Gwaith-i-Mirdain

From t2twiki

Founder: Eloz

The founding charter for the Gwaith-i-Mirdain

In the year 750 of the Second Age the Elves established the realm of Eregion, where at Ost-in-Edhil the Gwaith-i-Mírdain, 'People of the Jewel-Smiths', surpassed in cunning all that have ever wrought, save only Fëanor himself. To them came Sauron in the guise of Annatar, Lord of Gifts; and they took thought, and made the Rings of Power.

But secretly Sauron made the One Ring to rule all others, and when his treachery was revealed the elves took off their rings. And he, finding that the Elves were not deceived, was filled with wrath and came against them in open war. Gathering a great force, Sauron invaded Eregion, and at last captured Ost-in-Edhil. The escaping Mírdain joined with the host of Elrond and established a refuge and stronghold at Imladris. From that time war has never ceased between Sauron and the Elves.

To this day the Gwaith-i-Mírdain remain the greatest craftsmen in all of Arda, and indulging their fascination with gems and other lore occupies much of their time. They are withdrawn and elusive, yet tales still tell of ancient travellers trading in jewels or metals in some dark corner of a crowded tavern. Although long thought lost and abandoned, from afar one may still see a dim light burning in the ancient forge where once stood the City of Elves.

The theme statement for the Gwaith-i-Mirdain guild

"In the Great Battle that ended the First Age and Morgoth's reign, Beleriand was broken and laid waste, and northward and westward many lands sank beneath the waters of the Great Sea. All that remained was that land which had of old been named Lindon by the Noldor, and this name it bore thereafter; and many of the Elves still dwelt there, lingering, unwilling yet to forsake Beleriand where they had fought and laboured long. Others of the Eldar there were who crossed the mountains of the Ered Luin in that age and passed into the inner lands. Many of these were Sindar, survivors of Doriath and Ossiriand; and they established realms among the Silvan Elves in woods and mountains far from the sea, for which nonetheless they ever yearned in their hearts. Only in Eregion, which Men called Hollin, did Elves of Noldorin race establish a lasting realm beyond the Ered Luin. Eregion was nigh to the great mansions of the Dwarves that were called Khazad-dûm, but by the elves Hadhodrond, and afterwards Moria. From Ost-in-Edhil, the city of the Elves, the highroad ran to the west gate of Khazad-dûm, for a friendship arose between Dwarves and Elves, such as has never elsewhere been. Both Elves and Dwarves had great profit from this association: so that Eregion became far stronger, and Khazad-dûm far more beautiful, than either would have done alone.

"In Eregion the craftsmen of the Gwaith-i-Mírdain, the People of the Jewel-Smiths, surpassed in cunning all that have ever wrought, save only Fëanor himself, and indeed greatest in skill among them was Celebrimbor, son of Curufin, Fëanor's son. To them, Sauron came, wearing the fairest disguise he could contrive (calling himself Annatar, Lord of Gifts), and taught them many things. They eagerly received his counsel, for in that land the Noldor desired ever to increase the skill and subtlety of their work. Moreover, they were not at peace in their hearts, since they had refused to return into the West, and they desired both to stay in Middle-Earth, which indeed they loved, and yet to enjoy the bliss of those who had departed. Therefore they hearkened to Sauron, and they learned of him many things, for his knowledge was great. They laboured together (as they thought) for the enrichment of Middle-Earth, and for the raising of all the Elven-kindreds to the height of power and knowledge. In those days the smiths of Ost-in-Edhil surpassed all that they had contrived before, and took thought, and made the Rings of Power.

"Now the elves made many rings; but secretly Sauron made the One Ring to rule all the others, and their power was bound up with it, to be subject wholly to it and to last only so long as it too should last. And much of the strength and will of Sauron passed into that One Ring; for the power of he Elven-rings was very great, and that which should govern them must be a thing of surpassing potency; and Sauron forged it in the Mountain of Fire in the Land of Shadow. While he wore the One Ring he could perceive all the things that were done by means of the lesser rings, and he could see and govern the very thoughts of those who wore them.

