The Hills of Evendim Planning/Discussion Thread

[piosenniel]

This thread is being opened for the purposes of planning an RPG, which has grown out of a storyline developed in the Green Dragon Inn.

Its use is restricted to these writers for now:

Elora

littlemanpoet


No other writers may use this thread with the exception of the Shire Moderators.

All posts by those other than those listed above will be deleted.

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Elora and littlemanpoet

If there are others you wish to join the Planning Thread – then please PM their names to me – and I will place them on the above list.

[ September 12, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

Elora

Since you are the person involved who has already been in a Shire RPG, you will be listed as the Game Owner.

Here is the list of responsibilities you will need to be familiar with:

_____________________________

Responsibilities of Owners/Co-owners

The basic requirement for becoming a game Co-founder (Owner) is to have played in one or more games in the Shire, Rohan, or Gondor. The moderators will look over the games in which you’ve played. We’ll be checking to see that your writing meets and/or exceeds the basic standards for the Shire. Just as importantly, we’ll make sure you have a reasonable record of posting for the particular character you play. This means posting at least once a week, with any absences longer than a week explained on the discussion thread or by PM’s to the game Owner.

As an Owner, you will be expected to check in at least once a day to the Discussion Thread and to post to the game at least 2 or 3 times per week.

You will also need to keep track of the story line and keep it moving forward so that you can meet your End Date for the Game – which is calculated from when the RPG thread actually opens and how long you estimated it would take to reach your end goal.

In situations where there are Co-owners, each Co-owner must meet the same requirements for reading the game thread and posting. You may designate a particular Co-owner who will have primary responsibility for responding to PM’s or questions on the Discussion Thread that come in from the moderators or other posters.

However, that Co-founder must consult with the other Co-founders before making any major decision such as important changes in the plotline, deciding between two posters who have applied for the same character, or responding to a note from another player or potential player indicating they have some special concerns.

This type of cooperation is especially crucial at the beginning of a game when you’re making decisions on whom to accept into the RPG. Normally, one Co-founder cannot accept a player into a game without the agreement of the others. Thus, when people apply to play, you’ll simply say:

That looks good, (NAME OF POSTER HERE). Now we’ll wait to see what (NAME OF CO-OWNER HERE) has to say.

Once the Co-owner has responded, the name can be added to the Game Players list, which will be periodically updated and brought forward on the Discussion Thread. This means the each Co-owner must read and respond promptly in the initial part of the Discussion Thread where Game Players are being taken on.

If you want to set this up differently so that one Co-owner has sole responsibility for character choices, or one Co-owner wants to take a lesser role, you can do that. But it must be spelled out to the Moderators and approved ahead of time.

If one Co-owner leaves for whatever reason, the other Owner must step in and figure out a way to take over these responsibilities. They can do this directly or take on someone else to help. If a helper is used, you’ll need to get approval from the moderator for the game.

The basic point is this:

An RPG is a team effort. There must be constant communication between Owners and Posters for things to flow well. The Owners are the most important people in a given game. There is no way you can have a strong story without having an active, courteous game Owner.

[piosenniel]

By the end of your planning process, this is the Proposal Form that will need to be filled out.

I'm posting it now as a guideline for the areas you will need to cover in your planning process.

Please fill it out completely by the end of your Planning Process – and post it there as your final post on the Planning Thread. Cami (Child of the 7th Age) and I will then review it and make any suggestions we feel are necessary that may require editing on your part.

Once it is in its final form, and acceptable both to you and to the Mods, then I will open a Discussion Thread for you and you can invite others to play in your game.
_____________________________________________

SHIRE GAME WORK SHEET

Please read carefully and follow all information in The Red Book of Westmarch and in Seed Stories about gaming in the Shire before filling out this form. Please be exact in your answers.

Answer in full sentences and complete paragraphs wherever appropriate so that the Reviewers will have as complete an idea as possible of your vision of the game. Reviewers for the Games are Piosenniel (Pio) and Child of the 7th Age (Sharon/Cami).

Note please, from the Guidelines for Owners you were sent, that as owner, you will be expected to check in at least once a day to the Discussion Thread and to post to the game at least 2 or 3 times per week.

You will also need to keep track of the story line and keep it moving forward so that you can meet your End Date for the Game – which is calculated from when the RPG thread actually opens and how long you estimated it would take to reach your end goal.

SUBMISSION OF THIS COMPLETED FORM TO THE MODERATORS INDICATES THAT EACH OWNER HAS READ AND ACCEPTED THE GUIDELINES FOR OWNERSHIP IN THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS/CO-OWNERS SHEET.

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Title:

Historical Background (This is necessary only for Games set in a time before The Lord of the Rings. It can be 2 to 3 sentences that give some basic facts about what is going on in that time period. This will help clarify the setting for the prospective players.)

Basic Storyline:

The purpose of the story is to:

This means we will know the story is over when:

Starting Location:

Likely destination:

Timeframes:

This game takes place in the ____Age at around year _______.

The storyline itself or plot covers _____ days, weeks, months.

This game requires a time commitment of _____ from me, the game owner and from the major players.

Characters needed: – be specific as to type (eg., Lothlorien Elves, not just Elves, if that’s what you need; or any other characters types from specific regions) and please indicate the number of each type you will need.

Please note for each character type needed: Race – number needed – and gender needed

Character types which would not belong:

Are there any writers you have invited to play on the game and are saving spots for them? If so, please list their names under Dedicated Characters for me. They will need to submit their Character Descriptions Forms and First Posts to me before I will open the Discussion Thread:

Dedicated Characters: (List below)

The game owner(s) will play ____ character(s). Fill out the Character Description Form completely for your character(s).

Character Description Form for owner’s character:

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:

The first post for the game:
(This should be several paragraphs long, enough to give gamers a solid sense of what the game is about and who might be involved. It should draw both readers and potential gamers into the game.)

Other information of special interest that you would like to include:

Do you want first posts for the game when the players submit their characters on the discussion thread? - YES/NO

Please note that this will mean NO character descriptions will be accepted without First Posts accompanying them. All character descriptions posted without the required First Post will be sent back to their writers.


Proposer/Owner (Please use your Barrow Downs ID):

RPGs at the Barrow Downs I have participated in are the following (if you have not, explain where you have developed your RPG skills):

[piosenniel]

Elora and littlemanpoet

Please check your PM's.

~~ Pio

[Elora]

Many thanks Pio smilies/smile.gif

We'll start organising the basics for the RP. As far as I am aware, there are no others yet involved aside from Little Man Poet and I.

However, I'm sure that will change as the idea of LMP is a fine and interesting one.

[Elora]

Falowik (AKA LMP) will be posting an outline of the story and his character profile soon.

Here follows Uien's profile. I'll work up a plot outline once the outline of the RP is up:

Character Description Form:

RPG history at the Barrow Downs – Corsets and Corsairs, Green Dragon Inn, Lingering Darkness


NAME: Uien Aduial

AGE: 579

RACE: Sindarin Elf

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS:

Uien carries no weapons of her own. As a rule, Uien avoids weapons for they represent only pain, suffering and death to her.

APPEARANCE:

Uien is a silvan Elf. She is tall and slender, with long golden hair that falls in a cascade to her waist. She has clear grey eyes and the timeless beauty of her people. Her eyes show her years and the experiences that fill them when she permits it. Uien has a light step and the innate grace of her kindred. Her hand is gentle. She appears ephemeral, giving occasion to the saying of her kin that twilight lives within her and her name.

PERSONALITY:

Uien is a creative soul inextricably bound to the life and beauty of Middle-earth. Gentle of spirit, Uien is rarely given to anger unless it is on the behalf of those dear to her. She can be fierce when roused. As with many who hail from Lothlórien, she can appear lofty and insular, particularly when displeased with someone. Normally, she is given to quiet laughter. She is introspective and given to dreaming, with a love of all things living or growing.

Uien is particularly enamoured of twilight. It is the time of day she most loves, where the world can become magical. She is given to dance at such times, when she believes herself alone and unwatched. Once a creature of much mirth, Uien has quietened in latter days. A sadness lingers beneath the surface that many mistake as aloof pride. Yet her generosity of spirit has not been broken entirely and her friendship once given is true and eternal.

STRENGTHS:

Uien is a healer. She is also a painter. Clever with her hands, with deft and quick fingers, Uien is capable of most tasks that she comes across. She can be swift and silent as a shadow and has the ability to see the true natures of those around her if given the opportunity to look. Her insight can be both valuable and dangerous, for not all things revealed are wholesome.

Quiet, Uien’s strength of will and determination often comes as a surprise. She is often mistaken as meek or distant. She will speak her mind when she thinks it necessary and she is given to follow her own will and instincts. She has acquired the wisdom of one who has observed those around her over the years. She had the blessing of a loving family in the closely knit community of the Galadhrim and formed close attachments to her parents and siblings. These attachments have remained with her.

WEAKNESSES:

Uien struggles with a sense of alienation and abandonment as well as shame. She can sometimes wander unwisely and this has led her into grave peril in the past. She is alone utterly, her kin gone, and found it hard initially to make her way in the mortal lands. She had a protected childhood that little prepared her for the harsh realities of life beyond Lothlórien’s protected borders.

Uien overcame this over time, but carries with her the shadow of a turbulent period of adjustment. She thrives when home, but has none in these later days to call her own. As a result, she is troubled by her itinerant state and wonders if she would have made the same choices had she known what the future held.

Uien’s gentle heart is perhaps a burden as well as a boon, for gentle hearts don’t seem to last very long in mortal lands. A sense of purposeless and hopelessness pervades her darker moments and it can be hard for others to penetrate that fog of sadness that she is sometimes wrapped in. Uien has survived black moments, but at great cost to her innocence and joy in the act of living.

HISTORY:

Uien was born in Lothlórien in the year 2454 of the Third Age to Sindarin parents. Her family had abided with the Galadhrim since their people migrated to the lands of the wood elves at the Breaking of Thangorodrim. Her parents were taken in with reverence, for they had suffered much along side those who had survived the First Age and the inundation of their lands. Uien was the third child, the youngest and only daughter.

She had two older brothers, both born during the sporadic periods of peace in the dark Second Age of Middle-earth.
She was born late in Lothlórien and was amongst the last generation born in that land. For that reason, she was treasured by her people knew that children would be scarce. Sauron returned to the lands six years after her birth and the Watchful Peace ended. There was a growing belief that peace would not come again and that the Elves were indeed losing this battle as surely as each year passed.

Behind Lórien’s protected borders, Uien enjoyed a calm peace largely unaware of the troubles of the wider world but the air had changed and the people around her grew grave and wary. War did indeed break out, and in the end was fought beneath the very boughs of Lothlórien and Mirkwood. The Galadhrim were a force in the breaking of Dol Guldor, and paid a heavy price to bring down that bastion of Sauron’s evil.

Many had departed the lands for the safety of Eldamar, but Uien and her kindred remained. Uien’s mother was a healer and thus in need. Her father and brothers took up arms and fought in the skirmishes and then the open battle. Uien herself was not ready to depart Middle-earth, even when the days in the golden wood darkened. She loved the trees and the twilight too much to abandon them, and her family all the more.

Sauron was defeated and his forces overthrown. Uien rejoiced until she came to know the cost of that victory. Her father and eldest brother had fallen in Mirkwood. Her younger brother returned, haunted by the death of the War of the Ring. He was a shadow of his merry, joyful self and it shocked Uien to her core. It was then that she developed her aversion to weapons and things of war. No one could aid him and he was unable to remain in mortal lands any longer. Uien’s mother too saw only grief and death now, having lost her husband and her son and endured Three Ages in Middle-earth. Thus the decision was made to seek the Grey Havens.

Uien was grieved at this, but resolved to go with them. Lothlórien was emptying now that the power of Galadriel’s ring had ended. She set out with her family in the last party to leave Lothlórien. Uien could not bear to leave earlier and still her heart misgave her as they departed. Moria was still closed to them and her people did not take that dark road. As with those before them, they made for the Pass of Caradhras. Her brother was eager to ensure they remained together on the pass and often shepherded Uien on.

The urge to linger was still strong within her. Already she had begun to consider remaining at Imladris. The choice was never presented to her. Sauron may have been defeated, but the Misty Mountains continued to be plagued by the pestilence of orcs. They knew that the Elves took the Caradhras pass and would wait for their opportunity to strike at them in that treacherous place.

It was a place of great danger and peril, and her brother took up a sword one last time to ensure they were able to pass it in relative safety. His sword was of no effect in staving off the sudden storm that crashed upon them once they had entered the pass. Cutting snow and ice was hurled, the wind shrieking as if it sought to pluck them up and cast them either into the ravine or the clutches of the waiting orcs.

The party took what cover they could, forced to wait out the raging blizzard. Uien found herself separated from them, forced to take shelter beneath an overhang. Her last sight was of her brother reaching for her through a gap in the snow that closes before she could take his outstretched hand. The wind tore her cries from her, robbing her in that furious storm. Caradhras spared neither Elf, Man nor orc it’s anger.

When the storm passed, Uien found herself alone. She set out in search, disorientated and frightened for her family. What Uien found as she wandered, calling names, would test her to her very limits. Uien found orcs instead of her mother and brother. Their numbers were severely depleted by the storm, and they snatched up the lone Elf eagerly and made off with their prize without delay. Uien found no trace of her party and could not know if they had perished or been forced to go down from the pass to escape the storm and the orcs.

Uien, who had wished to remain in Middle-earth, found herself in the darkness of an orc den. She doggedly managed to survive as she endured torment and cruelty. However, despite her resilience, Uien was only saved from death by the unexpected arrival of Dwarves. They were undertaking a cleansing push to rid their mountains of the vermin. To their surprise and shock, they discovered Uien badly injured and almost beyond recognition, in an orc pit. Having narrowly averted slaying her for an orc herself, they brought up out of the darkness and discovered that she was no orc but an Elf.

After fitful debate, they decided they could not leave her in the mountains and so took her with them. Uien slowly recovered in their care, alienated as an Elf amongst Dwarves. Uien had no awareness of passing time, yet it took her many months to heal and that did not fully take. An Elf of Lothlórien, Uien found it difficult to live amongst the Dwarves and once she was able, she took their leave and set out in search of her kin. She emerged on dusk, just as twilight was beginning on a clear summer’s night, but the maiden of twilight was irrevocably changed.

She found her way back to Lothlórien and found it empty. She fought the urge to lie down between the trees and possessed by a great grief, wandered aimlessly. Her travels took her into Rhûn and once the people got over her Elven nature, for Sauron had told her many lies, she found temporary home. It was her first encounter with the Edain and she was little prepared for them.

A wasting illness swept through the village, preying on the elderly and the very young. Uien attempted the impossible and managed to heal a small girl. However, no healer can stave off death or stand in the way of Illúvator’s gift of mortality. Uien was unable to repeat her chance healing on the others that fell sick. The villagers believed her to be capable of healing them but choosing instead to consign them to death.

The village exploded into conflict in that climate of fear, death and superstition. Uien was forced to flee and once again was without a home. She had come to believe that it was her own fault that such woes came to her, being unwise and foolish. North she made for once more, not knowing what she was looking for aside from peace and rest. She kept to herself, aware that the world had changed and was not safe, and wondering if her family would have found her had she not been so foolish as to linger and become lost in the storm.

Uien found herself at the Prancing Pony Inn in Bree, penniless and exhausted. She felt too shamed to seek her people at Imladris, the orc pits surely hanging over her in their eyes. In Bree, Uien was somewhat of a novelty. Elves did not frequent the settlement. She managed to secure work in the stables, her ability with horses as with all living things emerging. She found she could heal them, and that they did not react with anger or hatred. However, Uien was still alone. She keeps to herself generally, found in the stables or at a quiet table at the inn, troubled by her memories and her sense of disconnection.

At twilight she disappears and stands by the trees beneath the stars hoping to recapture that beauty of life in Middle-earth. Uien lingers still, and only rarely does she smile or laugh or raise her voice in song now.

[littlemanpoet]

Title: The Hills of Evendim

Historical Background The historical background of this RPG is the War of the Ring and its aftermath. The year is the same as that observed in The Green Dragon Inn RPG: Fourth Age 12. The three remaining Hobbits of the Fellowship of the Ring have risen to leadership in the Shire, King Elessar is on his throne in Minas Tirith, and the realms of men are advancing in orderliness and peace, in the west.

It being Fourth Age year 12, 1434 in the Shire Reckoning. It is two years before King Elessar rides north, and Fornost and Lake Evendim, and the Hills of Evendim surrounding it, have not yet been cleansed and brought to order. Elessar had first sent surveyors to Lake Evendim, in FA 6, to take stock of the needs for repair, intending to rebuild the tower of Fornost into a summer residence. The surveyors returned with their report, and Elessar sent wrights north in FA 8, to prepare for rebuilding. These wrights were never heard from again. After a year, Elessar sent scouts to discover what they could in the Hills of Evendim. They did not return. For the following years, twice per year, Elessar sent out more scouts, only to never hear of them again. Rangers of the North went out in force in FA 11; it was hoped that their stronger numbers would be enough for their protection as well as discovering the cause of the former parties' disappearances. These Rangers were also never heard from again.

When meeting together informally in the autumn of FA 11, King Elessar spoke of his troubles in the North to King Eomer, by way of relating a frustrating situation. Eomer offered his Messenger, Eodwine, who was eager to go North adventuring at any rate. Elessar reluctantly accepted the offer, not wanting to put his friend's trusted man in needless danger; Eomer, thinking that Eodwine being Rohirrim instead of Gondorian, might prove some small benefit. Elessar accepted his friend's offer at last, and Eodwine departed with both their blessings, and warnings to take great care. Eodwine was to report back after a year and a day, being as circumspect as he could. On his very first foray into parts north, yet far from Evendim, he was captured, barely outside the borders of the Shire.

Unknown to his capturers, there was a witness, one Falowik, a lone wanderer, who had left Breeland 12 years before. This Falowik reported the capture to the nearest village, and so the Shire was warned. Mayor Samwise Gamgee passed on word to the Thain and and the Master of Buckland; Master Meriadoc Brandybuck determined to take matters into his own hands, trusting fully in Samwise, but not the slowness of his shirriffs, and ordered a party to be formed to rescue the beloved servant of his friend, King Eomer, and to discover once and for all, the cause of the disappearances.

Basic Storyline:

The purpose of the story is to: Discover the cause of the disappearances, determine whether Eodwine is alive or dead; if alive, to attempt a rescue. In either case, to report back to Master Brandybuck what they learn. If the rescue party is able to without risk to the entire party, to do anything that might be done to end the trouble in the North.

This means we will know the story is over when: The (remaining members of the) party reports back to Master Doderic Brandybuck, cousin of Master Meriadoc, and Second to the Master, what is in the North, what they have done about it, and to produce Master Eodwine or evidence of his death.

Starting Location: The Prancing Pony in Bree; it is in Master Meriadoc's mind that the search party must be made up of Men and Hobbits; Elves and Dwarves are not out of the question if any happen to be available and willing.

Likely destination: The Hills of Evendim, including Lake Evendim, and farther north as needed.

Timeframes:

This game takes place in the Fourth Age at around year 12.

The storyline itself or plot covers three to five weeks.

This game requires a time commitment of a half year (?) from me, the game owner and from the major players.

Characters needed:

Hobbits - two or three - male or female

Humans - one or two - male or female

Elves - one or two - male or female (not necessary but welcome)

Dwarves - one - male (not necessary but welcome)

Character types which would not belong: any other racial type

Are there any writers you have invited to play on the game and are saving spots for them? No.

Dedicated Characters:

Littlemanpoet will play 3 characters. The first one is outlined here (the other two are Eodwine (if he's alive), and the unknown villain (who shall remain unknown for now):

NAME: Falowik Stonewort

AGE: 30

RACE: Human

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS ([i]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. ): one dagger.

APPEARANCE: 5' 9", gold hair, very light blue eyes, craggy for his age, having lived under no roof for 12 years; deep set eyes; a pleasant face when he smiles; dark and sombre when he does not. He is neither heavy nor light for his height.

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 ): Quiet, reserved, tends to be untrusting and introspective. He is truthful but not to a fault, refuses to be in debt to anyone; is a survivor rather than a fighter; knows the lay of the land, knows how to find food in the wilds; can track almost as well as Rangers. Closes down and becomes surly when criticized or mocked or belittled.

HISTORY: Falowik was born from a rape. His mother did not survive childbirth, and his father is unknown. He was raised by the townfolk of Bree in general, and slept wherever he could find a place. He never learned to read or write, but did odd jobs to earn food and shelter, which wasn't always available. Most kind to him was Barliman Butterbur, who gave him more work than any other townfolk, and would have made him one of his workers except that unexplained thefts began to occur (due to Ruffians moving in from the South, but that was not yet understood), and Falowik was blamed; Butterbur urged Falowik to flee from Bree, which he did (at age 18), and he had been living in the wilds, surviving off the land, no roof over his head, for 12 years, when one summer night he witnessed a beating and capture. The victim's satchel was left behind; he brought it to the nearest village, and found himself enmeshed in the story of Eodwine, King's Messenger from Rohan.

Do you want first posts for the game when the players submit their characters on the discussion thread? - YES

Proposer/Owner (1) Elora (2) Littlemanpoet

RPGs at the Barrow Downs I have participated in are the following (if you have not, explain where you have developed your RPG skills): The Green Dragon Inn

[ September 14, 2003: Message edited by: littlemanpoet ]

[Elora]

OK, here's a draft plot outline to be considered:

Meetings
* Characters arrive at Prancing Pony and word of the search party to be formed reaches those at the inn courtesy of Falowik and the Master of Buckland's Second, Doderic Brandybuck.

*A party is formed of the disparite races, and the beginnings of both friendship and conflict begin. Not everyone will get along amicably. Each joins the party for their own reasons.

The Journey into the Wilds
* The party sets out, provisioned, to search the surrounding lands, heading west and north towards the Hills.

* The party follows the Brandywine River, observing the ban on travel through the Shire, uncovering a disturbing lack of trail and signs. Doubt as to whether Falowik really saw what he did begins.

* Whilst in the open land of the downs, the party undergoes it's first night attack. Doubt arises as to whether the source of aggression comes from within the group or from the mysterious men that were said to have attacked Eodwine.

Foul deeds cannot forever lie hidden

*They reach Deadman's Dike and discover old signs of camp amind the ruins of Fornost. Disturbing evidence comes to light of those that made use of those ruins. (the remains of missing scouts, Rangers and messengers but not Eodwine)

*The extent of danger is realised too late for the party to withdraw and summon more assistance.

Wandering the Ruin of Men

* The party strikes west now, making for the Emyn Uial. They discover the true extent of the menace in the north, but still do not know if Eodwine is alive or dead.

*A schism splits the party. One group thinks it would be wiser to return to Bree now whilst they still can and muster a force. The other refuses to leave Eodwine out there, the memory of the discovery at Fornost too vivid in their minds. The party decides to push on.

*The enemy has detected the party's presence at Fornost and now hunts them in a concerted, organised method.

*Those who press on, push towards Annuminas and Lake Nenuial. There they find the central settlement camp of the villian. The Emyn Uial are a warren of murderous fiends.

Valour in Desolate Places

* Eodwine must be located, somewhere in the ruins of Annuminas. They find him dead or alive and resolve to bring him out and make a hard strike against the brigands and evil Men that are responsible for so much violence in the north.

* They launch a raid, a small number against many, alone in the wilderness. Their aim is to retrieve Eodwine and incur lasting damage to the villians however they may.

* The raid very nearly ends disasterously. The party is split, some managing to escape amd others forced to take temporary shelter in the Evendim Hills around Annuminas. They flee back, through the hostile lands with either an alive and very injured Eodwine or his remains, in a desperate flight, attempting to meet each other again.

The Longest Road is that taken home

*Not all may emerge, depending on skirmishes and encounters with an enemy now intent on not letting word of their presence and numbers reach the Thain.

*Those who survive reach Bree where Master Brandybuck waits upon their report.

Now, the above is very much a draft. I look forward to seeing what you have to say about it. smilies/smile.gif

[ September 15, 2003: Message edited by: Elora ]

[littlemanpoet]

Wow, Elora! That's one impressive draft! Congratulations, you're the first person to drive me to dig my old 1970 full color Middle Earth map out of storage. Beautiful, gorgeous thing! Hee hee! smilies/biggrin.gif You know, the one with the nine walkers at the top and the evil hordes at the bottom, giving chase, and ten little circles showing key locations from Hobbiton to Mount Doom.

Anyway, I can't find Dead Man's Dike. where exactly is that?

As to the lair of the enemy, there's something elegant about your choice of near Lake Nanuiel. It's not what I first had in mind, though. Still, I'm willing to alter my first thought. Here's what I had been thinking; let me know what you think: the Black Numenorean is creating a realm from The Bay of Forochel in the north, to the River Lhun in the west, to southern reaches of the Hills of Evendim in the south, to the North Downs in the east. Lake Nenuial and Fornost are outposts that are currently kept under guard, and from which scouts are sent out regularly to capture wanderers and sneakers (how they missed Falowik is hard to say - just yet) :P Just lucky, I guess. Anyway, I had had it in my mind that the actual Lair was at the north end of the Hills of Evendim, which could be more rugged than the map shows.

This set up does two things that yours doesn't (so far): (1) makes the Black Numenorean's power greater; it would have to be in order to be spread that widely (2) makes the journey longer. I like (1), but (2) may be asking too much. What do you think?

By the way, everything else is really, really awesome plot development. Fair Dinkum, matey! smilies/biggrin.gif

[ September 25, 2003: Message edited by: littlemanpoet ]

[piosenniel]

lmp

"Dead Man's Dike" is actually "Deadmen's Dike" - the name given to Fornost (Fornost Erain) after its ruin and desertion in Third Age 1974.

Here is a map of The Shire and Bree-land (http://www.shirepost.com/ShireMapLarge.html).

Deadmen's Dike is north of Bree up the Old North Road (in later times named The Greenway), about 100 miles.

[ September 22, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Elora]

Matey?

Should I find myself a peg leg, a drunken parrot and a bottle of rum, yo ho ho? smilies/wink.gif smilies/tongue.gif

smilies/biggrin.gif

Hmmmm, interesting thoughts I must say. This realm would be reasonably close to the Grey Havens and the borders of the Shire... Being 12 F.A, the outposts at Fornost (Deadman's Dike) and Annuminas would have a lot of work to do to keep their bounds secure against incursion.

But, I like the challenge of having to get up to and then travel back from the northern most tip of the Emyn Uial. Plus, it will be chilly... Forochel's Bay is called Ice Bay on my, non glossy atlas map in practical earthy hues of brown and beige and ecru ( smilies/wink.gif me jealous of your map - nah, mate).

That makes for a range of terrain and climatic challenges alone to be dealt with by the party. What's more, there's the heightened risk of this dark realm that is being founded to add excitement. It's nice and handy to Carn Dum for a historical link to earlier grim realms of evil folk.

Plus the entire range of the Evendim Hills will be at our disposal for the search, attack, flee scenarios.

In short, me likes those ideas of yours. smilies/smile.gif

Pio Thanks for the map! smilies/smile.gif

[littlemanpoet]

Whoa! According to Pio's map (or whoever's), the Shire goes farther north than I was thinking. In fact, I'd prefer to take issue with that map and say that the Shire shouldn't go that far north. That's not at all the way I ever imagined it. Did you? Long Cleeve seems way too far north to me. I had the Shire's northern border at the southern edge of those hills south of Lake Evendim.

At any rate, for the sake of the rpg, Eodwine can be understood to have come first from Buckland, then to Bree and The Prancing Pony, and then north (not directly by road), captured just a hill or two south of the "caves".

If we accept this map, then the outposts of our evil nemesis will have to be on the north side of Lake Evendim, since the south shore IS the border of the Shire, and the villain-in-charge is too smart to mess with the Shire directly - yet. He knows well what happened to Sharkey there.

[Elora]

Hmmm, my map in the Fonstad Atlas shows the northern borders of the Shire indeed exceeding Long Cleave by a good 20 or so miles. That places it within the southern tip of the Evendim Hills.

Annuminas and Lake Nenuial lies roughly 20 miles north of that border. I think, like you, that the margin is too slim.

