Tarn	Hope to full for Hale Fellowship Focus and pool
Rorin	:csu:	Remove corruption (great success); removes 4 of 3	Establish holding (forge) in Rhosgobel	Hope to full for Hale Fellowship Focus and pool
Bandy	:csu:	Remove corruption (failed - no Shadow reduction)	tbd	Hope to full for Hale Fellowship Focus and pool
Grimbeorn	:csu:	Remove corruption (failed - no Shadow reduction)	increased Standing from 1 to 2; heir apparent to Beorn	Hope to full for Hale Fellowship Focus and pool
Esgalwen	to do*	returns to Gondor; restores Ardil's weapon to his family, gains 1 standing	tbd	gain 1 Hope for Hale Fellowship Focus

* Ayrn - I did update the sheet cells for earned AP and XP...all you need do now is spend them.

Also, as Bandy inquired earlier - you guys do have the Hope Pool, which I distributed. Everyone is restored to FULL hope due to the Fellowship Focus auto-point for Bandy being Hale, and then the pool was dispersed. Esgalwen is the only one who did not gain the benefit from the Hope Pool. As a Dúnedain, she does not get to restore Hope in this fashion, but does gain the benefit of the Fellowship Focus.

Quote from: tomcat on Nov 02, 2015, 10:31 AMAlso, as Bandy inquired earlier - you guys do have the Hope Pool, which I distributed. Everyone is restored to FULL hope due to the Fellowship Focus auto-point for Bandy being Hale, and then the pool was dispersed.

I'd actually taken the liberty of using a Fellowship point and my Fellowship focus to bring Arbogast's Hope back up to 15, so there's an extra Fellowship point available, if anyone wants it.  Otherwise, I'm happy to snag it for myself! 

Quote from: tomcat on Nov 02, 2015, 09:45 AM:ooc: I will allow the undertaking to raise your standing, disench4nted - we will go with the assumption that Rorin was making money off of his labors at the forge, and thus reinvested back into his forge and products, thus increasing his reputation.

Without meaning to bitch and moan about the rules, my impression has always been that Standing measured a PC's reputation among their own people - hence its increasing the Tolerance rating for encounters with members of your own culture. 

Rorin's setting up a forge and using it to make useful things sounds like it might be more of a Receive Title undertaking (TOR p 199), making him a useful, tolerated outsider among the Woodmen.  This gets him a building in Rhosgobel to set up his forge and the understanding among Durin's Folk that he spends most of his time there, so he doesn't lose Standing for not heading home at Yule (or distributing some fancy presents which none of us can afford).

That said, it's probably not worth redoing his sheet over - just something to note for the future. 

Quote from: tomcat on Nov 02, 2015, 09:45 AMDon't worry about money so much - this new series of adventures in our next phase will supply you guys with treasure at last.

That reminds me - don't we have a pouch of silver pennies that we found in the High Keep of Dol Guldur?  That's probably worth a Treasure Point or two, even if it's not enough to distribute a meaningful amount to everyone. 

In fact, thinking about it, my preference would be for it to go to Bandobras, as reimbursement for troll-related expenses. 

Rorin's Forge would actually be considered a Holding. (DoM page 8.) The rating of the Holding when outside of your culture is based upon the Valour score. If the Holding is based in ones culture, in this case the halls of dwarves, it would be based upon his Standing.

This also allows the Fellowship Undertaking of Tend Holding to see how it is going. Arbogast should probably have one as well. I was going to refer you to the book, but tricksy PCs need to stay out of that book.

Attached you will find the rules for owning and the maintenance of a holding.

Rorin could actually get the holding and instead of increase standing spend his second fellowship phase and roll on the Holding Upkeep.

Quote from: Eclecticon on Nov 02, 2015, 01:33 PM

Quote from: tomcat on Nov 02, 2015, 09:45 AMDon't worry about money so much - this new series of adventures in our next phase will supply you guys with treasure at last.

