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A Light from the Shadow (Tolkien CKII)

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The White Council: part 3 Morwen
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    • Morwen
    The lady standing before you is clad as she was going for war. She wields a shirt of ringed steel mail. A proper shirt of mail actually, this is not some ceremonial armor made for show or the grave. You don't know the customs of the world but having seen elven maids go with the men to the battles of Beleriand, it doesn't surprise you overmuch. She bears no helm but her mane of red hair and is fair of face and still the gaze is more attracted to the spear she carries in the back and the shield she wears openly. The device in it is strange at the first sight, a white horse with a mane like foam in a field of blue. Strange for someone coming from a kingdom who knows not the sea. Perhaps the memory of some forgotten birth beyond the hills. Amusingly there is no trace in her of the blood of Numenor, yet she is honored by the descendants of the sunken lands above the Dunlendings who were of the Edaïn which fought Morgoth in the First Age. This is no matter for you. You know there were other things in the world than the wars of Beleriand and don't doubt the origins of the Rohirimm could be interesting to students of lore. Still the irony is appreciated.

    She comes from Rohan realm of the horsemen. You've heard this story from Braca but the Rohirrim version is a bit different. She says that the land was given to Eorl the Young after an alliance with Gondor to fight the Wainriders who came from the East. The origins of the horse-lords are unknown and Morwen is far from a loremistress but she hints they too came from the East and fled there a dark king who died not, a lord of carrion who had power over the dead. Could it be that Sauron after his defeat in the Second Age resided among the ancestors of her people and that some, disgusted by its rule fled without turning back. It's what happened to the Edain in the days of Beleriand after all. Still Morwen describe a simple land of farmers whose ranches produce the finest steed in Middle-Earth and whose ways is simple warrior life where fighting is never far, be it against the Dunlendings or the Orcs of the mountains. The only two notable cities are Edoras and Helm's Deep, and the latter was not even built by the Rohirrim themselves. Yet for their lack of shine, they are of the Free people, worship Orome above all Valar and have always fought the servants of the Shadow.

    Morwen herself you are ambivalent with. You sense a fire within her, an enthusiasm but also a desire to command and order. She is competent enough, the daughter of a minor noble who didn't hesitate to gather her household and humble herself before Saruman, passing the Isen when the Orcs launched a last attack against her home. Still she wants revenge and being the last heir of her family, she expects to be respected as such. In some way, you are wary of her, for some of her traits are those who were Melkor's in the beginning. She has pledged herself to Saruman, in exchange for the safety of her family and that fealty weights on her and will weight heavier if she is forced to take arms against her people. You know it won't be the case, but she doesn't as she herself defended her house against Dunlendings raids in some occasions. Still she recognizes that, against the tide that descends from the mountains, Rohan needs all the help it can get.

    Where these Orcs come from, you know all too well. The war between them and the dwarves has driven them from their mountain's fastnesses. They think that in the lowlands and the plains, the dread Khazad won't follow them. It was a successful plan and indeed they roam the plains and have even threatened the capital until King Brytta made a fighting retreat for Helm's Deep. There he plans to let them break against the walls until winter come and then strike them as they are weakened by the cold.

    [] Write-in (If not the council will proceeds)
     
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    The Blue Wizards
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    • The Blue Wizards
    He had changed. He recognized and accepted that. There had been a time, not so long ago, where he had been consumed by the thought of defeat. He had seen the darkness deepening and his heart had not found the strength to believe it could be stopped by any other means. He had played with the thought of using the tools of the Shadow, those tools who seemed so strong, to his advantage. It was an error, he saw that now. These tools would have enslaved him and everything he cared about. Corruption had been Morgoth's purview and he had nearly managed to seduce himself in the enemy's service. Aulë would have been disappointed in him.

    Yet that was before the fire in the darkness, before the Valar showed they still cared about their servants, that nothing was lost forever. Nienna's intervention had managed to drag him from the edge of the abyss and for that he thanked the Mourner. Clad in white as was his right, Saruman, now looked at the Orthanc-stone with intentions he had nearly forgotten. For the Istari had been sent with a mission and his heart burned to see what the others were doing. He knew that Gandalf and Radagst were adrift in the world, seeking and fining sources of light to nurture while to him fell the duty of advising the mighty. But there were two others, two who had left long ago for their own missions. Curunir didn't know what they were doing and it stung at his heart he had forgotten his role as Chief of the Order. For all he knew Alatar and Pallando had been deprived of bodies and their essence sent back to Valinor in failure. For none of the Istari knew what exactly would happen if their illusionary hröa came to falter. The Valar had certainly not promised their flesh would be renewed.

    The misty depths of the orb of Féanor soon left places to landscapes quickly shifting to the South for Saruman first turned his thought to Alatar chosen of Oromë the hunter. He remembered vaguely he had told the others he was leaving for the south, to the lands where some of Morgoth's brood had fled after the wars of Beleriand. There he would hunt those monsters that plagued the land. Curunir had found the whole thing rather dull to be honest. Arnor was right there if Alatar had so pressing a need to chase and run and track but the other Istar would not be gainsaid.

    Images of jungle or forests, long vines and leaves that obscured the sun. Trees older than hills plunged their roots deep into the earth and opened their branches to receive leaves. Beasts of flesh and bone and shadow, some he would have called kin once but now were lost in the flesh. Each was unique, each was alone, maddened by their own solitude and forgotten grandeur. Spider huge as wolves weaving webs of shadow in the dark. Tribes of men who banded together to push back the old night. Gleaming mail and keen sword. Beyond the reaches of Harad, beyond the sea of sand and the great gulf. Many-stepped pyramids and altars smoking with blood. Prisoners taken to the clearings as offerings or bait. And in the middle, dancing, singing, fighting with sword and spear and bow, black of skin and robes of blue. Alatar the hunter spoke and cut and struck and led. His voice showed those who worshipped the shadow and those who fought against it but the vision refused to show who he opposed and who he supported. His face was carved in stone and smeared in blood and some offered sacrifice to his graven image and their voices spoke but a name in the high tongue and that name was not Alatar.

    It was Morinethar: Shadow-Slayer, hunter and stalker and killer.

    The vision turned East next, to the lands where Pallando chosen of Mandos had walked. He had said his mission was to free Man of the fear of death, Morgoth had infected them with. Considering that such fear had led Numenor to the watery grave and not few of the Nazgûls to their dark station, it was useful. Still to let him wander in the lands where Sauron had made his empire had not been easy.

