Bestowal Dialogue
Voyage of the Wave-hunter
"And so the voyage of the Wave-hunter begins! Umbar awaits..."
Background
Now that your preparations have been made, it is time for the voyage of the Wave-hunter and the completion of your secret mission.
Objective 1
Caebar stands on the deck of the Wave-hunter, already concerned about something.
- Caebar: 'I know I suggested that you recruit the Corsair Jajax for the crew and he refused the offer, but I was under the impression that his brother Daxamat would be a little less... I don't know... a little less wild, perhaps? But he is clambering all over the Wave-hunter as if he has not a care in the world, and without the slightest thought that he might fall from any of these perches, each more perilous than the last!
- 'Will you beckon for him to come down? He is making me nervous!'
Objective 2
- Beckon for Daxamat to come down to the ship's deck
Caebar is worried that Daxamat will fall, and he has asked you to beckon the Corsair to come down.
- Daxamat says, "There is nothing to fear! This is not my first time a-ship!"
- Daxamat says, "<name>! Tell the young scribe to come up here!"
Objective 3
Spirits are light as the Wave-hunter begins its voyage to Umbar.
- Caebar says, "Oh, I do not feel so well..."
- Sirgon says, "Ah, he will get used to the motion in time."
Objective 4
- Talk to Sirgon on the deck of the Wave-hunter
Sirgon stands on the deck of the Wave-hunter as its voyage begins.
- Sirgon: 'I have not felt this youthful in years! Our course leads down the Lagorduin to the Bay of Belfalas, and then we will truly be on our way.
- 'Like young Caebar, not all of the Wave-hunter's crew have before been at sea. I suggest that you speak with the folk you recruited and learn how the river-passage treats them. The waters in the Bay will be more unruly than this, and if the rocking in Lagorduin disturbs them it may be helpful to know, and guard against further upset! I understand the dwarf Gimli has in his possession a remedy for seasickness? He may need to share it, with Caebar at least, and perhaps with others!'
Objective 5
Sirgon recommended that you speak with the crew-members you recruited for the voyage as the Wave-hunter sails to Umbar.
- Caebar: 'I am all right now, <name>. It was simply the sight of Daxamat clambering out over the railing of the ship that made me feel queasy. I think I will remain below decks for the rest of the voyage, unless you need me above. I cannot imagine you will. The sailors of Anfalas seem very capable.'
- Nauriel: 'The one who abducted my son Thorongil, this Nakási Wave-reaper... you said you know who she is?'
- You tell Nauriel of the cellar encounter between Nakási and the Heirs of Castamir that resulted in the death of her husband Tumúldo. Nauriel stares at you with narrowed eyes.
- 'She will have no sympathy from me. Bad things happen. If she does not return my son to me, unharmed, I will send her to see her husband at once. I may do this anyway. Let her and her masters beware: a Knight of the Green Hills does not grant mercy without good reason... and the mother of an endangered child never does.'
- Gangur Farwend: 'I have been thinking about something, my friend. So much good stone is covered by rivers and by lakes... and by the Sea as well, I imagine! What precious gemstones lie hidden down there, out of our reach? Is that the secret of the Temámir? Do the arid lands of their birth yield such valuables to them more easily than ours? And yet they still need water to drink....
- 'I look forward to learning how it is done when we arrive in Umbar. The gemstone worn by Khôltekh the Cunning is an intriguing mystery, but it is one I intend to solve!'
- Rossaran: 'Oh, excuse me, <name>, I did not mean to be rude. I was contemplating the bridge over the Lagorduin: such an impressive feat of stonework!
- 'The City of the Corsairs has been many things over the years, but for some of that time it was a sea-haven of Númenor. There must be architectural wonders there too, and I am eager to see them. My wife Bruidis cares less for such things. Where is she now? She has gone below decks, intending to assess our stock of supplies. I told her the voyage itself should not take more than a few days, but still she wanted to ensure we have food and water enough.
- 'I told you before, did I not? I am a swan-knight, and my martial skill is well-developed; but my wife Bruidis is the strategist of the family. If there is thinking to be done, she is the one to do it!'
