Book 3: Chapter 1 - Nightmares of Angmar

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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Night April 27th: Northern Barrow

Post by Vardaen » Mon Jan 07, 2019 8:17 pm

The corpse matches that of Halleth's vision, but aged and decayed of course. The rest of the chamber is much like Halleth saw, again, touched by age, but it is in much better shape than the first. A search of the barrow reveals nothing more out of order, things are as expected. So by Halleth's desire you leave Arafel's grandfather to lay in peace and move back out. You are able to close and lock the barrow door to the tomb and turn to the third and final option. Again the brooch provides you access and you open the door. You are at once assaulted with a cold wind.

This is different than the other coldness however, this is true wind, a rush of air from someplace deeper pushes through the barrow past you and out the front door, its like opening a window on a windy day to get a cross breeze. You can smell the flowers from the top of the barrow, their sweet scent masking the darker smell of earth and decay here. Telurin's lamp lights the tunnel and you walk down it a bit to see the barrow there broken wide open to the elements outside. A curtain of vegetation forms a wall opposite the door. It 'breaths' in and out as the wind blows through it. You shiver in the night cold that presses in.

The tomb lies empty, no body, but only a few scraps of finery and a few bones and lots of signs of wild life.
"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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Night April 27th: Northern Barrow

Post by Blubbo_Baggins » Mon Jan 07, 2019 9:08 pm

"There is no sign of Arphan's ghost," says Telurin. "What was the purpose of this long journey? Let us hope it does not simply end here, unsolved." He steps outside and looks to see where on the mound this hidden entrance lay.

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Night April 27th: Southern Barrow

Post by Wbweather » Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:43 am

"Yes, and we still have the other chamber." Hartley does not like the suggestion that there could be events happening here that they could not see.

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Night April 27th: Southern Barrow

Post by Muskrat » Tue Jan 08, 2019 9:02 pm

Halleth follows Telurin out, to see what lies on the far side of the opening in the tomb. "If we see nothing here, I would say we go back to the intact tomb there--I sensed Arphan's presence there, or at least think I did. Maybe he lies trapped in some fell, ghostly realm that lies parallel to that room."

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Night April 27th: Southern Barrow

Post by AndyDez » Thu Jan 10, 2019 1:15 am

"Blimey! To think, a hobbit, nay a Brandybuck, fearful of being underground! This barrow nerves me."

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Night April 27th: Southern Barrow

Post by Muskrat » Thu Jan 10, 2019 6:21 pm

Halleth's attention is elsewhere, but he remarks absently, "Of course you're unnerved. This place is haunted, quite possibly by evil spirits."

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Night April 27th: Northern Barrow

Post by Vardaen » Mon Jan 14, 2019 4:48 pm

The hole in the wall leads outside! The curtain of vines and flowers masks the hole quit well, and you doubt you'd ever of seen this opening from the outside. The moon is in the air above, and the air is cold, and you pull your cloaks around you against its blowing.

What was this all for? Where is the tortured spirit you saw? The barrow, now explored, seems to be void of your goal. Yes, there are some dead here, and Halleth's witnessed something in the southern chamber, but beyond that was it all a waste? Were the spirits deceiving you? Was the tortured spirit misleading you? Did you read his signs wrong, was there something else? Something you missed?

It is late now, and while the fear of this place keep you alert someone yawns as sleep creeps in at the edges.
"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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Night April 27th: Northern Barrow

Post by Muskrat » Mon Jan 14, 2019 7:12 pm

Halleth shakes his head, trying to drive the drowsiness away. "If we're going to rest for the night, we should do so well away from this place." He stops to think. "Or we may want to remain here for the night and hold vigil. We did not see the vision of Arphan until the night in the last place we were at. Perhaps we will only be able to see him clearly at night here as well."

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Night April 27th: Northern Barrow

Post by Blubbo_Baggins » Mon Jan 14, 2019 9:25 pm

Telurin nods, "Yes, that's it!" a little excitement creeps into his voice. He was beginning to think that yet again they had followed a Dunedain (this time the ghost of one) to a dead end. At least this time it wouldn't have brought them so far to the south, even past Isengard...but still, the Elf was done with fruitless quests.

"You and one of the Hobbits should take turns sleeping and watching in Arphan's chamber. Perrie, me, and the other Hobbit can stand guard here outside, where you can easily call if you need us, and we can observe to make sure no creature nor foe molests your vigil."

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Night April 27th: Northern Barrow

Post by Wbweather » Mon Jan 14, 2019 10:00 pm

"I will stay with Halleth in the chamber." Hartley is not thrilled at the idea of a night in a tomb, but he is committed to seeing this endeavor through to the end and will do his best to protect his friend in case the Ranger sees another vision. "Gandalf entrusted the medallion to me, I think he would want me to be the one to stand vigil."

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