In the Shadow of the Star: Discussion Thread (Part 1)

[Mithadan]

That took eight months to play out? [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Hello all,

We are in the process of sending out invitations to those whom we've asked to play. As the invitations are sent out, and the returns trickle back, we'll be asking the Shire posters to do very brief profiles on the characters they've been assigned. Since many of the characters are directly based on Tolkien's writings, or on the earlier Star RPG, these profiles will naturally be shorter than the normal ones.

It would be helpful if the older posters from the Star could include something about your own characters as background information. (I have something on Pio and Mith already which I need to paste in.)

These sketches can be lengthy ones you've prepared from long ago. (I know a few of us have those stashed away.) Or it can simply be a few sentences hammered out as background for this RPG.

Think of things that might come up in the sequel which could confuse someone who'd never read our original story. A good example of that might be the word "Snowhobbits." I understand we may have one or two tagging along.

Helen--Bring along as many of the Snowhobbits as you like, since the Bill Ferny subplot will definitely have an angle involving children.

Also, some of you may get a private message from one or more of the Shire posters. We are suggesting to them that they go ahead and contact the person whom their own characters are likely to interact with. For example, whoever plays Sam is probably going to need to talk to Frodo (Helen) to discuss what direction you may want to go in the story. Similarly, Rose Goodchild needs to speak with Lindo.

Helen,

Why do I get the feeling that you're going to be very busy?

sharon

[Child of the 7th Age]

Mith,

Just like old times....we've managed to cross post.

Hey, I could have put all the bitter details in, but then everyone would be reading the synopsis instead of working on the sequel. Actually, given the angst that Cami and the other hobbit/hobbrim characters in our story exhibited, I'm surprised that the story didn't take 12 months!

sharon

[ February 07, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Mithadan]

Angst? You want angst? I seem to recall...never mind.

I just read the entire Shadow Star thread. Excellent job! That's one heck of a backstory!

[Child of the 7th Age]

Pio and Mith's posts

BACKSTORY: Mithadan and Piosenniel

Mithadan was born the third and youngest son of Galasmir, lord of the small port town of Lond Lefnui which lay in the Anfalas of Gondor. It was said that Galasmir and his sons were descended in direct line from Elros, son of Earendil, and thus were possessed of a degree of Elven blood. Indeed the loremasters of Gondor had presented Galasmir with a scroll, naming each of his ancestors back to the First Age and, on feast days, he would produce the scroll for his guests and point proudly the names which appeared at the head of the list: “Beren Erchamion (Camlost) and Luthien (Tinuviel).”

But the days of the First Age were long passed and now rarely did any sign of Elvish blood appear in that line. Indeed, Galasmir had fair hair and brown eyes as did two of his sons. But Mithadan was born with grey eyes and their colour did not fade or change in the weeks before his naming and thus his name was chosen. And his hair was not fair but rather raven black, the colour of the midnight sky. He grew tall and straight and when he reached his manhood, some whispered as he passed, “Verily, it is true the ancient saying that the line of Luthien and Beren shall never fail.”

Yet he remained the youngest son of a lesser, though prosperous, lord of Gondor. He had barely reached the age of twenty years at the time of the War of the Ring and had been left behind by his father to guard the town and its port while Galasmir and his other sons marched proudly to Minas Tirith. While his role was a honourable one and indeed did the Corsairs of Umbar land a force of many men in Anfalas seeking to take the port, Mithadan was ever ashamed that he did not take part in the greater events to the east. And ever and anon some foolish cot holder, whether out of spite or besottedness, would name him Mithadan the Meaningless and it cannot be said that word of this did not reach his ears.

Thus, when his brothers returned from the War (Galasmir was slain in the Siege) Mithadan resumed his studies with renewed vigor and soon, taking some few tokens of his house with him, apprenticed as a mariner. Not long thereafter, he demonstrated sufficient skill and valour in repelling a raid out of Umbar that he was given command of his own vessel and began trading along the coasts traveling even as far as the Grey Havens far to the North. And Mithadan loved especially his visits to this Elven port for, as a child, he had explored the then deserted haven of Edhellond which lay to the east of his home. With a few friends, he had snuck secretly from his house and, ignoring the legends that the haven was haunted, had journeyed there and stayed for several days with his fellows, fighting feigned battles in the defense of Gondolin where his ancestor Earendil had been born. When he returned days later, his father had beaten him soundly and forbade him from returning to the ruined city. But ever after, he fondly recalled those few days when he and his friends had been counted among the mighty of Beleriand.

Now, on one such journey to the Grey Havens, he returned with both cargo and passengers and among these was a strange Elf named Piosenniel. Tall and fair as any Elf, Piosenniel had dark hair which was oddly curled for one of the Eldar. On a leather belt, Piosenniel carried a sword and a number of sheathed knives. The belt held up breeches which in turn covered the tops of worn leather boots; a wanderer clearly this Elf. But what was most strange was that this well-armed, soldierly Elf was a maiden.

Mithadan knew that Elves valued their privacy but he found himself very curious about Piosenniel. Elven maids rarely bear arms except at last resort, it was said though none could deny their valour if old tales be true. However, she was aloof and singularly disinterested in speaking with him.

