Chapter 4: In Darkness and In Peril

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

Rumil follows along behind Folco.

[ChubbyPixie]

Gilwennen will sit near enough the wounded that she may defend them if an attack comes. Taking deep, silent breaths, she will usher herself off into a state of meditation to recover her strength and be ready to vanquish whatever woe befalls them next.

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

After eating a piece of Waybread and washing it down with a bit of water, Glasik will move to a spot near the door. He will sit, axe ready, watching for the return of their companions. Or someone, or something, else.

[Urson]

Therone
Therone nods to the others near the door. She relaxes a bit, and soon finds herself struggling to stay awake.

[SocraticLawyer]

Tinuwen does not relish the idea of splitting the party yet again, but knows it is worth the risk. She remains standing, bow ready, in case of another ambush by dark forces.

[Starbeard]

Vindoboduoc

Vindo pulls out his horn goblet and fills it with water from his skin, then presses it to Elbenarin's lips. "The Horn of Rorektalis reaches far back into the misty memories of my people, from the days when they warred with the Overlords of Númenor. Its rim has touched the lips of mighty men. A sup from it will bring back your fighting spirit."

DM:

Will Elbenarin lose the bonus if he is moved to another room before taking his actual rest for the night? It seems a good opportunity to use the item now, but I wouldn't want to waste it knowing that its effect is likely to be lost.

Vindo then gathers the goblet back into his pack and follows Folco and Rumil out, torch in hand.

[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




Cruel orc-shackles that once enslaved their kin are a dread omen upon the weary spirit of the Company.

Vindo administers unto Elbenarin a sip from a family heirloom from days of yore, when his people warred with Númenor. This night it heals a descendant of Númenor. (Effect comes with tonight's healing)

In the gathering darkness, they rest. Within this very hour, it had seemed all hope was gone. By some miracle, the Company survived to escape and recover. Now, still badly wounded, deep in unknown enemy territory, and hunted by ferocious Uruk-hai, they divide their dwindling number.

Vindo leaves his torch behind in a crude wall sconce and he, Folco, Rumil and Red set out into the unmapped depths of the orc-lair. In the dungeon, Glasik and Tinuwen stand first watch over the wounded rangers as Gilly, Gilwennen, Naruthirdor and Therone close their tired eyes. The ominous silence of this terrible place preys upon their minds. (Dungeon door kept open or shut?)

Folco douses his candle and the scouts wordlessly descend the orc-tunnel blind.



The darkness is absolute, but not too dark for the night-eyes of orcs.

Feeling their way through the fetid murk of the abandoned lair, Red growls low in his throat at the persistent stench of orc.

They risk a glance out the cave mouth (at H) into the ravine and see Uruk torches 80 feet below them!


(X marks the scouts. Ts mark the torches)

Eerily, the fiery brands are motionless. Are the Uruks listening for them? Tracking their footprints? Trying to catch their scent?

If Red were to bark at this moment, they would be discovered and all would be lost... their quest ended.

The scouts urgently withdraw as quiet as they can, silently luring Red back into the sightless gloom. They creep west and soon feel on their right a stone stairwell leading upward, deeper into the orc-warren. Straight ahead, they feel the rough-hewn tunnel widening to the south.


Actions?!



Map:

Lit areas are visible. All else is by feel or 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)

[OGRE MAGE]

Folco whispers in the darkness.

“Let’s follow these stairs up first and see where they lead. Perhaps orcs prefer their master bedroom’s opposite their torture chambers.”

He tries to stay calm, continuing to feel his way through the black hell. If they can make it around another bend or two, the hobbit draws his sword out again slightly to check if it glows.

[Starbeard]

Vindo's nod goes unnoticed in the darkness. "Continuing along this westerly passage might just put us closer to one of the other cave openings further down, perilously close to those torchlights. I will follow you up the stairs."

[Rex]

Rumil

Rumil will follow Folco's lead. Sword at the ready.

[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




Alone, Folco, Rumil, Vindo and Red feel their way blindly through the pitch blackness of the dreadful orc tunnels.

They slowly, painstakingly ascend a steep stairwell cut into the living rock. One misstep in the dark would be fatal. The steps end and they grope their way sightless into a northward passage. Cautious, probing fingers feel the tunnel wall widen. The stench here worsens; the foul stink of orc mixing with that of with rotting offal.

Then everything happens at once! Red growls low and angry in the darkness as they are suddenly surrounded by the piercing squeals of vermin and the scratching of scurrying claws on rock! The horrific sound echoes all around them!

With growing alarm, the heroes realize any light or noise here might bring the Uruk-hai down upon them and their injured friends!

Never before have they heard rats this numerous, nor this loud!


Actions?!


Map:

Lit areas are visible. All else is by feel or from memory.


