[Game Thread] Chapter 1: Don't Leave the Path

[Helvorix]

The Woodmen of Wuduseld lived hard lives, and death was a constant companion. Yet, the suddenness of Grimfara's demise left Braegar stricken with dismay. He had been happily excepting a slobbery reunion with his hound when the big man slumped down to a leafy bed. Braegar's half-smile lingered frozen as he stood caught between shock and denial. Shadowmaw let out a series of whimpers by his side. Though young, the hound had seen enough death to recognize its scent. Nolmendil had immediately rushed to Grimfara's side, and soon the elf's expression of grief confirmed it; the Beorning had departed Middle-Earth forever. Braegar fixed Baldor with a glower, feeling his anger at the man's foolishness kindled anew. He turned from the group, making his way to the edge of the camp. Shadowmaw moved to follow him, but braegar made a gesture with his hand, and the hound halted, ears flattening as he let out another whine. Braegar seated himself in the crook of a tree. I should leave at first light, he thought, as he picked up a stick from the ground and started whittling furiously with his carving knife. He wasn't sure what it was he was making, he just felt he needed to be doing something with his hands. Braegar's anger turned inward as he worked. It had been he who had been guarding Grimfara's retreat, he who had been beside the Beorning, telling him which way to run. Yet he never saw the foe that felled him? Never saw him take a blow or noticed the wound on his back? How could he call himself a Warden of Woodland Hall? He had made it his duty to guard and guide those who travel Mirkwood's dangerous ways. Yet when measured, he had been found wanting. He passed the night under that tree; his thought's a stormcloud of doubt and regret. By morning, there was a scent on the wind that brought a promise of rain. Braegar woke to find Shadowmaw sleeping with his head in his lap. He rubbed the beast's ears, waking him, and they both rose, joining the others for Grimfara's final farewell. He learned then that Baldor had regained his memory, and with it the shame of what he had caused. Though the anger was still there, Braegar now felt a pang of empathy and pity for the older man and the weight of conscience he must now carry. Braegar winced guiltily upon seeing the grave Vormund had dug for Grimfara. He had chosen to brood alone like a child, while the ranger worked to honor their fallen friend. "Forgive me, "said Braegar, though he could not meet Vormunds eyes "I should have help last night. I offer no excuse." He turned to address the rest of the company, "I've decided to remain with the company, at least until we reach the Forest Gate. I was the one that was by Grimfara's side, I should have kept the spiders away from him. I need to atone for that failure." Then addressing Nolmendil, "Beorn's homestead lies between the Forest Gate and Woodland Hall. It shouldn't be too much out of the way." This time, Braegar helped to bury the warrior, still muttering apologies. After the last bit of dirt was moved, Braegar reached into his pocket and removed a tiny figurine, and placed it atop Grimfara's grave. It was roughhewn, for it had been carved in the dark, but it was plain to see that its shape was that of a bear.

