The Songs of Wave and Wind

 The Song of Wave and Wind
Legacy of Morgoth

Setting: We last left off in our Epic story searching for Tathata the Beast in the underbelly of Umbar. We discovered much more than anticipated when she came barreling through the tunnel in her altered form. With Azagath, Nakasi, and Tathata on the loose, a plan of action had to be taken with the remaining Kindred of the Coin. Chapter 10 begins with the departure of the many who came with us on our voyage, even if the rescued kid thinks being shipwrecked on the way back would be exciting. Unfortunately, Lady Hármelak has a pressing matter to discuss with you. It appears that a very important prisoner, in which no guard had knowledge of, managed to escape their custody in a very unusual manner. A water-carrier by the name of Sadûkh somehow bypassed those watching the door and aid in Balakhâd's escape. You have yet another reason to venture outside the main city.

  
"I would like to test my khopeshes against these foes that claimed to be friends." - Rothag

Preparations: Since the Kindred of the Coin rarely departs so far from Umbar, each member has a number of tasks that must be considered before going down "The Road of Riches." Rotheg always wants to have his khopeshes (choice of weapon) sharp before any excursion. Belondor wants you to ask his wife for permission, which turns out to be much easier than expected since you meet Meskha on your way down the hallway. Harmelak asks you to complete a work order but gets distracted when the traveling party asks for more money. Rothag learns that no one is able to take care of Hurshauk and decides to take his pet lion with him. Although the dwarf requests provisions, the lady in charge is concerned of some missing inventory in the warehouse. Due to all the delays, only Belondor will be joining us at this time.

  
"If Rothog is leaving the city, who will stay behind to feed Húrshauk?" - Mekhamun 

Language: However, there is one last thing we must not overlook. Caebar, now at the humble beginnings of a scholar, is learning more about the history of the region. For example, "Harad" actually means south (aka South of Gondor) to those who live in the north. The land is properly referred to by the people as Shagani or "Fair Land" (which is the reason why the resources you collect were renamed as such). "Far Harad" is actually Jarmat to those who live there. History states that the nations there were crippled when "The Song of Waves and Wind" artifact by He-Who-Sees-All (also known as Barkhush or Sauron) dried up the river. 

 
"What? Have I said something wrong already?" - Caebar

Ambarûl 

Reunion: Chapter 10.7 is when you first step outside the city and meet with the Tale-Wardens. These are the historians sponsored by Rothag tasked to make records and collect relics. The Epic skips past most of the villages and has you meet with the one Kintai member in a secluded area in the north. He is "untethered in spirit" and refuses to leave the land. As you assist the tribe's leader daughter Rahâzi, you are ambushed by a giant bear. As you fight your way back, she gets scared away by the second party. This is when you formally meet Rothag's companion Hurshauk that was gifted to him by Tathata when their duel long ago ended in a draw. 

 
 
"The bear returns!" - Rahâzi

Dream: After passing out pillows to those who would accept them, your party decides to rest for the night. Chapter 10.12 provides you a radical dream dipped in truth about the loss of Cruel Dancer, Sauron's search for something powerful in the desert, and Gandalf's encounter at Thuringwath. The three words that repeatedly taunt the wizard are the same as the name of the instance: Beyond Living Memory. You tell Corudan and Sigileth of the warnings given to you through the night. Each person is given something to do as the sun rises except for Belondor. He decides to check the route east but finds it blocked from a landslide. Therefore the party, as well as Rahazi now joining us, must travel south into the desert. 

    
"It must be a deadly power indeed if the Master seeks it." - Gurzant 

 Khûd Zagin

Caves of Ghalbûru: The party veers eastward almost entirely bypassing Jirush to a hidden encampment called Ghalburu or "Thieves Cut" to the locals. Rothag learns firsthand how showing his special coin of authority holds no meaning to the people of the land. He laughs (to which you can hear if you click on him again after accepting the quest) when they quickly learn to respect him after showing off his weapons. You find Kholtekh at the end of a winding cave standing in front of a dying man. The Umbari matches the description of the traveler who aided the prisoner out of the Citadel of Winds. You find a healer and assist in making a poultice for his wounds. When he gains consciousness, a story is told of how he made a deal with Saklapel and hid letters undernath the bowls of water he brought inside the chambers. 

     
"Hey Fred, do you think they have any birds out here?" - Resolina 

Black Serpent: A lot of people are on edge (probably from the ghost spirit shouting "Maurice" in the background) and won't provide you with any information, but one in exchange of some jackal teeth informs you of the imposing Black Serpent force in the region. After your group splits up to search the fortress, you find Tathata performing her own investigation. You only get a chance to ask her a single question (though you can always check out the answers on the wiki). Although much is revealed in Chapter 11.11, you can learn ahead of time that Cruel Dancer was Saklaphe's bounty hunter, the death of Balakhâd would please the dwarf, or Nakási seeks out the weapon called The Song of Waves and Wind. Instead of telling Kholtekh that the man is alive, the message of his death seems to make the dwarf happy from the sound of his voice. 