Non-required Reading (rolls and rulings):

Re: elves and hobbits, from the PHB: "If alone and not in metal armor (or if well in advance- 90' or more - of a party which does not consist entirely of elves and/or halflings) an elven character moves so silently that he or she will surprise (q.v.) monsters 66 2/3% (d6, 1 through 4) of the time..."
Vindo is Mannish, but might move silently...
Vindo: Move Silently: (37%): [1d100] = 63 Missed.
Surprise: Good: [1d6] = 5, Evil: [1d6] = 6 Neither side is Surprised.

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
  Vindoboduoc: Male Man Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 19/19
  Red: Guard Dog: Move: 12", AC: 6, HD: 2+2, HP: 8/11, 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)

[Urson]

Therone
Therone sleeps poorly, her training and dedication trying to keep her awake to guard her friends. She dozes and jerks awake over and over again.

[Rex]

Rumil

Rumil will do his best to ignore the vermin and stay close to Folco and Vindo.

[rredmond]

Naruthirdor tries to ensure that the rangers are as warm and comfortable as possible, and will close the door a bit, leaving a crack, to afford some protection from attack.

[Starbeard]

Vindoboduoc gulps. "I have heard enough. This is a terrible idea, let's turn back. Better to sleep in an empty torture chamber than a comfy room stuffed with hungry rats."

[OGRE MAGE]

Folco agrees, quietly.

”I should have know! Of course the master bedroom is filled with rats! Let’s get out of here!”

He gives the command for Red to follow and leads the others back down the steps as quickly and quietly as possible. If their escape is successful, he chances another check on the Uruk before returning to the group.

[Rex]

Rumil

Whispering, "Good, I am growing weary. Rest will be good."

Follows Folco back.

[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




In darkness as black as Sauron's soul, the heroes are attacked by vile creatures they cannot see!

A plague of filthy feral rats, grown frightfully large and clever after countless generations bred in lands long ago fallen to Shadow, bite and rend with ravenous hunger and wicked malice! (1hp damage to Vindo, 3hp damage to Red)

Blind, the heroes lunge headlong down the steep, towering stairs in complete darkness, fleeing as fast as they dare from the diseased scavengers of the abandoned orc-lair! Miraculously, none of them slip and fall.

Unable to tell whether they are being pursued, Folco risks one quick glance out the cave mouth and sees the Uruk torches haven't moved in the last few minutes.

The scouts escape with their lives back to the orc-dungeon and the Company is reunited. Red licks Gilly's face and the dwarf sees her faithful hound is wounded. Vindo too bears a ragged gash bright with blood.


Actions?


Map:

Lit areas are visible. All else is by feel or from memory.


Non-required Reading (rolls and rulings):

Initiative: Good: [1d6] = 3, Evil: [1d6] = 4 Evil wins.
Attacks on Folco: [1d20] = 5, [1d20] = 2. Attacks on Vindo: [1d20] = 2, [1d20] = 17 Vindo is bitten (when blind, Dex modifiers aren't included in AC).
Attacks on Rumil: [1d20] = 9, [1d20] = 6. Attacks on Red: [1d20] = 6, [1d20] = 1 All miss. No critical fumbles in this game.
Damage to Vindo: [1d3] = 1

PCs flee a melee. Evil vicious rats take opportunity attacks:
Opportunity attacks on Folco: [1d20] = 11, [1d20] = 8. Opportunity attacks on Vindo: [1d20] = 8, [1d20] = 3 All miss.
Opportunity attacks on Rumil: [1d20] = 8, [1d20] = 5. Opportunity attacks on Red: [1d20] = 5, [1d20] = 20 Red is bit.
Damage to Red: [1d3] = 3
Vindo, Red catch disease? (5%): [1d100] = 50, [1d100] = 67 No.

Rats give chase for one round? (1-8): [2d6] = 11 No.

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
  Vindoboduoc: Male Man Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 18/19
  Red: Guard Dog: Move: 12", AC: 6, HD: 2+2, HP: 5/11, 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)

[OGRE MAGE]

Folco admonishes himself silently as they return to the safety of the torture chamber.

He closes the door behind them and stuffs any rags he can find in the cracks to prevent their light from shining out into the sloped hall.

After apologizing for his foolish ideas and for the newest wounds they caused, he finally addresses the group.

“Our attempt to find a safer place to rest backfired and we were almost overtaken by rats in the very first passage we searched. So sadly, it would appear that this is actually the best spot to hole up for the night.”

“The good news is, the Uruks don’t appear to be searchin the caves at all. They are holding their positions, possibly waiting for us to attemp to move through the valley. We may be safe in here yet, maybe.”

The hobbit finds a dry place to rest throughout the night and awaits his turn at guard watch.

[Rex]

Rumil

"I will rest now." He sits down and quickly passes out.