Chapter 1: Old Bones and Skin

rogueblade0729 · April 27, 2023

The South Downs - Fall 2947 T.A.

The Old Troll glared harshly at the Shield-Maiden and at the dwarf as they made their threats. His gaze turned back to Fletcher. "Thou keeps poor companions, Ranger. Thy reputation is all the lesser for their presence," he said, at first with fury in his tone, but then with disappointment. At that, the Troll dusted himself off, rose to his feet, and looked down at the Company. "But I am no fool. Do not say that this shall be our final meeting, little ones. Thine reckoning shall come... sooner than thy knowst."

Seemingly unwilling to follow up on his ominous remark, the Old Troll began to walk out of the cave, leaving the bones, the rags, and the treasure all to the Company. If no one attempts to stop him or backstab him, he will simply depart into the dusk. The sound of his footsteps fades swiftly into the distance, and all is quiet again. While the stench of the cave is nigh unbearable, the sight of treasure piled in the far corner is quick to distract each of the heroes from it. Who knows what might lay within?

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

OOC: Congratulations, heroes! You have overcome a great foe, though he lives to see another day. The consequences of this merciful decision may one day reveal themselves... but that is not today. Everyone gains Inspiration for excellent roleplaying, if you did not have it already. Additionally, for successfully defeating the Old Troll and driving him from the South Downs, you all gain 750 XP! If I'm not mistaken, that should be enough for everyone to level up!

The following list is what all you find in the treasure hoard. However, if you would like to attempt for special or magical treasure, you may do so! Spend your Inspiration to roll a single d20. The higher your result, the more likely you are to find something cool. In addition to all of this, the Company will also find the remains of Timeas Heatherton, one leg entirely stripped of flesh but otherwise all present and accounted for. His simple wooden coffin is also in the cave, and is still serviceable for the trip back to Bree.

The Old Troll's Treasure Hoard

A pile of skulls.
A few well-gnawed bones.
A few skins of wine and a brace of stolen chickens, enough for one meal per member of the Company.
A scattering of 20 silver pieces from Bree, used as toothpicks by the Old Troll.
A long-dead merchant's purse, containing a hefty number of coins (roll Intelligence (Investigation) to find out how many).
The bones of a dwarf. Hidden beneath them are 4 gold pieces.
A woman's ring (worth 2 gold pieces, likely has sentimental value) and a woman's finger (worth 0 copper pieces).
A crudely made necklace of gold (worth 2 gold pieces).
A cunning puzzle-box of Dwarven make (roll Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) to try opening it).
A box containing cheap but well-wrought jewels and rings made by the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains (worth 10 gold pieces in total).
A coffin from Bree. The deceased was a notorious miser and his worldly wealth (worth at least 200 silver pennies, likely more) is stitched into the lining of the casket. Taking money from the dead in this fashion is a Misdeed worth 1 Shadow point.
A map!
40 silver pennies per person; alternatively, you may forfeit this to try for magical treasure.

Roll20 Map

To Post: Everyone!

@codexgigas @Grendel @Papa Bear @grimlock

Edited April 27, 2023 by rogueblade0729 (see edit history)

grimlock · April 27, 2023

Léofwyn (Rohirrim Knight level 3)

Léofwyn's grip tightened on her sword as she watched the Old Troll depart. Her instincts urged her to vanquish the foul creature. Yet Amdiran's stern demeanor dissuaded her from action. Once the troll was gone, she sheathed her sword and retrieved her spear.

"Let us hope that is the last we meet with such a creature. I fear for whatever land he decides to encroach upon next."

She moves to the pile of bones and baubles to survey what remains.

OOC

After retrieving her spear Léofwyn will attempt to search for a magical item by spending her newly acquired inspiration.

Edited April 27, 2023 by grimlock (see edit history)

Papa Bear · April 27, 2023

image.jpeg.58cec584ace6fca2468cb9f0e8a37e5c.jpeg

Orn, Son of Thain

Orn is not interested in any of the other 'baubles', even the coins and other valuables. He goes, instead, straight for the map.

Holding action.

rogueblade0729 · April 27, 2023

Music: Cardolan - LOTRO Soundtrack

The South Downs - Fall 2947 T.A.

