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And that's it - well done on a completely successful adventure! 

Mechanical rewards first
Every PC receives eight EP and as many AP as are marked off on your sheets (Matt, I never marked one off for Laeral's successful Awe roll, so make sure to add one).

Everyone except Esgalwen recovers a point of Hope from the Fellowship pool (unless you're at maximum Hope already, in which case don't bogart the Hope!). 

Other stuff
The next adventure won't start until May 2957, so there's plenty of scope for any narration you'd like.  I want to kick things off again at Beorn's House, so if you could come up with a reason to be there you'd be helping me out. 

The Road
The last thing we had to do to finish off the Road was spread the word that it's open for business.  Lake-Town during the Council is an ideal place to do that.  After that, everyone gets a Holding at rating 9, which will reduce by one every year as traffic picks up and trade routes are established. 

And, it being a year-end Fellowship Phase, everyone gets two Undertakings as is now traditional. 

:ooc: I won't get time to write a proper narration before it'll be time for me to leave, but important developments for end of the year are:
1. The Council of the North doesn't come to any important conclusions about the rise of Mordor etc, but local issues like the dispute over the Bardings' taking of trees get aired, and ties between the Free Peoples are strengthened, even though all agree that further meetings should not be risked.

2. Saruman the White visits Radaghast in Rhosgobel, and probably calls on Bandobras on his way.

3. The winter is another terrible one, with wolves prowling outside the gates of Woodmen-Town, Beorn's House, and many isolated steadings.

 :ooc: The legend of Esgalwen must surely grow if not causing her to be knighted for her actions in single-handedly disposing of that great snake creature and facing off against a Nazgul and surviving -- no mean feats are these.

:ooc: She did have her moment to shine, at last! The dice were rolling during that encounter. I fear that I might have gotten my full year's allotment from the Dice gods in one shot.  (-D

 :ooc: as someone who is keenly interested in standing..... what was in the chest?

:ooc: A perspicacious question indeed, and one I was kicking myself for not answering before I left.

The chest contains silver coins and the odd piece of jewellery, with a total value of 50 Treasure.  I'll warn you in advance, though, that it's coin largely looted from old barrows, and handed out by agents of the Shadow to make men commit treason, among other things, so anyone who seeks to claim some will have to make a Corruption test or gain two Shadow points.

EDIT: Arbogast is also interested in the chest, for much the same reason.

I'll roll those here for the sake of narrative to come. I like to spread my epic failure rolls across multiple threads.

Corruption test for Black Breath:



Corruption test for claiming the gold:

 :ooc: sometimes all that glitters is gold.

Not sure what the Black Breath TN was.

Paul,
Did we house rule standing advancement? I remember talking about it but forgot the outcome.

:ooc: We've effectively house ruled it a little - e.g. you don't have to pay all the money at once. You can also get Standing from other sources (mostly winning battles for your culture). 

I don't recall anything beyond that.  Does anyone have a different recollection?

 :ooc: i feel like Hathcyns standing should be higher than 1.

Among the Beornings anyway:

He burned down Viglunds Hall
Banner bearer at Stone Ford
Avenged the wedding at the Carrock
Has a herd holding
Now has a road holding

Known among the forest road gangs
Leadership role among the exslaves who decided to remain in Beorns lands.
Speaks in council and is know to have the ear of Grimbeorn.

As well as things he did as part of the company that are perhaps less influential among his own folk.

:ooc: You're right - and I seem to recall it rose to two after he carried Beorn's standard at the battle of Stánford. 

Thinking about it, that may have just raised his Standing from zero to one.  OKAY!  New house rule - Standing starts at one.  Even beginning characters still have some ties to their community, though their adventurous ways meant that they may not be viewed as entirely reliable or trustworthy. 

:ooc: I'll kick things off, shall I?

Arbogast finishes up the adventure with 12 AP and 22 (!) XP.  He'll spend four AP to buy his first dot in Lore, six XP to raise his Spear skill to three and 16 XP to raise his Wisdom to five.  His remaining eight AP go into the bank.

For his new Virtue, he'll take A Hunter's Resolve (TOR p 111).  :csu:

In a display of ardent nerdery, I've crunched the numbers and worked out that it'll take Arbogast and his family 21 days to get from Esgaroth to Black Tarn Hall even if they're riding horses along the Forest Road - not quickly enough to be home by Yule.  Then I looked at the actual rules and realised that they don't have to be home by a particular date - just spend the year-end Fellowship phase there.  Facepalms all 'round. 

