The Tale of Balric, Father of Baldôr

Balric dewlt here, and in the course of his long life he was a miner, a silversmith, and at last a trader. In 1590 of the Third Age, although advanced in years, Balric had a son, whom he named Baldôr. But he saw little of him, for often he was away from Khazad-dûm, trading actively with Men for their gold. And his wife became barren, so no more children were born to them.

And so it was in 1637 that Balric returned from a trip to the world outside. But he was a changed Dwarf: he retreated into his apartments and rarely came out. When he did, he conducted as little business as possible, spoke only enough to be understood, then retreated again into his home.

At length he came out from his home, and sought out the King, Durin VI, and they talked alone for some time. Then he returned to his home, and spoke with Khóri his wife, saying, "Great fortune has come our way. For a man with whom I have done business for seven years has told me a rich vein of silver he has found in the mountains in the north. But he does not have the means to mine it, and so has asked me to join with him so together we can build a mine."

But Khóri was suspicious, and asked, "What proof do you have of this silver mine? And why ask a Dwarf? Are there not enough Men to mine the mountains?"

And Balric replied, "The man showed to me nuggets of silver, as fine and large as any that have come from Barazinbar. And here is a map which he has drawn and given into my possesion. It shows where on the mountain the silver is, and several distinctive peaks surrounding it. But I know not the names of these mountains, so I cannot locate them myself.

"As for the Men, their population is greatly decreased, for a plague has struck them, and a great many have died. Those who remain are bound to their land, for there is little food to sustain them.

"I have discussed this with the King, and he tells me there should be silver in the mountains of the North. The silver from this mine can make us very rich, and we would become great among the families of Dwarves. All the Man requires of me is the skills I and Baldôr have as miners, and some gold to buy equipment."

And again his wife became suspicious, saying, "Are you certain there is a mine? For it may be that the man wants only your gold, to leave you alone and naked when he has stolen it from you."

But Balric would not hear of it, for the thought of the silver had grown greatly on his mind. He said, "Am I not a Dwarf? Can I not take care of myself? Do I not have three times the number of years that a man has, and twice his strength? Nay, the man has more to fear than I, for if Dwarves were not true to their words, I could take the mine for my own and leave nothing for him! I and Baldôr will go, and we will return with more silver than a Dwarf can carry!"

Seeing she could not change the mind of her husband, Khóri said, "Go as you please, but leave behind Baldôr. For if this man has treachery on his heart, your son can claim the vengeance due to this man and his people. As for this map, have a copy made and give it to Baldôr. Perhaps this man speaks true, but should some misfortune befall you on your trek, the secret should not die with you."

And so a copy of the map was made, and also a sketch of the man as best Balric could remember him. He described the man as tall, with dark hair and a close cut beard. His name was Druce, and he bore a scar above his right eye, an injury he had sustained in a sword fight many years before. Where he lived, Balric could not say, for since they had met the first time, they had always arranged their next meeting time and place.

"I shall return in two years," said Balric as he left. "And if I do not, then you must assume that treachery or misfortune has befallen me. Then send forth Baldôr, that he may search over all of Middle-Earth for the Man named Druce, who has a scar over his right eye. And let the Man give an account of what has happened, and he will learn that no friend ever did a Dwarf a favour, and no enemy a wrong, without being repaid in full."

And so he departed, taking with him a hundred gold, and never again was seen in Khazad-dûm. In 1639, Baldôr left his home to search for the mysterious man named Druce, and for an equally mysterious silver mine somewhere in the northern parts of the Misty Mountains.

The Truth About the Silver Mine

MERP Campaign #1: Index

MERP Campaign #1: Index

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