As night falls over Bree, still early, even though Spring is now here, the mood is merry in the Prancing Pony.
Even though most people are still out on the Green, there are so many festival-goers in Bree, that the inn is packed.

Galar spots the small hobbit party across the taproom from the evening before.  Getting up, the Bree-lander approaches the group with a friendly smile, "So, enjoying the festival thus far gentle hobbits?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:32, Wed 22 Dec 2021.

At dusk Orodil returns to the inn. A frown is weighing his forehead down after a fruitless search for Theorondil. It's like the gloom from outside sweeps in beside him as he finds one of the only free seats, beside a young local chatting with a hobbit. He thumbs a crumbling note and glances at it from time to time before finally putting it away in his pack.

Mip offers a seat to the young man:"If you'd like to sit with us, good Sir. And yes, enjoying the Fair very much. I have to admit, the food and drinks are excellent, too, very Shire-ish."

Mip smiles from one ear to the other, looking as satisfied as one can be.

As a happy and satisified Mip invites Galar to sit amongst the the several Hobbits - Galar does see that the table seems low for him, and the stools close to the ground--

--Orodil is deep in thought at the inn's counter.

Around you all, talk is of course of matters of the Fair--
"Such a beautiful pie, I just HAD to buy it..."
--but also of matters even closet to home.

Waving his empty mug left and right in hopes of a free refill, old Mugwort is voicing out loud what all mutter about: the scandal of the Heathertons.
"Aye, Timeas Heatherton was a fine fellow in his old age; always ready to stand his round in the Pony"--
Mugwort waves his mug around, hinting... hinting... hinting...
--"always with a smile on his face and a kind word to passers-by.
Only the older souls in Bree, such as I, remember a time when Timeas was not so upstanding a citizen of the town!"

Other chime in, saying that while it is true that Timeas was once an odd sort who went off, they say, travelling away East, he put all that behind him when he came home to Bree, and lived a proper unexciting life from the day he came home until last month, when he died.

Mugwort has to agree.
But that does not get him his free pint.
So he changes targets:
"The scandal of the hour is Timeas’ youngest nephew Tomas!
The young man missed his own uncle’s funeral; when he should have been helping carry his uncle’s body to the graveyard outside Bree, he was nowhere to be seen!"

On this, all agree: it IS without doubt a matter of great scandal.
Have you ever heard a more shameful thing, for a nephew to miss his own uncle’s burial?

Some in the room hint darkly that there is even more to the tale, deeds so foul and terrible they can only be spoken of--
--"Over another pint of beer!", yells Mugwort.

Although old Mugwort is a bit strange looking he is a Hobbit after all.
Mip waves to the good inn-keeper and signals for another round of beer, one for himself and one for Mugwort.
"Please, go on, my humble friend, I think there is more to the tale and I am eager to hear it. Moisturize your throat, take a zip."

Butterbur nods to Mip, and fills up Mugwort's tankard--
--and, before Butterbur can get moving over to Mip's table to fill all the fine Hobbitses mugs-- Mugwort has emptied his beer down his throat!

Moving over behind the innkeeper, and trying to stick his tankard under the ale that is poured, he nods to Mip, and leans in close-- reminding Mip of some late-nights in the Shire, at local pub, where people's breath did smell off!
Trying to whisper, but somehow really speaking louder, Mugwort confides in Mip:
"In his day, old Timeas wasn’t merely travelling – it’s said he was adventuring. With strange and unwholesome fellows at that. From his adventures, he brought back a fair amount of coin, enough to keep him in comfort for many years, and he shared little enough of it with his family. Nor did he ever moisturize people's throats!"

At the counter, Orodil hears people talking, managing to gather that Timeas died a week ago, and was buried two days ago.

Orodil leans forward, interested, and adresses the Bree-hobbit. "What about his son, Tomas? What happened to him?"

This is the Bree-hobbit Orodil is speaking to, correct?

The man is starting to smile a bit now, after the extra beer, and hoping to get another refill.
He seems to not really know who he is speaking to, and thus does not even really look at Orodil:
"Tomas? Yes, that iz hiz... that's iz... that is his son, yes.
Oh? Did I tell you they found young Tomas after the funeral searching his late uncle’s house?
Yes, yes, indeed! He’d torn the place apart, no doubt looking for buried treasure. Tomas’ father threw the boy out onto the street, and he hasn’t been seen all day!
He probably would like a drink.
I know I would."

"Where would you look after young Tomas if you want to have a little chat with the young fellow?"

As Mip asks old Mugwort about finding young Tomas, the answers are not very clear.
A combination of age, and drunkenness-- this demands patience to listen to, with a smile on one's face, to extract anything useful from the ramblings.
May I have a Courtesy roll from Mip, please?

While old Mugwort rambles on, Mip's mother stands up, telling Mip:
"I will go leave some coin with the innkeeper. He must know we are good for our rooms and dinners!"
Mip gets 2 TP (Treasure Points)

A hand on his shoulder, and a whisper in his ear--
"Orodil!"
--Orodil sees Theorondil has entered the tavern and come up to him.
"I believe the one we seek, Mallor, has gone West, to the Shire. I shall depart, and track him down there. I will send news to you here when I find him."
Simply removing Theorondil from the party
Theorondil hands innkeeper Butterbur a pouch, with silver pennies, to cover expenses and such by Orodil.
Orodil gains 2 TP (Treasure Points)
Then Theorondil pulls his cloak tight, and sets out for the Shire...

Orodil was distracted by his comrade Ranger's arrival-- but he still did try to hear what was being said around him.
Orodil can make a Riddle, Awareness, or Insight check if you wish, to see if he managed to catch some useful information.

Aredhel, his leg hurt and wounded, comes to the inn of the Prancing Pony to take the weight off his knee.
Asking for some hot water and clean linen, he checks the wound-- and sees that no real lasting damage was inflicted. In a few hours he will recover fully.
Note - the 'Woe' here was over the top, I simply put a Wound to give some info' on the mechanics: when you are Wounded, you have no penalties other than recovering Endurance at a slower rate, but you must check the Wounded box and roll for Wound Severity.
Here, I simply gave Aredhel a Gandalf for severity-- there is no real damage, and the Wound will fade in a few hours.
Otherwise, it gives you how many days you remain wounded (you can reduce this with First Aid).
The problem arises when you are Wounded a second time-- for you then drop, and are Dying.

Aredhel is happy to take a short rest after the Torch Race, and maybe some food and drink. He soon feels better.
To recover lost Endurance (Aredhel had lost 2 points) you can normally take one Short Rest per day, and one Prolonged Rest per day (given the circumstances etc.).
The Short Rest has you recover your Strength value in Endurance (nothing if you are Wounded) ; the Prolonged Rest gives all Endurance back (or Strength value in Endurance if Wounded).

Revigorated, and nursing his hurt knee, Aredhel will be well soon, and starts to listen to what is going around him-- the Hobbits talking with the drunken old Bree-hobbit, the Ranger looking Man at the counter...
Removed Endurance loss & Wound

Galar makes small talk with hobbits, commenting on the fierce competition in the Ancient Game this year and nursing his cider in fellowship.  Always interested in news or largely gossip that is passed for news in Bree, the young man listens in as Mugwort goes on.  However, the Bree-landers eyes practically shine in the firelight as Mugwort mentions Timeas' possible adventurous past.

No doubt young Tomas' greed had gotten him into some foolishness Galar thought as he intently listened in on the exchange between Mip and Mugwort.

Galar listens intently--
Galar can make a roll for Riddle, if he wishes.
And can Galar make a roll for Awareness for me, please?

OOC

12:17, Today: Galar rolled a total of 11 (10 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 4 (Feat Die), 6, 1.  riddle.

12:17, Today: Galar rolled a total of 7 (7 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 1 (Feat Die), 6.  awareness.

20:12, Today: Mip Tanglefoot rolled a total of 13 (9 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 9 (Feat Die), 3, 1.  courtesy roll.

As Mugwort rambles on about this and that, happily drinking the beers he is given, it is a bit hard to make sense of what he is talking about, as he mixes things up-- "I am entitled to be Prince of the Lonely Mountain, since it is thanks to me Bilbo met... err... whomever he met! So, I do want my niece to let me use the donkey. I need a donkey, because there may be Wights lurking outside Timeas’ house. I saw them a few days ago, after Timeas was murdereded, and that the murderer was not human..."

Mip is indeed a bit lost, and Galar focuses too much on Mugwort to really hear anything else being said by others, yet he too is at a loss as to what Mugwort is getting at...

Just FYI (not pushing towards this): yes "taking badstuff for success" is always an option (Success with Woe) for normal Skill rolls (unless the Loremaster says the Risk level is too high).
This message was last updated by the player at 05:35, Sat 25 Dec 2021.

Orodil, usually quite astute, is thrown off guard by his ranger companions sudden departure and misses whatever old Mugwort might have said.


21:29, Today: Orodil rolled 2 using 1d12 with rolls of 2.  Favoured roll for Awareness.
21:28, Today: Orodil rolled a total of 7 (4 if weary): a failure with the Eye of Sauron (complications) using the The One Ring with a target of 12 with rolls of 11 (Feat Die), 3, 4.  Awareness.

@Orodil: even when failing, Favoured rolls are nice for not raising the Eye Awareness!

As Mugwort rambles on, mixing up stories of cabbages, his aunt, buried men and how to best choose an oak plank...
As the crowd talks of the Fair, the Heatherton scandal, and if the Reeve will ever do anything...
As the sullen-faced Dwarf sitting in a corner focuses on the stein of beer in front of him...

Mip, Galar, Orodil and Aredhel are actually startled by a BANG!

That was the door of The Pony, hitting the wall is suddenly burst open!

Before even Buttlebur can frown about "careful now!'--

--in rushes a young Bree-lander.

The mutterings of the common room make it clear that this young man is--
--the infamous Tomas Heatherton!

Tomas is white as a sheet, and starts jabbering:
"G... ghosts! Mon... Monsters... in the-- graveyard!"

From his babbling, it is clear that he witnessed something horrible.

Orodil looks up as the young Bree-lander bursts into the common room, instinctively pushing away from the counter and reaching for the sword on his back. As he realises there is no imminent threat he instead reaches up and grabs a torch from one of the wall sconces. Ghosts? In Bree? I'll need one of these".

"Lead the way, boy, show me these ghosts," he says, grim determination on his face.

Galar's attention snaps to the tall ranger as he sees the man respond immediately.  He's not sure what to think about a 'ghost' sighting from Tomas on a day when other spirits flow freely, but there was no way he was going to miss the excitement.  Quickly gulping what remains of his cider, Galar pushes up, "Wait for me!"
This message was lightly edited by the player at 00:33, Tue 28 Dec 2021.

Orodil looks up to see a young Bree-lander.

Very tall, though still young, not out of his teens yet, barely becoming a man.

As Galar's attention snaps to Tomas, whom Galar has seen around town, but does not know, he realizes that the young Heatherton is a strapping youth, with a mop of dark hair and the start of what might be a beard one day.

Butterbur sees Orodil grab a torch-- and sighs.

Tomas hears the tall man with a sword call out to lead the way, while another man jumps up wishing to come along as well--
--some color returns to his pale face, and he spins around, rushing back out the Pony.

Mip and Aredhel, still seated at their places in the main-room, suddenly see people jump to their feet, and move to follow the commotion.

Butterbur sighs even louder as--
--half the patrons of the inn race on out after Tomas and the two men who went after him.

With New Year looming, we will slow down a bit here, to leave Mip & Aredhel time to react (Galar and Orodil can of course post, exit the inn, call out to Tomas, but I will wait for the others before getting the group to where Tomas is headed).
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:05, Tue 28 Dec 2021.

Mip leans over to his Mum, whispering"Ghosts, in Bree, I can't believe it. These men seem determined to look into the matter. What do you think, Mum? I mean, is it worth to go with them, going out on an adventure? I could have another whole half instead ...."

MIp's mum thinks that Mip should have another two halves, that her son should get it all!
She also thinks that all this is quite unbecoming but totally expected-- foreigners, odd Bree-folk... and actually quite exciting.
When it is not happening on her doorstep.

She looks at her son:
"You can go if you want. Young folk like their excitement."

"I... I.. don't know Mum, I ... I .. mean. it sounds dangerous, doesn't it, ghosts, graveyard and all."
The young hobbit hesitates.
"Would you like to come with me, Mum?"

Mip's mum nearly chokes--
"Me? Go with..."
--before smiling agaim:
"I would love to, but then you would not have anyone to come home to and tell your story.
No, no, thank you for thinking of me, but you go on and have some fun."

"Okay," Mip replies very carefully, then sighs. "I guess this is it but please wait for me, I'll be right back."
He moves quickly now"Gentlemen, please wait for me, I am coming with you."

Galar looks back with a smile and pauses a moment for the hobbit to catch up.

Tomas leads Orodil out of the Pony, and down South, along the street, passing alongside the Green, where the Fair is being held: you see the bonfire blazing away, and hear people singing as they dance around it.

A great deal of people that were in the inn's main room are following along-- Mip & Galar probably among those.

You pass the South-gate, where the Watchkeeper looks at this crowd hurrying out of town with amazement, recognizing Tomas as the one who just came racing into town!

Then Tomas cuts to the East, moving away from the road, the Greenway.
For the people of Bree have buried their dead on a hillside south of the Great East Road, and East of the Greenway, and have done since time immemorial.

As you all approach, with the moat and wall protecting Bree to your left (the North), you that they raise mounds of earth over the corpses, and let the grass be their shroud.
This can be seen in the light of the torches carried by many in the crowd.

Those steeped in ancient lore can tell you that the oldest mounds are oriented to the north, towards Bree-hill and points beyond, and the newer mounds look back towards the West, towards the setting sun and the Undying Lands.

The mounds are not like the great barrows of the kings; they are little earthen piles covered in green grass, just long enough to house a corpse.

The graveyard is within sight of the lights of Bree, but is about ten minutes’ walk outside the town’s gates.
But, tonight, you rush, and so are moving rapidly down the well-worn path, lined with flowers, that seem to flicker red in the torch-light.
The path runs from the South-gate of Bree to the little cemetery that you are now approaching...

