[Dagor Silmarillion - First Age] Quenta Silmarillion (Roleplay Hotseat)

[King Athelstan]

I will probably need an extension till Sunday night, as I won't be able to access my computer till then

Edit: Turn and RP will be up tomorrow

[King Athelstan]

Doriath up! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ueC...ew?usp=sharing

The House of Feanör



Maedhros had received dire news from the north. Large armies of Morgoth have been seen sallying out of the North, heading south. Maedhros was aware of the oath and the terrible deeds he had done, and he would be first to fight. He quickly mustered his men, and marched north. However, he was far south and would not be the first of his people to fight, that honour would fall upon his brother. He turned towards the scout, wanting a better grope of the situation.

Mae govannen!
He greeted the scout, before quickly turning his mind to serious matter.
How many?

Thousands of orc scum, and worse beasts as well. Led by two Balrogs as well, they represent the full might of our foe.

What strength do we have in the North? Can we stop them?

We do not have enough milord. Not nearly enough.

But we shall try nonetheless. We swore oaths, and oaths shall be kept. We shall fight till this world is free of taint. I very much knew what taking the lands of Himring to protect meant. We are the first front, the first to fight, and the first to die. It is only just that we make penance. We march North. Muster the troops. Morgoth shall be driven back, be it by us or those who come next, if we fail.

Yes.

Now ride back with all haste, and bid the men ready to fight

The scout nodded, before spurring his horse and making great speed north. The camp was in clamour, as the warriors of the Host of Feanör readied themselves. Spurring horses and polishing steel, they marched. Maedhros beckoned for a messenger to approach him.

Send word south. We must ask men to aid us. The House of Bór swore vassalage, see that they uphold their oaths. They too hate the dark enemy, and must send troops north.

With all haste, it shall be done Maedhros!

Maedhros watched the scout ride south, contemplating his next move.

______________________________________________________________________________

The House of Bòr


Udir was out riding when he was called by an elven messenger. They did not see the elves much nowadays, they were all in the north, attending their own trade. The trade that was war, and that they too soon would share. Judging the heavy eyes of the elf approaching, he could see the time was Nigh.

It is time?

Yes, noble king. The enemy is upon us. If you wish to see the darkness not envelop everything you hold dear, now is when you march

So be it.

Udir Ishi rode over to his commanders and clan-chiefs. Summon your men! he beckoned. Orders were made, and troops were rallied and mustered. We will march with what we have ready now, and send more men soon. Morgoth will fall, and we will gladly shed our blood to make it so.




Men and elves were marching north, and the evil would be repulsed.

[paladinbob123]

King Thingol sat in the elven camp, at the edge of the Girdle of Melain checking that all was well on the border, when his scouts returned telling tales of more spiders whom had been located around the forest of Arthórien which lay on the border of the river Aros. The scouts were more than a little upset , that such a group of spiders were there and now it seemed a larger than average spider had taken command of all of the mass of spiders, re-organising them and making them more than a little protective of the forest area they occupied.

Thingol had taken many lessons in the last encounter , knowing the advantage of having a Vanguard force [a award he received last battle] and organised a group of Dorian rangers to take up the van , calling them his "Ohta squirrels en' i' taure en' doriath!" {War Squirrels of the forest of Doriath} as they scurried from tree to tree, ahead of the king's main army.

It took little time , for the Sindar elfs who were comfortable in there own forest to spot the spider nest , as the cobwebs highlighted their own space , and a light darkness was beginning to settle on the landscape, as the spiders began to destroy the nearby wildlife for there own nutrition , as they corrupted the landscape.

This time with the fore-knowledge of what these beast's could do , the elfve's of Doriath formed battlelines swiftly , with the rangers, taking cover in the high points of the trees, with their mighty bows at the ready, with the rest of the force forming into a rough formation. The light elfven cavalry he sent around the forest of Arthórien , to strike the spiders in the rear, and gave them a good hours head start before the elfves commenced there attack with a arrowstorm , which flooded arrows into the depth of the trees, and killed more than a few unaware spiders.

The spiders reacted quickly with some of the smaller and lighter ones , charging out towards the elfven lines , many of them were punch'ed with arrows , stuck in there own bodies, held in place quivering, as they struggled past wave after wave of elven arrows , which took more than a score down before the elfven archers, darted back gracefully, and the elfven spearmen planted shieldsin the ground , lifting there elven crafted spears in readiness. The arrows cut many of the young spiders down, before they hit the lines, and indeed some of the spiders, only had enough energy to hurl there dying bodies onto the elfven line , as they expired there last breath. Those that survived however, scuttled from side to side, avoiding spear jabs where they could relying on there speed, as they turned from one side to the other, using there own legs to try and knock over , the elven spearmen , who knew their craft well.

Other larger spiders, moved now, emerging at a distance through the trees at the edge of the forest, whilst a larger spider, who seemed to be larger than the rest, moved into range, clearly dominating the larger bodied arachnids , these larger spiders, jaws chittered open and shut , at the prospect of a elven meat, there drool dropping to the ground , turning the land, black with its corruption. The larger spider , likewise clucked in some weird sounds communicating with the others, who spoke back in the same wierld sounds ,which some of those elfv's who understood such tones , worked out the Name "She-lob...She-lob!" which seemed to be the name of the leader, of the foul spawn , that began to move closer.

Rangers and spiders leapt from tree to tree, engaging in a hectic type of mobile warfare, as rangers, used there mobility and archery skills to fight in a fluid stinging warfare, firing where they could or trying to outmove or outwit the spiders, in the heavy branches and foliage of the upper tree level. Sometimes the rangers, hid deep within the branches leading the spiders a merry chase, as then other rangers, engaged the spiders, forever keeping them changing targets, confusing and enraging the multi-legged beasts, as they tired in the tall branches. Down below however , the elfven main army continued to chop-down the smaller beasts, with there numbers and skill far superior to the weaker spawn of Ungoliant.

Seeing the battle wasn't going there way , the larger reserve of bigger spiders lead by there leader Shelob charged the elven lines, the great beasts, knocking over, or pushing back the elfven warline, which buckled under the mass of such beasts. Spiders jumped forward, catching some of the less wary elfves in there great mandible's , biting and injecting them with venom , leaving them paralysed on the ground. Seeing such the pressure of the attack was making a inway, Thingol unhooked his great axe "Namba en' i' taure" as he called upon the royal guard to follow him into the frey, as he charged forward into battle, towards what he thought was there leader, in the great form of Shelob.

The royal guard clearing a space for the king to engage his foe, attacking all other spiders in the vicinity of the battle, as the King and giant spider, circled each other , the dark pool of Shelob's eyes looked upon one of the firstborn of the elfves, with amusement , as she hadn't meet such a foe, having only been satisfied with lesser beings for her meals. The one thing that did however catch her eye , was the large waraxe, the elfven lord moved with ,as it glowed with a erie green light, of which caused her to flinch in pain to its brightness, but did not deter her from her prey.



The King moved first, eager to finish what he though was tough foe, darting forward swinging the mighty axe, but such a large and heavy weapon , was a easy one for the daughter of Ungoliant to dodge , as the spider wheeled to the side. A little off balance , the king charged again , as the battle raged about them , but there own personal world , had shrunk as the two had only eyes for each other. The king of the Sindar was improving in his reactions however, and this time, the axe, grazed one of the legs of mighty Shelob, carving some of its toughed skin of its exterior. The leg began to weep with black ichor , and Shelob's expression became more vigorous as its features flexied from one expression to another, as she herself moved to attack , scuttering to the side and then diving in at the elven king , who only had enough time to raise the axe, to block the fangs of the spider, a mere inches from his face, as the fangs quivered at the eagerness of such tender flesh within its reach.

