ColonelHardisson
What? Me Worry?
Figure I'll start out with a monster post - sorry!
Here is some groundwork for a 4th Age campaign I've been thinking about:
It is as if the Dark Lord still haunts his land. It is known that his servants certainly do. Orcs, Trolls, and various factions of evil Men vie for the control of the remnants of the great armies of Mordor. Ghosts, both of Sauron's servants and his enemies - many of whom endured great and long torment in the bowels of Barad-dur - walk this dark land also. Wargs and even fouler creatures roam Mordor, directionless with Sauron's passing, but ruthless and deadly nonetheless. It should also not be forgotten that strange and horrid things still haunt the Ephel Duath, ready to pounce upon those who enter the dark land of Mordor.
Gondor has built a small fortress near the ruins of the Dark Lord's fortress. It is there to guard the ruins, provide a base for expeditions into those ruins, and to be a picket in case any remaining servants of Sauron decide to congregate in force.
The fortress was built using stone hauled in from Gondor. This is because the few remaining keeps near Barad-dur that were intact after the fall of Sauron were so infused with evil that not even the hardiest Gondorian garrison could long abide being in them. Headaches, nightmares, and a general malaise sapped morale. Troops returning from their tour of duty in those places were listless and depressed for months afterward.
King Elessar, concerned for his soldiers, but wanting to ensure that the ruins of the great fortress were not looted by evil beings looking for some of Sauron's powerful artifacts, decided to have a small castle and keep specially built. Dwarves were hired to assist engineers from Minas Tirith, and Durin's folk seemed grimly pleased to be building a fortress in the very face of the Dark Lord's seat of power. Good, clean stone was shipped in great caravans, and the building of the fortress took less than a year.
Teams of explorers, specially commissioned, are examined by the King himself to determine their trustworthiness. They are then sent to various parts of the ruins of Barad-dur, based on their training and experience. So far, only some few pieces of Sauron's vast treasury and armory have been discovered, most of which was so tainted as to necessitate destroying them. Yet the King richly rewards those who return with such items. It is known the King takes a keen interest in the discovery of the palantir once used by Sauron. Though it is now so touched by Sauron's evil as to be worthless to any sane person, the King does not want such an artifact to fall into the hands of Sauron's one-time servants.
There are some few bold adventurers who prowl amongst the ruins outside the approval of King Elessar. Mordor is a vast and darkened land, and the ruins of Barad-dur are also large and spread out. Even the largest, most alert garrison could not prevent the trespass of all those adventurers who sought the ruins. Some come simply to line their own pockets, but many of Sauron's minions covet the wealth they know to remain in the shattered fortress. These miscreants slip amongst the shadows, endeavoring to elude the alert garrison of Gondor.
Here are a few more 4th Age bits and pieces; first, I present several quotes from the books concerning the 4th Age, or things that would impact a 4th Age campaign, and then I present a few random thoughts of my own:
"For though Sauron had passed, the hatreds and evils that he bred had not died, and the King of the West had many enemies to subdue before the White Tree could grow in peace. And wherever King Elessar went with war King Eomer went with him; and beyond the Sea of Rhun and on the far fields of the South the thunder of the cavalry of the Mark was heard, and the White Horse upon Green flew in many winds until Eomer grew old."
- The Return of the King, Apendix A, part II, The House of Eorl
"After the fall of Sauron, Gimli brought south a part of the Dwarf-folk of Erebor, and he became Lord of the Glittering Caves. He and his people did great works in Gondor and Rohan. For Minas Tirith they forged gates of mithril and steel to replace those broken by the Witch-king. Legolas his friend brought south Elves out of Greenwood, and they dwelt in Ithilien, and it became once again the fairest country in all the westlands."
- The Return of the King, Appendix A, part III, Durin's Folk
"Three times Lorien had been assailed from Dol Guldur, but besides the valour of the elven people of that land, the power that dwelt there was too great for any to overcome, unless Sauron had come there himself. Though grievous harm was done to the fair woods on the borders, the assaults were driven back; and when the Shadow had passed, Celeborn came forth and led the host of Lorien over Anduin in many boats. They took Dol Guldur, and Galadriel threw down its walls and laid bare its pits, and the forest was cleansed.
In the North also there had been war and evil. The realm of Thranduil was invaded, and there was long battle under the trees and great ruin of fire; but in the end Thranduil had the victory. And on the day of the New Year of the Elves, Celeborn and Thranduil met in the midst of the forest; and they renamed Mirkwood Eryn Lasgalen, The Wood of Greenleaves. Thranduil took all the northern region as far as the mountains that rise in the forest for his realm; and Celeborn took all the southern wood below the Narrows, and named it East Lorien; all the wide forest between was given to the Beornings and the Woodmen. But after the passing of Galadriel in a few years Celeborn grew weary of his realm and went to Imladris to dwell with the sons of Elrond. In the Greenwood the Silvan Elves remained untroubled, but in Lorien there lingered sadly only a few of its former people, and there was no longer light or song in Caras Galadon."
