Seekers of Truth Discussion Thread

[piosenniel]

Crystal Heart invites you to play in her game:

Seekers of Truth

~*~

Moderator: Child of the 7th Age (Cami)

~*~

Historical Background: A year after the War of the Ring

~*~

Basic Story line:

This story focuses on twenty-four year old Sandrina Sandrine Lightheart of Rohan, who is the daughter of Henry and Eowyn Lightheart. She is traveling with her cousins on a trip to Gondor to aid them in routine trading activities. Although her cousins Arthur and Samuel seem outwardly friendly, they were actually plotting to harm her.

Sandrina's father Henry is the oldest son in the family and is therefore the heir to the Lightheart property. He holds the title as head of the family. His younger brother Harold is very angry with their father's decision about the land. His sons Arthur and Samuel are also very angry. Arthur comes up with a plan; his plan is to convince Henry that Sandrina needs some first hand experience in the family's trading activities in Gondor and that they are the best people to show her how. The reason that Harold is so angry is because when Henry and Harold were teenagers he had tried to kill him to get the inheritance. Henry defeated him and told him that as long as he was living that Harold would never get this land.

Years passed and Henry never forgot. After his parents death he allowed Harold and his family to live in a small house on the edge of the property and let him and his family earn their keep through the family business, always giving them easy jobs to do. Henry married and Sandrina was born.

Harold believed that Sandrina would lose the inherited property because she was a woman. In his opinion, women are weak and self centered, always focusing on something foolish.He taught these beliefs to his sons, who in turn created a plan to help their father get the land he wanted.

Arthur and Samuel had never given Henry any reason to believe that they were evil. They always did their work and were polite to Henry, Eowyn, and Sandrina at all times. They never stole a thing from them, just waiting for their time to strike. They proposed to Henry that they should take Sandrina to Gondor to help with the family's trading, allowing her to acquire skills that she didn't have yet. Henry agreed, sending Sandrina off equipped with a special sword just for the occasion.

Sandrina, who has never been to Gondor, has no idea where she is going and therefore believes Arthur and Samuel completely. They take her out into the forest, spook her horse, and when she falls they knock her unconscious. They take away her horse, and weapons, and all money that she has. They ride off with her horse and sword. The weapon was a special gift from her father for her protection. They broke and bloodied it with some of the horse's blood, making it appear as if she had been killed. Then they left the horse to die out in the woods just as they did to Sandrina.The brothers left, expecting the young Sandrina to die a slow and painful death.

Sandrina's parents later received word that their daughter was "killed" in an ambush. They grieved and sent out a search party for nine months. Nothing turned up. The memories became too strong for Henry and Eowyn to bear so they moved deeper into Rohan, leaving the estate to Harold.

[piosenniel]

The purpose of this story is to discover the missing Sandrina, have her regain her memory, and get revenge on those who betrayed her.

This means that the story is over when Arthur, Samuel, and Harold are all brought to justice; Sandrina remembers who she is; and is safely back with her parents, who also regain their land.

[piosenniel]

Starting Location: An Inn in Rohan

Possible Ending Location: The Lightheart's estate

[piosenniel]

Timeline

This game takes place in Year 1 of the 4th Age.

The storyline itself or plot covers a total of one month.

This requires a time commitment of 8 weeks from me, the game owner and from the major players.

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NOTE:

This game opened on 08/21 - the 8 week end date for play will be 10/16.

~*~ Pio

[piosenniel]

Carry-along characters played by Crystal:

1.) Eowyn Lightheart - Mother of Sandrina. She is a brave woman who is very stubborn. She doesn't like it when she hears people say that women can not do something. That is the only time she will voice her opinion. She is rather quiet, and reserved but determined and strong.

2.) Henry Lightheart - Father of Sandrina. Very opinionated and will not allow anyone to come in between him and his family. He fights when he thinks it is appropriate. He is not shy in anyway. He is skilled in sword fighting and using his mind against an opponent in battle-but thinking out manipulative type of things is not his strong point. He is determined and strong as well. He is also very brave, much braver then Eowyn.

[piosenniel]

Crystal Heart’s main character - Sandrina Sandrine Lightheart

Name: Sandrina Sandrine Lightheart

Age: Twenty-four

Race: Human

Gender: Female

Weapons: None because they were all taken from her during the fall

Appearance: Long brown hair and brown eyes. She wears a light brown cloak and other earth tone colored clothes.

Personality/Strengths/Weaknesses: She is determined to find out who she is. Her weakness is trusting too easily. She is strong and unwavering in her decisions, but because she has lost her memory she is very uncertain.

She is strong and very stubborn. She doesn't like to give up. Everything she does has a purpose no matter what. She is very honest, and she can't stand lying. But she will if it means that she saves her life or her parent's lives. Her weakness is fear itself, that and blood. She doesn't like the sight of blood.

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Crystal Heart’s post first for the game

A young woman walked into the Inn; her hood concealed her face. It was the only form of protection because her weapon had been taken from her. She looked around the Inn in interest. It was much different then the other Inns she had been in, but it seemed quaint enough for her liking. She walked swiftly through the maze of chairs and tables to the front desk. She touched her pouch. There was enough coins for a nice meal, a couple of drinks, and a room for the night.

She sat down on a stool. She pulled the hood from her head slowly and shook her hair out from under it. Auburn hair pulled away and lay in soft curls as it always did. Her unusual mixture of brown and green eyes looked around the room. She didn't open her mouth to say a word. This place was so different then she had first realized.

She wasn't afraid or shy of this place. She just liked to be quiet for a while and take it all in. She learned more by just listening to the people around her. She also learned more about the place she was in by how the people acted, talked, and what they ate and drank. Someone had once told her that it was a type of gift of hers, but she had never believed it. It was only just a skill she had acquired over her years of travel.

She had left her home so many years ago that she couldn't remember where that home had been. She had lost several years of her memory. She wasn't sure how it had happened, but it had and she hadn't regained it back. She had a feeling that she didn't want to remember those memories ever again anyway so she wasn't worried about the fact.

She did remember her name, or at least what she thought her name was. She had been under so many aliases that she had started to forget what her own name was, but she remembered it right now. Her name was something wonderful, at least in her opinion. Crystal Lerena Sandrine Heart. A name that she had thought was regal and noble, even though she didn't come from noble or regal blood.

She decided to order a drink at first. She wasn't sure what they sold here.

"Excuse me, but what is a good drink to have around here?" Crystal asked the bartender. The bartender nodded and handed her an ale. Crystal looked up and thanked the Innkeeper. She took a small sip and gave a smile. It was rather good.

Her memory wandered, but there was still places where she still couldn't remember a thing. In her travelings around middle earth she had been in rather rough fight with a drunken man that had mistaken her as his wife. His fists had been wild and hard against the skull of her head. There was only portions of that she actually remembered. She did remember waking up in a place with a woman over her telling her what had happened to her. She couldn't remember many other things after that. Her memory was slowly coming back, but it was so painfully slow that she had stopped trying to actually remember. She wasn't even entirely sure that Crystal was her real name.

She thought back hard against the bearer, but nothing would budge in her mind. There was just a black portion that just sat there, unweilding against her mental pushes. She itched her neck and felt something she hadn't noticed before. She pulled the rough thing away from her and saw a necklace. It was long with a pendant on the end. She read it: SANDRINA SANDRINE Lightheart. Ah, that was her name. It had to be. She couldn't have found it any where else. She smiled. SANDRINA looked up and watched in interest as people sang. She had could not remember anything about songs. There was a barrier against the memories of her childhood. Like most of her memories they seemed to be locked behind doors that she did not carry keys for. She couldn't even remember exactly why she had come in the Inn. There had been a purpose she supposed. She knew she wanted a drink, but there had been something else. She couldn't remember.