However. I do like the ideas you put forward still. So if we put the outpost on the northern shore of the lake, that gives a margin of around 40 or so miles till the northern border of the Shire is reached.

Those are very rough estimates based on a passing glance at an imperial distance scale and a metric ruler.

The revision in outpost location would also add more buffer between the "baddies" and those remnants of Elves that are congregating about the Grey Havens in Mithlond.

So, the revision works for me. At any rate, I imagine the villian would not be too keen to make a camp in the ruins of an ancient foe at Annuminas.

[piosenniel]

Just some things to consider:
_____________________________

This game requires a time commitment of a half year (?) from me, the game owner and from the major players.

Let’s start with 13 - 16 weeks as the time commitment. (which is usually the upper end of time allotted games in the Shire) If there is continued enthusiasm for the game from the players then the deadline can be pushed as far as needed for the game to come to a successful conclusion.

_____________________________

CHARACTERS NEEDED LIST:

Hobbits - two or three - male or female

You might want to specify where you think these Hobbits will come from – Bree-land, possibly. And probably not the Shire, since most of the Hobbits there would now be staying within its protective bounds.

Humans - one or two - male or female

What variety of humans do you want? Townsfolk from around Bree, Rangers, ruffians who might want to join the baddies.

Elves - one or two - male or female (not necessary but welcome)

Would these be Elves from Lorien or Rivendell passing through to the Grey Havens? Do you need them to know Uien

Dwarves - one - male (not necessary but welcome)

Why might a Dwarf have wandered to Bree, or in the northern lands around Deadmen’s Dike, the North Downs or Annuminas?

[ September 22, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Elora]

Interesting points.

Here's my 2 cents on them.

13 to 16 weeks sounds good to me. I do wonder what happens if the RP seems unlikely to conclude by that time. Are we able to extend it?

I agree about the Hobbits. I would think that any Hobbits would most likely be Bree-folk, or folk from the surrounding Chetwood. However, perhaps a more adventurous Took may venture forth (in the spirit of Bilbo, Frodo and Pippin). Even a Brandybuck.

Perhaps they're adventuring to Bree when they learn of the Master of Buckland's call for a search party. Just an idea.


As for humans, I believe that most human Bree folk would be disinclined to venture too far afield after the war. Mostly they're farmers, tradesfolk and rural business people. So it seems likely that humans that join the search party will be Dunedain Rangers or other like minded, non sedentary folk. I tend to view Bree humans in the ilk of Butterbur and co - no predisposed to venturing into the wilds.

I also think that is some possible scope for ruffians. However, we want to keep the identity and strategy of the "baddies" somewhat covert, so it comes as a surprise to the adventurers. So we'd need to sort out how someone could write a ruffian character. Having said that, with p.ms and other secret communications (devious rubbing of hands), that's not impossible at all.

The matter of Elves and Uien is a fairly straightforward one. The only elves that would know Uien would be any who left Lothlorien and lingered at Imladris. Uien set out with the very last party to leave Lothlorien. She never gained Imladris, being lost on the Pass of Caradhras.

I've been toying with kindred, whom Uien believes either dead or long gone to Valinor, remaining in Imladris in the hopes of finding some trace of her. Perhaps her brother. However, that is not really necessary to the RP and would be a side story.

So if an Elf character came from Lothlorien, they likely would know of Uien. Perhaps they even travelled in the same party as Uien's family had. They may or may not be anything more than an acquaintance. If an Elf came from Imladris, they would not necessarily know Uien.

I'm happy to work on this with anyone who would like to play a Elf character so we achieve nicely integrated character fits with each other.

Dwarves, I believe, could be venturing to Bree in the name of trade - as in gold! They'd be keen to re-establish trade with the outside world, particularly as it would be in a period of re-building. Dwarvish skills and craft with stone would be in tall order about now.

That would be the only thing I could think of that would entice a Dwarf from his mountain halls - gold... profit.

Bree is a mannish town... stone houses and walls perhaps damaged in the melee in the Shire during the War of the Ring... population building again, more houses needed... a new alliance between Elessar and Gimli's folk may induce Dwarvish stone masons to venture into the wider world to apply their skills and make their fortunes.


As I said, these are all just my thoughts on the matter.

smilies/smile.gif

[littlemanpoet]

I believe that there were still Dwarves in the Ered Luin toward the time of the War of the Ring. Bree would be a natural stopping point as long as the Shire is open, but with the Shire now closed, anybody wishing to pass from the Ered Luin to Bree would be hard put to it indeed! There are two choices: either travel and trade ceased, or a detour route was made because people traveled anyway, and found their way around the Shire. My money is with the second. All that to say, there would be Dwarves in Bree.

All that said, a Dwarf in the party is a non-essential - only if someone wants to play one.

I would like to see one Hobbit be a Brandybuck, a younger one, perhaps taken from the list in the appendices, one who takes after Meriadoc in adventurousness, but is in his/her tweens and perhaps a little callow - for a Hobbit. But let the player be creative with it, of course. My basic idea here is that this Hobbit would go along with the party, assigned to it by Doderic Brandybuck.

Another Hobbit would be a Breelander. One would have to come up with independent motivation for this one, because I can't think (off hand) of why any Bree Hobbit would volunteer for such an excursion.

A human Ranger seems like a natural fit. One other possibility would be a human veteran of the War who had settle in Bree. Just a thought. I could see the ruffian angle too. Adds a bit of zest.

I could see an Elf from either Imladris or Lothlorien. Although it's more likely to be Imladris, since Lorien has emptied by now, and Elves of Imladris are those who have chosen to remain in Middle Earth. Knowing Uine or not seems just a matter of choice on the part of the player.

13 to 16 weeks is fine by me.

[littlemanpoet]

NAME: Eodwine of Rohan

AGE: 41

RACE: Rohirrim

GENDER: male

WEAPONS: sword, spear

APPEARANCE: blonde, tall, 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, having a harp to play while he sings and speaks. 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.

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

WEAKNESSES: while an able messenger, he is not a good scout. He tends to be thinking up verse and mulling over histories and genealogies instead of watching his back in the wilds. When he does stop to pay attention to his surroundings, he is skilled in scouting - but only when he's paying attention.

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 marched 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. He joined the forces that hunted the Dunlendings down and brought them to justice, and having no family, 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.

[ September 23, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Elora]

Seems we have two who may join our number when this gets going, judging by the Green Dragon.

Imladris' Lira character has agreed to join Uien there, as has Esgallhugwen. Hopefully that shall carry over to here. smilies/smile.gif


Do we need to flesh out the plot further? If so, what suggestions do you have fermenting in that wonderfully creative mind of yours, LMP. smilies/biggrin.gif

Love that profile for Eodwine. "He's a good scout, only when paying attention."

Illuvator bless the day dreamers amongst us. smilies/smile.gif

[piosenniel]

If you wish to ask them, you can invite Imladris and Esgallhugwen to come into the game as Dedicated Characters.

If you decided to do this, PM them and have them post a character description and First Post on the Planning Thread.

Are they both Elven characters? If so, then you could drop the Elves from the 'Characters Needed' section of the proposal.

[littlemanpoet]

Plot developments? I don't have anything cooking up new right at the moment. I'm getting a kick out of Falco Boffin's rival recruiting effort, though. It'll be interesting to see what, if anything, comes of that.

Halfred: You, Falco, are not going to go tramping off north when you're needed right here in the Shire. Understand?

Falco: But - but - that Elf -

Halfred: I don't give no never mind about no Elf. Your job's here and it's about time you pulled your nose out of doings to big for you, and stuck it back where it belonged!

smilies/biggrin.gif

[Elora]

Aw, poor Falco... he's just trying to advance his career and now he burdened with a meddlesome Elf who seems intent on snatching his big opportunity to show his mettle. smilies/wink.gif


Well then, seems that our planning is finished for I have no further additions to make to plot development.

I thought to wait until the Discussion Thread was opened, at which point I would invite by P.M those who have already expressed an interest in the Green Dragon thread to submit a character profile and first post.

How does that sound?

[piosenniel]

Your planning is for the most part done - BUT the Discussion Thread cannot be opened until there are First Posts for each of your main characters - Uien and Falowik.

One of them I am supposing will be the opening post for the game when it opens - yes/no?!

And perhaps you should set up a little scenario for players to work their character's First Posts around - will it be their character's arrival at the Prancing Pony?

[ September 24, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[littlemanpoet]

I'd like to see Falco Boffin become one of the characters. It would be great if we could find someone to play him. In that absence, I'm happy with Elora playing him. I'll be doing Eodwine as well as Falowik if he survives...

Hmm.... looks like we so far have a human, a hobbit, and four elven ladies/maidens; and maybe a Gondorian Ranger - maybe. This seems like an odd combination. What are our options?

I'll work on a First Post for Falowik and should have it up in the next day or so.

I'm thinking it should be a meeting at the Prancing Pony, with Tolkien's cast in place.

[Elora]

I've been speaking to some who have expressed an interest about maintaining an open mind as to the character they eventually play in the rp.

I think we need to stick to our character list and encourage people to develop characters on that. That way, we keep a good balance of characters that makes more "sense" for this RP. The Green Dragon has been a great place to see how interested people are in the idea and how they write and interact with others.

I had planned to do the opening post for the RP to focus on the character's arrival at the Prancing Pony. That gives each writer a hook to enter on, or so I figure.

Also, separates Green Dragon Inn from the start of the RP which will be helpful, particularly if characters change between that thread and this RP.

My First Post for Uien will have her arriving at the Prancing Pony, having set off from the Green Dragon two days after Falowik.

I think Falco will shine best of all if someone takes him on. He's a great character, very interesting... lots of pugnacious hobbit charm... smilies/smile.gif

But, if noone likes the cut of his jib, then I will be only too happy to take him on. I think he has an invaluable role to play in this rp and the search party as that unique Hobbit voice whose opinions are different from those of the Big Folk. smilies/smile.gif

[piosenniel]

Question:

What is Uien doing in the Shire? And why is she at the Green Dragon Inn? This needs to be a very believable story, since I think that the Fair Folk would be mostly passing through the Shire as unseen as possible on their way to the Grey Havens.

An Falowik - If he did step within the bounds of the Shire, he would most likely have been arrested by the Bounders, or forceably turned back by them (perhaps he can be taken into custody by them and his story told to them before they oust him from the Shire?!)
_____________________________________________

About wanting someone to play Falco:

Can you do a short character description for him that I can put on the 'Characters Needed' section - that way someone could flesh him out if they wanted to play him.

[ September 26, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[littlemanpoet]

I'm for pulling the rpg away from the Green Dragon, and positing that everything that happened leading up to the meeting of the rescue party at the Prancing Pony, happened AT the Prancing Pony and near Breeland. As I said above, based on the map Pio provided, Eodwine was captured south of the "caves" and Falowik reported his discovery to the northernmost villages of Breeland.

Elora, can you write the Falco character descrip?

[littlemanpoet]

Falowik First Post
Falowik had spent the day at Brandy Hall. Falowik had been brought straight to the Master of Buckland in Brandy Hall by Doderic Brandybuck. Master Meriadoc's mien had been simple, straightforward, and serious. Doderic took after his cousin in all but experience, for he had never left the lands of Hobbits. Master Meriadoc had thanked Falowik for his message, and wished him well on his mission. Doderic had accompanied him to Bree, along with Gorbilac Brandybuck, age 40 and youngest son of Merimac; first cousin of Meriadoc, second cousin of Doderic. Gorbilac, known as Gorby, was to represent the Master of Buckland as a member of the rescue party.

They passed through Stonebows, on the eastern bank of the Brandywine River. Stonebows had turned into a small village since the King's Edict, where hobbits from the Shire and other races might meet and trade. Stonebows Inn, a new building, had been planned and built under the direction of the Master of Buckland. It was styled after The Prancing Pony in Bree, for both Men and Hobbits, but was much smaller, having no need for the capacity of the inn at Bree; at least, not yet. Master Brandybuck had plans for the Stonebow, but they would be years away. Falowik had met the Elven lady, Uien at the Stonebow, for Falowik had avoided Bree, the place of his childhood, where bad memories lurked. Falowik had had time to speak with Uien at the Stonebow, and was heartened to learn that she had done well, finding as many as three willing souls to join their rescue party. He had had to rush on, and would wait for Uien to come later, for her recruits needed time to end their business in Stonebow and make their way to Bree.

Falowik was almost in Bree. On three points he was ill at ease. First, he had no desire to go back to the place of his birth and childhood. Second, he had not recruited anyone, save Gorby, who hardly counted as a recruit, sent along by the Master of Buckland. Uien had had more success. Which brought him to the third point: Uien. At Brandy Hall and on the road to Bree, he had had time to reflect on the heady events of his first night and the following day with Uien. Her healing touch was undeniable. The need in her for someone to love and be loved by, was just as real. His place in her heart was the crux of the matter. He was a Man. She was an Elf. A high Elf, as far as he could tell. He had no business meddling in the affairs of Elves. The saying had often been bandied about, and the more so the less merit it seemed to carry, but there was truth in it nonetheless. I may adore her, but I'm a fool to take her love and claim to be able to give it. He made an agreement with himself as he entered Bree, that he would give her all his courtesy, all his honor, all that she merited; but he would not demean her by courting her for himself. And no persuasions, no enchantments - if he coud help it- would dissuade him.

The three travelers arrived at The Prancing Pony. The Inn had a pleasant front, and two wings running back into the hill behind; the second floor windows were level with the ground toward the back. They came to the arch, framing a large doorway that was open. Above the arch, beneath a lamp that was not yet lit, for it was day, was a sign of a fat white pony reared up on its hind legs. Over the door was painted in white letters: THE PRANCING PONY by BARLIMAN BUTTERBUR. Falowik felt a strange sense of anticipation, and anxiety, for Barliman had been kind to him, and had given him work and shelter as he had become a man; and had warned him when gossipers had chosen him as their target to explain inexplicable thefts. He had made nothing of himself in the twelve years since, and was ashamed.

They led their ponies and horse under the arch, and leaving them standing in the yard, they climbed the steps. A Man in the company of two hobbits was not unusual, nor was it common. As they went inside and found a table, many faces turned their way; none recognized them as native of Breeland, for which Falowik was grateful. They might be left to themselves as they waited for Uien and the others to arrive. Falowik wondered if Falco Boffin might make himself a burden upon the company of rescuers. He hoped not. He would most likey be a burden only to Falowik.

There was Barliman Butterbur. Falowik kept his head down. Though the bitterness of his past had been eased by Uien, he still lived its shame. He hoped that Barliman would not recognize him.

[Elora]

Thanks for that LMP. smilies/smile.gif Great First Post. I'll most certainly draw up a description for Falco.

Pio, the only reason Uien was at the Green Dragon is because that is the place in this forum that she emerged and encountered others. Had the title of the thread been the Prancing Pony, then her location would have changed accordingly.

LMP's alteration of location helps resolve this matter. I'll go a little further.

Uien wanders the lands of Middle-earth due to her fascination with them and the people who inhabit them. She does not pass to the Grey Havens for she does not yet wish to leave. In this I see echoes of one Legolas Greenleaf, who abided in Ithilien long after his kindred started to depart mortal lands.

Uien feels unable to return to the small strongholds of her people at Mirkwood or Imladris. She carries a shadow with her from the orc pits. She feels they would see it and in that think her stained. It's a shame that pushes her out onto mortal trails and paths. This is a carryover of Morgoth's Thralls of the First Age. Those who survived and escaped were shunned by their folk. Uien is shunning herself, her belief picked up from her parents who themselves were First Age Noldorin exiles. Far easier to exile herself than to return and find herself pushed away. That would be a pain too much for her to bear, or so she believes.

Here follows is Uien's First Post:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Uien checked the gait of her horse in the early dawn light with a pleased smile. She had ridden through the night and Bree waited before her, it's Western Gate awaiting her. She leant to whisper to her roan gelding in soft elvish words that elicited a whicker of pleasure from Thalion. He flicked his ears and shivered beneath her and she smoothed a hand over his shoulder.

Thalion was a fine gift and she would see him returned to the Stablemaster in as fine a condition as he left it. With slight pressure to his flanks, Thalion moved on once more, arriving at the gate of Bree proper.

"Who goes there?" The man's voice sounded through the wood of the gate before the small window shutter was opened. Uien remained as she was, smiling through the window when the young man's face appeared. His brows shot up. An Elf, at the Western Gate!

"Pardon, Miss," he stammered. Uien was keen to be through, to find Falowik and Doderic and Gorby. "We don't expect to find your folk knocking at our gates." Uien waved aside his explanation.

"No matter, Gatekeeper. I seek the Prancing Pony. I have business there." He examined her, still surprised. A lone Elf woman... unarmed with only a pack... not even tack or saddle and only a single blanket. Odd, to be sure, but then it was hard to explain the comings and goings of the fair folk.

He nodded, closed the window and pulled the wooden gate back. Uien was soon moving through. She shot a fleeting glance of appreciation at the bewildered man and gazed up the street that led into Bree. Falowik's home, she thought.

"Will there be others, Miss...." Uien blinked, realising that the man had asked a question. She shook her thoughts and paid renewed attention to him.

"Yes, three others... no four actually," she amended as she recalled how Falco Boffin had caught them up on the road to Bree some days ago. She'd left her companions with him, seeking the Old Forest to complete her preparations for the journey.

"They will arrive soon, I hope. Should any ask after Uien or mention the matter of a search party that the Master of Buckland has called together, please direct them to the Prancing Pony." The man nodded, understanding coming into his face as Uien spoke.

"The search party," he said. Obviously he knew something of it already. "Yes, Miss Uien." He tugged at his hair and nodded confidently. Uien shot him another smile and moved off then. Perhaps they'd arrived before her. She'd not seen trace of them upon the road when she had re-joined it.

As Uien sought the Prancing Pony her debate within herself continued. She could have risked setting out without the herbs she had found in the Old Forest. They may have left her behind already. But her mother's training was too strong in her. Too many passed into death on account of a healer not having the necessary resources to see to them. Uien had deferred in favour of that, fretting at the possible delay in finding Eodwine and moreso, dare she admit it, to see Falowik once more.

She pulled up in front of the Prancing Pony and slid from Thalion's back. A few whispered words and he snorted at her in slight reproach. He did not have to be told to remain at a hitching post, having done so countless times before. Uien glanced at the distinctly mannish stone buildings on the street.

A few had already started on the day's business and walked by, glancing curiously at her as they passed. They wore the same expressions as the man at the gate. Laurëatan she murmured to herself and in that took heart. Uien gathered herself and her now full pack and entered the inn.

The light was dimmer within, the commonroom close as was the manner of inns she had come to learn. Uien pushed back her travel stained cloak and scanned the commonroom for Falowik, his companions or hers. Conversation faltered as she passed tables by, those occupying them peering curiously at the Elf who had entered. With Falowik's name on her lips, Uien paid them no heed and pushed on.

"May I help you, m'lady?" The voice of Barliman Butterbur was kindly and curious. Uien blinked in surprise at the title. The innkeeper smiled at her as she took him in. She moved closer to the bar, conscious of those listening.

"I am come to meet someone," she replied, scanning the room and tables.

"You've just arrived then. Is your horse out the front?" Uien nodded her confirmation as her gaze settled on Falowik. Her carefully guarded expression softened then and her smile light her features.

"Hi HOB! There's horses needing stabling quickly," Barliman bellowed. He paused, looking sideways at Uien and resumed his dull roar. "An elvish mount, so mind you bring a bridle and don't set it skittering on the streets!" Barliman lowered his voice to a more reassuring tone. "He's quite good with horses, but handling one without a bridle is a challenge for most."

Uien nodded absently and then shot her attention back to the innkeeper who was smiling at her. "I take it you've found the people you are to meet then." Uien nodded once more, somewhat apologetically.

"I have, good sir," she said as graciously as she could.

"Then I'll leave you in their care for the time being." Barliman slung his dish cloth over his shoulder and turned, bellowing for Hob to move his wooly pated belly. Distantly , the sound of bare feet slapping on the floor in a run could be heard, a bridle jingling as Hob ran to see to the horse and ponies without.

Uien crossed to where Doderic, Gorbilac and Falowik sat at a table. Doderic and Gorbalic were in conversation that stilled as she neared, but her attention was elsewhere. Uien let her pack rest on the floor as she smiled down at Falowik's face. It was a joy to see him once more and it shone in her eyes.

"I see you've arrived then Mizz... Mizz," Doderic said, reaching for her name.

"Uien," she replied softly, bestirring herself.

"That's right... the healer. What of the others?" Doderic and Gorbilac peered around her. "Your companions?"

"I left them not long after you departed from Stonebows, Master Doderic. Shiriff Falco Boffin caught us up and I had need to fetch some things from the Old Forest. I left them in his care and expect them to arrive shortly." Try as she might, Uien could not keep her voice neutral as she mentioned Falco.

The hobbit had trotted up, puffing, on a pony midafternoon after Falowik had departed. He had insisted on accompanying them and of his expertise. "Good sensible hobbits," were what they needed apparently. This was all well and good. Uien did her best to hold her tongue as Falco clucked and tutted over Elvish merry riding parties. Yet, that night as Uien had announced her desire to arrive at Bree via the Old Forest, Falco and her had come to yet another disagreement.

"The Old Forest," he had spluttered. "What business has anyone with some sense with that place? I would have thought Elves knew better." Her companions had thought Falco amusing, his concern at the prospect of venturing into the infamous Old Forest clear in his flushed cheeks and wide eyes.

The result of that argument was that Uien had gone alone, and happily so truth be told, and left Falco with her companions to meet up at Bree. Gorbalic stared up at Uien with a queer expression once she mentioned the Old Forest. It was as though she had sprouted wings and proceeded to float about the common room, dodging rafters and singing a jolly ditty.

"I had need of herbs from that place for this business," Uien explained. It made little dint on Gorby. Like Falco, Gorby knew only those somewhat mad voluntarily entered the Old Forest. Doderic himself seemed somewhat at a loss as to what to make of her.

"No matter," he said, deciding to drop the issue of the Old Forest for now. "What's important is that they arrive soon. Every hour lost is begrudged." He glanced to the door and then at Uien's pack, filled with mysterious plants of the Old Forest as well as those she had already harvested with Falowik. Cautiously, he pushed that away with his toes.

"We have not yet had the chance to discuss your companions, Uien," he said as he motioned for her to sit. Uien did so gratefully, taking a chair next to Falowik and again smiling into his face. What she read by way of return sent questions spinning into her. Mayhap he is tired, she allowed. What she wanted to do was take his hand and hold it to her lips once more. She would have to wait.

For now, she soaked in his nearness and turned to the matter of those that had set out with her. Doderic and Gorbilac followed her closely as she ran through what she knew of them.

"They just volunteered," Gorbilac asked somewhat incredulously.

"Yes. Once they heard the matter, they may their offers in true heart," Uien replied. It had been the best she could have done. No doubt Falowik would have acquired a legion of those willing to aid him. She swallowed her disappointment in her own efforts, so few, and fell silent. Doderic and Gorbilac reviewed the state of affairs.

"We need more, going by Falowik's support<' Doderic assessed.

"We shall get them," Uien replied softly.

[Elora]

Opening Post of the RP!

Please let me know what you think. smilies/smile.gif


In the 12th year of the Fouth Age Bree was a busy place, blossoming in prosperity now that order had been restored with the return of a King to the throne of the Reunited Kingdom. On the edge of the now protected Shire, Bree was a meeting place of many. Hobbits came and went with increasing regularity, realising the profit to be made in trade with the Big Folk. The commerce of Middle-earth brought many varied people to see it done. Elves were rare, many bypassing the streets and inns of the mannish town for the quieter woods. Dwarves occasionally stumped through. Bree was a town built of stone largely, and it had need of masons after the War of the Ring and Sharkey’s malicious damage had been and gone.

Mostly, it was Men and Hobbits that filled the streets, shops, forges and guesting houses that made up Bree. Barliman Butterbur’s excellent inn, The Prancing Pony was perhaps the most renowned meeting place in the lands for a good 50 miles. The Master of Buckland had chosen it well, for precisely this reason. Where else would you find such folk willing as to brave the Wilds in search of a missing messenger from Rohan? Rangers came and went as ever. So too did many sturdy folk of good hearts and endurance willing, it was hoped, to lend their aid.

Eodwine of Rohan, if he lived, would be in sore need of such stout people. The Master of Buckland's appointed representative, Doderic Brandybuck, made his way to the Prancing Pony even now. With him were two already. Another four also travelled for the Prancing Pony with the intent to find and retrieve the man that brigands had snatched in the north. Falowik the Wanderer had been clear and concise in his report. He had seen the messenger viciously attacked and then taken. With no way of knowing whether Eodwine lived and only his pleading gaze as he was first set upon sent to where Falowik sheltered wisely in the undergrowth, the wanderer had reluctantly shed his hiding to retrieve the satchel, stained with Eodwine’s blood, from where it lay discarded on the ground.

Reluctantly, he’d found Shiriff Falco Boffin at the Merry Archer Inn of Stonebow and told of what he had seen. Met with suspicion, for Falowik was no stranger to Bree, word had been sent to the Master of Buckland and the call for a search party to set out had been made. Much had passed at the Merry Archer Inn. Falowik was not the only wanderer who found himself there at Stonebow. Events moved swiftly once the Master of Buckland learnt of Eodwine’s attack. Falowik had been summonsed and set to the task of finding the messenger. It was not the first attack in the northern wilds of Eriador. Lawless men roamed there, preying on any and all that crossed their paths. Rumour spread beyond Bree and the Master of Buckland that perhaps it was more than ruffian outlaws that hunted the desolate expanse of the North Downs.

Nothing could be sure. No one ever returned to speak of what they saw after they set out northwards from Bree. That would change if the Master of Buckland had his way and he was a Hobbit accustomed to having his way. There was more at stake, perhaps, than the life of a messenger from Rohan. Those that went to find him would be charged with the duty to discover all that they could. Perhaps, it was hoped, they would find nothing but a bedraggled and gaunt band of criminals ranging like starving wolves. Perhaps…

That would be grim enough a peril. The Master of Buckland had made it clear that those that set out to face whatever waited for them in the Wilds, would have all they needed to meet such a danger. Horses, provisions, weapons and maps, all were to be provided as per the Master’s written ordinance sent with Doderic to the Prancing Pony. There he would wait for the others to arrive and gather yet more to their cause. Any price, but not their lives hopefully, to save Eodwine and gather the much needed information concerning the troubling events of northern Eriador. The Prancing Pony would be the starting place of another Fellowship of sorts.

EDIT: Altered Bywater for Stonebow and in a fit of transitory embellishment, renamed the Green Dragon Inn to Stonebow Inn and then the Merry Archer Inn (for even if he had a stone bow to lift and carry, the fine ale of the inn would have a smile upon his face nonetheless).

[ October 01, 2003: Message edited by: Elora ]

[Elora]

Seems we are close to being ready for the Discussion Thread. (rubs hands together in anticipation)

I have developed a profile for Falco Boffin, but will hang onto it for now so that others who are interested in his character can come forward. I'll use it as an alternative if noone takes up Falco (poor mite that he is). smilies/smile.gif

We seem also to be nearing a conclusion that we're all happy with concerning details of the secret "baddie".

Anything else outstanding?

[piosenniel]

I believe all *details* have now been taken care of to everyone's satisfaction. smilies/biggrin.gif

I have 2 other RPG's for which I'm just opening Discussion Threads.

I would like to hold off on opening your Discussion Thread until 10/12.

Elora - the gamers who are interested in this game from the Inn - can you please let them know when the Discussion Thread will be open.

Also, let's clarify this now before it becomes a problem - Once the Game opens - does it make any difference to you if your players post in character in the Green Dragon? And if it does can you address it with them, asking them either to develop different characters for the game from the Inn or vice versa.

Thanks!

~~ Pio

[Elora]

YAY! smilies/biggrin.gif

12th October it is. I shall P.M those interested at the inn to advise them of this. smilies/smile.gif

As for the dopleganger effect, as I call it, it doesn't bother me but I can see that it can bother others. I shall be absenting Uien from the inn so that there is consistency across the threads.

As for those interested, we have a list of characters for this RP which is not all elven. So far all characters at the inn are Elves. So it may be necessary for some to absent their character and carry it across to this RP, and for others to develop a new character for the RP (Hobbit, Man, Dwarf).

