Abduction in Edoras Discussion Thread

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JennyHallu invites you to play in:


Abduction in Edoras

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NOTE: This RPG has spun off from a subplot in The Eorling Mead Hall thread in Rohan - post 245 there begins the subplot.

It is open ONLY to players presently writing in the Eorling Mead Hall thread or to those gamers already on the Rohan Gamers’ Lists (see Post 1 (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=10525) in the 'Rohan Rules: The Golden Hall'.)

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Basic Storyline:

Linduial of Dol Amroth, first cousin to Queen Lothiriel of Rohan, was in Rohan on an informal visit to her cousin, staying in the Eorling Mead Hall under the protection of Lord Eodwine of the Middle Emnet. Her visit had lasted for only a few weeks when she lost her party at the annual Horse Fair in Edoras. Deciding to return to the Hall to await them proved to be a bad idea: busy crowds forced her into an unsavory section of the city, and she was kidnapped by an unscrupulous lord of the Rohirrim for the surely considerable ransom her status can command.

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The purpose of the story is to rescue or ransom Linduial.

This means we will know the story is over when Linduial has been safely returned to the Mead Hall and the protection of Eodwine.

Starting Location: Edoras

Likely destination: The country estate of Linduial’s captor (physical location yet to be determined) - and then a return to Edoras

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Timeframes:

This game takes place in the 4th Age at around year 15.

The storyline itself or plot covers 3 – 4 weeks.

This game requires a time commitment of 6-10 weeks from me, the game owner and from the major players. (And may be extended as needed at the discretion of the game proposer so that the end goal may be achieved)

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JennyHallu's vision of the storyline for the game:


Week One (gametime): Story will begin as all Mead Hall characters return to the Hall to organise a search for Lin. Ransom letter is delivered, Lin is transported to a country estate, Rescue party assembles, Degas is dispatched to inform Lin’s family of the kidnapping.

~*~

Week Two (gametime): Lin becomes restless in captivity, interacts with jailor and kidnapper. Rescue party identifies kidnapper, locates estate, and begins journey. Degas arrives at Dol Amroth, treats with Lord Farlen and Lin’s brothers, begins return journey to Rohan.

~*~

Week Three (gametime): Lin attempts to rescue herself. Rescue party arrives and SUB-QUEST: helps her to recover her belongings (Basket belonging to Kara of the Mead Hall, Doll intended as gift for Lèoðern, Masterwork dagger intended as gift for Degas of the Folde). Lin, rescue party, and Degas return to the Mead Hall to regroup, wrap up, and celebrate.

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WRITER/CHARACTER LIST

JennyHallu

1.) Linduial of Dol Amroth (aka: Lin) 2.) Marenil of Dol Amroth 3.) Lord Farlen of Dol Amroth 4.) Queen Lothiriel of Rohan
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The Kidnapper: Taralphiel - Sorn
The Jailor: Firefoot - Scyld
Minions:

1.)Anguirel - Gurth 2.)Alcarillo Osfrid Muriel
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Commander of the Queen’s Guard Firefoot - Haleth Reidrbrand
King’s/Queen’s Men:

Folwren - Deren
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Writers/Characters from the Eorling Mead Hall thread at present.

1.)Folwren - Thornden son of Thrinlite 2.)littlemanpoet - Eodwyne of the Mark
3.)Celuien Garstan Lèoðern Garmund 4.) Feanor of the Peredhil Degas of the Folde Farahil son of Farlen Adrigil son of Farlen

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Character types which would not belong:

Any not listed in the Characters Needed section

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JennyHallu’s characters


MAJOR CHARACTER

NAME: Linduial of Dol Amroth

AGE: 17

RACE: Human

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: A knife currently in the possession of the Kidnapper. Only proficiency is with a bow.

APPEARANCE: Tall and slim, with dark hair and sea grey eyes. The female version of her uncle Prince Imrahil’s classic features.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Very intelligent and good-hearted, but somewhat spoiled. She has never been called upon to be physically brave, and her physical abilities are limited. Occasionally impulsive. Trained to statecraft and diplomacy, her words are likely to prove her greatest asset.

HISTORY: Lin has grown up fully aware of her position as niece of Prince Imrahil, and the dangers and responsibilities that entailed. She always believed herself prepared for what life threw at her, thanks to her father’s trust and the careful training given her by her father’s steward, as well as a multitude of tutors. However, when her father began planning her a betrothal to a dull but well-connected young man, Lin managed to end the idea by suggesting a prolonged visit to her cousin in Rohan.

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MAJOR CHARACTER

NAME: Marenil of Dol Amroth

AGE: 67

RACE: Human

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: None

APPEARANCE: Dark grey eyes glint under bristly grizzled brows. Marenil walks a little bent over, and his hair is now more white than black, worn long and tied back neatly. His movements betray a bit of arthritis, but he’s still pretty spry for his age.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Marenil is mature and wise. He is not susceptible to the foibles of youth. A gentle, grandfatherly figure, but capable of sternness.

HISTORY: Marenil took his first job 50 years ago, as a groom for Linduial’s grandfather. He has spent the last 37 years as Steward of her house, since Lord Farlen first moved his growing family onto their own lands outside the city. In the comfortable peace after the War of the Ring, he was chosen to accompany Linduial on her journey to Rohan, mostly because it was not thought that she might be in any physical danger.

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MINOR CHARACTER

NAME: Lord Farlen of Dol Amroth

AGE: 58

RACE: Human

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: None

APPEARANCE: Tall and straight even after many years, Farlen represents the best of his people. No grey mars his dark hair, and his steely eyes have the same firm strength of his brother and his King.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Noble and honourable, Farlen is a good man and a good Lord. His main weakness is his love of his younger daughter, who reminds him of the bride he took so many years ago. He is a forceful man, though rarely takes up a sword anymore, having instead two strong young men for sons, and a son-in-law only two days’ travel from Dol Amroth.

HISTORY: Farlen is the younger brother of Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth, and the greatness of his house is a matter of common and uncontested knowledge. He has never been one to seek glory, but his honest mien and commanding presence have garnered honour and respect nonetheless.

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MINOR CHARACTER

NAME: Queen Lothiriel of Rohan

AGE: 35?

RACE: Human

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: None

APPEARANCE: Tall and strong and proud, dark-haired and grey eyed, like the rest of her family and people.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Lothiriel can be somewhat imposing at times. She is the possessor of a rather fierce temper, kept under tight rein. She is very protective of her family, and both her own and her husband’s people. She is deeply happy in her marriage.

HISTORY: As related by Tolkien.

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COMMANDER OF THE QUEEN'S GUARD, & KING'S MEN


Firefoot (originally Hama of the Riddermark) -- Commander of the Queen's Guard

NAME: Haleth Reidrbrand, Commander of the Queen’s Guard

AGE: 50

RACE: Human

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Sword with two golden horses forming the hilt. Shortbow, throwing spear.

APPEARANCE: Tall, rugged and muscled. Full beard the same colour as his long blond hair. He wears armour embossed with the Queen’s crest, and a long green cloak with the Queen’s device sewn into it in white.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Very loyal, he will fight to the death gladly to protect the Queen, or anyone placed in his charge. He is brave and steadfast almost to the point of being unbreakable, but he realizes when the situation in untenable and will beat a steady retreat when needed. He is very skilled with the sword and the bow, although less so with the spear he is still a good shot as he has a strong throwing arm.

HISTORY: Haleth was born to a noble family, taking his place in the Royal guard when he reached the age of majority. His courage and loyalty were soon recognized and he progressed steadily up the ranks. He soon commanded a small number of men, and his skill with the blade and the arrow stood him in good stead. He was respected by his men, loved as a leader and feared as an enemy, and eventually the Queen chose him to head up the Guard.

Since then he has defended the Queen ferociously when necessary, accompanying her on any journey outside Edoras and fighting ruthlessly to protect her against bandits and outlanders. He is experienced in the art of diplomacy by necessity, and can talk down many people, thus avoiding unnecessary bloodshed. Since his early life he reveled in combat, but respects the need for other methods of sorting out a situation.

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Folwren's character

NAME: Deren

AGE: 32

RACE: Man, of the Rohirrim

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Excellent with the sword, and a good shot (not spectacular, just good) with the bow. Little ability with throwing or using spears

APPEARANCE: He’s average height, about 5 feet and 7 or 8 inches, about. He has blond hair, brown eyes, possessing an angularly shaped face with high, prominent cheekbones, a proud forehead, and strong jaw. Sharp as his features may appear, while off duty, they are often softened by a smile and a friendly look.

PERSONALITIES/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: He, like his commander, is very loyal to king and country, and to his leader. He does his best to please and do as he is asked (or ordered, as the case probably is in the military set up). He’s good at following orders and seeing things through to the end, so long as they’re possible. Those traits have come after many years in service. (When he was a bit younger, things were different and he made more mistakes in the work of ‘carrying out orders’ when {and because} he was less disciplined, but because we’re talking about when he’s 32, I won’t elaborate.)

He is not spectacularly strong or so very agile, but he makes up both of those things with excellent swordsmanship and a good shot with a bow. He’s hardly any good at spear throwing, but he can manage it somewhat.

He’s somewhat argumentative at times, but rarely so with any one he is subordinate to, so we shouldn’t have too much trouble with that. More often than not, he doesn’t mean to start an argument or anything, he just speaks his mind and sticks to it firmly, to say the least.

HISTORY: Born and raised in Edoras. Joined the men at arms there when he was twenty, has been in the army/military, or whatever you would like to call it, since. Was placed under Haleth when he was twenty-eight and has been almost consistently part of his group of men since. Respects and loves his leader and would be willing to die for him. He has quite picked up his zeal for the Queen and her protection.

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KIDNAPPER, JAILOR, MINIONS


Taralphiel's character -- Kidnapper

NAME: Sorn

AGE: around 40

RACE: Human, Rohirric noble.

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: A finely crafted long sword is his weapon of choice, though it is too bulky for some settings. He has two concealed daggers – one in his left boot, and one under his vest.

APPEARANCE: Sorn is a tall and strong in stature. His shoulder length hair is neatly kept, and mostly hidden under a long, dark hood. Sorn is comfortable in finer clothing, but when we first meet him he is in neat riding gear – a brown leather vest over a long shirt, with grey riding pants and thick boots.

Sorn has a simple but not overly handsome face. His eyes are unusually dark for a Rohirric noble, and it has been said that his soul can’t be seen in them.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Sorn is a naturally charming man, when he wishes to be. Being noble, he has an obvious air of confidence, which often turns into an ugly streak of arrogance. Sorn finds most comfort in his own company, and has been isolated in his hall for the last several years.

Sorn often does not see boundaries placed upon him by tradition or decorum. He is one known to ‘bend’ common rules of conduct, when the gain is high enough. His greatest weakness is his greed. Of late, his spending of his families assets have left him in need of a monetary boost. It is thus that Linduial gets caught up in his ambition to regain his wealth.

A more frightening side of his personality is his tendency to suddenly turn to an inconsolable rage. This destructive side of his nature subsides quickly, but often leaves much damage behind.

HISTORY: Sorn, born into nobility, lost his older brother and father in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. His mother died in the birth of his sister, Hild. He was then a sole heir of a healthy fortune, though it did not last. His pride was again struck when the Eorl married Lothiriel, as he suspected one of his family (particularly his sister, Hild) would have been a suitable match. From that point, he became isolated at his estate, foolishly spending his money. He became further detached when his last living relative, his sister, passed away.

Alone and suffering the loss of many years, Sorn began to plot a way to restore his house to the wealth he squandered, and to seek a small revenge on the people he is convinced robbed his family of their pride.

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Firefoot's character -- Jailor

NAME: Scyld

AGE: 25

RACE: Man - Rohirric

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: He is not much of a fighter but if necessary he can wield a pair of knives with reasonable proficiency. Much more dangerous is his mind, but very few if any realize this, as he keeps his intelligence as hidden as his knives.

APPEARANCE: Short dirty-blonde hair, blue-gray eyes, passive expression that rarely expresses his thoughts. Dresses plainly but certainly not shabbily. 5’11” tall, not particularly strong or athletic but rather thin.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: The only person that matters to Scyld is Scyld. He looks out for himself and takes care not to offend or cause wariness to anyone, whether because they could help or hurt him. He is very much an opportunist and can think quickly. However, he is rarely impulsive and only takes risks when he feels confident that it will work out well for him. He lies easily but is honest whenever he can be. He is very intelligent and has an ear for information of all sorts; he would make an ideal spy if anyone ever found out his talents, but he is careful to keep this hidden behind apparent subservience and only average intelligence.

HISTORY: Scyld was born the fifth child to an already struggling family of middling rank. Most of their remaining wealth was lost in the War of the Ring, and in the following years, Scyld’s father amassed a debt to Sorn that he was unable to pay. In place of cash, the twelve-year-old Scyld was contracted to work ten years in Sorn’s service, after which Scyld would be free to do as he wished and Sorn would consider the debt paid.

Initially confused and resentful, Scyld soon learned to make the best of his situation. He learned a wide variety of skills in Sorn’s household, and to learning he devoted himself – not only about his new skills, but also to finding out as much as possible about Sorn and anything else that might eventually prove useful to him. Gathering information became his hobby. But by always obeying Sorn’s commands to the letter and always behaving subserviently and never showing outstanding intelligence, he came to be trusted by Sorn, although Scyld took care never to get too close to his volatile master. Nor did he ever grow to love him, and if better opportunity presented itself to Scyld, he would without reservations or regrets stab Sorn in the back (literally or figuratively) and take it, and for such an opportunity he always watched, although to this point he has never proved anything but trustworthy. When his ten years ran out, he elected to stay with Sorn at least for a time while figuring out what he wanted to do next.

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Anguirel's character -- minion

NAME: Gurth

AGE: 23

RACE: Human (Rohirric)

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Gurth carries a huge cudgel of oaken wood in his right hand. But he has been known to kill with the blow of his left fist alone.

APPEARANCE: Gurth is, in theory, the model of a Rohirric figure-goldenheaded and blue eyed, staggering tall-only a few inches short of seven feet-and broad shouldered. His frame seems forged of contorted muscle, lean and powerful. But the look in his face is disconcerting. The eyes show scarce emotion, the smile is more of a grimace, and the mouth drools in moments of extreme wrath.

Since taking up employment with Lord Sorn, Gurth is well kitted out, and his garb would mark him out as a freeman, were it not for its colour-pale yellows and greens, the motley coat of an idiot. Gurth wears no armour, and probably needs none.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Gurth’s personality is somewhat difficult to discern, in the way that it is challenging to analyse the personality of a bull. He speaks little, and in a slurred, unsteady voice. He probably knows few words save “Master”, “Sorn”, “Gurth”, “drink”, “smash”, and “Grendel”-the name of his beloved wolf-mastiff. Gurth is terrifying in a fight, where he moves with unfeasible swiftness and deftness of foot, and has no idea what is meant by fear. Besides, Grendel usually battles alongside his keeper.

HISTORY: Gurth’s mother Gythu was said to be overjoyed to have given birth to such a handsome, large, splendid baby. When he killed a mad dog with his fist shortly after his birth, she decided to call him Helm. It would prove an ill choice. As the years went by, Helm was as mute as ever, but grew more violent. One day he threw his mother from the roof of their farmstead and wandered off, slaying any who did not flee from him.

Known as a dangerous madman, Gurth, as he was now named, largely in scorn, was often placated with strong drink, which he was unused to and made him quickly fall asleep. Developing a taste for it, he would break into houses to find mead, though he preferred still stronger draughts. A drunken, filthy idiot, he was among the lowest of the low.

This changed when he saved the wolf-mastiff mongrel Grendel from a man-at-arms who had been detailed to kill it. The two mad, kicked, abused giants became fast friends. The height of his fortunes came when Sorn, riding to hunt, admired the bestial splendour of dog and man, and persuaded them to enter his keep in return for regular supplies of mead and ale. Gurth was arrayed as a fool under a noble’s protection, and served as a fearsome watchman and henchman, blindly loyal.

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Alcarillo's characters -- minion/minion's girlfriend

NAME: Osfrid

AGE: 48

RACE: Human, Rohirric

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Osfrid carries a long knife hidden in his jacket, but he rarely uses it, and prefers to pummel people with his fists.

APPEARANCE: Osfrid is of average height, with a strong and sturdy build. He has long blond hair, reaching down to his shoulders in thick locks. He has a big blond mustache, and blue eyes. He tends to smile a lot, especially when meeting new people, and his back is always straight and his head held high. He always wears a big, brown coat and tall black boots.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Osfrid's a friendly fellow. He loves to surround himself with people and be the center of attention, and he charms many people with just a handshake and a smile. He lacks arrogance or pride, which Osfrid knows are dangerous, and this is why people like him so much. But this not to gain friends. This is how he performs his mischief. With his friendliness, he can convince mostly anybody of mostly anything. He can tell a straight lie, and if he smiles enough, he can swindle anything.

Osfrid's one weakness is for women. He loves to chase after them and lure them away to accompany him on his adventures. Every few months or so he has a new lady friend. The latest is a Gondorian woman out of Anorien, named Muriel. Osfrid insists on bringing his women everywhere with him, and loves to spoil them with gifts.

Osfrid thinks of himself as a gentleman thief, and would take insults about his profession very personally. Many brawls he's fought have began that way. Sometimes he thinks that people like Sorn have given the profession a bad name, and he would like to see more chivalrous behavior out of all criminals.

HISTORY: Osfrid was born into a wealthy land-owning family, with a large estate out in eastern Rohan. He had two brothers and a sister, but they never got along. His family always looked down a tad bit on Osfrid for mingling with the lower classes, but Osfrid just considered his family foolish. He stole from his siblings often. In Osfrid's mind, they didn't deserve the money. He even stole small belongings, and soon his sister and brothers banned him from all of the family parties. He still tried to sneak in.

When the parents died, Osfrid received an exact fourth of their money, though his siblings always disagreed with their parents' decision. The house went to Osfrid's brothers, and he was kicked out. Osfrid wandered to the eorl of the East-Emnet, and took refuge at the mead hall there, but he left after the eorl had discovered that somebody was stealing his coin every night. He wandered here and there, finally settling in a tiny village. He began a small mercantile business between the villages in the area and for a time was prosperous. But he was chased out of the village after a few years by competing tradesmen, saying he was using unethical practices. True, he was, and he gathered his possessions and hit the road.

He moved from town to town, staying in each only a few days. He had a "lady friend" in each town, too, to have an extra seat for him at the dinner-table should he stop by. He mostly made his money by swindling it out of those he met on his journeys. He would never stoop to begging. And when he failed to swindle coin out of some wise man, he just dipped a tiny bit into his savings, which he had deposited across the towns of the Eastfolde in safe and secret locations. Sometimes he took an odd job here or there.

He met Sorn during these travels, and the two became partners-in-crime, each calling upon the other whenever one had a grand scheme in mind, such as the kidnapping of Linduial.

~*~

NAME: Muriel

AGE: 25-ish

RACE: Human, of Rohirric and Gondorian ancestry

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: None.

APPEARANCE: Muriel is tall and skinny, with pale skin and long black hair, though she usually ties it into a tight little bun. She usually wears a black dress, and lots of cheap jewelry Osfrid's given to her. She usually wears a pouty, helpless expression on her face.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Muriel loves to be spoiled. She loves every gift her beloved Osfrid gives her, everything from individual flowers to "diamond" necklaces. She is quiet, and clingy to Osfrid, and hates it when he ignores her.

She is ingenuous, too. She likes to think she's a princess, but she knows nothing about the stately manners and businesses of true princesses. She dislikes not being taken seriously.

HISTORY: Muriel's family lived on a tiny farm in Anórien, outside of Rohan's borders. She was sent into Rohan one day to deliver a message to her cousin. She was accompanied by her brother. He would've been sent alone, but he was lame and couldn't ride well. That is why Muriel was sent along. Once they reached the village, Muriel met Osfrid, the man of her dreams, at the inn she stayed at. He swept her away, with only a short good-bye to her brother, and Muriel was off on the adventure she had always dreamed of.

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CHARACTERS FROM THE MEAD HALL


Folwren's character

NAME: Thornden son of Thrinlite

AGE: 25

RACE: Man (Rohirrim)

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: He has the ability to use a sword and spear if given to him, but he doesn’t carry any weapon.

