Mount Gundabad(1)

Mount Gundabad(1), MERP

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M
OUNT
G
UNDABAD
1.0 Guidelines
1.1 DEFINITIONS AND TERMS 2
1.11 Abbreviations 2
1.12 Definitions 3
1.2 ADAPTING THIS MODULE 4
1.3 CONVERTING STATISTICS 4
1.31 Converting Hits and Bonuses 4
1.32 Converting Statistics for any Major FRP System ..4
1.33 Converting Stats
6.0 Adventures in the Goblin City
6.1 A MESSAGE TO THE REBELS
24
6.12 Operations Overview
24
6.2 THE BREAKING OF GROND
25
6.21 The Plot
26
6.22 Operations Overview
26
6.3 THREE KINGS IN GUNDABAD
27
4
6.31 The Plot
27
1.34 Converting Combat Abilities
5
6.32 Operations Overview
28
1.35 Converting Spells and Spell Lists
5
6.4 PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS
28
1.36 A Note on Levels
5
6.5 ITEMS OF POWER
32
1.37 Skill Bonuses
6
6.51 Most Potent Items
32
1.38 Locks and Traps
6
6.52 Potent Items
33
6.53 Modest Items
34
2.0 Introduction
3.0 The Land and the Inhabitants
3.1 MOUNT GUNDABAD
9
7.0 Layouts of Mount Gundabad
7.1 THE DRAKE GATE
41
3.2 CLIMATE
9
7.3 THE CLOVEN SPIRE
48
3.3 FLORA
9
7.4 THE TWISTED SPIRE
50
3.4 FAUNA
11
7.5 THE PITS
52
3.5 ORCS
13
7.6 THE FUNGI CAVES
59
3.6 TROLLS
15
7.7 THE MINES
60
3.7 ESTARAVË NORTHMEN
15
7.8 AN ORCISH GUARD TOWER
60
4.0 Politics and Power
4.1 POPULATION
16
8.0 Mount Gundabad at Other Times
8.1 T.A. 2940
62
4.2 POLITICS
16
8.2
F.A.
1
63
4.21 The Hierarchy of the Citadel
16
4.22 Orcish Tribes of the Mountains
17
9.0 Tables
9.1 MASTER BEAST TABLE 65
9.2 RANDOM FEATURES TABLE 66
9.3 RANDOM MAZE TABLE 67
9.4 MASTER ENCOUNTER TABLE 68
9.5 MASTER NPC TABLE 70
9.6 MASTER MILITARY TABLE ....................................71
4.23 Mount Gundabad and Angmar
18
4.3 MILITARY FORCES
18
4.4 CRAFT RINGS
20
5.0 An Overview of Mount Gundabad
Author/Designer:
Carl Willner
Editor:
Jessica Ney
Series Editors:
Peter C. Fenlon, Jessica M. Ney
Editorial Contributions:
Coleman Charlton
Cover Art:
Angus McBride
Interior Art:
Darrell Midgette
Layout Art:
Ellisa Martin
Cover Graphics:
B
.
art Bishop
Art Direction:
Richard H. Britton
Color Area Map:
Pete "The Pez" Fenlon
Page Design:
Eileen Smith
Production Management:
Terry Amthor
Production:
Leo LaDell, Paula Peters, Eileen Smith, Jennifer
Kleine, Larry Brook, Cheryl Kief, Laura Tuley, Suzanne Young
Typesetting:
Graphics Plus
Special Contributions:
Deane Begiebing, Rob Bell, Kevin
"Proud to be a Canadian" Barrett, John Breckenridge, Bill
Downs, David Johnson, Robert Crenshaw, Bruce Niedlinger,
Kurt Rasmussen, John Ruemmler, Kurt Fischer, Heidi
Heffner, Marc Rainey, Carmen Fatcat, and Swink
Copyright 1989 © TOLKIEN ENTERPRISES, a division of ELAN MERCHANDISING, Inc., Berkeley, CA.
Mount Gundabad, The Hobbit,
and
The Lord of the Rings,
and all characters and places therein, are trademark properties of TOLKIEN ENTERPRISES.
Produced and distributed by IRON CROWN ENTERPRISES.Inc., P.O. Box 1605, Charlottesville, VA 22902.
Stock # 3110
First U.S. Edition, 1989.
