The Hills of Evendim Planning/Discussion Thread

[piosenniel]

Elora, with littlemanpoet, invites you to play:

The Hills of Evendim

Historical Background and Basic Storyline

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

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

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

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

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

[piosenniel]

Opening Post for the Game

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

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

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

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

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

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

[piosenniel]

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

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

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

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

[piosenniel]

Timeframes:

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

The storyline itself or plot covers three to five weeks.

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

[piosenniel]

Characters needed:

• Hobbits – 2 or 3 - male or female
  
  Note: I would like to see one Hobbit be a Brandybuck, a younger one, perhaps taken from the list in the appendices, one who takes after Meriadoc in adventurousness, but is in his/her tweens and perhaps a little callow - for a Hobbit. But let the player be creative with it, of course. My basic idea here is that this Hobbit would go along with the party, assigned to it by Doderic Brandybuck (Doderic is about 7 years younger than Merry of the Fellowship of the Ring – a cousin of sorts)
  
  Another Hobbit would be a Breelander. One would have to come up with independent motivation for this one, because I can't think (off hand) of why any Bree Hobbit would volunteer for such an excursion.
  
• Humans – 1 or 2 - male or female
  
  Note: A human Ranger seems like a natural fit. One other possibility would be a human veteran of the War who had settle in Bree. Just a thought. I could see the ruffian angle too. Adds a bit of zest.
  
• Elves – 1 or 2 - male or female
  
  Note: I could see an Elf from either Imladris or Lothlorien. Although it's more likely to be Imladris, since Lorien has emptied by now, and Elves of Imladris are those who have chosen to remain in Middle Earth. Knowing Uine or not seems just a matter of choice on the part of the player.
  
• Dwarves - 1 - male (not a necessary character, but welcome)
  
  Note: I believe that there were still Dwarves in the Ered Luin toward the time of the War of the Ring. Bree would be a natural stopping point as long as the Shire is open, but with the Shire now closed, anybody wishing to pass from the Ered Luin to Bree would be hard put to it indeed! There are two choices: either travel and trade ceased, or a detour route was made because people traveled anyway, and found their way around the Shire. My money is with the second. All that to say, there would be Dwarves in Bree.
  
  Dwarves could be venturing to Bree in the name of trade - as in gold! They'd be keen to re-establish trade with the outside world, particularly as it would be in a period of re-building. Dwarvish skills and craft with stone would be in tall order about now.

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

[piosenniel]

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

littlemanpoet’s character – Falowik

NAME: Falowik Stonewort

AGE: 30

RACE: Human

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: one dagger.

APPEARANCE:

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

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES:

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

HISTORY:

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

_____________________________

littlemanpoet’s character – Eodwine

NAME: Eodwine of Rohan

AGE: 41

RACE: Rohirrim

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Sword, spear

APPEARANCE:

Blonde, tall, blue eyes, his face is fair, with a high forehead, and a not overly strong chin. He is strong, but not muscular.

PERSONALITY:

He is quick to laugh, friendly, curious; a student of the War of the Ring; he is musical, a singer of songs and teller of heroic tales, having a harp to play while he sings and speaks. His voice is tenor and strong. He tends to be bashful and slow to put himself before a crowd, so he needs to feel at home and among friends before he will play or sing.

STRENGTHS:

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

WEAKNESSES:

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

HISTORY:

He lived in the Western Emnet, close to the River Isen, serving in the forces of Theodred. He witnessed Theodred's fall, and came with Erkenbrand to turn back the rout of Helm's Deep. He marched to the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, and also marched with the small army that stood before the Black Gate when Sauron fell. He came back home to find that his wife and two children had been murdered by Dunlendings. He joined the forces that hunted the Dunlendings down and brought them to justice, and having no family, nor caring to start a new one, he went to Edoras and sought a place among Eomer's guard. He became one of the King's Messengers, traveling all over Rohan, and to Minas Tirith, as well as to Isengard, and places farther afield now and then.

__________________________________


littlemanpoet's post - Falowik

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

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

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

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

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

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

[piosenniel]

Elora’s character:

NAME: Uien Aduial

AGE: 579

RACE: Sindarin Elf

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS:

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

APPEARANCE:

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

PERSONALITY:

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

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

STRENGTHS:

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

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

WEAKNESSES:

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

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

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

HISTORY:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

_________________________________________

Elora’s post

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Uien," she replied softly, bestirring herself.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"They just volunteered," Gorbilac asked somewhat incredulously.

