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Old 10-04-2005, 08:35 AM   #1
The Perky Ent
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The Eye

Quote:
Here I wish I had experience in roleplaying games, because I don't get what you are saying. Just shows my ignorance, I suppose. Or maybe my question wasn't that logical either. What can a single thrall do to turn the tides of war? Or there'd be little point in there being a slave role at all, if the characters as a slave do not take active role in the whole war itself, not only in a small scale. Especially as they are seriously restricted if other characters, those in power, e.g. slave master, do not open a way for them for action. Or the slave paragraphs are only going to be long monologues, or long futile conversation between two slaves. It would not be exactly fair, for instance, if the two slaves took over the ship or sunk the ship or set fire to it. It won't be realistic either. I guess I'm not making any sense.
Quote:
What can a single thrall do to turn the tides of war?
What can one single little hobbit do? Eorl, I think you're forgetting how much space I'm giving you. You can do whatever you want with your slave. He can fight, sleep, row, dance, kill, and every other action. All you have to do is let him



I do hope I don't seem too confusing
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'But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.'
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Old 10-04-2005, 08:49 AM   #2
Folwren
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Folwren is battling Black Riders on Weathertop.Folwren is battling Black Riders on Weathertop.
Hallo, all! I’ve just read over (most) everybody’s character bio’s and first posts. This looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun. Lot of good writers.

Quote:
Originally posted by The Perky Ent:
Anyone else need information on your character? Please speak up, as I love giving out this kind of info
Yes, I do have some question about my character...I guess they’re probably a lot of the same question Alcarillo will be asking.

Firstly, about the ship. I’m playing the part of a Sea Captain. Therefore, I’m assuming that my ship is generally out at sea. Most of my knowledge of ships have to do with an 1814 frigate, or man-of-war. Needless to say, there are going to be many differences between those sorts of ships and the type that I’ll be writing about (mainly because we don’t have cannons in Middle-Earth), but I wouldn’t be surprised if the ship that I’m to captain has maybe three masts, as the frigates did. So, my question is, is my ship going to be like a frigate with three masts and square sails (except for a few, which were triangle).

Another question - what’s the Navy discipline like? I’m assuming that I’m on a ship from the navy...I don’t think that a merchant ship would be much good in this war.

How many people are going to be on board? What’s the usual crew number?

In ME (poor Perky...hope all these questions don’t bother you a terrible amount), would they have all of the other warrant officers? Sailing Master, Left Tenant, so forth and so on. Perhaps under slightly different names, but still holding the same responsibility?

Quite simply with all my questions rolled into one - what are the details of Gondorian ships and their navy? (Navy seems like a very Earth like word, though.)

Or, better yet, perhaps you could give me something that I could read for research on this subject.

Hope I’m not a bother. And I’m still working on my bio and such.

-- Folwren
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Old 10-04-2005, 09:10 AM   #3
The Perky Ent
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White Tree

...





*twitch*







...






....ok. Yeah....I'll get back to you on that...
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Old 10-04-2005, 10:11 AM   #4
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Folwren is battling Black Riders on Weathertop.Folwren is battling Black Riders on Weathertop.
*blushes*

Sorry.
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Old 10-04-2005, 10:19 AM   #5
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ABOUT SHIPS OF GONDOR

We really have no clear picture of what the Gondorian Navy was like. We can assume they were fairly advanced, since they drew on the ship/sailing knowledge/skills of the Numenoreans.

I'm sure the ships will be ships of war, not merchant type since this is a battle oriented RPG.

Since both the ships from Gondor will paraticipate in the battles, what I would suggest is that Folwren and Alcarillo PM or discuss on the planning thread how they would like their ships to be, how they're manned, what sorts of equipment they want on them, etc. They don't have to be exactly the same.

As long as there is some consistency between the two Gondor Navy ships, it should be fine.

