The One Ring: Trouble in Bree

[Valarian]

The year is 2973 of the Third Age.

Bree has always been at the crossroads of events in these parts, but rumours come to the inn. Rumours of dark things happening beyond the borders of Breeland. Now this may not concern some, as longs as trouble don't come to Bree itself. But there's them Rangers, bringing trouble where it's not wanted, and others too. Dwarves going back and forth along the road to who knows where. Strange men too, from the south. Trouble in Bree is coming, mark my words. Trouble is coming.

I'm looking to start a game of The One Ring centred on Bree, and the region of Middle-earth known as Eriador.

Cultures: Dwarf of Blue Mountains, Hobbit (Shire/Bree), Men of Bree, Rangers of the North.

---------------------
FG License: Ultimate
Game System: The One Ring (1st Edition, Revised)

Game Calendar Link (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/calendar/index.xcp?id=3670)

Time Zone: UK (GMT/BST)
Day of week: Saturdays
Time: 1000 to 1300
Frequency: Weekly (starting 30th November)

Term:
I plan on running an introductory adventure before Christmas, then running adventures from the Bree and Ruins of the North books. Can't promise anything in terms of long term viability, but I'd like to run this for a while if the interest is there from the players.

Text or Voice: Voice
Voice software used: Discord
Will this be recorded and/or live streamed? No

[Valarian]

I'd like to get characters from players before the scheduled first session, so that we can look at introducing the characters and getting on with the game. The best mechanism for building up a character is through Azrapse's character builder for The One Ring (https://azrapse.es/tor/sheet.html), which guides people through the character building process.

Interested players, please introduce yourself via PM and send me a copy of the code from the character builder via PM (in a code tag) or on the Discord text channel (link in the game channel GM Announcements).

New players are welcome. Please let me know if you need help building a character via PM.

[Raz_Kabooz]

Thank you for hosting Valarian, looking forward to Bree!

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30259&d=1573827997

[Valarian]

The Prancing Pony is more likely to look like this (https://lotro-wiki.com/index.php/File:The_Prancing_Pony.jpg).

[Hector Trelane]

The game is afoot!

A stranger with an unrecognizable accent comes to the Prancing Pony for help with a family member in trouble. The group goes right to work to find her cousin a farmhand's job, since idle hands get one in trouble...

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30564


...but she pulls out a map to show that she means travel far to the north...

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30565


After a day's journey northward on the Greenway, and a night under the stars outside Trestlebridge, the Companions discover ruins in the hills, which Ben Wormroot claims to have heard that the Rangers said they remembered that people used to believe that the ruins might have been an old kingdom that they say they used to be kings of. Based on that reliable report, Fenwick gracefully scales down the stairs and discovers underground rooms--the lower floors of an old mansion. Robin Briarwood and Ben Wormroot join Fenwick below while Hob Boffin bravely guards the baggage above. The passages below are strangely filled with cobwebs, which turn out to have been spun by enormous spiders! Fenwick hurls a spear and the battle is on...

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30566

[Hector Trelane]

Shots of today's action:

The Companions rescue a dwarven trader from bandits by scaring them off. The dwarf, a Blue Mountains craftsman named Jari, joins the group.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30945


The Companions find the bandit hideout, Ost Alagos, and count more than two dozen persons there. Campfires are counted and approaches mapped out.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30946


The approach is made around the rear, and after much debate, the hobbit drugs the guards with an herbal mixture that puts them to sleep.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30702


The Companions infiltrate undetected, and Hwalda finds her cousin at the central fire, seemingly seeing through the eyes of a grey wolf that wandered the ruins even as she stayed stationary. Her cousin has been found--and Robin and Fenwick prepare to make the approach!

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30703

[Hector Trelane]

The Companions persuade the bandit to come away with his concerned cousin. He expresses remorse about past deeds and after some restrained family quarreling (in an unknown tongue), he agrees to go with her.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30943

Then the Companions receive payment for their escort services and make their way safely back to Bree by a different path.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30944

[Hector Trelane]

Rumors at the Prancing Pony tell of a mysterious death of a well-to-do adventurer, perhaps haunted by barrow wights. His nephew stumbles into the Prancing Pony, breathless with fear after seeing a nine foot high "ghost" in the grave yard at night. (Ahem, what was the young lad doing there?)

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30942


The Companions decide to pursue this "ghost" in the graveyard, whom Ben Wormroot suspects is actually a Troll. They slip out the South Gate at night and make their way to the graveyard to discover and find a disturbed grave, a spade with soil on it, and footprints twice the size of a man's. They pursue the trail of footprints, with Ben finally convincing the others it's a troll they're stalking. They walk all night, and take a short rest as dawn breaks, but resolve to find the spot where the troll has gone to ground...

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30947

[Raz_Kabooz]

The Fellowship of the Pony continues to track the troll southwards towards the South Downs. An unseasonably thick fog sets in for the evening making the journey difficult to continue, so the group makes camp and rests for the night. Robin Brairwood carves from piece of wood an extravagant pony figure that she proudly gifts to Jari, Son of Dvalin who thankfully accepts it, missing [*His*] Little Pony dearly left behind in Bree-town.

