Here There Be Dragons - Discussion/Planning

[piosenniel]

Ah, good! I thought that's where they were . . .

But you Eagles are flighty critters - I wasn't sure if you'ld pulled up your tent stakes and moved a bit . . .

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Better late than never I hope! Here is the Bio for Thorn.

Name: Thorn

Age: around 30

Race: Man of the Maenwaith, Eagle clan

Gender: Male

Appearance & Weapons:
Of middling height for one of the Maenwaith, Thorn has somewhat a comely demeanor, and his deep brown eyes betray little emotion. Tied back with a leather thong at the nape of his neck, his black hair falls in long waves between his shoulder blades. His hands also are long, but rough and calloused.

Thorn often wears traditional robes in muted colors, but prefers loose pants and a tunic, particularly when working with horses. His belt is an ornate strip of knotted leather, and hanging from it by a similarly worked cord, are a curved dagger in an unadorned sheath and a sword. A blank metal disk is ever present on a plain black string around his neck.

Personality:
Overall Thorn is a rather serious person. Skilled in weaponry and horsemanship, and after having lived in Umbar for sometime, he is tolerant of ‘outsiders’, less so than his sister, Yalisha, but weighing what he might learn from them to help his people.

History:
Thorn’s childhood was overshadowed by turmoil in the Eagle clan. In the years leading up to the War of the Ring, the Haradrim grew increasingly more warlike and brutal, and many of the clans of maenwaith chose to move further south at that time. But the eagle clan along with some others did not flee, forming rather, a network of alliances to defend against any Haradrim raids. This strategy they learned through bitter experience, did not protect them sufficiently. And so the Eagles moved, inhabiting the most marginal lands of the desert for two years. During this time their ranks dwindled, but when they emerged after the raids were no longer a threat, and the war in the north had become a part of the past, they flourished once more.

As a youth, Thorn was one of the children selected for further training in the customs and ancient ways of his people. Coming from a respected family who had been staunch supporters of Ayar and the leaders before her, he was following in his father’s path. For Thorn and Yalisha’s father had been expected to become an elder of the clan, but the hale man had succumbed to a virulent illness that swept through the encampment, leaving wife and children. Thorn felt set adrift after, missing his father’s company as acutely as his steady wisdom. Noticing the change in her brother, young Yalisha tried her best to console him. But though he cared greatly for his sister he grew to feel that they were they not only distant in age, but also outlook also.
It was not until Thorn became helper to Surinen, a young boy and servant of Thorn’s family, that he found his bearings. Stepping in after the boy’s designated teacher succumbed to the same illness that had taken his father, Thorn and Surinen encouraged each other, and the two became close friends.

Gaining also the confidence of Ayar, Thorn was proud to stand at her side during the last gathering of clans, and spent much of his spare time with the leader and her family. Realizing that he was growing close to Ayar’s young daughters, when the leader suggested to him that someone be sent to Umbar to glean what information they could, he volunteered to go. For though he felt protective of Ráma, as if he were an attentive brother, he became aware that his devotion to Narika ran much deeper.

Thorn spent a year homeless in Umbar, taking odd jobs. During that time he returned to the encampment frequently to visit Narika, and their affection for one another became evident. But after laying the groundwork, and through the help of friends he had made while in Umbar, he succeeded in securing a position as a horse trainer in Lord Falasmir’s stables. Since that time he had not returned home, until now.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Hilde -

Thanks very much for that.
*************

In my last post, I made reference to a naming ceremony that would shortly occur where Narika and Thorn would be named the new clan leaders. Ealasaide will be working on this post, and giving us a more concrete look at an Elder or two. So far, we've only known them generically! Many thanks in advance, Ealasaide!

~Cami

[piosenniel]

Cami

I was perusing one of the old pre-Star/Barrow Downs Birthday threads.

Came across your mention of that rather lengthy treatise and couldn't resist the urge to put it into a post!

~*~ Pio

[Child of the 7th Age]

Oh, Pio.....that is sooooo funny. I have a vague memory of having Cami say this. It was a time when we were having many earnest discussions in Books about whether Frodo had actually accomplished his task and what sort of character was he. I remember defending Book Frodo from the charge of being a wimp!

But I can't find the original birthday thread. Can you give me any pointers or a link?

.......To tie this post into the RPG, let me add that anyone is welcome to post for their characters on the general atmosphere in camp and/or the grieving that is going on. You can use examples from the outline or anything you want as long as it doesn't contradict the outline.

Cami, author of many fine books

[piosenniel]

I stumbled across it and can't refind it myself (despite using the search engine).

I know that Cami was distracting Mith with that particular volume (a purple bound tome, gilt edged, 2000 pages!), while Bird and Pio did something nefarious . . .

~*~ Pio

[Nerindel]

Korpulfr's save #285 is finally filled.

and here is a brief outline of the members of the wolf clan.

Wolf Clan

Audúlfr -Father of Halfr, Grandfather to Kórpulfr. Audúlfr pledged an alliance with the Wyrm clan after they helped to save the wolf clan from extinction, but came to regret this decision when he realise what Wyrma’s true plans were. However before he could tell anyone of his fears, he became mysteriously ill eventually dying.

Halfr - (Age 52) Korpulfr’s father and Sorona’s husband. After losing his wife in the great Haradrim raids, he became mad with grief blaming the eagle clan, the Haradrim and anyone else who does not agree with his thirst for revenge, even his own father at one point!

Korpúlfr - (age 25) Halfr and Sorona’s only son. A prominent merchant of Umbar and a loyal member of his clan. (see Bio for more)

Hasrim - (Age 35) Wolf clan Warrior and Kor’s older cousin (Halfr‘s Sisters son). Hasrim lost his mother, father and both his sisters in the Haradrim raids and now brands anyone who will not stand and fight cowards. He believes in Wyrma’s ambitions and plans to be key figure in her new order. However, he keeps these ideals a closely guarded secret especially from his Cousin!

Asrim - (Age 30) Kor’s cousin (Halfr’s brother’s eldest son). Asrim is a merchant of Umbar, he looks after the business when Kor is away, he has adapted well to this way of life and enjoys being a respectable merchants and if forced to choose he would not return to the nomadic life of his ancestors. But he is a strong believer in choices and if he knew that Wyrma was forcing her people into the cities he would be against it, as a confident negotiator he does not hold with violence, but will defend himself or his people if he is called to do so or if left with no other option.

Jahr - (Age 17) Asrim’s younger brother and wolf clan messenger. Jahr loves his brother and looks up to both him and Kor. being young Jahr is not sure what he wants out of life, he often dreams of becoming a powerful merchant like his brother and his cousin. However, when in the city for to long he feels caged and trapped, feeling the call of the desert and the freedom it holds deeply.