This is actually backwards, Prestolwen's father took Beorn himself as Lord, she is that old and her father is long dead, her mother fled over the sea long ago. She may well have known Drindoleth's father, I have no problem with that.Quote:
Originally posted by AndrewRyan
Drindoleth knows of a few herbs he could grow in this area using Plant Growth that could be mixed up to overpower or basically stun the olfactory of said trolls if Rorimac is right. Rorimac is very likely to be right.
Might be worth a try, but I still wonder, can the Hobbits tell us a bit about the layout of the cave area where the trolls are? Could we form a battle line up there, or perhaps force the trolls back by point-blank arrow fire and then advance our swordsmen?
The entry way is still narrow, the party could try to pry the boulders further apart though for a better massed attack or one brave soul could accept the challenge to fight the troll and try to drive it back with axe and shield. If the troll is driven back even a step, a second could quickly help. The Dwarves and Rorimac are of course best suited to this type of fight with the trolls having a much harder time to hit them.
With the stink bomb it gives two options, at least Rorimac and Mulligan can get into the cave and be behind the trolls and if lucky it might drive the trolls back long enough for several to enter and join the fight. A damp handkerchief tied over the nose and mouth may be required though.
Mulligan says, "If someone wants to make me a stink bomb, I'll throw it. Perhaps Rorimac and I can get behind them as well. Somehow I don't think a smoke bomb will get them out, they are likely to just wait for it to dissipate. Of course, trolls don't like sunlight, so if the warriors all shine their shields, could they direct sunlight into the cave and turn them to stone........."
"......maybe not."
Sir Thoroncir doubts reflecting sunlight would work that far back in the caves, but a stinkbomb and initial foray by Dwarves or Hobbits is probably worth a try; he will be right behind them, if our Elf-captain approves the plan.
Drindoleth surveys the surrounding area from where he is standing, looking for such herbs if the plan is decided a stink bomb should be made.
None are immediately around but Drindoleth carries the seeds needed to grow them with the help of his magic.
"I think we're at a severe disadvantage inside there regardless. Would it not be possible they would continue to flail around even if we hit them with this smell?"
Agreed. I think we might as well try to force our way in. Gwaelur and Bitur can decide among themselves who should get the honour. I'll follow him down, whoever volunteers, and if I get a sight at the trolls I can try a Stunning Discord on them. It might reach both if they're close enough, and it might stun them momentarily - perhaps long enough for someone to slip past them, so we need someone to stand ready to take advantage of the chance. Reminder to the DM, stats are as per Color Spray except that the effect is sonic not light-based.
"Underground fighting, in tight places? I'll stick to the back, you know, in the sunlight, unless someone minds. Well met, Drindoleth!"
Before proceeding, Deor will studying his spells for the morning and Identify the giant sword. Certainly, if we do decide to try to reforge it, he'll be available to help make the hottest fire possible.
Spells:
1: Identify, Magic Missile, Sleep, Shield
2: Invisibility, Web, Levitate
3: Fireball, Fly
4: Wall of Fire
Bitur has slightly better armor than Gwaelur, so he'll volunteer to be the first to engage the troll if it's decided that we use the brute force method. Hopefully he can drive the troll back enough for Gwaelur to step in as well.
I will gladly cede the honor of going in first to Bitur if he wants it. But I will be close at hand ready to attack if there is even a tiny opening.
Does the group try the stink bomb too or not, I am unsure.
The idea of tossing a stink bomb seems bizarre and craven to Theogrim, but he understands the realities of fighting are not always the same when he's far from his beloved plains of Rohan. He favors the idea, and intends to bring up the rear once the party has entered.
I think the dwarves would prefer to just bull their way in, probably through the trolls rather than round.
Deor discovers via the Identify Spell the troll sword is a +3 weapon and is does a mild poison to humans, orcs, Elves and Hobbits. The poison would be 10 pts or 5 on a save except for Hobbits where it is 6 points or 3 on a save.
