Minas Aarda Notes

Explanatory Notes

Hama’Las, Gateway to Minas Aarda

The Pentogram gate was put to the X of the Minas under the mountains of Hama’Las. There is a connecting labyrinth that leads to the Citadel but it is easily defended and secured with secret doors and traps. The Party enter a small room is bathed in a dark green glow from a gem suspended above the pentagram which occupies the centre of the floor. On one wall is a X carving similar to the one the party had already seen in Zundar but without the underground scenes of Iki-Moko and Gloun. This time, though, the evil banner is aflame and Gloun is depicted holding Rakos aloft.

Opposite this carving is another of a ring of gold with a green gem set into it. Beneath this is the symbol of the house of Hamar, סּ, and beneath that a 1st Age depiction of a great battle scene surrounded by mountains. As part of this scene Hamar is depicted holding up his hand with a ring upon it, and fissures are opening beneath the enemy causing them to fall to their deaths. Behind the mountains are sheets of flame (Loki in the X) to the left with the allied troops is the symbol of a tree and to the right with the enemy forces are wolves. The gemstone above can not be moved, and causes great pain when anyone tries. As the scene is X the onlooker is presumed to be aligned to Odin or Thor; if not a save needs to be made or they suffer 10-80 htps of damage.

The way forward consists of a choice of two passages, one to the X and one to the X. And a secret door - through Gloun, only visible to good and through use of a true seeing (or similar) dweomer. Wizard locked and Glyph of Warding as at 18th Level. Having passed through the dwarf, the Party are crammed into a narrow corridor, lit with the Blue of Odin and the Green of Hamar. As the entrance opens, the dwarf says ‘From Hama'Las to Minas Aarda descend, all those that know Lastar as a friend’. At the end of the corridor is a hidden door. On the floor is a 6 inch thick, 4’ diameter, blue circle with each Dwarven Houses’ symbol represented, other than Hamar. On the wall (door) is the Codicil whose pages align with that presented by the good party. This triggers the code - names of those of all races who have connection with Aarda and have formed councils of war against the enemy. 1st Age would be:

Men: Lastar, Bavarik and Gundleus. Dwarves: Balem, Dor, Hamar, Zem, Ishtur, Findor and Maedus. Elves: Gelmir, Aerandir, Nenya and Elwe. Gnomes: Unglak, Yagrik and Ikshoos

Above the Book is the Symbol of Hamar and the Ring. Once the correct people are identified, the Party enters Minas Aarda at the 5th Age room.(See below)

To the X a short passage extends to an arch. Immediately 3 Ettin attack as anyone tries to enter. Beyond that many trapped corridors and false passageways lead the unwary out of Hama’Las. The X symbolising Fenris in the 5th Age.

To the X a door opens onto spiral stairs leading down into darkness. The air grows increasingly humid and the stairs become slippery. The stairs emerge into another room, dimly illuminated through a stained glass window in the East wall. The floor is wet and covered in rotting vegetation; algae and running water cover the walls in places. Two shambling Mounds occupy the room. A doorway opens onto more stairs on the far side of the room. Part of the stairs fall away and a pit with spikes at the bottom opens up if trodden on.

(3rd Age) A door at the bottom leads into a large room with two Thessalhydra waiting to ambush the unwary. In the room there is a large statue of Thor striking an anvil whereupon three broken pieces of a sword are arranged. The haft of the sculpted weapon looks similar to the haft of a sword that Merc has. Above Thor is the symbol of the Ring of Earth and on the wall behind the statue is a great carving of Odin's eye. On the wall next to the statue is a depiction of Ragnarak as seen from a dragon's eye view. Loki is releasing Fenris and Thor is looking up, swinging his hammer at the dragon. Odin and the rest of the Gods are fighting the Giants in front of Asgard. Again a X Age scene which gives a clue that Thor is hiding a passageway.

Behind the statue, Thor's cloak is sculpted into a bridge that leads to a door above floor level. Above the secret door is a falling block trap activates when the door is opened without a key. Inside, stairs lead down.

(2nd Age) At the foot of the stairs there is a small room with a blue circle on the floor. Inside the circle is a painting of an open book, The symbols of all the Dwarven houses surround this central image. A scene on the left hand wall changes its form as the party enter: what is before just a forest scene comes alive. A forest glade is shown with a waterfall as seen from the water. On the left hand bank a young half elf, X, with short blonde hair and blue eyes enters. He has long and short swords, although they are sheathed, and a bow on his back. He wears studded leather armour and his legs are muddy. He takes a cautious look around the glade and then crouches to drink from the water. He pulls a light green gem from the water, examines it and smiles. Then he sits down and takes out a flute and begins to play. At this point the image blurs and the scene begins again, repeating over and over.

A corridor, lined with unlit torches, leads onwards. In the ceiling of the corridor is carved the underside of a dragon with legs but no wings visible. The corridor turns sharply right and ends in a door. This door opens on to more stairs leading down. At the foot of these stairs is a larger room, in which four giant Cyclopes are sat around a fire cooking a body. This room is the final check point for anyone wishing to enter the Hama’Las

The large area that the Cyclopes inhabit ends in a single door. When the door is opened, the corridor beyond fills with Gith warriors waiting to attack. They charge forward using all manner of spells available to them with little heed for the safety of their comrades.

