The One Ringâ Ruins of The Lost Realm

RUINS OF THE LOST REALM
ej kong (Order #36612205)

L E A D WRIT E R
Gareth Hanrahan
A D D IT ION A L WRIT E RS
Francesco Nepitello, Michael Duxbury, David Esbri,
Lorenzo Fanelli, Sara Gianotto, Diogo Nogueira
RU L E S D E S IG N
Francesco Nepitello and Marco Maggi
AD D I T ION A L RU L E S D E V E L OP ME N T
Michele Garbuggio
CON CE P T A RT
Jan Pospíšil, Alvaro Tapia
COV E R A RT
Antonio De Luca
OT H E R A RT
Antonio De Luca, Jan Pospíšil, Federica Costantini
GR APH IC DESIGN PR OJ EC T M A NA GER
Dan Algstrand, Christian Granath, Niklas Brandt Tomas Härenstam
MAPS B R A ND M A NA GER
Francesco Mattioli and Niklas Brandt Robert Hyde / Sophisticated Games
EDITOR EV ENT M A NA GER
Andy Slack Anna Westerling
PR OOFR EADING PR M A NA GER
Brandon Bowling, Lorenzo Perassi Boel Bermann
LINE MANAGER S ST R EA M I NG
Francesco Nepitello, Martin Takaichi Doug Shute, Matthew Jowett
ISBN PR I NT
978-91-89143-49-4 Standart Impressa UAB
The One Ring, Middle-earth, and The Lord of the Rings and the characters, items, events, and places therein
are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-earth Enterprises (SZC)
and are used under license by Sophisticated Games Ltd. and their respective licensees. All rights reserved.

CONTENTS
1 2 3
A
Fog Over Eriador5 A Gathering Storm31 Landmarks51 Appendix118
THE CITY OF THARBAD 7 THE BLACK NÚMENÓREANS 33 THE OLD DWARF-MINES52 Optional Councils
Old Lore 7 The Mission to Eriador 34 Background52 and Skill Endeavours 118
A Guide to Tharbad 10 The Ship Kathuphazgân 34 Locations53 Borrowing Items
Tharbad’s Environs 17 Key Foes 34 Schemes and Trouble 57 of Superior Worth 118
Dark Designs of Subtle Magic and
SWANFLEET 18 THE WHITE TOWERS 58
the Black Númenóreans 38 the Eye of Mordor 118
A Secret Folk 19 Background58
Medcaute and Swantown 19 THE WHITE HAND OF SARUMAN 40 Locations58 INDEX 120
LOND DAER 21 The Hunt for Ring-lore 40 Schemes and Trouble 63
Decline and Resurgence 21 Agents of Saruman 41 THE TREE OF SORROW 64
The Western Haven 22 Dark Designs of Isengard 43 Background64
Lond Daer of Old 22 RAIDERS FROM DUNLAND 44 Locations66
THE DWARF-HALLS OF HARMELT 24 The Years of the Raids 44 Schemes and Trouble 69
Visiting the Halls 24 The Chieftains of Dunland 45 THE SHROUDED ISLETS 70
Dark Designs of the Dunlendings 47 Background70
RUINS OF CARDOLAN 26
Towers and Strongholds 26 OTHER SHADOWS 48 Locations71
Wyncross27 The Beast of the Greyflood 48 Schemes and Trouble 72
The Walker in the Darkness 48 TINDAILIN — AN ELVEN REFUGE
74
ERYN VORN 27
The Dream of Moria 49 Background74
The Tree Men 28
The Long Defeat 49 Locations74
The Barrow of Eryn Vorn 28
Schemes and Trouble 78
THE LONE-LANDS OF MINHIRIATH 28
Hynda’s House at Wormhill 28 THE QUEEN’S HALL 79
The Fisher-folk of the Shore 29 Background79
Locations80
Allies and Adversaries 82
85
THE FIELDS OF SLAUGHTER
Background86
Locations86
WEATHERTOP 90
Background90
Locations91
94
THE HILL OF THE SLEEPER
Background94
Locations96
MOUNT GRAM 101
Background101
Locations102
The Haunted Dungeons 106
FORT ARLAS 109
Background109
Locations109
THE RANGER-HAVEN 114
Background114
Locations114

I ntroduction
INTRODUCTION
After Arvedui the North-kingdom ended,
for the Dúnedain were now few
and all the peoples of Eriador diminished.
hat you hold in your hands is a guide to the explore it. Players should refrain from reading this, with the
peoples inhabiting the Lone-lands of South- exception of those parts detailing areas their characters might
ern Eriador, the places they dwell in and reasonably be knowledgeable about.
the hopes they hold for their future in the The material presented in Ruins of the Lost Realm
Twilight of the Third Age. It is intended primarily for Lore assumes that the date is the same as the one in The One Ring
masters, who can find among these pages the inspiration — the year 2965.
they require to bring Middle-earth to life as the Player-heroes
Overview
Ruins of the Lost Realm complements the setting information or altered as the Loremaster sees fit, to better tailor the set-
presented in The One Ring Core Rules, in particular the mate- ting to the players’ choices. In a few words, it constitutes a
rial found in Chapter 9: The World, and in the Appendix. possible future for the land of Eriador as a whole, offering
Chapter 1: Fog Over Eriador expands the possibilities for the description of many looming threats, complete with Lore
adventure, including regions of Southern Eriador once part master characters and their agendas.
of the kingdom of Arnor. The city of Tharbad and its troubled Chapter 3: Landmarks adds 12 sites of interest to the one
history is given special attention, as it may serve as the start- presented in the core volume. These locations depict both
ing point for the adventures of a Company of Player-heroes ‘historical’ sites mentioned in The Lord of the Rings or The
focused on exploring the surrounding Lone-lands. Hobbit, and others that have been invented specifically for
Chapter 2: A Gathering Storm provides the Loremaster with the game. They all conform to the format of presentation
a set of narrative elements that can be used to determine outlined on page 221 of The One Ring, and are meant to be
the fate of Eriador. What is contained in this chapter is the used in conjunction with the guidelines presented there, and
product of speculation and can be employed as presented, the information contained in Chapter 2 of the present volume.
THIS EMPTY LAND present volume, we’ve chosen to read that as Tharbad
Making Southern Eriador a living, breathing setting for being mostly abandoned, but that the town limps on
a roleplaying game required a loose interpretation of under the unlawful rule of bandits for another two gen-
those parts of the stories that dealt with the region. For erations. The land is still lonely and underpopulated, but
example, in the Tale of Years presented in Appendix B roleplaying games need people to talk to, so wherever
of The Lord of the Rings, the entry for the year 2912 possible, we’ve added characters. If you choose to inter-
states that Tharbad was ‘ruined and deserted’ as a con- pret the words of Tolkien differently, then Tharbad and
sequence of great floods that struck the area — in the Lond Daer might both be desolate and empty by 2965.

CHAPTER 1
FOG OVER ERIADOR

But the Northern Lands had long been desolate,
and the North Road was now seldom used…

CHAPTER 1
day’s travel outside Bree lie the Lone-lands — the kings of old. But there are dozens of other stretches of
deserted lands, ruins of the old kingdom. Once, once-fruitful territory in the Lone-lands, and no one dwells
these lands were tame and plentiful. Today, they there now. War and plague and the eternal hatred of the
have grown wild. To the south of Bree was the Enemy destroyed the folk who lived here. Everywhere there
Kingdom of Cardolan. Elves called the region Min- are ruins of the old kingdom — a bridge of stone, a patch
hiriath, the land between the rivers, bounded by the Brandy of paved road, a lonely watch-tower — but one must travel
wine to the north and the Greyflood to the south. What for much longer than a single day between such glimpses
is now the Shire of the Hobbits was once the vineyard of of the past.

F og O ver E riador
The slow-moving waters of the Greyflood mark the Turn west. Follow the river to the sea. The west coast
region’s southern border. Beyond it, the land becomes even of Middle-earth is steep and stony, with few good places
more desolate: treeless moors, dusty plains, sucking marshes. to land — for twice the world has been utterly changed,
This is Enedwaith, the Middle-land between the kingdoms. westerly lands drowned by the wrath of the Valar, and now
A traveller might be forgiven for thinking that the Enemy waves crash against rocks that once stood far inland. The
brought ruin to this place, but the worst evils here were few harbours at the river-mouths are prized, and the rem-
done by Men, and the land has not forgotten their cruelty. nants of ancient fortifications can be seen in such places.
Enedwaith is a bitter land, a region of old battlefields and The western coast is as far as anyone can flee the growing
new ambushes, a harsh land for the harsh folk who dwell darkness in the East, for the seas are now bent and only the
here in hidden places. In the south, it rolls into Dunland, Elves can escape.
and on to the banks of the Isen river that flows from the If the Shadow rises, then Eriador is where the Free Folk
Gap of Rohan. will make their final stand.
The City of Tharbad

“I lost my horse at Tharbad, at the fording of the Greyflood.”
These are the dying days of Tharbad. Everyone knows it, espe- they could in the dark woods, hiding from the nameless
cially those who have witnessed the city’s slow decline over darkness in the North.
the years. They know that Tharbad has always shambled on Later, the Sea-kings came from the West. Wood-hungry, they
from crisis to crisis: the city is an immense wounded beast, a cut down the forests to build their ships, and floated the trees
heavy creature wallowing in the muddy water, too stubborn downriver to their haven at the mouth of the river. In time, they
and hungry to ever give up. But Tharbad has suffered a mor- cut such a wound in the forests that they needed a port further
tal injury, and soon it will fall. It will be one more ruin of the upriver, and they chose the crossing-point that would become
old kingdom, silent and abandoned. Tharbad. A town grew up around the port, a crossroads where
That is an astounding thing, if you think about it. Thar- the Sea-kings of Númenor traded with the Dwarves of Moria
bad is ancient. If these are indeed the last days of the old and the Elves of Hollin. The Men of the West were peerless
city, then great changes are in the air, and the turning of an craftsmen, and the city of Tharbad was glorious indeed.
Age is at hand! But that was long ago, and little of that first city remains.
Who remembers the banners fluttering in the wind atop hun-
Old Lore
dreds of masts, numerous as trees in a forest? Who remembers
that Sauron the Terrible suffered defeat not far from Tharbad,
There has been a settlement at the crossing of the Greyflood in the forgotten first war between the Elves and the Enemy?
since Men first came to this part of the world. But time grinds Only the Elves, and they are gone from this land.
hard stones to meal, slays kings, and ruins towns, and the Tharbad was many things as the Second Age wore on — a
Tharbad of today is very different from that of old. fortress in the midst of hostile lands, a river-port and centre
of trade, a place where the Sea-kings demanded tribute from
THE FIRST TWO AGES OF THE WORLD their subjects, a declining outpost on the edge of empire.
In the First Age, Men dwelt in the woods and marshes Númenor fell into darkness, then ruin — but out of that ruin
along the river; for the most part, they were a simple forest- came the Faithful of Elendil and his sons. They founded the
dwelling people, unwelcoming to outsiders and fearful of North-kingdom of Arnor and the South-kingdom of Gon-
the wider world. Some traded with the Dwarves of Moria, dor, and built great cities at Annúminas in the north and
and learned a little of their craft and ways, becoming kings Osgiliath in the south. To bind their two far-flung kingdoms
in their little kingdoms and raising towns and castles that together, the Faithful built a great Road across Middle-earth,
have long since crumbled into dust and been forgotten. and at Tharbad they raised a new bridge across the wide and
Most, though, clung to their own customs, surviving as best sullen Greyflood.

CHAPTER 1
THE THIRD AGE Cardolan and Rhudaur, Tharbad maintained considerable

The Bridge of Tharbad — oh, to look upon it one more time! independence — which rankled with the kings of Cardolan.
It leapt in three great stone arches from the south bank to a But traffic between the kingdoms diminished as war and
central pillar rising in the middle island, and then with three plague took their toll, and grass grew between the flagstones
more arches reached the northern shore. Two mighty towers of the Road of Kings.
guard it, their foundations made of the same imperishable When the last prince of Cardolan perished and his king-
stone as the tower of Orthanc. The bridge is broken now, but dom faded, Tharbad endured, ruled by a long line of officers,
sometimes the fog that rises on the river seems to settle atop each in turn holding the honorary title of Captain of the
the remains of the mutilated pillars, and the city remembers. Haven. For a time, there was trade with the wealthy Dwarves
For a time, Tharbad stood at the crossroads of the world. of Moria, but they too fell victim to the treacheries of the
It was part of neither Arnor nor Gondor, but shared between Enemy. Kingdom by kingdom, city by city, town by town, the
the two crowns. The Captain of the Haven of Tharbad was North fell into darkness. Tharbad faded, too — its population
a title of special magnificence and renown. Even when the never recovered after the Great Plague, and much of the city
North Kingdom broke into the successor realms of Arthedain, fell into disrepair.

F og O ver E riador
Then, fifty years ago came the Fell Winter. Those days
were bad, indeed — the crops died, and the land froze, and
Wargs came west of the Misty Mountains to hunt. What fol-
lowed, though, was worse. In spring, all the snow heaped on
the hills and peaks melted, and the rivers swelled and burst
their banks. Well-named was the Greyflood that awful summer,
for the usually-quiet river grew dark and terrible, and flood-
waters poured through the town, washing away hundreds
among the surviving inhabitants of Tharbad. The river in its
wrath could not destroy the ancient piers that supported the
bridge, but many arches crumbled, and their mighty stones
fell into the raging currents.
Tharbad had suffered many disasters in the past, and the
bridge had already fallen into disuse, so perhaps the city could
have weathered this calamity, if it were not for the weakness
and folly of Men. The succession of Captains of the Haven
after the floods of 2912 were among the worst elected in Thar-
bad in all its long history, leading up to the disastrous reign
of Master Heatherton, who was the first to drop the honorary
title of Captain and who imposed an unpopular tax to repair
the bridge — only to flee along with several of his cronies
and the contents of the town coffers. When even the follow-
ing Master abandoned his post, taking with him his chain
of office, many citizens feared Tharbad was doomed, and
fled the decaying city. Some headed north to the Bree-land
or down the river towards the sea; others, fearing a perilous
journey, took refuge amidst the reeds in Swanfleet.
THE PRESENT DAY

When it seemed as if the city would soon be utterly abandoned,
the arrival of the new Master arrested the stream of people
leaving the city. Master Gurnow reclaimed for himself the
title of Captain of the Haven and forbade anyone else from
leaving Tharbad, compelling everyone to remain unless they
paid a steep gate-tax.
It is a little… indelicate to mention such a thing, but
DAYS OF DECLINE you should know that Captain Gurnow was, until recently, an
All that, though, is ancient history. Moria and the plague outlaw and a bandit. He commanded a host of thieves who
were a thousand years ago — and the folk of Tharbad are dwelt in the wilderness north of town. These former thieves
short-lived mortal Men, not hardy Dúnedain or immortal have been appointed as the city watch, tax collectors, bailiffs
Elves. For many years, the singers kept telling tales of kings and other officials. Gurnow married Lady Stock, a woman of
of old who came over the sea to lay down in the barrows to good family and royal blood, and so is clearly set on being
die, and sometimes travellers came up the Road with news an upstanding and law-abiding steward of Tharbad’s ancient
of the south. But for the most part, Tharbad was no longer a office of Captain.
crossroads, and no ships were seen sailing up the river. The Be of good cheer! Captain Gurnow is a strong leader, like
surrounding area began to be troubled by bandits and thieves, a king of old! He has sworn to keep the Road safe, and to
and only the mighty fortifications of old kept Tharbad safe. repair the bridge, and protect the city from those who would
The ruined city became an isolated fastness amid the wilds of do it harm. He has many friends in other lands, too, and will
Minhiriath, where honest folk could take refuge from brig- bring new trade and opportunities to old Tharbad. The tale
ands or Dunlending raiders. of the city may not be finished yet…

CHAPTER 1
A Guide to Tharbad is a Dwarf or a scholar of stonework, they will note with dis-
A visitor approaching Tharbad from the north or south sees may that these buildings are of lesser quality compared to the
first the two towers guarding both approaches to the bridge. towers glimpsed in the distance (and if our traveller’s heart
If the light is good and the air is clear, the traveller might tell falls at this sight, they should steel themselves for a shock
even at this distance that both towers are in disrepair, and when they reach the centre of the city).
the topmost levels are crumbling and unusable. Draw closer Off the Road to the east and west are some small farms
still, and the traveller sees the massive walls of Garth Tauron, and vineyards, shielded by the outer walls. The land outside
the old fortress on the northern bank of the Greyflood, rising the ram is a wetland, especially to the south, but old drain-
as if some errant giant took a piece of the Misty Mountains age tunnels under the city leech away the worst of the water,
and hurled it down to the plains below. The condition of the leaving a rich dark soil that’s good for growing vegetables.
ancient stronghold is even worse than that of the two bridge- These tunnels must be cleared of weeds and debris regularly,
towers; its stone has been extensively quarried over the years, or the town will revert to marshland.
and much of the castle has been reduced to rubble. The most prominent landmark of the outer district to the
As it reaches the town, the Road runs on ancient cause- south is certainly the old Library of Tharbad. Built on two
ways of packed earth and stone, to lift it above the fens. In levels and still standing, the library is an architectural marvel,
places, dark tunnels run beneath the causeways; these were with high vaulted ceilings allowing for the light of the sun to
designed to stop floodwaters building up on the east side of enter its many niches, where innumerable rare books and
the road. Nowadays, these passages offer shelter to thieves — scrolls were stored for protection in times of war. Long
or Trolls, hiding from the sunlight. since despoiled of its main riches in gold and lore, the
library is guarded by an old woman, Agna, who
THE OUTER DISTRICTS cares for the library as best she can, copying
On both sides of the river, Tharbad is fenced by a first curtain the surviving scrolls by candlelight onto
wall, still referred to as the ram by the inhabitants of the city, fresh parchment.
today no more than a ring of piled earth and broken stone,
especially along its northern perimeter. Despite its dilapidated
conditions, a new gatehouse opens in the ram to the north,
ensuring that tolls are collected from anyone coming to sell
their goods in town — here, copies of Gurnow’s Rules are
nailed up on posts for all to see.
A second wall once rose at a distance within the first one,
its length now marked only by an encircling road. Between
the two boundaries lie the town’s outer districts, now
mostly deserted. Here are many once-great houses
and halls, all now overgrown and falling into
ruin, or half-buried in mud. Sheep crop the
grass contentedly in what were once wide
plazas, and apple-trees sprout in the court-
yards of long-abandoned inns. If a traveller
THE SOUTH BANK
10

F og O ver E riador
In the northern district opens the Ghost Pit, a spot near THE SOUTH BANK
the walls where no living thing seems to be able to grow and The empty and overgrown outer district to the south encircles
no building stands. Even the sheep avoid it. Sometimes, the the inhabited inner part of the city standing on a rise along
earth convulses, and the pit spits up strange tokens — old and the banks of the Greyflood. If one follows the Road, they will
rusted swords, pieces of armour, leathery strips of preserved eventually reach the southern bridge-tower, Ringil, now used
flesh, and other disturbing portents. Long ago, a host of Elves by the men of the city garrison as their barracks. On the other
and Númenóreans defeated one of Sauron’s armies on the side of the passageway piercing the tower, the road meets an
northern banks of the Greyflood. Many Orcs and other fell abrupt end, as the great arches that leapt across the river to
beasts were slain in the fray. Afterwards, the victors hurled reach the middle island are now gone. A new-built path leads
the remains of Sauron’s forces into a sucking pit of mud. down to the river from the Road, running past the tower and
Near the Ghost Pit is the abandoned House Without Win- along the side of the causeway as it winds down to the wooden
dows; this was the home of a strange woman named Theoris, piers on the shore below.
who was reputed to be a sorceress. She bricked up all the But if one was to look to the left from this vantage point,
windows of her home, and lived only by candle-light; it’s said their eyes would follow the river downstream, its waters
that she dug secret passages down into the soft ground, and rushing through a labyrinth of broken stone. Those are
that she found treasures in the mud and foul water that flows all that remains of the mighty port of Tharbad, destroyed
from the Ghost Pit. It was water that doomed Theoris, too — in the great floods of 2912. Its docks date back to the days
she was among those washed away in the floods of 2912, and of Númenor, and were once of vital importance to the city.
her house has remained sealed since. Ships could sail this far north up the Greyflood from the
haven of Lond Daer, to the south. Now, the docks are gone
and the river has not been dredged in centuries, so only
Agna the Librarian small boats can sail the Greyflood. A number of such vessels
Agna has seen at least sixty years; she was a young girl are tied up downstream of the wreckage; these are guarded
when the floods brought ruin to Tharbad, drowning her by the city watch, and cannot be used without permission
family. She was taken in as a servant by another family, from the Master of the town.
but never recovered from that loss. When that second There are a few inhabitants in this part of town, mostly
family abandoned Tharbad, Agna stayed behind. Her guards and sentries, but also eager ferrymen who can carry
late mother was a scholar, and the one thing Agna held passengers across the river to the Middle Island, or directly to
onto was a reverence for the written word. In her later the North Bank. The bridge, they say, is temporarily out for
years, then, Agna came to care for those scrolls and books repair, and they gesture at the pillars of black stone.
that remained in the library, cherishing them like pets The most lively place in the South Bank is the Road-house,
or children. She can barely read and write the Common the only inn remaining on this side of the river. It’s not a
Tongue, let alone the Ancient Tongue that many of the welcoming place, but travellers who arrive after the last ferry-
scholarly books use, but over the years she’s taught her- crossing are obliged to stay here under guard, even though
self to precisely copy the shape of the letters, and her there are many empty buildings elsewhere in the ruins that
transcriptions are accurate. are still intact enough to offer shelter.
Agna is extremely protective of her books; she will per- Nearby is a hallowed relic, the Pillar of the Two King-
mit a scholarly hero to use the library, but she keeps her doms. This marble column marks the spot where emissaries
quill-sharpening knife to hand at all times, and will attack from Arnor and Gondor would meet to discuss matters of
anyone who hurts her precious things. Some rumours say import to both realms. Inscriptions wound about the column
that Agna knows of a secret chamber, where the last librar- mark the distance from this point to the city of Annúminas
ian of Tharbad stored many precious manuscripts, to save to the north, and Osgiliath to the south. Once a symbol of
them from pillagers. solidarity and friendship, it is now used by Gurnow’s men
as the spot where they administer ‘justice’, punishing in
OCCUPATION: Copyist varying degrees of severity those who defy the rules of Cap-
tain Gurnow.
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES: Dutiful, Short-sighted
11

CHAPTER 1
THE MIDDLE ISLAND
THE MIDDLE ISLAND

The Middle Island was once just a spike of stone in the middle
of the river. When the great bridge was built, the solid rock
of the nameless isle anchored the central pillar. Earth and
soil and stone was dumped on the little island, and pilings
made of alder and larch wood were planted deeply along its
shores to consolidate and expand them.
In recent years, the Island has become much more Jan the Frog
important to the town. Gurnow’s men enlarged it even fur- So much grime and river-mud cake Jan’s features that it’s
ther, replacing the soil and pilings torn away by the floods of hard to tell if she’s a boy or girl, a lanky child or a Hob-
2912. Tharbad’s forges and smithies were relocated here, on bit. She paddles about on her little boat, surviving as best
the grounds of fire safety. Later on, other important trades she can amid the ruins. Some days, she brings passengers
were moved here, crowding the little island with the town’s across the river; other days, you’ll find her catching fish, or
crafters and tradesmen, their workshops all piled on each wandering about the wreckage of the old town, or smug-
other like chambers in an anthill, each one striving to remain gling things off the Middle Island. She knows how to stay
above the level of the waters. on the right side of the dividing line between ‘nuisance’
If anyone asks, Gurnow insists that this relocation was and ‘enemy’ in Gurnow’s eyes, and buys the gang’s favour
for the benefit and safety of the townsfolk. The island is pro- by spying on people in Tharbad, citizens and strangers alike.
tected on all sides by the river and is easily defensible even if Not much happens on the riverbank that escapes Jan’s eyes.
the walls and towers fall to attackers. However, it’s clear that
the real purpose was to stop people leaving the dying town OCCUPATION: Scavenger, Spy
— the Middle Island isn’t quite a prison, but it does ensure
that Tharbad’s valued citizens cannot sneak away in the night, DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Wary
taking their skills and treasure with them.
The Middle Island can only be reached by boat, or by
wading through the river when the waters are low. Roper Grey
Roper Grey is a young man. As his name suggests, he’s a
rope-maker — but it’s likely he’ll soon find himself hanging
Milton the Brewer from one. He agitates against the self-titled Captain of the
A typical citizen of Tharbad, Milton’s a master brewer. His Haven, arguing that the folk of Tharbad should fight back
ale is delicious, the equal of the best the Shire can produce. against their oppressors. His own sister was forced into
In another time, or another town, Milton would be rich and marrying one of Gurnow’s men, and he hasn’t seen her
honoured for his craft. Here in Tharbad, Milton dares not in months. Grey’s grumblings about Gurnow have turned
think beyond the next year’s harvest — he knows that if he into plotting and trying to recruit fighting men, but so far
defies Gurnow or tries to flee, the men of the Captain of his efforts have met with little success. The Player-heroes
the Haven will stave in his barrels and smash his brewery, may be able to aid him, or convince him to flee Tharbad
and he’ll starve on the streets. — if not, Roper’s rebellion has no chance of succeeding.
OCCUPATION: Beer-maker OCCUPATION: Rope-maker, Would-be revolutionary
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Resigned DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Fierce
12

F og O ver E riador
CAPTAIN GURNOW’S RULES THE NORTH BANK

1. No Fording the River, for reasons of Public The northern portion of Tharbad is the most populous. The
Safety. ferry from the south bank docks in the shadow of the north-
2. No Disobedience or Defiance ern tower, Helcar. The northern tower is in even worse repair
3. Those Who Dwell in Tharbad may not Leave than its counterpart, and sways alarmingly in high winds, but
Tharbad without Permission, and if They the ancient Toll Gate opening under its passageway is still
do not Return Promptly, Penalties apply to intact — here, long ago, the Númenóreans accepted tribute
their Kin. from the tribes of Minhiriath. An ancient tale speaks of a cor-
4. No Wasting Food, nor Firewood. No Shar- rupt governor who kept this tribute for himself, and buried
ing of the Above. a fortune in gold somewhere near Tharbad. If luck is with
5. Tolls must be Paid by Peddlars, Merchants, Tharbad, when Helcar finally crumbles it will fall into the river,
Tinker-smiths, Treasure Hunters, Knights- or on top of the ruined fortress of Garth Tauron. The fortress
errant, Messengers and all other Strangers. itself has been extensively quarried for stone, and now only
6. Taxes must be Paid by Those Who Dwell one small section is habitable; Gurnow uses it as the town gaol.
within the Walls, to pay for Maintenance Nearby stands the Captain’s Mansion, where Lord Gurnow,
and Defence. his wife and his many children dwell (see page 14). Other
7. In All Other Matters, the King’s Law holds. residents of Tharbad cluster around the mansion, and the
town’s market is held in a square nearby.
THE NORTH BANK
Tharbad’s best inn (of the two inns in

town) is the Bridge Inn; proprietor Timothy
Titus. Titus is a big man with fists like hamhocks
and a scarred, broken-toothed face. He was one of
Gurnow’s thieves, but he’s taken to innkeeping with
alarming enthusiasm, terrifying his guests with his friendly
solicitations (“Do you WANT any bloody thing to EAT? No?
Right to BED, is it?! I won’t MURDER you in your SLEEP,
don’t WORRY!”). He has discovered a Hobbitish enthusiasm
for cooking, which makes a stay at the inn more pleasant than
one might expect from its dilapidated exterior. The Bridge
Inn is a sprawling building, and the rooms once used for
guests are now occupied by the city watch.
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CHAPTER 1
The best-maintained house in the area is surely the home how lucky amateurs not demanding their full fourteenth
of Amelia Kern. The gentlewoman is semi-retired these days, share of any treasures despite it being clearly mentioned in
but she still has a secret sign on her door for those who can the burglar’s contract damages the profession and reduces
read such things. Amelia is a Burglar & Treasure Hunter, the ability of other burglars to enforce such clauses with
one of the most successful in the North in recent years. She other clients.)
recovered treasures from tombs and Troll lairs — and from Kern’s relationship with Gurnow and the other thieves
the homes of certain wealthy Dwarves in the Blue Mountains is fraught. Firstly, as Kern would point out, they’re not pro-
— before retiring to the comparative safety of Tharbad. fessional thieves, just violent bandits. A professional thief
doesn’t need to bully people. Second, Gurnow covets
Kern’s treasure, but Kern has hinted that her house is mag-
ically protected against intruders, and none of Gurnow’s
men is willing to risk the possibility that Kern’s telling the
truth.
OCCUPATION: Retired adventurer, Burglar
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES: Honourable, Lordly
THE COURT OF LORD GURNOW

The Captain’s mansion is a palace, by the standards of these
fallen years, and by the name used by the inhabitants of
Tharbad to refer to it: the Red Palace. It was the seat of
princes and lords of Arnor for many centuries, and that of
Captains after the North Kingdom and its successors failed.
The current incarnation of the seat of power in Tharbad is
an imposing three-storey building, built upon the founda-
tions of the previous palaces in the days of the last kings of
Cardolan, to strengthen their hold on Tharbad. The stone-
cunning of its makers was no match for the works of their
ancestors, and the Red Palace is a crumbling and draughty
mansion. Its lowest floor was flooded in 2912 and has never
been properly repaired. Still, in an age when many count
themselves lucky to have a wooden hut to call home, the
palace is a magnificent abode, especially by night when it
gleams by the light of a hundred candles. The life-size stat-
Amelia Kern, ues of Elendil and Isildur that watch over the main entrance
Burglar and Treasure Hunter were carved by artists who saw the kings of old with their own
Aristocratic and impeccably dressed, Amelia Kern is obvi- eyes. The exterior walls are plastered red, and the coating
ously an individual of wealth and taste. Tomb robbing and has been slowly crumbling away, revealing the naked bricks
burglary are clearly profitable enterprises, although Kern under it in large patches. Inside, the palace’s many halls
spent much of her career down in the Southlands, and and chambers are made lively by paintings and inscriptions,
can tell tales of distant Gondor and Umbar over a sherry. even if several have been defaced in recent years, especially
Although she no longer wishes to risk life and limb in trea- on the ground floor.
sure hunting, she maintains a professional interest in the The court, though, is a raucous place where Gurnow’s
field, and sometimes gives adventurers tips and pointers, brigands and sycophants drink in the reek and make merry,
suggesting places they might consider investigating or and their brats roll on the floor with the dogs. Lady Stock
offering advice on technique. All she asks in return is a has long tried to enforce civility in her house, but when she
small percentage of any profits. (Just don’t get her started retires for the night, chaos reigns — it’s a rare evening when
on Bilbo Baggins, not unless you want a lengthy rant on there isn’t a brawl or a knifing. Gurnow often invites travellers
14

F og O ver E riador
to dine at his court to get the measure of their character; he However, he is a keen observer of vulnerabilities and
may offer talented fighters a place in his ‘city watch’. Rich opportunities; not only has he ruled Tharbad for nearly
travellers may get robbed as they leave the court; Gurnow half a century, but he’s also managed to play his many
finds some trumped-up breach of his Rules to justify the theft, sons off against one another, ensuring that none of them
as long as he gets his cut of the proceeds. replaces him as Captain. He also has learned how best to
put warriors to use; bold actions and assertive behaviour
are the easiest way to impress him.
OCCUPATION: Town master, Retired outlaw
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Cunning
Gurnow, Captain of the Haven

The present Master of town, Captain Gurnow, was a ban-
dit in his youth — he led a warband of marauding outlaws.
They robbed travellers on the Road, raided farmsteads and
hamlets, looted barrows and graves, and generally made
mischief throughout the land. When the floods destroyed
much of Tharbad, it seemed a great opportunity to young
Gurnow; the city was in chaos, and the guards had aban-
doned their posts. Tharbad had fallen, and there was no
one to stop him from conquering it.
He was not stopped. Like the Greyflood, he was par-
tially redirected.
The Captain is more than seventy years old, but he Lady Stock
retains much of the strength of his youth, and the reforged Lady Almarian Stock comes from an ancient and noble
gold chain of his office still sits comfortably on his wide family of Westernesse; her forefathers sailed with Elendil
shoulders. He rarely exerts himself, preferring to let others the Tall out of the wreck of Númenor. They have dwelt in
bring him tribute and solve problems without bothering him, Tharbad since the ancient days of the world, generation
and has little interest in learning more etiquette or history. upon generation living and dying by the banks of the river.
Lord Gurnow has settled into his new life, and has grown lazy. When the other old families of Tharbad abandoned the
15

CHAPTER 1
city, she held on — and in Gurnow, she saw the hope of expedition to the black pit of the Dwarves in search of
saving her home. She convinced him that instead of ran- long-forgotten gold.
sacking the city, he could better profit by ruling it. Gurnow
became Captain (it’s easy to win popular support when OCCUPATION: Deputy Captain of the Haven
you’ve got a warband of marauding outlaws), and she
became his advisor and his bride. DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Brutal
All that was forty years ago. Almarian Stock is now in her
seventies, and is as well-preserved as her husband. Their
marriage has always been one of convenience, bound by Gwilleth the Scout
mutual advantage and necessity, not love. She despises Gwilleth is one of Gurnow’s brigands; dark-eyed and quiet,
his crude, violent nature, but knows that it is his strength she’s his best scout and tracker. In secret, she’s one of the
that keeps the city intact. He dislikes how she talks down to Rangers, sent to keep watch on Tharbad and to restrain
him, but values her counsel and her shrewd management the excesses of Gurnow’s brutes. Gwilleth initially hoped
of Tharbad’s affairs. As they have aged together, their irri- she could make common cause with Lady Stock, but the
tation with one another has grown with their dependence, lady of Tharbad hates the Rangers, so Gwilleth found her-
and now their dooms are intertwined forever. self alone in a hostile court. For now, she bides her time
Lady Stock prides herself on preserving the culture and slowly recruits allies among Gurnow’s followers and
and honour of Tharbad, and is determined to restore the the townsfolk.
city to its former glory, as it was before the flood and
decline and long centuries of neglect took their toll. In OCCUPATION: Brigand, Tracker, Spy
her mind, this can only be done if proper tribute is paid
to Tharbad from the other surviving folk in the North. DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Secretive
She despises the Bree-land, calling the folk there inbred
yokels who have forgotten the kings of old. She loathes
Lond Daer for taking in many of those who “abandoned” Tom Brass, Watch Lieutenant
Tharbad; she envies the Dwarves bitterly for their wealth Young Tom Brass is Tharbad-born and Tharbad-bred — but
and despises the Swanfleeters for their poverty. Above he never knew the town before Gurnow took over. As far
all, she hates the Rangers, holding them to be wanderers as he knows, this has always been a place where might
and thieves. makes right and everyone’s lives are controlled by the
Lady Stock takes more of an interest in the affairs of Captain and the watch. So, Tom Brass lives his life accord-
the world than her husband; she values cold reasoning ing to those rules — he’s made himself useful to Gurnow,
above the use of brute force. rising through the ranks of the watch and helping them
grind his kinfolk into the river mud. He’s useful to every-
OCCUPATION: Noblewoman one — if you want something done or something fetched
or something kept quiet, Tom’s the man to talk to. If you
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Proud want things done properly, and secretly, and without mess,
Tom’s the man for the job. He’s not the best fighter in Thar-
bad, or the swiftest, but Tom knows that if he fails, he’ll be
Tharnow, son of Gurnow back in the river mud with the rest of the townsfolk, and
Captain Gurnow has seven sons, none of whom have he’s never going back down again.
any particular merits or distinguishing features; they In secret Tom nurtures his dangerous ambition, and
are all brutish, greedy louts who terrorize the towns- he’s waiting for an opportunity to eliminate old Gurnow
folk. Tharnow is the eldest and holds the title of deputy and his brood, and take the Captain’s throne for himself.
Captain, but as his father stubbornly refuses to die and Maybe all he needs is the right friends…
give Tharnow control of the town, the ambitious heir
has begun to look elsewhere for wealth and glory. He’s OCCUPATION: Watch Lieutenant
heard tales from Amelia Kern of the fabled treasures of
Moria, and while Tharnow’s more stupid than he is brave, DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Wilful
that’s still enough to make him consider mounting an
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F og O ver E riador
Tharbad’s Environs The country folk are fearful of strangers, and unwelcom-
The lands around the city to the north are dotted with ing; they urge travellers to continue on to Tharbad. If a trav-
small farmsteads. The soil is good on this side of the river, eller wins their trust, though, the folk here have many tales
enriched by flood and watered by rain on the shoulders of to tell. They speak of the dangers of Swanfleet and the Ghost
the Misty Mountains. The rolling hills to the south are bet- Bird; they recommend checking the riverbank after a spring
ter for sheep and cattle, which roam wild and shaggy across flood, for sometimes gold and other precious things wash
the empty lands of the Enedwaith; the rest of the area in down from the mountains of the Dwarves; they swear that
the south is a wetland, that to the east becomes the vast fen a man cannot lie while standing on the stones of the King’s
of Swanfleet. Road, and that one day the king will return to save them
There are more ruins than inhabited buildings around from the Dunlendings, whom they fear above all other foes.
Tharbad, but the population of the region has grown a little Go further than a day’s walk from Tharbad north or south,
in the last few years, as some measure of order and civilisa- and you come to empty lands, grey and sorrowful expanses
tion is restored to the town. The farmers fear Gurnow, and where cold winds whip across treeless plains. The soil here was
pin their hopes of justice and fair treatment on Lady Stock. never tilled, nor did any folk dwell here in this nameless waste.
THARBAD AS A SAFE HAVEN there’s little light here, and Gurnow is certainly not an
Tharbad is certainly not as welcoming or warm a place as Elf-lord or a good King. He’s not wholly evil, but he is
Rivendell or the Shire; it’s a rotting town of thieves and corrupt and venal, and makes for a poor Patron. If any-
brigands, ruled by a former warlord. However, in the thing, it may be the Player-heroes who guide Gurnow
empty lands of Southern Eriador, it’s as close to a safe towards wisdom — or who must overthrow him.
haven as one might find. It is certainly secure enough; the No, if there is hope here, it is in the hearts of the ordi-
walls of Tharbad may be broken, but it’s heavily fortified nary folk of Tharbad, those who endure under Gurnow’s
and easy to defend. It does offer a place to rest; as long ungenerous protection. People like Agna (page 11)
as the heroes do not break Gurnow’s laws or offend his can offer the heroes wise counsel; Amelia Kern (page
cronies, they may sleep here soundly. 14) or Gwilleth (page 16) may give the heroes aid
Now, a safe haven also offers wise counsel and or dispatch them on missions. Tharbad only marginally
restores hope and courage; places like Rivendell or qualifies as a safe haven, but if the heroes spend time
Lórien are islands of light in the darkness, and guard here, they can nurture the light that’s hidden here.
the promise of a better world. Tharbad is an island, but If they do not, it will soon be snuffed out.
17

CHAPTER 1
Swanfleet
Far to the west in a haze lay the meres and eyots through which it wound its way
to the Greyflood: there countless swans housed in a land of reeds.
Scholars and travellers consider the vast marshland known Sauron; folk from the North Kingdom who escaped the civil
as the Swanfleet to be uninhabited, save for hosts of swans, wars, or the war with Angmar.
and other water-birds. Curiously, this vast network of swamps Other people, too, have made Swanfleet their home. Elves
and pools may instead be one of the most densely populated hid here, High Elves of Eregion with all their might and art-
regions in Eriador. istry, reduced to living in muddy holes after the Enemy laid
For Swanfleet is home to the lost, and to those who fled waste to their palaces. Dwarves took refuge here for a time,
their enemies and misfortunes. The local folk have many fore- when their kingdom in the mountains was destroyed. Even
fathers: the tribes of wild men who lived in the vast woods of Hobbits lived in Swanfleet — the ancestors of the Stoors set-
Eriador, and were driven from their homes by the foresters tled here for many years, for these marshes are much like the
of Númenor; Númenórean settlers who fled the coming of Gladden Fields on the other side of the mountains.
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F og O ver E riador
A Secret Folk for the Swanfleeters have legends of when ‘little folk’ lived
So, what are they like today, these marsh-folk of many fathers? in the marsh, and believe they bring good luck.
They are a guarded people, whose language is as much ges- The marsh-folk live by catching fish and birds, and gath-
ture and silence as it is speech, mixed with marvellous imi- ering roots and berries in the marsh. They rarely work metal,
tations of bird-calls. Typically, they avoid contact with out- using stones and bones as tools, but they sometimes trade
siders, vanishing into the undergrowth or even swimming with Dwarven smiths for necessary items. They do not use
under the murky waters like otters to escape detection. If coins, preferring to barter furs, hides and feathers from
strangers trespass deeper into Swanfleet, then the marsh-folk the marshes.
use bird-calls to summon others of their tribe, so they can They dwell on artificial islands in the marsh, called cran-
ambush the intruders with greater numbers — or else they nogs or marshflets, which are linked by twisting walkways just
call up the Ghost Bird (page 95) to deal with their ene- below the surface of the water (this practice gives rise to the
mies. However, they do welcome those fleeing hardship; it belief that the Swanfleeters can walk on water). The crannogs
is the custom of the Swanfleeters to give charity and shelter are hidden by weeds and mist, and are hard to reach unless
to the desperate. Hobbits, too, can expect a warm welcome, you know the secret paths.
Medcaute and Swantown

