[Game Thread] Chapter 1

[Dylan Scott]

Roan Roan was glad when Wren stepped up and took charge of the young lad, Despite his reputation as a Woodsman, Roan would have felt bad if he had been made to follow through on his words, Thankfully the Herald had a gentler took and kept Erlund occupied until Grey returned with Master Lomund, as fates would have it, just as Arn and Rue arrived with the horses and they had to depart, though he was disappointed to see that Runa wasn't with him. With a sigh Roan turned his attention to the horses, casting an eye over them critically, It wasn't often Roan had the opportunity to ride but he was still familiar with horses and he was quickly able to see which of the group Arn had brought was the leader of the small herd. fortune seemed to be blessing them that day as Roan singled out the horse which was his namesake, although this one was a Blue Roan, a slight misnomer as it was actually a black and white horse which looked more grey due to the roan patterning. Roan quickly snagged the Roan and gave the saddle and tack a check over as he petted and got to know the horse, introducing it to Grey so it wouldn't spoke at the great hound which would be running beside it. Roan hadn't snagged the horse because he saw himself as the leader of his pack, far from it, but as the one most familiar with the Marshes and the location of the Fort they were heading too it made sense for him to ride point as the Guide. It would be harder to do that on one of the other horses if it was constantly fighting to get back into the pack and behind its herd leader. With everyone mounted and ready to go, Roan led the way out of Laketown, the guards already having the bridge gates open and cleared for them as the string of horses arrived, giving them a nod on the way out. As expected news of one of their own lost in the marshes had spread quickly around town and everyone seemed happy to trust Roan and his friends with the task of bringing Master Sigvall back home. The good omens continued for the group as they made a steady pace towards their goal, the sun shining warmly on them. Arn and Rue laughing and joking with each other, riddling and discussing their futures. Even wren seemed to be happier as well, but Roan suspected that had more to do with the full belly he had from snagging food from the Spark and Stone before they left, the man certainly had his priorities right Roan thought with a chuckle. But other than answering any questions sent his way as briefly as possible, Roan was a different man than the one in Laketown, Back on the road and with the safety of his friends in his hands he was all business again, his eyes flitting around the road and terrain as he lead the way over the bridge and around the lake edge to find Erlunds launching point for his boat ride into the town. Roan made certain to check at his horses feet, and up in the air at times and turned in his saddle often to check behind him. but for the most part he focused his attention on both Grey and his horses ears, trusting their better senses to alert him to sounds and movement he might not have caught yet.

Actions & Movement   Turn Summary Initiative: Move: Action: Bonus Action: Reaction: Other:

