Prisoner of Númenor Planning/Discussion Thread

[piosenniel]

*** THE DISCUSSION SECTION FOR THE IN-PLAY RPG BEGINS AT POST #165 ***

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This planning thread is being opened for the purpose of completing an RPG proposal.

Only these writers may post to this thread at present (all other posts will be removed):

piosenniel
Child of the 7th Age


Sophia the Thunder Mistress – Game proposer


alaklondewen
Himaran
littlemanpoet
Meneltarmacil
Nilpaurion Felagund
Regin Hardhammer
samsmyhero
TomBrady12

[piosenniel]

The Game Proposal as it will appear on the Discussion thread for the game begins here:

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Sophia the Thunder Mistress invites you to play in her game:

Prisoner of Númenor

~*~

Historical Information:

During the reign of King Ar-Pharazôn, the Númenorean army sailed for Middle-Earth with the intent of overthrowing Sauron. However, because Saruon surrendered peacefully to Ar-Pharazôn he was not destroyed but instead brought back to Númenor as a prisoner. Through his considerable guile and flattery, Sauron worked his way into Ar-Pharazôn’s trust until he achieved nearly godlike status in Númenor.

After the commissioning of a temple in Armenelos Sauron’s cult worship is at its height. He has convinced not only Ar-Pharazôn but also many of the general population that the Ban of the Valar (the decree forbidding men to sail to Aman) was designed to hold them back.

The climate in Númenor has becoming increasingly hostile to the Elves and the Valar. The use of any language but Adûnaic has been banned. The King’s Men, who side with Ar-Pharazôn in opposing the Valar are based in Armenelos (Arminalêth in Adûnaic), while the Faithful who remain allied with the elves rally around the Lords of Andunië. They have been removed from Andunië and sent to Rómenna where the King’s Men can more easily watch them and occasionally capture and sacrifice them in the temple of Sauron.

The previous Lord of Andunië , Amandil, and his son Elendil, sensed the impending doom of Númenor. Amandil set sail secretly to beg the mercy of the Valar. He has not been seen or heard of since. The new Lord of Andunië, Elendil, has prepared ships on which the Faithful will make their escape should the wrath of the Valar be unleashed against Númenor.

Recently Ar-Pharazôn took a large fleet of ships and sailed toward Valinor, determined to become the first mortal to set foot on the Undying Lands since Eärendil. He will land any day. Númenor’s decline is nearly over; Westernesse is shortly to be destroyed.

[piosenniel]

Basic Storyline:

While making a trip to Rómenna, an important underground leader of the Faithful, Abârpânaru Karíbzîr, is arrested by agents of the King’s Men scant days before they’re supposed to board one of Elendil’s ships. When the few remaining Faithful at Andunië (who go by the name of the Anannost, the “House of Many Years”) receive word of his capture, his daughter, Kâthaanî is determined to rescue him from jail against his explicit instructions. A small rescue party mounted on Númenor’s swiftest horses is sent. Meanwhile the remaining People of the Anannost must travel from Andunië to Rómenna to board the ships. The Rescuers must save Abârpânaru and get back to the ships at Rómenna, before the Faithful sail without them.

[piosenniel]

The purpose of the story is: To find and rescue Abârpânaru, to escort the Anannost safely to Elendil’s ship, to escape the Akallabêth.

This means we will know the story is over when: The Anannost are safe and Númenor is drowned.

Starting Location: Andunië

Likely Destination: The Great Ocean, post-wave.

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Timeframes:

This game takes place in the autumn of the year 3319 SA

The storyline itself or plot covers approximately 6 weeks.

This game requires a time commitment of 12 weeks from the moderator, game owner, and major players.

[piosenniel]

Sophia the Thunder Mistress' character

NAME: Kâthaanî Karíbzîr/ “Cerveth” Adaneth Melethroch

AGE: 32

RACE: Men, Númenorean

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: Kâthaanî carries a long bladed (rather dull) knife with a tarnished silver hilt which she uses more frequently as a sort of all purpose tool than a weapon. She has been known to use it to pry open simple locks.

APPEARANCE: Cerveth is tall (about 6’2”) and more lean than slender. She is long-bodied and narrow, not muscular and slightly wider at the shoulders than the hips. She is dark of hair and grey of eye with a long nose and a well-defined jaw for a woman. She is quite clever with her hands and can manipulate various contraptions easily (locks, tack) She is somewhat ill at ease in the elaborate costumes of the Númenorean upperclass women feeling far more comfortable in simple dresses and with her hair pulled loosely out of her face, and will frequently wears men’s clothes when she needs to ride astride.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Kâthaanî is impulsive, stubborn, and easily carried away—but rarely blatantly disobedient. She has a tendency to speak first and think about the consequences later, but as she matures she has begun to learn to control her tongue. She has a concrete sense of right and wrong; she has lived in a fairly sheltered world (even with the turmoil in Númenor) and has rarely encountered a situation where the moral choice is not instantly clear. She has never gotten along well with young women of her age, and consequently has spent much of her time with adults since her early teens. Because of this Kâthaanî considers herself extremely mature, whether or not her belief is correct is a different matter entirely.

HISTORY: Kâthaanî Karíbzîr was born the only child of Abârpânaru Karíbzîr and his wife, Inzillomí, in midsummer of the year 3287. Often called Cerveth, after the month of her birth, she spent her childhood years in a large house on the inland side of Andunië. She sometimes envied those who lived nearer the coast, but their house was ideally situated for her father’s horse breeding, opening as it did on the plains. Her childhood was as uneventful and sheltered as possible, given the circumstances in her homeland. The inner conflict in Númenorean society was almost unknown to her, even though her parents were among the Faithful, as they chose not to discuss it with her until she had reached a responsible age. Nevertheless, the values they taught her were the values of the Old Houses of Númenor. She is well read, her father studied with her as a child and during her youth she became familiar with much of the history of Númenor and some First Age history which has been preserved by the Faithful. She is one of the few Númenoreans of her generation to become fluent in Sindarin and has learned some words in Quenya as well.

Her father began training her in the care of his horses, and particularly the Kariborim as soon as she was old enough, and by her early teens she was an accomplished horsewoman with a sound understanding of her charges and several generations of the most important bloodlines memorized.

As Kâthaanî matured she began to realize that her parents’ views did not reflect the views of much of Númenorean society and she quickly became as ardently Faithful as the rest of her family. In her early twenties her family relocated to a smaller more modest house farther outside the city which quickly became the focal point for the group of the Faithful remaining in Andunië (the Anannost?).

At the turn of the year 3319 Kâthaanî is taking more responsibility for Abârpânaru’s horses as he is taking more responsibility for the family’s political commitments. He has recently returned from a trip to Rómenna and announced that Elendil, the son of Amandil, will soon be leaving Númenor for the Elven Realms in Lindon. Kâthaanî is a little frightened by this news, as her father has every intention of leading the Anannost? to Rómenna to join the soon-to-be-Exiles as soon as possible. She is also disappointed because her father had promised her the foal from his planned breeding of Khibil and Lômi, and it is unlikely that he will follow through with the breeding this spring if they will soon be traveling.

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Sophia the Thunder Mistress'/littlemanpoet's post ------ FIRST FOR GAME

A heavy, grey sky hung over the capital city of Westernesse. Rain had fallen for the last three days and the air was thick with moisture. The white walls of Arminalêth shone dully in the semidarkness and the late Ivanneth trees clung stubbornly to their last brown leaves. The land trembled; the island had shifted several times in the recent past, and now she gave another quick heave as though irritated by the tall Men who walked on her shores. As the ground quieted the skies stirred, and the boiling grey clouds which hovered over Armenelos began to drop hail. A dark haired woman looked up at the sky as pea-sized bits of ice began to bounce off the ground around her feet. She grabbed the hands of two small children and ushered them inside. As the door closed loudly behind them the hail began to fall in earnest, egg sized hailstones hammering on the rooftops of the unnaturally quiet city. As the hailstorm passed, the grey clouds blew east on a brisk wind and a billowy white cloud shaped like a great eagle cast its shadow across the land.

Abârpânarú Karíbzîr and Kâthaanî, his daughter and only child, rode along the southern faces of the fir and larch covered moors of Forostar. They could afford to ride as fast as the wind, with seven Kariborim between them. Abâr was afraid that word of their route had reached the King's Men. Abârpânarú was riding night-black Lômi while Kâthaanî rode chestnut Izri, the youngest foal of Khibil and Kali, who with their other foals, Nitirú, Rûki, and Mani galloped close at hand.

Word had reached them before they left home, that the King's Men were looking for Abârpânarú as a traitor to the King. It was true enough, if being one of the Faithful amounted to betrayal. The Forostar, the least fertile of the Númenorean regions, was least populous, and Abârpânarú had deemed it the way that would give them most shelter from the eyes of the King's Men. The ground was stony, which would give greater difficulty to other horsemen, but not the sure-footed Kariborim.

Suddenly the land dropped and the air cooled, and they came among fertile fields of grain, which were the beginning of the Orrostar. They rounded a final hill and must stop of a sudden. They were faced by twenty horsemen.

"You may go no further, traitor!" called one man whose black helm rose taller than the others.

"Go back, Kâthaanî! Make haste!" Kâthaanî obeyed immediately, calling the barebacked Kariborim as she turned her mount and charged back around the hill. Khibil, Abârpânarú's usual mount, did not follow. Abârpânarú hollered and slapped Khibil's rump and sent him chasing after the others.

"Do not let them get away!" cried the leader of the King's Men.

"You have me! Let them go!" Abârpânarú bellowed. The ears of the horses of the King's Men laid back, such was the force of his voice. He took the eyes of their leader and held them. The two strove, and at last the leader gave way.

"We have our quarry."

Abârpânarú dismounted from Lômi. "Go find Kâthaanî." Lômi stood next to Abârpânarú, unmoving. He looked in Lômi's deep brown eyes. "Go!" he whispered. She breathed on his neck, looking straight into his eyes. "They will do you harm!" She nickered. He sighed. "May I prove worthy of your love, dear one."

Kâthaanî paused on the far side of the hill. The clatter of hard hooves in the stones fell to silence all around her as five of the Kariborim joined Izri in the dell behind the hill. Five. Lômi, then, had remained with her father; though whether she was kept by her own will or Abârpânarú’s, or by some design of his captors, Kâthaanî could not tell. Dismounting quickly from Izri, she left the horses and crept down through the brush and boulders to where she could see the road.

Cursing herself inwardly for her clumsiness, she stood behind a cluster of fir and looked out toward the place where her father had been taken. As she caught sight of the men gathered on the road below, Kâthaanî breathed a sigh of relief. She realized they were yet far enough away that her pitiful attempts at stealth would not have been heard, and cloaked in brown as she was, she judged herself unlikely to be seen. She watched as Abârpânarú’s hands were bound roughly behind him and Lômi’s reins were tied to the saddle of one of the waiting horses. The riders remounted, and the column moved along the road. South, toward Armenelos. Kâthaanî watched, unmoving, until the horses disappeared into the plains.

Turning back to where she had left the Kariborim, Kâthaanî ran to them, tying her dark hair into a tighter knot on her neck and pinning her cloak more securely. She paused as she reached the horses, the tension in their bodies evident. She kissed Izri’s soft nose before turning to Nitirú, the swiftest among them. “You must bear me now, friend; and we will run more swiftly than ever we have run before.” Although she knew that she would never find help in time to rescue her father before they reached Arandor and the Royal City, there was nothing else for her to do.

Upon mounting, Kâthaanî headed down out of the foothills toward the road. Once they reached the open lands of Andustar she could take to the fields, but for now great speed required great risk and they ran on the open road. Nitirú’s feet struck sparks from the gravel as the dark haired girl and the iron grey horse flew toward Andunië, the other five trailing behind them like so many leaves in the wind.

[piosenniel]

littlemanpoet's character

NAME: Abârpânarú Karíbzîr - Strong Handed Man Lover of Horses; Mabalar Melethroch

AGE: 112

RACE: Numenorean

GENDER: male

WEAPONS : Bow that is an heirloom of his house, handed down to the eldest child; bears the stylized, rampant horse of Karíbzîr heraldry, black on white; the bow is white with silver filigree after the manner of leaves on vines. Kept on his person, a knife, quarter of a ranga in length, same filigree, also an heirloom. Straight, with a silver hilt. Its blade is straight and slender but strong.

APPEARANCE: 6 feet, 8 inches (not so tall for a Numenorean, I guess...) Raven black hair, clear face, long nose but not too long. Not too full lips. High cheek bones. Lean but not thin. Grey eyes. His war and hunting weapon is the bow. He keeps a long knife with him, an ancestral one with a silver hilt. Its blade is straight and slender but strong.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Abârpânarú is a great lover of horses, as are all of his household. He is one of the Faithful, and most loyal to his kin, then friends. He is aware of the hope of the Elendili to take flight by ship to the shores of Middle Earth in case of the uttermost failure of Numenor. He is clever of mind and tongue, learned, and counted wise by those who know him well; except for one folly: the Kariborim (known in later years as mearas). There are six: two stallions, Khibil (spring) and Nitirú (kindler); and four mares, Kali (woman), Izri (beloved), Lômi (night), and Mani (spirit). It is said of Abârpânarú that they are both his strength and his weakness. He loves them dearly and his commitment to their care and removal from the island is at war with his loyalties to kin, friends, and the Faithful. He would that all goes well, but would find it difficult to choose between kin and the kariborim; harder yet to choose between them and friends. He also keeps forty karibi, stock from Middle Earth, and loves them well, but not as dearly as his kariborim.

HISTORY: Born in 3207, Abârpânarú was the eldest son of Adúnzâirû (west-longing). He has a younger sister, Ziraphel (beloved daughter) born in 3222, who is married to one of the Faithful; Abârpânarú and Inzillomi have one daughter, Kâthâani. Abârpânarú considers his daughter the rightful heiress to all he owns, and remembers the sorrows that have befallen the House of Elros, not least because the rights of first born daughters have been forgotten. He has sworn an oath to his wife and daughter that it would not be so in the House of Karibizir.

Abârpânarú was trained in the care of his family's kariborim, and has trained his daughter in their care. Legend would later have it among the Rohirrim that Béma (Oromë) brought them from west over sea, and so it may be; but this line of mearas, or kariborim, were a gift to the Dúnedain from the Elves of Tol Erresëa, and the house of Karíbzîr was the only one in Numenor who still kept them. In the year 3279 he married Inzillomí Elendili (flower of the night), daughter of Elendil, and named for her full head of raven hair at birth, one of the Faithful, of the house of Elendil.

It is his deepest desire that his seven kariborim should be on board to make the trip. Since Ar Pharazon has left, he has been working ceaselessly to move his kariborim from Andunié in the west, to Romenna in the east, without raising suspicion. He and his daughter Kâthâani have been riding them across the island, to deliver them to his wife's family in Romenna so that they may be taken aboard ship. The King's Men, a dozen in number, confront them, and are bent on taking them captive for treason. Abârpânarú knows that Kâthâani has a palantir in her keeping, in the saddlebag of one of the kariborim. He places himself at the mercy of the King's Men, and sends his daughter and the kariborim away.... but Lomi, his mount, will not leave him. He convinces them not to capture his daughter, and the palantir is kept safe. Both are captured and brought back to Armenelos, imprisoned. His bow is taken from him. He wants it back, but it is not nearly as important to him as the kariborim, or the palantir.

[piosenniel]

TomBrady12's character

NAME: Marsillion Thoronfaer/Nimilroth Narâkmanô

AGE: 52

RACE: Human/Númenorean

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Ziraphel, the mother of Marsillion, presented him with the sword of his father on the eve of his departure for Middle Earth. It was originally intended as a marriage present, but Ziraphel deemed Marsillion's situation dangerous, and felt that he may need to carry a sturdy blade on his person. His mother's forethought proved very useful, as Marsillion used the sword on many occasions. The blade is 33 inches in length, and 2 2/3 inches wide. Its long handle is of a dark brown wood, and intended for two handed use. The guard is short, and of polished silver, as is the crown shaped pommel, the most prominent feature of the sword. This weapon is wielded in similar fashion to an axe. Its wide heavy blade, and two handed design make it an ideal hacking weapon. Marsillion is very adept with the sword as he has participated in a number of skirmishes and small battles, most of which against attacking bandits on the wild roads of Middle Earth.

Marsillion has some skill with a bow; however, he prefers to fight with the sword, and leave the bow for hunting. Marsillion also carries a long dagger inside his boot at all times. He has done so since he was given the blade before his first hunting trip as a young boy.

APPEARANCE: Average height for a Númenorean, Marsillion stands 6'6'' and is of a muscular, heavy build. He is by all means a physical presence. He is stronger than most men his age. His wide shoulders and strong arms contrast slightly with his lingering boyish features. His shoulder length hair is dark blond and wispy, even in light breezes. He is very fair skinned, with a dark brow, and no facial hair covering his strong jawline.

PERSONALITY: Marsillion is still young, and at times suffers lapses of judgment, but is, at his core, kind hearted and generous. He tends to be quiet and reflective, usually content to watch as others bicker and squabble around him, but once inspired to action he can be quite fiery. He is not above taking the counsel of older, wiser souls, but can make quick decisions when situations require it. He is well educated, and quick witted. His years traversing Middle Earth have made him mature beyond his years.

HISTORY: Marsillion was born in 3267 at his family home in Andunië. He was the second and youngest child of Azaruth Narâkmanô and Ziraphel Karíbzîr. His sister, Nîlomîth, was much older than he, and married when he was just a young boy. His father was a renowned naval officer, who through a series of military victories, achieved a nearly iconic status. Ziraphel, the sister of Abârpânaru, was a member of the Faithful, and worked tirelessly to convince Azaruth to retire from the King’s service and join the Faithful. She was a convincing speaker, and her reasoning soon changed Azaruth's loyalties. Marsillion endeavored to be like his father in all ways, and planned to follow his path into the military. Azaruth; however, forbade Marsillion to join the military, stating that fighting for the King was no longer an honorable profession. Azaruth became a prominent leader of the Faithful. He found his fame a curse as well as a blessing, though he was able to convince many people to join the faithful he often found it extremely difficult to keep any secrecy in his life. Ar-Pharazôn got wind of Azaruth's betrayal and sent troops to arrest him in the fall of 3305. When the troops arrived Azaruth and Marsillion were relaxing in the garden outside their Andunië home discussing Marsillion's future, as he would soon be a man. Ar-Pharazôn’s men broke into the home and came upon the two in the garden. They seized Azaruth, and commanded Marsillion to vow fealty to the King, or be arrested. Azaruth, knowing he would be killed, ordered Marsillion to swear the oath to Ar-Pharazôn, and tearfully Marsillion obeyed. Azaruth was beaten in front of friends and family in Andunië before being taken to Armenelos. He was sacrificed to Melkor in the temple of Armenelos on the coldest afternoon of the winter of 3305.

In 3312, at 45, Marsillion became apprentice to Sâpathan Gimilzayân, the head tax and tribute collector of the Númenorean holdings in Middle Earth. Marsillion traveled Middle Earth, from petty kingdom to kingdom, with Sâpathan, collecting treasures beyond his imagination to be shipped back to Númenor. He saw the strain the people of Middle Earth were under, and it went to his heart. It was his job to weasel all the treasures he could from people who fought everyday just to feed their families. Already angry and bitter with Ar-Pharazôn for the murder of his father, Marsillion's rage was fueled as he witnessed the intense greed of his own people.

While traveling, his party was attacked on many occasions by bandits, as well as by local militias. Marsillion found fighting to be a good release for his pent up anger. These attacks, helped make him a strong warrior, even though he was technically not supposed to participate in battle. Marsillion befriended the company of warriors who served as his bodyguard, and with their help he became a master swordsman. His swordsmanship was the only positive gain Marsillion saw from his time in Middle Earth; however, in truth he gained maturity, compassion, and mercy, which were lessons he probably would have learned slowly, or missed completely, had he stayed in Númenor. Tax collector was no position for a compassionate man, and Marsillion did not last long. Being under contract, he could not quit his job, so by night, in the summer of 3317, he came to Umbar and hired a private merchant to sail him back to Númenor. With luck, the ship (the Azargimil) avoided the King's Navy and arrived off the coast a few miles north of Andunië. Marsillion loaded his possessions into a small raft and came ashore alone under the cover of darkness. Travelling secretly and using the name Abârkan, he came at last to his uncle, Abârpânaru Karíbzîr's home outside Andunië, where his mother had dwelt since the death of his father.

Marsillion lived secretly in Andunië with the Karíbzîr family learning the ways of the Faithful, and becoming deeply imbedded in their plans. He grew quite close to his younger cousin Kâthaanî, and became her protector, so to speak. Marsillion found her reckless, and quite frequently in need of protection. He made it his task to look after her safety and well being, and from his arrival in early winter 3317, through the summer of 3319 he spent many hours bailing her out of the trouble she so easily found.

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TomBrady12's post

Marsillion sat quietly in a dark corner of an obscure Andunië inn sipping a pint of ale. The ale was poor, but that was the least of his trouble. He'd come to meet his cousin, Nusaphad Narâkmanô, who had summoned him here the night before. Nusaphad was fairly unskilled, had no taste for books or learning, nor for any serious forms of work. Luckily for him, he was born into a wealthy family, and had overachieving brothers to carry on the pride of his father. Nusaphad ran an Andunië inn belonging to his father as a pretense of work, but most who knew him knew that he consumed more ale then he sold. Marsillion, clever as he was, managed to find a use even for his lazy cousin.

Nusaphad's Inn, The Tîrevia, was a favorite gathering spot for the King's Men garrisoned in and around Andunië, and after a few pints of ale they were often more than willing to pull a slovenly underachiever into their confidence. Through Nusaphad, who was not a member of the faithful, Marsillion gained much information on the plans and movements of the King's Men.

When his older cousin at last slid into the semi dilapidated inn, Marsillion couldn't help but notice how little resemblance there was between them. Nusaphad's olive skin and thick black beard were a stark contrast to Marsillion's fair skin and clean face. Nusaphad took a seat across the table from Marsillion without a word.

“What then, cousin, have you called me here for?” Marsillion asked gingerly. News from Nusaphad was rarely good.

“Breakfast with an old friend not enough of a lure?” Nusaphad replied, with a sarcastic grin spreading across his bearded face.

“Aye,” Marsillion perked up, “the food in this dank hole is far from good, but I suspect it's a mite bit better than whatever news you've brought for me.”

“True enough,” Nusaphad said, the grin disappearing from his face. The smiling eyes that normally defined the otherwise drab man were devoid of light and rimmed in red. Dark matters he left to others when possible, preferring women and drink to matters of business. Marsillion could see that the role of spy was taking its toll on his cousin.

Nusaphad ordered a fresh pitcher of ale and waited for the waitress to leave. “The news is indeed worse than this ale, Nimilroth, a good deal worse in truth. Your mother's brother is in grave danger. The King's Men mean to arrest him on charges of treason,” Nusaphad said quietly, even though the inn was deserted except for the young waitress.

“Is that all you have for me cousin?” Marsillion asked, stretching his arms above his head and slowly getting to his feet. “Perhaps your ale has lost its potency, for we have known this for a fortnight. Besides, what proof is there? A serious charge requires serious proof.”

“Sit down Nimilroth,” Nusaphad replied with pity in his voice. “My ale is potent enough, and I've not told you all that I have brought you here for.” Marsillion sat down and stared hard into his cousin's unblinking eyes.

“Go on then,” was all he could say.

“The King's men have been watching your uncle for sometime and saw him and his daughter leave Andunië with his prized horses days ago. They know not only his destination, but also his intended route. A company of the King's Men lie in wait as we speak near the junction of Forostar and Orrostar. Your uncle is walking into a trap. And as for proof, it seems to me that Ar-Pharazôn needs none these days but that which his own mind can conjure.”

“Why have you not spoken of this before?” Marsillion demanded, the anger in his voice shattering the silence of the inn.

“I knew not until late in the evening,” Nusaphad said sheepishly, seemingly afraid of the strong armed young man he'd known for so long. “If I'd have ridden out myself to tell you we may both have been discovered.”

“I must go,” Marsillion nearly shouted as he jumped to his feet. He rushed to the door, knocking over a mug of beer on the way.

“You're gonna have to pay for that, mister!” the waitress shouted after him, but the words were meaningless in his ears. He had been there when his father was seized by the King years before. He had to get to Kâthaanî before it was too late. He could not allow her to undergo the same fate as he. The only sound to reach his ears was the beating rhythm of his young mare’s galloping footfalls, moving rapidly down the dirt street, into the east.

[piosenniel]

Regin Hardhammer's character

Name: Azarmanô Hazadbawîba/Elenfairë Ostovaivar

Race: Man/Númenorean

Gender: Male

Age: 85

Weapons: Azarmanô carries a longbow of the same type traditionally used in the Númenorean army. It is made of hollow-cored black steel with black-feathered arrows a full ell (45 inches) long. His great-grandfather was given this longbow for service to the King many years ago in a brighter time. Azarmanô has grown to be an excellent marksman, primarily using it to bring down game, but also in defending his ship against attack while on long sea voyages.

Appearance: Azarmanô stands firm at 6 foot 5 with shoulder length blonde hair that is the color of straw. His eyes shine with a vivid, scintillating blue.“Like sun, sparkling upon the face of the deep sea,” his father has often told him. He is slender, like his mother, and very well groomed. He often wears his favorite green wool cloak while sailing to repel water and offer protection against the buffeting winds.

Personality: Often with a smile on his face, Azarmanô generally takes a positive outlook on life, sometimes using his comic wit to get him through difficult situations. He is an excellent officer, aware of his men’s needs, striving to treat them in a just and equitable manner. Azarmanô is very much in love with his young wife and cares deeply for his son. He is aware of the need to balance his role as a ship’s captain with that of being a husband and father, and generally does a good job of this. His drive and determination coupled with his optimism and commitment to his loved ones define his personality and his basic view of life.

He is, however, very direct and can get impatient to finish the task at hand quickly and may become irritable. This impatience is currently exacerbated by the fact that his family is waiting to board the ship and sail, and he is separated from them.

History: Azarmanô comes from an ancient family, whose members originally worked as fishermen. Their knowledge of boats and the sea led them to become mariners, initially in the employ of the king. They had been one of the families that the Eldar had instructed in the art of navigation and deep sea voyaging. The Ostovaivars eventually rose to become independent shipwrights and ship-owners, but maintained close friendships with many of the Elven traders until the change of policies made such relations impossible. The Ostovaivars’ shipping interests continue to flourish. The family now commands one of the largest fleets in Númenor.

Azarmanô had been trained as an officer and was promoted to become the captain of his own vessel, the Gwaun, while still quite young. Over the years, he visited many settlements on Middle Earth, transporting Numenoreans and dealing various commodities with the local people. He strove to treat the locals with respect and compassion, offering them fair prices to the few who came to examine the goods he toted. His natural instinct was to teach them the art of catching fish, just as Azarmanô’s father had done for him. These lessons were difficult to depart, however, because the people were incredulous, some even hostile and many of their dealings with Númenor had left them with a strong distaste.

Despite Azarmanô’s best efforts, the relations between the men of Middle Earth and Númenor had been deteriorating since before his birth. Many Numenoreans oppressed the men of Middle Earth and made servants of them, without regard for their well-being. This savage treatment outraged Azarmanô and he vowed to redouble his efforts to befriend and aid them any way he could. His efforts had not been well received, but he resolved to continue in hopes that he could gain the trust of a few. But he had also found himself in situations where he had no choice but to unleash an arrow from his bow.

His father, whose fairë was tied to the sea, had acted as role model for Azarmanô and the son had always tried to live up to him. Although the father loved his son, he was often absent on trading missions in Middle-earth, so the boy did not see him very often. During these lengthy absences, his mother had to function on her own. She became very strong willed, a quality that she retained, never taking instructions from anyone other than her husband.

Azarmanô had married shortly after gaining the position of captain. His wife was a lovely woman named Eirien, the younger daughter of one of the nobles faithful to the Elven cause. Recently, the entire Ostovaivar family has been assisting Elendil in his plans for a possible emergency evacuation. Azarmanô’s wife, along with his mother, father, and two-year-old son Thoron, are presently back in Rómenna, waiting to depart on the Thor with the rest of the fleet.

Elendil had instructed Azarmanô to alert the remaining group in the west of the imminent departure to Middle-Earth, using one of his smaller, sleek vessels to ferry them about the southern coast of the Isle and back to the ships. He had departed for the west before the news of the imprisonment came.

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Regin Hardhammer's post

Azarmanô stared at the cove, which was surrounded on three sides by towering cliffs of sheer granite. It was a tight fit for the Gwan, but the ship slipped through the narrow opening just as it had done countless times before. The journey to the western part of the island had been placid, something that could not be said for many of his trips. Azarmanô marveled at how this group of the Faithful had been able to flout the King’s decree and refuse to move eastward as he himself had done some while ago. Of course, he was not often at home, but on board his ship engaged in various trading missions. He frequently traveled to the colonies with a shipload of goods from Númenor and traded these items with his fellow countrymen and whatever local merchants he could find who were still willing to deal with a man of Númenor. Despite his love of the sea and the joy he felt doing honest work, he often chafed at the length of these voyages, yearning to return to his radiant wife Eirien and his young son Thorin.

But today was no ordinary supply mission. Elendil had commanded him to sail west and pick up the last remaining Faithful and bring them back to join the others who had gathered at Rómenna and would soon be fleeing Númenor to sail across the oceans. It was with a heavy heart that Azarmanô prepared to bid farewell to his homeland. Despite persecution from the King and those who followed his lead, he still felt a strong attachment to the land of his fathers. But the departure from Númenor could not be avoided. Disaster and doom were fast approaching the land, punishment for man’s insolence. For many years, the kings had shunned the friendship of the Eldar in their greedy quest for immortality. Azarmanô understood the Faithful must depart across the sea before all was lost. Besides, he thought, he would still have the sea.

Azarmanô went down on the shore and waited for Tiru, the contact from the local Faithful who usually met him and took delivery of the supplies. Today Tiru did not look pleased. His face was wan and nervous and he was moving fast. Azarmanô called out in anticipation, “I have news for you. You must gather the others and tell them that the time has come for us to leave Númenor. Elendil gathers the fleet in the east for the Faithful to depart. We can wait no longer. Tell your neighbors to gather in this cove and I will take them to where Elendil’s ships are gathering in the eastern bay.”

Tiru replied in a rushed tone, “My friend, I’m afraid that we can not yet go. You see the King’s men have captured Abârpânarú Karíbzîr, my master. We have just found out the sad news, and people are needed to help in the rescue." Tiru looked up expectently and added, Perhaps you would be willing to come with us. We have need of another strong bow.”

“I would be honored to rescue the lifeblood of such a noble leader. But we must not tarry. Speed will be needed. Elendil’s ships wait for us to arrive so that they may depart. Every moment they delay is another chance for the King’s men to find the Faithful. My family also is on a ship that will cross the seas and I long to return to them soon. We must be swift and relentless in our search and then go with all speed to the harbor of Romenna. Let me tell my mate to guide the Gwan back east and then I will join you.”

Azarmanô returned to his ship and told his mate to steer the craft eastward and have it wait for his arrival when he returned with the others. “Don’t fear,” he added, “I will return soon.”

Azarmanô turned to Tiru and mounted the chestnut brown horse that had been brought for him. “Let us go to gather the others. Away.” He flicked the reins and clipped his heels to the steed's side and began to ride with all haste.

[piosenniel]

Meneltarmacil's character

NAME: Adûnaic: Sakaladûn -- Elven: Thoronmir

AGE: 117

RACE: Numenorean

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: A long sword forged by master smiths, as well as a Númenórean steelbow, also has chainmail with a steel breastplate and helmet for use in war (Hey, it pays to have had the right connections at one point!)

APPEARANCE: Rather tall, has almost jet-black hair and dark blue eyes, wears mainly blue and white

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Strong-minded and very skeptical at this point. Believes in playing by the rules.

HISTORY: Born into an influential family in Romenna during Tar-Palantir's reign, Sakaladûn operated for quite a while as the king's emissary to the elves of Lindon under Gil-Galad, where he was given the elven name of Thoronmir. However, he was promptly removed from this position when Ar-Pharazôn came to power in 3255 and started to undo much of the unity between the two races that Tar-Palantir had built. Sakaladûn's life would not be completely ruined by this, as he later became an officer in Ar-Pharazôn's army in the colonies of Middle-Earth, where he eventually became one of the top commanders in the colonial forces. During this time, he married Firiel, a woman from Pelargir, eventually having a son and two daughters.

Sakaladûn was appointed to Ar-Pharazôn's ruling council in 3262 due to his aid in overthrowing Sauron. Sakaladûn, however, was not pleased with the king's decision to take Sauron back to Numenor as a prisoner, believing that the Dark Lord should have been destroyed rather than kept alive due to his evil and corruptive nature. Ar-Pharazôn, however, ignored Sakaladûn's recommendation. During the years of Sauron's captivity in Numenor, Sakaladûn's suspicion continued to rise, and he spoke in secret with Elendil about the strange patterns he had noticed in the Council. Sakaladûn opposed many of the changes in Numenor during the years he was on the council, though the majority of the coucil members never paid much attention to his "strange notions". He ran into the strongest opposition from Herugor, the second most powerful man in Numenor and the one he suspected had been learning all kinds of evil things from Sauron. After Sakaladûn flat out refused to have anything to do with an assault on Valinor, first proposed in 3299 and actually started eleven years later, Herugor, probably following instructions from Sauron, made up a number of false accusations about Sakaladûn forming a conspiracy and taking the throne for himself. Herugor then presented these charges before the king, who fired Sakaladûn from his post and had him arrested. Sakaladûn, however, went into hiding and was never found. He now lives among the Faithful, where he goes by the name of Thoronmir full-time. His wife and children have been sent to Lindon, the safest place there is for those of the Faithful at this time, while Sakaladûn/Thoronmir is still in Numenor aiding the Faithful.

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Meneltarmacil's post

Thoronmir let the arrow fly, and the deer fell to the ground. He was about to walk over to it when three riders on black horses rode up.

"Well, well, if it isn't Sakaladûn," said their leader, getting off his horse. "Finally found you, eh? The King's been looking for you for quite a while now."

Thoronmir, formerly known as Sakaladûn, answered him. "I stopped listening to that man when he started going mad. If you want me to come with you, you'll have to force me."

The man laughed and reached for a weapon. Thoronmir reacted faster, leaping up onto the leader's horse and kicking it hard. The black stallion rode off at full speed. The other two riders drew their spears and pursued Thoronmir as he fled, but Thoronmir managed to lose them in the forest.

Thoronmir rode into the hiding place of the Faithful that was nearby. He was met at the entrance by one of their guards.

"Thoronmir, I'm glad you got back here. Where did you get the horse?" the guard asked curiously.

"I ran into some old friends from Armenelos who really wanted me to come back with them," the Thoronmir said. "I declined the offer and borrowed one of their horses to escape with."

The other man didn't smile a whole lot. "Good thing you escaped, because we're really going to need your help here." he said. "You see, there's been a problem. Mabalar has been taken captive and they said we need to act now..."

[piosenniel]

Himaran's character

NAME: Abârzadan Batânzâira, Of Strong House Longing of Travel, Turmeawa Mélatrevad

AGE: 43

RACE: Númenórean

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS:

Abârzadan carries a longbow and a few arrows, customary of Númenóreans, but they are not the tools that he wields most smoothly. His favorite weapon is the large, double-bladed axe that he carries comfortably over one shoulder; an heirloom of his father.

APPEARANCE:

Abârzadan is six foot, four inches tall. He has shoulder-length, dark-brown hair, and large blue eyes. The man has a strong frame, large hands -- scarred from hours of axe-practice with his late father, and a slightly mishapen lower lip (which he is chews on frequently). He walks with a partial swagger, much practiced, in order to seem a swashbuckler. Abârzadan's fingers display several rings set with precious gems, adding to his already prominent air of importance; although he despises the look of "cleanliness" and usually keeps his hair greasy and ruffled. Always he seeks to appear as a rich, experienced and road-weary warrior; a tough combination to apply.


PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES:

As a general rule, Abârzadan is haughty and bold; a product of his heritage. His father taught him that only great warriors deserve respect, and even then only those "above" his family's prominent status. The man laughs loudly, and argues frequently, but will rarely become involved in an actual fight: for such matters are "below" him. He does, however, have a kind heart -- despite his father's belief that those poorer than him are unworthy of recognition, Abârzadan is generally touched by the sight of poverty, and will give freely; especially if another important figure is watching him.


HISTORY:

The House of Batânzâira was indeed a great power, but its influence has slowly slipped away. In reality, few among the Faithful have even heard of such a thing. In its days of greatness, it served proudly under Ar-Pharazôn, but as the king himself fell under the influence of the cult of Melkor, Batânzâira too was diminished. Abârzadan's father was one of the last to stand beside Ar-Pharazôn, cautiously counseling him to stray from the dark one's designs. When Sauron discovered his disloyalty, Abâranâ was forced to flee, leaving all his possessions and relations except for his son. Together they journeyed through Númenor in secrecy, at last arriving in the land controlled by the Faithful. To his death Abâranâ never trusted them, believing that he was living among traitors and criminals.

