Smaug has been defeated, the Battle of Five Armies has been won, and Bilbo has returned to the Shire. But much danger still remains, and from the Orc-holds of the mountains to the dark and corrupt depths of Mirkwood a darkness waits, recovering its strength, laying its plans, and slowly extending its shadow…
It is the year 2947 of the Third Age. Taking your separate paths through Wilderland, each of you has come to the edges of Lake-town, the city that was devastated by the foul wyrm Smaug a mere handful of years ago. Your business is your own for now, but as an unseasonably chill Spring evening approaches, the only business on your mind at the moment is finding shelter before the wall of grey clouds above releases the rain it is threatening. As if responding to your thoughts, you begin to feel the first frigid drops hit your skin.
You could keep pushing on to Lake-town. It is probably only another hour's walk or so from your present position, and it would be nice to finally sleep in a warm bed after several weeks of travel. But a more immediate promise of shelter beckons as you begin to increase your pace. A warm glow shines from a copse of trees ahead. You can barely make out the shape of a hooded form huddled near an achingly warm fire, the sound of a gruff voice singing an ancient song echoing out from the cloak.
You break the strange spell of the sight and the song long enough to notice that several other travelers are headed across the field in the same direction you are walking, as if you are all insects drawn to a flame.
What do you wish to do?
It's time to get started! Feel free to respond any way you wish. This might be a good opportunity to meet up with and introduce yourselves to the other companions, but that's up to you.
Deliver a message to a merchant and be his bodyguard for the return home. The job was a simple one, like most he took these days. 5 years had passed since that fateful day where his village was destroyed, and he had found no sign of either the search party supposedly led by his mother, nor of the orc attackers. At first he dedicated himself to the search above all else, but as the year passed and nothing came up he realized it was best to just take simple bodyguard jobs, something he had actually trained for while still in his village, keep his belly full and hope that someday something would come up. Something that called his attention, something that could answer the myriad of questions he had in his head.
Something, like a hooded figure in the middle of a forest singing songs in a languague he couldn't recognize, but nonetheless he felt he had heard before. Something about the figure picked his curiosity in strange ways. Maybe it was an Elf, one of those Silvan he had met before. So full of knowledge but so jelous of it. He hadn't seen one since the day of the attack, and their king seemed to know what was going on in his village.
"It's not like the merchant is going to care if arrive tonight or early in the morning" Guldem thought. At this same moment he notice various other strangers close to him. Weird that he hadn't noticed them before, but they all seemed to be walking in his same direction. "Those two are probably Beornings judging from their size and build". Guldam thought looking at two tall figures that where travelling together. He liked Beornings, so decided to approach them, intercepting them before they reached the hooded figure.
So the first post was too simple, and did not lead to the characters actually meeting, I've decided to change it a bit, also detailing what my character is thinking. Don't worry Ian this is not a practice I intend to do much, just as I get the idea of roleplaying and Play by Post.
Last edited by carlosm88 on Thu Oct 04, 2018 4:30 pm, edited 2 times in total.
The trip from the Anduin Vale to the edge of Esgaroth is not an easy one to take. The Old Forest Road is barely that, but those of strong will and stout hearts, with a good dash if battle craft tossed in can make the trip. Euric is one such Beorning, tall and strong, just come into his full manhood, the son of Evoric , and head now of his family since his father's death. His heart wished to be traveling west, into the Misty Mountains for revenge against the orcs and goblins that slew his father. Duty however called him east. His family, bee keepers by trade, had a great store of honey to be sold, and it was time to see if a deal could be struck in Lake-town or Dale for it. He would have to set up trade routes and arrange for payments and merchantile contracts, all things he was no good at. His younger sister Grimhild should be doing this, she had the mind and heart for it, but she was in no condition to travel for she is with child herself now. So finding a friend to join him on the road, Euric and Grimbold have traveled through Mirkwood nearly to their goal of the Long Lake.
"Storm is coming Grimbold, or I'm no Beorning." He holds his arm and hand out pointing east, "Its going to be a bad one." He's spent enough time in the mountains to know the signs of a storm when he sees one. "We need shelter, we won't make it to the town in time at at the pace you walk." He grins at his companion, a joke obviously. Putting his hands on his hips he gazes about seeking some place to shelter.