Thingol smelt the foul breath emitting from the creatures maul , and felt the eagerness and bloodlust for the kill in such a creature, but couldn't force the foul thing back as its great mass and weight , were all pushing forward. Determined not to be trapped here, he was thinking of abandoning the axe, allowing him greater mobility, when the call of elven horns emanated from the woods behind them, as the cavalry, Thingol had earlier launched came riding in at the gallop with spear points down.



The elven cavalry smashed into the rear of the large spiders , still in combat with the main elfven line, such creatures were hard to kill , and many had the wounds where the firstborns weapons had cut into there flesh or still lay fixed shuddering in there bodies, there owners [of such weapons] fallen. Some spiders fell pierced by the lancers in the charge at the rear, falling to the ground , where there legs crawled inwards into a tight ball , as they perished. Other spiders attacked in a fury , their own wounds , making them lose reason , in the pain. Many of the larger spiders , seeing the battle, was clearly favouring the elves and seeing there own leader hadn't prevailed against the elfven king decided they valued there own lifes, more than killing the elves and began to scuttle away at speed.

Seeing the retreating spider-kin, Shelob , took one deep look at the elven king , its multilayers of eyes, gleaming with unsatisfied hunger, before it pulled away , jumping away from the elfven war line [just as the bodyguard moved forward] as the spiders began a rapid retreat to the north. The fight above in the tree lines had become a bloody statemate , and there also, the spiders retreated, leaving the elfven rangers, blooded and bruised but still generally alive , as the elf's celebrated the victory.

Thingol was not a great warleader, as such he had fought in but few serious battles but he was learning more and more on the job as it were , when such a thought came to him , that his force could had been in serious trouble, if the spiders had won the battle of the trees, dropping down behind the main force. His mind turned over such idea's, leading his thoughts in a new direction that in future he would form , a rearguard , to avoid such a fate, occurring [a new trait learnt from the battle-see results]. The rest of the elfves still cheered around him, and celebrated , as many of the spiders, lay curled up twitching whilst dead or dying , but something seemed wrong to the King that such a battle had been won at such a drain of important doriath elf's lives , who would never sing again in the forest.



Organising his force, a little way south a few hours after victory , he fortified the main army group for further protection , and ordered his "Ohta squirrels en' i' taure en' doriath" to go forth and track the foul spawn to their lair , so that perhaps he could possibly prepare a force to destroy the nest of foul things once and for all.

After making sure the new fortified camp was in good shape , he rode hard returning to Menegroth to organise his affairs of state, where Melian looked impatiently at his dusty clothing [after the combat], as she tapped her foot with dismay. Enduring her looks , caused him more than a little anguish , he changed into cleaner , more courtly clothing worthy of a king , as he sat down besides her in the throne room receiving letters from allies and kin alike.

Melian berated him however at his carelessness in battle [although she was privately pleased ,he was untouched], before he had time to read all of the messages that had been sent , as a elfven courier burst into the throne-room, interrupting the elven king as he took a draught of wine with his golden goblet.


"Woe is the kingdom of Doriath! " , cried the messenger, "For Gwerlum has come! The Dweller of the shadows, eater of light and spinner of darkness, Gloomweaver is here!", at the last words, of the messenger, The king of Doriath , choked on his wine , spilling some over his clean princely cloths, as the wine , rain down his chin and chest , as he coughed at the news, with the wine , spilling over his vestments, like some dark prophecy of doom. Melain grabbed Thingols arm , comforting him , as the two looked into each others eyes, at the dire news , the kingdom of Doriath faced and the two withdrew to there own quarters to speak in private, at the worrying and alarming news, the messages for friends and allies forgotten for now, would be sent out a little later than expected....



There was some good news however, as diplomat's had been sent out in all directions, and to the east, the provincial capital of the domain of Estolad , where rough men lived in a sea of green plains all around them, as far as the eyes could see was found. Such a land had no interest for Thingol however, as lands without forests or any prominent features had no worth in his eyes and such rough men were unlikely to become elf-friends, and so the area was left alone. To the west however, scouts had found Amon Rûdh , a large hill which lay south of the Forest of Brethil and the Teiglin, which appeared to be covered with red flowers at its peak , making a interesting feature. It did have caves within, which seemed to have a species of dwarves living within, called "petty dwarfs" who called the hill , Bar-en-Nibin-noeg,or the "House of the Petty Dwarves. Such creatures seemed a little weak to have such a significant place in Beleriand , and Thingol thought he would ask them if they would aid them in their struggle against the darkness. If there response was friendly , then they could have good relations, if not , then stronger actions might take place , if Ungoliant was successfully pushed away.

A little later, standing outside the caves of Menegroth , Thingol and his lady , Melian , walked the forest, enjoying the calls of the animals of the forest in the night, as many birds flocked down to great Melian, even in Thingols presence. Such a sight filled his heart with love and gladness at his happiness, in having such a wise and wonderful wife. He looked up at the stars, there powerful lights illuminating areas here and there in forest, his own heart yearned at such a sight, knowing that at least he had friends, and allies to stand against the darkness that as ever grew against the peace of the land. We are all bound in one purpose he realised, knowing that the Girdle that he thought would keep him out of the war , was of little defence against the Evil that grew and grew , moving ever southwards towards his dominion. Taking another long look at his wife, who danced amongst the stars, with birds dipping in flight and song against and around her person , he knew , that he would do anything to protect such a dream from falling , and he toughened his heart for what lay ahead.



Lore

Shelob
"But still, she was there, who was there before Sauron, and before the first stone of Barad-dûr; and she served none but herself, drinking the blood of Elves and Men, bloated and grown fat with endless brooding on her feasts, weaving webs of shadow; for all living things were her food, and her vomit darkness."
—The Two Towers, "Shelob's Lair", pg. 723

Shelob was a Great Spider, that was the greatest offspring of Ungoliant, the primordial spider.


Shelob's early history is completely unknown, save for the assumption that she was born in the Ered Gorgoroth and that she was the "last child" of Ungoliant. By the Second Age, she often feasted on her own children, and that at some point after fleeing from Beleriand, yet long before Sauron took the land of Mordor for himself she spun a dark lair in the Ephel Duath (Mountains of Shadow), near Cirith Ungol in the passes above Minas Morgul. For hundreds of years, she resided there making a labyrinth of webs within a network of caves to better trap her prey, which included all creatures great and small. She feasted primarily on those who wandered into her webs, though if a particularly juicy morsel was available, she would silently pursue and kill it.

It is not known if Shelob recovered from the battle from Sam during the third age, or if she succumbed to her wounds, as the book specifies that her fate will remain unknown to the people of Middle-earth. The last time she is mentioned is when Sam put on the One Ring, and heard Shelob "bubbling" in her misery far away, as his sense of hearing was vastly improved by wearing the Ring.

While Shelob's ultimate fate was unknown, her offspring (which were lucky enough to escape her hunger) continued to produce new generations of spiders. Nests of these spiders are known to have existed in Mirkwood.