During the night a shadowy figure is spotted by Ben Wormroot who alerts his fellows. Hob Boffin sneaks out to find the figure and discovers the mysterious dwarf whom they encountered at The Prancing Pony the day before, now hiding just out of sight of the camp. Hob attempts to jump the dwarf to no avail and the dwarf flees into the night. Hob tells the group that they are being followed and the fellowship decides to turn their attention to the dwarf, tracking him down to be questioned.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31014&d=1577540179

The next morning Robin successfully picks up the dwarf's tracks, however, by late morning she realizes that he is running circles around the group as they re-circle their steps. Robin irritated by the dwarf's trickery wishes to stop the chase and focus on the troll again. Jari and Ben both agree with Robin, however, Hob protests feeling that the troll has no doubt reached it's lair in the South Downs and that they should return to Bree to search for the dwarf. The deciding word is made by the Bree man Fenwick Fishmonger who simply says "We Attack!", and the fellowship agrees to track the troll again.

By nightfall, the fellowship reaches the northern reach of the South Downs and it's foreboding craggy rock hills, making camp for the evening.

Early the next morning the fellowship sets off and Hob spots the troll's lair, surrounded by tall pillars made of bones and skulls. The big folk Robin, Jari and Ben take the sight with resolve, however, Hob is most troubled by the sight, wishing for the moment that he never had left The Shire, and is visibly shaken by the place.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31011&d=1577539438

Pushing forward, Ben finds the entrance to the troll's cave and determines it must be a stone troll. Hearing a low snoring in the depths of the cave, the fellowship decides to make stealth their best attempt to get close to the troll.

Even with their best effort, the fellowship isn't as silent as they would like and as they approach the troll the snoring has obviously STOPPED and a load gruff voice is heard "Who disturbs my home?" in which Robin responds weakly "who is robbing graves in Bree?"; the reply is not well received by the troll. Ben and Hob, feeling that they can talk their way out of this predicament, afford the troll a bit of Bree-land and Shire courtesy, encouraging the troll to discuss a trade of sorts, by leaving him alone and/or a trade of treasure in exchange for Tomas' uncle's coffin.

The negotiations begin to fail as the troll demands far too much treasure in exchange for the coffin and makes no promise to never molest the folk of Bree again. Not trusting the troll Fenwick announces "We Attack!" and combat ensues!

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31012&d=1577539672

The stone troll proves to be a formidable foe for the fellowship, difficult to wound and winding both Jari and Fenwick, however, the fellowship has the numbers on him. Jari rips into the troll's armour, gashing a sizable chunk out of it, Ben and Robin both make several steady strikes on the beast, Fenwick diverts the troll's attention onto himself (although not entirely his intent) and in the end Hob shoots an arrow into the eye of the troll, felling the foul beast.

The cave now silent, the fellowship looks upon the troll's treasure hoard and searches for the coffin of Timeas' (Tomas' uncle). The coffin is found, however, to loot it is a foul task akin to grave robbing for good folk. The fellowship decides that clues to the whereabouts of Tomas' inheritance is of importance, searching the coffin and the body within. They are not proud of their action, however, are rewarded with a map found in the boot of Timeas.

The map is of the general area surrounding Bree embellished with dwarven runes describing the region not too long ago and Jari determines it can't be much older than a dwarf generation or two. Upon further inspection, Jari suspects that there might be smoke runes upon the map and asks Ben to light his pipe and blow some smoke upon it. Sure enough smoke runes are found eluding that treasure can be found at a local in the Midgewater Marches.

The fellowship agrees to keep the map secret the best that they can ("what if Tomas should ask about it?") and gathers the troll's treasure before making their trek back to Bree-town. The treasure is indeed sizable and Ben boosts to the fellowship that he was right about the troll all along and to Hob that the trip to the South Downs was a good decision.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31013&d=1577539754

[Hector Trelane]

Great write up and screen grabs, Raz!

[Hector Trelane]

From today's session:

The Companions return items of treasure to Bree recovered from the troll, who'd looted the town grave. After a rest, they confront (and deceive) the dwarf who'd been following them, since then assembling a band of ruffians and ne'er-do-wells from Bree as muscle. To evade detection, the Companions slip out early morning by a circuitous route, then make their way to Midgewater Marsh and the area marked on the map where the "Black Barrow" and "King's Chair" may lie. After a sleepless night (darn neekerbreekers!), some ruins loom into view of the marsh fog.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31105


Being a practical sort, the Bree-land Companions decline to travel directly to these ruins, instead taking a leisurely breakfast to discuss the history of the region and debate whether a side journey to close-by ruins should be taken. It was, and the statue of a king was found amongst sunken stones and fallen piers engraved with stars, the old symbol of Arnor, said Jari. Then, Fenwick Fishmonger, expert searcher and historian, discovered "funny writing" on the base of the king statue: a looping, elegant script that appeared to him to "much like all letters" he sees: just as indiscernible.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31106

Next time: a debate about whether to light a fire and make leek and mushroom soup for lunch.

[jms0784]

Hello all,

I enjoyed reading the posts above.

