A light from the shadows shall spring (Tolkien AU reboot)

War for Fornost: Part 2
It was not the first time, Ghulgash descended into the ancient lands of Arnor, leaving the fastness of Carn Dûm and its dubious pleasures. It was not the first time even he did it in peace for often in his younger years he had enjoyed the hospitality of the villages of Rhudhaur. Still he thought it was unprecedented for never to his knowledge had the Orcs met peacefully with foes of the Shadow. Yet he was a great captain and a master of lore and so his heart was calm. He clad himself in raiment splendid as he had once wore in the court of the Lord of the Nazgul for he had been deep in the councils of the Black Captain. They were made of silk and velvet and were black with adornments of pale gold. Under his hood, he bore a royal circlet upon which a tarnished gem shone like grey ice. Old as he was, he walked against a great staff of black wood who had been sculpted with images of wolves but ended in the head of one of the coiling serpent of the far south who spit their venom and whose image protect the kings of Harad. Ugly he was with skin like a corpse embalmed and curved fangs and venomous claws. For it is one of the sins of the Marrer, the body of the Orcs grow in whichever manner will distress them the most while not destroying their skills.

With him came great Orcs accustomed to the false sun of the mountains. They were clad in the plate of the guardians of Carn Dûm who had once been Men devoted to the defense of the Witch-Realm. They had tall shields emblazoned in sickening blue with a great crown at the center surrounded by nine stars. Behind them hurried bands of lesser account, armed with short swords and curved blades, clad in leather and sparse pieces of metal. Yet they were not alone for Ghulgash had called the might of Angmar and some had answered from the mountains. How the descendants of Elendil were dismayed in these days. For the Black Numenoreans were as them. They were tall with piercing grey eyes but there stopped the resemblance. For even as the Dunedain wore clothes who were ragged after their years in the Wild and moved unseen through the wastes of Arnor, these soldiers were in black uniforms with belts wonderfully wrought as they had lost no love of crafting. They had great swords and mighty bows and many hid behind masks of wrought metal of iron, silver and alloyed gold for the commanders. With them, came a small force from the foothills of Rhudaur, who were men kin to the Dunlendings and the clansmen of Enedwaith. They fought with great axes, and javelins and were accustomed to the dark woods.

And at the command of their chieftain did this host fly white banners of peace and when they were spotted advancing from the north on the Road, they proclaimed they came in peace in Westron, Sindarin and even in the lost language of Numenor who had been kept in the mountains as a tongue of lore. And the Dunedain were surprised for Ghulghash even added Quenya who was rough and ungentle but whom never Orcs had been reported to speak. And some later were dismayed when they heard the tongue of the Orcs for they felt a closeness to the tongue of the High Elves, as two far branches of the same mighty tree. Seeing this army coming to them with messages of peace, the inhabitants of Bree hesitated but their hearts were won for Ghulgash did not come with empty hands. His hands flowed with gifts great and small either wrought long ago by the Angmarim or left to rot in the ruins of Carn Dûm. To the Dunedain he gave back thirty-six ornaments in the shape of a star who had been worn by some of their captains who had fallen to the hands of the Orcs. Surprised they were but they took their bearings soon enough and Halbarad of the Grey Company who was kinsman to the Chieftain soon advanced to talk and with him were Norwell Barliman who was the high man of Bree at the time.

Wondrously strange was this meeting and it is said the Orc chieftain who had stood for more than ten human lives in the mountains, was not the most surprised. Perhaps if they had time enough, evil would have blossomed and distrust and recriminations of ancient grief. Yet they were set against a bitter foe who advanced against them. There would time for great negotiations and bargains later. For Ghulgash had something neither the gallant Dunedain nor the hardy folks of Bree had. His forces were both numerous and experienced in war for the Angmarim were not an united lot and often they led their bands against each other. And there was a council held to know what strategy would be used to keep the forces of Deadman's Dike at bay. And a choice was made heavy with consequences.

Choose 1

[] The armies would wait behind the wooden walls of Bree where arrows could fly and the gates held long against the onslaught. The horde of Belgrud would not have the discipline to try and starve the town whose supplies were full for they had been forewarned. Only when the forces arrayed against them would have broken, the free people would charge and destroy the attackers.

