As Orodil scans the crowd-- a light Spring-white cloud passes before the sun, casting a brief and fleeting, but nonetheless dark, shadow over the gathered folk Orodil is looking at.
For a second, his heart flutters: a dark omen?
But the cloud has already moved on, and the light sun illuminates the Free Folk gathered here: all smiles and merriment.
No, surely it cannot mean ill-tidings.
The Eye carries no direct complications here. But does add 1 to the Eye Awareness count. And, of course, counts as 0.

Orodil keeps on scanning the crowd, moving around the wagon to cover all sides, really putting his heart to the job, standing up as tall as he can get, craning his neck--
Thus: 0 (for the Eye) + 2, 3, 6, 2 = 13 (vs. TN 16, correct?)
You put TN14 down, but, unless I am missing something - sorry if I am and it is obvious - your Wits TN is 16?
--but so far he does not see any trace of the Ranger he is seeking.
Only Theorondil who still walks around, looking from face to face.
The roll is thus a Failure.
But--
--I will introduce here the last major rule for Skill dice rolling (see Rules thread):
Orodil has just failed a standard risk Skill roll.
You can just to have a simple failure--
--OR: you can choose to have a "Success with Woe".
This means Orodil succeeds in scanning the crowd, but at the cost of an unexpected negative side effect.

I will let you choose!

Vidar grabs the torch, and is soon off at a run.  Despite being a Dwarf, and thus shirt, he uses the obstacles to his advantage.  His free hand grabbing the edges as he turns, and using the force to sling him further along.  His stout legs pumping furiously to gain a lead on the other contestants.

03:21, Today: Vidar son of Flar rolled a total of 20: a great success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 12 with rolls of 9 (Feat Die), 6, 3, 2.  Athletics w/gloves.  Torch Run

Orodil abandons the wagon and moves on to some other spot with possible height advantage.

OOC: TN 16 is correct, I forgot to change it in the dice roller. What the heck, I'll take the success with woe, why not? Could be fun.

12:13, Today: Orodil rolled a total of 24: an extraordinary success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 16 with rolls of 5 (Feat Die), 6, 6, 5, 2.  Scan. Hope + Distinctive Feature (Tall).

Also I just realised I've been rolling 1 too many skill dice, it should be 3, not 4, sorry about that.

TN 16 is correct, I forgot to change it in the dice roller.
Okay, no problem.
The failure becomes a Great Success with Woe (using the 6, as I said, I find rules re. doing/not doing this I'll change this in the future if need be).
Using the Skill Special Success Table: you can use a 6 as follows: "if an action requires multiple successes to be achieved, you score 1 additional success."
Meaning you get 2 successes here (if I ever find specific rules re. not using that for Skill Endeavours I'll change this use, but seems to work).
So far: 2/3 successes in 1 roll



Orodil scans the crowd, craning his neck, climbing high on the wagon-- and is quite sure that Mallor is not present.
No, Orodil is certain: if the Ranger were there, he would have seen him. No way he is on the Green... but, then, Orodil feels a chill down his spine.
As if someone is watching him.
He looks around-- and the feeling of being observed is so strong, that he knows just where to look.
There, he only catches a glimpse of a shape - maybe dressed in a robe, or else a long cape or cloak - that has already turned away... and disappears amongst the throngs of people.
Orodil cannot spot who this was.
But he just knows that this someone spotted him, had a good look at who he is... and somehow has a dark interest in this knowledge.

Shrugging this off for now, because there is not much he can do about it, Orodil abandons the wagon and moves to another spot.

