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VENTURES INTO THE REMOTE (RP)

Eonwe finally turns, facing Grimnr.
"This island is a purgatory created by the Valar. I am here to guide you to freedom. If you want to return to freedom you must, like your friends," he indicated to Ha'zi and sleeping Cardiloc on the cart, "Take the powers of the Karoltai. Otherwise, all of you shall die."

He turned away from them, cut another leaf down and led the way. Not answering anymore questions. Letting silence descend on the group as the sounds of the giant stomping slowly receded as they delved further and further into the jungle.

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((Time skip 5 hours. End of Chapter 3. Chapter 4 releases soon.))
 
CHAPTER 4: EXPEDITION

Those resting had awoken when they reached the waterfall. The journey was tiring and they had drunk, rested, bathed, cleaned and readied for the ventures ahead. Eonwe had been silent the entire trek, ignoring further questions from the slaves as he led them back to his safe haven. He seemed to be burdened by something and distanced himself from all of them, even Ha'zi.

Most people were at the edge of the waterfall or still bathing in it. The last of the salted beef was roasted in the evening sun and given out to each person. They all sat around the campfire with the exception of Eonwe who was guarding their surrounding area.
"So, Dimitri, where you from and how'd you get that metal arm thingy?" Freida asked the Forochelrim whilst biting off a piece of meat.
Everyone was there, even fluffy-bearded Grimnir. Finally, it felt like some sense of security was around them with the Maiar there. Yet, was this a false sense?

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Elodrin would stand up and walk over to Eonwë crossing his arms behind his back while he observed the jungle as he would a line of soldiers. He remained silent for a while before speaking up not bothering to look at the god. "I figured this would be a decent time to talk in private. I only have six questions. You may not be able to answer them all but, how's my home in Bree. What exactly are these Karoltai. Who is Keldar. How is the of the Karoltai power transferred. How many of the Karoltai are there excluding Ha'zi and Cardiloc" He would stop for a moment seemingly troubled before asking his last question "And how long before the sickness takes me."
 
Most of the party would still be unaware of where the wolf had come from. As the group sat around the campfire or near the waterfall, Sigeric filled them all in with a detailed account of what had happened at the cabin. As he recounted the actions of himself and Elodrin, he was also busy whittling the end of the wolf bone he had collected, until it was the right shape for him to attach the recovered head of his halberd.
 
During the journey, Ha'zi distanced himself from the Herald as others would surely want to talk to their saviour. He actually enjoyed the hike, taking in the plants and scenery. It reminded him of home. Later, when the walk was over, Ha'zi helped set up camp with the others, and when it was finished took a rest near the fire. He dreamed of returning to his native Harad, where no giants or sea monsters would harm the boy.
 
 
After hearing Sigeric's account of what had happened at the cabin, Daugo's opinion of Elodrin waned a little.

Now, without calling much attention to himself, he asks the Dalishman: "so, who is this Yonwey supposed to be? The name Manwey sounds familiar, but I don't recall hearing of him ever before. Is he like a spirit or something?"
 
After taking a nap for a few hours and getting his whole strengh back, the bearded warrior grumbles before he rapples up from the ground he had slept on. "Aye, haven't slept so good since we left Bree." he adds while he attaches his whole equip to his back. He walks next to the waterfall and searches for some good stones he could sharpen the teeths with while thinking "Aye... Bree...the Iron Hills... hm, I wonder how my brothers are doing.."
 
Grimnir didnt show interest in Sigeric's story, but secretly heard everything he said. He knew Elodrin was a coward, hiding behind what he thinks is a beard. But this, this was worth a kick in the head, right into the grave he thought. But how could he judge based on just Sigeric's opinion. He remained neutral, for now.

"Do you have to say Anything, Wazzock. Is he right About what you did? Is he right About the cowardice of the sons of Gondor?! Speak up, or silence forever in your Shame."

Grimnir says in a tone that everyone in the camp, including the Maiar, could hear it.
 
Cardiloc awoke, his eyes fluttering open as they attempted to grasp onto something to focus on."Where am I," He asked no one in particular, though in his mind he believed he was in his ancestors halls.
 
"shut it grimnir, without that wolf he brought to camp Cardigan would have died and im not sure Deslan was about to to hit the sea monster's mouth anyways. Elodrin's actions were harsh but at the end the outcome was better for us" Iver told the annoying dwarf. "We are at Eonwe's camp" he told Cardigan.
 
Grimnir looks at Iver with a grin, as he walks towards him, as he punches the merchant the crap out of his nose in a heartbeat and sits back down. "Well, then, I guess you are quite the talker. Next time it's going to be your last words." Grimnir says as he awaits Elodrin's answer while sharpening his axe.
 
"I would not be so quick to make such accusations, Grimnir." Sigeric said, observing the Dwarf punching his countryman with distaste. "I may disagree with Elodrin's actions, but he is certainly no coward."

