The One Ring: The King's Own

The One Ring: The King's Own
GM
Lisa
Starting Year
Fourth Age, 1 (3021 TA or 1421 SR)
Current Year
Fourth Age, 1 (3021 TA or 1421 SR)
The Fellowship
Laramie Twofoot Déor, Horseman of Rohan Vidar, Son of Veig Gilithion Thorondir Theowulf Former Fellowship Members Primrose
Resources
Chapters Past

The Road So Far. Wait! Wrong game!

The Fellowship

• Vidar, Son of Veig, Dwarf of Eriador, played by Adam
• Laramie Twofoot, Hobbit of the Shire, played by Ben
• Gilithion, Noldorin Elf, played by Erik
• Thorondir, Ranger of the North, played by Tim
• Primrose, Wild Hobbit, played by Karen
• Déor, Horseman of Rohan, played by Mark
  • Ava, Esquire, Shieldmaiden-in-Training

The Company

Traveling Roles

Guide (Travel) Deor
Scout (Explore) Vidar
Huntsman (Hunt) Primrose, Laramie
Look-out Man (Awareness) Thor, Gilithion
Fellowship Focus

Skill Chart

(This grid shows the highest for each skill in the group)

Awe	■■□□□□	Inspire	■■□□□□	Persuade	■■□□□□
Athletics	■■□□□□	Travel	■■■□□□	Stealth	■■■□□□
Awareness	■■■□□□	Insight	■■□□□□	Search	■■□□□□
Explore	■■■□□□	Healing	■■□□□□	Hunting	■■□□□□
Song	■■■□□□	Courtesy	■■■□□□	Riddle	■■■□□□
Craft	■■■□□□	Battle	■■□□□□	Lore	■■■□□□

The MacGuffin and Objectives

• The Company will be embarking on a search for the Lost Palantiri of Arvedui. Aragorn sensed a presence "both saddened, cold, and yet hopeful," and hazy images, as though the palantir was quickly shrouded by the user after sensing another. He felt a pull was in a northerly direction, confirming the continued existence of at least one of the lost stones.

• The Company knows the outlined history of the seeing stones, but not, for example, usage or apocryphal stories.

• The Company will be granted access to the libraries of Minas Tirith, Orthanc, and Rivendell, though what aid or assistance the Company receives in these locations, and what they find - is up to their own endeavors.

• The Company may accompany Éomer and the Riders of the Mark to Édoras and thence to Orthanc and further parts north, allowing them to attain mounts that suit their purposes.

• The Company has been instructed to think of anything particular they may wish to requisition from Minas Tirith, as it has stronger trade networks than those in Rohan. Waypoints for more specialized supplies or items may be few and far between in Arnor. The Company may also expect an invitation to dine in the Hall with King Elessar and Queen Arwen at some point.

• Each member of the Company was awarded 6 Treasure as their share of the Snow Troll Hoard.

Important Characters you have met

In Gondor

• Aragorn, King Elessar Telcontar, High King of the Reunited Kingdom

Aragorn has a lot of titles and some were surprised to hear "Elessar" rather than "Aragorn" being used. The name Elessar, or Elfstone, was given to him somewhat prophetically by Galadriel and he was called such by the people of Minas Tirith for the stone he wore as they did not yet know his name. Telcontar is "Strider" in Quenya; he took it for the name of his house and line. These would be his formal names and were used in his coronation. Those with older habits may still call him how they knew him first, such as (King) Aragorn, Strider, The Chieftain, or even Estel, his boyhood name in Rivendell.

• Arwen Undomiel, High Queen of the Reunited Kingdom

Arwen is made of hope. She is inspiring to all and emblematic of all that was good in Middle Earth, light, bright, and worth fighting for. Those who had yet to meet her gain an XP or point of Hope and those who have known her still take comfort from her very presence, graced with a feeling like all is right in the world and even the most impossible of tasks do not seem nearly as difficult.