Stats and Actions   Action: Reaction: Bonus: Move: Effects: Concentration:   | Braegar The Road Watcher | Woodmen | Warden | Level 1 | HP: 8/8 (Temporary 0)| AC: 14 | HD: 1d8 | Speed: 30 | Shadow Weakness: Lure of Power Shadow Points: Temporary 0, Permanent 0, Inspiration: No Ability Score: Str:10(0) Dex:16(+3) Con:10(0) Int:12(+1) Wis:14(+2) Cha:14(+2) Weapons: Melee: Shortsword, +5 attack, 1d6+3 damage | Dagger, +5 attack, 1d4+3 damgage Range: Short bow, +5 attack, 1d6+3 damage, 20/20 arrows Skills: Acrobatics:+3 Animal Handling:+4 Athletics:0 Deception:+2 History:+1 Insight:+2 Intimidation:+4 Investigation:+1 Medicine:+2 Nature:+1 Perception:+2 Performance:+4 Persuasion:+2 Sleight of Hand:+3 Stealth:+3 Survival:+4 Riddle:+1 Lore:+1 Shadow-Lore:+3 Traditions:+3 Features: You can inspire others through stirring words, through music or by your presence alone. To do so, use a bonus action on your turn. Choose one creature other than yourself that is within 60 feet of you and who can hear you. That creature gains one Gift die, a d6. Once within the next 10 minutes, the creature can roll the Gift die and add the number rolled to one ability check, attack roll or saving throw it attempts. The creature can wait until after it rolls the d20 before deciding to use the Gift die, but must decide before the Loremaster says whether the roll succeeds or fails. Once the Gift die is rolled, it is lost. A creature may have only one Gift die at a time. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (a minimum of once). You regain any expended uses after a long rest. Your Gift die increases in size when you reach certain levels in this class. The die becomes a d8 at 5th level, a d10 at 10th level and a d12 at 15th level.Warden’s Gift. Wardens make a point of keeping up with the latest news both local and from afar, as well as making an effort to know the wise and the powerful. If you can freely travel about an area talking with locals and passing travellers for a few hours, you can make a DC 12 Intelligence (Investigation) ability check with advantage. Success indicates that you hear all the latest useful rumours, including news of trouble. Failure means you hear all the latest rumours and news, but cannot discern the true from the false. On a success, you can also glean the names, whereabouts and general appearances of all local influential individuals, households and factions, as well as what livery, colours and heraldry they typically bear, if any.Ever Watchful. 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 under Support 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. (My hound is trained in investigation.) Background: Oathsworn. You have sworn a mighty oath, one that is now indelibly associated with your name. The oath itself should be both suitably epic and possible to accomplish; “I want to kill the merchant who cheated me” fails the first test, while “I want to rid the world of Shadow” fails the second. Vowing to destroy a Dragon plaguing the land is suitably epic, as is overthrowing an evil kingdom. A mighty oath carries its own legend and you often find yourself receiving aid from those who want to help the legend or even become embroiled in it. When you enter Lake-town, for example, you may find a merchant or two willing to donate a priceless weapon to your cause or reprovision you, while an eager young would-be adventurer may ask to join you on your quest. The downside is that the subject of any such oath obviously wants to do away with you and if you enter a town or countryside that is beholden to the subject you may quickly find yourself in very difficult circumstances! Fate also frowns on oath-breakers. If you ever abandon or break your oath, then fate conspires against you. Your reputation suffers and you become a magnet of ill-fortune. Such troubles tend to be minor at first, coaxing you back towards fulfilling your oath, but eventually the weight of them becomes so much that it destroys you in spirit if not of body as well (death is often too merciful for an oathbreaker).Mighty Oath Distinctive Quality. Whether you were born of noble blood your deeds and actions are those of a person worthy of swearing such an oath.Lordly Speciality. Sometimes you don’t have the convenience of your arms and armour. When that happens nature provides if you have the skills to shape it.Woodwright. My oath is a worthy one; it inspires others to join me.Hope. One day I am sure that my fealty towards my oath will bring great pain to others.Despair. Saves: Str:0 Dex:+5 Con:0 Int:+1 Wis:+2 Cha:+4 Equipment: A traveling cloak, a belt dagger, Spring and Summer Travelling Gear includes appropriate garb, backpack, blanket, mess kit, a flask of oil, a pouch, 50’ hempen rope, 5 torches, a waterskin and a whetstone. With rations, this gear weighs 49 lb. and if purchased, would cost around 9s.traveling gear for the spring/summer, Hunting Trap. When you use your action to set it, this trap forms a saw-toothed steel ring that snaps shut when a creature steps on a pressure plate in the center. The trap is affixed by a heavy chain to an immobile object, such as a tree ar a spike driven into the ground. A creature that steps on the plate must succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or take 1d4 piercing damage and stop moving. Thereafter, until the creature breaks free of the trap, its movement is limited by the length of the chain (typically 3 feet long). A creature can use its action to make a DC 13 strength check, freeing itself ar another creature within its reach on a success. Each failed check deals 1 piercing damage to the trapped creature.a hunting trap, a black yew flute, woodcarver's tools, a shortsword, a leather jerkin, a short bow and a quiver of arrows Coin:| G: 0 | S: 1 | C: 0 |

