Chapter 1: Old Bones and Skin

[codexgigas]

Amdiran, Son of Amdirgir | Dunédain Warden 2

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AC: 15/17 | HP: 11/16 | HD: 2/2d8 | Initiative: +4 | Passive Perception: 15 | Warden's Gift: 1/3 | Foresight: 0/1 | Shadow Points: 2 | DM Inspiration: 1/1

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As Prudence moves into position, Amdiran busies himself improvising fire arrows from his torch. By the time the halfling is in position, the Ranger fashions three arrows.

Heroes in the elvish lays announce themselves in battle, alerting their enemies and acting with nobility. The histories of Gondor claim that the Men of Westernesse did the same. Here, in the ruins of Arnor, battle is joined swiftly and silently. Amdiran lights an arrow silently, draws and aims his bow, and fires at his foe without a word. His people are not numerous enough to pick battles they cannot win like Fingolfin of old.

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[rogueblade0729]

Music: Hammerhand - LOTRO Soundtrack

The South Downs - Fall 2947 T.A.

Prudence and Fletcher's sneaky approach allowed them to position themselves accordingly to strike at the Troll. Despite slipping on the slick cave floor, the shout of Orn was also sufficient, starting the large creature out of what seemed to be a much lighter sleep than anyone had expected, almost as if it was waiting to spring an ambush! Although the Shield-Maiden's presence or lack thereof didn't contribute as much, her spear was thrown with some skill, even if it harmlessly clanked off of the Troll's makeshift armor. Tomas, finding some courage alongside the approach of the Company, ran forth into the light of the fire and pointed at the Troll.

"Oi, Troll! That be me uncle Tim you've got there, which should be lying in the graveyard!" he cried.

The Troll sprang to his feet, equipping himself with his massive, tree-like club, and snarled at the Company! "My lad," sneered the Troll, "these bones I stole, but what be bones that lie in a hole? Thy nuncle can spare a share for a poor old troll."

"You've no right to go asking leave for the body of me father's kin. Hand him over!"

"Why, if thou craves thy nuncle so, then surely ye should find him! I'm tired o' gnawing old bones and skin... I've a mind to dine on thee now!"

With that, the Troll bolted into the fray with surprising speed and deadly ferocity!

OOC

Roles for Journeys

• GuideIn charge of all decisions concerning route, rest, and supplies. Guides rely on Wisdom and Survival proficiency. - Prudence
• ScoutIn charge of setting up camp, opening new trails. Scouts rely on Stealth and Investigation. - Fletcher
• HunterIn charge of finding food in the wild. Hunters rely on success with Survival checks. - Orn
• Look-outIn charge of keeping watch. Look-outs rely on their abilities in Perception. - Léofwyn

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OOC: ROLL INITIATIVE! If you beat the Troll, you may also post your actions.

Roll20 Map

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@codexgigas @Grendel @Papa Bear @grimlock

Edited April 2, 2023 by rogueblade0729 (see edit history)

[Grendel]

Prudence Whitfoot (Hobbit Treasure Hunter 1)

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AC: 15 | HP: 10/10| Initiative: +4 | Passive Perception: 15 | Insight: 13 | Investigation: 12 | Speed: 25 ft

 

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Prudence was surprised by Tomas' courage - almost as much as she was by her own - and silently thanks the poor sod for drawing the Old Troll's attention when he could have gone for her.  With Orn jumping into the fray, fire arrows in the air, and Léofwyn's spear as well, she figured she was as good as invisible among the chaos and maneuvered her little sword once more to strike at the beast.

 

[Papa Bear]

Orn, Son of Thain

"Yer a pretty thing." Orn growls as he stands and move in close to the beast.  "Twice Pretty as me pappy used ta say.  Pretty ugly, and pretty apt ta stay that way!" he says as he brings his mighty warhammer up into the belly of the old troll.

yay, much better rolls this time around.  No bracing to get smacked!  AC 20

Edited April 2, 2023 by Papa Bear (see edit history)

[grimlock]

 

Léofwyn (Rohirrim Warrior level 2)

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AC: 17 | HP: 20/20| Initiative: +2 | Passive Perception: 15 | Insight: 11 | Speed: 30 ft | Inspiration: 1 | Shadow: 4

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Léofwyn gasped as the troll sprang to its feet. Readying her shield, she stepped forward blocking the path to Tomas. "Get back, boy! This is no place for you now." 

She raised her sword in defiance and swung at monster.

OOC

As a reaction Léofwyn will attempt to impose disadvantage on the troll's attack with her Protection ability, if the target is within 5 feet of her. 

Edited April 3, 2023 by grimlock (see edit history)

[codexgigas]

Amdiran, Son of Amdirgir | Dunédain Warden 2

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AC: 15/17 | HP: 11/16 | HD: 2/2d8 | Initiative: +4 | Passive Perception: 15 | Warden's Gift: 1/3 | Foresight: 0/1 | Shadow Points: 2 | DM Inspiration: 1/1

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The Ranger watches in horror as the Old Troll springs into action before he can react.

