Year 2948: Putting down roots

[Vladim]

[OOC: I’ll leave the Gloriel death scene open in case someone else wants to take over, but I am happy to go with whatever everyone else wants.]

Idunn had little time to do anything but react to the situation as the fellowship fled from the goblins. Even thinking about her fallen comrade would have to wait, as she had to focus on surviving, lest the goblin-arrows claimed more lives. But as they delved deeper and deeper into the path, the danger seemed, at least momentarily, behind them, though the faint sounds of goblins on the pursuit unnerved her.

As soon as she could halt and take stock of all that had happened, anger and frustration begun to grow inside her, directed not only against the goblins but at the forest itself. There was nothing she could say or do to ease the sorrow of the fellowship, or to bring back Gloriel: all that was left was to try to survive, to return to Radagast and bring news of what they had found. Thus she spoke little, always trying to distract herself by focusing on what had to be done, such as serving as look-out or studying the forest. But her anger did not go away; it only grew with the realization that there might be more dangers lurking in the forest.

When at last they reached the spider-lair, Idunn’s fears and suspicions were confirmed. As she studied the webs, the fear and rage took hold of her, and she started seeing the creeping shadows of goblins and spiders moving around the forest, slowly closing in on them, out of the corner of her eye. She readied her spear and her knife for a last stand, and looked on at the elusive shades, but they proved too quick and too elusive for her gaze. All seemed futile then, and she turned her anger and frustration on the spider-webs near her, destroying them recklessly as she cursed the forest loudly. As soon as she did, the vision begun to fade, and quickly Idunn realized that they were, in fact, alone in the clearing, at least for now.

She quickly turned her attention to her companions, trying to assist those who needed help, before they all fell to their strange visions.

[Vladim]

As arrows struck the ground, the trees, even bouncing off armor a few times, Segrid follows the shape of the woodsmen hoping they're familiarity with these woods are more trustworthy than her own senses in this moment. The adrenaline of combat still thumps through her and she grits her teeth. It had been the second overwhelming ambush for the warden, so used to sussing out the vile creatures before they could lay their traps. And even if she had hardly known the elf, it was another death on her conscience.

Those are the thoughts dominating her mind as they come, breathless, to the webbed pathways and the clearing. The dimness cast by the overhanging web does not inhibit her keen eyesight, but the spider-sorcery is overwhelming. The forested clearing shimmers into a rocky, unfamiliar pass in the mountains. Each silk-wrapped form sways in a cold breeze with a contorted face poking through. They are caravan guards, a merchant, a fellow warden... "Halvar..." she whispers, choking down a cry. Without a second thought, she starts toward the bundle, thinking to unwrap her fallen friend.

[Vladim]

After killing a Goblin, Fundor looks at his companions and hears Idunn call for fleeing while they still can. Overcoming his rage at this breed, Fundor choose to try to stay alive and follow his companions.
Then he sees Gloriel collapse after being pierced by two arrows. When he gets close to het, he understands quickly that she's already gone. Now Fundor quickly grabs Glorien packbag and her bow and he whispers "You wouldn't want your bow or mandolin to come into those goblins hands. When I can, I'll try to find your family and friends and give them your belongings. Farewell Gloriel."

Then Fundor starts again running in order to catch up his companions.

Later when they arrives at a clearing, Fundor retreats a few steps after seeing the horrible scene of human bodies and the horse corpse in the very large web. Ar first, he has the feeling that there is a hole in the large web that could allow them to go through but he has the feeling realizes that there is something wrong in what he sees. Fundor throws a branch of wood in that hole but the branch remains stuck and now Fundor understand that that was a sorcery vision.

Then Fundor hears Segrid shouting and running towards the web. He understand that the Beorning hasn't overcome the vision and he runs to catch Segrid by the arm and stop him. But the Beorning is too fast and Fundor tries to convince him "Stop, Sigrid, Stop ! This is sorcery, you're running in the spider web ! Whatever you see is unreal."