Stat Block   Roan / Maracar Chaotic Neutral | Woodsman of Wilderland - Lure of the Road | Wanderer - Hunter of Beasts HP: 28 | AC: 14 (16 with Shield) | Initiative: +3 | Passive Perception: 15 (17 Wilderness) | Speed: 30 | Proficiency Bonus: +2 STR 10 (+0) | DEX 16 (+3)| CON 14 (+2) | INT 10 (+0) | WIS 16 (+3) | CHA 10 (+0) Str Save +2 | Dex Save +3 | Con Save +4 | Int Save +0 | Wis Save +3 | Cha Save +0 | Weapons: Heavy, Two-Handed, Ammunition, Ranged (150/600). +7 Attack (1D8+3 Damage)Great bow | Versatile (1D10) +2 Attack (1D8 Damage)Axe | Finesse, Light, Thrown (20/60). +5 Attack (1D4+3 Damage)Hunting Knife Features and Abilities: Common Speech, Vale of Anduin/Dalish, Free Folk, Trade TonguesLanguages | Armor: Light, Medium, Shields Weapons: Simple & Martial Weapons Tools: None Skills: Animal Handling:+5, Tradition:+2, Nature:+2, Lore: +2, Perception:+5, Survival (Expertise):+7 Enhanced Skills: Tracking (Advantage):+9, Investigate (Hound Assist with Advantage):+4, Perception (Wilderness):+7, Stealth (Advantage - Known Lands):+3, Wilderness Related Int and Wis skills +2 additional in Known LandsProficiencies Wanderer Traits: | Long years spent roaming over the land have given you vast amounts of knowledge about some of the regions of Middle-earth. You know the terrain of such lands like the backs of your hands and your lore can seem almost unnatural to any companions travelling with you. At 1st level, choose 3 regions + a number of regions equal to your Wisdom modifier from the Middle-earth maps. When you make an Intelligence or Wisdom check related to a land you know, your proficiency bonus is doubled if you are using a skill you are proficient in. When you are travelling in one of your Known Lands you gain the following benefits: • If any part of a journey passes through a land you know, the DC of your personal Event tests are lowered by 2. • If the entire journey passes through lands you know, and you act as Guide, you lower the Peril Rating of the Journey by 2. • You have advantage when making Wisdom saving throws against Corruption caused by Blighted lands you know. • You cannot become lost under normal circumstances. • You know at least one place in each Known Land where you can safely take a long rest: a settlement where you have friends, perhaps, or a hidden cabin in the woods or simply a dry and defensible cavern or secret glade. • You have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) ability checks and can move stealthily at a normal pace. • While tracking other creatures, you automatically learn their exact number, their sizes and how recently they passed through the area. At both 6th and 10th level you choose an additional number of Known Lands equal to 1 + your Wisdom modifier, with a minimum of 1. With the Loremaster’s permission, you can save these Known Lands until you start exploring new areas – once chosen, they cannot be changed.Known Lands | You have a great deal of experience from travelling through the wilderness and surviving the various dangers that the wild constantly offers. At 1st level, you have advantage on all Wisdom (Survival) ability checks when tracking others through the wilderness. If you act as a company’s Guide on a journey, you are considered to be assuming all vacant travelling roles (you are considered to ‘fill in’ as the company’s Hunter, Scout and Look-out at the same time, if no other companion is already covering that role). At 6th level, your time in the Wild has taught you that only those that strike fast and hard live to fight another day. When fighting in the wilderness, your first round of attacks in every combat has advantage. At 14th level, you can no longer be ambushed and cannot be surprised in the wilderness.Ways of the Wild | At 2nd level, you adopt a particular style of fighting as your specialty. You can't take a Fighting Style option more than once, even if you later get to choose again. Archery You gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls you make with ranged weaponsFighting Style | Also at 2nd level, whether travelling, exploring or even resting, you have learned to constantly pay attention to the sights and sounds of the world about you. When in the wilderness, your proficiency bonus for Perception is doubled, if you are proficient in Perception. Natural Watchfulness | Also starting at 3rd level, when you stretch yourself upon the ground with your ear pressed against the turf you can decipher the sounds of the earth. You can hear it groan when the enemy treads upon it, or echo the distant gallop of horses, or sing in tune with the rushing of tumbling waters. Between each long rest, you may make a DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) ability check. On a success, the Loremaster must give you a useful piece of information about a quarry you are hunting or a place you are seeking. If you get 25 or higher as a result, the information gleaned may very well seem near-miraculous to others.Rumor of the Earth | You can track your quarry across many miles, and bring it down with a well-placed arrow or swift blow. Some folk in Middle-earth rely on hunters for both sustenance and protection; the Woodmen of Mirkwood, for example, are kept safe from Spiders and other horrors by the arrows of their Hunters. Others, like the Elves, hunt for sport, or for the joy of the chase – or hunt two-legged prey, trespassers and despoilers of the wood.Wanderer Archetype - Hunter of Beasts | Beginning at 3rd level, you double your proficiency bonus when making Wisdom (Survival) ability tests to track a creature. Furthermore, you may substitute Survival for Investigation when making deductions based on tracks,spoors and other physical tracesTracker Woodsan of Wilderlands Traits: Your Dexterity score increases by 1 and you may increase two additional ability scores by 1.Ability Score Increase | Woodmen don’t usually become adventurers before their 16th year of age, and rarely continue beyond their forties, when they retire to serve their family and folkAdventuring Age | Most Woodmen stand between 5 and 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.Size Your base walking speed is 30 feet.Speed | You have proficiency in the Survival skillWoodcrafty | You gain one Woodmen of Wilderland Cultural Virtue of your choice.Virtue | You can speak the Vale of Anduin Tongue – an archaic version of the Common Speech, closely related to DalishLanguage Background: You are a rover; the road calls to you and you must answer. Sometimes, rare years, you return home to friends and family, but it does not take long before you start longing for the next adventure, to explore a new land, or meet unusual people. You aren’t limited to roads or the towns that dot them. No, you’d just as happily camp within a cave in the Misty Mountains or make a lonely camp in a deep wood than settle down in a roadside inn for the evening. Not even the Shadow will deter you from traversing every nook and cranny in this part of the world, no matter how dark and dangerous.Lure of the Road | Animal Handling, LoreSkill Proficiencies | As a seasoned traveller you have an uncanny ability to predict the weather; you can ‘smell’ rain or snow earlier than others or sense when a fog is about to roll in. You also know the best places to shelter from sudden storms and which areas to avoid. You have well-established habits and the ability to quickly forage what you need before settling in to wait out a storm. You also have a good grasp of creature habits in various types of weather conditions; you know where bears hibernate and where a Goblin band is likely to camp when a storm hits.Weather-Lore | Those afflicted with the Lure of the Road, sometimes called rovers, tend to be adventuresome souls, always looking to explore a new land or return to an old haunt just to see what’s changed since they’ve last visited. Rovers are self-reliant and used to travelling alone, although they do enjoy the company of other travellers. Rovers also enjoy collecting stories from far-off lands, motivating them to visit the places they mention.Suggested Characteristics | Your body is used to long hours on the road. You are rarely tired and you weather extreme conditions well.Distinctive Quality - Hardy | You have met many different types of people in your journeys; you’ve gained considerable skill in diplomacy and negotiation. Characters who have often had to deal with merchants in foreign countries have generally picked up a word or two in various local languages, and can state their intentions fairly clearly, as long as they do not need to communicate overly complex or profound mattersSpeciality - Trading | Absence makes the heart grow fonder; only by leaving the familiar can we better appreciate itHope | My experiences against the Shadow may come back to haunt me – I don’t want to be home when that happens. It would put my kin in grave danger!Despair Virtue: Your folk have always delighted in training great, longjawed hounds, stronger than wolves. You have chosen a wolfhound of Wilderland to accompany you in your wanderings and the faithfulness of your hound reinforces your spirit. Raise your maximum Wisdom score by 1 point. Add your proficiency bonus to the Hound’s AC, attack rolls, damage rolls, saving throws and skills. Its hit points are equal to four times your level. The Hound heals using your Hit Dice. The Hound obeys your commands and stays by your side. On your turn, you may use your action to command the Hound to take an Attack, Dash, Dodge, Disengage or Help action. If you have the Extra Attack feature, you can make one weapon attack yourself while commanding your hound to Attack. The training of a Hound of Mirkwood is an endeavour in itself; the teachings of Radagast have turned this craft into an art. When you first choose this virtue, your Hound learns to assist you with one skill as described underSupport below. You can train him to Support additional skills, as well as to Fight in combat, as a separate undertaking during later Fellowship phases, as follows: Support You can train your Hound to assist you in one activity. A dog can be trained to support you when making any one of the following ability checks: Charisma (Intimidation), Intelligence (Investigation) or Wisdom (Perception). It takes a Fellowship phase worth of training to teach your dog to complete an additional task. When you make ability checks using one of your Hound’s trained skills, you gain advantage, and count as proficient in the skill even if you are not – if you are proficient, you get to double your proficiency bonus. Fight As a Fellowship phase undertaking, you may train your Hound to Attack, Dash, Disengage, Dodge or Help without requiring a command from you. Each action takes a separate Fellowship phase to train your Hound. Hound of Mirkwood Known Lands: Anduin Vales, The Mirkwood, Brown Lands, Nether Marshes, Upper Marshes, East Rhovanion. Shadow Weakness: Wandering Madness Equipment: A Travelling Cloak, Appropriate Garb, Backpack, Blanket, Mess Kit, Flask of Oil, Hempen Rope (50'), Torches (5), Waterskin, Rations (7 Days)Spring Travelling Gear, 5 Silver Pennies 8 Copper Coins 10 BitsMoney Pouch, Tinderbox, Soap, Signal Whistle, Fishing Tackle, Chalk (3), Candle (2), WhetstonePossibles Pouch, Map Case (5 Sheets of Parchment) Weapons & Armor: Hide Armour, A Decorative Leather Armband, Axe, Shield, Belt Dagger, Greatbow, Quiver of Arrows (20/20)