HERE'S and interesting site for looking at ships - you can also check out the section on ships in Resources for RPG's in the Shire for info about sailing in general - types of ships, nautical terminology, etc.

Hope this helps!

~*~ Pio
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Old 10-04-2005, 10:39 AM   #6
The Perky Ent
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White Tree

S'alright! That's what I get for being sick and lazy

Don't be suprised if some things happen to your ship that you won't expect (This is why I love being the person who has a big book of secrets and saves them for least-expected moments)! Hi, I'm Perky and I'll be your Neptune for this journey! Don't be surprised if your ship randomly splits in half from the bottom (Is he joking?!? ), or sinks below into the abyss. Constant vigilance! hehe, I just had to say that. Yes, some captain unity would be good. Also leaves some opportunity to interact with Firefoot! I've got several Corsair resources I'm gonna type up shortly!
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Old 10-04-2005, 10:45 AM   #7
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Thanks so much for the link, Pio! I'll be doing research on that site for more than RPing...

I'll also write Alcarillo.

What do you mean, Perky?! Are you going to destroy my beautiful ship sometime? That's going to be a depressing day.

Edit: One last thing! Playing the role of a Captain, and having to write the history of him, I need to know - do you think that they would have trained captains and officers as they did back in the 1800's? (Really, if you haven't picked up on it yet, I don't know much about ships out of that time period.) As in, whilst a boy, he decides he wants to join, goes in, and is one of the 'young gentlemen' and learns on board ship, living there, doing the work, learning from the Captain and ship's tutor, makes his way up from there, and eventually is rated Captain? I doubt Tolkien thought about that too much, so if no one has any opinion one way or another on this matter, Alcarillo and I can figure it out.

-- Folwren
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Last edited by Folwren; 10-04-2005 at 10:50 AM.
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Old 10-04-2005, 10:53 AM   #8
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War ships/Pirate ships

Pirate Ships

HERE

HERE

HERE

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

And please do check out the Resources for RPG thread in the Shire for nautical terms.
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Old 10-04-2005, 07:02 PM   #9
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Shield

PLACED ON DISCUSSION THREAD ~*~ PIO

Ok, revised post up.
---------------------------------

RPG's I'm currently involved in: None
RPG's I've played in: None
Inns I’ve posted at: I've posted in the Green Dragon.

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

Hiriel's character


NAME: Azaryan

AGE: 89

RACE: Umbarian Male

WEAPONS: Azaryan is most skilled with a broad falchion, serrated in an almost wavelike pattern at the tip to leave a particular mark on its victims. He also carries a recurve bow, painted black and carved with eyes at both ends. More for superstition’s sake than anything else, he wears around his neck a dagger that belonged to Castamir himself, and carries an arming sword in the tradition of warriors of Numenor, although he isn’t particularly fond of using either of them.

APPEARANCE: Much to his chagrin, Azaryan is short for one of Numenorian blood, standing only 5’6”, though he is of imposing build. His eyes are beady gray, and intense. His raven hair is kept short, curling a little under his ears. Almost his entire body, certainly his countenance, is harsh and pronounced, as if worn away by waves on a coast. This is only added to by a scar that runs parallel to his jawline, which gives him a look of cruel amusement, a second war-made smile.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Focused to the point of mania, Azaryan is a man bred with one purpose in mind – the retaking of Gondor for the Castamirioni –which he follows with a ruthless energy and obsession. He is somber and distrustful, but calculated and a brilliant mind. Though fair spoken and persuasive, he detests people, and would rather be left to himself, sometimes doubting his abilities as a commander and bitterly regretting his lineage. Probably because of this, he is given to a fierce temper and a menacing nature, save when it serves his ends to act otherwise. His only real release is in raiding, when he can assert in glorious battle the dominance of the Castamirioni, and take one more step towards the realization of all his passions and labors.

