Adventure Summaries (Spoilers)

[Majestic]

“Of Leaves and Stewed Hobbit”
Summer 2949

Falandor returns home and the others travel to the Easterly Inn, a new haven in Wilderland. The proprietor, Hobbit Dody Brandybuck, warmly greets the four and asks them to find his brother Dindy, who is late in returning to the establishment. Dody also gives to them letters from Hobbit Bilbo Baggins that request hospitality and assistance from numerous area leaders. They hear from traveling Dwarves that Orcs are creeping south once again, possibly waylaying travelers in the High Pass. The party journeys for a week into the foothills of the Misty Mountains, where at twilight one evening they spot a big bonfire on a nearby hilltop. They race to the rescue of Dindy and his guards: Beorning Iwgar and three Breelanders, who have taken refuge from a horde of Goblins and Wolves in the remains of an old ringfort. With two paths up the hillside, Iwgar’s group defends one and the adventurers take the other. Many Orcs and Goblins assault them in waves, but the heroes hold them off and slay many of the enemy. Orc captain Ubhurz joins the fray, but when Togo drops him with an arrow the remaining enemies flee. The victors soon realize, however, that during the battle Iwgar was slain and Dindy kidnapped! They follow tracks into underground tunnels, eventually arriving at the Goblins’ home. They sneak past drunken sentries and find Dindy, chained and forced to cook for his feasting captors. Togo stealthily makes his way deep into the lair, donning some Goblin armor. He steals the key out of the Goblin Chief’s pocket in the feast-hall and they release the Hobbit, then make their way back to the Inn with the others. Dody throws a feast in their honor and allows them to spend the winter at the Inn for free.

[zedturtle]

“Of Leaves and Stewed Hobbit”
Summer 2949

Falandor returns home and the others travel to the Easterly Inn, a new haven in Wilderland. The proprietor, Hobbit Dody Brandybuck, warmly greets the four and asks them to find his brother Dindy, who is late in returning to the establishment. Dody also gives to them letters from Hobbit Bilbo Baggins that request hospitality and assistance from numerous area leaders. They hear from traveling Dwarves that Orcs are creeping south once again, possibly waylaying travelers in the High Pass. The party journeys for a week into the foothills of the Misty Mountains, where at twilight one evening they spot a big bonfire on a nearby hilltop. They race to the rescue of Dindy and his guards: Beorning Iwgar and three Breelanders, who have taken refuge from a horde of Goblins and wolves in the remains of an old ringfort. With two paths up the hillside, Iwgar’s group defends one and the adventurers take the other. Many Orcs and Goblins assault them in waves, but the heroes hold them off and slay many of the enemy. Orc captain Ubhurz joins the fray, but when Togo drops him with an arrow the remaining enemies flee. The victors soon realize, however, that during the battle Iwgar was slain and Dindy kidnapped! They follow tracks into underground tunnels, eventually arriving at the Goblins’ home. They sneak past drunken sentries and find Dindy, chained and forced to cook for his feasting captors. Togo stealthily makes his way deep into the lair, donning some Goblin armor. He steals the key out of the Goblin Chief’s pocket in the feast-hall and they release the Hobbit, then make their way back to the Inn with the others. Dody throws a feast in their honor and allows them to spend the winter at the Inn for free.

Awesome! We skipped over this one in my Tales game, because my players didn't bite on the hook (to be fair I gave them the hooks for this and Kinstrife at the same time).

Did you have any trouble with the PCs in the goblin tunnels? By which I mean, did Togo hit up the solution easily or did you need to steer the PCs to a better plan than 'kill em all'?

[Majestic]

Awesome! We skipped over this one in my Tales game, because my players didn't bite on the hook (to be fair I gave them the hooks for this and Kinstrife at the same time).

Did you have any trouble with the PCs in the goblin tunnels? By which I mean, did Togo hit up the solution easily or did you need to steer the PCs to a better plan than 'kill em all'?

Thanks, zed! My players didn't have any problems with the goblin tunnels. They snuck past the first two (drunken) guards, and then the rest of the party decided to hide in the larder/kitchen while Togo made his way (utilizing his Elusive Trait) through the rest of the compound. It was getting late in the evening, and I don't think the players even contemplated combat (not even the Dwarven Slayer, whose whole motivation is to "kill Orcs!").

