ROTN Chapter 1. Moors and Shadows

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Jun 9, 2025 8:45 pm
(( that was rearward stance- sorry- switching to sword and shield now an staying in the line.

LM We will just ignore the roll then... " the arrow flies straight through the sleeve of the coat of a bog soldier... but this one is missing his limb anyway... "

So just take a swing as the Round starts
Jun 10, 2025 10:18 am
As the corrupted shambling beings move towards them from all directions Jot and Laicamiril have time to mutter a few warnings


Fortunately Ahmo and Jot have some knowledge of these creatures. They will be able to communicate a few facts.
Ahmo calmly delivers facts about the fighting style of these beasts.

"These foes are Undead, and will be hard to finish off. Bog warriors such as these have some momentum with their attacks - they aren't properly dead until its lying on the ground and not moving. Although they Fear Fire - we have none, and these are too Unthinking to be cowed by Battle Cries: save your breath for the fight!"

LM Note (Unnatural Vitality ability) when reduced to zero Endurance they continue to operate by spending 1 Hate point per Round. Effectively they get a few extra Rounds of attacking before they realise they are dead.
Intimidate Foe will be ineffective.

They would have Fear of Fire... but there is no Fire here in the bogs!
Sunlight etc has no impact.

After nodding, Jot too will add in one of the Tactics of the Bog warriors...

"Bog soldiers are known to attempt to Seize their foes, in order to drag them into the mud and drown them. While one fights you, another will try to grip you if they can get around the side or to the rear.
We must not permit them to break our circle, or to leap in. If one of us falls, the others must drag them inside and close the gap. Do not try to revive them, there will be no time. If you fall to the ground, it is almost certainly your final move!"

LM Note: If a PC is engaged by one soldier, then any other bog soldier will attempt to Seize the PC from the side or rear. So if a PC takes knockback, then the gap in the shield wall will permit this. Standing shoulder to shoulder in the ring stops these attempts. If a PC is defeated, they must be dragged back inside the ring (one other PC loses their own/next attack roll to do this), and the circle tightened - else the bog soldiers will push through and attempt Seize from behind. The fallen comrade will be automatically Seized if left in the open. With a group of size 6, only two fallen comrades can be so protected - same restrictions as Rearward Stance in Combat.


When a PC is seized, only an Athletics roll (TN =10 + Attribute, 3, = 13) will permit the PC to break free. The PC can continue to fight - but counts as hindered, their Attack roll is altered by raising the difficulty of the Attack TN by 4, while their Defence is reduced by 4.
If a PC is Seized another Bog Soldier can pile on with a fresh Seize attack, increasing the Athletics roll needed by + 3 (Attribute) to TN 16.
If the Athletics roll fails with an Eye, the PC counts as drowning in the mud (lose 1d6 Endurance per turn, can only roll Athletics, Parry is reduced to 6 )


Endurance of a Bog Soldier = 12, Parry = 2, weapon skill = 2. The weapons all have similar characteristics Damage 4 , Edge 10, Injury 14 being rusted and in poor condition.
Jun 10, 2025 10:21 am
Gulps.
She hopes her shield will prevent a Bog warrior from getting around that side of her defences, and grips it hard: blessing the sudden wind that lifted the mists and permitted some moonlight to show her the oncoming enemy.
Jun 10, 2025 10:25 am
Assume each PC will be occupied by two Bog warriors. One will do the fighting, but the other is lurking for the opportunity to Seize you!

In each Round then, only one Attack will be made against your PC: but IF that Attack Hits you, then the other Bog warrior will roll their Movement skill (2) against a TN of 10 + your Body score: if Successful you are Seized and will have to roll Athletics instead of your next attack to break free. If you do not then the Bog warrior who has Seized you will Attack with Claws...
Jun 10, 2025 12:58 pm
Aeglief is a spear maiden of the Mirkwood and her people have fought the shadow and its creatures for centuries before she'd been born. She herself has been fighting the shadow for at least half a century and she will stand before this enemy until she falls, or it does.
LM. That's an easy hit. She isnt in Forward, else she would gain another 1d6 for Shadow Bane; but their Parry is only 2 so even in defensive, the TN is a mere 14. Her Grievous Great Spear delivers 7 + 2 = 9 base damage + her body score for the tengwar success, + 4 = 13 total damage. The Bog warrior is now out of Endurance, but will continue to fight, being Fuelled by its Unnatural Vitality for 1 Round for each point of Hate it has to use.

