The Lingering Darkness Planning/Discussion Thread

[Snowdog]

Its tough having to squeeze work between the important things in life like a budding RP story [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] I know... *looks to see of the boss is coming...

I was kind of hoping to leave it a little looser in the script to say that Naiore may or may not be killed in the end. That is why I put the part of Naiore being brought to justice. I think it takes too much away from the interim writing if we already know she dies and who kills her. Its kind of like reading the last chapter of a book first. Just trying to keep the intrigue and the 'fog of possibillities' alive in this one.

[Ealasaid]

Excellent points, Nerindel! I like your suggestion for the ending. Very dramatic! As for who finally "gets" Naiore (if anyone), we don't have to decide that now. We can see what is happening when we arrive at that point in the game.

That being said, here's Kaldir's bio:

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Ealasaid's character - Kaldir

NAME: Kaldir

AGE: 42

RACE: Men. Both his father and mother were Dunedain

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Long sword, long knife worn at the belt, and a variety of smaller knives concealed about his person. He also carries a rope and sometimes a whip...tools of his trade.

APPEARANCE: Kaldir is about 6 feet tall with a lean and muscular build. He has dark brown hair that falls just past his shoulders, which he wears tied back most of the time. He is darkly tanned, and wears a short beard. His eyes are of such a pale blue that the irises nearly vanish into the whites. Ice blue is a good description, as his eyes are usually cold, reflecting very little emotion. While the right side of his face is quite handsome, with a high cheekbone and strong brow, the left side of his face has been badly disfigured: the cheekbone smashed, and the skin a twisted mass of scar tissue from his hairline to his beard. This also affects the musculature of his face -- for instance, he can only smile with the good side of his face. Scars also disfigure a good bit of the rest of his person.
He dresses like a Ranger, in the browns and greens of the forest.

PERSONALITY: Because of his experiences in Mordor, Kaldir has a severe case of Post-Traumatic Stress (if you will pardon my foray into modern psycho-babble.) Consequently, there are a few pages missing out of his Personality Handbook. He feels very few emotions, but the ones he does feel are powerful and extreme. Also, he feels very little connection with or empathy for others. He exists in a kind of survivalist vacuum. Under the right circumstances, he could be healed, but, so far, those circumstances have not existed in his life.
He sleeps very little. He is also prone to debilitating flashbacks. Usually few and far between, these are caused by specific triggers. Unfortunately for him, Naiore (as his chief tormentor in Mordor) is one of those triggers. The flashbacks, when they come, cause him to flinch & lose concentration for a few seconds as his mind returns to certain horrific moments in his past that he has suppressed, unable to deal with them.
Finally, due to head injuires sustained during his imprisonment, large portions of his long-term memory of pre-war events have been either damaged or wiped out.
Overall, despite all the damage, he is a hard, tough man. Even so, he has his good points. He is polite and well-spoken, with a dry sense of humor. While he has difficulty forming connections with others, he does form likings for other people, based on respect for them or their actions. He will treat them well and look out for their well-being... as long as they don't get in his way. (Gilly & Lespheria, so far, fall into this category.) Once they get in his way, however, all bets are off.

STRENGTHS: Kaldir is a very intelligent individual, but his main strengths are that he is relentless and infinitely patient. When he is on someone's trail, he can bide his time until exactly the right moment. When he does choose to strike, he is generally fast, strong, and ruthless.
He can track almost anything, anywhere. He is a highly skilled horseman and an expert with a sword. While his archery skills are passable, he generally prefers other types of weapons.

WEAKNESSES: See the Personality description above. Also, his growing love for Benia leaves him vulnerable. In his emotionally stunted state, he behaves (toward others, where she is involved) more like a wolf over a fresh kill than a man with a potential love interest, but his feelings for her are deep. He would go to great lengths to protect her from harm.

HISTORY: Kaldir was born in the north. He never knew his mother as she died giving birth to him. Growing up, he was close with his father who taught him all the fighting and tracking skills of a Ranger. He grew into a brave and intelligent young man, loyal to Aragorn and completely at his disposal. He began riding with the Rangers at a very young age. He was not quite thirty when he fell at the Battle of Raven Falls, where he was taken prisoner by the orcs and transported south to Mordor, where he spent the next three years, and pretty much the duration of the War, as a prisoner and slave of Sauron. While in Mordor, he endured unspeakable horrors at the hands of Sauron's underlings, one of whom was none other than Naiore. Fascinated by pain and death, she tortured and tormented him nearly to the point of death throughout his imprisonment. He only survived through sheer strength of will, his experiences hardening him into the predator he is today.

After the war, he tried to return to the Ranger lifestyle, but found that he could no longer fit in. He gradually drifted away from the society of the other Rangers, keeping to himself and hiring his tracking skills out to whomever was willing to pay for them. Eventually, this led to bounty hunting, oftentimes in the employ of the same types (evil southerners) who had earlier enslaved him, only now they treat him with fear and respect. He travels easily between the north and the south, on no one's side but his own. The other Rangers view him with some suspicion, but generally leave him to his own business as, out of principle, he never goes after any of them. He arrives at the Forsaken Inn with the intent of capturing Benia for the bounty placed on her by Haradrim holdouts in the South. While there, he discovers the presence of Vanwe, who would be worth considerably more than Benia in terms of a bounty, and Naiore, against whom he wants nothing more than revenge. If he can collect a bounty for Naiore after she is dead, so much the better. (He's pragmatic, if nothing else.) His hatred of Naiore is very personal.

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Ealasaid's post for Kaldir


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[ August 07, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[ August 10, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaid ]

[Ealasaid]

I was kind of hoping to leave it a little looser in the script to say that Naiore may or may not be killed in the end. That is why I put the part of Naiore being brought to justice. I think it takes too much away from the interim writing if we already know she dies and who kills her. Its kind of like reading the last chapter of a book first. Just trying to keep the intrigue and the 'fog of possibillities' alive in this one.

Well put, Snowdog! I agree that we should leave somethings open-ended for the moment. It makes the game more fun if you don't know until the end precisely what is going to happen. If too much is laid out in advance, it just becomes an exercise in writing how to get from Point A to Point B.

[Ealasaid]

Ealasaid's character - Benia

NAME: Benia Nightshade

AGE: 30

RACE: Men. Her father is from Bree; her mother, from Harad.

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: A dagger and her father's sword.

APPEARANCE: Benia is about 5'7" with a slim, athletic build. She has an olive complexion. Her raven black hair is thick and straight, falling almost to her knees. She usually wears it in a single plait down her back. She is very beautiful in an exotic kind of way, with an oval face and large, long-lashed eyes of a dark amber color. She lines her eyes in kohl. The only jewelry she wears are silver dangling earrings, and a wide silver band on the middle finger of her left hand. A fine silver chain runs from her left earring across her cheekbone to a small stud in her left nostril. Tiny silver medallions hang, sparkling, from the chain.
Her palms and inner wrists (up to about 3" above her hand) are intricately tattooed with floral patterns and clan markings that identify her as a member of the Rain Clan of the Painted Sand tribe from the Haradrim desert. Usually, when she travels, she wears soft leather gauntlets to conceal the tattoos.
Basically a nomad, she doesn't own a wide assortment of clothes, only a cloak and hood, a couple of dresses (with requisite underclothes, of course), and a couple of veils, which she wears oftentimes when she travels, or when she wishes to hide from the world. Her clothes are all of the soft browns and greens of the forest. (She likes bright vibrant colors, but finds the earthtones more practical for all the travel she does.)

