Wilderness, Weathertop, and Wild Things Discussion Thread

[piosenniel]

Nuranar and Envinyatar invite you to play in their game:

Wilderness, Weathertop, and Wild Things

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Historical Background:

The War of the Ring ended in III 3019 (Year 3019 of the Third Age by the Stewards’ Reckoning Calendar), or 1419 S.R. (by the Shire Reckoning Calendar), when Barad-dûr fell and Sauron passed from Middle-earth.

In III 3021 T.A. (1421S.R.) Frodo and Bilbo and the Keepers of the three remaining Rings of Power leave from the Grey Havens to go over the Sea to the West. This was the end of the Third Age.

For this game it is now the Fourth Age: IV 20 (1441 S.R.) – twenty years since the War of the Ring ended. Samwise Gamgee is Mayor of the Shire now for the third time. Merry (Meriadoc Brandybuck) has become Master of Buckland, and Pippin (Peregrin Took) is Thain of the Shire. Just five years previously (IV 15 – 1436 S.R.), King Elessar had visited the Hills of Evendim, just north of the Shire, and had greeted his old friends at the Brandywine Bridge.

[piosenniel]

You will need to be familiar with the concept of the hidden fastness of the Rangers. Please read these:

Look HERE.

“Tolkien actually made a note, now filed among his papers at Marquette University, which stated that Aragorn's people lived in the Angle, between the Bruinen and Mitheithel rivers. The Mitheithel river, as it turns out, does lie about 100 leagues (or 300 miles) east of the Shire.” (From the Article above)

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Hidden Fastness

The Rangers 'hidden fastness' and #'s – Barrow Downs – by Lindil – Post 13

“I recently came across a quote of David Salo who says that a scrap of writing at Marquette [where all of JRRT's manuscripts [or a lot re: LotR anyway] are kept , and it said that the rangers 'hidden fastness' was in the Angle of the Mitheithel and the Loudwater.” (From the Article above)

[piosenniel]

Here is a map for your use:


MAP

[piosenniel]

Basic Storyline:

In Year 20 of the Fourth Age Aragorn, King Elessar of Gondor, begins to receive reports of strange things near Weathertop: travelers gone missing, flocks decimated, rumors of fell beasts and strange creatures haunting the woods. Many of the Rangers had fallen in the War of the Ring and many others have gone south to serve their king; thus the northern realm has been largely deprived of its protection. Until now this had mattered little because of the relative peace. Fearing for the safety of the northern realm and especially for the ancient settlement of the Dúnedain at the angle of the Bruinen and Mitheithel rivers, the King sends one Ranger and two Elves to investigate the truth of these reports and to take action, if necessary.

They travel west through Rohan and up the North-South Road to the Inn of the Prancing Pony in Bree, where they must gather together a company to investigate. After collecting supplies, the party mounts a scouting mission to Weathertop, where they are ambushed by several trolls and orcs. Three people are seriously injured, but the orcs have encircled their position and are closing in from the west. The company’s only hope is Rivendell, but the way is long and passes through the Trollshaws. They must fight both orcs and trolls to bring their injured companions to Rivendell to be healed.

[piosenniel]

Starting Location: Gap of Rohan – just after purchasing the horses; then onto The Inn of the Prancing Pony in Bree

Likely Destination: Rivendell

[piosenniel]

Timeframes:

1.)This game takes place during the summer of Year 20 of the Fourth Age.

2.) The Story will take about a month to complete.

3.) This Game will require commitment of 6 weeks for the players and the owners.

~*~

RPG END DATE: 10/21 - 6 WEEKS

EXTENDED 2 WEEKS - TO 11/04

[piosenniel]

The Discussion Thread is now open to take on players.

Please read the proposal carefully and create a needed character, with First Post, as designated, to submit for consideration.

~*~ Pio, Game Moderator

[Meneltarmacil]

Character Description Form:

1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs?
Yes (Resettling the Lost Kingdom, The Hills of Evendim)

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

3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn
Yes
_______________________________________

For your character please include:

NAME: Thoronmir

AGE: 71

RACE: Human (Northern Dunedain)

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Longsword, long knife, shortbow and quiver with 20 arrows, boiled leather breastplate and vambraces

APPEARANCE: About 6'2" tall, has dark hair with a hint of red that is beginning to show signs of gray, wears a dark green cloak, has a scruffy look, rides a tall brown horse.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: He is quite good at fighting, although he usually prefers a peaceful solution to a conflict. However, if he has no choice but combat, he usually winds up winning. He cares deeply for those under his protection and does not want to see any harm come to them. His best weapon is the sword.

