Troth of Perinluoss

For most of the early Third Age, the haven of Perilussi (a keep and a few surrounding manors) in southern Siragale was an independent community of Silvan Elves and Arthadan religious refugees. They pledged fealty to a Half-elven mage known as Iralussiel the Quiet. Iralussiel died mysteriously in about T.A.1540 and the haven became almost alarmingly peaceful. Few Men or Elves visited the place. Unbeknownst to the Arthedain or Siranna Elves of Perilussi, Iralussiel—while dying of a magically-inflicted wound;—imbeded her soul in the foundation stones of her tower, known locally as the Silent Castle. She powered her existence by draining a drop of the lifeforce from each inhabitant of the haven. In return, she soothed their pains and calms their spirits. This was her way of keeping faith with the community she founded. Unfortunately, a continuing lack of passion and pain was addictive and dulled the mind. Intellectuals who came to Perilussi to study seldom produced any useful body of thought; the haven's artisans created only the blandest of works; its young people married late and had few children. Some who came to Perilussi for a short visit stayed forever; others who departed intending to return grew suddenly afraid of ever traveling home. Seldom, in either case, did they know exactly why. Perilussi was a good place to bring a friend troubled with a curse or madness, but the sufferer may have had to be kidnapped to free him from the haven's embrace.

Perilussi, lost in a forgotten corner of Eriador,later eventually became a simple mannish settlement ruled by a Thegn elected by the local farmers. The Rangers of the North sent crippled warriors there when the wounded can get no other relief from their affliction. The top of the tower of the Silent Castle was barely visible from the highest points of the South Downs of the Shire. It was said to loom more largely for those with troubled hearts or chronic pain. Periodically, a Hobbit afflicted in head or heart simply disappeared into the forests—to return, if at all, years later, cured, but confused, and telling stories of fairy castles and dreams of a beautiful Elvish lady.