Red Flows the Sirannon Planning/Discussion Thread

[Amanaduial the archer]

Heeeere you go... I hope she's alright, I've spent rather longer than I usually would on this profile and the history is certainly rather obscenely long - I shall have my first post up later today or tomorrow.

Well. Anyway.

Character Description Form:

1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – YES - Which ones(s)? The Ambassador’s Son, An Audience with the King, Bloodstained Elanor, Brotherhood: a Story from the Last Alliance, Cirith Ungol, Crimson Sword, Escape from Nurn, Fall of the North, Gondorian House Call (unfinished), Kidnapped!, Land of Darkness, Last Hope for Moria, Legacy of Traitors, A Ride to the Dark Side, Rivendell, Roll Out the Barrels, Search for the Lost Messenger, Shadow of the West, The Shadows of Umbra, Wolf Run. I’ve missed something, but can’t remember what…

2.) How many RPG’s on the Barrow Downs are you currently involved in? Two: Fall of the North and Shadow of the West.

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


Amanaduial's Character

NAME: Narisiel Mirdain

AGE: 1210 at the time of the forging of the rings, 1313 at the beginning of the War. (born in SA 380)

RACE: Elf, originally from Harlindon, now dwelling in Ost-in-Edhil

GENDER:[ Female

WEAPONS: As a woman, Narisiel was not formally trained with weapons, but her father taught her more than a little practical knowledge with a sword and arrows, somewhat more than simply self-defence. Her husband, Sirithlonnior, a soldier, echoed this concern that she should be able to use a weapon, and so subsequently Narisiel is fairly proficient with a sword. She therefore crafted for herself a sword that can be used double-handed but also works well when used single handed: she is strong enough to wield a heavier weapon due to years working in a forge and is therefore strong for a woman, but knows that in a battle situation when she might have to use her sword, there would certainly be others with simply more brute strength than her, and so the skill that can be gained with a lighter weapon may be favourable. Hers is therefore lighter than a traditional double-handed sword, but a little heavier and longer than might be expected of a single-handed short stabbing sword. It is more a thing of beauty than weaponry, with the finest leather binding its hilt and a pommel and guard laid over with silver, and alfirin leaves winding a slim, delicate chain down the blade to the tip: Sirithlonnior teased her that such a flower is too associated with death, but Narisiel simply smiled and pointed out that did that not make Alfirin all the more appropriate for a weapon?

APPEARANCE: Narisiel’s features could have been crafted by her own delicate fingers, her fine boned face symmetrical and certainly striking. Her skin is pale due to the hours hidden behind a guard in a forge or in her workshop poring over some delicate piece of finery, her chin a little pointed and determined, her sharp, intelligent eyes solemn and thoughtful yet quick to flash with amusement: they are surprisingly dark and so are all the more striking when set in her pale face. Her pale face is framed with almost black hair, again making a stark contrast against her light skin; it falls down to her waist, although this is not particularly practical for her work, and so is usually tied up in a long plait down her back, or twisted in several plaits to keep it out of the way: this means that whenever she lets it loose, her hair retains a permanent series of waves all down its length. Narisiel is not especially tall for her people, standing at about 5’9”, and she is quite slender but muscular: outside of her forge or workshop, she wears clothes similar to any other lady of high standing, for her profession has taught her to love beauty, and such dress belies her muscles to an extent, lying in context with her delicate features; but in the forge she wears clothes much like any of the other smiths but obviously with a few adaptations: dark, sturdy clothes, often of leather or similar primarily practical, hard-wearing materials: a jerkin worn over a shirt, whose sleeves are usually rolled up above her elbows, breeches of a softer, more easily moveable material, over which a long apron is worn, which reaches down to mid-shin. These are the clothes that are usually only seen by other smiths, however: in public she dresses as a lady.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Narisiel is a woman of natural intelligence that she had done her best to use in her studies to become one of the foremost smiths of Eregion. This also required a fair amount of determination of course, and determination she certainly has: she is not one to back down from a challenge or from something she believes in or loves dearly, and her determination reaches to the point of stubbornness. However, that is not to say that her heart will always rule her head, and her prudence and wise advise is valued by Celebrimbor, as is her quick wit by both her Lord and her husband. It is a wit that is not always seen, however: in public, Narisiel remains quite quiet with those she does not know well or yet trust, and she is quick, often too quick, to judge other people. Her quiet, often solemn nature probably came initially from her father’s own rather sombre personality when she was growing up, always in comparison to her dead older brother although he always valued his daughter for what she was. The quiet, modest understanding that existed between Narisiel and her father is something that remains in her relationships in the present as well, and she is not, as some are, afraid of silence in a conversation. But that is not to say that she is always so: she is quick to show her amusement or her love when in private, and her son’s birth has perhaps extended her capacity to love, and love him she does, with a fierce, protective love that, for almost the first time in her life, overshadows her work. Maybe some of the fire from her forge has slipped into her nature, for her fierceness often shows in other areas as well, and in a debate her quietness can quite vanish in place of powerful and heated oratory skills. She is a skilled smith, a wise counsellor, a loving mother and a good wife, all at once a very private person as well as a public figure.