The two largest settlements in the Swanfleet Marshes are
called Swantown and Medcaute.
Swantown is located on the west side of the marshes.
GREAT SWANS AND TALKING OTTERS The river Glanduin splits into many channels as it meanders
Swans of gigantic size, taller than Men, dwell in towards its meetings with the Greyflood, and Swantown lies
the innermost reaches of the marsh. These birds hidden on a marshy island between two such streams. The
flew out of the ruin of the west, and are said to village is a mix of crannogs and buildings on stilts, similar
have magical power over dreams. When they take to the houses of Esgaroth on the Long Lake. Many of those
flight, their shadows cause nightmares in those who dwell in Swantown are recent arrivals in the marsh, and
they pass over, and their cries can be heard in both fled the devastation of Tharbad. Life in the marsh can be
the waking and dreaming worlds. Anyone who hard, and some grumble and mutter about returning to
wears the feather of a great swan gains insight dry land, but fear living under the cruel hand of Captain
into the dreams of others for a time, and the Wise- Gurnow. They have tried to make Swantown more like home
women of Medcaute (see page 95) can make — there’s a tavern of sorts there, the Two-necked Swan, and
a potion from a swan’s egg that grants prophetic a blacksmith to repair the few tools they still own. There
visions. The swans are vicious and territorial, and is often strife between the newcomers and the ‘barbaric’
it is well known that they can break a warrior’s marsh-folk, but for now they share Swanfleet. There is no
shield-arm with a single blow. lord in the town, but in time of need people look to Master
The marshes are also home to a population Hugh Blackbriar.
of otters (nindraug, in the Elvish tongue) who are Medcaute is another matter. The settlement here lies on
descended from those who were awoken by the the edge of a holy pool, and is ancient beyond the counting
Elves of Eregion. Some of these otters retain the of mortal Men. It is the sacred place of the marsh-folk, and
ability to speak in the tongues of mortals, as well outsiders are forbidden to look upon the pool on penalty
as a talent for using tools; they are endlessly curi- of death. The largest crannog in Medcaute is the House of
ous and gossipy, and are often willing to serve as Patient Women, where the Wise-women of Swanfleet dwell;
guides through the marshes — for a fee, of course. the eldest of these is Mother Wendreth. These women pre-
(What does an otter do with money? They wait until serve secrets from the dark days, taught to them by the Elves
a Dwarf-smith comes by, and then they buy clever of Eregion, and it is said they can weave illusions and take
toys to play with as they swim along. Where does on other forms if they desire. Medcaute is where the Swan-
an otter keep its money until then? In a riverbank!) fleeters gather on the rare occasions when they need to elect
a war chief, but they have no other government or customs
of leadership.
19

CHAPTER 1
Hugh Blackbriar,
Master of Swantown
Tall and commanding of aspect, Hugh Blackbriar once
belonged to Gurnow’s band of thieves. He quarrelled with
the bandit leader and was left for dead in the marshes. By
chance, Blackbriar survived and made his way to Swantown,
where his fortunes and standing have both risen, and now
he is seen by the people of that little settlement as a hero.
Hugh has kept the truth about his criminal youth a secret, and
claims instead to be a man of distant Laketown (Thorin Oak-
enshield and his kin sometimes encamped in Dunland, and
word of Esgaroth came through them.) Hugh fights to defend
Swantown — but preserving his own reputation and his new
life and family is more important to him than anything else.
OCCUPATION: Town leader, Retired outlaw
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Tall
Mother Wendreth, Wise-woman

Mother Wendreth is the elder of the House of Patient
Women. She knows the secrets of the Hill of the Sleeper
(see page 94) and has studied much of the ancient lore
of healing that is recorded in that hidden palace. Patience
defines Wendreth, often to the point of frustrating those
around her; she knows there are times and tides in the
affairs of mortals, and that the world will change around
you if you wait long enough.
OCCUPATION: Town elder, Healer
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Patient
THE GHOST BIRD and settles disputes as a neutral arbiter between families.
The Ghost Bird is a legend of the marsh. The tale, as told Those who cannot resolve a dispute may nail the skull of
in the taverns of Tharbad, speaks of a nightmarish figure, a bird to a tree outside their crannog; the Ghost Bird will
much taller than a man, with spindly limbs and a bird’s skull arrive a few nights’ later to make a judgement.
for a face. The Ghost Bird lurks in the Swanfleet, and if any- Tales of the Ghost Bird go back as far as anyone can
one trespasses too far into the haunted marsh, it appears to remember, so surely it is some deathless Wight or spirit
murder them with its deadly spear. The Ghost Bird does not that guards the swamp (see page 95 for more on the
only defend Swanfleet, but also dispatches justice within it Ghost Bird).
20

F og O ver E riador
L ond Daer
High towers that people built, and strong places, and havens of many ships...
Follow the Greyflood to the sea, and it leads to the Firth and was changed. Elendil and his sons — the Faithful — escaped
the town of Lond Daer. Dying Tharbad clings to its proud the wreck of Númenor, and established new kingdoms in the
history; reborn Lond Daer is almost wholly ignorant of its north and south. Lond Daer became part of Arnor, but the
even more ancient lineage. Thousands of years ago, this place building of the Road and the loss of traffic west over the now-
was the New Haven of the Sea-kings, the first outpost of the bent sea meant that the importance of the port swiftly declined,
Númenóreans beyond their enchanted isle. It was here that and the damage wrought on the harbour by the storms and
the mariners of Númenor built their great ships to voyage tidal waves of the Downfall was never wholly repaired.
north and south, exploring all the shores of Middle-earth
Decline and Resurgence

that are permitted to mortals; here that wars were fought in
ancient days, against the wild folk of the forests and the forces
of the Enemy. It was here that the armies of the West came By the early Third Age, Lond Daer was all but empty. It had
ashore in all their might and glory, and marched to rescue a reputation as a town of sorcerers and astrologers, of half-
the Elves in their first war against Sauron. mad old men looking for portents or scheming to find the
In time, the name of New Haven no longer fit, and the straight road west. Enemies of the king gathered there, and
city became Lond Daer Enedh, the Great Middle Haven, for strange ships from distant lands under the Shadow sometimes
it was located between the southern havens of Pelargir and visited the port. The haven survived another few centuries,
Umbar, and the northern Elf-havens in the Gulf of Lune. but in time it was wholly abandoned. The lesser buildings
With the establishment of Tharbad, and the deforestation and works of mortal Men crumbled, broken by time and
of Minhiriath and Enedwaith, the importance of the Middle the lash of wind and wave. Only the great structures of old
Haven declined, and the harbour was no longer thronged Númenórean craft survived, and even they were partially lost
with a forest of tall masts, but always the banner of the King beneath sand-dune and sea-weed.
of the West fluttered above its topless towers. The ruins of Lond Daer remained silent and empty. Then,
But the line of kings grew corrupt, until Ar-Pharazôn the slowly, people returned, and a new settlement arose, built
Golden took the throne, and in his overweening pride and atop the ruins of the old. Some were the descendants of folk
madness he made war upon the Undying Lands, and the world who had dwelt along the coast since time immemorial; others
LOND DAER
The Queen’s
Hall
d
o
o
fl
y
e
r
G
e
h
T
21

CHAPTER 1
were relative newcomers, who fled west or down the river On a little mound is the Queen’s Hall, a wooden
fleeing the rising Shadow and the growing threat of Orcs. In longhouse that incorporates the ruins of a villa, ancient
recent times, many more came fleeing down the Greyflood, beyond the reckoning of its current inhabitants, so
escaping the ruin of Tharbad. while the walls may be of wood and mud, the floor is
All gathered here, at the edge of Middle-earth, to make a a magnificent mosaic studded with semi-precious stones.
new beginning. There had been no law south of the Brandy- This hall is courthouse and alehouse and guesthouse, the
wine in many centuries, but it began to stir again in Lond Daer. heart of life in the Western Haven. The skull of the sea ser-
For many long years, Lond Daer was ruled by a council pent slain by the Queen hangs above her throne — a better
of elders and wealthy citizens. Ten years ago, a gigantic sea symbol of her right to rule than any crown or circlet (see
serpent swam into the harbour and preyed upon both fish page 79 for more on the Queen’s Hall).
and fishermen. The town sent forth a call for heroes, and Nearly as grand is the House of Johan Fleet, the wealth-
heroes came — hunters and adventurers, warriors and mighty- iest man in Lond Daer and the chief of the traders.
thewed swordsmen. The serpent devoured most of them, and He is the grandson of the former Master of Tharbad,
sent the survivors fleeing for dry land. and his fortune is founded on coffers of silver stolen
It took a young woman named Nimue who picked mussels from that city.
and shellfish on the rocks to defeat the serpent. She discov- Other than these two large houses, the rest of the
ered the creature had made its lair in the half-flooded ruins settlement is more humble. Yet, the cottages of the
of the ancient fortress at the mouth of the harbour. She swam town are made of good stone, quarried in part from
into the ruins to find the beast’s nest, only to be trapped in the old ruins. Ships infrequently sail as far north as the
the tunnels when the serpent returned. By fortunate chance, shores of Harlindon, where they trade with the Dwarves,
she found an ancient spear forged in Westernesse in the ruins, so the people of the town have good tools to work
and slew the monster. The townsfolk acclaimed her queen of with, and good weapons to fight with should danger
Lond Daer, and she rules there to this day. come upon them, or sail south and make the peril-
ous rounding of the cape of Andrast to barter with
The Western Haven

the folk of western Gondor along the Langstrand.
There is a sense of purpose in the Western Haven,
Slowly, year by year, generation by generation, Lond Daer is a feeling of hope that better days are coming.
becoming a town, perhaps even one day a city, the seed of a
ond Daer of Old

new kingdom. For the moment, it is a fortified village, rising
further inland than the old Númenórean city — flooding and L
subsidence drowned much of the old town, and when the Most of the old city can only be seen at low tide, when the
water is clear, the streets and ruins of the older city can still waters recede and the weed-garlanded remnants of the
be seen beneath the waters of the Firth. Its inhabitants call drowned ruins appear like ghosts. The folk of present-day
it the ‘Western Haven’, not recalling the name it once had. Lond Daer believe that it is good to live so close to a city
The main part of the settlement clusters along the south- made by the kings of old, and it is common for people to
ern side of the Firth, and is surrounded on two sides by a dream of walking the streets of the former haven. These ‘sea-
bank of earth topped with a wall of broken stone, mined from dreams’ are said to bring good luck — although some tales
the old Númenórean fortifications. A single gate faces east, tell of men who were found drowned on dry land, their beds
flanked by two wooden watchtowers, guarding the settlement drenched with sea-water in an otherwise dry room, killed by
from attacks by foes in Eryn Vorn or by barbaric tribesmen dreams becoming too real.
along the coast. The massive ramparts of an old fortress, the Sea Tower,
The inhabitants of the Western Haven find their suste- remain above sea level even at high tide. This was once the
nance by fishing and farming, especially fishing. That’s why mighty tower of Tarasyava that guarded the entrance to the
within its walls, the town smells mostly of fish — fish drying haven. Parts of this fortress can still be entered, although most
on racks, frying in pans, fish flopping on the sand, gulls wait- of the internal chambers are choked with silt, and explorers
ing to snatch discarded fish guts. The fishing boats wait at risk being drowned by rising waters. There are said to be
the dockside, guarded by the artificial reefs and shoals of the undiscovered treasures dating back to the ancient days in the
drowned city below. Only those who know the harbour well watery darkness of the Sea Tower, and it was here that the sea
can navigate the channels of the flooded streets and safely serpent nested before Queen Nimue slew it. The creature’s
reach the open sea. skull is in the Queen’s House, but the rest of its bones lie here.
22

F og O ver E riador
Other bones can be found here too — in ages past, a disturbing resemblance to the hand of a giant buried in the
tribe dwelt here in the ruins of the old haven, and used this sand. These are known as the Towers of the Stargazers, for
Númenórean fortress as their temple where they made offer- they were built by astrologers, in the dark, declining years of
ings to the sea. They believed that the powers of the ocean Lond Daer, when all that remained here were bitter old men
could be pleased with human sacrifice, and they left prisoners who craved the knowledge of drowned Númenor, and who
to drown in the flooded chambers of the fortress. practised strange rites atop their tall towers. All the entrances
On the northern shore, opposite the present town, stand to the towers were bricked up long ago (some, it seems, from
the remains of five towers, closely clustered, giving them a the inside), but there are hidden ways in and out through gaps.
23

CHAPTER 1
The Dwarf-
halls
of H armelt
Dwarves dwelt, and still dwell, in the east side of the Blue Mountains,
especially in those parts south of the Gulf of Lune, where they have mines that are still in use.
Dwarves have delved beneath the Blue Mountains since Once, a Dwarf-road led through the forests and wound
they first awoke, and their oldest halls here are almost as around the hill seven times before it reached the lip of the bowl,
ancient as fabled Moria. Once, they found gold, iron and but the lands beyond Harlindon became unfriendly, and the
gemstones in abundance beneath these mountains, and Dwarves allowed the road to vanish beneath the undergrowth.
built the cities of Nogrod and Belegost. Since the First Age, Now, secret paths known only to friends of the Dwarves lead
these mountains have been both a refuge and a source of through the thick forests to the Stone of Fire, and seven gate-
wealth for the Dwarves. In a changing world beset by many houses and guard towers watch the road that leads up the hill.
sorrows and dangers, it was a source of great comfort to
the Dwarves that one thing could always be relied on. The THE HALL OF GOLDEN WALLS
seas might drown the cities of the west, the kingdoms of The lord of Harmelt dwells in this glorious hall, where every
Men might rise and fall, and the Shadow in the east might single thing gleams with a golden light. Of gold are made the
draw ever closer — but the mines of the Blue Mountains cups and plates; upon the walls are panels of beaten gold, and
would never fail. golden sunlight pours through windows of polished crystal
They were half right. Since the restoration of the King- by day, and lamps blaze by night… In truth, one can judge
dom of Erebor, the iron mines in the northern spur of the the fortunes of Harmelt by the thickness of the gold — the
Blue Mountains have been mostly abandoned, and the gold stems of the golden goblets have been shaved thin indeed,
mines of the south appear close to being all but exhausted. and the panels on the walls are mere gold paint now. But it
The Dwarves of Harlindon dig ever deeper in search of new is still a wonder to look upon.
veins of gold, but their efforts are becoming less fruitful with All golden, too, is Lord Mjolin, the master of Harmelt. He
each passing year. is the second eldest of seven brothers, and four of his siblings
What is a Dwarf-hold without a source of wealth? Dwarves sit beside him at the high table. (The seventh brother, the
need to create, to make new things and build upon the works eldest, went off seeking adventure in the Misty Mountains and
of their ancestors. Without such an outlet for their craft, they never returned). Lord Mjolin keeps a tight grip on power —
fall into bitterness and hatred. The Dwarves of Harlindon are every office and station of note in Harmelt is held by one of
on the edge of such a precipice. A darkness grows in their his brothers or another close relative, so the weakness of the
hearts, and they fear that they will be the last generation to clan can be kept secret.
dwell here, that they will be the ones who fail the line of A pair of magic doors guards the Hall of Golden Walls.
ancestors stretching back to elder days. These doors are made of stone, inlaid with golden runes. A
word of command from the lord of the hall causes the doors
Visiting the alls

to close and lock. A tradition in Harmelt holds that if the
H doors are sealed when there is only a single individual alone
The Halls of Harmelt lie at the southern end of the moun- in the hall, a terrible death will come for that lone fool.
tain range, atop a hill called the Stone of Fire (named not
because of any volcanic qualities, but because the sun set- THE MINES OF HARMELT
ting behind the forested mound gives the impression that The once-fruitful mines of Harmelt still yield useful amounts
the hill is on fire). The top of the hill has been hollowed of tin and copper, but only scant traces of gold. The Dwarves
out in a deep, wide bowl, and it is in this great cup of stone have taken to salting the mines with gold nuggets when trav-
that the Dwarves have their halls. The open area is used ellers visit them, to “prove” that the mines are still viable.
for meetings and feasts in summer; a still pool in the cen- If the root of Harmelt’s wealth is known to be rotten, the
tre of the bowl echoes the water of the sacred Mirrormere Dwarf-hold is doomed to fade, abandoned one by one by the
in Dimrill Dale. Dwarves who dwell there.
24

F og O ver E riador
Lord Mjolin, Master of Harmelt

There can be no greater shame than to be the last of a great
line, to know that you are the one who broke the chain,
who failed where all those before you succeeded. The
tragedy of Mjolin is that this failure is not his fault. He is not
lacking in courage or skill or wit. It is the mountain that has
failed him — the spring of his family’s wealth has run dry.
Without gold, Harmelt will dwindle, and the family lose
its place of prestige among the Dwarves of the Ered Luin.
Now, Mjolin must find a way to forge a new chain,
to chart a new path for Harmelt. He is a Dwarf adrift; he
wishes he could follow the path of his elder brother and
go a-wandering, instead of being tethered to his respon-
sibilities here in the Hall of Golden Walls. He conceals
his doubts behind a stern Dwarven brow; he is the Lord
of Harmelt, and can admit no weakness or hesitancy. Pri-
vately, he’s desperately seeking a way forward, and will
harken to any counsel, however unwise, that offers him a
path out of his distress.
OCCUPATION: Lord of the Dwarf-hold
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Stern
Hjolin, Dwarven Lore-master

The middle brother of the seven, Hjolin is the only one
to not hold a seat at the high table. It was offered to him,
and he rejected it, for his mind is consumed with his work.
Hjolin is obsessed with the forgotten lore of the Dwarves,
with secrets of metalworking and rune-scribing that were
THE DRAGONTOWER lost with the fall of Moria. He is convinced that he can
There is an eighth tower, of much newer con- uncover some secret that will restore the fortunes of Har-
struction than the rest. This tower was built after melt, but his obsession consumes him, and his brothers
the Kingdom of Erebor was conquered by Smaug, worry that he has lost his mind in the labyrinth of old books
and the Dwarves of the Ered Luin feared that this and smoking vials of foul liquid he’s built for himself in a
calamity heralded a new plague of fire-d rakes. disused gallery of the mine. He comes and goes, vanishing
At the top of the Dragontower is a warning bell, from Harmelt for months at a time, returning in the dead
to be rung by the sentry if a Dragon is seen, of night, his fingernails encrusted with barrow-dirt or the
and in the tower is a sword made long long dust of long-sealed tombs and towers outside Lond Daer.
ago (by one of the apprentices of Telchar, or so
the legends say), wound around with runes of OCCUPATION: Smith, Rune-scribe
Dragon-s laying.
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Eccentric
25

CHAPTER 1
Ruins of Cardolan
The brief glow fell upon a huge sitting figure, still and solemn as the great stone kings
of Argonath. The years had gnawed it, and violent hands had maimed it…
Cardolan’s history, from founding to destruction, is regretta- Towers and Strongholds

bly brief. The sons of the last High King of Arnor quarrelled, In the years before the fall of Cardolan, the lords of that land
and the north-kingdom was divided between them, making built a great many fortresses and watchtowers along its bor-
three new kingdoms — Arthedain in the north, Rhudaur in ders, especially on its northern hilltops and along the banks
the east, and Cardolan in the south. There was much strife of the river Hoarwell. Some of these fortifications survive,
between the kingdoms, especially over the claim on the lonely sentinels long blind. Others have become homes; old
Weather Hills, and while the kings of Cardolan fought, they walls still have strength, and it’s not uncommon to find a
were ever wary of the wastes of Enedwaith across the river, small hamlet or farmstead at the foot of a hill, with the old
where many sullen foes yet dwelt in the hills and wild places. tower used as a place of refuge or a storehouse. Many are
After some five hundred years, Rhudaur fell into dark- now Troll-holes, where monsters shelter from the sunlight.
ness and allied with a shadow out of the land of Angmar, and Some among these towers are similar to the great watch-
both Cardolan and Arthedain were assaulted. The Dúnedain tower at Amon Sûl, and while the survivors cannot claim the
of Cardolan repaired to the region that today is called the nobility of their builders, at least they still stand. Typically, the
Barrow-downs and held out for a time, but the land was rav- towers are five or six stories tall, with the entrance some six or
aged. Plague followed, the terrible Great Plague that killed ten feet above the ground, accessible by an external wooden
four out of every five in some parts of the failing kingdom. stair or ladder. The topmost level may be open to the sky and
Historians still debate exactly when Cardolan ended; there stars, or the tower may be topped with a conical roof. Some
was no single decisive catastrophe, just a juddering decline towers held jewels of glass or crystal, made in likeness of the
until nothing remained save a few survivors clustered around Palantíri — whether these reproductions were placed here to
Tharbad and along the border with Arthedain. The last prince fool the Enemy regarding the whereabouts of the real Seeing
of Cardolan likely perished around 1409, but a succession of Stones or for some other purpose not even the Wise know.
stewards, warlords and seneschals continued Other ruins of Cardolan are not so obvi-
to rule for more than a century after. ous to the eye. Mines in the South Downs
Still, for a few centuries, there are still in use, and the long grass hides
was a king in Minhiriath, and the remains of ancient villas and man-
that has not been wholly ors in the wilds of Min-
forgotten. hiriath. Legacies of
26

F og O ver E riador
THE BARROW PEOPLE

It is told that in their last days, the lords of Car- to fight in a place where others resisted against the same dark-
dolan found refuge in the hills to the east of the ness, long ago. Oft, weapons slumbering in mounds or hidden
Old Forest, amid the Barrow-downs. When the treasuries show themselves when they are needed most sorely.
plague ravaged the land, some among them burnt
their houses in desperation, and took shelter in the GHOSTS OF THE PLAGUE YEARS
houses of the ancient dead. Many travellers jour- Not every memory of old Cardolan is welcome. In the last days
neying along the Greenway and entering the nar- of the kingdom, when plague stalked the land, the survivors
row gorge known by the name of Andrath, swear despaired, and in their grief, some rejected the Powers of the
to have seen the descendants of that folk, still liv- West and instead succumbed to apocalyptic cults preached
ing among the crumbling barrows. by strange prophets out of Angmar. They turned to the wor-
These barrow-d wellers are pale, grey and ship of Morgoth Bauglir, begging him to save them from the
gaunt, looking more dead than alive. They have plague. The ghosts of these worshippers linger yet amid the
forgotten the tongues they once knew, and speak ruins of their homes, where they perished with a prayer to
only the language of the dead. They worship the the Enemy yet on their lips.
corpses of kings upon the slab, and though they
Wyncross
wear only rags, they fight with swords of ancient
design. They see other living beings as monsters,
as horrible in their eyes as a Wight or Wraith. The ruins of Wyncross lie a few days south of Bree, at the
crossroads where the road to Sarn Ford breaks from the Gre-
enway. The Great Plague put an end to the town, although
a few families lived among the ruins for centuries after, their
numbers dwindling with each generation. The last of them
the vanished days of glory appear suddenly, carven stones peer- moved to Bree, and now Wyncross is lonely and mostly empty.
ing from the undergrowth, or a stone bridge arching over a lit- Travellers on the road often encamp here — as do Elves of
tle stream, trailing green creepers into the babbling water. Such the Wandering Companies, for this was once a merry town. In
places retain a little of the strength and power of the kingdoms days of old when the land now called the Shire was the king’s
of old; when standing against the servants of Shadow, it is good vineyards, this was Wine-cross, the wine-market of the north.
Eryn Vorn
Tom’s words laid bare the hearts of trees and their thoughts, which were often dark and strange, and filled with a
hatred of things that go free upon the earth, gnawing, biting, breaking, hacking, burning: destroyers and usurpers.
Once, there was only forest, a great dark wood stretching cut down, and those that were left grew bitter. The wood-goers
from sea to mountains, a forest far larger than little Mirkwood. made war on the invaders, but stone-tipped spears and knives
Shepherds of trees walked there, and the trees harkened to of bone were no match for steel harness forged in Númenor.
their slow songs. Later, much later, Men came and dwelt here Now, that once vast forest is gone, leaving only a few dark
too, wood-goers hiding in the shadows from a greater, colder remnants. The forest of Fangorn beyond the gap of Rohan
shadow in the North. is by far the largest of these. Better known in Eriador is the
All this was long ago, so long ago that the shepherds fell Old Forest between the Bree-land and the Shire.
asleep. They vanished in the east, or drowned in the west with A third such remnant is the forested cape of Eryn Vorn.
their beloved willow-meadows. These woods were impenetrably dark and tangled even in the
More Men came, tall Men from the sea, bearing bright axes. days of Númenor, and there have been several thousand years
They cut down the forest, chopping down the eldest of trees of twisted, cankerous growth since. Huge trees grow there, mon-
for timber. The forest shrank, like waters receding after a flood, strous giants; no axe has ever sounded in these woods, not even
like the sea retreating with the tide. Each year, more trees were one wielded by the hand of Dwarf or Dúnadan — for these
27

CHAPTER 1
woods are inhabited. The wood-goers that dwell in the dark- the tongues of Men, and have their own language of bird-calls
ness of the cape are savage wild Men, descendants of those who and creaking noises like branches swaying in the wind.
hid from the Númenórean mariners as they sailed up the River They take prisoners when they can. They bring these pris-
Greyflood. Whatever they once were, they have been changed oners back to the dark woods, and hang them from certain old
by long ages of isolation and hatred of the outside world. trees deep in the forest. They cut the prisoners’ flesh, so the
They are the Tree Men of Eryn Vorn. blood drains into the soil. Tree-roots drink deep, and the old
trees awaken and speak, whispering root-speech and secrets
The Tree Men

from the Elder Days. Sometimes, with enough blood to warm
their sap, these old trees even get up and walk.
The wood-goers dwelling in Eryn Vorn smear their bodies with
The Barrow of Eryn Vorn

leaf-mould and mud, and use branches and leaves to disguise
themselves, so they blend into the forest. They have mastered
stillness, and can hold one position for hours or even days, freez- At the end of the cape, beyond the forest, is a steep-sided head-
ing in place, so still they scarcely breathe. They are so adept land. Gulls nest there in profusion. The cliffs appear unclimb-
at camouflage that the folk of Lond Daer hold that they are able from the seaward side, although there may be paths out of
half-tree, and that in the winter they freeze in place as leafless the forest that the Tree Men use when hunting birds. Atop the
saplings, their limbs twisted and blown by the constant wind headland is a burial mound, marked by a pillar of black stone.
from the sea. The Tree Men hate and despise all outsiders; not The Númenórean mariners saw the mound when they first
only do they hunt anyone who enters the wood of Eryn Vorn, sailed to Middle-earth, so the mound must have been raised
but they sometimes raid outside their territory, and that is a ter- in the Elder Days by some Elf-lord or Dwarf-king of Beleriand.
rifying sight indeed — a whole wood apparently springing up The only way to reach the barrow is to travel through the dark
overnight around some isolated farmstead, bright eyes gleaming forest of Eryn Vorn, so whatever treasures or secrets are buried
amid the bark and leaves. They have forgotten how to speak in there may remain undisturbed until doomsday.
The Lone-
lands of Minhiriath
In those days no other Men had settled dwellings so far west, or within a hundred leagues of the Shire.
To most, the Lone-lands of Minhiriath appear utterly deserted. H ynda’s H ouse at Wormhill
A traveller could wander the region for months and not see Hynda’s farmstead is typical of the settlements that survive in
another living soul. The wars and plagues of more than a Minhiriath in the last days of the Third Age. It’s a house in
thousand years ago erased the largest communities and bur- a sheltered fold of the land, guarded by a low wall of stone,
ied the remnants of the old kingdoms. at the foot of a mound called Wormhill. Hynda and her kin-
Those who survived did so by hiding, by isolating them- folk farm the area, growing vegetables and grain, and sup-
selves. The folk who still live here dwell in fortified ham- plement their diet with meat from hunting. She remembers
lets, in farmsteads many days walk from any neighbour, or a few vestiges of the culture of the old kingdoms — Hynda
as nomads, hunting in the wilderness and living off the can read well enough, and has passed the trick on to her clev-
land. In many ways, Tom Bombadil is a more typical den- erer grandchildren. There are a few books in her house, as
izen of Eriador than, say, the innkeeper of Bree — there well as a carven icon of a king of old salvaged from a ruined
are more isolated farmsteads than villages in these ruined town. She eats off plates of tin or chipped porcelain, and her
lands (although of course Tom is a thing unto himself, and kettle bubbles above a fire that burns in an elegant wrought-
the surly, suspicious farmers of the north are quite unlikely iron grate. She prides herself on being civilised and lawful,
to break into spontaneous verse, nor do they wear bright observing the traditions of the north instead of being a wild
yellow boots.) barbarian like the Fisher-folk or worse, the Tree Men of Eryn
The Rangers guard these hamlets and farmsteads, as they Vorn. However, her little farmstead is far from being self-
protect Bree and the Shire. sufficient — she relies on Dwarven smiths to mend her tools
28

F og O ver E riador
and pots and pans, and every year something irreplaceable

is lost or breaks, never to be made whole again.
The old traditions urge Hynda to be hospitable to strang- THE HUNGRY ONE
ers, to keep the king’s peace, and to look to the West instead The Fisher-folk know of a singular peril that waits
of the Shadow in the East — but she must balance these train the deep waters off the coast of Middle-earth.
ditions against a lifetime of bitter experience. Strangers may They call it the Hungry One, though in truth they
bring plague or be thieves, the only law in the land these days do not know if it is a single creature or a host. It
is the law of the sword, no aid or hope comes out of the west, resembles a great tangle of seaweed, all entan-
and the old tales say all the seas are bent. If a traveller can gled and riding on the waves, a floating island
convince Hynda Greengrass that they are of good character large enough to carry a whole town. Strands and
and worthy of trust, then she offers shelter and a good supper tendrils of foul slime thread through this great
beneath her roof. Otherwise… well, there’s a midden-pit over body of weed and hold it together, as if that
the hill that holds more than household waste. huge raft were a woven cloak for some under-
water giant. The Hungry One hides in the waters,
sinking deep during the day, emerging only at
Hynda Greengrass night, as if it fears the light of the West. The Fisher-
folk make offerings to it, weighing captives down
OCCUPATION: Mistress of Hynda’s House with stones and sinking them in places where the
Hungry One lurks.
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Suspicious Sometimes, a curious madness seizes one of
the Fisher-folk; they call this the breath of the Hun-
gry One. The victim is compelled to go east, up
The Fisher-folk of the Shore

into the mountains, and seek out the place called
Moria. It is as though the Hungry One calls to some
The coastline between Lond Daer and the haunted cape of kindred spirit of evil in the mountains.
Eryn Vorn is well populated in comparison to the rest of Min-
hiriath. This land is home to tribes of Fisher-folk. They are a
wild folk, half-way between the inhabitants of Tharbad and the
cruel Tree Men who have known only darkness. They migrate
up and down the coast, travelling by boat as far north as For-
lindon (or even, rarely, Forochel, for they are distant kin to
the ice-folk who live in that harsh land), and as far south as
the mouth of the river Isen, following sea-birds and shoals
of fish. They build no villages, but erect temporary shelters
of dried seaweed and driftwood, or take refuge in sea-caves THE SINGER ON THE SHORE
or among the ruins of crumbling fortresses that were made The Fisher-folk know another secret; a strange
to guard against attacks from the sea. Their boats are small fellow wanders the hither shore of Middle-earth,
but seaworthy, made of hide stretched over wooden frames. all alone. They call him the Singer, for though he
The ancestors of the Fisher-folk were driven out of the rarely raises his voice to song, when he does it is a
forest by the forces of Númenor, and they remember old wonder. Potent are his songs; he can raise or quell
grudges and old terrors. Even though they are akin to some storms, or call fish or even unquiet spirits from the
of the folk of Lond Daer, they dislike the growing settlement, deeps. It’s said even the Hungry One fears the
fearing that the warriors of the haven will come to dominate Singer. Some tales say he is an Elf; others claim
the shore and drive them into the wilds. he is a spirit himself. The Singer knows the shore
It is to the credit of the Fisher-folk that they have never better than any living man, and can disappear at
succumbed to the Shadow. Partly, this is because their lands will. His footprints or the echoes of his songs are
lie far from Mordor, but also, they have a strange understand- encountered far more often than the Singer him-
ing with the spirits that dwell in the deep ocean. The Fisher- self; his songs are so beautiful that the rocks of
folk, it is said, can call up winds and storms with a song, and the shore cling to them, and they echo far longer
some among them are rumoured to be skin-changers, able than other sounds.
to take on the form of bird or fish.
29

CHAPTER 2
A GATHERING
STORM
Far away east and south there was war and growing fear…

CHAPTER 2
he true Tale of Years for Eriador is unwritten. The that will soon come to the fore. These include the schemes of
history recorded in the Red Book of Westmarch major players like the Black Númenóreans and the White Hand
does not relate precisely what became of Lond of Saruman, the actions of Raiders from Dunland, and more.
Daer, or Tharbad, or the folk living along the Each threat description includes a number of poten-
coasts. The histories tell only that the King returned in 3019, tial strokes — events or undertakings that will advance that
and brought better days to this benighted region — but there threat’s agenda. They are listed under the Dark Designs head-
may be many unfinished or lost tales that tell what happened in ings in each section, in a chronological ‘Tale of Years’ for-
the lone-lands in the many decades before the War of the Ring. mat. The Loremaster should take these entries into consid-
The present chapter describes threats looming over the com- eration to weave them into a Company’s Adventuring Phases
ing years in Southern Eriador — outside forces and spies that or Fellowship Phases (as Rumours, for example), building on
have recently entered the region, or potential internal conflicts the suggestions presented and evaluating how the deeds of
32

A G athering S torm
CONTRADICTIONS? whichever ones fit your campaign, and don’t try to

Adopting a flexible approach to the unfolding of events cram all of them in. If your players are having fun fight-
in a campaign may lead to contradictions, as far as the ing Dunlendings, then saving Lond Daer from their
published material is concerned. For example, on page attack makes for a fantastic adventure. If your play-
39, the timeline for the Black Númenóreans states that ers are more the sort to investigate sinister mysteries,
Lond Daer is attacked and destroyed by them. On page then the Black Númenórean plotline is a better fit. (And
48, it’s the Dunlendings. Which one is correct? if your players are off conspiring in Tharbad or play-
The answer is that it’s up to what happens on your ing outlaws in Swanfleet, then it doesn’t matter who
table. All these plots and factions are optional — use destroys Lond Daer.)
the Player-heroes may affect them — by taking action against incorporated as news from far-off corners of the land — if a
these strokes during an Adventuring Phase, the Company can campaign is about adventures amid the Barrow-downs, then
prevent that danger from growing. the fate of the fisher queen in Lond Daer is a topic for noth-
Not every dark design must be incorporated into a cam- ing more than fireside tales.
paign. Many tales outlined in this chapter can remain possi- Descriptions for several key Loremaster characters are
bilities, mere shadows of a bitter fate. Some playing groups included, complete with gaming stats if an individual is likely
will ignore some of them altogether, while others may be to become an adversary to the Player-heroes.
The Black Númenóreans

“This only would he say, that Imladris was of old the name among the Elves
of a far northern dale, where Elrond the Halfelven dwelt, greatest of lore-masters.”
The Enemy is moving. forth to oppose him, or to flee West — either way, the power
The time is not yet right for his great assault on the lands to defeat him is not in the Three Rings.) Gil-galad is dead,
of the Free Folk. He gathers his armies in Mordor and in the and Elendil is dead, and their kingdoms are gone. Sauron
East, preparing to sweep across the Great River and crush shattered the North-kingdom through his servants in Ang-
the last outpost of Númenor at Minas Tirith. With his dark mar, and there are no Men in the North with any strength
arts and his agents, he calls up the Orcs of the Misty Moun- to stand against him. The Dwarves he can enslave or bargain
tains, readying them to swarm from their noisome holes to with, especially as Moria is his to trade. No, as far as Sauron’s
overwhelm Wilderland. At Dol Guldur, he prepares a host to military plans are concerned, Eriador is an afterthought, a
strike at the Elven stronghold of Lothlórien. One day soon, battle fought and won more than a thousand years ago. There
the hammer-blow will fall on Erebor and Dale too, snuffing will be no great invasion of Eriador, for there is nothing left
out the brief candle of hope that was lit with the death of the to invade or destroy — with two exceptions.
Dragon. Sauron plans to bring final war to the lands east of He has a plan for the Grey Havens. One of Sauron’s secret
the Misty Mountains. fears is that his enemies might find the One Ring and deny
The West, though — here, his designs must be different. it to him forever by taking it West over sea, where he cannot
Partly, this is because his evil work is already done here. follow — or, even worse, travel there and persuade the Valar
Sauron has defeated most of the foes that might have chal- to intercede again, as they did at the end of the First Age.
lenged him in Eriador. The Ring-smiths of Eregion are gone; Therefore, Sauron intends to blockade the Havens. Corsairs
even though he lacks the Ruling Ring, he has gathered to him from Umbar will sail north, carried swiftly on hot, foul winds
the Nine and what remains of the Seven. (As for the Three, out of Harad, and stop the Elven ships from crossing the
the war will either force the keepers of those rings to step sea. At the same time, he will send Orcs and Evil Men out of
33

CHAPTER 2
Angmar to lay waste to Lindon. Here, Sauron’s hatred is at the charges laid upon them by Barad-dûr — they intend to
odds with his cold ambition; the longer he leaves the Havens survey the lands that will surely be theirs when all is done,
open as an escape route, the more tempted the last Elves will find out what treasures and riches may be found there, and
be to abandon Middle-earth to his shadow and sail away, but decide who will be spared and who will be slaughtered in the
Sauron desires to destroy and dominate all the Firstborn. new ordering of the world to come.
The other exception, and the one that torments Sauron like
The Ship Kathuphazgân

a thorn in his side, is the hidden valley of Imladris where Elrond
dwells. It was Elrond’s father who pleaded before the Valar; it was
Elrond’s friend and liege-lord who led the Last Alliance in the The Black Númenóreans sailed out of Umbar in the galleon
last war. Sauron’s forces tried to besiege the refuge of Rivendell Kathuphazgân. This mighty vessel is like a fortress under sail
in the War of the Elves and Sauron, but that was thousands of — a ship of such size has not been seen in northern seas for
years ago. Since then, all the lands have changed, and the valley hundreds of years, but the shipyards of Umbar have all the
is hidden even from the Eye. Rivendell must be destroyed and resources of Harad and the lands beyond to plunder. Of black
Elrond slain before Sauron can have complete victory. teak are her timbers made, and ivory her fittings. She sails
Enter the Black Númenóreans. under vast black sails like thunderclouds. For secrecy’s sake,
These are the descendants of Dúnedain who fell under she does not fly the sails marked with the Eye, but her prov-
the Shadow. Many have fallen in this manner; the servants enance is undeniable — only the Corsairs of Umbar could
of Ar-Pharazôn, rulers of lesser realms in the south, sorcer- build and sail such a massive vessel.
ers and astrologers who sought forbidden knowledge in the To stay hidden, the Kathuphazgân rests at anchor at hid-
darkness, jealous princes who quarrelled with the Kings of den coves and inlets along the coast between the mouths of
Gondor. Even those of Westernesse who have risen high and the Greyflood and the Isen, in spots where she can remain
accrued many blessings and honours may turn their face from unseen by passing fishermen or Elven wanderers. From this
the light and bow to the Dark Lord on his Dark Throne. floating castle, Zoril and Usapthon send their agents ashore.
In addition to the two leaders of the expedition, the Kathu
The Mission to Eriador

phazgân carries a crew of some five hundred — three hundred
sailors and rowing-slaves, fifty servants, officers and priests, and
In the year 2965 of the Third Age, a ship sets sail from the another hundred and fifty warriors. Such a huge crew requires
havens of Umbar. On board is a band of Black Númenóreans, a great deal of supplies, and while she is as well provisioned
led by the warlord Zoril and the sorcerer Usapthon, sent on a as can be, the Kathuphazgân must return to Umbar every few
mission by Sauron himself. It has been many centuries since months to restock. On board, she carries engines of war: wind-
a ship of Umbar sailed so far north, into the chilly regions lasses and catapults, sealed jars of devilry, swords and armour
beyond the Cape of Andrast. The task set to Zoril and Usap- to outfit a savage host — but her purpose is spying and secrecy,
thon by the Dark Lord is twofold. not conquest. Therefore, Kathuphazgân’s primary weapon is a
First and foremost, they are to locate the hidden valley of treasury brimming with gold, jewels, and precious rings, enough
Imladris, so that when the time comes, Sauron’s forces can lay to sway the strongest heart with a bribe. The two leaders of the
siege to the haven and destroy it. They know that Imladris is expedition mistrust each other, and the treasure vault is sealed
somewhere on the upper courses of the River Bruinen, and with a cunning lock that requires two keys to open.
that the Bruinen flows into the Greyflood, but they have no Usapthon, in particular, is steeped in sorcery, and the
knowledge beyond that. The spies are to draw maps of the Kathuphazgân is outfitted with laboratories, temples and rit-
region, and find a route that a host of Orcs can easily follow. ual chambers for the practice of dark arts. Another room, at
Second, they are to establish a network of spies and infor- the heart of the ship, is the map room, where the progress
mants in the north who will report back to Sauron on the com- of the expedition may be tracked, and the discoveries of the
ings and goings of the Elves, especially in the Grey Havens. As Black Númenóreans compared against copies of ancient maps
no Elf would ever serve the Shadow, even unwittingly, these preserved in Umbar.
informants will be Men and Dwarves.
Key Foes
When the war is done and Sauron is the undisputed
god-king of Middle-earth, and all living things are under the
Shadow, then he has promised that the kingdom of the hated The crew of the Kathuphazgân and their leaders will prob-
Faithful of Elendil will be restored under the rule of the Black ably be the most formidable foes the Player-heroes end up
Númenóreans. Therefore, they have a third mission, beyond facing in Eriador.
34