- Elladan: 'I have never been to Umbar, <name>, and neither has my brother... unless he has somehow managed to escape my notice and had some adventure about which he has told me nothing! But I find that unlikely.
- 'I wonder if Elves live among the sea-folk that call Umbar their home? I will have to put this question to the Corsair Daxamat sometime in the next few days. It could be he has seen Elves in the city or along the cape during his time there, before the Kindred came to power.'
- Gwallang: Gwallang the Limlinn hops excitedly up and down, occasionally cracking the shell of a snail he has caught on the railing of the Wave-hunter. He seems very happy to be sailing with Sirgon again.
Beorning version:
- Gwallang: 'Another grand voyage with Sirgon the Sailor! Celebrate by cracking a snail, large one!
- 'Just like the old days, yes yes yes!'
- Sigileth: 'This blade has to earn its name, <name>. I cannot give it a name that might prove to be the wrong one! Weapons are like children, or so I have heard it said.
- 'The Elves of Lórien called my brother Corudan "the River-walker," for he was often away from home, exploring the lands up and down the Anduin. Will this adventure now make him "the Sea-strider," or "the Bay-rider?"
- 'I will have to tell him this when we rescue him. He will laugh to hear it, once he is safe.'
- Gimli: 'I have not yet needed the seasickness remedy you and Legolas procured for me, <name>, but all the same I believe I will stay below decks for now. Do you think I should share it with Caebar? I will have it ready if he asks me for it, but I do not want to give it all away, just in case.
- 'We are not yet out in the Bay, after all. Legolas says he expects the rocking of the ship to become more pronounced when we leave the river behind us.'
- Legolas: 'I have given some thought to our voyage, <name>. I believe the City of the Corsairs must remain a bustling port-city, despite the defeat of Balakhôr the Scourge and the Heirs of Castamir during the War of the Ring. Do you think the arrival of the Wave-hunter can go unnoticed when we draw near the port?
- 'I cannot decide if it is more or less suspicious of us to arrive by night. Perhaps some of Golasgil's sailors will give me their opinions.'
- Bruidis: 'How fares my husband Rossaran? No doubt he gawks at the scenery through which the ship passes?
- 'Oh, he is a dear man. Two things he loves besides me, <name>: faithfully serving his King, and marvelling at the great feats performed by the prospectors and stonemasons of Gondor. Sometimes I wonder if he should have been born a dwarf!
- 'But I have been checking our store of food and water, and it seems that we should have enough for the voyage to Umbar and back. The Wave-hunter is well-prepared for the journey; I confess to you that it is our arrival at the City of the Corsairs that now most concerns me!'
- Elrohir: 'This ship is unlike those of [Elf: our] [non-Elf: my] people, <name>. No, I do not intend that to be an insult! Even a ship made of rough-hewn timber is still to be prized if it stays afloat and keeps you from a watery grave! I think it is simply the way of the Men of Gondor to value the use of a thing higher than the beauty of its form.'
- Galengam: 'What's that? Oh, nothing. I am just thinking.
- 'What goods do you think the people of Umbar might value? If I were to establish a market along the docks of the city, what things would fetch the highest price? Will items from Gondor be considered valuable or worthless, <name>? I cannot decide! At least I will have a few days to think it over.'
- "In time, even young Caebar became used to the gentle rocking of the ship..."
- "...as the Wave-hunter sailed out into the Bay."
Objective 6
- Talk to Caebar below decks in the Wave-hunter
As he said he would, Caebar prefers to remain below decks.
- Caebar: 'Thank you for keeping me company, <name>, but I will not ask you to remain below decks for the whole voyage! Feel free to go above and take in the fresh air.'
Objective 7
Caebar has suggested you go above and take in the fresh air.
- Gangur Farwend says, "You have not seen a gem such as I describe? What can it have been?"
- Gimli says, "I have never heard of a thing such as this!"
- Gangur Farwend says, "I think it may have been a shining stone of some sort, or a gem..."
- Gimli says, "There may be marvels such as this in the world... but sailing is not for me."