HISTORY: Born in Harlindon, Narisiel was the only daughter and eventually the only child of her parents, her mother and brother both drowning only a few weeks after she was born. Her father, an elf much older than his young wife, never blamed his daughter for surviving in place of her strong, intelligent older brother, and neither was he consciously disappointed in his only child being a daughter, but nonetheless Narisiel always felt the pressure, his need for her to succeed in place of her brother. As she was female, Narisiel would not trained as a warrior, as a brother would have been; but her father was not an especially affectionate or excessively extravagant man, and subsequently his way of showing his love for his daughter was not to spoil her as an only child, but to instead lavish upon her a gift that would last her far longer than material goods: the gift of an education. Instead of being given jewels, Narisiel was to learn how to make them – to earn a living and, at the same time, to earn a way of making her father proud. Subsequently when she came of age, Narisiel was sent East to Eregion to a friend of her father’s, for where better to learn to be a smith than from the Mirdain themselves?

Narisiel studied hard and her natural intelligence and hard work paid off as she rose in renown in her profession, being unusual both as a female and as a foreigner, but always with the backing of her father, although he remained in Lindon, and her mentor, an experienced jewelsmith – Narisiel in turn specialised in jewellery especially. The great effort and time she put into her profession often left the young elven woman with little time for herself, but, coming herself from the ‘land of music’, she had a love of music and kept this up – and eventually it was through music that she met her husband, Sirithlonnior, a captain in the army of Eregion, who she married in 1482. But Narisiel continued to rise in renown and skill, reaching the dizzy heights of the innermost forges in which Celebrimbor himself worked, and there faced her greatest challenge yet: working on nineteen rings, the greatest rings that would ever grace the face of this earth. Like the rest of the smiths and craftsmen who talked to Annatar of the rings, Narisiel fell under the spell of the magic and wonder that these rings would be, and so with those select few, she threw herself into the creation of those rings. To an extent, maybe, she was jealous of Annatar, his skill so great that he was immediately welcomed into Ost-in-Edhil without question, rather than having to work his way up as she had; on the other hand, maybe part of her wished to impress him, and to impress the Lord Celebrimbor. But the best was not yet to come: in the year 1590, Narisiel, along with a few more select jewelsmiths, was to work on the pinnacle of nearly a century’s work: the forging of three rings, three rings that would almost cast the others in shadow, fire, water and air; the three greatest elven rings.

Her enthusiasm in those last six days almost turned to an obsession, and not for any of the three men in her life would she come out of the forges – or reveal her work to them. Narisiel barely stopped to sleep or eat, so determined was she to prove herself as one of the Mirdain, to live up to the honour that had been bestowed on her. But as she had worked on the rings, from about halfway through their forging in the 1540s, she had felt some sort of unease, something…not quite right about the making of these nineteen rings, and in the last six days as Celebrimbor locked himself away with only those few smiths and the mysterious Annatar, she realised that she was not the only one to feel that unease: Celebrimbor had the air of a desperate man, a man working to forge paradise but with the worry that it would simply yield only an empty utopia. And as the three rings were finally completed, their delicate finishing touches detailed by Celebrimbor himself, the pride in Narisiel’s heart was somewhat overshadowed – overshadowed by a doom sense of ‘what have we done’. Things that powerful could not be all good…but little did she know the power of what those beautiful, perfect creations could do.

In the last one hundred years, the elven smith continued her work as a jewelsmith, but also extended her expertise into other areas of crafting, working secondarily on armoury, often fine, ceremonial pieces, as close to jewellery as possible; for how could she work solely on jewellery when she knew that she could never create something as perfect and powerful as those rings? She tried to put them out of her mind, but seemed haunted by them: she was blessed with a son, and Sirithlonnior gave him the name Artamirion, noble jewel, and although the name seemed to fit, her son being the only thing she could imagine more beautiful than those rings, she was unsure if she liked such a comparison, the dread that it seemed to entail. After the creation of the rings, Narisiel became an advisor to the Lord Celebrimbor, and at the same time a friend, but it was a somewhat wary, almost guilty friendship, both elves unable to forget the three elven rings. In time, the memory of them dimmed, and Narisiel was able to get on with her life as a counsellor, as a wife, as a mother, and as a smith – but little did she know how those rings would stir the folds of history, more than a century after their creation…

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Amanaduial's post

SEE POST #134

[piosenniel]

Nice BIO, Aman!