The extent of their first conversation was that she was bound for Gondor, her errand was her own thank you, and no she would not join him at the Captain’s Table. If the youngest son of a lesser lord learns little, one thing he learns is politeness. So he troubled her little, though politeness does not satisfy curiosity.

From other passengers, Mithadan learned that Piosenniel was well known in both the Grey Havens and Rivendell and had been rumoured to join the traveling companies at times, whatever they were. She was typically well mannered, if quiet, but was known to be impatient and said to be brave to the point of foolhardiness. She was also rumoured to be of odd heritage though none knew, or told, why.

No more could Mithadan learn and he resolved to let the matter drop as his vessel approached the Mouths of Anduin. Here his helmsmanship and navigational skills were needed and there was little time to think of the secretive Elf. He assumed that Piosenniel would assume some small place in his memory along with the many others who passed briefly through his life. But this was not to be.



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

Piosenniel was born in the year 504 of the First Age. Her mother was a Kuduk, Holly, living in the Dor-Lómin region of western Beleriand. Her father was Nenwë, the son of Falastur, a captain in the service of Olwë.

Now Olwë was brother to Thingol who with Melian dwelt in Menegroth, the Thousand Caves. In I 505, the Sons of Fëanor attacked Menegroth, in hopes of regaining the Silmaril. It was during this battle that Nenwë fought alongside Dior, Thingol’s heir and ruler of Menegroth at that time, and both were killed in this Second Kinslaying.

Now one year old, Piosenniel was sent, with her mother, to be under the protection of Turgon’s daughter, Idril, in Gondolin. Most of the Hobbits dwelling in Beleriand had been taken to the Hidden City to be kept safe from Morgoth. It was a frightening time in Beleriand for both Elves and for Hobbits, as Morgoth’s minions harassed the Elven populations and he sought control of all Beleriand.

Piosenniel was separated from her mother and escaped from Gondolin at its fall in I 510 with Idril and her family. When Morgoth was at last overcome, and Beleriand sunk beneath the waves, Idril sent her to foster among the Teleri, Piosenniel’s kin, along the Gulf of Lhûn.

This was one of the times she held most dear. Simpler days among the Solonelli - the Surf-singers, the Falinelli - the Foam-singers. For these two words were the names the Teleri gave themselves. The harmony of their voices and the graceful rhythms of their movements adding truth to their naming.

They had taken her in as one of their own, teaching her to love the sea. A child of Ulmo she had become, brown under the sun, her arms and legs taking her far into the currents and deep below the glassy surface of the water. She had reveled in the freedom, and often, in her long life, found herself wishing she could sink once again into the salty arms of the waves.

Life was sweet to her and wondrous, and as she grew older, she had a thirst to taste all the offerings of Arda. And so she left her Elven haven and traveled out wherever her feet or a sailing ship would take her. It was during one of these journeys that she first met the young captain, Mithadan – a meeting which she did not recall.

Many years passed before Piosenniel was to meet again with Mithadan, then captain of The Lonely Star. She and her boon companion, Birdland, were in port - Harlond, just south of Minas Anor. It was there that fate conspired to bring them together with Mithadan and Cami Goodchild and set them the task that would cement the friendship of Man. Elf, Shapechanger, and Hobbit.

The journey was a long one, through time and distance. Many perils beset the companions as they strove to fulfill the task laid before them, as well as many joys, not the least of which was the love which grew between the Elf and the Man.

This was a perilous journey, in itself, but in the end they were wed, and the joyous product of their union was to be the twins, a boy and girl, who were to be born on Midyear Day, Year 12 of the Fourth Age

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

[mark12_30]

Lindo was an only child born to two middle-aged hobbits who lived on the outskirts of Gondolin, in the hobbit villages governed by Maura Took. As he grew, he was unusually drawn to the elvish culture nearby. He spent more and more time in the city of elves, and made friends with the elf children, learning their songs and dances, and sharing their love of ponies. At the age of eighteen, he was hired by Idril Celebrindal as stablehand and pony trainer.

He lived in Idril's household, studying and dancing and training with the children, singing often. He had a pleasant voice, and the elf-children found him entertaining. He returned home to he hobbit village for holidays and celebrations, and took time then to court Niphredil, the girl he loved. But the vast amount of his time was spent with ponies and elf-children. When his duties permitted, and by Idril's orders, he participated in their studies and their physical training; thus he learned the rudiments of elvish poetry and lore, rudiments of dancing, agility, and basic martial arts, and also the rudiments of osanwe. He dressed in elf-children's clothing until Idril ordered adult elvish clothes tailored for him. He was careful to blend in as much as he could, and this included wearing his hair long and partially braided the way the elves of that city did.

All this concerned Maura, who cautioned Lindo that he had spent too much time among the elves, and had lost his hobbit-roots and essential hobbit-culture; but Lindo shrugged off Maura's concerns, and immersed himself further into Idril's household. The only hobbits he concerned himself deeply about were his parents, and Niphredil.

Thus he spent a full fifteen years immersed in the elvish culture of Gondolin. However, by the fall of Gondolin he was separated from the elven culture and returned to the hobbits. He lost Niphredil to an enemy arrow; and during the ensuing forced march and imprisonment of the hobbits, he lost both of his parents. What with the loss of the three hobbits most dear to him and the household and culture he lived in, his readjustment to hobbit life while in prison camp proved difficult.

