Hunt for the Palantíri Discussion Thread

[piosenniel]

Regin Hardhammer invites you to play in his game:

Hunt for the Palantíri

~*~

Historical Background

Posters should carefully read the Prologue (the first post that appears on the game thread) for information on the origin and power of the palantíri .

~*~

Basic Storyline

The purpose of this story is for the Elves to retrieve the lost palantíri from the bottom of the Bay and, with Elessar’s blessing, send them back to the West. In order to do this, they must battle the forces of nature and a ship of Corsair pirates who are also determined to find and use the crystal globes for the evil purpose of their master in Harad.

[piosenniel]

The story will be over when: the Elves find and retrieve the palantíri and/or defeat the Corsairs.

Starting Location: On a ship bound for the Ice Bay from the Grey Havens.

Likely destination: On a ship bound for the Grey Havens from the Ice Bay.

[piosenniel]

Timeframes:

This game takes place around Year 21 of the Fourth Age.

The storyline itself or plot covers one month.

This game requires a time commitment of 11 weeks from me, the game owner and from the major players.

[piosenniel]

Regin Hardhammer’s post ----- FIRST FOR GAME

PROLOGUE

Who knows where the lost Stones of Arnor and Gondor now lie, buried, or drowned deep?

--- Gandalf, from The Two Towers


The palantiri, or Seeing Stones, were fashioned by the Noldor, probably by Feanor. The Elves presented seven of these to Amandil as leader of the Faithful in the Second Age. The palantíri were crystal globes of power, black in color, that a person of strong will could use to communicate thoughts with someone using a similar stone or to see things from anywhere in the past or present. In the hands of a good ruler, the Stones were important tools for communication, but they were also capable of abuse. The evil ruler with a strong will could use the Stones for spying and domination. Sauron, for instance, projected images of despair in the Anor-stone to manipulate and destroy Denethor’s mind. There is even some indication that using the Stones, like the Ring itself, could be addictive to its owner, especially if misused.

Amandil’s son Elendil brought seven of the Stones with him when he sailed to Middle-earth after the fall of Numenor. These were eventually given to the Kings of Gondor and the North for safekeeping. A verse from The Two Towers describes the faithful fleeing Numenor bringing the Stones with them as they sailed across the sea:

Tall ships and tall kings,
Three times three,
What brought they from the foundered land
Over the flowing sea?
Seven stars and seven stones
And one white tree.

This tale will focus on the Stones of Amon Sûl and Annúminas, the most important palantíri belonging to the Kings in the North. The Stone of Annúminas was the smaller of the two, measuring about twelve inches across. It was used by the Northern Kings for day-to-day communication, and had a range of about 500 miles. Even more powerful was the Stone of Amon Sûl. This was so large that it took more than one man to lift and could work over very long distances. In the winter of 1974 T.A., after years of unrest in Arnor, the Witch King defeated King Arvedui. The King and his men escaped with both Stones to the northern foothills of the Blue Mountains and hid in a deserted dwarf-mine. Hunger and cold drove them to seek help from the Lossoth, also called the Snowmen.

The Lossoth were a remnant of an ancient people called the Forodwaith dwelling along the Ice Bay of Forochel. Their culture was well adapted to their snowy/icy environment – they constructed houses out of snow (possibly similar in principle to igloos), and traveled on sleds and bone skates. Despite the Snowmen's fear of the Witch King, and the general unfriendliness of the tribe, they took pity on the strangers and helped them survive.

When the Elf Cirdan heard about the King, he sent a rescue ship. This ship arrived in the Ice Bay of Forochel in March 1975 T.A., when thick sheets of ice still covered the shore extending out into the water. Despite the Lossoth's warnings and the treacherous conditions, Arvedui insisted on trying to reach this Elven ship. He managed to do this with help from the Lossoth but, once aboard, a great storm arose that drove the Elven vessel back towards the shore onto the ice. The ice crushed the hull and the ship sank, killing all aboard and taking with it the precious palantíri that the King had brought with him. (LotR, Appendix A, iii)

By the end of the War of the Rings, just two known Stones remained in Middle-earth. The Orthanc-stone, once controlled by Saruman, was the one King Elessar normally used. The second, the Anor-stone, was virtually unusable since it still bore the imprint of Denethor’s hands and crazed mind when he threw himself on the fire.

