USH'S LORD OF THE RINGS GAME PART 4- The Hunt in the Hills

Do Orcs cook meat?

Since I'm on lookout, and not doing anything useful, can I make some perception rolls to make sure that I'm not actually getting eaten? Spaced out over their little underground orc adventure, as I'm keeping watch?

Talin will report what he smells to the others and press on warily, moving in the direction of the smell.

They do indeed cook meat, with a very broad interpretation of 'meat'.

Luckily these are not developed burrows; they do not twist and turn with endless off-shoots. You can find your way on...

... but your Stalk/Hide is not your strong point, particularly in heavy armour. You brush lightly against the top of a passage entrance, and it makes what in the outside would be a faint metallic twang, bit down here it seems to echo through the cavern...

-

Well, Palidan, you are pretty sure you are not being eaten right now. Are you checking for mean things inside or outside the cave?

"I think we've announced our arrival..." whispers Menelacar as he draws his sword.

Anglomir draws his sword also, with a practiced hand.

"Are we going to let them come to us or are we going to them?" Anglomir asks his compatriots.

Good question! Best answer soon...

I vote let them come to us - a narrow tunnel means we should only face them individually rather than them flanking us. How wide is the tunnel?

Talin is on board with that. I'd rather be ready for them than walk into something they've set.

Well, as noted before, these are not custom made burrows so they don't have the 'come at all angles' schtick they might have on home ground. Currently, the tunnel is two-people wide.

Incoming then! Is your single man out front or rear?

I would suggest rear. 2 best fighters up front.

I'll go with that. Wouldn't mind Anglomir's assistance up front.

"Just be ready for surprises," Talin shouts to the Gondorian noble behind him.

"Indeed I am", replies Menelacar, throwing his sword from one hand to the next and then back again to feel the weight.

He then puts his back to the wall, ensuring he is checking both up and down the passage to ensure he can monitor the fight and also check nothing is sneaking up on them from other directions.

Always good to specify weapons here, as this is the kind of game where holding melee or ranged stuff makes a big difference...

Dark figures scuttle into view in both directions. Stunted but nonetheless dangerous- these are goblins, armed with short swords. Two one way, two the other, both now charging in, screeching.

'For Gondor!' Shouts Menelacar, using his shield against one and attacking the other.

Talin has his one-handed, finely-crafted axe, which he buries into the skull of the first goblin to come too close to him.

Also, all we need is proof that they are there. You can kill one, grab its body or something and then retreat.

Sounds like a plan.

Anglomir will raise his shield against the goblin coming at him, then force its sword upward before driving his sword into its gut.

Hmmm... trouble with that, Palidan, is that whilst it is unusual to see goblins camped out this far from the Misty Mountains, it's not beyond the realms of possibility. They breed like crazy over there.

What you are looking for is a proper military unit- soldiers of Angmar.

I'm still looking for the in or out answer from you, btw.

-

These goblins don't have their shields that they might bear if they were more prepared. Regardless, they are harder targets to pin down than your average hillman. They are not masters of those short stabby blades, but they'll take whatever advantage they can. They'll flank quickly if possible.

-

Talin: 79 (1hc)/15 20 (C) 119

Anglomir: 69 (1he)/5 25 (RL) 102

Goblin A: 35 (1he)/25 25(U) 10

Goblin B: 35 (1he)/25 25(U) 10

Menelacar: 56 (1he)/5 10 (C) 98

Goblin C: 35 (1he)/25 25(U) 10

Goblin D: 35 (1he)/25 25(U) 10

-

Everyone happy with how this works? If I ever find the time, I'll type up the hit-tables for you guys one day...

Lets check outside.