WEATHERTOPTower of the Wind

CREDITS

Àuthor/Design€r: PeterC. Fenlon. Jr.Cover À.t: David Mâfiin, EllisaMartin-SchobCov€r Grâphics: RichùdH. BritbnIrterio r Àrt & G raph ics: DâvidMarrin, Ellisa Martin schobDev elo pn € n I : Rick Brinon, S. Colemat Chtlton, David Manin,Ellisa Martin SchobEdiio.ial Coûtribulions: KunH. Fischer. Jobn D. Rùemmler,Jessicâ Ney, Terry K. AnthorSeries Editor: PeleFenlonProduction Mâûâg€ r: John DavldRuenmlerTypesetting:FASAiOLKP.oduction: Su4nne You.g. KunFische.. JessicaNey, RobBell,

S peci al Coûtribut ions I Oliviâ "theWdde.ess 'Johnston, Bill''Cârolinâ" Covert, Deane Mighty SeC BegiebinS, Rob "well.about Dâve" Bell, Jesica 'injuies are no sùbstitute fot a goodalam" Ney. Rick Nip Cun Bntton. S. Colemd "TheDçanslayei Charlton. Èestor (Biff) Maxwell Bennett "clone" Eis-erhoçer IV, John lhe Pole Ruemmler. Bill Downq John Bieckenridge, Bruce the San DieSo Kid Neidlinger, Heike Kubasch.Michael Dwânbo" Allen, Kurt 'Rubo" Râmussen, Kurt Fischbo Fischer, Kaûleen "I m in Boston with the Lightbùlbs"Conno., md the Swedes: Lârs chi chi Thor. Kârl 'blonde JungeBor8. Swink. Fred, Frednck, Klæ. Ande6, Nils, Monica, dd

CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION..........................................................2L I THE FORTRESSES SERIES.................-................................2t .2 TERMINOLOGY.. . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21.3 ADA?TING THIS MODULE.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

1.3 lHi Îsând8onuses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21.32 CoûveBion Chan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . . - . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . 2

2.0 84CKGROUND ............................................................3

3.0 THE FORTRESS ..........................................................53.I THE DESIGN .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . - . . . . . . . . .53.2 THE LAYOUT... . . . . . - . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . - . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . .73.3 THE OUTER DEFENSES .. . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73.4 THE TowER oF AMoN sûL -.........................-..-.............24

4.0 THE GARRTSON ........................................................2e4.1 ARNOR'S GARRISON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - 304.2 ARTHEDATN S GARRISON.........................................-......304.3 CARDOLAN S GARRISON ..........-......................................304.4 THE MEN FROM RHUDAUR..-.....................................-...304.5 TItE OTHER OCCUPANTS -...............-...............................30

5.0 aDvENTURES .............................................................r15.1 EARLY AD\tsi'{TLRËS.......................................................315.2 ADVENTURES AMIDST WAR... . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .315.3 JOURNEYS TO THE RUINS ..............................................315.4 FOURTH AGE ADVBNTURES.........................-..-.............31

6.0 MASTER GARRISON TÂ8LE... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

All Righ$ Resered. Created. produced, and distribùted by IRONCROWN ENTERPRISESJnC.. P.O. Box 1605, Chùlottesville, VA22902.

ISBN 0-915795-E9.2Stock # E20l

copyfiSht @ TOLKIEN ENTERPRTSES. a divisior of ELAN MERCHANDISING, Inc., Berkeley, CA. Weaîhetîop, 1'ôeer of the Wind,'rheH.;;bi; ûd rhe Lard of ùe,Rirsr, ând àtl chùacreE and llaces rherein. ùe trademdk prop€nies ofToLKIEN ENTERPRISES. Firsl U S. Edition,1987.

1.0 INTRODUCTIONThe citadel that crowned Weathenop (S. "Amon Sû1") was the

greatesi iower-fortress in Amor and the focus of much of thestruggie belween Amor's three successor kingdoms: Anhedain.Cadolan. and Rhudaur. Built by the Faithful Nûmendrcan exilesled by Elendil the Tall in the late Second Age, it rose from rhe heanolthe DÉnedain's Northem Kingdom. The royal tower housed thechief Palaniir (Seeing-stone) of rhe Nolth and served as rhepdncipal home of Amot's High Seer- Few fortesses anywhere inEndor held such significance. Even the Witch-king of Angmarlooked to the Tower of Amon Stl as a great pize, a preeminentsymbol of Dlnâdan spirit.

1,1 THEFORTRESSESSERIESThe Foûesses oi Miàdle ea.ti series is intended to provide

Gamemasters (GMs) with extremely detailed overviews of indi,vidual towers, casdes, citâdels, ând other fortifications of parricu-lar note. Each module in the line documents th€ history, design.layoul and garrison associared with làe given site. A lisr ofsuggested adventure themes follows the text.

Before reading the material on this forûess. rake a look ât theiwo-page view locâted at the center of rhe booklet. It gives you aclear picture of what $e text is all abour. Then rum to Section L2.

Like ttte rest of the Middle-earth Series. this module containsgame Grminology and rcferencesbasedorICE s Middle-earthRole P laring (M ERP ) aûRole maste t (RM )fantasyrcbplay.,J:,9(FRP) systems. If you need to adapt the material ro anorher FRPgame, reâd Section 1.3.

1.2 TERMINOLOGYBecause of space considerations, we cânnot reasonably discuss

all the peculiar terms found in this module. We cÂl, howevetprovide a sampling of the most commonly used terdnology.Bâil€y - ân enclosed courtydd.Bâ.bican - h otrtwork containing â castle gateway.BarlizaD - a smâll tower susp€nded from a wâll or lower ro Êovide

flanling fire.

Battlem€nt - the protected defensive position located arop â wall or

C ren elâtion - anotched batdemenr (pamtet)reselibling spacedrEerh'wilh altemating op€nings (embrasùres câlled qenels) and sectionsprovidins cover (merlons).

C urtain - a straighr section of d€fensive wall.Di k e - ân anificial embânkrnent such as a mm made eùthen wall: âlso

D râwb.idge - a b.id8e that car be raised ând lowered.Elnb.rsu.€ - a specially designed opening hon whicb a defender fires

missiles, such as a crenel or ê Wâce holtowed in a thick wallwhichprovides access 10 â loop.

Ilourd - ù often temporary. overhânging ùnb€r galleyprojæling ftom

Keep - âlso called a Donjon. it is the independent. selfdefeûsible. iûnerstronghold of a casde or mamr.

Loop - â nârrow opening in a wall for the dischùg€ of nissiles.Mâchi ocolâtion - â projæring gallery ar the rop ofawalt or rower with

slots (mùder holes) in ûe noor hom which nissiles can be droppedor fired down âgainst m eneny.

Moal - a def€nsive diLh-Motle - a ldEe defensive nound.

Pârâp€t - a baù of earth or a wau over which â defender may fire.Portcullis - a vertical. sliding gill with spiked tips thar senes as a

S play - â sloping bâse of a wâtl or tower. whicb fruslrates rârnming bydefl ecting sEikes upwûds.

Talus - a sloping wall, thicker (splayed) at jts bâse.

1.3 ADAPTINGTHISMODULEThis nodule is adaptable to most major FR? games. Starisrics

are expressed on a closed or open-ended scâle, using a I - 100 baseand percentiledice (D100). No other dice are required.

1.31 HITSANDBONUSESWhen converting percentile vaiues to a 1-20 system, â siûple

ruleis: for every +5 on a D 100 scale you get a + 1 on â one,twenqj(D20) or tkee to eighteen (Dl8) scâle.

Theconcussionhitnumberslistedinthismoduieoniyrepresen!general patu and system shock. They cover bruises ând smâll cutsrather than wounds. Citical strike âttacks and damage âre used todescribe serious blows and wounds (respectively). Shouldyoù useâ FRP sysÈm that employs no critical sûike resulls (e.9., TSRIr.c.'s Aùa ced Dungeons &,r'dgorr@ game),simplydoublethenumber of hits the PCs tâke or halve the hit values fotmd in thismodule.

1.32 CONVERSIONCHAFTIfyou play an FRP game othet than M E RP ot R olemasle I znd

you do-not use a percentile system, use the following chart toconv€n 1-100 nùmbers to figures suited to yoûgame.

l-100Stat.

lO2+1 0 1

10098-9995,9190-94

85-89'75-84

60:7440-59

25-3915-24l0-14

5-9342I

BonusonD100

+35+30+25+20+15+10

00-5-5

-10-15-2{)

BonusonD20

+ 7+6

+4+3+2

+ l+ 100

0- l- 1

-2-3-4-4

3-18Stâ!.

20+1 9

1 81',l1 615

t 4t 31 21 0 - 1 1 1

9 6

2-12Stât.

t 7 +t5 r6l3-14t 2

t 1

1 0

8

8 5' 7 4

6 35 -4 24 2

2.0 BACKGROUNDAmon Sû1, the g]eat "Hill of Winds," was revered by Men from

the time of its discovery. Considered a holy place by rhe eâriyEdain. it served as â site for Bereg's Warch during the tatter daysof the First Age. Then. Adan hiests observed rhe motions of thesky and reâd the cêpricious and ever-present winds, hoping ropredict the future for the refugees of the Firsr House of ùe mighryEdain. L€gends spoke of mystical waters that roiled benearh\Yeathertop s rocky sudâce, and of a hidden doorway ro rhe Deeps.

Soon after settling in cenrral Eriador, the peopie of Beregèncountered anorher Éce ofMen: the tribes of soulhem Arhûnerim(S. 'High Easterlings") called Mebion Bron. The Mebion Bron. or''Hill People," entered lhe region in waves, firsr through themountain passes and lâter though the Gap of Rohan. They wererh€ ancesrors of the Hillmen of Rhudaur ênd Eresion. and of rhe

Altbough Sâuron was eventually vanquished during the battlesof S.A. 1700-01, the old legacy ofBereg's folk passed inro hisrory.No physical signs remained of rhe Adan Watch thâr once com-manded Amon Stl. Tales of Weathenop spoke only of irs eerie

THE DowNFÂLL oF NûMENoR aND TsECoMrNc oF THttDÛNEDAIN

In S.A. 33 1 9, fifty-seven years after Sauron's impdsonmenr onthe isle of Westemesse. Ar,Phamzôn the Golden ser sail westwârdin hope of wresting the Undying Lands fiorn the Elves and rheirAinu âllies. His invâsion ofAman resulted in tbe desrrucrion of hismighty host and the tumultuous Downfall of Nûmenor- The onlyDjnedain to survive the catâclysm were those living abroâd, orthose Faithful to the Vâlar who accompani€d Elendil the Tall andhis two sons on their voyage to sâfety.

TnE FolNDrNc oFTHEFoRTREss or AMoN SûLBeffmen of southem and cenlralEriador.

