The Doors of Durin

[Pontifex Maximus]

The western gate of Moria was firmly under enemy control. The dwarves had gathered in Eregion, near the Hollin Gate. Eregion was an ancient elven dwelling fallen to ruin. It still maintained an element of strange cheer, as if the memory of those blessed times had not yet faded from memory. The dwarves now used it as a staging ground to launch a huge attack on their ancient home in the mountain. Dwarven Lords and their hosts had gathered from all over the land, now united as one army before the Door of Durin. It was eerily quiet before the storm. zthus far the goblins had not shown themselves

The dwarven host numbered seven thousand strong, and the small host from the Blue Mountains found themselves among friends and distant relations.

Nalar sat on a rock nearby, contemplating the battle to come. He wore a grim countenance.

[jacb547]

Fari was standing atop a hill a little ways from the camp, he had been so for the last 4 hours. His eyes were set on the mountains and under his breath he murmured their names and their mentions in songs, he had been watching too for any goblin he might see. His horn was resting on his belt alongside his axe, ready to be blown at the first sight of the enemy. He started looking fixedly on a location to see if he could spot Durin`s door.

[Gandalfus]

Thrain was wandering throughout the dwarf camp, delivering pieces of armour he had repaired to their owners, as well as downing the ocassional mug of ale. Contenting himself with sharpening his sword, Thrain sat on a small rock, making sure his blade wasn't dented or rusted.

[Lord Dread]

His hand already on the mace, Zhabrok watched the gate in distrust from the distance - however, it wasn't the beautiful architecture of it, what made him uncomfortable.
"So here it will begin...", he said nearly silent, "Those bloody bastards will remember their conquest in Moria as the worst decision, their race ever made in their past, soon..."

[Feanaro Curufinwe]

Ibun watched the Doors with apprehension. ''Soon, we step in. But are we prepared for what we will find?"

[Gandalfus]

Thrain just shrugged.

I know not.

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

"Whatever we fine, I am ready," Balin said quietly, but with an edge of determination. There was an eerie atmosphere, everyone was just waiting.

[jacb547]

Fari turned and solemnly said: "I know not what we will find, but we can only hope Durin´s bane is no more."

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

"Fari, my friend, I would consider it a great honour if Durin's bane was here to greet us at the start of our quest. No, I feel if such names are to be found it will be further into the mountain, at the moment we have no reason to fear Durin's bane." Balin replied, trying to reassure his comrade.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Nalar sat on a rock nearby, contemplating the battle to come. He wore a grim countenance.

The boots of Toraag could be heard approaching Nalar from the right. He sets down his warhammer, leaning against it as he looked at the Doors of Durin.

​Never thought I would see such a wonder in my entire life.

[Lord Dread]

The boots of Toraag could be heard approaching Nalar from the right. He sets down his warhammer, leaning against it as he looked at the Doors of Durin.

​Never thought I would see such a wonder in my entire life.

Zhabrok agreed on this opinion.
"Aye, the architects of this magnificent gate knew their crafting skills and were definitly professional builders of our race", he replied, "When we killed of these green bastards I will definitly study how they made it and which materials they have used for creating such an amazing building."

[jacb547]

Fari looked down at his feet and then once again at Durin`s door: "I can only hope we are ready for it."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Nalar heard talk of the dread beneath the mountain, Durin's Bane. He turned to face his fellows

"Fools! WHat chance do you think we would stand against the dread creature if the full might of Durin's Kingdom at its height could not withstand it? No, better that Durin's Bane sleeps deeply lest our expedition end prematurely."

He had not truly given much thought about how to deal with the beast...too many challenges still lay ahead before that could be considered.

"Prepare yourselves for battle...the goblins begin to mobilize before the gate at sunset, as is their custom."

[Gandalfus]

Thrain bellowed heartily.

​Then we shall meet them. To avenge Thrór!

[jacb547]

Fari nodded, he hurried back to his tent where his belongings were. His shield, made of hard Iron with no decorations had been freshly forged and stood in contrast with his great steel axe that he bore on his back. Along with that he had a smaller axe that rested on his belt, alongside his horn. He first of all put his father`s helmet, one of the few things they had saved from his body, it was large but fitted his head almost perfectly. His armor was already on so he merely strapped the great axe to his back and picked up his shield with his free hand. With that done he went back to where the others were standing and once more fixed his eyes on the door, watching for enemies.

[Feanaro Curufinwe]

Ibun readied his sword, eager to take revenge for the injuries he took in the last battle.

[Pyrrhus the Molossian]

Kili readies himself adjusting his armour and gripping the shaft of his greataxe readying himself and mumbling a Dwarven war song to himself.

[Kip]

Narvi Longbeard sat upon a large stone, and busied himself stringing his bow. He had examined the boulder carefully before sitting upon it - it had evidence of tool marks, the refined surface far smoother than any rock should ever appear in nature, and yet it was formless, shapeless. The sad remnant of a formerly beautiful creation, a statue or building, he finally concluded. Elvish tools had whittled the stone into fluid, and Orc whips and swords had pulled it down to it's final resting place. This place was once a great kingdom, ruled by a great friend of the Dwarves - but as Narvi ran his finger idly up and down the taut bowstring, he knew he could not share his thoughts with anyone else, for fear of losing what meager respect he had won in the preceding years.

Somewhere in the distance lied the Doors of Durin, built by his namesake with the aid of Eregion's king, Celebrimbor. The Doors were the seed of his life - he was born under their legend, he lived by their message, and he was cast down by his fellows just like they were cast down by the Goblins who had usurped Moria. He longed to see the Doors rid of their plague, but deep down inside he grieved that he could not share this victory - the true nature of his own personal victory - with any of the others.

Instead, in his quiet solitude, he checked his quiver and sharpened his arrows with another smooth stone lifted from the ground. Dwarf craftsmanship tempered by Elvish whetting. Goblins beware.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Bof grim and Nalar went to join their brethren on the line facing what would be the enemy host. He had heard that elves often times appear at the last moment of need to offer aid to the Free Peoples in their struggles, but none of their kind showed up. He wasn't surprised, but a certain degree of hope died in his heart. Finally a silence caught hold of the entire line. They stood in the next valley over, the best place for a battle in their minds. The Redhorn Pass evened out into a rocky valley with rough terrain. Here the goblins would find themselves slaughtered.

As the sun began to set, the flapping of feet hitting stone and shrieks erupted from within the deep Halls. A huge number of their foes began scattering out of the caves and hiding holes of the mountain, descending to gather at the Redhorn. Nalar was taken back by their sheer numbers, but he held his ground, unafraid of death should it come.

"Stand fast! Here we make our stand!"

[ooc: Add in whether or not you'd like your character to inflict damage on the main host, or if you want to try to attack the leader and his guard]

[Pyrrhus the Molossian]

Kili hefted his large axe and prayed to Aulë. Let him triumph this day and slaughter this evil horde who had stolen Dwarven land. He bellowed a fearsome warcry and cursed the orcs who stood before him. He readied to charge the leader and his guards. Killing them would end this thing quicker.