Three weeks later, Tuiwen enters a sealed council chamber within the Elvenking’s Halls. Beyond its stone doors, the eastern gates remain guarded, while the spring and deep roads are left undisturbed.
Thranduil waits beside a map table marked with the mountain road and Dol Guldur. Tauriel stands opposite him, one hand resting on a narrow, age-darkened charter recovered from the royal archives.
Thranduil
The mountain report has become settled law. The spring is watched, the deep roads remain sealed, and no guard will disturb the dragon without cause.
Tauriel unrolls the charter. Its ink has faded to brown, but the old beacon marks remain legible, linking a first warning fire to watchpoints facing Dol Guldur and the western roads.
Tauriel
This charter predates the present darkness. The first beacon can warn the Free Peoples that Dol Guldur’s power is growing, but its flame will show our gathering place exactly.
Thranduil
A warning that summons danger to our own gates is no simple gift. Yet silence may leave every neighboring realm blind.
The chamber falls quiet around the charter’s fragile promise. Thranduil’s summons has brought Tuiwen into the decision, while Tauriel waits beside the map for her counsel.
✓ Quest Accepted
Prepare the first warning beacon for safe use
“"I like it. Our light will outshine the shadow of Dol Guldur. It is useless to hide from the enemy. We must confront him wherever he appears. We do not fear the shadow, it is the shadow who should fear us."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
Tuiwen
I like it. Our light will outshine the shadow of Dol Guldur. It is useless to hide from the enemy. We must confront him wherever he appears. We do not fear the shadow; it is the shadow who should fear us.
Tuiwen’s oath-bound will refuses concealment that would abandon threatened realms, yet it keeps her purpose within the lawful warning rather than reckless pursuit. Sovereign Heritage gives her counsel the weight of the Woodland Realm, while Protector of the Kin turns defiance into shelter for those beyond its borders.
Thranduil
Then we will not hide the warning. Tauriel, prepare the first beacon. Let every watching realm see that Dol Guldur’s shadow has been named and opposed.
Tauriel
At once, my king. Its flame will stand as warning, not invitation, and our gathering will answer whatever follows.
Tauriel takes the age-darkened charter and signals the waiting guards. Within moments, the first beacon’s brazier is carried toward the eastern heights, under armed protection and without disturbing the sealed mountain roads.
Thranduil places his hand over the map as the chamber doors open to the messenger stairs. The Woodland Realm will light the beacon, warn the Free Peoples, and meet the shadow in the open.
“"I will accompany them. I have seen signs of orc bands in the area. They are as yet but few, but they can gather quickly, and the beacon is an open challenge to all who fear the light."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Perception, rolled +1)
Tuiwen
I will accompany them. I have seen signs of Orc bands nearby. They are few for now, but they can gather quickly, and the beacon is an open challenge to all who fear the light.
Thranduil studies her, then gives a grave assent. Tauriel redirects the beacon party toward the eastern heights, and Tuiwen takes the outer path beside them, eyes sweeping the grass, stones, and shadowed trees.
Thranduil
Go with Tauriel. Find the Orcs before they find the beacon, and return with what you know. Do not abandon the warning’s purpose for a needless pursuit.
Tuiwen’s Oath-Bound restraint keeps her search within the beacon’s lawful defense. Her Dol Guldur Veteran’s memory recognizes disciplined signs, Hunter’s Bane catches disturbed cover and fading scent, and the Elven blade steadies her reading of old cuts in the earth.
Beyond a low ridge, she identifies several fresh Orc trails converging from the south, still sparse but deliberately placed. No band has gathered yet, and none has seen the beacon party.
Tauriel
You have found them before they can gather. We will keep the beacon moving and mark the trails for the wardens. The warning will not be silenced by shadows in the grass.
Tuiwen leads the party safely around the converging tracks and reaches the eastern height with Tauriel. The beacon brazier is set in place, while the Orc signs remain recorded for the guards who will follow.
“"Lighting the brazier will surely attract evil things like honey attracts flies. We must teach them fear instead. This must become a place dread and doom to all who follow the shadow. Let us set ambushes and see what falls into our net."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Melee Weapons, rolled +1)
Tuiwen circles the beacon height with Tauriel, choosing concealed hollows and narrow approaches rather than exposing the brazier. Oath-Bound restraint keeps the ambush defensive, not a reckless hunt.
Her Dol Guldur Veteran’s memory reads the Orcs’ disciplined routes, while Hunter’s Bane catches crushed grass, resin, and fading spoor. She places the hidden elves where every approach enters their reach.
Tauriel
Hold until they cross the marked stones. Then we close the net together.
A small Orc warband advances toward the beacon, weapons ready and eyes fixed on its flame. Tuiwen lets them pass the first hollow before Protector of the Kin turns her purpose toward the threatened realm’s safety.
When the last Orc steps between the stones, Tuiwen strikes with the Elven blade. Its swift flat cuts break weapons and balance, while Tauriel’s elves spring from cover and bind the disarmed intruders.
The ambush closes cleanly. The Orcs lie captured and subdued, their approach halted before they can threaten the beacon, while no warning flame is extinguished and no sealed road is disturbed.
Tauriel
They have learned the beacon is guarded. We will question them under watch, and let the light continue its warning.
Quest Complete
Prepare the first warning beacon for safe use
New Gift: Beacon's Radiance