Malgolodh's Cave

Above Spouting Bay, in the southern reaches of the Pitkäyön Vuoret, stood the stone of Malgolodh, grandson of King Amlaith of Arthedain. The stone was a rough slab engraved with a warning:


 * I, Malgolodh, son of the son of King Amlaith, forbid any to
 * pursue further my quest. I will entomb myself in the hills to protect happier
 * ''lands from the evil which has devoured my companions.

The evil which Malgolodh loosed was lost to history, and those with the curiosity and strength of could have only discovered it by locating his lost tomb. No records remained of the search parties King Amlaith had sent out to find his beloved grandson. Other than the name on the stone, the Ystävät Talven had never heard the name Malgolodh. But those familiar with Arthadanian history would have gleaned some clues as to his fate from "Laulu Hullun Rautamiehen ja Hautajaistensa", the "Lay of the Mad Ironman and His Funeral". This poem was told by both the Merimetsästäjät and the Jäämiehet, but they regarded it as little more than a children's fable. The lay did not tell what terror the young man roused, reporting only that he fled northward from some evil thing that destroyed his companions but would not harm him. Fearing to bring this evil among his people, the Ironman closed himself off in a cave. And the Mad Ironman would let none come near.


 * He waved his hand good-bye;
 * He waved good-bye to the world of Wind and Sunlight;
 * He waved farewell to the Trees and Sky.
 * I go into the Earth where my Spirit is safe;
 * I go into the Earth to die;
 * I go where the terror cannot be loosed;


 * I wish no others to die.

And the Ironman filled a wooden cup. He hailed the Sea and Mountains; He hailed the Wind and Weather; He drained his cup and waved his hand.


 * I go where none shall find me;
 * I go where my Spirit may find peace;
 * I go into the Mountain of Stone;
 * I bury myself alive.

As any wanderer from the South soon learned, "Ironman" was a term used by all Ystävät Talven to refer to anyone wearing metal armor. Anyone familiar with the area or asking enough questions, would have learned there was a peak in the Pitkäyön Vuoret named Kivi Vuori (La. "Stone Moun- tain"). Once Kivi Vuori had been located, the possible locations for the tomb would have been easy enough to find; though a rough, wild, boulder-strewn spire of granite, only its lower eastern slopes contained caves. The entrance to Malgolodh's cave was blocked by an avalanche. Within lay the now skeletal remains of the once proud Dúnadan. A silver ring still rested on the bony middle finger of his right hand. This was the Corma Varyaro, the cursed artifact which brought about Malgolodh's demise. Any who would have claim it would have suffered the same fate as him.