Abârzadan thus was forced to live among the Faithful after a long and pleasent childhood elsewhere, with his father isolated in their large home. (It should be noted that Abâranâ brought both his son and his fortune along.) He learned the ways of a warrior, and often strayed from the designated territory of the Faithful. He still thought that Ar-Pharazôn was not to blame, but that his father had ruined their life in Númenor. One day, he hopes to return there, and attempt to rebuild the dynasty of Batânzâira.

Shortly before his death, Abâranâ made his son swear a strange oath; that he would never marry until after he had proven himself in battle. Also, he implored Abârzadan to only become betrothed to a Númenorean woman, and not to an "Outcast." The man took both these things to heart, and seeks to accomplish both in the same feat. He has waited for several years to fulfill his promise, and now a chance has arrived...

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Himaran's post

Two swords crossed in overlapping fashion, drawing attention to the silver star located at the place of their meeting... The symbol of the House of Batânzâira. Abârzadan turned away from the treasured decoration adorning the wall of his large house. In reality, it was a thing of the past; there was no House Batânzâira... there was only him. The Númenórean man's ascendents were vast, but all had long since died out, persecuted by Sauron and the cult of Melkor. What that evil one so feared about letting it survive? Perhaps its strength, and the many warriors it had bred. Whatever the reason, all that was over. Abârzadan was the last of them, as far as he could tell. No one else remembered. No one understood.

Banishing the disparaging thoughts from his mind, Abârzadan forced himself to look on the positive side of the matter. He was safe, rich and secure; at least for the time being. The sole heir of a large fortune, the man was not stranger to the lavish lifestyle of the elite. But was there such a among the rabble of the Faithful? His father, Abâranâ, had never trusted them since entering their lands to escape the wrath of Sauron. They were outcasts, rebels, unfit to serve the King of Númenór. The old man's sentiments were never known publicly; he lived out his days isolated in his home, without making any aquaintices with the locals. After his father's death, Abârzadan had gradually come to accept the Faithful and did not hold them in a hostile light, but still he held on to the sometimes violent longing to see his true home. And then there was Abâranâ's last request...

No. That can never be accomplished. Never. Deciding that the acute loneliness of the house was becoming oppressive, Abârzadan pulled on a, coat, opened the door and hurried out into the street, allowing the wooden frame to fall shut loudly behind him. The refreshing tinge of cool air met his face, and the sound of the waves lapping at the shore met his ears. Abârzadan's home was near the docks, for he loved to look out at the sea from his bedroom window... somehow, although it was not the way back to the King he still felt loyal to, the water was strangely attracting. Perhaps it was the sense of mystery it held, for doubtlessly there were unexplored regions beyond the simmering edge of the horizon.

Even the sea could not give Abârzadan's mind the rest that it longed for. His thoughts went back to six years before, when his father lay dying from disease. "Hear me, Abârzadan," he had rasped, before breaking into another fit of coughing. "And never forget. Keep the House of Batânzâira clean from the Faithful. Only marry..." the sick man's voice trailed off again. His eyes opened wide, as if he was seeing a vision. Then he had struggled back to reality, and made one last, desperate effort to finish his last statement. "Only marry... a woman of Númenór. I say this to you so that I know that one day, you will indeed go back there, to see the place where our ancestors lie. Never forget, Abârzadan, please..." The man had then gone unconcious, and died during the night, as silently as he had lived.

Enough reminiscing! Abârzadan decided that if he were to get any work done that night, he had better get a drink and clear the disturbing memories from his distraught mind. The man hurried down the street, soon finding a small inn that he rarely visited. Abâranâ had seen the place when they first arrived, and snidely commented on its disrepair. Indeed, it was in rather poor condition, and not the sort of place that a member of the elite would go to dine. However, it was close, and though the ale was poor it still contained the kick that he needed. Besides, the gossip of those at this particular small establishment was far more interesting than that at any fine diner.

As he entered the inn, Abârzadan noticed that it was quite empty, almost deserted. The man ordered a drink and walked over to a table in the corner; slowly easing into the hard wooden chair. His ears immediately sharpened, and he began to pick up snippets of conversation from a booth near him. When he heard "the King's men have been watching your uncle," his ears perked up. The King? Ar-Pharazôn? As he continued to eavesdrop, his suspicions were confirmed. "Your uncle is walking into a trap," one of the men said. Prized horses? And uncle and his daughter? As Abârzadan left the inn later that evening, he promised himself to keep his ears open for any more information regarding the strange tale that he had been exposed to.

Especially if it dealt with Númenór.

[piosenniel]

samsmyhero's character

NAME: Adunaic: Azulan (means "from the east") ; Sindarin: Arkrision (horse brother); native language (some dialect of southern Westron): Tiru

AGE: 52 (he's not Numenorean, so these are 52 "regular human" years)

RACE: human, from Middle Earth (south of the River Harnen, in south Gondor near Harad) not Numenorean

GENDER: male

WEAPONS: Tiru carries a general utility knife for work purposes. The handle is wood, old and scratched in many places. The blade is about eight inches long, plain steel, notched in one place close to the haft. It has no sheath; he carries it thrust through his belt. No other weapons belong to him, but he knows how to use a bow, and on the rescue mission he will carry a bow borrowed from the family household.

APPEARANCE: Being originally from the southern regions of Middle Earth, on the coast west of Harad, he is of swarthy complexion. He is of average height for his own race, around 5'9", 5'10" , which appears quite tiny to the Numenoreans. His frame is wirey, rather than bulky, but he's very strong for his size, due to his lifetime of hard labor. He has dark eyes and generally squints, from being outside in the sun almost constantly. He did have thick, curly, dark hair at one time, which has now turned to a salt and pepper mix of black and grey, thinning at the crown, so he's starting to sport almost a monk's tonsure look. What is left grows out long and fairly unkempt, and this he pulls back carelessly into a messy ponytail of ragged curls, down to the middle of his back. He sports a neatly trimmed beard and mustache, mostly grey now, which for some unknown reason he takes great pride in, while he totally ignores the rats' nest on his head. He's missing one top front tooth which he lost brawling at some tavern. He has a mark tattooed on the inside of his right forearm showing him to have been a slave. His clothing is plain but clean, just a simple brown tunic of rough cloth, worn leather breeches, boots, and a black wool cloak and hood for the cold. He keeps his work knife and various other tools from time to time shoved into an old leather belt wrapped around his middle, which is exceedingly long as he inherited it from his master when it was too worn for Abar to want any longer.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Tiru is generally a very quiet man. Most of the time you would never even know he's around. He learned long ago that horses prefer people who are quiet and calm, and, as he spends most of his time in their company, he has little need to talk at length or in a high volume. He's somewhat somber, a little melancholy at times. He never married and has no children and some say that a good wife and children tumbling around the hearth would have brought him more cheer. But actually, he's happy with his life, as long as he can take care of the Kariborim and Karibi, and be of service to the family. He can be stubborn at times. His size belies his great physical strength, and this has brought him into grief on more than one occasion. It seems bullies and big mouths in taverns can never leave him alone. Although peaceful by nature, when provoked enough he may become consumed by a terrible rage. All the anger at his abuse as a slave and what happened to his family and village will boil to the surface and overflow – woe betide his would-be persecutor then! He is fiercely loyal to Abar's family and any whom he knows to be their trusted friends, but silently hostile to most strangers in these perilous times.

HISTORY: Tiru was born in a small fishing village on the western coast of Middle Earth, somewhat south of the mouth of the River Harnen, a land at this time mostly a colony of Numenor. His family were of course fisherfolk and he lived a peaceful existence until the age of ten, when a Numenorean galleon swept down upon the village and in an instant took every man, woman, and child prisoner, to be taken north to the great fortress at Umbar to be sold as slaves.

He was separated from his parents and three younger siblings in the slave market and has no idea what happened to them. At that time, there was already starting to be a fairly brisk market for slaves to be sacrificed to Melkor, and this was most probably the fate of his younger siblings and possibly his mother. Tiru was taken to Numenor to work in the fields of a prosperous family, loyal to the king, that lived outside Andunie. He was called "Azulan" by his overseers, as were many of his fellow slaves, as it meant simply "from the east". Slaves were treated cruelly in Numenor, and Tiru was beaten, mistreated and starved.

When Tiru was about twelve, Abar happened to be paying a horse-related business visit to Tiru's owner. Abar was invited to accompany the owner on a hunt, and was shocked to discover when they had run their quarry to earth, that it was a young boy (Tiru). Tiru's owner laughed out loud when Abar tried to intercede on the boy's behalf, and was ready to set the dogs on Tiru to rip him to pieces. Abar persuaded the cruel owner otherwise with a purse full of gold pieces, enough to buy ten slaves, and enough to secure Tiru's freedom.

Abar took Tiru in to Andunie to register the formal papers declaring him a freed man at the town's municipal building. He told the boy he was free to go anywhere he chose; but that he was welcome to come back to Abar's farm and work there as a hired hand, which Tiru readily agreed to. Abar at first had him work in the household, where Inzillomi could keep an eye on him. She took him under her wing and they all quickly saw that he was a very bright kid and quick to learn. But Abar discovered that Tiru was fascinated with the horses. The boy had never been close to one and they cast a spell on him with their strength, speed and beauty. Abar asked if he would rather work in the stables than the house and Tiru leapt at the chance. He turned out to be a natural with horses; he understood them and they understood him. They turned out to be the new family to replace the one he had lost. Thus Abar came to call him "Arkision", horse-brother. Although "Azulan" was his official name according to his papers, and this was the name he would give in town or to strangers, the family always called him Tiru, out of respect for his origins.

From the beginning, Tiru had great respect for his master and mistress. He returned their kindness with a fierce loyalty. When their daughter was born, Tiru looked upon her as a cherished princess and she had him wrapped around her little finger from day one. If there were ever any times when Tiru did not obey Abar or Inzillomi, it was when Kathaani wanted his help in some innocent mischief which her parents would have frowned upon. When her father himself wasn't teaching Kathaani about the Kariborim, she could usually be found hovering at Tiru's elbow as he went about his work, asking incessant questions and soaking up knowledge like a little sponge. As she grew up, she naturally came to spend less time in his company, but there was always an unspoken affection between them, like uncle and niece.

Trusted implicitly by the family, he is aware of the pending flight of the Faithful to ME, and has been assured by both Abar and Inzillomi that there will be a place for him on a ship, hopefully the one carrying the Kariborim. Tiru has never had any contact with any Eldar, of course, but Abar has long ago explained and tutored Tiru regarding the Valar and Illuvatar, etc. Tiru in his heart doesn't believe in any gods because of what happened to his family. But outwardly, he pays respect as Abar has instructed him, because he doesn't really care as long as it pleases his master.

There is no question that Tiru would willingly and without hesitation lay down his life for Abar, Inzillomi, Kathaani, or the Kariborim.

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samsmyhero's post

Tiru hummed softly as he came out of the stall. He had changed the old bedding for new and refilled the manger with fresh hay. The water trough outside the stable was full of water pulled from the well. All was taken care of. Not that there was any sense of urgency. His master and the little mistress were not due back for some days. Tiru closed his eyes for a brief moment, silently offering a prayer for the success of their venture. He smiled at his own absurdity; he didn't even believe in the gods, although his master had spent many hours instructing him. Well, he shrugged his shoulders, it couldn't hurt.

So much was riding on their journey, though. The very existence of the Kariborim was at stake. If Abârpânaru was not successful in getting the horses to Rómenna, if they missed the sailing for the east . . . No! Tiru shook his head vigorously. He would not even think such thoughts! Besides, there was still much to do before leaving for the harbor to meet Captain Azarmanô, who was arriving from Rómenna with supplies and news from Elendil. It was being said that the time for the departure for the east was coming upon them quickly.

Tiru stroked his beard thoughtfully. Even if his beloved six came safely to the ships, there were many others who would not be going. Tiru worried about these others, the Karibi. He knew there was no room for them on the ships. It was fortunate enough that his master and mistress had been able to secure a place for him, being only their servant. Still, the thought of leaving the Karibi almost broke his heart. He had already lost one family; and, now, to lose this one . . .

The horsemaster's thoughts were interrupted by the, as yet, distant sound of thundering hoofs. This sound was one so familiar to him that it was like unto his own heart beat. "The Kariborim!" he gasped. "What . . . how?" Tiru wasted no time, but flew himself, as fast as his legs could carry him, across the stable yard and down the broad path that led to the road. Even as the swirl of dust accompanying them grew larger, he could make out Kâthaanî, the little mistress, and Marsillion, her cousin, with five of the six steeds which had left Andunië eight days ago. But he could tell at a glance that his master, Abârpânaru, and the mare Lômi, were not with them.

Tiru's heart raced and his mind seethed. Disaster! Some sort of catastrophe had befallen his master and now . . . and now, what? He must calm himself and be prepared; the mistress and her daughter would surely need him, and he, at least, was reliable, unlike those so called gods!

Within moments, the two cousins had drawn up to him. Dirt and sweat covered Kâthaanî's face and her hair looked as if she had been in a high wind off the ocean. Marsillion looked shocked and angry. Breathlessly, Kâthaanî leaned over Nitirú's neck and in a rush, told Tiru what had occurred on the unlucky journey to Rómenna. Tiru's face belied little of the anguish that churned in his stomach. Captured by the King's Men! The very worst that could have happened! Poor Lômi! She would be so upset and unhappy if strangers were to take her. And the master too, of course.

"What must we do, little mistress?" Tiru gasped, as Kâthaanî stopped to take a breath.

"This was the day appointed for Azarmanô's arrival was it not?" She rushed on, not waiting for a reply. "You must go to the harbor and meet him there as planned. But tell him of my father's plight. Ask Azarmanô to render what assistance he can – I'm sure we will need every man available to rescue him. Hurry back!" With that she and Marsillion were urging the horses forward once again, racing, Tiru was sure, to her mother, to let her know the grim tidings and alert the other Annanost.

Tiru ran back to the stables and quickly saddled up the grey mare he had waiting, already anticipating the trip to the harbor. Hoping that Azarmanô would be at the harbor, which, with sea voyages, arrivals were always an uncertainty, he went into the field beyond and caught up another mount for the Captain. He saddled her too, and was off down the road, just as Kâthaanî was at her mother's side, relating her sad news. With a brief moment of regret that he could not tend to the needs of the five Kariborim which had returned, Tiru focused on his task and set off for the harbor at a break neck speed.

[piosenniel]

Feanor of the Peredhil's character

NAME: Inzillomí Elendili - Flower of the Night; Mórelóte - Dark Flower

AGE: 103

RACE: Numenorean

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: Carries no visable weapons, such being labeled highly "inappropriate" for a lady, and knowing that a show of arms tends to complicate matters. However, being in a dangerous position, Inzillomí has taken to wearing a wide sash rather than a belt, in which she has tucked two small throwing knives and a highly visable but not particularly ornamental fan with razor tips. The fan's silk is black with pale lotus blossoms; a gift from her father, Elendil. She is highly competent with a staff, can hit the target nine times of ten with a long bow, although she rarely actually uses them. Moving silently in the shadows, an enemy is most likely to never know she was there until it's too late. However, Inzillomí prefers not to kill anyone, so she tends to leave her enemies unconscious and tied up in the woods somewhere. Due to a small vial of pale blue liquid that she carries in her ever convenient sash, these would be attackers rarely remember they were actually attacked by a woman, putting the experience down to bandits.

APPEARANCE: Much like a panther, Inzillomí is dark and mysterious. She is long-limbed and slender, but muscular from years of riding and secret arms training in preparation of the day she and her kin would have to fight for their beliefs. Her skin is pale, her grey eyes set off by her shock of black hair that falls in soft waves to her waist. Full crimson lips quick to smile. Soft arms quick to pull you into a comforting hug. Being more comfortable in men's clothing, Inzillomí still understands the importance of looking "proper" by other people's standards and compromises by wearing gowns with fitted bodices, but flared skirts for easy riding. Being less than fond of the high-class style of covering ones legs, but showing a large expanse of one's bosum, Inzillomi has her gowns made with a simple but high neck. Inzillomi is ever the proper lady, at least when people are watching.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Shares her husband's (Abârpânarú Karíbzîr) love for horses. Adores her husband, loves her daughter. Loves Marsillion as a son and Ziraphel as a sister. She's the type of woman that anyone can go to for anything, and she can solve most problems with no honor lost on any side. She is a rather typical "housekeeper" sort, preferring to do household work herself, but when the hired help complains that they'll soon be out of a job, she meekly retreats to the sidelines. Inzillomí is not the type to sit by and watch others do the work, preferring to do anything she is capable of, which is much. Although Inzillomí tends to be right (and stemming from that, strong-minded), if her husband or her father inform her that she's not, she immediately steps down. Her strengths are mostly her people skills and her strategic mind, but her weaknesses are her love for her family, her horses, and anyone under her watch. She refuses to "sacrifice one for the good of the many", believing that the "many" is nothing without each individual "one". Not remarkably fond of ships.

HISTORY: The oft forgotten sister of Isildur and Anárion, Inzillomí had a happy and innocent childhood. Named Flower of the Night for her brilliantly black hair, she was fondly called Mórelóte (Quenya for Dark Flower) by her father Elendil. Growing up in a Faithful household, Inzi knew little else until she was full grown, her father having refrained from informing her. As the only daughter of Elendil, Inzillomí is fluent in Sindarin, with a firm grasp of Quenya. One afternoon while Inzillomí was out riding, a heavy fog rolled in leaving her lost and somewhat nervous. Stumbling, she fell and hurt her ankle. Her horse bolted. Drawn by her cries, Abârpânarú Karíbzîr, riding one of his precious kariborim, came to her aid. Falling in love, they married in 3279. As a young couple, the two lived in a large house just outside of Andunië. Raising the former slave, Tiru, Inzillomí and Abârpânarú taught him their beliefs and came to think of him as part of the family. In 3287, a daughter, Kâthâani, was born.

Drawing on her own upbringing and her husband's beliefs, the two taught their beloved Cerveth the old values and passed on their love and trust of the Valar. Inzillomí and Abârpânarú made a point to never discuss their prominence amongst the hidden Faithful with their daughter until she became of an age to understand. In the early 3300s the small household relocated to a smaller home further outside the city where they soon became an important contact point for the Faithful still braving the West. Abârpânarú's sister Ziraphel lived with the family and in 3317 her son Marsillion came to stay. As political tensions heated, Inzillomí urged her husband to send those members of the household who would not be missed by the King's Men east. With word from Elendil expected any day, apprehension rose in the house of Karíbzîr.

-----

Feanor of the Peredhil's post

The rain poured from the black clouds like so many thousand tears. Lightening lit the tormented sky as another wave shifted the ground. Inzillomí Elendili moved quietly through the shadows of the awnings, coming in from the stables. From cosseting her black mare, Alya, the mistress of the house had been startled by the sound of pounding hoofbeats. Reaching the house before her unknown guests, Inzillomí went to her sitting room and settled quickly, picking up a piece of embroidery on her way. To a stranger, it would look as though she had been sewing quietly for some time. A fist pounded on the oaken doors, echoing through the large house. She rose gracefully, gliding delicately to the entry way. Meeting a maid in the hallway, she waved her off silently. Opening the heavy doors, she was faced with a full guard of the King's Men. Briefly she wondered where her own guards were, until she saw a flash of silver in the doorway of the stables. One man stepped forward.

"To what do I owe this honor?" Inzillomí asked cautiously. She knew this man; they had been childhood companions. These days, however, it did not pay to trust those you once knew. The uniformed man hesitated as streams of water ran down his cheeks. "Officer, it is raining and my floor is getting wet. Either state your business or come in for a cup of tea, but I will not tolerate the warping of a perfectly good door frame because of carelessness."

The officer nearly laughed, quickly hiding his smile with a well-timed cough. He had been sent to escort the out of favor families to Rómenna but he felt compassion for them. He had known Inzillomí for many years. "Inzi--" he caught himself. Standing up taller, his smile vanished. It was one thing to be compassionate, another to be soft. He had his orders. "Mistress Inzillomí, the King offers you the honor of relocating your family to Rómenna. You will please pack only what you can carry on one horse. You will please be ready in one hour. Your escort will be waiting outside your doors to ensure that you do not lose your way to the front garden."

Hiding her panic, Inzillomí smiled at her childhood friend. Snake! her mind screamed. "No." she replied calmly.

"You must excuse me, Mistress, but I thought I heard you say "no". You are please to be aware that you have no choice."

"I am and I do. I have business today that will not wait, as I am sure you will quite understand. You will have to return tomorrow when my family is all together and prepared. I will not leave without them, and I will not leave my belongings behind. May your day be as peace-filled as my own." With that, Inzillomí politely shut the door in the officers' faces.

Hoping her audacity would not serve to get them all killed, Inzillomí spared a fearful moment wondering at the whereabouts of her family. She peered out the window, seeing the King's Men clustered in a small group. Suddenly the men scattered, mounting up and set off down the road. Short-lived relief filled Inzillomí as the rain slowed. As quickly as the storm had begun, it was over. Within a short time, the sun shone brightly, drying the land. A brisque wind pulled crimson leaves from the trees and Inzillomí, tired and worried, walked alone through her garden admiring the last dark blossoms of the season. Azarmanô was due with tidings from Elendil any hour; Marsillion had gone to meet his cousin; Abârpânarú and Kâthaanî would not be returning. Inzillomí's family was scattered and she was left to lead the remaining Anannost to whatever end. It was her responisibility to get her people safely to the East. Suddenly, heavy hoof beats filled the air once more. Turning quickly on her heel, Inzillomí Elendili ran, skirts billowing in the wind, her hair streaming out behind her, hurrying to meet unexpected visitors for the second time in so many hours.

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CAMEO CHARACTERS

Nilpaurion Felagund's character


Name: Balaknaru Sakîlbel/Cirion Falassil

Age: 153

Race: Númenórean Men

Gender: Male

Weapons: Instead of passing swords to heirs, which is almost useless in the maritime profession, the House of Sakîlbel passed on great bows of standard Númenórean make, used only for hunting during the times before the coming of the Shadow. Balaknaru has one such bow, and a quiver full of ell-long hollow steel arrows.

Appearance: Balaknaru is a ranga and a half tall, with shoulder-length black hair and sea-grey eyes with a fell glint in them. He appears ever gloomy, and indeed his heart is tarnished by his cruel deeds while in the service of the King.

Personality: As a ship captain, he is proud and masterful, ever confident of his skills. He shows respect to his men, and in whatever ship he sent to command, all loved him. But none really knew his innermost thoughts.

When he went over to the Faithful, he saw no more need to hide his thoughts. Thus, of late he is quick to anger, and ever sullen. A shadow is on his heart, secretly wishing that he be taken away from Númenor for ever, so he could forget the evil he had done and start afresh.

History: The House of Falassil, which began when Almiel, the younger sister of the Great Captain Tar-Aldarion, was married to Ciryamo, a mariner and a distant kin of Vëantur, has a proud history. Every generation boasts of great ship captains, and many of them became admirals of the King’s Ships. Ciryatur, admiral of the great fleet Tar-Minastir sent to the aid of Gil-galad, was of the Falassil.

The House of Sakîlbel, as it was now known, were ever faithful King’s Men, and Balakanû, father of Balaknaru, was no exception. But he was married to Inzilphel of the Karíbzîr, who was one of the Faithful, and she instructed her son in the teachings of the Elf-friends. Thus, Balaknaru grew up to be one of the Elendili, although he kept it secret.

When he was in his twenties, his father brought him to a small ship, and they went sailing around Númenor. Immediately Balaknaru fell in love with the Sea. He forgets all else when he sails far from the shores, captured by the grace of the snow-peaked waves and the gentle swaying of the ship. It was for this love that he took no wife.

He was aghast when the king brought Sauron to Númenor, and even more so when he rose to become the King’s closest counsellor. Being a great captain of ships, he was given command of one sent to kidnap natives for the sacrifice to Melkor. Every man he takes aboard seems another dagger in his heart. Thus his love for the Sea was darkened by the memory of the coasts of Middle-earth.

When he heard of the plans to assault Aman, he left the King’s service, feigning the approach of old age, and went to Romenna to meet Elendil.

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alaklondewen's character

NAME: Monôizindu Igmizadan

AGE: 113

RACE: Númenorian

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: If Monôizindu is going to only be around his shop, he will carry a long dagger tucked beneath his clothes. Its blade is narrow and has a dulled silver hilt. He does not remember the last time it was used as a weapon, but it does come in handy as an everyday tool. When traveling to the outlying farms, he will carry the bow his father had made for each of his sons. It is of sturdy wood with golden stars engraved along the back.


APPEARANCE: Monôizindu has been a large man in his lifetime. He stands just slightly above the average height of a Númenorian man and still his frame is thick, but muscle that was built around his sturdy bones is now only a hint of its former stature. His face is long and is covered by a well-kept, short beard that shows a slight reddish tint that contrasts with his dark brunet hair. His blue eyes are clear and full of life as they overlook his slightly widened nose. A small scar can be seen across the bridge of his nose. Monôizindu’s face and arms are slightly tanned from the short time he spends out of doors each day, but over the last months his face has a pale appearance, despite the color.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Monôizindu has a strong sense of morality and a high standard by which he lives. He is outgoing and kind, so that he easily gains trust from others, whether warranted or not. This quality aids in his position of staying hidden among the people in Armenelos and being trusted by those in opposition of the goals and beliefs of the Faithful. His downfall could possibly be how easily he opens his heart to people. He is careful, in that he doesn’t let on who he really is, but he cares for those that he knows will be destroyed if the Valar lash out against Númenor.


HISTORY: The second of five sons that grew up on the family plantation, Monôizindu learned at an early age the value of hard work. Despite the focus on physical labor, Monôizindu’s father, Izindibatân, made a tremendous effort to educate his sons in the rich history of their country and that of the Eldar.

Once he came of the age to do so, Monôizindu attended military school where he learned the importance of discipline in life. Of all the lessons he learned, the clearest was how precious life is and how quickly one can lose it. It was an icy day and the young men were to take a small boat out on the river to perform a maneuver they had done many times. This time, however, something went terribly wrong and Monôizindu was sent over the edge of the boat into the freezing water. When he hit the water, he bashed his head on a large rock and went unconscious. Fortunately, one of the other students, a young man named Abârpânarú, jumped in the water after him and pulled him to safety. In the weeks that followed, Monôizindu became very ill as he had swallowed a lot of water, and Abârpânarú came and sat with him everyday. The two became close, and Monôizindu cherished the friendship into adulthood.

During his early adulthood, Monôizindu moved into Armenelos with his older brother, Adûntârik. The pair bought a run-down shop and, after a bit of remodeling, they shared a small business in the center of the city’s market. To remain among the few hidden Faithful in Armenelos, Monôizindu uses his charisma to befriend the people who readily come through his shop, and from them, he easily obtains information pertinent to the Faithful’s cause.

[piosenniel]

** CAMEO CHARACTERS NEEDED **

1 sailor, Númenorean male - Elendil may be used but must be true to character. Will only appear at end of story while the Faithful attempt to leave the bay.

[piosenniel]

A FEW NEEDED REFERENCES:

It would be extremely helpful to have read the ‘Akallabêth’ in The Silmarillion.

~*~

Names for Númenor:

Used by the Faithful: Númenor, Númenórë, Elenna, Andor, The Land of Gift, Starwards, Westernesse.

Used by the Faithful and/or King’s Men: Anadûnê, Yôzâyan.

Used only by the Exiles: The Downfallen, Akallabêth, Mar-nu-Falmar, Atalantë.

~*~

Profiles of Númenor, Elendil, the Faithful, and Ar-Pharazôn can be found on:

Encyclopedia of Arda (www.glyphweb.com/arda/ )
Annals of Arda (www.annalsofarda.dk)

~*~

Information on the Adunaic language HERE (http://www.uib.no/People/hnohf/adunaic.htm ) (it looks very dense, but there’s a wordlist about 2/3 of the way down)

~*~

Map of Numenor HERE (http://brendoman.com/honzo/lotr/NUM_SWJ.JPG) - HERE (http://www.oneil.com.au/tolkien/maps/map_numenor.html)

Numenor in relation to Middle-earth and Valinor: HERE (http://students.sivan.co.il/itamar_b/TolkienontheNet/NewFiles/maps/map4.html)

~*~

Downs based Resources:

How to make special characters (those vowels with accent marks): HERE (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=171365&postcount=3)

-----

About horses: HERE (http://www.forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=171376&postcount=13)

-----

Sailing and ships: HERE (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=171375&postcount=14)

-----

Rates of travel: HERE (http://www.forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=315909&postcount=20)

[piosenniel]

SOME EXTRA NOTES FROM SOPHIA:

Story begins in September (Ivanneth in Sindarin), ends late October (Narbeleth in Sindarin)

~*~

Ar-Pharazon landed in Aman 39 days after his departure from Númenor. It would take slightly longer to land in Middle-earth, barring the fierce winds that blew Elendil’s ships to shore. Perhaps it will be a little quicker for them?

NOTE FROM PIO - RELATIVELY SPEAKING IT IS ABOUT 1,000 MILES FROM NUMENOR TO TUNA; ABOUT 1,500 MILES FROM ROMENNA TO THE GULF OF LUNE.

~*~

Pre-Akallabeth signs of the Valar’s wrath, including lightning, earthquakes, hail, “Eagles of Manwe”

-----------------------------------------------------------

Ages of Relevant Persons

Ar-Pharazôn is 201

Amandil is approx. 194

Elendil is 168

Isildur is 110

Kâthaanî (Sophia’s character) is 21

~*~

Numenorean lifespan data:

Erendis was 102 at birth of Ancalimë.

Amandil was approx. 26 at birth of Elendil

Elendil was 58 at birth of Isildur.

~*~

Travel Data:

My crew will be on Elendil’s ships (4) parted almost immediately from Isildur’s (3) and Anarion’s (2) ships. We land in Lindon.

On the ships: Palantiri (7), Fruit of Nimloth (on Isildur’s ship), Narsil, Elendilmir (which for the purposes of these stories we will have to call the “Star of Erendis”), Scepter of Annuminas (Rod of the Lords of Andunië).

[piosenniel]

Basic progression of the game:

First post: Brief description of Armenelos, captive (identity will be settled before sending final proposal to pio) captured, short scene between captive and jailer.

~*~

Second post: Rider leaves Armenelos, glossed over journey, arrives at Andunië with message.

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First stage of the game- consternation of Anannost, gathering rescue party, departure. Main body of Anannost depart for Rómenna, rescue party departs for Armenelos. **2 weeks real-time, less than a day game time.

Second stage of the game- glossed over journey **4 days game-time, 300 miles. Arrival in Armenelos, rescue of prisoner. Hopefully at least one character will die here. **6 weeks real-time. Approx two weeks spent in Armenelos game-time.

Third stage of the game- escape from Armenelos (1 week real-time, less than a day game-time), rejoin main body of Anannost outside Rómenna **1 day, 45-50 miles, game time, Arrival at Rómenna next day game-time, escape on ships **3 weeks real time, less than a day game-time.

Epilogue: Faithful on the ship, approaching Middle Earth.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

I'm here.

Sophia - ARE YOU PROVIDING A LIST OF ACCEPTABLE NAMES? I'M UNCLEAR ON THIS.

No, I wasn't. I do have some ideas though, should anyone get stuck. Adûnaic is no piece of cake language.

Sophia

[alaklondewen]

I'm on board as well, and looking forward to the experience. I shall wait, however, until others have arrived to start discussing. :)

[littlemanpoet]

Present and accounted for. ;)

[Meneltarmacil]

I'm here and already thinking up a background for my character (Yes, I know I said I'd post earlier, sorry about that.)

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Meneltarmacil-

Thread just opened this morning, so definitely don't worry about lateness. :rolleyes: Whenever you get your character in is great, you know, provided it's in the next week or so. We have quite a bit to do on the actual plot before we can start the game. I have a big paper coming up, so it will be at least (read: more than) another week before we can start things off.

Sophia

[littlemanpoet]

Looks like I'm approaching this in the Tolkienian manner - by accident, I assure you! I decided to start with the name, and chose a series of possible English language meanings that appealed to me, then looked up the Adûnaic cognates, and finally the Sindarin, and decided which combination in all three languages most appealed in terms of the character.

Adûnaic to English

abâr "strength, endurance, fidelity" (431). Evidently related to bâr "lord".

pâ "hand" (< *pa3a), pl. pâi (416, 426)

naru "man, male" (434, fully inflected in 437, that also gives an alternative form narû)

*magân *"wright", isolated from Ar-Balkumagân, q.v.

karab "horse" (pl. karîb) (434). Masculine karbû "stallion" (434, 435), feminine karbî "mare" (434).

ZIR "love", desire" (423), cf. -zîr "lover" in Nimruzîr.

zadan "house", fully inflected in 430.

Adûnaic - English - Sindarin

Karíbzîr - Lover of horses - Melethroch

Abârpâ - Strong/True Hand - Mabalar

Zadanmagân - Housewright - Cardhán

My choice

Abârpânaru Karíbzîr - Strong Handed Man Lover of Horses; Mabalar Melethroch

The first name is the character's personal name, the second is the name of his House. Now to build the physical, and find out how the Melethroch family relates to the line of Elros!

[Child of the 7th Age]

Please excuse me for dipping into this thread.... Sophia had asked me several days ago if I knew whether daily speech, names etc. would have used Sindarin or Quenyan . I managed to find some information just today, so am going ahead and putting the information here, since I believe her question pertained to this game.

There is a lengthy discussion of this question in the footnotes of UT, pp. 215-216. Tolkien's answer was long and complex, but it basically boiled down to this in terms of Quenyan:

Quenyan was not a spoken tongue in Numenor. It was known only to the learned and to the families of high descent, to whom it was taught in their early youth. It was used in official documents intended for preservation, such as the Laws, and the Scroll and Annals of the Kings..., and often in more recondite works of lore. It was also largely used in nomenclature: the official names of all places, regions, and geographical features of the land were of Quenya form (though they usually had local names also, generally of the same meaning, in Sindarin or Adunaic). The personal names, and especially the official and public names, of all members of the royal house, and of the Line of Elros in general, were given in Quenya form.

The last line would obviously apply only to the earlier period when the royal house was sympathetic to the Elves. Kind of sounds like Quenyan was almost like Latin -- reserved for ceremony and the like and even names for high born folk, but not a spoken tonuge.

Earlier in the text and also in the appendix of LotR, Tolkien clearly stated that the Elvish spoken in Numenor was Sindarin.

Pio's earlier link to the "Adunaic language" in Ardalambion that appears in her post above also contains a useful discussion on the place of Sindarin and Quenyan in Numenor.

Clear as mud, right? Hope this helps!

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Very nice indeed. Would Kâthaanî then, as his daughter, be Kâthaanî Karíbzîr? It goes nicely.

Since my character bio isn't quite complete (I'm waiting for Abârpânaru's history), I'll post here for the record that Kâthaanî's name (Kâtha- all, anî- feminine name suffix) is roughly translatable to Sindarin "Adaneth" (one of the people, woman of the people); but she is more frequently called Cerveth (Sindarin "July") a pet name derived from the month of her birth.

"Abârpânaru", wow, what a mouthful. :)

As for our plotline: the quote above *glances up at "historical information"* mentions that Ar-Gimilzor moved all the Faithful that he could find to Rómenna to be watched. If we want to preserve the West => East journey, it would be possible that we were a group of still underground Faithful located near, or in Andunië.

I'll come back later and post more, but I'm too busy to do it now.

Sophia

In light of my cross-posting with Child, I've looked up possible translations for 'Kâthaanî' in Quenya. Best candidates are probably "Nerwen" or "Nerwendë".

[mark12_30]

I'm here. Hello, Dunedain.

[Regin Hardhammer]

Hello all,

Just checking in. Looks like it will be a good game. I am excited to be playing in a game with so many experienced writers.

[Himaran]

Hello everyone!

Great to be in an RPG again. Currently thinking up a bio/first post...

-- Himaran

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Earlier:

As for our plotline: the quote above *glances up at "historical information"* mentions that Ar-Gimilzor moved all the Faithful that he could find to Rómenna to be watched. If we want to preserve the West => East journey, it would be possible that we were a group of still underground Faithful located near, or in Andunië.

As I now have a lot more time for lengthy posting (rather than flipping frantically back and forth between the downs and homework), I thought I'd elaborate on this a little more. I really like the idea of having the rescue party and some of the Faithful travelling cross country in a desparate hurry to reach Elendil and the ships, if for no other reason than that Numenor is having some spectacularly interesting weather around this time. But that idea has a few downsides, most noticeably that the majority of the Faithful have been rounded up and shipped to Romenna. It's a little difficult to have a somewhat organized group of the Faithful at Andunie or Almaida that has remained unknown. Perhaps Ar-Gimilzor's intelligence network isn't too bright?