Is the group full or are you still seeking additional members? I am new to Fantasy Grounds (been a Roll20 player for quite a while). I am on UK time and was previously in a TOR campaign for about a year.

Either way thanks for your consideration, it is good to find TOR players in my timezone as it is hard to find a game!

Thanks

Jay

[Valarian]

Is the group full or are you still seeking additional members? I am new to Fantasy Grounds (been a Roll20 player for quite a while). I am on UK time and was previously in a TOR campaign for about a year.
Hi Jay, the group is full at the moment. I can let you know if this changes.

[Trenloe]

Hi guys - if the game is full at the moment, it might be more appropriate to move the fantastic session review posts to a different forum than LFG - the Gallery or CoreRPG forums would be more appropriate. I'd be happy to help move existing posts to a new thread in one of those forums.

[Valarian]

Can you move the thread?

[jms0784]

Hi Jay, the group is full at the moment. I can let you know if this changes.

Yes please Valerian. I hope you and players have a good time in Breeland!

Best

Jay

[Hector Trelane]

Welcome to the forums, jms0784!

[Hector Trelane]

Jay you may want to take a look at this forum thread where there's another game underway -- on Sundays: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?46806-TOR-Fellowship-of-the-Marsh-screenshots/page16

I'll send you a PM

[vegaserik]

I gotta say I love the Lotro screen shots to set the location. There's so many beautiful places in Lotro to use! I can just hear the mosquitos in the Midgewater Marsh!

[Hector Trelane]

Spoilers:
Brief summary: the Companions find a barrow which had been previously opened, with treasures inside. It appears to be Timmaues' secret source of wealth! The Companions retrieve some remarkable treasures, but a competing group of looters, er adventurers, arrive to press their claim. Some unpleasantness breaks out, the Companions scare off ruffian hirelings, and after a brief exchange of blows, the perpetrators of violence are escorted by the Bree guards to the town jail. The adventure concludes with most having more coin in their pockets and even some rare treasures retained.

The group then settles into a long break over the autumn and winter, with the dwarf Jari and the Hobbit Hob Boffin spending the season in Bree and renting homes.


https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31243

[Hector Trelane]

In the spring, at Hob's new hobbit hole in North Bree, the Companions pick up rumors of ghosts getting active all about Bree: apparently the wights in the Barrows aren't staying up in the hills, but ranging further. A hobbit lass was rescued by Rangers after being stuck in the barrow hills all night when a fog caught her unawares and she was lost. Fenwick has nightmares of icy towers to the north and children wailing. They agree to investigate and some street urchins (Ben & Fen's Irregulars) paid with a few coin do indeed locate a ghost inside the walls of Bree!--a man in armor with a sword at his side.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31244

Investigation to be continued next time!

[Raz_Kabooz]

The Fellowship of the Pony/grave robbers continue their investigation into the mysterious figure sighted in the south side of Bree-town. Robin, Fen, Jari and Hob camp out at the foreboding alley near a tomb that brings a shiver to their spins. Jari thinks the stonework and engravings are old indeed as sinister onlookers watch the fellowship from the shadows. Hob hides in a corner keeping an eye out for ill-doers as the fellowship continues their search.

Thugs watching the group from nearby are confused by the odd and somewhat nutty north Bree-towners mucking about the alley. They soon embolden themselves for a bit of thievery. Out of their element challenging the fellowship they are easily discouraged and threatened off by Fen. One of the thugs exclaims before fleeing “you don’t want to be in this place at dawn”. Of course, with this warning the fellowship remains at the tomb to the frustration of the hobbit Hob, “all night without sleep and a comfy bed, we could have slept in a bit”.

As dawn rises an eerie figure is sighted, a ghost in ancient elven style armor (as Jari points out with his keen smithy eye) walks the alley. The fellowship braves on, however, Robin is deeply taken by the figure and feels deep sorrow for it, somehow feeling a great loss. As the ghost reaches the tomb it fades away.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31326&d=1579959917

That morning the fellowship gets breakfast and questions who might know more about the tale of the tomb and spirit. Fen has heard that the Bree-town schoolmarm is known to have a bit of knowledge of such things and the fellowship pays her a visit. After pleasantries by Jari and Fen she begins to tell them of tales of old, lost love and tragedy with a rumored elven sword and treasure hidden away in the Burrow Downs.

The fellowship thanks the schoolmarm for her time and decides to head out to the Burrow Downs but not before paying respect to the tomb in Bree-town for the next day's dawn. Hob feeling this isn’t at all a sensible proposal, decides to forego the visit in favor of a good night’s sleep at his Bree-town house.

Again the following dawn the ghost appears, this time Fen and Jari are compelled by the ghost's sorrow and Robin is filled with fear. They lay flowers at the tomb’s base, however, the ghost pays no heed to their offering. Fatigue and wariness heavy on the three, they decide to spend the day resting before heading to the Burrow Downs. Hob wakes up, well rested from sleeping in his hobbit bed and makes a grand breakfast of eggs, bacon with fresh scallions and tatters from his garden for himself as he reminisces over simpler days while living in The Shire.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31325&d=1579959897

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31327&d=1579965225

[Hector Trelane]

Good report, thanks for chronicling. I missed that the ghost was wearing Elven armor. Mysterious indeed. Would Bree town folk know whether elves can have ghosts? ?!!??