Ungoliant

Ungoliant was a primordial taking the shape of a gigantic spider. She was initially an ally of Melkor in Aman, and for a short time in Middle-earth as well. She is the mother of Shelob, and therefore the oldest, and first spider of the south, possibly even the first spider of Arda.The name Ungoliant in Quenya is Ungweliantë, which means "Dark Spider", from ungwë ("dark") and liantë ("spider"). Ungoliant is the Sindarin translation of her Quenya name.The Eldar called her Virilomë (Wirilomë in Vanyarin) or Gloomweaver, in Sindarin, this name is translated into Gwerlum

The true origin of Ungoliant is unknown, and was not even known by the Valar. It is said by some that she came from the Darkness itself that lies about Arda and was once an ally of Melkor when he looked down upon the world with envy. Later, she dismissed her allegiance with him, desiring only to be mistress of her own insatiable craving to devour all light - to feed her everlasting emptiness

When Melkor was defeated and imprisoned by the Lords of the West after the first Elves awoke in Cuiviénen, Ungoliant escaped the attacks of the Valar and the hunters of Oromë and fled to the southern part of Aman. There, in a ravine south of the mountain Hyarmentir, she established her dark abode and took the physical form of a monstrous spider, and sucked up all the light she could find. After every feeding, she spun forth dark nets of gloom that strangled any light from entering her lair of darkness. Yet she hungered for more of it: for although she hated light, she craved its sustenance as well.


{Ungoliant devouring the light from the tree's}

Eventually, Melkor sought out Ungoliant in order to exact his revenge against the Valar and the Elves. He came to her and told her of his plans. Though she was tempted greatly by Melkor's plan for her to drink the light of the Two Trees of Valinor, she feared the power of the Valar and was hesitant to accompany him. To mollify her, Melkor offered to sate her hunger with whatever she wished if she would aid him in his vengeance. She agreed, and they came shortly thereafter to Ezellohar, where she drained the Trees of their sap, poisoned them, and drank the Wells of Varda dry. The Unlight produced by Ungoliant stymied the pursuit of Oromë and Tulkas, and Melkor escaped to Middle-earth with her. However, her consumption of power of the Trees and the Wells caused her to swell to a size and shape so vast and hideous that even Melkor began to grow afraid.


{Ungoliant swollen with power attacks morgoth}

When they arrived in Lammoth in Middle-earth, Melkor, now known as Morgoth, hoped to escape to the ruins of Angband where the remnants of his forces awaited him. Suspecting that he intended to leave his promise to her unfulfilled, Ungoliant demanded the gems that Morgoth had stolen from Formenos before they could reach Angband. She devoured them, and grew to an even more monstrous size. She then demanded that Morgoth surrender to her the Silmarils. However, Morgoth refused, and she attacked him. Weaving her dark webs, she attempted to enmesh him in her nets and take the Silmarils by force. Morgoth gave out a terrible cry of pain as she attacked, which was heard by the Balrogs hibernating under the ruins of Angband. They awoke and immediately rushed to the aid of their Lord, tearing apart Ungoliant's webbing with their fiery whips and forcing her to break off her attack. She fled, and the Balrogs prepared to pursue and destroy her, but they were checked by Morgoth, who ordered them to return with him to Angband. Ungoliant's attack upon Morgoth left an echoing scream ever after on the land that gave the area the name Lammoth, and it is said to this day that when one screams in that place, the voice of the Dark Lord echoes back from the surrounding hill.


{Ungoliant driven off by the Balrogs}

Driven off by the Balrogs, Ungoliant fled to Nan Dungortheb, where she bred with the Great Spiders that dwelt there, increasing the terror and power of her kind. The creatures that later infested the area were her surviving offspring and descendants, including her infamous daughter, Shelob, who dwelt from the Second and Third Ages onwards on the borders of Mordor, as her last surviving child.

It is said that Ungoliant ultimately perished at her own hands when, in her ever growing and eternal hunger, she eventually devoured herself. Others say Ungoliant, after retreating to an isolated island in the Belegaer, was slain by Eärendil, and with her darkness destroyed, light came to many regions from which it had long been hid. Towards the end of the First Age, she had captured the sun (Arien/Urwendi) with her gloom nets and Eärendil encountered her on his journey across the seas on the Vingilot. Earendil ultimately freed Urwendi freeing the Magic Sun.

Estolad


The people of Bëor first journeyed to Estolad on the advice of Finrod Felagund, who often returned to visit them there; though Bëor went to Nargothrond with Felagund and returned never to Estolad. The Green Elves of Ossiriand had sent word to Felagund begging him to remove the Men from their lands. When the Haladin came later over the Blue Mountains, they encountered hostility from the Laiquendi and entered Thargelion, in the land of Caranthir. They came to Estolad only after the loss of their lord Haldad in battle with the Orcs. The people of Marach came up the Dwarf-Road to Estolad a year after Bëor's folk, and there the friendship between those houses was enriched.

Many Elves journeyed to Estolad to look upon the Atani, the Second People. In turn, many young men went away to enter the service of Elven Kings. Among the renowned Elf-friends who left Estolad with the Elves were Malach or Aradan son of Marach, and Baran son of Bëor. These alliances led to the eventual departure of the Edain north to Dor-lómin and Ladros.

Amon Rûdh [alias Bar-en-Nibin-noeg]
Amon Rûdh was a hill that lay south of the Forest of Brethil and the Teiglin in West Beleriand during the First Age. It rose a thousand feet above the eastern edge of high moorlands. It was a hill of stone, on its lower slopes were thickets of aeglos but only deep red seregon flowers grew on top, giving it the appearance of being covered with blood.


At one time Amon Rûdh supported a settlement of Petty-dwarves in caves that could have housed a hundred or more. It had a main and secondary hall with many other chambers and passageways. There was a hidden smoke-shaft for the hearth and chambers with axes and other gear. However the Petty-dwarves had dwindled in number until only Mîm and his sons Ibun and Khîm lived in hilltop hideaway.

Mîm was captured by a group of outlaws led by Túrin Turambar and forced to reveal the location of his refuge, which was then called Bar-en-Danwedh,
the "House of Ransom". (Previously, it had been known as Bar-en-Nibin-noeg, the "House of the Petty Dwarves".) When it was discovered that Khîm, who had been shot at, had actually been killed, Túrin repented and offered his services to the Dwarf, who from then on tolerated the presence of the outlaws.

Amon Rûdh became the base of operations for the outlaws and with the arrival of Beleg, it became the heart of the area known as Dor-Cúarthol, the "Land of Bow and Helm" (referring to the Two Captains, Beleg and Túrin), a center of resistance against the forces of Morgoth. Eventually Túrin's location was discovered, and the outlaws were destroyed by Orcs, and the hilltop was covered with blood in truth.
Amon Rûdh was lost under the sea with the destruction of Beleriand during the War of Wrath at the end of the First Age.


Sergon {plant}
Seregon was a plant that grew in rocky soil and produced blood-red flowers, which gave it its name. Seregon was noted as the one plant that mantled the otherwise barren head of Amon Rûdh.

In the First Age, Túrin Turambar was the captain of the Gaurwaith, an outlaw band, that was seeking a new lair when they captured Mîm the Petty-dwarf. In return for his life Mîm led the Men to his home, which was carved into the summit of Amon Rûdh. As they approached the secret hideout from the north, sunlight from the west illuminated the hill and its rich, red flowers, causing the outlaw Andróg to exclaim, "See! There is blood on the hill-top".

