The Misty Mountain Purge Adventure Summary 2

[jamesrbrown]

This session was played on August 8 at the Southeast Regional Library in Gilbert, AZ as part of the newly formed God & Tolkien Club. There were five player-heroes in the company, including a Ranger of the North and a High Elf of Rivendell. I intended to use Hobbit Tales for improvised journey hazards, but none came up as the companions were only required 1 Fatigue test each. Maybe next time!

The Misty Mountain Purge - Adventure Summary 2

Part Three: Saving Black Tom
After rescuing the old cottar from the Viglunding warriors, the gruff man introduced himself to the company as Black Tom, one of many farmers of the Sceadudene: the Vale of Shadow. He invited them into his fortified farmstead to his guest house where three other adventurers were already resting. These included a Ranger of the North, a High Elf of Rivendell, and a Woodman healer from the south. After pleasantries, it was determined that the two parties would combine and take on Beorn's mission of purging the Misty Mountains.

Black Tom was interested in the company's purpose and plans and so requested a formal meeting for questions and good storytelling. The exiled Rider of Rohan spoke up and bravely began a speech, but did not capture Black Tom's attention as well as he wanted. After a short exchange, the old man got up and wished them good luck on their quest, offering them only a night's rest and breakfast in the morning. He warned them to keep an eye out for Viglund's emissaries in the region, who would undoubtedly return in greater numbers to hunt them after the death of their warriors.

Part Four: A Giant in the Dell
After a breakfast of eggs, sausage, and potatoes, the company struck out south along the Anduin toward the Rushdown Forest, leaving behind their Woodman friend from Mountain Hall to heal from his spear cuts. The journey to the forest was easy on each of them and the scout was able to find a perfect place to camp along the river. The Rider of Rohan went on a hunt and was able to catch some fresh meat to roast on a fire and the Elves spotted some very large footprints that the Ranger recognized as made by a Giant. Not a Troll, but a hill Giant!

After deliberating, the company decided to follow the tracks into the hills and fields to see where they would lead. It took only 45 minutes of exploration before they came upon an encampment in a dell. Looking through the trees, they could see an enormous giant raising a blazing spear of meat to his mouth. The entire area smelled of apples and roasted boar. Behind the giant could be seen a high tent made of oak beams and furs.

The adventurers quickly hatched a plan...sort of. First, the Elf of Mirkwood was going to turn and go, but then he suddenly walked straight into the camp in plain sight of the giant, once again surprising everyone with a complete change of mind. The Woodman healer automatically followed behind him. The Rider of Rohan and the High Elf decided to stay hidden among the trees with weapons ready and the Ranger used stealth to sneak around the backside of the camp and into the giant's tent.

Inside, the Ranger scanned the area, looking for anything of use, but especially for a map of the Rushdown Forest or anything that could be useful for locating the secret tunnels that Beorn spoke of. When he looked up, he spotted a wooden box tied to the very top of the tent.

Back outside, the giant greeted his new guests calling the Elf, "Sweet meat" before inviting them to join him around the fire for a meal and a game. He told them a riddle and said that if they gave the right answer, he had a prize for them, but if they did not, he had a surprise for them!

Inside, the Ranger scrambled to find a way to climb up the wooden beams toward the ceiling, but he struggled to get more than three feet off the floor. He tried, and tried. Then, he took time to study his options for better footholds, but he still failed.

Outside, the giant belted out his riddle. As soon as it was given, the High Elf and the Rider of Rohan knew instantly the answer but dared not make a sound from their hidden locations. The Elf of Mirkwood and the Woodman healer sat their stumped, struggling for a guess.

Inside, the Ranger finally found a way to climb up the posts, and once he got his footing he was able to reach all the way to the top and was about to untie the box when...

Outside, the Elf of Mirkwood, thinking he might actually have the answer, but without consulting the Woodman first, blurted out his answer, "the Moon!" To which the giant laughed and picked up his big club and said, "Wrong answer! Now for your surprise!" He intended to kill and eat his visitors. But, out of the trees an arrow came and struck the giant, shot from the longbow of the High Elf. This made him very angry and he seethed and stomped. The Elf of Mirkwood quickly released his own bow and struck the creature too.

To Be Continued...
Unfortunately, our time was up at this point. The session went way too fast! We will continue this adventure at our next meeting on August 22.