[Actual Play] Cubicle 7's own Darkening of Mirkwood campaign

[Andrew]

Me, Dom and Jon decided that, on our not infrequent get-togethers, we should start a campaign. When we got together in Oxford last week, we decided what better place to start than the Darkening of Mirkwood. I would say this post contains spoilers, but it doesn't yet - we've not actually got to the start of the campaign!

So it was that Bragi (Dom, playing a Barding treasure hunter) and Ingrund (Jon, a Beorning wanderer), two hunters (one of his past, the other of ancient treasure) arrived at Rhosgobel, seeking the advice of the Brown Wizard as to the dangers of heading into the ruins of Dol Guldur. Advised by a local wise woman that the Wizard had a sweet tooth, the two entered his cottage armed with only their wits and a handful of honey cakes.

Radagast, initially befuddled and somewhat sweet-natured, turned briefly hostile at the mention of Dol Guldur, warning our heroes away from such a place. After he had calmed down, he decided that the pair needed something to keep themselves busy instead of hunting through ruins. He handed them a message to take to Ceawin the Generous, a Woodman lord attempting to build a new settlement on the other side of the Narrows, inviting him to a Folk-moot the following spring.

Somewhat reluctant now to enter the forest, especially after hearing tales of the return of the Werewolf of Mirkwood the heroes nonetheless embarked on their journey. Three days in and their night was interrupted by the sounds of wolves howling nearby, causing Bragi to bank up the fire. Prowling shadows skulked just beyond the firelight but it was not until broad daylight the next day that the wolves attacked.

Led by an uncommonly large and fierce warg, two wolves leapt upon the heroes. As Bragi and Ingrund fended them off, dispatching the wolves with ease, the warg pounced at Ingrund, daunting him with its evil howl before savaging him with its jaws. Bragi stepped forwards, attempting to defend his bondsman, drawing the warg away. A grievous blow with his long sword laid the warg low, but the pair continued to hack at the beast until they knew it was dead.

They continued on their way, ever wary of the wolves of the Narrows, and were thankful several days later when the forest thinned out and they saw daylight once more - there, nestled in the East Bight and buzzing with carpenters building, lay their destination - the longhouse of Ceawin.

Next we meet in a true den of debauchery - no, not Mordor, but Vegas when we're all at GAMA in a couple of month's time!

[farinal]

Wow great to hear about this! Need more details

[Mordagnir]

This thread is a great reason why these forums need a LIKE button!

[Beran]

Quick question. You guys published the campaign...doesn't that take quite a bit of the surprise value out of it?

[Rich H]

This is lovely to see happen and to read about. I do hope you post more of it, Andrew.

[Andrew]

Quick question. You guys published the campaign...doesn't that take quite a bit of the surprise value out of it?

Well, mainly for me, as I edited it, but then I'm Loremaster so that's fine. The others know a fair bit about what's in it, having either commissioned or illustrated it, but I'm confident they're good enough players to keep that knowledge to themselves!

Plus, as with this write-up, I'm weaving my own bits in between the adventures in the campaign, so who knows what surprises await.

[Mim]

Andrew, I concur with the other posts.

Reading an adventure from you (all of you at C7) is especially refreshing, & gives us a look at how you all play & think about the game that you created .

I look forward to updates if you decide to continue to post 'em.

[Beran]

I too eagerly await future game updates.

[Andrew]

The Cubicle 7 team spent last week in Vegas and, as we consider ourselves to be playas, spent much of the week gaming. Roleplaying and boardgaming, obviously, including the next instalment of our One Ring campaign.

Bragi and Ingrund arrived at Ceawin the Generous' longhouse in the East Bight, which was a hive of activity as building work continued. The two heroes made a good impression and were warmly welcomed, even if they did worry Ceawin with talk of Werewolves and dark warnings of Dol Guldur. Swayed by Ceawin's optimism and ambition, they offered to overwinter with him and assist in building the longhouse.

But, some weeks later, while scouting the southern extent of the East Bight, they heard cries of alarm and, hastening to the source, found a ten-year old boy, Belgo, running for help. His father, a Dorwinnion merchant, was being attacked by bandits. Bragi and Ingrund ran to help and chased the bandits off. The merchant, Baldor, was transporting spices to the halls of Thranduil, from where he was fetching goods to take to the Woodmen. Ingrund, already feeling the urge to wander once more despite only having stayed in one place for a fortnight, offered to travel with Baldor and his son.

So, after tying up their affairs with Ceawin (and promising to see him at the folkmoot at Rhosgobel the following spring), they set out north with Baldor towards the Elvenking's halls. They met with Baldor's Elven friends and rafted with them to Thranduil's halls. There they were greeted (possibly a little overstating the warmth of their cold welcome) by Lindar, a greeting that did not do well. Bragi's introduction was spurned and the pair were forced to remain by the quayside for three days while Baldor lived it up as guests of Thranduil. Bragi and Ingrund came to the conclusion that they did not much care for Elves.

From Thranduil's halls they followed the Elf-path into Mirkwood, crossing the Enchanted Stream, Ingrund successfully navigating the forking path in places. But, resting in an ensorcelled glade, they could not stop Baldor from drinking from the stream and his memories were washed away from him. Alarmed by his unknown companions, he fled into the woods but blundered into a spider's web.

Ingrund successfully climbed up the walls of the spider-infested tower without drawing any attention, but as he lowered Baldor down he felt the tell-tale signs of movement across the web. Ingrund found himself attacked by Attercops midway down the tower, forced to fight one-handed as he clung on for dear life. Bragi leapt to his aid too, but the spiders kept coming, Ingrund getting trapped in a web as Bragi was poisoned.

Luckily the pair managed to escape the spiders and fled back to the glade before Bragi fell to the ground, paralysed by the poison...

[Andrew]

Incidentally, this is a prime example of how you can weave other adventures into The Darkening of Mirkwood - I'm sure you'll all recognise it as Don't Leave the Path, from Tales from Wilderland. I've just tweaked the opening of it somewhat.

I've not decided whether to use any of the other adventures yet, but I'll likely see where the company end up next.