That reminds me - don't we have a pouch of silver pennies that we found in the High Keep of Dol Guldur?  That's probably worth a Treasure Point or two, even if it's not enough to distribute a meaningful amount to everyone.  

In fact, thinking about it, my preference would be for it to go to Bandobras, as reimbursement for troll-related expenses.

Many thanks but Bandy invoked his prosperous standing rather than use treasure points. He doesn't feel any claim to the purse. It might be more valuable to someone who comes from a frugal or martial culture.

Quote from: Telcontar on Nov 02, 2015, 02:16 PMRorin's Forge would actually be considered a Holding. (DoM page 8.) The rating of the Holding when outside of your culture is based upon the Valour score. If the Holding is based in ones culture, in this case the halls of dwarves, it would be based upon his Standing.

This also allows the Fellowship Undertaking of Tend Holding to see how it is going. Arbogast should probably have one as well. I was going to refer you to the book, but tricksy PCs need to stay out of that book.

Attached you will find the rules for owning and the maintenance of a holding.

Rorin could actually get the holding and instead of increase standing spend his second fellowship phase and roll on the Holding Upkeep.

:ooc: I like this...we'll change his second undertaking to this one. I will update the sheet later, or Disench4nted may if he comes back on before I am home from TKD.

Quote from: Telcontar on Nov 02, 2015, 02:16 PMRorin's Forge would actually be considered a Holding. (DoM page 8.) The rating of the Holding when outside of your culture is based upon the Valour score. If the Holding is based in ones culture, in this case the halls of dwarves, it would be based upon his Standing.

This also allows the Fellowship Undertaking of Tend Holding to see how it is going. Arbogast should probably have one as well. I was going to refer you to the book, but tricksy PCs need to stay out of that book.

Attached you will find the rules for owning and the maintenance of a holding.

Rorin could actually get the holding and instead of increase standing spend his second fellowship phase and roll on the Holding Upkeep.

Much neater solution.  Thanks. 

 :ooc: I like it. Doug, I'll let you make the change on the character sheet just to be sure it gets done right. I'll take a look at the rules when I get a chance.

 :ooc: I leave it to the GMs to fill in the spots for Radagast and Thranduil, and/or change the narrative as they see fit...

Grimbeorn, hale and hearty, most rightfully the heir apparent of Beorn, was chilled to his marrow from the encounter in the blighted and bedeviled land of Dol Guldur.  As with his companions, he was haunted by the figures in the deep murk surrounding the area and the cold lamplights that beckoned them to come join them.  It is because of this and the guilt that weighed heavy on his heart at the loss of Orophin that caused him to become ever-vigilant over his company taking the rear-guard on their marches and keeping watch over the group at night though it wasn't his turn.  He was determined not to lose anyone else to a similar fate.  By the time they returned to Rhosgobel, Grimbeorn was exhausted in both body and heart.

After a couple of days recovering from the toil of journey, he came to those that remained of his companions and Radagast.  "I am leaving again for my home but first I will travel to the Woodland Realm to bring any possessions of Orophin and relay to the kind what befell his servant; it is our duty as his friend to honor him thus.  Are there any that wish to join me?  If you accompany me back to my father's home, you will be well taken care of – no need or want will be refused."  Following discussion with his companions, he seeks Radagast's counsel on the quickest, safest route to the elven kingdom as he only knew of the ancient path that bordered upon the lands north of his father's home.

[Radagast's reply]

- - - - -

The road through Mirkwood was now more ominous than it had been before, even as recent as his return prior to seeking Dol Guldur.  There was more whispering amongst the leaves, shadows flitted about in the daytime, well, when it was even discernable that it was daytime.  The nights grew steadily worse with glowing eyes, croaking, and creaking all about.  What light of the night fires gave off quickly ended not far from the flame, keeping Grimbeorn close asleep or not.  A month out of Rhosgobel, Grimbeorn was awoken in the night to scuffling and chittering, the noises of the spiders of Mirkwood.  Grabbing a burning faggot in one hand and axe in the other, he set off to escape the snare they set for him.  Try as he might though, they were too many and he too few to get away.  When all seemed lost, a hunting party of elves appeared and routed the spiders, saving Grimbeorn.