It’s interesting to think about what happened to these lost palantiri of the North. Did they remain undiscovered at the bottom of the Ice Bay, or did someone try to find them? The Palantiri were objects of immense power and would be prime targets for anyone seeking to seize political authority by sinister means. Fortunately, most people did not know about the Stones at the beginning of the Fourth Age. However, this tale will explore a Corsair sea captain’s quest to find the Palantiri both for his master and to avenge the death of his father.

[piosenniel]

1.) Regin Hardhammer - Corsair male


NAME: Captain Marreth

AG: 39

RACE: Corsair (Man)

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS :

Marreth is an experienced captain of a sailing vessel whose most effective weapon is his ship and its armaments. These range from catapults with rocks and flaming arrows to battering rams and the men who fight under him. He carries a rapier for use in boarding other ships or for dealing with problems on land. Tucked inside his boots are several throwing daggers and a large knife for cutting ropes, gutting fish, and other nautical deeds.

APPEARANCE:

Marreth is lean and lanky with a long black beard and grey eyes that reflect both intelligence and determination. He wears brown leather boots, dark red pants, a flowing white shirt, and a brown cloak. From a previous pillaging expedition to the Ice Bay, he stole a thick fur coat made from the pelt of a polar bear.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES:

Marreth is a man who cannot stand still. He constantly paces up and down his ship’s deck, inspecting and re-inspecting equipment and barking out orders to the crew. A bright and resourceful mariner, he is single minded in his devotion to his vessel and the particular mission he is on. However, he will not hesitate to put his men in harm’s way and push them to the extreme if that is required to accomplish his goal. Most of his crew admire him as someone who has had a long string of successes, and will follow him without question as long as he earns them a rich share of booty.

Marreth is unique among the Corsairs for having an interest in history and lore. Privately on land, or when locked away in his cabin, Marroth spends his nights pouring over ancient scrolls and maps, dreaming of powerful ancient kingdoms. This strange interest brought him to the attention of Lord Castamir, a man descended from the Black Numenoreans who now plots to take over the governance of Harad and eventually of Gondor itself.

Marreth is careful that none of his crew find out about this interest in ancient texts, since it would be accounted extremely odd. To his men, he is a ruthless and effective leader whose skill with the sword is unquestioned.

HISTORY:

Marreth’s earliest experience as a sailor and fighter came during the War of the Rings. He was a young officer who sailed with the Corsair fleet assaulting the haven of Pelargir. His father commanded the ship on which he sailed. The Shadow Host overtook this ship, along with all the others. Driven mad with fear, Marroth’s father leapt overboard to his death. Marreth made his way back on foot to the South, and vowed that no ship under his command would ever be seized by the enemy. He swore to find some way to exact revenge against Gondor and Elessar.

He spent long years learning the trade of the Corsairs, plundering up and down the coasts, narrowly escaping Elessar’s grasp. Of late, it had become more difficult to carry on raids without falling prey to the Gondorian navy. Marreth sought a powerful protector and found one in Castamir, a wealthy and powerful lord who had dreams of taking over the rule of Harad. Flying the flag of Castamir’s household, Marreth found his life a little easier. No longer regarded as a pirate, he could go to the fiefs under Castamir’s rule and extract plunder and booty from poor peasants and wealthy merchants alike, under the guise of “lawful taxes”.

Marreth’s brave deeds and efficient collection of taxes earned him Castamir’s respect. For this reason, and because of Marreth’s bookish streak, Castamir appointed him to command the vessel that was traveling to the Ice Bay of Forochel to seek the lost palantiri of Amon Sûl and Annumínas.

