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:ooc: Fellowship Phase, which will take us through the winter of 2953-54 (we need to update the Tale of Years!) and possibly longer, as Doug determines.   

Each PC will earn the number of AP equal to what is checked off on their sheet. 

Each PC who was present from the get-go will earn 8 XP.  Those who arrived later (Anar, Bandy and Arbogast) will earn 4 XP. 

Each PC who had a Fellowship Focus who was not wounded may recover a point of Hope. 

The 'getting the band back together' sequence before the Battle of Stánford seemed to be a real emotional up-beat for the players, so let's reflect that mechanically!  The total Fellowship pool at the end of the Adventuring Phase was 9 (seven PCs, +1 each for Grimbeorn and Bandy).  Anar hasn't spent any Hope points, and Esgalwen can't recover Hope from the Fellowship pool, so that's a point each for the five remaining PCs, plus four left over for those as needs 'em. 

Finally, for his leadership in battle and his wisdom in judgement, Grimbeorn receives two points of Standing.  For his public honouring by Grimbeorn, Hathcyn receives one. 

Holdings roll may be made by those who have them:

Roll		Result
:~~: equal to or less than the Holding's rating greater than the rating :g:		the holding suffers some disaster of misfortune, and requires action next Fellowship Phase to avoid destruction or an increased rating The PC maintains their standard of living the PC maintains his standard of living and gaines Treasure equal to the difference between the die roll and the rating the PC maintains their standard of living and the rating of the holding is permanently reduced by 1 due to some good fortune

Given that this is a year-end Fellowship Phase, those of you who want to can roll on the Weal and Woe table from the Adventurer's Companion to see how events pan out around them during their down-time. 

EDIT: I've tried formatting this as a table but it's not working for me and I'm about out of time.  You can find the table on pp 135-136 of the Adventurer's Companion

:ooc: I'm putting in a claim on behalf of Tate for one of the extra Fellowship points.  He burned a lot of Hope over the last adventure.  :csu:

There is also work continuing on the Forest Road, which we will need to continue to devote Undertakings as a group.  

There is also work continuing on the Forest Road.  This is a years-long effort, requiring the Fellowship as a whole to dedicate an undertaking to each of the following:
1. clearing the road :csu:
2. restoring the wayforts
3. restoring the road
4. patrolling the nearby woods, and
5. acting as messengers to drum up trade.  

This doesn't produce any mechanical benefit until the road is complete.  

At Doug's discretion, there may be time for another undertaking each before the next Adventuring Phase.  

If so, you can find of all the undertakings in the game here (https://rpg.avioc.org/boards/index.php?topic=1304.msg26911#msg26911).  

Are we still using the profiler?

Hathcyn
Xp8
-6 for 3d Great Spear

Two remaining XP

AP12
-8 for battle two
-4 for persuade one
None remaining.

Paul,
 One or two undertakings for year's end?

Weal and Woe roll

Paul or Doug:
Weal and Woe roll says something good happend. I am using the herd of cattle as a holding, so with a standing of 1 I am going to assume it has a value of 9. With the weal roll of ten what is a reasonable increase? 9 to 8?

Undertaking: if we only get one I am leaning toawrds Guard the Old Ford or the Forest Road.

Quote from: Telcontar on Nov 20, 2018, 08:25 AMAre we still using the profiler?

Hey Tom, until you hear from me otherwise, the Profiler is our source for character sheets. I will know well in advance if/when the Profiler will be shut down and then we can do a PDF grab of each character while I determine the next resource for character maintenance.

As for your new holding and the roll made... yes, 9 is the starting rating for your herd of cows.

Your good Weal and Woe roll offers you a choice:

• The hero provides 1 additional point to the Fellowship pool for the length of the following Adventuring phase.
• Alternatively, if the hero has a holding, he may choose to roll the Feat die twice keeping the best result on the next Holding Upkeep roll.

QuoteFellowship Phase, which will take us through the winter of 2953-54 (we need to update the Tale of Years!) and possibly longer, as Doug determines.

We will be doing TWO undertakings - the story will be picking up in the Fall of 2955 or the Spring of T.A. 2956. I have not yet determined the story arc yet. That said, I may offer a second Year-end undertaking, so do not choose your second one until I have determined where we are in the time with the DoM. The year 2954-5 highlights will be posted in the opening thread to our new chapter, so think about how your character will spend the time.

I need to hear from Jacob as to why his character is in the Anduin Vale. I think he said something about being part of a merchant train, but this still needs determined.

As for Esgalwen's XP and AP usage:

She earns 8 XP to add to her current unused balance of 8 and so raises her Wisdom to 5 for all 16 points. As a Reward, she takes the master Confidence and gains the benefits of that trait.

She has 16 AP to spend:
- buys Lore ♦♦ for 8 AP
- buys Insight ♦♦ for 8 AP

I will be posting her Undertaking(s) shortly.