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Edited April 10, 2023 by codexgigas (see edit history)

[Papa Bear]

(((OOC: Pretty sure I posted before my initiative block)))

[rogueblade0729]

  Music: Hammerhand - LOTRO Soundtrack

The South Downs - Fall 2947 T.A.

Of all the heroes, it was the stalwart Shield-Maiden who stood up to the Old Troll first. Stepping before Tomas, she lifted her shield and clove her blade at the villain, but her sword found no purchase in the Old Troll's stony skin. However, she soon found herself in for a bout of misfortune. The Old Troll deflected her blade off his skin at such an angle as to crash into a nearby pile of bones that stacked the wall, causing her to suddenly get piled on with a small torrent of human remains! As she struggled with that, he then took his massive oaken club, seeing the heavily armored threat that was Orn, and cracked down on him!

Then, with unexpected agility, the Old Troll leaped clear over everyone's heads and landed directly behind Tomas, his mouth curled into a toothy snarl and his massive hand grasping for the lad. However, as he jumped, Prudence's blade pierced the back of the Old Troll's calf while Orn's warhammer smashed into the foe's knee, causing him to howl in pain as he sailed through the air.

OOC

Roles for Journeys

• GuideIn charge of all decisions concerning route, rest, and supplies. Guides rely on Wisdom and Survival proficiency. - Prudence
• ScoutIn charge of setting up camp, opening new trails. Scouts rely on Stealth and Investigation. - Fletcher
• HunterIn charge of finding food in the wild. Hunters rely on success with Survival checks. - Orn
• Look-outIn charge of keeping watch. Look-outs rely on their abilities in Perception. - Léofwyn

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OOC: As a Reaction to being attacked but missed, the Old Troll uses his Deadly Misfortune ability to cause a pile of bones to collapse on top of Léofwyn! She must now make a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. Additionally, the area within 10 feet around her becomes difficult terrain due to all the bones. The area is now outlined with a gray box on the battle map.

The Old Troll then makes an Attack action to swing his great club at Orn recklessly, granting himself Advantage on the attack roll but granting everyone else Advantage on attacks against him until the start of his next turn. If he hits, Orn must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or be knocked back 10' and land prone.

Lastly, for his movement, the Old Troll uses his Great Leap ability to jump over everyone in a straight line behind Tomas, granting everyone within melee range opportunity attacks against him. Unfortunately, Tomas himself is not included in this movement. I already counted Prudence and Orn's rolls on their last post as this attack, so you may post again and take your turn normally. Léofwyn still gets to roll hers, however, regardless of whether or not she's knocked prone.

Initiative

Léofwyn - 15
Troll - 14
Prudence - 8
Fletcher - 5
Tomas - 4
Orn - 2

Roll20 Map

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To Post: Everyone!

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@codexgigas @Grendel @Papa Bear @grimlock

[Papa Bear]

Orn, Son of Thain

"Nice bit o' Acramabatics, ye old brute, fer all tha good et'll do ye!" Orn growls as he steps inside of the old troll's reach and swings his mallet, smashing it again in the knee.  "HA!  Ye like that!"

WOOT for a 20 AC!

Edited April 11, 2023 by Papa Bear (see edit history)

[grimlock]

 

Léofwyn (Rohirrim Warrior level 2)

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AC: 17 | HP: 20/20| Initiative: +2 | Passive Perception: 15 | Insight: 11 | Speed: 30 ft | Inspiration: 1 | Shadow: 4

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Léofwyn stumbles as the mass of bones and remains falls down. She tries to tuck and roll towards Tomas as the troll barrels through the air. Thrusting her shield forward in an attempt to provide some sort of protection to the boy. As the troll lands behind the boy Léofwyn steps to his side and continues her assault, slicing and hacking furiously.

OOC

So if I got this right, Léofwyn will use her opportunity to be able to scoot over to Tomas provide ger protection ability in response to the troll jumping over. 

Then on her turn, she steps up next to Tomas continues to attack the troll, using her action surge to attack twice at advantage (due to his reckless attack) and provide protection to Tomas (or any other ally within 5ft) should the troll attack. 

 

 

Edited April 11, 2023 by grimlock (see edit history)

[codexgigas]

Amdiran, Son of Amdirgir | Dunédain Warden 2

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AC: 15/17 | HP: 11/16 | HD: 2/2d8 | Initiative: +4 | Passive Perception: 15 | Warden's Gift: 1/3 | Foresight: 0/1 | Shadow Points: 2 | DM Inspiration: 1/1

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Amdiran draws his second fire arrow. He takes a deep breath, steadying himself as he aims. For a brief minute he remembers his father, Amdirgir, teaching him how to shoot a bow as a child. A moment of peace washes over him. His eyes open. He sights the troll down the shaft of his arrow and releases the bowstring.

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[Grendel]

Prudence Whitfoot (Hobbit Treasure Hunter 1)

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AC: 15 | HP: 10/10| Initiative: +4 | Passive Perception: 15 | Insight: 13 | Investigation: 12 | Speed: 25 ft

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Shocked by the horrid creature's speed and agility, Prudence nevertheless moved in to close with it.  Using the piles of bones and even her comrades for cover, she tries to get out of sight and then stab it again with an unexpected sting.

