Rivendell
"My Lords, this plan has little promise, though it seems like the only way. If indeed a unity does occur, then you shall have my bow in this battle and also my healing powers for those who are struck in the fight." Eliara said confidently.
This is my chance to finally avenge my father's death and to learn more about how humans live. she thought.
Thinking back to her awful vision of how Rivendell would be she knew that she would do her part in helping to protect her home by going with the others and stopping the war before it go too far.
Message to all Mages and Animists
Whilst I struggle to get a working Magic system for you, I noted that in cutting out some elements of the game you guys got a bad deal in level points., Mages and Animists have a couple more points per level to play with now, as listed in the character creation thread, so go check that out and spend your extra points as you wish.
Well, I can now move onto the crutch point. Everyone at Baranar is already ON this mission so you don't need to worry about declaring anything now.
Gandalf will tell those at Rivendell about Baranar. The problem with Arvedui's plan is, of course, that Cardolan is incredibly difficult to unify- very few people even think of 'Cardolan' as existing any more. People would look at Baranar's lands as a seperate country to the lands of the next Lord along.
ALL these Lords would have to accept Arvedui as their King and they are not minded to. Why, after all, would any of them give up rule over their lands to a foreign King from a land they distrust? That's just Arthedain trying to take over again, isn't it?
The effort has to start somewhere. And the focuss has come upon the Fortress of Baranar for several reasons.
1. Considering the hazard in the region of Cardolan close to Arthedain, Baranar is a relatively stable zone. That fortress has made the lands around it safe from the Dunlending raiders that plague Cardolan.
2. Baranar is said to be a leader of merit
3. He has a faint Dunadan heritage which means he looks more legitimate as a leader of men
4. Most importantly of all, he did not outright reject the suggestion when made to him.
So at this moment, there is supposed to be a quiet diplomatic mission to Baranar to convince him to sign up to the Alliance. However, as Vardalain, Palanfirith and Argentis have reported, things have not gone entirely to plan.
Originally posted by Ushgarak
[B]Message to all Mages and AnimistsWhilst I struggle to get a working Magic system for you, I noted that in cutting out some elements of the game you guys got a bad deal in level points., Mages and Animists have a couple more points per level to play with now, as listed in the character creation thread, so go check that out and spend your extra points as you wish. [/B]
ooh!
*runs off*
Personally, I fell asleep last night when I meant to update, bah... anyway, weekend is always a slower time.
-
So then, the final building block in the piece will finally be laid out.
Gandalf will tell those assembled at Rivendell of the problem that Vardalain and Palanfirith and Argentis have brought to everyone;s attention. Baranar is in dire straits, under attack by the Witch-King.
Now, Baranar is many leagues from Angmar. Powerful as the Witch-King is, he cannot send an army to wherever he likes in any part of the world. Baranar should be safe from him. The Witch-King is assembling a small army from all the raiders in the area- certainly enough to be a serious threat, but not enough to take a well-defended fortress like Baranar- especially without siege equipment and the like.
Instead, the Witch-King has added his own personal touch. A plague, sent in the form of a black rain, has infected Baranar and has killed many of its defenders, and sent the rest ill. In its weakened state, Baranar will easily be taken once the army is assembled. Vardalain, Palanfirith and Argentis have made the risky journey back to Rivendell in search of a cure- for this plague cannot be cured by any mundane means; it will take the skill of the Elves- Elrond has provided Vardalain with what he will need.
But even if the cure gets there, if will be by no means a certain victory. People will not be ready for defence all at once. Baranar remains in a precarious position and that is even if the cure gets there- as said, it is not a safe journey.
"What would you have us do?" asks one of the Elves. "Send an army to Baranar? We have alreayd discussed how such a thing is not possible."
"Indeed not," says Gandalf, "and no such thing is asked of you., Such a thing would be pointless for several reasosn. First of all, it would, as pointed out, drag you into a war that you canot at this time fight. Secondly, to supply and move an army over such a distance would take too much time. Baranar would fall first. Thirdly... it is not necessary. Man is not SO weak that he cannot defend himself. An army is alreayd being sent from Fornost to relieve Baranar.
The situation is this- that when the Orcs and Dunlendings laying siege to Baranar realise that this army is coming, they will begin their attack on Baranar at once in the hope of taking it quickly. The undue haste the army from Fornost will put upon them is Baranar's only hope- once the army arrives Baranar will be safe, but that army will fight no battle; the Orcs will either be victorious or defeated by then."
"So why bring this to our attention?"
"Because here is a chance to make a difference," says Gandalf. "Arvedui;s plan of alliance is young and fledgling. Baranar is where it will be planted. The Witch-King knows of this this. He knows this Alliance could be a threat to him. He seeks to destroy it before it starts. He must be stopped. The Elves can send no army. But I see people all around here willing to fight. The peop;e returning to Baranar will need an escort. And Baranar itself will need every Man and Elf on the walls that it can get- and that could reasonably travel there in a small party.
Who, then, would here volunteer to go defend Baranar?"
Here's your cue, new guys...