HISTORY: Born in 1721, Azaryan was the firstborn son of Zigurada and Angamaite, whose three greats grandsire was Castamir the Usurper, and thus groomed early to be lord of Umbar, though his sister Zairia was four years his elder. Tutored to be severe and commanding, any exuberance he had was quickly flogged out of the boy as he began studies of combat, language, and his family’s history. After a plague ravaged Umbar in his tenth year, killing both his sister and mother, Azaryan was rather unceremoniously sent away to sea, and rarely saw home for the next thirty years as he learned seamanship, waterways and tactics.

At forty he became a captain in his own right, and began making more aggressive moves further and further along the Gondorian coast, until towards the end of a routine refitting, his father became sick and was obliged to stay on the mainland lest he should have to succeed him. Thus stymied, he again set about his academic studies, this time mostly of ancient battles and strategies. The only person with whom he made any attempt to associate with was his younger cousin, whose intelligence impressed him but who he had only met on a handful of occasions.

His father lingered on for a good four years ere Azaryan could succeed him, and some say the son had to take matters into his own hands for anything to change. Obliged to come out of his solitude, Azaryan set about taking more control over the raids against Gondor, and prosecuted them with a greater ferocity. He has left most of the physical governing up to others, though sporadically he paid domestic business the same attention he gave his navy. At seventy-two, he ordered the building of a much larger fleet, indebting himself somewhat to his Haradric neighbors. But now that fleet is almost entirely manned and ready, he senses a weakness in Gondor’s lack of response and frustration about the success of his assaults; and feels that perhaps, in his lifetime, he might see the Eldacarioni fall, and take back Gondor as part of his rightful kingdom.


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

Hiriel's post

A tortured wail rose up from the ribs as Lord Azaryan paced. He sighed slowly, closing his eyes and letting the wooden moans relax his muscles. A terrible headache churned within his temples, and so he allowed the groans to wash over him, a rough but steadying chorus. He had always liked the sound of waves belowdecks better than on shore, the clash of water on wooden shield. It was like some grand ancient battle.

He loitered in the relative solitude of the armory, liking to take ease in unusual places. It took longer for anyone to interrupt him, and it gave the greenhand ensigns a good scare to have to look for their lord and captain from mess to forecastle, wardroom to deepest hold, not knowing what corner he would be waiting around to yell at them. He smiled at the thought, glad to be back at sea again. All matters of supplies, gold, crime and court were put aside, and only important things left were stealth and wind and tide. It had been too long.

But, then, there had been much to plan for this voyage. Gondor, the tiring old eagle, usually ventured some response to the corsair raids that were rapidly becoming a way of life along the coast. In the last few months, however, the gnats of Dol Amroth and other coastal garrisons sat silent, suffering any abuse from his fleet without retaliation. Azaryan started pacing the squat room faster and found himself knocking into stacks of spears and quivers in his fiendish glee, half tripping over the toppled weapons in his energy.

They must be weak. There is no other reason why Telumehtar would not protect his own. They must be panicked. Nay, deperate. Ha! I may yet see the White City.” Twitching, he licked his lips and his thoughts skipped, leaping from one glorious picture to the next: This raid raising Pelegir, corsair ships landing up and down the coast, Dol Amroth in flames, the great fleet the Haradrim were still clamoring payment over pulling into Harlond, Telumehtar knelling, weeping before him at the base of the white throne. Feeling more elated than he had all day, Azaryan now bit his lip and began running over the plans of attack on Pelegir over again in his mind. If the river town was neutralized, then, only with greatest speed could he move the fleet to Harlond and Osgiliath. The army of Umbar was too small to take on Gondor’s in a pitched battle, but an assault on the Harlond and Osgiliath might cow it. The thought quickened his breath.

