Year 2946: Don't leave the path

[Vladim]

[Post 121]

Author : Vladim

Date : Sep 7 '16 2:50am

 

The Bride had heard the stories about the spiders of Mirkwood, but had never encountered one. These foul creatures did not infest the forests near Mountain Hall, unlike the orc and goblin tribes. Upon seeing the ettercap, she instinctively took a few steps back, but when the creature suddenly lunged forward, the Bride swung her axe wildly, closing her eyes for a moment as the blow connected.

 

The axe met with some resistance, which the huntress felt, and when she opened her eyes a split-second later, she saw that the spider had lost one of its forelegs. It now lay on the ground, twitching in a horrific manner. The ettercap seemed to reconsider its attack for a moment, but then it lunged forward again, determined to avenge the loss of its limb…

 

I think it makes sense for Hepti and/or Gram to describe another blow and/or have the killing blow, since they both scored hits in the die thread.

 

In the heat of battle, the Bride has not noticed that the dwarf standing next to her is actually a new companion, and not Nori. She will certainly react to Heptis presence later!

[Vladim]

[Post 122]

Author : Born on the Bayeux

Date : Sep 7 '16 5:07am

 

Bella tried to get the stupified Baldor to her side.  "Belgo, look after your father!" She shouted.  This way I can just look after you.  Bella thought.

 

But then Bella was surprised as a dwarf, another dwarf, ran past Nori and herself to help Gram and Idunn with the dying spider...

[Vladim]

[Post 123]

Author : Diofant

Date : Sep 8 '16 1:14am

 

Gramtyng swept the surroundings once more, looking for an advantageous position to stand in, but there truly wasnt much around apart from swaying spiderweb. Still, there was a bit of an area where the spiderwebs had been attached to a bit of As I understand it, thats what the great success in Athletics and Battle was for, finding and exploiting a better staging ground. Correct me if I'm wrong!, perhaps a large chunk of gate that the spiderwebs kept afloat in the abyss, or a still-standing section of the floor: He was unsure. The swaying of the ground bothered him, who spent much of his life in the saddle, very little. Spiders, on the other hand... Them he really was not a fan of. The horse-lord took up a position on slightly bent knees, shield moved to cover his stomach and thighs - he very much doubted the spider could reach as high as his face, but made a disgusted grimace when he imagined that thing leaping at him. Emboldened by Idunn's example, Gramtyng snarled and stabbed his sword between the attercop's mandibles, kicking it in the face and off his sword. As he did so, a roaring mess of beard, mail, fur, and axe barreled past him, making the bard squint a bit. "Either my ale's been spiked, or Nori's managed to split in two..." He muttered. "Oi Nori? You still in one piece? Because there's another you over here!"

[Vladim]

[Post 124]

Author : CrimsonKnight16

Date : Sep 10 '16 12:45am

 

Hepti charged with reckless abandon past the group of adventurers, his axe poised to taste spider flesh.  When he was but inches from the disgusting creature, he planted his feet as best he could on the unstable surface, and put all of his momentum into one mighty swing of his axe.  The heavy wedge of steel crushed its way through both legs and carapace, blowing apart the spider's body.  Grey-green goo splattered in every direction, covering both Hepti and the party behind him.  "Hooooo boy we've got a popper!" Hepti triumphantly cheered while wiping the spider's entrails from his eyes.  "Hepti Spiderbane, Son of Hopi, Slayer of Spiders, at yer service.  Ye'd best start runnin' now, I think."

[Vladim]

[Post 125]

Author : Dramacydal

Date : Sep 10 '16 11:32pm

 

In a matter of seconds, the Attercop was no more. A fleeting memory of impending danger as well as the notion to heed Hepti's warning and run. There were a few more spiders that seemed to waken, as their tiny red eyes awoke, their seething hatred and animosity fueled their speed of movement, inching ever closer to the Fellowship.

 

The spiders crawled with a gracious presence as their spiny and narrow legs carried them closer to your immediate surroundings. One of the Attercops was central to Gramtyng and Heptl; while the other two were in close presence behind the central giant spider.

 

Then the makeshift bridge began to become broken webbing, former rocky outcroppings and hewn stone that fell thirty feet to it's new home upon the bottom ravine of this former elven castle ruin. Behind the three encroaching spiders were a dozen more awaken and looking to eat. Disturbed from their slumber, they slowly climb strands of webbing, moving at lightining speed.

 

With no fire nor torches to scare them away, thoughts of running back from where you came from may have crossed your mind at one time or another. Or perhaps this was what legends were made of. As Hepti joined forces, he may have been enough to equal the playing field of combat this day while assisting Indunn, Nori, Bella and Gram.

 

Baldor was coming to although quite visibly distraught and upset, he still was symptomatic from drinking from the fresh water of Mirkwood. Blabbering to himself, he was in the way, and everyone knew it although the rescue didn't go as planned. Gram was never really stealthful anyway, and the presence of a greater evil, perhaps the shadow could be felt very strong in this area.