• The Prefect of Osgiliath

Shrewd and insightful, the Prefect is the current political, civilian head of Osgiliath. The Prefect organized the needed posses to investigate the rumors of destroyed homesteads and murder in Anórien. After the Company's success, and hearing their entreaties to share the Troll hoard with the survivors and Imhar's Dunlendish hunting party, the Prefect both arranged an audience with the King for the Dunlendings and brought the company to the attention of the King and Queen.

In Rohan

• Éomer, King of Rohan

Éomer and many of his Éored are newly returned to Rohan after a long year of campaigning with King Elessar and the forces of Gondor and a winter spent in Minas Tirith/Osgiliath. He is not quite looking forward to the statesmanship that needs to happen at home but is joyful to be there. Discerning and just, Éomer has high hopes that Lothiriel will be a valuable partner in diplomacy.

• Lothíriel, Queen of Rohan

Formerly the Princess of Dol Amroth, Lothíriel has just arrived in Edoras, her new home. She has already formed a connection with Sunnifa of Meduseld, a serving girl, to learn the language and better understand her new people. There is some comfort that the court of Rohan has incorporated Sindarin for the last few generations. Lothíriel first suggested marriage as a way to secure peace between the feuding marshalls.

• Éogar

Second Marshal of the Riddermark and Lord of Westfold, Éogar is stout and strong, though his beard is gray. Éogar rewarded the companions for their pivotal role in the rescue of his wife, Esfled. Hearing this, and that the Dunlendings were also under attack by raiders led him to be amenable to a peace using Mildryd Shielding, the captain of his éored, and her long-lost childhood friend, Esmund of Eastfold. It was clear that Éogar feels a responsibility to Mildryd akin to fathership.

• Cenric -

Third Marshal of the Riddermark and Lord of Eastfold, Cenric is of similar age to Théoden King, were he still alive. His eyes are hard and cunning. Despite his wariness and craftiness, Cenric was well-disposed to the company for their critical role in saving his men and cattle when a ferocious storm sparked a stampede. For this, Cenric readily showed his friendly side, and it was clear why his men were so loyal to him.

• Gálmód of Aldburg

Gálmód, the foster-son of Cenric, is cunning but genial to those who know him. As he was never brawny or a strong raider, Gálmód became an artful diplomat. He still encurs teasing and taunting as an adult, however the wise respect him as the real power in Aldburg. Gálmód was happy to give his insight on the feud and did not hold back on his feelings - both positive and negative - about Cenric.

• Mildyd Shielding, daughter of Galwyn and Esmund, son of Edwin

This newly reunited couple may continue to play a role in the future of Rohan. For now the upcoming union between the captain of Éogar's personal éored and a charismatic captain of the Eastfold is promising peace between the feuding marshals in the Riddermark. Both lost families and spouses and Esmund has a small son.

• Esfled

Wife to Éogar and mother of Erkenbrand, the company rescued Esfled when she was taken by Caswelun. Not much is known to the players of Esfled, however, she would consider herself indebted to them.

• Erkenbrand

Son of Éogar, and still only ten years old, this young boy may play an important role in the future.

• Grimhelm son of Grimbold

Grimhelm is the new Lord of Grimslade, inheriting from his father, Grimbold, who fell at Pellenor Fields. Grimhelm raised the muster for Éogar at the Fords of Isen. The company only interacted with him briefly.

• Déormod

Nephew to Frána, the Dunlending lord of Frecasburg, Déormod had a lot on his shoulders and needed to put on a bit of show to make his points heard and felt to Éogar and his men. Despite the bravado, Déormod was considered a diplomat/representative for his uncle and treated as a respectable guest. Déormod is joyful and merry in peacetime and over ale or mead. In addition, he related the identities of Caswelun and Rhonwen as particularly notorious raiders, though as they are a mixed band, he is under the impression that they are yet another band of Rohirrim raiding DUnlending villages, as had happened often in the past.

