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Situation: The company has found the encampment of slavers that abducted Ruithel; they are attacking them in smaller groups to reduce their numbers; this is engagement 1

Combat Advantage dice:
• Arbogast 1 success die
• Company pool 1/2 success dice

Situation Modifiers:
• The company has initiative - they have ambushed the orcs

Physical Modifiers (complications):
There is advantageous positions due to the hills for ranged attacks and defensive stances - anyone who uses the higher ground will gain a +2 combat advantage to attack rolls

PC/NPC

PARRY :+~:

ARMOUR :<>:

HOPE :vv:

END :<3:

STANCE

ENEMY

PARRY

ARMOUR

HATE

END

NOTES

Arbogast Bandy Grimbeorn Rorin

• • • •

6 (shield +3) 9 (shield n/a) 6/9 [giant strength] (shield +4) 4 (shield n/a)

• • • •

2d (helm +1) 1d (helm n/a) none (helm +1) 5d (helm n/a)

• • • •

10/16 13/18 9/12 10/10

• • • •

26/26 14/22 WOUNDED WEARY 15/31 WOUNDED WEARY 34/34

• • • •

forward rearward open forward

• • • •

Orc Goblin Goblin Goblin Goblin

• • • • •

4 2 2 2 2

• • • • •

2d 2d 2d 2d 2d

• • • • •

3/3 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1

• • • • •

DEAD 4/8 DEAD DEAD 8/8

• in melee • in melee • in melee • in melee • in melee

STANCES

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

:<>:

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

:<>:

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

:<>:

Rearward - action order 4 Ranged combat Must be 2 other PC's in Close Combat May not use if outnumbered 2:1 TN 12+ parry Rearward Stance maneuvers (http://rpg.avioc.org/webimages/lotr/tor/rear.jpg)

:<>:

From any Stance Escape combat Must start in Rearward or roll TN 10 + highest attribute level of opponents Athletics roll. On success, may safely flee from the scene of combat

The breath hisses in and out of Arbogast's lungs as he closes with the orc.  At the sound of the company's approach, it turns away from the Hill-woman - but it is too late.  Bandobras' arrow finds its mark in the creature's chest and a heartbeat later Arbogast is upon it, the Warden's Axe raised in the moonlight. 



:ooc: I'm shifting into Forward stance.  Let's get this done quick and bloody! 

:ooc:  Crap!  I guess this is a good reason to have bonus dice handy... 

An unexpectedly loose stone sends the Fire-watcher sprawling but his momentum is enough to bring the orc down with him, their combined weight forcing dwarf-forged steel into orc-flesh.  The magic of the axe works quickly, bursting the cheeks of a nearby goblin into ragged shreds of skin. 


:ooc: If anyone can give me an assist to finish this thing off, I'd rather not be the target of a called shot! 

Ooc: I'm on it on my turn.

 :ooc: Grimbeorn is going all heroic with an Open Stance.

The Beorning charges into protect the woman, regardless of who she is, from the pit spawn.

 :ooc: Twin Strike maneuver against the two closest goblins to her.
 :00:
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 :ooc: Btw, this will be 2-handed and I will use a bonus combat die from Command (if no one has a problem).
 :00:

Arbogast's axe cut deep into the orc taskmaster, sweeping around to sink itself into a goblin near at hand.

Grimbeorn acted, too, and his axe swung back and forth lopping two goblin heads into the early night air.

The Hobbit still believed the Orc to be the chief threat and as the Fire Watcher stepped to the side Bandy attempted to bury another shaft in the beast.

:ooc: Rolled to the side, perhaps. 

Bandy's arrow took the orc cleanly in the throat. It gasped and choked as it fell to the ground.

Around Arbogast and Grimbeorn, the craven goblins began to try to evade and race back to their companions.

Rorin decided to take advantage of the opportunity.

Feet planted apart, Rorin swings his maul in a broad figure-eight...



:ooc: I have no authority to do this, obviously.  If Steve wants to do something else, I'll delete the post.  In the meantime, Rorin's attempting a Sweeping Blow:
DC 8 War Hammer 5-2=3

:dmg: 10, Edge 9, Injury 18

:ooc: works for me...

