Morwath in Vikrain

Morwath in the Vikriain

Having flown to the Vikriain from Minas Aarda, Morwath was acutely aware of the devastation that recent fighting had caused. The once beautiful landscape is scarred by fire, the earth rent asunder, trees smashed down and rivers blocked. If this desecration was not bad enough, bodies have been left to rot in the open air and the stench of death is everywhere. Many of the waters that drain from the mountains of Hama’Las into the Malor Marsh are choked-up with the dead, causing water to seep, red, across the once green and pleasant land. Parts of the Vikriain are ablaze and skirmishes between Gith and elves, dunedain and numenoreans consistently break out across the east of the forest. Knowing much of the land, Morwath recalls the old paths that lead through the forest to the High Elf’s Kingdom. Many of the older elves recognise Morwath and let him pass unhindered; however, there is an air of distrust and his journey was occasionally slowed by younger, fearful, elves who treat Morwath kindly but suspiciously.

It quickly becomes apparent that a civil war is looming in the forest. Elluvator, the recognised King of the Vikriain, has been slow to act. Typical of his race, he has tried to find a diplomatic solution, preferring words to warfare. In constant dialogue with representatives of the enemy (mainly Tuar Chan and Guerin’s forces) he has given much away – his strength, disposition and morale. His eldest son, Calenwë could not be more different. Sickened by the parley, he has taken his loyal followers to the east of the realm and has been fighting the enemy at every given opportunity. Unfortunately, his absence has prolonged his father’s procrastination. To make matters worse, the King’s youngest son, Dronan, seems to have sided with Tuar Chan. Constantly espousing the just right of the Vikriain to govern Ashoria and Endovin, he became ever more estranged from his family. At each ‘council of peace’, the enemies’ representatives have found a pliable ally in Dronan. No doubt he has been offered the expanded Kingdom in exchange for his support. Many elves, living a once easy life along the banks of the Ishurias, have sided with the Prince and rumour has it that his numbers grow ever larger, swelled by the Drow.

Thought to be driven from Everinstar, beyond the northern most borders of Gorgoroth, the Drow have been unheard of for centuries. The first reports of their return came from Celin, where merchants who plied the Ishurias spoke of dark ships with black sails that bore a strangely beautiful people from out of the north. These rumours were forgotten when the Gith Pirates started to land and the Bay of Ashore fell to Tuar Chan and the Gith Army. Unable to use the Ishurias as a trade rout, and with Sutur cut off, news from the north dried up. Dronan and his allies left the Court of their King some 2 moons before Morwath’s arrival. Some said he has left to support Elerienne in the Oldeart; more likely, he has decided to annex the north Vikriain and build closer ties to Tuar Chan.

Morwaths’ news from Aarda, and the other places that the Party have been, is received with interest but not much more. His brief audience with the ageing King was of little value other than to prove Elluvator’s reluctance to come to arms. However, hot from a battle in the east, some of Calenwë’s men brought a prisoner to be interrogated in the King’s Hall. The prisoner was Drow - confirming the rumours. However, it transpired that the Drow had been caught by the dunedain far to the south, in the Vale of Alon, near the Malor Marsh. He seems to be headed into the Marsh and had a map of the secret pathways through it. The Drow preferred death to conversation; however, he carried messages and orders of great interest. Whilst Morwath never saw the documents, they reported to offer the aid of the Drow to one named Calios . It apparently stated that (one of the elf captors quotes), ‘now the river was clear, support could be readily provided should he choose to accept his recent offer and move against that which troubles our joint cause beyond Dunland’. It went on to mention (the elf paraphrasing), ‘with you as masters of the air and us of the water, the serpent will cause our combined force little difficulty’. None that Morwath speaks with understands the messages but the general consensus is that finding a Drow that far south and with a map of the Marsh, is not a good omen.

A day later, having not slept well (see below), Morwath is woken by one of the elves that let him into the King’s court. He tells Morwath of the battle at Calahar Bridge (spending a good deal of time recounting how the Party used a large fly to ferry them into combat, much to everyone’s amusement) and how Calenwë has decided to strengthen the garrison there. Obviously interested in the descriptions of those involved, Morwath realises that the Party have struck another vital blow against the evil that threatens to overcome the land. More impressive to the elf was the Party’s destination Olga –right into the heart of the enemy. The next day Morwath decides to travel to Calahar bridge with Calenwë’s garrison forces.

Struck by his beauty and composure, Morwath takes an instant like to the young high elf. Calenwë travels some way towards the Marshes with his men, chatting with Morwath about his father and his errant brother. He fears the worst – open warfare that would pitch elf against elf. He seems oblivious of the artefacts but is keen to learn all he can about the fall of Grasgal. When Calenwë turns back, Morwath decides to fly ahead to Calahar and avoid the torments of hot spring days in the Marsh. The once fabulously beautiful city of Calahar is much reduced to rubble, yet morale is high. Food is rationed and Morwath learns of the fait of Milai’s ships - still visible, capsized in the river. Men, women and children work together to rebuild the fortifications, healing houses and refectories. Everywhere Merc’s men assist the townsfolk re-building, preparing defences, healing and training. The effect that the Party had is stuff of legend. Morwath decides (I hope) to follow his friends to Minas Olga.