The victorious Edain ofBeleri,and settled in Harlindon after theGreat Baitle that ended the FirsrAge, butsome moved into westemEriador. Trade berween Bereg'speople and rheir blerhren to thewest flourished for the nexr rhrcedecades. In S.A.32, however, theEdain mig.ared to Nûmenor. Mosrof the Beregrim sai led 10Westemesse, leaving thelr sulwzrt or stubbom compâriots be-hind in Endor.

After the depârture of rhe Hosrofrhe Edâin, Bereg's Adan King-dom quickly dissolved. The unionof the remaining Edain and rhemore numerous Mebion Brongâve birth to the Eriedain, or ân-cienl Norlhmen. This disrinctlyEriadoran culture arose in the widelands south and west of theWeatherHills. Bereg's Walch feilinto disrepair and Wearherrop,like the Bêrrow-downs, becameknown as a place to be feared.

Allhough his sons dropped ân-chor in Gondor, Eiendil's shiplanded in Lindon. His Dinadanfollowers retumed to the spot wheretheir Adan ancesiors hâd departedfrom Middle-efflh. Passing east-wârd ftom Harlond along the Dwar-ven roâd, they crossed the Lhûn ândfounded the Kingdom of Amor onthe lands their forefathers hadsettled in the First Age. Amor'scapitâ], Anniminas, rose aboveNenuiâl (Lâïe Evendim) at the pointthe wate6 spill out and form theriver Baranduin. Fomost Emin andBree grcw along main route be-lween Annûminas and the highwayto Gondor.

The Weâther Hills initially ranalong the easrem frontier ofElendil's kingdom. They were abanier to expansion towârd iheMisry Mountains, chânneling seÈtlers to the most hospitable areas tothe south. Eventually, rhough, theDûnedain pressed eastward alongthe Grcat East Roêd ând srarredcleâring the forests in the river vâles

of Rhudaur rS. "EastWood'1.Elendil possessed three of the seven Palanliri (Seeing-stones)

rescued during lhe Downfali- The other four, including the hùgeMaster-stone (which was plâced in Osgiliarh), went to condorwith his two sons. The chief Palantiri of the North was the secondgreatesl ofthe Stones. so King Elendil took greât care 1o iocate irat a special site. Choosing the hallowed hill of Weathenop ês itsresidence. he established the Stone at the cenrer ofrhe ancient Adânhome. Therc, he buill the Tower of the Wind. rhe greaiest walchin Amor. This Feat spire served as the priûcipal êbode of Amor'sRoyal Seer and marked lhe heafi ofElendil's burgeoning realm.

THE SUNDERTNG orARNoR ÂND GoNDoRSâuron's reappearênce in Mo.dor in S.A. 3320 served as a

prelude to his second campaign âgainst the Free Peoples of wesremMiddle-earth. He reassembled his host and launched ar invasionof Gondor in S.4. 3429. Uniting againsr the Lord of rhe Rings, rheKings oflindon and the Realms in Exile formed the Last Allianceof Elves and Men.

THE DEvÂsrÂTroN oI ERlADolrFor the next sixteen centuries, Eriador was at peâce and rhe

various lribes of rhe Mebion Bron developed their own sub-cultures- Some groups became sundered and founded theA ownrude realms. Otheff were subjugated by, or united with, theEriedâin, spawning myriad Edâdorân societies. Those along ihecoasls and in the lower river vaileys encountered Adan explorerchom Nrimenor (lhe DLinedain) after S.A. 600, and duriûg rhe sixhundred yeârs the DÉûedain served as ieâchers.

The outbreâk of war between Sauron and rhe Elves in S.A. 1693shanered the peace. Two years larer the Dark Lord's armies sweptjnto southem Eriâdor ând overran rhe Elven Kingdom in Eregion.By S.A. 1699, âll of the Empry Land west of the river Lhûn was inthe hands of the Lord ol the Rings. Tbe ancient Adan burial silesin the Banow{owns were looted and desecrared and the ruins onthe summit of Weathertop were urrerly desaoyed. Only lhe arrivalof ê greal fleet ftom Nrimenor in S.A. 1700 prevenred fùrther

, ,.^...-:-'

A Kr ight of Arnor

In S.A. 3434, âfter four years of prepâration, the army of LastAiliance crossed the Misty Moûltains and forced the Wlaith-kiûg's hosi to retire toward Morannon. There, cil-galad ândElendil the Tali crushed the Dârk Lord's main horde in the fieldsof Dâgo ad. before the gates of Mordor. The victors chased theshaatered rermants of Sauron's army 1o Bsrad-dtr. Seven yearslâter the Da* Tower fell. ln the eîsuing struggle for survival,Sauron slew both Gil-gâlad and Elendil; however, King Isildur ofGondor cut the Ruling Ring from the Evil One's hand, ending rheSecond Age. Sauron and his nine Nazgûl $en passed into theShadows.

Sâuroû's absence during the first thousând years of the ThirdAge enabled the Realns in Exile to rebuild and prosper. With thedeath of Isildur, however, the two kingdoms grew along divergentcourses. No High-king served to urite them as Elendil had in theSecond Age. Amor no longer served as the senior domain- wïileGondor forged a burgeoning empirc, Amor remained a stable ândsomewhat feudal kingdom. The Men of the northem realm hâdser,'ed in the fore of the armies of th€ Last Alliance. and thei{homeland never recovered from the losses inflicted by ùe Darkl-ord.

Nonetheless. Amor established dominion over most of Eriâdorând succeeded in rctaining a relatively pule and vibrânt Dlnâdanculture. Despite their reluctance to marry other Eriadonns (whichled, of course, to their eventual decline). the Dûredain ofthe Northfounded fine manoÉ, construct€d cilâdels, and built roâds whichenabled them to maintain their hold over their more numeroussubject peoples. Cities like Anntminas ând Thaibad erjoyed tradewith all of northwestem Endor and embraced the Elves of Lindonand llnladris (Rivendell) as fâst friends and allies. Once âgain, thedec€ased membels of the royâl line of the High Men were laid toæst in the Tym Gorthad (S. "Barow-downs") and, like the ElderDays, a light twinkled atop Amon Sû1 âfter eâch sunset.

THESUNDERTNG oF ARNoRAmor's decline was hardly noticeable to some but, by the time

of King Eiirendur's reign (T.4. 777-861), it was pronouncedenough to weaken the royal hold over the scattered Dûnadan aris-toclacy. Upon Eltendur's death, the realn split into tkee pâIts,each ruled by one of his quarreling sons. The brcâÏup left threeostensibly allied su€cessor states: Arthedain in the rofhwest,Cardolan in the south, and Rhudaur in the northeâst. Arthedain, ûecore oi Elendil's originâl domai& enjoyed a very large proportionof DÉnadan residents and se ed âs the home of Annriminas (âl-though the câpitâl was moved to Fornost Erâin). Cârdolan (S.'I-and of Red Hills") contarned Tharbad and the other pd:rcipâlport towns, âs well as the princely settlement of Andrath and thesùrrounding downlands. Although heavily endowed with smallcastles, Rhudaur contained relâtively few Dinedain and only fourtowns. Its fons functioned as much as  means of conFolling itsoften disgruntled populâtion as they did to proiect the realm fiominvâders.

During the following years, Arthedain periodically attempted toreunite Amor, but both Cardolan and Rhudâur fought to æmainindependent. The borden of the three realms fluctuated, âlthoughCardolan eventually built a great dike and hedgewall that definedits frontier. Weatheriop, which rose at the strât€gic point thât thethree states coincided, became the focus of the suuggle. ThisconJlict was exâcerbated by the fact thât Arthedain possessed thePalanriri of Amûminas alld the Tower HiIs. aûd both its rivalssought to wrest the chief Seeing-stone fiom Arthadan control.Eventually, lhough, Cardolan and Alhedain ageed to use thecitâdel in conmon, an agrcement fostered by the growing rhreatfiom Ansmar,

TEE RISE oTANGMAR AND RHUDÂUR's FÀLLByT.A. 1300, the LordoftheRingwmilhshad flownnorth to the

plâteau that dses between the two northemwestem spurs of theMsty Mountains (Hithaeglir). There, he founded Angmar (Q."kon Home"), the tand ofthe Witch-king. Never revealing his trueidentity, the Nazgtl-lord deployed his minions along the ridgesnorth of the three qùarreling Dlnâdan kingdons. The relâiivelyvulnerable realm of Rhudaur was especially thæâlened.

In the fhstfive decades afrer Angmar's rise, the Witch-king usedRhualaur's conflict with the other two Dûnadân stâtes as a pretextfor influencing its dissatisfied populace. His army openly invadedthe East Wood, supposedly aiding Rhudaur's subjeci Dunlendingand Hillman tribes to ovethrcw their Dûnâdan masten. When iaslastKing died in T.A. 1349, Rhudaur became apuppetkirydom ofAngmar and passed into the Shadow.

THr FaLL or CaRDoLÀNAngmar and Rhudaur declared war on Cardolân dound T.À.

1350. Fighting raged along the Mitheithel and near Amon Stl forthe ûext fifty-nine yea$. After building their supply routesthrough Rhudaur, bowever, the furgnarin oudla*€d ûeWeather Hills and directly assaulted Cardolân's northeastembounds. In T.A. 1409, the invâders crossed the open Lone Landsand swept through the Drlnadar defenses south of Weathertop.The Witch-king's host cut the defending forces ;n half and drcvethe Prince ofCardolan ând his retainers though ihe Barrow-downsand into the eaves ofrhe Old Foresi. As Thârbad fell in the South.the lâst ruler of Cardolan's royal house perished.

THE DEsrRUcrroN or rHE FoRTREssThe armies of Angmar and Rhudaur then concenûated on the

fortess of Amon Stl. No citadel better symbolized the spirii oftheDtnadân of the North and. when Arthedâin's battered forceswithdrcw into the sunounding hills with the tower's Se€ing-stone,the doom of Amor seemed compleie. The Angmarim slew fteArthadan King, Arveleg I, and drove toward Fomost. Only thealrival of Ctdan's Elves orevented the conouest of Arthedain.

;+Arnor and its Sùccessor KiDgdoms

I Anhedâi.,2 an8nâi,I NoMânt Land (Rhudaur),4Câidolân,5 Con-dor,6 Harondor, T Umbar. Cardolan is no loruer a viable kirudoû, andHarondor is contested bv Oondor and the Co 6âi 6 o f Um bar.

The FortrcislThe DesiRn

After câpturing Weathertop from the valorous warriors whosoughi 10 cover the retreat of their brelhren, the Atgmarim razedrhe proud ciladel. They left litde but chaned timbers and scatteredstoûes !o remind future visitors of the gleat tower thât oncecornmanded the sile. Elendil's finest fortress passed inlo historyafter a valiânt struggle.

THf, FALL OFARTHEDÂIN

Arthedain survived five hundred and sixty_six yeâts after thecollapse of Cardolan, but the Wâr of T.A. 1973 75 spelled the endof the Diinâdân realm. After nearly a decade of massing on thefrontier. the Witch-king unleâshed his arrnies and oveûânAfihedah in 1.A. 1974, sending King Afledui inlo hiding. Ar-vedui and the Palantfii of Amon Sûl and Atnûminas perished inthe Ice Bây of Forochel the following winter.