~*~ Pio

[Durelin]

Absolutely gorgeous bio, Aman.

And I am happy to announce that another player has joined! I poked and prodded enough, it seems. Please add Orofaniel as an Elf of Lindon.

Also, Arestevana will now be playing an Elf of Lorien.

[piosenniel]

Welcome aboard, Oro!

~*~ Pio

[Durelin]

My goodness, I'm really having a hard time getting my brain to work properly.

My apologies...the game will not be starting in SA 1693, but rather 1695. Unfortunately, that means that we will not be dealing with the hiding of the rings, but that really cannot be fit in. Rather, the game will begin with the following:

• Sauron will have invaded Eriador
• A council in Lindon will decide to send a contingent under Elrond's command to Ost-in-Edhil
• Lorien will send a small contingent to Ost-in-Edhil to participate in the defense
  • shortly, this contingent will be met by the dwarves who will join up with them and lead them through Moria
• 'refugees' from the outlying lands of Eregion surrounding Ost-in-Edhil will be arriving at the city and the inhabitants will be preparing for battle, mustering forces
• the baddies will not have entered the picture yet

(Note: if you'll notice, we must start the game in 1695 to be able to get things moving properly.)

At some point, we will be making a transition where we jump a period of time to get to the battle itself in 1697. We wil assume that the battle occured early in that year, and that we will be starting late in the year of 1695. A little over a year later, the battle will begin, but, of course, we will have to skip some of that. What I propose is this: an almost 'journal' style rush through time. We could begin with December of 1695, and then after a week, with a post from me, I suppose, the game would move to February of 1696, skipping every other month.

That could get really confusing, though. So, the simpler way is to simply say that we will spend about a month and a half (RL time) in 1695, and then jump to 1697. That jump would not land us in the battle immediately, but then there would be only a week or two (RL time) until the battle (unless of course we wanted to spend longer on the battle).

I hope that made sense.... and a question for all: more battle, or less battle?

Confuzzedly yours,
-Durelin

P.S. - Sorry for the delay on my post. I'm working on the adjustments, and I think I'm almost done. Thanks.

[Firefoot]

So, the simpler way is to simply say that we will spend about a month and a half (RL time) in 1695, and then jump to 1697.

So the baddies would be dormant in this first month and a half if we did it that way, right?

[Amanaduial the archer]

Firefoot makes a valid point - this would be rather unfortunate. No matter which of Durelin's two methods we use, the baddies are going to have a period of 'dormancy' at the beginning. However, I do much prefer the second idea:

we will spend about a month and a half (RL time) in 1695, and then jump to 1697. That jump would not land us in the battle immediately, but then there would be only a week or two (RL time) until the battle (unless of course we wanted to spend longer on the battle).

This idea has worked well in other RPGs (e.g. Shadow of the West), and is I think much preferable to the first suggestion, which could threaten to break the game up to be maybe a little too patchwork; plus, as a rush through time, it would probably end up concentrating solely on events and skimping on character interaction and development of characters and relationships, which would rather defeat the point of RPGing. Plus, as Durelin pointed out, it wouldn't half get confusing! I would therefore go for the second idea, certainly.

As to the answer to the big question, the ultimate question, the question that has indeed been plaguing generations of RPGers since the days of Ye Olde Freestyle Roome: heck, more battle! Yeah, I would say more rather than less battle - but maybe that's just me being trigger happy. Battle is always fun to play, and in this game, spending a larger proportion of time on the battle would mean the baddies were able to play in a larger proportion of the game, meaning no players are left scuffing their toes on the sidelines, so to speak. On the other hand, there are certainly more events happening before the actual battle begins, and as there are some non-fighting characters (*cough*Narisiel!*cough), having less battle is still certainly an option. The events before the battle could allow more character development and give the game more span and variety. So maybe this would be better.

Looking at the options, I'm happy either way I suppose - but maybe I would lean a little more towards 'less battle', for the reasons specified above. Thoughts of one and all?