Léofwyn began shuffling through the piles of treasure left behind by the Old Troll, picking through the bones and skulls to see what's what. But before long, she notices something amazing, yet also distressing. Hidden beneath a pile of skulls was a saddle, made of a quality of craftsmanship and knowledge of horses that it could only have been made in Rohan. Hardly a scratch could be found on it, and it looked like every strap and stirrup was in good condition. On one corner of the leather, she noticed a brand of Rohirric style. It must have belonged at one point to a rather renowned rider, perhaps one of noble lineage. Unfortunately, no matter how long or how carefully she looked, she could not find any evidence in the cave as to whether the rider, or the horse, survived their encounter with the Old Troll. No bones, no armor, no trinkets, nothing. While she could not be faulted for simply claiming it as her own, she believes there is a good possibility of reward, should she manage to return it to its owner, or at least the owner's family.

Orn found, discarded like a useless piece of scrap, the map. It's difficult to make heads or tails of it in the cave, what with the disturbing amounts of death surrounding him and the poor, unstable lighting cast by the fire. Still, there are some fairly obvious things about it that jump out to him. Firstly, this is a dwarf-map. The arrow present on it does not point north, but rather east, as is traditional for dwarven maps. Around the borders of the map are runes, the Angerthas Moria, a mode of writing common to his kin. Along the left edge of the map, they read, "HERE OF OLD WAS ARTHEDAIN LAST-KING". Along the bottom, they read, "HERE ARE HALFLINGS IN MULTITUDE". Along the top, they read, "HERE OF OLD WAS THE ROAD TO DURIN'S GATES". And finally, to the right reads, "HENCE CAME THE COMPANY TO SEEK TREASURE". Clearly, this map was not made by Timeas. But how and when did he acquire it?

Secondly, the map itself is made of goatskin parchment, and written upon it is the area around Bree. There are no place-names on the map itself, just a few circles for towns and little pictures of trees and hills. Four lines converge at a cross-roads, and an arrow points towards the top of the map (East). The map itself is centered on Bree. It is safe to assume that the treasure must be somewhere in Bree. But... there's no obvious markings on it. No big red X or plainly written notes, much to Tomas' despair, who was now peering over Orn's shoulder at it.

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

OOC: Léofwyn finds a fine saddle of Rohan! Using it to ride a horse grants the rider +1 to all Strength and Dexterity checks, and checks to avoid falling off. It is worth 40 gold pieces, but it seemingly has sentimental value and can be worth far more to the right person.

As for Orn, he managed to find the map! It is difficult to try deciphering more about it than has been presented, though. Checks to try and interpret it in the Troll-cave are made with Disadvantage.

The Old Troll's Treasure Hoard

A pile of skulls.
A few well-gnawed bones.
A few skins of wine and a brace of stolen chickens, enough for one meal per member of the Company.
A scattering of 20 silver pieces from Bree, used as toothpicks by the Old Troll.
A long-dead merchant's purse, containing a hefty number of coins (roll Intelligence (Investigation) to find out how many).
The bones of a dwarf. Hidden beneath them are 4 gold pieces.
A woman's ring (worth 2 gold pieces, likely has sentimental value) and a woman's finger (worth 0 copper pieces).
A crudely made necklace of gold (worth 2 gold pieces).
A cunning puzzle-box of Dwarven make (roll Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) to try opening it).
A box containing cheap but well-wrought jewels and rings made by the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains (worth 10 gold pieces in total).
A coffin from Bree. The deceased was a notorious miser and his worldly wealth (worth at least 200 silver pennies, likely more) is stitched into the lining of the casket. Taking money from the dead in this fashion is a Misdeed worth 1 Shadow point.
A map!
40 silver pennies per person; alternatively, you may forfeit this to try for magical treasure.

Roll20 Map

To Post: Everyone!

@codexgigas @Grendel @Papa Bear @grimlock

Edited May 3, 2023 by rogueblade0729 (see edit history)

Grendel · April 27, 2023

Prudence Whitfoot (Hobbit Treasure Hunter 1)

Prudence watches the Old Troll depart with much trepidation. She did not fancy fighting any further, she herself came within a Dwarf's beard of death just a minute ago, but she knew deep down that that Old monster would kill again, and for that she felt a pang of guilt. Being a hobbit, however, those cares lifted away as soon as it was gone, and she began rummaging through the piles looking for anything unusual, not simply shiny.

