Arnorian Academy Special Squadron: Basic Training

[King Elessar]

ca

On the hills of Evendim, not far from Annuminas, the capital of Arnor, the new recruits of the Elite Arnorian navy are trained. The Hills are encircled by new walls set up in the 4th Age under order from the King, and has been divided into areas for training.

The first section, nearest to Annuminas is the Basic Training Grounds. New recruits come and go every day, trained under numerous Senior NCOs and officers.

The second section is reserved for the Officer Training obstacle course, which is heavily guarded and is watched carefully over the officers where CPOs come to graduate to officers or to be training Senior NCOs.

The third section is the petty Officer Training Area, where elite junior warriors come to be promoted to Petty officers and such.

The fourth and largest section is reserved for Special Squadron training. This section is for the elite Infiltration Training section. The area is more rugged and difficult than any other of the hills of Evendim.

The fifth section is for all trainees that are training to be marines. The course is different and mroe army-like.

The sixth section is for the Special Squadron, sailing scouts and support division.

You come to the gate of the Hills, where it is guarded by the personal petty officers of the Steward's Fleet. You give them your name, weapons, and armour, and your current rank. Once you are admitted, you are led by one of the guards to your training section. The road is treacherous and winding, but you will never venture out of the hills.

Welcome to the Navy Training Grounds!

This is the place to come for all training for promotion and such, which does not include posts in the Lond Daer Port Guard.

Upon arrival, please stay IC. State your name, weapons and armour to our guards, Petty Officer Dunlad and Petty Officer Curblythe and RP yourself to your training section with your trainer, who will always wait for you at the gate. Note that if you are already in the TG when a new thread starts, you do not need to come to the guards again. One training session means you only have to pass the guards once. On seperate occassion, you need to see them once again.

Please keep all posts IC and relevant. Always have your name, rank, and section of the TG that you are in at the top of each post. All questions in the OOC HQ please.

Have fun!

[King Elessar]

NPC Master Chief Petty Officer Ruliath

Ruliath sat quietly by the guard post at the main gate, awaiting his new trainee, who went by the name of Rodoneth. According to his profile, he was a hardy person, much like him. Ruliath was tall, gruff, and wore his Petty Officer uniform for a lot of the time, always ever seeking promotion to an officer rank or to navy control. Sighing gently, he looked across the wall at the city not too far away and the beautiful lake on the early morning.

[King Elessar]

NPC Rodoneth

The young woman dismounted her grey steed, Raumo, and went forward, towards the main gates. Her training was to start today, the training to become an Infiltration seal, if all went well. While walking, she quickly braided her hair into one braid; she did not want it to bother her amids training.

Upon arriving to the gates, she bowed to the man seated there, and spoke. Her voice was deeper than was usual for a woman, but still not that deep: "Mae govannen, Hir nin! My name is Rodoneth, and I come to begin my training for Infiltration seals. I have a longbow with a quiver of arrows, and a longsword of old Numenorean making. I also have armour, thought it is not seen: a chainmail, a whole body armour and a set of bracers and greaves, with a helmet, given to me when I signed in." She paused and watched the man. He seemed ok at first sight, thought she would have to wait for a first lesson to see what he was made of.

[King Elessar]

NPC Master Chief petty Officer Ruliath
Basic Training with Rodoneth, Main Gate to First Section

The sun was still just over the horizon when POs Dunlad and Curbly approached the awaiting Master CPO, with a young woman. The lady bowed in respect, and identified herself as his newest trainee. He smiled, though still a little aback that his new trainee was a woman, I think the first he had trained, but still, she looked up for it. He listened to her regarding arms and armour, and stood up.