APPEARANCE: Thornden is tall, roughly 6 feet 4 inches in height, and broad shouldered. He has straight, dark blond hair, the color of wet sand, cut close to his head. Hazel eyes that are often twinkling with his easy, quick smile.
His clothing usually consist of a plain white cotton shirt, sometimes with a vest over it, sometimes not. Brown breeches, fastened at the waist with a leather belt. Soft leather, mid-calf boots.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Thornden is a calm, quiet man, possessing both patience and good judgement (most of the time)(we all have our lapses, don’t we?). He is usually willing to think the best of people, so long as they haven’t proved themselves to be bad. He is often very easy going and is easily amused, but when it is necessary, he can be very immoveable and stern, doing what is necessary to get what needs to be done done. He does his best to be kind to everyone and hates to see anyone ill used, and his anger or temper is usually difficult to arouse (but it is possible).
His main weakness may be stubbornness. If he doesn’t want to do something, it takes a lot to get him to do it, and even ‘a lot’ may not succeed, depending on who you are. (For instance, if he disagrees with Eodwine, because he is Eodwine’s subordinate, he would probably end up doing as Eodwine told him to. On the other hand, if Gárwine and he were in disagreement. . .) Happily, he doesn’t often set his will on things that aren’t for the good of everybody involved, so generally his stubbornness is never confronted or trouble causing.

HISTORY: Thornden was born and grew up on a farm out in the country of the East Emnet. He was the oldest child of six, the youngest being thirteen years younger than himself. His mother taught him how to read and write and work with numbers, and his father taught him to farm. Thrinlite hoped to have Thornden eventually take over the farm, but Thornden had different thoughts in mind. He didn’t want to farm and so he didn’t.

When he was twenty-three he moved from home to Edoras. For two reasons, mainly - one was to find something to do (other than farming) and to establish some sort of living and the second was to escape his mother’s and his sister’s constant nagging at his not being yet married. He was not long in Edoras until he got himself into the guard of Meduseld and he stayed there for a little over a year. Then, when Eodwine became Eorl, and was in need of someone as steward, Thornden thought that he may as well try it, and went out at once to try his luck.

Eodwine took him for a month’s trial, and it has been roughly a week and a half since he went to the Mead Hall.

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Feanor of the Peredhil's characters

NAME: Degas of the Folde

AGE: 18

RACE: Rohirric

GENDER: male

WEAPONS: A heavy sword with distinguishing marks that he wields effortlessly, yet rarely carries; it matches a thin dagger possessed by his twin sister. His own dull dagger serves less for cutting or stabbing than for random prying; he’s been looking to replace it, but only half-heartedly, as it was a gift from his sisters that he received when he was about ten. Keen enough with a bow, but prefers no weapons. Trained by commoner friends to hand-fight when he was about 14. His lean muscular frame is suited for quick hits that carry a lot of power.

APPEARANCE: About 5’11”, broad shoulders, dark red hair that’s long and tied into a horsetail at almost all times. Handsome with devilishly twinkling eyes. Has skin that’s darkened slightly after a childhood spent wincing over sunburns.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: A sweet and caring musician, he loves his twin sister Saeryn more than anybody else, and would not have returned from his prolonged stay in Minas Tirith if it had not been for her continued residence in Rohan. Having been spoiled slightly by the attention paid to him by ladies of all stations, Degas is cocky and chivalrous, both suave and charismatic. He flirts with all women, only noticing that he is doing it if a woman does not flirt back; he is used to the attention. Usually likeable, the young nobleman can come across as arrogant, abrasive, and infuriatingly condescending when he is upset or impatient. As a younger son, he has been allowed to act irresponsibly, not having as much image to maintain as an heir might. This freedom has made him somewhat impulsive and sometimes thoughtless, though he is well-meaning.

HISTORY: The younger son of a noble house of Rohan, Degas is the twin of Saeryn and brother of the recently deceased Caelwyn and current lord of the Folde, Fenrir. With parents of a liberal persuasion, Degas and his siblings were allowed to wander through the Folde, mingling with those of all stations, learning from the most distinguished guests of their parents as well as the roughest of wanderers, and playing. Taught both statecraft and how to deal with commoners on their own level, the children were fast able to act appropriately in all situations.

After their parents’ tragic death, Degas and his siblings were cared for by Fenrir, who is quite a bit older. Their freedom was remarkably lessened by Fenrir’s ambition and desire for noble propriety. The girls were kept within the walls of their home for the most part, though Degas was still allowed to adventure. With his twin sometimes disguised and in tow, he did so, consorting with all folks of the Folde and beyond, developing, as he went, many friendships and a strong love for music. He learned to play sad melodies of the forgotten South from traveling minstrels even as he learned quick fingered, skylarking dance tunes from country men around bonfires at night.

At age 17, Degas left home and traveled south to Minas Tirith to learn more about music while claiming that his travel was to educate himself further upon the details of statecraft. Successfully fulfilling both his claim to the public and his promise to himself, he much enjoyed life as a visiting lord in a country full of lovely raven-haired maidens fascinated by a fiery northern redhead with an enchanting singing voice and love of adventure.

When he received word at 18 that his elder sister had died, he left Minas Tirith and traveled north, seeking his twin. Reaching home, he found her gone, their brother enraged. Discovering that she’d run away, Degas left in search of her, throwing Fenrir off of his trail, understanding that if Saeryn had ran away from home, she had been running away from their brother. Serendipitously finding her settled at The White Horse Inn in Edoras, he joined her, leaving now and again to tend to business elsewhere. After one such disappearance, he returned to find the Inn in the hands of the newly lorded Eodwine and in the midst of being converted to a fully fledged Mead Hall. Shortly thereafter, he met one Lady Linduial of Dol Amroth and has spent much of his time since attempting to win her favor, though if one asked him, even if that one were Saeryn, he would denying it to the last breath.

~*~

NAME: Adrigil son of Farlen

AGE: 37

RACE: Gondorian

GENDER: male

WEAPONS: A scimitar acquired from a sleazily ethic'd Umbarian trader, a razor-sharp black dagger from Khand, a potentially Elven bow and quiver given as a token of thanks from an otherwise nefarious pirate whose lady Adrigil saved from near drowning on the high seas.

APPEARANCE: 6'5", well-tanned, straight black hair currently shaved bald from a far southern ceremony involving details that he refuses to divulge. High cheekbones and grey eyes. Impressively muscled upper arms play host to intricately designed tribal tattoos, black ink tracing delicate knots across and around his biceps.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Adventurous with a strong love of learning new things. Travels as frequently as his duties as father, husband, and heir allow, picking up new talents like wood carving, staff fighting, deep sea fishing and more. Speaks many languages fluently. Has friends scattered about Middle Earth with which he communicates by long letters frequently. Has no qualms about using profanity, but only when women and children (and in this category, he does not count his sisters or cousins) are not present. Having the first voice one hears when they walk into a room, Adrigil is rather booming, a bit intimidating, and immediately likable as he holds no noble pretensions. Rather is it that he is fully aware of the power that comes with his name, as are all, to be honest, and so he feels no need to compensate for it. Very strong, he has to take care not to hurt anybody accidentally. Has a strong love of tournaments and other such events that allow him to show off. Learned to ride among the Rohirrim, learned to fight from locals of every place he's been, and is very much a cuddly teddy bear of a man when in the privacy of his home, no matter what his gruff demeanor elsewhere. Madly in love with his wife, Adrigil has settled a lot in the past seven years; ever since his first child was born.

HISTORY: Adrigil spent his childhood playing pirates and King's Guard with his cousins on the high walls of Dol Amroth. With a special knack for discovering adventures where parents had hoped there to be none, Adrigil often found himself in the midst of a good story to tell later, when mother wasn't around. His younger sister Azranala often took it upon herself to keep Adrigil behaving even as she continuously bossed young Farahil around. Farahil listened, sometimes, and Adrigil humored his motherly little sister until she left him alone more than a few seconds.

As soon as he could, Adrigil talked his mother and father into allowing him to travel at sea with their men. Spending his teenage years in and out of Dol Amroth learning to fight and to command with the captain of the fleet, Adrigil was self-sufficient early. He spent his time at home teasing Azranala, who retorted quite as quickly as she received her brother's taunts and sharing travel stories with Lothiriel who he was always very fond of.

At 20, Adrigil was already experienced in the ways of the world and so when his mother died in childbirth, he was crushed, though not as heart broken as his 12-year-old brother. He humored the 15-year-old Azranala more now, seeing her attempts to fill the void, and he cossetted the new baby, Linduial, named for their dead mother, always more gentle with her than with any others.

He rode with Imrahil's forces to Minas Tirith during the War of the Ring, though he did not ride to the Black Gate. Instead he followed his uncle's very firm advice to stay and guard the city lest it fall. After the war, seeing the fatherless children weep and the husbandless wives carry on heartbroken with their lives, Adrigil resolved that no child should feel the loss of a parent and began to spoil the very young Linduial all the more, buying her pretty items that had no particular use, but that he knew his mother would have cherished and shared with the fussy little girl.

Through his 20s, Adrigil explored Middle Earth, taking Farahil along with him, finding true adventures and acquiring stories only half-believed by those left at home. Always an excellent fighter, he honed his skills with local secrets after gaining acceptance no matter what it took, no matter where he went. Though loud as well as tall and muscular, Adrigil's dark eyes and burnt golden skin were welcoming more than alarming and he was well-liked.

Marrying a pretty young woman when he was nearly 30, Adrigil began to slowly settle, giving up his life on the road (or at sea) to enjoy the quiet family life that he noticed many men enjoying. It lasted about a year before he went nearly stir-crazy and his wife told him to go on an adventure or she would. Kissing her passionately goodbye, he sailed the coast of Middle Earth for several months, dealing with pirates where they were causing trouble, helping rebuild where storms had caused damage, and generally being helpful to the coastal cities and merchant sailors. Returning home, he discovered that his wife was right in telling him to go; he could never be content without a struggle. Loving her all the more, he settled into an almost structured life of stay at home and be a good husband and heir and go out and be a good man of Gondor.

At 30, Adrigil's first child was born; a son. In the following years, his wife bore him two daughters and another son, all black haired and all cheerful, the girls slender and pretty as their still young aunt Linduial, the boys much like Adrigil's father, wise and doting and strong.

As years passed, Adrigil continued to adventure and to stay at home in intervals, coming home with lavish gifts and wonderful stories, loathe to leave for long stretches of time where he was content to do little but play with his children, dote upon his wife, and spend time with the residents of his home.

~*~

NAME: Farahil son of Farlen

AGE: 29

RACE: Gondorian

GENDER: male

WEAPONS: Trained in the use of every weapon he comes across, Farahil is proficient in all, studying to perfect each before continuing to the next. He is an extremely formidable opponent on the battlefield and his reputation tends to precede him.

APPEARANCE: 6'1", muscular. Broad shouldered, but not imposing. Walks silently, with footfalls especially light for his large frame. Often seen with a small child on his shoulders when at home, whether a relative or one of the wee ones of the household. Straight black hair that falls past a strong jaw line. Usually combed into a horsetail like those of the Rohirrim of the north, though if a strong wind blowing across the deck of a ship happens to pull his hair from its tie, he will let the wind take it. Farahil presents a rather dashing image of a sailor. A quiet smile often adorns his lips, his dark grey eyes lighting softly. He is most comfortable in commoners' clothing and wears it when adventuring, though even a blind man could see blood of the noblest lines in his visage.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Though he is a younger son, Farahil has never begrudged his older brother the position of heir. He appreciates his ability to adventure with nearly unlimited funding, yet he owns the sort of disposition that might have been happier in another life without the obligations that come from carrying certain blood within his veins.

He is uncomfortable at formal occasions. While he attends those events deemed important by his sisters, and dresses impeccably for them, Farahil is no more social than strictly necessary and eagerly awaits any opportunity to leave. If he happens to be away from home during such things, he is not in the least bit perturbed. He is most comfortable on a ship, sailing in the late afternoon sun while lazily glancing at the endless waters, pondering what new treat will most easily draw a smile from his younger sister. His discovery that she is a fair shot inspires his continued collecting of bright feathers for quiet evenings spent fletching while she chatters happily away.

Though quieter and more reserved than his older brother, Farahil's very presence is reassuring and he is a favorite of all. Many people do not fully understand him, yet children are drawn to him and strangers find themselves telling him their life stories over a quiet drink. The men that sail under him are loyal beyond the understanding of most, confident in his ability and trusting in both his leadership and friendship. Though Farahil has noble bearing, he treats all as equals and is more comfortable laughing over bawdy jokes in sea-side taverns than politely discussing the state of the weather with visiting dignitaries over dinner. He has a knack for seeing people's strengths as well as their weaknesses and placing them in situations where they will flourish.

HISTORY: The younger son of Lord Farlen, Farahil spent his childhood as the youngest child in the family. With his brother, Adrigil, eight years his senior and his sister, Azranala, three years so, he often struggled to keep up, though if they had been matched in age, he certainly would have matched his siblings in strength and wit, respectively. As playmates of Imrahil's sons and daughter, the children often shared tutors and had adventures within the ancient walls of the castle when they were kept indoors.

Trained early in both statecraft and weaponry, Farahil immediately preferred the latter, studying diligently with the arms masters in hopes of perfecting each weapon. With his twelfth year came the birth of a baby sister, Linduial, and he was fascinated by her. While his older sister was lovely in her own hard-edged way and was certainly proper and could negotiate a horse from beneath his rider while convincing, whether the rider liked it or not, that it was for his own good, Linduial was tiny and porcelain. He was nervous holding her, afraid that she would break, but her bright eyes and happy gurgle instantly stole the very heart that the death of Farahil's mother had broken. From the day she was born, Farahil was protective of her, finding excuses to spend time with her, delighting in eliciting smiles from her. Teased by his peers for his constant thought of his baby sister, he began to keep more to himself, surprising Linduial as she grew with small treats and the like, while beginning to adventure further from home.

As Farahil entered his later teens, after the War of the Ring, his brother, already grown, began to take him on sailing adventures and Farahil developed a keen love of the sea, more even than he had had for the view from the castle walls of the glimmering blue. Whether working in the sweltering sun on the deck of a fishing ship or captaining a crew of traders or adventurers, Farahil was happiest on the water. As he got older, he became less tied to his home and began to enjoy the freedom of the sea more and more, yet he still thought of his little sister, strong as steel and fragile as silk. He brought her tokens after every adventure, sharing stories even as she told him of her latest exploits at home.

These days, Farahil avoids marriage, fearing to bind a woman to him in troth and still feel the call of the sea. When home, he plays with his nieces and nephews, spoiling them with gifts from distant lands, and he seeks out his baby sister, now grown. Hearing of Lin's desire to travel, he wished to ride with her as a guard, but knew that it would defeat her purpose to escape the constraints of home for a time. She had spoken to him of her wish to escape the lad that Farlen had in mind for her, and Farahil knew that his beloved little sister would fade if forced to stay. Secretly he sought out his father and spoke with him, asking leave for Lin to go even before she asked it herself

Though it was partly of his doing that Linduial was allowed to travel to Rohan to visit Lothiriel, he misses her terribly. He sees clearly that which surrounds him: his older siblings married with families, his baby sister having adventures of her own. Even now he is seeking a new crew with which to sail further south than he has ever yet gone, searching desperately for something, anything, but unsure what it is or if he will find it no matter where he goes.

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littlemanpoet's character

NAME: Eodwine (formerly of the Gap), Eorl of Middle Emnet

AGE: 43

RACE: Rohirrim

GENDER: male

WEAPONS: sword, hunting knife

APPEARANCE: blonde, tall, long legged, blue eyes, his face is fair, with a high forehead, and a not overly strong chin. He is strong, but not muscular.

PERSONALITY: He is quick to laugh, friendly, curious; a student of the War of the Ring; he is musical, a singer of songs and teller of heroic tales, (but he lost his harp in the Hills of Evendim). His voice is tenor and strong. He tends to be bashful and slow to put himself before a crowd, so he needs to feel at home and among friends before he will play or sing. Once he does feel at home, he is quite personable, funny, conversant, interested in other people, and almost - not quite - the life of the party.

STRENGTHS: he is compassionate, courageous and loyal. he makes friends easily and keeps them long. he is courteous to all, and considerate of other people.

WEAKNESSES: Not a good scout, mind wandering when alone. Hard on self when things go wrong.

HISTORY: He lived in the Western Emnet, close to the River Isen, serving in the forces of Theodred. He witnessed Theodred's fall, and came with Erkenbrand to turn back the rout of Helm's Deep. He marched to the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, and also with the small army that stood before the Black Gate when Sauron fell. He came back home to find that his wife and two children had been murdered by Dunlendings, his crops and farmstead burned to the ground. He joined the forces that hunted the Dunlendings down and brought them to justice, and having no family left, nor caring to start a new one, he went to Edoras and sought a place among Eomer's guard. He became one of the King's Messengers, traveling all over Rohan, and to Minas Tirith, as well as to Isengard, and places farther afield now and then.

In the year Fourth Age 14, he was in the Shire on a secret errand for King Elessar, on loan from King Eomer. Under the guise of researching the War of the Ring as it affected the Shire, he was to learn why, for four years running, craftsmen and smiths sent from Gondor to Annuminas were not heard from again. Leaving Bree, heading northwards, he was captured by a party of ruffians, and imprisoned by an unknown brigand lord and his growing army. His capture had been witnessed by a wanderer formerly of Bree, named Falowik Stonewort, who reported his capture in Bree. Falowik and a party of rescuers, including the Hobbit, Falco Boffin, went north to Deadmen's Dike, and to Lake Evendim, where they discovered enemy strongholds, and were able to overcome by skill and strategem. An informant then led them to the northernmost edge of the Hills of Evendim where the stronghold of the new brigand lord was. The brigand lord was the former Mouth of Sauron, who had renamed himself Herugor, who was about to sacrifice Eodwine on his altar to Melkor in order to take his blood and use it to gain more years to his life (not having Sauron's power to do this anymore). Long story short, they defeated Herugor's plans and his life was ended, and Eodwine was rescued. Thus began the friendship of Eodwine of West Emnet and Falco Boffin. They came down from the Shire to Edoras, for Falco wished to see the places the famous Hobbits of the War had been to.

The Man and Hobbit took lodging at the White Horse Inn, owned by Bêthberry. While there he became the foster father of an orphaned girl, Gudryn, who has since been handed over to the seamstress Gedd for tutelage.

Bêthberry left and turned the place over to Eodwine after King Eomer released from service as King's Messenger only to create him the new Eorl of the new Middle Emnet, the former White Horse Inn his Eorling Mead Hall. News of the change attracted attention and before long, Eodwine found him the happy master of a bustling mead hall filled with likeable, loyal, and interesting folk.

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

Celuien's characters

NAME: Garstan

AGE: 35

RACE: Human, Rohirric

GENDER: male

WEAPONS: stoneshapers’ tools, handy with a knife

APPEARANCE: About 6 feet. Blonde, blue eyed. Weathered appearance from years of working outdoors. Hands thickly callused from laboring over stone. Wears plain, simple clothing.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Garstan is a quiet, retiring sort, more accustomed to the company of his stonework than of people. For that reason, he tends to be uncomfortable in crowds or among strangers. However, once he finds a friend, he is deeply loyal and, while still reticent with regard to expressing emotions, can be warm and open if his trust has been gained. He has gradually learned to put himself forward to others, though his sense of awkwardness can ironically make him appear impulsive or overbearing when he makes the effort too strongly. He makes up for this failing by trying to be proper and polite. He is analytical and precise, both in his work and thought processes – he is a classic perfectionist. That coupled with his quiet manner can give the false impression that he is cold and distant, though in reality, nothing could be further from the truth, which is that his careful exterior masks deep feeling. He is devoted to and highly protective of his two children. On the downside, he can be gloomy and pessimistic if the mood strikes him, and if sufficiently provoked while in such a mood, can lash out unexpectedly.

HISTORY: Garstan was born and spent most of his life in the distant reaches of Rohan’s Wold region. Always possessed of a wandering spirit, he gladly went for an apprenticeship in stoneshaping near the borders of Gondor as an adolescent. After completing his training, he returned to the Wold, plying his trade as best as he could in a sparsely settled area. The low demand for his craft caused him to take on a nearly nomadic existence, always in search of work, and to learn the skills of other craftsmen he encountered. Thus, by the age of 22, he was something of a jack-of-all-trades, though his true gift remained remained in stonework.