The only thing she could remember was that terrible fall. She had been riding with people that she knew were familiar and that she had known at one time, but she couldn't put her finger on who they were. They had been in Gondor then or so she thought. She had toppled off and had hit her head against something hard. When she had awoken she remembered being in the dark with no money, no weapon, and no means of transport home. She remembered that she couldn't remember who she was or where she was from. She hadn't remembered where home was. She still wasn't sure.

She figured that had been at least a year ago. She couldn't recall time anymore. Everything seemed to blurr. Every once in a while she would remember a tidbit of something, but it only made her confused because she didn't know what it meant to her. All of her memories that she had still maintained were pieced together in a makeshift puzzle that really didn't fit together. There was such blackness all through her memory that she had no idea what things were real and what she had made up on her own.

She smiled softly to herself as she recalled what one of the people she had met in similar type Inn had decided to call her. Crystal, like her voice was his reasoning. She had carried it around without a last name, telling everyone that she was Crystal. She remembered someone saying that she had a kind heart and had decided to make that her last name. Other then that she had had no memory of her real name.

Until today. She had been sitting here thinking when she had found the necklace around her neck and remember that her name was Eowyn Lightheart. She had recalled that the heart part of her name had sounded familiar. She couldn't remember when she had had a normal bath last. She usually got very wet in her travels and her and her clothes had ended up clean. Now that she thought about it, she wondered if her accident had really been a year ago after all. Maybe it had only been about three weeks in actuality. Or had it been longer? A month maybe? She had no idea.

She frowned in frustration. There just didn't seem to be any hope for her to remember anything about herself and what she use to be. This was her now, whatever it was she had become. At least she had a real name to fall back on. Maybe if people called her that then she would start remembering more.

As their songs drifted to her ears she wished that they would unlock something in her, something that would make sense to her. She had was sick and tired of guessing about her past and making up theories about what she supposed she knew.

She sipped her ale and wondered if she would be a loner without a home, without a memory, without a purpose for the rest of her miserable life. She hadn't been happy wandering around like an invalid, wondering what and who she truly was. There wasn't a thing that she could do on her own to unlock her vital memories. She put her head in her hand and sighed deeply.

She sat upon that stool when something hit her. A whirlwind of memories that just came to her. There had been something in the air, a smell that she remembered. Memories of her childhood came back. Her mother's name, Eowyn, her father's smile. Her father, Henry. He had had no sons, just her. She was their heir.

And then she realized why the people had left her for dead after she had fallen. She remembered who they where. They were her father's brother's children, her cousins. They had been angry at the fact that everything of the Lightheart's would go to her when her father died. That she would be the heir of their grand family. She would be the one that made decisions and would own the property that they had been blessed with.

She suddenly remembered her home, every small detail of every room. She had lived right here in Rohan.

She looked around the Inn, looking for familiar faces even if she could not recall the names that went along with them. She hoped she could find someone that knew her.

[piosenniel]

DEDICATED CHARACTER

Firefoot – playing Henry Lightheart’s younger brother/Sandrina’s uncle

~*~

NAME: Harold Lightheart

AGE: 45

RACE: Man of Rohan

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Harold carries a long knife at all times. It’s wooden handle is bound in leather worn from use. The blade is straight, and Harold makes sure that it is always sharp. He also has a sword that he is deft at using. The sword was well-made, and has a double edged blade with a black hilt inlaid with silver. He usually only carries it when he travels, but it is always nearby in case he needs it.

APPEARANCE: Harold is 5'10" and broad shouldered. He is an intimidating figure to people who do not know him, and even to many people who do. He is very strong, and surprisingly agile and quick, though as he has gotten older he has also gotten slower, which he resents. He has shoulder-length blond hair and dark blue eyes. His face is hard, and if he wants to he can usually keep his emotions hidden.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Harold is a very proud man, and though he was very arrogant as a teenager, age and experience has taught him better. He learned never to underestimate others’ abilities and motives, so that he would not be surprised. He is also very confident, and fiercely competitive. He expects a lot of himself and other people, especially his sons. He rarely gives compliments, and can usually find errors in his and others’ works. Harold is quite clever and wily, and always scheming to get the better half of everything. His manner adds to his intimidating appearance, and he can also be very persuasive. Because of this, he usually gets what he wants. Harold has a fierce temper, and most people know to stay out of his way when he is mad. He has little or no sense of humor, and finds pleasure mostly in getting what he wants and succeeding in whatever he sets his mind to. He also feels that women are inferior to men - that they are foolish, self-centered, and weak. The only reasons that he married in the first place were because he wanted to have some sons and he thought she would be useful for housecleaning and cooking.

HISTORY: Harold was born a couple years after his brother Henry, much to his chagrin. This meant that Henry, not Harold, would someday inherit the family property and business. Harold has always felt that he should be the one to get it, that he is more ‘qualified’ for the inheritance. When they were teenagers Harold tried to kill Henry in order to get the inheritance, but he failed and Henry never forgot, telling him that Harold would never get the land. This bothered Harold for two reasons: first and most obvious, he would not get the land or the inheritance, and secondly because he had failed in the attempt. In fact, the second reason seemed almost worse to him.

When he was twenty years old, Harold married and had his two sons within a few years. He has taught his sons the same values and beliefs that he held. Neither of the boys were very old when Harold’s parents died, and Henry got the land. Henry allowed Harold’s family to live in a small house on the edge of the property, and earn their keep by working at the family business, doing small jobs. Harold often wished that they were harder jobs, and felt that his brother was mocking him a bit by giving him easy ones, but Harold was too proud to ask for harder jobs. It irritated Harold very much that he was under the charge of his brother, working in the business that he wanted to own. This was also a large dent to Harold’s pride.

Finally, he and his sons were able to put together a plot to kill Sandrina as the heir to the Lightheart property. The plot was completed, and word came back that she was dead. Almost a year later, Henry and Eowyn finally moved away and left Harold the inheritance.

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Firefoot’s post

Harold wandered through one of the two aisles of a small store in the village near his home. Usually he would have sent one of his sons or workers to get supplies, but today he had decided to go himself and get a break from his business. His business. It still gave him pleasure to think how he had finally outsmarted his brother and gotten the Lightheart inheritance.

Other than Harold, there were only two other people in this small building. A man, and the storekeeper who he was talking to. Harold realized that they probably didn’t know he was there when he heard what they were saying.

“Do you remember Sandrina? You know, the daughter of Henry Lightheart?” the one man was saying. Harold stiffened at the names of his dead niece and brother. He wondered what news there could possibly be concerning her. Unless... “I heard she’s alive,” said the man. Harold could feel the rage rising up in him, and he stalked out of the store without buying anything or waiting to hear any more. He mounted his horse and heeled him into a gallop, heedless of anything but his own angry thoughts. Those sons of mine will be hearing it from me. They said she was dead! And now... Harold realized that he had to do something. It wasn’t the girl he was afraid of - far from it - it was her father. Henry would come after him to kill him; Harold had little doubt of that. I would be a fool to stay here. However, his pride warred with the thought of leaving. Only cowards flee, and I am certainly no coward.

Harold’s sense and his pride battled within him the entire way back to his property. The bay horse was lathered with sweat from the long gallop, but Harold had finally decided that, pride or no pride, he would rather be a live coward than a dead fool. Harold handed his horse off to a groom and saw his son Arthur crossing the yard.

“Get Samuel and come to my study,” said Harold thickly, not bothering to hide his anger. “But first spread word to my men that they are to meet and wait for me behind the house as soon as possible.” Harold knew that his son would know which men he meant; they were the select few that he had informed of their plans of Sandrina. He had not told them all at once, for then they might have told Henry. Rather, he had fed them the information bit by bit so that by the time they knew the whole plan, not only was it too late to save Sandrina, but it was also too late for them, because if they had gone to Henry they would have been every bit as guilty as Harold and his sons. Arthur hurried to do as Harold had said, and Harold made his way to the study to wait for them, every minute causing him to be more and more upset.

