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Situation: The Fellowship finds itself in the lair of one of the nameless things that gnaws at the roots of the world. 

Combat Advantage dice:
• Arbogast 1/1
• Esgalwen n/a
• Grimbeorn 1/1
• Hathcyn 1/2

Situation Modifiers:
• The Nameless Thing has the initiative. 
• Anyone in a Rearward stance may attempt to climb the tunnel out of the hill - this will require multiple Athletics successes.
• The Nameless Thing may only be attacked by characters who first make a Valour roll against TN 17. 

Physical Modifiers (complications):
• Unless at least two torches are lit, the TN to hit the Nameless Thing is increased by two. 
• A lit torch must be held, requiring a free hand to do so. 

PC/NPC

:+~:

PARRY

:<>:

ARMOUR

:vv:

HOPE

:<3:

END

:-X-:

STANCE

:##:

STATUS

Arbogast Esgalwen Grimbeorn Hathcyn

• 6 (:<|: +3) • 6 • 4 (:<|: +4) • 4 (Great Strength +3)

• 2d (:C|: +3) • 1d (:C|: n/a) • 2d (:C|: n/a) • 3d (:C|: n/a)

• 9/16 • 13/14 • 9/12 • 5/13

• 18/26 • 27/27 • 31/31 • 16/29

Open Defensive Defensive Rearward

normal normal normal WEARY

ENEMY	:+~:	PARRY	:<>:	ARMOUR	:@:	HATE	:<3:	END	:csu:	NOTES
The Nameless Thing		• 5		• 3d		• 6/10		• 62/84		• WOUNDED

STANCES

:-X-:

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

:-->:

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

:<|:

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

:<->:

Rearward - action order 4 Ranged combat TN 12+ parry Must be 2 other PC's in Close Combat; May not use if outnumbered 2:1 Rearward 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

As Esgalwen hesitates, the Thing launches itself anew against Hathcyn, its bulk testing his battle-fury. 


:ooc: Attack roll (TN 19), with no 'rolling the Feat die twice' nonsense this time:

His nerve already tested and found wanting, Hathcyn finds himself driven back, and back again, before the Nameless Thing.  Finally, his strength fading, it bears him to the ground and drives itself over him, many heavy legs driving over him before Esgalwen, her sword swinging wildly, drives it back.  "RISE!" she cries, her eyes wide with the terror of battle. 


:ooc: That's a nasty hit on Hathcyn, who loses 14 Endurance and is now Weary.  Bear in mind that he's holding the gem you came here to find! 

Hathcyn was already scrambling up the tunnel.

"To the next position." HIs breathing was hard and his voice came in gasps. "We must fly before this creature."

Athletics.

Paul, what was the TN for the climb? I dont think Hathcyn is in the manmade part yet. If I need to I will use the bonus dice I have.

:ooc: I'm holding to my usual rule - if I don't say a specific TN, then it's 14.  Here - I'll roll some dice for you:

:ooc: That'll get you up to the cellar where Arbogast and Grimbeorn are, if you're happy to take it. 

Ooc: sounds good. Wasnt sure if we were still struggling in the bone pile.

:ooc: Apologies.  You're out of the bone pile now and into the packed dirt of the winding tunnel. 

:ooc: Crap - I just remembered that you need to make an Athletics roll (vs TN 17) to disengage from combat.  While I'm rolling for other people, I'll do that too:

:ooc: Gotta love the way the roller likes me.

 :ooc: certainly doesnt like me.

With Hathcyn safely away and bile rising in her throat for her hesitance, which allowed Hathcyn to be overwhelmed, Esgalwen spat at the beast. "Stay here in the darkness foul thing, among the bones and detritus that is your home! You have no place under the light of day!"

With Nimronyn poised to parry away an attack, she vaulted herself up the ramp to the next level.

---

:ooc: Rearward stance and here is my test to retreat...
TN 17 athletics 2d

The uneven and rough cut earth gave under the Ranger's feet and she tumbled to the ground. The dim light from above was all she could see, but she could feel the creature closely behind. Panic started to rise in her heart and she scrambled forward on all fours, clutching her sword as she did.

Esgalwen gave out a fearful cry, "I have fallen! It is coming!"

---

:ooc: Nothing better than rolling an :~~: at the worst possible time.

 :ooc: welcome to the domain of the player!  :~~:

 :ooc: Would have to the one character that can take a hit that falls and needs help.

What do I need to do for Grimbeorn to get back to help protect her?

He will do it in the Defensive Stance and Protect Ally if possible, otherwise Defensive Fighting (-3d).

:ooc: I might be good, Matt. Let's see what the next round brings.

:ooc: Getting down the tunnel is easy enough that you could do it by accident in the dark.  I'm fine with Grimbeorn doing a controlled slide down and being able to get an action off this turn.  I forgot to say so at the top of the thread, but the Nameless Thing is Fearsome again, so don't forget a Valour roll if you plan on attacking. 

In the weak, flickering light, Arbogast can barely make out the form of Grimbeorn beside him, let alone read his face, but he does not doubt that it is resolute and wrathful.  With barely a grunt of acknowledgement, the larger man releases his grip upon the tunnel wall (or so the Fire-watcher fancies) and slides rapidly down the slope, a squeal of surprise marking when he passes Essylt and her torches.  A moment later, Arbogast follows him, letting his shield scrape against the wall as a crude brake.  As he passes Hathcyn, frozen in the moment and uncertain whether to climb further or descend once again, he pauses long enough to gasp out "Keep the woman safe!  Without her light, we are lost!" 

When he arrives at the site of the fighting, his heart leaps to see Grimbeorn standing tall, Bear Claw swinging, already working to drive the beast back to its native depths.  There being little room for him to join the fighting if Esgalwen is to be brought behind the protection of Mannish shields, he raises high the Warden's Axe and calls out "Fellows and friends, here stand we one and all, and let never the least of us be left, forsaken to face their fate!"


:ooc: Arbogast is trying for a Rally (and is in Open stance):
(https://rpg.avioc.org/boards/Themes/default/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
:00: 1d12 : 4, total 4
Rolled 4d6 : 6, 6, 3, 1, total 16

:ooc: Everyone recovers a number of Endurance points equal to Arbogast's Heart rating - six points! 

EDIT: I completely forgot that Hathcyn had already retreated from combat, and had to go back and re-write the previous post.  Hence the edits and the apparent dice tampering. 

EDIT again: Matt, I didn't read Doug's post carefully enough and thought he was asking for Grimbeorn to come get Esgalwen.  If you want to do something else, feel free and I'll edit my post(s), even if that means re-doing Arbogast's action.  I don't want to deprive my players of their rightful agency!

 :ooc: Nope, he's headed back down to help Esgalwen, with Defensive Stand and Protect Ally action.

 :ooc: Looks like he gets to attack...

 >:p  :-[  :\

:ooc: Damn these :~~: 's!

The dice really want to tell this tale.

I believe that is still a :%: success, though.

Quote from: tomcat on Mar 08, 2022, 09:37 AM:ooc: Damn these :~~: 's!

:ooc: I know - I'm running out of ideas for revelation episodes here! 

Quote from: tomcat on Mar 08, 2022, 09:37 AMI believe that is still a :%: success, though.

It is indeed.  Even with the Thing spending a Hate point on its Hideous Toughness, that's still a respectable eight points of damage.