The Witcb-king's victory proved bitt€rsweet. As $e Lord oftheNazgûl crushed Afihedain, Condor sent a relief army Thesouthem Drlnedain landed as Arvedui fled northward. Engagingthe Witch-king near the ruins oi of Annûminas, E:irnur of Gondorand his Eriadonr allies defeated ûe Angrnarim. The Witch kingêbandoned Angmar iater the same year. ending the saga of the

WEATHERToP DURTNG THf, LÀTETITIRD ACE

Weathertop remained a ruin after T.A. 1409. A few of thetower's larger foundâtion stones stâyed in place, peeking thioughthe grassy earrh thât gradually filled the inner moat, but all othersigns were bu ed or swept away. Artbedain's warriors conlnb-uted to the cleansing. for units were often stadoned on watch atoptunon Stl du.ing the lulls in wârfâre between T.A. 1410 alld 1974.These soldiers cleared many of the stones tha! littered the hilltop(in what had been the inner bâiley), shoving them down the hillsidein order to deny cover to stalking enemies.

After the fall of Angmar in T.A. 1975, the Rangers of the Northused Amon Sûl as a rcndezvous point. I! became their chiefgathering point and served as â m€ssage drop. Of course, thesestealthy frontiersmen took great care to leave the ruins undisturbed, since they $'anted to prevent the agenls of Darkness fromdiscoYering their routines.

Weathertop rcentered the mainstreâm ofEndorean history dur-ing the Ringwraiths' Search for the One tung in T.A. 3018. Likethe Rangers. the Witch-king underctood the imPortance of AmonSûl's location. He chose the hill âs the point where the iwo groupsof Nâzgtl seârchers re$ouped. The site became even ûoreimpo(ânt when Frodo escaped caprure in the Shire. Using thesummit of Weâthertop, where the view of the mêin road and thesurrounding countryside was unobsrructed, ihe Nazgûl lord hopedto intercept the fleeing Ringbearer.

Five Nazgûl, including the witch-king. encount€red the restingCompany on Amon Sûl before the rrival ofthe other RingwmithsDuriûg the brief, abortive melee, the witch-kiûg stâbb€d Frodo inthe left shoutder with his Morgul-knife. but Strider interceded. TheHobbits survived and the Compâny fled toward the Bruinen Fordthe following moming.

THf, Rf,BUTLDINC oF TIiE FoRTREss

Aft€r the War of the Ring, King Elessâ! (Aragom II) reso]ved torebuild ùe great lower of Amon Sû1. Work begân in $e earlyspring of the seventh year of itie Fourth Age. Using the originaldesign and materiais resembling tbose enployed by Elendil'Dûnadan craftsmen soughl to recreate the greatest spire in theAmor. In ihis, lhey truly ser.',ed noiice of lhe retum of the King tothe Norft.

3.0 THEFORTRESSTbe Fortress of Amorl Sû1 surrounds lhe surnmit ofweathertop,

the sourbemmost and the mosi strategic of the WeÂther Hills ofcental Eiâdor (S. "Empty Land"). Located at the junction ofAnhedain. Rhudâur. ând Cardolân, it commands tbe eâsiest inva-sion route berween the three Aûorian successor states. Here, theGreat East Road passes bercath Weatherlop's southem slopes,ihrough the gap between the Weather Hills and ùe ruggeddowniand to the south. No citâdel in Amor was moie sigltificanlor more revered, for it rose from the hear of the North Kingdom,and its size and strength was unsurpâssed by âny otber work of thenorthem Dinedain.

3.1 THEDESIGNThe fotrcss on Weathertop wâs erc€ted over the course of

centuries, although the great lower and most ofthe inner walls datefrom S.A. 3320 tlnough S.A. 3333. During ûis early period ofAmor's history, Etendil's Ndmen6reân craftsmen leveled thehilltop ard buih whai is now the core ofthe citadel. Their advancedconssuction techniques, which are exhjbited in the massive Towerof Amon Stl ând in the foundations of the surrounding curtâinwall. ouilived the work of later craftsmen. All of ùe otherstructures in the fortress pale by comparison. Amoriân, Cardolani,and Anhadân Kings added buildings wiah little regard to a commonarchitectural theme. and some of the newes! towers reflecl therelative scarcity of rcsources availâble io the later builders

Originally, the forEess was envisoned as a single iowet, amonumentâl spire designed io hold the Master Seeing-stone of theNorth. ln deference to the occuParts of the site, however, Elendilagreed to add a great yÂrd ând â single cunain wâll 1o Fotect thegardensandlawnsintendedtomatethefortressrnorelivable Thisplan was cârried oua dunng the last years of Elendil's reign, âs lheclouds ol wâr loomed over Endor.

Followirg ihe war of the Last Alliance that concluded theSecond Age and the deâth ofhis fatherlsildur soon thereafter, KingVâlandil of Amor (r. T.A. 2-249) ordered the âddiiion of anotherwall. Valandil realized the precârious naaùe of peace although,straigely, he never contemplal€d defenses aloÙnd the capital ofAnnûminas. This outer wall was builî below most of the i rercunâin,butpart of itmerged intoand replacedsouthwestem poltionof the ùpper wall. Vâlândil's modificâtions gave the forress itsfinâl plan.

During the reigns of King Amlâith of Atthedêin (r. T.A. 861-946) ând his bnther, King Thorondur of Cârdolan (r. T.A. 861-950), the citadel received a number ofcosmetic changes. Much ofthe outer walls, damâged by the eanhquâTe of T.A. 861, werefinally €placed. This work continued into early part of the reignsof King Beleg of Arthedaiû (r. T. A. 946-1029) ând of Thoroûdilof Cardolan (r. T.A. 950-1025);thus the noticeable Yâ âtions inconstrLrction and archiæctwal features. Throughout this era. thefortress ostensibly rcmaiûed the joint Fop€ny of Amor's drce

Th€ Tower of Amon Sû1 is constructed of grey blue granite,although its submerged foundation is composed of solid, blackbasalt. Volcanic puûice and shells imported from Lindon lenlincredible strength ând resiliance to the ûortar used to join rhecarefully-€ut. notched blocks ûat form the tower wâlls. Therower's beaury ând longevity contrâst sharply with the rest of the

Numerous varieties ofgnnite and limestone were used to formthe fortress' surrounding walls and towers. Whitewâshed mortarcovered some but, overâll, these structules preselt â deep greyfacade. Blue slate slill covers âll the roofs, providing some unityto the otherwise sprawling citadel.

The Fo ress|Oveùead VieN

Th? FonrcsslThe Laroul

3,2 THELAYOUTThere are ûæe parts to the defenses ofthe Fortress ofAmon Sûl:

A) Lower Wâll - S nounded by aditch, the lower or outerwall seems 10 grow out the rocky outcroppings that surround thesummit. It is â winding. crenelated, stone wall with a coveredparapet. The high, peaked roof that âdoms the top is mâde oul ofslate, while the rest of the wall is formed out of granite blocks. Onthe noth side of lhe ciiadel, the settrywÂlk i s 6'to 8'above lhe levelof the outer bailey, while on ihe south side this covered walkwayis l0'to 16'above the adjacent enclosed ârea. No signiJicantvariation occurs on the outside. however. where the cren€lationspurctuate the wail some 20' ùp the stone fâce. The average heightofthe wall is about 25'.B) Upper Wall - The upper orinnerwall forms a 270" "U"inside the lower wâll. Together with the highest portion of thelower wall (a 90' section), this rampart encloses the fortress yard.For 180", the accessroadruns along the cliffat its base. Like thelower wal1, the upper wall is crowned by a covered parapet;however, most ofthe upper bastion merges into the reâr wâlls of thebuildings that surround and face the fortess yatd. The iDnercurtain's sentrywalk is only 7'ro 8'above the inner bailey. althoughrhe oùtside height of the wall vanes fiom 25' to,l0.C) The Tower - The Tower of Amon Sûl dominates thefortress. Perch€d upon a rise in ûe otherwise flat fortress yard, itis locâted ât the very surnmit of Weathertop. A 20' deep ditch ordry moat circles the stlucture. Tb€ tower itself is 280' tâll and 70'in diameGr. Its bâse spreads considerably, for the structurejuts outof a rnassive masonary talus (sloping skirt) that is 105' in diameterâr tbe ground level inside the ditch.

ENTERTNG THEFoRTRÉssThe citadel arop Amon Stl sits on the summit of a very high,

almosi circular hilltop. A road ascends the upper hill by followinga clockwise spiral coùse (a). Near the peak, it wraps aroùnd thefortress' ouier (dry) moât (b ) which. in tum, surounds the 34' tâllembarikment that foms $e foundâtion of the lower (outet) wall.After circling vinually the entire ouGr wall, the road crosses theouter moat and pâsses through the outer gate (c) and conlinues towind up the hillside. Therc, however, the route is actually insidethe citâdel.

The roâdway sweeps inside the lower wall and just below theupp€r wall urtil it makes a 1 80" swing âround the sulrllnit. At thispoint, the road reaches the inner gate (d), a l0' wide apertureflanked by a small towers and two turrets. The inner gate providesaccess ro rhe forrress yârd (or bailey).

The great Tower of Amon Stl (e) is essentially â gianl ftee-standing keep that sits inside its own noat ( f) and rises our of thecenter of rhe forEess yard. 70' in diameter and 280' râll, il is thelargest Dinadan spire north of Angrenost (Isengard). Irs beaconcan be seen dozens ofmiles away.

There âre o. y four ways into this magnificent bastion. Two â.esally potu, doors which open out of the northem (g) and southem( h ) sides of the bwer about 5' âbove the base. Only 2.5' wide and5,5'tatl. rhey cân accommodâte but one man ar â time, Defendersuse them as counlerattack points, or as emergency escâpe routes.

The third, and most cornnon, wây itto the Tower is viâ the gate( i). This 4'wide. 8'tall opening sits 28'âbove the base ofthe rowerând about 8' âbove the level of the fortsess yard. A 40 long,sloping, wooden bndge connects this doorway to the yffd. The 10'section of the span adjoining the towei is actually a drawùridge.Once across this gangway, you pass the three portculli and twogates that guard the hallwây though rhe 20' thick wall.

Virtually no one sâve the King. the Crown hnce, the HighSeer. and the Câstle Warden - know the fourth route inio theTower. Ir is a secret stairway Û ) that descends fron the Charnberof the Palanttr and winds inside the wall opposite the mainchimney. The srair exits in a subterrânean chamber ( k ) some 140'beneath ûe surface ofweathertop, and there itjoins a tunnel. Fromthere, the unde.ground passage spirals downward in a counter-clockwise dire€tion ihrcugh a water-cut tub€. The tunnel thenlevels off ând runs in a north-nonhwesGrly direcrion for 4.900yaids, exiting âi a €ave contâining the spring known as the CobletWell (l). (s€e Section 3.4 ât#31.)

