The foyer of the great Dwarven city was at first awe inspiring. The massive chamber, partially lit by the light cast from outside the doors, stretched off into the darkness, as the company entered and quietly milled about. Nori and Gumbo stood wide-eyed from both what they saw and the very fact that they now stood within the entrance of Moria. Huge pillars, some thirty feet within, rose from the floor and up into the shadow of an unseen ceiling.
The company members first noticed the filth that lay about. With the doors broken open, there was naught to keep the weather and wildlife from venturing in. Debris and dirt was thick on the floor, and Nori could see that the effects of rain, snow and wind had marred the carefully set marble tile. The stones, once polished were now faded, worn and cracked. Dried leaves, pine needles and bird dropping were like a blanket over all and crunched under their feet. What might have only been faint crackles outside the chamber were quite evident noise in the soundless vault, and Nori held up a hand to quiet his companions. Lest their presence was given away even before their adventure could truly start.
This was the grand First Hall of Durin!
It was once a market place where traders came and bartered wares and the wealth of Khazad-dûm was made. Large stone tables, now draped in cobwebs could be seen in the faint light looking like ghosts of a long lost past. Kori closed his eyes and in his mind he envisioned what once was – a chamber full of smiths and craftsman in their glory, trading treasures that would no longer be seen in all of Middle-earth. It saddened the old Dwarf for now this hall seemed nothing more than a filthy mountain cave.
"Come," he whispered and aimed the hooded lantern into the darkness before him. "We must first see that we have not been noticed entering the city. We do not want the Enemy to surround us, and trap us within." Kori continued to instruct, "We must find the passage that leads to the Bridge of Durin and then the Second Hall... my grandfather's notes say it is within that hall that we should find the avenue that will take us into the eastern mines and to where Tori worked of old."
With that instruction, Gumbo, Nori, and Vari took point, as their eyes were most keen for seeing in the dark. They all moved forward trying to be silent, yet the expanse of the chamber enhanced every sound. Fear filled them all as they left behind the light of day.
[OOC:] I need the players to choose who will be the 'leader' and give direction on which way you guys wanna go, or what you want to investigate - this will not be without group input, but I do not want to guide you. I will add insight from Kori as is needed. The leader must be someone that can regularly visit the site and post, and will be required to do a lot of the rolls on the party's behalf. If it is a skill that only a particular character needs, I will call on that player, but if it is a general roll, I want a designated player so that we don't get too bogged down. Obviously, this adventure would be a whole lot easier if we all sat at a table, but we are not.
I know you all can see the maps on the site, but that does not give your characters absolute insight. It is more of a player reference so you guys have visuals along the way.
The maps will always have north to the top, or should. If there is a map that is not oriented in this way, I will let you know. Each square is five feet and can accommodate two characters walking, but only one while in combat. I will let you guys know if there are ever any penalties due to the environment of Moria.
All this said, let's begin. Who is our designated table leader, and what is the direction to go? Use the Poll thread in the general discussion to elect the group leader.
Thanks! Here we go...
OOC: Since I believe Shawn has been designated leader, you should probably use Nori's knowledge skills and abilities to lead you through since he has knowledge of Moria and is adept underground when I am not available.
"Well this is a grand place, but we cannot stay here to take in the sights. If your treasure is not here than I think we should move on!" He was clearly unnerved by the massive yet stifling hall, and his voice was barely audible. Glancing about though he couldn't see where they could possibly go, as the darkness limited his vision. "Oh why am I here, why did I have to investigate that noise in the woods."
OOC: Not usurping leadership or anything.... just a nudge in the right direction ;)
ps OOC: Also it seems like I have the most free time (having gotten out of school) and wouldn't mind taking some of the load in order to keep things moving or something like that.
Quote from: Roborob on May 18, 2009, 12:42 PM
OOC: Not usurping leadership or anything.... just a nudge in the right direction ;)
ps OOC: Also it seems like I have the most free time (having gotten out of school) and wouldn't mind taking some of the load in order to keep things moving or something like that.
OOC:
Totally fine with me. I have no intention of dragging us around by the ear whatsoever. Any and all suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
"First, it seems like we'll need to find our bearings and make our way in the general direction of this treasure. But we will need to be careful and quiet - and when a safe spot to rest avails itself, I suggest we take it," Vari said. "The Dwarven prize has lain in wait for years untold; we have no need to rush and risk being spotted."