    Images of forgotten temples and deep caves beneath the earth. Gatherings and ceremonies, and handshakes and secret signs. Silhouettes hanging above corpses, treating them with salt and spices and perfumes without price. Staves given and cups offered, teachings taught in secret or in the open. Gods whose many were but a faces for those spirits who had fallen, idols to one who could not hear prayers for his flesh had long become the prison of his essence. Sacrifices interrupted by blade and quick thinking. Apprentices, mortal magicians, mortal who heard now the Music even dimly. Orders against cults, faith against faith and in the middle the image of the blue man, always speaking, always teaching, always fleeing and promising to come back, telling the ancient stories, denouncing the ancient lies, even to those who had refused the Call of Mandos, even to these spirits who had embraced the Shadow and existed without flesh.

    And a name often repeated in awe. Rómestámo: East-Helper

    Saruman tore himself from the flow of images. They would need to be interpreted but they at least proved his brethren were alive. So as he descended to the forges in the caverns of Isengard, he mentally corrected the proportions.

    He would indeed need to forge six swords even if two of them would remain ungifted for some time.
     
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    • The White Council: part 4
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    • 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.
    Adhoc vote count started by ganonso on Nov 20, 2017 at 6:14 AM, finished with 1520 posts and 10 votes.
    • [X] Plan Sesquipedalian Loquaciousness
      [X] Arnor
      -[X] Offer to go to the Barrow Downs and take care of the Wights there, personally and permanently. Confer with Miriel as to how widespread the wights are and choose backup from among the Elves, Men and Dwarves as available. Preferably some Lothlorien Elves, plus some Dunedain to act as guides and trackers, given that it's their region and they know it best. With proper manpower, you should still be able to spend a fair bit of time in Moria seeing to your people.
      -[X] Meanwhile, Imladris should work with Miriel to scout the northern lands and see how much of the area can be immediately secured and if a front can or should be preemptively established North of the Angle. Whatever happens in the Barrow Downs will either reveal Nazgul presence or, if absent, indicate that it's actually in the North where the Witch King (or whoever else) are working from at present. One of the Istari or Glorfindel may need to be involved in this.
      -[X] Meanwhile, steps could be taken to make Arnor properly habitable again, starting with Enedwaith. Whatever stasis is on the land, whether because of the Rule of Ringbearers in ancient times or the Witch King's last act of spite, or both, should be lifted and the land made ready to resettle. As it is now, it's all just going to waste. Any two Istari and perhaps Glorfindel should take lead on this. They can take a time to weigh odds and what effort would be required to achieve this, as well as provide a time frame for what will clearly be a long-term, concerted effort. It should be possible to do in stages (Enedwaith and Minhiriath should get priority).
      -[X] By next year, you should have finished dealing with the Barrow Wights and the situation North will be sufficiently scouted. At that point, the decision can be taken to either wage war in the North, or start a concerted effort between Dunedain and Rivendell, or the Grey Havens by the West, to see the ethereal threats dealt with and gloom banished.
      -[X] Long-term, once Enedwaith, at the very least, is cleansed and made ready, the area would make a good place to establish anyone if they agree to abide by the law and custom of Arnor. Perhaps thoughts should be given to the idea of letting the Dunlendings settle there, under Dunedain supervision and guidance. Pacts can be drafted to ensure the claim of the Dunedain on Arnor is maintained, while also removing the Dunlendings from being a threat to Rohan, who are dealing with enough problems due to the Orcs assailing them right now.
      --[X] Perhaps some of the less reclusive elves could take over from Radagast and teach Dunlendings how to make better tools and use their land to the fullest? Then Radagast could help with the cleansing of the gloom upon Arnor, even as the Dunlendings would learn better living and how to better use their existing lands no matter what happens later. Contingent on them stopping the feud with Rohan of course.
      -[X] In any case, immediate action should be taken regarding the Harad situation as well. Perhaps start by sending spies and establishing an underground movement to rescue people and support rebellion? It would probably be difficult if the skin tone and bearing is so very different between the North people and theirs though. Deliver weapons? The lack of means to fight back historically makes the difference between a snuffed rebellion and a successful revolution. All that remains is to figure out who can make and deliver the weapons, and who to deliver them to.
      --[X] Long-term, Umbar will probably have to be dealt with and its power broken before Harad can act freely. A rebellion in Harad might have to be staged while a Fellowship of Heroes ventures into Umbar to hunt down and eradicate the Sauron cult.
      -[X] You yourself would be best positioned to debunk Sauron's claims of divinity, being the closest thing to a peer currently walking the world, but it is too soon to forsake your responsibilities to the newest Children of Eru. Additionally, you are not blind to the possibility of Adunaphael's open activities being a blatant attempt to draw you and the other powers out. The possibility of Unhoused umaiar fleeing south in the wake of Arnor's cleansing is also worth considering: it would do the most good, perhaps, if you were in Harad or Umbar at the same time as the Unhoused flee in that direction, if they do, so that you can deal with them and any sorcerers they bind themselves to if it comes down to it.
      [X] The Rings
      [x] Your projects for the Orcs
      [X] Plan Sesquipedalian Loquaciousness
    Click to expand...