3.3 THEOUTERDEFENSESThe buildings denotÊd by an * are illusûated with a floorplân.

Others ale simply des€ribed in the text b€low.

1, Lowe. Gate* -.'.- 4 kveh:3 oborè,I Mdelgrourd. Thelowergâte com?lex gudds a 10'wide opening in the outer wall. Se! at thenonhwe$em comer ofthe citadel, jt is located at the least vulnerâblelointof auack. The Sateway is 10'high at the hiShest point of its pointed aich.Two projæting bâstions flanl the enûf,: ùe shon, squât Whistler'sBdtion (#2) on ûe westem sidq ùd the taller, narower Wlite Basiiot(#3) on the eastem side. Guards on the s€ntrywalk thât comæts the twotowers warh ùom d overhûgirg. machiocolated Pdapel,Here, ihe ouler wall b 18 , instead of l0', thick. thus âccommodaling thendow. fist lev€l firing iooms (tl'at pemit archers to shoor âmws atenmies anenûing to force their way throûgh the pâssageway). The Eatemæhdislns âre operâted Aom the tust level of th€ adjoining bastioN.leaving the second floor of the wâll 4 d open def€ns€ chanter above theBaie. During times of wd, the 8uârds k€ep hot oil and rcks in this room.

2. Wù lstler's Bastiotr t - 4 ldels:3 above, I uk leryrcuh.l. TIEcelle of the Whistlels Bastion contâins two rooms. The tust is astordoni the sôcond hoùses th@ guar&. A small fiteplae is set inlothe foùndation wâll in the latter chamber and, unbektownsi 1o theBdison. âctually lrovides æces to ân unde4roùnd Pàsage thal runsdæp beneath the earth. The stone thât forms th€ bottom of the frellâceand obscùes tne shaft weighs 250lbs- Puleys and windlasses occùpy thechamber that comlnses ùe. while the sond level is devoled to abafilement âreâ. More slores fill th€ tower's lhitd Ievel. which is locÂtedbeneath ùe ste€ply paked slate roof md open on lo the sentrywâlks in

3. T he \ry h ite B tstioD * - 4ldeh:3 above,I understuufl.l- L'J.erh€ Whis er's Bastiotr. the white Bârdon contains a cellâr banâcks ândâ first level filled siih gâte mechmisms. Unlike lhe othe. tower, however.this smâll bastion hoùs€s battlements on its sond ùd tlird ieveh ùdcontains ro stolerooms.4. Mf dge Watch - -? lae ls : 2 above, I andelSturnd A loe tow ejon the noithwesl comer of lhe iower *all, Midge Watch lookr out towddiheroâdthatruN Aom Amm Sû1to lheswmpofMidgewater. The toweris fully enclosed md hd a celtar which is used æ a kennel O.e of thecitadel's gldd captâins resides on tbe fust level. Tlte sond i€velconlains rhe bâtrlement aM. ed also houses the two dog-ke€I€rs.

5, Ridge Wâtch - J kr ek: 2 above, I unlleqrouad. L'J{eil{idgeWatch, this low tower intempts the course of the oute. wall- Its sæondlevel. where the senûtqÀlk runs thmùgh lhe red of the toçer, is open. Agudd room occupies the tust level and $ores ùe hoùsed in the celtar.

6. ÀrÀncif's Tow€r* - 3 b.ls:2 above,I uadetsrôutu1,ûdadmi atti.- T\e ûofilieffiost tower in the fortress conplex. Atrcil sTower contêins â wâming bell beneath its slate root The celld md firsllevel hoùs€ stores. wlile lhe s€cond level serves as â battlement ùea ùda residesce for two guâds.

7. Valandil's Haîg - 2 tewh:bothobovStuund. Alow.lfqe.çing lonior of the north€astem section of the outer wal, Vâlandil's Hangoverlooks â sharp cliff- Its nùne is derived ftom thefactthât, ftorn ùe roadbeloç, rhe prcjection seens tc' hang out over the outer moât.

8. Y ÀfâD di f's Toi,er * - I lads: 3 abow, I un.lzrqrcutul. 'Ittis

Tow6 co âins â guard lomge and a wàming bell beneath its slate rcot

The FoûrcsslThe Outer Defenses

9. Elendil's Watch* - 6leyels:5 abow.I underyround. Theedtemmost tower in lle foftress complex. Elendil's Wâtch looks ourtoward the western IIâin of Rhùdaur, $e mosl likely place for m attackon ùe Weath€r Hills. Like Arancil\ Tower. i! contains a wming bell,which is located on the foutl level. Srores fill rh€ celld and a knchen andmess æa æcupy the tust and secoDd ]€vels. A gùûd room is locâted onthe thûd level. while the flât roof or fifth level seres as â battlernenr.10. LoDg Curye - Long Cùûe is the soulheastemmost and mostvuherable sætion of the oùteÎ wall. âlthough its ext eme heighr and rhesharp declhe ofth€ adjoining cliffmale assaults here qùite daùnting. Thesen!]vâlk âlone tông Cuûe is 19' above the ouÈr bail€y and 23' abovethe græsy siope thàt descends to the outer doat.ll. LoDe LaDd yiev - 2 kæls: both aboreqrcund. LlN.proje€ting portion of the southeâstem sction ofthe ourer wâlt. Lone LandView looks out towrd En-E edoriâtlt (S. Lone Land"), the enpty plainof soùtùwesteû Rhudaù thèt foms lhe t'order mârch berween rhalkingdon ând the realrns of Anhedain md Cddoid- The slayed towe!foundation of this prcjecting bâslion blônats inro a shrp clifi Its nane isderived fron the fact thât, ftom the roâd below, rhe prcjætion seeins lo besu$ended out over the oute. moar.12. Ohta.'s Tower - .{ ldek:3 abore,l Mde.Btuund.l,egendeysthat Ohtù. hildù's Squi.e and â survivor ofthe Battle of Gladden Fields(T.4. 2). died here. Whatever the cas€. Ohtd did reside here âs rh€citâdel's Third Captain âfre. hjs retm ro Amor. The Third Calrain, whocommands the gârisoû of the oùts wâll. mates lis home iD the secondlelel of lhis seven+ided tower. A kitchm md ness areâ occulies the firstlelel, while six guards live in th€ cellar- The third and Wf'emost levelseNes as a banlenenr which helps protect the inner gâr€ (#14).

13. Soùth Curye- The South Cw€runs along the sourlem side ofùe inner gat€. At the point of irs L-shâped rm, rhe ouier wall is thickerand higher thu ar Dy orher poinr.14. U pp€r Gâte+ - J l?r.l 8are4). The upper gâre is set in a sonof cùl-de-rac comprised by the sùf.ounding buildings. and ir is angledaway ftom the dir€ction of the entry roâd, rnâking âssaulrs more difficult.All thegatemechanisDsælcated in ûe finrl€vel. Two small. one-mûtùrels flark ùe 10'wid€, l0 gate on lhe secod ievel. while lhe third levelis devoted to abattlement. Machi@olations ir rhe floo. ofrhe second levelpernit defendeB to min missiles ând hot oil on âttackeB moving ùrough

15. Prince'sTower+- 5 ldets:4 aboyeanda.eltu. Thekin .'sTower guards the ronhem side ofthe imer gate. Ttree wa.nios sideherc, in whât were once sumptùoùs qùùters.16. Th€ Depend€ncies - 4 ld e ls : 2 abov,2 utulzretuund. Mostofthe indùstries thât rnâte the Fortre$ of Amon Stl seltuufficient æIocâted âlong this windins row. A tùnery (16a). snokehoùse (l6b),joinery ( l6c). ând weaverf (lft) comprise the foftress' ?nncipal work-

l7. Armorer's Tower+ - 5leftls:4aboye,I urnerprcund. Thesmooth-fæed Amorer's Tower connects to the Dependencies by wây ofâ ?âssâge througl the adjoining wall- The rnerâtworking shop thâroccùpies the toweris fi.st level is anotber ofthe citadel \ main workshoDs.Srore\. mo\rly m$ m refined ore, ùe hou.ed in rhe cellù. The :erondlevel accommodâtes the ârmor-makine shop. while ùe ùird level holds ùmory. The armorcr ùd his thræ âssistùts tive on rhe founh ûd

18. Short Cù.ye - Shon Curve is rhe tallesl and southeasremmosrse.tion of the innerwà11. Its imposing height dd ihe sharp decline of theadjacent {trop lend i!a th@tering air. The wâll's cwing senrfwâlk is14' atove the inner bailey ùd 26' above the outer bâiley.19. Eâst Watch - 6levels:5 abok,I ukdqgrouful.ltteefdrêffisllower in lhe upper wâ11. the Edt Watch stands vigil oler rh€ dangerouswestem plain ofRlu.taùr. LocaEd âbove Elendih Watch, ât the nanow-est part of the lower bâiley, it is the focus of the strongst poim in thecitadel. The adjoining sertrywâlks pas throùgh its the third level. Storesnll the cellù and a kilclen and ness area occùpy the tust ûd sæondlevels. The Seond Captaù resides on the third levei. while rhe founh ândfifth lev€ls accomnodate a smàll banacks ând th€ battlement.

20. TheOddSpi.e- TheOddSpirerisesoutof theSourhCuneof the outer wall. Ii is the Watch Squire s sÎâtion, and it is here thar theSquire blows rhe homs that signâl chùges in ùe gmrd panems.21. Prison Tower* - 6 tqeh:3 dbov,3 utulerEround. Auihâpedbastion thai was later converted into a tower, the Prison Tower is one ofthe strongest fortifications along ûe inner wall. This is importart, for tieciiadel is lrole æd by only one wall along its southeastem fldk. Thetower'slowertwocellarshouse isones.andtheùpp€rceliârisdevoredto â kitchen and gathering hali fof the nine gùeds that reside herc. Theylive ot the fi61 level. The second level of the tower is a colnmon roonwhere trials are often conducted, âlthough the fomal judgement châmberis locâted in the Tower ofAmoû Sû1.

