A Kingdom Yet to Be

The War of the Ring ended in victory for the Free Peoples and the downfall of Sauron. Yet victory came at a great cost. Many lands suffered greatly during the long years of war, and ruin, hardship and depopulation remain even after the Enemy's defeat.

With the crowning of Elessar Telcontar, the long-divided realms of the Dúnedain have a King once more. Yet while the ancient kingship of Arnor has been restored, much of the realm itself remains a shadow of what it once was. Its old cities lie in ruin, its peoples are scattered, and many roads and lands still bear the scars of war and long years of neglect.

If the North is to prosper once more, much remains to be learned and much work remains to be done.

To this end, King Elessar sends north a young Gondorian scholar as his royal envoy, charged with travelling throughout Eriador to hear of the troubles and needs of its peoples, learn what hardships remain following the recent War, and discover what aid the Crown might offer toward their recovery.

Though the envoy has neither been sent to govern the North nor to rebuild it himself, his journey may provide opportunities to help those he encounters and bring together those with common interests. By opening lines of communication, hearing grievances and needs, and encouraging cooperation where it may prove fruitful, his mission might yet sow some of the first seeds of recovery.

Having arrived by ship at the Grey Havens, the envoy sets forth into Eriador. His travels will take him through Ered Luin, the Shire, Bree-land and beyond, seeking to learn how the peoples of the North endured the War, what troubles they now face, and what part their new King might play in helping their lands recover.

For though the King has returned to the North, there remains the greater task of restoring the kingdom over which he now reigns.