Middle Earth FA64 D&D Game: Seventh Adventure – The Ruins of Old Hatha

[What Exit?]

The party spends nearly a week in the village. Drindoleth the Druid grew crops and trees for the villages. The Dwarves and others helped rebuild the town. The livestock should replenish from the breed stock donated.

Gil-Gandel now speaks the local tongue at a competent level. Were any others trying to pick it up?
Gwaelur, Ithilneth, Deor, Rorimac, Mulligan, Prestolwen & Drindoleth all have a chance to start leaning it.

The party rides back to Old Hatha. The get within a few miles of the old wall town by noon two days later. Planning and marching orders and any last minute spell changes would now be in order. Remember the threat is undead.

[OneCentStamp]

Theogrim is none too thrilled at the prospect of the undead, but his response is the same as to any foe: he makes sure his blades are sharp and his armor in good working trim.

[CatInASuit]

Both Mulligan and Rorimac would have been interested in learning the local language. Although they would probably ask if they can learn any of the writing as well. It's always worth learning how "Danger" is written locally.

Mulligan considers the city in front. The invisibility ring will be pretty much useless, so it will be time to fall back on natural talent. It was making it too easy anyway. Khosal's Bane will give an indication of nearby undead and the chalcedony stones will be more than useful, although finding them will be more important than slaying them. Better to leave that to the fighters and Gilraen.

Rorimac checks his weapons and hopes his new cloak will give him some advantage. Outside the city, he will be at his best finding tracks. Inside the city, well that's one for Mulligan.

[Elendil's Heir]

Thoroncir approves of Theogrim's preparations, and does the same. He might've picked up a few words and phrases of the local tongue while guarding and helping Gilraen during their week in the village, as is his wont as a well-traveled mariner, but he would make no special study of it. His longsword Cirist is especially effective against the Undead, and he looks forward to putting it to good use in Old Hatha.

[Appleciders]

Deor will try to learn as much of the language as he can.

1. ID, Comprehend Languages, Read Magic, Magic Missile
2. Web, Invisibility, Long Light
3. Fly, Fireball
4. Wall of Fire

[Malacandra]

Some of these are likely to be more ornament than use here, but I cannot presently do better than Entangle, Faerie Fire, Hypnotism, Speak with Animals and Stunning Discord, as before.

[Elendil's Heir]

Gil-Gandel is nothing if not ornamental.

[CatInASuit]

So, where do we start, the city itself or do we cover off the ruined stone tower, building and burial ground?

[Pleonast]

Ithilneth memorizes spells as before: Comprehend Languages, Feather Fall, Light, Protection from Evil; Detect Evil, Greater Light; Protection from Evil 10-ft Radius. She'll also try to pick up the local tongue as best possible.

She's uncertain how much she can help out this community, but will do what she can. An extra pair of skilled hands is always useful. If nothing else, she'll teach a few simple Elvish songs to the children.

[Elendil's Heir]

I'd vote that we start at the old burial ground to the north, then work our way around clockwise, moving in towards the walled city itself as we either overcome threats at each site, or determine that there's nothing dangerous that might otherwise later attack us from behind.

[Appleciders]

Fine by me- let's press on.

[OneCentStamp]

"Agreed, little brother. The sooner we start to explore this fell place, the sooner we'll finish."

[eleanorigby]

Prestolwen has picked up some rudimentary grammar and vocabulary of the villagers, mostly to do with pain, hurts and healing. She swallows hard at the thought of dealing with the undead, but squares her shoulders to face whatever comes alongside her companions.

[Hoopy Frood]

Bitur agrees that Thoroncir's plan is wise.

[What Exit?]

Where are the horses left? Let me know marching order/party distribution.

The party comes to the town from the North and head for the graveyard. It is only 2pm and Sundown should now be until after 7pm. The hill rises smoothly and looks mostly green and vines covered. Many small stray trees grow on the sides of the hill. The graveyard has 4 stone tower buildings and old stone post but the walls are long gone. There are 16 small mausoleums and 7 large ones. These are intact. The ruined tower is still 20’ tall but looks as if it was once at least 30’. The walls of the town that are visible from the north look to be mostly intact and in good shape and free of vines and moss. They stand about 25’ high. At the peak of the hill is a large Keep Tower. It Shines black in the sunlit sky and looks to be nearly 80’ square and 60’ high.

When the party gets about 600’ from the graveyard, Cirist begins to glow a pale green light of springtime grass at dawn. As the older party members know, this means undead are near.

[Appleciders]

Deor looses Folca from his arm and she circles high above the party, looking for movement in the graveyard.

[What Exit?]

