Dol Guldur - The Hill of Sorcery

[Lucius Malfoy]

Dol Guldur


Faction Leader
Azûlagân the Black Dread, "The Shadow of the East"

Location
Southern Mirkwood

Residents
Black Numenoreans, Orcs, Uruks and Men of Balchoth/Evil Men

Relations
Goblins of the Misty Mountains: Allied
Goblins of Gundabad: Allied
Goblins of Moria: Allied
Men of Balchoth: Vassals/Allied
Dwarves of Erebor: Hated/At War
Men of Dale: Hated/At War
Men of Esgaroth: Hated/At War
Elves of the Woodland Realm: Hated/At War
Elves of Lothlorien: Hated/At War

History
Dol Guldur, also known as the "Hill of Sorcery" and originally named Amon Lanc (Bald Hill) is a mighty fortress constructed by Sauron in the year 1,000 of the Third Age. It is known that after the structure was completed by the Necromancer, a great shadow and dark clouds issued forth from it, turning the beautiful Greenwood, home of the Silvan Elves, into the presently known Mirkwood, a realm filled with dangerous and tainted creatures that were twisted by the will of Sauron. Many travelers and Free People of Middle-Earth tend to stay away from the darkness of Dol Guldur which contends with the magic of the Elves from Lothlorien and the Woodland Realm.

Recently, the White Council had issued a preemptive strike upon Sauron's growing power at Dol Guldur and forced the Dark Lord to flee further East for Mordor. It was later occupied by the Nazgul, Khamul, King of the Easterlings. Through the works of Khamul, the Easterling tribe of Balchoth from the Brown Lands became vassals and allied with Dol Guldur. After a small period of time though, the servant of Sauron was returned to Mordor. Now the mighty fortress, a haven for twisted creatures, Orcs, Uruks and Trolls as well as other dark creatures, now serve a new master, a Black Numenorean known as Azûlagân the Black Dread. Like the Dark Lord, Azûlagân hopes to corrupt the Woodland Realm and make it into a mighty kingdom to serve the Will of his master, Sauron. He follows the Will of Sauron and begins to build a great army of dark creatures and soldiers to serve Sauron in his conquests and interests with the Woodland Realm and the area of Rhovanion.

Today, many travelers and elves can hear the hammers of Orc smiths, the war drums, the cries of tortured slaves and noises of strange and dark creatures echoing from the fortress of Dol Guldur. From its very structure, dark mists and clouds issue into the air, covering the immediate surrounding in the shadow of Sauron. Though the plans of Azûlagân are unknown, the noises echoing from Dol Guldur make the Elves ever more guarded against the growing power that is forming within its walls. Under the orders of Sauron, a great army is being bred for one purpose: to subjugate and destroy the Free Peoples that live in Rhovanion and place the entire realm under the shadow and will of the Dark Lord, Sauron.

