The Battle of Celebrant OOC

[Gadreille]

Welcome to the unfinshed tales of

The Battle of Celebrant

A story of the rise of the Horse Lords and the oath which sealed the friendship of Rohan and Gondor. Here accounts five heroes as they journey from the near loss of a nation to the forging of another. Aethylwyn the shieldmaiden and Helmgar, her wise and honorable uncle, hail from a small settlement of Éothéod at the foot of the Grey Mountains, on the western shore of the eastern leg of the Greylin River. Here is where Elendyne Amandil, maiden of Mirkwood, finds them, as she travels in search of an army of Man for which to give her services as a healer. Unbeknownst to them, the Northern Army of Gondor is marching its way to its doom. Here we find Anglad, son of Anglond, and his cainenhîr, Magorthaen Tunneth. None realize that soon their army will be trapped by a host of Balchoth and orcs...six Gondorian riders will be sent to plead the aid of the Éothéod...only one will reach them...

Heroes

Aethylwyn, Shieldmaiden of Greybarrow
Anglad, Watchman of Angrenost
Elendyne Amandil, Healer of Mirkwood
Helmgar, Captain of Greybarrow
Magorthaen Tunneth, Cainehîr of Angrenost


Original Map of Middle Earth
~*~
Edited Map with Role Play Details

---

Table of Contents

Spoiler:

---

Non Playable Characters

Of Gondor

Spoiler:

Of Greybarrow

Spoiler:

Of Mirkwood

Spoiler:

---

Useful Links

Encyclopedia of Arda
Hiswelókë's Sindarin Dictionary
Lindefirion
LOTRwiki
Names of Middle Earth
Sindarin - The Noble Tongue

[Gadreille]

References

---

The House of Eorl

Eorl the Young was lord of the Men of Éothéod. That land lay near the sources of Anduin, between the furthest ranges of the Misty Mountains and the northernmost parts of Mirkwood. The Éothéod had moved to those regions in the days of King Eärnill II from lands in the vales of Anduin between the Carrock and the Gladden, and they were in origin close akin to the Beornings and the men of the west-eaves of the forest. The forefathers of Eorl claimed descent from kings of Rhovanion, whose realm lay beyond Mirkwood before the invasions of the Wainriders, and thus they accounted themselves kinsmen of the kings of Gondor descended from Eldacar. They loved best the plains, and delighted in horses and in all feats of horsemanship, but there were many men in the middle vales of Anduin in those days, and moreover the shadow of Dol Guldur was lengthening; when therefore they heard of the overthrow of the Witch-King, they sought more room in the North, and drove away the remnants of the people of Angmar on the east side of the Mountains. But in the days of Léod, the father of Eorl, they had grown to be a numerous people and were again somewhat straitened in the land of their home.

In the two thousand five hundred and tenth year of the Third Age a new peril threatened Gondor. A great host of wild men from the North-east swept over Rhovanion and coming down out of the Brown-lands crossed the Anduin on rafts. At the same time by chance or design the Orcs (who at that time before the war with the Dwarves were in great strength) made a descent from the Mountains. The invaders overran Calenardhon, and Cirion, Steward of Gondor, sent north for help; for there had been long friendship between the Men of Anduin’s Vale and the people of Gondor. But in the valley of the River men were now few and scattered, and slow to render such aid as they could. At last tidings came to Eorl of the need of Gondor, and late though it seemed, he set out with a great host of riders.

Thus he came to the battle of the Field of celebrant, for that was the name of the green land that lay between Silverlode and Limlight. There the northern army of Gondor was in peril. Defeated in the Wold and cut off from the south, it had been driven across the Limlight, and was then suddenly assailed by the Orc-host that pressed it towards the Anduin. All hope was lost when, unlooked for, the Riders came out of the North and broke upon the rear of the enemy. Then the fortunes of battle were reversed, and the enemy was driven with slaughter over Limlight. Eorl led his men in pursuit, and so great was the fear that went before the horsemen of the North that the invaders of the Wold were also thrown into panic, and the riders hunted them over the plains of Calendardhon.

The people of that region had become few since the Plague, and most of those that remained had been slaughtered by the savage Easterlings. Cirion, therefore, in reward for his aid, gave Calenardhon between Anduin and Isen to Eorl and his people; and they sent north for their wives and children and their goods and settled in that land. They named it anew the Mark of the Riders, and they called themselves the Eorlingas; but in Gondor their land was called Rohan, and its people the Rohirrim (that is, the Horse Lords). Thus Eorl became the first King of the Mark, and he chose for his dwelling a green Hill before the feet of the White Mountains that were the south-wall of his land. There the Rohirrim lived afterwards as free men under their own kings and laws, but in perpetual alliance with Gondor.

Many lords and warriors, and many fair and valiant women, are named in the songs of Rohan that still remember the North. Frumgar, they say, was the name of the chieftain who led his people to Éothéod. Of his son, Fram, they tell that he slew Scatha, the great dragon of Ered Mithrin, and the land had peace from the long-worms afterwards. Thus Fram won great wealth, but was at feud with the Dwarves, who claimed the hoard of Scatha. Fram would not yield them a penny, and sent to them instead the teeth of Scatha made into a necklace, saying: “Jewels such as these you will not match in your treasuries, for they are hard to come by.” Some say that the Dwarves slew Fram for this insult. There was no great love between Éothéod and the Dwarves.

Léod was the name of Eorl’s father. He was a tamer of wild horses; for there were many at that time in the land. He captured a white foal, and it grew quickly to a horse strong, fair and proud. No man could tame it. When Léod dared to mount it, it bore him away, and at last threw him, and Léod’s head struck a rock, and so he died, He was then only two and forty years old, and his son a youth of sixteen.

Eorl vowed that he would avenge his father. He hunted long for the horse, and at last he caught sight of him; and his companions expected that he would try and come within bowshot and kill him. But when they drew near, Eorl stood up and called in a loud voice: “Come hither, Mansbane, and get a new name!” to their wonder the horse looked towards Eorl, and came and stood before him, and Eorl said: “Felaróf I name you. You loved your freedom, and I do not blame you for that. But now you owe me a great weregild, and you shall surrender your freedom to me until your life’s end.”

Then Eorl mounted him, and Felaróf submitted; and Eorl rode him home without brit or bridle; and he rode him in like fashion ever after. The horse understood all that men said, though he would allow no man but Eorl to mount him. It was upon Felaróf that Eorl rode to the Field of Celebrant; for that horse proved as long lived as Men, and so were his descendants. These were the mearas, who would bear no one but the King of the Mark or his sons, until the time of Shadowfax. Men said of them that Béma (whom the Eldar call Oromë) must have brought their sire from West over Sea.

---

The Atlas of Middle Earth

The Watchful Peace and Its End
(2060-2480)

Gandalf, whom the Elves called Mithrandir, was the first to perceive that the growing evil power in Dol Guldur was Sauron himself. In 2063, Mithrandir went to the Dark Lord’s fortress, and Sauran retreated east -- but it may only have been a feint. The next four centuries were called The Watchful Peace, because the evil was less; but evil had certainly not vanished. Orcs continued to spread. The Dwarves were driven from Moria. Most important, Sauron used the opportunity to gain additional support from Men in the east.
In 2460 Sauron returned to Dol Guldur with his new allies, and once more his thralls were under direct control. His first assault was fifteen years later, in 2475. Uruks from Minas Morgul marched through Ithilien and attacked Osgiliath. Reinforcements must have been rushed from Minas Anor and other nearby areas, for the partially deserted city certainly could not have withstood the onslaught on its own. Boromir I defeated the enemy and drove them back to the mountains; yet Osgiliath fell into final ruin. In the fighting the great bridge was broken and the last citizens fled -- as did many of the inhabitants of Ithilien. Yet the defeat had once more restrained the forces sent by the Nazgul. The Uruks continued guerilla warfare in Ithilien, but there were no more major battles at Osgiliath for over half a century. The cumulative drain of all the harrying attacks from many sides -- east from Mordor and south from Umbar -- reduced Gondor’s striking arm until the country could do little more than defend its own borders. At times it even had difficulty with that. To further disrupt assistance, Orcs spread through the Misty Mountains, blocking passage and harrying those few people who dared to remain near the mountains.

View Battle Strategy Here

The Balcoth and the Rohirrim
(2510)

The next major onslaught came in the north. After the defeat of the Wainriders, when many of the Northmen had left Rhovanion and settled among the folk of Gondor, a new group of Easterlings had taken the lands east of Mirkwood. They were called the Balchoth, and their allegiance was given to Sauron. At first they passed through Mirkwood and raided the Vale of Anduin, until the lands south of the Gladden were deserted. Then they prepared for an assault against Gondor itself.
On numerous rafts the Balchoth crossed the Anduin, passing from the Brown Lands to the Wold. At first there must have been little resistance in the sparsely populated plains of Calenardhon, until the bulk of the troops arrived. The North Army probably counterattacked earliest, and in their fervor had already driven into the Wold and were cut off from the later companies. The Balchoth forced further separation by pushing them north across the Limlight. By chance or command, a band of Orcs descended from the mountains and blocked further retreat, and the Dunedain were backed against the river. In such an hour the Eotheod arrived. Although a summons had been sent to Gondor’s allies before the attack, it had taken long to reach the horsemen in the far north. In haste the host of Eorl had galloped down the east side of Anduin, crossed the river at the Undeeps, and broken on the rear of the attacking Balchoth -- unexpected by friend or foe. Not only did they rout the attackers, but they crossed back into northern Gondor and scattered all the Balchoth in Calendardhon as well.
In reward Gondor gave the Eotheod all the depopulated land of Calenardhon between the Isen and the Anduin. They held the territory as a separate realm, under their own kings. Gondor’s lands once again were shrunken.

---

Timeline of the 3rd Age

Spoiler:

Kings of the Mark

2485-2545: Eorl the Young. He was so named because he succeeded his father in youth and remained yellow-haired and ruddy to the end of his days. These were shortened by a renewed attack of the Easterlings. Eorl fell in battle in the Wold, and the first mound was raised. Felaróf was laid there also.