"Welcome Rodoneth, I am your trainer, Master Chief Petty Officer Ruliath. A few basic rules in the Arnorian Navy. Firstly, in regards to me, there is to be no saluting me. Nor in battle or the bush, for obvious reasons unless you have not the wit to know what that is" A sly smile passed his face as he continued. "Also, during your time in the navy, you are to address those about Warrior Enlisted rank, that is all Petty Officers and above, as sir, but you must only salute to Lieutenants and above. If you have need to speak to an officer, you must first await to be spoken to before speaking. As for the Senior Non-commissioned officers, Senior CPOs and Master CPOs, and below, those requirements are not necessary, but respect and courtesy must be implied, as well as addressing any NCOs as sir. Do I make myself clear?" he said gruffly, before nodding appreciatively, and gesturing her towards the gravel road that led to a small enclosed area which was Section 1

[King Elessar]

b]NPC Rodoneth[/b]

The young woman listened to her trainer and made mental notes all along the way. He seemed a very strict man, but she had no doubt she would learn much from him, about the Seals, and about the Navy itself. As the Master CPO ended and turned towards the training section, she spoke in a quiet, obedient voice: "Perfectly clear, sir." She went forward, stepping down the road towards the enclosed area in which her lessons would be held.

It was an interesting feeling, walking down that road. It seemed to her that a new life opened, and her old one ended. 'Father would have been proud,' she thought with a ting of sadness.

[King Elessar]

NPC Master Chief Petty officer Ruliath

As they reached the first training section in quick time, the Master Chief looked at the enclosed area. Various guards were posted around the fenced area, petty officers from the 1st and 2nd Royal Battle Fleet of Annuminas. Many small huts were at the bottom of the crater shaped enclosure, and there were a few people in training already. "This way",he said gruffly, pointing to a hut just to the right next to the slope. "Hey Rul!"[/i] came a voice from his left. Turning around immediately, there came a middle aged man dressed in his sailing attire, and two chevron stripes under the eagle indicating his rank as petty officer second class and his bold name tag that said "Tariath". [/i]"Welcome Tariath, guard duty again?"said the Master Chief in a lighter tone that would certainly please the trainee. "Ah yes, and looks like you've got yourself another one, this one for Special Squadron?"guessed the gleaming man as the Master Chief gestured him to a place that would make sure the wise young woman wouldn't hear."Yup, but I think this one can take it, not often do I pass a trainee for Special Squadron, its the elite of the Arnorian Navy, as your well aware" he said, before cutting in quickly and a bit louder this time. "So now I have a job to do, I think its time you got to your post Petty Officer Tariath. Good day!"he said, before leading the trainee down to the hut.

"Apologies for that little interruption"he said more gruffly, in his normal 'drill sergeant' voice, but he was clearly like that only to his trainees.. "I see your a bit of a foreigner, I must give you a lesson on the navy before we start training, shall I? Alright then. As you are aware, the Arnorian Army is not affiliated with the navy in peace times, though mind you while you pass through Annuminas, you will definitely come across some men of the Steward's Battalion or the Regent's Battalion that are both stationed here, but don't take any notice of them. Anyway, with the navy, try and stick to your closest colleagues, that is, people in roughly the same or similar boat as you" he said, smirking slightly at the pun he had made before wiping it off quickly. "The military of Arnor is complicated and broad, so as an elite, you are better than a lot of others but don't feel superior, I myself am an elite of the 1st Royal Special Squadron, the same as you are training for now. So tell me first, why did you choose to apply for the Inflitration Division of the 1st Royal Special Squadron, the most trained and most skilled naval division in Arnor?" he said pressurisingly, before awaiting her response

OOC: Please don't get confused with the 1st Royal Special Squadron! This Squadron, under the direction of an NPC Vice Admiral and Rear Admiral, is the best in the country! (Its basically the navy that we are RPing.) The Steward's Battalion and the Regent's Battalion are clearly NPCs of the Arnorian Navy (will explain on msn). Thanks!

[King Elessar]

NPC Rodoneth

The young woman followed her trainer silently, taking in her surroundings with care, as she would be training here for a while. In her mind, she went through the things in her backpack, checking if she took what she intended, out of the wreckage of her home. Her lips formed a tight line as memories of her past tried to force their way into her mind. 'Oh no, not this time, she thought', and pushed them away with a hardened expression on her face. That softened, however, as her Master Chief was greeted by another person. The change of voice from her trainer did not go unnoticed by Rodoneth, but she kept silent, mindful of her thoughts. Her father's voice floated in her mind: "Never ever let your mind be occupied with talks and problems of others. You are above eavesdropping, and you know that. Use your skills in other ways. Good ways. And never falter. Believe, iell nin, believe and you shall be rewarded."