Turn to Faradrim.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/tqezr9b5b5...rim_4.sav?dl=0

[Arrow2daknee]

It was a gray evening, and Young Hunthor, who was the Great-Grandson of the High-Lord, was encamped with his few men at the entrance of the Pass of Sirion which would lead to the Fens of Serech and the expansive battlefields of the north. He volunteered to be the Lieutenant of Haldir, his distant relative whom he was waiting for. Haldir was the heir of the House of Haldad, and he was tasked with commanding the Edain of Brethil who volunteered to go north to aid the Noldor. Haldir had taken many of the men west to subdue some bandits that were in the hills, but finally at near-dusk he and his greater force finally met up with Hunthor's. Haldir rode up to Hunthor,

"Greetings, kinsman" he said, "I hope I did not keep you waiting for long"

"Nay" Hunthor replied, "We only made camp here this afternoon, and I expected those savages in the hills to keep you for longer."

"They were nothing, have faith, if we are to defeat what lies through that pass then we cannot let petty bandits give us trouble." Haldir said, "Also, where are the Elves I was supposed to see?"

"You missed them, they departed not long ago and they will be marching through the night. My men and I stayed behind waiting for you," Hunthor said.

"Well, we'll catch up eventually."

Haldirs force made camp and rested for the night. In the morning the Edain began their march through the pass northwards. The sides of the pass were steep and blanketed with pines till it reached high enough where trees couldn't grow. The vale at the center where the River Sirion ran was green and pleasant, and the scenery lifted the men's hearts, and they sang the marching songs of the Edain, and they marched further and faster than men normally would. Sometimes they saw stray Elven companies marching in the distance, with the banners of the Great Houses of Gondolin blazing in the sun alongside their spears. The men wondered at these Elves, and they were determined to stop anything from breaking the pass.

Here's the save , https://drive.google.com/open?id=11g...ClwbNKN73lje1h

[PeaMan]

Long and treacherous where the roads north to the front with barely a road in sight slowing the Elves march considerably but march they did and soon reached the ruins of barad (something?) currently in control of a band of bandits.

Ecthelion had pushed north with his vanguard demanding that the ruins be surrendered but was refused and laid siege to the formidable ruins which saw its defenders atop a mighty hill easily able to repel any attack and the elves only had half their force present as Glorfindel had yet to join up with the vanguard was still marching north.

The elf lord had plans to starve the bandits out but King Turgon had sent the Great Eagles with grave news for Ecthelion from the High King of the Noldor himself Fingolfin with warnings of a imminent invasion of the enemy upon the house of beor had changed his mind and ordered siege equipment be built for a assault knowing time is of the essence and that they must reach the house of beor before the enemy does and defend their lands.

Fingolfin is a noble and wise High King for he summons the Noldor to march forth in strength and defend men. King Turgon can only hope all the Noldor heed the High Kings summons join their forces as one against the enemy.

Glorfindel who was still marching north sent riders to the fierce Haldir who had a force of brave and hard men under his command to join the Elves in defending the house of beor and strengthen the bond between our people.

Nargothrond up - https://www.mediafire.com/file/1tu328t1vsa32o1/QS_Nargothrond_4.sav/file

[Turkafinwë]

Nargothrond and the House of Bëor

“My king we're under attack.” the messenger came storming towards Finrod who was stargazing.


“So it has begun” Finrod said. “The battle has begun in the north.”


“No my lord, it is in the south that we are under attack.”


“The south?” Finrod asked. “But how and by what? There is nothing to the south but the great forest and the sea.”


The messenger caught up to his breath and replied.


“All the reports say that giant Wargs and bats and other evil creatures have entered Nan-Tathren. They have entered Tasarinan.”


“Thank you, go and get yourself some refreshments you have earned it my friend. I'm sorry to tell you that you need to ride back to the Land of Willows and tell them to evacuate the area as soon as possible.” the king said to the messenger.


“But for now take a couple hours of rest.” Finrod added.


“Thank you my King.” the messenger replied before bowing and leaving to take some rest before his next assingment.


Troubling news indeed, Finrod thought as he gazed at the starlit sky. Varda save us, it seems we'll soon be beset on all sides, to the north by Morgoth, in the east by Ungoliant and now in the south by these malevolent creatures. Only the west remained safe. The West, Finrod lamented. The West that he had left, the Valar, his father, his love. Even though he bore a great love for the halls of Nargothrond still life in Exile weighed heavy on him. He had taken no part in the Kinslaying of the Teleri elves and therefore felt no guilt over it, yet he had been punished as such. That being said he thought he had done the right thing to come to Middle-Earth, to combat Evil head-on.


“May the Valar have pity on us.” he whispered to himself.




Bregolas, High Chieftain of the folk of Bëor was sleeping when clamour arose on the walls of Delduwath. The night was dark except for a dark red glow eminating from the north. It could mean only one thing, Morgoth's demons had arrived. Sooner than the men of Bëor had hoped, far too soon. The city was rife with activity, errands to be done, preparations of defences to be made, food to be stored, swords to be sharpened and ten thousand other small things. Most of the women and children were told to flee to the south were they would be welcomed by Finrod to dwell in the lands of Nargothrond. Most of them had already gone through the Pass of Sirion but the more hardy and persistent had stayed and would until whatever end. Bregolas could not force them to go, many of them not wanting to be parted with their loved ones and the cold northern lands they called home.


Better news came from the south where a captain, in a daring move, had entered Nan Dungortheb and raided the lairs of the great spiders. Setting flame to the cobwebs and flesh-sacks from which the spiders were born. The dreaded place had been empty. Where they had gone was a mystery to the captain but he was glad nonetheless. This would lessen the threat in the region for quite some time.


It was the only good news the men of Bëor would receive as soon Dorthonion would be besieged from all sides and it's highland forests filled with horrid creatures and consuming flames.

LORE

Tasarinan/Nan-Tathren, the Land of Willows

Tasarinan is located in the south of Beleriand close to the Taur-nu-Duinath and the the Mouths of Sirion.
Tasarinan is Quenya for the “Vale of Willows”. Little happens in this desolate place in the south of Beleriand, known for its willows and flowery meadows and yet it has some significance in the history of Middle-Earth. It is here where Tuor leads the refugees of Gondolin after its sacking. While sleeping their wounds and aches are healed by Ulmo who's power resides in the river Sirion. It is here also where Tuor and Ëarendil receive their great yearning for the sea which eventually leads to Ëarendil sailing to Valinor and this directly leads to the War of Wrath. A less important event is that this sea-longing leads to Tuor and Idril, Turgon's daughter and Tuor's wife, to sail to Valinor. It is said Tuor is the only man to ever be counted among the Eldar and allowed to reside in Valinor.

Treebeard sings about Nan-tathren or Tasarinan (they mean the same thing the first is in Sindarin and the second is in Quenya) in his song about the world to Merry and Pippin in the Two Towers.



In the willow-meads of Tasarinan I walked in the
Spring.
Ah! the sight and the smell of the Spring in Nan-
tasarion!
And I said that was good.

I wandered in Summer in the elm-woods of Ossiriand.
Ah! the light and the music in the Summer by the
Seven Rivers of Ossir!
And I thought that was best.

To the beeches of Neldoreth I came in the Autumn.
Ah! the gold and the red and the sighing of leaves in the
Autumn in Taur-na-neldor!
It was more than my desire.

To the pine-trees upon the highland of Dorthonion I
climbed in the Winter.
Ah! the wind and the whiteness and the black branches
of Winter upon Orod-na-Thön!
My voice went up and sang in the sky.

And now all those lands lie under the wave,
And I walk in Ambaróna, in Tauremorna, in Aldalómë,
In my own land, in the country of Fangorn,
Where the roots are long,
And the years lie thicker than the leaves
In Tauremornalómë.



