Ok then! Long story short- Darvan, you are being brought into this as well, which is what the King wanted to talk to you about, whilst Ellothiel ends up tagging along because the Prince has taken a fancy to her- not that the prince knows about the investigation, but he is insnsting that Darvan stay by her to show her the ropes.
Ok, here is the list of things so far!
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The Suspicion List
The following things have convinced the King of the existence of a traitor
- The exact location of the Princess' convoy was known by the enemy in the first story. But not mystically known- the message telling all was being brought by a messenger into Rhudaur. The players in the first story intercepted the messenger, but not before he informed the Orcs.
- The identity of a 'plain clothes' Gondorian agent amongst the Cardolani refugees was also exactly known. An apparently rnadom attack on a refugee camp in the first story was actually an elaborate assassination of this agent. From this, the Orcs were able to get details of a large Mithril shipment coming from Gondor to Arthedain. Aside from being significant in being the first sign of goodwill that Gondor has shownb the North in a long time, this showed that there seemed to be little going on in Arthedain that the Orcs did not know about- yet they did not know all, as they had to get the information from the Gondorian agent, they didn't simply know where the shipment was
- The Witch King knew in advance about Baranar, senbding the plague and the small army to distract you all there, whilst his true plan was to destroy the fortress to the North. This required extremely good timing and an intimate knowledge of Arthedain military arrangements.
Only someone on the Council had the information necessary to give away all these things,. it is unlikely to be Gorlim or Farael, who were actually present at some of these evtns and so a. would not have had the opportunity to betray, having to be there and b. would be unlikely to have put their own lives in such danger by betrayal. Still, be as paanoid as you like.
Gorlim is ruling out either of the Princes as too absurd a suggestion, but they are Council members. Gorlim will help arrange things for you- remembert, you have no official power. Talking of which, remember to be polite to the lords, who are extremewly powerful people.
Arvedui has not exactly ruled himself out, but you have to admit it is unlikely to be him.
Other entanglements going on right now involve the construction of a new Northern army. New commanders are needed for both the Eastern and Northern armies, the North being the bigger job.
There are still great debates about whether Arthedain should be aggressive or defensive against the Witch King. The destruction of the fortress, by the way, is the first genuine act of war from the Witch King in a very long time, which has put this debate to the forefront.
A new strategy to fight the enemy is now being designed. The traitor must know that his existence is known (especially after Vardalain's 'accident'😉, but will be hanging around to get the new strategy. Find him first!
Meanwhile, the Tournament is a good place to get xp, money, and also a reputation around here.
Feel free to go talk to Lords, in moderation, and also to check records at the caslt-e there is a Heraldic Library which may be of use. Also, try looking at the maps to get a feel of the strategic situation.
Ok, the local area. You are in Fornost, at the foot on the North Downs at the top there.
The Weather Hills represent the border with hostile Rhudaur to the East, whilst the East/West road represents the southern border with Cardolan.
Arthedain itself goes on for a long way Noreth and West off this map, as Cardolan goes on for a long way south. Rhudaur goes on for a littlw way North, and then becomes Angmar, in the mountains.
You can see Rivendell on the far east of the map.
The refugee camp was attacked just off the road, a little underneat the 'r' of 'Midgewater'
Baranar is at the southeast corner of the South Downs, overloooking the North/South road.
The Princess' convoy was attacked on the road, to the left of the 'C' in 'Chetwood'.
The lost fortress was just off the North of this map, on the Rhudaur border.