Keeping his nerve, with a lopsided smile matter-of-factly states, "Well there's no losing your nerve now.  Let's see what these monsters got up to."  Galar picks up a little speed as he marches towards the graveyard.

In reply to The Loremaster (msg # 15):

Aredhel winced as he made his way into the Prancing Pony, feeling several sharp pains in his knee as he made his way to a seat. He would order himself an ale - while it normally didn't come close to the wine of the Elves, it was at least something, and when he was feeling better he would order some wine, if available.

Orodil follows Thomas apprehensively and scans the graveyard as they approach, unsure of what to expect. He holds the torch in his left hand and flexes his right hand, itching to draw Biter from its sheath on his back but restrains himself. Odds are this is a figment of the youths imagination and he don't want to scare the villagers more than necessary.

Aredhel enters the inn, and is about to order some wine when--
--people go rushing out of the inn, jostling him as they do.
They are are all excited and talking loudly:
"Ghosts, whights, wraiths... in the graveyard!"
Half of the inn just moves out, past Aredhel, racing out.

As Mip comes running up to the graveyard, he stops calling out to wait for him, because he has actually caught up with the crowd, but also because it is an ominous place.

Mip looks up, and sees he is just behind Galar, who is looking around--

--easily spotting the newest mound, a spot of brown among the sea of green that is visible in the torch-light.

People point it out: it is the last resting place of Timeas Heatherton.

Up front, Orodil, his torch high, is close to this fresh grave.
Examining it, it is clear that the mound has been recently opened--
--and then closed up again.
But Orodil does have to look for these signs.
At a casual glance, the earth looks undisturbed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:35, Mon 03 Jan 2022.

Orodil is vaguely aware that several villagers and some of the others from the inn also follows the distraught youth. He ignores them, looks around and tries to make sense of the scene. Then he turns to Thomas. "What happened here?"

19:21, Today: Orodil rolled 12 using 1d12 with rolls of 12.  Favoured roll for Awareness.
19:21, Today: Orodil rolled a total of 8 (4 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 16 with rolls of 4 (Feat Die), 2, 2.  Awareness.

Orodil tries to avoid the distractions provoked by all the people milling about and talking about what is going-- "The ghost, I want to see the ghost!"

Success with the Gandalf rune.

As Orodil asks Tomas what happened-- he spots a spade, a clean spade with no dirt on it, lying on the ground just beside the grave.
Tomas glances to the spade, and then shrugs, apologetically:
"Err... yes, that's mine."
He then looks at Orodil:
"We must make a careful search of the barrow!"
This message was last updated by the player at 19:20, Tue 04 Jan 2022.

Looking the boy right in the eyes to instill the brevity of what it is he is asking, Orodil says "Easy now. Tomas, is it? Tell me exactly what it is you have seen before we go disturbing the dead."

Tomas tries to look away, but is forced to look up into Orodil's eyes.
He seems ill at ease and hesitant...

Orodil feels he should gain the young man's trust or, at least, calm him down.

Can you first make an Awe, Courtesy, or Riddle test, to get the conversation going?
This will help determine what goal to reach: the Resistance.

Then, Orodil and the others from the Company, can see how you try to befriend, calm, bolster, extract information etc. from Tomas, choosing which rolls you make.

Orodil stands tall and imposing, waiting for an answer.

00:59, Today: Orodil rolled a total of 17: a success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 12 ((8 (Feat Die), 1, 2, 2, 4)). Awe. Tall + Hope
This message was last edited by the player at 00:01, Wed 05 Jan 2022.

As Orodil towers over Tomas, the young man glances at the Ranger, and seems to open up some.

Glancing around at the crowd, and then speaking a little low, to not be heard by all, Tomas addresses Orodil-- as well as Galar and Mip who are close by.
"I seen a ghost in the graveyard.
A ghost that--"
He shivers.
"That-- it looked right at me!
I was so scared I nearly fainted!
The next thing he knew, I was running in the door of the inn!
I must've gone and dropped the spade."

But he is obviously still wary, and it seems you need to coax him on, to win his trust if you are to find out as much as you can about events in the graveyard.
There are things he has not yet said... but he does seem inclined to open up.

Any of the Company - Orodil, Galar, Mip - may interact with Tomas. He is friendly (interested in cooperating) so you all gain (meaning you have +1d to these rolls).
Tell us how you push him to reveal more, and roll for whatever skill you feel works (with your +1d from the gain).
Enhearten, song, persuade etc.

Maybe each of you three can roll one Skill?
This message was last edited by the player at 10:23, Wed 05 Jan 2022.

Curiosity aroused Galar inquires, "What made you think your uncle buried something here?  And don't you mean 'me' and 'I' rather than 'him' and 'he'?  Was someone else with you?"

OOC
Riddle roll

04:52, Today: Galar rolled a total of 7 (4 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 4 (Feat Die), 3.  Riddle (favored).

04:52, Today: Galar rolled a total of 15 (12 if weary): a success (failure if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 7 (Feat Die), 1, 2, 5.  riddle .

Not sure if it's just a editing mistake or yokel-speak  but what I'm referring too...

Tomas Heatherton:

"That-- it looked right at him!
I was so scared he nearly fainted!
The next thing he knew, I was running in the door of the inn!

Galar asks--
Successful roll
--Tomas abouting me or him and other I's and he's:
"No, no, I was alone... alone with a ghost!
Maybe my uncle's unquiet ghost!
But it was a huge spirit!
Grey-skinned, and nine or ten feet tall, and that's despite it being all hunched over.
Oh, and it smelled like rotten meat."
Any of you, upon hearing this, may make a Hunting or Lore test, or just use your character's simple common sense...

When Galar then asks about mhat made Tomas think his uncle buried something, young man frowns, and glances around nervously--
This opens a second line of getting information out of Tomas, re. the "past", why he came here in the first place.
Any or all of you can roll for Insight, Awe or Persuade to draw Tomas out on this topic.

Not sure if it's just a editing mistake or yokel-speak
Please! How can you doubt your loremaster?
I did a lot of research into how young men of that era spoke in Bree and--
--yes, some type/confusion/editing blunder of mine.
Sorry (and I changed it above).

RECAP FOR CLARITY

There are TWO questioning threads:

• 1 • Orodil & Mip (and of course Aredhel when he arrives) may work at getting info' about what exactly Tomas saw (the Ghost)
For those rolls, everyone gets gain (++1d to your roll)
Galar has rolled

• 2 • any of the Company may roll for Insight, Awe or Persuade to have Tomas talk about why he was here in the first place

Galar casts a nervous glance at the ranger and out of habit pulls out his vade mecum.  Tomas's description vaguely fit a tale or two he put into his little book.  "Your recently dead uncle's walking corpse is nine or ten feet tall and smells that rancid already?  What was he wearing?  Was he armed?"

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
OOC
05:53, Today: Galar rolled a total of 7 (5 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 5 (Feat Die), 2.  lore (favored).

05:52, Today: Galar rolled a total of 14 (12 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 7 (Feat Die), 5, 1, 1.  lore (with useful item).

Heh....guess in Galar's book trolls live under bridges and smell more like billy goat musk;-).

---

Something was off about Tomas's story.  Not standing for your uncle's funeral is pretty scandalous behavior by Breelander standards.  Tomas was either a foolish lad driven by greed or perhaps driven by some other motivation.  Maybe he could entice (or shame) him into revealing what variety he was, "So what was worth embarrassing your family by missing the funeral, tearing up your uncle's place, and then coming to a graveyard in the middle of the night...with a shovel?"

OOC
spending hope and using cunning (playing the guilt card) to see if he can shake Tomas enough for a bit of Insight on his recent behavior.

06:13, Today: Galar rolled a total of 4 (4 if weary): a failure with the Eye of Sauron (complications) using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 11 (Feat Die), 4.  insight favored.

06:13, Today: Galar rolled a total of 21: a great success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 5 (Feat Die), 6, 1, 4, 5.  Insight with hope (cunning).

Galar feels that Tomas's description is off-- and it really makes him think of something, but he cannot remember what.
Failed roll
Tomas shrugs: "What was he wearing? Err... ghost things? Like a... I can't remember."

But, then, it seems he does feel guilty for not having attended the funeral.
Great success
So he looks up at Galar, and shrugs:
"You have to understand... I wanted to come to the funeral. But... you see, me late Uncle Timeas was a former treasure hunter. And he always had money when he needed it. He... he had this map, Timeas did, that pointed the way to a buried fortune.
A fortune hidden somewhere in Bree-land.
Timeas would go to the buried hoard when he needed coin.
So I thought that, well, what with the entire family at the funeral... there'd be no one at Timeas' home!"


______________________________
TWO questioning threads:

• 1 • Orodil & Mip (and of course Aredhel when he arrives) may work at getting info' about what exactly Tomas saw (the Ghost)
For those rolls, everyone gets gain (++1d to your roll)

• 2 • Orodil & Mip may roll for Insight, Awe or Persuade to have Tomas talk about why he was here in the first place.

And Orodil & Mip may roll Hunting or Lore to see what Tomas' ghost might actually be.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:14, Wed 05 Jan 2022.

21:09, Today: Mip Tanglefoot rolled a total of 12 (4 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 4 (Feat Die), 2, 3, 3.  Insight.

"Whoa, I envy you, Tomas, a real ghost! Huge like a tree! That IS something! A tale to tell, over an ale and a good bite, don't you think, I ant to hear the whole story. I must hear the whole story."

______________________________
TWO questioning threads:

• 1 • Orodil (and of course Aredhel when he arrives) may work at getting info' about what exactly Tomas saw (the Ghost)
For those rolls, everyone gets gain (++1d to your roll)

• 2 • Orodil & Mip may roll for Insight, Awe or Persuade to have Tomas talk about why he was here in the first place.

And Orodil & Mip may roll Hunting or Lore to see what Tomas' ghost might actually be.

22:30, Today: Mip Tanglefoot rolled a total of 21: a great success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 8 (Feat Die), 6, 5, 2.  insight.

"But please, young Tomas, you must elaborate, I can't stand the wait. give a little something before we head back to the inn. What happenend here?"


ooc: just to let you know: I used one more die again, like above, maybe this was wrong ..??
This message was last edited by the player at 21:45, Wed 05 Jan 2022.

As Mip asks Tomas to please elaborate, the young man looks down at the Hobbit, and, maybe feeling more at ease, being the bigger one, he opens up:
"Well, I went through my uncle's house. Looking everywhere... and, since there was no treasure map among Timeas’ belongings, not anywhere in the house, well, I thought my uncle must have arranged to be buried with the map!"
He shuffles his feet, looking distressed:
"I do not know why Timeas didn’t leave the map to me, to his family.
But..."
And he lowers himself down to Mip's level, and whispers:
"I suspect that my uncle Timeas was... trying to protect his kin.
The hoard may be... located somewhere perilous!"

I used one more die again, like above, maybe this was wrong ..??
Yes, I think that was wrong. But it we remove the last die rolled it still is a Success, with the extra 6.

Tomas feels more at ease now, having gotten a load off his chest.
If any felt that having Tomas admit what he was doing in the graveyard, one simply has to ask him politely... or scare him a bit!
Courtesy or Awe checks

______________________________
Again TWO questioning threads (one having closed, but another opened):

• 1 • Orodil (and of course Aredhel when he arrives) may work at getting info' about what exactly Tomas saw (the Ghost)
For those rolls, everyone gets gain (++1d to your roll)

• 2 • finished

• 3 • Orodil, Mip & Galar may roll Courtesy or Awe to get Tomas to open up as to what he was doing here

And Orodil & Mip may roll Hunting or Lore to see what Tomas' ghost might actually be.

16:55, Today: Mip Tanglefoot rolled a total of 16: a success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 10 (Feat Die), 2, 4.  courtesy roll.

"You are mighty courageous, young Tomas. Coming to the graveyard on your own, you are a true adventurer. So, did you find something already? Is there something else you want to tell us?"


ooc: no hunting or lore roll, not familiar with it, not at all...

Listening to Mip--
and his Success
--has Tomas puff up his chest:
"Yes, having not found anything in my uncle's home, and thinking he had hidden away the map with him-- I simply brought this spade, intending to dig up my uncle’s grave!
If one wishes to go on an adventure, one needs to get one's hands dirty!
I intented to find the map..."

________________________
Again TWO questioning threads (one having closed, but another opened):

• 1 • Orodil (and of course Aredhel when he arrives) may work at getting info' about what exactly Tomas saw (the Ghost)
For those rolls, everyone gets gain (++1d to your roll)

• 2 • finished

• 3 • Orodil & Galar may roll Courtesy or Awe to get Tomas to open up as to what he was doing here

And Orodil may roll Hunting or Lore to see what Tomas' ghost might actually be.

Galar manages to keep his shock off his face given Tomas' admission.  Collecting himself he asks, "Why are you certain he had a map?  Did you see it?  I mean why would he need it if it was buried nearby in someplace he was reasonably familiar and then how would it get into his casket unless he told someone to put it there?  Wouldn't someone else in the family know of the map if this is the case and couldn't you have checked first before showing up here with a shovel?"

OOC
12:02, Today: Galar rolled a total of 17 (13 if weary): a success (failure if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 8 (Feat Die), 5, 2, 2.  Courtesy.

TN 15 but still success.

As a side note does Tomas have a bit of a 'reputation' in Bree or is this first time he's done something this...hrm...beyond the norms?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:16, Thu 06 Jan 2022.

Tomas looks up from Mip to Galar-- and then looks puzzled:
"But... one must have a Treasure Map to find treaure, right?"
He shrugs.
Then goes on:
"I told you... I am sure he must have arranged to be buried with his map.
Maybe to prevent us from getting into danger.
I cannpt ask about the map... my father would not like that.
That's why I did check-- by going through his house!"
He glances down at the spade:
"I fear that the ghost manifested to punish me for grave robbing... even if I never got to digging."

Tomas looks at tall Orodil, at Galar... and Mip who calmed him so:
"You... you look like courageous souls.
You look like ones who do not fear any ghosts.
Maybe... maybe... maybe you could help me get the map?
I... I'd split Timeas’ treasure with you!"
He lowers his voice:
"Only I know how to interpret my uncle’s marks and codes.
The map is... useless without me."


All Galar knows about Tomas, is that his father is a 'good man', and Tomas is growing up... maybe a little rowdy?