Khazad-ai-Belegost up: http://www.mediafire.com/file/y8pfde...ost_4.sav/file

Author's note

Apologies for the delay.

Sacking of Ennas Mornathron

[JCdestr0yer]

"By the highest mountain," said Lord Farin with a smile.

"Or the lowest depths," Friund replied with a smile.

"We shall find each other. Like a miner finds a gem."

"And to live for one another. Like a craftsman makes a necklace with the gem."

"And with this necklace, I make you my wife"

And with that Lord Farin put a neckless around Friund making her his wife.

With that celebration erupted around the hall as songs and drink filled it.

It was a day for celebrating a day of drinking and songs. The many gifts surrounded the hall gold, silver, gems, drink and food. The hall was alive.

​I could not be happier.​ Lord Farin thought as the door to the hall slammed open.

"Lord Farin! Lord Farin ill news I bring," a limping dwarf shouted from the other end of the hall.

​More beasts to kill and on my wedding day, not a day's rest​ he thought growing slightly annoyed and the interruption.

"My Lord Farin its Lord Nali," the injured Dwarf shouted still limping.

"Does he need me to kill a few more beasts. He could wait until after my wedding day." Lord Farin replied.

"No Kibil Dum will fall!" the injured dwarf shouted.

With that, the room grew silent as all eyes looked towards the injured dwarf.

"What's your name dwarf, what happened," Lord Farin said sternly.

"It's Dain my lord and it's the Drakes from the north they have attacked Kibil Dum!" Dain yelled before collapsing on the ground.

All eyes looked towards Lord Farin most of the dwarfs in his army where from Kibil Dum.

"We go now. Gather the clans and do not forget the drink we go to Kibil Dum!"



Lord Nali Looked over the walls of Kibil Dum it seemed like all hope was lost out of nowhere an army of drakes had appeared it seemed like all of them from the north had come nearly every type.
His small command could only prevent them from rushing the walls but now he could see them gathering for one massive assault. No support would arrive in time he knew but with the drakes this far east and south one thing was certain the forces of evil had broken the siege lines of the elves nothing could stop the horror coming.

With that, he took out his dwarven flute to raise the morale of his men and himself ready for the death that would meet him.



Laegrim up http://www.mediafire.com/file/cjhcbb...rim_4.sav/file

[joerock22]

His sword feels heavy in his hands. Why? Has he not been practicing with it for many years? Had he not come to regard it as an extension of his body? Why then, did it feel so foreign, as though lifting it once more would sap the very last residue of his strength?

The hair on the back of his neck stands on end. He does not see the enemy, not yet. But he senses it, watching him as the battle rages all around them. This one was different from all of the wolves he had slain before. Those vile creatures had attacked indiscriminately, not caring whether their prey was the heir to the enemy’s kingdom or just another common soldier. But this…this was different.

The alarmed shout of a bodyguard behind him. He spins, only to come face to face with the very image of death bearing down upon him. A massive beast, easily taller at the shoulder than any elf, charging toward him at a dead sprint, its jaw hanging open ravenously and its haunting yellow eyes boring into his own. Fur and coiled muscle, whipped into a violent frenzy, all moving toward one end—to deprive the enemy of its commander. To bite the head off the serpent, perhaps quite literally.

He does not even think to raise his shield. Even if he wanted to, it is far too late. In that moment, he does not know how to feel. He only knows that soon he will feel nothing at all.

A determined shout, off to his right. A lone figure darts in front of him, interposing itself between him and the great beast. This figure seems hopelessly small in comparison, but it stands bravely nonetheless, raising its sword. The impact is vicious, knocking the lone figure to the ground, the beast bearing down upon him. In the next moment, a sickening squelch is heard, the sound of teeth crunching through armour and into soft flesh. Then the creature raises its head, its jaw now dripping with blood, and snarls.

Finally, Nurwe feels the cold seep from his body. His strength returns, and he finds himself moving, taking two great strides, his two-handed blade flashing over his head in a perfect cleaving strike straight through the creature’s head. He does not pause long enough to watch the wolf die. Instead, he kneels by his fallen bodyguard’s side, watches as the man’s rapidly fading eyes light up at the realization that his lord is alive, that he has done his duty. That his sacrifice was not in vain.

Nurwe snapped awake, his eyes darting all around the room before he gathered his bearings and heaved a deep sigh. His sleep had not been restful as of late, plagued as it was by nightmares. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that it was plagued by memories of the battle at Calen Ossiriand, just days earlier. He could not help but wonder, would it have been better if he had died? Instead, a few moments of paralyzing fear had cost the life of one of his bodyguards, a brave, loyal man whose name Nurwe had never even bothered to learn.

So strange, the loyalty he had taken for granted his entire life, had felt entitled to in fact. In truth, he was entitled to nothing. Loyalty had to be earned. And he had to live his life well enough to honor those who protected him, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Anything less, and he would never be a worthy king.

Firming his countenance, Nurwe rose from his bed to start the day. The wolves had fled, but they would soon be back. There was much to be done: a war to win, a kingdom to manage.

And many, many names to learn.


Morgoth:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cjO...ew?usp=sharing

[Captain Melon]

(ignore the guns)

The forests around the fortress of Tarn Aeluin burned, for the first strike against the kingdom of man struck in the east. Ugu and Krath watched the fortress with their blazing gaze as their army of Orcs waited in anticipation, devouring and butchering the human prisoners they had captured retreating to the castle. They had waited for the gates to open for they had sent forth a spy to cause havoc in the castle as the garrison was distracted by the chaos outside the walls. Not as patient as his Balrog brother, Ugu suddenly roared in anger and charged the fortress. Krath snorted in displeasure and followed. The ground shook with every step as the two monsters approached the castle, human arrows burning to a crisp as the human archers' futile attempts to bring down the Balrogs failed. The two Balrogs were large enough to climb over the walls themsleves and jump over for there was nothing the human garrison could do. As Krath began butchering the garrison with his giant flaming sword, Ugu jumped down into the courtyard behind the gatehouse. With one mighty kick, the demon broke the gate as it exploded outwards and created an opening for the encroaching Orcish horde outside. By the end of the massacre, every single foot of the fortress burned. This was a war of annihilation and no mercy would be shown to the enemies of Morgoth.



In the west, Delduwath stood in defiance against Gothmog and his army. The Balrog leader stood on a hill overlooking the might city Deluwath. He, like his master, felt insulted that the line of Beor had dared to build their capital so close to Morgoth's realm. A mighty roar resounded behind Gothmog as he turned around and snorted. It was time...time to unleash his master's greatest weapon.....besides himself of course. This would be the first test of the black wyrm and Gothmog himself was curious to see if it could match his own destructive power....

"Eradticate them Glaurung. Leave nothing but ash and ruin......"

[General Dragon.]

I will need an extension for this turn. I can only do it tomorrow.

EDIT:
House Ulfang up!
https://www.sendspace.com/file/9x9aqc

Deldúwang, the city of the brave men of House Bor stood proudly up to this day, as today the city made it's last stand againts the dark forces. Gothmog, Lord of the Balrogs and chief commander of Melkor's forces surrounded the city with his legions of orcs, denying any way out from the city, trapping thousands of soldiers and all those innocent people, that didn't flee the city before. He made sure this will be a battle to prove the world, that the Dark Lords forces are the most mighty of all forces of this world.
No one knows what were the thoughts that run through High Chieftain Bregolas's mind, when he saw something far terrifying, than the Balrogs and their vast hordes of orcs, he saw an enourmous creature arrive slowly towards the walls of his city. Glaurung, father of all dragons and the mightiest finally arrived to the first major settlement of the mortal races, escorted by hundreds of his smaller children and all ready to follow their father in his footsteps.