He found himself assigned to children again: tiny hobbit-babes; and partway through the imprisonment found himself the leader of fourteen young teenage rascals who became known as the Snowhobbits of Ladros. When the imprisonment ended, he adopted three of them and accepted the responsibility of guiding the rest of the Snowhobbits into adulthood. He was regarded as a Loremaster early on, and wrote numerous lullabyes, laments, and some heroic poetry. The heroic poetry was of interest only to the young elven playmates and is now lost, but the hobbits passed the lullabyes and laments down through many generations.

[ February 07, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[mark12_30]

Still to come: eh, let's see:
Cami's hobbit boys: Gamba, Ban, Maura, Asta, Roka ; The Snowhobbits; Frodo Baggins

Hmm, perhaps I'll edit the Snowhobbits into Lindo's bio. Only his sons, Retya, Tem, and Tocca will come.

... Gamba is too recent! I can't synopsis-ize him, not after just having written his epilog... Not tonight, anyway. I'll try again tomorrow.

Sharon, you've done pretty well with Frodo already? I don't need anything for him, right? I'll have to brush up on him again...

I just wrote a Tom Bombadil chapter in Bolco-in-the-Shire... talk about intimidating. I don't have him quite right; not enough rythm in his speech, and not enough sparkle and zest either. Gah! I was hoping to revisit it tomorrow. Looks like I'll be writing bios and doing that too...

[ February 09, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[Birdland]

This is the background history for Birdie's race; the Skin-Changers. It is in no way based on anything Tolkien wrote, except for a brief mention in his writings that there were other skinchangers in Middle-earth besides The Beorn.

The Beorning are a most ancient, noble race. Their people have dwelled in the Northern Vales of Middle Earth for countless centuries, where they have built their fantastic lodges of wood and stone, and farmed the fertile river valley of the Anduin. The center of their territory is The Carrock, a massive rock island that splits the Anduin in twain, north of the Old Ford. The Carrock is both Marker and Meeting place. It is said that the first Beorning to come to Middle Earth stood on the peak of Carrock, surveying the land, and first assuming the aspect of The Bear.

For the Beorn are Skin-Changers. The only form they will take on, besides that of large, doughty Men, is that of The Bear, whom they regard as the greatest and wisest of all the creatures of Eru. Through the years, the Beorning have achieved a perfect balance of the two forms, blending their Human and Animal aspects in such a way that a Beorn in Man-Shape still retains all the nobler, (and dangerous) traits of Ursa, and when a Bear?…well…vice-versa.

They are a very successful, prosperous race. They have never been routed from their ancient kingdom, never been defeated in battle, and their trade with Men, Elves and Dwarves have enriched their coffers, to the benefit of all Beorn-Kind.

Of course, most Skin-Changers bear no resemblance whatsoever to the Beorning.

Skin-Changers are thought to have originally come from the Southern lands, perhaps Near Harad or Khand, or maybe even farther into the Hither Lands. They are a small race of men, never achieving the lofty heights of the Numenorean races. Though never as small as Hobbits, they seldom, if ever, grow taller than 2 meters. They are generally light boned and nimble, (some might describe them as “scrawny”), though a male skin-changer may possess surprising strength and can defeat a larger opponent, particularly in wrestling. Their skin is olive, their hair mostly black and thick. The eyes are generally brown, though blue or green eyed Skin-Changers are not that uncommon.

But that, is of course, is when they are in Human form. For Skin-Changers can assume almost any shape, whether animal, vegetable, or mineral, that they like. They cannot, however, assume the form of another Man, Halfling, Dwarf, or Elf. But they can, for some reason, turn into Ents. (It is thought that the “woody“ nature of these Free People somehow allows for this type of metamorphosis.)

Now most people would think it a wonderful thing, to be able to take on any aspect that you like. To escape your troubles by flying away as a bird, or taking to sea as a fish. But this very talent can lead to an inability to face responsibility. If you can escape from your life by adopting another, you may never learn to face your troubles and overcome them. The Beorning, for this very reason, regard their smaller cousins as a flighty, irresponsible, sometimes silly people, who cannot take life seriously.

The majority of Skin-Changers regard Beornings as fanatics.

Men of Power covet Skin-Changers; for they are, of course, the perfect spies and thieves. For this reason the race has been plagued through the ages by Forces of Evil who sought to control Skin-Changers and use them to further their aims. There are even horrific stories of necromancers who would “study” captive Skin-Changers, in order that they might absorb the talent to change form, and use it themselves. Though not a particularly political race, never taking sides in the ongoing conflicts between Men, Elves, and Dwarves, Skin-Changers have always turned from the Dark Side. They have fled in terror from those who sought to control them. And since they are Skin-Changers, fleeing is usually quite easy.

The one way Men of Evil have found to gain sway over the race is through their children. If the youngest child of a Skin-Changer can be captured, before its talent has been manifested, (generally around the age of 12-13), then the cooperation of the parents can be ensured. Sadly, this has lead to the practice of infanticide / suicide among the Skin-Changers, if they find that themselves in a situation where escape without the young children is impossible.
When Sauron’s hand stretched into the Southern Lands for the first time, the Skin-Changers that could fled North.

Now most people of Middle-Earth hate Skin-Changers, for they are of course, the perfect spies and thieves. It did not take long for the race to hide their abilities from “others“, and whatever stable culture Skin-Changers may have had in the Southern Lands was abandoned as they took to the lives of wanderers in Middle Earth.

