The Hills of Evendim Planning/Discussion Thread

[piosenniel]

This thread is being opened for the purposes of planning an RPG, which has grown out of a storyline developed in the Green Dragon Inn.

Its use is restricted to these writers for now:

• Elora
  
• littlemanpoet

No other writers may use this thread with the exception of the Shire Moderators.

All posts by those other than those listed above will be deleted.

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

Elora and littlemanpoet

If there are others you wish to join the Planning Thread – then please PM their names to me – and I will place them on the above list.

[ September 12, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

Elora

Since you are the person involved who has already been in a Shire RPG, you will be listed as the Game Owner.

Here is the list of responsibilities you will need to be familiar with:

_____________________________

Responsibilities of Owners/Co-owners

The basic requirement for becoming a game Co-founder (Owner) is to have played in one or more games in the Shire, Rohan, or Gondor. The moderators will look over the games in which you’ve played. We’ll be checking to see that your writing meets and/or exceeds the basic standards for the Shire. Just as importantly, we’ll make sure you have a reasonable record of posting for the particular character you play. This means posting at least once a week, with any absences longer than a week explained on the discussion thread or by PM’s to the game Owner.

As an Owner, you will be expected to check in at least once a day to the Discussion Thread and to post to the game at least 2 or 3 times per week.

You will also need to keep track of the story line and keep it moving forward so that you can meet your End Date for the Game – which is calculated from when the RPG thread actually opens and how long you estimated it would take to reach your end goal.

In situations where there are Co-owners, each Co-owner must meet the same requirements for reading the game thread and posting. You may designate a particular Co-owner who will have primary responsibility for responding to PM’s or questions on the Discussion Thread that come in from the moderators or other posters.

However, that Co-founder must consult with the other Co-founders before making any major decision such as important changes in the plotline, deciding between two posters who have applied for the same character, or responding to a note from another player or potential player indicating they have some special concerns.

This type of cooperation is especially crucial at the beginning of a game when you’re making decisions on whom to accept into the RPG. Normally, one Co-founder cannot accept a player into a game without the agreement of the others. Thus, when people apply to play, you’ll simply say:

That looks good, (NAME OF POSTER HERE). Now we’ll wait to see what (NAME OF CO-OWNER HERE) has to say.

Once the Co-owner has responded, the name can be added to the Game Players list, which will be periodically updated and brought forward on the Discussion Thread. This means the each Co-owner must read and respond promptly in the initial part of the Discussion Thread where Game Players are being taken on.

If you want to set this up differently so that one Co-owner has sole responsibility for character choices, or one Co-owner wants to take a lesser role, you can do that. But it must be spelled out to the Moderators and approved ahead of time.

If one Co-owner leaves for whatever reason, the other Owner must step in and figure out a way to take over these responsibilities. They can do this directly or take on someone else to help. If a helper is used, you’ll need to get approval from the moderator for the game.

The basic point is this:

An RPG is a team effort. There must be constant communication between Owners and Posters for things to flow well. The Owners are the most important people in a given game. There is no way you can have a strong story without having an active, courteous game Owner.

[piosenniel]

By the end of your planning process, this is the Proposal Form that will need to be filled out.

I'm posting it now as a guideline for the areas you will need to cover in your planning process.

Please fill it out completely by the end of your Planning Process – and post it there as your final post on the Planning Thread. Cami (Child of the 7th Age) and I will then review it and make any suggestions we feel are necessary that may require editing on your part.

Once it is in its final form, and acceptable both to you and to the Mods, then I will open a Discussion Thread for you and you can invite others to play in your game.
_____________________________________________

SHIRE GAME WORK SHEET

Please read carefully and follow all information in The Red Book of Westmarch and in Seed Stories about gaming in the Shire before filling out this form. Please be exact in your answers.

Answer in full sentences and complete paragraphs wherever appropriate so that the Reviewers will have as complete an idea as possible of your vision of the game. Reviewers for the Games are Piosenniel (Pio) and Child of the 7th Age (Sharon/Cami).