His first Undertaking will be to spread the word that the Road is finished and is ready for use by all and sundry.  His second will be to spend the last 10 Treasure he needs (having spent a bunch of previous loot on pro-social things over the course of the campaign to date - see his character sheet for a full accounting) to increase his Standing to four. 

Some rolls:
Corruption roll for claiming a share of the strongbox loot


Holding roll


Yearly events roll for the vicissitudes of life

:ooc: Narrative to follow tomorrow sometime.  For now, I need to sleep.

By and by, the kings, princes and chieftains who came to sit on the Council, or pay court to it, go their separate ways.  Dáin, King Under the Mountain and Bard of Dale, with queen Una by his side, are farewelled from the docks and are rowed northwards in great ships.  Before his  departure, though, Dáin takes Grimbeorn aside.  A comical sight they might make, the dire Beorning towering over the Dwarf king, were it not for the majesty with which the latter holds himself.

"I hear tell of the mortal peril you faced to bring my ancestor's bones home to rest.  The favour of Erebor is at your disposal, and your companions', and I'll grant a boon of like worth when you ask it of me."

With much less fanfare, Caewin also takes ship south along the River Running, no sign of care at the effect of the 'fallen heroes' retrieved by his men visible on his brow.  Mogdred, all a-glower, rides for the Toft and smiling Legolas for his father's hall. 

Many miles from the lake shore, in a forest fell not seen by mortal eyes in years uncounted, a tall figure in travel-stained grey watches the departures in a water-filled bowl of purest silver.  "Does this allay your concern, Mithrandir?" comes an ageless voice. 

"Yes, my lady," the wizard answers, relief heavy in his reply, "I believe it does.  Now, if you have time, and are so minded, I would greatly love to see what had passed in Tharbad..."

Not a moment too soon do the Council members leave, for within a day of their departure a storm blows in from the north and east, bringing driving snow and freezing the surface of the Long Lake, such that the royal boatmen are forced to cast hammers before their bows to smash the ice.  Thus does the winter arrive in force.  Across Wilderland, traffic and travellers seek shelter where they may wait out the bitter cold. 

:ooc: Does anyone want to take over Laeral as a PC?  If not, I'll do her advancement etc. 

 :ooc: i do not.

Hathcyn:

Increase Persuade +1
Great Spear +1
Valor +1

Holding Roll for Herd (Current Value 8)


Weal and Woe Roll


How much Treasure is gained from the Chest? I need to know that before I pick my undertakings.

Weal and Woe a Worthy Year. Let's see what my final treasure count is before I decide.

:ooc: I do not have interest in Laeral.

Esgalwen has 12 AP and 12 EP to spend.

Working on it now - I will edit this post in a few with my choices.

Quote from: Telcontar on Jul 04, 2021, 05:16 AMHow much Treasure is gained from the Chest? I need to know that before I pick my undertakings.

:ooc: That'll be ten points apiece. 

Don't forget Hope also.  Nobody was wounded, despite my best efforts, so anyone with a Fellowship Focus can regain a point from that, and everyone except Esgalwen can take a point from the pool.

:ooc: Esgalwen will increase her Awareness to 3d. As a Ranger, this is something I have felt she has lacked in for a while now.

She will bank her XP.

Her two undertakings:
Receive Title in Dale - for her service to King Bard, she receives title in Dale and is given permanent ownership of the home in which she lived for the last few years. What that title is is up to you, Paul.
Collect Marsh herbs - I roll on the table page 13 in the Laketown book:

:ooc: Sweet! I find Reedmace.

• If you collected Reedmace during your last Fellowship phase, for the duration of the following Adventuring phase every time you make a Healing roll to treat a wound, the difficulty of the roll is lowered by two levels (TN -4).

Esgalwen takes none of the gold and so does not have not have to make a corruption test.

Here is her Weal and Woe roll...

:ooc: Esgalwen rolls an 8 which is Blessings/Well Guided and Well Guarded...
If she is considered at home in Laketown, she gains some treasure and has a really good Year End. Otherwise, she still has the good, safe year but no treasure.

Paul, you will need to decide how this will affect her.

The winter snow was bright from the sunlight above and Esgalwen had to shade her eyes.