HISTORY: He grew up in the Hills of Evendim along with his friends. He participated in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields and the Battle of the Morannon in T.A. 3019, when almost all of his friends were slain. After returning to Evendim, he helped to stop two incursions of evil men into the region, taking the leadership of the Dunedain of Evendim in F.A, 12. He has since helped in the rebuilding of the Kingdom of Arnor and the restoration of Annuminas.
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Meneltarmacil’s post

Thoronmir mounted his horse and resumed the journey toward Bree. It had been about a week since he and his companion had left Evendim to meet the emissaries from King Elessar, and he hoped that they would be able to help with the problems he had been experiencing. Things hadn’t been going well at all for the last few months. Reports came in to Annuminas day after day about mysterious disappearances of livestock from farms near the Weather Hills and the surrounding regions, and lately people were reportedly disappearing as well. Thoronmir had sent out a few rangers to scout out the area, but none of them had come back after weeks of waiting. Thoronmir was glad indeed to hear that his message to Gondor had been received and that people were on their way to help. Due to the important nature of the problem and the need for it to be discussed and find a working solution as quickly as possible, Thoronmir felt it necessary that he should go to Bree himself instead of sending an emissary and that he and his companion should make the journey on horseback instead of walking, as time was more important than secrecy here. He had seen enough death at the Pelennor Fields; he did not want any more coming here.

Thoronmir and his companion rode eastward until they had reached the southwestern part of the North Downs. From there they would continue to ride east until they met the Greenway and then turn southward toward Bree. They passed through a gap in the hills, a narrow passage that was wide enough for two, maybe three horses to walk side by side. Thoronmir’s horse stopped suddenly in the middle of the passage, tossed back his head, and snorted.

“What is it?” Thoronmir asked. “Is something wrong?” Suddenly, he too heard the sound. He listened intently. There were footsteps of five, maybe six individuals somewhere up ahead and a little higher up.

“Thoronmir?” his companion asked.

“We’re not alone…” the older ranger said.

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[Envinyatar]

Welcome, Meneltarmacil and all others looking at this proposal!

Both Nuranar and I will be looking at your submission and will get back to you shortly.

Looking forward to playing this game!

- E -

[Dragon Elf odin Ragnorock]

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

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

3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn
Yes

For your character please include:

Name: Menecar

Age: 49

RACE: Human (Northern Dunedain)

Gender: Male

Weapons: Longbow, 40 arrows, 2 long knives, 10 throwing knives, a leather breastplate and a shoulder armguard

Appearance: A tall man about 6’3”, long dark hair down to his chin, brown eyes, and he wears a green cloak and rides his horse Agamenon.

Personality/ Strengths/ Weaknesses: He is one of the nicest people you would ever meet and a best friend to most of his allies, but if you are his enemy then just to put it simply you’re a “Dead Man Walking”. His strengths are that he is a very adaptable warrior and a great marksman. The only thin that is better than him at marksmanship is an elf. His only weakness is that he is not a good close range fighter.

History: Menecar grew up in the hills of Evendim along with his friends and family. He was about 20 when the war of the ring started. He thought that he was a little to under skilled to fight in the battle of Pelennor fields so he stayed back as a hunter where he sharpened his marksmanship. Very soon he was one of the best hunter his village had, and that is when he had decided to become a ranger. He was an apprentice to Thoronmir for about ten years. When the teacher decided that he was good enough to be out on his own, but he never left his teacher. They became hunting buddies and best friends. Until Thoronmir had to go to rebuild the kingdom of Arnor. Then they when their separate ways, and Menecar has led a full and peaceful life hunting and providing for his village.

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Dragon Elf odin Ragnorock's post

After a semi peaceful night Menecar woke up to the sound of birds chirping and a great day for traveling with his companion. It was a peaceful day has begun with the sun shining through the trees. They had a half a days travel by Horse to Bree left to go.

“Do you think that there will be people waiting for us to arrive at the Prancing Pony?” asked Menecar’s companion.

“I think there would be I don’t think that King Elessar would let two Rangers do this alone,” said Menecar.

Suddenly Menecar heard the sound of leaves moving in the woods. He stoped to listen, and to see if he heard the sound again. Sure enough there it was again, but it sounded louder as if the thing or things were getting closer. He looks over at his companion to see if he heared the same sound. But he dose not look like he has. Menecar rode over to him and says:

“Do you not hear the sound of leaves?”

