Songs of the Fellowship

The OOC Forum for the Tales from Wilderlands campaign using The One Ring RPG system.
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Vardaen
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Songs of the Fellowship

Post by Vardaen » Fri Oct 24, 2014 5:49 pm

Then the Riders of the King's House upon white horses rode round about the barrow and sang together a song of Theoden Thengel's son that Gleowine his minstrel made, and he made no other song after. The slow voices of the Riders stirred the hearts even of those who did not know the speech of that people; but the words of the song brought a light to the eyes of the folk of the Mark as they heard again afar the thunder of the hooves of the North and the voice of Eorl crying above the battle upon the Field of Celebrant; and the tale of the kings rolled on, and the horn of Helm was loud in the mountains, until the Darkness came and King Theoden arose and rode through the Shadow to the fire, and died in splendor, even as the Sun, returning beyond hope, gleamed upon Mindolluin in the morning.

-The Return of the King


Rules for Singing Songs
"It is a fair tale, though it is sad, as are all the tales of Middle-earth, and yet it may lift up your hearts." He was silent for some time, and then he began not to speak but to chant softly..."

During an Adventuring phase, the companions may choose to sing a song to reinforce their mutual bond of friendship and inspire themselves to pursue their goals with renewed strength of purpose. First, the companions choose a song to sing among those on their song list. Then, all companions may make a Song roll.

* If a hero succeeds in his roll, he is Inspired until the end of the session: an Inspired companion may spend his inspiration to add 2 Success dice to any one roll.

* If the number of successes rolled by the companions as a whole matches or exceeds the number of heroes in the group (a great success counts as 2, and an extraordinary success counts for 3), the company gains a temporary Fellowship point, usable only during the current session. Each song may be employed by the company once for each Adventuring phase (twice if it is an Elvish song): mark a song off the list once it has been spent. A song must be marked off whether it has been used successfully or not.

Here you will find songs composed by or important to the Fellowship.
Last edited by Vardaen on Thu Apr 16, 2015 11:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

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Blubbo_Baggins
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Re: Songs of the Fellowship

Post by Blubbo_Baggins » Fri Oct 24, 2014 7:21 pm

(That quote is awesome!)


Here is the first song for the Fellowship, composed by Finn, while he spent a few weeks in Rivendell.

The Lay of the Northmen

Type: Elvish
Theme: None
TN: 16

Canto I: Of the Vow of Elendil and Gil-galad
Before the star came from the West
And on the shore they stood,
A Lady from West of Westernesse
Ruled steadfast in her wood.

Before their ships came from the West
And there great kingdoms wrought,
The Lady from West of Westernesse
Low Northmen heeded not.

In Middle Earth they had remained,
The folk of Hador's line,
They revered Béma, waiting for
Menelvagor their sign.

For lone against the wilderland
The Forodrim stern and strong,
Did build and breathe and live and die
Forgotten in all song.

Yet too within the Wilderland
The Forodrim small but strong,
Were faithful 'gainst the slow defeat
Which Elves named Ever-Long.

Yet when upon these Middle shores
The Dúnedain had berthed,
The Eldar were awakened by
Their footsteps on the Earth.

For sound of their forgotten gods,
The sound of Eldamar,
Was in their mortal feet and song--
Men of Mar-nu-Falmar.

Too soon forsook their oaths of old,
Beguiled by Morgoth's thane,
For spurnéd they the Gift of men,
They grasped for life in vain.

For envy of their Elven-friends,
For envy of the gods,
They took up arms and raised their fleet
And stepped on Deathless sod.

But through the wrath of Eru
Their star fell from its throne--
The Great Sea swallowed Andor, yet
The Faithful returned alone.

Thus came the last of sundered folk,
And at the High-King's seat,
They swore a pledge with Firstborn friends
To end the Long defeat.

Thus came the second birth of Elves
Undoing an ancient Vow,
For trust and hope and faith were met
Upon tall Wind-Hill's brow.

Thus came a time like in the Spring
when flowers wax full bloom,
The armies of the Holy Oath
Unfurled to Sauron's doom.

