Resettling the Lost Kingdom Discussion Thread [Archive]

piosenniel

07-18-2003, 02:43 PM

The X Phial’s Character:

NAME: Borgand

AGE: 43

RACE: Man of Gondor

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Borgand carries his Gondorian army sword and two daggers: one at his waist and one in his boot. He is proficient with bow and spear as well, but does not generally carry them on his person.

APPEARANCE:
Borgand is a tall man with dark hair and blue eyes. He has the lean and muscular build of a soldier in his prime, and neither his hair nor his beard are yet touched with grey. He wears his hair to his shoulders in the style of soldiers from Minas Tirith. Unlike active soldiers, however, Borgand is missing his left leg from the knee down. In its place is a carved wooden post. For this reason he walks with a limp and has been known to use a cane to help support himself when tired. He retains his ability to walk and run over short distances, but requires a horse for long journeys

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES:
Borgand is a proud man and an excellent soldier. He is deadly in hand to hand combat, whether armed or not, but his balance and speed have been compromised by the loss of his leg. Always a strong-willed man, Borgand is a natural leader and was a captain before his injury left him without a commission in the army. He is a loving, if sometimes gruff, husband and father. His mood was very bad right after his injury, but the trek north has given him a renewed sense of purpose.

Borgand’s greatest weakness is his temper, which has gotten much shorter since his dismissal from the army. He is patient with those he considers weaker than himself, but has a tendency to lose his tact when dealing with an equal who behaves foolishly or betrays a trust. He also knows very little about much besides soldiering, though he has made an attempt to understand the basics of building on the journey northwards. Borgand has no problems delegating to someone with a better expertise when need be, but it does gall him slightly when he cannot accomplish something on his own.

HISTORY:
Borgand was the son of a Gondorian army captain, and all he ever wanted to be was a soldier. He spent his first few years with his mother in an outlying town of Gondor, but they both moved to Minas Tirith to be with his father when he was made a captain. As a captain’s son, he was the leader of the other boys in his neighborhood and grew up with a will to lead and defend the things he loved.

Borgand served in the army, and was promoted through the ranks quickly, until the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. In the thick of battle his regiment was cut off from the gate and set upon by orcs from all sides. Borgand cut a path for his men to the gate, losing only 4 out of nearly 100. At the gate he stood his ground in order to give his men a few more minutes to get to safety, and it was then that a blow from an unseen enemy severed his leg. He lost consciousness and was dragged from the field, only to awaken the next day wishing he was dead.

A long period of recovery followed, and then harrowing months spent relearning to walk and run on a wooden peg. The recovery was slowed by Borgand’s feeling that he had lost his purpose, and only the quiet insistence of his wife and the sad eyes of his young son kept him working toward his goal of mobility.

Three years after the marriage and ascension of the king, and after a year of idleness after Borgand’s full recovery, word went out that Elessar was looking for volunteers to resettle the former kingdom of Arnor. The king would supply the company well, it was said, but the accomplishment was to be its own reward. Borgand, who at one time had felt he could never leave Minas Tirith, felt a yearning to be useful again. He reasoned that even a one-legged man might have a purpose in a wild land. After many discussions with his wife, they decided to chance the journey. To his surprise, when he went to volunteer, he found that his former commander had already recommended him to be the leader of the settlers.

A year later he rode out of Minas Tirith at the head of a caravan some 500 people strong. The group included people from all backgrounds and professions, and Borgand had set the former soldiers to ride the flanks. Also accompanying the settlers was a Ranger out of Ilithien, an expert in wilderness survival. The two had a professional relationship, if sometimes a rather uneasy one. The tale of the journey would be a book unto itself, but the band encountered many hardships, lost a number of members, and also took on volunteers from Rohan and other inhabited lands along the way before they finally reached their destination nearly nine months later. Borgand is weary, but he has the hope and fears of the settlers on his shoulders. He is determined that the first town in the renewed Kingdom of Arnor will be a success.

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

The X Phial’s post

The westering sun was in Borgand’s eyes as he crested the last hill to his destination. Below him the surface of Lake Evendim shone red and the hills beyond seemed tipped with gold. It was a beautiful sight, made all the more lovely by the fact that this was to be his new home. He signaled to those behind him to come forward into the light and heard each new arrival’s breath catch in wonder. The settlers had made it at last, they were in Arnor.

Borgand urged his horse down through the meadow toward the edge of the lake. As he went he looked at the land. It seemed lush after the long journey. He had not seen a field so green since the band left Rohan so many months before. A winter and many miles had passed since that time, and Borgand welcomed the seeming abundance. His horse reached the water and stopped to drink. Borgand turned then to see the weary travelers descending the hill into the meadow, faces open and smiling. Even those who had taken ill in the long winter months, his own son included, were lighter in step and countenance as they streamed into the meadow.

As the final rays of the sun set behind the hills, the travelers were busy setting up a camp as they had every night for the past nine months. This night, however, Borgand heard no grumbling, only laughter. They set their camp in a circle out of long habit; circular camps were the easiest to defend. Borgand walked through the camp, soon to be the new city, and smiled at those he saw. His body was exhausted, despite the elation of his spirit, and he was leaning heavily on his cane, dragging his wooden leg a bit. Here and there he stopped to talk to someone and share the wonder they all felt at finally being at Evendim. This was the place they had decided on long before in Gondor as the most likely for the first settlement of the restored kingdom of Arnor. The king, who knew the lands well, had given his approval.

The ex-soldier reached his wife’s accustomed spot and saw that the teenaged sons of a fellow ex-soldier had already erected his family’s tent. He nodded his thanks and they ran off, suddenly full of energy despite their tiredness. Illith was starting a fire, getting ready to begin making the evening meal and Bregand, Borgand’s son had fallen asleep in his blankets. The boy was 6 and had suffered from a terrible illness on the journey. Only the constant care of Illith had brought him through the winter. Even so, he was pale and small. Borgand hoped that the wholesome air of Arnor would restore the boy quickly.

Borgand stopped his wife’s activity for a moment and pulled her into an embrace.

“We are finally here, Illith. Evendim! I thought I would never see the day.”

“Yes, love,” she answered, holding him closely. “We are here, home. But I never doubted you would get us here.”

They ate together and Bregand woke to play with his father and eat his supper. Borgand had responsibilities, however, and couldn’t afford to spend the long hours with his family he once again craved. While recovering from his injuries he had been so sick of his family that he wasn’t sure he would make it one more day. After their long journey, however, he wanted nothing more than to spend a quiet evening with Illith and Bregand.

He made the rounds again and set a watch. The feeling of joy at arrival had sent most of the settlers into a state of carelessness that Borgand knew was premature. From across the water the sound of wolves howling suddenly sent the camp into silence. An answering howl followed, and then another. The night seemed altogether darker, and families decided it was a good idea to send their children to bed. Borgand sighed and signaled the watch. He decided he would turn in as well. The camp was secure and fire should keep the wolves away. Before retiring he found the Ilithien and they agreed that he would scout the area to find the best location in the morning. Tomorrow the settlers would start felling trees for the building of a temporary wall. Borgand wondered how long it would be until the carts of rock and supplies from the Blue Mountains would arrive, as promised by the contract with the dwarves. The builders themselves they had already met coming in from the Western Road. Until a stone wall could be built, however, a wooden one would have to suffice. The journey was over, but the dangers were just beginning.

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

piosenniel

07-18-2003, 02:45 PM

Bethberry’s Character:

NAME: Calumdril

AGE: 40ish

RACE: Man, of the Dúnedain of the South, that is, of the people of Ithilien (the descendants of the Men of the Westernesse) who had been dispersed by the enemy when Gondor lost control of Ithilien.

WEAPONS: His knowledge of wood lore, wilderness survival, and tracking; two knives, one on his belt behind his back and the other hidden in his boot; handy with the bow, less so with spear or sword; trained in stealth and reconnaissance rather than fighting; also carries a horn.

APPEARANCE: an agile and slender figure, with a slight but wiry build; of average or perhaps even short height, yet with a presence which can gain attention when he speaks up, which is not often; his skin is fair, but weathered; his hands chaffed and cracked; his fingers have known frostbite. His dark hair is salted with grey at the temples, his face sombre, sedate, serious; his grey eyes, lined with wrinkles, survey crowds, people's faces, terrain, surroundings not obviously, but with a wary regard, as if hiding or masking himself. Both his hearing and his sense of smell remain acute.

PERSONALITY/ STRENGTHS/ WEAKNESSES:

Calumdril is a calm, quietly sociable man who rarely loses his temper. He appears to act from patience and deliberation rather than from passion and can be seen as standoffish. Behind this reticence is a great sadness with the weaknesses of the race of Men.

Endeavouring to be polite and civil and without great worldly ambition, he rarely seeks a prominent position and can become uncomfortable if such is thrust upon him. He is more a leaders' trusted advisor than a leader himself and is more comfortable with small groups of people than large. Thus, individual families of the settlers will come to know him well and like him, but in terms of large group dynamics, he is often not particularly well-liked. He has a great depth to his inner life and private contemplations.

HISTORY: While technically a Soldier of Gondor, Calumdril has spent most of his adult life stationed with the garrison at Henneth Annun and is more a scout than a soldier. He did not fight in the Battle of Pelennor
Fields but was instead involved in reconnaissance behind the battle.

With the war at an end, he has been decommissioned but there are few jobs available for a man of his age and his skills. Joining the caravan is a logical step but it is an extraordinary move for him to leave
Ithilien. It is a step that may have saved him from becoming the kind of forest recluse who comes to be feared by conventional members of the populace.

Calumdril was an Ithilien forest boy whose family history is unremarkable. No family tragedies marred his psychological development.

He was the third child in a family of five children who naturally gravitated towards the forest solitude. Always shy around girls, he never married, although he can forge friendships with women who are older than him or with his friends' wives. His grandfather taught him how to run a trap line and hunt, but his first experience of trapping a live animal, alone in the forest one winter, convinced him never to trap animals again. He would hunt for his food, but not trap for furs.

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

Bethberry’s post

Crouching disinterestedly by the lakeshore, Calumdril had watched the first settlers reach the crest of the hill and then suddenly halt in amazement at the sight of Lake Evendim. It had shimmered in the setting sun like ripe, red fruit rippling on the laden branches of serviceberry shrubs in a gentle breeze. It was almost unbelievable to many of them that the long trek was over and they forgot exhaustion in the awe of arrival. He had watched them mass slowly at the top of the hill and then with sudden quick movement descend to the shoreline and begin animated talk. So unlike him, who had not even yet relaxed into simple pleasure and delight that the long trek had ended.

Calumdril had ridden ahead of the caravan and scouted the lake's shoreline to find the best favoured site for the first night's camp. He had found a small level plain, not too rocky, and had left a small stake with a green flag flying to signal where the caravan should camp for the night. Rocks had played havoc with many of the horses' ankles, and the settlers had lost valuable animals on the long trek. The shoreline was strew with boulders for many miles and the lake bed itself salted with boulders, stones, large rocks, many showing lines of scratches and etches. Calumdril guessed glaciers might have dug out the lake. The rocky shoreline made Calumdril happy, for it lessened the chance of any attack from across the water.

He had then tracked the nearby bush for telltale signs of the Hillmen. There were, eerily, many signs and he could tell that he himself had been observed as he searched for signs of them. Five, perhaps six, of the Hillmen had hidden in the bushes, then brushed out their tracks. Yet he could find broken twigs where bodies had rushed too closely by trees, dust settled on leaves where none should have reached, the small undergrowth of the forest showing crushed fungi and flowers where bare feet had trod. This was no virgin land Aragorn had sent the settlers to, but territory over which strange tribes held dominion.

Calumdril stood up and walked towards the encampment site. Borgand, his face animated, even ebullient, was busily overseeing the setup, receiving the congratulations of the many settlers who had for some time begun to dispair of ever arriving. Calumdril quietly circulated, speaking a few words to some of the men who would be watching with him that night, and arranging for others who would escort him out the next day to survey the official site for the log walls and cabins of the new city. Finally he sought out Borgand's tent.

"How fares Bregand?" he inquired of the young boy whose face had so often appeared feverish.

"He fares well. For the first time he ate a full meal before returning to his bed. And now it is time for your meal, Calumdil. You won't get to speak with Borgand until you put some nourishment into that wiry flesh of yours," Illith chastized him gently. Calumdil smiled. Illith reminded him of his second oldest sister and he was quite happy to play younger brother with her.

"I'll eat only if your food is tasty tonight," he joked in return.

"Tut! It will stick to the walls of your ribs. That's all you need worry about for tonight," she retorted, gently shoving him into a chair by the makeshift table. He ate with an unruffled manner, asking Illith about the final day's journey, Borgand's and her thoughts for the settlement, the boy's health. He brushed aside any of her concerned questions about the site and then rose quickly, excusing himself to find Borgand and deliver his news about the presence of the Hillmen.

piosenniel

07-18-2003, 02:46 PM

Susan Delgado’s Character:

Name: Thorgil

Race: Northern Dunèdan

Age: 74

Thorgil is tall and robust, a large man, but able to move with the delicacy of a trained Ranger. He is taciturn by nature and rarely speaks if he has nothing to say. His demeanor is grim, his features craggy with weather and with his own adamant nature.

He is trusted implicitly by his men; they would gladly put their lives down for their leader, and they know he would do the same for them.

If there is a ‘typical’ Dunèdain story, Thorgil has lived it. He was born in a semi-permanent tent camp on the shore of Lake Evemdim, not far, in fact, from where the settlers have come now, though of course the camp is long gone. He is not the son of a leader, but his father is well respected among the other Rangers and Thorgil learned much about being a Ranger from him.
On one of his travels as a young man, he met another band of Rangers, liked them, and moved into their camp. He became well liked and respected and when the old leader died, Thorgil was chosen as his successor by his intelligence and his strength of character, and by his unswerving loyalty toward King Ellessar, whom he fought beside at the Battle of Pellenor Fields and was very impressed with. He has been leader of his camp for nearly twenty-five years, and likely will be for some time yet.

The Rangers’ enemies in this part of Arnor are the wild hillmen, who often waylay travelers, killing them and taking their goods as spoils. Thorgil’s camp has set themselves the task of preventing this highway robbery and protecting any and all who wish to travel in Arnor.

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

Susan Delgado’s post

Thorgil rose before the dawn, knowing the first thing he had to do. There was a large group of people camped on the lake shore; he had to find out who they were and why they were here. He quickly prepared and slipped out of camp before the sun had fully cleared the horizon. He didn’t miss the girl, Alearindu slipping out after him, but he would let it go as long as she remained silent and hidden.

He watched the crowd set up camp along the lakeshore. They must be settlers, why else would they come in such numbers, and with women and children’ He was not without a touch of bitterness at the thought. Travelers were one thing and easy to protect from the hillmen, but a settlement, an actual town, would be something else altogether. He glanced at the sky; the light was brightening quickly. He watched them and waited for them to stir for the day.. He did not have long to wait; before long, women began stirring up the coals for cooking fires and men rose and stretched and gossiped about their neighbors. To a man they seemed in high spirits and he wondered how long they had been traveling for their arrival to induce such jollity. He shook his head at their antics. They would learn soon enough what a harsh land this could be.

At last the seeming leader of the camp appeared at the entrance to his tent, stretching and scratching himself in places that would make a woman or a younger man blush. Thorgil ignored it, however, and approached the man as a near equal, for even in his undergarments he had the bearing of a soldier, and did not seem surprised at the appearance of a stranger. He was missing a leg; his body was propped up on a wooden post attached to the stump. Thorgil would never trust himself to such a flimsy substitute.

After introductions and formal words of courtesy, Thorgil got down to business, warning Borgand and the crowd that had gathered about the presence of dangerous hillmen in the area and promising the aid of the Rangers in protecting the settlement. Borgand was appreciative and assured Thorgil that there were quite a few ex-soldiers among the settlers and they would gladly aid the Rangers. He also asked for one or two Rangers, if they were willing to help, to aid in defense until the settlement got on its feet. Thorgil told the man he would ask his men for a volunteer. Borgand nodded in appreciation. There were murmurs of assent from the crowd, and all seemed relieved. Thorgil nodded around and slipped back to the Rangers’ camp to apprise the men of the situation and elicit volunteers to stay in the settlement.

When he arrived and gathered them together,, there was some grumbling from the men about how it wasn’t their job to be protecting settlers like that, and what were settlers doing here anyway’ What did they think they were doing here in this dangerous northern waste’ Thorgil waited patiently for them to be quiet and ten told them he would need one or two volunteers to stay in the settlement until it had established itself. There was silence for a moment as they considered this. He glanced around the group; they seemed unlikely to volunteer when a voice came from the back of the crowd. "I'll go, I'll do it."

He looked up, surprised. The voice was Awyrgan’s, the last person he would expect to volunteer. As he watched the man, Awrygan added, ‘I'll watch them, but from the outside only unless circumstances require otherwise," Thorgil nodded, still bemused, but willing to let the man go to the settlement, though he was still fairly young, and unproven. He glanced around one last time and noticed the girl Alearindu watching Awrygan with an expression he could not identify. He considered for a moment. Two heads there would be better than one, though these particular heads could each be more reliable, and it would keep them both still in the same place and easy to keep an eye on. He said to Awrygan, ‘Alearindu shall accompany you.’ Both seemed startled, but made no objections. They went off to prepare and the rest of the men dispersed.

[ August 01, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

piosenniel

07-18-2003, 02:47 PM

Belin’s Character:

NAME: Wolf

AGE: 39. The lives of the Hillmen are neither luxurious nor lengthy, and this is on the old side for a chieftain, as they are expected to be strong and vigorous. He is both of those, so far, and anticipates five or six more years of leadership before he slowly and quietly relinquishes actual power to his successor, though he will keep his title until the end of his life.

RACE: Hillman

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Spear and axe. He can also use a bow at a pinch.

APPEARANCE: Wolf is short, stocky, and dark. To the Gondorians he no doubt seems very ugly, but in the eyes of his own people, his great beard and his thick dark hair make him an impressive figure, despite the fact that his height is unremarkable even by Hillman standards. Behind this thicket of hair, his eyes are dark and penetrating in his serious and nearly unreadable face. Though thick and well muscled, he is still agile and quick, and his spear is renowned among the people of his tribe. Gray is beginning to creep into his hair, and his massive hands are no longer as flexible as they once were, but he is still a good warrior, and, as they say, a wise one.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Wolf is an experienced and cautious leader whose main concern is holding everyone together. He’s seen a great deal of upheaval, and one thing he has learned is that squabbling and indecision, so common when people are frightened, usually lead to disaster. He is therefore strict and demanding, tolerating little or no backtalk, though he will, on rare occasions, listen to a very forceful argument made to him in private by someone he respects. He is seen as stiff and inflexible, and though he is not short tempered when he does not need to be, he considers his words to be final.

Less obvious to his people is his careful and constantly changing assessment of the abilities and worth of each of them; if his decisions are unassailable they are at least not arbitrary. He takes no unnecessary risks, he does not panic, and he does nothing without a good idea of what could happen. Unfortunately, he does little to communicate this to the others, so many of his people dislike him thoroughly, though there are few who do not acknowledge the value of his leadership. As might be expected, he has few advisors and fewer friends.

He does everything properly according to the rules of his people, and even his greatest detractors know that they can trust him, but he is rather different with respect to foreign people, and his battle tactics tend to the devious.

HISTORY: Wolf has lived in this region for his entire life, never roaming farther to the north or east than that North Downs or to the west farther than Lake Evendim, though difficulties in finding food have sometimes brought him almost as far south as Bree. He was born in a small, nameless village near the lake, though in truth it barely deserved even the name of “village.” Wolf’s childhood, like that of many others, was spent largely in the pursuit of food, and of other comforts where he could find them. He was always a hunter of beasts and of eggs and edible plants, and, as for such luxuries as warm clothes and blankets, he was not above the large-party quarry of wealthy travelers, though his spoils in such cases went first to his mother and younger brothers, who did not accompany him in such raids.

In the early years of his adolescence, certain village youths organized a concentrated effort to drive away their ancient enemy, the Dúnedain, who had become increasingly troublesome in recent years. It was not that there were more of them, exactly, but they had taken to watching such villages closely, as if they were anxious about something, as if they were planning for a war. With grim determination and a good deal of death, the Hillmen managed to discourage them straying too close to any of these villages; after all, the Hillmen, though few, were far more numerous than the Rangers. Wolf distinguished himself in these efforts by his determination and cool-headed leadership, as well as his remarkable skill with a spear, and soon afterward he found himself spending a great deal of time with the chief of his town, learning a great deal and eventually, much to his surprise, making important and difficult decisions about town matters. When the old man died, Wolf took his place, as is the custom with Hillmen. According to the customs of the Hillmen, the leader has remained unmarried.