Recognizing the young man as descendant of his father and tokens of their kin, they marched him to the cavern manor of Thranduil – blindfolded of course.  In the court of the king, Grimbeorn told the tale of the ill-fated journey and the fall of the king's emissary.  The king was as inscrutable as ever, but at mention of the corpse candles, the king gave a fey look of anger and disgust.   All too well he knew of these fell spirits for they haunt the grounds of the great battles between the Dark Lord and Free Peoples.  Though elves had no fear of the spirits of men, these dark creatures were corruptions of the spirit of life.

[Thranduil's reply]

Going with the leave of the king, Grimbeorn left the Woodland Realm and headed home via the Old Road.  The forest grew darker during that trip as the king warned and it tested his mettle.  The spider webs grew dense again around the path but still never over the path as it was protected by the grace of the elves.  The eyes grew more numerous and ominous as well, it's as if they knew where he was going and who he was.  When he got to the end, he burst forth into the remaining sunlight of the day and drank in the fresh air.  The edge of the forest almost came alive as soon as he came out with a gnashing and gnawing.
That's when he heard the laughing, laughing he hadn't heard in some time.  When the laughing stopped, so did the commotion from in the forest.  He then got picked up like he was a youngster.  "Boy, it is good to see you but you must learn to make a better entrance.  I know a wizard and some dwarves who could teach you a lesson or two," playfully chided Beorn.

- - - - -

Time at home was well-spent, tending the lands and the animals, and resting but peace didn't come to him and the darkness of the Hill of Sorcery weighed upon his heart.  When the Harvest Moon came nigh, Beorn came to his son and took him to the Carrock.  "Until recently, the gifts of our ancestors came slowly but now that this is your twentieth Moon of the Hunt and your heritage will come to you fully over the next few years.  This change, I'm sorry to say is the most unpleasant as it is the trial of pain."  With that he stabbed Grimbeorn in the leg with a dagger.  "This trial will harden your body again all but the most potent of wounds."  Grimbeorn howled at the moon, his form flickering between that of a man and that of a great bear.  Beorn followed suit and changed into a bear and growled at the moon.  This is how his father showed him and his great father showed his father, and the ancestors back to the coming of Man.

- - - - -

The mead was flowing and the bread passed about, raucous laughter filled the hall of Beorn.  It took the great man a couple of heavy slams of his fist on the table to quiet the room.  "My kin, ancestors of the Bear, we are here to welcome my son, Grimbeorn, to our table – the table of Thanes."  A great cheer arose and a couple more dents to the table from the chief's hand quelled it.  "His exploits have taken him into the dark wood, defended our lands from its filth, and warred against the orcs and goblins of the mountains to the west and north.  His latest journey was to the depths of the Necromancer's stronghold and return to tell the tale, though a dark one.  His actions have also garnered favor with the Elf-King of the Woodland Realm, a feat not easily accomplished."  There was murmuring of awe and there some also of grumbling.  "Get on with it, Beorn, has he passed the trial?"

"Yes, yes, he has passed the Piercing Claw.  I now can say what you all have been waiting for: Grimbeorn, I name you Thane and my second.  You act in my name and that of our people.  And when I go the great sleep and return to our forefathers, you will lead our people and defend this land with hand and axe, tooth and claw. My son!"  Many "hear, hears" and table pounding commenced and more mead was drained from horns.  There was never a day that Beorn looked and felt so proud of his son.
It was this night that Grimbeorn was thinking of as he walked into Rhosgobel.

Quote from: Telcontar on Nov 02, 2015, 02:16 PMRorin's Forge would actually be considered a Holding...  Arbogast should probably have one as well.

