The conversation became energetic with Hartfast. Grimbeorn recognized himself and it created a stir with the Mountain Hall chieftain, but the debate was cordial enough. In the end, even the Beorning was welcome in the hall and Hartfast began to move the companions up out of the mines, towards his home. But not before he turned to Rorin, who himself had doffed his hood and bowed low to introduce himself.

Hartfast seemed to ingratiate himself to the Dwarf, asking questions all the while displaying courtesies to his visitor from afar. Hartfast beckoned Rorin over, along with any others that wished to join, and bid him put their head against the stone wall. In the distance, echoing through the stone, they heard the tap-tap-tap of a hammer in the depths.

"Goblins", said Hartfast. "They dig in search of our mineshafts and tunnels. They want to find a secret way in to my hall. We've killed many on the surface, but they are more dangerous down here in the dark. I would ask your suggestions on how to fortify ourselves, Master Rorin, but for now let us away to my house where a strong and bitter pint awaits!"

Bandy thought for a moment and then began to spin a tale. At first the companions thought that the Hobbit was just passing the time. He spoke of gardens and vegetables, and even a quick sidebar about his cousin who once kept a fox as a pet since his neighbor let his chickens into his worm bed he kept for fishing. The Hobbit however had a point to the tale.

"So, the gopher was a might sore trouble in the garden diggin here and there, so my cousin Rolo got himself an empty barrel of beer and let it fill with rain water. Then once it was full he flushed that gopher clear to the next farthing. Perhaps you could do the same with the goblins? Channel water in and if they break through open up the sluice and wash them into Dunland."

  going for story as a song?

  Be careful about proposing solutions, you may be put in charge of implementing them. 

  I am but a simple farmer Lord Grimbeorn, such physical labours are far beyond my limited stature and capacity. I'll gladly supervise the work, after a snack of course.

 
Just checking in real quick before my irl DnD session. Rorin will use Battle to talk about the goblins and gain favor to get that 9th success. I'll come back and roleplay this tonight or tomorrow.

  Battle


Again, I'll use my advantage die and a point of Hope in that order if it will make a success
  potential advantage


Hope (Heart) +4

If it's all the same to you guys, I'll keep my Hope point.  If this takes us down a success, I'm sure one of the others can make up the difference.

EDIT: Instead, I'm going to use Riddle again to see if there are any other interesting facts that the Men of Mountain Hall haven't brought up, per TOR p. 187. 


In the same vein, does my successful Insight roll earlier count towards the Encounter?

Also:

Quote from: tomcat on Feb 26, 2016, 11:25 AM"Goblins", said Hartfast.

Called it! 

Hey Paul, I changed the results of your test and put your hope point back.  

Hey Tom, Story is fine within a Song roll - essentially the same thing.

With 8 success, you guys have locked in Rorin's requirements at cost...do you want to, or need to, try for better results?

Test Success thresholds:

0-2	Hartfast has no time
3-5	Hartfast offers food and shelter for a few nights, plus will supply the provided materials at cost plus 25%
6-8	Hartfast offers food and shelter for a few weeks, plus will supply the provided materials at cost
9+...	Hartfast offers food and shelter for a few months, plus will supply the provided materials at cost minus 25%

Encounter Status:

PC	| Skill	| Success	| Fail
Bandy	Courtesy (Intro)	1	0
Esgalwen	Courtesy (Intro)	2	0
Grimbeorn	Awe (Intro)	1	0
Arbogast	Riddle (Intro)	0	1
Rorin	Riddle (Intro)	1	0
Bandy	Song (Inter)	1	0
Bandy	Song (Inter)	1	0
Bandy	Courtesy (Inter)	0	1
Rorin	Battle (Inter)	1	0
TOTAL		8	2

Hartfast gave Bandy an odd look, the Hobbit feeling as if he had two heads. The mountain-man had come to respect the small fellow, but surely he wasn't talking about plans of defense, or war.

"Gophers?" said the chief of Mountain Hall.

"Well...yes." Beranald spoke up for Bandy, having come to like him. The older man enjoyed the tales he had thus been told over the ale at his home. "Wash them out...like pouring a pale down the privy." There were chuckles around the chamber, but this only made Hartfast scowl once more. The doorwarden smiled at his master, "We could direct a bit of the river and flood a chamber if we hear them digging in closer. The goblins would have a nasty surprise once they cracked our walls!"

Harfast eyed the keeper of his bridge, "You've been drinking, haven't you, old man?" The guffaw from Beranald said it all. Hartfast shook his head, "Hammish. Colin. Lead us back up to the surface. We have guests to entertain."