I'll mention this in my P.M to those that have expressed an interest at the Green Dragon.

Thanks for everything, Pio. smilies/smile.gif

[piosenniel]

Elora, with littlemanpoet, invites you to play:

The Hills of Evendim

Historical Background and Basic Storyline

The historical background of this RPG is the War of the Ring and its aftermath. The year is the same as that observed in The Green Dragon Inn RPG: Fourth Age 12. The three remaining Hobbits of the Fellowship of the Ring have risen to leadership in the Shire, King Elessar is on his throne in Minas Tirith, and the realms of men are advancing in orderliness and peace, in the west.

It being Fourth Age year 12, 1434 in the Shire Reckoning. It is two years before King Elessar rides north, and Fornost and Lake Evendim, and the Hills of Evendim surrounding it, have not yet been cleansed and brought to order. Elessar had first sent surveyors to Lake Evendim, in FA 6, to take stock of the needs for repair, intending to rebuild the tower of Fornost into a summer residence. The surveyors returned with their report, and Elessar sent wrights north in FA 8, to prepare for rebuilding. These wrights were never heard from again. After a year, Elessar sent scouts to discover what they could in the Hills of Evendim. They did not return. For the following years, twice per year, Elessar sent out more scouts, only to never hear of them again. Rangers of the North went out in force in FA 11; it was hoped that their stronger numbers would be enough for their protection as well as discovering the cause of the former parties' disappearances. These Rangers were also never heard from again.

When meeting together informally in the autumn of FA 11, King Elessar spoke of his troubles in the North to King Eomer, by way of relating a frustrating situation. Eomer offered his Messenger, Eodwine, who was eager to go North adventuring at any rate. Elessar reluctantly accepted the offer, not wanting to put his friend's trusted man in needless danger; Eomer, thinking that Eodwine being Rohirrim instead of Gondorian, might prove some small benefit. Elessar accepted his friend's offer at last, and Eodwine departed with both their blessings, and warnings to take great care. Eodwine was to report back after a year and a day, being as circumspect as he could. On his very first foray into parts north, yet far from Evendim, he was captured, barely outside the borders of the Shire.

Unknown to his capturers, there was a witness, one Falowik, a lone wanderer, who had left Breeland 12 years before. This Falowik reported the capture to the nearest village, and so the Shire was warned. Mayor Samwise Gamgee passed on word to the Thain and and the Master of Buckland; Master Meriadoc Brandybuck determined to take matters into his own hands, trusting fully in Samwise, but not the slowness of his shirriffs, and ordered a party to be formed to rescue the beloved servant of his friend, King Eomer, and to discover once and for all, the cause of the disappearances.

[ October 22, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

Opening Post for the Game

In the 12th year of the Fouth Age Bree was a busy place, blossoming in prosperity now that order had been restored with the return of a King to the throne of the Reunited Kingdom. On the edge of the now protected Shire, Bree was a meeting place of many. Hobbits came and went with increasing regularity, realizing the profit to be made in trade with the Big Folk. The commerce of Middle-earth brought many varied people to see it done. Elves were rare, many bypassing the streets and inns of the mannish town for the quieter woods. Dwarves occasionally stumped through. Bree was a town built of stone largely, and it had need of masons after the War of the Ring and Sharkey’s malicious damage had been and gone.

Mostly, it was Men and Hobbits that filled the streets, shops, forges and guesting houses that made up Bree. Barliman Butterbur’s excellent inn, The Prancing Pony was perhaps the most renowned meeting place in the lands for a good 50 miles. The Master of Buckland had chosen it well, for precisely this reason. Where else would you find such folk willing as to brave the Wilds in search of a missing messenger from Rohan? Rangers came and went as ever. So too did many sturdy folk of good hearts and endurance willing, it was hoped, to lend their aid.

Eodwine of Rohan, if he lived, would be in sore need of such stout people. The Master of Buckland's appointed representative, Doderic Brandybuck, made his way to the Prancing Pony even now. With him were two already. Another four also traveled for the Prancing Pony with the intent to find and retrieve the man that brigands had snatched in the north. Falowik the Wanderer had been clear and concise in his report. He had seen the messenger viciously attacked and then taken. With no way of knowing whether Eodwine lived and only his pleading gaze as he was first set upon sent to where Falowik sheltered wisely in the undergrowth, the wanderer had reluctantly shed his hiding to retrieve the satchel, stained with Eodwine’s blood, from where it lay discarded on the ground.

Reluctantly, he’d found Shiriff Falco Boffin at the Merry Archer Inn of Stonebow and told of what he had seen. Met with suspicion, for Falowik was no stranger to Bree, word had been sent to the Master of Buckland and the call for a search party to set out had been made. Much had passed at the Merry Archer Inn. Falowik was not the only wanderer who found himself there at Stonebow. Events moved swiftly once the Master of Buckland learnt of Eodwine’s attack. Falowik had been summonsed and set to the task of finding the messenger. It was not the first attack in the northern wilds of Eriador. Lawless men roamed there, preying on any and all that crossed their paths. Rumour spread beyond Bree and the Master of Buckland that perhaps it was more than ruffian outlaws that hunted the desolate expanse of the North Downs.

Nothing could be sure. No one ever returned to speak of what they saw after they set out northwards from Bree. That would change if the Master of Buckland had his way and he was a Hobbit accustomed to having his way. There was more at stake, perhaps, than the life of a messenger from Rohan. Those that went to find him would be charged with the duty to discover all that they could. Perhaps, it was hoped, they would find nothing but a bedraggled and gaunt band of criminals ranging like starving wolves. Perhaps…

That would be grim enough a peril. The Master of Buckland had made it clear that those that set out to face whatever waited for them in the Wilds, would have all they needed to meet such a danger. Horses, provisions, weapons and maps, all were to be provided as per the Master’s written ordinance sent with Doderic to the Prancing Pony. There he would wait for the others to arrive and gather yet more to their cause. Any price, but not their lives hopefully, to save Eodwine and gather the much needed information concerning the troubling events of northern Eriador. The Prancing Pony would be the starting place of another Fellowship of sorts.

[piosenniel]

The purpose of the story is to: Discover the cause of the disappearances, determine whether Eodwine is alive or dead; if alive, to attempt a rescue. In either case, to report back to Master Brandybuck what they learn. If the rescue party is able to without risk to the entire party, to do anything that might be done to end the trouble in the North.

This means we will know the story is over when: The (remaining members of the) party reports back to Master Doderic Brandybuck, cousin of Master Meriadoc, and Second to the Master, what is in the North, what they have done about it, and to produce Master Eodwine or evidence of his death.

Starting Location: The Prancing Pony in Bree; it is in Master Meriadoc's mind that the search party must be made up of Men and Hobbits; Elves and Dwarves are not out of the question if any happen to be available and willing.

Likely destination: The Hills of Evendim, including Lake Evendim, and farther north as needed.

[piosenniel]

Timeframes:

This game takes place in the Fourth Age at around year 12.

The storyline itself or plot covers three to five weeks.

This game requires a time commitment of 13 to 16 weeks from me, the game owner and from the major players.

[piosenniel]

Characters needed:

Hobbits – 2 or 3 - male or female

Note: I would like to see one Hobbit be a Brandybuck, a younger one, perhaps taken from the list in the appendices, one who takes after Meriadoc in adventurousness, but is in his/her tweens and perhaps a little callow - for a Hobbit. But let the player be creative with it, of course. My basic idea here is that this Hobbit would go along with the party, assigned to it by Doderic Brandybuck (Doderic is about 7 years younger than Merry of the Fellowship of the Ring – a cousin of sorts)

Another Hobbit would be a Breelander. One would have to come up with independent motivation for this one, because I can't think (off hand) of why any Bree Hobbit would volunteer for such an excursion.

Humans – 1 or 2 - male or female

Note: A human Ranger seems like a natural fit. One other possibility would be a human veteran of the War who had settle in Bree. Just a thought. I could see the ruffian angle too. Adds a bit of zest.

Elves – 1 or 2 - male or female

Note: I could see an Elf from either Imladris or Lothlorien. Although it's more likely to be Imladris, since Lorien has emptied by now, and Elves of Imladris are those who have chosen to remain in Middle Earth. Knowing Uine or not seems just a matter of choice on the part of the player.

Dwarves - 1 - male (not a necessary character, but welcome)

Note: I believe that there were still Dwarves in the Ered Luin toward the time of the War of the Ring. Bree would be a natural stopping point as long as the Shire is open, but with the Shire now closed, anybody wishing to pass from the Ered Luin to Bree would be hard put to it indeed! There are two choices: either travel and trade ceased, or a detour route was made because people traveled anyway, and found their way around the Shire. My money is with the second. All that to say, there would be Dwarves in Bree.

Dwarves could be venturing to Bree in the name of trade - as in gold! They'd be keen to re-establish trade with the outside world, particularly as it would be in a period of re-building. Dwarvish skills and craft with stone would be in tall order about now.


Character types which would not belong: Any other racial type.

[piosenniel]

littlemanpoet will play 3 characters: Falowik, Eodwine (if he's alive), and the Unknown Villain (who shall remain unknown for now):

littlemanpoet’s character – Falowik

NAME: Falowik Stonewort

AGE: 30

RACE: Human

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: one dagger.

APPEARANCE:

5' 9", gold hair, very light blue eyes, craggy for his age, having lived under no roof for 12 years; deep set eyes; a pleasant face when he smiles; dark and sombre when he does not. He is neither heavy nor light for his height.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES:

Quiet, reserved, tends to be untrusting and introspective. He is truthful but not to a fault, refuses to be in debt to anyone; is a survivor rather than a fighter; knows the lay of the land, knows how to find food in the wilds; can track almost as well as Rangers. Closes down and becomes surly when criticized or mocked or belittled.

HISTORY:

Falowik was born from a rape. His mother did not survive childbirth, and his father is unknown. He was raised by the townfolk of Bree in general, and slept wherever he could find a place. He never learned to read or write, but did odd jobs to earn food and shelter, which wasn't always available. Most kind to him was Barliman Butterbur, who gave him more work than any other townfolk, and would have made him one of his workers except that unexplained thefts began to occur (due to Ruffians moving in from the South, but that was not yet understood), and Falowik was blamed; Butterbur urged Falowik to flee from Bree, which he did (at age 18), and he had been living in the wilds, surviving off the land, no roof over his head, for 12 years, when one summer night he witnessed a beating and capture. The victim's satchel was left behind; he brought it to the nearest village, and found himself enmeshed in the story of Eodwine, King's Messenger from Rohan.

_____________________________

littlemanpoet’s character – Eodwine

NAME: Eodwine of Rohan

AGE: 41

RACE: Rohirrim

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Sword, spear

APPEARANCE:

Blonde, tall, 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, having a harp to play while he sings and speaks. 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.

STRENGTHS:

He is courageous and loyal. He makes friends easily and keeps them long. He is courteous to all, and considerate of other people.

WEAKNESSES:

While an able messenger, he is not a good scout. He tends to be thinking up verse and mulling over histories and genealogies instead of watching his back in the wilds. When he does stop to pay attention to his surroundings, he is skilled in scouting - but only when he's paying attention.

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 marched 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. He joined the forces that hunted the Dunlendings down and brought them to justice, and having no family, 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.

__________________________________


littlemanpoet's post - Falowik

Falowik had spent the day at Brandy Hall. Falowik had been brought straight to the Master of Buckland in Brandy Hall by Doderic Brandybuck. Master Meriadoc's mien had been simple, straightforward, and serious. Doderic took after his cousin in all but experience, for he had never left the lands of Hobbits. Master Meriadoc had thanked Falowik for his message, and wished him well on his mission. Doderic had accompanied him to Bree, along with Gorbilac Brandybuck, age 40 and youngest son of Merimac; first cousin of Meriadoc, second cousin of Doderic. Gorbilac, known as Gorby, was to represent the Master of Buckland as a member of the rescue party.

They passed through Stonebows, on the eastern bank of the Brandywine River. Stonebows had turned into a small village since the King's Edict, where hobbits from the Shire and other races might meet and trade. Stonebows Inn, a new building, had been planned and built under the direction of the Master of Buckland. It was styled after The Prancing Pony in Bree, for both Men and Hobbits, but was much smaller, having no need for the capacity of the inn at Bree; at least, not yet. Master Brandybuck had plans for the Stonebow, but they would be years away. Falowik had met the Elven lady, Uien at the Stonebow, for Falowik had avoided Bree, the place of his childhood, where bad memories lurked. Falowik had had time to speak with Uien at the Stonebow, and was heartened to learn that she had done well, finding as many as three willing souls to join their rescue party. He had had to rush on, and would wait for Uien to come later, for her recruits needed time to end their business in Stonebow and make their way to Bree.

Falowik was almost in Bree. On three points he was ill at ease. First, he had no desire to go back to the place of his birth and childhood. Second, he had not recruited anyone, save Gorby, who hardly counted as a recruit, sent along by the Master of Buckland. Uien had had more success. Which brought him to the third point: Uien. At Brandy Hall and on the road to Bree, he had had time to reflect on the heady events of his first night and the following day with Uien. Her healing touch was undeniable. The need in her for someone to love and be loved by, was just as real. His place in her heart was the crux of the matter. He was a Man. She was an Elf. A high Elf, as far as he could tell. He had no business meddling in the affairs of Elves. The saying had often been bandied about, and the more so the less merit it seemed to carry, but there was truth in it nonetheless. I may adore her, but I'm a fool to take her love and claim to be able to give it. He made an agreement with himself as he entered Bree, that he would give her all his courtesy, all his honor, all that she merited; but he would not demean her by courting her for himself. And no persuasions, no enchantments - if he coud help it- would dissuade him.

The three travelers arrived at The Prancing Pony. The Inn had a pleasant front, and two wings running back into the hill behind; the second floor windows were level with the ground toward the back. They came to the arch, framing a large doorway that was open. Above the arch, beneath a lamp that was not yet lit, for it was day, was a sign of a fat white pony reared up on its hind legs. Over the door was painted in white letters: THE PRANCING PONY by BARLIMAN BUTTERBUR. Falowik felt a strange sense of anticipation, and anxiety, for Barliman had been kind to him, and had given him work and shelter as he had become a man; and had warned him when gossipers had chosen him as their target to explain inexplicable thefts. He had made nothing of himself in the twelve years since, and was ashamed.

They led their ponies and horse under the arch, and leaving them standing in the yard, they climbed the steps. A Man in the company of two hobbits was not unusual, nor was it common. As they went inside and found a table, many faces turned their way; none recognized them as native of Breeland, for which Falowik was grateful. They might be left to themselves as they waited for Uien and the others to arrive. Falowik wondered if Falco Boffin might make himself a burden upon the company of rescuers. He hoped not. He would most likey be a burden only to Falowik.

There was Barliman Butterbur. Falowik kept his head down. Though the bitterness of his past had been eased by Uien, he still lived its shame. He hoped that Barliman would not recognize him.

[piosenniel]

Elora’s character:

NAME: Uien Aduial

AGE: 579

RACE: Sindarin Elf

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS:

Uien carries no weapons of her own. As a rule, Uien avoids weapons for they represent only pain, suffering and death to her.

APPEARANCE:

Uien is a silvan Elf. She is tall and slender, with long golden hair that falls in a cascade to her waist. She has clear grey eyes and the timeless beauty of her people. Her eyes show her years and the experiences that fill them when she permits it. Uien has a light step and the innate grace of her kindred. Her hand is gentle. She appears ephemeral, giving occasion to the saying of her kin that twilight lives within her and her name.

PERSONALITY:

Uien is a creative soul inextricably bound to the life and beauty of Middle-earth. Gentle of spirit, Uien is rarely given to anger unless it is on the behalf of those dear to her. She can be fierce when roused. As with many who hail from Lothlórien, she can appear lofty and insular, particularly when displeased with someone. Normally, she is given to quiet laughter. She is introspective and given to dreaming, with a love of all things living or growing.

Uien is particularly enamoured of twilight. It is the time of day she most loves, where the world can become magical. She is given to dance at such times, when she believes herself alone and unwatched. Once a creature of much mirth, Uien has quietened in latter days. A sadness lingers beneath the surface that many mistake as aloof pride. Yet her generosity of spirit has not been broken entirely and her friendship once given is true and eternal.

STRENGTHS:

Uien is a healer. She is also a painter. Clever with her hands, with deft and quick fingers, Uien is capable of most tasks that she comes across. She can be swift and silent as a shadow and has the ability to see the true natures of those around her if given the opportunity to look. Her insight can be both valuable and dangerous, for not all things revealed are wholesome.

Quiet, Uien’s strength of will and determination often comes as a surprise. She is often mistaken as meek or distant. She will speak her mind when she thinks it necessary and she is given to follow her own will and instincts. She has acquired the wisdom of one who has observed those around her over the years. She had the blessing of a loving family in the closely knit community of the Galadhrim and formed close attachments to her parents and siblings. These attachments have remained with her.

WEAKNESSES:

Uien struggles with a sense of alienation and abandonment as well as shame. She can sometimes wander unwisely and this has led her into grave peril in the past. She is alone utterly, her kin gone, and found it hard initially to make her way in the mortal lands. She had a protected childhood that little prepared her for the harsh realities of life beyond Lothlórien’s protected borders.

Uien overcame this over time, but carries with her the shadow of a turbulent period of adjustment. She thrives when home, but has none in these later days to call her own. As a result, she is troubled by her itinerant state and wonders if she would have made the same choices had she known what the future held.

Uien’s gentle heart is perhaps a burden as well as a boon, for gentle hearts don’t seem to last very long in mortal lands. A sense of purposeless and hopelessness pervades her darker moments and it can be hard for others to penetrate that fog of sadness that she is sometimes wrapped in. Uien has survived black moments, but at great cost to her innocence and joy in the act of living.

HISTORY:

Uien was born in Lothlórien in the year 2454 of the Third Age to Sindarin parents. Her family had abided with the Galadhrim since their people migrated to the lands of the wood elves at the Breaking of Thangorodrim. Her parents were taken in with reverence, for they had suffered much along side those who had survived the First Age and the inundation of their lands. Uien was the third child, the youngest and only daughter.

She had two older brothers, both born during the sporadic periods of peace in the dark Second Age of Middle-earth.
She was born late in Lothlórien and was amongst the last generation born in that land. For that reason, she was treasured by her people knew that children would be scarce. Sauron returned to the lands six years after her birth and the Watchful Peace ended. There was a growing belief that peace would not come again and that the Elves were indeed losing this battle as surely as each year passed.

Behind Lórien’s protected borders, Uien enjoyed a calm peace largely unaware of the troubles of the wider world but the air had changed and the people around her grew grave and wary. War did indeed break out, and in the end was fought beneath the very boughs of Lothlórien and Mirkwood. The Galadhrim were a force in the breaking of Dol Guldor, and paid a heavy price to bring down that bastion of Sauron’s evil.

Many had departed the lands for the safety of Eldamar, but Uien and her kindred remained. Uien’s mother was a healer and thus in need. Her father and brothers took up arms and fought in the skirmishes and then the open battle. Uien herself was not ready to depart Middle-earth, even when the days in the golden wood darkened. She loved the trees and the twilight too much to abandon them, and her family all the more.

Sauron was defeated and his forces overthrown. Uien rejoiced until she came to know the cost of that victory. Her father and eldest brother had fallen in Mirkwood. Her younger brother returned, haunted by the death of the War of the Ring. He was a shadow of his merry, joyful self and it shocked Uien to her core. It was then that she developed her aversion to weapons and things of war. No one could aid him and he was unable to remain in mortal lands any longer. Uien’s mother too saw only grief and death now, having lost her husband and her son and endured Three Ages in Middle-earth. Thus the decision was made to seek the Grey Havens.

Uien was grieved at this, but resolved to go with them. Lothlórien was emptying now that the power of Galadriel’s ring had ended. She set out with her family in the last party to leave Lothlórien. Uien could not bear to leave earlier and still her heart misgave her as they departed. Moria was still closed to them and her people did not take that dark road. As with those before them, they made for the Pass of Caradhras. Her brother was eager to ensure they remained together on the pass and often shepherded Uien on.

The urge to linger was still strong within her. Already she had begun to consider remaining at Imladris. The choice was never presented to her. Sauron may have been defeated, but the Misty Mountains continued to be plagued by the pestilence of orcs. They knew that the Elves took the Caradhras pass and would wait for their opportunity to strike at them in that treacherous place.

It was a place of great danger and peril, and her brother took up a sword one last time to ensure they were able to pass it in relative safety. His sword was of no effect in staving off the sudden storm that crashed upon them once they had entered the pass. Cutting snow and ice was hurled, the wind shrieking as if it sought to pluck them up and cast them either into the ravine or the clutches of the waiting orcs.

The party took what cover they could, forced to wait out the raging blizzard. Uien found herself separated from them, forced to take shelter beneath an overhang. Her last sight was of her brother reaching for her through a gap in the snow that closes before she could take his outstretched hand. The wind tore her cries from her, robbing her in that furious storm. Caradhras spared neither Elf, Man nor orc it’s anger.

When the storm passed, Uien found herself alone. She set out in search, disorientated and frightened for her family. What Uien found as she wandered, calling names, would test her to her very limits. Uien found orcs instead of her mother and brother. Their numbers were severely depleted by the storm, and they snatched up the lone Elf eagerly and made off with their prize without delay. Uien found no trace of her party and could not know if they had perished or been forced to go down from the pass to escape the storm and the orcs.

Uien, who had wished to remain in Middle-earth, found herself in the darkness of an orc den. She doggedly managed to survive as she endured torment and cruelty. However, despite her resilience, Uien was only saved from death by the unexpected arrival of Dwarves. They were undertaking a cleansing push to rid their mountains of the vermin. To their surprise and shock, they discovered Uien badly injured and almost beyond recognition, in an orc pit. Having narrowly averted slaying her for an orc herself, they brought up out of the darkness and discovered that she was no orc but an Elf.

After fitful debate, they decided they could not leave her in the mountains and so took her with them. Uien slowly recovered in their care, alienated as an Elf amongst Dwarves. Uien had no awareness of passing time, yet it took her many months to heal and that did not fully take. An Elf of Lothlórien, Uien found it difficult to live amongst the Dwarves and once she was able, she took their leave and set out in search of her kin. She emerged on dusk, just as twilight was beginning on a clear summer’s night, but the maiden of twilight was irrevocably changed.

She found her way back to Lothlórien and found it empty. She fought the urge to lie down between the trees and possessed by a great grief, wandered aimlessly. Her travels took her into Rhûn and once the people got over her Elven nature, for Sauron had told her many lies, she found temporary home. It was her first encounter with the Edain and she was little prepared for them.

A wasting illness swept through the village, preying on the elderly and the very young. Uien attempted the impossible and managed to heal a small girl. However, no healer can stave off death or stand in the way of Illúvator’s gift of mortality. Uien was unable to repeat her chance healing on the others that fell sick. The villagers believed her to be capable of healing them but choosing instead to consign them to death.

The village exploded into conflict in that climate of fear, death and superstition. Uien was forced to flee and once again was without a home. She had come to believe that it was her own fault that such woes came to her, being unwise and foolish. North she made for once more, not knowing what she was looking for aside from peace and rest. She kept to herself, aware that the world had changed and was not safe, and wondering if her family would have found her had she not been so foolish as to linger and become lost in the storm.

Uien found herself at the Prancing Pony Inn in Bree, penniless and exhausted. She felt too shamed to seek her people at Imladris, the orc pits surely hanging over her in their eyes. In Bree, Uien was somewhat of a novelty. Elves did not frequent the settlement. She managed to secure work in the stables, her ability with horses as with all living things emerging. She found she could heal them, and that they did not react with anger or hatred. However, Uien was still alone. She keeps to herself generally, found in the stables or at a quiet table at the inn, troubled by her memories and her sense of disconnection.

At twilight she disappears and stands by the trees beneath the stars hoping to recapture that beauty of life in Middle-earth. Uien lingers still, and only rarely does she smile or laugh or raise her voice in song now.

_________________________________________

Elora’s post

Uien checked the gait of her horse in the early dawn light with a pleased smile. She had ridden through the night and Bree waited before her, it's Western Gate awaiting her. She leant to whisper to her roan gelding in soft elvish words that elicited a whicker of pleasure from Thalion. He flicked his ears and shivered beneath her and she smoothed a hand over his shoulder.

Thalion was a fine gift and she would see him returned to the Stablemaster in as fine a condition as he left it. With slight pressure to his flanks, Thalion moved on once more, arriving at the gate of Bree proper.

"Who goes there?" The man's voice sounded through the wood of the gate before the small window shutter was opened. Uien remained as she was, smiling through the window when the young man's face appeared. His brows shot up. An Elf, at the Western Gate!

"Pardon, Miss," he stammered. Uien was keen to be through, to find Falowik and Doderic and Gorby. "We don't expect to find your folk knocking at our gates." Uien waved aside his explanation.

"No matter, Gatekeeper. I seek the Prancing Pony. I have business there." He examined her, still surprised. A lone Elf woman... unarmed with only a pack... not even tack or saddle and only a single blanket. Odd, to be sure, but then it was hard to explain the comings and goings of the fair folk.

He nodded, closed the window and pulled the wooden gate back. Uien was soon moving through. She shot a fleeting glance of appreciation at the bewildered man and gazed up the street that led into Bree. Falowik's home, she thought.

"Will there be others, Miss...." Uien blinked, realising that the man had asked a question. She shook her thoughts and paid renewed attention to him.

"Yes, three others... no four actually," she amended as she recalled how Falco Boffin had caught them up on the road to Bree some days ago. She'd left her companions with him, seeking the Old Forest to complete her preparations for the journey.

"They will arrive soon, I hope. Should any ask after Uien or mention the matter of a search party that the Master of Buckland has called together, please direct them to the Prancing Pony." The man nodded, understanding coming into his face as Uien spoke.

"The search party," he said. Obviously he knew something of it already. "Yes, Miss Uien." He tugged at his hair and nodded confidently. Uien shot him another smile and moved off then. Perhaps they'd arrived before her. She'd not seen trace of them upon the road when she had re-joined it.

As Uien sought the Prancing Pony her debate within herself continued. She could have risked setting out without the herbs she had found in the Old Forest. They may have left her behind already. But her mother's training was too strong in her. Too many passed into death on account of a healer not having the necessary resources to see to them. Uien had deferred in favour of that, fretting at the possible delay in finding Eodwine and moreso, dare she admit it, to see Falowik once more.

She pulled up in front of the Prancing Pony and slid from Thalion's back. A few whispered words and he snorted at her in slight reproach. He did not have to be told to remain at a hitching post, having done so countless times before. Uien glanced at the distinctly mannish stone buildings on the street.

A few had already started on the day's business and walked by, glancing curiously at her as they passed. They wore the same expressions as the man at the gate. Laurëatan she murmured to herself and in that took heart. Uien gathered herself and her now full pack and entered the inn.

The light was dimmer within, the commonroom close as was the manner of inns she had come to learn. Uien pushed back her travel stained cloak and scanned the commonroom for Falowik, his companions or hers. Conversation faltered as she passed tables by, those occupying them peering curiously at the Elf who had entered. With Falowik's name on her lips, Uien paid them no heed and pushed on.

"May I help you, m'lady?" The voice of Barliman Butterbur was kindly and curious. Uien blinked in surprise at the title. The innkeeper smiled at her as she took him in. She moved closer to the bar, conscious of those listening.

"I am come to meet someone," she replied, scanning the room and tables.

"You've just arrived then. Is your horse out the front?" Uien nodded her confirmation as her gaze settled on Falowik. Her carefully guarded expression softened then and her smile light her features.

"Hi HOB! There's horses needing stabling quickly," Barliman bellowed. He paused, looking sideways at Uien and resumed his dull roar. "An elvish mount, so mind you bring a bridle and don't set it skittering on the streets!" Barliman lowered his voice to a more reassuring tone. "He's quite good with horses, but handling one without a bridle is a challenge for most."

Uien nodded absently and then shot her attention back to the innkeeper who was smiling at her. "I take it you've found the people you are to meet then." Uien nodded once more, somewhat apologetically.

"I have, good sir," she said as graciously as she could.

