The Hunt for the Ring
| The Hunt for the Ring | |
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| ◄Eamon adventure #127► | |
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| Author | Sam Ruby |
| Released | January 1987 |
| Revised | 16 June 1988 |
| EAG number | 127 |
| EDX number | 09-06 |
| EDX set | The Sam Ruby Adventures |
| Native format | Apple DOS 3.3 |
| File | Eamon 127 - The Hunt for the Ring.dsk |
The Hunt for the Ring is an Eamon adventure written by Sam Ruby, released in January 1987 as the first installment of his four-part series The War of the Ring.
Premise
While resting one day in the Shire you're visited by your old friend Gandalf the wizard who brings unhappy news: the Dark Lord Sauron is gaining strength and his shadow is spreading across Middle-earth. The one thing he requires to assure his victory is the One Ring — but it was lost long ago and now he seeks it everywhere. It's vital to find it before Sauron does!
Gandalf urges you to start your mission by visiting both Elrond in the elven stronghold of Rivendell and Cirdan at the western harbor known as the Grey Havens. He also cautions you to beware Sauron's Ringwraiths and the corrupted wizard Saruman, both of whom also urgently seek the One Ring.
"I must go now," Gandalf says, "so I will leave you with this advice: stay on the road, avoid delays, and use your head!"
| Full introduction |
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You were resting in the Shire, the home of those remarkable halflings who call themselves Hobbits, when old Gandalf came to visit you. "Gandalf, old friend!" you exclaimed, "How good to see you!" You thought about how little you really knew the old wizard. He was very wise and was an expert with fireworks. He took a great interest in the happenings of the world, and many a time you have aided him when he needed a hero, for warriors were hard to come by these days. "Gandalf," you said, "how are you? I haven't seen you since that nasty business in Mirkwood..." "Times are hard," he replied, "but I must bear it. Yes, the Shadow is growing." You were dismayed. You could hear weariness in his voice. Something was bothering him. "My friend," he said. "I am in need of your help." The old man got up and closed the curtains. He asked if anyone was with you and you said no. As the room grew darker the fire seemed to grow large and menacing. All was silent. Then Gandalf spoke. Ages ago, in times few remember, the Dark Lord, Sauron, fashioned Rings of Power in his Land of Mordor. One he made for himself, and it was the mightiest, for it could control the others. Three Rings for Elven-kings under the sky, seven for Dwarf-lords in halls of stone, Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, one for the Dark Lord on his dark throne in the Land of Mordor where shadows lie. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them; in the Land of Mordor where Shadows lie. The Elves were not tricked by Sauron's false friendship, so they hid their rings. Sauron has taken back the seven of the Dwarves. The nine are used by the Black Riders, the Nazgul, who are Sauron's powerful servants. "One Ring to rule them all," Gandalf repeated, "One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them!!!" Gandalf's eyes were as red as the fire. You noticed a slight glimmer on his finger. "Gandalf, why do you speak of the Dark Lord and his ring? Surely, he has not found that which was lost? Mayhaps that is it, on your finger?" Gandalf looked at you with sudden surprise. "Wise is he that can see a ring such as the one I wear. Yet, this is not his, for do you think I would bear such an evil burden? Nay, this is Narya, the Ring of Fire, one of the three Elven rings. It was entrusted to me by Cirdan the Shipwright, who lives at the Grey Havens in the west. And no, the enemy has not found the one... yet. And this is why I have need of you." "You have but to ask," you replied, "for I have no love for the enemy." "Good, good. Now listen, for this is what I fear... Sauron's shadow is growing. While there are still valiant men who would resist him, they can only delay the inevitable. This I have known for a long time. But there is another matter that troubles my heart. For there is a way that Sauron can achieve easy victory and yet that same way is our only hope." "Do not speak riddles to me, Gandalf," you replied, "Tell me... does this concern the ring?" "Yes. If Sauron finds the One Ring, then all is lost. But if we were to find it, then we might have a chance. This is what I ask of you. Find the ring!" "My dear Gandalf, had I known of your request I would have turned you down! For I do not even know where to begin to look for the ring, or how it was lost in the first place!" "Of this matter I have though long and hard, and yet even I, Gandalf the Grey, know little. But I do know where you may find the answers to your questions. There is a place, on the west side of the Misty Mountains, where there is much knowledge of the past. I speak of Rivendell, called Imladris in the ancient tongue. Rivendell is one of the last Elven strongholds. You should go there. But first, you should go to see Cirdan at the Grey Havens. Give him Narya as a sign that you are a friend, and he will advise you about Rivendell. Do not keep Narya for yourself, or any other ring! Although they grant great power, they will be your undoing! "Besides Sauron and his terrible servants, the Ringwraiths (avoid the Nazgul if you can!), there is another who wishes to possess the ring. He is Saruman the White, the head of my order. His heart is darkened by the lust for the ring. He is powerful. Saruman dwells in the tower of Orthanc at Isengard, which lies to the south. If your journey leads you there, beware of Saruman! "One more thing. The One Ring will make you invisible in dark places. You might have to use it in such a situation but do not use if for long! If you manage to succeed, take the ring to Rivendell. I must go now, so I will leave you with this advice: stay on the road, avoid delays, and use your head!" |
Walkthrough
EAG president Tom Zuchowski wrote a walkthrough for The Hunt for the Ring that was published in the December 1998 issue of the Eamon Adventurer's Guild Newsletter. Zuchowski notes that he chose to cover the adventure because it includes "several fairly obscure puzzles, and also has the potential to be pretty deadly."
Designer's notes
Ruby provides the following notes:
Chronologically (I think that's how you spell it), this adventure takes place between Lord of the Rings Two (The Forest of Fear) and Lord of the Rings Three (The Ring of Doom). I suggest that a player go through the Lord of the Rings series in order (The Mines of Moria being the first). This is not totally necessary but is highly desirable. One reason is that there are a few things in this adventure that won't fit well on your map. One is Rivendell. Put the valley where you normally would, but I suggest that you place the actual house off to the side.
Another place is Isengard. If you go north from the fords, you will come to the Ring of Isengard. The actual tower (Orthanc) is sort of in the center of it. Again, you can map the Ring of Isengard in the slot north of the fords, but the tower should be mapped separately.
Continuity, for there are six adventures that are linked together — The Lord of the Rings and The War of the Ring adventures.
For example, The Forest of Fear picks up where The Mines of Moria left off. The Hunt for the Ring follows Forest and ends with the ring being taken to Rivendell. Therefore, The Ring of Doom immediately follows The Hunt for the Ring, as the Free Peoples decide at Elrond's Council what to do with the darn thing. The War of the Ring adventures occur simultaneously.
Another reason is the level of difficulty. If you get through The Iron Prison or Ring of Doom, you won't find much challenge in Forest of Fear.
The people who will get the most out of these adventures are the people who enjoy Tolkien literature. For the rest of you, the names and places may get a little confusing. I know that you Tolkien experts will point out a few inconsitancies, such as the Arkenstone being in Moria... Well, some changes to Tolkien's world were unavoidable, and, really, who cares? Also, in case there is some confusion, Thror's Ring (the artifact and the adventure) are not related to these Middle Earth adventures (although you will hear of Thror in Quest of Erebor and Return to Moria).
Well, enough talk!
External links
- Eamon Adventurer's Guild Library Master List
- The Interactive Fiction Database: The Hunt for the Ring
- Interactive Fiction Reviews: The Hunt for the Ring
- The Unofficial Home Page of Eamon Games: The Hunt for the Ring
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