Dramatis Personae

Adunalu the Fat
A tall man of Numenorean ancestry is Adulanu, 'Man of the West', is somewhat different from most Dunedain. Though taller than the Rhevain of Middle-earth, he differs from the typical Numenorean in his impressive weight. Weighing over two-hundred pounds, Adulanu is truly a big person.

Azulanu's black hair curls atop his head, and two blue eyes peek out from beneath his bushy eyebrows, and a short beard sprouts from his chin. His clothing, like that of most Dairaziri, is rich and beautiful, an embroidered black tunic and a belt of pure gold; his hands are covered in rings of gold and silver. On his feet are a pair of sandals, not as beautiful as the rest of his attire but still functional.

Dranage the Learned
Before you is a stout Khazad. His face seems old and deep in thought. He wears what look like dark goggles above his eyes on his head, dark eyes peer out below the goggles. His face is old looking, but his hair is dark brown. You decide that he is a little older than a mid-aged Dwarf. Looking longer you see his beard reaches down all the way to below his belt and it flows freely, but there are places where it looks as if it had been bound recently. He wears a black shirt that reveals his strong arms, which have evidence of burn marks on them. Over his shirt he wears an apron made of heavy Leather, which also has burn marks on it. This reaches down very low to the ground and is belted at the waist. In his belt are a pair of gloves that look as if they would cover all of his forearm. Lower he wears a pair on black pants and a pair of black boots finish off the wardrobe.

Galenrien Teleminzil, Healer of Armenelos
A young woman of Numenor stands before you. She walks with the proud steps of her heritage. Although her form is lithe, and her movements graceful, she is not exceedingly tall. Her auburn hair is held back from her face by two braids woven to the nape of her neck. Woven here and there in the braids are silver threads, which seem to catch the light when she moves. Curls are always escaping, often causing her to brush them back from her face with deft fingers. If one looked closely, one would notice her large and expressive gray eyes have fine lines in the corners, which seem to suggest smiles and laughter, even if her expression is serious. Her lips are full and generous.

She wears a simple form-fitting dress of a silvery-blue silk, and on close inspection, one can see that the embroidery visible at her left shoulder and around her hem line is of blue flowers entwined with leaves on a vine. Pinned at her right shoulder, the emblem of the Healer's Guild can be seen. Around her neck is her only piece of jewelry, a gemstone of sea-blue, hanging on a silver chain that rests in the hollow of her throat. A small green satchel made of leather is hung from a strap, which is usually slung over her shoulder to hang down her back, or if her hands are busy, she ties it at her waist to keep it from getting in her way.

The Setting

Romenahl Square
Paved with cobblestone, the square lies wide and content-looking before you. All the traffic that enters or leaves Umbar through its busiest Eastern Gate must go through here, and thus the Romenahl is rarely empty. Before dawn, scores of wagons from the countryside line up the square on their way south to the market; messengers and adventurers form a small trickle that goes the opposite way, and occasionally an army marches East, overruling all other traffic.

Two pillars on the eastern end of the square support the Eastern Gate fortifications; the road out passes between them. Streets run in all directions from the Romenahl, making you wonder which way to turn next, for Umbar is the city of much business and many pleasures. All the area surrounding the square is known in Umbar as Eastgate.

Obvious exits:

Northwest leads to Ar-Batan: Magistrate.
West leads to Gimilbatan: The Star Arches.
Southwest leads to Harbatan: At the Leather Shops.
To The Gates leads to In the Shadow of Eastern Gate.

The Story

The brisk fall breeze blows through the Square as the last of the days out of town traders and merchants hurry to pass out of the gates before dark. The sounds of horses clomping on the cobblestone paved street blend with the voices, both gruff and liting to form a cacaphony of sound that permeates the whole of the Square. Folk walk amid the bustle on foot as well, making the Square an unkind place to have dropped something of value.

This is apparently what has happened to a woman, who along with a young man, barely a man, more like a lad, try to alternately survey the ground and watch the road to avoid being trampled upon. The woman's hood is down, exopsing her hair, which is blown about by the errant breeze, and hampers her view of the ground. This does not seem to deterr her however, as she is quite lost in her search, dark head bent.

