The White Council: part 4
ganonso
Compulsive Quest Starter
- Location
- PACA France
The White Council: part 4
The council is held in an ancient room near the place named Marzabul, near the place where in a future now impossible would have stood the tomb of Balin son of Fundin amidst the scattered bones of his last defenders. It's there you see how Moria, at least the part claimed by the Dwarves has changed in these few years. There is no darkness here for the eternal night is full of lamps of gold and torches of silver. What artifice they are using to avoid smoke, you don't know but to see the flames bright in their caskets of precious stones is heartening. The dust of ages has been swept and chisel and hammer have been hard at work. Statues of ancient lords look down from ancient pillars while arabesques of precious metal and frescoes of a thousand colors celebrate the deeds of the Dwarves of old. Nogrod and Belegost in the Blue Mountains whose lords were a bane to Morgoth's creatures and whose dying lord made Glaurung flee during the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. The splendor of Erebor ruined by Smaug the Golden, the battle at the East-Gate are also spread on the walls of the rooms, an history etched in stone in remembrance of wrongs yet to right and sated vengeance.
Never in the ages of the world was such a gathering made. For here stands all children of creation at the exception of the Tree-Herders. For the first children of the thought of Eru stand Curunir, Olorin and Aiwendil. For the Elves, Elrond and Galadriel and their retinues in all their magnificence. For the Dwarves are Thrain Lord of Khazad-Dum, his son young Thorin Oakenshield and Naïn. For mortal men came Braca of Dunland and Hassan of Harad and many others of fairer lineage. And for those who once walked in darkness but now come to light, you stand and Kzorg, and Prekk and Ilzog who are indeed the first Orcs ever to be admitted in the councils of the great. The occasion is auspicious indeed and you see interest flare in the eyes of your cohorts. The physical changes wrought upon your charges' conversion are slight but unmistakable to those in the gathering who hunted Orcs and their kindred. They are still ugly but the veil was lifted from their faces and their ugliness has turned to scars of years of pain and wrinkles from years of worry, rather than cruel sneers and the hate of Morgoth reflected in the eyes of his victims.
"Friends, fair lords and noble ladies and you all who fight against the Shadow wherever it lies." The voice of Saruman rises like the most melodious music you can dream of. "Let us welcome among us those who we had long thought beyond hope." He points to Braca and bows his head. "Braca of Dunland whose blood is of the Edaïn of Beleriand who is now beneath the waves." He points to Hassan and address a glance you don't manage to interpret to Gandalf who has brought him here. "Hassan of Harad whose people have languished long under the yoke of Sauron, whose people saw the islanders turn from compassion to greed and then to zeal in the service of Morgoth Bauglir." He looks at the Orcs and not only bows his head but when he raises it, you see the shadow of tears on his cheeks. "And of course, the Orcs, half of our hosts. My heart is heavy to see you for I see the marring Morgoth has inflicted upon you and yet he was long cast from the world when you were born. Be welcome to this gathering and others, Children of Eru, and don't despair. Evil yet be good will have been in the end."
"And yet evil remains," interjects Gandalf. "The crime of the birth of your race is not yours to bear and you have nothing to be forgiven for. Yet for all the wonder of your presence here, this council will speak of all matters of the world known to us and how to solve them"
Your ears ring still with the words of Saruman when the council begins in earnest. Children of Eru he has named your charges. The technically correct term for the Orcs had always be "Children of Melkor". Strange to see how a simple name can tell much about the willingness of the Chief of the Wise to welcome those you shepherd in the larger community.