Main Characters

Azûlagân the Black Dread

Azûlagân the Black Dread Alias: Shadow of the East Age: 102 Race: Black Numenorean Allegiance: Sauron Titles: Lord of Dol Guldur Special Item: Ring of Khamul (+3 to Dread when fighting Men and Elves, +4 to all scouting, ) Black Numenorean Traits: - Servant of Sauron: +2 offense in battle - Black Cloud's Enchantment: +1 to +2 modifier (depends upon units of magic spent) for all Evil Faction battle rolls in the area (Costs 1 - 2 units of Evil magic; can be negated by Elvish lore) - Spying Crows: 0 to +2 for spying rolls (Costs 2 unit of Evil magic; can be negated by Elvish lore) - Might of Barad-dûr: +3 modifier to all defensive siege rolls - Dark Magic: Able to use Dark Magic as cast spells and to negate Elvish Lore (Units gained through economy each year; check Evil Faction economy tab) Bio: The background of Azûlagân the Black Dread is shrouded in mystery. Like many servants of Sauron, only speculation can be made upon the Dark Lord’s principal minions. It is believed that since Azûlagân is a Black Numenorean, he may have been born in the port city of Umbar in Harad, a haven of pirates with many being descendants of the King’s Men or Black Numenoreans. It is also speculated that due to his abilities in Dark Magic, Azûlagân caught the eye of Sauron’s minions and was summoned to serve the Dark Lord as a personal servant of the Eye. His power only grew and grew under the service of the Eye; his knowledge of Black Magic became greater under the service of the Eye, yet his name remained unknown to many despite his feats. For his loyal services, the Dark Lord would reward Azûlagân with Dol Guldur, the former fortress of the Nazgul Khamul, located in Mirkwood. Along with it, the Black Numenorean was given the Ring of Khamul, a sign of his authority and dread among the creatures and servants of Sauron that lurked in Woodland Realm. It is due to his presence at Dol Guldur that Azûlagân gained the name Shadow of the East as his Black Magic twisted the minds of wild creatures to his own will and Orcs roamed freely through Mirkwood, pillaging and plundering as his shadow spread across the Woodland Realm. With one hand, Azûlagân corrupts the land and creatures of Mirkwood to do his bidding, using them to amass a great army to serve Sauron’s interests in Rhovanion. With the other, a great Morgul blade rests, slashing deep wounds through the Woodland Realm, making her bleed for defying the Will of Sauron. By the day, the shadows from Dol Guldur continue to spread across the land of Rhovanion and his armies grow more and more. The clamor of drums and the war cries of Orcs, Trolls and other malicious creatures could be heard for miles and send chills down any outsider’s spine. Azûlagân bids his time within his fortress, waiting for the day when his armies can fully and finally eradicate the Elves of Mirkwood and drown Woodland Realm in the shadow of Sauron forever.

Lugdush, Chief of the Orcs and Uruks

Lugdush Alias: N/A Age: 46 Race: Uruk Allegiance: Sauron and Azûlagân Titles/Ranks: Lieutenant of Dol Guldur and Chief of the Orcs and Uruks Orc/Uruk Traits: - Soldier of the Eye: +1 offense in battle - Will of Sauron: +1 defense in battle - Sunlight: -1 to morale if fighting in direct sunlight Lugdush is a long standing minion of Dol Guldur, having served since the beginning of Khamul's ruler to the present day of his superior, Azûlagân. He is widely known as the leading general and servant of Dol Guldur, holding the rank of Lieutenant of Dol Guldur. His fierce reputation and skill has earned him the title Chief of the Orcs and Uruks. Despite his deformities, Lugdush is a highly skilled warrior (being bred as an Uruk) and one to be reckoned with; heightening his reputation as the right hand servant of Azûlagân. He is mostly seen either consulting the Black Numenorean in Dol Guldur or barking orders in the training fields to newly bred Orcs.