There is no movement.

[Elendil's Heir]

Thoroncir will speak to all of the mounts in the Horse-tongue and ask them to stay together, out of harm's way, beyond the cemetery. We can feed them now and then they should forage as necessary until summoned by Gil-Gandel's horn. I guess we already know that Drindoleth's giant wolf Hound can be trusted around them, and might even be able to help guard them.

For marching, I propose this order, two abreast to start, with the second listed dropping behind the first if a path or tunnel forces us to go single file:

Rorimac, Mulligan
Thoroncir, Theogrim
Gilraen, Deor
Gil-Gandel, Ceol
Ithilneth, Redward
Drindoleth, Sala
Gwaelur, Bitur
Prestolwen

[OneCentStamp]

Theogrim smiles at that marching order and asks the hobbits if they've had haircuts recently.

[Malacandra]

Good enough. (I am not one to make changes for change's sake nor to emphasise who is in charge. )

[NAF1138]

I am fine with the marching order, but would like to offer the reminder that my helm, with its light blast, gives me additional strength against the undead. I need not be at the front to use it, though I can not be too far from any undead either.

(And if Gilraen prepares that light spell she used on me before, I can recharge my helm right away for a second blast if necessary.)

[What Exit?]

Gilraen has it memorized her Long Light spell and as a bonus, Ithilneth's Greater Light would also recharge you.

So the party approaches the graveyard and see it is very easy to enter. Do they march it one areas and spread out a bit?

[CatInASuit]

Rorimac and Mulligan look at each other wondering if Thoroncir is appreciative of their skills or if they have done something wrong recently.

Regardless, Mulligan pulls out Khosal's Bane and leads on.

Area by area, initial sweep by the hobbits, follow up by the rest of the party and lets be out of here a couple of hours before Nightfall.

[Malacandra]

As we've room to manouevre, let's try this. The hobbits are out scouting and if they find anything dangerous, they get back here as fast as possible. The rest of us form up like a checkerboard:

Thoroncir - Gil-Gandel - Theogrim
-    Gilraen   -   Ithilneth     -
Ceol      -    Deor    -  Redward
-     Sala     -   Drindoleth    -
Gwaelur   - Prestolwen -   Bitur

Keep about a yard and a half apart so that any of the empty spaces can be hit by any of the people next to it - that should make it very dangerous for anything to try and force its way into the formation. If we're swarmed, everyone faces directly out from the centre (Deor will have to revolve like a lighthouse ). Meanwhile we have a lot of clear fields of fire.

If I call "Close ranks!", just close up on the person directly in front, step into the gap ahead if there is one. If we're attacked mainly from the left, mainly from the right, or mainly from behind, "Face left!" means each individual faces left while staying in formation, and so on. That way, if we need to, we can form three ranks facing any way quickly. Then the men at the corners, once we go to three ranks, can come up the sides to reinforce the front rank.

[Elendil's Heir]

Rorimac and Mulligan look at each other wondering if Thoroncir is appreciative of their skills or if they have done something wrong recently....

The former, of course!

[CatInASuit]

Mulligan and Rorimac head into the Graveyard. As we have come from the North, let's start in the North West quarter and check it out bit by bit.

Rorimac starts with traps and tracks around the graves to see if anything has moved here recently.

Mulligan will follow slightly behind and start checking over the small graves with Khosal's Bane to see if it glows more strongly as she nears each of them. After that it will be to check over the mausoleums going from small to large, for entrances, locks and traps.

The hobbits consider their job to make sure the place is safe for a fight and find where the undead lie. The rest of the party get to do the actually fighting. Once a part of the area has been checked the rest of the party can move in and deal with whatever lurks here.

[Elendil's Heir]

That sounds like an excellent approach - thank you.

[What Exit?]

The party moves forward slowly. Drindoleth casts a Detect Snares and Pits and changes into his bear shape and follows the Hobbits cautiously. Prestolwen moves into his position on Gil-Gandel’s checkerboard.

As the Hobbits begin their search they discover that just last night there was shuffling movements in the yard. The undead appear to be inside or perhaps below the mausoleums primarily. The mausoleums are in good shape and shows strange dark brown stains. The graves appear to be long grown over and undisturbed. Near the north east mausoleum, before the door Drindoleth detects a pit. Rorimac and Mulligan quick mark it out and determine it is a simple weight activates trap. There are also no signs of shuffling outside this one.

At this point with the main party in the grave yard dark clouds move to block the sun and the air goes chill. A mist begins to form on the hill and all the humans feel a rising fear. The doors open throughout the graveyard and from in front of the Hobbits a hazy figure is moving through the wall of the mausoleum.

