Cowardly ranger?

[killianred]

Tonight our group was chasing MansBane, a truly gigantic troll. Two members of the group ended up in melee with him and he was wiping the floor with them. Then we have this ranger, who picked a reward at character creation of a famous sword with a huge backstory of protecting the weak and innocent at all costs. But instead of being brave and charging the troll, the ranger hides and makes ranged attacks from safety while he watches his companion get his head bitten off (the first fatality in our game). Now, as LM I am thinking the guy acted like a big coward, and the rest of the guys think so too. So I am thinking he should get some shadow points for this, the book says three is appropriate for cowardice. What do you guys think, too harsh? not harsh enough?

[Majestic]

I don't think 3 Shadow points is at all too much. Based on his behavior, it's very much what he earned/deserved.

[Angelalex242]

I'd agree with the assessment. Particularly since he picked a famous SWORD. I could give him the benefit of the doubt if he'd picked a famous bow, but...

[jacksarge]

I think Shadow points are definitely in order, and perhaps news of his cowardice may get spread abroad & cause him to lose favour in certain circles. Another thought is that perhaps his peers amongst the Rangers require him to pay some sort of "weregild" for his actions, maybe a perilous quest or payment/support the fallen adventurer's family/relations? Just some thoughts.

[Morgoth]

Does he normally stay in rearward stance and fire a bow?

Also how many ranks does he have in sword and bow?

[Valarian]

What is the Middle-earth equivalent of a bard singing "Brave Sir Robin"?

[kimbo]

for the LM to consider
does this behaviour go against his chosen traits?
bold vs cautious

was it cowardly or just poor decision making (in retrospect) ?
cowardly = run away while troll eats companions

overly cautious = perhaps ranged attacks

is he better at bow than close combat, was there greater chance of piercing blows with ranged.

are you LM punishing player behaviour that doesnt conform to YOUR ideal rather than the player hero's stated ideals?
there is a big difference between a bad call (in retrospect) and cowardice.
You were there and would know better.

if cowardice = 3 SP OK
but if overly cautious or poor decision-making fewer SP.

[Falenthal]

I think an important point when this questions arise is something that Glorelendil tried once to make clear:
Shadow Points are not about the character being evil (or "not only"), but about him doubting himself and his value. Or others and their value.

In this, as any other case, a hero that runs an leaves his comrades behind might be doing the only sensible thing to do. It can even be argumented that he choosed the best path given the circumstances, as he was able to warn others of the danger. But that doesn't contradict with the fact that he will probably think of himself (regardless of what he did or why) a coward and a traitor to his friends. At least, emotionally, he will think that.

That makes him weak to the whispers of the Shadow, and this doubt about himself is want grants him the 3 Shadow Points, not exactly the fact that he runned from the fight (in my opinion).

[Stormcrow]

are you LM punishing player behaviour that doesnt conform to YOUR ideal

I was thinking the same thing. The player may honestly think that rearward stance is an effective place for his hero to be, so he's not responsible for his comrade's death. (I'd make everyone roll a corruption test to avoid shadow from the anguish of watching a friend's head being yanked off, but that's not relevant here.) As a player, I wouldn't want the loremaster telling me, "You're a Ranger with a famous sword; you MUST charge into close combat."

cowardly = run away while troll eats companions
overly cautious = perhaps ranged attacks

I agree with this as well. Fighting in rearward stance is not cowardice. Cowardice would have to be fairly egregious before I'd assign shadow points for it. It would have to be about as heinous as its neighbors on the table of misdeeds: theft and plunder.

[Corvo]

Then we have this ranger, who picked a reward at character creation of a famous sword with a huge backstory of protecting the weak and innocent at all costs.
(...)

Out of curiosity, which reward?