Doug,
 So I am going with a starting score of 9 the roll of a good year lowers it to 8 and then I'll take the two rolls.

Undertaking One will be Forest Road
Undertaking Two will be Guard the Old Ford roll 1d12 for Result. 

I'll also roll 2d12 for my Standing keeping the highest.

Going to roll and then shape narrative around it.
Guard the Ford Roll
Standing TN8
Roll1
Roll2
Take best.

They were in order, but they were collectively craptastic rolls and I dont know if me or the specific characters are hated by this dice roller.

:ooc: It's not a :~~: though, so it's maintaining your Martial standard of living.  Ubhala is managing that herd well for you! 

Wow! Yea, the roller hates us.   (-D

I think if the last adventure phase had continued, the roller would have had Esgalwen falling on her sword.

The only thing I am not seeing is where you got the good Weal and Woe roll lowering your holding's rank?

The only way I see it happening is by rolling a :g: on the upkeep roll. If I am missing something, please direct me. Thanks!

The die roller needs an intervention.

Summon an old priest and a young priest....

Adventurers Companion Page 136

Result 9-10 the text part. Last sentence. One of the heros holdings is significantly improved in sone way increasing its value.

The two options (fellowship pool or standing roll) you listed are additions too the above description of the result.

Yea - I see that part.

Above you rolled a 10 for your Weal and Woe roll, right? From that you got A Worthy Year.

From that you would roll to improve your Holding's rating from 9 to 8 by rolling on the Holding Upkeep chart (which is in the DoM book). You get to make two Feat die rolls and keep the better of the two, which you rolled a 2 and a 3.

You need a :g: on either of those feat dice to go from a 9 to an 8 in rating.

Your 3 result gives you a result that your Holding produced enough in the year to maintain your Standard of Living for Hathcyn.

If I am missing something else, please let me know.

Understand too, that I might be giving another Year's End undertaking phase. I still need to figure out where we are starting in the new phase.

I took the first part as a given requiring no roll. Gaining six treasure, or the healing of a family member requires no roll so I thought the standing increase was automatic and the result of the roll.

The rolls were to increase the chance of getting treasure as a result of the standing change. Or option two to gain fellowship point because of how awesome things went.

 If the standing aspect only gives you the chance of increase by rolling two dice then it is not a worthy year its a maybe if the dice are nice year.

Hey Doug (or Paul),
Did you already add Tate's AP & XP to his sheet?
Peace,
Ayrn

:ooc: I'm pretty sure I did, since I didn't think that you'd be around.  If he's at full health, with all his check-boxes cleared and a fair swack of un-spent points, then he's good to go. 

EDIT: In fact, I'm completely sure, since I just remembered that I claimed some extra Fellowship to replenish his Hope (which should now be at 11). 

Awesome! Thanks!

Tate will spend 12 of the 13 AP on raising Inspire from 0 -> 2. He spent a lot of time trying to inspire the Beornings at the battle for Stanford.
Tate will save his 12 XP for next time.

:ooc: For my part, I'm spending 12 AP to raise Arbogast's Song to 3 and banking his un-spent XP. 

Undertakings will be:
1. Work on the road
2. Confer with Radaghast the Brown.

Weal and Woe roll:
(https://rpg.avioc.org/boards/Themes/default/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
:00: 1d12 : 7, total 7

Holding roll (TN 9):
(https://rpg.avioc.org/boards/Themes/default/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
:00: 1d12 : 2, total 2

Vignettes to follow. 

:ooc: Cross-posted with Aryn, not that it matters too much at this point. 

The stars turn in the heavens and the days bury one another.  Winter tightens, then loosens, is grip upon the world, and the myriad of lives both great and small continue.

"I'M A SPIDER!  I'M A SPIDER," Cyffa shrieks as she pursues her sister across ground still crisp with frost.  Lafwyne gives an answering squeal of not-entirely-feigned horror and redoubles her efforts to escape.  Meanwhile, Arbogast, his belly newly full and his bladder felt empty, watches his daughters with the indulgent patience of a father who is not currently being called upon to perform any particular duty.

His reverie is interrupted by the arrival of Lindwine, her swollen belly seeming distended against her still-thin limbs.  She groans in answer to his greeting. 

"Another poor night?" he asks.

She nods her agreement.  "I can find comfort neither lying down nor sitting up.  Your child," she says, eyes narrowed, "desires that I sleep standing, as if I were a mare in a field.  Why have you done nothing?"

"I?" he says, in genuine confusion.

"You, Fire-watcher, and no other!  Is it not your lot in life to relieve the misery and suffering of innocents?"

He regards her skeptically.  "I have not the tools to bring relief in this case, and must therefore counsel patience."  In a softer tone, he continues, "the time must surely be soon."

"Not soon enough, for your child surely means to slay me with weariness before that day may dawn."