[piosenniel]

I should think the Orcs could run their own little story line until Ost-in-Edhil is actually besieged.

War of the Elves and Sauron begins and the Three Rings are hidden: SA 1693; Eregion is invaded, Troops of Orcs make their way along the southern edge of the White Mountains - harassing the southwestern parts of Gondor.

By 1695 Sauron is intent upon putting Eriador under his dominion. Easterlings and Southrons are coming into Barad-dur. He has gathered the creatures of Morgoth into Mordor. The armies of Mordor are already sweeping westward and doing battle with any who stand in their way. Their final target will be Lindon.

The outlying areas of Eregion have already been under attack and those refugees are coming into Ost-in-Edhel.

I think the Orcs could run a story line perhaps describing the build up of troops in Mordor, their thoughts on Sauron who is now in residence in Barad-dur (how is he in comparison to their old boss - Morgoth, etc); what do they think of their immediate leaders; what do they think of the Men from the south and east who are joining him; etc. And then move out along the White Mountains heading for the Gap of Rohan and then north over Eregion and finally coming to Ost-in-edhel for the siege. There should be plenty of opportunity for them to be quite bloodthirsty.

Just a suggestion . . .

[Folwren]

I'm not an orc, but it sounds like a good suggestion to me.

As to more or less battle....I don't care much. But when you say battle, would that be one battle taking place on one day, or the entire seige/war thing that could last for sometime?

[Amanaduial the archer]

Also not an orc, but echoing Folwren's sentiment: sounds like a plan

Folwren - I think I would be right in saying it would be the whole invasion/attack on Eregion: the seige lasted a few years and wasn't so much battle. The battle Durelin was talking about would be the actual action that it all cummulated in.
If that made sense.
And wasn't too horribly misspelt.
*sigh*

[Firefoot]

Am an Orc, and it sounds like a plan to me, too.

[Durelin]

I said 'the baddies will not have entered the picture yet', didn't I? Well that was rather vague of me. And foolish.

Of course I'd want the baddies in there! I really am losing my mind... Sauron began his invasion of Eriador in 1693, so no matter when we started, the baddies would already be on the move. They'd be carrying themselves on their own mostly, but I know they are more than capable of that when I look at who I have as orc players.

Sounds like a plan, that incorperates all of the above.

Sorry for being rather absent-minded.

-Durelin

[Envinyatar]

Orofaniel

Welcome to the Lindon contingent!

I was wondering would you like to start off the Council meeting as your first post? Or shall I take a crack at it, and then you chime in . . .

Either way is fine with me.

- E -

[Orofaniel]

Hi everyone.

This will indeed be an interesting game. I'm looking forwards to it.


Envinyatar
I'm glad you asked. I see you have written your BIO. So if it's okay with you, I'd prefer if you started to write the first post about the council and the meeting; then I'll continue. I think it'll be more effective that way. You see, in the mean time I'll write my BIO. Then when I'm finished, hopefully your post too, will be finished.

Do you see my way of thinking? :-) I am, however, open for other suggestions.


Cheers,
Oro

[Envinyatar]

My pleasure, m'lady! Will have the post up probably by tomorrow evening.

- E -

[piosenniel]

Trying out my new avvie for the game.

Riv Stonecut, in black and white.

~*~ Pio

[Envinyatar]

My First Post is on board - here.

Orofaniel

I've left room for you to be the Elf sitting to Ondomirë's left if you wish.

Just to let you know, I was reading through some discussions on how much the Elves knew of the making of the Rings of Power and the 3 Elven rings and the One Ring made by Sauron around the time they were made and in use. I've gone with the conclusion that it was not general knowledge at that time - Celebrimbor and the Elves who helped him make the Rings would know; Gil-galad, Cirdan, and Galadriel would know, since the 3 Rings were sent to them for safe-keeping. And I'm thinking that perhaps Elrond was let in on the secret maybe when Gil-galad received his Ring.

Once Elrond retreats to where he and the remnant of the Eregion Elves will establish Imladris, Gil-galad gives him Vilya. I'm fairly certain Gil-galad would not send Vilya with Elrond, fearing that it might be lost in the battle and fall into Sauron's hands.

Anyway - let me know if you'd like anything edited ( I will put your character's name in if you choose to be 'the Elf on the left'). I was wondering - would you like to lead the Elves whose main weapons are those tall spears (Gil-galad's weapon of choice.) Or the swords-men. Or do you fancy being a regular soldier in the army?

- E -

[piosenniel]

Alcarillo has asked to join the game - will most likely be the remaining male Elf of Eregion.

