<LOTR> The Fate of The North

[Daiymo]

A hobbit makes his way up the path to the summit of Amon Sul, plodding forward, his face cast downward. Muttering to himself, he carries a light pack of a bedroll, leather corslet, and cooking pot.

As he reaches the summit, the small figure looks up and sees the group gathered there. Staying on the edge of the camp, his eyes grow in wonder as he takes in the others appearance and grab. His eyes linger longest upon the wild man with the spear and the two elves.

Dropping his pack, he swallows hard and says hesitantly,"Umm..hullo. ..a..a gentleman in green armor suggested I should no longer tarry and join you. So, its true, its no Took trick... something is going on..."

The hobbit plops down upon his pack and puts his chin in his hands."Confound this-letters by elven post, Weathertop, distant cousins, strange tokens and mysteries, and confound my curiosity-it will be the death of me no doubt!" he says to no one in particular. "I should have never opened my door. What am I doing here? What are we all doing here?"

 

[Inez Hull]

"I'm presuming you're one of the Mr Underhill's that those of us travelling through Bree heard about. Well met and welcome to our company. As for what we are gathered here for, now that you're here I imagine we will all soon find out."

 

[Daiymo]

"Underhill? Yes, I am I suppose" the hobbit says, resignedly. "Can't swing a dead cat alongside Bree-hill without hitting an Underhill."

The hobbit stands up cautiously. "Strabo's my name. To be honest, I can't imagine to what purpose I've been called for, not when there's so many of you big folk here. But in any case, thank you for your welcome."

"By any chance has anyone any food? I haven't had a morsel since 11."

 

[Darth Ecks]

"Hello, little one," Lorin says to Strabo, "Do you know of the one named Bilbo Baggins? He is quite a legend where I come from."

 

[arador359]

Soon after Strabo arrives, a tall man strides from the brush behind Valangil and walks to the center of the camp. He is dressed in a leather jerkin over fine Chain Mail which has been colored to the hue of forest green. He also wears a woolen cloak, leggings and High boots. He moves with grace and with a confidence born of hard experience. He is clean shaven, with long black hair and grey/blue eyes. He stands well over 6 feet tall.

For arms, you see a long sword, long bow and dagger. All are well made and well kept, but the sword appears to be of exceptional quality by the look of the hilts.

He stops by Valangil's side and says something to him in a language that only Valangil understands<see your email, RJ>. Then he turns and looks at the rest of you, individually. It is almost as if he is evaluating each in their turn. He nods after a moment and turns to the next person in the circle until he has assessed you all.

Then he smiles and says, "Hail and Well Met! I am Arador, Son of Meneldil. Dunadan and Ranger of the North in service to Aragorn, Son of Arathorn - Chieftain of the Dunedain. I welcome you all to Amon Sul - ancient Watch Tower of the Northern Kingdom."

He turns and looks to the ruins on the summit for a moment, then turns back again. "May it become so again", he says with a certain sadness and half hidden anticipation.

With a slight shake of his head, he starts again, "Each of you struck out on a long journey from your own lands to come on a mysterious quest. I cannot tell you how or why you were chosen for this fate, only that I know each of you has a part to play in holding back the coming darkness. I know this because the Lord Elrond foresaw it, as he foresaw each of you joining this company."

 

[Inez Hull]

“I have little liking for this wandering around in the dark, but we have endured up to this point. Can you tell us at the least though what the task is that we have been called here for?”

 

[arador359]

He continues, "A storm comes, my friends. The Dark Lord of Mordor has declared himself openly and war is not far off. The war will strike the south first - certainly", he pauses and looks at Belegon,

"but all lands will drawn into it in time. Even those lands that have been havens of peace for so many lives of men." He looks at Ethendil, Sirandir, and Strabo as he says this.

"All is not darkness, however; even now a hidden hope makes its way towards danger and destiny, but I will speak no more of it. "

"The North is far from Mordor and is already devastated by ancient wars, but, because of this very fact, the North is also a weakness in our defenses. Think of the ruin that would occur should the orcs, trolls and other fell things in and near the old reaches of foul Angmar unite. They would overrun all of Eriador as a wolf overruns a defenseless babe because there are none to stop them. The Dunedain of the North are a diminished people." He says bitterly, "our numbers are far too few to hold back an invasion from Mount Gram or Mount Gundabad. And the remaining Eldar would need time to prepare to deal with a force that large. they would come late to battle and many thousands of orcs would be approaching the Fords of Isen before the tide could be stemmed by the elves - if they could do so at all, truth be told." He pauses again and looks at Belegon, Eidar, and Lanwi. "What would happen to Gondor, Rohan, and all the good peoples of the South if they were caught between the pincers of forces from both Mordor and the north?" He lets that comment hang in the air for a moment, then continues

 

[arador359]

"The task laid upon you all by Fate is to determine if this threat is a threat at all."

"You are a company of many strengths and each of you brings unique skills and knowledge to the group. You will put those strengths to use scouting the bounds of old Rhudaur and Angmar, and the entrances to the goblin hold of Mount Gram, to answer the question of whether threat truly comes from that direction. Your success will depend on stealth and cunning, and less on strength of arms, but be prepared to battle as necessary for there are many dangers in the trollshaws and Ettenmoors - and even worse dangers haunt the old lands of the Witch King."

"Take extra care in and near Angmar, for there are rumors of black figures and a new, terrible leader in that fell land."

 

[Inez Hull]

“I don’t doubt that there is trouble brewing. Orcs and the Hillmen already trouble Rohan in numbers greater than for many a season. Is skulking and spying truly what is required of men of arms?"

 

[arador359]

"This is an ancient realm. there are many ruins and tombs of old Arnor throughout. Some of these tombs protect the bones of mighty Dunedain from the time when the Exiles were newly come to the these lands and the Numenorean kingdoms here were young. Some say those lords were buried with items of wonderous power that could cause great harm if they were pundered and used by the servants of the enemy."

"I tell you this because I found a pundered tomb a fortnight agone in the southern reaches of the Trollshaws. At first I thought it was the lair of the band of Trolls that I slew there, but now I think something more foul may be behind its ruin."

"The contents of the tomb were very carefully stacked and sorted - not smashed and scatter as is the wont of trolls, and several things appeared to be missing. I also found the footprints of men and orcs in the tomb. The boots of the men were unusual and I have only seen their like in the south - on the feet of dead corsairs." He looks again at Belegon.

"Now, I have spoken long and of many things. You must have questions. Allow me get some food and drink and I will answer them all as best I can."

He walks over and slices off some meat with his dagger, then sit down near the fire and pulls a flask from his pack and proceeds to eat and drink while awaiting you rquestions.