"Then I'll leave you in their care for the time being." Barliman slung his dish cloth over his shoulder and turned, bellowing for Hob to move his wooly pated belly. Distantly , the sound of bare feet slapping on the floor in a run could be heard, a bridle jingling as Hob ran to see to the horse and ponies without.

Uien crossed to where Doderic, Gorbilac and Falowik sat at a table. Doderic and Gorbalic were in conversation that stilled as she neared, but her attention was elsewhere. Uien let her pack rest on the floor as she smiled down at Falowik's face. It was a joy to see him once more and it shone in her eyes.

"I see you've arrived then Mizz... Mizz," Doderic said, reaching for her name.

"Uien," she replied softly, bestirring herself.

"That's right... the healer. What of the others?" Doderic and Gorbilac peered around her. "Your companions?"

"I left them not long after you departed from Stonebows, Master Doderic. Shiriff Falco Boffin caught us up and I had need to fetch some things from the Old Forest. I left them in his care and expect them to arrive shortly." Try as she might, Uien could not keep her voice neutral as she mentioned Falco.

The hobbit had trotted up, puffing, on a pony midafternoon after Falowik had departed. He had insisted on accompanying them and of his expertise. "Good sensible hobbits," were what they needed apparently. This was all well and good. Uien did her best to hold her tongue as Falco clucked and tutted over Elvish merry riding parties. Yet, that night as Uien had announced her desire to arrive at Bree via the Old Forest, Falco and her had come to yet another disagreement.

"The Old Forest," he had spluttered. "What business has anyone with some sense with that place? I would have thought Elves knew better." Her companions had thought Falco amusing, his concern at the prospect of venturing into the infamous Old Forest clear in his flushed cheeks and wide eyes.

The result of that argument was that Uien had gone alone, and happily so truth be told, and left Falco with her companions to meet up at Bree. Gorbalic stared up at Uien with a queer expression once she mentioned the Old Forest. It was as though she had sprouted wings and proceeded to float about the common room, dodging rafters and singing a jolly ditty.

"I had need of herbs from that place for this business," Uien explained. It made little dint on Gorby. Like Falco, Gorby knew only those somewhat mad voluntarily entered the Old Forest. Doderic himself seemed somewhat at a loss as to what to make of her.

"No matter," he said, deciding to drop the issue of the Old Forest for now. "What's important is that they arrive soon. Every hour lost is begrudged." He glanced to the door and then at Uien's pack, filled with mysterious plants of the Old Forest as well as those she had already harvested with Falowik. Cautiously, he pushed that away with his toes.

"We have not yet had the chance to discuss your companions, Uien," he said as he motioned for her to sit. Uien did so gratefully, taking a chair next to Falowik and again smiling into his face. What she read by way of return sent questions spinning into her. Mayhap he is tired, she allowed. What she wanted to do was take his hand and hold it to her lips once more. She would have to wait.

For now, she soaked in his nearness and turned to the matter of those that had set out with her. Doderic and Gorbilac followed her closely as she ran through what she knew of them.

"They just volunteered," Gorbilac asked somewhat incredulously.

"Yes. Once they heard the matter, they may their offers in true heart," Uien replied. It had been the best she could have done. No doubt Falowik would have acquired a legion of those willing to aid him. She swallowed her disappointment in her own efforts, so few, and fell silent. Doderic and Gorbilac reviewed the state of affairs.

"We need more, going by Falowik's support,' Doderic assessed.

"We shall get them," Uien replied softly.

[piosenniel]

Fill in the following form for your Character:
_____________________________________________

It is a requirement that all potential game players will either have posted in one of the RPG Inns (preferably in The Green Dragon) or have played in an RPG on the Barrow Downs.

Please use this form for creating your character to post on the discussion thread.

Those who have not played before in a Barrow Downs' RPG will be given preference. Final preference, though, will be at the discretion of the Game Owner.
_______________________________________

Character Description Form:

1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – YES/NO - Which one?

2.) How many RPG’s on the Barrow Downs are you currently involved in?

List them, please:

Please note you may play in only 3 games at one time.


3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn or in The White Horse in Rohan? – YES/NO – Which one?

_______________________________________

For your character please include:

NAME:

AGE:

RACE:

GENDER:

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

APPEARANCE:

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

HISTORY:

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

A FIRST POST FOR YOUR CHARACTER MUST ACCOMPANY THIS FORM.

It is a requirement for this game. Character Descriptions without a First Post attached will be sent back to the writer. They may be submitted again, once there is a First Post to go with them.

[piosenniel]

Here again are the characters needed for the game:

Characters needed:

Hobbits – 2 or 3 - male or female

Note: I would like to see one Hobbit be a Brandybuck, a younger one, perhaps taken from the list in the appendices, one who takes after Meriadoc in adventurousness, but is in his/her tweens and perhaps a little callow - for a Hobbit. But let the player be creative with it, of course. My basic idea here is that this Hobbit would go along with the party, assigned to it by Doderic Brandybuck (Doderic is about 7 years younger than Merry of the Fellowship of the Ring – a cousin of sorts)

Another Hobbit would be a Breelander. One would have to come up with independent motivation for this one, because I can't think (off hand) of why any Bree Hobbit would volunteer for such an excursion.

Humans – 1 or 2 - male or female

Note: A human Ranger seems like a natural fit. One other possibility would be a human veteran of the War who had settle in Bree. Just a thought. I could see the ruffian angle too. Adds a bit of zest.

Elves – 1 or 2 - male or female

Note: I could see an Elf from either Imladris or Lothlorien. Although it's more likely to be Imladris, since Lorien has emptied by now, and Elves of Imladris are those who have chosen to remain in Middle Earth. Knowing Uine or not seems just a matter of choice on the part of the player.

Dwarves - 1 - male (not a necessary character, but welcome)

Note: I believe that there were still Dwarves in the Ered Luin toward the time of the War of the Ring. Bree would be a natural stopping point as long as the Shire is open, but with the Shire now closed, anybody wishing to pass from the Ered Luin to Bree would be hard put to it indeed! There are two choices: either travel and trade ceased, or a detour route was made because people traveled anyway, and found their way around the Shire. My money is with the second. All that to say, there would be Dwarves in Bree.

Dwarves could be venturing to Bree in the name of trade - as in gold! They'd be keen to re-establish trade with the outside world, particularly as it would be in a period of re-building. Dwarvish skills and craft with stone would be in tall order about now.


Character types which would not belong: Any other racial type.

[piosenniel]

This Discussion Thread for this RPG is now open to take on characters.

Read the proposal thoroughly, draft a descriptive and creative bio for your character using the Character Description Form, and write a well done First Post for your character to be submitted at the same time as your character description.
Make sure you have read the Opening Post for the game - it will give you information with which to craft this post.

Have fun!

~~ Piosenniel, Shire Moderator

[ October 13, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Elora]

And we are on our way, with many thanks to Piosenniel and all who have expressed interest so far! smilies/biggrin.gif

Firstly, here are links that Piosenniel hunted out that may be of use during this RP.

They are online maps of Eriador and the Shire:

Eriador (http://members.tripod.com/john.ohara/Eriador.htm)

The Shire (http://members.tripod.com/john.ohara/images/Maps/shire.gif)

[Elora]

Alatariel Telemnar submits the following for consideration. smilies/smile.gif

Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? No, this is my first one.

How many RPG’s on the Barrow Downs are you currently involved in? None

Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn or in The White Horse in Rohan? – Yes, The Green Dragon Inn

Character Profile

NAME: Finëwen

AGE: 21 years of age

RACE: Human

GENDER: female

WEAPONS: An elven sword and its sheath. It is attached to her belt. She carries a small dagger in her boot for safety.

APPEARANCE: Five foot and seven inches. Her long brown hair goes down to her waist. In more public places, Finëwen wears long dresses, draping to the ground, or she might wear a long skirt and shirt. She has green emerald eyes. She often wears her dark blue cloak and keeps the hood up. She wears a sapphire pendant around her neck at all times, a piece of her past that she holds dear to her heart.

PERSONALITY/ STRENGTHS/ WEAKNESSES:

After spending years in the wild, she is tough and rugged and is able to bear nearly all circumstances. Finëwen has a soft side and can be very caring and nice towards people she trusts. She is very skilled with a blade and a bow.

Being unafraid of death and fighting, she will fight for what she believes and is daring towards danger, even if she could be killed. Finëwen would die for the ones she loved and protect them when needed. She is a protector among the people she cares for. She is a fighter and will not be kept prisoner to anyone.

Her ability to fight is one of her strengths. She is also able to outsmart people in situations, which has gotten her out of some tight situations. She is determined, and will not let anyone take control of her. She will only do what she believes is right.

One of her weaknesses is she can be easily distracted and will sometimes go off track if she is. Whenever she sees someone being treated badly, she will often get involved, which might get her in trouble.

HISTORY:

Finëwen was born to human parents, and was separated from her father when she was still a young child. An elven couple found her on there travels to Bree and took her to raise, giving her the elvish name Finëwen. Her elven caretakers found that Firëwen’s mother had died in childbirth and her father, a ranger, was killed by wolves in the wild.

From there her elven parents took her to Imladris, where she spent the teen years of her life. Growing up around elves, she took over an elvish personality, and remained with them till she was eighteen.

She served with the Rivendell elves and protected their borders, along with other elves. Serving there for five years, she learned the ways of the woods. Remaining a female Ranger, she lived in the wild.
From there she traveled throughout Middle-earth, in search of somewhere to belong, and spent the next three years wandering the wild.

_____________________________________________


Alatariel Telemnar's Post

Finëwen rode up to the gates of Bree. The morning sun shone bright in the sky, which had a faint orange glow. ‘Who goes there?’ she heard a raspy voice behind the gate say.

‘It is I, Finëwen. I am heading for The Prancing Pony to meet a few other people,’ she said, taking the hood that had towered over her face, and placing it on her back. She dismounted her horse, who’s white coat was covered with mud from a long journey, and the day before’s rain. She carried only a bag around her shoulder and a sword partially hidden behind her cloak. The gates opened, and Finëwen lead him inside. There were several Bree people about, going about the early morning chores.

She took the white stallion into the stables and placed him in a stall to rest. She whispered something in his ear, and he whinnied in reply.

Then she continued into the Prancing Pony to rest from her journey. She hesitated in front of the inn, the inn that she had once visited when she was just but a wee child. Barliman Butter greeted her, ‘Will you need a room?’ he asked a smile came upon his face. He didn’t recognize her, and that seemed to please Finëwen. She smiled back.

‘Yes, I have traveled alone, and left my horse in the stables. He has gone through a long journey, and so have I. I shall be wanting a room for the night, possibly longer,’ Finëwen replied. She let her cloak back, revealing a dress of dark green, long sleeves draped from her arms. She stood straight and tall.

‘Yes, right away.’

Finëwen scanned the room for a familiar face. She spotted Falowik and Uien, along with two others sitting together. She walked up to the table; remaining calm, she took a breath and began to speak.

‘My name is Finëwen. I have come to join you on your journey,’ she said sitting down among them. Everyone paused for a moment. Looking at the new-comer, the table was silent for a moment. Then Uien broke the silence and introduced the four other people sitting around her.

_____________________________________________

[ October 15, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

Please note - every submission will have an 'edit' on it - it is just me, setting the First Post up for transfer to the Game, should the character be chosen to play.

~*~ Pio

[Imladris]

Character Description Form:

1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – No

2.) How many RPG’s on the Barrow Downs are you currently involved in?
List them, please: I am in two, though I certainly have time for this one. I am in Resistance (which should be over sometime in November) and the Lingering Darkness
Please note you may play in only 3 games at one time.

3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn or in The White Horse in Rohan? – YES. I have posted in The Green Dragon Inn
_______________________________________
For your character please include:

NAME: Lira Nen of Ithilien

AGE: 312 years old. Born in the 3rd Age 2721

RACE: Sindarin Elf

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: Lira carries a simple silver dagger, a gift given to her by her friend Esgallhugwen, with ivy/floral engravings upon the handle and blade.

APPEARANCE: Lira is decidedly ugly, which is rare in the race of the fair folk. Her hair falls limply to her waist and is pale yellow, like a weak sunbeam struggling through winter’s clouds, and it is streaked with many strands of white which is as pure as driven snow. A casual observer would at first think that she has no eyebrows, but, if they look closely, they will see that they are pure white and overshadow her eyes, which are large and round and are as blue as water upon a winter’s day which turn to cool ice when she is angered. Her high cheek bones are very prevalent. Her skin is pale and fine as ivory. She stands straight and is not slender, though she moves with the customary grace of the elves.

She often dresses in varying shades of green and blue. On this particular outing, she is wearing a hunter green dress that barely brushes her ankles; she also wears a silvery green tabard. Her dresses are girt at the waist by a belt made of intertwining vines of silver and gold. Her shoes are soft leather and she often walks about barefoot. She wears no jewelry. Her hair is left free when she is not traveling, but when she is, numerous braids are entwined about her head.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Lira is very skilled in both the arts of healing and of warfare. Her weapon of choice is a bow, being that she is an elf of the woodlands, but she is also competent with the knife or dagger. She is not easily angered, but has an inbred hatred of evil things and wickedness. Normally she is happy, quick to laughter and smiles, her blue eyes sparkle and she is full of life; but occasionally, sometimes for no reason at all, she can be plunged into depression, despair and sadness. When she is in this depressed state of mind, she moves listlessly and does her duties mechanically and is not alert. These spells of varying moods can last either for a few minutes, days, or even years (for those of you who know her in the Green Dragon, she is in a “happy” mood right now). She is very sympathetic when people suffer misfortune. She also has the uncanny ability to sense if something is wrong or if danger is close. She also has some ability in sensing the emotions of others. So she can tell if someone is angry, upset, sad, happy, whatever.

Lira does not judge anything, people or otherwise, hastily. Once she has come to a conclusion, it is difficult to change her mind. She is stubborn, which can sometimes be an asset, and loyal. Forgiveness comes slowly to Lira. She views things with a sense of reality and does not deny the truth when it is unpleasant.

Though often Lira is often alone by herself, through her own choice, she is terrified of ever being truly alone, where there really is no one to go to for help or comfort.

Though unfair to the eye, when she speaks her voice is as the laughing spring, the dancing river, or as soft as the falling rain. When she sings, it is hauntingly beautiful, enchanting both elf and man. Though her voice does not have healing qualities, it has brought hope to those who have succumbed to despair, brought comfort to the grieving, eased the path of the dying, and calmed the fear of men.

HISTORY: When Lira Nen was fifty years old, she left her dwelling in Mirkwood and journeyed to Imladris, where she dwelt for 170 years. There she learned lore and the art of the healing as well as many other things from the elves who dwelt there. After that she left and returned to Mirkwood, just in time to hear of a group of dwarves who had been imprisoned in Thranduil’s palace. Their later escape had always puzzled her. During this short stay, she met two elves named Merenwen and her brother Celohir with whom she fell secretly in love. Two years later, she journeyed to the golden woods of Lorien and there learned many things of value. She dwelt there for 75 years, with an occasional visit to Mirkwood. While living in Lorien, she had heard rumours of a shadow that haunted the dark forest: a vile thing that Mithrandir and another were tracking; she had also heard vague tidings of evil. Towards the end of the year 3017 the rumours reached their peak, and early in the year 3018, she rushed back to the forest of her birth, no longer heeding her parent’s plea for her to remain in safety in Lothlorien. In April, Thranduil’s realm was attacked and Lira served as a healer in the palace. In one of the subsequent attacks, Lira and a few others sallied out together to aid the elvish line that threatened to crumble under the fiendish tide of the orcs that mercilessly assailed it. It was in this attack that Celohir fell under the vile knife of the orc. Rushing to him, she sang to him to comfort him for she had always known that he would have journeyed to the Valinor long ago if the times had not been so troubled.

During this time of bloodshed and grief, Lira gradually lost hope and gave up to despair. No song came forth from her lips, and she grieved over the loss of many a fair elf who should have been singing on the shores of the Valinor. It was a blow to her during the War of the Ring, for she had not realized until she had returned to Mirkwood all the evil that had been growing and spawning the darkness of Mordor and in the white tower of Isengard.

After the war, she went with the elf colony that Prince Legolas founded in Ithilien, her parents accompanying her. They left a couple of years later and began their journey to the Grey Havens. In the course of the years that followed, Lira had journeyed several times to follow them to the Grey Havens, but she was often called aside by many things and often she would simply turn back and return to Ithilien. In the course of her travels she re-visited Imladris and the empty forest of the golden wood. She is in the Shire at this time because she had resolved to go to the Grey Havens, but became distracted with the beauty of the Shire and decided to tarry in the Little Folk’s land. Shortly before she left, a raven named Corn sent from her parents came to her at the Green Dragon and now he is always near her.
_____________________________________________


Imladris' post

Corn was bobbing rhythmically on Merkaliel’s head, who whickered pleasantly as Lira trotted down the dirt path that led to Bree. That morning she had come across an abandoned trail some hours ago and had left the rest of the search party to go and explore it, as it led roughly towards Bree. But after an hour or so it had switched direction and so she traveled cross country until she had hit the main path again. She had searched in the dust for the tracks of the others, but did not find them. It was near dawn now, but early morning mists enshrouded the two in a wispy mantle and seeping fog entwined itself around the mare’s hooves; the horizon was stained with crimson, while orange tendrils curled greedily clutching at distant mountain peaks.

A soft singing arose eerily from the dusky meadow that stretched to her left: the singing of passing elves as they wended their way as a silver river through the hills of the Shire. Lira reigned Merkaliel, and waited for the ethereal line to pass: Corn for once was silent and stood with unaccustomed stillness as he waited with her. She could see them now, their faint light thrusting the pressing darkness of early morning away. The first elf, strong and beautiful, stepped into the path and Lira said, her musical voice soft and low, “Mae govannen.”

The elf bowed low and returned the greeting. They spoke in the Sindarin tongue and another elf, a lady named Merenwen, asked, “Lira Nen, what are you doing here? I thought that long before you would have taken ship to the blessed land of the Valinor.”

Lira smiled sadly and said, “The fair lands of Middle-earth call to me still, Merenwen, she whispers continually in my ears of the hills, the dimpled vales, and little river of this land, of the mighty forests which have withstood the darkness, and of the victory over the Shadow. It brings me joy to see the meadows of Ithilien plush with green grass and to see the white wildflowers sway in the passing breeze.”

The elves were silent and Merenwen asked, “Where is your bow? You are an elf of Eryn Lasgalen and yet you carry a dagger?” Corn snickered derisively and glanced insolently with a beady eye at Lira.

“The dagger was a gift of a friend…I forgot to bring my bow with me when I departed from Ithilien. I was worried about my parents and…” Lira‘s voice trailed off. Corn croaked sympathetically, flapped to her shoulder, and ran his beak through the various strands of hair that had come unbound from the braids that encircled Lira’s head.

Merenwen sighed softly and, as the line of elves continued their journey, she called, “Namarie Mellon Lira. We will eagerly await you on the shores of the Valinor,” she said, as they continued their own journey.

Lira watched them slowly disappear into the night, their silvery glimmer lingering long after their forms had disappeared. She shook herself and prodded Merkaliel forward as she thought of the parting words of Merenwen; Corn squawked with indignation as he lurched forward at the sudden movement of the horse. Eight years ago her parents had left Ithilien and told her that they would journey over the land of Middle-earth and, after about seven years, they would arrive at the Grey Havens and take a ship to the Valinor. They had promised to send a message, a dove, telling her when they reached the Grey Havens. Eight years had passed, and no messenger had come. Stifled fear and worry rustled in her heart, for the paths had yet been dark when they had departed. They had not gone in a group as Merenwen had wisely done, but had set off by themselves, alone, with but bows and arrows for protection from the wilds and the lurking orcs and spawn of evil that remained.

Leaving the thoughts of her parents behind, she mused of her mission to Evendim. She would be accompanied by others in the search for the missing Eodwine of Rohan. Stiffening, Lira wondered who would slay the rangers and messengers of Gondor and now Rohan. Or maybe they were not slain, Lira mused as a new angle of the tangle of unanswered questions entered her mind. But surely some would escape? Or maybe they had met with a fate worse than death…or maybe they really were a pile of bleached bones, if their flesh had already decomposed, otherwise they would be mere carcasses with...Lira shuddered and saw that she had reached Bree.

The wooden gate was partially hidden in friendly shadows, and rapping her knuckles upon the rough wood, Lira patiently waited for the watchman to let her pass.

“Who goes there?” a man barked, opening the portal as he peered intently through the gloom.

“An elf maid,” Lira answered back. “I am looking for Uien.” Corn nodded his head vigorously and hopped again to the Merkaliel’s head and ran his beak through her silky mane.

The man nodded briskly at the name and said, “She’s staying at the Prancing Pony, Miss,” he said, gesturing in the general direction.

“Thank you,” Lira replied. She slowly made her way towards the Prancing Pony, handed her horse over to the stable master, and looked about her. Corn grinned mischievously at Lira and disappeared into a pile of straw.

Hobbits and men were laughing loudly as they conversed of the doings and happenings of life in the Common Room; a hobbit danced gaily upon a wooden table, encouraged by the cheers and toasts of his companions. Others sat quietly in the corners, just out of reach of the fire’s lurid light. Lira’s eyes roved the tables and finally saw Uien, Falowik and two other hobbits. Making her way towards them, she said, “Mae govannen, Uien.”
_____________________________________________


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

Edit: you'd think that after crafting this for several days and re-reading it over and over it would be perfect by now.

[ October 13, 2003: Message edited by: Imladris ]

[ October 13, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Esgallhugwen]

Character Description Form:

1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – NO

2.) How many RPG’s on the Barrow Downs are you currently involved in?
List them, please: -Breelanders All!

Please note you may play in only 3 games at one time.


3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn or in The White Horse in Rohan? – YES– Which one? The Green Dragon

_______________________________________

For your character please include:

Name: Esgallhugwen Elenglin

Age: 620

Race: Silvan Elf

Appearance: 6' 2", Esgallhugwen has a rather shadowy if not depressing disposition. She is pale even for an Elf; with striking cold grey eyes and dark hair flecked with silver. She clothes herself in the garb of the male Elves, though long ago Esgallhugwen could have been found wearing dresses of blue, silver or green. She now wears light-weight dark knee high boots, dark grey pants, forest green tunic embroidered with silver knotwork. Her wrists and upper arms are bound with silver embossed leather gauntlets and is often seen with her dark green cloak draped across her back and face.

Weapons: Deft skill with sword and bow, keen eyes and ears. Elven blade Nárkir and the Dark yew bow Dúrlin. Both gifts from her Mother before her murder.

Strengths/Weaknesses/Personality: Esgallhugwen is cautious when around people and in the wild. She barely ever talks and keeps to herself; this can be mistaken for cold hearted-ness. Though in loneliness, she is willing to help others in their desperate need. Deep down perhaps there is still some fragment of joy and love; she would never want to talk about how she is unable to recall a time where she was happy before it was shattered and destroyed before her very eyes. During her time at The Green Dragon she could not control the influx of painful memories causing her to have an episode. Esgallhugwen is a true companion in battle or the wild with her deft and cunning abilities.

History: Esgallhugwen has had an extremely dark and bloodshed past. She refrains from talking about it for fear she will bring a shadow onto that person or a spy from her Father is overhearing, that is why she prefers to remain hidden and cloaked.
Menelariel Luinhith, her mother, was the only prominent figure in the upbringing of Esgallhugwen. Menelariel ensured that her daughter had as much love and guidance as she could give. She was not alone in this task, with the aid of Calan, Celeb, and Nimorn; they aided many younger Elves and others before the oncoming of the shadow, knowing they would soon be betrayed.

Esgallhugwen's heart and mind are always at unrest. One night when her Mother and her were taking council with one another they were taken captive outside their home by a vicious group of orcs. They were dragged down into an orc pit, Esgallhugwen managed to kill two orcs with her bare hands, but four more took their place and for what seemed an endless abyss of days or nights, they were tortured and persecuted by ceaseless agony and pain. Anyone captured by Sauron's orcs never saw the light of day again and had extreme difficulty in keeping track of the passage of time. All there was was the hot searing pain of steel scoring through your flesh to keep you company in the pitch blackness of an orc pit.

Then out of the swallowing darkness came a light and a call, the light was not all that bright, but to eyes that had not seen even the faintest glimmer in months it was as bright as Elbereth herself. And the voice seemed like raging thunder or a great blast from a horn of war. So it was how she was delivered from the foul hands of the orcs by her people, loyal to her mother. But alas the light of day seemed as dark as the pit itself when news came that Menelariel was no longer among them in Middle-Earth.

She set herself free, not out of weakness but to spite all evil in the Mortal Lands; showing she could not be manipulated or controlled by the Dark Hand. Cold bitterness took hold of Esgallhugwen's heart. "Do not give up, your mother was strong, she bade me to give this message to you if chance came that this would happen; for she knew that it would. 'Dear Elenglin, do not lose hope in days of dark, light will come again, you must make haste back to your home evil hath befallen there, save all whom you can, you know of who betrayed us. Do not seek him out, he will come to his own end or perchance he will seek you out, be wary my child, if he finds you he will spare nothing to see that you suffer for disobeying him. Make haste! Many will perish. Light will come again! " Calan bowed his head in lament, embracing the grieving Esgallhugwen.

They sped across the barren lands to their home in the northwest to find it had been assailed by a mighty host of orcs and larger ones that none of them had ever seen before. The trees were ablaze like a funeral pyre, some of her people were fleeing, fighting, while others made no movement laying still in torn grass, wet with blood.

That night there were orcs piled upon orcs their blood reeking from the burning air, everything was up in blazing horror, some Elves said they could hear screaming from within, all that remains is rubble and ash. For years Esgallhugwen wondered with Morsereg alone in the wild, sundered in the terror and confusion from her kin.

Long wanderings brought them to The Shire where they took refuge in the Green Dragon Inn after being attack by a camp of orcs, all of which were slayed but not without taking wounds upon themselves. A friendship was founded with Lira after she insisted in trying to help Esgallhugwen with her emotional scars. Esgallhugwen gave a gift to Lira in friendship, a silver dagger.
_____________________________________________


Esgallhugwen's post

Esgallhugwen wandered through The Old Forest, crushing herbs with her mortar and pestle, while atop the strong sleek back of Morsereg. The herbs turned into a pink paste, giving off a strong aroma that tingled the senses.

She ducked her hand into the small satchel tied to her waist procuring a crystal jar; Esgallhugwen smoothed the paste to form a cream as she poured it into the jar. Tightening the lid carefully she popped it back in the pouch and set to work cleaning out the bowl and beginning another concoction.

Esgallhugwen sang softly in praise and respect for The Old Forest allowing her safe passage and the taking of precious herbs. She hoped that if others chose this path to Bree the forest would be as lenient and kind. She knew not whether others followed behind her, the path turned and twisted, there was no companion with her except for the powerful black stallion Morsereg, barely making a sound on the path.

Once out, onto clear land, Morsereg broke out into a gallop. the thick sappy green balm had been safely stored away. though displeasing to look upon being it an Elvish creation; the balm had a pungent odor that soothed the victim while it set to work on very deep or poisoned wounds, and it would last longer than dried herbs unused.

The sun sank behind them, but Morsereg raced on knowing his need of haste. He neighed triumphantly approaching the gate of Bree; Esgallhugwen called out to the gatekeeper, no reply, she called again, wishing she had a horn to make the gates tremble. The gatekeeper peeped his squinting eyes in the slot on the door. "What business brings ye to Bree...?" he paused not knowing if the cloaked figure was a man or a woman in the dimming light. Esgallhugwen threw back her hood riding up closer "I am to make my way to The Prancing Pony; for business I guess you have already been informed of. that is what you need to know and no more is of concern to you, sir" her Elvish voice sang. He quickly drew back the heavy wooden beam and pulled back the gate.

"Yes m' lady, some have already arrived, I'm sure they'll welcome thee gladly" he swung the gate shut with a clang, after she walked up to him. "I hope they shall too" she said riding up the road. She only caught a brief glimpse of Falowik days before racing off out of the stable at The Green Dragon on an errand. If Uien had arrived she would be the only one she knew of fairly well and would recognise due in part to meeting and promising Uien she would give her services helping to find the missing messenger of Rohan and to see what became of the other missing men.

