Fellowship of the Sword

OOC Introduction

The Fellowship of the Sword is the formal name for a quest that took place over about 4 real life months in 2000 and 2001. The TP was designed by Indilzar (Indy, Sirion, etc), who wanted to take a bunch of Gondorians on a magical mystery tour of Middle Earth. While the main structure of the plot was done by Indy, several very important subplots were developed by the other players (notably Thorondur, Erutirn, Morrandir and Rowaen) Approval of this plot was quite difficult because of the number of cultures involved and thematic reasons. Fortunately it got done and created one of the more remarkable plots in the history of Elendor.

Even more remarkable was the preservation of this plot. In 2009, a series of 81 logs were discovered that detailed almost all major aspects of the quest. Based on these, this is possibly the most well-documented TP from those days on Elendor.

There were many major players throughout the TP and to provide a comprehensive list of them would be exhaustive. However, the members of the titular fellowship were: Thorondur, Arnafel, Indilzar, and Erchirion. These four acted as the IC leaders of the quest. With them, they brought several squires including Morrandir, Maernus (Erutirn), Doran, Drenlyn, Rowaen, Mathollor, and Amano. Almost all of these squires received promotion during the quest with many of them becoming knights. Also, Tamran from Minas Tirith came, as well as Faengor (Lodo) of Ithilien. Also, interestingly, Aearwen made several appearances in the Beorning sequence, but does not seem to travel with the fellowship further.

This particular TP is significant because it allowed a medium for amazing character development, and some of the best RP that Elendor has produced. It allowed for bonding between players, as well as captured some of the magic, which many RPers in Elendor joined for. This article will present a synopsis of the TP, but please see http://elendor.closetgamers.com and perform a search for 'Fellowship of the Sword' to get all the detailed logs.

Part One: The Abduction of Amrothos

The Prince Imrahil summons a Great Hunt. On the Hunt, they give chase to the White Stag. A legendary beast that would bring good fortune to the hunter that can bring him down. However, they are soon led astray to Erech. There, Amrothos, the son of the Prince is captured by the wraith of an Oathbreaker. This wraith, appears in the form of a Green Knight.

In order to free Amrothos, he demands the sword of Anarion. Imrahil then sends his best knights abroad in a quest to recover the pieces of the sword. However, they first must consult Denethor, the greatest loremaster of Gondor.

Part Two: The Forming of the Fellowship and the Counsel of Denethor

In Minas Tirith, Denethor informs the company that the shards of the sword of Anarion are to be found in four pieces as told in the prophecy of Glormal:

Anarion was a kindly king, Come from the sea that sadly sunders. His helm was tall, his glance was cutting, His horn sounded like mountain thunder.

More marvelled still was his brilliant blade,

Anaril the bright was its right known name

Few foes could bear the sword that Telchar made

Ages ago wrought by that dwarf of fame.

But long ago Anarion waged war,

And fell dead by dart beneath his bright blade

In Mordor where the shadows are.

Long laments then the sad harpers made,

Of the fair King and his steely sword,

To four parts it flew, blackly broken,

Aged Anaril now only a word,

Of mindful memory; mere token.

Four by four were the shards flung afar,

One to the Dwarves in stony hard hills,

Hilt high to northern kin under the star

One to elves where enchantment thrills,

The last was laid in monument of stone,

By the kings kin, in the hidden hill,

Of Aragurth, silent and last alone

Where wonders woven in fate fill.

With their mission laid before them, Denethor bids them to go to Curunir (Saruman) in Isengard for further counsel.

Part Three: Isengard

The party swiftly passed through Rohan and soon arrived at Orthanc. There, they held council with Saruman who bade them to first go to Erebor and not to Imladris (which what was originally counselled by Denethor). The party, somewhat divided over this, at last decide to head toward the east (not least was because of Saruman's voice).

As they pass through the Vale of Isengard however, they are assaulted by orcs. However, the company, being composed of some of the strongest warriors of Gondor push through and soon come into Wilderland.