PERSONALITY: Benia is a courageous, yet gentle and caring woman. She is calm, confident, and practical, yet would willingly sacrifice her life if she thought it would save the life of another. She is fiercely loyal to her few friends and the remains of her mother's clan. When it concerns her own safety, she is more apt to flee from her enemies than to confront them, but if another's safety is in question, she will do whatever needs to be done in order to save or protect him/her.
She is shy around strangers, but, once her guard is down, likes a laugh and a good tale almost as much as the average hobbit. She has a beautiful singing voice and likes to sing, but rarely gets the opportunity. She is a skilled dancer after the fashion of Haradrim women, but does not know any of the dances done by the other peoples of Middle Earth.

STRENGTHS: Benia's greatest strengths are her courage and her generosity of spirit. She knows how to handle her father's sword, but only uses it in self-defense. (She is not a warrior or shield maiden by any stretch of the imagination.)

WEAKNESSES: She has a tendency to let her guard down sometimes at the wrong moments. Operating largely on instinct, she has also been known to be a little too quick to place her trust in strangers. Usually this is not a problem as she is usually right about people, but on occasion she has been wrong and ended up putting herself in grave danger.

HISTORY: Benia's mother came from the Rain clan of the Painted Sand tribe, a nomadic tribe of the Haradrim desert. They were warriors and horsemen, like the Rohirrim, but their horses were small and fast, better built to withstand the heat of the desert. Painted Sand was once a large and powerful tribe, but when they refused to fight on the side of Sauron in the War of the Ring, the entire clan was pretty much wiped out. To Benia's knowledge, only a handful of aunts and distant cousins remain. There may be others & she is always on the lookout for them. Because their lives are still in danger from those who followed Sauron, the tattered remnants of her tribe remain on the run, scattered throughout Middle Earth. Some of them remain in contact with one another by leaving obscure messages in predecided locations, but others are simply lost.

Benia's mother, Benia the Fair, left the desert with her parents and four of her brothers many years prior to the start of the War, but there was already a gathering of forces moving toward Mordor. They tried to escape north into Gondor and Rohan, but were pursued by orcs and hostile tribesmen. Her parents and one of her brothers were killed before reaching Harad's border. She and her other three brothers made it as far as Rohan, where they we captured by a Rohirrim horse patrol. Jack Nightshade, originally a Bree-man who had migrated to Rohan in search of adventure, was one of her captors. He and two others were given the chore of escorting the prisoners back to the city. By the time they arrived at Edoras, he and the desert lady had fallen in love. She remained a prisoner of the Mark for a brief time until her story was heard and verified, then she and her brothers were released. Her brothers swore their allegiance to Rohan and eventually found service as riders and scouts. Benia the Fair married Jack Nightshade and tried to make a home for the two of them in Rohan.

Jack became a close friend of Benia the Fair's brothers, often riding with them on patrols. Eventually, the brothers won permission to travel back to the desert to seek word on their kinsmen. Jack was granted permission to accompany them and, against his better judgment, was swayed by his wife's pleas and allowed her to accompany them as well. It was only after they had travelled a goodly distance toward Harad that it was discovered that Benia the Fair was pregnant. They had gone too far to send her back, so they continued on and Benia's daughter, Benia Nightshade, was born in the desert of her kinsmen. When the company finally reached the far savannahs, the ancestral base of the Painted Sand clan, there was no one left, just slaughtered horses and skeletons bleaching in the sun. They stayed there in hiding until the Benias were strong enough, then began the journey back to Rohan.

On the way back, they were attacked by orcs. The company was split in the fighting. Jack and his wife and daughter fled back into the desert. No one knew what became of the brothers. The Nightshades stayed in the desert, getting by as best they could until little Benia turned seven. Then Jack decided it was time to return to Rohan. This time they made it back, but things had changed. Jack was seen as a deserter and imprisoned. He managed to escape and, taking his little family with him, fled again. This time, they went North to Bree and his ancestral home. There, the Nightshade family took them in. They managed to stay there in peace and contentment for a while, but by the time little Benia reached her teens, rumors of trouble began to haunt them again. Mysterious strangers had been coming up the Greenway to Bree, asking about desert people and describing little Benia and her mother. It was clear that they meant them ill. Jack decided it was time to run again.

He bundled up his wife and now teenaged daughter, taking the unlikely road west toward The Shire. The strangers were in hot pursuit and nearly overtook them but for the brave interference of a hobbit called Gilly Burrows (now Banks), who at great peril to herself and her family, took it upon herself first to conceal the three of them and later to help them escape.

The three Nightshades did manage to escape, but were not so lucky the next time. They were overtaken by bounty hunters a short while later in some wild and lonely spot. Benia the Fair was killed and Jack was badly wounded. Little Benia remained unharmed only because she had been dawdling away from the camp when the tragedy struck. Carefully, she sheltered and tended to her father until he was well enough to travel. As soon as he had regained enough strength, they returned to his family in Bree, where he completed his convalescence. As soon as he was able, he took his daughter and the two of them vanished into the wilderness, never again attempting to call anyplace home for long.

Jack was heartbroken at the loss of Benia the Fair and never quite recovered from it. Eventually, he took to drink and was killed in a tavern brawl. Benia Nightshade was left on her own. She continued to travel, eventually working her way south again to the desert where she was able to locate a few surviving members of her clan, who tattooed her hands and finished teaching her the ways of the desert. Now she spends the majority of her time traveling from place to place, looking for her scattered kinsmen, helping them where she can and trying to assist in the rescues of those who are still imprisoned. She has never married, and, though she keeps in contact with her father's family in Bree, the connection is rather tenuous. Even though she is Jack's daughter, they still view her as a foreigner and help her on occasion only out of loyalty to her father's memory. They blame her and her mother for Jack's death.

She arrives at the Forsaken Inn as the result of a desire to see Gilly. Banned from the Shire (along with all the other Big People) by order of King Elessar, she sent a message to Bywater asking Gilly to meet her at the inn. She didn't go as far as Bree because of the tense nature of her relations with her father's family. The Nightshades are a big family, & she knew she could not be there unbeknownst to them.

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Ealasaid's post for Benia


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[ August 07, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Snowdog]

Ok, so I go stumbling into a thread thinking its this one and its Shadow of the Star !!!

Maybe we may think of adjusting ther name of this RP a little so its a bit more unique??

Just a thought.

Grat bios Elasaid!

[piosenniel]

I believe it's only a working title - I needed something with which to title the thread.

[Ealasaid]

Yes -- this is just a working title. We can change it anytime.

The Lingering Darkness, anyone? [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Also, I just wanted to let everyone know that we have not heard from Hilde lately as she has been away dealing with a very sick child. She is worried that she may have to drop out of the game. I told her we could wait, at least, until Elora gets back after the first week of August before she has to decide.

In the meantime, we are to carry on without her.