Garstan’s wandering existence made it difficult for him to settle into a family life. However, at 23, he wed the daughter of one of his employers and set up a small shop as a general handyman and stoneshaper. The desire to roam the countryside was always in the back of his mind, but he didn’t feel the inclination to do so while his family was growing.

His wife died after ten years of marriage. After that, the old wandering spirit returned to him, and seeing nothing left to keep him in their old home, he sold off his household effects and took his children on a wandering path through Rohan.

After a year and a half of unsettledness, Garstan began to realize that roaming the countryside was not the best life for the father of two small children. He then set for Edoras, planning to settle there and hoping to make a reputation as a stoneshaper. A broken cart stopped his journey as it neared its completion, and he found his way to Lord Eodwine’s Mead Hall.

~*~

NAME: Lèoðern

AGE: 5

RACE: Human, Rohirric

GENDER: female

WEAPONS: none

APPEARANCE: About 3 and a half feet tall. Glossy, strawberry ringlets that run wildly over her shoulders. Bright, twinkling blue eyes. A bundle of motion. Can be located quickly by her constant talking and laughter.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Lèoðern is adorability taken to its furthest extreme. Chattery, friendly, and energetic, she has a way of endearing herself to almost everyone she meets. While doted on by her father and brother, she’s not the stereotypical spoiled child. Any trouble she causes is unintentional, usually the result of her irrepressible high spirits; she is unfailingly and genuinely sorry afterwards. Warm and affectionate to anyone who treats her kindly.

HISTORY: The daughter of Garstan the stoneshaper, Lèoðern has little memory of life before her father’s wanderings in their cart. While she has had few contacts other than her father and brother, she has never been lonely or unhappy thanks to her unfailingly sunny disposition and their constant attention. Life at the Mead Hall has been a new experience for her, made all the more exciting and wonderful by her instant friendship with Linduial.

~*~

NAME: Garmund

AGE: 9

RACE: Human, Rohirric

GENDER: male

WEAPONS: none

APPEARANCE: Blonde, blue eyed, tall for his age at 5 feet even. Has a thoughtful, introspective manner with occasional hints of sadness, unless Lèoðern’s infectious cheeriness has caused him to adopt her energy.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Garmund is quite strongly the younger version of his father, with a little more impulsiveness and more of a tendency to join in Lèoðern’s fun and games. Tends to be very protective of Lèoðern, has something of a ‘man-of-the-family’ complex. Bright. Gifted in stonework.

HISTORY: Garmund is Garstan’s oldest child. He has memories of the home the stoneshaper’s family inhabited before the death of his mother. This accounts for the occasional sad, far-away manner he takes on. His gift for stoneshaping was discovered by his proud father two years ago, and he eagerly looks forward to taking on the role of an apprentice in the next few years.

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

[piosenniel]

Jenny - I also sent you a PM about some of your questions and a few of mine.

How does the proposal look to you so far?


~*~ Pio

[JennyHallu]

Looks good. 2 brothers, by the way, I like the title, and I would definitely be willing to go ahead and open this up so we can get things moving. First post follows:

[JennyHallu]

FIRST POST FOR THE GAME

Placed on RPG Thread ~*~ Pio


Queen Lothiriel of Rohan strove to be a conscientious ruler. She had loved the wild, verdant beauty of her adopted homeland from the moment Eomer had first brought her here, so many years gone, and had worked hard to gain the respect of these people. They had once been rough and strange to her, but now they were dearer to her than the tall, proud, sea-bent warriors of her youth.

But family was family.

Lothiriel had been thrilled to see young Linduial had arrived. She remembered her cousin only vaguely, as a dark-eyed, serious child, and the poised slender young woman who had presented herself at Court had come as something of a shock. The girl's wit, beauty, and natural charm, however, had won over the older and more mature woman in an instant. Linduial had also brought enough letters, luxurious gifts, and cheerful gossip of half-forgotten names and places to make Lothiriel feel like a girl again herself, as her cousin filled her in on the mundane cycle of births, deaths, and 'who-married-whom's for an hour, closeted in her chambers.

"When did this arrive?" she snapped at the guard standing before her, crinkling the paper he'd given her in nervous fingers.

"Only a few minutes agone, Lady. A child brought it to the door guard, said a man had paid him to deliver it, for your eyes only."

"And was the child detained? Have we a description?"

The man held out his arms sheepishly. "No, he'd run off before anyone realized it was a serious matter."

"I see." Lothiriel glanced down again at the paper in her hand, impotent anger rising quickly in her breast. Linduial was intelligent, sure, but young and inexperienced, still adjusting to life here. And this anonymous man... Lothiriel growled in anger. Eomer had spent the last fifteen years rebuilding his country, painstakingly repairing the ravages of war and treason. A calmer part of the Queen hoped, for the sake of this unnamed offender, that he was not of the Rohirrim, for if he were, she and her husband would be responsible for his punishment.

But there were other failures to deal with first.

~<*>~

Lord Eodwine's Eorling Mead Hall was in chaos. Lothiriel found Eodwine in the front courtyard surrounded by people, all of whom were shouting and talking and milling about. There was a young man whose face was a study in guilt and dejection, another was limping badly, the Hall itself was in ruins. A pretty young woman hung on Eodwine's arm, but he seemed oblivious to her in the face of whatever challenge he faced now.

In the midst of this confusion, Lothiriel finally discovered an outlet for her restless anger. As she strode into the courtyard with her guards struggling to keep up, the company fell silent, surprised at her appearance, waiting expectantly for her to speak. She gratified their curiousity quickly, as she was in no mood to waste time on formalities.

"Lord Eodwine of the Mark," she said clearly, her voice chill. "Where is my cousin?"

Eodwine visibly started. Whatever he had expected to hear, it was not that. "My queen--" he hesitated, knowing that this was going to go badly. "--I do not know. She left for the Fair this morning, and was separated from her party. We were gathered here to go search for her. But how did you know?"

Lothiriel's temper flared. "Don't bother searching for her," she snapped thrusting the letter she held at the confused man. "You won't find her easily."

Eodwine took the paper and read it through quickly, then, with a pale glance at his queen, over again more slowly, before handing it to the young woman at his side, dropping her arm and standing alone, suddenly bone-tired. The woman glanced at her Lord, the queen, and briefly at the distraught young man near her, and as the silence continued expectantly, read the letter aloud with a nervous cough.

"Queen Lothiriel of Rohan,

"Your lovely cousin Lady Linduial of Dol Amroth has fallen expectantly into my care. The expense of her transportation and care are such that I shall require a thousand pounds of gold or I am afraid her safe return shall prove outside both my means and my interest. You shall have three weeks' time before I contact you again, and I will expect payment."

"It's not signed..." the young woman faltered lamely, eyes wide with worry.

"It didn't have to be," returned the Queen, opening her palm with a glimmer of gold to show the slim signet ring Linduial wore on all occasions. She closed her hand tightly around it once more, and returned her attention to Eodwine. "You are sworn to her protection, Eorl."

The man nodded in acknowledgement. "I am."

"One of my men shall be commanding a party to find and rescue her. I shall expect you to join them."

"I will."

"It will also fall to you to inform her father of what has happened. I would suggest you not to delay. My uncle can be a harsh man when his family is threatened."

Eodwine nodded again, and Lothiriel reached out in sudden kindness, gripping his arm firmly as she spoke quietly, for his ears only. "I supported you before my Lord, Eodwine of the Mark, and I do not regret my decision. I hope you do not come to hate me for it. I still see in you what I saw before. Don't be discouraged!"

She straightened and cast a look over the disorganized rubble that had once been the famed White Horse Inn. Where the hearth had been, a new one was rising, and despite her fear for Linduial she smiled to see it. "Your hall shall be great when you have built it, Eodwine," she said. "And your house also.

"My commander shall speak to you of your plans." At a gesture, the leader of her guard stood forth, and she gave him quick instructions to take only volunteers from the eored guarding Meduseld before gathering the remainder of her guard around her and returning to her home.

~<*>~

Linduial awoke to darkness and a feeling of claustrophobia. Her head hurt, but when she tried to lift her hand to rub at the pain, she realized with a sense of panic that she was bound hand and foot. Grunting and straining, she managed to roll onto her back, grateful that her hands seemed to be bound in front of her. She tried to lift her arms in an attempt to sit up, only to realize that the ceiling of her prison seemed to be only a few inches above her. Suddenly a violent jounce sent her body slamming hard against both the ceiling and floor of the tiny cubbyhole she occupied, and through a sudden wave of pain in her already aching head, she realized she must be in a wagon. A false bottom? she wondered.

Another, rougher bounce cracked her head against the ceiling and the world closed into nothing once again.

~<*>~

When she awoke the second time, again to darkness and a rough ride. Lin's emotions quickly ran the gamut from panic to terror to hot fury. She growled deep in her throat and cast around with her feet, searching for the side wall of the wagon. When she found it, she pounded hard on it, twisting her body for the best angle, glad she'd chosen to wear hard-soled boots to the fair. When the kicking got no response, she quickly lost the remaining shreds of her temper. She screamed and shouted, chanting filthy curses in time with her kicking, wracking her brains for the worst imprecations she'd ever managed to overhear her brothers use, uttering them with a perverse sense of rightness.


She was growing hoarse when she was finally awarded by a cessation of the constant noise of the wheels. She refused to fall silent, however, and shouted the words to a particularly snotty children's rhyme in a mocking singsong, all the while listening carefully to the muffled voices outside her prison. There was a curse and a loud thump, and then a sound of footsteps on the wood above her. A click, and bright sunlight filled her prison, leaving her blinking and squinting as rough hands hauled her out of the wagon, bumping her roughly against the wagon walls.


Blinded and bound, a furious Lin refused to be made helpless. She screamed and yelled and struggled, beating her captor with her bound fists and feet. Nothing seemed to do any good. Finally, with hot tears burning her eyes, she repeated a few of the epithets she'd heard her brothers use and bit firmly down on a hand held too close.


He shouted in protest. "Why, you little--" he threw her roughly on the ground and kicked her solidly in the side. Lin moaned in pain, trying to catch her breath and roll away at the same time, waiting in terror for another kick to come.


"Stop!" The message was more welcome than the voice. Lin looked up to see the man she'd approached at the Fair, who'd called all these men to capture her, looking down dispassionately at her heaving, huddled form from the back of a chestnut horse. Her attacker lowered his foot and backed off as his master dismounted from his horse and approached the scared and wary girl.

"Watch out, Lord," he said, taking the reins of the horse. "The little witch bites." He threw Lin a hate-filled glance, which she tried stubbornly to return through a haze of pain, her body throbbing with her heartbeat like one unending bruise.


"That's no reason to damage the goods," the leader chided absently, focused on Lin. He reached out suddenly and sliced through the ropes binding her legs. Lin was operating on her last few shreds of anger, but she reacted immediately, kicking out for his head. It didn't even faze him: he caught her handily and scooped her up gently, placing her on his horse and using what remained of the rope that had bound her legs to lash her hands firmly to the pommel. Lin did not resist, exhaustion and pain finally setting in. Her kidnapper swung up behind her, her slight, slumped frame no great burden to the horse. He leaned down to speak in her ear.


"A brave stand you've made, little lass, making all that noise. A shepherd boy or two might even have heard you. But I would suggest you not try anything further. You're on my lands now, and you won't have a chance of escape."

Lin heard the ring of truth in his mocking voice. "What do you want of me?" she asked dully, exhaustion allowing fear and despair to take an unholy hold on her tired mind.


-- JennyHallu

[piosenniel]

The Discussion Thread is open to take on characters.

Only Character Descriptions (Bios) are necessary for your character - no first posts.

If the Minions and or Guardsmen are played as NPC (carried-along characters) then only a name is required for them.

~*~

See Post #5 (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=464830&postcount=5) for characters still needed.

Have fun!

~*~ Pio

[piosenniel]

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:

__________

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Jen, are there any details on appearance, inherited belongings, or any other such things that I should take into account with Lin's brothers, or do I get free reign as long as I keep things pretty canonical?

[JennyHallu]

I trust you, have fun with it! Just reread my first couple posts in the Mead Hall, and the one where Lin unpacked. I think those are the only places I really went indepth on the relationship between Lin and her brothers, and on their history, and I'd only ask that you not contradict that.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

No problem. I'll put together the bios shortly.

[JennyHallu]

Folwren shall be joining with Thornden and an as-yet-undetermined character from the needed list.

[Folwren]

PLACED ON PROPOSAL ~*~ Pio


Hollo, all! Here is Thornden's discription form. Hope it's to everybody's satisfaction.

Also, as to my second character, Jenny said that any would work (I did kind of ask her to choose one for me, but she didn't comply ;) ) but I'm not decided between the Jailer and one of King Eomer's men who would be under the Commander.

As I do not have any idea for the character of either, I will not make a decision until more people have come. If someone shows interest in the Jailer, I will gladly go for the other one. I don't want to claim him just yet, is all. If someone else wants him, take him. But, if no one else is going to want him, I would like it.