His time of leadership saw the remarkable year when all the Dúnedain disappeared entirely (only to return, disappointingly, the next summer) and handfuls of Dunlendings began to come north with stories of old men and mighty wars. Wolf himself put little trust in such wild rumors, which were so prolific and contradictory that no Hillman could tell what they meant, but many of his people were gravely disturbed, and he focused on keeping them calm, occasionally leading a hunt personally in order to reassure them of their strength. They hunted beasts, mostly, as travelers had been fewer and fewer.

Now, five years after that remarkable time, rumors continue to flow thick, and now, much to Wolf’s dismay, some of them at least seem more accurate than they once did. A group of foreigners has settled on the shore of the lake, along a trail they had often used for hunting.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Belin’s post

Unseen in the dim light, Wolf stared down from the side of the hill at the path along the lake where he had been so often of late. He hoped that none of the younger hunters had been foolish enough to leave traces of their presence, not that this weary group of travelers with their formerly fine clothing seemed very likely to be capable of any decent tracking. They moved along carelessly, many of them on horses as travelers so often were, talking and laughing among themselves as if they were alone in the wilderness and free from unfriendly eyes. A murmur went up as they descended the hill, and they stared at the lake as if they had never seen one before.

Wolf was aware that, unobtrusive as he was in his drab garb and earth-colored skin, any of them could have seen him if they looked carefully up at the hill, but moving was more dangerous still, and besides, they were fools and spent all their attention on the lake and the meadow before them, and on each other. It was principally the children that looked around, and he did not think that any of their eyes had lighted on him. Do they train all the sense out of them on purpose? he wondered irritably.

The presence of the children was not a surprise to him. He had received news of this group from several of his more reliable trackers, and had come to see for himself. As they had promised, it was a larger group of travelers than any he had ever seen, whole families and many of them, and with even more gear than he might have expected them to carry. In fact, they were unlike any travelers he had ever seen, more tattered and slow-moving certainly, and they looked at the lake differently. He was nearly certain he did not like the way they looked at the lake. He wondered for a moment how far they had come, and what business they possibly have out here. There were those who speculated that they were staying, and listening to the relief in the voices that floated toward him, Wolf had begun to believe it. He watched them for a few moments longer, sick children, tired women, and a crippled man who bore himself with surprising authority. As darkness fell, he moved off slowly and silently around the hills, never showing himself on their crests and never quite descending to their feet either. Around him, he could hear the wolves barking softly to each other as they assembled, and as the howling started he was nearly home.

The village was quiet. Except for the priests among them, the Hillmen seldom emerged at night, knowing its dangers well. Maybe the night would be enough to drive off these travelers, but he doubted it. There were so many of them. Wolf went straight home. He needed time to think.

His brother Knife was staring into the fire, as he often did at night for reasons Wolf had never fully understood. “Did you see them?” he asked.

“I saw them. You were right. There are more of them than I’ve ever seen, and they have come from far away, there’s no doubt of that.”

“And…?” Knife watched him carefully. The way to deal with Wolf, he’d found, was not to ask more questions than were needed to give him space to say what he wanted to say.

“And they look like the Rangers. And if I didn’t think they were staying I would leave them alone; there are too many of them, far too many.” Wolf frowned.

“Why would they want to stay here?” cried Knife. “What is there? Nothing! There’s nothing here even for us! Why would they leave their own country where they have whatever they need for our stones and what’s left of our hunting? Are they insane?”

“I don’t advise you talking like that,” answered Wolf sharply. “We still have to live here, you know.” Knife glowered but was silent. “I think I will watch them for another day or two. I don’t want to fight them if I don’t have to. But if they stay… they’re in the watering spot. So much of what we’ve been eating comes from there, and I won’t be starved. Or invaded. But I think the Rangers will side with them. I’d like you to gather some hunters and some spies for my in the morning.”

Knife nodded. “That’s always been a good hunting spot, and now… well, now it is a good hunting spot again, I guess.”

piosenniel

07-18-2003, 02:48 PM

A FEW NOTES ON HILLMEN: This game is based on the premise that not everyone was delighted to join Aragorn’s new kingdom. The Hillmen of Arnor have lived in this region for a very long time, and are probably the ancestors of both the Bree-men and the hobbits. When the realm of Angmar rose in this area, the Hillmen became subjects of the Witch-King, along with a number of Dunlendings that he had also gathered there, and from whom many of them are now descended. The Dúnedain have been their enemies in all the wars they fought under his leadership. For more about this, please see Appendix AI(iii), “Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur,” in RotK.

I have also invented and extrapolated for the purposes of the game, so what follows are my ideas which will be used for the game but which are not by any means canon. After the departure of the Witch King, the flow of goods and gold to Arnor had ceased, and the Hillmen now lived in tiny, impoverished hamlets, except for those that decided they could do better faring in the wild alone. Such individuals are feared and avoided even by the other Hillmen. As for the others, they are few, but their resentment of the Dúnedain is very great, and many hold them somewhat responsible for the great difficulty of their life. They live by hunting and by robbery, though both have become more difficult in recent years. Their system of leadership is mostly explained above. Hierarchy in their society is largely based on blood ties, so the brothers of the leader carry a great deal of authority, though the next leader will not be related to any of them. The religion of the Hillmen is based on totem spirits such as wolves, owls, and fish. Their language is Westron, and their names are short ones, with obvious meanings alluding to the relevant and concrete, such as Wolf and Knife. To their north live the Snowmen of Forochel, who sided with the Dúnedain in previous conflicts but whose reaction to having them live so close is difficult to predict.

piosenniel

07-18-2003, 02:49 PM

FIRST POSTS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

All character descriptions not accompanied by a First Post will be returned to their writers.

Players will NOT be chosen because they submitted their character earlier than the other players. The Game Owners will read each post and character bio and then make the choice for players accordingly.

piosenniel

07-18-2003, 02:50 PM

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:

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

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.

The X Phial

07-22-2003, 01:44 AM

Thanks for opening the thread, Pio!

Hi everyone. Belin, Susan and I are very excited about this game so I hope quite a few of you will sign up.

Since there are three owners and three main factions to the game, the owner playing the leader of each of the factions will be in charge of picking who will be on her team. Hillmen answer to Belin, Rangers to Susan, and settlers and dwarves to me. If you want to play a game with good character development and also the chance for some action, I think you will find it here. I look forward to playing smilies/smile.gif

piosenniel

07-22-2003, 02:11 AM

Submitted for Carrûn – member #5606

RANGER OF THE NORTH

Character Description Form:

Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – YES, Holiday in the Sun, Flight from Rohan, In the Shadow of the Star

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

For your character please include:

NAME: Awyrgan (Real name is Encaitar)

AGE: 37

RACE: Northern Dunèdan

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Awrygan carries a longsword with which he is very skilled. However he often prefers to use his assortment of knives (three), one is strapped to his boot, one across his chest and the other in his belt. He is a decent shot with a bow, but seldom carries one, finding them cumbersome when speedy travel through unpleasant terrain is necessary.

APPEARANCE: About 5 ft 10", shorter than many of the Dunèdan, he is broad and well-built. His overall best description is that of weathered and dark, a sharp contrast to his relatively young age. His hair is jet black and his eyes are a bright green. He is said to have an unusually piercing gaze, full of pain and anger, as well as experience and wisdom. His clothes are most often black, and he wears a large cloak overtop of his other articles that hides his various cargo pouches and weapons. He wears on his index finger a solid black ring with a green jewel in the center, which he inherited from his father. He has a bizzare looking self-inflicted scar on the left side of his face.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Typical Ranger traits are in his blood, hunting, tracking, healing (although this is not one of his stronger areas), and a powerful will to survive. He is swift in his movements, almost wraith-like, and very light on his feet, and was nicknamed "Cat" by several childhood friends. He is generally bad-tempered, but has been known to show rare moments of extreme kindness.

HISTORY: Encaitar was born into one of the roving Ranger clans of the North, his father was brother to Halbarad. While the boy was still quite young his father and uncle quarreled and his father led a small fringe element of the clan off into the wilderness and formed their own camp near the region of Eregion. When his father died unexpectedly the tweenaged man was elected leader of the tribe. One day he returned from a hunt with a friend to discover his wife, unborn daughter, and the rest of his village completely destroyed. In despair his companion killed himself while Encaitar futility chased the rapidly disappearing tracks. Returning empty-handed, he buried his friends and taking the ring he had given his wife, heated it and burned it into his face as an eternal reminder of his failure.

He then renamed himself "Awyrgan" meaning condemned or strangled, and lived as a solitary Ranger in the Wild. When he first became chieftan he had attempted to restore contact with his uncle Halbarad which his father had severed but after his loss he seemed to have little desire for contact with anyone. However, he would pass through the Ranger camps from time to time and they tolerated him out of respect for his uncle. He rode with his uncle and Aragorn along the Paths of the Dead and fought in the battle of Pellenor Fields, however his only major part involved standing over the body of his dead uncle as the battle raged.

After the War he returned to his life of wandering but has gradually begun to attempt to move back into contact with the
rest of his kin. He remains a bit of an outcast still, for many of them still remember the quarrel between Halbarad and Awrygan's father. His lack of desire for social interaction often causes the other Rangers to feel shunned by him. Many of them still attempt to call him by his true name but he refuses to answer to it. He knows Thorgil and respects him as a noble leader, but the issue of the seeming disloyalty of Awyrgan's father remains between them (at least in the eyes of the younger).
___________________________________________

Carrûn’s post

The bright afternoon Sun shone down in a dazzling display of yellows that reflected off the many ripples racing along Lake Evendim's surface. Near the Western shore the water gave way suddenly to reveal the shape of a man gliding smoothly from the bottom of the lake to the surface. He paused, waist deep in the lake shaking the excess water from his ears and wringing his hair. Stretching, he walked to where his clothes lay and dressed quickly. His sharp eyes noticed fresh deer tracks running along the soft mud of the lakeside. He glanced to where his gear lay, and was relieved to see that he had remembered a bow this time. Gathering his assortment of weapons & tools he set off, following the hoofed prints.

He traveled for some time before his highly-tuned senses warned him that he was getting close to his target. The vegetation had thickened, and there was sporadic rustling in the bushes. As the breeze shifted the man froze and dropped to one knee. Several yards in front of him his quarry stood, oblivious to the danger. The man's bow was already out and an arrow was soon notched. Slowly, the man began to raise the weapon into a comfortable position. He took his time for the wind was still on his side. Five minutes later he was in position. As luck would have it, the wind shifted. The deer's eyes bulged as it caught the unfamiliar sent. It took one great giant bound before a whistling arrow stopped it in midair and dropped it to the ground.

Grinning, the man rose from his concealed location and walked over to the deer. Pulling the arrow out of the animal he placed it back in the quiver. He paused, cracking his back, and then slung the deer over a shoulder and began the walk back. About halfway to his destination he began to wish he had come across a smaller deer.

In the distance he was sure he could hear the unmistakable sounds of someone setting up camp. It had to be newcomers, for Rangers or Wild Men would never generate as much noise. He considered following the noise for a closer look but knew that there were several other Rangers in the area who had most likely already scouted the noise out.

It was nearly dark when the weathered man arrived at the Ranger campsite, it had moved about a hundred meters from the previous night and it had taken him a few extra minutes to locate. Few of the Rangers currently at the site acknowledged him as he strode through their parameter and he gave no sign of recognition in reply. Someone had carried his tent to the new site, but had left it un-constructed in a pile. It was far away from all the other men's sleeping areas but was within the camp's limits. Setting the deer down the man constructed a quick tent out of the canvas sheet he carried with him and then used readily available bark and brush to camouflage it. Picking up the bow and arrow he silently walked across the site and returned it to its owner, a gruff older man who grunted slightly and gave him a crooked grin as Awyrgan handed him the weapon. The man gave his thanks and an honest attempt at a smile in return.

Returning to his solitary campsite the man skinned and cleaned the deer. It was not a task he enjoyed but it was a necessary one. When he had finished he carried the skin over to the tent of the camp leader Thorgil and set it in the growing pile of animal hides. Thorgil had not returned yet so the man walked back to where the half-prepared meat lay - only to find one of the dogs making himself at home. With a surprisingly realistic wolf-like growl the man sent the dog packing with his tail between his legs. Seeing that the damage was not too severe the man's expression softened slightly and he tossed the excess of the carcass and damaged meat outside the parameter. Several dogs descended on the remains at once as the man laughed darkly. Lighting a small fire he set about smoking the strips of meat. Satisfied that things were going smoothly the man crawled into his tent and went to sleep.

He awoke early the next morning to the sound of men grumbling as they shuffled around small fires in the chill morning of the Northern wastelands. A dog was licking his face and he pushed it away, cursing affectionately at the creature as he did so. He grinned as he recognized the shaggy features of Fang, the self-elected pack leader of the Ranger's dogs.

"Gitatta here!" Fang shuffled off wagging his tail, a smoked piece of deer clasped firmly in his jaws. Awyrgan had no dog of his own, but Fang had apparently taken a liking to him.

The Ranger glanced up to notice the figure of Thorgil passing him on his way to the center of the camp. He nodded briefly in greeting to his superior and was surprised to receive a similar response. Awyrgan still felt somewhat uncomfortable in the presence of the other Rangers and was hoping to have a talk with Thorgil about his place in the camp when he could; the feelings of one man couldn't always be on the top of a leader's priority list.

Reaching the center of the camp Thorgil called all of the other Rangers to gather around him. Dragging his feet slightly Awyrgan followed the rest of the men as they formed a semi-circle around their leader. He explained the situation to them and Awyrgan, for lack of anything else to do, joined in the collective grumbling running rapidly through the camp. This was to be expected and was more a chance for the men to let off steam than seriously complain. The general shared feeling however seemed to be that these newcomers from the South would be one additional burden on the already heavily tasked guardians of the Northern Kingdom. Still, Awyrgan was not surprised when Thorgil asked for several volunteers instead of just assigning a group. He was obviously a skilled leader and Awyrgan had only been in his company for a few weeks.

However, Awyrgan surprised himself and everyone else around him when he heard himself saying. "I'll go, I'll do it." He sat back and waited for the camp leader's response. It was not long in coming

[ August 01, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

*Varda*

07-22-2003, 07:25 PM

Character Description Form:
Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – YES – An Audience with the King, Castle Maladil, Ride to the Dark Side, Sailing Away, In War, Corsairs and Corsets.

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

NAME: Therin

AGE: 85

RACE: Dwarf

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS : A sturdy axe he has had for the past 30 years, having accumulated several notches on the blade. He also carries a small knife, but uses this more for eating than for any fighting purpose.

APPEARANCE: A rough, red-brown beard reaching down to his waist, typically with two plaits in the middle. Bald on top, the hair around his head reaches his shoulders. He has two twinkling brown eyes, and a slightly crooked nose. He is 4ft 9” in height. When working, he is usually found wearing worn leather clothing, although from time to time, he will wear his metal armour.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: He takes great pride in the work he does, as a stonewright. He doesn’t take criticism well, but on the whole is a kind dwarf, friendly, and eager to get along with others, as long as they keep on his good side. Fighting is not one of his strengths, as he is a craftsman at heart, but he is handy with his axe in times of trouble, although some have argued that this is more due to his penchant for swinging his axe around madly, rather than learning the skills – he is bound to hit a foe at some point.

HISTORY: He has lived all 85 years of his life in the Blue Mountains, continually working on the halls of the dwarves with his craftsmen friends, always striving to improve on his work. He had an uneventful life, his father teaching him his trade, and a few pointers on how to wield an axe, should he ever need to. Therin has not seen much fighting – he remained largely untroubled by the events of the War of the Ring, only seeing one or two orc attacks during it. Seeing one of his friends fall during a battle, Therin strives to protect his companions in battle, always feeling he could have done more to save his friend.
After the war, becoming tired of the Blue Mountains, and longing to find new places to show his craft, he jumped at the chance to help to establish the new city in Arnor.

FIRST POST:

Therin stood by the lakeside, watching the stars disappear in the sky above as the glow of the morning sun began to rise above them. The camp was quiet – most of the settlers appeared to be sound asleep, having gone to bed in surprisingly good spirits considering the long journey they must have had from Gondor. Aside from the odd man striding through the camp, there was little movement.

The dwarf was not in a mood to sleep longer, as he watched the pale light of the rising sun reflect upon the still waters of Lake Evendim. Imagine – soon this would be a city, not simply a circle of tents. Hills rose around them, the sun casting light on them. Therin had thought them cold and dark the night before, his mind filled with the stories of the Hillmen.

A ranger had told Therin the night before of the Hillmen who lived in this region – ominous tales, of how they were the enemies of the Dunedain, and had been known to be associated with the Witch-King. Therin sincerely hoped they would not stir up trouble – there so many families here, hoping for a new start, a new life. And Therin wanted a change from the daily life of the Blue Mountains. No Hillmen were turning him out of Arnor, he grumpily said to himself. He’d cut them down with his axe first, patting it as it lay beside him.

Slowly, the camp began to come to life. Children eagerly poked their heads out of their tents, running around in the cool morning air, feet soaked with dew, anxious to explore their new surroundings. Mothers started wood fires to make the breakfast, and every now and then, a Ranger would go through the camp, speaking to the settlers. Therin beamed at the children running past him, as they slowed down to stare at this strange, short figure sitting by a small fire, cooking his breakfast of a rabbit he had caught earlier. He was foreign to them, as many had heard of dwarves, but never seen one in the flesh. Therin chuckled to himself as their mouths opened in surprise, before realising their manners and scurrying off in the opposite direction. This would surely be an enjoyable place to live.

Osse

07-23-2003, 05:05 AM

HILLMAN OF THE NORTH

Character Description Form:

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

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:Bear

AGE:28

RACE:Hillmen

GENDER:Male

WEAPONS:Bear carries an axe that he wields potently with his right hand, in his left hand he bears a round leather-clad shield and wears an 8" knife at his calf. He also wears a chainmail hauberk that comes down to knees. He acquired this mail when he slew a lost dwarf who had unwittingly wandered into the tribe's path as they hunted. Heavy decreases in the populations of the tribe's preferred game caused them to hunt further afield, sometimes even near Bree! Thus the dwarven traveller was slain north of the Chetwood.
As is the custom of his tribe, he wears over all, a long cloak made from the pelt of a wolf that he slew himself. This pelt signifies his manhood and to 'come of age' he had to slay the afore mentioned wolf.

APPEARANCE:Bear is tall as far as Hillmen go, though in the eyes of a Gondorian his height would be unremarkable, his hair is of a ruddy brown colour; matted and tangled as is his unruly beard. He has cunning dark grey eyes that are startlingly piercing, and his voice is as deep and impending as an under water chasm.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES:
Bear dosen't have the rock-solidness and steady mind of his brother. He is quite rash at times, yet his bravery is unsurpassed, as is his ferocity with the axe. Bear usually remains silent unless speech is absolutely necessary. The one exception of this silence is when he is engaged in battle; his cries have marred the death of many an enemy.

HISTORY:
Bear is the younger brother of Wolf, the powerful chieftain of his village. He also has a younger brother named Knife. He was born in the same, nameless squalidity as his older brother; into the same hardship and toil, though of course not as much weight was laid upon his doughty shoulders as upon those of Wolf's.

Compared to his brother, Bear is a giant. Many marvel to see the pair of them striding together, one short, squat and displeasing of face, the other tall, graceful and lithe. Indeed many wonder if they actually did share the same father. As neither of them knew their father, who was killed by a boar when they were only young, he and Wolf especially have had to look after their mother and younger brother Knife. Knife is a very potent tracker and forager, yet does not share the strength in arms with his brothers. It is suspected in the village that Bear's mother was sleeping with a Bree-lander in exchange for food and clothing; thus Bear was conceived. This would explain his appearance, as the Bree-landers are often somewhat taller than Hillmen and do not share their swarthiness.

Despite this, one could not say that the brothers are close. In fact, unbeknown to Bear (but perhaps not to Wolf) many of the tribes inhabitants believe that he is in fact a worthier candidate for chieftan. Wolf resents this somewhat, yet still leads with vigour and poise. Though in a hard situation perhaps his tribe will no longer look to him, but to his brother to lead them to victory.

FIRST POST:

Bear sat hunched against the large oak that grew amid the ruins atop the hill over looking the lake. The twinkling torches of the strange company were reflected in the glass-top surface of the water. The reflections shuddered and were distorted as a sharp breeze swept accross the lake from the north. Bear pulled his wolf pelt cloak around him more tightly and peered through his mane of grizzled hair down into the knoll where the company currently camped. As he peered into the fast engulfing gloom, he fingered the blade of his axe.