When his sons finally made their way to his study, Harold exploded. “Sandrina is alive. How hard could it have been to kill a weak, foolish girl? And yet you two seem incapable of even that task! Do you realize what this will cost us? Your error is forcing us to flee the property, because if we stay, Henry will come and kill us. That girl that you could have killed - should have been killed - is alive, and when she makes her way back to Henry he will come after us. No more Lightheart business for us! We won’t even be working here anymore! Instead we are forced to flee like cowards. Now, go and join my men behind the house. If you have something to say to me, you can say it there. I will be there shortly.” Harold was so mad that he was quivering slightly. He sat for a moment to calm down a bit and collect his thoughts. Then he got up and followed his sons outside.

Samuel and Arthur stood a little apart from the rest. Harold ran his cold blue eyes over everyone, silently making sure everyone was there, each one shifting uneasily when his gaze rested on him. When he was satisfied, he began to speak, his voice quieter than it had been for his boys, but holding no less intensity or anger. “In case you have not heard, Sandrina is alive.” This news brought murmurs from the group. “We can no longer stay here, or else Henry will come back, and do not expect him to have any mercy on any of you! We must leave, but before we go we are going to carry off everything that we can possibly take from this estate.” Harold wasn’t sure where that had come from, but he rather liked the idea. “The other thing that needs to happen is someone needs to get rid of Sandrina once and for all. Someone more capable than my sons seemingly are,” said Harold with a pointed glare at Arthur and Samuel. “One or two of you should suffice. Now, does anyone have any ideas, thoughts, or opinions?”

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[piosenniel]

CHARACTERS NEEDED

1.) Arthur Lightheart - Harold's oldest son

2.) Samuel Lightheart - Harold's youngest son

Two male Rangers (They will have been from Gondor and know of the search for Sandrina but won't know the new whereabouts of her parents. They are there to aid in the capture of her cousins.)

3.) 1 male Ranger

4.) 1 male Ranger

5.) 1 Sword Maiden (An old childhood friend of Sandrina's that had been waiting for Sandrina's arrival in Gondor because she is the daughter of one of the trading families due to trade with her.)

6.) 1 Family Friend – male or female (Recognizes her in the Inn (Male or Female) Regular that was waiting in Gondor for her as well.

7.) 1 Female (Who wants to come along in hopes of gaining a reward)

[piosenniel]

Dwarves, Elves, and Hobbits, or anything other than those characters mentioned above, are not in on this quest.

[piosenniel]

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

1.) It is a requirement that all potential game players in the Shire will have posted in The Green Dragon Inn or have played to completion an RPG on the Barrow Downs.

2.) Those who have not played before in a Shire RPG will be given preference. Final preference, though, will be at the discretion of the Game Owner.
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Character Description Form:

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

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

List them, please:

Please note you may play in only 2 (TWO) Shire games at one time. Exceptions to this may be made for this on a case by case basis by the Shire Moderators. (The Green Dragon Inn DOES NOT count as a game for this.)


3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn – YES/NO
____________________________________________

For your character please include:

NAME:

AGE:

RACE:

GENDER:

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

APPEARANCE:

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

HISTORY:

____________________________________________


First post:


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

SEE THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE FIRST POSTS BELOW

[piosenniel]

Instructions for First Posts:


1.) For the "good guys", first posts should be in the Inn noticing the young woman and her odd behavior.

In later posts, Sandrina will ask questions. Someone should tell her how long she's been missing which is nine months.

2.) For the "bad guys", first posts should be in the Lightfoot estate where they are gloating about having taken over.

[piosenniel]

The Discussion Thread for this game is now open to take on characters.

Game Owner: Crystal Heart

Game Moderator: Child of the 7th Age

[piosenniel]

PLACING THIS FOR:

starkat – (who will be out of town for a couple of days)

~*~

APPLYING FOR:

Swordmaiden character (An old childhood friend of Sandrina's that had been waiting for Sandrina's arrival in Gondor because she is the daughter of one of the trading families due to trade with her.)

~*~

Character Description Form:

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

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

List them, please:

Please note you may play in only 2 (TWO) Shire games at one time. Exceptions to this may be made for this on a case by case basis by the Shire Moderators. (The Green Dragon Inn DOES NOT count as a game for this.)


3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn – YES/NO Yes
____________________________________________

For your character please include:

NAME: Anora

AGE: Twenty-three

RACE: Human

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS A sword given to her by her father. The blade is a simple one. Anora keeps it well sharpened. The scabbard is made of plain brown leather with no adornments. She also carries a short hunting knife. Anora knows how to use both blades for self defense.

APPEARANCE: light brown hair, green eyes, wears a dark green cloak and wears earth toned clothing of excellent quality. Wears fine dresses when needed.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Anora looks at things from a youthful perspective. She is very optimistic and harbors hope that her friend might be alive since all that had been found was Sandrina’s sword. She is confident in her swordsmanship and her horsemanship. She enjoys working in the family trading business. Her strengths are negotiation and optimism. Anora is very good and talking people around to her point of view. She also has a very compassionate heart. Some of her optimism and self confidence is faked. She harbors private fears of failing her family. Even though she is good at negotiation, Anora takes a few minutes to find her footing. Once she gets started she does well, but until then she appears to be stumbling.

HISTORY: Anora’s family has been in the trading business for several generations. She has no brothers, so her father taught her the family business. A young woman of twenty-three, Anora has been on business travels for her father several times. Her negotiation skills have allowed her to handle difficult clients and expand the family business. She had been in Gondor awaiting Sandrina, Arthur, and Samuel when she received word that Sandrina had been killed. Anora had known Sandrina during their childhood and was very upset. When she learned that all Arthur and Samuel had found was Sandrina’s sword, she began hoping that there was a slim chance that her childhood friend was alive. Nine months after Sandrina’s disappearance, Anora found herself in Rohan on another trading journey. She had already met with a client and delivered a shipment. Anora made a stop at the inn to rest before returning home.

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starkat’s post

Anora had been in Rohan visiting clients for her family’s trading business. She was due to begin her return journey home tomorrow. Deciding to make a stop overnight to rest her horse was an easy decision to make. She had just come downstairs and had taken a seat when a cloaked figure entered the inn.

Anora watched as the cloaked figure took a seat on a stool and pulled back her hood. The sight of the young woman’s auburn hair brought back some of Anora’s childhood memories. Anora could remember playing with a young girl with similar colour hair. I wonder what happened to Sandrina. Her body was never found.

Shaking off her reverie, Anora ordered food and took a seat. The young woman thought about her trip to Rohan. After taking care of business, she had spent time visiting family friends. She had sent word to her father that she was preparing to return home, when her horse had become lame. Worried that it might get worse if she continued, Anora had made the decision to stop.

She had been relieved to learn that her horse just needed rest. Anora’s attention was brought back to the present as she watched the auburn-haired woman at the counter. She saw a frown cross the young woman’s face. I hope she is alright. I cannot help shake the feeling that I have seen her before.

When Anora saw the young woman put her head on her hand and then sit upright, it struck a cord in her memory. That’s it! She looks like an older version of Sandrina! I wonder who she is. Anora watched as the young woman turned to look around the room.

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[The Perky Ent]

Seekers of Truth Profile

Well, I just finished my RPG, and this looks good, so why not give it a shot

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Character Description Form:

1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – YES - Which one?

• Last Hope for Moria
• Land of Darkness
• Last Ride of the Heir

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

List them, please: Currently, none

Please note you may play in only 2 (TWO) Shire games at one time. Exceptions to this may be made for this on a case-by-case basis by the Shire Moderators. (The Green Dragon Inn DOES NOT count as a game for this.)


3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn – YES
____________________________________________

For your character please include:

NAME: Arthur Lightheart

AGE: Twenty-six

RACE: Rohirric Human

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Arthur carries two small daggers around his waist. Both are leather bound and always sharp. Arthur also carries a short sword he won from a stranger who he gambled with at the White Horse Inn. Its blade is very sharp and smooth. The hilt had a very small crystal embossed, but Arthur later took it out and sold it. Arthur also carries a small, hand-sized club, which he used to knock out Sandrina. It’s smooth and rock hard texture makes it very dangerous.