Stat Block   Grey Hound of Mirkwood | Medium Beast STR 13 (+1) | DEX 14 (+2)| CON 12 (+1) | INT 3 (-4) | WIS 12 (+1) | CHA 7 (-2) Armour Class: 14 (Natural Armor) Hit Points: 12 (HD for healing is D10) Speed: 40 ft Skills: Perception +5 Senses: Passive Perception 15 Keen Hearing and Smell:The Hound has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) ability checks that rely on hearing and smell. Str Save +3 | Dex Save +4 | Con Save +3 | Int Save -2 | Wis Save +3 | Cha Save +0 | Actions: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 Hit, Reach 5ft, 1D6+3 Piercing Damage. If the target is a Small or Medium creature, it must succeed at a DC 13 Strength saving throw or have disadvantage on its next attack.Bite

[PsychicNomad]

The journey along the Running River was easy and beautiful for the most part. The water's incessant splashing was more relaxing than annoying and the beasts and plants were healthy and wholesome. The first night went well, too, Rue's sharp senses didn't notice anything threatening or worrying.

Most of the second day passed just as nicely, and with evening coming, Roan led they way to find the group a proper camping location. As they circled a hill, a sad sight was revealed to them.

At the foot of the hill stood a small patch of trees, giving shade but a good view around, making it useful for resting. However, among the trees lay two bodies clad in once-beautiful Elven cloaks, now torn gruesomely apart. The two were holding each other, probably dying here because of their wounds, one or both being unable to continue the journey. A few paces away from them lay a giant wolf's corpse, full of graceful Elven arrows and long cuts. Before expiring, the pair managed to kill their attacker, but it didn't help them in the end. It only helped other fair people wandering this way.

 

Because of the badly failed Wis checks and the sight of the tragedy, Rue and Arn each gain one level of exhaustion and must make a DC 15 Wis check to avoid gaining 2 Corruption points. On the other hand, thanks to focusing on the accompanying smaller victory, Roan gains a single-use bonus of 2d3 to any roll before the end of this adventure (the 2d3 is my replacement of Inspiration because it's already becoming repetitive to me). Your turn to narrate all this in character.

[Ysolde]

Rue - Pain She saw the cloaks first, such were made by the elves, and few others would wear them. Her body filled with pain and exhaustion even before she made it to the dead bodies. By the time she was close and fully witnessing the death of people, whose lives could have been endless, her eyes were filled with rage and her heart hurt like she had been stabbed through. Her cry to the heavens was a loud keen high pitched and without words, it was filled with that pain, filled with loss, and only ended when she had to breathe. There wasn’t even satisfaction in killing the wolf, it was already dead, all she could do was begin building a cairn. A full stack of logs and the bodies in the center. She didn’t speak while she worked, she just built accepting help with a quiet nod if it was offered. When it was all done she fired the logs, her eyes gleaming with their own inner fire. The fire inside her that always burned for one thing was fed more fuel and it had one name, death. Death for all creatures of shadow, death to every evil. Her sword would sup upon the blood of her enemies and she would feel joy from it.

 

Initiative:
Move:
Action: Set the bodies aflame in the ancient ways.
Bonus Action:
Reaction: Wis save pass with inspiration still post works as it is https://www.rpgcrossing.com/showthre...22#post9596922
Other:

 

Rue
HP: 24/24 | AC: 14
Exhausted: level 1
Str: 10 | Dex 17 (+3/+5) | Con: 14 (+2) | Int: 10 | Wis: 14 (+2) | Cha: 10
Melee attack: Broad sword +5 1d8+3 piercing/ dagger +2 1d4
Ranged attack: Short Bow +5 1d6+3 piercing 80/320
Sneak Attack damage: 2d6
Skills: Acrobatics +5 | Insight +4 | Perception +6 | Sleight of hand +5 | Stealth +7 | Traditions +2 | Theives Tools +7 | Forgery Kit +2 | Disguise Kit +2

[Onward]

Arn, Daughter of Arnulf Arn covered her mouth upon seeing the corpses of two dead elves. Lovers, companions, or rivals, she could not know based on their final embrace. A sorrow filled her, yet when her partner, her lover cried out in pain, of loss. Voice high to the heavens, she knows she has to be strong for her. She can't break down as her knight, she must fight and remain stalwart. She helped silently build a grave with Rue and once done she hug her tightly. Maybe she needed it or maybe it was a selfish act instead, but something in her believe that a hug was necessary, if only for just a moment.

