1

Author: Andy Warner (2001)

Derivated work (design cover / interior): Cirdann de Felrive - Release V.2.2 (June 2023)

Art Cover: Borja Pindado

Illustration: Will O’ Brien, Eric Belisle

All illustrations are used by permission of the artists, except indications or some of them which have been created by unknown authors.
Of course, if authors’ names are discovered, their permission will be demanded.

The work is the intellectual property of the authors, art creators and designers. It is intended for private, non profit use.
Middle-earth, The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Rings are intellectual property of The Estate of J.R.R. Tolkien. All games—including ICE's
Middle-earth Role Playing and its translations—based on The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and other works by J.R.R. Tolkien are copyright
and trademark properties of Middle-earth Enterprises. All rights reserved. This is an unlicensed non-commercial work of fan fiction intended as
commentary about the Middle-earth Role Playing game. It is NOT an official product produced under license from Middle-earth Enterprises.
 2
1.0 ABOUT THIS MODULE ..................................2
2.0 SNOW AND SUBTERFUGE .............................3
2.1 Introduction ......................................................... 3
2.2 The Plot ................................................................. 4
2.3 The Adventure ...................................................... 4
2.3.1 The Journey to the farm ......................................... 6
2.3.2 Around the farm .................................................. 8
2.3.3 The flood water ................................................... 8
2.3.4 On the island ...................................................... 8
2.3.5 Hoegwar’s actions ................................................ 9
2.3.6 The wolf trails ..................................................... 9
2.3.7 Orc Lair ...........................................................10
2.3.8 Winding up .......................................................11
3.0 ROAD LESS TRAVELLED .............................. 12
3.1 Introduction ....................................................... 12
3.2 Adventure overview and goals ........................... 13
3.3 The Plot ............................................................... 13
1.0 ABOUT THIS MODULE
This module is meant to provide an adventure for the
Middle Earth Role-Playing game, set in the world of
J.R.R. Tolkien’s imagination. The adventure itself is
meant for a group of players of about 1st to 3rd level in
first part, 4th to 6th in second part, and 7th to 10th level in
third part, depending on the experience of the players
and the number of players in the group.
This campaign is the compilation of the three
adventures written by Andy Warner:
- Snow and Subterfuge (2001)
- Road Less Travelled (2003)
- Race the Devil (2003)
The first part “Snow and Subterfuge” is an
introduction for low level characters.
The second part “The Road Less Travelled” is an
adventure for low-to-mid level characters.
The third part “Race the Devil” is an adventure for
experienced, high level characters. It first appeared as
3.4 The adventure ..................................................... 13
3.4.1 Key Points ........................................................14
3.4.2 The Options ......................................................15
3.4.3 The Journey to the ambush point .............................15
3.4.4 The ambush site ..................................................15
3.4.5 The Watch Tower ...............................................15
3.5 The Main Characters ........................................... 17
3.6 The Bigger Picture ............................................... 21
4.0 RACE THE DEVIL ......................................... 22
4.1 Introduction ........................................................ 22
4.2 Some Background ............................................... 22
4.3 The adventure ..................................................... 22
4.3.1 The History of Ring Rist .......................................22
4.3.2 The Annals of Grumbar Dains son ............................22
4.3.3 About the Poem ..................................................23
4.3.4 History of the Sword ............................................23
4.3.5 Barad Cam Tower of the Fist ..................................23
5.0 APPENDIX .................................................... 27
“Barad Cam Tower of the Fist” on City of Solis website
(www.seekingsolis.co.uk/MERP_resources/MERP_Adventures).
Legal Disclaimer
The work is the intellectual property of the authors,
art creators and designers. It is intended for private, non
profit use.
Middle-earth, The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Rings
are intellectual property of The Estate of J.R.R. Tolkien.
All games—including ICE's Middle-earth Role Playing
and its translations—based on The Hobbit, The Lord of
the Rings, and other works by J.R.R. Tolkien are
copyright and trademark properties of Middle-earth
Enterprises. All rights reserved. This is an unlicensed
non-commercial work of fan fiction intended as
commentary about the Middle-earth Role Playing game.
It is NOT an official product produced under license
from Middle-earth Enterprises.
 3

2.0 SNOW AND SUBTERFUGE

2.1 Introduction
The year is 1984, in the Third Age of the Sun…
It is early spring and the uplands and hills of Rhudaur
lie cloaked in a fresh, unexpected fall of snow.
As the days grow slowly longer and the winds lose
their cutting edge, the first of the melt waters swell the
Mitheithel as it flows past the Inn at the Last Bridge on
the Great East Road. Soon, the road will be passable with
ease and trade will pick up in the small hamlet that has
grown up around the bridge, the Inn and the watch tower
that guards them.
Haldon the innkeeper looks forward to the coming
months when his bar will be packed with thirsty drinkers
and the rooms host to weary travellers from far afield.
The winter is a lean time for all the folk of the North, and
coin is hard to come by and even less willingly spent.
The local farmers, trappers and traders are running up
hefty slates they hope they will be able to clear in the
short spell that passes for summer in these high places,
and the season for planting and rearing is about to begin.
It is a crisp night, with a rising moon nearing full Haldon nods, absent mindedly, thinking of other
casting a silvery light across the bleak land as Ulwarth the things.
hill farmer pushes the door to the Inn open and is
"So, I get to makin' a watch, me and the lad, and you never
welcomed by the warm glow of a roaring fire. But he has
guess what!" He looks expectantly at Haldon, who by this time
not come these five miles at this time of night just to
is glancing round to see if the odd-looking group in the corner
warm his bones, he could have stayed at home and done
need more jugs of ale or a fill up of hot broth.
that.
"Halds, .. Haldon!"
Unstringing the bow, he always carries, and stowing
the string safely under his cap, he approaches Haldon and The barkeep is called to his senses and Ulwarth
calls for a drink and his ear a while. continues.
"I be a bit at unease tonight Halds, things is odd up at the "You'll never guess! We seen wolves all right, deep into the
farm, and I not be likin' it one bit". He takes a long draft of the night, the lad had dropped off, bloody lousy watch keeper 'e
slated ale, wipes his mustached mouth clear of creamy froth and always was, but whats this I say to im, whats this?"
continues, Haldon nodding quietly all along. He has forgotten his ale by now and has a worried look
"Bin seein' wolf tracks this last week, over the far bank, by on his weather worn face, a deep breath and he stutters
the old ruin," scratches his chin and shivers the cold from his the words out.
bones, "well wolf is what I'm thinkin' though I ain't bin able t' "They were bein' rideed, Haldon. Ride-ed I says, by them
check for sure, what with the risin' of the flood, but I ain't heard goblins the Hillboys says live on up the Trollshaws an that."
much bayin' nor howlin', not much more 'n' usual anyhow, an'
I ain't seen no pack runnin' neither, so I gets to wunderin' whats He remembers his ale and downs the lot.
goin' on". "So, I come at once here, after I made sure the place was
secure and the lad and the wife safe inside, what with Grim a
 4
Grist to guard ‘em. So anyway, I thought I'd come an see if them
travelers was still here, that lot in the corner," he tosses his head
back in the direction of the only others in the Inn "see if they
might help a farmer out an see what it is is goin on. I don't like
to mess wi' it meself Halds, what with me leg playin up these
cold months, an', well, they seem handy sorts eh?"
2.2 The Plot
What starts out as a simple adventure to help an old
farmer chase off a few Orcs has the potential to plunge
the players into a dark world of conspiracy, plotting and
political rivalry that may bring the North to the brink of
war! The ruins are being used as a drop point for a spy
from the North, and the messages he has left lead to an
adventure to find an ancient sword of power and might.
At present, the Orcs are the main concern...
Ulwarth is a local hill farmer who lives with his family
in a small hill farm about five miles North of the Bridge
on the west bank of the Mitheithel. He farms sheep on
the sparse moorland, and grows what he can in his farm
garden to see himself and his family through the cold
months. The sheep are his livelihood, so they are
pastured close to the farmstead through the winter
months where he and his lad can keep an eye on them,
with the help of Grim and Grist, the two huge wolf
hounds he owns.
The farm lies in a sheltered spot, out of the worst of
the weather on the banks of the Mitheithel where it is
joined by a tributary in a steep sided valley. Just across
the tributary is the ruin of an old keep. Not much is left
these days, and Ulwarths lad has whiled away his youth
exploring it, fighting battles against imaginary foes,
saving Arthedain from the yolk of the Witch king, just
like his father and his father before that.
Unbeknown to Ulwarth and his family, the keep has
long been used as a place to exchange messages, and is
used occasionally by agents of Angmar. They are wise
enough to keep their occasional visits secret, and none
have ever suspected the nocturnal goings on in that
ancient place. The site (and others along the main routes)
is checked for messages on a monthly basis by Orc scouts
who relay them back to Grouth, Lord of Pen Morva, a
small town in the foothills of the Ettenmoors, many miles
to the north.
Recently, one of the spies of the North, Hoegwar
Hoegs-son, has had cause to leave a message for his
masters, and true to form visited the keep a week or so
ago. However, with the rising flood water, the
promontory the keep sits on has become cut off, and the
message collectors cannot get to it. These messengers are
a couple of Orcs from a scouting outpost based a little to
the north, who ride 2 large war wolves.
It was the tracks of these two wolves that Ulwarth saw
in the fresh snow, and last night on the river bank he
spotted the wolves and their Orc riders.
Now we all know that Orcs are ten a penny in the
Misty Mountains, but out here in the hills, quite close to
civilization and the threat of the local levy, they are not
at all common. Especially since their numbers were
decimated in the Great War not even 10 years ago.
So, Ulwarth is quite concerned. Assuming the party
(for that is who the odd group in the Inn must be) agree
to help old Ulwarth out, we may as well continue.
2.3 The Adventure
Hoegwar Hoegs-son is a rather nasty character. He
comes from Hillman stock, but was brought up to the
South in Tharbad, where he learnt his trade. Its not a
trade most would boast about, but to Hoegwar, it is a
trade and a hobby, for he is a spy, a thief and, darkest of
all, an assassin in the pay of Groath, Lord of Pen Morva,
and ultimately to the powers based in Angmars freezing
waste.
Hoegwar goes about his business in the guise of a
traveling trader, and, as a master of disguise, few recall
him in the places he has been. He collects information
from all the border towns and villages. He notes troop
movements, garrison strengths, political changes and
petty squabbles between lordlings and merchants alike.
He visits farms and markets where he keeps his eye on
the state of the crops and livestock, the levels of harvest
and of lambing, he hangs around the inns, taverns and
brothels keeping an ear out for gossip and news from
afar.

