Book 5: Act 1 - The Borders of the Forest

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...

Run by the Loremaster Vardaen
User avatar
Shurijo
Admin
Admin
Posts: 13979
Title: Scourge of the Jedi
User Class: Sith Lord

Book 5: Act 1 - The Borders of the Forest

Post by Shurijo » Fri Jan 15, 2016 6:59 pm

Borir looks up at Rathar and says, "Captives, eh? What would Orcs want with captives?" The dwarf looks to Pipkin and Aerth for their response.

User avatar
Trogdor
Emeritus Admin
Emeritus Admin
Posts: 27260
Title: The Burninator
User Class: Jedi Master

Book 5: Act 1 - The Borders of the Forest

Post by Trogdor » Fri Jan 15, 2016 7:19 pm

"Yes," Pipkin says, more curious than suspicious. "Why would orcs take prisoners? You don't think they'd want to eat them, do you?"

User avatar
TetNak
Emeritus Admin
Emeritus Admin
Posts: 46375
Location: Seagard
User Class: Brewmaster

Book 5: Act 1 - The Borders of the Forest

Post by TetNak » Sun Jan 17, 2016 11:07 pm

Aerth grunts, "Why did you not say so in the first place?"

The man leans against a tree, "Well, hurry up then, what is this about captives?"
"Kings have no friends, only subjects and enemies."

- King Stannis Baratheon, First of His Name

User avatar
shipwreck
Level 5
Level 5
Posts: 301
Location: Atlantis
User Class: Wanderer

Book 5: Act 1 - The Borders of the Forest

Post by shipwreck » Mon Jan 18, 2016 3:51 pm

He frowns. 'Forgive me if I was not more clear. But the caravan these men were a part of was ambushed. We make for the Forest Gate to save who we can.'

User avatar
Trogdor
Emeritus Admin
Emeritus Admin
Posts: 27260
Title: The Burninator
User Class: Jedi Master

Book 5: Act 1 - The Borders of the Forest

Post by Trogdor » Mon Jan 18, 2016 7:01 pm

"We've got to try and save those poor people," Pipkin says with a gasp. "We can't leave them as prisoners of the orcs."

User avatar
Shurijo
Admin
Admin
Posts: 13979
Title: Scourge of the Jedi
User Class: Sith Lord

Book 5: Act 1 - The Borders of the Forest

Post by Shurijo » Mon Jan 18, 2016 7:33 pm

Borir sits the litter back on the ground and then looks to the others. "Aye. Figure this man's burial might need to wait until we catch up to those orcs."

User avatar
Vardaen
Admin
Admin
Posts: 66394
Location: Miskatonic University
Title: Great Old One
User Class: Unshackled AI

Book 5: Act 1 - The Borders of the Forest

Post by Vardaen » Mon Jan 18, 2016 8:18 pm

Rathar mentions the possibilities of captives, and that changes things for the Fellowship.

The four take off into the forest, Rathar leading along the trail he's been following. The Forest Gate is some distance still but you press on, the sun sinking lower and lower to the west. As it falls behind the Misty Mountains you reach the Forest Gate and find a gruesome sight.

A dozen orcs and goblins are pillaging and looting a broken down caravan. They have several prisoners tied up to the wagon and are playing torture games with them for sport. They orcs seem focused on their prisoners for the moment giving you the drop on them. Some of them are busy poking the captured men, others are standing on the broken down wagon tossing loot about. The caravan's ponies lay dead shot through with black fletched arrows.
Combat!

Been a while with this group. You all get Combat Prelim Advantage Rolls (see below) you also can make an opening volley at improved TNs to hit before combat starts, and the orcs make no return opening volley.

Aerth: Rolled:
Feat Die: 7*
Success Die: 5
Totaling: 12 Fail

Borir: Rolled:
Feat Die: 6*
Success Die: 5,5,1
Totaling: 17 = 1 Bonus Die

Pipkin
Rolled:
Feat Die: 2*
Success Die:
Totaling: 2 = Fail

Rathar
Rolled:
Feat Die: 10*
Success Die: 2,3
Totaling: 15 = 1 Bonus Die


There are 6 Goblin Archers, 6 Orc Soliders
Image Image
"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

User avatar
Trogdor
Emeritus Admin
Emeritus Admin
Posts: 27260
Title: The Burninator
User Class: Jedi Master

Book 5: Act 1 - The Borders of the Forest

Post by Trogdor » Mon Jan 18, 2016 8:57 pm

Once the group gets itself into order, Pipkin lets fly with an arrow at one of the goblin archers.
Stance: Rearward
Action: Attack goblin archer with arrow.

User avatar
shipwreck
Level 5
Level 5
Posts: 301
Location: Atlantis
User Class: Wanderer

Book 5: Act 1 - The Borders of the Forest

Post by shipwreck » Mon Jan 18, 2016 11:47 pm

Without a word the Wood-goer looses his spear from his back, trots forward and launches it with a grunt. In the same motion he goes for his long-bearded ax and charges in without consulting his new friends.
Action:Opening Volley on one of the archers with his spear

Stance: Forward

User avatar
Vardaen
Admin
Admin
Posts: 66394
Location: Miskatonic University
Title: Great Old One
User Class: Unshackled AI

Book 5: Act 1 - The Borders of the Forest

Post by Vardaen » Tue Jan 19, 2016 5:17 pm

Opening Volley: Pipkin, Rathar, Aerth, Borir

Pipkin lets fly with an arrow. The little hobbit is a rather fair shot, and his arrow flies up high and with a *thunk* sticks into the back of one of the goblins atop the wagon. It topples over unseen on the ground on the far side, and never rises again.

Rathar then charges forward, heedless of danger, spear in hand. The Woodman throws his spear with great effort into the belly of another of the goblins. It pierces through its scraps of leather armor and sinks into the creatures internal organs. With a scream the goblin archer slumps forward into the grass dead.

Borir and Aerth...
Pipkin: 9 or 4 (Keep 9): Success Die: 6t,2,6t Totaling: 23 with 2 successes: 11 Dmg Dead Goblin Archer
Rathar: Throw Spear: Rolled: Feat Die: 10* Success Die: 3 Totaling: 13 Success for 5 +Piercing Wound [Protection Test: Rolled: Feat Die: 3* Success Die: 1,2 Totaling: 6 vs TN14 Fail] Piercing Wound = DEAD Goblin Archer
"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

Locked