Rolls

Great Spear + Shadow Bane - (1d12+3d6+1d6)

(8) + (516) + (5) = 25

Jun 10, 2025 2:30 pm
Jot steps boldly into the thickening shadow where one of the bog warriors looms — a hulking figure risen from the mire, its armor slick with peat and its eyes dim with ancient hate. Holding his stance wide and balanced, Jot moves with purpose, dual weapons drawn: his sword gripped firmly in one hand, and his hunting knife in the other.

Rather than aiming to kill outright, he strikes with discipline — the flat of his blade crashing against the bog warrior’s weapon-arm with a crack of steel. With practiced speed, he twists his body and slashes in close with the hunting knife, aiming not for death, but for disruption — a gash across exposed muscle, a flick that turns the foe’s balance against itself. The knife twists in his hand as he pivots, every motion seeking to weaken and stagger the warrior, rather than end it outright.

All around, the sucking mud seems to hold its breath.

LM: the sword hits for 5 damage. But his sword has a feature that always inflicts (Valour) worth of extra damage even with a miss, so total damage = 7.

Rolls

Attacks - (1d12+4d6, 1d12+2d6)

1d12+4d6 : (4) + (5344) = 20

1d12+2d6 : (6) + (21) = 9

Jun 10, 2025 3:39 pm
Larsi sees the first of his foes come forth, and he holds his shield aloft. His feint his quick, his sword darting out to strike the creature mid torso to break it in half. The dwarf is used to fighting larger enemies, so he has long practiced how best to bring them down, living or not.

Alas, the ill fortune set upon Larsi continues, and as he strikes at the creature, another of their number steps forward to catch his blade on its own, leaving Larsi open.
OOC:
Unless their parry is 3 or less, a miss. Also, Larsi being plagued further by these Eyes! Its only 2, they are not great thinkers. So a hit and 7 damage for his grievous sword
Last edited June 10, 2025 3:43 pm

Rolls

Defensive Stance Sword - (1d12+5d6)

(11) + (44313) = 26

Jun 10, 2025 6:15 pm
"Here they come."
Oderic is not sure who he is saying this to. He has listened to the warnings of the others, and he chooses to present more side on using his new sword as his main weapon. Until he has confidence about this new type of foe, he will hold back his more direct style with axe and sword.

(Defensive stance) Gains 5 damage + 5 for new weapon. His opponent has 2 endurance remaining of course.

Rolls

Sword attack TN 14 - (1d12+5d6)

(5) + (15331) = 18

Jun 10, 2025 6:22 pm
Following Oderic's example she also fights Defensively.
She realises that this is the first time she will be using the sword given to her by Oderic after he was awarded the Recovered Blade in Rivendell.

She feels a sense of importance and value at being trusted with such a weapon: and hopes she will do the blade proud.

She knows that she has scored a good strike even as she lands the blade. (10 Damage)

Rolls

Sword TN 14 - (1d12+3d6)

(8) + (634) = 21

Jun 10, 2025 6:39 pm
Even if Laicamiril chops the Bog Warrior down in one go, its Hate energy and its Unnatural Vitality will permit it to continue the fight with zero Endurance. So far only Aeglief has reduced her foe to zero endurance, but it will spend 1 Hate to attack this round. The others will all have to take an attack. I believe that everyone is in Defensive Stance?

Bog warriors Attack in round 1 (remember - if your PC is actually hit then the partner to your Bog Warrior will attempt to SEIZE you in this Round too)

A: Warrior Ahmo (Body 6) 7 / 12 reduced to zero by her Round 2 attack
B: Warrior Aeglief (Body 4) 0 / 12 Uses 1 hate; will use 2nd Hate in Round 2
C: Warrior Jot (Body 7) 5 / 12 reduced to zero by Aegliefs Round 2 attack
D: Warrior Larsi (Body 6) 5 / 12 reduced to zero by Round 2 attack, if he spends 1 Hope
E: Warrior Oderic (Body 3) 2 / 12 reduced to zero by Round 2 attack
F: Warrior Cora (Body 3) 2 / 12 reduced to zero by Round 2 attack