22. Smith's BastioD* - 4 terets:3 abov (in.tuAins the |oh,I!rdel8rr!d. The Smith s Bastior helts guârd ûe lower gâte. ft is munùsual structure, for ils rhree aboleeround levels are all op€n in the t@,pemitting veriilation for the tlù€e forges ihai compris the forF€sssûithy. Stores êre kep! in the loft or in the celld- A sentrywaU( windsalong the oùrer wâll of ùe second level, thereby lemittir8 defenders rooterate ftom the ùpper portior of the oùudd-facing wâll.21. C ook's Tower* - T ldels:1dboee,2 annetptuund.ondanaitic.TÏe Cook's Tower provides food for the entiE fortress grison andhouses the cooks's and qumermast€r's offices. other kitchens ardfbodstores ùe located mùnd the citadel, bùt ali the food broughr ro AmonSûl o. gro}n on the ûemises is initially stored od procesed heæ, evenif it is to simply repaclage, mdk, dd ship tne food to a shop like theslnokeholse- Foodstores @cupy the ællm and the atlic, ând a mill coverfte whole of ùe first level. Kilchens fill the second dd third leveh. ardthe offices and bâttlenents occu?y the fourth level of this twelveiided

24. KDights'Stabfes* - 7 lqels:4 aboye,2 uadersround, and ahdrric. The Knights Stâbles seNe as the hone for tle Knights (S.'Requâin

) dd their ho6es. The stables ihemselves occùpy the fint levelând th€ asscialed shops fill the second level. Both ûe ttrird and founhleveis house the Knights. Food for the bûses is kept in the upp€l cellâr.wliie a stôre ro. exEâ iding equipment ùd a smau amory occùpy rhe

25-31. Tow€rofAnon Sûl*- Sæ Sætion 3.4beloç.

fhe Fo t?sslThe Oukr Defenses

Lower Gate (Level Two)Lover Gâre (Cel lar)0 5 t 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 '----Æ

.4âI nq'l*tfsËÊ

Lower Gat€ (Level Th.ee)Loser Cate (Le!e l one)

10 The ForlrcsslThe Outer Defenses

!

%..\\sù)' ffi,O^ooo ,/>>":'- nO

M, rlæ I l

YJ/ | ln urJl Iu r-ltt"

valandi l 's Tower (Level One)

.=q

Vâlândi l 's Tow€. (Lev€l Tf lo)

-E--1s 10 ls 20'

Elendi l 's Watch (C€l lâr)

Yal 'nd i l 's Tow€r (LeYel Three)

@

The FortresslThe Outer

[ lendi l 's Wâtch (LeYel Th.€e)Elendi l 's Wârch (Levet One,

t-

[ leDdi l 's Watch (L€vel Two)

The FonrcsslThe Outet Defekses

Elendi l 's wâtch (L€\e l F ive l l lpper Cate (L€vel Teo,

Upper Gât€ (LeYel one) r Gâte (L€v€l Three)

The FoltesrlThe Outer

Pnnce s Towe. (Level One)

----0 ' 5 ' l0 ' 15 ' 2u1

ô

o

Prince 's Tos€r (Lev€l Three)

Prlnc€rs low€r (Level Two) Prince's Tower (Level Fo'r.)

The FoftrcsslThe Outer Deknses

Armorer 's Toaer (Lev€l One)

-t -t_

0 5 ' l0 ' t5 ' 20,

Arnorer's ToÎ/€r (Level Th.ee)

Arnore.'s Torver {Level Two)

*#

!T0,1^

i4B.

/-l--

- f-*__ll

f-.1 ll l LlI lF--r r:r l-----------'ll-rE Ll lçrl I lU

t-__lrl t]u;

Armorer's Towêr (LeYel Four)

1 8 T hê F ortesst Overhead V iet^)

the Fo resstThe Outer DeJenses l 9

:-:-:0 5 1 0 t 5 2 0 2 5 ,

Prison Toner (cel lar) P.isor Tower (C€llâr)

20 The FortresslThe Outer Defenses

P.ison Tower (Level Two)Prtson Tow€r (Cellâr)

Prison Tower (Level Three)

[ \ \

IItâ" "$ffiq\{

I[]

!! Itf-l

ftn

The FoûresslThe Outer Defenses 2 l

Sni th 's Bâst ion (Level Two)

tffiffiVrtô -û.%&nJ I oi^o

:r I lnf-l

-oo^

EftE

22 The Fo resslThe Outet Defens.s

-----0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 '

1:i:

Cook's Tow€r (Level On€)

Q8w"t

Cook's Tower (Level Two)

The Fortretstl hc Ourc! Delenses rl

-=r* llt-li l l

.É -iFour)

-lR

lt!Stabl€s (Level

lë,Knights '

ElLjl

rl

;llF flï-- rt-| 'l!- :!L ! l-r"

Knights s tables (Level Two)

Knights ' Stables (Level Onê)

! €eo - \ a

the Fo resstThe Tower

3.4 THETOWEROFAMONSÛLAs noted, the Tower of Amon Sûl is a huge keep incorponting

fourteen floors and s€ven ce ar6. 70' in di;neær;d 2810' ra , iidominâtes the surrounding fortress. Attackers who sùccessirllyseize the outer walls stil] ftce a nearly impossible râsk if rhey hop;

Gmceful yet formidable, rhe Tower of Amon Stl looms like âshadowy spectre ùuough lhe moming misLs lhar ctoudWeaûerrcp s windy summil. When viewed from afar on a haryorminy dây, the smoorh and subdyomâre$ey-btuegraniIÊ spirèlooks like an exlensron ofrhe tree-covered-mo'unL. dtvùeelinroff irs |all. coppery roof bermys irs presence. smdt wôndeirhar',4en who vied for Eriador pri,,ed Àmon Sûl as ùe hean ot ùeEmpty Land.

ThE OUTER FEÀTURB

25. Tower Bridge - A40'long. sloping, woodentridge@mecrstheTowercâteto tle Fo.ûess Yaid ontrer Bâiley). The 10'section ofrhe spânadjoining the tower is actualy a drawbridge. Onæ âcross ùis gangway,yoù pa-ss the three portculli and two gâtes that guard the hallway thJoughrhe 20' tiick wall.26. Tower Gate - This 4'wide, 8'tâll op€ring sirs 28 above rhe baseof the tower ând âbour 8' above the level of the forûess yad.27. Northe.n Sally Port - IÏetowerhâs rwo 2.5 wide,5.5,iall sallyports. They âre small apenures guarded by I'thick, ste€t{tâd, rwo-sectiondoors thât openâtthecenter. By tuming a pai. ofwinche. rhe defendeNse!êratethetwo halves ofthecounte$p.ungdoor. Moving along â rrâckin ùe splayed wâll, one section:ises inro rhe ceiling ofrhe openinS, whilelhe other dhappm into the flool The whchas car be join€d, syncron-izing the movement of the doof, or pemirred to spin fi€ely, enabling thedoors to close suddenty. A pâir of sreel po.tculli âre s€r inro rhe exihrây5'and 10'inside the door. Since oDly one rnan cân negotiate the pa$âgeât a ûme. rhe porL aJe eâly lodelend. wlren rhetowerSùison s anrs roùse them as counterattâck loints or âs energency €scap€ roures, rheyunfùrl a wire or rope lâdder ûd descend 10 to the isner moar.28. Souther n Sally Port - Se€#2? âbove.29. Se€r's S tâir - Formosr ofrherows's history, ontyrheKing, iheCrown Prince, ùe High Ser, md ùe Câsil€ Warden knew of this roureinto the Tower. A særei, spirâl srâiNày, it d€scends from the Hall of rheStone (#106) ând winds inside rhe wall opposiie ùe mâin chimey. Thebollom of the stair opens onto â subterdqn chamber (#29), Elendil.s

30. EIeD d il's Dome - Located ai the bale ofthe Seer's Stù. sonel40 beneath the surfâce ofweatlertop. ûis cncùlar, domed chanùer wascùved by d ancient spring-fed whirlpool. A !hon. basalt stai aydescends into a passaSe on iis nonhem side (#30). Elendil's CuD. a 700,de€p wel. ties Àt the cef,te. of rhe câve.

31. Escâpe T un n el - This ùdereroundpæsage spi.âh do\mwddin a countercl@kwise dirertion rhroùBh a wateÈcur tùb€. the channel rharbrought the çater that cut Elerdil's Dome. The unnet rhe! levels offândntns in a nonh-northwesterly direcrion for 4,900 yârds. Ir exitj at ùeChalice Câve, a b€âutifully carved Adân delving (ca. S.A. 2l) thatconrains the holy spnng knoM as rhe Gobler W€lt.

THElrRsrLrv&32. Entry Cùanb€r - lnset wall làmps keep ûe uncarp€tedchâin-berwell tit. A gEd is always posted here. A 7'i7'floor stab jusr irsideûe door covers a pit tnp (#pt). Ir is nedim C0) to detecr. Contotted bya lever locdredonLhewàllbeNeenùermpùdrhesur.irwitlopenwhe;unlocked ùd a weight of 100 or more pounds is p1âced on it. The slabspms on a cenhal âxle. and it is a v€ry hârd C20) moeuver to âvoid beingcast into the pit. Victims .eceive â +50 Falvcnsh anâck and æ left 70'below in a drâinage chmb€r (rhât carches cislem rlnover) wh€re the

33. Guâ rd Hâll - A guard occupies rhe hall, whichtrovids accesro both sâllytorrs (#s 33a ûd 33b).34, Wâiting HaU - Guests await ûeir hosr\ call in this plushchùnber. Running spdngwâter is available here.

35. Tower S tâir - The spiral stone srair is consùucl€d ofbâsalr ùdcuts tbrough rhe centràl suptort36. Stone Rsnp - Tlerâmp descends 1l) theFirsrcetlaJ, where itopens onto the sto.€ lift.37. Privy - Tùe shafls arecopper lined; rhe seâts ârepotished wood.BrâzieB warm the chdber ar nighr

TrE S EcoM LEVEL3E. Gr€eting Chanber- Th€ Seermeets guesb h€re.19. G uârd C hâmber - Quiners for lhe Fi^r Dee ir .40. Conmon Hâll - Charnb€r seûes as a minsnet âld qring hâll,âs well as ûe tower as*nbly ârea.41. Tower Sla i r - Op€nsonrorheConmon Ha. .42. P.ivy- As#37.

TuTsrRD Lrv[L43. Lower ArDo.J - SpeÀs iine rhe wâlls. Twenry oreuprighrcedar chests hold bows and hând ams. EachislockedùdhddCl0)lo

44. Cuârd Hel l - A guùd isa lways posEd here.45. Cuesl Châmbers- Accommodâfionstorcommongùess.46. Tol{e. Stair- As#35.47. P.ivy- As#37.

The lirst Level

fhe FoûrcsdThe Toh,et 25

Th€ S€cond Level

\_rt" Ll l_l.ol,<r fl L-..1

"p_!lI I Lll

,tlrlË

THr FoùRrs LEIE!{8. Loser Kltcù€n - Ovensset hthethickwails cânconfonablyhardl€ meals for 280 men.49. Al€ HaU - A@seflsasâminstrelûdeatinghall. Kegslinethe wàll behind.the sening b{.

50. Cook'sQuârters- Cook ând his wife reside here.51. Tower Stâir- As#35.

52. P.ivy- As#37.

53. Pantry - This riled clanber slâys cool throrghout the year.Foodstores are kept here, some in colper-lined. stone icÈchesls.

TEE Frm! LEvrL54. Upper Sto res - A wioch hung out oflhe window otrthecùùdHall eMbles æNânts to bring in crates at)d banels.

55, Se.yants Chambe.s - Quart€s for 20 servets.

