[HQ Ignorance] Scene 18: Pure Doggerel

[Lev Lafayette]

(Scene 17: was "The HeroQuest begins")

Aalmon The Bastard, now incarnated as the Trollking
Arkat, led members of the Fellowship through the
psychic barrier that separates the mundane world from
the Hero Plane, a place where the Great Compromise is
fluid, and stories can be retold. To outsiders, the
HeroQuesters appear to have taken on a shimmering glow
around their bodies - they float slightly above the
ground and there is a wild other-worldly look in their
eyes.

Not all of the Fellowship attended; Judge Kraken for
one refused to go. "This venture", he stated soberly,
"is one for those well-suited for rural environs and
stealthy action. I can provide neither of those
skills, so I shall protect our hearth and await your
victorious return". The Mostal Kalen Ironhand and
Torsten however did attend; Kalen found himself
transformed into a warrior trollkin and Torsten into a
scout of the same. They are joined in similar form by
The Beast, who actually seems more comfortable in the
form of trollkin scout than that of his mundane
presentation.

Taking full vantage of the full moon, Aalmon initially
establishes a meandering starpath, along deer- and
goat-trails, aided by the loyal Baros who communicates
with the spirits of such animals long since-passed.
Jareena continues her motivational speeches on how the
unity of the name-giver races can succeed in the
rescue of Makla Mann (or, in this case, of
Karala-Who-Walks-With-White-Wolf).

After some time, Icthya could bear her frustrations no
longer. "Arkat Trollking", she said, u sing the
leaders Hero-name. "Mighty are your people in the war
against chaos and great are they when Yelm's face does
not show itself - but in this task I fear you are
poorly suited. You are thinking like a deer or goat -
when you should be thinking like a wolf." 

Planting many seeds of Flamal which instantly sprout,
building hunter's traps and diverting the wolves and
scouts with scent-marking by Tanuki, Icthya leads the
way. The protections prove effective, and the scouts
and wolves encounter many difficulties in finding the
fellowship. New plantations arise, landmarks become
hidden, scents are altered; and one mundane plane,
Vustria itself is changed, many saying for the better.
The sparsely forested lands are now pocketed by much
foliage.

On the mundane plane five days and nights pass,
whereas on the Hero Plane time stands still as the
Fellowship continues their journey in this fashion. At
no time are the scouts of Pistolas and the wolves of
Telmori encountered, although at times their
frustrated cries and howls can be heard. On sunset of
the sixth day a fortification comes into view - and on
the mundane plane the Fellowship has reached The Den.


Nota bene: Icthya can cement the copper trowel and
gains a Hero Point to do so (i.e., it's effectively
for free). That was *very* detailed. Archery was not
included in the roll, but Aalmon's actions acted as an
augment, as did the Reindeer spirit, and the skills of
the Beast. Facing a challenge of 3W3, I rolled an 8
for Icthya and 15 for the Scouts and Wolves. It's a
success overall. 





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