[Raz_Kabooz]

I missed that the ghost was wearing Elven armor. Mysterious indeed. Would Bree town folk know whether elves can have ghosts? ?!!??
It was in "elven style" but more likely made by men with skill from the old days by Jari's smithy eyes. Hob might be embellishing his account of events a bit.

[Raz_Kabooz]

The adventure of The Fellowship of the Pony/grave robbers/ghost busters continues…

The next morning, refreshed from their night’s rest, Robin, Ben, Jari and Hob start the day and pack Jari's little pony for the journey south to the Barrow Downs. Fen being absent, Ben goes to retrieve him knocking on his door to no response. The Fellowship feels that all this business with ghosts and graves has been too much for poor Fenwick and decide to journey on without him. They exit Bree-town from the West Gate and travel south along the Greenway.

That afternoon the Fellowship encounters a caravan of traders, men and dwarves, traveling north with their wares. After greetings and pleasantries offered by Hob and Jari the caravan master tells the group of rumored troubles along the East Road and recent hauntings on the road near the Barrow Downs. The leader fears that if this trouble continues all trade will cease in these parts. The mood is dourer until Ben speaks out proclaiming that the Fellowship is on a mission to investigate these rumors and to end the hauntings. Everyone is inspired by Ben’s words as Robin lightly sings to herself “who you gonna call…” The caravan and Fellowship soon after bid each other good travels setting their paths apart as the Fellowship heads into the hills towards the Barrow Downs.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31424&d=1580584657

As twilight sets in, Jari having packed a good amount of wood in pony’s packs, finds a good place to camp for the night outside the Barrow Downs. He carves dwarven runes on various rocks and places them around the camp’s perimeter telling the Fellowship that “these will keep us safe” as the group makes dinner and sing songs to keep their spirts in check. Shortly before night a man is seen running towards the camp, it is Fenwick, a bit winded and annoyed that the party left Bree-town without him. The Fellowship laughs, now confident of their numbers, setting in for a night’s rest on the hill side.

As dusk turns to night a chill fills the air as a thick fog sets upon the camp. Strange sounds can be heard in the distance as several cloaked figures, man size, move just within sight of the campfire’s light. Ben convinced that these are Rangers shouts out “who goes there” as if he were on a patrol in Bree-town. The figures turn facing the group, a feeling of dread sets upon the group, however, each has the resolve withstanding the fear, that is except for Hob who is certain he saw a horrific face. The figures appear to be some sort of specters and begin to approach the camp. Hob cowers under his blanket next to little pony, Fen and Jari take up their weapons and Robin calls out to Ben to light his watchman’s lantern, in which he does. The light of Ben’s lantern cuts through the fog and the shadowy figures shrink into the dark as Robin too lights her lantern to fend off the fiends. The rest of the night the Fellowship sleeps uneasily with lanterns close by in case the figures return.

The night ends with no further sightings as dawn brings a new day. The Fellowship decides to make haste into the Barrow Downs to try to find the tomb of Andrath and the flowers seen by the young hobbit lass. Rushing into the Barrow Downs Robin, Ben and Jari become somewhat fatigued and must pack a portion of their gear on poor pony to alleviate their weariness. Fen and Hob, eager not to spend the night in the Barrow Downs, remain fresh and ready to go. They spend the entire day skirting from one barrow to another. Signs that the runes on the stone slabs of the entries of the tombs appear to have been worn off; some by weather and time, others by obvious clawing. Something is deliberately altering the markings of the runes. Before long Jari points out that dusk is drawing near and they must head back now or face the prospect of camping in the Barrow Downs for the night. With Jari as their guide, they make it back to their previous camp site shortly before dusk.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31425&d=1580584683

Again, as in the previous evening, a figure is seen approaching the camp before nightfall, this time a strange fellow, muttering to himself about “dead kings and lords” with a wildly glare to his eyes. Hob calls out inviting the man to come forward, which he does but pays little attention to the group as a whole. He is obviously unbalanced and has an odd resemblance to Fenwick (*perhaps a distance relative yet we know little of Fen's father) and the Fellowship tries to make the man as comfortable as possible. The man seems able to answer questions between his mutterings and introduces himself as Ostley, a name Ben heard as the man rumored in Bree-town to have roamed these parts for some time. Ostley tells them that the tombs that were once sealed have now been reopened and warns of the fog muttering “always the mist and always the fog”. He then turns and starts to head back to the Barrow Downs but before he gets too far from the camp Fen asks of the yellow flowers and Ostley turns and tells him of a hill, a safe place here, that has many flowers where the mist never goes. Hob bids Ostley to stay the night with them and Jari asks if he can take them to the hill of flowers. Ostley accepts the Fellowship’s invitation and remains for the night.