Economics

The evil fortress of Dol Guldur is home to the Necromancer and his minions. Dol Guldur likewise depends on slave labor for advancement. This area of southern Mirkwood specializes in taming wild beasts and putting them to use for evil purposes. They have perfected this talent and now can do it in relative large numbers. They also are able to produce moderately more armor than their goblin brethren to the west. Dol Guldur produces 1,100 units of slave labor every year. You must purchase the previous tier of any upgrade before the subsequent tier of the same bonus type can be purchased. Available Buildings and Tiers Tier I (Requires 500 units of labor for each structure) Fletcher I (Provides 100 bows every year) Poleturner I (Produces 100 spears every year) Warg Training Facility I (Provides 100 trained wargs) Troll Training Facility I (Trains 1 troll to be added to the army) Spider Training Facility I (Provides 100 trained Spiders) Slave Pens (Provides 100 additional units of slave labor every year) Blacksmiths (Provides a +1 armor to a total of 500 fighters) Fortress Improvement (Provides a +1 to the total defense of the fortress) Ancient Evil (provides 1 unit of ancient evil every year, may be used for black magic or special items) Tier 2 (Requires 750 units of labor for each structure) Fletcher II (Provides 200 bows every year) Poleturner II (Produces 200 spears every year) Warg Training Facility II (Provides 300 trained wargs) Troll Training Facility II (Trains 3 trolls to be added to the army) Spider Training Facility II (Provides 200 trained Spiders) Expanded Slave Pens (Provides 250 additional units of slave labor every year) Blacksmiths (Provides a +1 armor to a total of 1,500 fighters) Parapets (Provides a +2 to the total defense of the fortress) Tier 3 (Requires 1,000 units of labor for each structure) Fletcher III (Provides 500 bows every year) Poleturner III (Produces 500 spears every year) Warg Training Facility III (Provides 500 trained wargs) Troll Training Facility II (Trains 6 trolls to be added to the army) Spider Training Facility III (Provides 400 trained Spiders) Blacksmiths (Provides a +1 armor to a total of 6,000 fighters) Reinforced Walls (Provides a +3 to the total defense of the fortress) Ancient Evil II (Provides 2 units of ancient evil annually, may be used for special items or black magic) Tier 4 (Requires 1,500 units of Labor for each structure) Warg Training Facility IV (Provides 1,000 trained wargs) Troll Training Facility IV (Trains 12 trolls to be added to the army) Spider Training Facility IV (Provides 500 trained Spiders) Blacksmiths (Provides a +1 armor to a total of 10,000 fighters, and +2 armor to 600 fighters) Tier 5 (Requires 2,000 units of Labor for each structure) Blacksmiths (Provides 1 unit of +2 troll armor, +1 armor for 14,000 fighters and +2 armor for 4,000 fighters) Currently Built Available Slaves: 1,300 units Tier I (Requires 500 units of labor for each structure) Warg Training Facility I (Provides 100 trained wargs) Troll Training Facility I (Trains 1 troll to be added to the army) Slave Pens (Provides 100 additional units of slave labor every year) Blacksmiths (Provides a +1 armor to a total of 500 fighters) Ancient Evil (provides 1 unit of ancient evil every year, may be used for black magic or special items) Tier 2 (Requires 750 units of labor for each structure) Troll Training Facility II (Trains 3 trolls to be added to the army) Tier 3 (Requires 1,000 units of labor for each structure) Tier 4 (Requires 1,500 units of Labor for each structure) Tier 5 (Requires 2,000 units of Labor for each structure)

Military/Other Information

Ancient Evil Available: 2 It costs two black magic to activate the special ability of the crows (+2 for spying rolls) It costs one black magic to cast the cloud spell to allow orcs to walk in daylight without a -1 morale modifier (+1 modifier for all Evil Faction battle rolls in the area) Capitol: Dol Guldur Army composition: 18,000 potential fighting units Available Units Capacity: 18,000 units 2 Attack Trolls (Armored, +1 defense) 2 Mountain Trolls 100 Warg Riders 500 Uruk Heavy Infantry (Armored, +1 defense) 7,400 Uruk Raiders (levy infantry) 10,000 Orc Warbands (levy infantry)

[Lucius Malfoy]

It was ever silent within these parts of Mirkwood where the trees moved ever southward towards the Brown Lands. Soft noises of small creatures and insects could be heard. However, today was going to change it all. Sharp thuds were heard far off, followed by trees groaning and crashing to the ground. The mighty trees of Mirkwood were being cut down by an unknown assailant, but one that had been around for some time: Orcs.

Hundreds of them moved through the trees, with torches and axes, scurrying about and barking orders at each other. They would cut down the trees and cleared away small areas, bringing the skinned logs down below to various forges and furnaces. Above the amber glow of flames and fire, a mighty tower spiraled up into the air, overlooking leagues upon leagues of trees. From its very foundation, smog and cloud rose into the air, blackening the sky and blocking out the sun. From within its bowls could be heard the noises of Orcs, Uruks, hammers, screams of tortured slaves and strange noises of dark creatures that lurked below. This great haven of twisted and foul beasts was known as Dol Guldur, "The Hill of Sorcery." A place of terror for the weak souls and location of great evil that was growing in strength.

