Breelanders All! Discussion Thread - Part 1

[piosenniel]

Annunfuiniel and Child of the 7th Age invite you to play:

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Breelanders All!

Historical Background:

The year 1300 of the Third Age was a time of momentous change, much of it for the worse, as the shadow extended its hold over Middle-earth. In this year, the Nazgul reappeared and the chief of these, known as the Witch-King of Angmar, established a stronghold in the northern part of the Misty Mountains. Many hobbits who had lived in this region for some 150 years now fled west towards Bree-land.

In this time of growing distrust and suspicion, intimate contact between differing free peoples was the exception rather than the rule. Yet, somehow, the Big and Little Folk of Bree managed to live together in peace. In this RPG, we would like to speculate how these good relations might actually have developed.


Fictional Background:

Tolkien indicated there were three major groups of hobbits: Fallohide, Harfoot, and Stoor. Most of the hobbits in our story are Fallohide or Harfoot, along with a few Stoor brides who married into these lines.

In our story the original home of the Fallohide hobbits was north of the Hoardale River on the western side of the mountains. These hobbits escaped from the clutches of the Witch King and, joining with their Harfoot kin who were also fleeing westward, settled in the villages of Archet, Combe, and Staddle just north of Bree-hill. Here, they built homes and quietly cultivated the land.

An uneasy truce existed between these smaller communities and Bree, a large trading city settled by the Big Folk. While both the Big and Little Folk preferred to ignore their neighbors, wild rumors abounded, and each side viewed the other with suspicion.

Basic Storyline:

After a few years of relative peace, the real troubles began. In the summer of 1305 Third Age came unusual heat and drought. Since the rains of the autumn were not enough to save the crops, some Hobbits from outlying villages decided to move into Bree and practice their crafts professionally there. But, with the shortage of food, the Hobbits’ timing was as wrong as it could be. Many of the Big Folk defended their territories jealously, resenting the intruders and blaming them for the bad times.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, the Rangers brought the leaders of the Big and Little Folk an alarming message. Several villages in the foothills of the Misty Mountains had been attacked and destroyed by the Orcs and Hillmen months before. These folk migrated westward on the roads, trying to escape the evil forces behind them. Hungry and discouraged, they turning to looting and stealing in order to stay alive in this time of dearth. The main body of refugees waits at Weather Hill. An advance scouting party has been sent to look over the villages and towns ahead of them on the road. Rumor has it that they are now considering an organized attack on Bree, hoping to carry off the riches of its merchants or perhaps even to occupy the town.

Considering that Bree’s ancient defenses--its dike, heavy gate, and thick hedge--are almost ready to collapse, this is dire news. Our story begins when the Rangers call a meeting of all the residents of Bree and surrounding communities to see if they can join together to develop a strategy for defeating the outlaws.

This RPG traces how the Big and Little Folk eventually get beyond their suspicions and jealousies to work together to reinforce Bree's defenses and fight off the brigands’ attack. Each comes to appreciate the contributions of the other making a start towards living together as peaceful neighbors.

[ November 10, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]