[Vladim]

[Post 126]

Author : Vladim

Date : Sep 12 '16 4:46am

 

The Bride turned her head in disgust at the spider-gore, before finally realizing that the dwarf standing by her was not Nori. Dwarves looked similar to her, because she had not seen that many in Mountain-Hall.

 

Indeed! she said to the new arrival, and you had best start running with us, if you value your beard! We can thank each other later, when we are far away from the spider-nest!

 

True to her words, she takes several steps back, while fastening her axe to her belt, and preparing her spear for a parting shot, should one be necessary.

 

Assuming Rearwind stand. The Bride aims to escape combat in this (2nd) round, but if two companions stay in melee, she will assist with a ranged attack. I will provide the ranged attack if necessary.

[Vladim]

[Post 127]

Author : Diofant

Date : Sep 13 '16 5:12pm

 

Gramtyng was in complete agreement with Idunn: Before, them holding off the attackers then escaping would have made sense, but the way this was going, the 'floor' wasnt going to hold. Several feverish plans ran through his mind as he contemplated severing the web where it was bound to the floor to deter the spiders from following them but... Ultimately, spiders could jump - far better than he and his companions. Now if they had fire, then they could have lit the web on fire and dissuade them from following but like THIS... "Agreed" Growled the bard, disappointedly sheathing his sword with a click. "Had we some fire, I could have stayed and delayed them, but if we dont run now, I'm afraid there's not gonna be enough of us to sing about."

 

Gramtyng follows the Bride in retreating to Rearward Stance. Will roll Athletics when its my turn to do so (since Rearward goes last)

[Vladim]

[Post 128]

Author : Old Overholt

Date : Sep 14 '16 3:00pm

 

Nori instinctively is disdainfully closes his eyes as Hepti's axe head buries itself inside the arachnid, sending gore and goop flying in every which direction - several sizable globs landing on those of the fellowship bringing up the rear. Letting on an exasperated sigh, he slowly opens his eyes, but does not wipe the spider juice from his armor, his face, or his weapon. Instead, his neck slowly turns to look at The Bridge and Gramtyng as they suggest a quick retreat. His eyes then drop towards the crumbling bridge beneath them and the dwarf begins to back up slowly as the impending fall becomes more and more a reality.

 

"Easy does it your three," he says to the trio behind him: Bella, Baldor, and Belgo. "We'll all make it out of here in one piece, just no playing about," Nori warns them, now taking purposeful steps backwards. Nori positions himself like a gentle bulldozer - none of the three behind him are going to get out in front of him and risk their safety, guiding them back the way they came while Gramtyng, Hepti, and Indunn retreat from the oncoming horde of spiders. Hopefully, he can get Bella, Belgo, and Baldor off the bridge before Gramtyng, The Bridge, and his cousin add their weight to the localized, crumbling area.

[Vladim]

[Post 129]

Author : Born on the Bayeux

Date : Sep 16 '16 4:48am

 

"Yes.  Let's retreat.  And quickly too, please, for I have the shortest legs to retreat with."  Bella nodded to Hepti while guiding Belgo, who was guiding Baldor, off of the bridge.  There would be time for proper introductions later.  Right now, it was important that the less impressive trio merely stopped being the bridge blockage for the greater members of the Fellowship.

 

 

A short post.  Sometimes they are called for.

[Vladim]

[Post 130]

Author : Dramacydal

Date : Sep 17 '16 3:22am

 

With the remaining light from the sun extinguishing itself, stepping from ledge to ledge and web to ledge, the falling debris lands upon the rocky outcropping below. As chase gives way through the ruins of the former castle, there is no time at all to look behind you. Running as much as your stamina can take you, you may have figured to make it to the forest clearing and there would be a chance.

 

The trees could serve as an obstacle and impede the Attercops from coming straight towards you. The position could be well defended and even your flank might be protected by one or more defenders. But needing to look behind you, you see a few of the great spiders fall from the collapsing bridge of which you barely cross in the nick of time.

 

Not wanting to press your luck, each of you retreat safely back through the Mirkwood and find Ellerina and Arphel missing. It seems they have been kidnapped and taken away by someone, looking to be a group of orcs far away from the land of shadow. Even the horses, Baldor's wagon and mules are gone. Foot prints of the orcs seem to have a sizable distance away from your position as Belgo runs to his father and hugs him.

 

Baldor is in disbelief and still does not recognize his son. His memory is still diminished some and while he now recognizes his boy, there is no smile or relief of his survival, only the haunting memories of the loss of his wife. Belgo can sense this and seems to be at a lose. He cannot understand why his father is troubled so. Toying with his amulet that his mother had given to him, with his head held low, a lone tear falls upon his cheek. The tear is cold to the touch as he does not wipe it, for being afraid of being caught to cry.

[Vladim]

[Post 131]

Author : Vladim

Date : Sep 18 '16 10:18pm

 

As they retreated towards the path, the Bride simmered with anger against Baldor, who had endangered the entire fellowship with his foolish actions. She wished to give the old man a piece of her mind as soon as they got back to the campsite, but upon returning, and finding no-one behind, she knew that her anger would have to wait.

