Chapter 4: In Darkness and In Peril

[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




As the craven orcs flee back into the shadows from which they came, the Company work quickly to save the lives of their fallen companions!

Folco administers some of the foul-smelling concoction from the troll lair to Tinuwen (+6hp) and the elf maid awakens! Two doses remain in the orc grog jug.

As Therone guards the northern darkness, Gilly, Gilwennen, Glasik and Naruthirdor drag back the dying rangers and bind their grievous wounds and those of Rumil, saving their lives with but moments to spare! (+1hp to Elbenwin) Deepest in the jaws of the insidious orc-trap, the Dunedain hover at death's door.

Glasik the dwarf shouts defiantly! His fell words in the Black Speech of Mordor echo in the vast emptiness of the deep.

The ambush had taken a terrible toll. The Company is badly wounded and vulnerable in these dark, deadly territories of The Enemy.


Actions?!


Map Detail:

One square = 10 feet. Lighter areas are visible. All else is from memory.

Map:



Non-required Reading (rolls and rulings):

This post covered two rounds of activity.
Regarding healing...
Round one: Gilly, Glasik, Gilwennen and Naruthirdor move and/or pull the wounded back.
Round two: Naruthirdor applies first aid to Elbenwin. Gilwennen applies first aid to Elbenarin. Glasik binds Rumil's wounds.
Naruthirdor: First aid on Elbenwin: Wisdom check: [1d20] = 10 Succeeds.
Tinuwen healing potion: [2d4+1] = 5+1 = 6

PC Status:

• Elbenarin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: -9/30
  Elbenwin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: -7/30
  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, Light spell
  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: -6/7, 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

PC Magic:

• Light (Gilwennen): Duration: 32 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)

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

Folco, how much more of that...stuff...do you have left? Can you give some to each of our downed companions?

[rredmond]

Naruthirdor nods at Glasik and looks to Folco, "since we may be carrying companions to get to safety, shall we focus on getting at least one more standing, and then find a safer spot to rest and reset? Let me minister to Elbenarin, and," he looks over, "Rumil can use some of the elven knowledge of healing as well, before we resort to the grog. I also have the last drought of the King's potion. But let's save that for the companion we feel most needy after the grog is gone." First Aid on Elbenarin: First Aid (WIS 16): [1d20] = 16 Crikey that was close!

[hedgeknight]

Gilly hasn't really addressed the female Elf Therone, but since they are standing near each other, with the open tunnel before them, she asks, "Ya think there might be a place to hole up down that tunnel? I can send Red to sniff it out."

[Urson]

Therone

Despite everything, Therone chuckles. I was about to ask you something similar. I've heard a lot of tales about the Dwarven people- a lot of them pure foolishness, I'm sure. I wondered if you might have some Dwarf insight about the tunnels.
I'd hate to put your Red in danger... but he's clearly trained to handle it. If you think he can find us something, by all means.

[hedgeknight]

"Alrighty then, me and Red will give it a look-see. Wanna come with?"

Not waiting for an answer, Gilly pulls a torch off her back, uses her flint to light it, and then she begins walking down the unexplored tunnel. Every 10 feet or so, she stops and examines the walls, making sure the path is safe and making sure she doesn't miss anything.

Detect sliding/shifting walls/rooms: 66 2/3% (1-4 on d6) > [1d6] = 2
Detect sliding/shifting walls/rooms: 66 2/3% (1-4 on d6) > [1d6] = 5
Detect traps (pits, falling blocks, stonework): 50% > [1d100] = 17
Detect traps (pits, falling blocks, stonework): 50% > [1d100] = 44

[OGRE MAGE]

Folco looks down at his own badly burned skin and almost takes a swig of the grog himself before handing the jug over to the real doctor, Naruthirdor.

"Wait here, I am going to check our rear flank for trouble."

The hobbit pulls out his elven blade to check the intensity of its glow as he moves back towards the secret door. He listens for any orc noises there before moving along further to do the same in the room with the burned orcs.

[ChubbyPixie]

Now that they are settled, having bungled her attempt on Elbinarin, Gilwennen will attempt to administer first aid to Rumil instead.

Wisdom Check to Bandage Wounds (9): [1d20] = 7

[Urson]

Therone

Therone follows Gilly and Red, staying about 10' back. She follows Gilly's lead, stopping when the dwarf stops, walking where the Dwarf walked. Her bow is back in-hand, with an arrow nocked.