As night sets Ostley continues to answer questions and speaks about Andrath’s tomb located somewhere south in a long forgotten town and his bride’s tomb located in Bree in an old and forgotten section of the town. Fen attempts to piece all these stories together and asks further questions of the man but he has fallen asleep, snoring as he keeps some of the Fellowship awake throughout the night.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31426&d=1580584701
*courtesy of Hector

The next day the Fellowship, with Ostley as guide, return to the Barrow Downs and journey northwards. Fen having ponder over a pipe the evening before reflecting on the stories told by Ostley and now assessing the landscape of the Barrow Downs is certain he has a good idea where Andrath’s tomb may lay, however, the Fellowship decides to continue northward to find the hill of yellow flowers. Around midday Ostley takes them to a calmly hill filled with yellow flowers, a type of flora not seen elsewhere by the Fellowship. They each feel at ease here as Ostley explains that these flowers only grow here and nowhere else. Ostley also reveals that he was the one who rescued the young hobbit lass from off the hill, taking her back to a stream near the East Road. Hob presses some flowers for preservation and carefully takes a few cuttings for the journey back to Bree-town determined to replant these flowers in his home garden.

As afternoon begins Jari decides this is a good place to make camp and his companions agree deciding to rest for the day. At nightfall, the mist never reaches the hill top and the chills felt the nights before isn’t as harsh. Stars can be seen overhead as a thick fog blankets the Barrow Downs below the hill’s base and sometime during the night Ostley wonders away without a word.

The next morning the Fellowship questions what to do next? Fen is eager to return to the Barrow Downs to investigate Andrath’s tomb. He thinks maybe by returning the king’s body to the bride’s tomb in Bree-town will lift this haunting. The rest of the Fellowship disagrees while Robin, Jari and Hob consider rumors that they have heard. Robin believes the elves of Chetwood might know what is needed to end the haunting, however, the elves are difficult to find and more difficult to give a straight answer; Jari has heard that there are dwarf loremasters that may have the answers they seek but the journey to Thorin's Hall is far; and Hob has heard rumors of men who dwell south of Southfarthing of The Shire that may have the knowledge relevant to the task, however, he is not welcomed in The Shire as being the blame of his father's untimely passing.

The Fellowship ponders where next to go as they eat breakfast. To Be Continued…

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31429&d=1580584806
*told in the perspective of Hob Boffin and subject to interpretation

[Hector Trelane]

Epic, indeed, Raz Kabooz!

[mrdabakkle]

The Adventures of the Fellowship of the Pony continue as written by Ben Wormroot Guard of Bree-Town.

After returning from The Old Forest and speaking with Tom Bombadil the Fellowship meet again with Halbarad and the Rangers. With them is Gandalf who they call the Grey Wanderer. Ben gets into a smoking contest with them, Gandalf chuckles as he sends a smoke arrow through Ben's Ring. The company prepare to return to the Barrowdowns, to the Elf Prince's Barrow. There Gandalf tells the company that the spells will last long into the night, and the Wights will surely try to attack. Giving each companion a small vial, he tells them that once smashed it will release a bright light to give them an edge. Fenwick is concerned and asks for something more, thinking that perhaps a rotten fish tied around his neck or an onion under his armpit might be a ward enough to keep the Wights away.

Fortunately Robin talks him out of it, saying "That will only keep us away from you Fen!"

As dusk falls, a grim fog appears on the Downs. Rolling in they hear whispers calling out their names and beckoning to come closer. Gandalf begins muttering his spells and conjuring his power to reseal the old wards. And it is there as darkness falls that The Wight King and seven Barrowwights appear out of the darkness. Hob Boffin lets out an opening volley, and the rest of the company charge down the hill as four Wights begin climbing up the hill. The battle is long as many blows are exchanged. One of the wights lunges forward towards Robin and grasps her with it's dead decaying and cold hands. She tenses as her arm takes a cold wound. Ben and Jari fiercely battle their wights, dealing heavy blows against them weakening them but the dead bodies still stand. Robin in a swift and powerful blow takes the wight down in front of her, and moves to the one fighting Ben. Due to the blows already dealt, the creature is easily defeated, (but it was my kill. It counts as mine!) Hob Boffin fires an arrow at the Wight facing Jari straight at it's eyes the creature crumbles intp the dirt.

Now the The Wight King and three new creatures move into the fray. One of the wights manages to dislodge Hob from his defensive rear position, and Robin falls. The battle looks grim, but as it looks like the company will fall, Gandalf finishes his spell and a bright blue light cascades over the Downs, causing the wights to flee.

[Hector Trelane]

Welcome to the forums, mrdabbakle. Nice write up!

Edit--Here is a screen shot of the bone-chilling action:

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31749

[Hector Trelane]

Today's session was a Fellowship Phase in-between-adventures session in which the characters develop, choose their off-screen actions during the down time between adventures, and add to their Tale of Years. It's a great feature of the game that players do develop their characters' stories.

A highlight was rolling on the Weal & Woe Table, which incorporates "the vagaries of life into their characters’ stories ... reflecting the uncertain events brought about by the Tale of Years." Ben and Hob (again!) rolled an Eye of Sauron which results in a life-changing tragedy while Jari continued his charmed existence, rolling a Gandalf rune to produce life-changing event of good fortune (a windfall of gold) to match his discovery of a Mithril shirt. (Some Dwarves have all the luck.) Fenwick likewise experienced a Grim Year in which his parents came down with the pox and require his support and funds, as Bree folk don't want to buy fish from a fishmonger's stand whose proprieters are diseased.