"Aye there is no rush," whispered Kori. "But the longer our presence here, the surer it will be that we are discovered... and then we need not worry about any prize."
The other members of the company again heard the fatalistic voice coming from the elder Dwarf and it gave them all pause. Kori spoke again, "My maps and memory tell me that the entrance to the Second Hall is through a passage at the far end of this hall... down the stairs and over Durin's Bridge."
To Nori and Vári, the very thought of seeing Durin's Bridge and the great chasm it spanned was somewhat overwhelming. Both the Dwarf kin smiled to themselves in anticipation as they led the company forward.
It was when they reached the end of the light from the open doors behind that they all once more rallied the courage to continue. Each party member stepped over the line from light into darkness and so their adventure truly began. The beams of the hooded lanterns cast dim light ahead of them...
:arrow: OOC: I have made a d6 roll to determine test needs by PC - if I rolled a 1 for your PC, I need an Observe test TN 12. I also need a Stealth (Sneak) roll from everyone. Remember all physical tests are at -2 due to darkness, but I am granting a +1 affinity bonus for the Observe tests, due to the whole party looking around.
Gumbo - Roll(1d6)+0: 6,+0 Total:6
Bornoge - Roll(1d6)+0: 5,+0 Total:5
Nori - Roll(1d6)+0: 2,+0 Total:2
Kori - Roll(1d6)+0: 1,+0 Total:1
Vári - Roll(1d6)+0: 5,+0 Total:5
Caranmîr - Roll(1d6)+0: 1,+0 Total:1
Turumarth - Roll(1d6)+0: 2,+0 Total:2
Kori's Observe (Spot) test and Stealth (Sneak) tests:
(http://rpg.avioc.org/boards/Themes/default/images/dice.gif) TN 12 Observe +3, Specialty +2, Darkness -2, Affinity +1
-------------------------
Roll(2d6)+4: 2,6,+4 Total:12 SUCCES [very lucky]
(http://rpg.avioc.org/boards/Themes/default/images/dice.gif) TN n/a Stealth +3, Specialty +2, Darkness -2
-------------------------
Roll(2d6)+3: 1,3,+3 Total:7
Nori's Stealth (Sneak) tests:
(http://rpg.avioc.org/boards/Themes/default/images/dice.gif) TN n/a Stealth +7, Specialty +2, Cave-crawler +1, Darkness -2, affinity (survival) +1
-------------------------
Roll(2d6)+9: 1,4,+9 Total:14
Stealth (Sneak) Test
Roll(2d6) +3 Sneak Skill, +2 Nim, +2 Sneak speciality, -2 darkness :
6,3,+5
Total:14
Turumarth's Stealth test
Stealth (untrained -2)(darkness -2)
2d6 -4 = 5,3 -4 = 4
Caranmîr's Observe check: TN12: +6 skill rank / -2 darkness / +1 group effort = 2d6 +5
[OOC: Does Caranmîr's (spot) speciality add another +2 to the test result?]
[GM EDIT:] Yes...
2d6+5 = Roll(2d6)+5:
4,4,+5
Total:13 +2 = 15
Caranmîr's Stealth test (unknown TN) +7 skill / -2 darkness = 2d6+5
2d6+5= Roll(2d6)+5:
4,5,+5
Total:14
Roll(2d6)+10 -2(darkness):
6,5,+8 (rerolled 6 =2)
Total:21
OOC: Gumbo will be carrying his pack and anyhting else that that the party needs of him. I'll be leaving for Afghanistan in the next couple of days so it maybe another couple of weeks before I can update my actions again. Have no fear though Gumbo's spear and appettite for revenge is still keen.
The company moved forward past the first set of columns when both the Elf, and the elder Dwarf suddenly stopped. Kori hissed to all, "Careful!", bringing everyone to a halt. The craftsman shone his lantern onto a crude rope that stretched along, just a foot above the floor. Caranmîr had also seen it, but save for he and Kori, no one else in the party was at peril of tripping over it. The craftsman whispered again, "It would seem that the city's new occupants have set more than sentries to guard their doorway. We must be mindful of our feet."
Vári cringed at the notion that the city of his kin was now laden with traps and alarms. What also made him pause was the whispered voice Kori, for though he was quiet, the sounds seemed all too dangerously loud in the empty First Hall. He watched as both Elf and Dwarf stepped over the trip rope and the group continued deeper into the city. They did not get much further when another threat made itself apparent... distant, cruel voices in the dark.
