RPG.avioc.org

:ooc: You guys had some great posts in the last thread, but I am going to tweak your surrounds a little bit, as the woods are not so quiet right now.  ;)

---

Answering Freda's request, the companions gathered their things and made to leave Tent-town. Those in need were bestowed with weapons that would be of use on the hunt, although primary weapons were not relinquished - across Grimbeorn's back, Bear Claw, hung heavily. But now, the northman held a large spear that would make easy work of a large animal.

Arboagast led off the group from the eaves of Mirkwood, where trees were sparse and the grey sky could be seen, into the denser wood. They marched and listened, some even taking a sniff of the air, which was heavy and humid. Rain pattered on the canopy of leaves above and the forest was astir with the clicks of tree frogs and insects. The woodman led the company sure footedly through the forest he had come to know over his lifetime. His home was further north of Rhosgobel, but Arbogast had spent his days walking under the boughs of Mirkwood. They followed a trail for a good length of time, while the sun crossed over the sky, behind the clouds, until at last they came to a stream. He knew the creek for what it was, though it had no true name. It ran a north-south direction, and Arbogast took the company north to the region of woods that were most familiar to him.

They talked quietly among themselves, all the while listening and watching for any movement. They kept the creek on their left and within sight as much as possible, but the land rose at times, or large trees or stones would block their path. Always though, with the skill of each, they made their way back to its gurgling track. Only Bandy was a true stranger to the forest and he marched in awe of its unending-ness, while he struggled to keep astride the men and elf, whose gaits were double his own. With the sun sitting in the afternoon sky and clouds breaking - though it was perceived more than actually seen - they came into a clearing. The creek's origins were from a large spring fed pool of water before them that sat below a green-mossy covered wall of stone. Rain water from above cascaded down and filled the area with a small roar. It was here that Arbogast knew that many herd animals would come to drink in relative safety - they need only wait.

(http://www.naturallyamazing.com/photogallery/old_mans_cave_trail.jpg)

(http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/14/ce/51/old-man-s-cave.jpg)

:ooc: You guys can add as you please with any inter-character chat. Your hunting tests are rolled, I am just setting the scene up a bit more. I need to go to Taekwondo right now, so more will come later.

Though the chatter between the hunters is sparse, with long silences in between, Arbogast enjoys it.  After long years living within the bounds of his clan's homestead, Grimbeorn's idle mentions of his shapeshifting father and Orophin's snatches of song and talk of star-lit feasts fascinate him.  Even Brandobas' mention of hobbit-holes, with their round doors, glazed windows and individual beds, sounds wildly exotic. 

Someday, he decides, I'm going to sleep like that.  A whole bed to myself, with a feather pillow under my head.  Just once.  Just to see what it's like.

He can't help but feel sorry when they reach the pool.  He motions for silence, mostly for the benefit of Brandobas.  Then, in a hushed whisper, says "Let's hope the rain holds like this.  It's too light to chill us badly, but heavy enough to keep our scents from travelling far."  He distributes some of the smoked meat he brought on the journey to Rhosgobel to the other hunters.  It's the last food he has, but there's every chance that he will soon have more.  Then he points out some places where they can (hopefully) hide, and wait for game to come. 

Following Arbogast's direction, the company found blinds for themselves. Pricker bushes, midge flies, and uncomfortable roots under their seats soon has Bandy grousing at their predicament. The Hobbit had ventured before from his home, but this was an altogether new experience. Orophin attempted to keep the mood light, but it was difficult while trying to keep silent.

Again, the hours passed and darkness settled over the forest. Fortunately, the skies had cleared above and a full moon shone brightly casting a pale luminance over the forest. The change in temperature from muggy day to cool night had pockets of fog rising from the forest floor - ferns and other plants poked up out of the glowing mists. But, their wait had finally proven worthwhile for in the soft light four shapes could be seen cautiously approaching the stream. One was large and the rack on his head showed him to be a mature buck; the three that followed were most certainly his mate and offspring. The deer moved towards the fresh spring pool, all the while the buck's ears twitched and his nose sniffed the night air.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/52987685/deeratnight.jpg)

 :ooc:Well, lets give this a shot. I'm assuming that all of us with bows will fire at the same time to increase our chances of catching our dinner.

