Quiet

[Telcontar]

The Gondorian Knight was loathe to leave his mont behind, but knew they had to press on. He checked his gear quickly for rope but didnt see any among his things. Trusting to luck he attmpeted to make the leap across in his armor.
"We should add rope to the list of things to carry."

Rolled 2d6+1 : 5, 2 + 1, total 8

Rolled 2d6+1 : 2, 3 + 1, total 6

Rolled 2d6+1 : 2, 4 + 1, total 7

[Telcontar]

Celdrahil swore in several languages when he missed the first jump. When his head cleared the water he said, "blasted hospitality of Arnor is improving, first castle I have visited that has offered me a bath."

[tomcat]

Edrahil, standing on the far shore, watched the men come from the water and the light-hearted manner of the Sindar could not help but to make him laugh. The sound of merriment seemed alien in the quiet, but it also broke the heavy mood of the companions. Madoc crossed moments later and even his smile broke into a chuckle.

Fengel griped, "We smell like the very dogs that set upon us!" But then the contagious laughter eased his frown into a wide grin, "Well, per chance we can now offend this castle's master with nothing more than our scent!" He pulled Cerduil from its scabbard and turned it over to allow the water to empty and then he sat and did the same with his boots. Once done, he stood and prepared himself again for the matter at hand.

The mage turned from his companions to look upon the broken walls of Eldanar, "I say that we enter here... it is a jumble of stone, but still the way seems easier." Without waiting, Edrahil began to maneuver through the wreckage of Eldanar's eastern wall. Dirnhael, still regretting his current condition, moved behind his friend and memories began to flood his thoughts. It was absolute terror seeing the dragon land upon the battlements, destroying them as he did. The field became chaos as men and orc, friend and enemy alike fled in panic. The Dúnadan then remembered his bold maneuver, getting in close to the dragon's flank while the monster was pinned between the structures of Eldanar. The intense, wrenching pain in his arm as Andúring was yanked from him still impaled in the Scatha's nethers.

"Look, Dirnhael", the sound of Edrahil's voice brought Dirnhael from his reverie. The Sindar was pointing. The inner bailey of Eldanar sat alone now within, all other structures having been torn - or fallen - down. The last two barghests were trotting nervously around the entrance to the bailey, casting glances at the party but unwilling to attack. Nothing else deterred their passage save the fifty plus strides distance of the courtyard.

[sdrotar]

"This seems too simple," Dirnhael said. "Far too simple."

He motioned to the others to ready their bows, nock their arrows and exterminate the dogs before they proceeded into the castle; he wasn't interested in leaving sentinels alive to announce their presence... or block their escape.

Dirnhael returned Vorandur to its scabbard and drew his own bow.

[GandalfOfBorg]

Celdrahil's trip up didn't help Durgil's confidence and into the fetid drink he went.
Roll(2d6)+-2: 3,2,+-2 Total:3

Ginnar on the other hand had not issue with the crossing.
Roll(2d6)+2: 5,3,+2 Total:10
Roll(2d6)+2: 4,4,+2 Total:10
Roll(2d6)+2: 3,5,+2 Total:10

[Telcontar]

Readying his sword, "now let us see what master this hall keeps."

[tomcat]

The two beasts guarding the door were quickly dispatched by the arrows of Madoc, Dirnhael, and Fengel. That done, the men made their way through the stone littered grounds of Eldanar until the came at last to the stairs, which were the first inner defense for the donjon proper. Dirnhael could see that the broken doors that they had placed as temporary bridge into the building were still there. Evidence of the dragon's fire could be seen, but they appeared sturdy still to allow the men to enter.

They climbed the stairs and then crossed over the creaking planks that were once the doors to the inner fortification. Darkness and the terrible smell of death hung within the entrance and they all struggled with the will to go forward. Fear creeped into their hearts now, much greater than what they had felt on the fields without.



As I said in a different thread in the General Discussion section - I have been reading Tolkien and I feel things stirring within my brain to get Chronicles moving again.

I need an opposed Willpower test against Fear TN 17.

[GandalfOfBorg]

"Why, oh why, does every castle reek of this foul doom?" Ginnar says with a shiver.

Ginnar - Roll(2d6)+3: 3,6,+3 Total:12
Durgil - Roll(2d6)+5: 5,5,+5Total:15 (1 Courage)

OOC: Where's the elf's blessing now?

[tomcat]

Fengel and Edrahil's Fear tests:

Fengel
DC 17 Willpower +2

Rolled 2d6+2 : 1, 4 + 2, total 7

Edrahil
DC 17 Willpower +3, Strong-willed +2, Resolute +1

Rolled 2d6+6 : 4, 1 + 6, total 11

[tomcat]

Fengel paused as his feet reached the top of the stairs that led to the bridge entrance. The black hole of an entrance was like an open maw ready to devour any foolhardy enough to enter. Even Edrahil was unnerved by whatever presence sat within. The Sindar knew that for them to achieve their goal, he would have to encourage his companions. He spoke words in the ancient tongue of his people and in each they felt their inner strength grow.



Edrahil casts Resist Fear
DC 8 Willpower +3, The Art +2, Strong-willed +2, Resolute +1, Secret Fire spec +2, Unnerved -4

Rolled 2d6+6 : 2, 1 + 6, total 9

[tomcat]

Almost didn't pull it off! Anyway, the effects of a +5 to Willpower tests will work retro to your rolls if they have already been made, or to your roll if not yet done.

Fengel wil be Frightened -1 penalty to all tests while in the Donjon

Edrahil wil be Frightened -1 penalty to all tests while in the Donjon

Ginnar and Durgil (no CP spent) are not affected

[tomcat]

Ginnar and Durgil moved to take the lead, the dwarf with his axe at the ready. The nobleman of Arthedain remembered this donjon well. He and his companions had liberated it from the forces of the Angmar under the command of Arkish, the Ashaktur. It was at this very door that he and his men had battled and slain the Easterling commander. Then had come the greater battle when men of Camentir's host had arrived and bolstered their ranks, only to be besieged by a large force from the north.

Durgil remembered much of that night - the dragon, the death of Lûnduf, and the rescue of his captain - but something was odd here now. Although the remains of men and orcs still littered the area, they seemed wrong. It was as if they were not resting where they had fallen... as if they had moved. He shook his head for such thoughts for they would sap his will to go forward.

The dwarf spoke, "We will need some sort of light if we are to peer within."

"I can accommodate some, but I do not wish to use up all of my strength so soon. Nor will I produce enough that we can split up in our explorations," answered Edrahil. The Sindar picked up an old staff of wood that had once been a long spear and touched the top of it as he canted.



Edrahil casts Create Light
DC 5 Willpower +3, The Art +2, Strong-willed +2, Resolute +1, Secret Fire spec +2, Frightened -1, Multiple Casting -3, Multiple Active -3

Rolled 2d6+3 : 1, 4 + 3, total 8

[Telcontar]

Rolled 2d6+7 : 5, 5 + 7, total 17

[Telcontar]

Celdrehail squeezed more moat water out of his tunic. The words of the Eldar encouraged him and he took his place in the company heading deeper into the foul keep.

[GandalfOfBorg]

"Edrahil, do you recall when we were here last?  This place has an unsettling feeling of familiar and yet not.  There is something about the bodies...." Durgil's voice trails off in disquieted thought.

"Aye, laddie," says Ginnar.  "It's the reek of the wyrm that still lies over this place.  It will take an age before the world is able to wash it away."