Sanctuaries and Patrons in Eriador

[jp1971]

Hello,

I've recently kicked off an original campaign in Eriador using Rivendell and Ruins of the North as sourcebooks. I've found both of the books to be wonderful resources. However, I have also found that having Rivendell/Elrond be the only real sanctuary/patron put forth in the official materials is a bit constraining. Obviously, being that this is a fantasy setting for a tabletop rpg, there are other (some would argue infinite) possibilities. That said, I believe in constraint and playing well within the bounds of canon.

If anyone has any ideas as to how approach both sanctuary and patron in Eriador, I would welcome the discussion.

For context, this campaign began with a chance (or was it fated) meeting in Bree that led to a journey to Fornost Erain and beyond.

Thanks,
Jameson

[Otaku-sempai]

Other Possible Sancuaries in Eriador

1. The Shire. Patron(s): Bilbo Baggins; The Master of Buckland (Gorbadoc "Broadbelt" Brandybuck from TA 2910 to 2963; Rorimac "Old Rory" Brandybuck from 2953 to 3008); the Thain (Paladin Took); the Mayor of Michel Delving (Will Whitfoot from 3013 or earlier to FO 7).

2. The Grey Havens. Patron: Lord Círdan.

3. The Dwarves of the Blue Mountains. Patron(s): The Lord of the descendants of Nogrod and/or Belegost; Lady Dís in the former Halls of Thorin (if she has not permanently relocated to Erebor).

I have a head-canon where Dís finds it impossible to remain in Erebor due to her painful memories and associations with the place and she returns to the former Halls of Thorin.

[Falenthal]

Also, the Rangers should probably have a leader "in the terrain", as Aragorn is frequently on errands far away from Eriador. He could be located in the hidden outpost that Cubicle place in The Angle and/or in Bree.

[Otaku-sempai]

Also, the Rangers should probably have a leader "in the terrain", as Aragorn is frequently on errands far away from Eriador. He could be located in the hidden outpost that Cubicle place in The Angle and/or in Bree.

Yes, but I don't know that the Rangers control a place that could become a Sanctuary. Any strongholds that they might maintain are kept secret and I doubt that they would allow outsiders ready access to them. After TA 2980 it might be possible to have Aragorn as a Patron. Before that, maybe Halbarad who led the Grey Company to meet Aragorn in Rohan during the War of the Ring.

The Rivendell supplement already has guidance (on page 20) for allowing any member of the White Council (Círdan, Glorfindel, Gandalf, etc.) to become a Patron.

[jp1971]

Thanks for the great suggestions. They're much appreciated.

I did not retain the guidance on page 20 of the Rivendell supplement. I'll have to give that a re-read.

Halbarad is a really interesting patron suggestion given that my player-heroes have already indirectly done some protecting of the Shire of their own. We began the campaign in the year 2956 which would put Halbarad at around 40 years old according to some sources. It seems at that age he could have risen to a position of prominence among the Dunédain.

I agree, though, that there can't be a sanctuary directly associated with the Rangers of the North. If I go with Halbarad, it seems that Bree might be a suitable initial sanctuary.

[Otaku-sempai]

I'm glad that you found any of my ideas useful. Bree might be a questionable choice for a Sanctuary; I'm not sure that Halbarad would be a suitable choice as a Patron to associate with the town. Gandalf is probably there more often. Bree-land might have an equivalent to the Shire's Thain (but more likely to be Mannish rather than a Hobbit?), and Bree itself might have a Mayor (also possibly a Man).

The Rangers of the North have cordial relations with both Rivendell and the Grey Havens. I'm just not sure that either Halbarad is strongly enough associated with either of those locations. Aragorn, on the other hand, was raised by Elrond in Rivendell and could, after TA 2980, might be an appropriate Patron to link to Imladris.

[Angelalex242]

Bilbo is the obvious choice in the Shire.

The Dunedain do have sanctuaries...all over the place.

Problem is finding them, as only a specific Dunedain Reward (Star of the Dunedain) can guide you to one.

[Otaku-sempai]

Bilbo is the obvious choice in the Shire.

The Dunedain do have sanctuaries...all over the place.

Problem is finding them, as only a specific Dunedain Reward (Star of the Dunedain) can guide you to one.

Yes, Bilbo is the most obvious choice for a Patron within the Shire. However, the Thain is the highest authority figure in the Shire, while Bilbo is essentially just an old, country squire. Perhaps Buckland could be counted separately.