After a pause sufficient to honour the gravity of her foresight, he asks, full of false nonchalance, "what shall we call him?"

"Him?" she replies, taking her own turn to seem confused.  "Oh, but of course, husband, you do not know.  While you were away, my kinswomen and I made the decision that I shall bear only daughters.".

Once again, he frowns as he looks at her.  "Is such a thing possible?"

"It is, so far as you, or any man, may know."

"Woe unto Arbogast, then, for I greatly desire a son who might be the attentive husband that I have so long failed to be."

"Well," she says, "at least you have riddled out the source of my great scorn.  Now, were you too swear appropriately great oaths, I might be persuaded to relent."

"Name such an oath, and rest assured that I shall swear it, for you, and for our son soon to be born."

"How can I but relent in the face of such ardent love!" she laughs.

Two weeks later, their third daughter is born.  Amid boundless joy, she is named Wilone.


:ooc: More to come later.

If Tate can, he will help with the road too as his first undertaking.

And here's his roll for Weal and Woe:

OOC: how do you roll dice on here again?

Also, this is my first game that there's been a Fellowship Phase. I'm reading over the options.

Doug posted a whole post on dice rolling in the resources thread I believe

:ooc: Turns out it was in the 'Battle of Stánford' thread.  You can find a discussion here (https://rpg.avioc.org/boards/index.php?topic=1564.msg29262#msg29262). 

Though Arbogast has no more coin to his name with which to buy the labour of his kin, when Spring at last stands unfurls its banner over the world many Woodmen nevertheless wander north in expectation of work, and the Fire-watcher goes gladly among them.  When they reach their destination, they find Dwarves of Erebor awaiting them, purses heavy with silver.  By the turn of April into May, work has begun in earnest on the re-laying of the stones of the road.  In this, the Woodmen can offer no art to match that of the Dwarven masons, but there is plenty of brute labour to be done simply hauling blocks of stone about. 

The work is slowed, however, by the constant incursions of spiders, jealous of their ancient demense and filled with hatred and hunger for those that go abroad on two legs.  By mid May, the decision is made by Bofri and Rorin to shift the focus of the work gangs to restoring the wayforts that line the road, that there may be strong walls to protect those who work to rebuild the road, and the families that they have brought with them.  Here, the Fellowship of the Helm once again acts as the tip of a spear, launching lightning assaults to capture the Millfort (where the scars of their battle years ago still linger) and thereafter each in turn.  Each stronghold is once again made whole by Dwarven craft of stone and Woodman craft of timber. 


:ooc: I have one last vignette in mind, but don't let that stop the start of the next adventure! 

:ooc: yea, but it is also here (https://rpg.avioc.org/boards/index.php?topic=1577.0)

I added this thread from that conversation so the info would not be buried in past story threads.

:ooc: Esgalwen's two Undertakings will be Dale based:

1) Stay at the Missing Scale - she will return to the renowned establishment and enjoy more time among travelers and domestics alike.

A companion spending a Fellowship phase in Dale may choose this undertaking to gain the benefits of the Folk-lore specialty during the next Adventuring phase. If a character already has the Folk-lore specialty [she does], then they may gain two benefits out of a single trait invocation (e.g. they could automatically succeed at a roll and gain an Advancement point.)

2) Offer Counsel at the Royal Court - she will return to Bard's hall to offer any counsel and to be an embassy from Gondor [she meets the Wisdom req of 4 or higher].

By spending the Fellowship phase sitting in council with the King and his advisors, the hero earns the admiration of the people of Dale. Their Courtesy skill is considered to be favoured for the next year and their Standing in Dale counts as being 1 point higher.

I will add a concluding post later this weekend and will also be posting our introductory thread for our new chapter.

Here is her Weal and Woe roll:

:ooc: Wow! A :g: rune is revealed which is a Good Fortune!  ;D

Paul, that Good Fortune is for you to decide per the Adventurer's Companion [page 136], or I will do it once I start up the new year's thread.

Starlight.

Esgalwen looked to the heavens and smiled. The stars of Elbereth shined above and she was gladdened. The gloom of the forest, along with the winter cold, had made the journey across Mirkwood a struggle - but she was used to it now. She looked back at the cave-like hole in the forest where the Dwarf-road entered and wished everyone behind her good health and a safe winter.

She wondered if she would see them again.

Tate had started the journey with her in the early months before the Yule, but had been intrigued by the many stories he heard along the way. The Dwarves had many workers and each had a tale to tell of what they had seen. It was like a tonic to the minstrel - one of which he could not get enough. He had come to Esgalwen one morning, his face saddened.

"What is wrong, Tate? Has something happened?" she asked.

"No, Lady...I...well..."

"What is it?"

"Gwen - I believe I am going to stay."

"Wha...?" the words hit her hard. She had not expressed any feeling for Tate beyond the occasional flirt, but the truth was he meant something to her.