Yet though the vow upheld was strong
And Elven-heart proved true,
Confronted with forsaking power
The King from Doom withdrew.

Into the long defeat they went,
The folk of Númenor,
Their fate now joinéd to the men
Long beaten on this shore.
Canto II: Of the Faithful of the North
Still in the North unheeded were
Forodrim, men of Earth,
But soon in hour of need were called
And came with unsung worth.

For from the plains of Mordor,
And from the East of East,
Wainriders rose to threaten war
And chaos without cease.

Then running over Gondor,
Into Rhovanion fair,
The Swarthy men brought ruin,
Slav'ry, and despair.

Yet with an unbowed remnant
Went Marwhini of the North,
That from their holdings in a Vale,
With strength could issue forth.

The years were bleak, and through them
The Men-kindreds did plod,
But kindling hope the Northmen came
Anew, the Éothéod.

For Eorl the Young, the tamer
Of Mearas, kings of steed,
Made Northmen ride like Northwinds,
To war and great deeds.

As Steward of the South-realm,
Sat Cirion for the Kings.
With menace growing in his thought—
Gondor burning in his dreams.

Thus in those days rose up a foe
Sent from Dol Guldor's side,
The Balchoth conquering ever West,
Against whom none could stride.

And crossing over Undeeps,
And passing into the Wold,
Their wagons made a dread approach
to Calenardhon fell and bold.

Then out of the White Mountains,
And out of Aglarond,
Rode Cirion's Northern army,
This trespass to respond.

But guided by a darker Hand
They'd never seen defeat,
The Balchoth pushed in further
Forcing Vanguard to retreat.

The Balchoth East had conquered,
Through all of Wilderland,
The allies of Gondor scattered,
So 'lone were forced to stand.

Yet ere their strength could rally,
The day turned sudden grim,
Descending out of mountains
Came Orcs last hope to dim.
Canto III: Of the Vow of Finrod and Barahir
Then Cirion seeing peril,
Turned desperately North,
He sent six riders with a plea,
Calling Éothéod forth.

And on the tenth of March,
Rode heir of Northern lord,
Borondir the Stirrupless,
His family of pledgéd sword.

Through three hundred leagues of peril,
Through Balchoth in array,
Through Shadow of a Darkened Hill,
The riders were but prey.

Full five of them were lost,
No tidings ever told,
Yet the Rider of the Last Hope
Passed out of the Wold.

Through thousand hills he rode,
Through Balchoth in array,
Through Shadow of the Dwimmerberg
By evil men waylaid.

Though forced to turn for safety
Along the river Vale,
(And hope and rations growing thin),
Borondir could not fail.

By fortune or the Will of West,
O'er Anduin Vale he passed.
On fifth-and-twenty March he came
To Eorl's gates at last.

And hearing his desp'rate message,
Stirred Eorl's heart within,
Upon his shoulders now was laid
The fate of all good Men.

Not long the call he pondered,
Toward setting sun he faced,
If Mundberg falls thence dies our light
And darkness o'ertakes our race.


I will come; he southward looked.
We ride! Called out the lord.
Then mustered riders thousand-fold,
To death! – their battle-roar.

On right rode brave Borondir,
Leading seven-thousand great,
Twixt river and the shadow dell,
They hurried to unknown fate.

Then out from Sorceror's hill,
Who'd waited for this hour,
Sent shadows sapping Northmen strength,
While watching from his bower.

Though ever Eldar unheeded,
And small did count their might,
The Lady from West of Westernesse
Regarded now their plight.

And though the Elves undying,
Thought mortals of little might,
The fairest Lady-queen had yet
Her brother's vow in sight.

Then sending over Anduin,
A gleaming mist of white,
Sent she dark shadows fleeing
And hid them all from sight.

The Northmen rallied onward,
The Dark Power overcome
By Varda's light and Lady
Who esteem'd the North-kingdom.
Canto IV: Of the Vow of Cirion and Eorl
Gondor's vanguard eager-charged
That tresspass of their foe.
Parth Celebrant was held alone,
Amidst a sea of woe.

