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The Company moved from the woods and out into the clearing where the Millfort stood, overgrown in vines and scrub. The horses and ponies were left behind, so as not to tempt the giant spider with food - or to have the animals flee in panic.

Arbogast shouted out to the thing, while Grimbeorn strode before all.

It stirred...slowly. The legs flexed and made slight adjustments around the tower and the head rose slightly.

"Hissssleeeep...." the company heard, while some even understood more. Both Arbogast and Esgalwen heard real words within the hiss, "MY SLEEP!"

The great chelicera, upon which hung fangs the length of a man's forearm, moved up and down to allow for words to be spoken. It was quite unnerving to see and each member of the Company felt a seed of fear grow within their hearts.

---

:ooc: Okay - this is going to be a standard encounter. The results of which will be to convince the spider to leave, or potentially upset it into a hateful rage causing a melee, should the encounter go ill.

Here are the rules of the encounter:
• Insight test for each companion to gain bonus success dice; TN 16 for any with Mirkwood Lore or Shadow Lore (spiders), TN 18 for any other.
• Introduction tests are Awe, Courtesy and Riddle - one is a TN 16, the others are TN 18 (PC's may attempt a Lore test TN 14 to get a hint as to which skill is most appropriate, and thus easiest TN)
• Interaction tests are Insight, Persuade, and Riddle - each is at a TN 14
• Tolerance rating for this encounter is: 4 (valour) - 1 (prejudice) = 3

I need to know if you guys will have ONE character represent you all and thus do ALL tests, or will more characters be involved? If the former, the only thing the other PC's may do is provide bonus success dice. If the latter, each PC that wants to talk MUST make a test.

All failed tests will add up against the Tolerance and if it reaches 3, Tauler will attack.

All successes will add up and have the following effects:
1-2 Successes - Tauler will only leave but she will take her food stash (Bofri) with her
3-6 Successes - Tauler will leave if the PC's can give her any gems to devour
7+ Successes - Tauler will leave with no demands

(each test success above = 1; Great success = 2; Extraordinary success = 3)

I am only going to do the Insight roll for the bonus Success dice, all other tests I will leave for you guys. If you guys give us actual RP'ing with your tests, that will enhance the story. If your PC has no intention of being part of the encounter and will stand to the side, just post once with that decision.

:ooc: Insight Test for bonus success dice:
TN 16 (18) Insight by PC

:ooc: Results:
• Arbogast has 2 bonus success dice
• Bandy has 1 bonus success die
• Rorin has 3 bonus success dice

All PC sheets :csu: for their successful rolls (Bandy did not get an AP due to not achieving a high enough success to check the next box)

Esgalwen will NOT be participating in this encounter and will remain silent.

:ooc: I'm happy to do the talking on my own - Arbogast is a fairly well-rounded conversationalist, and he seems to understand it better.  

I am equally happy to have help!  Bandy?

Rolling to see whether he has a clue about the proper strategy:

:ooc: Pissnuggets. 

 :ooc: Paul, you can pick whichever intro skill you'd like but you just won't know the TN

Arbogast considers the matter for a few seconds.  It is best, he decides, if a creature such as this were to know as little as possible of him, for its reach in the forest might easily extend as far as the Black Tarn. 

"Greetings to you.  I am the brand-bearer, the helm-thrower and the empty-bellied." 



:ooc: Using Riddle, obviously. 

:ooc: Aaaargh!  I'm going to spend my success dice:

 :ooc:

Rorin will participate, but I'll let the current dialogue go through first.

 :ooc: Bandy, for once, isnt going to say anything. He leaves this to Arbogast to handle. I'll push my two
Dice to him.

 :ooc: Remember, Steve, you have to make an introductionary roll, too, to participate.

Just an FYI.

I will update the game when I get to the office.

 :ooc: we are gonna have to fight this thing at some point.....just sayin.

 :ooc: Grimbeorn will hold off speaking as well for the time being but will potentially interject.

:ooc: Okay, we have one success towards the goal with Arbogast's successful Riddle. He did use both of his success dice.

