The Council

A council where the fate of the world is at stake.

It is 24th of October, year 3018 of the Third Age. Sauron has gained enough strength to actively challenge the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth. The Ring of Power, the One Ring, once taken from his evil hand has been rediscovered and is trying desperately to get back to his master. If it does, it will be the end of all for men, dwarves, elves and hobbits.

The Ring can't be destroyed with means of force or magic. It can't be lost as it has a will of its own and it strives to get back to its master. The wise ones say, that the ring corrupts all who wield it, putting the most powerful at the greatest risk.

A large party has gathered in Rivendell. It is the house of Elrond and his folk, and will act as a stage for the most important council the Free Peoples have ever had. Frodo, a hobbit from the Shire has recently arrived there, through great perils, carrying with him the One Ring. With him come the footsteps of doom and need for great decisions. The council has to decide, what will the Free Peoples do with the One Ring.

The council itself will be held at 25th of October. We set the stage at previous evening, when all the participants dine and mingle in the great hall of Elrond.

The following members are invited to the council:

• Elrond. As convener of the council and de facto ruler of Rivendell, he wil head the Council. He is the carrier of Vilya. One of the three of Elven Rings of Power. Through his power and the power of this ring, he upholds the peace that resides in Rivendell. But as is with the rings of power, its might is also a servant of the One Ring.
• Gandalf the Grey, one of the Wizards that were sent to Middle-Earth to protect Free Peoples against Sauron. He carries Narya, one of the Elven Rings of Power.
• Frodo Baggins, the Ring-bearer, came to Rivendell on the advice of Gandalf.
• Bilbo Baggins, a former Ring-bearer, and the “Ring-finder”.
• Glorfindel, a Noldo of Rivendell who had aided Frodo earlier on his travel to Rivendell.
• Erestor, and several unnamed advisers of Elrond's household.
• Aragorn, a Ranger, Chieftain of the Dúnedain and Heir of Isildur, who had been Frodo's travel companion, guide and aide since Bree.
• Boromir, son of the Steward of Gondor. His brother Faramir had a prophetic dream thrice, and he himself once. It spoke of “the Sword that was broken, “Imladris”, “Isildur's Bane” and a “Halfling”. In order to find the meaning of the dream, Boromir went to “Imladris” - Rivendell.
• Glóin and his son Gimli were sent by Dáin II Ironfoot to warn Bilbo about a messenger from Mordor who appeared at the gate of Erebor, and asked for information of the One Ring. As king Brand of Dale was also encountered, Dáin decided to send messengers to Rivendell. They also came to seek news of what happened to Balin's Colony, which entered Moria thirty years before.
• Legolas, was sent by his father Thranduil with ill news. Gollum, put in the custody of the Elves of Mirkwood by Aragorn, managed to escape after a surprise attack of Orcs.
• Galdor of the Havens, a messenger of Círdan who just happened to be present at the time.

Free Peoples are scattered and carry grudges and distrusts. Dwarves and Elves despise each other and would rather die than see the ring in the hands of their enemies. Men of Gondor would wish to take the ring and use it in the war against Sauron, a war that has already reached their doorstep. Elrond feels that the ring cannot stay in Rivendell, as it will only draw Sauron's forces there and his power can't withstand against his dark might.

Gandalf is a member of Istari, who men often call wizards. They are of the lesser spirits of the undying lands, Maiar who were put on human form and sent to Middle Earth to battle Sauron's influence in the world. They were to work in secret and didn't wield power to directly oppose him in a battle, but they were essentially immortal and could carry their work relentlessly onward.

Of the five wizards sent to Middle-Earth, it is Gandalf who has always been the strongest in his task. Two of the blue wizards have vanished to the east, Radagast the Brown has mingled with the beasts and birds of Middle Earth whereas Saruman the White has been revealed to be a traitor and a pursuer of the One Ring along with Sauron.

It is because of Gandalf that the Free Peoples know and now have the ring in the first place, as he was the advisor of both Bilbo and Frodo. And even with all his greatness, he has a sense of humility and perception for the little and subtle things that can alter the fate of the whole of Middle-Earth.

He knows that the ring must be destroyed in the Mount Doom, in the heart of Mordor where it was made. But he fears the perils of the ring and can't fathom who could take it there. He dares not to touch the ring himself, as he knows it could corrupt him.