The effect is to introduce an element of out-of-PC-control events upon the story, a surprising and positive influence. This mechanic borrows heavily from Pendragon, as does the structure of the campaign, The Darkening of Mirkwood.

Optional rule we may want to use next time:


Using Hobbit Tales
If you own a copy of Hobbit Tales from the Green
Dragon Inn, then its cards may be used to supplement
the result of the Weal & Woe die roll. The Loremaster
or the affected player may simply draw one or
two cards, and seek inspiration from their titles,
illustrations, quotes, or Effect icons.

[Hector Trelane]

The Companions were back at it, walking the Greenway northward after a winter rest. They made it to Trestlebridge, asked the locals for guidance, and crossed the great timberframe bridge to step into the unknown of the North Downs:

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33446

[Hector Trelane]

The Companions make their way to Fornost, where they stumble into a long-sealed armory containing very old, but still sound weapons:

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33447


... and then find an ancient throne room. After one of their number foolishly sits on the throne (ahem, Robin), wraiths appear and lay gazes of cold hatred upon the living, swarming forward to attack.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33448

[Hector Trelane]

The Companions continue their exploration of Fornost, passing through debris, halls, a spiral staircase, and tunnels to discover ancient battlefields and many bones of the fallen.

Rushing past the noise of orcs to the surface and green fields, they discover more bones--those of hobbits--and meet the ghostly captain of the "Green Company", roused and pledged to fight "foulness stirring once again from Mount Gram". Just then, an orc warband emerges from the tunnels (with Hill-men aiding them), and a battle ensues, the Companions aided by the ghostly Green Company of hobbit archers.

After a close battle, the orcs are driven off (but not defeated), and the Companions discover the lost bow of the Green Company's captain, who had commanded them, or at least Hob Boffin, to remember and tell their tale back in the Shire. The Companions return, weary and wounded--but safe--to Bree.

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[Hector Trelane]

The Companions meet an old patron, Hwalda, the Hill folk guide, who leads them far north to Forochel, where a tribe of unrelated Hill-men report kidnappings that match the haunting dreams several have had. The Companions help beat back a wolf attack and are alert enough to foil a goblin kidnapping attempt, earning the thanks of the tribe leaders.


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[Hector Trelane]

The Companions journey on to search for the source of the nightmare visions where captured children might be kept, and reach Angmar. Hiding from orc warbands, they see a squad of goblins dump a man-sized bundle into a cave. The hobbit sneaks up and cuts it open to reveal a dazed man, just as a horror emerges from the recesses. The Companions rush to their aid, forming a shield wall and managing an organized retreat, but the beast remains alive despite a mighty blow from Robin and a shot from Hwalda:

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Proceeding on, unable to find shelter, the Companions reach, as dusk approaches, a bridge over a chasm and ancient towers rising above: Carn Dum. They prepare to descend stairs in the cliff, eager to remain unseen.

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[Hector Trelane]

The Companions find a tunnel leading into the mountain, with a false at the rear they manage to open, leading to a maze of passages and chambers.

A long dangerous slog through the catacombs follows, with the alarm being raised by the goblins, so the Companions fight their way from room to room, trying not to get lost and to find their way out besides. Some skirmishes go well while others bog down into protracted battles as more patrols of goblins join in a fray that started small. It's dangerous business.

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Eventually, the Companions reach a large chamber with a dozen or more barred cells and cages where children and Hillmen are kept. Larger orc guards stand leering over them. The Companions move to free the prisoners and another battle follows, resulting in the defeat of the orcs and a brief moment of rest. The prisoners may be freed, but then what?

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[Hector Trelane]

Back in the saddle in Bree! After a fearful caper involving the disappearance of three potatoes from Hob Boffin's garden, the Companions struck out east on the East Road to salvage the lost wagon caravan of refugee dwarves, who claimed to be the sole survivors of some attack. Fenwick Fishmonger didn't like to looks of these travelling ragamuffins and was reluctant to venture out until one of the dwarves agreed to tend to his fishmonger stand. Others tended to Hob's garden. "This is working out great!" he thought to himself. "We've got retainers!"

On the road the Companions travelled past the Forsaken Inn, detoured to inspect the top of Weathertop, and at last approached the Last Bridge.

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[Raz_Kabooz]

After some exploring and much disagreement on how to handle the captured bandits, The Fellowship of the Pony continues their raid upon the bandit cave lair in the Trollshaws. Robin Brairwood, Jari Son of Dvalin, Ben Wormroot, Fen Fishmonger of Bree and Hob Boffin face off with the leader of the bandits, the troll named Amos. At the start Jari effectively strikes at Amos breaking his armour and affording a tender spot for his fellows to aim for, however, the troll’s hatred for Jari is clear as he focuses his complete rage on the noble dwarf.