She stood upon the small balcony of her apartment within the city of Dale. It was a comfortable and warm home and she was thankful to the lord of this land for his generosity. She pulled the wolf furred wrap tighter around herself as she wondered what the new year would bring. She had watched her friends leave once more for their lands far away, but knew in her heart that their fellowship was strong and she would see them again soon.

The life she now lived was a far cry from that of the wanderer she had known since Ithilien - the struggle to find food and a proper place to sleep. Now she awoke under woolen blankets and atop a feathered bed, this life more like that of her youth in Minas Tirith.

To the north the mountain loomed. To the east, the plains of Rhovanion stretched beyond her sight. And to the west, the forest could be seen like a dark bruise upon the land. Esgalwen knew it would not be long before she left her comfortable home and made her way once more into that gloom.

So divide the treasure by three? This matters for my undertakings.

:ooc: By four, unless Grimbeorn also foregoes his share (Arbogast has plans for his share, as mentioned above, and Laeral will claim a share as well).  So, 12 points each plus an additional one each for two lucky folk. 

Quote from: tomcat on Jul 04, 2021, 02:47 PMHer two undertakings:
Receive Title in Dale - for her service to King Bard, she receives title in Dale and is given permanent ownership of the home in which she lived for the last few years. What that title is is up to you, Paul.

:ooc: I like the idea of her receiving a title from Bard, but I'm going to flip the choice back to you,with some options.  She is named a thegn of Dale, but how that queries out for her is either:

1. Bard sees the strategic importance of the Forest Road and wants to keep his own eyes on it.  Esgalwen is granted a plot of land in the Nether Marches which, by strange coincidence is right on the river and very close to the Road's eastern end.

2. The recent brush with treachery in the household of a trusted ally makes Bard somewhat paranoid for a while and he insists on forming a small cohort as his queen's personal bodyguard. It's members, for propriety's sake, will all be women, and Esgalwen is named as its head and given a home in Dale itself.

Also, no helping the Road?  It's been a group effort so far, and it isn't done until it's done.

We cant just be leaving all this coin around all the time because someone bad touched it.

Also, Paul are you cool with me reskinning Guard the Old ford? I want to use the same table but switch the setting to the Forest Road.

:ooc: I absolutely approve of that idea, Tom.

Also, I've been thinking about Hathcyn's idea for a trading settlement at the western end of the Road.  I'm very happy for you to narrate its founding (probably as little more than a jumped up steading with an attached trading post).  Unless story events impact it directly, it'll grow with Hathcyn's Standing - as he gets more important, it will too.

Quote from: Eclecticon on Jul 04, 2021, 10:42 PM:ooc: I like the idea of her receiving a title from Bard, but I'm going to flip the choice back to you,with some options.  She is named a thegn of Dale, but how that queries out for her is either:

1. Bard sees the strategic importance of the Forest Road and wants to keep his own eyes on it.  Esgalwen is granted a plot of land in the Nether Marches which, by strange coincidence is right on the river and very close to the Road's eastern end.

2. The recent brush with treachery in the household of a trusted ally makes Bard somewhat paranoid for a while and he insists on forming a small cohort as his queen's personal bodyguard. It's members, for propriety's sake, will all be women, and Esgalwen is named as its head and given a home in Dale itself.

Also, no helping the Road?  It's been a group effort so far, and it isn't done until it's done.

I see #1 as the better option, as it will give her the freedom to operate outside Dale. The second option looks like she would not be able to leave for any extended periods of adventuring.

As for the Road, Esgalwen has not played any direct role in finishing the road since early in the adventure. If she needs to perform that function, I will change her second undertaking.

:ooc: If you want to go with option #2, I'll make it work - Queen Una is less uneasy than her husband, and recognises both Esgalwen's need to wander around Wilderland and the value to Dale of her dealing with threats while they're still far from the city's walls, so she'll  release her for 'errands' when necessary.  This is meant to be a reward, not leg irons! 

As for the Road, I suppose I hadn't kept track of whether she'd been actively working for it.  I know she didn't over the last Fellowship phase or two, and looking back I can see your arguments that things like this shouldn't need the entire Fellowship to jump in.  I sort of disagree, because the ultimate outcome mechanically is not just that it's quicker to get from one side of Mirkwood to the other, but that everyone gets a pretty sweet Holding, and I don't think anyone should be free-riding their way to that. 