...and then there were three (temporarily). So that leaves us, Ealasaid, Nerindel, & Snowdog, for the time being. Let's do what we can & hopefully we can be close to opening the discussion thread to other writers by the time Elora & Hilde can rejoin us.

We have already accomplished quite a lot.

[ July 30, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaid ]

[Snowdog]

I'll have to give the whole outline some thought and i will post it for critique and such when I got something together.

And yes, I know its a working title...
How about 'A Lingering Shadow' ??

Hope all goes well and swift recovery to Hilde's child. It's tough when one has sick children, especially if they are young. Mine are teenagers, so now they come in with things like .. I crashed my skateboard.. I crashed my bike... etc.

I have been reading the bios of the characters over and over, andtrying to commit to memory as much as I can of them. I have been going over Benia's bio and such since Hanasían will be dealing with her kin in Bree. All this is working to an opener and first post.

As for the start, probably sometime in mid August will work out for everyone?

[Ealasaid]

A mid-to-late August start sounds good to me. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Snowdog, I will be looking forward to seeing your outline and first post! I do agree that we should keep the outline simple so that the characters have room to move & develop. I have yet to start my first posts, but I guess I should be thinking about those pretty soon, eh?

Nerindel -- still waiting for your bios!
Hilde will get hers in when things settle down some at home.

So far, we have bios from:
Elora: Naiore, Vanwe, Menecin
Ealasaid: Kaldir, Benia
Snowdog: Hanasian

We have a tentative outline (still subject to massive revision or even chucking).

We have our Character List for new writers:
2 Rangers to travel with Hanasian
2 underworld types to work with/against Naiore

We still need:
* Remaining Bios (no hurry, Nerindel or Hilde, just looking forward to seeing them when you can get to them)
* New identities for Inn personnel
* "Final" Outline
* First Posts from the bunch of us
* Completed Game Submission Form for Pio
Is there anything else you can think of that we need to have before moving from the Planning Thread to the Discussion Thread?

[ July 30, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaid ]

[piosenniel]

Here is the ‘Characters Needed’ section: please decide on race and gender for your 4 listed below

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

• 2 Rangers to travel with Hanasian PLEASE SPECIFY RACE AND GENDER FOR THE PROSPECTIVE PLAYERS
  
  Concerning the two other Rangers: It has to be understood to the writers of these characters that they are war veterans, as I believe our time frame is the same as that of the Green Dragon, which is ten years after the War of the Ring (?). They are loyal to the King and fought against evil, though they do not necessarily have to be one of the thirty Rangers who rode south during the war (Halbarad said the thirty were "...all of our kindred that could be gathered in haste..." ). They have deep friendship with each other and Hanasían, as well as the sons of Elrond Elrohir and Elladan. They will know Kaldir if they were riding with the Rangers twenty years before when Kaldir was captured, or have heard of him and the terrible Battle from the some of the older Rangers who were there. Outside of that, the writers are free to develop the Ranger characters as they see fit.
  
• 2 Shady Underworld Types to take up with Naiore, both to serve her & (they hope) turn on her for their own gain PLEASE SPECIFY RACE AND GENDER FOR THE PROSPECTIVE PLAYERS

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Character types which would not belong: Any not listed above.

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Will you be wanting first posts for the above characters?

If so, you need to clue the characters’ writers in to which Main Character’s First Post would be helpful to work from.

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These will need to be listed as NCE’s also if you are going to use them:

Elladan
Elrohir
Celeborn

As well as the Forsaken Inn personnel

[Snowdog]

Right. We're working on it...

[Nerindel]

ok, here we go! I'm putting these up before I decide to change Amandur's Character again (I've now rewrote him 3 times [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] ). Léspheria is a character I all ready had partially wrote up and she only really needed a history, but Amandur was one of those spur of the moment character's if you know what I mean [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] and he needed a complete bio, which took me awhile to get just right (I hope!).

Anyway here they are:

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Nerindel's character - Léspheria

NAME: Léspheria Denfëa

AGE: 2901 (As of the Fourth Age 12)

RACE: Noldor (Fathers line Fingolfin, Mothers line Finarfin)

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS : Léspheria carries a Silvery grey bow made from the wood of a Mallorn tree, it has the gold leaf and flower design, of these great trees. It is longer and stouter than most. Her brown leather quiver hangs on her back and is always filled with arrows she Fletches herself.

Her short sword is of Noldorin design and hangs on her left side, it bears the crest of the house of Finarfin on the pommel. This sword is dear to Léspheria as it was once her mothers, given to her by her father on his departure from Middle Earth.

Léspheria also carries a small belt knife given to her by Amandur on their first battle together, it has a black handle and a grey blade.

Léspheria has a light shirt of silver chain mail, made for her by the Gwaith-I-Mírdain that resided in Imladris before the war. She wears it concealed under her clothes.

APPEARANCE: Léspheria is tall and slender, her long, straight, dark hair falls halfway down her back and in sunlight the golden colouring of her mothers kin can be seen flecked through it. Her complexion is pale and unblemished, some of her fathers kin liken her to Aredhel, the only daughter of Fingolfin, but when next to her mother it is obvious that Léspheria's looks come from her, they share the same Almond shaped grey eyes, not a dull but bright and piercing, almost as though they could see right into your heart.

Léspheria is no stranger to wearing the fine apparel of court, but prefers to wear clothes of her own design. She favours blues and silvers, but when travelling she wears the forest colours favoured by her kin. It is not often that she is seen in trousers preferring long skirts/dresses designed by herself to be practical for fighting and wandering the wilds. She wears calf high brown leather boots and a hooded cloak of a light but warm woven silken material, that seems to reflect the colour of its surroundings, grey in the hue of twilight under the trees; green as shadowed leaves, or brown as fallow fields by night, dusk silver as water under the stars. It is clasped at the neck by a silver brooch shaped in the likeness of Galathilion and bears a crescent moon. (the Emblem of the Eldar)

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Léspheria is Altruistic in nature, which on more than one occasion has got her into trouble, but she is also self-sufficient and capable of making the best of a bad situation.

Léspheria is warm and friendly to those she meet's that she senses are of good heart, to those who are not she is closed and guarded. She also has a tendency to follow her instincts, but never at the risk to others.

She possesses the innate ability to sense the emotions of those around her, this is what allows her to be more trusting than most of her kin, but this ability has its down sides, not only can she sense the emotions of others, but of her mother and twin brother she can actually feel when they are in pain or torment and in turn their pain is laid upon her. Only a few of her family and Amandur know of this weakness in her ability (As they see it). She also possesses the healing ability of her kin, using her senses to locate the site of injury and manipulate it into a state of mending/healing.

Léspheria is a keen Archer and woods woman, both skills taught her by her father and brother, she also carries the wisdom of her kin and is learned in the histories of her people, she harbours the fear that one day she will fall pray to the pride of her ancestors.

HISTORY: Léspheria was born in the TA 132 to Valaindon, her mother who was a High elf of Lothlorien and a descendant of the noble house of Finarfin, and Finderon, her father who was a High elf of Imladris and a descendent of the house of Fingolfin. Both Lespheria and her twin brother Lóthaniel were brought up in Imladris, but when Léspheria started to show signs that she possessed her mothers gifts she was taken to Lothlorien to study under those of her mothers house who remained after the SA.