[Vladim]

Lifstan had turned back to help Gloriel in despite of Cilderic's warning, but then had seen several more arrows strike home. Stifling a curse, he continued running with the others. Until, miraculously, he saw Gloriel somehow in front of them. The agility and fleetness of the elves was legendary, and he was relieved that she had somehow made it. But she seemed... wrong, somehow, moving towards Lifstan and the others with a startling movement entirely unlike her normal elven grace. She seemed to be screaming something, but no sound came out. And then, suddenly, she disappeared.

Lifstan shakes his head and looks around...

[Vladim]

Escaping from the goblins Ingi had barely had time to notice the fall of Gloriel until the company slowed down and he noticed her possessions in the hands of Fundor. Realizing what this implies, Ingi finds he can feel nothing in response to these turn of event but fatigue and relief at having avoided a similar fate. Grateful for Fareths assurances that Munir may be safely out of the way of the ill that had befallen them Ingi slows with the rest of the company. Alert, for the lakeman still instinctively felt that this had all been too easy, and unable to put his fears for Munir’s safety out of his mind despite Fareths reassurance, he entered the clearing with the rest of the company. Horrified by what he saw there, and yet compelled to take it all in Ingi looks at the desolation that this place has wrought on those who had previously found their way there; presumably in similar unhappy circumstances. As a final act in surveying the reality of the situation and almost in a defeated gesture of fatigue Ingi crouched down and looked up to see the large web silhouetted against the setting sun. In a moment he noticed, trapped in its confines, the struggling outline of a raven croaking in Munirs voice “save yourselves”. Clouded in mind, weary in body, and unable to recall that his mastery of Raven tongue was thus far not this complete, Ingi leapt to his feet with a cry of “Munir” and a new determination to free his feathered companion from the web than ensnared him.

[Vladim]

Gramtyng's watched, in shock, as arrow after arrow found its mark in Gloriel's torso, but urged Belgo to continue on, though the boy seemed to want to help her. He nodded grimly at Cilderic's word and grit his teeth. He'd wanted to pick up her bow at least, but Fundor had already seen to that. "We go, boy. Or her death is in vain." As he ran, hacking down branches that impeded the way with a great deal more fury than was necessary, Gramtyng's thoughts were with the fallen elf - it wasnt the first or the last time someone would fall to these accursed creatures. He remembered with shame his first thoughts about how trivial this battle was going to be 'just because its goblins'.

Regardless of how harsh it was to lose a companion, even if they'd not been with them long, this still... felt too easy. Their ranks were broken far too effortlessly. Did they simply corral them towards something MORE dangerous? The sight of the colossal spiderweb just ahead proved that his instinct was right. Peering around carefully, Gramtyng looked around for the thing that spun it, but as he did so, only spotted a cloak with a clasp that looked like the work of the Woodmen, with several goblin arrows torn through it. "Look." He pointed at it quietly to the others. "Not much dust settled... Recently discarded, and the tracks look like a day or two old." Banna recognized these as belonging to Beran, which made the Rohirrim move his eyes further down the trail of tracks, quietly asking Belgo to raise the torch higher - it was difficult and vanished at times, but lead right up to a coccoon. "He's in there. Beran." He pointed at it with his sword.

"Steady, lad." He muttered to Belgo, who looked a bit green. "Good a time as any to get over your fear and turn it into a healthy hate." Even as he spoke, however, his vision swam, and Belgo was no longer beside him, his small body huddled on the ground, shuddering. Gramtyng frowned and reached out to shake the boy to regain his senses but as he did, the skin on his squire began to burst, as thousands of spiderslings crawled out, hatching, screeching and climbing up his arm. The Rohirrim's face stretched in anger and revulsion as he realized this wasnt real: "Filth..." He hissed, no longer in any mood to hold back his kinsmen's curse. "You'll pay for that one." As his anger surged in place, the vision vanished, leaving him staring at a trembling Belgo, who stared at him quizzically. He turned to the others: "Illusions! We need to get Beran out and move on before the fat one returns. This is no lair of a common Mirkwood spider."

[Vladim]

Before Ingi could move deeper into the webs, Idunn caught sight of him, and with great haste she ran to him, for it was clear that, he too, was under some kind of spell. The Lake-Man had not taken more than a few steps before he felt the pull of his companion on his back, and when he turned to look at her, he discovered an enraged Idunn.