Matt, to reply to your comment - that is the point of the encounter rules. You can either make an initial introduction roll as stated above to participate, or your PC has to opt out and only be able to offer bonus success dice (which Grimbeorn did not earn). This is the same for Rorin, as I said above - so only Arbogast is allowed to speak (and test) in this encounter so far.

Understand, only those with Permanent Shadow points can understand the spider's talk - others will only hear hisses and single broken words.

---

The spider's many eyes did not move - they were just black orbs atop the monster's head. Still, Arbogast felt an oppressive will focus on and envelope him. It made the Fire-watcher slightly tremble and the fear that was created made his stomach queasy.

Again the hairy chelicera moved, causing drips of venom to fall from the fangs. The sounds that were made seemed to be words, almost nondescript, but yet Arbogast could discern them, "Brand-bearerrrr...emmmmpteeee belly! You approach deathhhhh...but I have feassssted. Whaaaaat do youuuu waaaant? I huuuunnnggooooor once mooooore...."

The spider could sense the warmth of the bodies before it. Tauler could feel the trembles of their hearts and knew that sweet blood filled them all. Too bad he had just eaten, or they would make wonderful treats! It's eyes, unblinking bore in on all of them and the spider's primal need to kill and eat began to fill its desires.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/52987685/tauler01.jpg)

 :ooc: as stated I'' passing my two dice to Arbogast.

:ooc: Hey Tom, Yea - I saw that. Bandy has 1 die though - he only achieved a normal success on his Insight.

So, Paul - you have it to use if you need it. Remember, too - there is always Hope!  >:D

Should combat break out, whether by multiple failures in the Encounter, or if a PC says "screw it", I will open up a combat thread. The only PC armed with a ranged weapon is Esgalwen, so she will be the only one to gain an opening shot.

Rorin couldn't understand any of the words that the spider was saying, but he could feel it's desire to feast again in the deadly gaze it had turned towards the party.

"I am the rock among the trees and the bender of steel, and I am at your service."

Rorin saw Bandy turn a disapproving eye towards him and responded with a helpless shrug and growled under his breath, "I am a smith and a soldier! I was raised cutting treasure from stone, not concocting riddles!"

:ooc:

Rorin's intro roll.

Riddle

:ooc: Wow! Great intro roll, Steve!  ;D

Extraordinary Success which counts as 3.

So, we are at 4 Successes

Not to be a dick, but I adjusted the Success table to that in the book. I thought you guys might struggle a bit with this, but it looks like all is going well. You guys need 3 more successes, which will now be earned via interaction tests.

You also have 4 Success dice remaining!

 :ooc: what we need is oil and torches. We are gonna have to kill things one day, might as well be this day.

Rorin watched the massive spider above him, and while it didn't respond to him, it didn't lunge at him either. The dwarf took this as a good sign. Before trying to speak to the spider again he whispered to Bandy once more, "I think I have it's attention, I'll keep it busy for as long as I can so you can plan our first strike."

He took several cautious steps forward and studied the thing before speaking again. "I know that you smell the hot blood that runs through my veins. And I also know that you have already fed twice on this day. There is no more blood for you at this place."

:ooc:
Rorin is studying the spider and will be rolling Insight.

TN 14 Insight

"Indeed.  Though a great wolf now stalks the wood that would be worthy prey for one such as you.  In fact, it is said among Men that it is the mightiest hunter ever seen beneath the black boughs."


:ooc: Rolling persuade - let's see if I can send this thing after the Werewolf!

"I am Grimbeorn, son of Beorn -- a name you should know well.  We are here for the one you hold in your possession and to regain this dwelling in the name of the Dwarves of Erebor."

 :ooc:

 :00:

Beneath his beard, Arbogast's face turns white.  What is he doing?  What folly to utter such words!  Trying to keep his voice level, he says "I pray you, forgive my companion's hasty talk.  His is a proud line, but the doings of short-lived folk who go about the forest on two legs need not concern one such as you." 