Knife was correct, these foreigners did move without due care. A leaping anger was kindled at the thought that these men were so arrogant. Another part of his mind contemplated the grey figures stealthily patrolling the skirts of the intruders camps and found that that was the basis for the camp's arrogance.

When Knife had rushed to him the minute he got back from tracking the party, Bear had not immediately sprung into the evening to see for himself, he waited until Knife had told Wolf about the intruders and Wolf had departed to see for himself, before he fetched his axe and departed for the ruins on the hill. He knew his brother well enough to know that he would be staying off the tops of hills, and sticking to cover if at all possible. To avoid being seen was second nature to Bear and he did it effortlessly as he made his way to the hill.

Now as he surveyed the strange company's camp he took into account the location and surroundings of the various tents, he also knew that the grey-clad sentinels were not to be taken lightly.

The sky clouded over, obscuring the moon as he rose; giving Bear a sudden sense of foreboding.

[ July 25, 2003: Message edited by: Osse ]

[ July 29, 2003: Message edited by: Osse ]

[ July 29, 2003: Message edited by: Osse ]

The X Phial

07-23-2003, 02:53 PM

*Varda* - Therin is great. I love him. He's in.

Osse - check your PMs

Thanks to everyone who has posted thus far. Pio is making a small change in my first post so that the dwarves can be at the camp site. If you want to have a dwarf on the road, he should be delivering supplies.

Kryssal

07-24-2003, 07:42 PM

Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – Yes, The Swan Wood

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

NAME: Kaben Bieth

AGE: 24

RACE: Human of Gondor

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: He has never been able to shoot a bow or use a sword with any effectiveness. He can throw a knife with great aim, but since he doesn’t practice more than twice a month the blade doesn’t always strike.

APPEARANCE: The wiry, thin figure may be thought to have hidden strength, but it doesn’t. Kaben’s hair is slightly shaggy and falls often into his hazel eyes, which is why he has the habit of frequently running his hand through his bangs, trying fruitlessly to make it stay on the top of his head. He wears slightly baggy clothes that are more for comfort than appearance. On his right wrist he wears a thick, wide leather band with a sketched in flower surrounded by vines.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Kaben is a very kind, warm person that is always happy to share a story. A quick smile for any passer by, Kaben has to be very sociable for the work that he does, plus he just really likes people. This can be a weakness to him sometimes, as he likes to help those in need more than he should, but he doesn’t allow his business to be swindled by fast handlers, only his personal life. Some other weaknesses are that most women fight better than he does and that he can’t lift heavy items at all, something that makes an assistant necessary.

HISTORY: Growing up the son of a prosperous trading merchant in Minis Tirith, Kaben knew all the in's, out's and several shorcuts of his fathers business by the age of nine. Traders knew him as the Haggler Brat because whenever they would come in with a new shipment he would play barter with them and haggle over the wares that they had just brought in. He would even go as far as trying to trade or sell them back the same items that they had brought in earlier in the year. In his teens he began to barter for real, working for his father and a little on his own. Through this he gained many reliable contacts.

Keeping busy with work for his father and trying to fine-tune his own work, Kaben didn’t have time to court a maiden seriously. He had always had friends enough to fill his life, but had never found someone that truly touched him.

Being the third son of four, the oldest already taking over for his father, Kaben understood that if he wanted to truly be his own merchant he would have to leave Minis Tirith. He had been planning on moving to a small town by the border of Rohan and setting up shop there when he heard about the Arnor resettlement. He would have a hard time starting practically from scratch with no one he knew around him, but there was such great opportunity to establish himself in a new town with no pre-set competition. After securing some drop offs with traders that would risk the journey (not as many as he had hoped, but enough to ensure he wouldn’t go under and have to work for someone else), Kaben left the only place he had ever called home.

FIRST POST:

The first look at the lake had been beautiful, but that might have had something to do with Kaben being very tired of traveling. Smiling at a kid running by him, Kaben stoked up the fire slightly with his good arm.

“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’ll keep the fire up,” a nice young maiden said as she took her own stick and put it to the fire. She was the oldest daughter of the family Kaben had taken to traveling with. For one thing, they had the many teams of horses to pull the wagons, and for another, Kaben couldn’t get his two wagons to move by himself. It was mostly a business deal; Kaben paying the father for the use of the animals with a nice bonus for the son who was driving the second wagon, but naturally he had gotten to know them and they were now good friends.

“Thank you Terari,” he said as he stretched back and rubbed his right arm causing a sharp pain, he had expected it though, so his wince wasn't that pronounced.

As Terari started to prepare a dinner for their first night in ‘town’ she spoke up from across the fire. “Is your arm still bothering you much?”

Kaben smiled ruefully. “’Course it is, but it’s nothing I can’t handle,” he winked as she looked over, causing her to laugh and shake her head. Thinking back to the accident that had happened while traveling not too long ago brought a slight frown to his face, but he didn’t want to think about that. He had made it to his destination, that was good, and that was all that mattered.

Soon he would be making absolute plans to set up shop, right now he only had tentative ideas: find an assistant (Apthan, the only son of Tauven, Kaben’s temporary traveling partner, was dutifully following in his father’s footsteps and couldn’t help) to help him with lifting, he was weak even without his wound, plus there were a lot of settlers and that would mean a lot of time to help them; set up the wares that would be wanted right now at this stage of the towns development; and to get his own living quarters set up.

His own father had been very kind to him, giving Kaben a generous loan to start up his own work. Even with the money from his father, he was slightly worried about being able to make everything work the way he wanted. First off, he needed a lot of help with setting up his shop, building it and his living quarters. Combining home and work would probably be much better for him, not to mention his pocket. He also wondered how much the new towners would be able to spend at his shop. He had to make good business with the settlers to be able to make good business with the traders to continue the cycle. The first trader would be coming in little under a month, not much time in Kaben’s mind.

Kaben came back to himself as Tauven clamped a hand onto his shoulder to help in the sitting down process. Kaben smiled and made mild fire talk with the now gathered family. It was a pleasant evening and everything seemed to be going well for the settlement. Some of the children got frightened when a wolf pack howled in the distance, but they were soon laughing again when Kaben told them a funny story about how his younger brother had been chased around by a vicious little puppy and how his father had finally caught the pet by ambushing it around the house. Full night set in and the soon to be shop owner slipped into his sleep roll with thoughts of set up keeping him awake till his body simply refused to keep conscious any longer.

Burzdol

07-24-2003, 10:38 PM

Character Description Form:

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

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:Asterion Colm

AGE:27

RACE:ex Rohanian Guardsman

GENDER:Male

WEAPONS:A war-worn breastplate is the only bit of his armour that remains. His offensive armory includes a short sword, bow, and a small knife serves as a tool more than a weapon.

APPEARANCE:Asterion is average in height and has broad shoulders. His piercing blue eyes are bairly seen through his curly, black hair that accompanies his small beard. He is considered strong, but is less known for his speed and agility.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES:Colm is a man that is considered to be a good follower to all who know him. When he had been in the Guard, he had been promoted many times for loyalty to his work. His main weakness is a short temper, which leads to bad, and usually rash actions.

HISTORY:His granfather, as was his own father, were in the Guard. His views are different however, and he wants to become a farmer with a wife he hopes to find. Now his disappointed father never says that Asterion is his actual son. Since childhood, he had been raised with a sword and his losses have been few during his life. As soon as the boy had been entered into the Guard, he had been using his priveleges to gain access to records of farming and building. For his one brother and one sister, they are both working for Asterion's father as helpers of his fishing buisness, that he does in his retierment. Each of his siblings are two years younger than himself, and are remarkablysimilar in apperance. But, as their father, they both frown upon Asterion choice to leave the Guard.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

FIRST POST:

Asterion first looked upon Arnor by Borgand's order. Lake Evendim's waters looked as if they were laced with diamonds. The man sat it utter awe at his home, but their leader soon edged on, and in his nature, Asterion followed. He noticed the greenery that looked welcoming from the winter they had come through to get here. He stopped were Borgand had, and let his horse drink. As the others ran through the meadow, Asterion laid on the bank of the lake, and watched the skies. Never had the skies seemed so blue, or the grass so green. For he was now, finally, home.

Asterion came to the center of the camp to find a place to set up his tent. The man soon raced for a spot an gained it. This is going to be myh new house someday, he thought to himself.

Borgand stopped next to him and talked about the wonder of their settleing spot,"Tis' beautiful isn't it?" he asked, while leaning on his cane.

"Yes, it is very beautiful. I wish I could have come sooner."

The leader of the settlers laughed and walked away, talking to others as he went. But the man soon returned to reward the man with first guard duty. His job was to patrol behind the tents, keeping an eye out for wolves. His time was soon over, and when his head hit the pillow, and he was out. All of his dreams that night were of settlement and companionship, and soon he drifted to other things. He was finally was at his home, and his journey was over. What ever worries he was to have had about dangers were out of his mind and completely forgotten.

Susan Delgado

07-26-2003, 04:25 PM

Carrûn, your character is basically all right, but I have some questions/comments. Please check your pms.

[ July 26, 2003: Message edited by: Susan Delgado ]

Phervasaion

07-28-2003, 11:43 AM

Is it ok if i be a Dunedan? I'll put my profile for the charector up soon.
_________________________________________

Phervasaion - check your PM's, please. ~~ Pio

[ July 28, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

alaklondewen

07-29-2003, 04:36 PM

Character Description Form:

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

Yes – Sailing Away. Currently playing in Corsairs and Corsets and A House Divided

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

The Green Dragon

For your character please include:

NAME: Collothion (father)/Cuilad (son)

AGE: 58/16

RACE: Gondorian

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Collothion carries a sword in a scabbard he wears on a tan leather belt. The sword has a disk shaped pummel, a slightly rounded crossguard, and a long, narrow blade. Collothion also carries a short knife with a handle made from the antler of an unknown animal that he uses to cut vegetation and anything else he may use in his work.

Cuilad carries a short, broad bladed sword that Collothion bought for him on his 13th birthday. The sword has a disk shaped pummel and a straight crossguard. The boy also uses a short knife similar to his father’s except for the handle which is made of a dark wood.

APPEARANCE: Collothion is a tall man (6’4) with broad shoulders and a small waist. His graying red hair lies upon his shoulders with a natural wave and frames the features of his face which are long like the rest of his body. His small gray eyes reveal the experiences of a man who has hurt beyond measure and cares for all life that is precious. His long and rather pointed nose shadows his small mouth and thin lips. In the center of his chin is a deep cleft which only adds to his character.

Cuilad is only a couple of inches shorter than his father and has yet to fill out his lanky frame. His hair is red, much brighter than his father’s and is cut just above his shoulders. His facial features match those of his father except for his large round green eyes…his mother’s eyes. These eyes have lost some of their innocence, but are far from hardened, and sometimes, when his father looks down into his eyes, Collothion can see his wife looking back at him.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Collothion loves his son more than anything in the world, since the boy is all he has. Once, he had been an outgoing man, but his demeanor changed when his wife died. He is now quiet and soft spoken, even though he is strong in spirit. He cares deeply about the life of all things in Middle Earth and takes his work very seriously.

Cuilad is an active teenager who enjoys being out of doors and many physically demanding activities. He is an ordinary boy in all ways except that he is mute. Many of the children in Minas Tirith gave him a tough time when he was younger, and he had to prove himself through many fights with other youngsters. It didn’t take long until the other children respected him as one of them.

Cuilad is a hard working, intelligent young man who is looking forward to following his father's footsteps. He is eager to please his father and is always there to lend a hand.

HISTORY: Collothion married late, not because there were not eligible women, but because he just hadn’t found the right one. Then he met Arenieth, she was a much younger woman by just over twenty years. She had an illness that brought her to the Houses of Healing where Collothion cared for her. During her one month stay, the couple connected on many levels and fell in love. A few months later they were married. Barely a year later, a baby was on the way, and Collothion was ecstatic. However, Arenieth had many complications during her pregnancy and she didn’t make it through the delivery. The baby boy was healthy but because of the trama he suffered during his birth he could not talk. Collothion named the boy Cuilad, or Life Renewed, because with the loss of the only woman he’d ever loved, he gained the most precious gift a man could have…a son.

Collothion raised the boy on his own, and at the age of 15, Cuilad expressed an interest in his father’s work as a healer. Being proud of his son, Collothion agreed to train him in the ‘art’.

When King Elessar sent notice that Arnor was to be resettled, Collothion somehow knew he was to go. He and Cuilad didn’t have a family holding them to Minas Tirith, so he volunteered almost immediately. Cuilad was a little disappointed at first since he would be leaving his friends, but his attitude quickly changed when they set out on the road. He enjoyed being on the road exploring with his father for new herbs along the way.

First Post
“Cuilad! Quick bring me the bag.” Collothion watched as a young girl stood up in the back of her family’s wagon and toppled off. A brief moment later, Collothion was off his horse and at her side. Cuilad untied his father’s tan medicinal bag from his own horse and lugged it to the scene.

Collothion looked the girl over. She couldn’t have been past her sixth or seventh year, and her tears stained her dust covered face. The only damage Collothion could see was a large gash in her left shin from landing on a rather sharp stone.

“You’ve taken quite a tumble, Miss.” He smiled kindly as he wiped a tear from her cheek smearing the dirt. “Cuilad, boil some water and find my alum.” Collothion tore a strip from a rag he carried in his pocket and tied it around the child’s leg to stop the bleeding. In the meantime, Cuilad followed his father’s instructions, first putting water on a small fire, and then digging in the bag for alum. He finally found the root and handed it to his father who immediately crushed a small portion of it before sprinkling it into the water.

The girl’s parents realizing what happened stood over Collothion and Cuilad with worried expressions. The healer reassured them that she was a lucky little girl for coming out of the fall with only a minor injury. As soon as the water boiled, Collothion cleaned the cut with the mixture and bandaged the small shin.

The family thanked him profusely before returning to their wagon and heading on their way. The only thanks Collothion wanted was the sweet smile given by the child…it made his work worth every minute.

Cuilad dutifully picked up after his father and stomped the fire out. After tightly tying the tan bag back to his horse, the men returned to the road. Several hours passed without further excitement when they crossed the last of hills that surrounded their destination. The sky was painted with a dazzling array of reds and pinks as the sun was lowered behind the hills in the west. The water of the lake already reflected the night sky. Collothion caught his breath taking the view in and turned to his son whose eyes were the size of saucers. Cuilad met his father’s gaze and smiled broadly nodding with approval. The joy in his son’s face caused Collothion to laugh aloud.

The father and son both nudged their horses with their right foot and followed the folk in front of them. As soon as they reached the bottom, Cuilad worked to raise their tent within the circle, while Collothion started his rounds before all was dark. Many of people had fallen ill along the way, and some were even lost. He checked tent by tent to see all was well. Jolly voices rose around him wherever he went. Only a few folk needed his assistance, and he did what he could when the need arose. However he was looking forward to checking on a special patient…a small boy who’d had a rough time on the journey.

Collothion could see the boy’s mother outside cooking, and he called to her waving. “Hello, there, Madame Illith.” He bowed his head slightly as she waved and smiled enthusiastically. “I came to see how the boy is.”

“Oh, Collothion. He’s doing wonderfully well. He ate a full meal today.” The news lightened the man’s heart and he asked her if he could look in on him. Nodding, the woman opened the curtain to the tent, and Collothion stepped in.

The light from a candle showed Bregand’s small face. “He’s getting his color back,” Collothion said to Illith who nodded in agreement. “I can already tell this place is special. The air of Arnor will return his health.” The man spoke softly with his eyes intensely searching the boy’s face for any signs of waking, then he turned quickly to the boy’s mother and thanking her he quickly left the tent and made his way back home.

Home, the thought just hit him and he breathed deeply with anticipation of all that was to come in this place. Yes, Home. In just a few minutes, Cuilad was visible. The boy had already kindled a fire and was cooking something in a large pot. Collothion grinned with excitement and put his arm around his son patting him on the shoulder. With a slight squeeze, Collothion told him, “This is our new life, son.” Cuilad warmly returned his father’s hug, and then went back to stirring the hot stew over the fire.

[ July 29, 2003: Message edited by: alaklondewen ]

The X Phial

07-30-2003, 04:29 PM

Alak and Kryssal, thanks for your posts and characters. They look really good. Burzdol, I am willing to work on your character with you, PM me for a discussion.

Belin

07-30-2003, 11:48 PM

Osse, you've already heard from my via pm, but for the benefit of other aspiring hillmen, I'd like to remark publicly on how much I liked your awareness of tensions and other relationships among the Hillmen, as well as the realistic history in a post that used to be here. This is the stuff to emulate.

I also recommend that those who wish to play hillmen read the Notes on Hillmen posted above before writing your character profile; it should prove helpful.

We need a couple more Hillmen, and (obviously) I think they'll be immensely interesting to play. Come out, come out, wherever you are....

--Belin Ibaimendi

[ August 04, 2003: Message edited by: Belin ]

Susan Delgado

07-31-2003, 02:34 PM

We also need more Rangers. As soon as LadyAerowen posts her character bio (she is playing the female Ranger, and it should be a very interesting experience.), there will be two. I was hoping for four or five. Come on, now, everyone wants to play a good guy! No need to play silly, dirty Hillmen. smilies/wink.gif

Carrun, please check your PMs.

[ July 31, 2003: Message edited by: Susan Delgado ]

Carrûn

07-31-2003, 05:15 PM

[EDIT] Responded to PM with suggested changes.

[ July 31, 2003: Message edited by: Carrûn ]

Susan Delgado

07-31-2003, 06:16 PM

I saw it Carrun, thanks muchly. smilies/smile.gif
You can post it here if you like, or I can do it. Either way is fine with me, so long as people can see it.

[ July 31, 2003: Message edited by: Susan Delgado ]

piosenniel

07-31-2003, 08:47 PM

Susan and Carrun

I understand you are editing your First Posts. For my convenience - simply delete your original First Post from your Character bio post, and place the new one there.

It is time consuming enough to transfer first posts without having to chase them around on other pages. Thanks! ~~ Pio

Susan Delgado

07-31-2003, 09:23 PM

We can't do that, Pio: you posted them. We can't edit your posts.

piosenniel

07-31-2003, 09:30 PM

Just PM them to me, please. I will edit your posts.

Susan Delgado

07-31-2003, 09:45 PM

Will do.

TheLadyAerowen

08-01-2003, 05:17 AM

And finally, after bunches of tweaking and changes, we have our female Ranger;

Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – YES/NO - Which one? Yes, most recently Castle Maladil. And many before the revamping of the Roleplaying forums.

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

For your character please include:

NAME: Alearindu

AGE: Early 30’s

RACE: Man, Ranger

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: Alearindu carries a sword at her side and daggers in her boots. She also carries a bow and quiver, but perfers the blades.

APPEARANCE: Alearindu stands tall for a woman, and she is slenderly-built. She has dark-red, shoulder length hair and light-brown eyes. Alearindu clothes herself in earthen-coloured mens clothes; refusing to wear dresses and the such.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Alearindu tends to be quiet and out of the way; but she has a bad temper and the tendancy to speak her mind when she doesn't think first. Hencing Alearindu is a female-Ranger, speaking her mind isn't the best of things to do. Men have always looked down on her; but the will to be equal, or even better than them, is what motivates her.
Alearindu is light-footed and quick, and good at tracking. Alearindu is an excellent horse-woman, and has her own horse Mornen; who is a jet-black stallion. She isn't the best with a sword, but she knows well how to use it. Her weakness is her temper which causes her trouble and more disrespect from men.

HISTORY: Alearindu's father was a Ranger, but her mother had died giving birth to her. Alearindu's father then took her with him on his journeys after she was old enough. She learned tracking, how to wield a sword, and how to go about unnoticed.

Alearindu's father was a close friend of Aragorn, so Alearindu had her acquaintances with him; but not many. After her father died by the hands of a Hillman, Aragorn looked after her for a while, until the time of the War of the Ring. Alearindu spent most of that time just wandering; never settling in one place for too long. She had little, save her father's horse Mornen; the jet-black war stallion.

Shortly after the War of the Ring; Alearindu ventured to Bree. She heard about the settling of Evendim through the passer-bys at the Inn and the possible battles with Hillmen. Even the smallest bit of possible revenge for her father's death was enough motivation for Alearindu to go meet Thorgil in Arnor. She set off immediately. She expected not-the-best treatment, but she could deal.