Here's the character bio.

~~~

NAME: Thornden son of Thrinlite

AGE: 25

RACE: Man (Rohirrim)

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: He has the ability to use a sword and spear if given to him, but he doesn’t carry any weapon.

APPEARANCE: Thornden is tall, roughly 6 feet 4 inches in height, and broad shouldered. He has straight, dark blond hair, the color of wet sand, cut close to his head. Hazel eyes that are often twinkling with his easy, quick smile.
His clothing usually consist of a plain white cotton shirt, sometimes with a vest over it, sometimes not. Brown breeches, fastened at the waist with a leather belt. Soft leather, mid-calf boots.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Thornden is a calm, quiet man, possessing both patience and good judgement (most of the time)(we all have our lapses, don’t we?). He is usually willing to think the best of people, so long as they haven’t proved themselves to be bad. He is often very easy going and is easily amused, but when it is necessary, he can be very immoveable and stern, doing what is necessary to get what needs to be done done. He does his best to be kind to everyone and hates to see anyone ill used, and his anger or temper is usually difficult to arouse (but it is possible).
His main weakness may be stubbornness. If he doesn’t want to do something, it takes a lot to get him to do it, and even ‘a lot’ may not succeed, depending on who you are. (For instance, if he disagrees with Eodwine, because he is Eodwine’s subordinate, he would probably end up doing as Eodwine told him to. On the other hand, if Gárwine and he were in disagreement. . .) Happily, he doesn’t often set his will on things that aren’t for the good of everybody involved, so generally his stubbornness is never confronted or trouble causing.

HISTORY: Thornden was born and grew up on a farm out in the country of the East Emnet. He was the oldest child of six, the youngest being thirteen years younger than himself. His mother taught him how to read and write and work with numbers, and his father taught him to farm. Thrinlite hoped to have Thornden eventually take over the farm, but Thornden had different thoughts in mind. He didn’t want to farm and so he didn’t.

When he was twenty-three he moved from home to Edoras. For two reasons, mainly - one was to find something to do (other than farming) and to establish some sort of living and the second was to escape his mother’s and his sister’s constant nagging at his not being yet married. He was not long in Edoras until he got himself into the guard of Meduseld and he stayed there for a little over a year. Then, when Eodwine became Eorl, and was in need of someone as steward, Thornden thought that he may as well try it, and went out at once to try his luck.

Eodwine took him for a month’s trial, and it has been roughly a week and a half since he went to the Mead Hall.

[Firefoot]

I've got some ideas floating around for either the jailor or one of the evil minions, but before I can really settle on a character I'd sort of like to see what Tara comes up with for the kidnapper. But I thought I'd let you all know I intend to play, anyway.

I think I'm going to leave Leof out of it, though; I'm not seeing him fitting into this.

[Folwren]

I've got some ideas floating around for either the jailor or one of the evil minions, but before I can really settle on a character I'd sort of like to see what Tara comes up with for the kidnapper. But I thought I'd let you all know I intend to play, anyway.

Okay, you can take the jailer, then. I'll go ahead and play one of the King/Queen's men...hoping someone else takes the place of the Commander. I will be considering his character bio and may have it up soon.

-- Folwren

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

PLACED ON PROPOSAL ~*~ Pio


CHARACTER BIO:

NAME: Degas of the Folde

AGE: 18

RACE: Rohirric

GENDER: male

WEAPONS: A heavy sword with distinguishing marks that he wields effortlessly, yet rarely carries; it matches a thin dagger possessed by his twin sister. His own dull dagger serves less for cutting or stabbing than for random prying; he’s been looking to replace it, but only half-heartedly, as it was a gift from his sisters that he received when he was about ten. Keen enough with a bow, but prefers no weapons. Trained by commoner friends to hand-fight when he was about 14. His lean muscular frame is suited for quick hits that carry a lot of power.

APPEARANCE: About 5’11”, broad shoulders, dark red hair that’s long and tied into a horsetail at almost all times. Handsome with devilishly twinkling eyes. Has skin that’s darkened slightly after a childhood spent wincing over sunburns.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: A sweet and caring musician, he loves his twin sister Saeryn more than anybody else, and would not have returned from his prolonged stay in Minas Tirith if it had not been for her continued residence in Rohan. Having been spoiled slightly by the attention paid to him by ladies of all stations, Degas is cocky and chivalrous, both suave and charismatic. He flirts with all women, only noticing that he is doing it if a woman does not flirt back; he is used to the attention. Usually likeable, the young nobleman can come across as arrogant, abrasive, and infuriatingly condescending when he is upset or impatient. As a younger son, he has been allowed to act irresponsibly, not having as much image to maintain as an heir might. This freedom has made him somewhat impulsive and sometimes thoughtless, though he is well-meaning.

HISTORY: The younger son of a noble house of Rohan, Degas is the twin of Saeryn and brother of the recently deceased Caelwyn and current lord of the Folde, Fenrir. With parents of a liberal persuasion, Degas and his siblings were allowed to wander through the Folde, mingling with those of all stations, learning from the most distinguished guests of their parents as well as the roughest of wanderers, and playing. Taught both statecraft and how to deal with commoners on their own level, the children were fast able to act appropriately in all situations.

After their parents’ tragic death, Degas and his siblings were cared for by Fenrir, who is quite a bit older. Their freedom was remarkably lessened by Fenrir’s ambition and desire for noble propriety. The girls were kept within the walls of their home for the most part, though Degas was still allowed to adventure. With his twin sometimes disguised and in tow, he did so, consorting with all folks of the Folde and beyond, developing, as he went, many friendships and a strong love for music. He learned to play sad melodies of the forgotten South from traveling minstrels even as he learned quick fingered, skylarking dance tunes from country men around bonfires at night.

At age 17, Degas left home and traveled south to Minas Tirith to learn more about music while claiming that his travel was to educate himself further upon the details of statecraft. Successfully fulfilling both his claim to the public and his promise to himself, he much enjoyed life as a visiting lord in a country full of lovely raven-haired maidens fascinated by a fiery northern redhead with an enchanting singing voice and love of adventure.

When he received word at 18 that his elder sister had died, he left Minas Tirith and traveled north, seeking his twin. Reaching home, he found her gone, their brother enraged. Discovering that she’d run away, Degas left in search of her, throwing Fenrir off of his trail, understanding that if Saeryn had ran away from home, she had been running away from their brother. Serendipitously finding her settled at The White Horse Inn in Edoras, he joined her, leaving now and again to tend to business elsewhere. After one such disappearance, he returned to find the Inn in the hands of the newly lorded Eodwine and in the midst of being converted to a fully fledged Mead Hall. Shortly thereafter, he met one Lady Linduial of Dol Amroth and has spent much of his time since attempting to win her favor, though if one asked him, even if that one were Saeryn, he would denying it to the last breath.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Jen, dear, can I give Lin's oldest brother a couple kids? I've not found anywhere that specifically claims or refutes him having some, so it's up to you. But if he's the heir, he'd probably be married and procreating by now.

[JennyHallu]

One or two...sure. That makes a lot of sense...after all, Lin does have a married sister.

[littlemanpoet]

PLACED ON PROPOSAL ~*~ Pio

NAME: Eodwine (formerly of the Gap), Eorl of Middle Emnet

AGE: 43

RACE: Rohirrim

GENDER: male

WEAPONS: sword, hunting knife

APPEARANCE: blonde, tall, long legged, blue eyes, his face is fair, with a high forehead, and a not overly strong chin. He is strong, but not muscular.

PERSONALITY: He is quick to laugh, friendly, curious; a student of the War of the Ring; he is musical, a singer of songs and teller of heroic tales, (but he lost his harp in the Hills of Evendim). His voice is tenor and strong. He tends to be bashful and slow to put himself before a crowd, so he needs to feel at home and among friends before he will play or sing. Once he does feel at home, he is quite personable, funny, conversant, interested in other people, and almost - not quite - the life of the party.

STRENGTHS: he is compassionate, courageous and loyal. he makes friends easily and keeps them long. he is courteous to all, and considerate of other people.

WEAKNESSES: Not a good scout, mind wandering when alone. Hard on self when things go wrong.

HISTORY: He lived in the Western Emnet, close to the River Isen, serving in the forces of Theodred. He witnessed Theodred's fall, and came with Erkenbrand to turn back the rout of Helm's Deep. He marched to the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, and also with the small army that stood before the Black Gate when Sauron fell. He came back home to find that his wife and two children had been murdered by Dunlendings, his crops and farmstead burned to the ground. He joined the forces that hunted the Dunlendings down and brought them to justice, and having no family left, nor caring to start a new one, he went to Edoras and sought a place among Eomer's guard. He became one of the King's Messengers, traveling all over Rohan, and to Minas Tirith, as well as to Isengard, and places farther afield now and then.

In the year Fourth Age 14, he was in the Shire on a secret errand for King Elessar, on loan from King Eomer. Under the guise of researching the War of the Ring as it affected the Shire, he was to learn why, for four years running, craftsmen and smiths sent from Gondor to Annuminas were not heard from again. Leaving Bree, heading northwards, he was captured by a party of ruffians, and imprisoned by an unknown brigand lord and his growing army. His capture had been witnessed by a wanderer formerly of Bree, named Falowik Stonewort, who reported his capture in Bree. Falowik and a party of rescuers, including the Hobbit, Falco Boffin, went north to Deadmen's Dike, and to Lake Evendim, where they discovered enemy strongholds, and were able to overcome by skill and strategem. An informant then led them to the northernmost edge of the Hills of Evendim where the stronghold of the new brigand lord was. The brigand lord was the former Mouth of Sauron, who had renamed himself Herugor, who was about to sacrifice Eodwine on his altar to Melkor in order to take his blood and use it to gain more years to his life (not having Sauron's power to do this anymore). Long story short, they defeated Herugor's plans and his life was ended, and Eodwine was rescued. Thus began the friendship of Eodwine of West Emnet and Falco Boffin. They came down from the Shire to Edoras, for Falco wished to see the places the famous Hobbits of the War had been to.

The Man and Hobbit took lodging at the White Horse Inn, owned by Bêthberry. While there he became the foster father of an orphaned girl, Gudryn, who has since been handed over to the seamstress Gedd for tutelage.

Bêthberry left and turned the place over to Eodwine after King Eomer released from service as King's Messenger only to create him the new Eorl of the new Middle Emnet, the former White Horse Inn his Eorling Mead Hall. News of the change attracted attention and before long, Eodwine found him the happy master of a bustling mead hall filled with likeable, loyal, and interesting folk.

[JennyHallu]

Hey, guys! Keep working on your bios and things! I'd really like to be able to get this going soon. Please help grab a few more people for the extra roles...I'd like minions and guards, but we really kind of need a commander.

Thank you to those who have already expressed interest and excitement in my little game. You have made a rather startled, nervous, and unprepared hallucination very happy.

[Taralphiel]

I've got some ideas floating around for either the jailor or one of the evil minions, but before I can really settle on a character I'd sort of like to see what Tara comes up with for the kidnapper. But I thought I'd let you all know I intend to play, anyway.

I think I'm going to leave Leof out of it, though; I'm not seeing him fitting into this.

So sorry I haven't gotten up my bio yet, Firefoot...and all! I've had a very busy week
:)

Edit: My post is almost complete, bar his age. I'd just like to clarify the current date. What year is it in the Fourth Age currently?

Tara

[Anguirel]

Could I have a role as a Minion? If so I'll get to work on a bio, whether or not it's needed, just for fun...

[piosenniel]

A bio is needed to play a minion - thanks in advance for doing one :)

~*~ Pio

[Taralphiel]

Well, I decided that rather and wait for an answer, I'd post what I have of the profile. Please pick it to pieces and I'll make any chanes to it that's needed. I'd love some help, as I'm no expert in the ME timeline, and also the do's and don'ts of Rohan's nobilty.

The detail about Lothiriel being chosen over his sister may be a bit too dramatic, but I thought I'd leave it in and let you all decide. I'm not particularly attached to it, so I can cut it out if need be.

***

PLACED ON PROPOSAL ~*~ Pio

NAME: Sorn

AGE: To be decided, once I know the current date.

RACE: Human, Rohirric noble.

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: A finely crafted long sword is his weapon of choice, though it is too bulky for some settings. He has two concealed daggers – one in his left boot, and one under his vest.

APPEARANCE: Sorn is a tall and strong in stature. His shoulder length hair is neatly kept, and mostly hidden under a long, dark hood. Sorn is comfortable in finer clothing, but when we first meet him he is in neat riding gear – a brown leather vest over a long shirt, with grey riding pants and thick boots.

Sorn has a simple but not overly handsome face. His eyes are unusually dark for a Rohirric noble, and it has been said that his soul can’t be seen in them.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Sorn is a naturally charming man, when he wishes to be. Being noble, he has an obvious air of confidence, which often turns into an ugly streak of arrogance. Sorn finds most comfort in his own company, and has been isolated in his hall for the last several years.

Sorn often does not see boundaries placed upon him by tradition or decorum. He is one known to ‘bend’ common rules of conduct, when the gain is high enough. His greatest weakness is his greed. Of late, his spending of his families assets have left him in need of a monetary boost. It is thus that Linduial gets caught up in his ambition to regain his wealth.

A more frightening side of his personality is his tendency to suddenly turn to an inconsolable rage. This destructive side of his nature subsides quickly, but often leaves much damage behind.

HISTORY: Sorn, born into nobility, lost his older brother and father in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. His mother died in the birth of his sister, Hild. He was then a sole heir of a healthy fortune, though it did not last. His pride was again struck when the Eorl married Lothiriel, as he suspected one of his family (particularly his sister, Hild) would have been a suitable match. From that point, he became isolated at his estate, foolishly spending his money. He became further detached when his last living relative, his sister, passed away.

Alone and suffering the loss of many years, Sorn began to plot a way to restore his house to the wealth he squandered, and to seek a small revenge on the people he is convinced robbed his family of their pride.


***

Again, please take to it and give some advice where needed!

Tara :)

[Anguirel]

Here's my Minion:

PLACED ON PROPOSAL ~*~ Pio

NAME: Gurth

AGE: 23

RACE: Human (Rohirric)

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Gurth carries a huge cudgel of oaken wood in his right hand. But he has been known to kill with the blow of his left fist alone.

APPEARANCE: Gurth is, in theory, the model of a Rohirric figure-goldenheaded and blue eyed, staggering tall-only a few inches short of seven feet-and broad shouldered. His frame seems forged of contorted muscle, lean and powerful. But the look in his face is disconcerting. The eyes show scarce emotion, the smile is more of a grimace, and the mouth drools in moments of extreme wrath.

Since taking up employment with Lord Sorn, Gurth is well kitted out, and his garb would mark him out as a freeman, were it not for its colour-pale yellows and greens, the motley coat of an idiot. Gurth wears no armour, and probably needs none.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Gurth’s personality is somewhat difficult to discern, in the way that it is challenging to analyse the personality of a bull. He speaks little, and in a slurred, unsteady voice. He probably knows few words save “Master”, “Sorn”, “Gurth”, “drink”, “smash”, and “Grendel”-the name of his beloved wolf-mastiff. Gurth is terrifying in a fight, where he moves with unfeasible swiftness and deftness of foot, and has no idea what is meant by fear. Besides, Grendel usually battles alongside his keeper.

HISTORY: Gurth’s mother Gythu was said to be overjoyed to have given birth to such a handsome, large, splendid baby. When he killed a mad dog with his fist shortly after his birth, she decided to call him Helm. It would prove an ill choice. As the years went by, Helm was as mute as ever, but grew more violent. One day he threw his mother from the roof of their farmstead and wandered off, slaying any who did not flee from him.

Known as a dangerous madman, Gurth, as he was now named, largely in scorn, was often placated with strong drink, which he was unused to and made him quickly fall asleep. Developing a taste for it, he would break into houses to find mead, though he preferred still stronger draughts. A drunken, filthy idiot, he was among the lowest of the low.

This changed when he saved the wolf-mastiff mongrel Grendel from a man-at-arms who had been detailed to kill it. The two mad, kicked, abused giants became fast friends. The height of his fortunes came when Sorn, riding to hunt, admired the bestial splendour of dog and man, and persuaded them to enter his keep in return for regular supplies of mead and ale. Gurth was arrayed as a fool under a noble’s protection, and served as a fearsome watchman and henchman, blindly loyal.

[Hama Of The Riddermark]

Not sure if I'm allowed to join this game since I am already involved with one in the shire, but if I am, here is my application.

PLACED ON PROPOSAL ~*~ Pio

NAME: Haleth Reidrbrand, Commander of the Queen’s Guard

AGE: 50

RACE: Human

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Sword with two golden horses forming the hilt. Shortbow, throwing spear.

APPEARANCE: Tall, rugged and muscled. Full beard the same colour as his long blond hair. He wears armour embossed with the Queen’s crest, and a long green cloak with the Queen’s device sewn into it in white.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Very loyal, he will fight to the death gladly to protect the Queen, or anyone placed in his charge. He is brave and steadfast almost to the point of being unbreakable, but he realizes when the situation in untenable and will beat a steady retreat when needed. He is very skilled with the sword and the bow, although less so with the spear he is still a good shot as he has a strong throwing arm.

HISTORY: Haleth was born to a noble family, taking his place in the Royal guard when he reached the age of majority. His courage and loyalty were soon recognized and he progressed steadily up the ranks. He soon commanded a small number of men, and his skill with the blade and the arrow stood him in good stead. He was respected by his men, loved as a leader and feared as an enemy, and eventually the Queen chose him to head up the Guard.

Since then he has defended the Queen ferociously when necessary, accompanying her on any journey outside Edoras and fighting ruthlessly to protect her against bandits and outlanders. He is experienced in the art of diplomacy by necessity, and can talk down many people, thus avoiding unnecessary bloodshed. Since his early life he reveled in combat, but respects the need for other methods of sorting out a situation.

[piosenniel]

Taralphiel


This game takes place in the 4th Age at around year 15.

And the month is April

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

Hama of the Riddermark

It's fine to be in 2 games.

[JennyHallu]

Oh my!!! I am so glad that people showed so much interest!!!

Excited excited excited.

Tara, I like that Sorn is all righteously indignant over his sister, and I liked the way you phrased it. It almost feels like it's like as not a completely imagined slight.

Ang, Gurth looks very...interesting. I am excited to see that one play out. Looks like fun.

And Hama, thank you so much for your interest! Haleth looks great, and I look forward to playing with someone new.

Still waiting on Firefoot and Folwren to post their bios. If others are still interested in the other roles, well, they're still open.

I am glad we are getting a good balance between good and bad characters. This should be fun.

[Alcarillo]

Put me down as a minion, too, please!

DONE ~*~ Pio

[Celuien]

Well, I've been persuaded. :D

I'd like to bring Garstan and his children into the game, as they're somewhat fond of Linduial.

DONE ~*~ Pio

----------

I might also like to write one of the King’s/Queen’s Men, but haven't decided yet.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I'll have the brothers' bios up soon-ish. Busy weekend. I know you mentioned that they're both loud and rough and whatnot, but the younger one won't stop being quieter and vaguely more gentle. I think it's how you phrased that he has a subtly confident way of eliciting trust and honesty. Is that okay, or do I need to yell at him a bit for being who he ended up as?

[JennyHallu]

No, I don't mind at all. I'm interested to see your take on them, since I was both vague and pretty detailed in my descriptions of them.

[JennyHallu]

I think I will be open to accepting one further King's/Queen's guard, but mostly I'd like to see everyone's bios up here asap. If I don't get any interest in the guard (going to send some PMs around) I'm still going to get this started. I think we may be ok.

Alcarillo, is Garwine going to take part in the story?

[Alcarillo]

Alcarillo, is Garwine going to take part in the story?
Nyah, I don't think so. I really see no reason for him to. We already have the king's/queen's men, who are undoubtedly much more experienced than Garwine. So I think I'll let Garwine stay at the mead hall to guard the place while the eorl and the steward are away.

[littlemanpoet]

Is it possible to make the Manawyth story a subplot in the Abduction story so that we can move ahead the amount of time I'd like with the mead hall thread? Because Manawyth's criminal case will come before Eodwine on the very next day without a doubt. I'll have to check on that....

And another thing. Since Lothiriel comes to the mead hall with the abductor's letter in hand, which starts the sub-plot on the new thread, then I'll have to transfer Saeryn's curiosity over Eodwine's dream, and his eventual telling of that dream, to the Abduction story-line as well.

[JennyHallu]

Check the dream storyline over with Fea to make sure she's ok on time, or thinks Saeryn would still be curious with all that's going on. And I'm ok with the thief line here if Ang is, and if it is not too distracting from the main story line we're pursuing here.

My only request is that these things do not detract/distract from the main story, or cause it to run unnecessarily over the target time period (RL time).

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

What would Saeryn's role be? My time constraints still stand, and I can't handle more than cameos right now. I'd hate to drag Saeryn into a rescue that I couldn't devote full attention to when her only place in this entire adventure is to beg a dream off of a love interest that she has no idea she likes.

Unless she's got a decent sized role, I can't seem to justify including her, and if she does have one, I can't seem to justify the time needed for it. It seems to be lose-lose. :(

[Taralphiel]

Tara, I like that Sorn is all righteously indignant over his sister, and I liked the way you phrased it. It almost feels like it's like as not a completely imagined slight.



Thanks Jenny! I wasn't sure if that was too much of a stretch :p But I wanted to make him a flawed person, and not simply evil *giggles* So he's vain, prideful, AND evil. I like him already *wink*

Pio , I've done some VERY rough calculations, and I believe Sorn would be around 40 years old.

*grins* Can't wait to get started on this! It looks like it'll be a lot of fun!

