Chapter 3: In the Deep Places of the World

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

"Agreed, outside would be even worse if forced to fight. I suggest we head away from whatever is coming and do it NOW."

[ravenn4544]

Elbenarin considers, his wounds temporarily ignored, and his blood boiling from battle "If we flee deeper in, we run the risk of worse. We have an exit here should we need - I say we face these coming. We form the line - take them head on!"

[hedgeknight]

Rumil of Mirkwood

"Something coming from our way and I don't think it's an Orc. Who is hurt badly? I can heal them some."

Swallowing her pride (and overall distaste for Elves), Gilly says, "If ye be passing out healing, I won't turn it down."

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

Cure Light Wounds on Gilly.

Cure Light Wounds Gilly [1d8] = 6

[Urson]

Therone

Therone looks down each side tunnel, then at the dead end. Agreed, we must move fast. Get into that bolt-hole and form up! We have vermin to kill.

IF anyone else moves, she'll shift position to the mouth of the dead-end, directly south of where Gilwennen is shown. If the consensus is to retreat toward the exterior, she'll be part of the rear guard.

[SocraticLawyer]

Tinuwen nods in agreement, heading towards the dead end. Once in position, she knocks an arrow and waits for the reinforcements.

[wolfpack]

someone search for a secret passage at the dead end while we prepare, i can;t believe the orcs would carve a tunnel and just leave it unfinished

Elbenwin will light 2 torches tossing one slightly down the east and west hallways

[ravenn4544]

Elbenarin moves to the dead end ready to face his attackers, "Do we have an extra torch we can cast down the hallway left, maybe give us a few seconds to ambush whatever is coming?"

[hedgeknight]

Rumil of Mirkwood
Cure Light Wounds on Gilly.
Cure Light Wounds Gilly [1d8] = 6

Gilly fishes around in her pouch and pulls forth two gold coins.
"If'n I owe ya more fer the healin', tell me. Just know, I got ya back, Rumil."

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood


"No payment necessary. I am sure that in the end I will owe you far more."

Rumil turns to form up with the others.

[Urson]

Therone
Therone glances at her companions, making sure she's even with them. She whispers Iron boots...? half to herself.

Be ready. But be sure of your target.

[ChubbyPixie]

Gilwennen readies her bow and sights down the Eastern corridor, towards the sound of approaching menace. If a troll or otherwise appears, she'll let loose before they can close with the party:
Attack with Long Bow (THAC0:20): To Hit: [1d20+4] = 14+4 = 18 Damage vs. s/m/L: [1d6] = 6
Attack with Long Bow (THAC0:20): To Hit: [1d20+4] = 14+4 = 18 Damage vs. s/m/L: [1d6] = 3

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

Rumil will also ready his bow and fire if it is a threat approaching. "Someone without a ranged weapon cover the western tunnel for now, just in case."

Short Bow [1d20+1] = 10+1 = 11 to hit [1d6] = 1 to dam
Short Bow [1d20+1] = 11+1 = 12 to hit [1d6] = 6 to dam

[rredmond]

Nobody having taken him up on his elven healing, Naruthirdor moves a little into the western passage, only to be within torch reach of the oil slick, but no farther.

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

I don't have any torches, just a few candles if those'll help. Glasik munches on a piece of Waybread as he moves into position at the mouth of the dead end. Is this where we want to make a stand? If there's no hidden way out, we may be trapped.

[OGRE MAGE]

Folco isn’t sure what to do with everyone moving around and shouting out ideas. But when he hears Elbenwin demand that someone search the passage he himself was just investigating, that is all he hears.

“I assure you, Mr. Ranger of the North, that when a Boffin does a job, he does the job right! And he does it right the first time. Now, I may not be a strong fighter like you, but I assure you that the passage has been thoroughly checked and is indeed and most certainly, a dead end!”

Having said his piece, Folco remembers the current deadly situation and falls into line with the others once they decide on the best course of action. “Could we not use the bloated body of the troll to some advantage? Maybe push it in front of us into the tunnel where the boots are coming from as a meat shield of sorts? Or to block the opposite tunnel?”

He silently wonders how many hobbits it would take to move such a monstrous thing.

[rredmond]

Naruthirdor attempts first aid on Gilly before the CLW: First Aid (16): [1d20] = 6
+1 HP for Gilly

[Inferno]

The Lost Halls of the First ElvenKing, Mountains of Mirkwood, Rhovanion, Middle Earth
Night. March 22, Year One of the Fourth Age
Day Four. Damp, cold




From the dark deep, the sound of iron footfalls grow louder!... Louder!...

Faced with so many choices, the Company are momentarily paralyzed. Then they fly in all directions at once!

Elbenwin hurriedly sees to his wounds as Naruthirdor tends to Gilly (+1hp each). Then Rumil heals Gilly with Elven grace (+6hp) for which the dwarf will gladly pay two coins.

Elbenarin, Glasik, Gilly, Therone and Tinuwen leap south into a dead end that could become their grave. They leave themselves no choice. Whatever happens next, there will be no escape. They will fight to the death; either theirs or their enemies'. Therone relishes this dark prospect.

At the crossroads, another line urgently starts to form! Gilwennen and Rumil set their legs and nock arrows! The elvish archers look southeast in dread anticipation. There, firelight slowly blooms in the distant depths!



Suddenly, large shadows lope into view, 100 feet away! (at the green question marks) Their pitch silhouettes, backlit by flame, seem larger and broader than the stunted misshapen fiends that lie broken and bloody at the heroes' feet.

Without hesitation, Gilwennen lets her arrows fly! Each unerring missile sails true, impaling a different shadow shape near where their hearts should be! But neither black figure falls!

Instead, all that follows is a loud animal roar of pure hatred and defiance!


Actions?!


Map:

Only the lighter areas are visible.
A dark tunnel affords Gilwennen and Rumil line of sight to the two torch-lit shapes whose positions are marked by question marks.



PC Status:

• Elbenarin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 19/30
  Elbenwin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 27/30
  Folco Boffin: Male Hobbit Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 21/21
  Gilda 'Gilly' Ironfoot: Female Dwarvish Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 23/28
  Glasik Ironfoot: Male Dwarvish Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 21/24
  Gilwennen: Female Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 8/8, Spells: 1/1 1st lvl, Light spell
  Naruthirdor Nowe: Male Elvish Magic-User 2: Move: 12", AC: 10, HP: 8/8, Spells: 1/4 1st lvl, Torch
  Rumil: Male Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 7/7, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl
  Therone: Female Elvish Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 22/22
  Tinuwen: Female Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 7/7, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl
  Red: Guard Dog: Move: 12", AC: 6, HD: 2+2, HP: 11/11, AT: 1, D: 2-8, THAC0: 16

PC Magic:

• Light (Gilwennen): Duration: 63 rounds

Player Resources:

• In Darkness and In Doubt (the story so far)
  Before The Fall (realms and maps of Middle Earth)
  The Fear and The Shadow (the story so far in images)
  History Became Legend. Legend Became Myth (clues and player notes)

[Urson]

Therone
Therone curses herself for a fool, then steps back into the crossing and readies her bow. She holds fire for now, studying the shapes as they approach. Can she tell anything more about them?

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

Rumil lets loose at the target straight in front of him.

Short Bow [1d20+1] = 16+1 = 17 to hit [1d6] = 1 to dam

Short Bow [1d20+1] = 13+1 = 14 to hit [1d6] = 2 to dam