Actions

She will try to hide close enough to strike, using either a pile of bones or Leofwyn, considering her Hobbit "Unobtrusive" ability.  Then do another sneak attack strike.

 

[rogueblade0729]

Music: Hammerhand - LOTRO Soundtrack

The South Downs - Fall 2947 T.A.

"Raagh!" the Old Troll growled at Tom.

"Aaah!" Tom cried, stumbling over the mass of bones to try and escape the beast. Despite his previous bravery, the towering foe looming over him like a shadow of death would break the courage of most mortals. Quickly realizing he was outmatched, he half-ran, half-tripped his way over the scattered bones and skulls, trying to escape his doom.

But the Company was not made up of most mortals. Springing into action, they rallied around the young lad and confronted the Old Troll. Prudence's blade once more found purchase, hiding as best she could, but her attacks only drawing more and more rage from her foe. Fletcher raised a flaming arrow and fired it into the Old Troll, sticking in his arm. While the arrow hardly seemed to hurt him beyond a mere splinter of annoyance, the fire licked his flesh, causing him to howl in pain. Orn, his dwarven stoutness allowing him to cross the bones and close the distance with his enemy, smashed the stony hide of the Old Troll's knee once again, irking it even more. Léofwyn raised her shield in defiance of the beast, blocking him from his prey. As he reached out to try and grasp at Tom, the Shield-Maiden bashed it aside with her shield and clove twice at his arm. The cuts were not deep, but they did sting enough for the villain to retract.

"For a couple of pins, I'll eat thee too, and gnaw thy shins!" the Old Troll bellowed at the heroes, turning his attention away from Tom and focusing on them for the moment. Winding up a powerful two-handed swing of his mighty club, he send the massive weapon sailing at all who sought to surround him, the sheer momentum of it threatening to topple each of them. Regardless of its success, as it collided with the stout dwarf, the wooden weapon cracked in half and sent splinters flying across the cave, broken and useless.

With that the villain once more sprang away, chasing after Tomas yet again.

OOC

Roles for Journeys

• GuideIn charge of all decisions concerning route, rest, and supplies. Guides rely on Wisdom and Survival proficiency. - Prudence
• ScoutIn charge of setting up camp, opening new trails. Scouts rely on Stealth and Investigation. - Fletcher
• HunterIn charge of finding food in the wild. Hunters rely on success with Survival checks. - Orn
• Look-outIn charge of keeping watch. Look-outs rely on their abilities in Perception. - Léofwyn

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OOC: Tomas takes the Disengage action, fleeing 15' through the collapsed pile of bones to try and escape the Old Troll. Everyone's attacks manage to hit as well, dealing a not insignificant amount of damage, even while struggling to overcome the creature's stony skin. But the Old Troll is angry now... he makes a Clobbering Sweep against Prudence, Léofwyn, and Orn! He makes an attack roll against each of you, using his Reckless ability to gain Advantage in exchange for granting you all Advantage on attacks against him on your turns.

If he hits you, you take 8 nonmagical bludgeoning damage and must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or be knocked back 10' and land prone. At the end of this attack, his great club breaks.

The Old Troll then uses his Great Leap again to go for Tomas. You may spend your Reaction to make an opportunity attack here again, if you haven't spent it on something else.

Initiative

Léofwyn - 15
Troll - 14
Prudence - 8
Fletcher - 5
Tomas - 4
Orn - 2

Roll20 Map

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To Post: Everyone!

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@codexgigas @Grendel @Papa Bear @grimlock

Edited April 12, 2023 by rogueblade0729 (see edit history)

[Grendel]

Prudence Whitfoot (Hobbit Treasure Hunter 1)

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AC: 15 | HP: 10/10| Initiative: +4 | Passive Perception: 15 | Insight: 13 | Investigation: 12 | Speed: 25 ft

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Prudence takes another stab at the creature, feeling each hit in her arm as though stabbing a stone, but determined to be a useful member of the company.  The tree-trunk it used as a club was coming right for her and was certain her time was up, but then Léofwyn was there between Prudence and Prudence-jelly!  She smiled quickly a thanks to the warrior, then continued her intended move, rolling with momentum of her dodge and ending up close to the Old Troll again.  With a certain wild abandon, dodging among her companions, she put another stab into it's steely hide.

Actions

First, her attack of opportunity, rolled 23.  Sneak attack can be done whenever someone else is within five feet or if she has advantage on the roll.  8 damage total.  Made the Dex Save.  Followed up with a Natural 20.  Doubled the base damage die, +4 for her Dex is 12 points of damage, and then added the sneak attack die, +3 more and with another critical die, +6 more for a total of 21 damage.

 

Edited April 17, 2023 by Grendel (see edit history)

[Papa Bear]

Orn, Son of Thain

"Come back here, ye!" Orn shouts as he chases after the troll, setting up beside the little hobbit girl as he whirls his great mallet again.  "I'll break sump'tin on ye sooner or later, villain."

Use reaction to protect Prudence with his protection fighting style.

Edited April 13, 2023 by Papa Bear (see edit history)