ISBN 1-55806-069-3
6.11 The Plot
25
7.2 THE GREAT SPIRE
39
2
Guidelines: Abbreviations & Definitions
Six figures crouched at the jagged summit of the barren, stony
ridge, under the poor shadow of a single twisted pine. Sunset was
nigh, and the dim, uncertain light of the cloud-covered northern
uplands would soon be altogether gone. Thunderclaps boomed,
heralding yet another evening storm. Hardly a league distant rose
the dark mass of a giant among mountains, its triple spires
intermittently illuminated by flashes of lightning, yet partly ob-
scured by black plumes of smoke.
Adaran of Fornost raised the visor of his ornate, eagle-crested
helm, and permitted himself a dramatic flourish of his longsword
toward the mountain. "There it is, my friends. Mount Gundabad
—
the goal of our quest! A hard journey is over. Now we need only
dare the Pits below to destroy the engine the Orcs are forging, and
save Arthedain from the Witch-king's plots."
The Knight's brave words were needed, but they were not
enough. "Varda preserve us," whispered the slender, blue-
cloaked Elven woman at Adaran's side, gripping her staff tightly.
"Thousands of Orcs must be waiting for us in there."
"Six thousand in arms, Meliel, if the last Orc tracker I gutted
told the truth," chuckled Dyrfid. The upturned ends of the swarthy
Hillman scout's mustache matched his broad smile.
"We have no chance," Meliel quickly responded, her voice
rising. "Already Sahric the Bard is gone in an avalanche, and
Palorad of Pelargir, a noble warrior if ever there was, slain by
Ghardak' s Orcs in ambush. Six against six thousand... I will not go
on unless all the rest demand it."
"We need your magic to prevail, Meliel," Adaran urged. "How
say you all?"
"What have I to lose?" Dyrfid answered. "A hangman's noose
awaits me in Rhudaur for deserting from the Witch-king's army.
The choice of a death in battle or on the gibbet is an easy one."
Thóin Hardhand, leaning on the shaft of his battle-axe, spoke
next. "In Gundabad are Orcs to kill, and treasures to win. What
else does a fighting Dwarf need ?"
"Meliel speaks perfect sense," said Hob Oddhole, nervously
fingering a gold button on his vest. "But," continued the Hobbit
thief with a smile, "if I had any sense, would I be here at all?"
The eyes of the entire party turned to Idwina. The grey-haired
Northwoman kept silent. They all knew how she hated the Witch-
king, who had enslaved her Estaravë people, but she was a healer
with little liking for battle.
"I think," she said at last, "that the choice is not ours. While you
disputed, Ghardak's Orcs found our trail again; they are climbing
the ridge behind us even now. Look to your arms!"
The others spun about, astonished. Meliel was first to act. Light
burst from the tip of her staff, as a black-feathered Orc arrow
narrowly missed Adaran's head, clipping the proud eagle crest
from his helm.
Each module is based on extensive research and attempts to
meet the high standards associated with the Tolkien legacy.
Rational linguistic, cultural, and geological data are employed.
Interpretive material has been included with great care, and fits
into defined patterns and schemes. ICE does not intend it to be the
sole or proper view; instead, we hope to give the reader the thrust
of the creative processes and the character of the given area.
Remember that the ultimate sources of information are the
works of Professor J.R.R. Tolkien. Posthumous publications
edited by his son Christopher shed additional light on the world of
Middle-earth. These modules are derived from
The Hobbit
and
The Lord of the Rings
,
although they have been developed so that
no conflict exists with any of the other sources.
1.1 DEFINITIONS AND TERMS
These abbreviations and terms are used throughout the series.
1.11 ABBREVIATIONS
G
AME SYSTEMS
Middle-earth Role Playing
RM
Rolemaster
C
HARACTER
S
TATS
Ag Agility (RM and MERP)
Co Constitution (RM and MERP)
Em Empathy (RM)
Ig Intelligence (MERP)
It(In) Intuition (RM and MERP)
Me Memory (RM)
Pr Presence (RM and MERP)
Qu Quickness (RM)
Re Reasoning (RM)
SD..............Self Discipline (RM)
St
Strength (RM and MERP)
G
AME
T
ERMS
AT Armor Type
bp bronze piece(s)
cp copper pieces(s)
Crit Critical strike
D Die or Dice
DB Defensive Bonus
FRP Fantasy Role Playing
GM Gamemaster
gp gold piece(s)
ip iron piece(s)
jp jade piece(s)
Lvl Level (experience or spell level)
MA Martial Arts
Mod Modifier or Modification
mp mithril pieces(s)
NPC Nonplayer Character
OB Offensive Bonus
PC Player Character
PP Power Points
R or Rad .. Radius
Rnd
1.0 GUIDELINES
Fantasy role playing (FRP) is akin to a living novel where the
players are the main characters. Everyone combines to write a
story which is never short of adventure. They help create a new
land and strange new tales in which the characters are forever
immortalized.