Note please, from the Guidelines for Owners you were sent, that as owner, you will be expected to check in at least once a day to the Discussion Thread and to post to the game at least 2 or 3 times per week.

You will also need to keep track of the story line and keep it moving forward so that you can meet your End Date for the Game – which is calculated from when the RPG thread actually opens and how long you estimated it would take to reach your end goal.

SUBMISSION OF THIS COMPLETED FORM TO THE MODERATORS INDICATES THAT EACH OWNER HAS READ AND ACCEPTED THE GUIDELINES FOR OWNERSHIP IN THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS/CO-OWNERS SHEET.

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

Title:

Historical Background (This is necessary only for Games set in a time before The Lord of the Rings. It can be 2 to 3 sentences that give some basic facts about what is going on in that time period. This will help clarify the setting for the prospective players.)

Basic Storyline:

The purpose of the story is to:

This means we will know the story is over when:

Starting Location:

Likely destination:

Timeframes:

This game takes place in the ____Age at around year _______.

The storyline itself or plot covers _____ days, weeks, months.

This game requires a time commitment of _____ from me, the game owner and from the major players.

Characters needed: – be specific as to type (eg., Lothlorien Elves, not just Elves, if that’s what you need; or any other characters types from specific regions) and please indicate the number of each type you will need.

Please note for each character type needed: Race – number needed – and gender needed

Character types which would not belong:

Are there any writers you have invited to play on the game and are saving spots for them? If so, please list their names under Dedicated Characters for me. They will need to submit their Character Descriptions Forms and First Posts to me before I will open the Discussion Thread:

Dedicated Characters: (List below)

The game owner(s) will play ____ character(s). Fill out the Character Description Form completely for your character(s).

Character Description Form for owner’s character:

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:

The first post for the game:
(This should be several paragraphs long, enough to give gamers a solid sense of what the game is about and who might be involved. It should draw both readers and potential gamers into the game.)

Other information of special interest that you would like to include:

Do you want first posts for the game when the players submit their characters on the discussion thread? - YES/NO

Please note that this will mean NO character descriptions will be accepted without First Posts accompanying them. All character descriptions posted without the required First Post will be sent back to their writers.


Proposer/Owner (Please use your Barrow Downs ID):

RPGs at the Barrow Downs I have participated in are the following (if you have not, explain where you have developed your RPG skills):

[piosenniel]

Elora and littlemanpoet

Please check your PM's.

~~ Pio

[Elora]

Many thanks Pio [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

We'll start organising the basics for the RP. As far as I am aware, there are no others yet involved aside from Little Man Poet and I.

However, I'm sure that will change as the idea of LMP is a fine and interesting one.

[Elora]

Falowik (AKA LMP) will be posting an outline of the story and his character profile soon.

Here follows Uien's profile. I'll work up a plot outline once the outline of the RP is up:

Character Description Form:

RPG history at the Barrow Downs – Corsets and Corsairs, Green Dragon Inn, Lingering Darkness


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.

[littlemanpoet]

Title: The Hills of Evendim

Historical Background 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.

Basic Storyline:

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.

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 a half year (?) from me, the game owner and from the major players.

Characters needed:

Hobbits - two or three - male or female

Humans - one or two - male or female

Elves - one or two - male or female (not necessary but welcome)

Dwarves - one - male (not necessary but welcome)

Character types which would not belong: any other racial type

Are there any writers you have invited to play on the game and are saving spots for them? No.

Dedicated Characters:

Littlemanpoet will play 3 characters. The first one is outlined here (the other two are Eodwine (if he's alive), and the unknown villain (who shall remain unknown for now):

NAME: Falowik Stonewort

AGE: 30

RACE: Human

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS ([i]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. ): 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: ( 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 ): 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.