Esgallhugwen drove up to the Inn, the familiar lights just beginning to flicker within. She stepped up to the threshold pushing back the door, her eyes beheld the distinct figure and face of Barliman Butterbur. He drew back remembering her as the dripping phantom that appeared days before, his face grew pale.

Esgallhugwen let out a laugh, regretfully drawing attention to herself, drawing back her hood; she was revealed to be an Elf, to Butterbur's relief and joy. He nearly toppled over trying to make his way to the counter. He tried to apologize but was silenced by Esgallhugwen's raised hand "no need to apologize, I should say that I am sorry for startling you when you first saw me weeks before as a wet phantom or wraith to your eyes no doubt" he smiled in thanks "your mount Lady...?" he stuttered embarrassed at his foolish reaction when she entered; "My name is Esgallhugwen, my horse has already been seen to by Hob I believe it was. May I inquire as to where Lady Uien or people who are waiting for her are seated? I have come to join them".

Butterbur guided her over to the table where Uien sat with two others, one presumably Falowik. Barliman introduced their new guest with surprising eloquence "Lady Esgallhugwen comes to join your table", Esgallhugwen thanked him and he went on his way.

"Greetings Uien".
_____________________________________________

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

Well That's that Hope there are no mistakes, but I'll be happy to fix them.


[ October 13, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[ October 13, 2003: Message edited by: Esgallhugwen ]

[Meneltarmacil]

Character Description Form:

1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs?
Yes.

2.) How many RPG’s on the Barrow Downs are you currently involved in?
One. (Resettling the Lost Kingdom)

3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn or in The White Horse in Rohan?
Yes, in the Green Dragon.
_______________________________________

For your character please include:

NAME: Thoronmir

AGE: 63

RACE: Human (Dunedain)

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Longsword, dagger, longbow and 20 arrows

APPEARANCE: Dark, slightly reddish hair, wears a dark green cloak, has a scruffy look, rides a tall brown horse.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: He is quite good at fighting, although he usually prefers a peaceful solution to a conflict. However, if he has no choice but combat, he usually winds up winning. His best weapon is the sword.

HISTORY: He grew up in the Hills of Evendim along with his friends. He participated in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields and the Battle of the Morannon in T.A. 3019, when almost all of his friends were slain. After a younger man became leader of the Rangers, Thoronmir just couldn't fit in anymore, so he retired in F.A. 6 and has been wandering around Eriador ever since.
_____________________________________________


Meneltarmacil's post

At a not very respectable establishment on the outskirts of Bree, Thoronmir sat over in a corner sipping on a mug of ale. He had just won some money in a card game earlier. Suddenly a man stormed over to where he was sitting. Thoronmir recognized him as one of the other card players.
"Hey you!" the man shouted angrliy. "You'd better pay up!"
"Pay up?" asked Thoronmir. "But I won fairly."
"No you didn't!" said the man. "You cheated! I saw you!"
Thoronmir had not cheated, and the other man probably knew this and was just lying. "Listen," Thoronmir said. "I don't know why you think I cheated, but if you'd just explain-"
"Aaargh!" The man grabbed him and pinned him against the wall. "I'm through talking! You cheated me, and now you're going to pay me back or else!"
Thoronmir didn't want to have to fight, but now he had no choice. He threw the man off him and drew his sword. "I've been more than reasonable already, but you wouldn't listen to me. Now OUT." He gestured toward the door with his sword, and the man obeyed.

Thinking it was time to leave, Thoronmir decided to spend the night at a more respectable place-- The Prancing Pony. After getting himself a room, he went over to the bar in the common room and ordered some ale. He listened to the various conversations taking place, and when he heard the name of Evendim come up, he immediately began to take an interest in the business of a man and two hobbits sitting at one of the tables nearby...

_____________________________________________

[ October 13, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Burzdol]

Burzdol - check your PM's

~*~ Piosenniel, Shire Moderator

[ October 13, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

Burzdol

Clear out your PM's, please - I cannot send you one until you do.

[Elora]

Goodness! smilies/biggrin.gif


Imladris, thanks for the profile and first post for your character of Lira Nen. I take it you're interesting in one of the Elven characters listed.

Esgallhugwen, thanks also for the submission of your character Esgallhugwen Elenglin. I also understand that you're interested in one of the Elven characters.

Meneltarmacil, pleased to meet your Thoronmir character. One of the Ranger characters appeals to you, I believe. Interesting entrance to the RP, certainly attention grabbing. smilies/wink.gif


Please let me know if I've erred in any of this. I shall let you know as soon as Littlemanpoet and I have spoken. Thanks for the work put into developing your characters and first post.

[littlemanpoet]

I'm wondering if we can change our "characters needed" list to reflect our desire for someone to play the hobbits Falco Boffin and Gorby Brandybuck?

Falco is pretty well drawn already as a good looking and friendly hobbit who is prejudiced against non-hobbits, as well as pig-headed and has slightly too good an opinion of himself. Sounds like fun to play, no?

Gorby is a blank slate, except for the idea that he is young, callow, and inexperienced - which means almost the same thing, I suppose....

What do you think?

[Lumiel]

Character Description Form:

1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? no...

2.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn or in The White Horse in Rohan? – YES– Which one?
Green Dragon Inn
_______________________________________

For your character please include:

NAME: Lumiel Rovalhir

AGE: roughly 500 years old, give or take a few. (thanks Elora smilies/biggrin.gif)
RACE: Elf

GENDER: female

WEAPONS A sword given to her by her "father" when he died and two daggers hidden on her body (boot and belt)

APPEARANCE: roughly 5'6", long brown hair flecked with golden highlights. She has beautiful blue eyes which seem almost to shift between shades with her mood. She appears to be a frail young woman but is surprising strong. She wears a dark grey tunic, leggings, and cloak with a black belt and dark brown boots.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: She is a very naive girl who knows little of the world but wishes to prove herself and to do right, no matter what it may cost her. She is extremely loyal and has a surprising strong will when she wants or needs to use it, which is not often. She is very shy as well, having grown up very isolated from people, but believes that there is good in everyone. Her weakness is that she can be too trusting and open with strangers sometimes, and puts more strain on herself than is necessary.

HISTORY:
Lumiel was born to high elven parents and lived a fairly solitary life with them in a small sylvan home away from other elves. She lived out her childhood happily with them, knowing only a few other elves besides her parents. When she was a young elf, on the verge of a child and beginning to become a woman, her parents decided that it was time to leave for the Grey Havens. They made arrangements with relatives of theirs and prepared for their journey.

They set off on their journey without any problems. Unfortunately, when they were nearly halfway to their meeting place, they were ambushed by a horde of orcs that had been passing through, and upon seeing the elves, couldn't resist a slight detour.

Lumiel's mother ran with her while her father fought for their lives. Valiant as he was, he was simply outnumbered and died among the orcs' coarse cries as a hero. Her mother ran, but not very far before the orcs surrounded her and Lumiel. Still clutching to her mother, the orcs slew Lumiel's mother and hacked the body to pieces for their own amusement in front of her. Terrified for her life and alone, she pleaded for mercy, not much more than a child at the time. The horde decided not to kill Lumiel, but rather to keep her for their own entertainment on the road.

For the next several months, she was their plaything. They whipped and scorned her, abused and threatened her, they humiliated and did every wretched thing that they could think of, until Lumiel lost all sense of who she was. She forgot everything: her parents, her language, her home, even her name.

The other elves searched when her family did not arrive as planned, but found only the mutilated bodies of her parents and no sign of her. The trail of the orcs had gone cold by then, and they gave up Lumiel for dead.

Chance saved her. The orcs split up and Lumiel was sent with the smaller group of about 15 or so. They happened to be passing unknowingly throught a "Ranger's" territory who spotted them. For his own reasons more than for Lumiel, he decided to rescue her. In the dead of night, he snuck into the camp and snatched Lumiel, who woke up to see the Ranger, whose name was Farin, and to her he appeared as some sort of shadowy fire demon come for her in the night. She screamed and woke the orcs, and in the most intense fight she had ever seen, Farin slew each and every orc there and left them to drown in their own filthy blood.

With Lumiel in tow, he disappeared into the night. Lumiel fought, but exhaustion took over and she slept. She awoke in a crude home with the bare essentials, but she was safe. Farin cared for her and healed her wounds. Over time, she grew to trust him and love him as a father, and so he was to her.

As Lumiel grew, Farin taught her all he knew as a Ranger, and she was an apt pupil. He taught her again her language and history, and restored to her her name, which was engraved on a ring she had on her when he rescued her.

But, as Farin was mortal(though be it a Ranger at that) and she was not, he grew old while she appeared to age a few years only closer to adulthood. On his deathbed, Farin revealed the truth to Lumiel about himself. He was a banished Ranger. When he was younger, much younger, his brother had been captured by orcs. He had rashly gone after him, and his fellow Rangers in turn had to go after him. In their pursuit of Farin, several of the Rangers were killed, though Farin was saved, but not his brother who had been mercilessly killed. Arathorn, Aragorn's father, had banished Farin to where he now lived and under pain of death he was never to leave his prison. Upon seeing Lumiel, he had the thought that perhaps he could use her to escape his prison, by saving an elven child either by returning the child or raising it to take revenge for him. But in time he grew to love Lumiel as she loved him, and banished all thoughts of ever abusing her in any way. Now he asked of her only two things: to find again her people and her destiny and to redeem his name to the leader of the Rangers, whoever that was. He also gave her his sword, and passed away shortly after. Lumiel buried Farin herself, and set out on her journey.

Along the way she met very few people, not being used to them, until finally she gained the courage to enter the Green Dragon Inn. There she met Uien and heard of her need and agreed to help, eager for a chance to prove herself and also redeem Farin through her deeds.
_____________________________________________


Lumiel's post

Lumiel hummed softly to herself in the pale yellow dawn of the morning as she rode on to Bree. The dew shone bright as jewels among the trees and on the grass on the road and her eyes seemed to twinkle in their light beneath her dark grey cowl. Not far ahead she saw the gate to Bree and quickened her horse's pace slightly.

She had ridden ahead of the company of Falco and the others the night before, a bit weary of the people and the crowded feeling she got from them. It was nothing personal, just how she was.

By now she was at the gate and a man peered out at her, seemingly confused. "Another lady traveling alone? Such strange things abroad nowadays.." he muttered to himself. Lumiel wasn't sure what he meant, then it fell into place as she realized that he must be talking about Uien.

"There be nothing in this world of anything, but thinking makes it so." said Lumiel to the man, smiling faintly. He quirked an eyebrow at her, still trying to make out exactly what it was that she had said. Not waiting for him, she spoke again. "I'm on business here for a search party. Perhaps you could direct me to where an elvish woman went?"

"Of course Lady. On yonder, at the Prancing Pony is where you'll want to go." answered the man politely. Lumiel nodded her thanks and went in and then dismounted, preferring to walk. She didn't have to go far before she came before the sign of the Prancing Pony, unmistakable even to a stranger. She hitched her horse to the post and soothed him with a word before heading inside.

Even though it was morning, it seemed fairly busy. She looked around searching for Uien, but before she could find her, a somewhat heavy man caught her attention. "Why good morning miss! I'm Barliman Butterbur, owner of this here establishment. And how can I help you?"

"Yes sir, I'm her to meet some people -" before Lumiel could finish, Butterbur pointed to a table where Uien and three men sat. She nodded her thanks and began to walk over before she was stopped by Butterbur. "Excuse me miss, but do you have a horse out front?" Lumiel nodded yes and he spoke again quickly. "Expected as much. I'll have my Hob put him with the Lady elf's horse." He smiled and went off shouting for Hob as Lumiel went to the table.

She smiled at Uien, happy to see her again as she took off her hood. "It's good to see you, Uien. I hope your journey went well?"

"Yes, all went well. Where are the others?" asked Uien, expecting them at any moment behind Lumiel.

"I rode ahead last night, they'll be here shortly." she explained, wondering who the men were that sat at the table with them.

_____________________________________________

[ October 15, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Elora]

Lumiel, thanks for the character profile. If you want to make her young, you could have her about 500 years old. That was the rough age of Legolas and he was considered youthful for an Elf. Just a thought. smilies/smile.gif

Littlemanpoet I think that the two characters should be added to our character list.

Here it is, revised:


Hobbits – 2 or 3 - male or female

Falco Boffin - a handsome hobbit with a friendly outlook, Falco is suspicious of all non-hobbits and hence predjuiced against them. He has the tendancy to be staunchly stubborn and has a lot of self confidence, some say too much so. Already, Falco has a dim view of Falowik and Uien also.

Gorby Brandybuck - a young, inexperienced and callow hobbit who is related by way of a cousin to Doderic Brandybuck, the representative of the Master of Buckland. Gorby is a undauntedly merry chap who knows little of the grim doings outside his cosseted world. He possesses a daring spirit and is not adverse to pranks.

Consequently, Gorby nearly always has a quip or laugh ready and tends to embark lightheartedly on ventures that the more experienced would think twice about.

Note: I would like to see one Hobbit be a Brandybuck, a younger one, perhaps taken from the list in the appendices, one who takes after Meriadoc in adventurousness, but is in his/her tweens and perhaps a little callow - for a Hobbit. But let the player be creative with it, of course. My basic idea here is that this Hobbit would go along with the party, assigned to it by Doderic Brandybuck (Doderic is about 7 years younger than Merry of the Fellowship of the Ring – a cousin of sorts)

Another Hobbit would be a Breelander. One would have to come up with independent motivation for this one, because I can't think (off hand) of why any Bree Hobbit would volunteer for such an excursion.

Humans – 1 or 2 - male or female
Note: A human Ranger seems like a natural fit. One other possibility would be a human veteran of the War who had settle in Bree. Just a thought. I could see the ruffian angle too. Adds a bit of zest.

Elves – 1 or 2 - male or female
Note: I could see an Elf from either Imladris or Lothlorien. Although it's more likely to be Imladris, since Lorien has emptied by now, and Elves of Imladris are those who have chosen to remain in Middle Earth. Knowing Uine or not seems just a matter of choice on the part of the player.


Dwarves - 1 - male (not a necessary character, but welcome)
Note: I believe that there were still Dwarves in the Ered Luin toward the time of the War of the Ring. Bree would be a natural stopping point as long as the Shire is open, but with the Shire now closed, anybody wishing to pass from the Ered Luin to Bree would be hard put to it indeed! There are two choices: either travel and trade ceased, or a detour route was made because people traveled anyway, and found their way around the Shire. My money is with the second. All that to say, there would be Dwarves in Bree.

Dwarves could be venturing to Bree in the name of trade - as in gold! They'd be keen to re-establish trade with the outside world, particularly as it would be in a period of re-building. Dwarvish skills and craft with stone would be in tall order about now.


Character types which would not belong: Any other racial type.

Whilst we're considering the wonderful work and characters put in so far, I encourage people to consider playing a hobbit character.

They're central to this RP and we can't really set off without one.

smilies/smile.gif

[ October 15, 2003: Message edited by: Elora ]

[Imladris]

I received permission from Elora to do this, so here is a charcter description for a hobbit:

Character Description Form:
1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – NO
2.) How many RPG’s on the Barrow Downs are you currently involved in?
List them, please: Resistance and Lingering Darkness
Please note you may play in only 3 games at one time.

3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn or in The White Horse in Rohan? – YES -- The Green Dragon
_______________________________________
For your character please include:

NAME: My name is Gorby Brandybuck , but most call me Orb, because they say my thinking has a tendency to go ‘round an’ round in circles.

AGE: I’m still in my tweens yet, and because most people say I act younger than my age, I’ll just as well not state it.

RACE: Hobbit -- which is rather obvious in my opinion.

GENDER: Male , also rather obvious.

WEAPONS: Weapons? I’m lucky if I can chop the firewood for supper without cutting my finger. But, in a pinch, I can shoot a stout a cross bow, gift of my father.

APPEARANCE: I’m kind of…well…sturdy-looking, like some distant relative of mine: Meriadoc Brandybuck. I have fair curly hair, shot with streaks of reddish brown and I have a nice big pair of hairy feet. I like to dress in various shades of greens and browns.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: I always wonder why they ask you that because how can you really know one’s self if you are one’s self? I mean most people have either a horribly high opinion of themselves (such as one Falco Boffin) or an intolerably low opinion of themselves (such as my sister). But on the whole I guess I am curious about the world in general, which as sent me into too many straights to count on one hand. Generally, though, I like to have a bit of smoke, lying on my back upon a green hill, and watch the clouds morph into shapes. I love to sleep…sleeping is so peaceful, so pleasant, and a time to think about the world in general: not gossip, but of the trees, and rivers, and of insects and things. My sister, Lily Brandybuck, says I’m lazy, but I disagree because I read, write, draw, sculpture, and paint when I do have spare time, which I usually have plenty of, considering ‘I don’t do anything.’

HISTORY: I don’t have much of a history, at least not an interesting, dramatic, traumatic, hear-rending, daring, roguish, pitiful one. Actually, to hero standards, it’s inexpressively dull. I was born in Buckland, I grew up in Buckland, and I’ll more than likely die in Buckland, if the Hills don’t take that privilege away at least. Of course, if I do end up dead, I’d be much obliged if one of the people accompanying the search would bring me back home and bury me proper like.
_____________________________________________

Imladris' post

Doderic was looking at me pointedly: I knew that glance full well, and I quailed and trembled beneath it. I had been summoned from my afternoon smoke and that boded ill in my opinion. I cleared my throat and said, “Yes, Doderic?”

“I was wondering if you would do something for me,” he said smoothly, looking at me kindly but that only made me more uncomfortable. I stood uneasily on one leg and scratched at a poison ivy rash with a toe: a managed to nod. “I was wondering if you would like to go on a search party?”

“I’d much rather not,” I said hastily.

“And why not?”

“Because,” I said, beginning to list reasons on my fingers, “I am no good with any type of weapons, you know that I can’t even find my vest when it’s right under my very nose, I can’t hide very well, I ---” and I was rudely interrupted by Doderic.

“Which is the very reason why you should come,” he said. “Think of this as a learning experience where you can fix your faults.”

“Is this a ploy to get rid of me so that I don’t bother anyone with my ‘laziness’?” I asked suspiciously. It drove Lily mad that I stood out there to have my smoke, rain or shine. She was always complaining of cleaning the house and sweeping up after my lingering ashes that always somehow fell from my pipe.

“Good heavens, no!” Doderic cried. “That’s just your sister and she doesn’t mean half of what she says anyway. You’ll be meeting a man named Falowik in the Prancing Pony,” his eyes sparkled here -- he knew how much I enjoyed visiting Bree. “And there’ll also be an elf there as well -- Uien I believe. Falowik is a man, some don‘t trust him and he has a lousy reputation around in Bree, but…well, an elf trusts him so I suppose he is not too bad. A man of Rohan, Eodwine, disappeared in the Hills of Evendim and they are gathering a search party to see if they can either find his remains or himself alive.”

“Oh,” I said absently, playing with my leather belt. So it was a rescue mission for a man that wasn’t even around in these parts (which I honestly didn’t mind in the least). But then we’d have to go travel up North, where the cold perpetually lingered, and I honestly didn’t look forward to the nasty trudging over rocks and hills. I would miss the Shire -- it was my home after all. I sighed: But on the other hand, I would have a chance to see Bree, a most tantalizing place, a place where there was much to learn. I especially liked to visit the Blacksmith, and watch him hammer the metal into various shapes. It was a wonder how fire could melt it, enable it to bend to the smithy’s will. Fire in and of itself was pretty fascinating anyway: so lurid, so bright, so intoxicatingly exotic, yet it could be harmful and deadly, too. “Why don’t you come?”

“I have business here, Orb. You know that.”

I sighed and left and went to pack my few belongings. I brought an ample supply of weed, a few pipes in case some would like to join me for a bit of smoke, a pen and some parchments as well also found their way secretly into my bag, for I knew Doderic would have a fit if he knew I would bring something so superfluous as they.

Some time later the next day, Doderic and I reached Bree and meandered my way to the Prancing Pony. I enjoyed watching the lasses work and on this particularly fine day, they were doing the washing. The scrub of the clothes upon the washboard, the frothy soap, and the sight of the lines of vests, bodices, blouses, skirts, and breeches was a pleasant sight to behold.

Doderic told me to keep dawdling and all too soon I found myself at the Prancing Pony and there I saw Falowik. He was a rough man with fair hair, but it looked as if he had seen much hardship and sorrow. I, particularly, didn’t see what was so wrong with him: a bit rough ‘round the edges maybe, but certainly alright.

And then the elf came, a fair maid, but not quite how I pictured them, from Master Merry’s description, least ways. We sat and I ordered ale for them all and watered wine for Uien for that was what she told she would rather have. Then we waited.

_____________________________________________
*********************

Gorby is not stupid: just simple minded, gentle, and a typical hobbit. Pretty naieve too.

[ October 15, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Elora]

Thanks for that profile Imladris. smilies/smile.gif We'll talk it over and let you know soon.


I have fine news, smilies/biggrin.gif.

Littlemanpoet and I are too pleased to let the following people know that their characters are accepted into the RP:

Alatariel
Imladris - Lira Nen of Ithilien
Esgallhugwen
Meneltarmacil
Lumiel


That pretty thoroughly fills the Elven contingent and part of the Mortal Man.

Those considering joining, please take a look at a Ranger or similar character or a Hobbit. Personally, I have a prediliction for hobbits as they are such wonderfully adept creatures. Be it humour or getting on with business, Hobbits have a unique perspective that is always a joy to write.

We need a good 3 or so hobbits, and at least one more Man. Let's not forget the Dwarves either.

smilies/smile.gif

[Alatariel Telemnar]

Can I just edit my post? Elora forgot some spaces... I think that happens when you copy and paste...

Alatariel Telemnar's Post

HAS BEEN CUT AND PASTED AS REQUESTED -- PIO

[ October 15, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Elora]

Oops smilies/eek.gif .... my parents always said I'd regret not learning to count. smilies/redface.gif

Sorry Pio, and all, for the confusion.

We have a fully tally of Elves and Men.

We require 2 more Hobbits, one of which will be Falco Boffin.

There's also room for a Dwarf still.

[Alatariel Telemnar]

Thanks for changing it Pio! I didn't want it to look bad. smilies/smile.gif

[kittiewhirl1677]

I was working up a character description and first post, but the computer on which I had saved my files has been disconnected and I won't be able to use it for about two-three more days. I was fortunately able to e-mail half of my character description to myself just in case something like this happened.

My question is wether or not I can post up the half that I have right now and then post the other half in about two days... the RPG won't start at least until then, right?

I can also start working on re-doing the descrition with the half I have right now, but that will also take a few days to finish. So may I post up the half I have now(and post the second half later), or shall I redo it and then post?

[ October 16, 2003: Message edited by: kittiewhirl1677 ]

[Elora]

Imladris, pleased to say that you've got a great handle on the Gorby character. So consider him yours for this RP. smilies/biggrin.gif

Kittiewhirl1677, look forward to seeing what you come up with. smilies/smile.gif

We still have space for 2 Hobbits, one being Shiriff Falco Boffin, and a Dwarf.

smilies/biggrin.gif

[piosenniel]

kittiewhirl

Since there is no way you can get the character description/First Post up for 2 or 3 days - just wait until you have everything done and then post it all together please.

Are you working on a Hobbit or a Dwarf character?

[Nurumaiel]

I haven't played a Hobbit in awhile, so here it goes. It may be edited, depending on what the game owners and I find that could be improved.

1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? ? YES - Which one? The Long Winter, The Hobbit?s Gift (owned), Holiday in the Sun (cameo), In the Shadow of the Star, Corsairs and Corsets (co-owned)

2.) How many RPG's on the Barrow Downs are you currently involved in? - One

List them, please:

Breelander's All!

3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn or in The White Horse in Rohan? ? YES ? Both

NAME: Anson Brandybuck

AGE: 24 and 3 weeks at this time

RACE: Hobbit

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Anson has a small bow and arrow he learned to use when he was very young from his father. He is fairly skilled with it, though he has never had to use it for anything other than hunting trips. However, he also has a dagger, about sword-length for a Hobbit that he got for his twenty-fourth birthday, just a few weeks ago. He isn't very good with it yet, though he practices often.

APPEARANCE: Anson is average height for a Hobbit, and that pleased him. His father was also average, but his mother was extremely short (for a Hobbit) and he was afraid he'd take after her. His eyes are a deep grey, and his hair so dark brown that it looks almost black. He constantly has an expression of stupidity on his face, but behind that rather foolish-looking face he has a sharp mind, though it is inexperienced.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: This Hobbit is totally naïve to all that is dangerous and difficult. He lived a very sheltered life and was never exposed to anything that was bad. The company he kept was good, the places he went were good, and he's never seen so much as a fistfight. However this should not bring anyone to think that he is a totally inexperienced and cowardly hobbit. His braveness is very great, though it has not yet been shown. But he does prefer to stay at home and, oddly enough for a Brandybuck, doesn't like the prospect of adventure. As it is said, it makes one late for dinner.

He is also a bit clumsy (which goes along well with his constant expression and decreases his reputation even more), or shall it be said very clumsy. He doesn't look where he's going and even if he does he's bound to trip over rocks and the like. He's been known to walk into doors, as well.

Despite that, Anson is interiorly very intelligent, though nothing has ever been done to train his mind, probably because nobody knows he's smart. No opportunity has ever arisen. He's very polite and gentle, and though he gets angry often he never shows it and instead remains cool and logical. The only time(s) he has been seen to speak angrily was when he was speaking to his father.

Anson is also very protective. He has two younger siblings, and he watches them like hawks. To feel they are in any danger of being hurt in any way, psychically or not, he will immediately rush to their defense. He is the same way with anyone he knows, and even those he doesn't, as long as he feels they are good. Injustice has never been seem by him, except when he felt his mother was being unjust for scolding his little brother, but that one event alone which wasn't really unjust was enough to show that he has a strong dislike for it, and cannot tolerate anything unfair.

It must also be mentioned that Anson is very tidy. No more about that needs to be said.

HISTORY: Anson was born to Posco and Salvia Brandybuck in Buckland, and, as has been said before, grew up being carefully guarded and sheltered against all the evils in the world. He hardly ever saw his father when he was young, and did not grow very attached to him, so their relationship is a bit difficult. Posco can't understand his son, and Anson can't understand his father. This often results in great fights, though without loud shouting, as Anson is not that type of person.

His history is not very interesting, for he is merely a young Hobbit who has gone on no adventures and has never left his home. He did, however, grow up with Gorby Brandybuck and is quite a good friend of his, and that is really the reason why he's going with the search party.

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

Nurumaiel's post

Anson Brandybuck stood outside the door to his father's room, fiddling with one of the buttons on his coat. He didn't want to talk to his father. Every time they discussed something, whether it was important or not, they got into a fight. But this was so important... he had to have his father's permission. Otherwise he would be running away, and he didn't want it to come to that. As a matter of fact, he didn?t even want to go on this adventure. But Gorby asked him, and he couldn't refuse Gorby. Gorby was, after all, a bit nervous about this whole search party himself, and he might need someone he knew to come with him, and since they had grown up together...

"I can't let Gorby down," Anson murmured, and knocked on the door, making up his mind he wouldn't say something clever like the last time that would make his father angry. It made his father angry because his father couldn't say something equally as clever. Anson was known as very clumsy, but nobody knew how really intelligent he was.

"Come in!" his father cried, sounding annoyed. Anson took a deep, shuddering breath. That wasn't good. If his father was annoyed, then his father wouldn't be willing to listen. Sure, he and his father might not get along very well, but the latter was just as protective and he wouldn't like the idea of his son joining and going off with a search party. Not at all.

Anson pushed open the door and put a forced smile on his face, preparing himself to sound pleasant. Not that Anson ever sounded unpleasant, but sometimes he sounded intelligent and that annoyed his father.

The room was very spacious though rather bare of furniture. Posco preferred it that way. One side of the room had a large bed, while the other had a desk. Posco's job, a postman, didn't require a desk, but he wanted one. It made his job seem more professional. Anson could not say, however, that the desk did not come in handy. Posco was in charge of sorting out letters and delivering them, and the desk gave him all the room he needed to sort them out. At the moment letters were scattered all over the desks, and Anson felt deeply annoyed. He himself was very neat and tidy, and he felt a strong urge to clean them up.