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

First Post:
Just before the first rays of dawn appeared over the horizon, Alearindu awoke. Quietly stretching and rolling up her blankets from the night, she packed up her gear and placed it into Mornen’s saddlebags.

Snorting and shaking his straw-like black mane, Mornen shoved his velvet-like muzzle into Alearindu’s hand. She rubbed his muzzle and waited for the other men to rise. What she didn’t know was that Thorgil, the company’s leader, was already awake and had left the camp.

Thorgil and the other Rangers didn’t exactly approve of Alearindu. They tended to ignore her and not care about her opinions or inputs; but they did manage to tolerate her and allow her (after much persuasion) to join them. She put up with everything so she could stay on the journey and have a chance at revenge for her father. She had gotten weary of wandering pretty much aimlessly, and besides, where else could she go? Their treatment caused her to become quiet and forlorn, but even she could sense a bit less tension between the lot of them and her during the past moons, and yet not much.

After some stirring and activity in the camp, She spied him leaving and followed, so quietly that he didn't even notice (she hoped) She took a spot sitting on a hill over-looking the group he had gone to visit. There were quite a lot of them. Thorgil did go talk to a man, whom she guessed was the leader, and after a bit of talking, Thorgil returned to the Ranger-Camp and addressed them; she returned behind him and found a place in the back of the crowd.

“Men," After a pause he added, "...and Alearindu. There is a group of Gondorians camped out on the shore of Lake Evendim. I spoke to the leader, Borgand, and he informed me that they are settlers. They are staying here.” He paused to let the men absorb this, and waited patiently as they muttered amongst themselves. They quieted after a few moments, and he continued. "Borgand has requested that I send a man to stay in the settlement, to guard and defend them. You would have to live in the camp until they become self-sufficient, and they may want you to help them build. I will accept a volunteer." He paused and glanced over the men. Alearindu looked too. They were looking at each other, and even she could see most of them would never volunteer; they had been Rangers all their lives, most of them, and would sooner give their arm than stay for an indeterminate amount of time in a settlement.

In her private survey of the crowd, she noticed Awyrgan. He was also fairly new to the camp, like her, and young, like her. She had only spoken to him a few times, but she wished she knew him better. She thought they must have much in common. After a few moments, she looked back at Thorgil to see what he was doing about the fact that no one had volunteered. He looked about to speak when a voice in the back of the crowd said, "I'll go, I'll do it." She looked. It was Awyrgan. He looked Thorgil directly in the eye, his own bright green and flashing. "I'll watch them, but from the outside only unless circumstances require otherwise," Suprised at the usually quiet man's forwardness, Thorgil nodded. He then glanced around the crowd, saw Alearindu watching Awyrgan and said, after a pause, "Alearindu shall accompany you."

Alearindu was silently surprised that Awyrgan had volunteered, and that Thorgil would have let one of the young, new ones go to the settlement. But, Alearindu and Awygran were both young and new. She had thought for a moment she, for once, wasn’t going to be the one doing the work the others didn’t want to. For now, at least she wasn’t the only one.

Alearindu scowled to herself, turned, and walked to Mornen. She tightened his girth, untied the reins from the tree, pulled them over his head, and mounted. She was ready to set-out; to set-out to protect the settlement.

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

Well, there we go. It feels so great to finally post it *winks at Susan*

-The Lady Aerowen

[ August 01, 2003: Message edited by: TheLadyAerowen ]

Susan Delgado

08-01-2003, 05:24 AM

*Brushes hands together for a job well done*

It looks fabulous, Aero. Good job! smilies/biggrin.gif

Tinuviel of Denton

08-01-2003, 05:05 PM

Character Description Form:

Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – yes, Fall of Greenwood the Great, Flight from Rohan, Dark Seduction (cameo)

How many RPG’s on the Barrow Downs are you currently involved in? two, Fall of Greenwood the Great and Flight from Rohan

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

NAME: Kestrel

AGE: 17

RACE: Hillman

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: A staff that is about half her height (usually used to make sure that she doesn't run into anything on her blind side.) and a short knife

APPEARANCE: About five feet tall, with dark brown, somewhat curly hair that is kept hacked off at about shoulder length. She has dark eyes, and has a scar across the left side of her face which pulls her mouth into a constant grimace (she is also blind in her left eye). She wears a necklace of claws around her neck, which came from her namesake. She also has a slightly thickened waist from having two children. She is prematurely aged and looks ten years older than she is (or at least, would if she lived in our society; in hers, she is well-preserved.)

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: She has a bad temper, which has caused her children, Rain (girl, 4) and Flint (boy, 2), to step lightly around her and to make her husband, Knife, seek company elsewhere. She does love her children however, and would give her life for them unflinchingly. She doesn’t really care about anything other than herself and her children. She is stubborn, opinionated, but hard-working.

HISTORY: When Kestrel was about two years old, a hawk attacked her while her mother worked in their rocky garden nearby. The bird was driven away, but not before ripping most of her face open. It healed, but left a scar that almost cost her her chances of marriage. Her father managed to convince the man she married that hard work and youth would make up for lack of looks. He also stole a good steel knife from the Breemen for her dowry. Kestrel was married when she was twelve. Her parents died not long after that. She miscarried a son just before she had been married a year and gave birth to Rain, her daughter, almost exactly nine months after that. She weaned Rain early and did the same with Flint. She is pregnant again, but is not yet showing.

FIRST POST: The Hillwoman frowned. Her husband and his brother had gone off investigating rumors of those cursed Dunedain settling on their land. Aye, it was barren, rocky and it had poor soil, but the land was theirs and noe cursed Mand of the West was going to take it from them, not while there were Hillmen to defend it. They had their own land, those men of Gondor; they could leave these rocky hills alone.

Her son, Flint, came running into the hut, crying because some of the bigger boys in the village had pushed him down again. “Mama, Mama,” he whimpered. “They pusheded me down again.”

“So push them back or stay indoors,” she retorted. This was too much. So what if he was smaller than they were; he had to learn to stand up for himself and learn not to come running to her every time he had a problem. He’d never get any respect that way, and if he wanted to ever be someone important, he’d have to earn the respect of the other boys, starting now. So Kestrel pushed her son to be strong, so that someday, when she was old, and her husband could no longer hunt for her, Flint could take care of his mother.

The tot sniffled a few more times, then ran out again, saying defiantly, “I’ll push 'em real hard, Mama!”

Kestrel nodded, proud that her son would prove his strength this early. Even if he was only two. She turned to her daughter, who was sitting in the corner of the squalid little hut, attempting to weave a rush basket. And Rain was going about in entirely the wrong way.

“No, no, no!” she scolded. “You do it like this.” Rain had to make a good match for them. There was no way that her daughter would ever be dependant on charity. She had to be a perfect wife and make her mother proud. Kestrel was going to have enough to do just dealing with Flint. Rain would have to get a good man, or at least a man who could take care of her, and that would have to be enough for her. Her mother wouldn’t be able to.

[ August 04, 2003: Message edited by: Tinuviel of Denton ]

[ August 13, 2003: Message edited by: Tinuviel of Denton ]

The X Phial

08-04-2003, 07:49 PM

By my count we still need:
1-2 settlers

2 Hillmen

2 rangers

1-2 dwarves

Come on, guys, you know you want to play!

Susan Delgado

08-07-2003, 12:23 AM

Meneltarmacil, please check your pms.

( :: MOD EDIT :: Dragon Elf odin Ragnorock - please PM Susan Delgado concerning your character.)

[ August 07, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

Tinuviel of Denton

08-07-2003, 10:11 AM

Hey, if I write another character, can I play two? I have an idea for a settler stewing around in my foggy brain. If you want to wait for other people to try, before giving me your answer, that's fine. If you don't want me to make two, that is also fine. smilies/smile.gif

piosenniel

08-07-2003, 02:51 PM

From Meneltarmacil: (sent to me in a PM)

Please note that I will be out of town and unable to send any replies until Wednesday. If the RPG starts before then I'll try to work my character in later.

Himaran

08-07-2003, 03:22 PM

Character Description Form:

Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – YES -

The Hobbit’s Gift, Road to Erebor, Quest for the Ainereg, The Summons, Sailing Away, In the Shadow of the Star, Flight From Rohan.

Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn or in The White Horse in Rohan? – YES - BOTH

For your character please include:

NAME: Olin

AGE: 56

RACE: Dwarf

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS :

Olin carries a single headed axe, a gift from a friend living at the mountain stronghold of Erebor. His side arms include a long knife and two hatchets.

APPEARANCE: Olin is the an average dwarf; 4ft 3" with stubby arms and a long, braided brown beard. His hair is cut short in the fashion of a warrior, barely reaching the base of his neck. Olin's most embarrassing feature is the absence of his left ear; sliced cleanly off the side of his head during a battle with orcs from the mountains. To hide his wound, the dwarf is usually seen clothed in a brown tunic with a hood, shading both his eyes and his missing ear. During battle, Olin protects himself with heavy chain-mail armor, and polished brass helmet.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES:

Olin has been described by many as a grumpy character. He is gruff, can be short and impolite during conversations. He rises late, and usually is not throroughly awake until close to an hour later. The argumentative dwarf debates (and fights) constantly, though he has never harmed a anyone during such an outbreak. But despite his habit, Olin is friendly and enjoys meeting people from different races. A born traveller, he was more than happy to leave the Blue Mountains and help the Gondorian's with their building project.

A warrior as well as mason, Olin is an excellent fighter for a young dwarf. His overcautiousness borders on paranoia, and Belin keeps his various weapons near him at all times. The dwarf is also fond of children, though he regards the fact as a weakness and attempts to hide it.

HISTORY:

Olin was raised by his father in the dwarven lands of the Blue Mountains. While growing up, he learned little of the outside world; his father being protective of him and keeping him inside the mountain realm. During the early years Olin was taught the arts of war and masonry. Eventually, when war broke out with Orcs in the Misty Mountains, Olin had his first taste of battle and distinguished himself as a fighter. Longing to travel and leave the confines of his home, Olin was glad for a chance to travel to Arnor, despite the obvious trial of building a city from scratch.

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

FIRST POST

When Olin the dwarf slowly and unsteadily exited his tent, the sun had risen and noon was approaching. The young dwarf was an amusing sight; his beard was tousled and entwined the wrong way, his entire face covered with loose strands of dark brown hair. For that was how Olin always looked upon waking, his only thought being to reach the campfire without tripping and falling over. The dwarf had experienced the embarressment of doing so many times before, all slightly different versions of the same mishap.

Finally reaching a campfire, Olin snatched a nearby mug and filled it with steaming hot tea. Taking a deep drink, the dwarf ignored the scorching pain from the heat and allowed the marvelous property of the drink to fill him with new life. Looking down at the empty mug, he refilled it and drank again, this time emptying the cup in a single slurping gulp. Ah, tea; delicious and soothing. Now I can focus on the task at hand.

Returning to his tent, now moving quickly, Olin dressed properly and re-braided his beard. Next, he checked his weaponry and equipment. The dwarf was unsure of when he assistance would be needed, but he wanted to be ready either way. Now fully awake, with his personal chores out of the way, Olin decided to take a stroll around the settlers' camp and discuss matters of construction with other dwarves. He knew that building a city would require extensive planning, and before leaving he sketched out priliminary ideas of his own. One always had to be prepared!

[ August 08, 2003: Message edited by: Himaran ]

Kryssal

08-07-2003, 03:23 PM

I could also take on another character of any race/gender. That is, if it would be needed smilies/wink.gif

The X Phial

08-07-2003, 07:55 PM

Tinuviel - I am open to having you play two characters if you feel up to it. Write your idea up and I will PM you with my comments. smilies/smile.gif

Himaran - check your PMs

Kryssal - if you want to try writing up another character and think you can handle two then write it up and we will have a look.

I can't wait to start playing!

[ August 07, 2003: Message edited by: The X Phial ]

Susan Delgado

08-07-2003, 09:52 PM

I have sent pms to Meneltarmacil and Odin. I told Macil we would hold a spot open for him pending revision of his character.

Kryssal

08-08-2003, 01:44 PM

Is there any particular race that needs another character?

The X Phial

08-08-2003, 03:03 PM

We could use a good ranger or warrior hillman. I think it would be too odd having you play a dwarf and a settler.

piosenniel

08-08-2003, 04:18 PM

Here is the list so far:

SETTLERS:

5 Men of Gondor, Bree, or Rohan: settlers - can be any age and gender

Kryssal – Kaben Bieth
alaklondewen - Collothion (father) / Cuilad (son)

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

RANGERS OF THE NORTH

3 or 4 Dunedain – prefer male; one female possible - primarily hunters and fighters against Hillmen

Carrun – Awyrgan
TheLadyAerowen – Alearindu
Meneltarmacil – Thoronmir (please check your PM’s about revising your character)

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

HILLMEN

4 Hillmen: prefer male; one female possible – 3 warriors and possibly 1 priest

Osse – Bear
Tinuviel of Denton – Kestrel (female)

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

BUILDERS

3 Dwarves of the Blue Mountains: – all male – contracted to build Evendim Town

Varda – Therin
Himaran - Olin

_____________________________________________

The game still needs:

1 Dwarf of the Blue Mountains

2 Hillmen

1 Ranger (Dúnedan)

3 Settlers (Mannish Race) from Bree, Gondor, or Rohan

[ August 08, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

Arvedui III

08-08-2003, 11:01 PM

Hey, still room for another on this really cool-sounding RPG?

Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – YES, Road to Erebor, Reclaiming the City, Truth in a Dark Place.

How Many RPGs are You Currently Involved In? 1- Restistance

Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn or in The White Horse in Rohan? – NO

NAME: Flech

AGE:17

RACE: Hillmen of Arnor

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Fletch carries a spear slung across his back and two pouches of poison darts.

APPEARANCE: Short and slight, Fletch doesn't truly resemble his hillmen brothers, but rather a severely starved dwarf. Yet he has the same scraggly hair, rough dark skin, and piercing black eyes.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Partially because of his physical stature, Fletch is a loner, even for a hillman. Preferring to rove from rocks and trees in the quiet of the woods, he doesn't have much tolerance for others, nor much sway over them. And maybe because of that, he bears a great hate both of himself and anyone in his way, yet also a great loyalty to those who win his respect. Fletch is deadly with darts and almost any ranged weapon he can lay his hands on, but near worthless in close quarter combat. And quiet as the hills he knows, and swifter of foot then many of his kin, it may not necessarily matter.

HISTORY: Fletch hard earned his place among the Hillmen of Wolf. Born to a common warrior who died when he was young, Fletch inherited nothing, save hardship and misery, and near starvation because of his form until he was old enough to prove his worth through trial and error as a spy against the rangers.
And now he roves aimlessly among the, for now, quiet landscape of Arnor, hunting and living alone where he may. When he does encounter other hillmen, it is only at call of Wolf and his brothers, who first gave him food in return for his information. Otherwise, he skirts all others, not speaking unless spoken to, not offering help or asking for it. Fletch works alone.

FIRST POST:
Dawn crept quietly over the hills and trees of Arnor, reflecting in the glassy blue lake as though it were a mirror to second world, seamless and unobstructed as the still water. Yet the sunrise reflected also in twin black eyes, pools as cold, glassy, and keen as the lake they watched in the early morning.

Knife had been right. They had appeared, and it didn't look like they would go away.

Fletch crept down to a lower rock and cursed as one of the circle of lone gray figures turned his way. Flech tensed behind his hiding place, straining to descry the spy he had aroused and be invisible at the same time. But, it was only a passing glance; And relaxing his small frame, he returned the little shaft he'd pulled from a pouch around his neck gingerly. Now his watery eyes swept the camp around the lake, full of tents, horses, untended firepits, dirty pots from the night before.

The whole scale of the invaders disrespect and sheer -there was no other word for it- defilement of their land, his land, made his blood seethe.

But Wolf and Bear would drive them away, Fletch soundly believed that. The night willing, they would drive the southmen away, and he had every intention of helping anyway he could. It would start this morning, Fletch thought as he made no sound heading back to report. Yes, it would start today, the sun and moon willing.
----------
Hope that works, this is really great RPG.
Arvedui

[ August 21, 2003: Message edited by: Arvedui III ]

Kryssal

08-10-2003, 02:00 PM

Ok, here's one other character that I've thought of, tell me if he's not needed anymore smilies/wink.gif

NAME: Tane Arisn

AGE: 32

RACE: Dunedan

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: His pride weapon is bow that has seen one too many years for most fighters, but he still holds onto it. He also has a simple long sword with the only decoration being a faultily sketched crescent moon on the hilt and three stars descending the from the moon down the blade. Tane’s last weapon is a long knife that he keeps strapped to his left leg.

APPEARANCE: His shaggy dark brown hair goes about three to four inches past his shoulders, almost touching the bottom of his shoulder blades. Tane’s brown eyes are soft and calculating that notice many small details but seem to miss a lot of the underlying emotions of the people around him. He wears the usual garb of a Ranger, muted greens, browns, and greys.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Like all of the rangers he is fiercely loyal to his commander and King. He’s nice to most everyone and doesn’t tend to judge people until the show signs that they are unworthy; this has led him to problems in the past with sketchy individuals who kept up good facades. He works best with a bow, but is not the most accomplished in the group. Tane tries to disarm more than kill, but will kill if necessary or if he knows that his enemy is deserving of such a fate. Lately he has been having thoughts about trying to find a wife, but knows that with the life of a Ranger it is highly unlikely. He received a sword wound from the Battle of Pellenor Fields on the outside of his right thigh which acts up every once in awhile and can hinder his ability to run or crouch.

HISTORY: Tane grew up in a small village that was always under the protection of the Rangers, though the villagers didn’t know it until they were attacked one spring’s eve; the Rangers came in and saved them. Tane had been a boy at the time and had wanted to become one ever after. His father, a simple farmer, had supported him as much as possible. Tane trained for hours every day with an ex-soldier that had set out his retirement in the village. The old soldier had specialized in tracking and bow targeting; the young boy was a quick study that eagerly soaked up all the knowledge he could.

When he was 19 some Rangers came into town to get a few supplies that they were running low on, as they did from time to time, and Tane took his chances by asking to go with them. Two of them laughed and joked around with him, playfully acting as if they were entertaining a child. Another just watched him. Three days after they departed the three Rangers came back with a couple more companions. Tane was then given a series of interviews and tests. He fumbled badly over several of them, but was apparently found worthy despite his faults.

In the Rangers he has mostly been a scout and watcher more than a diplomat or warrior. He has shared in the bloodshed though, and never shirked when needed.

FIRST POST:

The wild men seemed to be moving in and out of their camps by ones and twos a lot lately and the leader was in a foul mood. They hadn’t done anything that caused him much alarm, so Tane didn’t race to report yet. Something was definitely agitating the group though. He squinted to see the individuals better from his hiding place.

Tane wasn’t worried. If something had happened he was sure that Thorgil had known it before. He, however, did not need to sit and watch the wild men any longer. Looking over his back he could see his replacement coming through the hills. Backing out of his hiding place among some sparse brush, he walked down and over to where he had made his small camp for the past night. He packed up the small belongings he had taken with him and saddled up his horse Skit. He smiled at the memory of when he was given the horse from his father when he first set off with the Rangers. It had cost his father a lot to give him this one last present and Tane had let his little sister name the beast. She had giggled and said, “Well, he is rather skittish isn’t he?”

Brushing away the memories he greeted the replacement with a raised hand.

“Hoi, what news with the wild men?” said Ethiner as he reached the camp.

“They’ve been moving about a little more seemingly rechecking something and the leader is more troubled than usual. Do you know what’s bothering them so?” Tane responded as Ethiner dismounted and came over to the cold fire where Tane was standing.

“Aye, a large group of settlers has come in and decided to make the lake shore their new home. Thorgil is going to put in a few permanent posts at the village, young Alearindu and old Awyrgan are going there now.”

Tane smiled, “Wouldn’t think of Awyrgan in a village, would you?" the two men shared a smile. "Well, we all have our place. Good watching,” and he mounted in one fluid motion and gave a type of salute to the Ranger taking up his post who nodded in reply. Then he turned Skit into the right direction and started off, anxious to see and learn more about this new settlement.

[ August 14, 2003: Message edited by: Kryssal ]

Tinuviel of Denton

08-13-2003, 11:29 AM

I think I'll hold the settler in reserve, at least until there are a few more people who try for a role.

Meneltarmacil

08-13-2003, 11:51 AM

OK, as per Susan Delgado's instructions, I revised my character. Here he is again.
Character Description Form:
Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? No.