Upside to long journey: it gives Abarpanaru (I promise I will use all the accent marks in the actual game) a feasible reason to be in the vicinity of Armenelos at the time of his capture. He could be communicating with Elendil at Romenna and be caught on his way back through... the major road between Andunie and Romenna makes it necessary to at least go near Armenelos. The rider that brings the news of Abarpanaru's capture could have been accompanying him and could also bring the Faithful at Andunie the news that Elendil is prepared to depart...? It also supplies a feasible reason for our particular group to be so late in arriving?

littlemanpoet: since it's your character in question, what you think is the most important ;).

Everybody else, what you think is important too.

Sophia

[mark12_30]

It's a little difficult to have a somewhat organized group of the Faithful at Andunie or Almaida that has remained unknown. Perhaps Ar-Gimilzor's intelligence network isn't too bright?

Or-- maybe they don't know about each other at first. They could learn about each other, either from rescuers (?) or because they are fleeing in the same direction, or by messages from Elendil such as "meet up with so-and-so if you can." Passwords...? The name of Elbereth or any of the valar...

[piosenniel]

mark 12_30

A quick question . . . have you decided what sort of character you want to play?

~*~ Pio

[littlemanpoet]

"Abârpânaru", wow, what a mouthful.- Sophia
Indeed. It seems mouthful names are typical in Adúnaic. As an afterthought I threw in "naru" as a gender indicator, but I'm not sure it's needed. Perhaps Abârpâ is sufficient. What do you think?

littlemanpoet - Abârpânaru Karíbzîr/Mabalar Melethroch (the captive) BIO/POST NEEDED - pio I'm still in research phase. I spent today studying the Akkalabêth and the Line of Elros, and discovered a few things I had forgotten or missed the first time.

If we want to preserve the West => East journey, it would be possible that we were a group of still underground Faithful located near, or in Andunië. - Sophia
I like the idea. But in the Sil, Isildur is said to make a singular achievement by going in disguise to the Tree and picking one fruit - even then he is discovered and only remains free after becoming almost mortally wounded. So if we want to go in this direction, there is going to have to be strictly enforced secretiveness among the hidden. Perhaps there is an heirloom (or not) that helps in secretiveness. I noticed the Elendilmir of Silmarien as an heirloom in the house of the Lords of Andúnië. But we don't have to go in that direction either; it would involve receiving a gift from the Eldar. I like the edge-of-the-seat aspect of it, but we would need to prepare the thing carefully in terms of "how". Don't forget, Sauron sits upon his throne in the Black Temple, eager for more victims to sacrifice...

I think they need to know about each other; if not, the premise of this rpg would have to be altered. I do like the password being something in Quenya, or at least Sindarin, though (in consideration of Child's post).

[piosenniel]

lmp and all others

The Players/Characters list I put up is only a housekeeping list I use on Planning and Discussion threads to keep track of one of the areas that needs to be done before I can open a game for play.

Since this is still a Planning Thread, please take your time constructing bios and posts.

Looking forward to seeing this game played!

~*~ Pio

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

I like the idea of a password as well.

Alaklondewen had an idea that she hasn't been able to post yet which might help the secrecy issue. Her idea was that this particular group has been so isolated that they don't even know about Elendil's planned departure until the rescue party reaches Armenelos. If we're isolated to that degree it would certainly help out your difficulties, LMP. How we would notify the main group after we discover Elendil's plans is another question...

LMP, I thought the reference to Isildur's singular accomplishment just pertained to getting into the palace grounds where the white tree grew? Of course, I suppose a jailbreak would be at least that difficult... or worse. Maybe someone will die! *evil*

I like Abarpanaru better than Abarpa. It has a better sound to it, I think. I do find vowel endings somewhat jarring on masculine names, but that's just a matter of preference.

For anyone that's looking for an Adunaic name, before LMP came on board I was planning an emergency fallback captive character on my own (just in case), and the names in contention for him were: Zabathan and Sapathan, meaning respectively "the Humbled" and "the Wise". I'll put the accents on in the proper places if anyone wants to pick these names up.

Sophia

[edit] Thanks pio for keeping up with us. It makes everyone a lot easier to keep track of when those lists go up.

[alaklondewen]

I, also, really like the idea of a password. Using this idea, I think we could possibly pull off an entire "underground" group.

My character (who's name is undetermined at this point) will be an underground Faithful who resides in Armenelos. With a secret system in place they could seek his aid. I was considering maybe a possible link between he and Arbarpa(naru), so that Kathaani would remember him and know to seek him out. (Just an idea on which I may elaborate at a later time.)

Alaklondewen had an idea that she hasn't been able to post yet which might help the secrecy issue. Her idea was that this particular group has been so isolated that they don't even know about Elendil's planned departure until the rescue party reaches Armenelos.

Yes, I was thinking that if they did not know yet that Elendil was leaving...it would add a new sense of urgency that might be more intriguing. I had even thought they might find my character packing and preparing to leave for Romenna. He would then tell them of the ships waiting in Romenna.

How we would notify the main group after we discover Elendil's plans is another question...

What if another rider had already been sent long before the rescuers' arrival in Armenelos to alert the remaining Faithful in the West? My character could easily inform them of this, especially if they become concerned with the others in Andunië. It is possible the rescuers left just before that rider arrived, or they missed them on the road... Anyway, that would take care of anyone left there.

I feel like I may be forgetting something, but I'll edit or post again if I remember what it is.

~Alak

[Meneltarmacil]

My character (haven't thought of an Adunaic name yet) was going to have been on Ar-Pharazon's ruling council for a while, until he started disagreeing with a number of things and directly challenging the king on many issues, especially that of bringing Sauron to Numenor. As a result of Sauron's corrupting influence, the king fired my character from his position and my character has since joined the Faithful, having adopted the elvish name Thoronmir. (he, by the way, is a distant ancestor of another RPG character of the same name which I have used before)

Would any of this fit in with your plans thus far?

[littlemanpoet]

Abarpanaru it is.

I'm fine with the idea of the secret group not being in communication with Elendil's party, if it can be made to fit with the premise (I think it can).

I like Alak's ideas.

We could also add a wrinkle that Elendil is uncertain whether to believe the messenger from Aparpanaru's group (which needs its own name). He could wrestle with the possibility that it's a trap crafted by Sauron.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Meneltarmacil-

Fired from the council is fine, but I think you should find something else to be fired for, because you'd be extremely high profile if you were fired for that reason and we have to be uber-secret.

I would think as well that whatever you were fired for you ought to be in hiding since Ar-Pharazon wasn't terribly kind to his dissenters, Sauron liked to burn them in the temple at Armenelos.

So your background is iffy... it could work out but it will have to have some tweaking. But I like the idea of someone with political knowledge in our group.

Sophia

[TomBrady12]

Hello, TomBrady12 -

Please check your PM's.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio, Game Moderator

[piosenniel]

New writer for the game on board: TomBrady12

Welcome!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bringing this forward:

Only these writers may post to this thread at present (all other posts will be removed):

piosenniel
Child of the 7th Age


Sophia the Thunder Mistress – Game proposer


alaklondewen
Himaran
littlemanpoet
Meneltarmacil
Nilpaurion Felagund
Regin Hardhammer
TomBrady12

[littlemanpoet]

I see the House of Karibzir/Melethroch ending up as the lords of some bit of Arnor when all is said and done..... Dol Amroth? Pelargir? Tharbad?

As with the House of Elendil, the House of Karibzir comes from Silmarien, therefore of the royal line of Elros. Silmarien is the mother of Valandil, heir to the House of Elendil after Tar-Elendil, 4th King of Numenor. This makes the House of Karibzir (at first called Melethroch) one of the Lords of Andunië. This House takes the name of Karibzir in the reign of Ar-Adunakhor (20th King). So Valandil has a second son who establishes the House of Melethroch. That makes the lineage ancient and loyal while having enough time to have a notoriety of its own ..... being that this one House of the Faithful chooses to remain at Armenelos. What do you think?

I would have made the second son a daughter, but I don't think that daughters had legal right to establish new lines of lineage... if they can, I'd go daughter. Why? It follows after Tolkien's precedent of Silmarien having been wrongly passed over for rulership, who should not have been.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

I had envisioned us winding up in Arnor, rather than Gondor... although I suppose that's debatable (I just have a weird personal preference for Arnor). I like the idea of setting us up at Tharbad. Or what about Vinyalonde? There's an ancient haven there, which would have been long abandoned by this time. It later becomes Lond Daer. The Melethroch lineage could easily set up shop, so to speak, in the ruins of Vinyalonde and rebuild the city?

As for the second son/daughter, how much later is Aldarion than Silmarien? Maybe it would be possible to be descended from a daughter. I like the reference to Silmarien in it. I'll puzzle on it a bit.

We are remaining at Andunie, not Armenelos right?

TomBrady12 is my brother, everybody be nice to him. ;) He's going to be writing a rescuer called Marsillion/Nimilroth.

Everyone- Or rather, all rescuers- I neglected to mention that somebody ought to have some sort of healing knowledge. There's a good chance that we'll get bloodied up a bit. So if someone wants to incorporate that into their character, that would be great... if not, we'll limp. ;)

Sophia

Now taking ideas for a group title for our little sect of Elf friends. The person who contributes the winning name gets... um... rep points from Sophia? :p

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

I got these questions in a pm today, and I can't say I know the answers to them. What of carrying weapons openly throughout Númenore? Do citizens carry swords on their belts at this time?

Also, I know that they were taller than all other men, but how tall is that in feet and inches. Probibly this isnt ever written by tolkien, but is there any precident set on the board telling their height?

Anybody able to help?

Sophia

[piosenniel]

About weapons . . .

Swords were not worn in Numenor:

Among the wrights of the Edain were weaponsmiths, and they had with the teaching of the Noldor acquired great skill in the forging of swords, of axe-blades, and of spearheads and knives. Swords the Guild of Weaponsmiths still made, for the preservation of the craft, though most of their labour was spent on the fashioning of tools for the uses of peace. The King and most of the great chieftains possessed swords as heirlooms of their fathers; and at times they would still give a sword as a gift to their heirs. A new sword was made for the King's Heir to be given to him on the day on which his title was conferred. But no man wore a sword in Numenor, and for long years few indeed were the weapons of warlike intent that were made in the land. Axes and spears and bows they had, and shooting with bows was a chief sport and pastime of the Numenoreans. In later days, in the wars upon Middle-earth, it was the bows of the Numenoreans that were most greatly feared. "The Men of the Sea", it was said, 'send before them a great cloud, as a rain turned to serpents, or a black hail tipped with steel'; and in those days the great cohorts of the King's Archers used bows made of hollow steel, with black-feathered arrows a full ell long from point to notch.

-- from Unfinished Tales, "A Description of Numenor"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About height . . .

Actually Tolkien did give an indication in the UT (Unfinished Tales): Look HERE (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=1396) at this B-D thread.

For the actual reference see: Unfinished Tales, "Disaster of the Gladden Fields", 'Appendix - Numenorean Linear Measures'.

~*~ Pio

[mark12_30]

Pio, I'm still pondering the possibilities. Maybe Elendil's first mate. Maybe a cabin-boy. Elendil's tempting. But since I'm waffling, if anyone else wants a particular character, go ahead and let them have it.

[Regin Hardhammer]

First of all, could you give me clarification on "Almaida". I checked The Encyclopedia of Arda, Fonstad's Atlas, and the indexes to Silm and UT. I didn't find it. When I searched on google under Almaida and Numenor, I brought up only three references: two were back to this very thread and one was to a website that mentioned UT, but I still couldn't find the term in UT. Could someone give me a clue? Are we talking about a haven in the western part of the isle? :rolleyes:

Wouldn't a group based in the west of Numenor have to have a reason to be there? I assume it would have been particularly dangerous not to go east with the rest of the faithful. Perhaps, even though Amandil never returned, there was still some distant hope that the Elves would send ships to help the faithful. Could our purpose have been to wait and watch for them?

I was thinking of having my character be in the employment of Elendil, a shipowner bringing supplies to the remnant of the faithful left in the west on a small, sleek schooner, perhaps unloading the goods in some secluded cove. My character could also bring news of Elendil's intended departure and the prisoner's capture, or that could be left fo some other character to do. In any case, I could ditch my ship once I realized the group had to go over land to save the prisoner. Would this work with what is being planned?


I am finding it difficult to develop a character until I know why a remnant of the faithful stayed in the west and what the plot will be. I have come up with some names, but I'm not sure about the cases and/or grammar. I would appreciate if anyone else is an expert in Adunaic and/or Sindarin to provide grammatical help.

I chose the first name in Adunaic, Azarmanô, which means azar- the old form of star. Manô means spirit. The closest Sindarin name would be Elkhor. El means star and khor means fiery spirit.

My last name will be Hazadbawîba. What a mouthful! :D This means seven winds that refers to my family's nautical ties. In Sindaran this is Wawaotok. Believe it or not. Hopefully I won't have to use the last names too much!

If anybody has any suggestions about any of this I am open to them.

- Regin

[littlemanpoet]

I like the idea of Vinyalonde, although Dol Amroth seemed pretty cool to me.

Silmarien was born in S.A. 521. Aldarion was born in S.A. 700. That's 179 years later. Two generations. But you're talking about his daughter, Tar-Ancalimë, his eldest daughter, first Queen by law of Numenor. That would leave the Melethroch in the line of Elros - at least a little longer - which is okay. But maybe the Melethroch clan should be descended from one of Tar-Surion's two sisters, who were both older than he, and refused the sceptre. That would make the Melethroch clan extant as of, say, S.A. 1394, when Surion took the sceptre and by which time his sisters were probably wed to some likely Numenorean man.

Andunié? Not Armenolos? Okay. I thought that if we were some secret clan that was actually trying to make a difference we would have to be well hidden in the seat of governance itself, but maybe your thought was otherwise?

Group title? A rep from Sophia? Woo hoo!

"Nimruzîrim" = "Elf-friends" - but that's probably a bit too obvious. :p
Balakzir = Ship lovers - too common
Bawabzir = Wind lovers - maybe just as common
huzun = ears
hazad = seven
Hazadhuzun? = The Seven Ears? (chuckle)

Abanaparu's physical description:

6'8". Which is probably just a little humble for a Numenorean. Oh well. (I thought of Aragorn as 6'6" when I first read LotR). Raven black hair, clear face, long nose but not too long. Not too full lips. High cheek bones. Lean but not thin. Grey eyes. His war and hunting weapon is the bow. He keeps a long knife with him, an ancestral one with a silver hilt. Its blade is straight and slender but strong.

Regin, the Numenorean handles are mouthfuls on purpose. The Sindarin would be - ah - not altered but - let's say, refined - to sound pleasing to the Elvish (or Mannish) ear.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Regin-

About Almaida:

Although descriptive rather than narrative, I have included selections from my father's account of Númenor, more especially as it concerns the physical nature of the Island, since it clarifies and naturally accompanies the tale of Aldarion and Erendis. This account was certainly in existence by 1965, and was probably written not long before that.

I have redrawn the map from a little rapid sketch, the only one, as it appears, that my father ever made of Númenor. Only names or features found on the original have been entered on the redrawing. In addition, the original shows another haven on the Bay of Andúnië, not far to the westward of Andúnië itself; the name is hard to read, but is almost certainly Almaida. This does not, so far as I am aware, occur elsewhere. -From the Footnotes of the Unfinished Tales, quote courtesy of Pio the Loremaster ;)

I don't think that we're going to actually use Almaida. It seems that Andunie will work just as well. As far as the reason we have remained behind, I think your idea works very well, Regin. If the Faithful were (not exactly expecting, but...) hopeful that there would be aid coming from Eressea or Valinor then it would be sensible for them to have left a token "welcoming committee" so to speak.

Any major objections? If not, I think we can take that as our reason... do you have any brilliant ideas about names for the group?

I love your names too. Particularly the idea that your family name means "seven winds" Littlemanpoet is the one to ask about names. He seems to be our resident linguist. I'm not so good, myself.

I'm going to give you guys a taste of some of the family connections building. My brother (in RL) TomBrady12 is building a character that more than likely will function as Kathaani's protector and who will be a relative of some kind. This is the pm from him where he briefly describes his character:
I was thinking that maybe his father might have been a kind of high profile member of the faithful, who was captured and sacrificed to Melkor. He was kinda scared by this and spent a number of years in middle earth, basically wandering and looing for solitude, before returning and he ends up joining the faithful not terribly long before this takes place (year or two). does this sound workable, im certainly open to any suggestions, ideas, or help.

Just so you guys get a taste of what's going on behind the scenes.

Sophia

[Regin Hardhammer]

The Sindarin would be - ah - not altered but - let's say, refined - to sound pleasing to the Elvish (or Mannish) ear.

Littlemanpoet --

Whoops! How about if I trade in "Wawaotok" for "Liwaiwa" that can mean "Many Winds"? It sounds a bit more graceful than the other I came up with.

I think I can live with Elkhor. It doesn't sound that different than Elrond.

I hope this is an improvement. :D

****************

Sophia

We cross posted. Many thanks to you and Pio the Loremaster. I didn't check the footnotes in UT!

I'll start trying to work on my profile.

[littlemanpoet]

Resident Linguist? Me?!? :eek: I know next to nothing about the grammar of Sindarin or Adúnaic. I just go by what the websites I found tell me, what sounds good to the ear, and what rolls of the tongue - - more or less - - :p

Well, Regin, that's an alteration instead of a refinement. It's up to you, of course.

This is Sindarin according to the site I use; take a look
here (http://home.netcom.com/~heensle/lang/elvish/sindarin/engsind.html)

many = limb
wind = gwae, thúl; plural would be: thyl

Many winds: Limbethyl. I stuck an "e" in the middle because it rolls off the tongue better that way. I don't know if I have any right to do that, but I just go by feel.

Where did you get "Wawaotok" and "Liwaiwa" from?

[piosenniel]

I think Regin may have been looking at a word etymology list, possibly the one at the Ardalambion site. The etymology lists there give the more archaic forms of a word from which the final language developed.

Why don't we all agree to use this site (It's the one lmp is using): Sindarin/Quenyan (http://home.netcom.com/~heensle/lang/elvish/elvish.html)

It's simple enough without having to go through the headache of trying to download the Sindarin Dictionary (often is seen as a corrupted file by different computers and won't open) or buying the Sindarin Dictionary disc in English/Polish translation.

Ardalambion (http://move.to/ardalambion) does have a fuller explanation of plurals and other parts of Sindarin for those who like to delve a little deeper. Unfortunately, it offers no wordlists as it does for Quenyan.

How does this sound?

~*~ Pio

[Regin Hardhammer]

I used the Aradalambion Index to Etymologies by English Glosses, and then double checked it in HoMe, V, The Lost Road, which is Tolkien's original list. You can get to this on-line list by clicking here, (http://move.to/ardalambion) then scroll down the page and click on Index to Etymologies by English glosses.... From there you click on index, and it will take you to the alphabet where you click on the letter you want for a particular English word. Once you know the Elvish stem you want, however, it's actually much easier to refer to HoMe.

The Index to Etymologies and LR shows the base stem that Tolkien used to develop the word; Lost Road also lists a number of the words that Tolkien later developed from that base stem. Like you, I am willing to "refine" a bit, sometimes using the stem and sometimes the later words, according to what I like best, especially since these are names. Names tend to incorporate archaic forms and stems as well as literal words.

The "gwae" that you cite, for example, is actually a variant of the one I used in both Wawaotok and Liwaiwa . The original stem for "blow" is "wa-, wawa-, waiwa". This same stem is used in Quenyan, Sindarin, and Ilkorin to form the word wind. "Gwaew" is the more common usage for wind in Sindarin; "waiwa" is used in Quenyan. In this case I preferred the Sindarin stem, which also happens to be a Quenyan word.

The same is true of your word "limb". This is actually a variant of my "Li". The stem for "many" in both Sindarin and Quenyan is "li". Later forms Tolkien listed include "li" (Q), "lin" (S) and "lim" (S) (actually blended with rim), usually at the end of words. I took the stem and used it at the beginning of the word.

Ot, Otos, Otok is similarly a stem for Sindarin and Quenyan for seven. Odog is a later Sindarin word. I didn't like the sound of "odog". I had visions of running in circles and barking! :D

(I believe your term "thul" actually means breath and is from the root "thu" that means puff or blow.)

If using the original stem is a problem, I will be happy to go back and look at the forms again and come up with something else, using only the later words.

[Regin Hardhammer]

I just cross posted with Pio. I will go back and use the other list and come up with a different name.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Resident Linguist? Me?!? :eek: Well, you do seem far more adept at naming than me... heck, I pulled "Kathaani" off the name generator and then translated it. I was lucky that I got something that actually translated.

[mark12_30]

Folks,

This game is looking more and more historical-- a very good thing, and also a very time-consuming thing. After some soul-searching and a hectic week I'm realizing I can't do this game justice over the next two months. I've discussed it with Sophia, and I feel it's wise to extend my regrets now rather than later... I wish it were otherwise. This is shaping up as a great game.

Once again, regrets, and all the best. I wish I didn't have time constraints. Enjoy the game!

--mark12_30

[piosenniel]

Bringing this forward:

Players/Characters

Main Characters

littlemanpoet - Abârpânaru Karíbzîr/Mabalar Melethroch (the captive) BIO/POST NEEDED
Sophia the Thunder Mistress – Kâthaanî Karíbzîr/Cerveth (the captive’s daughter) BIO/POST NEEDED
alaklondewen - underground contact in Armenelos BIO/POST NEEDED
Himaran - rescuer BIO/POST NEEDED
Meneltarmacil – rescuer BIO/POST NEEDED
Regin Hardhammer - Azarmanô Hazadbawîba/Elenfairë Ostovaivar – rescuer BIO/POST NEEDED
TomBrady12 – Nimilroth/Marsillion - rescuer BIO/POST NEEDED


1 rescuer – Numenorean; preferably male (female with adequate explanation)** STILL NEEDED **

~*~

Cameo Characters

Nilpaurion Felagund - sailor - Númenorean male - Will only appear at end of story while the Faithful attempt to leave the bay. BIO ONLY NEEDED


1 Númenorean leader of the Faithful - male or female acceptable ** STILL NEEDED **


1 sailor - Númenorean male (Elendil may be used but must be true to character. Will only appear at end of story while the Faithful attempt to leave the bay) ** STILL NEEDED **

[Regin Hardhammer]

After careful consideration I have decided that the Elvish equivalent to my Aduniac name will be Quenyan rather than Sindarin. I have looked on the name sight and selected Elenfairë for my first name, elen meaning star and fairë meaning spirit, hence "star spirit'. For my last name I have chosen Ostovaivar, Osto meaning seven and vaivar meaning winds, hence "seven winds". My Adunaic first name will be Azarmanô, azar meaning star and manô meaning spirit and my last name will be Hazadbawîba, hazad meaning seven and bawîba meaning winds.

Therefore my two names will be Azarmanô Hazadbawîba in Adunaic and Elenfairë Ostovaivar in Quenyan. I'm sorry that Mark12_30 won't be playing with us. Thanks to all people who provided assistance in forming my names.

[TomBrady12]

I like the idea that the rescuers stayed in Andunie because they have hope that Amandil will succeed in his mission, and want to stay in the west to witness what happens. I think they should definitely be in contact with the faithful in the east though. Perhaps a messenger should ride to them and inform them that Elendil is nearly ready to put out to sea, with or without them. This would force them to hurry to rescue Abarpanaru and join with Elendil before its too late.

[Himaran]

Just a note:

I will be away from home (and a computer) for Thursday - Saturday. I will try to get my Bio and Post done by Monday.

Himaran

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Have fun on your trip, Himaran. I like your pt, by the way. I hadn't seen it before.

I too will not be around an awful lot for the next three or four days. Push has come to shove on the paper I was talking about, so until the first of Feb. I won't have an awful lot of time for planning. But things will lighten up a lot for me after that, so if you guys want to finish up your bios we can put the final proposal together and get that much closer to starting the game. :D

Sophia

[piosenniel]

Bringing this forward; please use for your characters bio and first post:

Character Description Form:


NAME:

AGE:

RACE:

GENDER:

WEAPONS (No magical, super-hero, mithril weapons. Just good solid Middle-earth weapons and armor only that is appropriate to the race of the character and the time period.):

APPEARANCE:

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: (No half-Elven characters. No mixed-type characters. No super-heroes. No assassins. No one all powerful, martial arts proficient, or having any magical traits. Just regular characters with normal abilities for their races only):

HISTORY:

__________________________________


First post:

MAY BE PUT ON THE PLANNING THREAD AT A LATER TIME THAN YOUR CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

[littlemanpoet]

Character Description Form:


POSTED TO THE PROPOSAL ON PAGE 1 -- PIO

EDIT PLACED ON 2/23 - PIO


NAME: Abârpânarú Karíbzîr - Strong Handed Man Lover of Horses; Mabalar Melethroch

AGE: 112

RACE: Numenorean

GENDER: male

WEAPONS : Bow that is an heirloom of his house, handed down to the eldest child; bears the stylized, rampant horse of Karíbzîr heraldry, black on white; the bow is white with silver filigree after the manner of leaves on vines. Kept on his person, a knife, quarter of a ranga in length, same filigree, also an heirloom. Straight, with a silver hilt. Its blade is straight and slender but strong.

APPEARANCE: 6 feet, 8 inches (not so tall for a Numenorean, I guess...) Raven black hair, clear face, long nose but not too long. Not too full lips. High cheek bones. Lean but not thin. Grey eyes. His war and hunting weapon is the bow. He keeps a long knife with him, an ancestral one with a silver hilt. Its blade is straight and slender but strong.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Abârpânarú is a great lover of horses, as are all of his household. He is one of the Faithful, and most loyal to his kin, then friends. He is aware of the hope of the Elendili to take flight by ship to the shores of Middle Earth in case of the uttermost failure of Numenor. He is clever of mind and tongue, learned, and counted wise by those who know him well; except for one folly: the Kariborim (known in later years as mearas). There are six: two stallions, Khibil (spring) and Nitirú (kindler); and four mares, Kali (woman), Izri (beloved), Lômi (night), and Mani (spirit). It is said of Abârpânarú that they are both his strength and his weakness. He loves them dearly and his commitment to their care and removal from the island is at war with his loyalties to kin, friends, and the Faithful. He would that all goes well, but would find it difficult to choose between kin and the kariborim; harder yet to choose between them and friends. He also keeps forty karibi, stock from Middle Earth, and loves them well, but not as dearly as his kariborim.

HISTORY: Born in 3207, Abârpânarú was the eldest son of Adúnzâirû (west-longing). He has a younger sister, Ziraphel (beloved daughter) born in 3222, who is married to one of the Faithful; Abârpânarú and Inzillomi have one daughter, Kâthâani. Abârpânarú considers his daughter the rightful heiress to all he owns, and remembers the sorrows that have befallen the House of Elros, not least because the rights of first born daughters have been forgotten. He has sworn an oath to his wife and daughter that it would not be so in the House of Karibizir.

Abârpânarú was trained in the care of his family's kariborim, and has trained his daughter in their care. Legend would later have it among the Rohirrim that Béma (Oromë) brought them from west over sea, and so it may be; but this line of mearas, or kariborim, were a gift to the Dúnedain from the Elves of Tol Erresëa, and the house of Karíbzîr was the only one in Numenor who still kept them. In the year 3279 he married Inzillomí Elendili (flower of the night), daughter of Elendil, and named for her full head of raven hair at birth, one of the Faithful, of the house of Elendil.

It is his deepest desire that his seven kariborim should be on board to make the trip. Since Ar Pharazon has left, he has been working ceaselessly to move his kariborim from Andunié in the west, to Romenna in the east, without raising suspicion. He and his daughter Kâthâani have been riding them across the island, to deliver them to his wife's family in Romenna so that they may be taken aboard ship. The King's Men, a dozen in number, confront them, and are bent on taking them captive for treason. Abârpânarú knows that Kâthâani has a palantir in her keeping, in the saddlebag of one of the kariborim. He places himself at the mercy of the King's Men, and sends his daughter and the kariborim away.... but Lomi, his mount, will not leave him. He convinces them not to capture his daughter, and the palantir is kept safe. Both are captured and brought back to Armenelos, imprisoned. His bow is taken from him. He wants it back, but it is not nearly as important to him as the kariborim, or the palantir.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

I'm being a naughty girl who reads the downs instead of writing philosophy papers.


Littlemanpoet I think Kâthaanî would be pleased to ride Izri, provided the rest of the party can keep up! :D

On a more serious note, are the Karíbzîr... what's the plural of Karíbzîr? The Karíbzîri? Are they seagoing at all?

What is the rest of Abârpânaru's family like? He is the oldest son of the line, yes? Does he have any younger brothers/sisters? Kâthaanî wants to know if she has cousins.

Odd that we thought similarly... I was going to have Kâthaanî carrying a knife of similar description, though much less ornate. Many other things in her tentative profile seem to go well with Abârpânaru's as well. This should be interesting.

TomBrady12 puts forward the following suggestions for our group name: Pelinnost, meaning "Fading House" or perhaps Annanost, meaning roughly "House of Many Years". I prefer the former.

Sophia

[littlemanpoet]

Sophia, having to get Izri (which means "beloved") to Romenna, while staying with your fellow rescuers, is part of the dilemma/conflict that I think will make for interesting story.

Karíbzîr is already the plural. .... for "the house of", but Karíbzîri can serve as the plural for more than one of that family referred to at a time.

I'll add a few relations to my bio to fill out the family.

I'd like to think that Kâthaanî's blade is a gift from her parents, in token of some rite of passage - but she's young for any Numenorean rite of passage, I'm thinking.... Are you figuring on raven black hair for Kâthaani? I've kind of forced the issue...

I actually prefer Annanost to Pelinnost, based on meaning; but would the group take an Elvish name? Wouldn't they take an Adúnaic name?

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

I was actually thinking of aging her up a bit, on further reflection she seemed too young. I want her to be very young, but I'm not sure I want her to literally still be a child. My brother and I were discussing relative ages, and he mentioned a quote he'd found in the Lost Road, which mentioned Elendil's son being 48 and "on the threshold of manhood." Under this description Kathaani would be younger than I want her at 21--she should perhaps be late 20s or 30. Does anyone know anything about whether that remained canonical? It would seem logical, since the hobbits weren't nearly as long lived as the Numenoreans, and they didn't even come of age until 33.

As for Kathaani's appearance, I had listed on her (still unfinished) bio that her hair was "dark". I hadn't specified beyond that, but in my imagination it was that shade of almost black that looks black in the shadow and dark brown in the sunlight. Perhaps she got some recessive genes.

This is what I had said about her knife:She carries a long bladed (now rather dull) knife with a silver hilt which she uses more frequently as a sort of all purpose tool than a weapon. She has been known to use it to pry open simple locks.

I had assumed that the name we used would be Sindarin or Quenya, seeing that it wouldn't make sense to use a group name at all (whatever the meaning;)) with those who were not members of the group. I suspect that being cut off from the elvish languages might make us more anxious to use them amongst ourselves?

I suspect that my brother will want to play Ziraphel's son.

Interesting coincidence: When I was growing up (in RL) my father had a mare called Kalli.

*runs off to work more on paper and later sneakily tweak Kathaani's bio*

Sophia

[piosenniel]

lmp

Is your character bio ready to place on the proposal or will you be tweaking it a little more?

~*~ Pio

[littlemanpoet]

Pio, I'll be tweaking at least until we get Kathaani's age settled, since Abarpanaru has to be 80 years older than she.

Also, my character appears to be serving as a kind of template for a lot of things, and I feel we need to give the other players a chance to interact with my plans before we settle. Once I'm sufficiently confident that that has happened, then my bio will be fixed.

Sophia, nevermind the heirloom idea for the knife, then. You need to be able to use it in rather rough-and-ready ways.

I'm a little stumped about when Numenoreans came of age. I noticed that becoming a parent seemed to fall in the late 70's, early 80's, which suggests that marriage occurred perhaps five to twenty years prior to that. Age 50 is apparently "manhood", if 48 is on the threshold.

An Elvish name for the group works for me. Your reasoning is sound.

No other new wrinkles from this corner....

[Himaran]

Pio mentioned early on that a particular character should die in the rescue, or the general time period of it, to add a touch of realism. Finding myself in agreement with this analysis, I would like to model my character (still under construction) as one who believes in his own invincibility, only to fall in the struggle... *sniff*

...unless someone else was already planning on taking the part.

--Himaran

[littlemanpoet]

I don't think anybody else has been hot to grab at that one. ;)

Maybe you want to do two characters so that you have one left to write?

"Realism", eh? Another topic for debate, there. I'll leave it go for now. It was that matter of someone dying that kind of had me stewing a bit. Someone dying in the attempt to save one lone man's life? That seemed like a pretty poor bargain. So I kind of like the idea the mearas as an additional motivation for rescuing Abar.

I was also thinking that the capture could be handled differently. It could be that all six mearas are being taken across the island at once, and Abarpanaru sacrifice his own freedom so that the other five can escape, and they are determined to rescue him and his mearas. In fact, I kind of like that better. That way, more (if not every) characters have a mearas. Heck, we can always change the number of mearas if we want one for each character.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

LMP is Kathaani's mother alive? And did we ever determine whether the house of Karibzir had a connection to the Lords of Andunie?

I'm working on her history in my study breaks.

Sophia

[Edit] The word Mearas comes from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning simply 'horses'. Its singular form would be mearh, but no character in The Lord of the Rings ever uses that word.

Since Mearas is a Rohirric word, is there any chance we could find a rough equivalent in Sindarin or Adunaic to use instead? Rocharim (Horse-kings) sounds a bit too much like Rohirrim, perhaps Rocherphin (Noble horses) or Rochedair (Fathers of Horses)? Karibarim (Kings of Horses), or Karibhorim (Lords of Horses), or Karibattim (Fathers of Horses)? Or am I overanalyzing just a little too much when the word Mearas seems out of place?

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Kâthaanî's bio is, for the most part, ready and available for public tweaking and I thought it needed a post unto itself. ;)

***********************************

POSTED TO THE PROPOSAL ON PAGE 1 -- PIO

NAME: Kâthaanî Karíbzîr/ “Cerveth” Adaneth Melethroch

AGE: 32

RACE: Men, Númenorean

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: Kâthaanî carries a long bladed (rather dull) knife with a tarnished silver hilt which she uses more frequently as a sort of all purpose tool than a weapon. She has been known to use it to pry open simple locks.

APPEARANCE: Cerveth is tall (about 6’2”) and more lean than slender. She is long-bodied and narrow, not muscular and slightly wider at the shoulders than the hips. She is dark of hair and grey of eye with a long nose and a well-defined jaw for a woman. She is quite clever with her hands and can manipulate various contraptions easily (locks, tack) She is somewhat ill at ease in the elaborate costumes of the Númenorean upperclass women feeling far more comfortable in simple dresses and with her hair pulled loosely out of her face, and will frequently wears men’s clothes when she needs to ride astride.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Kâthaanî is impulsive, stubborn, and easily carried away—but rarely blatantly disobedient. She has a tendency to speak first and think about the consequences later, but as she matures she has begun to learn to control her tongue. She has a concrete sense of right and wrong; she has lived in a fairly sheltered world (even with the turmoil in Númenor) and has rarely encountered a situation where the moral choice is not instantly clear. She has never gotten along well with young women of her age, and consequently has spent much of her time with adults since her early teens. Because of this Kâthaanî considers herself extremely mature, whether or not her belief is correct is a different matter entirely.

HISTORY: Kâthaanî Karíbzîr was born the only child of Abârpânaru Karíbzîr and his wife, Inzillomí, in midsummer of the year 3287. Often called Cerveth, after the month of her birth, she spent her childhood years in a large house on the inland side of Andunië. She sometimes envied those who lived nearer the coast, but their house was ideally situated for her father’s horse breeding, opening as it did on the plains. Her childhood was as uneventful and sheltered as possible, given the circumstances in her homeland. The inner conflict in Númenorean society was almost unknown to her, even though her parents were among the Faithful, as they chose not to discuss it with her until she had reached a responsible age. Nevertheless, the values they taught her were the values of the Old Houses of Númenor. She is well read, her father studied with her as a child and during her youth she became familiar with much of the history of Númenor and some First Age history which has been preserved by the Faithful. She is one of the few Númenoreans of her generation to become fluent in Sindarin and has learned some words in Quenya as well.

Her father began training her in the care of his horses, and particularly the Kariborim as soon as she was old enough, and by her early teens she was an accomplished horsewoman with a sound understanding of her charges and several generations of the most important bloodlines memorized.

As Kâthaanî matured she began to realize that her parents’ views did not reflect the views of much of Númenorean society and she quickly became as ardently Faithful as the rest of her family. In her early twenties her family relocated to a smaller more modest house farther outside the city which quickly became the focal point for the group of the Faithful remaining in Andunië (the Anannost?).

At the turn of the year 3319 Kâthaanî is taking more responsibility for Abârpânaru’s horses as he is taking more responsibility for the family’s political commitments. He has recently returned from a trip to Rómenna and announced that Elendil, the son of Amandil, will soon be leaving Númenor for the Elven Realms in Lindon. Kâthaanî is a little frightened by this news, as her father has every intention of leading the Anannost? to Rómenna to join the soon-to-be-Exiles as soon as possible. She is also disappointed because her father had promised her the foal from his planned breeding of Khibil and Lômi, and it is unlikely that he will follow through with the breeding this spring if they will soon be traveling.

