Introduction & Welcome Thread

[Gordis]

Yes, Val, the Kin-strife happened 100 years later, but surely by now both Eldacar and Castamir are grown men and Castamir should already have a lot of followers in the Southern Gondor and a lot of influence. It is not good for anyone to get on his bad side.

[Valandil]

gordis said:

Yes, Val, the Kin-strife happened 100 years later, but surely by now both Eldacar and Castamir are grown men and Castamir should already have a lot of followers in the Southern Gondor and a lot of influence. It is not good for anyone to get on his bad side.

Good point!

I'll do a bit of research later on how old each is, just who is presently ruling Gondor, etc.

[Duilin]

Thanks for the welcomes. As I understand it, Romendacil II is still King of Gondor at this point, but he's not got too many years left in him (died in 1366).

Romendacil, while still regent (he didn't become king until 1294) had sent his son Valacar up to the Northmen in 1250. It says in Appendix A that it was "some years" before he returned, and that when he returned, he had a Northern wife and a northern son. So presumably Eldacar is somewhere between 70 and 100. Castamir is the same generation - he's the grandson of Romendacil's younger brother - so he's probably around the same age. IIRC, this has already been mentioned in the story, when talking about Gimilbeth - she was meant to be betrothed to Valacar long ago, no?

In terms of my characters, I've already written a brief intro. I decided to call the Gondorian character Duilin, which is the name of one of the Gondorian captains in LOTR. I called the Northman Thurisind, which is the name of an ancient Germanic barbarian king of some sort (I don't recall exactly who or when).

For purposes of my intro, I wanted to inquire firstly about the political situation in Cardolan at this time. My basic premise in writing it was that Cardolan is not very warlike at this time, and isn't hiring any soldiers - is even going so far as to dismiss some of the soldiers it has. Thus explaining why my Gondorians decide to head up further north to Rhudaur. But I wasn't sure if that was right. I also was wondering who's in charge of Cardolan at this point. Is there still a line of Isildur king, or have they died out? If the latter, is Cardolan then ruled by one of the "Princes of Cardolan" mentioned in the appendix (the last of whom died in 1409)?

I also was wondering about dates - how long would it take to travel from Tharbad to Cameth Brin? And what would be a good date for their arrival in the latter? That way I can date my Tharbad post.

[Duilin]

Ah, Further research in the Appendices reveals that Eldacar was 235 when he died in 1490, so he was born in 1255, and is already nearly 100. His sons may even already be full grown - his son Aldamir died 50 years after him, so if he lived to the same age as his father, he's about 50 now. I'm not sure if other brother Ornendil was older or younger than Aldamir - I seem to feel he was the older son, but I'm not sure.

[Gordis]

Ha, Duilin, you are a learned one! We are indeed lucky to have you!

The names seem perfect to me.

The distance from Tharbad to Bree is about 200 miles, then 200 from Bree to the Last Bridge + about 30 miles to the watchtower where the road to Cameth Brin leaves the Great Road = 430 miles.
Alternatively, if your guys followed the Gwathlo through Fennas Drunin and then went directly to the watchtower it would be about 300 miles.
Then from the Watchtower to Cameth Brin via Brochenridge - another 100 miles.

So depending on the road, the trip would be either 530 or 400 miles.

Cardolan situation in our game remains a bit obscure. I guess there was the mantion of an old King there who has "troubles of his own" and who is currently building fortifications along the Great Road. Also, there was mention that Arthedain has already claimed the crown of Cardolan - so the King there presumably is NOT a direct descendant of Isildur. At least not father-to son descendant.

But I know Valandil has devised the name for the King of Cardolan -I think we can use Val's names now as our Celebrimbor seems gone for good.

[Duilin]

Shall I just post my intro, and then edit it if need be? I'm thinking I'll just date it to around the most recent date in the main thread (November 8?), and then send them the long way round via Bree, and then get them involved in whatever's going on at Cameth Brin by the time they arrive. (Perhaps they can stop off at Amon Sûl and have some kind of encounter with the characters there along the way, if there's anything interesting to be done there.)

[Gordis]

Duilin,

I guess your guys are on foot? Then they won't make more than 20 miles per day, I guess.

I have checked it here:

Below will be a site that has accurate historical data on travel times in medieval times:

www.geocities.com/davidbofinger/travel.htm

Here is the travel chart using Tolkien's times and mileages:

www.theoriginalseries.com/traveltimes.htm

So it will take your characters around 10 days to get from Tharbad to Bree and about 4 days to get to Amon-Sul (80-85 miles)

If you start on November 8 you will be out of the game for a very long time - might be 6 months real time with our slow rate.

I suggest you post your intro in Shadow II (Intrigues and Sorcery), right after Beleg's post that mentions things in Cardolan, and date it October 20. Then, by November 5, your characters can realistically reach Amon-Sul but if they tarry - say in Bree they can get there right "now" - November 8-9.

We are going to open a special thread for Amon Sul events and I think Val will start it. Then your guys will come, then Gimilbeth. It will be great to have a third player in Amon-Sul part, because right now there is only Val and I.

[Witch-king of Angmar]

Welcome, Duilin! It's great to have another writer with us.

[Duilin]

I actually have them on horseback now (they're coming all the way from Gondor), but since you've given me some nice times all worked out, perhaps I'll have their horses stolen in Tharbad. I imagine they'll spend a few days in Bree. As I see it now, they'll head to Bree from Tharbad, not having decided whether to ultimately head to Rhudaur or Arthedain. The decision will be made in Bree. Anyway, I'll post what I have. All comments welcome.

I'll also need a reason for them stopping off in Amon Sûl. Perhaps they've decided to offer their services to Celebrindol's new cavalry arm, and find out he's just left for Amon Sûl (a few days ahead of them on the road from Bree?), so they go there. Then whatever happens in Amon Sûl, they decide to go onwards to Rhudaur, instead of back to Fornost...Anyway, I'll post now.

[Valandil]

Duilin - I recommend HOME 12 ("The Peoples of Middle-Earth"), if you are as crazy-obsessed as me about some of these histories. There are some good notes with more information on Gondor (and Arnor) in "The Heirs of Elendil".

In Gondor at this time:

Romendacil II (born Minalcar) is King. He was born 1126, so is now 211. He will reign until 1366. He was nephew of, and regent to, Narmacil - the second childless King, and also regent to his father Calmacil for ten years, before coming to the throne in 1304. He was a man of great energy, and built the Argonath, among other things.

Valacar is his son and Heir, born 1194 and age 153.

Eldacar is son of Valacar, born 1255, age 92. His mother is (EDIT: "was" - she is certainly deceased by now) a northwoman, Vidumavi, daughter of "King" Vidugavia of Rhovanion.

Ornendil and Aldamir are sons of Eldacar. Ornendil is older, Aldamir was born in 1330, and is a young lad of 17 (is that about Amantir's age?). We don't know Ornendil's age, but the generations are about 60+/- years apart, so we could make him about 30...

King Romendacil has a younger brother named Calimehtar (probably still living). Calimehtar has a grandson named Castamir (born 1259 - age 88). Since the line of "Ship Kings" has ended, it might well be that Romendacil has already appointed his brother "Captain of Ships" and that this became hereditary for a couple generations. Then, the King could turn his attention back north.

Must go for now, but later I'll research and post about the state of Gondor in regards to easterlings (who are somewhat of a threat), Rhovanion, Umbar, etc.