Again he scans the crowd--
For Skill Endeavours, you can vary the types of rolls (this could have been different than Scan, some other way of seeking: asking questions etc.).
Extraordinary Success: the Success gives you 3/3 on your 2nd roll, so the Skill Endeavour is complete (bravo!) and you still have 2 extra 6s to spend!
(I will 'spend' them for you, giving you Go quietly, and Gain insight)
--and though he knows the one he seeks is not here, Orodil is actually looking around to figure out where he came to, where he went, how--
--of course: The Prancing Pony.
If Tarry-Mack made it to Bree, but then left, it is at the Prancing Pony that he would have left notice for Orodil and Theorondil.
Orodil slips down from his vantage point-- and then thinks back to that person who was intently observing him.
Not wishing to let whoever that was know what he was up to, Orodil slips in between a group of musicians and manages to move across the Green without being spotted.
He thus makes his way, unseen, to the Pony.
Puttimg the Special Success table up for people to make their own choices.


Also I just realised I've been rolling 1 too many skill dice, it should be 3, not 4, sorry about that.
That is fine. In general I do not retcon such mistakes unless it has a crucial impact.

"Oh, yes, of course I have a letter from Master Mack. To be handed to-- let me see: a Ranger who asks for it. I guess you are a Ranger yourself, being tall and a little foreboding lookin' and all, sir. So, here is the letter.
As you know, Barliman Butterbur is as good as the Shire's Fast Post.
Never forgot to give a letter out, have I, sir!"

Inside the Pony, Orodil, is handed a sealed letter, by the innkeeper, Butterbur.
Mallor left it here.
And, though Butterbur has nothing to say about why this was done, nor did Tarry-Mack - as Butterbur calls Mallor - leave any message with Butterbur, Orodil sees that Butterbur hands the letter over discreetly, and is looking around to make sure that no one notices the exchange.
Orodil feels that the innkeeper is doing so instinctively, off what he senses when he was given the letter: Mallor himself must have felt observed, or at least wished to make sure none saw he was leaving a message for his brethren.
Your Insight from the extra success.

Orodil checks the wax seal-- it is marked with Mallor's signet-mark.
He opens it--

This message was last edited by the GM at 13:27, Mon 20 Dec 2021.

With a whole half of a pint and a very delicious chicken leg Mip is tapping his foot in the rythm of the folkloric music.
It is quite a bit different to what he is used to listen to but new things always have a great attraction to the young hobbit.
As long as he is not forced to do any kind of conversation to strange folks he is just fine.

Orodil pales as he reads the note but quickly thanks Butterbur with a nod -perhaps a little too quickly to be properly courteous- and walks out from the inn with the note clutched in his hand. His thoughts races, what would be more pressing than trolls in the hills around Rivendell and the Bree-lands? Orodil himself hasn't travelled much this far south, perhaps they should find someone with better knowledge of these lands before setting out.

Aredhel launches off on the first lap, navigating the muddy causeway, alongside Vidar.
Elf and Dwarf competing side by side in a game at the Mannish town of Bree.
With Hobbits among those looking on... at least one of them, Mip, tapping his foot in the rythm of the folkloric music.
As Vidar grabs the torch runs off, he seems to use the obstacles to his advantage.  His stout legs do pump furiously and he is gain a good lead.
Aredhel sees that the Dwarf was astute: he has some thick leather gloves, and thus can grip the torch without fearing being burnt in any way!
Great Success!
Can Aredhel make an Athletics check, please? (spend Hope if you wish, and, if you do so, call upon a Distinctive Feature if you can).
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:16, Tue 21 Dec 2021.

As evening falls, Galar returns to haunt his favorite spot in the Prancing Pony to listen to a review of the day's events after ordering a cider.

A young Bree-lander, who you saw working the stables at the Dwarf-house when you arrived there with the forge-instruments bearing caravan, comes up to you, saying that you are wanted at the Dwarf-house, "for the big party and all".
As evening falls over the first night of the Spring Fair, you make your way to the Dwarf-house.

The young Bree-lander thus locates and comes to give his message to Áski Adisson, who thus is distracted and loses sight of those two ominous characters he was watching ; to Homnir ; to Vidar - waiting for the Torch Race to be over... the lad is quite excited to be talking to such a vigorous and fast Dwarf: "Those are good gloves, Master!" ; and to Kelda... who cheers up a bit at the idea of a party, seeing as she did not make Dale proud of her archery skills.