I don't want to get into a knock-down-drag-out argument over it, but as I see it there is one last task to get done before you can all settle back and enjoy two Undertakings at the end of each year.  Why not get it over with now?  As a bonus, it sidesteps the 'is a Barding at home in Esgaroth' discussion we might otherwise have to have. 

:ooc: Laeral spends 8 AP to increase her Travel score to two, and 10 XP to bump her Valour up to four.  Her Spear of the Last Alliance retroactively has always been Keen. 

I'm going to shuffle her offscreen until it's appropriate for her to reappear, but in the meantime she will spend one of her undertakings to become an honourary burgesse of Lake-Town, and the other to talk up the Road. 

Doug, how's this for a thought: given that Laeral has a virtue which approaches post-hypnotic suggestion in its ability to influence Men, and the fact that she's not going to be gaining a Holding at the end of the process, how about we say that Laeral covers Esgalwen's part in that endeavour?  That way you don't need to re-write anything. 

Quote from: Eclecticon on Jul 05, 2021, 03:43 AM:ooc: I absolutely approve of that idea, Tom.

Also, I've been thinking about Hathcyn's idea for a trading settlement at the western end of the Road.  I'm very happy for you to narrate its founding (probably as little more than a jumped up steading with an attached trading post).  Unless story events impact it directly, it'll grow with Hathcyn's Standing - as he gets more important, it will too.

I was thinking about this yesterday. I was going to take the Road Holding and manifest that as an Ale House at the western eaves of the wood.

Also, do still have an undertaking to finish the road  or is it complete? I'm confused on this a bit.

:ooc: Yeah,everyone has one more Undertaking to spend on the Road, then it's sweet, sweet passive income time.

Damn okay. I thought when you said we had a road holding it was done.

1 will be for the road, my ale house at the west gate.

The other i think will be guard the forest road (using Old Ford Table)

Quote from: Eclecticon on Jul 05, 2021, 03:21 PM:ooc: If you want to go with option #2, I'll make it work - Queen Una is less uneasy than her husband, and recognises both Esgalwen's need to wander around Wilderland and the value to Dale of her dealing with threats while they're still far from the city's walls, so she'll  release her for 'errands' when necessary.  This is meant to be a reward, not leg irons!

I think this is probably more apropos. I do not see Esgalwen being a thegn drawing men and women to her house, in these lands and so the apartment in Dale is more to her liking now. Still adventurous and wanting to go forth to join the fellowship, she would be better suited in this task. Her idle flaw might also play against her if she took responsibility with guarding the western end of the road.

Quote from: Eclecticon on Jul 05, 2021, 03:21 PMAs for the Road, I suppose I hadn't kept track of whether she'd been actively working for it.  I know she didn't over the last Fellowship phase or two, and looking back I can see your arguments that things like this shouldn't need the entire Fellowship to jump in.  I sort of disagree, because the ultimate outcome mechanically is not just that it's quicker to get from one side of Mirkwood to the other, but that everyone gets a pretty sweet Holding, and I don't think anyone should be free-riding their way to that. 

I don't want to get into a knock-down-drag-out argument over it, but as I see it there is one last task to get done before you can all settle back and enjoy two Undertakings at the end of each year.  Why not get it over with now?  As a bonus, it sidesteps the 'is a Barding at home in Esgaroth' discussion we might otherwise have to have.

I had no intention of taking a holding for the completion of the road. Since before I turned the GM'ing to you, I had Esgalwen up north and she was doing her own thing. She rolled a :g: on the last Weal and Woe roll I did for her a few years back in story, and thus won favor in Bard's court as an emissary from Gondor. This has progressed to our current place in the story, where she has now been given title in those lands - with title comes land or a home. Because she is up north by herself, I just thought her wandering the marshes for the King of Dale seemed a probable chore/task and she found herbs along the way.

The road undertakings, when I GM'ed our story, have always been a cumulative thing - not a group thing. So, if a player did an undertaking to work on the road, it went towards an overall cumulative goal for each step of the build. Anyway, you run the show now, so you tell me what needs done.

Quote from: Eclecticon on Jul 05, 2021, 03:21 PMDoug, how's this for a thought: given that Laeral has a virtue which approaches post-hypnotic suggestion in its ability to influence Men, and the fact that she's not going to be gaining a Holding at the end of the process, how about we say that Laeral covers Esgalwen's part in that endeavour?  That way you don't need to re-write anything.

That definitely works for me and if it fulfills the group undertaking, then it is a win win. :tup:

Couple if questions.

What is the current year?