Rorin smashes both of the remaining goblins.

---

The Dwarf's axe makes a circuit around him and smashes both goblin heads as it passes. They both fall to the ground and suddenly it is quiet, as the sun sets on the western hills.

And then, the woman starts to point to the companions and a jumble of strange words comes from her mouth.

Arbogast places a finger over his mouth and hisses for silence.  He then makes a soiree of placing his axe on the ground and holding high his hand, in a gesture he hopes is universal.

There was understanding in her eyes. She immediately stopped talking and crab-walked a few feet from where the orc and goblins lay. Her flesh was flayed where the whip had snagged her and blood oozed from the wounds.

She eyed them all - Men, Hobbit and Dwarf - and her face expressed that she knew that they were from lands far away. In a whisper, she began to speak in a broken form of the common tongue.

"Yu né frá tis bjǫðs. Hví ya hjálpa?" [You are not from this land. Why do you help?]

---

:ooc: I gave the translation, but still the PC's will need to roll a TN 14 Courtesy roll along with one of the following Lore, Riddle, or Song - traits can be used if they make sense (i.e. Anduin-lore).

The Courtesy test will comfort her to want to talk more and the other test will allow you to understand her tongue. If successful, we will continue the story in normal words. If unsuccessful, I will continue with the Norse words, but still give translations. The difference will be that you will need to make a Riddle test TN 14 between each LM thread to put together what she is saying.

:ooc: Niiiice!  I'll make a Riddle roll, but I might defer too Bandy for the Courtesy.  I don't want to screw this up for the group.



Can I also make a Healing roll too judge how badly she's hurt?  I'm not going to approach any closer - just do a visual check.

Maybe it was their current mission or maybe he was just softening, but Grimbeorn attempted to help yet he was still a brusque brute from the Wilderland.

Courtesy roll. Text to follow.

:ooc: Am I right in thinking that the 'comprehension' test is an individual one?  If so, Grimbeorn can use Anduin-Lore to make some sense of what this woman is saying.  Bandy can use Lore without too much trouble.  Rorin may need to use Riddle as well. 

Lore for comprehension

The Halfling listned intently to the woman as she spoke and gestured. At first it was all a jumble, but then the Hobit startted to catch a word or two. Then Bandy went through some mental gymnastics as he followed a trail of reasoning and unnderstanding to make out what she said. The language had roots in other languages and stories that the Hobbit had heard since coming east of the mountains. The language shared a common root with the old tongue of Rhovanion.

"Wit haen ge nay hearm geong wif." [we mean you no harm young woman]

The Hobbit was sure that the words were not exactly right but he figured the intent was close enough.

"Ealdomen," and he pointed at the Woodman and Beoring, "sceatha Yrch. Wit come to redeem the Aelfwif."

The Hobbit stood with his bow resting on the ground and spit on the dead Orc when he spoke their name. He hoped that if his words did not bring understanding then at least his actions would.

He took a bit of lembas and offered it to the woman.

Quote from: Eclecticon on Apr 19, 2017, 02:10 AM:ooc: Am I right in thinking that the 'comprehension' test is an individual one?  If so, Grimbeorn can use Anduin-Lore to make some sense of what this woman is saying.  Bandy can use Lore without too much trouble.  Rorin may need to use Riddle as well.

:ooc: Hey Paul, yes. That is exactly right.

The comprehension tests are necessary to understand her dialect, even though she may throw in common (Westron) words, and it is on an individual character basis. The Courtesy is for her to not be afraid of you guys and that can be achieved by one PC.

Hesitantly her hand moved and then reached out to snatch the food from the Hobbit. The Hill-woman scooted back even another few feet, as she smelled the Lembas, only to decide it was safe and then gobbled it down. Arbogast could see that she was famished and that her wounds, though cruel, were relatively superficial. As long as she avoided any major infection, they would heal with a minimum of scarring.