    Adhoc vote count started by ganonso on Nov 20, 2017 at 6:29 AM, finished with 128 posts and 31 votes.
    • [X] One after the other
      [X] Plan Sesquipedalian Loquaciousness
      [X] Arnor
      -[X] Offer to go to the Barrow Downs and take care of the Wights there, personally and permanently. Confer with Miriel as to how widespread the wights are and choose backup from among the Elves, Men and Dwarves as available. Preferably some Lothlorien Elves, plus some Dunedain to act as guides and trackers, given that it's their region and they know it best. With proper manpower, you should still be able to spend a fair bit of time in Moria seeing to your people.
      -[X] Meanwhile, Imladris should work with Miriel to scout the northern lands and see how much of the area can be immediately secured and if a front can or should be preemptively established North of the Angle. Whatever happens in the Barrow Downs will either reveal Nazgul presence or, if absent, indicate that it's actually in the North where the Witch King (or whoever else) are working from at present. One of the Istari or Glorfindel may need to be involved in this.
      -[X] Meanwhile, steps could be taken to make Arnor properly habitable again, starting with Enedwaith. Whatever stasis is on the land, whether because of the Rule of Ringbearers in ancient times or the Witch King's last act of spite, or both, should be lifted and the land made ready to resettle. As it is now, it's all just going to waste. Any two Istari and perhaps Glorfindel should take lead on this. They can take a time to weigh odds and what effort would be required to achieve this, as well as provide a time frame for what will clearly be a long-term, concerted effort. It should be possible to do in stages (Enedwaith and Minhiriath should get priority).
      -[X] By next year, you should have finished dealing with the Barrow Wights and the situation North will be sufficiently scouted. At that point, the decision can be taken to either wage war in the North, or start a concerted effort between Dunedain and Rivendell, or the Grey Havens by the West, to see the ethereal threats dealt with and gloom banished.
      -[X] Long-term, once Enedwaith, at the very least, is cleansed and made ready, the area would make a good place to establish anyone if they agree to abide by the law and custom of Arnor. Perhaps thoughts should be given to the idea of letting the Dunlendings settle there, under Dunedain supervision and guidance. Pacts can be drafted to ensure the claim of the Dunedain on Arnor is maintained, while also removing the Dunlendings from being a threat to Rohan, who are dealing with enough problems due to the Orcs assailing them right now.
      --[X] Perhaps some of the less reclusive elves could take over from Radagast and teach Dunlendings how to make better tools and use their land to the fullest? Then Radagast could help with the cleansing of the gloom upon Arnor, even as the Dunlendings would learn better living and how to better use their existing lands no matter what happens later. Contingent on them stopping the feud with Rohan of course.
      -[X] In any case, immediate action should be taken regarding the Harad situation as well. Perhaps start by sending spies and establishing an underground movement to rescue people and support rebellion? It would probably be difficult if the skin tone and bearing is so very different between the North people and theirs though. Deliver weapons? The lack of means to fight back historically makes the difference between a snuffed rebellion and a successful revolution. All that remains is to figure out who can make and deliver the weapons, and who to deliver them to.
      --[X] Long-term, Umbar will probably have to be dealt with and its power broken before Harad can act freely. A rebellion in Harad might have to be staged while a Fellowship of Heroes ventures into Umbar to hunt down and eradicate the Sauron cult.
      -[X] You yourself would be best positioned to debunk Sauron's claims of divinity, being the closest thing to a peer currently walking the world, but it is too soon to forsake your responsibilities to the newest Children of Eru. Additionally, you are not blind to the possibility of Adunaphael's open activities being a blatant attempt to draw you and the other powers out. The possibility of Unhoused umaiar fleeing south in the wake of Arnor's cleansing is also worth considering: it would do the most good, perhaps, if you were in Harad or Umbar at the same time as the Unhoused flee in that direction, if they do, so that you can deal with them and any sorcerers they bind themselves to if it comes down to it.
      [X] The Rings
      [X] Braca
      [X] Hassan
      [X] pass to Morwen
      [x] Your projects for the Orcs
      [X] Plan Sesquipedalian Loquaciousness
      [X] Hassan
      [X] Gandalf
      [X] Gandalf
      [X] Miriel
      [X] Sauron has stopped to only search for the Ring and now bend his will towards war
      -[X] Discuss options: Defensive alliance, preemtive attack on Minas Morgul or Dol Guldur, putting our own efforts towards finding the Ring to make sure it is denied to the foe? What are our priorities, without those any resistance will be in pieces to be easily swallowed for the enemy?
      [X] Braca
      [X] Hassan
      [x] The reintroduction of the Men of Dunland into the wider stage, and a clear defining of their territories for future diplomatic purposes.
      [x] The 'Evil' that Hassan claims has risen in the south. Anything involving the Black Numenorean bears discussion.
      [x] The condition of the orcs present and the efforts being made.
      [X] Braca
      [X] Morwen
      [x] The reintroduction of the Men of Dunland into the wider stage, and a clear defining of their territories for future diplomatic purposes.
      [x] The 'Evil' that Hassan claims has risen in the south. Anything involving the Black Numenorean bears discussion.
      [x] The condition of the orcs present and the efforts being made.
      [X] About our dream and what could it mean about Sauron's plans
      [X] Braca
      [X] Hassan
      [x] The warning dream you have had. Sauron clearly must be dealt with.
      [x] The reintroduction of the Men of Dunland into the wider stage, and a clear defining of their territories for future diplomatic purposes.
      [x] The 'Evil' that Hassan claims has risen in the south. Anything involving the Black Numenorean bears discussion.
      [x] The condition of the orcs present and the efforts being made.
      [x] The stories of returned heroes and kings and how they're undoubtedly Sauron's Nazgul.
      -[x] Use this lead-in to touch on the issue of the rings and how the whole business of trapping the Fea in the Hroa works. Ask Saruman to offer any insight into the implications.
      --[x] Use our shiny diplomacy stat to make sure Thrain's sensibilities aren't trampled over or his honor besmirched. Also make sure Gandalf doesn't butt in needlessly, or at least doesn't cut Saruman off as he seemed prone to do when he is concerned.
      [x] Any issues the others wish to raise.
      [X] Braca
      [X] Hassan
      [X] Morwen
      [x] The warning dream you have had. Sauron clearly must be dealt with.
      [x] The reintroduction of the Men of Dunland into the wider stage, and a clear defining of their territories for future diplomatic purposes.
      [x] The 'Evil' that Hassan claims has risen in the south. Anything involving the Black Numenorean bears discussion.
      [x] The condition of the orcs present and the efforts being made.
      [x] The stories of returned heroes and kings and how they're undoubtedly Sauron's Nazgul.
      -[x] Use this lead-in to touch on the issue of the rings and how the whole business of trapping the Fea in the Hroa works. Ask Saruman to offer any insight into the implications.
      --[x] Use our shiny diplomacy stat to make sure Thrain's sensibilities aren't trampled over or his honor besmirched. Also make sure Gandalf doesn't butt in needlessly, or at least doesn't cut Saruman off as he seemed prone to do when he is concerned.
      [x] Any issues the others wish to raise.
      [X] Gandalf
      [X] Miriel
      [X] Sauron has stopped to only search for the Ring and now bend his will towards war
      -[X] Discuss options: Defensive alliance, preemtive attack on Minas Morgul or Dol Guldur, putting our own efforts towards finding the Ring to make sure it is denied to the foe? What are our priorities, without those any resistance will be in pieces to be easily swallowed for the enemy?
      [x] Saruman
      [x] Braca and Morwen together
      [X] About our dream and what could it mean about Sauron's plans
      [X] Together
    Click to expand...