That sounds good to me - I'm guessing it would represent his home at Black Tarn Hall and his growing connections with the other residents?  In that case, starting it off at a rating of 9 (per his Standing) sounds about right to me, and I'll use my second Undertaking to set it up.  On the other hand, if we're going to visit this mysterious Brandybuck in the Fellowship phase, I'll do that instead and do Holding things next time around. 

 :ooc: Hey Paul,

Go ahead and we'll make that your second undertaking, too. The visit to the Easterly Inn will happen in the Adventure Phase.

 :ooc: Paul and Steve - I have updated your PC sheets with the new holdings under the Gear. I will be updating the PC template to accommodate the Holdings later tonight.

Also, Paul - think about what your holding is...a farm, fishery, apiary? Whatever... just remember, it helps to have a corresponding skill.

Quote from: GandalfOfBorg on Nov 02, 2015, 05:40 PM:ooc: I leave it to the GMs to fill in the spots for Radagast and Thranduil, and/or change the narrative as they see fit...Time at home was well-spent, tending the lands and the animals, and resting but peace didn't come to him and the darkness of the Hill of Sorcery weighed upon his heart.  When the Harvest Moon came nigh, Beorn came to his son and took him to the Carrock.  "Until recently, the gifts of our ancestors came slowly but now that this is your twentieth Moon of the Hunt and your heritage will come to you fully over the next few years.  This change, I'm sorry to say is the most unpleasant as it is the trial of pain."  With that he stabbed Grimbeorn in the leg with a dagger.  "This trial will harden your body again all but the most potent of wounds."  Grimbeorn howled at the moon, his form flickering between that of a man and that of a great bear.  Beorn followed suit and changed into a bear and growled at the moon.  This is how his father showed him and his great father showed his father, and the ancestors back to the coming of Man.

- - - - -

The mead was flowing and the bread passed about, raucous laughter filled the hall of Beorn.  It took the great man a couple of heavy slams of his fist on the table to quiet the room.  "My kin, ancestors of the Bear, we are here to welcome my son, Grimbeorn, to our table – the table of Thanes."  A great cheer arose and a couple more dents to the table from the chief's hand quelled it.  "His exploits have taken him into the dark wood, defended our lands from its filth, and warred against the orcs and goblins of the mountains to the west and north.  His latest journey was to the depths of the Necromancer's stronghold and return to tell the tale, though a dark one.  His actions have also garnered favor with the Elf-King of the Woodland Realm, a feat not easily accomplished."  There was murmuring of awe and there some also of grumbling.  "Get on with it, Beorn, has he passed the trial?"

"Yes, yes, he has passed the Piercing Claw.  I now can say what you all have been waiting for: Grimbeorn, I name you Thane and my second.  You act in my name and that of our people.  And when I go the great sleep and return to our forefathers, you will lead our people and defend this land with hand and axe, tooth and claw. My son!"  Many "hear, hears" and table pounding commenced and more mead was drained from horns.  There was never a day that Beorn looked and felt so proud of his son.

:ooc: Matt, this may be disjointed because I welcome Tom to also interject any posts from either Radagast or Thranduil, or I might reply with theirs a little later...then again, there may be no more to add. Bottom line, put them in order of your post progression as they come.  ;)

When the night had calmed and the hall had emptied of everyone save the few sleeping dogs, or those sleeping away their cups, Beorn looked to his son. The two men were the only that had remained sober and awake. The fire embers still glowed enough to cast a faint light on his father's face, Grimbeorn met his gaze, "What is it father?"

"Son, now that you have been officially named my heir and will someday take up the rule of our lands, I must tell you of things so that you may put your thoughts to them. In particular I speak of Viglund and his house." Grimbeorn knew the name and had even had run-ins with the Viglundings. Beorn continued, "Things have become even more heated between our clans, as I will not tolerate the taking of any more slaves. Nor will I accept the presence of Viglar, Viglund's son, hunting within our northern reaches. They may be kin by blood, but they are not our people. It might come a time that I need you here to stand with us, so if you must away once more, keep your homeland in your heart and listen for its calling. Most assuredly, there will be a need."

