A Shield Maiden's Tale

Khazad-dûm - Durin's Threshold

2010-02-28T13:13:00.000Z

Here at Durin’s Threshold, the westernmost edge of Moria, the new colonists of Khazad-dûm store supplies brought in from Eregion and bound for outposts deep within the Dwarf-city. Here, at the foot of the grand stairs, where new stables have been raised and old forges have been lit, great new sagas begin beneath the mountains.

Dwarves labor to revitalize their ancient home by unpacking their gear, exploring the darkest regions, patrolling the nearer ones, and stoking the fires of their hostel furnaces. A Stable-master waits to greet newcomers. Weary yet eager Dwarves seek out brave souls and strong arms to share the burdens of exploration and defense in these early new days beneath the mountain. Here, at least, haggard adventurers from Eriador can take a breath before braving the many perils to come.

Durin’s Threshold is comprised of three halls, with the grand entryway in the center and wings of furnaces to the north and south. Each is handsomely crafted in the manner of the Dwarves but modest compared to many of the older halls beyond. The masons of Moria designed these halls to whet a visitor’s appetite before he feasts on the visions within.

Hollin Gate

2010-02-27T12:51:00.000Z

At the Stair Falls, it led over a small cliff, and then down a shallow valley running eastward, and led towards a wall of immense, unclimbable cliffs: the Walls of Moria.

Arriving at Hollins Gate I met up with an expedition of dwarves known as the Iron Garrison, lead by Brogur and Bosi. We made ourselves busy clearing rocks and trees from the gate. The air was heavy and dank and everyone could sense evil lurking close by. I'd heard tales of a demon living in the Black Pool for many years.

In the middle of the Second Age, the War of the Elves and Sauron saw Eregion laid waste, and the West-gate was shut. By the craft of its makers, the doorway blended into the Walls of Moria, and could only be opened again by one who knew the password.

Eregion

2010-02-26T12:19:00.000Z

Arriving at Gwingris I decided to rest up for a week or so and enjoy the hospitality of the handful of elves that call this place home.

I've been adventuring hard in the past months and it was starting to take it's toll. My armour and weapons were in need of repair, as was my aching shield arm.

The days were growing ever shorter but I was thankful for the last few days of summer sunshine. I knew the road ahead lay under the mountains and who knows when I would feel the warmth of the sun on my skin again. I would need to be at my best for the journey to the Hollin Gate and then on into Khazad-dûm, the Mines of Moria.

Eregion or Hollin in the tongue of Men was a kingdom of the Noldorin Elves in Eriador during the Second Age, located near the West Gate of Khazad-dûm under the shadow of the Misty Mountains. The Elves of Eregion lived in harmony with a Dwarven civilization, trading freely with the Dwarven kingdom of Khazad-dûm, or Hadhodrond in the Elven tongue.

In the Third Age, Eregion now is a pleasant but unpopulated land, and contains many of the ruins of the Elven civilization that once thrived there. It is famous for its holly trees, whence the name in both (translated) Westron and Sindarin came from. Cooks will also find a bounty of abundant produce growing wild in the region.

Kauppa-kohta - Forochel

2009-12-14T22:18:00.001Z

Forochel is a new frontier for the Free Peoples in the war against the Shadow in the North, accessible via the road north from Ost Forod in Evendim.

Even here, on the edge of Middle-earth, where the waters of the Great Sea are cold enough to kill and the memory of ancient evil lingers like a chill in the bones, the race of Man endures. Since the days of the First Age, a rare breed of Men has eked out a separate survival against the elements and without the influence of the nearby Enemy in Angmar.

Misty Mountains

2009-11-17T12:35:00.001Z

The range’s history is as long and foggy as the mountain chain itself. Much of its lore is lost or forgotten, and even more is shrouded in the mists of legend. What is certain is that these steadfast peaks stood as an ancient witness to the epics, ancient and new, of both Eriador in the west and Rhovanion in the east. The first of the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves, Durin the Deathless, wandered these mountains in the early days of the earliest age of Middle-earth. His descendants delved mines and built halls throughout the range for thousands of years, and your own tale brings you here now.

Strange creatures dwell in the chill and fog of the Misty Mountains, where relics from older times linger in ice and snow. Yet amid these mountains, giants, and mammoths, even the smallest folk may change the fate of Middle-earth.

Rivendell

2009-11-08T19:14:00.000Z

The hidden refuge of Elrond Halfelven, founded by Elrond in the Second Age against the assaults of Sauron in Eriador. It lay in a deep valley in the western foothills of the Misty Mountains, and endured, under the protection of Elrond's Ring Vilya, until the War of the Ring and beyond. After the War, the Ring's power ended and Elrond passed over the Sea, but Rivendell itself remained, at least for a time, in the keeping of Elrond's sons Elladan and Elrohir.

In the protected Valley of Rivendell, near the western slopes of the Misty Mountains stands the legendary House of Elrond, home to generations of noble Elves and a refuge for certain weary travelers in these dark days. Often called "The Last Homely House", this large and beautiful dwelling has been a tranquil yet well-protected and strongly-guarded refuge for as long as most memories can recall.

Evendim

2009-11-03T18:50:00.000Z

About 100 miles north of the Shire, in northern Eriador, lies Evendim, a vast region dominated by the Lake Nenuial; the ‘Lake of the Twilight'. On the southern shore, the ancient abandoned city of Annúminas -- the former capital of the kingdom of Arnor -- is well known amongst the Free Peoples. For according to the Legends, amidst its ruins lay a great wealth and powerful artifacts now threatened by evil creatures and the nefarious forces lurking in Angmar.