The order rang clearly in Glaurung mind, by the Dark Lord. - "Eradicate them Glaurung, destroy them all! Lay waste on everything they hold dear and leave nothing but ash and ruins!"
With that Glaurung moved near to the walls of the city, disregarding all the humans, that were firing dozens of arrows againts him, but not a single one made any sratch on his thick skin. With a thunderous roar he signed for all his children to come forth and swarm the men of Beor, while Glaurung with one mighty strike by one of his leg crashed down on the stone walls, collapsing it entirely at a section of it and making a way for his children to run in.
With a way open all the dragon kinds swarmed into the city and lay waste on everything inside. The defenders put up a valiant, but a useless fight in the end, as they stood no chance. If they cut down or cornered few dragons, even to achieve that they lost companies of soldiers and for every dragon that fell, dozens took their place. In the end they cut down a hundred of smaller dragons while most of the city was rampaged through by dragons. Gothmog and his army took no place in the battle, just stood watch over it around the city, showing that the might of Glaurung is so great, no one can stand againts it. In the end, however Gothmog lost 4 orcs, as when he finally marched into the city a somehow survivor man jumped into a group of orcs, slaying four of them with the suprise attack, before he met his death. A foolish action, that resulted in nothing, no matter, what the mortal races would think for this bravery.
With the city in control now and House Bor losing their Chieftain, the rest of the kingdom should fall more easily to the Dark Lords forces.

https://imgur.com/XWKZmHH


In the far east, in the Blue Mountains the Halls of Kibil Dum fell to the horde of dragons, led by one named as Olüri. He and his kin finally deemed the time right to strike and when the suns was at it's highest peak, the dragons stormed the dwarven halls overpowering the defenders. The sturdy dwarves fought until their last breath and even out numbered, they managed to kill a few couple of dragon kin, before succumbing to their power. With the mountain under control many dragons started to make new nests into the former dwarven halls preparing it to became a new frontier colony for further conquest in the name of the Dark Lord.
https://imgur.com/d13I8Z1


Shelog was beaten back the damned elves and now she is healing her wounds while preparing new generation of spiders for a new attack in the next seasons. On the other side Ungoliant hearing, that his cavern has been sacked and burned out in great anger and furry turned around from his goal, his march towards the elven lands, and moved back towards his former cave, to reclaim his home for herself and her children.



In the lands of South new hordes of creatures are preparing to move towards the lands of the avari, but the previous defeat's wound is still felt and as such a new way might be used to run into the lands of the avari causing mayhem with new hordes of wolves, wargs and giant bats.
However while this horde is preparing itself another great pact of wolves and wargs stormed the settlement of Dimrost outsmarting the defenders and climbing the wooden walls, that weren't large enough, as the denizens hoped. The soldiers of the town were slaughtered by the overpowering numbers of wolves and wargs making it into a slaughter house. Many of the civilians tried to escape but not all of them were fortunate enough and cut caught and killed.
https://imgur.com/QWhMoaD

Meanwhile in the western elven lands the night creature horde still swarm around a large city of the elves cutting it off, from vital supplies and soon the inhabitants either die from food shortages or get killed by the creatures of the dark forests.

[Jadli]

House of Fingolfin up! http://www.mediafire.com/file/62gawl...fin_5.sav/file

[Adanedhel]

Fingolfin

“(...) I then raised my bow and arrow, after gaining up on it, thought for sure that this time I would hit the mark, but as soon as the arrow left my hand the deer darted suddenly to the left! I swear I even saw the feathers whisk the back of the animal. It was then that my horse jerked me left and I fell off landing straight into a high thorn bush.”

“Ah, yes, I remember that. It was a mighty fall!” Fingolfin chuckled as Hador finished telling the memorable story of their hunting expedition that one beautiful and peaceful afternoon, so many years ago. “You were so stuck in those thorns that you couldn’t get out. I wanted to help, but I just could not make myself stop laughing; you looked so absurd in that position!” the king laughed.

“I can tell you it was not comfortable AT ALL!” Hador replied with a grin on his face. “Sadly, the elusive white deer escaped from us.”

“A pity indeed. Those were joyful days. So quiet. So serene. Back then I could leave my household for a month and ride all over Beleriand without any worries or doubts. I felt so free,” the king said as they rode at a brisk pace behind the vanguard of the elven force.

The two companions continued speaking about past adventures they shared. You could easily tell that they were old friends who went through many situations in life together. Now they were riding together once more, just like in the old days. But this time they knew it was different.

“I hear your son, Galdor, was glad of the change and the chance to march to war,” Fingolfin said. “What about your grandsons, Hurin and Huor? They are proud, strong men. How did take the news of sudden war?” the king asked.

“They were both overjoyed and eager to go, even though I wanted them to stay in Dor-lomin, and to keep an eye on our youngest two rascals, Turin and Tuor,” Hador replied. “Yet they were obstinate to ride with their father and would not be persuaded otherwise. Perhaps they are too eager… just look at them,” the two turned around and saw many ranks behind Hurin and Huor, riding with a company of Elves, singing from the top of their lungs a merry, if not a little silly song, making many ostentatious and absurd gestures, throwing their helmets up in the air, jumping on and off their horses, as well as other such nonsense. Hador was a bit annoyed with their frivolous behavior.

“Let them have a bit of fun,” said the Elf sensing Hador’s distaste. “My soldiers seem very glad of their jests and singing. We need such good spirits against the days that are to come. I am happy they are riding with us, my good friend!” said Fingolfin, as he whispered to his horse to halt. “I will ride back to you soon, Hador. I wish to learn a certain song now!” he turned his horse around and rode back to the sounds of two cheerful men.

Meanwhile, the army of Elves and Men rode on north-east without fear, without regret, ready for anything…


Feanor: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Hm...WIFGF3Q91phKSC

[King Athelstan]

This was not a good day for Maedhros, nor for the rest of the host of Fëanor. He had sent his forces north, to face the two mighty armies led by two Balrogs, but he had not reached the forces in time. They had gone to the west, and attacked the men of the House of Bëor. His face saddened upon once again reading the message he had received, the man nervously waiting for a response.


Thus, Maedhros prepared his lines of defence. He bid the army he sent north to return south, as it would not due to have it press onwards while the south, west and east was burned. As he prepared to write a response to the men, the doors of the hall of Himring opened. An elf of his people, clearly exhausted stood there, next to a Naugrim. While of short stature he seemed an impressive sight, though weary from a long and quick journey.

The elf spoke first:
"Mylord, the enemy has come! Not from the north, but from the east! He has laid siege to a small settlement north of Eithel Gelion!"
"Then we shall ride out to meet them! Send our forces east!"
"It is worse than you might think, I bring urgent news from Belegost."
Maedhros turned to face the dwarf, and accepted the letter that was given him. Opening it, he quickly read through it.


Maedhros was taken aback by the contents of this message. He stared at the floor for a few moments, frowning deeply.

"Very well. So be it, it seems my messengers will have plenty to do today."

He sighed deeply, then wrote his replies.
.

He gave the letters to the man and the dwarf, who bowed before quickly leaving Himring, riding with all haste back to their homeland.

The elf stood still, patiently awaiting his next command.

"For you, I have a different task. You shall make way to the Laugrim, the Avari in the south. With the enemy on three sides of the lands I swore to protect, I cannot come through alone. Therefore, send these words south."