The winter of 2950 has frozen the Anduin Vales bone-white.  Even leafless, though, the canopy of Mirkwood is thick and gnarled enough that the season barely penetrates to the ground.  Beside the frozen tarn, Amaleoda's people huddle in their hall where a great Yule-log smoulders its way to cinderous oblivion.  Within, a boar roasts on a spit as Lindwine dances to the sound of bone flutes and singing, her hair –

The sound of snapping wood brings Arbogast back to his surroundings.  In a hollow beneath a tangle of roots, he blows on his frozen fingers, trying to bring some feeling back to them.  

In his heart, he has come to think of this trackless stretch of the wood as his chase.  He has spent months exploring it, coming to know the sound of its wildlife and the creak of the trees in the wind, the smells of damp soil and mouldering wood.  He can tell the distance from the Dusky River by the softness of the moss beneath his hands.  As much as a mortal Man can know Mirkwood, he knows this part of it, and he is wise to the bounty hidden by darkness and omnipresent threat.  The mushrooms wax full and rich here, some fine for the table, others to bring visions to the wise.  One, he gathers but rarely, for it brings a swift and irrevocable respite to the dying.  

He knows, too, where other beneficial plants grow – yarrow and bugloss, woodruff and mothshade.  These have seen several of the children of Black Tarn Hall through their fevers and soothe the joints of the elderly.  

But it is the traps, by which he brings home furs of sable and grey for use and for trade, that have brought him here today.  Game is scarce, and what his snares have caught of late has brought him no weal.  Instead, something is devouring them, leaving little for him but splattered blood and cracked bone.  No wolf or fox is this, though, no hunter of nature, be it never so twisted by the Shadow.  What has taken his game has undone the knots of snares.  

It is here now, he thinks.  I killed the rabbit hours ago, and nothing else has stirred.

Taking up his axe, he advances on his unseen foe as cautiously as he can, taking a seeming hour between footfalls.  It is hungry.  It will not leave easy food.  It thinks it has time.  

He expects the sound of ravenous consumption as he comes closer.  What he hears instead is a voice, thin and raspy.  "Yeeeessss!  It is!  It's a rabbit!  A fat rabbit for us!  How does the song go again?  

Hoppitsie hoppitsie goes its feets
Quick through pretty greensie wood
Catch it!  Choke it!  Tear the meats!  
Fills our belly, tasties good!  

Long of ears and brightsie eyes
Currant nose and –

The voice abruptly breaks off its song.  Arbogast freezes, his heart suddenly racing.  He could swear that he has made not a sound, but somehow the thief has marked his approach.  The voice rises again, angry this time.  

"What's this?  Ambushers!  Murderers!  Thieves!  Gets your own meat!  This is ours, Precious!"  

With that, there is a cacophony of scratching and crashing as the thief climbs, nimble as a cat, into the branches.  Within a heartbeat, it is gone.  

 :ooc: that was an awesome post, Paul! So is Arbogast's holding a hunting thing?

 :ooc: Thank you.  I like the idea that it's diversified, partly because I wanted to see if I could shoehorn his specialities in somehow.  What I came up with was a stretch of forest that reliably provides small game for furs and occasional meat (don't eat the black ones - even the hounds don't like them), plus mushrooms, herbs and all the other useful things that could come out of a primordial forest. 

"Aye, father.  I will stand with you but these times will become more perilous before they are better with the great Evil arising in the East again.  From what I have learned so far in my travels is make peace with Viglund if possible as no doubt we will have need of their axes ere the end.  Have no doubt that this land is on my mind regardless of the tasks of the Wizards.  I continue the charge you gave me to act on behalf of our people and to ensure our safety.  These journeys have caused me to range far and wide but I have a feeling that the danger lurking beneath the twig and bough of Mirkwood is only getting stronger."

 :ooc: Hey All, wrapped up with work and family this week and part of next. I may need to write the fellowship phase part later.