This series is designed as a tool for Gamemasters who wish to
run scenarios or campaigns set in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth.
Campaign Modules are complete studies of specific areas and are
intended to be used with a minimum of additional work. Each has
statistical information based on the
Middle-earth Role-Playing
(MERP)
and
Rolemaster (RM)
fantasy systems. The modules are,
however, adaptable for use with most major role playing games.
Creative guidelines, not absolutes, are emphasized.
Round (10 second period)
RR
Resistance Roll
Stat
Statistic or Characteristic
MERP
Guidelines: Definitions
3
M
IDDLE-EARTH
T
ERMS
Fornost Erain
— (S. "Northern Fortress of the Kings"). Also
called the "Norbury of the Kings," Fornost originally served as the
refuge and summer retreat for the Kings of Arnor. Between T.A.
250 and 850, the court gradually shifts from the royal capital at
Annúminas to Fornost. This fortified city becomes the capital
when Arnor is split in T.A. 861.
Forodwaith
— (S. "Folk of the Northern Lands"). This term
applies to the peoples of the Forochel (S. "Icy North") region of
northwesternmost Middle-earth. It is sometimes loosely inter-
preted as meaning the "Lands of the Northern Folk," which has led
many men to use the label to describe the territory north of Eriador
traditionally dubbed the "Northern Waste." The Lossoth are the
chief group of Forodwaith.
Free Peoples
— The "good" races of Middle-earth: Elves, Dwar-
ves, Hobbits, and Men (especially the Dúnedain); specifically
those races which were in opposition to Sauron.
High Pass
— The pass through the Misty Mountains east of
Rivendell.
Khazad-dum
— (Kh. Dwarf-mansion"; S. "Hadhodrond"; W.
Dwarrowdelf'). It is also known as Moria: (S. "Black Chasm"), the
Black Pit, and the Mines of Moria. Khazad-dum stands as a citadel,
mansion, and city-hold of Durin's Folk, the noblest of the Seven
Tribes of the Dwarves. Founded in the early First Age in caves
beneath the Misty Mountains, it overlooks and incorporates the
holy vale called Azanulbizar. Khazad-dum has since been ex-
panded to include seven principle levels which stretch the width of
the mountain range and extend under the three mountains
Fanuidhol, Caradhras, and Celebdil. Early in the Second Age, the
Dwarves discovered mithril here, and many from the Blue Moun-
tains migrated to Durin's home. Khazad-dum was abandoned in
T.A. 1982, two years after the release of the Balrog. As a realm, it
includes the Azanulbizar and all the passages and chambers within
the mountains.
Mirkwood
—The great stretch of forest called by the Elves Taur-
e-Ndaedlos (S. "Forest of Great Fear"). Like the "Old Forest" and
"Fangorn", it is a remnant of the great forest which once covered
most of northwestern Endor.
Misty Mountains
— (S. "Hithaeglir."). Snow- and mist-capped
mountains which run southward for 900 miles from the upper
Anduin Vales to the Isen Gap (Gap of Rohan). The daunting Misty
Mountains form the western boundary of both the Anduin Valley
(S. Nan Anduin") and (according to some) Rhovanion.
Nenedain
— The Northmen of the Anduin vales.
Northmen
— Also called the Northrons. A group of tall, strong,
fair, and hairy mannish folk. They are the "Middle-men", a group
culturally and physically closer to the Elves than those labeled
"common", but nonetheless distinct from the "High Men" or
Edain. Branches of the Northmen include: the Wood-men, the
Plains-men or Gramuz, the Lake-men, the Éothéod, the Beornings,
and the Nenedain, and the Estaravi in Angmar.