[CatInASuit]

"We've got company" comes Rorimac's call

"Good afternoon" smiles Mulligan to the figure in front, "Could I possibly interest you in talking about our intruding on your property in a genteel manner with a minimum of fuss to everyone's satisfaction. Please?"

Both Hobbits start to slowly back away.

[Elendil's Heir]

Thoroncir is ready with both his longsword and shield. He smiles, settles his helmet on his head and says to Gil-Gandel and Theogrim beside him, "Shall we?"

[OneCentStamp]

Theogrim nods and raises his shield slightly.

[Malacandra]

Fear no shade nor barrow-wight;
Fear no corse undying;
Fear not chill of Endless Night
Nor curse on lychway lying.
Soon shall clear the darkling skies,
Soon shall pass the pain:
Soon unconquered Sun shall rise -
Day shall come again!

Aurë entuluva!

Bardic chant

[Elendil's Heir]

Upon hearing Gil-Gandel's inspiring and poetic chant, Thoroncir nods, adding with a shout, "Lava úneren mici meldolvar loita; lava úneren imíca i nottor use! Elendil!"

(Tr.: "Let none of our comrades falter; let none of the foe escape!")

[Appleciders]

Deor, secure in the center of the formation of swordsmen, prepares to cast Magic Missile if the wight (or whatever it is) makes an overtly hostile move. He'll also brace his feet, clutch his staff, and prepare to face the unknown with the bravery that is the heritage of Rohan.

[Pleonast]

Ithilneth peers intently at the hazy form. She wonders what the nature of the thing is. Is it a Man who has refused Iluvatar's Gift, or is it a vile servant of the Enemy? Perhaps it matters not.

Ithilneth readies herself to cast Protection from Evil 10-ft Radius on Theogrim. She will wait until the figure takes overt hostile action. Once the spell is completed, she will draw her sword and knife and step into the line.

[OneCentStamp]

Theogrim, on his understanding of Ithilineth's power, tries to keep Gil-Gandel and Thoroncir within the radius unless battle circumstances force him to do otherwise.

[Malacandra]

In formation as we are, Theogrim's protection will cover Ithilneth, Redward and me, while Ceol's inherent power covers all his side of the formation. Now if only we had one to spare for Prestolwen, that would provide for all of us! Bow out and one of the good arrows on the string, ready to draw.

[Hoopy Frood]

Bitur is ready to close ranks and reinforce the front line whenever the signal is given.

[eleanorigby]

Prestolwen stays close to the group, dagger at the ready. But will her dagger be of use against the undead? She's ready to find out.

[What Exit?]

Gilraen raises up her bauble and proclaims loudly,
"A Elbereth Gilthoniel o menel palan-diriel, le nallon
sí di-nguruthos! A tiro nin, Fanuilos!"

A shaft of light shines from the bauble at the wraith forming in the mist. It appears to pierce the wraith which collapses and drifts away swiftly but the mist continues to gather on the hill.

She gasps out, "Some greater force than that minor wraith is against us. Be wary, be well."

Sala visibly shivers. Drindoleth retreats to the party calling for the young Hobbits to come away swiftly.

From the doors of the nearest mausoleums, the dead walk out. Some in armor, some in death gowns and one wearing the uncured and stinking skins of dead rodents. All are armed but greatest of their weapons is fear. However the party takes heart from Ithilneth, Thoroncir and Ceol and from the light of Gilraen and the song of Gil-Gandel. Rorimac does find himself racing back to the party in fear.

[Elendil's Heir]

"Come, my friends," Thoroncir calls, "let us close ranks, stand and fight here! Listen to Gil-Gandel, see Gilraen's pure light, lift your hearts and be confident that our work here today is favored by the Valar. Elendil!"

[Appleciders]

Deor readies a Fireball, and he'll use it against the densest cluster of undead he can find.

How wide a circle will my Fire Wall make? Enough to surround our group?

[kenobi65]

As the undead approach, Ceol closes ranks with his fellows. He raises his silver longsword, which also serves as his symbol of Eonwë, and focuses his faith through it, in an attempt to turn the undead, before they have a chance to close with the party.

"Indeed, take heart, my friends. These foul beings cannot hope to stand against us!"

[Malacandra]

Those must have been rodents of unusual... But that's not important right now. A blast on Glinras to lend us all heart and another +1 To Hit and on saves, and Deor might as well put down that Fire Wall as soon as he likes, once the scouts are safely back. (Mainly the hobbits; Drindoleth would only remark that it was warm for the time of year.) Our square is only about 25' in diameter, 35' corner to corner; the spell is much larger.

