Chapter 5: Nameless Things

[Inferno]

The Lost Halls of the First ElvenKing, The Mountains of Mirkwood, Rhovanion, Middle Earth
March 23, Year One of the Fourth Age
Day Five. Midday. Cloudy, damp, cold



Surrounded by treasure, blood and darkness, the Company get torches alight and explore the immense hall of the lost elven stronghold. With every passing minute the strength and courage stolen by the horrific barrow-wight continues to return. (+1hp per round)

Suddenly, Red the dog bursts from the shadows and leaps up at Gilly, licking her face.

The Company's footsteps and whispers echo in the vastness of the towering chamber as they tread deeper, discovering many altars. The coins, gems and small golden treasures upon them glimmer cold and unlovely. But the tapestries' colours come alive in the leaping firelight.



Seven great hanging panels loom high above depicting the terror of Ancalagon the Black, mightiest of all winged dragons, a being of dreadful power and cruelty, of whom Gandalf had spoken when he charged the Company with a desperate quest. The white wizard's words resound in their minds:

"We shall see to it that you have such power as you need to complete this quest. West and south of here, in the Mountains of Mirkwood, lies a stronghold of the ancient world. Therein may be found the means by which the greatest dragon of all, Ancalagon the Black was destroyed. You must make haste there. Then you will be able to withstand Smaug the terrible."

The tapestries bear Ancalagon's dread tale in elvish runes and frightful images.



Bred by Morgoth in the First Age of this world, Ancalagon was the largest dragon to have ever existed in Middle-earth.

A great host of Men, Elves and Dwarves smote him down in the War of Wrath. It was Eärendil Half-Elven, father of Elrond of Rivendell and Elros the first King of Númenor, who struck the final blow and cast him from the sky. Before the rising of the sun, Ancalagon fell upon the towers of Thangorodrim and they were broken in his ruin.

But, except for the curving orc-swords left behind by the fleeing Uruks, there are no weapons here.


Actions?



Map Detail:

One square = 20 feet. Lighter areas are visible. All else is from memory.

Map:


Behind the DM Screen:

One turn passes, and 10 hp lost to the barrow-wight are recovered.

PC Status:

Elbenarin: Male Dunedan Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 13/30
Elbenwin: Male Dunedan Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 13/30
Folco Boffin: Male Hobbit Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 11/21
Gilda 'Gilly' Ironfoot: Female Dwarvish Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 13/41
Glasik Ironfoot: Male Dwarvish Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 20/34
Gilwennen: Female Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 2/1: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 13/13, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl
Naruthirdor Nowe: Male Elvish Magic-User 2: Move: 12", AC: 10, HP: 7/8, Spells: 0/4 1st lvl, Torch
Rumil: Male Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 2/1: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 11/12, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl
Therone: Female Elvish Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 13/31
Tinuwen: Female Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 2/1: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 12/12, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl
Vindoboduoc: Male Man Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 13/19
Red: Guard Dog: Move: 12", AC: 6, HD: 2+2, HP: 9/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4, THAC0: 16

PC Magic:

None currently.

Player Resources:

In Darkness and In Doubt (the story so far)
Before The Fall (realms and maps of Middle Earth)
The Fear and The Shadow (the story so far in images)
History Became Legend. Legend Became Myth (clues and player notes)

[ChubbyPixie]

"We are lucky to be alive."

Not interested in gathering coin from an elven tomb, Gilwennen nonetheless searches through the room for anything else that might prove useful, including behind the tapestry. If there is writing woven into the tapestry she will try to read it.

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

After the search proves fruitless, the dwarf suggests they search elsewhere. Looks like time to check the southern passage. This time, we'll be sure to stay together.

[ravenn4544]

Elbenarin also searches the room and examines the tapestries further - perhaps the weapon we seek here is knowledge and not a blade or magical instrument?

[Rex]

Rumil

"Yes, lets continue our search."

[Urson]

Therone
For the first time in many years, Therone wished she had spent a little less time on her archery, and a little more studying the old tales. I do not remember- what weapon did Eärendil Half-Elven use to finish The Black Dragon?

[OGRE MAGE]

Folco does a lot of agreeing and head nodding as the others speak, not well versed in elven lore himself, though he has heard these names before, obviously.

The diminutive burglar looks all around the great hall, searching for any secrets that might have been missed, particularly wherever the dog was hiding.

Though he wants to, he follows suit with the others in not taking any of the valuables from the altars.

[wolfpack]

Ancalagon was smote by Earendil who faced him in his flying ship Vingilot which was powered by a Silmaril. the legends do not tell of any specfic weapon itself it is likely the power of the Silmaril was used.

[Urson]

Therone

A Silmaril would likely serve to destroy the Dark Lord... but who would be pure enough to use it- even if we could find one?

Therone continues her exploration of the chamber.

[Starbeard]

Vindo

"I am always suspicious of panelling and carpeting in a treasure chamber. There is little need to bring warmth or soft comfort to the storage." He cases the images that hang from the walls, looking for ways behind them, or (if they are firm and solid) secret passages through them.