All this he collates and sends back to his task masters,
in exchange for all the coin he needs and the promise of
great power and riches 'when the time comes to take back
the North'. He swaps information for coin at a great
many sites along the East Road, and the highways and
byways of Rhudaur.
These locations are mainly old ruins, standing stones
and other places mostly ignored by normal folk.
Hoegwar has deposited the messages and has since gone
on his way along the great East Road towards the Shire
where he will gather information about the events of
winter. He may have passed the party, and he stayed in
the Inn for one night.
The messages were left at the keep, in a concealed
hidey hole in the basement, protected in oiled wrappings.
They detail recent changes in the militia of Tharbad,
highlighting the withdrawal of 50 Gondorian men at arms
back to Minas Tireth, in the far South. There are details
on the grain supply and crop expectations at Tharbad,
and some political news and gossip too.
None of this will make any sense to the party at the
moment, but may prove useful later in an extended
5
campaign. Along with the papers is a bone scroll tube,
well secured and waterproofed, and sealed with wax. It
has some runes scrawled on it, but they are not
recognisable or translatable. They are in fact totally
meaningless, but designed to make the orc messengers
wary that they are 'cursed with magics and spell-
workings'. The tube contains a rough map, a poem and a
brief note.
The poem is at the end of this module (5.0 Appendix).
Here is the translated poem :
Forged of Fire in w ays of Light,
where Dark shall never come,
The One that cuts to deepest core,
the Evil is Undone.
From Rivers fast came quenching thirst
to hiss and spit and boil,
In Deepest Fires the Naugrim smiths
worked in Endless toil.
 6
The note is penned in contemporary Westron and
explains the other two items. All items have been drawn
by Hoegwar, and he has kept the originals himself. The
map shows an area of land with a river and several towns
and castles marked on it, but the names are confused and
thus not easily identifiable (Hoegwar has made several
mistakes.
The river is the Bruinen, not Mitheithel, and the
place he calls Iant Methed is not the Last Inn, but a ruin
east of the bridge on the East Road, south of Minas
Brethil).
The poem is a fragment of a longer work (and is
provided in full in Cirith Runes, at the end of this
adventure). It describes the forging of a powerful sword
by dwarven smiths many, many years ago, as an answer
to the dark evil that was devouring Middle Earth.
You will find the note at the end of the module (5.0
Appendix).
The map (on page 7) shows the location of the place it
was forged (The Dwarven Hold of the Iron Fist,
Angacam) and of its current resting place (The Tower of
the Fist, Barad Cam).
The note tells that Hoegwar came across them in
Tharbad last autumn, through some dealings with a
couple of Dwarves, and may have some bearing on
something referred to as 'The Key'. He used blackfish
venom to get more information, but the dose killed one
of the dwarves. The other, Daggard Dragon Slayer (well,
that’s what he calls himself) seemed dead too, but he sur-
vived. He has vowed to find and kill Hoegwar himself.
Daggard could help locate the places on the map if the
party ever meet him.......
The Orcs are waiting for the floods to subside so they
can make their monthly message check. If the party wait
more than 3 days, the flood water will have subsided
enough to allow the orcs to check the ruin, locate the
messages and retreat into the hills. They can be traced
back to a small outpost about 10 miles into the hills,
where they will hold up for a few nights before setting
out again, traveling only at night. Assuming the party
retrieve the messages, the orcs will shadow them a while.
They will only attack if there is a reasonable chance of
winning a fight, and even then, they will turn and run as
soon as things look bad for them. In either case, any
surviving orcs will report back to Grouth, telling how
terrible foes stole away the latest messages.
They will give descriptions as best they can, and play
up the 'formidable skills' of the party. Grouths men will
be on the lookout for the party from this point, though
not actively seeking them out (Pen Morva is a long way
north, across difficult terrain).
2.3.1 The Journey to the farm
The adventure works best if (and as- sumes that) the
party leave in good time, although notes are made to
indicate other possible situations if they have been slowed
down. Taking the chance of an- other warming drink,
Ulwarth relates the tale to the party, and asking for their
help. He will then urge them to start out now as he
doesn't want to wait until morning. If they will not leave,
he gives directions and sets out alone.
It is a fair distance, along a rough cart track covered
with freshly fallen snow. The only tracks of interest are
those of Ulwarth himself. Apart from a few animal
tracks, there are no signs of others on the road tonight.
The full moon and clear sky make stealth difficult, but
also means the party can see well. They can be fairly sure
they are not being watched along the road. Ulwarth will
relate the tale again on his way home, and embellish bits
as he sees fit! He is a sturdy character, and makes the
pace. He will not want to dally along the way, and is
eager to get home. He will happily talk about life here,
his family and his farm. He doesn't know too much about
other things, as the family do not leave the farm that
often. As they near the farmstead, the sheep in the barn
start to bleat nervously, and the hounds in the farmstead
start to bark and growl.
Both these occurrences are in response to the
approach of the party. A crack of light appears at one of
the shuttered windows, and movement can be seen
inside. Assuming the party decide to scout around to see
if anything is lurking nearby, any elves among them may
notice a brief movement on the top of the ridge across
the river above the ruin (too far for mere men to see at
night, even with this moon).
This is one of the Orc guards checking to see what has
caused the hounds to start barking. He is half a mile away
at least. If the party are easily visible, he will notice them.
7
 8
If they have taken care to be sneaky, he may assume it
is Ulwarth and the boy that he can see, and think nothing
more of it. Of course, if he sees a few people, he will tell
his comrade, and they will be far more alert tice a brief
movement on the top of the ridge across the river above
the ruin (too far for mere men to see at night, even with
this moon).
This is one of the Orc guards checking to see what has
caused the hounds to start barking. He is half a mile away
at least. If the party are easily visible, he will notice them.
If they have taken care to be sneaky, he may assume it
is Ulwarth and the boy that he can see, and think nothing
more of it. Of course, if he sees a few people, he will tell
his comrade, and they will be far more alert and wary in
checking the ruins.
If the party follow the next day, they will not see the
Orcs, and will not be seen, as they will have bedded
down for the day.
2.3.2 Around the farm
A reconnoiter of the farmstead will show no signs of
wolves or orcs at all. However, if the party cross the river
in Ulwarths small boat, it is a different story. If the boat
is checked out, some debris, leaves, grass and dead
bindweed will be found in it, - nothing exceptional,
except the bindweed grows around the ruin, and not this
side of the river. Ulwarth will notice this, but he will get
a suspicion that his son used the boat recently, and not
point it out.
Later, he will rebuke the boy in hearing of the party,
'I told you boy, tis not safe f'r yer ta go dallyin around on
yer own, what wi' these wolves an that about!'. The boy
will plead innocence, as he hasnt used the boat, which
should indicate someone else has.... (it was Hoegwar
delivering his message to the ruin).
If the dogs are used to track the scent, they will be
able to do so for a little way, leading round the back of
the farm and onto the track some way away, leading
south to the road. The scent is too old to follow with any
real success.
2.3.3 The flood water
The river level will drop over the next few days,
allowing the orcs to check the ruin for messages and
replace the stores there as needed. The longer the party
wait, the easier it is for the orcs to make their way clear.
The orcs can reach the ruin on the 3rd night after
Ulwarth meets the characters in the inn.
2.3.4 On the island
On the far bank, there are several clues to the recent
use of the boat. It was tied up to a bush which is now
partly under water, but it will be noticeable that some of
the branches are broken off. (Remember the water was
lower when Hoegwar used the boat so beaching marks,
footprints in the mud, etc… won't be visible). The
bindweed around and inside the ruin shows signs or
disturbance, and some bits can be found in the boat (from
Hoegwar’s boots or clothing). There are no wolf prints
on the island itself.
A Very Difficult perception roll will lead to the
location of the wolf tracks at the water edge on the
northern bank. Taking the boat over will enable the
tracks to be followed. Scouting the ruin will reveal
someone has been inside recently, but not spent much
time there. Good tracking will reveal that only one
person has entered here, and wore normal sized boots,
thus probably not orcs.
A close investigation of the entry where the bindweed
grows will show it has been pulled aside then replaced.
There is a pendant trapped within the weeds, pulled from
Hoegwar as he forced his way in. It is iron, and has a relief
of a crude crown on it.
There is nothing of obvious interest inside the ruin,
however a very difficult perception role will be needed
to spot the secret hidey hole Hoegwar has deposited the
information in. If characters actively search in the
basement area, the secret place will be found with a
difficult roll in- stead. If the party are too late, they will
find evidence that two orcs have been here.
They will also be able to find a box of supplies in the
hidey, replaced by the orcs. It is covered in runes and
sigils and contains a pouch of Arthedainian and
Gondorian coins to the value of 20 gold, two small vials
containing an herb concentrate to aid healing and a single
vial of a strong toxin made from the venom of a swamp
fish. In the right dose, the spies of Angmar use this to help
them glean information from their captives... or to kill
them... The box is not trapped and the runes are not
magical in any way.