[Avner]

Vidar Death was not something Vidar chose to relish in. Durin's folk had seen their fare share of death and of the shadow. They had been chased from their homes and hunted by the creatures of darkness. Vidar and his father had sworn to stand against such threats and not run like their kinfolk had done in the past. Yet when it was all said and done Vidar too had run and Grimfara had paid the ultimate price for it. If he had stood his grown perhaps he would have made it? No, Vidar knew better. The allies he had at the tower would not have left any one of them behind just for their own safety. Not Grimfara nor any of the others. This was a choice that was made by them all, despite their need to flee. If they had stayed and fought more of them would have been taken by the shadow. Vidar was starting understand why his ancestors had given up the mountain. There had to be more to it though, there had to be a way to strike back at the shadow, to make Grimfara's death mean something, anything. "Do not blame yourself Braegar." he said to the Wanderer as he embraced his shoulder. "Grimfara knew what he was doing and he would not have left any of us to take his place if he could help it. Now we must make the most out of the opportunity he has given us and when the shadow calls... we give it an axe to its throat." he exclaimed. "Let us move on and out of this horrible place." Actions   Vidar's Actions Move: Action: Bonus: Reaction: Current Effect: Vidar son of Frór   Vidar son of Frór Dwarves of The Lonely Mountain (Iron Hills) Warrior Att Mod Save Str 17 +3 +5 Dex 8 -1 -1 Con 17 +3 +5 Int 10 0 0 Wis 13 +1 +1 Cha 10 0 0 Sheet     HP 26/26 AC Unarmored Defense19/Agile Perry21 Initiative -1 Inspiration 0 Prof Bonus +2 Passive Percep 9 Second Wind 1/1 Weapons +5, 1d8+3,SlashAxe +1,1d8-1,PierceGreat bow Key Skills Athletics +5 Insight +1 Intimidation +2 Medicine +1 Perception +3 Survival +3 Stone Cunning +4 Tradition +2 Smiths Tools +5 Warrior Defense Fighting Style Second Wind Languages Common Daelish Secret Dwarf Senses Night Vision Homeland Iron Hills

[Silent Rain]

Journey through Mirkwood Destination: The Forest Gate Approximate Travel Length: 160 miles (9 days travel) Peril Rating: 3 Guide: Vormund Scout: Vormund + Braegar (help action gives advantage) Hunter: Braegar Look-out: Nolmendil or Vidar (help action gives advantage) Traveled Thus Far: 3 Days - 45 Miles

The Storm The companions each dealt with the loss of Grimfara in their own way, though the pain was shared by all, made only the more acute by the knowledge that the beorning had chosen to sacrifice himself so that that they might live. There was little option but to bury the large man in the elven glade, with at least on elf present to offer his blessing over what otherwise might not have been taken kindly. The morning of the third day of their expedition through Mirkwood was a quite one, each still reflecting on the loss and trauma sustained less than a day ago. Belgo assisted in getting the team ready, while occasionally stealing glances at his father, though looking away before the man would ever meet his son's eyes. If ever the rift that now existed between father and son were to be healed, it was likely at the end of a long and difficult road. Despite everything else, the remaining companions decided, to a man, to continue on the journey as they had originally intended. So it was they they were once more underway, heading down the elf-path. Although there were thankfully no more signs of the giant spiders, it was impossible to miss the gathering dark clouds that were visible through the occasional break in the canopy. As predicted, rain began to fall by midday and, in seemingly no time at all, the weather took a turn for the worse. The forest began to grow as dark as midnight as high winds tore through the tree-tops, sending a hail of leaves and twigs down on the company. Larger branches creaked ominously, and rotten boughs cracked and tumbled. The clouds opened as though some great hand picked up the whole of the Long Lake and dumped it on the forest. Thunder and lightning crashed overhead, incredibly loud and perilously close, and water started trickling along the trees more and more copiously until dozens of little streams and rills started winding their way through the forest floor. With the path barely visible before them and the elements beating down around them, it did not take a woodsman to realize that continuing through this storm would likely be dangerous. As lightning flashes, Vormund spots an unusual sight at some distance from the path. There is a huge dead hollow tree up ahead, and a thin plume of woodsmoke rises from the top. Someone is living inside the hollow tree!