Can these four - Áski, Homnir, Vidar and Kelda - move to the The Star of the Mist thread(s)? This will be one Company.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:15, Wed 22 Dec 2021.

As evening falls, and Galar returns to haunt his favorite spot at Bree's famous inn, he is joined by--
--Mip, who returns to where he is lodging with his family and friends
--by Orodil and Theorondil, who wonder if that might not be the best place to find someone with better knowledge of these lands? Or just to have a bracing shot of plum brandy...
--by Aredhel, curious to see a Mannish inn, and what goes in such a place.
All arrive around the same time, after sunset at the Prancing Pony.


Can these four - Galar, Mip, Orodil, Theorondil and Aredhel - move to the Old Bones and Skin thread(s)? This will be the other Company.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:36, Wed 22 Dec 2021.

Meanwhile, the Torch Races continues!
With even an Elf competing... how will he do?
What with that Dwarf running like the Eastern-wind.

We can pursue and finish the Torch Race here, wrapping this up in parallel with starting the Company threads.

In reply to The Loremaster (msg # 120):

Aredhel sprints ahead as quickly as he can.

10:39, Today: Aredhel rolled a total of 18: a success with the Gandalf Rune using the The One Ring with a target of 15 ((12 (Feat Die), 4, 2)).

Vidar uses the obstacles to his advantage and moves along.

Aredhel sprints ahead as quickly as he can.

Both arrive, with some other contestants, in front of the steep earthen berm they need to climb, while not dropping the lit torch.

Elf and Dwarf start up the slippery muddy embankment...

Athletics Skill roll, at +2TN (you can spend Hope, call upon your Distinctive Feature-- and, if you fail, you can ask for Success with Woe).

Vidar hauls himself up the slope.  One hand holding the torch aloft, the other grabbing whatever sturdy objects are in the way to aid his powerful legs in the ascent.  Cresting the top, he powers on, determined to win this race.

12:01, Today: Vidar son of Flar rolled a total of 19: a great success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 14 with rolls of 4 (Feat Die), 1, 5, 1, 2, 6.  Athletics w/gloves.  Torch Run.  Spending 1 Hope, using Distinctive Feature: Determined.

Can I spend that 6 to get the Special Result of Make Haste, and do the task in half the time?

This message was last edited by the player at 21:05, Wed 22 Dec 2021.

In reply to The Loremaster (msg # 122):

[Private to GM: Aredhel will spend a hope, but I can't think of any particular Distinctive Features he has that work. Would spending a hope let me add 5 to the roll?]

13:32, Today: Aredhel rolled a total of 6 (2 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 17 ((2 (Feat Die), 2, 2)).

Aredhel's pride gets ahead of himself as he easily slips behind.

Vidar hauls himself up the slope with the torch in one hand, grabbing onto--
"Ouch!"
--oops, that was sturdy, but it was a Bree-man's ankle!
Vidar switches to a root, and pulls himself over the top, with great speed, passing the Bree-man, leaving the Elf behind...

Can I spend that 6 to get the Special Result of Make Haste, and do the task in half the time?
In this case: yes & no. I am RPing it, but the specific rules here are that I add up all the successes (so this makes 2 more here for you) and the more you get the better. So, RP-wise you can say you do well because going fast, but it does not really make you finish earlier game-wise.


Aredhel pride makes him feel silly competing here like in the dirt-- but, as he slips behind his pride speaks up: now that he is in the dirt, should he not win?!
• Hope is to be spent before making the roll. But I said I'd remain open in the intro' to get people used to the rules, so you can spend it now for this roll
• spending one Hope adds 1 Skill die (a d6) to your roll (so you would roll 1 more die)
Note: spending Hope to add a set number (your Attribute score) after the roll, was in 1E
• if you have a Distinctive Feature that applies, then you add a 2nd Skill Die because you are Inspired (so you would roll 2 more dice).
In your case: Fair & Lordly: maybe we could say that Lordly works? You suddenly show your Lordly Elven self, and stand tall and a bit domineering, and have the other contestants slow down, fearfully? Thus adding the 2nd die to your Hope roll.
I am quite open to having things work, since you are spending a point of Hope-- so, if people RP some reason that makes some mechanical sense I generally am okay with it
• so: I would say, spend 1 Hope and roll 2 more d6 that we will add to: ((2 (Feat Die), 2, 2)) target of 17

• doing that will give you a slim chance of Success, so probably will not have Aredhel make it (but go for it!), so: if it does fail, you can still go for Succees with Woe-- you do succeed, but with a negative side-effect.