"The stories we have been told, Gwen. By Men and Dwarf alike, they are great and tell of heroic deeds. Think about it...what could be more heroic than opening the expanse of Mirkwood?"

Esgalwen's mouth, which she realized hung open, closed and she nodded.

"I have to stay," continued Tate. "I have to be a part of this."

She could see it hurt him to say, but Esgalwen nodded again, "Then stay you must...but I am moving on. It is what we both need to do."

Tate had watched Esgalwen ride away alongside a wagon filled with Dwarves headed back for Erebor. The minstrel was glad there was now a regular traffic across the breadth of Mirkwood, as he feared she still might have tried to go on alone. He watched until the woman atop her horse, riding alongside the wain, disappeared where the road bent.

She pulled her cloak tighter to her. Now outside the insulating trees, the wind cut sharper. They still had to travel at least thirty-three leagues before they would see the safety of Dale and Erebor, and the land was hard. The Long Marshes would be a wet, frozen, and muddy mess that was dangerous for both wagon and horse.

"We'll make camp," came the gruff voice of Dwonin - the teamster that drove the wain. He pointed to a a small hillock that rose from the frozen marshes. "Let's put the wagon to leeward and get out of this damnable wind."

Esgalwen thought it a good idea and smiled that even the hardiest of folks needed a break from the cold.

It took them a fortnight.

What should have taken much less became a trek of complications and struggle. The wain sunk into a bog and the Dwarves struggled at pulling it free. A winter storm blew up out of the East and caused them to have to stop for two days, while it passed, for fear of getting lost. And then there were trolls!

The large fell-creatures came on them one evening just after sundown - having followed the wagon's trail and then seeing the traveler's campfire. Nimronyn flashed in the night and Dwarven hammer and axes fell, but it was a battle sorely won. Dwonin - the party's lead - had been slain. The Dwarves cleaned his body and wrapped it in spare cloaks, laying it in the back of the wain as reverently as they could.

"He'll not be left here in these fens," said one Dwarf bitterly. Esgalwen shook in the bitter cold - adrenaline was leaving her body and the sweat and blood of battle chilled her to her core. She gave a nod to her fellow travelers and they moved on.

At long last, the lights of Dale could be seen as they glowed under the shadow of Erebor. It was here that the woman left her Dwarven companions, and though they had formed a bond, it was one of necessity more than friendship. They nodded to her and thanked her for aid in the crossing, and the wagon rolled north towards the mountain - the Dwarves hunched under heavy cloaks and hoods.

Esgalwen spurred her horse towards the city and a place she was certain would be warm and welcoming - the Missing Scale Inn.

She was not disappointed! A fire roared in the hearth and the ale was rich and frothy. The Ranger smiled as she sat down in one of the comfortable, padded chairs and relaxed. Her body was saddle-sore, but her heart was light. Little did she know the good fortune that would come and the life-changing events it would present.

More to follow... (as soon as Paul gives me a hint as to what that life-changing event will be, or if he passes that buck to me).

 :ooc: Do we not all need to choose to work on the road in order for the work to progress? (Similar to choosing to Open a Sanctuary... either all the PCs or it doesn't work?) That was my understanding... if that is not the case, regardless Tate would be staying with Esgalwen... if she's not staying to work on the road, then neither is Tate.

I have a story in mind for Tate which explains why he's not around for this next phase. (I just don't have space to write it) My idea was that when Tate and Gwen reached Dale, Tate connects with Kilic, the Dorwinion warrior. Kilic informs Tate that a merchant from Dorwinion arrived, looking for Tate's father. Apparently, Tate's father had made a business investment in Dorwinion that has become prosperous. The merchant has brought a small token of the wealth (the 6 treasure points).

Tate and Kilic make plans to go to Dorwinion to look into Tate's father's investments. Tate invites Esgalwen to join him, but she resists, her duties to her mission and her companions keep her in Dale. Perhaps during this time, the two finally move into a courting relationship... perhaps not (I'm not certain about this)

I am certain though that Tate does have some type of conversation with Gwen prior to leaving, where he presents her with a token of his affection and love for her... an intricate wooden music box perhaps with a common Laketown lullaby... or maybe a simple charm on a chain. I was wondering if maybe the benefit from my weal-or-woe roll (providing a bonus of +1 to the fellowship pool might turn into a temporary +1 hope specifically for Gwen... that in a moment of darkness, the tune of the music box might bring a bit of hope to the Lady.

With the gift, Tate would ask that they commit to meeting again in Laketown, at the Missing Scale, two years from hence, to see what love had kindled.

Quote from: tomcat on Nov 23, 2018, 06:47 AMMore to follow... (as soon as Paul gives me a hint as to what that life-changing event will be, or if he passes that buck to me).

I'm going to throw Esgalwen's life changing good fortune back to you, for two reasons.  First, I'm passing the LM hat back to you, so the event should suit your plans for the campaign, not mine.  Second, Esgalwen is thoroughly your character now, so you should have the final say - though I'd be saying otherwise if you'd rolled a :~~: !