Minas Vrûn

2009-11-03T18:46:00.000Z

The city of Minas Vrûn once lay to the south of Fornost, on the eastern side of the pass at Amon Raith. The Lord of the city fell beneath the blade of Amarthiel, champion of Angmar.

No Place Like Home

2009-10-21T19:11:00.004+01:00

Business has been good recently, the armour is selling well at the auctions and some of the items I've acquired on my travels made me a fair amount of coin. I've decided to finally move out the The Comb and Wattle Inn and buy my own home.

The Bree-Land Homesteads are a little way South, through Staddle and Chetwood South. I packed up everything I owned and after saying my farewells left Combe. The journey was uneventful which was good, the last thing I needed was a group of Blackwold brigands taking all my worldy possessions.

It's a great spot, close to the town centre, a beautiful waterfall a stones throw away and a gentle stream passing down one side of the property.

1 Broadford Street, Withburg, Bree-Land Homesteads.

Midgewater Marshes

2009-10-19T12:39:00.000+01:00

The ground here is damp and dangerous, in places giving way completely to deep pools of mud and stagnant water. Further adding to the difficulties in travel, the Midgewater Marshes are home to swarming flies, midges, and neekerbreekers.

Legends tell of still darker creatures lurking amongst the deep pools and stands of moss-covered trees that crowd the landscape, and it is said that marauding bands of corrupted Men and vile goblins also frequent these lands, but on what errand none can say.

Humble Beginnings

2009-10-17T12:25:00.000+01:00

Four summers have passed since the attack on Archet. My family perished in the fires along with many others, including the brave Ranger Amdir. With all that I held dear gone, there was nothing left to keep me there so I moved to Combe seeking a fresh start.

I kept busy helping the townsfolk out with various jobs, just enough to pay for my room at The Comb and Wattle Inn. I also took up a vocation and became a Metalsmith making some extra coin selling my armour at the auctions in Bree. As my skill with a sword increased, so did my reputation around town. I soon began helping Constable Sageford out with some of the more dangerous tasks at hand. The Blackwold brigands had bolstered their ranks once more and had started causing trouble in Chetwood.

The Fall of Archet

2009-10-17T12:19:00.001+01:00

The day we'd all dreaded finally came. At first light the Blackwold brigands attacked Archet. The small garrison we had was no match for the Blackwolds and within a few hours the town was theirs. We soon discovered just how they had become so strong, they were being led by a Servant of Angmar, Éogan.

I was swept away with the villagers and kept under lock and key at the town jail. I prayed that my parents were safe. On the second eve a stranger approached us and explained that he had been sent to stop the attack but had been held up in Treslebridge and had arrived too late. His name was Amdir, a Ranger and he had a plan for our escape!

Éogan set the town a blaze as we fought our way out. We tried to save as many souls as we could but the fire took far too many. Amdir was awe inspiring, his bravery and skill lifted all the villagers and we pushed harder than we'd have ever thought possible. We fought through the night and eventually turned the tide, the Blackwolds that were left retreated into the woods and we doused the remaining fires just as dawn broke.

The Wind of Change

2009-10-16T20:51:00.005+01:00

As the years passed my world changed forever. Tales of evil and magic were becoming commonplace now. We would hear of friends getting robbed while making deliveries to Combe and Bree. The countryside grew more and more dangerous.

The Blackwold brigands started to take control of the lands and of our people. At first it was petty crime but as the years passed and their numbers grew they became ever bolder. One day I overheard my father talking to Captain Brakenbrook, he had heard rumours that the Blackwold brigands planned to attack the town!

Within a few years we'd gone from flutes and lutes, to swords and shields...

Bronwe's Folly

2009-10-16T20:37:00.002+01:00

Bronwe's Folly is an ancient ruin located South of the town of Archet. Little lore remains from the days of the North Kingdom, but it is said that these ruins are all that remain of a Cardolan lord's failed attempt to hold back the wrath of Angmar.

The Early Years

2009-10-16T19:16:00.002+01:00

My parents left our home city of Aldburg shortly after my 4th birthday. I don't remember much bar a few fleeting memories. As a child my father used to tell me tales of our journey. We travelled west through the Gap of Rohan and past Isengard, then headed north into Eriador and onwards to the Breelands.

We settled in the small village of Archet, not far from the bustling town of Bree. My father was a Forester by trade and I remember spending the days out in the fields and forests gathering wood and animal skins.

Bree Town

2009-10-16T18:20:00.001+01:00

At the intersection of the Great East Road and the North Road, the town of Bree has long stood as a gathering place for Men, Hobbits, and other travelers from the far-off lands of Middle-earth.

Travelers along the Great East Road, which joins the Shire to the west with Rivendell and the Misty Mountains to the east, still stop at The Prancing Pony Inn to share tales of adventure or news of distant lands. Bree is home to both Men and Hobbits, though adventurers must now be wary of the motivations of many of Bree's residents. As the shadow of evil creeps across the lands and the corruptible spirits of Men weaken, many of Bree's citizens, who were once open and friendly to travelers, may now have been lured into service by agents of darkness.

Aldburg

2009-10-16T14:17:00.000+01:00

Aldburg is a small fortified city in the lands of Rohan far away to the southeast. It sits in the valley of the White Mountains close to Edoras. In years gone by, Aldburg was the capital city of Rohan until Edoras was built.