Chapter 5: Nameless Things

[rredmond]

Naruthirdor follows along, looking around at the fallen grandeur. He keeps an eye peeled for anything that might be hidden, or useful on their quest.

[Urson]

Therone
Therone accepts the complements as an apology, smiling. The Orc may fear this place- but they might be able to muster enough courage to follow us. Keep quiet, and stay in the shadows!
She trots into the N-S hall, moving North of the entrance.

[OGRE MAGE]

Folco cares far less for the architecture of this massive ancient place, concentrating his focus on the here and now. He looks around for any signs of movement or occupancy while trying to keep up with the longshanks heading north.

“Agreed! We should not rule out the possibility of the Uruks and orcs following us in here, even if they do usually avoid this place.”

“And I doubt hobbits ever dwelled here, master Glasik. It’s lovely and all, but it’s far to big a place for the likes of a shireling.”

[ravenn4544]

Elbenarin follows along looking in awe at the ancient kingdom.

[Starbeard]

Vindo's eyes also follow the echoing walls up to the ceiling, keeping watch for anything that might be lurking up there. "I have heard of giant, crawling beasties that lurk in the darkest recesses of Mirkwood. Hopefully we won't meet any here."

[SocraticLawyer]

Tinuwen follows along from her position in the rear of the group, Baudhring at the ready. Her keen elven eyesight checking not only what lies before, but above and behind them as well.

[Inferno]

The Lost Halls of the First ElvenKing, The Mountains of Mirkwood, Rhovanion, Middle Earth
March 23, Year One of the Fourth Age
Day Five. Morning. Cloudy, damp, cold



The Company are overwhelmed by the dread and wonder of the lost ElvenKing's Hall. They creep deeper through vestiges of majesty and splendour undreamt of, stalked by a nameless fear.

It is as quiet as the grave. The only sound is the Company's echoing steps which, in the oppressive silence, seem near to deafening.

After long tense minutes of exploration, the immense passageway turns west. In the corner are two great doors, each adorned by ancient elvish runes that offer heartfelt laments for the dead.

Suddenly, through those shut doors fly terrifying apparitions!



Lit by moonlight unseen, they are luminous and ethereal and they cry with the voices of death!


Actions?!


Map:

One square = 20 feet. Lighter areas are visible. All else is from memory.


Map Detail:



Non-required Reading (rolls and rulings):

Company surprised? (1-2): [1d6] = 4 No.

PC Status:

• Elbenarin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 25/30
  Elbenwin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 25/30, Lantern
  Folco Boffin: Male Hobbit Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 11/21
  Gilda 'Gilly' Ironfoot: Female Dwarvish Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 26/41, Torch
  Glasik Ironfoot: Male Dwarvish Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 20/34
  Gilwennen: Female Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 2/1: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 13/13, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl
  Naruthirdor Nowe: Male Elvish Magic-User 2: Move: 12", AC: 10, HP: 7/8, Spells: 2/4 1st lvl
  Rumil: Male Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 2/1: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 11/12, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl
  Therone: Female Elvish Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 16/31
  Tinuwen: Female Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 2/1: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 12/12, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl
  Vindoboduoc: Male Man Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 19/19
  Red: Guard Dog: Move: 12", AC: 6, HD: 2+2, HP: 9/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4, THAC0: 16

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)

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

What the... Glasik charges forward, swinging his axe at one of the apparitions, but his unease at seeing it throws off his aim.

Battle Axe (16): [1d20] = 7; Damage: [1d8+4] = 8+4 = 12

[rredmond]

Naruthirdor attempts to ascertain, if he can, the intent of the apparitions. Or maybe even if they can be communicated with.
Sigh, believe me I know where this is going...
Ability check v INT (17): [1d20] = 6
Well well well, glad the roller can't figure out intent!

[ravenn4544]

Elbenarin follows Glaski's lead - attacking the the evil (h1) that seems to be soiling the ancient elven halls..

Int (13) [1d20+2] = 14+2 = 16

Long Sword Attack [1d20+1] = 14+1 = 15 (THACO=19)
Long Sword Damage = S/M: [1d8+1] = 2+1 = 3 / L: [1d12+1] = 4+1 = 5

[OGRE MAGE]

Folco draws his blade and rushes northwest, stopping at the wall next to the door, looking for a shadow to hide in that might allow him a sneak attack from behind the oncoming apparitions.

[SocraticLawyer]

Tinuwen fires off two arrows at the nearest apparition (h4).