In Lothlorien she learnt how to discipline her ability and use it to help others. On the eventual realisation that her gift could be use in a darker more sinister way she was physically sick to her core and began to fear her gift, but the words of the lady of the woods healed her of this fear and she carries them in her heart always 'The choices we make are what make us who we are.' and from that day to this she choose to only use her gifts to help others.

In Lothlorien Léspheria also learnt the finer arts, Dressmaking, embroidery, music and poetry she was also taught Archery and Herblore, she learned quickly and became skilful , she learnt also the histories of her kin and the family trees of each line fascinated her most, she soon discovered the there was a space missing in the family tree of her mothers kin, but when she ask about this, she was told that she was mistaken or that it was a mistake made by the writer. But always she sensed that they hid the truth and where ashamed to admit it, so she pursued it no further.

About the year 1974 TA. Léspheria returned with her family to Rivendell, in this year the North kingdom ended and the witch king over ran Arthedain and took Fornost. In this time many messengers passed between Rivendell and the Grey havens and the following year it was decided that Rivendell would send a force to aid in removing the witch king, from the northern lands. On the day that her father and brother were due to leave Léspheria had a premonition of their death in the form of a dream. She begged for them not to go, but they thought her dream no more than anxiety. Léspheria was not so convinced and against their wishes she followed the host north.

It was here that she found out her acute link to her brother, as a blow struck him she fell from her horse experiencing his pain, it was here too that her friendship with the Dunedain began. An Arnorian soldier seeing an elven woman in the battle came to her aid, she persuaded him to help her search for her brother, together they found Her father and brother both injured and with her expert healing skills she healed both, The man from who Amandur is descended faught off the enemy so that she could work unhindered. After the victourious battle Léspheria helped tend others that were injured in the battle.

After the battle of Fornost, under the instruction of Lord Elrond the Elves of Rivendell, taught the survivors of Arnor, the skills required to become rangers, in this time Léspheria too decided that she wished to learn these skills, so both her father and Brother taught her, they were surprised at how quickly she learned and how adaptable she could be. By the time rumours reach Rivendell of a power returned to Dol Guldur, Léspheria is now aiding the elves in the training of the Dunedain.

At about this time Lésperia's mother left Rivendell, and her Father finally tells both of them about Naiore, but not everything. He tells them only of her crimes but not of their relationship to this woman or of the friendship that their mother once shared with Naiore.

Lóthaniel later finds out that Naiore and their mother are cousins and that after Naiore disappeared from Belfalas, their mother helped to look for her fearing that some ill had befallen her. In this time she met their father and he agreed to help her search, but to no avail. Valaindon returned to Rivendell with Finderon. When Finderon returned from the Battle of Dagorlad he did not have the heart to tell Valaindon of what they saw and of the terror Naiore struck in their hearts, for he knew she would not believe it, he too wouldn't if he had not seen it with his own eyes. But after the disaster of the Gladden Fields all the elves learned of Naiores crimes, Valaindon refused to believe what she was told and rode often in search of her cousin, but all she found was a trail of heinous crimes. so she returned to Finderon and chose to live in denial. but of this Lothaniel says nothing to Léspheria.

In the time that Valaindon is away from her family she finds Naiore, not far from Lothlorien. Naiore reading her cousins thoughts pretends to have been tortured and used by Sauron and forced to do the treacherous things that she has done, knowing that her old friend would show pity on her. Valaindon thinking she was right all along about her friend, makes the mistake of not reading her cousins emotions. Valaindon meets secretly with Naiore (As her cousin feigns to be to afraid and ashamed to face her kin) and brings her news of Lothlorien, it is through Valaindon that she learns that Menecin still loves her and longs for her return, Naiore then slowly begins to draw secrets from her cousin regarding the defence of both Lothlorien and Rivendell. With the coming of Menecin to Rivendell, Valaindon realises she has been deceived and the pride of her kin engulfs her and in rage she relentlessly peruses Naiore who she finally sees as her enemy. the following year she losses the trail, but does not give up searching. She is eventually captured at the end of the year 3017 and is taken to Barad-dûr, where she again meets Naiore who takes great pains to torture her and break her elven spirit, but with the fall of Sauron she is forced to flee leaving Valaindon for dead in the pits of Barad-dûr. She is eventually found by Amandur and other Rangers that dared to enter the great fortress after the war.Of these events Léspheria knows only bits and pieces.

During this time she helps the Dunedain and later she protects the borders of Rivendell, In the year that her mother was captured to the day she died (the best part of a year) Léspheria fell into a fever from which none could cure. Léspheria experienced her mothers torture at the hands of Naiore, though she tells none of this, and only learns of her mothers torturer some years later.

After the war Lésperia's mothers body is brought back to Rivendell, in his grief their father goes with the ring bearers to Valinor, but Both Léspheria and her brother choose to remain. In the 2nd year of the fourth age Léspheria is asked by Lords Elladan and Elrohir, if she would consider becoming one of their emissaries between men and elves, to which she humbly excepted.

It was in this role that she found out the full extent of Naiores crimes, and that the council of King Elassar wished to bring her to justice. Their were a few elves who also wanted to see Naiore brought to justice, but Léspheria not wishing any kinslaying convinced the council of elves to allow King Elessar to bring Naiore to stand trial in Gondor.

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Nerindel's post for Léspheria


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Nerindel's character - Amandur

NAME: Amandur II

AGE: 62 (as of midsummer of year 12 of the fourth age.)

RACE: Men (Dunedan)

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS : Amandur carries a numanorean long sword, an heirloom of his family. He also carries an elvish dagger, a small black handled belt knife (one of a pair, Léspheria has the other) and a crude bow, which he uses mainly for hunting.

APPEARANCE: Amandur is 6 ft 2 " in height and has a handsome but rugged look about him. His dark, almost black hair sits just below his jaw line. His Hazel eyes hold the wisdom of his age, he looks only to be in his early forties. His complexion is tanned due to weathering, he is sometimes clean shaven and sometimes not depending on circumstances, (ie in the wilds he sees no need to shave) Amandur has several battle scars, one across his left bicep another across his right leg and a small scar across the clef of his chin are all reminders of the battles of the Pelennor fields and the Morannon. The scar on his right leg sometimes bothers him in colder weather.

Amandur wears black leather pants, white/light grey shirts and dark grey /green tunics that bear the emblem of King Elessar. His high black boots are of supple leather and have seen much wear. He also has a cloak of a heavy dark-green cloth.

PERSONALITY: Although Hardened by war, Amandur managed to remain good hearted and kind. Among his friends and kin he is loyal, trustworthy and well liked, But to his enemies he is fierce, relentless and unforgiving. He tends to speak his mind and is not quick to trust. He has the qualities of being a great leader but prefers not to lead when possible, but like most great leaders this sometimes happens weather he will it or not.

STRENGTHS: Although proficient with a bow, he favours his sword and is very skilful in its use, both on foot or mounted, he has always had an natural ability with horses, his own in particular, the black charger comes when he whistles, and the horse always seems to anticipate his movements, before they are made. Amandur learnt much from the elves during his stay in Rivendell and has become wise in the way of the wilds. He also follows his instincts, but not at the cost of others.

