LotR The Doom of Arnulf.pdf

T HE D OOM OF A RNULF

BY D EAN P AOLILLO

T he Doom of Arnulf is a Lord of the Rings Adventure that takes

dent of the Hill People who were driven away by the ancestors of

Arnulf. Motivated by this ancestral legacy of vengeance; he intends to

destroy Arnulf and all he loves.

Narrators should keep in the mind the subtle magic of Middle-Earth

while narrating this adventure. In the Doom of Arnulf, the gloomy

weather is an essential thematic element embodying this tale. e

safety, comfort and essential goodness of Alatopel, despite its current

plight, should be emphasized and contrasted with the dark, hostile

woods and hills of the surrounding countryside.

When the player characters arrive in Alatopel, they discover that the

old chieftain is very ill. But with the spell broken, he realizes his wick-

ed nephew Cardoc tricked him with sorcery. He begs the characters

to ind his son and rescue his daughter so he can make amends with

his children before he passes to the Hall of Mandos. He sent a band

of men to rescue his daughter but they never returned. Now, with the

strange wolves plaguing his people, he cannot spare any more warriors

in an attempt to rescue Deoch. e characters are his only hope.

B ACKGROUND

If the characters inquire in the village, they learn that the lord’s son

has become a leader of a small band of bandits and some believe he’s

responsible for the missing woodsman as vengeance for his banish-

ment. During their irst night at Alatopel, the werewolves in service to

the magician attack them in the night. After overcoming the were-

wolves, the characters set out upon the road and after overcoming

several natural hazards; the characters discover the remains of the war

band sent to rescue Deoch. e characters ind evidence that Orcs

and not bandits slew the men. As they continue on their journey, they

encounter Malbeth’s band beset by an Orc ambush. Upon defeating

the Orcs, characters can parley with Malbeth and convince him to

aid them to ind Deoch or return to his father to protect the villagers.

ey learn that Malbeth’s band has secretly been defending the safe-

hold against the Orcs and that several of the missing woodsmen have

joined his band while others have been taken captive or slain by Orcs.

When Angmar was brought low and the realm of Rhudaur fell into

ruin, there were some men of Rhudaur who retained their noble

heritage and did not succumb to the malice and evil fostered by the

Witch-King of Angmar. Arnulf’s ancestors were a high-minded

people, of noble heart and mien. ey stood loyal to the kingdom of

Arnor and opposed those of their kin who swore fealty to Angmar’s

dread lord. In the darkest years under Angmar’s shadow, Arnulf’s

folk were slain or forced westward into exile, swearing oaths that they

would someday return and rebuild their homes.

When Angmar and its allies in Rhudaur were inally defeated,

Arnulf’s people returned to their land, driving away the Hill People

who had usurped it from them long years ago. What little remained

of Rhudaur had fallen into barbarism. Few men dared to count it

their home for the Shadow still lingered over the land and most men

shunned Rhudaur. Arnulf’s ancestors were resolute and hoped to

restore their people and their realm. But the toll of long years of evil

sapped the dreams of glory and the Dunedain blood had worn thin.

e glory of Rhudaur and Arnulf’s folk has passed and the people

are now simple farmers and woodsmen of a land still burdened by its

wicked past. e shadow of evil descends over the land once more.

After the encounter with Malbeth, the characters gain entrance to the

keep of Cardoc and Yrreth through a secret cavern with the assistance

of a Dwarven warrior seeking vengeance against Yrreth for reasons

of his own. Together, they afect the rescue of Deoch but are pursued

by a large force of Orcs and evil men led by Cardoc all the way back

to Alatopel. A inal pitched battle is fought and should the characters

prevail, they preserve a warm hearth amidst the dark north.

P LOT S UMMARY

H OOKS FOR INVOLVING CHARACTERS

A Debt to be Paid

A noble, warrior, or other character of Dunedain descent (espe-

cially one who hopes to advance as a Ranger in the future) may owe

Arnulf’s family a debt from the past, perhaps from aid or succor given

long ago in the wars against Angmar or more recently. e message of

Arnulf is directed to this character speciically, begging him to come

to Rhudaur to aid the old chieftain in his time of need.