The voice of the Master Chief Petty Officer shaook her from her thoughts, and her grassy green eyes stopped on him. Her ears once again opne to his words, she waited for him to end, then spoke, with a certain undertone in her voice that she did not notice anymore, but carried with her for the last five years or so: "Sir, with your leave, I believe you should know a bit more about my past before I answer your question; for maybe, if I answered it from the start, you would not understand me.

I come from Dol Amroth, the city of the Prince, although my father was one of the Dunedain. He married a Dol Amrothian woman, and stayed in her homeland, but kept in touch with his friends and comrades from youth. I was born 6 years after their marriage; I a man only child, so my parents, naturally, became very attached to me, and I to them. But there is, or was, I do not know anymore, a custom, that said something about girls above 7 years should go to the Pearl Palace, and begin their schooling, and if they proved their skills, become handmaidens to the Princess. My parents did not wish to be parted with me, so they fleed North, with me, to stay with my father's relatives in Arnor.
A tragedy occured, however, near the borders of Rivendell; we fell into the track of a goblin band. I remember little of that day; all I know is waking up in a sunlight room with a magical person leaning over me, with dark hair and grey eyes. I was told later that my parents were killed, but I, miraculously, was saved, and found by Elves, and brought to Imladris, where I grew under the wing of lady Arwen.

But since the age of 17, my anger grew for the fell beasts of Mordor, and I wished to aid MIddle Earth in the battle against them in any way posssible. So I said farewell to my friends and lady Arwen, who has become like a dear sister to me, and went on my way. For four years I have wandered the wild, with or without company; and have heard of the Arnorian Navy. From my mother I inherited love for ships and sailing, and from both my parents courage. So I believe I am able to participate actively in it; but for this divison I have decided because I do not delight in open fights; stealth is my friend and comrade now. And above all I wish to serve my people."

Rodoneth fell silent, and watched her trainer wearily. The story had brought certain memories, that she wished hard to forget. But she would be strong; for the past was over. And her future was beginning.

[King Elessar]

NPC Master Chief Petty Officer Ruliath

As they arrived at the training area, he sat himself down as she began to speak of her background. The Master Chief listened quietly, before nodding appropriately at certain parts before smiling at her answer to his question. "A sad story but nonetheless it has led you to me now. It is a shame that close to RIvendell, you were attacked. Those borders were well protected by many men from Arnor and I'm sure the Lords of Rivendell would as well, but of course, we don't have men posted at every road in Cardolan.

Your will is strong. Your heart is pure, and your love for the sea is true as well, what I would expect from a maiden from the great city of the Prince. You will do well in our squadron, stealth is the main power of the Special Squadron, especially the infiltrators and scout sailors. And your desire for any sort of revenge, if you have any, is controlled and safe. I will support and train you to my best skill" he finished, before standing up abruptly to find a scroll in a chest to the left of where he was sitting. After a few minutes the Master Chief pulled out a dirty and old scroll that said, "Basic Training Questions", the quesitons that held a pass or fail into the special squadron. "Shall we start then? Please answer your questions with as much detail as possible, an adequate amount of lines depending on the amount of information obtainable. The first 5 questions are historical knowledge, the next five as discussion questions worth two. YOu must score a 3/5 to pass the historical knowledge section, and 6/10 to pass the Discussion Questions, thus at least 9/15 to pass Basic Training." he said, and gave her ink and a scroll with numbers margined along the edge and space to write the answers.

Historical Knowledge 1 mark, at least 2 lines each.
1) In how many ships and with what did the Faithful bear when they escaped the Downfall of Numenor?
2) What year did the Kingdom of Arnor separate into its three subkingdoms, and what year did each fall into decay, as result of what?
3) What battle against Angmar saw the use of allies from Lindon and the Shire?
4) Which of the three sub-kingdoms had the least number of the Dunedain?
5) The Footmen were divided into Spearmen and Bowmen (UT). Did they take up the majority of the army?