Ben rallies the fellowship keeping his companions spirits high, as Fen tosses taunts at the troll insulting his fighting prowess and parentage. Robin successfully strikes at the beast effectively, however, Hob's attempts to hit with his bow at that tender spot in the troll's armour misses and go astray.

As the fight peaks Jari begins feel the full might of Amos' hatred as the troll continues to club at him blow after blow. Fortunately Ben's rally calls maintain Jari's resolve as the dwarf reaches the limits of his endurance. As the fight becomes dire for Jari, Robin and Fen focus on the troll's weak spot bringing Amos to his threshold of endurance as Hob finally hits that tender spot in the troll’s armour, finally taking the monster down.

If it were not for the fortitude of Jari Son of Dvalin keeping the troll's focus on himself, its most likely that at least a few of his companions may have fallen in the fight.

Now the Fellowship must attend to those imprisoned in Amos' den as well as deal with the remaining bandits.

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[Hector Trelane]

Nice post. Fun tactical battle. Sorry to miss the action this morning.

[Poppyseed]

After the company defeating the troll, they found that there was not only one, but two prisoners in the troll's cages. A dwarf named Hannar was one of them, who Jari spoke with and found out that he had been among the dwarves that Anar and Vidar had been travelling with when they were attacked. As for the other dwarves, however, the only thing that remained of them was now a part of the bone pile in the corner. Robin opened the cage for the other prisoner - a man who introduced himself as "Footsore" when Robin gave her name and stuck her hand out in greeting. As the companions were busy talking, Footsore slowly edged his way to his weapons and armour, which had been cast in a pile on the other side of the room, and put them on. Both he and Hannar weren't in the best shape, from a lack of food and water, and bad conditions, but that wasn't the companions' only problem. From the passageway leading on, there were sounds of the bandits stirring and gathering their weapons. Jari, by the bone pile, mourned his lost kinsmen and Robin stood at his side, putting a hand on his shoulder. The companions then went down the passageway to fight.

Jari, filled with rage, charged out of the tunnel, swinging wildly at the bandits but missing them and Robin followed close behind, taking down one of them with ruthless efficiency. Footsore joined the companions in the battle, fighting with his bow alongside Hob and once the battle was finished, they took as much as the the dwarves' stolen goods that remained in the cave as they could back out to the horses. Scouting ahead slightly north, they found an abandoned cart and decided that they should bring the goods back to Bree. Now all they needed to decide was what to do with the two bandits that still lived...

They eventually decided to leave them, free and unbound after getting information about the "Captain" - Mormog and the remaining bandits and troll, residing to the north. This was a threat the companions didn't want to leave unchecked. Still, many of them were wounded and weary and they had at least a little of what they originally came for. There really wasn't much further they could go as they were so they headed back to Bree together. Footsore decided to join them, saying that his home was far to the east and it would be a difficult trek back if he tried to go alone as he was. Over the journey, they told him about Bree and Robin talked about Archet. It seemed like he hadn't seen anywhere like Bree before. Footsore seemed unsettled by the crowded streets while he tried to take in everything and Robin put a hand on his shoulder, telling him Archet was better and much quieter too but that "you get used to Bree once you'd spend enough time here".

Hannar reunited with Anar and Vidar, who greeted him with glad arm-clasps and when the companions returned their goods and gold, they paid them handsomely - 12 gold per person, which was enough to make Footsore look a little lost at the sight of so much money. Robin suggested saving it and explained the vault system Bree had - something that she was surprised to find wasn't a concept he'd come across. Hob seemed to be very pleased with the money. There was no doubt that he could use it to help his ruined relationship with his family and restore the farm.

As the company set off to their own homes and Footsore journeyed to Archet with Robin to find a place to stay, Robin wondered what she would end up spending her money on. Nothing immediately came to mind. She wasn't doing this so much for the money, but to help people - make a change in their lives for the better - and with the friends she had now, and her family doing fine, what more could she possibly want?

[Poppyseed]

Robin was back home again. The familiar smell of carved wood hung in the air and Robin smiled as she looked around. Finding an empty spot on one of the shelves, Robin rooted around in her pack and dug out the carving she’d made on the journey back of a horse and added it to the collection of carvings that were already displayed.

Aunt Sophia called from the back of the shop “I’ll be with you in a minute!” and Robin turned, scanning the room. Empty. She was probably in the storeroom – the door to it was open.

“Don’t worry, Auntie, it’s just me,” she called back.

Aunt Sophia appeared from the doorway behind the counter looking slightly frazzled, with her hair pulled into a messy bun, and stopped abruptly. A soft smile grew over her features and she brought Robin in for a hug.

“Oh, you’re back,” she said warmly.

“Has everything been alright while I’ve been gone?” Robin broke from the hug ever so slightly to look at Aunt Sophia’s face. She didn’t look too tired – definitely not as tired as she had been over the winter, which was a good sign. Perhaps Uncle Matthew’s health had improved again. Aunt Sophia nodded in her usual way of nodding when the real answer was not everything but it’s nothing you need to worry about.

“Oh – yes, it’s been fine. Matthew’s been getting better by the day now the weather’s warming up and I’ve been managing the shop just fine. Your carvings sold well these past couple of weeks so Matthew’s been making new ones to replace them and Percy’s – well, he’s been helping out where he can but of course, he has to balance it around guard duty.”