2512-70: Brego. He drove the enemy out of the Wold, and Rohan was not attacked again for many years. In 2569 he completed the great hall of Meduseld. At the feast his son Baldor vowed that he would tread ‘the paths of the dead’ and did not return. Brego died of grief the next year.

2544-2645: Aldor the old. He was Brego’s second son. He became known as the Old, since he lived to a great age, and was king for 75 years. In his time the Rohirrim increased, and drove out or subdued the last of the Dunlendish people that lingered east of Isen. Harrowdale and other mountain valleys were settled. Of the next three kings, little is said, for Rohan had peace and prospered in their time.

---

3.2.i : The Northmen and the Wainriders (Unfinished Tales)

The Northmen of Rhovanion: The Northmen were a numerous and powerful confederation of peoples living in the wide the wide plains between Mirkwood and the River Running. They were great breeders of horses and riders renowned for their skill and endurance. Their settled homes were in the eastern eaves of Mirkwood, particularly around the East Bight, which was made by their felling of trees.

The Northmen were descendants of the same race of Men as those who in the First Age passed into the West of Middle-earth and became allies of the Eldar in their wars with Morgoth. They were therefore from afar off kinsmen of the Dúnedain or Númenóreans, and there was great friendship between them and the people of Gondor. They were in fact a bulwark of Gondor, keepings its northern and eastern frontiers from invasion; though that was not fully realized by the Kings until the bulwark was weakened and at last destroyed.
Descendants of these Men would become the Éothéod in the Vales of Anduin, on the western side of Mirkwood.

The Wainriders: The Wainriders are a confederation of Easterling tribes beyond the lands of Rhûn. They rode in great wagons and chariots, which earned them their name. They began raiding the lands of Rhovanion in 1851 and attacked in full force five years later. They invaded under the influence of Sauron, who had nurtured a great hatred for Gondor.

Timeline of Events:

1635: The waning of the Northmen of Rhovanion began with the Great Plague, which appeared there in the winter of the year 1635 and soon spread to Gondor. In Gondor the mortality was great, especially among those who dwelt in cities. It was greater in Rhovanion, for though its people lived mostly in the open and had no great cities, the Plague came with a cold winter when the horses and men were driven into shelter and their low wooden houses and stables were thronged. When the Plague passed, it is said that more than half of the folk of Rhovanion had perished, and of their horses also.

1851: The Northmen were slow to recover from the Plague, though the peoples further east must have been equally afflicted. The first attacks from the Wainriders did not come until over 200 years after the Plague. The Wainriders raided Rhovanion from 1851 to 1856.

1856: King Narmacil II took a great army north into the plains south of Mirkwood, and gathered all that he could of the scattered remnants of the Northmen; but he was defeated, and himself fell in battle. The remnant of his army retreated over the Dagorlad and into Ithilien, and Gondor abandoned all lands east of the Anduin save Ithilien.

The escape of the army of Gondor from total destruction was in part due to the courage and loyatly of the horsemen of the Northmen under Marhari who acted as rearguard. But the forces of Gondor had inflicted such losses on the Wainriders that they had not the strength enough to press their invasion, until reinforced from the East, and were content for the time to complete their conquest of Rhovanion.

As for the Northmen, a few, it is said, fled over the Celduin (River Running) and were merged with the folk of Dale under Erebor (with whom they were akin), some took refuge in Gondor, and others were gathered by Marhwini son of Marhari (who fell in the rearguard action after the Battle of the Plains). Passing north between Mirkwood and Anduin they settled in the Vales of Anduin, where they were joined by many fugitives who came through the Forest. This was the beginning of the Éothéod, though nothing was known of it in Gondor for many years. Most of the Northmen were reduced to servitude, and all their former lands were occupied by the Wainriders.

1899: King Calimehtar, son of Narmacil II, determined to avenge the defeat of the Battle of the Plains. Messengers came to him from Marhwini warning him that the Wainriders were plotting to raid Calenhardhon over the Undeeps; but they said also that a revolt of the Northmen who had been enslaved was being prepared and would burst into flames if the Wainriders became involved in war. Calimehtar led an army out of Ithilien, taking care that its approach should be well-known to the enemy. The Wainriders came down with all the strength they could spare, and Calimehtar gave way before them, drawing them away from their homes. At length, battle was joined upon the Dagorlad, and the result was long in doubt. But at its height horsemen that Calimehtar had sent over the Undeeps (left unguarded by the enemy) joined with a great éored led by Marhwini assailed the Wainriders flank and rear. The victory of Gondor was overwhelming – though not in the event decisive.

When the enemy broke and were soon in disordered flight north towards their homes Calimehtar, wisely for his part, did not pursue them. They had left well night a third of their host dead to rot upon the Dagorlad. But the horsemen of Marhwini harried the fugitives and inflicted great loss upon them in their long rout over the plains, until they were within far sight of Mirkwood, where a great smoke was going up.

The revolt planned and assisted by Marhwini had indeed broken out; desperate outlaws coming out of the Forest had roused the slaves, and together had succeeded in burning many of the dwellings of the Wainriders, and their storehouses, and their fortified camps of wagons. But most of them had perished in the attempt; for they were ill-armed, and the enemy had not left their homes undefended: their youths and old men were aided by the younger women, who in that people were also trained in arms and fought fiercely in defense of their homes and children.

Marhwini was obliged to retire again to his land beside the Anduin, and the Northmen of his race never again returned to their former homes.

1900: King Calimehtar builds the White Tower of Minas Anor (Minas Tirith) as a monument to his victory against the Wainriders.
1936: King Ondoher succeeds his father Calimehtar.
1940: Arvedui of Arnor weds Firiel daughter of Ondoher of Gondor.
1944: The Wainriders, under Sauron, allied with the peoples of Khand and their neighbors further south. Sauron devised an attack on Gondor from both the south and the north. Forthwini, son of Marwini, warned King Ondoher of the increased strength of the Wainriders in Rhovanion. Ondoher was also aware of armies from the south, and so he raised what armies he could and split them into two: the northern army, and the southern army.

The southern army camped at the city of Pelargir in Gondor under the command of Eärnil, a descendant of King Telumehtar, father of Narmacil II. The northern army was commanded by King Ondoher himself, accompanied by his eldest son, Aramir. His youngest son, Faramir, was commanded to stay at Minas Anor. King Ondoher expected the attack to come from the north or northeast, and he expected to position the northern army on the Dagorlad. But the Wainriders, with their reinforcements, came from the east, along the Ered Lithui. Ondoher was forced to do battle before the Gates of Mordor (the Morannon). The advance army of chariots and horsemen crashed into Ondoher’s unprepared line, killing both Ondoher and his son Aramir. Emboldened by their success, the main easterling force continues on.

Minothar, the captain of Gondor’s armies, took command of the shattered northern army. They retreated south, toward Ithilien, and slowed the advance of the invaders as well as they could. The Éothéod arrived by word of Faramir, youngest son of Ondoher who had escaped Minas Anor to do battle in disguise. Faramir fought with the Éothéod in near Rhovanion, but was slain. The leader of the Éothéod then went to Minothar to give word of Faramir’s death.

Despite the help of the Éothéod, Minothar was slain by an arrow and what remained of the rearguard was forced to flee south. The chief commander of the Wainriders then called a halt to the advance and held a feast. But Eärnil, Captain of the southern army, won a great victory in South Ithilien and destroyed the army of Harad that had crossed the River Poros. Hastening north, he gathered to him all that he could of the retreating northern army and came up against the main camp of the Wainriders, while they were feasting and reveling, believing that Gondor was overthrown and that nothing remained by to take the spoil. Eärnil stormed the camp and set fire to the wains, and drove the enemy in a great rout out of Ithilien. A great part of those who fled before him perished in the Dead Marshes.

Conclusion: In the Tale of Years the victory of Eärnil is called the Battle of the Camp. After the deaths of Ondoher and both his sons at the Morannon, Arvedui, last king of the northern realm, laid claim to the crown of Gondor; but his claim was rejected, and in the year following the Battle of the Camp Eärnil became King. His son was Eärnur, who died in Minas Morgul after accepting the challenge of the Lord of the Nazgûl, and was the last of the Kings of the southern realm.

3.2.ii : The Ride of Eorl (Unfinished Tales)

The Éothéod: The Éothéod were descendants of the Northmen of Rhovanion, a remnant of that people which had settled on the western eaves of Mirkwood after the war with the Wainriders. After those events, they dwelt between the Carrock and the Gladden Fields. Over time, they were joined by other groups of Northmen refugees – this marked the beginning of the Éothéod. Some hundred years later, they had increased in number and the land could no longer sustain them. This is when Frumgar led his people to the north, in the land the riders would later refer to as the Éothéod. (it should be noted that the name is applied to both the land and the people living there)

The new land of the Éothéod lay north of Mirkwood, between the Misty Mountains westward and the Forest River eastward. Southward it extended to the confluence of the two short rivers that they named Greylin and Langwell. Greylin flowed down from Ered Mithrin, the Grey Mountains, but Langwell came from the Misty Mountains, and this name is bore because it was the source of Anduin, which from its junction with Greylin they called the Langflood.

[A note on the capital: “…between the confluence of Greylin and Langwell (where was their only fortified burg)”; the name of the capital is never mentioned in Tolkien’s writings, however the name Framsburg can be seen on the map of Middle-Earth drawn by Pauline Baynes (link) . According to Wikipedia, it was done so “in consultation with Tolkien”. It was named for Fram, son of Frumgar, after he defeated Scatha the Worm. ]

The Balchoth: A clan of Easterlings living in Rhovanion, under the sway of Dol Guldur; they were akin to the Wainriders who preceded them. The Balchoth were great in number, but they were rudely armed and had a small amount of horses suitable for riding, for the majority of them were used to pull their wains. Allying themselves with orcs coming down from the mountains, they used rafts to cross the Anduin and descended upon the sparsely populated land of Calenardhon.