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, in the Green Dragon

For your character please include:

NAME: Thoronmir

AGE: 56

RACE: Human (Dunedain)

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: 1 longsword, a longbow and 30 arrows, a belt knife

APPEARANCE: About 6 feet tall, reddish brown hair, blue eyes, wears a dark green cloak, rides a brown horse

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Good with a sword. Is haunted by his memories of his friends dying in the War of the Ring, and dislikes war, but considers it his duty to fight for a just cause.

HISTORY: Thoronmir grew up in the hills of Evendim along with several of his friends who also became rangers. He accompanied Aragorn to the battle of the Pelennor Fields,where he saw most of his friends die. He fought at the Morannon afterward, and ever since then, he has been haunted by memories of war and only wants a quiet place where he can live in peace and forget about everything.

FIRST POST: The sun was just beginning to creep over the horizon when Thoronmir woke along with the other rangers in their camp. He had breakfast along with the others, and reported in to the meeting with Thorgil and the other leaders. "As some of you may know," Thorgil had been saying, "there is a new settlement being built on the shores of the lake." Thoronmir nodded, having already noticed the large number of people who had been gathering on the shore along with the supplies for the new colony. "Awyrgan and Alearindu have already volunteered to stay with the settlers to protect them. I am going to need more volunteers to scout out the surrounding hills for the hillmen's strongholds."
"I'll volunteer," said Thoronmir. "I'm already familiar with the area."

And that is how he found himself in the southern hills of Evendim several days later.

He awoke one morning to the rising of the sun in the east. fastened his sword to his belt, threw on his cloak, and strapped on his pack, bow, and quiver of arrows. He got on his horse and rode off down the trail toward where he had spotted the hillmen the day before. He had not had much luck finding the hillmen's strongholds until the last couple of days, when he had begun following the group he had seen. If he was lucky, they would probably lead him right to a major stronghold.

When he arrived at the camp, he found that the hillmen had already left; only a few blackened stones were left to show where they had made a fire. Thoronmir dismounted and examined the ground carefully for signs of where the hillmen had gone. He found what looked like trampled undergrowth going in a regular path to the southwest. Thoronmir remounted his horse and started following the new path.

[ August 13, 2003: Message edited by: Meneltarmacil ]

*Varda*

08-13-2003, 02:19 PM

Just to say, I'm happy to play a 2nd character of whatever type if no one else comes forward.

Susan Delgado

08-13-2003, 06:46 PM

Thank you, Meneltarmacil. That is much better. smilies/smile.gif

TheLadyAerowen

08-14-2003, 01:51 PM

Eh, I hope this is fine ^_^'

I -may- be gone August 17th to the 25th. I have that first post ready...worse comes to worse it'll be one week without a post from me.

Hope we at least get all the characters needed soon!

-The Lady Aerowen

Bêthberry

08-21-2003, 12:02 PM

Thank you very much, Piosenniel and Child of the Seventh Age, for facilitating this move.

Gamers who have come over from The Shire: some of you are already on the list of Rohan gamers. Others of you are not. Those who are not have been given a 'pass' to play this game out here in recognition of the work they did creating their character and first post. The game co-owners will work with you (as with all the gamers) to help make this a great RPG.

And, Writers of the Mark, there are roles still to be filled in this game, from a wide range of interests: Hillman (oohh, baddies--or are they?), settlers (happy campers or squatters on others' territory?), dwarves (always inveterate traders, some scope for comedy here?), and Rangers (are they peacemakers or cops?).

Fighting! Negotiating! Exploring! Love and hate! This game has it all. It is a game as big as the rolling plains of Rohan itself.

I am really excited to be a part of it.

Bêthberry

[ August 22, 2003: Message edited by: Bêthberry ]

Manardariel

08-21-2003, 01:52 PM

Well, who could resist a game like this? I can´t! smilies/smile.gif I´d be delighted if you would consider these characters...I´ve submitted two, but am willing to cut Ciana (the second one) out if it´s too much. I just wasn´t sure.

Character Description Form:
Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – YES – Roll out the Barells, The Hobbits Gift, Quest for the Ainereg, In War, Corsairs and Corsets, Swan Wood....is that all?

Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn or in The White Horse in Rohan? – YES– both

Name: Aleitha
Age: 36
From: Minas Tirith
Race: Human (settler)
Gender: Female
Weapons: none... well, maybe that she knows people so well
Short physical description: She looks a bit plain with her “dishwasher-blonde” hair down to her waist. She tends to just losly pull it together in a ponytail or braids. Secretly, she loves to let her hair open, let it fly everywhere....but she hardly dares, finding it impractical and somewhat vulgar. Her eyes are blue-grey, she has a quiete sort of smile and is rather short. What is beautiful about her is he voice: strong, clear and full. Needless to say, Aleitha loves to sing.

Backround/Motivation/Character: Aleitha married her first love when she was 20. Her parents have never forgiven her she disobeyed them, and she hasn´t seen them since. At first she didn´t mind this, being in love with her husband Theidion and, soon afterwards, preoccupied with her daughter Ciana (now 15). The two of them have a very close and special relationship, especially as Ciana is Aleitha´s only child. Theidion, however; turned away from his family and started “amusing” himself abroad. Aleitha knows of his affairs, and she hates it but, without her parents and no friends abroad she has no place to go. Besides, it all seemes a bit too risky to her, not well planned or anything. But when she finds out Theidion´s current girlfriend has given birth to a baby boy, things change. She notices she doesn´t love him, not at all. and she decides to radically change her life. Ciana is fifteen years old, old enough for a new start. And so the two women left Minas Tirith behind for a new start. The journey, though it was hard for them, was survivable. Alethia is a good dressmaker and is palnning to open a family business in their new home.
Aleitha is a woman who will wait for ages before actually doing something. She values safety and having things planned out. She approaches every action with rational thought, and seldomly gives way to what her heart truly wants. She has a tendency to put others in front of herself, and to please everyone at once. In the end, this does no one any good, least of all herself. Aleitha keeps her opinion to herself, and doesn´t like to talk freely about her problems. When things are going extremly bad, she will rather joke about it than actually say what´s going on. You need to know her very well to tell how she really is feeling. Aleitha faces problems by either ignoring them or trying to argue them away. If that doesn´t work, she tries to find the solution that seems best to her- but usually isn´t. She will bite her teeth out on details instead of focusing on the bigger picture.
Nevertheless; Aleitha is also a good and spirited companion. To some extend, new things challenge her and she is very helpful. People come to her whenever they have a problem, or if the just want to talk. Aleitha will make a cup of tea and listen, drying tears and making jokes at just the right people. She has a good knowledge of people and can feel out their emotions.

~*~*~*~*
...and her daughter

Name: Ciana
Age: 15
From: Minas Tirith
Race: Human
Gender: Female
Weapons: Crossbow skills- but she doesn´t have one (yet?)
Short physical description: Ciana is tall, taller than her mother already. She has honey-colored hair, her mother´s sea-grey eyes. Her smile is wide open and friendly, her checks rosy and her legs long. She ´s a blooming flower at fifteen.

Backround/Motivation/Character: Nothing, not even her mother´s protectiveness could stop Ciana to live most of her childhood in the streets of Minas Tirith. She didn´t like being at home, trapped between her parents´ failed marriage, her father´s often absence and her mother´s denying self. Ciana ran wild, playing hopscotch and tag, learning how to shoot a crossbow from a retired ranger, and how to tell fortune from a strange Old Lady she calls Birdie.
Ciana longs for freedom, both mentally and physically. She´s not a tomboy, she just can´t stand being at home, just embroidering or spinning. She enjoys exploring new things and meets everything with a childlike curiosity. Unlike her mother she solves problems right away, though her ways may not be all that conventional. But as she grew older, she noticed to all things can be solved like that: her parent´s marriage, for example. Ciana has never really had a relationship with her father, and now she despises him, for what he´s done to her mother, but also because he didn´t have the courage to tell her mother any of this. Ciana´s one of those “spotlight” people- she captures your attention, but she also pulls it all to herself. Popular, but a bit exausting at times, she has the restless energy of a twp-year-old, a tounge faster than a racing horse and a special thing for gossip. A good mixture? Maybe. But definatly an entertaining one.
For her, the journey noth was fun and adventorus, though also harsh. She looks forward to start a new life, and can´t wait to show people what her dreams are made of.

Other- two words: Romance Possible

edit: Oh no. I´ve deleted the first post. I´ll see how much I can remember and post here ASAP, okay? Sorry!

[ August 21, 2003: Message edited by: Manardariel ]

Arvedui III

08-21-2003, 09:46 PM

Yay! The game's in Rohan now. Great! smilies/biggrin.gif

Belin: As per requested, my profile's been updated. Hope that works (again).

Arvedui

Rimbaud

08-22-2003, 05:47 AM

Ibai – From what I understand, you are still short on one Hill-man. I hope this seems appropriate, although please do send any corrective comments you may have. If you feel that Calem is an unsuitable or too challenging a prospect for this game, please say, and I shall not be in the least offended.

If you approve, please do read the Note underneath his History.

Character Description Form:

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

Yes – Rohan RPG, My Crow Management, Revenge of the Entish Bow, The Saving of the Seventh Star, The Seventh Star (assorted sub-plots as Innkeeper). Moderator of Gondor.

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

Yes – The White Horse. Additional posts in The Seventh Star of Gondor.

For your character please include:

NAME: Calem

AGE: Unknown.

RACE: Men (Hill-men)

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS : None.

APPEARANCE: Calem is of an above-average height, but stoops, and has a slight hunch. His arms and legs however, are thick and potentially powerful. He is balding from the front, which leads many to suspect he is older than the foolish child his face suggests. Some developmental difficulties have caused his walk to be ungainly, and his facial muscles to be not wholly developed, which can cause people to find him distasteful to look at. Calem has never been fastidious about personal hygiene, and since his mother’s death, none have shown an interest. To put it bluntly, Calem reeks, and is filthy.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Calem is a mute, and what the people of the Hills call a Stonehead, for he is not wise and he is not capable of great understanding. He can make affirmatives and negatives quite clear, but few would count him among the great conversationalists of the era. For all his apparent stupidity, Calem is loyal, especially to those that show him kindness and there have been very few of these in the rough company of the Hill-men.

HISTORY: Calem is hated and feared amongst the Hill-men. Hated for what they perceive as his retarded nature and gruesome appearance. Feared for what happened when he was angered. The tale is still told, but out of earshot, for no-one truly knows what he can and cannot understand of human speech.

A fierce territorial dispute amongst factions of the Hill-men many years ago had ended in his mother being grievously hurt, and later dying. She had been a refugee from Calambel, far to the South, from whence Calem drew his name, and she had been running for months when the Hill-men found her and the child, both close to death, over thirty years ago, although the Hill-men were not greatly accurate in their measuring of time.

Calem had witnessed the events, and despite never having entered into the social fabric of the Hill-men before, shunned as he was for his perceived disabilities, rose with a growl and struck at the man who had wounded his mother. Before any could stop him, he had pounded the man to death, and it took five of them to bludgeon the thickset Calem to the ground.

The Hill-men did not kill him there and then for the promise their chief had given to his mother. She had been skilled in certain arts of healing, and had found favour that way within the community. Bound by their oaths, none dared to strike Calem dead, but he was spurned by nearly all, and beaten by a few, although they kept him fed and watered. His strength was often useful, and he was placid so long as he was not threatened. The current chief Wolf, keeps Calem around and does not allow him to be too badly treated, although even he cannot bear to be too near the oafish man.

NOTE TO OTHER PLAYERS: Should Calem be accepted as a character, there is an important point to be made as to how other characters might react to him. As enlightened contemporary thinkers, you may find yourself drawn to make your character sympathetic and understanding towards Calem. Perhaps you feel that your character should pity him for what they perceive as his alien and disabled nature.

This would not be the way in such a society as the Hill-men. He would be loathed and feared, as one tainted by the dark gods and powers. Indeed, some of the more superstitious may believe him to be a sort of demon or warning from a god.

It is important to remember that no-one will think the worse of you if your character detests Calem and treats him badly – it is not a reflection on you or your attitudes, but an examination of a different culture and a more primitive method of thinking.

First post:

Calem was cold and miserable. He had wanted to watch the strange newcomers arrive. Instead, Wolf had told him to sit by the riverbank and catch some fish. Calem knew there were no fish at this part of the stream, it was too shallow and rocky, little more than a trickle at times.

He could smell the fires of the newcomers on the air and tasted food on the air. He was hungry. He would return to the others and see if they would throw him something to eat. There were no fish here.

He lurched to his feet and moved forwards, his left leg as ever dragging slightly behind him. Overlong and under-muscled, it caused him great frustration as he could only move very slowly and awkwardly. When he tried to run, he fell and struck his head. He bore the bruises, cuts and untended scrapes to prove this. Some of the cuts on his hands had festered in the dirt and grime and sores had cracked open. Calem had not noticed these for some time.

He was still hungry and the others seemed no closer. He grunted and kept his head down. The others did not like to see his slack-muscled, twisted face, or especially the deep-set, squinting eyes. He hoped they had not drunk tonight. He rarely got food if they were drinking. He wanted to go back to the village. He did not know why Wolf had made him come.

He was still hungry. He growled as he struggled up over a small ridge. He would be at the others soon. Perhaps they would not mind that he had not brought them fish.

[ August 22, 2003: Message edited by: Rimbaud ]

The X Phial

08-22-2003, 09:14 PM

Hi everyone and thanks for sticking with us through the move. Manardariel, your characters look interesting and we needed some female settlers, welcome aboard!

Rim, wonderful to see you!! Thanks for putting up such a bold and complicated character. I look forward to hearing from Ibai about it soon. smilies/smile.gif

TheLadyAerowen

08-24-2003, 11:34 PM

"Well, I'm back."

Yes yes. I am back. I had over 120 e-mails total with two boxes. The insanity.

Well, I, per usual, hope to get started soon ;P

-The Lady Aerowen

Manardariel

08-27-2003, 12:49 PM

I´m exepted? Awesome! Okay, here´s the first post...I wasn´t sure on the settlers´ situation, so if anything isn´t what you intended, just tell me! smilies/smile.gif

edit: X-Phial pointed out some things to me, so here´s an editedversion..hope it´s ok!

First Post for Aletha and Ciana

“Mother, look! Isn´t it gorgeous?” Ciana twirled around, her long braids falling around her. The setting sun was illuminating Lake Evendim, making it shine and glimmer under it´s green waters. Ciana did a cartwheel in the sand of the shore, her hands prickeling with exitement. They were here. After a long, wearying journey north, they had finally arrived in their new town, Evendim. Their new home.
Aletha smiled as she watched her daughter´s exitement. She was glad to have arrived, though Evendim wasn´t nearly as promising as it had sounded in Minas Anor. But at least she was free here, free to do whatever she wanted, start a new life. A new life. The sound, and the possibilty frightened her. Could she give up on being who she was in order to start a “new life”? Ciana could. The girl was talking less and less about the White City each day, she had even come to refer to their primitive wooden cabin by the lake as “home”. Aletha sighed. What was she doing here, in the wild? Did she belong here?
The truth was, Aletha didn´t know- and she didn´t want to, either. But what she did know was that whatever life had in place for them here, it was better what it had been at home.

“Ciana,” she called, “come on here. Dinner´s ready.”

Ciana got up and walked over to Aletha who had set up a fire before their small tent. Her eyes were shining full of exitement. Being out here was just wonderful. This is the kind of life I was made for! Not a boring life in a boring city- exitement, the wild, that´s where I belong! She looked around at the Lake, the colony of settlers. Families were eating, men fishing, children playing tag between plan wagons and tentds. They had arrived barely an hour ago. People were making plans for their houses, chatting happily about rooms, stables and working areas. Ciana sighed. Neither her mother nor herself had ever tried building something, let alone a house! But that was a worry for tomorrow. Tonight, they would spent another night in their tent. And it woldn´t be the last one...

Ciana joined her mother around the small fire. Evenings were friendly up north, though the weather was much harsher than down in Gondor. But the evenings were warm, and to Ciana and Aletha, that was a gift: they didn´t own a wagon, only thick woolen blankets, a small tent and the grass below them. That was their bed, and so it had been for the past weeks of traveling. They would be spending their time outdoors anyways, even later one when they did have a house. Here, they had sun and stars over their head, and other settlers to chat with if they wanted. Ciana looked up at her mother, grinning.

“So,” she said. “What next?” It wasn´t a question, not really. It was more an invitation to pull out an expected gift or idea. Aletha shrank together before her daughter. The truth was, she had no such present.

“I don´t know, honey. I thought things would settle themselves when we got hzere. I thought, we would have helpers, thought there´d be more people like us. People who don´t have a clue about the wild. I thought we´d manage...I think I was wrong.”
Horrified, Ciana jumped up. “You weren´t wrong, mother. We are managing. We have a tent, and blankets. We have enough to eat. We have friends. We perfectly fine. What did you expect this to be, a picnic?” Aletha smiled at her big girl, who always seemed to find the right words.

“We´ll manage,” she said, her voice louder as usual. “We´ll be fine.”

[ August 28, 2003: Message edited by: Manardariel ]

Belin

08-28-2003, 01:50 PM

With the acceptance of Rimbaud's fabulous character to the game, our quota of Hillmen is filled. I must say I'm very pleased, and hope the game starts soon. This is going to be a good one.

We're still looking for a dwarf, some settlers, and maybe a ranger. Come one, come all, to the North Kingdom's fall.

--Belin Ibaimendi

(Oh, and btw, Himaran....
His overcautiousness borders on paranoia, and Belin keeps his various weapons near him at all times.

...I assure you that I do no such thing. smilies/wink.gif )

[ August 28, 2003: Message edited by: Belin ]

VanimaEdhel

08-28-2003, 02:04 PM

Thank you for approving my character, X! I'm glad I got back from vacation in time to participate! Well, I guess I'm grabbing the last spot for a Dwarf (a new race for me to play):

Barzûn's Information:

Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – YES – Castle Maladil, Ride to the Dark Side, An Audience with the King, Roll Out the Barrels, those are the only ones that I remember off the top of my head or that have made it to Elvenhome (my memory is going at the age of sixteen).

How many RPG’s on the Barrow Downs are you currently involved in? – Two: Brotherhood of the Last Alliance and The Threat of the Trees

Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn or in The White Horse in Rohan? – YES – Both, only the White Horse at the moment

For your character please include:
NAME: Barzûn

AGE: 122

RACE: Dwarf

GENDER: Male

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.): The old axe that used to belong to his father. He has used it a few times against Orcs, but has not used it against any other race. He is more familiar with tools of building than tools of warfare.

APPEARANCE: Barzûn has a long beard that nearly reaches his knees. He used to have red hair, but now it is mostly silver. He keeps it braided. He is about 4’6” with the typical stocky build of Dwarves. He has medium brown eyes. His face has gained wrinkles over the years from scowling at workers that shun responsibility and hard physical labor.

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): Barzûn is a diligent worker who worked his way up to his position. He is a tough Dwarf to work under, but it is only because he is determined to finish what he starts. He expects those below him to respect the authority he has worked hard to earn, and does not like his workers talking back to him. As hard as he works though, when a job is finished, Barzûn is fully ready to sit back for a little bit, smile, laugh, and enjoy the work that he completed. He is very wary and distrustful of any race but that of the Dwarves, and he holds to the old ways, hating especially Elves and not caring for Men at all. Tradition is one of the most important things, according to Barzûn. His methods of construction and his morals are very traditional and younger Dwarves may even call him old-fashioned.

HISTORY: Barzûn was born and lived all his life in the Blue Mountains. His father was a builder as well, and his father’s father before him. He was taught the life of a builder and knew nothing else. He fought Orcs on more than one occasion, but he does not know much of fighting Barzûn has three sons, Turgin, Zurkin, and Nargin, all three of which are back at home looking after business.

Barzûn was not happy at the thought of leaving the Blue Mountains to come help Men rebuild. He was not at all fond of Men and the idea of helping humans was not a good idea in his opinion. However, his superiors along with his sons had pushed for him to come to build. He will be especially distrustful of the men he meets, especially if they mention good relations with Elves or remind him of Elves in any way. Although he has never met an Elf, he holds serious grudges against them.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
FIRST POST:
Barzûn left his tent, still strapping his axe to his side. The sun was rising and Barzûn had to go to work. For Men. Barzûn grumbled, complaining that the Dwarves never needed help and that Men must be weak to need to call on others for aid. But then again, the Dwarves were the best at this work. Barzûn just hoped that there would not be any Elves around. The thought of Elves made Barzûn start grumbling again. Awful creatures, these Elves, so full of their own virtue and self-righteousness, always thinking that they were the best.