When is the next adventure starting?

What is the final division of treasure?

The long nights of Yule pass in Lake-Town, and Arbogast lends his voice to the singers who pass along the wooden streets as Lindwine dances upon the frozen surface of the lake.  Only the twins, however, find great joy in the season, as they are set loose in the market pool with a handful of silver coins to buy sweets and playthings.  The songs in the Dalish tongue are strange to the Fire-watcher's ears, and the ice, his wife cryptically explains, has not the good character of that of the Black Tarn.  The decision to leave Esgaroth as soon as the weather allows it is made quickly, and with much relief. 

Before the lake is fully thawed, then, the small family joins Tait and Laeral as they sail downriver, both bound, they say, for Dorwinion, he to seek profit in trade and she to attend to an errand of the Lady Irimë that she will not name.  They leave the boat at the Eastfort and Arbogast, mindful of the hardships he has brought upon his womenfolk, spends coin freely to ensure their comfort on the month-long journey back to Sweartmereseld.  He takes cheer in the flush of health on their cheeks from the well-sewn furs, comfortable lodgings and plentiful meat and ale that the recovered orc-stolen goods that once he carried upon his back through the Long Marshes now buy. 

Finally, though the snows still lie so heavy that the family's wain struggles at times to make headway, they bid good-bye to the Dwarf road and turn south toward the land of their folk.  The vales they find near empty, the winter keeping the shepherds far from their summer folds, and so their possessions are loaded on to the backs of their horses and they venture once again under the western eaves of Mirkwood, their hearts gladdening at each familiar sight. 

Great is the celebration when the family reaches Woodland Hall, bringing with them news of the Council and other far-off deeds, to say nothing of new songs and tales of Esgalwen the swordmaiden and her battle against the ferocious monster of the Long Lake.  Gifts, also, they bring for their kinfolk from the markets of Esgaroth: Dwarf-wrought tools and rings, fine linen tunics and colourful ribbons, and toys from the craftsmen of Dale, each one a delight to the children of the wood.

The Men of Mirkwood have further reason to rejoice, they are told, for a great wizard of the southern lands, said to be the father of Radaghast the Brown, is to come and dwell with his kinsman in Rhosgobel.  Tongues are busy guessing how long he shall stay, with some speaking of mere weeks and others holding forth that he has been driven from his home and will live forever more in Wilderland.  Arbogast's heart lifts further at this news, for he has seen how the brown wizard has withdrawn into himself in recent years. 

Tragedy, however, awaits once they arrive at Woodmen-Town, for Arbogast learns from his brothers that Lafdag, who was more like a father to him than the man who sired him, has perished, his frozen body found close to his steading, his good leg buckled and broken after what would be a minor fall to another man on another day.

Thus is joy mixed with grief at their homecoming, as it is for so many in these waning days.

Also can I get a break down of the Road Opening?

Last Fellowship phase we touched it was two ago so like january 2020.

Quote from: Telcontar on Jul 06, 2021, 09:50 PMCouple if questions.

What is the current year?

It's currently 2956, going into 2957.

Quote from: Telcontar on Jul 06, 2021, 09:50 PMWhen is the next adventure starting?

That will be in April 2957.

Quote from: Telcontar on Jul 06, 2021, 09:50 PMWhat is the final division of treasure?

Let's see - Arbogast, Laeral and Hathcyn have all taken shares, so at least 12, assuming Grimbeorn wants a share as well.  The remaining two points can either go to PCs or can be used to pay for funerals for the men killed during the adventure, or some such.

If Matt doesn't want to dip his hands in the chest, each share goes up to 16 points, with the same remainder.

That reminds me - I never did Laeral's Corruption roll.

Quote from: Telcontar on Jul 06, 2021, 10:01 PMAlso can I get a break down of the Road Opening?

Sorry - I don't quite know what you mean.  Are you taking in terms of when it opens and how, or more geographically?

Quote from: Eclecticon on Jul 06, 2021, 10:51 PM

Quote from: Telcontar on Jul 06, 2021, 10:01 PMAlso can I get a break down of the Road Opening?

Sorry - I don't quite know what you mean.  Are you taking in terms of when it opens and how, or more geographically?

Mechanically where are we at in terms of undertakings to get it open. Do we all need to burn an undertaking to all complete or is it individual efforts of under takings to complete. If its together we have one left? If its by player where are we at in the undertaking requirements? 

