Mansbane

[Rich H]

when I wrote " I see a fundamental difference between the two ideas" I should have written instead:
" I see ONLY a fundamental difference between the two ideas"
I think the two ideas are very similar and easy to mix: they differ only in the "ideal solution" (the same solution, really, just easier or harder to achieve).

Understood, thanks!

About the Sorceress-Valdis swap, I will think about it. Effectively, Valdis looks a weak excuse for such a grandiose plot. Even more, I will think about some Arthurian inspiration for the Sorceress: it would be interesting to put some more ambiguity into her. We got our Mordred, maybe we can have our Morgana...

Agree with this completely and look forward to any ideas you have; perhaps in another thread?

[Dunheved]

A cure for Mansbane

This has been a great thread to lurk through. The only thought I had as I read it was the idea about the coincidence of the storms and the battle-rage of Mansbane (really inspired atmospheric touch).

Rich: you ask for any thoughts, so here goes: it’s only a small mechanism might be open to any observant PC.

Some storms coincide with torrential downpours that amplify the confusion caused by the noises and sights of thunder & lightning. However, throughout LOTR, the Professor uses water – rivers, rainfall, waterfalls and the Sea as very indirect intervention and support by the Valar. (Ulmo is a big deal in the Silmarillion after all.)
At the moment that the thunder & lightning stop for any period of time (say a clear round of combat), IF the rain then falls in a melodic manner the party can simply stand back while Mansbane becomes positively distracted by the music in the pattern of rainfall. As a LM you might ask for an Insight roll here and simply point out that Mansbane does appear to be listening with some relief to the rhythm of the rain. [Does any PC have Minstrelsy?]
Perhaps this rain-induced calm can be taken as a clue to lead Mansbane to a natural place of beauty such as a lake, where the general peace will help to prevent any renewed outbreaks. This would not be a cure for the damage – it’s a therapy for the pain. When the rages are controlled, then perhaps further help might be found. (Radagast would be my first thought.)
Hope its of some value.

[Rich H]

This has been a great thread to lurk through. The only thought I had as I read it was the idea about the coincidence of the storms and the battle-rage of Mansbane (really inspired atmospheric touch).

I'm glad you've enjoyed it. I'm really happy with where it is and I have a little more time to work things out as we're not gaming this week. I couldn't have got there though without the support/comments/suggestions made here.

Rich: you ask for any thoughts, so here goes: it’s only a small mechanism might be open to any observant PC.

Some storms coincide with torrential downpours that amplify the confusion caused by the noises and sights of thunder & lightning. However, throughout LOTR, the Professor uses water – rivers, rainfall, waterfalls and the Sea as very indirect intervention and support by the Valar. (Ulmo is a big deal in the Silmarillion after all.)

At the moment that the thunder & lightning stop for any period of time (say a clear round of combat), IF the rain then falls in a melodic manner the party can simply stand back while Mansbane becomes positively distracted by the music in the pattern of rainfall. As a LM you might ask for an Insight roll here and simply point out that Mansbane does appear to be listening with some relief to the rhythm of the rain. [Does any PC have Minstrelsy?]
Perhaps this rain-induced calm can be taken as a clue to lead Mansbane to a natural place of beauty such as a lake, where the general peace will help to prevent any renewed outbreaks. This would not be a cure for the damage – it’s a therapy for the pain. When the rages are controlled, then perhaps further help might be found. (Radagast would be my first thought.)

Hope its of some value.

It is! That's really helpful too, thanks!

I don't have any players with Minstrelsy but I was thinking of using the above before the PCs engaged with Mansbane. I don't think a one round lull in the storm would be enough for Mansbane to calm down or for the PCs to stop attacking her (!) but I had a similar idea that when she attacked the tower and was making her way through the various levels/floors of the building there could be a lull in the storm where I could introduce something like this. The PCs could spot her behaviour if they were hiding from the creature or watching her. Even if they weren't doing this then I could have the storm stop for some time, enough to tempt the PCs' to venture out from their hiding place or barricade or what-have-you; and there they would see her, like you state, contemplating the rain. They could then witness her anger and torment when the thunder and lightning started again.

[Corvo]

About the Sorceress-Valdis swap, I will think about it. Effectively, Valdis looks a weak excuse for such a grandiose plot. Even more, I will think about some Arthurian inspiration for the Sorceress: it would be interesting to put some more ambiguity into her. We got our Mordred, maybe we can have our Morgana...

Agree with this completely and look forward to any ideas you have; perhaps in another thread?

Gladly!

[Falenthal]

The idea about the rain and the soothing once the thunders pause is beautiful and genius.
In fact, Rich, you can prepare for several situations to make that happen: if your players stalk Mansbane, they can see the scene from afar. If they jump to battle to protect the tower, you can play it during combat.
For the combat situation, it would be wonderful if, after a hero rolls a Gandalf, they notice how the thunders stop for some seconds (Awareness test, or automatic wi'th Quick of Hearing or similar) and, next round, Mansbane doesn't attack and gets no Parry bonus as she stands still.
But if no Gandalf's appear after some rounds (3?), make the pause happen nonetheless.

As for sanctuaries of water where to take her to live and recover, consider several ones the players can choose from: the river Nimrodel in Lórien (if you want to introduce the Golden Wood), or the Lady's Garden from HotW (entwives love garden), the Eagle's Falls look also perfect (HotW p.26), or the Black Tarn where Radagast and the River Maidens can look after her. Even a safe place near the Anduin could work (the Carrock?) or the Enchanted Stream (HotW p.72) with its slumbering magic and the elves watch.
Let the players choose their own option.

[Falenthal]

Just saw in Heart of the Wild that, prior to the Enchanted Stream, in page 75, there's a description of The Roaring Falls. They might also appear at first as a good place to take Mansbane to. But the thunderous roaring, along with the described prophecy of Irimë about a monster and a hero dying as they fall the Falls, can lead Mansbane's story to a sad end.

[Rich H]

The idea about the rain and the soothing once the thunders pause is beautiful and genius.
In fact, Rich, you can prepare for several situations to make that happen: if your players stalk Mansbane, they can see the scene from afar. If they jump to battle to protect the tower, you can play it during combat.
For the combat situation, it would be wonderful if, after a hero rolls a Gandalf, they notice how the thunders stop for some seconds (Awareness test, or automatic wi'th Quick of Hearing or similar) and, next round, Mansbane doesn't attack and gets no Parry bonus as she stands still.
But if no Gandalf's appear after some rounds (3?), make the pause happen nonetheless.

Agreed. I need to work on the mechanics so I can model this within the game but I see it as working like the battle events that often get described within pre-written adventures and how they interact and trigger after a certain amount of time has passed or the player/LM rolls Gandalf or EoS results.

As for sanctuaries of water where to take her to live and recover, consider several ones the players can choose from: the river Nimrodel in Lórien (if you want to introduce the Golden Wood), or the Lady's Garden from HotW (entwives love garden), the Eagle's Falls look also perfect (HotW p.26), or the Black Tarn where Radagast and the River Maidens can look after her. Even a safe place near the Anduin could work (the Carrock?) or the Enchanted Stream (HotW p.72) with its slumbering magic and the elves watch.
Let the players choose their own option.

Great ideas, thanks!

Just saw in Heart of the Wild that, prior to the Enchanted Stream, in page 75, there's a description of The Roaring Falls. They might also appear at first as a good place to take Mansbane to. But the thunderous roaring, along with the described prophecy of Irimë about a monster and a hero dying as they fall the Falls, can lead Mansbane's story to a sad end.

Hmmmm... Interesting. And sad.