Chapter 2: A Fool's Hope

[OGRE MAGE]

Folco keeps a trained eye on the "harmless" spiders in the trees, remembering stories about woods filled with huge ugly spiders from his youth. He stays quiet, letting the others with more experience in such matters decide the groups next actions.

The young hobbit doesn't let his guard down as camp is being prepared, watching the dark woods from every angle as often as he can, all while munching on more of the dry elf bread.

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

Glasik joins the crew gathering firewood before settling in until his watch.

[hedgeknight]

"See? Not so bad, is it Red?" Gilly says, her breath coming in quick gasps as she worries Red's ears and hugs his neck.

[Inferno]

Mirkwood Forest, Rhovanion, Middle Earth
Dawn. March 21, Year One of the Fourth Age
Day Three. Damp, cold



Deep in the heart of Mirkwood, on the banks of the enchanted river of forgetfulness, the young company take their rest.

It is the dawn of the first day of Spring, the vernal equinox.

During first watch, Naruthirdor the elf speaks to a large bat. "How do you do?" it asks. "Ever so pleased to make your acquaintance! Have you any mosquitoes? Splendid lovely morsels, aren't they?"

Naruthirdor learns that the bat's territory does not range far enough to reach the Mountains of Mirkwood. The friendly bat knows of game trails away from the river, and confirms Rumil's counsel that orcs, spiders, and goblins roam within the dark forest. "Dreadful things!"



During the third watch, Folco the hobbit has a grumbling stomach ache. It might have something to do with the four pieces of weybread he ate today.

The company is asleep in their camp except for Folco and Gilly the dwarf who stand watch among the small campfires.

Suddenly and without warning, gigantic horrible spiders descend upon them from the shadows of the forest-roof!



"Blooood!" the ghastly spiders hiss! "Let us feeeasst!!!"


Actions, Folco, Gilly and Red?!


The Company's Journey:

X = the Company.


Non-required Reading (rolls and rulings):

During which watch? [1d5] = 3 Third watch: Gilly and Folco.
Party surprised? (1-2): [1d6] = 3 No.

PC Status:

• Elbenarin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 30/30
  Elbenwin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 30/30
  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: 28/28
  Glasik Ironfoot: Male Dwarvish Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 24/24
  Gilwennen: Female Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 8/8, Spells: 1/1 1st lvl
  Naruthirdor Nowe: Male Elvish Magic-User 2: Move: 12", AC: 10, HP: 8/8, Spells: 3/4 1st lvl
  Rumil: Male Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 7/7, Spells: 3/3 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

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)

[hedgeknight]

"WAKE UP! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!" Gilly shouts as loud as she can, pulling a hand axe at her belt and hurling it at one of the large spiders.
"Get 'em, Red!"

Initiative: [1d6] = 1
Throwing Axe: [1d20] = 14 S/M Dmg: [1d6+1] = 1+1 = 2 Lg Dmg: [1d4+1] = 3+1 = 4

Red Attacks: [1d20] = 3 Bite Dmg: [1d4] = 4

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

Hearing Gilly shout, Rumil snaps out of his light slumber, grabs his bow and prepares to fire the arrows he had laid out in case needed at the nearest spider.

"Everyone up, spiders!"

Edited to delete attacks.

[ravenn4544]

Elbenarin, his sword out of it's sheath while he rested, is on his feet and ready for this next obstacle on their journey. He glances around to make sure his brother is awake and ready also.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sorry! Busy weekend.

Folco dives for the shadows, hoping the others shouting will rouse enough of the group for him to still be able to sneak around in the darkness.

He attempts to move through the blackness and come up behind their attackers.

HiS/MS

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

Zzzzzzzzzz.

[Inferno]

Mirkwood Forest, Rhovanion, Middle Earth
Dawn. March 21, Year One of the Fourth Age
Day Three. Damp, cold



Down from the forest-roof of Mirkwood plunge four great, horrific spiders on thick strands of web!

"I can tassste their flessssh already!" one monster whispers hideously as they pounce upon Folco and Gilly with frightening speed!

Hobbit and dwarf are both bitten! (-3hp and -6hp respectively)
The two heroes can feel the ghastly creatures' venom coursing through their veins! (Save vs Poison please!)

Red the dog barks at the giant arachnids and Gilly joins the chorus, shouting for her companions to awaken! She hurls her ax even as she feels the insidious poison threatening to take her! The dwarvish blade sinks into the carapace of her dreadful, fiendish attacker! (S4)

Folco frantically and fruitlessly looks for a place to hide as the rest of the company awaken in alarm!
(Folco's action was rendered moot by the spiders winning initiative and engaging him in melee. If Folco Saves vs Poison, please post two actions: one for this round, one for next. The first action will preempt all others. Thanks.)


Actions?!


Map:

One square = 10 feet. Mirkwood is so overgrown that for movement, 1" = 10 feet.

The Company's Journey:

X = the Company.