Status Exhaustion: Level 1

[Dylan Scott]

Roan Nature, and life in general, seemed to have a tendency for balance Roan found, sometimes the scales tipped one way much longer than seemed fair but in the long run things had a way of balancing out. So it really came as no surprise that on the second day of their journey, as he led the group to a small copse of trees he had used before for shelter that their easy, beautiful and peaceful journey was interrupted when the other side of the coin revealed itself. Grey had picked up on it first, his keen sense of smell picking up the scent of blood in the air and alerting Roan to it, not that the woodsman knew exactly what his hound had sensed but he was instantly more alert and as they rounded the hill he caught the glimpse of carrion birds in the air just before they came into view of the three bodies so he wasn't as shocked as the others. He was a life long hunter and sadly over the years he wasn't a stranger to the loss of life but the cry of pain from the usually silent Rue was still heartbreaking even for him. Roan had travelled the length and breadth of the land, met many people and spoke many languages, he had learned songs and tales that had endured for centuries and witnessed traditions and rituals which had been practically forgotten to most, but for all his travels and all his experiences, he was still at a loss for what to say to a friend in pain, to a race with such a long natural life, holding decades of memories what could be said to ease the loss of all that time and history? As Rue and Arn approached the bodies, Roan did what he could, silently tending the horses and tethering them safely before taking his axe and gathering the wood needed by Rue to build the cairn for the dead, there was no need to speak between them as they worked, nods and hand gestures were enough to get the job done. As Rue took the flame to the dead and Arn held her love tight, Roan gave Grey a nudge towards the pair and turned his attention to the large wolf while the Mirkwood hound wandered over and pressed his body against the pair, nuzzling his head under Rue's hand. Kneeling beside the carcass, Roan took his knife and carefully cut out the arrows from the body, the blood was old and dried in places, staining the wooden shafts and steel heads but the arrows themselves were still usable and of exquisite make, the Elves were true craftsmen. The Hide was dried out and solid to the touch of his blade, it had of impressive strength and could prove useful so he proceeded to skin the wolf. He felt sorry for Rue and the two dead strangers but his practical nature as well as his upbringing would not let him let a good meal go to waste, these people has paid the ultimate price for the kill and to leave it to rot and picked over by crows and insects seemed sacrilegious, but as he forced his blade through the skin he discovered that the corpses must have been months old, the meat was desiccated to the point it was practically jerky at this point but unlike properly smoked meat it was not fit for consumption, the meat was entirely wasted. When he was done retrieving the hide, he sliced through the jaw and pried one of the wolfs immense fangs free and returned to the others and waited. When the time was right, when the bodies were blazing and Rue had seemed more composed, her grief turning to steely resolve he offered her the Fang with soft words "The Spirit of the kill goes to the hunters, they are not here to claim it but you are one of the people, carry it for them and honour their sacrifice"

OCC Any indications from the state of the wolf corpse during the examination how long ago this happened roughly?

Actions & Movement Turn Summary Initiative: Move: Action: Examine, Skin and Clean the wolf Dice Survival Check: 1D20+9 (9)+9 Total = 18 Bonus Action: Reaction: Other: Conditions: you have inspiration, you can expend it when you make an attack roll, saving throw, or ability check. Spending your inspiration gives you advantage on that rollInspired | single-use bonus of 2d3 to any roll before the end of this adventureSmall Victories