----------------------------------

Regin Hardhammer’s post - Mareth -- 6TH POST FOR GAME

Marreth sat brooding inside the cabin of his ship, which had been moored at the side of the Ice Bay, within a well hidden cove that was totally free of ice and snow. The weather was stormy and the night dark. He gazed out at the violent sea as the waves rose and thunder roared. This was the worst storm he had experienced since his arrival in Forochel some three months before. It was an ominous sign that the weather was changing, and that blankets of snow and ice would soon descend on their heads. He found himself troubled and frustrated that he and his men had made so little progress towards accomplishing their goal.

Earlier that year, everything had seemed more optimistic. Marreth’s patron, the great Lord Castamir, had been searching ancient scrolls to obtain information on artifacts of power, especially those created by the Noldor. As a descendent of the Black Numenoreans, Castamir had extensive knowledge of early languages and lore, which he hoped to use to seize control in Umbar and eventually to challenge Gondor itself. While visiting Minas Tirith on a trading mission, Castamir had been able to consult the royal library and was elated to learn about the ancient Stones of Annumínas and Amon Sûl. He immediately decided to send out an expedition to locate and retrieve these objects of power from their watery grave at the bottom of the Ice Bay of Forochel. These Stones would give him the means to spy on Elessar’s troops and navy as well as to keep a controlling eye on his own people.

Circumstances seemed to favor such an expedition. There had been several years of drought in the North, with diminished amounts of rain and snow. As a result, the water of the Bay was shallower than it had been for some time, with stretches of the coastline and its maze of caves and rocks exposed to public view for the first time.

Marreth had eagerly sworn allegiance to Castamir, agreeing to head the expedition. Castamir’s plan seemed like the perfect way for Marreth to gain revenge. During the War of the Rings, Marreth had served on his father’s ship as part of the Corsair fleet that sailed up the Anduin. He had seen Elessar lead the hosts of the dead onto the pirates’ ships, and his own father driven mad as he jumped overboard to his death. Marreth had sworn to avenge the death of his father by bringing ruin to Elessar and his kingdom. These two Stones could help accomplish that goal.

Marreth and his ship had arrived at the Bay in early summer and spent months struggling to locate the missing globes. But the search had not gone quite as smoothly as expected. An exploration of the coastline and caves had yielded no results. And even on the fringes of the Bay, the Corsair divers could not stay in the water long enough to find anything without freezing to death. At first, the Losseth, the native peoples of the Ice Bay, had been suspicious and sought to avoid the strangers. As time wore on, a few malcontents began to assist Marreth, won over by future assurances that the Corsairs would supply a large cache of weapons to help them topple the existing Lossoth chieftains and seize leadership within their own tribes.

These malcontents, in turn, provided the Corsairs with seals that had been specially trained to seach for evidence of shipwrecks along the bottom of the Bay. With the establishment of peace, there had been a considerable increase in the number of trading ships that sailed North over the summer months. Along with this increase came a rise in the number of shipwrecks.

Those Lossoth who could handle the trained seals actually made their living from salvage operations, having the animals first locate the vessels and bring up a piece or two of sunken booty to those waiting in the ships. Then Lossoth divers would plunge into the waters and quickly secure the objects using a heavy leather net or sturdy ropes before attaching these to the hook of the WINCH. The last step would be pulling the object to the surface and unloading it onto the boat. This whole operation was only feasible during the summer when large stretches of water were free of ice.

Marreth had hired the men and told them to use these same tactics to hunt the palantiri, but they had still not achieved success. As the weather began to worsen, the Corsair pushed his crew and their Lossoth allies even harder to try and find the Stones.