Orophin draws back his bow checks to make sure his companions have their bo's ready, then lets an arrow fly at the large buck.

DC - 12+parry Bow 2. Spend 1 hope to use stat bonus, favored stat because bow is favored weapon.

{:dmg:}damage 5   edge   10   injury 14

:ooc: Awesome, Stefan! Thanks for the roll, but I want to let you know that I am working on this scene setup still. There is no normal creature listing in the new TOR system, so what I might do with this hunt is make it a Skill Challenge, kind of like in Saga.

You will have your Hope point back if I re-structure this from being a combat type skill to something else. Give me until tonight to read through the Core Rules and a thread on the Cubicle 7 forums.

 :ooc:oK, I thought it would be a little weird to shoot a deer as a combat action because they'll run as soon as they know were there, but I figured it was a good opportunity to work out a combat check.

:ooc: Okay, for the hunt...

Each PC may make one Hunting test TN 14 against each deer; you may gain a +2 modifier to your Hunting tests with a successful Stealth test TN 12; may also gain a +2 modifier if using favoured weapon. Identify which roll is on which deer, as each deer will need 3 successful cumulative Hunting tests against it to bring it down.

Grimbeorn moves quickly and quietly through the woods, easily following the tracks of their prey.  His conversation with the others was significantly less than before leaving (not much more than grunts or an "aye" or "no"), preferring to hold to the instruction given when he was younger -- keep as quiet as possible.  Upon seeing their quarry, he brought spear to bear and steeled himself for the kill.

:ooc:
TN 14, Deer 1 -
TN 14, Deer 2 -
TN 14, Deer 3 -

As the deer drink and Grimbeorn moves to one side of the pool, Arbogast breaks cover as silently as possible and sneaks around the opposite side, hoping to surround their quarry...

:ooc: Stealth test:

Achingly slowly, taking great care to place each foot noiselessly, he moves around to within an easy spear-throw of the deer.  His heart pounds as he conceals himself again, waiting until the rest of the hunting party is ready before doing anything that might scare away the animals.  Despite the chill of the evening mist, his palms seem slick with sweat and he cannot keep an excited tremor from his hands. 

Only when he sees Grimbeorn's spear, and the arrows of Orophin and Brandobas, fly does he stand and cast his own spear, hoping desperately that what he has picked as a target in a split-second is the buck, and not the shadow of a branch on the shore...

:ooc: Here goes!


Also, do I get an Advancement Point for a successful use of a Survival skill?  Pretty please?

Quote from: Eclecticon on Apr 23, 2015, 07:32 PMAlso, do I get an Advancement Point for a successful use of a Survival skill?  Pretty please?

:ooc: Yea, any successful skill usage will allow you to fill in the AP for that type of skill. I am not sure which sheet will be the easier to maintain - the stat posts or the Profiler sheet, but you decide.

I am looking at this now and my test request makes little sense to me that Grimbeorn would have three hunting attempts, as he only had one spear. Matt, I am going to revise this test to say that those characters that can make multiple Hunting tests (i.e. archers) may make one against each deer (up to 3), but those that only have one missile weapon (i.e. spear chuckers) must clarify the deer they are tossing at and that's it.

Deer 1 - buck
Deer 2 - doe
Deer 3 - fawn 1
Deer 3 - fawn 2

So, Matt - since all of your tests are successful, just tell me which deer you would have tried to bring down with your spear. I will need the target for Arbogast, too.

I promise guys that I will get this together very soon and things will run much better/easier. Just need to firm up the mechanics of it all.

 :ooc: Sweeeet.  Arbogast was aiming for the buck - it's a bigger target, and he's trying to impress a girl...

Seeing the others move through the trees, Bandy slips forward with the light, silent footfalls of a Hobbit. His precise, deliberate movements betray no sign of his excitement and fear. As he moves into position to line up the doe, the pounding of his own heart fill his ears and beads of sweat form on his forehead and neck. 

:ooc: Stealth Roll
:00:

 :ooc: Sorry. haven't had to roll the dice before.
:00: 1d13, 3d6

 :ooc: Okay, so how does the dice roller work and which one do I use? I see three options.