[Note: As with the Wainriders, information on the Balchoth is scarce at best. Little is known about them, in terms of culture and political structure, however – it is most probably safe to assume that they would live in a way fitting of Mordor and its Dark Lord. With the strongest on top of society and the weak trampled and used as slaves.]

Timeline of Events:

1977: Frumgar leads his people north, driving out the remnants of the servants of Angmar. Most likely, Framsburg was founded shortly after the Éothéod arrived.
2459: Léod is born.
2485: Eorl is born.
2489: Cirion becomes Steward of Gondor.
2501: Léod, father of Eorl and Lord of the Éothéod, is killed while trying to tame the horse that would later be known as Felaróf. Eorl succeeds his father and becomes known as “The Young”, due to his age – 16 years old.
2509: A great host of Easterlings (The Balchoth) muster on the southern eaves of Mirkwood, preparing an attack on Calenardhon.
2510: The Balchoth launch their attacks on Calenardhon, aided by orcs coming down from the mountains. Cirion sends messengers north to the Éothéod, hoping that they would aid him in his hour of need. In the mean time, he musters what forces he can and departs north, in attempt to stop the enemy from advancing further. He leaves his son, Hallas, in command of Minas Tirith.

The first pair of messengers left on the tenth day of Súlìmë; and in the event it was one of these, alone of all the six, who got through to the Éothéod. He was Borondir, a great rider of a family that claimed descent from a captain of the Northmen in the service of the Kings of old. Of the others no tidings were ever heard, save of Borondir’s companion. He was slain by arrows in ambush as they passed near Dol Guldur, from which Borondir escaped by fortune and the speed of his horse. He was pursued as far north as the Gladden Fields, and often waylaid by men that came out of the Forest and forced him to ride far out of the direct way. He came at last to the Éothéod after fifteen days, for the last two without food; and he was so spent that he could scarce speak his message to Eorl.

It was then the twenty-fifth day of Súlìmë. Eorl took counsel with himself in silence; but not for long. Soon he rose, and he said: “I will come. If the Mundburg falls, whither shall we flee from the Darkness?” Then he took Borondir’s hand in token of his promise. [Note from Blackrock: Mundburg is Minas Tirith in the tongue of the Éothéod; it means “Protecting Hill”]

Eorl at once summoned his council of Elders, and began to prepare for the great riding. But this took many days, for the host had to be gathered and mustered, and thought taken for the ordering of the people and the defence of the land. At that time the Éothéod were at peace and had no fear of war: thought it might prove otherwise when it became known that their lord had ridden away to battle far off in the South. Nonetheless Eorl saw well that nothing less than his full strength would serve, and he must risk all or draw back and break his promise.

At last the whole host was assembled; and only a few hundreds were left behind to support the men unfitted for such a desperate venture by youth or age. It was then the sixth day of the month of Víressë. On that day in silence the great éoherë set out, leaving fear behind, and taking with them small hope; for they knew not what lay before them, either on the road or at its end. It is said that Eorl led forth some seven thousand fully-armed riders and some hundreds of horsed archers. At his right hand rode Borondir, to serve as guide so far as he might, since he had lately passed through the lands. But this great host was not threatened or assailed during its long journey down the Vales of Anduin. Such folk of good or evil kind as saw it approach fled out of its path for fear of its might and splendour. As it drew southward and passed by southern Mirkwood (below the great East Bight), which was now infested by the Balchoth, still there was no sign of men, in force or in scouting parties, to bar their road or to spy upon their coming. In part this was due to events unknown to them, which had come to pass since Borondir set out; but other powers also were at work. For when at last the host drew near to Dol Guldur, Eorl turned away westward for fear of the dark shadow and cloud that flowed out from it, and then he rode on within sight of Anduin. Many of the riders turned their eyes thither, half in fear and half in hope to glimpse from afar the shimmer of the Dwimordene, the perilous land that in legends of their people was said to shine like gold in the springtime. But now it seemed shrouded in a gleaming mist; and to their dismay the mist passed over the river and flowed over the land before them. [Note from Blackrock: Dwimordene is the land of Lothlórien in the language of the Éothéod; it means “Magical Wood”]

Eorl did not halt. “Ride on!” he commanded. “There is no other way to take. After so long a road shall we be held back from battle by a river-mist?”

As they drew nearer they saw that the white mist was driving back the glooms of Dol Guldur, and soon they passed into it, riding slowly at first and warily; but under its canopy all things were lit with a clear and shadowless light, while to left and right they were guarded as it were by white walls of secrecy.

“The Lady of the Golden Wood is on our side, it seems,” said Borondir.

“Maybe,” said Eorl. “But at least I will trust the wisdom of Felaróf. He scents no evil. His heart is high, and his weariness is healed: he strains to be given his head. So be it! For never have I had more need of secrecy and speed.”

Then Felaróf sprang forward, and all the host behind followed like a great wind, but in a strange silence, as if their hooves did not beat upon the ground. So they rode on, as fresh and eager as on the morning of their setting-out, during that day and the next; but at dawn on the third day they rose from their rest, and suddenly the mist was gone, and they saw that they were far out in the open lands. On their right the Anduin lay near, but they had almost passed its great eastward loop, and the Undeeps were in sight. It was the morning of the fifteenth day of Víressë, and they had come there at a speed beyond hope.

[Tolkien notes: In nine days they had covered more than five hundred miles in a direct line, probably more than six hundred as they rode. Though there were no great natural obstacles on the east side of the Anduin, much of the land was now desolate, and roads or horse-paths running southward were lost or little used; only for short periods were they able to ride at speed, and they needed also to husband their own strength and their horses’, since they expected battle as soon as they reached the Undeeps.]

When Eorl and his Riders came to the Field of Celebrant the northern army of Gondor was in peril.
Defeated in the Wold and cut off from the south, it had been driven across the Limlight, and was then suddenly assailed by the Orc-host that pressed it towards the Anduin. All hope was lost when unlooked for, the Riders came out of the North and broke upon the rear of the enemy. Then the fortunes of battle were reversed, and the enemy was driven with slaughter over Limlight. Eorl led his men in pursuit, and so great was the fear that went before the horsemen of the North that the invaders of the Wold were also thrown into panic, and the Riders hunted them over the plains of Calenardhon.

[Note from Blackrock: Súlìmë - > Quenya name of the third month according to the Númenórean calendar; March. Víressë ->Quenya name of the fourth month according to the Númenórean calendar; April.]

Conclusion: The Battle of the Field of Celebrant marked the beginning of the kingdom of Rohan. The Balchoth were broken and the threat to Gondor was, for a time, averted. In addition, the settling of the Éothéod in Calenardhon meant that for the first time in hundreds of years, the Southern Kingdom had a bulwark against enemy forces coming in from Rhovanion. However, this also meant that, once more, Gondor’s territories were greatly shrunken.

3.2.iii : Cirion and Eorl (Unfinished Tales)

The Halifirien: Westernmost of the beacons of Gondor, along the line of Ered Nirais, the Halifirien (rohirrim language: Holy Mountain) was the highest of the beacons, appearing to stand up alone out of a great wood. The great West Road passed through a long cutting in the Firien wood, made in ancient days, being the great Numenorean road linking the two kingdoms, crossing the Isen at the Fords of Ise and the Greyflood at Tharbad and then on northwards to Fornost; elsewhere called the North-South Road. After the departure of Isildur no tree was ever felled here, except by beacon Wardens. There were beasts, and none liked to remain here for long; not for the beasts or a dark evil, but beneath the sounds of the winds, the cries of birds and beasts, or the noise of horsemen, there lay a silence, and a man would find himself speaking to his comrades in a whisper, as if he expected to hear the echo of a great voice that called from far away and long ago. This place was called Amon Anwar in Sindarin, the “Hill of Awe”, for reasons unknown in Gondor except to the ruling king or Steward. This place also referred to as the “Whispering Wood”. No beacon was here while the palantiri maintained communication between Osgiliath and the three towers (orthanc, Minas Ithil, Minas Anor). In later days, little aid was expected from people of the North as Calendardhon declined. The full beacon system could not have been older than the Settlement of the Rohirrim. It was not permitted that any fort or beacon should be set upon Amon Anwar.

Éored: Though it is noted that éored stood for Riders fully trained for war, but with no fixed number, after the recovery of the Rohirrim and reorganization of heir forces under King Folcwine (about a hundred years before War of the Ring), a ‘full éored” in battle order was to contain no less than 120 men including the Captain, and one hundredth part of the Full Muster of the Riders of the Mark. The full muster of the cavalry was called éoherë.

The Gift of Calenardhon: There was great assault of the Balchoth and Orcs, which would have been the ruin of Gondor, when Eorl the Young and the Rohirrim rescued the realm of Calendardhon. It was wondered how Cirion would reward Eorl; many thought there would be a feast. But Cirion said instead:
“Farewell now Eorl, son of Léod. I will return to my home, where much needs to be set in order. Calenardhon I commit to your care for this time, if you are not in haste to return to your own realm. In three months’ time I will meet you here again, and then we will take cousel together.”
“I will come,” Eorl answered; and so they departed.

Then Cirion summoned servants to the Whispering Wood to re-open the ancient path to Amon Anwar, in secret. They were to fell no trees, keep the entrance hidden, and tell no one what they had done. Then in the month of Úrimë he set out with Hallas, his son the Lord of Dol Amroth [aka Prince], and two others, and met Eorl and three chief captains at the crossing of the Mering Stream. Cirion led them to the Hill of Awe. Here he stated:

“I will now declare what I have resolved, with the authority of the Stewards of the Kings, to offer to Eorl son of Léod, Lord of the Éothéod, in recognition of the valour of his people and of the help beyond hope that he brought to Gondor in time of dire need. To Eorl I will give in free gift all the great land of Calenardhon from Anduin to Isen. There, if he will, he shall be king, and his heirs after him, and his people shall dwell in freedom while the authority of the Stewards endures, until the Great King returns. No bond shall be laid upon them other than their own laws and will, save in this only: they shall live in perpetual friendship with Gondor and its enemies shall be their enemies while both realms endure. But the same bond shall be laid also on the people of Gondor.”