When his father, whose name was Posco, saw who it was, he ducked his head and grumbled, "Oh, it?s you." The memory suddenly came to Anson that only that morning that had gotten into another fight. That decreased his chances of getting his father's willing approval. But he most likely wouldn?t have had it anyway.

"Well, Dad, I have something to tell you," Anson said. "I was talking to Orb today, and he wants me to go somewhere with him."

"Oh yes?" Posco said, acting as though he hadn't really heard. His hands were moving quickly, sorting through the letters, but Anson could see that his father had heard and was listening eagerly. "Where does he want you to go?"

Anson put his hands behind his back and took a deep breath, feeling rather like a rabbit being guarded closely like a hawk. The hawk wouldn't kill until the rabbit gave it the signal to in this case. Oh no, if Anson remained silent the hawk wouldn't kill. But he had no choice. After all, Gorby was depending on him. So Anson told his father all that Doderic had told Gorby (which Gorby had then passed on to Anson).

There was no hesitation from his father. "No." That was all that was said.

Relief was Anson's first feeling, but then as he thought of Gorby he stiffened. "Yes," he replied.

Posco's face twitched, but he controlled his anger and, leaning back in his chair, looked his son right in the eye. "You can't say that until you've come of age, son, and you still have nine good years. Since I'm your father I have the authority to say no, and I do say no."

"But Gorby-"

"I don't care what Gorby says or doesn't say. You're not going. Why, you ask? It might be dangerous, and you'd be safer at home."

"And what happens when I do come of age and go out travelling and I don't know anything about the Shire beyond the front steps of my own home?" Anson asked. He didn't care that he wasn't going to go travelling when he was older. He said that to make a point, regardless of whether it was true or not.

"No, and that's all. You can go now."

Anson did go. He left the room, he went into the kitchen and grabbed a few things to eat, put on a coat in case it grew chilly, and left the hole. Unsure of where he was going or how long it would take, he turned east and began to walk. Whether his father liked it or not, he was going to Bree to attend the meeting.

And now, two days later, he had entered Bree. He shivered a little as he thought of what had happened back at his home. It brought a cold feeling upon him. He had run away. He had told himself he didn't want to run away, and that he wouldn't leave without his father's permission. And he here was, in Bree. He hadn't even said goodbye to his mother. That was the worst of all. What would she think?

"I hope you're grateful after what I've done for your sake, Gorby," Anson muttered. He wanted to ask someone for directions to the Prancing Pony, where Gorby had told him everyone was, but he was too afraid. After all, it couldn't be that difficult to find it, could it? Well, he had already been wandering around for an hour. What was another two or three.

But there it was! And Gorby was probably there. Anson, forgetting all his troubles back at his home, rushed forward with delight. Grasping the handle of the door, he pushed it open. His journey was over... for now. There was always, of course, the search party. But in that journey he'd have Gorby.

_____________________________________________
[ October 17, 2003: Message edited by: Nurumaiel ]

[ October 17, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[kittiewhirl1677]

I have another problem now... earlier when I was looking through the thread, I only saw one human, so I started writing a descrition for another one. It looks like there's no space left. I'm not too good with hobbits or dwarves, but I might be able to make a new character descrition although this will take a bit longer. Is there any preference to which one I do(hobbit or dwarf)?

[ October 17, 2003: Message edited by: kittiewhirl1677 ]

[piosenniel]

Kittiewhirl - check your PM's

[Elora]

Nurumaiel Thank you for that character profile and first post. smilies/smile.gif I hope to be able to give you some indication tomorrow.

Piosenniel, you're correct. smilies/smile.gif We have yet to fill Shirrif Falco Boffin (Hobbit) and a unspecified Dwarf character

[kittiewhirl1677]

I've been searching on information for a proper dwarf character descrition, but I wasn't able to find any. smilies/frown.gif I don't know if I can do my description or even participate in the RPG without the information... I would really appreciate some help. If a dwarf is not a very crucial character in this game, is it possible for me to not participate in this RPG? I'm truly very sorry for making you all wait, but I did try and I'm feeling kind of lost now.

[littlemanpoet]

We understand, kittie, if you'd like to wait for an rpg with a character type more to your liking. No hard feelings. smilies/wink.gif

[Elora]

Kittiewhirl, to echo Littlemanpoet's sentiments, no hard feelings. I well understand how important it is to feel as though you have a firm grasp on your character in order to use them in a RP.

The best I can do is refer you to Appendix A, section III 'Durin's Folk' of "Lord of the Rings". "The Hobbit" is sprinkled with tidbits about dwarves as well.

We plan to start this RP very soon, in the next day or so possibly, so you'll need to have something pulled together soon.

smilies/smile.gif

Nurumaiel, we love Anson. smilies/smile.gif Welcome aboard.

[kittiewhirl1677]

I'll see if I can do something, but in case I can't, you can go ahead and start without me.
Thankyou SO much for understanding!

-Kittie

[Elora]

Kittie, sorry to do this but I think the time has come for us to start this RP....

I'll take on the character of Falco Boffin (yipee). The party is comprised of Hobbits, Humans and Elves. The Dwarves must be busy at a convention at the Lonely Mountain or somesuch... smilies/wink.gif

Pio, could you please set up our RP thread?

[Elora]

Ah, then that shall be my task for today. smilies/smile.gif

Thanks Pio.

[Elora]

OK, here's Falco Boffin's Profile:

Character Description Form

NAME: Falco Boffin

AGE: 54

RACE: Hobbit

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS:

Falco carries a dagger and a short sturdy blade of dwarvish origin. Both are serviceable and part of his equipment as a Shiriff. He also has a cudgel that he tends to use as a walking stick.

APPEARANCE:

Falco is a rotund hobbit, well padded as precisely a Hobbit should be. He has flushed cheeks, bright blue eyes and brown, wavy hair. He wears the uniform of Shiriff, brown pants, cream shirt with red braces, a blue waist coat and a green jacket. The jacket has seven small stars embroidered on each lapel, and silver buttons. His feet are large and hairy, his step light when he wishes it to be, as is customary for Hobbits. He is particularly stout, with a stomach that reflects his unflagging love of ale and vittles.

PERSONALITY:

Falco is a Hobbit who takes his responsibilities very seriously, sometimes a little too much so. He has a fundamental dislike of strangers and Big Folk. He views them with suspicion, seeing them as noisy and prone to causing trouble. Falco wants nothing more than to preserve the Shire’s peace, and Big Folk have a habit of upsetting that in his experience. Falco is not a mean spirited Hobbit. He can be as cheery as the next. His determination to see his responsibilities lived up to can come off as overbearing pride. Certainly, Falco enjoys the certainty of his point of view.

STRENGTHS:

Falco is a determined and steadfast individual. His persistency often bears fruit. He has a strong sense of loyalty and kinship with his folk and will do astounding things in the name of Hobbits, particularly his family. He is dedicated to ensuring the peace after the disruption of Sharkey and will brook neither impediment nor disturbance to the harmonious serenity of the Shire. Falco knows the Shire and each farthing well, and loves it dearly. He can be fierce indeed when protecting that which he loves and is a force to be reckoned with at such times.

WEAKNESSES:

Falco’s fondness of chatter and extolling the virtues of civic responsibility and pride can make him wearisome company. He can be intrusive and clumsy of speech, giving offence, without even realising it. This is his bane when dealing with folk not of the Shire. He is suspicious of the lands and all who inhabit them beyond the Shire. He has a less than flattering opinion of Big Folk. His experiences with Sharkey’s ruffians soured his view on Men. They’re either violent or noisy or unruly. As for Elves, he thinks all they are concerned with is fine food and merriment. When things turn grim, they run for the open sea. In short, all Big Folk can ever hope to be for Falco is at the best a inconvenience and at worse a despicable craven or ruffian. This prejudice colours all his views and words and is a serious disadvantage for one venturing beyond the Shire.

Falco’s stubborn, muleheaded pride is also a prickly thing that often takes a hold of his collar and drags him down strange “adventurous” paths that normally he’d have no interest in at all, being a sensible hobbit as he believes himself to be.

HISTORY:

Falco had a peaceful childhood and tweens, as did most of those blessed to be born into the Shire. His family comes from Bywater, adjacent to Hobbiton and Tookland. He grew up surrounded by the infamously rambunctious descendants of the Old Took. However, Falco prided himself on his level headedness. He did not get up to the same sorts of exploits, save where his pride was at stake. It was then that Falco Boffin was as tookish in his tomfoolery as the famed Peregrin Took. Such incidents were blessedly few and far between, else Falco would have been hard pressed to survive his childhood.

He was part of a large family, the third eldest of three brothers and two sisters. In such a busy house, Falco learnt that it paid to make a place for yourself. His life was largely untouched by the events of the wider world until Saruman arrived in the Shire at the end of the War of the Ring. In the year 1419, or 3019 for any who did not use Shire Reckoning, Falco found his mettle tested by Sharkey and Sharkey’s ruffians.
Falco saw his mother, father and most of his brothers and sisters imprisoned and enslaved. He chafed against the Big Folk that came as a scourge to his beloved Shire. When Frodo, Sam, Pippin and Merry rode into Bywater to rouse the folk to fight back, Falco astonishingly was one of the first to answer their call. Folks laugh now as they recall what he was heard to say in response to a jibe about turning into a ruffian himself. “It may be disturbing the peace, but we’ll have none to disturb tomorrow unless we break it today.”

The Battle of Bywater is now part of Shire history, and Falco played an honourable role in that. He did not do murder, but took his far share of thumping the skulls and anything else in reach of the Big Folk that preyed upon them. His part was recognised when he was later made Shiriff. Since then, Falco has gone hither and thither in the name of his office, which he takes very seriously. He himself has seen what happens when Big Folk are allowed in.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_____________________________________________

Elora's post - Falco

Falco slid off his pony with a sigh of relief that he barely remembered to repress lest anyone hear him. He stretched his aching legs and hitched his mount next to a row of other horses. He saw that Uien's was tied up along with Lumiel's and he huffed his way into the Prancing Pony as quickly as he could.

Falco spotted the table easily. He puffed his way past the bar and the barkeep directly towards where Doderic and Gorby sat. Falowik was there also, as was Uien and the other Elf, Lumiel. He noticed that there were others, some he knew and others he did not.

Well, at least one is a sensible hobbit, he rumbled to himself as he neared. There were two more Elves that he recognised from Uien's recruitment. He nodded stiffly at both. Also there were two more Big Folk that Falco studied unabashed, one a burly looking man and the other a woman.

"A fine mess, no mistake.... but maybe these won't wander off every time the sun sets and the stars peek out." Falco was not happy at being one of the last to arrive at all. He was a Shiriff! His comment was a mutter but it drew the attention of Uien. He saw her gaze shift, but she said nothing for at that moment the two new Big Folk, which Falco had renamed as Big Trouble already upon first sight, were volunteering. If he'd had gotten here sooner, perhaps he'd have been able to send them off. As it was Doderic was busy accepting their offers to help. Falco sighed heavily, turned and lifted a hand for a pint of ale.

He'd need it, he reckoned, with this search party.

"Shiriff Boffin," Doderic said, "Pleased to see you could join us." Falco turned back to the Master of Buckland's second, cast a long look around the table of predominantly Big Trouble and nodded stiffly as he took a seat.

"Well, you will be needing folk with common sense if young Eodwine is to be gotten out in one piece." Falco privately wondered why anyone would want to retrieve a messenger so lax as to allow himself to be taken. Like as not, the lad had been daydreaming at the time. Still, it lay not to him to gainsay the Master of Buckland and Falowik had first brought the dubious news to him. So if the Master said they were to fetch this Eodwine, he'd be at the forefront doing exactly that.

Assuming this Eodwine really existed. Falco wouldn't put it past Big Folk to make up tales for the sake of mischief. His scepticsm was shielded by the delivered half-pint of ale that arrived on the table. He took a long grateful draught and set himself to listening to the talk at the table. They'd have need of his expertise and opinion, him being the Shiriff and all.

_____________________________________________


I'll get the PM's done shortly and a list of character post order to you. smilies/smile.gif

[ October 23, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[ October 24, 2003: Message edited by: Elora ]

[Elora]

Alatariel, please clear out your PM's.

smilies/smile.gif

[piosenniel]

HERE ARE THE PLAYERS AND CHARACTERS:

Elves

Elora - Uien - female Imladris – Lira Nen – Sindar – female Esgallhugwen – Esgallhugwen Elenglin – Sindar – female Lumiel – Lumiel Rovalhir – female

~*~

Humans

littlemanpoet - Falowik Stonewort - male Alatariel Telemnar – Finwë – Ranger – female Meneltarmacil – Thoronmir – Dunedain/Ranger – male

~*~

Hobbits

Imladris – Gorby Brandybuck – male Nurumaiel - Anson Brandybuck - male Elora - Falco Boffin - male_____________________________________________

The Game is now open for play! Have fun! smilies/biggrin.gif

Remember to remove all signatures from the Game posts - including any 'SAVES' you do.

Those of you playing more than one character:

At the top of your posts - put the character's name you are writing for.

Thanks!

[piosenniel]

Elora and lmp

Is Doderic to be an ongoing character - played by both of you?

If so - please get a short Character Bio up for him on the Discussion Thread.

Thanks!

[Elora]

Doderic will not be going with the party, but merely see that they set out as per the writ of his superior, the Master of Buckland.

As such, I had seen him as a short term, NCE that would be stored away once the search party departed Bree.

Such is my opinion though. LMP may have a different point of view.

[piosenniel]

To all players

I would like to see the gamers for this RPG posting at least twice a week. I think that will be doable for you, and it will keep the storyline flowing well.

In addition to this, please try to check the Discussion Thread once a day, or at least every other day, as well as the Game thread, so that you will know where the plot is at present.

If you are going to be gone from the Game for a while - please post the dates on the Discussion Thread that you will be gone, so that others will not be waiting for your character to post. Also, let others know if they may carry your character along in their posts while you are gone.

Thanks!

~*~ Piosenniel, Shire Moderator

[Elora]

Great work everyone! smilies/biggrin.gif

I have the feeling that this is shaping up to be a fine tale.

Piosenniel, thanks for that outline. We have a lot to get through in 13 weeks or so. I think it'll be essential we stick to your request if we're to do justice to our characters and the tale.


Oh, and an excusatory note for Falco. I hope he hasn't inexcusably offended any of you or your characters. He's just... confident... of his abilities as a sensible Hobbit of good character and social standing. He means well, really he does...

I'm sure that, in time, Falco will have cause to rethink his prejudice of Big Folk... especially if one plucks him from an inconvenient and troublesome predictament on the way to Eodwine. smilies/wink.gif


smilies/biggrin.gif

[littlemanpoet]

Doderic is an NCE. He'll stay behind in Bree.

[piosenniel]

For General Reference:

NCE, NPC, and NCC refer to characters that are brought into a game and are not controlled or played by a single player. They can usually be used as needed by any player.

[Meneltarmacil]

especially if one plucks him from an inconvenient and troublesome predictament on the way to Eodwine.
I see what you mean. smilies/wink.gif smilies/biggrin.gif

Though I'm not sure how grateful he'll be...

[littlemanpoet]

I guess I don't really have a problem with others using Doderic as long as they do so in keeping with the role he's been given by Elora and me. It probably would help to have that fleshed out, so here goes:

Doderic Brandybuck is Meriadoc's first cousin, and his "right hand Hobbit" in the affairs of Buckland. Doderic resembles Merry in ways one might expect of first cousins. Doderic is serious and businesslike, having a high regard for his first cousin. He is level headed and can tend toward curtness when he feels time is slipping away quickly. Like his first cousin, good manners come second nature to him, and he is respectful of all free peoples according to their likes, as much as he knows them. His goal is to make sure every one in the search party understands what their goals are, and make sure they have a clearly defined leader and enough provisions. Doderic will stay at The Prancing Pony, waiting for the search party's return.

Elora, if there's anything I'm missing, please include it.

[ October 27, 2003: Message edited by: littlemanpoet ]

[Elora]

I think you've covered it well, LMP. smilies/smile.gif

Thank you for that.

Has anyone heard from Lumiel lately? If you know anything, please P.M me. smilies/smile.gif

[Alatariel Telemnar]

She leant to whisper to her roan gelding in soft elvish words that elicited a whicker of pleasure from Thalion.

I hope no one minds me asking, but did they do that to horses then?

[Elora]

Indeed Elves did speak to their horses.

For example, In the Fellowship of the Ring, Glorfindel urged his horse, "Noro lim, Asfaloth, noro lim!"

That was an invective (command) to ride on, spoken in Sindarin and the horse responded by doing exactly so. The Elvish bond with nature, plants and animals, seems to be one that enables such things.

Based on that precedent, I thought it fair that Uien would praise her horse and her horse would respond well pleased, either by her words or her tone. However, even did that precedent not exist, horses are perfectly able to respond to the tone of our words according to their own mood at the time.

Hope that makes sense, Alatariel. smilies/smile.gif

(Personally, I've never been blessed with such a sweet natured horse as Thallion. Mine have always been sturdy, hard working stock horses that very much dislike working and hence consider it their duty to discourage you to work them. Becomes a bit of a challenge for them over the years, bless them. I swear the treasures giggle and laugh when one scheme is sucessful and they slip out of a day's mustering.

Still, they know when you're happy and when you're not and they respond in their own unmistakeable way. smilies/wink.gif )

[Alatariel Telemnar]

I think you misunderstood what I was asking there, maybe I should have reworded it... I was referring to the word 'gelding', isnt that a horse that has been fixed so it can not reproduce? or have I gotten really mixed up? the question was, did they fix horses then?

[ October 27, 2003: Message edited by: Alatariel Telemnar ]

[Esgallhugwen]

They probably did fix horses then. But I don't think the Elves would do that (or the Rohirrim for that matter) to their horses unless of course they got the horse from somwhere else. Because Elves as Elora said are in-tuned with nature and I don't think they'd want to disrupt what is natural. Hope that answers your question smilies/smile.gif

Edit: and yes a gelding is a fixed stallion

[ October 27, 2003: Message edited by: Esgallhugwen ]

[Elora]

Ah, yes I did misunderstand.

I do believe that it may well have been practise amongst the Edain to manage their horses as such. They may have kept stallions for breeding and war horses, but also they would have required horses for other things that perhaps a stallion is less suited to than say a mare or gelding.

Uien obtained her horse from a trader in the Shire. It was likely she obtained a horse raised by Men. I've yet to come across any literature that discusses in detail the horse management practices of Elves or Men that would suggest otherwise.

I'm sure Rohan and the Elves have unique practices, for both normal horses and Mearas, but I've to find any specific discusion of that, and it's not applicable to Uien's non-Elvish non-Rohirrim horse bought in the Shire from a trader that visited the Green Dragon Inn.

In my opinion, it's likely that Men managed their horses in such a way as to have mares, geldings and stallions, as there's sound practical reasons to do so.

I'm happy to revise this if it becomes evident that there were no such things as geldings in Middle-earth.

smilies/smile.gif

Hopefully, that answers your question.

[Alatariel Telemnar]

Ah, well that explains a lot of things.. I was just unsure if they did that then...

[Lumiel]

I must apologize to everyone about my not posting! I had no control over it, but I feel horrible still! I hate doing that, it's one of the worst things to do in an RP!!!

*Smacks head several times over...this has occurred previously as well...*

Hopefully the circumstances that led to my predicament will not repeat themselves in the near future...

Again, I apologize profusely, especially to Elora and littlemanpoet.

smilies/frown.gif smilies/confused.gif smilies/frown.gif

[Elora]

I'm just glad and relieved to see you're still with us Lumiel. smilies/biggrin.gif

Great post and welcome aboard. smilies/smile.gif

[Meneltarmacil]

I thought that Falowik didn't want to be the leader and it now seems like it's between him and Falco. Did my character disappear or something!? I really want to know...

[Elora]

Erm, I didn't read it like that myself.

I thought Doderic was conveying the Master of Buckland's thoughts on the matter, but Falowik remained unaltered in his wishes to not lead.

So that left Falco and your character. Falco is of the opinion that he and only he could lead, even though that would disasterous for the group. Uien thinks Falowik would make a fine leader and takes umbrage at Falco's insults.

So, to me, seems like your character is the only one willing to lead the group that will not lead them into disaster.

smilies/smile.gif

[littlemanpoet]

Lumiel's latest post, enjoyable as it is, is mistaken in one regard, as Meneltarmacil (did I get that right?) has suggested: the leadership of the group is still not decided. Falowik has indeed reluctantly allowed himself to be nominated for the job, but even in the act of doing so has reminded the group of Thoronmir's obvious ability and willingness. His words seem to have gotten lost in Falco's hyperventilations. :P

So go ahead and post for Thoronmir as if the issue isn't yet decided. And Lumiel should edit her post to that effect. Okay everybody?

[Lumiel]

I fixed my post and added Lumiel's vote as soon as I realized that we were casting votes...sorry it's short but I have to get offline right now so I don't have time to fix it up as I'd like. I'll upgrade it tomorrow hopefully.

[Imladris]

I don't know if this bothers anyone, but as you know, I've posted rather...frequently...for secondary characters. I am doing this to reveal character. If this is bothersome, please let me know.

[Elora]

I'm sure that should be fine, Imladris. It's good to define and reveal character both for other writers and for those reading along.

So long as we all remain at the approximately same time/day for our characters in the main, I can foresee no issues.

[Elora]

OK, great work everyone. smilies/biggrin.gif

It's time to wrap up the leadership vote so we can move the story along. I thought the party would set out at first light the following day.

That means you have a free day for your character, in a manner of speaking.

Could anyone who has yet to vote, and Meneltarmacil, please post for your character so we can move on?

Thanks, folks. smilies/smile.gif

[Elora]

Here's the plot outline, which I thought might be helpful. This outline is a guide which we'll use to move our story along and keep on track.

Meetings


Characters arrive at Prancing Pony and word of the search party to be formed reaches those at the inn courtesy of Falowik and the Master of Buckland's Second, Doderic Brandybuck. - [/I]DONE[/I]

A party is formed of the disparite races, and the beginnings of both friendship and conflict begin. Not everyone will get along amicably. Each joins the party for their own reasons. Meneltarmacil is chosen as leader, and in that some differences emerge. - [b][I]WE ARE HERE



Journey into the Wilds The party sets out, provisioned, to search the surrounding lands, heading west and north towards the Hills.

The party follows the Brandywine River, observing the ban on travel through the Shire, uncovering a disturbing lack of trail and signs. Doubt as to whether Falowik really saw what he did begins.

Whilst in the open land of the downs, the party undergoes it's first night attack. In the dark, chaos and confusion reign supreme. Doubt arises as to whether the source of aggression comes from within the group or from the mysterious men that were said by Falowik to have attacked Eodwine.

Falco suspects Falowik and his "cohorts" are responsible for the night attack but says nothing for the moment as he lacks proof. He resolves to watch even closer.



Foul deeds will out
They reach Deadman's Dike and discover old signs of camp amid the ruins of Fornost. Disturbing evidence comes to light of those that made use of those ruins. (the remains of missing scouts, Rangers and messengers but not Eodwine)

The extent of danger is realised too late for the party to withdraw and summon more assistance. It is now ominously evident that they are dealing with something far more sinister than rougish bandits, although what precisely is still unknown to them all.


Wandering the Ruins of Men

The party strikes west now, making for the Emyn Uial (Evendim Hills). They begin to discover the true extent of the menace in the north, but still do not know if Eodwine is alive or dead.

A schism splits the party. One group thinks it would be wiser to return to Bree now whilst they still can and muster a force. The other refuses to leave Eodwine out there, the memory of the discovery at Fornost too vivid in their minds. The party decides to push on.

The enemy has detected the party's presence at Fornost (Deadman's Dike) and now hunts them in a concerted, organised method.

Those who press on, push towards Annuminas and Lake Nenuial. There they find the central settlement camp of the mysterous villian. The Emyn Uial are infested with a warren of murderous fiends. It is worse than even their darkest fears. The group is beset and the schism worsens under the pressure.


Valour in Desolate Places
A few believe that Eodwine must be located, somewhere in the ruins of Annuminas, despite the peril. They locate him with much difficulty, given the terrain and the danger, and unaware of whether he is dead or alive, resolve to bring him out and make a hard strike against the brigands and evil Men that are responsible for so much violence in the north.

They launch a raid, a small number against many, alone in the wilderness. Their aim is to retrieve Eodwine and incur lasting damage to the villians however they may. Not everyone in the group agrees, some have grave misgivings such that they ponder about turning back even then to seek more help. This goes far beyond the Master of Buckland's writ.

The raid very nearly ends disasterously. The party is split, some managing to escape and others forced to take temporary shelter in the Evendim Hills around Annuminas. The enemy hunts them with a vengeance. They flee back, through the hostile lands with either an alive and very injured Eodwine or his body, in a desperate flight, attempting to meet each other again. The only thing likely is that they will each meet their deaths.


The Longest Road is that taken home
Not all may emerge, depending on skirmishes and encounters with an enemy now intent on not letting word of their presence and numbers reach the Thain.

Those that do survive flee to Bree in desperate flight. The Master of Buckland, aware of strife roused, is ready to receive their report.

Once in Bree, their part of the venture is over. Injured, weary and heart sore after so much evil, The Master of Buckland stands them down with thanks. With his allies, he can move against the threat within the Evendim Hills.

[Nurumaiel]

I hope this is not too much of a problem, but I'm not going to be able to be active on the RPG for a few days. One of the youngest children in the family is in the hospital, you see. Feel free to use my character as you think appropriate, just so long as you stick to his personality. smilies/smile.gif If anyone would like to actually play him during my absence, please feel free, on the condition I already mentioned. I am extremely sorry for any inconvenience.

[Elora]

Nurumaiel, I'm sorry to hear about your news. smilies/frown.gif I'm sending my best thoughts and wishes to you.

Of course we will look after your character for you and look forward to you rejoining us when you are able to.

Take care. smilies/smile.gif

[littlemanpoet]

I apologize in advance for my impatience in posting a plot-moving post. I do hope Meneltarmacil shows up soon; I certainly don't want to have to think about writing in Thoronmir's absence from the search party just when we're getting started! smilies/eek.gif

[Meneltarmacil]

You won't have to, since I just posted. I'm sorry for the delay, but I was just waiting for all the votes to come in.

[Alatariel Telemnar]

Some people have spelt Finëwen's name with a regular e, and I just wanted to tell everyone how to get to ë ... I dont mind, but Finewen might be considered as whole different name from Finëwen... so to get the ë you hold down the ALT key, then press 0235 on the number keys to your right, if your keyboard is a standard keyboard.... after pressing the numbers 0235, let go of ALT, and you should have the ë ...

just letting everyone know... smilies/smile.gif

[Imladris]

Thanks for the clarification!

[Elora]

There's another way in Word too, for those of us who can't manage to hold down 7 buttons at the same time. smilies/wink.gif

Open Word, type the name as you normally would until you reach the special character letter, i.e. F i n

For the ë press [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [:] buttons all at the same time. Then press the e key. That should give you ë and you can then complete typing out the rest of the letters. Once you have the word, copy it from Word and paste it to your post.

Or, you can copy Finëwen from a previous post and paste it into your own post if that is simpler again. Highlight what you want to copy, press the [Ctrl] and C buttons at the same time to copy. To paste, press [Ctrl] and V at the same time.

smilies/biggrin.gif

[Esgallhugwen]

Ah! Oh dear Eru, so sorry for not being here for two days. I didn't expect to be away that long, much has happened thank you for saying I did vote. Very sorry again, you go trick or treating as an Elf and you don't know what happens to you.

[Alatariel Telemnar]

*snicker* Merry stole the Ring! *gasp* we're getting off-topic... so... how long does everyone think it will take to get them off on the journey?

[Imladris]

Hey, Lumiel, good idea for the dance! And three cheers for Elora for figuring out an easy way to write funny letters with squigglies over them for those of us without bigger memory chips! I've been hanging 'round my big brother for too long. smilies/rolleyes.gif

[piosenniel]

Please note I have deleted several off topic posts on the discussion thread.
_____________________________________________


Fellow Shire Gamers:

Please read before posting further on the Discussion Thread

Our gaming comes with a cost; it is time to reflect on this fact and make some changes to how we run our games.