Yet not the end, for to succor
Came an army of the south,
(Reinforcements and the King),
To meet at Limlight's mouth.

But faster still were Balchoth-dire,
And cunning as their Lord,
Asunder cleaving Gondor's force,
As apples cut by sword.

The vanguard lying in a trap,
And rearguard could not ford,
Like mountain streams into the field,
An Orc-host now was poured.

Driving Gondor to the Anduin,
To drown them in the deeps,
The Orcs sought Cirion's ruin,
Or slaying Westmen in dead-heaps.

But faster still came Eorl,
With Mearas on wind-wing,
Beyond all hope Borondir charged,
And clove a path to King.

And over Undeeps riders charged,
Behind their foe's own flank,
The Balchoth taken by surprise,
Then only death they drank.

The craven Orcs were routed,
Their hearts did melt as wax.
Not one did ever leave that Field,
Their ranks were burned like flax.

The coward Orcs were cloven,
Just as their Lord's fell hand,
The Shadow was retreating,
Like by the Golden Woodland.

Through weeks of woe and peril,
Through armies in array,
Through powers of the Shadow-Lord,
Came Northmen and the Day.

Thus came the second birth of Men,
For One foredained this doom,
That Men of West and North would meet,
On Faithful Elendil's tomb.

That Hill of Awe, Halifirien,
That holy, Whispering Wood,
That secret mount of Isildur,
Where lords of men now stood.

Upon this holy mound of green
Grew white alfirin flowers,
The setting sun upon them shone,
As though hallowed by the Powers.

Laying his sword upon the mound,
Did Eorl speak an Oath -
Laying as had his sword on grave,
On all their heirs this troth:

Hear now Free Men of the North—
By gift of Mundberg's Lord,
We shall in Calenardhon dwell,
And defend it by our sword!

Between the Éothéod and now
The Great Folk of the West,
Shall friendship and eternal aid
Be given our kindred blest.

Their foes shall be our very foes,
Their need shall be our need,
And though it cost our might and men,
We come with strength of steed.


And urgéd he to keep in faith,
This new vow of the North.
Then in the West set sun in flame,
And King his wand streched forth.

The light did light him as a fire,
With sun-white Steward-cloak,
And standing high with hand on tomb,
Filling them with awe, he spoke:

By bond of friendship and their need,
Shall Gondor now be bound,
Their fate shall be our very fate,
True brothers shall they be crowned.

In memory of the Land of Star,
And the faithful of the West,
This oath shall honor, and be kept
By Men of North and West.

By Men of North and West be kept,
But that Faith is ended never,
This oath be held by thrones of West,
And the One over all for ever.


And to these days has such a vow
Been never heard by Men.
But faithful shall the Northmen stay,
Lest evil divide again.

Long live the throne of Bard in Dale!
Long prosper free Lake town!
Go forth the Kingdom of the Mark,
Till Gondor has a crown!
Vman Edit! This is awesome, and was written by Blubbo himself!

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Vardaen
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Re: Songs of the Fellowship

Post by Vardaen » Tue Oct 11, 2016 5:12 pm

At Cuivienen, long ago,
The light of Varda's star
Shone down through an age of shadow,
To waken the Eldar.

And each awoke, then upward gazed
Into the jewels of night;
Of all beauty were these appraised
The greatest in their sight.

Through the ages have they remained
Guiding signs for the lost;
And newer stars has heaven gained
As Silmar-light has crossed.