’Stay out of the webs, Lake-Man!’ she barked at him in a commanding tone. ’I do not know what you see in them, but whatever it is, it is not real!’ Despite the bluntness of her words, or perhaps because of it, this was enough to break the spell. Idunn fell silent after a while, regretful to have spoken so harshly to her companion, but it was, at least, a productive use of her anger.

 

---

 

Despite their danger, the Woodmen took heart when Gramtyng discovered Beran’s belongings in the gloomy, web-infested clearing. Quickly, Banna drew her knife, and begun cutting down the cocoon that Gramtyng had indicated, after the fellowship had shaken off the disturbing visions, that seemed to affect everyone.

But it was not Beran that Banna found as she pulled apart the webs; instead, the Woodmen looked on in horror as the miserable and misshapen form of an orc, long dead, was revealed. The grisly sight gave them pause, but they did not lose hope. ’He must be here, somewhere!’ proclaimed Cilderic, as he begun searching.

’His tracks are fresh,’ added Fareth, ’so he must have been ensnared recently. He may live yet! Look for signs of movement; I bet he still draws breath, however shallow.’

 

Mechanics

1. The search for Beran among the cocoons is a prolonged action, requiring 3 successful Search checks at TN 14. Every companion can contribute to this (one Search check per companion). But see also 2-4.
2. An Awareness check can additionally be made to look for subtle signs of life (TN 14); essentially, this lowers the Search TN by 2 on a Success, 4 on a Great Success, and 6 on an Extraordinary Success.
3. Social skills (e.g. Persuade, Courtesy) at TN 14 can be made towards the NPCs, to convince them to help you with a specific task. This also lowers the Search TNs as Awareness (point 2), but you can't do both. Include the specific NPC you are targetting (Banna, Fareth, Cilderic) in your IC post, if you want.
4. Failing a Search check results in gaining 1 Shadow point, as your PC opens up the wrong cocoon and discovers a corpse (an orc, a goblin, a Woodman or even an elf; I will leave the narrative details to you).
5. Once 3 successful Search checks are made, Beran is found, alive but poisoned and unconscious. A Healing check must immediately be made at TN 14 to stabilize him, otherwise he remains unconscious and dying (a second Healing check can be attempted on the next day, but if that fails too, Beran dies).
6. Finally, after resolving what happens with Beran, the PCs must cut a path through the clearing before the spider(s) return; this is a prolonged action requiring 3 successful Explore checks (each companion may contribute once, if they want).

To summarize:
_Search checks to find Beran. +1 Shadow on a failed check.
_Awareness or Social Skills to help with the Search checks.
_Healing to stabilize Beran, once he is found.
_Explore to escape from this clearing, as soon as you are done with everything.
All at TN 14, at least initially (Awareness and Social skills can decrease the Search TN).

Once this scene is finished, I will request Travel checks for the journey back, and will mostly hand-wave the return trip.

[Vladim]

All the companions fell silent as soon as Fareth had finished her sentence, and sought to find any signs of life in the gloomy, web-infested clearing. With caution, they examined the cocoons, but there were too many, and some were suspended high above the ground, outside the companions’ reach, and thus their task seemed hopeless.

Nonetheless, they searched as well they could for the better part of an hour. By that point, what few twilight rays fell upon the trees had long disappeared. Only the light from the moon, that was full on that night, and their torches, lit the way.

But at last their efforts were rewarded. ’There!’ whispered Idunn, ’I think I hear something.’ she said, calling on her companions towards a large tree, from which many webs were suspended. Several cocoons shook in the nightly breeze; thankfully, all of them within arm’s reach. Eager to find Beran and leave this place, the companions were drawn to the location Idunn had indicated, but as they started examining the shapes, they initially found only corpses. Not losing heart to these grim discoveries, they pressed on regardless, and soon they found what they sought.



’It is him! Beran!’ cried Cilderic, helping Gramtyng lower the cocoon to the ground after the horse-lord had pulled at the webs, revealing Beran’s face. The Woodman’s words were loud; the joy of finding his old captain momentarily chased away all weariness and sense of danger, but soon he remembered, and thus he held his tongue. The man looked as pale as a corpse, but soon Ingi was able to confirm that he still drew breath, though his heart was weak, and his grip on life feeble. He had been poisoned, as Idunn was able to confirm, but beyond all hope he lived yet, and with Radagast’s help he might be able to make a recovery, if they could bring him to the wizard.