Rolls

A attack - (1d12+2d6)

(1) + (53) = 9

B attack - (1d12+2d6)

(11) + (63) = 20

C attack - (1d12+2d6)

(3) + (12) = 6

D attack - (1d12+2d6)

(5) + (45) = 14

E attack - (1d12+2d6)

(6) + (45) = 15

F attack - (1d12+2d6)

(11) + (55) = 21

Jun 10, 2025 6:48 pm
The Bog warriors may be slow, but they do not seem to respond negatively to being hit - it is disconcerting to say the least.

They have little care for their own damage and relentlessly pummel away. For four of the Defenders these warriors blind attackers are able to be parried away; but for Aeglief and for Cora, both receive a strange move from their direct enemy, drawing blood on each of them.

And it is as if the scent of Blood calls to another Bog warrior: in each case Aeglief and Cora find outstretched limbs coming for them, pulling at their clothes...

Aeglief remains calm under the sudden second assault, her elven grace and skill evading the clutches of the second warrior. Pushing it back she realises that the first warrior landed a deeper cut than at first she felt - is she Wounded? Aeglief also needs to roll an Armour/Protection roll at TN 14, and has suffered a loss of 4 damage anyway.

Cora too finds that the thing was grasping at her throat and face, but somehow, the first warrior impedes its partner. However, while dodging the gripping claws, she suffers the sharp and deep attack of the sword of the first warrior. She dare not look down, but feels the blade even more as it is withdrawn than when it cut first..
Cora also takes Damage 4 and needs an Armour roll at TN 14 from the wounding strike of the first warrior

Rolls

B2 Seize attempt TN 10 +6 = 16 @ Aeglief - (1d12+2d6)

(7) + (53) = 15

F2 Seize attempt TN 10 + 3 = 13 @ Cora - (1d12+2d6)

(12) + (64) = 22

Jun 10, 2025 7:02 pm
Armour Check against the sword of the first Bog warrior - would have been a fail except use 1 courage to add Heart (6) to score and so pass.

Rolls

Armour test TN 14 - (1d12+2d6)

(6) + (15) = 12

Jun 10, 2025 7:42 pm
Larsi lets out a grunt as he pushes away the second interloper and swings for the first again with a quick flurry of blows. They are not to overwhelm the foe, but to give Larsi a brief moment to glance to his compatriots and make sure none are in trouble. When he sees that Aeglief and Cora have driven away those who would seize them, he turns and drives a hammering blow at the first warrior again.
OOC:
Alas, a miss!
Not worth a hope point. The dice really dont like Larsi for sure. EDIT I misspoke! Spend the point, get the hit, and then all the Bog warriors have to burn 1 Hate per Round to attack.
Last edited June 10, 2025 7:43 pm

Rolls

Defensive Sword - (1d12+5d6)

(2) + (11215) = 12

Jun 10, 2025 9:48 pm
Ahmo knew these for wights-draugr as the Anduin folk call them- spirits of warriors held from their rest in Mandos' halls by the dark sorceries of Khamul, witch king of Angmar.
Arrows however enchanted would avail little- their earthly husks must be hacked or smashed or burnt. And in time, should their master wish to house them again, they would do battle in his name so long as corpses could be found for them to house.
Getting a good footing , she swung hard at the nearest, the blade tearing into its chest. The cold eyes seemed to quail at meeting her gaze but reflected a hate undimmed by injury. The path of her sword stroke was followed not by gore or blood but rather an inky black trail.

Thats a hit. But its not yet done. Its return shot missed in Round 1, so she is safe from a Seize attempt.
You can roll an attack for Round 2 now.
Last edited June 10, 2025 9:58 pm

Rolls

Longsword - (1d12+3d6)

(5) + (425) = 16

Jun 10, 2025 10:39 pm
Oderic is keen to get on with this. He knows from what Jot said they have to keep going, and keep standing.

He had caught his breath when he half witnessed Cora in trouble, but exhaled when she stood back up, her shield helping to push back against one of those other beasts trying to scratch her.