[] The armies would issue from Bree's gates and fall upon the foe as it advanced, to fight blade against blade and ranks against ranks. In the contest of red ruin and splintered shields and notched swords would valor be proven. And Barzud commander of Angmar and captain of the host swore he would fight Bergud and end his rule. Ghulgash made no promises but plans of his own for he knew songs of power who could be unleashed. Notably it was convened the forces would lay in ambush and fall upon the foe while leaving hiding, so that they may be destroyed utterly.

[] While most of the forces would wait on Bree, Ghulgash and Halbarad and with them a company bold would advance near the city to the ancient barrows of Cardolan whom the Witch-King despoiled in days of yore. There in the ancient forest they would keep watch for the dead who rest not in peace for words had come the army of Belgrud contained many of these specters who would be drawn to the tombs. Such hallowed ground would be if won a place where potent songs may be sung to influence the battle even at a distance.

[] Ghulgash decided on a plan whose boldness was comparable to Gandalf the Grey's own plot against Smaug the Golden. For he gathered to him Nelineniel and Iorthondaer who were of the Black Edain and were wise in woodlore and hunting. And with them he asked some of the Dunedain to go if they willed. For he hunted the monster of Berglud, the terror who had once flew over the mountains of Iron and the fortress of Himring from where Mahedros had been driven, before residing in the wild lands of the north. Dark were the tidings of such a hunt and yet the Dunedain felt the need for to this vampire of Morgoth had flocked many creatures they long sought.

War for Fornost: Part 3
Rolls
Tracking the monster: 90+20 DC: 50/70/90: Great Success: The road is clear
Knowing the Lair: 15+20: DC: 75/100: Failure: Leap into the unknown
The servants of the Horror: 98+40 (Unknown foe): DC: 90 (Company of heroes)
Critical Success: The Black Breath

Wild Wolves of the North VS Company Grey and Sable: 28+40 (Ageless Malice) VS 95+20 (Halbarad Dunadan-Fell Lights in the air): 68 VS Critical: Die hound of Sauron
Song of the Iron Crown: 62+40 (Songs of Old): DC: 75/100/120 (Creature of Shadow): Success: Banishment of the Houseless
It is said by the Wise that when Melkor rose in song against the themes of the One, he gained to his following many of the Holy Ones whose voices accorded with his discord rather than the Music. And of them many descended into Arda to follow him and more were gained to his service through the long ages before the creation of the sun and moon. Some have their names still sung in tales but others were unknown just as none but the Valar know the full accounting of the Maïar. The creature named by the Dunedain Dagnirgwath "Shadowed Scourge" was of the many monsters hovering in the shadow of Morgoth. From what it did, some held it had been part of the people of Namo named Mandos. For it looked as a great bat with claws and fangs of iron and at its cries flocked the Houseless Ones. During the wars against Angmar, it had flown in the skies of Arnor and drank blood at its leisure, drowning whole villages in shadows. Even as it was feared mightily by Men for its screams were like those of the Nazgul, it was even more fearful to the Firstborn for they thought its screams could drown the Call to Valinor.

And it was this monster released from the tomb of crumbled earth it had been left to dwell by the Witch-King that Ghulgash of Angmar proposed to hunt. For he argued it would be a great danger on the battlefield. Indeed against Orcs and Trolls, wolves and bats, and even the wights of the barrows, forces could stand. Yet the horror of Dagnirwath, who had gained a name in Black Speech whose mention would spoil these lines, few could oppose resistance. As such he asked for volunteers for a hunt who would be compared to the one where Carcharoth was slain. And it would be thankless and dangerous for the vampire was in its fashion a captain at the head of an army. Iorthondaer and Nelineniel, members of the proud Black Numenoreans who in all things follow pride, said they would follow their leaders and with them came a part of their host. Halbarad of the Dunedain would also follow with a company of the nobility of lost Arnor. Nelineniel whose speech was given to harshness and bitter mockery jeered the regent of the north came to watch them rather than aid them. And indeed there was truth in these words, for even as the forces of Angmar came to the defense of Bree, they were not fully trusted.

Gandalf the Wizard who had arrived in Bree before the assault could be launched would not follow. Not because he did not consider the errand needful but because his presence would be needed in town to ensure peace for a time and inspire courage in the hearts of many.

