The Pretender Chronicles - Bor Bragollach and Curugil Gildring
A tale freshly told of the Gondorian
Lord Bor Bragollach takes Curugil up on his offer of a tour of the High House of Lore. Interesting information is exchanged.
Elendor - Saturday, March 07, 2009, 1:04 PM
-------------------------------------------
Middle-earth time is:
Nighttime on Monday, Day 15 of May.
Execute the +TIMEFRAME command for year information.
Real time is: 12:04:48 MDT on Sat Mar 07 2009.
Middle-earth year is:
���� Historical Year: circa TA 3008
���� Online Year: 3046
�
The night is clear and light breeze floats through the city of Minas Tirith. A half moon provides what little light is evident in the city as the city\'s occupants are yet to light their torches. Woodwright Street is quiet.
Save, that is, for footsteps that approach the High House of Lore. These belong to the Knight-Captain and his new companion, the hound Huan. Kneeling, he whispers a few words to him before he enters the hall.
Huan sits outside patiently.
---
As Bor enters the hall, one of the pages of the House approach him. He bows and says courteously, \"Good evening Lord. How may we be of service?\"
---
�
\"The Lord Gildring has offered me a tour of this House,\" answers Bor, paying little attention to the page. He glances to his right and left.
\"I would have it.\"
---
\"Of course Lord,\" says the page. \"Pray give me a moment.\"
The page runs off and then a few minutes later he returns saying. \"My Lord. The Lord Gildring has asked that I bring you up to his office. If you would be so good as to follow me.\"
---
The Master\'s Office(#18887Rhn)
This is the Office of the Master of the House of Lore. There is a desk, old and wooden, and also many various scrolls lying about. In addition, there are jars of preserved animals, bones, and dried herbs -- all of which are clearly labelled in the Tengwar script. This is a busy place, and it is obviously a well-used room.
Above the desk there hangs a purple banner. Emblazoned on it is the sign of the Hammer and the Star.
Obvious exits:
Meditation Room and Down
--
A knock on the door. It opens silently and in steps a page.
Curugil, who was sitting by the small statuette rises and says, \"Enter.\"
The page steps in leading Bor. The page bows and departs.
---
�
\"Lord Gildring,\" says Bor simply, without emphasis. There is a sense of both greeting and command in his words, and he wraps his hands at his back.
---
Curugil smiles at Bor and says, \"Welcome Lord Bragollach. I do apologize for having made you climb all the way up here. I was involved in intense thought. I use this place for such times. I have been trying to decipher a most fascinating puzzle. It helps take my mind off of recent events.\"
---
�
\"Recent events?\" inquires Bor evenly.
\"I was occupied in Dol Amroth, and have only just returned to the city.\"
---
Curugil looks perplexed for a moment, \"I am surprised. The House of High Lore came under the attack of some would-be arsonist during the banquet we had planned. A self-immolating arsonist mind you. Luckily, a heartily thrown dagger eliminated the problem. The obvious culprit is this Black Hand, but I am perplexed as to why they would target the House of High Lore. In any event, I was very put out I\'m afraid, especially when some parties accused me of orchestrating the whole event for some nefarious purpose.\"
There is a sigh and then Curugil says, \"I am tired of these attacks upon our lore and science.\"
\"In any event,\" says Curugil. \"I suppose you have come for that tour I promised you?\"
---
The eyes of the Knight-Captain move not from Curugil as he speaks, twain globes of immobile inquisition. It is a wholly appraising gaze.
---
\"The attacks are not upon lore and science. They are upon you,\" says Bor.
He says nothing of the tour for the moment.
---
\"I wonder,\" says Curugil. \"These are deep matters. Come, I will show you this place.\"
--
Bor steps aside of the entrance, saying nothing and with only a gesture of his hand intoning Curugil to lead him forth on the aforementioned tour.