APPEARANCE: Like his father, Arthur is tall, reaching 5’7”, and also broad shouldered. He has deep, dark blue eyes and very strong. His stature implies that given the choice of fighting or negotiating, Arthur would choose brute force. Young, quick, and agile, Arthur is in the peak of his physical prime. He has dark hair, and shows little face expression. His nose is very large, and his eyes aren’t perfectly centered. He also has a small scar running across the top of his brow. Arthur is clearly someone you wouldn’t want to run into in a dark alley.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Harold imprinted much of his ideals into his sons very strongly. Arthur is bright, but does not apply himself. He often doesn’t think things through well enough, and has logic problems. Although he has the personality of a thug, Arthur has a small soft side. He enjoys smoking a good pipe. Harold has molded Arthur into a “failed experiment”. While his father tried to teach Arthur to be aware of everything, and not take things for granted, Arthur never paid attention to it, which is partly the reason for Sandrina. Arthur’s temper can be fierce, but is often more sarcastic. Although not as quick as his father, Arthur still takes caution to things that would involve him personally.

HISTORY: Arthur was born the year his parents were married. He spent much time with his father, and almost no time with his mother. All his life, Arthur took under his father’s wing and began hearing of many of his values. Arthur wasn’t very old when his grandparents died. After their deaths, Arthur became Harold’s henchman and accomplice, doing work for his father.

Arthur always was polite to his cousin and his uncle. When his father told him it would come in handy in the future, he followed his advice. It has led the entire Lightheart family to trust him, which makes Arthur a powerful ally to Harold. Much of his life Arthur has been doing easy cores for his uncle, doing it without complaining. Though his father hates the idea of getting the easy work, Arthur never minded that much, and continued to do it. Sometimes, even when not asked.

In an attempt to change Arthur, Harold sent him on a quest to get a small piece of gold from the roof of the golden hall. While there, Arthur spent many nights in the White Horse Inn, and won a sword of a stranger. On Arthur’s third attempt to get a piece of gold, he slipped on a small patch of snow and hit his head on a rail. It gave him his scar on his forehead. Finally giving up, Arthur sold the diamond from his sword for money to buy a piece of gold and forge it in the shape of a piece of gold form the roof.

Upon returning to his home, Arthur was greatly appreciated by his father, and was held in higher respect. When the perfect time for Harold’s plan came, Arthur and his brother escorted Sandrina into the woods. There, Arthur took his club and beat her several times, while Samuel covered her in blood. Thinking Arthur had killed her, the two brothers returned home, where they were greatly rewarded.

A year after, when Harold became the landlord of the Lightheart estate, Arthur was rewarded with one of the best pieces of land, and a large sum of money. For the years in safety, Arthur has been living a peaceful, rich life. But Sandrina and Henry will change all that.

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The Perky Ent's post

Arthur began the day as he normally did after his father owned the Lightheart Estate. He smoked a pipe on a hillside. With the money his father had given him, plus the extra money Arthur had acquired from selling the crystal from his sword, he was a rich man. Rich enough to get Old Toby shipped in every month. Thanks to King Éomer Éadig’s friendship with hobbits of the Shire, he learned of the many fabulous pipe-weeds and began importing them. Arthur, being a wealthy man, could import it from Edoras to the Lightheart Estate. For this morning, the Toby was particularly good.

“Ah! I’ve been missing out on the good life all these years! This is truly heaven!” Arthur said, putting the pipe down to watch the view. Under the hill, he saw two young boys fighting. “This should be interesting!” Arthur said, as he laughed down the hill.

Coming down the hill, he saw two boys fighting over a coin. “It’s mine!” one said. “No, it’s mine! I won it!” the other said. Arthur couldn’t help but laugh. “What’s so funny?” the first boy said, who was slightly large than the other. “What’s funny is that your fighting over something you don’t even have!” Arthur said, flexing his muscles. “It’s none of yours! It’s mine!” Arthur said, snatching the coin from the boys.

“Hey! Give that back!” “It’s ours!” the boys said, but Arthur was already halfway up the hill. “Survival of the fittest!’ Arthur shouted down at them, flipping the coin with his thumbs, and putting his pipe away. “Time to put this one with the rest of em!” Arthur said, heading for his house.

On the way, he had to cross his father’s house. He couldn’t really call it a house. It was more of a small mansion. Being the sole owner of the land had been very good to him. While crossing the yard, he saw Harold rush over on his horse, which seems as if it was going to collapse. “Get Samuel and come to my study,” said Harold thickly, not bothering to hide his anger. “But first spread word to my men that they are to meet and wait for me behind the house as soon as possible.” Arthur did not hesitate.

Arthur ran to the stables, which were nearby, and grabbed a horse. Riding down the grass, Arthur rode several miles until he reached a very small tavern run by friends of the Lighthearts. Inside the tavern, Arthur walked past the entrance and the main room, to a small room in the back of the building. In the room, there were twelve men gambling, all shady characters. “My father has requested an early meeting!” Get your horses and meet him behind his house. Something bad has happened.” Instantly, the men gathered their money, their cards, and their loaded dice, and rode out to Harold’s house.

“Now where are you, brother?” Arthur said, riding to Samuel’s house. Avoiding being polite by knocking on the door, Arthur kicked the door open. Inside, he saw Samuel resting. “Get up brother!” Arthur said, hitting Samuel very hard on the shoulder. “Father brings tidings of bad news!” Immediately, they both got their horses and set back for Harold’s house.

When Arthur and Samuel finally made their way to Harold’s study, Harold exploded. “Sandrina is alive. How hard could it have been to kill a weak, foolish girl? And yet you two seem incapable of even that task! Do you realize what this will cost us? Your error is forcing us to flee the property, because if we stay, Henry will come and kill us. That girl that you could have killed - should have been killed - is alive, and when she makes her way back to Henry he will come after us. No more Lightheart business for us! We won’t even be working here anymore! Instead we are forced to flee like cowards. Now, go and join my men behind the house. If you have something to say to me, you can say it there. I will be there shortly.” Harold was so mad that he was quivering slightly. He sat for a moment to calm down a bit and collect his thoughts. Then he got up and followed his sons outside.

Samuel and Arthur stood a little apart from the rest. Harold ran his cold blue eyes over everyone; silently making sure everyone was there, each one shifting uneasily when his gaze rested on him. When he was satisfied, he began to speak, his voice quieter than it had been for his boys, but holding no less intensity or anger. “In case you have not heard, Sandrina is alive.” This news brought murmurs from the group. “We can no longer stay here, or else Henry will come back, and do not expect him to have any mercy on any of you! We must leave, but before we go we are going to carry off everything that we can possibly take from this estate.” “The other thing that needs to happen is someone needs to get rid of Sandrina once and for all. Someone more capable than my sons seemingly are,” said Harold with a pointed glare at Arthur and Samuel. “One or two of you should suffice. Now, does anyone have any ideas, thoughts, or opinions?”

Arthur thought for a moment, and then said, “The girl did slip through our grasps, but it won’t happen again. We know what we need to do. I beat her, instead of stabbing her. I gave her that, as my cousin. A favor, which I will not give again! We’ll ambush her, and stab her. She won’t get away.” Arthur thought very proudly of the statement, until Harold interjected, “You think she’ll just be wandering alone. She’s probably having a guard with her! There’s probably going to be five people with her, helping her get home! Not to mention Henry! Think before you open your mouth!”


Arthur pounded his fist in his hand, and then said, “What about mercenaries? If they do come for us, why not prepare a trap? What if we hire mercenaries to fight them?”

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[Child of the 7th Age]

Crystal Heart and everyone,

Just checking in as the mod and saying "hi". Looks like the ball is rolling and hope you'll be off to a quick start!