[piosenniel]

Here's the updated list of posters to this thread:

JUST CHECK THE FIRST POST TO THIS THREAD FOR THE UPDATES

[Arry]

Welcome, Alcarillo!

-----

And not to be out done by Pio, I'm trying out a Dwarf avatar m'self.

-- Arry

[Firefoot]

Soo... if we Orcs are going to be carrying ourselves along from the start, will we be needing to write First Posts now?

[Alcarillo]

Hi, I'll be the last male elf, and I'll get a character description up soon today.

[Arestevana]

Here's my Lorien Elf.



Character Description Form:

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

The Summons, Breelanders All, A Land to Call Their Own, Search for Rhûn

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

None


3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn – YES
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Arestevana's character

NAME: Gilduin Lindorion

AGE: 1,438

RACE: Elf (Noldor) of Lorien

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS : Gilduin bears the standard of the Lorien contingent. The oaken shaft is inlaid with silver and capped on either end by a silver spike. Gilduin also carries a longbow and a quiver of arrows. He keeps a long dirk sheathed on his right hip, but rarely uses it for fighting. The dirk is of his own making, a decorative weapon with a blade like that of a sword set into the wooden handle.

APPEARANCE: An even six feet in height, Gilduin has straight, golden hair which falls to his shoulders. He is slender and has the graceful strength common among elves. His eyes, dark grey, appear a lesson in contrast against his fair skin. He wears a loose, long-sleeved tunic of light grey, belted at the waist. He also sports leggings, stivali (light boots), and a half-cloak of the same color, with embroidery in silver on the neck and sleeves of the tunic and the hem of the cape. He wears a glove on his right hand (with which he bears the standard) but the fingers are open so as not to hinder his work.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Gilduin, though well over a thousand years in age, is younger than many elves. He has a tendency toward pride, and often feels an irrational sense of superiority around others, especially individuals of other races. However, this is rarely apparent, as he is by nature withdrawn. He is slow to give trust or friendship, though when he views someone as an equal he becomes a loyal companion. His pride does not equate to confidence, and under stress he often lapses into deep thought, taking no notice stimuli of the world around him. He is filled with deep regret for past decisions, but he hides it well. Gilduin was once skilled in the delicate working of metals. He made no large weapons, but occasionally created small knives, such as his dirk. With disuse this talent faded, and his strength is now in tracking and woodcraft. He is a fine shot with a long bow, but has little skill in melee combat. If needed, he has a fair hand at the quarter-staff, but his sword skill is lacking.

HISTORY: Gilduin has lived most of his life in Laurelindórinan. For many years, his greatest wish was to join the Elvensmiths at Ost-in-Edhil. However, he doubted his own skill, and his pride would not permit him to seek an apprenticeship there. He abandoned his craft and took up the bow, patrolling the borders of his homeland and withdrawing from life for long periods of time. His outward silence could not hide his inner restlessness and regret from his mentor, an elf in the service of the lady Galadriel. Unwilling to speak to his mentor or receive advice, Gilduin left Lindórinan and wandered for years in Greenwood the Great. Shortly after he returned home, a messenger came from Eregion requesting aid. Having known from years ago the elf given command of the contingent, Gilduin asked to join, and was assigned as standard-bearer.

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Arestevana's post


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[Durelin]

Soo... if we Orcs are going to be carrying ourselves along from the start, will we be needing to write First Posts now?

First posts from the Orcs aren't needed, simply because you guys don't need to get started really moving right off the bat. But, of course, if you have something in mind where you'd like to get an early start, by all means...

Sorry about not having my first post done yet...life all of a sudden got a little crazy when I wasn't expecting it to. But, I'll have it done by Saturday at the latest.

Related to that, I unfortunately will be going away. I will be leaving on Sunday and returning Friday (the 15th). I will have internet access, but I just wanted to let everyone know that I'll be a little scarce. Sorry.

Thanks.

-Durelin

[Firefoot]

First posts from the Orcs aren't needed, simply because you guys don't need to get started really moving right off the bat. But, of course, if you have something in mind where you'd like to get an early start, by all means...

No, I don't really have anything in mind. I just wondered if I should be thinking about it.

[Durelin]

Pio - I've edited my earlier post containing my bio and the prologue, so it now contains the revised prologue. Please let me know if there are any more adjustments needed. And I apologize again for taking so long in getting it up. Thanks!

Also, Nurumaiel will be playing the last female Elf of Eregion role.

Alcarillo - I'm so glad to have you!