Barzûn went about looking for the other Dwarves. They had to get an early start, and Barzûn did not want any laziness in his camp. That kind of behavior would not be tolerated. Whether his workers were Dwarves or Men, if it came to having Men help labor, Barzûn would not tolerate slacking on the job. When the job was over, then people could be merry and have their parties. Barzûn, himself, liked a nice celebration now and then as well as the next Dwarf, but it was a matter of priorities. The Dwarves had pledged a few of their kind to help build this Evendim.

A small child bumped into Barzûn. Even though he was a small child to the Men, he was already up to Barzûn’s shoulder. Barzûn swore at the child who ran away before Barzûn could scold him. Barzûn scowled a bit. It would be twice as hard to try to construct with all of these children around. He hoped the women took care that the small ones did not get in the way once the actual building started. They would have casualties due to accidents if that were the case. Barzûn would make sure that those casualties were not Dwarves.

Some Men greeted Barzûn, giving him a “Good morning”, while others just shot him curious looks. Barzûn grunted in response to the first greeting and just glared back when given the second. Children ran around everywhere as Mothers tried to either call them in for breakfast or just try to gain control of the wild young Humans. Barzûn’s glares managed to keep the children from barreling into him too much in their play.

Humans everywhere, but where were the Dwarves? Barzûn continued to walk and look around. He saw a few Dwarves sitting together eating breakfast. Barzûn’s stomach rumbled as he saw the Dwarves. The first trace of a smile touched his lips when he smelled the food and heard the Dwarves speaking. He forced the smile off his lips and crossed to the Dwarves. No need to show them any weakness on the first day of work.

He spoke to the Dwarves, forcing a more serious demeanor than even he felt. They spoke of work and of building. Finally, one offered him a seat and some breakfast, which Barzûn quickly accepted. He sat down to eat, giving one last glare to a very small child who stopped to stare at the Dwarves, obviously never having seen a Dwarf in his life before. The child went wide-eyed at the glare and ran off to play with the other children again.

Rimbaud

08-29-2003, 05:50 AM

Thank you for your gracious acceptance of Calem, ladies, and I look forward to the time when we shall begin the story.

The X Phial

08-29-2003, 09:40 AM

Thanks to everyone for their patience with us and the long road to starting. I know it's been tough, but for our efforts we have an excellent game cast and are ready to begin. Welcome aboard Vanima. We can start with the current people. If anyone wants to add a ranger or a settler, they are welcome to, however. In order to allow some time, we will be starting the game on Saturday. Gamers, start your engines.

Meneltarmacil

08-29-2003, 11:54 AM

I am sorry, but I will be going on a trip this weekend and will not be back until Monday smilies/frown.gif. Don't hold up the beginning of the game though, I'll just add my posts starting then. I'm really looking forward to this! smilies/biggrin.gif

Bêthberry

08-29-2003, 04:08 PM

I am very happy to see this game about to start. You've had a long wait, but the story is good. I am proud to be part of this game.

Would the game owners decide amongst themselves who will open the game thread with the first post? And if you have a preferred order for the first posts, please describe that order here?

Remember, please disable your sigs for the game posts.

Bêthberry

The X Phial

08-30-2003, 06:10 PM

Bb will be starting the game thread. Please go and copy/paste your own first post into the game thread. I ask that people in each category wait for their team leader to post before placing their posts. So, settlers and dwarves can post any time after I do, Rangers after Susan has posted, and Hillmen after Belin has done so. Those are the only resrictions, though I do ask that people read the posts and place their own posts intelligently. I trust you all to know where your post fits. Thanks!

[ August 30, 2003: Message edited by: The X Phial ]

TheLadyAerowen

09-01-2003, 08:55 PM

Sorry; I was also on a trip Friday-Monday and forgot to post about it. I'm back now, for a long while I think. ^_^'

-The Lady Aerowen

The X Phial

09-02-2003, 07:51 AM

Hi all, good placing thus far! Thanks to all. Just a reminder, we need to remove our signatures from posts in the game thread. I noticed a few signatures still on posts and I need everyone to check and edit them out. Thanks very much!

Dûrlossiel

09-02-2003, 01:10 PM

This is a notice from Tinuviel.

She has been grounded for a week and will not be able to get on until Monday evening the 8th of September. She asked me to say you can do whatever you need with her character. She also askes that Belin paste her first post when it needs to be on.

Belin

09-02-2003, 05:34 PM

Done. Thanks for letting us know when she'll be back.

--Belin Ibaimendi

Kryssal

09-03-2003, 08:05 PM

I hope it was alright that I put both of my posts in together since I too was on vacation till monday and couldn't get them in before.

Rimbaud

09-04-2003, 04:16 AM

In no way impugning the ability of any writer here to explain who and what their characters are about, I have a small suggestion, in the interests of clarity.

Perhaps, at least until we are all more familiar with charcter's names and where each group is, each poster could preface their post with the title of their group, be it Hillmen or Rangers and so forth.

It is my thought that this would make it easier for us to follow each thread distinctly, at least until, as I say, we are all more familiar with who-is-doing-what and the threads intermingle to a greater extent.

Let me know what you think, boss-ladies.

Belin

09-06-2003, 10:48 PM

I have put up the first post by Bear because Osse has been having computer troubles but should be back online by tomorrow and posting regularly.

On behalf of all us boss-ladies, Rim, your suggestion, while it does give me AAwtK flashbacks, seems like a good idea, at least at the beginning of the game (perhaps it could be dropped later on?).

All first posts are now up. Plot plans coming shortly.

--Belin Ibaimendi

[ September 07, 2003: Message edited by: Belin ]

Bêthberry

09-07-2003, 09:25 AM

Another suggestion for consideration--

It might also be helpful if one of the kind boss-ladies would provide a list here of all the gamers, their characters, and their group. smilies/smile.gif

The X Phial

09-07-2003, 05:46 PM

Settlers
Borgand – The X Phial
Calumdril – Bethberry
Kaben Bieth – Kryssal
Collothion/ Cuilad – Alaklondewen
Aleitha/Ciana – Manardariel

Dwarves
Therin - *Varda*
Olin – Himaran
Barzun - VanimaEdhel

Rangers
Thorgil – Susan Delgado
Awyrgan (Encaitar) – Carrun
Alearindu – TheLadyAerowen
Thoronmir – Meneltarmacil
Tane Arisn – Kryssal

Hillmen
Wolf – Belin
Bear – Osse
Kestrel – Tinuviel of Denton
Fletch – Arvedui III
Calem – Rimbaud

Tinuviel of Denton

09-08-2003, 09:47 PM

I'd like to thank Belin for putting my post up, and let everyone know that I'm back. So sorry that I got myself grounded just as the game started.

Rimbaud

09-10-2003, 03:18 AM

Posts so far:

X - Settlers
Bb - Settlers
Ala - Settlers
Manar - Settlers
Varda - Dwarves
Susan - Rangers
Belin - Hillmen
Carrûn - Rangers
Vani - Dwarves
Rimsky - Hillmen
Menel - Rangers
Arvedui - Hillmen
Lady A - Rangers
Tinu - Hillmen
Kryssal - Settlers (Do you have a Ranger character too?)
Menel - Rangers (2nd post)
Himaren - Dwarves
Osse - Hillmen

Which looks like we have a first post from everyone; time for another round it would seem, boss-ladies. smilies/biggrin.gif

Kryssal

09-10-2003, 04:47 PM

Yes, I do have a Ranger(Tane) character along with a settler(Kaben).

Meneltarmacil

09-11-2003, 06:06 PM

Oh, when I said that bit about the hillwoman noticing me in my last post I was implying that it was Tinuviel of Denton's character.

VanimaEdhel

09-12-2003, 04:54 PM

I posted! I posted! And pardon my real-life obligations: they've decided that junior year should start with a bang (and by "bang", I mean three hours of homework on the first day of school). I don't know how much I'll be able to post, but I'll try my hardest!

alaklondewen

09-13-2003, 09:20 PM

Settlers

Here is an idea to get us working together, and our characters looking forward to something.

While the wall is being put up, the settlers can work together building the town's hall (or another public building). When the building is finished, they can have a celebration!

The celebration might be an appropriate time for the Hillmen to raid the camp.

What do you think, and are there any other suggestions?

Belin

09-15-2003, 06:01 PM

That's a good idea, Alak. We'll spy on you until then.

I've posted, and the hillmen should be getting ready for the meeting. When Wolf says he wants to talk to "everyone," he means Bear and Fletch (will Fletch need to be found? Would someone (perhaps Bear?)like to go search for him?) but not Calem or Kestrel. They won't be coming to the meeting, but feel free to post about what they're doing in the meantime. Tinuviel, please pm me if you'd like to talk about how to write Wolf in your conversation with him.

And I feel like I'm forgetting something but if I remember I'll edit it in later. So there.

--Belin Ibaimendi

Arvedui III

09-16-2003, 06:16 PM

Belin: Nah, I don't think Fletch will need to be found, but he could run into Bear on his way back to the village or something if you like.

[ September 16, 2003: Message edited by: Arvedui III ]

Meneltarmacil

09-17-2003, 04:16 PM

I may not be able to get online for a while because of Hurricane Isabel causing a blackout where I live... curse the nassty, filthy hurricaneses, we hates them, preciousss.

EDIT: False alarm. I am typing this on a laptop that has an Internet connection. So I will be able to get online after all. smilies/biggrin.gif

[ September 18, 2003: Message edited by: Meneltarmacil ]

Dragon Elf odin Ragnorock

09-19-2003, 04:15 PM

meneltarmicil has lost power and his server is down on his lap-top so he will not be able to get on for a while

Disregard the post above this

[ September 19, 2003: Message edited by: Dragon Elf odin Ragnorock ]

VanimaEdhel

09-19-2003, 04:16 PM

I'm sorry I'm not posting often. School, piano, and my school play are taking up a lot of time. I'm posting when I can, though!

Kryssal

09-20-2003, 04:39 AM

Susan, did you ever respond to my pm? I don't think I got it if you did.

Also, exactly how many days have the villagers been at the lake? I don't want to mess us all up with a plot hole this early on.

Osse

09-21-2003, 03:23 AM

As i told Belin, i will be away from the 23rd (US 22nd)(two days away!) for two weeks, is there anyone willing to post on my behalf? Please PM me if you are and i will discuss what should happen. Even if someone is just posting every week to keep Bear's character going that'd be champion.
Sorry to have to spring this on someone before i have even started posting properly, but Hockey has taken up 20 hours a week, after the completion of the nationals (from 21st to 7th) i will be free to post every day twice a day smilies/biggrin.gif
Please reply ASAP, or i may not be here smilies/smile.gif
Thanks

P.S if noone is willing to take on the extra character for the two weeks, i don't mind, he'll just have to be patient-NOT one of Bear's strongpoints!

Cheers,
Osse

[ September 21, 2003: Message edited by: Osse ]

Tinuviel of Denton

09-21-2003, 01:54 PM

I can post for him. Kestrel's stuck at the moment, because Belin hasn't replied to my stinkin' PM! smilies/mad.gif So I'm free for now, and I can at least refer to him in my posts after that.

Belin, where in all of Middle-Earth are you!?!?

EDIT: Belin finally replied, so I will be making a post in the very near future. Like today. I will certainly mention Bear, if only in passing.

[ September 21, 2003: Message edited by: Tinuviel of Denton ]

Osse

09-22-2003, 12:56 AM

I need some confirmation on how you guys see Bear and his position in the clan.

Bear leads by example, he has not got a very tactical mind-or his tactics fail after the running, screaming and chopping is finished. He cares not for diplomacy but is admired because he is athletic, strong and brave. He is naive and doesn’t really know how to look after the tribe except in battle. The day-to-day run of the mill governing would soon bore him and he’d go looking for more trouble. However, he is loyal to his friends and family, and would die for either of his brothers (but not just yet…still it’s a possibility). He doesn’t get on with Kestrel because he is everything that she wants to be and cannot. Bear looks the part. Wolf does not. Above all he is innocently naïve, he doesn’t know that the tribe is dividing on his account, he has simple thoughts about hunting, and if that means hunting the newcomers, then he’s in. Wolf respects Bears physical prowess and skill with the axe, and would not count him out of any scrap, but perhaps he’ll put him in a role where the tribes people won’t have to choose between the brothers.

I don’t mind if Bear gets wounded in the upcoming attack….hopefully I will be back before the Town Hall or whatever is completed, but please don’t kill him off, and please wait until I am back before starting any tribe splitting.

Cheers, See you in two weeks,
Osse

Meneltarmacil

09-22-2003, 12:18 PM

I'm sorry to keep you waiting. I am fianlly back online after 4 days. As Dragon Elf informed you above, my server had crashed and as a result I couldn't go online. I really missed you all!

Carrûn

09-22-2003, 09:23 PM

Should Alearindu and Awyrgan leave for the settlement soon?

The X Phial

09-22-2003, 11:20 PM

I was writing as if they were already there and standing guard, etc. PM susan for more specific instructions, but you can feel free to write about interactions with the settlers, and maybe even the dwarves.

Kryssal

09-23-2003, 02:18 AM

Leader Ladies, is there any consensus on what day it is or do we just kinda write for whenever we feel like as long as is it sort-of in the right time frame?

Also, Martyr, anything forthcoming from the ranger leader or pm?

Rimbaud

09-23-2003, 05:18 AM

Ibai - any ideas, instructions as to the Hillmen and our futures? I sent a faintly querulous Pm a while back, but perhaps you did not receive it.

Meneltarmacil

09-23-2003, 06:53 AM

I was writing as if they were already there and standing guard, etc.

That's what I thought too (read my last post) but you could have a flashback of them leaving for the settlement.

The X Phial

09-23-2003, 09:13 AM

Kryssal, I imagined we were 3 days in and no one else has contradicted me. So the tree felling has been going on for two days and the hillmen have been watching us for that long. That gives us time to have had Calumdril scout around a bit and determine that we have scared away the game. I'm sorry I did not make that more clear or answer sooner.

Also, as a general note, excellent posting everyone! I am so proud of the game and how well the writing and story is fitting together. Keep up the great work.

[ September 23, 2003: Message edited by: The X Phial ]

TheLadyAerowen

09-23-2003, 02:41 PM

I swear I'm still around! ^_^'

But I also feel.. kinda-sorta-lost. I PMed Martyr a whileish ago, but I don't know if she got the PM.

So...according to all the posts I've been reading here; Carrûn and I should post as if our chracters are already in the settlement? Or possibly have one of us put together a 'flashback' type post for the both of us?

Carrûn

09-23-2003, 07:13 PM

Ok, I'll be adding a post within the next couple days about Awyrgan basically mulling around the settlement, probably feeling a bit "tied up." I might work a flashback in as well of leaving the ranger camp.

Belin

09-24-2003, 06:04 AM

No, Rim, I didn't get it, apologies. My box has been full, but I've now deleted some messages and with luck I should now be more contactable than previously.

My ideas for the hillmen are as follows:

Wolf, Bear, and Fletch will go to the meeting, where Wolf will explain precisely what it is that he wants of them. I probably won't be able to post until Friday or Saturday (after which I expect my posting habits to improve), but before I post it would be nice to have a pre-meeting post or so on the parts of those who are invited (I guess this is currently just Arvedui). As for Calem, it might be worthwhile to see him react to the meeting (if he knows about it), as we've seen Kestrel.

After the meeting, there will be an attack on the village, after which the settlers will begin building a wall, and probably also increasing tensions among the various factions of hillmen, increasing difficulty in finding food, some spying, and eventual encounters with actual settler types... I do not know anything more specific than that at the moment, although I could perhaps discuss and figure them out if necessary. Is this helpful at all?

Osse, thanks for the clarification on Bear.

Meneltarmacil

09-24-2003, 11:17 AM

CARRUN-- Read my last post on the RPG before you do anything.

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

Susan Delgado

09-25-2003, 07:28 PM

smilies/frown.gif

I am very, very sorry, but I really don't think I can do this. I don't have the time or the energy needed to participate in this game. I apologise to everyone, but especially Aero, Kryssal, Carrun, Meneltarmacil, and most especially X and Belin. I thought I could do it, but I was wrong. I'm very sorry.

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

[ September 27, 2003: Message edited by: Susan Delgado ]

The X Phial

09-25-2003, 08:18 PM

Hi Everyone-

We are very sorry to be losing Susan and her help with the game. I hope she will be feeling less stressed soon. The game will continue despite our loss. Belin, Bethberry, and I have already started discussing options for leadership of the Ranger section. We will have decisions for you by the end of the weekend.

In the meantime, hillmen, you should please still be posting about getting ready for the meeting with Wolf. Belin will be posting some ideas later about that. Settlers and rangers, let's hang back for the moment, though the two rangers in the camp can feel free to post their flashback sequence. Remember that the settlers and rangers are allies, but not entirely comfortable with each other. Dwarves, you've done a great job and we will get back to you guys soon. Maybe you could wander a bit and critisize the way the rangers build their meeting hall...offer suggestions, that type of thing.

Okay, so, I think that is everyone for the moment. Thanks to all for your patience.

[ September 25, 2003: Message edited by: The X Phial ]

Susan Delgado

09-25-2003, 11:22 PM

Map of Evendim Settlement (http://www.homestead.com/fringeworld/files/evendim.jpg)

Belin

09-26-2003, 12:04 AM

REVISED--PLEASE READ

We are engineering the death of Thorgil now. Of course, we as hillmen will be responsible even if we aren't.

Reactions to this will be suitably positive, although there will be no wild parties, I think. The Hillmen will take hope from the Rangers' unexpected loss and will imagine them to be in some confusion as to their leadership.

Other plans will proceed as stated above. I need a Fletch post on the way to the meeting before I post the meeting itself, please. Arvedui, if you'd like Fletch to meet Bear on the way, that would work very well.

Thanks, everyone.

[ September 28, 2003: Message edited by: Belin ]

Kryssal

09-26-2003, 03:45 AM

I have a quick question about the map - where is Kaben's store? Was it the goods store next to the jail or will he be setting up somewhere else?

The X Phial

09-26-2003, 03:37 PM

Kryssal - Your decision, though I had envisioned him in the Trading post, which would put him near both the market square and the housing. He would also own one of the warehouses.

Kryssal

09-26-2003, 04:19 PM

I can take the post ^-^ I was just wondering if you guys already had it set out. Oh, and Kaben likes the warehouse smilies/wink.gif

Susan Delgado

09-27-2003, 12:52 AM

I meant the Trading Post to be Kaben's store, yes.

The X Phial

09-28-2003, 06:58 PM

Hi everyone - Good posting this weekend. Some plot points to consider:
The settlers will begin working on their wall and town hall "tomorrow" in game time. There is no need to post about the morning meeting, because it will just be to announce that this work will begin and where, but feel free to do so if you so wish.

There are wolves in the area, they may become an issue in the near future. Any sightings or signs of wolves is encouraged in your postings, though they should not attack yet.

In the near future there will likely be a hunting contest between the settlers and the rangers, though this will probably occur after the first attack by the hillmen.

Thorgil will not be staying in the game. His death is being arranged. This will likely throw the rangers into a bit of confusion, but we have arranged for a new leader to emmerge from the tragedy.

After the hunting contest, expect the rangers and Calumdril to go hunting for the hillmen.

I hope everything is clear. Tomorrow we will announce the new leader of the rangers in the discussion thread, so keep your eyes peeled. Please do ask any questions you may have and make suggestions, as needed. Thanks to everyone for their patience, once again.

Arvedui III

09-29-2003, 03:46 AM

Belin: I posted. Sorry about the delay.

My computer's finally given up on me. I hate to ask this of you, but the stubborn laptop is going into the shop today, and my posting powers will be limited for a little less than a week. Sorry. If anything important happens, could you just mention Fletch in your posts, or if someone would be willing to play Fletch until I get the problem fixed, I would be enternally grateful.
Thanks, and sorry about this,
Arvedui

Kryssal

09-29-2003, 06:11 PM

Hallo players. I will be taking over for Susan as the co-owner and leader of the Rangers, along with my chara Tane. I'm excited and I'll do my best! smilies/smile.gif

VanimaEdhel

09-30-2003, 04:29 PM

Congratulations, Kryssal!

I'm just waiting to see if my fellow Dwarves want to post a wee bit...

Meneltarmacil

09-30-2003, 08:03 PM

Thorgil will not be staying in the game. His death is being arranged. This will likely throw the rangers into a bit of confusion, but we have arranged for a new leader to emmerge from the tragedy.
Am I correct in assuming that Kryssal will only be making decisions as to what the Rangers will do (kind of like a moderator) and playing Thorgil up until his death, but somebody else's character can become the new leader afterward if they so desire? (but not the co-owner) Not to sound like I'm being too ambitious or anything here, but Thoronmir is the next oldest to Thorgil (56, while the other three Rangers are all in their 30s, putting him a good 20 years ahead of them) and has the most combat experience (he participated in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields). Speaking strictly from the character's point of view, he would be a good choice. Again, I am strictly speaking from the character's point of view that, and I am not trying to be too ambitious. I'm not rying to make decisions for the Rangers (Kryssal would still do that) but just "making suggestions, as needed".