(Sorry for lack of naval questions )

Discussion Questions 2 marks, at least 3 lines each.
1) The Arnorian Climate is cold and northly. Would the use of cavalry be effected by this factor?

2) "Arthedain was in the NOrth-West and included the land between Brandywine and Lune, and also the land north of the Great Road as far as the Weather Hills. Rhudaur was in the North-east and lay between the Ettenmoors, and the Weather Hills, and the Misty Mountains, but included also the Angle between the Hoarwell and the Loudwater. Cardolan was in the SOuth, its bounds being the Brandywine, the Greyflood, and the Great Road"

Which kingdom would you wish to call the best of the three? Take into consideration allied ties, climate, troops, status, location, boundaries, land format etc.

3) The main disputes between the kingdom was ownership of land, the Weather Hills, lands west of Bree and Amon Sul were often disputed. Explain in detail why these landmarks were disputed about.

4) The Lossoth of Forochel were unfriendly people to the Arnorians. Explain their history and how they came accustomed to the snow, and how the arrival of the Arnorians to their lands amazed them and made them slightly more friendly.

5) Discuss how the division of the kingdom into three subkingdoms led to the fall of Arnor. Explain what the division causes and what things the overall kingdom lack because of it.

[King Elessar]

NPC Rodoneth

The woman listened to her teacher silently, and nodded as he finished and gave her the scroll. Looking into it, she braced all her knowledge and skills and began writting.

Historical Knowledge 1 mark, at least 2 lines each.
1) In how many ships and with what did the Faithful bear when they escaped the Downfall of Numenor?
- They came with 9 ships; 4 for Elendil, 3 for Isildur and 2 for Anarion. And with them they carried many things that the NUmenoreans had made in the days of their wisdom, and the seven Seeing stones, Palantirs, gift of the Eldar, and on Isildur's ship there was, heavily guarded, the young plant of NImloth the Fair.

2) What year did the Kingdom of Arnor separate into its three subkingdoms, and what year did each fall into decay, as result of what?
- The kingdom of Arnor separated into Arthedain, Rhudaur and Cardolan in the year 861 after the death of Earendur. Rhudaur was the first kingdom to fall; in year 1409 a great host came out of Angmar, led by the Witch-king, and evil men made it their home. Cardolan was defeated by a plague that came to Eriador in the days of Argeleb II, and evil spirits entered the deserted mounds. In the year 1974 Arthedain was overrun by the host of the Witch-King.

3) What battle against Angmar saw the use of allies from Lindon and the Shire?
- It was the Battle of Fornost, which took place in the year 1975; the Witch-King was defeated, and dissapeared from the North. Many of the Shire folk perished.

4) Which of the three sub-kingdoms had the least number of the Dunedain?
- The kingdom of Rhudaur held the lest number of the Dunedain, because of which it was so easily defeated.

5) The Footmen were divided into Spearmen and Bowmen (UT). Did they take up the majority of the army?
- Yes, they did, for the Army was mostly infantry. Calvary was much alike to some elite soldier ranks, so to speak.

Discussion Questions 2 marks, at least 3 lines each.
1) The Arnorian Climate is cold and northly. Would the use of cavalry be effected by this factor?
- Northern climate is a very harsh one to live in, and most of the horses are not used to it, nor bred for that purpuse. There is one branch, the heavy, coldblooded horses, that could be used in these areas, but the horses are slower than the usual ones needed for the calvary. Therefor, I believe that the use of calvary would better to be diminished, or used only for scouting ahead or a few riders covering the flanks. Even in those cases, the horses would probably suffer badly. So the infantry would have to be well trainer, prepared and numerous.