Stat Block   Roan / Maracar Chaotic Neutral | Woodsman of Wilderland - Lure of the Road | Wanderer - Hunter of Beasts HP: 28 | AC: 14 (16 with Shield) | Initiative: +3 | Passive Perception: 15 (17 Wilderness) | Speed: 30 | Proficiency Bonus: +2 STR 10 (+0) | DEX 16 (+3)| CON 14 (+2) | INT 10 (+0) | WIS 16 (+3) | CHA 10 (+0) Str Save +2 | Dex Save +3 | Con Save +4 | Int Save +0 | Wis Save +3 | Cha Save +0 | Weapons: Heavy, Two-Handed, Ammunition, Ranged (150/600). +7 Attack (1D8+3 Damage)Great bow | Versatile (1D10) +2 Attack (1D8 Damage)Axe | Finesse, Light, Thrown (20/60). +5 Attack (1D4+3 Damage)Hunting Knife Features and Abilities: Common Speech, Vale of Anduin/Dalish, Free Folk, Trade TonguesLanguages | Armor: Light, Medium, Shields Weapons: Simple & Martial Weapons Tools: None Skills: Animal Handling:+5, Tradition:+2, Nature:+2, Lore: +2, Perception:+5, Survival (Expertise):+7 Enhanced Skills: Tracking (Advantage):+9, Investigate (Hound Assist with Advantage):+4, Perception (Wilderness):+7, Stealth (Advantage - Known Lands):+3, Wilderness Related Int and Wis skills +2 additional in Known LandsProficiencies Wanderer Traits: | Long years spent roaming over the land have given you vast amounts of knowledge about some of the regions of Middle-earth. You know the terrain of such lands like the backs of your hands and your lore can seem almost unnatural to any companions travelling with you. At 1st level, choose 3 regions + a number of regions equal to your Wisdom modifier from the Middle-earth maps. When you make an Intelligence or Wisdom check related to a land you know, your proficiency bonus is doubled if you are using a skill you are proficient in. When you are travelling in one of your Known Lands you gain the following benefits: • If any part of a journey passes through a land you know, the DC of your personal Event tests are lowered by 2. • If the entire journey passes through lands you know, and you act as Guide, you lower the Peril Rating of the Journey by 2. • You have advantage when making Wisdom saving throws against Corruption caused by Blighted lands you know. • You cannot become lost under normal circumstances. • You know at least one place in each Known Land where you can safely take a long rest: a settlement where you have friends, perhaps, or a hidden cabin in the woods or simply a dry and defensible cavern or secret glade. • You have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) ability checks and can move stealthily at a normal pace. • While tracking other creatures, you automatically learn their exact number, their sizes and how recently they passed through the area. At both 6th and 10th level you choose an additional number of Known Lands equal to 1 + your Wisdom modifier, with a minimum of 1. With the Loremaster’s permission, you can save these Known Lands until you start exploring new areas – once chosen, they cannot be changed.Known Lands | You have a great deal of experience from travelling through the wilderness and surviving the various dangers that the wild constantly offers. At 1st level, you have advantage on all Wisdom (Survival) ability checks when tracking others through the wilderness. If you act as a company’s Guide on a journey, you are considered to be assuming all vacant travelling roles (you are considered to ‘fill in’ as the company’s Hunter, Scout and Look-out at the same time, if no other companion is already covering that role). At 6th level, your time in the Wild has taught you that only those that strike fast and hard live to fight another day. When fighting in the wilderness, your first round of attacks in every combat has advantage. At 14th level, you can no longer be ambushed and cannot be surprised in the wilderness.Ways of the Wild | At 2nd level, you adopt a particular style of fighting as your specialty. You can't take a Fighting Style option more than once, even if you later get to choose again. Archery You gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls you make with ranged weaponsFighting Style | Also at 2nd level, whether travelling, exploring or even resting, you have learned to constantly pay attention to the sights and sounds of the world about you. When in the wilderness, your proficiency bonus for Perception is doubled, if you are proficient in Perception. Natural Watchfulness | Also starting at 3rd level, when you stretch yourself upon the ground with your ear pressed against the turf you can decipher the sounds of the earth. You can hear it groan when the enemy treads upon it, or echo the distant gallop of horses, or sing in tune with the rushing of tumbling waters. Between each long rest, you may make a DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) ability check. On a success, the Loremaster must give you a useful piece of information about a quarry you are hunting or a place you are seeking. If you get 25 or higher as a result, the information gleaned may very well seem near-miraculous to others.Rumor of the Earth | You can track your quarry across many miles, and bring it down with a well-placed arrow or swift blow. Some folk in Middle-earth rely on hunters for both sustenance and protection; the Woodmen of Mirkwood, for example, are kept safe from Spiders and other horrors by the arrows of their Hunters. Others, like the Elves, hunt for sport, or for the joy of the chase – or hunt two-legged prey, trespassers and despoilers of the wood.Wanderer Archetype - Hunter of Beasts | Beginning at 3rd level, you double your proficiency bonus when making Wisdom (Survival) ability tests to track a creature. Furthermore, you may substitute Survival for Investigation when making deductions based on tracks,spoors and other physical tracesTracker Woodsan of Wilderlands Traits: Your Dexterity score increases by 1 and you may increase two additional ability scores by 1.Ability Score Increase | Woodmen don’t usually become adventurers before their 16th year of age, and rarely continue beyond their forties, when they retire to serve their family and folkAdventuring Age | Most Woodmen stand between 5 and 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.Size Your base walking speed is 30 feet.Speed | You have proficiency in the Survival skillWoodcrafty | You gain one Woodmen of Wilderland Cultural Virtue of your choice.Virtue | You can speak the Vale of Anduin Tongue – an archaic version of the Common Speech, closely related to DalishLanguage Background: You are a rover; the road calls to you and you must answer. Sometimes, rare years, you return home to friends and family, but it does not take long before you start longing for the next adventure, to explore a new land, or meet unusual people. You aren’t limited to roads or the towns that dot them. No, you’d just as happily camp within a cave in the Misty Mountains or make a lonely camp in a deep wood than settle down in a roadside inn for the evening. Not even the Shadow will deter you from traversing every nook and cranny in this part of the world, no matter how dark and dangerous.Lure of the Road | Animal Handling, LoreSkill Proficiencies | As a seasoned traveller you have an uncanny ability to predict the weather; you can ‘smell’ rain or snow earlier than others or sense when a fog is about to roll in. You also know the best places to shelter from sudden storms and which areas to avoid. You have well-established habits and the ability to quickly forage what you need before settling in to wait out a storm. You also have a good grasp of creature habits in various types of weather conditions; you know where bears hibernate and where a Goblin band is likely to camp when a storm hits.Weather-Lore | Those afflicted with the Lure of the Road, sometimes called rovers, tend to be adventuresome souls, always looking to explore a new land or return to an old haunt just to see what’s changed since they’ve last visited. Rovers are self-reliant and used to travelling alone, although they do enjoy the company of other travellers. Rovers also enjoy collecting stories from far-off lands, motivating them to visit the places they mention.Suggested Characteristics | Your body is used to long hours on the road. You are rarely tired and you weather extreme conditions well.Distinctive Quality - Hardy | You have met many different types of people in your journeys; you’ve gained considerable skill in diplomacy and negotiation. Characters who have often had to deal with merchants in foreign countries have generally picked up a word or two in various local languages, and can state their intentions fairly clearly, as long as they do not need to communicate overly complex or profound mattersSpeciality - Trading | Absence makes the heart grow fonder; only by leaving the familiar can we better appreciate itHope | My experiences against the Shadow may come back to haunt me – I don’t want to be home when that happens. It would put my kin in grave danger!Despair Virtue: Your folk have always delighted in training great, longjawed hounds, stronger than wolves. You have chosen a wolfhound of Wilderland to accompany you in your wanderings and the faithfulness of your hound reinforces your spirit. Raise your maximum Wisdom score by 1 point. Add your proficiency bonus to the Hound’s AC, attack rolls, damage rolls, saving throws and skills. Its hit points are equal to four times your level. The Hound heals using your Hit Dice. The Hound obeys your commands and stays by your side. On your turn, you may use your action to command the Hound to take an Attack, Dash, Dodge, Disengage or Help action. If you have the Extra Attack feature, you can make one weapon attack yourself while commanding your hound to Attack. The training of a Hound of Mirkwood is an endeavour in itself; the teachings of Radagast have turned this craft into an art. When you first choose this virtue, your Hound learns to assist you with one skill as described underSupport below. You can train him to Support additional skills, as well as to Fight in combat, as a separate undertaking during later Fellowship phases, as follows: Support You can train your Hound to assist you in one activity. A dog can be trained to support you when making any one of the following ability checks: Charisma (Intimidation), Intelligence (Investigation) or Wisdom (Perception). It takes a Fellowship phase worth of training to teach your dog to complete an additional task. When you make ability checks using one of your Hound’s trained skills, you gain advantage, and count as proficient in the skill even if you are not – if you are proficient, you get to double your proficiency bonus. Fight As a Fellowship phase undertaking, you may train your Hound to Attack, Dash, Disengage, Dodge or Help without requiring a command from you. Each action takes a separate Fellowship phase to train your Hound. Hound of Mirkwood Known Lands: Anduin Vales, The Mirkwood, Brown Lands, Nether Marshes, Upper Marshes, East Rhovanion. Shadow Weakness: Wandering Madness Equipment: A Travelling Cloak, Appropriate Garb, Backpack, Blanket, Mess Kit, Flask of Oil, Hempen Rope (50'), Torches (5), Waterskin, Rations (7 Days)Spring Travelling Gear, 5 Silver Pennies 8 Copper Coins 10 BitsMoney Pouch, Tinderbox, Soap, Signal Whistle, Fishing Tackle, Chalk (3), Candle (2), WhetstonePossibles Pouch, Map Case (5 Sheets of Parchment) Weapons & Armor: Hide Armour, A Decorative Leather Armband, Axe, Shield, Belt Dagger, Greatbow, Quiver of Arrows (20/20)