- Sirgon says, "I should not have built my manor out of stone. I missed the sound of wood!"
- Sirgon says, "The creaking of the hull is like a soothing cradle-song to me."
- Some members of your crew are talking and enjoying the breeze off the sea
Objective 8
- Talk to Sigileth on the deck of the Wave-hunter
Sigileth stands on the deck of the Wave-hunter.
- Sigileth: 'The voyage is well underway, and now our thoughts turn to our arrival at the City of the Corsairs. What will we do if the Kindred of the Coins greets us at the dock, <name>? I said we would once again become the Hidden Guard, but there is very little that will be hidden about our mission if our foes see us arrive from atop the walls or from the watch-towers of Umbar.'
Objective 9
- Listen to the concerns of your crew
Some members of your crew discuss the situation that awaits them in Umbar.
- Legolas says, "Most of us have never been to the City of the Corsairs."
- Legolas says, "We need someone who has been there to teach us what to expect."
- Nauriel says, "I expect treachery. I expect villainy!"
- Nauriel says, "The Kindred of the Coin will pay for taking my son!"
- Sigileth says, "And for abducting my brother, as well."
- Daxamat says, "The city has changed since the Kindred came to power."
- Daxamat says, "Perhaps for the better? Perhaps for the worse?"
- Daxamat says, "But I... I can try and tell you some things that may help."
Objective 10
- Talk to Daxamat and learn about Umbar
Daxamat has agreed to tell you what he can about the City of the Corsairs.
- Daxamat: 'I am not much of a teacher. My brother Jajax is the talker in the family.
- 'But I hope to be a help to you. What do you want to know?'
- <name>: 'Tell me about the history of Umbar.'
- Daxamat: 'I was never really one for study, but I will tell you what I know. The name Umbar comes from the word Umbru-mâra, the Fruitful Land, but its position on the southern side of the Bay means that it was greatly desired by many, and often changed hands. It was a colony of Númenor; it was the southernmost port-city of Gondor; and it was briefly held by the Kingdom of Hamât which ruled in Near Harad before the Great Empire of Ordâkh came up from the south and conquered both.
- 'Much of that is ancient history. If my brother Jajax were here, he would tell you that Umbar came into its own when the city became the City of the Corsairs, and its children preyed upon any fat vessel that dared traverse the waters of the Bay bearing jewels, wine, gold, or silver. He would tell you too that the rich merchants and rulers of the city would take their portion of the Corsairs' plunder, and the wealth would pool in the coffers of those who already had plenty. He would speak at length about this!
- 'After the War, Umbar is now ruled by a fellowship calling itself the Kindred of the Coins. I have told you what my brother and I learned about them, little as that may be, but you have assembled a mighty crew and I trust you will be able to deal with them!'
- <name>: 'I hope so.'
- <name>: 'Tell me about the rule of Sauron.'
- Daxamat: 'When the Great Southern Empire of Ordâkh dominated Umbar, the conquerors brought their religion with them. Them Ordâkhim worshipped a mysterious figure they called He-Who-Sees-All, and it is clear now that this must have been the Dark Lord Sauron. During this time, the Corsairs were directed to prey more and more upon Gondor. Years ago, in response, a great hero of Gondor attacked the city, but while it may have slowed the attacks upon Gondor's coastline for a time, it also stoked the flames of hostility. When the War arose, Black Númenoreans calling themselves the Heirs of Castamir were quick to heed the commands of Sauron.
- 'I blush to admit that I served the Heirs of Castamir, as you know. I wanted nothing to do with a Dark Lord or with aiding terrible forces of evil! I just wanted someone to tell me what to do. Many of the Umbarrim may be the same. I understand the Temple of Sauron that was once called Mâkhda Khorbo has fallen into ruin and is now called Mâkhda Dahak!
- 'What is the difference? Oh... let me see. It is basically like changing 'this is the place of the All-Seeing-One' to be 'this place is the place of lies'. That is not something the Dark Lord would allow, surely, so I think it means he is well and truly gone.'
- <name>: 'He is.'
- <name>: 'Tell me about the geography of the City.'