________________________
Orodil may:
• roll (w. +1d) to get info' about what exactly Tomas saw (the Ghost)
• roll Courtesy or Awe to get Tomas to open up as to what he was doing here
• roll Hunting or Lore to see what Tomas' ghost might actually be

Orodil may--
- roll (with gain: +1d) to get info' about what exactly Tomas saw (the Ghost)
- roll Courtesy or Awe to get Tomas to open up as to what he was doing here
- roll Hunting or Lore to see what Tomas' ghost might actually be
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:24, Fri 07 Jan 2022.

Orodil looks sternly at Tomas, not at all happy with what he is hearing about graveplundering. The news of a ghost, if true, was dire though. He softly hums a tune from days past, a lament of dead loved ones. "Is there anything else you can tell us?"

OOC: I mucked about with the dice roller and the "record each die" got unchecked so I had to roll again since Lore is favoured and I needed to know what the feat die was.

10:33, Today: Orodil rolled a total of 18: a success with the Gandalf Rune using the The One Ring with a target of 16 with rolls of 12 (Feat Die), 5, 1.  Thread 3. Lore.

10:31, Today: Orodil rolled a total of 9 (8 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 12 with rolls of 2 (Feat Die), 6, 1.  Thread 2. Awe.

10:31, Today: Orodil rolled a total of 10 (7 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 12 with rolls of 1 (Feat Die), 3, 6.  Thread 1. Song with gain.

Orodil hums his tune, and Tomas hums along with him: Is there anything else you can tell us, la da di da da...
Thus, thinking the Ranger is singing some sad tune, Tomas does not even realize he should maybe answer something.
Failures
Shrugging off this misunderstanding, Orodil does think of what was said before, and is quite sure that the "ghost that was seen is actually a-- Troll!

Tomas stops humming, and looks at you three:
"If you help me get the map and I can read the signs on it, leading to the location, you can keep all the treasure.
Take it all! WJust save him from from the burning red eyes of the ghost! Save me from my uncle's vengeful spirit--
--well, let's say you take 3/4ths, and I take one quarter?"

"Well, young Tomas, I certainly can't speak for all the others but it sounds fair to me. So, my friends, what do you make of it? Are you up to the task?"

This was all so exciting. His first travel and right into his first adventure.
He sighs.
But I still want to see some Elves ....

Galar looks to Mip and them back to Tomas.  "Well he does seem determined....," the Breelander thinks it over a moment.  His impression of Tomas wasn't exactly good but left to his own devices would almost certainly come to a tragic end.  And this might lead to an interesting story.  "Okay, I'll help."

Tomas looks from Mip to Galar, with a big smile, and then to Orodil:
"Do you--"

--when a voice calls out, cutting Tomas off:
"TOMAS!"

A sturdy man, a farmer-type, wearing a black cloak as a mark of mourning, stomps up to you.
The crowd mutters: "That is Nick Heatherton, brother to the late Timeas."

"Tomas!
Boy... enough of this foolishness.
You’ve brought enough shame on my house without dragging these good folk into our affairs.”

Tomas spins around, and frowns at his father:
“It’s not your house, dad.
Our home is not even your home.
Uncle Tim paid for it, as well you know.
You might be too scared to claim what’s ours now that Tim’s gone, but I’m not.”

Nick shakes his head at his son:
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, boy. Stay silent.”
He then turns to the three of you, to the Company, and Nick tells you:
“This matter ain’t any concern of yours.
I don’t know what nonsense my son’s been saying, but ’tis better to leave well enough alone.
Here, for your troubles, a few coins.”
He rumbles around in his pocket, pulling out some silver coins.
1 Treasure Point
You see him begging you with his eyes.
You see the love for his son, the fear for Tomas' safety.
"Please?"

Now it Tomas who is begging the Company, to ignore his father:
“I know what I saw, and I know such things won’t leave well enough alone.
We must dig up this grave and put things right.”
This message was last edited by the player at 21:09, Fri 07 Jan 2022.

Mip takes one step back, raising one hand in a refusing gesture, not accepting the coins.
He sees the desperate look in the father's eye.
His determination dwindles.
Mip waits for the others to react.

As Mip looks in the farmer's eyes--
Mip, but also Orodil and Galar, may make an Insight roll.

--if people wish to address Nick Heatherton, Courtesy & Inspire rolls can elicit some information.

Galar looks to Tomas and then back to his father.  "Mister Heatherton, I don't Tomas is the sort to let go of a notion once it's in his head and I also think he saw something unpleasant in the graveyard tonight.  I don't think it was your brother's ghost but it may be connected to Timeas somehow.  I'll help Tomas see this through but is there anything you can tell me about Timeas?"

OOC

20:52, Today: Galar rolled a total of 6 (4 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 4 (Feat Die), 2.  favor (ignore d6).

20:52, Today: Galar rolled a total of 14 (11 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 6 (Feat Die), 5, 3.  insight favored.

20:50, Today: Galar rolled a total of 27: an extraordinary success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 7 (Feat Die), 1, 6, 5, 2, 6.  courtesy 1 hope fair-spoken.

Galar addresses Tomas' father Nick directly, not taking time to try to assess his mood or such--
Failure on Insight
--but choosing words that obviously hit home. Maybe because Galar is from Bree, and has issues of his own with his father-- his words have a strong impact on Nick.
Extraordinary success (counts as three 6's, getting you all three 'levels' of information in one go!)

Nick nods, when Galar talks about Tomas being the sort to not let go of a notion-- it is obvious he agrees.
"Tomas is right about that. My brother Timeas was wealthy – or, more precisely, knew where to get money."
And when Galar talks of Tomas having seen something unpleasant in the graveyard, the father looks concerned:
"My brother Timeas always hinted that there was a lot more wealth available, but that obtaining it would be somehow perilous.
Timeas travelled with strange and dangerous folk, but he put that part of his life behind him long ago."
He looks at the three of you:
"I want to ensure that my young Tom does not go down a similar road as his uncle."

Tomas steps up:
"I'm not young! I'm a man! Strong and wise!"

The father, Nick, looks at the three of you again-- as if to say: see! My son is too young, too rash...
"I thank you for wanting to help Tomas.
And I beg off you to keep Tom safe.
I just buried my brother, I hope I do not have to bury my son too..."

"Of course, good Sir. I glad to have your son Tomas at my side, he surely is able to protect me for he is a tall and strong fellow."

Kind words that shall inspire courage and confidence in the people's heart.

Orodil grunts and raises the torch, looks around the graveyeard and then turns to Tomas and his father. "There are no ghosts here but I fear, if you really saw what you say you did, we might still have trouble upon our hands. A troll, it sounds more like. Did you see where it went?"

He seems uninterested in the talk of treasure.

Mip hesitates:"Gentlemen, let's say we encounter a troll or even a real ghost, my question is, have we got the means to battle such a worthy adversary? I myself are looking at my bare hands."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:02, Sat 08 Jan 2022.

Momentary distracted by Orodil's revelation, Galar smacks his forehead, "Troll of course!  It should have left some tracks.  Orodil?"

As Orodil raises his torch and looks around--
You can make a roll (Scan, Hunting... ?) to see if you spot anything Troll-like
Possible advice: you might consider spending Hope (and invoking some Distinctive Feature)

--as Galar realizes that, yes, it could be a Troll.
Asking if it left some tracks--
More possible advice: you might consider spending Hope to assist Orodil?)

--while Mip sees that at least these two seem to be looking for the Troll, not fleeing it!
Depending on who rolls for what, Mip could also be the one to assist
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:32, Sat 08 Jan 2022.

In reply to The Loremaster (msg # 73):

OOC
Galar will spend a hope if Orodil's roll is less than 5 dice.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:48, Sat 08 Jan 2022.

In reply to Galar (msg # 74):

OOC: If I spend hope and invoke a distinctive feature (Shadow-Lore) I'll roll 4 skill dice on my Hunting roll.

So make a roll of 5 (if you spend hope) since Galar will aid you (spending 1 hope from Galar as well)

Mumbling that the others should stand still as to not destroy possible tracks, Orodil holds the torch out and looks for tracks in the soil.

20:25, Today: Orodil rolled a total of 18: a success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 12 with rolls of 1 (Feat Die), 2, 4, 5, 2, 4.  Hunting. Hope + Shadow-Lore and assistance.

OOC: Lol, the rpol feat die really hates me. A little note: I never introduced myself by name, if anyone mentioned me it would have been as "Bird", my ranger-name.

Galar helps Orodil look around in the torch-light... but, it is true that people have been moving around, trampling the ground.
Still-- Orodil finds no traces.
The roll is a failure vs. what was needed
Not even in places where the crowd has been.
Orodil wonders-- if a Troll was spotted, there should be traces.
Some traces left.
Trolls do not cover their tracks-- or can some Trolls be canny and smart enough to do that?

Suddenly, someone in the crowd spotted the "Ghost!"
Turns out it is a stray goat...
The people are getting bored, and start leaving.

Nick Heatherton looks at his son-- then at the Company... before leaving as well.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:55, Sat 08 Jan 2022.

Wasn't sure if you did or not but was too lazy to dig too thoroughly through the postage;-).  Didn't want to go with 'hey you Ranger' tho;-)

As a side note between the working a stand at the fair, the contests, and hanging out at the Pony, assume you know Galar's name even if he hasn't directly introduced himself.

Orodil frowns. "A troll should have left some tracks in this mud but there is nothing here".


In reply to Galar (msg # 79):

OOC: Sure! Assume you heard Bird as well then :)

Most of the crowd leaves - including Tomas' father, Nick - going back to the late night events at the Fair, or a final drink at the Pony.

Tomas looks at you:
"We should look through the grave?"

No signs of a Troll... though Tomas' description fits one.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 21:12, Sun 09 Jan 2022.

Aredhel nods at Tomas. "I don't know - I don't like the feeling of searching through the items of the dead."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 21:59, Sun 09 Jan 2022.

"A troll just doesn't wander around a graveyard and leave.  Certainly not paying respects.  A grave or two has likely been disturbed." Galar speculates.

Tomas is a bit taken aback as the tall Elf, Aredhel, steps out from the few remaining onlookers, from where he had been observing things.
Tomas shrugs, as if to say that searching the grave is nothing.
Digging up a grave to go through a corpse's clothing & such would bring you a Shadow test meaning you might get 1 Shadow point (if you fail the test). The source of the Shadow in this case would be Dread, and thus the test would be Valour.

When Galar mentions that a Troll most likely disturbed a grave or two, people look around at the mounds that seem eery in the flickering torch-light.
All and any of you can roll Scan regarding the grave around which you have gathered, to see if it has been disturbed.


Aredhel and Mip also glance around the ground-- wondering where the Troll might have gone, if that was what Tomas saw.
Aredhel and Mip may make a Hunting roll to spot tracks.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:54, Mon 10 Jan 2022.

Having walked down the foot-path, leading to the cemetery, that field of grass-covered mounds, two Dwarves appear - Homnir and Vidar.
They are in armor and with their weapons, dressed in traveling gear.
Leading two ponies laden with food and waterskins and such...

As everyone looks back at them, you all see that morning has broken, and dawn is upon you.
Some magical time-fuddling: making it the same morning, now, in which Vidar and Homnir were leaving.
I will merge the two Companies for a bit.
Doing the next part of Old Bones & Skin, and then getting the whole group back to the Star of the Mist to run that totally-- before going back to finish Old Bones & Skin.


The two Dwarves see some villages gathered around a fresh mound, a new grave.
But most are leaving, going back to Bree.

Close to the grave, are a tall outsdoorsman, a tall Elf, a Man of Bree, and a Halfling - some of these four you have seen before, and even competed against.

The four are talking with a young Bree-lander, who seems quite excitable.

Mip looks very startled. "Digging up a grave? No Sir! Not gonna happen! The dead shall always rest in peace, I am sorry, can't do this. My mother would never speak to me again."

He then starts searching the ground for any marks but he is really not the best in hunting and such.


ooc: 19:58, Today: Mip Tanglefoot rolled a total of 17: a success with the Gandalf Rune using the The One Ring with a target of 14 ((12 (Feat Die), 5)).

please consider: I have zero ranks in hunting but I can't roll zero dice (plus the 12 sided)
This message was last edited by the player at 19:00, Mon 10 Jan 2022.

Mip looks around, not knowing what to look for, really... but he does notice that the grave has been tampered with.
Mip realizes that someone or something opened up the mound, and sealed it up again so expertly that the earth looks undisturbed at a casual glance...

"Well, this is rather strange. Digging it up and closing it again with some real knowledge. My friends, look at this, please, someone really put some effort into this. Whoever did this know his handiwork."

"Well done Mip, I would have never seen that!  So let's say this troll is smart enough to cover his tracks," Galar grimaces a bit, "Because it knows if it doesn't there'll be a big bother.  Maybe it's alone and probably old that it just wants the easy meal."

The Breelander looks around to the others, "If we can't track it to it's hideaway tonight it might be back if it considers this place it's larder."

"Well, if the grave has been disturbed this whole business turns to something else. Is the man still there?" Orodil looks ill at ease but continues, "I don't like it but looks like we have to have to see for ourselves. If we find nothing we will have to lay in wait tonight, as Galar suggests."

Tomas gets all excited:
"Yes, dig, let's dig...
The man? He is dead!
The map, I wants-- we want... the map."
This message was last updated by the player at 14:59, Wed 12 Jan 2022.

Galar casts a concerned glance at Tomas before turning back to Orodil, "Well, if you think we have to confirm it I'll help.  But maybe some of these other good folk may have better luck looking for tracks first?"

OOC
As the wise cartoon philosopher Hank Hill would say, 'That boy ain't right.'

Unless I'm mistaken there are a few other pcs that can check for tracks yet. <poke><poke>
This message was last edited by the player at 15:27, Wed 12 Jan 2022.

As Galar asks about track-seeking, Mip starts looking around, not knowing much about tracking, but having Keen-eyes.
Aredhel steps up and helps the Hobbit as best he can, pointing some signs out.

Botting Mip & Aredhel-- spending 1 Hope for both (I marked that on your sheets), for Mip to get two dice w. Keen-eyed & Aredhel to give a 3rd die by Helping.
07:01, Today: The Loremaster, on behalf of Mip Tanglefoot, rolled a total of 16: a success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 14 ((7 (Feat Die), 4, 1, 4)).