Do you want first posts for the game when the players submit their characters on the discussion thread? - YES

Proposer/Owner (1) Elora (2) Littlemanpoet

RPGs at the Barrow Downs I have participated in are the following (if you have not, explain where you have developed your RPG skills): The Green Dragon Inn

[ September 14, 2003: Message edited by: littlemanpoet ]

[Elora]

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

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

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

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

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

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

Foul deeds cannot forever lie hidden

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

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

Wandering the Ruin of Men

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

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

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

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

Valour in Desolate Places

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

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

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

The Longest Road is that taken home

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

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

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

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

[littlemanpoet]

Wow, Elora! That's one impressive draft! Congratulations, you're the first person to drive me to dig my old 1970 full color Middle Earth map out of storage. Beautiful, gorgeous thing! Hee hee! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] You know, the one with the nine walkers at the top and the evil hordes at the bottom, giving chase, and ten little circles showing key locations from Hobbiton to Mount Doom.

Anyway, I can't find Dead Man's Dike. where exactly is that?

As to the lair of the enemy, there's something elegant about your choice of near Lake Nanuiel. It's not what I first had in mind, though. Still, I'm willing to alter my first thought. Here's what I had been thinking; let me know what you think: the Black Numenorean is creating a realm from The Bay of Forochel in the north, to the River Lhun in the west, to southern reaches of the Hills of Evendim in the south, to the North Downs in the east. Lake Nenuial and Fornost are outposts that are currently kept under guard, and from which scouts are sent out regularly to capture wanderers and sneakers (how they missed Falowik is hard to say - just yet) :P Just lucky, I guess. Anyway, I had had it in my mind that the actual Lair was at the north end of the Hills of Evendim, which could be more rugged than the map shows.

This set up does two things that yours doesn't (so far): (1) makes the Black Numenorean's power greater; it would have to be in order to be spread that widely (2) makes the journey longer. I like (1), but (2) may be asking too much. What do you think?

By the way, everything else is really, really awesome plot development. Fair Dinkum, matey! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[ September 25, 2003: Message edited by: littlemanpoet ]

[piosenniel]

lmp

"Dead Man's Dike" is actually "Deadmen's Dike" - the name given to Fornost (Fornost Erain) after its ruin and desertion in Third Age 1974.

Here is a map of The Shire and Bree-land.

Deadmen's Dike is north of Bree up the Old North Road (in later times named The Greenway), about 100 miles.

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

[Elora]

Matey?

Should I find myself a peg leg, a drunken parrot and a bottle of rum, yo ho ho? [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

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

Hmmmm, interesting thoughts I must say. This realm would be reasonably close to the Grey Havens and the borders of the Shire... Being 12 F.A, the outposts at Fornost (Deadman's Dike) and Annuminas would have a lot of work to do to keep their bounds secure against incursion.

But, I like the challenge of having to get up to and then travel back from the northern most tip of the Emyn Uial. Plus, it will be chilly... Forochel's Bay is called Ice Bay on my, non glossy atlas map in practical earthy hues of brown and beige and ecru ( [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] me jealous of your map - nah, mate).

That makes for a range of terrain and climatic challenges alone to be dealt with by the party. What's more, there's the heightened risk of this dark realm that is being founded to add excitement. It's nice and handy to Carn Dum for a historical link to earlier grim realms of evil folk.

Plus the entire range of the Evendim Hills will be at our disposal for the search, attack, flee scenarios.

In short, me likes those ideas of yours. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Pio Thanks for the map! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[littlemanpoet]

Whoa! According to Pio's map (or whoever's), the Shire goes farther north than I was thinking. In fact, I'd prefer to take issue with that map and say that the Shire shouldn't go that far north. That's not at all the way I ever imagined it. Did you? Long Cleeve seems way too far north to me. I had the Shire's northern border at the southern edge of those hills south of Lake Evendim.

At any rate, for the sake of the rpg, Eodwine can be understood to have come first from Buckland, then to Bree and The Prancing Pony, and then north (not directly by road), captured just a hill or two south of the "caves".

If we accept this map, then the outposts of our evil nemesis will have to be on the north side of Lake Evendim, since the south shore IS the border of the Shire, and the villain-in-charge is too smart to mess with the Shire directly - yet. He knows well what happened to Sharkey there.

[Elora]

Hmmm, my map in the Fonstad Atlas shows the northern borders of the Shire indeed exceeding Long Cleave by a good 20 or so miles. That places it within the southern tip of the Evendim Hills.