In reply to The Loremaster (msg # 125):

Aredhel will stand up more domineering, and hoped that the others would be a bit fearful and slow down.

[Private to GM: Sounds good, thanks. Sorry about that.]

11:08, Today: Aredhel rolled a total of 9 (8 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 17 ((3 (Feat Die), 1, 5)).

I'll go for success with woe.

Seeing the tall Elf tower above them, people move to the side and avoid Aredhel, out of awe and respect.
Thus Aredhel manages to go over the crest-- but hits his knee doing so, on a rock at the top... and kind of slips down the other side, grimacing in pain.
2 Endurance loss from the blow

((2 (Feat Die), 2, 2)) + 1 & 5 = 12, so a Failure-- but, with Woe (hurting yourself) you make it a Success.

Their torches still in hand, Vidar - ahead and going strong and steady - Aredhel - slightly limping due to an injured knee - start jumping over series of hurdles, ducking under barrels strung between posts, trying to go through this obstacle course-- and reach the finish line, where Bree-landers, Dwarves, Hobbits, all cheer.

A last Athletics Skill, with a TN of +4 (Hope can be spent).

In reply to The Loremaster (msg # 128):

Aredhel winces as he hits his knee, but will continue on.


I will spend hope.
17:24, Today: Aredhel rolled a total of 8 (3 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 19 ((3 (Feat Die), 1, 3, 1)).


[Private to GM: I'll succeed with Woe again if possible.]

Vidar charges ahead, his face set in stone.  He pushes past the other contestants, forging his way ahead.  His steady strides driving him ever forward, through obstacles, and anything else in his way.

18:55, Today: Vidar son of Flar rolled a total of 20: a great success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 16 with rolls of 1 (Feat Die), 3, 4, 1, 6, 5.  Athletics w/gloves.  Torch Run, Hope, Determined.

Aredhel winces as he hurts his knee, but continues, putting his Heart into this, not wishing to fail-- his father?
Thus, though it is hard for him to move under the swinging barrels, given his height-- and he casts a dark eye at the shorter Dwarf who can easily duck! - and though his hurt knee makes it more difficult to jump the hurdles, Aredhel moves on, determined, pushing himself to the limit!
Failure-->Success with Woe
He manages to reach the end, with his torch still held aloft!
Victory-- but, as he ends the race, his knee gives out, and he half-drops to the ground, only resting on one knee, his valid one.
Checking his other leg, Aredhel sees that pushing on with his battered knee made the condition worse: he is wounded!
[Private to Aredhel: Fine for Success with Woe. I went with a bit of a harsh 'woe', mainly to show the mechanics of Wounded. But it will not last or hinder you.]

Vidar's face is set in stone and his body seems made of granite. People wonder if this Dwarf is an acrobat, for his both powerful and lithe!
Vidar wins the race, and his torch is used to lit the first night's Spring Bonfire-- as the crowd cheers, and starts to dance...

Vidar is given a heavy gold-plated torch, as a reward for winning the race.
+6 TPs
Aredhel, for finishing and moving on despite his hurt and wound, receives a silver-plated torch.
+3 TPs

And so went the first day of the Spring Festival-Fair of TA 2965 in Bree, on the Green.
Where fine games of Thimblerig were played, scanning in the Seeking Field, or riddles of the Ancient Game.
Men of Bree and women from Dale shown bright on the Noble Court, and a Dwarf run the Torch Run-- with an Elf - an Elf! - showing how this Culture is not frail after all.
All that as fine Hobbits ate the best pies they ever had-- that day!