USH'S LORD OF THE RINGS GAME PART 3- The Tournament and the Traitor

Which is why you shouldn't be in on that part of the plot, Talin, and I would rather you did not take part in it.

"Ominous indeed," says Gorlim, "and from a source that no-one ever knew to be wrong. He had more to say along the same lines, but the essence of the prophecy is clear- there shall be no more Kings of Arthedain. For which there can be only one good reason."

Oh, my bad...I thought I was participating in the right thing to be doing... 😖

(and its NOT because of democracy...)

"That Arthedain will no longer exist after his kingship"

"Absolutely," says Gorlim. "It's a prophecy that has always... 'coloured' policy from the King, to be sure."

Oooo, does that mean an offensive tactic then?

(Defensive I think, trying more self-preserverence)
"So he is trying to thart the prophecy?"

"Well... that's his plan. I would say guide rather than thwart; I think he long accepted that he cannot escape destiny, exactly,. But Malbeth did leave some room for interpretation and... from what I understand... that wizard Gandalf agrees."

Now, you had heard Mithrandir (Elven name for Gandalf) had contact with King Arvedui, and that is unusual. As far as you know, his official contact has been only with Elves for some time.

"Wait, You have seen Mithrandir (Gandalf [for personal reference])? I was under the impression he has only been with Us..."

"Oh no no no, he visits the Court from time to time, to visit the King. He used to talk to Malbeth, actually."

"Really... Interesting, So has he been around anytime recently?"

"No, not for over a year; since Talin arrived, in fact."

Talin- with Dexx still busy with real life, do feel free to poke around with the traitor plotline, Do you want the background to it? I can fill you in all in one go if you wish.

"Interesting."

Well, you seem to have run out of questions for Gorlim, though you are still short of deciphering the background. If you feel awkward just firing policy questions at Gorlim, why not ask about Baranar? You were there, so you can ask all you like! You came in to Baranar halfway- maybe you should learn about the start.

Once you have a firm idea of the game background, we'll start to crack on with the tournament.

Right then let's get the game background done!

Well then, the same point applies to yor good self, Darvan! Why exactly DID Arthedain get caught up in that whole Baranar thingy?

Ellothiel will help in finding out the background....

(which is a good thing for me as I have no clue what happened before, heh)

Good good... well, you were not at Baranar at all. In fact, you have no idea what or where Baranar is. But being a general good guy kind of Elfy-Elf, the nature of Arthedain's resistance to Angmar does hold your interest- as does your surprise to find other Elves here.

Um, yeah - I've been reading, but I'm not really getting any sort of picture, so I can't ask relevant questions!

Well, what you have so far, is all that background stuff I posted earlier, detailing Arnor's long struggle against Angmar, which has recently been heating up again.

In that background, you have been trying to work out their strategy; you know that the Ruling Council is split into Offensive Hawks and Defensive Doves. You know that the recently destroyed fortress of Emblyosse wass meant to be the lynchpin of a defensive strategy, but at the same time, they just poured a load of troops into Cardolan to help garrison Baranar, which would seem odd on a purely defensive strategy, to stretch yourself so.

Then, you have the prophecy of Malbeth the Seer- that Arvedui will be the last King of Arthedain, and so that Arthedain itself will not survive his rule.

Baranar was actually an essential part of his plan, so understand that and you will understand the lot.