Bandy's words were comprehended and she replied, "So, you come for the She-Elf? She is the one that helped me to be free. Her name is Ruithel and she has aided others to escape, too, although I do not know how far they were able to get. The hills here are cruel. If not for you, I would have gone no farther, but I made too much noise when I made my run. The yrchs sat around the fire, but one heard me as a pulled away from the others." [her italicized words mean that it is still in strange dialect and only PC's with successful Lore, Riddle, or Song tests can understand.]

The woman's accent is thick, and Arbogast surmises that the tongue of the Vales of Anduin is only of passing familiarity to her.  He hopes his own is comprehensible. "Wir wæron geásæd þæt þær céast wæs betwēonan se yrchs' forwastas.  Cunnan þú áht ymb þys?" 



:ooc: "We were told that there was strife between the orcs' chiefs.  Know you aught of this?"  Man, Old English is fun.   

"I know nothing of this," she answered Arbogast. "But orcs brought me here yesterday and met up with the host of goblins and orcs that held the Elf, along with a few others."

She paused for a moment and then began again, while staring off.

"My people have never had challenge with the orcs and goblins of Gundabad. We are few in number, but they have always left us be. Perhaps it is the allegiance my forefathers showed to Angmar centuries ago. But days past, they raided our camp. Took children and women. We followed in pursuit but were waylaid. I was separated from my clan and soon captured and brought here. I do not know where the children were taken...

Back at the orc camp, the leader looked in the direction the Hill-woman had run. Where were his folk? They should have been back with the female.

He looked to the campfire, "Alright you maggots! I am taking my lads to see where that woman has gone. Nothing else better happen by the time we're back, or somebody is losing their head! Ya got that?"

There were snarls and grunts from the goblins, but they did not dare test the orc leader's strength. Some had already seen what his cold iron could do.

---

:ooc: You guys know without having to test that the children she might be speaking of is not the same ones Esgalwen led south. The children you freed were definitely folk of the vale.

Conscious that a large party of orcs remains close by, Arbogast cuts her speech short.  "Our thanks.  Now, more such as these will come soon, and we must move or be discovered.  You will likely be safest with us." 

He quickly glances at the faces of his companions.  Grimbeorn and Bandy appear to have followed the conversation, but Rorin, though stoic, has clearly not comprehended the tongue of the Vales.  "We will explain when we can.  For now, we must leave this place.  Perhaps we can set an ambush for the orcs that are sure to follow in search of these." 


:ooc: I think we can all guess where the children were taken. 

Bandy shrugged. " My bow is ready. I concede the making of tactics to others "

Arbogast surveys the field, such as it is.  There is no time to hide the slain goblins, but the nearby hillocks might be used to isolate any further enemies from each other.  Swiftly but quietly, he directs the fellowship away from the site of the skirmish. 



:ooc: I'm a little pressed for time today.  Can I use my Cunning feature to find a place that will give us a chance of surprising the oncoming orcs (or at least not be caught out in the open with a bunch of their dead kin)?

The Hobbit quickly glanced over the dead goblins and orcs to see if anything important caught his eye. Any unique items of kit, or extra arrows. Then he looked about to see from which directions the vermin would come and where he could best be to shoot them down with his bow.

The companions only spent a few more moments in talk. They learned the woman's name was Essylt and she was of the Black Helms. It only took a few words to explain to her that she needed to come with the company - they would keep her safe.

Arbogast studied the terrain around him and though he felt more at home under bough, the hills extended a viable plan. If they took up a position on the rise just south of their current location, it would offer solid distance and cover from the orc encampment. It would also allow an ambush from higher ground - they would just need to draw the orcs closer.

The other three companions began to add their own ideas and a plan was quickly formed.

---

:ooc: I need you guys to give me a Stealth roll to conceal your activities; a Battle roll to form your plan and gain tactical advantage; an Awareness test due to the fact that the sun is setting.

• All tests are a TN 14.
• I will roll an opposed roll against your Stealth (orc awareness) to see if you are discovered
• I will roll an opposed roll against your Battle (orc battle) to see if the orcs can discern the tactical situation

So give me your rolls on this. I will roll for Steve, just to expedite. Once done, I will start the new series of combat rounds.