    Adhoc vote count started by ganonso on Nov 20, 2017 at 6:30 AM, finished with 1520 posts and 10 votes.
    • [X] Plan Sesquipedalian Loquaciousness
      [X] Arnor
      -[X] Offer to go to the Barrow Downs and take care of the Wights there, personally and permanently. Confer with Miriel as to how widespread the wights are and choose backup from among the Elves, Men and Dwarves as available. Preferably some Lothlorien Elves, plus some Dunedain to act as guides and trackers, given that it's their region and they know it best. With proper manpower, you should still be able to spend a fair bit of time in Moria seeing to your people.
      -[X] Meanwhile, Imladris should work with Miriel to scout the northern lands and see how much of the area can be immediately secured and if a front can or should be preemptively established North of the Angle. Whatever happens in the Barrow Downs will either reveal Nazgul presence or, if absent, indicate that it's actually in the North where the Witch King (or whoever else) are working from at present. One of the Istari or Glorfindel may need to be involved in this.
      -[X] Meanwhile, steps could be taken to make Arnor properly habitable again, starting with Enedwaith. Whatever stasis is on the land, whether because of the Rule of Ringbearers in ancient times or the Witch King's last act of spite, or both, should be lifted and the land made ready to resettle. As it is now, it's all just going to waste. Any two Istari and perhaps Glorfindel should take lead on this. They can take a time to weigh odds and what effort would be required to achieve this, as well as provide a time frame for what will clearly be a long-term, concerted effort. It should be possible to do in stages (Enedwaith and Minhiriath should get priority).
      -[X] By next year, you should have finished dealing with the Barrow Wights and the situation North will be sufficiently scouted. At that point, the decision can be taken to either wage war in the North, or start a concerted effort between Dunedain and Rivendell, or the Grey Havens by the West, to see the ethereal threats dealt with and gloom banished.
      -[X] Long-term, once Enedwaith, at the very least, is cleansed and made ready, the area would make a good place to establish anyone if they agree to abide by the law and custom of Arnor. Perhaps thoughts should be given to the idea of letting the Dunlendings settle there, under Dunedain supervision and guidance. Pacts can be drafted to ensure the claim of the Dunedain on Arnor is maintained, while also removing the Dunlendings from being a threat to Rohan, who are dealing with enough problems due to the Orcs assailing them right now.
      --[X] Perhaps some of the less reclusive elves could take over from Radagast and teach Dunlendings how to make better tools and use their land to the fullest? Then Radagast could help with the cleansing of the gloom upon Arnor, even as the Dunlendings would learn better living and how to better use their existing lands no matter what happens later. Contingent on them stopping the feud with Rohan of course.
      -[X] In any case, immediate action should be taken regarding the Harad situation as well. Perhaps start by sending spies and establishing an underground movement to rescue people and support rebellion? It would probably be difficult if the skin tone and bearing is so very different between the North people and theirs though. Deliver weapons? The lack of means to fight back historically makes the difference between a snuffed rebellion and a successful revolution. All that remains is to figure out who can make and deliver the weapons, and who to deliver them to.
      --[X] Long-term, Umbar will probably have to be dealt with and its power broken before Harad can act freely. A rebellion in Harad might have to be staged while a Fellowship of Heroes ventures into Umbar to hunt down and eradicate the Sauron cult.
      -[X] You yourself would be best positioned to debunk Sauron's claims of divinity, being the closest thing to a peer currently walking the world, but it is too soon to forsake your responsibilities to the newest Children of Eru. Additionally, you are not blind to the possibility of Adunaphael's open activities being a blatant attempt to draw you and the other powers out. The possibility of Unhoused umaiar fleeing south in the wake of Arnor's cleansing is also worth considering: it would do the most good, perhaps, if you were in Harad or Umbar at the same time as the Unhoused flee in that direction, if they do, so that you can deal with them and any sorcerers they bind themselves to if it comes down to it.
      [X] The Rings
      [x] Your projects for the Orcs
      [X] Plan Sesquipedalian Loquaciousness
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    The Lord of the Nazgul, First of the Nine
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    • Karmic Acumen said:
    Are they better than Glamdring?

    Also: if we recover some of the Barrow Blades, could Saruman reverse-engineer the magic on them and give us more Anti-Witch-King weapons? If men could make them, a wizard ought to manage, right?
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    They are at the same level of Glamdring (who was after all the sword of either Echtelion of the Fountain or Turgon himself). Even in Istar-form Saruman is the equal of Noldorin smith.

    He could do that yes.

    The Lord of the Nazgul, First of the Nine
    The Wise don't know all ends and all beginnings and the Nine Ringwraiths are a difficult subject to pursue. Wraiths they are and even in their first appearance as captains of the hosts of Mordor and eternal kings of men, they wore masks of steel and closed helmets, the void of their unseen bodies concealed by armor or thick clothing and enchantments. Three of them are women by instance but you wouldn't know it by looking at their visible forms and only one who is able to see the Unseen would know it at first glance. Their names are forgotten, spoken not upon the earth, swallowed by the darkness who has given birth to them, buried under time who has drowned many chronicles. Yet here what is known on the Lord of the Nazgul, First of the Nine and Most Fell Captain of the Dark Tower.

    He was born Lomion "son of twilight" to king Tar-Minastir and his wife in the fair city of Armenelos. Most chronicles would say it was ere the Shadow fell under the great isle but Tar-Minastir had succeded his aunt and her own father had taken the Scepter since his two elder sisters refused it. Such strange happenings were the bitter fruits of the discontentment between Aldarion and Erendis where night first tainted Numenor's delight. He had no chance to ascend to the throne and perhaps in the beginning he had no desire to it, wishing only to leave the island and go to Middle-Earth, a wish his father granted. There he explored and as the descendant of Luthien he learned the arts of the Elves as well as he could until not permitted knowledge could fill the hunger of his mind. He sent comforting messages to his kin but he passed into the East and met with Sauron who was still under a fair guise. He learned from him all a Man could and so great was his thirst for evil knowledge he was granted the first of the Nine Rings of Power.

    He came back at last to Numenor and there affected great love and fidelity to his brother the future Tar-Ciryatan. And indeed, not all of it was false for Lomion thought to use the arts of the Shadow against it or at least for the betterment of his people. He had but few use for the Ring's power of invisibility even if it granted him knowledge of secrets unknown to mortal men. He was keen of sight and of hearing, seeing much of the thoughts of lesser men and mighty had grown the power of his voice. So subtly he courted his brother they conspired together to make Tar-Minastir forsake the Scepter ere he was ready and yield it to Ciryatan. There he remained in his brother's court pouring poison into all ears, poison brewed in his heart and stirred by the Ring.

    Late in the days of Tar-Atanamir when the Numenorean first talked openly against the Ban and the will of the Valar, Lomion who had taken the name Murazor "Black Prince" and involved himself with what would become the King's Men was forced to flee the isle. He had taken the Ring in his youth and was of line of Elros but he had been born ere the 1700th year of the Second Age and it was now the years 2200. He had lived more than five hundred years, more than the time allotted to even the line of kings. Yet the Ring did not gave him youth and more and more he yielded his body to the Unseen. At the end, he knew what he had become and knew his kinsmen would not tolerate him. He fled and passed into shadows where he fell under the eye of Sauron. His will spent at last he knelt before the Lord of the Rings and joined the other Nazgul, the first to have received a Great Ring and the last to forsake his mortal flesh.

    He took the command of the hosts of Barad-Dur and while his lord was working his wiles in Numenor itself, after the Shadow he had sown freely the seeds of had given his last bitter fruit in Ar-Pharazon the golden. When Numenor was foundered under the sea he opposed those Faithful Kingdoms who had rose in Middle-Earth. His efforts, as well as the rest of the Nine's were in vain for the Ulaïri were defeated on the plains of Dagorlad and then on the slopes of Mount Doom where they formed Sauron's personal guard. It is said that he, who had been the first of the King's Men, was struck down by Elendil the Tall moments before the Ring was cut from Sauron's finger. For more than a thousand years none heard of the Lord of the Nazgul.

