The Blue Mountains

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East Lune

"… there was all one wood once upon a time from here to the Mountains of Lune, and this was just the East End. Those were the broad days! Time was when I could walk and sing all day and hear no more than the echo of my own voice in the hollow hills."

A hilly, marshy and heavily wooded expanse, East Lune is bounded by the Blue Mountains to the west, and the great River Lune to the north and east. The land consists of two halves, neatly bisected by the Little Lune (a tributary of the larger river). The northern section is generally marshier and greener (albeit bitterly cold in winter), while the south is rockier and more rugged. Most of East Lune has never seen much in the way of civilization, and remains a wild and untamed land.
 

Wildlife

East Lune is a haven for waterbirds of all kinds, especially herons, who keep a keen watch on groups of travellers who enter their territories. Owls and kestrels hunt for mice in the woodland and on the cliffsides, and wolves range far and wide. Bears, too, are reasonably common in the woods (and prove to be solid and wise company, should a Beorning or Elf wise in the speech of beasts find themselves treading the foothills of East Lune).

Oaks, lindens, pines, ash, beeches, birches and willows are but a few of the varieties of trees which can be found here, and the rough grass is speckled with bluebells and daisies in the spring, when the distinctive smell of wild garlic is inescapable.

Inhabitants

Almost all of the (few) inhabitants of this region are Dwarves, although even they do not spend the full year in the wilds and instead repair to their Halls in the mountains. Certain highly independent Men make their homes here too, but not in any great numbers. It is a rare Ranger who travels this far west, unless they are tracking an adversary to make sure they do not return to the lands they guard. In winter, the far north of the region plays host to some among the tribes of the Lossoth, a collective term for a disparate grouping of tribal communities who vary greatly in tradition and outlook yet share the tenacity and stubbornness required to live in the hostile chill and eternal snows of the north.

Notable Characters

Bruni

No large settlement of Men is present in East Lune, and so the Blue Mountain Dwarves are partly required to fend for themselves as far as their food and wood needs are concerned. Bruni is the leader of a band of cragsmen who strike out from the Halls in search of whatever resource is required. Due to the wide area across which he and his followers range, Bruni is reasonably likely to be the first Dwarf encountered by travellers in East Lune. Such companies will find him affable yet guarded, for the Dwarf-band are also responsible for deterring any threats which come from the east.

To be discovered...

Notable Locations

Vale of Tombs

This ancient and fiercely guarded valley is the resting place of the Kings of Belegost, who lie in repose in tombs cut into the living rock of the mountainside. It is well known among Dwarves that each of these great lords was buried with their arms and amour, ancient artefacts of masterful craft. Debate in the Halls of the Dwarves periodically rages over whether or not the tombs should be opened and these relics recovered.

The last time this question was raised was when Thorin Oakenshield and his company were setting out to reclaim Erebor. At that time the Lady Sigrún (see the Northern Blue Mountains section) refused, having weighed the risk of Orcs or worse ending Thorin's mission early and claiming the treasures of her forebears for themselves against the benefits of providing Dragon-resistant armour to the Company. The reclaiming of Erebor has quieted the debate for now, but it may rise again at a moment's notice.

To be discovered...

 

 

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Northern Blue Mountains

Thráin and Thorin with what remained of their following … wandered in Eriador, until at last they made a home in exile in the east of the Ered Luin beyond the Lune.

The northern half of the Blue Mountains runs in an almost straight line from the south to the north, before veering off to the northeast. To the south the mountains are not particularly high, and do not attract snow except in the deeps of winter. Further to the North, the peaks grow higher, snowier and more rugged. The far north of the range is dotted with abandoned Dwarf mines, some of which offer respite to travellers. However, many of these are now claimed by foul creatures.

Wildlife

The Northern Blue Mountains are a verdant range, where rowan and fir trees crowd together as far up each mount as they can reach, and rugged grass stretches even further. Goats wend their way across the range, as do hares, wildcats, martens and squirrels. Birds such as merlins and hawks swoop down from high nests, while ptarmigans and capercaillies wander below.

Inhabitants

All three of the western Houses of the Dwarves have at one time or other been based in these mountains, stretching back to the days of Nogrod and Belegost. In addition to the familiar Durin's Folk (the Longbeards), travelers can meet the Folks of Nai and Nithi (Firebeards and Broadbeams, respectively). An outsider is unlikely to notice much of a difference between the three Houses, but any Dwarf can instantly tell the heritage of any they meet.

Generally speaking, the Durin's Folk are tallest and their hair and beards the longest, while Nai's kin boast copper or russet hair and fervent voices. Nithi's clan tend to be bulkier and quieter, but have great skill with music. Apart from Dwarves, few live in this region apart from some Lossoth tribes who favour the foothills of the northernmost mountains as winter refuges.

Notable Characters

Sigrún

Sigrún is the current Lady of Nai's Folk. It was her father who welcomed Thorin into the Halls, and both he and later Sigrún refused to lead a large armed expedition to reclaim Erebor, eventually forcing Thorin to settle for stealth. Relations between Sigrún and King Dáin, Thorin's successor, are far less frosty, although the two have not yet met.

Sigrún is a sagacious and worldly Dwarf who values wisdom and learning, believing that the lessons of the past are of key importance in guiding the future.