Marreth set aside his reflections. The storm was blowing furiously: he needed to make sure that the rigging of the ship was securely fastened. Marreth rose abruptly, rushed out into the hall, and barked to his two most loyal officers, Diera and XXXX, to follow him on deck. As he was checking the rigging at the bow, he saw in the distance a large sailing vessel being tossed about by the waves. He could barely make out the distinctively swan-like outline of an Elven ship. He lurched forward in astonishment, clinging to the rail, and tried to get a clearer look. He had only seen such vessels in the ancient lore books that he had read. His second reaction was one of anger. Such a ship could only be drawn to the Ice Bay for the same reason that he was. They must be here to take the Stones for themselves and their allies the Gondorians.

Marreth roared out above the din of the storm, “Infernal Elf vermin! Thou vain, milk livered coxcombs, may you sink to the bottom of the sea!” Then he turned to his captains, pointing an accusing finger towards the bobbing ship, “Look there, we have company, and I fear they are up to no good!”

[piosenniel]

DEDICATED CHARACTER


2.) Regin Hardhammer – Lossoth (Snowman) female

NAME: Hilde Halvardsdatter

AGE: 50

RACE: Snowman

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: Not really any, but Hilde carries a dagger and small hatchet at her waist that she uses for her day-to-day chores. She is adept with both a bow and a fishing net in bringing down game and fish.

APPEARANCE: Grey and grizzled, Hilde is tall and plain. She pulls her hair back into two long braids.

PERSONALITY/: Hilde is extremely quiet. She does not share her feelings or thoughts with others. She is a widow who must struggle to make a living, and is totally devoted to her son Gunthar, now in his twenties. He is the pride and joy of her existence.

She has promised to serve as the maid, cook, and food gatherer for the Elves carrying out the many practical things that they will not have time to do. She is extremely industrious, cleaning and dusting all the cabins on the ship, and even offering to do laundry and other personal chores for the Elves.

(Since this character won’t come into play till later, a first post is not needed.)

[piosenniel]

The Discussion Thread is now open to take on characters.

Have Fun!

~*~ Pio

[Regin Hardhammer]

Hello Everyone and Welcome,

I would like to extend a big thank you to Pio for helping me work on this game. I am quite sure that no one has ever done an RPG based in the Ice Bay before. Just think, we will be making Barrow Downs history! Anyway I am looking forward to the start of the game. I urge all dedicated characters to check in as well and also new characters to sign up.

Your game founder,

- Regin Hardhammer

[Rinfanawen]

Hey players, this is Rin checking in. I can't wait for the game to start. It sounds so exciting! I'm looking forward to see what new characters, and new RPers will come to join in, so come on, you guys. Let's get this thing going!

[Taralphiel]

Hello everyone!

I'm also stopping in to let you all know I'm here, and very excited about starting this RP.

I think this is one of the most challenging characters I've done so far, so if I do make a few mistakes, please let me know

Tara

[Orofaniel]

Well, hello everyone!

I can't wait for this RPG to start, as I've told Regin many times before.

There are already so many interesting characters, and I know there will be more. Hopefully the spots will be filled soon so we can get this rollin'..

Until then,
Orofaniel

[Niluial]

1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – YES/NO - Which one? Yes, I have played in Reclaiming the City, Resistance and Hunted. I also played in The Green Dragon Inn and The White Horse Inn.

2.) How many RPG’s on the Barrow Downs are you currently involved in? List them, please: I’m currently not involved in any.

3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn – YES/NO: indeed, I have.
_______________________________________

Elwë my main character – Male Elf

NAME: Elwë

AGE: 733

RACE: Silvan Elf

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: A long, smooth crossbow made from solid walnut heartwood and its arms from vented steel.

APPEARANCE: Elwë is the average height of an elf (which tends to be rather tall) with pale, fair skin. His hair is dark and straight, a few inches past his shoulders. His eyes are a pale grey with a tint of blue in them, they often remind others of clear water. His clothing consists of many whites, blues, greens and browns and are loose and flowing.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Elwë comes across as rather cold and stand-offish to those he is not close to. Many think he is unfriendly when they first meet him. He has a mysterious, quiet and secretive nature and he tends to spend a lot of time with himself. To those who are close to his heart he is loyal to and ever so kind.