"Garn! Did you hear that?"
"What?"
"I heard something out there..."
"Probably just some animal coming in for shelter from that whicked sun!"
"I don't know... sounded more to me like the shuffling and clinking of something moving. Bigger than an animal."
"Then go take a look."
"You come with me."
"I's got a pot a'stewin'! And I means to eat. You heard it... you go sniff it out!"
"Garn! Y'er a lazy lob and gutless! Its our job to make sure that nothin' enters here!"
"Well if something has, then it still needs pass us and we'll spy it out. Besides, Durgûz and some of his lads are patrolling about. If there's anything out there we'll catch it... and maybe we can have meat to put in this horrid stew!"
:arrow: [OOC:] Actions and/or dialogue?
I have marked the map with the present location of the company. The other location is the direction from which the voices are coming from.
Bornoge quickly takes out one of his javelins and smears the hunters poison on it. He knew that stealth was critical and hoped the poison could stop the sentry before he could warn the others. Carefully stepping over the trip-rope he sneaks forward, trying to reach the far column to the south-west, so that he can ambush the approaching voice. All the while straining his ears to hear any other danger.
OOC: since you'll probably ask for sneak/listen rolls I'll give them here.
Stealth(Sneak)
Roll(2d6)+5:
6,5,+7(sneak skill), -2(Dim Lighting?)
Total:16
Observe(Listen)
Roll(2d6)+6:
5,3,+6
Total:14
[OOC:] Just to clarify Rob, the voices are not approaching. The company hears them off in the distant silence of the First Hall. I have marked the map on the Moria page, in the First Hall that shows the relative location of where the voices are coming from.
Still, your rolls are needed. I will update once I hear from a few more players.
OOC: Ok thanks for clarifying; nonetheless my actions stand as they are.
Luckily, Turumarth's thoughts of igniting a light were quashed by the distant voices before they had entered much beyond the gates. Trying his best to keep his armour from creaking, he sought the cover of a column and readied his staff, listening for a way he could aid should his companions be set upon.
Gumbo motioned to the others, move away and skirt the far wall.
Nori was the last to move, waiting for the Hobbit to sneak off. He was prepared for battle but knew that this encounter required as much guile as brute force if the group was to survive getting any further within the ancient city. He strained to hear for any sounds coming from the direction of the voices or others that aren't of the group, but couldn't discern anything.
Stealth (Sneak) - Roll(2d6)+9: 4,3,+9 Total:16
Observe - Roll(2d6)+5: 1,1,+5 Total:7-2 = 5
Roll(1d6)+0: 4,+0 Total:4/2 =2
[GM EDIT] This is a post from Telcontar, moved from the previous thread.
Gumbo maneuvered his way around to find a wide enough path for the party away from the sentry. He threw his cloak about him so that it would disguise and cover his shape and not catch on any other traps. He took a moment to think of some of the Orc words he knew in case he was spotted he would try and bluff his way past.
Following Gumbo's lead, the company quietly moved north towards the far wall which was well away from the voices. They maneuvered between the columns and came at last to a great stone wall that rose into the darkness. It had been worked by tools long ago, and Dwarven patterns could still be seen, but the beauty they once held was lost. Tapestries of many colors probably hung from great trusses, warming the chamber and making it grand. Now only the dampness and cold could be felt, as they leaned against it.
Gumbo noticed that there was a great edifice here with a wide avenue that ran further north. It was roughly 15' across. Where it led, none were sure, but Kori knew it was not the passage to the bridge - that passage lay to the west. As they stood at its eastern corner, more voices could be heard coming from within the darkness, but some ways away. The company needed to keep moving west to keep from being seen, or needed to hole up for a bit to let the danger pass.
Gumbo peered into the inky blackness wishing that he could use Kori's hooded lantern. They had only been within Moria for a few minutes and already the oppressiveness began to weigh on them.
:ooc: Click the link to see the company's location... table leader needs to tell me what you want to do.
First Hall (http://rpg.avioc.org/webimages/lotr/moria/firsthall.htm)
It was so dark... if they waited, the orcs might pass, or even more might take their place. Vári was uncomfortable venturing forth, given such risks, but it seemed that staying in place wasn't an option - they had a long way to go yet, and the more progress they made, the better.