---
The Master\'s Office(#18887Rhn)
This is the Office of the Master of the House of Lore. There is a desk, old and wooden, and also many various scrolls lying about. In addition, there are jars of preserved animals, bones, and dried herbs -- all of which are clearly labelled in the Tengwar script. This is a busy place, and it is obviously a well-used room.
Above the desk there hangs a purple banner. Emblazoned on it is the sign of the Hammer and the Star.
Obvious exits:
Meditation Room and Down
B�r has arrived.
---
\"This of course is the Master\'s Office,\" says Curugil. \"My house has been the Master of the High House of Lore for the last three hundred years...\"
Curugil laughs, \"I suppose it shows. I believe there are some items in here as old as Elros Tar-Minyatur.\"
�---
\"What power must be in those pieces,\" says Bor, nonchalantly.
\"The crafts of Men in those days were far greater than now.\"
\"Show me them.\"
---
Curugil smiles and then retrieves a crystal, \"Perhaps as old as Elros is an exaggeration...\"
He then shows the crystal to Bor. It is plain, clear as glass, unadorned.
\"What do you think of this?\"
--
�
\"It is beautiful,\" answers Bor, gazing upon it. \"My circumstance oft leads to exaggeration and ostentation, but I am a simpler man than most would say.\"
\"Clean lines, few markings to betray its beauty, and simple. Who made it?\"
---
\"I do not know. Hold it up to the moonlight,\" says Curugil softly.
---
�
Bor takes the crystal and moves closer to a nearby window. A single beam of moonlight ventures its way into the Lord Gildring\'s office and it is before this rebellious strand that Bor holds the crystal. He observes the change.
---
As Bor holds the crystal up to the light of the moon, it slowly emits a faint blue radiance. Slowly it grows in power until the crystal becomes almost like a shining lamp of cool, subtle colors of blue, violet and dark green.
---
\"It is lovely,\" says Curugil. \"I have my theories of course. I deem it is from Numenor, but it was made by the Eldar of Aman. For it is written only they had such skill.\"
\"Were I another man in another time, Lord Gildring, perhaps I would have been a man of science such as yourself. There is a undeniable truth to it.\"
Bor does not readily relinquish the crystal, nor does it stray from the light.
\"If you asked me of beauty, I would have but one word...\"
\"Truth.\"
---
\"So perhaps this object predates the awakening of Man,\" says Curugil looking at the light. \"I have spent many years studying it. It is far more subtle than any could imagine. It is as strong as adamant, but even so, I could never break it -- but perhaps that would be the only way to determine how it functions...\"
Curugil shakes his head.
\"Yes,\" says Curugil. \"I am a seeker of Truth as well. Truth is sometimes painful to those who have bound their ears shut. Perhaps that is why we are so assailed in this latter ages...\"
---
\"If it is an apology you seek,\" says Bor, taking one last look at the crystal before handing it back to Curugil, \"You will not find it from me.\"
\"Rumors swirl of your purpose and your aim, and have in the South for many a year. I have come to see them for myself now and for the Prince that I serve.\"
--
\"Thank you,\" says Curugil taking the crystal back and placing it away. \"I appreciate your honesty. For tis said that froward tongues oft speak truth. So I have heard it is often with the House Bragollach though I have had few dealings with him.\"
\"Rumours are ever present,\" says Curugil. \"And this is because of what we do. When men hear an explosion, they think that we are throwing fireballs. When there is strange light, they think it is from sorcery. In truth, everything that occurs here is rational. Such as the crystal you have seen. My study is to improve our weapons, our buildings, and indeed, to improve our very lives. If Men do not understand what we do, they seek not explanation, but rather, they call it dark magic. Phaw. Even that attack the other night. Was it a strange ghost figure? Or perhaps it was a man in a cloak that was treated so that it could resist flame.\"
\"I speak too much as is my wont I am afraid. It is the professorial nature of my occupation,\" says Curugil blushing. \"I would imagine you do most of your speaking with your sword? Come!\"
Curugil leads Bor out of the office.
