Nar-i-Anor

From t2twiki

The founding charter for the Nar-i-Anor guild

It was with the return of the Noldor to Middle Earth that the light of Anor was first seen shining upon Arda from the heavens. Beholding it in its full beauty, a small group vowed to protect it with their lives, lest it be destroyed by Melkor in the same way as the two trees. This group became known as the Nár-i-Anor; the Flame of Anor. They were chiefly amongst the golden-haired house of Finarfin, and after its founding by Finrod in the caverns of Narog, they dwelt in Nargothrond, where they kept watch over the actions of Morgoth from their hidden halls.

Here they dwelt for many years, ever actively yet secretly holding to their oath to protect Anor. After the Dagor Bragollach, when their king Finrod Felagund was rescued and swore friendship to Barahir, the Nár-i-Anor began to accept into its ranks those of the race of men who had proven their devotion to the light.

So it was that when Túrin Turambar came to Nargothrond led by Gwindor, and grew to be greatly respected among the elves who lived there, he was taken into the Nár-i-Anor and gained their respect with his great skills of warfare. Led by Túrin the forces of Nargothrond and the Nár-i-Anor with them forsook their secrecy and went openly into battle against Morgoth's forces, driving the forces of Angband out of all the land between the Narog and Sirion eastward, and westward to the Nenning.

A great host of Angband lead by Glaurung the Urulokë came against the forces of Nargothrond, and the host led by Túrin was routed, and Orodreth and Gwindor slain in the battle. Túrin gathered what he could of the survivors of the rout, and returned to Nargothrond, too late to save the great fortress from its sacking at the hands of Glaurung and the orcs. He then went with haste to Dor-lómin, to ensure the safety of his family. Those few of the Nár-i-Anor who managed to escape the host faded back into secrecy, bound still to their oath, but now also seeking Túrin, their leader.

When they heard word of the Black Sword defeating the orcs at Brethil, these survivors moved in haste, hoping to meet with Túrin there. But he had gone already to meet Glaurung in battle, and when they finally came to Cabed-en-Aras they found Glaurung long since slain, and woe! Túrin too, slain by his own hand. Soon after them came Mablung and his elves, and the Men of Brethil, and they burned the body of the dragon in a great fire. Túrin they lay to rest in a high mound where he had fallen, and with him the shards of his sword Gurthang.

But when all had left, the last of the Nár-i-Anor returned unto Cabed-en-Aras, and they took from the mound the shards of Gurthang, for they knew that one day, that sword would be used again to battle the forces of Morgoth. They then travelled south to the Isle of Balar and dwelt with Círdan for many years. Here they became followers of Gil-Galad, high king of the Noldor, and they followed him to Lindon and remained there until Gil-Galad marched to battle Sauron along with Elendil in the last alliance of elves and men.

After Gil-Galad's fall, they returned with Círdan to Lindon, and he became the secret master of their order. The shards of Gurthang remained safe in his keeping, and the Nár-i-Anor faded once more to a memory. Yet their oath remained strong as ever, and if there ever came a time when Anor was in need, Círdan would summon the group back to uphold their vow of protection of Anor, to battle the Shadow in honour of the blazing sun.

The theme statement for the Nar-i-Anor guild

In T.A 1000, when Gandalf the Grey first came to Lindon, those members highest among the Nár-i-Anor, who were close to Círdan, witnessed the passing of the elven ring of fire, Narya, and adopted its new bearer as the new master of their order. He had his own plans beyond them, however, and while he travelled Arda they remained in Mithlond.

Now, in the 3rd millenium of the Third Age, Middle Earth is ravaged by war. Returning to Mithlond from the Council of Elrond, Galdor brought word to the Nár-i-Anor from their adopted master that the time had come for their oath to be fulfilled. The oath of the Nár-i-Anor had been taken long ago, when the sun first rose in Middle Earth and the race of men first awoke. On this day the order vowed that they would protect Anor, the sun, in all its forms, to prevent its light being extinguished by Morgoth as were the two trees in Valinor. Now, thousands of years later, the oath called them to the defense of the White City of Minas Tirith. In ancient times, the city had been known as Minas Anor, Tower of the Sun. By this former naming, the city became part of the oath of the Nár-i-Anor. Thus, bound to their oath, they left their home of Mithlond, the Grey Havens, by ship, arriving at the docks of Harlond in Gondor by T.A 3019. Knowing that the elves amongst them would be refused entry into Minas Tirith, they entered in small groups in the guise of men of outlying provinces of Gondor come to defend the city. They took up residence in an abandoned vault beneath the bottom level, and began the work of expanding and fortifying it to house their small force and assist in the defense of the city. They had little time, for soon the forces of Mordor and their allies would march on the White City, and the time would come for the Nár-i-Anor to fulfil their oath, and protect the light of Anor.

[edit] History

Originally founded as the Cymbrogi by Myrddin, the major purpose of the clan was to engage in the commanding of armies of Gondor on the Pelennor. After becoming a guild shortly after dev 22, the group became more like the generic guild, and as such were in need of a more thematic theme, and with it, name. Thus after a petition submitted on the 26/11/05 and implemented on 19/1/06, they were reborn as the Nar-i-Anor. The new name and theme has given the guild a much better link with Tolkien's works, and thus far greater ability to roleplay than was previously enjoyed. The guild is still young, and has as yet had little effect on the history of the Two Towers MUD. Myrddin has remained the only long-term guildmaster since its foundation, with brief but appreciated terms from Tiresias, Narden and Demis.

[edit] Notes

Cymbrogi was the name for King Arthur's warband in Welsh history/mythology. It is also, as it turns out, an anagram for "I'm Cyborg". This has led to some people (see Fellowship of the Rimbor-Anim) to refer to members of the Nar-i-Anor as "cyborgs". This is generally taken humorously by NiA members rather than offensively as it is most likely intended.