Hollin Gate

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

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.

The Wind of Change

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...

The Early Years

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.