[piosenniel]

There is an older Quenyan word for 'horse':

mairo; the plural of which would be mairor

[littlemanpoet]

I had figured that Inzillomi is alive; I wish there was someone who could play the role. She could turn out to be a pivotal character, considering who she is. If she cannot be played by anyone, then it may be convenient, story-wise, for her to have died in childbirth - - - or something. Her death would make the father-daughter relationship all the tighter. I could go either way, though. She just needs to be played by somebody, I think, if she's going to be alive.

The House of Karibzir take up military service, as do all Numenoreans, I would expect, and to that degree, the family members are associated with ships. However, it is not something that has been "in the family" for many a generation. So the Karibzir take to boats more willingly than hobbits, but it is not a mode of transportation that they love.

Since there has been a marriage between the Karibzir and the Lords of Andunië in the last generation, I should think that the association between the two is warm, at least.

I like Karibhorim (Lords of Horses) best, myself, thought the Quenya word appeals too. I doubt the likelihood of the Karibzir using a word for their horses that is unlike their own family name, though. Although the wear and tear of common usage would probably render it Kariborim, if you know what I mean.

On a related note, the Karibhorim would not be the only horses in the keeping of the Karibzir, only the most treasured. I will edit my character description to give a number of how many horses. I'd say forty would be a seemly number.

Nice touch with the breeding of Khibil and Lômi. I like that. Could function as a promise between the two as an inspiration to escape to freedom and survive.

[edit] I've made some edits to my character description, regarding some of that above. I've made it so that Kathaani is Abar's only child, but left the wife alive so far. I've changed the name of the mearas to Kariborim, and called the lesser horses Karibi. Should that be Karibir? Karibim?

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

LMP We can always manipulate Inzillomi ourselves if she becomes important and we can't get anyone to play her. I had supposed she would be the one to more or less commission the rescue party, combined with Kathaani's desperation to go do something.

If Khibil and Lomi's breeding was planned for spring of 3319 and it's now September of 3319 did Abarpanaru follow through with the breeding? If so, horse pregnancies last approximately 11 months, Lomi would be pretty pregnant. Or did he decide postpone?

Himaran check the PMs-es please.

Everybody else, it's getting to the point where your bios should be about done. In the next couple of days, if you could?

Barring official complaints the Kariborim or Karibhorim is what we'll be calling the Mearas, Anannost is what we'll be calling the Faithful at Andunie.

Please try to use the accent marks in your bios and on the game thread, on this thread I don't care. I know they're a pain, blame Tolkien. ;)

Considering a few concerns I've heard... I think that the horses will be a big concern for Abarpanaru and Kathaani, and more or less not a concern for anyone else aside from the practical difficulties of it. The rescuers may even be irritated with the idea that Abarpanaru is making such a big deal about it.

As promised, rep points to

TomBrady12 for the group name. ;)

Sophia

[TomBrady12]

Here is my bio, it is basically finished. I would still be open to some tweaking if anyone has any insight which I may have missed.

================================================== ========

POSTED TO THE PROPOSAL ON PAGE 1 -- PIO


NAME: Marsillion Thoronfaer/Nimilroth Narâkmanô

AGE: 52

RACE: Human/Númenorean

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Ziraphel, the mother of Marsillion, presented him with the sword of his father on the eve of his departure for Middle Earth. It was originally intended as a marriage present, but Ziraphel deemed Marsillion's situation dangerous, and felt that he may need to carry a sturdy blade on his person. His mother's forethought proved very useful, as Marsillion used the sword on many occasions. The blade is 33 inches in length, and 2 2/3 inches wide. Its long handle is of a dark brown wood, and intended for two handed use. The guard is short, and of polished silver, as is the crown shaped pommel, the most prominent feature of the sword. This weapon is wielded in similar fashion to an axe. Its wide heavy blade, and two handed design make it an ideal hacking weapon. Marsillion is very adept with the sword as he has participated in a number of skirmishes and small battles, most of which against attacking bandits on the wild roads of Middle Earth.

Marsillion has some skill with a bow; however, he prefers to fight with the sword, and leave the bow for hunting. Marsillion also carries a long dagger inside his boot at all times. He has done so since he was given the blade before his first hunting trip as a young boy.

APPEARANCE: Average height for a Númenorean, Marsillion stands 6'6'' and is of a muscular, heavy build. He is by all means a physical presence. He is stronger than most men his age. His wide shoulders and strong arms contrast slightly with his lingering boyish features. His shoulder length hair is dark blond and wispy, even in light breezes. He is very fair skinned, with a dark brow, and no facial hair covering his strong jawline.

PERSONALITY: Marsillion is still young, and at times suffers lapses of judgment, but is, at his core, kind hearted and generous. He tends to be quiet and reflective, usually content to watch as others bicker and squabble around him, but once inspired to action he can be quite fiery. He is not above taking the counsel of older, wiser souls, but can make quick decisions when situations require it. He is well educated, and quick witted. His years traversing Middle Earth have made him mature beyond his years.

HISTORY: Marsillion was born in 3267 at his family home in Andunië. He was the second and youngest child of Azaruth Narâkmanô and Ziraphel Karíbzîr. His sister, Nîlomîth, was much older than he, and married when he was just a young boy. His father was a renowned naval officer, who through a series of military victories, achieved a nearly iconic status. Ziraphel, the sister of Abârpânaru, was a member of the Faithful, and worked tirelessly to convince Azaruth to retire from the King’s service and join the Faithful. She was a convincing speaker, and her reasoning soon changed Azaruth's loyalties. Marsillion endeavored to be like his father in all ways, and planned to follow his path into the military. Azaruth; however, forbade Marsillion to join the military, stating that fighting for the King was no longer an honorable profession. Azaruth became a prominent leader of the Faithful. He found his fame a curse as well as a blessing, though he was able to convince many people to join the faithful he often found it extremely difficult to keep any secrecy in his life. Ar-Pharazôn got wind of Azaruth's betrayal and sent troops to arrest him in the fall of 3305. When the troops arrived Azaruth and Marsillion were relaxing in the garden outside their Andunië home discussing Marsillion's future, as he would soon be a man. Ar-Pharazôn’s men broke into the home and came upon the two in the garden. They seized Azaruth, and commanded Marsillion to vow fealty to the King, or be arrested. Azaruth, knowing he would be killed, ordered Marsillion to swear the oath to Ar-Pharazôn, and tearfully Marsillion obeyed. Azaruth was beaten in front of friends and family in Andunië before being taken to Armenelos. He was sacrificed to Melkor in the temple of Armenelos on the coldest afternoon of the winter of 3305.

In 3312, at 45, Marsillion became apprentice to Sâpathan Gimilzayân, the head tax and tribute collector of the Númenorean holdings in Middle Earth. Marsillion traveled Middle Earth, from petty kingdom to kingdom, with Sâpathan, collecting treasures beyond his imagination to be shipped back to Númenor. He saw the strain the people of Middle Earth were under, and it went to his heart. It was his job to weasel all the treasures he could from people who fought everyday just to feed their families. Already angry and bitter with Ar-Pharazôn for the murder of his father, Marsillion's rage was fueled as he witnessed the intense greed of his own people.

While traveling, his party was attacked on many occasions by bandits, as well as by local militias. Marsillion found fighting to be a good release for his pent up anger. These attacks, helped make him a strong warrior, even though he was technically not supposed to participate in battle. Marsillion befriended the company of warriors who served as his bodyguard, and with their help he became a master swordsman. His swordsmanship was the only positive gain Marsillion saw from his time in Middle Earth; however, in truth he gained maturity, compassion, and mercy, which were lessons he probably would have learned slowly, or missed completely, had he stayed in Númenor. Tax collector was no position for a compassionate man, and Marsillion did not last long. Being under contract, he could not quit his job, so by night, in the summer of 3317, he came to Umbar and hired a private merchant to sail him back to Númenor. With luck, the ship (the Azargimil) avoided the King's Navy and arrived off the coast a few miles north of Andunië. Marsillion loaded his possessions into a small raft and came ashore alone under the cover of darkness. Travelling secretly and using the name Abârkan, he came at last to his uncle, Abârpânaru Karíbzîr's home outside Andunië, where his mother had dwelt since the death of his father.

Marsillion lived secretly in Andunië with the Karíbzîr family learning the ways of the Faithful, and becoming deeply imbedded in their plans. He grew quite close to his younger cousin Kâthaanî, and became her protector, so to speak. Marsillion found her reckless, and quite frequently in need of protection. He made it his task to look after her safety and well being, and from his arrival in early winter 3317, through the summer of 3319 he spent many hours bailing her out of the trouble she so easily found.

[piosenniel]

Bringing this forward:

Only these writers may post to this thread at present (all other posts will be removed):

piosenniel
Child of the 7th Age


Sophia the Thunder Mistress – Game proposer


alaklondewen
Himaran
littlemanpoet
Meneltarmacil
Nilpaurion Felagund
Regin Hardhammer
samsmyhero
TomBrady12

[piosenniel]

Bringing this forward:

Players/Characters

Main Characters

littlemanpoet - Abârpânaru Karíbzîr/Mabalar Melethroch (the captive) BIO DONE ----- ** POST NEEDED **
Sophia the Thunder Mistress – Kâthaanî Karíbzîr/Cerveth (the captive’s daughter) BIO DONE ----- ** POST NEEDED **
Regin Hardhammer - Azarmanô Hazadbawîba/Elenfairë Ostovaivar – rescuer BIO DONE ----- ** POST NEEDED **
TomBrady12 – Nimilroth Narâkmanô/Marsillion Thoronfaer- rescuer BIO DONE ----- ** POST NEEDED **
Himaran - rescuer ** BIO/POST NEEDED **
Meneltarmacil – rescuer ** BIO/POST NEEDED **


1 rescuer – Numenorean; preferably male (female with adequate explanation)** PLAYER STILL NEEDED **

~*~

Cameo Characters

alaklondewen - underground contact in Armenelos ** BIO ONLY NEEDED **
Nilpaurion Felagund - sailor - Númenorean male - Will only appear at end of story while the Faithful attempt to leave the bay. ** BIO ONLY NEEDED **

~*~


1 Númenorean leader of the Faithful - male or female acceptable ** PLAYER STILL NEEDED **


1 sailor - Númenorean male (Elendil may be used but must be true to character. Will only appear at end of story while the Faithful attempt to leave the bay) ** PLAYER STILL NEEDED **

[piosenniel]

Before I can open the Discussion Thread that you'll use for the game, all of the needed bios AND first posts will need to be in for the Dedicated Characters.

The Cameo Characters, since they come in later in the game, will only need to do a bio for now.

I will then transfer them in to the approriate places on your game proposal (see page 1 of this thread, posts 2 - 12)

Sophia, it would be good for you to get the First Post for the game onto the planning thread and give any direction you think is necessary about what the other Dedicated Players might want to consider in their First Posts.

Once the Discussion Thread is opened then those 3 character slots left can be filled.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm going to start transferring bios to the proposal thread.

If you want to change your bio - please edit your original bio post and PM me that you've done so.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Pio- Alaklondewen's character is a cameo. She won't enter the actual game for several weeks, so there's really no reason she needs to do a first post now.

Hello Nilp- can't tell you how happy I am to see you round here. :)

TB12- bio looks great.

LMP I've written a slightly melodramatic description of Armenelos, it's a good quarter page in Word, but since the first post really ought to show the capture, I suspect we should collaborate on the rest of it (it is your character...). It has just suddenly occured to me that perhaps it will work out best for Kathaani to be present when Abarpanaru is captured, he is taken, she gets away with all the horses except whichever one is taken with Abarpanaru. It solves the "how does the family learn of his capture?" problem and lets the message gets back to the Anannost quickly and reliably.

It might work equally well to have Abarpanaru captured alone and send the horses back for Kathaani. She would understand that something bad had happened if they came home alone...?

Anyway, you and I need to work out the dynamics of the first post together, so let me know how and what you want to do with this.

Sophia

[littlemanpoet]

Sophia, I like the idea of Abar and Kath being together at the capture. There can be others, such as servants, too, to help Kath when Abar is captured. I'll PM you with my first post, unless you think I ought to just post up here.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

PM is fine. :D I'll write Kathaani's take on it after I read what you have and then I'll meld them together to make a first post for the game? I'll pm you the result back so you can make sure I haven't done anything blasphemous to Abarpanaru.

For first posts, I trust you guys' judgement for the most part. :p If you're stuck, I would imagine that a good place to start would be by finding out about Abarpanaru's capture, whether by arriving at the Karibzir house for some reason or because notice has been sent to you from the family, or however you like.

Sophia

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

*sends a billion bricks crashing down on Menel's head*

Sophia sort of read my mind so I'm here: prematurely, I might add. ;)

So far, I only have the name: Balaknaru, or in Sindarin, Cirion. Must do more of the bio. Must find sailor blood in me. Must recall my sojourn in Númenor long ago.

[Regin Hardhammer]

POSTED TO THE PROPOSAL - IF YOU EDIT IT, PLEASE PM ME THAT YOU HAVE DONE SO ~*~ PIO

Here it is. I'm excited for the game.

Name: Azarmanô Hazadbawîba/Elenfairë Ostovaivar

Race: Man/Númenorean

Gender: Male

Age: 85

Weapons: Azarmanô carries a longbow of the same type traditionally used in the Númenorean army. It is made of hollow-cored black steel with black-feathered arrows a full ell (45 inches) long. His great-grandfather was given this longbow for service to the King many years ago in a brighter time. Azarmanô has grown to be an excellent marksman, primarily using it to bring down game, but also in defending his ship against attack while on long sea voyages.

Appearance: Azarmanô stands firm at 6 foot 5 with shoulder length blonde hair that is the color of straw. His eyes shine with a vivid, scintillating blue.“Like sun, sparkling upon the face of the deep sea,” his father has often told him. He is slender, like his mother, and very well groomed. He often wears his favorite green wool cloak while sailing to repel water and offer protection against the buffeting winds.

Personality: Often with a smile on his face, Azarmanô generally takes a positive outlook on life, sometimes using his comic wit to get him through difficult situations. He is an excellent officer, aware of his men’s needs, striving to treat them in a just and equitable manner. Azarmanô is very much in love with his young wife and cares deeply for his son. He is aware of the need to balance his role as a ship’s captain with that of being a husband and father, and generally does a good job of this. His drive and determination coupled with his optimism and commitment to his loved ones define his personality and his basic view of life.

He is, however, very direct and can get impatient to finish the task at hand quickly and may become irritable. This impatience is currently exacerbated by the fact that his family is waiting to board the ship and sail, and he is separated from them.

History: Azarmanô comes from an ancient family, whose members originally worked as fishermen. Their knowledge of boats and the sea led them to become mariners, initially in the employ of the king. They had been one of the families that the Eldar had instructed in the art of navigation and deep sea voyaging. The Ostovaivars eventually rose to become independent shipwrights and ship-owners, but maintained close friendships with many of the Elven traders until the change of policies made such relations impossible. The Ostovaivars’ shipping interests continue to flourish. The family now commands one of the largest fleets in Númenor.

Azarmanô had been trained as an officer and was promoted to become the captain of his own vessel, the Gwaun, while still quite young. Over the years, he visited many settlements on Middle Earth, transporting Numenoreans and dealing various commodities with the local people. He strove to treat the locals with respect and compassion, offering them fair prices to the few who came to examine the goods he toted. His natural instinct was to teach them the art of catching fish, just as Azarmanô’s father had done for him. These lessons were difficult to depart, however, because the people were incredulous, some even hostile and many of their dealings with Númenor had left them with a strong distaste.

Despite Azarmanô’s best efforts, the relations between the men of Middle Earth and Númenor had been deteriorating since before his birth. Many Numenoreans oppressed the men of Middle Earth and made servants of them, without regard for their well-being. This savage treatment outraged Azarmanô and he vowed to redouble his efforts to befriend and aid them any way he could. His efforts had not been well received, but he resolved to continue in hopes that he could gain the trust of a few. But he had also found himself in situations where he had no choice but to unleash an arrow from his bow.

His father, whose fairë was tied to the sea, had acted as role model for Azarmanô and the son had always tried to live up to him. Although the father loved his son, he was often absent on trading missions in Middle-earth, so the boy did not see him very often. During these lengthy absences, his mother had to function on her own. She became very strong willed, a quality that she retained, never taking instructions from anyone other than her husband.

Azarmanô had married shortly after gaining the position of captain. His wife was a lovely woman named Eirien, the younger daughter of one of the nobles faithful to the Elven cause. Recently, the entire Ostovaivar family has been assisting Elendil in his plans for a possible emergency evacuation. Azarmanô’s wife, along with his mother, father, and two-year-old son Thoron, are presently back in Rómenna, waiting to depart on the Thor with the rest of the fleet.

Elendil had instructed Azarmanô to alert the remaining group in the west of the imminent departure to Middle-Earth, using one of his smaller, sleek vessels to ferry them about the southern coast of the Isle and back to the ships. He had departed for the west before the news of the imprisonment came.

- Regin

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Regin your bio looks awesome! Someone from outside our little stubborn community will be a definite bonus, and it looks like you're going to be a great addition.

Can Azarmano ride? ;) I think he's gonna need to.

LMP has sent me the beginnings of his first post, so the first post for the game should be up for you guys sooner than later.

Can't wait to see waht the rest of you have put together.

Sophia

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

After some pm-ing and accent mark accidents, I think the first post of the game is ready for general viewing. LMP and I may both have some things to tweak on it, so don't consider it an absolute final version yet, but just so you guys can get an idea of the way things happened. Kathaani will reach her parents' house in Andunie 3-4 days, depending on how much I decide she's going to sleep on the way back.

Sophia

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PLACED ON PROPOSAL -- PM ME PLEASE WHEN YOUR FINAL EDIT IS DONE --- PIO


A heavy, grey sky hung over the capital city of Westernesse. Rain had fallen for the last three days and the air was thick with moisture. The white walls of Arminalêth shone dully in the semidarkness and the late Ivanneth trees clung stubbornly to their last brown leaves. The land trembled; the island had shifted several times in the recent past, and now she gave another quick heave as though irritated by the tall Men who walked on her shores. As the ground quieted the skies stirred, and the boiling grey clouds which hovered over Armenelos began to drop hail. A dark haired woman looked up at the sky as pea-sized bits of ice began to bounce off the ground around her feet. She grabbed the hands of two small children and ushered them inside. As the door closed loudly behind them the hail began to fall in earnest, egg sized hailstones hammering on the rooftops of the unnaturally quiet city. As the hailstorm passed, the grey clouds blew east on a brisk wind and a billowy white cloud shaped like a great eagle cast its shadow across the land.

Abârpânarú Karíbzîr and Kâthaanî, his daughter and only child, rode along the southern faces of the fir and larch covered moors of Forostar. They could afford to ride as fast as the wind, with seven Kariborim between them. Abâr was afraid that word of their route had reached the King's Men. Abârpânarú was riding night-black Lômi while Kâthaanî rode chestnut Izri, the youngest foal of Khibil and Kali, who with their other foals, Nitirú, Rûki, and Mani galloped close at hand.

Word had reached them before they left home, that the King's Men were looking for Abârpânarú as a traitor to the King. It was true enough, if being one of the Faithful amounted to betrayal. The Forostar, the least fertile of the Númenorean regions, was least populous, and Abârpânarú had deemed it the way that would give them most shelter from the eyes of the King's Men. The ground was stony, which would give greater difficulty to other horsemen, but not the sure-footed Kariborim.

Suddenly the land dropped and the air cooled, and they came among fertile fields of grain, which were the beginning of the Orrostar. They rounded a final hill and must stop of a sudden. They were faced by twenty horsemen.

"You may go no further, traitor!" called one man whose black helm rose taller than the others.

"Go back, Kâthaanî! Make haste!" Kâthaanî obeyed immediately, calling the barebacked Kariborim as she turned her mount and charged back around the hill. Khibil, Abârpânarú's usual mount, did not follow. Abârpânarú hollered and slapped Khibil's rump and sent him chasing after the others.

"Do not let them get away!" cried the leader of the King's Men.

"You have me! Let them go!" Abârpânarú bellowed. The ears of the horses of the King's Men laid back, such was the force of his voice. He took the eyes of their leader and held them. The two strove, and at last the leader gave way.

"We have our quarry."

Abârpânarú dismounted from Lômi. "Go find Kâthaanî." Lômi stood next to Abârpânarú, unmoving. He looked in Lômi's deep brown eyes. "Go!" he whispered. She breathed on his neck, looking straight into his eyes. "They will do you harm!" She nickered. He sighed. "May I prove worthy of your love, dear one."

Kâthaanî paused on the far side of the hill. The clatter of hard hooves in the stones fell to silence all around her as five of the Kariborim joined Izri in the dell behind the hill. Five. Lômi, then, had remained with her father; though whether she was kept by her own will or Abârpânarú’s, or by some design of his captors, Kâthaanî could not tell. Dismounting quickly from Izri, she left the horses and crept down through the brush and boulders to where she could see the road.

Cursing herself inwardly for her clumsiness, she stood behind a cluster of fir and looked out toward the place where her father had been taken. As she caught sight of the men gathered on the road below, Kâthaanî breathed a sigh of relief. She realized they were yet far enough away that her pitiful attempts at stealth would not have been heard, and cloaked in brown as she was, she judged herself unlikely to be seen. She watched as Abârpânarú’s hands were bound roughly behind him and Lômi’s reins were tied to the saddle of one of the waiting horses. The riders remounted, and the column moved along the road. South, toward Armenelos. Kâthaanî watched, unmoving, until the horses disappeared into the plains.

Turning back to where she had left the Kariborim, Kâthaanî ran to them, tying her dark hair into a tighter knot on her neck and pinning her cloak more securely. She paused as she reached the horses, the tension in their bodies evident. She kissed Izri’s soft nose before turning to Nitirú, the swiftest among them. “You must bear me now, friend; and we will run more swiftly than ever we have run before.” Although she knew that she would never find help in time to rescue her father before they reached Arandor and the Royal City, there was nothing else for her to do.

Upon mounting, Kâthaanî headed down out of the foothills toward the road. Once they reached the open lands of Andustar she could take to the fields, but for now great speed required great risk and they ran on the open road. Nitirú’s feet struck sparks from the gravel as the dark haired girl and the iron grey horse flew toward Andunië, the other five trailing behind them like so many leaves in the wind.


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[TomBrady12]

Here is my first post:


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PLACED ON PROPOSAL -- PM ME IF YOU EDIT THIS -- THANKS, PIO

Marsillion sat quietly in a dark corner of an obscure Andunië inn sipping a pint of ale. The ale was poor, but that was the least of his trouble. He'd come to meet his cousin, Nusaphad Narâkmanô, who had summoned him here the night before. Nusaphad was fairly unskilled, had no taste for books or learning, nor for any serious forms of work. Luckily for him, he was born into a wealthy family, and had overachieving brothers to carry on the pride of his father. Nusaphad ran an Andunië inn belonging to his father as a pretense of work, but most who knew him knew that he consumed more ale then he sold. Marsillion, clever as he was, managed to find a use even for his lazy cousin.

Nusaphad's Inn, The Tîrevia, was a favorite gathering spot for the King's Men garrisoned in and around Andunië, and after a few pints of ale they were often more than willing to pull a slovenly underachiever into their confidence. Through Nusaphad, who was not a member of the faithful, Marsillion gained much information on the plans and movements of the King's Men.

When his older cousin at last slid into the semi dilapidated inn, Marsillion couldn't help but notice how little resemblance there was between them. Nusaphad's olive skin and thick black beard were a stark contrast to Marsillion's fair skin and clean face. Nusaphad took a seat across the table from Marsillion without a word.

“What then, cousin, have you called me here for?” Marsillion asked gingerly. News from Nusaphad was rarely good.

“Breakfast with an old friend not enough of a lure?” Nusaphad replied, with a sarcastic grin spreading across his bearded face.

“Aye,” Marsillion perked up, “the food in this dank hole is far from good, but I suspect it's a mite bit better than whatever news you've brought for me.”

“True enough,” Nusaphad said, the grin disappearing from his face. The smiling eyes that normally defined the otherwise drab man were devoid of light and rimmed in red. Dark matters he left to others when possible, preferring women and drink to matters of business. Marsillion could see that the role of spy was taking its toll on his cousin.

Nusaphad ordered a fresh pitcher of ale and waited for the waitress to leave. “The news is indeed worse than this ale, Nimilroth, a good deal worse in truth. Your mother's brother is in grave danger. The King's Men mean to arrest him on charges of treason,” Nusaphad said quietly, even though the inn was deserted except for the young waitress.

“Is that all you have for me cousin?” Marsillion asked, stretching his arms above his head and slowly getting to his feet. “Perhaps your ale has lost its potency, for we have known this for a fortnight. Besides, what proof is there? A serious charge requires serious proof.”

“Sit down Nimilroth,” Nusaphad replied with pity in his voice. “My ale is potent enough, and I've not told you all that I have brought you here for.” Marsillion sat down and stared hard into his cousin's unblinking eyes.

“Go on then,” was all he could say.

“The King's men have been watching your uncle for sometime and saw him and his daughter leave Andunië with his prized horses days ago. They know not only his destination, but also his intended route. A company of the King's Men lie in wait as we speak near the junction of Forostar and Orrostar. Your uncle is walking into a trap. And as for proof, it seems to me that Ar-Pharazôn needs none these days but that which his own mind can conjure.”

“Why have you not spoken of this before?” Marsillion demanded, the anger in his voice shattering the silence of the inn.

“I knew not until late in the evening,” Nusaphad said sheepishly, seemingly afraid of the strong armed young man he'd known for so long. “If I'd have ridden out myself to tell you we may both have been discovered.”

“I must go,” Marsillion nearly shouted as he jumped to his feet. He rushed to the door, knocking over a mug of beer on the way.

“You're gonna have to pay for that, mister!” the waitress shouted after him, but the words were meaningless in his ears. He had been there when his father was seized by the King years before. He had to get to Kâthaanî before it was too late. He could not allow her to undergo the same fate as he. The only sound to reach his ears was the beating rhythm of his young mare’s galloping footfalls, moving rapidly down the dirt street, into the east.

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TB12-GO PATS

[Himaran]

Bio For Himaran's Character: Comments, necessary changes? Let me know!

POSTED TO THE PROPOSAL - IF YOU EDIT IT, PLEASE PM ME THAT YOU HAVE DONE SO ~*~ PIO

NAME: Abârzadan Batânzâira, Of Strong House Longing of Travel, Turmeawa Mélatrevad

AGE: 43

RACE: Númenórean

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS:

Abârzadan carries a longbow and a few arrows, customary of Númenóreans, but they are not the tools that he wields most smoothly. His favorite weapon is the large, double-bladed axe that he carries comfortably over one shoulder; an heirloom of his father.

APPEARANCE:

Abârzadan is six foot, four inches tall. He has shoulder-length, dark-brown hair, and large blue eyes. The man has a strong frame, large hands -- scarred from hours of axe-practice with his late father, and a slightly mishapen lower lip (which he is chews on frequently). He walks with a partial swagger, much practiced, in order to seem a swashbuckler. Abârzadan's fingers display several rings set with precious gems, adding to his already prominent air of importance; although he despises the look of "cleanliness" and usually keeps his hair greasy and ruffled. Always he seeks to appear as a rich, experienced and road-weary warrior; a tough combination to apply.


PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES:

As a general rule, Abârzadan is haughty and bold; a product of his heritage. His father taught him that only great warriors deserve respect, and even then only those "above" his family's prominent status. The man laughs loudly, and argues frequently, but will rarely become involved in an actual fight: for such matters are "below" him. He does, however, have a kind heart -- despite his father's belief that those poorer than him are unworthy of recognition, Abârzadan is generally touched by the sight of poverty, and will give freely; especially if another important figure is watching him.


HISTORY:

The House of Batânzâira was indeed a great power, but its influence has slowly slipped away. In reality, few among the Faithful have even heard of such a thing. In its days of greatness, it served proudly under Ar-Pharazôn, but as the king himself fell under the influence of the cult of Melkor, Batânzâira too was diminished. Abârzadan's father was one of the last to stand beside Ar-Pharazôn, cautiously counseling him to stray from the dark one's designs. When Sauron discovered his disloyalty, Abâranâ was forced to flee, leaving all his possessions and relations except for his son. Together they journeyed through Númenor in secrecy, at last arriving in the land controlled by the Faithful. To his death Abâranâ never trusted them, believing that he was living among traitors and criminals.

Abârzadan thus was forced to live among the Faithful after a long and pleasent childhood elsewhere, with his father isolated in their large home. (It should be noted that Abâranâ brought both his son and his fortune along.) He learned the ways of a warrior, and often strayed from the designated territory of the Faithful. He still thought that Ar-Pharazôn was not to blame, but that his father had ruined their life in Númenor. One day, he hopes to return there, and attempt to rebuild the dynasty of Batânzâira.

Shortly before his death, Abâranâ made his son swear a strange oath; that he would never marry until after he had proven himself in battle. Also, he implored Abârzadan to only become betrothed to a Númenorean woman, and not to an "Outcast." The man took both these things to heart, and seeks to accomplish both in the same feat. He has waited for several years to fulfill his promise, and now a chance has arrived...

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Himaran - nice bio, interesting character. He'll add a lot of tension to the situation. However, few questions:

What influenced your character to carry a sword and not a bow against his national and racial opinions? He seems pretty proud to be a Numenorean otherwise.

Why would he be with us if he's not one of the Faithful and doesn't even like us? What has prevented him from giving us away, because we're in hiding? Why would we trust him? Or are we going to take him with us against our will?

He seems a little young to be deferring marriage. Perhaps he's a little older? Or he has some other good reason to be thinking of marriage early?


Just questions

Sophia

[Himaran]

Good questions, all.


1. Abarzadan's father always believed that it was more honorable to fight in person than at a distance, and thus his son adheres to this.

2. Excellent question, which I will try to explain better in my first post. Basically, Abarzadan's father lived in isolation with the Faithful, and thus no one ever really knew about him or his beliefs. Abarzadan himself does not Distrust the Faithful, but he still feels attached to his Numenorean ancestry. Members of the group are not likely to know of his background... they consider him one of them. Only Abarzadan knows his true feelings. Perhaps, as the story develops, he will realize that Numenor has indeed gone ary.

3. Not sure what typical marrying ages are in Numenor... if you think I should bump it up a decade or so, I can alert Pio and have her edit it.

Thanks for the feedback,
--Himaran

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

My roommate's turning 21 this weekend, so we're going out of town to do some minor partying. I will likely make it on sometime tomorrow and sometime Sunday, but there's a possibility I'll be...inaccessible.

In the meantime, anyone who wants to finish bios and posts while I'm gone is more than welcome to do so (Hint, hint, hint...). :D

Sophia

PS- one more comment, Himaran, it might be good to alter your bio to say that Melkor isn't finding out about your character's family's disloyalty, as Melkor isn't in Numenor. Sauron could find out, and yes, he is teaching the Numenoreans to worship Melkor... but Melkor can't so much do anything, in the words of a dear friend of mine: "considering he got banished from the world."

:pS.

[littlemanpoet]

Now that my bio and first post are up, I have a question. Allow me to frame it first.

For the first segment of this rp, Abarpa (for short) is going to be separated from the rest of the group. In the remainder (assuming his rescue), he will be able to interact with the others in the group.

Question: what kinds of things do you envision Abarpa experiencing (me posting about) during the first segment? Imprisonment jumps readily to mind, as well as a kangaroo court (though I doubt there are any such marsupials in Númenor!), and interrogations, as well as Abarpa demanding to know the condition and whereabouts of Lômi. What else? Torture? If so, what kind? Preparation for sacrifice in Sauron's temple? I had assumed this rp might lead there; if so, how close to the knife's edge and burning faggots shall we go?

One more thing. I envision Abarpa, being brought to the edge of what he will/can endure at the hands of the King's Men, will renounce Adúnaic as cursed of the Valar, and will rename himself and his Kariborim in Sindarin, and will be determined that his daughter and all those who associate with her and himself, be named accordingly. He will be quite intractable about this. Could lead to some fun conflict with certain of the other rp-ers, eh? ;)

[TomBrady12]

As for torture, what would be harder on Abarpa than the torture of his beloved Lomi? Unfortunaltly PETA might get involved and shut down the whole website.

Interrogations...maybe George Clooney in Oceans 11esque, or maybe Abarpa shares a cell with...well I had better not go there ;)

And who's to say there weren't an abundance of Marsupials pleasantly strolling Numenor? What kind of gift would a land devoid of friendly Koalas and wombats be anyway?

wow...plenty of helpful ideas in this post


TB12-GO PATS

[Meneltarmacil]

POSTED TO PROPOSAL-- IF YOU EDIT, PLEASE LET ME KNOW ~*~ PIO~*~

NAME: Adûnaic: Sakaladûn -- Elven: Thoronmir

AGE: 117

RACE: Numenorean

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: A long sword forged by master smiths, as well as a Númenórean steelbow, also has chainmail with a steel breastplate and helmet for use in war (Hey, it pays to have had the right connections at one point!)

APPEARANCE: Rather tall, has almost jet-black hair and dark blue eyes, wears mainly blue and white

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Strong-minded and very skeptical at this point. Believes in playing by the rules.

HISTORY: Born into an influential family in Romenna during Tar-Palantir's reign, Sakaladûn operated for quite a while as the king's emissary to the elves of Lindon under Gil-Galad, where he was given the elven name of Thoronmir. However, he was promptly removed from this position when Ar-Pharazôn came to power in 3255 and started to undo much of the unity between the two races that Tar-Palantir had built. Sakaladûn's life would not be completely ruined by this, as he later became an officer in Ar-Pharazôn's army in the colonies of Middle-Earth, where he eventually became one of the top commanders in the colonial forces. During this time, he married Firiel, a woman from Pelargir, eventually having a son and two daughters.

Sakaladûn was appointed to Ar-Pharazôn's ruling council in 3262 due to his aid in overthrowing Sauron. Sakaladûn, however, was not pleased with the king's decision to take Sauron back to Numenor as a prisoner, believing that the Dark Lord should have been destroyed rather than kept alive due to his evil and corruptive nature. Ar-Pharazôn, however, ignored Sakaladûn's recommendation. During the years of Sauron's captivity in Numenor, Sakaladûn's suspicion continued to rise, and he spoke in secret with Elendil about the strange patterns he had noticed in the Council. Sakaladûn opposed many of the changes in Numenor during the years he was on the council, though the majority of the coucil members never paid much attention to his "strange notions". He ran into the strongest opposition from Herugor, the second most powerful man in Numenor and the one he suspected had been learning all kinds of evil things from Sauron. After Sakaladûn flat out refused to have anything to do with an assault on Valinor, first proposed in 3299 and actually started eleven years later, Herugor, probably following instructions from Sauron, made up a number of false accusations about Sakaladûn forming a conspiracy and taking the throne for himself. Herugor then presented these charges before the king, who fired Sakaladûn from his post and had him arrested. Sakaladûn, however, went into hiding and was never found. He now lives among the Faithful, where he goes by the name of Thoronmir full-time. His wife and children have been sent to Lindon, the safest place there is for those of the Faithful at this time, while Sakaladûn/Thoronmir is still in Numenor aiding the Faithful.

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littlemanpoet should understand who the mysterious "Herugor" is from an earlier RPG, in which his name was revealed as that of the Mouth of Sauron. I thought this would be a natural place to introduce him as the man he used to be.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Meneltarmacil- nice. :) Herugor seems an interesting addition as well. Perhaps he and Abarpanaru will have a thing or two to say to each other?

Littlemanpoet- sounds like you have a few good ideas for what Abarpanaru can do in captivity. I knew it would be kind of a rough/isolated part. If you need someone to write an alternate pov during Abar's imprisonment I suspect a few of us would be willing to step into a secondary character for a post or two. We may need to figure it out as we come to it, but I'm willing to pick up a few posts here and there if need be.

Sophia.

ps. looks like I'll have internet here, this weekend if I'm needed and/or coherent. ;)

[littlemanpoet]

TomBrady12, you're crackin' me up. :D (aside: being a Michigan man, guess which team I'm rooting for? end aside)

Meneltarmacil, well, cool! Thoronmir in a different life, eh? ;) Herugor is a Sindarin construction, meaning Lord of Horror; I doubt that would be his name early on, although the character should be there! I like the addition. We just need a less obviously evil name for now. Any ideas? Something powerful and arrogant would be quite fitting, I expect.

Sophia, I'd be happy to interact with other rp'ers posts during Abarpa's imprisonment. I'll also be sure to let you guys know if I'm running stuck at any point.

[piosenniel]

Sophia

Clear your PM's please.

~*~ Pio

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Sorry Pio, I 've been away from home so I was waiting to dowload them... but there should be some room in there now.