---
Working Laboratories(#18916Rn)
This area of the High House is divided into many areas. There are working benches, tables, beakers, jars with coloured liquids in it and tools of all kinds. It is here, that members of the High House conduct their more experimental research and also standing near it is a ready-to-use library. It is not as great of a library as that found at the Academy, but it is highly specialized with samples of herbs, books on engineering, and lore. This is clearly the chief working area of the lore masters.
Obvious exits:
Up and Down
---
�\"We are those who live in the shadow of an Enemy whose mind bends to our destruction at all times, and whose allies are few in these latter days.\"
\"We are told stories of the Valar, the Maiar, of Elves and Men with blood more pure than ours will ever be,\" continues Bor. \"This is the folly of our age.\"
He names the folly so: \"Superstition.\"
---
As the pair wind through the work tables, Curugil says, \"I happen to agree with that. While it is true there was a mythical age, I think most of those work could be attributed to greater technology. Unfortunately, much of that was lost during the Downfall. For example, do you recount stories of how Men of old lived longer than we do today?\"
---
�
\"I know it,\" answers Bor. \"It is because of our bloodline, is it not?\"
---
\"I believe it so,\" says Curugil. \"I believe the Men of Old had developed an elixir which strengthened their bodies and minds. I believe that it also altered their structure in such a way that it could passed on to descendants. That is why over the years the length of life span has deteriorated, because as the blood of non-Dunedain become mixed, the qualities of the science of old wanes.\"
\"Of course it is mere theory,\" says Curugil.
--
�
\"Wish you to live as Vardamir Nolimon, for over four hundred years in the pursuit of knowledge and science, Lord Gildring?\" asks Bor sharply now.
---
Curugil laughs merrily, \"I think I would be happy with a hundred! But Vardamir Nolimon is my model -- and is it not a worthy one? Here is a man who dedicated his life to learning and lore for the betterment of his people. Ah Vardamir, or Tar-Elendil Parmaite were both fine Men in their day.\"
---
Bor glances sidelong as Curugil as he laughs.
\"I trust not altruism, Lord nor do I trust a man who wishes to dedicate his life to the interests of others. I am told that this makes me selfish.\"
---
\"There is a point to that Lord Bragollach,\" says Curugil. \"There are few people who are completely altruistic. Even those who do noble deeds often do so for the praise. I think in part I have selfish reasons. First, to discover new things touches upon my ego, second, to show new things to others might aggrandize myself to others. Take for example the delight I took in showing you the crystal. Yet, if both a man\'s selfishness can be harnessed with the greater good of society... well, what can be better than that?\"
---
�
\"I seek not praise, but what deeds I have done whether good or evil are mine and mine alone. In this spirit, I ask of you this question...\"
\"If you design some wonderous marvel that contributes to the greater good of Gondor, whose marvel is it? Is it then Gondor\'s, or is it Curugil\'s?\"
Bor adds, \"There can only be one answer.\"
---
Curugil smiles and says, \"Well asked. You truly know yourself Lord Bor. Yet can anything truly be Gondor\'s or truly Bor\'s? To that I wonder.\"
�--
\"Perhaps not to some,\" answers Bor clearly, \"But for me, it is easier, for I am selfish. What is wrought by the hands of Bor Lord Bragollach is his...\"
\"...and his alone.\"
He looks at Curugil now. \"And by that same token, what invention comes from the mind and the hands of Curugil Lord Gildring is his, though I would readily use it in order to strengthen my own hand,\" says the Lord Bragollach.
---
Curugil laughs, \"Of that I have no doubt.\"
\"Take this for example,\" Curugil brings Bor over to one of the work tables where a scribe has out a long scroll.
Curugil points to the image of a large object being propelled enormous distances with explosive power.