Part Four: The Golden Wood

The company, rather worn from their battle with the orcs, and with only the maps of Numandil the Nimothan to guide them, debate over whether to seek aid from the Elves of Lorien. Thorondur and Arnafel, both elf-friends counsel for it, while Indilzar hesitates. At last he yields and soon after negotiation by Thorondur the company is admitted into Lothlorien. There they receive counsel, and even a guide to take them partially up the river.

Part Five: The Battle of the Gladden

As they journeyed north, the party was assailed again by orcs, this time from Mordor. Yet there was something more evil among their number, for the Witch-King had come. In the battle that followed, Erchirion, Thorondur, and Arnafel attempt to defeat the Witch-King, yet a madness was set upon them and Thorondur disappeared.

After the battle, Doran, squire of Dol Amroth was elevated to the rank of Knight by Arnafel.

Part Six: The Beornings

A diminished company now made its way north to the land of the Beornings. There they stayed for sometime among the woodman and to their surprise, found the Lady Aearwen among them, being sent by Imrahil as an envoy. While here, there were strange encounters with men claiming to be from Rohan, and the squires even did battle with the orcs, with both Morrandir and Maernus receiving wounds. After healing, Aearwen departed them, and the company, being led by Sagan entered into Mirkwood.

Part Seven: Adventures in Mirkwood

In Mirkwood, the party with the guidance of Sagan made their way to the halls of King Thranduil. To their delight, they found a recovered Thorondur who in his madness attempted to assault Dol Guldor. Fortunately, the elves found him. During this time, the squire Rowaen was captured by orcs, but a battle in the forest led by Arnafel freed him.

After learning that the piece of Anaril did not exist among the Elves of Mirkwood, the fellowship departed for Erebor.

Part Eight: Durin's Folk and Laketown

The party arrived in Laketown and after several days went to the Lonely Mountain. There, they were received kindly by the Dwarf-King Dain, who had met Numandil the Nimothan on his mission there three years prior. In fact, so generous was Dain, that he gave the party the first of the pieces of the sword. The party, then made their departure and left swiftly for the west toward Rivendell.

Part Nine: To Rivendell

The long trek to Rivendell is not well documented but it is believed that the company went north of the forest. Then in the high pass, Maernus was knighted by Indilzar and he became known as Erucrist.

The company arrived in Rivendell and stayed a long time there. Elrond, through kind negotiation gave the second piece of the sword to the company.

Part Ten: The Ruins of Arnor

After leaving Rivendell, the party made their way west and after a stop in Bree, soon went north into the ruins of Cardalon. There, Thorondur was possessed by a spirit of old and gave them information concerning whither the third piece may be found: Lond Daer.

Part Eleven: The Sea Maiden

The party made its way to Lond Daer and amid a horrible storm found themselves trapped in the ruins. Then, strangely a sea maiden appeared who knew their quest and gave to them the third piece of the sword. This maiden, was ostensibly meant to be Uinen but due to thematic reasons remained unnamed.

A Ghost ship then appeared and transported the company back to Dol Amroth.

Part Twelve: Minas Morgul

Although they were now returned to Gondor, the company knew they had to go to Minas Morgul. Going forth, they passed swiftly through Osgiliath and then came to the hill of the dead king which was very nigh the gates of Minas Morgul. There, Erchirion recovered the last piece. Yet the Nazgul knew of them, and the company fled to the west, barely escaping with their lives.

Part Thirteen: The Fate of Amrothos

Returning to Dol Amroth, the sword was reforged in the secret smith of Dol Amroth. Then, going forth, the company came to the sword of Erech. The wraith's treachery was apparent and then Erchirion took the sword and touched the Stone of Erech. At that moment the sword flashed, broke asunder, but the wraith was gone. Now, in its place was Amrothos. With the quest fulfilled, the company turned back to Dol Amroth, being on this quest for well over a year.