:)
Sophia

[piosenniel]

I have a new player in the Shire that I would like to have join the game:

samsmyhero

I believe he will try out for the other rescuer.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio

[samsmyhero]

Hello all!
Sam here. Pio has graciously extended an invitation to join your game, which Sophia has approved. So, thanks for the welcome. :)
I've read (and re-read) the posts here in the planning thread and I'm a little awed at the detail you have all gone into with your characters. I'm working on an idea for mine - guess I'll be one of the rescuers as suggested by Pio.
Sophia - I will PM you with my idea so far and I'm sure it will need help.
Looking forward to learning a lot from you all.
Sam

[TomBrady12]

welcome sam!


TB12-Dynasty

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Those of you who haven't finished first posts, consider this a gentle nudge. ;)

I've seen a prelim copy of samsmyhero's bio, and it looks like a really good character is developing there.

Pio- would you like me to go through the thread and rake together our changes in appropriate proposal form so that we can have an up to date game outline etc. when the discussion thread goes up? And is there anything else we're waiting on aside from those aforementioned posts and bios?

Don't know about you guys, but I'm getting excited to actually play. Time to get things all ready and go, methinks.

Sophia

[samsmyhero]

Hello Tom! Thanks for the welcome :)

Well, here is my character's bio. I apologize for its length; if you have trouble sleeping tonight, this should help :) I have run it past Sophia and LMP already, but, please, if anyone has any thoughts, comments, suggestions or objections, let me know. Thanks
Sam

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PLACED ON PROPOSAL - IF YOU EDIT IT, PLEASE LET ME KNOW ~*~ PIO

NAME: Adunaic: Azulan (means "from the east") ; Sindarin: Arkrision (horse brother); native language (some dialect of southern Westron): Tiru

AGE: 52 (he's not Numenorean, so these are 52 "regular human" years)

RACE: human, from Middle Earth (south of the River Harnen, in south Gondor near Harad) not Numenorean

GENDER: male

WEAPONS: Tiru carries a general utility knife for work purposes. The handle is wood, old and scratched in many places. The blade is about eight inches long, plain steel, notched in one place close to the haft. It has no sheath; he carries it thrust through his belt. No other weapons belong to him, but he knows how to use a bow, and on the rescue mission he will carry a bow borrowed from the family household.

APPEARANCE: Being originally from the southern regions of Middle Earth, on the coast west of Harad, he is of swarthy complexion. He is of average height for his own race, around 5'9", 5'10" , which appears quite tiny to the Numenoreans. His frame is wirey, rather than bulky, but he's very strong for his size, due to his lifetime of hard labor. He has dark eyes and generally squints, from being outside in the sun almost constantly. He did have thick, curly, dark hair at one time, which has now turned to a salt and pepper mix of black and grey, thinning at the crown, so he's starting to sport almost a monk's tonsure look. What is left grows out long and fairly unkempt, and this he pulls back carelessly into a messy ponytail of ragged curls, down to the middle of his back. He sports a neatly trimmed beard and mustache, mostly grey now, which for some unknown reason he takes great pride in, while he totally ignores the rats' nest on his head. He's missing one top front tooth which he lost brawling at some tavern. He has a mark tattooed on the inside of his right forearm showing him to have been a slave. His clothing is plain but clean, just a simple brown tunic of rough cloth, worn leather breeches, boots, and a black wool cloak and hood for the cold. He keeps his work knife and various other tools from time to time shoved into an old leather belt wrapped around his middle, which is exceedingly long as he inherited it from his master when it was too worn for Abar to want any longer.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Tiru is generally a very quiet man. Most of the time you would never even know he's around. He learned long ago that horses prefer people who are quiet and calm, and, as he spends most of his time in their company, he has little need to talk at length or in a high volume. He's somewhat somber, a little melancholy at times. He never married and has no children and some say that a good wife and children tumbling around the hearth would have brought him more cheer. But actually, he's happy with his life, as long as he can take care of the Kariborim and Karibi, and be of service to the family. He can be stubborn at times. His size belies his great physical strength, and this has brought him into grief on more than one occasion. It seems bullies and big mouths in taverns can never leave him alone. Although peaceful by nature, when provoked enough he may become consumed by a terrible rage. All the anger at his abuse as a slave and what happened to his family and village will boil to the surface and overflow – woe betide his would-be persecutor then! He is fiercely loyal to Abar's family and any whom he knows to be their trusted friends, but silently hostile to most strangers in these perilous times.

HISTORY: Tiru was born in a small fishing village on the western coast of Middle Earth, somewhat south of the mouth of the River Harnen, a land at this time mostly a colony of Numenor. His family were of course fisherfolk and he lived a peaceful existence until the age of ten, when a Numenorean galleon swept down upon the village and in an instant took every man, woman, and child prisoner, to be taken north to the great fortress at Umbar to be sold as slaves.

He was separated from his parents and three younger siblings in the slave market and has no idea what happened to them. At that time, there was already starting to be a fairly brisk market for slaves to be sacrificed to Melkor, and this was most probably the fate of his younger siblings and possibly his mother. Tiru was taken to Numenor to work in the fields of a prosperous family, loyal to the king, that lived outside Andunie. He was called "Azulan" by his overseers, as were many of his fellow slaves, as it meant simply "from the east". Slaves were treated cruelly in Numenor, and Tiru was beaten, mistreated and starved.

When Tiru was about twelve, Abar happened to be paying a horse-related business visit to Tiru's owner. Abar was invited to accompany the owner on a hunt, and was shocked to discover when they had run their quarry to earth, that it was a young boy (Tiru). Tiru's owner laughed out loud when Abar tried to intercede on the boy's behalf, and was ready to set the dogs on Tiru to rip him to pieces. Abar persuaded the cruel owner otherwise with a purse full of gold pieces, enough to buy ten slaves, and enough to secure Tiru's freedom.

Abar took Tiru in to Andunie to register the formal papers declaring him a freed man at the town's municipal building. He told the boy he was free to go anywhere he chose; but that he was welcome to come back to Abar's farm and work there as a hired hand, which Tiru readily agreed to. Abar at first had him work in the household, where Inzillomi could keep an eye on him. She took him under her wing and they all quickly saw that he was a very bright kid and quick to learn. But Abar discovered that Tiru was fascinated with the horses. The boy had never been close to one and they cast a spell on him with their strength, speed and beauty. Abar asked if he would rather work in the stables than the house and Tiru leapt at the chance. He turned out to be a natural with horses; he understood them and they understood him. They turned out to be the new family to replace the one he had lost. Thus Abar came to call him "Arkision", horse-brother. Although "Azulan" was his official name according to his papers, and this was the name he would give in town or to strangers, the family always called him Tiru, out of respect for his origins.

From the beginning, Tiru had great respect for his master and mistress. He returned their kindness with a fierce loyalty. When their daughter was born, Tiru looked upon her as a cherished princess and she had him wrapped around her little finger from day one. If there were ever any times when Tiru did not obey Abar or Inzillomi, it was when Kathaani wanted his help in some innocent mischief which her parents would have frowned upon. When her father himself wasn't teaching Kathaani about the Kariborim, she could usually be found hovering at Tiru's elbow as he went about his work, asking incessant questions and soaking up knowledge like a little sponge. As she grew up, she naturally came to spend less time in his company, but there was always an unspoken affection between them, like uncle and niece.

Trusted implicitly by the family, he is aware of the pending flight of the Faithful to ME, and has been assured by both Abar and Inzillomi that there will be a place for him on a ship, hopefully the one carrying the Kariborim. Tiru has never had any contact with any Eldar, of course, but Abar has long ago explained and tutored Tiru regarding the Valar and Illuvatar, etc. Tiru in his heart doesn't believe in any gods because of what happened to his family. But outwardly, he pays respect as Abar has instructed him, because he doesn't really care as long as it pleases his master.

There is no question that Tiru would willingly and without hesitation lay down his life for Abar, Inzillomi, Kathaani, or the Kariborim.

****************
I'm thinking that evryone playing can call my guy Tiru ( so as not to be too confusing with 3 names :rolleyes: ) How does that sit with everyone? Alternatively, I could use the Sindarin one.

[piosenniel]

Sophia

On page 1 of this thread, posts 2 through 17 will be the proposal I transfer to the Discussion Thread - if there are any changes to be made, please refer to which # post they go on.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio

[piosenniel]

NILPAURION FELAGUND

Clear out your PM's please.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio

[TomBrady12]

Sams: Tiru sounds like a really good character (sidenote, i picture him looking like the hippy father on Darma and greg, not that i watch that :confused: ) Sounds like there could be some tense interactions with Himaran's character, Abarzadan...should be interesting...i like

TB12: Dynasty

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

I'll be crafting my bio over the weekend, and hoping I'll be able to place it here on Monday morning, PST.

[littlemanpoet]

I've been thinking that there's a problem with having the future Mouth of Sauron around for this story: he's supposed to have a future! He can't be on Numenor unless he somehow escapes its end!

[Himaran]

Checkup:

I've been very busy, but am almost done with my first post. I will try to have it up here tomorrow for comment.

Himaran

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

LMP- we'll wait and see if Meneltarmacil has plans for him, but that could be a problem. I like the idea of having him around for at least part of the story, though... :rolleyes: Any ideas on how we could evacuate him in the nick of time... without being too lame?

Sophia

[Himaran]

Took a while, but here it is.
--Himaran


First Post:

PLACED ON PROPOSAL - PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU EDIT IT

EDITED POST MOVED 2/12 ~*~ PIO

Two swords crossed in overlapping fashion, drawing attention to the silver star located at the place of their meeting... The symbol of the House of Batânzâira. Abârzadan turned away from the treasured decoration adorning the wall of his large house. In reality, it was a thing of the past; there was no House Batânzâira... there was only him. The Númenórean man's ascendents were vast, but all had long since died out, persecuted by Sauron and the cult of Melkor. What that evil one so feared about letting it survive? Perhaps its strength, and the many warriors it had bred. Whatever the reason, all that was over. Abârzadan was the last of them, as far as he could tell. No one else remembered. No one understood.

Banishing the disparaging thoughts from his mind, Abârzadan forced himself to look on the positive side of the matter. He was safe, rich and secure; at least for the time being. The sole heir of a large fortune, the man was not stranger to the lavish lifestyle of the elite. But was there such a among the rabble of the Faithful? His father, Abâranâ, had never trusted them since entering their lands to escape the wrath of Sauron. They were outcasts, rebels, unfit to serve the King of Númenór. The old man's sentiments were never known publicly; he lived out his days isolated in his home, without making any aquaintices with the locals. After his father's death, Abârzadan had gradually come to accept the Faithful and did not hold them in a hostile light, but still he held on to the sometimes violent longing to see his true home. And then there was Abâranâ's last request...

No. That can never be accomplished. Never. Deciding that the acute loneliness of the house was becoming oppressive, Abârzadan pulled on a, coat, opened the door and hurried out into the street, allowing the wooden frame to fall shut loudly behind him. The refreshing tinge of cool air met his face, and the sound of the waves lapping at the shore met his ears. Abârzadan's home was near the docks, for he loved to look out at the sea from his bedroom window... somehow, although it was not the way back to the King he still felt loyal to, the water was strangely attracting. Perhaps it was the sense of mystery it held, for doubtlessly there were unexplored regions beyond the simmering edge of the horizon.

Even the sea could not give Abârzadan's mind the rest that it longed for. His thoughts went back to six years before, when his father lay dying from disease. "Hear me, Abârzadan," he had rasped, before breaking into another fit of coughing. "And never forget. Keep the House of Batânzâira clean from the Faithful. Only marry..." the sick man's voice trailed off again. His eyes opened wide, as if he was seeing a vision. Then he had struggled back to reality, and made one last, desperate effort to finish his last statement. "Only marry... a woman of Númenór. I say this to you so that I know that one day, you will indeed go back there, to see the place where our ancestors lie. Never forget, Abârzadan, please..." The man had then gone unconcious, and died during the night, as silently as he had lived.

Enough reminiscing! Abârzadan decided that if he were to get any work done that night, he had better get a drink and clear the disturbing memories from his distraught mind. The man hurried down the street, soon finding a small inn that he rarely visited. Abâranâ had seen the place when they first arrived, and snidely commented on its disrepair. Indeed, it was in rather poor condition, and not the sort of place that a member of the elite would go to dine. However, it was close, and though the ale was poor it still contained the kick that he needed. Besides, the gossip of those at this particular small establishment was far more interesting than that at any fine diner.

As he entered the inn, Abârzadan noticed that it was quite empty, almost deserted. The man ordered a drink and walked over to a table in the corner; slowly easing into the hard wooden chair. His ears immediately sharpened, and he began to pick up snippets of conversation from a booth near him. When he heard "the King's men have been watching your uncle," his ears perked up. The King? Ar-Pharazôn? As he continued to eavesdrop, his suspicions were confirmed. "Your uncle is walking into a trap," one of the men said. Prized horses? And uncle and his daughter? As Abârzadan left the inn later that evening, he promised himself to keep his ears open for any more information regarding the strange tale that he had been exposed to.

Especially if it dealt with Númenór.

[Regin Hardhammer]

Here's it is.

I have left the spaces blank that say who came down and greeted me at the cove.

Any suggestions as to what name I should put in here?

I could invent someone, but I am assuming that our little group represents all the Faithful in the west of the island.

Oh, yes, my character can ride, although horses aren't as central to his character as some of the others in this tale. :)

If anyone has suggestions, I'll be glad to try and edit.

___________________________________

PLACED ON PRPOSAL LET ME KNOW WHEN THE BLANKS ARE EDITED IN OR IF ANYTHING IS CHANGED ~*~ PIO

EDIT PLACED - 2/15


Azarmanô stared at the cove, which was surrounded on three sides by towering cliffs of sheer granite. It was a tight fit for the Gwan, but the ship slipped through the narrow opening just as it had done countless times before. The journey to the western part of the island had been placid, something that could not be said for many of his trips. Azarmanô marveled at how this group of the Faithful had been able to flout the King’s decree and refuse to move eastward as he himself had done some while ago. Of course, he was not often at home, but on board his ship engaged in various trading missions. He frequently traveled to the colonies with a shipload of goods from Númenor and traded these items with his fellow countrymen and whatever local merchants he could find who were still willing to deal with a man of Númenor. Despite his love of the sea and the joy he felt doing honest work, he often chafed at the length of these voyages, yearning to return to his radiant wife Eirien and his young son Thorin.

But today was no ordinary supply mission. Elendil had commanded him to sail west and pick up the last remaining Faithful and bring them back to join the others who had gathered at Rómenna and would soon be fleeing Númenor to sail across the oceans. It was with a heavy heart that Azarmanô prepared to bid farewell to his homeland. Despite persecution from the King and those who followed his lead, he still felt a strong attachment to the land of his fathers. But the departure from Númenor could not be avoided. Disaster and doom were fast approaching the land, punishment for man’s insolence. For many years, the kings had shunned the friendship of the Eldar in their greedy quest for immortality. Azarmanô understood the Faithful must depart across the sea before all was lost. Besides, he thought, he would still have the sea.

Azarmanô went down on the shore and waited for Tiru, the contact from the local Faithful who usually met him and took delivery of the supplies. Today Tiru did not look pleased. His face was wan and nervous and he was moving fast. Azarmanô called out in anticipation, “I have news for you. You must gather the others and tell them that the time has come for us to leave Númenor. Elendil gathers the fleet in the east for the Faithful to depart. We can wait no longer. Tell your neighbors to gather in this cove and I will take them to where Elendil’s ships are gathering in the eastern bay.”

Tiru replied in a rushed tone, “My friend, I’m afraid that we can not yet go. You see the King’s men have captured Abârpânarú Karíbzîr, my master. We have just found out the sad news, and people are needed to help in the rescue." Tiru looked up expectently and added, Perhaps you would be willing to come with us. We have need of another strong bow.”

“I would be honored to rescue the lifeblood of such a noble leader. But we must not tarry. Speed will be needed. Elendil’s ships wait for us to arrive so that they may depart. Every moment they delay is another chance for the King’s men to find the Faithful. My family also is on a ship that will cross the seas and I long to return to them soon. We must be swift and relentless in our search and then go with all speed to the harbor of Romenna. Let me tell my mate to guide the Gwan back east and then I will join you.”

Azarmanô returned to his ship and told his mate to steer the craft eastward and have it wait for his arrival when he returned with the others. “Don’t fear,” he added, “I will return soon.”

Azarmanô turned to Tiru and mounted the chestnut brown horse that had been brought for him. “Let us go to gather the others. Away.” He flicked the reins and clipped his heels to the steed's side and began to ride with all haste.

[Meneltarmacil]

PLACED ON PROPOSAL - PLEASE ALERT ME IF THIS IS EDITED ~*~ PIO

EDIT PLACED 2/25

***FIRST POST***

Thoronmir let the arrow fly, and the deer fell to the ground. He was about to walk over to it when three riders on black horses rode up.

"Well, well, if it isn't Sakaladûn," said their leader, getting off his horse. "Finally found you, eh? The King's been looking for you for quite a while now."

Thoronmir, formerly known as Sakaladûn, answered him. "I stopped listening to that man when he started going mad. If you want me to come with you, you'll have to force me."

The man laughed and reached for a weapon. Thoronmir reacted faster, leaping up onto the leader's horse and kicking it hard. The black stallion rode off at full speed. The other two riders drew their spears and pursued Thoronmir as he fled, but Thoronmir managed to lose them in the forest.

Thoronmir rode into the hiding place of the Faithful that was nearby. He was met at the entrance by one of their guards.

"Thoronmir, I'm glad you got back here. Where did you get the horse?" the guard asked curiously.

"I ran into some old friends from Armenelos who really wanted me to come back with them," the Thoronmir said. "I declined the offer and borrowed one of their horses to escape with."

The other man didn't smile a whole lot. "Good thing you escaped, because we're really going to need your help here." he said. "You see, there's been a problem. Mabalar has been taken captive and they said we need to act now..."

[TomBrady12]

Himaran: I like the idea of your overhearing the conversation between Nimilroth and his cousin, however there are a couple discrepancies between our two accounts of the inn. In my post I described the inn as being, "deserted except for the young waitress." You describe the inn as being "quite full"

Remember that it is quite early in the morning when the meeting between my two characters takes place, not really prime time for gathering in a pub. That said, I think it would be fine for Abarzadan to be in the corner like you had him, and my characters just didn't notice him there, but other than that for the inn to be mostly empty. Also, that would make it easier for you to overhear the convo going on across the room, especially since most of it was said very quietly.


TB12: Dynasty

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Alright, since it seems like it may get confusing about where we are and who is where, here are some mapses, doctored by myself noting locations of various groups and events. I'll update it if I need to later in the game.

This:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v137/sophedreams/Mapofinitialpositions3.jpg
is where we all are now.

This (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v137/sophedreams/NUM_SWJ2.jpg) is an undoctored map of Numenor.

Hope this can clear up some confusion.

Sophia

Edit: you can see the doctored map in a size big enough to read all the words here (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v137/sophedreams/Bigmapofinitialpositions.jpg). End edit.

[Himaran]

TB12:

Thanks, I'll edit that.

Pio: Could put my changed post on the main section? Thanks! DONE! - PIO

--Himaran

[littlemanpoet]

Menel, it looks like you're setting up your first post to be such that Sakaladún is about to be captured in order to be sacrificed. I think that works pretty well. Just two problems though:

1. Placing Sakaladún in Romenna will probably place unwanted logistical problems on your character, making it hard to get him with the rest of the rescuers when he needs to be there. It would probably be better to have him start in Andúnië.

2. Having Sakal kill three of the King's Men creates absences that would be missed, and suspicions raised higher than they already are. The inevitable result would be retribution against the Faithful, meaning the capture and sacrifice of way more than originally intended. It would be a general rule among the Faithful that they do not kill unless those deaths can be avoided at all costs. Best not to kill any of them, unless it simply would not be realistic ... but I'm sure you could find a way to make it realistic to kill none of them. ;)

[Meneltarmacil]

Don't worry. I don't think they'd have all died. They only have a few bruises and one of them was hit by an arrow, probably not enough to kill him unless he was hit in a vulnerable spot. And they didn't see anyone except Sakal, so I doubt they'll think anybody else was involved.

Oh, and I did edit my post so that it's not in Romenna.

[littlemanpoet]

Menel, I guess I should have been more specific. It was your character immediately resorting to violence that needs to be revised. And it wouldn't matter if they didn't see anybody else involved. The King's Men would still use it as an "excuse" for retaliation in ways that the Faithful would at all costs avoid. Besides, if this is to be the kind of story worthy of Tolkien, the start should leave room for the really intense and powerful toward the end; and if we resort to violence early, we remove that as a story telling option that has any power down the road.

Himaran, are you aware that the Faithful are Numenoreans? Your posts and bio suggest to me that your characters may not know this.

[TomBrady12]

I really find it difficult to imagine a pseudo rebellious group such as the faithful living in somewhat normal conditions for any sustained amount of time if they were openly hostile and or killing/murdering/shooting at high profile members of the Kings regime. Numenor, not being particularly large in terms of area, would have been quite a difficult place to hideout I would imagine.

"To conquer new realms for our race, and ease the pressure of this peopled island, where every road is trodden hard, and every tree and grass-blade counted." -The Lost Road, Herendil speaking of Numenor

The members of the faithful are elite, and high class. They live in mansions and do not hide out in caves from all I can gather (correct me if i am wrong please). I really think it is unlikely that they would act so violently outright, and if they did, I think they would certainly be persecuted harshly or possibly exterminated. Remember, the faithful were grouped in Rommena so they could be watched. The King knows, I would imagine, who most of them are, and has a very sharp eye on them. If they didnt't walk a narrow line they would have been wiped out!

This is just what i am thinking, I'm not trying to step on anyones toes, I just want to have a credible story.

TB12: Dynasty

[Himaran]

lmp:

Numenoreans, yes, but Abarzadan's father considered them outcasts, since they left the influence of Ar-Pharazon. Just his personal prejudice.

--Himaran

[piosenniel]

Sophia or lmp

Can someone address Regin Hardhammer's request about his first post - see post #111.

[littlemanpoet]

Himaran: When Melkor discovered his disloyalty, Abâranâ was forced to flee

Please change Melkor to Sauron.

Among the wrights of the Edain were weaponsmiths, and they had with the teaching of the Noldor acquired great skill in the forging of swords, of axe-blades, and of spearheads and knives. Swords the Guild of Weaponsmiths still made, for the preservation of the craft, though most of their labour was spent on the fashioning of tools for the uses of peace. The King and most of the great chieftains possessed swords as heirlooms of their fathers; and at times they would still give a sword as a gift to their heirs. A new sword was made for the King's Heir to be given to him on the day on which his title was conferred. But no man wore a sword in Numenor, and for long years few indeed were the weapons of warlike intent that were made in the land. Axes and spears and bows they had, and shooting with bows was a chief sport and pastime of the Numenoreans. In later days, in the wars upon Middle-earth, it was the bows of the Numenoreans that were most greatly feared. "The Men of the Sea", it was said, 'send before them a great cloud, as a rain turned to serpents, or a black hail tipped with steel'; and in those days the great cohorts of the King's Archers used bows made of hollow steel, with black-feathered arrows a full ell long from point to notch. - from Unfinished Tales, "A Description of Numenor"

Menelmacar: As the other two drew their swords,
WEAPONS: A long sword forged by master smiths,


Himaran: Abârzadan carries a long, double-bladed broadsword; his father's weapon of choice. Considering range warfare to be cowardly, he carries no bow or throwing knife.
scarred from hours of sword-practice with his late father

Please change these to acceptable Numenorean weapons. Besides, Himaran, to consider range warfare to be cowardly is completely out of character for a Numenorean.

Himaran: But was there such a among the rabble of the Faithful? I assume this is an example of Abârzadan's personal prejudice against the Faithful? If so, it'll make for interesting conflict as we move into the story. Could be fun.

In answer to Regin's question, I suggest Marsillion.

Sophia, thanks for the helpful map! The approximate path you've oulined for Abarpa and Kathaani is much too far south, in my humble estimation. Since so much of Numenor is so well-known, down to the last petal of the last flower, they knew they had to go far out of their way with the horses, so my thought was that they had hugged the southern slopes of the hills in Forostar, resulting in Abar's capture about 50 miles to the north and east of where you indicate it.... in other words, much closer to the northeastern "sound", as it were.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

littlemanpoet- I meant that as the approximate path for the rescue party, as I thought that they would favor haste over secrecy if need be. I didn't put Kathaani and Abarpanaru's approximate path on the map, since all the traveling that would be done on it had been done already. However, I'm willing to adjust the path if the general feeling among the rescuers is that secrecy is more or equally as important as haste. The X marking Abar's capture I wasn't sure where to place, it was intended to be approximate as well. In the first post we mentioned it as near where Forrostar and Orrostar came together, we can easily imagine it closer to the coast if need be.

Thanks for your helpful corrections as well. I'm inclined to agree with all of them.

TB12- are you willing to be the one who meets Regin's character on the coastline? If not, as I know you were thinking about riding straight out toward Kathaani, perhaps

samsmyhero's character would be an appropriate one to send? A trusted member of the household would be likely to show up there.

Sophia

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Let me know if it needs editing.

~*~

POSTED TO PROPOSAL LET ME KNOW IF YOU EDIT IT ~*~ PIO

Name: Balaknaru Sakîlbel/Cirion Falassil

Age: 153

Race: Númenórean Men

Gender: Male

Weapons: Instead of passing swords to heirs, which is almost useless in the maritime profession, the House of Sakîlbel passed on great bows of standard Númenórean make, used only for hunting during the times before the coming of the Shadow. Balaknaru has one such bow, and a quiver full of ell-long hollow steel arrows.

Appearance: Balaknaru is a ranga and a half tall, with shoulder-length black hair and sea-grey eyes with a fell glint in them. He appears ever gloomy, and indeed his heart is tarnished by his cruel deeds while in the service of the King.

Personality: As a ship captain, he is proud and masterful, ever confident of his skills. He shows respect to his men, and in whatever ship he sent to command, all loved him. But none really knew his innermost thoughts.

When he went over to the Faithful, he saw no more need to hide his thoughts. Thus, of late he is quick to anger, and ever sullen. A shadow is on his heart, secretly wishing that he be taken away from Númenor for ever, so he could forget the evil he had done and start afresh.

History: The House of Falassil, which began when Almiel, the younger sister of the Great Captain Tar-Aldarion, was married to Ciryamo, a mariner and a distant kin of Vëantur, has a proud history. Every generation boasts of great ship captains, and many of them became admirals of the King’s Ships. Ciryatur, admiral of the great fleet Tar-Minastir sent to the aid of Gil-galad, was of the Falassil.

The House of Sakîlbel, as it was now known, were ever faithful King’s Men, and Balakanû, father of Balaknaru, was no exception. But he was married to Inzilphel of the Karíbzîr, who was one of the Faithful, and she instructed her son in the teachings of the Elf-friends. Thus, Balaknaru grew up to be one of the Elendili, although he kept it secret.

When he was in his twenties, his father brought him to a small ship, and they went sailing around Númenor. Immediately Balaknaru fell in love with the Sea. He forgets all else when he sails far from the shores, captured by the grace of the snow-peaked waves and the gentle swaying of the ship. It was for this love that he took no wife.

He was aghast when the king brought Sauron to Númenor, and even more so when he rose to become the King’s closest counsellor. Being a great captain of ships, he was given command of one sent to kidnap natives for the sacrifice to Melkor. Every man he takes aboard seems another dagger in his heart. Thus his love for the Sea was darkened by the memory of the coasts of Middle-earth.

When he heard of the plans to assault Aman, he left the King’s service, feigning the approach of old age, and went to Romenna to meet Elendil.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Nice bio, Nilp. :) Happy to have you in the game, and as one of the Karibzir (more or less).

Now all we're waiting for is a few adjustments, sam's post and alak's bio.

Sophia

[Himaran]

Bio Edited.

Pio: could you move my new bio? Thanks!

--Himaran

---------------------------------

DONE --- PIO

[Regin Hardhammer]

Pio: I filled in the blanks with samsmyhero's character Tiru, who is my contact. Could you edit it please. Thanks. :D

It looks to be a good game.

- Regin

------------------------

EDIT DONE ~*~ PIO

[samsmyhero]

Here is my proposed first post. Any and all comments, suggestions and ideas are more than welcome.

Sam

***********************************

POSTED TO THE PROPOSAL - I USED EIGHT FOR THE #OF DAYS - LET ME KNOW IF YOU EDIT ~*~ PIO

2nd placement - 2/18

Tiru hummed softly as he came out of the stall. He had changed the old bedding for new and refilled the manger with fresh hay. The water trough outside the stable was full of water pulled from the well. All was taken care of. Not that there was any sense of urgency. His master and the little mistress were not due back for some days. Tiru closed his eyes for a brief moment, silently offering a prayer for the success of their venture. He smiled at his own absurdity; he didn't even believe in the gods, although his master had spent many hours instructing him. Well, he shrugged his shoulders, it couldn't hurt.

So much was riding on their journey, though. The very existence of the Kariborim was at stake. If Abârpânaru was not successful in getting the horses to Rómenna, if they missed the sailing for the east . . . No! Tiru shook his head vigorously. He would not even think such thoughts! Besides, there was still much to do before leaving for the harbor to meet Captain Azarmanô, who was arriving from Rómenna with supplies and news from Elendil. It was being said that the time for the departure for the east was coming upon them quickly.

Tiru stroked his beard thoughtfully. Even if his beloved six came safely to the ships, there were many others who would not be going. Tiru worried about these others, the Karibi. He knew there was no room for them on the ships. It was fortunate enough that his master and mistress had been able to secure a place for him, being only their servant. Still, the thought of leaving the Karibi almost broke his heart. He had already lost one family; and, now, to lose this one . . .

The horsemaster's thoughts were interrupted by the, as yet, distant sound of thundering hoofs. This sound was one so familiar to him that it was like unto his own heart beat. "The Kariborim!" he gasped. "What . . . how?" Tiru wasted no time, but flew himself, as fast as his legs could carry him, across the stable yard and down the broad path that led to the road. Even as the swirl of dust accompanying them grew larger, he could make out Kâthaanî, the little mistress, and Marsillion, her cousin, with five of the six steeds which had left Andunië eight days ago. But he could tell at a glance that his master, Abârpânaru, and the mare Lômi, were not with them.

Tiru's heart raced and his mind seethed. Disaster! Some sort of catastrophe had befallen his master and now . . . and now, what? He must calm himself and be prepared; the mistress and her daughter would surely need him, and he, at least, was reliable, unlike those so called gods!

Within moments, the two cousins had drawn up to him. Dirt and sweat covered Kâthaanî's face and her hair looked as if she had been in a high wind off the ocean. Marsillion looked shocked and angry. Breathlessly, Kâthaanî leaned over Nitirú's neck and in a rush, told Tiru what had occurred on the unlucky journey to Rómenna. Tiru's face belied little of the anguish that churned in his stomach. Captured by the King's Men! The very worst that could have happened! Poor Lômi! She would be so upset and unhappy if strangers were to take her. And the master too, of course.

"What must we do, little mistress?" Tiru gasped, as Kâthaanî stopped to take a breath.

"This was the day appointed for Azarmanô's arrival was it not?" She rushed on, not waiting for a reply. "You must go to the harbor and meet him there as planned. But tell him of my father's plight. Ask Azarmanô to render what assistance he can – I'm sure we will need every man available to rescue him. Hurry back!" With that she and Marsillion were urging the horses forward once again, racing, Tiru was sure, to her mother, to let her know the grim tidings and alert the other Annanost.

Tiru ran back to the stables and quickly saddled up the grey mare he had waiting, already anticipating the trip to the harbor. Hoping that Azarmanô would be at the harbor, which, with sea voyages, arrivals were always an uncertainty, he went into the field beyond and caught up another mount for the Captain. He saddled her too, and was off down the road, just as Kâthaanî was at her mother's side, relating her sad news. With a brief moment of regret that he could not tend to the needs of the five Kariborim which had returned, Tiru focused on his task and set off for the harbor at a break neck speed.

******************************************

Sophia/LMP: how many days do you think Kath and Abar would have been gone by this time?

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Sam

I thought I pmed you about this? Huh, I know I figured it out, but I must not actually have sent it. From Andunie to Armenelos is 300 miles. We're farther away than that when Abar is captured, say 350 miles. Gandal and Pippin made a 300 mile trip in 3 days on Shadowfax. So I think round trip, a distance of 700 miles could be done in 7 days. They were in great haste in both directions and riding the Kariborim.

So have Kathaani return either on the evening of the seventh day or the morning of the eighth.

LMP- sound good?

Sophia

[alaklondewen]

I apologize for taking a while to bring this together, but Sophia assures me that you aren't waiting *only* for me. I'm putting a big research project together, and getting all of the finishing touches together is turning out to be quite trying.

I am currently working on the bio, but I need a bit of advice, or idea help. Monôizindu (spirit of truth) resides in Armenelos, and will be the one the recuers ask for aid. What I was thinking is that possibly there is a close bond between Abârpânarú and him. There are reasons that I shall not disclose now that he needs a personal, or sentimental, reason to want to help rescue the prisoner. It needs to be more than just he is another faithful (which I'm sure he would possibly help anyway, but I need deeper). At first, I had considered the horses...but I believe Abar's house is the only remaining house in Numenor to have them. Maybe there is some sort of childhood link? Do you think they had educational systems with their level of advancement?

I need some help, folks. I would appreciate any ideas you have, especially lmp. I will have the rest of it up in the next day or so.

Thanks for your patience,

~Alak

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

I've just been in touch with littlemanpoet, who is away for the weekend and is also having some trouble with his computer at home, and to make matters still worse, he can't remember his BD password. He said he will try to make it on as much as possible on his work computer this week, and hopefully will have the rest of the issues straightened out by the end of the week.

Alak- he wonders whether Abar and Monoi may have known each other through the military? If Abar had saved Mono's life in the past, it might be an incentive for Mono to want to help Abar now...

Sam- he apologizes for Falowik's failure to move or speak in the Green Dragon ;), and will catch you up there ASAP.

*whew* Message delivered.

~Sophia

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Minor quibbles:

You've misspelled Romenna here: Besides, there was still much to do before the evening meal; he would soon leave for the harbor to meet Captain Azarmano, who was arriving from Rommena with supplies and news from Elendil. It was being said that the time for the departure for the east was coming upon them quickly.

Also, can you go back through and insert the accents in the names? There's a guide to doing them linked on the first page of this thread, or you can copy/paste from other posts. Thanks.

Posting for LMP:

You've mentioned Tiru's concern that Lomi would be "confused and unhappy if strangers were to take her." Lomi wouldn't be confused about being taken captive. The Kariborim are very intelligent and understand the speech of men, so she would know more or less what was going on and she knowingly chose to stay with Abarpanaru. It's fine if it's Tiru's concern for her... but in case it comes up later, she does understand what's going on.

Thanks.

Sophia (and LMP)

[samsmyhero]

Pio - I did edit my post to reflect the changes requested by Sophia EDITED POST PLACED 2/18 ~*~ PIO

Sophia - I think I got all the accents in the right places and on the right words :p If you see any I missed, let me know :D

LMP - I changed "confused" to "upset". Hope that sounds a bit better. I have to remember that I'm dealing with horses smarter than me :rolleyes:

[Meneltarmacil]

A few things regarding the use of swords in my post:

A: I never mentioned that my character had the sword on him during my post, and even if he did have it with him, an outlaw would usually carry a more effective weapon than the average person for the sake of defense.

B: The king's henchmen would probably be better-armed than your average Numenorean, so they would likely have things like swords.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

But no man wore a sword in Numenor

Since your character is a man of Numenor, he's not going to be wearing a sword.

He can have one in posession . But he will not wear it openly (Marsillion has one in posession, but he's not wearing it). Please please edit this. Likewise for the King's Men, they might have battleaxes or spears?

Thank you.

Sophia

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

For Post #2

TRANSFERRED TO PROPOSAL - PIO --- 2/23


Historical Information: During the reign of King Ar-Pharazôn, the Númenorean army sailed for Middle-Earth with the intent of overthrowing Sauron. However, because Saruon surrendered peacefully to Ar-Pharazôn he was not destroyed but instead brought back to Númenor as a prisoner. Through his considerable guile and flattery, Sauron worked his way into Ar-Pharazôn’s trust until he achieved nearly godlike status in Númenor.

After the commissioning of a temple in Armenelos Sauron’s cult worship is at its height. He has convinced not only Ar-Pharazôn but also many of the general population that the Ban of the Valar (the decree forbidding men to sail to Aman) was designed to hold them back.

The climate in Númenor has becoming increasingly hostile to the Elves and the Valar. The use of any language but Adûnaic has been banned. The King’s Men, who side with Ar-Pharazôn in opposing the Valar are based in Armenelos (Arminalêth in Adûnaic), while the Faithful who remain allied with the elves rally around the Lords of Andunië. They have been removed from Andunië and sent to Rómenna where the King’s Men can more easily watch them and occasionally capture and sacrifice them in the temple of Sauron.

The previous Lord of Andunië , Amandil, and his son Elendil, sensed the impending doom of Númenor. Amandil set sail secretly to beg the mercy of the Valar. He has not been seen or heard of since. The new Lord of Andunië, Elendil, has prepared ships on which the Faithful will make their escape should the wrath of the Valar be unleashed against Númenor.