“Enough strategy, Azar,” A warm voice chuckled, rolling like a swell, and knocked him out of his reverie. “I have done nothing to suggest that was what my mind was turned to,cousin.” He recovered, recognizing the voice of Lord Sangalazin, his own like the crack of a spar. “Why else would a sea lord cloister himself for three hours in a cramped armory?” The man framing the doorway asked with mock innocence. “I see no reason to explain myself or my actions to you, and indeed I have no need to.” Azaryan cut back airily. “How goes it, then?” “There are a lot of ‘ifs’ yet, and the mouth of the Anduin is our most pressing problem at the moment. Telumehtar knows the river, and so we must evade the eyes he plants its coast.” His face dimmed, frowning at as his problems and dragging down his features.

“That may not be so. We’re in sight of land, Azar, inside the very mouth of the river and not even a fishing boat to great us.” Azaryan started; This was news that stabbed at his gut. “Than either he either he is a fool or an ungracious host.” He frowned deep, his grip on his settings slipping as he absorbed this information. “Well, I think we would both rather him a fool. Indeed, he and I would have something in common, I agreeing to come on this silly venture.” The wry comment brought him back to the armory. “Stop trying to be witty. I can dismember you at will for demeaning the importance of our military endevours this day.” Sangalazin only gave lopsided grin to the terse threat.
“That’s what makes it so fun, cousin.”

Azaryan growled in the back of his throat. Ever had Salgalazin been petty and lacked the proper focus for a lord of Umbar. Only his sharp intelligence, far greater than any other of his family, redeemed him. Not willing to be sidetracked by his cousin’s foolishness, Azaryan plodded on. “We know at least that Telumehtar is not one. But perhaps he falters. Perhaps Umbar’s threat has undone him and he sweats and frets on that great marble perch of his. I can think of no other reason he does not act against us. Regardless, we will give him something to fret about, pompous Eldacarioni.” He spat the last sentence out, a solemn vow.

“Then we should begin by going ondeck.” Azaryan nodded, bared a quick, vicious grin, and followed the beaconing figure out of the ships’ bowls and into the fresh sea air.

_________________________

Edit by Pio - just for easy transfer to the Discussion Thread
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Old 10-04-2005, 07:17 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally posted by Perky:
Folwren, yeah...I might need a little more. Just a little more about your characters depth, or what's going on around him. Also, for your history, I think there's one problem with it. By the time of your character's birth, Osgiliath would have already been an almost ghost town, since the plague had destoryed most of it. Do you think he could live elsewhere, or was he really living in the decaying city? Otherwise, it's a good character sheet.
Okay, then, I can write more. Little problem there, I'm sure.

And, yes, I can definitely fix the Osgiliath thing. *blushes for not the first time this thread* I had my doubts when I wrote that, but I didn't know for a fact if it was possible or impossible. I'll fix it sometime this evening or tomorrow.

Till later.

-- Folwren
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Old 10-04-2005, 07:22 PM   #11
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Folwren

The city of Osgiliath may be decayed -- but the captain could certainly come from one of the holdings about the city proper. There would still be people living there. And it's a scant 15 miles or less from Osgiliath to Minas Anor Minas.

Your choice, Folwren.

~*~ Pio
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Old 10-04-2005, 11:37 AM   #12
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1420!

Clear your PM's, please, Perky

~*~ Pio
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Old 10-04-2005, 11:56 AM   #13
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White Tree

Done! Sorry about that! I'm getting around 30-40 PM's a day!!!

Big post on Corsairs comming up!!!
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Old 10-04-2005, 12:14 PM   #14
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White Tree

The following information was taken from 'The Lord of the Rings: Weapons and Warfare' section about corsairs. The following passage IS REQUIRED READING for all people playing corsairs!!! You know who you are!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~
Corsairs of Umbar

During the Kin-strife that led to Gondor’s costly civil war, a great many of its invincible navy supported the usurper, who was challenging the king’s right to rule the country. Eventually he was overthrown and the rightful king restored to the throne, driving the rebels to found their own province and declare themselves under self-rule. Initially these sailors were based in the Gondorian port of Pelargir, but eventually they withdrew to the more southernly haven of Umbar, which sat on the northern coast of Harad. Over time these sailors drew to their number various outlaws and brigands from outlying settlements surrounding the Anduin, and they took to raiding alon gthe coastline of southern Gondor, interceping merchant vessels and abducting women to bolster their dissident community. They were also slavers and would often seize a ship’s crew along with her cargo; if any resisted he would be thrown overboard. Ever after these slaves would spend their lives pulling oars on the corsairs’ great black ship.