We RPG’ers use the most Barrow Downs resources. We use a game thread, a discussion thread, PMs to plan games, and are constant visitors to the site, often returning more than two or three times a day to keep up with developments in the game in order to prepare our own posts.

Why is this a drain on BD resources? Please take some time to read carefully and reflect seriously upon the Barrow Wight's recent posts in the "Announcements >> The Barrow Downs" forum concerning storage space and bandwidth, chat and discussion, and the costs of running the site, and then change your posting habits. Click on: BANDWIDTH AND EXPENSES (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=14&t=001075)

What this means is that our Games, because we need to be so active in them, and because the Shire has so many going at once, cost the site much more money than other topics and forums on the Barrow Downs. In order for us to continue to have a good number of quality games for Shirelings to play in we need to make some changes:

What you, as participants in this game can do, personally:

What are the most beneficial changes in our posting habits? For one, we need to stop using the discussion threads for off-game-topic chatting, for personal comment. We need to restrict our posts to discussion of the games only, that is, to issues of plotting, character interaction, clarification, and notification of absences.

For most occasions, we don't need to make multiple posts about why we are absent or how we are doing and we don't need to make a string of 'see ya' posts in reply.

For personal comments, we can use the chat room or PM’s. (It’s ok to say a short ‘Nice post!’ or ‘Great post!’ if it is included with a post that has some other on-topic game information/requests on it.)

Please take the time to do several things:

Keep on topic for the Game.

Delete posts or run of the mill comments in the discussion thread that have no bearing on the game.

Refrain from such posts and comments in future discussions of the games.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ *+*

READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. ALL GAMERS WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR UNDERSTANDING THESE CHANGES.

What we, as Shire Moderators, will be doing to insure these changes are being made:

We will be following the discussion threads more closely now. When we see an off topic post - we will delete it and leave a note on the discussion thread.

Posters who continue to post off topic comments may be asked to leave the game.

The Moderator also has the option to close the Game and Discussion thread if gamers cannot stay on topic in the Discussion Thread. It will then be up to the Owner and the players to sort out problems, by PM or email, and make an agreement to keep on topic. Owners may then contact the Moderator to reopen the Game.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

If we all help out, we can ensure that our games remain treasures in the Barrow Downs.

Thanks for being responsible gamers and conscientious members of the Downs!

~*~ Piosenniel and Child of the 7th Age, Shire Moderators

[piosenniel]

There is now a permanent resource in the Shire for those accent marks (diacritical marks)used for the Elven words.

~*~ Squiggly Marks for Elvish Words, etc. ~*~ (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=19&t=000125)

[Elora]

And a fine resource it is, too. smilies/smile.gif

Thanks for that, Pio. I have a well worn, tattered and coffee cup stained list of keyboard shortcuts that I never seem to be able to locate in the jumble of my desk when I need it.

Having it online is a wonderful thing.

[Elora]

We have a little hiccup with continuity in our story.

As I understood it, Falowik was speaking to Thoronmir in their room, and Lira was speaking with Uien in hers.

Meneltarmacil, your latest post has Thoronmir downstairs in the commonroom, with Lira present at the table. Unfortunately, there's no discussion of how that came to be. What did Thoronmir say to Falowik before he went downstairs? How did Lira come to be downstairs?

What I find helps is jotting down where characters are, what they are doing, who they are talking to. That way, if I need to reference them in my own post, I can maintain the flow of the story.

For now, I think we need an edit to fix this hiccup. Thoronmir's discussion is a good one, we just need to make it fit in with the earlier posts. Is there anyway you could add an exchange with Falowik before getting Thoronmir downstairs to have his discussion with the others, omitting Lira until such time as she reaches the commonroom herself?

Just a suggestion. If you have another way to amend it, that'd be fine too. smilies/smile.gif

Personally, I'd like to see the conversation you wrote for Thoronmir remain as it adds interest to your character and the story. I thought it had lots of value. All we need to tweak are those little details that preceed Thoronmir's conversation in the commonroom.

[littlemanpoet]

I've adjusted my last post so that Thoronmir's gear is in the room, and not Thoronmir; no conversation until he arrives.

[Alatariel Telemnar]

Yet another mistake has been made, unless I missed something...

"Yes, please tell," said Finëwen.

in your post, Meneltarmacil, you said that Finëwen was at the table, yet in my last post, she was lying in bed, supposeldy going to sleep. Has Finëwen been moved back down there or something, I dont remember reading anything like that in peoples posts...

Either, I change it so that she appears to be down their for a bit, or you can just change it so that someone else changes it... it seems a lot easier if you would just change the name, so I wouldn't have to rewrite the post... but I dont mind rewriting it... I just wanted to point that out... smilies/wink.gif

[littlemanpoet]

Just a couple things, Elora. smilies/wink.gif

- Falowik leaves the door open for the sake of propriety. Thoronmir may come at any moment, and it would not be meet for him to barge into a private "who knows what?" behind a closed door.

- Falowik will not touch Uien out of his own desire or accord, except in ways that, though of an intimate nature, always follow form - such as the kissing of a hand, or any kind of touch that comes with courtesy and seemliness. His hands will be folded between his knees as he sits next to her.

I'll go ahead and post up my next bit, but I pray thee please edit your post accordingly... thanks! smilies/smile.gif

[Elora]

Done and done smilies/smile.gif

EDIT:

And done! Yipes!

I guess I should know by now what comes of doing multiple posts concurrently. Mish-mash! smilies/redface.gif

Hopefully, I've un-mished the mash so that it is now lump free. Apologies and my thanks for your patience.

[ November 06, 2003: Message edited by: Elora ]

[Nurumaiel]

I'm back, everyone! I'll be reading through the game to get a clear idea of what's going on, and I should be fully 'back' in a day or two.

Thank ye, all!

[Lumiel]

Hey hey peoples! smilies/biggrin.gif

Just letting you guys know that I won't be able to post until at least Saturday or Sunday. Have fun! smilies/wink.gif

~Lumiel

[Elora]

Hear ye, hear ye, oh good peoples of Evendim Hill ilk!

smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/biggrin.gif

Now that I have your attention, I thought I'd alert everyone that I will be forwarding our story along in 3 days time.

At such time, I will send off our party on their errand and move them along the trail.

If you have anything further for your character to wrap up between now and then, please do so as soon as you can.

My forwarding post will encompass the entire group of characters and move them at least two days into the journey.

If you have ideas that will be affected by this planned forwarding post, please drop me a P.M so that I can accomodate them for you.

So, 3 days to finish any current business of your character whilst at the Prancing Pony before dawn and the journey begins.

Just as a reminder, here is where we are at in the plot outline. It's a guideline that should help you come up with ideas for your character and the story. smilies/smile.gif

Meetings - ALMOST FINISHED

Characters arrive at Prancing Pony - DONE

A party is formed of the disparite races, and the beginnings of both friendship and conflict begin. Not everyone will get along amicably. Each joins the party for their own reasons. Meneltarmacil is chosen as leader, and in that some differences emerge. - TO BE COMPLETED in 3 DAYS


Journey into the Wilds COMMENCING in 3 DAYS

The party sets out, provisioned, to search the surrounding lands, heading west and north towards the Hills. - FORWARDING POST WILL BEGIN THIS FOR ALL CHARACTERS

The party follows the Brandywine River, observing the ban on travel through the Shire, uncovering a disturbing lack of trail and signs. Doubt as to whether Falowik really saw what he did begins.

Whilst in the open land of the downs, the party undergoes it's first night attack. In the dark, chaos and confusion reign supreme. Doubt arises as to whether the source of aggression comes from within the group or from the mysterious men that were said by Falowik to have attacked Eodwine.

Falco suspects Falowik and his "cohorts" are responsible for the night attack but says nothing for the moment as he lacks proof. He resolves to watch even closer.



So, in short, in 3 days, dawn in Bree will arrive, the party will set out and the action will begin. I will get this going for us in my forwarding post.

If you've got any questions, feel free to P.M me or let me know here. smilies/smile.gif

[Meneltarmacil]

I will not be able to post from Friday until late afternoon on Sunday, just to let you know.

[Elora]

Thanks for letting us know Meneltarmacil. smilies/smile.gif

I shall be putting up the forwarding post tomorrow.

It will take all characters from dawn to the late afternoon, two days hence into their journey along the Brandywine River.

Last call for anyone wanting to wrap up night before posts at the Prancing Pony or let me know of any thing prior to the post.

smilies/smile.gif

[littlemanpoet]

Elora, please include in your forwarding post Falowik's acceptance of Thoronmir's offer to be second in command. Thanks! smilies/smile.gif

[Elora]

Done smilies/smile.gif

Alright, we are now on the second evening of the venture on the very cusp of the Wilds.

I thought we would pause there so that if any of you had plans for your character, discussions or observations and the like, you could do so.

Lets get moving again, and into some action proper. smilies/biggrin.gif

[Esgallhugwen]

I have a question. Will our camp be attacked around the time Falco takes up his watch? If so, I was wondering if it would be ok if Esgallhugwen during or before her watch or perhaps even when Falco is on watch and she leaves the camp to see what the problem is. Anyway she becomes distracted by faint sounds coming from behind a boulder or a few trees (if there are trees where we are). This could turn out to be a wounded wolf cub or such. Perhaps left as bait (to lure one of us astray from the camp), a horrible fluke of nature, or someone with an incredibly sick sense of humour.

So me, Esgallhugwen, will take this wounded cub into her care, and it could bring up questions as to wheather their being watched or if it was just chance they came across this wounded creature.

It's just an idea that may help to bring about the night attack, bring up the question as to who attacked them, give Falco motive to think it was the Big Folk portion of their group who did the deed and so forth.

So please let me know what you think. smilies/smile.gif That's just the simple version.

[Elora]

Good idea, Esgallhugwen. By all means go ahead with the wolf cub.

If the camp is to be attacked, it will not be on this night, as far as I know.

One of the things about this RP is that the baddies are surprise elements for us all to contend with. So as far as I know there is no plan to attack the camp tonight, BUT the group is heading into very dangerous territory and so may be attacked later on, as per the plot outline. smilies/smile.gif

Hope that helps.

[Esgallhugwen]

Ok that's great I just wanted to clear that up, I wasn't too sure if any fighting would be happening that night or not. I suppose it's good that it doesn't for the sake of the wolf cub's safety and all. Besides I think we're still too much in the open land for them to be attacking us yet.

[Elora]

Alrighty, we've moved along again.

The group is now camped just outside of Fornost. This is the chance to decide if your character is starting to wonder about the rumoured ruffians which have been absent. It's also the opportunity to explore your character's expectations of what will be found at Fornost.

Let's get going folks. smilies/smile.gif

[Imladris]

LMP, I posted something with Gorby painting Falowik and I hope I didn't get his features too messed up...speaking of Gorby, is he hobbitish enough?

Acutally, speaking of my characters, please tell me if you have any problems with Lira...

[Nurumaiel]

I've done a post for Anson. Imladris, I hope his interaction with Gorby is all right. Just let me know if you think Gorby is at all out of character. I fear Anson has some serious misconceptions about Middle-Earth...

[Imladris]

Nice to see you post, Nuramiel! I was afraid that I might get Anson all out of shape! No, you did a good job with Gorby and yes Anson does have serious misconceptions of Middle-earth...but it will provide food for thought for Gorby, if I can get the post crafted!

[littlemanpoet]

All of your posts have been quite intriguing lately. Good stuff! I've been able to use them as bouncing off points to do some character stuff with Falowik.

One other thing: we passed right by the place where Falowik witnessed Eodwine's capture - somewhere about half way between the last camp and Fornost. I'm about to post a flashback type post to include that. You all have been doing great with the "doubt Falowik or not" posts, so it actually dovetails pretty well! smilies/smile.gif

[Meneltarmacil]

I've just posted about the company's arrival at the outskirts of Fornost, and I think now would probably be a good time for our enemies to show up. (note the description of the hills)

[Imladris]

LMP, that was a very nice post, except that Corn is Lira's bird, not Eswen's. I was just wondering if you could fix that... smilies/smile.gif

[Alatariel Telemnar]

Okay, Im all confuzzled... *decides she should read the posts more carefully*

umm, just ignore me... I get confuzzled all the time... I will understand... eventually...

[Elora]

True to form, Uien has gone a-wandering away into the twilight with heart and mind filled with all manner of things.

I have a plan for her. Stones hold memory and sometimes sing and lament in such a way that Elves can hear and sense it if close enough. Recall Legolas' words as the Fellowship travelled through Hollin, if you will.

Uien will hear snippets of lament in the stone ruins of Fornost that the group can use to unravel events at the place. However, as is often case, the true meaning of the stone's lament will not become clear until after a pivotal event.

In this case, it will be after the group stumbles on the other evidence of evil amidst the stones of Fornost that the full meaning becomes clear.

smilies/smile.gif

Great work everyone. Let's keep it up.

[Imladris]

Elora , not meaning to try to rush over and steal your thunder, but wouldn't all the elves hear the stones? Unless Uien could hear it because she was alone... smilies/confused.gif

[Elora]

Yes, Elves would hear the stones if they were nearby and it was quiet enough.

I reasoned that the stones whispered rather than rang out over the countryside. It is for that reason, that Uien will hear the stones of Fornost, for she is in their immediate vicinity and she is alone and there are no competing sounds to drown out their whispered lament.

When the other elves come to the vicinity of the stones, and should it be quiet enough when they do and they are paying attention, it is likely that they too will make out what is stored within the stone's depth by way of memory.

I am presently in the process of planning out in greater detail the events of Fornost, but rest assured, all will come to Fornost to hear and see what they will in good time.

smilies/smile.gif

[Imladris]

That's what I figured but I wanted to make sure...thanks!

[littlemanpoet]

Oops! Sorry, Lira. I will go fix.

[Imladris]

It's okay...I know how terribly confusing names can be...

[Lumiel]

Imladris, if I use your character in a wrong way, just tell me. I didn't put a lot of what Gorby did in my post because I didn't want to accidentally write it in a way that was out of character for him.

[littlemanpoet]

We have a couple continuity problems at the moment, nothing insurmountable but I thought I'd mention them so we can set them straight.

Elora: When Falowik withdraws into himself, and Uien slips away, and Gorby is drawing Falowik's face, they're all around the fire already, not riding horses anymore.

Imladris and Lumiel: Gorby's question to Lumiel if she likes the Shire is of course within his rights to ask, but it is a little naive of him as well, because the King's Edict is in effect, and Lumiel cannot have gone into the Shire, unless she did it in that special way Elves do, at night, in secret, in which case Lumiel would not find it any more warm and friendly than anywhere else - and I would suspect that this is not how Lumiel would move about anyway. So Lumiel can't really answer in the way she did, because she's not untruthful, seems to me. I still think you can have the two talk about it, but in a way that has continuity with the Edict.

Sorry to cause a fuss. smilies/frown.gif

LMP

[Imladris]

No trouble at all! How would Bree work? Gorby is fascinated with Bree so it wouldn't seem too out of place...I haven't read LotR for a while so I tend to forget small details like that... smilies/frown.gif I'm sorry...you'd think that after my reading it about five times or so in the last three years I'd remember more...

Edit: I'll change when I hear back from one of the game owners and Lumiel, Gorby was fine...the whole post was nice except that I got the subject content messed up...*chagrined blush*

[ November 22, 2003: Message edited by: Imladris ]

[Elora]

LMP!


I'll do a quick re-work to fix that glitch up. smilies/smile.gif


As for Bree.... I see Bree as a conduit for the folk of the Shire and the larger world. The Edict would mean that the wider world has no way into the Shire. Bree would be the one place where they could trade with Hobbits, and Hobbits with them. So I see it as a bit of a commercial, mercantile centre, a cross roads of sorts that links the protected Shire to the rest of the world, for Bree lies not in the Shire.

smilies/smile.gif

[Imladris]

Hence the reason for Gorby's fascination of it...I'm off to change it to Bree then!

[Imladris]

Guys, just wanted to let you know that I will be gone from Wednesday through Sunday.

Why I'm writing, can elves talk to animals?? I'm just wondering and don't have time to do a search...

[Elora]

Thanks for the notice, Imladris. smilies/smile.gif

In my readings it seems to me that animals seem to respond to Elvish. Dependant on the animal's normal "intellect", all good beasts seem to understand a vibe that is inherent in Elven languages. It is one of the fundamental expressions of the affinity between Elves and the natural world around them.

Horses, naturally intelligent animals, seem to respond well. Asfaloth and Shadowfax are two good examples of that in Lord of the Rings. In the Silmarillion there are ample other examples, including hounds as well as horses.

Based on that, it is safe to say that Elves and animals seem to share an understanding, even if the animals cannot precisely understand the full subtelty and meaning of Elvish words.

Hope that helps. smilies/smile.gif

[Imladris]

That does, thank you... smilies/smile.gif

Edit: I did a little something with Lira and Corn. LMP or Uien, if it's not okay, please tell me. smilies/biggrin.gif

[ November 24, 2003: Message edited by: Imladris ]

[Elora]

That should be fine. A word to the wise... Lira may not wish to venture too far from the camp just yet. smilies/wink.gif


Ok, I thought I should let all know of something in advance.

As of the 3 December (board time) I will be on my way to scamper through the state of Washington. I shan't be returning until 22 December (board time). I'll likely be fatigued and jet lagged and likely even more incoherent than usual. With Christmas upon us, I think I won't be able to say I'll be back any sooner than 26 December (Board time).

Now, I shall do my level best to check in whilst on my jaunt so as not to completely abandon my commitments. But, no guarantees that I will have the chance to do anything more than shoot of terse, abbreviated replies to simple questions and pm's.

I hope this won't present any difficulties.

One more notice. If you spot a blonde woman in a SUV with an Australian flag sticker on it's rump go hurtling down the wrong side of the road, cheering "WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE", that's me. I suggest you keep a safe distance. smilies/tongue.gif smilies/rolleyes.gif

[Alatariel Telemnar]

erm, will keep on the look-out for you Elora smilies/wink.gif the fact that Im not old enough to drive, I dont think I will be running into you though... smilies/biggrin.gif Have a good trip! when you do leave, that is... smilies/smile.gif smilies/biggrin.gif

[Imladris]

Uh, Lira will definitely not stray from the camp since she is afraid to and doesn't like to be alone, so no fears on that point! smilies/wink.gif smilies/biggrin.gif

PS. Elora have a good trip!

[ 12:00 AM November 26, 2003: Message edited by: Imladris ]

[Meneltarmacil]

I'll be out of town and unable to post from Wednesday until Sunday. Sorry for the inconvenience. smilies/frown.gif

It seems that both Imladris and myself will be gone during the same time period...it seems like everybody's doing something this time of year...

[ 10:44 PM November 25, 2003: Message edited by: Meneltarmacil ]

[littlemanpoet]

I wonder if it would be wise for us to just put a hold on the adventure until the new year? With so many of us called away so often, maybe that would be best. The Green Dragon is available for anyone who wishes to keep their hand in. Just a thought....

[piosenniel]

Elora and littlemanpoet

This is certainly an option, especially since I know that Elora will be gone much of December.

Please let me know if you wish to do this, and I will lock the game and discussion thread.

You will then need to contact all your players.

~*~ Pio

[Elora]

LMP and I are throwing this around at the moment. smilies/smile.gif

Alatariel, could you please check your P.Ms.

smilies/smile.gif

[Alatariel Telemnar]

If this is locked, when it is reopened... I may not be there, because I am moving and Im not sure how long it will take me to get hooked back up to the internet... its in a very desserted place... heh...

[ 11:10 PM November 29, 2003: Message edited by: Alatariel Telemnar ]

[Elora]

If it is locked, I believe it will re-open in the New Year, 2004 ( smilies/eek.gif yipes, anyone else here the rushing of time whistling past their ears?).

[Imladris]

Question: is Uien just being attacked, or is the camp also under attack?

[Elora]

Both Uien and the camp are under attack, Imladris.

smilies/smile.gif

[Imladris]

Thanks...you must have written your last post right after I asked the question, causing me serious embarrasment... smilies/wink.gif

Edit: I did a post for Lira and Gorby, so if it's not okay, let me know and I will, of course, edit it. Nurumaiel, I hope what I did with Anson was okay...

[ 4:49 PM December 03, 2003: Message edited by: Imladris ]

[Elora]

Sorry Imladris, didn't want the momentum on this busy period in the RP lagging. smilies/wink.gif

Good work! smilies/smile.gif

Alright folks, time to get a wriggle on if you can.

Here's the sketch of what's happening.

The camp is under attack by six brigands, hardened ruffians who are well armed. Uien has her own troubles in Fornost with one of the party who noticed her moving there on their way to attack the camp.

For those thinking of having their character make a break for Fornost, you should know that not all of the brigands have come forth in attack on the camp yet. Others lie in position, waiting.

Attack will end, one way or the other ( smilies/wink.gif - cue mysterious laugh smilies/evil.gif ) by dawn.

So, have fun with your characters and post to be part of the action. Enjoy folks!

Today marks the beginning of my travels. I hope to be able to check back here in the next few days (once I've got my head around my sudden location and time zone change).

[Nurumaiel]

Before I forget, I'd like to notify everyone that I'll be gone from 12/6 - 12/11, though there is a slight chance it will be a bit longer. I will be fairly inactive during the time previous to the trip, as well, as there is a lot of packing to do.

Feel free to carry Anson along, though I would be most grateful if nothing drastic happened to him while I was absent. smilies/smile.gif

Thanks!

[littlemanpoet]

The melee as it stands at present:

The number of the enemy have proliferated! Whereas Elora wrote of 1 leader and his 12 followers,

Lira has killed 1
Corn has blinded 1
Gorby has shot 1
Eswen has shot 5
Eswen has killed 2 more with her sword
Uien is chased by 1
Uien and Falowik are surrounded by 3 more
Thoronmir kills 1
Lumiel kills 3
Lumiel is threatened by 1 more

That's 19 enemy. Wow, we're good! smilies/biggrin.gif

We haven't even heard from Finëwen and Falco yet.

In order to keep the consistency in place, I propose that Elora change the number of the enemy to a full two dozen plus a leader. And for the sake of realism, Falowik needs to lay as one dead and the melee move away from him and he sneaks off unseen. As for Thoronmir being captured, that would mean that the 6 who have not yet been taken out (4 of whom are chasing Uien and Falowik, leaving 2), would have to take out everybody else besides Lumiel (who is busy) and Lira (who is wounded). Hmmm.... do we make it a full 3 dozen and go with a captured group, even though the leader said take no prisoners? Either we need to have Elora change the leader's orders, or Meneltarmacil needs to have Thoronmir not be captured; he can, of course, be knocked unconscious.

One thing I don't really want is for you all to revise your posts to cut down the number your characters take out. It looks like a really good fight, and I'm getting a sense for just how good some of these fighters are. smilies/smile.gif

So let's make a couple decisions which way we want to bring this back into a unity of story flow. Capture or not, doesn't matter to me. Either way, the story possibilities are quite interesting.

[Imladris]

Okay: here's my lousy two cents worth: have Thoronmir captured, and pump the guy that Corn blinded for information.

[Alatariel Telemnar]

a little confuzzled here... will go read the posts... sorry, havent been on in three days...

[Lumiel]

Yeah, about the multi-kill stuff...I edited my post shortly afterward so Lumiel has only killed one... smilies/smile.gif

wheeee ain't death fun? smilies/rolleyes.gif smilies/biggrin.gif

By the way, I know I still haven't fixed my other post, but I will when I get a chance. I've been going INSANE lately with college stuff...blah...yeah, I definitely can't wait until the New Year, I'll be done with all my paperwork! Yay! On a side note...icky snowstorm in New England! Ah well.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 4:13 PM December 06, 2003: Message edited by: Lumiel ]

[Meneltarmacil]

Uhhhh, what exactly happened again? I am extremely confused. The attack supposedly ended already with the heroes losing, but now it seems like it's still going on. Could someone tell me if i'm supposed to be a prisoner or not???????????

smilies/confused.gif

I'd rather not be a prisoner though, if that's alright with you.

*edits his post so he's still up and fighting*

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 4:27 PM December 07, 2003: Message edited by: Meneltarmacil ]

[Alatariel Telemnar]

yes, I am confuzzled also...

[Imladris]

When did the fight ever end?

[littlemanpoet]

Okay, since Elora is unavailable, I'll make some decisions - please let me know if you are not happy with any of them and we can work it out....:

1. The fight is still on.

2. Let's assume that we're dealing with 25 brigands.

3. Let's re-visit our little chart, fixed up by news from your latest posts here:

Lira has killed 1
Corn has blinded 1
Gorby has shot 1
Eswen has shot 5
Eswen has killed 2 more with her sword
Uien is chased by 1
Uien and Falowik are surrounded by 3 more
Thoronmir kills 2
Lumiel kills 1
Lumiel is threatened by 1 more
Finëwen kills 2

Total accounted for: 19, 6 to go.

4. Falco still has to post for this melee; if Elora doesn't get a chance, anyone who feels like they have a handle on Falco may do so, just don't have him killed off, okay?

5. Thoronmir is still standing, is not captured.

I've read all the revised posts and I think we're up to date now. Thanks! smilies/smile.gif

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 9:03 PM December 08, 2003: Message edited by: littlemanpoet ]

[Alatariel Telemnar]

actually, I did post and Finëwen killed I believe, two...

[littlemanpoet]

I've accounted for Finëwen's actions now. Thanks!

[Meneltarmacil]

Thoronmir kills 1
I killed two in the revision, so that leaves 5, not 6.

[littlemanpoet]

Okay, Menel. Thanks for the correction. smilies/smile.gif

[Imladris]

Since Lira has received a potentially deadly wound and has lost much blood, I thought that I'd just do a little thingy about how she'll look/feel:

Faint, dizzy, thirsty, sweaty, weak and rapid post, rapid respiration.

Around the area of the wound she will probably start to bruise.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm not posting this because I'm saying people got it all wrong, it's mostly for my benefit and for those stray mentions of Lira that find their way into people's posts. Also for references if other people decide to have their characters loose a lot of blood...of course, you may already know the symptoms but it never hurts, right?

Cheers,
Istawen

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 6:59 PM December 09, 2003: Message edited by: Imladris ]

[Lumiel]

If it's in reference to Lumiel (if it is, I take no offense smilies/smile.gif ), she hasn't actually lost a lot of blood, she merely looks bloody because she was punched pretty hard in the face and the face will bleed more than any other part of the body. Her other cuts have begun to scab over plus she has clothing on top of it which adds some pressure to stop bleeding. Her hand has minor cuts/abrasions, the main prob with her right hand is that it was squished by a boot. Fun. smilies/smile.gif

Oh, and I finally edited that post about the Shire! Yay! I'm so proud of me!
smilies/biggrin.gif

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 9:04 PM December 09, 2003: Message edited by: Lumiel ]

[Imladris]

No, it wasn't in reference to anyone. I was just sitting there and I was like, "Well, what are the symptoms of blood loss," and I figured that if I didn't know it, then some other people may not know it and so I did a google search and then just briefly wrote what I learned. smilies/biggrin.gif

[littlemanpoet]

Alatariel, with the rp moving so fast right now, it looks like your latest post is a little out of sync with the rest of ours. I like the action you describe, but could you bring Finëwen a little further along to be in on what the rest of the party is doing?

[Alatariel Telemnar]

Erm... I guess so.. Im a little confused... but will try and figure it out...

[littlemanpoet]

Alatariel, I'm sorry for not being very clear in my previous post. I'll try to clarify.

I think you're post was great, as far as it went. I didn't mean to ask you to delete any of it.

I am asking if you'd be willing to take cues from Eswen's, Menel's, and Lumiel's posts (and mine if you like), and describe Finëwen's actions as they relate to Eswen's plan. And please feel free to surprise us all with a plot twist of some kind. Examples of plot twists so far have been Lira being injured so badly, and Eswen's alter-ego "coming out of hiding", so to speak. Perhaps something about Finëwen that nobody would expect, but you know is hidden inside her. Or not, whatever you want to do. I hope that helps.