“the sound is drawing closer.” said Menecar


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[Saurreg]

Character Description Form:

1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – YES- Which one?

Roll Out the Barrows

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

None

List them, please:

Please note you may play in only 2 (TWO) Shire games at one time. Exceptions to this may be made for this on a case by case basis by the Shire Moderators. (The Green Dragon Inn DOES NOT count as a game for this.)


3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn – YES
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For your character please include:

NAME: Andas Loudewater (The “concerned” farmer from Bree)

AGE: 42

RACE: Lesser Men

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.):

Double-edged dagger that measures thirteen inches long from top of the pommel to the blade tip. The blade is nine inches long and made of low quality steel, constant oiling and sharpening keeps it in good condition. The hilt is four inches long and made of brass. Dirt-stained linen strips are wounded around the grip of the hilt. A badly discolored leather sheath houses the blade.

APPEARANCE:

5’9” (around 176m) tall and about 155 pounds (around 70 kg) in weight. Has the physique and stamina of a middle-aged man who engages in routine farming activities. Light frame with a lightly hunched back. Spots a messy crop of dark brown hair and long graying sideburns, hair worn above shoulder length. Unhealthy pale complexion that betrays traces of blemishes and discolorations easily. Thin elongated poke-marked face with noticeably high cheekbones, beaky nose with pronounced ridge and pair of dull brown eyes. Thin lips and sharp angular jaw-line. Has receding hairline, signs of premature balding. (reads like a “have you seen him?” notice, no?)

Wearing a loose-fitting oak brown cotton tunic, baggy trousers of the same color and a maroon-brown cope with long sleeves.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES (Before Mid-life crisis): (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):

Boring, likes no disruptions or unusual happenings to intrude onto his routine life. Timid, cares little for adventures or any out-of-the-blue experiences. Likes no surprises. Prefers normal non-hazardous activities, thank you. Boring, yes, just boring.

Nifty with his hands and just enough street smarts to go around. Not overtly xenophobic over out-of-towners but rather, suspiciously observant. Can be pretty sarcastic and rude when displeasured…

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES (After Mid-life crisis): The new Andas Loudewater is quite different from the old. with the onset of MLC, his temperament is more mercurial and he is subjected to extreme variations of moodswings. He feels like a man reborn with a second chance to make things "right"

From time to time, the old Loudewater may resurface. But on the whole, he is far more spontaneous and more of a go-getter.

HISTORY:

Hailing from a line of independent Bree land owners, Loudewater has been a farmer and livestock breeder for all his life. Married for over 24 years without children, Loudewater has made it his lifelong mission to tend to his legumes, cabbages and fowls to the best of his capacity (he takes pride in his profession) and to dodge what incidents he can (refer to personality or rather, lack of personality section)

Life has been adequate and so far rewarding for this simple farmer with simple tastes. But recent events are starting to worry him… Not any more.

Introducing mid-life crisis.
__________________________________

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Saurreg's post

The pain. It’s long deathly fingers puncture the skin, slithers through the ribcage and seizes your heart. Strong fingers close so tightly that your blood vessels start to burst and your body begins to convulse. A cold chill caresses your spine, numbs your senses and send you into shock. Darkness covers your eyes…

Andas signed aloud to himself as he continues his best to read yesterday’s edition of the village routine orders in the dimly illuminated room; community fees going up next month. The poor weather did little to comfort his mind. Helga’s loud shrill voice continued booming from the back of the kitchen, she was ranting about his spectacular inability to perform the easiest of household chores now,

“And how many times do I have to tell you? Reds don’t go into the wash tub with the whites! Now look what you’ve done! Another braccae spoilt! What’s wrong with you? Can’t you…”

The pain. It picks you up and smothers you in a deadly embrace. It plucks the soul from the very core of your being with cruel fingers, pops it into a black bottomless maw and chews. It bites and sucks the juice that is your personality, your aspirations, your hopes and relishes it. Once done, it spits out what remains of your incorporeal form and rub it into the dirt with a heavy suffocating foot…

Helga was done with nitpicking Andas’ poor housekeeping skills and was now relating to him the events that occurred during the morning’s trip to the market. Andas squirmed uncomfortably in the overstuffed armchair and tried to read, dull brown eyes darting left from right; another sheep missing, Old Grant defaulting on insurance. Still, nothing could dull the formidable voice box of Helga’s,

“Rosy Parker was at the fishmonger’s today and Gregory was with her. Oh, he was such a dear thing! Carrying her heavy baskets and buying those expensive white flowers from that Monty lad to surprise and such…

Now how come you don’t do those things for me?!”