He turned to Daugo. "Eönwë is a Maiar, and a herald of Manwë, the greatest of the Valar. The legends say that he led the Elves of Valinor against the Dark Lord in the First Age. If he is indeed who he claims he is, then he is more than worthy of our trust."
 
Grimnir looks at Sigeric after he broke the Merchant's nose. "I never said he was a coward. I said, he should speak up would he not agree with what you say, Northman." He sits down, continuing to sharpen his axe.
 
"Listen carefully, comrades, for I will only tell this story once on this island." Dimitri says. Like one of the storytellers from the isolated Adorn River Valley, he begins to tell his long tale...

"Far to the north of the civilized realms of men, hidden in ice and snow, there is a land named Forochel. It is a hostile and cruel land, one where death stalks the living in many forms. Wolves as white as snow and orcs the size of trees hunt the Forochelrim, and the cold can steal your life in mere moments. Darkness is always on its doorstep, but the Forochelrim refuse to submit. They are hardy folk, stubborn and tough. For many long centuries, they fought the hordes of Angmar, defiant till the end. It is from those brave souls that I come from.¨ Dimitri says. Memories of long, cold nights spent by a roaring bonfire with spear in hand flooded into his mind.

"My father was a shaman, my mother I never knew. She passed away during the Long Night. I was just eight winters old when the Long Night began to end, but even in its last days, it claimed many. I was sent south to the lands known as Bree and then down to the White Mountains, where I was raised on the banks of a calm river known as the Adorn. There I was taught the old legends, passed down from the sons of Beor to instruct the generations. I saw the light of the Valar not in the form of the Holy Lands, but in the legacy they carried. Inspired by tales of Beor and Tulkas, I joined a militia in the east of Gondor to try and live up to the legacy they established." he continues. He pauses for a moment, remembering the warhammer he got when he joined. The memory of the joy he felt when he felt the simple, smooth wood handle and cold steel head still brought a smile to his face.

"I served in the militia for three years before I got my real taste of combat. I had small skirmishes against corsairs, purges of little orc warbands, nothing big. We were called to Dol Amroth to join a general rally, for a large orc warband was bearing down on the large town of Calembel. Three days after the rally, we were gathered in front of the gates of the town and prepared for battle.” he continues. “The warband was bigger than anything I’ve ever seen. We were 700 strong, brave warriors all, but without experience. Anyways, when battle began, I was on the frontline, smashing skulls and hammering away at the orcs. Got a few kills before I faced a captain. I managed to hit him a few times, even cracked his skull, but before he fell, he gave my arm a real nasty blow. I had to have it cut off.” The burning feeling of the orc’s poison seared through his veins, slowly choking the life out of him. The darkness crept in and then all went black.

“Next thing I know I’m in a hospital in Dol Amroth without an arm and with my warhammer at my side. I couldn’t serve in the militia anymore, so I made my way north, met Deslan, and got this beautiful contraption.” he says, flexing his arm. “I learnt something in that militia, though, something I hope we can all learn from. I served with folk from the south, the north, the east, and beyond. They were all vastly different people that had great reasons to hate each other, but when we were faced with hardship, we looked past our hate and wants and did what was best for us. I swore an oath to protect the people of Gondor and the West the day I joined them, and I will fulfill that oath till the end of my days. I will get every man and woman back to their home, even if it means giving my life so that others may live.”
 
"Your home has been ransacked and the land sold off to the Mayor of Bree's son. Your disease has left you with little time. A few weeks, maybe less. I cannot judge, only Kementari may know and she is not amongst us. Perhaps, Illmare will. You shall see her soon. Use whatever precious time you have left to make right on your actions, son of Evrithion. I will answer the other questions with the rest as they lust for such answers as well." Eonwe spoke, his eyes staring aimlessly into the darkening jungle.

Nightfall was nearly upon them as the sunset in the distance. Grimnir's squalls brought the attention of Elodrin and Eonwe. The latter turned around and walked slowly over to the campfire, sitting near the emptiest area, next to Ha'zi who was viewed as a pariah of the group by many.

Grimnir's punch broke Iver's nose further. Jokes on Grimnir, Iver's nose had already been broken. Grimnir was just fixing it back in place...or breaking it further. Iver couldn't tell. However, everyone else could. It was the latter. Some in the group cringed at it and others like Marco spoke up, "Grimnir, why don't we all just kill each other then? Instead of getting off this damned island let's just bash each other 'till we're dead, why not? Why won't the killing just end? We've lost enough as it is. Look around. There's only half of our original number. Please, stop it. Everyone. Just stop." The man seemed to be losing it. He was crying, though trying to cover his eyes in shame. There were originally 38 of them. Now there were 24.

Eonwe sat, beckoned Elodrin to remain silent and not answer Grimnir's calls then to sit next to him. He arrayed his hands to the group as if to call them.