[SocraticLawyer]

Tinuwen searches the room for secret doors or other hidden items.

[hedgeknight]

Gilda Ironfoot

Gilly is entranced by the tapestries, being one who loves this type of lore. Thus, she is really caught unawares when Red jumps up on her! She grabs Red and nearly squishes him in a bear hug. "Ye ain't nothin' but an ol' hound dog! Anna quit lickin' me face! I don't know where else ye been lickin'!"
Once she gets him somewhat calmed down, she asks, "Where ya been, boy? Show me now."

[rredmond]

Naruthirdor intensifies his search of the tapestries and looks to find and decipher any writings that may give him the answer he seeks. As he searches he focuses on the tops of the tapestries, or just over them, searching for stars and jewels. He murmurs out loud to himself, over an over again, "All paths deep in shadows; mist covers the jewels of Calacirya; above all shadows stands the sun where the stars will always dwell; sown the stars into the sky."

[Inferno]

The Lost Halls of the First ElvenKing, The Mountains of Mirkwood, Rhovanion, Middle Earth
March 23, Year One of the Fourth Age
Day Five. Midday. Cloudy, damp, cold



Beneath gigantic tapestries portraying the evil and the power of Ancalagon the Black, mightiest of the dragon-host of Morgoth, the Company's stolen life force returns.

Speaking in hushed whispers, Glasik and Rumil are ready to depart this immense chamber. But their companions doggedly continue the search for any clue that can help them. Folco and Gilly follow Red to an empty corner where he was thrown by the dread barrow-wight. But they discover no secrets there.

Upon one vast fabric panel Elbenarin, Naruthirdor and Therone discern a faint glimmer in the torchlight. Copper thread is woven throughout this design only. Gilwennen, Tinuwen and Vindoduoc pull back that towering tapestry and shine their torchlight upon the great rock wall behind it.

Nothing.

Then, slowly, faint lines appear, like slender veins running in the stone.

At first, no more than pale gossamer webs, so fine they only twinkle where the firelight catches them. But steadily they burn brighter and broader until their true design can be guessed: a great door in the rock, as clear as red flame!



Folco and Gilly join them and the she-dwarf instantly recognizes this for what it is: a dwarf door! Gilly remembers the lost elven stronghold dates back to elder days when dwarves and elves were friends and allies.

Made to be invisible when shut, the dwarf door's lines and letters are clearly forged of fire-runes: hidden designs crafted in a way that can just be seen when flames flicker upon them; a secret only fire can tell.

But while the door stands revealed, there is no clear way to open it.


Actions?!


Map Detail:

One square = 20 feet. Lighter areas are visible. All else is from memory.

Behind the DM Screen:

Another 15 minutes pass, and another 15 hp lost to the barrow-wight are recovered.

PC Status:

Elbenarin: Male Dunedan Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 25/30
Elbenwin: Male Dunedan Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 25/30
Folco Boffin: Male Hobbit Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 11/21
Gilda 'Gilly' Ironfoot: Female Dwarvish Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 26/41, Torch
Glasik Ironfoot: Male Dwarvish Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 20/34
Gilwennen: Female Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 2/1: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 13/13, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl
Naruthirdor Nowe: Male Elvish Magic-User 2: Move: 12", AC: 10, HP: 7/8, Spells: 0/4 1st lvl, Torch
Rumil: Male Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 2/1: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 11/12, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl
Therone: Female Elvish Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 16/31, Torches
Tinuwen: Female Elvish Fighter/Magic-User 2/1: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 12/12, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl
Vindoboduoc: Male Man Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 19/19, Torch
Red: Guard Dog: Move: 12", AC: 6, HD: 2+2, HP: 9/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4, THAC0: 16

PC Magic:

None currently.

Player Resources:

In Darkness and In Doubt (the story so far)
Before The Fall (realms and maps of Middle Earth)
The Fear and The Shadow (the story so far in images)
History Became Legend. Legend Became Myth (clues and player notes)

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

Coming over to see what is going on in the corner, Glasik is happy to see the dwarven door! Aha! This must be where the simmer, simlaril- the way to defeat the dragon- is hidden! Leave it to the ancient elves to use a dwarven door when they had something that truly needed safekeeping! Now, we just have to figure out how to open it... Glasik tries reading the runes, hoping he is able to decipher something, anything.

[Rex]

Rumil

Wandering over, "Beautiful!" He examines it, trying to read the runes.

[Starbeard]

Vindo

Vindo gazes upon the dwarf-door, vaguely dumbstruck at its beauty but not entirely comprehending the ancient majesty it intimates. Knowing nothing of runes, he holds his torch high to aid the others in reading.

[Urson]

Therone
Therone spends a moment or two admiring the craftsmanship and the fine detail. Then, she joins Vindo on guard, ready to protect the others.

[SocraticLawyer]

Tinuwen looks briefly at the runes, but quickly puts her back to the wall, Baudhring at the ready. She scans the room, making sure no enemies sneak in whilst their backs are turned.

[rredmond]

Standing behind Glasik, Naruthirdor easily looks over his head to try and see if he can read the runes.