[Majestic]

As the composition of the group has changed a little bit, here's an updated list of the PCs, with the main, regulars listed first:

Falandor: Elven Scholar from Mirkwood
Frain: Dwarven Slayer from the Lonely Mountain
Malaric: Woodman of Wilderland Wanderer
Me’lereal: Elven Scholar from Mirkwood
Togo Proudfoot: Hobbit Treasure-hunter from the Shire

Boarthok: Beorning Slayer from the Carrock
Dag: Barding Treasure-hunter from Dale
N’Rae: Woodwoman of Wilderland Warden
Ulfarr: Barding Treasure-Hunter from Dale

Also, as it will eventually roll off the first page of threads, here is my thread recapping our adventure last weekend.

[Majestic]

“Kinstrife and Dark Tidings”
Spring 2950

Togo, Frain, Malaric, Falandor, and new ally Ulfarr discover two dead Beorning thains filled with Orc arrows in a boat on the Anduin. They find cut ropes and other clues that indicate that another person escaped the scene. They take the bodies to Beorn’s Hall, where Beorn identifies them as Merovech and Odo, wardens likely returning with a prisoner. After sharing information with each other, Beorn reveals that he is troubled by news of Orcs recently crossing his lands. The party stays the night in his hall, some hearing animal growls outside; the next morning the heads of a dozen slain Orcs reveal the skin-changer’s handiwork. The next evening the heroes participate in the funeral for the slain men, honoring them with tales and songs. Accepting Beorn’s request to return the missing fugitive, the adventurers track the man south for three days, hearing rumors from a small band of Woodmen that a Beorning named Oderic murdered an older hunter called Rathfic. They reach the Beorning village of Stonyford and convince the elders to allow them in. Over the next day the men aid the villagers with various tasks, learning stories and rumors as they toil. Malaric and Togo visit Rathfic’s widow, Brunhild, who tells them about how her foster brother flew into a rage while defending her from her husband. She also shares that Oderic visited her a few days earlier and headed west. Me’lereal arrives as they leave, and together they track the young man southwest for three days, dispatching a band of four brigands they encounter along the way. They come upon a large encampment of around a hundred outlaws, and evade a patrol to get closer to the center. Their leader, Valter the Bloody, seems to be attempting to win Oderic’s loyalty, though a henchman carefully watches him. Later, when Oderic goes for a walk in the woods, the group knocks out Faron the Trapper and grabs the boy. They gag him, but during the journey back to Beorn Oderic pleads for their trust and reveals that Valter plans an attack on the Beornings. They refuse his request to return and trick the outlaws, but promise to speak later on his behalf. They press themselves on the march back, warning the people of Stonyford, who flee their village. Upon arrival at Beorn’s Hall, the shapeshifter rallies his people and vanishes into the wilderness. The heroes allow Oderic to fight, and join the Beornings in confronting the outlaw army at the Old Ford. During the massive battle, the team fights valiantly despite being outnumbered. They fell many opponents, but the number of adversaries appears to be too great. Just as the outlaws begin to rally, the Beornings and their allies begin chanting for Beorn. Their leader appears in the form of a giant bear, swiftly tearing through the enemy and ending the skirmish. Oderic is taken to the Carrock for a trial before the chieftain. The companions speak on the young man’s behalf, and Beorn is persuaded to be merciful. He thanks the company and gives them gifts, and promises the future friendship of his people.

[Majestic]

Last Friday we continued "Tales from Wilderland". It was the biggest group yet (eight players, including one brand new and one returning one!), and we left off on a cliffhanger! Here's the summary:

