The Gathering of Five Armies, Dragontide and geography

[Shane]

Hi guys,

Whilst cribbing from the Crossings of Celduin adventure for the first Gathering of Five Armies (that scenario will be in 2951 in my campaign) I noticed a little inconsistency. The Loremasters Guide talks about the Gathering of Five Armies being held in Esgaroth, the Lake Town booklet describes Dragontide, but the Crossings scenario is set in Dale.

I've considered having the Gathering being a more diplomatic event with a feast in Dale a few days after the Dragontide festival. I've also considered having Dragontide annually in Lake Town, but the Gathering being in Dale every five years replacing Dragontide that year. I'm not hugely up on Tolkien lore, so I dunno what the gospel truth is, and a solution of picking one over the other is easy enough, but I wonder what other folks have done about this?

For the record, I am tempted to have the five-yearly GoFA in Dale and Dragontide every other year at Lake Town. King Bard and the Master are on good enough terms that they can agree on this and have a consistent Archery contest shared between the festivals.

Regards,

Shane

[Rich H]

There is nothing 'official' Shane, these are all elements created by C7 for TOR so feel free to go with what fits best for your campaign - eg, Dragontide (Lake Town) followed by Gathering (Dale) every year, Dragontide every year with Gathering every other year, Dragontide every year with Gathering every 5 years, etc.

If you need some ideas for content though, check out the link to my Dale supplement in my sig; I have a whole section dedicated to the Gathering of Five Armies.

[Shane]

Yeah, I made the decision to do the GoFA at Dale every five years, and Dragontide the other years at Esgaroth. It'll work fine. Thanks for your thoughts, Rich.

Shane

[Robin Smallburrow]

There is no inconsistency between the 2 as they are different festivals

Dragontide is the name of the annual festival held in Lake Town on the anniversary of Smaug's death (first held in 2942), whereas the Gathering of Five Armies was first held in 2946 and there is always a lot of politics as to who gets to host it (so Dale one year, Lake town the next etc.)

Robin S.

[Rich H]

... and there is always a lot of politics as to who gets to host it (so Dale one year, Lake town the next etc.)

Not saying you're wrong but I've never read that - please provide a book and page reference.

[Francesco]

... and there is always a lot of politics as to who gets to host it (so Dale one year, Lake town the next etc.)

Not saying you're wrong but I've never read that - please provide a book and page reference.

Robin is right. Dragontide is in Lake-town (as stated in the LT sourcebook, page 14) and the Gathering is held in Dale, as describe at page 95 of the Loremaster's Guide (if there is a reference to the Gathering held in LT I can't find it right now, but it's incorrect).

Edit: Sorry Rich, now I see what you meant! Robin is right in stating that they are two different events. I like the idea of a political struggle to see who gets to host the Gathering though!

Francesco

[DavetheLost]

There may be a passing reference to the adventurers being in Laketown for the Gathering of Five armies. Even if the Gathering is in Dale that could still make sense given the frequency of travel between the two. I could also be remembering wrong.

[trystero]

Page 89 of the Loremaster's Guide (second column, first paragraph) says:

The default campaign starts in 2946, on the occasion of the first Gathering of Five Armies, a celebration held in Esgaroth for the first time, five years after the eponymous battle.

(emphasis added)

Page 95 (second column, first entry for 2946) says:

The Gathering of Five Armies
In the last days of November, on the fifth anniversary of the eponymous battle, a great feast celebrating the victory at the Battle of Five Armies is held in Dale for the first time.

(emphasis added)

Sounds like this might be something to correct for the Revised Core Manual. :-)

[Rich H]

Edit: Sorry Rich, now I see what you meant! Robin is right in stating that they are two different events. I like the idea of a political struggle to see who gets to host the Gathering though!

Francesco

No worries. I knew they were two separate events but couldn't recall every seeing the politics around who gets to host it.

[Francesco]

Page 89 of the Loremaster's Guide (second column, first paragraph) says:

The default campaign starts in 2946, on the occasion of the first Gathering of Five Armies, a celebration held in Esgaroth for the first time, five years after the eponymous battle.

(emphasis added)

Page 95 (second column, first entry for 2946) says:

The Gathering of Five Armies
In the last days of November, on the fifth anniversary of the eponymous battle, a great feast celebrating the victory at the Battle of Five Armies is held in Dale for the first time.

(emphasis added)

Sounds like this might be something to correct for the Revised Core Manual.

Many thanks! I had the impression there was a contradiction somewhere, but I could not find the Esgaroth reference.

Francesco