Arestevana - Excellent bio! The standard bearer! Sounds like fun.

Evinyatar - Wonderful post! I especially loved how your character pondered the choice of Elrond. And the descriptions are beautiful.

[piosenniel]

The RPG now has its full complement of players:

[piosenniel]

Dwarves

I should have my post up by late tonight. I'm still trying to sort out just what we should be doing and where we're at.

I'm thinking that we'll gather in the evening in the Stonecut halls. We've been asked by Celebrimbor to travel quickly to the eastern gates of Moria. The contingent of Lorien Elves will be meeting us there so that we might lead them in safety and in haste under the mountains to Eregion.

How does this sound?

~*~ Pio

[Folwren]

Your dwarves look really nice, Pio and Arry. If I can find a good one, I might join you.

[Firefoot]

Why don't you and the other Orcs decide who'd like to lead off with a post and then either wait for the game to open or you 3 go ahead and do First Posts to start your story line off - your choice; whatever is easiest for you.

Okay. So, Encai, Kath, do either of you have a preference? I can see advantages either way. Also, Encai is the only one of us with a commanding Orc; so we have two options: a) Kath's and my Orcs are under Encai's Orc's command or b) they're in different garrisons. The former would make it easier for interactions between characters, I think. Thoughts?

[Alcarillo]

Hey everyone, I've finished by bio. This is my first RPG, so my bio probably isn't as great as Amanaduial's and others'. So, here it is, tell me what you think.

Character Description Form:

1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – YES/NO - Nope. This will be my first.

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

3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn – YES/NO - Yes, I have.
_______________________________________

Alcarillo's character

NAME: Cainenyo Nession

AGE: 1767

RACE: Elf of Eregion

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Cainenyo uses an antique sword inherited from his father, who was a guard of one of Gondolin’s gates. Named Angereg, it is slightly curved and has a blue leather binding on its long hilt. Cainenyo also has a hunting bow made of yew. He normally hunts animals with it, but it is strong enough to kill orcs. He has no formal weapons training, but hunts regularly. Cainenyo feels that he is ready to fight if he must.

As for armor, Cainenyo usually wears a very polished breastplate, very polished vambraces, and very polished greaves, all of steel, and all made by himself. (Cainenyo is a blacksmith) Underneath it all he wears chain-mail, which extends down to his knees. On his head he wears a helmet with a green plume.

APPEARANCE: Cainenyo is tall, about six feet and two inches, and very strong, having worked at an anvil for most of his life. His hair is dark brown, and extends down to his shoulders in long locks. His eyes are steel grey, like the metals he works with. As for his garb Cainenyo likes to wear dark green, usually embroidered with elegant designs about the edges, and when working he wears a leather apron and gloves. During cooler weather Cainenyo likes to wear a long grey cloak, fastened with a dwarven brooch.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Cainenyo has a friendly, pleasant and open personality, and does not like to become angry at people. He is a loving husband and father, and would die for his family if needed. This love can turn to worry in troublesome times, and he can be over-protective.

In his business, Cainenyo likes to learn from others’ mistakes, which has helped elevate him to the status of an expert blacksmith. As for his own mistakes, Cainenyo often tries to hide them, and sometimes feels angry at himself for failing. He sees mistakes as failures at his expertise in smithy-work. When Cainenyo is saddened or angered he sees his wife, who consoles him and soothes his troubles. Sometimes Cainenyo can be suspicious of others, and often relies on mere intuition. This can make him unreliable when advice is needed.

He does not like to interfere in the affairs of the mighty and important. He just wants to lead a happy life and go on as a blacksmith.

HISTORY: Cainenyo was born in FA 511, right after the Fall of Gondolin. His father was a guard of Gondolin’s Gate of Writhen Iron and his mother was a seamstress. The entire family survived the destruction of the city and lived until the end of the age at the Havens of Sirion. It was during this time that Cainenyo learned most of his skills in smithy-work from Angandil, a survivor of Gondolin’s destruction who moved to Tol Eressea at the end of the age, and many lore-books his parents saved from Gondolin. Cainenyo’s love for metals was first in his heart until he met Alassante, a beautiful elf-maiden whose parents had both survived Gondolin. They fell in love and married. They were thinking of children when the War of Wrath occurred, postponing any plans of a family.