"But the Elves were not so lightly to be caught. As soon as Sauron set the One Ring upon his finger they were aware of him; and they knew him, and perceived that he sought to master them, and all they had wrought. Then in anger and fear they took off their rings. But he, finding that he was betrayed and that the Elves were not deceived, was filled with wrath; and he came against them with open war, demanding that all the rings should be delivered to him, since the Elven-smiths could not have attained to their making without his lore and counsel. But the Elves fled from him, and some of their rings they saved, and bore them away, and hid them.

"Gathering a great force, Sauron moved over Calenardhon to the invasion of Eriador in the year 1695. When news of this reached Gil-galad he sent out a force under Elrond Half-Elven; but Elrond had far to go, and Sauron turned north and made at once for Eregion. The scouts and vanguard of Sauron's host were already approaching when Celebrimbor made a sortie and drove them back; but though he was able to join his force to that of Elrond they could not return to Eregion, for Sauron's host was far greater than theirs, great enough both to hold them off and closely to invest Eregion. At last the attackers broke into Eregion with ruin and devastation, and captured the chief object of Sauron's assault, the House of the Mírdain, where were their smithies and their treasures. Celebrimbor, desperate, himself withstood Sauron on the steps of the great house of the Mírdain; but he was grappled and taken captive, and the house was ransacked. Concerning the Three Rings Sauron could learn nothing from Celebrimbor; and he had him put to death.

"In black anger he turned back to battle; and bearing as a banner Celebrimbor's body hung upon a pole, shot through with Orc-arrows, he turned upon the forces of Elrond. Elrond gathered such of the Elves of Eregion as had escaped, but he had no force to withstand the onset. He would indeed have been overwhelmed had not Sauron's host been attacked in the rear, for Durin sent out a force of Dwarves from Khazad-dûm, and with them came Elves of Lórien led by Amroth. Elrond was able to extricate himself, but he was forced away northwards, and it was at that time that he and the Mírdain established a refuge and stronghold at Imladris, known to men as Rivendell. Sauron withdrew the pursuit of Elrond and turned upon the Dwarves and the Elves of Lórien, whom he drove back; but the Gates of Moria were shut, and he could not enter. For two years Sauron laid waste to Eriador, until the might of Númenor's armies was added to that of Lindon and Imladris, and Sauron was driven back to Mordor.

"For an Age the smiths in Rivendell practised their craft, gathering ancient secrets and aiding, in their way, those whose needs were great. The reforging of the Sword-that-was-Broken is but one of their accomplishments. Visitors to the Last Homely House have for years found peace and healing under their watchful eye. Now, the Smiths move once more. With their apprentices and students, the Mírdain have found a new task to turn their attention to.

"Saruman's pursuit of the Rings and Ring-making has led him to send agents to Minas Tirith, and the Vales of Anduin, and the ruins of Eregion. The heedful smiths of Imladris, responding to this and to Sauron’s stirrings, in secret constructed a workshop nearby from which to study the ruins and protect their ancient lore. Having moved many of their books and instruments to this grand workshop, the smiths continue their labour. Elements of their craft, long thought lost, have been recovered and put to use; the forges burn bright, and word passes through city and countryside that the Gwaith-i-Mírdain are yet the masters of lore and lords of the smithy.

"Although they primarily work in secret, a Smith can oft be seen hard at work in the forge of Minas Tirith sharing knowledge with Hunthor, or in the dark mazes of Erebor conversing and trading secrets of the art with Muzah. Commerce carries on as usual, with the creation of jewellery and armaments for those deserving. True to the spirit of friendship between the Elves of Eregion and the Dwarves of Hadhodrond, the Mírdain are noted for taking in and teaching the occasional Khuzd or younger Elf skills and knowledge, so long as he or she is true of intentions. Though their motivations may be many, a passion to create unites them. There are those who remember the treachery of Annatar and mourn the loss of Celebrimbor, and those whose main concern is merely the craft. All revere Aulë, the Smith. The professional spirit of brotherhood continues to bring together the ancient smiths and new masters, to form a group unique in this world.

"If you possess a love of role-playing and aspire to keep the ancient craft of the Mírdain alive; if you are equally able to work with a group and independently of others; if you are willing to pledge loyalty to the Mírdain and its members and to follow a code of silence while serving an active role in Arda, then the Gwaith-i-Mírdain may be the place for you. Why not take a stroll along the banks of the Sirannon? Who knows what one might find... "