A Darkening of Mirkwood Geo-Strategical question

[Mim]

Darn you Gareth. Just when we think we've covered every angle, you go giving us more great adventures...

[Mytholder]

There's probably an essay to be written about Gandalf's speech to Gimli about dangerous allies (Book 4, Chapter 5), the Encounter rules, and the period before the War of the Ring. Places like Lorien and Fangorn Forest - or Tom Bombadil's house,or even Rivendell - should be perilous indeed to those who are not invited. Aragorn was known to the Elves of Lorien, but even then they blindfolded the Fellowship to ensure Caras Galadhon remained hidden. From the perspective of the Elves of Lorien, it's much more likely that messengers from Mirkwood are agents of the Enemy (or deluded pawns of the Enemy) than friends.

Trusting the wrong people gets you killed in Middle-Earth.

[Mim]

All the kidding aside, you raise an excellent & often over-looked point Gareth.

Many of the peoples of Middle-earth mistrust or fear each other (with good reason or as "deluded pawns") by the end of the Third Age. The Enemy sends his servants throughout the realms & they wreak havoc behind the scenes.

IMHO, our games should reflect this point. Perhaps the Rohirrim are not forthcoming to the Dwarf hero because someone recalls Fram & Scatha - or the Dwarves & Elves still seethe over the Nauglamír. The theme opens some great role-playing possibilities.

[Glorelendil]

Agree. Thanks, Gareth.

One of the things I scratched my head about when I first read this thread was, "How would the adventurers even know about Lorien?" And if they did, it would probably be in the context of a place you would never want to go for fear of being ensnared by a sorceress.

[Corvo]

Agree. Thanks, Gareth.

One of the things I scratched my head about when I first read this thread was, "How would the adventurers even know about Lorien?" And if they did, it would probably be in the context of a place you would never want to go for fear of being ensnared by a sorceress.

Yeah. But there is Radagast involved, and he knows Galadriel

[zedturtle]

Yeah. But there is Radagast involved, and he knows Galadriel

Yeah, but Radagast is involved and he knows Galadriel. Maybe he's already asked her for help, via spooky communication at a distance. And the answer was not good, for whatever reason. Or, he too, fears a trap laid by the Shadow... maybe a spy is looking for a way into the Golden Wood and the heroes will inadvertently expose Galadriel to danger because of their actions.

[Mytholder]

Possible ways to neutralise Radagast if needed:

The Attack on Rhosgobel
Dol Guldur makes a sudden attack on Radagast's home, driving the wizard into the forest. He's not dead, but he's forced to flee deeper into Mirkwood. He'll be back in a few months, but the PCs have to act now before a second host attack them.

Keep to the Plan
This one's a bit of a conspiracy theory, but it sort of hangs together. At the time in question, Gandalf already suspects that Bilbo found the Ruling Ring. He hadn't dared speak of this suspicion to Saruman, and Radagast is Saruman's creature and so Gandalf wouldn't confide in him either - but he might _reassure_ him. "Radagast, old chap, don't lose hope. There is a secret hope in the world, a bright dawn beyond the gathering darkness. We must hold on, build our strength - He does not have the One, and so he can be defeated!" Radagast fears that bringing Lorien into the struggle too early would ruin Gandalf's plans, whatever they are. The Woodmen must decide their own fate - trying to tip the balance in their favour might bring greater ruin on the world.

[Corvo]

Yeah. But there is Radagast involved, and he knows Galadriel

Yeah, but Radagast is involved and he knows Galadriel. Maybe he's already asked her for help, via spooky communication at a distance. And the answer was not good, for whatever reason. Or, he too, fears a trap laid by the Shadow... maybe a spy is looking for a way into the Golden Wood and the heroes will inadvertently expose Galadriel to danger because of their actions.

Zed, I was just answering to Elfcrusher's question "can the heroes know about Galadriel? She just a scary legend to them" (excuse me Elfcrusher, I'm just simplifying your point).

I don't think I need to "neatralize" Radagast -in my campaign, at least-.
Galadriel's doubts and fears are enough to stop her, in my interpretation of the world. These doubts and fears are fully justified: for Sauron, using Dol Guldur as a bait to catch the Galadhrim in the open is fair game, and pretty appropriate for a such deceiful power.
(see point 5 in Mytholder's post in the previous page)