Bestowal Dialogue
Nár's Tale
"Although he has at last found comfort amongst Durin's Folk at the Lonely Mountain, the dwarf, Nár, has been witness to much hardship and tragedy throughout his long life.§
Background
Hoping to aid King Thorin in guiding the Prince to victory, Hersegg, grand-daughter of Hermáth Stormhammer, has offered to tell you the tragic tale of Nár.
Objective 1
Hersegg can be found at Azanulbizar.
- Hersegg: 'Long after the realm of Grárik had fallen to the cold-drake Vethúg, and twenty years after the Lonely mountain fell to Smaug, King Thrór and his folk came to dwell in a coomb near the wilds of Dunland. From the old stronghold of Zudrugund, Thrór ruled what remained of the two kingdoms he had fled in his life. His son was Thráin, a formidable warrior; his grandsons Thorin and Frerin, and granddaughter Dís, were yet young. His people were few, poor, and hungry, and they knew little joy since the loss of their homes in the North.
- 'Dotage and gloom took their toll on King Thrór, and he thought long of regaining the splendor of his fathers' halls. But it was not in the halls of Erebor where Smaug now slumbered upon the heirlooms of his people, nor the frozen wastes in the north that called to him: it was Khazad-dûm itself! It had been more than eight hundred years since doom befell it- since the Elves named it Moria, but it mattered not. Thrór determined that he would reclaim it, and in so doing, restore the glory of his kingdom and of Durin's Folk. What true reason had he, none know for certain.
- 'Perhaps he had gone mad, or perhaps not...'
Objective 2
- Hersegg: '...but whatever the case he summoned Thráin and gave to him what heirlooms of their house remained - chief among them his Ring, last of the Seven that had been given to the Dwarf-kings.
- 'He said to Thráin, "Riches may yet spring anew from this bauble, my son. Or perhaps not. Yet one cannot breed gold without gold." When Thráin asked if his intent was to return to Erebor, Thrór remained silent. After a long moment, he said, "These bones are too old. I will not be avenged on Smaug - that fate, perchance, shall be yours, or your sons'. I have known too much of loss and of Men's derision. I go to seek better fortunes, if they may yet be found."
- 'He did not say where he meant to go, and Thráin did not ask, but merely wished him fortune in his quest.'
Objective 3
- Follow along with Hersegg as she recounts Nár's tale
- Hersegg says, "All in Zudrugund bade farewell to Thrór, though they knew naught of his quest."
- Hersegg says, "Yet, to the surprise of his kin, Thrór did not set off on his journey alone."
- Hersegg says, "With him, he took a single companion: Nár, his friend and esquire of old."
- Hersegg says, "And that is where our tale begins...."
- Hersegg says, "Together, Thrór and Nár went north."
- Hersegg says, "In old Eregion, Thrór insisted against the West-gate, and the two continued northward."
- Hersegg says, "After a time, they crossed the Redhorn Pass and descended into Azanulbizar."
- Hersegg says, "In the dwarves' absence, it had become an unfamiliar and unfriendly land."
- Hersegg says, "The dale had long fallen silent, and what remained of the Great-way was choked with undergrowth."
- Hersegg says, "Yet there, beyond the brambles and brush, laid Thrór's prize: the lost kingdom of Khazad-dûm."
Objective 4
- Hersegg: 'Although both Thrór and Nár saw many signs of Orcs in the dale, they were old and overtrodden. Outside Khazad-dûm, all was still and silent. Before them, the East-gate yawned open, as if to beckon the two of them forth.
- 'But the journey had been long, and Nár thought better of seeking shelter within Moria.'
Objective 5
- Follow along with Hersegg as she recounts Nár's Tale
- Hersegg says, "In need of respite, Nár urged Thrór to take rest."
- Hersegg says, "Although Thrór had set his mind on entering Khazad-dûm, he relented."
- Hersegg says, "And so, Nár toiled to set a small encampment at Azanulbizar."
Objective 6
- Follow along with Hersegg as she recounts Nár's Tale
- Hersegg: 'Hidden beneath the eaves of trees and stones at the foot of Zirakzigil, Nár built a fire and prepared what meager meal he could that might befit a king and one road-weary traveller.
- 'When the supper was ended, Thrór stood at once. As if in answer, Nár knelt before the old king and helped him to fasten a shield to his arm.'
Objective 7
- Follow along with Hersegg as she recounts Nár's Tale
- Thrór says, "It is time, Nár."
- Thrór says, "I have lived long enough in exile."
- Thrór says, "You have proven your loyalty, my friend, and I ask only that you await my return."
- Thrór says, "Do not fear, dear Nár. I go to honour our forefathers!"
- Nár says, "Take heed, my friend."
- Nár says, "An ill wind blows in this vale."
- Hersegg says, "But Thrór cared not."
- Hersegg says, "Axe in hand, he went in, as proud as any dwarf ever crossed the doorstep of Khazad-dûm."
Objective 8
- Hersegg: 'Thrór had bidden Nár to stay and await his return, but it was not merely the word of his king that kept him from daring to enter Moria. In truth, and to his shame, Nár was afraid.
- 'For many days Nár hid among the trees outside the gates, lonely and troubled. When he dared to draw nearer to the gate and peer into the gloom, neither sound nor the faintest flicker of light emerged from within.