At the beginning of the Second Age they fled to Lindon, which Cainenyo’s family chose as their new home, but ships and the sea did not interest Cainenyo, so he and Alassante decided to follow Celebrimbor to Eregion, attracted by the knowledge of the dwarves and the many opportunities for a new life. Cainenyo has met many dwarves while living in Ost-in-Edhil, and learned much from them. His business as a blacksmith grew, and Cainenyo is considered one of the foremost experts in working with iron. Cainenyo’s son, Arenwino, was born in SA 1598, and is apprenticed to a silversmith across town. Cainenyo has already taught two apprentices, now on their own, and now he mostly makes iron trellises, candelabras, and other things to embellish the home. Lately though, he has been asked to make many swords and armor. Cainenyo has made a sword for his son. Alassante is currently pregnant with her second child, who she and Cainenyo hope to be a girl.

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Alcarillo's post

Cainenyo’s hammer struck a glowing rod of iron, casting sparks across his forge. He was as happy as could be while working; there was little he loved more than to create something usable out of what previously wasn’t. Cainenyo turned the long rod of iron over with tongs, and struck it some more, creating a shower of sparks. He plunged the rod in a bucket of water, throwing steam up into the air. After heating the rod to a warm glow in the furnace, set into the wall and where he heated his iron to make it malleable, he resumed striking the iron on the anvil, gradually forming a distinguishable shape out of it.

Cainenyo’s forge was open to the streets of Ost-in-Edhil, separated by only a few arches and two steps downwards. People could come and go as they pleased, purchasing wares and asking for specific items to be made. The forge itself was focused around the anvil, like the centerpiece of a table set for a feast. Cainenyo’s wares were spread about his forge. They lay displayed on tables and hanging to the walls, examples of the blacksmith’s skill. Cainenyo made things to beautify or serve a purpose in the home: trellises, small slender tables, candelabras, braziers, and elegant grills to cap drainage pipes. But Cainenyo could also make knives, swords, armor, arrowheads, spearheads, and other less domestic goods. Cainenyo, as an expert in iron, was not limited to what he could make.

Cainenyo continued to beat his rod of iron, manipulating it with heavy black tongs and crafting it into a delicate shape, resembling a long blade of grass. He was creating a knife, one to be used in self-defense against an attacker. He plunged it into his bucket of water and held it firmly in his hand, swinging it about for a moment and testing it against an imaginary orc. Cainenyo found the knife to be suitable, and placed it in an old chest near the furnace. He would perform the finishing touches tomorrow. The sun was beginning to set and he decided to finish for the day and enter the house to see his wife, Alassante.

Cainenyo wiped his gloves on his leather apron. Removing the gloves, he noticed a tall figure standing in one of the archways. It was his son, Arenwino, who was apprenticed to a silver-smith across the city. Arenwino was not quite as tall as his father, but more slender, with the wavy dark hair of his mother. He wore the gloves and apron of a silversmilth, and hoped to work with the Mírdain when his apprenticeship was finished.

“You’re back. How did today go?” Cainenyo asked his son.

“It was fine. Today Celebdur taught me more about making molds and such. We made some rings for an engaged couple.” Arenwino said, descending the steps into the forge. He looked about the strewn instruments and noticed the flaming furnace and asked, “Were you making something?”

“Yes, a knife.” Cainenyo answered, “There have been a lot more requests for weaponry these days.” He continued after a short pause, “That reminds me. I have a gift for you.”

Arenwino waited in anticipation as Cainenyo moved to a table to the side of his anvil. There he delicately picked up a long sword. Arenwino stood closer, gazing at the long, curved blade. The flames of the furnace danced on its smooth surface. It was handed to Arenwino, who held it admiringly.

“Thank you, Father,” he spoke, “But what is the occasion? I don’t deserve a sword like this one.”

“Well, there is no occasion, as of now,” Cainenyo answered, “But there may be. I hear of orcs harassing the edges of Eregion, and I don’t want my son to be caught without defense if he happens to be traveling abroad and is ambushed. And besides, who knows how far the orcs might come. What if they attack the city?”

“But surely they won’t. We have soldiers aplenty, and why would they attack Ost-in-Edhil?”

Cainenyo picked up the bucket of water. “Well, I’ve heard that that Annatar, who helped Celebrimbor create those rings, has turned against him. He’s sending orcs against us, or so I’ve heard from the refugees entering the city each day.” He doused the flames of the furnace, sending steam everywhere.

“Will you be asked to fight?” Arenwino looked concerned. The sun was now setting.

“I doubt that. I’m more useful staying here and making weapons and armor than going off to battle. But don’t worry. If I am asked to fight I’ve already made armor for myself and I have a sword. It’s getting late; let’s go inside.”