Though not finding any Troll tracks, thanks to the Elf's pointers, the Halfling is able to confirm what was felt before-- it is a little strange that no such tracks are there.
There should be-- since there are places where none of the crowd trampled.
Mip scratches his head:
"Could it be the... Troll, err... covered their tracks? Are they that smart?"

Hearing Galar talk of Troll-tracks, the two Dwarves that just arrived nod to the Man of Bree, and, grim-faced, start looking around the ground surrounding the grave.

Botting Homnir & Vidar-- spending 1 Hope for both (I marked that on your sheets), for Homnir to get 1 extra die  & Vidar to give a 5th die by Helping (using Scan vs. Hunting).
• Feat Die only for Favoured: 07:17, Today: The Loremaster rolled a total of 9 (9 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 14 ((9 (Feat Die))).
• 07:19, Today: The Loremaster, on behalf of Homnir, rolled a total of 26: a success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 14 ((9 (Feat Die), 5, 1, 2, 5, 4)).

The Dwarves also scratch their head:
"It seems so, Master Hobbit. We too see some signs of big feet having moved around here. Faint signs, but signs none the less... which makes us say that, yes, this Troll, if that is what was here, covered their tracks. Which seems quite out of character for us."

A Great success was needed here (a 6 on the Skill die)-- so, no dice! Bleh...

All look at one another: it seems that this was no Ghost, but a large creature that erased the traces of its passage-- and other signs point to this large creature being a Troll.
So, what to do next-- look into the grave to see what happened there?
Wait in ambush for the Troll?

Mip is worried, seems, the party is too focused on having a troll around.
He scratches his head.
Digging up a grave? He is definitely NOT up for this task!
Maybe someone is playing a prank on them all?

"Gentlemen, a large creature like a troll has  - as far as I know it  - a large increment.
And the creature is heavy and its tracks must be deep.
So, what have we got here? Is it wide and deep? Let us have a look."

Mip tries to find it the tracks are wide and deep-- but is not able to discern that.
There are no real tracks visible.
All failed the roll's threshhold (of Great Success) to find whatever was to be found.

All that can be determined, is that something with big "feet" was most probably present, and skilfully covered its tracks, erasing clues to its passage.
A bit like the tomb having been 'visited', but the traces of this being covered up as well.

"It is a bit like a riddle but I don't have any answer.
I really need some help here.
What shall we do?"

The little one already knows what is coming next but he can't take any part in that, not for his mother's sake.
Digging up the grave.

Orodil grunts and grabs the shovel. He has no taste for this and it shows in his face. "Well then, better get this over and done with." He bends to the grim task to dig the grave up anew.

OOC: I was going to roll the Shadow test but can't find what TN to roll against?

Shadow tests are vs. Valour or Wisdom.
This is a Dread Shadow Test, which is under Valour.
Valour is under your Heart TN.
If you fail you get 1 point of Shadow.

Orodil starts digging the grave, thinking that he wishes to protect against Evil, and is here digging up the resting place of the recently deceased.

"The map! Find the map!", Tomas excitedly calls out.

But Orodil is soon appeased-- yes, it was dark and disturbing to 'attack' this grave, but there is no body in it.
Thus he does not feel further darkness, and disturbing a body, or such...

No, the grave is totally empty!
It has been opened, and everything is gone: casket, body, clothes...

"The... map?!" calls out a distraught Tomas.

Something opened up the mound, stole the corpse, and sealed it up again expertly.

Galar helps the ranger dig but Tomas' harping begins to grate on him as ill feelings grow in him toward the fool.  He had to confirm the grave was empty even if he didn't believe that the damnable map existed.

Noting the empty grave when they finish, Galar leans on a shovel, "Well, how much does a troll need to eat and how often do you suppose he visits his larder?  It's clever and careful, I'll give it that, but this is something I or any good thinking Breefolk would let stand even if we have to set watch for weeks."

OOC
 17:33, Today: Galar rolled a total of 8 (8 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 2 (Feat Die), 6.  valor.

As Galar helps Orodil discover the emptied grave-- a feeling of darkness briefly washes over him, the idea of disturbing the last rest of a fellow Man.
Take 1 Shadow point
Orodil will be rolling - I will let the others who wish / are taking part roll
(since some are not active now I will let who wishes decide)

Vidar, no stranger to corpses or graves, helps Orodil in searching the grave.  The sturdy Dwarves keen eyes on the lookout for any clues.  His face from, as he sets about the unpleasant task.

05:50, Today: Vidar son of Flar rolled a total of 21: a great success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 16 with rolls of 9 (Feat Die), 5, 6, 1.  Helping with the grave searching. (Scan).

One of the Dwarves steps up and helps look through the grave, which is unsettling in itself--
Vidar (as Orodil) needs to roll Valour, for the Shadow Test (Dread)
--but there is nothing to find there.
The grave was 'delicately' opened, everything - the casket - removed, and then all sealed up discreetly!
Nothing more to find.
But will not let the Great Success go to waste, so:
But Vidar spots that something, something with big feet, crushed the earth on top of the grave, and then moved things around to hide this fact. To conceal those tracks.
Using this knowledge, Vidar checks the other graves-- and realizes that the Troll - if that is what it is - moved from grave to grave, avoiding the ground.
And also that it covered the tracks it left.
But, it is possible to see some grass was trampled on this tomb, where mostly erased footprints were made on that grave--

--and you manage to find where the creature exited the cemetery.
Then, in the torch-light, and early dawn, you are able to find where it started moving, leaving clearer tracks behind, no longer concealing its movements.
Big, bare-footed, this is most assuredly a Troll-- and you see where you can track it from.

Mip frowns. That is quite a Troll.
Very smart.
"You guys want to follow the big fellow? You should know; I am not much of a fighter but I am a good cook."

Tomas puffs his chest:
« I am a fighter! »

"Well follow the tracks.". Vidar rumbles, his eyes locking with the "gighter" youth.  As the veteran of the Battle of Five Armies continues.  "When we find what made these tracks, we will figure out how to deal with it.  Don't do anything stupid."

Galar nods and thinks a moment looking at the early glow of dawn.

"I have to go grab my travelling kit,"  With a sense of dread finality he continues, "Shouldn't take me more than an hour to return."

"I will get my stuff, too, mainly something to eat, otherwise I will be looking at hard times. I need just a minute or to."

Tomas does not take much heed of Vidar's words, and just jumps up and down, ready to rush off into the night after the Troll-- though he himself cannot see tracks...

But the more mature people know one must prepare.

Thus you take some time - a couple hours - to go gather your gear and - as Mip urges you all to do, including Vidar and Homnir who were already all geared up: having a nice breakfast at the inn!

While you are having your eggs, bacons, scones... a Dwarf comes up to your table.

"There is strength in numbers.
I am happy Homnir and Vidar have decided to join you gallant people, who decided to hunt this grave-robbing Troll.
You have my blessing, and I hope your chase will be swift and efficient.
Ridding the land of Evil, of the Enemy's pawns, is crucial."

The Dwarf, removes his cloak, and sits down, not able to resist the fine breakfast Mip ordered for all.

"Maybe some of you-- Elf, Bree-lander, Shire-hobbit, Protector of the North!
Maybe some of you can then journey on with my Dwarven comrades, afterwords, as they seek missing merchants."



Balin son of Fundin, counsellor to Kings, and Patron to your Company!

Between two bites and carefully listening to the old dwarf, Mip has just two thoughts:" This breakfast is really delicious and this adventure is getting better and better. I gotta tell my mum!"

"Master Dwarf, I can only speak for myself but I am delighted to help you out. Missing merchants? Maybe they were eaten by a troll?, Mip mumbles, while having his mouth full of ham and cheese.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:47, Sat 15 Jan 2022.

Balin smiles, and, watching Mip gobble down so many sausage links:
"A Troll with a Hobbit's stomach?... could be!"

What they did at the graveyard left a poor taste in Orodils mouth, necessary or no. He accepts Balins patronage with a wry smile and grim determination, shuffling nutrients into his mouth without really tasting the excellent bacon. He looks around at the others, the elf, the dwarves, the hobbit and the bree-lander. They seem like decent enough folk and willing to help in the fight against the shadow, but would they hold when facing a troll? Time will tell, he supposes.

23:58, Today: Orodil rolled a total of 9 (6 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 16 with rolls of 6 (Feat Die), 3.  Shadow Test (Dread).

Adressing Balin, Homnir and Vidar, Orodil says "The work is never done, master dwarves, it seems. I will of course lend my aid to your cause." He then turns to the others around the table. "You can call me Bird, and it is good to meet folk with stout hearts in these troubled times.".

"One less troll is a worthy goal.". Vidar rumbles in his deep voice.  "Eating from a cemetery so close to Bree, it is only a matter of time before it starts attacking people.". Vidar turns to Orodil. "I am Vidar son of Flar.  If you survive the troll, it will be good to have your assistance Bird."

Outside the Pony, in the courtyard, your beasts of burden are being fed, watered and brushed.

Balin came with a pair of ponies of his own-- in case some wished to use them.
For those who had not added their beasts to their sheet (not - I am sorry - for those who started without animals!).

Barnabas Butterbur calls out:
"Nob! NOB! NOB!!!"

Nob, who is busy strapping a water-barrel to a pony, having already secured two crates of dried food-- tries to finish this before answering.

Barnabas Butterbur calls out:
"Noooooob! You wooly footed slow-coach! Stop lazying about!"

Your animals will be ready when you leave, with traveling gear and victuals well-packed.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:29, Sun 16 Jan 2022.

When Orodil has finished eating he stands, straightens the worn but serviceable leather corselet, wraps the grey cloak around himself and collects his things: a blanket rolled up with his travelling gear tied with a leather thong and slung across the back together with a short bow, a wooden buckler and a longsword in a worn leather scabbard.

"Well then," he says to the others, "off to the hunt?"

As Orodil speaks, you look at one another: who will lead you, who will be your Guide?
One good at Travel is the best, mechanically.

"Oh, my name is Mip by the way and I am eager to accompany you but I have to tell my Mum that I am leaving town. She is sitting right over there, so I will be just a minute.

After that Mip is going to double check his equipment, mainly the food and cooking stuff.
"Gentlemen, I guess I am as ready as I can ever be."

"I will bring us to the troll.". Vidar rumbles.  "If one of you is familiar with the area, bring up the rear, and make sure no one gets lost."
This message was last updated by the player at 11:36, Thu 10 Feb 2022.

Mip's mom having come over to hug her son, handed him some extra wool-socks, and given you all a stern look-over:
"Don't let my son do anything foolish! And-- NO MORE THAN THREE BREAKFASTS for him, mind you!"
Mip's mom lets you all go out on your stroll... not wanting to know it is a Troll?

All geared-up, and with your mounts, you move back out the South-gate around 8 am, in this nice Spring morning, with the people starting to move to the Fair, ready to have fun.

You, on the other hand, walk down the path to the cemetery, move around it, and start following the Troll-tracks, that head to the South-East.

May your Guide, Vidar, make a Marching Test, rolling Travel?

Mip whispers something strange:"If I take one more step, it'll be the farthest away from home I've ever been."

He looks back, shivering, thinking of his family and the Shire.

Leaving the gate behind him, Galar feels like a thief in the night sneaking away from a burglary.  His folk were well used to him coming home late from the Pony and with his father going to fairgrounds early it was actually easier to avoid crossing paths with him as he snuck out the back with his travel gear.  It was better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission...even if he intended to go regardless...it just spared the harangue over the worthlessness of the Reeve and his men.

And so the newly formed Company, under Balin son of Fundin's patronage, set forth on their first 'adventure', journeying out from Bree along Troll-tracks leading South-east, into the South-downs.

The six of you, two Dwarves, a Man of Bree, a Mannish Ranger of the North, a fine Hobbit from the Shire, and an Elf from the Sea to the West, with gear loaded on four beasts of burden, picked up the tracks to the South-east of the cemetery.

Vidar was to be guiding the Company, and in the next few days he did an incredible job of this. Pointing you through the easiest parts of the landscape, guessing where the Troll would be headed so you could skirt around harsher terrain and then catch the trail again-- avoiding much fatigue.

Every evening, Orodil & Homnir found as fine a place as could be for setting up camp & resting: always dry, with protection from the fres nights, and thick moss on the ground to cushion you from the rocky hills.

Galar supplemented your meals with fresh game: rabbits mainly... though you had taken victuals from the Pony.

During the day, and in shifts at night, Aredhel & Mip focused on scanning the horizon and surrounding terrain, making sure nothing dangerous or foul surprised you.
The tall Elf's eyes were natural keen-- and the Hobbits were maybe spurred on by hunger: for, sadly, your days had a good hearty breakfast, a solid dinner... and a light lunch while taking a midday break-- but nothing else! What kind of business is adventuring if you skip so many meals!

Thus Vidar told the truth, and brought you to the Troll, while others helped in keeping you fed, rested, and safe: no one got lost.

Mip went many steps further from the Shire than he had ever been.

And Galar ventured far away from the family shop, his father's pestering, and out into the Wild...

That first day, leaving in the morning, and following the Troll-tracks from outside the cemetery, you see that-- though Trolls are said to be slow bumbling creatures, this one at least moves fast.
It is a Troll, indeed, or at least you are quite sure that this is what the tracks indicate.
But once away from the cemetery, it started running on all fours. Given the spacing of the tracks, it must be loping along at terrible speed, faster than any Man or Elf could run.
A horse might be able to keep pace-- but you also see that this Troll knows the land around Bree very well, for it takes a route that runs through the densest thickets and deepest marshes-- and later you will see that is runs up sheer cliffs!
Hard indeed would it be to match its pace.

To the South-east it flees, non stop, making for the South Downs!

At first, it is easy going for you.
The lands just south of Bree are still farmland for the first 10 miles or so, and even when you start moving further away, the next 10 miles, at least the stones remember being tilled when the region was more populous.
Many paths still criss-cross the countryside so you can follow these and often avoid crossing the rock strewn tall Spring-grass plains.

On the end of the first day, you will camp just shy of edge of the South Downs.
Your feet will have traveled some 20 miles.