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

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

"We shall get them," Uien replied softly.

[piosenniel]

Fill in the following form for your Character:
_____________________________________________

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

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

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

Character Description Form:

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

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

List them, please:

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


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

_______________________________________

For your character please include:

NAME:

AGE:

RACE:

GENDER:

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

APPEARANCE:

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

HISTORY:

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

A FIRST POST FOR YOUR CHARACTER MUST ACCOMPANY THIS FORM.

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

[piosenniel]

Here again are the characters needed for the game:

Characters needed:

• Hobbits – 2 or 3 - male or female
  
  Note: I would like to see one Hobbit be a Brandybuck, a younger one, perhaps taken from the list in the appendices, one who takes after Meriadoc in adventurousness, but is in his/her tweens and perhaps a little callow - for a Hobbit. But let the player be creative with it, of course. My basic idea here is that this Hobbit would go along with the party, assigned to it by Doderic Brandybuck (Doderic is about 7 years younger than Merry of the Fellowship of the Ring – a cousin of sorts)
  
  Another Hobbit would be a Breelander. One would have to come up with independent motivation for this one, because I can't think (off hand) of why any Bree Hobbit would volunteer for such an excursion.
  
• Humans – 1 or 2 - male or female
  
  Note: A human Ranger seems like a natural fit. One other possibility would be a human veteran of the War who had settle in Bree. Just a thought. I could see the ruffian angle too. Adds a bit of zest.
  
• Elves – 1 or 2 - male or female
  
  Note: I could see an Elf from either Imladris or Lothlorien. Although it's more likely to be Imladris, since Lorien has emptied by now, and Elves of Imladris are those who have chosen to remain in Middle Earth. Knowing Uine or not seems just a matter of choice on the part of the player.
  
• Dwarves - 1 - male (not a necessary character, but welcome)
  
  Note: I believe that there were still Dwarves in the Ered Luin toward the time of the War of the Ring. Bree would be a natural stopping point as long as the Shire is open, but with the Shire now closed, anybody wishing to pass from the Ered Luin to Bree would be hard put to it indeed! There are two choices: either travel and trade ceased, or a detour route was made because people traveled anyway, and found their way around the Shire. My money is with the second. All that to say, there would be Dwarves in Bree.
  
  Dwarves could be venturing to Bree in the name of trade - as in gold! They'd be keen to re-establish trade with the outside world, particularly as it would be in a period of re-building. Dwarvish skills and craft with stone would be in tall order about now.

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

[piosenniel]

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

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

Have fun!

~~ Piosenniel, Shire Moderator

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

[Elora]

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

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

They are online maps of Eriador and the Shire:

Eriador

The Shire

[Elora]

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

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

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

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

Character Profile

NAME: Finëwen

AGE: 21 years of age

RACE: Human

GENDER: female

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

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

PERSONALITY/ STRENGTHS/ WEAKNESSES:

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

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

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

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

HISTORY:

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

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

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

_____________________________________________


Alatariel Telemnar's Post

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

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

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

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

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

‘Yes, right away.’

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

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

_____________________________________________

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

[piosenniel]

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

~*~ Pio

[Imladris]

Character Description Form:

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

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

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

NAME: Lira Nen of Ithilien

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

RACE: Sindarin Elf

GENDER: Female

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Imladris' post

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

[Esgallhugwen]

Character Description Form:

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

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

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


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

_______________________________________

For your character please include:

Name: Esgallhugwen Elenglin

Age: 620

Race: Silvan Elf

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Esgallhugwen's post

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Greetings Uien".
_____________________________________________

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

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


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

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

[Meneltarmacil]

Character Description Form:

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

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

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

For your character please include:

NAME: Thoronmir

AGE: 63

RACE: Human (Dunedain)

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Longsword, dagger, longbow and 20 arrows

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

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

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


Meneltarmacil's post

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

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

_____________________________________________

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

[Burzdol]

Burzdol - check your PM's

~*~ Piosenniel, Shire Moderator

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

[piosenniel]

Burzdol

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

[Elora]

Goodness! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]


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

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

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


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

[littlemanpoet]

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

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

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

What do you think?