I have replaced dates, Ages, names and direction with X. I hope it is still legible.

1st Age Rooms

This is the loX hall of Minas Aarda and has stairs leading up from the centre of each wall. Protected through the ages by some powerful dweomer summoned by Lastar the room remains as it did at the end of the 1st Age. An almighty scene inlaid with precious metals and gems covers this huge room from ceiling to floor. It depicts the Defeat of Dispater’s forces, at Amras Aarda. On the roof, great Wargs jump into battle against many ornately dressed elves opposite them. X the eye of Odin looks on and in the X flames leap up from the wall.

Pincered by Lastar’s army in the X, Bavarik’s army to the X and the combined Dwarven forces of Hamar, Balem and Maedus in the X, Dispater is defeated at Amras Aarda, his last stronghold. Gelmir and Maedus both die at the foot of the Minas trying to destroy Dispater before he enters the fortress. Gelmir’s son Gillire leaves the battle with his father’s body and Maedus is returned to Fangor Rodrus, both Kings leave their Crowns in Lastar’s care. One wall is dedicated to Bavarik and Lastar killing Dispater on the Prime (in this very hall) Lastar is wearing all 7 parts of the crown and the 4 Rings of Power.

However, at the far end, in the X of the Room, is a niche which leads into a shrine and remembrance of the Battle of X, when most of those nobles from the House of Hama were killed on Amras Aarda. Two braziers are permanently lit at the entrance to the Niche.

The niche is protected by 3 Crypt things who teleport party members. From this main room it is the exit in the X.

2nd Age Rooms

Gloun himself was buried next to his father by Brolgan. The inscription reads, ‘We will not forget your valour though it brought your doom.’ On one of the walls is the lineage of the House of Hamar. On another, the fall of Minas Aarda to Demogorgon in X and the death of Hamar are depicted. It shows Demogorgon’s forces from out of the X and the X toppling the Tower. Below this is a view of Demogorgon killing Hamar, Й, collecting the Palantir but not noticing his Ring fall to the ground. A poem is inscribed next to the image:

The Abyss belched up its malevolent host

In those dark years we suffered the most.

And on Amras Aarda the challenge came.

Losing all to Demogorgon’s evil reign.

Bavarik champions our cause,

Leading men, elves and dwarves,

In battle against this almighty foe

All lost, complete is our woe.

Through the mountains of metal and stone

The host plunder, ripping flesh from bone

Findor’s land was first to suffer

Broken, it was torn asunder.

A great opportunity seized:

The Wyrm not appeased,

Comes to Ashore with fire,

Turns Dor into a funeral pyre.

Denied the Bridge of Calahar,

The host turn to the Marsh of Malor

Taranack’s victory at sea in Celin

Forces Evil’s retreat to begin.

To Olga and our noble house it turns,

Findor falls and Minas Aarda burns.

Mighty Hamar dies his Ring lost,

The Palantir was our main cost.

More stairs lead from the centre of each wall; the ones to the X go up and the others down. X should be the way to go.

3rd Age Rooms

On the roof is a depiction of Ragnarak being averted – Thor strikes a huge blow to the Dragon, Freya (X) is shooting Fenris (X) as he leaps across the bridge and Odin (X) is holding Loki (X) by the throat.

An inscription runs around the roof:

From the Misery of Amras Aarda came

The wolf of fiery eyes and darkened mane.

To the ruins of Minas Aarda he turned

and met with the Demon Prince he learned,

Of the return to the Prime of that which smashed

The White Star and with it our hopes dashed.

Granted a gift of dwarven gold and eleven stone,

Promised in exchange dominion over all, alone.

With that Ring Aarda was rebuilt for Ill,

Demon Prince and Dark Wolf would kill

All that kept them from Lastar’s Hoard

And together over all folk would lord,

In name and act of evil vast

The Darkest time of Aarda passed.

Around the walls of the room is a sequence of scenes.

The Gem

Firstly, a Sohei, X, attends to a small shrine in a forest glade, near the X river, bending he picks up a gem. Next, is a scene of the same man X, much older, on his death bed handing the Gem to a young acolyte X (oriental man). There follows a scene where X(oriental man) meets a dwarf Garag ﻕ, symbolised by the House of Zem ڠ who is shown assembling dwarves with X (same oriental man).

Then a huge Battle scene depicts the end of X in X. Each of the Sword Bearers are there: Agan (the deliverer) – Given to Taranack (Sea Elf). Ť Rakos (the destroyer) – Given to Hangar, Lord of Findor (in exile at Balem). ð & ﻈ Fastlor (flame) – kept by X symbol of the Rampant Horse, and İ He wears the 2-pointed Crown of Kings. As is Garag, ﻕfrom ڠ, who is shown retrieving the Ring of Air, and X (oriental) lifts a 2nd Gem from a chest.

