[The Ember of Angmar: Chapter 5] The Road to Carn Dum and the Gathering Storm

Player Notes

I wanted to bring my campaign into the fall and set up the next arc so this was a short chapter but with a huge battle with snow-wights (from the Ruins of the Lost Realm book). I wanted to have another sizeable chapter and felt that I could by controlling 6 additional Ranger characters if even only for this chapter. That was... a lot. Difficult to keep track of and the emotional stakes didn't deliver for me. Not entirely at least. I do like that the band of 6 accompanying rangers went down to 2 and I was able to continue to explore different battle mechanics.

I knew early on that I wanted the ritual to succeed so I didn't give that much of a chance to play out differently. I also knew I wanted the Witch-King to appear but only in spirit, not as an adversary for my adventuring characters. I like the schism of Ethelgar and Vurik. I want some combination of ambitions at play that can lead to a full exploration of the Mount Gram landmark in the Lost Realm book but with two meta forces at play in the opposition so that Ovi and Narlos can play stealthy foils in a realistic way.

I am pretty light in my return journeys and though it made sense for them to go back to Annuminas. That said, it was 20 hexes on the map so I did a few events. Mostly they deepened some of the shadow scars on Narlos and Ovi that I hope continue to make them interesting to play (troubled, broken, etc.) That said, I had two chance encounter rolls so I had Halbarad come to greet them to make the rest of the journey more bearable. I also introduced Gandalf because of these rolls though I want him to have minimal impact (for now) so he was a quick glimpse of a visitor.

I might have one small more journey that takes them to Bree or in preparation, but then I will have them "settle" for Yule. I think the beginning of the Mount Gram arc will begin in the Spring.

In this I also introduced a new Orc character: Horluk, the current leader of the Mount Gram orcs. In timing, I'm thinking the struggle between Horluk, Ethelgar, and Vurik, even in preparation for Sauron and a war in the north, will make for compelling next chapters. We'll see if it sets the stage for the Northern Wars we know and love from LOTR or if our heroes thwart some more dastardly plans.

End of Chapter 5: AI Summary of Gameplay

Starting Location: Sarn Ford (Early Summer)
Ending Location: Annúminas (Mid-September)
Distance Traveled: ~600 miles across Eriador into Angmar and back
Notable Locales: Bree, North Downs, Angmar, Carn Dûm, Mount Gram
Primary Adversaries: Dorthul, Ethelgar, Vurik, the Wights of Rhudaur, the Shadow of the Witch-King

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Summary of Key Events

1. The Journey North & Gathering Allies

   • Narlos, Ovi, and a company of six rangers (Lindir, Berenvar, Celasdir, Aldaric, Eryndir, and Thalion) depart Sarn Ford to intercept Dorthul’s ritual.
   • Halbarad ensures they receive supplies at a North Downs camp before they push into Angmar.
   • Ethelgar appears in spectral form, warning them not to interfere.

2. Battle with the Wights of Rhudaur

   • Nearing Carn Dûm, the company camps on an ancient battlefield and is attacked by 14 wights.
   • Three rangers—Aldaric, Eryndir, and Thalion—fall in the bitter fight, their bodies claimed by the frozen ground.
   • The remaining company presses forward, now severely wounded and weary.

3. The Ritual at Carn Dûm

   • Narlos and Berenvar scout ahead, witnessing Dorthul, Ethelgar, and Vurik completing a dark ritual using three relics of the fallen kingdoms:
     • The Morgul Blade of Rhudaur
     • The Onyx Stone of Arthedain
     • The Cardolan Dagger of Westernesse
   • A vast, formless shadow rises from the depths of a pit, revealing itself as the spirit of Angmar’s King, answering their summons from afar.
   • Dorthul, expecting to receive power, is instead sacrificed—Vurik runs him through and casts his body into the pit.
   • The shadow empowers Ethelgar, binding him as a wraith clad in white and sending him to Mount Gram to summon the orcs for war.
   • Vurik is granted a sorcerous staff but is denied authority over Angmar’s forces, a slight that stokes his rage.

4. Arrival of the Orcs of Mount Gram

   • A band of orcs, answering a summons Ethelgar had orchestrated through Dorthul, arrive at the ritual site.
   • They are wary of Vurik and do not immediately recognize him.
   • Ethelgar departs with several of these orcs, heading to Mount Gram to prepare for war.

5. Vurik’s Defiance & Claim to Power

   • As the orcs prepare to leave, one recognizes Vurik as an exile of Mount Gram, abandoned in his youth for being weak.
   • His own band murmurs, questioning his past.
   • Enraged, Vurik uses his new staff to paralyze the orc with terror before running him through.
   • He proclaims that his band will go to Mount Gram, but not to follow Ethelgar—he will take it for himself.

6. Return Journey & Meeting Gandalf

   • Narlos, Ovi, Berenvar, and Lindir reunite and decide to retreat rather than pursue.
   • They travel for over a month, stopping at a North Downs camp where Halbarad meets them with fresh supplies and rangers.
   • Near the Weather Hills, they encounter a wandering stranger—Gandalf the Gray.
   • Gandalf listens closely to their tale but keeps much to himself.
   • He questions Narlos and Ovi about Ethelgar, the ritual, and the mention of a Lord of Angmar, appearing deeply troubled.
   • The company reaches Annúminas in mid-September. Gandalf declines Halbarad’s offer to stay for the harvest, instead setting out southward in haste.

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Important Notes & Developments

• Ethelgar Ascends – No longer a mere wraith, he is now cloaked in white and sent to Mount Gram to prepare for war.
• Vurik’s Defiance – With his newfound sorcery, Vurik plans to take Mount Gram by force rather than serving Ethelgar.
• The Shadow of the Witch-King – Though not physically present, the dark presence at Carn Dûm was unmistakably of Angmar’s former ruler. His influence lingers, and his mention of his true Lord in the South hints at greater forces at play.
• The Ritual’s Success – Though the heroes possess one Cardolan dagger, another was used in the ritual, completing its purpose. Whatever the full consequences, they were not able to stop it.
• Gandalf’s Worry – He suspects more than he lets on but does not reveal his full thoughts. His concern is evident, especially regarding the forces moving in the North.
• Angmar Awakens – The forces of Mount Gram are being summoned for war. Whether against Eriador or something else, the darkness grows.