Excited to start. No rush getting started right, lets intro our guys, and such. Since Grimbold is also a Beorning we might as well have a shared opening
"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
A long track from the lands of Beorn laid behind Grimbold and his friend Euric. They had made their way through Mirkwood for different reasons but both had purposes in Lake-town. Euric had asked Grimbold to join him on a trading mission and Grimbold pondered it long but accepted. Both being Beornings meant that talk would be minute and Grimbold liked to travel in silence. He liked silence in general. It wasn't an akward silence, but an unspoken agreement. An unspoken agreement that one did not have to speak to fill the void, but could just let it be.
Grimbold had no business in Lake-town, no real business. Grimbold his tasks lay in his homeland, but he had heard rumour of a band of rabble who sacked some Beorning farmsteads on the Western edge of their lands. The whispers had told him they were headed to Esgaroth to sell their stolen items. He was normally more concerned with the Eastern borders of the Vale, but he wouldn't let the bandits get away with stealing from Beornings. He sure wouldn't.
"You might actually be right for once," Grimbold agreed. "There is light in the forest there, but your fatty eyebrows are probably blocking your view," says Grimbold with a smile. He bumps his fist against Eurics shoulder in a friendly compassion. "Let us have a look at that fire. It seems we are not alone." A man was walking towards them, but also towards the fire, as if he were to intercept them before they reached the fire. "It seems he wants a word." Grimbold says softly.
"The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater." - Haldir, Lothlórien, Fellowship of the Ring
"I'm never wrong when it comes to these matters Grimbold." Euric glances to the side, he spots the fire now for the first time as its pointed out to him. His eyes were ever on the horizon and the coming storm. About to suggest they move to the fire as well he pauses, turns his head and gazes at the man moving toward him and his companion. "Local perhaps?" He leans on the haft of his long axe like a prop as he waits to see if this new arrival is coming to speak to him and Grimbold.
"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
As Guldem notices that the two men have become aware of him he waves towards. "Fellow travelers" he calls out to them. "How are you this fine evening," he says with a hint of irony as he quickly glances at the sky. As he catches up to them he introduces himself. "Hello, I am Guldem." Without waiting for an answer, Guldem turns toward the fire and hooded figure singing beside it. "What do you think that is? An Elf?"
"Hmmm, maybe someone from the Wood. Who knows." Grimbold quietly adds. The man waves and shouts his name and a question. "That is a living being and who it is I do not know," Grimbold answers slightly agitated. Already putting forth your hate towards other races..., Grimbold wonders. He won't stand for that and he cares not who tends to the fire. He just wants to keep warm while waiting out the storm.
Not sure if Guldam has developed hate towards Elfs due to his background. If not, just read it as if Grimbold is just a bit annoyed and cautious with strangers
Last edited by gandalfDK on Sat Oct 06, 2018 8:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
"The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater." - Haldir, Lothlórien, Fellowship of the Ring
"Be at ease Grimbold, our new arrival here is no foe." Scooping up his axe from using it at a prop he tosses it over his shoulder. "Why don't we go find out, perhaps he has a shelter we can use for the on coming storm." He nods to the new comer, "I am Euric, this is Grimbold, from the lands of the Beornings."
He makes a few strides toward the fire, making sure the others are with him. "What are you doing out here Guldem?"
"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
As you approach the hooded figure by the fire, he does not seem to notice your approach. Or, if he does notice it, he doesn't give any indication. He continues staring into the flames, singing that song that seems melancholy, yet profound. As you get a bit closer, you see that the figure is smaller than he seemed from afar, as the fire and shadows made him appear larger. A quick glance around the makeshift camp shows not much aside from the fire itself and the figure. There is a sack or bag of sorts lying a few feet from him, resting against a tree, and a small bowl that seems to have been used recently is resting at the figure's feet.
"I have a bodyguard job waiting for me in Lake-Town" Guldem answers the Beorning question as he turned to look at the hooded figure. "Hey you, what are you singing about?"