Memorable characters you have met

Characters in Gondor

• Imhar, the Dunlending

A fine hunter, Imhar tracked the snow troll for over a month in winter to its last lair. Several members of his party were survivors of the snow troll's attacks. Although reticent, he was willing to journey to Osgiliath and Minas Tirith if their example could further positive relationships between his people and Gondor.

• Léora of Lamedon

A woman of Gondor whose posse helped hunt the snow troll. She and her posse had been hunting Belfan, the Captain of the Gaurd in Osgiliath, as he is believed to have murdered Léora's brother, a minstrel.

• Captain Belfan

Deceased. A former minstrel who joined the guard and rose through the ranks during the War. He was known for his capricious viciousness and killed another minstrel for having "stolen his song." He hated Dunlendings and was eaten by a snow troll.

• Dwimler, son of Dwier

A dwarf formerly of Erebor, now of Aglarond, the Glittering Caves. Dwimler is head of the dwarf team reconstructing the roads in Minas Tirith.

• Gûriel of Mirkwood

An elven lady overseeing planting in Minas Tirith. She has a small team from Mirkwood, however, she related that more will come to help recover Ithilien when it is safe to do so, as that was an express desire of Legolas.

Characters in Rohan

• Odovacar and Mathilda

Traders from the Toft that the company met on the way to Edoras. Both in this husband-wife duo are of middle age and quite experienced travelers, although Mathilda looks far younger than her years and is more taciturn than her husband. Both are wary of strangers.

• Rynelda Fast-rider

A messenger in Éogar's éored, Rynelda travels light and her hose is fleet. She bore the message of Esfeld's abduction and Éogar's muster to Edoras.

• Sunnifa

A serving girl in the golden hall of Meduseld, Sunnifa has become a favorite to the newqueen. Originally from a prosperous family, there is an indication that her uncle wasted the families fortunes in a disaster rather than a slow trickle ruining the family over time. Her elder sisters and cousins were married off for money, however as she was quite young, Sunnifa was sent to Meduseld. As such, she is familiar with the royal family and speaks Sindarin as well as Rohirric and Westron.

• Ashgar of Westfold and Maerstan of Eastfold

Once rivals lobbing poetic insults and challenges at each other during a series of flytes at Entwade, these two have now begun a friendship. They also helped calm down and lead Blódred away from Esmund and Mildryd's reunion. As the companions helped them see the folly of their actions, and presided over the reunion, they continue to be welcome in either rider's camp.

• Blódred

A rider at the Entwade who was still clinging to the old feuds, even in the pressence of Mildryd and Esmund's reunion.

• Caswelun and Rhonwen

Caswelun and Rhonwen are twins, member of the Iron-Folk, a rebel tribe from the northern reaches of the West-march. Caswelun has brought together mixed Dunlending, Rohirric, and Gaesela raiders to take advantage of the strife in the West-march and Westfold. While Caswelun is charismatic and daring, Rhonwen is steely and looks after the others, retreating so they can live to fight another day. The twins are growing increasingly at odds with each other as Caswelun continues on his agenda.

• Léothere Five Fingers and Bída Softsong

Léothere is an old minstrel, cast out from Théoden's court by Gríma Wormtongue. Though there is a new king, Léothere is cautious about returning to Edoras. While Léothere will happily and cannily swap stories, song, and gossip, he is a bit cantankerous and leaves most of normal conversation to Bída, his young apprentice. Bída has hopes of singing in the golden hall someday.

Locations

These reflect the current conditions of notable places in our current year of play. Please refer to the Tolkein Gateway or the One Wiki to Rule Them All for further information or history.

• Osgiliath - formerly the capital of Gondor, Osgiliath is a shade of what it was. Severely sieged by the Enemy, more than half of Osgiliath remains flooded or partially ruined. However, areas on the high ground, and along the main road through the city are bouncing back. Dwarven teams are working to rebuild the city's canal structure and halt the flooding. Laborers haul ruined stonework to be re-worked, the quays welcome merchants and travelers, and the inns are bustling. The company visited Serondo's Cellar located just off the Forum of Turambar.