When we get meleed I shall use the Ruby Pendant and go to swords.

[CatInASuit]

Rorimac shudders with fear as he races back to the party diving between the front line. Once back among friends, he stops and calms himself before moving to the side and pulling out his bow, though ready to switch to his swords should the draw near.

Mulligan also races back slightly behind Rorimac. She heads to the back of the party to make sure that if worst comes to worst we have a way out. "Chalcedony, I think" she mutters as the whir of a sling starts.

[CatInASuit]

"This is never going to work" comes a mutter from Mulligan, "This sword is just to big for me."

"Rorimac, don't get any ideas like Thoroncir, but I believe you would be better off using this. Elfstan Fairbairn gave it to me to look after and now I am giving it to you to use in earnest. Don't break it, don't lose and above all wield it with light and valour in your heart."

Mulligan passes the glowing green Kkosal's Bane across to Rorimac who grips it steadily while his eyes open wide.

"Thank you, I will." Rorimac turns from Mulligan to the oncoming undead, the look of fear replaced by one of determination as he unsheathes a second sword of old origin. From the markings, the Dúnedain blade was made for this purpose.

"Ready." he states calmly to the oncoming horde.

[Pleonast]

Ithilneth mutters annoyance in an old tongue and then in a commanding voice "Heed the call to the Halls of Mandos, Children of Eru, or release their bones, vile spirits!"

As attack is imminent, she does cast Protection from Evil 10-ft Radius on Theogrim, and then draws her melee weapons.

[kenobi65]

Ceol stands fast in the face of the undead, his faith in Eonwë manifesting itself as a Protection from Evil 10-ft Radius effect around him.

[What Exit?]

Deor is able to report via Folca that in all 36 of the walking dead have emerged; all from the mausoleums. He notes that only one emerged for each of the small and two to three from most of the large ones but 6 from the central large one.

Ceol commands in the name of Eonwë for the dead to turn and 7 do so.

Gwaelur sends two Mithril Bolts at a nearby horror. Both hit and it dies. He switches to Axe and shield in a hurry.

Gil-Gandel sends several of the magical Dwarrow Arrows into the approaching foes. His first 2 hit and drops one but it struggles back up, he hits it again and it stays down. His next arrow hits one close to him as he switches to swords. They are dropping fairly easy and he may hold off his flame.

Rorimac lets loose 3 magic arrows into one target that drops and he swaps back to swords. He has taken position between Thoroncir and Ceol.

Mulligan hits twice with the Chalcedony stones and drop another. She is next to Deor.

Deor hits the 6 from the large central mausoleum with his fireball and is rewards with them catching fire, flailing around and dying.

Prestolwen thinks she probably should have tried her bow but at least is ready to defend herself.

Redward fires 3 Dwarven arrows and hits every time. His foe drops and he calls for Theogrim to help cover so he can stay with bow.

Half the dead are down or fleeing before melee begins; most promising indeed.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

They approach for all sides and but hesitate briefly at the perimeter of the Protection from Evils. Still they should have minuses to hit.

Thoroncir with Cirist makes short work of two.
Gil-Gandel is fighting the injured one but he is free otherwise. He hits but once but the foul corse fights on though fails to hit.
Theogrim strikes one with his two-handed sword and cleaves an arm off completely. The monster grasps him with great strength and the odor is fetid, foul and putrid all at once. Theogrim chokes down his bile and fights on.

Ithilneth hits with her knife but misses with her sword. The armored creature’s sword does not pierce her fine elven chain.
Redward fires another 3 arrows and drops another foe.
Drinoleth as a great bear rips the back out of one and hugs it in half. The small is awful but Drinoleth contains his revulsion.

Gilraen’s fair voice sings out “Estë protect us all and give these restless ones their peace.” Her bauble glows and a knot of three coming in on Rorimac and Thoroncir drop limp to the ground.
Mulligan’s hits twice more with her stones and drops another.

Sala is swift with his foil on and unarmored foe and makes short work of one.
Ceol destroys one with a pair of strikes.
Rorimac hits one twice but is struck for 5 points of damage

Bitur bashes one hard with his war shield enchanted against the dead and finishes it off with a might axe blow.
Prestolwen fails to hit with her blade but Gwaelur hits three of the zombie-like creatures with axe, axe and shield and then Gwaelur then lets loose a blast of light that does 22 to all the dead in the area. The injured ones all drop.

The party is safe but 7 undead are fleeing.

[OneCentStamp]

How intelligent are these walking dead in ME? Is their fleeing an actual intelligent attempt to avoid us, or simply a mindless straight-line flight to get away?