- Daxamat: 'Outsiders may call it Umbar, but the true name of the city is Umbar Baharbêl, the City of Sails. It was first built long ago where the river Ilmakhâsh flows out of the Haradwaith and into the firth of Dakhla-Jâna, opening onto the Bay of Belfalas. It has always been an ideal trade-haven, for it stands between the realm of Gondor to the north and the desert kingdoms of the south. The city itself is divided into seven wards, with two additional outer wards beyond its walls:
- 'The Citadel of Winds, perched atop a rocky island only accessible by a fortified bridge.
- 'The Fleet-fast, oldest part of the city, an ancient fortress and artificial military harbour constructed around a high promontory on the western side of the city. The Stûna in its centre is a manmade island built thousands of years ago by the Númenoreans but repaired in recent days by the Umbarrim.
- 'The Sail-haven, a perfect natural harbour protected by stout walls and a chained sea-gate. It is always busy here, bustling with traders and fishermen. Being at sea-level it is the lowest of all the wards, but among the most important.
- 'The Upper and Lower Wards, where live the residents of Umbar Baharbêl. Folk like my brother and me lived in the lower of the two, and the wealthier denizens live higher up. I understand the revolt that resulted in the installation of the Kindred of the Coins and the expulsion of the Heirs of Castamir began in the Lower Ward. My brother thought it was... what did he say? 'To be expected,' that was it.
- 'The Tor-gardens, a sanctuary for learning, music and art. I never spent any time in the Tor-gardens.
- 'The Shoreward Stone, occupied not by Men but by dwarves. Not many are allowed inside.
- 'Outside the seven wards of the city and beyond the walls, tents and trade caravans fill the surrounds where outsiders gather before entering the city. This area is dangerous, disorderly, and frequently violent. My brother and I often got up to mischief out here! Very entertaining!
- <name>: 'I see.'
- <name>: 'Tell me about the Umbari Language.'
- Daxamat: 'You will hear many languages in the streets and alleys of Umbar Baharbêl, such as the Ordâkhai of the Great Southern Empire and the Temîk spoken by the dwarves who emerge from the Shoreward Stone, but the most common is Umbari. Most residents name themselves in Umbari, and will refer to places and things by their Umbari names.
- 'For example: the Bay of Belfalas is Abamâtu. Corsairs are Garâdi. The Shield Isles that lie to the north-west of Umbar are called Zîrar Tarka, and the dangerous rocks that lie about them are Shedax Khîn, the Grinding Jaws. We will be avoiding those, I hope!
- 'I never had any call to read, but my brother tells me that writing in Umbari is done from right-to-left, and vowels are a fairly recent invention. Huh! If I had spent any time in the Tor-gardens, perhaps this would mean something to me.'
- <name>: 'Perhaps!'
- <name>: 'Tell me about military and the Law.'
- Daxamat: 'Umbar's military force must be in a state of upheaval after Balakhôr's defeat and the revolution in which the Heirs of Castamir were overthrown. I do know there was a small standing army of Haradrim warriors that were maintained by the Empire of Ordâkh, but most of them sailed to the War and were lost at Pelargir. When I was young, most soldiers of Umbar were footmen, and only captains rode horses into battle. They wielded spears, maces, and swords, and carried bows of horn and wood. I do not know if that is still true. Their true power, of course, is at sea, with both oared and sailed dromonds called 'Jasa' in Umbari.
- 'Something else I remember from my childhood that must surely still be true: Umbar possessed a strong tradition of gladitorial combat. Successful gladiators, called Hulîz, numbered among the wealthiest and most prestigious folk in the city. Combat was not usually to the death, although accidents did happen from time to time.
- 'Umbar is not a place of lawlessness, despite what is said in Gondor. In fact, Umbari law is mostly similiar to that of Gondor, since both were established by the Númenoreans. The Church of Sauron suspended many of the traditional laws, but now that the temple is ruined I think the judges, the Malîph, seek to restore the Umbari codex of laws, the Kitêb. Oh! There is one big difference between the laws of Gondor and Umbar: in Umbar a criminal can ask to be sent to the arena for trial-by-combat, where they must fight a number of bouts as a Hûlaz. The number is determined by the judgement of their Malêph.