That said, I'd like to offer some suggestions.  As I see it, a :g: indicates something that's changed who the character is as a person. It should probably have a mechanical aspect to it,and it should tie into their overall character arc.  So, in Arbogast's case, he got a new Trait to mark the change in his personality as he came to understand the scale, and the stakes, of the undeclared war in which he involved himself.  It's a step in his developer from 'insecure young outcast warrior' to 'grand strategist of the Woodmen'.

Esgalwen's arc, as far as I can see, is much more a 'Lawrence of Arabia' story - she's finding a home in a place, and among people, that were initially very strange to her.  I would tie her result in to that.  Perhaps she had found a new home in Dale, having seen at last that the young kingdom suits her adventurous nature more than far Gondor ever will.  Gondor is great and noble, but it's a culture in a slow, grinding decline.  Dale is expanding and full of optimism.  Gondor has been waiting for a king for nearly three thousand years.  Dale just went ahead and got itself one!

On a related note, there's also her lost companion.  Perhaps he had broken free of the Elftower and wound up in the Missing Scale chasing rumours of her?  Having not seen her in years, he is in a position to notice how much she had become like the Northmen round her, and that recognition gives her the permission she didn't previously realise she'd been waiting for to let go of her emotional ties to the south and admit that this is her home now?

Like I said - up to you.

Mechanically, there's a couple of things I could suggest.  New Traits, obviously, but perhaps her putting down roots in Dale ties her into the kingdom's goings-on such that she now shares its prosperity, and her standard of living is now Prosperous.  Maybe she gains a new favoured skill to represent her embrace of new ways?

Maybe she even shifts her Calling, going from being a Wanderer to something else (probably a Warden or Captain)?

Maybe the change is even large enough that she can leave her permanent Shadow points (and personality flaw) behind and start with a clean slate?

Roll(1d12)+0:
3,+0
Total:3

Quote from: Posterboy on Nov 23, 2018, 04:26 PM:ooc: Do we not all need to choose to work on the road in order for the work to progress? (Similar to choosing to Open a Sanctuary... either all the PCs or it doesn't work?) That was my understanding...

That's right - it needs the whole Fellowship involved or it doesn't happen. 

By implication, we each get another underaking for an extra-long fellowship phase.  Right, Doug?

Im down for at least one undertaking on the Road.

Are we passing a complete second year too? That will mean another weal and woe roll as well so I'll domone narrative to fill the whole time.

Quote from: Eclecticon on Nov 24, 2018, 01:05 PMThat's right - it needs the whole Fellowship involved or it doesn't happen. 

By implication, we each get another undertaking for an extra-long fellowship phase.  Right, Doug?

I am calling a LM audible here and saying that the road work (and possibly other undertakings) do not need a whole party involvement. I see Fellowship phases as times for PC to 'go home' and chill, and everyone isn't going to want to do the same thing. Now - this said, I might require a few more Fellowship phase undertakings to see a major task done (i.e. opening the Dwarf Road), but the PC's can do what they want with their time. Basically, if the Fellowship is five strong and only two wish to go work the road - then it would require another two undertakings to see a step done (repairing watch forts, clearing the wood, etc.)

Make sense? But the efforts can be made. Besides, the Dwarves have a lot of crews working by this point and this is a 'living, breathing' world which is in motion outside of the PC actions.

If anyone wants to contest this idea, let me hear your arguments.

Quote from: Telcontar on Nov 24, 2018, 01:30 PMIm down for at least one undertaking on the Road.

Are we passing a complete second year too? That will mean another weal and woe roll as well so I'll do more narrative to fill the whole time.

Tom, we will have two undertakings, but there is only the one Year-end (2953-2954). I have decided to bring the game back into session third-quarter 2954.

Sore weary in arm and back, Arbogast drops himself down onto the pile of soft leaves and straw next to where Lindwine nurses Wilone.  "I cannot fathom it," he says.  "My hands are as strong as those of any man here, but there is no art within them, it seems, to build things anew.  Only to move from place to place and, more often, to break." 

Lindwine, her own weariness clear to everyone in the rough-built hall but her husband, looks on with indulgent patience, saying nothing lest she wake the child who has just finished drinking herself into slumber. 

"Did you hear," Arbogast continues, "that Aodhan has been asked to carve the pillars of the rebuilt Wayfort?  So far spreads his fame that even they of Erebor take notice!  And I saw, I swear, the Dwarf Anar stare mutely at a stone for nigh on an hour, then strike not more than four blows with hammer and chisel and behold, there was a perfect capstone for that collapsed doorway!"  He sighs.  "Ever have I admired those who can fashion brute matter into useful things." 

"Your lack of such skill surprises you?" Lindwine asks, after a time.  "You, who seem to spend most every day venturing toward some dismal place to do battle?" 

