We are the men of Dale, slayers of Dragons, Marshalls of the North, friends of Dwarves and Elves. We have recaptured Dale from the clutches of Smaug the Golden, and rebuilt our ancient cities, now our trade lines prosper once again. Wine comes up the River from the men of Dorwinion, our merchants traffic this to the Halls of the Woodland King, and the Dwarves of the Lonely Mountain. Often our Merchants travel by the great Western road, over the Misty Mountains and into Eriador. We are known far and wide as good and fair traders, our reputation fills our coffers. But as we rebuild our old lives, the Shadow creeps in once more.
Though we were victorious in the Battle of the Five Armies, we are yet surrounded. The Easterlings are our chief foe, they lie to the south east, ever watching our lands and scheming. The Orcs of Dul Guldur are encamped in their fortress to our west, and other more foul creatures have been seen near our borders. But we are not abandoned, we have many strong friends abiding in Rhovanion. The Dwarves of Erebor are our greatest friends, we share much; trade, weapons, maps, and in times of war we will fight for each other. The Elves of Mirkwood, while strange and mysterious folk are our friends as well. Their rangers often keep the creatures of Mirkwood from entering our lands. Also the Court of Dorwinion lies to our south, they are good and noble men, and perhaps the richest as well. Yet it seems the enemy has no fear of these. In the end the Dwarves will stay in their mountain, the Elves will stay in their beloved forest and the men of Dorwinion will continue to abide in secrecy along the shores of the Rhunic Sea. We however have no mountains or forests to hide in. Trade roads, outposts, towns and cities are scattered throughout our lands, and all the eyes of the enemy are on our wealth. Both our people and our trade must be protected.
in Dale our finest weapon is the longbow, we are masters of its art and deadly accurate, our archers will be the key tool we can provide in the upcoming war. Also we have many fine spear-men, and others armed with weapons from our dwarvish friends. But we are untrained, and largely undisciplined, after Dale and Esgaroth burned many of our barracks and armories were burnt, and our troops must be retrained and re positioned. We are valiant Edain, -Northmen as it were- and will not easily be frightened by shadow or sword. But the time of war will come and Dale must be ready, ready to fight, ready to hold. We have forts and towns along the River Running to aid in the defense of an attack from the south. Dale has many high towers and strong walls, and there are but 4 bridges into Esgaroth. An attack from land would be a hard campaign for the enemy. But he has the men to do it. We have barely the strength to hold our forts and towns, much less an army to meet him in the field. The overflowing of our coffers is worthless if not protected.
Dale is the gateway to Mirkwood, and if we are overrun, our friends will be surrounded and slain. We can no longer trust in the strength of our friends, but must look within for the strength to fight. Rhovanion will soon be flooded with tides of evil men and orcs, burning and pillaging as the go. Now more then ever we need a captain, on like Bard, who, when the Dragon comes he will not run in fear, or be dismayed by the fire, but will take up his bow in defense of his Kingdom and slay the fell beast! You now are the captain of Dale, and when the Dragon of war comes...you must slay it.
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