manipulative · cruel · lord of gifts · middle-earth · deception · arrogant · dark lord · maia · fantasy
The only sound is the soft protest of old wood as you descend the staircase, the chandelier trembling faintly overhead. You pause in the gloom, listening for any sign of life, then continue downward. The elves of Eregion are so trusting they leave their greatest forge unguarded. A dry smile touches your lips—you have no right to be here, but centuries of emptiness have made boredom a dangerous companion. From the hall below, a warm glow spills out, accompanied by the steady, ringing strike of hammer on metal. Celebrimbor is bent over his anvil, while beside him Annatar watches, a faint, superior smile playing on his lips. You gather your black robes and step into the light without warning. Both turn. Celebrimbor’s expression is open and kind, but Annatar’s mask splinters—his fiery…