EDIT: Jenny , I've been thinking of beginning on a first post. Where and when should I have it take place?

Tara

[Celuien]

Celuien's characters

PLACED ON PROPOSAL ~*~ Pio



NAME: Garstan

AGE: 35

RACE: Human, Rohirric

GENDER: male

WEAPONS: stoneshapers’ tools, handy with a knife

APPEARANCE: About 6 feet. Blonde, blue eyed. Weathered appearance from years of working outdoors. Hands thickly callused from laboring over stone. Wears plain, simple clothing.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Garstan is a quiet, retiring sort, more accustomed to the company of his stonework than of people. For that reason, he tends to be uncomfortable in crowds or among strangers. However, once he finds a friend, he is deeply loyal and, while still reticent with regard to expressing emotions, can be warm and open if his trust has been gained. He has gradually learned to put himself forward to others, though his sense of awkwardness can ironically make him appear impulsive or overbearing when he makes the effort too strongly. He makes up for this failing by trying to be proper and polite. He is analytical and precise, both in his work and thought processes – he is a classic perfectionist. That coupled with his quiet manner can give the false impression that he is cold and distant, though in reality, nothing could be further from the truth, which is that his careful exterior masks deep feeling. He is devoted to and highly protective of his two children. On the downside, he can be gloomy and pessimistic if the mood strikes him, and if sufficiently provoked while in such a mood, can lash out unexpectedly.

HISTORY: Garstan was born and spent most of his life in the distant reaches of Rohan’s Wold region. Always possessed of a wandering spirit, he gladly went for an apprenticeship in stoneshaping near the borders of Gondor as an adolescent. After completing his training, he returned to the Wold, plying his trade as best as he could in a sparsely settled area. The low demand for his craft caused him to take on a nearly nomadic existence, always in search of work, and to learn the skills of other craftsmen he encountered. Thus, by the age of 22, he was something of a jack-of-all-trades, though his true gift remained remained in stonework.

Garstan’s wandering existence made it difficult for him to settle into a family life. However, at 23, he wed the daughter of one of his employers and set up a small shop as a general handyman and stoneshaper. The desire to roam the countryside was always in the back of his mind, but he didn’t feel the inclination to do so while his family was growing.

His wife died after ten years of marriage. After that, the old wandering spirit returned to him, and seeing nothing left to keep him in their old home, he sold off his household effects and took his children on a wandering path through Rohan.

After a year and a half of unsettledness, Garstan began to realize that roaming the countryside was not the best life for the father of two small children. He then set for Edoras, planning to settle there and hoping to make a reputation as a stoneshaper. A broken cart stopped his journey as it neared its completion, and he found his way to Lord Eodwine’s Mead Hall.

~*~

NAME: Lèoðern

AGE: 5

RACE: Human, Rohirric

GENDER: female

WEAPONS: none

APPEARANCE: About 3 and a half feet tall. Glossy, strawberry ringlets that run wildly over her shoulders. Bright, twinkling blue eyes. A bundle of motion. Can be located quickly by her constant talking and laughter.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Lèoðern is adorability taken to its furthest extreme. Chattery, friendly, and energetic, she has a way of endearing herself to almost everyone she meets. While doted on by her father and brother, she’s not the stereotypical spoiled child. Any trouble she causes is unintentional, usually the result of her irrepressible high spirits; she is unfailingly and genuinely sorry afterwards. Warm and affectionate to anyone who treats her kindly.

HISTORY: The daughter of Garstan the stoneshaper, Lèoðern has little memory of life before her father’s wanderings in their cart. While she has had few contacts other than her father and brother, she has never been lonely or unhappy thanks to her unfailingly sunny disposition and their constant attention. Life at the Mead Hall has been a new experience for her, made all the more exciting and wonderful by her instant friendship with Linduial.

~*~

NAME: Garmund

AGE: 9

RACE: Human, Rohirric

GENDER: male

WEAPONS: none

APPEARANCE: Blonde, blue eyed, tall for his age at 5 feet even. Has a thoughtful, introspective manner with occasional hints of sadness, unless Lèoðern’s infectious cheeriness has caused him to adopt her energy.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Garmund is quite strongly the younger version of his father, with a little more impulsiveness and more of a tendency to join in Lèoðern’s fun and games. Tends to be very protective of Lèoðern, has something of a ‘man-of-the-family’ complex. Bright. Gifted in stonework.

HISTORY: Garmund is Garstan’s oldest child. He has memories of the home the stoneshaper’s family inhabited before the death of his mother. This accounts for the occasional sad, far-away manner he takes on. His gift for stoneshaping was discovered by his proud father two years ago, and he eagerly looks forward to taking on the role of an apprentice in the next few years.

[JennyHallu]

Tara, pick up your post where mine left off, with Lin sitting before Sorn on his horse.

Fea, talk to lmp about this dream bit, and see how far he really wants to go with it. I didn't know if Saeryn would still be curious about the dream in all the confusion going on or not.

[littlemanpoet]

The Eorling Mead Hall thread has stalled and needs a restart. This is because people don't know where to post what. The best way to resolve that, it seems to me, is to move Lothiriel's visit to the Mead Hall into the Eorling Mead Hall thread and out of the Abduction thread. If we do that, then both threads can move along because the Mead Hall thread gets to tie up loose ends of the Day, and with the Day done, there's a clean break from which both threads can start. Does that make sense? Can it work? What do you think?

[piosenniel]

If you're going to enlarge the scope of this "mini" RPG - then please put a write-up of the plotline for the sub-plot's subplot on board here, so that the moderators can look it over.

~*~ Pio

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

Why don't you just put Lothiriel's visit post on both threads?

[littlemanpoet]

If you're going to enlarge the scope of this "mini" RPG - then please put a write-up of the plotline for the sub-plot's subplot on board here, so that the moderators can look it over.Tell you what, I'd rather do the Manawyth thing on the Mead hall thread and just spend a little bit of time on one Day, then move things forward to catch up to real time.

Why don't you just put Lothiriel's visit post on both threads?Good idea. Jenny, can you do that?

[Firefoot]

Here's the jailor...

POSTED TO THE PROPOSAL ~*~ PIO

NAME: Scyld

AGE: 25

RACE: Man - Rohirric

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: He is not much of a fighter but if necessary he can wield a pair of knives with reasonable proficiency. Much more dangerous is his mind, but very few if any realize this, as he keeps his intelligence as hidden as his knives.

APPEARANCE: Short dirty-blonde hair, blue-gray eyes, passive expression that rarely expresses his thoughts. Dresses plainly but certainly not shabbily. 5’11” tall, not particularly strong or athletic but rather thin.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: The only person that matters to Scyld is Scyld. He looks out for himself and takes care not to offend or cause wariness to anyone, whether because they could help or hurt him. He is very much an opportunist and can think quickly. However, he is rarely impulsive and only takes risks when he feels confident that it will work out well for him. He lies easily but is honest whenever he can be. He is very intelligent and has an ear for information of all sorts; he would make an ideal spy if anyone ever found out his talents, but he is careful to keep this hidden behind apparent subservience and only average intelligence.

HISTORY: Scyld was born the fifth child to an already struggling family of middling rank. Most of their remaining wealth was lost in the War of the Ring, and in the following years, Scyld’s father amassed a debt to Sorn that he was unable to pay. In place of cash, the twelve-year-old Scyld was contracted to work ten years in Sorn’s service, after which Scyld would be free to do as he wished and Sorn would consider the debt paid.

Initially confused and resentful, Scyld soon learned to make the best of his situation. He learned a wide variety of skills in Sorn’s household, and to learning he devoted himself – not only about his new skills, but also to finding out as much as possible about Sorn and anything else that might eventually prove useful to him. Gathering information became his hobby. But by always obeying Sorn’s commands to the letter and always behaving subserviently and never showing outstanding intelligence, he came to be trusted by Sorn, although Scyld took care never to get too close to his volatile master. Nor did he ever grow to love him, and if better opportunity presented itself to Scyld, he would without reservations or regrets stab Sorn in the back (literally or figuratively) and take it, and for such an opportunity he always watched, although to this point he has never proved anything but trustworthy. When his ten years ran out, he elected to stay with Sorn at least for a time while figuring out what he wanted to do next.

[JennyHallu]

I can definitely put it there. Then we split the stories...Stuff dealing with Lin (sending off Degas, volunteering for the mission, etc.) will come here, other stuff (Manawyth, dream, whatnot) happens in the Mead Hall.

Honestly I didn't really want the Manawyth stuff to happen here. I want this to be pretty straightforward one story.

[Folwren]

I'm working on my character post for the king's man now. (Not that it will go particularly quickly, especially with a movie running in the next room, but it will be done soon.) I should have it up here at latest tomorrow morning. Hopefully, though, I'll be able to finish it tonight.

Hama, I'm looking forward to our two characters working together. My character will be directly beneath yours and I think it will be fun writing. :)

-- Folwren

[JennyHallu]

As soon as the last bios are up, we shall begin. Please try to get bios up in the next 48 hours.

[Folwren]

One of the King/Queen's Men.

PLACED ON PROPOSAL ~*~ PIO

NAME: Deren

AGE: 32

RACE: Man, of the Rohirrim

GENDER: Male

APPEARANCE: He’s average height, about 5 feet and 7 or 8 inches, about. He has blond hair, brown eyes, possessing an angularly shaped face with high, prominent cheekbones, a proud forehead, and strong jaw. Sharp as his features may appear, while off duty, they are often softened by a smile and a friendly look.

PERSONALITIES/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: He, like his commander, is very loyal to king and country, and to his leader. He does his best to please and do as he is asked (or ordered, as the case probably is in the military set up). He’s good at following orders and seeing things through to the end, so long as they’re possible. Those traits have come after many years in service. (When he was a bit younger, things were different and he made more mistakes in the work of ‘carrying out orders’ when {and because} he was less disciplined, but because we’re talking about when he’s 32, I won’t elaborate.)

He is not spectacularly strong or so very agile, but he makes up both of those things with excellent swordsmanship and a good shot with a bow. He’s hardly any good at spear throwing, but he can manage it somewhat.

He’s somewhat argumentative at times, but rarely so with any one he is subordinate to, so we shouldn’t have too much trouble with that. More often than not, he doesn’t mean to start an argument or anything, he just speaks his mind and sticks to it firmly, to say the least.

HISTORY: Born and raised in Edoras. Joined the men at arms there when he was twenty, has been in the army/military, or whatever you would like to call it, since. Was placed under Haleth when he was twenty-eight and has been almost consistently part of his group of men since. Respects and loves his leader and would be willing to die for him. He has quite picked up his zeal for the Queen and her protection.

[Alcarillo]

Here's my minion...

POSTED TO PROPOSAL ~*~ PIO

***

NAME: Osfrid

AGE: 48

RACE: Human, Rohirric

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Osfrid carries a long knife hidden in his jacket, but he rarely uses it, and prefers to pummel people with his fists.

APPEARANCE: Osfrid is of average height, with a strong and sturdy build. He has long blond hair, reaching down to his shoulders in thick locks. He has a big blond mustache, and blue eyes. He tends to smile a lot, especially when meeting new people, and his back is always straight and his head held high. He always wears a big, brown coat and tall black boots.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Osfrid's a friendly fellow. He loves to surround himself with people and be the center of attention, and he charms many people with just a handshake and a smile. He lacks arrogance or pride, which Osfrid knows are dangerous, and this is why people like him so much. But this not to gain friends. This is how he performs his mischief. With his friendliness, he can convince mostly anybody of mostly anything. He can tell a straight lie, and if he smiles enough, he can swindle anything.

Osfrid's one weakness is for women. He loves to chase after them and lure them away to accompany him on his adventures. Every few months or so he has a new lady friend. The latest is a Gondorian woman out of Anorien, named Muriel. Osfrid insists on bringing his women everywhere with him, and loves to spoil them with gifts.

Osfrid thinks of himself as a gentleman thief, and would take insults about his profession very personally. Many brawls he's fought have began that way. Sometimes he thinks that people like Sorn have given the profession a bad name, and he would like to see more chivalrous behavior out of all criminals.

HISTORY: Osfrid was born into a wealthy land-owning family, with a large estate out in eastern Rohan. He had two brothers and a sister, but they never got along. His family always looked down a tad bit on Osfrid for mingling with the lower classes, but Osfrid just considered his family foolish. He stole from his siblings often. In Osfrid's mind, they didn't deserve the money. He even stole small belongings, and soon his sister and brothers banned him from all of the family parties. He still tried to sneak in.

When the parents died, Osfrid received an exact fourth of their money, though his siblings always disagreed with their parents' decision. The house went to Osfrid's brothers, and he was kicked out. Osfrid wandered to the eorl of the East-Emnet, and took refuge at the mead hall there, but he left after the eorl had discovered that somebody was stealing his coin every night. He wandered here and there, finally settling in a tiny village. He began a small mercantile business between the villages in the area and for a time was prosperous. But he was chased out of the village after a few years by competing tradesmen, saying he was using unethical practices. True, he was, and he gathered his possessions and hit the road.

He moved from town to town, staying in each only a few days. He had a "lady friend" in each town, too, to have an extra seat for him at the dinner-table should he stop by. He mostly made his money by swindling it out of those he met on his journeys. He would never stoop to begging. And when he failed to swindle coin out of some wise man, he just dipped a tiny bit into his savings, which he had deposited across the towns of the Eastfolde in safe and secret locations. Sometimes he took an odd job here or there.

He met Sorn during these travels, and the two became partners-in-crime, each calling upon the other whenever one had a grand scheme in mind, such as the kidnapping of Linduial.

***
And, with Jenny's permission, I have included Osfrid's latest lady friend, who'll be a carry-along character.
***

NAME: Muriel

AGE: 25-ish

RACE: Human, of Rohirric and Gondorian ancestry

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: None.

APPEARANCE: Muriel is tall and skinny, with pale skin and long black hair, though she usually ties it into a tight little bun. She usually wears a black dress, and lots of cheap jewelry Osfrid's given to her. She usually wears a pouty, helpless expression on her face.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Muriel loves to be spoiled. She loves every gift her beloved Osfrid gives her, everything from individual flowers to "diamond" necklaces. She is quiet, and clingy to Osfrid, and hates it when he ignores her.

She is ingenuous, too. She likes to think she's a princess, but she knows nothing about the stately manners and businesses of true princesses. She dislikes not being taken seriously.

HISTORY: Muriel's family lived on a tiny farm in Anórien, outside of Rohan's borders. She was sent into Rohan one day to deliver a message to her cousin. She was accompanied by her brother. He would've been sent alone, but he was lame and couldn't ride well. That is why Muriel was sent along. Once they reached the village, Muriel met Osfrid, the man of her dreams, at the inn she stayed at. He swept her away, with only a short good-bye to her brother, and Muriel was off on the adventure she had always dreamed of.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

It would be me... I'll see what I can do to have the bios in before I go to bed tonight. No promises.

[Folwren]

Oh, golly, I skipped weapons. I thought I was forgetting something. Pio, please put this into my bio on the proposal form:

WEAPONS: Excellent with the sword, and a good shot (not spectacular, just good) with the bow. Little ability with throwing or using spears.

DONE ~*~ PIO

[JennyHallu]

Pio, as soon as Fea gets those bios up, would you please open the game thread so we might get started?

[piosenniel]

Absolutely!


Do you want to give any instruction to the players before they post to the thread . . . or post yourself again . . . or can anyone available when I open it just plunge in?

~*~ Pio

[JennyHallu]

This is such a great group of players that I don't think anything should be needed. Everyone here is a more experienced RPer than I am, and I trust their judgement.

I will probably only post instructions concerning storyline development unless something specific comes up, and I think for now that the storyline is fairly straightforward. I do not want to dictate to the evil players either, and would like to see them run with what I have given on how Lin's captivity goes, at least until later in the game.

As for another post from me, I would like to see some reaction from the other characters before my next post.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

POSTED TO PROPOSAL ~*~ PIO


NAME: Adrigil son of Farlen

AGE: 37

RACE: Gondorian

GENDER: male

WEAPONS: A scimitar acquired from a sleazily ethic'd Umbarian trader, a razor-sharp black dagger from Khand, a potentially Elven bow and quiver given as a token of thanks from an otherwise nefarious pirate whose lady Adrigil saved from near drowning on the high seas.

APPEARANCE: 6'5", well-tanned, straight black hair currently shaved bald from a far southern ceremony involving details that he refuses to divulge. High cheekbones and grey eyes. Impressively muscled upper arms play host to intricately designed tribal tattoos, black ink tracing delicate knots across and around his biceps.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Adventurous with a strong love of learning new things. Travels as frequently as his duties as father, husband, and heir allow, picking up new talents like wood carving, staff fighting, deep sea fishing and more. Speaks many languages fluently. Has friends scattered about Middle Earth with which he communicates by long letters frequently. Has no qualms about using profanity, but only when women and children (and in this category, he does not count his sisters or cousins) are not present. Having the first voice one hears when they walk into a room, Adrigil is rather booming, a bit intimidating, and immediately likable as he holds no noble pretensions. Rather is it that he is fully aware of the power that comes with his name, as are all, to be honest, and so he feels no need to compensate for it. Very strong, he has to take care not to hurt anybody accidentally. Has a strong love of tournaments and other such events that allow him to show off. Learned to ride among the Rohirrim, learned to fight from locals of every place he's been, and is very much a cuddly teddy bear of a man when in the privacy of his home, no matter what his gruff demeanor elsewhere. Madly in love with his wife, Adrigil has settled a lot in the past seven years; ever since his first child was born.

HISTORY: Adrigil spent his childhood playing pirates and King's Guard with his cousins on the high walls of Dol Amroth. With a special knack for discovering adventures where parents had hoped there to be none, Adrigil often found himself in the midst of a good story to tell later, when mother wasn't around. His younger sister Azranala often took it upon herself to keep Adrigil behaving even as she continuously bossed young Farahil around. Farahil listened, sometimes, and Adrigil humored his motherly little sister until she left him alone more than a few seconds.

As soon as he could, Adrigil talked his mother and father into allowing him to travel at sea with their men. Spending his teenage years in and out of Dol Amroth learning to fight and to command with the captain of the fleet, Adrigil was self-sufficient early. He spent his time at home teasing Azranala, who retorted quite as quickly as she received her brother's taunts and sharing travel stories with Lothiriel who he was always very fond of.

At 20, Adrigil was already experienced in the ways of the world and so when his mother died in childbirth, he was crushed, though not as heart broken as his 12-year-old brother. He humored the 15-year-old Azranala more now, seeing her attempts to fill the void, and he cossetted the new baby, Linduial, named for their dead mother, always more gentle with her than with any others.

He rode with Imrahil's forces to Minas Tirith during the War of the Ring, though he did not ride to the Black Gate. Instead he followed his uncle's very firm advice to stay and guard the city lest it fall. After the war, seeing the fatherless children weep and the husbandless wives carry on heartbroken with their lives, Adrigil resolved that no child should feel the loss of a parent and began to spoil the very young Linduial all the more, buying her pretty items that had no particular use, but that he knew his mother would have cherished and shared with the fussy little girl.

Through his 20s, Adrigil explored Middle Earth, taking Farahil along with him, finding true adventures and acquiring stories only half-believed by those left at home. Always an excellent fighter, he honed his skills with local secrets after gaining acceptance no matter what it took, no matter where he went. Though loud as well as tall and muscular, Adrigil's dark eyes and burnt golden skin were welcoming more than alarming and he was well-liked.

Marrying a pretty young woman when he was nearly 30, Adrigil began to slowly settle, giving up his life on the road (or at sea) to enjoy the quiet family life that he noticed many men enjoying. It lasted about a year before he went nearly stir-crazy and his wife told him to go on an adventure or she would. Kissing her passionately goodbye, he sailed the coast of Middle Earth for several months, dealing with pirates where they were causing trouble, helping rebuild where storms had caused damage, and generally being helpful to the coastal cities and merchant sailors. Returning home, he discovered that his wife was right in telling him to go; he could never be content without a struggle. Loving her all the more, he settled into an almost structured life of stay at home and be a good husband and heir and go out and be a good man of Gondor.

At 30, Adrigil's first child was born; a son. In the following years, his wife bore him two daughters and another son, all black haired and all cheerful, the girls slender and pretty as their still young aunt Linduial, the boys much like Adrigil's father, wise and doting and strong.

As years passed, Adrigil continued to adventure and to stay at home in intervals, coming home with lavish gifts and wonderful stories, loathe to leave for long stretches of time where he was content to do little but play with his children, dote upon his wife, and spend time with the residents of his home.

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

NAME: Farahil son of Farlen

AGE: 29

RACE: Gondorian

GENDER: male

WEAPONS: Trained in the use of every weapon he comes across, Farahil is proficient in all, studying to perfect each before continuing to the next. He is an extremely formidable opponent on the battlefield and his reputation tends to precede him.

