Eldanar Revisited

[tomcat]

And so it was decided.

With the morning sun already approaching noon, Madoc and Durgil marched quietly through the golden fields. The Company was left behind with the intention that they meet up again when the night came, bringing the horses east. A visual landmark was chosen in the far distance to determine the direction for the riders to follow so as to find their friends.

The two walkers scanned the wide plain around them. The land was empty save the wild creatures that lived here. There was a time when homesteads could be found this far north - Dúnedain or Eriadorian dwellings and farms. The land was hard here. The tall grass of the Udanoriath was rugged and found the rocky soil a good place to grow, but cultivating other crops was difficult. So, the farmers of old relied both upon crop and livestock - great herds of sheep and cattle became abundant. So it was that Eldanar was built on the very northern fringe of the old lands of Arnor... then the Shadow came.

Durgil shook his head and brought his attention back to the present. There was nothing to be seen. He wished for a moment that he had had the Sindar join him, for the Elf's eyes could see far beyond them all, but that decision was past. He judged their location based on his memories of being here... they were still well beyond a day's travel to the old keep.

Celdrahil stooped low to the ground and could see the hoof prints of many animals. Not far away, Edrahil, Fengel and Dirnhael also milled about while listening to the Angmarim as he recounted his tale. There were no dead bodies hidden within the grass. There were no dropped weapons. If some of Camentir's men had engaged the northmen out of Caer Beldwyn, and if any had been slain, then their prisoner was correct in saying that they left with the Dark horsemen, taking weapons and all.

Dirnhael looked over his shoulder. Not far to the east sat the ruin where he had almost perished. With these same companions, they had faced the might of Scatha and prevailed. The dragon had reduced the once proud fortress to near rubble. It would offer little defense to any that might now try to sit on the high seat within the inner bailey.

If they were able to discreetly approach, the broken walls would offer many places to hide.



I know we have done a good deal of dialoguing and it is not necessary to do much more, but feel free to add as you wish. Also let me know if there is a certain thing your PC is doing - skill check, or whatever. I have attached the map... the red dots are where you are for both the walkers and the waiters.

[Telcontar]

  Celdrahil has a few skills that might come in handy while observing the site. Siege-craft (Ambush) +5, and Observe (spot) +8

I'll use Ambush to locate the attack site, either through evidence or reading the terrain to explore likely ambush spots and Observe to see if the dead leave any trail.

Ambush

Rolled 2d6+5 : 6, 3 + 5, total 14

Spot

Rolled 2d6+8 : 2, 4 + 8, total 14

[GandalfOfBorg]

"Well this is disappointing," the young noble mutters, mostly to himself.  He strained his senses to see if there was anything more to be found in the stark and lonely expanse.

Observe (Spot) Roll(2d6)+5: 6,1,+5 Total:12
Observe (Hear) Roll(2d6)+5: 3,2,+5 Total:10

[tomcat]

Only the sound of the wind was heard, though Durgil was sure there was a sad cry that hung upon it. Fortunately, it was not the biting freeze of winter, too. The nobleman gestured to Madoc and they once more began to move. They had a lot of land to cover to get to the location of their anticipated meeting with their companions.

The scene of the ambush also bore little fruit. Celdrahil and his friends saw little in the way of signs and if the dead did leave a mark, it had been trampled over by the horses that milled about. After some time, they decided it best to move on. They wanted to cover the distance that the walkers were now surveying and get to the new location, closer to Eldanar.

The Angmarim warrior nervously took his own road. Fear of the unknown hung on his shoulders, as well as fear of betrayal from the men who had captured him. Edrahil watched him until he had disappeared beyond his Elven sight.

And so it was that three more days passed in this fashion. The travel had become slower due to the advance scouting on foot, but it was effective... perhaps. At least no threats revealed themselves.

It was during this last day of advance movement that things began to change. Though it was mid of summer, the temperature began to fall; not to the bitter of winter, but to a cold that seemed to claw to the very bone and nothing, neither sun nor cloak could drive the chill away. The sun began to hide itself behind large, dark omnious clouds that swept down from the north. And finally, a pungent, sickly sweet smell of death was evident on the breeze.