56. Guard Eall - A Sudd is always posted here.

57. Tose. Slâ i r - A\#15.

5E. Prlvy- As#37.

59. Ciste.n - A hûd pmp provides a mqns ofnling the cistem,which provides nnning water for chMbers below- It is filled by lumpedspringwater or filt€red ruûoff ftom the rain ând drahs into the cistmbelow tbe Enry Hall.

TE Sûrs LEveL60. Middl€A.nory-Unst unSbowslinethewatls. Sevenùprighlcedâr chests hold hâld ârms. Fâch is locked md very hdd ( 20) 1o op€n.

61. GuardChalnb€rs- Quartes for tle Second Deû.

62. C o mmon Roo m - Chamber sen€s âs lhe eating dd asemblydea for the Second Degir.

63. Tow€r Slai.- As#35.

64. Privy- As#37.Tsr SEVEMT LEVEL

65. C onmon Lib.a.y - The Conmon Library is open to the wholegùison ând any guests. Il contâins no lomes oû magic, but is erdowedwith works on science, Iângmge, history ând philosophy (plâ.ed incoEespondiq se€tions).

66. CâptaiD's Chambe.s - Dooris hard C l0) b unlo.k Senes asquanss for a Knighi (lattr Tower Wdden).

67. Guest Quârters - Comnof, 8ùests reside here.

68. Tower StÂir- As#35.

69. Privy- As#37.

70. Gua.d Hall - AguârdisâlwaysposÈdhere.TE ErcBE LEveL

71. Alchemical Hrll - Doorisextrmelyhard( 3o)tounock. Thechanb€r conbins â fine library. One sætio devoted to "Power. is selinro the bâsalt cennal column ed gùùded by steel aDd glass-faced doors.eâch sheer folly C50) to ulæk. These shelves contâin one book coveringeâch EssencÈbased slell list (two for eæh Alchenist Bâse lisr. Eachbook hâs a silv€r-inlâid lebeûron cove. and weiSbs 7 lbs. Written inQuenya, the pâges contain symbols whicn, if pd aloud, enable tle readdto cast the sp€lls (regardless of level). The rest of the Iibrdy coveB thelong. curving, paneled wall. its sections devoted lo each of the elemenls:Air Mûwé's domah, WaÈr - Ulmo\ dornain, EaJth Aulè\dmâitr' Light Yarda's domain, atd Fire - Of Atien aûd orhen(Melkor is umention€d). tÆg€ work tâbles liil ûe carpeÉd room. ùdreadinS benches sit in €ach comer.

72. Alchênist's C hanb€rs - Doorisverybâ'dC20)toùnl@L TheTower Alchemist (nomally a 14th level Mâge/Alchemist, who is chargeof the Fortress' smithy and mories. resides here.

73. Sages' HaU - S€res as ameeting. g@ting. and@tiûgùeaforrhe Alchenist. rh€ High seer, ând âny visiting compabtots.74. Tower Stâir- As#35.

75, Privy- As#3?.

76. Gulrd Hâll- A guard is always sÎâtioned lere.

The Thi rd Level

The FonrcsslThe Toh,er

Th€rourth Lev€l Th€ Sixth Level

The Sevenrh Level

The FortresslTheTower 27

The Eighth Le!e l

The Ninth Level

TùENMELEVIL77. Phi losop hy Li brâ ry - Door is hâfd ( 10) ro ùnlock. Libnrycontains sections or Warcraft, Diplonacy, Culture, and L€gends.7E. Captâin's Châûbe.s - Doo.ishârd( lo)roùnlæL Senesasquaiters rt'r a Knight ard his spoùse.79. Cuest Qùàrters - Imloiant gùests reside here.E0. TowerStâir- As#35.81. Privy - As#37.82. Guard Hsll - Aguardisaiwaysondùryhe.e.

Tm TENTts LEVELE3. Science LiDrârJ - D@lishdd (-l0)ro ùrock. Libmrycmtainssctions on Olvâr. K€lvù, Elements, and ùe Shape of ù€ Things.E4. Guard Chanbers- Quafters for th€ Third Degir.E5. GuestQuârters- Very importùt guesrs relide herc.86. Tower Stâir- As#35.E7. P.iyy- As#37.88. Gùârd EâU- A guffd is alwâys positioned h€re.

Î!EErEvrMsL.!ELE9. Guard Hâll - A sentry is always on warch here. Iaven set inthe wall at the four lrimary compass point! enable him ro rinS the Seel gBell (# I 1 I ) ând sound the wming of ân arrâck.90, Upper A.no.y - Unstrung bows line rhe walh. Fouaænupright cedtr chesis hold hand arms. Eâch is very hard C20) ro op€n.91. Wârders' Qua.te.s - Quarters for the elite Srone-wârden.92. TowerStâ i r -As#35.

93. Privy - As#37.

Tu TrELm LNE!94. U pper Kitc h €ns - Equipped wnh a snall ic€ hoùse, a well ândpùmp, and nùmerous ovens, the Upper Kirlens âre as fine as ey outside

95. HiS h H al I - The High Hall sefles as the High Seer\ eatinS halldd entenâhment âr€â. Tapestri€s adom the finety cNed, mùblÈinlaidwa1h. The floor is covered wnh a nosâic ûâp of tlE heaveN (Menel).96. TowerStair- As#35.97. Pr ivy- As#37.

TùETmrErrmLE!Er-98. Wârdens' Châmb€rs - TheCardeWârdenresid€shere- Hisdoor is lery hard C20i to unlock. He ke€ps 201-3009p ina smll chest

99, Ki ng's Châm be.s - The King resid€s here on û averase of3-7 days a yeâr. Only the Castle Warden and rhe High Sær have keys to rheroom. The ste€l door is extremely hârd C30) to ùnlock. Inside, ùe olulentchanber is equipped with running wâter dd all the accoutremenrs of aroyâl retr€at. A set of +25 hâlf-plale arnor is stored in a wddrode, whichis locked ând very hdd C20) to open. A +30 broadsword dd a +35 spearaie k€pt in ùe adjoiniûg closet, âlong wirh rwo +25 rhiow-and ren]mdâggers ând a small chesr conlâining fifry 50gp gems. The closer isexûemely hârd C30) to open dd is protectedby a spring-driven spike 6ep.Failùre to unlock the door while tumbling witn rhe mechdism seh offlhetrap. which is conprised of three shâD€ned swûdlike bars set inro thedoofs facing. The bars look like ste€l trim, bùt ùe actuâlly hinged spikes_Victims standing ar ihe door receive one to two + 150 swo.d attacks, Thetrap is extrem€ly hùd (-30) to derecr, ând is conrrolled by tming the trÂpkey counterclockwis.

100. Tower Stâir- As#35.l0l. Privy - As#37.102, Seer's Lib râry - Door is exhemely hârd ( 30) to ùnlock- Tïeclmber cortains shelves which coDrâin one book on eâch Menralism andCharneling-based sf'ell tist (two for €ch Seer ard Asnologer Bâse lisr).Each book has a silver intaid gold cover ùd weighs 14 lt6. Writren inQuenya, thepâger contah syDbols which, ifverbally expressed by rcâder.enable hinl to cast the sFlls (regardless of level). Other tom€s in rhelibrary cover maps of the heavens. worls on star,gu irg, etc.

28 The ForlrcsslThe To, er

The Tenlh Lev€l

r;fà;1srilil

The Twelfth Level

The Elevenih Lêvel

29fhe Fo rcsstTh? Toner

The Iourt€enth L€vel

1ll, South Tù rr€t - Watch positioN de læâted in the uPpeF ûdlowermost leveis of the lunet, while stairwelh fill lhe tuneCs two cetFÀl

Ttsr B rD ÀND B E^coN112. S€€r's B eu - The Seef s Bell is âiuge, stationùy, silver-inlaidstæl dolne. Located itr a room t€low Ihe b€âcon, it is covercd by movablecoppe.sheâtling,whichisp€rmeatedbycaPpedvents Thebelliscoveredh a frieze depicting the story ofNûmenor. the Dolvnfall, ed the foundingofAmor. Seven differcnt clâmers euble the Bell-master to vay the toneof the device. One, ihe waming ciapPer, can ùe controlled by ihe leverson ùe Window Walk (#89). in ihe Caslle Warden's chambers (it9E). ândthe Sær's Cltùnbers (#103), as well âs the Bell master\ lull (Tle Bell-mâsler's rcom is in the East Tureq #110.)

ll3. GreatBeacon- Seven lmps. anayed in m æ depicdng theseven stN of Amor, comprise the b€acof,. Its glow cân be sæn æ fâr as200 miles awây. Set in a roiating steel ed glæs housing, the b€æon islocated beneâth the u?per parl of ûe coppeFcover rool A winch controlsthe suûoùnding roof se.tiots, which dide down and over lhe roof âreâbelow ùhenever the beacon js it ùs. The conûols æ locâted aiong theBeacon-masier's walt, which sunounds the lamp.

4.0 THEGARRISONWeathertop was always â royal properry of the King ofAmor'

Natulally, the lords of Arthedain. Cardolan, and Rhudaur âlsoenvisioneditasâcrownpossession. Even iû his heyday (T A.861_I 100), however, dÉ Lord ofRhudaurnever suppliecl more than oneseven-man unitfor the defense ofthe citadel. RhudÂur often sharedthe fo ress in name only.

No force independent of the King(s) who held sway over rhe hillever served as the garrison of the forlress. Therefore, the unitsassigned to Weathertop followed a relatively constznt pârterî.Their nurnbers and organization rarely varied.

Tùr FouRrrEMs L'!EL (RooF)103. Se€r's Chanbe.s- The High Seer resides here. The door isiocked and very lard C20) to open. Fâjlùie to ùlock the door whiletunbling wirh ùe mechdism æts off ê trap in the âdjoining ce'ling ùea(on the landing of#104). The lrap, which is hùd Clo) to det€ct, is as!ârpened st€el poncùllis set lwo feet âway from the d@r. It hâs slikedrils rd blades protrudlng from tbe grill that face the door. If il descends,i! gives victims one to two +50 spear âttacks plus one to five + 100 shortsword attacks. The bap is extrenely hald (-30) to avoid. Only rhe leverlocated inside and to ùe left of the door ino tle chamb€rs cân râise orlower the Frtcullis, and only the lever ând dool s lock cat ser or ùnlease

104, TowerStâir- As#35.

105. Pr ivy- As#37.

106. Hâ ll of i he Stone - Aho known as thectamber ofliePalânttr.rhis rcom is devoted to the Mæt€I-stone of the North, The Sd s Stair(+t29) comects the chmber with the se.ret tumel beneaù Weâthertop(#31).107. Window walk - A senûy is always on wâtch herc. Lev€Éserin the wail â! the foùr prinary compas poinls enâble him 1o ring the Se€isBeil (# I I 1) ed sound the wming of ân aliack.

TqrT!RRErs108. West Turret - Watch lositions de læated in the lower twolevels of the tuæt, while staiNels fll the turefs ùpper two levels.