The pain. Helga was pain. Helga was pain personified. And nothing could stop Helga, not even hail nor brimstone could deny the awe-inspiring phenomenon that was Helga ****ed…

It was now or never. Andas knew his moment had come.

“IS THAT YOU PRAND?!” He shouted aloud suddenly to no one in particular,
\
“WHAT’S THAT?! YOU WANT TO TALK TO ME?! YOU WANT ME TO COME OUT?! IT’S IMPORTANT?!”

Every word forcefully enunciated.

The disembodied voice of Helga’s queried,

“Why are you shouting Andas? Did you say Prand is here? Why don’t you invite him in?”

A turning point has been reached and the wheels in Andas’ head turned faster,

“WHAT’S THAT PRAND?! YOU CAN’T COME IN BECAUSE YOUR SHOES ARE ALL MUDDY?!”

Meet Helga the cleanliness freak.

“OK PRAND! OK! I’M COMING OUT NOW! HERE I GO!”

With surprisingly quick reflexes, Andas pulled his body off the armchair, sprinted across the room and grabbed his belt and cope from the coats hanger.

“I’m going out to see what Prand wants, dear! Could take a while! Don’t wait up for me! Love yah, bye bye!”

Before Helga could reply, Andas swung open the front door leapt out and slammed it shut. Liberation never felt better.

It was dusk and ominous dark clouds were already forming overhead in the north. Andas was hungry and from the looks of it, he also needed a roof overhead soon too. And he knew just where to go in situations like this.

Adjusting his belt and getting into his cope, Andas Loudewater stepped onto the gravel skewed dirt path and marched briskly over to The Prancing Pony…

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[rutslegolas]

Actually I have a query.

The storyline goes that 3 members of the fellowship will be injured.

so are Nuranar and Envinyatar going to decide who gets injured or will it be the bad guys decision or our own gamers decision??

[Primrose Bolger]

I would like to be considered for the available Troll character. And if you don't mind, I've brought along an additional Troll brother.

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Character Description Form:

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


2.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn – YES
_______________________________________


NAME: Grimm

AGE: 127

RACE: Hill Troll

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Iron-headed Hammer on a long stout handle

APPEARANCE:

Bald all over. Eyes black and small in a large CroMagnon face with scaly, no hair overhanging ledges for eye brows. A few inches taller than the average Dunadan; massively muscled. Picture TV wrestler minus the spandex – on second thought, picture TV wrestler minus the spandex but with a ragged, rough leather kilt of sorts and appropriate troll undies covering the necessary parts. Skin is a bit dark-greyish, basalt colored, and is made up of overlapping scales – giving the overall picture of a rather large lizard of some sort.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES:

Quick to anger and ready for a fight at the drop of a hat, hanky, or ripe apple. Territorial. Not given to quick thinking or deep thinking of the 'phillysophikul' sort at all. Often easily gulled into cooperation by those with an ounce more brains if it means getting to swing his hammer about and bash skulls. But said brainy leaders need be careful not to cross this hyper-reactive fellow. He has the small cunning brain of a greedy thief and the brawn to back whatever plan he devises.

HISTORY:

One of number of Hill Trolls that advanced upon the Captains of the West from the Morannon. He and his brother, Broga the Basher, fled north and west after the fall of their last leader and now find themselves scavenging the area bounded by Carn Dum, The Ettenmoors, and The North Downs. Pickings were few right after the war – a wandering sheep or so, the stray lone traveler, and even the odd goblin here and there. But now with the advent of the King’s Peace, business has picked up . . .

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NAME: Broga the Basher

AGE: 122

RACE: Hill Troll

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Thick oak club

APPEARANCE: Looks much like his brother, except that he did get the hair, black and scraggly, in the family. Wears a number of wolf skins crudely sewn together and held up by a fetching strap across one shoulder, rather like THIS .

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Much like his brother. Though, amazingly, Grimm has a tad more reasoning skills than Broga. And so we find little brother always at the ready to follow Grimm’s lead and back him up quite capably with fists and club.

HISTORY: (See Grimm’s)

[Envinyatar]

rutslegolas

The players can volunteer to have their characters injured when the time comes.

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

Primrose

You Troll characters look good to me! Let's see what Nuranar has to say.