Madoc and Durgil moved east. They made a southerly trek to bring them close to the ruins of Eldanar on its south side - the side on which the gates and drawbridge had once faced. The noble wondered if anything of the walls or the inner bailey still stood. Behind them, continued their friends upon horse, trotting slowly enough to keep them within eyesight of the Sindar.

Durgil noticed the change in the landscape first. It was like he remembered, a great bowl-shape in the Udanoriath that opened out for a great distance around the castle. On its far eastern side, three hills rose higher than the plain around the depression, upon which they stood. It was on these hills that the first forest was to be found since they left Arthedain. It was not vast, but it would have provided a good source of wood for those that had resided in Eldanar so long ago.

They looked down onto the lower plain and it appeared as if it were frozen. Not by the bite of frost, but in time itself. The grass was the same golden brown, but there were tracks upon the field made by many marching feet over time that the passed seasons never grew in. Madoc peered farther north and east and beheld the stone structure of Eldanar. If it had ever been magnificent, it could not be said that now. The Dúnedain had built the castle and he was very familiar with the grandness of things they engineered - Tharbad was a testament of Dúnedain skill. But even that place was now a broken ruin, its grandeur lost in time.

Madoc could see far off the dark water of a moat that wrapped around the broken walls and an inner bailey or manse. From the distance it too looked dillapidated. There was a dark shadow on Eldanar and the man felt the cold fingers of panic clawing to reach his heart. He knew that if it were his choice, he would not enter here... but it was not his choice. He rallied his courage and looked to Durgil who also wore a brave face.

From their vantage, Edrahil watched as the two men lowered themselves to the ground. "They have come to within sight of Eldanar."



The two men are approximately 1 mile from the castle. The depression that surrounds Eldanar is about a mile and a half in diameter, so Eldanar sits up to the north and eastern side of the bowl. The north slopes of the depression are far less steep than to the south, where you guys are. It is not dangerously steep, but a careful climb on horeback (so not to throw a leg) and roughly about 30' from top to bottom. The remaining company is about two miles off - well within eyesight of Edrahil.

[Nolmir]

Madoc cursed quietly. "We have come to our destination, I suppose, though I wish it were not." He inhaled deeply and set his jaw. "At least, if a foe truly resides here, the castle won't be of too much help for them in defense." The thought was not very reassuring.

[GandalfOfBorg]

"Well we didn't come this far to just to sit on the doorstep... shall we proceed and see what has come of this place?" encouraged Durgil as much as he could.  "Now's the time for it while the sun still shines."

Stealth (Sneak) - Roll(2d6)+6: 5,3,+6 Total:14
Stealth (Hide) - Roll(2d6)+6: 1,5,+6    Total:12

[Telcontar]

Celdrahil reined up his horse as they drew close.
"Now is the time for our scouts to draw the bit into their mouths and see what it is that they may find. This place has the sweet reek of the enemy about it. An ill feeling assaults my bones and an unjustified weariness saps my strength."

Celdrahil paused in the saddle as he saw the shadow land before him. His face showed no fear but it grew weary and lined, perhaps it took on the likeness of a common man who bore the same years of life that the Prince of Ithilien bore. An unnatural stiffness covered his movements as the dark substance of the place assaulted his very core.

His armaments of war were slung at his side, spear and shield in easy reach and he itched to draw them. Edrahil felt the same illness when in close proximity to the enemy, but he was perpetually surprised by the Dunedain sensitivity to the same things as members of the Second born. The Gondarian lowered his lance and gazed at the broken stone keep.

"Auta i lómë" Looking at his companions he switched to the common tongue, "Day shall come, the blood of the west knows its foes.

"O Elbereth! Gilthoniel!
We still remember, we who dwell
In this far land beneath the trees,
Thy starlight on the Western Seas."

The words rolled off of his tongue and this son of the Elendili drew courage and strength from them. His armor grew lighter and the sword in his hand felt faster.