109. North Tunet - Stâirwelk are located in ûe lower two levels ofrhe tùrer, while *atch positions fill the turet s uPper two levels.

u0. East Turret - The Bell-mastei s lodgings arc in the lower twoIevels of rhe uret, while bis conrol chamber is locâted above. Aboverhat, or the Îùrefs fourth md uppeûnost level. is a watch area A ladderconnects the lev€ls, From the latter room. he cû control the SeeCs BeIusing a series of bell-lulh. each of which is attached to a steel clble

30

4,1 ARNOR'SGARRISONFron T.A. 49 until T.A. 861 the foûess was guarded by a ninety-

man Naudeg (pl. "Naudig"), one of twenty-one such units in theDagarim Aran (S. "Royal Army"). The Naudeg wâs divided intonine ten-man Digfr (sing. "Degù"). An essentially independentforce. it wâs a flexible combinâtion of foot- and horse-soldieff.including three cavalry and six infanûy Digir.

Each Degir consisted of â Royal Knight (S. "Aroquen") and lenline Waniors (S. "Ohiad"). An ElderKnight (S. "Aroquen laur")served as the commander of the entire Naudeg ard the FirstCapmin of the fortress. Only the High Seer and the Castle Wardenoutnnl€d him. The other Knights comprised the lesserCaptâins.

The Warden of rhe Castie commânded the elirc Degirknown asthe Stone-warders. They formed the High Seer's guard, but nomore three ever left the Tower at a give time. Few AmorianWariors malched their exp€rience, tenaclry, or sûength of anns.

Four infanry Digir, including the Sbne wârders, resided in theTower. Tbeir Knighls supervised three groups ofrhree Wadors.each of which worked four hour shifts. Thus. â soldier was onstation for four hours and tben off for eight. This pattem kept theMen fresh.

The fint Tower Degir was responsible for guarding the lowertkee levels of the spire, so their sleeping quarrers were located inthe Cuard Chamber on the Second Level (#39). One lnan from thisunit was always on duty ir the Entry Chamber (#32) and the lowerGuârd Halls (#s 33 and 44). A second Degir resided in the GuardCharnber on the Sixth Level (#6 I â) and irs three-mân shifts weredeployed in the Guârd Halls oû iheFifrh,Sixth, and Seven!h Levels(#s 56. 61 b, and 70). The third Tower Degir lived in tbe chamberson the Tenth Level (#84) and a guard ftom this unir was alwaysslalioned in the Guard Halls on kvels Eight, Nine, ând Ten (#s 76,82. and 88). Stone-warders mâde their homes in the GuardQuarters of the Eleventh lÆvel (i9 I ). They patroled the turets andupp€r levels. although their mosi importânl tâsk was sâfeguardingthe Palanair. One oftheir number wâs âlways on the Window Wâlk(#89i of the Eleventh Level and arother was always posirionedinside the Hali of the Srone (# i 06). The third Stone-warder in ânygiven shift was responsible for the Seer's Be]l and the GreatBeacon (#s l1l and 112).

The two cavalry Degir lodged in lhe Knights' Stables (#24).E4r provided a three-man de|âchmenl for mounted palrols out-side the fortress- Off-duty Warriors spent part of their time cdringfor their horses. of which their weæ sixty (two for each horseman),as well as the awo steeds rcseûed for ùe High Seer, the Wârden,and each of the two infaniry Captains.

Amon Stl's ouler defenses housed lbree infântry Diglr. Oneunir. commanded by the Knight who acted as Second Captain,stayed in the Prison Tower (#21)- Anoiher Degir, which wês ledby the Third Captain, resided in rhe East Wâtch (#19). Ohtrr'sTower (*12) and the Prince's Tower (# l5 ) accommodated ihe ùirdDegir-

Since they were part of the Royai Army, the garrison wore theKing's Livery: blâck armor ând a black surcoâr. Amoriaû horse-msn wore hâlf-plâte ârmor, while the footsoldiers wore mail.Seveû six-pointed. while stars ând a while crown âdomed the ches!of their su.coat. lheir cloâks. and their black-faced shields. Twoblack plumes sprouted Iiom the sides of $eir blâck steel helms. andtheir swo.ds, speârs, and bows were accented in white, silver, orblack trim. depending on their Degir.

4,2 ARTHEDAIN'SGARRISONAs lhe most direct heirs to Amor's Eâditions. the garrison

naintained by Anhedain b€tween T.A. 861 and T.A. 1409 re-

sembled lhe original Amorian Naudeg. During brief periods ofmanial strife between Arthedâir and irs sister slates (e.g., T.A.950,1029, l100-1110, and 1349-50). Anhedain held completecontrol ofthe |ower ând âssigned two Naudig to the fbrtress.

The nine additional Digtr !ha1 comprised the second Naudeglived outside the Tower. Four units bârrâcked in Arancil's Tower(#6), rhe Midge warch (#.1). whisrler's Bâstion (#2), and Elendil'sWalch (#9). The three cavalry Diglr stryed in the crowdedKnights'Stâbles (#24). Both of the oiher infantry units replâcedrhe Digir assigned to the Prison Tower (#21) and the East Walch(#19), men who were moved inlo lodgings in the cellars of the

N OT E I T he RoJ al Arny I b e ry al Aû he dai n r e senb le.l thatofArnor,e.rcept that therc was nowhite ùawn in the KinS'sDnbol. BrT.A.861 , evn the ho^enen anrl Kniehts worenlail ikstead of half-plate .

4.3 CARDOLAN'SGARRISONIn T.A. 861, King Thorondur of Cardolan assigned a Cûrim (S.

"Company") offifty elite War.iors toAmon Sû1. Commanded byhis younger son, È-ince Thoronion, ii was organized inlo sevenuniis (S. "Rhfvyn") ofseven soldiers. This contingentjoined the100'man Arthadân gârrison, as well âs the seven Knigbls sent bythe King of Rhudaur.

Four Cardolani Rhivyn (sing. 'Rhivun") stayed in the Towerând were s!â6oned âs in two pairs in the Cuard Chrmbers on theTenth Level (#84), forcing the third Arthadan Degir to quarteroutsidethe spire. inElendil's Watch (#9) The other three Rhivynoccupied the ouGr defenses: Arancil's Tower (+f6), ihe MidgeWatch {ir4), andWhisder's Bâslion (#2).

Prince Thoronion received the newly-conceived litle ofTowerwârden, making him answerable only to the Castle Warden. Later.the two Dûnadan forces rotâÎed these commands. Thùs. a Cârdol-ani Castle Warden wâs occâsionâlly in direct command of theArthadan Degir that êcted as lhe Stone-wardeff, while at the sametime a Knight from Arthedain oversêw the Cûrim from Cardolan.

Cârdolâni infanûy wore silver-colored châin shirrs. Their deeppurple shields ând surcoats were trjmûed in silver and emblazonedwith the synbol of Cardolan: a hill sunounded by seven, six-pointed stars ananged in circle.

4.4 THEMENFROMRHUDAURThe seven Knighrs that peiodically represented Rhudaur be-

tween T.A. 861 and 1349 were the sons of prominenr DÉnadanLords- Eâch hâiled from a different part of the Eâsl Wood. Led bythe Knight-son of ihe Prince of Rhudaur. who usuâlly resided atCameth Brin. lhey lived âs a group in the Knights' Stâbles (#24).

Their annor, clothing, and equjpment varied, although al1 of theKnights cârried a coppery-colored shield beâring the Rhudaur'semblem: a silver nee sunoùnded by seven. silver, six pointed

4,5 THÊOTHEROCCUPANTSA large rumber of dependents, servants, and crafrsmen live on

Amon Stl, although their numbers fluctuale throughout the mid-Third Age. Nornally. about sevenry people call the fortsess theirhome, but ftom T.A. 1349 through T.A. 1409 dre civilian popula-lion swelled to between one hundred ând forty ând two hundredand ten peopie. Numerous wooden outbuildings âppeared in thefortess yard. Affixed to the inside of the inner curtain wall. theyformed a small town within the citadel.

31

5.0 ADVENTURESThe Fortress ofAmon Sûl inviGs adventure. Sel on the wind-

swept mount thât dses at the very end of the wearher Hills, thecitâdel's dramâtic localion and strategic nature lend il an aù ofexcilement ard intdgue, At times, the site served as a rcveredcenter and symbol for a greal kingdom, a oiticâl prize on thefrontier of an ever<hanging civil war, a bulwark agâinst the a*fulWilch kiûg. a ruù iull of legends and magic, ard  magnificent.oyal hold in the reuniled and rejuvenated realn of Amor.

5.1 EARLYADVÊNTURESFrom S-4. 3320 until T.4. 861, Weathenop rose fiom rhe cenGr

of ùe Kingdom of Amor. Adventures during this em fâll into twocategories: those set prior io end of the Second Age, ând rhoselaking place in the early Third Age.

LarE SEcoND Acf, ADvENTUREsl,ate Second Age adventures revolve around the war wiih

Sauron. The citadel(which was only the Tower until T.A. 3428)held tremendous inport for the Dlnadân.

The Castle Wârden is an agent of the Dark Lord. He hês beenspying on Palarcam. the High Seer, and he is ploning ro murderth€ great lord. Orbragol, the Second Captain ofthe guard and anacquâintance of one of the PCs, susp€cts thât something isamiss. but he is afraid to act ir the face ofhis commander,

A group of Knights in league with Sâuron hop€ to steal thePalantir. The PCs, who arc visiting the Tower, overhear theirplan.

EÂRLY THIRD AGE ADVENTUREsThe early Third Age was a relatively p€aceful period, for Saulon

had yet to reappea( in Endor. Amor, although declining. was srillunified and securc. (By this time the inner curtain wall has b€enadded to the Tower.)- A Knight. Rocririon. has be€n killed. He was found in the privy

(1f97) by the Upper Kitchen, his hair specked with flour ând anârrow in his chest. Two servants have been alresred, but two oflhe PCs are ùnder suspicion, for the arrow câme iûto the towerwilh the parry. The murderer is acùally anorher Knighi, Forodil(room ât #66), a rnan who is control of a group of renegadesoldiers fiom the Tower that prey on travelers along rhe GreatEastRoad. His cohor, the chief cook nâmed Lôrhand (room at#23). snuggles the booty our of the Tower in flour sacks.(L6thand and Forodil killed Rocûrion in the Cook's Tower[#23] âfter he discovered their plor.)

Four Warriors from the Slone-warders plan to sieal the HighSeer's treasure (in # 103) and plâce the blame on tl€ PCs, but oneof ùe PCs spots a Warder placirg ircriminating evidence in thePCs' guest €hambers (room aÎ#79).

5,2 ADVENTURESAMIDSTWARThe period irom T.A. 861 until T.4. 1409 was â time of

rremendous tùmoil in ùe North. As Arthedain. Cardolan. andRhudaur (and laterthe Witch-king) vied forcontrol of Amon Sû1.the fâte of th€ Fortess was often in question.