Papa Bear · April 28, 2023

Orn, Son of Thain

Orn smiles as he looks over the map. "Ah, me loves a good map." He says. "Me don't got none meself. This is one dwarf with the nugget of an Iron Trap. I never get lost. An' if'n me does, me ain't. Where me be is where me be meant ta be!"

And with that, he grins proudly... then something catches his eye. He rolls up the map quickly, hastily, and hands it to Tomas. The dwarf rushes over to a corner of the Troll-hole. With trembling hands, he swats aside bone and cloth, leather and rusted weapons, to reveal what he'd seen, what caught his eye... what drew him to this spot.

"Rukhs-barzûl" he says, awe and wonder in his voice. He lifts the great warhammer up above his head for all to see. "Rukhs-barzûl!" he shouts. Looking at his companions, he says in a softer voice, full of deference, "The Orc's Bane."

Holding action.

Edited April 28, 2023 by Papa Bear (see edit history)

rogueblade0729 · April 28, 2023

Music: Cardolan - LOTRO Soundtrack

The South Downs - Fall 2947 T.A.

Prudence's investigations reveal to her a crude talisman made of copper, in the shape of some figure of old, most likely Mannish. A leather cord runs through a hole in the figurine so that it could be worn about the neck or on an arm. It has been handled so much, though, that any distinguishing details about it have been lost to time. However, on the bottom of the figurine is a small platform upon which the feet stand, and engraved into it are the initials, "T.F." These are markings not unlike those she has seen in the Shire, but the thought of any of the Shire-hobbits having their treasures taken so far from home is most unusual. It seems more likely to her that this once belonged to someone in Bree, perhaps one of the Bree-hobbits?

As Tomas is handed the map, he hastily unrolled it and continued inspecting it. Desperately, he began scratching at the blackened edges of the map, trying to see if there is anything underneath. To his disappointment, no secrets were immediately revealed to him.

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

OOC: Prudence finds some "unusual" treasure! It seems to have sentimental value to someone in Bree, however, if she wishes to try and find them.

The Old Troll's Treasure Hoard

A pile of skulls.
A few well-gnawed bones.
A few skins of wine and a brace of stolen chickens, enough for one meal per member of the Company.
A scattering of 20 silver pieces from Bree, used as toothpicks by the Old Troll.
A long-dead merchant's purse, containing a hefty number of coins (roll Intelligence (Investigation) to find out how many).
The bones of a dwarf. Hidden beneath them are 4 gold pieces.
A woman's ring (worth 2 gold pieces, likely has sentimental value) and a woman's finger (worth 0 copper pieces).
A crudely made necklace of gold (worth 2 gold pieces).
A cunning puzzle-box of Dwarven make (roll Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) to try opening it).
A box containing cheap but well-wrought jewels and rings made by the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains (worth 10 gold pieces in total).
A coffin from Bree. The deceased was a notorious miser and his worldly wealth (worth at least 200 silver pennies, likely more) is stitched into the lining of the casket. Taking money from the dead in this fashion is a Misdeed worth 1 Shadow point.
A map!
40 silver pennies per person; alternatively, you may forfeit this to try for magical treasure.

Roll20 Map

To Post: Everyone!

@codexgigas @Grendel @Papa Bear @grimlock

codexgigas · April 29, 2023

Amdiran, Son of Amdirgir | Dunédain Warden 2

The Ranger sighs as the Old Troll departs. "I would not break a parley, but I fear the mischief and evil that creature will wreak elsewhere," he says. "We should gather the treasure and Tom's uncle's body. That should be returned to his people, so that he can be laid back to rest. I would counsel the Bree-men to set a watch upon their graveyards, but I do not think they would take kindly to such a suggestion from a Ranger. I also fear they would prove ill-matched if the Old Troll breaks his word and returns."

Amdiran begins gathering the troll's hoard, taking it outside into the fresher air. He breathes more freely outside of the fetid den. He returns for repeated trips, until everything is outside.

grimlock · May 1, 2023

Léofwyn (Rohirrim Knight level 3)

Action Surge: 0 | Second Wind: 1 | Mark of Honor: - | Sworn Defender: -

Léofwyn dusts off the saddle and assists with placing the remains of Tomas' uncle into the casket. She keeps a wary eye on Tomas as they work. Something still felt off about the boy. "It was bold of you to venture out here on your own. What could your uncle's grave hold that is so valuable that you would take such risk?"

