The Hall of Fire 28.pdf - Fan Modules - Free

Hall of Fire The Unofficial Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game Webzine Issue 28 March 2006 Page 31
made haste before them. It was not much further to Eldanar and
they needed to get to their comrades to aid in any way that they
could.
The time it seemed to pass quickly though the flat, snowcovered
lands around did not seem to change. Still, they covered
a great swath of land and finally, though they were not aware,
passed into the lands that were formally under Arthedain’s
control. Eldanar was but another ten miles before them!
They reined in for a moment to rest their mounts and
Edrahil squinted into the night. The horizon to the south,
though dark from night glowed faintly.
“Something burns,” said the Sindar in a calm voice.
Arrows were loosed in the great arcs and they flew high and
then fell back towards the earth and the charging orcs. Some
found nothing but dirt and snow while others bit deep - the
carnage that was created was dramatic indeed. Orcs bearing
burning tinder and those that bore oil fell under the rain of
shafts and a great WHOOSH went up as torches lit the now
spilt fuel. The spawn of Morgoth broke rank, if that was what it
could be called, as they dodged both arrow and fire.
Still they came on uncaring for their fallen and those who
screamed as they were consumed by flame. They made the
bridge and struggled as they climbed over the piled remains of
their fellows and the orcs in the fore, with small clay pots in
hand, sacrificed themselves to both Dúnedain sword and shaft
just to splash their burden’s content on the barricade of the
keep. Most died. Others were unsuccessful in their attempt and
the oil either splashed harmlessly in the moat or on the draw
bridge itself. Some achieved their goal.
Oil soaked into the barricade and torches were hurled from
the orcs that followed on. As each discharged their flame, they
drew cruel scimitars and knives. Fire leapt up where it made
contact with the oil and now the Men of Fornost were hard
pressed to put out the flames and hold back the enemy, for still
they came, leaping over the wooden fortification through the
very fire that they had started.
Eradin, with the two Dwarves at his side drew his blade and
began to melee with the onrush of orcs. His weapon clanged
against a serrated scimitar and he could see that the cruel
weapon was slick with poison. Nain and Lûnduf also jumped
into the fray and the second battle for Eldanar began in earnest.
As they fought side-by-side, horns began to blare from
behind them and Men called out, “ORCS! ORCS! THEY ARE
WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE WALLS!”
Eradin’s mind raced, “How could this be so?!?”
But then the Dúnadan commander, who had become a
brilliant tactician in his own right, realized his error. They were
in a castle that had been under the command of the Enemy for
over three hundred years; the Enemy had certainly either found
its long lost secrets or created some of their own! The orcs had
come under the moat, most likely through tunnels like the rats
that they were. He then realized that the circling unit was a
decoy to keep his men’s eyes upon them as their fellows
undermined his defenses!
Knowing that the danger posed by the orcs inside the walls
was far more than the fire on the gate Nain grabbed Eradin’s
arm. “Go, take your men and secure the keep, Lûnduf and I can
hold the gates.”
He then turned and began swinging his axe at the orcs as
they come through the flames, slamming them backward into
the fire that they had set.
The riding party could see smoke begin to rise from Barad
Eldanar. Dirnhael’s heart leapt in his chest, and he cried out to
his friends, “We are but a few against the Orc rabble, but we will
make them pay dearly in the taking of the keep! Ride now!”
He leaned close and whispered softly into his horse’s ear. It
seemed as if the animal understood, for it leapt forward with a
speed unexpected after so long a journey.
Hearing his commander’s words, Fengel shouted, “Hold
tight Lord Camentir!” He then gave a war cry in Éothrik, and
his horse acknowledged and charged forward.
“FOR THE GLORY OF THE ARTHEDAIN!” Adding to
Fengel’s war cry, Daelhun shouted as he too prodded on his
steed. The powerful beast under him responded with a great
burst of speed. Daelhun pulled his spear from its holding position
and prepared for the charge, couching the weapon in its stirrup
cup.
Though both weary of the road, Durgil spurred his faithful
mount on to follow the charge of his comrades, pulling his bow
ready to fight from horseback if need be.
The gates had become chaotic with men trying to fend off the
attackers while others ran buckets of water from the well to try
and dowse the fires that were beginning to engulf the wooden
barricade. Lûnduf stood alongside Nain, smashing into the orcs
as they overtopped the fire seemingly endless in their number.
The Dwarf began to fear for their chances of escape as he
watched the bridge itself burning. The icy moat would trap them
in here as sure as the army about.
Lûnduf hefted up his notched shield to parry away an attack
but then cringed as he watched the orc roll off his defense only
to stab a Dúnadan warrior in the back. The man did not know
the attack was coming as he received the bucket from one of his
fellows - both he and the valuable water fell to the ground.
Sparks and fire burst up and towards the two Dwarves as a
great shape smashed through the barricade leaving the defense
all but impotent. It was a large Troll and both Nain and Lûnduf
took a step back as it whirled around its great mattock. Behind
the large fell-creature, orcs coursed through the opening and the
Men of Arthedain abandoned the defense and took up their
weapons to hold off the onslaught!
The five companions charged the distance, limbs re-gaining
their strength from the adrenaline that began to course - they
would be engaging the Enemy very soon. The mile and a half
was quickly covered as they rode around the eastern side of
Barad Eldanar trying to make for the glowing light that haloed
the south end of the keep.
The orc warriors and the Easterling archers were all engaged
and paid no heed to the oncoming riders, but Sacal sitting atop