2.3.5 Hoegwar’s actions
Although they cannot tell this, Hoegwar has been to
the tower, retrieved a box of supplies from the ruin and
then left his messages. If the orcs have retrieved the
messages, they will have left another box of supplies in
the hidey.
2.3.6 The wolf trails
The tracks lead west along a game trail up the valley,
and then up onto the moors above, but do remember
fresh snow has fallen, so they will not be obvious or easy
to follow. From there, the party may be able to trace
them two ways, depending on their ability. They lead
north all the way to the orc lair, several miles away but
this will be extremely difficult - event he hounds will
have problems as snow drifts in the wind on the high
moor.
9
They also lead east to a bluff overlooking the ruin,
from where the orcs are watching the flood water,
waiting to resume their quest.
They are bedded down here in thick undergrowth on
the lee of a rocky outcrop. They will be active only at
night, and even then, they prefer to stay warm and not
venture into the cold.
The large wolves will sense any approach, especially
if the party approach up wind, which is in the direction
of the tracks. This allows the orcs time to organise
themselves. They will assume it is Ulwarth unless they
have spotted the party at night. If they are aware of the
party involvement, they will try and evade them, and
resort to conflict as a last option.
They are scouts and hence good at their craft,
including ambush and sneaky attacks. If they assume it is
Ulwarth, they will be confident and confront the party
head on, suddenly realizing they are outnumbered. They
will assess their chances, and act accordingly. They are
not warriors, so will probably mount up on the wolves
 10

and ride off quickly. They can easily outrun the party,
and head back to the lair. They will bring a war party back
to fight in a few nights time.
If they never return to the lair, the orcs will look for
them and if they find them dead, they will attack
Ulwarths farm. This will be at least a week or two away
though.
If the orcs are caught before they have been to the
ruin, they have a small locked replacement supply box
with them. The orcs are delivering this to the ruin, as
they do every few months.
The lair is a small cave among boulders at the base of
a steep tor (rocky outcrop) on the moors. It will not be
obvious to the eye, as the snows cover the signs of life
such as churned up ground, refuse piles and midden pits.
If battle ensues, the orcs will fight until it becomes
obvious, they cannot win. One by one they will run or
ride aw ay, trying to escape capture.
Eventually they will make their way back to Pen
Morva and report to Grouth. Orcs are cowardly at heart,
so if the stronger leaders are dead or fled, other
individuals may surrender if terms look good. Although
they will grovel and snivel and plead for mercy, they will
also attempt to escape if possible.

2.3.7 Orc Lair They don't know much about the plot and they cannot
describe Hoegwar (remember he is not the only spy using
The orc lair is home to a few warriors, several riding the drop off points round here).
wolves and a few scouts. The group will be lethargic and
bored, happy to keep warm inside out of the snow and
biting wind of a Rhudaur winter. They will not have any
guards posted, though the wolves will be first to raise any
alarm as the party approach.