A gracious host, Sigrún is ever-happy to welcome travellers into her halls, especially if they seem capable of recovering the ancient treasures of her people from wherever they may be hidden.

Svior

Honourable Svior is Sigrún's younger cousin and the chief commander of her warriors. A close friend of Thorin, Svior was sorely tempted to join the Quest for Erebor himself, although he ultimately (on Sigrún's advice) elected to remain in the West. In recompense the Firebeards sent three volunteers along with Thorin (the brothers Bofur and Bombur, and their cousin Bifur). Svior is very well disposed to the Sons of Durin, and keen to share tales with any he meets.

To be discovered...

Notable Locations

Halls of the Dwarves

Called Baraz-dûm by the Dwarves who live here, the Halls were but a single Hall, modest in size, until the coming of the Longbeards from Erebor, who worked with the resident Firebeards to expand the settlement (even now some of Durin's Folk say that they founded the Halls, a turn of phrase that the Firebeards do not particularly like).

Today, Baraz-dûm is still humble compared to Erebor or even the mines in the Iron Hills, but it remains well-built and well-tended. Music and light fill its vaulted rooms ceaselessly, as does the quintessentially Dwarven rhythm of hammer-falls. At dawn the sun shines into myriad small windows cut into the mountainside, painting the halls a deep red. Baraz-dûm is overall a peaceful and restful place.

Ruins of Belegost and Nogrod

All Dwarves know the tales of the great cities of the Blue Mountains, Gabilgathol and Tumunzahar, ancestral homes of the Firebeard and Broadbeam clans. Shattered and drowned at the close of the First Age, these fortresses are far beyond reclaiming, but still contain wonders, secrets and treasures.

Gabilgathol (Belegost) was the fairer of the two cities in its day, and consisted of many broad and tall chambers, most of which have now collapsed. The original gates of the city are inaccessible, but many great rents in the mountainside open into short reaches of accessible ruins. The Dwarves who endeavour to uncover as much of Belegost as can be are largely mountaineers, although newer projects involve miners creating new tunnels into the rubble. Warriors accompany both groups, as foul things of all descriptions have been found nesting in shadowed corners.

Tumunzahar (Nogrod) was once a mighty fortress, and even now much of the upper levels are relatively free of damage. However, the city flooded in the upheaval which doomed Beleriand and the lower levels are still largely underwater. The water level recedes slightly every year thanks to the work of engineers, and so the brave Dwarven divers can explore progressively lower. Dwarves have never been the ablest of swimmers, and so outsiders are sometimes recruited should a particularly wondrous treasure be spotted and need recovering.

To be discovered...

 

 

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Southern Blue Mountains

Dwarves dwelt, and still dwell, in the east side of the Blue Mountains, especially in those parts south of the Gulf of Lune, where they have mines that are still in use.

The Southern Blue Mountains generally follow the same arc made by the northern stretch, although a vast spur forks off to the east, surrounded by wilderness which few tarry in for long. Although sharing much of the same geology and history with the rest of the range, the South Blue Mountains are more remote and lesser travelled.

Wildlife

The South Blue Mountains are a haven for birds such as kites, kestrels and ospreys. Deer (both red and fallow) are common further down the peaks, as are wild boar. Butterflies and bees rest on crocuses, poppies and primulas, and bears linger around mountain streams. Holly is very common on the western side of the mountains, while the east ears rowan and pine.

Inhabitants

Dwarves and Goblins are the only folks who live in the southern Blue Mountains, the former far more abundantly than the latter. Perhaps the largest population of Dwarves outside of Erebor can be found here, many of them working as miners and smiths. Not all of the Dwarves are present for the full year, as a good proportion are seasonal workers or apprentices from the North.

Men from Bree occasionally travel with Dwarves to the Mines, although not in the same numbers as go to the Halls.

Notable Characters

Farin

Farin is the overseer of the Mines, and thus is directly responsible for the welfare of many of his fellows. Born to the Line of Nithi, Farin is nominally the Lord of the Broadbeams (although in effect Lady Sigrún directs the fate of both peoples). Taking his responsibilities seriously, Farin can occasionally be found at the court of Sigrún, but prefers to remain watching over the mines. An early life on the road has left him stubborn, glum and rather mistrustful of strangers. However, a friendship with Farin is a friendship for life, and he holds many old secrets close to his chest.

To be discovered...

Notable Locations

Mines of the Dwarves

The southern Blue Mountains contain multiple Dwarven mines, but the greatest is found towards the north of the range. Here the Dwarves have found iron and silver both, and here Farin of Nithi's Folk watches over his people. The Mine is a working settlement, not a large or elegant mansion, and the Dwarves who inhabit are more insular than their northern fellows, being unused to hosting travellers. Old wisdom is perhaps the greatest treasure which can be found here.

Shadehorn

The dark peak known as Shadehorn is shunned by the Dwarves, who credit it with an evil reputation. In ages past, it is said that a Dwarf sought to hide his accumulated treasure in a place none would expect. This Dwarf climbed the Shadehorn never to return, and all others who have sought the treasure over the years have likewise vanished. Perhaps a particularly nasty Stone Giant or Mountain Troll makes its home here… or perhaps something even more sinister.

To be discovered...