The corsairs were a thorn in Gondor’s side and were partly responsible for its impoverished state, restricting as they had its trade with other realms. Beyond the obvious desire for wealth, there would initially have been some motivation to strike against a kingdom which the corsairs saw as compromised; later it would have been just about greed. The crew of a corsair ship was said to be a mixed bag, generally swarthy and unkempt but garbed in gaudy clothing and jewelry; some would have had an exotic look born of their Southron ancestry.

The corsairs had just one battle strategy, but it was one that had served them well through many centuries: they would use their superior nautical abilities and vasty superior victims until they had pulled alongside; then they would launch harpoons from the iron crossbows fixed port and starboard on their ship, anchoring it to the other vessel. As the two ships closed, a raiding party would launch a volley of arrows into the crew if they showed any signs of resistance, before leap;ing across and seizing control of the vessel. Usually, the corsairs’ fearsome reputation would have beedn enough to intimidate all but the bravest crew, regardless of the value of the cargo.

Sauron would have realized just how useful the corsairs could be to him, so his emissaries would have enlisted their support, possibly making treatikes with them after passing through Harad. Needless to say, the greater part of their inducement to aid Sauron would have been the promise of booty from the White City. By having them raid the various settlements that were situated along the coast, right up to Minas Tirith, Sauron would have gained an intimidating southern front that would need to be defended against, thus drawing away a precious number of Gondor’s soldiers. The corsairs’ raids would have been damaging in other ways: to see smoke rising from the southern villages and the telltale silhouette of the great ships’ sails would have been deeply demoralizing for the defenders within the White City, weakening them even before battle commenced. Furthermore, once the corsairs had moored at Harlond they would have provided reinforcements for Sauron’s army if required; they could have provided useful transport up and down the river for his troops or plundered equiptment should the battle have been won by the time they arrived.


Corsair Ship

There appear to have been ten of the great ships under the control of the corsairs. These behemoths were said to be 450 feet long and 45 feet in the beam, although these estimates have never been confirmed, as none of the ships survive; the three tall masts each supported an enormous crimson sail, the largest of which may have been fully 400 feet high. Their angular fan shape would have cut a distinctive and terrifying silhouette in the water. Once they were visible it was probably already too late. Yet the most frightening facet of the ships was never seen, only felt; just below the waterline sat a huge iron battering ram, it’s jagged edges extending perhaps fifty feet out from the keel.

The elegant curving jagged lines of this ram and the rest of the ironwork revealed the ships to be clearly of Numenorean design, especially in the defensive rows of iron spikes that ran from the prow to stern on each side. Secured to the hull behind these with iron brackets was a wall of red wooden shields that would have maid it almost impossible for anyone to storm the deck. The deck was fitted fore and aft with a pair of iron-framed crossbows that fired harpoons to which were attached grappling lines that bit deep into the victim’s hull; once these were embedded, the merchant ship would be stuck fast and vulnerable. A brazier was kept stoked next to the crossbows for the time when the corsairs set light to the other ship, usually just after it had been emptied of its cargo.

The corsair ships were biremens, in that they were fitted port and starboard with row rows of oars; each row had twenty-one oars and required a minimum of three men per oar; this meant that more than 250 slaves would have been chained below deck. Rowing would have been an exhausting task and would have resulted in a high turnover of slaves; in order to continue raiding, the corsairs would have needed to keep slaving, a vicious circle that terrorized the people of Gondor.