:ooc: Sorry, I have added so many things over the years to my boards that I can see where I have created confusion. :)

What you were clicking on is just a dice icon. You need to click on icon above and to the right that puts the dice roller code into your post. When you click the icon it will add the following:

[rol1] enter dice here [/rol1]  (intentionally spelled with 1's and spaces so code does not trigger)

So, if you want to use this in-post roller, you type your dice in between the opening [rol1] and closing [/rol1] code. Make sure to separate the dice type by commas:

1d12,3d6+2 or whatever you need to roll.

 :ooc: Sorry, my mistake.  I'll hit the buck,  of course.  When a 6t is rolled will that augment the result like you did for CODA more or less (TOR: success, great success (1 6t), extraordinary success (2+ 6t) ~= CODA: success, superior success (TN+5), and extraordinary success (TN+10)?

 :ooc: Thanks. Okay, I'll sneak up on the deer first.

Moving silently into position, Bandy breathes, deep, draws the string to his ear, takes aim, and releases.

:ooc: Thanks. That worked. So I do not have any skill at hunting so I will roll only a feat die but I did gain a +2 from a successful stealth roll and +2 because the bow is my favored weapon.

Deer 1 (Buck)

Deer 2 (Doe)

Deer 3 (Fawn)

:ooc: PS. If I understand correctly, any successful test earns an AP? So I should take an AP for the successful stealth roll above?

Bandy curses under his breath.

Quote from: GandalfOfBorg on Apr 24, 2015, 04:12 AM:ooc: Sorry, my mistake.  I'll hit the buck,  of course.  When a 6t is rolled will that augment the result like you did for CODA more or less (TOR: success, great success (1 6t), extraordinary success (2+ 6t) ~= CODA: success, superior success (TN+5), and extraordinary success (TN+10)?

:ooc: No mistake on your part, Matt - I am still piece-mealing things here, as I get the mechanics down. So no apology necessary.

To answer the other part, yes. I will look at all the rolls and where they were directed once everyone posts. I am going to give Stefan a chance to update his roll since an attack wasn't necessary for this challenge. When I have his rolls, I will post the narrative results.

Also, so everyone knows - I just removed the TOR roller and the EotE roller from the top menu. It just makes it easier and removes any confusion about which dice to use. So, you guys can use the in-post roller like everyone seems to be doing, or you are welcome to use the Dice Roller above and copy/paste your results. I will also add all the characters to the character drop-down above.

 :ooc:I'm not going to change the post if that's ok, just the rolls which I'll redo here.

DC -12 Stealth rank 2

I don't suppose I get any bonus for Folk of the dusk since we're mucking about in the woods?

DC - 14 Hunting Deer 1 (+2 favored weapon, no stealth bonus)


DC - 14 Hunting Deer 2 (+2 favored weapon, no stealth bonus)


DC - 14 Hunting Deer 3 (+2 favored weapon, no stealth bonus)

 :ooc:Guess I dont need the bonus, I think I hit all 3 times.  The first two since the fate die was 10 and 12 are wounds and do 14 I believe, the 3rd just does a little endurance damage? 
Bow   ♦♦○○○○   damage   5   edge   10   injury   14

The small group of deer advanced on the clear pool as Men, Elf and Hobbit slowly encircled them moving through scrub and hiding behind trees. The doe and her two fawn bent their necks to drink, while the buck stood at guard, his eyes searching about while his ears twitched. The hunters moved as quietly as possible but there was a sudden snap of wood as Grimbeorn's great boot came down on a broken limb lying on the forest floor. The four deer were all up again scanning the trees around them that glowed with the foggy, ethereal light of the moon.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/52987685/moonlitforest.png)

A laugh erupted from Orophin, his mirth getting the best of him due to the ungainly sounds of the Men around him. Still, the Elf winged three arrows even as the family of deer turned to sprint. There were two grunts from thrown weapons, and the whistle of a few more arrows as the other companions joined the attack. Spears flew and struck true, while Orophin's arrows took each deer in their flanks. It was the buck that had drawn the most attention and it fell with a squeal into a growth of ferns, its family abandoning it for their own safety.

Seeing their quarry fall, the companions raced out of their blinds to assure the buck would not, or could not, regain its feet and disappear into the night. Arbogast and Grimbeorn found it breathing hard and struggling to rise. The two spears and one of Orophin's arrows were stuck in the animal. Grimbeorn carefully approached, dagger in hand, and put the beast out of its misery. Weapons were withdrawn from the deer and they all took a moment to rest - adrenaline had their hearts pumping from the joy of the hunt. Only Bandy came forward with shuffling feet, his demeanor sullen due to his inability to successfully hit any of the deer.