Although Elwë is calm and quiet he has a free, daring and adventurous spirit and yearns for as much adventure as he can get. He has a passion for nature and loves being surrounded by remarkable scenery. Above all he loves the ocean and sailing, for sailing is a grand adventure and pure bliss.

HISTORY: Elwë grew up in Lothlórien and lived there for 578 years. He spent all his young days with Edonire his brother and Lenile his best friend. They spent every day with each other pretending to go on dangerous adventures, they would pretend to travel the seas and find priceless treasures. When Elwë reached his coming of age at 33, Edonire and Lenile decided to go on a great adventure, not a fake one but a real one! Unfortunately Elwë was forced to stay behind as his mother become terribly ill and he had to be there, by her side.

Years had passed and Edorine and Lenile never did return. Lenile had a younger sister named Andtuariel who was filled with the same adventured spirit as Lenil her brother. As the years went by Andtuariel and Elwë grew close, they were the closest friends. But at the beginning of the Forth Age Andtuariel and Elwë decided to sail with both their families to the Undying Lands. They had reached the Grey Havens when and met a wise Silvan elf by the name of Luindal. Luindal had told Elwë about the help he was doing for Celeborn; the great adventures he had been in while doing important errands and shipping the supplies. Elwë yearned to be a part of this world, to lead the life Luindal had been leading, even if it was partly the life Luindal was leading.

After much explaining to Andtuariel about how he could not face the Undying Lands with all this spirit and adventure inside of him she let Elwë stay behind, or so she planned. But later she pleaded with him to let her accompany him to all his whereabouts. And so both their families went sailing into the West but left Andtuariel and Elwë in the hands of Luindal.
__________________________________

Andtuariel my carry along character – Female Elf

NAME: Andtuariel

AGE: 725

RACE: Silvan Elf

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: A small silver dagger that is slightly curved with ancient Elvish writings on its handle.

APPEARANCE: Andtuariel is tall and slender and moves with grace. Her hair is unlike many Elves, it is of browns and reds and is rather wavy. Andtuariel’s eyes are a forget me not blue and gleam with expression. Andtuariel’s lips are blood red and she often bites her bottom lip when concentrating or when nervous. And when she smiles it is only slightly curved but warms anyone’s heart. Her skin is pale but her checks are rosy.

Although she is a tom boy she loves to walk about in dresses of silk, satin and chiffon and other soft, elegant materials. One would often find her wearing whites, reds and blues.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Andtuariel is a very outspoken woman who is demanding and very strong willed. She will go out of her way to make sure she gets what she wants and at most times wont take no for an answer. Although she is strong and confidant she is very kind and has a very caring nature for all of those around her.

Many find her to be too closed off and too enigmatic for their liking, but she disagrees with them and knows it’s her stubbornness that annoys many. The more pretentious side of Andtuariel is her inquisitiveness. She loves to ask too many questions and always wants to know everything about everybody and yet hasn’t got the patience to listen or find out more.

She is very genuine and indisputable. Although she is strong she is very sweet to almost everyone. Many find her wise all though she knows she still has lots to learn as she is only the young age of 725.

HISTORY: Andtuariel lived in Lothlórien for 570 years or so. She had a rather lonely upbringing and was even lonelier when her brother disappeared when he went on an adventure and never did returned. She never did have peace in her heart for she never did know what happened to him. As time went by she became very close to her brothers best friend Elwë and through out the years they supported each other and were there for one another. Although she wasn’t as adventurous as Elwë, she still did love adventure a lot. She wished to leave Lothlórien some time and embark on a wonderful journey with Elwë.

