Chains of Thangorodrim (TfW spoilers)

[nazgul_2000]

Whatever they decide to do with it, it's definitely time to crack open those Eye of Mordor mechanics!

I agree! I thought about making him take a corruption test every time he used it, or every day he had it, but then I decided that felt too clunky. The Eye rules are a perfect substitute for that - a more subtle, slowly building penalty for using such an evil artifact.

[Lumrunner]

I've never really read much of Tolkien works other then LOTR, The Hobbit, The Bestiary and the Tolkien Companion so I may be ignorant of "The Chains of Thangorodim". So for now I can only assume that they were invented for the game.

''Thangorodrim'' is a Sindarin name meaning "Mountains of Tyranny" or "mountain-chain of tyranny". The name consists of ''thang (compulsion, oppression)" + "orodrim (mountain-chain)".

I would take this to mean that the item is 'The Chains of The Mountains of Tyranny'. Rather shouldn't the item be referred to as 'Morgoth's Chains' , or 'The Chains of Angband' or simply 'The Chains of Oppression' ?

Regardless, the problem is the players have them - now what? I agree the chains should become troublesome to move. It's very nature (an item crafted by Morgoth) is sure to attract evil towards it by its aura alone. Corruption test and Shadow points as described by the other posters will ensure that the players will not want to hang on to this relict for to long. But, let's suppose that Morgoth did not create this item - or at least not alone. He has tricked eleven smiths to craft items for him before, so let's make this item one that was created with corrupted elven magic during the First Age. Being such, the elves should have ways to unmake its powers.

I suggest that after showing the Chains to Radagast, the adventurers must undertake a quest to either Rivendale or Luthlurien. At Rivendale, Elrond and the craft-smiths there can unmake the chain with elven spells and brake the chain using the same bellows and forges that they would later use to reforge a certain sword. At Luthlurien, Celeborn and Galadriel can unmake the chain with elven spells and by pouring water from the magic spring/pool over the chains cooling it's tempered evil forever, rendering the chain so cold and brittle that it breaks into dust when hammered on.

In the meanwhile, while questing, no one other than the GK reformed can use the chains as they will not know the incantation in black speech to active the powers contained within. Nor, will they have the sorcerous powers needed to bind a persons will. Even Gandalf and Saruman would have to research for decades to just to begin to figure out the dark spells needed to fully active the chains.

Also, it could be that the chains innate aura makes who ever is minding the chains to become susceptible to suggestions or to having apathy instead of madness for a failed corruption test. I'm talking major 'Not even gonna get out of bed for breakfast' apathy. The affected persons would have to be hauled out of bed, pajamas and all, and carted off on the quest - like a three year old going deadweight in their parents arms when trying to be picked up. Only hope points from the fellowship pool or another player will break the current bout of apathy, as the person will not have enough will of his own to even care about trying (i.e. - they are unable to spend their own hope points. The corrupting influence of the chains without a master to invoke its powers simply renders one with the inability of making decisions or taking actions on their own because they don't care.

Like I said my not knowing the rest of Tolkien's work could mean I'm ignorant of this being an 'actual' artifact.