- 'More troublingly still, neither had Thrór.'
- Hersegg says, "And so Nár waited. And waited. And waited. And waited."
Objective 9
- Hersegg: 'And waited... until he thought he could bear it no longer.
- 'Despite every doubt, though, his resolve did not falter. Even if her were fated to live the rest of his days huddled beside a fire at Azanulbizar, Nár would not disobey his king- it was his duty to await Thrór's return.'
Objective 10
- Follow along with Hersegg as she recounts Nár's Tale
- Hersegg says, "As another day of waiting drew to its end, Nár slipped into dreams."
- "In his mind, Nár beheld Thrór standing triumphantly before the East-gate."
- "Behind him, a chorus of hammers and song echoed from the halls of Khazad-dûm."
- "Such a joyous end to the quest Nár could have hardly imagined."
- Hersegg says, "But it would not be so."
Objective 11
- Hersegg: 'When Nár awoke, his clothing was cold and heavy with rain. Nár's rest had ended abruptly and in in a daze, he tried to regain his bearings.
- 'Above him the sky loomed dark, its hue a sickly purple, and he could not tell if it was day or night. Aside from the sound of trickling rainfall all was still and silent.
- 'Alas, Nár would have little time to ponder his situation.'
Objective 12
- Follow along with Hersegg as she recounts Nár's Tale
- Hersegg says, "Breaking the silence, a distant voice shouted in the Orkish tongue. A horn blared, harsh and ugly, out of Moria."
- Hersegg says, "And from the East-gate came a sickening thud, echoing through Azanulbizar."
- Hersegg says, "Fear for Thrór seized Nár's heart."
- Hersegg says, "Yet loyal as ever and heedless of all peril, Nár drew his sword."
- Hersegg says, "Abandoning his hiding spot, he rushed up the steps to the East-gate."
- Hersegg says, "Nár stopped at once, frozen in horror."
- Hersegg says, "Out of the darkness had flown a body, its limbs all a-tangle..."
- Hersegg says, "....and nearby a head lay before the gates of Khazad-dûm."
Objective 13
- Hersegg: 'Nár had known the truth at once, but wished not to believe it. It was Thrór.
- 'As Nár crept closer, there came a chittering laughter from beyond the darkness of the East-gate.'
- Hersegg says, "And then, out of the darkest shadows of Moria came a voice..."
- A Mysterious Voice says, "We know you're there, beardling."
- A Mysterious Voice says, "We've been watching you. But never fear... we won't take your head today."
- A Mysterious Voice says, "No, you'll make a fine messenger yet."
- A Mysterious Voice says, "Well? Come on, then."
- A Mysterious Voice says, "You see what we do to beggars and vagabonds who barge through these doors?"
- A Mysterious Voice says, "He got what he had coming, the old thief, trying to filch what's ours."
- A Mysterious Voice says, "You lot bring your reeking whiskers around these parts again, and this is what you'll get!"
- A Mysterious Voice says, "You tell them that! Tell them all!"
- A Mysterious Voice says, "And when his family asks who killed him and who's king here... THAT will be your answer."
- A Mysterious Voice says, "Garn, have a look! It's right there on his face where I wrote it!"
- A Mysterious Voice says, "You can read, can't you?"
Objective 14
- Learn the fate of Thrór and the name of his murderer
- "Upon Thrór's brow, carved in crude dwarf-runes, was the name: AZOG"
- Azog says, "That's right! I'm the master of this house!"
- Azog says, "Leave it be, beggar-beard! That's mine now!"
- Azog says, "Here, some coin for your troubles!"
- Azog says, "It's the least we can do, eh boys?"
- Azog says, "Now... off with you!"
- Hersegg says, "And so, Nár fled weeping from Khazad-dûm."
Objective 15
- Hersegg: 'At first, Nár again made for the Redhorn Pass, but Orcs beyond counting had gathered there and watched him with their red eyes. And so Nár fled back the way he had come. As he passed by the gates of Khazad-dûm again, more great Orcs, including some larger than any he had heard of before, had surrounded Thrór's corpse and were hacking it to pieces. Into that hateful frenzy, a great mass of crows descended, and to them, the orcs began to fling the scraps of the Dwarf-king. Nár dared not look again.
- 'Tear-blind, Nár ran on along the banks of Kheled-zâram, fleeing the Orcs and wolves that now hunted him in cruel sport. When at last he came to the ruins of Amdân, he found them barred, and black arrows hounded his every step. Desperate to escape his own doom, however, Nár though of Kibil-nâla and leapt down the paths alongside the stream. By some stroke of fortune, Nár had won his escape, but behind him the laughter of Azog and the Orcs rang in his ears.
- 'For many months, Nár wandered in the wilderness, wracked with sorrow, the sight of his King's defilement branded in his heart. At long last, he found his way north to the High Pass across the Misty Mountains, then made his way back to Thrór's Coomb. By the time he entered Zudrugund the guards scarcely recognized him, so haggard and wild he had grown.
- 'Nár was never well in his mind again.'
Objective 16
- Talk to Hersegg at Akrâz-zahar
- Hersegg: 'And that is all there is to tell of the doom of Thrór, <name>.'
Completed: Instance: Nár's Tale
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