Eorl was honored by the generosity of the gift and the noble terms in which it had been offered, and he saw the wisdom of it. His lands were too small and constrained by the threat of Dol Guldur. Beyond this wisdom and policy, Cirion and Eorl were moved by the great friendship that bound their peoples together, and by the love that was between them as true men. Cirion had the love of a wise father for a son in the strength and hope of his youth, while Eorl saw in Cirion the highest and noblest and wisest man in the world that he knew. Then Eorl responded: “Lord Steward of the Great King, the gift that you offer I accept for myself and for my people. It far exceeds any reward that our deeds could have earned, if they had not themselves been a free gift of friendship. But now I will seal that friendship with an oath that shall not be forgotten.”

Then Cirion led Eorl to the high place of Amon Anwar to take their oaths. At the high place there was a wide oval place of level turf, unfenced, at its eastern end a low mound which grew the white flowers of alfirin (simbelmynë). Before the mound was a black stone engraved with three letters lambe, ando, lambe (L-ND-L). This was the tomb of Elendil, kept secret by the kings and stewards of Gondor. It is the midpoint of the Kingdom of the South.

The Oath of Eorl: Eorl then stood forth, and taking his spear from his esquire he set it upright in the ground. Then he drew his sword and cast it up shining in the sun, and catching it again he stepped forward and laid the blade upon the mound, but with his hand still about the hilts. He spoke then in a great voice the Oath of Eorl. This he said in the tongue of the Éothéod, which in the Comon Speech is interpreted.

“Hear now all peoples who bow not to the Shadow in the East, by the gift of the Lord of the Mundburg we will come to dwell in the land that he names Calenardhon, and therefore I vow with my own name and on behalf of the Éothéod of the North that between us and the Great People of the West there shall be friendship for ever: their enemies shall be our enemies, their need shall be our need, and whatsoever evil, or threat, or assault may come upon them we will aid them to the utmost end of our strength. This vow shall descend to my heirs, all such as may come after me in our new land, and let them keep it in faith unbroken, lest the shadow fall upon them and they become accursed.”

Cirion then made answer. Standing to his full height he laid his hand upon the tomb and in his right hand held up the white wand of the Stewards, and spoke words that filled those who heard them with awe. For as he stood up the sun went down in flame in the West and his white robe seemed to be on fire; and after he had vowed that Gondor should be bound by a like bond of friendship and aid in all need, he lifted up his voice and said in Quenya: Vanda sina termaruva Elenna-nóreo alcar enyalien ar Elendil Vorondo vorowë. Nai tiruvantes I hárar mahalmassen mi Númen ar I Eru I or ilyë mahalmar eä tennoio. He said again in common speech: This oaths hall stand in memory of the glory of the Land of the Star, and of the faith of Elendil the Faithful, in the keeping of those who sit upon the thrones of the West and of the One who is above all thrones for ever.

The Beginning of a New Realm: Such an oath had not been heard since Elendil himself had sworn alliance with Gil-galad King of the Eldar. [And not used again until King Elessar returned and renewed the bond in that same place with King of the Rohirrim, Eomer the eighteenth descended from Eorl.] They then laid out the boundaries of the realm of Eorl, and in all these regions Gondor still retained under its own command only the fortress of Angrenost, the third tower of Gondor, the impregnable Orthanc where was held the fourth of the palantiri of the southern realm. The guards of this land were a small settled people. The Wood of Anwar (whispering wood) was agreed to be in the care and maitenence of both realms, but with the decline of Gondor, Rohan cared for it entirely. They named the Hill of Awe the Halifirien, and the Wood the Firienholt [Firien Wood].
The day of the Oath taking is referenced as the first day of the new Kingdom, when Eorl took the title of King of the Mark of the Riders. It took some while before Rohirrim took possession of the land, and during his life Eorl was known as Lord of the Éothéod and King of Calenardhon. The term Mark signified a borderland, especially one serving as defense of the inner lands of a realm. The Sindarin names Rohan for the Mark and Rohirrim for the people were devised first by Hallas, son and successor of Cirion, but were often used not only in Gondor but by the Éothéod themselves.

Eorl takes his leave: "Lord Steward…This land is now rid of enemies; but they are not destroyed at the root, and beyond Anduin and under the eaves of Mirkwood we know not yet what peril lurks. I sent yestereve three messengers north, riders brave and skilled, in the hope that one at least will reach my home before me. For I must now return myself, and with some strength; my land was left with few men, those too young and those too old; and if they are to make so great a journey our women and children, with such goods as we cannot spare, well nigh half of the host that is now in Calenardhon. Some companies of horsed archers there shall be, to go where need calls, if any bands of the enemy still lurk in the land; but the main force shall remain in the North-east to guard above all the place where the Balchoth made a crossing of the Anduin out of the Brown Lands; for there is still the greatest danger, and there is also my chief hope, if I return, of leading my people into their new land with as little grief and loss as may be. If I return, I say: but be assured that I shall return, for the keeping of my oath, unless disaster befall us and I perish with my people on the long road. For that must be on the east side of Anduin ever under the threat of Mirkwood, and at last must pass through the vale that is haunted by the shadow of the hill that you name Dol Guldur. On the west side there is no road for horsemen, nor for a great host of people and wains, even were not the Mountains infested by Orcs; and none can pass, few or many, through the Dwimordene where dwells the White Lady and weaves nets that no mortal can pass [It is obvious Eorl does not believe the White Lady helped their passing to Celebrant]. By the east road I will come, as I came to Celebrant; and may those whom we call in witness of our oaths have us in their keeping. Let us part now in hope! Have I your leave?”

Cirion responded, “Indeed you have my leave, since I see now that it cannot be otherwise. I perceive that in our peril I have given too little thought to the dangers that you have faced and the wonder of your coming beyond hope over the long leagues from the North. The reward that I offered in joy and fullness of heart at our deliverance now seems little. But I believe that the words of my oath, which I had not forethought ere I spoke there, were not put into my mouth in vain. We will part then in hope.”

3.2.iv: The Tradition of Isildur (Unfinished Tales)

It is said that when Isildur returned from the War of the Last Alliance he remained for a time in Gondor, ordering the realm and instructing Meneldil his nephew, before he himself departed to take up the kingship of Arnor. With Meneldil and a company of trusted friends he made a journey about the borders of all the lands to which Gondor laid claim; and as they were returning from the northern bound to Anórien they came to the high hill that was then called Eilenaer but was afterwards call Amon Anwar, “Hill of Awe”. That was near to the centre of the lands of Gondor. They made a path through the dense woods of its northward slopes, and so came to its summit, which was green and treeless. There they made a level space, and at its eastward end they raised a mound; within the mound Isildur laid a casket that he bore with him. Then he said: “This is a tomb and memorial of Elendil the Faithful. Here it shall stand at the mid-point of the Kingdom of the South in the keeping of the Valar, while the Kingdom endures; and this place shall be a hallow that none shall profane. Let no man disturb its silence and peace, unless he be an heir of Elendil.”

They made a stone stair from the fringe of the woods up to the crown of the hill; and Isildur said: “Up this stair let no man climb, save the King, and those that he brings with him, if he bids them follow him.” Then all those present were sworn to secrecy; but Isildur gave this counsel to Meneldil, that the King should visit the hallow from time to time, and especially when he felt the need of wisdom in days of danger or distress; and thither also he should bring his heir, when he was full-grown to manhood, and tell him of the making of the hallow, and reveal to him the secrets of the realm and other matter that he should know.

Meneldil followed Isildur’s counsel, and all the Kings that came after him, until Rómendacil I (the fifth after Meneldil). In his time Gondor was first assailed by Easterlings; and lest the tradition should be broken because of war or sudden death or other misfortune, he cause the “Tradition of Isildur” to be set down in a sealed scroll, together with other things that a new King should know; and this scroll was delivered by the Steward to the King before his crowning. This delivery was from then onwards always performed, though the custom of visiting the hallow of Amon Anwar with his heir was maintained by nearly all the Kings of Gondor.

This tradition was continued long after the time of the Kings. While the Stewards were not “heirs of Elendil”, they had all the rights and duties of the Kings. And since the tradition was known to them only (due to the absence of a King), they judged that, as with other matters, the custom of visiting Amon Anwar was theirs to perform as well. Thus like the Kings before them, each Steward brought his heir to Elendil’s tomb, until such a time when “the Great King returns”. This carried on until the day of Cirion, the twelfth Steward, and the coming of the Rohirrim.

After Eorl had sworn his Oath and returned to the North to prepare his people for the great journey, Cirion had Elendil’s casket removed and placed within the Hallows of Minas Tirith. This he did, because he considered the Tradition of Isildur to be void. No longer was Amon Anwar the “mid-point of the Kingdom”, it was now on the borders of another realm, allied with Gondor. Despite that, even after the mound was no more and the hill was used as a beacon – it remained a place of reverence to both Gondor and Rohan. The horsemen named it Halifirien, the Holy Mount.

~

While sifting through the Unfinished Tales, I also came across a note which deals with measurements and, going on a tangent, with heights of the various peoples. I thought it would be useful to provide:

“…Thus two rangar were often called “man-high”, which at thirty-eight inches gives an average height of six feet four inches; but this was at a later date, when the stature of the Dúnedain appears to have decreased, and also was not intended to be an accurate statement of the observed average of male stature among them, but was an approximate length expressed in the well-known unit ranga. (The ranga is often said to have been the length of the stride, from rear heel to front toe, of a full-grown man marching swiftly but at ease; a full stride ‘might be well nigh a ranga and a half’.) It is however said of the great people of the past they were more than man-high. Elendil was said to be ‘more than man-high by nearly half a ranga’; but he was accounted the tallest of all the Númenóreans who escaped the Downfall [and was indeed generally known as Elendil the Tal]. The Eldar of the Elder Days were also very tall. Galadriel, ‘the tallest of all the women of the Eldar of them tales tell”, was said to be man-high, but it is noted ‘according to the measure of the Dúnedain and the men of old’, indicating a height of about six feet four inches.