“Those Who Tarry No Longer”
Autumn 2950

Malaric, Falandor, Frain, Togo, Me’lereal, and Ulfarr, joined by friends old (Boarthok) and new (the Wolf-Bride), defeat a squad of Orcs in Northern Mirkwood. Shortly after, they encounter Galion and a band of Elves also hunting Orcs. Prince Legolas, son of King Thranduil, introduces them to Lady Irimë, a Noldorin High Elf of the house of Gil-Galad, who requests that the adventurers escort her to the High Pass to meet the sons of Elrond. After traveling and dining with the Elves, the two companies part ways. Irimë, cloaked to hide her features, tells tales and sings songs of the past tinged with sadness during the journey, and the group avoids the road to keep from revealing her presence in the Wild. Orcs warbands pursue the company, eventually surrounding them on a hillside. Irimë sings, then chases many of the enemy away with light from her jeweled ring. The companions valiantly struggle against Uruks, Orcs, and Goblins, but are vastly outnumbered by the opposition. After a long skirmish, gigantic Great Eagles swoop down and rescue them, returning the party to an eyrie. Malaric heals one, Gaerthor, who was pierced by an Orc arrow during the retreat. They sleep there, and the next morning meet the Lord of the Eagles, who offers future aid and has them carried to near their destination. They pass through the ruins of the ancient town of Haycombe and make camp. That night a shadow assaults Irimë, and the rest of the heroes somehow find themselves inside a strange dream. They awaken among the bustling city of Haycombe, apparently many centuries ago. Boarthok, Togo, and Ulfarr meet hero-worshipping child Haleth and minstrel Geb in The Falling Goat, an alehouse and inn, while Falandor investigates local records and the others check out the town square. A commotion signals Haycombe’s Alderman, who returns from a journey south with an elaborate caravan. Suddenly the procession’s guards attack the crowd, and the party members outside rush to contest them, Ulfarr firing arrows from the balcony of the inn. When the undead minions are dispatched, many Easterling warriors join the fight against them. The Easterlings set the roof of The Falling Goat on fire, forcing the adventurers to surrender to prevent the deaths of those inside!

[zedturtle]

Very interested to see how this turns out... Those Who Tarry has a bad reputation. It's another one that I skipped over.

[Majestic]

I'm looking forward to it. It is quite different. So far everyone seems to be enjoying it. I'm almost worried that it's a little too different (for our new player that's just a guest), but he's a veteran role-player. I also had a 'regular' battle with some Orcs at the beginning (based on a Hazard) that was a bit more conventional/standard (not the dream stuff).

[Majestic]

On Friday night we finished off "Tarry" and had enough time remaining that I ran the group through one of the Adventuring Phase segments from Darkening of Mirkwood.

“Those Who Tarry No Longer” continuation
Autumn 2950

Ulfarr carries out Togo, but Boarthok stumbles out badly burned. The Easterlings march the entire city south; about half of the thousand captives die during the trip, including Boarthok. As the caravan passes the Narrows of the Forest, the Easterlings pass the slaves to a column of Orcs, who march them to the dungeons of Dol Guldur. Malaric and Me’lereal awake for a moment and witness Irimë contending with a spirit of despair; she warns that it has entrapped them in sorcery! In the dream the company is thrown into a foul, cold, dark pit, together with Geb, Haleth, alehouse proprietor Aldor, and Elf Rodwen. For weeks they sing and rally the spirits of the Haycombe captives in the wretched conditions, though they are barely fed. Malaric heals the elderly Aldor, who nearly dies from a fever. A Woodman, Annatar, brings them delicious food and tempts them to kneel to his Master, but only Geb accepts his offer. Later, when their Orc guards bring food, they make a break for it, Togo and the Wolf-Bride escaping as Frain and Ulfarr attack. The fleeing pair runs into many Orc reinforcements, including an Uruk commander and a Troll, and races back to the others. The group prepares to make a final stand, but Me’lereal and the Wolf-Bride sense that doing so will aid the Shadow and convince the others to return to their cell. Frain nearly refuses, but finally backs down. The next day, Orcs drag Malaric to an arena, where he is pummeled unconscious by a massive Hill-Troll. When they return him, they warn that the next day they will take the boy, Haleth. The following day, they convince their captors to take Frain instead, and the Dwarf does significant damage to the Troll before falling. Later the cell is filled with an unearthly greenish light. A shadowy spirit grabs Rodwen, whose features change to those of Irimë, and speaks through Haleth’s body, imploring them to deny the Noldor-witch. The heroes valiantly refuse, and awaken to Irimë standing before the rising sun, Boarthok still alive. The spirit assaulting her wails and vanishes! Soon Elf-Lords Elladan and Elrohir arrive, and Irimë praises the companions for their aid, bestowing her blessing upon them and asking them to bring word to Radagast before departing for Rivendell.