Stat Block   Grey Hound of Mirkwood | Medium Beast STR 13 (+1) | DEX 14 (+2)| CON 12 (+1) | INT 3 (-4) | WIS 12 (+1) | CHA 7 (-2) Armour Class: 14 (Natural Armor) Hit Points: 12 (HD for healing is D10) Speed: 40 ft Skills: Perception +5 Senses: Passive Perception 15 Keen Hearing and Smell:The Hound has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) ability checks that rely on hearing and smell. Str Save +3 | Dex Save +4 | Con Save +3 | Int Save -2 | Wis Save +3 | Cha Save +0 | Actions: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 Hit, Reach 5ft, 1D6+3 Piercing Damage. If the target is a Small or Medium creature, it must succeed at a DC 13 Strength saving throw or have disadvantage on its next attack.Bite

[PsychicNomad]

The sad scene must have happened months ago, they could all notice that. And yet, the foul beast's hide seemed strangely intact, as if it was just waiting to be awakened by someone blowing air and animation into it. Roan could feel the hide's strength as he removed it, and he was sure it could be useful one day.

The pair of Elves, however, had been graceful and lively even with nothing left of their bodies besides bones.

 

That's me. I forgot to add their physical description as I felt it would be un-tolkienesque to go into grisly details with corpses.

[PsychicNomad]

After the sorrowful funeral pyre, and taking care of the practical side of the sight, the team found a place that was far enough to be comfortable, while not too far from the river path to be inconvenient. The night went without incidents, and provided some welcome respite from the hardships of the world. The chirping of crickets was like a soothing melody, and the river's quiet sounds complemented it into a symphony of hope.

The next day started with a quick drizzle, but it was just perfect for washing the land clean before the sun came up brightly. However, by the time they were close to the spot they were traveling to, the weather changed into gray, the overcast sky provided enough light to see, but also a useful hiding hue to the landscape at large.

Roan immediately recognized the top of the ruins as the company crested a hill, giving them an opportunity to spy on it without being seen.

 

Feel free to describe the last leg of the journey from your character's point of view, and anyone peeking over the hilltop should make a perception check.

[Ysolde]

Rue - Shadow The elven woman nearly fades into the black darkness of the nights. Sometimes you might get a glimpse of her passing by the fire or stopping close to you for a moment to acknowledge you are there and move on. Arn is the only one who gets any closeness and even that she can tell Rue is not still. Only in reverie is Rue fully still and she spends barely four hours at that. As the company crests the hill she gestures down and hits the ground herself. The only reason you know she’s even there is a pale hand pointing to where everyone should hold so that none might see the group as they essay the lowland beyond the hill.

 

Initiative:
Move:
Skill: Perception 12
Action:
Bonus Action:

 

Rue
HP: 24/24 | AC: 14
Exhausted: level 1
Str: 10 | Dex 17 (+3/+5) | Con: 14 (+2) | Int: 10 | Wis: 14 (+2) | Cha: 10
Melee attack: Broad sword +5 1d8+3 piercing/ dagger +2 1d4
Ranged attack: Short Bow +5 1d6+3 piercing 80/320
Sneak Attack damage: 2d6
Skills: Acrobatics +5 | Insight +4 | Perception +6 | Sleight of hand +5 | Stealth +7 | Traditions +2 | Theives Tools +7 | Forgery Kit +2 | Disguise Kit +2

[Onward]

Arn, Daughter of Arnulf Arn has mostly been helping out with the camp, help make the food, tend to the horses, and sharpening everyone's weapon. It might be insulting to a knight of her stature, but it feels nostalgic. She remembers her days when she joined this group well, and the fact that she improved even on the most basic necessity helped, she felt pretty proud herself. When they reached the hill, Arn tapped Roan's shoulder,"What do you see? Is it possible for us to strike?"

Status Exhaustion: Level 0

[Dylan Scott]

Roan The night passed in mostly silence, not that this was anything unusual with this group, Rue and Roan by nature were quiet people anyway but there was an extra heavy sombreness in the air this night after the impromptu funeral pyre for the lost elves. Roan was happy to let Rue work through her grief on her own terms, he knew she would be there if the group needed her but thankfully the night passed without incident. Arn was able to coax the silent elf out of her shell a little throughout the night but for the most part the group just set up camp and did what needed to be done. Roan had to smile at how young Arn stepped up and performed, memories of her attempts when she first joined the group springing to mind. Raised to be a Knight, she had been surprised at just how much unknightly duties needed to be performed at camp, the stories and tales of shining armour and clashing steel often neglected the less glamorous side of life on the road but Roan was happy to see how much she had matured and learnt while she was away, rolling up her sleeves and getting her hands dirty without a complaint, she was still young but he already held her in higher regard than many knights he had met on his travels who thought themselves above such things. After taking his turn on watch, Roan turned his nose to the air and took a deep scent of the night while looking around and a small smile grew on his face as he stripped off most of his clothing and stringing a line across the trees hung them up in the open before turning in, dragging his bedroll out in the open first. the others were used to the woodsman's unusual behaviour thought as this wasn't the first time they had seen him do it and they could guess what was coming. Roan had an uncanny sense of the weather and had a reliable nose when it came to smell rain on the horizon so it was no surprise when the morning woke them with a quick rain shower as he predicted, taking the opportunity to wash his clothes and skin in the open air. Another days uneventful travel brought them to their destination, Roan guiding the small group around and over one of the hills overlooking the Ruin's, from this position and with the accompanying darkened sky they would be able to observe the ruins unseen as long as they were careful not to draw attention. Quickly looping a leather hobble on his horse, Roan slipped onto his stomach beside Rue and approached the crest of the hill to look down and see how much of young Erlund's tale was true and whether Sigval was still alive, Arn was eager to strike and rescue the merchant but they needed to see what they were up against first