WEAKNESSES: Amandur's weaknesses are his love for Léspheria and his growing over protectiveness of her. Also the scar on his leg is know to give him bother in colder weather or if hit or knocked in some way.

HISTORY: Amandur was born in the Grey Havens on the 31st day of Naríë in the year 2969 TA (1369 Shire reckoning). Amandur was the eldest son of Amandur I and Norvanna both Dunedain of the north and both Rangers, which in itself is unusual as usually only the men became rangers, but Amandur's mother was strong both in stature and will. Cirdan granted her protection in the grey havens when with child. Amundur and his younger brother Aldred spent their child hood in the Grey havens with their mother, their father visited as often as he could.

There was only two years between Amandur and his brother, so the pair grew up together in relative peace under the protection of Cirdan, they both shared a love of boats and a respect for the sea. Their mother and father (when present) took great pains to teach both their children the use of weapons, both brothers favoured the long sword. At the age of 20 Amandur's father took him to Rivendell to train under the tutelage of the Elves.

It is here that he first meets the elven twins Lóthaniel and Léspheria Denfëa. Lóthaniel teaches him the skills required to become a Ranger like his father and Léspheria teaches him of his ancestry and the history of his people. His brother joins him two years later and the four become firm friends. During one battle they shared (a wayward band of orcs making the mistake of leaving the safety of the misty mountains and entering Eriador) his Female elven companion was pressed by Four orcs and as he ran to her aid he thought her done for, but by the time he reached her, battling orcs of his own on the way the four orcs lay dead at her feet, It was then that he saw Léspheria in a new light, as she stood there breathing heavily, with her sword in one hand and a broken dagger in the other, he saw a strong, determined, beautiful but gentle elven woman that he knew from that moment he had lost his heart too. It was also at this battle that Amandur gave Léspheria one of his long twin belt knives, to replace her broken dagger.

About the year 3000 the Rangers guarded the Shire more closely at the request of the White Council and their chief Aragorn. Amandur, his brother and a few others were charged with Guarding Sarn ford, but on the evening of the 22nd day of Yavannie the Black riders drove them from the ford and four of the black riders pursued them eastward. They returned to Rivendell to tell Lord Elrond that the Riders are in the Shire.

Word soon came from Lothlorien that Aragorn required the aid of his kin, Halbarad, Elladan and Elrohir quickly gathered those who could be found and they headed south with all haste, it was here that the two Brothers were reunited with their father. After the hard journey south they were reunited with their chief and rode with the grey company through the paths of the dead and fought the Cosairs of Umbar at Pelargir, taking their ships. Amandur and his brother with their knowledge of sailing were charged with one of the great black masted ships and they sailed up the River to Harlond, to assail their enemy from the flank and rear, on the Pelennor Fields.

It was here that Amandur's Brother and father fell, he did not grieve his loss for he knew that they had both fought fiercely for something that they all believed in, instead he worried for his mother and how this news would affect her, Amandur received his arm and leg injury in this battle, while battling the fierce men of Harad. He tended and bound his own injuries and rode with his kin to the Black gates were he proved himself once more in battle.

After the fall of Sauron and the defeat of his dark army, Amandur remained in Minas Tirith, He was one of the few that dared to enter the great fortress to look for prisoners and any hidden enemies. It was here that he and a few other rangers found Valaindon (Léspheria's mother). She was close to death and they could do nothing for her, but before dying she bade him tell Léspheria that she was sorry, and to tell both her children to protect the gift, but before she could explain she passed away.

After the wedding of their chieftain and now King to the Lady Arwen of Rivendell, he rode with the elven host back to Rivendell bearing Valaindon's body and her final words, there he learnt that Léspheria had spent the whole year in a state of Fitful fever that no one could explain, but on the date that Amandur had watched Valaindon pass away she had miraculously recovered to full health, as though nothing had ailed her, but upon seeing her Amandur knew that what had ailed her would not ever completely leave her.

He Returned to the havens and brought his mother back to Gondor, but the following year she died from the grief of her loss. Amandur remained in the service of the king and was glad when he found out that Léspheria was to be an Emissary for Rivendell. On her visits they always found time to talk and take long walks. In his heart he greatly desired to return north, so when King Elessar asked for people to go north and re-establish the northern city of Annúminas, he was one of the first to Volunteer.

His Knowledge of Naiore was gained from Lóthaniel and the courts of Gondor were she was listed as one of Saurons minions that had not fallen at her masters defeat and was still at large. There were many who sought this woman and from what Lothaniel had told him of this Elf he was in no hurry to meet her, but if called upon to find her he would.

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Nerindel's post for Amandur


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[ August 07, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Ealasaid]

Great bios, Nerindel! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[Snowdog]

Ah yes! Amandur II! One whom Hanasían learned some skill whilst in Rivendell! Maybe knew his father Halasían??

Good bios!

[Ealasaid]

Okay... I have been working on the Game Submission form. Here's what I have so far. There are still a few question marks that need to be filled in. Let's hear some ideas!

Title: The Lingering Darkness
(I'm thinking maybe we should change to this one due to the undeniable similarity between our original working title and that of another RPG already in progress in The Shire.)

Historical Background: With the downfall of Sauron, evil fled disorganized before the might of the West, but there were some who, having been corrupted, still lingered, either unable or unwilling to admit defeat. This story tells of the pursuit of one such individual in the years after the War of the Ring.

Basic Storyline: Servants of the King pursue Naiore Dannan, the Ravenner of Mordor, who has continued to wreak havoc in the aftermath of the war, but remains elusive. Others become entangled in her trail as well, both with her and against her. The storyline moves through twists and turns to a final showdown between Naiore and the peoples of the west.

The purpose of the story is to: Bring Naiore to justice.

This means we will know the story is over when: Naiore is captured or killed.

Starting Location: The Forsaken Inn, two day's ride east of Bree.

Likely destination: Rivendell

Timeframes:
This game takes place in the FOURTH Age at around year 12, starting in midsummer.
The storyline itself or plot covers 2 months(?)

This game requires a time commitment of 10 weeks (?) from me, the game owner and from the major players.

Characters needed:
2 Rangers - Male, Race of Men.
These two must be veterans of the War of the Ring. They are loyal to the king and fought against evil, although they do not necessarily have to be of the thirty Rangers who rode south during the war. They have a deep friendship with Hanasian, as well as Elrond's sons, Elrohir and Elladan. They will know Kaldir if they were riding with the Rangers 15 years before when Kaldir was captured, or have heard of him and the terrible battle from some of the older Rangers who were there. Or, they may have encountered him more recently while plying his trade as a bounty hunter. They will probably know of Amandur, as well, as he is a rather prominent Ranger, with close association to Aragorn and the court. Outside of these specifications, the writers are free to develop the Ranger characters as they see fit.

2 "Shady Underworld Types" -- Male, Race of Men.
Be as creative as you like with these guys. The only restrictions are that they be male, Men, and up to no good. They can either be working together or separately. They fall in with Naiore, probably somewhere in the vicinity of the inn. While seeming to work for her, they are also trying to figure out a way to betray her for their own profit. There is no loyalty among thieves!