At the beginning of the Forth Age Andtuariel and Elwë decided to sail with both their families to the Undying Lands. When they had all reached the Grey Havens Elwë decided to stay and instead join Luindal in the shipping business. Andtuariel was about to leave but couldn’t, she had no choice but to stay with him and so she did.
__________________________________

Niluial's post

Elwë shuddered as the brawling, icy wind punched him with a giant fist of cold as the thunder roared and crackled above him. The prying fingers of the cold groped through the layers of woollen undergarments, forcing his cold touch upon him. He took a darting look at Andtuariel who was standing with her hands clutched on the railing of the ship and her head hanging over the edge. Her face was as white as a ghost, her lovely rosy cheeks were gone. Andtuariel's eyes that were normally filled with expression were now sad and lifeless. Elwë always knew it was a bad idea to take her with him; she missed her family greatly and was seasick permanently. He knew he should have forced her to stay but she refused to:

”I will go where I wish! I need adventure, you know how I long for adventure, how I dream to fight for good, just as much as you long for it. I may be a woman but I am strong. Please…” Andtuariel pleaded with Elwë.

“Andtuariel, I said no! You can go look after our families, I’ll be back. You could endanger yourself, be harmed then what am I to do?”

He remembered how stubborn she was the day he said she would stay behind. He couldn’t make her stay; she threatened to follow which would have been even more dangerous.

Elwë wiped the rain off his face with his bleeding hands and sighed deeply. He dragged once more at the ropes of the sails but they were too big and heavy and refused to move. He winced as the ropes bit into his flesh which caused more blood and pain. Elwë glanced at the running tide and saw a massive wave break, the water sprayed onto the deck, sending Elwë and Andtuariel to the floor and wetting all the sailors that were hard at work, pumping water and wrestling with the sails on the deck.

Elwë stood and dragged himself up from the floor with difficulty, as his clothes were drenched. He peered at the wild sea again but this time he didn't only see mist and lightening but something else. Elwë squinted and sighed miserably, “I was hoping they wouldn’t be here so soon.”

Andtuariel peered at the ship in the distance in wonder, “who is it?” she paused while studying the black sailed dromonds with a puzzled expression on her face, she clutched onto the rails of the ship, "Its not the C.. Cor...?" Andtuariel stuttered.

“Of course it is the ship of the corsairs!” Elwë snapped. “We were expecting them, didn't you know? You can be so naïve and to think you have spent so much time on a ship and have read so much! We are here to keep the Corsairs from getting the Palantíri!” he shook his head and rolled his eyes.

He glanced at their bobbing ship once again in wonder and curiosity. Deep down he was awed by the corsairs, amazed at their will and perseverance, all for the Palantiri. They had left their Southern Climate, into the cold to search for the stones. Even with this wonder for them, he knew that they were dangerous, that they would not hesitate to kill them all.

[Rinfanawen]

Sure, Regin. I knew that my post seemed a little bit odd in the place that it was, but I wasn't sure how it could be fit somewhere else in the story. Your idea sounds great!

[piosenniel]

Rinfanawen's post has been split and moved.

~*~ Pio

[Regin Hardhammer]

Thanks, Pio and Rin! Now, back to those rocks.....

[piosenniel]

Elves and Snowmen

Rôg is flying about as the little bat to bring the message from Captain Luindal to start moving back to the main cavern in preparation for leaving for the day.

Unfortunately, we won't be able to leave as the nasssty Corsairs are in the process of piling boulders in front of the entrance - though 'we' don't know that as yet.

[Arry]

Tara

You can leave a post here on the discussion thread for my post box #56 on the game if you wish - the Elves took us into the cavern. Go ahead and find a little souvenir if you wish, but alas no sign of the palantir.

Oro

Go ahead and search around in the little cave - find something old and Elven if you want to from the sunk ship. Then, can you have Rôg surprise you by flying in as a bat and telling us we need to get back to the main cavern - Captain Luindal wants to head back to the ship before we're caught in the cave when the tide comes in.

--Arry