Now all that was left was to leave the web-infested clearing, something all were keen on doing as quickly as possible, for none wished to meet its monstrous occupants. Though they were exhausted, they moved quickly, following Fundor’s lead, who had discovered that the dense forest was not dissimilar to the labyrinthine tunnels of the underground realms of his folk. They marched for long hours in the darkness, their path difficult, but at least they could return to Rhosgobel with some sense of achievement.

 

---

 

Several hours later, after an exausting night march...

They were still in the forest by daybreak, but the Woodmen assured them that they were now not far from its western eaves, for they could plainly see the changes in the flora and fauna. ’The plains are only a few hours’ march from here.’ assured Fareth as Cilderic and Banna prepared their camp. For although by now it was morning, they would have to stop and rest, as everyone was exhausted after their march through the pathless, accursed forest. ’The journey back will be much easier, but first we must gather our strength.’

[OOC: I briefly outlined what happened, but feel free to fill in the gaps and role-play. You can now relax a bit and talk more about what happened; Beran is unconscious but stable by this stage. (You don’t have to post if you can’t come up with any ideas, though).

Because of the rest, you can also restore 2 Endurance points. If that puts your current Endurance above your Fatigue, you are no longer Weary after the morning rest. You will recover more endurance on the journey back.

Also, the 'Eye awareness' number has been reset after the revelation episode to 7 (one point per PC).

As soon as you are done, please give me a Travel check at TN 14 for the journey back. Failure results in +2 Fatigue. Everyone should add a free attribute (Heart) bonus to this, because on the next day Munir the raven returns, and Radagast alerts his animal friends to help the companions return swiftly to Rhosgobel, by showing them the fastest way.]

[Vladim]

Before setting out

As the companions gathered their belongings and made ready to set out, Cilderic looked to the east, from where they had come, keeping the watch. He had already prepared for the journey, and was ready to depart, but now he seemed lost in his thoughts as he gazed towards the heart of the forest. Banna came to him, bringing word that the fellowship was ready, but there was clearly something that bothered him.

As the woodman rejoined the fellowship, he turned to his companions, seeking to speak to Fundor and Lifstan in particular, who had been scouts when the goblin-ambush had happened.

’You say the path-runes were changed?’ he asked. ’This is how we were drawn into the trap, then. The goblins are cunning, but I have never witnessed anything like this. Already this year, a hunting party from Rhosgobel was lost, and several of the hunters were never found. I fear that we now know what might have happened to them…’

We must bring word of this to Rhosgobel. If the goblins are tampering with the runes, then they must be changed, and the Woodmen warned that they are not to be trusted. But there is much more that should worry the elders. If the ambush is anything to go by, then their numbers are growing… and I fear that a sinister hand guides them now. Goblins on their own know little of tactics, but their ambush was clearly the work of a much more dangerous enemy.’

[OOC: I assumed that either Fundor or Lifstan would eventually tell the others that the path-runes were changed, but if they don’t want to do that (though I cannot see why they wouldn’t), then I can edit this post accordingly.]

[Vladim]

"How does one fight such creatures in numbers in the Wood?" Lifstan asks in a mix of curiosity and concern. "Amid the plains and hills of Dale the greater size of Men, the discipline of formation, and the speed of cavalry have told, but here..." He shakes his head.

[Vladim]

’Not openly,’ replied Cilderic, ’not this deep in the forest, and never against such grave odds. Dol Guldur is their domain; it is folly to attack them here, in the heart of their blighted realm, when their numbers are so strong.

Here, we strike only when we can, like hunters, using ambushes to thin their numbers before falling back to our fortified towns. But they too can use such tactics against us, as you have witnessed, though it is uncommon for them to be so well-organized.

But when they take up against our towns and villages, then we face them in the vales east of the great river, where they can be lured away from the darkness of the forest and thus be weakened. It is there, and only there, than they can be faced openly and hope to be bested. Such a place exists near Rhosgobel, where many battles were once fought. The field of heroes we call it, and many are our songs of struggles and victories there.’