• Minas Tirith - Like Osgiliath, much of Minas Tirith also lay in ruins. It is told how the Men of Gondor quarried their own homes, many ruined in the siege, for stones to use as artillery against the Enemy. As the city is steeply vertical, damage to a high level would rain down on those below with deadly force, compounding the destruction. Thanks in part to the coronation of the King, the main switchback road from the Gate to the Citadel is in excellent condition. Many industries that were vital to rebuilding have their quarters cleaned up nicely, however, for many locations away from the main road conditions are a toss-up as to whether they are good or no more than rubble. Teams of dwarves and elves are working to redesign and beautify the city.

• Anórien- the northernmost realm or fief of Gondor, it is an oblong fief bordered to the south by the crest of the White Mountains, and rounded to the north by the border with Rohan on the Mering Stream, Entwash, and Anduin. Anórien is known for fertile farmland and forests rich for hunting, such as the Druédan and Firien Wood. As the Mering Stream passes through the Firien Wood, a piece of the wood falls into Rohan. This parcel, the Everholt, is particularly well-renowned. There are no towns in cities in Anórien, only homesteaders scattered in the vales or on the plain and those hardy few manning the Beacons in the White Mountains. The Great North-South road runs East-West here, parallel to the White Mountains from Minas Tirith to the Everholt. As it has been in more continual use, this section of the Road is considered in good condition.

The Story So Far

For past session stories and recent canon events, go to Chapters Past

Most Recent Chapter

Rohan: White Lies Chapter 1, The Fellowship Forms ends:

The Company turns from Edoras to Isengard to discover and information on the palantiri that might still be in the libraries inside Orthanc. As promised, they received horses for their deeds from Éomer and were allowed to request any needed provisions before travel. They set out with the goal of wintering in Isengard, not knowing how long searches may take.

The weather is fortunately clear, but the waters at the Fords of Isen are still cold and swift from the recent snowfalls. At the Fords, Déor meets with Rynelda Fastrider again, who tells of the muddy but clear road conditions and the tentative peace made (mostly thanks to the Company) and hopes that it lasts through the winter. She also advised that the villagers of Isengard are Dunlendish and insular. Meanwhile, Vidar met a lone wanderer named Dera. While Vidar learned that she often protects people lost or in need, he failed to learn anything else or persuade her to join the Company for supper.

The route north to Isengard starts well, but gradually changes to scenes of devastation and debris remaining from both the flooding of Isengard by the Ents and the destruction of the natural landscape by Saruman in his quest to build an army of orcs and uruk-hai. Farmsteads and hamlets are only half rebuilt, the topsoil has an oily film to it, and plants are only slowly starting to grow back. In Isengard itself, the old road was widened to make room for an army muster, many of the woods were felled, and only a few orchard rows were kept to screen the view of the deep pits and fractures in the wizard's military-industrial complex. The landscape is still flooded; the pits have not yet been filled in while the water is sinking out slowly into ground drainage. Only the natural spring-fed lake is still pure, as it was for drinking water and is consistently refreshed.

At the tunnel through the encircling ring, the Company met the Gondorian guards Ohtar and Hallas and the door warden, a wizened old lady named Dianach. A young stableboy was able to show them around and get quarters for them. The company was surprised to see that they were treated as guests and were not expected to pay for anything, including noon meals. Upon reflection, they realized that the folk of Isengard would have only ever helped guests of the wizard, accepting the last few years of his time. As a shared property of Gondor and Rohan, the land is still the property of the Kings, and the Company was received as guests of the Kings in place of the wizard. The Company also learned that many store rooms and tunnels exist in the encircling ring, and the folk and guards have not yet sorted them all out.

