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Post by Aetius on Feb 7, 2019 7:31:49 GMT
First Encounter
The day's march promised to be warm and tiring work. After some miles, however, the road ceased to roll up and down: it climbed to the top of a steep bank in a weary zig-zagging sort of way, and then prepared to go down for the last time. In front of them they saw the lower lands dotted with small clumps of trees that melted away in the distance to a brown woodland haze. They were looking across the Woody End towards the Brandywine. The road wound away before them like a piece of string.... The sun was beginning to get low and the light of afternoon was on the land as they went down the hill. So far they had not met a soul on the road. This way was not much used.... They had been jogging along again for an hour or more when Sam stopped a moment as if listening. They were now on level ground, and the road after much winding lay straight ahead through grass-land sprinkled with tall trees, outliers of the approaching woods. 'I can hear a pony or a horse coming along the road behind,' said Sam. Options 1) See who the rider is 2) Hide 3) Run back to the Shire 4) Use the Ring
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Post by notyetregistered on Feb 9, 2019 15:12:28 GMT
''Oh, maybe it's one of my cousins! Cousin Fredegar said he was planning on taking a trip to some merchants to the west!" Pippin suddenly interjected in response to Sam. ''Let's say hello, maybe they'll have some ponies we can ride on.'' ''As if one of your dumb cousins would ever go out of the Shire, Pippin.'' Merry corrected. ''But Merry, you're my cousin!'' Pippin noted. ''I'm the exception that proves the rule!" Merry answered, defensively. As Merry and Pippin were arguing, Frodo looked at the road, unsure what to do. He had received a grave task of Gandalf... but was he paranoid to suspect the worst? ''Let's hide.'' he said, deciding to play it safe. However, Merry and Pippin didn't pay attention to him and kept bickering. ''Let's go!'' he repeated forcefully and panicky, as he pulled the two away and Sam followed. They quickly ran away from the road and found a hole to hide in, from where they could see who was approaching. |
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Post by Aetius on Feb 10, 2019 22:57:36 GMT
Round the corner came a black horse, no hobbit-pony but a full-sized horse; and on it sat a large man, who seemed to crouch in the saddle, wrapped in a great black cloak and hood, so that only his boots in the high stirrups showed below; his face was shadowed and invisible. When it reached the tree and was level with Frodo the horse stopped. The riding figure sat quite still with its head bowed, as if listening. From inside the hood came a noise as of someone sniffing to catch an elusive scent; the head turned from side to side of the road. A sudden unreasoning fear of discovery laid hold of Frodo, and he thought of his Ring. He hardly dared to breathe, and yet the desire to get it out of his pocket became so strong that he began slowly to move his hand. He felt that he had only to slip it on, and then he would be safe. The advice of Gandalf seemed absurd. Bilbo had used the Ring. 'And I am still in the Shire,' he thought, as his hand touched the chain on which it hung. At that moment the rider sat up, and shook the reins. The horse stepped forward, walking slowly at first, and then breaking into a quick trot. Frodo crawled to the edge of the road and watched the rider, until he dwindled into the distance. He could not be quite sure, but it seemed to him that suddenly, before it passed out of sight, the horse turned aside and went into the trees on the right EffectsFellowship remains hidden, and safe, but the fellowship begins to realize the true scale of the endeavor -1 willpower13 willpower remains until the ring claims Frodo |
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Post by notyetregistered on Feb 14, 2019 22:27:46 GMT
 As the Hobbits moved, they quickly shook off the appearance of the black rider and returned to their normal, cheery selves. Only Frodo seemed to be disturbed for a longer period and in turn Sam was worried for his master. The Hobbits nonetheless maintained a steady but slow pace to the east, to Rivendell. Gandalf had after all not met them in Bree, but they had heard rumours of a powerful gathering in the land of the Elves. Thus, they reasoned, they might find Gandalf there. Though hobbits were often a people that was not seen, in the lands they were walking their presence was noticable to any who knew the land. Their laughter echoed throughout the wilderness, and it was only with luck that the man that suddenly appeared before them was not a black rider, but a man with the clothes of a ranger. The hobbits quickly put up their fists, as they had only heard bad stories about rangers, but the man merely smiled. ''Greetings, hobbits. They call me Strider around these parts, but you may call me Aragorn. Do not worry, for I am not the foe that now wanders this land looking for you. I have come to aid you. Any who is hunted by the great enemy is an ally of mine, and I have heard of Gandalf that you carry something of great importance.'' he spoke. The hobbits looked at Frodo, who after some hesitation stepped forward. ''Nice to meet you, Aragorn. I am Frodo, this is Sam, and these two are Merry and Pippin. We were supposed to meet Gandalf in Bree, but he hasn't shown up, so we're moving to Rivendell in the hope that he might be there.'' Frodo said. ''Then I swear I will guide you there, Frodo. Let us make haste then. The enemy is following us.'' Aragorn said. |
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Post by Aetius on Feb 15, 2019 21:29:58 GMT
As the night grew, Strider listened to the earth, and felt the hoofbeats quicken. The trees began to shrink, their life fading. The Nazgul quicken their pace to catch them, their master was driving them on. Strider knew the elves were near, and with them some safety could be found. He gave blades to Sam, Merry, and Pippin, telling them to run in the other direction, taking Frodo upon his horse and set off towards the Elves . Riding through the brush carrying Frodo, Strider set him down and rushed towards the Elves speaking hastily but clearly in Sindarin; “Ennas na- baw anand, i Úlairi are tul-“ **(There is no time, the Úlairi are come)** Gildor Inglorion nodded wordlessly, understanding instantly summoning his best noldorin warriors, some veterans from the second age. The stars began to blacken, a chill crept in the bones of those near.  There were three tall figures, In their white faces burned keen and merciless eyes; under their mantles were long grey robes; upon their grey hairs were helms of silver; in their haggard hands were swords of steel. Gildor (level 2 warrior, level 1 sorcerer) Strider (level 7 warrior, level 2 sorcerer) Boromir (level 4 warrior) 4 Noldorin Veterans (level 2 warriors) Warrior strength: 6d6+21 The Witch King (level 7 warrior, level 5 sorcerer) Khamul (level 5 warrior, level 3 sorcerer) Akhorahil (level 4 warrior, level 5 sorcerer) Warrior strength: 6d6+16
notes: if sauron presses the attack, and boromir enters in, it will be a combined duel. Ringwraiths will roll twice and pick best result due to advantage in sorcery. Whoever loses will lose a character, or more depending on the loss. Frodo can use the ring to instead take it as corruption |
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