“Secrets Buried”
Autumn 2950

Frain, Ulfarr, Falandor, Malaric, Togo, Me’lereal, and the Wolf-Bride travel south, meeting Radagast at the docks of Woodmen-town. They accompany him via boat down the river for a day, and he shares of his concern of a returning evil. At the south shores of the Black Tarn, the Wizard meets privately with the eldest River-maiden, who confirms that something is stirring in Southern Mirkwood. They continue on foot for weeks, observing that Tyrant’s Hill, the northernmost outpost of Dol Guldur, is inhabited. Passing into slimy and dank haunted woods and noxious fens, they pass near Fenbridge Castle, avoiding Orc patrols. The company enters the empty former fortress of the Necromancer. Though Radagast warns against it, Togo explores the lower sections, finding signs of recent scavenger Orcs. The others explore the High Keep, but feel the effect of its malevolence. They find the corpses of an Orc and a man from Esgaroth that appear to have fought. They also locate many parchments, some that speak of scouting missions into the Vales of Anduin and another that shows an alarmingly up-to-date description of the military forces of Lake-town. Other papers describe the Woodland Realm and its defenses in considerable detail. Radagast urges them to leave, and on the journey back to Rhosgobel he confides that their find proves that there is a traitor in Thranduil’s Halls.

[Majestic]

“A Darkness in the Marshes”
Spring 2951

Togo, Ulfarr, Frain, Malaric, Me’lereal, Falandor, and N’Rae are summoned by Radagast to his cottage, where he asks them to investigate strange threats by visiting Mountain Hall, the main settlement of the Woodsfolk west of the Great River. The next day they meet one of the wizard’s aides, a Woodwoman named Banna, who leads them northwest, then up the River Anduin in boats. Banna departs and the group makes their way to the Misty Mountains. They enter the fortified city of Mountain Hall and are introduced to its standoffish chieftain, Hartfast, who has his own problems with Goblins attempting to invade their mines. In the middle of the night the adventurers are awaked by a commotion. Ulfarr slays three fleeing Goblins with a well-placed arrow, and the others rescue and heal a watchman who had been stabbed in the incursion. A grateful Hartfast shows them the Horn of Warning and declares them all friends of the House of Mountain Hall. They leave the next morning, accompanied by the charming trapper Magric, in search of the Dwimmerhorn, an ancient evil fortress rumored to move of its own accord. They travel for over a week into the Gladden Fields and eventually catch a glimpse of the dark rocky hillock. The company sets up an ambush when they hear a band of Orcs with Wargs, but a gaunt Northman stumbles into view first. Magric leaps out and yells, ruining their chance to gain surprise on their foes and running off. The champions find it difficult to fight in the muddy ground, but eventually defeat the enemy. The escaped Woodman, Walar, tells them of a narrow goat path up the cliff to the fort, where he and others were tortured and forced to work. After helping Walar hide, the heroes find the Dwimmerhorn, stealth across the marshland and bravely scale the treacherous cliffs. Togo enters the encampment and sneaks around, discovering an army of Orcs, a Warg den, and slaves in pits. He slips into an obsidian temple, witnesses a gigantic glowing chain, and overhears a three-way conversation. An Orc urges action, a man argues that they are not ready and mentions a great weapon, and a spirit (the same one that contested Irimë), speaking through a corpse, cautions them to wait. As they move to leave the party is discovered, so they escape down the rockface, dodging arrows. Frain, already wounded from the earlier battle, stumbles and barely survives a tremendous fall! Joined by Walar and pursued by an Orc army, they press themselves north. As the enemy draws nearer, Frain falls back, but Malaric, Falandor, and Me’lereal notice and drop back as well. Frain heroically knocks down Malaric and continues running back towards the Orcs, but Malaric calls on Gaerthor, and Eagles rescue the tiring group and take them to Mountain Hall. Hartfast, with Magric at his side, informs them that they are no longer welcome, but they quickly convince him of the man’s treachery. Magric attempts to stab Hartfast, but Ulfarr shoots the traitor with an arrow, and he drops into the raging river below. That night, the Orc from the temple, Ghor the Despoiler, leads a small group into the well-fortified city through a secret underground passage and finds the company. The champions are not surprised, and swiftly defeat Ghor and the other assassins, forcing two of them to flee. Later, Woodmen scouts find the Dwimmerhorn to be completely deserted, and Radagast speculates that the enemy retreated, not expecting to have been discovered so soon. Falandor and Me’lereal research and learn about the Chain of Thangorodrim, an ancient relic used to enslave Dragons.