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Zoril
Zoril might easily be mistaken for one of the Dúnedain of THE BLADE MAGOLACH
old; in her, the blood of Númenor is strong, giving her the By the arts of the enemy, Magolach retains the heat
long limbs and lordly height of that folk. She was a reaver of its forging; when drawn, the blade becomes
and an adventurer in the south for long years, wandering searing hot to the touch. Zoril carries a scabbard
under strange stars as a freebooter, before she returned lined with a curious cloth from the south that does
home to Umbar. Zoril believes that she can be the queen not burn, so the weapon can be sheathed safely.
of the North-kingdom if she proves herself in the sight of This long sword grants the Fiery Blow special dam-
the Eye, but she also knows that Sauron has the spider-like age option:
patience of the immortals, while Zoril herself is a mere mor- ♦ FIERY BLOW: The attack burns the target,
tal. She’s therefore determined to find a way to accelerate inflicting a severe Endurance loss from fire
her plans. Sometimes, she contemplates using the resources damage (see page 134 of The One Ring).
of the Kathuphazgân to set herself up as a warlord, as the
new queen of Angmar. At other times, she wonders if attack-
ing the Grey Havens would provoke the Elves to act, and
spark conflict between the Free Folk and the Shadow.
Zoril is immensely arrogant, and she has good cause
to be — she is a master swordswoman and explorer, the
equal of any Man who lives in this age of the world. She
wields the blade Magolach, a sword made in the forges of Usapthon
Mount Doom by the smiths of Minas Morgul, and she has Of old, the Black Númenóreans studied the arts of the
yet to meet a weapon that can withstand it. Indeed, this Enemy, and learned sorcery under the tutelage of Sau-
whole ‘scouting’ mission is a waste of Zoril’s talents (in her ron. During the long centuries after the Enemy’s defeat
eyes, at least) — with another few hundred men and a few at the hands of the Last Alliance, knowledge of sorcery
more ships, she could conquer all the North and sweep was preserved by secret cults and schools. Usapthon was
the remaining Elves away! trained in such a school; she was raised in underground
If the Player-h eroes disrupt the plans of the Black catacombs and did not see sunlight until she was nine years
Númenóreans, Zoril will lead the hunt for the insolent old, so that she was consecrated to Shadow. Her mother
meddlers… tongue is the Black Speech of Mordor, and she was taught
to read by studying crumbling scrolls of magic. At fifteen,
ZORIL ATTRIBUTE LEVEL she was sent to the far east, to lands long under the Ene-
Proud, Wilful my’s sway, to be a priestess in one of the huge stepped
7 temples where offerings are given to Morgoth in terrible
rites. From there, she was brought in a ceremonial pro-
ENDURANCE MIGHT HATE PARRY ARMOUR cession of oliphaunts to the dread land of Mordor, and
instructed in the ways of sorcery by the acolytes of Sauron
28 2 7 +4 4 himself, the Dark Lord returned.
Now, she’s been sent to Eriador — and for Usapthon,
COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: The Blade Magolach 4 (6/18, this land is stranger than any she has known before. The
Fiery Blow — see box), Great Bow 3 (4/16, Pierce) sorceress has lived her whole life in temples and cult
strongholds, isolated from the lives of ordinary folk. For
FELL ABILITIES: Fearless. This creature’s Might is consid- her, a dark tower tended by eyeless, tongueless servants
ered 1 higher for the purpose of resisting the Intimidate is unremarkable and quotidian, while the little fishing vil-
Foe combat task. lages and farmsteads of Minhiriath are strange and eerie.
Snake-like Speed. When targeted by an attack, She knows the secret names of the Balrogs that served
spend 1 Hate to make the attack roll Ill-favoured. the Enemy of old, but has never heard even the simplest
Yell of Triumph. Spend 1 Hate to restore 1 Hate or riddle or song others learn in childhood.
Resolve to all allies in the fight. Usapthon will show all these ignorant fools the glory
of the One True God.
35

CHAPTER 2
USAPTHON ATTRIBUTE LEVEL won in the Bay of Belfalas and on the Anduin, not up here
Secretive, Unsettling in these cold, desolate lands.
7 If pressed, Captain Nerek is a dangerous foe; he’s led
his crew to victory in many battles.
ENDURANCE MIGHT HATE PARRY ARMOUR
NEREK ATTRIBUTE LEVEL
28 2 7 +3 2 Commanding, Seasoned
5
COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Club 3 (4/14, Pierce),
Dagger 3 (2/12) ENDURANCE MIGHT RESOLVE PARRY ARMOUR
FELL ABILITIES: Combat Sorcerer. Usapthon can cast a

20 2 5 +2 3
Dreadful Spell in place of one of her attacks. If she does
so, she can cast the spell without spending Hate. COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Heavy Scimitar 3 (5/18,
Denizen of the Dark. All attack rolls are Favoured Break Shield)
while in darkness.
Dreadful Spells: Lure of Shadow. Usapthon weaves
a web of darkness around her victim. Spend 1 Hate
to make one Player-hero gain 3 Shadow points (Sor-
cery). Targets who fail their Shadow test suffer a Bout of
Madness.
Dreadful Spells: Misfortune. Usapthon curses her foes
with bad luck. Spend 1 Hate to make one Player-hero gain
3 Shadow points (Sorcery). Targets who fail their Shadow
test or who are Miserable increase all their Attribute TNs
by their Shadow score for the rest of the combat.
Fearless. This creature’s Might is considered 1
higher for the purpose of resisting the Intimidate Foe
combat task.
Strike Fear. Spend 1 Hate to make all Player-heroes
in sight gain 2 Shadow points (Dread). Those who fail
their Shadow Test are daunted and cannot spend Hope
for the rest of the fight.
Captain Nerek
Old Nerek is a veteran of the Corsairs of Umbar, a raider
and reaver of the shores of Middle-earth. He has lost the
wild courage of his youth, and now tends towards caution.
Preserving his ship and the lives of his crew seems more
important to him than some valley of a few ancient Elves,
so this mission to Eriador fills him with doubt. He has no
desire to sail so close to the Grey Havens; Círdan the Ship-
wright is a figure out of legend among seafarers, and it is
said that he watches over the waters of Lhûn. Nerek looks
for any excuse to sail the Kathuphazgân to safer waters;
given the choice, he’d leave Zoril and Usapthon on the
sandy shore and let them complete their mission without
endangering his ship further. The war will be fought and
36

A G athering S torm
opportunity offered to go ashore, so he can stand on dry

FELL ABILITIES: Master & Commander. While Nerek com- land and be away from the cursed water — why, there’s
mands his crew, his and their Might counts as 1 higher for nothing between you and the West when you’re at sea,
the purpose of resisting the Intimidate Foe combat task. and nowhere to hide from the cursed Sun.
Snake-like Speed. When targeted by an attack, Lug’s a powerful Orc, at least when on solid ground —
spend 1 Resolve to make the attack roll Ill-favoured. he’s Mordor-bred and trained, so he’s much bigger and
Yell of Triumph. Spend 1 Resolve to restore 1 stronger than the runts of the Misty Mountains, a true Uruk.
Resolve to all allies in the fight. He wears heavy armour and a masked helm even when
at sea. He’ll sink like a stone if he falls overboard, but by
the Eye, he’ll not face the sea unarmed and unprotected!
The Lord of the Lash
The only Orc on board the Kathup hazg ân is the slave- LUG, THE LORD OF THE LASH ATTRIBUTE LEVEL
master, Lug, called the Lord of the Lash by the slaves. Proud, Wilful
Orcs are not seafarers, and have a natural terror of the 6
open ocean, so Lug stays below on the slave decks and
takes his fear out on the unfortunate rowers. He takes any ENDURANCE MIGHT HATE PARRY ARMOUR
24 1 6 +3 4
COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Broad-bladed sword 3 (4/16,

Pierce), Bow of Horn 3 (3/14, Pierce)
FELL ABILITIES: Hate Sunlight. Lug loses 1 Hate for each

round he is exposed to the full light of the sun.
Horrible Strength. If Lug scored a Piercing Blow with
a close combat attack, spend 1 Hate to make the target’s
Protection roll Ill-favoured.
Yell of Triumph. Spend 1 Hate to restore 1 Hate or
Resolve to all allies in the fight.
Black Númenórean Spies

Cunning spies, trained to infiltrate and recruit more agents
to Sauron’s cause.
BLACK NÚMENÓREAN SPY ATTRIBUTE LEVEL

Deceptive, Patient
3
12 1 3 — 1
COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Short Sword 3 (3/16, Pierce)
FELL ABILITIES: Craven. When affected by the Intimidate

Foe combat task, the creature also loses 1 Hate.
Snake-like Speed. When targeted by an attack,
spend 1 Hate to make the attack roll Ill-favoured.
37

CHAPTER 2
Dark Designs of
Black Númenórean Sailors the Black Númenóreans
Most of the crew of the Kathuphazgân are slaves and will The Black Númenóreans intended to sail up the Greyflood
not fight for the Black Númenóreans; the statistics below as far as they could, and then send scouts inland along the
describe one of the deck crew or guards on board the ship. river to seek the hidden valley, but the existence of the settle-
ment of Lond Daer forced them to change their plans. They
BLACK NÚMENÓREAN SAILOR ATTRIBUTE LEVEL must move more slowly now, and with a greater emphasis on
Proud, Superstitious corruption and secrecy.
4
2965: STRANGERS IN LOND DAER
ENDURANCE MIGHT RESOLVE PARRY ARMOUR Black Númenóreans, disguising themselves as travellers from
the south, infiltrate the port of Lond Daer. They claim to be
16 1 4 +1 2 fleeing the growing darkness in Mordor, and ask about hir-
ing guides to lands further north. They are hungry for news
COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Axe 3 (5/18, Break Shield) — and will pay in gold for word of “Imladris”.
FELL ABILITIES: None. 2966: THE FISHER CHILD

A child from one of the Fisher-folk tribes along the coast
spots the Kathuphazgân riding at anchor. Guards from the
Black Númenórean Soldiers ship pursue the child, who escapes into the wilderness. If
These warriors are among the best and highest-honoured the child is not recaptured, the Kathuphazgân will have to
soldiers amid the Black Númenóreans, the counterparts change anchorage and retreat back south to Umbar to avoid
of Gondor’s elite guard of the citadel. There are only a discovery. When the ship returns, Zoril decides that they will
few of these warriors on board, but few in Eriador can need a more secure anchorage, and begins to plan the tak-
match them. ing of Lond Daer.
BLACK NÚMENÓREAN ATTRIBUTE LEVEL 2967: DARK BARGAINS

SOLDIER Zoril strikes a bargain with Johan Fleet, a merchant of Lond
Cruel, Disciplined 5 Daer (see page 83). In exchange for gold from Umbar,
Fleet will spy for the Númenóreans and report back to them.
ENDURANCE MIGHT HATE PARRY ARMOUR They guard his trade caravans as they go up the river to Thar-
bad, and on to Bree — and thence east to Angmar! (Leads
20 1 5 +3 3 to Scouts in Minhiriath.)
COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Long Sword 3 (5/16), 2968: SCOUTS IN MINHIRIATH

Great Bow 3 (4/16, Pierce) When the Kathuphazgân returns from Umbar, many more
spies disembark and disguise themselves as caravan guards.
FELL ABILITIES: Fearless. This creature’s Might is consid- Suddenly, it is as though the Black Númenóreans are every-
ered 1 higher for the purpose of resisting the Intimidate where in Southern Eriador — exploring the wilderness, pry-
Foe combat task. ing into old barrows, making bargains with evil men. (Leads
Thick Armour. Spend 1 Hate point to gain (2d) on a Pro- to The Wooing of Tharbad.)
tection roll.
2968: THE TREASURES OF OLD
Black Númenóreans seek treasures and magic left over from
the Second Age. Agents in Tharbad report that the scholar
and treasure-finder Amelia Kern knows much of such places;
Kern is kidnapped and taken downriver to the Kathuphaz
gân, where Usapthon can question her and feed upon her
knowledge.
38

A G athering S torm
2969: JOURNEY TO ANGMAR course and laid paths along its banks, but time and water
Seeking sorcerous relics, Usapthon makes a long pilgrimage to have destroyed most of these improvements. Therefore, the
the haunted land of Angmar. There, she tries to awaken dark ship must be drawn up the river at great effort, using beasts
powers and evil spirits that have slumbered since the defeat of of burden and brute force to wrestle it forward against the
the Witch-king in 1975 T.A. (Leads to Rites in the Barrow-downs.) meandering river. By the time the weather turns, the Kathu
phazgân is within a few days’ walk of Tharbad, a wooden cas-
2970: THE WOOING OF THARBAD tle in the midst of Minhiriath, commanding the lowlands.
Zoril allies herself with one of the major characters in Thar- With their base of operations now hundreds of miles
bad (likely one of Gurnow’s sons, or even an outsider like inland, much closer to their quarry, the Black Númenóreans
Tom Brass) and offers to secretly support that ally in taking begin to explore their new surroundings, especially upriver.
over Tharbad. Soon, gold from Mordor flows through the (Leads to Scouts in the Trollshaws.)
town, hiring mercenaries and greasing palms. Zoril herself
intervenes to assassinate any troublesome holdouts, like Lady 2974: THIS IS NO PLACE OF HONOUR
Stock or other loyalists. With the Crossings of Tharbad under Usapthon discovers the ghost pit in Tharbad (see page 11)
surveillance, Zoril’s next goal is to send spies north to the and begins excavating it by night, seeking ancient relics
road to the Havens. (Leads to The Kathuphazgân Moves Inland.) from the War of Elves and Sauron. Her work releases evil
vampire-spirits who fly out and clothe themselves in new flesh.
2970: BLOOD IN SWANFLEET Rumours spread that she has discovered a great hoard of
To secure Tharbad, the Black Númenóreans launch an assault treasure in the mud, a fortune equal to the golden bed of
on the folk of Swanfleet. The marshes are an effective barrier Smaug the Magnificent.
against most foes, but the Corsairs are used to fighting in the
jungles and shifting shores of Harad, and are not dismayed. 2974: SCOUTS IN THE TROLLSHAWS
From her new fortress in the heart of Minhiriath, Zoril dis-
2971: RITES IN THE BARROW-D OWNS patches scouts further north, following the course of the
Bolstered by secrets found in Angmar, Usapthon travels to Hoarwell, in search of Rivendell. Other soldiers are sent
the ruins of Tyrn Gorthad to awaken the evil spirits that slum- to draw the Rangers and Elven sentinels away, by stirring
ber there, and remind them of their ancient oaths to Sau- up trouble in Bree-land or Angmar. The aim of this mis-
ron. More Barrow-wights awaken, and the east road becomes sion is to find the hidden valley — even Zoril, for all her
almost impassable as unwholesome fog creeps down from the brimming confidence, knows she cannot hope to destroy
hills. The Rangers fight to defend Bree-land and the other the home of Elrond Half-elven with the troops she has with
remnants of the kingdom from foes that would freeze their her. No — she intends to return with a greater army at her
blood. (Leads to The Fall of Lond Daer.) back, but not yet.
2972: THE FALL OF LOND DAER 2975: THE DISCOVERY OF RIVENDELL

The Kathuphazgân attacks Lond Daer, aided by spies and assas- A party of scouts from the Kathuphazgân crosses the ford,
sins in the city. The meagre defences of the little town are enters the hidden valley, and finds the House of Elrond. They
quickly overrun, and Queen Nimue’s hall is set afire. The flee, and Elrond commands the waters to rise. All but one of
Queen’s Men are mostly slain in the fray. Using her dark arts, the scouts perishes in the flood, but the survivor is washed up
Usapthon calls up the shade of the sea-serpent that once on the riverbank a few miles away. Now, it’s a race between
tormented the town, and sets it loose to guard the harbour. Zoril and Elrond to find this last scout, to keep or reveal the
(Leads to The Kathuphazgân Moves Inland.) secret location of the last refuge of the High Elves.
Enslaved fisherfolk are forced to guide the mighty Kathu
phazgân through the treacherous shoals of the harbour and 2975: HONOUR AMONG THIEVES
up to the mouth of the Greyflood. While Zoril’s attention is distracted by events in the north,
the thieves of Tharbad turn on their erstwhile allies, believ-
2973: THE KATHUP HAZG ÂN MOVES INLAND ing that Usapthon has stolen a great treasure from the ghost
Over the course of several weeks, the warship travels up the pit. There is bloodshed in the streets of Tharbad. Fate stands
Greyflood. Long ago, the river was made navigable by the on a knife-edge — will this strife be the doom of Tharbad, or
efforts of the Men of Númenor, who straightened the river’s the Kathuphazgân, or both?
39

CHAPTER 2
The White Hand of Saruman

“The lore of the Elven-rings, great and small, is his province.
He has long studied it, seeking the lost secrets of their making…”
At this point in history, the Wizard Saruman is still the head of the Whispering Halls of Celebrimbor and the rings were scat-
the Istari, the leader of the White Council, and the chief foe tered. Still, through painstaking study and experimentation,
of the Enemy. He has already begun to walk the ruinous path Saruman has learned much of these most precious jewels.
that will one day destroy him, but who can say when courage Now, as the Shadow lengthens, Saruman’s mind turns
turns to folly, or prudent wisdom becomes callous intellect? ever to the question of the war, and how it might best be
Once, all the Wizards were wanderers, travelling the won. There is not strength enough in Elves or Men alone to
length and breadth of Middle-earth to inspire heroes and defeat this Enemy. If their strengths could be unified, and
prepare nations for the war to come against the Enemy. They guided by a wise hand, then there might be a chance. But
first came to Middle-earth around the Year 1,000 of the Third how to exert such Will upon lesser minds? Only a Ring of
Age, after the division of the North-kingdom into the three Power could give such lordly powers of command. No one has
lands of Arthedain, Cardolan and Rhudaur, and Saruman was dared make another Ring of Power since Sauron revealed his
ever the counsellor and confessor to kings both north and mastery of the Ruling Ring, for any other rings would likely
south. Now, Saruman has taken the fortress of Isengard as his fall under the dominion of the One — but Sauron lacks the
home, as he prepares for the final conflict with the Enemy. One, so there is a chance. If Saruman can fill the gaps in his
Saruman is the master of three branches of lore. In diplo- own Ring-lore and make his own Ring of Power, then — his
macy and rhetoric he has no equal, able to sway minds and powers magnified by the jewel — he might do what is neces-
build alliances. He has made a deep study of the ways and sary to complete the mission of the Istari. (Or, a voice in his
weapons of the Enemy, and has delved into dark sorcery and mind whispers, if you found the One Ring yourself…)
foul machinery — so that he might counter Sauron’s arts.
The Hunt for Ring-

lore
Third, he is a scholar of Ring-lore. The Wizards arrived in
Middle-earth many thousands of years after the forging of
the Rings of Power, after Sauron laid waste to Eregion and So, in this time, Saruman is bent on searching for Ring-lore.
He himself spent many long centuries scouring the ruins of
Eregion, but chance can bring to light hitherto lost sources
of lore. He suspects that some Ring-lore might be preserved
in the Dwarven city of Khazad-dûm, for the Dwarves were
great friends of the Hollin-elves. There might also be secrets
in old strongholds of the Enemy, in Angmar or Dol Guldur,
SHADES OF WHITE AND GREY or brought over the sea from Númenor.
Avoid making Saruman a premature villain. He is on Saruman also suspects that some lore may have been hid-
the cusp of moral failure, but he hasn’t fallen yet. In den from him by rivals. He has come to mistrust Elrond, see-
T.A. 2965, Saruman is still mostly on the side of good. ing him as weak and idle, unwilling to put forth the strength
Not wholly — he is quite willing, for example, to of his household — and just what is Gandalf hiding from him,
undermine Rohan in order to build up the strength in the obscure lands of the Shire? His jealousy of Gandalf has
of his Dunlending allies, and does not hesitate to grown in recent years, especially after the Grey Pilgrim’s twin
treat ‘lesser beings’ as mere playing pieces, to be victories in Erebor and Dol Guldur — and in the latter, it was
moved or sacrificed in the pursuit of advantage in Saruman whose magic drove the Enemy from his forest lair,
the great game between the Wizards and Sauron. but it is Gandalf who is acclaimed for discovering the true
The seeds have already been sown that will lead nature of the Necromancer.
to his downfall — overconfidence in his own intellect, Saruman employs a handful of spies and agents who
condescension towards lesser minds, the conviction report to him in Isengard; for perilous quests, he does as Wiz-
that only he knows how to save the world, despair ards do — he finds a mismatched group of plucky underdog
at the weakness of the Free Peoples, fear of Sauron, adventurers, and gives them a nudge in the right direction.
and most of all, the seductive mortal pragmatism
of believing that compromise and mitigation are
desirable outcomes in the war against evil.
40

A G athering S torm
SARUMAN AS A PATRON
FAVOURED FELLOWSHIP
PATRON CALLINGS POINTS ADDITIONAL ADVANTAGE AGENDA
Saruman Scholar, +0 The Voice of Wisdom. You can spend Fellowship points to obtain Study the arts
Treasure Hunter a Magical Success on Awe, Persuade or Riddle rolls. Additionally, of the Enemy,
at the end of a Council you can spend a number of Fellowship research
points to add an equal number of successes to its outcome. Ring-lore.
SARUMAN AS A PATRON now, all Arcinyas must do is make his services known to
A Company earning the patronage of the White Wizard gains all the petty lords and folk of Minhiriath, so they will seek
a very powerful ally — Saruman is willing to generously sup- him out — and Arcinyas can report all he hears to Isengard.
port those who follow his ‘counsel’, especially if they don’t In secret, though, Arcinyas has become bitter. He has
ask too many questions… grown old in the service of Saruman, and the White Wizard
The Wizard will contact the Player-heroes exclusively through has not shared even a fraction of his lore with the scholar.
intermediaries (see Agents of Saruman, below), only requesting a Worse, while Saruman is unaging, Arcinyas is only mor-
meeting in matters of extreme urgency or to relay secret news. tal. His eyes grow dark, his hands tremble, and while his
When this happens, Saruman may counterfeit his appearance knowledge of herb-lore and healing is unmatched, he
to travel incognito, for example assuming the likeness of one of knows he cannot cure the death that waits for him.
his fellow Wizards, or he may disguise himself as a harmless wan- He tells himself that only Saruman can do that, that only
derer. Saruman will generally choose Tharbad as a meeting place. Saruman can make a Ring, like the Rings of old, that will
stave off death and give Arcinyas time enough to learn all
Agents of Saruman
the secrets of the world. If Arcinyas ever lost faith in the
White Wizard, then his betrayal would be deeply damag-
Servants of Isengard might be encountered anywhere in Min- ing to Saruman’s plans.
hiriath. In addition to the personalities described below, the
Loremaster can use the stats for Evil Men to create adversaries OCCUPATION: Healer, Spy
for the Player-heroes to fight (see The One Ring, page 146).
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Frail
Arcinyas the Healer

Old Arcinyas has been in the service of Saruman for a long
time. He was a scholar and a master in the Houses of Heal-
ing once, but he barely remembers that life; Arcinyas has
not looked upon the city of Gondor in many years, and
cannot recall the precise colour of the sun on the snow
atop Mount Mindolluin.
What he does know, these days, is the mind of Saru-
man. Few have served Isengard as long as he has, and none
are privy to as many of Saruman’s schemes and plans. Arci-
nyas has been the hand and eye of Isengard in Wilderland
and Dale, the Vales of Anduin and Dorwinion.
For a time, he worked in the Gladden Fields for his
master, studying herb-lore and gathering rare plants (and
searching the muddy waters for the glint of a golden ring),
but now Arcinyas is too old and blind for such work. Instead,
Saruman has sent him north to be a healer once more. Saru-
man knows that one as skilled as Arcinyas is a rare and
valuable thing; there are doors that a mighty siege engine
could not break, but which open willingly to a healer. For
41

CHAPTER 2
the Dunlendings of Wulf’s brief but glorious reign. All her life,
Saruman has prepared her for her destiny — she will be the
one who unites the hill tribes under his guidance. He tutored
her in Isengard, then sent her to walk among the Dunlend-
ings and tell the tale of Wulf, the true king of Rohan, Wulf the
Conqueror. He has trained her in the arts of diplomacy and
rhetoric; whichever Dunlending chieftain captures the most
territory will marry her, yoking this new Dunlending king to
the house of Freca, and thence to Isengard.
For her part, Frecana is mostly willing to be a part of
Saruman’s schemes, for she trusts in the Wizard’s wisdom.
That said, she prays that the Dunlending warrior who wins
her hand will be worthy of her; neither Ivoch the Boneless
(page 45) nor scar-faced Tembur (page 46) are who
she imagines ruling beside her. She learned treachery at
Saruman’s feet, too — if it comes to it, she will sabotage
one Dunlending chieftain to ensure a more fitting match
when the time comes for her to rule in Edoras.
OCCUPATION: Leader, Schemer
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Cunning, Fair
Drustan the Mercenary

Of Gondorian stock, Drustan has been one of Saruman’s
Frecana, the Dunlending Princess servants and messengers for several years. Drustan’s a cynic,
Frecana is descended from Freca, a lord of Rohan who was believing that the end of the world will come soon; all that
quarrelled out by Helm Hammerhand, a king of Rohan who remains is to eke out some little pleasure from these last days
ruled in Edoras two hundred years ago. Helm slew Freca, of the Sun before darkness swallows all Middle-earth forever.
and in revenge Freca’s son Wulf allied with the Dunlendings He’s an accomplished traveller, tracker and swordsman, and
and made war upon Rohan. At first, Wulf met with great is high in Saruman’s counsels. His current task is to watch the
success, for he drove Helm out of Edoras and claimed the Shire and the lands around it, seeking news of Gandalf; he’s
crown for himself. But Helm endured, and stalked the land a regular at The Prancing Pony and the Bridge Inn at Tharbad.
through a cruel winter, eating the flesh of men and growing
strong with dark magic — or so they say in Dunland, where DRUSTAN THE MERCENARY ATTRIBUTE LEVEL
they still fear the ghost of Hammerhand. Now, Helm’s sister- Cunning, Hardened
son Frealaf slew Wulf in turn and became king after Helm. 6
Frealaf burned the castle of Freca, but he could not erase
the deeds of Wulf from history — all of Dunland knew that ENDURANCE MIGHT RESOLVE PARRY ARMOUR
one of their own had captured Edoras, and that the crown
could be theirs again one day. Wulf was acclaimed a hero
24 2 6 +2 3
of the Hillfolk, and his name is still one of honour.
Freca’s kin fled — and, secretly, Saruman gave them shel- COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Long Sword 3 (5/18),
ter in the vale of Nan Curunír. For two centuries, the Wizard Great Bow 3 (4/16, Pierce)
has watched over the family, cultivating them. Some of them
he has employed as agents and heroes, much as Gandalf does FELL ABILITIES: Snake-Like Speed. When targeted by
with certain Hobbit families. The ‘Dunlending Princess’, Fre- an attack, spend 1 Resolve to make the attack roll
cana, is one such tool of the Wizard. She is a direct descendant ill-favoured.
of Freca, of the line of Wulf’s sister-son, and so she reminds
42

A G athering S torm
Dark Designs of Isengard watching the woodland creatures of Mirkwood. Since the
fall of Smaug, however, Saruman has come to wonder if
2965: THE MESSENGER there might not be something more to Gandalf’s interest
Saruman dispatches a messenger to the hidden valley of in the half-high.
Imladris. The messenger is ambushed by thieves south of The wedding of Drogo Baggins to Primula Brandybuck, a
Tharbad, and though she escapes, she is too badly wounded wedding bound to be of special magnificence involving two
to continue her errand. On encountering the Player-heroes, of the Shire’s noteworthy families, is just the sort of Hobbit
she asks them to continue her errand and bring Saruman’s nonsense that might attract Gandalf — especially as Bilbo
letter to the House of Elrond. She warns them that thieves Baggins himself is bound to be there. Saruman dispatches
who ambushed her believe she’s carrying treasure, and will spies to watch the Shire and the wedding in Buckland.
not give up the hunt.
The letter describes a warrior in the service of King Then- 2968: THE LORE OF EREGION
gel, a tall northern knight who calls himself Thorongil; Saru- The rainstorms of the previous year tore at the landscape,
man asks if he is one of Elrond’s household. If the heroes causing mudslides in places. Now, a baking hot summer
perform this mission, they win Saruman’s favour. (Leads to dries out the ground, revealing traces of old structures hid-
Summons to Isengard.) ing beneath the dry grass like fading ghosts. Between these
two, it’s possible that hitherto unexplored ruins of old Ere-
2966: SUMMONS TO ISENGARD gion might become accessible. Saruman sends his agents in
Saruman calls the Player-heroes to Isengard. He says that he search of Ring-lore.
fears that spies of the Enemy are abroad in Eriador, and that The quest leads them into the marshes of Swanfleet.
he is in need of stout and reliable agents of his own. The (Leads to Into Moria.)
years are quickening now, the pieces moving across the great
chess board of Middle-earth. He tells the heroes that he will 2969: MISSION TO ANGMAR
ask them to be his hands and eyes, to do work in the shadows Saruman’s unseen conflict with the agents of the Enemy con-
that the hearts of lesser heroes would quail at. Victory over tinues, as he works to undermine Usapthon’s plans to reach
the Enemy will be won only at a high price, and there can the distant realm of Angmar. He was able to read much of
be no room for cowardice or hesitation. They must do as he the younger woman’s thoughts when they clashed two years
commands without question, for subtle and strange are the ago, and knows that she seeks power amid the ruins of the
ways of Wizards. If the heroes accept, Saruman becomes their Witch-king’s realm. Saruman sends messengers and hunters
patron. (Leads to Spying on the Shire.) north along the road, to intercept Usapthon’s expedition
before it can reach its destination.
2967: A MBUSHING
THE BLACK NÚMENÓREANS 2972: INTO MORIA
Saruman’s agents hunt and waylay some of the Black The Dwarves of Moria were close allies of the Elves of Eregion
Númenórean spies from the ship Kathuphazgân. The captured — the makers of the Rings of Power. If the lore of ring-making
spies are brought back to Isengard; the sorceress Usapthon was preserved anywhere after the destruction of Eregion, then
vies with the Wizard to command the weather, and the return it might be within the halls of Khazad-dûm. Rumour reaches
journey is beset by unnatural storms of astounding intensity Isengard that a few foolhardy treasure hunters have dared to
and unpredictability. The Greyflood bursts its banks, and pass the West-gate and explore the fabled Black Pit.
Tharbad is once again troubled by flooding. (Leads to Mis- There has been no sign of the lost Ruling Ring in nearly
sion to Angmar.) three thousand years — no doubt it has rolled down the
Anduin to the sea, and there let it lie until the End. But
2968: SPYING ON THE SHIRE there can be a new beginning, a new forging of Rings. The
Saruman previously dismissed Gandalf’s liking for the Hob- intent of Sauron may have been evil, but the design was
bits of the Shire as a mere indulgence on the part of the sound. Let the Free Peoples be guided by a wise and cun-
Grey Pilgrim, a sign of faltering will and failing courage, ning mind… and the lore needed to bring about that work
just as Radagast neglects his ordained purpose in favour of may be found in Moria.
43

CHAPTER 2
Raiders from Dunland

“Not in half a thousand years have they forgotten their grievance that the lords of
Gondor gave the Mark to Eorl the Young and made alliance with him.”
From their hill forts and dark ravines come the Hillfolk of for easier pickings in the north. Minhiriath is mostly empty
Dunland, raiding and conquering. The Dunlendings are — there’s land for the taking, and no sharp-speared horse-
nomads, much akin to the Fisher-folk of the shore of Eri- men to trouble them.
ador, but better armed and more warlike. They may not take
The Years of the Raids

the land of the few folk who yet dwell in Minhiriath, but they
intend to carry plunder and slaves back to the southlands.
To the south of their land, King Thengel sits on his In these years, the tribes of Dunland become more aggressive.
throne in Edoras, and Rohan’s strength is growing once Outlaws and brigands cluster along the North–South road and
more. Thengel’s sire Fengel was not a good king, and in his travel down the River Isen to the Sea. Tharbad — long the tar-
reign the tribes of Dunland were able to take territory from get of Dunlending aggression — is once more attacked, but
the Horse-lords. Now, they have been pushed back across most of the fighting is in the wilds of Enedwaith and Minhiriath,
the Isen once more, and some Dunlending tribes now look as the raiders cross the Greyflood and attack the farmsteads.
44

A G athering S torm
The Chieftains of Dunland

The Dunlendings serve no king, but follow strong and ruth-
less leaders who in other realms would sit on a throne. If the
Loremaster needs adversaries for the Player-heroes to face,
refer to the stats for Southerner Raider and Southerner Champion
presented on page 146 of The One Ring.
Ivoch the Boneless

Now Ivoch was the son of a mighty chieftain named Imlar,
but when Ivoch was seven years old, he fell ill with a fever
that wracked his body with terrible pains. Imlar brought
the boy to Isengard, and there his life was saved — but he
was not made whole, for the boy’s legs were left numb
and unmoving as stone. Never would Ivoch ride a stolen
horse, or walk the stony hills. Furious, Imlar ordered that
the boy be abandoned in the wilds to die, as is the cus-
tom of the hillfolk.
Ivoch begged his father to spare him, and the boy’s
mother beseeched him too, but Imlar was unmoved. He
struck the mother, saying “you have given me only one
child, and this one is sick and broken; to the Sea with both
of you!” And then he threw the boy’s mother from a cliff,
and had his men carry Ivoch out into the hills to perish in
the barren places where only ghosts dwell.
But Ivoch did not die. He crawled for days, dragging
himself forward by the strength of his arms alone. Like a
shadow, he crept back into the hill-fort of his father, a dag-
ger clenched in his teeth. He slew his treacherous father,
and claimed the chieftain’s seat. The men of the tribe were
much impressed by the boy’s courage and cunning, and IVOCH THE BONELESS ATTRIBUTE LEVEL
acclaimed him their leader. Disabled, Lordly
Ivoch has grown into a great warrior and tactician. He 5
cannot walk, but his warriors fight for the honour of bear-
ing his litter. In battle, he rides a chariot, binding himself ENDURANCE MIGHT RESOLVE PARRY ARMOUR
to a stout pole to keep himself upright, and wielding a
long-hafted axe in his mighty hand, but his talent lies in
20 2 5 — 3
strategy; he knows that battles are often won or lost long
before the first blow is struck, and knows how to use hun- COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Long-hafted Axe 3 (6/18,
ger and terror to his advantage in war. Break Shield)
He is close to Saruman, and listens closely when the
Wizard speaks of bringing order and strength to the lands FELL ABILITIES: Fierce. Spend 1 Resolve point to gain (1d)
west of the Gap of Rohan. The White Wizard’s words paint on an attack and to make the roll Favoured.
a vision of a new division of the world, when the bloodless, Horrible Strength. If Ivoch scores a Piercing Blow
fragile kingdom of Gondor and their Rohirrim lapdogs will with a close combat attack, spend 1 Resolve to make the
be swept away and a new age of Men will begin, Men not target’s Protection roll Ill-favoured.
beholden to the distant past. Yell of Triumph. Spend 1 Resolve to restore 1
He may be fatherless and boneless, but Ivoch is deter- Resolve to all allies in the fight.
mined that he will not die crownless…
45

CHAPTER 2
man trying to save only himself, abandoning the shield wall

that might otherwise have bristled with spears and held
against the cavalry charge. Tembur himself was trampled,
and his body still bears the marks of horseshoes as scars
that will never heal.
He has added this insult to the long list.
The defeat taught Tembur patience. He must grow
stronger before he attacks Rohan again. This time, he will
train his warriors to fight as one; he will find more magic;
he will sharpen his spear-head on the skulls of many ene-
mies. He is Forgoil-bane, horse-hater, ruiner of Rohan, and
his destiny will not be denied.
Tembur makes a point of mutilating any horses he
encounters, laming them so they cannot be ridden.
TEMBUR, THE FORGOIL-BANE ATTRIBUTE LEVEL

Cruel, Fierce
5
ENDURANCE MIGHT RESOLVE PARRY ARMOUR
20 2 5 +2 3
COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Rune-scored Spear 3 (5/16, Pierce)
FELL ABILITIES: Fierce. Spend 1 Resolve point to gain (1d)

Tembur on an attack and to make the roll Favoured.
A full accounting of the many injuries and insults inflicted Hatred (Rohirrim). When targeting Rohirrim, all
on Tembur by the men of Rohan is too long to list here; attacks are Favoured.
it begins in the time of his great-great-grandfather, who Hideous Toughness. When an attack inflicts damage
was put to death by the Strawheads. Thus began a long to Tembur that would cause him to go to zero Endur-
and bloody feud, as the carven stones in Tembur’s fort tell; ance, it causes a Piercing Blow instead. Then, if Tembur
death upon death, echoing down through many genera- is still alive, he returns to full Endurance.
tions. Tembur was born into this feud, raised upon hatred
like mother’s milk. All his life, he knew his destiny — to be
the Forgoil-bane, the ruin of Rohan. Eater of Ghosts
Long he quested, in abandoned Dwarf-h olds and Eater of Ghosts comes from the dark places under the hills.
mountain tombs. In armour of steel he arrayed himself, She paints her face skull-white, for she walks in the other-
and in his hand a spear forged by ancient smiths, wound world, the land of the dead. Even though she is young, she
round with runes of power. Long he prepared, gather- speaks with the voices of many old men, and knows things
ing to himself a warband of bitter, cruel men, each one no young woman should know. It is said of Eater of Ghosts
singularly talented in some method of killing or another. that she consumes the dead, and makes them part of her.
Tembur’s intent was to bring destruction to the lands of Eater of Ghosts has no love for the wizard Saruman; she
Rohan. When he dreams, he dreams of Edoras aflame, the says that she mistrusts the master of Isengard because she
golden hall turning red with fire. He planned to sneak remembers the Men who built the fortress, long long ago,
into the Westfold and sow chaos beyond the River Isen. and knows they are no friends of the Hillfolk. Still, when
Tembur’s first assault on Rohan, however, was defeated. the White Hand points north, Eater of Ghosts goes — not
A band of horsemen, an éored guided by the tracker because she loves or obeys the Wizard, but because her
Thorongil of the North, discovered Tembur’s company and belly is empty and the barrows of Tyrn Gorthad are full
attacked them. Tembur’s warriors scattered in fear, each and ripe for plundering.
46

A G athering S torm
Dark Designs of
the Dunlendings
The expansion of the Dunlendings is fostered and sup-
ported by Isengard — Saruman’s designs require a ready
supply of strong backs and deft hands, so he intends to
make most of Dunland into his personal fiefdom. (Were
the Istari not sent to bring guidance to the Free Peoples?
Is it not better that the strength and bloodlust of the hill
tribes is put to productive use?) He has directed the Dun-
lendings away from Rohan — part of the bargain that gave
Saruman control of Isengard was that he would deter Dun-
lending raids on Gondor’s ally, and send them north and
west instead.
2965: SMOKE RISES OVER ISENGARD

In Isengard, black smoke belches out of secret forges, as
Saruman begins to prepare his industrial works. His smiths
make weapons and armour in great numbers according to
his clever designs; these trappings of war are given to the
Dunlendings in exchange for an oath to the White Hand
of Saruman. The raids on Rohan stop — for now. (Leads
The followers of Eater of Ghosts are fearless, for they to Outlaws on the Road.)
know if they perish, she will eat their ghosts and they will
become part of their ghostly queen. Most of her warband 2966: OUTLAWS ON THE ROAD
comes from Dunland, but as the Shadow in the east grows, Dunlending bands camp along the North–South road, watch-
more madmen and prophets of doom are drawn to her. ing for travellers. They track the Dwarven caravans and wan-
dering smiths that travel through this region, monitoring
THE EATER OF GHOSTS ATTRIBUTE LEVEL their progress to find the scattered small farmsteads in Ened-
Fey, Wicked waith. Some creep as far north as the edges of Tharbad, and
5 skirmish with soldiers from that town. (Leads to The Burning
of Minhiriath.)
2968: THE BURNING OF MINHIRIATH
20 2 5 +3 2 All through this terrible year, Dunlending raiders sweep
through Minhiriath as far north as the banks of the Bran-
COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Spear 3 (3/14, Pierce), dywine. Rangers and other stout warriors keep the raiding
Long-hafted Axe 3 (6/18, Break Shield) parties away from Bree-land, but other parts of Eriador feel
the bite of steel from Isengard in this dread year. Some
FELL ABILITIES: Fierce. Spend 1 Resolve point to gain (1d) farmlands are deserted, with people fleeing north to Bree
on an attack and to make the roll Favoured. or west to Lond Daer in the hope of finding safety behind
Heartless. The Eater of Ghosts is not affected by the strong walls.
Intimidate Foe combat task, unless a Magical success is Of the three Dunlending warbands described above, the
obtained. forces of Eater of Ghosts strike towards the Barrow-downs,
Strike Fear. Spend 1 Resolve to make all Player-heroes
while the warriors of the Boneless attempt to cross the Swan-
in sight gain 1 Shadow points (Dread). Those who fail their
fleet to come at Tharbad from the north-east.
Shadow test are daunted and cannot spend Hope for the
All this has the useful effect of drawing unwanted eyes
rest of the fight.
away from Saruman’s activities in Eregion.
47

CHAPTER 2
2970: THE IRON BARGAIN well fortified and guarded by many axe-wielding warriors —
A band of Dunlending raiders encounters a band of Fisher-folk but thanks to the Wizard, the Dunlendings have weapons to
of the coast while travelling along the river Isen. These two match, and their alliance with the cruel Fisher-folk means
tribes are distant relatives, and meet peacefully. The Fisher-folk they can sail up the coast to land on Harlindon and then
tell of a new town, built on the ruins of an older one, at the march inland.
mouth of the Greyflood — a town rich and prosperous, ripe Dunlending scouts creep through the woods of the
for the taking. Why, the Fisher-folk can show the well-armed southern Blue Mountains, and dream of Dwarven gold.
men of Dunland the secret paths through the dunes to take the Harmelt is not Moria; this is not some haunted tomb where
knights of Lond Daer by surprise… (Leads to Raid on Lond Daer.) no man dares go. No, Harmelt is inhabited by the living,
and the living can be killed… (Leads to The Assault on the
2972: RAID ON LOND DAER Dwarf-hold.)
In this year, unless the Player-heroes prevent it, Lond Daer is
attacked and despoiled by raiders from Dunland. The town is 2975: THE ASSAULT ON THE DWARF-H OLD
laid waste, and prisoners are taken back as slaves by sea to the The Dunlendings attack Harmelt, swarming up the hillside
mouth of the Isen, then marched upriver into Dunland. Queen and looting the golden halls within. Some Dwarves escape,
Nimue is burnt alive in her hall. (Leads to Across the Brandywine.) and call for aid from neighbouring Dwarf-holds in the Blue
Mountains. Cut off from their boats, the Dunlendings must
2974: ACROSS THE BRANDYWINE face the long march south across the Lone-lands, laden down
Bolstered by their success in Lond Daer, the Dunlendings turn with their stolen gold. They have a king’s ransom in treasure,
their eyes to an even richer prize — the Dwarven fortress at but there are vengeful Dwarves behind and many hundreds
Harmelt (see page 24). The mountain of the Dwarves is of leagues ahead…
Other Shadows
“...doom and great deeds are indeed at hand.”
These dangers either slumber until awoken, or are not tied a whole herd of cattle in a single night, draining the ani-
to the passing years. mals of their blood like a vampire instead of eating them
whole (and some tales claim that the animals do not flee
The Beast of the Greyflood

the Beast, but stand there as if frozen, unable to move a
muscle, while the serpent feasts).
A water-serpent dwells in the lower reaches of the Grey- The Knights of Lond Daer (see page 83) compete
flood. The beast is akin to the one that threatened Lond among themselves to be the first to slay the Beast; so far, the
Daer — perhaps its mate, or child. If it’s a child, though, bloodless corpses of a half-dozen knights lie rotting in the
then the monsters grow quickly indeed, for the Beast of the mire, and the Beast is yet unharmed.
Greyflood is even larger than the Serpent of Lond Daer. It
The Walker in the Darkness

slumbers in the muddy waters of the lower river, and makes
its lair in some watery cave or ruin. It hunts mainly by lying
in wait for creatures who come down to the riverbanks to It is said that an unwise lord in the north of Minhiriath
drink; the Beast then grabs them in its massive jaws and wished to sow wheat in a particular field, and so ordered
hauls them into the river to drown before devouring the his followers to clear and level the land. Now, a barrow-
remains. It is large enough to snatch a full-grown wild ox grave of ancient kings stood in the field, lost beneath the
with ease. Staying away from the water is not enough to grass and wild-flowers, and the workers did not know what
avoid the Beast, however — the monster is amphibious, they had done until they broke through into the burial
able to wriggle its bulk out of the river and slither across chamber. The lord ignored their warnings that breaking
the land like a giant snake. It has been known to slaughter a barrow brings bad luck, and held instead that this was a
48

A G athering S torm
great stroke of fortune — and indeed, he took from the About two hundred years ago, there was a war between
barrow many precious things, swords wound around with Orcs and Dwarves over the matter of the murder of King
gold wire, and goblets of silver, and jewelled rings, and he Thrór. The Dwarves won the Battle of Dimrill Dale, but did
distributed them among his warriors and followers as gifts. not enter Moria, and young Dáin Ironfoot — now King Under
Having emptied the barrow, he had his followers cast down the Mountain — famously said that the world must change
the burial slab and the bones that lay on it, and level the before Durin’s Folk walk again in Moria, and forbade his fol-
earth-mound. The field was sown, and in time it brought lowers from returning there.
forth a bountiful crop. Now, after the Battle of Five Armies broke the power of
At harvest-time, the lord invited all his workers to a feast, the Orcs, many in Eriador look again to the treasures of Moria.
and they ate and drank their fill. But as night fell, a stranger Just because Durin’s folk are not trying to return to Khazad-
arrived. He was clad all in white, and though his face was dûm, that doesn’t mean that another line of the Dwarves
not hidden, no one could look upon it without quailing in cannot reign there…
terror. “Where is my house?” demanded the stranger, and
The Long Defeat

when none could answer him, he strangled the lord with
his pale hands.
The Walker still roams the land, searching for his lost The last threat facing this land is not one that can be defeated
barrow. Anyone who stole from him — anyone who even by force of arms, nor is it a new danger. Minhiriath has long
ate the bread made from the wheat that grew on his land — been in decline; it is a land of ruins and ghosts, empty and
has forfeited their lives, and the curse extends even to their silent save for the keening of the wind and the song of birds.
descendants. The Walker will sleep only when all those who There are fewer and fewer people living here. The Elves are
offended him are dead. going west, the Dwarves hide in their mountains, and the
Men diminish and have not the strength or learning of the
The Dream of Moria

days of old. This is a dying land.
The Player-heroes cannot reverse this decay. They can
Khazad-dûm, the oldest of cities, the legendary fortress of slow it, perhaps, by aiding little guttering sparks of light like
Durin, fell a thousand years ago when Durin’s Bane awoke. Lond Daer, but they cannot remake that which is broken. The
The Dwarves have long dreamed of reclaiming that fabled decline of Minhiriath should progress over the course of a
place. In years past, burglars and Dwarven pilgrims alike some- long campaign; every year should reveal some aspect of the
times dared enter the upper levels of the ruin, seeking trea- land fading. Homes are abandoned and fall into ruin; allies
sures and relics left by Durin’s Folk. Many of these trespass- perish or lose hope; melancholy emptiness or savage brutality
ers fell victim to the Orcs that ruled Moria’s halls, and as the rule in the lands of long-dead kings.
Orcs grew more and more numerous, fewer dared brave the This is a dying land, and it will only be renewed when
long dark of the pit. the King returns.
49

CHAPTER 3
LANDMARKS
Long was the way that fate them bore,
O’er stony mountains cold and grey,
Through halls of iron and darkling door,
And woods of nightshade morrowless.