Annuminas and Lake Nenuial lies roughly 20 miles north of that border. I think, like you, that the margin is too slim.

However. I do like the ideas you put forward still. So if we put the outpost on the northern shore of the lake, that gives a margin of around 40 or so miles till the northern border of the Shire is reached.

Those are very rough estimates based on a passing glance at an imperial distance scale and a metric ruler.

The revision in outpost location would also add more buffer between the "baddies" and those remnants of Elves that are congregating about the Grey Havens in Mithlond.

So, the revision works for me. At any rate, I imagine the villian would not be too keen to make a camp in the ruins of an ancient foe at Annuminas.

[piosenniel]

Just some things to consider:
_____________________________

This game requires a time commitment of a half year (?) from me, the game owner and from the major players.

Let’s start with 13 - 16 weeks as the time commitment. (which is usually the upper end of time allotted games in the Shire) If there is continued enthusiasm for the game from the players then the deadline can be pushed as far as needed for the game to come to a successful conclusion.

_____________________________

CHARACTERS NEEDED LIST:

Hobbits - two or three - male or female

You might want to specify where you think these Hobbits will come from – Bree-land, possibly. And probably not the Shire, since most of the Hobbits there would now be staying within its protective bounds.

Humans - one or two - male or female

What variety of humans do you want? Townsfolk from around Bree, Rangers, ruffians who might want to join the baddies.

Elves - one or two - male or female (not necessary but welcome)

Would these be Elves from Lorien or Rivendell passing through to the Grey Havens? Do you need them to know Uien

Dwarves - one - male (not necessary but welcome)

Why might a Dwarf have wandered to Bree, or in the northern lands around Deadmen’s Dike, the North Downs or Annuminas?

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

[Elora]

Interesting points.

Here's my 2 cents on them.

13 to 16 weeks sounds good to me. I do wonder what happens if the RP seems unlikely to conclude by that time. Are we able to extend it?

I agree about the Hobbits. I would think that any Hobbits would most likely be Bree-folk, or folk from the surrounding Chetwood. However, perhaps a more adventurous Took may venture forth (in the spirit of Bilbo, Frodo and Pippin). Even a Brandybuck.

Perhaps they're adventuring to Bree when they learn of the Master of Buckland's call for a search party. Just an idea.


As for humans, I believe that most human Bree folk would be disinclined to venture too far afield after the war. Mostly they're farmers, tradesfolk and rural business people. So it seems likely that humans that join the search party will be Dunedain Rangers or other like minded, non sedentary folk. I tend to view Bree humans in the ilk of Butterbur and co - no predisposed to venturing into the wilds.

I also think that is some possible scope for ruffians. However, we want to keep the identity and strategy of the "baddies" somewhat covert, so it comes as a surprise to the adventurers. So we'd need to sort out how someone could write a ruffian character. Having said that, with p.ms and other secret communications (devious rubbing of hands), that's not impossible at all.

The matter of Elves and Uien is a fairly straightforward one. The only elves that would know Uien would be any who left Lothlorien and lingered at Imladris. Uien set out with the very last party to leave Lothlorien. She never gained Imladris, being lost on the Pass of Caradhras.

I've been toying with kindred, whom Uien believes either dead or long gone to Valinor, remaining in Imladris in the hopes of finding some trace of her. Perhaps her brother. However, that is not really necessary to the RP and would be a side story.

So if an Elf character came from Lothlorien, they likely would know of Uien. Perhaps they even travelled in the same party as Uien's family had. They may or may not be anything more than an acquaintance. If an Elf came from Imladris, they would not necessarily know Uien.

I'm happy to work on this with anyone who would like to play a Elf character so we achieve nicely integrated character fits with each other.

Dwarves, I believe, 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.

That would be the only thing I could think of that would entice a Dwarf from his mountain halls - gold... profit.

Bree is a mannish town... stone houses and walls perhaps damaged in the melee in the Shire during the War of the Ring... population building again, more houses needed... a new alliance between Elessar and Gimli's folk may induce Dwarvish stone masons to venture into the wider world to apply their skills and make their fortunes.


