Chapter 4: In Darkness and In Peril

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

Rumil follows along. Whispering, "We need to find somewhere to rest soon."

[rredmond]

Naruthirdor continues on with the others, and an occasional look back to check for any light or sounds.

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

Glasik continues carrying Elbenarin, glad for the bit of light to show the way. At one point, he stumbles briefly, but is able to quickly regain his footing. I'm ok. Just tired. I'll need to set him down soon.

[ChubbyPixie]

Gilwennen is happy to see light again. She follows the others up the tunnel, alert for danger.

[SocraticLawyer]

Tinuwen continues following, hoping that she will not need to use her bow again anytime soon.

[Inferno]

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




Led by little Folco of the Shire, the Company creep deeper into the cold dark unknown, bearing with them their grievously injured.

The rank tunnel ends at a stout wooden door with iron bandings.



It hangs wide open on its hinges, a key in its lock.

Spying no insidious orc-traps lying in wait, the hobbit's bare furry feet hesitantly step through the door and Folco's flickering candle reveals a ghastly scene.



A gruesome orc-dungeon. The nightmarish chamber is empty yet filled with grisly signs of the piteous Men and Elves that were once held captive here, and the horrific things that befell them. Over a dozen cruel manacles dangle on thick iron chains. Near the wall boltings are desperate harrowing scratch marks in the stone, stained dark with blood.

The weary Company can't help but fear that this terrifying fate of bondage and slavery at the hands of Orcs awaits all of Middle Earth.


Actions?!



Map:

Lit areas are visible. All else is from memory.



PC Status:

• Elbenarin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: -3/30
  Elbenwin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: -3/30
  Folco Boffin: Male Hobbit Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 5/21
  Gilda 'Gilly' Ironfoot: Female Dwarvish Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 5/28
  Glasik Ironfoot: Male Dwarvish Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 4/24
  Gilwennen: Female Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 5/8, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl
  Naruthirdor Nowe: Male Elvish Magic-User 2: Move: 12", AC: 10, HP: 3/8, Spells: 0/4 1st lvl
  Rumil: Male Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 2/7, Spells: 0/3 1st lvl
  Therone: Female Elvish Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 2/22
  Tinuwen: Female Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 3/7, Spells: 0/3 1st lvl
  Red: Guard Dog: Move: 12", AC: 6, HD: 2+2, HP: 8/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4, THAC0: 16
  Vindoboduoc: Male Man Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 19/19

PC Magic:

• None currently.

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

Thank the Powers.. Therone says this quietly, but with deep sincerity. She holds her place at the rear, still intent on providing security while the others take care of the wounded.

[OGRE MAGE]

Folco initially checks to see if the key will work on both sides of the door, allowing them to lock themselves inside this room of horrors.

“Nope. No way. Look at this place! Horrifyingly horrible! We can let our wounded rest here for a while, but I can’t sleep in this place. I will go back out and look for something else. Perhaps there are better accommodations in the tunnels west of the entrance.”

The tiny hobbit lets the others inside to look around but he stays by the door, ready to do a bit more sneaksing through these tunnels to find a better option for long term rest.

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

Rumil set down his wounded companion. "If you are going back to search more I will go with you. I am not as skilled as you are Master Folco, but my armor is quieter than the other warriors in the group so I am most likely the best option."

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

At this point, I could sleep in the middle of an active battlefield. I'm tired to the bone, but I know I'm in better shape than some of our number, so I'll not complain. I'll do my best to defend us all to the death, but if we don't get some rest soon, the Orcs may not even need to draw a blade if they manage to find us. He makes sure Elbenarin is laid down so that he should be as comfortable as possible in their current location.

[hedgeknight]

Gilly Ironfoot

Glad to be inside of a room, Gilly's initial relief is stained by the horrific torture devices and signs of past victims. Still...they are alive and can hole up for awhile.

"I'll stay wit me brother and watch over the wounded," Gilly says, barely able to stand up straight herself. "Folco, if you need Red to go with ya, he's a good boy. He'll do what ya say."
She pats the red-bone hound on the head and pours some water in her hand to let him drink.

