A Light from the Shadow (Tolkien CKII)

Events of the World Turn 2

Heroes returned: From all corners of the earth come the word: The kings who promised their return in the time of their people's need are returning to their people heralding a new age of heroism in blighted Middle-Earth. The time will soon come say soothsayers and fools alike where the kindred of men will be reunited and all strife will be wiped from the land for from the men of high renown will recognize their lord and kneel before it. In any case kingdoms relegated to lesser status seem to be reborn anew as new leaders emerge to develop their societies further.

You received message from the White Council. Eight of the Nazgul have been seen traveling in all directions.

Challenge at Minas Morgul: The Black Captain, the Lord of the Nazguls have appeared visibly in the desolate city of Minas Morgul. He send many heralds, some men and some orcs to proclaim he offers battle in the name of the Giver of Freedom to any who would seek to take the ancient fortress. His herald to Gondor was lucky to escape unscathed for his manner was most insulting and his comments on the fate of King Earnur who accepted similar challenge incited the wrath of the Court. Steward Beregond defended anyone to ride to the cursed city, arguing that he who believes the Enemy will offer fair and loyal duel is a fool beyond saving.

War of the Orcs: The war against the hordes of Orcs chased from their mountains' fastness by the Dwarves has taken a turn for the worse. In Rohan, king Brytta has retreated to Helm's Deep with most of his people. Only good new, the Orcs followed him and are breaking against the fortress' walls. Saruman of Isengard has been seen in the halls of Dunlending chieftains preparing a force to relieve the besieged fortress. He is surprisingly convincing.

Dol Guldur Silent: Mixed news for the Elves of Thranduil, the stronghold of Dol Guldur seems to be inactive. Not only watchers can see few signs of occupations but lady Galadriel confirms the presence of the Necromancer has waned as if he had departed the fastness. Thranduil asked for the support of the elves of Lorien to retake and purify the fortress. Galadriel will see what she can do.

The White Council Convenes: The Wise gather in Moria. Saruman the White asked for a reunion of the Council in earnest to discuss the workings of the Shadow and plans for the future. Elrond Half-elven, the Istari, Galadriel and envoys from the Havens are scheduled to attend. Gandalf and Saruman have hinted mortal men could also come.

It would have been nice for them to actually ask if you wanted to receive them but well…

Dream and Councils
Darkness surrounds you

The gloom is heavy as molten gold, echoing with a music of its own, a haunting tune so strong and deep you are not sure sometimes to hear it. Nothing exists for you but this rhythm and the burning need in your heart. You feel it despite the gloom like wounds who will never heal. Something is missing. Something very precious to you, something you desire to get back at any price. Plots, dreams, objectives. Everything fades when compared to the raw need, to the certitude this thing, this small thing where you put so much of yourself must return to your hand. You don't know where it lay and how to get it. The search is all there is for you and your closest servants.

You thought it had been taken from the river to the north and the heirs of he who took it from your finger had it as a treasure hidden away in their secret place. For this purpose and not for unimportant vengeance did you drive your chosen nine to make war on the land of kings until they devoured everything. Yet they found nothing even after turning each stone. Your spite guiding them they poisoned the land in retaliation of the false hope they felt. Now it would always remember them. Wraiths haunted barrows and defiled the flesh of dead king. Gloom similar to the darkness where you stand rules the night while monsters of flesh and bone bearing your own anger stalk the land. For such is the price of incurring your hatred for never mercy dwelt in your soul once you took your place near your master.

You searched for it beyond all horizons, thinking the river had kept it hidden. Alas it was not there too and your servants grew bold and restless. They were and are but shadows under your own but pride and amibition once burned in them and even after the city of the moon fell and one of the stones of Fëanor was given to your hands, they ruled openly the ruins of their blasphemy and made war without you having to command them. You were too busy looking into the stone like a great queen her mirror and bend your will and your purpose to the searching of the Ruling Ring who once adorned your finger. And it could have lasted centuries as such, it did last centuries.

But in the darkness a light was lit. Under stone you saw the birth of a great flame and it pierced the gloom of your thought. For the power who arose in might had once been near your home and familiarity brought many memories you had forgotten and you cursed your obsession. Your eye, always vigilant, turned back on your victories and the War you had led and found that many successes had been accomplished despite your obsession rather than thanks to it. Your enemies were many and your allies few and the foe who rose his head was not of those you could bury in a wave of lesser beings. Worse this brand cast by the Powers into the world changed everything by its own presence. The game changed, the rules changed, and you could no longer stand idle.

Like one awoke from a deep slumber was your mind and you counted your forces and found them lacking. Fire was lit in your heart and you decided to surprise your foes like you never could since your establishment in the Land of Shadow so long ago.

A thousand streams can sometimes be more dangerous than one mighty river after all.

And on that reflection you rise from your slumber and staggers awake for the dream was not filled with your thoughts but those of Sauron the Deceiver. How could you dream of his mind and the secret of his thoughts? Is it a gift of Lorien lord over dreams? Or a mark of the corruption you once shared. You will have to think of it in other time.

The White Council will arrive in a few weeks and their arrival makes you think you did not see if some of your people were ready to stand by themselves and even help you. That is a thing you will correct now. So you will search for advisors and students, you can trust.

So answer (1 in each category)

For a diplomat it is important to be
[] Passionate
[] Conciliant
[] Seeing the truth


For a Watcher (Intrigue) it is important to be
[] Able to use current ressources at their utmost
[] Experienced
[] Underestimated

Learning should be focused on
[] Technology
[] Learning from the past
[] Seeking new paths

For a general it is important to
[] Understand the enemy
[] Inspire the truth
[] Work with others

You have three Valar blessed, choose
[] Ulmo
[] Tulkas
[] Yavanna

For a steward it is important to be
[] Efficient
[] Working steadily
[] See the bigger picture