With their mood light and hearts calming, Arbogast drew his own dagger and the two men set about cleaning the deer and prepping it for the travel back to camp.

---

:ooc: You guys have about 30+ minutes of prep time to dress the animal for travel. It is night, of course, so do you want to make camp and move back to Tent-town in the morning, or go tonight?

It's an easy decision for Arbogast.  As he finishes the unmaking of the deer and wipes his dagger on a scrap of hide, he says "I thank you, my new-found friends.  My kin shall eat well when we return, and all of you shall share in what we have provided!  For now, though, we should make camp - above the falls and away from the stream, for there are yet darker things in Mirkwood that must also find water.  We can make our way back to Tent Town in the morning.  None would be thankful for being woken in the night, even were we laden down with a beast apiece."

Well done to the three of you for bringing down the buck. Abrogast's suggestion seems wise. He knows these woods best, and I do not fancy traveling through this forest at night. We should suspend the meat from a high branch so that no wild creatures can reach it. I will go in search of firewood.

Quote from: Stefan on Apr 24, 2015, 11:42 AMI don't suppose I get any bonus for Folk of the dusk since we're mucking about in the woods?

:ooc: No, Stefan, that blessing gives you your Favoured attribute rank on any test, if you use a Hope.

I have updated all PC's for advancement points  :csu:

You guys are welcome to do this, too. It is easier on the Profiler PC sheets than the stat thread, but you make the call.

But to answer everyones question on it, yes, you will get an advancement point (up to 3 in a category) for each successful use of a skill.

 :ooc: thank you, I've been looking all over for what those dots were for.

"Either way, I care not.  But if we stay, we must keep a watch -- I trust not to turn my back on these woods," admonishes the Beorning.

Esgalwen sat still and quiet - even her breathing slowed to allow her to listen to every sound. The forest was full of them, even at night, though they could fade into the surroundings if you let them. Crickets and frogs all chirped and warbled, flying insects buzzed, and bats fluttered in the canopy above. The area and the forest was strange to her, though being in such places was not. She was a Ranger out of Ithilien, from the south, and though she knew most every path there, here she needed to be careful lest the forest of Mirkwood take her.

Ithilien lay on the eastern edge of Gondor, across the Anduin River. Once it was the realm of the proud city of Minas Ithil, Tower of the Rising Moon, but now it was mostly deserted save for the Rangers of Ithilien who prowled the lands in search of nests of the Shadow. The terrors mostly stemmed from the fallen city, known as Minas Morgul since its capture almost a thousand years prior, and thus the Rangers of Ithilien were created. Made up of soldiers of Gondor, selected from the descendants of the people who had dwelt in Ithilien before it fell from Gondor's control, they dressed in camouflaging green and brown, and crossed the Anduin in secret to harass the forces of the Enemy in Gondor's old domain.

Now it was rumoured that a greater Shadow had re-entered Mordor and it was said that it had come out of Mirkwood. Turgon, Steward of Gondor, had met with his council and it was ordered that a group of the Rangers of Ithilien - ten in total - would be sent north to Mirkwood to investigate the southern reaches of the forest and see if the rumours were true. Many tales had come south from Wilderland to Gondor - the death of the dragon, Smaug; a clash of five armies; whispers of sorcery from the Golden wood; and with it all had come south a great presence of Shadow. Turgon wanted information. Was it true, the whispers that Sauron the Great was not destroyed in the Last Alliance that dawned a new age? Surely the shadows of his might were still around, for it was they that threw down Minas Ithil. Turgon needed information.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/52987685/rangers_north.jpg)

Esgalwen and nine other companions set out from the Henneth Annûn in the latter part of February, when winter still clung to the lands. The time of year for travel was not ideal, but Turgon had been insistent, and the sturdiest of his warriors had been chosen. Three of her companions had died along the way - one had fallen through a crack in the ice of the Anduin, while they made a crossing; another had been torn down by a pack of wolves that had caught him alone; the third fell to orc arrows. The trail had been sad and long and none of the Rangers knew what they would find once they had reached Mirkwood. Would there be friends and allies? Some spoke of making contact with the Elves of Lothlorien, but it was strongly urged against - the Lady of the Woods was to be feared.