- The Return of the King, Appendix B, The Tale of Years
"King Elessar rides north, and dwells for a while by Lake Evendim." [Fourth Age 14]
- The Return of the King, Appendix B, The Tale of Years
"And Aragorn gave to Faramir Ithilien to be his princedom, and bade him dwell in the hills of Emyn Arnen within sight of the City.
'For,' said he, 'Minas Ithil in Morgul Vale shall be utterly destroyed, and though it may in time to come be made clean, no man may dwell there for many long years.'"
- The Return of the King, Book VI, Chapter V: The Steward and the King
"Far, far below the deepest delvings of the Dwarves, the world is gnawed by nameless things. Even Sauron knows them not. They are older than he. Now I have walked there, but I will bring no report to darken the light of day."
- The Two Towers, Book III, Chapter V: The White Rider
Annuminas is restored, and becomes the chief city of the northern kingdom. It is not difficult to picture that King Elessar also rebuilt Fornost Erain and Tharbad. It is also highly likely, even though unmentioned, that Osgiliath was cleared and rebuilt. Minas Morgul/Minas Ithil would be destroyed, which would take some exploration and fighting - very much like a D&D adventure.
With the Balrog defeated, Sauron gone, and a huge part of the strength of the orcs in the region destroyed, it is quite likely that the Dwarves would at least begin to explore and clean out Moria.
Mirkwood (renamed Eryn Lasgalen) and Ithilien would likely also remain havens for a time for evil creatures, such as spiders and orcs.
Shelob still dwells near Cirth Ungol, and the Watcher in the Water still haunts the lake near the west gate of Moria.
Galadriel would have to use some rather powerful spells in D&D terms to throw down the walls of Dol Guldur and lay bare its pits. Transmutation spells like Disintegrate, Transmute Rock to Mud, Move Earth, and Evocation spells like Earthquake could have been used. She also possibly "laid bare" those pits by way of Divination spells.
Veterans of Celeborn's taking of Dol Guldur would be good candidates for duty in Mordor itself.
There are at least two great Elves still unaccounted for in the 4th Age: Daeron and Maglor. Perhaps one or the other is encountered in the East, or perhaps one or the other returns to western Middle Earth, finally weary of wandering, their pain and sorrow driving them towards the west at last. Perhaps one of them could take up residence in fading Lorien, or even in Rivendell for a time, or take up the kingship of East Lorien once Celeborn leaves.
Here is some groundwork for a 4th Age campaign I've been thinking about:
It is as if the Dark Lord still haunts his land. It is known that his servants certainly do. Orcs, Trolls, and various factions of evil Men vie for the control of the remnants of the great armies of Mordor. Ghosts, both of Sauron's servants and his enemies - many of whom endured great and long torment in the bowels of Barad-dur - walk this dark land also. Wargs and even fouler creatures roam Mordor, directionless with Sauron's passing, but ruthless and deadly nonetheless. It should also not be forgotten that strange and horrid things still haunt the Ephel Duath, ready to pounce upon those who enter the dark land of Mordor.
Gondor has built a small fortress near the ruins of the Dark Lord's fortress. It is there to guard the ruins, provide a base for expeditions into those ruins, and to be a picket in case any remaining servants of Sauron decide to congregate in force.
The fortress was built using stone hauled in from Gondor. This is because the few remaining keeps near Barad-dur that were intact after the fall of Sauron were so infused with evil that not even the hardiest Gondorian garrison could long abide being in them. Headaches, nightmares, and a general malaise sapped morale. Troops returning from their tour of duty in those places were listless and depressed for months afterward.
King Elessar, concerned for his soldiers, but wanting to ensure that the ruins of the great fortress were not looted by evil beings looking for some of Sauron's powerful artifacts, decided to have a small castle and keep specially built. Dwarves were hired to assist engineers from Minas Tirith, and Durin's folk seemed grimly pleased to be building a fortress in the very face of the Dark Lord's seat of power. Good, clean stone was shipped in great caravans, and the building of the fortress took less than a year.
Teams of explorers, specially commissioned, are examined by the King himself to determine their trustworthiness. They are then sent to various parts of the ruins of Barad-dur, based on their training and experience. So far, only some few pieces of Sauron's vast treasury and armory have been discovered, most of which was so tainted as to necessitate destroying them. Yet the King richly rewards those who return with such items. It is known the King takes a keen interest in the discovery of the palantir once used by Sauron. Though it is now so touched by Sauron's evil as to be worthless to any sane person, the King does not want such an artifact to fall into the hands of Sauron's one-time servants.
There are some few bold adventurers who prowl amongst the ruins outside the approval of King Elessar. Mordor is a vast and darkened land, and the ruins of Barad-dur are also large and spread out. Even the largest, most alert garrison could not prevent the trespass of all those adventurers who sought the ruins. Some come simply to line their own pockets, but many of Sauron's minions covet the wealth they know to remain in the shattered fortress. These miscreants slip amongst the shadows, endeavoring to elude the alert garrison of Gondor.