May Galar make a Hunting roll, please?
And can Aredhel & Mip each make an Awareness check please?

May Galar make a Hunting roll, please?
And can Aredhel & Mip each make an Awareness check please?

Galar is outsmarted by the local rabbits as his snares turn up empty.

OOC

05:40, Today: Galar rolled a total of 4 (2 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 2 (Feat Die), 2.  hunting.

>Not much to add to the stewpot, does Galar bring.
And he kept his nose to the ground, looking for his quarry...

Tomas Heatherton moves around the camp:
"I am sure we will catch the Troll, and I will..."
He looks around, realizing he did not bring a weapon.

Can Aredhel & Mip each make an Awareness check please?

Mip is starving. What is this business in wandering through the wilderness ??
He misses his ongoing meals, his bed, his mum and so many other things.


<i>ooc: 19:05, Today: Mip Tanglefoot rolled a total of 14: a success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 6 (Feat Die), 4, 4.  awareness.</i>

For Aredhel:
20:32, Today: The Loremaster, on behalf of Aredhel, rolled a total of 10 (10 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 10 (Feat Die).
20:32, Today: The Loremaster rolled a total of 14: a success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 6 (Feat Die), 4, 4.

10 - 4 & 4 = 18

Neither Mip nor Aredhel spot any movement during the night.

So, the second day you leave again, after a night's rest, still well-guided.
The morning you move through the same type of terrain, but around noon on this second day, you find yourselves climbing into the stony hills of the South Downs.

The going gets harder, as you must go up, and rocks roll under your feet, meaning you must move carefully and slower.
The loose stones are always eager to twist an ankle or trap a foot.

Besides, it is a monotonous, rolling landscape where each pile of shale and scanty grass hides-- another dozen hills, all alike!

The paths in this part of the world are treacherous; valleys end suddenly in box canyons, and you must turn back, and find another way.

This is Troll country, and you need to be made of stone to be at home here.

You take two days to cover what is only 20 miles of travel as the crow flies, into the South Downs.
But you have walked a lot more than that distance, camping once, and now a second time, on your third night out.

May Galar make TWO Hunting rolls, please?
And can Aredhel & Mip each make TWO Awareness checks each please?

Galar eyes the local rabbits suspiciously...

OOC

16:40, Today: Galar rolled a total of 11 (9 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 9 (Feat Die), 2.  hunting.

16:40, Today: Galar rolled a total of 12 (10 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 10 (Feat Die), 2.  hunting.

Galar does not have much time to go out and find fresh food, and does not really know what to hunt in this barren rocky area.
But you have enough food from the Pony with you.

The Troll tracks are simply enough to follow since you know what you are looking at.
And you feel you are close behind it-- yes, it goes about twice as fast as you, or more, and in a straight line, whereas you have to find ways around where it seems to scale even cliffs... but: it is obvious that it stopped during the day.
Only moving at night-- could it be that the tales are true: it might turn to stone in the sun?

All in all, you are close on its tail.

Also, you are surprised, but Tomas acquits himself surprisingly well. The young Bree-lander is not an experienced traveller - but neither are all of yoU! -, but he is young and tough, and he keeps pace with you, excited to slay this Troll and recover "his" map.

May Aredhel & Mip each make TWO Awareness checks each please?

Mip discovers some mushrooms, his belly grumbling.


09:44, Today: Mip Tanglefoot rolled a total of 19: an extraordinary success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 7 (Feat Die), 6, 6.  awareness second.

09:44, Today: Mip Tanglefoot rolled a total of 12 (9 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 4 (Feat Die), 3, 5.  awareness first.

On the second day, in the afternoon, on what is your first day going up into the rocky hills, a hungry Mip takes time to look around for taters or turnips or something-- and is very happy to find some mushrooms!
Lagging behind the group a bit, and looking back the way you came, in hopes of finding more fine edible fungus--
--Mip is amazed to suddenly spot a shape clambering up the stony-incline by which the Company just came!
Mip stands tall - well... for a Hobbit - and looks down to make sure he is not mistaken.
The shape stops too-- seemingly having spotted that it was discovered... and disappears behind a boulder.
In those few moments where Mip was staring straight at the shape, he feels the person was taller than he, but not much ; and that though it was hiding its face in the shadows of a cowl, there were curls of a beard visible-- Mip feels this probably is some sullen-faced Dwarf.

The shape, a Dwarf maybe, was a couple hours behind you-- but Mip no longer sees anything.
Nor does anyone else who might be alerted to this.

Nothing else is spotted for the rest of the day, no strange sounds or movement during the night, nor the following day or night.

It is as though Mip dreamt this-- too hungry and light-headed?
No-- it was real, he is sure of that.
You simply see nothing more of this Dwarven-shape-- maybe it was simply passing behind you, on a different course?

Aredhel's Awareness checks no longer needed.

On the morning of the fourth day, after your third night of camping, you start moving off after the tracks, that now go on a straighter line, across the hill-tops, thus easier to follow.
It is a nice Spring morning, with a fresh breeze, and a pale post-winter sun warming your faces as you move East.

But, suddenly it is as if you stepped into a strange bank of thick fog.
You did not see it roll in-- rather, it was 'just there'.
Mip might say that this fog has an unwholesome, unnatural feel to it.

You glance back from where you came: and see the outline of the sunny blue sky.
Where you are, the wind no longer blows.
To your sides--
--A TROLL!

No-- that was just the fog.
But, THERE-- the Troll!

Again, no: it is the fog, it seems to move, to twirl, to loom and lope like a Troll rushing at you.
Out of the corner of you eye, it as though, at every moment, you catch glimpse an army of misty monsters advancing upon the Company!

Very eery-- one would not like to get lost here!

"Hello!"

Tomas' voice comes from-- somewhere, out there in the fog?
You look around: he is not with you anymore.

"Hello...?"

What a fool-- of course he went and got lost!
That would not happen to you, because--
--hey?
Where is everybody?!

May you ALL make an Awareness or Scan check, please?
This message was last edited by the player at 10:26, Thu 20 Jan 2022.

Homnir was wary of this sudden fog, but kept scanning it for any threat. You don't get to be old by being careless.

Homnir rolled a total of 22: a great success with the Gandalf Rune using the The One Ring with a target of 14 ((12 (Feat Die), 6, 2, 2)).

Homnir is indeed wary-- and keeps his eyes on several Companions, so people do not get all seperated.

Nice! You can find 2 Companions (Tomas or others).
We will wait to see who succeeds & fails to see how it goes (and if any need "finding" other than Tomas).

Galar follows the Ranger's example and tries to imitate him as best he can.

OOC
09:24, Today: Galar rolled a total of 19: a great success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 8 (Feat Die), 5, 6.  scan (1 hope).

Galar decides to do like the Ranger will do-- and thus keeps an eye on a couple of his traveling companions.

Hope well spent for Galar!
Homnir finds 2 Companions
Galar finds 2 Oompanions
Off to a very good start...

Orodil is weary of the sudden fog and takes his time traversing the uneven terrain.

16:20, Today: Orodil rolled a total of 17: a great success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 12 with rolls of 6 (Feat Die), 6, 5.  Awareness.

The Ranger that Galar follows-- is actually worthy of being followed!
Slowing down, Orodil looks around, to not lose sight of his Companions.

Moving carefully along, all manage to keep in sight of one another, and remain close-- even calling discreetly out to Tomas, who makes his way back:
"Man, I thought you'd all gotten lost in the fog! Some adventurers..."

Three Great successes!
Homnir, Galar & Orodil each find 2 Companions-- so all 7 are linked! No one is lost.

Thus, the seven of you move along in the whirling fog, not seeing more than a few feet ahead.

When, suddenly, Tomas, who wants to be in the lead, and pushes to be up front, mutters:
"The Troll!"

And, yes, in the thick for, there, in front of you, just a few yards away, a face stares at you--

Orodil instinctively reaches for his weapons and calls out, "Spread out!".

Orodil may make an Awareness check, if you wish.

Enthusiastically nibbling on a small carrot Mip almost faints, swallowing his food in whole.



18:39, Today: Mip Tanglefoot rolled a total of 13 (10 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 4 (Feat Die), 6, 3.  awareness.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:18, Thu 20 Jan 2022.

Homnir calls "Stand back if you can't fight!" As he readies his axe, and shield.

As Mip coughs his carrot out-- Homnir gets ready for battle.

Orodil & Homnir may make an Awareness check, if they wish.

Hearing Homnir's call Mip runs back half the way back to Bree, he really doesn't want to disappoint the dwarf.

On second thought he seeks out cover behind a large rock.

Orodil watches the surroundings, not wanting to rush forward in case the troll has its family nearby.

19:32, Today: Orodil rolled a total of 12 (10 if weary): a great success (failure if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 12 ((4 (Feat Die), 6, 2)).

As Orodil gets his weapon, and looks around for other foes-- he realizes the big leather-hooded Troll is... dead.

As the fog whisps move, Orodil sees that this a very large Troll, indeed, but a dead one.
It has obviously received some crushing blows to its arm-- and its chest is pierced with what seems like knife cuts - a Troll-sized knife, or maybe a short-sword for Men.
But the "knife"-blows landed high, higher than a Man would reach.

The Troll is recently dead, blood still pooling at its feet-- and it is leaning on some strange pile of stones that holds it up, from behind.

No more Awareness checks needed (gave more info' for the Great success).

Vidar keeps his mattock firmly in his hands, as he warrior moves around the dead troll.  His senses alert to any surprise, he examines the stones supporting the corpse.

As Vidar keeps examines the stones-- he sees that it is a pile, a hand-stacked pile of... oh, not stones: bones.
White bones, and skulls!
Piled up-- like eerie totems, warding against intruders or maing a dark statement.

As you look around, you realize that there are such piles-- everywhere!
The top of this hill is filled with piled bones and skulls, a few feet tall, each...

May ALL make a Shadow test (Dread), please-- meaning you roll for Valour.
For 1 Shadow Point.

Death-- death everywhere.
And you have trouble calculating-- how many bones, how many corpses?!
It seems... there has to be years of dead.

Galar half pees himself with the sight.  He manages a broken whisper, "Where does the path lead?"

OOC

15:38, Today: Galar rolled a total of 9 (4 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 4 (Feat Die), 2, 3.  valor (1 hope).
This message was last edited by the player at 21:46, Thu 20 Jan 2022.

Galar does wonder if he would not have been wiser to remain at his family's shop...

I let you all track your Hope.
If you fail this roll (like Galar did): you gain 1 Shadow Point.

Vidar looks around at the piles of bones, his face grim.  "Nowhere good.".  He rumbles in response to Galar.  "It's time to put an end to whatever did this.". He says, and starts moving further down the path.

15:42, Today: Vidar son of Flar rolled a total of 12 (8 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 8 (Feat Die), 2, 2.  Valor, plus 1 Hope.

Mip coughes heavily, the carrot hurt him.


21:50, Today: Mip Tanglefoot rolled a total of 13 (10 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 10 (Feat Die), 3.  valour.

Vidar and Mip also feel very ill at ease here--
1 Shadow Point gained.

Orodil, Homnir & Aredhel: Valour Test for Shadow (Dread): 1 point of Shadow if failed.

--as Vidar moves down the path, and the others follow: you see that there are piles of bones here and there, but everywhere.

After some 100 yards, as the fog starts to clear ahead - but is still thick above, blocking out the sun - you see that these totemic piles of bone grow taller-- and taller as you keep on moving ahead.

With the fog clearing, after another 50 yards or so, you see that you are coming to the lee of one of the mounds of the South Downs.

Ahead is the flank of the top of this mound-- and you can hear the grunts and weapon-clatter of a fight.
Maybe some 50 yards away--

Hoomnir shudders at the sight. He had seen the field of battle, where people lay dead, but this was bones, and sort of stacked, and he couldn't shake the feeling of a bad omen.

Homnir rolled a total of 10 (7 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 14 ((7 (Feat Die), 3)).

Orodil looks around at the bone-mounds, stricken with horror and sadness.

00:23, Today: Orodil rolled a total of 15 (13 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 16 ((9 (Feat Die), 2, 4)).

Aredhel shivers at the bitter sight in front of him, but feels a bit of strength with his friends by his side.

20:28, Today: Aredhel rolled a total of 18: a great success with the Gandalf Rune using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 12 (Feat Die), 6.  Valour.

Homnir and Orodil, though unshaken by the idea of fighting a Troll, are also upset, like the others, about moving along through this boneyard.
1 Shadow point
@Orodil: you used 1 Hope?

Only Aredhel, maybe because of his great age, though disliking this, does not feel his heart sink.
The rules are that you reduce Shadow points by 1 on a success, plus you reduce another 1 point per 6 you roll on the Skill dice.
So, if you might get 3 Shadow points, Aredhel's roll would have reduced that by 2.
@Aredhel: I do not like to see special successes go to 'waste', so I will have you reduce this Shadow point to 0 from your success-- and "save" your 6 for any next Shadow roll you might make (reducing those points by 1 whatever your result).

Another fifty or so meters you go, and, around you the skull-totems grow in size.
Ahead, you now see the entrance to a dark cave, in the side of the mound.
The teetering bone-piles near the cave entrance are taller than a tall man!
The wind whistles through these grisly landmarks, keening like a banshee.
This is a dark place, a place of Shadow indeed.

As you are closing in on the cave mouth--
--a very tall, some 15 feet - or 5 meter - tall, Troll, spins towards you.
It has a greyish-tan colored hide.
Obviously, this is the same type of Troll as the dead one you just encountered.
Except this one seems even more formidable-- being outfitted in full battle armor!

But, the tall wall of muscle and black-steel, does not even see you-- as it collapses, the ground shaking as the mass crashes down.
This Troll is dead too!

What might have done this?
Inside the cave, a few yards beyond the entrance to that dark place, you see-- another Troll!
This one is slumped on a seat of stone at the entrance to the cave.
It is bleeding from many a wound, and is breathing heavily, totally exhausted by the fight, its eyes closed.
It seems asleep, or passed out-- maybe even dying...