I don't think Paul uses this, but here was our status on the road a few years ago...

Undertaking statuses (or is it stati) (https://rpg.avioc.org/boards/index.php?topic=1581.msg29626#msg29626)

Yeah I thought i did the fifth stage teo fellowship phases ago.

Quote from: tomcat on Jul 07, 2021, 10:29 AMI don't think Paul uses this, but here was our status on the road a few years ago...

:ooc: Here's where we're up to:

Road status (as of the end of the last Fellowship Phase):
1. clearing the road :csu:
2. restoring the wayforts :csu:
3. restoring the road :csu:
4. patrolling the nearby woods, :csu: and
5. acting as messengers to drum up trade.

#5 is what anyone putting an undertaking into the Road is working on.  After that, Rorin glares at Bofri until he agrees to give the Fellowship of the Helm an ongoing share of the tolls.  I've been envisioning this as a share paid to the active members of the Fellowship, whoever they may be, to kind of keep them on retainer in case their services are needed in the future, but other people may see it differently. 

Also, to your point about whether I use the checklist above, I'm the one who's been (https://rpg.avioc.org/boards/index.php?msg=31259) keeping (https://rpg.avioc.org/boards/index.php?msg=30620) track (https://rpg.avioc.org/boards/index.php?msg=29534) of (https://rpg.avioc.org/boards/index.php?msg=28034) it! 

Quote from: Telcontar on Jul 07, 2021, 11:47 AMYeah I thought i did the fifth stage teo fellowship phases ago.

Nah, sorry.  The previous Fellowship phase was a short one between two adventures in the same year, so we didn't bother with road stuff.   The previous one we all worked on #4.  I know, I know - we've been at this for what seems like thousands of years, but trust me.  My project management skills are pretty basic, but I've had my eye on this project for some time (https://rpg.avioc.org/boards/index.php?msg=22963).  I'm now like a little kid the night before Christmas, jiggling from foot to foot at the thought of actually finishing it. 

Ok, I apologize if I'm a bit dense but much has been discussed...
1. Grimbeorn will not share in the gold recovered, he is not in need of it much now.
2. Grimbeorn returns home of course, and uses one of his undertakings to help finish the road as it ends near his domain and benefits his people greatly.
3. Weal & Woe

Grimbeorn gives the dwarf king a deep bow of appreciation and respect.  "I accept your generosity on my behalf and my companions.  Please know that you and your folk are welcome in the lands of my people as long as my breath lasts as friends and allies.  Our bond can only grow stronger.  May your cup overflow and axe be ever keen."

:ooc: Tom, take your 16 Treasure and darken my door no longer! 

Matt, by my count Grimbeorn has 15 XP and 16 AP to spend.  Get spending! 

16 AP ->
Courtesy 1->2 (8)
Persuade 0->1 (4)
Remaining: 4 AP

15 XP ->
None spent, saving XP

Undertaking: Complete Road - Shared tidings of the road and its boon to the nearby peoples, especially the Beornings, walked the road home and continued to deal with threats along the way
Undertaking: Heal Corruption - Tends to his lands, spends time at home again with his father who is beginning to age more since he left, baking and brewing
 


Weal&Woe =2 (Grim Year)
Returning to his lands, Grimbeorn found the news of the betrayal of Wulfdan had spread before he even arrived.  He had taken counsel with his father first alone recounting his tale and his personal thoughts and then it was shared with the other thegns after they arrived to hear about the counsel in the east as spoken by Hathcyn.  This gave him both time to listen to the other's perspective but also watch the others as deeds fell and true were recounted.  From the start, he noticed a couple not in attendance, a few left during the report, and yet some also appearing furtive at mention of the traitorous actions though remaining for the whole thing.  Once the tale was given, there were many mutterings from concern about the increased travel from across Mirkwood to discussion of alliances and the reemergence of a long-forgotten evil.
One by one though the thegns also began recounting ill tidings in their lands with wolves at the borders, more orc raids out of the mountains, thieving creatures out of Mirkwoord, and dark sightings and tidings of strangers around the lands.  Grimbeorn had not arrived home too soon.

:ooc: Good stuff, Matt.  Don't forget, as a Beorning he has access to the Return to the Carrock undertaking (which lets you heal corruption using Travel instead of Craft or Song).  I like the idea of him spending more time in his father's house, though, and Beorn getting noticeably older. 