Miriel's Tale
In the ruins of Arnor, ghastly things move about, remnants of an ancient fear. There is fire atop the Iron Mountains and something has driven the Orcs of Carn Dûm into a frenzy. Miriel of the Dunedain admit, to her shame, that not all of her people are content to wait for the moment to retake their ancient kingdom, not remembering the attempts who were made and ended in tragedy for the Shadow loathes the offspring of Isildur with a passion rarely seen. Some of these renegades consider their existence unworthy to what their bloodline deserves and in their heart at least they name themselves Black Numenoreans like those princes of the South who carry the taint of the last days of Numenor. Some of these renegades seem to have gathered in the northern wastes and somehow learned foul arts. The Orcs fear their masters more than they fear death and they gather ready to attack but that's not the worst.
Called by sorcery, ancient terrors have awakened anew. Near the town of Bree ancient corpses shuffle around in their barrows. The wights were already a known phenomenon as they were born of the Witch-King of Angmar's malice, calling fell spirits to inhabit the bones of the dead. Some unlucky captains and princes of Cardolan who tried to defend the graves of their ancestors were also of their number, their hearts pierced by Morgul-Blades. Now the Barrows Wights are no longer content to wait in their graves, protecting their hoards from trespassers. They range farther and farther and with them monsters with black wings sully the night and things even Miriel hesitate to name range the old forests.
Hassan's Tale
Hassan speak of Umbar the great port of the men of Numenor and of the nobles who live there. You are surprised to learn than the Haradrim in truth rule very little in Harad. They are slaves, some willingly but most held by fear of bloody retribution, of the aristocracy of the great harbor. Said aristocracy is composed of the descendants of the King's Men who had lived there since the Fall of Numenor and the noble Gondorian families who fled during the Kinstrife because they followed Castamir the Usurper. Needless to say they form a tightly-kit group. So insular indeed that Hassan claim they practice incest as a matter of course to keep the bloodlines pure. You are not sure about that, such canard is awfully widespread among humans. Yet even if it is an overstatement, it gets to the point. From what Lothiriel and he are saying the Umbari lords are the descendants of those who rebelled against the king of Gondor because said king's mother was not of Edaïn's lineage.
Chained to their masters' yoke, the Haradrim put their hopes in the prophesied return of one of their ancient queens. It was said she had united the tribes against the great city and founded, the now destroyed capital of Karnà in the southern sands. Unfortunately for them the legends were true and false. The shadowy being who came to Harad was indeed the lady Adunaphael, who unlike in most sightings of the Nazgûl announced loudly her title and claims. Unfortunately as the moniker of "Lady of the West" indicated she had been a Numenoreans in life (or in flesh, you don't know if the Ringwraiths are undead) and rather than unite the Haradrim under her rule, she promptly walked to Umbar and went directly to the great council chambers.
There, held by the terror of her gaze and her presence, the high lords of Umbar knelt before her and yielded the lordship of the harbor. According to what Hassan heard, some tried without success to kill her, only to discover the Nazgûls have ways to punish the impudent who dare to strike them. Adunaphael rules Umbar now but with a light hand, commanding only two things. The first is that the corsair fleet obeys to Sauron's interests whatever they may be. For the moment it seems nothing worse than light raiding on the coasts of Gondor and the transport of at least a Ringwraith to the southern continent of Morenor;
The second makes you all want to vomit. There is a new temple in Umbar now, or more exactly an ancient temple restored. Smoke rises through the roof spreading the stench across the city. They burn men and women alive there, and they burn them in sacrifice to Morgoth Bauglir power of corruption and hatred and of Sauron his messenger and avatar in Arda. The conceit of it boggles the mind. Sauron is of the Maïar but to be worshipped as he is apparently as Morgoth's equal? To receive sacrifices and offerings as only Eru should. Alas it is no jest for Hassan grimly recounts collectors from Umbar not only come to the Haradrim for taxes and youths to enlist in their armies but also for victims for their altars. Apparently some of the new priests have emerged from their dark rituals as mighty sorcerers.
You thank heartily all comers but now is the time to debate actions among the Wise themselves. What will your first subject of conversations
[] The Rings
[] Umbar
[] Arnor
[] Your projects for the Orcs
[] Write-in
Try at least to propose something Elrond, Gandalf and co could do to settle the problem.