- E -

[rutslegolas]

thanks Envinyatar , eagerly waiting to start the RPG.

[Nuranar]

rutslegolas, Envinyatar's right - we'll figure it out when the time comes. It may be a matter of just volunteering, or we may see the way our personality dynamics have worked out. It will make more sense for one character to be wounded than another; it may also make a better story. We'll see. The point remains, though, that this isn't tightly scripted.

Primrose! Sorry for the delay. Your troll is great! (As is the description - you had me giggling here in the computer lab.) Grimm and Broga will fit in very well indeed. Now our quota is filled! Envinyatar, may I trouble you to PM the baddies?

Remember, we are scheduled to open on September 8, next Wednesday. (Or will it be Thursday, to make sure the other game closes?) Be ready.

Carry on!

Nuranar

[Envinyatar]

I'll be PM'ing the baddies in a few days - Nuranar and I are still working on a last minute revision.

- E -

[piosenniel]

Nuranar/Envinyatar

Please look at the First Posts for the above characters (Your first 4 posts are HERE on the RPG Thread already).

Leave a list here on the Discusiion thread, by Player Name, of how you would like the rest of the posts arranged.

Once that is done, I'll transfer the posts, and the game can open when Kransha and Fordim have finished with the "Bloodstained Elanor RPG".

Thanks!

~*~ Pio, Game Moderator

[Envinyatar]

Sorry about this - but I am reading the two posts for the Rangers who are heading to Bree/The Prancing Pony:

Thoronmir (Meneltarmacil) has already stated in his post that he hears a noise, and calls his companion's attention to it.

Dragon Elf

Can you revise your post so that your character Menecar responds to Ranger Thoronmir's observation that: "We're not alone . . ."

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Or have I completely misunderstood, and the both of you are traveling by yourselves with another Ranger companion accompanying you?

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You could revise in this manner -

Dragon Elf odin Ragnorock's post

After a semi peaceful night Menecar woke up to the sound of birds chirping and a great day for traveling with his companion. It was a peaceful day has begun with the sun shining through the trees. They had a half a days travel by horse to Bree left to go.

“Do you think that there will be people waiting for us to arrive at the Prancing Pony?” asked Menecar’s companion.

“I think there would be. I don’t think that King Elessar would let two Rangers do this alone,” said Menecar.

Suddenly Menecar heard the sound of leaves moving in the woods. He stopped to listen, and to see if he heard the sound again. Sure enough there it was again, but it sounded louder as if the thing or things were getting closer. He looks over at his companion to see if he heard the same sound. He does indeed look as if he has. Menecar rode over to him and says, “Did you hear the sound of leaves?”

“Yes, indeed.”

“The sound,” whispers Menecar “is drawing closer.”

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One last question for both Dragon Elf and Meneltarmacil:

What is the source for your sound? Is it something that will delay your arrival at the Inn?

[Meneltarmacil]

I have two things to say here:

First, my computer at home won't let me log on to the site (it accepts my username and password, but kicks me off whenever I try to go to a different part of the site) so I am currently on one of the computers at my library. I don't know how often I'll be able to post. Don't kick me off the RPG though, I think I'll either be able to work out a way to get to the library a couple times a week or have my computer fixed by the time the game begins.

Second, the noise. That was going to be an ambush by a group of orcs that Menecar and I would fight off before arriving at the Inn, but if that doesn't work, I'll just make it some kind of animal.

[Nuranar]

There's a couple things I'd like to address before we get going.

1. Everyone please check the discussion and game threads at least once a day if possible. As Envinyatar said earlier, this is only an 8-week game and we'll need to keep things going. If you don't check in for three days, say, things could really have moved fast, and your character will not be participating.

2. Primary characters, please post on the story thread at least twice a week. That's only a minimum; depending on how the story's going, you may have opportunity (or need!) to post more often than that. You baddies may not need to post so often; we'll see how the planning goes on that.

3. Everyone please give advance notice on this discussion thread when you won't be able to check in: if you're out of town, or if your computer's being a pain.
If we know you'll be camping, say, for three days at the end of September, we can "carry" your character along: include him/her in what we're writing. But if we don't know you're gone, it's very uncertain and can hold the game up.

4. Please write descriptive posts! I believe the minimum, per Shire rules, is two paragraphs of two sentences each. (Pio?) But that is the absolute minimum. This isn't TV: If you don't write what your character looks like, what the scene looks like, what things sound like, taste like, feel like, no one's going to know all that stuff. That's what good writing does: It creates a scene in the reader's mind.