"Stay together and stay low," Vári whispered. "We'll need to watch our backs, but we've got to keep moving. Wait and we might hear a dozen more replacing those rabble."
Turumarth did his best to fumble along in the dark, one hand on the belt of the person ahead of him, and the other clutching his staff and garments in the hope nothing snagged or clattered on debris. He tried closing his eyes and realized there was no difference from the darkness with eyes open, but it gave him some comfort feeling like his other senses were heightened. He could only carefully place one foot ahead of the other, holding his breath with every step that it would find solid rock when it came down.
The company made haste to leave behind the massive edifice and the sounds of the orcs. Turumarth clung to the belt of Bornoge, but the man was not skilled in stealth and was unable to move without making noise. Gumbo and Vári both heard it from across the huge chamber, as well as from the passage that they just left behind.
"Eh? Garn, there it was again. Something's out there."
And from behind them, "Sounds like Garn and his lads are moving about out there." Another voice replied, "Garn? Durgûz is having a lookabout, but he said he was going to the bridge." Then came the first voice, once more, "So, who's out there."
:ooc: Click the link to see the company's location... table leader needs to tell me what you want to do.
First Hall (http://rpg.avioc.org/webimages/lotr/moria/firsthall.htm)
:ooc: I'm not sure I understand the map - which dot are we... and what are the other ones?
I think the Company should stop and hold still for a moment; the Orcs seem to think the noises might be coming from one of their own - stay quiet and after a minute, they may stop worrying about it.
If they keep investigating, we'll have to risk moving again, though. Let's see if we can better figure out where the Orcs are, and how many there might be by listening closely.
:ooc: NOTE: Never mind the above - now that I understand the map, it seems clear that what I originally suggested would be a terrible idea. I posted again below. Sorry for the mix-up.
:ooc: You guys are the blue series of dots, and the trails shows your ingress into the city. The last dot at the end of the trail is your current position.
The red dots are the direction that you guys are hearing the orc voices. Firelight can also be seen faitly flickering from these two areas.
Quote from: tomcat on Jun 28, 2009, 05:35 PM
:ooc: You guys are the blue series of dots, and the trails shows your ingress into the city. The last dot at the end of the trail is your current position.
The red dots are the direction that you guys are hearing the orc voices. Firelight can also be seen faintly flickering from these two areas.
:ooc: Gotcha. Thanks, Tomcat.
To Company: In that case, let's think again. That's a big, dark room - with orcs probably headed in from both sides - we need to get the heck out of there. Even if we make noise and they find us, we need to be a lot closer to the way out. If we keep any potential fight in close quarters, we stand a chance, but getting surrounded is bad news. So big and open areas are going to be a no-no, in my opinion.
Unless anyone disagrees, I think we need to keep sneaking as best we can towards the exit, and get ready to run for it if necessary.
Gumbo heard the Orcs from the two positions and hoped that each would beleive it was the other making the noise. He stopped and whispered very soflty to the person behind him, "follow the wall around until you find a hallway with no noise, and wait there. Gumbo then let the rest of the party pass him by and pulled Nori out of the line. "Rear guard." He then let the party pass and took up a position on the parties rear covering their movement but back off of the corner so that any light the orcs brought out would not shine on them.
(OOC: I should have the internet pretty regular now.)
Kori agreed with the halfling, "Aye, working their own sounds against them is a perfect mask for our passing. Come, let us hasten towards the bridge."
Gumbo and Nori took up a position a few meters behind the rest, as the company hastened along the north wall of the First Hall. On occassions, large pieces of rubble littered their path and they either needed to scramble over, or move around the rocks. Except for the fallen stones, nothing else could be seen - nothing living, no small animal, nor any sign that a folk once dwelt here. All furnishings, tapestries, carpets, and even metal hooks were gone - either rotted away with time, or taken to serve the new inhabitants. Only the cold stone, and utter darkness were there to greet each of their steps.
Finally the wall turned south, and the company moved in that direction. Kori whispered, "It should be soon. Soon there should be stairs... stairs to Durin's Bridge and entry into the Second Hall."
And just as the elder craftsman spoke, the beam from Vári's hooded lamp was lost in the darkness of a new cavernous opening that held a grand stair. Most were now chipped and broken, but again the company could see the masterworks of the stonesmiths of old in each marble-laid step.