The council is held in an ancient room near the place named Marzabul, near the place where in a future now impossible would have stood the tomb of Balin son of Fundin amidst the scattered bones of his last defenders. It's there you see how Moria, at least the part claimed by the Dwarves has changed in these few years. There is no darkness here for the eternal night is full of lamps of gold and torches of silver. What artifice they are using to avoid smoke, you don't know but to see the flames bright in their caskets of precious stones is heartening. The dust of ages has been swept and chisel and hammer have been hard at work. Statues of ancient lords look down from ancient pillars while arabesques of precious metal and frescoes of a thousand colors celebrate the deeds of the Dwarves of old. Nogrod and Belegost in the Blue Mountains whose lords were a bane to Morgoth's creatures and whose dying lord made Glaurung flee during the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. The splendor of Erebor ruined by Smaug the Golden, the battle at the East-Gate are also spread on the walls of the rooms, an history etched in stone in remembrance of wrongs yet to right and sated vengeance.
Never in the ages of the world was such a gathering made. For here stands all children of creation at the exception of the Tree-Herders. For the first children of the thought of Eru stand Curunir, Olorin and Aiwendil. For the Elves, Elrond and Galadriel and their retinues in all their magnificence. For the Dwarves are Thrain Lord of Khazad-Dum, his son young Thorin Oakenshield and Naïn. For mortal men came Braca of Dunland and Hassan of Harad and many others of fairer lineage. And for those who once walked in darkness but now come to light, you stand and Kzorg, and Prekk and Ilzog who are indeed the first Orcs ever to be admitted in the councils of the great. The occasion is auspicious indeed and you see interest flare in the eyes of your cohorts. The physical changes wrought upon your charges' conversion are slight but unmistakable to those in the gathering who hunted Orcs and their kindred. They are still ugly but the veil was lifted from their faces and their ugliness has turned to scars of years of pain and wrinkles from years of worry, rather than cruel sneers and the hate of Morgoth reflected in the eyes of his victims.
"Friends, fair lords and noble ladies and you all who fight against the Shadow wherever it lies." The voice of Saruman rises like the most melodious music you can dream of. "Let us welcome among us those who we had long thought beyond hope." He points to Braca and bows his head. "Braca of Dunland whose blood is of the Edaïn of Beleriand who is now beneath the waves." He points to Hassan and address a glance you don't manage to interpret to Gandalf who has brought him here. "Hassan of Harad whose people have languished long under the yoke of Sauron, whose people saw the islanders turn from compassion to greed and then to zeal in the service of Morgoth Bauglir." He looks at the Orcs and not only bows his head but when he raises it, you see the shadow of tears on his cheeks. "And of course, the Orcs, half of our hosts. My heart is heavy to see you for I see the marring Morgoth has inflicted upon you and yet he was long cast from the world when you were born. Be welcome to this gathering and others, Children of Eru, and don't despair. Evil yet be good will have been in the end."
"And yet evil remains," interjects Gandalf. "The crime of the birth of your race is not yours to bear and you have nothing to be forgiven for. Yet for all the wonder of your presence here, this council will speak of all matters of the world known to us and how to solve them"
Your ears ring still with the words of Saruman when the council begins in earnest. Children of Eru he has named your charges. The technically correct term for the Orcs had always be "Children of Melkor". Strange to see how a simple name can tell much about the willingness of the Chief of the Wise to welcome those you shepherd in the larger community.
Miriel's Tale
In the ruins of Arnor, ghastly things move about, remnants of an ancient fear. There is fire atop the Iron Mountains and something has driven the Orcs of Carn Dûm into a frenzy. Miriel of the Dunedain admit, to her shame, that not all of her people are content to wait for the moment to retake their ancient kingdom, not remembering the attempts who were made and ended in tragedy for the Shadow loathes the offspring of Isildur with a passion rarely seen. Some of these renegades consider their existence unworthy to what their bloodline deserves and in their heart at least they name themselves Black Numenoreans like those princes of the South who carry the taint of the last days of Numenor. Some of these renegades seem to have gathered in the northern wastes and somehow learned foul arts. The Orcs fear their masters more than they fear death and they gather ready to attack but that's not the worst.