CHAPTER 3
he twelve landmarks contained in this chapter are The text of each landmark assumes that the Loremaster
described using the structure presented in the will adjudicate all actions taken by the Company using the
Appendix of The One Ring (see page 221). As dis- core rules for The One Ring. This means that the rules for
cussed there, the chosen format allows the Lore Journeys, Combat or Councils are not repeated, nor are those
master to use each landmark as an open-ended, self-contained concerning Actions, Skill Endeavours, Risk Levels or Sources
scenario, free of a strict, predetermined plot, articulated in of Injury — whenever the text of a landmark describes a
orderly scenes. The Player-heroes learn of the existence of challenge or an obstacle to the Company, the Loremaster
a landmark during the game, for example by choosing the should adjudicate the circumstances based on the appropri-
Gathering Rumours Fellowship Phase Undertaking (see The ate game rules.
One Ring, page 121).
The Old Dwarf-mines

“…let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.”
RUMOUR Background
“There’s an old Dwarf-mine in the Blue Mountains — and aye, Scowle Hill lies near the northern edge of the Blue Mountains.
there are lots of Dwarf-mines in those parts, all the old hills round It is a cold land, choked by sudden and cruel snowstorms
there are riddled with ‘em, like a wormy apple. The point is, this in winter. No folk have dwelt here in a great many years.
mine’s special. A king of olden times once hid there, with all his Elves came this way once, so long ago that even they barely
jewels and treasures. Now, this king was pursued by a fearsome remember the tale, but the hills and stones still echo with
beast out of Angmar, and it’s said that the only way he could the sound of their proud trumpets, and those who slumber
slay it was by putting his biggest jewel down its throat to choke here may dream of better days. The Snowmen of Forochel,
it. But the rest of the treasure’s still there for the taking — if across the bay, come here to their summer camps on the
you can find it.” shore to hunt and gather berries, but their homes and their
hearts lie in the ice.
OLD LORE In the First Age, the Dwarves came here to dig iron and
“Arvedui was the last king of Arthedain. In his day, the armies of coal, which are found in abundance beneath Scowle Hill.
the Witch-king of Angmar destroyed Fornost Erain, and Arvedui These mines were abandoned when the nearby Dwarven cit-
and his followers were forced to flee. They took with them such ies were destroyed in the cataclysm that ended that Age and
treasures as they could carry on horseback, for they were sorely changed all the lands. The abandoned mines lay silent for
pursued by their foes. They took refuge in an abandoned Dwarf- many centuries, a haunt of ghosts and terrors, until King
mine called Scowle Hill, and there they hid until hunger drove Arvedui came here to hide.
them forth. It is said that to lighten his load, King Arvedui left Arvedui was the last king of Arthedain. His capital at For-
certain lesser treasures behind in the mines, intending to return for nost Erain had fallen to the forces of the Witch-king, and
them one day. But Arvedui perished, and the treasures of Scowle now those foes were close by. Arvedui was accompanied by a
Hill have never been found.” handful of his most loyal knights, and they carried with them
52

L andmarks
some of the treasures of the kingdom. Two such treasures in

particular gave Arvedui hope, for he yet possessed two of the
fabled Seeing Stones — the palantíri of Annúminas and Amon JOURNEY EVENTS
Sûl. The master-stone of Amon Sûl was valuable in particular, The Company may obtain information about the
for it could reach its counterpart in Gondor and call for aid. precise location of the mines in several ways. Here
Messengers had already been dispatched by land and sea, but are two examples.
Arvedui well knew the vigilance of the Witch-king, and he
could not be sure that word had reached the south. However, STEALING FROM THIEVES: The Player-h eroes cap-
while the palantír of Annúminas was small enough for a strong ture a brigand named Ned-in-the-Hedge as they
man to hold in one hand, the other stone was much larger travel north along the Ered Luin — and this brigand
and heavier, and could only be carried in a cart or travois. wields a fine sword of ancient make. When ques-
Unable to bring the stone much further across the rough tioned, the brigand says that he found the sword
terrain in the gathering snow, Arvedui and his followers took in a cave in the far north — an old mine, he thinks.
refuge in the mines of Scowle Hill. Here, they thought, they The cave floor was strewn with bones, and stank
could hide from the Witch-king’s soldiers until they could of some bear or other beast, so he fled with his
find aid. The Dwarf-mines under the hill were a labyrinth, prize before the monster returned — but he thinks
with many winding passageways and sudden dead ends. The there may have been other treasures in the cave.
warriors of Arthedain made camp under the hill, and at first Why, in exchange for his freedom, Ned will lead
it seemed their fortune had changed — they found fresh the company north to that cave, so they can find
water, hunted wild deer for meat, and their scouts reported their own ancient swords…
no sign of pursuit. Arvedui hoped that his kingdom might
be restored with the aid of Gondor. RUMOUR OF THE BEAST: Though it spends most
of its time asleep, occasionally hunger awak-
Then came the Beast. ens the Beast of Angmar (see page 56), and
finding no prey in the vicinity of Scowle Hill,
Where it was whelped, none can say. Maybe the Witch-king it prowls south, troubling the Dwarves of the
conjured it with foul sorcery in Angmar, or maybe it was older Blue Mountains before returning to the mines.
still, spawned in an earlier age in the pits of Thangorodrim. The Player-h eroes may encounter one or more
Maybe it was some primordial horror caught and employed Dwarves bent on tracking the Beast to its lair and
by Angmar. It was of bear-shape, yet greater, blind and mis- slaying it; this is an opportunity for the Company
shapen, hunting by smell. It tracked the company of Arvedui to gain more information, or help dealing with
across the wilds of Eriador, and followed them into the mines. the creature.
One by one, the Beast slew Arvedui’s champions; no blade
could harm it, nor hero slay it.
At great cost, the warriors managed to block a passageway,
keeping the Beast from reaching them, but the way to the
eastern mine entrance was now inaccessible, and they were
cut off from any source of food. In time, hunger drove the
king to leave the mines and try his fortune on the icy shore.
He took with him only the most precious treasures, leaving this distant and little-travelled land are sparse, made mostly
the rest hidden. Other tales tell of the fate of Arvedui and the of scraggly pine and holly. There is some good hunting here
palantíri, and that sorry fate is not recounted here. for those willing to track the herds of deer as they migrate,
The Beast still slumbers in the depths of the mine — and chasing the sun. The Snowmen of the north hunt in these
lost treasures of Arnor wait there too. lands, sometimes, and come here to gather herbs and mush-
rooms that do not grow in their frozen lands.
ocations
Eventually, the trace of a half-buried Dwarven road
L appears, snaking its way west towards a narrow valley, open-
A Company travelling north along the eastern foothills of ing where a river once cut the rock of the mountains over
the Ered Luin must go beyond the course of the Little Lune the course of a thousand years. There the Scowle Gate lies,
to find the entrance to the Old Dwarf-mines. The woods in among the shadows of the sheltered dale.
53

CHAPTER 3
1. SCOWLE GATE
The Dwarven miners once dwelt in a small Dwarf-hall in this
valley, but that place is long since despoiled and destroyed.
The main entrance to the mine collapsed long ago, blocking
access to the underground complex, but the line of a path
they built can still be discerned, skirting the sides of the val-
ley, and leading to one of the side entrances, gaping like the
maw of some tremendous beast. THE OLD DWARF-M INES
The opening leads to the Southern Mines.
6 The Northern Mines
2. THE SOUTHERN MINES
This portion of the mines is a labyrinth. Unlike the fabled
Mines of Moria, which were expanded into a grand city
with wide boulevards and vaulted halls, these mines were
purely functional. There are no halls here, no magnif-
icent underground chambers — just endless narrow 8
tunnels worming into the hillside.
They are Dwarf-height, too, 2 The Southern Mines
so a tall man must stoop 7
to pass this way.
5
9
4 3
Side Entrance
1
Ruins
54

L andmarks
EXPLORING THE SOUTHERN MINES: The mines are ancient —

the shifting of the earth has caused some passages to collapse,
and others have flooded:
All Player-heroes exploring the maze are required to

make an EXPLORE or RIDDLE roll at Hazardous Risk
level (a Failure with Woe may cause damage — see
the rules on page 134 of The One Ring — but may also
mean that the failing Player-hero has been captured
by the Beast…).
After each successful roll, the Player-heroes reach either The

10 Ancient Grave, The Lair of the Beast, or The Narrow Path,
based on the general direction they declared to explore (or,
the Loremaster may select one at random).
3. THE ANCIENT GRAVE

This grave is a humble cairn of stones, piled over a body that
has long since gone to dust. Interred here was the first
of Arvedui’s warriors to fall in battle with the Beast.
Another dozen knights fell to the Beast’s claws, but
there was no time to dig graves for them; as the
Beast gained a taste for manflesh, its attacks
became relentless.
The fallen knight’s name was writ hastily
in runes that are still legible — “HERE LIES
MALANTETH, GUARD OF THE KING, SLAIN BY THE
BEAST OF ANGMAR”. The cairn has not been
disturbed since it was built. If opened, her
sword lies within, unrusted and still sharp
thanks to the magic of its forging. A hero
who takes the sword must swear to slay the
Beast, or the sword becomes cursed.
MALANTETH’S SWORD
The sword was forged in Annúminas by master-
smiths, and is an excellent blade. It is a Superior
Fell, Superior Grievous, Keen sword and wound
around with spells that make it a Bane to Orcs and
Evil Men. However, if the wielder of the sword
does not swear to slay the Beast of Angmar, then
the sword becomes cursed with the Curse of
Weakening, increasing the Bearer’s HEART TN by
2 while the Beast yet lives.
55

CHAPTER 3
4. THE LAIR OF THE BEAST Once the victim perishes from blood loss, the Beast eats the
The still-living Beast of Angmar makes its lair on the lower lev- remains — but there’s a small chance that a captured victim
els of the southern mine, close to a semi-flooded cave network could be rescued from the Beast’s lair in time to save their
that leads to the surface. It sleeps on a nest of bones — mostly life. Once the Beast eats enough, it recovers its strength and
deer and bear, but also a few unlucky Snowmen. There is a becomes much more active and dangerous, mangling and
little treasure here, if you can stand the rank stink of the Beast. swiftly gobbling enemies, leaving no opportunity for rescue.
The Beast is ancient and slow now. If it captures one of This period of fearsome vigour lasts for a few seasons before
the Player-heroes or another victim, it drags them back here it falls back into slumber.
to its lair to slowly devour them, lapping up their hot blood.
5. THE NARROW PATH
There is only one extant tunnel that connects the northern
The Beast, Terror of Angmar and southern portion of the mines. Here is where the knights
The Beast resembles a great, blind, misshapen grey bear, of Arthedain tried and failed to hold the Beast; their bones
with an eerily human-like face and hands; it hunts by smell, are dust, but the marks of the Beast’s claws can still be seen,
so its snuffling may warn Player-heroes of its approach. deeply graven into the rock.
BEAST OF ANGMAR ATTRIBUTE LEVEL 6. THE NORTHERN MINES

Cunning, Hungry The northern portion of the mines is much like the south: a
9 warren of passageways. There are more dead ends here, more
unfinished tunnels, and a greater risk of cave-ins.
Exploring the northern mines also requires each
70 2 6(9) — 3 Player-hero to make an EXPLORE or RIDDLE roll at Haz-
ardous Risk level. Successful rolls lead to The Last Hall,
COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Bite 2 (3) (6/14, Pierce), The Treasure Trove, The Well, or The North Door.
Claws 2 (3) (6/14, Seize)
7. THE LAST HALL
FELL ABILITIES: Unnatural Hunger. When first encoun- The last hall is like a subterranean mirage, as unexpected
tered, the Beast is sluggish and slow. If the Beast eats a as an oasis in the desert. The rough, narrow tunnels of the
victim, it returns to full Endurance and Hate, heals any mines suddenly give way to a large hall of stone, its roof sup-
Wound it has and becomes faster and stronger, using ported by ornate pillars, with smaller chambers off to the
the higher Hate, Bite and Claw scores in brackets and sides for sleeping-quarters and stores. The Dwarves built this
gaining the Fell Ability Fierce. hall after they chased the coal-veins far from their houses
Fierce. Spend 1 Hate to gain (1d) and make the near the Scowle Gate. Carvings made by idle miners depict
attack roll Favoured. all manner of scenes, from heroic images of Durin and the
Horrible Strength. If the creature scores a Piercing other fathers of the Dwarves to fanciful forests and distant
Blow, spend 1 Hate to make the target’s Protection roll mountains. A huge iron candelabra — now more rust than
Ill-favoured. metal — hangs from the ceiling.
Hideous Toughness. When an attack inflicts damage In later years, King Arvedui took shelter here. The only
to the creature that would cause it to go to zero Endur- signs of his time are some messages scratched into one wall,
ance, it causes a Piercing Blow instead. Then, if the crea- discoverable by anyone inspecting the surface with attention.
ture is still alive, it returns to full Endurance. ♦ There’s a line of numbers — likely dates, as the war-
Strike Fear. Spend 1 Hate to make all Player-heroes riors trapped in the darkness tried to keep track of the
in sight gain 2 Shadow points (Dread). Those who fail passage of time on the surface.
their Shadow test are daunted and cannot spend Hope ♦ Then: “WE CANNOT GO BACK. WE MUST BRAVE THE ICE.
for the rest of the fight. HIS HAND IS AT OUR THROAT.”
Thick Hide. Spend 1 Hate point to gain (2d) on a ♦ Nearby, there’s another message, in a different hand:
Protection roll. “A CURSE ON ANYONE WHO TAKES THAT WHICH DOES
NOT BELONG TO THEM. MAY THEIR NAMES BE COUNTED
WITH AR-PHARAZÔN.”
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L andmarks
8. THE TREASURE TROVE Schemes and Trouble

This chamber is located in the vicinity of the Last Hall. It once
contained the treasures of Fornost Erain that could not be
carried by the king’s entourage when they fled — books of Snow-wights
ancient lore, paintings and tapestries, relics of lost Númenor. The tales of the Lossoth speak of evil spirits sent by the
The passing years have destroyed them all, leaving nothing Witch-king to torment his foes: Wights who in other lands
but leathery fragments and dust. inhabited corpses in barrows. Here, though, they found no
bodies to steal, and so must clothe themselves in shapes
Sifting through the debris, the adventurers can recover of snow.
a Lesser Hoard of treasure in the form of gold or jew- There is truth in these tales — the Witch-k ing did
elled clasps and other metallic remnants. However, indeed dispatch his minions to the north to pursue his
there’s no sign of any coins, gemstones or other jewels. foes, and those spirits still haunt the hills around the mine.
When the snow falls, the Snow-wights form, building tem-
9. THE WELL porary physical forms for themselves from the snow and
The well opens in a domed chamber, lit by a single shaft of ice. When visible, they resemble travellers who have wan-
light from above during the day. The Dwarves dug this well dered far in inclement weather, a thick rime of ice on their
to provide fresh water to the Last Hall. The well is dark and cloak, but there is nothing but icy air and hate beneath
deep, the water cold enough to freeze the soul. the shell of snow. They wield blades of ice that they form
Player-heroes looking about the well, maybe with the help out of the frigid air.
of a lantern or torch, spot a glint of gold near this well — Snow-wights can be found outside or inside the Old
there’s a single coin on the floor, wedged in a crack in the Dwarf-mines, as they can enter the underground complex
rock. The departing men of Arthedain threw their gold and from the North Door.
other treasures into the well to hide them. Recovering the
treasure will be a challenge — a cunning Dwarf could doubt- SNOW-W IGHT ATTRIBUTE LEVEL
less drain the well with months of labour, or the adventurers Cruel, Stealthy
could dive for it, a few handfuls at a time. 4
Swimming down to the bottom of the well requires ENDURANCE MIGHT HATE PARRY ARMOUR
an ATHLETICS test and causes a severe Endurance
loss upon a failure. Success garners Treasure points
16 1 4 — 3
equal to the roll of a Feat die, with an counting
as 0 and a indicating some notable item like a jew- COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Icy Blade 3 (4/16, Pierce)
elled necklace. The well contains a Greater Hoard
of treasure, should the characters manage to fish FELL ABILITIES: Deathless. Spend 1 Hate to cancel a
it all out. Wound. When an attack inflicts damage to the crea-
ture that would cause it to go to zero Endurance, spend
10. THE NORTH DOOR 1 Hate to bring the creature back to full Endurance
This exit from the mines leads out among the last peaks of the instead. This ability is ineffective against Player-heroes
northern Ered Luin, towards the frozen wastes of the Ice-bay wielding a magical weapon enchanted with spells for
of Forochel. It lies wide open, its stone door glued against the Bane of the Undead.
the mountainside by a thick layer of ancient ice. Heartless. The creature is not affected by the Intim-
The Lossoth camp among the foothills here sometimes, as idate Foe combat task, unless a Magical success is
they have done for countless generations, but they consider obtained.
the place to be haunted, and stay away from it. Not even the Freeze the Blood. At the start of the first round of the
eldest and wisest among them recall anything of the king who battle all Player-heroes in sight of one or more Snow-
once took refuge among them, or the tale of the Ring of Bar- wights gain 2 Shadow points (Dread). Those who fail
ahir — those events took place more than a thousand years their Shadow test are dismayed and all their rolls are Ill-
ago, and the Lossoth do not share the Dúnedain’s obsession favoured for the rest of the fight.
with the deeds and treasures of a vanished past. You cannot
eat stones in the winter, the Lossoth say.
57

CHAPTER 3
The White Towers

Three Elf-towers of immemorial age were still to be seen on the Tower Hills beyond the western marches.
They shone far off in the moonlight. The tallest was furthest away, standing alone upon a green mound.
RUMOUR Yet there are others who seek to break the westward-gaze
“Three ancient Elf-towers rise from the hills beyond the Shire’s west- of the Elendil stone, and use its power to spy upon Middle-
ern marches, their luminous construction radiating moonlight, vis- earth instead, as it seems that the palantír of Elostirion has
ible from distant leagues. The westernmost tower is the tallest still, occasionally granted visions of imminent threats, warning the
and it is said one can see the Sea from its top. No Hobbit has been Elves of approaching danger.
known to climb the tower, but Elves sometimes visit, disappearing These rare instances granted some lore-masters hope
through the White Towers’ doors.” that the palantír can be mastered to grant them foresight
over Eriador and beyond, perhaps even reconnecting the
OLD LORE stone with others in Middle-earth. Círdan the Shipwright,
“The White Towers are thousands of years old, built by the Elven keeper of the stone of Elostirion, is wary of such ambitions,
High King Gil-galad as a gift for Elendil, the first King of Arnor. no matter how pure-hearted their intent — if the Elendil
Elendil chose the westernmost tower, Elostirion, to house one of stone permanently lost its ability to perceive the Undying
the legendary seeing stones he rescued from the Fall of Númenor. Lands, it would be a heavy blow to the spirits of the remain-
The palantír still resides in the tower, one of the few not lost to the ing Elves of Eriador.
passing of ages, though its visions always track westwards. Elves
ocations
of Lindon visit the White Towers to glimpse the paradise awaiting
them in the Undying Lands.” L
The White Towers are most easily reached by the East–West
Background
Road, almost as far west as the Grey Havens themselves,
beyond the borders of the Shire. A Company will be able to
The White Towers are treasured holdings of the Elves of see the three pillars from a great distance, as they rise high
Lindon. The palantír housed within Elostirion is a relic of above the Tower Hills, and their radiant construction reflects
a bygone age, unique even amongst the remaining palantíri the light of sun and moon. This is a pleasant country, with
for its clear visions of the Undying Lands. The Elves use it gently sloping green mounds, and a cooling breeze from
to look along the Straight Road leading to the shores of the west. When the Company is close enough, they may hear
the Blessed Realm, and to prepare their spirits to journey the voice of an Elf maiden singing from the windows of the
into the west. southernmost tower, Astirion.
REASONS TO VISIT ELOSTIRION protect the White Towers if they are believed to
Simply hearing rumours about the White Towers might be endangered.
not be enough to motivate a Company to visit. Here fol- ♦ A Patron may instruct the Player-heroes to consult
low some possible ‘hooks’ that the Loremaster may use, the palantír, or to peruse the extensive library of
based on the current circumstances of the Player-heroes Elostirion for forgotten lore.
and their aims. ♦ In these dark times, an increasing number of
♦ The Elves believe in secrecy, and in any case agents seek the insights of the Elendil stone, and
they don’t possess the strength to maintain a a Company may find themselves assisting the cus-
garrison to protect the towers besides a sin- todian of Elostirion in arbitrating who is and is not
gle custodian, so a Company may be asked to worthy of accessing the palantír.
58

L andmarks
1. ASTIRION, THE CUSTODIAN TOWER

A Company approaching the White Towers will reach
Astirion, the southernmost tower, first. The Player-heroes
are not likely ever to be granted access to it (unless the cus-
todian needs their help defending it or the other towers
from attack, see Braswen, below). Should they enter it, they
would find a small armoury of ancient weapons immaculately
maintained, a legacy of a time when the Elves were able to
muster a full garrison to protect the palantír, pantries well-
THE WHITE TOWERS furnished with rations, and concealed arrow slits and other
cunning defences along its height. Defenders could hold out
3 Elostirion here for a long time if necessary. On the tower’s top floor
are the custodian’s own sleeping chambers, and above that,
a beacon she can use to signal the Grey Havens if her posi-
tion is threatened by the Enemy.
But before the Company can continue further on or
knock at its door, they are met by Braswen, the custodian
of the White Towers, who descends the steps leading to the
tower’s entrance to greet them.
2 Nadirion
1 Astirion
59

CHAPTER 3
he not be disturbed — Braswen hasn’t seen him in a

Braswen the Custodian long time, and is starting to worry. Woleth of Orthanc
Braswen is a tall and ancient Elf, with faint lines in her fair is hosted in the Guest Tower, impatiently awaiting her
features, and grey among her blonde hair. She is weary turn. Yesterday, Braswen dismissed a man of Gondor
from her long vigil, but her eyes shine an undaunted blue, who also requested permission to consult the palantír,
for she has often seen the wondrous future that awaits her and she suspects he will return.
in the West through the Elendil stone. ♦ WE WISH TO REST AT THE GUEST TOWER. Braswen
Braswen is the sole authority on who can enter calmly informs the Player-heroes that Nadirion is not
Elostirion, and the only guardian left to defend it, entrusted an inn. If they are not here to see the palantír, Bras-
to this task by Círdan of the Havens himself. But her schol- wen can be convinced to allow them stay the night, but
arly appearance hides the prowess of a formidable warrior they must be gone by morning.
— she fled the destruction of Beleriand, and fought against ♦ WE SEEK EDRIS OF LINDON. The Player-heroes may be
Angmar in many battles. No one who dares to trespass in searching for Edris himself, perhaps because they were
her domain does so without reprisal. sent by his kin to discover why he has been gone so
Each of the White Towers has a single entrance, pro- long. They must succeed at a council to convince Bras-
tected by magical seals. Braswen carries the keys that can wen to defy the Elf-lord’s wishes to remain undisturbed.
open them with her at all times. ♦ WE DESIRE TO USE THE ELENDIL STONE. Convincing
Braswen to access the stone can be set up as a coun-
OCCUPATION: Defender, Host cil — the request is outrageous, bold if the Company
includes an Elf from Lindon, or even reasonable if
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Faithful, Wary the Player-heroes carry authorisation from a person of
authority (like Círdan, or another important Patron).
♦ WE MUST CONSULT THE LIBRARY OF ELOSTIRION.
The Loremaster can use the following guidelines to adjudicate This too, requires a council (bold) to convince Bras-
the reaction of Braswen, based on their most likely requests: wen they will not misuse the library’s ancient lore,
♦ WE WANT TO HELP. Braswen doesn’t believe the towers unless the Company already secured permission from
are at risk of imminent attack, but three different indi- the Grey Havens.
viduals have asked to access the palantír recently, a fact
that has made her suspicious. Edris of Lindon is cur- If the Company succeeds in convincing the custodian, Bras-
rently occupying the Seeing Tower, and has instructed wen arranges lodgings in Nadirion, the Guest Tower.
NADIRION
Ground Floor Sleeping Chamber
60

L andmarks
ELOSTIRION
2. NADIRION, THE GUEST TOWER

The easternmost of the White Towers is the shortest in
height, but no less magnificent in appearance. Its cham-
bers were once residences fit for a king, and though much
of that glory has faded with age, they are still an enviable
luxury to those used to resting on the roadside. Braswen
will ensure her guests are well-nourished with food and
drink, and can recount the history of every jewel, weapon
and coat of arms displayed within Nadirion should the
Player-heroes wish.
Woleth of Orthanc
Hosted within the most resplendent quarters of all is a
plump, middle-aged woman whose patience is rapidly
becoming exhausted. Woleth arrived at the White Tow-
ers at the bidding of a Wizard, and was assured she’d be
granted access to the Elendil stone as soon as the previ-
ous user’s studies were completed. Two months later, no
The Library
one has exited the Seeing Tower, and Woleth begins to
suspect she is being deceived.
Woleth is outspoken in her criticism, subjecting Bras-
wen to an indignant tirade if she catches sight of the 3. ELOSTIRION, THE SEEING TOWER
custodian, which the Elf endures dispassionately. Failing The westernmost tower is the tallest and most fabled:
that, she will rant at the Player-heroes instead. She makes Elostirion, house of the Elendil stone. The Company must
it very clear she’ll take her turn with the Seeing Stone reach the top of the hill to reach the door, which looks
before the Player-heroes do (and remains suspicious even sturdier than those of the other towers. Edris of Lindon has
if the Player-h eroes agree). If the Player-h eroes identify been studying in Elostirion for many moons, with explicit
themselves as agents of the White Hand, she is much instructions to remain undisturbed. When leading the Com-
more forthcoming with her mission. Her master Saruman pany to the tower, Braswen is visibly uneasy, disturbed both
has bid her to recover whatever lore she can about the to defy the Elf-lord’s instructions, and by the state she might
operation of the palantíri, by consulting the library of find him in.
Elostirion, and looking into the Elendil stone herself. She
suspects the White Wizard intends to master a palantír THE LIBRARY: Several floors of the Seeing Tower are given
himself (but does not know he will use its visions to seek over to an extensive library, containing accounts of all who
out Rings of Power). have peered into the Elendil stone, and what they learned
If continuously frustrated in her mission, Woleth rashly from the experience. Annals of kings, queens and Elven lords,
decides to take matters into her own hands (see The Folly recorded by generations of custodians, can be found within
of Woleth, page 63). this priceless archive.
It is possible that among these records are the accounts
OCCUPATION: Agent, Scholar of those who attempted to turn the stone’s gaze away from
the Undying Lands, and even succeeded. This is the secret
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Proud, Stern knowledge that is coveted by others of similar mind, but it
is not easily found.
61

CHAPTER 3
Edris of Lindon ELOSTIRION

The library is where the Company first encounters Edris
of Lindon. The Elven lore-master is in no great shape —
he is worryingly thin, murmuring to himself, and darting
from tome to tome with feverish intensity. He has been
frustrated by many failures to master the palantír, but he
is most haunted by his scant successes. Whenever he has
managed to turn the palantír’s vision away from the West,
to reconnect with the other Seeing Stones, he has been
tormented with visions of a lidless, burning eye, and the
unstoppable power at its command. Rather than flee
across the sea to avoid this terrible evil, Edris has some-
how convinced himself that by gaining full control of the
Elendil stone he might save his beloved Middle-earth. In
his desperate state, he suspects any who interfere with his
work to be servants of the Enemy.
Edris rages at anyone who interrupts his study, and
forbids the Player-heroes from accessing the palantír until
The Seeing Room
his work is concluded. Though discomforted, Braswen sug-
gests the Company acquiesces to the Elf-lord’s demands.
If the Player-heroes are not deterred, see The Sorrow of THE SEEING ROOM: The very top of Elostirion is a magnif-
Edris, page 63. icent terrace, with a view as stunning as any to be found
in Eriador. One storey below the terrace is a room contain-
OCCUPATION: Despairing lore-master ing the means to see beyond the borders of Middle-earth
itself — this is the Seeing Room, the housing of the Elendil
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Lordly, Scornful stone. Hallowed silence hangs over the dim chamber when
the palantír is not in use.
MASTERING THE PALANTÍR not choose what they see, but instead gain a brief,
A Player-hero who enters the Seeing Room may elect to soundless vision, concerning a present or future
search for visions in the Elendil stone. Attempting to use threat to Eriador and Lindon in particular — the
the palantír always requires a WISDOM roll. Loremaster can use this to show a vision related to
♦ If the seer is looking towards the distant West, a one of the coming events described in the chap-
successful roll awards a vision of a soothing par- ter A Gathering Storm (see page 31). Success
adise. The Player-hero regains 1 Hope, plus 1 icons ( ) may be spent to magnify specific details.
additional Hope for each rolled. A Player-hero ♦ However, using the Seeing Stone to look away
can only gain the benefit of this vision once each from the West quickly draws the attention of the
Adventuring Phase. Great Eye, which assaults the seer’s mind with
♦ If the Player-hero attempts to turn the palantír’s terrible images. The seer gains 4 Shadow points
vision away from the Uttermost West, their WIS- (Dread), before immediately breaking contact
DOM roll is Ill-favoured. If they succeed, they can- with the palantír.
62

L andmarks
The palantír is a perfect sphere of smooth black stone, THE SORROW OF EDRIS
about a foot in diameter, with no imperfection to mar its Whatever Edris is telling himself, there is no vision to glean
surface. It is mounted upon an intricately carved pedestal in from turning the Elendil stone eastwards that can settle his
the centre of the room, with the space around the palantír troubled mind. Convincing the Elven lore-master of this fact,
cleared to allow a viewer to approach from any angle. Were though, is no easy task.
a seer to approach from the eastern side of the room, and
attune themselves with the Elendil stone, they would see Persuading Edris to abandon his studies, and return
visions of distant Valinor dance upon the face of the palantír. to the care of his kin in Lindon, can be resolved as a
Seen from the other direction, the Elendil stone remains an bold council, with Edris’ mania making him reluctant
impassive, impenetrable black — though many are intent to and thus causing all Player-heroes to lose (1d).
pierce this veil through occult means.
If Edris’ mind is not settled whilst the Company are staying
Schemes and Trouble

at the White Towers, the nightmarish visions of Sauron push
him into hopelessness. He carries the Elendil stone to the
Seeing Tower’s terrace, and throws himself over the edge to
THE GREED OF CIRZOR his death. Though the palantír is undamaged by the fall, Edris’
At any point when the Company is visiting the towers, a blood seeps into its surface, cloaking all visions of Valinor for
newcomer may arrive requesting access to the Elendil stone. the next twenty years or longer.
Braswen recognises this individual as Cirzor, a man of the
south, whom she refused on a previous occasion. If Cir- THE FOLLY OF WOLETH
zor meets the Player-heroes, he will petition them for aid, Whilst Woleth is not a cruel-hearted woman, she is entirely com-
hoping they can vouch for him with the custodian. He’ll mitted to her mission for the White Wizard, and is not above
even offer to pay them with a ruby gem, a Precious Object using subterfuge to get what she wants. Timed to coincide with
worth 4 Treasure points, in return for helping him enter other unfortunate events, she can become a serious nuisance.
Elostirion. If the Player-heroes have negotiated access to the Elendil
Cirzor is tall, rugged and handsome, superficially charm- stone before Woleth, she is visibly furious. Whilst she cannot
ing, and always inquisitive about the Player-heroes’ own physically prevent the Company from entering the tower, she
exploits. He claims to have been sent by the Steward of will conspire to impede them — driving a wedge between the
Gondor, seeking palantír-lore that can re-establish a direct Company and Braswen, encouraging Edris to believe the Player-
channel of communication between the north and south. In heroes are unwelcome, or setting fires elsewhere in the Tower
truth, he is a Black Númenórean Spy (see page 37), with Hills so the Company will be forced to waste time investigating.
instructions to use the palantír to discern the true location Woleth will not fight with or against Cirzor, but will gladly
of Rivendell. use the battle as an opportunity to sneak into the tower. The
If Cirzor continues to be rebuffed, he turns vicious, and agent has been given a clever tool by Saruman that allows her
swears the Company will regret crossing him. He later returns to pick the lock to the Seeing Tower, as a method of last resort.
with a warband of Black Númenórean Soldiers and hired Ruf- Once inside Elostirion, Woleth will use the palantír, or steal from
fians, intent on forcing his way into the towers. During the its library, depending on what she has time for. Fighting with
fighting — or at any time when Braswen and the Company Cirzor, or Edris, is not unlikely, as the spectre of violence unfold-
are distracted — he attempts to discreetly steal the custodi- ing beneath the tower infects the minds of the scholars as well.
an’s keys, and escape with the palantír. Unless supported, Woleth will perish in these confrontations.
63

CHAPTER 3
The Tree of Sorrow

“I do not doubt there is some shadow of the Great Darkness lying there…
and bad memories are handed down.”
RUMOUR The Tree of Sorrow grows there, the last redoubt of the
“There’s a sacred tree deep in the woods of Eryn Vorn, and the Tree- forest folk. It is a huge tree, warped and swollen beyond
folk worship it. They take captives on their raids, and bring these the natural size of its kind. From a distance, it resembles
prisoners back to the tree as sacrifices. If you find that any of your a hunched giant, a black cloak of leaves wrapped around
kinfolk are missing after a raid, then weep — they are already as its massive shoulders as protection from the cold sea-winds,
good as dead, for no one has ever returned from the dark places its face mercifully hidden from sight. The tree seems to
of the wood.” almost swell as the traveller approaches it, a living moun-
tain of tangled greenery. The details shift as the wind rustles
OLD LORE the leaves — there’s a bundle of bloodless bodies, hanging
“This is one of the most obscure and forgotten spots in all of Middle- from a branch like grisly fruit. There’s a face, and another
earth. This is a primordial forest, older than the Misty Mountains. and another, staring out of the gnarled trunk. There are
Only wild Men and wilder trees ever dwelt here. Thus, even the Wise ladders, walkways, tree-houses, a whole host of foes amid
know little of Eryn Vorn, save that it is a dark and ill-omened name, the branches.
and that the might of Númenor that humbled even Sauron could Walk closer still, and the traveller sees that the Tree itself
not pierce the shadows of the trees.” straddles a rocky outcrop, and there are cave mouths amid
the dark roots. There’s an open glade before the tree, and
Background
a ring of ancient stones where the Tree-folk gather for their
strange ceremonies. A traveller can see, too, that the Tree is
In the days of Cardolan, a few of the King’s Rangers did not a single entity, but a mingling of smaller trees, all fused
enter the wood, and they mapped parts of the forest. Their into one monstrosity.
records may be preserved in Rivendell, or in the library at Here is evil in the wood.
Tharbad.
Once, there was a single forest from West to East, from
the Blue Mountains to the banks of the Anduin. Of it, Green-
wood the Great was but a pale shadow, and Fangorn Forest
just the east end. The westernmost portion of the forest, on
the cape of Eryn Vorn, had a bad reputation even then. It is
as though something seeped in from Outside when the world JOURNEY EVENTS
was young, or there was some sourness in the earth that the Captives taken by the Tree-folk of Eryn Vorn are
trees drew up through their roots. It has always been dark brought to this cursed place. The Tree-folk are
beneath the trees in Eryn Vorn. sometimes cruel enough to leave a trail for res-
The world changed. Men came with axes and fire, and cuers to follow, a bloody path of severed fingers
brought an end to the endless forest. The folk who dwelt and other tokens, a trail that a Company of Player-
in the woods retreated as the land was cleared, falling back heroes might pick up in the course of their adven-
as one thicket and the next were taken by the axe. There tures. This is, of course, a ruse to ambush those
were Men in the wood then, the fathers of the fathers of the following the trail — it winds through the wood,
Tree-folk, but there were Ents too, shepherds of the trees passing through many perils and dark patches,
— and neither had the strength to stop the tree-hunger of and by the time it reaches the Tree of Sorrow, the
Númenor. would-be rescuers are so exhausted and battered
By the time Númenor sank and the world changed that they are easy prey.
again, both Ents and Men had unwisely taken refuge in
the haunted cape.
64

L andmarks
THE TREE OF SORROW
14
12
13 15
12
16 16
11
9
10
3 2
65

CHAPTER 3
L ocations 3. THE CAVES

According to most tales, the Tree of Sorrow stands in the A warren of caves runs below the Tree of Sorrow. Some are
south-east part of the forest. It rises above the rest of the wood, used by the Tree-folk as cellars, the cool air preserving food
and can be seen from a distance. That said, older accounts they’ve gathered.
place the Tree of Sorrow further to the north. These old tales Drawings on the cave walls depict the history of the Tree-
must be mistaken, of course — trees, even haunted evil ones, folk. Images show them hunting in the primal woods, show
don’t get up and walk. the fathers of the fathers of Men skulking on the fringes of
The easiest way to get to the Tree of Sorrow is to be taken the forest, looking enviously at the Elves of old with their
captive by the Tree-folk. They will bring you there swiftly, shining swords and bright mail. Some drawings show dark
though your journey will not be a comfortable one — your mountains under a dark sky, and whips of flame: memories
hands will be bound with strong ropes, and you’ll be scourged of the wars with Morgoth, long, long ago.
or beaten until you run, scrambling over the rough ground More recent — but still ancient! — drawings show the Men
of Minhiriath until you come to the shadowy eaves of Eryn of Númenor coming with their mighty ships, and laying waste
Vorn. Hands will grab you then, strong hands that lift you to the forest. There are many images of armies driving the Tree-
and carry you through the dark paths until you come to the folk deeper into the woods, of towering fortresses like leering
tree — and there you shall die, as a stone knife slits your monsters. A close examination of some of the drawings shows
throat and you are hung upside down so your blood drains giant figures in the background, blending in with the trees.
into the thirsty soil.
The more arduous (but less doomed) path is to travel 4. THE SENTRY POST
through the woods of Eryn Vorn. Just traversing this forest is Tree-folk warriors matching the Player-heroes in number are
an adventure in itself; while the cape is not especially large, always on guard here.
the forest is thick and tangled, hostile and pathless. It’s much
worse than either the Old Forest or Mirkwood — this forest
has gone untamed and unchallenged for thousands of years, Tree-folk Warriors
and those who dwell here cultivate the elemental darkness These evil Men dwell in the deep forest, and hate and fear
of the wood. You are not welcome here. outsiders. While in these fallen years they resemble the Drúe-
dain of the woods in the south, they are in fact descended
1. THE GLADE from the same folk as the ancestors of the Númenoreans.
The earth in this open glade is churned up by the passage of They are long of limb and strong of body, and have become
many feet, for here the folk of the dark woods gather. Drums very wood-crafty over the centuries. They wear little armour,
in the tree-tops summon them when it is time to feast together, but paint their bodies in mud and crushed leaves to blend
to hunt together, or march to war together. in with the dark shadows of the forest.
2. THE STANDING STONES