Actions & Movement Turn Summary Initiative: Move: Action: Look down at the Fort - Perception Result for Roan is 18 , Perception Result for Grey is 27 Bonus Action: Reaction: Other: Conditions: you have inspiration, you can expend it when you make an attack roll, saving throw, or ability check. Spending your inspiration gives you advantage on that rollInspired | single-use bonus of 2d3 to any roll before the end of this adventureUnshakeable Bonds

Stat Block   Roan / Maracar Chaotic Neutral | Woodsman of Wilderland - Lure of the Road | Wanderer - Hunter of Beasts HP: 28 | AC: 14 (16 with Shield) | Initiative: +3 | Passive Perception: 15 (17 Wilderness) | Speed: 30 | Proficiency Bonus: +2 STR 10 (+0) | DEX 16 (+3)| CON 14 (+2) | INT 10 (+0) | WIS 16 (+3) | CHA 10 (+0) Str Save +2 | Dex Save +3 | Con Save +4 | Int Save +0 | Wis Save +3 | Cha Save +0 | Weapons: Heavy, Two-Handed, Ammunition, Ranged (150/600). +7 Attack (1D8+3 Damage)Great bow | Versatile (1D10) +2 Attack (1D8 Damage)Axe | Finesse, Light, Thrown (20/60). +5 Attack (1D4+3 Damage)Hunting Knife Features and Abilities: Common Speech, Vale of Anduin/Dalish, Free Folk, Trade TonguesLanguages | Armor: Light, Medium, Shields Weapons: Simple & Martial Weapons Tools: None Skills: Animal Handling:+5, Tradition:+2, Nature:+2, Lore: +2, Perception:+5, Survival (Expertise):+7 Enhanced Skills: Tracking (Advantage):+9, Investigate (Hound Assist with Advantage):+4, Perception (Wilderness):+7, Stealth (Advantage - Known Lands):+3, Wilderness Related Int and Wis skills +2 additional in Known LandsProficiencies Wanderer Traits: | Long years spent roaming over the land have given you vast amounts of knowledge about some of the regions of Middle-earth. You know the terrain of such lands like the backs of your hands and your lore can seem almost unnatural to any companions travelling with you. At 1st level, choose 3 regions + a number of regions equal to your Wisdom modifier from the Middle-earth maps. When you make an Intelligence or Wisdom check related to a land you know, your proficiency bonus is doubled if you are using a skill you are proficient in. When you are travelling in one of your Known Lands you gain the following benefits: • If any part of a journey passes through a land you know, the DC of your personal Event tests are lowered by 2. • If the entire journey passes through lands you know, and you act as Guide, you lower the Peril Rating of the Journey by 2. • You have advantage when making Wisdom saving throws against Corruption caused by Blighted lands you know. • You cannot become lost under normal circumstances. • You know at least one place in each Known Land where you can safely take a long rest: a settlement where you have friends, perhaps, or a hidden cabin in the woods or simply a dry and defensible cavern or secret glade. • You have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) ability checks and can move stealthily at a normal pace. • While tracking other creatures, you automatically learn their exact number, their sizes and how recently they passed through the area. At both 6th and 10th level you choose an additional number of Known Lands equal to 1 + your Wisdom modifier, with a minimum of 1. With the Loremaster’s permission, you can save these Known Lands until you start exploring new areas – once chosen, they cannot be changed.Known Lands | You have a great deal of experience from travelling through the wilderness and surviving the various dangers that the wild constantly offers. At 1st level, you have advantage on all Wisdom (Survival) ability checks when tracking others through the wilderness. If you act as a company’s Guide on a journey, you are considered to be assuming all vacant travelling roles (you are considered to ‘fill in’ as the company’s Hunter, Scout and Look-out at the same time, if no other companion is already covering that role). At 6th level, your time in the Wild has taught you that only those that strike fast and hard live to fight another day. When fighting in the wilderness, your first round of attacks in every combat has advantage. At 14th level, you can no longer be ambushed and cannot be surprised in the wilderness.Ways of the Wild | At 2nd level, you adopt a particular style of fighting as your specialty. You can't take a Fighting Style option more than once, even if you later get to choose again. Archery You gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls you make with ranged weaponsFighting Style | Also at 2nd level, whether travelling, exploring or even resting, you have learned to constantly pay attention to the sights and sounds of the world about you. When in the wilderness, your proficiency bonus for Perception is doubled, if you are proficient in Perception. Natural Watchfulness | Also starting at 3rd level, when you stretch yourself upon the ground with your ear pressed against the turf you can decipher the sounds of the earth. You can hear it groan when the enemy treads upon it, or echo the distant gallop of horses, or sing in tune with the rushing of tumbling waters. Between each long rest, you may make a DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) ability check. On a success, the Loremaster must give you a useful piece of information about a quarry you are hunting or a place you are seeking. If you get 25 or higher as a result, the information gleaned may very well seem near-miraculous to others.Rumor of the Earth | You can track your quarry across many miles, and bring it down with a well-placed arrow or swift blow. Some folk in Middle-earth rely on hunters for both sustenance and protection; the Woodmen of Mirkwood, for example, are kept safe from Spiders and other horrors by the arrows of their Hunters. Others, like the Elves, hunt for sport, or for the joy of the chase – or hunt two-legged prey, trespassers and despoilers of the wood.Wanderer Archetype - Hunter of Beasts | Beginning at 3rd level, you double your proficiency bonus when making Wisdom (Survival) ability tests to track a creature. Furthermore, you may substitute Survival for Investigation when making deductions based on tracks,spoors and other physical tracesTracker Woodsan of Wilderlands Traits: Your Dexterity score increases by 1 and you may increase two additional ability scores by 1.Ability Score Increase | Woodmen