[Vladim]

They'd somehow made it through the ambush, found Beran on time, and escaped the spiderwebs - it wouldnt have been possible without everyone's combined efforts but it certainly gave Gramtyng a lot of mental fatigue, even if he'd not been beaten, bloody, and tired already. Thankfully, took the events without complaint, even though he could tell by the boy's face that he'd been exhausted. The bard smiled into his beard and said nothing - it was good that the kid wasnt whining, it built character... But hopefully they'd stop soon. He wasnt an expert on wound treatment, most of his knowledge coming from stories, but Beran would need to rest - that night march wasnt going to be good for the scout's health. But with the roads tangled thanks to the goblins...

"Out on the plains, a single charge of the rohirrim would scatter these rats, but here... It would take an exceptional rider to maneuver between the trees, and an expertly trained horse. In here, they must be hunted as they hunt us - with arrows, and ambushes. They are cleverer than beasts, but that doesnt mean they're any less mortal..." He nodded at Cilderic's words. "It's too bad that the woodmen do not keep a cavalry. I'll need to find my cousins somewhere in Wilderland... How is Beran?"

[Vladim]

It was Idunn who replied to the horse-lord, for she was skilled in healing, though curing the poison of the spiders of Mirkwood was beyond her.

’He has a fever, but he remains stable for now. He is strong, but even he cannot fight the poison indefinitely. We cannot tarry here; we must return him to Rhosgobel. Radagast will know what to do.’

[Vladim]

The journey back

The companions rested briefly on that morning, but knew that they could not tarry for long, even though many of them remained weary, for Beran’s life hung in the balance. Thus Cilderic and Fareth carried him while the rest led the way, scouting and guiding ahead. Although their new burden slowed them somewhat, they were eager to leave the accursed forest and return to Rhosgobel, where they could heal their weariness and recover from their harrowing journey. Thus they all marched as swiftly as they could, spurred on by a sense of great urgency and a desire to return to the Brown Wizard.

Soon their efforts were rewarded: by noon, they had put much of the dense forest behind them, and were now very close to the eaves, and from thereon, the journey would be made much easier. As the trees thinned, the companions could now gaze upon the bright and cloudless sun, their vision unhindered by the oppressive canopy of Mirkwood. Now they felt safer, for no orc or spider would dare venture here, under such bright sunlight.

They had marched from no more than an hour, when they noticed black birds circling high above. At first they seemed like carrion crows, but amongst the fellowship, Ingi could make out his companion, Munir the curious. With a dive the birds followed Munir, and soon they were upon the company, ravens and crows, sparrows and magpies, and many other kinds, singing and cawing loudly and flapping their wings, excitedly showing them the way onward. They were sent forth by Radagast, who had heard of their plight from Munir, and had sent aid in the form of his most beloved allies, his many forest-dwelling feathered friends.

[OOC: As I briefly mentioned OOC, here’s an opportunity for the new characters (Lifstan and Segrid) to gain an animal companion. The mechanics will be similar to the ones for the ravens, but we can also make together new bird companions (can also be sparrows or magpies or other small birds). Let me know if you are interested in this and we can make some in the OOC thread.]

 

---

For six days the company journeyed along the western eaves of Mirkwood towards Rhosgobel. The way was easy compared to their arduous march through the Narrows. The wizard's birds did much to expedite it, for they were as if guided by the will of Radagast. But the death of their companion weighed heavily upon them, though the presence of Beran also brought hope. At times, the Woodman would mumble incomprehensible words, brought on by feverish nightmares, yet he endured.

It was the late evening of the sixth day when they finally reached their destination. The sun had already set, and darkness was falling when they were within sight of Rhosgobel. Despite the faint light and the distance, they could see that the tent-town outside the village had grown. Many more had come during the absence, and as they approached, there were several onlookers that followed them with curiosity, asking them many questions about who they were. Some of the Woodmen could recognize Beran, and news quickly spread of his and of their coming, and many rumours and tales about the companions were devised and spread rapidly, with little heed for truth.