I probably should have put this up earlier; I apologize. If anyone's going to have difficulties with anything, please let me know as soon as possible. Thanks!

~ Nuranar

[Nuranar]

It looks like we cross-posted slightly, Meneltarmacil. Thanks for the heads-up! Please check your PM's.

Alaksoron

Dragon Elf

Saurreg

Please check your PM's.

~ Nuranar

[piosenniel]

Final List: Please note Kransha and Sarin Mithrilanger have exchanged Orc roles.

~*~ Pio

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Character/Player: Character Name List

Ranger of the North - Envinyatar: Veryadan
Ranger of the North – Meneltarmacil: Thoronmir
Ranger of the North – Dragon Elf: Menecar

~*~

Rivendell Elves - Nuranar: Tarondo, male; Luinien, female
Rivendell Elf, male – rutslegolas: Aidwain Longleaf
Rivendell Elf, female – Esgallhugwen: Silrûth

~*~

Farmer from Bree – Saurreg: Andas Loudewater
Man of Rohan - Alaksoron: Osric Falkur

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

Orc chieftain from The Misty Mountains - Kransha: Bâzzog the Atrocious
Second in command to the Orc chieftain - Sarin Mithrilanger: Ugwakh the Slobberer

~*~

Trolls - Primrose Bolger: Grimm; Broga the Basher
Trolls - Fordim Hedgethistle: Arrald; Dym

~*~

Bad Man from Bree-land - Envinyatar: Fen Sheperdspurse

[Meneltarmacil]

I'll do the fight with the orcs and the rest of the trip to Bree, and will be at the Inn by the end of that post.

I'll be out of town starting tomorrow morning and won't be back until about 1:00 on Monday, so I won't be able to respond to anything until then.

Hmm, only about 10 posts until I'm a Ghost Prince of Cardolan...

[Nuranar]

Thanks for the update, Pio.

That'll be perfect, Meneltarmacil. And thanks for letting us know you'll be gone. Enjoy yourself!

~ Nuranar

[Nuranar]

The below post comes after Alaksoron's and before those of the two Elves - rutslegolas and Esgallhugwen. Alaksoron, if you have any comments/problems with how I've handled your character, just let me know.

Tarondo did not answer at once, evaluating what he saw. The man was carrying a bow, and a sword hung at his side. Both weapons showed much use. Osric’s voice was low but clear, and his eyes gazed back steadily at the Elf, with just a hint of challenge. He had made his offer and would not beg.

“The services of the Rohirrim will always be valued by the King,” Tarondo said at length. “Come, I will introduce you to my companions, and you shall tell us about yourself.”

They joined Veryadan and Luinien, who were surprised to see Tarondo with a companion but pleased to learn of his volunteering. After a brief council Osric Falkur’s assistance was accepted. After Osric gathered what he needed, the four rode on together.

All through the long, lonely lands past the Gap of Rohan Osric demonstrated himself to be a brave and skillful soldier. The details of their errand intrigued him, and he spent many hours discussing all the possibilities of what they would find, and how they would need to respond to all of them. Tarondo listened with interest (and maybe a hidden smile) but rarely participated, while Luinien was as eager to theorize as the man himself. She had not entirely given up hope of seeing a dragon.

In due course they crossed the Greyflood at Tharbad, where they intended to stay the night at The Trade Inn. This would be their first good chance of hearing recent news. As they dismounted and walked up the path to the inn, Veryadan was not without hope that some of the Rangers would be waiting for them.

Oh, Alaksoron, I noticed one tiny thing as I was writing this post. In your revised profile you say that Osric has black hair. Tolkien indicated that the Rohirrim, as a people, are fair-haired. I hate to ask it again, but you've been so willing in the past - would you please change that? If you really want him to have dark hair, we might be able to work it; but I can't see that he'd still be a full-blooded man of Rohan. Thank you so much!

Carry on,

Nuranar

[Alaksoron]

Nuranar, don't worry, I have no problem with the way you handled my character. And yes, I will fix the colour of Osric's hair. I feel that one should not join an RPG unless they are willing to mold their character to fit where needed. After all, we're all in this together, right?

[piosenniel]

Well done all!

I'll just leave this thread open for any last comments/changes.

Tomorrow, it will all go to Elvenhome.

~*~ Pio

[piosenniel]

~*~ To Elvenhome ~*~