    The Wise are not of the same mind on the Nine's relationship with Sauron. It seems that when the Dark Lord took visible form anew, he forced the Nazgul to yield their Rings to him, keeping them in thrall despite lacking the One. Yet those who think the power of the Enemy is needed to let his most powerful servants go freely are at a loss to explain how in the 1300th year of the Third Age the Lord of the Nazgul appeared in the northern wastes of Angmar accompanied by at least three of the Nine (probably the other two Numenorean Nazgul and Hommurath of Dir) while his master resided many leagues to the South-East in Dol Guldur. There the Black Captain raised the walls of Carn Dûm and united the Orcs of the mountains and the evil men that dwelt in the wastes, not only hill-men like it is told in the chronicles but many of Arnor's own Dunedains who became Black Numenoreans in all but name. Those renegades rose high in the Witch-King's ,as he titled himself, esteem for in his lifeless heart burned still contempt for those not of Edain's blood and lineage. This perverse loyalty was demonstrated later when the post of Lieutenant of Minas Morgul was always given to Men and not Orcs and so until the last of them who had taken the name Gothmog died in the battle of Pelennor Fields.

    For six hundred years the Witch-King and the wraiths with him ruled Angmar and strove, first in secret and then openly against the kingdoms born of Arnor's division. In the end he was victorious, but his triumph tasted hollow for he found neither the Ring his lord believed to have been carried by Isildur's heirs and hidden somewhere in their realm, nor the Palantirii of the North who were either drowned with Arthedain's last king or hidden by the elves. His vengeance was then spent on the land as he knew he could not hold against the coming counter-offensive of the elves of Rivendell and the hosts of Gondor. Fell spirits, the least of the Umaïa but still formidable to any mortal being were summoned and the land filled with horrors as the demons were invited to possess beasts and trees and warp the countryside at their liking. Wolves came down from the mountains and hunted Arnor's refugees with near-human zeal. Even Arnor's past was not safe for the corpses of her kings became hosts for wights and wraiths who drove all who thought to find shelter among the graves of the Barrow-downs to fearful death.

    The Lord of the Nazgul managed to rule only a year in ravaged Fornost but it mattered little to him. He returned to Mordor where Orcs had long bred in the caves of the mountains or the plains of Gorgoroth. He emerged at the head of the Nine and with an impressive army and laid siege to Minas Ithil, taking it after a siege of two years. In the 2002nd year of the Third Age, the Witch King was enthroned in the newly-christened Minas Morgul and killed in single combat Earnur of Gondor.

    Since then he had bedeviled the folks of Gondor and led the wars from there. Some of the Wise thought the Nine were also ruling Dol Guldur but recent revelations will show that Sauron was more probably residing in the citadel until recently.
     
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    • The White Council : Part 5
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    • The White Council : Part 5
    "Looking at this map, I feel as if I stared many blazes going without even beginning to fathom which put down first."

    Your remark elicits smiles from the gathering of the Wise. You suspect for them it is far from the first time they had to choose which attack counter first and what strength lend to each counter-assaults. Long was their war against the Shadow, indeed for Celeborn it began ere sun and moon were born for his axe was bloodied in the battle under the stars when no great light shone in the heavens. How many defeats who seemed to leave no hope? How many victories which proved hollow? You repress a grumble and concentrate on the map on the table, festooned with figurines of wax representing probable position of armies.

    "Let us see first what the worst situation according to our knowledge would be" begins Saruman with no enchantment in his voice. He softly caresses the northern tip of the Misty Mountains. "One of the Nine is in Angmar and prepares to finish what was started long ago. Their targets would of course be the Dunedain but also Imladris and perhaps even the Havens and the holds of the Blue Mountains. Such a victory would give the North to Sauron."

    "The whole thing reeks of a pincer movement" interjects Celeborn. "Someone in Angmar for the North, the Daughter of the West in the South and perhaps even the Orcs in Rohan if he sends one of the Nine to muster and order them. If this is the Enemy's plan he will be able to strike Gondor from three directions and deprive her of allies."

    "And that without mentioning any legions coming from Minas Morgul", adds Gandalf. "I foresee a similar strategy against the Wood Elves. The Dragon will be swayed to Sauron's will and even without that Thranduil will be assailed by the Easterlings and perhaps even by forces hidden in Dol Guldur" He looks at the path he envisions. "It would be no easy feat but an army could pass the Morannon and the Brown Lands to retake the citadel if it was abandoned."

    Seeing your expressions hearing all these omens of disaster Galadriel laughs sweetly: "Do not worry friend. We examine what horrors would come to pass before seeing what we can do about it." She examines the map a moment: "Thanks to your holding of Moria with Thrain we do not have a fierce foe on our western border. While I remain in Lorien, only the Dark Lord himself could wrest the realm for me. So a force can be sent to cast down the walls of Dol Guldur and lay bare its pits. If we coordinate with Thranduil we can cast the Shadow from Mirkwood."

    "Beware still what could lurk in the fortress," begins Saruman with a somewhat embarrassed tone. "I fear we have all been misled in this matter. We thought the evil there the mask the Nine fashioned for themselves but I deem now the Necromancer was Sauron himself." He prevents the questions who are sure to arise. "I did not look to Dol Guldur itself but I bent the stone of Elendil to the Gladden Fields. There were Orcs there. Orcs who searched both the shore and Anduin herself." He pauses, concern eclipsing wisdom on his face. "I think they sought the Ruling Ring."

    The Ring, always the Ring. Most fell and wondrous work of Sauron. With the Ring at his finger, nothing could keep him from regaining his erstwhile strength and there you don't know if you could fight him power to power. The hierarchy of Angband deemed you and the others Valaraukars the equal of Sauron in the eyes of Morgoth but from what you gathered the Ring strengthened him as long as he had it in his possession. Your only chance is that it was lost long ago.

    "Let us imagine the Ring is still in the River," you begin. Even that is not sure, for all you know it was swallowed by a fish long ago or swam the currents to the Sea and there rolled into forgotten abysses. If that's the case you must find a way to bind Sauron himself. Perhaps Saruman and Galadriel and the rest of the Noldor present in Middle-Earth could fashion chains strong enough and then you would sail to the West with your prisoner in tow. Once in Aman, you have no fear Mandos can imprison him for judgement and cast him beyond the Door of Night to join Morgoth in exile. "Even if I agree keeping Sauron for searching the surroundings is good, we can't search for it ourselves. I would be more comfortable seeking a needle in a haystack than a single band of plain gold among all the stones of the riverbed."

    "Of that we agree" says dryly Gandalf. "The Ring will come in the open or not but before that, seeking it would be folly."