Stays Defensive,

Rolls

Second round attack - (1d12+5d6)

(6) + (31546) = 25

Jun 10, 2025 10:51 pm
She has not had time to absorb what has just happened, but is quite prepared to stand and keep on going - the others are, and she will not let them down!

Stays Defensive though. But spends another Courage to get the hit.(Favoured weapon is +6)

Rolls

Second attack TN 14 - (1d12+3d6)

(11) + (242) = 19

Jun 11, 2025 2:49 am
HIT!

Her opponent is now out of Endurance, and it will begin to use its reserves of Hate to continue the fight. The first of its 3 Hate points will fuel a return attack in this Round.

Rolls

combat sword - (1d12+3d6)

(8) + (423) = 17

Jun 11, 2025 1:14 pm
It should be dead and yet its infernal hate keeps it alive. She knows some elves are able to put down creatures like this easier than she can, but as it is she will just have to deal with things as they are. Her corselet prevents her from grievous injury, but she still takes some damage, and she continues fighting. Stepping further into melee without being in forward stance she stabs at any creature that isn't just running on hate.
OOC:
Basically stab any creature that isn't just running on hate. Otherwise, she'll just stab at the one fighting her.
LM note if these were more intellectually capable opponents , I think this would be a difficult thing to manage - we are outnumbered after all. But, assuming she can take an opportunity when it arises, she can stab and remove all Endurance from an adjacent opponent.
Since Ahno has reduced her opponent to zero Endurance in this Round, Aeglief can assist her other neighbour, Jot.

Rolls

Great Spear - (1d12+3d6)

(7) + (256) = 20

Jun 11, 2025 9:57 pm
As the Bog Warriors begin to enter the phase where they have Zero Endurance, the PCs need to stand fast and absorb any damage they might receive while the Hate is being run down.

It is a good time to bring two Combat Tasks added to the Core by the Adventurers Companion.

1. In Defensive stance select FULL DEFENCE. Any PC holding a shield (and those holding 2 one-handed weapons) chooses this, and - forfeiting their Attack - they add even more to their Parry total. The extra Parry is equal to the ENCUMBRANCE of the shield. (Buckler +1, shield + 3, great shield + 5) OR increase the Parry score by the Encumbrance of the heavier one-handed weapon.

2. In Defensive stance again, select STAND GROUND. Any PC with a two-handed weapon can attempt to keep the space in front clear of foes. Spend 1 Hope and all Attacks in that Round have to roll the Feat die twice, taking the worst result.



Note: This does mean that Jot can exploit Aegliefs generous stab, and can choose to go FULL DEFENCE or STAND GROUND.
Jun 12, 2025 3:48 pm
Bog warriors Attack in round 2 (remember - if your PC is actually hit then the partner to your Bog Warrior will attempt to SEIZE you in this Round too)
Edit After rolling.
I assumed we stuck to our Defensive policy, in which case most TN for the Bog warriors are about 16 or higher at least. All such rolls in this Round therefore miss.


A: Warrior Ahmo (Body 6) 0 / 12 Uses 1st Hate;
B: Warrior Aeglief (Body 4) 0 / 12 Uses 2nd Hate;
C: Warrior Jot (Body 7) 0 / 12 Uses 1st Hate reduced to zero by Aegliefs Round 2 attack
D: Warrior Larsi (Body 6) 0? / 12 Uses 1st Hate reduced to zero by Larsi's Round 2 attack, if he spends 1 Hope
E: Warrior Oderic (Body 3) 0 / 12 Uses 1st Hate
F: Warrior Cora (Body 3) 0 / 12 Uses 1st Hate
In fact there is little value in our rolling any more attacks now, because further endurance losses will not change the situation. The attacks from the Bog Warriors are all that are left to roll in Round 3.

At the end of the 3rd Round, Aeglief's opponent will subside and collapse. The others will drop at the end of the 4th Round.

Rolls

A - (1d12+2d6)

(4) + (64) = 14

B - (1d12+2d6)

(3) + (13) = 7

C - (1d12+2d6)

(12) + (64) = 22

D - (1d12+2d6)

(2) + (62) = 10

E - (1d12+2d6)

(3) + (34) = 10

F - (1d12+2d6)

(8) + (11) = 10

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