USH'S LOTR RP Game part 2- The Fortress of Baranar

Gorlim frowns.

The background to the problem is this, as was mentioned in previous times but too long ago for most of you to remember, I think.

Arthedain's defensive stratgey on its eastern front is a series of fortifications; a wall of stone that Witch-King cannot break; dozens of foretrsses each more substantial than Baranar.

But Arthedain is still stretched and needs more available forces to undertake any operations- this is a double pressure, first from those who would seek to take the fight to Rhudaur or even Angmar, and second to use to start protecting Cardolan should the Alliance start to come together, as Cardolan itself is not strong enough to stand.

Centrepiece of the new strategy yhrn was the new fortress of Amon Los, the grandest fortification ever built in Arthedain, a vast citadel that wa the centrepin of the lines to the North and would secure that part of Arthedain for the forseeable future. Years in construction, it was six months away from completion when you left.

"An army of Angmar launched a surprise attack on the unfinished fortress three weeks ago," says Gorlim. "The fortress, and the large portion of the Northern army that guarded it, have been totally destroyed. Our entire strategy has been de-railed; even defeated. And we were unable to send any reinforcements who could get there in time because..." he sighs. "We had sent those forces south to Baranar."

"Already your hopes burn. When word comes, all will see that the lead of the Usurper's line leads only to death."

The Black Orc knew... this was no coincidence. A trick! You have all been outplayed!

"Oh Lord... this is truly disturbing..."

Crap...
"That it is, I would like to go see the king now, we want to lend aid in any way posssible."

hah!....they destroyed the fortress....the bastards!
"what is there left to be done?" asks Vardalain after a few moments of silence

"We'll have to formulate a new strategy. And somehow re-build a fresh Northern army. It won't be easy; fortunately we have more than strength enough to defend ourselves, but a dark shadow has been cast over our future plans. We just don't know how they did it! Damn that Witch-King, sometimes I think he sees and knows ALL!"

Shortly afterwards, you are by the great doors that lead into the throne room.

"That would be impossible, but I think the best conclusion is that someone betrayed you and gave teh witch kind the location of your weak spot."

"Don't be ridiculous," says Gorlim. "No traitor could possibly know that information."

Vardalain is unsure of that

(Ush, did those magic black glass balls, "Palantirs" or smth exist ..uh...now ?)

Absolutely. In fact, Arthedain owns several of them. In fact, Arthedain's entire contribution to the great battle at Weathertop, where Rhudaur was defeated and Cardolan shattered forever, was to turn up in the morning, nick the Palantir that lay at the top of Amon Sul, and bugger off home before the battle started, which saved the Palantir but did not endear them to Cardolan at all- one of the reasons they are distrusting down there.

The Enemy, however, has no such devices. The only other people that do are the Gondorians, although the Elves are known to have their own very rare methods of far sight.

The doors swing open silently from the inside, You may enter now.

Andromir enters the great hall.

(oh...so I guess that rules them out as a source of info for the WK..)

Yea,
I'll enter the king's Chamber too..

Corlindel walks in following the others..

Guards close the great doors behind you. There would normally be fanfares, for an audience with the King, but not today.

The throne room is long, and impressive, but the dark mood that has grown has sullied it somehow; all the grandeur has been sucked out of it.

The King sits on the throne, a hand poised thoughtfully on his chin. Thos of you who have not seen him before- if Viggo Mortensen's brother was dressed up to look like how Viggo did in the films, that is exactly what Arvedui would look like; the same dark hair and intense look. But smooth shaven rather than grizzled, and normally bright and breezy in demeanor, But again... not today.

"You may approach," he says, shifting slightly. "Or... be carried," he says, making reference to those on stretchers.

I'll walk into within about 10 feet and kneel
"Greetings your majesty, I am Paladin. And these are my companions...(introductions) How may we be of service to you?"

Andromir kneels nearby as well...

As Corlindel too..

yep...me too

This is the King's Throne Room, Palidan. You do not speak unless asked.

Arvedui draws in and lets out a deep breath, re-adjusting his crown slightly as he looks slowly along the line at all of you.

"Andromir, Vardalain, Argentis... I am glad to see you well. At least alive. Many good men have died; it is well you have not followd them.

"Much has been happening, I see," he says. "I have been told of the events at Baranar... for your aid to our cause, I give you thanks. But Elves? Casual travellers I think not. I have heard some suggested ideas... I would like to hear the truth of it from your mouths. You are welcome in my Court, at my City, and in my Realm. All sorts are welcome in Arthedain, especially those who would bear arms against the Enemy. But what IS your truth?"

Opps, I was going for the more medival, you greet the king or he chops your head off thing...

"Our truth, The elves, have long removed themselves from the affairs of men, But with the mounting threat of the Witch-king, some of us believe that it is time to rejoin the rest of the world and defeat him, With this the elfin community has become divided. Some favor our past isolationism, and some believe that now is the time to act and dispell the witch-king. I and all my elfin comrads, believe the latter. We have been sent by an elfin council to find if the threat of the witch king, We intend to gather enough evidence to bring back and convince the rest of the elves that now is the time to act."

(Is that good Ush? Kinda confused...)