Book 2: Chapter 2 - The Lost Colony

It was in the beginning of the reign of Malvegil of Arthedain that evil came to Arnor. For at that time the realm of Angmar arose in the North beyond the Ettenmoors. Its lands lay on both sides of the Mountains, and there were gathered many evil men, and Orcs, and other fell creatures. The lord of that land was known as the Witch-king, but it was not known until later that he was indeed the chief of the Ringwraiths, who came north with the purpose of destroying the Dúnedain in Arnor, seeing hope in their disunion, while Gondor was strong.

Ruins of the North is a game set in the north of Eriador in the ruins of Arnor between the years of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. Using the One Ring RPG system the game will explore the legacy of the Dunedain and the dangers returned to that part of Middle-earth.

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The Gap of Rohan: A Fortnight Since Frecasburg

Post by Wbweather » Fri Feb 02, 2018 6:29 am

The hobbit enjoyed the journey north, glad to be moving away from danger for the time being. The only thing that dampened his spirits was the fact that his pipe-weed had long ago all been smoked. He would have enjoyed a bowl sitting around the camp fire at night, but that was only a minor frustration and was soon put out of mind as he wondered to himself what might lie ahead for the company. The colony had been found, the matter seemed laid to rest once and for all. He wondered if the others had any use for him from here on out. He missed Bree, but this company had become a family to him and he was not yet ready to part with them. Still, they had to visit the wizard at Orthanc and travel the long road home. Three was plenty of time left before he would have to think about saying his goodbyes. Who knew what might happen between now and then?

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The Ringwall of Isengard

Post by Vardaen » Tue Feb 06, 2018 3:53 pm

Oxdis nods, his beard swings side to side. "Well, that's mighty charitable of you Halleth." He rejoins Hartley and Vara and stomps along. You press up north through the Wizard's Vale for several more days. On the second day you once again get the feeling you are being watched. There are eyes in the vale on you, but you can't actually see them, you can just sense then. By the third day you reach the Ringwall of sIengard.
"Late one evening I came to the gate, like a great arch in the wall of rock; and it was strongly guarded. But the keepers of the gate were on the watch for me and told me that Saruman awaited me." -Gandalf

For many more hours you march north into the Vale until you can see far ahead the black tower that is Orthanc. It grows larger as you march, a great tooth that reaches up form the ground toward the blue sky set before the rising of the Misty Mountains behind it. You come at last to the ring-wall and its gate and find it shut before you. Many guards stand atop the wall, and mark your arrival.

Where the road leading to the circle of Isengard leaves the river Isen to turn to the north-west it becomes a wide paved street. Here many workers have toiled for Saruman, cutting and squaring great flat stones quarried from the mountains, and laying them with skill. The road progresses on its westerly course until it reaches a great circle of stone standing against the face of the mountain beyond: the ring-wall of Isengard.

More akin to a vast, natural cliffside than to the work of Man, the ring-wall is a full mile wide. It runs out of the mountain-side and returns to it, encircling the Tower of Orthanc as a first formidable line of defence. No force or cunning device available to the Free Peoples of Middle-earth today could open a breach in the black rock of the ring-wall, nor conceive the mighty works that were necessary to raise it, if the circle of stone was indeed ever raised by Man. It is nearly one hundred feet high and equally thick, and only one gate interrupts its perimeter, a great archway opening where the circle faces south. The arch leads to a long tunnel, dug into the black rock of the wall and closed at either end with tall, iron doors. Newly wrought, both outer and inner gates are set on their great hinges with such precision that when unbarred they can be opened by a single man effortlessly and silently, letting Saruman come and go at his will.

The outer gates are flanked by two towers that can only be accessed from within the ring-wall. Several low windows and arrow-slits betray the presence of the keepers of the gates manning the guardrooms inside the towers, men chosen among the most faithful servants of the White Wizard.

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Thirteen Days Since Leaving Frecasburg
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

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The Ringwall of Isengard

Post by Muskrat » Tue Feb 06, 2018 7:57 pm

Halleth looks admiringly at the walls. "The men of the West built these walls in ancient days." He shakes his head. "We have fallen far since then," he says sadly. He think it's a pity that the fortress is now occupied by a do-nothing wizard, but holds his tongue on that matter for now.

As they approach the walls, he shouts our to the guards. "Hail! We were through here some weeks back and have brought back some intelligence that will of interest to Saruman." He glances sharply at Telurin. "And an object." He feels somewhat anxious for he is eager to see Aravule.

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The Ringwall of Isengard

Post by Blubbo_Baggins » Tue Feb 06, 2018 8:53 pm

"Yes," adds Telurin to the words Halleth has spoken. "We are the company of Aravule, a pupil of Saruman. The Wizard sent us on a specific task, and we have now returned to report. I would not be surprised to hear that he is expecting us."

Telurin could not help being amazed every time he saw Isengard; to think that mere Men had built this place, the make of which even Elves had not fathomed, was hard to believe. But the evidence was there before his eyes and he could not doubt it.

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The Ringwall of Isengard

Post by Seosaidh » Tue Feb 06, 2018 11:05 pm

Dubhthach also hails the guards, "Hallo! Dubhthach returns with the strangers from the North! We wish to report to Saruman!"
“Do not despise the lore that has come down from distant years; for oft it may chance that old wives keep in memory word of things that once were needful for the wise to know.” ~ Celeborn, The Fellowship of the Ring

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The Ringwall of Isengard

Post by Vardaen » Fri Feb 09, 2018 7:59 pm

Guards gaze over the side of the wall, eyes peer out of arrow slits, and a single armored man stands at the fore. He is fully armored, like a knight of Gondor almost, he calls down, "Welcome back to Isengard. The Wizard Saruman was expecting you arrival since you arrived in the vale. Your rooms are ready for you." The gate then swings open on silent hinges, and a pair of guards, dressed the same step out, and escort you through the Ringwall Tunnel.