 

Current Location

GM Notes

[Touketsu]

Vormund Though he didn't say it, Vormund was comforted that the majority of his companions had chosen to remain. There was of course greater safety in their numbers, but it went beyond that... their time together had been brief, no more than a week, though the last three days in particular had shown the ranger the mettle of these folk. Vormund had made his share of acquaintances amongst the Lake Men during his years assisting in the rebuilding and relief efforts. He'd even made a few friends amongst the dwarves of the mountain. True companions were quite another story however, and it had been quite some time since the Dúnedain had been able to trust his life in the hands of others. Their presence brought him a measure of peace and confidence, and it was those warm thoughts that kept him going as the mournful day wore on. As the sky darkened, and the wind began to howl. As the debris from the canopy above rained down upon them, followed closely by actual raindrops. Soon though, the storm became prohibitively dangerous, crashing thunder backing the torrential downpour that threatened to erase their road and wash them all away. Just when Vormund was questioning whether they could continue on though... the sight of smoke caught his eye. It seemed to be coming from a massive, dead, hollow tree directly ahead of them. Someone friendly? The ranger could only hope. "STOP!" Vormund threw up a hand to signal the others, shouting to be heard over the storm. "SOMEONE'S UP AHEAD! I'M GOING TO GET A CLOSER LOOK. COVER ME AND WAIT FOR A SIGNAL!" Giving the party a nod, the ranger slung his bow over his shoulder and started forward, keeping to the path's edge as best he could as he tried to get a better look at who... or what... they had found.

Actions & Rolls Rolls Here Vormund scouts the tree ahead of the party. Stealth: 19 Perception: 15

Stat Block   Vormund | Dúnedain | Level 1 Wanderer | Feature : Sigil of the Rangers - As an emissary you are entitled to a certain consideration amongst foreign peoples. While you cannot speak with the authority of your lord and master, you do receive some official respect. You can expect to pass through the lands of other Free Peoples unmolested, be able to call upon other kings and chieftains for lodging, and be received into the halls of power. Distinctive Quality: Honorable - You are the consummate diplomat and have garnered a reputation for being respectful with your foreign peers. Speciality: Smoking - You are well aware that the best negotiations often take place in informal settings when your fellow negotiators are at ease. Hope: My example inspires others to do the same. Despair: I can never forge strong bonds; I’m always on the move.Emissary of Your People | XP: - HP: 12/12 | AC: 16 | Speed: 30 | Hit Die: 1/1 (1d10) Shadow Points: Permanent 0, Temporary 0 Inspiration: No Weapons: Wielded: +5, 1d8+3 (150/600)Great Bow Carried: +5, 1d8+3Broadsword, +5, 1d4+3 (20/60)Dagger STR 10(+0) DEX 16(+3) CON 14(+2) INT 10 (+0) WIS 14(+2) CHA 14(+2) Saves: *Str:+2 Dex: +3 *Con: +4 Int: 0 Wis: +2 Cha: +2 Skills: Acrobatics:+3 Animal Handling:+2 Athletics:+0 Deception:+2 *History:+2 *Insight:+4 Intimidation:+2 *Investigation:+2 Medicine:+2 Nature:0 *Perception:+4 Performance:+2 *Persuasion:+4 Religion:-1 Sleight of Hand:+3 *Stealth:+5 *Survival:+4 Riddle:0 Lore:0 Shadow-Lore:0 *Traditions:+2 Languages: Sindarin, Westron Shadow Weakness: Wandering-madness Class Features: North Downs, West Middle Vales, East Middle Vales, Northern Mirkwood, Mountains of Mirkwood, Northern Dalelands. 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 traveling 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 traveling 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. Known Lands | You have a great deal of experience from traveling 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).Ways of the Wild Virtue: You resist Shadow corruption better than most, for your spirit is resolute, and your mind is not easily overthrown. Raise your Wisdom score by 1 point. You have advantage on Wisdom saving throws against Corruption.Sterner than Steel