Character types which would not belong: Any not listed above.

Dedicated Characters:
Ealasaid (Game Owner) will play 2 characters: Kaldir and Benia Nightshade (both Race of Men)
Nerindel (Game Owner) will play 2 characters: Lespheria (Elf) and Amandur (Man)
Elora will play 3 characters: Naiore, Vanwe, and Menecin (all elves)
Snowdog will play 1 character: Hanasian (Man)
Hilde Bracegirdle will play 1 character: Gilly Banks (Hobbit)

(We will insert the Bios with First Posts into the final version of the form after each name.)

NCE’s who will figure into the storyline:
Elladan
Elrohir
Celeborn
These are actual Tolkein figures and, when writing about them, writers need to exercise extreme care that they are presented with accuracy, according to Tolkein's original characterizations of them.

Additional NCE's who will figure into the storyline are the personnel from the Forsaken Inn, which for the purposes of this RPG, are as follow:
(Renamed Green Dragon personnel -- c'mon, folks! Help me out here!)

FIRST POSTS MUST ACCOMPANY ALL CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS. 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. Writers will be chosen based on the quality of their submission, not on a first come, first in, basis.

Proposer/Owner: Ealasaid
RPGs at the Barrow Downs I have participated in are the following: Sailing Away (a cameo role); Dark Seduction; Corsairs & Corsets

Proposer/Owner: Nerindel
RPGs at the Barrow Downs I have participated in are the following: In the Footsteps of the Grey Company, The Summons, Dark Seduction and The fall of Greenwood the Great.

[ August 01, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaid ]

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Ealasaid, I feel like I am interupting a conversation here, so sorry, and also my apologies for the tardy bio. I hope it helps nail down Gilly’s character, although it doesn’t really help one “get into her head”. Suffice it to say that it is rather a squirrel cage in there.

Have had Carl accompany Gilly to the Inn as I can't see her traveling on her own. (Or on a tour bus for middle aged hobbits!)

“Lingering Darkness” sounds like an appropriate title.


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

Hilde's character

NAME: Gilly Burrows Banks

AGE: 45


RACE: Hobbit


GENDER: Female


WEAPONS: Gilly has a knife, which she views as a tool rather than a weapon. At need she is more likely to impress the mundane objects around her to serve as weapons than to remember it’s existence.


APPEARANCE: Gilly is a middle aged and middle class hobbit as is reflected by her appearance. She is of average height and sturdy mature figure, though by no means overweight. The long braid of her wavy light brown hair is shot through with gray and tied in a knot at the back of her neck, curling wisps framing her broad face and dark brown eyes. She wears a simple homespun white blouse under a long dress of coarse dark green stuff that is edged with her own tatting work. At her waist is a wide belt of brown leather and around her shoulders a loosely woven shawl of varying shades of brown and tan knobby wool.


PERSONALITY: Gilly is a peaceful, practical sort. Her joy in life is maintaining a pleasant well-managed household and so she is typically trying to smooth out rough patches and looking for a better way of doing things. She has a narrow set of friends mostly in her own neighborhood, and while it takes time to win her confidence once you have it she is a devoted and loyal friend. Gilly is governed by a strong set of principles and is known to cast reason aside to do what she feels is honorable and right. She is quick to smile and has a sense of humor.


STRENGTHS: Her strengths lie in her perseverance and kind heart.


WEAKNESSES: It is her weakness to be overly suspicious, and to act before thinking things through to their logical end.


HISTORY: Gilly comes from the Burrows family of Bywater and spent a happily uneventful childhood on the family’s farmstead outside the town proper.


When she was in her tweens she had stumbled upon the plight of Jack Nightshade and his small family. Convincing her parents of their need, the Nightshades had been the Burrows’ guests for sometime before moving secretly onward. During this time a strong friendship had formed between Jack Nightshade’s daughter Benia and the hobbit, Gilly; and Gilly had in turn became aware of the troubled world outside of the Shire.


Immediately preceding the war, Gilly was married to Carl Banks, an oil merchant from Bywater and moved into his small living quarters just over the room housing his oil press. They lead a peaceful life until the war brought grief to the Shire and the young Banks’ business was burned down as a result of an “accident” involving Sharkey’s men. Gilly and Carl then had moved in with Carl’s parents.


Carl took part in the Battle of Bywater as a guard at the barrier on the road to Hobbiton, a point of pride for Gilly.


After the war the young Banks’ slowly rebuilt the business and were blest with 3 children. Life had settled into the comfortable pattern of domestic turmoil when a letter from Benia arrived asking Gilly if she would be willing to travel beyond Bree for a time to visit her old friend. A bit taken back at the mention of The Forsaken Inn, Carl and Gilly responded in a positive matter on the condition that Miss Nightshade would watch over her friend in Carl’s absence. It was then planned that Carl would accompany his wife to the inn and leave her there for a week while he visited some distant cousins in Archet. The children would in turn be visiting their Grandmother Banks. At the very most, they planned to return to Bywater within three weeks.

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Hilde's post for Gilly


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[ August 07, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Ealasaid]

Great Bio, Hilde! Glad to see you back on The Thread. As far as interrupting a conversation - never! I was also speaking to you. If I was having a specific conversation with anyone, it was probably with myself.... [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

One question, though... On the name line, you put Gilly Burrows Brown. Is it Banks (as you stated later) or Brown?

[ August 01, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaid ]

[Ealasaid]

Here's the progress report:

So far, we have bios from:
Elora: Naiore, Vanwe, Menecin
Ealasaid: Kaldir, Benia
Snowdog: Hanasian
Nerindel: Lespheria, Amandur
Hilde: Gilly Burrows Banks
That's all of us -- great work, everybody!

We have a tentative outline (still subject to massive revision or even chucking). Snowdog -- I'm still looking forward to seeing your version! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] Also, I imagine Elora will have quite a lot to say on that subject when she gets back.

We have our Character List for new writers:
2 Rangers to travel with Hanasian
2 underworld types to work with/against Naiore

If the form I pasted in earlier today meets with everyone's approval, we have a mostly finished Game Submission Form.

We still need:
* New identities for Inn personnel
* "Final" Outline (It doesn't have to be set in concrete... just a guideline we can go by when the game starts.)
* First Posts from the bunch of us
* Completed Game Submission Form for Pio

As Hilde can tell you, I am lousy with names, so I am especially hoping for new ideas regarding the inn personnel. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[ August 01, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaid ]

[Nerindel]

Ok I filled this in for you Ealasaid [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Proposer/Owner: Nerindel
RPGs at the Barrow Downs I have participated in are the following:In the Footsteps of the Grey Company, The Summons, Dark Seduction and The fall of Greenwood the Great.


as for staff are we keeping them the same race and gender as in the green dragon?

[Ealasaid]

Thanks, Nerindel! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]
As for the Green Dragon/Forsaken Inn personnel, that same question had occurred to me. It would be simpler to keep them the same, but I don't think we are tied into anything.

