Background story to 'Eothraim Scenario'. Summary of prior playing sessions.
Prince Heruwine, 'Heir-Althane' {Eldest son of Freagar, 'Althane' (High Lord) of the Westmark} of the Westmark, has called his clans, to make war upon the lawless town of Strayhold. He has discovered that slavers operating out of the town have taken Eothraim slaves, and he is enraged! His people have ignored the existence of the town for decades, but the continued disappearance of his people will not be tolerated! He summons the clans of his vassal lords north and south, and sends for help to Gondor.
Gondor's response is not what Heruwine wishes or expects. A Gondorian Ranger Bergil arrives with a message from Vagaig, the Gondorian governor of Dor Rhunen. Not allowing the Gondorian messenger to read the written message, he instead is told to 'speak from the heart' of Gondor's aid to come. The Ranger holds a carefully-worded message explaining Gondor's many current campaigns and their inability to send help at this time. Mixed within the message is a subtle suggestion to put aside the campaign at this time. Bergil, seeming a little flustered by the grand assembly of Eothraim Lords tried to deliver a heartfelt speech denying the aid, and tells the Eothraim they should not attack at this time.
These words fall upon the already enflamed ears of the Eothraim as cowardice and a denial of aid. Heruwine delivers an impassioned speech to his lords great and small. "If I have to ride alone, I will go myself". He looks to a minor lord in the front row, "Would you ride with me"? The man shouts his willingness. "Then already you have given me more aid than Gondor". The Gondorian Ranger is sent from the Eothraim lands in disgrace. Heruwine has him stripped of his weapons, and is not even given the reins of his horse, but is led by an Eothraim child. Heruwine has him escorted to the borders of his lands, returns his weapons, and is sent back to Gondor. All along the way Eothraim common-folk hurl insults at the outlander.
At the border, where the Ranger is set free, a small crowd still yells. As the escort sends the Ranger on his way and turns back, the crowd has turned ugly. A half-dozen riders set out to chase the Ranger out or the border. But fate is a cruel mistress. Bergil, Ranger of Gondor, veteran of Gondor's southern campaigns and survivor of the Fall of Durthang (Gondor's last watchpost in Mordor), rides away but his horse stumbles and he is thrown from his horse. The Eothraim expected only a distant chase, but instead his fall incites the crowd and he is slain where he falls.
Heruwine is regretful, but has a campaign to plan. Gondor is shocked and Heruwine will have to wage his campaign without Gondor's help. Someday, Gondor will look for a reckoning.