Please bear with me if something is spelled incorrectly, or something doens't quite make sense. I'm sneezing every other sentence
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Old 10-04-2005, 12:15 PM   #15
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A quick question:

Are the Bios & First Posts for these players all ok with you? I'd like to start transferring them to the proposal form.

The Perky Ent – BIO/POST DONE
Anguirel – BIO/POST DONE
Eorl of Rohan – BIO/POST DONE
Firefoot – BIO/POST DONE
Hiriel – BIO/POST DONE


~*~ Pio
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Old 10-04-2005, 12:27 PM   #16
The Perky Ent
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Thumbs up

Actually...they're not >.<

I still need to look over a few and make some corrections. I'll do it later today. I just want to double check them, as there are several problems going on between the posts. I got your PM though, and It's ok with me
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Old 10-04-2005, 12:29 PM   #17
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Folwren is battling Black Riders on Weathertop.Folwren is battling Black Riders on Weathertop.
Another question, Perky. By all appearances of the list of characters and such, my ship is the ship that the king and his counsellor are on. That is correct, right?

-- Folwren

Edit: Ah, yes. I'm the one who annoyed Firefoot with all my questions.
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Old 10-04-2005, 03:30 PM   #18
Folwren
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Folwren is battling Black Riders on Weathertop.Folwren is battling Black Riders on Weathertop.
POSTED TO THE DISCUSSION THREAD ~*~ PIO


Okay, Perky, here is my character bio and first post. The post is not very long, and I hope it will do. If you want more, I can certainly write it. Just say so. I hope everything else fills expectations.

-- Folwren


1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – Yes...well, I’m in the midst of one.

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

List them, please: Red Flows the Sirranon

3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn – Yes, I have.
_______________________________________

Folwren's character:

NAME: Captain Hereric son Hothlere

AGE: 82

RACE: Gondorian

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Hereric uses a broad sword best. His sword has a four foot, white blade with a silver hilt and handle. In the pommel is set a single blue stone. The hilt is decorated with thin, slender vines make of silver twining and encircling it.

Besides his skill with a sword, he can use the bow well, and has some ability with casting a spear.

APPEARANCE: He is not tall, really, compared to most Gondorians, and stands only six foot one. However, he has a powerfully built body, and a commanding eye and bearing which make up for his height. Brown hair, lightened by the almost constant sunlight, dark, penetrating brown eyes.
He usually wears no armor and is dressed (at most times) in a while shirt, laced at the throat, brown breeches, mid-calf boots. On such occasions as welcoming the King aboard the ship, he’ll have his coat and hat on, with his sword at his side, cutting a handsome and military figure.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Captain Hereric is a taut captain, but neither brutal or cruel to his men. It is rather necessary to retain rather stiff discipline at sea, but his crew does not resent him for it, and they all rather like their captain. He has a very quiet character most of the time, and usually only becomes visibly angry or annoyed at such busy, confusing times as preparing for a voyage and while they’re still at the wharfs and harbors. Once sail is spread he’s back to his regular self, calm and generally quiet.

In any sea battle, he can make quick, difficult decisions on a moment’s notice. He knows his ship from bow to stern and every curve and rope therein, and is therefore able to direct her in difficult places and times at sea, or anywhere.

His weaknesses lie in his habit of withdrawing himself when things aren’t going well, or aren’t going his way (not in the stubborn, spoiled child sense, but as a sea officer). At such times, he’ll become even less talkative, stern, and altogether impassible. Another is that he gets unaccountably excited in battles, and though his sometimes reckless actions has never gotten him or his ship and crew into any trouble that he couldn’t pull them back out of again, it still is dangerous.

All in all, he’s a great leader and an excellent captain, knowing both his men, his ship, and his business well.

HISTORY:

Hereric was born to Hothlore and Aanel in 1728 in Osgiliath. His father was a captain at the time of his birth and continued being so until his death in one of the many, random battles with the Corsairs in 1738. From that day forward, Hereric wanted to go and join the Navy in hopes of someday taking revenge for his father’s death. His mother let him go and in 1739, at age 11, he joined.