APPEARANCE: 6'1", muscular. Broad shouldered, but not imposing. Walks silently, with footfalls especially light for his large frame. Often seen with a small child on his shoulders when at home, whether a relative or one of the wee ones of the household. Straight black hair that falls past a strong jaw line. Usually combed into a horsetail like those of the Rohirrim of the north, though if a strong wind blowing across the deck of a ship happens to pull his hair from its tie, he will let the wind take it. Farahil presents a rather dashing image of a sailor. A quiet smile often adorns his lips, his dark grey eyes lighting softly. He is most comfortable in commoners' clothing and wears it when adventuring, though even a blind man could see blood of the noblest lines in his visage.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Though he is a younger son, Farahil has never begrudged his older brother the position of heir. He appreciates his ability to adventure with nearly unlimited funding, yet he owns the sort of disposition that might have been happier in another life without the obligations that come from carrying certain blood within his veins.

He is uncomfortable at formal occasions. While he attends those events deemed important by his sisters, and dresses impeccably for them, Farahil is no more social than strictly necessary and eagerly awaits any opportunity to leave. If he happens to be away from home during such things, he is not in the least bit perturbed. He is most comfortable on a ship, sailing in the late afternoon sun while lazily glancing at the endless waters, pondering what new treat will most easily draw a smile from his younger sister. His discovery that she is a fair shot inspires his continued collecting of bright feathers for quiet evenings spent fletching while she chatters happily away.

Though quieter and more reserved than his older brother, Farahil's very presence is reassuring and he is a favorite of all. Many people do not fully understand him, yet children are drawn to him and strangers find themselves telling him their life stories over a quiet drink. The men that sail under him are loyal beyond the understanding of most, confident in his ability and trusting in both his leadership and friendship. Though Farahil has noble bearing, he treats all as equals and is more comfortable laughing over bawdy jokes in sea-side taverns than politely discussing the state of the weather with visiting dignitaries over dinner. He has a knack for seeing people's strengths as well as their weaknesses and placing them in situations where they will flourish.

HISTORY: The younger son of Lord Farlen, Farahil spent his childhood as the youngest child in the family. With his brother, Adrigil, eight years his senior and his sister, Azranala, three years so, he often struggled to keep up, though if they had been matched in age, he certainly would have matched his siblings in strength and wit, respectively. As playmates of Imrahil's sons and daughter, the children often shared tutors and had adventures within the ancient walls of the castle when they were kept indoors.

Trained early in both statecraft and weaponry, Farahil immediately preferred the latter, studying diligently with the arms masters in hopes of perfecting each weapon. With his twelfth year came the birth of a baby sister, Linduial, and he was fascinated by her. While his older sister was lovely in her own hard-edged way and was certainly proper and could negotiate a horse from beneath his rider while convincing, whether the rider liked it or not, that it was for his own good, Linduial was tiny and porcelain. He was nervous holding her, afraid that she would break, but her bright eyes and happy gurgle instantly stole the very heart that the death of Farahil's mother had broken. From the day she was born, Farahil was protective of her, finding excuses to spend time with her, delighting in eliciting smiles from her. Teased by his peers for his constant thought of his baby sister, he began to keep more to himself, surprising Linduial as she grew with small treats and the like, while beginning to adventure further from home.

As Farahil entered his later teens, after the War of the Ring, his brother, already grown, began to take him on sailing adventures and Farahil developed a keen love of the sea, more even than he had had for the view from the castle walls of the glimmering blue. Whether working in the sweltering sun on the deck of a fishing ship or captaining a crew of traders or adventurers, Farahil was happiest on the water. As he got older, he became less tied to his home and began to enjoy the freedom of the sea more and more, yet he still thought of his little sister, strong as steel and fragile as silk. He brought her tokens after every adventure, sharing stories even as she told him of her latest exploits at home.

These days, Farahil avoids marriage, fearing to bind a woman to him in troth and still feel the call of the sea. When home, he plays with his nieces and nephews, spoiling them with gifts from distant lands, and he seeks out his baby sister, now grown. Hearing of Lin's desire to travel, he wished to ride with her as a guard, but knew that it would defeat her purpose to escape the constraints of home for a time. She had spoken to him of her wish to escape the lad that Farlen had in mind for her, and Farahil knew that his beloved little sister would fade if forced to stay. Secretly he sought out his father and spoke with him, asking leave for Lin to go even before she asked it herself

Though it was partly of his doing that Linduial was allowed to travel to Rohan to visit Lothiriel, he misses her terribly. He sees clearly that which surrounds him: his older siblings married with families, his baby sister having adventures of her own. Even now he is seeking a new crew with which to sail further south than he has ever yet gone, searching desperately for something, anything, but unsure what it is or if he will find it no matter where he goes.

[Taralphiel]

Jenny : I have a post written and ready to go! I have every idea you may want to change some particulars, as I'm still figuring out Sorn's overall 'scheme'. I've had him put Linduial in a cell constructed in his cellar below ground. Is that okay?

I'm also not sure what to call his estate. I've listed 'Hall', though I don't suppose that's an entirely correct term? It's not too similar to the Mead Hall, for example. But calling it a 'Manor' seems to modern, and a 'Palace' too fine. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

If you like, I can PM you this first post, or just put it up when the thread opens. If you have a particular order you'd like the first posts to go in, please let me know!

I can't wait to start! I'm particularly exceited about working with the fellow 'baddies' in this RPG. Your bio's are amazing, and already have me weaving little plot details! *giggles*

Tara :)

[JennyHallu]

Great! Now we can start whenever Pio opens the thread. Tara, I'm sure it's fine...just go with it!

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Poor Degas, no? Let's get this party started.

[piosenniel]

~*~ The game is now open. ~*~

Reminders for an RPG in play:

Please remove your signature from EVERY post to the RPG thread - including SAVES


Don't use smileys in your RPG posts or icons - e.g., http://forum.barrowdowns.com/ubb/icons/icon8.gif http://www.forum.barrowdowns.com/images/icons/WhiteTree3.gif http://forum.barrowdowns.com/ubb/icons/icon14.gif etc.


Don't use the 'Reason for Editing' function on your RPG posts. If it's critical that other players know that you've changed something, then put a post on the Discussion Thread about your edit.


No OOC (out of character comments) on the RPG thread - use the Discussion Thread.


SAVES should be filled within 24 hours/48 at the latest and may be removed from the game at the discretion of the moderator.


Swearing, sexual conduct, or obscenity of any kind are absolutely prohibited. There are no exceptions.

. . . I always ask myself if any of these words or euphemisms for cursing would be found in Tolkien's works. So I always say no to cursing and to any 'pseudo-cursing'. They need to keep it clean. -- per The Barrow-Wight

[JennyHallu]

OH Tara, why were you worried? He's lovely...so deliciously selfish.

[Taralphiel]

He's lovely...so deliciously selfish.

*giggles* Marvellous! I got what I wanted!

Overall, I wanted to portray Sorn as completely and totally self-absorbed. And, to the credit of the other minion and jailers bios, it seems they'll bring that out even further with their scheming behind Sorn's back! I'm relishing the possibilties!

Jenny: As it says, Sorn will go down into the cell. If you want to get that out in the next chance you post, please do so. If not, I can cover it. Whichever :) I have some ideas that will keep Sorn a few 'paces ahead' as he mentions. :p

Tara :)

[Hama Of The Riddermark]

Jenny,

How will Haleth fit into the early stage of the rp?

Will the queen talk to him, or something else?

~Hama

[JennyHallu]

Hama:

Haleth has been left by the Queen in the front yard of the Inn, with instructions to investigate Lin's disappearance and take charge of the rescue effort. You have the ability to recruit volunteers only from the ranks of her guard, as you need them. I assume that you also will need to periodically report your progress to the guard. As far as I can tell, you're free to set to.

Tara:

I'll introduce this latest confrontation with Sorn in my next post so we can get a Lin's-eye-view of the cell, the screaming, and general carrying on... Expect it sometime this evening.

[Folwren]

I would like to post, but I'm not possitive where exactly my character is. I hope I don't sound daft in asking where he is, but it's true that I don't know. I would like him to have stayed with Hama's character in the mead hall yard, but you, Jenny, said that the 'rest of her guard' followed her out. Was that everyone but Hethrel? Or what?

As soon as I know, I should be able to write something. :)

-- Folwren

[JennyHallu]

Foley: Hrethel is not at the Hall at the end of my post; he is returning to Meduseld with the Queen's guard. However, he would surely have heard that Haleth could recruit volunteers. Therefore it would be up to you to have Hrethel return to the Hall to volunteer, or to wait for Haleth to actively recruit you.

[Folwren]

Foley: Hrethel is not at the Hall at the end of my post; he is returning to Meduseld with the Queen's guard. However, he would surely have heard that Haleth could recruit volunteers. Therefore it would be up to you to have Hrethel return to the Hall to volunteer, or to wait for Haleth to actively recruit you.

Oh. Oh, I see. Okay. :) I'll write something or other soon, then. Thanks!

EDIT: HOLD! Everything's not so grand as I thought. I didn't mean Hrethel, I meant Haleth, when I asked my question. I coudn't remember his name and I didn't look it up, so I wrote the closest to what I thought it was and it came out Hrethel, which isn't even a character, I don't believe.

Where's Hama's character, that's what I want to know? You've told Hama that he was left at the Mead Hall. Anyway, that's what I think you've told him, and he was to stay there to investigate the disapearance of Lin. Is that right? If it is right, I would like to now know - is my characer's position the same - marching back towards Meduseld?

-- Folwren

[JennyHallu]

Yes. Haleth is in the Hall courtyard, and Deren is returning with Lothiriel.

(Sorry...I wasn't paying close attention, and when I saw you mention Hrethel my brain decided that was your character, Foley.)

[Folwren]

Post placed.

Elempi: I don't know if Eodwine has talked to Degas yet and given him his mission. I have written with the assumption that he has not.
Also, Thornden will not be returning until the evening of this day, as you may be aware. Once he's there, I hope Eodwine will be able to put him to good use.

Hama: Deren is at your disposal. Speak to him, or leave him standing at your character's whim. :D

If anything is wrong with my post, tell me, and I'll be happy to change it.

-- Folwren

[littlemanpoet]

I won't be around at all today. Any posting from me will have to wait until tomorrow. Just so you know.

[Celuien]

I'm planning to post tomorrow as well, but not tonight. Lots of errands to run. I'm in between trips now... :rolleyes:

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Will Degas be required, do you think, before he gets to Gondor?

[Celuien]

Post up. We see that Garstan underestimates Lin, though his heart is in the right place. ;)

Will he and can he join the rescue party? I don't know for the same reasons that he doesn't know what to do.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Though Saeryn won't take part in this, as far as can be seen, Garstan should know that if he leaves, she will care for the children as best she can, and certainly with the help of the entire rest of the remaining household.

[Celuien]

Though Saeryn won't take part in this, as far as can be seen, Garstan should know that if he leaves, she will care for the children as best she can, and certainly with the help of the entire rest of the remaining household.
Good to know. That information would play an important part in his decision making process.

Of course, if Saeryn isn't here just now, can Eodwine tell him that's the case?

[JennyHallu]

Saeryn is here, but Fea is dealing with time constraints limiting her posting. That's why Degas and the boys are cameos and not full roles. I should think you could take Fea's offer into account in whatever post you write as coming from Saeryn's voice, (that ok, Fea?) just don't expect a response from her.

[Celuien]

Saeryn is here, but Fea is dealing with time constraints limiting her posting. That's why Degas and the boys are cameos and not full roles. I should think you could take Fea's offer into account in whatever post you write as coming from Saeryn's voice, (that ok, Fea?) just don't expect a response from her.
So noted. :)

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Precisely, and thanks Jenny for clarifying for me.

[Anguirel]

I hadn't thought about it before I starting writing him, but Gurth's sparce vocabulary means that posts concerning him containing dialogue will often lead to me having to NPC other people's characters to an extent.

So in this case, Jenny, Firefoot and Taralphiel, do speak up if you feel I haven't done your characters justice. For instance, I might have slightly played down Scyld's courage for comic effect.

[Firefoot]

I think the only thing that I really mind is the part at the end about Scyld retreating "as quickly as possible." Him getting out of there like that is fine, but I think I'd make it a little slower, more guarded. Other than that, looks fine. Scyld is still developing for me, and I'm definitely liking this exasperation with Gurth. :D

[Anguirel]

I changed it to "paced slowly but firmly back up the stairs".

[Firefoot]

Perfect.

[littlemanpoet]

Apparently, I need to post; I'll be switched if I know what to do with Eodwine. Lothiriel has come and told Eodwine to join the search and rescue party, and to get word to Linduial's father. So he'll give Degas his marching orders. And Garstan wants to talk to him. Hama of the Riddermark is playing Haleth, the commander, I see, who will talk to Eodwine about plans. Haleth is at the mead hall? I guess I'll have Eodwine initiate communication with him. If I got anything wrong, let me know.

[Taralphiel]

Great jon, Anguriel , no changes needed for Sorn at all!

Yesterday I was reading over the posts, and I had a small idea. I'm putting up the beginnings of it in my next post.

Would it be possible to have Osfrid and Muriel wander into the Mead Hall and gather information on Linduial's friends? Then perhaps use that to threaten her into 'behaving'? Just something to play on Sorn's deviousness :3

Let me know what you think, and if it's not a good idea I'll edit it out of my post.

Tara :)

[Celuien]

You got it, LMP. Busy being the Eorl, isn't it? :D

Garstan wants to go with the rescue party, but he needs someone to talk it through with him so he stops running around in mental circles.

[Alcarillo]

Ang - Muriel and Gurth absolutely have to meet somehow. Mwahaha...
Would it be possible to have Osfrid and Muriel wander into the Mead Hall and gather information on Linduial's friends? Then perhaps use that to threaten her into 'behaving'? Just something to play on Sorn's deviousness :3

Let me know what you think, and if it's not a good idea I'll edit it out of my post.
Well, I'd rather have them at Sorn's home, but I'll do it, as long as Osfrid and Muriel aren't gone for more than a couple of days. How far is it from Edoras to Sorn's home?

[Taralphiel]

It wouldn't be very far at all. I'd say that you could make one or two posts, peeking around and then come back. I'm not thinking of it being a very big operation at all.

[Alcarillo]

Excellent. I'm definently up for snooping. :D

[Taralphiel]

Excellent. I'm definently up for snooping.

Great! Now, to decide WHAT we find. It's a matter of deciding who Linduial would be most distressed over.

Degas is about to leave, so that counts him out. Perhaps Lèoðern ? I feel bad almost saying it! How cruel these thieves and ruffians would be! :mad:

Celuien: Would this be plausible? There wouldn't be any kidnapping ivolved...perhaps Muriel or Osfrid just talking to her, and her revealing something she knows about Linduial.

I won't push this forward today. Perhaps a day or two. Gives everyone else time to work their own storylines out. I hope this idea is okay Jenny!

Tara

[Celuien]

Celuien: Would this be plausible? There wouldn't be any kidnapping ivolved...perhaps Muriel or Osfrid just talking to her, and her revealing something she knows about Linduial.
It's plausible. She's the open, trusting, friendly, talkative sort who would tell just about anyone anything they asked (and more beside). And it will put a whole new twist on Garstan's concern to stop the kidnapping ring when he hears about it.

[JennyHallu]

I think it's cool...been keeping my mouth shut and seeing where you go with this. Very nifty.

[Taralphiel]

Thanks Firefoot for continuing the thought for me!

Alcarillo: , if you have no objections I'll write up a post in a few hours outlining the plan.

Jenny: When would you like to slot this little twist in? I want to work with your timeline, of course :) I also don't want to crowd the page with too many 'Sorn the Nutter' posts ;)

...Is everybody enjoying Sorn's crazy ignorance to his 'help' as much as I am? *giggles* He's digging himself into a mighty deep hole....

Tara

[Firefoot]

...Is everybody enjoying Sorn's crazy ignorance to his 'help' as much as I am? I am. :D Bad guys can be so much more... interesting... than good ones.

[JennyHallu]

Look at the timeline and see where you think it would fit.

But as for me, it looks like a perfectly good week 1 activity. The story should really climax (for Lin) about the end of week 2, and this little sub-plot should hellp enforce the passage of days.

[littlemanpoet]

I fixed my goof regarding Hama's character, Haleth. :rolleyes:

Hama? Are you going to post and answer Eodwine's question?

[Alcarillo]

Alcarillo: , if you have no objections I'll write up a post in a few hours outlining the plan.
None at all. Just wait until I can squeeze in an answer to Scyld, though. Won't be long.

[Folwren]

Alcarillo, is it your character who is going to be sent to the mead hall? Thornden is going to be there. Apparently, he's going to be sticking a roof onto the hall, but besides that, I'd like to have some interaction with your character, possibly. . .I wanted to play him some in this game.

Also, Hama and Elempi - my first post is in a very innappropriate place, it appears. Let me move it and bring my character to the mead hall sometime tomorrow. He will not go to your two characters because they're in Eodwine's room, it appears. He'll wait around outside, pacing probably, until he can talk to Haleth and volunteer himself. That sound alright?

-- Folwren

[Taralphiel]

I see you've got your post up, Alc so there's nothing to worry about there!

Jenny: I agree on week 1. 2 seems to be very busy, and I don't want to crowd it further. I also think that there needs to be some space between Linduial's escpae in Week 3 and this little trick of Sorn's. That way, Linduial will have had enough time to sort out the risks of testing any threat Sorn puts to her friends. If that makes any sense *giggles*

I have Mother's Day celebrations here today, and a job interview on Tuesday. So I'll put up a post tonight, and then disappear until after Tuesday morning. I hope this isn't too troublesome!

Tara :)

P.S: Baddies are so much FUN, Fire! *evil cackle* ;)

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Can anybody tell me exactly how long it would take to ride from the Mead Hall to Dol Amroth?

[Firefoot]

This (http://www.theoriginalseries.com/traveltimes.htm) is a pretty good website to figure out times and distances - they list Edoras to Minas Tirith as 350 miles and taking a minimum of four, average of fifteen days travel. Being that Degas is likely to be in a hurry... I'd say go with a week or so.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Gracias.

[littlemanpoet]

If Hama doesn't post up by the time I'm ready to (sometime today I suppose), then I'll just make some decisions and you can ask me to edit later. That means that I'll excuse Haleth from my rooms and the open door will find Thornden in the middle of pacing. Sound good?

[Folwren]

If Hama doesn't post up by the time I'm ready to (sometime today I suppose), then I'll just make some decisions and you can ask me to edit later. That means that I'll excuse Haleth from my rooms and the open door will find Thornden in the middle of pacing. Sound good?

Oh. Oh, dear. No, I didn't mean Thornden. Thornden (at this time) is still on his route in the Middle Emnet. I was talking about my second character, Deren, the one from Meduseld. He's the one who wanted to come volunteer.

Thornden would want to volunteer, too, you know, but evidently, Eodwine's going to ask him to stay back and put a roof on the place. And that would be his rightful job as a steward. Eodwine has to help with the search for Lin, the queen said so. But someone has to stay back and take care of the mead hall. I am actually looking forward to writing the part when Eodwine tells Thornden this. (Well, you'll be writing that part, but I get to write his response and reaction. :D) There may be some sparks. . .that is, unless you think it would be better if I didn't do that...?

Just let me know your thoughts on the matter. And it would be fine if Eodwine did walk out and see Deren pacing, but it can't be Thornden. Sorry.

-- Folwren

[littlemanpoet]

Let the sparks fly. All the more interesting. :)

But I won't be able to write it until tomorrow. :(

[Folwren]

Let the sparks fly. All the more interesting. :)

Oh, good! Fun, fun, fun! I'm glad you say so. :D

But I won't be able to write it until tomorrow. :(

And that's alright. I wouldn't have had time today anyway, and tomorrow, I'm going to be really busy anyway...so it's fine that I won't have to write a responding post immediately.

-- Folwren

[Hama Of The Riddermark]

Hello all,

I'm really sorry that I haven't been active, but I've been painfully busy with A Level work this past week or so.

Fortunately I've managed to make a considerable dent in it, so I'll do my absolute upmost to get a post up here before Wednesday.

Sorry again.

~Hama

[littlemanpoet]

I'm sorry, my RL has just gotten really, really busy lately, and it's all I can do to manage DWWW. :rolleyes: I'll try to do what I can with this when a little time opens up.

[JennyHallu]

Hama, I still need to see a post from you. At least get up a save...I'd like to get this moving along.

[piosenniel]

If you see an 'edited by piosenniel' on your game post, it's just me removing signatures.

~*~ Pio

[JennyHallu]

Pio: oops.


Everybody else: Post to come today/tonight rather than last night. sorry.

[Folwren]

I'm going to get a post up today, too! Sometime. Sometime sooner than later.

-- Folwren

[JennyHallu]

Torim (and a way to find Sorn is the kidnapper) is my surprise. He is NPC, anyone can use him within reason. BUT:

Make sure it's plausible, people! Torim has no desire to get involved. Locating him, and then convincing him to talk, should be difficult, and take a while.

[Folwren]

I am so sorry my last post is so short, but I haven't time to think of anything further.

Elempi, do what you have to with my character to continue on. Stick him in the backround while Eodwine figures out what is next. As he said, he can be quiet when necessary. :D

I'm going to be gone until Sunday evening/Monday morning, so don't wait up for me.

-- Folwren

[littlemanpoet]

Seems like Hama's post needs to be moved to an earlier place in the thread. Like between posts 3 & 4, I think.

Hama:

“Bloody hell Haleth!” needs to be changed to "Blood and swords, Haleth!"

... ready to take on the whole damn Mordor army all by ourselves!” The expletive here may simply be removed.

The rest of it is just fine.

[Hama Of The Riddermark]

Right, I'll sort the changes you suggested, littlemanpoet.

Sorry to join in so late...

[piosenniel]

So . . . is the consensus that the post be moved between 3 & 4?

If so, let me know and I'll do so.

~*~ Pio

[littlemanpoet]

I think it fits best there. Others' thoughts?

[piosenniel]

Hama's post moved to follow Taralphiel's post, #3.

~*~ Pio

[JennyHallu]

I will try to get a post up with Marenil sometime today. If I don't, I ask everyone to look at the Calendar to know why. :D

[Taralphiel]

Just checking in, so you don't think I've disappeared! :p

I have a post in the works, the usual act of Sorn enjoying the glow of his own brilliance *giggles*

Would anyone like me to work their characters in? I might put Gurth in for a bit. Would you mind, Anguriel? I think Sorn's taken quite a liking to him and his wonderful hound!

Tara

[Anguirel]