Here are a few more 4th Age bits and pieces; first, I present several quotes from the books concerning the 4th Age, or things that would impact a 4th Age campaign, and then I present a few random thoughts of my own:
"For though Sauron had passed, the hatreds and evils that he bred had not died, and the King of the West had many enemies to subdue before the White Tree could grow in peace. And wherever King Elessar went with war King Eomer went with him; and beyond the Sea of Rhun and on the far fields of the South the thunder of the cavalry of the Mark was heard, and the White Horse upon Green flew in many winds until Eomer grew old."
- The Return of the King, Apendix A, part II, The House of Eorl
"After the fall of Sauron, Gimli brought south a part of the Dwarf-folk of Erebor, and he became Lord of the Glittering Caves. He and his people did great works in Gondor and Rohan. For Minas Tirith they forged gates of mithril and steel to replace those broken by the Witch-king. Legolas his friend brought south Elves out of Greenwood, and they dwelt in Ithilien, and it became once again the fairest country in all the westlands."
- The Return of the King, Appendix A, part III, Durin's Folk
"Three times Lorien had been assailed from Dol Guldur, but besides the valour of the elven people of that land, the power that dwelt there was too great for any to overcome, unless Sauron had come there himself. Though grievous harm was done to the fair woods on the borders, the assaults were driven back; and when the Shadow had passed, Celeborn came forth and led the host of Lorien over Anduin in many boats. They took Dol Guldur, and Galadriel threw down its walls and laid bare its pits, and the forest was cleansed.
In the North also there had been war and evil. The realm of Thranduil was invaded, and there was long battle under the trees and great ruin of fire; but in the end Thranduil had the victory. And on the day of the New Year of the Elves, Celeborn and Thranduil met in the midst of the forest; and they renamed Mirkwood Eryn Lasgalen, The Wood of Greenleaves. Thranduil took all the northern region as far as the mountains that rise in the forest for his realm; and Celeborn took all the southern wood below the Narrows, and named it East Lorien; all the wide forest between was given to the Beornings and the Woodmen. But after the passing of Galadriel in a few years Celeborn grew weary of his realm and went to Imladris to dwell with the sons of Elrond. In the Greenwood the Silvan Elves remained untroubled, but in Lorien there lingered sadly only a few of its former people, and there was no longer light or song in Caras Galadon."
- The Return of the King, Appendix B, The Tale of Years
"King Elessar rides north, and dwells for a while by Lake Evendim." [Fourth Age 14]
- The Return of the King, Appendix B, The Tale of Years
"And Aragorn gave to Faramir Ithilien to be his princedom, and bade him dwell in the hills of Emyn Arnen within sight of the City.
'For,' said he, 'Minas Ithil in Morgul Vale shall be utterly destroyed, and though it may in time to come be made clean, no man may dwell there for many long years.'"
- The Return of the King, Book VI, Chapter V: The Steward and the King
"Far, far below the deepest delvings of the Dwarves, the world is gnawed by nameless things. Even Sauron knows them not. They are older than he. Now I have walked there, but I will bring no report to darken the light of day."
- The Two Towers, Book III, Chapter V: The White Rider
Annuminas is restored, and becomes the chief city of the northern kingdom. It is not difficult to picture that King Elessar also rebuilt Fornost Erain and Tharbad. It is also highly likely, even though unmentioned, that Osgiliath was cleared and rebuilt. Minas Morgul/Minas Ithil would be destroyed, which would take some exploration and fighting - very much like a D&D adventure.
With the Balrog defeated, Sauron gone, and a huge part of the strength of the orcs in the region destroyed, it is quite likely that the Dwarves would at least begin to explore and clean out Moria.
Mirkwood (renamed Eryn Lasgalen) and Ithilien would likely also remain havens for a time for evil creatures, such as spiders and orcs.
Shelob still dwells near Cirth Ungol, and the Watcher in the Water still haunts the lake near the west gate of Moria.
Galadriel would have to use some rather powerful spells in D&D terms to throw down the walls of Dol Guldur and lay bare its pits. Transmutation spells like Disintegrate, Transmute Rock to Mud, Move Earth, and Evocation spells like Earthquake could have been used. She also possibly "laid bare" those pits by way of Divination spells.
Veterans of Celeborn's taking of Dol Guldur would be good candidates for duty in Mordor itself.
There are at least two great Elves still unaccounted for in the 4th Age: Daeron and Maglor. Perhaps one or the other is encountered in the East, or perhaps one or the other returns to western Middle Earth, finally weary of wandering, their pain and sorrow driving them towards the west at last. Perhaps one of them could take up residence in fading Lorien, or even in Rivendell for a time, or take up the kingship of East Lorien once Celeborn leaves.