2.3.8 Winding up
The adventure successfully concludes when the party
are sure there is no danger left to Ulwarth and his family.
Assuming they are quick enough, they will find the spy
messages and realise the im- portance of the situation. If
they are spotted by the orc scouts, but do not follow the
orcs, they may be followed and attacked. If they chase or
kill the scouts, then the rest of the orcs will be alerted to
a problem.
They will attack Ulwarths farm to try to keep their
presence a secret thinking that dead men cannot talk.
They don't consider the fact that a raid on the farm will
alert the local people to their presence. It may be some
time before anyone finds out about an attack, due to the
isolated nature of the place, but be sure that a levy would
be raised and the orcs hunted down. If the orcs escape,
then Grouth of Pen Morva will become alerted to the
11
party’s involvement, and may try to find them. This
would take a few weeks as Pen Morva is a good distance
away from the Inn, in the Ettenmoors north of Cameth
Brin.
Ulwarth cannot give much to the party, but he will
always be grateful and offer hospitality whenever they
need it. If pushed, he will offer a small amount of coin
(about 1 gold value) and a ring off his own finger. It is a
simple gold band, not worth much at all, and it would
sadden him to do this. He would gradually come to
resent the party too, if they took it. He will be able to
dine off of the tale of this adventure in the Inn for the
next few months, as everyone loves a story. Alas, this
may alert Grouths men to the party if they visit the Inn
and hear the tales.
 12
3.0 ROAD LESS TRAVELLED
3.1 Introduction
This adventure It is set at the end of the spring of TA
1985, near the hedge-town of Bree. It is a follow-up to
the adventure 'Snow and Subterfuge'.
The year is 1985, in the Third Age of the Sun. It is late
spring in the North of Middle Earth. Although some
snows still lie on the high fells, or in gullies the midday
sun does not yet hold in its full glare the weather is
warming. Lambing season soon, on the wide, open
Downs around Bree, and the time for trade and travel
too. It is the first wet night of the season. A cold rain is
falling from grey skies as the bedraggled travelling party
(the players) arrive just before the great gates are closed
to shut out the wilds of the Barrow Downs. Too thick,
the cloud, to allow glimpse of the moon just passing its
fullest. A mere month ago She looked down on a
landscape cloaked in white, glittering with beauty in Her
eerie silver light. Now she would shine on a damp and
dismal landscape if the leaden skies allowed her. The
rivers are high with snowmelt and the latest rains, but
they are no longer in flood as they were recently.
In the ancient hedgetown of Bree, spirits are high and
tongues wag of good times to come. Life has been hard
since the Great War, only 10 years ago, where the Dark
Host of Angmar threw itself mercilessly on the quiet
towns of Arthedain, beaten back only by the joined might
of men and elves, and then only just. It will take these
shattered lands many more years to mend fully, but mend
they will, and the folk of Arthedain know it.
'Care, there, boys! have a care lest you spook the mule. I
don't want to be chasing after her in this muzzle, now do I? Load
‘em up boys, and keep that tarp tucked in tight against this
weather, be wishin' for the cold I will, if this drench keeps up.
Care I say! Have a care, boys, these goods aren’t no use broken
now, are they?'
Outside the Kings Arms, work is carrying on into the
damp early evening. Inside, a warm fire greets tired
workers and the few travellers reaching Bree so early in
the year. Mead a plenty, good food and a friendly
atmosphere serve to lighten many a winter-weary heart.
And with the traders active, it looks like work may be
available too! But first things first, a bath, dry cloths, a
bite to eat and a few beers with the last few coppers in
the coin bag.
And so, the evening becomes night and night gives
rise to a dismal, wet and grey dawn which lingers into an
equally miserable morning. Nothing to do but sit around
the Kings Arms and rest a bit. Maybe play a game of dice
and try to win lunch, or catch the eye of the serving girl
with a smile and promise of company!
But by lunchtime, tongues are wagging and spilling
forth gossip. Word is that a caravan has been attacked!
And soon, the Inn is packed tight with townsfolk, and
standing, stage centre, an excitable hobbit is holding
open court atop a table, beer froth round his muddy
feet....
'It’s a wonder any of us got away with our lives! Poor Foren,
I didn't see him leave, he's probably going to be held for ransom
or something... The guard boys put up a good fight, but, but the
bastards were too good for them! Calwine ran, yes, it’s true, but
his runnin' meant I got away with Grubby too, and what good
would three more dead be anyway? In Eru's name, I hope
Calwine made it to safety, but what with him being off colour
and all, I don't hold much hope for him. I've had enough of this!
Last year I was lucky, and I didn't say or do anything when
others got robbed. I just buried my head and mumbled into my
beer. Well, now it's me on the sharp end and I changed my views.
Now, I can accept if no-one wants to help, Yvanna knows I
wouldn't, but let’s put an end to this, lets string ‘em up, let’s
make the North Road safe again! Whaddaya say?'
Jerramiah Fallowhide stands wide eyed and
expectant, a halfcocked grin making him seem just ever
so slightly mad.
'Well......?', he says, hands held out to his silent
audience. 'Damn you all then, damn you to the wargs and the
barrows, I’ll smoke them buggers out myself.'
Just then a gruff voice from the back corner of the inn
silences him.
'Well, well, little Hobbit. You have a hero’s heart, there.
How about I offer you a hero’s hammer as well?' A burly dwarf
rises and makes his way forward. 'Dagaard Drachoschlar is my
name, and I accept your call. So long as you are buying the beer,
I will act as your strong arm!' With that, he places his
dwarven hammer on the table, turns and scans the room.
'Anyone else care to join us, then? Beers on the hobbit'....
Well, that’s the cue for the party members to jump
into the plot! Rescue a trader, rid the town of brigands,
become heroes and get free beer!

3.2 Adventure overview and goals
The players should set out to investigate the trader
ambush, deal with the brigands, clean out the tower and
restore the property of the traders. They should aim to
make the North Road safe again. Simple! However, they
should gradually become aware that this is not a simple
bandit group, and there are sinister goings on behind the
scenes. As they gain more knowledge, they will be drawn
into an expanding campaign that will lead them into
peril, adventure and the ultimate struggle for Arthedain
itself.
3.3 The Plot
Bree is at a great crossroads of the artery routes of
Arthedain. The Greenway runs from Gondor in the far
south to Fornost Erain, the new capital in the North, and
the Great East Road is the route from the Grey Havens
and the western Shire lands to the vast unmapped wilds
across the Misty Mountains, to the East. It is a place of
tales and rumors from across the land, some of which
may even be true! As such, it is a great place for spies to
linger a while, and that is exactly why Hoegwar Hoegs-
Son, the foremost spy of the North is here (see Snow and
Subterfuge for some background to Hoegwar)!
Hoegwar has another reason for his stay in Bree, too.
He has visited some old 'friends' in the town of Sarik, a
few days north of Bree. There he passed on information,
and new orders from his overseer, the foul Grouth of Pen
Morva. Hoegwar’s friends are small time villains and
robbers who prey on lightly guarded caravans plying their
trade up and down the Greenway and North Road. With
the decimation of the Arthedain army in the war, traders
find it hard to find good trained men to act as guards, and
these days, each trip is a gamble.
However, this spring the robberies are not going to
be random. Several traders have been persuaded to ship
highly sensitive cargos up to Fornost Erain, persuaded
mainly by the 'promise' of large amounts of coin. These
are the traders that will be specially targeted by the
bandit group. Late last year, a guard officer from Fornost
contacted a few traders discretely, and asked if they could
provide a shipment or two of arms and armor. Mainly
spear heads, pike heads and breastplates, but with a few
swords too, and some short bows with many cases of
arrows, fletched red and white. All for the armory at
13
Fornost, it seemed, but still the contact told the traders
to be covert and careful, after all, who knows what spies
stalk the towns of Arthedain, and none want the Dark
Powers to know Arthedain is on the rise, eh? The traders
were told that they would be well rewarded for such
goods, but alas no money was available up front to
purchase the cargo. The request was legitimate, to a
degree. The powers in Fornost have requested arms, but
the money they paid for them has been siphoned off by
the Quartermaster of the Lower Bailey at Fornost, a man
named Tasterlan. A black hearted villain bent to the will
of the Witch King of Angmar, many years ago. Surviving
the War, he worked his way up (though he has not
managed to get that far, it seems!) to a position of power,
at least in some quarters. Working with Hoegwar and the
brigands of the North Road, he is stockpiling a cache of
arms to be used against Arthedain 'when the time comes.'
A few weeks ago, the first traders left for the north
carrying winter trade goods. They got through to their
destinations without incident, and all looked good. Last
week, a couple of traders set out, including Jerramiah
Fallowhide with his stash of weaponry, but they were
attacked. Luckily, they escaped on foot and have just
made it back to Bree, all their goods gone and their
livelihoods ruined or so it seems.
3.4 The adventure
The Bandits of the North Road are a loose band of
about 25 members, though they are led by a hard core of
just four people:
- Maugreth, a surly gruff outspoken northman
from Sarik the self-appointed leader.
- Ferien of Howester, the spurned illegitimate
daughter of a petty noble (who died in the
Battle of Fornost) who hates everything
Arthedain represents and uses her magical
herb lore to powerful effect if needed.
- Vallen Gumb, an intelligent but
downtrodden Fornost northman with a head
for figures who carries out most of the
organisation and quartermastering.
- Gustaven Arenrim, their true leader, is a
Dunedain of questionable lineage. He is
happy to let Maugreth strut as leader while it
suits him. He is a skilled orator with a subtle
way about him, controlling weaker men
 14
without them suspecting a thing. He is also
'unkillable' (but more on that later).
They hole up in an old watch tower in the hills north
east of Bree (similar to the watch towers of the Weather
Hills) using its isolation to full advantage. Of the
remaining 20 or so other members, the majority are just
scoundrels that live in Bree, Sarik or Fornost. Only a
handful know the location of the old tower. Importantly
for this scenario, two of the bandits who do know its
location have infiltrated the trade circle, and are
manipulating it from within (simply timing of trips,
number of guards, type of cargo etc). They are 'Grubby'
Durnan, originally from the slums of Tharbad, and
Calwine, a thug out of Sarik. 'Grubby' is posing as a coal
merchant, and has taken a wagon of coal north in the last
trade trip, along with several other traders. Calwine has
taken a job as a guard on the trade route.
Remember the Dwarf, Dagaard Drachoschlar? Well,
Dagaard is not usually one to pledge himself to the
nearest unhinged hobbit, even for free beer. But Dagaard
is intrigued. As a refugee from the mines of Khazad Dum,
he spent several years in the dereliction that calls itself
the City of Tharbad. It was in that decrepit place he came
across a few unsavory individuals, and one of them is sat
right across the room, wet to the skin, shivering over a
cup of hot wine and looking very shaky. 'Grubby'
Durnan, ex coal miner, ex smithy, ex con! Last time
Dagaard saw 'Grubby', he was on the run from a clan of
rather irate dwarves after trying to dupe them into
buying a load of poor-quality coal for an inflated price.
And furthermore, rumor had it that Grubby Durnan
knew a certain bad apple named Hogwash (Hoegwar)
who had been responsible for the death of Dagaards close
friend. And you know what they say about dwarves:
Nobody ever did a dwarf a favor, or a wrong, without
being repaid in full. And Dagaard is eager to repay the
debt he owes Hogwash.... (see Snow and Subterfuge).
3.4.1 Key Points
Three weeks ago: The first traders left Bree. Three
carts laden with wooden goods such as hurdles, baskets,
small furnishings etc, made from fine hazel over the
winter months and a cart full of best quality shire charcoal
were guarded by five local militia men. They had no
problems at all and are now in Fornost, after selling
goods en-route at Sarik and Howester.
Last week: Three merchants (Grubby with coal,
Foren with cured hides and Jerramiah Fallowhide with
'illicit weapons') went northwards with 4 guards
(including Calwine). A further 4 guards were taken ill the
night before departure, and more guards could not be
found in time. The three decided to risk a trip lightly
guarded. In fact, Calwine had poisoned the guards (and a
few other people) with a concoction made by Ferien for
that purpose. He also gave himself a dose as a cover,
though a mild one. Everyone believes the broth was off
in the Inn, though the innkeeper vigorously denies the
charge which has lowered patronage since.
2 days ago: The caravan was ambushed at dusk as
camp was being made. The attack was swift and well
executed. The two real guards and one of the traders
were killed, and the carts taken away along a track to the
west. The actual events at dusk were as follows:
• Grubby suggested a good camping spot,
seemingly easy to keep watch from. It was where the
ambush would take place.
• Camp was being set up by the three traders while
the guards kept watch.
• Grubby was anticipating the attack, and took the
opportunity to kill Foren with a swift knife to the neck
when he was sure no-one would notice.
• Grubby then signaled to the bandits with a
special bird call. Jerry Fallowhide had heard the strange
call, and was a little wary.
• One of the mules started to get a bit jumpy and
a guard went to check it was OK.
• The bandits attacked with arrows, wounding
two of the guards, then rushed in from their hidden
places. Jerry took cover under the wagon tarp among the
hides and kept very still.
• The guards put up a good fight (Calwine faking
it as he was fighting his bandit buddies), but one was
killed and Gillian was knocked senseless, leaving Calwine
to fight on. Grubby was about to kill the reeling Gillian
when Jerry grabbed at him and pulled him to 'safety'. Just
then Calwine left the fray and ran off, chased by a bandit.
Scared out of his wits, Jerry took the opportunity to run,
and Grubby realised he had to do the same. He intended
to catch and kill Jerry but never had the chance as Gillian
recovered enough of his senses to run off too.

