Ice Bay of Forochel
The Ice Bay of Forochel is an immense body of water whose southern reach lies between the northern tips of the Blue Mountains and Misty Mountains and extends for hundreds of miles to the northeast. The mouth of the bay is in the southwest, between the Blue Mountains and the Cape of Forochel, which separates most of the bay from Belegaer.
Note that only a small part of the bay is accessible in-game. The larger bay extends far to the north and is many times larger than the portion that is seen from the region of Forochel.
A long time ago, a people known as the Forodwaith, who were used to endure the bitter cold of the realm of Morgoth, settled in the far north. In the Third Age a remnant of these people was known as the Lossoth or the Snowmen of Forochel. The Lossoth lived on the Cape of Forochel most of the time, but they also camped on the southern shore of the bay at the feet of the Blue Mountains.
History
In T.A. 1974 the kingdom of Arthedain was overrun by the forces of Angmar. King Arvedui fled to the north, first to the Far Downs, then near the northern end of the Blue Mountains and finally, driven by hunger, to a camp of the Lossoth at the shore of the bay. Partly from fear and partly from pity these people fed and sheltered the king and his men. Then, in March of 1975, a ship from Círdan reached the Ice Bay to take Arvedui and his party onboard. After they set sail a storm arose which crushed the ship in the ice and the king, his men, and all the mariners perished in the sea.
Maps
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A full map of the Ice Bay of Forochel, far larger than what's seen from the region of Forochel
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Bodies of Water
Gallery
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The bay is marked by many icebergs floating both on and under the surface of the water, making travel by boat extremely hazardous.
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The innermost part of the bay is frozen completely over year-round, enabling invaders to set up camp on the ice.
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Though the coastline on the bay enables fishing and hunting, the icy waters do not allow for prolonged exposure.