Rhovanion
— (S. "Wilderland;" lit. "Wild Place"). Traditionally,
a vast region encompassing all the land south of the Grey Moun-
tains (S. "Ered Mithrin"), north of Mordor, east of the Misty
Mountains, and west of the river Redwater (S. "Carnen"). This area
includes Mirkwood and the northern Anduin river valley. Some
scribes count the whole of the area between Mirkwood and the Sea
of Rhûn, save Dorwinion, as part of Rhovanion.
Witch-king
— The Witch-king of Angmar, also called the lord of
Morgul, was the chief of the Nazgûl; he was the Lord of the Nazgûl
and possessed the greatest power of independent action.
A
Adûnaic
BS
Black Speech
Cir
Cirth or Certar
D
Dunael (Dunlending)
Du
Daenael (Old Dunael)
E
Edain
El
Eldarin
Es
Easterling
l.A
First Age
F.A
Fourth Age
Hi
Hillman
H
Hobbitish (Westron variant)
Har
Haradrim
Hob
The Hobbit
Kd
Kuduk (ancient Hobbitish)
Kh
Khuzdul (Dwarvish)
LotR
The Lord of the Rings
Or
Orkish
Q
Quenya
R
Rohirric
Rh
Rhovanion
S
Sindarin
S.A
Second Age
Si
Silvan Elvish
T.A
Third Age
Teng
Tengwar
V
Variag
W
Westron (Common Speech)
1.12 DEFINITIONS
The majority of unique terms and translations from
The Hobbit
and
The Lord of the Rings
appear in the text proper. Here are some
critical definitions relating to particularly important concepts.
Angmar
— (S. "Iron Home."). Angmar is founded around T.A.
1300 by the Witch-king, the Lord of the Nazgûl. An evil realm, it
lies nestled in and along the icy flanks of the northern Misty
Mountains (S. "Hithaeglir"), in the high plateau of northeastern
Eriador. The Gundalok shelf above the northwestern Anduin vales
and a network of underground strongholds (notably Mount Gund-
abad) cut beneath the Misty Mountains form the eastern boundary
of Angmar. Armies mustered along this line of defense constantly
threaten the peoples of Rhovanion to the east.
Dúnedain
— (S. "Edain of the West;" sing. "Dúnadan"). These
High Men are descendants of the Edain who settled the western
island continent of Númenor around S.A. 32. The Dúnedain
returned to explore, trade with, colonize, and later conquer many
areas along the western, southern, and eastern coasts of Endor
during the Second Age. Unfortunately, their hubris and desire for
power led them to attempt an invasion of the Valar's Undying
Lands. As a result, Eru (the One) destroyed their home island in
S.A. 3319. Those called the "Faithful" opposed the policies and
jealous Elf-hatred that prompted this "Downfall." The Faithful
were saved when Númenor sank, sailing east to northwestern
Middle-earth. There they found the "Realms in Exile," the king-
doms of Arnor and Gondor. Although sparsely populated,
Arthedain (in Arnor) contains the highest proportion of the Faith-
ful and the most purely Dúnadan culture in all of Endor. Many
"unfaithful" (or "Black Númenórean") groups survive as well,
living in colonies and independent states such as Umbar.
Eldar
— (Q. "Elves"; "People of the Stars"). The Calaquendi (Q.
"High Elves"), who made the Great Journey to the Undying Lands.
4
Guidelines: Adapting This Module & Converting Statistics
1.2 ADAPTING THIS MODULE TO
YOUR CAMPAIGN
This module is designed for use with most major fantasy role
playing systems. Since the various FRP rules have their own
particular approaches to combat, spells, and character generation
and development, certain common descriptive terms have been
selected for the individual outlines of places, people, creatures, and
things. Unfortunately, statistical data such as bonuses and charac-
ter "stats" differ widely between systems; after all, they are keyed
to specific game mechanics.
ICE has chosen to use percentile (D100) terms as a base, since
conversion to D20, D18, and D10 can be achieved with relative
ease (note Sec. 1.32 for a handy conversion chart). Player charac-
ter and NPC characteristics/stats are also detailed in one particular
manner; again, simplicity and consistency have been emphasized,
and conversion to your game system should be relatively painless.
Keep in mind that fantasy role playing is by nature a creative
experience, and the individual GM or player should feel free to
incorporate his/her own ideas into their game.