Rorin cleared his throat, "The Hobbit is not all that off in his suggestion..."

All the mountain men turned to look at the Dwarf, but this time, the companions could see that Hartfast was eager to hear what was said.

Paul, your insight was a good roll and I will give you credit for it as an AP - depending on if it meets the success level requirements. As for your second Riddle test...ummm, you're kinda bringing the mood down.  


With 8 success, you guys have locked in Rorin's requirements at cost.

Test Success thresholds:

0-2	Hartfast has no time
3-5	Hartfast offers food and shelter for a few nights, plus will supply the provided materials at cost plus 25%
6-8	Hartfast offers food and shelter for a few weeks, plus will supply the provided materials at cost
9+...	Hartfast offers food and shelter for a few months, plus will supply the provided materials at cost minus 25%

Encounter Status:

PC	| Skill	| Success	| Fail
Bandy	Courtesy (Intro)	1	0
Esgalwen	Courtesy (Intro)	2	0
Grimbeorn	Awe (Intro)	1	0
Arbogast	Riddle (Intro)	0	1
Rorin	Riddle (Intro)	1	0
Bandy	Song (Inter)	1	0
Bandy	Song (Inter)	1	0
Bandy	Courtesy (Inter)	0	1
Rorin	Battle (Inter)	1	0
Arbogast	Riddle (Inter)	0	1
TOTAL		8	3

Because you had rolled a    on the Insight test, I gave you the AP. 

Quote from: tomcat on Feb 28, 2016, 02:41 PM Paul, your insight was a good roll and I will give you credit for it as an AP - depending on if it meets the success level requirements. As for your second Riddle test...ummm, you're kinda bringing the mood down. 

Yeah.  Ever since a cold pint got mentioned, Arbogast's heart just isn't in this any more. 

Rorin cleared his throat, "The Hobbit is not all that off in his suggestion...".

He felt the room pause for a brief moment as he spoke in defense of Bandy's story, he collected himself and continued.

"We Dwarves have used similar tactics in the past when clearing our mines of these foul creatures. Now...It's not a sure thing and the conditions under ground must be just right, but if all goes well a flooded chamber can be a devastating weapon. If you can find and isolate the goblin's active tunnels, and if those tunnels lead to a chasm, then you can wash every goblin working in that tunnel over the edge to their doom. I can't say for sure if this will work for your caves without knowing they lay of the ground here better, but judging by how close their picks sound, I think it just may work."

 
Rolling Insight to get the 9th success. Insight is favored so I'll use Hope to add 7 to the roll if it helps.

  Insight


This insight can represent Rorin getting a feel for how well this idea could work for Hartfast.

 

Bugger...

 

Man...the has made its presence known!

Okay, with a Hope point spent and using one of your Advantage dice that you didn't need in the previous tests, you will achieve an 14 which is your TN to beat.

You have your 9th success!

---

"Please tell me more, Master Dwarf," said Hartfast as he placed a hand on Rorin's shoulder and escorted him out of the chamber and back to the surface.

Behind the duo, Bandy scratched at his nose and wondered how his suggestion was only good after the Dwarf had spoken! Incredible, he thought. Esgalwen came up behind the Hobbit and place her hand on his shoulder, "Come, Master Bandobras...tell me how this plan of yours would work over a pint of ale!" Her eyes twinkled and her beautiful smile made Bandy giggle in spite of it all.

The chamber was soon dark and only the tap-tap-tap of distant hammers was heard in the blackness.

Once on the surface, Hartfast led the companions to his hall where people gathered to meet these strangers from the woods. Soon, a great fire roared within the hearth and mutton was sizzling. Beer was poured for all and the hall filled with music.

The company felt their weariness fade and the wounds on their bodies begin to heal. Their journey thus far had been a success!

Okay - it is time for a short Fellowship Phase.

Tell me how long you guys want to stay here at Mountain Hall. It is the beginning of T.A. July 2951. You guys have to journey back to Rhosgobel, which could take up to 10+ days and Ceawin wants to be on his road back to Sunstead by October, so Rorin would have essentially two months to finish the helm.

Grimbeorn will heal at a rate of 2 Endurance for each undisturbed long rest he is allowed - so he would need 12 days of rest to get back to full.

The materials are provided for Rorin at cost -25%, so I went ahead and increased your sheet by Treasure 1, Steve, to account for the money saved. You guys will be leading a pack mule home, as the materials are heavy. The mule, like your horses, are to be returned at first chance.