"It cannot be that often," he retorts.  "Why, I have not had occasion to raise my hand in anger in..."  He ponders the question.  "Alright, in nearly a week.  But still..." he trails off into silent gloom. 

After placing Wilone in a hammock made from a homespun cloak and two branches, Lindwine kneels beside him.  "Why does this trouble you now?" 

Arbogast sits silent for some time before finally speaking.  "By the side of Grimbeorn, and Esgalwen and the rest, I have slain many foul things, and never has it troubled my rest.  But at Stánford I slew Men, and Men who gave us battle not from malice, but in service to their chieftain and to secure food for their families.  Four men I slew that day, and I suspect one boy not yet old enough to grow a beard.  It is a poor thing to have done in these times when all ought to stand together." 

Lindwine looks thoughtful, but gathers her words much more rapidly than the Fire-watcher.  "When your friend Bandobras dwelled among us," she replies, "he planted many seeds, and some of his plants grow, and serve the folk of the Black Tarn, to this day.  You were wise in the ways of herbs yourself in your younger days.  Perhaps tending things that grow green and healthy will bring some balance to the scales of life and death that seem to trouble you?" 

"You are wise as ever," he responds. 

And so it is that he begins a correspondence with distant Radaghast, the two sending messages too and fro via the birds of Mirkwood.  By the time he returns home, the birds have begun bringing seeds and cuttings from the wizard's own gardens and Arbogast enthusiastically tills the soil as summer comes to an end.  It becomes clear, however, that he is, at best, an indifferent gardener.  "It is no use!" he complains once more to Lindwine.  "No legacy will I leave that will stand as evidence that I tried to do anything but slay my foes." 

"Do you think so?  Much have I seen of elder days since first I came with you to the Forest Road, and though much is still unknown to me, this I have learned: stones and carven wood will outlive those who make them, it is true.  But they are mute things and can care not for themselves.  Were the Dwarves to leave the forest once more tomorrow, the wood would begin to reclaim their works the day after, and a hundred years from now there would be little sign that ever they were there." 

She points to Lafwyne and Cyffa, near where the palisade is being patched with new timbers, who appear to have invented a complicated game involving jumping over sticks in succession and are teaching it to the other children of the village.  "Your legacy, and mine, will outlive us, if we tend it well, and long after we are gone will be a living thing, carrying on into future ages of the world.  Is this not a legacy to put the great craftsmen of the Dwarves to shame?" 

No word does he utter in response, for none is necessary.  Instead, he gathers her close to him and watches their children play, who will carry the fire of the Free Peoples. 


:ooc: Okay, my self-indulgent writing binge is done now.  Time to stop neglecting my actual children! 

Nota bene, Arbogast's Conferring with Radaghast the Brown has enabled him to pick up the Herb-lore trait once again, having been reminded of what he once knew. 

 :ooc: yes, makes perfect sense. I always thought the same thing with opening a sanctuary, why would the whole party have to do that all at once?

Because I am dense...
I have already dcided my two undertakings and done my year end roll so I am all set. Correct?

 :ooc: you are correct.

:ooc: So, by my count:

Hathcyn :csu:
Esgalwen :csu:
Arbogast :csu:
Anar - partial (Weal/Woe roll done, but needs to spend AP/XP and choose undertakings)
Grimbeorn - still waiting.

Also, there are three un-allocated Hope points waiting to be claimed.  If nobody else needs them, I'm going to suggest they go to Grimbeorn - he ran himself ragged in the fight against the Werewolf and has recently had a bit of a change in fortune. 

Sounds good to me. I have no issues with that.

Grimbeorn
xP: 4+8 =12 (bank these)
aP: 0+13=13
8 - Inspire ♦♦
5 remaining

Weal & Woe
 :00: [roll][/roll]

Well, I'll be... good fortune after all.  And yes, it'd be much appreciated to acquire more Hope, seems like he's got much to be hopeful.

Undertaking:
1. Support the retaking of the wayforts
2. Unless there is any other ideas, Search for Answers (seeks out more about his bear heritage)

:ooc: It's been a big year for our Fellowship - two life-changing events over the winter! 

Matt, if you're stuck for appropriate ideas for Grimbeorn's good fortune, remember that he's been forcibly shoved out of his comfort zone this year, so some character development is to be expected - a new Distinctive Trait would suit this well.  'Lordly' is particularly appropriate. 

Mike, let us know if you'd like any suggestions for ways to grow Anar. 

I would actually love that. Just don't want to mess up the character. Like I said this is the first FP I've done ever

You could also have him get hitched to Aestid.

LOL I was considering Idunn as well... damn to be The Wilderland's most eligible bachelor.

I think I'll take on a new Distinctive Feature for my other undertaking (Honorable).  I believe Grimbeorn has displayed much of that in the home of Viglund and among his people.  It will replace Grim.  It will take me a little bit to describe these changes in the man, so please bear with me  ;)

Wuss. Getting married would have been more reckless.