 :ooc: If you allow, I'll re-roll with Travel ... just the journey home, thoughts of home, his father, being amongst the familiar trees, plains, animals gives him hope.

:ooc: Sure.  I don't have a problem with that.  Were we sitting around a table, I'd have reminded you before you rolled. 

EDIT:  Having done a brief check, we're just waiting for Tom to advance Hathcyn and do his undertakings.  Any more narration you guys want to add would also be nice, but not necessary. 

:ooc: Grimbeorn has four points in Travel, so one extra die:

A worthy Year!
+6 Treasure for a Worthy Year
+16 treasure from the chest
+x from the Guard job

Persuade Increased
Valor Increased
Great Spear Increased

Undertakings
Spread the word of the road
Guard the Forest Road


Started Holding Ale House
Raised Stone. (I'm going to spend money on this and count it towards standing if that's cool?)

A worthy year indeed!

Chance meeting: You encounter a potential
patron of note (like Gandalf, Radagast, or some
other wanderer). You gain three bonus Success
dice to spend during any one encounter with that
notable figure, and may later undertake to gain
them as a Patron.

Money would have been better, but we can work with this. Paul ideas on who Hathcyn would meet on the Road? We havnet really been using the Patron concept too much in this game.

Spend 4 treasure on the standing stone, songs and ale.

A Worthy Year.
After the brush with the wraith Hathcyn was slow to recover. His body was hale, but he was plagued with dreams and disturbances in the night. Neither the elves nor the men of Laketown could do much for him. Time alone would have to heal him after his second brush with the wraith world. Soon he grew restless in Laketown and he was drawn to see the wonders of Dale. The moving and travel did him good and Dale was a marvel. The size and scope of the towers, the flowing of the water in the streets was a marvel. He could not believe that this was a city of men. So different from the settlements west of the wood, and nothing like Laketown below.

 He also found that he had new standing among the dwarves of the mountain. His role in the safe delivery and the return of the King Under the Mountain was known, and Balin had spoken highly of him. Doors that would have otherwise have been closed to him were open. He was invited to ales in the tavern and dwarves greeted him in the street "Hail Longspear friend to stone!" when they passed him by.

He was still surprised when an invitation to Erebor arrived. The note referenced his achievements on working on the road, and the recent service he had rendered to the crown. At least according to the dwarf who had to read the message to him though it was written in the common speech. The invitation to the see the great gate and be toasted in the ale house was too great to pass up. So he made his way to the entrance of Erebor. Here he beheld the great gate of Dain. The peculiar rock of Erbor which was a green marble with veins of golden quartz throughout. The entry figures stood tall and proud now restored to their old glory.

Though few not of Durin's folk were allowed into the Halls there were some accommodations just inside the gate for those who had bussiness or visited the dwarves and here Hathcyn was allowed to enter and again met Bofri of the Road. They toasted and talked with many ales. Bofri asked Hathcyn if he would accompany a few wagons to the south, to act as a guard and to spread the word of the forest road to other men along the River Running that a great road was now open into the west. He believed the words of another man would be helpful. Dwarves had little understanding that all men were not the same, but he agreed.

"I will do this for you of course, but may I ask for something in return?"

"Speak Longspear."

"I wish to have a column of stone, like that which is here in Erebor. I would take it west with me and raise it up. "
"This is an easy enough task, we shall shape it into a column..."

"No Lord, please. That is not in the manner of my people. I do not wish it shaped. I wish this to be in the manner of my people natural and unwrought, but also as a reminder of the Kingdom of Erebor its beautiful stone to sit at the west entrance to the wood."

"A manling who appreciates stone? You are a friend to stone indeed. It shall be ready on your return Longspear."

In a few weeks' time the task was done and the stone brought west of the wood. There in the manner of the Beornings Hathcyn erected a standing stone. The color unlike anything else from the surrounding areas. Upon a cleared knoll he raised it where the sun would catch the quartz veins and the stone would sparkle and shine in both sun and moon light. The Spear of the Fox he named it and spending some of his coin many barrels of ale were opened, and bards were paid to sing of his deeds with Grimbeorn and the others.

"As is the manner of our people let no man hunt at night within sight of this stone. I call this land reserved in the manner of my people. And to see that my word is kept I shall build a hall. Yes! An ale house even. There by the entry of the road so that all men and dwarves coming from the wood or beginning their journey east shall have a place to rest. To tell stories and to sing songs as we have done under the stars. The Fox Tale I shall call it. Who will help me raise timbers!"