• Jerry, Grubby and Gillian travelled back to Bree
as fast as they could.
• Later that day, Calwine joined his fellows at the
Tower.
This morning: Grubby, Jerry and Gillian the guard
arrive back at Bree in the mid-morning, cold, wet and
tired. They tell of their terrible ordeal and lucky escape
from the brigands. The gossip centres around the goods
they were carrying. Coal and hides were not normally
the subject of robbery. Just what was it that young
Fallowhide was carrying again? What? No-one knows?
And Jerry is not sayin' nothin'.
Lunch time: Jerramiah Fallowhide has roused the
traders, and is holding open court atop a table at the
Kings Arms (see the hobbit speach in the introduction for
details).
Cue the Party: We are up to date, and hopefully the
party will take the 'job', after all, the beers free!
3.4.2 The Options
There are several options available. The hobbit will
happily accept players ideas and thoughts, after all he has
just escaped an attempt on his life. Grubby is less willing
to join in, he says he wants to drink the memories away,
and pretends to drink himself into oblivion. The most
obvious option is to investigate the ambush site and see
what has gone on, and try to track the bandits. If players
investigate the guards, the traders or people in Bree, they
run the risk of becoming alienated Bree is a close-knit
place and no one wants to believe the raids were
organised from within. They might find out that at least
one of last years’ raids was on a trader carrying weapons
bound for the Fornost garrison. He died in the attack.
Calwine was one of the guards back then, too.
3.4.3 The Journey to the ambush point
It doesn't take too long to reach the ambush site, but
the journey gives the players an opportunity to talk with
any NPC's that are along for the ride. They might get
15
Jerry to reveal his cargo, and Dagaard to tell of his
previous dealings with Grubby. Grubby will not
accompany them, he acts scared (quite well too!). A
heavy smell of forge-smoke hangs in the air as the party
near the site, and the odd wisp of smoke may be visible
from the burned wagons remember one was carrying
coal.
3.4.4 The ambush site
Good scouting of the site provides leads to the tower
hideout, and possible evidence against Grubby. The body
of Foren lies here, pecked by crows and stiff with the
death-rigor. His slashed throat is the obvious cause of
death. Both guards have been left where they fell. Little
can be gleaned from their bodies. No sign of Calwine can
be found, though he can be tracked a little way. Tracks
become confused and it would take an extremely difficult
perception/tracking roll to work out exactly what
happened. He actually fled into the hills and made his way
to the tower by a long and difficult to track route. He
feared someone might come looking. Told you he is not
stupid. Two of the carts have been burned along with
their goods, but Jerry’s cart and goods, plus all three of
the mules have been taken away. The party should be
asking themselves why valuable cargo has been burned
along with valuable carts too. The tracks are easy to
follow initially, but soon become hard to make out.
Good tracking will lead to the old tower. The bandits will
be making patrols now and then, but they will not attack
a heavily armed party head on. Stalk, hide, cut and run,
that's their game.
3.4.5 The Watch Tower
The main action takes place in and around the old
tower. It is located on a small wooded hill near a stream.
It is lightly guarded, but difficult to attack head on, so
subtlety is the name of the game. It should lead to the
discovery of papers showing some plot more important
than simple brigandry. Hopefully it will draw the
characters into the dark weavings of a sinister plot against
Arthedain...... Firien, Gustavan and Maugreth are here,
along with 5 of the bandits (treat them as low-level
rogues and warriors) and four orc scouts. Vallen Gumb
might arrive later (see below). The orc scouts
occasionally work with the bandits and are resting at the
 16
tower on their way back to the ruins of Annuminas, their
main base. They have been scouting around the North
Road, but are not directly involved in this adventure.
They serve to add firepower to the 'bad guys' if
needed, and orcs make good cannon fodder, eh?!
Remember, the orcs will be sleeping during the day, and
be most active at night, making it difficult for the players
to infiltrate the hold under cover of darkness. Oh, that’s
mean! The keep has two intact levels and some out-house
ruins. There are two main doors and several arrow slits.
Any competent climber should be able to scale the walls
and gain easy access through the roof or top-level
windows.
The Main Hall is where meals are cooked and most
people will be found during the day. Visiting gang
members usually sleep here too. The orcs are holed up in
one of the ground floor 'bedrooms'.
The other bedroom is where Maugreth lives. It has a
sturdy locked door, with a simple spring trap that will do
a fair bit of damage but is easy to disarm. The horses and
the cart (still loaded with weapons though the orcs have
rummaged through and taken a few of them) are in the
lean-to. The strong room has a locked sturdy door, but
no traps.
It contains some of the important finds:
- A letter with a crimson crescent moon seal
on it, in code. If the code is broken, the letter
can be translated. It tells the brigands to raid
certain traders’ caravans, including
Jeremiah's.
- A bag of coins bearing the symbol of the iron
crown of Angmar (worth 10 or so gold) can
be found with some maps of the main trade
routes.