As I said, these are all just my thoughts on the matter.

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

[littlemanpoet]

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.

All that said, a Dwarf in the party is a non-essential - only if someone wants to play one.

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.

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.

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.

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.

13 to 16 weeks is fine by me.

[littlemanpoet]

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.

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

[Elora]

Seems we have two who may join our number when this gets going, judging by the Green Dragon.

Imladris' Lira character has agreed to join Uien there, as has Esgallhugwen. Hopefully that shall carry over to here. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]


Do we need to flesh out the plot further? If so, what suggestions do you have fermenting in that wonderfully creative mind of yours, LMP. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Love that profile for Eodwine. "He's a good scout, only when paying attention."

Illuvator bless the day dreamers amongst us. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[piosenniel]

If you wish to ask them, you can invite Imladris and Esgallhugwen to come into the game as Dedicated Characters.

If you decided to do this, PM them and have them post a character description and First Post on the Planning Thread.

Are they both Elven characters? If so, then you could drop the Elves from the 'Characters Needed' section of the proposal.

[littlemanpoet]

Plot developments? I don't have anything cooking up new right at the moment. I'm getting a kick out of Falco Boffin's rival recruiting effort, though. It'll be interesting to see what, if anything, comes of that.

Halfred: You, Falco, are not going to go tramping off north when you're needed right here in the Shire. Understand?

Falco: But - but - that Elf -

Halfred: I don't give no never mind about no Elf. Your job's here and it's about time you pulled your nose out of doings to big for you, and stuck it back where it belonged!

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

[Elora]

Aw, poor Falco... he's just trying to advance his career and now he burdened with a meddlesome Elf who seems intent on snatching his big opportunity to show his mettle. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]


Well then, seems that our planning is finished for I have no further additions to make to plot development.

I thought to wait until the Discussion Thread was opened, at which point I would invite by P.M those who have already expressed an interest in the Green Dragon thread to submit a character profile and first post.

How does that sound?

[piosenniel]

Your planning is for the most part done - BUT the Discussion Thread cannot be opened until there are First Posts for each of your main characters - Uien and Falowik.

One of them I am supposing will be the opening post for the game when it opens - yes/no?!

And perhaps you should set up a little scenario for players to work their character's First Posts around - will it be their character's arrival at the Prancing Pony?

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

[littlemanpoet]

I'd like to see Falco Boffin become one of the characters. It would be great if we could find someone to play him. In that absence, I'm happy with Elora playing him. I'll be doing Eodwine as well as Falowik if he survives...

Hmm.... looks like we so far have a human, a hobbit, and four elven ladies/maidens; and maybe a Gondorian Ranger - maybe. This seems like an odd combination. What are our options?

I'll work on a First Post for Falowik and should have it up in the next day or so.

I'm thinking it should be a meeting at the Prancing Pony, with Tolkien's cast in place.

[Elora]

I've been speaking to some who have expressed an interest about maintaining an open mind as to the character they eventually play in the rp.

I think we need to stick to our character list and encourage people to develop characters on that. That way, we keep a good balance of characters that makes more "sense" for this RP. The Green Dragon has been a great place to see how interested people are in the idea and how they write and interact with others.

I had planned to do the opening post for the RP to focus on the character's arrival at the Prancing Pony. That gives each writer a hook to enter on, or so I figure.

Also, separates Green Dragon Inn from the start of the RP which will be helpful, particularly if characters change between that thread and this RP.

My First Post for Uien will have her arriving at the Prancing Pony, having set off from the Green Dragon two days after Falowik.

I think Falco will shine best of all if someone takes him on. He's a great character, very interesting... lots of pugnacious hobbit charm... [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

But, if noone likes the cut of his jib, then I will be only too happy to take him on. I think he has an invaluable role to play in this rp and the search party as that unique Hobbit voice whose opinions are different from those of the Big Folk. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[piosenniel]

Question:

What is Uien doing in the Shire? And why is she at the Green Dragon Inn? This needs to be a very believable story, since I think that the Fair Folk would be mostly passing through the Shire as unseen as possible on their way to the Grey Havens.