Six stones, arranged in a circle. These stones were not
raised by the folk of the forest; they are much, much
older. They must have been carved by the Elves in 8
the days before the Sun, and what messages
they left are now too worn to be read. 5
Stand in the centre of the circle under
7
the night sky, and you can see stars that
are normally only visible from the shores
of the Blessed Realm. The astrologers and 6
skygazers of Arnor would have learned much
wisdom, had they ever found this place.
THE CAVES
66

L andmarks
TREE-F OLK WARRIOR ATTRIBUTE LEVEL ♦ The imbiber may choose to gain 1 Shadow to regain
Nimble, Ferocious Endurance equal to their Strength or Heart score,
4 whichever is higher.
♦ The imbiber may choose to gain 1 Shadow to remove
ENDURANCE MIGHT HATE PARRY ARMOUR the effects of any poison they are suffering from.
16 1 4 +2 1 DRAWBACKS:
♦ Whoever gains 3 Shadow points during the same
COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Spear 3 (4/14, Pierce), Adventuring Phase to enjoy the benefits of the
Bow 3 (3/14, Pierce) draughts notices their skin is starting to harden into
bark, and that their blood is turning thick and green-
FELL ABILITIES: Poison. If an attack results in a Wound, the ish. Their features slowly return to normal if they do
target is also poisoned (see page 134 of The One Ring not drink from the tainted draughts for an entire fol-
for the effects of poison). lowing Adventuring Phase.
Snake-like Speed. When targeted by an attack, ♦ Whoever gains 6 or more Shadow points in the course of
spend 1 Hate to make the attack roll Ill-favoured. two consecutive Adventuring Phases dies a painful death,
as roots burst from their bellies. If not burned or other-
wise destroyed, their corpses will become rooted trees.
5. THE SECRET WELL
This deep well reaches down to a pool of icy water. The priests 6. THE PIT OF BROKEN THINGS
of the wood know how to mix this water with tree-sap and This cave is where the Tree-folk cast all the things they deem
certain plants to brew up foul draughts, similar to the Ent- unclean, things taken from the Númenóreans and their
draughts of Fangorn Forest. descendants in Arnor. The floor of the cave is covered with
bones, rusted fragments of metal, scraps of cloth and other
TAINTED DRAUGHTS: There are a number of clay jars full of liq- debris. The trash-piles heave with worms that feed on the
uid in this chamber. If drunk, the liquid tastes vile and bitter, but remains. A thorough search of this cave may turn up some
also eerily energising. The jars contain a number of draughts ancient weapons or treasures that are still intact, but digging
equal to twice the number of Player-heroes in the Company. through the physical waste of centuries of grudges takes time.
The effects of the draughts are beneficial in the short
term, but poisonous in the long one. The benefits listed below 7. THE SHUNNED CAVE
last for one season, while the drawbacks are permanent. This cave winds down into the earth, and the air surging out of
it smells chilly and foul. None of the Tree-folk dare to explore
BENEFITS: this tunnel branch, so they shun it and do not go this way.
♦ The imbiber may choose to gain 1 Shadow when spend- This is the source of the evil power that fuels the Tree
ing Hope on a Protection roll to be Inspired for that roll. of Sorrow.
INTO THE SHUNNED CAVE If the Player-heroes attempt to follow the tunnel they
Unknown even to the Tree-folk priests, the cave descends soon realise that the underground passage extends for
in unbroken spiral for miles, to a bottom beyond light miles on end (a Dwarf can tell this right away), and that
and knowledge. There, among the uttermost founda- they risk being buried alive by the Tree-folk, should they
tions of the earth something lies, trapped, or slumber- discover their intrusion.
ing. A Nameless Thing, certainly, whose malevolence is Fully exploring the Shunned Cave and facing what
so great that it taints the surface. Is this a foe beyond lies beneath is probably a matter for further adventures,
any in the Company? once the Tree-folk have been dealt with…
67

CHAPTER 3
8. THE CAVE OF THUNIR

The darkness is thicker in this vast hollow than elsewhere, and
the roots of the trees line the cave as pillars in a cathedral. In A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH
the farthest recess of the grotto is a crack in the rock — it is Player-heroes who abuse the tainted draughts of
here that the monster Thunir slumbers, like a spider in its lair. Eryn Vorn face certain death… unless they choose
to remain in Eryn Vorn and become a guardian of
the Tree of Sorrow.
Thunir Blood-drinker At the Loremaster discretion, a Player-hero who
When Sauron went to war against the Elves of Hollin, the is about to suffer the dire consequences of imbibing
hated Men of Númenor fought against the Dark Lord. A too much of the cursed drink may feel the irresist-
few warriors from Eryn Vorn, therefore, joined with Sau- ible call to return to the Tree of Sorrow. Once there,
ron’s armies for the chance to fight and kill their ancient they will discover the bitter truth — stay in the forest
foes from the West. Thunir was among them, and he was and become an undying monster like Thunir, or die.
the only one to return from the war.
That was four thousand years ago, and Thunir still lives.
A champion of his folk, Thunir drew unnatural strength
and resilience from the tainted draughts brewed by the
priests of Eryn Vorn. While most of those who used it 9. THE FUSED GIANTS
died a painful death, Thunir lived on, every year becom- At the foot of the Tree of Sorrow are several shapes that
ing more and more as one with the Tree of Sorrow. Now, might have once been of man-shape, or might have been
he is a shambling horror, more tree than man, driven by smaller trees, now fused into the mighty trunk. Their arms
the dim memory of hatred. The priests tend to him, and are upraised, their feet lost amid the roots. According to the
know the secret words to awaken his wrath. tales of the Tree-folk, these are the Walking Trees, but they
walk no more — they slumber here, their spirits mingling,
THUNIR ATTRIBUTE LEVEL while they wait for the changing of the Age.
Pitiless, Savage
6 10. LADDERS
These ladders are for the use of the old, the infirm, or the
ENDURANCE MIGHT HATE PARRY ARMOUR heavily burdened; other Tree-folk are agile as squirrels, able
to scamper up the trunk without difficulty.
50 2 6 — 3
11. SENTRY POST
COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Crush 4 (6/12, Seize) A second sentry post, with at least two Tree-folk per Player-
hero on watch (see page 66).
FELL ABILITIES: Fear of Fire. The creature loses 1 Hate at the
start of each round it is engaged in close combat with an 12. PRISON CELLS
adversary wielding a torch or other sort of burning item. Prisoners taken by the Tree-folk are held here in wicker cages.
Heartless. The creature is not affected by the Intim-
idate Foe combat task, unless a Magical success is 13. THE CLEFT
obtained. This wound in the side of the Tree of Sorrow was opened
Hideous Toughness. When an attack inflicts damage when the tree bent in the face of a terrible thunderstorm in
to the creature that would cause it to go to zero Endur- 2910. The priests believe that they must offer regular sacri-
ance, it causes a Piercing Blow instead. Then, if the crea- fices of blood to heal the wound in the tree-trunk. If one were
ture is still alive, it returns to full Endurance. intent on destroying the Tree of Sorrow, the rotten wood of
Horrible Strength. If the creature scores a Piercing the Cleft is the place to lay one’s axe or flame.
Blow, spend 1 Hate to make the target’s Protection roll
Ill-favoured. 14. THE HOUSE OF THE LIVING PRIESTS
Thick Hide. Spend 1 Hate point to gain (2d) on a The priests of the Tree-folk dwell in this house amid the
Protection roll. branches. All the Tree-folk priests are male; they hold that
they are vessels for the spirits of all the priests who have gone
68

L andmarks
before them, and that each of them is, like the tree, a sin-
gle creature made of many parts. The other Tree-folk both
revere and fear them, for the living priests can do whatever HEALING THE WOODS
they wish without reprisal in Eryn Vorn. The wood was wounded long long ago, by the
The house is where the priests brew their draughts; fungi cruel greed of Númenor; it will not be healed
sprout profusely on the surrounding branches. It’s also where for many centuries, if ever. However, heroes
they bless the weapons of the Tree-folk; they smear poison could start this process. Perhaps the Tree of Sor-
on the spear-tips, making them deadly even if a foe is merely row might be helped by destroying the monster
scratched. Thunir, and by sealing the dark pit amid its roots.
The Player-heroes can do something, but they will
TREE-FOLK PRIESTS: The heathen priests of the Tree-folk most likely need help — for example, it might take
practise a bizarre religion, combining parts of other faiths. the wisdom of one of the Shepherds of the Trees
They do not know the Valar, save through fleeting contacts to cure this blighted forest.
with dying and rotten Ents, and so learned to worship nature. Could the heroes seek out one of the legend-
In later years, they fell even deeper into darkness, for emis- ary Ents of Fangorn, and bring it across the tree-
saries of Sauron went to them to rally them against the desert of the Enedwaith to the cape of Eryn Vorn?
Númenóreans, and now they worship the Enemy as the King
of Death. The priests believe themselves to be exempt from
mortality, and that when they lie down to ‘sleep’ they pass
on their essence through the trees so that they reincarnate
in new bodies. ♦ A TASTE FOR BLOOD: The evil of the tree seeps into
those who climb it. A Player-hero who is already Miser-
15. THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD PRIESTS able must face a Shadow test (VALOUR ); failure trig-
The bodies of the dead priests are not hung from the branches gers a bout of madness.
of woe, as is done with intruders; nor are they buried or left ♦ BRANCHES LIKE ARMS: A branch swings or breaks
on the ground to be eaten by carrion birds and animals, as unexpectedly, and threatens to strike an intruder. The
is done with the honoured and shameful dead respectively. character must pass an AWARENESS test or be struck
Instead, the dead priests are tied to the tree, so that over for a grievous Endurance loss.
time moss and bark grow over them, and their remains are ♦ CRACKS IN THE BARK: A crack threatens to catch a
absorbed into the living tree. Therefore, the branches are Player-hero’s foot in a vice-like grip. A SCAN test lets
full of knots and whorls that bear an eerie resemblance to the lead Player-hero avoid such peril; otherwise, an
human faces, staring out from the wood. unlucky Player-hero blunders into the crack; they are
trapped and cannot move.
16. THE BRANCHES OF WOE ♦ EYES IN THE WOOD: The tree sprouts little white balls
Prisoners of the Tree-folk are executed here, hung upside- of fungus that look alarmingly like eyes. Intruders
down from branches more than two hundred feet above the must pass a STEALTH test or be spotted — and the
ground. The priests typically cut the throats of their victims, tree summons the Tree-folk sentries by creaking in
but sometimes torment prisoners for days by dangling them agitation.
over the abyss without killing them. The bodies of the dead ♦ GATHERING GLOOM: Any foes encountered on the
are left to rot here, so these branches throng with carrion- Tree of Sorrow gain 2 bonus points of Hate.
eating birds and insects. ♦ STRANGLING VINES: Creepers hanging from the
branches above somehow become wrapped around
Schemes and Trouble

the Player-hero’s arm — or neck. The character must
succeed at an ATHLETICS test or lose their weapon (or,
if strangled, suffer a moderate Endurance loss every
PERILS OF THE TREE OF SORROW round until rescued).
The Tree of Sorrow is dimly awake and aware, much like Old ♦ TREACHEROUS FOOTING: Slick moss on the branches
Man Willow in the Old Forest, but larger and more hateful makes for a dangerous place to fight. Any Player-hero
— and much, much thirstier. Those attempting to climb the that rolls an either loses their action — or falls to
Tree of Sorrow face unexpected perils, such as: their death.
69

CHAPTER 3
The Shrouded Islets

“We live now upon an island amid many perils…”
RUMOUR Background
“A few months ago, a group of Dúnedain was seen taking boats out The Shrouded Islets are the subject of several ghost stories
onto Lake Evendim, carrying many supplies. No one has heard told among the Rangers of the North. Before the fading of
from them since. Some say that small islands lie in the middle of Annúminas, they were a convenient stopping point in the mid-
the lake, concealed by the mists blanketing its surface for most of dle of Lake Evendim for noble families to retreat to nature, or
the year. Who knows what treasures an explorer might find there, Fisher-folk to repair damaged boats. But the settlement was
untouched for centuries?” undone by the coming of a horrible creature called forth by
Sauron to assault the folk of Arnor, and the disappearance
OLD LORE of the settlers was never explained.
“The islets in Lake Evendim were inhabited by the Men of Arnor,
in the heyday of Annúminas. They built lake-houses there, a com- 3 The Last Stand
fortable retreat from the bustle of the city. Then, from all records it
seems that news from those who settled on the lake stopped reaching
Annúminas years before the city was abandoned.”
5 The Grey Spire
4 The Bleak Cove
THE SHROUDED ISLETS
1 The Wrecking Cross
70

L andmarks
WHEN WINTER FIRST BEGINS TO BITE… L ocations

If the Company visits the Shrouded Islets in win- The waters of Lake Evendim are cold, still, foreboding, and
ter, Loremasters should keep in mind the harsher deep. Unless approached at the height of summer, thick
weather conditions of the expedition, for example mist settles over its surface, obscuring vision and muffling
applying penalties to die rolls that may be made all sounds. Reaching the islets requires boats, except in deep
harder by the adverse circumstances, or taking winter, when the waters of Lake Evendim freeze over, allowing
into consideration the consequences of being for a safe, if cautious, crossing.
immersed in frigid waters (Sources of Injury, page
133 of The One Ring). 1. THE WRECKING CROSS
Last, but not least, the Dúnedain described in This is the first islet encountered by a Company crossing from
The Last Stand (see below) are found in an even the south-east. It is a cross-shaped islet, bordered by harsh
more terrible state, on the verge of freezing to rocks cleaving the lake’s surface. If the Player-heroes observe
death. HEALING rolls may be required before they the island from a distance, they don’t spot anything of inter-
can provide information to the Company. est, beyond lichen, mayflies, and what could be the remains
of an earlier vessel close to its shore. Attempting to disem-
bark means taking a foolish risk that may end in disaster, as
the submerged rocks can easily smash their vessels to pieces.
In recent times, a group of Dúnedain of the North resolved 2. THE FALSE HAVEN
to discover the truth, but they also disappeared without a trace. Just beyond the Wrecking Cross is a more hospitable islet,
Unfortunately for them, the Doom of Nenuial still infests the with a small sandy beach that can be safely approached. If
waters around the Shrouded Islets, a creature still obeying the the Player-heroes scout the rest of the islets before attempt-
commands it received centuries before from the Dark Lord. ing landfall, they can reasonably conclude the beach is the
easiest spot to land (the exploring Dúnedain did the same).
The island is low and exposed to the winds, and is almost
completely covered by short yew trees, and dense shrubs of
holly. A small area along the shore has been cleared fairly
recently, and some traces from the Dúnedain expedition can
be found buried in the sand — a store of firewood, and some
spoiled food, signs of a camp that was abandoned hastily.
THE VILLA: If the Player-heroes reach the middle of the island,
2 The False Haven they find the ruins of an ancient lake villa, almost entirely
reclaimed by nature. From its size and position, knowledge-
able Player-heroes may deduce the building was once the
residence of a local noble of a certain relevance.
3. THE LAST STAND

A smaller, less welcoming islet looms over the False Haven.
It emerges from the waters looking like a round, barren hill,
with a rocky shore and a small, sheltered cove along its south-
ern border — the only obvious landing for boats.
Once there, the Company may be surprised to find that
the islet hides a network of tunnels under its surface, and
that it is there that the Dúnedain survivors have found refuge.
THE DÚNEDAIN EXPLORE RS: The Dúnedain group of survi-

vors is composed of about half a dozen families. They left
their homes almost two months ago, with the intention to
explore and settle the Shrouded Islets. They were attacked
71

CHAPTER 3
by the Doom of Nenuial shortly after their arrival, and have If the Player-heroes explore The Bleak Cove before The
since then endured its onslaught on a regular basis. They suf- Last Stand, it could be the first evidence they find of the
fered many casualties, and are currently in a wretched state: Dúnedain expedition. The boat moored there is battered,
trapped, starving, and nursing serious injuries. but intact enough to withstand the journey back to dry land.
When the Company arrives, they are met by Celerwen, The damage is clearly the result of a savage assault, warning
a limping, ashen-faced woman who inherited the position of a danger that lurks beneath the water’s surface.
of leader in the group after the recent death of the previ-
ous chieftain, Targon. If the Player-heroes have not already 5. THE GREY SPIRE
encountered the Doom of Nenuial, she explains what they’ve The central islet of the group overlooks all the others, a fang of
let themselves in for — a horrible creature counts the islets as rock inhospitable to all life but the most persistent moss. Near
its dominion, an ancient terror she can only assume destroyed the top, light catches on a reflective rock, a large quartz that
the colony centuries ago. could be a natural formation, or might have been placed there
If the Player-heroes let her, Celerwen continues, and nar- on purpose, as a landmark for boatmen approaching in the mist.
rates what happened to the survivors. When they reached The peak of the Grey Spire is the only part of the
the islets, the monster waited until they had settled upon the Shrouded Islets the lake monster cannot reach to attack. It
False Haven. Then, it attacked them on the shore. Targon offers a commanding view of the nearby area, for example
faced the creature with a group of chosen men, allowing the revealing the refuge of the Dúnedain survivors on the Last
others to flee and repair to this islet, which they called the Stand, and offering a vantage position for an archer targeting
Last Stand. Targon and his men headed towards another islet the monster. Reaching the top is a daunting climb though,
on the chieftain’s boat, drawing the monster away from the and a dangerous one.
others — they succeeded and the monster followed them to
Schemes and Trouble

the Bleak Cove, where they all died fighting.
Before the Player-heroes arrived, Celerwen’s plan was to
wait for her kin to recover from their wounds, before attempt-
ing one last break for freedom — the monster sunk all their LOST IN THE FOG
boats but one, the one that Targon used to reach the Bleak Depending on the season, the danger posed by the obscur-
Cove. In her heart, Celerwen expected the next fight to be ing fog can be an ever-present threat. If the mist is thick and
their last, but now the Company has brought her new hope. the Player-heroes become separated, it is easy for individual
Celerwen describes the monster as devious and sadistic, adventurers to lose their bearings, or be carried much fur-
as it didn’t attack them as they approached the islets, but ther from the rest of the Company than intended. There is
aggressively hunted them once they arrived and when they something especially beguiling about this fog — stories allege
attempted to leave. the mist is magical in origin, summoned by the High Men to
preserve the ancient treasures of Arnor from tomb robbers.
To be lost in its depths is to encounter a force that feels alto-
Celerwen, Daughter of Celegond gether more malevolent than protective.
OCCUPATION: Ranger, Survivor The mist is especially dangerous to the Player-heroes

when they are preyed upon by the Doom of Nenuial.
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Honourable, Patient The creature is intelligent, and will specifically time its
attacks to coincide with moments when the Company
is divided and disoriented.
4. THE BLEAK COVE
This islet is the largest of the group. Here, the vegetation
hides the ruins of several dwellings, the remains of houses that The Doom of Nenuial, Lake Monster
saw many generations living their lives in the time of the realm The Doom of Nenuial is a hideous creature, looking like a
of Arnor. A wide cove allows for easy landing, and stone pil- misshapen deep-sea fish, with a huge gaping mouth filled
lars indicate where piers used to extend from the shore. The with row upon row of sharp fangs. Multiple small, blind
boat that Targon used to reach the islet is still moored here eyes surmount its head, and a single horn protrudes from
— the monster didn’t sink it when it killed the chieftain and its snout, ending in a luminescent lure that the creature
his men, maybe leaving it as bait for the remaining survivors. uses to attract its prey when hunting.
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For a thousand years, the monster hid beneath the

bottom of Lake Evendim in lightless tunnels, until it was
called forth by the Shadow to bring death to the sailors FIGHTING IN THE WATER
of Annúminas. Since the fall of Arnor, it has hungered to Player-heroes swimming in armour suffer a serious
taste the flesh of High Men again, and the arrival of the penalty: all ATHLETICS rolls made to stay afloat or
Dúnedain explorers has enlivened it for the first time in swim lose a number of dice equal to the Protection
centuries. It is content to savour this treat, dragging out the rating of any armour worn.
demise of the Dúnedain over many months. If deprived of Additionally, Player-h eroes fighting while
its meal, its retaliation will be terrible indeed. swimming are severely hindered, while those near
The Loremaster is free to time the attacks of the Doom the shore or standing on submerged rocks are only
of Nenuial as best suits the pacing of the Adventuring moderately hindered.
Phase. In general, the monster likes to play with its prey,
attacking when least expected, only to leave suddenly. The
monster is more at ease in the water, but can propel itself
ashore using its powerful tail, and also move ponderously
upon land, using its hand-like clawed fins.
THE DOOM OF NENUIAL ATTRIBUTE LEVEL ROUGH WATERS

Cunning, Territorial Whenever the Doom of Nenuial appears, the still waters of the
10 lake become suddenly tempestuous. Rocking waves, animated
by the motion of the creature’s massive tail and fins, threaten
ENDURANCE MIGHT HATE PARRY ARMOUR to capsize boats or smash them into nearby rocks. This threat
is resolved in the Opening Volleys phase, specifically target-
100 3 10 — 4 ing Player-heroes in a boat or swimming between the islets.
COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Bite 3 (8/14, Pierce), Each Player-hero in a boat must make an ATHLETICS
Tail 3 (10/12, Break Shield) roll. If they fail, they fall overboard, and begin the
fight in the water (see box). During combat, climbing
FELL ABILITIES: Aquatic. All rolls are Ill-favoured while back aboard a boat, or onto a nearby islet, requires
on land. another ATHLETICS roll and uses a main action. While
Denizen of the Dark. All rolls are Favoured while in in the water, Player-heroes cannot use ranged weapons.
darkness.
Fear of Fire. The creature loses 1 Hate at the start of
each round it is engaged in close combat with an adver-
sary wielding a torch or other sort of burning item.
Hates Sunlight. The creature loses 1 Hate at the start
of each round it is exposed to the full light of the sun.
Hideous Toughness. When an attack inflicts damage
to the creature that would cause it to go to zero Endur-
ance, it causes a Piercing Blow instead. Then, if the crea-
ture is still alive, it returns to full Endurance.
Snake-like Speed. When targeted by an attack,
spend 1 Hate to make the attack roll Ill-favoured. The
Doom of Nenuial can use this Fell Ability only while in
the water.
73

CHAPTER 3
Tindailin - an Elven Refuge

“Much evil must befall a country before it wholly forgets the Elves, if once they dwelt there.”
RUMOUR pass across the Sea. He left a message for Mirwen — a silver
“Near Sarn Ford is a wood that was once inhabited by Elves: they and emerald bracelet, and a request to join him quickly. This
loved to carouse around its pond, looking at the reflection of the message was entrusted to Herunen, who undertook to keep
moon and stars upon its surface. It was a magical place once… but it until the arrival of Mirwen.
today it’s a haunted forest. Nobody sets foot in it anymore, and the But when Mirwen found out that a battle had been
Elves themselves keep away from it; what is it that hides in the lake fought so close to the refuge and that Thalion had ignored
that scares them so?” her request not to fight, she was greatly distressed and felt
betrayed. She chose to forget both her beloved Thalion and
OLD LORE Tindailin, and she never returned to the place where they
“Northwest of Sarn Ford lies what remains of an Elven refuge, pro- had spent so many happy moments together…
tected by a wood in the centre of which is a small lake. Its founda- In the pond, Herunen waited for years for Mirwen to
tion dates back to ancient times, and it is said that it was originally come, listening to the voices of the creatures that lived in
blessed with a guardian spirit. Unfortunately, its original splendour the waters and in the woods. In time, he realised that Mir-
was marred by a terrible battle against the Shadow, and since then the wen would never return and that she had abandoned his
place has never been the same; in time, it was completely abandoned.” friend Thalion. The anger that arose from the thought of
this betrayal was such that it reverberated in nature around
Background
Herunen, slowly turning Tindailin into a dark place, an area
hostile to all living beings, especially Elves.
Sarn Ford has always been a strategic place for defence against
ocations
threats coming from the south, and the Rangers of the North
keep it under constant watch. Centuries ago the Elves estab- L
lished one of their refuges in a copse of trees west of the river, Sarn Ford lies on the road that reaches the Greenway from
to enjoy some rest on their way to the Grey Havens. They the Shire, a crossing on the Brandywine river that connects
called it Tindailin, “glinting lake”. the Southfarthing to the south of Eriador.
Beneath the waters of the small lake in the centre of the About two miles north of the ford, just under half a mile
refuge lived Herunen, a minor servitor spirit belonging to west of the river, the trees thicken to form a dense, impen-
the host of the Lord of Waters, one of the Valar. The spirit etrable grove. Just outside the edge of the wood there is a
came to dwell there as he was attracted by the craftsmanship small camp with four tents. Approaching from Sarn Ford, the
of the Elves, and was fascinated by any object with an unusual Company may spot smoke from a small campfire.
or particularly beautiful shape. In time, Herunen became
a close friend of Thalion, an Elven explorer and a veteran 1. THE ELVEN CAMP
of many battles. Thalion shared Herunen’s love for crafting If the Company investigates the camp, they are first met by an
things, and spent long hours on the shores of the lake, giving Elven scout, Brethil, armed with a bow. He stops the Player-
shape to many objects made of wood. heroes, asking about their business in these lands. He is sus-
Then, hard days came: the Enemy brought war to Eri- picious, but has reasons to befriend the Company — one of
ador, and rumours of armies marching towards Sarn Ford his companions is wounded, and needs help.
multiplied. Before a scouting mission, Mirwen, Thalion’s If the Player-heroes win Brethil’s trust, they are led to the
companion, begged him to stay away from battle: Thalion camp. There are two more Elves there, Randur, a scholar, and
had already given enough to war, she said. He promised, and Sulrien, a warrior. Randur is wounded, and clearly in pain —
sent her away for safety. he will gladly accept any help from the Player-heroes, explain-
Once she left, things fell apart: the armies of the Enemy ing the reason for the Elves’ presence in return.
reached Sarn Ford unexpectedly and Thalion was forced to Randur says that they come from the Grey Havens. They
break his promise. He entered the fray, only to be injured arrived the day before, led by Aranwe, their leader — Aranwe
so badly that he had to leave Middle-earth immediately and is meant to leave Middle-earth soon, but first he wants to
74

L andmarks
recover an heirloom that belonged to his household, counted

among the founders of the refuge. Brethil
When the Elves arrived they entered the wood and headed Brethil is the scout of the group and is armed with a bow.
for the lake, but they were mercilessly tormented by the ani- He doesn’t speak much and observes everything with
mals of the forest with no apparent reason: so fierce was the extreme attention. It is hard for Brethil to trust anyone, so
beasts’ onslaught and so great their surprise that the Elves he is suspicious of the Company, but he is willing to change
decided to split and flee. They were meant to regroup at the his attitude based on the actions of the Player-heroes.
camp, but Aranwe has yet to return.
OCCUPATION: Elf scout
THE ELVES OF MITHLOND: The trio of Elves have their own
business in Tindailin and it might interfere with that of the DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Observant, Taciturn
Player-heroes — they are on a mission to recover the Heart
of Tindailin, a large ruby that once belonged to their leader’s
elder sister — Mirwen. She left the refuge long ago, and she Sulrien
never returned. Young and hot-headed, Sulrien prefers action to words.
Should the Company encounter the Elves after they have She is bent on her mission, and is eager to go back into the
visited the woods and while in possession of Mirwen’s gem woods to look for Aranwe. She often stands up, slashing
(see page 77), the Elves will do anything to get it back — the air with her sword, and Randur struggles to keep her
although Randur hopes to resolve everything with diplomacy calm, especially if Brethil persuades her to believe that the
and will only use violence as a last resort. Brethil and Sulrien Company might be there to steal the Heart of Tindailin.
suspect that the Company might simply be looters (especially
if they aren’t Elves), while Randur is less prone to prejudice. OCCUPATION: Elf warrior
The Haunted DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Impulsive, Ruthless

Chamber
Flets
3 TINDAILIN
2
r
1
e
R iv
i n
e
y w
d
a n
r
B Sarn Ford
75

CHAPTER 3
climb on their legs; brambles and vines seem to make them

Randur stumble on purpose, or ‘accidentally’ whip them as they try
Randur is a scholar, as well as the most ancient Elf in the to push their way forward, and so on.
trio. He is the most interested in understanding what is
happening, so he can write it in his report and update the The guardians do not pose a dangerous threat to the
maps that he never stops consulting. He carries a finely Player-heroes’ health, but their behaviour is deeply
carved stick, and sometimes leans on it, as if suffering from distressing, as they clearly perceive that they are being
some old injury, in addition to his fresh one. targeted by the ill-will of a dark force — all Player-
heroes gain 2 Shadow points (Dread); Elves gain 3
OCCUPATION: Elf scholar Shadow points instead.
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Patient, Wise THE FLETS: Deep into the woods the Company finds what
remains of the ancient Elven refuge. There are several flets
scattered among the trees — wooden platforms built above
Aranwe ground that the Elves use as living places. Set at different
Aranwe is Mirwen’s brother, and is here to recover their heights on the trees and of different sizes, they are all aban-
family heirloom. When the Elves were attacked by the ani- doned, and at different levels of decay.
mals in the grove, Aranwe was targeted even more vio- If the Player-heroes look carefully, among the debris they
lently (Herunen recognised him as Mirwen’s kin) and fled can find a hidden cavity in a tree trunk, concealing a dark
in the opposite direction to the others until he arrived
near the pond where he was taken captive by the spirit
and imprisoned in his lair.
OCCUPATION: Elf leader
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Commanding, Loyal THALION’S DIARY

The journal is written in Elvish. It contains many
notes, as well as sketches of plants, flowers, and
2. THE GROVE maps. For the most part the journal is illegible, the
At the edge of the wood, not very far from the camp of the dampness of the hiding place has blurred the ink,
Elves, a very uneven path overgrown by vegetation leads into except for a few pages here and there:
the depths of the grove. The path opens between two rows “Today I made Herunen happy: I brought him
of trees — once, it must have looked like a majestic corridor that bizarre animal skull I found on my last trip in
flanked by tall pillars; today, huge roots emerge from the Wilderland, the one that appears to have three
ground, and a layer of dead leaves and thick undergrowth small horns… Who knows what its original appear-
give the impression of a forlorn and desolate place. ance was, perhaps some kind of goat born with
Among the trees, all sounds seem muffled, but the area a deformity? Now it has found a new home in a
is not entirely silent: a continuous rustling can be heard, as if respectable collection!”
some wild beast is following the Player-heroes as they advance. “My trip to Rivendell turned out to be very use-
At night the atmosphere is even more oppressive: a thick ful: in the library I found some very interesting old
darkness covers everything and all sounds become even more maps, which I copied to the best of my capabilities.
indistinct, save for the footsteps of the Company that seem I put my copies safely in the hiding-place in the
to reverberate dully. clearing, for them to be reproduced by a more
skilled cartographer.”
THE GUARDIANS ATTACK: Once deep inside the grove, the The last legible page is written in haste: “The
Company is targeted by the wrath of the guardians of the Enemy is here. We weren’t expecting such a ter-
grove. Wild beasts and plants alike seem to focus their ill-will rible host. I am needed. I am sorry Mirwen, I’ll
on the Company, especially Elven Player-heroes, attacking come back to you”.
them directly, or making their progress difficult — birds (or
bats at night) fly into their faces; spiders, snakes and squirrels
76

L andmarks
HERUNEN’S LAIR
Aranwe
The Emerald
Bracelet
To the
Brandywine
green cloth bag wrapped in a grey cloak. Inside the bag is victim to Herunen’s wrath (a Barrow-wight, see 154 of The
Thalion’s journal (a small volume with a brown leather cover One Ring). It immediately assaults anyone who dares enter.
closed by two laces that go around it), as well as a quill, a If the Barrow-wight is dealt with, the Player-heroes can
bottle of dried ink and a small dagger decorated with a fam- explore the underground room. It contains crates and barrels
ily crest. of supplies, now spoiled, as well as a small store of adventur-
ing gear such as bows and arrows, knives, maps and a couple
3. THE CLEARING of coats of leather armour.
At the centre of the grove opens a roughly circular clearing, The gem of Mirwen, the Heart of Tindailin, is here, inside
dominated by a small lake. Logs cut at the perfect height to an oak chest decorated in silver. It’s a large ruby, cut in an
sit on can be found around it, but everything is covered with unusual seven-faceted shape by a jewelsmith from Beleriand.
moss and vines.
A path made of stone tiles decorated with Elven runes THE POND: The water of the small lake is unnaturally still and
leads to the pond. Several tiles are misplaced, and lie scat- clean, but not completely clear, as if the light finds it difficult
tered about. If interpreted, the runes seem to compose a song to penetrate the surface. If the Player-heroes look carefully,
dedicated to the Vala Lord of Waters. they notice a recess about ten feet deep and facing north-east,
Several uprooted trees lie all around the lake, not far on the opposite side of the path leading to the clearing. It is
from its shores, as if some unknown force felled them, erupt- the opening to an underwater passage connecting the pond
ing from the pond itself. Buried by the vegetation are the to the Brandywine river — Herunen arrived here through it,
remains of several ancient metal lanterns of Elven make, now long ago, and today the spirit still inhabits it.
completely ruined. Among the debris can be found also a
long sword — if the Elves from the Grey Havens are with the 4. HERUNEN’S LAIR
Player-heroes, they immediately recognise it as the blade of By diving into the pond and swimming into the tunnel, the
Aranwe, their leader. Player-heroes can emerge into Herunen’s lair… as long as
he allows it. The spirit rarely leaves this spot, but if he has,
THE HAUNTED CHAMBER: Hidden under a large fallen tree, and perceives someone diving into the waters, he returns in
once marked by a circle of stones but now completely hid- a few minutes and immediately confronts the trespassers (see
den by vegetation, is a low, sturdy wooden door, surrounded Schemes and Trouble, page 78).
by large and twisted roots. Once opened, the door leads to a Herunen’s lair is a roughly circular cave with a domed
small underground room, immersed in pitch-black darkness. roof and a diameter of 5 yards. The water is shallow here, and
Inside lurks a shadow creature animating the remains of a so it is possible to stand without the need to stay afloat swim-
man who entered Tindailin in search of treasure and who fell ming. The chamber is suffused with a constant soft gleam at
77

CHAPTER 3
all hours, coming from an aperture on the roof that seems Schemes and Trouble
to amplify or soften whatever light is outside.
The cave is bare, save for niches of different sizes open-
ing along the walls. They contain hundreds of exotic objects, Herunen
a collection that Herunen has accumulated over the centu- Herunen was once the benevolent keeper of Tindailin, a
ries: colourful stones and jewels with bizarre shapes from water spirit whose essence has been corrupted by years of
the Misty Mountains, small statues from Harad, glass objects brooding over the betrayal suffered by his friend Thalion.
from Wilderland, arrowheads and daggers from Rhun, the He is filled with anger and bitterness, and vents his rage
skeleton of a fish, a skull that looks like that of a goat with on any who come close to the refuge, especially Elves. He
three horns, and much more. appears as a slender man with Elven features, but sporting
a long beard. He rarely shows himself clearly to visitors,
THE PRISONER: Four tunnels branch out from the cave, but instead trying to get them away from the refuge by any
only two lead out — the one that leads back to the pond means at his disposal.
and the one leading to the Brandywine river. One short tun- By his powers, Herunen can raise the waters of the
nel leads to a smaller cave, where Aranwe, the Elf leader, is pond, creating sudden and powerful waves. If any tres-
found, wounded and confused. Herunen tormented him, passer reaches the pond, he will try to prevent them from
as he recognised him as being of the same blood as Mirwen, diving in. He will also try to capture any Elf, using the water
the betrayer of his friend Thalion, and intends to keep him to imprison them in his cave so that he can ask about Mir-
prisoner until the Elf dies of exhaustion and hunger. To save wen, eager to take revenge on the one who most deserves
Aranwe, the Company must bring him back to the surface. his hatred.
Herunen can be encountered anywhere within the
THE EMERALD BRACELET: The other tunnel leads to a sec- confines of Tindailin, but can stray as far as the Brandy-
ond chamber, where Herunen keeps an elegant mahogany wine river if he must.
box carved with motifs of waves and swans that plough the
waters. Inside is Thalion’s message to Mirwen, and a bracelet HERUNEN ATTRIBUTE LEVEL
made of three thick intertwined silver threads, decorated with Bitter, Vengeful
emeralds carved in the shape of a leaf. Inside, an engraving 7
in Tengwar reads: “Beyond the sea, to the end of the world”.
The bracelet is a piece of exquisite Elven workman-
ship and is a Marvellous Artefact with a Blessing of
28 2 7 +1 3
AWARENESS .
COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Conjured Waves 3 (7/12)
FELL ABILITIES: Drown. Spend 1 Resolve to make one

Player-hero suffer a severe Endurance loss from
A BITTER END? suffocation.
Regardless of how the Player-heroes handle the sit- Heartless. The creature is not affected by the Intim-
uation in Tindailin, the Landmark probably remains idate Foe combat task, unless a Magical success is
a dark and foreboding place, shunned by Elves and obtained.
mortals alike. But the Player-heroes may have a Spirit. Spend 1 Resolve to cancel a Wound. When an
chance to restore it to its previous status as a peace- attack inflicts damage to the creature that would cause
ful retreat — if they bring Thalion’s message and it to go to zero Endurance, it causes a Piercing Blow
gift to Mirwen, she might resolve to return to Tin- instead. Then, if the creature is still alive, it returns to
dailin, and make peace with Herunen. But where full Endurance. This ability is ineffective against Player-
did Mirwen go? She can be anywhere the Lore heroes wielding any magical weapon.
master wishes, from the Grey Havens to Wilderland,
or even across the Sea. Aranwe certainly knows, but
his willingness to tell the Player-heroes about it
depends on the nature of their relationship.
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The Queen’s Hall

Kings of little kingdoms fought together, and the young Sun shone like fire
on the red metal of their new and greedy swords.
RUMOUR Hers is a little kingdom, and a little hall. The Queen of

“Haven’t you heard? There’s a queen in Lond Daer, now! Some say Lond Daer’s dominion is the tiniest fragment of the once-
she came in a golden ship from the West, and others say that she sprawling kingdom of the north founded by Elendil the Tall;
slew a Dragon — a Dragon, mind you — and took her golden her subjects are so few that all together, their number barely
crown from his hoard, and gave all the rest of the treasure to her matches the population of any of a dozen minor towns and
knights. She’s got knights too, you know, brave warriors all in shin- villages that once existed in Arnor. Arnor is gone, the Kings
ing armour, out riding on the Road a-questing and thwarting evils, from the Sea are gone — but the Queen of Lond Daer lives,
I hear. She’s called for heroes to come to her hall, and soon she’ll and in her the people find renewed hope. Ask anyone from
put all the world to rights. And oh — her hall’s all made of silver, the Isen to the Brandywine, and they’ll have heard tales of
too, and she drinks from a cup of gold.” the new kingdom by the shore.
Travellers who harken to those tales, though, may be
OLD LORE somewhat disappointed when they first see the hall. The
Old Lore is of little use here; the castle is of recent origin. Research Queen’s Hall is not a great stone fortress, as the kings of old
can, of course, reveal the history of Lond Daer, from its origins as a raised in Fornost Erain or Annúminas; it is not even like the
Númenórean haven, to its decline into a town of crazed astrologers, golden-roofed mead hall of Meduseld in Rohan. A traveller
to its eventual abandonment. from the great cities of Dale or Minas Tirith might scoff at
the hall, dismissing it as little more than an overgrown cow-
Background
shed. Its walls are made of stone, but the roof is made of cut
turf over ribs of whalebone.
Arnor remembers there was once a king. The memory may Inside, the hall is firelit, a great dancing bonfire in the
have “faded into the grass”, as they say in Bree, but what has hearth. Long trestle tables run along the hall, with stools and
faded can be renewed. Grass may grow over the old stones at chairs for the Queen’s Knights. Again, these warriors are far
Deadmen’s Dike, but that is still Norbury of the Kings; that is from the heroes in the tales — they have no shining armour,
still the King’s Road that runs through the land. nor Dwarf-forged swords, nor are they Elven-fair. They are
In Lond Daer, there is a king again — or rather, a queen. rough men, dressed in furs and skins, and their weapons are
JOURNEY EVENTS sword, and is eager to wield it in the service of