2) "Arthedain was in the NOrth-West and included the land between Brandywine and Lune, and also the land north of the Great Road as far as the Weather Hills. Rhudaur was in the North-east and lay between the Ettenmoors, and the Weather Hills, and the Misty Mountains, but included also the Angle between the Hoarwell and the Loudwater. Cardolan was in the SOuth, its bounds being the Brandywine, the Greyflood, and the Great Road"

Which kingdom would you wish to call the best of the three? Take into consideration allied ties, climate, troops, status, location, boundaries, land format etc.
- I would say that the best kingdom in my opinion would be Cardolan. It was situated right enough south so to have gentler climate, and therefor couls have large numbers of calvary, and also they were protected from all sides; from the north by the South downs and Arthedain that lay there, from the east by river Hoarwell, and Rhuadur, from the south by river Mitheithel and from the west they had no real enemies. The line of the Dunedain was strong in their kingdom, and their numbers were great. The lands were great for the use of horses, considering the fact that there were no real mountains and such. It was near to Bree and the Shire and Rivendell; Rhudaur, being the nearest to Imladris, held to few Dunedain and it's northern borders were open, and also had a tougher climate. Arthedain was too far north for a useful placing of calvary, which is the stongest point of the army, and was rather open to the east, and farther away from Imladris. Also in Cardolan, there was enough land for fields needed to grow crops. I vote for Cardolan.

3) The main disputes between the kingdom was ownership of land, the Weather Hills, lands west of Bree and Amon Sul were often disputed. Explain in detail why these landmarks were disputed about.
- Rhudaur and Cardolan wished to hold power over Amon Sul, where the chief of the Palantir was situated, and the hill stood on their borders. The Weather hills and the lands west of Bree were in the keeping of Arthedain. The Weather hills and the land lay in the direction of Angmar, from where the threat of the Witch-King was coming. Every kingdom wished to have a good over-view and a strong border on that side, so to prevent their homes to be invaded.Amon Sul was also a good observation point; you could see your enemies long before they reached you. But above all these lands lay on the border with Angmar, and through them went a road over the Misty Mountains. Everybody wishes to have power over the roads, if only so the others need to pay to get through.

4) The Lossoth of Forochel were unfriendly people to the Arnorians. Explain their history and how they came accustomed to the snow, and how the arrival of the Arnorians to their lands amazed them and made them slightly more friendly.
- The Lossoth were a remnant of the Forodwath, Men of far-off days. They had lived in the time of Morgoth, when they had grown accustumed to the bitter col that he spread throughout the lands. They live in houses of snow, and they say they can run with bones on their feet over the snow.They had never before seen a ship, their memory held no knowledge of it, and so they were truly amazed when the ship Cirdan had sent came to seek Arvedui, who had fled from the wrath of the Witch-King. They had become more friendly and open towards people after helping the king and survivors of his company, upon which they had taken pity,and had feared their weapons, and helped them get to the ship.

5) Discuss how the division of the kingdom into three subkingdoms led to the fall of Arnor. Explain what the division causes and what things the overall kingdom lacks because of it.
- The division of Arnor had been made due to the fact that there were strifes between the three sons of Earendur. Which means that the kingdoms were filled with hatred and fury at theie establishments. What begins in blood ends in blood, they say. Through all the time the three kingdoms were engaged in wars between themselves, and could never really gather a strong army to defeat the great host of the Witch-King. The overall kingdom lacked tight bonds and friendship in arms, at least, and a connection. It is easier to deal with smaller, from wars with their brethren exhausted kingdoms than a large, well organised and strong kingdom. So the north had only to go tactically. And indeed the subkingdoms fell one by one. In a way, the feud between brothers made the overall boundaries of Arnor grow weak and unprotected. For if you have to fight with a neighbour kingdom, you do not really have the strenght, nor organisation or men to deal with another attack. The fight, alas, came to Arnor on two fronts. And they were weak.
And as someone said…divide and conquer.

Rodoneth finished and stood up again. "Sir," she spoke in a quiet voice, "I have finished."

[King Elessar]

NPC Master Chief Petty Officer Ruliath

Ruliath looked up from his seat as the young lady had finished her examination. He stood up, and took the piece of parchment. Taking a feather and dipping it in the ink, he read through the recruit's answers. Raising his eyebrow, he gave each one a number whcih represented the number of marks he had given her. Handing her back her test, he pulled out a ribbon. "I knew this would come in handy once I saw you", ' he said. The green ribbon said "Pefect Score in Basic Training. "Congratulations" he said.
"Now onto Advanced Training..."