The Estrangement of Gondorand the Great Plague

(TA 1610-1640)Copyright Eric Dubourg 2001

Edited by Joe Mandala for The Guild Companion

Though he became King of Bellakar, Khruzr did not forget his home. For twenty years hemaintained a strong relationship with Minardil, with frequent diplomatic and mercantileexpeditions between Nllond and Osgiliath. These twenty years saw a rebuilding of the realm,and the slow re-growth of international trade. In 1623, Belkli died. The King mourned her deeply,and built a magnificent memorial in her honor. The entire nation of Bellakar felt the loss of thisgentle and generous Queen.

An alliance of Haruze lords in Pezarsan in 1633 resulted in the liberation of Lurmsakn fromVariag domination. The invading barbarians then returned to Khand, greatly weakened. Thisenabled trade to resume across the Dune Sea. Bellakar had not traded across this route since theGolden Age of the Tumakveh, which had ended nearly 1000 years earlier. The rise of an evilempire in Chey, led by the children of Adnaphel had kept trade with the far interior closed.Strong trade relations were established with the western nations of Ormal Bay, the new ChyanEmpire, and with Anarik. Trade was more profitable to the south with Ormal Bay than withGondor, and Anarik became an important trade partner, acting as a portal to the entire panoplyof goods Ormal Bay had to offer. Decades of peace followed (interrupted only by the Great Plague),which were dedicated to the rebuilding of the realm, whose infrastructure had been devastated bythe Civil War.

As communications with Gondor became more rare, Khruzr was made aware in late 1633 thatthe Corsairs of Umbar were preparing for a major offensive aimed at retaking much of Harondor.A few weeks later, the fleet that had assembled in Umbar instead struck the coasts of Gondor in amassive raid. In the ensuing battles, Pelargir was badly damaged and Minardil was slain.

The architects of this raid were Angamait and Sangahyando, the great-grandsons of Castamir.Their father Castamait gained grudging admission to the Council of Captains due to his brilliantmilitary successes, including a campaign along the Mardruak coasts. When he died in TA 1621, hissons were able to secure seats on the council due to the great influence of their father. The successof the Great Raid was unqualified, and the brothers were granted the greatest prize in Umbar -joint leadership of the Council of Captains.

Rumors of the attack soon arrived in Bellakar. Merchants rescuing Gondorian sailors adrift at seatold tales of the raid. Soon spies in Umbar reported more details. The road to Gondor was cut, tothe great despair of the King. Khruzr feared a similar attack on his adopted homeland, andimmediately laid plans to defend his realm, which was eminently vulnerable to such a large-scaleassault.

In Ishat 1634, a great shipbuilding began in rzyan, Tarkhesh and Nark-zadan. Though he had

no hope of outfighting Umbar in open war on the waves, Khruzr endeavored to build his fleet upto protect Bellakar. Many fortresses were built on coastward islands (including Old Vulture Island)to help defend the coasts of Mardruak and Felayja. These hastily constructed fortifications weresoon forced to prove themselves, as Umbar began raiding Bellakar in early 1635. Though the raidsmainly fell on settlements facing Belfalas Bay, Mardruak was also attacked. These raids markedthe beginning of the periodic warfare which was to rage in the region for the next two centuries.

Two years later, in 1636, the Great Plague swept through Near Harad and Bellakar, slaying onefifth of the population. In addition, earthquakes destroyed the Old Tedjin cave city of Zimrnzil(rebuilt one century before the Second Sorijan wars). The coastal city of Hazaj Tollin was heavilydamaged by the resultant tidal wave.

Khruzr survived the plague, as did three of his children. He immediately began recovery efforts.He sent many soldiers, healers, and advisors to all the cities of the Realm. The royal familydonated heavily to the reconstruction effort, and the King himself went down into the capital cityto heal his people. His actions during this time earned Khruzr the undying love of his adoptedpeople, and the "Stranger King" became one of the most beloved rulers Bellakar had ever known. Itis said that even a Tumakveh prince appeared out of the past, the people would support Khruzras their rightful King.

Even the Cuind of Auz Azunan and the reclusive Honnin took part in healing the sick andrebuilding the kingdom. A crusade of sorts was declared against the Plague, and because of thestrong leadership of Khruzr, Bellakar suffered less than it could have. Some murmured thatBellakar was being punished because of the evils committed during the Civil War. Most simplytried to continue their lives as they could.

In two years, the Plague was subdued. Emerging from the sickness with renewed vigor, Khruzrordered the rebuilding of Hazaj Tollin and the continued fortification of the Mardruak coast.Though Umbar's raids had all but ceased during the plague, he knew they would resume as soon asthe Corsairs had the ability. Even as weakened as they had been by the plague, Umbar's fleet hadseized (under Sangahyando's son) the north bank of Ethir Harnen. Khruzr knew time waspressing. By 1640, the realm was strengthening, and trade was again being restored withKhradn, Ormal Bay, and Tulwang. Contact with Gondor was still sporadic - Umbar still heldthe Bay of Belfalas.

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