Follow the River to the Sea, and you will find Lond Daer, Lond Daer, but so far Dame Eshil’s most perilous
where the Queen’s Hall stands (see page 80). Queen quests have been hunting down lost sheep or
Nimue makes no attempt to hide her stronghold; on the directing travellers toward the city.
contrary, she welcomes travellers and visitors from afar. ♦ THE BEGGAR: A wandering beggar claims to be a
Thus, the journey is likely to be as safe and uneventful as sailor from the far south; he says he was knocked
any trek through the wilds of Minhiriath can be. overboard in a storm, and by strange good for-
♦ THE WANDERING KNIGHT: The company encoun- tune avoided drowning and was washed up on
ters a knight of Lond Daer, Dame Eshil, one of a shore. Penniless and alone, he begs for alms.
number of warriors dispatched by the queen to However, if questioned, he’s evasive about his
watch the roads of the new kingdom. Dame Eshil name, his origins or the ship he travelled on. (The
tells exaggerated, fanciful tales of the glory of man was one of the crew of the Black Númenórean
the Queen’s Hall; she’s armed with a new-forged vessel Kathuphazgân — see page 34).
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CHAPTER 3
crudely made for the most part. They look hardly different 2. OUTBUILDINGS
from the barbaric Fisher-folk of the coast, or any grim-faced Here can be found fodder and other supplies for the horses,
brigand who might be encountered in the wilds of Eriador. as well as animal pens and storehouses. A few of the queen’s
If there is a difference, though, it is in the eyes — there is a servants live here, but it’s easy for a clever intruder to hide
light of hope there, as if they are all enchanted. When they in this maze of outbuildings.
look at this rough hall, they do not see the smoke and soot,
they do not see the humble fare on the battered tables, the 3. STABLES
low roof or the draughty walls. No, they see the hall as it is in Here are kept riding horses and ponies. There’s no tradition
the tales — a place of honour and glory, a house for heroes! of war-horses in this part of Middle-earth — even the great-
est of the Knights of Lond Daer fights on foot. Wild horses
ocations
of considerable size and strength do roam on the plains of
L Enedwaith, the descendants of the horses brought east from
The Queen’s Hall is to be found in the town of Lond Daer, Númenor, but few here have the talent to train them.
at the mouth of the Greyflood River. It stands on a mound
overlooking the town, a proud sentinel guarding both the 4. MAIN DOOR
harbour and the town’s low earthen ramparts. The doors of the Queen’s Hall are of wood taken from
The hall was built on the site of an ancient Númenórean Eryn Vorn. They are decorated with the bones of the sea-
villa, and incorporates the remains of that earlier structure serpent she slew, arranged in beautiful spiral patterns.
into its shape. Hurin Doorward, the doorwarden of the hall, has his post
here; those seeking to enter the hall must leave their weap-
1. OUTER MOUND ons in his care.
The Hall is protected by an outer ditch and a mound of earth
topped with jagged stones and sharp shells. In times of attack 5. OUTER HALL
by Fisher-folk or Dunlendings, the entire population of Lond A smaller outer chamber. Two ancient statues, salvaged from
Daer can withdraw inside the area girded by the mound and ruins in Tyrn Gorthad by adventuring knights, stand watch.
take refuge in the Hall. The statues are surprisingly intact, and depict one-handed
THE QUEENS HALL
14
15
17
16 3
1
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INTERIOR
13
10
9
7
9
6
11
12
12 5
8
4
9
Beren and Lúthien Tinúviel; Beren seems to be cloaked in 8. KITCHEN

the skin of a wolf, and Lúthien the wings of a great bat. The Expect fish, as the queen and her knights favour it over meat
people of Lond Daer have no knowledge of sculpting, but and venison, although the queen may command a pig or calf
they have tried to alter the features of the latter statue to bet- to be slaughtered for honoured heroes.
ter resemble the queen’s face.
9. STOREROOMS
6. INNER HALL Needful things; blankets and furs, bundles of rushes, food,
The great hall of Lond Daer. This long room serves as feast- tools, furniture, clothing, even a few rare bottles of wine
hall and mead-hall, court and council. Long tables run the imported all the way from Bree.
length of the room where folk may gather; there are sleep-
ing places, too, for guests. A great leaping fire burns in the 10. COUNCIL ROOM
middle of the hall. The floor is covered with rushes, but in On those rare occasions when Queen Nimue must take for-
places the original mosaic floor can be seen, dating back to mal counsel from her knights, they gather here in this cham-
the Númenórean villa that once stood on this mound; more ber. The floor of the council room is a magnificent ancient
of the mosaic can be seen in the adjoining council room mosaic, preserved by good fortune beneath a stone slab; it
(see entry 10). depicts a great ship bearing a white tree instead of a mast,
There’s no inn or tavern in Lond Daer, so by night most surrounded by seven stars and seven stones. Some of the
of the townsfolk gather here under the queen’s roof. By cus- star-tiles are made of a curious crystal, and sometimes glow
tom, brawls and other rude behaviour are taken out to the with their own magical light; no doubt the maker of the
garden, but as the night wears on, anything goes in the shad- mosaic knew what these lights portended, but that secret
owed corners of the hall. has been lost.
7. DAIS 11. PRIVATE CHAMBERS

This raised dais is where the queen sits; honoured knights The queen’s chambers. A hidden compartment in one wall
may be invited to join her at her table. Above the dais, hang- holds the treasury of Lond Daer — a few jewels and coins
ing from thick chains, is the skull of the sea-serpent, a grisly of small worth, no more than a Lesser Hoard. The house
totem in place of a crown. of Johan Fleet (see page 83) holds much more treasure.
81

CHAPTER 3
12. GUEST CHAMBERS For her part, Nimue feels that she has a high destiny,
This room is reserved for the use of strangers who wish to that she was chosen by fate to protect Lond Daer. Her
withdraw from the clamour of the hall — or for those who courage and conviction has inspired the warriors of the
warrant observation. A spy-hole in one wall allows the queen town to become knights in her service, each one compet-
or her servants to eavesdrop on visitors. ing with the rest to win glory in the queen’s name (to the
greybeards, it is like a spreading contagion of madness,
13. ARMOURY but they can do nothing to slow this exuberance of destiny).
Spears, bows, wooden shields — enough to outfit a host of Before she was a queen, Nimue gathered shellfish and
warriors. In addition, there are a few swords taken from bar- driftwood on the shore; she never learned to read, and
rows or ruins in the north, which may be awarded to the val- came to the throne knowing little of history or the wider
orous and the deserving. world. She now studies avidly, believing that a queen
should be wise and learned as well as brave. She never
14. BATHHOUSE doubts that she was chosen to lead, but sometimes, in the
The original Númenórean villa had an elaborate system of night, she fears that she will fall short of this high purpose
pipes and furnaces for the distribution of hot water, but all and bring Lond Daer to ruin.
that cunning work fell victim to time. Still, the bathhouse has
been restored and now servants can heat kettles of hot water OCCUPATION: Regent
to fill the bath for honoured guests.
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Bold, Charismatic
15. GARDEN
This garden slopes down the seaward side of the mound. Veg-
etables and herbs grow here — when they’re not trampled
by rowdy guests from the ale-hall.
16. CRYPT
This ancient crypt dates back to the time of the villa; it was
buried beneath the shifting earth, and rediscovered when the GANDALF THE GREY
hall was raised on the hilltop once more. The place is said, The Grey Wizard is an infrequent visitor to Lond Daer.
of course, to be haunted. It’s also used, on rare occasions, as He first arrived soon after the sea-serpent began to
a dungeon for prisoners. trouble the town, and there were whispers that he
was somehow responsible for the monster’s pres-
17. WATCHTOWER ence. This ill reputation was only enhanced when
A wooden watchtower. A bell atop the tower can be rung to the Wizard entered the Towers of the Stargazers
signal the alarm. From the top of the tower, it’s said a keen (see page 23); thunder rolled deep underground,
eye can see the open ocean at the end of the firth. and foul vapours poured from cracks in the rocks on
the north shore of the firth. The Wizard did nothing
Allies and Adversaries

about the serpent (although some folk in town claim
to have seen the old man talking to young Nimue),
and did not return for several months, in which time
the serpent was slain and the queen crowned.
Queen Nimue Gandalf has become the unofficial court Wiz-
Young Queen Nimue rules Lond Daer by acclamation — ard at Lond Daer, giving sage advice and perform-
ten years ago, by a stroke of fortune, she saved the town ing the occasional act of conjuring. Most notably,
from a sea-serpent, and the grateful townsfolk crowned when a storm threatened to destroy the fishing
her queen. Before that, the town was ruled by a council fleet, he arrived just in time to quell the winds
of elders and grey-hairs, and while they are jealous of and light a fiery beacon on the watchtower to
Nimue’s new rank, they know that she is much more pop- guide the ships back into the safety of the firth.
ular than they, and so they bow and smile while each one He sometimes brings books for Queen Nimue,
in turn whispers in Nimue’s ear that they are the only one and has been known to put knights on the road
she can trust. to complete quests and heroic deeds.
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of the Knights of Lond Daer (a number of suitable

Johan Fleet ‘heroic deeds’ are listed under Schemes and Trouble,
The richest man in Lond Daer; his father fled the wreck of on page 84). A Company counting one or more
Tharbad, bringing the treasury of that town with him down Knights of Lond Daer among its members can choose
the Greyflood. Fleet expected to become head of the rul- the Queen’s Hall as a safe haven.
ing council, but he was usurped — as he sees it — by the
queen. For now, he grits his teeth behind his smile, and
claims to be Queen Nimue’s most loyal servant, lavishing Haldane
gifts on her and supporting her decisions, while secretly Haldane looks more like a Beorning than one of the smaller
planning to undermine and replace her. Fleet could put folk of the coast; a giant of a man, his head brushes against
up with having a queen — she’s certainly a useful way to the low whale-bones of the roof in the Queen’s Hall. He
rally the strength of Lond Daer against potential enemies was bodyguard and servant to Johan Fleet, and has a rep-
— if only she were a tractable one who would listen without utation as a brutish enforcer. In the last ten years, he has
question to his wise advice. instead become Queen Nimue’s most ardent follower, and
By profession, Fleet is a merchant; he trades with the is counted among the best of her warriors. Anyone who
Dwarves of Harmelt (page 24) and other settlements in questions Queen Nimue or says a bad word against her
Ered Luin, and even as far inland as Bree. He sees himself meets Haldane’s massive fist.
as cultured and sophisticated, a man of the world, and While Haldane professes to be devoted to the queen,
believes that Lond Daer can be made into a great trading dark tales continue to circle around him (often passed on
port once more. He has heard tell of the wealth of the by Hurin Doorward). He may be a Knight of Lond Daer, but
southlands, of Gondor and Umbar, and how there are many he remains cruel, and shows no mercy to fallen foes. He
in those parts who crave land of their own; well, there is may be loyal to the queen, but he is jealous if she shows
land enough for many realms between Isen and Greyflood, favour to any other knights. It’s also whispered that he’s
and Johan Fleet intends to be master of them all by bring- fallen back under the influence of Johan Fleet — or that
ing settlers north, and selling them the tools and weapons he never left.
they need to carve out new homes in the wild. Of course, all those tales may be nothing more than
scurrilous whispers, spread by those wishing to undermine
OCCUPATION: Merchant the queen’s right hand.
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Cunning, Devious OCCUPATION: Warrior, Knight of Lond Daer
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Cruel, Steadfast
THE KNIGHTS OF LOND DAER

…a company of knights in full harness riding grey horses… Hurin Doorward
Old Hurin Doorward lost his foot in an accident at sea;
Put all thoughts of the Knights of Dol Amroth or the black-clad Queen Nimue gave him a place of honour guarding her
guard of the Citadel from your mind — the Knights of Lond door. From his stool on the porch, Hurin watches every-
Daer are nothing like such folk. In garb and manner they are thing that happens in Lond Daer, and he’s a notorious gos-
like the rest of the grim folk of this desolate land, clad in hides sip, delighting in mischief and telling shaggy dog tales
or furs or coarse cloth; they have no harness or polished lances, about haunted barrows and giant monsters. He has a knack,
just old swords and battered wooden shields. They are knights too, for winning the trust of others, convincing them that
only in spirit, in fancy; they call themselves knights to evoke they’re the only person Hurin’s ever confided in.
figures out of stories and legends from the days of the kings. Hurin and Haldane have long disliked one another;
But, in doing so, they become knights in deed, for their the root of their rivalry predates the time of Queen Nimue.
courage is equal to the bravest knight in Gondor or the Mark.
OCCUPATION: Door Warden, Knight of Lond Daer
Player-heroes who catch the eye of Queen Nimue, for
example by performing some extraordinary deed for DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Busybody, Old
her or her community, may be asked to join the ranks
83

CHAPTER 3
Enfys the Fisher Alis the Singer

Enfys is one of the Fisher-folk from the shoreland close Beautiful and cunning, Alis is a newcomer to the court; she
to the mouth of the Isen. She quarrelled with her kinsfolk is a singer from the southlands, who claims to have travelled
and was exiled into the wilderness, where she wandered north in search of new tales and songs. She has already
for several years before finding a new home in Lond Daer. begun to compose heroic lays based on the deeds of other
Queen Nimue took pity on her and gave her shelter; in knights of Lond Daer, and the knights now compete to be
return, Enfys swore eternal loyalty to the town. She’s a the next to have their stories immortalised in song.
talented hunter and swimmer, and has proven herself Alis may be a spy for some enemy of Lond Daer — for
to be a brave knight of Lond Daer. That said — the tribe Johan Fleet, for the Black Númenóreans — or she may sim-
she hails from is shunned even by the other Fisher-folk, ply be bored and cynical, maliciously eager to undermine
for they are said to worship dark powers in the ocean Lond Daer’s dreams of heroism by showing that all the
depths. Enfys has abjured most of their ways — but it’s songs are hollow, self-serving lies.
said of her that she still makes offerings to the deep in
the night before a battle. OCCUPATION: Singer, Knight of Lond Daer
OCCUPATION: Hunter, Knight of Lond Daer DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Cunning, Fair
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Brave, Secretive
Schemes and Trouble

Falmir Fairbairns
The Fairbairns family dwells in the west of the Shire, THE GREEN KNIGHT
“within a nose of the sea” as they say, so perhaps Falmir Lond Daer has been attacked in the past by the Tree-folk
was always doomed to wanderlust. However, it was not of the dark Eryn Vorn. Now, instead of a host of whooping,
until he was well into his tweens that he had a singular mud-smeared raiders, there comes a single warrior out of the
series of misfortunes that resulted in him falling into the greenwood. This Green Knight is a giant of a man, taller even
river at Sarn Ford and being swept away downstream. The than mighty Haldane, and he challenges the best warrior in
other Hobbits in his company believed him ‘drownded’, the Hall to a contest, blow for blow.
and brought the sad news of his demise back to the Shire. This Green Knight has the benefit of a draught from Eryn
In truth, young Fairbairns washed up on the southern Vorn’s Tree of Sorrow, and can endure even a grievous wound.
shore of the river some miles away. For a full accounting Who has the courage to stand against the Green Knight?
of his travels you would need to ask him (or the Door-
ward); suffice it to say he fell in with bad company (one THE QUEST OF THE DROWNED
Gandalf the Grey) and ended up going south instead of One of the fishing boats of Lond Daer is lost in a storm — it
back to the Shire, picked up some trinkets (including a was blown south by cold winds out of Forochel, and was likely
singular knife forged by a Dwarf-s mith named Skayes) wrecked on the shores near the mouth of the Isen. Enfys
and ended up in the service of Lond Daer. Falmir intends volunteers to lead a band of knights south along the coast
to return to the Shire one day, but now that he’s seen to rescue the survivors — before her kinfolk capture them!
how dark and dangerous the world is outside the four
Farthings, he’s determined to help make the land a little THE QUEST OF THE SCEPTRE
safer and kinder before going home. Alis sings a story of the Kings of Arnor and their battles against
Angmar; she speaks of the fabled Sceptre of Annúminas, the
OCCUPATION: Hobbit Knight of Lond Daer ancient symbol of rulership over the north. Why, that scep-
tre must be buried in old Fornost Erain, in the lands beyond
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Adventurous, Reckless Bree! Would it not be a worthy quest for knights of this new
realm to find the chief treasure of the kings of old?
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The Fields of Slaughter

“…for there was sorrow then too, and gathering dark,
but great valour, and great deeds that were not wholly vain.”
RUMOUR OLD LORE

“Centuries ago, a terrible battle was fought on the plains west of Dead- “Before the city of Fornost Erain fell, and the kingdom of Arnor was
men’s Dike. They say it was a great victory for the King, but one that destroyed, the last king of the North sent messengers south with a
came at grievous cost. The battlefield is haunted to this day, as the desperate plea for assistance. Eärnur, prince of Gondor, answered
land itself cannot forget such terrible sorrow. In recent times, a woman the call, and a great army landed at the Elven havens. They arrived
has been seen wandering the plains alone, as one who has lost her too late to save Arnor, but they met the Witch-king of Angmar on
way. Some say it’s a spirit, others think she’s an Elf, a princess maybe.” the plains west of Fornost and defeated him.”
THE BATTLE OF FORNOST conjured by the Witch-king, covering the Orcs’ retreat
A recounting of the events that occurred during the and giving the forces of Angmar a chance to regroup.
Battle of Fornost is presented here, with references to MIDDAY: A great host of horsemen falls on the retreat-
the involvement of Nalien and Drameth. Player-heroes ing Orcs. They descend from the north, having passed
researching the battle in Rivendell or the Grey Havens round the Hills of Evendim to catch the enemy by sur-
may obtain such details as presented below. prise (The Northern Slope). The host is composed of Elves
DAYBREAK: A host of Men from Gondor and Elves of Lindon, including Drameth, as well as tall riders of
from Lindon, including Nalien, descends from the Hills of Wilderland, staunch allies of Gondor. The orderly retreat
Evendim and advances in the direction of Fornost Erain. of the troops of Angmar turns into a rout, and the Witch-
The Witch-king, forewarned of the alliance’s approach, king flees north with all the troops he can rally, heading
chooses to counterattack rather than wait. He unleashes for his fortress at Carn Dûm. The cavalry of the alliance
the first wave of his forces, Hillmen of Rhudaur who are engage in pursuit, led by Prince Eärnur of Gondor.
not deterred by fighting under the light of the sun. AFTERNOON: The bodyguard of the Witch-k ing, a
MORNING: The first clash occurs at the westernmost company of chosen warriors of Angmar, stops to delay
edge of the plain (the Western Plain), with the fury of the the pursuers (at The Sheltered Fields). Fierce and empow-
Hillmen stopped by the martial discipline of their opposi- ered by sorcerous means, the riders kill many among the
tion. Recognising the need for reinforcements and taking Elves and Men of Gondor, before they are themselves
advantage of a sky obscured by clouds, the Witch-king killed. Drameth is among the fallen.
whips his great armies of Orcs forward into battle. LATE AFTERNOON: Despite the sacrifice of his body-
The advance of Orc reinforcements is slowed by guard, the army of the Witch-king is finally overtaken by
volleys of arrows, loosed by ranks of bowmen includ- his pursuers when another host coming from Rivendell
ing a small unit of Hobbit archers, positioned on a hill intercepts it. The army of Angmar is defeated, its forces
north of the Brandywine river and overlooking the so utterly annihilated that “not a Man nor an Orc of that
main field (The Blossom Mound). When the Orcs join realm remained west of the Mountains”.
the fray, the Hillmen are already retreating, leaving Before the battle is over, the Witch-king singles out
more than half their number on the ground as they Eärnur of Gondor in the fighting, but the prince’s steed
flee the battlefield. carries him away from the Nazgûl’s terrifying presence.
LATE MORNING: Clouds scattered by a wind from the Glorfindel, the leader of the host of Rivendell, con-
West, the sky clears and the sun appears, sapping the fronts the Witch-k ing and banishes the wraith from the
strength of the Orcs of Angmar. The valour of the assem- north. The Elf-lord discourages Eärnur from pursuing
bled Host of the West proves too much for them, and the Witch-k ing, prophesying “Not by the hand of man
many start to flee. A thick mist rises suddenly, maybe will he fall.”
85

CHAPTER 3
Background
The Battle of Fornost was fought on the plains east of Lake Nalien of Lindon
Evendim almost a thousand years ago. The armies of the Witch- When the Player-heroes meet her, Nalien is constantly
king were vanquished by a coalition of Elves and Men, and the mumbling to herself, in an uninterrupted narration that
Lord of Morgul himself was forced to flee. Great deeds were mixes present events with old ones in a confused jumble.
committed that day, and the power of Angmar was broken once She is not dangerous, but if the Company is not careful,
and for all, but such was the suffering and grief that marred she might confuse them with ghosts from her past and
the occasion that it still stains the Fields of Slaughter to this day. accidentally injure them.
Some say that the cries of the fallen can still be heard on the Nalien is clearly struggling to comprehend the Player-
plains, carried by the wind, and stories tell of the terrible fate heroes, and to make herself understood, but with mutual
that befell those who were cut down by the Witch-king himself. persistence she can explain why she is here. She is certain
No one knows this better than those immortal Elves who that the spirit of her dear friend, Drameth, failed to pass
took part in the conflict — Nalien of Lindon is one such survi- into the afterlife when she was killed during the Battle of
vor. She fought in the vanguard that first met the enemy on the Fornost, a thousand years ago. She has become ‘unhoused’,
field, and she witnessed the worst of the fighting. Her dearest Nalien says, and her shade haunts the battlefield.
friend Drameth, daughter of Darwen, died in the battle, and
the pain of her demise left a permanent scar on Nalien’s soul. OCCUPATION: Warrior and healer
Although often tempted to leave Middle-earth and sail west
to the Undying Lands, Nalien never did, enduring her sorrow DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Wilful, Forgetful
for many long centuries. But things have taken a turn for the
worse for her recently — she started to be tormented by dreams
of Drameth’s ghost, and she finally resolved to journey to the Nalien is determined to seek out Drameth’s ghost, and find
Fields of Slaughter, to confront the spectre of Drameth herself. a way to help her to move on. She cannot be convinced to
abandon this course of action. The Player-heroes may choose
ocations
to help her, or leave her alone. If they try to force her to aban-
L don her quest, she resists them — her screams attract the
A Company encountering Nalien on the Fields of Slaughter attention of a group of Fell Wraiths (see The One Ring, page
may join the Elf in her search for the spirit of Drameth. To 155), who immediately attack the Company. Nalien escapes
succeed, they must listen to Nalien’s recollections of the battle, in the chaos — the Company will spend the rest of the adven-
possibly comparing them with what they know of the event, ture pursuing her, instead of helping her.
and the current appearance of the site a thousand years later. If the Company chooses to assist Nalien in finding
Drameth, their presence seems to help her focus, espe-
1. THE WESTERN PLAIN cially if any of the Company members dis-
If the Company approaches from the west, the first part of cuss with her the events that transpired
the landmark they visit will be the site of the battle’s earli- during the Battle of Fornost. She
est engagement, the Western Plain. This flat area marks the lingers in the Western Plain
end of a long, gentle slope stretching down from the Hills of for only a little longer, then 1 The Western Plain
Evendim. To the south, a rise of small mounds and the loops she remembers entering
of the Brandywine River narrow the approach to Fornost. the field as part of a great
The Player-heroes realise they have entered a blighted host of Elves and Men;
place when they notice that the tell-tale signs of small mam- the reassuring pres-
mals and birds one would expect to see in such wildlands are ence of Eärnur, a
strangely absent. Before long, they catch sight of an Elven
wanderer on the plain below….
When the Company approaches the field’s solitary wan-
derer, they may be relieved to discover it’s not a spirit, but a
living being — an Elf from Lindon by the name of Nalien.
She is clearly distressed and disoriented, her face is scarred
and her hair has turned an unnatural grey, the possible con-
sequence of some harrowing encounter.
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prince destined to be king of the Dúnedain; and the relent- of the Witch-king’s Orc armies, and many among them fell,
less attacks of Orcs and Hillmen. hit by the black-feathered arrows that the Orcs shot in return.
Eventually, she breaks from her reverie, and recalls that When the battle was finished, the survivors planted flowers on
Drameth was not part of the infantry vanguard, and did not the site, to commemorate their fallen comrades.
fight on this site. Her spirit won’t be found here.
2. THE BLOSSOM MOUND

Going east towards Fornost, the Company spots a lonely hill-
top overlooking the southern side of the Western Plain. The
mound immediately stands out, because it is covered in flow- THE FLOWERS OF REMEMBRANCE
ers, where most of the battlefield is covered by little but grass. Hobbit Player-h eroes who take a moment to
Player-heroes near the hill can hear the faint trickle of a small ascend the mound and contemplate their cul-
stream, running from the main course of the Brandywine River. ture’s small but profound contribution to the fight
With a faint smile, Nalien recalls that this hill is where a against the Shadow may immediately remove 1
small formation of Halfling archers made their contribution point of Shadow.
to the battle, loyal subjects of the King of Arnor, even after his
death. The Hobbits’ accurate volleys helped slow the advance
The Sheltered Fields

4
3 The Northern Slope
The Blossom Mound The Ruins

of Fornost
2
THE FIELDS OF SLAUGHTER
87

CHAPTER 3
3. THE NORTHERN SLOPE

By going north from the Blossom Mound, the Company finds DRAMETH THE HOUSELESS ATTRIBUTE LEVEL
that the land rises gently for a few miles, before starting to fall Swift, Tormented
again. In a moment of lucidity, Nalien recalls that Drameth 6
did not arrive here with the main alliance forces, because
she was part of the wing of cavalry which fell upon Angmar’s ENDURANCE MIGHT RESOLVE PARRY ARMOUR
retreating forces descending here from the north.
She remembers catching sight of Drameth briefly as
24 2 6 +2 3
she charged on her horse alongside Prince Ëarnur of Gon-
dor, her spear shining in the gloom with a gleam of chill COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Great Spear 3 (5/16, Pierce)
flame. She recalls how the sight rejuvenated her spirit after
a day of harrowing violence. The last she saw of Ëarnur and FELL ABILITIES: Deathless. Spend 1 Resolve to cancel a
Drameth was them turning north in pursuit of the fleeing Wound. When an attack inflicts damage to the crea-
Witch-king. Nalien’s recollection ends with tragic silence. ture that would cause it to go to zero Endurance, spend
Her regret that she could not be with Drameth in her final 1 Resolve to bring the creature back to full Endurance
moments is plain. instead. This ability is ineffective against Player-heroes
It is clear now the Company must journey north to com- wielding a magical weapon enchanted with spells for
plete their quest. the Bane of the Undead.
Dreadful Wrath. On a successful attack roll, the tar-
4. THE SHELTERED FIELDS geted Player-hero gains 1 Shadow point (Dread), +1
A miserable hike through grey, windy country awaits the Com- Shadow point for each Success icon ( ) on the attack
pany as they march along the route taken long ago by those roll. Those who fail their Shadow test are daunted and
who pursued the Witch-king in his flight. It’s a northeasterly cannot spend Hope for the rest of the fight.
trek, bringing the Company ever closer to the foothills of the Heartless. The creature is not affected by the Intim-
North Downs. It is not clear how Nalien can discern the path idate Foe combat task, unless a Magical success is
to follow, but she never seems to hesitate. obtained.
When the Company has travelled for about thirty miles, Snake-like Speed. When targeted by an attack,
they reach a spot close to the eaves of a wood bordering spend 1 Resolve to make the attack roll Ill-favoured.
the North Downs. The cry of the wind gives way to absolute
silence, hanging like a cloud over a pool of still, shallow water.
Though Nalien was never here before, she suddenly knows
that it is on this precise spot that the bodyguard of the Witch-
king stopped to face their pursuers, to allow their leader to
continue in his flight. Standing as if paralysed, Nalien tells PEACE FOR DRAMETH
the Player-heroes the story of how a hand-picked company Drameth can be banished to the Halls of Man-
of cruel, black-clad riders of Angmar faced the host of Elves dos by destroying her ghostly form, but she can
and Men of Gondor, and died killing many. Among those also be persuaded to depart Middle-earth of her
who fell under their blows was Drameth. own volition. Throughout the combat, Nalien
plays no part in the fighting, fruitlessly attempt-
Within a few moments of the Company’s arrival, a host ing to soothe Drameth’s rage. If a Player-hero joins
of Fell Wraiths (one for each Player-hero, see The One with this attempted reconciliation, encouraging
Ring, page 155) emerges from the gloom and attacks. Drameth to listen to her friend, she might have a
They are the malevolent shades of those Men who better chance. This can be resolved as a council,
were killed by the sorcerous blades of the bodyguard taking place side-by-side with the Combat scene.
of the Witch-king. Not far from them appears also the Convincing Drameth to move on is a bold request
spectre of Drameth, an Elf armed and armoured — (Resistance 6), and contributing to the council with
a thousand years of torment as a houseless spirit has a roll counts as a Player-hero’s main action in com-
eroded her mind, and she joins the wraiths in their bat. One way or another, the thwarted Fell Wraiths
attack on the Company and Nalien. retreat once Drameth’s spirit dissipates.
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Schemes and Trouble

Hill-trolls
THE DESPAIR OF NALIEN The Northern Slope concealed the approach of the alli-
Nalien’s history with the Fields of Slaughter, and her con- ance’s cavalry one thousand years ago. Now it hides the
nection with the houseless Drameth, are precious assets to home of a family of Hill-trolls (one for every two Player-
help the Company understand what happened. Unfortunately, heroes). These loathsome creatures struggle to find much
Nalien is in no condition to share her knowledge easily. She meat to eat these days, but they linger upon the battlefield
is tired, confused, haunted by ghosts of her past, and inter- regardless, attracted by a dark force they barely under-
preting disturbing dreams sent to her by Drameth’s spirit. stand. The arrival of a lost Elf warrior, with a Company of
Player-heroes just behind her, is too tempting a meal for
Nonetheless, Player-heroes can tease relevant details them to ignore.
out of Nalien as they wander the Fields of Slaugh- The Hill-trolls prefer to target unguarded prey, and
ter. ENHEARTEN , INSIGHT , and HEALING rolls are will attack at night, when the Company rests.
most appropriate in these circumstances. If the Player-
heroes are successful, Nalien may recount a memory HILL-T ROLL STALKER ATTRIBUTE LEVEL
of their current location from the battle, or explain Hungry, Wary
how it relates to Drameth’s fate. 8
If the Player-heroes persistently fail in their interactions with ENDURANCE MIGHT HATE PARRY ARMOUR
Nalien, their time spent on the Fields of Slaughter could
become dangerous. Nalien’s fragile condition may cause her to
60 2 8 +2 3
distrust the Company, and attempt to escape or harm them. Her
aimless rambles may lead the Company into an ambush. Getting COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Hammer 3 (7/16, Break Shield),
the most out of their association with Nalien depends on the Crush 2 (6/12, Seize)
Company both learning to trust her memories and insights, and
recognising she needs the direction of kind-hearted caregivers FELL ABILITIES: Dull-w itted. Player-h eroes can attempt
to prevent her from hurting herself or others. a special combat task against Trolls while in Forward
stance. The acting player makes a RIDDLE roll as the
THE UNQUIET DEAD main action for the round: on a success, the Troll loses
Some acts of violence are so excessive they leave a permanent 1 point of Hate, plus 1 point for each Success icon
scar upon the landscape where they are enacted. The Fields ( ) rolled.
of Slaughter have become blighted in this way. Hideous Toughness. When an attack inflicts damage
to a Troll that would cause it to go to zero Endurance, it
Player-heroes sleeping while in the area wake up causes a Piercing Blow instead. Then, if the creature is
remembering the clash of blades and dying screams, still alive, it returns to full Endurance.
and gain 2 points of Shadow (Dread). Horrible Strength. If a Hill-troll Stalker scores a Pierc-
ing Blow, spend 1 Hate to make the target’s Protection
Those who fail their Shadow test remember vivid visions of the roll Ill-favoured.
Battle of Fornost, experienced as warriors in the thick of the
fight. This may provide useful insights, as the Player-heroes
may witness Nalien or Drameth in action.
89

CHAPTER 3
Weathertop
But long before, in the first days of the North Kingdom,
they built a great watch-tower on Weathertop, Amon Sûl they called it.
RUMOUR
“Four or five days east of Bree, you’ll come to a line of hills. The
southernmost one, closest to the Road, is called Weathertop. It’s
the tallest of the Weather Hills, and from its summit a traveller —
or a bandit — might see for miles out across the land, and spy on
comings and goings along the road. Rogues and Rangers use it as
a look-out post, and so did other folk in days of old. You’ll see ruins
there, tumbled walls and dikes, for back in the days of the king
there was a great watch-tower there, it’s said, where he kept all his
jewels. Nothing there now, of course. No jewels, only ruins — and
haunted ones too, it’s said. There’s nothing up there worth taking.”
“But you’ll mark it on the Road, all the same. A great hill with
a broken tower, and you’ll feel like someone’s watching you. If you’re
lucky, it’ll be nothing more than a ghost.”
OLD LORE
“When Elendil the Tall came out of the Sea, he built the watch-tower
of Amon Sûl near to the heart of his new kingdom. From this tower, 4
a sentry could see a very great distance, and the king could see fur- be passed between the two
ther still — it is said that from the summit of Amon Sûl, Elendil kingdoms by those with the
could see the fastness of Isengard, or the sunlight glittering on far strength of will to use the
Mount Mindolluin. It was here at this fortress that Elendil awaited stones.
the coming of Gil-galad in the War of the Last Alliance.” When the North-kingdom
“In later years, when the North Kingdom was divided, posses- splintered, the Kings of Car-
sion of the Weather Hills and the fortress of Weathertop was dis- dolan and Rhudaur fought
puted between the kings of Cardolan and Rhudaur. Many wars for control of Amon Sûl
were fought between those two lands for control of Amon Sûl, and and the palantír it guarded.
the land around the Weather Hills was dotted with forts and secret Those kingdoms were both
paths and hides where sentries could watch for enemies.” destroyed by evil out of
“All that availed them little in the end; a host came out of Ang- Angmar, and Amon Sûl was
mar, and laid siege to the hills. Amon Sûl was razed and its tower destroyed. However, before it
thrown down, although its chief treasures are said to have been fell, the palantír of Amon Sûl
taken back to the king’s hall in Fornost. Now, Weathertop is but a was rescued and carried to For-
ruin, abandoned to the birds and beasts.” nost, where it rested for many years
until Arvedui Last-king took it with him when
Background
he fled (see also The Dome of Sight, The One Ring,
page 196).
Long ago, Weathertop was the resting place of one of the Little of Amon Sûl survives. The tower and the surround-
palantíri, the fabled Seeing Stones that Elendil brought out ing fortifications are overgrown ruins, and the evil Men of
of Númenor. The palantír of Amon Sûl was the chief stone of Angmar were thorough in their destruction — there are no
Arnor, able to command the stone at the palace of Annúmi- hidden chambers full of treasure here, no lost secrets of
nas, and to reach in thought and sight the southern stones Elendil or the Seeing Stones. All that remains on Weather-
at Orthanc and Minas Anor; in this fashion, messages could top is the reminder of a lost age.
90

L andmarks
The Rangers spread rumours the place is haunted to keep L ocations

trespassers away from the hilltop, for they use it as a meeting- The East–West road runs close to the foot of Weathertop.
place and sentry-post. Weathertop commands views to the The hill’s steepest aspect is its southern face, so travellers
west, east and south, and keen-eyed Rangers can spot ene- on the Road face a daunting prospect, with the sentinel hill
mies coming down from the Trollshaws and Ettenmoors to looming over them.
trouble the lands of Men. These days, most travellers on the Road are Dwarves going
from their kingdoms in the Ered Luin to the Lonely Moun-
tain far to the East; few Bree-folk wander this far, although
the ‘haunted hill’ is a common feature in ghost stories told
WEATHERTOP in The Prancing Pony on an evening.
1. THE MILE-S TONE

On the side of the road just south of Weathertop is a broken
pillar, and the remains of its counterpart can be seen nearby.
These stones are all that is left of a magnificent arch that
once spanned the road at this point; the carven pillars are
worn, but still the features of Elendil and Isildur can be dis-
cerned, especially when in the light of the setting sun
as it descends into the west.
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CHAPTER 3
This arch is more than a mere reminder of the vanished hides travellers from view from both the hills ahead and the
kings of old — the arch was once deemed the omphalos of open lands all around.
Arnor, the middle-point of the kingdom. All distances east and Closer to the summit of Weathertop, the path runs along
west, north and south were reckoned from this spot in the an exposed ridge, like the spine of a buried dragon. No con-
shadow of Amon Sûl. The Men of the West, being descended cealment is possible there, but the path is the easiest approach
from navigators, were excellent cartographers and surveyors, to the top of the hill.
and one of Elendil’s first acts was to commission a full survey This track, and others like it, was made in the latter days
of his new domain. of the North Kingdom, during the war with Angmar, when
Scholars consulting ancient maps and chasing down the the Dúnedain’s numbers had grown very thin and there-
location of lost fortresses or treasure hoards in Eriador find fore stealth was more important than the grand fortresses
their task to be much easier once they understand that most of their ancestors. There are no treasure hoards or undis-
measurements use the Mile-stone of Weathertop as their main covered secret chambers on Weathertop — but follow tracks
reference. like this off into the Weather Hills towards Fornost, and who
knows what a traveller might find?
2. THE OUTER WALLS
The ruins of walls, ditches and towers can be found on the Those who travel on these hidden paths are pro-
lower slopes of Weathertop and the surrounding hills. These tected by the ancient cunning of the Rangers, and all
fortifications are overgrown and sunken into the mud, and STEALTH or TRAVEL rolls made while following the
what remains can be a hard riddle to read, for there are track gain (1d).
two sets of fortifications here. Once, this was the borderland
between Cardolan and Rhudaur; the two kingdoms clashed 4. THE RANGER-C AVES
here many times, and raised many watch-towers and walls to The next hill north of Weathertop is Sheepshead Hill, and
guard the frontier. Later, the Weather Hills were a bulwark on the north slope, not far from the crown, is a cave mouth.
in the wars against Angmar. It’s hidden by shaggy moss and bracken, and is only barely
The older fortifications still jut out in places, but are little wide enough for a broad-shouldered Man to squeeze through.
more than broken stone. The newer fortifications are mostly The crack leads to a larger cave, and that connects to a cham-
gone, too, having been destroyed by the armies of Angmar or ber of worked stone, part of the now-destroyed cellars of a
the ravages of time, but a few are still intact — a wall there, a fallen fortress. This refuge is used by the Rangers when they
storehouse, a watch-tower that in later centuries was claimed dwell at Weathertop for a time. A thin trickle of water flows
as a castle by some petty warlord. through the caves, ensuring a fresh supply, and the Rangers
Weathertop is home to two such intact structures. On the stow some food here too for emergencies, mostly cram and
eastern flank of the hill is an overgrown and broken tower dried meats, although a lucky traveller might find a small
that can still provide a place to hide or shelter from a storm, cask of ale from the Prancing Pony or cheese and pipe-weed
while on the northern side, hidden in a copse of trees, is a from the Southfarthing.
stone house that is used by Rangers at times (and the bones There is but one way in and out of the caves; if trapped
of bandits who dared use the place as a hide-out lie beneath by foes here, there is no escape.
the roots of those trees).
Treasure hunters are unlikely to find anything of worth 5. THE HIDDEN DELL
here — the ruins of Weathertop have long since been picked On the western side of Weathertop is a spot that is probably
clean by scavengers. Any treasures that might be found here the most sheltered one on the hill, with a spring of fresh
are of more recent origins — coins buried by bandits or Trolls, water and steep-sided grassy banks, though it’s badly exposed
or Ranger-caches watched over by the stones raised by their if the wind is from the west. Rangers and other travellers
ancestors. often camp here.
3. THE SECRET TRACKS 6. THE BROKEN TOWER

A hidden path runs through the foothills of the Weather A broken tower and its foundations mark the summit of
Hills, winding its way up towards Weathertop. The track Amon Sûl. It’s a lonely and desolate place, with little shel-
runs along natural folds in the land, taking advantage of ter from the constant keening wind. Nothing grows there
sheltered dells and banks, and in places where it would save scraggly grass. When fog rolls in from the Midgewater
become exposed it is protected by stones or trees. The path Marshes, it feels as though Weathertop is an island on a white
92

L andmarks
sea, the last outpost of a drowned world. On clear days, a parts — Weathertop rises high above the mists, and can be
traveller atop the ruins feels exposed – they can see in all seen from a great distance.
directions, but they can also be seen, outlined against the
sky. And to stand on Weathertop during a thunderstorm – ALARUMS
now that is a rare thing. Weathertop is the tallest rise for Weathertop commands a view of the country all around.
many leagues around, and when a big storm gathers, the When foes came out of Angmar in days of old, it was the sen-
hill is wreathed in a blaze of lightning.. tries at Weathertop who spotted their approach. When Orcs
Of old, this place was named Amon Sûl, the Hill of Wind, came out of their warrens in the Misty Mountains to lay waste
and it is said in certain old tales that he who stands on Weath- to Eriador, Rangers watched them from Weathertop. Now, as
ertop in a storm can hear the words of the wind, and speak the Orcs grow in numbers once more and the Shadow grows
to the spirits of the upper airs. Certainly this was a sacred in the East, the Rangers once again must maintain a watch
place even before Elendil placed a palantír here — one from Weathertop.
can almost see the Middle Men who dwelt in the Weather If the sentries on Weathertop did see an invading Orc-
Hills in previous ages of the world leaving offerings here host or Wolf pack or some other peril, then the alarm would
for the birds, who they believed to be the messengers of have to be raised — and that task might be entrusted to any
the powers of the sky. travellers the Rangers happen to encounter on the Road.
There are very few Rangers, after all, and Eriador is wide.
7. THICKETS Player-heroes might be sent to race west to Bree, or even east
South of the Road lie thickets where flowers and herbs grow in to Rivendell, fighting to stay ahead of any wolves or outriders
great profusion. Long ago, there was a villa here where lords sent by the attacking forces.
of Arnor dwelt, and the king visited here many times on the
way to Amon Sûl. Notably, the leaf athelas can be found here. MEETING THE RANGERS
If the Company wishes to make contact with one of the ill-
ATHELAS: Accounted by many to be useful only to sweeten a favoured types who call themselves Rangers, then they should
foul air or to alleviate headaches, the healing virtues of the make for Weathertop. There is no place in the North (save
herb kingsfoil are well known by the Rangers of the North. the secret fastnesses of Rivendell and the Angle) where a trav-
eller is more likely to encounter one of the Dúnedain. The
Player-heroes carrying athelas and rolling HEALING Rangers are a reserved folk, sharing little of themselves and
to reduce the severity of the injury of a Wounded their ways. There are no more stalwart companions on the
individual gain (1d). If the roll is a success, then the Road, but they do not trust easily, and one may be friends
hero that is being cured additionally removes 1 point with a Ranger for twenty years and not even know the fel-
of Shadow. Using athelas on a Player-hero who is not low’s real name.
Wounded does not have effects in game terms.
THE RANGER CACHE
Schemes and Trouble

The Rangers hide supplies like firewood or travelling gear in
hidden caches on Weathertop — and they sometimes hide
other things, too. Messages, for example, or maps, or trea-
OUT OF THE WILD sures recovered from some ancient tomb or ruined city, or
Weathertop is a significant landmark, known by all travellers tokens taken from the corpses of fallen foes. An innocent
in Eriador. If the Company becomes lost or separated, the traveller who happens across such a cache might be drawn
peak is the obvious rallying point. This is especially true in the into the intrigues of the Rangers and their desperate strug-
fogs and rainstorms that sometimes assail travellers in these gle against the Enemy.
93

