Marching Towards Annuminas: consequences...

30/09 Marching Towards Annuminas: consequences...

Within the hallowed halls of Esteldín, Grand Maester Thandanar made a groundbreaking discovery. The artifact that the revered Steward Hunhir had long urged the Order to locate was identified as the "Star of Estel." This medallion, a beacon of hope during the bleakest times, was forged by the illustrious House of Caranor, the lords of Dolindîr. Its resting place, as per ancient tomes, was believed to be within the intricate maze of the Etten Caves, located deep within the foreboding forest of Taur Gonwaith. During these deliberations, Pedrasul, a distinguished Ranger from Esteldín, was inducted into the Order. Yet, her ceremonial vows were postponed, given the urgency of the quest at hand.

This cave bore historical significance; it was once the den of malevolent trolls who had harassed the Elves of Meluinen. However, time had seen the cave sealed, only for it to be recently reopened and its barriers cleared. Within the cave's chilly confines, Gamdrong stumbled upon an heirloom of intricate design. Entrusting it to Thandanar, the lore master deduced its design bore a striking resemblance to the cloak pins once worn by the Hill-men present during the harrowing Battle of the Angmar Pass. The artifact hinted at the existence of another, unknown clan. Venturing deeper into the Etten Caves, the echoing silence was disrupted by the arrival of Marshal Karaion, bolstering their ranks with fresh reinforcements. Danger soon presented itself in the form of two hulking trolls, warming themselves by a campfire. Yet, the combined tactics of Lord Belenir, Steward Minaiadan, and Thandanar saw the threats eliminated.

Their progress wasn't without challenges. An encounter with a group of ten Hill-Men saw one of their adversaries escape, muttering threats and vowing to inform "Lord Toragol." Thandanar's face paled at the mention; Toragol was the notorious leader adorned in crimson and gold from the dark land of Angmar. Emerging victorious but not unscathed, with Thandanar nursing a gash on his leg, the group found themselves ensnared in a secluded cave, its only feature a cascading waterfall. However, Aelwynna and Belenir, with their keen eyes, discerned a concealed path behind the water. A moral dilemma soon gripped the group. Stumbling upon the Hill-Men's quarters, Lord Belenir's initial command to dispatch the foes in their slumber was met with fervent opposition, notably from Samidas. Opting for discretion over bloodshed, they navigated quietly through the enemy's midst. However, the heart of the cave held a sight both mesmerizing and ominous. Engaged in a dark ritual were two Angmarim sorcerers. The object of their incantations, suspended between them, shone brightly even in the cave's dimness – it was the Star of Estel. Overseeing this dark rite was none other than the feared Toragol.

Amid the cavern's stifling atmosphere, Toragol issued a swift command to one of his most trusted Angmarim, Favargair, urging him to eliminate the intruding party. Simultaneously, he and the ritualistic sorcerers retreated into the shadows. Toragol's voice resonated through the cave as he commanded a battalion of Hill-men to launch themselves upon the Order. The Hill-men, once dormant in sleep but now awakened by the commotion, bolstered their ranks. The balance tilted perilously against the Order, who had already suffered from the relentless onslaught of their adversaries. Among the Hill-men, a particularly menacing figure with a ring-pommel greatsword stood out. He engaged in a fierce duel with Thandanar, a battle that seemed to ebb and flow with neither side yielding. But with sheer determination, Thandanar, drawing from his last reserves of strength, overpowered the formidable foe. As the cave descended into further chaos, Favargair unleashed a sinister sorcery, casting the cavern in an oppressive veil of darkness. Undeterred, Belenir, driven by a fierce determination, navigated the engulfing shadows, seizing the terrified Angmarim. Under intense interrogation, the Angmarim murmured a name – Tham Úmdúr. A rush of anger and vengeance for the fallen Hunhir surged within Belenir, leading him to deliver a swift and brutal end to Favargair.

Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Belenir addressed the remaining members of the Order. "In leadership," he began, his voice firm, "we are burdened with the weight of momentous decisions. It is a leader's duty to safeguard allies, even if it means eliminating threats. We should have acted decisively with the Hill-men." With the immediate danger behind them, the weary group embarked on the journey back to Esteldín, with the wounded in tow. Upon arrival, in a touching ceremony, Belenir extolled the efforts of Aelwynna, who tirelessly tended to the injured throughout their ordeal. He extended a formal welcome to her into the kinship and presented her with uniforms signifying her new role. With Aelwynna's unwavering commitment to healing, the group could finally afford a moment of respite, readying themselves for the inevitable next encounter and their ongoing mission to retrieve the Star of Estel