    Saruman agrees to the surprise of all gathered. "The Ring", says he "belongs to Sauron and contain his essence, thus to use it against him would be perilous even in victory. I toyed with the idea of creating our own Ring but without at least a Great Ring to examine I wouldn't attempt it."

    "Let's return to more pressing matters" interjects Elrond, a bit quickly for your taste. Apparently, the keepers of the Three are not hasty to let the Aulendil examine their jewels. "It grieves my heart to let the Southrons to the mercy of an Ulair, but the fact remains Arnor is closest to all our domains. What can we do? The forces of Imladris can ride against visible foes but even Glorfindel can't hunt spirits in their dens. Indeed his presence would alert our foes and they would not give him battle."

    You have nourished an idea, a daring plan during the council and the discussions and you feel now is the moment of pushing it.

    "I will go even if I deem it best if another of the Istari would come with me. The source of Arnor's defilement seems to lie among the barrows of their tombs. If we could drive the wights there beyond the sundering seas, we would remove the gloom that keep Isildur's heirs to retake their kingdom. Eriador needs not to languish desolate a thousand year and more from the great plague that slew so many of the people there."

    Elrond is not that opposed to the idea. The Dunedain will help you along the paths of fallen Cardolan and Radagast will be at your side as well as Gandalf for the trees of the Old Forest have grown dark and wicked with the ages. Even the Dunedain Rangers will find the forest wrathful and the paths difficult. During this time, the Rangers and the folk of Imladris will investigate if Angmar has indeed risen anew. Perhaps an assault on Carn Dum will have to be improvised to cast down the Nazgul there and the evil men that form his retinue.

    To not let the forces of the Shadow regain any footing, your purge of your Barrows-down will occur at the same time an host will issue from the Golden Wood and Thranduil from his halls. If Dol Guldur is not occupied, it will be utterly destroyed. If not Galadriel herself will come to offer battle to the evil within. With any luck Amon Lanc will be raised again.

    Saruman's task will be in Rohan where all his art and diplomacy will be needed to lead the Dunlendings against the Orcs at Helm's Deep. Afterwards, if your purge is successful the Dunlendings will be urged to settle into Enedwaith and the White Wizard will try to unite them into a realm who at least will not bedevil Gondor northern borders.

    That leaves Umbar and Harad. There is not many things you can do there. Elrond will send some of the Dunedain raised in Rivendell. They will pass for Black Numenoreans and try to impede the harbor and the oppression of the Haradrim as well as they could. Hassan and his people will have the option of running north as Lothiriel of Dol Amroth promised to give her all to open the borders of the Princehood to them.

    The meeting concludes with gifts for Saruman comes to the other Istari with gifts from his hands. For the Maïar are going to war like in the days of yore and thus you will have need of weapons. This is also a sign of friendship as the blades' birth were accompanied by Saruman's fiery song. Yours is Oravengil, the Sword of Mercy. Gandalf's is Rilestel, the Flame of Hope, Radagast wields Vercatùré, the Strength of the Wild. Yes Saruman reaffirms his leadership in naming his Minyengil, Sword of the First but it is plain to see the blades are equal. Like Noldorin blades of old they glow in the presence of evil and their enchantments are strong against the creatures of the Shadow.

    You are glad their touch do not burn you. Now only a choice remains.

    Will you take some of your best Orcs to accompany you to the Barrow-downs (and thus meet Dunedains)

    [] Yes
    [] No
    Adhoc vote count started by ganonso on Nov 20, 2017 at 5:00 PM, finished with 1542 posts and 11 votes.
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    • Tolkienian Magic
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    • Tolkienian Magic
    Magic in the Legendarium is a complicated matter. Notwithstanding that, like in all things, Tolkien oft changed his mind on what magic was able of and more importantly for our discussion on who is able to wield magic, the Legendarium is meant to have been written by Hobbits who are prone to label everything they don't understand "magic". Galadriel herself is not sure why the same word is employed for the arts of the elves and the deceits of the enemy. Yet magic certainly exists in Arda, even in the form we know of. The elves of Nargothrond and the Green Elves are said to have defended their hidden fortresses by spell and poisoned darts and Gandalf once knew all spells of closing and opening in the tongues of Elf, Man and Orc.

    So what is magic. Well we are going to make a distinction between Magic and Sorcery there. The latter being used only to express what Morgoth and Sauron and the rest of the Umaïar do and teach.

    The first form of magic is simply some innate ability of the wielder. The elvish féa, their soul, is able to exert itself at some distance, acting in the Unseen world. Thus, they are able of little miracles according to human standards like seeing in the minds of others and spying the pattern of their thoughts. In the lords and ladies of the Calaquendi who saw the light that was before the sun and moon, this power can take impressive proportions indeed. While Galadriel's control over Lorien is enhanced by her mastery over Nenya, she would be able to forbid the borders of her domain even without the Ring of Water as she is simply sending her féa outwards, making it an obstacle for any who would penetrate it. The Valar and Maïar beings built entirely of spiritual matters are able to exert their might beyond the boundaries of distance and Morgoth claimed that even the shadow of his thoughts could have tangible effects for the people he hated.

    Now that form of magic is exclusively the province of an immortal, or someone whose féa has been unnaturally tied to their hroa or body. For mortals are born to leave the world and are not bound to it like the Powers and the Firstborn (That doesn't mean you can't make predictions about Men but they are always able to act against them). I count the Dwarves among the Immortals because even if they die of old age their féa seems to abide in the world, as they think they are meant to dwell in separate halls in Mandos. Still the main use of their féa seems to be infusion into items.

    Men, like any other living creatures can use spells. Spells are reflections of the Great Music who came before the world. They are harmonics who can change the world for after all on some level Arda is music. When Tom Bombadil declares "His songs are stronger songs" he is boasting of his superiority in magic. Such spells can be learned even by a mortal but it requires a life to be able to manage more than small effects and even then such magic tends to enhances things rather than create them. A blessing pronounced upon a batch of athelas would increase its curative proprieties while a group of adepts could chant to banish a wight. The lesser the adept, the stricter the rhythm of their spells should be. (I'm not going to do that but imagine all spells by normal humans must be in iambic pentameter or some other closed verse)

    There I would make Dwarves a mid-point between Men and Elves, while they learn spells quicker than Men and have more people able to do "magic", their spells are only reflecting the Music of their creator Aulë and the themes and objects found therein. There again, craft would be the most common use for these spells. Something like chants to be sung over the forge to bless the item you are making or the like.

    The third and last wholesome form of magic is Craft. All thinking beings were given the Sacred Fire by Eru. The Dwarves were adopted by the creator and whatever Morgoth did to create the Orcs he couldn't touch the divine flame within them just like he couldn't give it to anything he created rather than twisted into being. This flame means every living creature have the power to sub-created and there comes the magic of craft. A part of the essence of the crafter can pass through them to the item they forge. This is not like the One Ring but rather like the lifeforce of Miriel passed to her son Féanor. Even Men can create such masterworks but only once in their lives and after they can't make them no more. Most renowned weapons are the products of this and of spells.