CHAPTER 3
The Hill of the Sleeper

“…tombs more splendid than the houses of the living…”
RUMOUR The Enemy came to Eregion in disguise, claiming to be a

“Deep within the Swanfleet marshes, there is a secret place — a friend of the Elves. He sought the secrets of ring-making, and
sunken palace, mostly lost beneath the mud. It is not a house, for no tried to persuade Nethig and her lover to share their secrets
one dwells there, but neither is it a tomb, for the one who lies there with him. When they refused, Sauron grew wroth. He crept
is not dead — for in the depths of the cave lies an Elf-maiden on a away into the marsh, and returned in the shape of a poison-
stone bier, her long golden hair spilling over the edge like a waterfall ous serpent. He waited until Nethig went walking again in
of light. She lies there, unmoving and silent, still as a statue, but Swanfleet, and then he stung her with his fangs.
if you listen closely, you may hear the faint sound of her breathing. Nethig did not know it was the Enemy who had wounded
Her beauty is breathtaking, this fairest of the Fair Folk — marred her, and she thought she would soon recover — for the Elves
only by the wound in her ankle, where two fang-punctures and cor- are blessed with strength and good health, and do not know
rupted skin tell where a serpent struck her.” sickness or poison. But this was no serpent, but the Enemy
“Long has she slumbered, encased in imperishable crystal. The peo- in serpent-form, and so the wound did not heal, and Nethig
ple of Swanfleet hold her to be a spirit or a goddess, and believe that she continued to weaken.
watches over them in her dreams. To guard the Maiden, they have added The Enemy — again in the guise of a friend — returned
to the palace’s defences, permitting dangerous creatures to dwell here, to Nethig, and to her lover. Perhaps he offered to use his
so that only the Wise-women of Medcaute can enter the palace safely.” healing arts in exchange for ring-lore, or perhaps he planned
to wait until she perished, and then bewitch her lover in his
OLD LORE time of grief. The tales do not tell.
“The tale of Nethig is mostly lost even to masters of Lore; her sad tale Instead, they speak of the choice before Nethig. She could
transpired in the years just before the fall of Eregion. Many Elves go west to the Havens, west over the Sea, and find healing
were slain in those terrible wars, and Nethig is often accounted in the Undying Lands. Or, she could abandon her physical
among the victims of Sauron’s armies, not Sauron’s treachery. Lore body and send her spirit winging west to the Halls of Man-
may recall strange tales of a haunted hill in the depths of Swanfleet, dos, to wait out the world. But Nethig desired neither of
where a river-maiden slumbers. Few know where the palace lies, for these things — she loved the airs of Middle-earth, the swans
it is sunk beneath the mud or shrouded in thick vegetation. Once, in flight against the grey skies of Minhiriath, and the calling
a paved pathway led from the Whispering Halls of Celebrimbor to of the curlews on the waters of Gwathló. She wished to stay,
the doors of the palace, but this road was destroyed long ago. Per- even as the poison ate away at her flesh.
haps the Wise-women of Medcaute recall something of the place.” In desperation, she used all her talent to forge a ring. Its
“While Eregion is long since destroyed, there may yet survive wearer would fall into an enchanted slumber, and remain
records in Moria of the building of the palace, for it was done by untouched by time. By this ring, Nethig planned to endure
Dwarven masons of that city.” until the Elves could find a cure for the poison that ailed her.
She walked one last time into the woods of Swanfleet, and as
Background
the sun sank behind the reedbeds into the west, she slipped
the ring onto her finger, and fell to the ground as one dead.
This story is told among the Elves. Her lover vowed to save her. He placed her upon a bier,
In the days of Eregion, before the Second Enemy revealed and had the craftsmen of Moria build her a palace where
himself, the Elf-maiden Nethig walked in the woods of Swanfleet. her body could rest until it was healed. No doubt her lover
She was of the people of Celebrimbor, and was one of the artifi- planned to study the healing arts, and to consult with the
cers and jewel-smiths who worked with him. Nethig’s delight was healers and herbalists — but there was no time. War came
in the sky, in birds on the wing and in the winds of the upper airs. to Eregion. The Enemy had forged in secret the One Ring
Some say she made herself wings of swan-feather and Mithril, to Rule Them All, and sought to bring all Middle-earth
so that she could soar over the Misty Mountains with the birds. under his sway. Some say Nethig’s lover was slain by Orcs,
Another of Celebrimbor’s apprentices — or, as some tell and his dying body cast into the mud of Swanfleet. But
it, Celebrimbor himself — fell in love with Nethig, and she the Enemy never found Nethig’s resting place, and there
with him. Blessed was their joy, and her spirit soared higher she slumbers still, unaware of the sorrows and horrors of
than any bird can fly, even the Eagles of the West. the wider world.
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THE WISE-W OMEN

The nearby village of Medcaute (page 19) is home to The Ghost Bird
a small coven of Wise-women, elders of the Swanfleet- According to the tales, the Ghost Bird is a marsh-
ers who live together in a crannog and study secret lore wight or monster that has haunted Swanfleet for as
pertaining to healing, herbalism and prophecy. Much long as anyone can remember, slaying outsiders and
of their lore was taken from the Hill of the Sleeper, and the unworthy with his terrible spear, then vanishing
they guard the secrets of this place jealously. Often, they back into the mists. No weapon can harm the Ghost
come here to study the texts in the Chamber of Heal- Bird, and no foe can catch him.
ing; more rarely, they bring wounded warriors here to In reality, the Ghost Bird is a role, handed from
treat their injuries (the warriors are drugged with cer- one warrior of the Swanfleeters to the next. To
tain herbs before the women bring them here, so the become Ghost Bird, the prospective candidate must
warriors believe the hill to be an enchanted otherworld, abandon all claims of kinship or family, and swear
beyond the bounds of Middle-earth). to defend the marsh from outsiders. Only then may
Roll a Success die when the characters first arrive they take on the mantle and the regalia — the bone
at the tomb to determine the disposition of the Wise- mask, the cloak, the wooden stilts that allow the
women. Ghost Bird to move swiftly through the marsh, and
a magic spear of Elven make.
ROLL DISPOSITION The Ghost Bird make their home in the Hill of
the Sleeper, but spend long weeks out hunting in
1–2 None of the Wise-women are at the Hill;
the marsh, especially when there are rumours of
however, if they learn that there are intrud-
intruders. If the Player-heroes are lucky, the Ghost
ers in their sacred place, they respond with
Bird may be absent when they arrive at the Hill of
fury.
the Sleeper. If they are unlucky, well — the Ghost
3 There’s one Wise-woman studying in the Bird knows this hill better than the Dwarves who
Chamber of Healing. built it, and their wrath is a terrible one.
4 There’s one Wise-woman and a wounded

THE GHOST BIRD ATTRIBUTE LEVEL
Swanfleeter in the Chamber of Healing.
Swift, Stealthy
5 Three Wise-women have gathered in the 6
Chamber of Memories to discuss matters of
the marsh. ENDURANCE MIGHT RESOLVE PARRY ARMOUR
6 All six Wise-women are at the Hill, to con- 24 2 6 +3 3

duct one of the ceremonies where they
make offerings to the Sleeper or to choose
COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Magic Spear 3 (6/18, Pierce)
a new Ghost Bird.
FELL ABILITIES: Fierce. Spend 1 Resolve point to gain

The Wise-women are physically frail — they are old mor- (1d) on an attack and to make the roll Favoured.
tal women, bent double and exhausted from a long life Ghost Bird’s Nest. While the Ghost Bird is in the
of labour. They carry sharp knives, which they can use to Hill of the Sleeper, all their rolls are Favoured and
make a sudden stab or cut, but do not have the endur- all attack rolls against it are Ill-favoured.
ance to carry on a long fight. If the Hill is attacked and Ghost Bird’s Speed. When targeted by an
the Ghost Bird cannot defeat the intruders, then they can attack, spend 1 Resolve to make the attack roll lose
call a mob from Medcaute to defend the Hill. (1d) and make it Ill-favoured.
The leader and eldest of the Wise-women is Mother Wooden Stilts. The Ghost Bird may attack any
Wendreth (see page 20). Player-hero, in any combat stance, including Rear-
ward, and may escape from combat on their turn
without making any roll. The Ghost Bird is stripped
of this Fell Ability if wounded twice or reduced to
zero Endurance: in either case, cancel the Wound,
return the Ghost Bird to full Endurance, and delete
this Fell Ability.
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CHAPTER 3
JOURNEY EVENTS Third, that stretch of the marsh is plagued with a curi-
Finding the palace is a challenge. Only the Wise-women ous breed of serpent that is found nowhere else in Middle-
of Medcaute know exactly where the palace lies, and earth. The marsh-snakes are beautiful to look at, with many-
they do not share this secret with outsiders. Without a hued scales that glimmer in the sunlight, but they are vicious
guide, the only way to find the palace is to search the and aggressive, and their poison is exceedingly potent.
marsh. Three clues point to the location of the Palace Once the general region of the palace is found, the
of the Sleeper. building itself must be located. Most of the palace has
First, the remnants of the Eregion road. The pav- sunk into the swamp, leaving only the spires still visible
ing stones are mostly lost beneath the mud, but in at ground level. The grand entrance is lost in the marsh,
places ancient Elven statues survive, depicting watch- but there are other ways in. An explorer can descend via
ful guardians. one of the surviving spires (locations 1 or 2) and enter the
Second, Nethig loved the swans and birds of the palace below. Alternatively, the grand balcony (location
marsh, and so the palace looks out over a wide pool, 14) is still above ground, but is so hidden by weeds and
mirror-still, where the birds gather. tree-roots that it is extremely hard to find.
L ocations
The Palace is remarkably well-preserved for a ruin from the
Second Age. It shares something of the magic of Nethig’s THE PALACE
ring, protecting it from the ravages of time; if the ring were
removed from the palace, it would soon collapse.
It is a palace made by the Elves of Eregion in concert with
the Dwarves of Moria, each at the height of their skills. The
artistry of Gondolin is remembered in these walls of carven 1
stone. All is geometric perfection matched to flowing natural
lines, leading the eye to the great arched windows that once
looked out over the beautiful lakes of Swanfleet. Those
windows are blocked with mud now, or choked
with weeds.
As originally constructed, the palace had
three spires around a three-tiered struc- 2
ture, all wrought of marvellous stone
that matched the colour of the sky; the
14
stone is not reflective, but changes its
own colour with the dawn. Within, a cor-
13
ridor spirals up from the outer ring to
the chamber where Nethig slumbers, pass-
ing through rooms made to please her spirit 11
as she sleeps, as well as storage chambers where
possessions dear to her are kept. The makers of 10
7 9
the palace intended it to be a place of beauty and
healing, a place where Nethig could rest and recu-
8
perate once a cure was found for the poison that yet
courses through her veins.
While the palace is now lost and overgrown, and 4
there are dangers here, this is not a place of shadow.
There are no Wraiths here, no Orcs or Goblins. Much
evil must befall a place before it wholly forgets the Elves.
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L andmarks
1. THE NORTH SPIRE There’s a Lesser Hoard to be gathered here, for

This is one of the two intact spires; it rises from the marsh- those who are willing to hack the statues to pieces
land, a thin finger of stone jutting up towards the sky. and destroy this beauty forever (a Misdeed worth the
There’s a single west-facing window, some twenty feet above gain of 2 Shadow points).
the ground; tales say that on certain nights, the figure of a
woman can be seen there, staring sadly out at the stars. A 7. THE SPIRAL CORRIDOR
narrow staircase spirals down the inside of the spire, lead- This long corridor spirals up from the Entrance Hall (6) to
ing to the Outer Ring (5). The staircase is so narrow that the upper level. As with the corridor below, the path is par-
intruders must go single file. tially blocked in places by roots and debris.
The Wise-women of Swanfleet have laid some of their
2. THE WEST SPIRE honoured dead to rest here over the centuries, and their
The west spire has partially collapsed, and is mostly hidden cloth-wrapped bones slumber in niches carved into the cor-
in a thicket of thorn trees. The remains of the spire now ridor wall. They’re all arrayed in imitation of Nethig in the
resemble a large well — or would, if it were visible, but it’s chamber of the sleeper above — they wear white rags and
usually hidden beneath branches. This is the entrance kept lie with their hands folded, a copper ring on one finger, the
by the Wise-women of Medcaute, who use the Palace below brittle grey strands of their desiccated hair hanging over the
as their holy sanctum. When they visit the palace, they enter edge of their graves.
by means of this spire, climbing down the narrow spiral stair Archways leading to the various chambers (locations 8–11)
beyond to reach the Outer Ring below (5). open up on the right-hand side of the spiral; there were once
narrow shafts opening along the top of the left-hand wall, but
3. THE SOUTH SPIRE these are all choked with weeds or mud, and lightless.
The south spire has collapsed entirely; the staircase within is
blocked and impassable.
4. THE ANCIENT GATE

This was once the entrance to the palace, but is now entirely
blocked by mud and debris. Two statues stand guard over the THE BOTTOM FLOOR
entrance, one depicting a spear-wielding Elf-warrior, the her-
ald of the Valar, and the other depicting Elbereth Star-kindler,
her hand casting gemstones into the sky as stars.
1
5. THE OUTER RING
Once beautiful, with images graven by the Dwarves depicting
the deeds of the Elves of Eregion — including the forging
of rings and the events leading up to Nethig’s slumber —
the corridor of the Outer Ring is now choked with tree-
9
roots and dirt. The section between the foot of the West
Spire (2) and the Entrance Hall (6) has been cleared
out by the Wise-women, but the rest of the Outer Ring
7 4
is a harrowing crawl through a dark, narrow tunnel that
floods in wet weather.
2
6. THE ENTRANCE HALL 8
The entrance into the main body of the palace. Another 5
pair of Elven statues waits here, these ones depicting the
sun and moon in their eternal dance; the sun carries a 6
blazing torch of celestial flame, the moon a pale lamp. The
sun-statue is partially made of gold, the precious metal run- 3
ning in rivulets through sculpted gaps in the black marble;
the moon of silver matched with pale white marble.
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8. THE CHAMBER OF BIRDS 11. THE CHAMBER OF HEALING

The Chamber of Birds is pitch-black and half-full of muck — Of the four chambers, this is the only one in good repair and
there was once a wide shaft, but it’s mostly blocked now by regular use. This has been a place of healing for thousands of
mud as the palace slowly sinks into the marsh. The room was years. In the centre of the chamber is a stone bier, and around
made to remind Nethig of the birds she so loved, and the walls it are baskets of healing herbs and leeches. Drawings on the
are covered with images of birds in flight. Exploring Player- walls depict elements of anatomy — the circulatory system,
heroes get the bizarre impression that they are surrounded and diagrams of organs, for the Elves of Eregion knew much
by unseen or ghostly birds — the air seems full of bird-cries of surgery and medicine that has been forgotten.
and the thunder of beating wings. This chamber has clearly been used relatively recently —
there’s food in one of the baskets, and a woven blanket for
a bed in one corner. The Wise-women bring the sick and
wounded of Medcaute who cannot be healed elsewhere to
this secret sanctum, where the worst injuries can be treated.
AMBUSH!
The Chamber of Birds is sometimes used as a lair by
the Ghost Bird. If the Player-heroes were spotted
as they searched the Swanfleet marshes for the
palace, the Ghost Bird may be waiting here in the INSPIRATION
darkness to ambush or stalk them. Wounds treated in the Chamber of Healing never
become infected — Player-heroes making rolls of
HEALING here are considered to be Inspired.
9. THE CHAMBER OF SONG

The Chamber of Song contains a single seat, carved out of
marble. Anyone who sits in the chair hears songs of the Elves
of Eregion, silent for four thousand years. These songs are THE MIDDLE FLOOR
joyful, not sad — echoes of a time before the Elves despaired
of Middle-earth, of that brief time between the defeat of Mor-
goth and the rise of Sauron, when Middle-earth was free and
it seemed as though Arda Marred could be repaired through 1
craft and courage. Listening to these songs of joy restores 1
point of Hope (2 points to Elves).
The Wise-women use this chamber as an oracle, seeking
prophecy and revelation in the echoes of a past age.
10
10. THE CHAMBER OF MEMORY
Once, there was a pool here, a marble basin surrounded by 12
descending steps. Rainwater falling from a shaft in the ceiling
13
filled the basin, and in the waters images could be seen, visions
that recalled the days of Hollin’s glory. All gone now — the
water-shaft is blocked, the basin filled with the muck of centuries. 2 11
Instead, this room has become the ceremonial meeting
place for the Wise-women of Medcaute; they gather here
when it is time to choose a new Ghost Bird or when danger
threatens the Swanfleet. The descending steps form a make-
shift auditorium, where all the Wise-women can gather and
3
discuss matters of import.
The room is also used by the Ghost Bird, who sleeps and
eats here when not stalking the marshes.
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12. THE VAULT GUARDIANS The Wise-women have never passed the vault guardians;
This doorway is guarded by two more statues, this time that door, they say, shall not be opened until the world’s ending.
depicting Elven sentries, eternally watchful. The statues were
imbued with potent magic to prevent anyone from opening 13. THE VAULT
the door they guard, a spell that turned into a curse with the This is the treasure vault of Nethig, a noble Elf of Eregion
passing of long, dark centuries, and the bones of three thieves at its height, and the treasures here are fabulous indeed.
lie on the ground between the statues as a warning to other There is gold and silver jewellery, and glittering gems set
would-be tomb robbers. in Mithril necklaces, and gowns and robes of shimmering
Engraved on the door in Elf-letters are the words: LET woven light, preserved by the magic of Nethig’s ring. There
THERE BE NO SORROW, LET THERE BE NO MOURNING. LET US are books here, too, treatises on craft and ring-lore and his-
DANCE ONCE MORE, BEFORE THE WORLD’S ENDING. SPEAK, AND tory; instruments, for Nethig loved to play the flute softly,
THAT WHICH IS YOURS SHALL BE RESTORED. echoing the cries of the birds on the lake. There are tools,
Only Nethig’s voice can open the door safely. Others who a ring-maker’s workshop all packed up awaiting the return
try instead gain 2 points of Shadow (Sorcery). Whoever fails of the craftswoman.
their Shadow test or becomes Miserable is struck by a sen-
sation of incredible weight. Their limbs become much too In total, there is a Marvellous Hoard here — a for-
heavy to lift, their legs can no longer bear the weight of the tune beyond compare, but the greatest value may be
body. All the victim can do is slump to the floor. in Nethig’s books and tools. Here are secrets of ring-
making lost since the days of Celebrimbor.
A successful ATHLETICS test lets the victim crawl back
down the corridor away from the statues and escape 14. THE GRAND BALCONY
death; a second failure here means the intruder lies When this palace was first built, the Grand Balcony overlooked
down on the cold floor and cannot move again. If one the swan-haunted lakes and pools of the marsh. Now, it’s so
struck by the curse approaches the door again, the hidden by weeds and roots and piled earth that the balcony
curse strikes automatically. resembles a cave or cleft in the hillside. It’s a dark and noi-
some hole — and thronged with snakes. This chamber is a
An ally unaffected by the curse can easily drag or nest for hundreds upon hundreds of Marsh-
lift a victim away, but if everyone’s caught snakes, and they become aggressive if
by the magic, the whole Company their home is disturbed. The greater
is doomed. Elves or Elf-friends number of serpents coils around
automatically sense the pres- 1 the entrance to Nethig’s cham-
ence of the curse, and can ber, as if waiting for her to
choose to stay their hand awaken so they can bite
before attempting to her again, as Sauron did
open the door. long long ago.
15
2
14
THE TOP FLOOR
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If awakened, kindly characters might be able to persuade

Marsh-snakes Nethig to answer a few questions before she puts the ring
These beautiful many-hued serpents are things of Shadow, back on and returns to her slumber. If told of the peril to
corrupted by the echo of Sauron’s presence here long the lands she once loved, Nethig might instead forego the
ago. Their lair is in the upper part of the hill, but they can remainder of her life and endeavour to craft a magical item
slither anywhere, hiding and waiting for the right moment or weapon for the heroes before her body perishes (should
to strike. Nethig choose to do so, the Loremaster can use the rules
for Marvellous Artefacts and Wondrous Items, or even those
MARSH-S ERPENT ATTRIBUTE LEVEL necessary to design a Famous Weapon or Armour — see The
One Ring, pages 161 and 162).
1
ENDURANCE MIGHT HATE PARRY ARMOUR Schemes and Trouble
4 1 1 — 0 CONCLAVE OF THE WISE-W OMEN

Player-heroes who seek the wisdom or aid of the Wise-women
COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Bite 2 (1/14, Pierce) of Medcaute may be brought here, to the Hill of the Sleeper,
to receive oracles and meet with the Wise-women in conclave.
FELL ABILITIES: Poison. If an attack results in a Wound, the The common practice is for the Wise-women to drug their
target is also poisoned (grievous Endurance loss; see guests, so they cannot tell where they are going, and then the
The One Ring, page 134, for the effects of poison). Ghost Bird escorts them into the Hill and up to the Chamber
Snake-like Speed. When targeted by an attack, of Memories or Chamber of Healing. Thus, the characters
spend 1 Hate to make the attack roll Ill-favoured. have only vague, dream-like memories of their visit to the
Hill — but that may be enough to impel them to return to
Swanfleet in search of that enchanted palace.
15. THE SLEEPER
Here, in a casket of crystal atop a marble plinth, lies the Elf- ASSAULT ON THE HILL
maid Nethig. She is dressed all in white, a large ring of Mithril Should some foe — like the Black Númenóreans (page 33)
clearly visible upon her right ring-finger. Here she sleeps until or the Agents of Saruman (page 41) — discover the exis-
the world changes. tence of the Hill of the Sleeper, then the Player-heroes may
The casket can easily be opened, but Nethig will not wake find themselves helping the Ghost Bird defend the Hill
if disturbed — not unless the ring is removed from her finger. against intruders. If a cold-hearted foe reaches Nethig, then
If she is awoken, then she instantly gasps in pain; the venom the only question is what kills her first — her captors or the
of Sauron is still working its way towards her heart, and she poison in her veins?
knows she has only a brief time to live.
THE HEALING OF NETHIG
NETHIG: Once a maiden of the vanished land of Eregion, Nethig went into her enchanted slumber to wait until the
Nethig has slept for four thousand years, and is unaware scholars and healers could find a cure. The wars of the Enemy
that Eregion has been destroyed, that Moria has fallen, that have laid waste to Eregion and Nethig’s resting place was for-
Númenor has sunk and its successor kingdoms risen and gotten, but there are still great healers in the world. Heroes
fallen, or that a new Enemy has arisen in Middle-earth. When who discover Nethig might seek out such a healer, or try to
she was hale and healthy, she was mighty among her kin; she bring the Elf-maiden to a healer’s abode.
loved the land and the creatures of Arda, and poured that The likeliest candidate is Elrond Half-elven; he has the
love into the jewels she made. She sought to understand the skill to cure Nethig, but the Player-heroes would have to bring
living land, to wake the world and converse with it. Now, she the crystal casket from Swanfleet to Rivendell — and once
lies in enchanted sleep, waiting until a cure is found for the Nethig’s body is removed from the palace, it will be like a
venom that courses through her. blazing beacon to those with eyes to see. Every Orc in the
Misty Mountains and every thing of darkness will be sent to
capture the vulnerable Elf-maiden.
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Mount Gram
He charged the ranks of the goblins of Mount Gram in the Battle of the Green Fields…
RUMOUR In the Third Age, when the war against Angmar united
“To the north, a group of bandits is kidnapping travellers to sell them the Free Peoples of the North, Mount Gram was also attacked.
to the Orcs and Goblins of Mount Gram. They say they have an agree- Then, with great sacrifice, the forces of the Enemy in this land
ment with this dark fortress’ Orc-chieftain and are compensated with were greatly reduced and the tribes inhabiting this place fled
old Dwarven gold left behind when the Enemy took over the tunnels wherever they could, including to the depths of the mountains.
of Durin’s Folk in the Misty Mountains. They say the creatures of A few hundred years ago, however, Orcs and Goblins began
this nefarious mountain hate the Hobbits of the Shire above all else, to return, and multiply their numbers, once again making
and they are already planning vengeance against that small folk.” Mount Gram a powerful threat to the region. A great Orc-
chieftain quickly grew in power and united the tribes to form
OLD LORE a terrible army to raid and pillage their ancient enemies to
“This place was once the home of a clan of industrious Dwarves, who the south. The army did horrible deeds and killed many, but
built a mighty fortress and hundreds of tunnels beneath the mountain. it was ultimately stopped by an unlikely force of Hobbits led
Lost long ago to the Enemy, its depths fester with his servants; Goblins, by Bandobras Took, the Bullroarer, who killed King Golfimbul,
Orcs, Trolls and even worse things. However, there are Dwarves who the Orc-chieftain, himself. From that day on, the Goblins and
claim these creatures haven’t discovered all the secrets left behind, and Orcs of Mount Gram have held a special hatred for Hobbits.
there might still be tunnels and treasures forgotten inside.” Now there is a new chieftain, Radgul, a wily, cruel and
cunning Orc who has entrenched a hatred for Hobbits deep
Background
within his twisted heart. Although theoretically under the
command of the Orc king under Mount Gundabad, Radgul
Mount Gram became a stronghold of Orcs and Goblins in the makes his own rules, and the distance between the two ragged
middle of the Second Age, when their armies, led by the Enemy, mountains allows him great liberty. His orders, for now, are to
seized the surrounding mountains from the Dwarves. For thou- bide his time and wait for further instructions from Mordor,
sands of years after, this Orc fortress posed a threat to the Free but the Orc-chieftain of Mount Gram has other plans, and
People of northern Eriador, launching raids and waging war is already putting some of them in motion. Especially those
against Men, Hobbits, Elves and Dwarves who stood in their path. involving the Shire and its nasty inhabitants.
JOURNEY EVENTS targeted by the birds can make an AWARENESS

On the top of Mount Gram nest great flocks of birds. They test to avoid being fooled.
are large and cunning magpies, watching with keen eyes
for any gleam of precious metal or stone carried by travel- Should the Player-heroes want to recover something, to
lers. If a Company travelling close to Mount Gram is carry- reach the magpies’ nests they must climb the mountain
ing any Treasure (Precious Objects, Marvellous Artefacts or to the top. The trek takes at least a couple of days. The
Wondrous Items, etc.) the magpies will attempt to steal it. first day is a tiring walk, but not a dangerous one (unless
they alerted the local Orcs…). The second day is differ-
A successful roll of HUNTING may forewarn a ent; to get to the top of the peak, the heroes must brave
Look-o ut or Hunter that a large number of a sheer rock face. This can be presented as a Laborious
the birds are watching the Company’s prog- Skill Endeavour, at a Hazardous Risk level.
ress. If the roll fails, the magpies quietly steal
a random piece of Treasure — how the birds Player-heroes who successfully ascend to the top
are able to carry away a shield or sword is a of Mount Gram recover what the birds took from
mystery! Wary Player-h eroes carrying an object them, and also find a Lesser Hoard.
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L ocations no one is there to pick up their offerings, and they are

The journey to Mount Gram is not a pleasant one. As the compensated later.
company leaves behind the Great East Road to venture north,
they will pass through dangerous lands, going through the The map can provide the Player-heroes a bonus to
fog-shrouded Ettenmoors just before reaching the feet of TRAVEL and STEALTH rolls if they try to approach
Mount Gram, the greatest and most wicked-looking moun- Mount Gram unnoticed — if they pass a RIDDLE roll
tain on this arm of the Misty Mountains. to decipher the notes added by Osward and his band,
The cold moors that must be traversed before reaching they gain (1d) with a normal success and (2d) if they
their destination hide many perils, including a large number get a great success or more.
of Trolls, who will not hesitate to attack even Goblins and
Orcs who travel through their territory. Even the Rangers of THE PRISONERS: Osward has made an agreement with Radgul
the North avoid this sun-forsaken region, preferring to keep of Mount Gram; they trade prisoners for old Dwarven gold,
watch from a distance. They have lost a number of friends and Hobbits are worth special extra rewards, especially if they
to these brutish creatures already. can share information about the Shire’s defences. Thus, they
As the Player-heroes get closer to the westernmost por- could have left the prisoners in the predetermined spot just
tion of this arm of the Misty Mountains, they will clearly see a few hours ago, or they might be with them, holding them
a steep, dark and mist-covered peak rising above all others still chained in the camp.
nearby. Its menacing appearance is that of the great horn
of a horrible beast sleeping right at their feet. The path to THE “PET” TROLL: Osward has a secret weapon that keeps
its foot and the entrance to its interior inevitably lead the him and his band safe, and which they use to negotiate with
Company to the broken rocky hills between the Ettenmoors their tougher opponents. They have their own “pet” Troll (a
and Mount Gram. Cave-troll Slinker, see page 152 of The One Ring) which they
captured and made a bargain with. During the day they keep
1. OSWARD’S MEN it hidden away from the sun, but at night they can bring it
As they venture among the many collapsed hills and ruins that out to hunt down escaped prisoners, defend the camp or sim-
dot the landscape, the Player-heroes begin to notice tracks ply to let the creature play with some undesirable visitors. If
and signs of a group of travellers who passed here recently. need be, however, the band won’t hesitate to enter the cave
The tracks and signs appear to belong to a group of men and to lead the Player-heroes into a trap.
women, possibly carrying prisoners, heading north.
The bandits don’t have anyone keeping watch as they 2. THE DEADLY GORGE
believe no one is bold enough to venture into this region A maze of hills, gullies and gorges lies before Mount Gram,
unless, like them, they have an agreement with the Orcs of and finding a path through it that is safe and hidden from
Mount Gram. If the Company follows the tracks carefully, they prying eyes is a difficult task. Especially since the Orcs have
can ambush the bandits without much trouble. been working to make the paths even more confusing, block-
Their camp is modest, with maybe six small tents and a ing tunnels and setting up traps to snare and kill intruders.
larger one for their leader, a large-boned, angry-looking man As the Player-heroes progress through the twisting trails
from Minhiriath. He displays a vivid burn scar on the left side around the rocks, they will stumble upon large boulders
of his face and never seems to smile. blocking their passage, wide cracks in the ground that make
their progress extremely difficult, and signs that there are
There is one Footpad (see The One Ring, page 147) plus guards nearby.
one for each Player-hero, in addition to the leader
(treat him as a Highway Robber, also on page 147 of All this is intended to lead unwary travellers along
The One Ring). a predetermined path, which will take them directly
into deadly traps — tripwires are connected to large
THE MAP: The bandit’s leader, Osward, carries with him a boulders and jagged rocks on higher ground; when
detailed map that leads to a secret entrance to Mount Gram, someone stumbles into a wire, a trap is triggered,
where he and his band drop prisoners for the Orcs and Gob- releasing the rocks to bury the Player-heroes. Any-
lins to feast on. They are usually met by a small group of one in the vicinity needs to make a PROTECTION roll
these nasty creatures carrying their reward, but sometimes or receive a Wound.
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MOUNT GRAM
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If the Player-heroes investigate the blocked passages, a RIDDLE 3. THE BEAST’S MOUTH
roll will reveal the path has been blocked on purpose. The The paths through the jagged cliffs and hills eventually
traps are not particularly well hidden, but the constant fog turn north towards Mount Gram and the Company sees a
and mist blocks the light of the sun or even nearby torches narrow trail snaking its way up the foot of the mountain,
and makes it hard to spot them — an AWARENESS roll can until it leads to a hole in its dark stone face, an opening
allow the Player-heroes to spot a trap just in time. like the terrible gaping maw of a hungry beast from a lost
Even though there are not many sentries, the noise of a age of the world.
trap being triggered will surely attract a few of them (usually The gates are always guarded, but the guards are not par-
one Orc soldier per Player-hero and half as many Goblin ticularly attentive — the Goblins and Orcs of Mount Gram
Archers). don’t expect anyone to be so bold as to get near their fortress,
much less try to enter through the main doors. If the Player-
THE HIDDEN PASSAGE: The ominous fog also hides a passage heroes use stealth, disguises or their wits, they have a good
that the Orcs of Mount Gram haven’t discovered yet. If a trap chance of entering the halls undetected.
is triggered and the Player-heroes examine the site afterwards, In these busy times, the gates are almost always open, as
they find a hidden Dwarven gate that leads directly into the small bands of scouts, hunters and warriors come and go on
bowels of Mount Gram (see The Secret Tunnels box). their errands. However, some alarm or other important warn-
ing can make the Goblins at the gate close it, making it harder
for anyone to get in or out of this terrible place.
SPIKED GATE: The gate is protected by an iron portcullis of

Dwarf-make, but modified by the cunning of the Orcs, who
attached spikes to it, turning it into a weapon. If the Player-
THE SECRET TUNNELS heroes take control of the gates and drop the portcullis
Long before Mount Gram was a stronghold of exactly as enemies are passing below it, the targets can be
the Enemy it was a home to Durin’s Folk. And crushed or pierced by its weight and sharp spikes (causing a
Dwarves are a secretive people. They built secret severe loss of Endurance). The Orcs won’t hesitate to use it
tunnels that only a few of them knew about, and against the Company if they are offered a chance.
all of them forgot. Now, Mount Gram is riddled
with passages that no foot has trodden for thou- CONTAINMENT CAGES: Recently captured prisoners are kept
sands of years. caged in a small, dirty stone room inside the gates. The
These tunnels are narrower than usual, so guards on duty pass their time mistreating these unfor-
progress is slow, and the time they have remained tunate souls before sending them to the dungeons below,
empty and near the forces of the Enemy has made
them claustrophobic to any who cross them.
All Player-h eroes gain 1 point of Shadow
(Dread), as the hand of the Enemy clutches at
their heart, and they feel the walls closing in RESCUE MISSION
around them. This location gives many opportunities for the
A Company discovering the Hidden Passage Lorem aster to introduce prisoners and other
and entering the tunnels soon stumbles upon characters for the Player-heroes to rescue. They
the corpse of a Dwarf clutching a thick book. The might even be journeying to this location just to
Dwarf’s name was Haradin, a scholar and coun- rescue some important figure they know has been
sellor to his people. In these pages they will find reported missing and taken by the Orcs of Mount
accounts of his travels, and a detailed map of the Gram. The more important the individual captured,
tunnels crisscrossing Mount Gram, which can lead the deeper they would be in this complex, and
the Company to any location they desire to reach the most important ones would be taken to the
(see The Belly of the Beast, overleaf). Haunted Dungeons to have their spirit broken.
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L andmarks
where they will suffer before being questioned, most often 4. THE BELLY OF THE BEAST
by Radgul himself. Before the Orcs came, Mount Gram was a mine and an out-
At any time, there are at least three Orc Soldiers and an post, not a vast underground city like Erebor or Moria. Still,
Orc Guard keeping watch over the gates. Most of the time, the Dwarves delved deep, hollowing the roots of the mountain
however, they are distracted, “playing” with some poor vic- with many chambers, halls, and passages. Today, thousands of
tim who has been captured, and are barely keeping track Orcs and other foul creatures dwell there, workers, servants,
of who goes in or out of the gate. If the Player-heroes use slaves, and warriors with great store of arms.
guile and subterfuge, they could enter this place quite
unnoticed, but freeing the prisoners might prove to be If the Player-heroes are so foolish to enter Mount
more complicated. Gram openly they face certain capture, or death — the
Loremaster is free to seal the Company’s fate, either
killing them in a hopeless battle or by throwing them
into a cell in the Haunted Dungeons.
Containment
Cages
3 The Beast’s Mouth
Spiked
Gate
4 The Belly of the Beast
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LOST IN MOUNT GRAM

If the Company finds a way to explore Mount Gram by covert such an extensive Orc-mine and stronghold, for example
means, the Loremaster must improvise the description of taking inspiration from the Lost in Mount Gram table below.
FEAT DIE
ROLL RESULT DESCRIPTION
A Riddle The Player-heroes discover that many passages bear hidden Dwarven sigils. If correctly
Solved interpreted with a RIDDLE roll, they let the company leave Mount Gram from a secret exit.
1 Grisly Remains The company finds many chambers filled with the mummified remains of hundreds of
Dwarves. Their corpses have been despoiled of any valuables, and they all miss their
heads.
2 Skulls for Hundreds of severed Dwarven heads are piled in the centre of a circular chamber. They
the Orc-king are mummified, and bear a mark on their foreheads, crudely cut with a knife or sharp claw.
3–4 Orc-warrens Small windows opening on the wall of a passage allow the Player-heroes to look into
deep pits, now the living quarters of thousands of Orcs, crawling like ants up and
down endless stairs of wood and rope. Gain 1 point of Shadow (Dread).
5 Bottomless Pit A crack in the ground opens across a wide passage. To get to the other side the
Player-heroes must walk across a narrow stone bridge.
6–7 Orc Patrols The company hears the approach of a patrol of Orcs (1 Orc Soldier per Player-hero).
They are singing a horrible tune, and do not expect intruders. If attacked, they sound
the alarm after 2 rounds of combat.
8 A Little Something is following the Player-heroes. If they do not notice or detect the threat
Footpad with a successful AWARENESS or HUNTING roll, a nameless shadow will steal something
valuable from them the first time they stop to rest.
9 Torture A series of high-vaulted halls, filled with all the contraptions that the wicked minds of
Chambers Orcs can imagine to torment their prisoners.
10 The Haunted The company has reached the prison quarters of Mount Gram (see The Haunted
Dungeons Dungeons).
Radgul The company has attracted the attention of the Orc-chieftain of Mount Gram… (see
Radgul, the Orc-chieftain, on page 108).
The Haunted Dungeons of them before interrogation in the torture chambers above.
The old dungeons the Dwarves built have seen many individu- Few survive more than a few days in these cells, succumbing
als of the Free Peoples of Middle-earth rot to their bones over to the Evil in the Shadows, as the servants of the Enemy call
the centuries since this fortress has been under the Enemy’s the entity that lives here now.
command. The well-crafted walls, sturdy metal doors, and As the Player-heroes enter this place, they feel an ominous
unbreakable chains bear the taint of their blood, and the place chill run down their spines — an ancient evil dwells here, and
is contaminated with the grief and pain of their memories. watches their every move.
The Orcs and Goblins of Mount Gram place their most
determined and courageous enemies in abandoned cells in Player-heroes gain 2 Shadow points (Dread) upon their
these dungeons to break their spirit and drain the hope out arrival and 1 point of Shadow each day they stay there.
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Thing of Terror. At the start of the first round of the

The Evil in the Shadows battle all Player-heroes in sight of one or more creatures
So called by the Orcs and Goblins, this is a servant of the with this ability gain 3 Shadow points (Dread). Those
Shadow who has been feeding on the anguish and suf- who fail their Shadow test are daunted and cannot
fering of every poor individual who has been imprisoned spend Hope for the rest of the fight.
in these dungeons for thousands of years. Now, it uses
this energy and resentment to spread horror to those
that seem vulnerable. If anyone in the Company gains a FORGOTTEN DEAD ATTRIBUTE LEVEL
Shadow Point while in the Haunted Dungeons, the Evil in Soulless, Stealthy
the Shadows wakes to exact its revenge. 3
The Evil in the Shadows animates the corpse of a
fallen Dúnadan lord who died there when his companions ENDURANCE MIGHT HATE PARRY ARMOUR
encountered a band led by a cruel Orc-chieftain hundreds
of years ago. Additionally, by its sorcerous powers the
12 1 3 +1 2
entity can reanimate the rotten corpses of past victims (one
for each Player-hero) to make them assault those that are COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Rusted Sword 3 (4/16, Pierce),
still living, driving fear and despair into their hearts while Claws 2 (3/14, Seize)
the rusted blades of the Undead cut their flesh.
FELL ABILITIES: Deathless. Spend 1 Hate to cancel a
THE EVIL IN THE SHADOWS ATTRIBUTE LEVEL Wound. When an attack inflicts damage to the crea-
Shadow, Vengeful ture that would cause it to go to zero Endurance, spend
6 1 Hate to bring the creature back to full Endurance
instead. This ability is ineffective against Player-heroes
ENDURANCE MIGHT HATE PARRY ARMOUR wielding a magical weapon enchanted with spells for
the Bane of the Undead.
24 2 6 — 3 Heartless. The creature is not affected by the Intim-
idate Foe combat task, unless a Magical success is
COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Broken Sword 3 (5/16, Pierce), obtained.
Chilling Touch 2 (6/12, Seize) Thing of Terror. At the start of the first round of the
battle all Player-heroes in sight of one or more creatures
FELL ABILITIES: Deathless. Spend 1 Hate to cancel a with this ability gain 3 Shadow points (Dread). Those
Wound. When an attack inflicts damage to the crea- who fail their Shadow test are daunted and cannot
ture that would cause it to go to zero Endurance, spend spend Hope for the rest of the fight.
1 Hate to bring the creature back to full Endurance
wielding a magical weapon enchanted with spells for
the Bane of the Undead.
Heartless. The creature is not affected by the Intim-
idate Foe combat task, unless a Magical success is
obtained.
Denizen of the Dark. All attack rolls are Favoured A PRECIOUS HEIRLOOM
while in darkness. The corpse the Evil in the Shadow inhabits is that
Dreadful Spells. Spend 1 Hate to raise a Forgotten of Eradein, a captain of the Rangers of the North
Dead (see below) and make all Player-heroes gain 2 who disappeared hundreds of years ago, break-
Shadow points (Dread). ing the line of a powerful Dúnadan family. The
Hate Sunlight. The creature loses 1 Hate at the start corpse still carries a signet ring and a silver brooch
of each round it is exposed to the full light of the sun. which his people would greatly appreciate if they
Howl of Triumph. Spend 1 Hate to restore 1 Hate to were returned.
all other Undead in the fight.
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CHAPTER 3
THE PRISONERS: This is a perfect place to find any Loremaster However, Radgul has one weakness: his hatred of the
characters a group of Player-heroes might be trying to rescue small folk of the Shire. Any sign of Hobbits in his territory
from Mount Gram. However, the time they have spent in these will drive him into a blind rage and he will set out with his
haunted tunnels may already have put a great strain on them. trusted guards to hunt the trespassers down.
The Player-heroes will need to instil hope back into these If the Company is discovered by the Goblin scouts or
prisoners’ hearts and bring the prisoners back from the edge other guards and these alert their brethren, the Player-
of the abyss. To accomplish this, they must achieve a Simple heroes will need to be very quick, very capable or find
Skill Endeavour, requiring rolls of ENHEARTEN , SONG , or a way to vanish from prying eyes if they want to survive.
another appropriate Skill. Radgul will mount a hunting party to track down and elim-
inate the Player-heroes, capturing and torturing Hobbits
Schemes and Trouble

and Dúnedain if he can. The party is composed of himself,
one Orc Soldier and one Goblin Archer for each hero, and
one Orc Guard (see page 150 in The One Ring).
BANDITS
The band of bandits that has been providing Radgul with RADGUL ATTRIBUTE LEVEL
prisoners and victims is larger than just the few encountered Vengeful, Wily
in their makeshift camp in this location. There are multiple 6
groups of them, mostly composed of Hill-men of Rhudaur
looking for an easy profit, scouring northern Eriador for more ENDURANCE MIGHT HATE PARRY ARMOUR
victims they can abduct to trade for more ancient Dwarven
gold.
24 2 6 +3 3
If the Player-heroes take too long exploring the hills COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Orc-axe 3 (5/18, Break Shield),
without making any significant progress, or become Spear 3 (3/14, Pierce)
lost, a group of these criminals could stumble onto
them and try to rob or capture them. Such a group FELL ABILITIES: Great Leap. Spend 1 Hate to attack any
is composed of one Highway Robber for each Player- Player-hero, in any combat stance, including Rearward.
hero, plus two or three Footpads (see page 147 of The Hatred (Hobbits). When fighting Hobbits, all the
One Ring). creature’s rolls are Favoured.
Hideous Toughness. When an attack inflicts damage
to the creature that would cause it to go to zero Endur-
Radgul, the Orc-chieftain ance, it causes a Piercing Blow instead. Then, if the crea-
This wily, sneering and cunning Orc is the chieftain of all ture is still alive, it returns to full Endurance.
the Goblins and Orcs of Mount Gram and is full of his Snake-like Speed. When targeted by an attack,
own plans and desires, which makes him unpredictable. spend 1 Hate to make the attack roll Ill-favoured.
As ambitious as he is fierce, Radgul schemes to become Yell of Triumph. Spend 1 Hate to restore 1 Hate to all
the ruler of all Orcs in northern Eriador, overthrowing his other Orcs in the fight.
rivals, the Orcs of Mount Gundabad.
108

