Chapter 5: Nameless Things

[SocraticLawyer]

Tinuwen readies Baudhring, hoping that no more of the Houseless emerge. She knocks an arrow in case they do.

[ChubbyPixie]

"As we have seen, the houseless heed not any portal. Had they wished they could have attacked us already here in the hall. Let us enter one of these and shut the door, letting the Uruks pass to meet their fate and weaken our own adversaries," offers Gilwennen.

She will continue with the group as they advance, whether they heed her advice or not.

[ravenn4544]

Elbenarin follows, knowing they need to get behind cover as the Uruk arrows are deadly in the darkness....

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

Gilwennen, that is not a bad idea. We know what is behind the first doors; if the Uruks open them and face the Houseless, they may expect more of the same from other doors and pass them by. If we were to hide in there, they may skip past us.

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

"Behind the door then, lets move quickly."

[wolfpack]

Elbenwin will enter the room after everyone is in he puts the hood down on the lantern to hide the light

[Urson]

Therone
Therone makes a sour face when the idea of opening the tomb doors is broached, but she nods. I hate the idea of disturbing the Ancestors. But I think we're better to disturb them than to join them. She joins the others in whichever tomb they choose, staying near the door.

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

The dwarf will enter last, axe ready to deal a nasty surprise to anything that opens the door. Gilly, make sure Red stays quiet. If the Uruk's hear anything more than the silence of the tomb, we're dead.

[rredmond]

After attempting to gain further meaning from the writings on the doors, Naruthirdor goes in with the party.

[OGRE MAGE]

Once Folco sees that he has been nearly abandoned in the huge hall, he moves inside with the others.

[hedgeknight]

Glasik Ironfoot The dwarf will enter last, axe ready to deal a nasty surprise to anything that opens the door. Gilly, make sure Red stays quiet. If the Uruk's hear anything more than the silence of the tomb, we're dead.

"Me and Red got this covered, don't ye worry."
Gilly says, not too thrilled about stepping into a tomb, but also not willing to stand out in the hallway on her own.

[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. Late Morning. Cloudy, damp, cold



In this place of fallen grace and splendour, sagely Naruthirdor reads the old elf letters upon the twin doors.

• Ah! like gold fall the leaves in the wind,
  long years numberless as the wings of trees!
  The years have passed like swift draughts
  of the sweet mead in lofty halls beyond the West,
  beneath the blue vaults of Varda
  wherein the stars tremble in the song of her voice, holy and queenly.
  
  Who now shall refill the cup for me?
  
  For now the Kindler, Varda, the Queen of the Stars,
  from Mount Everwhite has uplifted her hands like clouds,
  and all paths are drowned deep in shadow;
  and out of a grey country darkness lies on the foaming waves between us,
  and mist covers the jewels of Calacirya for ever.
  Now lost, lost to those from the East is Valimar!
  
  Farewell! Maybe thou shalt find Valimar.

At Gilwennen's suggestion, the Company take shelter in that venerated crypt. They enter and discover that both doors lead into a chapel of several tombs. One, in a position of honour, bears a statue of the ElvenQueen in mourning.



The child of the ElvenKing had fallen in battle in the Second Age of this world. That such cherished tombs were given over to shadow speaks volumes of the manner in which the elves fled the Mountains of Mirkwood. Their undisturbed state speaks volumes as well.

Upon the child's great stone coffin it reads in Elvish:

• Above all shadow stands the Sun
  and stars will always dwell.
  I will not say, 'The day is done,'
  nor to the stars, 'Farewell'.

The Company extinguish their light, close the doors and wait behind them in darkness and silence.



Time creeps by without measure. Dread and apprehension grow.

Then firelight begins to flicker beneath the crypt doors. Ironshod footfalls come closer. Closer. Folco strains to count them. His ears hear nothing to dispute what his eyes had seen. It comes clear to all there might be a dozen of the Uruks, trodding now without a word, just beyond the doors!


Actions?!


Map Detail:

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

Map:




PC Status:

• Elbenarin: Male Dunedan Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 25/30
  Elbenwin: Male Dunedan Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 25/30
  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
  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: 1/3 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)

[Urson]

Therone
Therone sheathes her blade, but keeps her hand on the hilt, ready to attack if they are discovered. She stands still in the blackness, breathing shallowly to be as silent as possible. In her mind, she recites verses of calming and blessings for the dead, hoping to appease the Ancestors here.

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

Rumil waits, blade and shield at the ready.

Rumil's sword is not magical and does not cast light.

[wolfpack]

magical blade sheathed Elbenwin has his back against the wall and hand on it's hilt in the darkness.

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

Glasik stands still, dwarven axe at the ready in case anything opens the door.

Battle Axe (16): [1d20] = 9; Damage: [1d8+4] = 4+4 = 8

[hedgeknight]

Gilda Ironfoot

Gilly can't help it.
Nervous and perhaps a bit frightened, although she'd never admit it, but ready to fight and die if need be, leaves her somewhat emotional. She pats Red as Naruthirdor recites the Elfin words, her eyes misty, and a catch in her throat.

Who shall now refill the cup for me?
The thoughts of drinking mead with her family...and wondering if that will ever happen again in this life...causes Gilly to put her hand over her mouth to stifle a sob. Her shoulders shake quietly...and Red lays his head against her legs, somehow knowing she is not her normal gruff self.

She tries to recall the names of Varda and Valimar. Has she heard tales of such before?
She takes a few deep breaths...before the sounds of the Uruk come passing by, steeling her resolve once more, her hatred for these abominable creations. She silently vows to kill 'em all if she can.

[SocraticLawyer]

Tinuwen waits silently in the dark, bow ready.

[Starbeard]

Vindoboduoc

Vindo holds his breath and keeps his sling loaded. Should the doors open, he will send the bullet flying at the first uruk silhouette he spies.

Sling bullet (THAC0 17): [1d20] = 10, Damage: [1d4+1] = 4+1 = 5 vs Small / [1d6+1] = 6+1 = 7 vs Large

[ravenn4544]

Elbenarin also stands quiet in the darkness like a drawn bow ready to fire. If he cannot will his blade to grow dark he will sheath it.