The next shows X (older oriental man) peppered with arrows on a castle wall handing the gems to a young oriental woman X dressed as a warrior.

Next is a mountain scene where the oriental woman, X, is older, and surrounded by evil creatures at the centre of which is Dordraug.

Finally, oriental woman X, is shown in the arms of Ythanos, Ŷ, dying but no gems are depicted.

4th Age Rooms

On the roof to one side, clouds hurry across a dawn sky, beneath which a great army of Elves, Dwarves and Men is assembled on the planes of Amras Aarda. Opposite, a vast tower of rock protruding from an imposing mountain range is aflame. Clockwise from the dawn scene, the river X rises up to strike the evil holding X Bridge. Opposite that, is a depiction of a Wolf being bated at spear point by the 3 nations – elves, men and dwarves.

Beneath the Minas, on the wall, is the flight of Dordraug (symbolised by a wolf) to the X lands, still with 2 missing fingers on one hand. He is bargaining for his life with the elves by offering the 5th and 7th Crowns. Beneath the picture of the bridge, Lucielle (elven queen) is depicted pointing to a gaol high up in the forest. Beneath that of the Dawn scene, Dordraug is shown in chains with the Crowns and the Gems, being delivered to Lucielle (elven queen). On the last wall Dordraug is shown breaking his bonds picking up the 7th Crown and killing the Elves around him.

The Gem – 4th Age

On a wall the Council of Aarda, convened in X, is depicted. It comprised:

Essulim of the Vikriain – Symbol of Frey and Ш

Shono Na (oriental Monk) – Symbol of a knotted rope and Ф

Lucielle (elven queen) – Symbol of a Leaf and Ж

Ythanos, son of Eomere – The Rampant Horse and Ŷ

Haemrandir of Numenorea – Mistletoe and Ħ

Gloun of Hama’Las – Rakos and the House of Hamar - פּ from סּ

Grobdur –Wearing the 3–pointed Crown - б from ﭲ.

Essulim is shown giving one gem to the oriental monk Shono Na and the other to the Lucielle elf queen who are sat next to him.

5th Age Rooms

This first room of the 5th Age depicts the capture of the White council and their demise - the death of Gloun is central to the theme. At the X end is a carving of the arrest of the Council and the early demise of Eomere, towards the right of the scene, with Iki holding aloft his crown. On the X’ern wall is a massive relief carving of Gloun being hanged by Iki Moko. On Gloun’s left is Essulim and on his right is Shono Na, oriental monk, both also hanged. Iki Moko is holding Rakos aloft in his right hand, wearing the 2nd Crown and holding a gem in his left hand. The walls are being assaulted by the three nations and Ythanos banner is prominent. The names of the council are carved into the stone floor each with a beautiful carving of their faces and symbols. The white council consisted of:

Shono Na oriental monk, Ф

Essulim, Ш

Eomere, Ỡ

Curial, Cleric Eye of Odin

Gloun, פּ

Renash, Half-elf male with dark hair and blue cloak, Я

In this second room, a tapestry depicts the great victory for a Dwarf Lord Baradun, Њ, in X when he comes upon Demogorgan’s force and decimates it, breaking off its supply routes. It’s a mountain scene with a forest below in the X (the Vikriain), the armies of Demogorgan in the X, the Dwarf’s army in the X carrying the banner of Thor. In the X is shown the evil’s great supply chain stretching across Eriador.

Another tapestry shows the great battle of Eriador. Here, central to the image, the Dwarf Lord Baradun is killed and his son Brolgan, Б, takes up the throne. With the sun high and behind them (X) the forces of good, holding banners to Odin, Frey and Thor, do battle with the enemy, swathed in fire and Demogorgon’s symbol. To the X more enemy arrives and to the X elves of the Oldheart and men from Gorgoroth arrive.

6th Age Rooms

Each wall depicts a different stage of a war.

In the X, a dwarf lord Brolgan, Б, is depicted wading his way through the enemy under Orcus’ banner, to the house of Zem, ڠ. On the roof above an 8-legged white horse is rampant.

In the X is a similar view, this time with a great Minas (Maedus ﭲ) plainly visible. Orcus’ symbol is being torn from the tower, a Dwarven Lord Brolgan, Б, and Яjoin, ђ, (wearing a 3-pointed Crown) and ξ, from ڠ on the victorious field of battle. Above, on the ceiling, is a gold sun.

In the X, Orcus is shown wielding his Wand. In front of him are Brolgan Б, and Яand 2 Samurai. The face of Fenris snarls from above.

In the X, a great Balrog does battle with Я. Я wields the Ring of Water and has a finger missing on the same hand but there are no other obvious artefacts. Above, fire seems to be emanating from Orcus’ Whip and across the ceiling.

Here they meet Barash, Brimnor and Crumnor from the House of Hamar, who mourne their father Karug (recently killed), and Helmfor, Firgar and Carnack from the House of Zem who explain their Liege Lord Nashg was killed by a powerful Gith noble.

Only 1 stair leads up to the roof.