Not at all. In fact, it would be really helpful as I could then respond from Gurth's point of view. Such a large and shambling character is quite hard to write into situations in origo!

Command me to jest, my lord, and I shall, in some way that involves smashing things amusingly, probably...

But the really scary thing about Gurth is the way he looks like a perfect Lord of the Rohirrim...until he starts dribbling and grunting...

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

But the really scary thing about Gurth is the way he looks like a perfect Lord of the Rohirrim...until he starts dribbling and grunting...
I notice a stark resemblance to reality. You've never noticed that the folk that look most perfect often have a surprising adeptness at vocalizing moist words that may or may not have meaning? w00t Gur+h roxors & wad a qt d0G!

*clears throat* Sorry 'bout that.

Actually, to be serious, what I like most about Gurth is that he isn't simply a bumbling idiot. He's more fascinating because he's got that appearance of humanity... it's a better foil for his character than if he looked the part.

[Taralphiel]

Done, Ang!

I think Sorn touches on another side to Gurth that relates to this. Of all his 'help', he knows Gurth is the most loyal. The most volatile, definitely, but as long as Sorn keeps his bargain Gurth keeps his...

At least, that's the way I've tried to portray him. I hope that's okay! :P Let me know if I need to tweak my post a li'l. I've left you room to think about the moments he was with Linduial, and to do something different entirely :)

Tara

[Folwren]

LMP, I'm so confused. Where's Eodwine in relation to Haleth? And where, then, is Derrin? In Jenny's post it sounds as though Eodwine and Haleth could be alone again, or with several people. Are Garstand and Derren the only ones who have thus far volunteered, or should, by the time Jenny's post takes place, there be more? Because I don't know where my character is or should be, I can't write a post. I'm so sorry. And I'm especially sorry to bother you, because it seems you're awfully busy of late.

Oh! And about Jenny's post. Marenil's suggestion is either lovely or disapointing. I haven't decided which. If Eodwine says yes to him, Thornden gets to take place in the adventure after all (which is lovely, in it's sense), but it's disapointing because I was looking forward to some sparks being kicked up between Thornden and Eodwine when Eodwine told him that he has to stay back and act like a Steward. What's more, if Thornden got to stay behind, Alcarillo and I would have a chance, I think, to do some writing together. :D
So, there are my few thoughts about Meranil's suggestions. Have Eodwine answer as you will, of course...either way is fine, I guess, in it's different ways.

-- Folwren

[littlemanpoet]

I'm a little confused myself, Folwren. At least we're clear that Thornden is with the search party. Which seems to be bigger than anyone ever intended! I have no idea how many people this makes, but Eodwine was surprised at the number.

Question: what writers are there who are part of this search party, and what are your characters? Just so I'm clear whose names to use when I write.

[Folwren]

Oh, lovely, you've straightened everything out very easily. :D Cheers to Elempi!

I'm a writer for two characters - Deren and Thornden. I hope they'll get along. I don't imagine that they wouldn't.

As for my next post, I will do my utmost to write one tomorrow morning, but the day is looking like it's filling up. However, we'll have to wait and see. I'll try, really I will.

-- Folwren

[Celuien]

And I'm writing Garstan, who is also coming along. ;)

[JennyHallu]

Search Party:
Eodwine
Haleth
Deren
Thornden
Garstan

Dol Amroth:
Degas
Farahil
Adrigil
Farlen

Mead Hall:
Marenil
Leodern
Garmund

Anyone else who wishes to pop in with a cameo at the Hall is welcome to PM me. I may be PMing some Mead Hall writers once we really get going.

Sorn's Estate:
Sorn
Scyld
Gurth
Osfrid
Muriel

Other/Incidental Characters:
Lothiriel
Torim

[JennyHallu]

:P

Anywho...

lmp has moved ahead to the next morning...great!

The trip to Sorn's estate takes about 8 hours, and that's by wagon. By foot it is probably a good day and a half to two days, a-horseback you could probably get there in six hours.

The catch, of course, is figuring out where you're going. A man wanders the fair with information you need, but you don't know that, and he's not inclined to get involved in such high affairs. This is the first challenge for the Searchers.

The first challenge for the Kidnappers and the Hall-folk is slightly different. It will be Osfrid and Muriel's spy mission, each groups working against the other. Kidnappers, (Sorn and Scyld particularly) could you establish the whereabouts of the items Lin had on her? The knife, doll, and basket are all things Lin is going to wish to recover, and we'll need to know where they are, (at least here, if not in the story thread. I'm not picky about it.)

[Anguirel]

I know I haven't been much in evidence yet, but I am about. Do plop Gurth on your list.

The time change means it'll look forced to finish my conversation with Sorn, but blast it, I'll resort to a flashback.

[JennyHallu]

Whoopsie...fixed it.

Is Gurth's short term memory up to the challenge of a flashback? ;)

[Anguirel]

Perhaps he has hidden depths...

[Folwren]

Is Gurth's short term memory up to the challenge of a flashback? ;)

Ha!

Maybe, Anguirel, you could write a post and have someone stick it in their post wherever you need it? It's not so nice, but it's better than a flashback.

-- Folwren

[Anguirel]

I decided not to dwell on remembrance of things past after all. Gurth is giving Grendel walkies.

A side-note: in real life I'm absolutely terrified of very large dogs...

[JennyHallu]

LMP, just noticed something: Lin is Lothiriel's cousin, not her niece.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Pity, Malfoidacil, as most of them are very sweet.

*is patiently waiting for a point where it makes sense to write a Degas post*

[Anguirel]

We all fail to appreciate certain vital pleasures. Ah, I can't wait for my mother's Sunday roast...

[Folwren]

Oh. Big dogs are awesome. We've have Great Pyreneese around here for a couple years now, and I want a Great Dane really, really bad. The only problem is, Pop doesn't like Great Danes, so I've got to wait until I get married and have my own house.

-- Folwren

[littlemanpoet]

Does anybody have a clue how on earth the search party is supposed to find out anything about anybody? Where it is to go? How it's supposed to find Sorn? I've had Eodwine and Haleth argue over strategy, and now I think that the two need to more or less stick together. The question is, which one of the two is in charge? Did Lothiriel put one of us in charge? I don't remember that being clarified. It would have been in the Rohan Tolkien created. I'm at a loss. Some help, anybody?

[Alcarillo]

Does anybody have a clue how on earth the search party is supposed to find out anything about anybody? Where it is to go? How it's supposed to find Sorn?
Maybe a reward can be promised for any information about the kidnapping. Torim will come to the mead hall and tell about what he saw and heard the evening Sorn's cart passed by his farm. Maybe Osfrid will be there to overhear the conversation. Then he and Muriel can rush back to Sorn to tell him what's happened.

[JennyHallu]

LMP, I think Lothiriel was very clear that Haleth was in charge, and Eodwine answers to him. Please reread the post where Lothiriel confronts Eodwine if you're still confused, and please, since this is the first time I've run a game, keep complaints to PM first, cc'd to Piosenniel if you feel it necessary.

I also put someone in place in the Fair who has information on Lin's whereabouts. If you and the other search party members can't come up with a way to find him, I will be happy to offer ideas, but I don't want to control your party. This is intended to be a team effort, please discuss with your party members what is the best plan. That's what this thread is for.

And while this time change stands, could any future time changes be discussed and agreed upon in the thread first, or in PM? I'd like to give people enough time to wrap up conversations and such, and I would really appreciate, as game owner, the ability to institute time changes myself, in case there is new information or developments I would like to reveal.

~JennyHallu~

Edit: X'd with Alcarillo. See? Ideas! Right there!

[littlemanpoet]

LMP, just noticed something: Lin is Lothiriel's cousin, not her niece.
Fixed.

...please, since this is the first time I've run a game, keep complaints to PM first, cc'd to Piosenniel if you feel it necessary. Oh. Sorry. I didn't realize I was complaining. I was just meaning to ask for help. Feeling a little lost and desperate, that's all. I'll go read that post again. Thanks!

And while this time change stands, could any future time changes be discussed and agreed upon in the thread first, or in PM? Absolutely! It can be changed if you want. I just didn't know what to do with all the loose ends, and the best solution I could think of was to start the new day. If you need me to change anything or delete a post, please say so.

Okay, I've reread the first post. In that light, I should either severely edit or delete my little conversation-with-Haleth post. Or so it seems to me. What do you think?

And as for moving this little adventure along, I'm content to follow Hama's and Jenny's lead. What a relief! :D

[Firefoot]

Concerning loose ends, I would like to write a post wrapping up Scyld's and Lin's conversation; should be written sometime tomorrow. It could just be inserted after Jenny's post...

[JennyHallu]

I think the discussion you had with Haleth stands on the basis of your shared history. I kind of got the feeling he and Eodwine were former comrades in arms, and as such a real formal command relationship isn't likely.

Pio, see Folwren's post above...can you do that? (What are you capable of anyway, our dearest Moddess?)

[littlemanpoet]

I think the discussion you had with Haleth stands on the basis of your shared history. I kind of got the feeling he and Eodwine were former comrades in arms, and as such a real formal command relationship isn't likely.
I'll let it stand if you're okay with it.

[piosenniel]

For anyone who needs to insert a post:

Just put it here on the discussion thread and tell me which post box # it is to be inserted in and does it follow or precede the post already in the box.

And if I don't see it right away - just bang me over the head with a PM. :eek: :D

~*~ Pio

[Firefoot]

Pio - could you put this at the end of Jenny's post #29?

~*~*~

PLACED ON GAME ~*~ Pio

Firefoot's post

“So you do beg. Very well; wine or some such you will have with your meal,” he allowed, “but I would not count on any kind of bone setter.” He said no more, and he thought he heard a soft sigh from Linduial.

After a while, Scyld heard the soft ripping of fabric and saw that she was indeed trying to wrap her arm, though it clearly caused her a great deal of hurt. She might be doing only what she would call necessary, Scyld mused, but there were some who would not have done nearly what she had. She called herself a child, and in many ways she was, naïveté not least, but she was resourceful, too. Altogether an interesting person.

[JennyHallu]

Actually Pio, put it at the end of the first section of my post. Before the Marenil bit. If you can.

[piosenniel]

Pio - could you put this at the end of Jenny's post #29?

So - JennyH - I actually put it in #27 as you suggested . . .

~*~ Pio

[JennyHallu]

Um...yeah...and I just reread and I was wrong and Firefoot was right and could you please move it again and stick it where she said? Or I guess I could...I will.

[Firefoot]

Tara - do you have any specific ideas about how Sorn's house is run? I had it in mind that Scyld was sort of an all-purpose sort of guy - groundskeeping, running errands, whatever Sorn needed him to do - but what about, for instance, cooking? Does he have a servant to do this, and perhaps some cleaning as well? It seems fairly logical (if he has minions, surely he has servants?), but I was also wondering how he would handle that, now that they've kidnapped someone - does he trust his servants, then? Or threaten them, even if it is only understood?

[Taralphiel]

Fire: Good questions!

Scyld has mentioned in sme posts his frustration at not being able to take on more important tasks relating to Sorn's scheming. Perhaps to make that more apparent, he could have some more menial duties?

His household would, because of his financial situation, be run on a 'skeleton staff'. Most likely one cook, one stable hand, perhaps some sort of cleaner? Someone Scyld helps out now and then. People have mentioned the house looks a little dilapidated, so he wouldn't have dozens of staff running about.

Of course, being Sorn, he wouldn't take a 'nice' way around keeping his servants quiet. Threats would probably work well, maybe also promises of a mighty reward - of course deals he won't keep.

Sorn really trusts no-one. So it would make sense he would have something in mind to keep his minion's silence.

I hope these answer your questions, and they fit in with the story Jenny . I'll try to work more of this into my future posts.

- Tara

[Firefoot]

Okay, that's sort of what I was thinking, but I thought I'd check to make sure... :)

And by the way... what exactly is it in your avatar? I've been trying to figure it out for a while now without success...

[Taralphiel]

Ah, Jenny , I just saw your post about the items that were taking from Lin. I'll make sure to account for them in my next post. I'll have Sorn admiring the blade meant for Degas *nod*

Fire: It's not so much a what, as a whom :3 Her name is Fawne... (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/Taralphiel/Dollfie-related%20pics/stairpics014.jpg) I thought people may recognise it as a face, but maybe it's too obscure n.n; Pretty, but obscure....*giggles*

With that done, back to planning some more smouldering spoilt brat Sorn posts! *wink*

- Tara

[Firefoot]

Tara - I wasn't sure if Sorn would let Scyld happen to see Linduial's things or not - I don't know if it matters, but if you think he wouldn't, I can take that out... I saw that you said you were going to put that in your next post, though, so I figured that's what Sorn would be doing...

[littlemanpoet]

I'm sitting here waiting for Hama to make Haleth take over the search. Or does somebody think I could do something else? Taking suggestions and content to wait.

[Taralphiel]

I just peeked at your post, and that's fine with me Fire .

I'm posting a reply now. I'm using this small opportunity to get Sorn talking to Linduial. Hope it makes sense :)

- Tara

[Folwren]

Where is Hama, by the way? He seems to have a lack of presence here. Our search party isn't getting very far, and at the rate we're going, Lin will be quite unreckonizable, having lain in a dark, dirty prison for so long.

-- Folwren

[JennyHallu]

I have noticed (or rather, not noticed) Hama as well. I'll PM him and see what's up.

[JennyHallu]

Hama will no longer be taking part in Abduction in Edoras. I have invited someone to play Haleth, but meanwhile, please carry him along. Also, anyone who would be willing to play Haleth, please send me a PM. Hopefully this will allow us to really get moving within the next couple of days, and at least by the end of the weekend.

I have been reviewing my proposal, and I think the span of 3 weeks is a bit much, considering the actual travel times to each area. So don't take that schedule as set in stone...

What ideas do people have about finding Torim?

Or about anything?

[littlemanpoet]

What ideas do people have about finding Torim?

Or about anything?The only reasonable facsimile of an idea I have about creating any leads that the rescue party can follow, is for this little thing about the two people (I can't remember who they are I'm so out of touch) who are going to spy on the Mead Hall; that someone gets suspicious and either follows them back to Sorn, or alerts the rescue party, or both. Thoughts?

[Folwren]

Torim could hear word about the search party and come and tell them what he saw. Will word be traveling? Or we are going to be trying to work in secret? But what good will it do if they work in secret? We can at least ask the common folk if they've seen any suspicious happenings. And if we do, then Torim might here. However, he may be afraid to tell, for fear of being caught by Sorn and his men. In which case, we could have an interesting part where he comes up hooded and cloaked in the middle of the night to the search parties camp and tells them what he saw. Whether or not he tells them who he is can be decided when we write it, and in what sort of mood all the characters are in.

Elempi's idea was good, though. It's not too unlikely that eventually someone gets suspicious about Alcarillo's two characters. Thornden wouldn't have been idle if I had had to play him staying at the Hall. :D

So, there's my two cents.

-- Folwren

[Celuien]

But what good will it do if they work in secret? We can at least ask the common folk if they've seen any suspicious happenings.
Agreed. I think they have to ask around or they won't get very far.

Elempi's idea was good, though. It's not too unlikely that eventually someone gets suspicious about Alcarillo's two characters.
And you can bet that if they pick on my poor little squirrel of a child at the Hall, she'll tell someone. Two strangers asking a 5 year old about Linduial? That's bound to raise suspicion. ;)

I think a combination of word traveling about the search party and word that the troubles aren't over (since the suspicious types are now going back to the Hall and that could make news as well) might help encourage Torim to say something.

[Alcarillo]

And you can bet that if they pick on my poor little squirrel of a child at the Hall, she'll tell someone. Two strangers asking a 5 year old about Linduial? That's bound to raise suspicion. ;)
Now now, Osfrid will be more subtle than to ask about Linduial directly!

It'll definitely be Muriel, I think, who'll bring about the suspicion. She might get her disguise confused, or call Osfrid by his real name instead of the false one he'll use, or make any number of careless mistakes. And Osfrid will have to tell additional stories to cover up Muriel's errors. Imagine Osfrid's desperation at having to fabricate a new story every time Muriel opens her mouth! :D

[Taralphiel]

Hi all! Sorry I've missed the past couple of entries.

I think lmp's idea is spot on. Though, it really is up to you, Alc . It does seem like a very likely thing that Muriel would 'slip up', and the word would get around.

I'll try to make another post for Sorn this weekend. With my work ending late, I'll have minimal writing time during the week. But I'm still reading up! :3

Jenny , depending on Lin's reply, Sorn can come down. He does have some experience in tending to wounds (taught by his father), but his...'cell-side manner' might be a bit lacking *giggles* Nothing violent, of course. Just a little intimidating.

- Tara

[Firefoot]

If Sorn comes down, Lin better not have that wine-spiked water lying around... :eek:

[JennyHallu]

I wish to announce that our dear Firefoot shall be taking on the role of Haleth. Hopefully she'll be able to post later today, and we can get this moving!

Pio, can you update the character forms to reflect this change?

[Anguirel]

A most excellent choice, Jenny.

Incidentally, does anyone want to get involved with Gurth? He's currently wandering about outside, but maybe he could come in to entertain his Lord further...

[piosenniel]

~*~ UPDATED WRITER/CHARACTER LIST ~*~

JennyHallu

1.) Linduial of Dol Amroth (aka: Lin) 2.) Marenil of Dol Amroth 3.) Lord Farlen of Dol Amroth 4.) Queen Lothiriel of Rohan
~*~

The Kidnapper: Taralphiel - Sorn
The Jailor: Firefoot - Scyld
Minions:

1.)Anguirel - Gurth 2.)Alcarillo Osfrid Muriel
~*~

Commander of the Queen’s Guard Firefoot - Haleth Reidrbrand
King’s/Queen’s Men:

Folwren - Deren
~*~

Writers/Characters from the Eorling Mead Hall thread at present.

1.)Folwren - Thornden son of Thrinlite 2.)littlemanpoet - Eodwyne of the Mark
3.)Celuien Garstan Lèoðern Garmund 4.) Feanor of the Peredhil Degas of the Folde Farahil son of Farlen Adrigil son of Farlen

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I'd planned to have my first Degas post up in the very near future; now it won't be. Sorry that I'm so close to invisible but it's unavoidable.

[Firefoot]

I have a post up for Haleth... tell me what you think. I hadn't been following the Good Guy's plans as closely as I might have, so if you think something ought to be changed, say so... hopefully this will get something going on that end, though, at least until Osfrid and Muriel turn up (for the life of me, I can't find the post that listed how far away Sorn's land is from Edoras, so I'm not sure when exactly that would be).

And in case there's any question, Sorn's name would presumably turn up on Haleth's list, although it presumably won't help the rescuers much just yet... I imagine it might be a bit uncomfortable to show up on random nobles' porches with armed men... ;)

[Folwren]

YAY! Let me go read it!! I'm happy to hear it. Now we can get started and do something.

-- Folwren

[JennyHallu]

Yay! Direction and leadership! Very nice, Firefoot.

Fea, you knew you'd be busy, that's why you're a cameo...don't worry about it, get to it when you have time, da sooner da better ;)

Now...as for questions:

Sorn's Estate to Edoras is a full day's walk, and about 7-8 hours' ride. (Notice Lin was kidnapped in mid-morning, and it was evening/suppertime when they arrived at the estate.) I'm not entirely sure in what direction it lies, and shall leave exact location up to Tara...what do you think? More in the direction of the mountains, or rolling pastures?

Torim (our man with legitimate knowledge) is already in Edoras (arrived last night), so he will not be caught by the guards at the gate. Unfortunately, the truth of the kidnapping was not discovered early enough to prevent Sorn's escape from Edoras. I wonder if the promise of handsome reward might not entice some other, less honest individuals to come forward with "information"?

[Firefoot]

Torim (our man with legitimate knowledge) is already in Edoras (arrived last night), so he will not be caught by the guards at the gate. Which is why I also sent men into the city itself. The people at the gate were more for the sake of Osfrid and Muriel... ;) I wonder if the promise of handsome reward might not entice some other, less honest individuals to come forward with "information"? Haha, I like it.

[Anguirel]

Hmmm. I sense a role in sticking to the less than honest individuals like glue and crushing their skulls. Grunt.

[littlemanpoet]

Great post, Firefoot! Are you Haleth now? Good ideas, with that list. I wouldn't have thought of that, much less putting guards at the gates! :eek:

So.... do we want to have Sorn on that list, or is that too easy? At any rate, what other names do we want on the list? Any suggestions?

[JennyHallu]

I don't know if it's a good idea to go interviewing those on the list with no evidence to go on...too much of a risk of antagonizing someone who has no real ill-will towards anyone. I think Firefoot said much the same thing. How can we manage using the list without violating an "innocent until proven guilty" principle?

I should think that it would only mean that evidence given could be compared against such a shortlist.

[JennyHallu]

And Deren is a Guard of Meduseld, not one of Eodwine's men...I don't know if he's a resident of the Middle Emnet or not, but he is certainly not under Eodwine's command, but directly under Haleth's, as Eodwine is.

[Anguirel]

I have a suggestion. Any chance of my pal Cuichelm being on the list?

I'd play him happily. I've got rather fond of the complacent young blood of a noble...

[littlemanpoet]

I've deleted my post. What would you like Eodwine to say? Is Haleth's comment directed toward Eodwine specifically, or to anybody within earshot?

[Firefoot]

I don't know if it's a good idea to go interviewing those on the list with no evidence to go on...too much of a risk of antagonizing someone who has no real ill-will towards anyone. I think Firefoot said much the same thing. How can we manage using the list without violating an "innocent until proven guilty" principle?

I should think that it would only mean that evidence given could be compared against such a shortlist. That was my thought... the characters go with a "what do we know about these people/is anyone in the city saying anything about them etc.?" Just showing up at houses would be a bad idea.

I have a suggestion. Any chance of my pal Cuichelm being on the list?

I'd play him happily. I've got rather fond of the complacent young blood of a noble... Er... who's Cuichelm? I've deleted my post. What would you like Eodwine to say? Is Haleth's comment directed toward Eodwine specifically, or to anybody within earshot? It's mostly directed at Eodwine, but if Thornden or someone is standing nearby, feel free to comment. I didn't have any response for Eodwine in mind... I didn't see your post before you deleted it so I don't know what you had in mind...

[Anguirel]

Cuichelm's the noble who had Manawyth arrested...

[Firefoot]

Oh! Thanks for clearing that up. Sure he can be on the list... but if we're not just interviewing all the people on the list, I'm not sure how he'd turn up in the story... ideas?

[JennyHallu]

What if, instead of interviewing everybody, the searchers ask discreet questions of connected persons? Cuichelm could get wind of the quiet investigation and come huffily to protest. Could be interesting...