[Lumiel]

Character Description Form:

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

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

For your character please include:

NAME: Lumiel Rovalhir

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

GENDER: female

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Lumiel's post

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

_____________________________________________

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

[Elora]

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

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

Here it is, revised:

• Hobbits – 2 or 3 - male or female
  
• Falco Boffin - a handsome hobbit with a friendly outlook, Falco is suspicious of all non-hobbits and hence predjuiced against them. He has the tendancy to be staunchly stubborn and has a lot of self confidence, some say too much so. Already, Falco has a dim view of Falowik and Uien also.
  
• Gorby Brandybuck - a young, inexperienced and callow hobbit who is related by way of a cousin to Doderic Brandybuck, the representative of the Master of Buckland. Gorby is a undauntedly merry chap who knows little of the grim doings outside his cosseted world. He possesses a daring spirit and is not adverse to pranks.
  
  Consequently, Gorby nearly always has a quip or laugh ready and tends to embark lightheartedly on ventures that the more experienced would think twice about.
  
  Note: I would like to see one Hobbit be a Brandybuck, a younger one, perhaps taken from the list in the appendices, one who takes after Meriadoc in adventurousness, but is in his/her tweens and perhaps a little callow - for a Hobbit. But let the player be creative with it, of course. My basic idea here is that this Hobbit would go along with the party, assigned to it by Doderic Brandybuck (Doderic is about 7 years younger than Merry of the Fellowship of the Ring – a cousin of sorts)
  
  Another Hobbit would be a Breelander. One would have to come up with independent motivation for this one, because I can't think (off hand) of why any Bree Hobbit would volunteer for such an excursion.
  
• Humans – 1 or 2 - male or female
  Note: A human Ranger seems like a natural fit. One other possibility would be a human veteran of the War who had settle in Bree. Just a thought. I could see the ruffian angle too. Adds a bit of zest.
  
• Elves – 1 or 2 - male or female
  Note: I could see an Elf from either Imladris or Lothlorien. Although it's more likely to be Imladris, since Lorien has emptied by now, and Elves of Imladris are those who have chosen to remain in Middle Earth. Knowing Uine or not seems just a matter of choice on the part of the player.
  
  
• Dwarves - 1 - male (not a necessary character, but welcome)
  Note: I believe that there were still Dwarves in the Ered Luin toward the time of the War of the Ring. Bree would be a natural stopping point as long as the Shire is open, but with the Shire now closed, anybody wishing to pass from the Ered Luin to Bree would be hard put to it indeed! There are two choices: either travel and trade ceased, or a detour route was made because people traveled anyway, and found their way around the Shire. My money is with the second. All that to say, there would be Dwarves in Bree.
  
  Dwarves could be venturing to Bree in the name of trade - as in gold! They'd be keen to re-establish trade with the outside world, particularly as it would be in a period of re-building. Dwarvish skills and craft with stone would be in tall order about now.

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

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

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

[img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

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

[Imladris]

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

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

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

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

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

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

GENDER: Male , also rather obvious.

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

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

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

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

Imladris' post

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

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

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

“And why not?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Elora]

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


I have fine news, [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img].

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

Alatariel
Imladris - Lira Nen of Ithilien
Esgallhugwen
Meneltarmacil
Lumiel


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

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

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

[img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[Alatariel Telemnar]

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

Alatariel Telemnar's Post

HAS BEEN CUT AND PASTED AS REQUESTED -- PIO

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

[Elora]

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

Sorry Pio, and all, for the confusion.

We have a fully tally of Elves and Men.

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

There's also room for a Dwarf still.

[Alatariel Telemnar]

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

[kittiewhirl1677]

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

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

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

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

[Elora]

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

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

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

[img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[piosenniel]

kittiewhirl

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

Are you working on a Hobbit or a Dwarf character?

[Nurumaiel]

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

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

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

List them, please:

Breelander's All!

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

NAME: Anson Brandybuck

AGE: 24 and 3 weeks at this time

RACE: Hobbit

GENDER: Male

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nurumaiel's post

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"But Gorby-"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[kittiewhirl1677]

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

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

[piosenniel]

Kittiewhirl - check your PM's

[Elora]

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

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

[kittiewhirl1677]

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

[littlemanpoet]

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

[Elora]

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

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

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

[img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

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

[kittiewhirl1677]

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

-Kittie

[Elora]

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

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

Pio, could you please set up our RP thread?

[Elora]

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

Thanks Pio.