The following steps may be helpful when beginning to explore
the region here described:
1) Read the entire module to get a flavorful idea of the region;
2) Reread the sections devoted to notes for the Gamemaster, and
converting statistics for your game system;
3) Choose the time setting for your campaign. Should you choose
to run a game at the beginning or end of the Third Age, or early
in the Fourth Age, pay particular attention to the section
devoted to this region "at other times." In fact, this section will
give the GM an idea of the considerations involved with setting
a campaign at any date other than that chosen here. ICE chose
the mid-Third Age as a particularly exciting era, but you may
enjoy another time even more;
4) Assemble any source materials (note suggested reading) you
will find necessary;
5) Research the period you have chosen and compose any out-
lines you need in addition to the material provided here;
6) Convert the NPC, trap, weapon, spell, and item statistics to
terms suitable to your game. Note changes in the system you
are using which must be made in order to keep your campaign
in line with the flow of life in Middle-earth;
7) Create a total setting, using lots of maps to detail patterns and
provide a creative framework. In this way you will have a rich
and consistent world, and the foundation data will give you the
flexibility to detail random areas and events.
rather than wounds. Critical strike damage is used to describe
serious wounds and fatal blows. The hit figures shown here are less
important than those used in game systems where death occurs as
a result of exceeding one's available hits. Should you use a game
system that employs no specific critical strike results, such as TSR
Inc.'s
Dungeons and Dragons®,
simply double the number of hits
your characters take or halve the hit values found in this module.
1.32 CONVERTING STATISTICS FOR
ANY MAJOR FRP SYSTEM
All the statistics and numerical information used in this module
are expressed on a closed or open-ended scale with a 1-100 base.
They are designed for use with percentile dice (D100). Use the
chart below to derive appropriate bonuses or to convert the 1-100
numbers to figures suitable for non-percentile systems.
1-100
Stat.
102+
101
100
98-99
95-97
90-94
85-89
75-84
60-74
40-59
25-39
15-24
10-14
5-9
3-4
2
1
Bonus
on D100
+35
+30
+25
+20
+ 15
+10
+5
+5
0
0
0
-5
-5
-10
-15
-20
-25
Bonus
on D20
+7
+6
+5
+4
+3
+2
+ 1
+ 1
0
0
0
3-18
Stat
20+
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
10-11
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
2-12
Stat
17+
15-16
13-14
12
—
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
—
2
2
-1
-2
-3
-4
-4
1.33 CONVERTING STATS
Ten stats are used to describe each character detailed in the
module. Should you use a character development system with
different characteristics and/or an alternative number of stats,
simply follow these steps:
1)
Assign the appropriate stat from your FRP system to the value
given beside the analogous characteristic listed in the module. If
your rules use fewer stats, you may wish to average the value for
those combinations of factors which contribute to a characteristic
found in your system (e.g., dexterity = an average of quickness and
agility). Should your guidelines utilize more stats to describe part
of a character, you may wish to use the value provided for more
than one "corresponding" characteristic (e.g., you might use the
value assigned to constitution for both endurance and durability).
The following is a chart listing examples of equivalent stat terms:
STRENGTH:
power, might, force, stamina, endurance, condi-
tioning, physique, etc.
Note that the vast majority of systems
include strength as an attribute.
AGILITY:
dexterity, deftness, manual skill, adroitness, maneu-
vering ability, stealth, dodging ability, litheness, etc.
QUICKNESS:
dexterity, speed, reactions ability, readiness, etc.
CONSTITUTION:
health, stamina, endurance, physical resis
tance, physique, damage resistance, etc.
SELF DISCIPLINE:
will, alignment, faith, mental strength or
power, concentration, self control, determination, zeal, etc.
1.3 CONVERTING STATISTICS
When using this module with your FRP campaign, be careful to
note all the non-player character statistics before beginning play.
Should any adjustments need to be made, you may wish to consider
the following guidelines. The material provided is in terms of
percentages and is intended to give the reader a relatively clear
picture of the strengths and weaknesses of the individuals and
creatures discussed. Most FRP systems will relate to the data, and
conversion should be simple; remember, however, that there are
dozens of role playing rules and the change-over from the statistics
given here may be troublesome; you may wish to design your own
NPCs using this module as no more than a framework.
1.31 CONVERTING HITS AND BONUSES
— When converting percentile values to a 1 -20 system a simple
rule is: for every +5 on a D100 scale you get a +1 on a D20.
- The concussion hit numbers found in this module represent
general pain and system shock. They cover bruises and small cuts
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