:ooc: Okay, Matt - I went ahead and just made your second Undertaking an increase in Standing from 1 to 2, since you went home and were announced as the heir apparent.

Bandy - I need a second undertaking since you visiting your kin will be in the adventure phase.

Esgalwen - you need to do your PC advancements and your second undertaking. I know you are busy, so this stuff can come later.

I will be starting the new Adventure Phase tonight beyond the initial post I made.

 :SS

Let the  :~~:'s begin  :'(

 :ooc: Esgalwen will raise her Persuade skill to 3, and save the remaining advancement point for later.
She'll spend 10 xp to raise her Wisdom rating to 4 and gain the Noble Lineage virtue, and save the remaining 2 XP for later.

For her second undertaking, could she try to receive a title in Tyrant's Hill? (especially if she was successful in her diplomatic arts in Gondor?)... or is there a fellowship undertaking that would be the equivalent to "Gaining support for Tyrant Hill in Gondor"

 :ooc: I've edited Esgalwen's sheets to note the changes. Her Noble Lineage virtue adds +1 to the fellowship pool of Hope points. (I think that bumps us up to 7)

I have a draftpost for Radagast and an outline of events i. The Kings hall. I am buried with work at the moment but I will get it up there.

I have some deep psyche ancient lore stuff coming up for radagast which I think will help to define his character for the rest of thecampaign so bbare with me for a bit longer

Also, sorry about the typos, when I jam away on my iPad it doesnt keep up very well.

I would say that a title in Tyrants hill isnt really appropriate. Its not a sanctuary and I think there is a need for more story to be told before that happens. If we want to make that a fellowship phase event I think we would need to dedicate a chunk of time and energy into. Doug may disagree though.

:ooc: I almost forgot - Doug asked for reasons why we show up back at Rhosgobel.  I think Arbogast has probably been making regular visits there over the 18/19 months since the last Adventuring phase to see Bandy, Rorin and Radaghast, and would be aware that a new journey was in the offing.  Otherwise, a visitor to Black Tarn Hall tips him off to the fact that Bandy has started packing his bags and he shows up uninvited, because fuck letting your friends wander off into danger. 

:ooc: Sounds good, Paul. I am posting in the new Adventure phase to get our new story going.

I understand Tom is going to be posting for Thranduil and Radagast in this thread, but I am not going to wait. If the posts have any impact on the new Adventure phase, we'll work it in.

As for the title with the people of Tyrant's Hill...it might not be something you want to carry, right now. It would make it hard for Esgalwen to find any place among the other Woodmen.

Also, I need Rorin and Arbogast to give me a roll of the Feat die for their Holdings. You guys will actually see two year-ends in this Fellowship Phase, but I only want one roll since the holdings were just established.

• if the die roll result is equal to or less than the Holding's rating, you earned enough income to keep your PC's current standard of living.

• if the roll is greater than the rating, the PC gains his standard of living and treasure equal to the difference of the die roll and the rating.

• if the roll is :g:, the PC earns his standard of living and the rating of the holding is reduced by 1 due to some good fortune.

• if the roll is :~~:, the holding suffers some disaster of misfortune. If the hero does not take action the next Fellowship Phase, the holding may be destroyed, or have its rating increased.

:ooc: Happy to oblige. 

 :ooc: Hi All, I was sick for a few days last week and now I am completely snowed under at work. It is bad time of year at work anyhow, so I do not foresee myself having the time or the headspace for TOR. Feel free to continue without me for the next week. If that means running Bandy as an NPC or leaving him behind that is fine. My apologies for holding up the game.

 :ooc: I'm also out of commission for the next week for sure. Crazy work schedule, plus a death in the extended family, plus doctor's appoints for my daughter's broken arm.  :'(  I will likely be back next week sometime. Thanks.

 :ooc:
Holding roll

:ooc: ok, both PC's earn their basic standard of living from their holds.