Skin-Changers became tinkers, peddlers, entertainers, fortune-tellers, and mountebanks. In the early Third Age you might have seen them in their colorful wagon caravans, (which may or may not be drawn by “real” horses), or you may have delighted in the tricks of their clever animals, entertaining the locals at some fair or market day (that may, or may not have, been performed by “real” dogs and birds). It wasn’t long before the only Skin-Changers known to exist in Middle Earth were the mighty Beorning. And this was exactly how the Skin-Changers liked it.

But by the time Birdie had grown and had set out on her adventures, there were no Skin-changers to be found in all her wanderings. She was alone.

Birdie is a skinchanger who was fostered by the Beorn. Her own history, including her first meeting with Piosenniel, will be explained in a future tale. Her friendship with Cami can be read about in the voyages of "The Lonely Star".

[piosenniel]

OK, all you Star players! We now have it in print (Yes, Bird I have saved it to floppy) -

Her own history, including her first meeting with Piosenniel, will be explained in a future tale.

Soon as this section is a wrap, we break out the suntan oil and head south!

[piosenniel]

Auntie Bird!

You have been oscarmeyered once again by the Elf! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] And your post is on the storyline.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Background Story for Cami

Camelia Goodchild ("Cami") was born 1382 S.R., the only child of Obo and Honeysuckle Goodchild. Honeysuckle was from a well-to-do family in Coombe-under-Bree said to be connected with the Tooks; her husband Obo, a Harfoot farmer of modest means, had leased a small burrow on Bagshot Row. Their marriage was a happy one, although Honeysuckle's relations disapproved of the union, and never fully accepted it.

Despite his public objections to the marriage, Honeysuckle's father quietly approached Bilbo and begged him to make sure his granddaughter receive at least a smattering of book learning. Cami was a regular visitor at Bag-end from about age seven on. Many afternoons, she could be found at Bilbo's kitchen table, learning her letters and numbers in the company of her cousin and neighbor Samwise Gamgee.

As Cami grew older, she resolved to follow in Bilbo's footsteps by becoming a writer and historian, a plan her family and neighbors deemed impractical. She ignored these naysayers and followed her heart, assisting Bilbo in his earliest efforts to piece together scattered scraps of Elvish lore. This activity came to an abrupt halt in 1401 when her teacher vanished without explanation. Bilbo's unexpected departure left a great hole in Cami's life that was not to be filled until, many years later, when she met the Loremaster Maura Took.

The untimely demise of her father in a farming accident and the subsequent loss of their homestead left Camelia and her mother in desperate straits. Since Belle Goodchild Gamgee had died several years before, they could not properly go and live with their neighboring kinsfolk, as might otherwise have been the case. The Brockhouse clan failed to provide support, so the women had little choice but to leave Hobbiton, when no other work could be found. They secured postions in Buckland Hall, on Frodo Baggin's recommendation, with Honeysuckle working as a cook and Cami as a nursemaid, an arrangement that continued for some eighteen years.

Fearing that time was passing her daughter by, Honeysuckle made Cami promise to wed Hob Fields, a kindly friend of the family with a small holding in Tukborough. But this was not to be. Like other lads from Tukborough, Hobb fought with Pippin at the Battle of Bywater, and was one of nineteen hobbits killed that day.

With the death of her mother from natural causes just two years later, Cami vowed she would not become another hand-me-down maiden aunt, whose life was bounded by the Shire. On Meriadoc Brandybuck's recommendation, she secured a position as nanny in far-away Minas Tirith, travelling to Gondor with a dwarf trading caravan making its way through Bree. She was hoping for an exciting new start, but things did not turn out the way she had expected. For over ten years, she lovingly tended to the needs of Beregond's children and grandchildren. As the only hobbit in Minas Anor, she found things a bit lonely and spent her free time roaming the streets of the city or reading in its archives for endless hours.

In the tenth year of the Fourth Age, after the death of her aged Aunt Amalda, Cami unexpectedly came upon a small inheritance and found herself appointed guardian for her young cousin Rose Goodchild. It was at this juncture that she decided to break from her past and try to do something that would bring about change and perhaps help other hobbits as well. Just turning fifty, she invested her inheritance in hiring a sailing vessel to search for and rescue sea hobbits, a tale outlined more fully in "The Voyage of the Lonely Star."

This one decision would change Cami's life. Readers should consult the tale of the Star for Cami's friendship with Mithadan, Bird, and Piosenniel; her love of Maura Took; and her subsequent adoption of Gamba and four orphan boys.

[ February 26, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Welcome new posters!

Taps out a drumroll..... Below is a list of posters from the Shire who'll be playing in this game. I've indicated their Downs name followed by the name of the character they've agreed to play. We still have two or three joining us. I'll add their names later as needed.

All new posters will need to do a profile for their character.

1. Those whose characters did not appear in LotR, or whose characters were only briefly mentioned by Tolkien, will need to do a full description just as you'd do for any RPG--physical description, personality, family background, etc.

2. Those who are playing characters whom Tolkien described in depth can do an abbreviated profile. You won't need to go into details on personality or physical appearance, but you might want to mention things in their lives that may have changed by the 12th year of the Fourth Age (position in the Shire, marital status, children, etc.).