    And then there is Guldur or Morgul, that none of the Free People will aknowledge or practice. Guldur is composed of spells who reflect and influence the essence of Morgoth present in Arda either through the original Marring or through the dispersion of his essence through the First Age until the earth herself became his Ring. Unlike wholesome magic Guldur is rather easy to learn. The catch is that, for a mortal practitioner it requires blood and pain, preferably taken from unwilling sources. Pain, anguish but also foolish pride and black despair are echoes of the Discord, false notes and silence in the melody of creation. The Nazgul are of course the greatest masters of these black arts but they have a tendency to spread anywhere and anytime people are dissatisfied with the slow progress of normal magic.

    Canonical examples of Morgul are the spells wrought unto Ghrond, the ram who broke the gates of Minas Tirith and the incantations that book-Witch-King howl before each strike. The creation of Barrow-Wights is also an effect of Guldur as this sorcery allows the adept to confers with both Unhoused and Umaïar. The timely storm who sunk the ship of the last king of Arthedain and the Great Plague of the Third Age (as well as others, Morgoth and Sauron love sending plagues on their greatest foes of the moment)
     
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    • Healing part 1:
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    • Healing part 1:
    Prekk repressed a shudder in the damp air. Some was natural, he couldn't number his years for he had always lived deep under the mountains. His universe was Gashburtz and the depths of the mines. Other shamans had left under the cover of darkness, being exchanged with the Orcs of nearby Gundabad for those who wielded sorcery had been precious for the Orcs. How many times he had worshipped to a poorly-built idol, driving his flock to frenzy by recounting the fiery visions who haunted his nightmares? For nightmares had been all his nights until the Dark Fire who had changed had told them of the Lords of the West who had in their purviews each thing sweet. The transition had been easy to make. For the Mighty, for the Creator had always loathed the Orcs even as he made them, and such hatred sang in each of his tormented children's bones. They hated him too, for he and his servants were lords only of their torment and pain and fear were all the substance of their gifts. But still they had served for in their terror they had seen only the possibility of lash out against others, to take revenge for their slavery on the weak and the lame and those who walked under the sun.

    They had all changed in the years after the battle at the gates. Their master had led them to fruitful lakes and banished hunger. He had taught Prekk and others about the Great Music, opened their ears to other sounds than the discordant clamor he had reached for his sorcery. He had taught them the name of other gods, gentler gods who still could hold hope for the Orcs. The change was not absolute of course, Prekk and the others knew it well. There were still nightmares of blood and darkness, and scenes of a sunken land and cruelties done and pains suffered. There were still urges to rip and tear and bite, to share the pain screaming in their veins. Those like Prekk who had lived already were more afflicted than the youths. Even if they had suffered the visions all their life, things had changed. There was no dark joy, no thrill at the thought of battle and sacrifice. The power who had made them raged to see itself refused. Pain spread to all his body now, either old scars or the indignities of age or wounds long thought closed who were now opened.

    Pain had led him to accept his lord's offer and lay on a bed of stone while other lords and ladies busied around him. They had been surprised he knew some. Some reputations were great enough to spread even in the darkness of Moria. Of Elrond he knew little, but of his sons, fell Elladan and Elrohir who lived a life of adventure and errantry in the North, avenging on the Orcs of the Misty Mountains the pains of their mother, much was whispered in fear. Of Galadriel, fairer than tongue can name, things were not so heard but felt. None attuned to the rhythm of the world could be deaf to the clamor of Lorien so near the eastern borders. There was a power there who slept not and was always watching from the forest's eaves. The high lady had sadly smiled when she had heard that for that was what the Free People said of Sauron of Mordor who lived in the East in a secret abode surrounded by fire. Still she was there, after giving to the Lord of Rivendell a strange green stone bright and fair. Morianor lord and master of the Orcs of Moria was also there, not in the divine form he had worn in the first days where he had judged those too corrupted to go on, but the human mask even the Orcs found comforting. For to see the scars of ancient misdeed marked plain on the lord's face, was to hope one's own sins would one day be forgiven.

    Master Elrond looked at him intently and, the elf-stone in his right hand shining like the sun between leaves, and began singing a song of healing. Prekk shivered and his mind ordered his body to move but to not avail. The power of the elf-lord was upon him, a song of knit flesh and bones set to right, of pain leaving place to rest, of spring returning and old wounds being laid to rest. Galadriel began in turn a song of bolstering, of white power raised against the shadows, of long life lived in Endor where winter comes, of sadness and joy, of love found and homes lost, of a son whose voice lived now in the waters and friends who awaited beyond the sundering seas. Morianor joined the chorus with a lamentation on the fate of the Orcs, a recollection of their sufferings and their woes and how they balanced against those they inflicted. Their song grew beyond hearing and was Prekk not so transfixed he would have shook under the power of the music. Stone and song were together and they shone on him like the rays of the forgotten sun.

    Pain rose in answer, some mud hidden in his blood, the seed of these great captains who died not rose at the surface, claiming mastery over him. From his mouth, or perhaps from beyond rose a song of anger, a melody of torment spreading from throats to throats, from Maiar's whips to orcish knives, to Morgoth's eyes full of fire and ice to the humblest snaga's claws. It sung of shadow and flame unleashed on a prosperous kingdom, of a wife gone beyond healing on a ship of elven gray beyond the known world, of pride shattered in the ruins of kingdoms and of sins too grievous to atone. The song rose and fights, the work of one of the Power claiming it will not be undone so easily. It fights the threefold song and it seems the room sinks into clouds of darkness.

    What does Morianor do?

    [] Fight the Discord song to song
    [] Take the burden of the pain into your being
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    • Valar Choice
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    • So let's get this out of the way. Which Valar will intervene to save Morianor of such pain the Three, the Elessar and the Voice of Saruman were only able to put him to sleep?