don’t usually become adventurers before their 16th year of age, and rarely continue beyond their forties, when they retire to serve their family and folkAdventuring Age | Most Woodmen stand between 5 and 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.Size Your base walking speed is 30 feet.Speed | You have proficiency in the Survival skillWoodcrafty | You gain one Woodmen of Wilderland Cultural Virtue of your choice.Virtue | You can speak the Vale of Anduin Tongue – an archaic version of the Common Speech, closely related to DalishLanguage Background: You are a rover; the road calls to you and you must answer. Sometimes, rare years, you return home to friends and family, but it does not take long before you start longing for the next adventure, to explore a new land, or meet unusual people. You aren’t limited to roads or the towns that dot them. No, you’d just as happily camp within a cave in the Misty Mountains or make a lonely camp in a deep wood than settle down in a roadside inn for the evening. Not even the Shadow will deter you from traversing every nook and cranny in this part of the world, no matter how dark and dangerous.Lure of the Road | Animal Handling, LoreSkill Proficiencies | As a seasoned traveller you have an uncanny ability to predict the weather; you can ‘smell’ rain or snow earlier than others or sense when a fog is about to roll in. You also know the best places to shelter from sudden storms and which areas to avoid. You have well-established habits and the ability to quickly forage what you need before settling in to wait out a storm. You also have a good grasp of creature habits in various types of weather conditions; you know where bears hibernate and where a Goblin band is likely to camp when a storm hits.Weather-Lore | Those afflicted with the Lure of the Road, sometimes called rovers, tend to be adventuresome souls, always looking to explore a new land or return to an old haunt just to see what’s changed since they’ve last visited. Rovers are self-reliant and used to travelling alone, although they do enjoy the company of other travellers. Rovers also enjoy collecting stories from far-off lands, motivating them to visit the places they mention.Suggested Characteristics | Your body is used to long hours on the road. You are rarely tired and you weather extreme conditions well.Distinctive Quality - Hardy | You have met many different types of people in your journeys; you’ve gained considerable skill in diplomacy and negotiation. Characters who have often had to deal with merchants in foreign countries have generally picked up a word or two in various local languages, and can state their intentions fairly clearly, as long as they do not need to communicate overly complex or profound mattersSpeciality - Trading | Absence makes the heart grow fonder; only by leaving the familiar can we better appreciate itHope | My experiences against the Shadow may come back to haunt me – I don’t want to be home when that happens. It would put my kin in grave danger!Despair Virtue: Your folk have always delighted in training great, longjawed hounds, stronger than wolves. You have chosen a wolfhound of Wilderland to accompany you in your wanderings and the faithfulness of your hound reinforces your spirit. Raise your maximum Wisdom score by 1 point. Add your proficiency bonus to the Hound’s AC, attack rolls, damage rolls, saving throws and skills. Its hit points are equal to four times your level. The Hound heals using your Hit Dice. The Hound obeys your commands and stays by your side. On your turn, you may use your action to command the Hound to take an Attack, Dash, Dodge, Disengage or Help action. If you have the Extra Attack feature, you can make one weapon attack yourself while commanding your hound to Attack. The training of a Hound of Mirkwood is an endeavour in itself; the teachings of Radagast have turned this craft into an art. When you first choose this virtue, your Hound learns to assist you with one skill as described underSupport below. You can train him to Support additional skills, as well as to Fight in combat, as a separate undertaking during later Fellowship phases, as follows: Support You can train your Hound to assist you in one activity. A dog can be trained to support you when making any one of the following ability checks: Charisma (Intimidation), Intelligence (Investigation) or Wisdom (Perception). It takes a Fellowship phase worth of training to teach your dog to complete an additional task. When you make ability checks using one of your Hound’s trained skills, you gain advantage, and count as proficient in the skill even if you are not – if you are proficient, you get to double your proficiency bonus. Fight As a Fellowship phase undertaking, you may train your Hound to Attack, Dash, Disengage, Dodge or Help without requiring a command from you. Each action takes a separate Fellowship phase to train your Hound. Hound of Mirkwood Known Lands: Anduin Vales, The Mirkwood, Brown Lands, Nether Marshes, Upper Marshes, East Rhovanion. Shadow Weakness: Wandering Madness Equipment: A Travelling Cloak, Appropriate Garb, Backpack, Blanket, Mess Kit, Flask of Oil, Hempen Rope (50'), Torches (5), Waterskin, Rations (7 Days)Spring Travelling Gear, 5 Silver Pennies 8 Copper Coins 10 BitsMoney Pouch, Tinderbox, Soap, Signal Whistle, Fishing Tackle, Chalk (3), Candle (2), WhetstonePossibles Pouch, Map Case (5 Sheets of Parchment), Unusually Strong Wolf Hide. Weapons & Armor: Hide Armour, A Decorative Leather Armband, Axe, Shield, Belt Dagger, Greatbow, Quiver of Arrows (20/20)

Stat Block   Grey Hound of Mirkwood | Medium Beast STR 13 (+1) | DEX 14 (+2)| CON 12 (+1) | INT 3 (-4) | WIS 12 (+1) | CHA 7 (-2) Armour Class: 14 (Natural Armor) Hit Points: 12 (HD for healing is D10) Speed: 40 ft Skills: Perception +5 Senses: Passive Perception 15 Keen Hearing and Smell:The Hound has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) ability checks that rely on hearing and smell. Str Save +3 | Dex Save +4 | Con Save +3 | Int Save -2 | Wis Save +3 | Cha Save +0 | Actions: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 Hit, Reach 5ft, 1D6+3 Piercing Damage. If the target is a Small or Medium creature, it must succeed at a DC 13 Strength saving throw or have disadvantage on its next attack.Bite