3. Everyone will need to indicate in your profile at least one other character you think you may interact with during the game. This isn't meant to restrict you, but should start you thinking about the direction that interaction might take. Try to come up with an idea or two on this, and include these in your profile (but make sure to keep any real secrets hidden!).

Go ahead and contact the other poster by private message so you can discuss and plan together.

I've given some examples below for each character. These are not meant to be exhaustive. Please do come up with other ideas, people, etc. as you see fit.

Villains, please note..... We've come up with some initial ideas for the Ferny and Henchman subplot. We will send you those in a private message, since you won't want your plans to go public!

Arelendil - Green Dragon Innkeeper - Needs a full profile. Will interact with your server and with Piosenniel, since she has run the Inn in the past.

Auriel Haevasawen - Bill Ferny's Henchman - Needs a full profile. Will need to get with Ferny (Doug Platypus).

Carrun - Frodo Gardner Gamgee, 10-year old son of Samwise. Needs fairly full profile, since Tolkien doesn't give us a lot of detail on Sam's children. Will probably want to talk with your sibling(s) and later with the children played by Mark 12_30 (Lindo's Snowhobbits and Cami's adopted boys). I will warn you that they can be a handful!

Bill Ferny - Nasty man! Brief profile will suffice, but tell us what you've been doing for the last twelve years. (It can't be good.) Get with your henchman.

Dragoneyes - Pippin. Brief profile will do. You'll want to talk with Merry and/or another buddy from the Ring quest.

Kiara - Green Dragon Server. Needs a full profile. Will interact with the Innkeeper and Piosenniel as described above under the Innkeeper listing.

LadyinWhite - Rose Goodchild - Cami's adopted daughter from the Star. You'll need a full profile since most aren't familiar with her. Let me know if I've given you enough to work with, or we can talk more. Will be involved with Cami (that's me) and
Lindo played by Mark 12_30.

Nuranar - Rose Cotton Gamgee, Sam's wife. Brief profile needed. Your life has obviously changed since your marriage! Tell us how. As best I can tell from the family tree, you already have 7 children, and are very pregnant with the 8th (Daisy!). You'll have plenty to do with Sam and the kids plus acting as the midwife!

Nurumaiel - Angelica Baggins, Bilbo's favorite niece and Cami's childhood friend. You'll need to do a fairly full profile, since Tolkien doesn't tell us much about her. You'll probably want to talk with Cami, perhaps Sam's wife too.

Orual - Samwise Gamgee. Brief profile. I'll be quite curious to see how you feel about seeing Frodo (Mark 12_30) again!

Rose Cotton Rosie Gamgee, eight-year old daughter of Sam. Full profile needed since Tolkien doesn't tell us too much. You'll want to get with Carrun since she'll be playing Frodo Gamgee, your brother. Also, later on, you'll want to talk with Mark 12_30 who is playing the Snowhobbit children from the First Age (remember them!) and Cami's adopted boys (Gaba and crew).

Still waiting on Elanor Gamgee and Merry.

If you have any trouble at all, drop Pio or I a line and we'll be glad to help!

Remember these characters are being carried by the older Star folk:

Mark 12_30 : Lindo the Loremaster; Chidren: 2-3 Snowhobbits, Gamba and crew; Frodo Baggins

Bird the shapechanger: BTW, Bilbo needs to do some planning with you along the lines we discussed.

Piosenniel: Pio and Amaranthas

Mithadan : Mith and Lorien the Vala

Cami : Cami, Bilbo Baggins, Maura Took

[ February 11, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Nurumaiel]

Okay, first of all, I'd like to say thank you to all for inviting me to play. I hope I can live up to the standards. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Second, here's my profile. It's not too long for now; I'll be editing it and adding more after I can get my hands on my LotR book and see what little Tolkien said about her and after I have some time to think it out a little more. The profile should be complete sometime today or tomorrow.

Name: Angelica Baggins
Age: 52 years
Description: She has brown curls (a few strands of grey can be found) and dark blue eyes. She is not very old for a hobbit, but she's old enough to have lost much of her youthful beauty. Nevertheless, she is still pretty, and still succeeds in making other hobbit women envy her. Oh, and she still has the mirror Bilbo gave her!
Personality: She is not as vain as she once was, but she still considers herself pretty, and she always looks perfect. Her hair is always brushed, her face is always clean, her dress is always spotless. She has, however, developed a motherly personality instead of a carefree girlish one, as she is now a mother.
Family Background: She has married and has three children now, two boys and a girl. Second cousin to Frodo Baggins.
Interactions: Will probably interact with Cami, as they're childhood friends, and Rose (C.) Gamgee, as she (Angelica, that is) will be her assitant midwife. Possibly Frodo, as they're relatives.

If anything else is needed, please let me know.

~Nuru

[ February 14, 2003: Message edited by: Nurumaiel ]

[Orual]

I'm quite excited about this, and I thank you all for inviting me. This ought to be great fun.

Okay, now for my profile--I've tried to synchronize everything in time, but if I've got it off just tell me. I'm working off of year twelve of the Fourth Age, which I think would be 1433 in Shire reckoning. I think that Cami said that Daisy wasn't born yet but would be soon, which would make it '33.

Name: Samwise (Sam) Gamgee
Age: 50 (?)