Recently Ar-Pharazôn took a large fleet of ships and sailed toward Valinor, determined to become the first mortal to set foot on the Undying Lands since Eärendil. He will land any day. Númenor’s decline is nearly over; Westernesse is shortly to be destroyed.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

TRANSFERRED TO PROPOSAL - PIO --- 2/23

Basic Storyline: While making a trip to Rómenna, an important underground leader of the Faithful, Abârpânaru Karíbzîr, is arrested by agents of the King’s Men scant days before they’re supposed to board one of Elendil’s ships. When the few remaining Faithful at Andunië (who go by the name of the Anannost, the “House of Many Years”) receive word of his capture, his daughter, Kâthaanî is determined to rescue him from jail against his explicit instructions. A small rescue party mounted on Númenor’s swiftest horses is sent. Meanwhile the remaining People of the Anannost must travel from Andunië to Rómenna to board the ships. The Rescuers must save Abârpânaru and get back to the ships at Rómenna, before the Faithful sail without them.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

POST PLACED ON PROPOSAL - PIO --- 2/23

The purpose of the story is: To find and rescue Abârpânaru, to escort the Anannost safely to Elendil’s ship, to escape the Akallabêth.

This means we will know the story is over when: The Anannost are safe and Númenor is drowned.

Starting Location: Andunië

Likely Destination: The Great Ocean, post-wave.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

POST PLACED ON PROPOSAL - PIO --- 2/23

Timeframes:

This game takes place in the autumn of the year 3319 SA

The storyline itself or plot covers approximately 6 weeks.

This game requires a time commitment of 12 weeks from the moderator, game owner, and major players.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Post #16

We'll be ending in late October, not early october, as originally hoped. Sindarin for Sept. is Ivanneth, for Oct. is Narbeleth. THIS IS POSTED - PIO 2/23

We will have seven, not six, Kariborim with us. ??? WHERE IS THIS SUPPOSED TO GO ???

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PLACED ON PROPOSAL - PIO -- 2/23

Post #17

First stage of the game- consternation of Anannost, gathering rescue party, departure. Main body of Anannost depart for Rómenna, rescue party departs for Armenelos. **2 weeks real-time, less than a day game time.

Second stage of the game- glossed over journey **4 days game-time, 300 miles. Arrival in Armenelos, rescue of prisoner. Hopefully at least one character will die here. **6 weeks real-time. Approx two weeks spent in Armenelos game-time.

Third stage of the game- escape from Armenelos (1 week real-time, less than a day game-time), rejoin main body of Anannost outside Rómenna **1 day, 45-50 miles, game time, Arrival at Rómenna next day game-time, escape on ships **3 weeks real time, less than a day game-time.

Epilogue: Faithful on the ship, approaching Middle Earth.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Meneltarmacil's edits.

Alaklondewen's bio.

Fea's bio and if possible, first post.

I think if we can get to this in the next couple of days we should be all ready to go. :D

I'm pretty excited to get started.

Pio - my apologies for the double, triple, and quintuple posting. I wanted to make sure the edits went up somewhere that they would be seen and noticed by the gamers, and if I tried to put them all in one post it got quite confusing.

~Sophia

[littlemanpoet]

Pio, my bio (Post #62) is updated now. Thanks!


PLACED ON PROPOSAL 2/23 - PIO

[piosenniel]

Sophia

Please see post #140 - where was that info about the Kariborim supposed to be edited in?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Hey all. Since this is my first game, I'm going to try really hard not to screw anything up royally. I'll be taking on the part of LMP's wife Inzillomi, and here's my bio. If it needs tweaking (which it probably does), just say the word, but I think I got the details right.

--------------------------------------

POSTED TO PROPOSAL - LET ME KNOW IF YOU EDIT IT ~*~ PIO

NAME: Inzillomí Elendili - Flower of the Night; Mórelóte - Dark Flower

AGE: 103

RACE: Numenorean

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: Carries no visable weapons, such being labeled highly "inappropriate" for a lady, and knowing that a show of arms tends to complicate matters. However, being in a dangerous position, Inzillomí has taken to wearing a wide sash rather than a belt, in which she has tucked two small throwing knives and a highly visable but not particularly ornamental fan with razor tips. The fan's silk is black with pale lotus blossoms; a gift from her father, Elendil. She is highly competent with a staff, can hit the target nine times of ten with a long bow, although she rarely actually uses them. Moving silently in the shadows, an enemy is most likely to never know she was there until it's too late. However, Inzillomí prefers not to kill anyone, so she tends to leave her enemies unconscious and tied up in the woods somewhere. Due to a small vial of pale blue liquid that she carries in her ever convenient sash, these would be attackers rarely remember they were actually attacked by a woman, putting the experience down to bandits.

APPEARANCE: Much like a panther, Inzillomí is dark and mysterious. She is long-limbed and slender, but muscular from years of riding and secret arms training in preparation of the day she and her kin would have to fight for their beliefs. Her skin is pale, her grey eyes set off by her shock of black hair that falls in soft waves to her waist. Full crimson lips quick to smile. Soft arms quick to pull you into a comforting hug. Being more comfortable in men's clothing, Inzillomí still understands the importance of looking "proper" by other people's standards and compromises by wearing gowns with fitted bodices, but flared skirts for easy riding. Being less than fond of the high-class style of covering ones legs, but showing a large expanse of one's bosum, Inzillomi has her gowns made with a simple but high neck. Inzillomi is ever the proper lady, at least when people are watching.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Shares her husband's (Abârpânarú Karíbzîr) love for horses. Adores her husband, loves her daughter. Loves Marsillion as a son and Ziraphel as a sister. She's the type of woman that anyone can go to for anything, and she can solve most problems with no honor lost on any side. She is a rather typical "housekeeper" sort, preferring to do household work herself, but when the hired help complains that they'll soon be out of a job, she meekly retreats to the sidelines. Inzillomí is not the type to sit by and watch others do the work, preferring to do anything she is capable of, which is much. Although Inzillomí tends to be right (and stemming from that, strong-minded), if her husband or her father inform her that she's not, she immediately steps down. Her strengths are mostly her people skills and her strategic mind, but her weaknesses are her love for her family, her horses, and anyone under her watch. She refuses to "sacrifice one for the good of the many", believing that the "many" is nothing without each individual "one". Not remarkably fond of ships.

HISTORY: The oft forgotten sister of Isildur and Anárion, Inzillomí had a happy and innocent childhood. Named Flower of the Night for her brilliantly black hair, she was fondly called Mórelóte (Quenya for Dark Flower) by her father Elendil. Growing up in a Faithful household, Inzi knew little else until she was full grown, her father having refrained from informing her. As the only daughter of Elendil, Inzillomí is fluent in Sindarin, with a firm grasp of Quenya. One afternoon while Inzillomí was out riding, a heavy fog rolled in leaving her lost and somewhat nervous. Stumbling, she fell and hurt her ankle. Her horse bolted. Drawn by her cries, Abârpânarú Karíbzîr, riding one of his precious kariborim, came to her aid. Falling in love, they married in 3279. As a young couple, the two lived in a large house just outside of Andunië. Raising the former slave, Tiru, Inzillomí and Abârpânarú taught him their beliefs and came to think of him as part of the family. In 3287, a daughter, Kâthâani, was born.

Drawing on her own upbringing and her husband's beliefs, the two taught their beloved Cerveth the old values and passed on their love and trust of the Valar. Inzillomí and Abârpânarú made a point to never discuss their prominence amongst the hidden Faithful with their daughter until she became of an age to understand. In the early 3300s the small household relocated to a smaller home further outside the city where they soon became an important contact point for the Faithful still braving the West. Abârpânarú's sister Ziraphel lived with the family and in 3317 her son Marsillion came to stay. As political tensions heated, Inzillomí urged her husband to send those members of the household who would not be missed by the King's Men east. With word from Elendil expected any day, apprehension rose in the house of Karíbzîr.

-----------------------------

Explanation: I know it's not canon for Elendil to have a daughter, but given that she was Elendili when I got her and there isn't enough an age gap for her to be anything else, she's become Isildur's little sister. This also would add an extra bit of why Elendil refuses to sail without this group: his daughter and her family are part of it.

Fea

[littlemanpoet]

I finally have my password memorized. No more reading now and posting later after I forgot half the stuff I was going to say.

Feanor of the Peredhil, I love your post. Abarpâ will have be dreaming fondly of his wife while he is in prison. :)

Sophia and I have already discussed, and like the idea of Inzillomi as daughter of Elendil; though not strictly canonical, it's not such a stretch. Wasn't it in the writing of LotR that Tolkien discovered Galadriel and had to rewrite the Sil? Well, I doubt he's rolling over in his grave over this. ;)

One point to quibble over: The Elendili, as members of the Faithful, would be more likely to embrace female inheritance than the King's Men. It was Ar Pharazon who usurped his wife's rightful title as Queen by forcibly marrying her. So that's the only thing I can think of that needs to be revised in your post. - LMP

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

LMP: Inzillomi's inheritance I contested myself, but I'd left it there under the thought process that it explains part of why she and Kath made Abar promise to pass everything on to his daughter, it also explains partially why Inzi's "forgotten" by Tolkien when Elendil gave his sons kingdoms in Middle Earth, and I figured that Elendil didn't do it maliciously, but just kind of figured that his daughter was already married to a nice successful guy and that she didn't need the inheritance. However it does make Elendil seem like a bit of a jerk, so shall I just leave that comment out of her history?

Fea

[littlemanpoet]

Why don't we just say that this is a piece of the history of the Faithful that has recently been unearthed, and that Elendil actually did give Inzillomi the inheritance she had coming? Which might explain why Isildur had so little to do with the sea coasts of Eriador..... ;) :D

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Pio, I edited my bio a little.

Edit placed ~*~ Pio

[piosenniel]

A question:

Is Inzillomi really only a 'Cameo' character?

Or will she be in the entire game?

When does she make her appearance?

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

She's going to be, I think, a minor character; rather than a major character or a cameo. She'll be in the beginning of the game, up until recently after the rescue party leaves Andunie. Her role will be to both commission us, and to tell of the departure of the rest of the Faithful families from Andunie.

She will possibly (to be decided when we see how it will work out practically) check in with a "elsewhere, thus and such is going on..." sort of post that will just show what's going on with the families. Doesn't look like any rescuers have any living parents among them, which is kind of unfortunate. But perhaps some of them have cousins? This checking in would be like, three times during the Armenelos phases of the game.

She will be at the end, from when the Rescuers reach Romenna through the Epilogue.

So it's more than a cameo. But less than a Rescuer. Does that make sense?

Fea- Wow, Inzillomi sounds like quite a tough girl! I was a little wowed when I saw it, but after reading the rest of her bio, I think it fits the rest of her personality. I imagine she's perceptive enough to know when to use her considerable weaponry skills and when to keep them to herself. ;) I think we should get your first post now too, since you're in at the beginning.

Sophia

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Wow. I scored a wow. :D

"elsewhere, thus and such is going on..."

It makes me slightly sad that even though they own horses, I probably won't be allowed to use the term "mean while, back at the ranch". :p Would there be a set place/time for these hey-look-at-the-rest-of-us posts? I'll obviously be keeping tabs on everyone's posting, but it would be easier if I had a general idea of about when I should toss my own post.

I imagine she's perceptive enough to know when to use her considerable weaponry skills and when to keep them to herself.
Indeed. And I'll get that post in soon... Not tonight (I've gotta run), but maybe tomorrow. If not, certainly Friday.

Fea

[piosenniel]

Since Fea is going to start the game - I do want a first post from her.

Have you PM'd Menel that he needs to get his edits done?

And when will alaklondewen have her bio on board?

There is still one player to pick up, correct - when the Discussion Thread opens? So, that will delay the start of the game until that is filled.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Meneltarmacil could you clear your pms?

Thanks.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Quick question... did Abarpa plan on returning to Andunie after he brought the kariborim to Romenna? If the remaining Faithful knew that the King's Men were looking for him, they would also know how dangerous it would be for him to be travelling back and forth across Numenor.

Oh, one other thing: if the remaining Faithful didn't know that Elendil planned on sailing, than why was Abarpa bringing the kariborim East anyhow?

~F

[littlemanpoet]

Good questions. My thought was that Abarpa and Kathaani would stay unless there was another emergency, with the understanding that their friends and family back in Andunie would hasten by sea, since there is the ship coming for them. Although now it sounds like there may be a forced march! Hmmm.....?

I do believe that the remaining faithful knew that Elendil planned on sailing; otherwise the rationale for getting the kariborim to Romenna is missing. Is there some post that leads you to understand the opposite? Please let us know so that we can correct that! :eek:

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Azarmanô went down on the shore and waited for Tiru, the contact from the local Faithful who usually met him and took delivery of the supplies. Today Tiru did not look pleased. His face was wan and nervous and he was moving fast. Azarmanô called out in anticipation, “I have news for you. You must gather the others and tell them that the time has come for us to leave Númenor. Elendil gathers the fleet in the east for the Faithful to depart. We can wait no longer. Tell your neighbors to gather in this cove and I will take them to where Elendil’s ships are gathering in the eastern bay.”
Regin's post ^ made me think that they knew Elendil planned on sailing, but didn't really have a particular time set yet. But that's just my own misunderstanding, so no biggie. Here's my first post... feel free to critique:

----------------------------

POSTED TO PROPOSAL - PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU EDIT IT -- PIO

The rain poured from the black clouds like so many thousand tears. Lightening lit the tormented sky as another wave shifted the ground. Inzillomí Elendili moved quietly through the shadows of the awnings, coming in from the stables. From cosseting her black mare, Alya, the mistress of the house had been startled by the sound of pounding hoofbeats. Reaching the house before her unknown guests, Inzillomí went to her sitting room and settled quickly, picking up a piece of embroidery on her way. To a stranger, it would look as though she had been sewing quietly for some time. A fist pounded on the oaken doors, echoing through the large house. She rose gracefully, gliding delicately to the entry way. Meeting a maid in the hallway, she waved her off silently. Opening the heavy doors, she was faced with a full guard of the King's Men. Briefly she wondered where her own guards were, until she saw a flash of silver in the doorway of the stables. One man stepped forward.

"To what do I owe this honor?" Inzillomí asked cautiously. She knew this man; they had been childhood companions. These days, however, it did not pay to trust those you once knew. The uniformed man hesitated as streams of water ran down his cheeks. "Officer, it is raining and my floor is getting wet. Either state your business or come in for a cup of tea, but I will not tolerate the warping of a perfectly good door frame because of carelessness."

The officer nearly laughed, quickly hiding his smile with a well-timed cough. He had been sent to escort the out of favor families to Rómenna but he felt compassion for them. He had known Inzillomí for many years. "Inzi--" he caught himself. Standing up taller, his smile vanished. It was one thing to be compassionate, another to be soft. He had his orders. "Mistress Inzillomí, the King offers you the honor of relocating your family to Rómenna. You will please pack only what you can carry on one horse. You will please be ready in one hour. Your escort will be waiting outside your doors to ensure that you do not lose your way to the front garden."

Hiding her panic, Inzillomí smiled at her childhood friend. Snake! her mind screamed. "No." she replied calmly.

"You must excuse me, Mistress, but I thought I heard you say "no". You are please to be aware that you have no choice."

"I am and I do. I have business today that will not wait, as I am sure you will quite understand. You will have to return tomorrow when my family is all together and prepared. I will not leave without them, and I will not leave my belongings behind. May your day be as peace-filled as my own." With that, Inzillomí politely shut the door in the officers' faces.

Hoping her audacity would not serve to get them all killed, Inzillomí spared a fearful moment wondering at the whereabouts of her family. She peered out the window, seeing the King's Men clustered in a small group. Suddenly the men scattered, mounting up and set off down the road. Short-lived relief filled Inzillomí as the rain slowed. As quickly as the storm had begun, it was over. Within a short time, the sun shone brightly, drying the land. A brisque wind pulled crimson leaves from the trees and Inzillomí, tired and worried, walked alone through her garden admiring the last dark blossoms of the season. Azarmanô was due with tidings from Elendil any hour; Marsillion had gone to meet his cousin; Abârpânarú and Kâthaanî would not be returning. Inzillomí's family was scattered and she was left to lead the remaining Anannost to whatever end. It was her responisibility to get her people safely to the East. Suddenly, heavy hoof beats filled the air once more. Turning quickly on her heel, Inzillomí Elendili ran, skirts billowing in the wind, her hair streaming out behind her, hurrying to meet unexpected visitors for the second time in so many hours.

[piosenniel]

Sophia

Please see post #140 - where was that info about the Kariborim supposed to be edited in?

~*~ Pio

[Meneltarmacil]

EDIT POSTED ~*~ PIO

-----

All swords have been removed from my post, and the level of violence has been toned down a great deal. Thoronmir does in fact possess a sword, but it's more of an "In case of emergency, break glass" item than anything else. If he does carry it on him, it's usually concealed.

[alaklondewen]

POSTED TO PROPOSAL - PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU EDIT IT ~*~ PIO

NAME: Monôizindu Igmizadan

AGE: 113

RACE: Númenorian

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: If Monôizindu is going to only be around his shop, he will carry a long dagger tucked beneath his clothes. Its blade is narrow and has a dulled silver hilt. He does not remember the last time it was used as a weapon, but it does come in handy as an everyday tool. When traveling to the outlying farms, he will carry the bow his father had made for each of his sons. It is of sturdy wood with golden stars engraved along the back.


APPEARANCE: Monôizindu has been a large man in his lifetime. He stands just slightly above the average height of a Númenorian man and still his frame is thick, but muscle that was built around his sturdy bones is now only a hint of its former stature. His face is long and is covered by a well-kept, short beard that shows a slight reddish tint that contrasts with his dark brunet hair. His blue eyes are clear and full of life as they overlook his slightly widened nose. A small scar can be seen across the bridge of his nose. Monôizindu’s face and arms are slightly tanned from the short time he spends out of doors each day, but over the last months his face has a pale appearance, despite the color.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Monôizindu has a strong sense of morality and a high standard by which he lives. He is outgoing and kind, so that he easily gains trust from others, whether warranted or not. This quality aids in his position of staying hidden among the people in Armenelos and being trusted by those in opposition of the goals and beliefs of the Faithful. His downfall could possibly be how easily he opens his heart to people. He is careful, in that he doesn’t let on who he really is, but he cares for those that he knows will be destroyed if the Valar lash out against Númenor.


HISTORY: The second of five sons that grew up on the family plantation, Monôizindu learned at an early age the value of hard work. Despite the focus on physical labor, Monôizindu’s father, Izindibatân, made a tremendous effort to educate his sons in the rich history of their country and that of the Eldar.

Once he came of the age to do so, Monôizindu attended military school where he learned the importance of discipline in life. Of all the lessons he learned, the clearest was how precious life is and how quickly one can lose it. It was an icy day and the young men were to take a small boat out on the river to perform a maneuver they had done many times. This time, however, something went terribly wrong and Monôizindu was sent over the edge of the boat into the freezing water. When he hit the water, he bashed his head on a large rock and went unconscious. Fortunately, one of the other students, a young man named Abârpânarú, jumped in the water after him and pulled him to safety. In the weeks that followed, Monôizindu became very ill as he had swallowed a lot of water, and Abârpânarú came and sat with him everyday. The two became close, and Monôizindu cherished the friendship into adulthood.

During his early adulthood, Monôizindu moved into Armenelos with his older brother, Adûntârik. The pair bought a run-down shop and, after a bit of remodeling, they shared a small business in the center of the city’s market. To remain among the few hidden Faithful in Armenelos, Monôizindu uses his charisma to befriend the people who readily come through his shop, and from them, he easily obtains infor

mation pertinent to the Faithful’s cause.

~*~*~
If it's too rough, let me know what I can fix. Thanks!

~Alak

[piosenniel]

It looks like every thing is done.

Shall I open the discussion thread for the game? There is only one cameo character to pick up; that is, if you decide you still need that character.

---

SOPHIA:

You need to start looking at posts and decide what order you want them placed on the game.

Please do so by PLAYER name

~*~ Pio

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Players/Characters

Main Characters

littlemanpoet - Abârpânarú Karíbzîr/Mabalar Melethroch (the captive)
Sophia the Thunder Mistress – Kâthaanî Karíbzîr/Cerveth (the captive’s daughter)
Feanor of the Peredhil - Inzillomí Elendili/Mórelóte (the captive’s wife)


TomBrady12 – Nimilroth Narâkmanô/Marsillion Thoronfaer- rescuer
Himaran - Abârzadan Batânzâira/Turmeawa Mélatrevad – rescuer
Regin Hardhammer - Azarmanô Hazadbawîba/Elenfairë Ostovaivar – rescuer
Meneltarmacil – Sakaladûn/Thoronmir – rescuer
samsmyhero - Tiru (Azulan/Arkrision) – rescuer

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Cameo Characters

alaklondewen - underground contact in Armenelos


Nilpaurion Felagund - Sakîlbel/Cirion Falassil (sailor, Númenorean male)

~*~


1 sailor - Númenorean male (Elendil may be used but must be true to character. Will only appear at end of story while the Faithful attempt to leave the bay)
** PLAYER STILL NEEDED **

[littlemanpoet]

Great bio, Alak! One quibble and one speculation. First the quibble.

he easily obtains information pertinent to the Faithful’s cause.

Such a task would never be easy. I'd say "skillfully" would really well. Like I said, it's a quibble. :D

Now for the speculation. I can imagine Abarpanaru saying something like, "Monôizindu gave his life for my freedom. I will not allow his sacrifice to be for naught." Not that a death must occur, but I just thought I'd bring up the possibility.

[Regin Hardhammer]

There seems to be some question about how much the sect of the faithful knew about Erendil's departure. Orignially, I had envisioned that they did not know at all about the journey across the ocean. In samsmyhero's post, he seems to indicate that they did know generally, but that they had no idea when it would happen.

...if they missed the sailing for the east...

But my post doesn't really specify how much information they had already, so there was no need for sam to edit his post. Please tell me if this is okay, if not I will be glad to edit it for more clarification.

[Himaran]

Now that all characters (except for the one that shows up at the end of the game) have gotten their stuff in, can we get started? Or should we wait for that final person to be procured....? Looking forward to the game!

Himaran

[piosenniel]

THIS IS THE LAST POST FOR THE PLANNING THREAD

[piosenniel]

*** THIS IS THE FIRST POST FOR THE DISCUSSION THREAD ***




Sophia the Thunder Mistress invites you to play in her game:

Prisoner of Númenor

~*~

Historical Information:

During the reign of King Ar-Pharazôn, the Númenorean army sailed for Middle-Earth with the intent of overthrowing Sauron. However, because Saruon surrendered peacefully to Ar-Pharazôn he was not destroyed but instead brought back to Númenor as a prisoner. Through his considerable guile and flattery, Sauron worked his way into Ar-Pharazôn’s trust until he achieved nearly godlike status in Númenor.

After the commissioning of a temple in Armenelos Sauron’s cult worship is at its height. He has convinced not only Ar-Pharazôn but also many of the general population that the Ban of the Valar (the decree forbidding men to sail to Aman) was designed to hold them back.

The climate in Númenor has becoming increasingly hostile to the Elves and the Valar. The use of any language but Adûnaic has been banned. The King’s Men, who side with Ar-Pharazôn in opposing the Valar are based in Armenelos (Arminalêth in Adûnaic), while the Faithful who remain allied with the elves rally around the Lords of Andunië. They have been removed from Andunië and sent to Rómenna where the King’s Men can more easily watch them and occasionally capture and sacrifice them in the temple of Sauron.

The previous Lord of Andunië , Amandil, and his son Elendil, sensed the impending doom of Númenor. Amandil set sail secretly to beg the mercy of the Valar. He has not been seen or heard of since. The new Lord of Andunië, Elendil, has prepared ships on which the Faithful will make their escape should the wrath of the Valar be unleashed against Númenor.

Recently Ar-Pharazôn took a large fleet of ships and sailed toward Valinor, determined to become the first mortal to set foot on the Undying Lands since Eärendil. He will land any day. Númenor’s decline is nearly over; Westernesse is shortly to be destroyed.

[piosenniel]

Basic Storyline:

While making a trip to Rómenna, an important underground leader of the Faithful, Abârpânaru Karíbzîr, is arrested by agents of the King’s Men scant days before they’re supposed to board one of Elendil’s ships. When the few remaining Faithful at Andunië (who go by the name of the Anannost, the “House of Many Years”) receive word of his capture, his daughter, Kâthaanî is determined to rescue him from jail against his explicit instructions. A small rescue party mounted on Númenor’s swiftest horses is sent. Meanwhile the remaining People of the Anannost must travel from Andunië to Rómenna to board the ships. The Rescuers must save Abârpânaru and get back to the ships at Rómenna, before the Faithful sail without them.

[piosenniel]

The purpose of the story is: To find and rescue Abârpânaru, to escort the Anannost safely to Elendil’s ship, to escape the Akallabêth.

This means we will know the story is over when: The Anannost are safe and Númenor is drowned.

Starting Location: Andunië

Likely Destination: The Great Ocean, post-wave.

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Timeframes:

This game takes place in the autumn of the year 3319 SA

The storyline itself or plot covers approximately 6 weeks.

This game requires a time commitment of 12 weeks from the moderator, game owner, and major players.

[piosenniel]

Sophia the Thunder Mistress' character

NAME: Kâthaanî Karíbzîr/ “Cerveth” Adaneth Melethroch

AGE: 32

RACE: Men, Númenorean

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: Kâthaanî carries a long bladed (rather dull) knife with a tarnished silver hilt which she uses more frequently as a sort of all purpose tool than a weapon. She has been known to use it to pry open simple locks.

APPEARANCE: Cerveth is tall (about 6’2”) and more lean than slender. She is long-bodied and narrow, not muscular and slightly wider at the shoulders than the hips. She is dark of hair and grey of eye with a long nose and a well-defined jaw for a woman. She is quite clever with her hands and can manipulate various contraptions easily (locks, tack) She is somewhat ill at ease in the elaborate costumes of the Númenorean upperclass women feeling far more comfortable in simple dresses and with her hair pulled loosely out of her face, and will frequently wears men’s clothes when she needs to ride astride.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Kâthaanî is impulsive, stubborn, and easily carried away—but rarely blatantly disobedient. She has a tendency to speak first and think about the consequences later, but as she matures she has begun to learn to control her tongue. She has a concrete sense of right and wrong; she has lived in a fairly sheltered world (even with the turmoil in Númenor) and has rarely encountered a situation where the moral choice is not instantly clear. She has never gotten along well with young women of her age, and consequently has spent much of her time with adults since her early teens. Because of this Kâthaanî considers herself extremely mature, whether or not her belief is correct is a different matter entirely.

HISTORY: Kâthaanî Karíbzîr was born the only child of Abârpânaru Karíbzîr and his wife, Inzillomí, in midsummer of the year 3287. Often called Cerveth, after the month of her birth, she spent her childhood years in a large house on the inland side of Andunië. She sometimes envied those who lived nearer the coast, but their house was ideally situated for her father’s horse breeding, opening as it did on the plains. Her childhood was as uneventful and sheltered as possible, given the circumstances in her homeland. The inner conflict in Númenorean society was almost unknown to her, even though her parents were among the Faithful, as they chose not to discuss it with her until she had reached a responsible age. Nevertheless, the values they taught her were the values of the Old Houses of Númenor. She is well read, her father studied with her as a child and during her youth she became familiar with much of the history of Númenor and some First Age history which has been preserved by the Faithful. She is one of the few Númenoreans of her generation to become fluent in Sindarin and has learned some words in Quenya as well.

Her father began training her in the care of his horses, and particularly the Kariborim as soon as she was old enough, and by her early teens she was an accomplished horsewoman with a sound understanding of her charges and several generations of the most important bloodlines memorized.

As Kâthaanî matured she began to realize that her parents’ views did not reflect the views of much of Númenorean society and she quickly became as ardently Faithful as the rest of her family. In her early twenties her family relocated to a smaller more modest house farther outside the city which quickly became the focal point for the group of the Faithful remaining in Andunië (the Anannost?).

At the turn of the year 3319 Kâthaanî is taking more responsibility for Abârpânaru’s horses as he is taking more responsibility for the family’s political commitments. He has recently returned from a trip to Rómenna and announced that Elendil, the son of Amandil, will soon be leaving Númenor for the Elven Realms in Lindon. Kâthaanî is a little frightened by this news, as her father has every intention of leading the Anannost? to Rómenna to join the soon-to-be-Exiles as soon as possible. She is also disappointed because her father had promised her the foal from his planned breeding of Khibil and Lômi, and it is unlikely that he will follow through with the breeding this spring if they will soon be traveling.

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Sophia the Thunder Mistress'/littlemanpoet's post ------ FIRST FOR GAME

A heavy, grey sky hung over the capital city of Westernesse. Rain had fallen for the last three days and the air was thick with moisture. The white walls of Arminalêth shone dully in the semidarkness and the late Ivanneth trees clung stubbornly to their last brown leaves. The land trembled; the island had shifted several times in the recent past, and now she gave another quick heave as though irritated by the tall Men who walked on her shores. As the ground quieted the skies stirred, and the boiling grey clouds which hovered over Armenelos began to drop hail. A dark haired woman looked up at the sky as pea-sized bits of ice began to bounce off the ground around her feet. She grabbed the hands of two small children and ushered them inside. As the door closed loudly behind them the hail began to fall in earnest, egg sized hailstones hammering on the rooftops of the unnaturally quiet city. As the hailstorm passed, the grey clouds blew east on a brisk wind and a billowy white cloud shaped like a great eagle cast its shadow across the land.

Abârpânarú Karíbzîr and Kâthaanî, his daughter and only child, rode along the southern faces of the fir and larch covered moors of Forostar. They could afford to ride as fast as the wind, with seven Kariborim between them. Abâr was afraid that word of their route had reached the King's Men. Abârpânarú was riding night-black Lômi while Kâthaanî rode chestnut Izri, the youngest foal of Khibil and Kali, who with their other foals, Nitirú, Rûki, and Mani galloped close at hand.

Word had reached them before they left home, that the King's Men were looking for Abârpânarú as a traitor to the King. It was true enough, if being one of the Faithful amounted to betrayal. The Forostar, the least fertile of the Númenorean regions, was least populous, and Abârpânarú had deemed it the way that would give them most shelter from the eyes of the King's Men. The ground was stony, which would give greater difficulty to other horsemen, but not the sure-footed Kariborim.

Suddenly the land dropped and the air cooled, and they came among fertile fields of grain, which were the beginning of the Orrostar. They rounded a final hill and must stop of a sudden. They were faced by twenty horsemen.

"You may go no further, traitor!" called one man whose black helm rose taller than the others.

"Go back, Kâthaanî! Make haste!" Kâthaanî obeyed immediately, calling the barebacked Kariborim as she turned her mount and charged back around the hill. Khibil, Abârpânarú's usual mount, did not follow. Abârpânarú hollered and slapped Khibil's rump and sent him chasing after the others.

"Do not let them get away!" cried the leader of the King's Men.

"You have me! Let them go!" Abârpânarú bellowed. The ears of the horses of the King's Men laid back, such was the force of his voice. He took the eyes of their leader and held them. The two strove, and at last the leader gave way.

"We have our quarry."

Abârpânarú dismounted from Lômi. "Go find Kâthaanî." Lômi stood next to Abârpânarú, unmoving. He looked in Lômi's deep brown eyes. "Go!" he whispered. She breathed on his neck, looking straight into his eyes. "They will do you harm!" She nickered. He sighed. "May I prove worthy of your love, dear one."

Kâthaanî paused on the far side of the hill. The clatter of hard hooves in the stones fell to silence all around her as five of the Kariborim joined Izri in the dell behind the hill. Five. Lômi, then, had remained with her father; though whether she was kept by her own will or Abârpânarú’s, or by some design of his captors, Kâthaanî could not tell. Dismounting quickly from Izri, she left the horses and crept down through the brush and boulders to where she could see the road.

Cursing herself inwardly for her clumsiness, she stood behind a cluster of fir and looked out toward the place where her father had been taken. As she caught sight of the men gathered on the road below, Kâthaanî breathed a sigh of relief. She realized they were yet far enough away that her pitiful attempts at stealth would not have been heard, and cloaked in brown as she was, she judged herself unlikely to be seen. She watched as Abârpânarú’s hands were bound roughly behind him and Lômi’s reins were tied to the saddle of one of the waiting horses. The riders remounted, and the column moved along the road. South, toward Armenelos. Kâthaanî watched, unmoving, until the horses disappeared into the plains.

Turning back to where she had left the Kariborim, Kâthaanî ran to them, tying her dark hair into a tighter knot on her neck and pinning her cloak more securely. She paused as she reached the horses, the tension in their bodies evident. She kissed Izri’s soft nose before turning to Nitirú, the swiftest among them. “You must bear me now, friend; and we will run more swiftly than ever we have run before.” Although she knew that she would never find help in time to rescue her father before they reached Arandor and the Royal City, there was nothing else for her to do.

Upon mounting, Kâthaanî headed down out of the foothills toward the road. Once they reached the open lands of Andustar she could take to the fields, but for now great speed required great risk and they ran on the open road. Nitirú’s feet struck sparks from the gravel as the dark haired girl and the iron grey horse flew toward Andunië, the other five trailing behind them like so many leaves in the wind.

[piosenniel]

littlemanpoet's character

NAME: Abârpânarú Karíbzîr - Strong Handed Man Lover of Horses; Mabalar Melethroch

AGE: 112

RACE: Numenorean

GENDER: male

WEAPONS : Bow that is an heirloom of his house, handed down to the eldest child; bears the stylized, rampant horse of Karíbzîr heraldry, black on white; the bow is white with silver filigree after the manner of leaves on vines. Kept on his person, a knife, quarter of a ranga in length, same filigree, also an heirloom. Straight, with a silver hilt. Its blade is straight and slender but strong.

APPEARANCE: 6 feet, 8 inches (not so tall for a Numenorean, I guess...) Raven black hair, clear face, long nose but not too long. Not too full lips. High cheek bones. Lean but not thin. Grey eyes. His war and hunting weapon is the bow. He keeps a long knife with him, an ancestral one with a silver hilt. Its blade is straight and slender but strong.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Abârpânarú is a great lover of horses, as are all of his household. He is one of the Faithful, and most loyal to his kin, then friends. He is aware of the hope of the Elendili to take flight by ship to the shores of Middle Earth in case of the uttermost failure of Numenor. He is clever of mind and tongue, learned, and counted wise by those who know him well; except for one folly: the Kariborim (known in later years as mearas). There are six: two stallions, Khibil (spring) and Nitirú (kindler); and four mares, Kali (woman), Izri (beloved), Lômi (night), and Mani (spirit). It is said of Abârpânarú that they are both his strength and his weakness. He loves them dearly and his commitment to their care and removal from the island is at war with his loyalties to kin, friends, and the Faithful. He would that all goes well, but would find it difficult to choose between kin and the kariborim; harder yet to choose between them and friends. He also keeps forty karibi, stock from Middle Earth, and loves them well, but not as dearly as his kariborim.

HISTORY: Born in 3207, Abârpânarú was the eldest son of Adúnzâirû (west-longing). He has a younger sister, Ziraphel (beloved daughter) born in 3222, who is married to one of the Faithful; Abârpânarú and Inzillomi have one daughter, Kâthâani. Abârpânarú considers his daughter the rightful heiress to all he owns, and remembers the sorrows that have befallen the House of Elros, not least because the rights of first born daughters have been forgotten. He has sworn an oath to his wife and daughter that it would not be so in the House of Karibizir.

Abârpânarú was trained in the care of his family's kariborim, and has trained his daughter in their care. Legend would later have it among the Rohirrim that Béma (Oromë) brought them from west over sea, and so it may be; but this line of mearas, or kariborim, were a gift to the Dúnedain from the Elves of Tol Erresëa, and the house of Karíbzîr was the only one in Numenor who still kept them. In the year 3279 he married Inzillomí Elendili (flower of the night), daughter of Elendil, and named for her full head of raven hair at birth, one of the Faithful, of the house of Elendil.

It is his deepest desire that his seven kariborim should be on board to make the trip. Since Ar Pharazon has left, he has been working ceaselessly to move his kariborim from Andunié in the west, to Romenna in the east, without raising suspicion. He and his daughter Kâthâani have been riding them across the island, to deliver them to his wife's family in Romenna so that they may be taken aboard ship. The King's Men, a dozen in number, confront them, and are bent on taking them captive for treason. Abârpânarú knows that Kâthâani has a palantir in her keeping, in the saddlebag of one of the kariborim. He places himself at the mercy of the King's Men, and sends his daughter and the kariborim away.... but Lomi, his mount, will not leave him. He convinces them not to capture his daughter, and the palantir is kept safe. Both are captured and brought back to Armenelos, imprisoned. His bow is taken from him. He wants it back, but it is not nearly as important to him as the kariborim, or the palantir.