- The Cardolani Wariors plan to seize the Fortress ftom theMen of Anhedain. Their leader, the Tower Warden namedCaraglin, has persuaded the High Seer that the change will be"in his best interesrs," aIId Caragiin has convinced the sevenKrights from Rhudau to begin the takeover by captudng rheCastle Warden (Aradil). One ofthe Rhudauan Knights knowsthe PCs ând has cautioned rhem ro sray clear of the fighting.The Fortress is besieged by the forces ofRhudau and Angmar.Theo,r ler defen.es have fal len.and onlylheTowerremains inftendly hands. Unfonunately, a box conraining importântpapers remains tucked beneath a bed in the Prince's Tower(#15). Tbe PCs are enFusted with a mission to recover the t ox.Using the Southem Sally Port (#28), they must cross the yardand somehow make their way to the bed and back. (Knightsfrom Rhudaur guard the Prince's Tower.)

5.3 JOURNEYSTOTHERUINSAdventures during the period ftom T'4. 1409 ro F.A. 9 ûan-

spire in ên era when Weathertop was a lonely oulpost on the edgeof the wild. A ruin. the fofiress site comprised no more thai aninviting but modest grassy clearing âtop an otherwise wooded arldrugged height. Wild beasts ând DLlmdan Rangers served as theonly guests, allhough the ruin's proximity to the Great East Roadand exceptionâl heritâge prompt an ocassionâl visitor to investi-gâle ihe area or mâke câmp in the storied foundations,

Agrog, tbe Hâlf-trol1 Warlord of Mount cram, has assembleda group of Uruks. Their mission is to hunt down and slay orcaptue the Rangers of the North. The ten €lite Orcs, led byUftog, âre camped on Weathertop. They plan to ambush aDûnadan Ranger. As ir happens, the PCs get there first.

- lt's T.A. 1640 and a band of Eriadorans displaced by thePlague has taken up residerce arnidst the ruins. Preying on themeager traffi€ along the nearby rcad, ùey recendy mûdeteda group of Hobbits migrâting westward into the Shirc. Theowners of the inn west of the Ch€twood (near Bree) know of areward for the caplure or slaying of the brigands.

- The PCs acquire a map detâiling the Seer's Stâir (note #29 andj-1)- 11 indicates that there are tunnels beneath the ruins.Writing on the rnap speêks of a treasue left in the leg€ndaryGoblet Well during n\e retreat from the Fortress in T.A. 1409.(See Section 3.2.)

5.4 FOURTHAGEADVENTURESAfter the reconstruction of the forûess in the early Fourth Age

(F.4. 7-9), Amon Sûl once agâin became the home ofAmor'sHigh Seer.

Arisiel. the young wife of Encalion (the High Seer), is in lovewirh Third Captain of the Fortress. The two loven plan tomwder Encalion in the Hall of the Stone (#106).

- The PCs know thâi â Knight (but rot who) in the Foitress isactually a spy in the servic€ of King Itana Ovon of Khand.Hoping ro avenge the death of his sons at the hands of theDinedain in the War of the Ring, Itanâ has order€d his Knight(Balcam) 10 set fire to the Fonress. (Baicam hopes to usecombusrible flour in the kitchens and ihe mill as a wêv ofsettins off exDlosions.)

32 Mastet Gatti\an Tahle

6.0 MASTER GARRISON TABLEThefollôlingâbbreviationsæùsedbelos:L!l=LeleliH:ts:{o.cu$ionHns:AT=AmDrT)peiDB=DelensiveBonus:Sh=Shiel(CÈGrcalcsrOB=l:)trensiletsonùsiMovNl=Movemenl and ManeuverBônus.

ÀT-Twole l le rcodesg ivcrhecharacrc rhreàrùrc \M 'RPamor type: \o=NoAf io r ;SL=Sof iLcà thùr iRL=Rig idLeàtberCh=Chain :P l=P lare .Tbenutberûrhccquivalùnrft,l.nzsr.famorrype:l:NoAmorl=Robesr3=SoiHide(asskin)i4=HcavyHid.(àsskir):5=LealherJe in;6=LeaLherlèrki.andCreâlcsi7=LcadicrCoarr 8=Reinforce! LearherCoarr 9=LearherBEasrplale lo=Learher Brcâstl)làrc aûd CFavesr 1l=llah:hide Phle (as xLintr 12=rùll hrdc Platc {as skin): l3=ChainShim l.l=Châii Chinùdràvcsi l5=ChaiI Mâil Suir: 16=Chàin Hauberlt: I l=lt{ùtal Brcrnplatc: l8=MeanBrea$pla!e andGreavesi 19=Hâltrplatci 20=Fùll Plàrc.

weâpons- weaioô abbrevialions follow ùc OBs: ba=bâlrle uq bo=bolarbs=boadlsoil;.I=.lubicp=composile bowidâ=daeger: Ia=talchionihù=]Iànd âxclhlr=hâlbard;hcb=healycrcssbowija=javelin:tb=longb.r1lcb=lishtc.osbos;ma=nacerûrl=noùnt.dlancerpa+oleam:qs=quane6laffiro=oct(Rock=Fall/Cflstrauack)Ijb=short(orhoN.)bos]*=scjnnarrsl=siircisp=spearjs=shonswordiù=1wohandswordih=tbrolvinastarRh=*hi!;{h=wârhanûcriwn:w3rmâtock.

DB,sh 'Gr_Deiens ivebonuse! inc ludès la$andsh ic ld ,sh ie ld re le rence5 inc ludequa l j l yanù ànd lcg ercaves Èspeclively. Parenlhelical Éieæ.ces indicàrc sonc c,tùivàlenr corenns

ÂniDâr artàc,(s - Aninal a$acks æ denored by ù OB fonowcd by thEe lerters. The iirst Lene'indicares ùe sizc oathc atiaci Î=Tiny: S=Smalli M=lvlediunlL=Lùcq dd ll=ltùce. The seond ând lnird lereFrcreno rhe adâck IlTe: Ba=Bashr Bi=Biq Cl=Chw; CÈcrushi CFcràpplei go=Hômi Pi=PincherÆeâkr Ti=TiûlTeeth & Clawsi Ts=TÊnpleôtônpi St=Sdnger,

Noles - Spelltlnsarc dcnoicd bl, three .ùmben (e.s.. 1/2/31 The fi^rnuJ.bcr rcacsroliss known ro 5rb Lrl. rhe !ècondro hsskDoBn ro lorh lvl.andùe IhirdrolnBtnown lo 20rh lvl. Parcnrhclicalnotes indicate equivalenl or approlnate proftsion.

?r im. Sec. Mo!Name Râce .Lv l Hi ts AT DB Sh Gr OB OB M Notes

ARNOR'S GARRISON (s.4. 3320 ro T.A. 861)wardens Dûnâdan 15 160 Pyl9 50 Yl5 (AÀ) l55bs l50sp l0 warios l/ /Captains DinÂdan I I 135 Pyl9 45 Ylo (A/L) l40bs ll5sp l0 warjorsHonemen DLjnadan 6 105 Ch/15 40 Y5 {A/-) ll0nl 93!p l0 Warios.Slone-warders Dûnadan 7 100 Ch/15 45 Yl() (A,Ll 1l5s 100cp l0 Waûios.Footsoldiers Dinâdan 5 85 Clvlrl 40 Y5 L 90s 95cp l0 warios

ARTHEDADi S GARRISON (].A.861roT.A. 1409)Wardens Dinadan 13 150 PVi9 45 Yl(] (A,'I-) 150bs 145sp 10 wanios l/ /Callâins.. Dtnâda. l0 130 Ch 5 45 Y5 (A/L) I30bs l35sp 15 waniors.Hors€nen Ddmdan 6 t00 Cltl4 40 Y5 L 105ù1 88sp l0 wùios.Slone-wa..ders . Dfnadar 6 l0o chll5 45 Yl(] {A,{-) l10s 93cp l0 weioBFootsoldiérs Dnnâdan 4 75 Ch/13 40 Y5 N 925s 82cp l0 waniors

CARDOLAN S GARRISON (T.4.861 roT.A. 1.109)Wardens Dinadan 14 155 PV19 50 YlO (A/{-) l55bs l45sp l0 Wdios. l/ /1.Captâins Dinadan l0 130 Ch/15 45 Y5 (A/{-) 130bs 135sP 15 wariorsWaniors Dlnadan 5 80 Ch/13 :r0 Y5 N l00s 90cp l(l wùniors.

RHUDAUR S CO!\TINGSNT {T.A.861 roT.A- 1349)KDigirts DÉnàdâ! l0 I35 Ch/15 50 Ylo (AI-) i35bs l35sn 15 wâ'i.'s

ARNOR S GARRISON (Fo'Rrf AaÊ)Wddens Drjnadan 12 14A Pyl9 .15 Ylo (AÀ) l,10bs l25sp l0 Wario6.Krighh Drlnadan 9 125 Ch/15 .15 Y5 (AÂ) ll0bs l20sp l5 Wmios.tlorsemen Dûnadan 6 95 Ch/14 35 Y L l05bs 93sp l0 Waûios.Stone-wùders Dûnadan 6 100 Ch/14 45 Y5 L 105$ E8cp 10 wamon.Footsoldie6 Dûnadan 3 65 Ch/13 30 Y :'{ l9sp 5.lcp 10 wrftiors.

ttIcs srm's stÀrrHigh Sæs DiMdan 25 73 No2 50 N N 70s ?5da l0 Bard/See6. l5l17-Se€*/Astrolgs. Ddnâdan :,1 5û Nol2 30 N N 55qs 15da 5 Bard,/Seers. l7lE.Alchemisa DnDâda l0 40 No/l 15 N \ 35wh 20da 15 Mage/Alchs. J17lApprcnlices DLlnâdan 4 22 Noll 15 N N 20da 25 15 Bardseers -/6/

CRAFTSMEN & SERVANTSCooks Edadoran 3 45 \o/1 l0 N N 60hd l5da l0 (Waûiors).Smilhs Edadoran 4 50 SL/6 15 \ A 75wh 6asp l5 (Waûiors).Afiisan! Edadoran 3 40 SL/5 i5 \ N 55wh l0da 15 (wâûjors)Senants Eriâdorâ! 2 20 \o/l 5 \ N 35sp l0da 5 (wanioN).

VISITORS TO TIIE RUINS {T.4. 1409 ro F.A.9)Ra.sers D{nadân I0 105 Ch/14 60 Ylo A 90bs 85cp l5 Rdsers. -Alt.

Bardi€ Eriadoran 3 55 RL/g 40 Y N 65ha 60lb 15 Scoùts/Rogues.Angmâ.'s Orcs Orcn 2 45 SL,4 20 Y L 40sc 30sb 0 WtiouAgrog'sorcs Orcn 7 80 Ch/13 35 Y5 (A/Ll lOora 80cp l0 Scours^oÊues 2/ /

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