Post

King Minyatur safely arrived in Hollin. There, he could see some farmers and animals out in the fields, but their small numbers suggest that some villagers may be emigrating in search of food. Farm improvements look rusty and broken and the smiths are half empty; both the buildings and the tools suffer from lack of repair. The King remembered that the town and the surrounding lands belonged to the Etyangoldi Alliance, once serving as their capitol.

There was still no news of the Sage, something that worried the King. He had his scouts report that on the plains of Dunland a great winged creatured had appeared, apparently in service to the emperor of the Coldvar people. King Minyatur had much of his kingdom's troops with him in Hollin and able to strike the forces stationed in Dunland but he was unsure of the strength of the creature; and the Sage was still nowhere to be found!

A secondary dark flying shape was also seen in the distance, coming from the direction of Misty Mountains and the Redhorn Gate.

The Dru folk still need to reclaim lost lands; They plan to recapture Anorien and Ithilien, unless the dwarves need more help. In order to be sure and to honor his friends, Garahir sent a message to the dwarf-king of the Defender's Fjord;

"King of Dwarves, we captured Dagorlad from the orcish horde and softened the blow you might have suffered on their behalf. Is there anything more you would like us to do, to honor our friendship to you? If there is none, then know that we will be marching on the Corsairs of Umbar lands. Please reply as soon as possible."

In their capitol of under the mountain, many Dru worked in secret to put together a contraption they dug from a cavern they explored a while back. It had an intricate setup and each try to start the engine made a loud noise and a resonant pulse that could be felt a long distance away.

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Send message to the Defender's Fjord, asking if they still require help or if not they'll attack the Corsairs of Umbar

Torogok of the trolls analyzed the request of the dwarves for peace in the northern lands. Having exhausted all other options, Torogok was inclined to accept the deal, but having demands of his own. Having that in mind, he wrote a message to be delivered personally to the ruler of Clan Frostbeard:

"The trolls of Ettenmoors are inclined to accept a normalisation of relations between them and the dwarves. However, in order to do this we require the return of our borderlines to Upper Rhudaur and High Pass. We cease the demands for the province of Angmar to show our goodwill and involvement to bring peace to these lands again.

Do you agree with these provisions? If yes, we will retake Upper Rhudaur and High Pass immediately and cease all conflict with the dwarves after."

----
Ask for peace between the Orcs and the Dwarves in return for Upper Rhudaur and High Pass

The other mysterious flying creature that was seen flying out from the Misty Mountains and circling around King Minyatur's position turned out to be an other dragon, but of a more fiery reddish nature. After a few laps around, the dragon landed on a rock formation not too far away from where the king was camped in Hollin.

As if this was not enough, the dragon apparently could talk the common tongue, or, at least, was understood telepathically by King Minyatur, as the dragon called the king to him. Curious and drawn in, the king went to inspect the sight, along side a large detachment of soldiers.

At the rock formation, as the king approached the dragon, the dragon rose up and started talking:
"I am the dragon Minyon and I have awoken from my slumber from the depths of the mountains to rescue you and your people from a terrible fate at the hands of the Coldvar Empire. More than that, I am here to tell you, king of the Arthedain folk, that you are a weak king! Even as you are residing here in the glorious town of Hollin, you have failed to notice a party of dwarves that went past you and infiltrated in to Redhorn Gate. You do not deserve to be on that throne, and after I am done with the enemies of your land then I will assume your throne. "

King Minyatur felt shaken to the core by the conversation. He wanted to open his mouth and contest the claims of the dragon but some sort of sorcery made it so that his lips were sealed. The dragon then continued.

"I see you want to talk? Is there something you'd like to negociate? To offer me in return of you keeping your rule and your land? Fairly well. You can act as my regent and follow my rule, and I will dominate your lands and the lands of any of your foes; but only if you do my following bidding; the ruler of the kingdom of Elvea-Falasse has spent so much of his time on your lands and he has not accounted for his actions. You, if you so decide, to meet him in Northern Cardolan, to engage him with your army and to forcefully make him return to Mithlond or those elf lands beyond the sea, I will keep you as my puppet on the throne of the Kingdom of Arthedain.

Now I go and finish the army of the Empire of Coldvar and deal with their lesser flying beings. By the time I return you should have made your choice."

And so the dragon flew away and king Minyatur regained his voice, and, to a lesser extent, his spirit. He pondered on his decision to attack Elvea-Falasse's troops stationed in Northern Cardolan; it was his ally, yet they did nothing but eat and party and bar access to the province for such a long time that the king couldn't even remember the start of it.

