Hazard rules

[Azaghal8]

Hi!

I have had some problems with understanding the revised rules for Hazards.

I understand the part about triggering the same number of Hazards as the number of Eye-of-Sauron rolls.

What I don't get is who actually takes the test. As far as I understand it, this is not in any way connected to who rolled the Eye on their Fatigue test, right? If so, do the Fellowship roles suggested in the sample episodes always make the test or are those just examples? For example, if one Hazard is triggered and the Loremaster rolls 2 (Weariness), does that mean that the company Guide is always the one tested and the one subjected to the consequences of failure, or is that just an example?

In the cases when a failure affects "all companions", does everyone roll separately or is only one success needed?

The rules also state that any member of the fellowship can step up and try to fill the role if the company lacks a role (for the cost of a Hope point) and if no-one does, the roll fails automatically. But if the consequences only affect for example the Guide and there is no Guide, who should then bear the consequences of that automatic failure?

If a Hazard roll should be handled by a specific roll, does he always use his extra important skill? (e. g. the Look-out rolls with his Awareness)


I love the game, but I regrettably feel that this section is very unclear in the revised rules.

Thanks for your time!

[skywalker]

You roll on the table on page 160 to determine who makes the test and what skill they test on.

If the roll fails, then all Companions suffer the consequence. That is why having a unfilled role is a bad idea.

The Sample Hazards are just samples, based on the combined results on the tables on page 160 and 161.

If the result is a "all companions", it says that each Companion makes a test, so each would roll and only suffer the consequence if they failed the roll.

If the result is a single role and there are more than one Companion assigned to that role, then the text at the bottom of the left hand column on page 161 applies:

If more than one character has been assigned to the challenged role, then they may all attempt the test – but still only one successful outcome will be necessary to overcome it. ... If the rolling player passes the test, then the companion endures the difficulties encountered, and the journey may continue. If the roll fails, the hero faces the consequences of his shortcoming.

[Azaghal8]

Hi! Thanks for the answer! I only have the old rules though and have therefore been using the Clarifications and Amendments documents and the only table that I can find there (at the bottom of page 10) does not show who becomes the target of the test.

Is there any way to access this table?

[skywalker]

The table is on page 35 of the old LMG.

[Azaghal8]

Ah, thank you! I was under the impression that that section was outdated since the Clarifications document usually shows the remaining text from the old book in black but did not show the table. Then it is all cleared up! Thank you for your help!

[Azaghal8]

But is it really the case that everyone is affected by a failed roll from one of the fellowship roles?

The table with failure consequences has one column tagged "Consequences for the failing companion". That is not a logical choice of words if all failures apply to all members of the group.

[Azaghal8]

Also, those failure consequences that prompt you to "lose Endurance equal to Success die result", what do they mean?

Is the "success die result" the total sum of the success dice rolled for that test? But why is the wording the singular "die" then? Or is it only one of the success dice? If so, which one? Highest, lowest or player's choice?

[skywalker]

But is it really the case that everyone is affected by a failed roll from one of the fellowship roles?

The table with failure consequences has one column tagged "Consequences for the failing companion". That is not a logical choice of words if all failures apply to all members of the group.

Yes, and agree that the wording is not the best.

Look at all the examples. All result in all Companions suffer the consequence.

[Azaghal8]

But is it really the case that everyone is affected by a failed roll from one of the fellowship roles?

The table with failure consequences has one column tagged "Consequences for the failing companion". That is not a logical choice of words if all failures apply to all members of the group.

Yes, and agree that the wording is not the best.

Look at all the examples. All result in all Companions suffer the consequence.

But several of the samples also seem to indicate the opposite:

"The company is surprised by the changing weather and
is repeatedly caught in the open by rain or snow. On a
failure, the Scout loses Endurance as he continuously
work vainly to find shelter."

"A dangerous predator has followed the tracks or the scent
of a hunting companion. On a failure, the Huntsman is
attacked by an unusually dangerous creature."

"The company faces an unexpected obstacle in its path and the
Scout must go out of his way to find a better path to follow."

_________


And I still wonder about what "equal to Success die result" means! Is it all the Success dice rolled or just one of them?

[skywalker]

Also, those failure consequences that prompt you to "lose Endurance equal to Success die result", what do they mean?

Is the "success die result" the total sum of the success dice rolled for that test? But why is the wording the singular "die" then? Or is it only one of the success dice? If so, which one? Highest, lowest or player's choice?

That isn't clear. But I would have each player roll a success die and take that much Endurance loss, as otherwise being more skilled means more likely to hurt your Companions.

In fact, I think it would be better as a Feat die, and have a Wound scored on a Sauron's Eye result for each PC.