To hit with bow [1d20+5] = 9+5 = 14

To hit with bow [1d20+5] = 1+5 = 6

Damage from arrow [1d6] = 5

INT check (13) [1d20] = 1

[rredmond]

Naruthirdor whispers loudly to the others through gritted teeth, "I believe these to be 'The Houseless'. Spirits of the slain inhabitants of these halls who chose to reject the afterlife. They wander our world steeped in regret and self-pity, filled with bitterness and envy of the living. Some of the more wicked among them will steal bodies that they may have life again. Try not to get too close!"
Naruthirdor casts Bless in an attempt to send their souls to the elvish afterlife, or at least somewhere far away from them!

[wolfpack]

elbenwin steps back, attacking any spirit that attacks him [1d20+1] = 3+1 = 4

[hedgeknight]

Gilda Ironfoot

Upon hearing Naruthirdor's warning, Gilly gasps and calls to her brother.
"Glasik! Watch out! These spirits will suck out yer soul!"

She cautiously approaches, drawing her Elfin blade and waving her torch to try and keep the soulless ones at bay.
If one gets too close, she will try and jab it with her sword.
Elven Sword: [1d20+1] = 6+1 = 7 Damage: [1d6+2] = 2+2 = 4

[Starbeard]

Vindo likewise draws his blade, sinking into the shadows against the east wall to avoid detection from his enemies.

[ChubbyPixie]

Gilwennen will also loose two arrows at the nearest spirit (h4) before the situation closes to melee:

Attack with Long Bow (THAC0:20): To Hit: [1d20+4] = 3+4 = 7 Damage vs. s/m/L: [1d6] = 6

Attack with Long Bow (THAC0:20): To Hit: [1d20+4] = 18+4 = 22 Damage vs. s/m/L: [1d6] = 1

Intelligence Check: [1d20] = 5

[Urson]

Edited, after reading the OOC thread.
Therone
Therone holds position, waiting for the spirits to demonstrate intent. They may be Ancestors, willing to give us aid.

[1d20] = 3

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

Unsure of what to do Rumil holds his position.

Knowledge check (13) [1d20] = 17

"Will magic harm them or light drive them back?"

[Inferno]

The Lost Halls of the First ElvenKing, The Mountains of Mirkwood, Rhovanion, Middle Earth
March 23, Year One of the Fourth Age
Day Five. Morning. Cloudy, damp, cold




Beset by baleful phantoms from beyond the grave, Naruthirdor urgently warns his companions of the Houseless! Then the elven sage begins to recite an ancient elvish blessing in hopes of warding the Company against possession! He never gets the chance to finish it.

Before the Company can act, the four alarming specters enter the bodies of Gilwennen, Naruthirdor, Therone and Tinuwen! With a quenchless envy of the living, the Houseless devour all that they are and all that they ever will be.

Naruthirdor stops his invocation of protection. "Yes!" he exalts in Elvish, in a voice not his own.

"We live again!" exclaims the shape of Gilwennen.

"A second chance!" Tinuwen's form cries with joy.

"Freed from the shackles of the grave!" laughs the body of Therone.

Vindo and Folco slink into the shadows and draw their weapons. Folco's shortsword betrays his position, its blade limned in a low glow!

Rumil of Mirkwood, the dwarfs and the rangers no longer have spectral targets to attack, unless they would raise arms against their friends!


Actions?! (except Gilwennen, Naruthirdor, Therone and Tinuwen!)



Map Detail:

One square = 20 feet. Lighter areas are visible. All else is from memory.

Map:



Non-required Reading (rolls and rulings):

Initiative: Good: [1d6] = 4, Evil: [1d6] = 5 Evil wins.
Save vs Spells: Gilwennen, Naruthirdor, Therone and Tinuwen: [1d20] = 10, [1d20] = 7, [1d20] = 7, [1d20] = 2 All fail!

PC Status:

• Elbenarin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 25/30
  Elbenwin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 25/30, Lantern
  Folco Boffin: Male Hobbit Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 11/21
  Gilda 'Gilly' Ironfoot: Female Dwarvish Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 26/41, Torch
  Glasik Ironfoot: Male Dwarvish Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 20/34
  Gilwennen: Female Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 2/1: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 13/13, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl
  Naruthirdor Nowe: Male Elvish Magic-User 2: Move: 12", AC: 10, HP: 7/8, Spells: 1/4 1st lvl
  Rumil: Male Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 2/1: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 11/12, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl
  Therone: Female Elvish Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 16/31
  Tinuwen: Female Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 2/1: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 12/12, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl
  Vindoboduoc: Male Man Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 19/19
  Red: Guard Dog: Move: 12", AC: 6, HD: 2+2, HP: 9/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4, THAC0: 16

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)