Please don't take my ideas as dictation...this is discussion. Just, let's discuss before taking unilateral action.

[littlemanpoet]

Well, I'm frustrated. I can't apparently do much right by you, Jenny. Therefore I'm going to let you guys discuss, and tell me what you want Eodwine to do. All see ya all around.

Hmmm.... maybe it would be best if Eodwine gets knocked out and goes into a coma for the next three weeks..... :p

[Celuien]

Hmmm.... maybe it would be best if Eodwine gets knocked out and goes into a coma for the next three weeks..... :p
I like idea that even less than suicidal innocent LMP self-votes in Werewolf. :(

Sorn's Estate to Edoras is a full day's walk, and about 7-8 hours' ride. (Notice Lin was kidnapped in mid-morning, and it was evening/suppertime when they arrived at the estate.) I'm not entirely sure in what direction it lies, and shall leave exact location up to Tara...what do you think? More in the direction of the mountains, or rolling pastures?
Garstan's been thinking about that time frame, though I forget where I posted his reasoning about Lin's not being too far away.

I don't know if it's a good idea to go interviewing those on the list with no evidence to go on...too much of a risk of antagonizing someone who has no real ill-will towards anyone. I think Firefoot said much the same thing. How can we manage using the list without violating an "innocent until proven guilty" principle?
Along the same lines as above, we could apply geography if the list includes people who are too far from Edoras to be likely candidates. Also, I like the careful questioning of connected people idea. Or even coming up with ways to cleverly investigate the people on the list in person without actually confronting them. Spies can work for both sides. ;)

[Folwren]

Well, I'm frustrated. I can't apparently do much right by you, Jenny. Therefore I'm going to let you guys discuss, and tell me what you want Eodwine to do. All see ya all around.

Hmmm.... maybe it would be best if Eodwine gets knocked out and goes into a coma for the next three weeks..... :p

Stop it! Let's not have disagreements on this thread, too!

Remember, the people in the search party will need to have just as much discussion between themselves as we are having amongst ourselves. Tempers may be short in the game, but it would be nice if they weren't here.

Let's start with Haleth's thoughts - sending people to the gates and word throughout the city. We should start writing posts on that, and if no one else steps up to do it, I can.

Afterwards, when we hear a bit, if we can not go straight up to the suspected person and ask questions (Jenny and others think that would be a bad idea and stir up strife unnecessarily)(and I agree with that), why not do a bit of spying? If we can't get information any other way from suspected people, we could.

And as for Deren not being under Eodwine. . .well, when Hama was playing Haleth and not writing hardly at all, Elempi was kind enough to put my character under a commander who would actually have a player. I did not get a chance to read Elempi's post before he removed it. Thornden is there, and he's under Eodwine, if you need a subordinate. :)

Does this help? Maybe?

-- Folwren

[littlemanpoet]

Sounds fine by me. I'm just going with the flow. Take it away Folwren.

[Folwren]

Sounds fine by me. I'm just going with the flow. Take it away Folwren.

Oh, well. . .um. . .it turns out that in order to really make it go nicely, Eodwine has to say something, because Haleth just asked him if he had any suggestions. I didn't realize that until I just went back and re-read it. I can not really nicely continue it.

I'm sorry, lmp, if you have any hard feelings over anything and therefore don't want to write. Really I am. But please won't you let it go and put a post up? If you don't want to make it long or intricate, then just write a short one that will allow me to write something wherein we get started.

-- Folwren

[littlemanpoet]

All that stuff's in the past, Folwren. Onward!

[Folwren]

Elempi, I see you're on now, and I thought I'd better hurry up and explain something.

When I wrote my post earlier, my computer was scarcely working for me. I was about to write a post here and before I could finish it and get it posted, the computer shut down on me, so I was left with the post on the game put up but the post here on the discussion thread not put up.

What I have to say is this - I went ahead and took Dorran away with the other people going to gate without asking your leave first. I thought that it would be fun to have a player down there at the gate since most of us are going to be in the main group. If you do not want Doran to leave without Eodwine's permission then I'll edit.

Gotta go. HAve got work to do.

-- Folwren

[JennyHallu]

by Doran do you mean Deren, Folwren?

[Folwren]

Yes, I mean Deren. I'm getting Tevildo's character's name mixed up with mine. I've done it a lot this game. And you're apparently getting my name mixed up with Firefoots. :p

Deren is who I mean. Did I put Dorran into the game thread? I'll go check to make sure.

-- Folwren

[JennyHallu]

Getting your name mixed up? Whatever are you talking about? :p :D

[littlemanpoet]

It's fine by me if Deren is assigned by Haleth to the gates. Quite explicable within the story line. Eodwine's so distracted that he hardly notices, I suspect.

[Firefoot]

Alcarillo - tell me if I handled Muriel alright.

I may have a post up for Haleth within the next couple hours, but more likely it won't be until tomorrow sometime.

[Alcarillo]

Alcarillo - tell me if I handled Muriel alright.
Yep! It was perfect. :)

[Taralphiel]

Again, so sorry! I haven't had time online till just this morning, so I've been desperately trying to catch up.

I'll just traul through and answer any questions I've seen to me:

Incidentally, does anyone want to get involved with Gurth? He's currently wandering about outside, but maybe he could come in to entertain his Lord further...

Sounds like a plan! Sorn has been spending a little too much time brooding in his room...

'm not entirely sure in what direction it lies, and shall leave exact location up to Tara...what do you think? More in the direction of the mountains, or rolling pastures?

I'm preferential to the mountains, if you haven't already written otherwise. If that's the case, anything is fine with me. I also don't have any preference on distance.

As far as the task of questioning suspicious persons, I think it would stir things up nicely to question Sorn. I want to see his confidence falter a little, personally. He's alltogether too pleased with himself!

I shall put up a post of Sorn wandering around, and if Gurth wishes to bump into him, he can.

BIG EDIT: I realised when writing my newest post that I haven't mentioned much of the layout of the House. I think it'll probably be necessary to decide on it somewhat, so that rescuers can find Lin's belongings. I've described it a bit in the post, but I believe it'll be rather confusing!

I have a reference sketch, but it's a very poor job. If you all request I shall provide it, though shyly. Please understand my grasp of design is little to nothing, and my Wacom Tablet sketching skills are more so. If you keep that in mind, you probably won't laugh too much... :rolleyes:

- Tara

[Folwren]

There would be a regular guard or two at the gates of Edoras, wouldn't there? So when Deren and the his companions reach the gates, the place is not going to be completely abandoned, is it?

-- Folwren

[JennyHallu]

I'd say there are probably guards at the gate already.


And as for an interview with Sorn, perhaps an acquaintance of his could mention he's been caught up for a while now in some plan of revenge, and a party could go to interview him (with that evidence) while the rest of the group finds Torim.

[JennyHallu]

Me again! I've been excited by the burst of activity here, and want to keep it going. Torim is at the Fair, and he shall come forward with his information only after a party has been dispatched to interview Sorn, or when I am informed by the Rescue Party that they are ready, if that plan has changed.

Folwren (Deren) will not be here until next weekend, however, so let's try to time Osfrid and Muriel's arrival to coincide with her return, so that Deren can question the couple at the gate. I was wondering if it might turn out that the two find themselves almost trapped at the Inn while the rest of the rescue takes place...depends on how timing works out.

What do you guys think?

[littlemanpoet]

I'm on vacation June 15 - June 20. My computer access will be limited.

[Firefoot]

I'm thinking that we're about due for a time jump into the evening. Correct me if I'm wrong, but there doesn't seem to be a whole lot to do during the day, since Osfrid and Muriel won't be arriving until evening, and really, there's only so much we kidnappers can do while sitting around waiting for Lin to be rescued... ;) Folwren (Deren) will not be here until next weekend, however, so let's try to time Osfrid and Muriel's arrival to coincide with her return, so that Deren can question the couple at the gate. Next weekend as in the 17-18 or 24-25? If the latter, maybe a time jump wouldn't be the thing...

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Jenny, how shall we work Degas's arrival at Dol Amroth and when would you like it to occur?

Have him ride in and be greeted or just assume that it happened and jump to Degas cloistered with Lin's fathre and brothers?

[JennyHallu]

Next weekend as in tomorrow. I'll jump the time...Anybody have a conversation to finish before I do it?

Expect a post in about an hour and a half.


Fea:

I think it's mainly up to you. After this time jump though, I think he is welcome to arrive. Personally, I'd like to see the greeting, but it's up to you in the end.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I'm just not sure exactly how to approach it. Advice for how such a thing would occur would be much appreciated.

[JennyHallu]

Hmm...well, when you arrive, Marenil's son, who really ought to have a name, poor boy, will probably be the one to greet you. He is Farlen's acting steward. Mid-30s, takes himself seriously...

If you tell him you've come with news about Lin, he'll lead you in to talk to Farlen almost immediately, depending on Farlen's whereabouts. It's early spring, however, so Farlen is likely to be busy in the fields. Most likely you'll be dropped in a lavishly-appointed room and told to wait for Farlen, but either of Lin's brothers (depending on who's home) might wander in.

There...that covers Mar, Jr. and Farlen, so that's my end of it. Sound good to you?

Let's call Mar, Jr. 'Ennahir' (after his mother, but masculine)

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Works for me. Adrigil's at the docks getting ready to leave (they'll, of course, catch him before he sails) and Farahil is probably going to be sparring with an old friend of his somewhere in the general vicinity.

[littlemanpoet]

I can see Eodwine, Garstan, and Thornden heading out with a search party, but I'm not sure how to proceed with it. What do you guys think? Is a search party what we should be doing? Where should we go? What should we do? say? Maybe we need Haleth to give us orders, Firefoot, as to what to do. Just a thought.

[Firefoot]

A search party like the ones Haleth was going to send out into the city? I could see them doing that; if that's what you'd like I can edit my post to include it. :)

[JennyHallu]

Fea: Farlen's property is about an hour outside the city in the countryside, so running for Adragil will probably take a while.

I'm going to go ahead and do the time change. If anyone has a post they want to fit in before the time change, post it here and we'll have Pio put it in place.

[littlemanpoet]

A search party like the ones Haleth was going to send out into the city? I could see them doing that; if that's what you'd like I can edit my post to include it. :)
Whatever order Haleth deems most appropriate.

Edit: Never mind. It would appear that the volunteers didn't do anything on the first day.

[JennyHallu]

If you think they did something on the first day that I didn't leave time for, post it here to be placed properly, or reflect it in flashback. I'm not trying to prevent you from doing anything.

[littlemanpoet]

Eodwine is waiting for orders. As soon as he gets them, he'll do as he is commanded.

[Firefoot]

Post edited. I had Haleth send Eodwine (with Thornden and Garstan, if they so choose... they're not really under Haleth's command) out as a search party in the city. Hope that works.

[JennyHallu]

Oh that's lovely. Perhaps tonight's doings could involve reports on who they spoke to and what was found out? Any thoughts?

Oh! and Folwren should be back today! So we can get the encounter between Osfrid, Muriel, and Deren at the Gate! Yay!

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Fea: Farlen's property is about an hour outside the city in the countryside, so running for Adragil will probably take a while.
That shouldn't be a problem as Degas has a lot of time to kill. Remember, he doesn't get back to Edoras until the morning of Eodwine's court date. That means that (if we're working in a time frame of what, three weeks?) Degas has:

-travel from Edoras to Dol Amroth
-get directions from Dol Amroth to Farlen's estate
-meet Mar, Jr
-sit around contemplating stuff while runners find Farlen and Farahil while someone rides for Adragil
-whatever it is that happens when a noble shows up to tell another noble's family that he lost her (note that I'm a bit lost on these details and will certainly need a little help)
-Farlen leaves and Farahil and Degas have A Chat
-somebody remembers that Degas is hungry and he is given food
-eventually Adragil gets there and Degas, yet again, has explaining to do
-somehow, a couple weeks pass
-Farahil and Degas ride to Edoras

Looking at my only concrete ideas, I'm noticing that in there, somehow, a couple weeks pass.

I'm thinking that for any sort of time span sense-making, there would have to be delays. Degas is going to get waylaid on the road... he won't get there until late "tomorrow" at the earliest. That still leaves too much time.

Is there a possibility that when Degas reaches Farlen's lands, nobody of Lin's family is actually there except maybe Adragil's wife and kids or something? It would take up some time if it took a while for runners to find everybody and then for them to return.

I can have Degas get delayed quite a bit on the road. A storm comes up and he has to seek shelter. While seeking shelter, he finds a young lad on the road near to death from being cold, hungry, and wet. Has to find the young lad somewhere safe to go. Has to figure out what to do with him, as it's not particularly convenient for me to bring the lad to Edoras with him given that Degas has been back all day and the kid hasn't been mentioned plus we already tend to acquire injured strays with a questionable regularity.

Anybody want to pick up the role of a travelling companion for Degas that he finds on the road? I'm thinking to leave him as a ward of Farlen, if that would work out for everybody.

Basically, of all of the diversions I can think of that would require the time spans I need to fill to be filled, finding someone on the road would work out best. It would delay his arrival and his departure as first he'd have to find the kid a place to stay. When that doesn't work out, he's of the type that wouldn't think of leaving him behind and would resolve to bring him along until he found him a suitable home and apprenticeship or whatever.

---------------------------Begin Clear Thoughts Here:------------------

Okay, so now that I've thought "aloud" and come up with a few things, here is my plan to take up time and make Degas's part a bit more interesting and it also solves a problem I'd been having that doesn't pertain to anybody else, so don't worry about it.

My next post will involve Degas at an inn somewhere talking to the innkeeper about the fate of the boy being spoon-fed broth in the next room over. It'll be a flashback post of Degas finding the boy and bringing him to safety. The innkeeper will inform Degas that, for whatever reasons, the boy can't stay. Degas will ponder for a bit and then decide to bring the boy along, once the bad weather passes (roads will be bad for riding for a couple days... big storm, you know) and once the boy is fit to ride.

Does anybody want to write the part of the boy? If not, I'll write up a quick character bio and do it myself.

[littlemanpoet]

Okay, that helps. Any idea what to put together, Celuien & Folwren?

My sense is that Eodwine will have Thornden and Garstan come with him to seek out likely places where information might be garnered. Other inns? Marketplaces? Perhaps we should construct what has happened on this day on the discussion thread before posting up?

[Celuien]

My sense is that Eodwine will have Thornden and Garstan come with him to seek out likely places where information might be garnered. Other inns? Marketplaces? Perhaps we should construct what has happened on this day on the discussion thread before posting up?
That makes sense. I'd think that marketplaces and inns would be great places for news, and logical places for the group to check.

Also, we could work in whether or not Sorn is on that list of suspects (I don't remember seeing any comments on the list), and whether or not anyone has been eliminated from the list by being too far from Edoras. The geography question has been on Garstan's mind, and was probably asked at some point during the day.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

My save is filled. The boy is sleeping. Degas won't reach Farlen's estates for at least two or three days.

[littlemanpoet]

That makes sense. I'd think that marketplaces and inns would be great places for news, and logical places for the group to check.

Also, we could work in whether or not Sorn is on that list of suspects (I don't remember seeing any comments on the list), and whether or not anyone has been eliminated from the list by being too far from Edoras. The geography question has been on Garstan's mind, and was probably asked at some point during the day.
Who's on the list?

[Celuien]

Who's on the list?
Just what I was wondering. :)

I suppose that Sorn should be on it. It would certainly make our job in the search party easier. :p :D We could make up some additional potential disaffected Rohirric nobles to be on the list as well. But if a few of the suspects are more than a day's ride fom Edoras, they could be eliminated, leaving the seach party with maybe 3-5 possibilities, including Sorn.

So during the day, maybe the party asked around the taverns and marketplaces about those suspects and heard from Sorn's acquaintance about his bad mood. Unless we're moving too quickly.

Thoughts?

[Anguirel]

I suggested Manawyth's accuser Cuichelm as an option earlier...

[Celuien]

So you did, Ang. :) Thanks for reminding.

List:
Sorn
Cuichelm

And a few more...

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Why not have Saeryn and Degas's older brother Fenrir on the list?

He's a sketchy character from the Folde... quite close enough to be a suspect, at least in the mind of anybody that knows of his relationship with his siblings (cough Eodwine cough). If he found out that Saeryn was in Edoras (he has, I just haven't done anything about it yet) and he learned that the queen's cousin had become friends with her, I wouldn't put it past him to know something about this fiasco. He might be someone worth looking into, especially now that I have more time on my hands, if you guys are interested.

[littlemanpoet]

List:
Sorn
Cuichelm
Fenrir

...and a few more...

[Folwren]

Yes, I am back, as Jenny observed, and I am quite excited about meeting Alcarillo's characters at the gates. :)

As for what to do with Thornden, Eodwine, and Garstan searching in the city and with the list of names, I have no suggestions as of now. I'll think on the problem, but don't expect any ideas until Monday from me, I'm worn out and can't think very well yet.

--

Oh, and:

Is your will your own?

I definitely think so.

-- Folwren

[Alcarillo]

Save filled. Osfrid and Muriel have reached the gates, with Deren approaching. Take it away, Folwren. :)

[Folwren]

Alright, I finally got a post up. Sorry it took me so long.

Alcarillo, I did talk for your character. If you do not want me to do that, or if you don't like what I said, you can have it changed.

---

And, Tara, I'm not sure if I'll be able to reach you any place else, so I figure I could say it here. In the Mead Hall thread, Thornden's gone in to talk to Lys again.

-- Folwren

[JennyHallu]

I'd like to move the time ahead by...oh...say...Monday. This next time jump will encompass either 2-3 days, to the final discovery of Sorn's perfidy, and Degas' arrival at Dol Amroth. Please wrap up what you need to over the next three days, and put some thought into what has occurred in the interval.

Does this sound good to everyone? We seem to be stagnating.

Oh...and I'd like a vote on whether it should be two or three days skipped.

[Alcarillo]

I'm leaving for about a week the day after tomorrow, without a computer, so whoever's at the Mead Hall might have to do Osfrid's spying for me. :( I'll post tomorrow, getting Osfrid and Muriel to the Hall.

I vote to skip ++Two Days. Less of an interval.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Three's better for me, but I'm just writing cameos. It makes no real difference.

[Folwren]

Do as you wish, I have no preference. A time jump sounds fine and reasonable, and two or three days makes little difference in my mind. Three days is more likely, as it will probably take longer than just two days to find him out.

Monday morning I'm leaving again and won't be returning until Friday afternoon.

-- Folwren

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Save filled, finally.

[Celuien]

Does anyone else have a character to add to the suspect list?

If not, I'm planning to write a post this weekend (hurray for vacation!) in which names (characters not played by anyone) are mentioned as having been investigated and exonerated, leaving the named characters for further study by the search party after the time change.

Suggestions? Comments?

[littlemanpoet]

I'm thinking of having Eodwine tell Haleth that nothing worthwhile was discovered in the first day of town questioning. Could you add that into your post, Celuien?

[Celuien]

Sure, Elempi. :)

Post to come either tonight or tomorrow, if there are no objections to my plan.

[Folwren]

No objections on my part. :) Good idea.

-- Folwren

[Taralphiel]

I really humbly apologise again for not being around.

For the past couple of weeks, I've been tested during training at work. And going very poorly, I might add :( So all my browsing time's been eaten up on studying my training manual.

I've noticed people are making up wonderfully for my lack of writing for Sorn, and for that I'm thankful.

For the time skip, I have little preference. It might compensate for Sorn's elusiveness.

After the jump, I'll make a post. Anyone who wants to chat to Sorn about anything, please let me know. I'll also make sure to expect some visitors ;)

Please take into account, on weekdays I'm unavoidably scarce. PM's are the best way to catch me.

- Tara

[Firefoot]

What sort of door locks would have been likely common in a Rohirric culture (how complex were they) - i.e., Sorn's study? I would imagine that it's not the sort you could open by just threading something stiff between the door and frame (Sorn would be at least that careful... right?). As for picking... tricky, but not unreasonably difficult (for anyone dedicated/determined - or slightly bored as could have been the case with a younger Scyld).

Scyld has already shown himself to be an eavesdropper and a snoop; I would imagine that he has, at least a few times in his life, broken in to Sorn's study for what ever reason (and perhaps other rooms?) - I would imagine that lock-picking is something he would have picked up along the way, however much he uses it (it'd be risky, so only for important things).

In case you've not figured it out, this isn't completely random... I'm thinking about Lin's things locked up in Sorn's study.

[littlemanpoet]

Locks only got complicated in the last century or so, I'm thinking. In the old days, the skeleton key and heavy lock would have been the way of things, and for added security you just added more locks. Unless I'm depending on movies and books that don't represent the reality.... :rolleyes:

[JennyHallu]

http://www.bergen.org/AAST/projects/Engineering_Graphics/Lock/pages/history.html

http://www.nokey.com/ankeymus.html

There's a start on some information on Locks for you. Must go walk the dog, I'll edit more in later.

[Taralphiel]

*takes a peek at all the information* Thank you for that Jenny!

I'm terribly sorry all, I didn't even think to look for info on locks and the like when I posted for Sorn in the study. Posting late on Friday nights has some drawbacks...

I mentioned Sorn had a 'key', though I really went into no detail. It would probably have to be some sort of lock with a portable key, as Sorn has it in his pocket at this current point in time.

Hopefully that helps narrow down a possible design. Again, so sorry that I made this necesary!

BTW, Fire do we plan on letting Scyld get away with it...or maybe make it a little more dangerous? ;)

- Tara

[Firefoot]

BTW, Fire do we plan on letting Scyld get away with it...or maybe make it a little more dangerous? ;) Don't know yet... depends a lot on what Scyld actually decides to do... he certainly won't go after her stuff until time is coming for her to be rescued. But dangerous is good... :D