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Bitur leads the charge trying to drive past the first troll and make room for others. Gwaelur is right behind with Gil-Gandel and Rorimac being the next ready to go.
Bitur charges in low war shield to the front going for a knee. The first troll swings down hard with a very large spiked flail. The troll hits Bitur on the shoulder but his fine Dwarven plate armor stops and absorbs the blow and Bitur hits with the shields for 10 points but his Battle Axe is stopped by the troll’s tough hide. The troll makes a mistake and retreats a bit to allow the other troll to strike with a huge spear. The second troll hits Bitur for 12 points but Bitur steps up fast and Gwaelur joins him. Gwaelur hits the first troll with Dwarven Axe and War Shield. He does 30 more to it.
As Gil-Gandel begins his Stunning Discord song the Dwarves and trolls exchange blows again. The Dwarves concentrate of the first Flail using troll. He strike Gwaelur for 18 points as the spikes find their way through Gwaelur’s chain mail. The spear misses Bitur. The troll with the spear is stunned for a 5 segments by Gil-Gandel’s spellsong and Gwaelur hits with Axe but not shield for another 18 and Bitur hits with his war shield for 13. The troll staggers back a bit and the Dwarves push their advantage. This brings Rorimac into the fray. The troll with the flail swings at Gwaelur again but misses as he ducks, Gwaelur and Bitur both hit the injured troll and drop it dead. Rorimac hits the stunned troll once for 17 as he wishes he had that strength spell again. He does turn visible but ducks past the troll.
The Dwarves flank the troll and give room for more to enter. Gil-Gandel and Prestolwen? are in the cave with room to try some bow music.
Deor will use his Magic Missiles on the troll if he can get a clear shot.
Hearing the melee, Ithilneth contemplates joining the fray, but decides to keep her post on the outside unless it sounds like the battle goes poorly.
Rorimac will concentrate on getting behind the troll leaving it to face the two dwarves in front.
Mulligan will be steering clear and letting those better suited to finish the job.
Ceol waits at the cave entrance, in case of emergency.
Redward will bless the dwarves, if he is able to.
If Drindoleth is able to entangle the trolls without affecting any in melee with them, he will. If he is unable to do this, and there is room in the cave, he will shapechange.
The fight is in the cave, so Entangle is out. Drindoleth would probably have to enter the cave first and then shift.
On the bless, it is a little late as melee is underway and Redward would now be too far away. If possible due to the weird timing issues, state things like "Redward is against going in but if the party decides to he will cast bless first (or Strength).
One more note, we have gotten into the habit of putting spells in Blue so they stand out and damage to the party in Red. Asides and notes are in darkgreen
Wanting to pull his weight against the trolls, and wanting the trolls dead, Drindoleth runs into the cave, and when he is close enough, shapechange and druid change for bear form.
As earlier promised, Thoroncir draws his longsword and wades into the fray. Elendil!
If there's a handspan or two of troll visible, I'll stick some decorative feathers in it, certainly.
Mulligan watches this bear go past with a look or shock and horror, I mean she heard the stories, from Bilbo onwards about the Beornings and their ability to do this, but this is the first time she has seen it and it is such an amazing thing and she knows that no-one is ever going to believe her when she tells Uncle Pippin and Uncle Merry when she gets back to see them, I mean if he is as powerful as the other beornings then good grief he would be a powerful ally I mean the undead in ths area will not know what has hit them and certainly that troll up there is not going to last very long, I mean just look he is almost as big and as powerful as the troll and he is towering over the Dwarves and Rorimac had better be careful that he doesn't get trodden on and how will Gil-Gandel and Prestolwen manage to fire their arrows around him and hit the troll not that he would need the help he could probably tear the troll apart with his bear hands or should that be bare hands and......
.... and then takes a breath....
That should give the troll paws for thought, certainly. But I hope Drindoleth doesn't let the burrahobbits know if he can make honey cake, or he'll never get a minute's peace.