Update (or, since we last saw our hero...):

A lot changed for Sam since Frodo left for the West, including seven more children and his first term as Mayor, which would be almost over in 1433. He had been married to Rose for fourteen (?) years.

Interactions: Rose Cotton Gamgee and Frodo for certain. I'm a little hesitant to make any more connections, since I'm not sure how this will play out, but I'm assuming that he'll interact with Cami, as well as his own children, and possibly Bilbo.

I'll double-check my chronology and edit if need be.

Namárië,

~*~Orual~*~

[mark12_30]

Orual/Sam,

Welcome! Drop me a line when you can!

--mark12_30/Frodo

[piosenniel]

ATTENTION

Here is your chance to give Feedback on how you think the RPG section of the Barrow Downs is doing.

Click on the gold colored link below and let us know how you are enjoying the Gaming experience, and give any suggestions you would like to the administrators and moderators there. Thanks! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

COMMENTS

[Child of the 7th Age]

I will be adding the final names to the list as they come in, and also posting a brief note in the thread to make sure you notice the additions.

Our latest player is well known to the Star crew in the form of Rose Cotton who, this time around, will be playing Rosie Gamgee, Sam's eight-year old daughter.

Cami

[Child of the 7th Age]

Arwen Baggins will be playing Sam's twelve-year old daughter, Elanor Gamgee.

I'll add her name to the list later, since I have to run now.

Cami

[Rose Cotton]

*Rose bursts into the thread and embraces all her old friends*

HI EVERYONE! I MISSED YOU SO MUCH!
I am seriously crying with joy right now.
How pathetic is that?

I'll have my profile up soon. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

~Rose Cotton

[Birdland]

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

Where you been? You missed the boat!

(Sea-cows wave "Hi!")

[mark12_30]

[img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

Good to have you back, Rose! I missed you!

--Helen

[Carrûn]

Just curious as to when this RPG might begin because I have an enormous amount of work this week and probably won't be able to post a character profile until this weekend.

[Susan Delgado]

Hey everybody. I'll be here too. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[mark12_30]

I'll be in the Seattle area Sat - Fri, most probably netless. Withdrawal!

[Child of the 7th Age]

Susan,

I'm so happy to see you on board. Susan will be playing Merry. Susan and Dragoneyes (Pippin), you'll probably want to get in touch for planning.
*********************************************

We expect the game to begin next Tuesday, February 18.

Shire posters please try and finish the profiles for your characters and post them on this thread by Sunday evening, February 16. Also send out the planning memoes which were discussed above under your character's name.

Plus, you'll want to read the basic information that is in this discussion thread (game proposal, prior RPG summary, character descriptions) and the beginning posts which already appear in the game thread itself. These grew out of the Inn and are very important for understanding what is going on.

As the game starts, this is what is happening:

1. Cami claims Frodo and Bilbo are coming tomorrow night (game time), plus a strange visitor whom Pio claims is a Vala.

2. The Inn is preparing a dinner party for their arrival and will invite their close friends. The Innkeeper and server will be kept busy.

3. One of us will be making the rounds with your invitations! Once you have it, you are welcome to respond, either in an actual sense or thinking about what all this means!

4. Mark12_30, I am sending you a pm to discuss your unfortunate, temporary withdrawal from the computer! The only one of your characters who would be involved next week is Frodo. The rest would come later.

5. Lady in White -- Since Rose doesn't arrive till a bit later (probably a few days), you can sit back and read what others are writing!

6. Mith and Bird are still on the road...although Mith, please note Lorien's appearance with Frodo and Bilbo.

[mark12_30]

Cami, let me know if there's anything I can prep ahead of time. Otherwise... you can always reserve me some slots (Deja Vu All Over Again)... Or, you can handle Frodo til I return... up to you. And now-- the pillow calleth...

[Child of the 7th Age]

Helen,

Me too. But when you awaken, please check your pms.

sharon

[dragoneyes]

I'm happy to have been invited and hope we'll have some fun together [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]. Here's the profile:

Name: Peregrin (Pippin) Took
Age: 43
Update: He's now been married to Diamond of Long Cleeve for six years and has a three-year old son, Faramir.
Interactions: Certainly Merry, perhaps Sam. I don't know about anyone else.

[Nuranar]

A thousand apologies for my deliquency in providing a profile! I have been studying like nobody's business for my calculus test, but now that it's over Rose Cotton Gamgee will make her appearance either Friday or Saturday.

Pio, thank you so very much for the background information you sent me. I can't tell you how much of a help it is!

[doug*platypus]

Hi everyone... no, wait I mean avast ye scurvy halfling dogs! Yeah, that's more of a bad guy thing to say...

I'll be playing the part of Bill Ferny, and will post a profile of sorts on the "one who got away" fairly soon. I thought however that I should post on the discussion thread as soon as possible, to make PMing me easier. I expect to hear from Auriel, and possibly Mithadan, about sketching an outline for our plots and schemes.

Does anyone have a name for Bill's cobber, the Squint-Eyed Southerner from Bree? And what happened to him?

[doug*platypus]

Any ideas, suggestions, or corrections would be very welcome...


Bill Ferny

A man of Bree, of less than independent means. As the saying goes, "A man can use his back or use his brains." Bill was inclined to do neither. Most of his life, he had made his way through less than noble means. Around the Year 3018 of the Third Age, Ferny fell in with some very nasty characters, meaning he was in fine and fitting company indeed.