[SocraticLawyer]

Many thanks, Master Hobbit says Tinuwen. She draws her bow and remains at the back of the group, making sure no orcs or other nasty creatures approach from the rear.

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

Sighing, Glasik readies his axe as he follows his sister and the elf. His earlier words were meant to scare the Orcs away; he hopes they did the job.

[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




Gilly gets a torch alight and its flame pushes back the darkness of the dank, fetid orc-tunnels. With Therone, Glasik and Red following in her footsteps, she cautiously treads north. No orc-ambush awaits their advance.

The dwarf's torchlight reveals a large, rough hewn chamber, devoid of life. The cavity is filled with mounds of dead leaves and branches that serve as orc beds. Keen-eyed Gilly finds no secrets hidden in the crudely tunneled rock walls. The stench of orc and rotting vegetation here is overwhelming.

Behind them, Tinuwen stands guard, arrow nocked in her bowstring. Under her protection, Gilwennen and Naruthirdor practice the ancient craft of elvish healing upon Elbenarin and Rumil (+1hp each). Alas, their conditions, and that of Elbenwin, remain dire.

Beyond them, Folco draws his elvish dagger and it glows cold and faint. He moves to the secret passage and listens. In the darkness of the troll lair, he hears orcish voices in the distance, coming from outside. Then suddenly a figure steps out of the pitch darkness into the glow of his dagger! (Vi) A pale, tall Man with a short sword. He holds his empty hand out, palm forward, and whispers, "Shhh."


Actions?!


Map Detail:

One square = 10 feet. Lighter areas are visible. All else is from memory.

Map:




PC Status:

• Elbenarin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: -8/30
  Elbenwin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: -7/30
  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, Light spell
  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: -5/7, 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

PC Magic:

• Light (Gilwennen): Duration: 31 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)

[rredmond]

Naruthirdor relaxes as he notes they seem to have a couple seconds of safety, especially with the others checking things out, and takes the jug from Folco. If Gilwennen is still there, he hands the elven king's potion to her, "could you administer this to Rumil? Seems fair as it came from his King." Whether or not Gilwennen needs to leave, Naruthirdor administers a dose of the troll potion to Elbenarin.

[OGRE MAGE]

Folco gulps hard when he spots the non orc stranger, but holds his initial reaction of screaming out loud. He quietly whispers back. “Old Toby’s toenails mister! I nearly skewered you! Where did you come from? There’s orcs everywhere around here, you know!”

The hobbit steps back to let the man enter if he chooses, but then looks him over suspiciously again. ”Hey! You ain’t an orc, are you?” Folco keeps one eye and both ears on the orc noises, still trying to determine if the eastern passage remains clear of oncoming threats.

[Starbeard]

The wild-eyed young man stares down his celestial nose at the hobbit with a dire smirk. "If I were an orc I dare say you would have smelled me first, little friend."

Stooping low and shooing the Folco back away from the cave entrance, he continues with hushed intensity. "I have watched this place for many hours, and there are more than mere orcs here: torchbearing Uruks of Saruman Snake-Eyed occupy another cave nearby, and just now are arranging an ambuscade along the perimeter of the ravine. Whether they mean to ensnare your party or the orcs, whom they hate dearly, I cannot say; but either way you are in peril should you return the way you came. We must press further into the ravine for another exit. Where is the rest of your company?"

[hedgeknight]

Gilly nods at Therone and then looks to her brother.
"Let's check out the far end a little bit more. Might be we could hole up and heal up in here for a spell. Red, get on in there boy!"
With that, Gilly presses on into the cave, Red leading the way...

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

Shaking his head, Glasik dutifully follows his sister.

[Urson]

Therone

Therone moves to the middle of the visible space in this new chamber, keeping careful watch on her companions.

[OGRE MAGE]

Glad to see Tinuwen up and guarding the rear, Folco steps back to allow the stranger inside.

“Ya, we killed a bunch of them big ugly’s already along with dozens of orcs. Oh, and a cave troll. Hey! Did you see us come in here? Did you see the creatures in here coming and going? Maybe you know of a place we could hide out for a while? We’re in pretty bad shape right now.”

The hobbit points the newcomer towards the others as he moves to the dead orc nearby and checks him over, hoping to find more grog. G17

[ChubbyPixie]

Gilwennen merely nods and administers the proffered orc swill to Rumil. She listens intently as she does so, doing mental math as to the location of the other members of the party and feeling something isn't right.