But this was not a reason for armed justice ... no. The point in question was how much Minyatur wanted his throne. He was feeling his ring on his hand for all this time. He wanted the throne ...

And what was all that about dwarves? Clan Frostbeard has yet to send any dwarf parties to his aid ...

----
The mighty dragon Minyon went to engage in battle with the forces of the Empire of Coldvar
King Minyatur still ponders on attacking the elves of Elvea-Falasse

The commander of the Etyangoldi Alliance forward expedition sent a message to the emperor of Coldvar

"Emperor Nikolai Naves, the Etyangoldi have marched into the Kingdom of Arthedain lands and have successfully conquered Eryn Vorn. We hope that this marks the beginning of our land reclamation. However, do you plan to forward your march into their lands as well? If you come to a peace with the humans of Arthedain then we fear that the retribution towards the Etyangoldi will be swift. However, if you advance into their lands then I am certain that the Etyangoldi can strike alongside you, by conquering the bordering provinces and weakening their kingdom."

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Send a message to the Empire of Coldvar, asking if they plan to continue their attacks on the Kingdom of Arthedain as the Etyangoldi plans to attack more

---- Baldur's Company ----

"... I'm telling you! with big bat like wings and all. You would have seen it if you weren't looking at that shiny rock", said Krenrok while looking at the sky from time to time: "and was that shiny thing anyway?"

"Mithril... a really small amount", replied Baldur:"... this might be why the elves attacked this mines in the first place... but why didn't King Mynotaur told my cousin?". Baldur scratched the surface of the rock with his fingernails and analyzed the sediments up close.

"Maybe he didn't realize...", said another dwarf: "I mean... looked at this place, why would they keep the corpse of dwarfs discomposing like this? Unless he secretly hate us... Don't looked me like that, you know what I mean..."

The scene was edious for the dwarvish eyes, wagons fulled of dwarven corpse discomposing at day light, some of them half chewed,
the recognizable work done by a troll jaw.

"Well I don't see it but I tell you what... things are gonna get worst, look at the size of that...", Krenrok pointed at the sky one more time.

The growl of thunder in the distance followed by the heavy rain made the landscape and inferno of foul-smell, yellow-brown water washed over the road and started to cover the feet of the dwarves as the followed the trails to the east, a laborious task.

Baldur shuddered, not only from the cold damp, but from contemplation of the disgusting precipitation pouring down on the already nasty corpse in the uncovered wagons.

The rain continued, as the company crossed the pass of the mountain in deep silence, way to show their respect to the victims of the profane acts that occurred there.

"Behold!", said Baldur, the other dwarves eyes followed where the dwarf's finger was pointing: "Down there are the banks of Mirrormere lake... be on your guard lads"

----
The 10 hooded dwarves company moves from Redhorn Gate to Foothills and start looking for the Durin's artifacts whereabout.

Snicklefritz’ forces lay scattered in a semblance of order – as much as could be managed at the tip of a sword. Following the resounding victory in Dorwinion, there had been disagreement as to how to proceed. The orc chieftain naturally desired to follow the momentum further into the Dwarven lands. However, a few of his captains had other ideas.

The orcish forces had been separated for some time, with each operating somewhat independently beneath the leadership of an appointed captain. Some of these captains had begun to feel their oats, believing they were owed this command on a more permanent basis. When Snicklefritz regathered the horde, these captains resented their percieved loss of power. And just as their bitterness began to boil over, opportunity arrived in the form of wolf riders from the south – the Dru had retaliated for the conquest of their province.

“Let the horde split, once again, to deal with this threat,” one of his captains shouted. “Give us back our previous commands, and we will retake that province,” cried another.

Worse than dwarves, even worse than stinkin’ humans, Snicklefritz hated disobediant orcs the most. What gives them the right to disobey? What makes them think they have any rights at all?

The seething orc chieftain gathered his wolf cavalry and set to work stamping out the fires of revolt. This is just what one must deal with when attempting to lead orcs. Orcs are most skilled at killing other orcs, and it is an itch that must be scratched, now and again, to maintain a proper orcish army.

Now that order had been restored, and his rebellious captains executed, Snicklefritz had decided to pursue the option of retaliating against the Dru. This was the desired outcome of his dead captains, and he would pursue that course now out of spite. In the end, spite was the best motivator and the most proper reason for action.