The doors into a large room suddenly opened as a deformed and strong looking Uruk walked into the place. He snorted heavily and looked around before walking off to the left. Ludgush was his name, the right hand servant of the Lord of Dol Guldur. He went through a couple more doors before coming across who he was looking for. A imposing figure, clad in Morgul armor and a tattered cloak, stood at a window, gazing down upon the scurrying Orcs with their torches and fires that glowed far below Dol Guldur. A mask hid his face, but despite his faceless appearance, his name was known. The Black Numenorean, Azûlagân the Black Dread, servant of Sauron and Lord of Dol Guldur. After a time, the man would turn to see Ludgush. He would quietly approach the Chief of the Orcs and Uruks.

What news, Ludgush? And it better be news I want to hear.

No reports have been made about contact with the wild creatures of Mirkwood. It seems the noises of the furnaces and forges have made the Spiders scurry away from the immediate area. We found old nests, but no creatures.

Burn the eggs, they will be of no use to us for now. Keep the momentum up, I want enough of a clearing for our Orc and Uruk pits. I want efficiency in ensuring that the forgeries are fed and that necessary fuel is ready.

Yes, My Lord. Ludgush paused for a moment before speaking further. Is there any news from Mordor? Any commands from the Eye, My Lord?

His superior, the Black Numenorean, would turn around, gazing northward towards the Woodland Realm, the Dwarves of Erebor and Men of Dale and Esgaroth. The Free People that defied the Will of Sauron and refused to bend their knees to his might. Azûlagân would then gaze at the Ring of Khamul, a mighty gift from the Dark Lord when he gave him command of Dol Guldur and its forces. After a time, the man spoke.

The Dark Lord orders us...to be at work. He wants Dol Guldur to breed a mighty army. One that will destroy the last bastions of hope in these untamed lands...and enslave the Free People who dare to resist the Will of Sauron. His Eye has turned northward, gazing upon the trees of Mirkwood, corrupting the land that surrounds us and darkening the hearts of those who defy us.

He turns around, looking down upon Ludgush who remained silent.

The shadow of Mirkwood is to be reawakened. Dol Guldur is to blacken the skies, twist the land and spread the Will of Sauron across its soil. We are to plunge Rhovanion into war, darkness and suffering. The Woodland Realm will burn. The Dwarves of Erebor be exterminated. And the Men of Dale and Esgaroth enslaved to serve Sauron and his armies. The Free People will once more fear the name Sauron and his great power.

After the darkening and well-formed response, Azûlagân dismisses Ludgush with the wave of his hand. The Uruk bows his body quietly, knowing it was his time to leave and get back to work. Within a few quiet moments, Ludgush departs, leaving the Black Numenorean to his own designs. Azûlagân gazed down upon the Orc rabble that scurried about, cutting down the mighty trees and skinning the land for its good resources. He once more looks at his palm and speaks.

I will not disappoint you, My Lord. You shall have your revenge upon the Elves. And your great darkness and Will shall be imposed upon Rhovanion and forever be so. The Free People will soon known the taste of death and vengeance upon their lands. The darkness of Mirkwood is stirring and it shall be unleashed upon our foes.

[Xion]

"Raise the standards." Othava casually remarks to his officers, who begin raising the standard of the Balchoth, the Easterling Empire, and the Lidless Eye."Sound the advance." A deep horn echoes over the land, as the escort moves forward, with the cries of tortured slaves and the sound of orc and uruk at work filling the air as Othava's escort rides past several camps and cages on their way to the main gate of Dol Guldur, stopping once more and sounding their horns once again, then waiting for a response from the citadel's watch. "Huz." "My lord." "Your son did inform the Lord of our arrival..?" "If not, he knowns now." Huz turns to the few Loke-Rim and Katapracht that make up Othava's retinue. "Mantain formation!" The men remain in their block formations as they wait, some observing the orcs and a few keeping watch over the few captives they managed to accquire on their way to Dol Guldur to present to the Lord.

