Book 2: Act 1 - Words of the Wise

It is the year 2946 of the Third Age, and the lands east of the Misty Mountains are astir. From the cloud-shrouded peaks above the High Pass to the spider-infested gloom of the forest of Mirkwood, paths long-deserted are trodden once again. Busy merchants carry their wares to new markets, messengers bring tidings from foreign realms, and kings send forth armed men to extend their influence and the rule of law. Some say that a new age of freedom has begun, a time for adventure and great deeds to reclaim glories lost in long centuries of oppression and decline.

But adventures are not really things that people go out and look for. They are dangerous and rarely end well. While it is true that a handful of valiant individuals set out to make their mark on the world, for others it seems that adventure chooses them, as though it is the path they are fated to tread. They are restless warriors, curious scholars and wanderers, always eager to seek what was lost or explore what was forgotten. Ordinary people call them adventurers, and when they return successful, they call them heroes. But if they fail, no one will even remember their names...

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Shurijo
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Re: Stag and His Deer

Post by Shurijo » Mon Mar 17, 2014 11:14 pm

Borir shrugs and hefts up his axe. The dwarf has a hunting bow, but it's clear that he's rather use it as a club than a ranged weapon. Looking to the others, he waits for them to agree with the woodsmen decision or state otherwise.

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Re: Stag and His Deer

Post by Muskrat » Tue Mar 18, 2014 2:25 am

Varuthil says nothing, simply nodding at Amalric's words as she unslings her bow and gets ready to loose arrows at any deer that come her way.

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Re: Stag and His Deer

Post by Eilandor » Tue Mar 18, 2014 3:28 pm

Wren contemplates saying nothing but in the end he can't help himself, "Might I join the four of you for a shot at the stag?"
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Re: Stag and His Deer

Post by TetNak » Tue Mar 18, 2014 9:46 pm

Aerth nods to Pipkin, but does not reply. He waits for the Woodsman to make the decision of who goes where. He personally does not care much, as helping is helping, regardless of where that's done. He does idly wonder what it would look like to have a dwarf chasing a deer with an axe. Aerth cannot help but smile at that.
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Re: Stag and His Deer

Post by Vardaen » Tue Mar 18, 2014 11:25 pm

Almaric looks at Wren, and Evoric smiles, the younger brother looks ready to accept the elf into their small group as they are renowned for their woodcraft. It is Heva that shakes her head, "Almaric, let him hunt the deer, the stag is for experienced hunters, he has admitted to having little skill in such." The leader of the Woodmen considers, "Perhaps Wren it would be best if you help the others, they will need a good keen eye if the deer escape and you give chase." He stoops and unslings from around his neck a hunting horn. Handing it to Wren he says, "If we get separated, use this to help us find you. My brother will do the same with his if we lose you. Let's go - quietly!"

The other three Woodmen are already slipping around to the north to circle the clearing that way leaving just Amalric, he reaches out and pats Wren on the shoulder, "Prove yourself this time and next time you can come for the stag." He then slips off to join the others.

That leave your small fellowship to stalk the deer in the clearing.
It is a Stealth TN14 to get to the edge of the clearing without being detected by the deer. (TN16 if you were targeting the Stag)

I want to keep the fellowship together. It just makes more sense for what's to come :) Sorry to metagame you.
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J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

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Re: Stag and His Deer

Post by Muskrat » Wed Mar 19, 2014 4:34 am

Varuthil gives Wren a curious look, wondering why he wanted to take part in the most difficult part of the hunt when he knew he was unskilled, but says nothing. She turns her attention back to the deer, waiting for any that come their way.

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Re: Stag and His Deer

Post by Trogdor » Wed Mar 19, 2014 6:04 am

"I'm not sure how well I'll do with my shot," Pipkin says. "But I can probably get closer to the deer than you big people without startling it. We hobbits can be very quiet when we want to be." He smile to show that he knows they can't help but be noisy. "Say," he adds, "maybe I could sneak to the other side of the deer and flush it toward the rest of you. That works with pheasant and quail."

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Re: Stag and His Deer

Post by Eilandor » Wed Mar 19, 2014 7:07 pm

Wren graciously accepts the horn, "I will do just that." He then returns to the group tasked with hunting deer, ready to help them in any way he can. Wren spots Varuthil giving him a look that he is becoming used to. He simply smiles and readies his bow.
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Re: Stag and His Deer

Post by Shurijo » Wed Mar 19, 2014 7:08 pm

Borir nods and shows Pipkin his axe. The dwarf says, "Flush it towards me and I'll take it down like I did with the boar. Ha!" Then he remembers that they are suppose to be quiet and looks a little embarrassed by his enthusiastic boast.

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At the Clearing's Edge

Post by Vardaen » Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:35 pm

The group moves forward, wanting to impress the Woodmen, and to catch themselves a deer. Leaving Borir to stand where he is the quartet slips up the trail, Aerth and Wren moving along straight ahead side by side. Wren steps on a branch and it starts to crack but the light footed wood elf catches himself and slides off the branch before it gives a snapping sound so loud that the deer might run. Varuthil slips around the side of the clearing some. Pipkin however seesm to has all together vanished in the underbrush. You've heard hobbits can go unseen when they want, and apparently Pipkin wants to, for he finds the clearing first, bow in hand, gazing at the deer grazing there before anyone else arrives.

The fellowship can spy the deer, and the stag on the far side, well outside of your range from here, but from here, you could take a nice clear shot at your targets, once you fire your cover will be blown.
Since everyone but Borir has Stealth 2 (or 3 for Pipkin) I'm going to have the group as a whole move forward, with Borir waiting to catch anything that runs his way.

TN14

Aerth 9,4,1 = 14 Success
Pipkin "Gandalf" + 4,6t,4 Great Success
Varuthil 8,3,3 = 14 Success
Wren 3,3,1 = 7 + Hope


The difficulty for ranged attacks is a hard TN 16. Everyone but Borir has a chance to take 1 shot, remember to mention Hope if you want to use it.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

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