Standing off to the side of the square is a dwarf. It is quite odd to see one here, but many pay no attention to him, for he has been in Umbar for almost a month now. He leans against a building and watches as the people walk here or there, with seemingly no pattern. His head turns as he sees someone he recognizes. It is Galenrien, but he is not sure, for the wind blows through her hair and it blocks his view. He does not stir to approach her, yet.

A large man of Numenorean blood steps through the square on business of his own. The Dunadan, large by any human standards, walks carefully to avoid walking into anything. He looks about at the gathering of peoples: Dunedain, a few Haradrim, and a dwarf. He mutters to himself seeing the Naugrim, for they rarely leave the North, but lets it go and sits down on a low wall to rest.

As he continues to look around, Dranage decides to jump into the bustling crowd. He appears top be attempting to get back into the main part of the city. Who even know how or why he came out here, but nonetheless, he is trying to fight his way into the city. First he makes some progress, but a cart pushes him back, and he ends up almost outside the gates. After about 10 minutes, he makes his way back to the wall where he stood, almost out of breath.

Adulanu looks down at the dwarf standing nearby. Wondering how he comes to be so far south he starts to make his way toward the dwarf, but stops short after about five steps to inspect something on the ground. Stooping, the Numenorean picks up a coin of little worth, but greedily pockets it before anyone notices. Looking again for the dwarf a few minutes later Adulanu comes a bit closer and tries to talk, but forgetting what was on his mind stops before drawing much attention to himself.

Dranage puts his hands on his knees to catch his breath. Standing back up straight, he wipes sweat from his brow. Then he looks back out into the crowd and sees and larger man who seems to be making his way through the mass of people with no problem. Dranage watches as the man stoops and lifts a coin from the ground. Amazed, Dranage waves at the man trying to get his attention.

Adulanu looks curiously at the waving dwarf. His eyes widen. Cautiously, he says, "Hail... May I... help you, Nauko?" and straightens himself to appear more regal, though he fails for the most part.

Dranage smiles as the man notices him. "Aye, good evening. I seem to be having a bit of trouble getting back into the city." He steps away from the wall, but almost gets steped on by a horse and the rider scowls at him. Dranage shrugs his shoulders and raises an eyebrow at the man.

The Numenorean eyes the dwarf cautiously, having never met one of the Naugrim in person before. Looking about the bustling square he notes, "Indeed, the Haradrim are uncouth savages. I see not why they are allowed to dwell in this fair city. Is there any way I can aid you in your endeavor?" Adulanu looks at the dwarf again, and falls silent, awaiting an answer.

Dranage glances back and forth at the traffic, "Well, pleased to meet you, sir. Do you think it be too much trouble to help me get into the city. I left here earlier to take a break from the city, and it appears I have come back at a rather poor time." He smiles and his beard rises on the sides.

Pondering the dwarf's words, Adulanu scratches his head and thinks for a moment. At last he asks, "Is there any way I can help you get into the city?"

Dranage nods, "Well, sir. You see, I am used to the wide caverns of Ered Nimrais. I am not used to the narrow and bustling street. It appears that all are leaving, but I wish to go back in. I saw that you seem to know how to navigate around here. If you would, could you help?" Dranage's face turns red under his beard as he makes his humble request.

Adulanu nods to Dranage and says, "Ah, that does simplify things." Bringing himself up to his full height, he inhales deeply and shouts at the top of his massive lungs, "Everyone get out of they way!" At this the whole square falls silent and most people back away. Turning back to the dwarf he says, "There, that should be acceptable."

Eyes widened, Dranage stands for a moment staring at the man. "Well, uh, thank you, sir." He manages to spit out after a moment of silence. Slowly he walks up the middle of the road, which is now clear. Stopping he loks back, "My name is Dranage, of Ered Nimrais. it is good to meet you, uh... I didn't catch you name?"

Adulanu laughs quietly at Dranage's surprise. "I am Adulanu of Armenelos, come to educate these savages on the ways of Numenor. I am pleased to make your aquaintance, Master Dranage. Perhaps we shall meet again."

With a wave of his hand and a quick bow, Dranage makes his way up the street, quickly as to not hold up traffic too long. "Yes, I hope we do meet again, good, sir." With that he disappears into the darkness of Umbar's evening.