Year 2949-50: Sentinel of the North

[Vladim]

OOC/Mechanics

This counts as the end of Session 3, and the end of the Adventuring Phase.

The following mechanics take effect:
1. Everyone with a Fellowship Focus receives +1 Hope. Yes, this includes those who have Idunn as a Fellowship Focus. I know she got wounded in the end, but I don't want to punish Dio or Yelik for my own stupid choices. Plus, she gets better in the Fellowship Phase, so all good.
2. Fellowship pool is liquidated and then replenished. Since no-one used Fellowship points, all PCs receive +1 Hope.
3. Courage points are liquidated and then replenished. Dahr-Ol and Annungil receive +1 XP, +2 APs (‘general’, no particular category) and another +1 Hope. As Barin only has 2 Courage Points, he must choose only two of the above three benefits.
4. For finishing this session, XP is awarded to all PCs (3 XP per PC; except Idunn who was not participating in this last session).
5. For completing the adventure, additional XP is awarded to all PCs (3 XP per PC).

Enjoy!

[Vladim]

Idunn wrapped her cloak around her tightly, and gazed upon the gates of Gundabad. The bitter chill made her wound ache: her right shoulder, where the spear that had pierced her had entered, bursting the rings of her armor, had not yet fully mended. They were short on supplies and provisions, and so her recovery was hindered by lack of food and warmth.

She had chosen not to mingle with the Beornings or the Viglundings on this wintry sojourn, seeking to avoid being drawn into their quarrels and arguments, or being forced to speak or arbitrate. Instead, she sought her own company, and that of her hound, and spent long hours in vigil upon the roof of the tower, surveying her surroundings. If she mingled with others, those were her companions, to whom over time she told all of what had transpired in Viglund's Great Hall.

She had marvelled at the size of the great tower, spending days exploring its vast vaults and great halls, amazed that the passage of time had spared most of it. And yet she knew that without defenders, it would not last, or worse yet be taken by orcs or evil men. Was this then that which fate had ordained? She did not know, though she was certain that this was the tower of her dreams, but thought it a worthy end regardless.

And when at last the snows just started to melt, she set out southwards, bidding farewell to Guthred, her friend, and those amongst her companions that were to travel to different destinations. She had a spear to return to the son of Merovech, and the lands of her folk to visit, folk she had long neglected. Perhaps some amongst them would see the worth of manning this ancient tower, and return with her before the force left behind was overcome.

 

Mechanics

Undertaking 1: Teach her hound the support (hunting) ability.
Undertaking 2: Visit the treasury of your folk. Fluff-wise, she returns the thane's spear to Merovech's son, Ragnar.

[Vladim]

After the battle, Barin stood and took in the scene of devastation which surrounded him. The Orcs, Goblins and Wargs had been routed, or lay as mangled, bloody corpses upon the field of battle.

He wiped the sweat from his face and beard. Staring momentarily at his palm as it came away streaked with black, green and read from the blood splashed upon him during the fray. By Durin! he needed a bath. But first, there was work to be done.

Treading carefully, he first approached one of the eagles, which had landed some distance away from the men now tending their wounded and haggling over the spoils. Laying his axe before him in supplication, he bowed deeply before the noble beast, and laying a hand upon his breast thanked it, for the assistance of all it's kind during the battle, for surely, without the assistance of these great an noble birds, the battle would likely either not have been won, or would have cost so many more lives. He bade it spread his thanks to the rest of its kind, and pledged humbly to offer whatever aid he could should the great guardians of the skies and eyries ever need it.
 

~oOo~

After taking some time to clean himself up, and check that young Núr was otherwise unharmed, it was obvious that the fellowship was splitting. Each member going their own way, in search of their own objectives and goals. It was inevitable, he guessed, they had all met by chance in the tavern those many weeks (or was it months now - he honestly had no idea) ago.

Still, he was resolved in what action he had to take. When he could, he tried to get a moment alone with Beorn for council. It was difficult, as the great leader was obviously busy, but eventually, he managed to find a moment.