An Falowik - If he did step within the bounds of the Shire, he would most likely have been arrested by the Bounders, or forceably turned back by them (perhaps he can be taken into custody by them and his story told to them before they oust him from the Shire?!)
_____________________________________________

About wanting someone to play Falco:

Can you do a short character description for him that I can put on the 'Characters Needed' section - that way someone could flesh him out if they wanted to play him.

[ September 26, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[littlemanpoet]

I'm for pulling the rpg away from the Green Dragon, and positing that everything that happened leading up to the meeting of the rescue party at the Prancing Pony, happened AT the Prancing Pony and near Breeland. As I said above, based on the map Pio provided, Eodwine was captured south of the "caves" and Falowik reported his discovery to the northernmost villages of Breeland.

Elora, can you write the Falco character descrip?

[littlemanpoet]

Falowik First Post
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.

[Elora]

Thanks for that LMP. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] Great First Post. I'll most certainly draw up a description for Falco.

Pio, the only reason Uien was at the Green Dragon is because that is the place in this forum that she emerged and encountered others. Had the title of the thread been the Prancing Pony, then her location would have changed accordingly.

LMP's alteration of location helps resolve this matter. I'll go a little further.

Uien wanders the lands of Middle-earth due to her fascination with them and the people who inhabit them. She does not pass to the Grey Havens for she does not yet wish to leave. In this I see echoes of one Legolas Greenleaf, who abided in Ithilien long after his kindred started to depart mortal lands.

Uien feels unable to return to the small strongholds of her people at Mirkwood or Imladris. She carries a shadow with her from the orc pits. She feels they would see it and in that think her stained. It's a shame that pushes her out onto mortal trails and paths. This is a carryover of Morgoth's Thralls of the First Age. Those who survived and escaped were shunned by their folk. Uien is shunning herself, her belief picked up from her parents who themselves were First Age Noldorin exiles. Far easier to exile herself than to return and find herself pushed away. That would be a pain too much for her to bear, or so she believes.

Here follows is Uien's First 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.

[Elora]

Opening Post of the RP!

Please let me know what you think. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]


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, realising 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 travelled 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.

EDIT: Altered Bywater for Stonebow and in a fit of transitory embellishment, renamed the Green Dragon Inn to Stonebow Inn and then the Merry Archer Inn (for even if he had a stone bow to lift and carry, the fine ale of the inn would have a smile upon his face nonetheless).

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

[Elora]

Seems we are close to being ready for the Discussion Thread. (rubs hands together in anticipation)

I have developed a profile for Falco Boffin, but will hang onto it for now so that others who are interested in his character can come forward. I'll use it as an alternative if noone takes up Falco (poor mite that he is). [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

We seem also to be nearing a conclusion that we're all happy with concerning details of the secret "baddie".

Anything else outstanding?

[piosenniel]

I believe all *details* have now been taken care of to everyone's satisfaction. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

I have 2 other RPG's for which I'm just opening Discussion Threads.

I would like to hold off on opening your Discussion Thread until 10/12.

Elora - the gamers who are interested in this game from the Inn - can you please let them know when the Discussion Thread will be open.

Also, let's clarify this now before it becomes a problem - Once the Game opens - does it make any difference to you if your players post in character in the Green Dragon? And if it does can you address it with them, asking them either to develop different characters for the game from the Inn or vice versa.

Thanks!

~~ Pio

[Elora]

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

12th October it is. I shall P.M those interested at the inn to advise them of this. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

As for the dopleganger effect, as I call it, it doesn't bother me but I can see that it can bother others. I shall be absenting Uien from the inn so that there is consistency across the threads.

As for those interested, we have a list of characters for this RP which is not all elven. So far all characters at the inn are Elves. So it may be necessary for some to absent their character and carry it across to this RP, and for others to develop a new character for the RP (Hobbit, Man, Dwarf).

I'll mention this in my P.M to those that have expressed an interest at the Green Dragon.

Thanks for everything, Pio. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[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.

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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]

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