OOC

Making an insight check on Tomas.

*when mounted

Edited May 1, 2023 by grimlock (see edit history)

Grendel · May 1, 2023

Prudence Whitfoot (Hobbit Treasure Hunter 1)

"Since you're saying out loud I'll add my opinion: that old troll will kill again," Prudence says as she holds up the copper talisman. She helps Amdiran take everything out into the fresher air and there sits down to examine it more closely, her ear pricking up as Léofwyn asks Tomas about his motives.

Papa Bear · May 1, 2023

Orn, Son of Thain

Orn stands, dumbfounded for several minutes staring at his newfound warhammer. As the group starts to move out from the cave with the troll's horde, Orn realizes it and jumps up to help carry things out

Helping carry stuff outside.

codexgigas · May 2, 2023

Amdiran, Son of Amdirgir | Dunédain Warden 2

As he and Prudence sort through the Troll's horde, Amdiran studies Tomas' response to Leofwyn's question.

rogueblade0729 · May 3, 2023

Music: Cardolan - LOTRO Soundtrack

The South Downs - Fall 2947 T.A.

Amdiran's transporting of the treasure revealed to him something curious hidden in a dark corner of the cave. A strange glitter caught his eye, and as he went to investigate, he discovered that, concealed beneath a thick nest of cobwebs (made by normal sized spiders), was a bracer. It was made of a fine but tough leather, wrought with craftsmanship that could only have been attained by the Elves. Yet, traced in the leather were lines of a more brilliant silver metal than he had ever seen before, forming a pattern that seemed recognizable to Amdiran. While he couldn't identify it off the top of its head, the pattern looked to be the coat of arms for one of the ancient lineages of the Men of Westernesse. This is very likely an heirloom of his people, lost long ago, one which could be restored to its rightful owner... if they could be found.

As Léofwyn began questioning Tomas, the Ranger went to work examining the treasure alongside Prudence. They looked through the merchant's purse, which was heavy with coins, 135 of them. Upon closer inspection, they discovered that, unfortunately, it was too good to be true. 23 of the coins were legitimate silver pennies, but the remaining 112 were instead tin coins painted to look like silver. It seems that, whoever this merchant was, he or she may not have been the most honest sort. Once they realize that fake coins are mixed into the bunch, it's as simple as scratching their surfaces to sort them out.

Likewise, the puzzle-box proved to be a curious invention. Toying around with it for a time, however, Fletcher was able to figure out which combination of button-presses, lever-switches, and knob-turnings would unlock the device. When he did, he found 7 gold pieces and a letter. Unfortunately, he could not read it, as it was written in a language he did not understand. However, the letters did seem to closely resemble the runes written upon the border of Tomas' map. Perhaps only a Dwarf could read them?

As for Tomas, when he was asked about his uncle by Léofwyn, he simply showed her the map. "This!" he said. "Uncle Tim's treasure map. See, Uncle Tim was once a treasure hunter, and always seemed to know where to get money. This map was the key! It points the way to buried fortune, somewhere in Bree-land. I remember seeing him with it late at night, sitting in his room with a cheap, smoky candle in one hand, and the map in the other. He'd leave for a few days at a time, then come back with bags of gold. Not a lot, mind you, but enough to last us for a time. I don't rightly know why he buried it with himself, but my guess is that the map leads somewhere perilous."

With a crestfallen look, he returned his gaze to the map. "But... there's no markings on it. Nothing to point to the treasure. I can't read those runes on the outside, but maybe they say something? Or, maybe there's something on the map I haven't seen yet?" He looked to the most outlandish person in the Company, Orn. "Master dwarf, can you read this?"

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

OOC: Amdiran uncovers a fine leather bracer inlaid with a brilliant silvery tracing! While wearing it, he gains a +1 bonus to all Charisma ability checks. However, it seems to have sentimental value to someone among the Rangers, should he wish to find and return it to its owner.

Amdiran and Prudence, sorting through the treasure, make two discoveries. One, the merchant's purse carries 23 silver pennies and 112 tin coins painted to look like silver. And two, successfully opening the Dwarven puzzle-box reveals 7 gold coins and a letter inside, written in Khuzdul, the secret tongue of the Dwarves.