EDIT: To sum things up, Thoronmir would be the in-game leader of the Rangers, while Kryssal would be the out-of-game co-owner and would make decisions about what the Rangers would do.

[ September 30, 2003: Message edited by: Meneltarmacil ]

The X Phial

09-30-2003, 08:39 PM

While I understand your position, it is easier if Kryssal and her character are both in charge.

Belin

10-01-2003, 06:07 AM

It might be interesting to have some conflict over that in the game though, if Kryssal thinks that's a good idea. It would at least explain how, as you pointed out, a much younger Ranger has ended up in charge.

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

Meneltarmacil

10-01-2003, 03:31 PM

I have an idea how it might work. Maybe my character could get captured by the Hillmen when Thorgil dies and not become leader until he is rescued, which would not be until the game is pretty much over. Though I do particularily like the "conflict over leadership" idea, as it would make for some interesting character development. Whatever you decide, it's OK with me, just as long as it seems reasonable game-wise.

Bêthberry

10-01-2003, 07:36 PM

If I might step in here as the Rohan Moderator and not as a fellow gamer ...

This is a game with, essentially, three subplots, all heading towards one final resolution. It is thus a complex game with lots of tension and conflict already built into it. The trick is to run it so that these three subplots do come together.

It does not need a sub-subplot, in other words, especially one which does not further the overall direction of the plot.

Menel, your character can indeed reflect upon what it means when a younger person advances above him--that is one of the hard facts of aging--but anything more would splinter the game's focus.

Bêthberry

Kryssal

10-02-2003, 05:48 PM

It would be simpler all around if my chara would take over the job of leading the Rangers. It is true that normally he would not be the first choice, yet we have already mentioned that he was second in command. Perhaps he was chosen by Thorgil for his leadership abilities over other Rangers.

On the point of your character getting kidnapped, Mene, I've consulted with Ibai and she confirms that the hillmen would take no prisoners, they would simply kill all villagers or Rangers they encountered.

I hope this clears up some things.

~Kryss

P.S. Mene, if you would clear some room in your pm box, I could respond to your pm. Thanks.

The X Phial

10-04-2003, 08:56 AM

Hmm, it's been a long while since anyone posted. I know we are waiting on a death scene, but in the meantime settlers can be buiding a town hall, dwarves can help with the building or criticise the process, either way, rangers can brood about babysitting the settlement, post about the new difficulty finding game, talk about their fears over new activities of the hillmen, etc, and hillmen can be spying on the activities of the settlement or readying themselves for a fight. There is a lot to do, let's please keep the story moving.

Thanks all.

Carrûn

10-05-2003, 11:42 AM

I filled in my save, hope it fits ok.

VanimaEdhel

10-05-2003, 04:07 PM

Okay. As another Dwarf finally posted, I posted again. I figured that Barzûn probably would not tell you about the Hillmen. *Bows and goes back to the shadows to await the action*

The X Phial

10-05-2003, 04:50 PM

Hi everyone-

Just a quick note on buildings in the settlement. Buildings took a really long time to get started in the times that ME is supposed to mirror. While it makes sense that some of the settlers will have possibly started on more permanent housing (only in wood, not stone), no buildings will be all the way up yet. For now, everyone is living in tents and/or wagons. They have been doing this for a long time and are used to it.

Also, the supplies of stone will not have arrived yet, so, while the dwarves might be practicing their skills in the meantime, they won't be working with the actual stone for the buildings. Maybe they could carve on a boulder just to keep their skills up.

So, to reiterate, no buildings are up yet. The town hall will be the first building completed. Any discussions of ongoing buildings should be clear about the fact that they are made of wood. Just to give you an idea about timeline, the first of the stone buildings will likely be completed in a year or so. That is for the less complicated housing, etc. Warehouses will likely always be wooden. The Dwarves are there long term, they have a long road ahead of them for building.

Once the attack is made, Borgand will split the men of the settlement into teams for felling trees, building the wall, building housing and guard duty. The women will likely help with the building and may start planting as well. By the time the game is over everyone will have a wooden house and the wall will be up. The stone buildings will have been started by the dwarves, as well.

I hope this makes things clearer. Thanks everyone!

A REMINDER: PLEASE REMOVE SIGNATURES FROM EVERY GAME POST

[ October 05, 2003: Message edited by: The X Phial ]

Osse

10-06-2003, 03:21 AM

may i just ask, in the upcoming attack, what is going to happen in the way of casualties? Surely some people will die on both sides, but will it be players killing normal citizens or what? what casualties are you expecting, large or small and how long is the attack going to last for? Should we be posting what our character is doing during the attack?

cheers,
Osse

P.S
I am still away, posting off a laptop will be back on wednesday (US Tues) and posting regularly. Thanks to Belin for posting on my behalf a couple of times.

Tinuviel of Denton

10-09-2003, 07:26 PM

Hey, what should Kestrel be doing right now? She's already reacted to the meeting and I'm at a loss as to what I should post.

Meneltarmacil

10-09-2003, 08:35 PM

I won't be able to get online till Monday, just to let you know.

The X Phial

10-10-2003, 09:26 AM

Osse, sorry it has taken so long to answer your question. The attack will likely happen during the party after the town hall is built. I expect casualties of Settlement Guards, but that is all. You should discuss with Belin whether you will have wounded. No rangers should be involved except after the fact.

Tinuviel, at this point you can write character development posts, or discussions of how Knife is reacting to what was revealed at the meeting. If he is scared and how that affects you.

Menel, see you Monday.

Kryssal

10-13-2003, 12:20 AM

Wonderful job everyone! Lets make sure to keep the posts coming.

Villagers can work on the settlement or their 'homes' (they should still mostly be tents, perhaps wagons, or maybe your character likes sleeping under the stars). Daily happens happen, like shoping, hurts, working, cooking, etc. Developing the physical village is important, but remember it's not a fast process either.

Rangers in the village can interact, whine a bit, or gain new insights into 'regular' living. Maybe they could give a few lessons or scoldings smilies/wink.gif

Hillman are doing great with posts. Keep up the hate of the villagers and lack of food.

We have several players that haven't posted more than once or perhaps twice, we want your writing as well! smilies/smile.gif

Remember, in a rpg interaction makes most of the game. Try to leave open ended posts. Perhaps even plan an event between characters through pm. Oh, and remember to take out your signitures smilies/wink.gif

~Kryss

Osse

10-14-2003, 07:51 PM

Come on guys...it's been four days since the last post, we need more 'trivial' posts, village life, what hillmen are thinking after the meeting etc, we need to keep the momentum going methinks.

VanimaEdhel

10-16-2003, 06:13 PM

X: should we set out after the rain subsides?

The X Phial

10-17-2003, 09:08 AM

Attention all dwarves: We have an important mission for you. smilies/smile.gif

Considering the fact that the plans should be finished soon and the stone has not arrived yet with which to begin real construction, the Dwarves are going to take a little side trip. The settlement sight is not far from the first capital of Arnor, Annuminas. There will be ruins there, and the possibility of stone that can be used to start the new city. You should set out as soon as the rain lets up, as Vanima suggested. You will likely miss the hunt and the susequent attack, though you might arrive just as the attack is ending and then remember to tell the settlers about the hillmen you saw smilies/wink.gif Or you might choose to keep it secret. Also, there will be things to find in Annuminas. Watch for PMs from yours truly with suggestions.

Meneltarmacil

10-20-2003, 01:29 PM

Should any rangers accompany the dwarves, or should we stay at the settlement for now?

Kryssal

10-20-2003, 10:02 PM

The Dwarves would not want Rangers along and Rangers wouldn't really want to go with a bunch of grumpy Dwarves (no offense smilies/wink.gif )

So any Rangers there (Awyrgan and Alearindu stationed, Thoronmir on his own) should stay there for the time being.

The X Phial

10-24-2003, 01:19 AM

*cue dramatic music*

Thorgil and Calem are...well, read the post. smilies/wink.gif

*end music*

Back to business. Now that this vital plot point is accomplished, Kryssal's ranger can step forward. The hunt can commence. The building of town hall gets into full swing. The dwarves skedaddle for Annuminas. The hillmen bide their time, or, perhaps, react to the death of Calem. Onwards and upwards. Or, at least, onwards.

The X Phial

10-24-2003, 06:09 PM

Vanima, nice post. I liked your discussion among the dwarves especially. So, the dwarves won't know about Thorgil biting the dust, and they have failed to mention their sighting of the hillmen. I love it when things come together smilies/smile.gif

Osse

10-25-2003, 04:24 AM

Great post X Phial!!! What time frame are we looking at until the attack, before Nov 10th or after? I will be unavailable from the 10th of Nov to the 21st or there abouts as we're moving house. Great to see some action!

Osse

VanimaEdhel

10-25-2003, 10:22 AM

X: I read your post again this morning. It is even better the second read. It may be that I'm tired from getting to bed late after my dance last night, but I, too, began to cry reading it this time.

Okay, Dwarves, let's get this road on the show...erm...show on the road! smilies/wink.gif

[ October 25, 2003: Message edited by: VanimaEdhel ]

Bêthberry

10-27-2003, 03:22 PM

My SAVE is filled in. Events are now ready for the Hillmen to discover Calem's partially buried body. And Calumdil is bringing Thorgil's body back to the Ranger's cabin.

I have tried to move events on to their wider significance. I hope nobody feels I have stiffed any of the dead characters. smilies/biggrin.gif

btw, this is the second time that I have come to bury Rimbaud's character. It's less funny the second time round. smilies/frown.gif

Bêthberry

Carrûn

10-27-2003, 07:32 PM

Awyrgan is back in the game so to speak. Sorry for the absense; what I thought would be an easy semester has turned out to be the busiest yet.

Osse

10-28-2003, 01:21 AM

Great posts Bethberry and Carrun! I will leave the initiating of the finding of Calem's corpse up to Wolf.

EDIT: Just a point of interest. Nowhere could i find what shore of Lake Evendim we are on. Annúminas was on the southern shore. Are we also on the southern shore but further east or west? Also, a map of the region would make posting down the track easier for all...even if it's just a print-off of lake evendim with texta'd place names and locations etc.

[ October 28, 2003: Message edited by: Osse ]

The X Phial

10-28-2003, 07:11 AM

A good point, Osse. The map that Susan Delgado drew of the town plan indicates that our settlement would be at the junction of the lake and the Brandywine, which is NorthEast of Annuminas. As for maps, this one (http://members.tripod.com/john.ohara/images/Maps/annuminas.gif) is the best I could find online for readability. You could also look in your copy of LotR smilies/wink.gif

Osse

10-29-2003, 12:54 AM

I would look in my copy of LOTR...but because we are moving it's in storage already. I'll have to buy the whole set anew. (oh damn smilies/wink.gif )
Thanks for the map X!

Osse

Belin

10-31-2003, 01:23 AM

In addition to my new post, I have made some changes to my post of September 28. Please look at it, as it might well be important later.

Wolf's intention is to tell Cleft, the priest, about the death. The other hillmen are likely to discover it quite soon, but Wolf, at least, is unlikely to be completely open about it. If pressed, he might be willing to mention it to one of his brothers, or to Kestrel... the information has to leak out somehow. But I leave the details to you.

[ November 01, 2003: Message edited by: Belin ]

The X Phial

10-31-2003, 08:16 PM

Great post Vanima! It's good to see things moving forward again. smilies/smile.gif I liked your description of the city and its scale. Great posting, all.

*Varda*

11-06-2003, 04:27 PM

A dwarf post will be up sometime tomorrow night. Sorry, but I've been quite busy...I'll try and post on a more regular basis.

TheLadyAerowen

11-06-2003, 07:13 PM

I know, I'm confusing. To explain; I had the first post. But it needed tweaking. So, I posted a 'save', but got different ideas, so deleted that Save post entirely and posted up the new one. If you read the post, you notice it's left open; any settler can pick up on that and continue on, if you want to. :-)

~The Lady Aerowen

Osse

11-09-2003, 02:36 AM

I am moving smilies/frown.gif. The computer is going into storage smilies/eek.gif . I will be unable to post until at least the 20th, so i will make a couple of saves now and fill them in later. It seems i will miss the attack after all! smilies/frown.gif I will make a battle SAVE if i may though...

Thanks everyone, especially our Leading Ladies for being so understanding.

See you all in a few weeks!

Regards and well wishes,
Osse

Meneltarmacil

11-12-2003, 05:55 PM

Just to let you know, I will not be able to make any posts from Friday until Sunday afternoon.

Kryssal

11-20-2003, 10:24 PM

I left that open for Bethberry's character Calumdril, but any villager could greet and lead them on in.

Osse

11-26-2003, 11:03 PM

And he said unto them, after the moon had sailed across the sky no less then seventeen times: "I have returned!" and looking around him he found that not much had changed in his absence. "Boy, has everyone been napping?"

And Osse looked westward and proclaimed; "Yonder lies Los Angeles, land of the golden sun, land of the burning lung!" And lo! a great shadow appeared to rise out of the east, and born upon the shadow, many stars gleamed like mithril. The shadow-light surged acroos the sky, banishing the unholy light. But then Osse's heart was pierced with dread; for the stars slowly dimmed, then were quenched. For no light could pierce the dreadful smog of that haunted vale.

[ 12:08 AM November 27, 2003: Message edited by: Osse ]

VanimaEdhel

12-03-2003, 05:02 PM

Himaran, Varda, my beloved fellow Dwarves: do you think you can fill in your Saves? I'm kind of waiting for you guys before I really do anything.

*Varda*

12-03-2003, 05:06 PM

Well, I'm just about to fill in my save - a bit at a loss at what we should actually do, though. Do you think it's about time to go back to the settlement?

Carrûn

12-03-2003, 05:57 PM

Filled in recent save.

VanimaEdhel

12-04-2003, 05:42 PM

No, not quite time to go back to the camp quite yet. We still have work to do. Just wait a while more, Varda.

You think you could edit your post, Varda? And has anyone seen Himaran around?

[ 6:44 PM December 04, 2003: Message edited by: VanimaEdhel ]

Carrûn

12-04-2003, 06:39 PM

Himaran was fine when I visited over Thankgiving, I think he's just being lazy. I'll give him a hard time next phone call. smilies/biggrin.gif

Tinuviel of Denton

12-05-2003, 11:23 PM

Hey, Osse, want to have a little interaction between Bear and Kestrel? She's got nothing to do while we wait for these foolish settlers to do something (just kidding, about the foolish settler part at least.) I think it would be logical for them to at least talk a little. What do you say?

Meneltarmacil

12-07-2003, 03:16 PM

I'm having a bit of a problem.

The X Phial was proofreading my post, and I've been waiting for her to PM it back to me with changes for almost a month now. I really would like to get some more posts up on this RPG, but it seems like the X Phial has somehow forgotten about me...

Osse

12-07-2003, 05:36 PM

I will remind her for you next time I talk to her. I can only apologise on her behalf, she's been very busy working.

Osse

Himaran

12-07-2003, 08:31 PM

Very sorry about my lack of posts - I have been extremely busy with school.

Am filling in save momentarily.

Himaran

____________________________________

EDIT - Save Filled

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 9:49 PM December 07, 2003: Message edited by: Himaran ]

The X Phial

12-08-2003, 09:29 AM

Menel - my apologies. I did send the post back, with notes. I should, however, have made a copy of what I wrote and your original post in the event it was lost. Please resend, and I will make copies this time, in case loss occurs. My fault, for not making a copy.

VanimaEdhel

12-08-2003, 05:28 PM

*Sigh* I was planning on waiting for Varda to change her post so that we do not go back to camp, but if she doesn't change it by tomorrow, I'll just push on without it.

*Varda*

12-10-2003, 06:16 PM

Em, I changed my post quite a few days ago. At least I'm pretty sure I did. Let me just check again.

Yes, I have. December 5th, to be exact.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 7:18 PM December 10, 2003: Message edited by: *Varda* ]

Belin

12-11-2003, 10:48 AM

Sorry, I've been a bit slow lately...and it took me a while to realize that my input here might be desirable. The interaction between Bear and Kestrel sounds good, but I think you'll also want to pm amongst yourselves, since Osse had some ideas I haven't discussed with Tinuviel yet (or perhaps you already have).

Next week is finals week, and I have a large paper to write, so you probably won't see much of me, but after that I may well be more present.

Bêthberry

12-11-2003, 10:57 AM

We look forward to seeing you more present in the future, Belin. smilies/biggrin.gif

Kryssal

12-13-2003, 01:08 PM

I will be working a lot with limited internet access for the next two weeks, Sunday to Sunday. However, I will check, read, and try to post as I normally would. Happy holidays and new year respectively.

TheLadyAerowen

12-20-2003, 05:04 PM

Finally got around to editing that save post. Blah. Stupid technical problems. I'll be around a lot more the next two weeks; Winter break. *yay* So, happy..winter holidays! :-)

-The Lady Aerowen

VanimaEdhel

12-21-2003, 04:05 PM

Due to the whole "I didn't get the Private Message": if you remember it, X, can you just tell me "yay" or "nay" in here?

And Dwarves: no leaving the site just yet. I'm just checking something with TheXPhial.

Kryssal

12-21-2003, 09:23 PM

I left it open for a Ranger to speak to me the first night or for speach giving at the burial. Also if someone would like to come welcome or challenge me at the end is ok.

Kryssal

01-02-2004, 11:22 AM

Menel, please check pm box.

Carrûn

01-03-2004, 06:42 PM

Ok, Awyrgan is getting ready to set of on a several day extended patrol of the area surrounding the settlement with a yet-unselected companion and the understanding that he's not supposed to stir up trouble with the hillman.

So, does anyone have any ideas what sort of things should take place during the escapade? Near miss encounter with a group of hilllmen? Fight with single hillman? How could this fit in best with the main plot?

LMKWYT

Meneltarmacil

01-04-2004, 01:25 PM

I'd like to go with Awyrgan, as I have explained to Kryssal. If the post is already up, I'm sorry that I wasn't here. I was on vacation.

Kryssal

01-05-2004, 11:17 PM

I edited my post to include Thoronmir Menel. Don't forget to tell us next time of a slightly extended absence and all will be good good smilies/wink.gif

For the outriding, perhaps you two could find the food source and win the contest without even knowing about the contest in the first place. I wouldn't like you getting in a fight, but talk to Ibai about that because perhaps it would provoke the hillmen into attacking sooner. Those are just two feeble ideas, brainstorm together and check with one of the owners for any huge happenings.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 12:23 AM January 06, 2004: Message edited by: Kryssal ]

Carrûn

01-09-2004, 09:04 AM

I will be filling in my save with a generic thoughts, packing, & leaving post and then we can continue discussing what events will actually happen on the excursion.

Carrûn

01-11-2004, 08:28 PM

I filled in my save from Friday. It doesn't say exactly what the goals are of the mission so that is still all up for discussion. If anyone sees anything that needs editing let me know.

Osse

01-11-2004, 09:53 PM

Great post carrun smilies/smile.gif
I will be writing something in the next few days never fear!

Osse

01-25-2004, 10:59 PM

Carrun, would you like to meet bear in the wilderness... this will help us hillmen in finding a trigger for further events. Bear vs two rangers... I like those odds smilies/biggrin.gif

All three of us limp off home... you guys return to the settlement prematurely?

Himaran

01-30-2004, 08:59 PM

Very sorry, I have been busy and unable to devote enough time to this game recently.

Anything for dwarves to be doing? Olin is ready and waiting to be beaten into submission by his superiors... smilies/wink.gif

Himaran

Osse

02-02-2004, 09:12 PM

Carrun, X-phial, Belin... check your bloody PM's! hehe smilies/wink.gif

Carrûn

02-03-2004, 04:45 PM

^^^ Eh, did not receive one...

Osse, I'm thinking about what you said about Bear. I'll let you know as soon as I can once I come up with something.

VanimaEdhel

02-06-2004, 11:17 AM

Still waiting on X for an answer to something I private messaged her.

And where did Varda go anyway? I was going to let her post before I did.

Osse

02-06-2004, 05:02 PM

yeah me too, sent a few things X's way, she must be very busy as usual! smilies/smile.gif Carrun, check you PM's and we'll decide how to go about the rangers meeting bear...