The Rohirrim were generally shorter, for in their far-off ancestry they had been mingled with men of broader and heavier build. Eomer was said to have been tall, of like height with Aragorn; but he with other descendants of King Thengel were taller than the norm of Rohan, deriving this characteristic (together in some cases with darker hair) from Morwen, Thengel’s wife, a lady of Gondor of high Númenórean descent.

[Gadreille]

.:Aethylwyn:.

.: Born in the year 2484 of the 3rd Age :.

.: Éothéod Shieldmaiden :.

.: Ancestry :.
Aethylwyn is the daughter of Léohelm, son of Aethelred, and Holdwyn, a descendent of Fram. Her mother was a fiery woman with a skill in archery, however, being the mother of three she never attempted to actively fight, rather just defend. Her father’s family traces its descent back to the days of the Wainriders, to one Eohelm who was a renowned warrior and carrier of a famous horn. Her grandfather was a man of much wisdom, a gift he granted to his family. Her father has a brother, named Helmgar. Aethylwyn’s parents had three daughters: Aethylwyn, Léohild, and Helmwyn. Aethylwyn is the oldest, and took control of caring for the others after the death of her mother.

.: Biography :.
Aethylwyn’s family settled in Greybarrow, a small but populated settlement on the western shores of the eastern leg of the Greylin river, near where it meets the Grey mountains. Aethylwyn is the oldest of three daughters. Her mother died only a year after the birth of her second sister; Aethylwyn was eight years old at the time. Her mother was killed defending their home against a surprise invasion of orcs while the main army was away; she killed many enemy before she was slain. Aethylwyn was raised by her father, and being the eldest was expected to take upon the responsibilities of woman of the household, since her father did not remarry. Though she had this responsibility, she still found time to practice the art of war through archery, just like her mother had done. She had begun practicing early as two years prior to her mother’s death, and found solace in learning to fight. As a young woman she has ridden in three separate emergency orc skirmishes, and is proud to say she has slain foe. Her father was recently maimed in battle, he lost his right leg. This injury was devastation to the family, for there were no sons to take up his mantle, and warriors were ever needed. Aethylwyn had the most practice and skill in battle (though all three daughters were at least somewhat trained with a bow, and all great riders), so she enlisted as a mounted archer in place of her father. It was not a hard decision, except for the realization that she would probably never have a family of her own. The second daughter , Léohild, recently got married and left the household to live with her husband, Éadmód; now that Aethylwyn is in the service of the éoherë, her youngest sister, Helmwyn is in control of caring for her father and home.

.: Physical Description :.
Aethylwyn is shorter than most men but tall for the stance of a woman of the Éothéod. She is lengthy, with long arms and legs suitable for riding and archery. Her eyes are dark brown in color, she has dark brown hair which reaches midway down her back; this is kept plaited. Her face is heart shaped, with wide set eyes and sharp, angular cheekbones. Her skin is light olive and splashed with freckles. For ease of riding, Aethylwyn has altered the hem of her dresses to be the length of a tunic, and wears trousers like the men underneath.

.: Occupation/Rank :.
Aethylwyn is a mounted archer of the éoherë.

.: Skills :.
Aethylwyn is a skilled archer both on foot and horseback, she is of course a skilled rider, like all of the Éothéod. She has rudimentary skills with a sword and dagger, and none with a spear, for she is not strong enough to throw it with any muster. She also has many of the skills a woman needs to care for a family; she can cook, keep her belongings and horse well maintained, and mending with a needle (clothes, leather items, even wounds if necessary).

.: Weapons :.

• Short Bow
  
• Short sword
  
• Dagger

.: Gear :.

• Sleeveless chainmail
  
• leather breastplate, gauntlets, boots and cap
  
• Quiver with arrows
  
• Small wooden shield

.: Personality Description :.
Aethylwyn is fiery like her mother, but with a wisdom that was granted to her through her father’s line. While a part of her wants to be rash, emotional and passionate, she always makes her decision with sound reason. She has a natural knack for archery, like her mother did, but did not choose the path of motherhood. In her eyes, her two sisters can and will take that mantle, but no one will be a warrior for her father when his time came to put down the sword, which has come. She is a hard worker who has learned to balance the realm of woman and man hood, making sacrifices on each side. She has already fought as a mounted archer, but she has only just been enlisted as a rider of the éoherë. She is nervous of this position; she takes it with great pride, being one of the few women who have undertaken this same task. While it is not unheard of for a shieldmaiden to ride to battle, it is rare and still looked on with unease by fellow male riders.

[Silvan Arrow]

.:Elendyne Amandil, maiden of Mirkwood:.

.:Born in the year 1033 of the Third Age:.

.:Elf Maiden of Mirkwood:.

.:Ancestry:.
Elendyne descends from the Silvan line of the Eldar race and is the only daughter and child of father Aerandir and mother Nienna. Aerandir was born in Mirkwood, at the time called Greenwood the Great, in the year 2954 of the Second Age and trained from childhood to join the ranks of his brethren that protected their kingdom’s borders. He was one of the youngest elven warriors to join Gil-Galad’s army and engage Sauron in the Last Alliance of Men and Elves. After the banishment of Sauron, he returned to Greenwood the Great and married his long-time love Nienna. The couple had decided to wait until the conclusion of the war so that should he fall in battle, she would be able to grieve properly and hopefully find a new love with time.

For the first millennium of the Third Age, Aerandir and Nienna enjoyed a peaceful, happy marriage. Nienna, from the time of her birth in 3285 of the Second Age, was possessed of a gentle, compassionate spirit and a love of the arts, particularly of singing and the recitation of poetry. In fact, Aerandir claims that he met Nienna after hearing her sing under the moonlight during a warm summer’s night when he had just completed his training to join the army. Aerandir was well respected of his brothers-in-arms for his skill with the blade and fiercely loyal devotion to his mate.

.:Biography:.
Aerandir and Nienna rejoiced over Elendyne’s birth, believing that they would be able to raise her in a time of peace. Alas, their hopes were in vain, as the shadow of Sauron returned to Greenwood the Great around 1050 of the Third Age, gradually plunging the mighty elven stronghold into darkness and earning Sauron the title of Necromancer. Fell creatures such as spiders and wargs harried King Thranduil’s borders, forcing his people to retreat northward and the warriors to regularly patrol the forests to protect their women and children. During one such routine patrol, Aerandir’s group was ambushed by a den of spiders and was nearly overwhelmed from the sheer numbers. He sustained a venomous bite in his right arm and would have passed to Mandos’ halls had the healers not amputated the limb. However, remnants of the spider’s potent venom still coursed through his veins, and none of Mirkwood’s healers had the skill to completely purge the toxin. When it became clear that he would not recover fully without outside aid and that his spirit was grieving the loss of his ability to fight, Thranduil sent him with his family and a small armed escort to Imladris to beg the aid of Lord Elrond.

Elrond remembered Aerandir’s youthful valor during the Last Alliance, and under his ministrations Aerandir was purged of the spider’s taint and slowly regained his strength. Elendyne, having just barely entered adulthood, marveled at Elrond’s ability to save her father and begged him to teach her the healing arts. She dwelled in Imladris for the next 400 years as Elrond’s apprentice, after which time Aerandir decided to sail to Valinor so he could finally rest from a lifetime of war. Nienna sailed with her mate and encourage Elendyne to accompany them, but she refused, saying that none needed healing in the Undying Lands and that she did not want to waste the skills she had devoted her life to learning.

Elendyne returned to Mirkwood, the shadows over the land a stark contrast from the light of Imladris, with the healing arts she had learned from Elrond and spent the next two centuries working alongside the rest of the healers. However, she realized that some of the warriors that perished under the healers’ care might have survived if they had been tended on the battlefield instead of waiting until their brothers could bring them back to the safety of the protected borders. However, when she expressed interest in accompanying the warriors on their patrols, they adamantly refused to allow such a young elf maiden to subject herself to such danger. Not to be refused, Elendyne began studying archery and one-handed swordsmanship so she could protect herself, and eventually the warriors reluctantly consented on the condition that she stay away from the frontlines and remain under armed guard at all times.

The warriors quickly learned the usefulness of having a healer accompany them to the battlefield, as Elendyne was able to save a great number of wounded who would have passed to Mandos’ Halls from fast-acting orc and spider venom or blood loss if not treated immediately. She continued in this capacity of a healer during the centuries that followed, while threats from orcs, Easterlings, and wild men slowly became more numerous. In the year 2509 of the Third Age, word reached Mirkwood of wild men crossing the Anduin to threaten Gondor. Fearing that the invaders would set their sights on Mirkwood should Gondor fall, Elendyne departed Mirkwood with the well-wishes of her kin and made her way to the town of Greybarrow, along the western shore of the eastern leg of the Greylin river, in the hopes of allying herself with the armies of Men.

.:Appearance:.
Elendyne stands at 5’10”, shorter than males but average for females, and bears the pale, slightly luminescent complexion of her brethren. Her hair is raven black and falls in straight, soft sheets just past her shoulders, though she twists the front section of her hair and ties it up on top of her head to keep strands from falling in her face. Her facial features are also characteristic of an elf, though softened because of her sex. She has high cheekbones that give her a full, yet narrow face, a nose that tapers to a delicate point, a small chin, and the trademark pointy ears. Her eyes are a deep, forest green with dark, rounded pupils. Her build is delicate and lithe, which conceals the toned muscles in her arms and legs obtained from her combat training and years spent in the field tending the wounded.