[Lucius Malfoy]

A moment of silence fell upon the host after their horns had been blown. The usual noises of Orc's barking orders, the chopping of trees, the churning of forges and furnaces as well as the sounds of tortured slaves and of strange creatures emitted. Then the great gates of Dol Guldur creaked open and began to move. Coming out of the gate was a small host of Orc and Uruks, led by their Chieftain, Ludgush. The Uruk approach Othava, Warlord of the Balchoth.

The Lord of Dol Guldur was not aware of your visit. As you can see, he has been very busy with orders from the Eye itself...the Will of Sauron must be obeyed and has made the Lord very busy. However, my master is willing to see you, Othava of the Balchoth.

The Uruk waves some of his soldiers to take the prisoners brought by the Balchoth away. Ludgush then turns without another word, walking back into the tower. He expected the Easterling to follow him as there must be a purpose to the sudden appearance of a small Balchoth host and the Warlord himself.

[Xion]

The Balchoth watch as the gates are opened, and the orc and uruks emerge. The officers turn to their men to remain at attention as the Uruk chieftan speaks to Warlord Othava. Huz sees a glimspe of momentary annoyance when Othava is told the chosen emissary to Dol Guldur failed to inform the Lord or anyone of his arrival.

" The accursed northmen must have stopped my messengers from reaching my emissary here, then." Othava quickly gives several hand motions that his officers understand as orders to follow him in and remain in the courtyard of Dol Guldur until his return. Othava remains silent, merely nodding to the point about the will of the dark lord and begins following the Uruk Chieftan into the gates, while his soldiers find the courtyard and remain there under the supervision of the Warmaster of the Balchoth.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Ludgush remains silent for now as he takes Othava with his chosen officers to chambers of the Lord of Dol Guldur. Two Uruk guards open the doors into the chambers where Azûlagân the Black Dread is present. He is currently sitting at a desk, shifting through some old books and papers. His thirst for the knowledge of dark magic was always yearning for more. Ludgush approaches his master and stands at attention.

My Lord! Warlord Othava IV of the Balchoth has come. He has presented suitable slaves as an offering and asks to speak with you.

Azûlagân waves his hand absentmindedly, making Ludgush move off to the side. When he does, the Black Numenorean stands up, towering over the Easterlings that stood within his chambers. His mask, covering the upper portion of his face, looks in the direction of Othava. The Lord of Dol Guldur had only met with Othava a few times and was present when his predecessor was around. For the Easterling to travel from the Brown Lands to the south of Mirkwood must be important.

Warlord Othava, I had suspected you would be making a visit soon. With the renewal of darkness over Mirkwood and smoke rising from Dol Guldur's industry, it must have made you curious. Unless you come here for a different purpose...one that involves the movements of the Eye and the plans of the Dark Lord.

[Trot]

A goblin appears outside the gates. He comes to negotiate on the behalf of Moria.

[Lucius Malfoy]

A goblin appears outside the gates. He comes to negotiate on the behalf of Moria.

The Uruk guards present looked down at the goblin, a kin of theirs. They looked at each other and permitted him to enter. Ludgush had departed the room where the Lord of Dol Guldur was to see the goblin emissary. The Uruk approaches the small kin of his species.

Now this is something rare, seeing one of you wide-eyed folk manage to get here from Moria. You are one lucky goblin to manage such a trip without being burnt to a crisp.

A couple of the Orc guards snickered, however, Ludgush immediately barked them to quiet. The smaller Orcs would then shut up. The Uruk then looked at the goblin and gestured towards the stairs where he came from.

My Master is currently with the Warlord of Balchoth...he will be available momentarily.

OOC: Uruks were usually like this. They looked down upon Orcs and Goblins, who were lesser than them in terms of stamina, stature and strength. Sort of like a pyramid of competition with Uruks at the top.

"Of course, my lord. It shall be done." "May take a few years without the Loke-Rim being fielded..but will be done." Othava thinks to himself. "I shall contact my emissary here if these upstarts need a show of the power of Dol Guldur to be brought back into line."