While in the village area of Isengard, Gilithion caught sight of a woman taken aback and led off by another companion. In asking about it later, he learned the woman was the mother of Melmidoc, a boy sick with the "Dark Cholera" spreading through the region. When Gilithion tried to heal the boy, he recognized his ailment as one that did need special ingredients brewed together in an ale. Neither the mother nor her friend knew what they were, however, he identified one as a relative of athelas. This used to grow around the area, but has not been seen since the fall of Saruman as the land was too ruined. Gilithion told the Company, and they hoped to find dried samples or a more complete recipe for the cure in the wizard's possession.

Entering the tower of Orthanc, the Company met Rohirric guards (and twins) Fenwyn and Fenwine. Fenwyn led the Company around the tower and introduced many of its eccentricities. The Company requested to go to Saruman's rooms where they found a secret entry barred by a heavy and cunningly locked door. While smoking out the only window, Laramie recognized that there must be an extra room above the wizard's quarters. Gilithion climbed to the top using a grappling hook and rope, where he found a trap door on the room, and a secret stair wrapping cleverly around the top floors, ending to the passage. Now inside the passage, the Company discovered the secret forge of Curunir, and recalled that his name meant crafty - he had been the maia for Aule.

In the forge, Gilithion found copious but abandoned noted and tools. Vidar recognized that they were all still useable, and both saw that they included tools from all races. Gilithion also found a blessed silver gorget.

Vidar successfully fell through the trapdoor on the roof and uncovered the old room for keeping the Orthanc seeing stone (which is in Aragorn's possession). The plinth broke the dwarf's fall.

While the company found Saruman's stash of journals and identified that they were sorted by subject, they could not find the plant needed for the ale. Turning to the books, they did find the recipe. The recipe, while confirming the herbs used, also called for a drop of the Ent-draught, giving the COmpany a new hurdle to overcome. They sought out the scriptorium keeper, Bocaern, to let him know their plan and ask for advice. The grumpy keeper was only willing to help if they helped his village with the sickness. He revealed that his apprentice was the Melmidoc, the ill boy. If they saved his apprentice, he would be in their debt and promised to help in all ways possible.

That night the Company learned that the boy's mother had also fallen ill, and they made ready to set out in the morning. They asked if anyone knew the way well and were directed to Éobrand, a young rider who was courting Fenwyn. Éobrand told them much of the way over the pass and into the forrest, and volunteered to watch their mounts at the edge of the Fangorn so that the Company could take them over the pass and enter the forest on foot. The journey over the pass was thus shortened to a day's ride, and they made camp at the edge of the trees.

While setting up camp, and into the first watch, the Company was being watched by two unknowns. The first would present itself to be a bear called Stoneclaws, who Primrose welcomed into the camp and befriended. She noted the bear's intelligence and asked its help. The bear, in return, started to lead Primrose into the forest. Éobrand woke Déor, who roused the group. Éobrand stayed with the horses as promised while the Company followed the bear into the night. Stoneclaws led them to a stream and the Ent Beechboe, a tall, slender ent with silvery bark and laughter that ripples his tiny leaves. Beechbone often acts as a messenger and is of good humor to the visitors. The Company explained their quest, and the Ent happily agreed to help and took him to his stash (one of many) of Ent-draught. However, in learning that an herb was needed, the Ent expressed worry that the plant might be depleted if the disease spread. The Company agreed to only take cuttings but to take a couple of plants in their entirety so that the plant could be cultivated in Isengard again. That pleased Beechbone and he obtained amphorae to use as pots.

Upon their return to camp, the Company learned of the second unknown: Éobrand had seen and heard something stalking just inside the trees, similar in size to the bear, but dark and full of malice.

The Company returned to Isengard as heroes; the cure could be brewed, the plant cultivated, and the amount of Ent-draught would be enough to see the village through several seasons of disease. Bocaern expressed his gratitude and willingness to share lore and information with the Company and help them on their searches in Orthanc. The Company also learned that there were rumors of something dark going after villagers in the nearby hamlets, which they took to be the bear.