Arnulf the Old is the aging chieftain of a wooden stronghold, little

more than a great hall and village upon a high hill, named in the

Sindarin tongue, “Alatopel.” e hold of Alatopel is beset by evil.

Strange wolves have begun nightly attacks and woodsmen have gone

missing. e pall of terror hangs over the simple but decent people.

Arnulf’s nephew Cardoc is a malicious and ambitious man who has

fallen into the service of a magician named Yrreth. Tutored in the

dark arts of sorcery by Yrreth, Cardoc bewitched his uncle. While

under the spell, Arnulf banished his only son Malbeth and sent his

fair daughter Deoch away with Cardoc. Yrreth is a skillful magician

in service to the former master of Angmar, the dreaded Witch-King.

Orcs and werewolves are at his service and he plans to gather a larger

host to plague Eriador when the time is right. Yrreth is the descen-

e Grey Pilgrim’s Request

Gandalf requests a boon of the character or characters. He has heard

of ill tidings from lands once under the dominion the Witch-King.

Arnulf the Old’s recent behavior is worrisome and he suspects that

some old evil of the land may plague the chieftain’s house. He bids

place in the late ird Age sometime between Bilbo’s inding

of the Ring of Power and the War of the Ring. It is designed for 4

characters each with 2-4 advancements.

the characters to seek out Arnulf and learn the truth of the matter on

behalf of the Wise.

NPC S TATISTICS

Iwar, Wall Guard

L OVE AND D UTY

Race: Man (Middle) Racial Abilities: Adaptable (+2 Stamina), Do-

minion of Man, Skilled

Attributes: Bearing 5 (+0), Nimbleness 6(+0), Perception 10(+2),

Strength 8(+1), Vitality 8(+1), Wits 6 (+0)

Reactions: Stamina +1, Swiftness+2, Willpower +0, Wisdom +2

Defense: 10

Order: Warrior

Order Ability: Evasion

Advancements: 1

Skills: Armed Combat: Polearm (Spear) +5, Climb +1, Intimidate

+3, Observe +4, Ranged Combat +5, Ride +2, Run +2, Siegecraft

+4, Survival (Hills)+2, Track+2

Edges: Wakefulness

Flaws: none

Health: 9

Courage: 4

Renown: 0

Gear: Spear, long knife, horn, short bow and a quiver of 20 arrows.

A character may hail from Rhudaur or more speciically from Ala-

topel and is sought by the lord of his land. e Narrator with the

cooperation of the player could also make the player’s character the

true love of Deoch, the lord’s daughter and thus the rival of Cardoc.

S CENE O NE : T HE G ATE

It is a chilly autumn evening and you are weary from your journey. e

day was gray and overcast and drizzle accompanied your march, dampen-

ing your cloaks and caking your boots with mud. As the sun sets unseen

behind the clouds, the last light of day gives way to the darker blue hues

of the coming night. Alatopel is a welcomed sight and you can smell the

smoke of the cooking ires as its inhabitants prepare for their suppers. As

you near Alatopel the gate is closed and a bearded watchman, a spear in

his right hand, eyes you warily from behind the wooden palisade.

“Well met strangers, what purpose do you have here?” He challenges as he

rests his left hand on his horn.

Loegir

e watchman is named Iwar and he is suspicious and unfriendly to

all strangers because of the evils plaguing Alatopel. Iwar will expect

the characters to announce who they are and what business they have

in the village. After the characters introduce themselves to the watch-

man, the Narrator should make Recognition Tests for each character.

If successful, the watchman’s attitude will shift from unfriendly to

indiferent. e Narrator should apply the applicable Test Modiier

found in the Core Rulebook to social tests in dealing with Iwar. Char-

acters can either attempt to use their Persuade skill to convince Iwar

of their good intentions or make Bearing tests to impress the guard

and gain entrance. e base TN is 10.