Agents of Saruman, or Sharkey, a lord of the southern lands, appeared in Bree a few years before 3018. Bill and one of his cobbers, Harry Goatleaf the gatekeeper, were taken on by one of Sharkey's top agents, the squint-eyed southerner. This mysterious and uncouth man came and went on the business of his master, travelling as he would between Bree, the Southfarthing, and the lands to the south. Bill and Harry were to report to him on all matters concerning Bree. It was believed that he also had spies among the Little Folk in the Shire.

Late one evening he arrived at Bill Ferny's house from one of his journeys to the south. He had the fear of death upon him, and could say nothing of what he had seen for quite some time. Bill had fetched him some stiff drink and leftovers from dinner, and left him to his own devices in his guest room. Bill and Harry had had a particularly rough night at the Pony, and he was in no mood to play nursemaid.

The following morning the southerner had recovered somewhat. He was all business now, but the business itself was strangely changed. It seemed more serious and deadly now, but also there was more thought of reward. He stayed at Bree for some time, and he and his two cronies kept a sharp lookout for one particular Hobbit. His name was Baggins.

Bill little thought how his ensuing encounter with this one little halfling, his three companions, and the Ranger, Strider, would change his world so dramatically. He was drawn into a drama that reached far beyond his mean and greedy dreams. Even his own part in it was larger than Bill would have imagined. His toughness was appreciated by Sharkey, and he was taken on as one of the Chief's Big Men in the Shire. Ferny was put in charge of the Brandywine Bridge, a lodge was built for him, and he received from the Chief deeds to various properties in the East Farthing.

Bill's fun in the Shire had just begun, when one night only a few months after settling in, he was roused from his slumber. Fearing nothing inside the Shire, he stormed out to the gate to deal with whatever trouble was afoot, when he saw an incredible sight. It was the four hobbits, returned like heroes out of errantry, armed, armoured and riding. Despite their size, the darkness and their boldness made them seem fearsome. Ferny had no choice but to flee the scene.

After his expulsion from the Shire, Ferny eventually made his way back to the Bree land. On the way he received a stern but not over the top scare courtesy of Gandalf and Bombadil, after straying onto the Barrow Downs. Their timely intervention most likely saved both his life, and (so Gandalf hoped) his soul. The mounds of Tyrn Gorthad were still a dangerous menace to the unwary.

The years after the War of the Ring (which had largely occurred way down south) were prosperous ones for the hobbits of the Shire. After the Battle of Bywater and the death of Sharkey, the Little Folk were content to rest on their laurels. All the progress and work that had been made during the Chief's rule was halted and destroyed with reckless abandon, including Bill Ferny's own lodge at the Brandywine Bridge. As if this was not bad enough, messages soon came through of a prohibition on Men in the Shire. The King apparently saw fit to rob Ferny of his newly acquired property and chattels in the East Farthing, and he was stuck in Bree, which did not in general share the good fortunes of the Shire.

Bill settled quietly at first back into life at Bree. But having had his first dirty taste of power, lording it over the Shirriffs and the Hobbits in general as one of the Chief's Big Men, Ferny was restless. He fell in with the leader of a band of robbers who preyed on travellers passing through the Chetwood. Bill began organising various nefarious schemes throughout the Bree land. Protection rackets, mainly. He eventually purchased some pipeleaf plantations of dubious quality, at South Linch. Bill smoked the stuff himself of course, but had a rough palate and could not appreciate how poor the weed was compared to that of the Shire. Neither, fortunately, could most of the men of Bree. Not that they would have dared to buy from a source other than Bill. In this way, Ferny started to be well off in his own way, not that you could tell so from his home or his appearance. Ferny could now employ ruffians and vagabonds to do most of his dirty work for him. He was starting to become a Chief himself.

And now, Bill's informants told him, the famous Frodo Baggins-Underhill was returning to the Shire. His three annoying companions had taken over the rule of the Shire - the Chief having mysteriously vanished. All of Bill's past hurts came back to roost. He wanted revenge. Not just his property, or money, or even power. It was revenge at all costs. Ferny had been corrupted well and truly, and would now stoop to any loathsome plan to interfere with the perfect lives of the little hobbit lordlings.

[piosenniel]

doug*platypus - LOL!

. . . avast ye scurvy halfling dogs!

Bill must have spent some time with the Corsairs of Umbar!

[ February 14, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[ArwenBaggins]

Name: Elanor Gamgee
Age: 12 at the time of this story
Description: typical curly hair that is golden blond. Bright blue eyes. People often commented that she was very pretty, but she didn't spend a lot of time thinking about that. She is more fair skinned than most hobbits, and more slender. She loves Elves, knowing of them from the stories her father told.
Nickname: Her siblings called her Ellie, and her Elvish name is Elanorelle.
Personality: Quite gentle and loving but could be very determined when the situation calls for it.
As the eldest of many brothers and sisters, she was protective of her younger siblings. They loved her but probably thought she was too pushy at times!
Was very glad that Frodo had seen her when she was a baby, but always wished she could have gotten to know him better.

