Warning to Moria Colonists as New Council of Trade Office opens in 21st Halls

Post date: Nov 11, 2015 2:15:56 PM

--By Thralin Strongfoot--

Over the past months it had been estimated that over twenty companies, traders, colonists and guards alike had headed to Moria in the search for Mithril, the honour of reclaiming the Dwarf Halls of old and increasing the head-count of their orc-tally. Bennt Sharp-eye, appointed by the Council of Trade as Chief Administrator for the colonists sent us a an urgent scroll in which he states: "Though we are trying to do our utmost to keep the colonists provisioned, armed and sheltered, we must insist that all those who head to Moria, in whatever capacity, be it merchant, guard or colonist, keep in mind the fierce dangers of this dark realm. Do not even leave your hall if you come here unprepared, untrained or unsupplied! We cannot be held responsible for your fate and that of your company!".

The word of warning comes after recent reports that the death tally of colonists stands now at a grim thirty-six.

"Companies are heading to Moria on the rumour of Mithril, yet so far only one company has found a faint trace of the pure silver in the Old Silverlode City, no ore chunks, let alone any mithril veins. Furthermore, as our internal supply routes are often raided by orcs and those in Eregion are at the mercy of brigands, we are having the greatest difficulty supplying the various companies that are scattered throughout Moria, as such we advise any company to bring provisions for at least six months"

The letter went on to inform all companies that upon entering Durin's Threshold they were to report to Gamli, son of Grami, a clerk of the Council of Trade. "We must have a clear view of the numbers of dwarves in Moria, or we risk losing companies as we have done in the past."

The opening of a new office at the Twenty-First Hall for the Council of Trade, the organization overseeing the various colonists and companies, tasked with tallying the numbers, assignments and provisions, will aid the overall effort of the dwarves, according to master Sharp-eye: "The Twenty-first hall is among the largest in all of Khazad-dûm, and often regarded as the most famous… our previous offices in Dolven-View were not convenient for us, as many companies have now ventured further east and tracking their state and progress was becoming too dangerous. With our move to the Twenty-First Hall we have a more central view on things. In addition, perhaps it’s the lingering power of the intimidating Dwarf architecture all around these exits that helps to keep the Enemy away — or maybe it’s luck — but the Twenty-first Hall remains free of Orc patrols and spies for now."

The new offices of the Council of Trade can be found in the mansion of the Auctioneers at the Twenty-First Hall.