Verrrry interesting, by the way, Eswen! smilies/smile.gif

[Imladris]

Hey, Eswen (the nickname seems to have stuck, doesn't it?) I did a little post for Lira and please let me know if I got Esgallhugwen's "change" wrong...as LMP said, very interesting...

[Lumiel]

Hey hey peoples....I probably won't be posting again until at least Monday...so see ya then hopefully.

And Lira, if you don't want what's happening to Lira to go in the direction I posted (aka away from the fight) then simply ignore and do what you'd like and I'll edit later to fit. smilies/smile.gif

[Esgallhugwen]

Thank you, thank you!

I'm glad you think it's interesting.Yes the nickname 'Eswen' has stuck hasn't it.

Imladris you basically hit it dead on, Esgallhugwen has made this drastic morph into a bloodlusting Queen seemingly full of dark power and evil, but don't worry she isn't going to turn on you guys, although I'm sure Falco isn't so sure of Esgallhugwen anymore and others may feel the same way. It brings up the question of which one is the real Eswen, the depressing one who keeps to herself or the thundering Dark Queen (I personally like to think it's all her smilies/evil.gif) Hmm I think I or we should coin that name for Eswen, if you'd like in your posts you can refer to her other personality as the Dark Queen.

Keep up the good work everyone, your posts are excellent! smilies/wink.gif

[Imladris]

Okay...I'm glad that I got Eswen right. *Whew!*

And, Lumiel, I think that was good what you did with Lira. From what I understand, a serious wound to the head like that can be potentially fatal, so, though she wants to fight, she'll probably end up becoming unconsciouse again...and then you guys can all worry whether she'll live or die. smilies/evil.gif smilies/biggrin.gif

Oh, LMP or Elora, tell me if you think that I'm being melodramatic over Lira and her wound. I don't want it to be corny. What I'm trying to do is to put a twist of reality to it, but, never experiencing anything like a sword wound to the head, I'm not really sure what I'm doing. So suggestions, comments, etc from both game owners and players would be helpful. And if I'm sucking it up too much, please don't hesitate to say so...

[littlemanpoet]

Imladris, I think you're doing great with Lira's wound. I am kind of wondering what's happening with the hobbits, though....

[Imladris]

I shall post for Gorby and carry Anson along in my post tomorrow...

I just realized something: I'm like playing most of the hobbits in the game...except for Falco and since Gorby and Anson are like best friends well...okay, I'll shut up now...

[Imladris]

I have posted for Gorby and Lira. I'm sorry it took me so long smilies/redface.gif but something came up. I took the liberty to end the fight, but if that is not alright, I shall edit accordingly.

[Nurumaiel]

I had a wonderful trip and now I'm back and ready to play. I gather we are in the middle of a fight with some cutthroats... or are we at the end?

Imladris, I cannot thank you enough for carrying Anson along for me. You've done an excellent job of it. Hopefully you won't have to do it again!

I'll post as soon as I have a clear idea of what is going on. Fortunately it's a Sunday and I have plenty of time to read through the game thread! smilies/smile.gif

[Imladris]

It's okay! I really didn't have a problem and it was a most pleasurable thing to do. Glad you're back!

I'm so glad I didn't mess him up...

[littlemanpoet]

Just to catch our breath a moment, here's how things look at this point.

The main melee is finished, with one blinded captive (who is admittedly in great pain, his eyes gouged out by Corn's claws!).

Everybody at the main melee is happy for the success of Eswen's plan, while discomfited about the exact nature of it. smilies/eek.gif

Falowik is "prisoner" of Toad and Sack, who are still hidden from the rest of the party.

Uien was last seen fleeing from two more brigands, on foot.

I can manage one more post in terms of Falowik's plight before learning of Uien's fate, and I think the main group can do some "clean up and figure things out" posting.

After that, it will be time to wait for Elora to post, catching Uien up to the rest of the story. Sound good?

[littlemanpoet]

Okay, unless Elora can find a computer to snag some time at BD while she travels, I think it's time for us to admit that the seasons's too busy to give this little rpg the time it needs. How about plugging back in on January 3, 2004? Unless there is a hue and cry to continue on?

[Meneltarmacil]

Works for me. I'm pretty busy during that time too.

[Imladris]

Yes, please delay the game until January 3.

[Lumiel]

Sounds good to me...Christmas is fun but hectic as all Mordor... smilies/rolleyes.gif smilies/biggrin.gif

As a side note (but still LOTR related mind you!) I saw ROTK (in a Merry costume with a friend dressed as Pip) and I cried and laughed and went through the whole gambit of emotions! Knew I would. Anyway, I always loved Sam, but now he is the greatest hero of LOTR after seeing the movie! I'm sure you'll agree when you see the movies (if you haven't already). I love Sam!!!

[Alatariel Telemnar]

*shrug* I guess it works... although I will be even more bored out of my mind until then...

I wanna go see it! *sniff sniff* why do I have to wait so long? this sucks... *twiddles thumbs and patienlty awaits until 'tis time for her to see RotK* yes, well erm... glad you all enjoyed it... *grumbles and scurries away*

[Esgallhugwen]

Yes I suppose that's best! Although I think we're doing a pretty darn good job, but poor Elora we have to wait for her, and it is busy around this time of year. (oh yes I am so obvious)

I saw the movie last night so sad and funny all the actors really came into their own especially Elijah who's like the youngest, I'll nver look at him the same way again.

[Alatariel Telemnar]

*snickers* yes... I bet ye never will, too...

*picks self up off the ground thinking about a movie, cough, and some odd discussion about it*

I know I never will. *is still awaiting till she can see RotK* well... back on topic:

so, is it going to be closed...? that date is drawing nearer and nearer day by day (or if you want to be more specific, milli-second by milli-second)

[piosenniel]

Fellow Shire Gamers:

Please read before posting further on the Discussion Thread

Our gaming comes with a cost; it is time to reflect on this fact and make some changes to how we run our games.

We RPG’ers use the most Barrow Downs resources. We use a game thread, a discussion thread, PMs to plan games, and are constant visitors to the site, often returning more than two or three times a day to keep up with developments in the game in order to prepare our own posts.

Why is this a drain on BD resources? Please take some time to read carefully and reflect seriously upon the Barrow Wight's recent posts in the "Announcements &gt;&gt; The Barrow Downs" forum concerning storage space and bandwidth, chat and discussion, and the costs of running the site, and then change your posting habits. Click on: BANDWIDTH AND EXPENSES (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=14&t=001075)

What this means is that our Games, because we need to be so active in them, and because the Shire has so many going at once, cost the site much more money than other topics and forums on the Barrow Downs. In order for us to continue to have a good number of quality games for Shirelings to play in we need to make some changes:

What you, as participants in this game can do, personally:

What are the most beneficial changes in our posting habits? For one, we need to stop using the discussion threads for off-game-topic chatting, for personal comment. We need to restrict our posts to discussion of the games only, that is, to issues of plotting, character interaction, clarification, and notification of absences.

For most occasions, we don't need to make multiple posts about why we are absent or how we are doing and we don't need to make a string of 'see ya' posts in reply.

For personal comments, we can use the chat room or PM’s. (It’s ok to say a short ‘Nice post!’ or ‘Great post!’ if it is included with a post that has some other on-topic game information/requests on it.)

Please take the time to do several things:

Keep on topic for the Game.

Delete posts or run of the mill comments in the discussion thread that have no bearing on the game.

Refrain from such posts and comments in future discussions of the games.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ *+*

READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. ALL GAMERS WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR UNDERSTANDING THESE CHANGES.

What we, as Shire Moderators, will be doing to insure these changes are being made:

We will be following the discussion threads more closely now. When we see an off topic post - we will delete it and leave a note on the discussion thread.

Posters who continue to post off topic comments may be asked to leave the game.

The Moderator also has the option to close the Game and Discussion thread if gamers cannot stay on topic in the Discussion Thread. It will then be up to the Owner and the players to sort out problems, by PM or email, and make an agreement to keep on topic. Owners may then contact the Moderator to reopen the Game.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ *+*

If we all help out, we can ensure that our games remain treasures in the Barrow Downs.

Thanks for being responsible gamers and conscientious members of the Downs!

~*~ Piosenniel and Child of the 7th Age, Shire Moderators

[Elora]

WOW!!!!!

smilies/eek.gif smilies/biggrin.gif


Fantastic Writing Everyone!

Merry christmas too, belated as this is.

Firstly, thanks to LMP for keeping this going whilst I was off scatting about. The fight at the camp and within the ruins was wonderfully put together.

That is no mean feat, given the diversity of characters involved. You all worked wonderfully together. For those of you new to such collaboration, I hope it gave you a taste of how much fun it can be. Anything can happen, and usually does, and with so many creative people, the story is inevitably interesting.

As far as I can make out - the camp fight is concluded in favour of our folks, without injury with a prisoner to question.

I have caught Uien up as best I could contrive, after being rusty at such things after so long a break. She's slipped her two pursuers, and has circled back to follow Falowik.

She applied her healer's knowledge in a forbidden way, and the result was that she killed two men, though whether it was her intent to do so remains unclear still. Uien could not have done so without being injured, as both men had swords and knew how to use them. She caught one by surprise, and took a wound to her shoulder as she took the second.

She also injured her hands as she picked up his sword to cut Falowik's bonds, shock falling over her. Uien is not gravely injured at all, but she is in deep shock and is loosing blood. Consequently, Uien is sucuumbing to the stones utterly and I expect that Uien will learn the grotesque secret of the stones in the hours leading to dawn.

What comes next is the reuniting of the group at dawn. This could happen in a number of ways. Falowik and Uien could make their way back to the group. I don't think Uien will travel far though in her current state, and there are still the two men and others in the ruins to contend with.

What seems more likely to my way of thinking is this:

The remnant attackers will ride off at dawn, deciding belatedly to report the group to their superiors in the wake of their defeat. It is now obvious that the group represents a threat. Falco will insist on going to Fornost to root out the "traitors" - namely Falowik and Uien.

The group could take the injured prisoner with them, wishing to find Falowik and Uien for their own reasons (concern for their safety or to bring them to justice).

Once all are at Fornost, Uien will tell them what the stones are telling them, and things will take a darker turn for all. Meanwhile, the enemy will now be roused and gone are the dull and eventless days of travel. The group will have to make a choice: pressing on to find Eodwine through territory held by terrifying foes (as revealed by the secret of Fornost) or returning to Bree to gather reinforcements.

I expect a division in the group over what seems the best option. Some characters may well decide to turn back and others may decide to press on. That choice rests with what you think best fits with your character.

Again, fantastic work people. I have missed this RP. smilies/biggrin.gif

[Imladris]

Um, Elora, about Gorby: you said in your post that he agreed with Falco. Though I haven't figured out how he would have responded, he would definetly not have agreed so openly with Falco because of his severe dislike for him. If you wouldn't mind editing that, I'd be much obliged. smilies/smile.gif

I'll try and have a post up for him sometime today...

Edit: Hmmm, after rereading the post again it doesn't seem bad, but it just doesn't feel like Gorby. I'm sorry. smilies/frown.gif I know it sounds awful petty...

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 3:57 PM December 30, 2003: Message edited by: Imladris ]

[Elora]

Imaldris, no need to apologise.

I understand that Gorby is in no way an admirer of the Shirriff. Here's my reasoning for the dialogue.

Gorby is clever enough to realise that the idea of moving on and looking for those missing is more important than his personal dislike of the Shirriff.

Plus, he may be more likely to speak out his mind following a fellow hobbit, personality clashes aside, than say one of the Big Folk.

What I hope I implied was Gorby's concern for those missing, rather than his agreement with Falco's suspicions. I expect that when the accusations start flying, Gorby will become a vocal dissenter with Falco. That will further underscore the differences of perspective between the two characters.

If you would still like me to edit, please let me know. I'm rather strapped for time so it may be a day or two before I can do so. If I re-allocate the dialogue, I will simply be inserting another character's name.

It was done to move the story forward to the necessary juncture in the story line (the clear splitting of the group along the lines of their points of view concerning the mission and the trustworthiness of others in the group).

smilies/smile.gif

[Imladris]

Hmmm...okay. I'll edit my post then...

[littlemanpoet]

We need to give this thing a kickstart, don't you think? Elora? Do you think we should jump to the next point of interest?

[Elora]

I concur absolutely, LMP. Do you want to make the leap? If time pressure is an issue, I am happy to do so now that I am back in my office. smilies/smile.gif

Other RP'ers, take note:

If you don't post and we move this forward, you will need to work with whatever was written for your character. This will allow us to keep momentum for the RP. Excepting glaring inconsistancies and errors, we will have to do as best by your individual characters as we can with this aim in mind.

If something we write does not fit with your plans, and you've not told us what your plans are before or not posted to that effect, then you'll need to be pretty convincing as to why we would backtrack to edit. The aim is to move forward, keep on the road and get to where this RP is heading.

From memory, the next point of interest we come to is the uncovery of the extent of evil in Fornost and the argument over what the group should next do. Suspicions and accusations boil over, and characters split into two main camps - those who want to push ahead and those who want to turn back (to get more help or report traitors and so forth).

That launches them (those who decide to push forward) to Evendim Hills and the seat of the malignant power in the North. Will your character go forward or turn back?

All shall be revealed as we do this forward leap.

If you have your own plans for this part of the rp, please put your thoughts here or P.M LMP or I so that we can take them into account with the forward leap.

smilies/smile.gif

[littlemanpoet]

Elora, please post the next move of the rpg. Thanks.

[Esgallhugwen]

Contrary to my recent post which may hint at my character not wanting to continue I do in fact wish to have Esgallhugwen continue the journey to find Eodwine dead or alive. Just thought I'd clear that up.

[Elora]

LMP, done and done. smilies/smile.gif

Eswen, thanks for clearing that up.

Meneltarmacil, where for art thou? If you're busy, I well understand. If possible, please drop by and let us know what your character would do, being as he's group leader and all.

If you're unable to drop by, I hope the leap forward suits you well enough. smilies/smile.gif

[Imladris]

Esgallhugwen , again, I must ask if I portrayed your character truly...

And yes, Lira shall continue upon the deadly quest to seek young Eodwine.

[Esgallhugwen]

Oh yes Imladris, you've done it again! I espeacially like it when Lira tries to touch Eswen and she makes a growling noise.

Sounds practically like something she would do in that state.

[Elora]

OK, I will be writing the leap ahead post sometime today.

I have yet to decide how it plays out. I hope to resolve that today. smilies/smile.gif

[Lumiel]

Oh geez! I'm so sorry! I know this isn't the first time this has happened for me...but circumstances beyond my control kept me from even checking my email for at least the past week or so.... -_-; ...ANYWAY..shall post now. Yay!

[littlemanpoet]

Hi everybody. I'd like to apologize for not doing better with this rpg. I'm going to put more time into it again. I'm posting to move the group into Fornost. Hope to see you there soon. smilies/smile.gif

Oh, and please tell me if I did NOT do okay with your character.

[Imladris]

Okay...I did a post with my characters. I wasn't really sure what to do, so if it is not okay I will edit it. I went back to the outline and it said that they found the remains of the men of Gondor and rangers, so that's what I went on...

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 8:53 PM February 01, 2004: Message edited by: Imladris ]

[piosenniel]

This is to let all the gamers know that littlemanpoet will be carrying Elora's characters along in the game.

Elora and I have been in contact. She is plowed under with deadline work on her novel for a number of weeks into the future, and cannot post to her games.

She does understand that the games must go forward, and that her characters will be handled as gently as possible.

Should her schedule clear and she be able to lift her own moratorium on outside writing, she will pop in. Until then, just handle her characters as described in their bios and within the parameters she's established for them so far in her postings.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio, Game Moderator

Any questions, please PM me.

[littlemanpoet]

Heh. I was just about to post a similar news item, Pio. Thanks for doing it.

Meantime, I'm happy with the current plot developments, and one of the reasons I had Thoronmir send the company off in pairs was for you guys to be creative to find what you would.

In that vein, well done, Meneltarmacir, and awesome job, Imladris! You added a nice touch with the corpses not even being buried, which just goes to show the arrogance of the current regime, whatever that regime turns out to be. I look forward to seeing what Anson, Gorby, Lumiel and Finëwen uncover.

And don't forget about that blind prisoner - he's there for anybody to write into their post. Heh. I'll try not to forget about him either.

[Alatariel Telemnar]

I will be moving sometime next week. Not sure when... we are still kind of planning things out. So I might suddenly get disconnected from the internet without being able to tell anyone that... and if I suddenly stop posting for a few weeks, I am really sorry, but I dont have any control over the situation... I'm not sure when we will get connected again, so please just kind of tag Finëwen along with the group.

Thank you, smilies/smile.gif
Alatáriel

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 11:14 PM February 03, 2004: Message edited by: Alatariel Telemnar ]

[littlemanpoet]

Okay, Alatariel. Thanks for letting us know.

Nice addition, Eswen.

One thing. I kind of changed my mind. I'm changing Thoronmir's order from telling us to gather to discuss, to spread out and look for more.

Eswen, please edit your post to show that change. Thanks! smilies/smile.gif

[Esgallhugwen]

ok no problem! Great posts everyone I'm enjoying playing with you guys! smilies/biggrin.gif

[Imladris]

I did a post for Gorby and his findings... smilies/evil.gif But I'm not sure if it's a bit over the top if you know what I mean.

And thank you lmp for the most excellent compliment! It made my morning as it were...

I didn't want him to find more dead bodies so I decided on this course of action...tell me if you want me to change it!

Cheers!
Istawen

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 6:22 PM February 04, 2004: Message edited by: Imladris ]

[littlemanpoet]

Actually, Imladris, not over the top. There's just one thing I'd like you to change - to bring it in line with what's coming down the road. Have the prisoner say something like this too, "and leech 'em and catch their blood in flagons to be brought... - (he won't say where) - ... and they have to feel pain when their blood comes."

Word it how you like, but have him say something about taking all the blood they can out of a sacrificial victim. Gruesome, eh? smilies/evil.gif

[Imladris]

Thank you, lmp. It is now edited and it is quite gruesome as you said. *grossed out face*

Cheers!
Istawen

[Meneltarmacil]

I'm somewhat confused here. Could you please tell me where everybody is and what they're doing at the moment? I'm sorry I wasn't checking regularily, it's just that I've had about ten billion tons of homework this week and haven't had a lot of time to get online. I'd really appreciate some help. Thanks!

[littlemanpoet]

Be glad to. smilies/smile.gif

Thoronmir & Falco: going to the prisoner to question him.

Gorby: just back to Anson and the prisoner from gruesome little adventure below ground.

Anson: listening to Gorby and trying to be a good guard

Falowik and Uien: back in the manse to seek out more evidence. NOTE: Elora is busy right now so Falowik is handling Uien - and Falco.

Lira and Eswen: in front, looking for more evidence, perhaps among the corpses (ew!)

Lumiel and Finëwen: just outside the grounds of the manse, searching for whatever turns up (like sheds with shovels), having found nothing much in the back except for the smelly latrine and a working well. NOTE: Alatariel is currently really busy, so Lumiel is defacto taking charge of her character until Alatariel is back.

By the way, I haven't checked out Lumiel's latest post yet, so this is not up to date on that account. So please check out that last post of Lumiel's to be all caught up.

[Alatariel Telemnar]

I have estimated we shall be moving out around next Wednesday... meaning we might be disconnected from the internet around then... depending on how long it takes us to get settled in, it may take a few weeks... I hope to get as much posting as I can in that time...


Alatáriel smilies/smile.gif

[Esgallhugwen]

Just thought I'd tell everyone that I brought Nimrómen back, I've sadly forgotten the little fellow in my saddle bag, must be stuffy even for an Elvish thing. anyway I've also said that Eswen has found something rather curious about the bones, all the legs seem to have been broken by the same device.

(can't think of anything that could be used to make a clean break like that right now any Ideas people?) smilies/smile.gif

[Imladris]

I've also said that Eswen has found something rather curious about the bones, all the legs seem to have been broken by the same device.
(can't think of anything that could be used to make a clean break like that right now any Ideas people?)

Well, Eswen, I must say I was thinking about an explanation for that for a few hours today. I finally decided that the most simple of devices are the most painful. If anyone doesn't like my idea in my post for Lira or if it is unclear let me know and I will edit/explain.

Elora said that the elves could hear grieving stones and hear Lira did. smilies/smile.gif

[littlemanpoet]

Good stuff, Imladris! And Lumien and Eswen too! Impressive!

There's just one thing I'd change, Imladris. And iron rod is too blunt to cause the clean snapping of bones that Eswen has described. It would have to be a very sharp, and heavy, knife - not unlike a butcher's knife, which is, in fact (I believe) designed to slice through meat, ligaments, bones, everything. So make it a heavy iron knife, like a butcher knife, and I think you've got it.

[Imladris]

Done, Mr. Poet! smilies/biggrin.gif Thanks for telling me for the thought never crossed my mind... smilies/tongue.gif

[piosenniel]

Note to All Players

The move to the new board restored all your signatures to previous game posts.

Don’t bother fixing them!

Just remove signatures from the new posts you place on the game.

~*~ Pio, Shire Mod

[littlemanpoet]

Menel, I've tried to convince myself that the prisoner would give in that easily to Thoronmir's threat, and I just can't stay convinced. You see, he knows about the means of torture, and dying of hunger and thirst just isn't nearly so horrible as dying at the hands of his horrible master. So I'm going to need to ask you to edit your post so that the prisoner doesn't give in. Maybe there's something worse you can think of that a good hearted Ranger would do. I don't know.

LMP

[Nurumaiel]

Whew, I'm back! I sent a PM to Elora in early January letting her know that I would be unable to post for a time; however I don't know if the private message ever reached her. One of the little ones of the family was in the hospital for over a month and it was nearly impossible to get online. Everything is back to normal now, however, and all I need to do is catch up! I'll try to read as much of the game as I can today to find out what has been happening in my absence.

Thanks!

[Imladris]

Unfortunately my computer broke and I have very limited internet/computer access...:( so I won't be able to post as often if at all.

[Meneltarmacil]

Sorry to have been gone the last few days. I had been having serious trouble getting on to the new forum site. Oh well, I'm back now.

[littlemanpoet]

Here's the next step in the rpg, to quote Elora:

"The party strikes west now, making for the Emyn Uial (Evendim Hills). They begin to discover the true extent of the menace in the north, but still do not know if Eodwine is alive or dead.

"A schism splits the party. One group thinks it would be wiser to return to Bree now whilst they still can and muster a force. The other refuses to leave Eodwine out there, the memory of the discovery at Fornost too vivid in their minds. The party decides to push on.

"The enemy has detected the party's presence at Fornost (Deadman's Dike) and now hunts them in a concerted, organised method.

"Those who press on, push towards Annuminas and Lake Nenuial. There they find the central settlement camp of the mysterous villian. The Emyn Uial are infested with a warren of murderous fiends. It is worse than even their darkest fears. The group is beset and the schism worsens under the pressure."

The way it looks to me, we can wrap all of this into one plot move. So the discussion can begin now, as to who wants to move on and who wants to go back.

I'll write the post that moves the group out of Deadmen's Dike and on the western road, in 2 days (Monday 2/16). So if you have anything you want to post before that, please do in the next day or so.

I'll look back over this thread to see who has said they want to stay or go, and I'll check with Elora for any special directions she may have. If you haven't said whether your character wants to continue on or not, please do either on this thread, or indicating by your character's actions and words on the rpg thread.

Thanks! :)

[Imladris]

Hmm....Lira will not want to go and will argue against going on the fact that more men will probably die if they go after Eodwine instead of just one (Eodwine). However, if Falowik or Uien decides to go after Eodwine, she will follow them.

Gorby will not know what to do. He can see both sides of the arguments.

Cheers!
Imladris

[Meneltarmacil]

Thoronmir will want to go to Evendim and try to get a look at the enemy's numbers. If he thinks there are too many, he'll want to go back to Bree. Otherwise, he'll order the party to infiltrate the stronghold.

[Nurumaiel]

As for Anson, he will be of opinion that they should turn back, mainly because he isn't very adventerous and feels quite frightened.

[littlemanpoet]

Thanks for your replies, Imladris, Menel, and Nurumaiel. I hope you like the surprise attack. Did I overdo the numbers? I'm guessing not, but we'll see, eh?:p

Um, Falowik is going to wish that he had gotten some of that swordsman practice in. :eek:

[Imladris]

No, I think the numbers are just right... ;) I shall try to get a post up soon -- my computer will be back in two days and then I shall have all the time in the world!

Excellent *rubs hands and laughs maniacally*

Cheers!
Istawen

[Alatariel Telemnar]

I am back! sorry I couldn't post while I was connected, but I spent my last moments in that forsaken city with Elencala Isil, and I can't really roleplay with someone right there, and I think its sort of rude... so... when I got back they had already killed the computer, and I just got it hooked back up to the internet about an hour ago... well, the 'downs looks different... I have to go edit a few things in my profile... but first, I shall read the posts! and hopefully understand what is going on...

~Alatáriel

[Nurumaiel]

I think the number of attackers are very suitable, LMP! I fancy both our game group and the players shall find they can handle it, whatever challenge! :D

Imladris, I will do a post for Anson as soon as your own is on the game, for I do not doubt than Anson will follow Gorby unless ordered very strictly to do otherwise!

I must admit I'm quite excited to have the opportunity to actually do a real post in the game. Hopefully there will be no more long, unexpected absences from me. :)

[Esgallhugwen]

OOO:D Sixty men, eh! That ought to be very interesting. Just thought I'd tell all of you that Esgallhugwen will go on unless all the rest turn back to Bree. She really wants to find out who this New Dark Lord is and to see if Eodwine is still alive or not.

[Imladris]

Bother, I'm confused all of a sudden. When are they going to have this little conversation about who wants to do what? When Falco says that they should go back, does that mean, "Go back to Bree"?

Sorry. I know I must be missing something really obvious... :(

Cheers!
Imladris

[Lumiel]

I'm in agreement with Imladris (I seem to be very dyslexic, forgetful, and clumsy as well...oh yes, the perfect elf lol). But it seems to me that there would be a very easy solution. In this fight....we are very outnumbered, to say the least. Here's my solution: Those who have already stated that their characters will not continue on should go back....at least to an agreed place. Like for instance, Lira could go with Anson and Gorby and help protect them and flee back to the manse or Bree...whichever. Everyone else could stay and fight, or they could run...in a different direction from Lira & co. It would be easier to kill the large group of brigands in a guerilla fashion or they could just run and hide, then carefully infiltrate their stronghold (hopefully unnoticed). Anyway, that's a few of my screwy ideas. Hope I wrote them in an understandable way (I have a tendancy to not write my ideas well sometimes).

[littlemanpoet]

My idea was that the discussion about who should go back to Bree would be happening from the Manse to the stronghold. That is to say, the topic would keep coming up over and over again without a decision being made until the last possible moment (or maybe a little sooner than that), causing all kinds of cool conflict within the group. *rubs his hands in delight* We likes conflict, yessss we doessss, my preciousssss >:-)

New Dark Lord? Who mentioned a New Dark Lord? :D

Lumiel's idea (or was it Imladris's or both?) to have the parties split up certainly would make things interesting. It has happened before with Falowik and Uien getting lost in Deadmen's Dike.

But a final split happen in the middle of a melee? Yeah, it happened at the end of FOTR, but you can bet a certain couple of leaders and whatnot would NOT be happy about it turning out that way. But that's what great stories are made of, eh?

So write what you want to and we'll see what happens. :)

[Esgallhugwen]

well i mentioned a sort of New Dark Lord, because in the RP Falco mentions something of the fact that this Master of the Brigands seems to be trying to become the new Dark Lord, because of his evil menace and the clues the party keeps on finding. Hope that isn't too confusing, I too have problems with getting my point across sometimes:p

[Imladris]

Okay, I have finally posted....*wipes brow* I'm sorry it took me so long but things just kept piling up and stuff...

Nurumaiel , I hope I did alright with your character. If you wish, you can elaborate on their conversation in your post.

Cheers!
Istawen

[littlemanpoet]

:D Eswen, I was teasing. Of course, it's worth noting that it's Falco who mentions a Dark Lord, so how much do you trust what he says? :D Apparently, Eswen doesn't entirely, if I did well by you, putting those words in her mouth. So the question remains, is Falco full of it, or is he on to something? ;)