This Troll is different than the other two.
Shorter - though it still seems to be nearly 4 meter tall, some 12 feet - with a greenish-hued hide.
But it too is clad in armor-- but it wears chainmail.
Black chainmail. But old, very old, with lots of missing links and holes-- not the newly forged steel of the two dead ones.
And it still holds a bloody knife in its hand-- a short-sword sized weapon, with a pale blade.
The blade is pitted and filled with notches and chips: an old worn-out blade.
Whereas the two dead Trolls also have 'new' weapons.

Finally, you notice that the seated, dying Troll, bleeds a thick green ichor-- whereas the two dead obviously bleed red.

The seated Troll's breathing is labored, and it does not react to your arrival outside its lair-- though victorious in its fight against those two formidable foes, that seem taller, mightier and better armed than it, this Old Troll seems not long for this world...

This message was last edited by the GM at 06:07, Fri 21 Jan 2022.

Orodil treads cautiously ahead, not sure what to make of this. Trolls fighting each other? He calls out to the dying troll. "What goes on here?"

OOC: Yes, 1 hope. Do I know what kind of creature this is?

Mip is shaking all over his body, is this really happening?
Trolls everywhere.
Dead trolls.

Orodil moves up towards the entrance of the cave, and looks at the Troll he calls out to.
As one dedicated to fighting the Shadow, you recognize a-- Cave-troll.
You know Cave-trolls were created to fight and hunt deep under the earth.
They are said to have this dark greenish hued skin, covered with tight, robust scales, which you spot.
They are shorter than other Trolls, and often appear even smaller as they are extremely hunched and often advance on all fours, walking on their knuckles-- which is how this one ran from Bree.
Yes, normally, Cave-trolls never leave their hunting grounds under mountains, hills and fells-- meaning Orodil does not even know if Cave-trolls can endure sunlight or if they turn to stone.
This one, though, seems ancient, and also, something about does not fit-- normally, Trolls are said to all be more or less slow-witted. Orodil does not get such a feeling here...

If you wish, you can make a Lore roll-- adding 2 dice from Shadow Lore if you spend Hope. 

As Mip glances over towards the Troll, to see how it reacts to Orodil's call-- the Hobbit sees... Tomas!

Young Tomas Heatherton has move ahead of the Company and is currently trying to sneak into the Troll’s lair!
Yet it seems to Mip that Tomas is not especially stealthy--

The Troll does not react, not even moving a muscle, when Orodil calls out to it.

Orodil and Mip may make an Insight, Scan, or Awareness check-- but you have -1 d (you roll one less Skill die).
The rule here, is that for the Enemy, if one of their Distinctive Features applies, they give a lose (-1d) to the action attempted by the Player-heroes.

Orodil slows down, thinking deeply, trying to put his finger on that ill feeling.

18:33, Today: Orodil rolled 11 using 1d12 with rolls of 11.  Favoured roll for Lore.

18:32, Today: Orodil rolled a total of 14 (11 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 16 with rolls of 1 (Feat Die), 2, 1, 4, 6.  Lore. 1 hope + Shadow-lore.

Can I take a success with woe on the lore-roll?

18:35, Today: Orodil rolled a total of 10 (7 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 12.  Awareness.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:49, Fri 21 Jan 2022.

Orodil thinks, trying to find something he has heard, a long time ago, something about Trolls--
Success w. Woe-- and I'll count it as a Great Success since you rolled a 6.
--and, concentrating, without paying much attention to what is going on--
Awareness failure
--Orodil looks again at the chainmail, those black rings, that seem so old...
Old?
Orodil remembers that Trolls, it is said, were made in mockery of the Ents, and Ents live long indeed, so, this Troll could be centuries old.
Which means-- yes: that old battered somewhat broken suit of chainmail, of course-- it was made, long ago, for this Troll. It is made to fit!
Which means that it was forged in long-vanished Angmar!
The blade, too-- it is no short sword, for the handle is made for Troll: it too was forged by the scions of the Witch-King himself.

Orodil realizes that this Troll must have fought, centuries ago. It must have been part of the host that, during the Wainrider War, defeated King Araval of Arthedain.
It must have been of those that the capital-city of Fornost, ending the last northern kingdom of the Dúnedain!

Orodil frowns-- this is an Old-Troll, a servant and soldier of the Witch-king.
Orodil feels direct, hot and boiling, hatred for this enemy of his people.
But Orodil also remembers that such enemies most probably know vile-magick.
Beware this Troll-- it might be able to cast some spell.

As for why the fight, why this Old-Troll killed those other two Trolls?
All Orodil can say, is that those other two Trolls seem different from any Troll he has seen or heard of.

Suddenly at high alert he calls out to the others: "Beware! This is a cave troll and an ancient one at that. I have never seen or heard of one seen in the light. Look at that armor, it was made in Angmar, at the time of the witch-king. Who knows what fell sorcery it is capable of!"

In a pressing but also somehow quiet voice Mip calls out:"Ssh, Tomas, come back here, ssh, don't get eaten, don't you dare, hey, you, damn it!"
His lips barely open up, his words are like a hissing.

19:43, Today: Mip Tanglefoot rolled a total of 5 (3 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 3 (Feat Die), 2.  awareness.
This message was last updated by the player at 21:07, Fri 21 Jan 2022.

Tomas looks back at Mip, and grins, flexing his biceps-- before turning to keep on stealthing in.

The Old-Troll, chest heaving, eyes closed, seemingly worn out by its fight, maybe passed out, sits inside the cave entrance, among bone chips strewn across the stony ground-- not reacting at all to Orodil addressing it.

Tomas is creeping, trying to remain silent, and about to attempt to slip past the Troll and enter the deeper part of the cave-- not giving any heed to Mip's call.

What do you do: wait and see if Tomas makes it in ; pull the boy out of there ; confront the Old-Troll ; something else?

Undecided, Tomas' move forces Galar to come to a decision quickly.  He didn't like the foolish boy but he didn't want to see him dead either.  The Breelander scrambles as silently as he can to stop the idiot before gets in deeper.

OOC
02:52, Today: Galar rolled a total of 13 (13 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 3 (Feat Die), 4, 6.  stealth (hope).

Damn you Tomas!;-)

As Galar scrambles to pull Tomas out of there-- the Bree-lander suddenly realizes that he will not have the time to move as quietly as he hoped.
What to do?
Galar must either concentrate on staying hidden-- but he is quite sure he will not reach Tomas in time ; or else he speeds up a bit and grabs Tomas, pulling him out-- but then Galar will be out in the open, noisily crunching bone chips, in front of the Troll.

Homnir readies his weapon. If the troll makes a move, he will rush in to strike it, to allow the young lad to step back.

"Galar, stay, hide!"
Mip's call is short and clear.
Then he tries his own luck, going after the boy as stealthy as he can.


12:25, Today: Mip Tanglefoot rolled a total of 19 (12 if weary): a success (failure if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 7 (Feat Die), 3, 2, 5, 2.  stealth.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:26, Sat 22 Jan 2022.

Mip tells Galar to not step out into the open-- and manages to pulls Tomas back towards the rest of the Company outside the cave.

"HEY!"
Tomas calls out, upset at being prevented from creeping inside the cave.

As Homnir gets his weapon ready-- the Troll's heavy eye lids open, and it slowly turns it head towards the Company.
It seems it was not truly asleep, rather dozing, or recuperating.
Its eyes are red, and they glitter and shine in the darkness of its lair.

Suddenly, you here a deep gravely voice-- speaking in an old form of Common:
"What do Thee in my domain? Are Thee here as Enemies? Or for some query? I hope Thee comes not with orders..."
The Troll nods towards the bodies of the other Trolls.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:54, Sat 22 Jan 2022.

No one is dying, yet, no screaming, no blood shedding. This is by far more one can expect in the face of such a mighty foe.

Mip takes a step forward, just one, not two, three are out of the question.

"Oh fearsome, we are not your enemies, we came to seek out the one that is robbing the graves in the town of Bree. And our young fellow over there insist, that his ancestor is hiding a hoard somewhere around here, maybe you know of it. Well, however, we are not here to fight, just to ask politely."

Mip addresses the Old-Troll--
That would be a Courtesy roll, then.
--who looks down at the Halfling, being taller even when seated on its stone chair.
"It is auspicious that Thee do not Us as enemies. Also that you ask politely and not come to give orders."
The Troll glances at each of you, looking at all the members of the Company, one by one:
"The Mannish settlement of Bree, to the... West we believe."
The Troll looks at Tomas:
"An ancestor? A hoard? We surmise we are not that ancestor. So how would we know of such treasures and where they are hidden?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:24, Sat 22 Jan 2022.

"Of course, you are right, o'mighty one. We came unprepared, just following the heart and wishes of our youngling.
Your questions are understandable, yet, I don't know the answer, for that, I beg your pardon."



5:43, Today: Mip Tanglefoot rolled a total of 9 (7 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 3 (Feat Die), 4, 2.  courtesy.

The Troll raises a thick bushy eyebrow:
"Youngling..."

Mip - and the others around and behind him - feel that the Troll is not against talking, but that it remains an obviously menacing presence.
It seems clear that either things work out through talk-- or this will end in violence.

Any and all may speak with the Troll - if they wish - and ask what you have in mind, or want (and make rolls to go along with this).

"Young Tomas, please come over here, maybe you would like to speak with this formidable troll ... , and in a whispering voice ... "and be polite, so very much polite ..."

Vidar remains vigilant, his deadly mattock in his hands since they entered the mists.  He gives a disgruntled, disbelieving look to Homnir, as though to say They're thinking of leaving the troll alive?!. Given Vidars' stance to the side of the opening, and his solid helm, Homnir may be the only one to see it.

Tomas looks at Mip, then looks at the Troll... not knowing what to do.

Do Aredhel, Orodil, and/or Galar wish to address the Troll?

Homnir gives Vidar a slight shake of his head slightly, as if saying I wouldn't want to leave it alive, but if our friends wish to engage it in conversation...

He still holds his Axe, not in a threatening manner, but in such a way as to signal that he's ready to use it if hostilities break.

Orodil feels no need to be polite, fearsome beast the troll may be, squares his shoulders and draws himself up, asking: "Tell us, servant of the witch-king, why did you slay the other trolls? And how does it come to pass that a cave troll is out in the light?"

22:05, Today: Orodil rolled a total of 24: a great success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 5 (Feat Die), 6, 5, 3, 5.  Awe. Tall + Hope.

OOC: Forgot to change the TN but it worked out anyway.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:08, Sat 22 Jan 2022.

Galar shifts his hand to his axe, more inclined to end the grave robbing permanently rather than trust a troll but he watches what a Bird can pull up.

The Troll's eyes shift back and forth between the battle-ready trio - Vidar, Homnir, and Galar - and Mip & Orondil who are parlaying with him:
"Be careful if Thou calls us a servant. Of no-one are we a servant. The Witch-King is no more, yet we remain."
The Troll glances out towards the dead Trolls:
"We told you: we do not take well to being ordered around. Ask they did not. Order they did. Thus we showed our dislike."
When you mention the light-- the Troll glances up at the heavily overcast sky, obscured by the thick mist.
Although the mist is lighter here on the ground, and there no longer is a heavy blanket there, no sunlight reaches down here, the fog still remaining thick all around, like a protective dome.

"Then, well-- I ASK you to hand over my uncle’s remains!"
Tomas bravely demands of the Troll.
This message was last updated by the player at 08:15, Sun 23 Jan 2022.

The Troll glances towards Tomas:
"Why would Thou crave thy nuncle so? He is gone from this world. Let his body be of use. Is he the one we just took from our larder?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:17, Sun 23 Jan 2022.

"Larder?" Orodil looks around at the pile of bones. "No. This has to end here, beast," he says and draws Biter from its sheath, squeezing the grip tightly.

Homnir smiles a bit, he didn't relish fight an old, and experienced troll who took out two of it's kind, but he didn't wanna leave it hear, to feed of corpses, and possibly on live humans either.

Cue Combat music
1. Opening Volleys
Since you are close to one another and have been talking - at least some - no Opening Volleys
2. Close Quarters Rounds
ROUND 1
2.A Stances
All must choose your Stances (you can change Stance freely at the start of each round)
- if any wish to go Rearward (using Ranged Weapons): you can have two in Rearward stance (rule: for each Player-hero in Rearward there must be two other adventurers fighting in Close Combat stances)
- for those who wish to go to any of the Close Combat Stances (Forward, Open, Defensive): you all can (rule: six can engage an enemy greater than human-sized (such as a Troll)).

Then we will move on to the next step.

So, 0 to 2 of you can be firing ranged weapons & all 6 (if you wish) can engage the Troll in melee.
Forward means you are fighting aggressively (easier to hit the Troll, but the Troll can hit you easier too) - you lean forward, you slash harder...
Open is a 'balanced' way of fighting
Defensive means you are more into protection (harder to hit but harder to be hit) - you fight conservatively, you parry more...

Forward gives you a gain of +1d to hit, but gives the same to the Enemy
Defensive has you lose -1d to hit, but the Enemy loses a -1d too

Each Stance also gives you access to a Combat Task.

Orodil draws Biter-- Galar and the Dwarves had their weapons in hand--

May all choose your Combat Stance, please?
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:17, Sun 23 Jan 2022.

Homnir will take the Defensive stance, to gauge the strength of his adversary.

Orodil notices Homnirs defensive stance, stops a second to think and grabs his buckler before attacking.

OOC: Forward stance for the first round. 19 parry with the buckler.

Round 1
• Adversary
the Old-Troll
• Forward (+1d) ; Intimidate Foe
Orodil (19 Parry w. Buckler)
• Open ; Rally Comrades

• Defensive (-1d) ; Protect Companion
Homnir
• Rearward ; Prepare Shot
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:31, Sun 23 Jan 2022.

Vidar moves forward, his mattock ready to swing.  The powerful Dwarf fierce in the attack, charges forward. "Baruk khazâd khazâd ai-mênu!". The battlecry of the Dwarves echoes through the mist shrouded hills, in his deep voice.


Forward stance to start.

09:53, Today: Vidar son of Flar rolled a total of 30: a success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 9 (Feat Die), 5, 2, 4, 3, 4, 3.  Attack roll, spending 1 Hope, using the Fierce Distinctive Feature.

I forgot to set the TN to 12, which is what it should have been, I think.

Mattock:
   Damage: 7
   Injury: 18

This message was last edited by the player at 19:00, Sun 23 Jan 2022.