[Nerindel]

hehe that was fun [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img], I put the three Hobbit names from the Green dragon through the BD's name generator and here is the Hobbit names it came up with [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] :

Vinca (cook) - Aldarida Boffin
Ruby Brown (server and maid)- Rowan Brandybuck
Buttercup Brownlock (kitchen assistant and maid) - Amarantha Willow


I also have a few suggestions for the other two [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Derufin (stablemaster/handyman) - Dervorin, Fréalas, Hasimë or Tarciron

Aman (innkeeper) - Alfiran,Silmeriën or Fimbriel

[ August 02, 2003: Message edited by: Nerindel ]

[piosenniel]

I am awaiting, with great anticipation, the beginning of this game . . .

[Nerindel]

This game requires a time commitment of 10 weeks (?) from me, the game owner and from the major players.

Just to let you guys know in advance, I will be away from the 24th to the 29th of September, with no access to a computer [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]


Also I hate to be a pain but are we sure we want our final destination to be Rivendell, I don't know about you guys but I think it would be ashame to see elven blood spilled in the last stonghold of the elves. I know that we have agree'd to leave the ending open, which is great by the way!. but if by the end Elora still feels that Naiore would rather die than be captured, Léspheria would be most agrieved if Naiores blood or her own for that matter was spilled in Rivendell. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]

Why not go for Eloras suggestion of the Gladdening fields were Naiores terror began, after all it is only about 150 miles east then south of Rivendell.

just a suggestion, let me know what do you think? [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[Ealasaid]

Why not go for Eloras suggestion of the Gladdening fields were Naiores terror began, after all it is only about 150 miles east then south of Rivendell.

Sounds good to me! If there are no objections from Snowdog or Hilde, I will make the change on the Game Submission Form.

Also, no problem about your upcoming absence. Thanks for the advance warning!

[Ealasaid]

I put the three Hobbit names from the Green dragon through the BD's name generator and here is the Hobbit names it came up with :
Vinca (cook) - Aldarida Boffin
Ruby Brown (server and maid)- Rowan Brandybuck
Buttercup Brownlock (kitchen assistant and maid) - Amarantha Willow

Brilliant!! I love it. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

I also like your suggestions for the other inn personnel. My faves would probably be:

Derufin (stablemaster/handyman) - Dervorin
Aman (innkeeper) - Fimbriel

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

One question, though... On the name line, you put Gilly Burrows Brown. Is it Banks (as you stated later) or Brown?

Crikey, what was I thinking?! [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] Of course you are right Ealasaid. I have changed it to Banks.

And speaking of names, bravo Nerindel! All sound good to me.

Gladden fields sounds fine, just curious as to who will be going down there and if the high state of tension can be maintained until the finale. Then again I know that with all you excellent writers it will work out fine!

I am awaiting, with great anticipation, the beginning of this game . . .

Pio, is that a hint to press on? [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[ August 02, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[piosenniel]

Not a hint at all - I really am looking forward to reading the efforts of the writers in-character, but I also want the Game plan done well - so take as much time as is needed. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[Ealasaid]

Gladden fields sounds fine, just curious as to who will be going down there

Why, all of us who are still standing, of course! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] But, seriously, we would have to see what is happening by then in the game. Maybe Benia & Gilly would remain in Rivendell. Who knows? [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[ August 02, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaid ]

[Ealasaid]

Looking at this Planning Thread, I am beginning to think Ealasaid talks too much! [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] Either that or she needs to find some other things to do... [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

But seriously, that being said, I have an updated version of my prospective outline. Please feel free to pick it apart or toss it in the trash.

ACT 1:
Lespheria departs, leaving Amandur at the inn, where he remains in the hopes of finding out where Naiore is. He already knows she is somewhere in the north.
Naiore & Vanwe meet up in the woods outside the inn.
Kaldir captures Gilly, who is trying to rescue Benia.
Hanasian returns to the inn from Bree to discover that Benia is gone. His suspicions are aroused when he finds that Kaldir and Gilly have vanished as well.
2 Shady Underworld Types arrive at the inn.
?? 2 New Rangers arrive at the inn, meeting Amandur and Hanasian??

ACT 2:
Kaldir returns to the woods, where he had earlier sensed an ominous presence, and discovers that it is indeed Naiore. (How?) Bent on revenge, he picks up her trail.
Naiore, whose original intent was to kill Vanwe, changes her mind & decides to use Vanwe in order to catch Kaldir, whom she never quite managed to kill during the war. As her own form of stress-relief, she would rather like to finish the job.
Hanasian & Amandur also learn of Naiore's presence (possibly through one or another of the inn personnel that Vanwe might have told in her hurry to leave “I‘m leaving with my mother“, or some other vague remark that only someone in the know might truly understand the significance of.)
Having been intercepted and turned back by a messenger from her twin brother, Lespheria returns to the inn, where she rejoins Amandur.
Hanasian joins forces with the other two (as yet unnamed) Rangers.
?? Hearing somehow of Naiore’s presence, the Underworld Types decide to seek her out??
They all depart (in separate groups) in pursuit of Naiore.
Gilly and Benia accompany Kaldir as his prisoners (sort of).

Act 3:
Naiore takes up with the two Shady Underworld Types, much to Vanwe’s consternation, with the intent of using them insofar as they are useful. Realizing that Lespheria and more Rangers than just Kaldir are on her trail, she decides to kill as many of them as she can.
The Hunters & the Hunted all stalk each other a bit. There are run-ins & confrontations as Naiore attempts to take out her pursuers by whatever means she has at her disposal.
Gilly & Benia try to decide whether to assist Kaldir, escape from him, or attempt to redeem him.
?? Kaldir & Hanasian clash over Benia??

Act 4:
As they near Rivendell, Naiore changes her focus again & speeds toward Rivendell, forgetting her pursuers for the moment in order to plan how to get at Menecin.
?? Lespheria & Amandur join forces with Hanasian's group?? They ride ahead to Rivendell to warn Menecin & Elrond's sons.
Shady Underworld Types begin to plot against Naiore.
Kaldir continues to track Naiore.
?? Gilly & Benia chance upon Vanwe & try to talk her away from Naiore ?? (This would be an attempt to help Vanwe, but I imagine Vanwe would view them with suspicion as they are traveling with Kaldir)

Act 5:
Naiore makes her attempt to kill Menecin. She fails & flees, deserting Vanwe to her fate.
Kaldir, who has not entered Rivendell, again picks up her trail.
Naiore learns of her Underworld cohorts’ plan to betray her. She deals with them, then flees south toward Gladden Fields.
Kaldir is joined in the hunt by the others. Eventually, they corner Naiore for a final showdown.
We tie up loose ends … or set up the sequel… Lingering Darkness II: Naiore Escapes!
The End.

Anyway, I hope it gives everyone a little more stuff to think over. I know we are all waiting for Elora to get back into the discussion before settling on anything definite.

[Snowdog]

Well Ealasaid caught pretty much what I was going to write in the form. I would add a little here and there is all.

Title: The Lingering Shadows

Historical Background:
With the destruction of the One Ring and the downfall of Sauron, the evil of the lands fled disorganized and broken before the might of the West. Men and lands that were long under the grasp of the Shadow were now freed by the grace of King Elessar, and peace was known to all. But there were still some who, having been corrupted and having grown used to positions of power, still lingered, either unable or unwilling to admit defeat and accept the rule of the King. They were few, and they had scattered about the lands to hide and cause such troubles as they could. The King, being wise and with much foresight, knew that these remnents of evil would not submit and would spread fear in the newly-freed lands, and would have to be brought to justice. In the second year of his reign, he commissioned a Company consisting mostly of Dúnedain Rangers he knew and those who served under Faramir in Ithilien. In ten years of vigilence, they were fairly successful in their mission, but there was one who eluded them. This story tells of the final days of pursuit of this wiley individual...