[Elanir]

Nolmendil The elf welcomed the pouring rain and the howling wind, the rivers of mud they sloshed through and the darkness of the sky that was made all the more encompassing as it was shortly interrupted by the flashes of forked lightning. He embraced the storm because it seemed to reflect perfectly the chaos, pain and sorrow within his heart. He knew that every step he took away from Grimfara’s resting place should have made him more aware of the bigger picture behind the Man‘s great sacrifice and slowly transform his pain into bittersweet memory and gratitude. But it didn’t. Doubt and guilt poisoned Nolmendil’s perception and made it impossible for him to find meaning in what had transpired despite the beautiful words spoken and gestures performed as they had tried to honor the one who was lost forever. The moment the elf felt the first raindrops against his cheeks, much like the tears he dared not let flow, he had looked towards the sky and given his silent permission. Rain, rain and carry away the burden of my heart. Let it be lost among the roots of the ancient trees of this dark forest, never to be seen again. Now however that the storm had grown so strong it seemed it might be the end of them, the cacophony of thunder rivaled by the noise of groaning and occasionally breaking wood all around them, Nolmendil regretted his eagerness to witness the full force of the elements. His immature and primitive desire added to his guilt as if he himself had somehow caused or was sustaining the storm. He knew the notion was foolish and that no other than the most powerful of the Istari could have had such control over the elements, but he couldn’t shake off the feeling that he was somehow responsible for the storm too. When Vormund announced to them the existence of possible shelter, Nolmendil’s heart rejoiced. The smoke he saw escaping from the huge hollowed tree before them and the promise of fire it offered seemed like the only possible hope for the battered travelers, ist light and warmth the only thing that could keep away the darkness around them and the one within. Nodding to the Dúnedain to show him his agreement, the elf purposely approached Baldor and brave Belgo, whom he had not heard complaining once ever since the storm broke. "Stay next to me!", he shouted, his words barely heard over the wind and pouring rain. Even his sharp elven eyes could just make out the tree hollow through the veil of heavy rain before him and the target. He unshouldered his bow, took an arrow out of his quiver and placed it against the weapon’s wood, all the while following with his gaze Vormund’s form that seemed to be as insubstantial as a shadow. I have to be ready if something goes wrong. I have to be ready!   Actions Action: Nolmendil stays next to Baldor and Belgo, following Vormund with his eyes and ready to attack if anything should attack the Dúnedain. Reaction: Bonus: Move: Effects: Concentration: Stat Block Nolmendil | High Elf of Rivendell | Scholar 1 Armor Class: 13 | Hit Points: 9/9 | Speed: 30 ft Melee Attack: +3 / 1d6+1 (short sword) or 1d4+1 (dagger) Ranged Attack: +3 / 1d6+1 (short bow) | Arrows: 19/20 Str 10 (+0) | Dex 12 (+1) | Con 12 (+1) | Int 14 (+2) | Wis 16 (+3) | Cha 14 (+2) Saving throws: Str +0 | Dex +1 | Con +2 | Int +4 | Wis +5 | Cha +2 Skills: History +4 | Lore +4 | Medicine +5 | Perception +5 | Persuasion +4 | Traditions +4 | Herbalism Kit | Calligrapher‘s Supplies Hands of a Healer 3/3 x 1d6+3 | News from Afar Hope: What unites us should be more important than what divides us. Despair: The Shadow‘s influence is too strong; my entreaties often fall on deaf ears. Passive Perception: 15 Inspiration: 0 | Hit Dice: 1d8 Shadow Points (temporary/permanent): 0/0 Herbs: hagweed x1, reedmace x1 Languages: Westron | Sindarin | Quenya | Tongues of Many Peoples