[ February 14, 2003: Message edited by: ArwenBaggins ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Sam,and Rose Gamgee and children, Merri, Pippin, Angelica Baggins:

This may be of some help in planning for your first post of the game. Pio and I were just talking and decided that one of the first things that will happen in the game is that you will receive invitations to the dinner party at the Green Dragon which will include the news about the return of Frodo and Bilbo and also Cami to the Shire.

One possible way to start this game is to comment on this invitation. Do you believe the news about the hobbit's return from Aman, and how do you feel about it? You don't have to do this.

If you have another idea on your first post, go for it. But this is one way to start off and even have your post ready ahead of time.

Most of the invitations will be sent out by the Shire messenger service. However, since Sam will probably be the one most affected by the news of Frodo coming back, Pio will be hand-delivering that one to the Gamgee family herself.

Many thanks to Rose Cotton who gave us this particular idea through the draft first post she sent to me.

Arwen -- As we discussed, there is a possible angle to this that might work for your first post. Your character Elanor had a wish to meet Frodo Baggins. This is stated in the Epilogue, when Elanor mentions to her dad that she is glad Frodo saw her as a baby but she wishes she could meet him again and have a real memory of him.

[ February 14, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Hobbit children:--Little Frodo, Elanor, Rosie

Check your pms. I've sent information from the Epilogue in Sauron Defeated which may help you flesh out your profiles and first posts.

Also, Mark12_30, Carrun, Nurmaiel, and Orual --- please check your pms.

[ February 14, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Rose Cotton]

Name: Rosie Gamgee

Age: 8

Appearance: Dirty blond curls and big brown eyes. Her dresses normaly have dirt all over them from gardening. She is very pretty, but not as striking as her older sister Elanor. Sometimes this bothers her.

Bio: Most of Rosie's time is spent either helping her mother in the home or helping her father in the garden. She has inherited Sam's love of growing things and his love of stories. Rosie also has a lot of curiosity and has a bad habbit of following people around and listening to their conversations. Her father's nickname for her is Rosie-Lass.

There is one conversation between Rose and her father which shows how much she loves Elves and stories. This is from the Epilogue in Sauron Defeated.

"But the Elves are sailing away still, aren't they, and soon there'll be none, will there, dad? said Rose; "and then all will be just places, and very nice, but, but..."

"But what, Rosie-lass?"

"But not like in stories."

"Well, it would be so if they all was to sail," said Sam. "But I'm told they aren't sailing anymore. The Ring has left the Havens, and those that made up their mind to stay when Master Elrond left are staying. And so there'll be Elves till for many and many a day."

Interactions: Rose Cotton Gamgee, Sam Gamgee, her siblings and Pio.

[ February 17, 2003: Message edited by: Rose Cotton ]

[Nurumaiel]

Angelica's profile is finished. Well, that is to say, hopefully. If there's anything else you want put in there...

[Carrûn]

Character Name: Frodo Gardner Gamgee
Age: 10

Personality & Characteristics: Bright-eyed and cheery, nicknamed "Frodo-lad" by his father Samwise. He is enamoured by the tales from the Red Book; weapons (which has seen few of save a few butter knives and perhaps a bow), Orcs, and the like. He inherited his father's fascination with Elves and he is also somewhat in awe of the legend of his namesake. A part of him wishes he could do something as noble as "Mr. Frodo" did. There is also a more serious side to him as well, and and he has been known to sit quietly by himself away from festivities ("most unnatural for a hobbit") from time to time in deep thought. He is protective of his siblings and is loves both his parents very much.

Possible Interaction His parents & siblings, other hobbit children, and perhaps Piosenniel or Cami.

First Post Still to come, pending my catching up on a lot of lost sleep & long runs in the snow.

Oh yes, he carries a bright green lightsaber and a magic wand [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]. j/k

[Nuranar]

And now, ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention for the one-and-only Rose Cotton Gamgee, in a somewhat formulaic but nevertheless imaginative profile of introduction!

(Sorry, got a little carried away with imitating the Chicago style. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] )

Name: Rose Cotton Gamgee

Age: 49 years

Description: As a girl, Rose was the classic brown-eyed, brown-haired, rosy-cheeked wild rose. Her mouse-brown hair is more wavy than curly; the mother of almost eight, she always pins it up and out of the way. Her skin is a little more tanned than that of other hobbits (as a result of a childhood playing outdoor with her four brothers), but her cheeks are as rosy as they ever were.

Personality: Having grown up with “the boys” Rose can hold her own in most scrapes her growing family can get into. She has a wonderful sense of humor about her sons’ harum-scarum antics. From their earliest memories her children can hear her singing; she has always loved to sing. Because of the Gamgees Bag End is lived in as a home should be, full of laughter and joy and song.

Family Background: She is married to Samwise Gamgee, has seven children with an eighth on the way, and is mistress of Bag End, the old Baggins hole.

Interactions: Obviously she will interact with Sam, as well as with Elanor and Frodo (her son Frodo). As Pio’s midwife she will interact with Pio and with Angelica Baggins, and probably with Mithadan (the anxious father) as well.

Please tell me if there is anything I need to add.

[ February 14, 2003: Message edited by: Nuranar ]

[Orual]

Quick question that I probably ought to know the answer to: how well does Sam know Piosenniel? I know that Sam and Cami are close, but what is Sam's relationship to Pio? Friends? Acquaintances?

Thanks!

~*~Orual~*~