Race: Man (Middle) Racial Abilities: Adaptable (+2 Stamina), Do-

minion of Man, Skilled

**Attributes: Bearing 6 (+0), Nimbleness 7(+0), Perception 6(+0),

Strength 6(+0), Vitality 8(+1), Wits 6 (+0)

Reactions: Stamina +1, Swiftness+0, Willpower +0, Wisdom +0

Defense: 10

Order: none (Loegir is too young and may eventually become a war-

rior and a craftsman)

Order Ability: none

Advancements: 0

Skills: Armed Combat +2, Climb +1, Observe +1, Ranged Combat

+1, Ride +1, Run +2, Survival (Hills)+1, Track+1

Edges: none

Flaws: none

Health: 8

Courage: 4

Renown: 0

Gear: knife, short bow and a quiver of 20 arrows

**Loegir has –1 to all attributes because he is only 14 years old.

e Narrator should also ask for Observe skill tests against a TN of

15. If successful, even in the gloom of the coming night, the character

that succeeds at the test notices strange tracks in the mud around the

walls of the palisade and near the gate. Allow a Survival test with a

TN of 15 to determine that very large wolves made the tracks.

Once inside, Iwar calls to a younger man working within a nearby

smithy and tells the lad to escort the characters to the chieftain’s hall.

e boy’s name is Loegir and he’s Iwar’s eldest son. He has only seen

fourteen summers and has not yet grown his irst beard. As the char-

acters follow Loegir, they notice that some people are inishing board-

ing up their windows and their pale faces are wrought with worry.

Animals are ushered into pens and stables and as the sky continues

to darken, they notice urgency among the folk who are still outside.

Loegir, like his father and most of the people of Alatopel is distrustful

of strangers. Characters may attempt a Persuade skill test at TN 15

to convince Loegir to talk to them about the dangers plaguing the vil-

lage. If successful, Loegir will reveal that horrible wolves have attacked

in the night. Several men have been killed defending the walls and

he is worried about his father and wishes he could stand with him

and help defend against the depredations of the wolves. If a character

inquires, he explains that his father feels he has “too few seasons” for

standing guard.

S CENE T WO : T HE G REAT H ALL

Two burly, dark haired guardsmen in leather armor and helms upon

their heads stand guard at the entrance of the great hall. ey have

spears in hand and shields on their backs. eir bearded faces are

grim and they challenge your approach. Loegir explains you have

come to see Arnulf the Old. e guards allow you past their post.

Inside the hall, a large table is set and nearly a score of men, the

chieftain’s host, are sitting preparing for supper. eir weapons are at

the table with them. e aroma of roasted meat greets you. Ale, thick

loafs of bread, cheese and roasted chickens adorn the table and several

servants busily carve a roasted boar. e lord’s seat at the head of the

table is empty.

Persuade skill test at TN 10 will convince him to arrange the audi-

ence with the ailing lord.

e men turn their gaze upon you as Loegir begins to announce you to

the assembly. A large warrior with a thick black beard and a tangle of hair

cuts him short. “ Let the strangers speak for themselves boy. We would

hear the purpose of their arrival from their own hearts so we can judge

whether they are true or bring more ill tidings to this hall.”

Some characters might be interested in speaking with the servants or

other warriors. If they do, a successful Inquire skill check at TN 15

will reveal that Bardwyn is in love with the lord’s daughter Deoch and

wanted to search for her alone but Arnulf refused his request.

All eyes turn towards you.

e speaker who interrupted Loegir is named Torrgund. Torrgund is

the captain of the remaining warriors in service to Arnulf the Old.