"I shall explain most of what I know to you now. I expect many questions, wait until I am finished. All of you are connected. Your lives, your histories, everything, intertwined. From the littlest spec of Dorwinion wine that Margoz's uncle brewed which Elodrin's grandfather drank and fell from the parapets of Minas Anor to his death, to the wars of the dwarves and orcs in which Grombrindal," he motioned towards Grimnir, speaking his true name, "Led thousands of his brothers and sisters to war. Including Thoruk's father who died because of such vain violence. Sigeric's ancestral nobility declining because of a certain merchant's influence over the King and dislike of such a family." the Maiar nodded to Iver. "Dimitri may not have lost his arm in the Battle of Calembel had Elodrin chosen to join his regiment to their forces. Such an action would have seen Dimitri remain a soldier for Gondor and die in a later battle. Even Deslan, a man shrouded in mystery who is still so much a boy to this world has large implications. If it were not for your father, Killzah, and his black-market slave-trade business ventures than all of you would have met your ends and not been sold into slavery. Yet, Killzah's own son was sold into his own slave business. How would anyone know? All of you. Your lives. Your dreams. Your pasts. Everything is connected. By blood, by peace and by war."

He paused allowing this to sink in. Deslan fidgeted slightly at the mention of his father. It took him a while to digest this.

"Many of you want to know what this place is. What those creatures are. What your goal is in this grand scheme. I shall explain it to you. So, harken." Then the Maiar began, "This is an island. It was created after the War of Wrath and the destruction of the lands of Beleriand by the Valar. The island is shrouded from the world through the powers of Ulmo who moves the island constantly so that it is never settled, Lorien who keeps it hidden from the eyes of the Children of Illuvitar, and Nessa who's speed makes the island's time hastier. The island is essentially untouchable. A prison."

"Its prisoners are the Karoltai or as you know them, the Giants. I called them Servants of Melkor but that is not the correct term for them. They were created to serve Melkor but did not exactly do so. Melkor bred the Uvanimor or 'monster-folk' who tarnished Beleriand. Disappointed in the fact that creatures like the rock giants and flesh giants were unintelligent and unable to carry out his commands he set about crafting a new creature. He experimented on all races of Beleriand before the War of Wrath. He stole vital abilities from the elves including the curse of immortality and the size of giants in order to strengthen the Karoltai. Using men and dwarves he created this race. But it was unlike all others. For the powers of the Giants could be transferred to any user be they living unless they were an elf. The elves for some reason, be it their grace or hatred of Melkor, could not be affected by the powers. Thus, Melkor resorted to using only men and dwarves for his experiments. Before the Karoltai there were many other giants yet these were unruly and abandoned by Melkor. Finally, he had created a super weapon. The Karoltai. Using creations of Illuvitar and Aule that could transform into Giants. They were initially meant to be used to combat the Valar but by the time Melkor perfected them it was nearing the end of the War and he knew he would be captured and lose. He entrusted the Karoltai with a part of his strength and gave them the ability to free him from the void, the prison he is locked within."

"Before they could release their master, the Karoltai were found by the Valar and placed on this island in order to ensure that Melkor is never released from the void. You have been summoned here by the Valar themselves for one mission. To stop the Karoltai. The island's strength has waned over time and eventually the Karoltai shall realize they can escape. Once they do they shall cause extreme damage to Arda and release their master. You have all witnessed the power of a single one, the Destroyer Giant or Yutani Karoltai. Their destruction alone is immense but combined, the powers of the Karoltai will incinerate Middle-Earth. That is why you,"
Eonwe extended his hands motioning to all of them.

"Have been chosen. You are here to take the powers of the Karoltai. If you do not, if you fail to even capture a single one before they can escape the island, Middle-Earth, Arda, the world as you know it, is doomed. There are eight Karoltai. You already have the power of two. Ha'zi," he indicated to the boy, "Has taken the power of the Warrior Giant, it's previous master was an ancestor to the Haradrim who was deceived by Melkor and turned into his slave. He was known as Keldar and willfully gave up his power in order to stop his evil master's plans from coming to fruition. Cardiloc the Dunlending, has the power of the Hybrid Giant which can transform into any beast larger than a man. Both of you must master these powers and with the aid of your friends and I, capture the other powers of the Karoltai. Some of you shall be asked to give up your lives for this cause. If you cannot, then we are doomed to repeat history and watch the world burn. You MUST be willing to give your hearts to this cause. So, I ask you," Eonwe stood, unsheathing his blade in the firelight, pointing it to the sky.

"WILL YOU GIVE YOUR HEARTS TO ARDA?!"


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"Long ago, I swore an oath to the Valar to uphold the legacy of Beor. So now, I will swear once more that oath and fight in the defense of Arda." Dimitri said. "But as long as I can have my warhammer and a clean shave."
 
Grimnir looks at the Maiar holding his speech, and stands up, raising his axe aswell. "For Durin's kin, and all of which is still good." He looks at the Maiar as he sits down again,

"Do tell, Maiar. We had a Warrior Giant, and the Hybrid one. What are the others like?"
 
Iver once again shoved his hand into his mouth and fixed his nose with a terrible pain. Then he laughed and said "Sorry to disapoint you pal, but it seems that i arrived here by mistake. So if you could lead me to the nearest exit it could be great"
 
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