Elven trained Horses

[Beran]

I noticed mention somewhere in DoM that elven riders on elven horses are able to slip between trees and other obstacles in Mirkwood. It got me to thinking that getting a Elven Train steed might be a worthy addition to the Fellowship Phase list of options that are available to the PCs. It would certainly be useful to Companions who have to travel frequently from Dale in the north to the southern parts of Mirkwood.

[Woodclaw]

That makes sense, although it would be an effort that requires multiple Fellowship phases to complete. I'd say at least two one to open the Halls of the Elvenking as sanctury (as per HotW) and one to procure the steeds, which are very likely to be a one adventure bonus like the magical animals of Beorn.

[DavetheLost]

I have two wood elves in my campaign. So far neither of them has asked about Elven trained horses, Elf boats, rope, cloaks, Lembas or any of the other goodies that Elven-kind have in Tolkien, but I am sure it will come up. As will the use and abuse of "Mirkwood Lore"...

It doesn't seem entirely right that NPC Elves should be able to access better hear than PC Elves just because they are NPCs. Tying it to Standing might be one way of handling it. Certainly it should require having a Sanctuary and positive standing in the halls of the Elf King.

[Angelalex242]

Well...

If it's tied to standing, then we need a list of what elven gear you get at what standing. (It also makes standing WAAAAAY more important for elven PCs then it is for everyone else, because elves have all the nifty toys.)

Admittedly, though, I haven't been pestering my GMs for elven goodies even though I play an elf. I should get to work on that.

[Woodclaw]

I have two wood elves in my campaign. So far neither of them has asked about Elven trained horses, Elf boats, rope, cloaks, Lembas or any of the other goodies that Elven-kind have in Tolkien, but I am sure it will come up. As will the use and abuse of "Mirkwood Lore"...

It doesn't seem entirely right that NPC Elves should be able to access better hear than PC Elves just because they are NPCs. Tying it to Standing might be one way of handling it. Certainly it should require having a Sanctuary and positive standing in the halls of the Elf King.

Lucky you, I got one of players asking about these things and he's playing a Barding!

[Angelalex242]

Well, we need to specify several things:

First, what elven gear does...

And second, if they're just things you need standing for, things you need fellowship tasks for, or things that you need virtues and rewards for.

Like, Lembas might be as powerful (or even MORE powerful!) then Beorning's Twice Baked Honeycakes. (Beorn is good, elves are better.)

The elven cloaks given to the Company of the Ring might as powerful as the 'Armor of the Rangers' from the fan made Dunedain race, allowing a reroll of the feat die keep the better on all stealth checks. (Now we know Frodo's REALLY got way too many Rewards...)

Elven Rope doesn't just make rope checks 4 TN easier, it also harms unnatural things wrapped up in it (like Gollum, orcs, etc.) Such things might be rendered not just weary, but miserable as well, being tied up in it.

Elven Boats probably make boating checks 4 TN easier, and might cut a day off travel time compared to normal boats for every 3 days spent in the boat. (Elven boats get through in 3 days when human boats get through in 4.)

[Beran]

There is a (fan made) Guide to the Eldar that is located some where on the forum that has many of these items stated up.

Lembas: roll the feat die twice when making fatigue checks and keep the highest.
Elvish Rope: +2 to any climb rolls. Recoverable.
Elvish Boots: +2 to stelath rolls.
Elvish Cloaks: +2 to stealth rolls and roll feat die twice keeping best result.

they are listed there as either Cultural Virtues or Rewards.

I'd be ok with having to spend two fellowship phases to get a Elven Steed. They're the second best horses in M-E it would be worth the cost and effort.

[Angelalex242]

Boots and Rope are clearly inferior to Lembas and Cloaks. I would never, ever take boots over a cloak if that's how they're statted. Maybe boots and rope only take a fellowship phase to get if they're that much weaker then cloaks.

[Beran]

So, if you were playing a Manish character in a game and your character was presented with a pair of Elven Boots by the Lady of Light you would turn them down?

[Angelalex242]

If it's a cultural reward, humans wouldn't have access to them, would they? Those boots, like bitter spears and woodland bows, aren't meant to be worn by mortals.