NPCs:

Bardwyn

e Narrator should make Recognition Tests for each character. A

successful recognition test changes the attitude of the NPCs from

unfriendly to indiferent with appropriate social adjustments for any

social skill or attribute tests. is is a good time for characters to

exert their Bearing and impress the gathered host. Characters should

make a Bearing test against a base TN of 15. A successful test gains

the respect of the host, especially of Torrgund, dispelling suspicion re-

garding the motives of the characters. A failure will require characters

to make a Persuade skill test against a base TN of 10 to dispel suspi-

cion of malicious intent. If the characters succeed in either impressing

the host or persuading the host of their good intentions, they will be

invited to sit at the table and join in supper.

Race: Man (Middle) Racial Abilities: Adaptable (+2 Swiftness),

Dominion of Man, Skilled

Attributes: Bearing 10 (+2), Nimbleness 8(+1), Perception 10(+2),

Strength 7(+0), Vitality 8(+1), Wits 10 (+2)

Reactions: Stamina +1, Swiftness+2, Willpower +2, Wisdom +2

Defense: 11

Order: Minstrel

Order Ability: Gladden

Advancements: 1

Skills: Armed Combat +1, Craft (instruments) +5, Debate +4,

Games+2, Climb +1, Inspire +1,Intimidate +2, Language: Westron

(Common)+8, Sindarin+7, Lore: Realm (Rhudaur) +6, Lore: Realm

(Arnor) +5, Lore: History(Rhudaur)+5, Lore: History (Angmar)+3,

Mimicry+1, Perform +4, Persuade +4, Ranged Combat +1, Ride +1,

Run +1, Stealth +1

Edges: Favour of Fortune

Flaws: none

Health: 8

Courage: 4

Renown: 2

Gear: Longsword, dagger, instrument

While characters are dealing with Torrgund, an Observe skill check

at TN 10 will reveal that they are being watched from a doorway

on the west wall. e igure is that of the minstrel Bardwyn. Should

the characters fail to win Torrgund’s approval, he will step forward

introduce himself and allay the suspicions of Torrgund and the other

warriors in the hall. He will sit down to eat with the characters and

the other assembled warriors, ensuring them that the player charac-

ters are worthy. e Narrator should make a Recognition test for the

character with the highest renown, if successful; Bardwyn tells a tale

of the character—endearing the characters to their hosts.

Torrgund

Once the characters explain they have come to help Arnulf, Bardwyn

will say:

“

Alas, Arnulf is not well. Even after the spell of Cardoc no longer clouded

my lord’s sight and poisoned his ears, he fell gravely ill. He is old and

his heart is illed with misery and withers from it. But that is not the

worse of our fortunes. Two score men were sent to ind my lord’s daughter

Deoch, and free her from Cardoc and ind his son Malbeth but none have

returned! Over the course of a fortnight, several woodsmen and hunters

have disappeared as well. We can spare no more less we leave our homes

poorly defended from the great wolves that attack us in the night.”

Race: Man (Middle) Racial Abilities: Adaptable (+2 Swiftness),

Dominion of Man, Skilled

Attributes: Bearing 9 (+1), Nimbleness 8(+1), Perception 7 (+0),

Strength 10(+2), Vitality 9(+1), Wits 7 (+0)

Reactions: Stamina +2, Swiftness+1, Willpower +1, Wisdom +1

Defense: 11

Order: Warrior

Order Ability: Evasion

Advancements: 2

Skills: Armed Combat: Blades (Longsword) +6, Climb +2, Inspire

+2, Intimidate +2, Healing +1, Observe +2, Language: Westron

(Common)+7, Language: Sindarin +3, Lore: Realm (Rhudaur)+5,

Lore: History (Rhudaur)+4, Lore: History (Angmar)+2, Ranged

Combat +5, Ride +4, Run +3, Siegecraft +4, Survival (Hills)+2,

Track+2

Edges: Bold, Warrior’s Heart

Flaws: Stif Necked

Health: 11

Courage: 4

Renown: 2

Gear: Leather armor, large shield, spear, longsword, horn, short bow

and a quiver of 20 arrows.