Cainenyo hung his apron on a peg by the door that led into his home and put away what tools were left laying about. They entered the home’s courtyard through an arched doorway. The courtyard was a small space mostly taken up by a square pool for collecting rainwater and a few bushes of fragrant flowers. They were greeted by Alassante, Cainenyo’s wife and Arenwino’s mother. She was pregnant, and the new child was due in four more months. Alassante’s wavy brown hair fluttered in a slight breeze coming through the open doorway. She wore a light, simple dress, comfortable and loose. She kissed both her son and husband, and led them towards the entrance to the house.

Then Alassante noticed the sword in Arenwino’s hands. “Where did you get that?” she asked.

“Father gave it to me,” said Arenwino, “He told me that orcs were crawling all over the edges of Eregion, and that refugees are coming to the city. He said that the orcs might come here, too, and that I shouldn’t be unarmed. Isn’t that true, Father?”

“It’s certainly a possibility,” Cainenyo said, and his wife frowned at him as they entered the house. Arenwino smiled, despite the future’s uncertainty.

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EDIT: Just setting your post up for transfer to the game thread. ~*~ Pio

[piosenniel]

Dwarves --

Well, I've done my post - here.

Let's have the Dwarves discuss what they've heard; when they want to leave to pick up the Lorien Elves; and how armed they should be and take what precautions, etc.

It's about 40 miles according to Gandalf from the West gate of Moria(the Eregion side) to the East-gate where the Mirrormere is and where the Elves from Lorien will enter. I have Riv's quarters about 10 miles from the West-gate - so we have @ 30 miles to traverse. Once we get there we should probably scout about the entrance to clear the area of any unwanted creatures. What do you think?

An aside thought: I doubt the Dwarves actually know about the 3 Rings made by the Elves. I'm sure they know about the gift of the Ring of Power given to their King (by Celebrimbor as recounted by the Dwarves, not Sauron), Durin III, but most likely don't have all the details. And knowing Dwarves, Durin III has no doubt squirreled it away somewhere in his private treasure hoard rather than wear it.

~*~ Pio

[Boromir88]

Wonderful first post Piosenniel, and those sound like good ideas to me.

I had a question as well, do you just want us to put our first postsin our bios, or in another post?

[Kath]

Has it been decided as to what is going on with the orcs? Do we need to make first posts?

[piosenniel]

Boromir88

Thanks!

Please put your First Post on your original BIO post. Then just leave a note for me that you've done so.

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Kath

The Orc writers have just started discussing what they want to do.

I suggested:

Why don't you and the other Orcs decide who'd like to lead off with a post and then either wait for the game to open or you 3 go ahead and do First Posts to start your story line off - your choice; whatever is easiest for you.

Then Firefoot wrote:

Okay. So, Encai, Kath, do either of you have a preference? I can see advantages either way. Also, Encai is the only one of us with a commanding Orc; so we have two options: a) Kath's and my Orcs are under Encai's Orc's command or b) they're in different garrisons. The former would make it easier for interactions between characters, I think. Thoughts?

So go ahead and state your preferences here on this thread - I suppose one of you should PM Encai to check into the thread, too.

~*~ Pio

[piosenniel]

ESGALLHUGWEN & ENCAITARE

Please clear out your PM's.

~*~ Piosenniel, Game Moderator


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Everyone

Here is a link to the Discussion Thread I'm setting up for the game.

I'm transferring Bios & Posts to it, so it is an easy, uncluttered way to check on someone's character or on First Posts.

[Nurumaiel]

Questions having to do with the first posts...

First off, is there anything particular that the Elves of Eregion should be doing in the first post, especially concerning the females? Or might we be at our homes, or out taking a little stroll, or whatnot?

Secondly, I wonder where I might find out what kind of structures, foods, etc. were prevalent in this time and place, so I can be as decriptive as I care to be... or shall I just follow the general idea for Elves?

By the way, it will be a pleasure to play again with those of you I've encountered before, and I look forward to playing for the first time with those I'm not acquainted with.

[Firefoot]

Hm... according to the Member's List, Encai hasn't logged on for two weeks (25th of June), nor did she ever say anything about an absense in her recent posts. Might anyone know how to contact her...?

[piosenniel]

Firefoot

Enca's PM's are full and I don't have another way to contact her - so my suggestion is that you and Kath go ahead and make the plans for now, and her character can follow along when she returns.

~*~ Pio

[Arry]

I'm working on my post and will try to have it up by tomorrow sometime. I'll check in to see if Boro or Folwren have written theirs as I go along and try to fit mine in as needed.

-- Arry