With her six remaining companions, they had at last come to the southern reaches of Mirkwood. The land was fraught with shadows of evil and two more of her companions perished, the only evidence of their demise was thick webbings that stretched from tree to tree where they had lain. It spoke of the evil of Cirith Ungol in her own realm. Esgalwen and her remaining Rangers quickly moved north, skirting the southern forest and narrows, at last approaching the western eaves and the lands surrounding Rhosgobel. The snows had at last retreated to the highlands of the Anduin Vale and the Misty Mountains, and the Rangers could feel something in the air. They did not know what was about to happen, but it was apparent in the forest. One of her kin was an experienced animal-tamer and he could see that birds flew overhead with messages. They at last met people, Men of the Vale, who told them of Rhosgobel and a folk-moot that was to happen, and so the company of Rangers decided to seek out this Rhosgobel to make counsel with those who gathered. Unfortunately for Esgalwen and her companions, they would not make it.

A raiding party of orcs out of the narrows, set upon their encampment. The Rangers fought valiantly, but their numbers were few compared to the host of orcs. Esgalwen watched as Éothor, their leader, fell with a spear through his torso - a pile of many slain orcs at his feet. Then Rivuld and Morwain fell and she and her two remaining companions took refuge in the woods. The darkness of the forest separated them and though the clamour of battle continued behind, why she did not know. She ran and soon found herself alone.

That was four weeks ago. Now she sat in a tree.

Esgalwen did not know if she was the hunter or the hunted. She sat atop a low hanging branch of an oak tree that allowed her a better view of the forest floor around her. All she had seen in the eerie light of the moon was a large, wide-backed creature, maned with coarse hair. It was not larger than a horse, but it would certainly take down a man - or woman. It's grunts and snorts had stopped when Esgalwen had taken refuge in the tree. Then there came the sound of a squeal some ways off to her left - to the west - and the thump of something falling.  The Ranger's eye quickly noted movement in the gloom, the low ferned-scrub shifting as whatever it was that hunted her moved off to investigate the new sounds of the night.


Bandobras moved off as the two men hauled the deer out of the ferns onto a clear area of the forest floor. The hobbit had little knowledge of how to prep an animal - though he loved to eat them. So he figured he would help in what ways he could. He had no intention to go far, hoping instead that he would find easy kindling and wood along his path. Bandy was right as his arms began to fill with a stack.

---

:ooc: All PC's are introduced - unless disench4nted joins us - but please give me narrative as to what your PC's are doing now. Dressing the deer for travel? Building a fire? Whatever.

Also, please give me a Lore roll TN 16 - any Lore traits that pertain directly to Mirkwood (Mirkwood, Enemy, Beast) will aid the roll by +2, not give you an auto-success. I know this is bending the rules, but I have never been a fan of auto-successes except with things that are mundane. Cool? If you guys disagree with me on this, please feel free to chime in - I am still learning TOR and don't want to break the rules. I will listen to the arguments and will change this ruling above if it seems I am messing things up.

 :ooc:You are actually not off, Doug, on your ruling. It actually talks about it somewhere in the rule book that for "non-mundane" rolls traits might be used to grant a bonus rather than auto-success. I'm good with the ruling.

DC 16 Lore (2) + Beast-Lore

 :ooc:Apparently, Esgalwen fails knowing anything about the beast.

Question: Is Esgalwen able to see/hear the rest of the Company?

With Grimbeorn's taciturn help, unmaking the deer went smoothly and quickly.  The meat, entrails and organs have been packaged up in the hide, and are now hanging by a cord from a nearby branch.  Arbogast, true to his name, watches the dancing flames, enjoying the contrast between the cold behind him and the warmth on his face.  His thought turn to the future, and he finds himself torn between a desire for the life he has known and a previously-unsuspected desire for a life with friends such as those now sharing his campfire - a life alongside Elves and great Men, and travellers from far-off lands. 

:ooc: I think not allowing an auto-success is perfectly reasonable sometimes - especially if the subject is an obscure one that even experts wouldn't know a lot about. 