\"Amazing,\" says Curugil, \"isn\'t it? I found it among the old scrolls. Supposedly this is a Numenorean Fire Arrow. I do not doubt that we could win the war with something akin to this.\"
---
�
Bor cannot help himself. He peers intently down at the scroll laid out upon the table. Perhaps it is seriousness that draws his eyes so close, or perhaps this is the Lord Bragollach\'s expression of delight. He is silent for a while.
\"Can this be made? Such a weapon...\" Bor\'s speech trails off on the air.
\"Such a weapon would be extremely useful.\"
---
\"There are certain parts to it I can replicate,\" says Curugil. \"However, there are other, very important aspects to the weapon that I am missing. I am currently investigating where I can fill in the blanks. The manscripts are not all extant. Currently, I am having the Lady Menawa examine our current weaponry to look for similarities. Yet, I am trying to determine the correct materials that give it not only its propulsion, but also its explosive charge.\"
---
\"Of course Lord Bor,\" says Curugil as an aside. \"If you would please keep this confidential I would most appreciate it.\"
�
---
\"What do you need to complete this?\"
And that is all that Bor will say to Curugil for now.
\"Money? Men? Resources? Name it.\"
\"I am a wealthy man.\"
---
\"As I said,\" says Curugil. \"I need to work out the correct compounds. But it is unlike anything I have ever seen.\"
Curugil laughs, \"Nay, it is not the money. I must find the missing parts of the scroll. I hope they may be recovered. Think of it Bor! If these weapons were possible, then the Enemy could not withstand Gondor. Then maybe the King really could return.\"
The Lord Gildring touches his chin, \"I ponder if my research has aught to do with this Black Hand.\"
---
�
\"I prefer not to think of it until it is built, Lord Gildring,\" answers Bor. \"I have no tolerance for ideas without result.\" He pauses a moment at that.
The words are spoken calmly, confidently: \"Bring me this weapon and I shall fashion a war the likes the Enemy has not seen since the War of Wrath.\"
\"As for this Black Hand, I would have you let me post guards at your doors and others at certain key points inside: men of my House, whose loyalty and strength of arm is without question,\" says the Lord Bragollach evenly.
---
\"My thanks Lord Bragollach,\" says Curugil. \"I have already been assigned Men from the Guard, but as a gesture of good will between our houses, I would accept this additional aid.\"
---
�
\"Further, I will be conducting my own investigation independent of that of the Warden of the Keys,\" continues the Knight-Captain, with a nod to Curugil.
\"What do your suspicions tell you of this group?\"
---
\"I believe Lord Bragollach,\" begins Curugil evenly, \"that they may be a group from the Black Land that seeks to sow discontent among our people -- or perhaps they seek what I am researching. There are other theories as well -- such as the one postulated by many that they are representatives of that Man from Umbar who claims the kingship. Yet what could one gain by random acts of terrorism? If I was to try to claim the kingship, I would not try to spread discord in such a way. That makes no sense. I deem that they must be supporters of the Dark Tower, for why else would they target a place of research?\"
---
\"I have met the Pretender, and these are not his workings,\" says Bor strictly. \"He is not one to hide his hand, of that I am entirely sure.\"
\"I wonder: if you were to be killed, what would happen to the research?\"
---
\"That is the trouble of my house,\" says Curugil. \"It would probably be lost. Every person who researches says they will build on the last. That is why I am looking for an assistant right now. I have several candidates. I hope one will work out.\"
\"But Lord Bor,\" says Curugil. \"I fear I must take my leave from you. I am to meet my sister Morgaen shortly. However, I hope you enjoyed your visit. Perhaps you shall join me for dinner at some point?\"
---
�
\"Send word,\" says Bor, \"I shall come.\"
\"The men I send will be instructed that they are under the leadership of the Lord Gildring, to do as he wishes as it regards to his safety.\"
Bor turns to leave, saying only: \"Good day.\"
--
\"Enjoy the Spring,\" says Curugil. He turns back toward his office.
---
You say, \"very very enjoyable.\"
Bor says, \"we MUST do this again\"