Remaining Elves now slowly fade,
Returning to Valmar.
Though middle-earth a darker shade,
Yet shines still Varda's star.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

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Re: Songs of the Fellowship

Post by Vardaen » Tue Oct 11, 2016 5:16 pm

Sung by Irime in the High Pass

Sung in Quenya

The Lays Of Beleriand: The lay of Leithian: XII


In that vast shadow once of yore
Fingolfin stood: his shield he bore
with field of heaven's blue and star
of crystal shining pale afar.
In overmastering wrath and hate
desperate he smote upon that gate,
the Noldor king, there standing lone,
while endless fortresses of stone
engulfed the thin clear ringing keen
of silver horn on baldric green.
His hopeless challenge dauntless cried
Fingolfin there: 'Come, open wide,
dark king, you ghatsly brazen doors!
Come forth, whom earth and heaven abhors!
Come forth, O monstruous craven lord,
and fight with thine own hand and sword,
thou wielder of hosts of banded thralls,
thou tyrant leaguered with strong walls,
thou foe of Gods and elvish race!
I wait thee here. Come! Show thy face!'

Then Morgoth came. For the last time
in those great wars he dared to climb
from subterranean throne profound,
the rumour of his feet a sound
of rumbling earthquake underground.
Black-armoured, towering, iron-crowned
he issued forth; his mighty shield
a vast unblazoned sable field
with shadow like a thundercloud;
and o'er the gleaming king it bowed,
as huge aloft like mace he hurled
that hammer of the underworld,
Grond. Clanging to ground it tumbled
down like a thunder-bolt, and crumbled
the rocks beneath it; smoke up-started,
a pit yawned, and a fire darted.

Fingolfin like a shooting light
beneath a cloud, a stab of white,
sprang then aside, and Ringil drew
like ice that gleameth cold and blue,
his sword devised of elvish skill
to pierce the flesh with deadly chill.
With seven wounds it rent his foe,
and seven mighty cries of woe
rang in the mountains, and the earth quook,
and Angband's trembling armies shook.

Yet Orcs would after laughing tell
of the duel at the gates of hell;
though elvish song thereof was made
ere this but one - when sad was laid
the mighty king in barrow high
and Thorndor, Eagle of the sky,
the dreadful tidings brought and told
to mourning Elfinesse of old.
Thrice was Fingolfin with great blows
to his knees beaten, thrice he rose
still leaping up beneath the cloud
aloft to hold star-shining, proud,
his stricken shield, his sundered helm,
that dark nor might could overwhelm
till all the earth was burst and rent
in pits about him. He was spent.
His feet stumbled. He fell to wreck
upon the ground, and on his neck
a foot like rooted hills was set,
and he was crushed - not conquered yet;
one last despairing stroke he gave:
the mighty foot pale Ringil clave
about the heel, and black the blood
gushed as from smoking fount in flood.

Halt goes for ever from that stroke
great Morgoth; but the king he broke,
and would have hewn and mangled thrown
to wolves devouring. Lo! from throne
that Manwë bade him build on high,
on peak unscaled beneath the sky,
Morgoth to watch, now down there swooped
Thorndor the King of Eagles, stooped,
and rending beak of gold he smote
in Bauglir's face, then up did float
on pinions thirty fathoms wide
bearing away, though loud they cried,
the mighty corse, the elven-king;
and where the mountains make a ring
far to the south about that plain
where after Gondolin did reign,
embattled city, at great height
upon a dizzy snowcap white
in mounded cairn the mighty dead
he laid upon the mountain's head.
Never Orc nor demon after dared
that pass to climb, o'er which they stared
Fingolfin's high and holy tomb,
till Gondolin's appointed doom.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

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Vardaen
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Re: Songs of the Fellowship

Post by Vardaen » Tue Oct 11, 2016 5:23 pm

Geb's Funeral Song

Down in the dark a minstrel fell,
A singer of songs, so my tale tells.

True to the end, he defied the North's Foe.
Defending his friends, he was laid low.

He stood true when tempted by false Annatar,
We beheld in him the wisdom of Eldamar.

Born of Eorlingas, and mortal was he
His song shall be known and sung by the Free.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

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Blubbo_Baggins
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Re: Songs of the Fellowship

Post by Blubbo_Baggins » Wed Jul 24, 2019 9:30 pm

The Fair and Lovely Inn
East of the Mountains, West of the Woods

Type: Thematic
(Only when journeying to the Easterly Inn, or at the Inn)
TN: 14
Words TBD

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