Gather Rumours
News of strange things happening in the world are multiplying with every passing year. Tidings of a gathering darkness, of distant wars, and of the flight of the Elves — vague legends and old songs are proving to be more than just children’s stories. Player-heroes gathering rumours try to separate facts from fireside-tales, and to gather stories that may prove useful in their adventures.
Choose this undertaking to receive a rumour from the Loremaster.
A rumour can be a story about an individual, a place, or a coming event, pointing specifically to something that the Company can explore, prevent, or aspire to achieve. Otherwise, a rumour can be something specific that the Playerhero is inquiring about, and directly related to the current adventuring circumstances of the Company.
A Company including a Warden can choose this activity as a free Undertaking.
Meet Patron
After a few years of adventuring, the Company will probably count several of the Wise and the Great among their allies. Some of these can be chosen as Patrons of the Company (see page 52).
Choose this undertaking to meet one of the Company’s friends and allies when spending the Fellowship Phase in a location where that individual can be found, and if the Patron is available for a meeting.
When this is the case, the Loremaster can work with the Player-hero to set up the encounter. The reasons to see a patron vary based on the current circumstances of a campaign, but generally revolve around the Player-hero asking for some sort of assistance, possibly accepting a task requested by the patron in return.
The descriptions of the various personalities given on page 212 give directions on how to handle their introduction as patrons in the game.
A Company including a Messenger can choose this activity as a free Undertaking.
Ponder Storied and Figured Maps
Middle- earth has changed since the time when lore-masters spent long hours drawing maps of every known corner of the world. Today’s maps show mostly white spaces beyond the borders of the realms of Men, Dwarves, and Elves. Yet, looking at them is time well- spent for a travelling hero.
A Player-hero choosing this undertaking studies every map and scroll of lore they can find, to learn as much as possible about the perils the Company may face while on a journey.
Until the next Fellowship Phase, apply a modifier of +1 to all Feat die rolls made to determine the nature of events during the Event Resolution step of a Journey.
A Company including a Scholar can choose this activity as a free Undertaking.
Strengthen Fellowship
The bond shared by the members of a Company is put to the test by the odds they face in the course of their adventures, and can be reinforced when the Player-heroes are enjoying a moment of respite.
Choose this undertaking to raise the Fellowship rating by +1 until the next Fellowship Phase.
A Company including a Captain can choose this activity as a free Undertaking.
Study Magical Items
When heroes come into possession of a strange ring, an ancient jewel, or a rune-scored staff, they might not know much about their properties, especially if they are not immediately observable.
Choose this Undertaking to learn all there is to be discovered about the qualities of all Marvellous Artefacts and Wondrous Items in the Company’s possession.
A Company including a Treasure Hunter can choose this activity as a free Undertaking.
Write a Song
All Cultures of Middle-earth play and sing songs to remember things that are fair and to celebrate life.
Choose this Undertaking to compose a song, choosing whether it will be a Lay, a Song of Victory, or a Walking-song.
The new composition is added to a Company’s list of songs — this list is used to keep track of which songs are available to the Company to sing during an Adventuring Phase (see Singing Songs, above).
The player is encouraged to come up with a song title, or its lyrics, for example taking inspiration from events that occurred to the Company, or focusing on one or more Player-heroes.
A Company including a Champion can choose this activity as a free Undertaking.
LAY (COUNCILS): A Player-hero creates a short narrative poem, particularly appropriate to narrate heroic deeds, and meant to be recited or sung at gatherings.
SONG OF VICTORY (COMBAT): Warriors sing stirring songs in combat, to lift their spirit and renew their lust for battle.
WALKING-SONG (JOURNEY): Travellers trudging along the final hours of a long day of travelling may find it helpful to hum a merry song, especially when they are drawing near to their destination.