:ooc: Rorin test rolls

TN 14 by test

:ooc: Damn... two :~~: 's for our Dwarf!

You guys get me your rolls and I will get things moving again. Sorry for the delays.

:ooc: Okay, quick rolls for Arbogast:

Awareness 2


Battle 3


Stealth 2

:ooc: Right - someone needs better eyes than Rorin and Arbogast. 

 :00:
 :00:
 :00:

 :ooc: Well Grimbeorn isn't sneaky at all, like we didn't know that already.  :\  Could use that to your advantage, he's a distraction​ or bait.  ;D  Getting on towards night gives or eventually gives him an advantage from Brother of Bears.  [<

 :ooc: rolls dont look good so far.
Stealth 3d




Battle 2d



Awareness 2d

Well....with all those :~~: it looks like we are gonna get ambushed instead.

They moved quickly south - their leader going before them. They were not quiet, as their boots thumped and weapons and armor rattled, but it was not their goal.

Shûkrag had brought his small group south, out of Gundabad, to do their pickup. The orcs had a system of hand-off through the vale. The foragers would raid villages and woods and they then delivered their catch to the Ford, where another group would take the captives allowing the foragers to return to their tasks. From the ford to the central vale, the captives would be moved and then they would be traded off to Shûkrag, or another of his ilk.

The orc leader had not liked it when he arrived to find two squabbling groups of orcs and whiny goblins. He was immediately dealing with one raiding group of Mad Moon goblins who had attacked a village of Hill-men. The other group had come from the ford, leaderless, and guarding an Elf! Now he and his lads were moving off into the night to find out what had happened to those damnable goblins.

Shûkrag was cautious, but these were orc-lands - only fools would attempt to raid his people. Still, there were other wild things in these hills that might make mince meat of a few goblins. "That woman was tough enough to slit a few Mad Moon maggot throats herself!" he thought to himself.

The orc group passed between the two hills where the goblins had chased the woman. They moved a little farther south and then saw them - dark lumps littered about an ever darkening field. The sun was behind the mountains now which created an interesting twilight - the golden light still made the Misty Mountain tops shine, but the mountain shadows, along with the coming of dark, made for an eerie landscape.

Shûkrag walked to one of the headless goblins and pushed about the head that lay a few feet away, with his foot. He looked up and around at the rising hills. One of his lads went to all fours, like a hound, and snuffed and snorted at the ground. The orc made a complete circuit of the death scene. "Blood, Shûkrag! Man-blood. I also smell Dwarves!"

"Eh? Dwarves?" The leader became a little bit more cautious. The hunter orc continued but now in whisper, "Yes...they moved off that way. The woman is with them...she is easy to scent. She smells like the dogs she sleeps with."

Shûkrag looked in the direction that his hunter had gestured. As if on queue, there came the slight sound of metal armor rustling - as if they were scurrying away in retreat. The orc leader smiled. He would see that these Dwarves were soon missing their own heads like the goblins about his feet.

---

:ooc: The man-blood is from Grimbeorn's old wounds. The orcs know you guys are here due to the multiple :~~: failures.

The gathering darkness began to limit the companions. Still, darker shapes appeared along the valley floor and moved around the newly dead goblins. Bandy could barely get a count, but he was confident that there were at least six newcomers below. The Beorning at his side confirmed his guess, "Six? And they are large - orcs for certain."

They had moved away from the ambush site, heading east towards some low-lying hills. Rorin could see advantageous ground and he and the Fire-watcher quickly firmed up solid tactics for another attack. Bandy and Arbogast had quietly alighted the hillock, but looked to each other when they heard the oncoming of their friends. The Dwarf sounded like a clatter of pans when he moved, and Grimbeorn was in great discomfort. The woman, too, did not add to their sneakiness, as an odor came off of her of someone who lived among animals.

It was the way of the Hill-folk - they bred great dogs and the animals were treated as part of the tribe. Thus were they allowed to sleep among the people and were even used as sources of warmth.

Now they all watched this new host of orcs. The monsters were looking around the area, scanning the hills. They then quickly moved north, back into the vale and out of sight.