WW XXVII: Wolf of the Rings

[Tanuchan]

Welcome to Werewolf XXVII!

 

These are dark times in Middle Earth, with the Shadow in the East growing in power and reaching out towards the One Ring. At Rivendell, Elrond gathers a group of people who will help the Ringbearer in his quest for the Cracks of Doom to unmake the One Ring and thus defeat Sauron. The story starts at a party in Rivendell the night before the Council of Elrond.

 

Our players are:

• Gryphon => Mattias, Elf (male)
• Finnius => Filkiormous Magnanimous Berrison, hobbit from the Shire
• Mynx => Jagkatha, Elf (female)
• Akallabeth => Turin of Dol Amroth, human, Dúnadan
• Giles => Baelestimah, Elf of Rivendel (male), servant of Arwen
• Patrick => Seothen, son of Seoras, Rohirrim
• Venefyxatu => Neriam Therzyn, son of Elwen Therzyn, human
• Panther =>Garnorn, human Ranger (male)
• Vahktang => Yeager Tickle-Bottom, hunter, hobbit from the Shire
• Savage Dragon => Raus Tanathos, human (male)
• Ayshela => Linador, horse-master elf (male) from Rivendell
• Gyrfalcon => Frerin, dwarf from the Kingdom under the Mountain (male)
• Sinsor => Irvin Bartholomew Muskfoot, Hobbit of The Shire
• Sweetcherrie => Stoomp, dwarf (male)
• Katzaniel => Rootmaker, ent
• Phoenix => Megwyn, human, Ranger (female)
• Ozymandias => Jin, son of Jalen, dwarf

Important Notes

• the sign-up thread will be used as OOC thread;
• PM alliances are not allowed; PMs with RP purposes are alright, but please copy them to me - I'd like to know what's happening for eventual "flavor" posts (mod-written posts) during the game;
• day phases last 48 hours; night phases, 24 hours. RP is free during night phases, however no accusation/speculation whatsoever;
• "dead" players: feel free to be a friendly ghost and keep the RP; however, don't influence the living players in any way;
• eventual inactive players: they won't be out of the game; they can have any role;
• no stating of the roles OOC or IC; everything is done through RP;
• Wolves: they want the One Ring for their own purposes - either to take it to Sauron or Saruman, or to use it themselves - who knows? There will be 3 wolves.
• Seer and Baner: up to the players to decide on the background and methods...
• effects of baning:

Baned	Result
wolves' target	no kill
wolf	if more than one wolf = normal kill; if one wolf = no kill
anyone but wolves' target	normal kill

 

The Ringbearer/The One Ring

This is an extra role for this game. The Ringbearer can choose whether to use the One Ring each night phase. If he chooses to use it, one of three things happen:

• The Ringbearer gets a random Seeing (no choice of target)
• The Ringbearer does a random Baning (no choice of target)
• The wolves sense the One Ring and discover the Ringbearer's identity

If the Ringbearer is lynched, a new random Ringbearer will be chosen among the villagers. If the Ringbearer is killed by wolves, the One Ring goes to the wolves. If the wolves choose to use the One Ring, they get a Seeing (target is chosen) but it has 50% chance of not giving any useful information.

 

 

Concerning the lynchings/kills

• when accusing, please add a last OOC line clarifying your vote;
• respect the deadlines... during day phase, if there's not enough votes after 48 hours, there *might* be a short extension; however, once that is over, whoever has the most votes will die. If there's a tie, the lynchee will be determined through dice;
• same holds true for night phase: if the targets of wolf/seer/baner aren't PMd me in the 24-hour-period, they are forfeited (that is, there will be no kill/no seeing/no baning);
• as the number of players decrease, day phases may be shorter provided all active players have posted;

Eventual players who go inactive

• if you think you won't be able to post in a given period of time, PM me; please, don't post that information (I'm trying to avoid RL-caused 'kills');
• if a special role (wolf/seer/baner/Ringbearer) goes inactive without previous notice, I'll deal with their targets; their posts will be taken care of;
• in other words - inactives players can still be wolves, seer, baner, Ringbearer.

Keeper of the Lists (=backup mod): first active player who leaves the game will know who's who... so, if something happens and I disappear, go poke the backup!

Edit: Mynx knows all the roles and has offered to be a backup mod, if needed.

 

 

If you have any doubt, don't hesitate in PMing your friendly mod (a.k.a. me )

 

 

Sign-up is open until the first NPC kill, which should occur either on Friday evening or Saturday, and when roles will be PMd.

 

Game starts next post.

 

 

Happy "werewolfing"!