There is no realistic prospect of Arbogast making a Lore roll, but let's try anyway!  I'll add +2 for Mirkwood Lore, but leave off the Shadow Lore, as Arbogast seems to have come to life in my head not yet knowing much about the wider world. 

DC 16 Lore 0(+2)

 :ooc: Aaaaaaaaaaand that would be bad. 

Sitting before the fire with his back to a log, Bandy warms his toes and surveys his companions. The events of the day play out in his mind. If the people back home could see me they'd think I am as queer a Mr. Baggins, he thinks. Yet he trusts these people who were just this morning were strangers. During the chase his new they proved themselves to be generous, stouthearted, and trustworthy. With an ember from the fire, Bandy lights his pipe and draws on it thoughtfully. Then, as is his way, he begins to weave the day's events into a simple rhyme that he mutters half aloud and half to himself. This will help him remember until he has an opportunity to write it all down. Looking up, he asks absentmindedly, what rhymes with Grimbeorn?

:ooc: Lore Check. I have rhymes of lore as a specialty but I do not think that would apply to this situation.

Orophim smiled at the Beornings' concern. "It's a beautiful night to be beneath the boughs."

Quote from: Eclecticon on Apr 26, 2015, 08:23 PM:ooc: Aaaaaaaaaaand that would be bad.

:ooc: Although it is a definite failed roll, it is not that bad - at least in this circumstance. The rules say, under most circumstances, a result of the EYE icon counts as zero. [TOR p.27] - so no worries. It is when you are Miserable, or you are using a weapon or special ability, that things can get bad for PC's.

Ok - we have character posts from everyone, but I did not get Lore rolls from Orophin and Grimbeorn, so I am going to roll for them. If you guys do not like your results, you are welcome to roll your own, but the new result will stick.

Grimbeorn Lore roll:
TN 16 Lore   ○○○○○○, mod +2


Orophin Lore roll:
TN 16 Lore   ♦♦♦○○○


Here is a note, too, for those who don't know - if you want to put some text in front of your dice roll to label it, just put the text in { } inside the [rol1] code and you will get what you need. This includes icons, like the ones in mine above.

Quote from: Posterboy on Apr 26, 2015, 06:15 PM:ooc:Question: Is Esgalwen able to see/hear the rest of the Company?

:ooc: See them, no. Hear them, perhaps. She will most likely hear them very soon, though.  ;D

All right, there were no successes with the Lore rolls, so local legends and rumors do not play into this scene.

---

Bandy sat by his fire and tried desperately to clear his sinuses of the smell of blood and viscera that had reeked the area from the deer's dressing. Grimbeorn and Arbogast had been quick and efficient, and the Hobbit marveled at how little was changed about the large mule deer, but he knew that every bit of the animal would be used by the Woodmen. The stomach and bowel had been emptied, but the animal was now hung on a long branch for easy carrying. The rest of the work would be done in the village camp.

He breathed deep of the smoke that came off the fire to clear his senses. It was not that Bandy did not enjoy a nice piece of venison crisped over a fire, or venison sausage with good spices, but that was after the meat was prepared. The hobbit took a long pull on his pipe and let the smoke roll out of his mouth - his companions began to settle around him and listened to his idle rhyme-making. The quiet calm of their evening was suddenly broken as the sound of a great snort and squeal filled the night.

Its name to the forest locals was Urska; some called it bloody-muzzle, and it had a terrible reputation in the western eaves of Mirkwood. The wild boar was huge. Some Woodmen claimed that it had been of the swine-herd of the Necromancer - those terrible beasts that both fed the evil sorcerer's armies, as well as served in its terrible ranks - which had been loosed on the forest to bring terror to the local folk. Other hunters and woodsmen spoke of the Bloody-muzzle as a beast that had just grown overly large and now dominated his own realm. These hunters prized the idea of bringing the great boar down.

Urska had been hungry and the smell of the female Ranger, all alone in the woods, had brought it out on the prowl. It was not a few man-folk that the Bloody-muzzle had killed, mostly small children that had strayed too far from the forest villages. But the death cry of the buck had caught the boar's attention - a fallen or injured animal was much easier prey than one of the two-legs - and so, Urska had turned to find its new feast.