Torrgund will add: “e wolves are horrid and powerful and of their

number none can say. ey have snatched animals and our folk. Only last

night, old Orin was slain.”

Torrgund and Bardwyn will answer other questions and provide

any information that the Narrator feels is appropriate. Bardwyn will

deinitely share that he believes Cardoc may have taken residence in

an old ruined keep that is far to the north. If a character makes a suc-

cessful Inquire skill test with a TN of 15 then Torrgund will whisper

that he thinks, “…the wolves are not earthly creatures.” If the characters

ask to speak with Arnulf, Bardwyn will be reluctant but a successful

S CENE T HREE : A RNULF THE O LD

Narrator should decide whether the request is one Arnulf could

reasonably grant. It is possible that a character may make an unusual

request. For example, a character might ask for Deoch’s hand in mar-

riage if the Narrator is using the “Love and Duty” hook for the story.

e Narrator may decide to grant the character a point of Courage,

trigger a point of Renown or have some other efect that may inlu-

ence social tests with the inhabitants of Alatopel.

After supper, Bardwyn leads you from the main hall down a corridor

to the west, past several doors until he stops at a door at the end of

the hall. He knocks upon the door and an older matron opens the

door and gazes at Bardwyn and gives a disapproving look. Bardwyn

hastily explains the matter to her and she steps aside, allowing you

into the bedchamber of Arnulf. e room smells musty and the ire

burns steady sending shadows dancing about like mocking phantoms.

Arnulf lies under covers on his bed. His hair and long beard are all

gray and white. His face is gaunt, wrinkled and pale. His breath is

raspy. His armor and shield are displayed nearby. His mail is well kept

and his longsword rests against the side of his bed, hanging from a

post at the foot of his bed. Bardwyn approaches and the old chieftain

turns his head and opens his eyes.

Arnulf will answer a few questions about his daughter, son, and neph-

ew before he grows to weak and the old matron ushers everybody out

of his room. e characters now must decide whether to start their

journey in the night or wait until the morning. e Narrator should

have the characters make Stamina Checks to see if the characters lost

any Weariness levels for their journey to the settlement. A second

check should be made if the characters decide to press on into the

night. After a full day’s travel, the Narrator should see the rules in the

Core Rulebook regarding remaining awake. e best course of action

is sleep and set out by day on the horses given to them by Arnulf.

Of course, the night will not pass uneventfully and a few hours after

midnight, the strange wolves make their attack on the settlement. If

the characters decide to head out on the road then the werewolves

attack them. Unfortunately, they will face the werewolves alone and

may already be weary from their exertion. Should they survive, the

settlement is spared the assault for at least one evening.

“Visitors my lord, friends in our time of need.” Bardwyn whispers.

Arnulf turns his head to gaze at you.

“Step closer, friends, my eyes are not what they once were and tell me

your names.” Arnulf gives a weak grin.

e Narrator should make recognition checks for the characters. e

Narrator should adjust Arnulf’s response depending on the back-

ground of the characters, the hook used to begin the adventure, or

any past connection to the NPCs in this adventure the Narrator and

player may have agreed upon. After the introductions Arnulf says:

S CENE F OUR : H OWLS IN THE N IGHT

“You have come in our darkest hour, for that you have my eternal grati-

tude. I pray to the Lords of the West that you can end this scourge upon

us. But will you honor an old man’s request? I speak to you not as a lord

of my people, or with the authority of my lineage but simply as a father.

Seek out my children Deoch and Malbeth and bring them to me before

I draw my last breath. I was ensorcelled by my wicked nephew, Cardoc,

the son of my sister Orva, who died in childbirth. Alas, one must wonder

whether the infant took the life of his mother out of malice! I would beg

their forgiveness for what has come to pass.”

In the night, the weather turns foul and a steady, cold, rain falls masking

sound and further obscuring vision into the dark hills and forests that

surround you. Suddenly, as the wind whistles, a horrid howl can be heard,

followed by another and without a doubt, the howls are growing more

audible as the beasts draw nearer.