- 'It is different when you are a-ship, of course. The only Malêph on a Corsair ship is the ship's captain, who makes all the rules and carries out all the punishment.'
- <name>: 'I see.'
Objective 11
- When you have learned enough, find Caebar below decks
Caebar is below decks, waiting to hear how the crew is enjoying the voyage.
- Daxamat: 'I am not much of a teacher, but I hope to be a help to you. What do you want to know?'
- Elladan says, "Legolas told me of his sea-longing. I understand him, but do not feel it myself."
- Elrohir says, "I understand we still have a long way to go before we reach Umbar."
- Elrohir says, "There is land to the south, but it is at the edge of sight."
- Rossaran says, "Sit and rest awhile, my friend."
- Caebar: 'Thanks for checking in on me, <name>. You say the Corsair Daxamat spoke about what we can expect when we reach Umbar? I should have liked to hear that... assuming it was good news!'
- You tell Caebar what you learned, and he nods.
- 'A little good and a little bad, then? It sounds to me as if we have our work cut out for us when we arrive. At least the sailing has been easy. I expected worse!'
- "But every sailor knows this truth: the temper of the Sea..."
- "...is changeable..."
Objective 12
- Talk to Sirgon inside the Wave-hunter
Sirgon calls for you as the storm rages outside and the Wave-hunter is tossed on wild seas.
- Sirgon: 'The storm rages and the seas are wild! We have to take down the sails, or the wind will tear our masts to splinters! The sailors and the Elves have gone above, but I cannot tell if they are still alive!'
Objective 13
- Go up on deck and weather the storm
The storm rages!
- Caebar says, "What are we to do?"
- Daxamat says, "This is like the storm that swamped our boat when my brother and I fled Umbar!"
- Daxamat says, "Storms have become more frequent in the Bay, I swear it!"
- Nauriel says, "Will the wind and the waves crush our ship to pieces? These are not foes I can fight!"
- Nauriel says, "We must reach Umbar! I must save my son!"
- Galengam says, "Oh no! Oh no!"
- Gimli says, "By Durin's Beard! Listen to the pounding of the waves!"
- Bruidis says, "Whatever evil drives this storm, we will face it together!"
- Rossaran says, "Let this storm do its worst! We will not tremble before it!"
- The storm rages!
- Mariner:
- The words of Galadriel before her Mirror surface in your memory.
- 'Your crew looks to you, Mariner. Will you survive this challenge of the Sea?'
- 'Or will your proud vessel be made driftwood, as have so many others before?'
Objective 14
- Talk to Legolas on the deck of the Wave-hunter
Legolas calls for your help.
- Legolas: 'The sails have been taken down, but we are not yet safe! There is a presence in the wind, and it seeks to batter our ship beneath the waves!'
- Fight alongside the Elves on the deck of the Wave-hunter
The storm rages!
- Legolas says, "This is no natural storm!"
- "We're too near the rocks!"
- "Everyone hold onto something!"
Objective 15
Thrown from the ship during the storm, you have washed ashore and must now return to the Wave-hunter.
- Sirgon says, "<name>... you're alive, thank the Valar!"
Objective 16
Waterlogged but alive, you have found where the Wave-hunter ran aground on the Shield Isles.
- Sirgon says, "That unnatural storm has brought the voyage of the Wave-hunter to an early end."
- Sirgon says, "We have run aground upon the Shield Isles!"
- Sirgon says, "Let us wait for the rain to stop, and then we will decide upon our next move."
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![[53.9S, 82.4W]](/wiki/File:Pinnath_Gelin_map.jpg){kind=link}
![[53.9S, 82.4W]](/wiki/File:Outer_Gondor_map.jpg){kind=link}
![[82.7S, 80.8W]](/wiki/File:King%27s_Gondor_map.jpg){kind=link}
![[3.7N, 130.1W]](/wiki/File:Shield_Isles_map.jpg){kind=link}