The elf bowed and made his way out of the hall, swiftly heading south. He left no time for food nor rest, everything was at stake.

Maedhros bid another messenger come forth, and laid out directions for his troops movements. He had no money to arm new ones, so he had to make do with what he had.

"Bid Udir quicken his pace. They might "just" be men, but we need everything we can muster, if we are to come through this still alive. Though for me to come through this alive I do not care, I have wronged enough to deserve whatever the Vala have in store for me. I will gladly give up my life should it mean the enemy dies with me. "

As Maedhros talked and planned, the birds outside Himring chirped quitely as the day turned to dusk, and darkness rose to cover the sky


Doriath

[paladinbob123]

King Thingol walked in the halls of Menegroth , trying to do his best to relax against the aches and pains that troubled him , after recent battles, and leading his troops into battles and further training. Messages had come from far afield from the Dwarfven city of Belegost , that they had lost settlements and noted individuals in combat, against the drakes of Morgoth. The dwarfs were however ideally placed to fight such creatures having armour which resisted the heat the drakes spewed far better than the other races, giving them somewhat of a advantage.



The threats from the north had lessened for the movement, although there was much still to do , with the forces of darkness making ground on both eastern and western sides of the land of Beleriand. Peoples were calling for the army of Doriath in both quarters and the threat of the spiders was not yet done. With Ungoliant still around, the kingdom of Doriath worried about striking out , without maximum numbers. Their army commanders were also rather unexperienced and the Kingdom of Doriath was lacking funds , having recently invested in advancing its combat capability . King Thingol had much to think about , calling back his forces to reallocation , as he would have to decide where to put his forces, into two half strength forces or one large force . To some degree , one force would be more significant , but two forces could make a small difference , in the combats to come, if they arrived at the right time. Doubt clouded Thingol's mind as he walked and paced the halls of Menegroth , searching for the answer he would have to make.



{Halls of Menegroth}

To ease his mind , against the decision he must soon make , he slumped into his throne, as call after call for aid, reached his doors, but Doriath had little to spare, his kingdom , although being wealthy was not rich, having just enough goods and wealth to perhaps defend his own , and any expenditure in funding a expedition outside the forest , would leave the forest kingdom little to defend itself, and such a risky move , would need much to justify it. Seeing the elf's below in the caves, dance to the sounds of the harp , that reverberated around the halls, he held his head in his hands , racked with indecision and worry about what to do in such desperate times.


Turn to Falathrim

https://www.dropbox.com/s/l6pr28v7mx...rim_5.sav?dl=0

[Arrow2daknee]

Falathrim

Cirdan was out riding in the countryside with many of the Falathrim nobles, among them were the greatest engineers and planners of his people. He ordered the construction of many new infrastructure projects in the hinterlands leading out from the coasts. Now with the fourth battle waging in the north, and the girdle of Melian being compromised, the lands of the Falathrim were quickly becoming the only safe haven for the people of Beleriand. Thus many Elves and Men were coming to the Falas, and Cirdan wanted them to live there, where they could work and develop this untapped territory, rather than crowding into the coastal havens. As Cirdan rode with his company he recalled memories of the First Battle, he fought long ago in these lands but had to retreat back to the havens until he was saved by Elu Thingol and the arrival of the Noldor. The hinterlands were sparsely populated compared to the coastal havens, only farming villages and lone homesteads occupied it, with some small trading towns at the crossroads, but it was not always so. Before the first battle many more Gray Elves dwelled there in peace, until Morgoth sent his hosts down from the north in an attempt to cut the Sindar off from each other. Cirdan and his people met them in battle and were unfortunately defeated, the Elves living in the hinterlands were then evacuated and scattered as the orcs caused terror in the Falas. Those were the most painful days in the memories of the Falathrim, and many of the people that were evacuated stayed in the safe coastal regions afterwards, and did not return to their former homes where they lived before the first battle.

With the arrival of the Noldor the Falas was saved. Some of these new exiled Elves found homes in Cirdan's lands, often marrying with his people. And the Noldor taught the Sindar of the Falas the art of smithing metal weapons, but thankfully the Falathrim had not needed to fight a battle since their arrival, since the Noldor in the north kept the orcs at bay, and the established Kingdom of Nargothrond, ruled by the courageous Finrod, had forever kept anything evil from the east out of the Falas. But now Cirdan knew that his next battle was drawing near. He had ordered his people to prepare for war as soon as the first reports of a great fire spewing from the north came in, but now he redoubled his efforts, and his people grew stronger and readier every day, and their population swelled as the hinterlands were being developed.

Cirdan was on a small hill, surveying the area around him with his company, some workers could be seen constructing a new pathway in the distance. Suddenly a scruffy looking Dwarf rode up on a pony. He was obviously tired from a long journey, but he also looked relieved to have finished it. He greeted the Elves, and handed over a message, for Cirdan's eyes only of course. Cirdan thanked him and ordered some of his people to take him to the coast, where he could rest in luxury for a while. Cirdan opened the note and read it with a confused, but grim face.



The news that Frerin sent of Kibil Dum being attacked by drakes just added onto the Free People's list of defeats in the north. Cirdan was saddened but confused as Frerin's message made it seem as if he could have warned them of the dragon's approach and the state of the siege, but of course none of the Falathrim were taking part in the siege. Cirdan sighed, and tucked the message away, and did not write any reply. He then rode back to Brithombar, where he celebrated the wedding of his young adopted apprentice Arandur, who was recently victorious in battle against the bandits and united the Falathrim with the Gray Elves to the north.



As the night fell, Cirdan rested, knowing that tomorrow the Falathrim would be stronger.

The Edain of Brethil

Prince Haldir and his volunteers made their camp for the evening on their march northwards. Their hopes were high and they ate and drank together around their campfires. The march was rougher than any other they had ever made, but they were enchanted by the wonder of the new lands they found. They saw themselves to be akin to the heroes of the Haladin who had saved their house in the past, including the great leader Haleth, who had led them to Brethil after the House of Haldad was almost destroyed in a bitter battle. Haldir was in deep conversation with young Hunthor when a small group of Elves from Gondolin came into their woodland camp. They gave him a letter and tarried a bit with the Edain, the Elves were almost as interested in learning about the Men of Brethil as the Men were in learning about Gondolin. The Elves and Men talked while the Prince read their message.



Haldir jotted down a reply and gave it to the Elves of Gondolin, who took it back north. Then the Men rested for the night and continued their long march.



High Lord Halmir rode into eastern Brethil to inspect a new castle that his men had just finished building, when some of his rangers arrived with a Dwarf. The Dwarf spoke softly and with respect, and handed over a note. Halmir read it promptly.



This was terrible news to Halmir, for the drakes and dragons were to him the worst kind of foe. They could set fires in his forest and the Edain of Brethil were not as physically strong or tall as their kin, and thus were not as well equipped to deal with them. Their only hope against such enemies would be their agility, but they would need several well placed arrows to down a single dragon. And if the Dwarves, who are famous drake slayers, lost one of their mighty cities to them, then Brethil would surely stand no chance against them. Halmir wrote a reply, and handed it to the Dwarf as he left on his journey home, then he ordered the arming of all the men he could arm, for war was fast approaching Brethil.



Turn to Gondolin - https://drive.google.com/file/d/11bg...ew?usp=sharing

[PeaMan]

Bright white lights were seen shining out of the great smith of Gondolin, for Turgon had begun work on a set of armour for the war to come.. Many hours he beat the steel while below the people looked in awe burst of light came through the windows as though the valar themselves had come.