Aredhel will take a defensive stance as well if possible - not knowing the strength of his foe, he thinks it better to prepare for anything and then adjust.

Mip grabs young Tomas and moves rearward.
He signals him to stay out of the way and then looks for some stones that he could throw.

Vidar moves up with his Battle-cry.
While Aredhel carefully assesses the Enemy.
And Mip pulls Tomas to safety...

Round 1
• Adversary
the Old-Troll
• Forward (+1d) ; Intimidate Foe
Orodil (19 Parry w. Buckler) ; Vidar (roll below)
• Open ; Rally Comrades

• Defensive (-1d) ; Protect Companion
Homnir ; Aredhel
• Rearward ; Prepare Shot
Mip (& Tomas - I am not counting Tomas as a Player-hero, so another can go Rearward)

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
09:53, Today: Vidar son of Flar rolled a total of 30: a success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 9 (Feat Die), 5, 2, 4, 3, 4, 3.  Attack roll, spending 1 Hope, using the Fierce Distinctive Feature.

I forgot to set the TN to 1, which is what it should have been, I think.

Mattock:
   Damage: 7
   Injury: 18

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 22:18, Sun 23 Jan 2022.

Galar moves forward and attacks the troll with his axe.

OOC
03:07, Today: Galar rolled a total of 24: a great success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 10 (Feat Die), 6, 4, 4.  Axe Attack.

Long-hafted Axe 6 18(1h)/20(2h) 3 Axes Can be used 1 or 2-handed

1 handed, 18 injury.

Galar also moves up to swing his axe at the Troll...

Round 1
• Adversary
the Old-Troll
• Forward (+1d) ; Intimidate Foe
Orodil (19 Parry w. Buckler)
Vidar (roll below)
Galar (roll below)
• Open ; Rally Comrades

• Defensive (-1d) ; Protect Companion
Homnir
Aredhel
• Rearward ; Prepare Shot
Mip (& Tomas - I am not counting Tomas as a Player-hero, so another can go Rearward)

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
VIDAR
09:53, Today: Vidar son of Flar rolled a total of 30: a success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 9 (Feat Die), 5, 2, 4, 3, 4, 3.  Attack roll, spending 1 Hope, using the Fierce Distinctive Feature.

I forgot to set the TN to 1, which is what it should have been, I think.

Mattock:
   Damage: 7
   Injury: 18

GALAR
03:07, Today: Galar rolled a total of 24: a great success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 10 (Feat Die), 6, 4, 4.  Axe Attack.

Long-hafted Axe 6 18(1h)/20(2h) 3 Axes Can be used 1 or 2-handed

1 handed, 18 injury.

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 08:19, Mon 24 Jan 2022.

As you all suddenly lunge at the Troll, entering the cave--
--you feel the darkness of the cavern is deeper than black.
Something Evil, something of the Shadow truly dwells here--
All must make a Shadow Test (Dread): rolling for Valour (vs. 1 point of Shadow)

At the same time, incredibly nimble for its bulk, the Old Troll leaps to its big feet, and, extending its longs arms, swings at its advancing enemies before you can get to your arm's length and join combat with it.
The Troll moves with terrifying speed and ferocity.
As it swings at you, it kicks bones and rocks in your direction-- roaring loud enough to make the dead quail!
Tomas literally shakes, and looks around as to where he might run to-- but the young man remains steadfast, and does stoop to pick up a rock to toss at the Troll!

Galar chops at the troll frantically.

OOC
03:43, Today: Galar rolled a total of 9 (9 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 5 (Feat Die), 4.  favored roll (ignore d6).

03:42, Today: Galar rolled a total of 11 (11 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 7 (Feat Die), 4.  valor.

The Old-Troll swings its heavy armored forearm at Orodil, eyeing the Ranger with dark glowing red eyes--
TN 20 w. Great Succes
--you see that it is at ease in the half-obscure cave, where it probably can see and aim as you would in full daylight!
The Troll's blow SMASHES into Orodil's buckler, that the Ranger raised to protect himself.
The shockwave travels up Orodil's forearm, shaking his bones, hurting him up to the shoulder--
Orodil takes 6 damage (reduction to Endurance)
--and the Troll's blow is so strong that-- the Ranger's buckler splinters, and falls off his hand, broken!
Orodil loses 1 Parry, but (though there are no rules for this) he also reduces his Load by 2 (no more buckler to carry, let's go with that "logical" rule for now).
At the Ranger reels from the shockingly powerful attack--
--the Troll takes advantage of the opening it created by being rid of the shield, and-- drives its Angmar-forged black-knife right into Orodil's stomach!
"We will feast on Thy liver! We did not leave many Dúnedain alive... Thou art a delicacy!"
The blade strikes Orodil--
Auto-success from an Eye (!) thus another 6 damage
--and the tip of the blade pushes hard against the leather armor-- will it find its way in, towards the Ranger's liver?!
You must roll Protection vs. TN 14

You all see the Troll is a battle-hardened adversary.
OOC: it must have Might 2, meaning it can attack twice per round.

Vidar and Galar both swing at it, glancing to see how Orodil fares.

Vidar's mattock--
1 Hope, but no 2nd die for the Fierce Distinctive Feature, DFs not useable in Combat
So, removing the last die rolled (3) = 27. Still a success. The Mattock is not Keen, correct (so no possible Wound).
7 Damage
--racks across the Troll's armored forearm before it can pull it back. The beast winces slightly-- it did feel this.

Galar brings his axe down on the knife-hand, trying to knock it out of the Troll's hand, trying to prevent the beast from gutting Orodil--
The TN is Galar's 15 + the Troll's Parry-- which is less than +9 = hit, w. great success.
The hit = 6 damage from the axe + the 6 adds Galar's Strength of 4 = 10 damage
--again, the Troll does feel the blow.
And the sharp blade of the axe comes right down on the Troll's wrist, beside the old black chainmail.
Will it snap bone?
The 10 on the Feat Die means a possible Wound (TN 18 for the Troll's protection roll).
But the Troll twists it arm slightly, trying to block most of the cut with its thick scales--
Doing something with its Hate for added Protection.
And the Protection roll succeeds.
--which it does, pulling its arm back, hurt, but not bleeding.

Now: Orodil, Homnir, Aredhel, Mip--

Round 1
• Adversary
[ACTED] the Old-Troll (17 damage ; 1 Hate spent)
• Forward (+1d) ; Intimidate Foe
[ACTED] Vidar
[ACTED] Galar
Orodil (18 Parry ; no more Buckler ; 12 Damage ; Protection Roll)

• Open ; Rally Comrades

• Defensive (-1d) ; Protect Companion
Homnir
Aredhel
• Rearward ; Prepare Shot
Mip (& Tomas - I am not counting Tomas as a Player-hero, so another can go Rearward)

Orodil cries out as the shield splinters, grabs the sword with both hands and attacks as the Old-Troll lunges for his gut.


12:01, Today: Orodil rolled a total of 25: a success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 12 with rolls of 7 (Feat Die), 2, 5, 4, 5, 2.  Attack roll. 3d + 1 Forward + 1 hope.
12:00, Today: Orodil rolled a total of 15 (12 if weary): a success (failure if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 2 (Feat Die), 5, 3, 5.  Protection 2d + 1 hope.
12:00, Today: Orodil rolled a total of 10 (10 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 16 with rolls of 4 (Feat Die), 6.  Shadow Test (Dread).

Orodil's shield splinters, but the leather armor is a well-crafted piece and it does not give, forcing the Troll-blade to slip off to the side!
Hope well spent!

The sword bashes the Old-Troll's shoulder--
It takes 5 more damage

Orodil and Galar are slightly disheartened by the Evil in this cave.
+1 Shadow point each ; Vidar, Homnir, Aredhel & Mip most still roll Valour
Homnir, Aredhel & Mip are up

Round 1
• Adversary
[ACTED] the Old-Troll (22 damage ; 1 Hate spent)
• Forward (+1d) ; Intimidate Foe
[ACTED] Vidar
[ACTED] Galar
[ACTED] Orodil (18 Parry ; no more Buckler ; 12 Damage)

• Open ; Rally Comrades

• Defensive (-1d) ; Protect Companion
Homnir
Aredhel
• Rearward ; Prepare Shot
Mip (& Tomas - I am not counting Tomas as a Player-hero, so another can go Rearward)
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:40, Mon 24 Jan 2022.

Mip stays back.


ooc: sorry, can't keep up right now for one or two days, work is tough
spent 1 hope for one more d6 ?? (is that right?)

17:28, Today: Mip Tanglefoot rolled a total of 6 (1 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 1 (Feat Die), 2, 3.  valour.

what a shtity roll, is that even possible?

Homnir starts singing a dwarven battle song of old, as he advances on the troll, and the song fills his heart with the courage to face the Shadow, and he moves to cover Orodil's flank, but a misstep on a bone foils his attack on the Troll.


Valour: Homnir rolled a total of 19: a success with the Gandalf Rune using the The One Ring with a target of 18 ((12 (Feat Die), 3, 4)). Spent 1 Hope.

Attack: Homnir rolled a total of 7 (2 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 14 ((2 (Feat Die), 2, 3)). (Should have been just one die, so a total of 4)

Homnir has seen Dark places before, and remains unshaken-- whereas most others are disturbed by the place.
+1 Shadow point also to Vidar & Mip - Aredhel must still roll Valour
Aredhel is up

But, though unshaken, Homnir is unable to hit the Troll.

In the back, Mip feels the Darkness around him. He feels this is not a nice cozy hole in the ground but a horrid den!
He wants to get out of here as fast as he can, so he pulls out his small rabbit-hunting bow, and tosses a single arrow of:
"Take that, you bully!"
The arrow--
18:27, Today: The Loremaster, on behalf of Mip Tanglefoot, rolled a total of 22: an extraordinary success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 14 ((10 (Feat Die), 6, 6)).
--hits the Troll right in the neck!
A hit for 3 damage, plus two 6's (w. 2 dice!) for 2 x Mip's Strength of 3 = 9 damage!
The big lug moves its hand to flick the arrow away, but you see it wince quite visibly-- that stung!
"Mip" rolled a 10-- so the Troll must roll for Protection, vs TN14
(even if it most probably will succeed, it will be spending a point of Hate to make sure it does-- which depletes its points!)
The Troll did, however, instinctively scrunch up a little, bending its head-- thus the arrow's tip hit the thick scales on the Troll's hide--
The Troll made its Protection test
--and no blood is drawn.
But the Troll looks out at the Hobbit-- frowning.

Emboldened by Mip's archery skills, Tomas suddenly yells out:
"You dug up my uncle's fresh corpse!"
And he yanks a tinderbox out of his pack, strikes it, sending sparks flying all over--
"He was MY uncle!"
--and lights up a... torch!
"I wanted to dig my uncle up!"
Waving the torch, Tomas rushes up to kick the Troll in the shin!

Strangely, the Troll steps back-- thus Tomas' kick goes wide... but you see the Troll did so because of-- the torch.
It does not like Fire!

Aredhel--

Round 1
• Adversary
[ACTED] the Old-Troll (31 damage ; 2 Hate spent)
• Forward (+1d) ; Intimidate Foe
[ACTED] Vidar
[ACTED] Galar
[ACTED] Orodil (18 Parry ; no more Buckler ; 12 Damage)
[ACTED] Tomas

• Open ; Rally Comrades

• Defensive (-1d) ; Protect Companion
[ACTED] Homnir
Aredhel
• Rearward ; Prepare Shot
[ACTED] Mip
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:42, Mon 24 Jan 2022.

As Aredhel was trying to see how things would go-- and they turned out quite brutal, the Elf went to grab his spear in two firm hands... but was a bit slow to act, and was not able to try and hurt the Troll-- yet.
07:46, Today: The Loremaster, on behalf of Aredhel, rolled a total of 2 (1 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 14 ((1 (Feat Die), 1)).
Hey, it's not an 11!

Moving to Round 2

The Troll leans back, away from Tomas open flame, and the flickering torch is obviously upsetting it--
Fear of Fire. The creature loses 1 Hate at the start of each round it is engaged in close combat with an adversary wielding a torch or other burning item.
--but it swiftly turns it glowing red eyes to Orodil again.
That is the Woe from the success with-- to be targeted by the Troll. Who was probably 'made' to fight the Dúnedain anyhow.
The Old-Troll jabs at Orodil with its knife--
Would have been a failure, but it rolls Favoured-- and got an Eye.
--Orodil evades the blow-- or so he thought. Something about this darkness, about how things are not exactly as they seem: and Orodil realizes the knife was not moving as he thought it was!
Thus is slashes across his arm, not cutting him, but bruising his arm.
6 damage to Orodil
Then the Old-Troll slashes back with the knife, trying to drop the Ranger.
Orodil, now weary, feels he might go down-- and you hear him muttering some words in an ancient tongue... maybe Elvish?
At the very last moment, the Troll is shaken by this, just for a split second--
A Great Success for the Troll-- but: it rolled a Gandalf on each of its favoured Feat dice! (auto-failure for the Enemy)
--but that is enough for Orodil to evade the blade.

You may freely change Stances if you wish. (it being a new round)

Round 1
• Adversary
[ACTED] the Old-Troll (31 damage ; 3 Hate spent)
• Forward (+1d) ; Intimidate Foe
Vidar
Galar
Orodil (18 Parry ; no more Buckler ; 18 Damage)
Tomas

• Open ; Rally Comrades

• Defensive (-1d) ; Protect Companion
Homnir
Aredhel
• Rearward ; Prepare Shot
Mip
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:03, Tue 25 Jan 2022.

The Shadow of dread steals over Vidars' heart, its' dark claws clutching over his spirit.  But strong is the will of Dwarves, and longer still is their memory of ancient grudges.  Instead of inspiring fear, Vidars' rage is kindled.  With a bellow of wrath, he swings his mattock hard at the troll, the deadly weapon flashing in the torchlight.


06:20, Today: Vidar son of Flar rolled a total of 33: an extraordinary success with the Gandalf Rune using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 12 (Feat Die), 6, 6, 5, 4.  Attack roll, with Patron bonus spending 1 Hope.

06:19, Today: Vidar son of Flar rolled a total of 4 (4 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 4 (Feat Die).  Attack roll, with Patron bonus spending 1 Hope.