Having had such a father as Hothlore, he did not have a difficult time finding his way as one of the junior officers onto one of the ships. That is not to say he had many privileges when he was a boy, but he wasn’t considered a regular seaman. He worked his way up the ladder, learning first about the knots and sails, and then navigating skills. He was taught the necessary mathematics and astrology necessary to successfully captain and sail a ship. He learned to read and write, tell time by the sun, and take and fulfill responsibilities given him. Before becoming a captain in 1795, he had served as several of the higher ranking officers.

In 1795 he was appointed Captain and given his first ship. It was small and not particularly fast nor very nice, but in two years he was given a higher rating and given a different ship - the one he presently sails. It was one that he had sailed most of his earlier years. He found it a great advantage, knowing the way it sailed almost as soon as he set foot to it.

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Folwren's post:

Captain Hereric stood on the deck of his ship, his hands folded behind him, and his eyes watching the bustle of his men below. The muscle in his jaw slowly clenched and unclenched and a constant, grim expression lingered on his face. The last day before setting sail was always hard enough without the extra stress of greeting a king. It would have to be his ship, wouldn’t it? But then, she was very fine, wasn’t she? He glanced up at the ropes and rigging above his head. The fine lines against the clear blue sky, and the proud Gondorian flag fluttering slightly in the breeze. She was a gorgeous ship, and her crew one of the best. He had little nor no doubts of her performance, and he would not have had any worries in the least had it not been for the condescending manner of the king’s own advisor.

Hereric’s jaw tightened again and he looked towards the pier. Of all people, he thought he disliked the condescending sort. The very thought of being looked down on by anyone on his ship was extremely annoying and entirely intolerable. He’d have to work on that if the two of them were going to be stuck together for more than a few days.

The approach of his first left-tenant brought his attention back to his ship and he watched as the young man mounted the steps to his side. ‘Sir, the last of the water is on, and the meat. That should be the last shipment on board from the port. The last attachment of soldiers, also, will be arriving shortly, no doubt.’

‘Yes, I should imagine so,’ Hereric replied. He glanced over his shoulder at the sun and back down. ‘Prepare my barge. You will go to the landing and greet his majesty the King.’

In a few moments, the boat was by the ship’s side and the left-tenant with the Captain’s coxswain climbed over the side and were rowed towards the landing. The Captain remained where he stood, giving the last orders, and preparing the ship for the king’s arrival. It would not be long.

Hereric kept half an eye on his men on shore. Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad. The wait at the docks and the stress of making certain that everything was bought and delivered to the ship always made him impatient and peevish. The counselor had likely been under stress himself when he had spoken to him.

‘Forimar,’ he said, turning to a man walking past below him. ‘Get all this squared away and prepare the deck for the king’s arrival.’

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Note to everybody - It was generally the custom in the Brittish Navy couple hundred years ago for the Captain to greet whoever he was greeting on his own ship, rather than going to meet him at the landing. That's why Captain Hereric didn't go with the left-tenant.

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Edit: Just setting things up for an easy transfer to the discussion thread. ~*~ Pio
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Last edited by piosenniel; 10-05-2005 at 04:01 PM.
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Old 10-04-2005, 05:03 PM   #19
The Perky Ent
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Here is a general pic of what the Corsair ships look like: In all the pictures I've seen of them (And I've seen around 8) they all seem to be around that kind of shape and size. Similar to the Shebec...I guess. Another picture

Hope those help.

Folwren, yeah...I might need a little more. Just a little more about your characters depth, or what's going on around him. Also, for your history, I think there's one problem with it. By the time of your character's birth, Osgiliath would have already been an almost ghost town, since the plague had destoryed most of it. Do you think he could live elsewhere, or was he really living in the decaying city? Otherwise, it's a good character sheet.
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