The last troll spears Bitur but only knocks him back a bit. A huge bear appears from the too small opening. Rorimac, Gwaelur, Bitur and Drindoleth attack. The troll is overwhelmed and several arrows from the Elves also find their way home. The last troll goes down without much worry. Sir Thoroncir completes his cry of Elendil! but finds the troll dead on the ground instead. An axe has removed its head which the bear rolls out the opening. The head turns to stone when the sunlight hits it.
Thoroncir shrugs and resheathes his sword. He says to Gilraen, "My lady, Gwaelur and Bitur have been injured. Would you see to their wounds, please?"
And perhaps our treasure-hunters can now look over the cave in more detail.
Drindoleth returns to his normal form, and assists in the healing of the injured party members.
"Thank you, my friend," Thoroncir says. "That was a most... impressive transformation!"
"Well, my business may be tracking Ents at the moment, but my heart lies in using my claws for the sake of good, and trolls are hardly an exception," Drindoleth says to Thoroncir.
"Tell me, where does your party go now? If there is anymore work to be done in this manner, I would ask to join you. It would give me more chance to stretch my legs. My bear legs, to be exact."
Prestolwen stands by to assist Gilraen with poultices and herbal infusions. She smiles at the Hobbit's breathless amazement, but shares some of it. Already this adventure is proving to be an eye opening experience for her.
Ceol peers into the very full cave.
"Nicely done, my friends. It would seem that you, indeed, did not need my blades this time." He smiles.
Mulligan snaps out of her slightly stunned state, blushes slightly when she realises she is still staring at this newcomer, and mumbles something about going to explore the rest of the cave to see if there is anything of note.
Rorimac takes a few deep breaths after the battle, "Well fought my friends and to you as well, Drindoleth. May this be the first of many battles won together."
Rather than feeling shaken, Deor is quite elated at watching Drindoleth transform. He's been looking for something like this for a while now...
Gwaelur walks out of the cave and blinks a bit in the sunlight. He is tired and slightly injured, but feels good.
"So, the traveler is a shape shifter. That's interesting. Will he be joining our party?"
Deor offers an aside to Gilraen: "This certainly seems like a late idea, but someone should probably check Drindoleth's alignment. He seems well-intentioned, but it's worth checking."
Gilraen quietly checks the Beorning out and finds he is not evil. She also heals Gwaelur as Drindoleth and Prestolwen work on Bitur.
Bitur thanks Drindoleth and Prestolwen for their aid.
"Much better."
*Stretches and cracks various joints.*
"Now, who's up for exploring the cave further?"
Drindoleth smiles as Gilraen checks his alignment, and smiles wider when he passes it seems.
"No problem whatsoever." Drindoleth says to Bitur.
"Now, it seems that I hadn't the right opportunity to introduce myself. I am Drindoleth, a druid of the wood, and man of Beorn. And if it isn't against any of the wishes of the party, I think I will come along Rorimac. We could begin here in the cave, as a party one stronger."
I know something of the Beornings - I dwelt not far from their land for many years, indeed before Beorn himself ever came - and any of that line will be welcome here. It was but a few months ago that we had the pleasure of the great traveller Hodwain's company for a while, and it proved very well for all concerned.
Once our Healers have done their work, we should resume our searching of this cave, and then doubtless the ruins themselves will bear investigation.
Thoroncir agrees, and is ready to proceed.
Any precautions or spells used to begin the search of the cave?
Mulligan will be going invisible - as the trolls are out of the way, she will probably take the lead. Just out of curiousty, is Kkhosal's Bane glowing at all?
Rorimac will stick close to the dwarves at the front, ready to lend a hand if required.
Khosal’s Bane is not glowing. Freyja says, "smeeoll a maan"
Mulligan looks at Freyja "Oh really, I wonder how far down he might be, if he is ok or if he was going to be troll food?"
"Mreeow?"
"Fighting in a tiny enclosed area isn't my style- have fun, folks."