And so did the party of sable and grey went into the dark woods for Nelineniel and Halbarad were spurred by desire to prove the best woodsman. Their struggle was fruitful and the group passed into the Wild. The hearts of the Dunedain soon grow wroth for they knew where the paths led. It was to a grove many held sacred for it had been planted by Valandil son of Isildur and only of his family to escape the slaughter at the Gladden Fields. There grew trees bold and strong and so loved they had endured all calamities before the hand of Angmar had at last crushed the last remnants of fallen Arthedain. Yet now the glade had become fell and a haunt for monsters. How foreboding it seemed in the horizon, like a dark castle or a forsaken temple. Here now grew hemlock and aconite in tall bushes and the air was full with the whispers of wraiths. Indeed even as Ghulgash and his company came in view of the desecrated grove, a host issued from it like a foul eastern wind. Specters they were but they appeared not as they were accustomed, in the shape of men long dead and rotting. They were uncloaked and seemed like fell light and black flame with snarling faces full with envy for the flesh. Among them were many Elves once fair but now in torment.

Where did this host come from? Most were fell spirits, lesser horrors following a greater one, but the Elves were indeed houseless dead. They had been captured in the fall of Eregion when Sauron warred against the Jewel-Smiths or much later in the war of Angmar. Some had perhaps perished earlier, captured by Morgoth and his servants and brought to Angband. All had been brought in pain and horror until they were unable to hear the Call so that their torment could rejoice the masters of the Shadow. They brandished the shades of brands and wore memories of armors branded with either the crown in iron or the lidless eye. They fell upon the living like a sea of horror and the fighters faltered and even the proud Edain howled for memories were sent to infect their dreams. Even among the Black Numenoreans were some who fell to the ground, unmanned and witless, while in the shadows corpses advanced with a clanking of old armors and rusted swords. They were not alone for ran from the forest pack of wolves with eyes like a Man's and who howled in delight and laughed as they advanced.

Their laugh was premature for stood Halbarad kinsman by marriage of the line of Elros who feared no darkness. A great bow he had and as he loosed upon the warg chieftain an elf-arrow from Rivendell. So deep struck the shaft, it entered through the eye and departed from the back of the skull before the Dunadan called to his men. Their hearts were glad at this display and they charged. Great was their fury and Halbarad hewed the limbs of the first Warg who struck at him before piercing his heart with his sword. Not to be outdone Nelineniel and Iorthondaer loosed their own shafts, cruel arrows wrought in Angmar, full of fell poison. They found their mark and soon black swords joined in the slaughter. Such was the fury of the Westerners, they suffered no further losses at this moment despite claws and fangs. And as they fought and slew Ghulgash looked at the flood of unquiet spirits who had assaulted his companions.

He began to sing a deep song, a chant of old passed from his grandsire who was of the great captains who died not of old age. A chant not in the speech of the Black Land but far older and perhaps far fouler. A chant made in the warrens of Angband and in the land under the shadow for none of the servants of Morgoth ever lived at peace with the Orcs and even the great dragons devour their flesh as readily as any other. And so it was a song of banishing and repelling, crackling as the flame and grinding like ice. He sang of a wind from the east and a wind rose, so mighty it seemed to push to the Sea. And the nameless things who had been of the Beautiful Ones were driven forth as their power never great in the first place had long diminished. And the tortured shades of the Firstborn were glad as their fetters were loosed and they rushed to the west with great clamor ready to be borne upon the foam to the Halls of Waiting. And yet this song was but a sting for Dagnirgwath who issued from the grove flying and snarling, with eyes full of fury and terrible curses.

For it talked like a Dragon and even as it devoured and drank, it was aware and its eyes shone with evil cunning.

Which song did Ghulgash sing against this creature? Choose 1

[] A song of old, a song of power, a song of flame and ice, of hammer against skin and flesh torn. A song of destruction overwhelming

[] A song of dark woods under the night, of poison slipping and arrow swift. A song of thorns prickling and heart stopping.

[] A song of taming, of broken wills and adoration. A song of collars in iron and wolves becoming dogs. A song that bent the mind in other directions.
[] A song that wounded him even as he chanted it even as his eyes filled with blood. A song of Rivendell, of Elvenhome still remembered. A song of the Powers as he understood it.

[] A song of bolstering, a song of command and courage, a song of fury and rage and swords unleashed. A song of walls and bright weapons and a song of help.