L andmarks
Fort Arlas
There agelong she had dwelt, an evil thing in spider-form…
RUMOUR L ocations
“Fort Arlas was an old fortress built at the time of the kings that What the Player-heroes find once they reach Fort Arlas is a bro-
was taken over by savage Hill-men many years ago. It has changed ken curtain wall, a number of stone houses severely damaged
hands several times between different warlords, as it is known that by fire, and a deep hole right at the feet of a fallen willow tree.
anyone who dwells there for any length of time becomes sombre and The place was recently raided by Dolomedia (see page
melancholic.” 112), who killed many of the Hill-men living in the Fort and
scared off the survivors — she then felled the willow tree and
OLD LORE laid eggs in the hole below it. She came to Fort Arlas expressly
“In an age lost to memory there was a terrible combat between a to do so, drawn by the dark and foreboding atmosphere emanat-
noble Dúnadan and a Great Orc. They fought in single combat for ing from the spot where the remains of the Great Orc Gnarsh
many days and nights until both fell, each slaying the other, on a are located — right among the roots of Arlas, the willow tree.
tall hill rising over the wetlands, under the branches of a willow The whole place is currently half-burned and covered in
tree. Many years later, the Rangers built a fort at the precise spot thick cobwebs. Spiders of all shapes and sizes roam about.
where the combatants’ remains still rest.” They will ignore the Player-heroes unless they start attacking
or get too close to Dolomedia’s eggs.
Background 1. THE FORT

Once upon a time, in the time of the King, a young Dúnadan The fort has a commanding view of the area, and on a clear
named Damrod chased and fought the one-eyed Great Orc day, one can see almost all the Ettenmoors. On a particularly
Gnarsh in the hills of Rhudaur. Damrod was part of a group clear and sunny day, someone with the talents of an Elven
of travellers who were murdered by the Orc one night, as scout should be able to see from Mount Gram to the outskirts
they camped. Damrod was the only survivor, and fled into of the Trollshaws, and over to the Dwarven domains on the
the marshes on the northern bank of the Hoarwell. Once westernmost side of the Misty Mountains.
recovered, the surviving Dúnadan became the hunter and A tall and once-sturdy curtain wall protects a number of
pursued the monster relentlessly. locations and outbuildings. A raised walkway runs along the
When Damrod finally managed to catch Gnarsh they outer wall, to allow sentinels to spot potential threats and raise
fought for days on end. Eventually, both combatants were an alarm. There are also three big two-story houses with walls
exhausted, but Damrod was on the brink of death, bleeding of stone; at the time of the Dúnedain, two families used to live
from many wounds. The fight had taken them up a tall hill, in each of the houses, with each family occupying a separate
where Arlas, the tallest and oldest willow tree in all of Eriador, story while sharing some common rooms. The fort housed
rose. It was under its boughs that Gnarsh swung his club at several farm animals to feed the population there, a water res-
Damrod in a final sweep, only to see the swing parried by Dam- ervoir, and a dry store full of cereal, dried meat and vegetables.
rod’s sword at the last moment. In the manoeuvre, Damrod The largest building is a barracks, capable of housing up
broke his blade, but trapped the club in a lock. Both com- to 20 men in its large hall. There is a large bell on the rooftop
batants were weaponless for a split second, but Damrod was that was meant to be rung from the centre of the main room
quicker to recover — he drew his dagger and plunged it deeply if necessary. In order for the bell to be rung nowadays, the
into an open wound in the monster’s chest, piercing his heart. Player-heroes will need to climb to the rooftop (if rung, the
Both fighters fell dead on the spot, still gripping their bell can be heard for many miles around, and will attract both
weapons, upon the welcoming roots of Arlas. the Hill-men who survived the attack and Dolomedia herself).
Long after their duel, the Rangers of the North built a There is a central open area, with the giant willow tree
fort on top of the hill and named it Fort Arlas. From there, named Arlas in the middle of it. This was originally used
they patrolled the marshes of the Ettenmoors. Eventually, the as a training ground for troops, but now the tree has been
fort was abandoned, and tribes of Hill-men have made them- brought down. It rests on top of one of the barracks, a large
selves at home behind its sturdy walls ever since. hole opening right beneath it.
109

CHAPTER 3
JOURNEY EVENTS piece of dry land, surrounded by dandelions and

Player-heroes exploring the lone-lands along the course mosquitoes.
of the northern Hoarwell can have some interesting She is about sixty years old, and used to be
encounters… an adventurer in her youth. She led a company of
heroes that protected the inhabitants of a group
of farmsteads a few miles west of the Last Bridge.
Balder the Boatman She had a husband and a daughter but she lost
Balder is a simple man with a simple job. He owns a them both to a Hill-m en raid. She speaks Dwar-
boat, and spends his days fishing up and down the vish, but mistrusts Dwarves. She has never seen
River Hoarwell and its tributaries. If the Player-heroes Hobbits or Elves before, but knows of their exis-
meet him, they can ask Balder to give them passage tence and is curious to meet them in this latter
north from the Last Bridge, or any point in between part of her life.
that the Loremaster deems appropriate, through the Hildilid can tell the Player-heroes about her life
marshes, to within walking distance of Fort Arlas, just in the swamps over the last 20-odd years. She tells
hours away from it. He can tell them how to survive them about the dangers, and if asked specifically,
in the wetlands and about some of the risks. she once saw Dolomedia roaming in the swamps
Once the journey has started (maybe a day after from a distance (see page 112). She can also tell
departure) Balder will tell the Player-heroes that stories of will-of-the-wisps and ghosts; half of these
they can spend the night before their final day of are fiction, and the rest are just half-truths, but
travel in the dwelling of Hildilid, an old friend who entertaining nonetheless.
he brings food and supplies on occasions when his Hildilid is not particularly inclined to travel with
ferry passes by her hut. the Player-heroes or act as an adventurer again, but
if they can persuade her she might perform one last
OCCUPATION: Boatman heroic deed. She is not aware that Norwinda, the
daughter she lost long ago, is still alive and is now
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Generous, Rustic the leader of the Hill-men tribe that has recently
been driven away from Fort Arlas (see page 113).
Hildilid the River-hag OCCUPATION: Old adventurer, Wise-woman

Hildilid is a good character, although everything
around her suggests she is a witch living in the mid- DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Stern, True-hearted
dle of nowhere. She lives in a humble hut on a tiny
2. THE HOLLOW UNDER THE TREE cats, a dead goat and even a living small pig (Garaldon, the
If the Player-heroes lean out to gaze into the hollow, warm, Hill-men’s beloved mascot — if they manage to deliver it
pestilent air rises in their faces. From above, the hole looks alive back to them, that can lead to an interesting moment).
like a twisted maze of vines and roots, covered in wet moss Larger Spiders lie in wait, ready to assault the Player-
and dripping spiderwebs. The eggs that Dolomedia laid are heroes if they get too close to the brood. The smaller Spiders
in the hollow below. The air there is almost unbreathable, cannot trouble the Company much, but they will immediately
as the heat produced by the quivering eggs smothers any rush to alert Dolomedia if the Player-heroes get too close to
Player-heroes climbing down. Small spiders take care of the the eggs, using strands of spiderweb to swiftly ride the wind —
nest, containing about a dozen melon-sized eggs, ready to if this happens, Dolomedia will leave her lair in the marshes
hatch at any moment. There are silk cocoons surrounding immediately and reach Fort Arlas in less than one hour (see
the monster’s eggs, containing fresh animals of various sizes: Dolomedia’s Lair, below).
110

L andmarks
CURSED BONES: If the Player-heroes inspect the bottom of the

LARGE SPIDER ATTRIBUTE LEVEL fallen tree, they discover that the bones of a tall Man and a
Pitiless, Swift Great Orc lie intertwined within the maze of roots and vines.
4 They still hold in their hands the weapons they used to fight
each other, a gigantic club and a broken sword.
ENDURANCE MIGHT HATE PARRY ARMOUR In the mannish skeleton’s left hand is a long dagger, still
stuck among the powerful ribs of the dead Great Orc. If the
12 1 4 — 2 Player-heroes untangle the roots to recover the dagger, they
draw the attention of the shade of Gnarsh, the Great Orc that
COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Fangs 3 (4/14, Pierce), was killed by that blade (see page 113).
Webs 4 (—, Seize)
3. DOLOMEDIA’S LAIR
FELL ABILITIES: Great Leap. Spend 1 Hate to attack any Dolomedia hides in a half-sunken cave under a small hill at
Player-hero, in any combat stance, including Rearward. a distance of about 20 miles from Fort Arlas. The entrance is
Poison. If an attack results in a Wound, the target is guarded by thousands of small spiders that will alert Dolome-
also poisoned (grievous Endurance loss; see The One dia as soon as the Player-heroes get near. The place is drowned
Ring, page 134, for the effects of poison). in water, waist-deep for a Man or Elf. The ground below the
Snake-like Speed. When targeted by an attack, water is uneven and will make walking quite uncomfortable.
spend 1 Hate to make the attack Ill-favoured. The Player-heroes will stumble into rotten corpses, mostly
Thick Hide. Spend 1 Hate point to gain (2d) on a animals but some Men too, lying under these stinking waters.
Protection roll. A few yards in, spiderwebs make further progress difficult.
The whole cave is dark.
Barracks
FORT ARLAS
111

CHAPTER 3
DOLOMEDIA’S LAIR
The main passage leads to a small water-

fall. Hidden behind this is a passage leading
into Dolomedia’s lair; a cavern barely 10 by
10 yards, full of the dry and rotten remains of
her victims. Dolomedia will lie in wait for the
Player-heroes here, where they will have difficulty
moving about.
If the Company overcomes Dolomedia in her lair, they

are rewarded with the discovery of a Greater Hoard,
accumulated by the patient Spider-thing across the
centuries.
Schemes and Trouble

DOLOMEDIA ATTRIBUTE LEVEL
Cunning, Cruel
9
Dolomedia, ENDURANCE MIGHT HATE PARRY ARMOUR
the Monstrous Water Spider
Dolomedia is a creature of myth, many ages old, spawned
70 2 9 — 3
from the belly of the seventh daughter of Ungoliant. Her
bulbous body is covered in white spiky hair, with two dark COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Fangs 3 (6/16, Pierce),
grey streaks running over her back from her head to the Webs 4 (—, Seize)
tip of her abdomen. Her body is full of bald spots where
water Spiders of similar appearance and different sizes FELL ABILITIES: Hate Sunlight. The creature loses 1 Hate at
constantly run over wet pustules. She is taller than a war- the start of each round it is exposed to the full light of
horse, and much longer. She is at home both on the sur- the sun.
face and underwater, and has made the swamps of the Hideous Toughness. When an attack inflicts damage
Ettenmoors her hunting grounds and home. to the creature that would cause it to go to zero Endur-
The creature lives in the wetlands, but constrains her- ance, it causes a Piercing Blow instead. Then, if the crea-
self to very limited activity. She hunts for food fiercely for ture is still alive, it returns to full Endurance.
a short time every few years, and then rests in slumber Great Leap. Spend 1 Hate to attack any Player-hero,
in her flooded refuge. She has learnt to stay away from in any combat stance, including Rearward.
large gatherings of Men, unless pressured to do otherwise. Poison. If an attack results in a Wound, the target is
She is a dark and powerful monster, whose longevity is also poisoned (grievous Endurance loss; see The One
explained by her prudence in threading the path of Men. Ring, page 134, for the effects of poison).
Dolomedia spawns Spiders both small and large on Snake-like Speed. When targeted by an attack,
a regular basis, but to give birth to a creature as marvel- spend 1 Hate to make the attack Ill-favoured.
lous and terrible as herself is something that only happens Thick Hide. Spend 1 Hate point to gain (2d) on a
once every hundred years, and then only if she finds the Protection roll.
perfect spot for the eggs to mature. This is just what she Thing of Terror. At the start of the first round of
did in Fort Arlas, a site she deemed worthy of her noble battle all Player-heroes in sight gain 3 Shadow points
offspring. If allowed to mature, the eggs will give birth to (Dread). Those who fail their Shadow test are daunted
a terrible brood of monsters the likes of which have not and cannot spend Hope for the rest of the fight.
been seen in Eriador in centuries…
112

L andmarks
NORWINDA AND THE LAST The spectre of Gnarsh haunts anyone who comes
HILL‑MEN FROM FORT ARLAS to possess the dagger that killed him. He appears
Norwinda is Hildilid’s daughter, even though she would not once every moon, when the night is black like the
recognize her at first glance. She is 30 now, and has a daughter one on which the Orc was killed, and attacks the
and two sons of her own. Her husband, Leiknir, was wounded bearer of the dagger and all those who are with him.
escaping from Dolomedia. He is still a good warrior, but not
as strong as she is, especially in his current condition. Gnarsh cannot be killed, and will continue to haunt
Norwinda is the current leader of the Hill-men who lived the Player-hero again every moon, until the dagger is
in Fort Arlas; while not born a Hill-woman herself, she grew destroyed — when this happens, the curse will be lifted.
up among them. Now that the established leaders of the tribe
have been killed or maimed by Dolomedia, she has risen to GNARSH ATTRIBUTE LEVEL
the occasion and taken on the responsibility of protecting Brutal, Vengeful
the survivors. 7
Soon after they were driven from Fort Arlas, Norwinda
realised that the Spiders were not chasing them. She gath- ENDURANCE MIGHT HATE PARRY ARMOUR
ered her people and her surviving family around a primitive
shelter in the swamps to recover. She won’t relinquish her
28 2 7 +3 3
responsibility until everyone is safe.
Norwinda is not willing to put anyone else at risk, but COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Orc-club 3 (8/14, —)
she has asked a couple of warriors of her folk to return and
check the situation at Fort Arlas. She will wait for the best FELL ABILITIES: Deathless. Spend 1 Hate to cancel a
moment to return home, and maybe the Fort’s bell sound- Wound. When an attack inflicts damage to the crea-
ing through the mist is the signal to rally the last survivors to ture that would cause it to go to zero Endurance, spend
reclaim their home. 1 Hate to bring the creature back to full Endurance
wielding a magical weapon enchanted with spells for
Gnarsh, the Great Orc either the Bane of the Undead or the Bane of Orcs.
This monster was a feared commander and warrior who Hatred (owner of the dagger). When targeting
killed hundreds with his club. Belonging to a superior the owner of the dagger, all attacks by Gnarsh are
breed of Orc, Gnarsh was an incarnated servant spirit. Favoured.
When he was slain by a mere young mortal, the spirit Horrible Strength. If the creature scored a Piercing
could not find rest. He lingered in confusion among Blow spend 1 Hate to make the target’s Protection roll
the hills of Rhudaur for centuries, but was drawn to Ill-favoured.
Fort Arlas once again when Dolomedia uncovered his Snake-like Speed. When targeted by an attack,
remains. spend 1 Hate to make the attack roll Ill-favoured.
113

CHAPTER 3
The Ranger-
haven
“Well, here is our refuge,” said Faramir. “Not a place of great ease,
but here you may pass the night in peace.”
RUMOUR Angle, though they fear Men and have become so quick and
“The homeland of the Rangers lies to the east of Eriador, beyond stealthy that not even a Ranger can catch them).
the Last Bridge. I don’t rightly know where, exactly, but it’s some- A casual traveller — or scouting Orc — passing through
where in that wild land over the river. Some of those Rangers are the Angle would not know the Rangers dwelt here. Their
unnatural tall, to my mind, and you know who else lives beyond homes here are built in imitation of Rivendell — they dwell
the river and is taller than Big Folk? Trolls, up the Trollshaws. in steep-sided valleys sheltered from view, or in isolated farm-
I’m not saying Rangers are half Troll, but I ain’t not saying it steads, or in secret caves. There are no towns or villages here,
either, eh?” no roads save the Road that marks the northern boundary
of the Angle, and few major landmarks of any kind. Only
OLD LORE ancient ruins might tell an unwary wanderer that this place
“Few now remember them, yet some still go wandering, sons of for- was ever inhabited.
gotten kings walking in loneliness, guarding from evil things folk It is a strange place, this Angle. On one level, it is one of
that are heedless. The Land of the Rangers lies in the Angle made the strongholds of the Free Folk, a defensible bulwark inhab-
by the meetings of the rivers Hoarwell and Loudwater. Now, this ited by the descendants of the Men of Westernesse and bol-
land is beyond the traditional borders of the old kingdom; it was stered by their friends the Elves. Orcs and Trolls fear to cross
part of the land of the Elves, but doubtless they have all gone West into the Angle, lest they be slain by ‘ghosts’ or ‘mischance’.
over the Sea and left Middle-earth behind.” Here, wanderers have their home and kinfolk, and can rest
in relative security. At the same time, though, the Dúnedain
Background
can never forget that they are the last survivors of a ruined
kingdom, that the forces that destroyed their homeland are
After the fall of Arthedain, last of the north-kingdoms, the still hunting them, and that one mistake — a careless word
descendants of the Númenóreans became a wandering peo- let slip to a traveller, a hearth-fire seen from afar, an heirloom
ple, patrolling the borders of their lost domain. The Chief- worn too openly — might bring disaster down not only on
tains of the Dúnedain were, by long tradition, fostered in the oneself, but on all one’s friends and kin. With no small cause
house of Elrond Half-elven in the hidden valley of Rivendell, are the Rangers stern and grim.
and in time the lands around Rivendell became the customary
ocations
home of those Dúnedain who did not go ranging — the very
old and the young, those with child, and so forth. L
Eventually the Dúnedain moved south, into the land This section presents the land that the Rangers of the North
called the Angle between the two rivers. Partly, this move call their home. Hardly the destination of adventurers explor-
was to ensure the secrecy of Rivendell — although by now the ing the lone-lands of Eriador, it may prove useful if the Com-
Eye of the enemy was trained on Gondor and the Witch-king pany includes one or more Rangers, or if their patron is Gil-
had left the north, still there were Orcs and watchful things raen the Fair (see The One Ring, page 218).
in the mountains, and a gathering of too many folk might
have given away the location of the Hidden Valley. Partly, too, 1. THE BARROW OF ARANARTH
the Angle was deemed a fair land. This region is bountiful, By custom, the kings of the north were interred in stone
made fertile by the flood plains of the two rivers. In times past, tombs, as their forefathers were in Númenor of old. Pyres
other folk dwelt here — long long ago, the Men who lived in were for heathen kings, and it was only in the fading years
these lands were associated with the Dwarves of Moria, and of Cardolan and Rhudaur that they took to the custom of
the orchards and tilled fields of the Angle fed the hungry barrow-burial. In Arthedain, the practice of laying the kings
smiths and miners. Many centuries later, the land was inhab- to rest in stone continued until the fall of the kingdom.
ited by Stoor-hobbits, who delighted in the streams and rivers Now, Arvedui Last-king perished at sea, and his son Ara-
of the place. (Some Stoors may still linger in the south of the narth became the first chieftain. Knowing that the salvation
114

L andmarks
THE RANGER-H AVEN
u e l - w a t e r The Barrow of Aranarth

1
5
3 The Chieftain’s Lodge
C r
6
The Caves
of Rememberance
2 The Stoor Pool
the Sceptre of Annúminas — given into the care of

Elrond, and Aranarth was buried without any treasures,
save a broken sword and a tattered cloak.
The subsequent chieftains were mostly laid to rest
in the Caves of Remembrance (page 116), so the barrow
stands alone. By custom, it is a gathering-place for the Dúne-
dain; they come here when weighty matters must be discussed,
4 Erthad Celyn
or a new chieftain acclaimed.
2. THE STOOR POOL

The Stoor Pool lies on a bend on the river Loudwater. It’s a
tranquil stretch of water, silty and slow-flowing, fringed with
a lush growth of reeds. The Rangers keep boats here, hardy
canoes and river-boats that can navigate the rivers all the way
down to the ruined port of Lond Daer. Hidden in the rushes
is a sacred stone, a flat slab that is marked with ancient runes.
Some of the first explorers from Númenor who travelled
of his people lay in secrecy, Aranarth ordained upriver into what was then the wild woods marked the stone,
that he should be buried in a barrow when he died. and the bones of one of the explorers are interred beneath
Partly, this was for the eyes of outsiders: it was a sign that it. The bones have long since rotted, but something of her
no great king was buried here, so the folk of this land could spirit remains. It is said that those who would see Númenor
not be Númenórean. It was also an admonition to his people may sleep on her grave, and if they are lucky, they will be
to be humble — they were lords of the West no more. In fur- blessed with a vision of the isle in its days of glory. Unlucky
ther token of this, he had the heirlooms of his House — the souls may be cursed with a desire to go to Sea, or a nightmare
Ring of Barahir, the Shards of Narsil, the Star of Elendil and of the Downfall that haunts them for the rest of their days.
115

CHAPTER 3
3. THE CHIEFTAIN’S LODGE 5. CRUEL-WATER

The chieftain of the Dúnedain is, by custom, fostered by On the western side of the Angle, not far from the Last
Elrond of Rivendell; once the chieftain comes of age, they Bridge, is the stream called Cruel-water. It does not look like
lead the Rangers in their lonely vigil across the ruins of the much — a fast-flowing little river in a steep stony defile —
north. Few spend much time in the Angle, not until their long but an evil spirit dwells in the stream, and has taken the lives
lives are spent and they can no longer travel in the Wild as of more than a few travellers. Cruel-water has many tricks
they once did. The Chieftain’s Lodge, therefore, is more of a to play on the unwary — it might lure victims with dreams,
ceremonial house than an actual home; it is the last remnant or appear shallow and easy to ford just before it unleashes
of the court of Arnor. a swift flood, or catch them with choking weeds. Some
The Lodge is no great palace; it is a well-made house of travellers report seeing Cruel-water manifest as a beautiful
wood and stone. It is a little larger than other houses of the woman, haughty and vengeful, with a cloak woven from
region, but not noticeably grander. There is, however, an the last breaths of all she has murdered. Other tales insist
unmistakable aura of sanctity to this place — High Elves, Wiz- that Cruel-water issues from a cleft in the rock along with
ards and the descendants of kings have gathered here, and foul vapours from deep underground, and that the waters
there is power that cannot be wholly concealed. carry some taint that makes them dangerous to drink. The
Hidden beneath the lodge is a secret vault containing Dúnedain avoid the Cruel-water, but it still catches travel-
certain lesser treasures and heirlooms carried out of Fornost lers on the Road.
Erain. Chief among these is the Horn of Eärnil, a war-horn
once worn by the King of Gondor, carved from the horn 6. THE CAVES OF REMEMBRANCE
of one of the great kine of the East. Eärnil sent this horn The location of these caves is unknown even to most Dúne-
north with his messengers in the year 1973 of the Third Age, dain — only those close to the Chieftain of the Rangers
in token of his promise that Gondor would aid Arthedain. are entrusted with the secret path that leads to these caves.
The horn is blown to summon Rangers should foes invade The entrance to the caves is equally well concealed, the
the Angle. opening buried by stones and boulders. Within, a light-
less passage slopes steeply down. Carvings of ancient kings
4. E RTHAD CELYN, guard it, and the Elves who wrought them put power into
THE CASTLE OF MEETING WATERS them; evil things cannot pass by these protective stones,
This castle stands on a group of rocks near the spot where save at great cost.
the waters of the Hoarwell mingle with those of the Loudwa- Follow the passage down as it winds, and the traveller
ter. It is a remarkable sight — the towers are built on stone comes to the burial place of the Chieftains of the Rangers.
bridges and arches that leap from rock to rock, so when the These are simple tombs of stone, unadorned with any mark
river is at full flood in the spring, the fortress seems to be save the Star of Elendil. Fourteen tombs are here, from Ara-
floating on the waters. There has been a fortress here for hael to Arathorn II. The Rangers have not the wealth nor the
many Ages of the world — its foundations were made by the inclination to inter any grave-goods with their dead kings,
Dwarves of Moria in better days, although the towers above although the bodies are wrapped in winding-sheets of shim-
have fallen and been rebuilt many times since by different mering grey woven by the Elves of Rivendell. A side chamber
folk — petty kings, Númenórean explorers, Men of the West, holds two plinths of differing sizes, made in the hope that the
servants of Angmar… lost palantíri of Arnor might one day be found.
Today, Erthad Celyn appears to be nothing but a lonely There is a treasure here, although it is a bitter one. Con-
ruin, although the Rangers keep parts of the fortress in good tinue past the tombs, and a brave explorer comes to a vault
repair, and it could be returned to use quickly if needed. where weapons are laid in store. This arsenal holds weapons
Should enemies invade the Angle and make it impossible for of war — swords, spears, lances, helms and shields, and coats
the Rangers to escape, they could take refuge here. of mail. Most of these blades were made many centuries ago,
However, many among the Rangers dislike the place, for but the caves are bone-dry and the weapons are kept in good
some taint of Angmar lingers here, and the running waters repair, so even the oldest swords are still strong and sharp.
have not yet carried it away. The Rangers do not customarily wear heavy armour, nor do
they carry such weapons openly, and in any case, there are
weapons enough here to equip far more warriors than the
Angle can muster. This arsenal is for the folk of the North-
kingdom should they march to war.
116

L andmarks
Schemes and Trouble

Arasil
SPIES AND UNFRIENDLY EYES In person, Arasil is stern and proud, a haughty noble of
Secrecy is the chief defence of the Angle. The attention of an ancient line. She wears her greying hair long, pinned
Mordor is focussed on the south, but the Enemy has not with an ancient jewel that is an heirloom of her house
forgotten Elendil marching out of the north with Gil-galad, that she displays openly. She dwells in a fine house in the
and the name of Imladris is still whispered in the halls of southern Angle, close to Erthad Celyn, and her house-
the Barad-dûr. A threat from Eriador is unlikely, but can- hold warriors wear her sigil on their cloaks as though she
not be ignored. However, the north is far from Mordor, and were a petty-q ueen. In her youth, she was a close friend
Sauron’s arm has not yet grown so long that he can easily of the sons of Elrond, and certainly those two Elf-lords
find and crush his foes. He knows little of Eriador since the are brash and bright enough to make a mockery of any
fall of Angmar — names like ‘Shire’ or ‘Ranger’ or ‘Hob- fetish for secrecy.
bit’ are wholly unfamiliar to him. Therefore, he must send She might serve as a patron for adventurers, sending
such scouts and spies as he can recruit, foul Beasts and evil them south to Gondor, west to the ruins of Annúminas or
or weak-willed Men. Fornost Erain, or even north-east into the dread land of
The Dark Lord returned to his fortress in Mordor, and Angmar. Alternatively, she might be a foe for the Company,
he assumes that his foes would do the same, so most of if her machinations lead her down the same ruinous path
these scouts prowl around the ruins of Fornost Erain, look- of ambition as the Black Númenóreans…
ing for signs that the warriors of Arthedain have returned.
Others keep watch on the Roads and mountain passes. OCCUPATION: Noble
Only a handful ever come near the Angle — but they must
be swiftly silenced, lest they give away the location of the DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Lordly, Proud
Rangers. If the Player-heroes meet such a spy of Sauron,
the chase is on!
THE RING OF ERTHAD CELYN
THE COMPANY OF ARASIL Legend holds that when the Men of Angmar held the castle
Now Arasil was a kinswoman of Arador, the grandfather of of Erthad Celyn, the ruler of that place was named the Lord
Aragorn, but they rarely agreed on anything. She held that it of Nightmares; in some tales he was a Man, and in others an
was folly for the Dúnedain to linger here in this nigh-empty Orc. All tales agree that he was entrusted by the Witch-king
land, squandering their strength defending ungrateful or with a magic ring — a lesser ring, not a ring of power, but
ignorant folk. She argued that they should go south and still a potent treasure. By means of this ring, he could send
make a new home on the borders of Gondor, accepting the forth his spirit and enter the minds of his sleeping enemies,
authority of that city. “Better it would be,” she argued, “to stealing their secrets or sowing terror. He used this power to
serve in another’s land and live, rather than rotting here in torment his prisoners.
a lost realm and consoling ourselves with tales of the kings When the armies of Gondor came to crush the realm
of old.” For a long time, this was just hollow talk, but then of Angmar, they laid siege to Erthad Celyn. Rather than be
her cousin Arathorn became Chieftain, and died soon after, taken alive, the Lord of Nightmares cast himself into the fast-
leaving the chieftainship resting on young Estel, a boy only flowing river, and his body was never found. Some say the
two years old. ring drowned with him; others say he buried the ring some-
Without a Chieftain, the Dúnedain were ruled by a coun- where in the castle, and that it still sends out nightmares to
cil who met in the Chieftain’s Lodge, and there Arasil’s voice torment those who dwell there. More fanciful tales hold that
was among the loudest. Even now that Estel has taken on his the magic of the ring ensnared its wearer, and that the Lord
true name of Aragorn and the mantle of leadership, Arasil of Nightmares is now trapped in an eternal waking nightmare,
exerts considerable influence among the Dúnedain. She has forcing him to walk the land forever as an Undead ring-wight
gathered a retinue of other Dúnedain who feel as she does. that feeds on dreams.
She would never disobey her Chieftain, but her ambition is
growing, so while Aragorn is away on his errantries, there is
no one to hold Arasil back from, say, making contact with
lords in the southlands and offering them the services of her
men as mercenaries and adventurers.
117

APPENDIX
APPENDIX
The Authorities, it is true, differ whether this last question was a mere
‘question’ and not a ‘riddle’ according to the strict rules of the Game…
Borrowing Items
of Superior Worth
he present section offers a number of optional
game mechanics, for Loremasters and their
groups of players to adopt for their games (or The box on page 79 of The One Ring and the one about Fate
ignore at their discretion!). and Predestination on page 161 explain why extraordinary
items improved with one or more Rewards or Blessings are
Optional Councils
meant to be strictly individual, and cannot be handed over
and Skill Endeavours

for others to use, not even in the case of character death. But
in the books, Sam Gamgee carries Sting for a while, and even
The following paragraphs introduce an optional system wears the One Ring — to reflect such an uncommon occur-
to determine the time limit of Councils and Skill Endeav- rence, this prohibition can be waived in the case of characters
ours, aimed to make complex interactions and tasks more bonded by a particularly strong friendship.
challenging. ♦ If the group agrees, a Player-hero can spend one point
of Fellowship to borrow an item belonging to their
TIME LIMIT FOR COUNCILS Fellowship Focus, be it a useful item or a piece of war
As seen on page 106 of The One Ring, during the Introduction gear enhanced with one or more Rewards or Blessings.
stage, the spokesperson of a Company makes a Skill roll to
determine the total number of attempts that the Player-he- The Fellowship expenditure allows the Player-hero to use the
roes are granted to present their case. Using these optional item for a full scene (see The One Ring, page 126).
rules, the time limit is determined as follows:
Subtle Magic and

♦ If the Introduction Skill roll is a failure, the time limit
the Eye of Mordor

is equal to 3.
♦ If the roll is a success, the time limit is equal to 4, plus
1 for each Success icon ( ) rolled. When is the effect of a Magical success considered to be a
‘blatant display of magical power’, as the rules for the Eye of
TIME LIMIT FOR SKILL ENDEAVOURS Mordor are concerned (see page 169 of The One Ring)? The
As seen on page 132 of The One Ring, the Loremaster sets the Loremaster must adjudicate on a case-by-case basis, as the rule
total number of attempts that the Player-heroes are granted for Magical successes is very flexible — it can cover things as
to complete the endeavour. Using these optional rules, the subtle as blowing animal-shaped smoke rings with a pipe, to
time limit is determined as follows: suddenly disappearing from sight.
♦ If the Company hasn’t enough time to complete the ♦ In general terms, a Magical success achieved using a
task, the time limit is set to 3; Cultural Blessing or Virtue should not be considered a
♦ If the Company has only a short time, the time limit is blatant magical display, while one obtained using a mar-
equal to 4; vellous artefact or wondrous item must be evaluated as a
♦ If the Company has enough time, the time limit is set potential cause for an increase in Eye Awareness, using
at 5; the guidelines presented on page 171 of The One Ring.
♦ If there is plenty of time, the time limit is set at 6 or
more. Magical objects whose power is directly aimed at concealing
their users should not cause an increase, of course (for exam-
ple, a cloak with a blessing of STEALTH ), unless the item is
cursed (for example, it is Hunted, or Owned).
118

APPENDIX
Zoril, Black Númenórean Warlord
119

Index
A Fort Arlas 109–113 O
Agna the Librarian 11 Frecana 42 Old Dwarf-mines, The 52–57
Alis the Singer 84
Amelia Kern 14 G P
Amon Sûl. See Weathertop Gandalf the Grey 82 Palantír 62
Aranwe 76 Ghost Bird, The 20, 95
Arasil 117 Gnarsh 113 Q
Arcinyas the Healer 41 Green Knight, The 84 Queen Nimue 82
Astirion 59–60 Gwilleth the Scout 16 Queen’s Hall, The 21, 79–84
B H R
Balder the Boatman 110 Haldane 83 Radgul 108
Barrow-downs, The 27 Herunen 78 Randur 76
Barrow of Aranarth, The 114 Hildilid the River-hag 110 Ranger-haven, The 114–117
Barrow of Eryn Vorn, The 28 Hill-men 109–113 Roper Grey 12
Barrow People 27 Hill of the Sleeper, The 94–100
Battle of Fornost, The 85 Hill-trolls 89
Beast of the Greyflood, The 48
S
Hjolin 25 Sarn Ford 74
Beast, Terror of Angmar, The 56 Hugh Blackbriar 20 Saruman 40–43
Black Númenóreans 33–39 Hungry One, The 29 Scowle Hill 52
Black Númenórean Sailors 38 Hurin Doorward 83 Shrouded Islets, The 70–73
Black Númenórean Soldiers 38 Hynda Greengrass 29 Singer on the Shore, The 29
Black Númenórean Spies 37 Hynda’s House 28 Skill Endeavour 118
Borrowing Items 118
Snow-wights 57
Braswen the Custodian 60 I Starting Patrons 41
Brethil 75 Ivoch the Boneless 45 Stoor Pool, The 115
Sulrien 75
C J Swanfleet 18–20
Captain Gurnow 15 Jan the Frog 12 Swantown 19
Captain Nerek 36 Johan Fleet 22, 83
Cardolan 26–27
Celerwen 72
T
Chieftains of Dunland 45
K Tembur 46
Kathuphazgân, The 34 Tharbad 3, 7–17
Cirzor 63
Khazad-dûm 49 Tharnow 16
Council 118
Knights of Lond Daer, The 83–84 Thunir Blood-drinker 68
Tom Brass 16
D L Tree-folk 28, 64–69
Dolomedia 112 Tree-folk Warriors 66
Lady Stock 15
Doom of Nenuial, The 72 Tree Men. See Tree-folk
Lake Evendim 70
Dragontower, The 25 Tree of Sorrow, The 64–69
Large Spider 111
Drameth the Houseless 88
Lond Daer 3, 21–23, 79
Drustan the Mercenary 42
Dunlendings 44–48
Lone-lands, The 28–29 U
Lord Mjolin 25 Usapthon 35
Dwarf-halls of Harmelt, The 24–25
Lord of the Lash, The 37
E
Lorn Gurnow. See Captain Gurnow W
Lug. See Lord of the Lash, The Walker in the Darkness, The 48
Eater of Ghosts 46
Weathertop 90–93
Edris of Lindon 62
Elendil stone, the 62
M White Towers, The 58–63
Magolach 35 Wise-women, The 95
Elostirion 61–63
Malanteth’s Sword 55 Woleth of Orthanc 61
Enfys the Fisher 84
Marsh-snakes 100 Wormhill 28
Erthad Celyn 116
Medcaute 19, 95 Wyncross 27
Eryn Vorn 27–28, 64
Milton the Brewer 12
Evil in the Shadows, The 107
Eye of Mordor, The 118
Minhiriath 28–29 Z
Moria. See Khazad-dûm Zoril 35
Mother Wendreth 20
F Mount Gram 101–108
Falmir Fairbairns 84
Fields of Slaughter, The 85–89
Fighting in the Water 73
N
Nadirion 61
Fisher-folk 29
Nalien of Lindon 86
Flowers of Remembrance, The 87
Norwinda 113
Forgotten Dead 107

1
LANDMARKS
1. The Old Dwarf-mines
2. The White Towers
3. The Tree of Sorrow
4. The Shrouded Islets
5. Tindailin
6. The Queen’s Hall
7. The Fields of Slaughter
8. Weathertop
9. The Hill of the Sleeper
10. Mount Gram 2
11. Fort Arlas
12. The Ranger-haven
Border Lands
Wild Lands
Dark Lands
3
Impassable Terrain
Perilous Area
1 hex = 20 miles

10
7
4
11
12

In the westlands of Eriador, between the Misty Mountains
and the Mountains of Lune, the Hobbits found both Men and Elves.
Indeed, a remnant still dwelt there of the Dúnedain,
the kings of Men that came over the Sea out of Westernesse;
but they were dwindling fast and the lands of their North Kingdom
were falling far and wide into waste.
riador, the lone-lands described in The Lord of the Rings™,

Rings™, comes
alive as never before in this supplement for The One Ring™,
Ring™, the
official tabletop roleplaying game based on the works of J.R.R.
Tolkien. A region often described as deserted becomes a crucible
for adventure, offering many hours of gameplay.
Chapter
♦
♦ Chapter 1: Fog Over Eriador offers a description of the regions that once
were part of the kingdom of Arnor, with a focus on the city of Tharbad.
Chapter
♦
♦ Chapter 2: A Gathering Storm provides the Loremaster with a set of narrative
elements aimed at building a possible future for the land of Eriador as
a whole, including the description of many looming threats, Loremaster
characters and their agendas.
Chapter
♦
♦ Chapter 3: Landmarks adds twelve sites of interest in the style of the one
presented in the core volume. These locations depict both ‘historical’ sites
mentioned in The Lord of the Rings™
Rings™ or The Hobbit™,
Hobbit™, and others that have
been created specifically for the game.
ISBN 978-91-89143-49-4
FLFTOR005
The One Ring,

Ring, Middle-earth
Middle-earth,, and The Lord of the Rings and the
characters, items, events, and places therein are trademarks or
registered trademarks of the Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-earth
Enterprises (SZC) and are used under license by Sophisticated Games
Ltd. and their respective licensees. All rights reserved.
9 789189 143494

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RUINS OF THE LOST REALM

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GR APH IC DESIGN PR OJ EC T M A NA GER

Dan Algstrand, Christian Granath, Niklas Brandt Tomas Härenstam

Francesco Mattioli and Niklas Brandt Robert Hyde / Sophisticated Games

EDITOR EV ENT M A NA GER

Andy Slack Anna Westerling

PR OOFR EADING PR M A NA GER

Brandon Bowling, Lorenzo Perassi Boel Bermann

Francesco Nepitello, Martin Takaichi Doug Shute, Matthew Jowett

978-91-89143-49-4 Standart Impressa UAB

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FOG OVER ERIADOR

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The City of Tharbad

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THE THIRD AGE Cardolan and Rhudaur, Tharbad maintained considerable

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THE PRESENT DAY

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THE SOUTH BANK

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THE MIDDLE ISLAND

THE MIDDLE ISLAND

OCCUPATION: Beer-­maker OCCUPATION: Rope-­maker, Would-­be revolutionary

DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Resigned DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Fierce

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CAPTAIN GURNOW’S RULES THE NORTH BANK

THE NORTH BANK

Tharbad’s best inn (of the two inns in

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OCCUPATION: Retired adventurer, Burglar

DISTINCTIVE FEATURES: Honourable, Lordly

THE COURT OF LORD GURNOW

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OCCUPATION: Town master, Retired outlaw

DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Cunning

Gurnow, Captain of the Haven

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Medcaute and Swantown

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OCCUPATION: Town leader, Retired outlaw

DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Tall

Mother Wendreth, Wise-­woman

OCCUPATION: Town elder, Healer

DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: Patient

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Decline and Resurgence

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The Western Haven

ond Daer of Old

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OCCUPATION: Beer-maker OCCUPATION: Rope-maker, Would-be revolutionary

Mother Wendreth, Wise-woman

OCCUPATION: Lord of the Dwarf-hold

Hjolin, Dwarven Lore-master

The Fisher-folk of the Shore

The Ship Kathuphazgân

COMBAT PROFICIENCIES: Broad-bladed sword 3 (4/16,

The Hunt for Ring-