  
 
"Why do you ally with the Kindred? Are we not enemies?" - Tathata the Beast

Oasis Elves: As the party departs eastward, Sigileth wants you to come with her to see the elves to the south. Of course, what she really wants to do is take some time to track down the prisoner's trail in the Tombs of Nirgambâr. While this chamber is less-traveled than the actual instance, the dangers are just as real. Unfortunately, the trail goes cold and you detour to your actual destination. They tell you many things of how the region used to be part of the Emerald Forest of Nishigami but now called Adagim or "Corpseholt" with the Avabar-Kintai (Elves without a home) now slowly fading away. "The Abundant Kingdom" was ruined by the "Great Dearth" and one by the name of Silirtas refuses the process. When you go to meet her, you find Balakhâd stranded some distance away and bring him to the elves. The man tells all about how Azagath and Nakasi mention a pin that Kholtekh delivered from Carn Dum called "the Biter" that was used in Jirush. Nakasi threatened him with a phial of special oil known as "Hungry Fire" or "Umbari Fire" to the Gondorians that burns a man for days. This causes enough concern for Sigileth to reconvene with the rest of the group in the next region.

 

'The Kintai do not willingly refuse their aid, when they have the ability to give it." - Silirtas

Imhûlar 

Lost: With the aid of Sigileth, our new friend Silirtas would assist us in visiting the grove of Vartúlinin. There we find the Oasis Elves in a poor state in need for some aid. Afterwards, we routed to Kûr Anzar only to find it overtaken by the enemy. We backtracked to Urmâkh and found the party in the middle of a discussion. Sirgoth seems angry when the inhabitants aren't receptive to welcoming the new king of Gondor. It seems they are still weary of the troubles that came along those who took up the title of Hyarmendacil. Although we helped provide them with supplies, it was ultimately defeating their enemies that caught their attention. Unfortunately, word came in that Azagath went north and Nakási went south. Worse, there are orcs and something more devastating coming down invading the land. The party decides to cross the great bridge to investigate.

 
"How can I convince Rahâzi of what I know to be the truth?" - Sirgon

Urash Dâr

Gandalf: There is word that "the demon-pit has been opened" and now the area is crawling with orcs. You cross the bridge, setup a campfire, and eventually find yourself staring into a purple flame. You aren't sure if you are dreaming or experiencing a vision as you begin seeing orcs bowing down to an imposing creature. Mithrandir shakes you loose and pulls you back. He tells you that Barkhush, or Sauron, was seeking out a great evil that was hidden from his sight. His master Morgoth was seeking to build an empire by turning elves into great monstrosities.

 
 

"The deathly spirits of Thuringwath knew of Sauron's rivalry with his banished master" - Gandalf

Reinforcements: Time is of the essence, as usual with a wizard. Gandalf may have let slip that his appearance always brought bad news to the people of the land. Sigileth goes to retrieve the Kintai, Belondor calls for aid from the Umbari, and Rahari will retrieve what friends she can. Meanwhile, you get reacquainted with Legolas, Gimli, Glorfindel, Elladan, and Elrohir at Ilzag Khul, or also known as the "Last Barrier Against Evil." They speak the irony of their return the moment the ship returned back to the docks safely. Although your relationship with Khôltekh is rocky, he feels it necessary to coordinate a party with you and Corudan in search of Narghâk at the old Hamâti fortress of Ashâgir. Despite the debris, a stockpile of the stuff is left untouched after the earth-shattering event of Sauron's demise.

"Have you ever seen anything so beautiful as this undisturbed chamber?" - Khôltekh

Desperate Battle: Before we can transport the kegs, Gandalf has already made plans to approach the old temple. Azagath tempts the Kindred of the Coin members to join him, but they reject the notion of trading one Dark Lord for another. Soldiers suddenly appear behind them at The Dagor Carlanthir. A desperate battle commences against the orc invasion on the river. There are a lot of moving objects. You support Legolas and Gimli holding the east and west sides. Songs of glory inspire the Shagani and Glorfindel's stone inspires the elves. Rothag loans you his lion to attack those on the cliffs and Khôltekh asks you to take care of the goblin spies relaying information in the back. Unfortunately, Sirgon was stabbed a dozen times from a sneak attack and does not live long. 

 
 
 

"Húrshauk hungers for direction" - Rothog

Utug-bûr: As the battle rages on, Corudan borrows Rothag to carry some of the volatile chemical to the entrance of the temple. Unfortunately, Silirtas mind fails her as Azagath lunges a weapon through. With only minutes to spare before the fire breaks down the temple walls, Sigileth madly chases after Azagath into the hallway inside. Although we chase after her, the cover of darkness prevents us from knowing where she might have went. You have a moment to shout along the walls of the corridor before Corudan forces you to run back. An explosion occurs just as you see the light from outside. As you get your bearings, you see Sigileth's body among the rubble. She is alive and her sense of humor is still intact. The battle is won, but two were lost that day. In addition, Khôltekh warns you not to lie to him again after receiving word that the son of Balakhôr is still alive. Afterwards, you are given a cloak (bound to character) to commemorate the battle.

 
"Has anyone... ever told you...you are such... a bother..." - Sigileth