Cami

[Arien]

Character Description Form:

1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – YES - Which ones? The Road to Erebor, Quest for the Ainereg, Escape from Nurn, Truth in a Dark Place, Sailing Away, Dark Seduction, The Fall of Greenwood the Great, Corsairs and Corsets and The Ambassador's Son (but not to final completion).

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

List them, please: None.

3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn – YES
____________________________________________

Character:

NAME: Braedon

AGE: 30

RACE: Man (Ranger)

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS (No magical, super-hero, mithril weapons. Just good solid Middle-earth weapons and armor only that is appropriate to the race of the character and the time period.): A plain, double- edged, steel sword, at a glance it is nothing of extraordinary worth, but it holds high personal value to Braedon as it was his fathers. The hilt is leather bound, and although old, Braedon still finds it his most trusted weapon. He also carries a curved knife; it has a sharp steel blade and a black leather handle. He does not wear much armour; he finds it uncomfortable and an annoyance. However he does wear a small mail shirt, also made of steel, underneath his jerkin.

APPEARANCE: Braedon has jet-black hair, shoulder length, straight and messy. Several plaits are strewn in his hair; he also has a short beard. His skin is tanned, and his eyes are dark and hollow looking. He is of medium build, reaching a height of 5ft 11. He wears mostly dark clothes. Black trousers, and dark brown leather boots. Light for walking in. He has a white shirt and over this a black jerkin with a little silver design on the left side. He wears a dark green travelling cloak, and because of his dark appearance many often avoid him rather that communicate with him.

(PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: (No half-Elven characters. No mixed-type characters. No super-heroes. No assassins. No one all powerful, martial arts proficient, or having any magical traits. Just regular characters with normal abilities for their races only): Braedon is somewhat of lone wolf; this partially has come from his upbringing. He chooses to have but only a few true friends and regards the friends he does have with the utter most respect. He appears somewhat mysterious and quite to those who he does not know, and does not always trust those that he should. His strengths are apparent, he is and excellent tracker and healer, and a decent swordsman. However he also has evident weaknesses, as an only child he did not find socialising his strong suit and was often weary of those with bad and good intentions. Also quite pessimistic, he is not always the

HISTORY: Brought up as a single child, Braedon had a lonely childhood. As a young child he was left at home with his mother while his father, himself a Ranger, was away. In their isolated home his mother taught him the art of healing, and tracking. He was a fast learner and gain vital teachings from his mother. Unfortunately, when Braedon was 13 she died due to an illness that neither she nor Braedon could cure. Distraught at the death of his mother he became even more weary of others company and kept himself to himself only choosing perhaps to wander out into the nearest village when he needed a new book.

At the age of 18 it was doubtful that Braedon would become a Ranger and follow in his fathers footsteps. He could wield a sword well enough, but Braedon felt he just did not have the motivation to follow his father. However his father, who visited his son from time to time encouraged him to. In time Braedon saw that his mother would not wish to see him like this and so he followed his father. He learnt, and became a skilled swordsman.

Now his father is old and carries the wounds of many years of fighting, he lives in Rohan. Despite his age Braedon has no children, and no wife. This is of course due to his nature, but it doesn’t bother him much.

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Arien's post

“Thank you,” and with that he dropped three coins on the table. The bar keeper scooped them up and turned to the next customer. He lifted the mug and made his way to the table nearest the wall, it was empty; he couldn’t take talking to someone. He needed to collect his thoughts and see where he was in all this.

“Right,” Braedon muttered to himself, setting down his drink and sitting. He leant back for a minute, nursing his hand. He traced a finger over the bandage; he could see blood trying to seep through from the fresh cut. He would have to change the bandage soon. After this he would return to his room, and then set out to see his father.

He was not in Rohan for long this time, only a couple of day and he wanted to see how his father was coping. He knew he had gotten stubborn in his old age, and kept telling Braedon that there were better things to be done with a Rangers time, but Braedon knew he appreciated it. He also needed to visit a friend, rare he knew, but he hadn’t seen her for over 8 months.

Last time they were both here was when he was investigating the disappearance of a landowner’s daughter. It was said that she had been killed, but no trace of her was found. The search had been abandoned 5 months ago when her parents too disappeared, leaving their land and heading deeper into Rohan.

He drew his attention away from his and fumbled with his necklace, vaguely remembering his mother for a second. He shook his head, and reached out for the mug. A soft breeze dance over him as the door to the inn opened, he sipped from his mug and set it down once again. He looked up to the new entrant, but they were cloaked and he could not see their face.

He continued to watch as he saw that the new arrival was a woman, or was she a girl? He could not tell from here, her back was facing towards him. But she did have auburn hair, curly. A distinct memory sparked in his mind. But Braedon did not pick up on it.

"Excuse me, but what is a good drink to have around here?" she asked. Her soft voice was kind, the bar keeper answered and handed her a drink.

Braedon returned to his drink. When he had finished he headed back to his room. Gingerly he peeled the bandage away from his cut. Stupidity was the cause of his injury, he had gambled with a cheat and in a fight he was left with the wound, but his money too. This just proved why he was such a loner; most weren’t to be trusted. He bathed the cut in a basin filled with a mixture he had put together the previous day. It stung, but not too much.

He bandaged it quickly and headed back to the main bar and took his seat. He looked round for the girl, she had something about her... there she was! She was sitting at the same stool. But she seemed confused; she turned her head towards him. That girl. She looked remarkably like the one who had gone missing. Braedon sat up straight. But it couldn’t be could it? Surely not after this long! Braedon walked for the exit. He was probably mistaken, but he couldn’t help it, as much as he disliked talking to stranger, he was curious.

“Excuse me...” the girl turned startled. “May I ask your name, forgive me but you look like a girl I was searching for a time ago. I would dismiss it, but the resemblance in the description and your self is uncanny.”

The girl paused for a moment, still startled. "Crystal."

Braedon dissmissed it, and nodded to the girl. He walked to the exit and took another look at her. He stood for a moment and shook his head, a mistake it couldn't be her, she was dead was she not?

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[Hama Of The Riddermark]

Character Description Form: Friend of the Family

1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – YES - Which one?

Legacy of Traitors
Last Ride of the Heir
Bloodstained Elanor

2.) How many RPG’s on the Barrow Downs are you currently involved in? 1

List them, please: Bloostained Elanor

Please note you may play in only 2 (TWO) Shire games at one time. Exceptions to this may be made for this on a case by case basis by the Shire Moderators. (The Green Dragon Inn DOES NOT count as a game for this.)


3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn – YES
____________________________________________

For your character please include:

NAME: Hama Haukrson

AGE: 21

RACE: Human

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: a sword engraved with the word 'Fangrin', a short throwing spear, and a bow and quivver of arrows.

APPEARANCE: Tall and fair, with striking blue eyes and a hard face. His long blond hair often falls into his eyes, and he has a short, neatly trimmed beard and moustache. He wears full Rohan scalemail and an ornately decorated helm. A round wooden shield is often on his back, along with his bow, quivver and spear. His sword always rests by his side, even during slumber. He wears a green cloak with the symbol of Dorian Heart's army on it, and his cloak-pin is moulded into the same symbol.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: He is slightly paranoid, always looking over his shoulder, but is normally outgoing and courageous. He thinks little of dying, and would gladly sacrifice his life for ones he cared about. He has a close friend in an elven female by the name of Aduthondiel, and is often seen with her. He is an excellent fighter, being one of the few to survive all three battles of Helm's Deep, Pelennor Fields, and the Morannon. His sword, Fangrin, is expertly wrought out of the finest blue steel, and he is extremely fond of it, perhaps too fond, as it has been known to cloud his judgement on occasions.

HISTORY: Born several years before the war of the ring, Hama learnt to fight at a young age, and from thirteen, he was better with a sword than both his older brothers. When he was eighteen, he was called to become a rider, and he donned the armour with pride, joining his older brothers in service to Theoden. One of his brother's died at the Deep, the other at Pelennor Fields. Upon his return he was gifted with the honour of a royal guard to Eomer, but still wore the emblem of Dorian Heart, the evermore deranged general. When he rode home to deliver the news to his wife and children, however, he found their homestead burned, his two children, Eorund and Freyda, dead and his wife raped and then brutally slaughtered by Denlendings. This broke him, and he vowed revenge. Every dunlending that he has fought since has been given no quarter, he kills and mutilates every one of them like he found his family.

