[Elora]

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

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

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

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

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

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

Foul deeds cannot forever lie hidden

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

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

Wandering the Ruin of Men

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

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

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

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

Valour in Desolate Places

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

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

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

The Longest Road is that taken home

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

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

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

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