- A book containing names of lords, leaders
and people in powerful positions throughout
Arthedain along with scribbled notes about
each person highlighting their faults,
weaknesses, how they might be bribed etc.
One of these is the Lord of Sarik (Sarik is the
location of the next adventure the Forest of
Fear), who it seems is a good and trustworthy
man free of blight or blemish.
He appears to be singled out for an assassination
attempt, though that's not exactly clear from the notes.
Might be a good idea to warn him though the storeroom
contains enough provisions for a couple of weeks, and
there is a large water butt in the Main Hall, so 'siege'
won't work! Only the tower has an upper level.
There are three rooms, taken by the main characters
as bedrooms.
3.5 The Main Characters
Hoegwar Hoeg-Son aka Hogwash, currently
travelling under the name Habbrin. 10+ level
spy/rogue/assassin type character the best spy that
Illustration: Will O’ Brien
17
Angmar has. He is cunning, ruthless, a master of disguise.
He is the worst nightmare a party could have if they come
to his attention. He is of Northman/Dunlending stock.
He has some magical ability (make him powerful in your
campaign setting, select spell lists based around
subterfuge, confusion, treachery, etc.) and uses magical
items such as a cloak that helps him to hide and boots that
allow him to travel far at a good pace without tiring. he
has a magical aura about him that makes him
inconsequential to people no one remembers him, even
if he has spoken to them. He is a long-term NPC
antagonist dont introduce him to the party yet, have fun
with this one, but remember he has no reason to treat the
party as arch enemies....
yet.... Hoegwar doesn't remember Dagaard as the
dwarf he nearly killed in Tharbad, but if pressed, he will
put two-and-two together. He might decide that one less
dwarf is a good thing....
Gustavan Arenrim, aka the Sly Fox. 5th level bard.
As the Sly Fox, he is a master of manipulation and
deception. His commanding demeanor can hold a group
together in the face of adversity, but he prefers to work
from the sidelines, allowing others to bask in the glory of
presumed leadership. A handsome Dunedain with a
boyish grin and a shock of brown hair, the transfixing
eyes of Gustavan hold a dark secret. He is virtually
immortal. He wears his soul close to his heart, quite
literally, hung around his neck on a chain of mithril. A
small gemstone packed into a wool lined suede pouch
glows and pulsates with his every heartbeat, and with
every pulse of its ancient fire, it keeps him alive. Through
fire and flood, sword wound, shattering fall, poisoning
or throttling, his soul is held apart from this middle
world, safe and sound. His body recovers at fantastic
rates, even from hot fires and terrible wounds. Gustavan
does not flaunt this ability. In fact, he is careful not to get
himself injured, and none are aware of his secret soul
gem. He does not really know how powerful it is himself,
but realises it is not a thing to be taken lightly. There are
rumors of his invulnerability and his uncanny ability to
survive where others could not, but he plays these myths
down with ease. An orator and diplomat, he can
manipulate situations to his advantage. He may have
magical abilities too, and his spell lists should be those
concerned with diplomacy, oratory, subterfuge,
misdirection leadership etc. He does not have any specific
 18

Illustration: Will O’ Brien

campaign). It tends to leave a wide gash of a wound
which, although not unique to the weapon, could be a
telling sign to any competent healer examining the
wound it inflicts. Forens fatal wound could be traced to
this weapon upon an extremely difficult roll (or a difficult
roll if the knife has been seen to wound someone else).
Grubby does not recognise Dagaard, but if reminded, he
pleads that he was poor, hungry and down on his luck,
that he is really sorry, and is trying to live a good hard-
working life now. If the party inquire about his coal
wagon, they will find out he came from the Shire.
Further inquiries may reveal there is a hobbit mining
family just inside the Shire, and a visit would confirm that
a wagon was stolen in the winter.

magical items save the gem, but may have a well-made

sword and some odd interesting items suitable for your
campaign. Don't aim to use Gustavan up too soon, he is
supposed to feature heavily in the forthcoming Forest of
Fear scenario.

'Grubby' Durnan, 2nd or 3rd level fighter. A

Illustration: Will O’ Brien
northman from Tharbad. Once a miner, then a smith, he
was never any good at either. Grubby was always dirty,
However, if the party go off to the shire, then the trail
and the name, like the grime from the coal pits, stuck to
will be cold when they get back. Use that kind of side
him. Not intelligent enough to realise that a name like
event if a player cannot get to the game for a few sessions.
Grubby makes him stand out, he doesn't hide his identity.
You could have the character go and do some digging
Quite imposing, and not a bad hand with the dagger and
while the others get on with the task in hand. Grubby
hammer, he will happily stand up to any antagonists. He
does know Hogwash, but would not be able to identify
is trying to ingratiate himself with the bandit leaders, and
him, they were never friends.
so far has been quite good at his job of infiltrating the
traders circle. He even realised he was more useful as an
escaped victim of robbery, and he does look for all the
Maugreth Warrener, 4th level rogue and ex game
world like he has lost everything to this raid. Well done
keeper. A surly gruff outspoken northman from Sarik and
Grubby, you surprise us all. If questioned briefly, his
the self-appointed leader of the brigands. He postures a
story stands up, but if cross examined or interviewed
lot, tells people what to do and doesn't do a lot himself.
extensively, he will get confused, let things slip, and get
He is handy with a bow and short sword, and is skilled in
angry. Grubby has a very well-made dagger, based on a
wide bladed Dunlending pattern (+5 or +10 to suit your
 19

Illustration: Eric Belisle

woodland craft, skulking around, tracking and the like.

Known as Rabbit behind his back.
The name might be used by one of the brigands in Illustration: Will O’ Brien
Bree or Sarik and overheard by a player He would like to
take Ferien as his wife, but he is not having much luck. Vallen Gumb, scholar, 1st level thief type. An
He would defend her to prove himself, but to be honest, intelligent but downtrodden Fornost northman with a
she does not care for him in the slightest. He has had head for figures who carries out most of the organisation
word from Tastelan in Fornost that he is to target specific and quartermastering for the Bandits. He will arrive at
traders. the tower a few days after the ambush to sort out the
'paperwork'. Depending on how the players get on, he
He doesn't know Tasterlan himself, and gets his
may already be there, or he may arrive later. If he
'orders' by coded letter. He has to get Vallen to help him
stumbles upon them, he will attempt to escape without
with the reading, its not really his strong point. He looks
being seen, and failing that he will come up with some
really hard, and can put the fear of Morgoth into people
with his stare!

Ferien of Howester is the spurned illegitimate

daughter of a petty noble (who died in the Battle of
Fornost) who hates everything Arthedain represents. She
has been swayed by the powers of Angmar and uses her
magical herb lore to powerful effect if needed in 'The
Fight'. She knows of Tasterlan, and of Hoegwar, but has
not met either of them. If caught and pressed, she will
plead innocence and say she was forced to act by magics
and threat. She is twisted and evil, and can manipulate
people, words, whatever. She will not give anything Illustration: Eric Belisle
away unless it’s in her best interest.
 20
plausible excuse for being there. Be creative, but be
sensible! Vallen knows a lot about the Angmar Plan....
He also knows to spill the beans would be death, and it
wouldn't be quick. He has been careful not to incriminate
himself.
Calwine of Sarik, 2nd or 3rd level thief. One of the
bandits, he is a northman from Sarik. Calwine has also
been a trader on and off for a few years, and was a good
choice to place in Bree. He is not well known here, but
some people will vouch for him. He took the job as guard
because 'I need the coin, what with me gamblin' debts'.
Anyone inquiring of his gambling habit in Sarik might find
out that he plays the dice in the pubs and inns of the rough
area, and that he wins more than he loses. He is a
competent thief, and has enough sense to make sure he is
not incriminated in anything that takes place here. He
even made himself ill when the guards became sick. The
lure of good coin is all that Calwine needs to become a
friend. In fact, his one failing is his disloyalty. It would
Illustration: Eric Belisle
not take much to make him turns kings’ evidence against
his former allies, and since he has no ties, no family and
no close friends, threats except against himself are
inconsequential. He is however a little superstitious and
he knows the tales talked about Gustavan, and he does
fear him. He also has a healthy respect for Firien and her
magics. If things get too hot, Calwine will fade into the
background, leave Bree and return to Sarik where he will
go into hiding if required (see the forthcoming Forset of
Fear adventure for details....). Calwine has a short sword
with an odd design scratched into the blade near the hilt.
It is a poor representation of a spider, scratched onto the
blade by Calwine himself in an idle moment.
Dagaard Drachoschlar, 2nd or 3rd level warrior.
A stout dwarf with a good heart. Calling himself
Dragonslayer, he does fall victim to bouts of stupidity in
combat that some people call heroism. One day it will
get him killed. He also partakes a little too freely of ale,
mead, wine... well alcohol in any guise really. Ever since
the loss of a close friend and treasure-seeking ally at the
hand of Hogwash the Dunlending, he has fallen on hard
times. Unable to find the man responsible, angry at losing
a treasure map (see map in Snow and Subterfuge) and
feeling totally inadequate as a dwarf, he has started to
travel the inns of the North. Seeing Grubby has brought
him back to his senses and he will now start his search for
Hogwash in ernest. He would not recognise Hogwash
due to the strange dweomer, though he is adamant he
would know him in an instant. Dagaard will try to catch
Grubby Durnan out, he knows he is 'up to no good' but
has nothing more than a gut feeling to go by. He will not
Illustration: Will O’ Brien

