The arrow struck the troll just under his chin and sunk deep. The large hands came up to Lurg's throat and the groped fruitlessly at the small quill, but his larynx was crushed and he could no longer breath. The troll staggered about in a drunken manner, until it at last fell. Terrible gurgles came from it and bubbles of black blood appeared at its tusked lips.

The scene incensed Arbogast even more. The Fire-watcher screamed at the dying troll, defying it to strike him - defying it to even face him. Grabbing up the spear that had pierced Lurg earlier, Arbogast yelled as he jumped atop the falling troll, slamming the spear deep into its rough hide. He withdrew it and stabbed again, and then again, and again. Anger filled him, as the creature died, and he yelled profanities to the oncoming night. He was tired of death. He was tired of the Shadow that threatened his new home... his new love... his new life. He was tired of the Wood-men and those of the East Bight; of Radagast and his terrible tasks; of his new friends that always compelled him to return to them. Arbogast screamed at the night for taking Orophin in that monstrous hall and for Esgalwen's companions. He even yelled about her and her damned dealings with the man named Mogdred.

The rain seemed to purge all of his madness and pain, weariness and sadness. Arbogast felt like he was being baptized anew without the sins of his prior days and the nightmares that they had contained. His spear cracked at the shaft and he sprawled forward atop the troll, face down on its dead belly. The Fire-watcher lifted his head and peered about - his two friends staring back at him with grave concern. The wildness in his eyes flared again and for a moment he felt he would pull forth the spearhead and shove it into Bandy's stomach, all the while hewing Rorin's neck with his axe...but then it passed.

Rain rolled down over his face and the anger diminished as quickly as it had flared. He wanted to sob for the fell-thoughts that had entered his mind, but he did not. Arbogast shoved once more with all his strength on the broken spear-head, pushing it deeper into the body. There was a popping feeling, as it cut some bone, muscle, or tendon, and then it stopped. It was all the way in the troll's chest and the Woodman's hand were black with ichor.

He stood and slid off the dead hulk and allowed the rain to wash his hands and face. He looked to Bandy and Rorin and said, "Forgive me...it was a madness, but it is done. Come let's search this cave that we have come so far to find."

Arbogast began to walk away, towards the cave. Bandy looked to Rorin and the Hobbit showed the fear on his face. He had not seen such raw anger and hatred since the Sorcerer's Mountain - and the Hobbit feared for his friend. Rorin could do naught else but shake his head and then follow after the Woodman.

A few moments later, the trio found themselves inside a large cavern that flickered with the comfortable light of a fire. It stank of troll and death, along with other foul smells, but it was dry. The terrible gleam that Bandy had seen in Arbogast's eyes no longer shone there and the man seemed himself. "It stinks," he said, "but it will do. Let's go get our friends."

I am not going to do anymore narrative that is about going to get Grimbeorn and Esgalwen, so feel free to enter this thread, Matt. You guys can do your own dialogue and narratives about going back to get the other two companions and then coming back.

You may also roll any skill rolls that you would like to attempt (i.e. search, first aid, etc.)

So go ahead and RPG among yourselves - I will jump in as Esgalwen, but will give you guys a chance to fill the story.

Leaving Rorin and Bandobras in the cave, Arbogast returns to where Esgalwen waits with Grimbeorn.  "Come," he says as they help the wounded Beorning to his feet.  "Enough ill has been done this night and the time has come to rest." 

Such signs as might have been seen of his recent madness are now hidden by rain and the shadow of the Misty Mountains, and his voice is steady.  Yet in his heart has a fell seed fallen and taken root, and the Wise know well what terrible fruit it may one day bear. 

Grimbeorn is roused from his painful slumber with the arrival of hi companion.  Only barely with their help does he make it to the cave of the trolls.  He notices the carnage of their brief battle, once again the enemy punctured a-plenty with Bandy's arrows, but he is downcast as he wasn't able to help protect his friends.  Once inside he passes out where he laid due to weariness and the stench.  It isn't until well into the morning that he wakes with enough strength to move around again on his own.  "So did anyone find anything for our trouble with the trolls?"

Bandy assisted as best he could to bear Grimbeorn into the cave. He fretted over his wound and became worrisome of all of his party members after their current encounter eith the trolls. The smell in the troll hole, caused by things best not thought about, was everywhere. However, once the group was settled the Halfling took a burning hot coal from the fire and placed it upon a flat rock. Then taking a pinch of his dwindling supply of pipe weed he sprinkled it over and around the ember. Soon the smell of the cave was improved at least a little. Done with his chore he went out again.

The rain had brought the dark on early and he avoided the fallen corpse of the most recently dead troll. Using what light there was he began his search of the hillside until he found the forgotten shield of Arbogast. In the fadding light he eventually found it where it was cast, notched and dented from the fight and its being cast upon the hillside. The Hobbit used the rain and his last clean handkerchief to clean the face and boss of the shield as best he could and then returned to the cave.

"Arbogast, here is the shield given to you by your esteemed uncle. Take it once more worry not about the affairs of all the world, but only your small place in them. We may all may have need of your doughty prowess again before we are truly save."