[piosenniel]

TomBrady12's character

NAME: Marsillion Thoronfaer/Nimilroth Narâkmanô

AGE: 52

RACE: Human/Númenorean

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Ziraphel, the mother of Marsillion, presented him with the sword of his father on the eve of his departure for Middle Earth. It was originally intended as a marriage present, but Ziraphel deemed Marsillion's situation dangerous, and felt that he may need to carry a sturdy blade on his person. His mother's forethought proved very useful, as Marsillion used the sword on many occasions. The blade is 33 inches in length, and 2 2/3 inches wide. Its long handle is of a dark brown wood, and intended for two handed use. The guard is short, and of polished silver, as is the crown shaped pommel, the most prominent feature of the sword. This weapon is wielded in similar fashion to an axe. Its wide heavy blade, and two handed design make it an ideal hacking weapon. Marsillion is very adept with the sword as he has participated in a number of skirmishes and small battles, most of which against attacking bandits on the wild roads of Middle Earth.

Marsillion has some skill with a bow; however, he prefers to fight with the sword, and leave the bow for hunting. Marsillion also carries a long dagger inside his boot at all times. He has done so since he was given the blade before his first hunting trip as a young boy.

APPEARANCE: Average height for a Númenorean, Marsillion stands 6'6'' and is of a muscular, heavy build. He is by all means a physical presence. He is stronger than most men his age. His wide shoulders and strong arms contrast slightly with his lingering boyish features. His shoulder length hair is dark blond and wispy, even in light breezes. He is very fair skinned, with a dark brow, and no facial hair covering his strong jawline.

PERSONALITY: Marsillion is still young, and at times suffers lapses of judgment, but is, at his core, kind hearted and generous. He tends to be quiet and reflective, usually content to watch as others bicker and squabble around him, but once inspired to action he can be quite fiery. He is not above taking the counsel of older, wiser souls, but can make quick decisions when situations require it. He is well educated, and quick witted. His years traversing Middle Earth have made him mature beyond his years.

HISTORY: Marsillion was born in 3267 at his family home in Andunië. He was the second and youngest child of Azaruth Narâkmanô and Ziraphel Karíbzîr. His sister, Nîlomîth, was much older than he, and married when he was just a young boy. His father was a renowned naval officer, who through a series of military victories, achieved a nearly iconic status. Ziraphel, the sister of Abârpânaru, was a member of the Faithful, and worked tirelessly to convince Azaruth to retire from the King’s service and join the Faithful. She was a convincing speaker, and her reasoning soon changed Azaruth's loyalties. Marsillion endeavored to be like his father in all ways, and planned to follow his path into the military. Azaruth; however, forbade Marsillion to join the military, stating that fighting for the King was no longer an honorable profession. Azaruth became a prominent leader of the Faithful. He found his fame a curse as well as a blessing, though he was able to convince many people to join the faithful he often found it extremely difficult to keep any secrecy in his life. Ar-Pharazôn got wind of Azaruth's betrayal and sent troops to arrest him in the fall of 3305. When the troops arrived Azaruth and Marsillion were relaxing in the garden outside their Andunië home discussing Marsillion's future, as he would soon be a man. Ar-Pharazôn’s men broke into the home and came upon the two in the garden. They seized Azaruth, and commanded Marsillion to vow fealty to the King, or be arrested. Azaruth, knowing he would be killed, ordered Marsillion to swear the oath to Ar-Pharazôn, and tearfully Marsillion obeyed. Azaruth was beaten in front of friends and family in Andunië before being taken to Armenelos. He was sacrificed to Melkor in the temple of Armenelos on the coldest afternoon of the winter of 3305.

In 3312, at 45, Marsillion became apprentice to Sâpathan Gimilzayân, the head tax and tribute collector of the Númenorean holdings in Middle Earth. Marsillion traveled Middle Earth, from petty kingdom to kingdom, with Sâpathan, collecting treasures beyond his imagination to be shipped back to Númenor. He saw the strain the people of Middle Earth were under, and it went to his heart. It was his job to weasel all the treasures he could from people who fought everyday just to feed their families. Already angry and bitter with Ar-Pharazôn for the murder of his father, Marsillion's rage was fueled as he witnessed the intense greed of his own people.

While traveling, his party was attacked on many occasions by bandits, as well as by local militias. Marsillion found fighting to be a good release for his pent up anger. These attacks, helped make him a strong warrior, even though he was technically not supposed to participate in battle. Marsillion befriended the company of warriors who served as his bodyguard, and with their help he became a master swordsman. His swordsmanship was the only positive gain Marsillion saw from his time in Middle Earth; however, in truth he gained maturity, compassion, and mercy, which were lessons he probably would have learned slowly, or missed completely, had he stayed in Númenor. Tax collector was no position for a compassionate man, and Marsillion did not last long. Being under contract, he could not quit his job, so by night, in the summer of 3317, he came to Umbar and hired a private merchant to sail him back to Númenor. With luck, the ship (the Azargimil) avoided the King's Navy and arrived off the coast a few miles north of Andunië. Marsillion loaded his possessions into a small raft and came ashore alone under the cover of darkness. Travelling secretly and using the name Abârkan, he came at last to his uncle, Abârpânaru Karíbzîr's home outside Andunië, where his mother had dwelt since the death of his father.

Marsillion lived secretly in Andunië with the Karíbzîr family learning the ways of the Faithful, and becoming deeply imbedded in their plans. He grew quite close to his younger cousin Kâthaanî, and became her protector, so to speak. Marsillion found her reckless, and quite frequently in need of protection. He made it his task to look after her safety and well being, and from his arrival in early winter 3317, through the summer of 3319 he spent many hours bailing her out of the trouble she so easily found.

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TomBrady12's post

Marsillion sat quietly in a dark corner of an obscure Andunië inn sipping a pint of ale. The ale was poor, but that was the least of his trouble. He'd come to meet his cousin, Nusaphad Narâkmanô, who had summoned him here the night before. Nusaphad was fairly unskilled, had no taste for books or learning, nor for any serious forms of work. Luckily for him, he was born into a wealthy family, and had overachieving brothers to carry on the pride of his father. Nusaphad ran an Andunië inn belonging to his father as a pretense of work, but most who knew him knew that he consumed more ale then he sold. Marsillion, clever as he was, managed to find a use even for his lazy cousin.

Nusaphad's Inn, The Tîrevia, was a favorite gathering spot for the King's Men garrisoned in and around Andunië, and after a few pints of ale they were often more than willing to pull a slovenly underachiever into their confidence. Through Nusaphad, who was not a member of the faithful, Marsillion gained much information on the plans and movements of the King's Men.

When his older cousin at last slid into the semi dilapidated inn, Marsillion couldn't help but notice how little resemblance there was between them. Nusaphad's olive skin and thick black beard were a stark contrast to Marsillion's fair skin and clean face. Nusaphad took a seat across the table from Marsillion without a word.

“What then, cousin, have you called me here for?” Marsillion asked gingerly. News from Nusaphad was rarely good.

“Breakfast with an old friend not enough of a lure?” Nusaphad replied, with a sarcastic grin spreading across his bearded face.

“Aye,” Marsillion perked up, “the food in this dank hole is far from good, but I suspect it's a mite bit better than whatever news you've brought for me.”

“True enough,” Nusaphad said, the grin disappearing from his face. The smiling eyes that normally defined the otherwise drab man were devoid of light and rimmed in red. Dark matters he left to others when possible, preferring women and drink to matters of business. Marsillion could see that the role of spy was taking its toll on his cousin.

Nusaphad ordered a fresh pitcher of ale and waited for the waitress to leave. “The news is indeed worse than this ale, Nimilroth, a good deal worse in truth. Your mother's brother is in grave danger. The King's Men mean to arrest him on charges of treason,” Nusaphad said quietly, even though the inn was deserted except for the young waitress.

“Is that all you have for me cousin?” Marsillion asked, stretching his arms above his head and slowly getting to his feet. “Perhaps your ale has lost its potency, for we have known this for a fortnight. Besides, what proof is there? A serious charge requires serious proof.”

“Sit down Nimilroth,” Nusaphad replied with pity in his voice. “My ale is potent enough, and I've not told you all that I have brought you here for.” Marsillion sat down and stared hard into his cousin's unblinking eyes.

“Go on then,” was all he could say.

“The King's men have been watching your uncle for sometime and saw him and his daughter leave Andunië with his prized horses days ago. They know not only his destination, but also his intended route. A company of the King's Men lie in wait as we speak near the junction of Forostar and Orrostar. Your uncle is walking into a trap. And as for proof, it seems to me that Ar-Pharazôn needs none these days but that which his own mind can conjure.”

“Why have you not spoken of this before?” Marsillion demanded, the anger in his voice shattering the silence of the inn.

“I knew not until late in the evening,” Nusaphad said sheepishly, seemingly afraid of the strong armed young man he'd known for so long. “If I'd have ridden out myself to tell you we may both have been discovered.”

“I must go,” Marsillion nearly shouted as he jumped to his feet. He rushed to the door, knocking over a mug of beer on the way.

“You're gonna have to pay for that, mister!” the waitress shouted after him, but the words were meaningless in his ears. He had been there when his father was seized by the King years before. He had to get to Kâthaanî before it was too late. He could not allow her to undergo the same fate as he. The only sound to reach his ears was the beating rhythm of his young mare’s galloping footfalls, moving rapidly down the dirt street, into the east.

[piosenniel]

Regin Hardhammer's character

Name: Azarmanô Hazadbawîba/Elenfairë Ostovaivar

Race: Man/Númenorean

Gender: Male

Age: 85

Weapons: Azarmanô carries a longbow of the same type traditionally used in the Númenorean army. It is made of hollow-cored black steel with black-feathered arrows a full ell (45 inches) long. His great-grandfather was given this longbow for service to the King many years ago in a brighter time. Azarmanô has grown to be an excellent marksman, primarily using it to bring down game, but also in defending his ship against attack while on long sea voyages.

Appearance: Azarmanô stands firm at 6 foot 5 with shoulder length blonde hair that is the color of straw. His eyes shine with a vivid, scintillating blue.“Like sun, sparkling upon the face of the deep sea,” his father has often told him. He is slender, like his mother, and very well groomed. He often wears his favorite green wool cloak while sailing to repel water and offer protection against the buffeting winds.

Personality: Often with a smile on his face, Azarmanô generally takes a positive outlook on life, sometimes using his comic wit to get him through difficult situations. He is an excellent officer, aware of his men’s needs, striving to treat them in a just and equitable manner. Azarmanô is very much in love with his young wife and cares deeply for his son. He is aware of the need to balance his role as a ship’s captain with that of being a husband and father, and generally does a good job of this. His drive and determination coupled with his optimism and commitment to his loved ones define his personality and his basic view of life.

He is, however, very direct and can get impatient to finish the task at hand quickly and may become irritable. This impatience is currently exacerbated by the fact that his family is waiting to board the ship and sail, and he is separated from them.

History: Azarmanô comes from an ancient family, whose members originally worked as fishermen. Their knowledge of boats and the sea led them to become mariners, initially in the employ of the king. They had been one of the families that the Eldar had instructed in the art of navigation and deep sea voyaging. The Ostovaivars eventually rose to become independent shipwrights and ship-owners, but maintained close friendships with many of the Elven traders until the change of policies made such relations impossible. The Ostovaivars’ shipping interests continue to flourish. The family now commands one of the largest fleets in Númenor.

Azarmanô had been trained as an officer and was promoted to become the captain of his own vessel, the Gwaun, while still quite young. Over the years, he visited many settlements on Middle Earth, transporting Numenoreans and dealing various commodities with the local people. He strove to treat the locals with respect and compassion, offering them fair prices to the few who came to examine the goods he toted. His natural instinct was to teach them the art of catching fish, just as Azarmanô’s father had done for him. These lessons were difficult to depart, however, because the people were incredulous, some even hostile and many of their dealings with Númenor had left them with a strong distaste.

Despite Azarmanô’s best efforts, the relations between the men of Middle Earth and Númenor had been deteriorating since before his birth. Many Numenoreans oppressed the men of Middle Earth and made servants of them, without regard for their well-being. This savage treatment outraged Azarmanô and he vowed to redouble his efforts to befriend and aid them any way he could. His efforts had not been well received, but he resolved to continue in hopes that he could gain the trust of a few. But he had also found himself in situations where he had no choice but to unleash an arrow from his bow.

His father, whose fairë was tied to the sea, had acted as role model for Azarmanô and the son had always tried to live up to him. Although the father loved his son, he was often absent on trading missions in Middle-earth, so the boy did not see him very often. During these lengthy absences, his mother had to function on her own. She became very strong willed, a quality that she retained, never taking instructions from anyone other than her husband.

Azarmanô had married shortly after gaining the position of captain. His wife was a lovely woman named Eirien, the younger daughter of one of the nobles faithful to the Elven cause. Recently, the entire Ostovaivar family has been assisting Elendil in his plans for a possible emergency evacuation. Azarmanô’s wife, along with his mother, father, and two-year-old son Thoron, are presently back in Rómenna, waiting to depart on the Thor with the rest of the fleet.

Elendil had instructed Azarmanô to alert the remaining group in the west of the imminent departure to Middle-Earth, using one of his smaller, sleek vessels to ferry them about the southern coast of the Isle and back to the ships. He had departed for the west before the news of the imprisonment came.

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Regin Hardhammer's post

Azarmanô stared at the cove, which was surrounded on three sides by towering cliffs of sheer granite. It was a tight fit for the Gwan, but the ship slipped through the narrow opening just as it had done countless times before. The journey to the western part of the island had been placid, something that could not be said for many of his trips. Azarmanô marveled at how this group of the Faithful had been able to flout the King’s decree and refuse to move eastward as he himself had done some while ago. Of course, he was not often at home, but on board his ship engaged in various trading missions. He frequently traveled to the colonies with a shipload of goods from Númenor and traded these items with his fellow countrymen and whatever local merchants he could find who were still willing to deal with a man of Númenor. Despite his love of the sea and the joy he felt doing honest work, he often chafed at the length of these voyages, yearning to return to his radiant wife Eirien and his young son Thorin.

But today was no ordinary supply mission. Elendil had commanded him to sail west and pick up the last remaining Faithful and bring them back to join the others who had gathered at Rómenna and would soon be fleeing Númenor to sail across the oceans. It was with a heavy heart that Azarmanô prepared to bid farewell to his homeland. Despite persecution from the King and those who followed his lead, he still felt a strong attachment to the land of his fathers. But the departure from Númenor could not be avoided. Disaster and doom were fast approaching the land, punishment for man’s insolence. For many years, the kings had shunned the friendship of the Eldar in their greedy quest for immortality. Azarmanô understood the Faithful must depart across the sea before all was lost. Besides, he thought, he would still have the sea.

Azarmanô went down on the shore and waited for Tiru, the contact from the local Faithful who usually met him and took delivery of the supplies. Today Tiru did not look pleased. His face was wan and nervous and he was moving fast. Azarmanô called out in anticipation, “I have news for you. You must gather the others and tell them that the time has come for us to leave Númenor. Elendil gathers the fleet in the east for the Faithful to depart. We can wait no longer. Tell your neighbors to gather in this cove and I will take them to where Elendil’s ships are gathering in the eastern bay.”

Tiru replied in a rushed tone, “My friend, I’m afraid that we can not yet go. You see the King’s men have captured Abârpânarú Karíbzîr, my master. We have just found out the sad news, and people are needed to help in the rescue." Tiru looked up expectently and added, Perhaps you would be willing to come with us. We have need of another strong bow.”

“I would be honored to rescue the lifeblood of such a noble leader. But we must not tarry. Speed will be needed. Elendil’s ships wait for us to arrive so that they may depart. Every moment they delay is another chance for the King’s men to find the Faithful. My family also is on a ship that will cross the seas and I long to return to them soon. We must be swift and relentless in our search and then go with all speed to the harbor of Romenna. Let me tell my mate to guide the Gwan back east and then I will join you.”

Azarmanô returned to his ship and told his mate to steer the craft eastward and have it wait for his arrival when he returned with the others. “Don’t fear,” he added, “I will return soon.”

Azarmanô turned to Tiru and mounted the chestnut brown horse that had been brought for him. “Let us go to gather the others. Away.” He flicked the reins and clipped his heels to the steed's side and began to ride with all haste.

[piosenniel]

Meneltarmacil's character

NAME: Adûnaic: Sakaladûn -- Elven: Thoronmir

AGE: 117

RACE: Numenorean

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: A hunting knife. A long sword forged by master smiths, as well as a Númenórean steelbow, also has chainmail with a steel breastplate and helmet for use in war (Hey, it pays to have had the right connections at one point!)

APPEARANCE: Rather tall, has almost jet-black hair and dark blue eyes, wears mainly blue and white

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Strong-minded and very skeptical at this point. Believes in playing by the rules.

HISTORY: Born into an influential family in Romenna during Tar-Palantir's reign, Sakaladûn operated for quite a while as the king's emissary to the elves of Lindon under Gil-Galad, where he was given the elven name of Thoronmir. However, he was promptly removed from this position when Ar-Pharazôn came to power in 3255 and started to undo much of the unity between the two races that Tar-Palantir had built. Sakaladûn's life would not be completely ruined by this, as he later became an officer in Ar-Pharazôn's army in the colonies of Middle-Earth, where he eventually became one of the top commanders in the colonial forces. During this time, he married Firiel, a woman from Pelargir, eventually having a son and two daughters.

Sakaladûn was appointed to Ar-Pharazôn's ruling council in 3262 due to his aid in overthrowing Sauron. Sakaladûn, however, was not pleased with the king's decision to take Sauron back to Numenor as a prisoner, believing that the Dark Lord should have been destroyed rather than kept alive due to his evil and corruptive nature. Ar-Pharazôn, however, ignored Sakaladûn's recommendation. During the years of Sauron's captivity in Numenor, Sakaladûn's suspicion continued to rise, and he spoke in secret with Elendil about the strange patterns he had noticed in the Council. Sakaladûn opposed many of the changes in Numenor during the years he was on the council, though the majority of the coucil members never paid much attention to his "strange notions". He ran into the strongest opposition from Herugor, the second most powerful man in Numenor and the one he suspected had been learning all kinds of evil things from Sauron. After Sakaladûn flat out refused to have anything to do with an assault on Valinor, first proposed in 3299 and actually started eleven years later, Herugor, probably following instructions from Sauron, made up a number of false accusations about Sakaladûn forming a conspiracy and taking the throne for himself. Herugor then presented these charges before the king, who fired Sakaladûn from his post and had him arrested. Sakaladûn, however, went into hiding and was never found. He now lives among the Faithful, where he goes by the name of Thoronmir full-time. His wife and children have been sent to Lindon, the safest place there is for those of the Faithful at this time, while Sakaladûn/Thoronmir is still in Numenor aiding the Faithful.

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Meneltarmacil's post

Thoronmir let the arrow fly, and the deer fell to the ground. He was about to walk over to it when three riders on black horses rode up.

"Well, well, if it isn't Sakaladûn," said their leader, getting off his horse. "Finally found you, eh? The King's been looking for you for quite a while now."

Thoronmir, formerly known as Sakaladûn, answered him. "I stopped listening to that man when he started going mad. If you want me to come with you, you'll have to force me."

The man laughed and reached for a weapon. Thoronmir reacted faster, leaping up onto the leader's horse and kicking it hard. The black stallion rode off at full speed. The other two riders drew their spears and pursued Thoronmir as he fled, but Thoronmir managed to lose them in the forest.

Thoronmir rode into the hiding place of the Faithful that was nearby. He was met at the entrance by one of their guards.

"Thoronmir, I'm glad you got back here. Where did you get the horse?" the guard asked curiously.

"I ran into some old friends from Armenelos who really wanted me to come back with them," the Thoronmir said. "I declined the offer and borrowed one of their horses to escape with."

The other man didn't smile a whole lot. "Good thing you escaped, because we're really going to need your help here." he said. "You see, there's been a problem. Mabalar has been taken captive and they said we need to act now..."

[piosenniel]

Himaran's character

NAME: Abârzadan Batânzâira, Of Strong House Longing of Travel, Turmeawa Mélatrevad

AGE: 43

RACE: Númenórean

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS:

Abârzadan carries a longbow and a few arrows, customary of Númenóreans, but they are not the tools that he wields most smoothly. His favorite weapon is the large, double-bladed axe that he carries comfortably over one shoulder; an heirloom of his father.

APPEARANCE:

Abârzadan is six foot, four inches tall. He has shoulder-length, dark-brown hair, and large blue eyes. The man has a strong frame, large hands -- scarred from hours of axe-practice with his late father, and a slightly mishapen lower lip (which he is chews on frequently). He walks with a partial swagger, much practiced, in order to seem a swashbuckler. Abârzadan's fingers display several rings set with precious gems, adding to his already prominent air of importance; although he despises the look of "cleanliness" and usually keeps his hair greasy and ruffled. Always he seeks to appear as a rich, experienced and road-weary warrior; a tough combination to apply.


PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES:

As a general rule, Abârzadan is haughty and bold; a product of his heritage. His father taught him that only great warriors deserve respect, and even then only those "above" his family's prominent status. The man laughs loudly, and argues frequently, but will rarely become involved in an actual fight: for such matters are "below" him. He does, however, have a kind heart -- despite his father's belief that those poorer than him are unworthy of recognition, Abârzadan is generally touched by the sight of poverty, and will give freely; especially if another important figure is watching him.


HISTORY:

The House of Batânzâira was indeed a great power, but its influence has slowly slipped away. In reality, few among the Faithful have even heard of such a thing. In its days of greatness, it served proudly under Ar-Pharazôn, but as the king himself fell under the influence of the cult of Melkor, Batânzâira too was diminished. Abârzadan's father was one of the last to stand beside Ar-Pharazôn, cautiously counseling him to stray from the dark one's designs. When Sauron discovered his disloyalty, Abâranâ was forced to flee, leaving all his possessions and relations except for his son. Together they journeyed through Númenor in secrecy, at last arriving in the land controlled by the Faithful. To his death Abâranâ never trusted them, believing that he was living among traitors and criminals.

Abârzadan thus was forced to live among the Faithful after a long and pleasent childhood elsewhere, with his father isolated in their large home. (It should be noted that Abâranâ brought both his son and his fortune along.) He learned the ways of a warrior, and often strayed from the designated territory of the Faithful. He still thought that Ar-Pharazôn was not to blame, but that his father had ruined their life in Númenor. One day, he hopes to return there, and attempt to rebuild the dynasty of Batânzâira.

Shortly before his death, Abâranâ made his son swear a strange oath; that he would never marry until after he had proven himself in battle. Also, he implored Abârzadan to only become betrothed to a Númenorean woman, and not to an "Outcast." The man took both these things to heart, and seeks to accomplish both in the same feat. He has waited for several years to fulfill his promise, and now a chance has arrived...

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Himaran's post

Two swords crossed in overlapping fashion, drawing attention to the silver star located at the place of their meeting... The symbol of the House of Batânzâira. Abârzadan turned away from the treasured decoration adorning the wall of his large house. In reality, it was a thing of the past; there was no House Batânzâira... there was only him. The Númenórean man's ascendents were vast, but all had long since died out, persecuted by Sauron and the cult of Melkor. What that evil one so feared about letting it survive? Perhaps its strength, and the many warriors it had bred. Whatever the reason, all that was over. Abârzadan was the last of them, as far as he could tell. No one else remembered. No one understood.

Banishing the disparaging thoughts from his mind, Abârzadan forced himself to look on the positive side of the matter. He was safe, rich and secure; at least for the time being. The sole heir of a large fortune, the man was not stranger to the lavish lifestyle of the elite. But was there such a among the rabble of the Faithful? His father, Abâranâ, had never trusted them since entering their lands to escape the wrath of Sauron. They were outcasts, rebels, unfit to serve the King of Númenór. The old man's sentiments were never known publicly; he lived out his days isolated in his home, without making any aquaintices with the locals. After his father's death, Abârzadan had gradually come to accept the Faithful and did not hold them in a hostile light, but still he held on to the sometimes violent longing to see his true home. And then there was Abâranâ's last request...

No. That can never be accomplished. Never. Deciding that the acute loneliness of the house was becoming oppressive, Abârzadan pulled on a, coat, opened the door and hurried out into the street, allowing the wooden frame to fall shut loudly behind him. The refreshing tinge of cool air met his face, and the sound of the waves lapping at the shore met his ears. Abârzadan's home was near the docks, for he loved to look out at the sea from his bedroom window... somehow, although it was not the way back to the King he still felt loyal to, the water was strangely attracting. Perhaps it was the sense of mystery it held, for doubtlessly there were unexplored regions beyond the simmering edge of the horizon.

Even the sea could not give Abârzadan's mind the rest that it longed for. His thoughts went back to six years before, when his father lay dying from disease. "Hear me, Abârzadan," he had rasped, before breaking into another fit of coughing. "And never forget. Keep the House of Batânzâira clean from the Faithful. Only marry..." the sick man's voice trailed off again. His eyes opened wide, as if he was seeing a vision. Then he had struggled back to reality, and made one last, desperate effort to finish his last statement. "Only marry... a woman of Númenór. I say this to you so that I know that one day, you will indeed go back there, to see the place where our ancestors lie. Never forget, Abârzadan, please..." The man had then gone unconcious, and died during the night, as silently as he had lived.

Enough reminiscing! Abârzadan decided that if he were to get any work done that night, he had better get a drink and clear the disturbing memories from his distraught mind. The man hurried down the street, soon finding a small inn that he rarely visited. Abâranâ had seen the place when they first arrived, and snidely commented on its disrepair. Indeed, it was in rather poor condition, and not the sort of place that a member of the elite would go to dine. However, it was close, and though the ale was poor it still contained the kick that he needed. Besides, the gossip of those at this particular small establishment was far more interesting than that at any fine diner.

As he entered the inn, Abârzadan noticed that it was quite empty, almost deserted. The man ordered a drink and walked over to a table in the corner; slowly easing into the hard wooden chair. His ears immediately sharpened, and he began to pick up snippets of conversation from a booth near him. When he heard "the King's men have been watching your uncle," his ears perked up. The King? Ar-Pharazôn? As he continued to eavesdrop, his suspicions were confirmed. "Your uncle is walking into a trap," one of the men said. Prized horses? And uncle and his daughter? As Abârzadan left the inn later that evening, he promised himself to keep his ears open for any more information regarding the strange tale that he had been exposed to.

Especially if it dealt with Númenór.

[piosenniel]

samsmyhero's character

NAME: Adunaic: Azulan (means "from the east") ; Sindarin: Arkrision (horse brother); native language (some dialect of southern Westron): Tiru

AGE: 52 (he's not Numenorean, so these are 52 "regular human" years)

RACE: human, from Middle Earth (south of the River Harnen, in south Gondor near Harad) not Numenorean

GENDER: male

WEAPONS: Tiru carries a general utility knife for work purposes. The handle is wood, old and scratched in many places. The blade is about eight inches long, plain steel, notched in one place close to the haft. It has no sheath; he carries it thrust through his belt. No other weapons belong to him, but he knows how to use a bow, and on the rescue mission he will carry a bow borrowed from the family household.

APPEARANCE: Being originally from the southern regions of Middle Earth, on the coast west of Harad, he is of swarthy complexion. He is of average height for his own race, around 5'9", 5'10" , which appears quite tiny to the Numenoreans. His frame is wirey, rather than bulky, but he's very strong for his size, due to his lifetime of hard labor. He has dark eyes and generally squints, from being outside in the sun almost constantly. He did have thick, curly, dark hair at one time, which has now turned to a salt and pepper mix of black and grey, thinning at the crown, so he's starting to sport almost a monk's tonsure look. What is left grows out long and fairly unkempt, and this he pulls back carelessly into a messy ponytail of ragged curls, down to the middle of his back. He sports a neatly trimmed beard and mustache, mostly grey now, which for some unknown reason he takes great pride in, while he totally ignores the rats' nest on his head. He's missing one top front tooth which he lost brawling at some tavern. He has a mark tattooed on the inside of his right forearm showing him to have been a slave. His clothing is plain but clean, just a simple brown tunic of rough cloth, worn leather breeches, boots, and a black wool cloak and hood for the cold. He keeps his work knife and various other tools from time to time shoved into an old leather belt wrapped around his middle, which is exceedingly long as he inherited it from his master when it was too worn for Abar to want any longer.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Tiru is generally a very quiet man. Most of the time you would never even know he's around. He learned long ago that horses prefer people who are quiet and calm, and, as he spends most of his time in their company, he has little need to talk at length or in a high volume. He's somewhat somber, a little melancholy at times. He never married and has no children and some say that a good wife and children tumbling around the hearth would have brought him more cheer. But actually, he's happy with his life, as long as he can take care of the Kariborim and Karibi, and be of service to the family. He can be stubborn at times. His size belies his great physical strength, and this has brought him into grief on more than one occasion. It seems bullies and big mouths in taverns can never leave him alone. Although peaceful by nature, when provoked enough he may become consumed by a terrible rage. All the anger at his abuse as a slave and what happened to his family and village will boil to the surface and overflow – woe betide his would-be persecutor then! He is fiercely loyal to Abar's family and any whom he knows to be their trusted friends, but silently hostile to most strangers in these perilous times.

HISTORY: Tiru was born in a small fishing village on the western coast of Middle Earth, somewhat south of the mouth of the River Harnen, a land at this time mostly a colony of Numenor. His family were of course fisherfolk and he lived a peaceful existence until the age of ten, when a Numenorean galleon swept down upon the village and in an instant took every man, woman, and child prisoner, to be taken north to the great fortress at Umbar to be sold as slaves.

He was separated from his parents and three younger siblings in the slave market and has no idea what happened to them. At that time, there was already starting to be a fairly brisk market for slaves to be sacrificed to Melkor, and this was most probably the fate of his younger siblings and possibly his mother. Tiru was taken to Numenor to work in the fields of a prosperous family, loyal to the king, that lived outside Andunie. He was called "Azulan" by his overseers, as were many of his fellow slaves, as it meant simply "from the east". Slaves were treated cruelly in Numenor, and Tiru was beaten, mistreated and starved.

When Tiru was about twelve, Abar happened to be paying a horse-related business visit to Tiru's owner. Abar was invited to accompany the owner on a hunt, and was shocked to discover when they had run their quarry to earth, that it was a young boy (Tiru). Tiru's owner laughed out loud when Abar tried to intercede on the boy's behalf, and was ready to set the dogs on Tiru to rip him to pieces. Abar persuaded the cruel owner otherwise with a purse full of gold pieces, enough to buy ten slaves, and enough to secure Tiru's freedom.

Abar took Tiru in to Andunie to register the formal papers declaring him a freed man at the town's municipal building. He told the boy he was free to go anywhere he chose; but that he was welcome to come back to Abar's farm and work there as a hired hand, which Tiru readily agreed to. Abar at first had him work in the household, where Inzillomi could keep an eye on him. She took him under her wing and they all quickly saw that he was a very bright kid and quick to learn. But Abar discovered that Tiru was fascinated with the horses. The boy had never been close to one and they cast a spell on him with their strength, speed and beauty. Abar asked if he would rather work in the stables than the house and Tiru leapt at the chance. He turned out to be a natural with horses; he understood them and they understood him. They turned out to be the new family to replace the one he had lost. Thus Abar came to call him "Arkision", horse-brother. Although "Azulan" was his official name according to his papers, and this was the name he would give in town or to strangers, the family always called him Tiru, out of respect for his origins.

From the beginning, Tiru had great respect for his master and mistress. He returned their kindness with a fierce loyalty. When their daughter was born, Tiru looked upon her as a cherished princess and she had him wrapped around her little finger from day one. If there were ever any times when Tiru did not obey Abar or Inzillomi, it was when Kathaani wanted his help in some innocent mischief which her parents would have frowned upon. When her father himself wasn't teaching Kathaani about the Kariborim, she could usually be found hovering at Tiru's elbow as he went about his work, asking incessant questions and soaking up knowledge like a little sponge. As she grew up, she naturally came to spend less time in his company, but there was always an unspoken affection between them, like uncle and niece.

Trusted implicitly by the family, he is aware of the pending flight of the Faithful to ME, and has been assured by both Abar and Inzillomi that there will be a place for him on a ship, hopefully the one carrying the Kariborim. Tiru has never had any contact with any Eldar, of course, but Abar has long ago explained and tutored Tiru regarding the Valar and Illuvatar, etc. Tiru in his heart doesn't believe in any gods because of what happened to his family. But outwardly, he pays respect as Abar has instructed him, because he doesn't really care as long as it pleases his master.

There is no question that Tiru would willingly and without hesitation lay down his life for Abar, Inzillomi, Kathaani, or the Kariborim.

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samsmyhero's post

Tiru hummed softly as he came out of the stall. He had changed the old bedding for new and refilled the manger with fresh hay. The water trough outside the stable was full of water pulled from the well. All was taken care of. Not that there was any sense of urgency. His master and the little mistress were not due back for some days. Tiru closed his eyes for a brief moment, silently offering a prayer for the success of their venture. He smiled at his own absurdity; he didn't even believe in the gods, although his master had spent many hours instructing him. Well, he shrugged his shoulders, it couldn't hurt.

So much was riding on their journey, though. The very existence of the Kariborim was at stake. If Abârpânaru was not successful in getting the horses to Rómenna, if they missed the sailing for the east . . . No! Tiru shook his head vigorously. He would not even think such thoughts! Besides, there was still much to do before leaving for the harbor to meet Captain Azarmanô, who was arriving from Rómenna with supplies and news from Elendil. It was being said that the time for the departure for the east was coming upon them quickly.

Tiru stroked his beard thoughtfully. Even if his beloved six came safely to the ships, there were many others who would not be going. Tiru worried about these others, the Karibi. He knew there was no room for them on the ships. It was fortunate enough that his master and mistress had been able to secure a place for him, being only their servant. Still, the thought of leaving the Karibi almost broke his heart. He had already lost one family; and, now, to lose this one . . .

The horsemaster's thoughts were interrupted by the, as yet, distant sound of thundering hoofs. This sound was one so familiar to him that it was like unto his own heart beat. "The Kariborim!" he gasped. "What . . . how?" Tiru wasted no time, but flew himself, as fast as his legs could carry him, across the stable yard and down the broad path that led to the road. Even as the swirl of dust accompanying them grew larger, he could make out Kâthaanî, the little mistress, and Marsillion, her cousin, with five of the six steeds which had left Andunië eight days ago. But he could tell at a glance that his master, Abârpânaru, and the mare Lômi, were not with them.

Tiru's heart raced and his mind seethed. Disaster! Some sort of catastrophe had befallen his master and now . . . and now, what? He must calm himself and be prepared; the mistress and her daughter would surely need him, and he, at least, was reliable, unlike those so called gods!

Within moments, the two cousins had drawn up to him. Dirt and sweat covered Kâthaanî's face and her hair looked as if she had been in a high wind off the ocean. Marsillion looked shocked and angry. Breathlessly, Kâthaanî leaned over Nitirú's neck and in a rush, told Tiru what had occurred on the unlucky journey to Rómenna. Tiru's face belied little of the anguish that churned in his stomach. Captured by the King's Men! The very worst that could have happened! Poor Lômi! She would be so upset and unhappy if strangers were to take her. And the master too, of course.

"What must we do, little mistress?" Tiru gasped, as Kâthaanî stopped to take a breath.

"This was the day appointed for Azarmanô's arrival was it not?" She rushed on, not waiting for a reply. "You must go to the harbor and meet him there as planned. But tell him of my father's plight. Ask Azarmanô to render what assistance he can – I'm sure we will need every man available to rescue him. Hurry back!" With that she and Marsillion were urging the horses forward once again, racing, Tiru was sure, to her mother, to let her know the grim tidings and alert the other Annanost.

Tiru ran back to the stables and quickly saddled up the grey mare he had waiting, already anticipating the trip to the harbor. Hoping that Azarmanô would be at the harbor, which, with sea voyages, arrivals were always an uncertainty, he went into the field beyond and caught up another mount for the Captain. He saddled her too, and was off down the road, just as Kâthaanî was at her mother's side, relating her sad news. With a brief moment of regret that he could not tend to the needs of the five Kariborim which had returned, Tiru focused on his task and set off for the harbor at a break neck speed.

[piosenniel]

Feanor of the Peredhil's character

NAME: Inzillomí Elendili - Flower of the Night; Mórelóte - Dark Flower

AGE: 103

RACE: Numenorean

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: Carries no visable weapons, such being labeled highly "inappropriate" for a lady, and knowing that a show of arms tends to complicate matters. However, being in a dangerous position, Inzillomí has taken to wearing a wide sash rather than a belt, in which she has tucked two small throwing knives and a highly visable but not particularly ornamental fan with razor tips. The fan's silk is black with pale lotus blossoms; a gift from her father, Elendil. She is highly competent with a staff, can hit the target nine times of ten with a long bow, although she rarely actually uses them. Moving silently in the shadows, an enemy is most likely to never know she was there until it's too late. However, Inzillomí prefers not to kill anyone, so she tends to leave her enemies unconscious and tied up in the woods somewhere. Due to a small vial of pale blue liquid that she carries in her ever convenient sash, these would be attackers rarely remember they were actually attacked by a woman, putting the experience down to bandits.