"You will follow me," one says.

The arch leads to a long tunnel, dug into the black rock of the wall and closed at either end with tall, iron doors. Newly wrought, both outer and inner gates are set on their great hinges with such precision that when unbarred they can be opened by a single man effortlessly and silently, letting Saruman come and go at his will.

The outer gates are flanked by two towers that can only be accessed from within the ring-wall. Several low windows and arrow-slits betray the presence of the keepers of the gates manning the guardrooms inside the towers, men chosen among the most faithful servants of the White Wizard.

The entrance tunnel runs the full width of the ring-wall and rises half as high. So wide is the passage that men on horseback may ride four abreast. Iron sconces line the wall, but the torches within them seem to offer only flickering shadows instead of illumination.

A wide door is set into the western wall half-way into the passage, at the top of a stair. It leads to the main guard room serving the entrance, where the gatekeepers in the service of the White Wizard store arms and armour, prepare their meals and take rest.

You pass through the tunnel into the inner courtyard of Isengard. The great courtyard set within the ring-wall of Isengard is a circle plain a mile wide, slightly concave, like a shallow basin. At its centre rises the Tower of Orthanc, like the hub of a great wheel. Eight avenues spring from the foot of the tower to reach the rim of the circle. Green grass grows between the paths, among groves of trees and fruitful orchards. To the north of Orthanc is a placid lake, fed by many streams flowing down from the mountains to the north-west.

Behind your the gates, inner and outer both swing closed on silent hinges locking you inside Isengard's inner courtyard. "You will come with me, and when you are called on then you may visit with Lord Saruman." They turns to the left and take you along the curving circular road that following the inside of the ring wall around the circle wall. Hundreds of windows and doors are set along the inner side of the ringwall, as its inside is dug with countless chambers, halls, and passages.

They take you a distance along the wall, far, but not too far, and stops at a door opening it. "You may wait and lodge here until the Wizard wishes to see you. You are not to venture beyond these quarters. The courtyard is off limits, so too is the ring wall, and any of the other quarters within it. Break these laws, and you shall suffer a punishment swift and harsh. Do not tempt the generosity of The White Wizard Saruman. Do I make myself clear?"

The two guards are posted outside the door and remain there during the rest of your stay.

Inside you can see at quick glance a collection of chambers, fine, and comfortable for your stay similar to a inn or tavern you might find in Gondor.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

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The Ringwall of Isengard

Post by Muskrat » Fri Feb 09, 2018 11:44 pm

"Excuse me my good man," says Halleth to their guide. "I would like a chance to meet with my liege Aravule, who is staying here studying with Saruman. Could you have someone pass word to him that I am here and eager to see him again?"

While they wait, Halleth does his best to settle in, but paces restlessly. He does not like being confined--but he is not about to leave the space. He may think Saruman is a coward, but he knows the wizard is powerful and is not about to tempt his wrath without good reason.

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The Ringwall of Isengard

Post by Blubbo_Baggins » Sat Feb 10, 2018 12:00 am

Telurin is a bit surprised at the guard's harshness. Even if they had ill intent, it was not as if this small company posed any threat to the security of Isengard. But it was clear they had not only come voluntarily and were expected by the Wizard, but had even met with him before, having gone on this errand in part as a task given them by Saruman.

He did not show any annoyance however, maintaining his calm, even amused look. He was a Wood-elf after all, and not one of the overly-lamentful Elves of Rivendell. Such thoughts he never spoke aloud, but then, he wasn't as foolish as those Wayward elves, either.

"Well, it is certainly more comfortable here than in goblin-infested hills," says Telurin. He looked forward to meeting the Wizard, as he knew Saruman was an expert at crafted things, and wanted to talk to him much about Lampmaking and even learn what he knew of controlling fire. Truth be told, (though he'd probably never admit it), he hoped to learn something from Saruman about fireworks.

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The Ringwall of Isengard

Post by Vardaen » Mon Feb 12, 2018 4:41 pm

The guide nods, "I would pass the word on to Sir Aravule for you if I could, but he not in Isengard. I should say no more, but I think it safe to say that he left many weeks ago, I believe to Tharbad on an errand for Lord Saruman. The details of which I'm not privy too. Perhaps the White Wizard will tell you more." He lingers about for any other requests or comments before heading off.

"I should certainly hope so," the man's comment are in reply to Telurin's mention of goblins, "There have never been, nor will there ever be, goblins in Isengard! You are safe here if you obey the rules." He takes his leave then and you head into the rooms provided, the same one as before.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

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The Ringwall of Isengard

Post by Muskrat » Mon Feb 12, 2018 6:41 pm

"He's gone back to Tharbad, eh?" says Halleth with some surprise. "Well, yes, I will ask Saruman about it." Halleth wonders if Aravule has an escort of some sort with him--he doesn't like to think of him alone in the hostile city of Tharbad. But he does not want to ask the guard, who has probably already gone out on a limb, saying more than he should. Halleth appreciated he was willing to do so in this seemingly highly regimented place.

Halleth lingered to speak with the guards at the front of their quarters. "I've been wondering ... Where are you lads from? Not just you two, but the lot of you manning Isengard? Did Saruman recruit you from Gondor? Are you Rohirrim? Dunlendings? Or from all over?"

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