Situation: The company has found the encampment of slavers that abducted Ruithel; unfortunately a servant most foul has come to this place - Ren the Unclean

Combat Advantage dice:
• Rorin has 2d

Situation Modifiers:
• Ren has the Initiative

Physical Modifiers (complications):
• There is advantageous positions due to the hills for ranged attacks and defensive stances - anyone who uses the higher ground will gain a +2 combat advantage to attack rolls

PC/NPC ENEMY

STANCE

PARRY

ARMOUR

HOPE HATE

END

NOTES

Arbogast Bandy Grimbeorn Rorin Ruithel Ren the Unclean

• • • • • •

Forward Rearward Forward Defensive Open by PC

• • • • • •

6 (shield +3) 9 (shield n/a) 6/9 [giant strength] (shield +4) 4 (shield n/a) 8 (shield n/a) 6

• • • • • •

2d (helm +1) 1d (helm n/a) none (helm +1) 5d (helm n/a) none 2d

• • • • • •

8/16 13/18 7/12 7/10 10/11 4/10

• • • • • •

9/26 WEARY 14/22 DAUNTED WOUNDED WEARY 15/31 UNCONSCIOUS WOUNDED WEARY 13/34 UNCONSCIOUS WEARY 18/29 10/50

• • • • • •

tbd tbd tbd tbd tbd tbd

STANCES

Forward - action order 1 Close combat TN 6+ parry Forward Stance maneuvers

Open - action order 2 Close combat TN 9+ parry Open Stance maneuvers

Defensive - action order 3 Close combat TN 12+ parry Defensive Stance maneuvers

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

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

Ren will attack Arbogast two-handed

TN 15 longsword 2d+8

1d12 : 5, total 5
Rolled 2d6+8 : 6, 3 + 8, total 17

9   edge: 9   injury: 18

Results

• Arbogast is struck with a 22 great success for 17 END loss; he is now WEARY

• The Nazgûl will spend 2 to recharge his Black Breath

The Nazgûl's blow, when it comes, is snake-fast and powerful enough to drive Arbogast to his knees and shock his arm into numbness even through his shield.  He gasps with the pain, and the sudden cold that accompanies it, as sorcerous despair once more flows in waves from the dark form. 


Point of order, Doug, but shouldn't the Nazgûl be making a called shot on Ruthiel, after her  last round? 

I'll go with it, for dramatic purposes, but it may be something to bear in mind for the future. 

Corruption roll:

A  makes that a success, but only just.  I really need to get some of these points back sometime. 

It is a deception, Arbogast tells himself, though the very fire behind the Nazgûl seems to dim and to shrink back.  It is a trick - a farce, and not to be allowed to master me!  With a roar, he wills enough strength into his limbs to stand once more.  He has eyes only for the black form before him, and remains unaware of the ring of torches that has slowly surrounded the scene. 

"Bandy, take Ruthiel and as many captives as you can and fly!  Flee this place!" 

He knows that he has not the strength to force this creature into the flame.  But he may still buy his friends some time. 


I'll switch back to Defensive stance and make a token attack. 

Sweet!  I'll disarm the thing again.

Bandy wanted to run, he wanted it more than anything before in his life. It was only the distance from the creature that ranged attacks provided kept him there.

There were many tales and stories that Bandy had heard while in the Wilderland, if any other Hobbit met him at this point they would think him a Woodman. He had heard many stories of adventure and struggle. He had even heard many tales of the Elves while in the caves of Thranduil, some even of men in the Elder Days. But Elves dont truly die, and Men dont know thier fate. To them death is an unknown so they face it differently then the immortal elves. So too it was for the Hobbit, for Bandy of the North Farthing expected to die. He prepared to enter into death firing his bow and in the ancient custom of men, sang his death song.

Take me out tonight
Where there's music and there's people
And they're young and alive
Singing in the night
I never, never want to go home
Because I haven't got one anymore

There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out

And if the darkness takes us
And strong iron crushed to rust
To die by your side
Is such a way to die
Well, the pleasure, the privilege is mine

There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out

Wow, that was very cool!

  probably also the best roll I have ever had. I'll let Doug tell us the results.

Hey Paul, truthfully, I forgot about that rule about opponents doing a Called Shot after an .

I am going to leave things as they are, because I think you guys have made a good thing of it all.

And I have a respite from the party prep, hence this post. 

Results

• with the point, Arbogast overcomes the Black Breath

• Arbogast strikes Ren the Unclean with a 22 extraordinary success for 5 END loss and a Disarm

• Bandy strikes Ren the Unclean with a extraordinary (epic) success for 10 END loss and a piercing blow

Axe of the Dwarves; bow of the Elves; and the strength of Men and Hobbits.

All of the efforts of the Free Peoples came together in one significant moment and struck the power of the Shadow! It was Ren the Unclean that was delivered the blow but the impact was felt all the way unto Mordor, where Sauron sat atop his throne anew. The Dark Lord felt the smite upon his pawn and his attention suddenly turned to the north. Who defied him so? He needed more information.

RETURN TO ME NOW, was the imperceptible command to all save the Nazgûl. Ren was disarmed having his sword struck from him once more by the skill of Arbogast, and had been leveled to the ground by the arrow that penetrated the back of his hood. On all four, in the dirt, the Ringwraith raised his head towards the Fire-watcher and Ruithel and emitted a terrible scream of malice and hatred. Everyone in the immediate area put their hands to ears to try and fend off the terrible noise. Arbogast's shield and axe fell to the ground, while the Elf's brand tumbled from her grasp.

Suddenly a ring of grey-hooded figures raced in to surround the Nazgûl - all held torches and all seemed to endure Ren's unnatural cry. And then the cloak and cowl sagged to the earth, no longer with form or content. In a rush, the spirit of the wraith raced from the encampment and continued to scream into the night until it faded.

With their minds clearing, Arbogast looked up to see one of the men looking down at him. He was stern of face and grim to behold - like the youth that they had seen with Gandalf those weeks past.

"I am Damrod," said the man, "and I applaud you for your valiant wills."

The Hobbit shook with the scream and the bow slipped from his hand. Then with the full attention of the eye upon him, his knees gave, he fell, and knew no more.

Grimbeorn's form lay in the darkness and shadows.  Black dreams swirled about, the darkest nightmare wailed from all around.  Small flickers of light were nearby, one brighter than all the rest.  Then the formless scream coalesced into the body of an pale king, gnarled and spent, bearing raiment of one out of the East or South.  A "boom" came from beyond and soon all he could perceive was a great eye wreathed flame.  He felt naked, exposed.  Then as quick as it came, it was gone and the black took him.

The wraith's scream robs Arbogast of his last measure of strength.  On his knees in the light of the dying fire, he looks up at the face of Damrod, uncomprehending of the fellowship's deliverance from the Shadow.  Without rising, he says simply "I am the Fire-watcher," the words issuing from him through long habit more than intention.  Then, ox-dumb, he waits for such weal or woe as fate may have in store for him and his companions.