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Hama of the Riddermark's post

Hama sat alone at his table sipping his ale. He was in a pensive mood, and sat there almost motionless, sometimes the mug rested at his lips for more then a few minutes before he set it ack down, having only taken the smalled gulp from it. He saw the woman walk in, but she was well past him when she took off her hood. The hair looked familiar to Hama, but he shook his head. Sandrina was dead. And Dorian's daughter had run away. No, just a passing resemblance, and anyway, what was hair to go on? He had waited in Gondor for months, before receiving word that Sandrina had been killed. The blow had struck him deeply, because he was a good friend with all the Lighthearts. he had taken to moping around the taverns in Edoras of late, except when any opportunity to attack Dunlendings arose. He sighed and returned the tankard to his mouth, this time taking a larger gulp, some spilled onto his beard, and as he moved to wipe it off the woman turned around and caught his eyesight for the briefest of seconds before she turned around again. Hama was astounded. If it wasn't Sandrina, then someone had been blessed with a daughter that looked so much like her....

Again, Hama pushed the thoughts from his head. Sandrina was dead, and there was nothing going to change that. He gulped the last of his ale and called for another one. reclining in his chair as the barkeep bustled over to refill his tankard. He didn't let his eyes wander from Sandrina, something told him that she would vanish if he did. His ale came, and this time he drained it in a single movement, letting the amber liquid flow down his throat. He got up and replaced his shield, spear and bow on his back, attaching the quivver to the leather strap on his shield. Slowly he walked over to the woman at the bar and she looked around again. This time Hama caught a good look at her face. She clearly didn't recognise him as he leaned on the bar next to her. He took a good long look at her face, but when she turned around he tried to make it look like he was armiring the pendant around her neck...the pendant! Hama now did focus his attention on the pendant. It was...it was Sandrina's pendant!

Hama's heart skipped a beat quietly as he tried to form the sentence he wanted to say. Words raced through his mind at an amazing pace, and he discared them at an equally speedy rate. Sandrina turned away to look around the room again. Hama chose this moment to lean forward and whisper in her ear, "Nine months is an awfully long time to go missing, Sandrina Lightheart"...

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[The Perky Ent]

Ah, Hama! It seems our paths cross again...

[Pippin Pondlily]

Seekers of Truth

Character Description Form:

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

2.) How many RPGs on the Barrow Downs are you currently involved in? - One, Farmer in the Dale.

3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn? - Yes.

Profile - 7.) 1 Female (Who wants to come along in hopes of gaining a reward)

Name - Haven Finduilwen Storms

Age - 27

Race - Man

Gender - Female

Weapons - A standard Rohirric-style short-sword, four throwing knives, a boot dagger, & long, black whip.

Appearance - Haven has short curly black hair, large grey eyes, full, sensual lips and high cheekbones. She is attractive but lacks any grace or elegance that would make her actually beautiful. Haven is of good height at about 5'8" and is quite thin and flat. She is surprisingly strong however when she needs to be. She sticks to practical clothes such as snug pants in dark hues and billowy shirts that breathe and open in a V at the neck that can be laced up in the cold weather. Occasionally she'll wear a navy blue leather jerkin that laces five inches above either hip for comfort during riding and also up the length of the front. About her waist she ties a dark red sash and under she wears a thick leather belt from which she hangs a pouch of money and her black whip (strictly for horse training purposes ). Over her left shoulder and secured to the right side of her belt she wears a brace of four throwing knives which she is fairly handy with. Finally upon her feet she wears black leather boots that come to just above her knee.

Personality - Haven is a very hardy woman and is rebellious and short-tempered. She has a terrible addiction to gambling that often gets her into trouble. Her sense of humor is wry and sarcastic and usually at the expense of others. However, as much as she can dish it out, she certainly doesn't like to take it and will jump quickly to defend herself. Haven is stubborn, prideful, and self-absorbed but she has a great capacity for friendship. Once her trust and respect is gained by a person, she will be as loyal and dependable as any noble companion.

History - Haven Storms was born the eighth of eleven children to a wealthy Gondorian family in Dol Amroth. She grew under the pressure of her five older sisters and was daunted at an early age by their superior beauty and intelligence. Abandoning any hope of ever becoming one of the ladies her mother wished for her daughters to become, she found escape in the local bars, stables, and even at the trading docks that led to the sea. When she was thirteen she fell in love with "glory" and learned sports such as horse-racing, jousting, archery (which she lacked the enthusiasm for--not aggressive enough), fencing, knife-throwing (especially in bars), and fist-fighting.

Her family disapproved and she began to grow distant from them. At sixteen she left for Rohan, a country that focused much less on society and protocol and more so on good, solid, hard work. She hoped to get a job and finally, after three years of struggling she landed a position in training horses for the Rohirrim. She's been doing it for eight years now, is paid quite well and comes very highly recommended. Her stubbornness, intolerance, and severity with the horses is key to molding the ideal warhorse. In her opinion things are done one way only: the right way, there are no side-paths.

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Pippin Pondlily's post

Haven Storms had one foot on the ground and the other perched on the rod connecting the front two legs of the stool. She half sat on the chair and half leaned on the bar counter, tracing the lip of her mug with her index finger. Her grey eyes were fixed sullenly on the shelves of mugs and tumblers behind the counter as she lamented all the minor troubles of her life that were brought into sharp relief and exaggerated by the excessive amounts of alcohol she had consumed.

The inn was an old one inhabited mostly by people who came out of tendency because here had been the eye of revelry in days past. The walls were dark and mildew filled the cracks and seeped through the grain of the rank wood. The ceiling was so full of smoke that Haven, frankly, could not be sure that one was even there. But what put the wry smile on her face and lured her to sit at the bar and buy a drink here was the fact that the people made like this was a modern, lively inn. They sang, laughed and told stories: some true, some ridiculously false. To put a damper on the patrons' happy spirits would be condemnable, which was precisely why she did.

"How long have you been here?" asked a familiarly dramatic voice. Haven cringed and moved so she sat the whole way on the chair. She cupped the mug in her hands.

"Please, leave me alone, Bryian," she said, her voice cold as stone not out of contempt for him but of what he had come to say. He took the empty seat next to her but did not order a drink.

"Why didn't you come back to the stables?" he asked, sounding sincerely anxious.

Haven sighed, began to answer and stopped. She took a drink. She set the mug on the counter and turned to face him, searching for an appropriate answer. "It wasn't my damn fault that horse died," she said bluntly, "the idiot stable boy should have arranged to get his shoe replaced months ago. It just so happened that I was riding it over that ditch when the nail came loose, the shoe came off, the bloody horse tripped and fell into the gully and broke its neck. What was I supposed to have done about it?!" She was shouting but no one seemed to notice it blending in with the songs and talk.

He inhaled deeply. "Haven, you push far too hard and you're merciless." He held up a hand to prevent her intervention. "I understand your ideas, I know your beliefs, the … code," he accentuated the word 'code', "you live by. It follows a steady line of logic and has its advantages but there's a line, Haven, there's a limit to what we as humans and they as horses can do. If you overstep that line, someone is going to get hurt, like today. Is that something you're just willing to risk?"

She didn't answer. Her face was taught and she clenched her teeth, a passion of fury rising up like a wave inside her, threatening to swell and crash, to swarm over him with an anger he shouldn't have to see.

Bryian put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it gently. "Haven, Rillis Wheed needs you, please, take care of yourself." He paused when she remained silent. "There is only one thing more tragic than the loss of a horse and that is the loss of a man, or, woman, in your case. What would they do without you?"

"To hell with Rillis Wheed and his bloody horses."

