Relics of the Past

[Rothesay]

Edrahil gazes at the ancient ruin of Eregion with both wonder and sorrow, knowing many of his kin fell in this place. And yet, there is a peace about it.

"The Lord Elrond fought near here in the age passed, at the time the Dark Lord was revealed not as the friend he had disguised himself but as the foe he had ever been." He bent down and touched the stones, running his fingers over them. "They speak of elves still, and not the destruction wrought by hate."

  Does Edrahil know where we are?

Hollin Lore: 

Rolled 2d6+4 : 2, 4 + 4, total 10

[GandalfOfBorg]

Durgil can feel the draw of history, the pull of great beauty and sadness.  There is an air of familiarity here, reminding him of Rivendell, but it is fleeting.  "Edrahil, what is this place?"

[tomcat]

Edrahil could not be certain, and he told them so as he proclaimed that this might be Tir-nîn-dúven.

Much of the lore of Eregion and where its folk lived was lost to time. The destruction by Sauron had been very complete and the flight of the Elves to Rivendell and Lindon had left most of the  knowledge behind. What was known was mostly contained within the memories of the few remaining Noldor that still lived within the realm of Middle-earth, and who had resided or visited the ancient Elven home. Still, Edrahil had done some study on the topic and had traveled the lands of Hollin more than once in his long lifetime, and he knew that the Noldor had built small fortifications - if they could be called thus - along the western fences of their land. Tir-nîn-dúven was more a weigh station for travelers that housed a small contingent of the Elves to keep watch. During the time when Eregion was affluent in the world, there was much trade and travel between the Free-Folk.

It was a much more peaceful time, and so the western guard of Eregion were open settlements of varied sizes that welcomed Númenóreans who would come from Lond Daer in the south, or other Elves that traveled from Lindon. There were the same such stations on the eastern borders where the Noldor made trade with the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm. Edrahil could see by the remaining structures that it was a very open defense and spoke of the good relations between the people.

There was a tall, open gazebo made of marble that now looked skeletal with no roof, which sat on a patio of stone. Underneath it was a broken fountain, though spring water still frothed forth from its spout. Broken structures stood on either side of the patio, which was enclosed by a wall that was mostly tumbled - only its arch entrance still stood to speak of the masons that built it. The two buildings, though roofs broken, still stood on their foundations.

A gust of wind blew and with it came a distant, ghostly chatter of laughter.
I have attached a simple drawing of the western fence guard - it is how it would have looked in its prime.

[GandalfOfBorg]

"Make no mistake, this is a wondrous place indeed but were you, we, drawn here for a reason?" pondered Durgil.

[Rothesay]

"I believe we were drawn here for a purpose, my friends, but what it is remains hidden."

Edrahil looks around, feeling drawn to the spring. "The water flows even now as it has for centuries."

Cupping his hand, he catches some of the flow, trying to determine if it is still as it was.

  Sense Power: 

Rolled 2d6+6 : 5, 4 + 6, total 15

[tomcat]

The water is wonderfully cool and clear. The Sindar takes a sip of the liquid and his body feels refreshed, as if the weariness of the road is washed away. Edrahil steps back from the basin and he feels better - his wounds not aching so much.

He looked around the ancient ruin and felt the power of his kin emanating from the small structure with the round domed roof. The dome was made of pounded copper, but it was now green with oxidization and decay. When it had finally collapsed in from its own weight, the dome cracked. Still, the walls of the structure keep the broken roof at an angle, which would allow someone to pass inside.
The water provides a one-time healing effect to any injured characters equal to the PC's Vitality.

I already adjusted Edrahil's wounds. 

[GandalfOfBorg]

Seeing his friend take a sip of the water from the stream, he felt compelled to do so as well.  It wasn't until now that he realized how parched he was.  Bending down to take a drink, he never felt so dirty, so unclean in place of forgotten beauty. Gingerly he dipped his hands in and instantly felt a refreshing of his body.  And when he brought the water to his lips and when he drank, not only did his body feel anew but also his spirit, previously unrealized as parched.  Smiling, "Take a drink, everyone take a drink."

[tomcat]

Hey Matt, did you recover your hit points? Let me know.

[GandalfOfBorg]

  No, I can't get access to the site due to weird firewall issues.

[tomcat]

That's weird. Have you tried different browsers?

Durgil 

[Rothesay]

Hey Matt, did you recover your hit points? Let me know.

Not sure which Matt you mean, but I did!

[tomcat]

Ok - forgot we have two Matt's now, everyone. 

I will refer to you guys as MattK or MattR accordingly.

[Telcontar]

Celdrahil relaxed as they entered into the stone circle, going so far as to unstring his bow.

"There is a place like this in Dol Amroth, or so I have been told."

The knight paused and then his voice was lifted up in the tongue of elves, though whether it was the place they were in or the nature of the song itself, all those present seemed to grasp the meaning.

"Far, far beyond the island
 We dwelt in shades of twilight
 Through dread and weary days
 Through grief and endless pain

 It lies unknown
 The land of mine
 A hidden gate
 To save us from the shadow fall
 The lord of water spoke
 In the silence
 Words of wisdom
 I've seen the end of all
 Be aware the storm gets closer"

The knight shook his head in wonderment, "Ulmo has often been the friendliest to the Children of Eru, and has shown favor on my line and kin. This water is here to strengthen us, but also to warn us that great trial is coming. As he blessed and armed Tuor of old, now he has shown his blessing upon us as well. Let us make a brief search and use this height to see what yet may be seen."

Spring to action again the knight of Gondor began to explore the area, and cast his gaze about looking for further sign of the their quarry.

[GandalfOfBorg]

  I'm at work, likely something to do with it. 

Now refreshed and rejuvenated, Durgil takes a moment to just marvel at the place and then joins Celdrahil in looking around.

 

Observe (Spot) -  2d6+5 : 1, 6 + 5, total 12

 

Observe (Power) -  2d6+3 : 2, 3 + 3, total 8

[tomcat]

Dúnedain and Sindar began to move about the small patio and fount in search of...whatever might be the reason for drawing them to this place.

Fengel, seeing his companions invigorated by the water that flowed, cupped his hands and filled them. He took a long draft and even splashed some over his head. The Éothraim looked at the fountain in wonder - not because he had not seen the powers of the elves already, but because their song still rang in the water that flowed. It was a good feeling that entered his heart. He pulled himself away, re-donned his helm and began to search about with his friends.

The grounds around the patio were cluttered with brush and other plant-life, along with broken masonry of the old guard house - but naught else. The companions then turned to the buildings to see what they might contain. The one that sat to the right of the fountain, with a large, collapsed copper roof, had a door that sat partially ajar. Celdrahil put his shoulder into it and it creaked open to reveal a partially lit room. Paintings of times past were faded on walls that were cracked from time, and molded over by the fens. If furniture had been in the room, it was long gone. Edrahil guessed at the purpose of the building to be a residence - or office - of those who would have been living here. It might have even housed visitors that passed by on the occasion.

Where the domed roof lay angled and partially collapsed in, a hole in the floor could be seen. Stairs led down into pure darkness.