Barad Celen

Second Age c. 1500–1600

Elven Outpost Constructed during the Height of Eregion:
Under Celebrimbor’s guidance, the Noldor reinforce a waystation in the South Downs linking Eregion, Khazad-dûm, the Blue Mountains, and the Grey Havens.

Second Age c. 1690–1700

Celebrimbor Creates Hidden Vaults:
Fearing treachery, Celebrimbor constructs secret vaults across Eregion. One is placed beneath the South Downs waystation, sealed with Elven and Dwarven craft.

Second Age 1697

Fall of Eregion:
Celebrimbor is slain. The Elven outpost is abandoned. The vault remains hidden and sealed beneath forgotten ruins.

Third Age c. 720–750

Barad Celen Built:
The Kingdom of Arnor constructs a watchfort atop the Elven ruins. Its builders sense the strength of the old stone but know not its origin.

Third Age 755–760

Dwarf-Men Alliance and the Stoneward Hearth:
Captain Herion rescues a Dwarven envoy. A shared Dwarven cache—the Stoneward Hearth—is added, sealed with a rune-key.

Third Age 861

Division of Arnor:
After King Eärendur’s death, Arnor splits. Barad Celen remains loyal to Arthedain under Captain Herion.

Third Age 864

Fall of Barad Celen:
Tharbad troops from Cardolan betray the garrison under false parley. The outpost falls. The Dwarven cache and Elven vault remain sealed.

Third Age 1409

War with Angmar:
The South Downs fall into ruin. Rangers mark the site, but its deeper secrets remain hidden.

Third Age 1975

Fall of Arthedain:
With the loss of the kingdom, Barad Celen is forgotten. The caches lie undisturbed.

Late Third Age (~T.A. 2950–3018)

Rediscovery of the Rune-Key:
Eledan Thornfoot finds a buried rune-key near the ruin. He later sells it to Balin in Bree.

Campaign Present (~T.A. 3018–3019)

The Fellowship Uncovers Celebrimbor’s Vault:
The Company discovers the hidden Elven vault below the ruin, revealing ancient knowledge that sets Balin on the road to Ost-in-Edhil.