In terms of clothing, Elendyne favors practicality and functionality when she is working as a healer in the field. Her typical outfit is a forest green tunic that ties in the front with leather strings and a brown leather belt that circles her waist. Light beige pants fit close to her legs, made out of a soft, weather-resistant material. Over that she wears a calf-length, moss-green cloak with a hood made out of a material that repels rain. When in the field, she wears lightweight, leather armor over her attire. She will wear the long, flowing gowns usually favored by female elves on occasion, such as during a festival.

.:Occupation:.
-Healer of Mirkwood

.:Skills:.
Elendyne’s primary skill lies in her healing abilities, which are based mainly on herblore. She has an extensive knowledge of which herbs, plants, and roots can be used to treat a wide array of diseases, infections, burns, or poisons that afflict humans, elves, and dwarves and can stitch and cleanse wounds to prevent infection. Elrond also took care to teach her to speak fluently in Quenya, which sometimes reaches the spirit of the wounded more easily than Sindarin. She speaks to the wounded in Quenya and Sindarin, encouraging their spirits to hold to the light while she works over them. She can rarely use a “healing touch” on those on the brink of death to hold them to life while she treats them, but it does not work if their spirits have already lost the will to live.

Her compassionate side leads her to loathe combat, but she will fight in defense of herself or those under her care. Since she lacks the physical strength of her male counterparts, her fighting style is to evade the enemy’s attacks, often taking to the shelter of trees when possible, and striking from a distance with bow and arrow. If the fight becomes close-range or if she exhausts her supply of arrows, she wields a one-handed sword with both hands for maximum speed and maneuverability.

.:Weapons:.
-Lightweight longbow made of treated oak wood
-One-handed elven sword with runes etched along the sides
-Two daggers, one in each boot

.:Gear:.
-Hardened leather vest
-Leather forearm gauntlets and greaves for the shins
-Two pouches of healing herbs
-Sturdy leather quiver of goose-fletched arrows

.:Personality:.
Like all elves, Elendyne has an instinctive love of nature and all its living creatures. Her passion lies in healing and alleviating others’ suffering, though this drive borders on suicidal. She would rather spend all of her energy and abilities healing another than protect herself. This tendency gives her a knack for sensing the emotions of others. However, that kindness of heart has also been tempered and subdued over time because of the Shadow that has been growing in her home of Mirkwood. She faces daily life and problems alike with the grim reality of the Shadow’s presence at the forefront of her mind. She guards her compassionate side and only lets it show to people that she trusts and the injured that need her healing abilities. Love for the arts was not a priority for her, but the time she spent in Imladris learning the healing arts gave her a healthy appreciation for music, dancing, and writing, and she would spend most of her free time in the generous libraries of Elrond reading ancient tomes regarding healing and herblore.

Elendyne often wonders if she will ever marry and raise children of her own, but she realizes that her duty as a healer comes first. Very few elf women in the history of Mirkwood ever joined the ranks of the warriors, and she believes her habit of riding onto the battlefield makes her less than desirable as a wife and potential mother. She entertains the idea of one day sailing to Valinor once she can safely lay down the mantle of healing to rejoin her family and possibly earn the favor of a mate.

[Kalon Ordona II]

. : Anglad son of Anglond : .
. : Born in the year 2,487 of the Third Age : .
. : Man of Gondor : .

. : Ancestry : .
Anglad is the son of a stone mason. His family lives on a farm on the southwestern edge of Calenardhon, very near the fortress of Aglarond. Some of Anglad's sires had labored on that stronghold. His father Anglond was often there, either tending the stones of the fortress itself or working in the system of caves behind it, under the White Mountains. Anglad's elder brother Amrond was like their father, strong and minded toward the shaping of stone, his sights set toward the mountains near their home. Anglad's mother was called Ilia, and she loved best the care of the animals they kept, and the wide, green fields where they lived, under the open sky.

Anglad went with his father and brother to Aglarond sometimes, but he was more likely to be found up in its towers than along its walls admiring the stonework, as was Amrond's wont. Their father Anglond knew not what to make of it, but Ilia knew Anglad's heart better. Anglad oft would run across the grass with the dogs they kept or stand on their rooftop watching the stars, and on clear nights his mother would join him sometimes, teaching him the names of the brightest lights and the heavenly figures they formed.

. : Biography : .
Though a mason's son, Anglad was not strong like his father or brother, and his mind was not on the mountains or on the splendor of Gondor's grand fortresses. Leaner of build but fleeter of foot, his heart was on the fields beneath the sky, where he could watch the things that moved, hear the faint sounds in the distance, smell the fresh earth and the crisp air from the mountain peaks.

As Anglad grew, he came to long for the horizon, as if the wide fields near his home called him to cross it in all directions. His father Anglond didn't know what to do with him, so, after some discussion over the course of several months, and with Anglond's connections to the stronghold of Aglarond, it came to be that Anglad was to be trained as a watchman to guard the fortress of Angrenost--close by so he would not be overmissed, but where Anglad could see new things and watch the world as much as his heart might desire.

Anglad has been at Angrenost for just over three years now, making rare visits to his home and family. He has developed a rapport with most of the regulars there, and is friends with many, as much with those his age as with the older veterans, who appreciate his cognizance and amiability even if he isn't one of the strongest fighters.

. : Appearance : .
Anglad is a tall youth, lightly built but of a sturdy and well-balanced stance, quick in movement and alert in stillness. Hair the color of wet sand frames a newly maturing face, already with a firmer jawline, more-prominent cheekbones above a thickening beard, and with a slight hook to his nose. His deep-set eyes are gray-green, like moss seen through a mist.

. : Occupation : .
Soldier of Gondor, a spearman at Angrenost, most often occupied at the watch. Anglad's proper capacity is as an ehtar, fully trained to be a regular member of the army, under squad cainenhîr Magorthaen Tunneth.

. : Skills : .
Anglad was trained by the men of both Aglarond and Angrenost in the use of a spear. Though relatively inexperienced, he is respected well enough for quick learning and potential. Anglad can read and write westron speech, and he knows some words in Sindarin elvish. He also has better than average knowledge of the night sky. It has crossed his fancy to one day learn to become a scout or a ranger, and to learn to read the ground and the signs in the surroundings. He learns a little here and there because he is watching for the knowledge, but he has not yet commit himself to it as an active pursuit. Yet, though he is no ranger, he can at least read the sun and moon or tell one footprint from another.

. : Weapons : .
A nine-foot spear, two feet of which is taken up by the pointed steel edge.
When on watch, he also has a bow and quiver of arrows close at hand, though he is a sub-average marksman.

. : Gear : .
Anglad wears a standard infantry helmet, open around the face with a pointed crest. He wears a suit of chainmail, covered by a long-sleeved white vest bearing the standard of Angrenost: a tall black tower crossed by a sword and axe, and a black key floating within the pinnacle. He wears hardened leather bracers and greaves, and dark leather boots that rise almost to his knees. Anglad never carries any personal effects with him on military assignments, since most of them are too fragile to be brought out of doors: quills, writings, things found in the wilds, and other such tidbits. He may carry a few coins in a small, formed pouch on his belt, but otherwise he keeps his money--which he tends to hoard rather than spend--with the rest of his possessions in his quarters.

. : Personality : .
Quiet at times and unambitious, some have thought of him as a no-account--until they face him in a sparring match. Anglad might lose as much as he wins, but his tactic--to prolong a bout through positioning and dexterity and then rush unexpectedly and violently forward--is respected for its ferocity and tax of stamina. Among the friends he has made thus far, he is as energetic as the next. Anglad is not shy but observant. Often cast as the voice of reason in a group, Anglad finds there is ample use for his level-headedness, which also serves him well when on the watch.

[Guest]

.: Magorthaen Tunneth :.

.: Born in the year 2486 of the 3rd Age :.

.: Man of Gondor :.

.: Male :.

.: Ancestry :.
Magorthaen Tunneth comes from a long line of farmers and miners living in the shadow of the mountain Thrihyrne, on the western corner of the White Mountains between the rivers Isen and Adorn. The town of Ossiras has long supplied the fortress of Angrenost with food and supplies. The men of Ossiras are primarily farmers and miners, though they often provide new recruits to the fortress as well.

The people of Ossiras and its neighboring towns also trade with the Dunlendings to the northwest. Though the Dunlending’s relationship with Gondor is tenuous, the people in the region of Thrihyrne and Angrenost have managed to make peace with them.

Magorthaen is the son of Minohtar Tunneth and Anatheirien Serilveleth. Minohtar Tunneth was born in Ossiras and raised as a miner under Thrihyrne. At the age of 21, he left Ossiras to serve under the guard at Angrenost. He served for nine years before returning to Ossiras. Within a year of his return he married Anatheirien. Margorthaen was born two years later.

Anatheirien was born to a trader, and much of her life she accompanied her father to the northern lands and Angrenost. When her father died during a raid on his caravan, Anatheirien took over. She owns a large farm on the western outskirts of Ossiras. She met Minohtar during a trade run through Angrenost, and they met with each other for the next three years. Eventually she convinced Minohtar to retire from Gondor’s “forgotten army” and return home with her.

.: Biography :.
Magorthaen was born in the year 2486. He was raised on his mother’s farm, though his father taught him the trade of the miners as well. At the age of fifteen, Magorthaen expressed interest in joining the guard at Angrenost, and Minohtar promised to arrange it. For the next six years, Magorthaen spent his free time roaming the hills around Thrihyrne and the lands west of it with his father’s old sword, imagining battling orcs or easterlings from his father’s ancient stories. Minohtar grudgingly taught his son a few forms with the sword, though warned him that his service would be “nothing more than babysitting a dull rock.”

At the age of 21, Magorthaen joined the guard at Angrenost. The small town was different than he had expected, with barracks and houses just outside of a large wall. Trees towered over the wall from within, and the gates were open, but the tower of Orthanc within was sealed off. Magorthaen started his duties with determination and excitement, but quickly realized that his father had not exaggerated. He was, however, welcome of the knowledge he was gaining. The Dunlendings were not as passive or as dull as he had been led to believe, and news from the east, which was previously closed to him, was now passing by his ears.

