ME-PBM 2950 Encounter

From: Todd Jenner <jenner@vega13.cs.wisc.edu>

Date: Fri, 26 Jul 1996 00:00:00 +0000

In my most recent turn, one of my characters ran into this encounter:

Frodo [not his real name] was hastening to take cover from a sudden and
unseasonal storm when he came across an overgrown (or perhaps hidden!)
path. Daring the unexpected opportunity as a welcome respite from the
foul weather, he followed the path, finding it to be both narrow and
broken. After a brief but difficult trek, he was relieved to enter the
small, hidden cave found at the path's end. To his surprise, the cave
provided not only shelter but also an interesting discovery. In the
center of the cave was an oblong block of dark stone, engulfed in a faint
transparent blue light that covered the entire surface. Upon the stone ay
something that did not shine, but attracted his attention nonetheless.
The cave seemed almost to be calling him. He couldn't tell what it was,
and certainly the item there was a powerful artifact, he thought, but how
might one breach the possible protections?

attack PHYSICALLY to drive off any guardians
   attack MAGICALLY to dispel any wards
   creep forward silently and REMOVE the item from the stone block
   leap forward and STEAL the item from the block
   WAIT and see if the light goes out
   declare your ALLEGIANCE
   say _____ (one word)
   FLEE

Sorry for the length... I've found out a little from the Mouth of Sauron,
but not much. My character is a lowly emissary, less than 25 challenge
rank, and my nation is still Neutral. The only info on this encounter
pertains to Dark Servants; MAGICALLY results in combat, WAIT in injury or
death. I'm tending toward REMOVE or STEAL, but I might just chicken out
and flee. Any advice, posted or e-mailed, is appreciated greatly. Oh, and
what's a Druedain? It ain't in my _Complete Guide to Middle-earth_. (It's
the name of the encounter, according to the Mouth.) Thanks in advance!

Todd C. Jenner             ||
          jenner@cs.wisc.edu           ||    "To iterate is human;
       tcjenner@students.wisc.edu      ||      to recurse, divine."
       usagi@arch.housing.wisc.edu     ||