-----

All available forces in Dorwinion attack Dagorlad

The Emperor has halted his troops in Dunland. His plan is to strike a province to the west. But, he wanted to give him men rest.

His soldiers are preparing to start their next march. The Imperial army's black armor dots the field they are currently in. Thousands of soldiers all waiting for the next battle.

Emperor Nikolai stands on a hill overlooking the campground. He watches as his soldiers are packing, and gearing up. His tent had been taken down before the others, he always liked an early start to the day.

Aldira is laying in the sun further down the hill from the Emperor. Her blue scales reflecting the sunlight, almost making her looks like a rainbow.

"Sir, you have received a message."

The Emperor turns around and takes the scroll from the boy. He opens it and reads. After he is done, he walks down the hill and past Aldira.

"Aldira, I need to go write up a message to the Elves of our northern province. Don't rest too long, we will be marching soon."

Aldira's head rises from the grass, he sapphire eyes stare at the Emperor.

I know. Your soldiers are hungry for more bloodshed. They might overthrow you, if you stay here any longer.

"Well, I di--"

Shouts and horns were being heard from the camp. Soldiers were scrambling to find weapons. The Emperor looks down at the chaos, and sees numerous soldiers pointing toward the horizon.

He looks seeing nothing at first, and then he sees a blob swiftly soaring above the ground.

Aldira, rises to her feet.

"Aldira, it seems we have company."

I can see that. Were you expecting anyone?

"No."

Then it may be friendly, or it may be foe.

"Well, lets find out."

The Emperor hops onto Aldira's back. And with a deafening roar, Aldira launches into the air

At Forochel and on behind of King Dralvik's back, the Steward Fulvik had received the message of the Trollshaw realm. And He accepted the pact of returning the land to Torogok.

Menwhile, Dralvik's army had reached the front line of the conflict at Cardolan and begain to build defenses to the battle to come...

----
Accept to return Upper Rhudaur to the Trollshaw Realm.
Moves 4545 from Eastern Arthedain to Cardolan.
Moves 65 from Upper Anduin to Grey Mountains

--- the dragon Minyon ---

Rising high in the sky, way over the clouds, Minyon attempted to surprise the garrison over at Dunland. With a swift dash downwards, the dragon approached the battlements and reigned fire upon the soldiers unfortunate enough to have been caught underneath his fiery breath.

However, his attack was not a surprise to the flying dragon of the Empire of Coldvar; Aldira knew of Minyon's movements and flew in front of Minyon, opening her wings in a menacing stance; it was enough to force Minyon to stop his scorched earth attack and engage with Aldira in a conversation;

"Dragon of the South, my interest is not with you. I am here to punish all those that invaded the lands of the Kingdom of Arthedain, as I am now claiming these lands for myself. So if they plan to further their attacks unto my lands, then they will all perish; all, until the last man! And you, dragon, you will suffer too if you plan to interfere. Now fly away and leave me be!"

--- in Hollin ---

King Minyatur pondered on his decision; losing his throne to a dragon? Just like that? And for keeping the facade he has to fight the elves of Elvea-Falasse?

The King wished to convey his thoughts to the Sage that helped him so much in the recent times, but the Sage was still nowhere to be found. In lack of any other hope, the King turned to the dwarves of Forochel.

"King of the dwarves, my scouts have informed me that you bring the bulk of your army to march to my aid. I await you and I await your troops! We have dire matters to discuss about, and I am not too comfortable writing about them here. But as time is of the essence, I'll let you know some items so that you are better prepared when we meet in person, on the battlefields.

A mighty dragon has recently emerged from the mountains to the East; he approached me, and he declared that all my lands are now his. He is a frightening creature, and he put it upon himself to march unto the Empire of Coldvar's lands and destroy their armies; in return, he asked me to remove our friend, King Cirdan, from my lands ... or, how he put it, from his lands.

I can write more about this subject, but I fear that the dragon has powerful magic and has eyes everywhere. He even informed me of your coming to my lands, before I even knew! But his information was somewhat misleading, as he mentioned your troops coming to Hollin and to Redhorn Gate while I was here in Hollin, and you are not. So perhaps the dragon has the power of foreshadowing ... "

----
The dragon Minyon sends an ultimatum to the dragon Aldira, to leave the battlefield
King Minyatur sends the above message to the Clan Frostbeard

-snip-

----
Attack Anorien and Ithilien with half of the total forces each

-snip-

----
Attack Southern Lindon with all troops