"You don't mean that, Haven."

"I do."

"Come on," Bryian said, standing. "I'll take you back to your house." Haven sat rigid.

"No thanks," she said. Her tranquility was noticeably forced. "I'm going to stay here a little longer." He looked at her openly concerned. "I'll be alright," she assured him. He smiled and leant forward, kissing her on the forehead. She stiffened.

After he left, Haven ordered her fifth mug of Dorwinion wine and moved to a table near the fire. She knew it wasn't her fault. She felt no guilt about the horse's death. That belonged entirely to the stable boy in charge of that row of stalls. She had been taking it around the course in sharp turns and sudden jumps forcing the horse to respond to the lightest touch and obey the smallest command. They were jumping the gully when the shoe came off. She was thrown to the side and her body was jolted against the hard dirt and stone. Haven had had just enough time to roll out of the way as the horse kicked its legs frantically, whinnied in excruciating pain and foamed thick at the mouth. She remembered she had come to her knees and watched in horror and disbelief.

Haven hung her head over the mug. She had been so close. That horse was brilliant, born with the gifts of the Mearas though it was not of their blood. He would have made the king proud and Haven was ready to present him in just under two weeks. It would have been the very turning point of her career. She had tasted the glory of having trained one of the king's horses only for it to be snatched away from her in a manner harsher than she thought she deserved. It certainly wasn't what that horse deserved. She didn't want to know what would happen to the stable boy. In her opinion, there was nothing severe enough for him.

Now what was she going to do? How could she continue to train horses and be hopeful when this had happened? It was too much to think about. She wanted to get away from it all if just for a little while…

As she was thinking, Haven hadn't exactly realized what she had been staring at but now she focused and saw that she was studying another patron in the inn. It was a young woman, a rather beautiful woman with thick, curly auburn hair sitting in a green cloak at the bar. Her expression changed as often as a river. First she was comfortable, secure and in control. Then she began to look confused and her expression grew distant, as though she was lost. Out of nowhere she'd smile or frown. Then suddenly she jolted as if hit by a sudden wind or a shudder of the earth. Her face began to shuffle emotions until suddenly they stopped and her eyes were wide and alert and her whole body was tense and aware. She began to look around the inn, apparently searching for someone.

Haven was completely mystified. What sort of loony was this?


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***

And its open for revision if necessary, Hope you like it Crystal!

- P. Pondlily

[Himaran]

Hey, great RPG idea!

I would like to play the second male ranger. I will start working on a profile and first post immediately.

Himaran

[Child of the 7th Age]

Himaran -

Please check your pms.

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

Everyone please note the rule about submitting first posts with profiles:

First post:


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

Many thanks!

Cami, Shire Mod

[Himaran]

Seekers of Truth

Character Description Form:

1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? - Yes, The Hobbit’s Gift, The Road to Erebor, Quest for the Ainereg, Sailing Away, The Summons, In the Shadow of the Star, Flight from Rohan, Resettling the Lost Kingdom, The Ambassador’s Son, Search for Rhûn, Land of Darkness.

2.) How many RPGs on the Barrow Downs are you currently involved in? - One, Land of Darkness.

3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn? - Yes.

Profile - 7.) 1 male ranger, returning to Rohan after several months in the wilderness.

Name - Raen

Age - 42

Race - Man (ranger)

Gender - Male

Weapons - Two long throwing knives (his favorite weapons), a standard bow an arrows, and a Longsword.

Appearance - Raen has lived in the wildnerness for several months, and his appearance has followed suit. Shaggy, dark brown hair clings to his neck as do the scruffy wiskers on the ranger's unshaven face. His clothing consists of a brown tunic, pants and cloak, weaven with green fibers to blend in with the forest. Leather vanguards and boots hold tightly to his arms and feet, attached with rusty metal clips. Tall with a broad profile, Raen has an intimidating figure. His light blue eyes are perhaps the only soft and yielding figment of his being. A traveler's pack hangs over his left shoulder, the only piece of luggage he ever carries with him.

Personality - Despite his appearance, Raen is compassionate and helpful -- it was this trait that caused him to go searching for Sandrina with the others, half a year earlier. He has always felt a strong urge to serve others, and cannot bear the sight of a sick child or an injured worker. The ranger is kind and thoughtful, uncharacteristic for his race, but is still withdrawn and quiet. Instead of conversing with others in taverns and halls, he prefers a silent walk in the forest. If one breaks the non-social barrier, however, he is talkative and friendly. Injustice to others is one of the few things in life that cause him to completely loose that personality. Raen becomes incredibly angry, and has little self control once his blood rises.

History - Raen was an only child, born in a small ranger camp in southern Eriador. His father died when he was young, leaving the raising to his mother, Haerin. A compassionate woman herself, Haerin focused on teaching her son to love and respect others. Instead of showing him the basics with a shortsword, she instructed him in the art of healing. She died when he was 12, and the boy's training quickly shifted to the trade of a warrior. But as the men of the camp molded him into and knife thrower, archer and swordsman, Raen never lost that caring spirit, and undying love for people.

After leaving the camp at the age of 22, the young ranger set out to travel the world. He did so, visiting Rohan and then Gondor. Many years passed, for Raen liked Gondor, and worked for a the Steward; patrolling the lands of Ithilien. But after joining a gold-mining expedition in the Bay of Belfalas that soon turned out to be a scam, the now poor warrior headed north again. Returning to Rohan, the now experienced ranger joined the search for a woman named Sandrina; who had disappeared under suspicious circumstances. Even after it was called off, Raen continued to traverse the surrounding wildnerness, not satisfied with the group's failure to find any trace of Sandrina. But he had no more success than the others, and eventually returned to Rohan, one year after the War of the Ring...

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Himaran's post



It was dark. Rain poured down around him, water splashed against his chest. He scanned the flooded area once more, looking for a trace, the slightest sign that she had been there. And then he saw her, twenty yards away, struggling against the current. He dove in, trying to reach her... but then the wave came, and the woman was gone.

Raen awoke with a start. He lay still for a moment, his heavy breathing the only sound in the room. There was no flooded forest, no woman, just a comfortable room inside a Rohanian tavern. The recurring nightmare had haunted him for several days, ever since he the stopped searching the wilderness a week before. The general search effort had ended months ago, but the ranger was hardly satisfied by the results. It was as though he was being punished for giving up, and Raen would have speculated further upon that theory; if common sense but had a smaller presence within his mind. Sitting up, he pushed with thick sheets aside and dressed slowly. After sleeping in the forest for so long, even the smallest figment of civilized life was a luxory. The man yawned, trying to feel comfortable; for in truth he was a stranger to these civilized surroundings. Snatching up a long, slender knife from the table (out of pure habit), Raen locked the room and headed downstairs.

Taking a seat at the bar, the ranger ordered a light breakfast and a hot drink. Even after several days at the establishment, it all seemed surreal. Nothing came naturely; Raen stared at the utensils before him for several moments before attacking the sliced ham with a vengence. He felt silly to have forgotten such simple behaviors, but knew it would all come back eventually. After all, it had been a while. The man watched as commoners and soldiers came and went, chatting and dining and arguing. Their lives were so simple; waking, working, and eventually passing from the world. Can I become a part of this calm, routine life? It was a question Raen had been asking himself ever since returning from his unsuccessful hunt.

Then a single man caught his attention. It was a ranger, (Raen was certain of that), but he seemed vaguely familier. There had been several of Raen's bloodline on the hunt for Sandrina; perhaps this was one of them. But that had been over five months back, surely they had not stayed in Rohan. Most went back to Eriador or Gondor, working for King Aragorn. He did look familier, though, and Raen started towards him; determined to find at least one of the answers that constantedly bothered him. The man immediately stopped, however, when the ranger began speaking with young woman who clearly resembled the one he had so desperately sought to find...

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Here you go - let me know if you need me to make changes.