The Halfling placed the shield by his side and stepped away. He took the pipe from his pack and sacrificed again a measure of his remaining pipe weed.

"Foul trolls....." mumbled the Hobbit. "Now, I wonder if there is anything about that might make it worth our trouble. Who will look with me?"

Search

"Aye, there had best be something more than this foul cave for our troubles." Rorin began searching all corners of the cave, knowing that trolls often kept various treasures stashed within them.

While they were searching together Rorin spoke quietly to Bandy, "Friend, I would ask you to keep a close eye on Arbogast in the future. I have seen a similar madness overtake many on the battlefield before and he will carry the weight of the Shadow close to his heart for some time. You have a good heart master hobbit, and our woodland friend cares deeply for you. I believe you to be best equipped to bolster our companion's courage."

  Search

I need to roll a series of rolls. I will let you all know what they mean upon completion:


STEP 1 - EACH PC MAY ROLL A FEAT DIE TWICE
only a result of    or  are counted; may only be counted once; and the first result is the order they are taken

Arbogast

Rolled 1d12 : 4, total 4

Rolled 1d12 : 6, total 6

Bandy

Rolled 1d12 : 4, total 4

Rolled 1d12 : 8, total 8

Esgalwen

Rolled 1d12 : 11, total 11

Rolled 1d12 : 3, total 3

Grimbeorn

Rolled 1d12 : 7, total 7

Rolled 1d12 : 3, total 3

Rorin

Rolled 1d12 : 12, total 12

Rolled 1d12 : 5, total 5

For Bandy, Grimbeorn and Arbogast - the troll cave hoard is valued at 2 Treasure per PC.

• each PC may increase their treasure to 2, but must increase their Encumbrance by 2 points until you reach the destination where you wish to hide or store your wealth.
• of course, if you do not want any treasure - you do not have to do this

• Esgalwen has found a tainted item; I must roll the feat die once more to see if it is cursed

Rolled 1d12 : 7, total 7

• Rorin finds a potential item of great value or magic. He must decide how many of his currently unspent 4 experience points he would like to spend; 1 point for each success die.
• Once the dice are 'purchased', they are rolled and the goal is to get as many    as possible
• I will continue with Rorin's opportunity once disench4nted tells me how many points he'll spend
• Rorin does have the option to forgo any potential magic item and just take the 2 Treasure from the hoard, like everyone else above - but he cannot have both

Esgalwen is safe from any curses, still she must make a Corruption save

Esgalwen Corruption test
TN 14 wisdom ♦♦♦○○○

1d12 : 2, total 2
Rolled 3d6 : 3, 2, 4, total 9

 
Go big or go home. I'll spend all 4.

If I fail to get a magical item do I still get the two treasure? Just curious, the answer doesn't change my choice either way.

Esgalwen fails and gains 1 Shadow point

• I am going to reward Esgalwen with the 2 treasure; even though she found an item of worth, it was tainted and she gained corruption from it, thus rejecting it

Disench4nted - there is no fail; if you spend the XP you'll have a precious/magical item -or- you may take the 2 Treasure Rank instead.

  Grimbeorn will take his treasure... What is the treasure received or how is it determined?

 

Awesome, then I'll still spend all 4

Bandy took note that the travel wisdom of Mr. Baggins proved its worth once again. The Hobbit hoped that the money would help cheer his woodman companion in that it would help facilitate his wedding, but there was no immediate improvement.

The young Hobbit sat down and felt an awkward lump when he did see. Fidgeting he realized it was the troll tusks that he had acquired earlier in the day. What a silly notion that a Hobbit would need a war horn. This is no way for a Hobbit to act, I'll scarce be recognized when I get home again. Thought the Hobbit.

For the second time that night Bandy walked to the mouth of the cave. Reaching into his pouch he drew out the two troll teeth and pitched them into the darkness. With a  hurrmpf as he did so the Hobbit walked back into the cave again to rejoin his companions.

The Hobbit out of habit walked over to the wood pile that the trolls had accumulated looking to find a piece to throw on the fire. Most of it was rotten and foul like the trolls and would smoke mightly, but with a bit of searching and the advantage of small hands the Hobbit was able to find some nice pieces of apple wood and low and behold several large and well-shaped chunks of briar buried beneath the pile. Why this is a much better project than war horns, a couple of nice pipes would be much more Hobbit like!

The fire was soon assisting in covering the smell of troll as the apple wood began to burn in their small fire and the Hobbit cleared some for the foulness from the place they were gathered around.

"Well this seems to cheer the place up a bit now doesn't it. If only I had some of those sausages left we could have apple smoked treats."
It seemed as though the Hobbit were made uncomfortable by the silence for he began again after a moment.

"I know a bit of song from the woodmen, and I feel like sharing so please indulge me friends,

Let us go now into the forest.
Trees will pass by your face,
and I will stop and offer you to them,
but they cannot bend down.
The night watches over its creatures,
except for the pine trees that never change:
the old wounded springs that spring
blessed gum, eternal afternoons.
If they could, the trees would lift you
and carry you from valley to valley,
and you would pass from arm to arm,
a child running
from father to father

Rorin spends his 4 XP 

Rolled 4d6 : 3, 6, 5, 1, total 15