The boar moved silently through the forest, a ruffle of fern the only mark of its passage, as it approached the new encampment of the companions. Arbogast and Grimbeorn had just finished washing their hands and arms in the crisp-waters of the pool when Urska espied the fire. The scent of the deer's death was heavy in its muzzle and it breathed deep. It did not see the carcass hanging a few feet off of the ground, it only saw the small figure of Bandy sitting quietly by the fire. The two men came and sat on logs near the Hobbit, when the Bloody-muzzle gave a sudden snort and squeal. Whatever the little thing was, the big two-legs would not have it.

The wild, monstrous boar charged.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/52987685/skrug.jpg)

:ooc: To my new players, do not post combat stuff here. I break out our combat in a round-by-round series of posts.

What we will resolve here is all of the steps at the Onset of Combat [TOR p.167]. Please feel free to correct anything that I miss here.

Surprise
Urska has a Movement of 2, which corresponds to its stealth, so:

:ooc: So,

PC's must make an Awareness, Battle, or Hunting test TN 8 or be surprised. A great success (6), or extraordinary success (6 6), will allow you to tell another PC who might have failed their test, and thus they are not surprised.

My next question, and this goes out primarily to the new players (as my old players prefer the mundane rolls to be done by me to help expedite) do you guys want me to make these rolls for you so we can rapidly set up combat scenes, or do you want to make your own rolls.

I will wait for everyone's response before I move us on - whether it is to make your own rolls, or if you want them made for expediency's sake. If it is the former, please make your rolls an post it here.

 :ooc:
You do it as it is faster for you to start combat, but I'm good either way.  I'll roll this time regardless...

"Oi!  To arms! What is this beast?!" says Grimbeorn.

:ooc:Are we able to draw weapons if we aren't surprised or do we wait until the next phase?

 :ooc: Why don't you handle the rolling, although I'll make my Awareness roll now.

 :ooc: I'll follow suit - I think it keeps things moving better if you handle automatic, 'passive' rolls.  I'll do an Awareness roll too, this time. 

:ooc: Nice.  Arbogast's Natual Watchfulness virtue bumps that up to a great success, so I don't think anyone's getting surprised tonight. 

I'll also attempt a preliminary Battle roll (see p.151):

Arbogast's axe is in his hand as soon as he hears the great boar's squeal.  He has heard such sounds before, though never so deep or so loud, and knows that it means an oncoming charge with plenty of furious muscle behind it.  He fumbles with his shield as he tries to put the fire between himself and the beast.  There's a chance, however slight, that some hot coals well-kicked into its face might break its charge for a vital moment...

 :ooc:Since everyone seems to me rolling I'll do this one as well.

DC - 8 Awareness

Orophins bow was in hand, arrow knocked and aimed at the squeeling creature before it even broke through the underbrush, prepared to loose an arrow into whatever the dark forest spewed forth.

:ooc: All right, I am trying to set up the combat rounds but Lord there is a lot to determine before combat starts!

No one is surprised, so the Company has the Initiatve, so all will roll a Battle roll for combat advantages TN 14.

Arbogast has already rolled for this and had a Great success - awarding two (2) success die. I will roll everyone else to expedite:

TN 14 Battle roll

:ooc: Bandy is the only success and he gets one (1) success dice.

I am not allowing any opening volleys as Urska is charging in as you guys grab up weapons

Now I need your stances - once I have that, I will set up the combat round.

 :ooc: stance: open... Grimbeorn grabs his axe.

 :ooc: Sorry - should've said!  Arbogast is Defensive as he prepares for the boar's charge.  He'll shift to Open once its momentum is broken (one way or the other). 

Bandy takes a step or two back and plants his feet as he fits and arrow into the bow string.

:ooc: For some reason I couldn't access the website until just now. Bandy is in rearward stance. He has fair shot virtue so rolls two feat dice, keeping the higher roll, in ranged combat.

:ooc: Yea, something was up with our server. Sorry about that!

Okay, because he, too, has a bow, I am going with the assumption that Orophin will be rearward as well.

Opening up a new thread for combat.

 :ooc:Can Esgalwen come in from behind and attack the boar?

 :ooc:Orophin is definately rearward and will stay there unless something requires him to change.

 :ooc:Please disregard my question above, just found the answer in the round 1 battle thread... sorry, still a bit drugged up from surgery I suppose. Wheeeeee! Good times! ;)