Himaran

[piosenniel]

SUBMISSIONS FOR CHARACTERS SO FAR

1.) Arthur Lightheart - Harold's oldest son

• The Perky Ent - Arthur

~*~

2.) Samuel Lightheart - Harold's youngest son

• STILL NEEDED

~*~

Two male Rangers (They will have been from Gondor and know of the search for Sandrina but won't know the new whereabouts of her parents. They are there to aid in the capture of her cousins.)

~*~

3.) 1 male Ranger

• Arien - Braedon

~*~

4.) 1 male Ranger

• Himaran - Raen

~*~

5.) 1 Sword Maiden (An old childhood friend of Sandrina's that had been waiting for Sandrina's arrival in Gondor because she is the daughter of one of the trading families due to trade with her.)

• starkat - Anora

~*~

6.) 1 Family Friend – male or female (Recognizes her in the Inn (Male or Female) Regular that was waiting in Gondor for her as well.

• Hama of the Riddermark - Hama

~*~

7.) 1 Female (Who wants to come along in hopes of gaining a reward)

• Pippin Pondlily - Haven

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NOTE: If you find an "edited by piosenniel" on your post - I'm just setting the 'first posts' up for transfer to the game thread.

~*~ Pio

[piosenniel]

ONE LAST CHARACTER NEEDED!


#2.) Samuel Lightheart - Harold's youngest son

[The Perky Ent]

O brother, where art thou?



EDIT: Wow! This is my 2,000th post! I didn't see that comming! Wow! It's gonna be fun getting the next thousand in this RPG

[Crystal Heart]

Hello Everyone!! I am Crystal Heart.

I would like to thank you all for coming and posting and everything. It makes me feel very wonderful to think that people would actually want to play in my game.

This is wonderful. All of your posts are just the way I saw these people in my mind. You all will be perfect for your posts, bring a flare that only you could see when you thought of these characters and truly making them well rounded.

I know that we will be come a great group of friends. My first and actually the RPG I did before this one- we became a family. I am sure that is what will happen here. These RPG's have something more and I am very proud to say that I am apart of them.

Some of you I know or have seen around the site. I have heard much about you Perky Ent and must say that I am honored that you have chosen to play on my game.

I must send out a hello to Hama, my fellow Legacy of Traitor's buddy. I am so glad that you came along for the ride. It shall be a very fun RPG indeed. With all of you.

As these are the only two people I know I shall address the others together for this message pertains to you all: I am so honored and glad to have you come into my thread and decide to actually join this RPG. Thank you and I know that we will become quick friends during this game's life. Thank you and I can not wait to get to know you better.

Thanks must go to the wonderful Pio and Child of the 7th Age. You have helped me bring this together after only one game under my belt. Thank you. I truly truly appreciate it.

Without further ado-(and with hopes that someone will take the last slot available) I would like to extend a welcome to you all. May you have an enjoyable experience in the RPG and may you make friends that you can rely on through out your days on this site.

Your fellow comrade,

Crystal Heart


P.S. Congratulations to Perky Ent on making over 2000 posts now!!!

[The Perky Ent]

Hello Crystal!

I read your game proposal, and I said, "Eureka!" Arthur is my favorite type of character to play. I couldn't refuse! So, now, here I am! I'm sure we will become a great family, one that will extend even beyond the game. And yes, the mods in the Shire are encredibly helpful. I'm glad to see this is moving along! I can't wait!

~*~ The Perky Ent ~*~

PS, my reputation excedes me? wow!

[Child of the 7th Age]

Glad to see you Crystal and thanks for the kind words. Once we get someone to play Samuel Lightheart, we will be able to start the game!

~Child

[The Perky Ent]

If no one applies in a couple of days, would it be alright to start sending Pms to people who might be interested? Because, I think there's a couple of people interested in RPGS. Also, maybe Cami or Pio should put some ads in the Inns. Just a thought...

[piosenniel]

Ads in the Inns have been done and PM's have gone out already to a number of people.

If anyone knows someone who might like to play - please PM them ( make sure they have posted in the Green Dragon Inn at some point, or are on the Rohan List of players.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio

[The Perky Ent]

Will do!

[Crystal Heart]

Yes, Perky Ent your reputation does preceed you. You are most impressive in your skills, thus the reason why I am so honored that you joined my RPG.

I just wish that just one person would come and be Samuel so we could get this up and off the ground. But I can see that everything is being done that is humanly possible to try and get someone here. Patience is not one of my more stronger attributes. lol. But I will have to be I suppose. :-)

-Crystal-

[starkat]

I just wanted to let everyone know that I was back. Since this is my first RPG, is there anything that I need to know? Do I need to change anything in my post?

[Crystal Heart]

My advice is just to feel your character. Place yourself in your character's shoes and just allow the feelings of what that character would feel flow in your words. Describe the same situation as you see it. RPGing is a lot easier then people let on. I've only been in one real RPG previous to this. Once you get one under your belt it doesn't take long to get the hang of it. Just remember to not add the signatures in the game. That was one lesson I had to learn. I kept forgetting. Pio had to remind me. lol.

Your post is perfect and there is no need to change it. In my opinion you have grasped the concept already. I think you will do just fine. If you have any questions, just ask them. We will help you.

-Crystal-

[starkat]

Thanks Crystal. I appreciate the advice.

[The Perky Ent]

Crystal, I wouldn't put it any other way. If your good at acting, RPGing is a piece of cake. Just place yourself in your shoes. Anyways, we still haven't found my brother? I said it once, and I'll say it again

O brother, where art thou!?!

[The Perky Ent]

Everyone, Morsul the Dark is considering the role of Saumel Lightheart! So, we might be close to getting rolling!

[piosenniel]

Excellent work, TPE!

~*~ Pio

[Morsul the Dark]

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




3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn – YES (once)
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EDIT by CHILD

Morsul -- Glad to see you are interested in applying. Check your pms for some tips on how to complete your profile and post. Hope this helps. I'll save this space for you and, when you've completed both, you can paste them both up again.

Cami, Game Mod (Child of the 7th Age)

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Name: Samuel

Age: 22

Race: Man

Gender: Male

Skills: Skilled swordsman quickwitted
Weaknesses: Greedy and easily distracted by treasure, Always looked at as the younger child he is prone to fits of jealousy. He does have his wits about him and thinks things fully through. Sam has a soft spot for younger children he relates to them well and enjoys sharing with them the tales of old. Being modest at heart he is sometimes at war with himself his greed battling his conscience

Appearence:A fairly clean shaved young man his lng wavy brown hair reaches his shoulders and his tall stature makes him, despite his kindly smile, an rather imtimidating fellow. his clothes show his royal heritage but he tries not to flaunt it.

Weapons: A long Sword and a small steak knife used for eating

History:

Being Arthur's little Brother had always been against Sam's liking. Arthur got all the fun and glory because he was older. When he messed things up Sam would no longer be allowed to do the fun things. He learned his letters from his brother at a fairly early age and was always a bit bookish.

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Morsul the Dark's post

First Post:

Sam looked at his brother "Really? Mercenaries to fight mercenaries, they don't fight to the death, and surely we would be more suspicious. Simply call it a mistake should it come to it. Even the finest undertaker can not tell if one is dead sometimes." Sam looked at his brother. His brother had a glint in his eye as if he was in deep thought. Sam pulled out his pipe and filled it with longbottom, the finest imported weed in the land. It had always been his custom to do so when plotting.

Finally Sam looked up, "Perhaps Mercenaries aren't a bad idea. However we need a plan that will clear us of suspicion. Let us blame it on greedy peasants, commoners looking for a quick penny-cent of gold." He took his last puff then put out his pipe. He expertly cleaned it and placed it upon the table. He took his knife and began to cut the pig flesh on the plate in front of him. As he did he stopped he could only think of what he had done. 'No' He boldly thought himself 'It was our inheritance she had no right to it.' He looked up at his brother and waited for him to to tell his plan, his brother was, after all, the master of the plan.


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[Child of the 7th Age]

Hi, Morsul. Please check your pms. Child