    [] Nienna to take the pain unto herself
    [] Aulë to give you the resistance of stone
    [] Estë to heal you from your wounds
    [] Irmo to soothe your mind
    [] Namo to fortify your spirit
    [] Vairë to celebrate the birth of a new unlooked thing
    [] Oromë to expunge the pain from you
    [] Varda to make you pure
    [] Manwë to lift you up
    [] Ulmo to drown your sorrow
    [] Yavanna to make you grow
    [] Vana to make your pain the seed of new thing
    [] Nessa to turn it into instinct
    [] Tulkas to fight it
    Adhoc vote count started by ganonso on Nov 25, 2017 at 12:09 PM, finished with 1635 posts and 16 votes.
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    Adhoc vote count started by ganonso on Nov 25, 2017 at 3:50 PM, finished with 421 posts and 72 votes.
    • [x] Fight the Discord song to song
      [X] You long for the certainty you felt at Morgoth's side. In Angband His word was law and he didn't leave even his most powerful servants much room to rebel or to move. There were no conflict, no uncertainty, no fear. He commanded and you obeyed. Now even Nienna's mandate leaves you much choices and you confess you are afraid.
      [X] Vairë to celebrate the birth of a new unlooked thing
      [x] Memory
      [X] To be in the presence of Melkor, was to know wisdom. Of all the Aïnur he seemed the most wise, always rushing to answer the questions of the Allfather, always eager to teach what he knew, to share what he thought. When he made the Discord, you didn't think of evil but you simply followed the teacher you chose. If he decided to go against Eru's overt design, there must have been a reason, some secret plan you weren't privy off. You followed him on Arda for you believed in his wisdom and he shared with you many things on the working on the world, even secrets taken from the Void during his lonely errands.
      [x] Take the burden of the pain into your being
      [X] Braca
      [x] Unknown
      [X] Vana to make your pain the seed of new thing
      [X] You still love and admire him. Not what he became but what he was, what he could still be. Eru created him as the most powerful of the Ainur and gave him the greater part of all energies. Even wounded and marred, having forsook the power he was given to embrace another, he still commands part of your respect. He could be great again, if only he could simply bow and accept other will than his exist and matter.
      [X] You hate yourself for being so easily misled. Melkor was ever the liar you see that now, he lied even to himself. Yet you followed him willingly, ensnared by his promises, dazzled by his radiance. You thought you were being good, perhaps even that you still served Eru's great purpose and were still on the side of the Father's. Perhaps you thought Melkor being a reflection of his thoughts meant your acts were condoned. You spread the lies of Melkor through your actions and your commands, leading at least some souls in the service of the Shadow.
      [x] The reintroduction of the Men of Dunland into the wider stage, and a clear defining of their territories for future diplomatic purposes.
      [X] Hassan
      [x] Seeking new paths
      [x] See the bigger picture
      [x] The 'Evil' that Hassan claims has risen in the south. Anything involving the Black Numenorean bears discussion.
      [X] Love, it was love. How could you not love Him? He was, even before the world was the most sublime of all Eru's creation, endowed with all powers and all majesty. He was power and wisdom true but it paled with the chance to simply be with Him, at His sides as he shaped the world to make it a mirror of his beauty. You loved Him and you love what He made, the ice falling in deadly shards, the fire coming in scarlet ribbons. Your nature was of fire, as befitted your passion but for Him you took the mantle of night and embodied the contradiction of elements, as best as you could.
      [X] Underestimated
      [x] The condition of the orcs present and the efforts being made.
      [x] Ulmo
      [X] Understand the enemy
      [x] Seeing the truth
      [X] One after the other
      --[x] Use our shiny diplomacy stat to make sure Thrain's sensibilities aren't trampled over or his honor besmirched. Also make sure Gandalf doesn't butt in needlessly, or at least doesn't cut Saruman off as he seemed prone to do when he is concerned.
      -[x] Use this lead-in to touch on the issue of the rings and how the whole business of trapping the Fea in the Hroa works. Ask Saruman to offer any insight into the implications.
      [x] The stories of returned heroes and kings and how they're undoubtedly Sauron's Nazgul.
      [x] No
      [X] Morwen
      [X] About our dream and what could it mean about Sauron's plans
      [X] Yes
      [X] Even as a servant of Nienna you don't think Morgoth will ever seek redemption. The Valar thought so for they threw him into the Void without the possibility to plead his cause. To abase himself before another, even the Allfather is contrary to Morgoth's very essence. He is nothing but the Black Foe of the world now and all traces of his light are but fading memories.
      [x] Aulë to give you the resistance of stone
      [X] Even if he amended himself, you cannot see Melkor take the role he was meant to take at the beginning of time. Too much power was squandered for that. Yet he could take a role in creation. Perhaps he could wed Nienna who mourns for what never was and complement her by longing for what will never be. They would not make a happy couple in the strictest sense but them that's not their role in creation.
      [x] Any issues the others wish to raise.
      [X] You long for the absence of the limits you had when you followed the Shadow. You felt as if nothing could constrain you, as you were free to do everything. Melkor was the wellspring of infinite potential and he promised freedom from all limits and all chains. Now you have willingly put yourself in the service of another and gladly so but you still remember the urge to do simply whatever you want.
      [X] You hate yourself for being so easily misled. Melkor was ever the liar you see that now, he lied even to himself. Yet you followed him willingly, ensnared by his promises, dazzled by his radiance. You thought you were being good, perhaps even that you still served Eru's great purpose and were still on the side of the Father's.
      [x] The warning dream you have had. Sauron clearly must be dealt with.
      [X] You hate yourself for becoming numb to pain and evil as they occurred around you. You despise your cowardice as you took your rage on lesser beings but let the fire in your heart die. You did not embrace evil wholeheaterdly, at least not in the beginning, but you didn't speak against it let alone act to slow things down, even when Melkor would accept counsel. You renounced the good of the intellect and became a dumb beast, hurting to hurt and killing to kill, with no zeal but numb apathy.
      [X] Estë to heal you from your wounds
      [X] Estë to heal you from your wounds​
      [x] Able to use current ressources at their utmost
      [X] Tulkas to fight it
      [X] You hate yourself for you believed wholeheartedly in Melkor's cause. You understood it perfectly. You saw his thoughts change from desiring the Light to hating it and you changed with him. You understood his rebellion against Eru Allfather and decided to bear arms in his service. No atrocity was enough, no crime was enough to make the creator pay for refusing to let you alter the world to your liking. Melkor deserved your worship, he deserved to have his own world, or at least the crown of Arda and the adoration of the other Valar.
      [x] Work with others
      [x] Conciliant
      [X] Yavanna
      [X] The Rings
      [X] Plan Sesquipedalian Loquaciousness
      [X] pass to Morwen
      [X] Gandalf
      See more…
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    Adhoc vote count started by ganonso on Nov 25, 2017 at 3:51 PM, finished with 1643 posts and 17 votes.
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    Adhoc vote count started by ganonso on Nov 25, 2017 at 7:24 PM, finished with 1646 posts and 19 votes.
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    Adhoc vote count started by ganonso on Nov 26, 2017 at 5:53 AM, finished with 1647 posts and 20 votes.
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  • View discussion
    • The Valar
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    • i think it's important and well some are slight departures or explanations (Vana is not that easy to define by instance as she does nothing of note)

    Manwe: Air
    Varda: Light

    Aulë: Earth
    Yavanna: Plants

    Namo: Justice
    Vaïre: Fate

    Irmo: Dreams
    Este: Healing

    Oromë: Tamed Animals
    Vana: Fertility

    Tulkas: War
    Nessa: Wild Animals

    Ulmo: Water
    Nienna: Grace

    Melkor: Chaos
     
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