With only the briefest pause to confirm that this was the stair that led to the bridge, Vári led the company down. They left the First Hall and the threats that had lay there, entering deeper into the bowels of Moria. Their footsteps clattered in the darkness, but then Vári drew his fellows to sudden stop, hissing silence as he did. Before them, somewhere in the darkness could be heard cruel voices. It seemed Durgûz and his lads had made it to the stairs, and the bridge first.
Voices could be heard, echoing up the stairwell, "You crossing?"
"NO! Not me... accursed bridge. It always seems to claim one of our boys each time. You won't get me to cross! Besides, there is nothing here. We can head back to the Hall and get some grub. Nothing is gonna bother them that live on the other side. Who'd e'er want to in Rog's city?"
A chuckle. "All right then, c'mon boys. Back to home."
:ooc: See the map below to see the location of the Company compared to the new voices that were heard. I need to know what you all want to do...
First Hall (http://rpg.avioc.org/webimages/lotr/moria/firsthall.htm)
Second Hall (http://rpg.avioc.org/webimages/lotr/moria/sechall.htm)
There was no choice. Vári thought that going back up the stairs and into the hall would be suicide, so they would have to confront this group here - and the sooner they did, the less noise would carry into the First Hall... and the other Orcs.
"Well," he whispered, "there looks to be no running from this fight. We'll need to take them down quickly... and quietly."
He thought that if they were to rush down the stairs, they would have the higher ground and the clear element of surprise.
"is there a landing or does the bridge begin at the end of the stairs?"
Quote from: Telcontar on Jun 30, 2009, 01:29 AM
"is there a landing or does the bridge begin at the end of the stairs?"
:ooc: Looking at the map, there's a narrow landing that's five times the width of the stairway.
:ooc: I am going to go with the assumption that Tom was saying that in character, not knowing the map.
Kori heard the whispered question, "Yes... it is said there is a balcony that precedes the span that crosses the abyss."
Bornoge whispers in his deep voice, "My poisions will stop these goblins nice and fast. With this one," he holds up a small skin filled with a pasty liquid," I've stopped a full grown buck before it could go 5 paces.and the other one will kill them just as quickly" he says taking out another skin.
Bornoges Hunters poison: Onset: 1 round, +5 TN; Treatment +5 TN; Effect: Paralysis (cannot move for 1d6+3 minuets) Stages: 1
Bornoges Spiders poision: Spider's poison: Type: Injury, Onset: end of round, +5 TN, Treatment +0, Effect: 3d6 damage;
Secondary effect: 1d6+3 damage
Quote from: tomcat on Jun 30, 2009, 03:56 PM
:ooc: I am going to go with the assumption that Tom was saying that in character, not knowing the map.
Kori heard the whispered question, "Yes... it is said there is a balcony that precedes the span that crosses the abyss."
:ooc: That makes sense. Sorry.
:ooc: Not a problem, Shawn. ;)
"Can you hit them in the dark? if we cant take them out quickly we can only hope that they fear the bridge more than they hate us. I think we will have to fight them but it would be better that no alarm is raised. and they simply dont come back. we must be quick there are at least three of them. Lets try the poison and follow it up with a charge down the stairs." The halfling lowered the facepiece on his helm. In a wink the face of the Hobbit was replace with the silver face of some demon of the first age. Gumbo gripped his spear and nodded. "Quick and over."
Quote from: Telcontar on Jul 01, 2009, 12:57 AM
"Can you hit them in the dark? if we cant take them out quickly we can only hope that they fear the bridge more than they hate us. I think we will have to fight them but it would be better that no alarm is raised. and they simply dont come back. we must be quick there are at least three of them. Lets try the poison and follow it up with a charge down the stairs." The halfling lowered the facepiece on his helm. In a wink the face of the Hobbit was replace with the silver face of some demon of the first age. Gumbo gripped his spear and nodded. "Quick and over."
Vári nodded. It was a good plan. He shifted his weight, ready to charge.
Then he whispered to Gumbo, "But no shouting from you this time, good Hobbit..."
The smile of the Hobbit was hidden the helm but Gumbo's bottomless cheer was heard in his voice, "Aye, mums the word Master Vari."
Gumbo slid his sword where he could reach it if the space became to restrictive for his spear and crouched ready to spring.
Nori nods in agreement and prepares himself for the quick onslaught -- this is what he was born for: the quick and silent assault upon his foes.