As they had braved the terrors of the forest, now they braved the terrible crowd too, patiently making their way through them and reaching Radagast’s garden, where they could finally be alone with themselves, for here the curious folk were unwelcome guests, and could not follow. They did not wait long at the threshold of the wizard’s cottage when he saw them and invited them in, and he was much pleased with their return, and spoke long with them, wishing to hear all they had to say, though most of his time he spent on Beran.

(…)

That night, they slept under Radagast’s roof, in a small but comfortable room, prepared by the wizard himself, and surrounded by birds and small woodland creatures. Throughout the night, they listened to a constant humming that rose and fell, a healing song in a strange tongue that was sung by the wizard in the next room. For that was now the wizard’s task: to heal the venom that coursed in Beran’s veins and restore him to health as swiftly as he could.

Chapter 5: The folk-moot

It was Banna who woke the companions up in the following morning. This was to be a special day, since it was the first day of the folk-moot, and many contests and celebrations would take place, while the elders of the Woodmen would gather to speak of their realm. As they rose and readied themselves, the companions noticed Radagast discussing with Cilderic and Fareth, and the wizard and the Woodmen wished them good morning.

 

OOC and mechanics

I glossed over these scenes, as I want to move things forward, but feel free to develop them more, or interact with notable NPCs, for example Radagast.

As for mechanics:

1. Everyone returns to full endurance because of the return journey and Radagast’s healing song. Remove the Weary status, if you have it.

2. Also, decrease your Travel fatigue score by 1.

3. I do not want to introduce a Hazard episode for the journey back (triggered by Segrid’s roll), so please give me instead an easy (TN 12) Wisdom check to reflect Gloriel’s death weighing heavily upon the PCs’ conscience. Failure results in gaining 1 Shadow point. This is still during the journey, so if you were Weary in your previous post, this will impact your roll.

4. Everyone, please add Radagast as your patron in your character sheet (you should have a ‘patrons’ entry). Normally this is a fellowship phase undertaking, however because you did so well with finding Beran, you can add Radagast now.

5. We can begin the next scene with a morning chat with the Wizard, or some of the festivities, contests or debates. Here are some things you can do:
_Wander around the village and join some contests or celebrations.
_Seek specific NPCs you want to talk to.
_Speak to Radagast and his Woodmen scouts (Banna, Cilderic, Fareth).

Splitting the fellowship for a while is possible, but I would prefer that your PCs pair up, so that I don't have to open too many threads running in parallel.

[Vladim]

The loss of a companion weighed heavily on the bard but Rhosgobel's atmosphere had helped him, though did not cure all his worries. Apart from the shame of underestimating an enemy and being caught off-guard enough to be out of position and not be able to help, there also came the knowledge that he was perhaps moments from the Fey Mood descending upon him in that battle, after which he would lose himself to that cold, sadistic mirth he rejected with disgust every other time. That strange euphoria that surged through his veins when the battle-madness descended and things had begun to change. He'd heard many views of this kind of condition - he'd heard of some from the Dunledings, and even from Merovech when they'd had a time to chat. But neither people had felt what his kin did - their was a pure rage, hazed over by the red mist, perhaps animalistic but understandable. But the Fey Mood was not that - it was a readiness to access death, almost greedily, in order to fell as many as you could, in the fastest manner you could. He did not feel anything that the Beorning or the Dunledings talked about, merely a chilling kind of happiness, and everything becoming crystal clear, like through a looking-glass. Painfully so: so much that it strained the eyes. Song burst from your chest and blade fell again and again, your hand never tiring...

Thankfully, Belgo didnt notice any of his struggles in combat. It was not a good idea to tell him about that ailment - not until much later; he had to remain steadfast and resolute. The lad was getting better at riding his pony, though he was still having some issues - Gramtyng had let him go and play with the other children while he dealt with the more pressing matters. As he'd travelled with Idunn the most, and given her his word about the Hunt, he sought her out after making certain his gear was in decent condition and his sword was sharpened - out there, it could mean your life, they were grimly reminded. "Hey. I planned to go talk to Radagast about... well, about what to do." He scratched at the back of his head: "The Steed doesnt seem to be around here, so wanted to see if he'd had any insights on how to fight this monstrosity, or how we can study it. Then there's also my kinfolk, somewhere around here - they have horses too, perhaps they can offer some ideas to this. Do you have any other ideas?"