Edited May 17, 2006 by Tanuchan

[Tanuchan]

[He] was now safe in the Last Homely House east of the Sea. That house was, as Bilbo had long ago reported, 'a perfect house, whether you like food or sleep or story-telling or singing, or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all'. Merely to be there was a cure for weariness, fear, and sadness. (...) The hall of Elrond's house was filled with folk: Elves for the most part, though there were a few guests of other sorts. Elrond, as was his custom, sat in a great chair at the end of the long table upon the dais; and next to him on the one side sat Glorfindel, on the other side sat Gandalf. (...) In the middle of the table, against the woven cloths upon the wall, there was a chair under a canopy, and there sat a lady fair to look upon (...). So it was that [he] saw her whom few mortals had yet seen: Arwen, daughter of Elrond. (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring)

 

 

 

The face of Elrond, ageless, fell upon his people and his guests. His grey eyes had in them a light like the light of stars, and the circlet of silver set upon his dark hair glinted in the soft light. What thoughts he had as he took in the newly-arrived, or those who had been there longer, were not disclosed even to Gandalf at this side.

 

Elrond smiled and let the feast begin, and the evening went on smoothly in Rivendell. At length, they would all go down the hall, across passages and doors, into the Hall of Fire - and songs would be sung and tales be told, and the people of Middle Earth gathered in Rivendell would have once more the chance to share the warmth of Elrond's fire.

 

But for now, food was being served and companions sat and talked, asking for news and making new acquaintances, occasionally sharing what events had brought them to Rivendell.

 