Regardless, she takes up a spot near the wounded, squats near a wall and with her pick beside her, she watches and waits.

[ChubbyPixie]

Gilwennen is disgusted by their new quarters, as she is all things orcish, but is grateful for it all the same. She murmurs a prayer to Varda for the unfortunate souls who surely perished here, wretched and without hope.

"It is the living we must fear now, not the lingering visions of the past. Search if you must, but hurry back unscathed. I fear we may indeed be resting here for the night," she says to the departing members of the company.

[Starbeard]

Vindo looks around. "Let us first case this room. It might have other exits. I will accompany the scouting party once we have determined the suitability of temporary respite in this ghastly chamber." The Wild Man lights a torch.

[Urson]

Therone
Therone wrinkles her nose at the stench of Orc and Uruk, but smiles when she sees it is actually a defensible spot. She leans against the wall, facing the door. Her blade is in her hand.

[rredmond]

Naruthirdor checks out the room as best as he can, looking to see if anything in here might still be useful, or healing in any way. "Whether we rest here or elsewhere, we will need to rest soon," he says as matter-of-factly as he checks out the room.

[SocraticLawyer]

Tinuwen sets her bow down briefly, she takes a quick drag from her waterskin, and wipes sweat from her face. Then she stows the waterskin and picks up the bow once more, ready for action.

[Inferno]

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




Within a cruel orc-prison, the Company lay down their precious burdens at last and prepare to rest for the night.

As Therone and Tinuwen stand guard, Vindo the tamed savage gets a torch alight and joins Naruthirdor the elf in searching the brutal dungeon. They discover nothing of use, nor any secret passages to escape it.

Folco doesn't find a keyhole on the inside of the dungeon door, nor does he find lodgings to his liking. Horrified by the frightful chamber, the little shireling declares his intention to search the uncharted subterranean orc-lair alone for accommodations better suited to a hobbit.

Rumil and Vindo will join him, and Gilly the dwarf volunteers Red. The others will rest and recover their strength.


Actions?!



Map:

Lit areas are visible. All else is from memory.



PC Status:

• Elbenarin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: -3/30
  Elbenwin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: -3/30
  Folco Boffin: Male Hobbit Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 5/21, Candle
  Gilda 'Gilly' Ironfoot: Female Dwarvish Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 5/28
  Glasik Ironfoot: Male Dwarvish Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 4/24
  Gilwennen: Female Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 5/8, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl
  Naruthirdor Nowe: Male Elvish Magic-User 2: Move: 12", AC: 10, HP: 3/8, Spells: 0/4 1st lvl
  Rumil: Male Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 2/7, Spells: 0/3 1st lvl
  Therone: Female Elvish Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 2/22
  Tinuwen: Female Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 3/7, Spells: 0/3 1st lvl
  Red: Guard Dog: Move: 12", AC: 6, HD: 2+2, HP: 8/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4, THAC0: 16
  Vindoboduoc: Male Man Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 19/19, Torch

PC Magic:

• None currently.

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)

[rredmond]

Naruthirdor checks to ensure that their wounded haven't sprung any new leaks during the travel, and he will plop down to take a rest near to where they lay.

[hedgeknight]

Gilly sits near the rangers to watch them as they sleep...while she too rests.
Ever practical, she digs into her pack and wolfs down her rations for the day.
Trying not to belch or fart too loudly, Gilly leans back on the wall and closes her eyes...keeping her pick in her lap.

[OGRE MAGE]

Folco pulls the key and drops it into his pocket in case he needs it again.

“So we can be locked in here, but we can’t lock them out. Another reason to find something better. Maybe something with more of a.........back door?”

“Worry not, we shan’t be long.”

After getting some of the basic commands for Red, the hobbit quickly leads the others back to the cave entrance, now that they know the way. Folco makes sure all lights are doused before chancing a cautious check on the progress of the search outside.

If there is no immediate danger, he puts his right hand to the wall and leads everyone forward through the darkness, tapping in front of himself again as they search the opposite passageway.