Shortly after turning 23, Magorthaen was promoted to cainenhîr, the leader of a squad of 16 infantry men, a tulkarim.

.: Physical Description :.
Magorthaen Tunneth stands a head taller than most men, both at Ossiras and Angrenost. He is also physically tough, having worked in the fields at Ossiras and the mines under Thrihyrne. This has earned him some respect at Angrenost, as he has proven himself to be a capable fighter with both the sword and hand-to-hand combat.

Magorthaen has blonde hair and blue eyes, so he stands apart from many of the guards who are now of Dunlending descent. Magorthaen still has a young face and a body free of scars or other identifying marks, which earns him some attention when the traders come through Agrenost with their daughters.

.: Occupation/Rank :.
Magorthaen is a member of the army of Gondor, though he belongs to the nearly forgotten guard of Angrenost, and thus is perhaps not formally inducted into the army. He joined the guard as the rank of bennêth, an untrained soldier. Within a few months he was promoted to vagor, a swordsman. His current rank is cainenhîr, the leader of a squad of 16 infantry men, a tulkarim, which he received during his second year at Angrenost.

.: Skills :.
Magorthaen is skilled with the sword. He was taught by his father, Minohtar, before he was sent to Angrenost. He has also had training while stationed at Angrenost, and has proven himself to be more capable with the lango than most. Magorthaen has also proven to be a capable leader, though he is still in the learning stages.

.: Weapons :.
Lango: Arguably the most common war sword is lango, a straight, two-edged, cut-and-thrust sword some 32 to 42 inches in length. It is used by both infantry and cavalry, and in the right hands is effective against any armor it is likely to encounter. The longer varieties are preferred by cavalrymen, but the tall men of dúnedain can wield them comfortably even on foot.

Sigil: The sigil, a small dagger, is mostly a ceremonial weapon carried by cainenhîr as a sign of their rank.

.: Gear :.
Magorthaen wears a standard infantry helmet, open around the face with a pointed crest. He wears a suit of chainmail covered by a long-sleeved white vest bearing the standard of Angrenost: a tall black tower crossed by a sword and axe, and a black key floating within the pinnacle. He wears a belt that holds the scabbard for both his lango, on his left side, and his sigil, on his right side. He also has a pouch tied to the belt that contains his personal belongings: a few coins, a sharpening stone, and some oil. A round, leather-covered shield is kept strapped to his back until needed, also bearing the standard of Angrenost. He also wears brown leather boots that rise almost to his knees.

.: Personality Description :.
Magorthaen is eager for excitement. He grew up listening to his father’s stories of his time in the service of the Angrenost guard, as well as the ancient stories of the invasions of orcs and easterlings. Like any youth, Magorthaen is eager to experience the thrill of battle, and has yet not seen anything more exciting than news of border disputes with Dunlendings, and the vague rumors of strange activity in Rhovanion.

Magorthaen is slowly developing a commanding presence, which is supported by both his height and physical strength. He eagerly accepted the post of cainenhîr, and is slowly developing a strong relationship with his squad. Magorthaen does run into trouble with the veteran members of the guard, who see his young face and dismiss him as inexperienced and useless. Magorthaen often tries to mimic his father’s sharp tongue to overcome the problem, which tends to land him in trouble for insubordination.

[Blackrock]

.: Helmgar son of Aethelred :.

.: Born in the year 2474 of the Third Age:.

.: Man :.

.: Male :.

.: Ancestry :.
Helmgar hails from a proud line of warriors. They trace their descent back to the time when they still dwelt in Rhovanion, to the time when the fell men of the East made war on the riders. To Éohelm the Bold, who slew many Easterlings and was renowned for his horn, which it is said was heard by men from a great distance. Éohelm, the songs tell, was a grim man, of little words and of cold presence. He was a great rider and a steadfast warrior, who never gave ground to an enemy. And it is said that, when all hope was lost and the Northmen were broken by the Easterling hordes, Éohelm rode out one morning with rage on his face and blood in his eye. Never did men see him again, but they say he slew many a servant of the Dark Lord ere he met his end.

The son of his son was Grimnar and he was one of the many who accompanied the great Lord Frumgar on the journey North. Throughout the years, the legacy of Éohelm has been preserved by his heirs, each father recounting the tales of the founder of their line, as their fathers did before them. In recent generations, as the Éothéod became ever more settled and less weary from war, Helmgar’s line set aside their roots as warriors and took interest in other things. Horse-breeding, working the land, hunting in the nearby woods. However, every new generation is taught in the arts of war, as has always been their custom.

Helmgar's father was Aethelred and he was known as a reasonable and wise man. Men from Greybarrow and even from other settlements would oft visit him, asking for advice. His great passion was horses, anything that had to do with their breeding, nursing, and use. But he was versed in many other matters and would often offer practical solutions to problems. It is even said that, Léod, the old Lord, came to consult him once.

Helmgar has got an older brother, Léohelm who was recently maimed by orcs. Through him, Helmgar has got three nieces, of various ages and skills. He has three children of his own – two sons and a daughter. Leofric is the oldest of the three, then comes Holdwyn his daughter and finally Aethelwine his youngest son.

.: Biography :.
Helmgar was born in the year 2474, in the family of Aethelred and Hwyna. He was the second child and had a brother, eight years his senior. From a young age Helmgar was taught in the ways of the Riders. How to ride and take care of a horse – he learned that almost as soon as he learned to walk; how to work the land around them and, if the need arises, how to wield a spear and sword. Aethelred was a busy man, for men often came to seek his counsel, and yet he always set aside some time every evening to talk with his sons. He would sing them songs of old, of the time when their people still dwelt by the southern eaves of the Great Forest. And of battles and worthy deeds, of Éohelm their forefather.

Aethelred was a hard, but just man. He demanded no more than was possible, but he would settle for no less either. Loyalty to their liege, love for their people and respect for their steeds were some of the many virtues he instilled in them. He taught them how to wield the axe and the sword, how to protect themselves with a shield and how to throw and stab with a spear. But he did not give them “passive knowledge” as he called it. Often he would teach them a manoeuvre with a sword, but leave a small gap in their defence. Thus, he encouraged his sons to practice and to learn from their mistakes on their own. Aethelred did not mind other teachers and he allowed his sons to seek tutoring elsewhere if they so wished.

In time, Léohelm grew into a strong man and left to start a family of his own. Helmgar continued living with his aging father for many more years, learning what his brother had already gone through. His hands hardened, his mind became sharper and his skills increased with each passing day. When he was a youth of seven and ten his mother passed away. For both his parents were now grown old and Hwyna had been ill of late. After that event Aethelred became quieter, less joyful and, only his sons could notice, locked himself away from the world.

Nevertheless, the old man remained firm and hard until the end. He could walk and do all matters by himself, as he had always done and would never accept the help of his son. But he was a wise man and knew that his time was drawing to a close and he one day told Helmgar: “I have never been ill in my life, every day I have lived to its full; and death will find me suddenly”. Helmgar knew not what to think of this, he assumed the old man had told it in jest. Soon, however, he learned otherwise.

Helmgar was now a man of eighteen winters. He had ridden out with the other riders in the village and had slain his first enemy three years ago. This is when his father suddenly passed away, just as he had prophesised. It was a chilly autumn night and the leaves were falling, when Helmgar returned from the fields around their farmhold. He expected to see his father waiting for him by the door, starring out into the night as was his custom, but instead found the old man in his bed. He knew not what to think, but Aethelred had an answer as always.

In few words, he told his son that his death was approaching; he would not live through the night. But he had done his duty and raised two strong, healthy sons. Now he had a parting gift, he said. And with a weakened, but still steady hand he presented Éohelm’s horn to Helmgar. It was tradition for it to be given to the second-born son in the family, if there was one. For in this way, while the older brother inherited most of his father’s lands and title, the younger one, inspired by the horn and its legacy, would go out and win fame for himself.

“Keep it safe and honour it.” – Aethelred said.

And those were the man’s final words. He said no more that night and on the morning he passed away, just as he had told his son. The two brothers buried their sire and split the lands between them, while Léohelm took many of the fields and pastures, he left their father’s house in Helmgar’s keeping. And they swore on Aethelred’s mound that they would remain at peace with each other and work their father’s land together.

And so it was for many long years. Helmgar married, in time, and had a family. He rode out with his brother’s Éored when the need arose, but he has so far lived out his years in relative peace. He takes care of the lands entrusted to him, watches over their horses and teaches his children all that they should know. The biggest change in his life so far, came when his brother lost his leg after the men of Greybarrow fended off an orc raid. This meant that the position of captain of the Éored, which had become somewhat hereditary after Aethelred's time, fell on Helmgar. Men looked up to him for guidance, for it was known that their house was both wise and versed in the arts of war; Helmgar had no option but to accept. And thus, reluctantly, but firmly he took up this mantle upon him, hoping that he would live up to both his brother's and father's names.

.: Appearance :.
Helmgar is a tall man, by the standards of the Éothéod. His broad shoulders and calloused, big hands mark him as a man who has led a life of manual labour. His hardened face is framed by a defined jawline, giving him a thickset look. His dark blond hair flows down to about his shoulders; it is kept loose and does not bear any signs of combing. Helmgar’s beard grows thick all across his face, but it is kept in check and well-trimmed. His eyes are a deep shade of blue, intelligent and calm. He has a somewhat wide, short nose and, below it, lips that seem to be locked in a permanent frown. His face is already starting to show signs of time, having a few wrinkles etched into his features, mostly around the forehead and eyes. Like many warriors, Helmgar has a collection of battle scars which can be discerned if one were to look closer, the most prominent one a deep cut just over his brow.

.: Occupation :.
Farmer and horsebreeder; captain of the Greybarrow Éored when it is mustered.