Non-required Reading (rolls and rulings):

Initiative: Good: [1d6] = 1, Evil: [1d6] = 3 Evil wins.
S1, S4 charge Folco and Gilly: [1d20+2] = 14+2 = 16, [1d20+2] = 11+2 = 13, damage: [1d8] = 3, [1d8] = 6 Both are hit.

Because Folco and Gilly are not Surprised (see last round's roll), I'll rule they can shout before they are poisoned.

Gilly's ax was thrown the same round that her enemy closed to melee, so it doesn't count as firing a missile into a melee. But now that melee is established, they will from now on.

PC Status:

• Elbenarin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 30/30
  Elbenwin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 30/30
  Folco Boffin: Male Hobbit Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 18/21
  Gilda 'Gilly' Ironfoot: Female Dwarvish Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 22/28
  Glasik Ironfoot: Male Dwarvish Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 24/24
  Gilwennen: Female Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 8/8, Spells: 1/1 1st lvl
  Naruthirdor Nowe: Male Elvish Magic-User 2: Move: 12", AC: 10, HP: 8/8, Spells: 3/4 1st lvl
  Rumil: Male Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 7/7, Spells: 3/3 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

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)

[ravenn4544]

Elbenarin forgoes his armor and will lunge at the closest spider (S3)...

Long Sword Attack [1d20+1] = 13+1 = 14 (THACO=19)
Long Sword Damage = S/M: [1d8+1] = 8+1 = 9 / L: [1d12+1] = 5+1 = 6

[ChubbyPixie]

“Come, Tinuwen, let us dispatch this foulness,” says Gilwennen, quickly registering the situation. Naringë comes singing from the scabbard, a sudden, dazzling spike in the oppressive gloom - so much so that even its bearer is startled by the contrast and, swinging for a grotesque, segmented leg, misses her mark:

Attack with Naringë - Long Sword +1 (THAC0:20): To Hit: [1d20+2] = 6+2 = 8 Damage vs. s/m: [1d8+1] = 7+1 = 8, vs. Lg: [1d12+1] = 7+1 = 8

[Urson]

Therone

Therone steps in to attack (S3), her eyes still half-closed.

[1d20] = 20 melee !!
short sword [1d6+1] = 5+1 = 6 s/m

There is a rumble of thunder when the blade strikes, as if from a storm miles away.

[OGRE MAGE]

Folco quickly shakes off the bite from the horrific beast as he rolls to one side with his new sword in hand.

Save vs. Poison (9) [1d20] = 11

He lunges at the monster as he screams. "Wake up! Wake up! Spiders are falling from the trees! This is just like one of the old Gaffers horror stories!" His counter attack finds no target. Attack w/ +1 Shortsword [1d20+1] = 3+1 = 4 Damage s/m [1d6+1] = 2+1 = 3 L [1d8+1] = 8+1 = 9

Hoping to use his small stature to his advantage, the tiny hobbit scampers under the belly of the spider on him. He thrusts upwards with all of his might, trying to put a new maggot hole into the many legged monster.

Attack w/ +1 Shortsword [1d20+1] = 11+1 = 12 Damage s/m [1d6+1] = 6+1 = 7 L [1d8+1] = 7+1 = 8

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

Seeing Folco battling the great spider he grabs his sword and shield and attacks the spider(S1).

Long Sword [1d20+3] = 19+3 = 22 to hit [1d8+3] = 8+3 = 11 dam sm [1d12+3] = 4+3 = 7 dam l

Wearing armor.

[rredmond]

Half awake, and dimly aware he's utilized all his magic today, Naruthirdor stumbles up taking stock of the current situation. Neither wanting (nor would it be useful) to join the front line defenders of the camp, he grabs some lit branches (that have an unlit end ) out of the nearest campfire, one in each hand, hoping to harry the spiders with it. "Anyone have any oil," he asks, the fire, and adrenaline, waking him up fully.

[wolfpack]

Elbenwin grabs his shield

Gimilzor sings as it is whipped from the scabbard, moonlight explodes off the blade as the gleaming edge strikes at one of the spiders

[1d20+1] = 11+1 = 12
[1d12+1] = 4+1 = 5

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

Hearing the commotion of battle, Glasik wakens, taking stock of the situation. Grabbing his axe, he attacks the nearest spider.

Battle Axe (17): [1d20] = 13; Damage: [1d8+4] = 6+4 = 10

[SocraticLawyer]

Tinuwen tosses a flask of oil to Naruthirdorif she can do so and still attack this round. If not she attacks instead.

Not wanting to risk firing into melee, the elf maiden draws her longsword and attacks the nearest spider.

To hit with sword [1d20+1] = 16+1 = 17

Damage from sword [1d12] = 1

[hedgeknight]

Gilly tries to draw her new elven sword, but feels the strength in her arm suddenly grow weak.
"Red! Stay away, boy!" she manages to groan as she sinks to her knees.

Save vs. Poison (9): [1d20+5] = 3+5 = 8

Seeing Gilly in pain, Red ignores his master's command and attacks the large spider of Mirkwood, latching hold with his teeth and biting deep! Red Attacks: [1d20] = 18 Damage [2d4] = 6