Osse

The X Phial

02-11-2004, 07:15 AM

It looks as though I wasn't paying attention and posted this in the wrong forum...it didn't get moved with the rest. Here is what I wrote two days ago:

Apologies to all for the PM situation. I believe it is all sorted. I have been suffering from the world's worst writer's block, also with a schedule change it has been rather difficult to get myself motivated lately. All excuses aside, I am back now, and into the swing again, looking forward to the upcoming attack when all of our lovely characters get to finally meet each other...except for the dwarves who will be getting their shipment right after the attack ;)

*Varda*

02-12-2004, 03:54 PM

Nyeh, I know I've had a shameful lack of posting. I blame this on exams, work, a nasty, very long complicated essay, and my sheer laziness.

But I have a holiday weekend coming up, and I will take the time to catch up, post, and in general get used to this...strange...new...forum...layout thingie.

It gave me quite a fright when I saw it. *tsks*

alaklondewen

02-14-2004, 07:47 AM

Bethberry - I have a post that is almost ready, but I need to be sure on a few details.

AT the moment, are Culumdril and Cuilad the only competitors from the settlement, or are there more non-played men going with us?

Are we waiting for the rangers to join us to start off, or should I take us in that direction?

That's what I can remember at the moment, if I think of something else before I speak with you, I will edit them in.

VanimaEdhel

02-14-2004, 10:48 AM

Yeah...definitely sent private messages a few days ago to the old Barrow-Downs Forum...(roughly...five days ago?) So, either pop on down there or say the word and I'll resend the message to you here. And if you got the other messages, all the more power to you. :)

Bêthberry

02-14-2004, 11:01 AM

Alak,

I assumed that everyone who is playing a settler could choose to take part in the hunting competition or not as they wish to post.

I had thought, based on what XPhial had first set up, that there would be two separate groups hunting, the settlers and the Rangers. But I could be wrong. Maybe X could give us some direction or some of the Ranger gamers could suggest something here. I don't have strong feelings either way.

I still have major RL committments which take away a great deal of Net time. I will check in daily and try to keep up posting, though.

Bethberry

The X Phial

02-14-2004, 08:44 PM

I conceived of two different groups, one for settlers and one for rangers. The hunt will work like this. When the first kill is made, the group will send a specified smoke signal. The hunt will last a specified amount of time (I was thinking 48 hours) and then the total haul of each group will be compared. There will be a prize for first kill and another for most brought in over all. We can start whenever you are ready :)

alaklondewen

02-14-2004, 09:24 PM

Thank you, ladies. :)

I have posted, but I didn't post them leaving as I wasn't sure whether the rangers should be there or not.

Tinuviel of Denton

02-15-2004, 07:24 PM

Osse asked me via IM to tell you that his account has been lost during the move, and thus he will not be able to post until that is fixed. If it becomes necessary, I think he can send his posts to either me or Belin and we can put them up for him.

The X Phial

02-16-2004, 04:41 AM

Great post, Alak, and Tin...it's noted, thanks for the update :)

Ulmo's Right Hand

02-25-2004, 11:17 PM

Hi all, Osse here... just got myself a new account... some utter bum has stolen Ossë... grrrr

Well, will try and sort out other account, but at least I can go on somewhat!

Regards to all!

Osse

Himaran

02-28-2004, 07:18 PM

I regress.....

*Varda*, is there anything for the dwarves to be doing?

Himaran

Osse

02-28-2004, 08:48 PM

Having sorted out my account I too regress.... CARRUN we need to sort out the confrontation asap and get it posted!!
PM me please.

Osse

VanimaEdhel

02-29-2004, 02:56 PM

Himaran: I've been holding off until I hear something from *Varda*. However, since I haven't heard from here, it seems we may have to press on. You got my PM about what's going on right? That should give you some idea of what to focus on. I'll try to find some substantial time to work on a post as well.

Note: I will not be on much. I know I won't be on this upcoming Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. The week after that, I'm not going to be on at least Wednesday and Thursday. In other words, my days are severely limited and most of those days, I won't even be home until roughly 9:45 p.m., so I won't even be using the computer much. To sum it up: I have no free time and I apologize for being horribly absent.

*Varda*

03-02-2004, 06:01 AM

Bah, what can I say? I'm all talk and no posting. *hangs head in shame* My posting may be limited this week - I have a few essays and an exam, but I can do my best to throw a post together and have something up for tomorrow (Wed) night.

And seriously, if I don't, feel free to hang, draw and quarter me. (in the least painful way, please).

Carrûn

03-04-2004, 12:27 PM

Ok, I've edited my save. Honestly, I forget who it was whose character we were going to run into so a memory jolt would be great.

[Edit] Oh....

Himaran, I know you're not that busy you lazy bum. Post something. :D

Osse

03-04-2004, 06:32 PM

CHECK YOUR PM'S Carrun hehe

Osse

03-09-2004, 05:14 PM

great post carrun!! feels great to have actually have our characters meet dosent' it. :)

Belin's post should come next...

VanimaEdhel

03-12-2004, 03:55 PM

Varda: my new information makes yours look like nothing. I am leaving tomorrow morning for a week-long vacation. I will return Saturday, and probably be able to come on Sunday and Monday. Then I'm leaving again Tuesday for college visits and returning for Friday. Then I have Saturday and Sunday, and then all my non-posting periods will increase, as we're going full-swing in play rehearsals. I apologize. I will get on when I can and hopefully work on posts offline.

TheLadyAerowen

03-13-2004, 09:56 PM

Originally posted by The X Phial
I conceived of two different groups, one for settlers and one for rangers. The hunt will work like this. When the first kill is made, the group will send a specified smoke signal. The hunt will last a specified amount of time (I was thinking 48 hours) and then the total haul of each group will be compared. There will be a prize for first kill and another for most brought in over all. We can start whenever you are ready :)

Eh. Oops. I'll go edit my post. Stupid...long...post things. But what is the specified smoke signal? Or do they just, know? ;-)

Kryssal

03-14-2004, 05:13 PM

I think having Alearindu telling them to put up the signal even though we as writers don't know the specifics of it would be fine. Sorry about totally spacing that.

TheLadyAerowen

03-14-2004, 08:55 PM

I think I'll make it vague until further info ^_^ It's alright Krys; I was bugging you a bunch :-P

alaklondewen

03-17-2004, 07:43 AM

I happen to know personally a very gentle and experienced healer, if any injured rangers would be in need of assistance. ;)

Collothion stayed behind in the settlement, if you need him.

Osse

03-17-2004, 12:14 PM

and what is his policy on non-member treatment? hehe ;)

Carrûn

03-17-2004, 09:06 PM

alaklondewen I'll keep it in mind :D

alaklondewen

03-28-2004, 09:04 AM

Bethberry - I manipulated Calumdril a little. Please check the post and let me know if you want anything edited.

I have a general question. What exactly do they do to the game so that the meat will not spoil while they are in the woods? Especially if they are out there a couple of nights. It may seem like a silly question, but I think it raises realistic concerns.

Bêthberry

03-28-2004, 05:15 PM

A nice pick up from my post, Alak. Well done. Don't change a thing.

As for how to prepare the animals, .... my gut instinct (okay, okay, I know that is bad) is that they should be eviscerated, as the organs spoil the fastest, and spread with salt. Perhaps what we need to think about is having some of the non-hunting settlers take the meat back to the settlement each night, for skinning, etc.

Other than that, I think this is a quest for our intrepid leader. Oh XPhial....
:D

The X Phial

03-28-2004, 09:04 PM

Since we are talking about a game, each team can have a non-played character who will bring the bounty back to the settlement each night to be smoked or cured. Of course the first day's catch will have to be treated somehow. Actually, about 80% will be treated and the rest can be kept fresh by submerging the cut up carcasses in the lake (in something watertight of course) until the feast. The cold lake water will keep the meat from turning.

Tinuviel of Denton

03-28-2004, 11:06 PM

Um... Belin? Bear isn't Kestrel's husband; that's Knife. Kestrel just yells at all the brothers equally.

Belin

03-29-2004, 03:46 PM

ACK. I knew that, I knew that, I knew that. Blah. It just seemed like such nice symmetry at the moment. Maybe I should injure Knife too to make up for it?

Nah. But I'll fix it. Apologies.

Himaran

03-30-2004, 07:57 AM

I posted again. Still waiting to leave the settlement. Not sure what the plans are for dwarves.

Himaran

Osse

03-30-2004, 10:00 PM

how bout knife says something scaving to bear eariler and he punches him out? that would injure him hehe

Tinuviel of Denton

03-30-2004, 10:58 PM

*snorts* You, sir, are quite the silly fool.

I will write something and post it tomorrow, I hope. Kestrel has a lot to think about.

Bêthberry

04-06-2004, 07:06 PM

If no one objects, tomorrow I will post for C and C bringing their hunt back to the settlement. I think it is time we moved on to get over this part of the game and get the interaction between the groups into place. A slow game becomes idle out of forgetfulness and boredom.

Carrûn

04-07-2004, 12:26 PM

I agree. Awyrgan's been in a state of perpetual soreness for sometime. :D

Meneltarmacil

04-08-2004, 08:13 PM

I won't be able to post until next Friday since I will be taking a vacation to Belize, just to let you know.

I'm really sorry that I haven't posted on this RPG for so long, I just haven't had much inspiration for it. I'll try and do better after I get back.

The X Phial

04-09-2004, 03:38 PM

Okay! The feast has started, the story is in motion, and we are ready for a flood of posting.

Dwarves, make your connections and head back to the settlement, we'll need you for the aftermath of the attack.

Settlers and Rangers, post your revelries. We will want accounts of the hunt as told to friendsand family, songs, merriment, and general reactions to the celebrations.

Hillmen, these guys are not being quiet about their happiness. The sky will be filled with the smoke of their cooking fires and this is a GREAT time to plan an attack. We await your dastardly blows!

I will post the contest results on Monday, so until that time you are free to get your revelry and planning posts in. After my contest announcement goes up, the settlement is free to be attacked at any time, so be prepared.

Let the party begin :D

Osse

04-09-2004, 10:56 PM

Just organising my post... can't seem to find belin again she's dissapeared but as always she'll be back! :)

Gotta get bear healed and ready in time for this little foray... watch your backs southerners!

Tinuviel of Denton

04-11-2004, 05:09 PM

I have posted, but it is only Flint and Rain, 'cause Kestrel is curiously silent. 'Sides, I've been wanting to do a post with them for a while now. They're so cute...

The X Phial

04-13-2004, 11:03 AM

Well, I gave it an extra day in case people had something to add. Once this current post is up, it's a free for all for the hillmen to attack, so put in your feasts posts if you have them as soon as you can. Also, winners and prizes today! Yay.

alaklondewen

04-13-2004, 07:58 PM

Carrun - Will Awyrgan be visiting with Collothion? If so, I will save a space for him in my upcoming post for Cuilad.

Belin

04-13-2004, 10:49 PM

I'm here, Osse. I'm just having, er.. major life events. Blah. PM me, I'll get it and more than likely respond...

Oh, and Tinuviel... that is quite chilling. I love it.

Carrûn

04-14-2004, 05:50 PM

alaklondewen - that was part of my idea, yes

Carrûn

04-16-2004, 06:59 PM

Ok, I filled in my save. I forsee at least a few more posts before there's any attacks by hillmen, Awyrgan's just not really the social type so I figured I just send him off on a walk. If I took too many liberties with someone's character please let me know and I'll fix it ASAP.

Osse

04-19-2004, 12:00 AM

I will be moving back home to australia... TOMORROW!

and will be away from the computer for about 2 weeks. I have made one save, but will have to fill in a couple i think. Could i email em to X or belin ?

Cheers guys, be safe and cya in 2 weeks

Osse

Himaran

04-23-2004, 07:21 AM

Vana, Can you see if my post is what you wanted? (connections....)

Thanks,

HImaran

Meneltarmacil

04-23-2004, 08:13 PM

Kryssal, I sent you a PM informing you that Thoronmir would be at the settlement , but I'm not sure that it got sent OK due to my unfamiliarity with the new system. Would you please tell me whether you recieved it or not?

VanimaEdhel

04-25-2004, 05:46 PM

I'm kind of back. Not really, as I have a whole lot of AP review now. The play's over, though, so I may be on more. Good post, Himaran. :) Is my portrayal of Olin's questions all right? I can change it when I have time if you want. And I figured full revelations could take place when we returned to camp, X if you don't mind. Did you think that my post was all right? Well, i'm back in a manner of speaking. :smokin:

Kryssal

04-25-2004, 10:57 PM

I did ;) No problems.

Meneltarmacil

05-06-2004, 07:59 PM

I'm sorry to leave you at this point, but I have been grounded and cannot get online until next Friday.

You may do what you want with my character, just don't kill him.

See you all next week.

Bêthberry

05-08-2004, 08:23 AM

Hello fellow gamers,

It has been over a week since the last post was made on Resettling the Lost Kingdom.

Is this game losing its appeal? What can be done to get it moving again and moving with speed and interest?

What has happened to the impending attack?

Bêthberry,

Bêthberry

05-11-2004, 11:51 AM

I have been in contact with both Belin and XPhial about how to get this game up and running. Here's the plan.

I will set a definite date for the game's conclusion. XPhial will then post a timeline of activities and events which will guide the gamers's posts. She and Belin will also be nudging gamers along so we have a reasonable speed of posting. Gamers should be posting once or twice a week--any slower and the fun of interacting gets lost in the delays.

The game will be closed on Sunday June 27th, 10 pm EDT.

Bêthberry,
Moderator for Rohan

The X Phial

05-11-2004, 12:32 PM

Ok, Belin and I have worked through the ending and have a timeline ready.

Week of May 14 - May 21

Belin will kick off the attack on the settlement on the 14th, Friday. Hillmen, check PMs for more specific instructions, but feel free to post about killing guards, burning tents, stealing horses, etc.

Settlers and rangers, fight back. We can make a dent in the hillmen, but a good many of them will need to escape. We're all a bit drunk and lazy from the celebration anyway, and security, though just stepped up, has been lax. Fight as well as you can, though, and we should lose few citizens, though possibly a good number of gaurds.

Dwarves, head back to the village please.

May 21 - May 24

Reactions to the attack by hillmen and settlers/rangers alike. Feelings, survey of damage, celebrations over living through the fight. Dwarves arrive back at the settlement, but don't tell the settlers what they know yet.

Week of May 24 - May 31

The Settlers and Rangers track the hillmen back to their village and take prisoners back to the settlement for judgement. The settler/ranger group will be divided into trackers and those left at home to clean up the mess. Dwarves will reveal the connection between the hillmen and the settlers at this time.

May 31 - June 5

Hillmen are brought back for judgement, and given the choice to either join the settlement or be iradicated. Settlers/Rangers will have to fight with those who refuse to join the group.

June 5 - June 11

End of the game. The stone for permanent buildings will arrive, those who chose to stay with the settlers will have to start their new lives there. The town will start to become a town, and the rangers and settlers almost one people, united by the continuing threat of the hillmen who are still out there. We end on a hopeful, but not totally resolved note, rather like life.

This gives us plenty of time to finish the game within the deadline bethberry gave us. If we need to extend one section or another by a few days, it's not a tragedy. If, however, people check the game frequently and post regularly, there should be NO problems getting through what we need to within this time frame. Please, if you have any questions, PM me or put them in the discussion thread. I am happy to clarify any points that need clearing up.

Thank you to everyone for their patience with the game. We're in the home stretch now, and I know we can end this game well and before our time is up! :D

Carrûn

05-11-2004, 07:10 PM

I'm alive. I just got back from school for the year, and my family's computer suddenly decided not to work so myself and Himaran will have sporadic Internet service at best for the next week or so until this is resolved.

Carrûn

05-11-2004, 07:34 PM

Kryssal I put a post in like you requested - I'll add more to it when I get some time. Let me know if you think something needs changed.

Belin

05-15-2004, 10:03 PM

Osse, I hope I was right in picking up on your cues about Bear. Let me know if you'd like me to change anything. Are you going to fill in your save? I wasn't sure, but I tried to write as if you had. This schedule seems very doable to me, so let's see if we can finish this story.

However, I am totally incapable of writing battles, so I hope somebody will help me out (sounds like a job for Osse, really).

I'll send out pm's tomorrow as the balance of the universe will clearly be completely thrown off if I write anything more today.

VanimaEdhel

05-16-2004, 05:08 PM

Himaran, go ahead and fill in your post when you're ready. Just have the journey back, really. If you want to do half of the way back, I can do the other half. Or we can divide it up other ways...or however you want. I'm open to suggestions. :cool:

The X Phial

05-17-2004, 05:27 AM

Wow, excellent posts from both Belin and Osse! I hope my follow up can do them justice.

Tinuviel of Denton

05-17-2004, 10:31 AM

Belin, does what you, Osse, and I discussed for Kestrel still hold true? Or shall I rearrange?

Himaran

05-18-2004, 05:32 PM

Vana: My post, since it is before the battle and the dwarves are not there, will take the party halfway back to the settlement. You can finish the journey after the battle has died out.

Himaran

TheLadyAerowen

05-19-2004, 10:45 PM

I'll be filling in that save soon; or post a reply after it depending on timing. I've got the post ready, I just have to go tweak it except..it's 1am right now and I'm not in the best of tweaking moods :-P

About my absence; my computer had a virus and I was down for more than two weeks. Meh.

Anyway. I'm back on my feet, I hope. I've been so blah with finals coming up and all these huge projects teachers have assigned; but I only have a couple weeks of school left. :D

Bêthberry

05-20-2004, 10:22 AM

And so Calumdril journies beyong the circles of Middle earth, a post I had been considering since he first came upon the bodies of Thorgil and Calum.

This is an exceptionally well done game, very finely written. I reread it before I wrote this last post and was honoured by all the company I have kept here. Thank you for the fun of gaming with you; I hope to again of course; and remember I shall be reading from the sidelines with keen delight and expectations.

Cheerio,
Bethberry

The X Phial

05-20-2004, 11:33 AM

Excellent post, Bethberry. Though unexpected, the death of Calumdril does fit nicely into the storyline and provides a wonderful symmetry. Borgand, for one, will be very sorry to find he is dead. The honour of gaming with you is something I have cherished. Thank you for your excellent contributions to the game.

TheLadyAerowen

05-22-2004, 03:07 PM

I deleted the save, actually, and...just posted the post at the end there. So, yep. ^_^

Osse

05-24-2004, 10:11 PM

Here is what i am planning for the death of bear guys, hope it fits in:

Bear survives the initial attack and is able to limp home; finding that kestrel and her kids are gone, and the fact that many hillmen are dead, he rushes back to the settlement.

Espyed from afar, he is shot and key characters (Carrun... and fellow rangers?) go out to his body...

perhaps the rangers are patrolling the wall? Bear tries to rush their defences and is killed.

Give me a hoy guys!!

Osse

05-24-2004, 10:29 PM

need somehwere to put this work in progress for safe keeping... will finish it !! Bear pulled himself from the water and lay panting on the large, smooth, wet stones. His warm, red blood mingled with the muddied water and surged over the rocks, creating an ironically warm environment for the great man to lie in. His sodden wool tunic hung lankly to his prone form and he shivered as a wind shot over his bulk. Memories of the last few ill-fated hours shot through his weary mind. Things had appeared to go well for the hillmen, their initial attack seemed to be a complete surprise, and for a while the southerners were on the back foot.

The soft ground seems to echo as his feet pound into it. Through the smoke-haze around him he can feel the thundering voices of men, the screams of women and the crackle of flame; his senses seem inflamed and unruly. Like a poisoned beast he feels himself crash into man after man, filling the sodden night with showers of red. Screams resonate around his existence.

With a gasping intake of air, Bear regained consciousness.

Things had started to turn as the fight spilled out into the extents of the settlement and Bear found himself almost alone with only a few hillmen around him. Grasping a stone firmly in his palm, he struggled to stay conscious. Grasping for a thought to hold on to, his mind raced through his recent past. A face… long and unfamiliar…filling with sudden recognition…a sudden anger, burning at his chest… a tempest unleashed…

Bear had espied his adversary and immediately recognized him as his attacker. Further, ice-cold wrath had piled and squeezed itself into his existence and he had thrown himself further into the fray; further towards his foe. Then, in the midst of his glory, covered in the death of his foes, he found himself alone; dead hillmen lay by him, their blood flowing into and mingling with that of their dead enemies. An almost complete ring of southerners had been made about him, many of whom he recognized. The man he had encountered only days before stood there before him, panting and hunched in his weariness. Slowly the men advance upon Bear. The whirlwind of steel that ensued smote both helm and limb and soon the ring was broken. A fog had fallen upon his eyes and he only saw dim shapes.