Robin listened and nodded as Aunt Sophia rambled at an incredible pace about how they were doing just-fine-and-Robin-didn’t-need to-worry-about a-thing as they gradually migrated into the back room, where they could sit and Robin could put her bags. For a moment, Robin wondered whether she should press and ask “Are you sure everything’s alright” but she knew Aunt Sophia would vehemently deny anything being wrong unless it was very serious. Besides, Robin could already guess.

“Now I’m back, I can help out again around the shop,” Robin offered and watched as Aunt Sophia’s shoulders and face relaxed in relief.

“That’d be lovely, dear." Her voice was calmer but slowly grew faster as she explained what Robin needed to do until it was as frantic as before. "If you could organise the shelves in the morning and evening and make some more figurines and carvings – that would leave Matthew and Percy more time for the other duties. I've not been wanting to push Matthew too far. He nags and nags at me that he's better now but with this winter and last winter, I didn't want to push it when he's been recovering. I'm sure you want to see your friends though so I'll only need you in the mornings and evenings. I can manage the shop during the day.”

Robin grinned, fiddling with the strings of her pack. “I have just spent around a month with most of them, you know. They can handle some time without me.”

Aunt Sophia closed her eyes and nodded again, taking a deep breath before speaking again, much calmer this time. “I know, and I won’t claim to understand those adventuring types you travel with but I can see it’s done you some good.” She brushed aside Robin’s fringe and put a hand on her shoulder. “I look at you now and see a brave and capable young woman. A little more wise than before, perhaps, a little less reckless.”

Robin bit the inside of her cheek to stave off a laugh. She still hadn’t told her how far north she’d gone when they’d helped Hwalda and wasn’t sure she’d still say the same thing if she told her she’d snuck into Carn Dum and rescued captured hillfolk. Or if she told her after a rest at home, they were heading out again to an encampment of bandits potentially led by an ogre, with at least one troll there too. Shaking her head, Robin tapped her axe fondly. “Definitely more capable.”

Aunt Sophia sighed in a what-am-I-going-to-do-with-you sort of way and shooed her upstairs to put her bags away and settle back in as more sounds began to come from the front of the shop. “I’ll be right with you!” Aunt Sophia called.

[Poppyseed]

The next day, Robin stocked the shelves and organised the shop so that it was ready to open, then headed down to the Rangers to help guard the east road as she had done a couple of times before, this time telling them about the company's most recent adventure - mentioning the fires they saw that night on Weathertop, talking with the elven woman about stories they'd heard about bandits, trolls, and an ogre in the area (and her reaction with Robin's theory that she was going to Rivendell), and the information the bandits gave them about Captain Mormog and the encampment to the North. Robin told them that the company were planning to head back out that way to find the encampment and make the road safer again, potentially retrieving the stolen goods as well. She'd half expected Ben to show up sometime during the day to tell the same tale and was surprised when she didn't see him. Perhaps he planned to come some other day, Robin thought to herself, after all, it wasn't like Ben to pass up an opportunity to see the rangers.

She quickly settled into a routine. In the mornings, she would help out around the shop and get it ready to open, then set off to guard the east road with the rangers. She would guard the east road for most of the day. In the late afternoons, sometimes stretching into the evenings, Robin headed back to Archet, sometimes stopping along the way to visit Poppy Underhill. Her hobbit friend listened closely to her adventures and seemed to be excited when she heard about "Mr Baggins' trolls", launching into the tales she'd heard about them from a distant cousin back in the Shire. Robin often also stopped to see Footsore and talk with him more about the area, especially about the paths in the Chetwood. On other nights, when Robin headed straight home, she carved figurines by the fireside. Those nights were quiet ones, with Aunt Sophia usually finishing off the bookkeeping for the shop or reading in the corner, Uncle Matthew carving just as she was, and Percy, her cousin, tending to his blades. She was glad to see Matthew's health getting better again but if it kept reappearing over the winter and got worse, some day, she might have to be a more permanent hand in her family's shop. A knot tightened in her stomach. She didn't want to think any deeper about that.

Robin also left several notes in Hob’s house for when he came back, one of which was just a semi-lifelike drawing of a carrot and several cabbages, with a smiley face and a heart. She didn’t manage to see him before he left for the Shire - even now she wasn't sure whether she'd been subconsciously avoiding him for the first week-and-a-bit that they'd been back but she'd been disappointed when she'd found only an empty house. She hoped he would see the notes and letters when he returned, if only to let him know that nothing had changed. Each one was signed “R. Briarwood,” with little doodles in the corners of the letters she left.

[Hector Trelane]

After a late spring rest, the Companions journeyed east once again to the Last Bridge, where two elves awaited them and led them back to an elven settlement hitting in a valley of surprising sophistication and elegance in the wilderness. During discussions during their night's stay, they agree to clear out the ogre captain Mormog to the northwest.

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Back on the road after the comfortable stay, the Company's hunter is trailed by wolves, who pounce, but find the Companions to be no easy prey.

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