Do I need to do a Holdings roll too?  I don't recall this from before.

I have not ruled out marriage, or at least courting.  But he's got two eligible women, one who has proven herself in battle and worthy companion while the other helped his people, started an insurrection in her father's home, and fled where marriage could either help heal or divide further the Viglundings from the Beornings.  Politics...

If Gandalf were here you'd already be married to Aestid and an emmissary from Dale would ask you to be a formal member of the Mannish League of Trade guarding the ends of the dwarf road for reduced toll rates.

:ooc: Grimbeorn's Lore test for his Search for answers:

TN 14 lore 2d


He then rolls the feat die, but everything is determined on his roll above. I will give results in next post.

Quote from: GandalfOfBorg on Nov 27, 2018, 05:36 AMI think I'll take on a new Distinctive Feature for my other undertaking (Honorable).  I believe Grimbeorn has displayed much of that in the home of Viglund and among his people.  It will replace Grim. 

:ooc: If you're doing this as an undertaking (instead of Search for Answers), then cool, but we'll need to disregard Doug's rolls.  If you wanted the new Trait from your Weal/Woe roll, then it doesn't need to replace anything. 

Quote from: Paladin003 on Nov 26, 2018, 08:20 PMI would actually love that. Just don't want to mess up the character. Like I said this is the first FP I've done ever

:ooc: Happy to help!  Mechanically, Anar hasn't done too badly out of his first adventure - 4 XP and 8 AP.  The XP total isn't enough to buy another level of (Axes), which is a shame, as there's a big difference between two dice in a weapon skill and three.  But the next adventure will probably provide enough XP to deal with that.  In the meantime, 4 XP is enough to buy another level of Spear or Dagger, or to increase his Valour to 2.  Of those choices, I personally would go for the Valour - he's just been thorugh his second mass battle, so becoming less prone to fear seems to fit.  He'll also get a Reward, which could either be a gift from Rorin or Grimbeorn to thank him for his efforts in the battle, or something he's acquired back in the Iron Hills (or forged himself!). 

As for the AP, there's plenty of skills he could increase (anything with no ranks, or with one).  The most in-character, and potentially the most useful, is his Lore skill.  The Departure of Bandobras at the end of 2952 left the Fellowship without a terribly impressive Lore among us, and as it's a Favoured skill (from being a Scholar) he can buy new ranks very cheaply.  6 AP gets Anar his second rank, and 2 AP go into the bank for next time. 

You get to pick some undertakings.  The first probably should be to work on reclaiming the forts, both to keep the Road reclamation bopping along and because I've already written him in as doing so up-thread.  The second can be just about anything you can justify.  As I said earlier, you can find a complete list here (https://rpg.avioc.org/boards/index.php?topic=1304.msg26911#msg26911).  Have a read through and see what seems interesting. 

Then (and this is the really good part) you get to write up what's been happening to Anar in between adventures.  This gives you a chance, not only to flesh out the character, but to write in details that will become part of the campaign's legendarium.  Introduce NPCs, hooks for future adventures or subplots, interactions with other PCs etc. with wild abandon! 

I'll use the Weal/Woe result if that is acceptable to trade Distinctive Features.
------

From the night at the Carrock, the thanes of Beorn see more of the man that was named his heir and what they saw was good.  Here was someone that they could count on to have a level head and a capacity for mercy, especially towards those who didn't deserve it.  A few thought this a weakness but changed their minds finding the remainder of the raider folk to mix well with the rest of the Beornings, seeking a life of peace and honest work.  He continued to deal with all justly and fairly yet still with a grim countenance, only those that truly knew him saw beneath and beyond the gruff exterior. 

The winter was good in The Wilderland for the Free Peoples.  Midwinter festivities came and went.  Word came from the North that Viglund was licking his wounds and quietly rebuilding what he'd lost in the previous year -- he was still a threat to watch.  Grudges quickly faded as fast as the snow melted when winter gave way to spring when the frozen, half-gnawed body of Vidugalum was found in the wild land beyond the borders of the Beornings.  Many came out to till and plant and tend the lands, while others fished or felled trees for homes and heating the hearth.  More came to become road-wardens at the east and west ends of the Old Road, assisting travelers and caravans over the Misty Mountains into lands of Eriador or along the well-worn and ancient path through Mirkwood and on to the lands in the east.  The Beornings were one people again and their numbers began to swell again for fame of the bear-man spread from his deeds, the promise of a better life, or dreams of adventure on road from west of The Wilderland going east to Dale and The Lonely Mountain.

Grimbeorn doubled down on his commitment to his allies in the dwarfs and men of Dale by continuing the effort to cleanse the road of its dangers and reclaiming the old waypoints along the ancient path.  Spiders and other beasts continued to plague the area but their attacks soon dwindled as blade and bow kept them at bay under the direction of Grimbeorn and others of the Fellowship.  Again, though they have fallen away, they are no foe to think gone for good.