openly accuse Grubby of anything, and will not ask him
directly about Hogwash. Remember, seeing Grubby has
pricked Dagaards memory, it’s not like he has a quest to
avenge his friend’s death.... yet. Don't play Dagaard as
stupid, depressed or suicidal. he is a stout warrior with
good battle sense. He will stop to don his helm, or pick
up a shield before battle, but he may get a bit carried
away. He will ignore some critical wound results in this
state (at your discretion, such as stun results). He favours
hammer (+5) and shield and wears chain mail (+5). His
favourite saying, when things go wrong is: 'Tss, give me
5 good dwarves. '
Jerramiah Fallowhide, 2nd or 3rd level rogue. A
hobbit entrepreneur from the Shire, Jerry is always on
the lookout for a good deal. He isn't very good at finding
them though, and has squandered his meager inheritance
over the past couple of years. He has little to lose now,
so a foray against the bandits is a good idea. Yes, he is a
little unhinged. Last year, he and a few other traders
were approached by a man from Fornost, in garrison
colours, and persuaded to ship weapons north. The man
cannot be traced. It was, of course, Hoegwar.
Illustration: Will O’ Brien
21
3.6 The Bigger Picture
The power of the Witch King may have waned, but
the threat from Angmar is not dead…
The Lord Arkish of Eldanar, a commander in the Dark
Army, has seen a power vacuum in the North, and
intends to exploit it. He is plotting to take the weakened
Arthedain and is raising an army of Hillmen and Orcs (no
mean feat since the decimation of the orcs in the War).
He has several petty lords in his pay (including Lord
Grouth of Pen Morva), employs spies and scouts
throughout the area (including Hoegwar Hoegs-son), and
is currently arming the tribal rabble in Rhuador and the
Troll Shaws. He is getting the weaponry from our
friendly traders, as the armouries of Angmar are much
depleted and its output is of poor quality now.
The plan is complex and will take a few years to come
to fruition. Arkish is of the line of Dunedain from
Numenor, a descendant of the original Fallen Edain, a
Black Numenorean. He rules under the banner of the
Crimson Moon. Legend tells of the Crimson Moon at the
Battle of Fornost.
Of all the forces of darkness on the field that day,
those under that banner did the most hurt to the Men and
Elves. A man rode at its head wielding a black sword in
one hand and a pale mace in the other. He was armoured
in plate that shone red with the blood of his enemies and
his eyes blazed with a fire of hatred and evil.
Dark will be the day the Crimson Moon banner flies
again......
 22
4.0 RACE THE DEVIL
4.1 Introduction
This adventure forms part of the climax of a lengthy
campaign. It is set at the end of summer in TA 1990 or
1991, around an old Dwarven fortification on the banks
of the river Bruinen, in the Angle of En Egladil.
Summer is rolling into Autumn, and the forests of En
Egladil are shining gold and red where a few weeks
before they were verdant green. It's been a warm week,
and the air is heavy and humid. The skies are leaden, and
the clouds roll in from the west filled with the promise
of thunder. Deep in the heart of the Angle, a race is being
run. The spies of Angmar have heard rumor of a mighty
weapon hidden among the ruins of an old Dwarven
settlement. This weapon is the hallowed blade RingRist
the Cold Cleaver.
Lord Arkish of Eldanar has researched the blade, and
believes it has power over the risen dead. He covets this
blade and has sent his best warband to recover it. If the
North is to survive the ravages of a second Great War,
the blade must be found before Arkish gets his hands on
it. So it is that the Players are racing through ancient
woods and glens to an uncertain destiny.
4.2 Some Background
Early on in this adventure series, some clues were
revealed that eventually lead to this adventure. (see Snow
and Subterfuge). Hoegwar Hoegs-son, a talented spy in
the pay of Angmar, found a map and fragments of a poem
that hinted at some treasure hidden in a dwarf hold
somewhere in Rhudaur, probably on the banks of the
Mitheithel. Hoegwar’s hunch about a great treasure was
right, but he was wrong about the location. It's taken a
few years for the information to come to the eyes of Lord
Arkish, and a few more months for the mistakes made by
Hoegwar to be realised and corrected.
4.3 The adventure
4.3.1 The History of Ring Rist
Long ago, before the sundering of Middle Earth, there
was a dwarven hold where weaponsmiths perfected their
arts. Over the following Ages, through the catastrophes
and upheavals of Middle Earth, the Dwarves grew wary
and suspicious of the powers of Darkness. With
foresight, and the guidance of Aule, they crafted some
powerful items of war. One of these was a blade forged
from the living rock of Middle Earth, which the smiths
named RingRist in the tongue of Elves, which is Cold
Cleaver in the westron of men and hobbits.
It was made with magics and the blessings of the
Dwarven lore-masters, a bane to the dark undead that
were even then prowling the land at the behest of the
Dark Lord Sauron. Its creation was recorded by the
Dwarves, as they love to boast of their great abilities.
However, they are a secretive race and the annals were
written in the Cirith script, and in the language of
dwarves. At some stage, the annals were transcribed into
Westron, though they were never written in any script
save the runic Cirith.
4.3.2 The Annals of Grumbar Dains son
Grumbar, son of Dain, son of Growlin the Elder,
Lore Master of Hammer-Delve wrote a long and
comprehensive history of his clan and its achievements.
This history was recorded in the language of the Khazad,
and written in their sacred Runic Script. It was chiseled
on tablets of stone and kept hidden in the great vaults of
Hammer Delve. Over time, the kingdoms of the dwarves
dwindled and many left their home in the hills and
coombs to seek their kin in the Great Halls of Khazad
Dum and their ilk.
So it was that Hammer Delve became forgotten, a
ghostly hall where the echoes of former glory are all that
remain of a once great place. It was not deserted
overnight, it was a long and slow decline. During that
time, many caverns and grottos were sealed by the
dwarves, hidden deep in the earth and protected by
elaborate traps and machinations only Dwarves could
design. Among them was the Hall of Lore where the
Annals of Grumbar, son of Dain, son of Growlin, lay
undisturbed and forgotten.
Almost forgotten, I should say. For some of those
ancient tablets were gathered up and removed from the
Halls and taken to the delves of Khazad Dum, where a
few fragments were transcribed and translated. Among
them was a poem that tells of the forging of Ring Rist.
 23

4.3.3 About the Poem confluence of the Bruinen and Mitheithel. The blade was
kept under heavy security, used as the weapon of office
The sword was made by Dwarf smiths in a Hallowed
of the Delve Lord for many generations. It was never
Temple Forge, fueled by the light of Elbereth which was
wielded in anger, and slipped from use into legend and
channeled deep underground by the power of Aule. The
myth. When the last Kings of Hammer-Delve left for
place is sacred, it would be nigh on impossible for the
Khazad Dum, it had long been forgotten by almost
forces of Darkness to enter. Research can provide leads
everyone. It lay in a great crypt within the temple
to locations of this kind of temple.
protected by intricate traps, machinations and, some say,
The blade was made to cut deep into the core of Evil Dwarf Magics. Any research would lead people to
and Darkness and to undo the magics that created the Evil believe that is where it still lies. But it is not so.
things it is used against.
One dwarven Lore Master knew the old tales, knew
The blade was quenched in a great torrent, originating the power of that weapon and knew it was not safe to
from two rivers where whose confluence occurs at the keep it where it 'should be'. He resolved to remove it to
Delve. They were the Mitheithel and Bruinen. a protected location and over the years he had a safe
The Smiths worked for many months on this blade, in storage place purpose built outside the city. It was a
a seemingly endless rotation. simple tower, heavily fortified and defended, with an
underground crypt built to house the sword. It was
It was imbued with powers to rally the hearts of those protected by machinations and traps. He named this
around it against Darkness, as well as powers against the place Barad Cam, Tower of the Fist. It stands on the
Darkness. banks of the Bruinen, upstream of the Hammer-Delve. It
The blade was forged because the Dwarves realised is now a ruin, forgotten even by the descendants of the
the Darkness of Melkor had come into the world again. builders, but it still holds its secret.
The blade was made of living rock, the very flesh of
Aule went into it. It is volcanic Laen, and it flares bright
and true with a soul of its own. It glows powerfully in the 4.3.5 Barad Cam Tower of the Fist
presence of Evil creatures such as Wraiths, Wights and All that is left of Barad Cam is a small ruined keep
other undead, and it will drive its wielders on to destroy standing on a rocky outcrop on the banks of the river. Its
the Darkness, providing them with magical protections walls are broken and its tower has fallen leaving debris
against their foes. and rubble clothed in ivy, creepers and vines. The
All in all, it is a very powerful item and could be the ravages of time have almost completed the destruction
turning point of a campaign. It’s probably too powerful
to allow mere Players to control it. (could it truly be the
blade that in a thousand years will slay the Witch King in
the hands of a Shield Maiden of Rohan?).
In MERP/RM terms, this is a holy weapon, +20,
slaying verses undead. It has several spell-lists bound into
it. it is made of Laen, and glows strongly around undead,
and also glows in the presence of creatures or people
under the influence of the Dark Lord Sauron (or his
minions).