Othava bows again. "No, my lord. Unless you have other affairs that involve the Balchoth at this time."

Azûlagân waves his hand, a mere gesture that their meeting was over for now. He would speak a few final words though before Othava departed. His hands rest upon his desk now as the Black Numenorean looks at the Easterling.

Be like your grandfather, Othava...your father was weak in the views of Khamul the Easterling. A man who bent his knee one too many times. Be aggressive and unmerciful. Bring back the fear of your family's name to these whelps...and have them taste the steel of your scimitar.

[Xion]

Othava listens to the Black Numenoreans final words, thinking about them as he bows and leaves with his officers, passing the goblin on their way out, paying absolutely no attention to him. Huz looks up as he sees Othava exit the tower. "My lord?" "We are moving out. I shall explain further when we return to Mistrand." Huz nods, and shouts at the Loke-Rim and Kataprachts to move out back to Mistrand, the banners of the Balchoth, Easterlings, and Lidless Eye in front as they march, Othava plotting something as he rides in the front of the column with Huz and the Kataprachts.

[Trot]

He laughs at the larger orcs.
"You Orcs maybe but Goblins don' worry about small things like that. I will see your lord soon."

[Lucius Malfoy]

He laughs at the larger orcs.
"You Orcs maybe but Goblins don' worry about small things like that. I will see your lord soon."

With the departure of the Men of Balchoth, the Goblin emissary is escorted into the main chambers of the Black Numenorean, Azûlagân the Black Dread. His hidden face looked upon the small Orc folk before standing up at his full height and walking around to see this Goblin from Moria.

Hm...a Goblin from Moria. What brings you this far from your home, emissary?

[Trot]

"The Dwarfs that still claim Moria there home."

[Lucius Malfoy]

And I am very much aware, Goblin of Moria? But what does that have to do with Dol Guldur?

Ludgush glances at the Goblin, then at the towering Azûlagân

[Trot]

"We request aid driving them from our halls. We can do it on our own but untill passage between the Iron hills is restricted they will continue to send new troops at our homeland"

[Lucius Malfoy]

Goblin, though I would greatly like to send forces to aid in your struggle in the name of Sauron, that would bring my army close to the lands of Lothlorien, where they could be ambushed and thus Dol Guldur wastes troops. With the movements of our northern enemies becoming more and more active, I cannot risk sending expeditions to Moria. What of your neighboring goblin kin? Why not the Misty Mountain tribes or the Goblins of Gundabad that are closer and within your area, emissary?

[Trot]

The Goblin King of Goblin town likes to claim that Moria is his domain. Asking him for help would ruin our hops of leving his grasp. I have yet to go do Gundabad but I was under the impression they aided you.

[Lucius Malfoy]

We cannot assist you for now, Goblin emissary. You must rely upon your closer neighbors for help. My own designs keep my focus north of my position. However...if the time comes, I will soldiers to aid in your struggle.

[Xion]

Khamul hears a faint tapping at the window of his small quarters in Dol Guldur, and upon opening it, a bird flies in with a message tied to it's leg. He unfurls it and upon reading it, he curses and runs out of his quarters, attempting to find the Lord of Dol Guldur or his Uruk chieftan.

[Lucius Malfoy]

As the clearings continued and wood was brought below to fuel the furnaces of Dol Guldur, news would come to Azûlagân's ears. He would descend into the great pits of the mighty fortress where Orcs and Uruks were bred. Among these pits were the very first Troll nests. A group of Orc breeders held up spears as a large Mountain Troll was brought into view. Ludgush approached his master and gestured to the Troll.

Found this one not far from our recent clearing. Seems to be a younger Troll from the looks of it. Managed to subdue it and bring it here, My Lord.

The Black Numenorean showed a rather dark grin. Finally, some true muscle had been brought to his army. This troll would become the Chief of his kin as more and more would be brought to join his growing army. Ludgush would then show the Warg Pits where the first pups had been born and the adults were being trained. Sauron's great northern host was growing...and soon it would blanket the entire realm in shadow.