"Great Beorn," he began, "I will write my King in Erebor if you can spare a man, or bird to deliver it. Whilst Dain may have been unable to send military aid for this battle, now that the tower is taken, it must be held. Whether he will now pledge some Dwarven troops to boost the garrison I cannot, honestly, say, but I am certain that he will be more than willing to allow those skilled in the working of stone, or our scholars skilled in the weavings of the magic that once held the doors locked, to come and work in the maintenance and restoration of the place. And trade, supplies - could be bought through from both Erebor and Dale, although Viglund will like as not hold the keys to that gateway.

"However," he continued, "my path is clear to me. We lost one of our own during the journey to rediscover this place. An elf from the forest. I made a vow when he Went to the West that I would return to the site and erect a fitting tribute, and from thence I should return to the halls of the elves to impart the news to King Thranduil. I would beg of you as a boon, my Lord, a handful of your men who are able and willing to quarry and work stone to come with me as I lack the manpower to build an appropriate tomb on my own in any sensible time. Furthermore, the journey into the Forest is perilous, so I would request a guide, if one be found and willing to escort me, at least to the edge, of the Forest King's demesne."

With his piece said, he waited patiently for Beorn's reply.

[Vladim]

Barin

"Have patience, Master Barin.", said Beorn while his warriors still busied themselves with the wounded. "I will spare the men gladly. Yours is a worthy task. But it is winter still, and I have no intention of marching again, so soon after the battle. The orcs and wargs and hill-folk have been scattered, but it is still a dangerous land. We will recuperate here, and make sure the tower lasts for a while longer, before deciding what comes next.

Come spring, I will give you what you ask. But until then, look to your companions, and to your own matters. We will remain here for a while longer, whether we like it or not."

(OOC: Basically, the way I envisioned the narrative, the Beornings and Viglundings winter here, and return to their lands wen spring arrives, leaving behind a skeleton crew. Fellowship-wise, Dahr-Ol leaves with Beorn, but Idunn stays for a bit longer with the skeleton crew (before also departing southwards).

If Barin is ok to winter here, I am happy to set up a side-thread for you. Just let me know in the OOC. If we do it, I'll handle things that follow in broad strokes. Mechanically, I am not sure what fellowship phase undertakings would fit, but maybe we can invent our own. Any ideas or wishes?)

[Vladim]

Tale of the years (2950)

 

• Those journeying Southwards, through the lands of the Beornings, learn that the Easterly Inn is destroyed during Beorn's absence, by a treacherous orc attack from both the Misty Mountains and Mirkwood. The forces appear to have acted in a coordinated manner, and taken full advantage of the absence of so many warriors; they were opportunistic in their assault and destroyed the Inn before falling back quickly. Tragically, all the hobbits there are slain by the orcs; only the dwarf Frier, the establishment's tinkerer, survives to tell the tale, as he hides during the attack.
• Those who find themselves in the Woodland realm, and are in good standing with the Elvenking, learn that he dispatches scouts to the Mountains of Mirkwood, with the goal of finding any records or documents that were hidden when the Necromancer fled from Dol Guldur. Rumors suggest that this is done at the instigation of Gandalf. The scouts find nothing, but report that evil things are stirring in the dark.
• Those who find themselves in the lands of the Woodmen, and particularly at the eaves of Mirkwood, learn that the strength of the orcs at Fenbridge castle grows. Mogdred and his men stop the worst of the attacks, but the efforts are taxing, and lead to worsening of the tensions between Tyrant's Hill (where Mogdred rules) and the rest of the Woodmen houses.
• Those who find themselves in the lands of the Woodmen also witness the continuation of their efforts to hunt down the Bloody Ghost of Mirkwood, yet it is to no avail. Some whisper darkly about Mogdred's men, and blame them for the evil.
• Those who find themselves in the northern cities of Esgaroth or Dale learn that Barding foresters are harassed and ensorcelled by some of the elves of Mirkwood, to chase them away from their beloved trees. The foresters lose their way and wander into the depths of the forest. Three are met by friendlier elves and guided back to the Elf-path, and return to Dale to tell their tale. But one of their companions is less fortunate: he goes mad and is lost, never to return, and most presume he dies in the forest.

 

Holdings

As a reminder for those who have a holding - now that Kinstrife is over, you can choose to Tend to Holding, which allows you to roll the die for the Holding's progress twice and choose the best result - and if you have the right specialty, you gain an advancement point.

There's also a weal and woe rule somewhere I think? I forget.