If the characters wisely remained as guests of Arnulf’s, they are

likely sleeping in the great hall’s common area and guards will raise

the alarm. e Narrator should feel free to have the guards provide

assistance. e statistics for Iwar or Torrgund can be used for the re-

maining guardsmen. e Narrator should determine which statistics

are best with consideration given to the abilities and advancement of

the characters. e key is to provide a challenging and frightening

encounter but still ensure that the characters are healthy enough (and

alive) to continue on the adventure. e Narrator might want to con-

sider the tragic death of one of the NPCs—Iwar on the guard tower

mauled by a werewolf or Loegir, running to join his father in battle

both make good candidates for a dramatic and tragic death. Alter-

nately, the Narrator might want to give the characters the opportunity

to save the NPCs from such a fate.

e Narrator should give the characters a chance to respond. True

Heroes will take up the cause without thought of reward. Should the

characters be of a heroic mold and do just that it should earn them

each a point of Courage and is a trigger for a point of Renown. If the

characters take up the cause without mention of the reward, Arnulf

will say:

“You are brave and true, with no thought for proit from our misery.

Noble indeed and though you do not ask for it, I willingly give it. To each

of you, a horse from my stables, 30 pieces of silver and mail made by

Garberend the Smith that I will commission. Lastly, my eternal gratitude,

which I shall tell to Mandos, when I see him within his hall.”

Of course, if the characters chose to venture into the night, they stand

alone against the werewolves. ere is a pack of six werewolves plagu-

ing Arnulf’s folk. See page 297 of the Core Rulebook for statistics on

werewolves.

If the characters request compensation, Arnulf inquires about their

price. Characters who request a monetary reward will be ofered 30

silver pennies if they undertake the quest. Because the characters have

proven to have a mercenary nature, Arnulf will refuse to give them

the money until they return with Deoch and Malbeth. e characters

may wish to make Persuade Tests against a TN of 15. If successful,

Arnulf will agree to give them money in advance.

S CENE F IVE : T HE R OAD N ORTH

e rest of the night passes, but the rain has not abated. After you

wash the sleep from your faces, you once again join Arnulf’s people

for a breakfast of eggs, bacon and bread. Refreshed and ready for

It is possible that the characters ask for other goods or services. e

travel, you exit the hall into the rain ready to search for the children

of Arnulf.

tracks are everywhere. If inspected, the tracks of the Orc raiders lead

north through woods and thickets.

If Arnulf awarded horses to he characters; they are brought to the

chieftain’s stables by Bardwyn and allowed to choose their steed. e

Narrator should allow characters to make an Appraise skill test if

they have skill ranks in the Ride skill. e TN is 10. If the character

succeeds at the skill test, he picks a ine steed. If the character scores

a superior test, the horse he selects receives a +1 bonus to the horses

strength and vitality. In that event, Bardwyn is impressed with the

character’s acumen and ofers praise” “Ah, you have chosen “Swiftshad-

ow” he’s one of my lord’s inest. He would approve of your choice.”

S CENE S EVEN : M ALBETH ’ S S TAND

If the characters continue to follow the Orc trail, they’ll discover it

leads to a recent Orc camp. e characters can discern that the Orcs

remained in the location for at least a week. If they continue to follow

the tracks, they come upon the sounds of battle. Approaching, they

spy Orcs on the knoll of a hill that overlooks a narrow path. Several

Orcs are iring arrows while other Orcs are storming down the slope

to attack Malbeth and his fellows. e Narrator should say some-

thing similar to the following:

e Narrator should create other appropriate responses to characters

that might score a superior test.

If the characters were awarded mail by Arnulf, then once the charac-

ters set out, as they approach the gate, they see the smithy Garberend

step out from his shop, tools still in hand. He greets the characters

and wishes them well on their quest. He tells them he shall make

them the inest suits of mail and claims he knows a few secrets of the

Dwarven masters. At last, they proceed on the open road leaving the

safety and modest comfort of Arnulf’s hall for the northern wilds.

