Links between Wilderland and Gondor

[Doc Martin]

This marvellous game inspired me to reread The Lord of the Rings for the umpteenth time and I came across a reference to travel on the river Anduin that seems relevant.

In the chapter 'The Great River' the Fellowship are searching for a way to get their boats past the Sarn Gebir rapids when Aragorn comments - "there is a portage-way somewhere on the western shore...It cannot yet have perished; for light boats used to journey out of Wilderland down to Osgiliath, and still did so until a few years ago, when the Orcs of Mordor began to multiply.' 'Seldom in my life has any boat come out of the North...' said Boromir."

Aragorn being much older than Boromir, his memory stretches back further; it would make sense if his first-hand knowledge of traffic on the Anduin refers to the TA 2950s-70s when he starts to journey in the Wild and serves the king and steward of Rohan and Gondor (Lotr Appendices A and B). Boromir is not even born until 2978 so presumably his memories of travellers on the Anduin (or their scarcity) refers to the mid-2980s at the earliest.

Conveniently for players of The One Ring, Aragorn's accounts of contact between Wilderland and Gondor coincide with the default time-period of the game. It certainly makes sense that following the casualties inflicted on the goblins and wargs of the Misty Mountains at the Battle of Five Armies, and the White Council's assault on Dol Guldur in 2941 there would be a period of more travel and wide-ranging contacts reaching out of Rhovanion.

Who might it be coming down the Anduin in 'light boats'? Bold traders from among the River Folk perhaps? (Heart of the Wild p.10) Historically, long-distance trade often involves middle-men - they seem likely candidates. The use of intermediaries would also explain the apparent ignorance of each other than seems to divide the people of Gondor and Rohan from those further north at the time of the War of the Ring. Such trade would presumably involve relatively small quantities of high-value goods. Amber and furs from the north? Maybe also fabulous 'toys' from Dale? What could the south send back? Spices or fabrics from far afield perhaps? How much of a struggle is the return journey against the river's flow? Such small but pricey cargoes would be ripe for the stealing and might need sturdy guards to protect them.

Appendix A of Lotr gives another interesting clue as to the sort of people who might travel down to Gondor from Wilderland - "Ecthelion II, [steward of Gondor 2953-84]... was a man of wisdom. With what power was left to him he began to strengthen his realm against the assault of Mordor. He encouraged all men of worth from near or far to enter his service, and to those who proved trustworthy he gave rank and reward."
One such was Aragorn, under the guise of 'Thorongil' - it seems a situation tailor-made for characters in The One Ring to seek their fame and fortune...

(I'm sure suitable area guidebooks will be along directly).

[zedturtle]

The situation of Osgiliath seems somewhat disputed, if you'll pardon the pun. It was captured in 2475 by the Enemy, but was somewhat reclaimed in the youth of Denethor... so around the time you're writing about, actually. I supposed some brave traders might have made their way there.

I have made mention of Gondor in my games, but never by name... the people of my Rhovanion know it only as 'Stone-Land' and have some odd ideas about who lives there.

[Otaku-sempai]

The situation of Osgiliath seems somewhat disputed, if you'll pardon the pun. It was captured in 2475 by the Enemy, but was somewhat reclaimed in the youth of Denethor... so around the time you're writing about, actually. I supposed some brave traders might have made their way there.

I have made mention of Gondor in my games, but never by name... the people of my Rhovanion know it only as 'Stone-Land' and have some odd ideas about who lives there.

The Uruks held Osgiliath for only a short while. Soon after the city was captured in TA 2475 it liberated that same year by Boromir, who would become the eleventh Ruling Steward of Gondor. However, after that time the city was deserted and was little more than a guarded outpost up until the War of the Ring.

I would think that at least those folk of Rhovanion who were heavily involved in river trade would know the name Gondor and would be a little more knowledgeable about it than others. Of course, for many of them, their personal experience might not extend further south than Rohan.

[Valarian]

I can't remember clearly, but isn't there something about Caer Andros (the island upriver from Osgiliath and Minas Tirith) being used as a trading post. l think with Rohan, but it could be with others from upriver.

[zedturtle]

I can't remember clearly, but isn't there something about Caer Andros (the island upriver from Osgiliath and Minas Tirith) being used as a trading post. l think with Rohan, but it could be with others from upriver.

Cair Andros... It seems (from some quick research) that it was fairly safe from about 2900-3018, so it's certainly viable. However, Aragorn doesn't say 'Cair Andros', he says 'Osgiliath'. But then again, he could have been speaking of the portage-way's original purpose, not the last use it was put to.

[Otaku-sempai]

I don't remember anything about Cair Andros being used for trade, but Pelargir was certainly a major trade port on the lower Anduin.

A bit off-topic: For those who want to take their game into Gondor, I can recommend seeking out Iron Crown Enterprise's Cities of Middle-earth: Minas Tirith (1988). This is a lovely hardcover book with a wealth of information about Minas Tirith and its citizenry. If all you want is a general lay-out for Minas Tirith and maps of Gondor in general, I recommend Karen Wynn Fonstad's The Atlas of Middle-earth.

[Doc Martin]

Cair Andros... It seems (from some quick research) that it was fairly safe from about 2900-3018, so it's certainly viable. However, Aragorn doesn't say 'Cair Andros', he says 'Osgiliath'. But then again, he could have been speaking of the portage-way's original purpose, not the last use it was put to.

That does seem logical since there's likely to be orcs sniffing around the east bank of the Anduin south of Cair Andros but Aragorn does to refer to boats coming "down to Osgiliath, and still did so until a few years ago" - and he should know, having been in Wilderland, Rohan and Gondor at the time. Perhaps the travellers are willing to take the risk of arrows launched from the Ithilien side of the river in order to reduce the distance they have to journey by land (worried about their Travel rolls I expect). Actually, Harlond seems a more sensible destination if you're going to risk the river - much closer to Minas Tirith - or further down to Pelargir to take advantage of trade with Lebennin or any goods that might come in from sea-going vessels.

Stopping off in Rohan is an option but not likely to offer particularly attractive trade. According to the Lotr chapter 'The Riders of Rohan' - "The dwellings of the Rohirrim were for the most part many leagues away to the South, under the wooded eaves of the White Mountains". The people of Rohan are materially less sophisticated than those of Gondor and it is hard to imagine what they might have to offer to fellow Northmen out of Wilderland that they don't have already.

As ever, I am mainly thinking as to what might make for interesting and exciting gaming - an epic journey down the Great River, past the various 'perils' of Dol Guldur and Lorien, around the rapids of Sarn Gebir and the mighty Rauros falls, through the swamps of the Nindalf, past whatever dangers lurk in occupied Ithilien and on to the ruins of old Osgiliath and beyond - all to take service with the noble lord of Mundburg. I feel a campaign coming on.

[zedturtle]

It does sound suitably epic.

And people say there's no way to play in Middle Earth; NPCs get to do all the good stuff.

[poosticks7]

It does sound suitably epic.

And people say there's no way to play in Middle Earth; NPCs get to do all the good stuff.

And yet somehow they always need Pc's help at the dramatically appropriate time

(I think it's a big con)