The Company now prepares to winter in Isengard and search the wizard's trove for information on the palantiri and intriguing treasure. Vidar finds a carving of a boar with agate eyes. Primrose finds a quiver made by the Hillmen with scenes of a hunt wrapping around it. Laramie finds a shield, once made for a young horse lord to wield on his first battle as a child. Déor finds an old jade signet ring.

Over the winter, the Company finds the following information:

Saruman's Journal

These were in papers on the palantir(i):

"Looking through, I turned my gaze Northward. As usual, there was little to see..." "Out of the ordinary, a presence in the far North not connected to the Eye. Is there one who survives in Angmar? The witch-king has been called to his master's side, but still, someone something? is watching from his realm. I have yet to devise who or what it is, nor why the sorcerous fiend would let him use the seeing stone. Surely it cannot..." [cut off as though interrupted, end of entry]

From collections of histories, a telling from the fall of Fornost:

Word was sent of the queen's departure and safe removal from Fornost:

"The Queen and the heir are safe. She and the child were guarded through the occupied land immediately Westward out of the citadel and, in their transit, turning South and East to head to Imladris. Sometime during this transit, or perhaps before in Fornost, the queen had selected one individual to secure their safety, but he refused to enter the Valley and turned back. We think he was charged with returning to find the King, but the plan was for us all to gather here first. We do not have any word of either this individual nor of the King's flight yet."

In addition, there were some further notes on the directionality and calibration of the palantiri and musings on who, if anyone - would ever try using one when so many dark presences are on them in Middle Earth. Musings continue on the master stones in both Numenor and Tol Eressëa.

Rules Clarifications

House Rules

Archer rules:

When an archer rolls an EYE, they should then roll a d6: on a result of 1-3, the archer has just one last arrow in his quiver. Being “low on ammo” makes for dramatic choices. When an archer fumbles his shot (i.e., rolls an EYE and fails the attack roll), he has emptied his quiver and is out of arrows! Being “out of ammo” makes for very dramatic choices.

Rules Errata

Concerning Blighted Places - a Clarification

The rules found on page 57 of the Loremaster’s Book detail what happens when a company of adventurers enters an area qualifying as a blighted place. From the way the rules have been presented in that chapter, it seems that players are required to make Corruption tests every time they cross areas rated as Wildlands, Shadowlands and Dark lands, making for a rather unforgiving rule.

The original intent of the rule was that it is always left to the discretion of the Loremaster to determine whether a place must be considered blighted or not. The Blighted Lands table must be used when the Loremaster has decided that an area is indeed blighted, to determine the frequency of the required Corruption tests.

For example, the text for the Marsh-bell adventure applies the rule as intended, when at page 130, under the Entering Mirkwood paragraph, the bulleted text states that “The part of the Long Marshes that is inside Mirkwood qualifies as a blighted place.”

Under this interpretation, it is entirely possible for an area found within a region classified as Wild, Shadow or even Dark not to require any Corruption test to traverse. As far as the accumulation of Shadow is concerned, the various region types as classified in the Loremaster map serve as guidelines for the Loremaster to decide whether the region currently traversed by the company is blighted or not, with Free lands being rarely blighted, and Dark lands being mostly so.

The Cultural Blessing of the Elves of Mirkwood should be:

FOLK OF THE DUSK: When an Elf of Mirkwood is inside a forest or under the earth, or it is night, his Attribute bonuses are based on his favored rating in all rolls involving the use of a Common skill.

Starting Gear

Small-sized Heroes: The list of weapons available to Dwarf characters (AB, p.76) should include Sword.

Background (Woodman)

Woodmen (Fairy heritage) erroneously has Search as a Favoured skill: it should be Awareness instead.

Page 75, Spider-poison.

The sentence, “... is paralyzed and falls to the ground after a number of rounds equal to his Body or Heart rating ...”, should be read as “... falls to the ground paralyzed after a number of rounds equal to his Body or Heart rating ...”.

A paralyzed character is considered to be unconscious, or otherwise defenseless

Resources

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