As you cautiously follow the Orc tracks through the woods. Orcish cries

can be heard up ahead. As you draw closer, Orcish warriors rush over a

slope while another score of Orcs rain black letched arrows down on an

unknown opponent. e Orcs are unaware of you, for the moment.

e targets of the Orc ambush are the wrongly exiled Malbeth and

his expatriate band of Wolves’ Heads. A group of 10 outlaws and

eight woodsmen who left Alatopel to aid Malbeth are the targets of

the Orcs. A band of 40 Orcs are attacking Malbeth and his followers,

all of them are on foot. e Orcs, however, are unaware of the char-

acters and are taken by surprise. e characters have the opportunity

to turn the tide of battle and save the day. ere are currently 15 Orcs

along the ledge iring bows and the rest are entering battle on foot

with battle-axes and scimitars.

e tower the characters were told about lies about 17 leagues (51

miles) to the north through forest-covered hills with old paths once

used but now overgrown and reclaimed by nature. Assuming charac-

ters are riding at a walk for 8 hours, it will take them 5 days of travel.

e rain, however, reduces the travel rate slightly. ough, thanks to

the horses, the characters are lightly burdened and actually will gain

.1 miles per hour traveled. e Narrator should see pages 250-253

in the Core Rulebook for more information regarding traveling in

Middle-Earth.

Use the statistics for Orcs in the Core Rulebook; however, these Orcs

wear piece-meal armor that absorbs only 4 points of damage.

e Narrator may wish to have a few natural hazards of traveling.

For example, the Narrator may decide the storm grows worse with

cold, powerful winds blowing down from the mountains. An old,

rotted tree comes crashing down unexpectedly on the characters. e

Narrator should have the characters make Ride skill test at a TN 10

to avoid being tossed from the saddle. A Swiftness Reaction test at

TN 10 is needed to avoid being hit by the falling tree and its large

branches. If the character failed the ride check he sufers a –2 penalty

to his Swiftness Reaction roll.

If the characters should prevail, they gain Malbeth’s gratitude for

their timely aid. Once the characters explain their purpose, they will

easily be able to convince Malbeth to return from exile. He will not,

however, return until he saves his sister Deoch. He explains how he

has been defending Alatopel against the Orcs since he was banished,

claiming from the Orcs any spoils to distribute to the outlaws who

he now commands. He has scouted a large Orc band to the north.

e Orcs inhabit an old tower that was once under the auspice of the

men allied with Angmar. It is set on a steep, high hill named Amon

Garzak.

Because of the muddy conditions, tracking is much easier (the TN

is only 5). A character with tracking that succeeds at an Observe

skill test at TN 10 will discover a large group of old tracks made by

men on foot. e tracks lead north in the direction the characters are

heading. e characters will discover the source of the tracks the next

day.

Amon Garzak is the highest point in the area and more like a small

mountain. e west slope is easily approachable, however, that leads

directly to the old fort’s gate. e other approaches are lest sure and

the eastern side is so steep that it requires a long, laborious climb.

e characters should realize that the hold of the Orcs and the home

of Cardoc are one and the same. It is up to the characters to decide

whether they will accept Malbeth’s aid or whether they’ll insist that

he and his band return to Alatopel. A Persuade roll at TN 15 con-

vinces Malbeth to return to his home. e character, however, has a

+5 bonus because of Malbeth’s friendly attitude. Malbeth, however, if

given the choice, would choose to accompany the characters to rescue

his sister.

S CENE S IX : C OPSE OF THE D EAD

e characters discover a copse in the woods with an old encamp-

ment. Forty men, in various states of decay, lie dead; their bodies

stripped of valuables. eir terrible wounds betray deaths by black-

letched arrows, sword slashes and axe strokes.

ese were the men sent by Arnulf to rescue Deoch. ey were at-

tacked in the evening and decimated against the night-eyed Orcs. Orc

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