06:28, Today: Vidar son of Flar rolled a total of 7 (5 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 5 (Feat Die), 2.  Attack roll, with Patron bonus spending 1 Hope.  Forgot to add the other D6.

Total Attack Roll: Extrodinary Succesd, 38, 12 (Gandalf) on the Feat Die, with rolls of 6,6,5,4,5.

Using a 6 to activate Heavy Blow.

Mattock
   Damage:7
   Heavy Blow: +8
   Total Damage: 15
   Injury: 18
   Parry:14
   Stance: Forward.

This message was last edited by the player at 11:31, Tue 25 Jan 2022.

Vidar's bellow of wrath sounds out LOUD as his mattock hits the Troll so very hard--
In the end you did not need the Patron bonus!
Just to be sure: you used 1 Fellowship point (I reduce that pool) AND you spent 1 point of Hope, correct?

Using a 6 to activate Heavy Blow.
You have two 6s, you can use as many as you have for Heavy Blow-- if you use both for Heavy Blow, it adds another 8 to the total: 7+8+8 = 23!

--the mattock SMASHES the Troll so hard-- that you feel that blow will topple the Troll!
Vidar brings it to 0 Endurance-- which would take it out of combat.
But-- the Old-Troll has some tricks. It can turn this into a Piercing Blow instead.
But the Old-Troll contracts all its muscles, it bunches its skin up, projecting the scales outward, and manages to weather the blow somewhat.
Yet, the mattock's pick-point plunges into the Troll's flesh--
Spending Hate to boost its Protection Test-- the Troll passes it.
--and it manages to not be pierced! Blood does not flow.

The Troll staggers-- nearly collapsing.
But, it steadies itself... and, turning back to fight, it BELLOWS!

Fury engulfs its eyes. It was nearly brought down-- and so some surge of energy makes it seem strong again! Some-- Hideous Toughness!
The Troll, having made its Protection Test-- returns to full Endurance!

You may freely change Stances if you wish. (it being a new round)

Round 1
• Adversary
[ACTED] the Old-Troll (0 damage ; 4 Hate spent)
• Forward (+1d) ; Intimidate Foe
[ACTED] Vidar
Galar
Orodil (18 Parry ; no more Buckler ; 18 Damage)
Tomas

• Open ; Rally Comrades

• Defensive (-1d) ; Protect Companion
Homnir
Aredhel
• Rearward ; Prepare Shot
Mip
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:25, Tue 25 Jan 2022.

That is correct.  I'll use the other 6 for Heavy Blow as well.  giving it 23 (7+8+8) Damage.

Okay!
(Edited: I had put 22 instead of 23, sorry)

In reply to The Loremaster (msg # 225):

No problem at all.

Orodil reels from the blow, backs up a few paces, changes his stance and lunges again.

OOC: Changing to Defensive Stance. Since Biter is Keen my 9 on the Feat Die is a threat for Pierce (didn't bother rolling the favoured roll). Damage 5, Injury 18. Using the extra success for a Heave Blow for +8 damage.

15:07, Today: Orodil rolled a total of 18: a great success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 12 with rolls of 9 (Feat Die), 2, 1, 6.  Attack Roll. 3d - 1 (Defensive Stance) + 1 (Hope) + Favoured (Fellowship Point w Balin bonus).

Orodil moves back a bit, and lunges again--
13 damage & possible Wound!
--sticking the Troll in its flank with Biter.
The Blade's tip presses hard against the ancient black Angmarian mail--
The Troll spends another point of Hate for its protection test, and makes it
--but the Troll again moves fast, and presents a harder part of its body, moving its hip to block the blade.
Orodil does not manage to draw blood.

But-- the Ranger sees that the Troll is becoming more wary.
It seems to be slowing down some...
If an Enemy starts its round at 0 Hate (or Resolve) it is considered Weary (1s, 2s, & 3s do not count when rolled with Skill dice)
The Troll eyes Orodil, seemingly unhappy that Orodil is not weary himself!


________
You may freely change Stances if you wish. (it being a new round)

Round 1
• Adversary
[ACTED] the Old-Troll (13 damage ; 5 Hate spent)
• Forward (+1d) ; Intimidate Foe
[ACTED] Vidar
Galar

• Open ; Rally Comrades

• Defensive (-1d) ; Protect Companion
Homnir
Aredhel
[ACTED] Orodil (18 Parry ; no more Buckler ; 18 Damage)
Tomas

• Rearward ; Prepare Shot
Mip
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:58, Tue 25 Jan 2022.

OOC: I moved to defensive stance and I think I'm indeed weary?

Sorry, I noted you moved-- but forgot to change it!
You have 32 END and 18 Damage so down to 14, and Load at 11 now, so still 3 before Weary.

To cover for Orodil, Homnir takes a forward stance, and lunges at the troll, seeing as it getting slower, and seeking to capitalize on that, he slashes at the troll's knee with his axe.


Forward Stance
Parry 18

Spend 1 Hope to activate Balin's favor

Homnir rolled a total of 16: a great success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 14 ((4 (Feat Die), 2, 4, 6)).
Homnir rolled a total of 12 (9 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 14 ((9 (Feat Die), 3)).

So that's 9 (feat die) + 2 + 4 +6, for a total of 21.

And activate Heavy Blow for +6 damage, for a total of 11 damage.

Galar tries to get a solid hit on the troll...

OOC

20:57, Today: Galar rolled a total of 14 (10 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 6 (Feat Die), 2, 4, 2.  Axe Attack.

Homnir moves and his slashes hard into the Troll's knee--
Spend 1 Hope to activate Balin's favor-- you spend Fellowship Points for that. Not Hope. So, can you not reduce your Hope by 1-- and I am reducing the Fellowship Point pool by 1 instead.
--the blade does not dig past the tough black-mail, but it does bash the Troll quite hard.
11 damage

As the Troll moves back from Homnir's blow-- it unwittingly avoids Galar's axe!
Miss

Aredhel also moves up to fight this ancient-foe.
Spear held in both hands, the Elf puts all his energy into the blow, trying to honor Balin's hatred of the Enemy.

Going Forward ; spending 1 Hope for +1 die ; spending one Fellowship Point for Favoured roll (2d +1 from Forward +1 from Hope = 4)
06:25, Today: The Loremaster, on behalf of Aredhel, rolled a total of 5 (5 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 14 ((5 (Feat Die))).
06:25, Today: The Loremaster, on behalf of Aredhel, rolled a total of 28: a great success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 14 ((10 (Feat Die), 5, 4, 3, 6)).
No need for the Favoured actually: 28 is a hit (4 damage) ; spending the 6 for Heavy Blow, since the Feat Die threatens a Wound already so no need to spend the 6 to "modify the Feat die numerical result of your attack", thus adding Strength + 1 (from holding the spear in 2 hands) which makes 6, so 4+6 = 10 damage ; and the Troll must roll Protection (from the 10 on the Feat die) vs. TN16 (2H Spear)

The spear rams the Troll right in the chest, hurting it, making the Troll buckle, the Homnir just hurt giving way for a second--

10 damage
06:32, Today: The Loremaster rolled a total of 10 (2 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 14 ((2 (Feat Die), 1, 3, 1, 1, 2)).
(the target is actually 16 for the spear, I did not enter a new TN)
Failure: the Troll is also Wounded!

--and, as it does so, the Elven spear-point snaps metal, breaking through the rings of mail, and enters into the Troll's chest!
In the flickering light of Tomas' torch, you see thick black blood flowing down the front of the Troll, and marring Aredhel's spear-point!
But-- the Troll remains... standing!
This blow would have taken most anyone down...

The Troll has 2 Might (which is what gives it 2 attacks per round), which means it is not killed outright by a Wound-- that happens on the 2nd Wound!

But the Troll put once again its energy in blocking the Elvish spear-blow. It used its muscles to bring the scales together... and, though this did not help, this time, it did deplete its strength once again, one time too many: you see the Troll is now panting, and it moves in a sluggish fashion.
Gone is the speed it had in the beginning.

The Troll spent 1 Hate to add 2 dice to its Protection roll (to have its scales help) and thus dropped to 0 Hate-- it will be Weary at the start of the new round.

From behind, you hear Mip's bow twang once again--

Spending 1 Hope for extra die + 1 Fellowship Point
5 Feat die from Favoured (vs. a 2) + 5,2,5 = 17... is a hit!
The Troll obviously having 0 Parry (it is big, so it adds nothing to your TNs!)
So, 3 more damage

--and the arrow slices across the Troll's cheek, making it snap its head back.

Tomas continues to wave his torch, and starts calling the Troll names:
"You vile @#$%!"

Round 2
• Adversary
[ACTED] the Old-Troll (37 damage ; 0 Hate = Weary)
• Forward (+1d) ; Intimidate Foe
[ACTED] Vidar
[ACTED] Homnir
[ACTED] Galar
[ACTED] Aredhel

• Open ; Rally Comrades

• Defensive (-1d) ; Protect Companion

[ACTED] Orodil (18 Parry ; no more Buckler ; 18 Damage)
Tomas

• Rearward ; Prepare Shot
[ACTED] Mip
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:55, Wed 26 Jan 2022.

We enter the 3rd (and final?) Round

The Troll is winded, and it's knee makes it slow... and Aredhel's spear-wound has dark-blood flowing down over its chest, dropping to the cave-ground.
The Troll still tries to ram its heavy armored fore-arm at Orodil, and you see the dark still favours this old enemy--
Misses by a lot (even with Favoured, and Weary was not even a factor!)
--but Orodil is ready to avoid the blow, being on the defensive.
He is not hurt.

The Troll then abandons its urge to slay a Dúnedain, and turns its attention to the Elf... this is hatred and revenge: the Old-Troll slices its knife at Aredhel--
An Eye & a 6 = (auto-hit so Weary does not count) Great Success & possible wound
--Aredhel is hit by the knife, that pushes against the leather corslet... will it give, or will it prevent the dark-blade from wounding the Elf?
Protection roll to make

All feel now is the time to bring the beast down!

Round 3
• Adversary
[ACTED] the Old-Troll (37 damage ; 0 Hate = Weary)

• Forward (+1d) ; Intimidate Foe
Vidar
Homnir
Galar
Aredhel (must make a Protection roll)
Tomas

• Open ; Rally Comrades

• Defensive (-1d) ; Protect Companion

Orodil (18 Parry ; no more Buckler ; 18 Damage)

• Rearward ; Prepare Shot
Mip

Again Vidar strikes, the Son of Flar bringing his battle hardened mattock to bear on this ancient foe.  Centuries of his people's battle burning with hate in his eyes.  Their lost halls, and mighty works in ruins fueling his wrath.


03:12, Today: Vidar son of Flar rolled a total of 27: a great success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 9 (Feat Die), 4, 1, 6, 5, 2.  Attack roll, with Patron bonus spending 1 Hope, forward Position.

03:11, Today: Vidar son of Flar rolled a total of 12: an automatic success with the Gandalf Rune using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 12 (Feat Die).  Attack roll, with Patron bonus spending 1 Hope, Forward position.

Total Roll:30, a Great Success.  12 (Feat Die, a Gandalf) 4,1,6,5,2.

Mattock
   Damage:7
   Heavy Blow:8
   Total Damage:15
   Injury:18
   Parry:14
   Stance: Forward.


This message was last edited by the player at 08:18, Wed 26 Jan 2022.

Vidar strikes--

I let you remove your 1 Hope, and am removing the 1 Fellowship Point (well spent for the Gandalf-- possible wound!)
15 damage & Protection roll for the Troll (Injury:18)

--and the blow is so strong that it nearly knocks the Troll flat on its back!
But, once again, the beast manages to weather the attack... and it is as though its armor keeps it standing!

Your 15 damage brings it down to 0-- but its special feature means it does not drop to but makes a Protection roll instead.
Since it succeeds (even counting Weary) it does not drop, and goes back to full Endurance. It does not need Hate to trigger this.

Blood still flows, and the Troll is still worn out-- but it finds a second breath and starts to find its balance again in order to--

Now I roll Protection for the Gandalf rolled by Vidar (which threatens a Wound).
The Troll gets: ((5 (Feat Die), 4, 2, 6)) a 17, but since it is Weary the 2 does not count so: 15. A failure vs. the 18 Injury of the Mattock!
The Troll is Wounded-- this is its second wound, 2 are needed since it is Might 2.
So-- it is killed outright.
Yay!

--as Vidar pulls his mattock away, he twists it just so, and the tip cuts across the Troll's neck. The Dwarf hits a spot that is devoid of scales, and is not protected by the dark-mail.

Blood spurts!

The Troll's red eye register surprise-- as its dark life-blood leaves it.

The ground shakes as the massive creature topples over-- DEAD!

Orodil 18 Damage & Weary
Aredhel ? Damage (rolled with the blow?)

Tomas leaps up onto the Troll, and stomps around in a sort of war dance, waving his torch:
"We killed it, we killed it, we killed a Troll!"


You look at one another-- after this very brief yet intense fight: indeed, you killed an Old-Troll wrought in Angmar of old!
You dropped your foe, and removed a Shadow from Middle-Earth.

Your spirits soar!
ALL recover one point of Hope.
And the combat music fades away...

Wiping the blood and gore from his mattock, Vidar slings it across his back.  Then, drawing his broad bladed short sword, hew used it to decapitate the troll, not trusting it to be truly dead.  Once done, he cleans the blade, and kicks the head away from the body.  "Cursed trolls.". He rumbles, in his deep voice.  "Best search this cave, and make certain that no other evil lives here.". So saying, he sheathes his sword, and take his mattock off his back, holding it in his powerful grip.

Orodil grimaces from exhaustion and hurt and leans on a nearby rock. He wipes his sword with an old piece of cloth and sheathes it. "Well done indeed, everyone." Wincing he examines his bruises and notes that they aren't too bad before looking back up as Vidar speaks. "Be careful now running into the lair, especially you young Tomas. We would not want you to end up in the belly of another one of these trolls, now would we? I think we should rest a while and tend to our wounds first. Is anyone else hurt?"

Tomas stops-- he was just about to rush into the depths of the cave.

"Oh... yes, you need me to remain here and guard you?
Well... I can wait a little to get my map back!"