:ooc: Mate, we're currently having a pleasant-ish conversation with a spider the size of a minibus.  I know killing spiders is very much Grimbeorn's thing, but there'll be other opportunities to do that.  In the meantime, I strongly recommend that you don't piss it off!

Rolling Courtesy to try and mollify it somewhat:

:ooc: Aaaaaaaand I'll spend the extra success die I got from Bandy (thanks, mate!)

 :ooc: Grimbeorn did tell it to piss off with a TN21.  ;D

:ooc: Not helpful. >:p

:ooc: I am in a bit of a quandary here - Grimbeorn had a Great success, but his dialogue was more of a challenge. I do not want to reduce the value of his making a great roll in Introduction, but I am not sure the effect of his Awe is positive.

Also - I updated Rorin and Grimbeorn's sheets :csu: for successful rolls. Paul, Arbogast did not achieve the necessary success level to earn more points for each of his successes.

Anyway, the party has earned enough successes to pass this encounter and only had 1 failure (which could be a success if Steve uses a bonus success die). The results will be interpreted in the narrative below.

---

Tauler watched as the Dwarf introduced himself and then Grimbeorn. The name was recognized. The Beornings were killers! So many young slain by their axes! So many mothers weeping for their brood! It was then that Tauler began to put things together - murderers! These were the ones that had destroyed the nest in the Narrows. The spider's eyes bore in on each of them remembering faces and now...names.

The companions could sense it. The giant spider was intensely studying them all and it created discomfort for each. Suddenly it hoisted itself up on its legs, still atop the round tower. Arbogast and Esgalwen heard within the hisses and clicks, "Muuuurdererrrs! Killers! Weeee knoooowwwww whoooo you aaaare noooooowwwww! Weeee shalllll hunt you forever! The forest issss nooooo longer safe for you....or yours."

With amazing speed that belied her size, Tauler moved off the top of the tower and into a tree. Silk from her abdomen lay behind her, like a wake, and she plucked other fine strands that were invisible to the Company, but stretched from tree to tree. The strands vibrated and words were sent.

The Company now stood alone in the old courtyard of the way-building and the Millfort was now accessible. From within came a low voice, "Hello?"

Bandy placed the sword in his sheath and a look of panc crossed his face.

"She plucks the strings of her web like a harpist calling its listeners to order. No doubt soon the spiders will be upon us and this clearing a death trap. Quickly, let us free Bofri or prepare to defend the Milfort."

The Halfling was no Captain of war and the memory of the spider fight in the narrows where he received his wound was still fresh in his mind. Once more he drew forth his bow and an arrow to marry to it. 

"Aye! These forts will hold against any foe when they are properly defended. We should retrieve the horses and get inside with quickly!"

"Hobbits may be small and short legged but we are often missed by the big folk. I'll fetch the horses in case speed or food is needed."

The weather was still the cool air of early spring but beads of sweat stood out on the hobbits brow. He was pale, but there was courage still in his voice.

"Mark the way and clear a spot for the horses."

The Hobbit tucked his bow away and like a toddler who is underfoot in the kitchen and gone missing the next the Hobbit of the Northfarthing was off after the horses.

 :ooc: Doug, unless Bandy is stopped or called back by the party he is gonna fetch the horses and ponies. If need be to avoid detection by the spiders I'll burn a point of hope to 'disappear'.

Rorin nodded and rushed to the gate of the Millfort while calling out for Bofri, "Bofri! Keep talking so I can find you!"

 :ooc: From what Grimbeorn heard they were asked why there were here, he was just forthright and honest   :\  0:)   But yes, using Awe was not the greatest of skills to use.  :o  :-[ 

:ooc: I think the scene went perfect, Matt.

I was actually hoping Bandy would throw one of his pots of oil (if he had any left).

Arbogast nods at Rorin and unslings his shield.  "Go carefully.  There are also tales of forest spirits who mimic the voices of Men."  

He stands by the doorway to the Millfort, ready to defend Bandy should he return pursued by foes.  



:ooc: ... and as far as Tauler knows, I'm a Beorning.  

Grimbeorn does likewise and approaches the fort, ready for anything.