King Turgon was marching towards his chambers when Penlod approached him with word that a great council had been summoned..

When entering the kings hall Turgon immediately recognised a Tall man and a small hairy fellow had been present and looked to Penrod with suspicion wondering why these strangers were allowed entry into the hidden city but remembered his manners and turned to greet them..

"Welcome friends w-" said the king.

"No time for pleasantries king, dark times lay ahead and our lands are plagued by orcs alongside the great drakes of the north.." said the dwarf from Belegost

"The dwarf lord speaks the truth, the enemy are moving in forth killing any they come across. We most band together or fall divided." said the tall man

The elf lords murmured amongst themselves until Maeglin rose..

"We should send all our men! we are protected by the encircling mountains the enemy cannot find us! I will govern the kingdom while the king battles with the enemy."

Many agreed with his plan but Penlod instead proposed that the kingdom be governed by a council of 3 noble houses of Gondolin which made Maeglin furious and insulted the elf lord declaring him to be a traitor.

"Enough!" shouted King Turgon slamming the staff of doom into the floor.

"The time has come, we can no longer hide behind our mountains and hope the shadow passes us by. We will march forth in strength against the enemy.. My lord Galdor, send word to the house of beor that we offer refuge to their people should they need it and that we march to their aid and send word to all the kings and lords of middle earth to join us in a union.."

Meanwhile in the north Ecthelion assaults the banit held hill loosing hundreds in the attack but a worthy sacrifice now that the path east lays open, after taking the settlement he departs at once north joining up with the forces of men and elves prepared to strike at the enemy.

Note: I had a longer RP written but lost it because I had to reload the page and forgot to copy (twice).

Nargothrond up - https://www.mediafire.com/file/s02ncfthdzpkisc/QS_Nargothrond_5.sav/file

[Turkafinwë]

Nargothrond and the House of Bëor

“STAND FIRM MEN!”


“HERE THEY COME!”


“DEATH TO THE ORCS!”


Bregolas yelled marching across the walls, encouraging his men.


“DO NOT SHOW THEM FEAR! DO NOT ….....”


“Elbereth save us” he whispered as his voice died when he saw the great worm himself, Glaurung, approach the walls.


Fear engulfed the High Chieftain and his men but it soon was pushed away by a fury so divine it had to have come from the Valar themselves.


“ARCHERS! KILL THOSE MONSTERS!” Bregolas ordered while he himself led his melee troops from the walls. Though mighty these walls might seem to Man they would be no match for this creature, he thought, and right he was for Glaurung tore them down like a child tearing down a house of cards. Arrows seemed to simply bounce of his thick horny skin and didn't even draw blood. Though the dragon seemed impervious to any attack Bregolas and his men held firm and fought till the end. He planted himself between the Dread Worm and his home. There was no hope for victory, no hope for even wounding the enemy in the slightest but all these things didn't matter anymore. With sword and shield in hand and hatred in his eyes Bregolas charged the enemy who had come to take everything from him. The High Chieftain's frenzied battlecry was lost in the roaring fires that were unleashed from Glaurung's mouth. In mere seconds the Chieftain of the House of Bëor was turned into ashes. With their lord dead the men of Bëor charged the enemy, into the maws of death. Thus Bregolas, fifth Chieftain since Bëor, passed in flames as so many of his noble House did that day. Baragund, his eldest son fought valiantly to keep hold of the eastern lands of Ladros but to no avail. Men could not contend with Dragons nor with Balrogs for that matter which even the Eldar feared. Baragund died, not unlike his father, with sword in hand and fury in his body. Yet no fury could save them nor any man that day and though men died valiantly, they died and in the end no valour nor any glory would make Morgoth's victory any less sweet.


Dorthonion had fallen.

I will stand firm, I refuse to kneel!
The fury in me is divine!
My dark grave awaits, my fate is revealed
but I'm not afraid to die!

...

The proud man stood firm, he refused to kneel!
Then fury in him was divine!
Now he is dead, his fate has been sealed!
He's brought to Golden Hall up high!




Lore

Dorthonion and Ladros

Dorthonion was a forested highland region north of Beleriand. The hilly north-eastern section was called Ladros. Dorthonion was walled-in by the Echoriath in the west and the Ered Gorgoroth in the south. The lands of Dorthonion and Ladros were first the domain of Aegnor, Angrod and Finrod. Angrod and Aegnor ruled in the highlands of Dorthonion and Finrod in Ladros. After the completion of the halls of Nargothrond many of the Noldor moved from the northern highlands south with Finrod. The Noldor who remained in Dorthonion were governed by the brothers Angrod and Aegnor as vassals of Finrod. Later the Lordship of Ladros was given to the House of Bëor as a fief by the High King of the Noldor, Fingolfin. During the Dagor Bragollach, Dorthonion was overrun by Morgoth's forces and was afterwards only know as Taur-nu-Fuin, the Forest under Nightshade referring to the evil creatures that lurked in the dead pinetrees. Barahir, the son of Bregil and brother of Bregolas, refused to forsake his homeland and with his son, Beren and eleven other companions, he remained in Dorthonion for many years until Gorlim, one of the twelve companions, betrayed their position to Sauron. All save Beren were slain who had been away from the hideout at that moment on an errand. Beren follows the band of Orcs who had slain his father, killed the captain and recovered the Ring of Barahir, which Finrod had given him for saving his life during the Dagor Bragollach. In the end Beren was pursued and had to flee his homeland across the Ered Gorgoroth into Doriath where he met Lúthien. This is where the Lay of Leithian (Story of Beren and Lúthien) begins.


"To North there lay the Land of Dread
whence only evil pathways led
o’er hills of shadow bleak and cold
or Taur-na-Fuin’s haunted hold
where Deadly Nightshade lurked and lay
and never came or moon or day."― Lay of Leithian, Canto I

Khazad-ai-Belegost up: http://www.mediafire.com/file/lob9os...ost_5.sav/file

[JCdestr0yer]

Sorry, uni work will upload Rp as soon as available

any chance house Beor will live even as a slave faction to the evil.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/rnv9uw...rim_5.sav/file

[joerock22]

Sorry to hold up the hotseat, but I didn't really pay attention to this apparent rule change until it came time to play my turn. Dragon posted this on discord last week:

jadli agreed with me, that because I don't have infantry units even if I can get it takes me a really long time to allow me to recruit it and I don't have siege units aswel, except glaurung, so I can use spies without restrictions

I don't like allowing the evil creature factions to use spies without restrictions. To me, a better solution is to say that if an evil creature army successfully sieges a settlement for one turn (meaning the enemy can't relieve it), then the admin can spawn them a ballista so they can assault the settlement. Evil creatures already have excellent AR and cavalry MP. The don't need the advantage of being able to assault well-defended settlements without restriction. Those advantages more than make up for their inability to recruit ballistas/catapults, IMO.

I realize bats can fly over walls and spiders can crawl over them. But sentries would see a large army of evil creatures coming from a long way off, and a well-defended settlement would resist for a long time regardless. So the defenders would have time to bring reinforcements in from other areas. The only way to represent this in-game is to treat the evil creature armies the same as everyone else. Make them siege a well-defended settlement like everyone else, and then allow them to assault the settlement after one turn like everyone else.

I need to know which way this is going to go before I play my turn.

[King Athelstan]

Having a ballista spawned in after a turn sounds like an excellent solution, I presume it'll be disbanded after each siege?