Bandobras and Posterboy, we'll see you guys when you are able to return.

:ooc: Sorry for the long delay. I have to start taking my personal lap top with me when I head off for work because the iPad isn't cutting it for things like this. Anyway, after much delay here is Radagasts post. I don't plan on changing anything with these, just to add some depth of character and push back the boundary of what you guys have seen about Middle-earth so far.

---

Radagast stood facing south. His hat was pushed back on his head and the long nose of the wizard was prominently sniffing the air. His eyes had a distant look and, other than the rustling of the leaves, only the sound of Rorin's hammer striking metal could be heard. The Beorning stood and waited for Radagast to respond to his question. In the halls of his father he had been taught to respect the elders and let them answer in their own time. The wizard didn't move for a long moment, then he stepped quickly to the brook that ran out of the copse of trees that was his home. He dipped his hand in and tasted the water, then quickly spit it out, mumbling as he did so.
"Master Radagast, the best way north to the hall of Thranduil?" Asked Grimbeorn again.

The wizard's head snapped to the side in response to the sound of the Beorning's words, but Grimbeorn questioned if the wizard had heard him. The Wizard wrung his hands.

"He is coming, he may be here soon. He knows that I was there. He knows that I am out there. I know his heart."
The words were meaningless to Grimbeorn, but the wizard continued.

"We stood side by side in the song. His voice uplifting his master's and my voice mine. In those days we sang the same song. We were but the chorus to the voices of the Ainur, but we followed them and the song here."

"I heard again in the peel of the bell a known fair voice, but now sour. Did I call it? Has it come because of me to this fair land beyond the sea?"

The Beorning wasn't sure that the wizard was even addressing him, the look was so distant in his eye, but he addressed him by name.

"Grimbeorn, when the Second Music comes I will know my part, but will he? Is this the role he is to play in the fate of the second born, or does he carry the tune of his master for his own joy? We sang once together he and I, our voices as one. Long ago, long ago."

We knew that land once, You and I,
and once we wandered there
in the long days now long gone by,
a dark child and a fair.
Was it on the paths of firelight thought
in winter cold and white,
or in the blue-spun twilit hours
of little early tucked-up beds
in drowsy summer night,
that you and I in Sleep went down
to meet each other there,
your dark hair on your white nightgown
and mine was tangled fair?

Radagast spun and lay his hand upon the shoulder of the man.

"Seek you the Hall of the son of Oropher? North it lies, but much more do I see."

"Seek you the son of the father lost in the south? Many passages of the moon has he dwelled under the leaves. He knows. He knows that the rustle of the leaves is not timeless. He saw the girdle fall in his youth and he lives in fear that the weaker shield will break by the same fist that broke the first. And now some of his folk will reject the call of others. They think the peace will last for as long as it did in the days of their father's, they have to but shut their ears to it, but they are wrong."

Grimbeorn's usually stoic face flinched when the wizard grabbed him strongly by the shoulder.

"Will I forever see the same chorus of the music play itself out in Arda? Always have they fought over the fate of the first and second born. I fight for the third, the children of Yavanna."

The wizard closed his eyes a moment and reopened them.

"Grimbeorn son of Beorn, another act of the world is opening. The pale hand that is driven by the power beyond the void stirs once more. Our mission to Dol Guldur was not a failure and it revealed to me more than I wished to find. Go north to the great hall of Thranduil. Tell him of the death of his servant Orophin, but be weary in what you say and who is there to listen.


"A spy sits somewhere in his very hall and in the south of this great wood the earth sours again."

Grimbeorn gave the Wizard a queer look, not knowing to make of his apparent ramblings.  About all he could respond was, "Yes, I will be careful with whom I speak with.  My father has some favor with the King and his could.  I go to do honor to a fallen friend."  The rest he had no clue of "Ainur", "son of the father in the south", or "Yavanna."  He gives his thanks and bids he peace, leaving by himself to tread north in Mirkwood in search of the kingdom of the Woodland Realm.