Dreadful Spells

[Hermes Serpent]

Going through the details to refresh my memory in preparation for running a game at Expo next weekend I was re-reading the details of various things in Rivendell. I had thought to use a Spectre to foretell the doom of the Company but while reading the details again I did a double-take as the creature is literally a monster. Casting Dreadful Spells - Grieve for one Hate point has the Company testing Wisdom at TN 16 and any who fail gain 4 Shadow. Using another Hate point, on those who fail a Strike Fear test, for Visions they lose at least 8 Endurance or more if their Shadow points are higher than those just acquired from Grieve.

As it's in Ghost-form it can't be damaged by most weapons so the only good point is that the Strike Fear test is a TN14 so should be not too hard to pass plus one of the Company is a High Elf and so can automatically resist the Fear test.

Do you think that a spectre is something that a lowish-level (but not starting) Company can deal with? I'm guessing that the Company will choose to not fight it but heed it's message but you never know.

[zedturtle]

A Spectre could be incredibly dangerous, but it's all up to the situation. If they are experienced TOR players and the ghost is clearly trying to communicate with them and not attack them, then you're probably fine. If it's a one-shot at a convention, the players are used to other fantasy games, and (especially) they are in possession of Enchanted weaponry, then they might try to engage the spectre.

At that point, it would depend on the ghost's motivation... was it trying only to warn the heroes? It might disappear even if it could continue attacking. If it was guarding something or otherwise has motive to attack the heroes then you might get into an ugly situation.

[Hermes Serpent]

It's appearance is a sort of warning cum announcement and was originally there to provide a signpost as to the direction that things would be going (spooky undead) but I'm having second thoughts about using it as an inexperienced group, and con groups are usually inexperienced, might try to attack it rather than talk or listen.

[Angelalex242]

Heh. Don't think Con players would think of it, but the last time my PC fought a specter (Without an enchanted weapon)...well, fortunately, it's a high elf, but I tended to sing at them. "A Elbereth Gilthoniel" etc. And use the song as a 'turn undead.'

The GM ruled at the time it was about the same as 'Intimidate Foe' attack action, attacking the hate score. Except, from an IC perspective, it's not actually 'intimidating' it's soothing the Ghost to rest.

Anyone else ever come up with the idea of singing at the undead?

[Hermes Serpent]

Mechanically that does nothing and a con game is all about demonstrating the game not making things up that don't appear in the rules so no house rules please.

[Falenthal]

Heh. Don't think Con players would think of it, but the last time my PC fought a specter (Without an enchanted weapon)...well, fortunately, it's a high elf, but I tended to sing at them. "A Elbereth Gilthoniel" etc. And use the song as a 'turn undead.'

The GM ruled at the time it was about the same as 'Intimidate Foe' attack action, attacking the hate score. Except, from an IC perspective, it's not actually 'intimidating' it's soothing the Ghost to rest.

Anyone else ever come up with the idea of singing at the undead?

At that moment Frodo threw himself forward on the ground, and he heard himself crying aloud: O Elbereth! Gilthoniel! At the same time he struck at the feet of his enemy.
...

Strider at last returned.

‘Look!’ he cried; and stooping he lifted from the ground a black cloak that had lain there hidden by the darkness. A foot above the lower hem there was a slash. ‘This was the stroke of Frodo’s sword,’ he said. ‘The only hurt that it did to his enemy, I fear; for it is unharmed, but all blades perish that pierce that dreadful King. More deadly to him was the name of Elbereth.’

I also thought that screaming (not singing) the name of Elbereth could be roleplayed as an Intimidate Foe. The mechanical rules would be the same (Forward Stance, Intimidate test), but the flavour could be that instead of a "Return to the Shadow where you come from, Dwimmerlaik!".

[zedturtle]

Mechanically that does nothing and a con game is all about demonstrating the game not making things up that don't appear in the rules so no house rules please.

Oh dear blank. That's an unexpected use of a skill (perhaps needing justification from a Trait in order to use it) but it's not something foreign to the rules as written. I agree that con games should show off the game system (as it is) but one of the strengths of TOR is that its not an absolute game (rulings not rules, etc.).

[Angelalex242]

Naturally, the elf in question had Elven Lore. Even my Mirkwood elf doing it had Elven Lore.

The High Elf doing it had Elven Lore and Enemy of Sauron, which is my favorite specialty combo for High Elves.

[Hermes Serpent]

AngelAlex, I'm afraid that your approach to maximising your characters has no place in a con scenario designed to show off the best of the One Ring design. Sorry but your approach will not do in any scenario designed for con play that I'm running.

[zedturtle]

You know, Angelalex242's approach to the game often surprises me, and I don't always agree with it.

However, I can't understand how anyone could read Non-Combat Actions (page 180, revised edition) and come away thinking that allowing a hero to use Song instead of Awe when it was appropriate to Intimidate an Enemy was against the rules as written or the spirit of the rules.

If you disagree, that's okay. But I'd love to understand how you think the above section would not apply in this case.