Arvedui leads you, Aiwendil, from a back door in his throne room through a number of corridors to a large wooden door, reinforced with steel, to which Arvedui carries the key. Behind it is a set of stairs, which Arevedui takes you up... and up... and up... and up... it is tha tellest tower in the palace. At the top is an even larger wooden door with two heavily-armouted sentinels standing by it, who nod at Arvedui as he produces two more keys to enter inside.
Inside looks disappointing at first- it is quite windy here, as the four walls have open windows in, allowing you quite a view outside. In the middle is a small stone pedestal, with a glass orb- some six inches across- laying on it.
-
Back in the Council Chambers...
"Very well," says Arvedui. "Of course, you people will not be going alone- I shall be sending official representation! Lord Gorlim, this is your hour of glory, I feel."
Gorlim smiles.
"It will be an honour to represent you in Cardolan, sire!"
"I would prefer it if two of my Council went, however," says Arvedui. "You may pick someone to accompany you."
"Hmm, let me see, hmm..." muses Gorlim for a few moments. "I... think... Lord... Annphor!"
Annphor smiles. The more observant of you will have seen Farael mouthing Gorlim's words at the same time he said them, and rolling his eyes when he names Annphor.
(I think Dexx was addressing that second part to me, Fitch)
"Well, everything seems settled then," says Arevedui. "Your escort will be 50 men; enough to keep you safe from bandits and such like, but any more than that and Lord Baronar will wonder what kind of statement we are making when we enter his lands!
"Unless you have any other questions, gentlemen, I suggest you plan for your journey; I would like you to leave tomorrow morning."
-
"This is indeed a Palantir," says Arvedui. "I would be careful about looking too closely at it. I do not know what effect it has on Elvenkind but it always gives me a headache...
"There are three such stones in my charge. One is of limited use; it only looks West; my forefather Elendil used it to look back from the direction he had come form to these lands. Then there was the stone at Arnor's capital, Annuminas, the city founded by Elendil himself. This we brought here after Arnor became split. I feel sorry for Annuminas, it seems shameful to no longer use Elendil's capital, but this is my ancestral seat of power now, and Annuminas is just a small town.
"The third and greatest stone is this one, which we used to keep at Amon Sul, that the Common Men call Weathertop. Amon Sul was destroyed in battle some five centuries ago; my forefathers rescued the stone first but abandoned their fellow armies of Cardolan and Rhudaur to defeat." He sighs. "People are slow to forget such betrayal of trust. The wedges are deep.
"It shows me many things, when I have a mind to use it. I used it also to open contact with the Kings of Gondor. Amazing, almost two thousand years of no contact between Arnor and Gondor and the solution was right in front of every King since Isildur all the time. No-one cared any more, that was the thing. A grave state of affairs- the world should be uniting, not dividing.
"This, then is my seeing tower. Quite aside from the Stone, from here I can see much of the city and a good deal beyond. Do you like the view?"
After the meeting was over Palanfirith went out and found a good spot where he could meditate.You cannot leave in a long travel without beeing fully rested.But before that he checks his gear,weapons and all his stuff to be in perfect order.I'll grab some rope for the trip also.(if anyone want's to talk I'm avaible until I go meditate...)
Ah, rope... who could live without it?
I will remind you guys that one of you has access to a high-quality Rhudaur nobleman's blade you picked up in the last story (Anglomir does not need it as he started the game with a decent sword as part of his background allocation). Whoever wants that can have it.
Fornost is also home to several high quality armouries and merchants. Those of who whose background also implies a certain amount of money (like William (Zink)) may try and buy some decent gear as well. Even if you have bugger all cash (like the Noldor players) you can try and buy some small things, are bug others to do it for you.