4.3.4 History of the Sword

Forged in a Hallowed Temple deep within the Hearth
of Hammer-Delve, a Dwarven hold in the hills near the
 24
(B) in one of the walls, though its opening
mechanism may prove to be illusive, the main
parts having long since rusted away. The door
and stair behind are situated within a buttress and
are hinted at by the bulge in the outer wall,
though overgrowth may make this feature
difficult to notice. The stairs lead down about 30
ft into the sub subterranean rooms that were
carved out of some existing caverns in an age long
passed.

The Hidden Levels

The steps are trapped (t) about half way down
using a common Dwarven technique. One step is
simply an inch or so higher than the rest. Whilst
this does not in itself harm anyone passing, and
will probably not be noticed on a descent, it
works brilliantly to trip those not aware of its
presence climbing the stair, especially in flight or
men set out to do. Built to an old plan, the main entry to panic (Note, this really works well and is a technique
the keep is up a ramp to the first floor, some 15 feet used in some of the Medieval castles of England e.g.
above ground level. Penhew Castle in South Wales) The passages and rooms
are very damp here, with water lying in shallow pools in
Stairs lead down to the basement storage area (A), and some places. There is a pungent smell that can becomes
up into the ruins of what were the keeps upper levels nauseating nearer the blocked passage (C) from the Troll
(A1). The upper stair ends abruptly after about 20 ft,
but could be used to climb into a watching place with
good vantage points. There are no rooms or real
structure above the first level and any activity is prone
to accident as the walls are now unsafe. There is a good
view over the surrounding area, down to the river. The
main level provides some protection from the
elements, and is quite defensible though the rubble and
overgrowth may hamper activity. There is nothing else
of interest here.
The steps descend about 20 ft down to the basement
level and are easily cleared of debris. They lead into
dark, dank fetid rooms within the thick keep walls, at a
level just a few feet below the level of the ground
outside. Even so, within the thick, windowless walls,
the debris is damp and smells of mold and decay. There
are four rooms that may have been used for storage,
though nothing remains to tell exactly what went on
here. One room is small and the remains of a heavy
door hint at its former use as prison cell or something
similar. Careful investigation will reveal a well-crafted
concealed door

lair below. There is a room (z) behind a pair of large,
heavy brass bound oak doors, which have warped and
split with time. The brass fittings are corroded but hold
firm. With continued effort you should allow access. The
room has a similar pair of doors opposite, a low stone
plinth on one wall, the use of which is unclear and an
intriguing set of four brass levers protruding from brass
lined slots in the opposite wall. Any attempt to move
these is futile as they have corroded long ago. They once
controlled the opening of the sluices and portcullis below
and the access to the secret compartments in the
catacombs.
25
The doors lead to a rubble filled passage with steps
descending (C). There are a few more pools of cold still
water here and the dirt is wet rather than damp. The
other area is interesting as it houses two statues of
dwarven warriors. One is Durin the Deathless (y) and the
other Angcam of Barad Cam (x). They are about twice
life-size and are adorned in real armour and clasp real
weapons, though all are corroded and seized with the
exception of the sword Angcam is wielding, which
although it appears useless and tarnished, is in fact a well-
made weapon that has withstood all that time could
throw at it, being made of superior high steel (+15). It is
about the size of a normal hand and a half (bastard)
 26
sword, and could be used as such. These two statues are precautions are taken. The doors can be used as pit props,
Dwarven Automatons placed to guard the real treasure or wood from the thickets outside may be used. It leads
hidden nearby. A careful eye might spot an oily sheen in to the lower levels that served as riverside access to the
places around the base of the statues, especially around keep via a great valve (O), sealed and concealed in a small
some of the joints and the small plinths they stand on. cavern in the rock face below the keep.
Angcam faces a wall where an inscription in old Cirith
The whole place is inundated when the river rises in
runes can be made out whilst Durin faces the open
the spring and winter floods, and water has reached as
corridor. high as the previous level (hence the puddles and general
The alcove concealed behind the runic facade contains dampness) this year. With the weather warming, and
the treasure of Barad Cam, the named blade 'Ring Rist' storms to the north, the threat is not over yet, and a flash
(see below). It sits upon a beautiful crystal stand and flood could cause problems if the party are not careful,
shines and glints dimly, with its own beautiful light. (If especially if they do not shore up the damaged stairs
the troll is within 30 ft, it will glow slightly with a pale properly and become trapped.
blue, baleful light, getting brighter as the troll gets
The area has a defensive portcullis, which is in place
closer). Access to the alcove can be gained by
and keeps the current occupants (a large and fearsome
manipulation of the carved runes. Some can be pressed
troll) from entering the keep itself. The troll will be
in, and if done in the correct order, the alcove will be
resident here several days a month when prowling this
revealed. The word OPEN needs to be spelled out, one
part of his territory.
letter from each verse.
If the party are not capable of taking on a troll, then
Of course, any failed attempt to retrieve the blade
don't have it at home. The place stinks of carrion and is
causes the Automatons to grind into life with terrible
littered with bones, carcasses and the fetid trappings of a
rending, scraping and grating noises that themselves
troll lair. He has smashed open the concealed door
should be enough to scare the daylights out of any Hobbit
leading to the four rooms and uses the area as latrine and
in the party. They are slow and cumbersome after so
larder. Anyone entering this area will be prone to disease
many years in this damp place, but they still work,
and, if they have open wounds, they may become
swinging their weapons in great sweeping arcs. Ancient
infected.
Dwarven magics and mechanics power them still and
they will follow thieves as far as they can, until their The other concealed room can be located because the
power runs out. (Remember any escape up the trapped flow of water from the room through cracks and gaps as
stair may slow the party enough for an attack or two). the floods subsided has left tell-tale patterns in the slimy
mud. It contains the remnants of an armoury mostly
The secret compartment (s) in a side room contains
useless and corroded, but with the possibility of some
vials of oil, remnants of rags, a set of tools all corroded
items of superior or magical quality, to suit the level of
into one messy lump and a 'service manual' detailing the
your campaign.
workings of the automatons. This concealed
compartment may be located by the dribble of oil that has
escaped and marked the stonework in that area. The
manual is all but useless, but careful investigation will
reveal how to disable the things, and should also hint that
there is magic involved.
If disabling is carried out, Durins statue will be totally
useless, but Angcams will still retain some function and
will start to move, grating and squealing as metal and
stone are forced against each other until mechanisms fail
and the thing goes still.
The blocked passage at (C) can be opened with a few
hours work, but there is risk of further collapse, which
may injure the party, or trap some of them unless
 27

5.0 APPENDIX
28

I came across two dwarfs in Tharbad, who had this

map and part of a poem.

After a few drinks (dwarfs being what they are!), I

gathered they were looking for an old Dwarf hold
where they believe some old artifacts are still hidden.
The map is poor. I could not get any more coherent
information even with a large dose of blackfish venom,
dwarfs, as I said, being dwarfs.

They did mutter about some 'key' it relates to, but the
blackfish dose finally was too much even for dwarfs. I
have trans lated as much as I can, but I still guess at
some of its meaning.

Your Servant,
H.