The Old Troll's Treasure Hoard

A pile of skulls.
A few well-gnawed bones.
A few skins of wine and a brace of stolen chickens, enough for one meal per member of the Company.
A scattering of 20 silver pieces from Bree, used as toothpicks by the Old Troll.
A long-dead merchant's purse, containing a hefty number of coins. A successful Intelligence (Investigation) check reveals that the purse contains 23 silver pennies and 112 tin coins painted to look like silver.
The bones of a dwarf. Hidden beneath them are 4 gold pieces.
A woman's ring (worth 2 gold pieces, likely has sentimental value) and a woman's finger (worth 0 copper pieces).
A crudely made necklace of gold (worth 2 gold pieces).
A cunning puzzle-box of Dwarven make. A successful Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check reveals 7 gold pieces and a letter written in Khuzdul (can be read by Orn).
A box containing cheap but well-wrought jewels and rings made by the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains (worth 10 gold pieces in total).
A coffin from Bree. The deceased was a notorious miser and his worldly wealth (worth at least 200 silver pennies, likely more) is stitched into the lining of the casket. Taking money from the dead in this fashion is a Misdeed worth 1 Shadow point.
A map!
40 silver pennies per person; alternatively, you may forfeit this to try for magical treasure.

Roll20 Map

To Post: Everyone!

@codexgigas @Grendel @Papa Bear @grimlock

Edited May 3, 2023 by rogueblade0729 (see edit history)

Papa Bear · May 3, 2023

Orn, Son of Thain

"Ah, let me see that again, ye." the dwarf says, moving over to Tomas.

nothing to report

rogueblade0729 · May 3, 2023

Music: Cardolan - LOTRO Soundtrack

The South Downs - Fall 2947 T.A.

Orn may be more renowned for his physical might than his brilliant mind, but he is still a dwarf. As such, he is passively familiar with the different sorts of secret runes that his kin uses: moon-letters, gem-letters, bloodletters, hearth-letters, and so forth. One such form of hidden writing is called smoke-letters. These invisible runes cause smoke to magically adhere to them, allowing them to be read briefly before a breeze carries the smoky shapes away. Orn comes to the conclusion that these must be the type of runes used, due to Tomas' mention of the "cheap, smoky candle" that his uncle had whenever he looked at the map, and the fact that the edges of the map appear to be mildly charred by fire. All he needs to do to read them is blow some smoke on it--even smoke from a pipe would do.

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

OOC: Orn has made a discovery about the map!

The Old Troll's Treasure Hoard

A pile of skulls.
A few well-gnawed bones.
A few skins of wine and a brace of stolen chickens, enough for one meal per member of the Company.
A scattering of 20 silver pieces from Bree, used as toothpicks by the Old Troll.
A long-dead merchant's purse, containing a hefty number of coins. A successful Intelligence (Investigation) check reveals that the purse contains 23 silver pennies and 112 tin coins painted to look like silver.
The bones of a dwarf. Hidden beneath them are 4 gold pieces.
A woman's ring (worth 2 gold pieces, likely has sentimental value) and a woman's finger (worth 0 copper pieces).
A crudely made necklace of gold (worth 2 gold pieces).
A cunning puzzle-box of Dwarven make. A successful Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check reveals 7 gold pieces and a letter written in Khuzdul (can be read by Orn).
A box containing cheap but well-wrought jewels and rings made by the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains (worth 10 gold pieces in total).
A coffin from Bree. The deceased was a notorious miser and his worldly wealth (worth at least 200 silver pennies, likely more) is stitched into the lining of the casket. Taking money from the dead in this fashion is a Misdeed worth 1 Shadow point.
A map!
40 silver pennies per person; alternatively, you may forfeit this to try for magical treasure.

Roll20 Map

To Post: Everyone!

@codexgigas @Grendel @Papa Bear @grimlock

Edited May 3, 2023 by rogueblade0729 (see edit history)

Text_1	Text_2	Text_3	Bold_1	Accent_1	Mood_1
Warm_1	Warm_2	Warm_3	Bold_2	Accent_2	Mood_2
Cool_1	Cool_2	Cool_3	Bold_3	Accent_3	Mood_3
Bright_1	Bright_2	Bright_3	Bold_4	Accent_4	Mood_4

Chapter 1: Old Bones and Skin

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