Despite the breadth of the wraith the year passed very well for Hathcyn. Work upon his ale house passed quickly. Many of the workers of the road were happy to help him in the task and the wood was ready and nearby. Good water was available, and lands were cleared for timber and stone which made room for grains. Though farther away from the seat of Beorn than any other holding Hathcyn kept his allegiance to Grimbeorn and extended the lands in which his word was law. His cattle flock in the south prospered too and his hands filled with coins. His prestige was rising, which also served his plans.

No stranger to Beorn's Hall Hathcyn again found himself back in his Lords house. The sight of Aestid was a pleasing one, and he had thought of her often in his travels. Glad he was to again spend time in her company.
 
"You have been busy Longspeear. I have heard songs of you!" She laughed and it was pleasing to hear.

"Yes, do not think me vain, but I paid for them." He laughed with her.

"I did not think you so vain before but after this...." She laughed and looked upon the scarred face of the man and smiled.

"Nay lady I am not, I don't have the teeth for vanity anymore. I have a friend of mine who is both poor and always needing to speak. I but paid him and filled his mouth and belly as a kindness."

"Lies!"

"Maybe a little, but I would have men know of my deeds so that I may be worthy of your company lady."

"The beasts of the hall in the house of Beorn care not for songs, you do not have to pay for my company."

"No, but men do. And it is the pack of men that must be tended. No love from your father ever, but others may find me worthy."

"Bold words Hathcyn from a man who burned down my childhood home, and the hall of my fathers."

"Truly, I will get no love from him, but it is yours I seek. I would have a reputation enough that his opinion of me would mean nothing. I would see you too as Lady of your people, your word to guide them into better decisions."

"Your words are heavy with many meanings Hathcyn....."

"Ah Grimbeorn! Would you share a cup of your mead with us?"

The Lady stood, "Be safe Longspear, I wish you good fortune on your journeys and my hope is that you are successful. I too have misplaced my father's love, but my brother... for all his faults is my brother. No harm by your hand shall come to him or you shall never have mine. Be well men of the Carrock."

Grimbeorn who conserved words as way of query to his bannerman just stood and looked at Hathcyn as she left.

"Lord."

"Well what was that? Now you are short on speech?"

"ahhh nothing really. Well, I may have just promised Aestid I'd make her Chieftain of her people as a groomsprice. Though I am not sure, some of the details were left out. Most of the details were left out. She wished me luck though! You heard that, so that's more of a yes than a no. Isnt it? Lord? Some of your mead Lord?....."

"If you listened more and spoke less you would have heard her say yes. With conditions. But pour the mead and I'll help you to have heard what she said."

Im a dumb dumb, i kept thinking the old forest road was in the North Narrows. I now see my long standing mistake. The road is really good for beorn and the woodmen.

:ooc: Matt, Grimbeorn clears four points of Shadow.  :csu:

Quote from: Telcontar on Jul 10, 2021, 12:05 AMPaul ideas on who Hathcyn would meet on the Road? We havnet really been using the Patron concept too much in this game.

The obvious answer is Balin, who has clearly been very impressed with Hathcyn in particular.  I think he sees in him someone who is simultaneously trustworthy enough to entrust with important missions and willing to drop whatever is going on in his personal life and go for a long wander at the drop of a hat.  This is good, because he's looking for someone to scout out a place called 'Dimrill Dale' for some reason. 

Quote from: Telcontar on Jul 10, 2021, 12:00 AM(I'm going to spend money on this and count it towards standing if that's cool?)

The standing stone at the entrance to the Road is balls-out awesome and I absolutely endorse you using it as a Standing expense.  Are you done with Hathcyn's sheet?  I ask because his AP haven't been cleared and I don't want do to it for you until I'm sure that everything else is done. 

Yes, his sheet is done.

I also agree that Balin seems like a good choice.

:ooc: Cool, let's go with that, then.  Dwarves rock (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qF1EQXIG1c).

Last things last, I just need you guys to come up with a reason to all have gathered at Beorn's House (or the Fox's Tale) in late April 2957.  It doesn't have to be anything too elaborate - just something that explains why you're all together again. 

The starting Eye Awareness, for those interested in tracking such things, will be nine.

Preparation for the Celebration of a May Pole festival and the arrival of Dorwinion wine from the east?

:ooc: Qui tacet concentire videtur.  I'm going to go with this.