Good point about the Star of the Dúnedain Cultural Reward. It does seem to exclude a party that lacks a Ranger of the North from opening a Dúnedain Sanctuary in Eriador.

[Angelalex242]

Well, Bilbo and the Thain probably do different things.

Bilbo's patronage is based off his vast field experience. Thus, his patronage is going to be a good deal more practical, and more widely applicable.

The Thain's patronage is based off his authority. Thus, his patronage is perhaps stronger in the Shire but weaker everywhere else.

And since it takes a Reward to even find those sanctuaries in the first place, even a party that DOES have a Dunedain can't open or use those sanctuaries till they buy the Reward.

[aramis]

Remember the role of Patrons is to send them on missions and give them counsel....
And Sanctuaries need not be co-located with the the Patron's place.

The King of the Eagles, of course, in the Aerie. (Ok, it's on the wrong side of the mountains, but it still is close enough.) Suitable as patron (he can find you) and as host of Sanctuary... but the latter damned near requires the former.

Tom Bombadil & Goldberry in the Old Forrest. Very suitable as patrons. Unsuitable as sanctuary unless patrons they be also.

Quite possible, also, the Shirriffs - any of the 12 of them (3 in each Farthing) might make useful patrons, even if their influence is less than the Thain's, and their wealth and experience far less than Bilbo's, yet they have practical experience and by custom, some right authority. Further, no man is to set foot in the shire, per the old law, so a Dunedain should be meeting at the border... But the old law bars not Elf, Dwarf, Bree-hobbit, nor River-Hobbit. Their missions would likely be dealing with things that are too much for hobbit bows.

Likewise, there are other named and potent individuals besides the Thain... there's the Mayor, the Master of the Eastmarch, the Warden of the Westmarch. As with the Thain, they're likely to be concerned with comforts and industry, rather than the Darkening...

The Shirriffs, the Warden and the Master might all have places of refuge right on the border into which an outsider might be given refuge.

Oh, and the Head of the Postal System is the Mayor... He might have some rather unusual jobs... Jobs which may take a company from the borders of the shire all the way east to Laketown, as Bilbo fancies writing letters to his friend Glóin... And others might have missives for other places relating to business. Sure, not the stuff by which the shadow is fought, but definitely reasons for a party to go and do... Tho', one might also have Bilbo simply send the missives by the courier method without going through the post.

Any of the named Rangers would make fine patrons.

Any of the Firstborn in Rivendell might also make suitable patrons - each with their own spin on things. Even the children of these are mighty - Arwen, Glorfindel, Damron, Lindir, and Erestor all might be suitable patrons for an Elf. Any of them might be able to get one permission to stay for a short while in Rivendell, but taking Rivendell as Sanctuary for the Company on a permanent basis would require one of 5 voices to make the invite: Elrond, Arwin, Elladan or Elrohir; the latter three would need to agree (as they tend to travel together, in a pack), while Glorfindel doing so would be presumed to be done by the Order of Elrond. The Firstborn present might presume to ask if they might keep the company in the House of Elrond for a while... but then one gets into Eldar politicking.

To the north of the Eastern half of Eriador, scattered few farms remain - hamlets and lone homesteads - but those that are there make fine places of rest. Especially for wearied Dunedain, whose skills might be traded for supper.

The elder Butterbur and family, with their Prancing Pony Inn in Bree are a viable spot for a company to make a sanctuary. (Barliaman is adult and master of the family at the time of LOTR - so isn't born until midway through the RPG's 3 score timeline... but the Prancing Pony is a family owned establishment, and has worked with the Rangers for some time by LOTR...) I wouldn't suggest them as Patrons, but the Inn as a sanctuary is well placed. (We know Aragorn and Gandalf used it as a sanctuary... Too bad the hobbits hadn't yet...)

One might rest in ruins, even. Given time, effort, and a good excuse, a party might make a comfortable and relatively safe sanctuary in one of the ruined places, tho' certain would require being cleared, and then possibly even populated. If not populated, then concealed well and set with defenses.

One might have a small pocket of Ents in other than the Fangorn; if so, they would make excellent Patrons and their Ent-houses a Sanctuary. Most likely, in the company of Tom in the Old Forrest, perhaps amidst or near the Elves of the Lindenwood, perhaps not, but that runs away from canon a bit.


The best patrons for the overall timeframe are those aligned against Sauron; they need not be the only kind of patron.