 

She quickly examined the tracks, piecing together the obvious information that a host of orcs had raided the camp while they dealt with the spiders. She knew that the task before her was daunting, but she was not prepare to leave any companion at the mercy of orcs, even one as arrogant as Arphel.

 

I will include a hunting roll in the dice thread. The Bride wishes to discover additional information through the tracks: how many orcs there are, where they are heading and, if possible, if Arphel and Ellerina were injured in the combat.

[Vladim]

[Post 132]

Author : Old Overholt

Date : Sep 19 '16 3:02pm

 

Arriving at the camp, urging Bella, Belgo, and Baldor along as he does so, Nori slows his jog to a walk of bewilderment as he sees the camp veritably empty. Letting the head of his axe fall to the ground and bury itself in the soil, his mouth remains slightly ajar as he looks about, muttering in dismay, "Cursed... Blasted... Confounded..." To say he's irritated is to put it mildly.

 

Seeing Indunn begin to follow the tracks left, Nori looks to the treeline and shrubbery to see if anything has remained behind for them: good or bad. Maybe Ellerina or Arphel left behind some clue. Or perhaps one of the orcs left behind a trinket of some sort he could use later. Might as well salvage what you can in a bad situation, right?

 

As he begins to walk around the camp in a close perimeter to the three he had watched over before, Nori raises his voice, calling out to Hepti judging by the manner in which he speaks. "You certainly know when to make an entrance, /cousin/," he says, accenting the last word sharply.

 

 

21 on the search - Gandalf and 9.

[Vladim]

[Post 133]

Author : Diofant

Date : Sep 20 '16 2:08pm

 

Gramtyng's anger could not be encompassed with words alone. His hands shook, curling and uncurling into fists, as he felt around for his sword's handle, his usually calm grey eyes darkening with rage. Be wanted to lash out, to fault the idiot merchant who was paying them pocket change in return for all this trouble, and now - now their companions were kidnapped by orcs, supplies gone, and Leasere - Leasere, his last link to home, the horse that he considered practically family, who he starved to feed right; THAT horse, his faithful companion, was taken by orcs and going to be eaten by some filth?! A growl more befitting a wolf escaped from the Rohirrim as he finally looked up from the ground. "Not. Happening." Gramtyng knelt, inspecting the ground. At this point, it did not matter what would happen: He could no more leave Leasere to the orcs than he could Arphel or Ellerina. And if by chance, they were already dead... he would cut the hearts out of those that did it, and decorate their spears with their own heads, beside a pyre of their bodies, as per Rohirrim tradition.

 

Besides... Even if they left everything and ran - a coward's way! - what would they do in Mirkwood with no supplies? What would this addled merchant do on the other side of Mirkwood with nothing to sell? It would have been easiest to return to Esgaroth, he had no business in the lands of the Beornings with nothing to trade. "We can't leave this be. I know its getting dark, but we need our friends back. Every minute we waste is more danger to them. Baldor needs his trinkets back... We need our supplies. So lets light some torches, and get going."

[Vladim]

[Post 134]

Author : Vladim

Date : Sep 23 '16 7:13pm

 

After briefly studying the tracks, the Bride determines the number and general direction of the orcs. A great host took them. she says to her companions. Two dozen orcs, or more. They headed deep into the forest, she adds, indicating the direction, but the tracks are fresh. They cannot be far.

 

Gramtyng is unable to confirm or refute the Brides statement, but upon re-examining the tracks, he is inclined to agree that the Fellowship is dealing with no small number of orcs.

 

In the meanwhile, Nori examines the camp more closely and makes a few interesting discoveries. First, there is no blood or any indication of violence. The orcs must have overwhelmed the camp and taken his companions without a fight. The companions are most likely still alive! In addition, a set of tracks is  separated from the rest, and Nori, with his keen abilities, can tell that they belong to Arphel. Her tracks follow those of the orcs, but from a different direction, suggesting that she somehow escaped capture and is now tracking the orcs.

 

Two dozen! says Baldor in desperation. He seems to have regained his senses, but is now overwhelmed by the task ahead of them.

 

Coward! cries Belgo, his son, lighting a torch near the still-burning campfire. The boy seems eager to follow the company into the forest. The Bride follows his example, lighting a torch and preparing for the orc-hunt. 'We must go now!' she says.

[Vladim]

[Post 135]

Author : Born on the Bayeux

Date : Sep 24 '16 3:54am

 

During the brief interlude between fleeing spiders and hunting orcs, Bella was able to courtsey and stay, "Well met, Hepti, Slayer of Spiders.  I am Bella, er... Bracer of Girdles."

 

The cry of Coward! snapped Bella back to her present.  "Nay! Belgo, your father is still muddled.  I should have been realized he was drinking from the forbidden water."  Bella was trying to keep both Baldor and Belgo together but their extreme reactions to each other was making that difficult.

 

 

Vladim, if Bella is confident that Baldor and Belgo can be trusted to be left alone, she will follow the others into the forest.  Or if the two are moving into the forest with the Fellowship, Bella will follow them as well.  She would really prefer they don't go into the forest but she really doesn't want to seperate the party in this twisted wood.