"We wait for Durgil and Madoc and then by the light of the moon and stars we remind our foe that the lords of the west and the blood of Elendil has not grown weak. The night is not theirs, for it is in the dark of night that Elbereth shows her beauty and grace. Day or night, the West is on our side."

[sdrotar]

Dirnhael observed the mens' approach with trepidation. Though the castle itself was but a shadow of its former self, the depression it sat in ensured that once they were near it, any fight to get out would be an uphill one.

"These lands are too quiet," he whispered to Edrahil. "Something haunts this place; dead or alive."

He gripped Vorandur's hilt, tighter than he had intended.

[Nolmir]

Madoc nodded as he strung his bow and followed his Dunedan companion closer to Eldanar, doing his best to stay hidden within the grass.

Stealth (Sneak)

Rolled 2d6+9 : 4, 2 + 9, total 15

Stealth (Hide)

Rolled 2d6+7 : 5, 2 + 7, total 14

[tomcat]

Okay, I just want to clarify what it is you guys are doing...

Per your plan, you wanted Madoc and Durgil to advance towards Eldanar on foot. The rest of the companions would follow on and meet up with each other at the end of the day. So, this said, I have the two walkers finally approaching the depression in which the castle sits with the others closer now - staying within eyesight of Edrahil. Well, the eyesight of Edrahil is up to 10 leagues, which is 30 miles if not blocked. I am not assuming a thirty mile separation between walkers and riders but at least a mile or two.

When Madoc and Durgil start down into the depression, does that mean you guys are going to spur your horses on to catch up - as in what Tom posted? Or is there another plan?

[Telcontar]

  not sure what the plan is at this point either.

[sdrotar]

  How about this: if Durgil and Madoc signal that the coast is clear (enough - not teeming with hordes of Orcs or wildmen), then the remainder of the party joins them. If not, then Durgil and Madoc high-tail it out of there, and the group finds a shady spot to observe where the baddies have come from...

[Telcontar]

  works for me

[Nolmir]

  That works for me as well.

[tomcat]

The signal was given. Edrahil spoke, "Madoc and Durgil move in now... it is clear."

The riders spurred their horses with his words. They had roughly two miles to cover to catch up with the duo. Dirnhael hoped his impetuous, younger brother would do nothing foolish. The sun was overhead somewhere, but the clouds hung low reducing the glow of day to a wan light. It did little to reassure the Men as they rode towards a shadowed ruin.

The descent into the caldera was not treacherous, but the two men were careful to maintain their balance. A fall would not kill, but neither wanted to experience the cuts and scrapes that would come from rolling down the slope. It took but a few minutes and they were once more upon level ground, albeit thrity plus feet below the plain above. With weapons in hand, they began to move across the expanse towards Eldanar.

They kept themselves close to the ground for fear of what might be watching from the walls, but their was little cover to aid them. Slowly the castle began to reveal more of itself. The moat around Barad Eldanar was still there but the bridge to the castle had fallen. It had probably burned away when the dragon Scatha had breathed upon it, taking their friend Lûnduf at the same time. The east wall was gone having also been destroyed by the dragon's arrival. Rubble littered the inner yard of the castle made up of the wall and the small buildings that had fallen. Stones also were scattered on the outside of Eldanar and into the moat forming a natural bridge from one side to the other.

Durgil could see the inner bailey still standing. His mind wandered back to the cold winter three years past when he and these same men had made their last stand against the attacking forces of Angmar, only to be saved by the arrival of the host of Camentir. Now that small castle was the home to a new, unnatural lord.



I need Observe (spot) tests rolled TN 15. The other members of the party may roll, too.

Edrahil
TN 15 Observe (Spot) +4, Keen-eyed +2, Specialty +2[/size]

Rolled 2d6+8 : 6, 1 + 8, total 15

Fengel
TN 15 Observe (Spot) +4, Specialty +2[/size]

Rolled 2d6+6 : 5, 5 + 6, total 16