Called by sorcery, ancient terrors have awakened anew. Near the town of Bree ancient corpses shuffle around in their barrows. The wights were already a known phenomenon as they were born of the Witch-King of Angmar's malice, calling fell spirits to inhabit the bones of the dead. Some unlucky captains and princes of Cardolan who tried to defend the graves of their ancestors were also of their number, their hearts pierced by Morgul-Blades. Now the Barrows Wights are no longer content to wait in their graves, protecting their hoards from trespassers. They range farther and farther and with them monsters with black wings sully the night and things even Miriel hesitate to name range the old forests.
Hassan's Tale
Hassan speak of Umbar the great port of the men of Numenor and of the nobles who live there. You are surprised to learn than the Haradrim in truth rule very little in Harad. They are slaves, some willingly but most held by fear of bloody retribution, of the aristocracy of the great harbor. Said aristocracy is composed of the descendants of the King's Men who had lived there since the Fall of Numenor and the noble Gondorian families who fled during the Kinstrife because they followed Castamir the Usurper. Needless to say they form a tightly-kit group. So insular indeed that Hassan claim they practice incest as a matter of course to keep the bloodlines pure. You are not sure about that, such canard is awfully widespread among humans. Yet even if it is an overstatement, it gets to the point. From what Lothiriel and he are saying the Umbari lords are the descendants of those who rebelled against the king of Gondor because said king's mother was not of Edaïn's lineage.
Chained to their masters' yoke, the Haradrim put their hopes in the prophesied return of one of their ancient queens. It was said she had united the tribes against the great city and founded, the now destroyed capital of Karnà in the southern sands. Unfortunately for them the legends were true and false. The shadowy being who came to Harad was indeed the lady Adunaphael, who unlike in most sightings of the Nazgûl announced loudly her title and claims. Unfortunately as the moniker of "Lady of the West" indicated she had been a Numenoreans in life (or in flesh, you don't know if the Ringwraiths are undead) and rather than unite the Haradrim under her rule, she promptly walked to Umbar and went directly to the great council chambers.
There, held by the terror of her gaze and her presence, the high lords of Umbar knelt before her and yielded the lordship of the harbor. According to what Hassan heard, some tried without success to kill her, only to discover the Nazgûls have ways to punish the impudent who dare to strike them. Adunaphael rules Umbar now but with a light hand, commanding only two things. The first is that the corsair fleet obeys to Sauron's interests whatever they may be. For the moment it seems nothing worse than light raiding on the coasts of Gondor and the transport of at least a Ringwraith to the southern continent of Morenor;
The second makes you all want to vomit. There is a new temple in Umbar now, or more exactly an ancient temple restored. Smoke rises through the roof spreading the stench across the city. They burn men and women alive there, and they burn them in sacrifice to Morgoth Bauglir power of corruption and hatred and of Sauron his messenger and avatar in Arda. The conceit of it boggles the mind. Sauron is of the Maïar but to be worshipped as he is apparently as Morgoth's equal? To receive sacrifices and offerings as only Eru should. Alas it is no jest for Hassan grimly recounts collectors from Umbar not only come to the Haradrim for taxes and youths to enlist in their armies but also for victims for their altars. Apparently some of the new priests have emerged from their dark rituals as mighty sorcerers.
You thank heartily all comers but now is the time to debate actions among the Wise themselves. What will your first subject of conversations
[] The Rings
[] Umbar
[] Arnor
[] Your projects for the Orcs
[] Write-in
Try at least to propose something Elrond, Gandalf and co could do to settle the problem.
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