Basic Storyline: Servants of the King pursue Naiore Dannan, the Ravenner of Mordor, who has continued to wreak havoc in the aftermath of the war and has remained elusive of her pursuers. Along her trail of evasion, others have become entangled in her wiles, both with her and against her. This story moves through the varied twists and turns that lead to a final showdown between Naiore and the peoples of the west.

The purpose of the story is to: Bring Naiore to justice.

The story is over when: Naiore is captured or killed.

Starting Location: The Forsaken Inn, a days journey east of Bree.

Likely ending destination: Somewhere near the Gladden Fields.

Timeframes:
This RP takes place in the Year 12 of the FOURTH Age, starting in midsummer.
The storyline covers roughly 2 months through the latter half of summer moving towards fall.

This game requires a time commitment of 12 weeks (?) from me, the game owner and from the major players.
__________

Ok, so can we actually make it writing in three months real time for two months RP time? I really don't want anyone to have to "force-write" anything or gloss over any interactions because of artifical time restraints.


Now to go over Ealasaid's fine listing above... [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]
It looks pretty good, though I listed it as such:

ACT I: Happening at the Forsaken Inn
The Rangers meet (Amandur, Hanasían, and the other two)
Naiore & Vanwe meet near the Inn
the two shady characters are either already at the Inn or arrive (writers choice)
Benia, Kaldir, and Gilly are not at the Inn but are in the nearby woods.

Act II: Meetings
Kaldir and Naiore sense each other in the wooded lands near the Inn.
Vanwe seeks Naiore
Per chance, intuition, or whispered rumor, Naiore's presense is suspected by the Rangers and also the shady characters.
Naiore is sought by all in their own ways.
Gilly & Benia are in custody of Kaldir.

Act III: Intrigue
Naiore, Vanwe, and the two shady folk get together (though I'm not sure how this will be written as the Rangers will be in active pursuit of her. Maybe they could leave the Inn first and follow Vanwe??)
The Hunters & the Hunted all stalk each other a bit. There are run-ins & confrontations as Naiore attempts to take out her pursuers by whatever means she has at her disposal.
Gilly & Benia try to decide whether to assist Kaldir, escape from him, or attempt to redeem him. Hanasian finds Kaldir.

ACT IV: The noose tightens...
With Rangers and bounty hunters closing in, Naiore changes her focus from killing the Rangers to pursuing Menecin, using any and all to conceal her path. Shady characters start to realize she may be setting them up for a fall and so plot against her.
Gilly & Benia manage to free themselves or Kaldir loosens his grip as he increasingly looks for Naiore. The Rangers (all of them) and Lespheria ride together.

ACT V: The End game
Naiore tries to take down anyone she can whilst planning to escape the closing trap. The shady characters plan their move against Naiore, either on their own or together, and in her course to shake her pursuers, Naiore is trapped somewhere near the Gladden Fields.
____________

Ok... that is the basics as I see it, which is for the most part how Ealasaid has written it. To keep the ending interesting, I propose that some bounty is on Naiore's head due to her being able to evade the King's company. So it could be anyone who finally brings Naiore in? Just a thought.

[ August 04, 2003: Message edited by: Snowdog ]

[Ealasaid]

This game requires a time commitment of 12 weeks (?) from me, the game owner and from the major players.

Pio says we can have up to 13 weeks. Shall we just max in out, then? [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Also, I like the way you expanded on the history & background listings. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] But I think we will have the final showdown take place at Gladden Fields, rather than Rivendell, as suggested by Elora & Nerindel.

[ August 04, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaid ]

[Snowdog]

Right... sure... 13 weeks will work. Also, I edited the ending destination above.

And no, you don't talk too much Ealasaid. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[Ealasaid]

To keep the ending interesting, I propose that some bounty is on Naiore's head due to her being able to evade the King's company. So it could be anyone who finally brings Naiore in? Just a thought.

I was just assuming that there is a sizeable bounty on Naiore's capture or death. So, let's go with that. It's the only way the subplot with the Underworlders really will work. I can't see them trying to befriend then betray her for the good of humanity! [img]smilies/evil.gif[/img]

Also, good outline, Snowdog! It's much less detailed than mine, which is good as it leaves the characters more room to move within the framework of the action.

Great work! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[ August 04, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaid ]

[Snowdog]

Yeah.. it only makes sense there was a price on her head. I was doing all that through the day here at work, so my brain is toast.

[Nerindel]

Bravo, if I was wearing a hat I would be tipping it to you both [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

I also like your suggestions for the other inn personnel. My faves would probably be: Derufin (stablemaster/handyman) - Dervorin
Aman (innkeeper) - Fimbriel

Yes, I like those two also [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

One again about the first posts….

How are we going to achieve this, are we taking our posts in order out of the Green Dragon and posting them in this story? Or are we trying to encapsulate what went on before in one long post each?

Just thought I should start to get to work on this. Mid August is rapidly approaching!

[Nerindel]

Hilde, I'm glad you brought that up, I too was wondering how we would do this!

I was thinking that maybe the first post for the game could be a summary of events already past. So that we can write fresh new first post. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

but I'm not quite sure how to encapsulate all that information into one post.

~Nerindel~

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

It maybe too difficult to do as a single post, since our characters interact. I can see a potential problem with duplication and coherency, not to mention “time warps” between the end of one person’s post and the beginning of another’s.

One way around it would to be to work jointly on a general beginning post that summarized what had transpired up to the point where we left off at the Green Tavern, and then write our individual first posts from there.

[ August 06, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Snowdog]

Yes, I've given this some thought as I have been writing bits and pieces of my first post which will include a bit of Hanasían's backstory to the time he arrived at the (Green Dragon, now Forsaken) Inn, then a first-person account of the happenings at the Inn (a synopsis of the happenings at the Green Dragon) though it will be referenced as the Forsaken.

Actually, if everyone involved at the Green Dragon could write a first person synopsis of how they saw the events written previously, it will fill in the backstory from each character's perspective. Then we can write at the end the 'first post' where we will be interacting in our writings again at or near the Forsaken Inn. Just a passing thought as I sit here at work and talk to customers about medical equipment. This way, there will be no real timing issues in the backstory.What do you all think?

[ August 06, 2003: Message edited by: Snowdog ]

[Ealasaid]

It's a difficult question, that's for sure. Ummm...Snowdog, I didn't quite follow what you are suggesting. Could you clarify it, please?

Are you saying that we each write a first person narrative (from each character) that narrates what has happened from the time of that character's arrival at the inn to the present, then we pick up from there with our first posts?

Another possibility is to preface each first post with an italicized narration of the lead-in events, along with any pertinent info the writer wants the reader to know up front. I, for one, am not terribly comfortable with first person narration. I tend to go off on too many psychological tangents, and even the occasional rant.