.: Skills :.
Helmgar was taught to fight with the traditional weapons of the Éothéod – spear, shield, sword, axe bow and arrow. Like the rest of his people, he is most dangerous when fighting from horseback, but he can hold his ground when fighting on foot as well. Helmgar prefers using a sword, rather than an axe and has devoted his time to learning various techniques with it. While he has spent a lot of time honing his skills as a swordsman and a rider, from a young age he set archery aside and has never looked back. He knows how to wield a bow and how to shoot from horseback, but it is definitely not his weapon of choice.

Like all the Éothéod, he knows a great deal about horses and is a skilled rider. In addition, having spent time working his father’s (and now his) lands has given him an insight into various cultivated cultures. He is well-versed in the history of his people and the legacy of his Line, knowing many songs and tales of old. Once more, thanks to his father, he is also familiar with the outside world, although his knowledge is not great.

.: Weapons :.
- Sword. It is somewhat longer than a standard infantry sword, due to it being intended to be used from horseback. However, it is still balanced for one-handed use.
- Spear. The shaft is made of oak wood, while the tip is from steel. The spear is meant for mounted combat, but it can be used on foot, as well as thrown if the need arises.
- Dagger.

.: Gear :.
- Wooden shield. It is dyed green and has a white horse depicted on it.
- Suit of chainmail. It looks to be well-worn, but it is always polished and seems to be in good shape.
- Thick leather boots, reaching up to the knee.
- A nasal helmet with cheekguards and a strand of horse hair – a sign of his position.
- A long green cloak with a hood, intended to protect from the elements.
- Éohelm’s horn. It was no doubt taken from some great beast in the days of old, the horn bears an intricate web of runes and carvings made of gold. It is old, but looks very well taken care of.


.: Personality :.
Helmgar is a grim, quiet man. Like his father, he says little, especially in the company of strangers, but when he does, it is usually reasonable. When he is amongst friends, however, he tends to be more joyful and carefree laughing or crying with the rest of them. He is calm and collected, always trying to keep his emotions in check and letting reason be his guide. Like all of the Éothéod he has a great love for horses, of all breeds, and a passion for wide, open spaces. Helmgar has also got a very strong memory and he is not like to forget a kindness done to him. Likewise, while he may not bear a grudge he never forgets an insult.

He is loyal to his friends and would go to great lengths to protect them, willingly putting himself in harm’s way. With the men of his Éored, he is stern and somewhat cold, keeping a distance due to the nature of his position; but no man can say that he is not fair. He never abuses his power and always has his mind focused on their safety. And they love him for it. While he may not be a great leader of men, his humble nature and reasonable mind ensure that he has his men’s loyalty, in all things.

[Guest]

We need to discuss the pace of the beginning of the role-play. Ryona would like Kalon and I to start, with my own character introducing the role-play. But how far should this go? What will the rest of the characters be doing in the mean time? Ryona and I had the idea of orc raids near Greybarrow and Framsburg, perhaps in a pre-emptive attempt to prevent aid to the Gondorian armies. But, for Kalon and I, should we write a few long posts up until the beginning of the battle itself, or should we take it at a slower pace?

[Kalon Ordona II]

More than a few posts, I think. I'm sure we'd all like to have time to develop our characters a bit. Also, I always like to have at least a little bit of less-than-horrible-hardship during the beginning, before the horrible hardships start.

[Gadreille]

Yea, lets take it as slow as possible, especially since we don't know what we will be doing after the battle is over!

Also, I'm going to make the ultimate decision on the easterling role play...

If you want a secondary evil character from whose perspective you wish to portray, go ahead. However, I am not going to require all five of us to have one, and very likely won't be doing it myself. This person's perspective should be kept to the timeline of our main heroes, but does not need to post as frequently as the main heroes.

I think this is the fairest way to go about it, without taking too much from the original story but while giving you guys creative freedom. I may decide to jump in on it later, but not right now.

[Blackrock]

I'd just like to throw a bit of a warning here, regarding the would-be orc raids on Greybarrow. Sure, to give our characters something to do, it would be perfect. Buuuut, let's not forget that the Eotheod were not something Sauron was planning on (we can assume that the Balchoth invasion was his doing, directly or indirectly)...and "preemptive" strikes would mean he is well aware of their coming. So, the good old orc mob or two is fine, but anything more organised than that would mean that the Easterlings would most likely keep an eye on the North, weary of the horselords.

Of course, this could also be one of the reasons why Galadriel covered Eorl and his men with that "river mist"...so yeah. Just wanted to bring this up, food for thought is all.

[Gadreille]

Perhaps not to distract the Eotheod, but rather just to try and destroy them at the same time? If they had successfully destroyed both Gondor's army and the Eotheod, it would have been a hop, skip and a jump to controlling the entire eastern portion of Middle Earth.

[Guest]

You could also say that Sauron wasn't expecting them because of the fact that he was keeping them busy with orc raids. Maybe he thought he was keeping them busy enough, or as ryona said he thought he was destroying them already. Even with this you could say that he had no idea they would ride south to aid Gondor, but because of their history he will still be intent on wiping them out.

[Gadreille]

You could also say that Sauron wasn't expecting them because of the fact that he was keeping them busy with orc raids. Maybe he thought he was keeping them busy enough, or as ryona said he thought he was destroying them already. Even with this you could say that he had no idea they would ride south to aid Gondor, but because of their history he will still be intent on wiping them out.

I was going to say the exact same thing. It would be a beautiful reason for why he didn't expect them to come. "I thought I killed you guys already..."

[Guest]

I am going to be working on my intro post over the next couple of days if I can. Long or short, I won't delve too much into the story, since it seems we agreed that we want to take it slow. I also have some other role-plays to work on, as well as my own writing and other distractions. It may not be up soon, but I'll try to make it soon-ish.

[Silvan Arrow]

Geez, I'm away from my laptop for two days, and you all make so much progress! Sorry for dropping off the face of the earth like that. I had a major dance event and was helping manage the treasury, as well as seeing friends I hadn't seen in a month or more. I have been giving the Easterling character thing some thought, and I like Ryona's idea of making it optional. Right now I'm not planning on making one, since I would rather focus on developing Elendyne's character, but I may jump in later if I feel inspired.

[Guest]

I have been working on my post, and making progress. I just want you all to know that it is coming along awesomely. Also, the details that I am putting into this I would not expect from everyone else. I simply happened to find a resource that I would like to put to use (it is not canon, obviously). It really adds depth to what would otherwise be drap, in my opinion. I would like a few more days to write, and then do some heavy editing and detailing. Should be up soon

[Kalon Ordona II]

drap? What's that? drab crap?

What resource? Sounds interesting.

[Guest]

That went by much faster than I expected. The post is up!

It is from a website called Lindefirion. It is source book for a Middle-earth role-playing game created by some Finnish guy. But it all sounds realistic enough to me, so I like to use it. It isn't canon, like I said, but it is detailed enough and true to the nature of LOTR that I could almost feel like Tolkien came up with the stuff. Almost.

[Kalon Ordona II]

Woo! Great post! Alright, I work in a few minutes, but I'll start on my post as soon as I can--hopefully as soon as I get home later this afternoon.

[Kalon Ordona II]

Posted!

Silvone, I noticed in your post you misspelled Aglarond as Algarond, switching the G and the L. It struck a chord with me because at first I couldn't remember whether we're at Agrenost or Angrenost. It's not that important; just thought you'd want to know. ^_^

(oh whoa, I just noticed "Angrenost" looks like "Angry." xD)

Edit:
Should we put a link to that Lindëfirion place somewhere up top?
Maybe in the first post, under "Heroes," you could have a new category called "Resources."
We can put things like the Encyclopedia of Arda and Hiswelókë's Sindarin Dictionary there.

[Gadreille]

Good idea, I'll put a useful links section up shortly.

Blackrock, do you want to post next or should I? I don't have a great attention for detail, but if you want me to go I will try my best to make it as detailed as possible.

[Guest]

Thank you for pointing that out Kalon! It is all fixed. Great post, by the way! Can't wait to see what Ryona and Blackrock come up with now.

[Blackrock]

Great posts guys, I simply devoured them - the flow was very nice. Needless to say I'm pretty pumped. The attention to detail is, of course, amazing as well; it just adds so much flavour to an otherwise barren period of Middle-Earth. I'll try my best to do the same for the Eotheod, but I'll obviously have to improvise, hopefully something good with come out of it in the end.

@Ryona - as is my custom, I'm fucking busy during the next few days (Monday to Wednesday, usually) so I don't know how much time I'll have to devote to writing. By all means I'll start planning stuff, but the actual writing part will have to wait until my plate isn't so full. Then, of course, I'll have to "tune in" with the whole thing, so I don't know how fast things will come along.

To make it short: I'll probably take my time, so if you want to, go right ahead and post.

[Silvan Arrow]

Whoa, when did all this happen?! I must go read the posts! It's probably just as well that I go last in the posting order. I've had family in town for the past two days and have been doing volunteer work with my marine lab, which means today is my "Oh crap catch-up" day with a stack of grading three inches deep, a lab report to write, a 3-page biometry problem set to start, and potential advisors to email while trying not to have anymore emotional meltdowns. So yeah, please take your time with the posting, everybody, and I'll start planning stuff once I'm in a better frame of mind.

[Gadreille]

The thing is, Blackrock, I don't want to negate all of your careful planning and attention to detail with a windswept off the top of my head post. So do you think it would be best for me to wait, or do you not care?

[Blackrock]

Awww, I'm flattered. But no, go ahead - I don't have that much "careful planning"....in fact, I'd prefer it if you post first; that way I'd have something to base my post off. It would be easier for me to jump into the whole deal.

[Gadreille]

K. I'm aiming to post on friday but if you can get to it before then, please do. I guess I'm busy as well!

[Kalon Ordona II]

Should we maybe attach an "OOC" or something to the topic title? I keep thinking people have posted in the RP. xD

[Gadreille]

done and done.

[Sponsored content]