The previously ill favored son of the north Hathcyn Kinslayer saw the rise of his fortunes considerably. Having bound himself to the fate of Grimbeorn Wolfslayer he had received substantial hurts to his body, but also saw the rise of his standing among his folk. Not only was he named the carrier of war banner of the Beorning warhost, but he had been a key player in both the battle at the steading, the duel of the north, and the battle of Stanford. As the tale of the deeds of the year began to circulate among the people Hathcyn's name was specifically linked withe the firing of the great hall of the Viglundings in the north.

His good fortune was not tied solely to the exploits of Grimbeorn. His leading of the work gangs made him well known in the area of Beorn's Hall among the cottar and Theng alike. The Longspear also profited greatly by his purchase of cattle from the red headed widow Upala. Her ability to husband and care for the animals clearly outpaced that of her dead husband. The herd was expanded and those selected for butchering raised a higher price than normal. As a result both Hathcyn and his cattle warden realized an increase in their holdings as the year closed. The quick smile and helping hand of the knave also allowed the steer horns to be made into drinking cups. They were simple and unadorned, the drinking vessels of a poor family. But they were new and didnt leak, and made from a herd of his own. In the company of Upala and her son the three rose the cups many times to toast their collective good fortune. The woman grateful for the promise of a safe winter and the man marveled at the fall and bounce of the woman's red curls both well pleased with their good fortune.

Unsuited to being idle long Hathcyn could not long endure the quiet of Beorn's Hall and the hair of new widow. As days turned into a week he took his leave and headed to the Old Ford. He hoped some time in the garrison would be as profitable as word and rumor made it out to be. Ill content with just cows he hoped to improve his fortunes further and not live solely on the laeger of Beorn. So with Harhold in tow the two spent their time at the crossing, spending their time in what passed as soldiering among the Beronings.

This too did not occupy the two long. The year was slow in passing and the woods and gold of the dwarves in the north tugged at their pockets and hearts. So the two took their leave of the old ford and again made their way north to haul and cut wood and set the milforts to right. Heavy work, but full of comradeship and honest work for those who would have it. In time even the men began to see the results of their toil and work as the road, and what it could be, took shape in the minds of men as it had in the dreams of dwarves.

I will upgrade my Valor and get Ironfoot Hauberk as a reward. (He will receive it as a thank you from Grimbeorn)

I'll save all my other points for now.

As for undertakings he will work to reclaim the forts, and as for the second undertaking I will choose Dwarven-Smithing (from Erebor pg 32, if allowed?)
But instead of rolling for crafting, I will instead get a Great Material: A set of ancient smithing tools from Eregion.

Anar knew that he needed to craft something amazing if he was ever to be known as one of the greatest craftsman in Middle-Earth. The only trouble is that he's not sure what he wants to make. A weapon or armor? Or something else? And what materials will he need to make it. He believed in his ability to craft it. But knew that it needed to be perfect. This would be his major life's work after all. Anar spends his time looking at every crafted item he can get his hands on. The Dwarf takes notes on the craftsmanship to better understand what he's looking for. Anar spent much of the winter this way, with the occasional hunt to get his blood running warm in the cold air, not to mention the thrill of the chase. His thoughts also move onto finding Master Craftsman to potentially learn from them.

:ooc: And that, I believe, is a complete Fellowship Phase. 

Over to you, Loremaster.

EDIT: Wait, curses - there's still Esgalwen's good fortune to resolve!

Very cool!

I will have the new chapter up with the weekend.

I am still collating some notes from Paul and my personal messages, as well as working with the DoM timeline to mesh with ours - and not lose out on some stuff. Also I am reading LoD to see if there are any good side arcs to incorporate.

Lastly, I have to run a one-shot Star Wars Saga game at my buddy's gaming store this Saturday, so I am doing some prep on that, too.

All of this and trying to get the house ready for Christmas. But as Tom says, THE GAME MUST GO ON!

Quote from: Paladin003 on Nov 29, 2018, 07:36 AMAs for undertakings he will work to reclaim the forts, and as for the second undertaking I will choose Dwarven-Smithing (from Erebor pg 32, if allowed?) But instead of rolling for crafting, I will instead get a Great Material: A set of ancient smithing tools from Eregion.

Cool - I have updated the FELLOWSHIP thread to show the last (5th) undertaking made by a PC to finish the way-forts.

Quote from: Eclecticon on Nov 29, 2018, 01:21 PM:ooc: And that, I believe, is a complete Fellowship Phase. 

Over to you, Loremaster.

EDIT: Wait, curses - there's still Esgalwen's good fortune to resolve!

Actually, I will be resolving Esgalwen's good fortune in the upcoming story when you guys meet with her again.  ;)