APPEARANCE: Much like a panther, Inzillomí is dark and mysterious. She is long-limbed and slender, but muscular from years of riding and secret arms training in preparation of the day she and her kin would have to fight for their beliefs. Her skin is pale, her grey eyes set off by her shock of black hair that falls in soft waves to her waist. Full crimson lips quick to smile. Soft arms quick to pull you into a comforting hug. Being more comfortable in men's clothing, Inzillomí still understands the importance of looking "proper" by other people's standards and compromises by wearing gowns with fitted bodices, but flared skirts for easy riding. Being less than fond of the high-class style of covering ones legs, but showing a large expanse of one's bosum, Inzillomi has her gowns made with a simple but high neck. Inzillomi is ever the proper lady, at least when people are watching.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Shares her husband's (Abârpânarú Karíbzîr) love for horses. Adores her husband, loves her daughter. Loves Marsillion as a son and Ziraphel as a sister. She's the type of woman that anyone can go to for anything, and she can solve most problems with no honor lost on any side. She is a rather typical "housekeeper" sort, preferring to do household work herself, but when the hired help complains that they'll soon be out of a job, she meekly retreats to the sidelines. Inzillomí is not the type to sit by and watch others do the work, preferring to do anything she is capable of, which is much. Although Inzillomí tends to be right (and stemming from that, strong-minded), if her husband or her father inform her that she's not, she immediately steps down. Her strengths are mostly her people skills and her strategic mind, but her weaknesses are her love for her family, her horses, and anyone under her watch. She refuses to "sacrifice one for the good of the many", believing that the "many" is nothing without each individual "one". Not remarkably fond of ships.

HISTORY: The oft forgotten sister of Isildur and Anárion, Inzillomí had a happy and innocent childhood. Named Flower of the Night for her brilliantly black hair, she was fondly called Mórelóte (Quenya for Dark Flower) by her father Elendil. Growing up in a Faithful household, Inzi knew little else until she was full grown, her father having refrained from informing her. As the only daughter of Elendil, Inzillomí is fluent in Sindarin, with a firm grasp of Quenya. One afternoon while Inzillomí was out riding, a heavy fog rolled in leaving her lost and somewhat nervous. Stumbling, she fell and hurt her ankle. Her horse bolted. Drawn by her cries, Abârpânarú Karíbzîr, riding one of his precious kariborim, came to her aid. Falling in love, they married in 3279. As a young couple, the two lived in a large house just outside of Andunië. Raising the former slave, Tiru, Inzillomí and Abârpânarú taught him their beliefs and came to think of him as part of the family. In 3287, a daughter, Kâthâani, was born.

Drawing on her own upbringing and her husband's beliefs, the two taught their beloved Cerveth the old values and passed on their love and trust of the Valar. Inzillomí and Abârpânarú made a point to never discuss their prominence amongst the hidden Faithful with their daughter until she became of an age to understand. In the early 3300s the small household relocated to a smaller home further outside the city where they soon became an important contact point for the Faithful still braving the West. Abârpânarú's sister Ziraphel lived with the family and in 3317 her son Marsillion came to stay. As political tensions heated, Inzillomí urged her husband to send those members of the household who would not be missed by the King's Men east. With word from Elendil expected any day, apprehension rose in the house of Karíbzîr.

-----

Feanor of the Peredhil's post

The rain poured from the black clouds like so many thousand tears. Lightening lit the tormented sky as another wave shifted the ground. Inzillomí Elendili moved quietly through the shadows of the awnings, coming in from the stables. From cosseting her black mare, Alya, the mistress of the house had been startled by the sound of pounding hoofbeats. Reaching the house before her unknown guests, Inzillomí went to her sitting room and settled quickly, picking up a piece of embroidery on her way. To a stranger, it would look as though she had been sewing quietly for some time. A fist pounded on the oaken doors, echoing through the large house. She rose gracefully, gliding delicately to the entry way. Meeting a maid in the hallway, she waved her off silently. Opening the heavy doors, she was faced with a full guard of the King's Men. Briefly she wondered where her own guards were, until she saw a flash of silver in the doorway of the stables. One man stepped forward.

"To what do I owe this honor?" Inzillomí asked cautiously. She knew this man; they had been childhood companions. These days, however, it did not pay to trust those you once knew. The uniformed man hesitated as streams of water ran down his cheeks. "Officer, it is raining and my floor is getting wet. Either state your business or come in for a cup of tea, but I will not tolerate the warping of a perfectly good door frame because of carelessness."

The officer nearly laughed, quickly hiding his smile with a well-timed cough. He had been sent to escort the out of favor families to Rómenna but he felt compassion for them. He had known Inzillomí for many years. "Inzi--" he caught himself. Standing up taller, his smile vanished. It was one thing to be compassionate, another to be soft. He had his orders. "Mistress Inzillomí, the King offers you the honor of relocating your family to Rómenna. You will please pack only what you can carry on one horse. You will please be ready in one hour. Your escort will be waiting outside your doors to ensure that you do not lose your way to the front garden."

Hiding her panic, Inzillomí smiled at her childhood friend. Snake! her mind screamed. "No." she replied calmly.

"You must excuse me, Mistress, but I thought I heard you say "no". You are please to be aware that you have no choice."

"I am and I do. I have business today that will not wait, as I am sure you will quite understand. You will have to return tomorrow when my family is all together and prepared. I will not leave without them, and I will not leave my belongings behind. May your day be as peace-filled as my own." With that, Inzillomí politely shut the door in the officers' faces.

Hoping her audacity would not serve to get them all killed, Inzillomí spared a fearful moment wondering at the whereabouts of her family. She peered out the window, seeing the King's Men clustered in a small group. Suddenly the men scattered, mounting up and set off down the road. Short-lived relief filled Inzillomí as the rain slowed. As quickly as the storm had begun, it was over. Within a short time, the sun shone brightly, drying the land. A brisque wind pulled crimson leaves from the trees and Inzillomí, tired and worried, walked alone through her garden admiring the last dark blossoms of the season. Azarmanô was due with tidings from Elendil any hour; Marsillion had gone to meet his cousin; Abârpânarú and Kâthaanî would not be returning. Inzillomí's family was scattered and she was left to lead the remaining Anannost to whatever end. It was her responisibility to get her people safely to the East. Suddenly, heavy hoof beats filled the air once more. Turning quickly on her heel, Inzillomí Elendili ran, skirts billowing in the wind, her hair streaming out behind her, hurrying to meet unexpected visitors for the second time in so many hours.

[piosenniel]

CAMEO CHARACTERS

Nilpaurion Felagund's character


Name: Balaknaru Sakîlbel/Cirion Falassil

Age: 153

Race: Númenórean Men

Gender: Male

Weapons: Instead of passing swords to heirs, which is almost useless in the maritime profession, the House of Sakîlbel passed on great bows of standard Númenórean make, used only for hunting during the times before the coming of the Shadow. Balaknaru has one such bow, and a quiver full of ell-long hollow steel arrows.

Appearance: Balaknaru is a ranga and a half tall, with shoulder-length black hair and sea-grey eyes with a fell glint in them. He appears ever gloomy, and indeed his heart is tarnished by his cruel deeds while in the service of the King.

Personality: As a ship captain, he is proud and masterful, ever confident of his skills. He shows respect to his men, and in whatever ship he sent to command, all loved him. But none really knew his innermost thoughts.

When he went over to the Faithful, he saw no more need to hide his thoughts. Thus, of late he is quick to anger, and ever sullen. A shadow is on his heart, secretly wishing that he be taken away from Númenor for ever, so he could forget the evil he had done and start afresh.

History: The House of Falassil, which began when Almiel, the younger sister of the Great Captain Tar-Aldarion, was married to Ciryamo, a mariner and a distant kin of Vëantur, has a proud history. Every generation boasts of great ship captains, and many of them became admirals of the King’s Ships. Ciryatur, admiral of the great fleet Tar-Minastir sent to the aid of Gil-galad, was of the Falassil.

The House of Sakîlbel, as it was now known, were ever faithful King’s Men, and Balakanû, father of Balaknaru, was no exception. But he was married to Inzilphel of the Karíbzîr, who was one of the Faithful, and she instructed her son in the teachings of the Elf-friends. Thus, Balaknaru grew up to be one of the Elendili, although he kept it secret.

When he was in his twenties, his father brought him to a small ship, and they went sailing around Númenor. Immediately Balaknaru fell in love with the Sea. He forgets all else when he sails far from the shores, captured by the grace of the snow-peaked waves and the gentle swaying of the ship. It was for this love that he took no wife.

He was aghast when the king brought Sauron to Númenor, and even more so when he rose to become the King’s closest counsellor. Being a great captain of ships, he was given command of one sent to kidnap natives for the sacrifice to Melkor. Every man he takes aboard seems another dagger in his heart. Thus his love for the Sea was darkened by the memory of the coasts of Middle-earth.

When he heard of the plans to assault Aman, he left the King’s service, feigning the approach of old age, and went to Romenna to meet Elendil.

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alaklondewen's character

NAME: Monôizindu Igmizadan

AGE: 113

RACE: Númenorian

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: If Monôizindu is going to only be around his shop, he will carry a long dagger tucked beneath his clothes. Its blade is narrow and has a dulled silver hilt. He does not remember the last time it was used as a weapon, but it does come in handy as an everyday tool. When traveling to the outlying farms, he will carry the bow his father had made for each of his sons. It is of sturdy wood with golden stars engraved along the back.


APPEARANCE: Monôizindu has been a large man in his lifetime. He stands just slightly above the average height of a Númenorian man and still his frame is thick, but muscle that was built around his sturdy bones is now only a hint of its former stature. His face is long and is covered by a well-kept, short beard that shows a slight reddish tint that contrasts with his dark brunet hair. His blue eyes are clear and full of life as they overlook his slightly widened nose. A small scar can be seen across the bridge of his nose. Monôizindu’s face and arms are slightly tanned from the short time he spends out of doors each day, but over the last months his face has a pale appearance, despite the color.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Monôizindu has a strong sense of morality and a high standard by which he lives. He is outgoing and kind, so that he easily gains trust from others, whether warranted or not. This quality aids in his position of staying hidden among the people in Armenelos and being trusted by those in opposition of the goals and beliefs of the Faithful. His downfall could possibly be how easily he opens his heart to people. He is careful, in that he doesn’t let on who he really is, but he cares for those that he knows will be destroyed if the Valar lash out against Númenor.


HISTORY: The second of five sons that grew up on the family plantation, Monôizindu learned at an early age the value of hard work. Despite the focus on physical labor, Monôizindu’s father, Izindibatân, made a tremendous effort to educate his sons in the rich history of their country and that of the Eldar.

Once he came of the age to do so, Monôizindu attended military school where he learned the importance of discipline in life. Of all the lessons he learned, the clearest was how precious life is and how quickly one can lose it. It was an icy day and the young men were to take a small boat out on the river to perform a maneuver they had done many times. This time, however, something went terribly wrong and Monôizindu was sent over the edge of the boat into the freezing water. When he hit the water, he bashed his head on a large rock and went unconscious. Fortunately, one of the other students, a young man named Abârpânarú, jumped in the water after him and pulled him to safety. In the weeks that followed, Monôizindu became very ill as he had swallowed a lot of water, and Abârpânarú came and sat with him everyday. The two became close, and Monôizindu cherished the friendship into adulthood.

During his early adulthood, Monôizindu moved into Armenelos with his older brother, Adûntârik. The pair bought a run-down shop and, after a bit of remodeling, they shared a small business in the center of the city’s market. To remain among the few hidden Faithful in Armenelos, Monôizindu uses his charisma to befriend the people who readily come through his shop, and from them, he easily obtains information pertinent to the Faithful’s cause.

[piosenniel]

** CAMEO CHARACTER NEEDED **

1 sailor, Númenorean male - Elendil may be used but must be true to character. Will only appear at end of story while the Faithful attempt to leave the bay.

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USE THIS:

Character Description Form:

1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – YES/NO - Which one?

2.) How many RPG’s on the Barrow Downs are you currently involved in?

List them, please:

Please note you may play in only 2 (TWO) Shire games at one time. Exceptions to this may be made for this on a case by case basis by the Shire Moderators. (The Green Dragon Inn DOES NOT count as a game for this.)


3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn – YES/NO
_______________________________________

For your character please include:

NAME:

AGE:

RACE:

GENDER:

WEAPONS (No magical, super-hero, mithril weapons. Just good solid Middle-earth weapons and armor only that is appropriate to the race of the character and the time period.):

APPEARANCE:

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: (No half-Elven characters. No mixed-type characters. No super-heroes. No assassins. No one all powerful, martial arts proficient, or having any magical traits. Just regular characters with normal abilities for their races only):

HISTORY:

[piosenniel]

LINK (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=371255&postcount=15) to A Few Needed References

~*~

LINK (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=371256&postcount=16) to Some extra notes from Sophia

[piosenniel]

Basic progression of the game:

First post: Brief description of Armenelos, captive (identity will be settled before sending final proposal to pio) captured, short scene between captive and jailer.

~*~

Second post: Rider leaves Armenelos, glossed over journey, arrives at Andunië with message.

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First stage of the game- consternation of Anannost, gathering rescue party, departure. Main body of Anannost depart for Rómenna, rescue party departs for Armenelos. **2 weeks real-time, less than a day game time.

Second stage of the game- glossed over journey **4 days game-time, 300 miles. Arrival in Armenelos, rescue of prisoner. Hopefully at least one character will die here. **6 weeks real-time. Approx two weeks spent in Armenelos game-time.

Third stage of the game- escape from Armenelos (1 week real-time, less than a day game-time), rejoin main body of Anannost outside Rómenna **1 day, 45-50 miles, game time, Arrival at Rómenna next day game-time, escape on ships **3 weeks real time, less than a day game-time.

Epilogue: Faithful on the ship, approaching Middle Earth.

[piosenniel]

Players/Characters

Main Characters

littlemanpoet - Abârpânarú Karíbzîr/Mabalar Melethroch (the captive)
Sophia the Thunder Mistress – Kâthaanî Karíbzîr/Cerveth (the captive’s daughter)
Feanor of the Peredhil - Inzillomí Elendili/Mórelóte (the captive’s wife)


TomBrady12 – Nimilroth Narâkmanô/Marsillion Thoronfaer- rescuer
Himaran - Abârzadan Batânzâira/Turmeawa Mélatrevad – rescuer
Regin Hardhammer - Azarmanô Hazadbawîba/Elenfairë Ostovaivar – rescuer
Meneltarmacil – Sakaladûn/Thoronmir – rescuer
samsmyhero - Tiru (Azulan/Arkrision) – rescuer

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Cameo Characters

alaklondewen - underground contact in Armenelos


Nilpaurion Felagund - Sakîlbel/Cirion Falassil (sailor, Númenorean male)

~*~


1 sailor - Númenorean male (Elendil may be used but must be true to character. Will only appear at end of story while the Faithful attempt to leave the bay)
** PLAYER STILL NEEDED **

[piosenniel]

****** SOPHIA *****:

Are you still wanting to pick up that extra sailor - or can you do that as a carry-along?

~*~

You need to look at posts now and decide what order you want them placed on the game.

Please do so by PLAYER name

~*~ Pio

[TomBrady12]

Hello all,

I don't think Sophia has internet access at the moment. I am speculating here, but I know she is staying with an uncle for the week, and I am lead to believe that she may not have internet access there.

If I am right, I am sure I can apologize for her unannounced absence. I will try and find out by phone whats up.

Thanks for your patience guys.


TB12: Dynasty

[littlemanpoet]

Sophia informed me earlier that there is no need for the extra sailor. We're ready to start.

[TomBrady12]

My prior post was correct. Sophia will not be online until Sunday. She apologizes for the inconvenience.

TB12

[piosenniel]

Alrighty, then --- the only thing we need is the list of First Posts.

Will await her return . . .

~*~ Pio

[TomBrady12]

Pio,

I Spoke to Sophia last night by phone, this is the order the first post should be in.


1)Sophia and LMP

2)TomBrady12

3)Himaran

4)Meneltarmacil

5)Nilpaurion Felagund ===> Feanor of the Peredhil's post (edit: Pio 3/2)

6)Samsmyhero

7)Regin Hardhammer

Thanks

TB12

[piosenniel]

Thanks for being the go-between, TB12! :cool:

The RPG thread is set up.

Will await word from Sophia for when she wants the game opened for play.

~*~ Pio

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Sorry Pio and everyone else about the unexplained absence. Spring break snuck up on me and things kind of got out of control. Didn't realize I wouldn't have internet access until I got there, and then it was too late to post myself and tell you.

Thanks TB12 for keeping everyone up to date. I believe the game can be opened now, everybody's stuff looks good and I'm excited to go. Everybody has reported correctly for me, the first post order is right and we don't need the sailor as more than just a carry along.

Anyway, I'm back, time to get started. :)

Sophia

[piosenniel]

The RPG is now open for play.

Enjoy!

~*~ Pio

-------------------------------------------------

Please remember to remove your signature from EVERY post to the RPG Thread --- including 'SAVES'.

[littlemanpoet]

Sophia, thanks for a really solid next post (#9). I'm going to hold off before I post for Abârpânarú, let things unfold a bit here and there.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Thanks LMP. :)

Fea that was a nice post for Inzillomi. You handled Kathaani exactly as I would have done myself. Very nice indeed. One tweak though, her nickname is spelled Cerveth, not Cervith.

Thanks.
Sophia

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

One tweak though, her nickname is spelled Cerveth, not Cervith.

Oops. I'll go fix that right quickly. Other than that... yay. I love encouragement. :D I like your post as well. You captured Inzi really well.

[piosenniel]

Please don't put reasons for editing on the RPG thread - if the edits need to be brought to the attention of the other gamers, leave a note on the Discussion thread.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio

[Himaran]

Many of the characters in this game are connected to Abarpanaru (and to each other) through family or other ties. Abarzadan is a bit of an outsider in that respect. He is merely an outcast Numenorean, longing to return to his home. Any good ideas of how to get him in contact with those setting up the journey? As for now, I'll just work on his personal story, and leave the rest to develop as it may.

Himaran

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Great post, Regin, but one qualm: Inzillomí is spelled like <- that. Other than that, I love how you had her come to the cove. It just feels like her character, to take care of business whether it means getting her own hands dirty or no.

Himaran: Perhaps your character heard the news that the King's Men had been to Abarpa and Inzi's home, and came to see if all was well?

Fea

[Regin Hardhammer]

I've edited the correct spelling of Inzillomí's name into the post. Sorry for the error. I hope Inzillomí wasn't offended. ;)

[littlemanpoet]

Did we come up with a pejorative nickname that the King's Men have for the Faithful? If we did, I can't remember. If we didn't, does anybody have any ideas? I need a nickname for the jailers to harass Abarpa with...

[TomBrady12]

They might use: Abar babar bo babar bonanna fanna fo fabar :p

or they might not :confused:

TB12

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Okay, currently convened at the Karibzir household are:

Kathaani, Inzillomi, Marsillion, Azarmano, and Tiru

In my next post (which I'm composing right now), they'll be coming in and discussing what all is happening. Basically a "Hey, Abarpa's captured" "Oh crap, we've gotta get moving" "Oh crap, the King's Men are coming first thing in the morning" type scenario. I mean to leave off mid-discussion about what to do next, but Himaran and Meneltarmacil: how do you plan on getting your characters into that cozy little well-guarded sitting room? Did you want to have them meet up on the road, or do you want them in on the planning?

Fea

[Himaran]

Is it possible that Abarpanaru's capture was made known publicly? Perhaps a local could bring news to Abarzadan, causing him to visit the home without knowledge of the meeting; do to his interest in Numenor.

If the event is kept in secrecy, I'll just have him find out about it through more subtle means.

Himaran

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Great posting all!

Himaran, wasn't it your character who overheard Marsillion and Nusaphad talking in the inn, so he ought to already know about Abar's capture? Perhaps through his past association with the Faithful, he'd find it necessary to drop by the Karibzir household (ostensibly to see if all was well, but really because he's fascinated with Numenorean politics).

LMP- Is a nickname more than some derisive use of terms like "Elf-Lover" necessary? You can come up with all sorts of variations on disgust for anyone who continues the worship of antiquated deities too...? I can't picture Abarpanaru taking well to being called a vassal either. ;)

Menel, I'm not at all sure how to bring your character into the meeting, mostly because I'm not quite clear where he is and who he's with...? Perhaps, since it seems like he goes between the two groups of Faithful (Andunie and Romenna) he could be sent with a message of some kind? Or since he knows that Abar is captured, he could just go to volunteer his help to the family?

How is it that I fail to check in once and a lot of things happen... :p You're all plotting against me.

Sophia

[littlemanpoet]

I hope maybe that in Adunaic "Fool of the Elves" is synonymous with Pawn of the Elves? I guess they didn't play chess in Numenor, so that'll have to do.

"Abar babar bo babar bonanna fanna fo fabar" was tempting, but it just didn't seem quite right, if you know what I mean. Thanks for the suggestion, though, TB12. ;)

[piosenniel]

Lovely writing everyone!

Am enjoying reading along. :D

~*~ Pio http://forum.barrowdowns.com/ubb/icons/icon13.gif

[littlemanpoet]

I just thought I'd mention a piece of writing wisdom I came by that never fails to make the story more interesting. Avoid the easy ways out; they tend not to be realistic, and they tend also to kill the tension that could make for a better story. If you write a smooth entry or discussion, or if you convince someone rather easily, or if you defeat your opponents in battle or brawl too easily, it comes off as "half-baked", unrealistic, and the end result is a more boring story. So try and avoid the easy way through/out/around, and allow the tension in a scene to remain, or even build on it. That's one of the ways characters become more real to the other players, and it never fails to make the story more interesting. Happy writing! :)

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Great point LMP. A professor I had a few classes with gave me the great advice: "If nothing happens for more than 10 minutes real time, have somebody walk in with a gun, just to spice it up a bit." I suppose in our case, we could have a King's Man show up at inopportune moments. There is nothing more boring to write (not to mention read) than a story line with no "oh crap" moments.

Fea

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

I'll attempt to have a short post up for Kathaani tomorrow, I sat down to write it tonight, but I've been in class for like eight hours today and I'm brain-frozen.

Coming up next: Hard and fast formation of the rescue party.

Hopefully Meneltarmacil will bring Thornonmir aboard soon so that the rescuers can start making real plans.

In the meantime, nice writing to all.

Sophia

[TomBrady12]

hopefully my "save" on the RPG is ok, never done one before. Had to go to work before i could quite finish my post. will be up by this evening.


Thanks

TB12

[Meneltarmacil]

I'm in, though details of my arrival are still pending. I'll try to fill in my save tomorrow.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Sorry that TB12's save hasn't been filled in yet. I kept his post overnight to think about some things. I really like what he's written, but I think he'll want to collaborate a bit with Himaran before putting it up. So, thanks everyone for your patience with that. ;)

Now that everyone's in I'll get Kathaani's post up.

Thanks.
Sophia

Menel when you say King's man do you mean Abarzadan? I don't think he really qualifies as a King's Man, more as an outcast who fits neither camp. I believe he's going to be taken care of by Marsillion, although your input is certainly welcome.

[Edit#2] Kathaani's post is up on the game thread, however, with the two saves in between I fully expect to have to edit it for details and whatever happens with Marsillion, Thoronmir, and Abarzadan. If anyone else needs to get in responses that happen before Kathaani's declaration, pm them to me or post them here and I will edit them into the beginning of my post.

[piosenniel]

Please try to get SAVE's filled in 48 hours from their posting. If you can't do that - then delete your SAVE and ask someone to backpost for you when you get around to finishing it.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio, Game Mod

[TomBrady12]

I filled in my save for Marsillon, it's still in progress since i'm waiting for a pm from Himaran before I can finish it. Hopefully the rest will be up really soon. Sorry about the delay.


TB12

[Meneltarmacil]

My save is filled in. Sorry for not posting earlier, but I had a lot of homework to do. Oh, and I gave Abârzadan an excuse for being allowed to stay. Will edit as others request, as I'm not sure I portrayed Abârzadan quite as well as I could.

[Regin Hardhammer]

I will be going on a class trip to the big apple leaving Monday dark and early at 6 :( . I plan to do another post before I go. Could someone please carry my character until I get back. My internet access on the trip is doubtful and the first time I can post for sure is Saturday night.

Thanks
- Regin

[TomBrady12]

i've finally filled in my post. thanks for the patience.

TB12

[Regin Hardhammer]

My save is filled in. This will be my last post until I return.

-Regin

[littlemanpoet]

I'm dissatisfied with Thoronmir's glib (no offense intended; the adjective fits) backing of A..... um ..... Himaran's character (so many strange names, I can't keep them straight!)

Obviously, Thoronmir's words were posted before TB12's post, so it's understandable why it happened. Himaran needs to be given the chance to have his character speak for himself, in my humble opinion. Himaran, could you and TB12 work together to have your response worked into TB12's post?

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Good points, LMP. I agree that Thoronmir's response will have to be altered a little. But since Menel's post was up before TB12's, he expected to have to edit it at least a bit. Abarzadan, since he's not familiar really with the rest of the group will have to more or less speak for himself. Although a past acquaintance with Thoronmir could probably help. Perhaps if he said Abarzadan was "no friend of the King" or something like that it would be more convincing, yet reveal less. I also agree that Himaran's post should come immediately after TB12's. If you post it here when it's ready, TB or Pio can paste it into the right place.

Regin- what a nice post that was. Thanks for calling Kathaani on her... arrogance (do I mean arrogance?). She needs to be made to think hard about the consequences of her actions. All of you seem to have a good grip on her character. May showers of rep fall upon you. ;)

Sophia

[Meneltarmacil]

OK, I've edited my post to more closely fit Abarzadan's nature (at least, I think it fits better).

[Himaran]

I agree; and actually noticed a while back that my post needs to come directly after TB12's. Thus, I will work out my reply, pm it to him, and TB12 can edit it into the bottom of his own post. Then, based on what Abarzadan says, Thoronmir's response can be altered accordingly.

--Himaran

[Meneltarmacil]

I will be out of town starting Friday afternoon, and will not be back until (I think) sometime on the afternoon of Saturday, April 2. Just thought I'd let you know of my absence.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Easter weekend, I think will be busy for many of us. Have a nice trip, Menel. :)

After the weekend, I think it's time to push the story along a little bit. We've all had a chance to react to the crisis. So everybody try to wrap up your initial doubts and start thinking about going along with K.

Fea, I think it falls up on you (as the only one with any real authority) to be the one to give the rescue party a boot out the door. I'm not sure how we're going to end up condoning Kathaani's participating in the rescue. Someone should speak for her, I think Tiru or Marsillion would be the best candidates for that.

So, if you'd all be so kind, take a few minutes out of your busy weekend to plan your next post and lets see if we can't get things moving a bit quicker this week. :)

Thanks

Sophe

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Okay, first things first...

Sophia: I think you're right about Inzillomi needing to boot people out. Now that I have a feel for each person's depiction of his/her own character, I think I can post them [well] into the final decision. As for Kathaani... Inzillomi could, in effect, be the one to finally give in, being that she knows just as well as Kath the pain of losing Abarpa. She could end up thinking along the lines of "there's no way that I can go, but Kathaani could go in my place." However, I'd almost rather like Tiru to do it. He knows her abilities and her passion as well as anyone, and it would be a nice show of his "other" side. He's the stableman, yes, but he's also considered family by... the family. :)

And second things second...

Since I have three lovely days off from the part of life that is school, I plan on writing the post today. However, and this is the big part: I just found out today that I will be unable to access the internet from home for an unknown period of time. Not horrifically long, and I'll be able to use school computers, but this *sob* will drastically limit the amount of time I spend here. So if I don't get a post up today, you'll see it Monday afternoon, 3:30ish. Sorry for the short notice, but I just got told myself. *sniff*

Fea

**EDIT**: Change of plans. Apparently my internet is NOT being taken away, which is good. I've posted, and now everybody is officially out of my house *grin*. 'Cept Inzi, Ziraphel, and random other occupants that the King's Men will come for "tomorrow" morning. Tell me if you want anything changed.

[Himaran]

Here is my post, to be placed after TomBrady12's in the gaming thread. If you think any changes need to be made, let me know.

--Himaran

__________________

Himaran's Post


"Please identify him if you would."

A cleverly laid trap. But I have not fallen into it just yet. Abarzadan smiled casually, and glanced around the room; trying his best not to show the inward fear circumventing his heart. Slow down! If he were to get out of this one, it would have to be by sheer luck - Abarzadan had never seen any of these people, let alone Abârpânarú himself. He decided to stall for time. "It was quite a few years back since the last trade we made - and people change over the years. Now let me see..." He kept looking, judging each guest individually.

There were several men and women standing or sitting around the room, carrying on personal coversations but secretly listening since Marsillion's loud outburst. Abarzadan used this to his advantage; as the words "stable master" left the accuser's lips, one man in the room shifted and turned his head. He was small, quite small, and of a wirey frame. Surely one such as Abârpânarú would not have had this undersized and unattractive man as his stable master; that position would require one of greater social stature. A field hand, maybe, but not one with authority. Perhaps, though, that was what Marsillion wanted him to think. The man was clever indeed.

Abarzadan's gaze then shifted to another man. This one, in comparision to the other, was tall and strong; with fair features. Surely this one would be more fitting for the role of a stable master than any in this room. He opened his mouth to give an answer in this effect and then stopped - what was he doing? Going against his first insticts, and using the belief system of his father to judge others (that only those of the right physical attributes could ever lead), would not win this battle of wits. The one that moved had to be the one discussed; it was that simple. Why can't you accept that?

Putting on the best face he could, Abarzadan chuckled openly, having made his decision. "A strange request, Marsillion, a strange one indeed. However, why keep you in suspense? The man you refer to is that one there, although his name escapes me. Perhaps now I can give you a riddle, just to keep things fair..." He waited for Marsillion's reaction. The man seemed to grimace, and than caught himself.

"That is he, Abarzadan - his name is Tiru. Come, we must now discuss this matter with the others, for time is short." As he moved off, however, Abarzadan caught a glimpse of lingering distrust in his eye. You're in deep now; and there is no going back...

[TomBrady12]

I edited Himaran's post onto mine. Let me know if it needs any changing.

TB12

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

LMP : your quibble has been duly ammended... and all that jazz. All *should* be good now. And Him: nice writing.

Fea

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

to Armenelos.

Nice writing Himaran, good job getting out of that cleverly made trap. ;)

I just realized (I've been kind of dense) that my pms have been full for days, so hopefully nobody has been trying to reach me all weekend. :( Sorry everyone.

Everyone all ready for the next phase of our journey? I think it's time to head out. Any unfinished business from the Karibzir homestead can be dealt with in retrospect, I hope?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Sophia: perhaps when everybody meets back up at Romenna there can be a "And then this happened to us.." type meeting? Or did you mean sooner? I know you mentioned having meanwhile-back-with-the-Faithful posts a little later on, but did you have any plans on to when you wanted them? Or precisely what you wanted them to include?

Fea

[Himaran]

"If nothing happens for more than 10 minutes real time, have somebody walk in with a gun, just to spice it up a bit."


Seems like things are going a bit slowly - (everyone's busy, and I am as well!). Perhaps its time for someone to walk in with a gun... or at least an axe. ;)

- Himaran

[littlemanpoet]

It may not be a gun or an axe, but to my surprise, Mabalar discovers that one of his jailers is sympathetic. More to follow. How would y'all feel if we have another minor character?

[piosenniel]

Minor characters are always a nice addition - BUT please post a very brief bio of the fellow so all can have an idea how he look and acts.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I love the idea of a sympathetic guardsman, LMP. Awesome. I'm totally for the idea.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

I think it's a good addition as well, LMP. I've been concerned about who Mabalar would interact with, so it solves one problem.

Fea, you can stay out of things until we reach Romenna if you want to, or you can post periodic updates somewhat like LMP has been doing now and then. You can have some storyline if you want or you can pretty much have an uneventful journey. At the very least you'll know you're with Ziraphel and probably whichever Guard Inzi knew from childhood. There are also likely some other household staff and perhaps some remnants of other Faithful families with you.

This has been a busy week for me, but thankfully the weekend is here and I'll try to get a post up for Kath this evening or tomorrow afternoon.

~Sophe

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Stay out of things? How terrible. I'm thinking periodic updates with the occasionally event should be quite nice. After all, we wouldn't want to leave everyone wondering until forever from now what's happening with Inzi, only to find out that everything was roses and bubblegum for her. *grin*

I'll post a few posts down the road. :D By then, I'm sure something interesting will have happened to her. ;)

Fea

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Sorry about the delay in my posting, it seems Kathaani's little crisis extended to my ability to write about it. ;) I tried and tried to write that post and it just wasn't writing.

Anyway, hopefully we can get things rolling again. :)

Nice addition too, Fea. I can see why Kathaani is so rebellious and impetuous. I bet her mother was a lot like that in her youth as well.

Sophia

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Nice addition too, Fea. I can see why Kathaani is so rebellious and impetuous. I bet her mother was a lot like that in her youth as well.

Why thankee kindly, Miss Sophia. Much like Saeryn and Odessa at The White Horse Inn, Inzi is another branch of my own personality. Since I certainly wouldn't take kindly to a bunch of dolts removing me perforce from my home, Inzi's not going to. :cool: Mind you, I'm trying like heck to distance my character from myself, but the more I read of Kathaani, the more I think you're looking into my mind and THEN typing.

So is that kind of post good for the "meanwhile, back at the ranch" scenes?

Fea

[littlemanpoet]

Excellent additions, both Sophia and Feanor.

However, if posting rate does not pick up, Mabalar may inadvertently find himself freed with aid by the time his rescuers get there! Hop to it, folks! :)

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Excellent and well needed kick in the pants, LMP.

Everyone report for duty. :p Get in an on the road post if you would, and we'll be drawing near Armenelos in my next post, once we've had a full round from all you adventurers.

And Fea, that's precisely the kind of update on Inzillomi's doings I was hoping for. I am known to be a mind reader, of course. Even Phantom would admit it. :p Say hello to him for me, never see that boy anymore.

Sophia

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Fea reporting for orders!

Y'all shouldn't stroke my ego so much... it's purring contentedly right now.

How many days trip is it to Romenna? I need to plan out my mischief (must take just as great pains with written mischief as with the real stuff), but I couldn't remember where [or if] that's posted.

Oh yeah, and Soph: Will do. :D Me niether, all caught up in classes and whatnot.

Fea

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

You may have to estimate, as I was plotting our journey rather than yours. This (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=378362&postcount=15) info is for travelling with the Kariborim. If you're travelling mounted on Karibi I'd approximately double it, if you're travelling on foot I'd add still a little more. I think the time frames would add up best if you were mounted. Plenty of horses around.

Er, and mostly disregard the "real life" numbers, those are maybe not lining up so well as they should.

Sophe

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Okay, so 4ish days for y'all to get to Abarpa, plus a day and a half, give or take, to get him and to reach Romenna... That's about 6 days. If my group is mounted (which we are), that would be... 12 days, give or take. So you're pretty much guaranteed to reach Romenna before us... which definately reduces some of the conflict. So there's my two problems: the lack of stress involved if you have a whole week's lee-way, and how would I account for the extra days? You're group would be reaching Romenna some 5 or 6 days before mine. Perhaps an "unexpected" side trip?

Fea

[Regin Hardhammer]

Save filled in. I have directed a question at the fair lady....

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Regin I sent you a little pm. :)

Fea I think it's likely that Armenelos might take us longer than we think. We may have to tinker a bit with the timing. I'm not sure how things will play out.

Sophia

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Perhaps an overnight stay with their Armenelos contact? Maybe the King's Men got a whiff of trouble and they had to pause and rethink... Just an idea.

Fea

[Regin Hardhammer]

Sophia,

Please check your pms.

Regin

[littlemanpoet]

Seems like things are going a bit slowly - (everyone's busy, and I am as well!). Perhaps its time for someone to walk in with a gun... or at least an axe. ;)

- Himaran

I felt it was time for a "gun". Let's see what happens. ;) But let's not get carried away with derring do. Remember the goal, folks.

[Meneltarmacil]

I'll sneak around behind 'em whilst they're distracted (that is, after whosoever wisheth to speak to them doeth so.)

[Himaran]

Menel:

I set you up. Go for it.

[littlemanpoet]

Since I've set myself up as the speaker for the King's men here, I had better see it through.

Himaran, there's one problem with your post: these King's Men will not be satisfied until they have names. So please put into the mouth of the leader of the King's Men, that demand. .... and respond as you will......

[Himaran]

I added something to that effect. Not sure what you're planning, Menel, but make it violent. ;) Please?

[littlemanpoet]

Not sure what you're planning, Menel, but make it violent.

Yes, do exhibit such folly at this early point in the story. I'd love to apply the consequences that the King's Men and Sauron would bring to bear. :cool:

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Ah, King's Men and Fellowship, please remember: We're hoping for a tear-filled reunion at Romenna and it would be dreadfully inconvenient if those tears were over a letter stating the deaths of all of those who Inzi holds dear. Keep it subtle, pretty please.