 

~~~~

OOC: free RP for roughly 48 hours or until eveybody has had a chance to post. The setting is the party described in the chapter Many Meetings, in The Fellowship of the Ring.

 

Sign up is still open - see OOC thread.

Edited May 4, 2006 by Tanuchan

[Mynx]

Jagkatha rested easily in her seat as she enjoyed the feast, her eyes roaming over the crowd of both new and familiar faces as she ate and enjoyed the atmosphere, for once not bothered by the fact that she was not the direct centre of attention.

 

Of course that wasn't to say she wasn't getting any attention at all. The elf was very conscious of the appraising looks she was getting from various members of the gathering. Jagkatha knew she was very attractive even by elven standards and she revelled in the fact.

 

Catching the eye of the ranger sitting across from her, the elf grinned and winked at Megwyn, before she was pulled into a conversation on her side of the table, one of the many that made up the constant yet comforting buzz of voices amidst the crowd.

 

Her eyes travelled the crowd as she listened and talked with her companions, always watching even as she relaxed and enjoyed the bright and happy mood of the evening.

[Sweetcherrie]

The hall was filled with bright lights and Stoomp had been staring at them for a while already, his eyes twinkling, and a sheepish grin on his face. The world was good tonight, and if the world was good you simply had fun.

 

And all these people were so nice, especially that Kormoose person. He had glimpsed at the hobbit briefly already, and had decided that someone with such a beautiful name must be a beautiful person. What he really wanted to do was bounce over and huggle him tightly, but Stoomp didn’t think that would be a good idea at a party.

 

Instead he decided to eat something. He diverted his stare from the lights at the ceiling to the table, and his grin grew wider. All the goodies were there, pig in chocolate sauce, apples with cranberry dip, and even some things Stoomp had never seen before, and Stoomp had seen a lot of food before…and tasted it.

 

With the big grin on his face he reached out his chubby hands for a lamb’s leg, and noticed he could not reach entirely. He got up and leaned over the table, taking half the plates with him, and leaning clumsily over Jin’s plate, but managed to get hold of the piece of meat. He pulled back, and this is where it went seriously wrong.

 

Jin’s plate went on the ground, he knocked over a jug of wine, and as he pulled back his arm, he accidentally shoved his elbow in the person’s face on his other side. Stoomp turned around to apologize, but forgot that he had tied the table cloth around his neck as napkin and pulled the glasses left standing over with him.

 

With the lamb’s leg in his chubby hand he looked at the mess, and then looked up at the desperate faces that were staring at him.

 

“huh-huh,” he chuckled, “himesarwee.”

[Mynx]

Jagkatha looked at the food now sitting in her lap with a kind of stunned shock.

Who in their right mind would do such an idiotic thing, especially one that included her in the mix?!

Jagkatha tore her eyes away from her ruined dress to see the culprit. Her eyes narrowed in anger.

"Why you little snot-nosed..." Jagkatha let out a growl and leapt for Stoomp, struggling with the small crowd that restrained her as she hurled expletives at the now cowering Dwarf.

[Gryphon]

Mattias had been circulating quietly through the party for most of the evening the good cheer and suppressed anticipation giving the gathering a life, a vitality that he felt was normally lacking around Rivendell. The air was filled with the hum of conversation and the atmosphere was electric with the promise of interesting things to come, all of which encouraged him to stay rather than making his way back out of the forest in search of adventure.

 

Mattias had been engaging Garnorn in some quiet conversation when the first sounds of disruption emerged from those gathered over near the food. A splintering crash as a plate hit the floor drew the eyes of Mattias and those around him so many of those gathered saw the disaster unfold as an unknown dwarf managed to destroy the layout of one of the meal tables dumping the display onto the ground and all over those sitting nearby.

 

Mattias' eyes widened as he recognised Jagkatha as one of the elf maidens who'd received a portion of the food in her lap and with hasty appologies to Garnorn he lept quickly to help restrain the firey elven lass as her temper (legendary around Rivendell) flared and she lept at the dwarf who stood looking embarrassed at the mess he'd accidentally caused.

 

Holding tightly onto an arm to stop Jagkatha doing something that she'd probably (maybe) regret later Mattias started murmering to Jagkatha...

 

"It was an accident Jagk! Tonight is not a night for fighting amongst ourselves."

[Patrick]

Seothen was luckily at a table on the other side of the hall from the disturbance caused by the dwarf. He could not help chuckling as Jagkatha literally threw herself in fury at the dwarf. Luckily the enraged elf was restrained and did not cause lasting harm to the unfortunate little dwarf.

 

Seothen sat back in his seat and relaxed the muscled he had tensed when he had heard plates falling to the ground. He reached for the glass of elven wine in front of him. Normally he was an ale drinker himself, but he had to admit to himself that the elves' drink did have certain merits to it. He sipped softly from the wooden cup, needing to keep his wits for the council to come. He had been sent from Edoras to ask the advice of Elrond the wise in a matter, which had been troubling the Rohirrim riders for many years now. The newly awakened power to the east of them, Mordor had organised several sorties into the kingdom of Rohan during which their aim was not conquest and not even destruction, but they stole from the Rohirrim horses. They seemed to especially like the black horses, though what the reason for that might be, neither Seothen, nor those who sent him did not know.

 

But he planned to raise the point during the council. He put his cup down on the table and looked round at his neighbours to see whether anyone was up for conversation.

[Akallabeth]

*About six hours earlier*

 

Túrin came around a last bend in the road, and saw before him a small, swift river which he knew must be the one called Bruinen. He sped his steed on down the slope, and across the distance to the river, where he slowed, and picked his way carefully across the cold stones at the bottom of the Ford.

 

His sixth sense became aroused shortly after he began the climb up the path which would lead to Rivendell. Someone was watching him, and even as he looked cautiously about for the eyes he felt, they had passed, and he continued on his way.

 

When he saw the house, there was a tall elf there awaiting him.

 

"Welcome, Dunadan of the South," he said, bowing his head to Túrin. "Welcome to Rivendell. I will care for your horse, if you wish, and there is a feast planned for this night, for many guests have come."

 

Túrin dismounted, and bowed in return, thanking the elf for his assistance.

 

He turned, and went to the house...

 

...and back to the present...

 

Túrin watched with interest from across the hall as a dwarf, of the first he had seen in his life, managed to upset the dishes and guests all about him with his habits. A female elf even appeared to be preparing to attack the little creature, if several others had not managed to hold her back.

 

As the ruckus on that side of the hall slowed once more to the dull murmur of conversation, Túrin turned to his left to take note of one who appeared to be of the Rohirrim, whose name he did not recall fully... he thought it might be something similar to Seoth, but chose to remain nameless in his speaking to avoid error.

 

An amused air filled his voice as he turned to the warrior at his side and said, "It appears that the legendary feud of the dwarves and elves exists after all. At least among those who have the flames to be kindled, and reason to kindle them. And what brings you too to Rivendell, good sir?"

[GLJordan]

Eagle brother glanced at the comotion and returned to watching the area for trouble form the ceiling, hoping to later get some of the ruined food. Wolf brother, stationed near Arwen, resumed observing the crowd, ready to pounce at the first sign of trouble to her. Baelestimah and ferret brother were diverted form seeking Linador's consulation on animal interactions by the need to make sure Jagkatha didn't hurt some poor dwarf seeking food. Edited May 8, 2006 by Giles Jordan

[Gyrfalcon]

Frerin frowned, the expression hidden by his thick black beard as he watched the growing tummult further down the table. Elves were normally calm and collected, like a master craftsman at work, but that Elf shouting what had to be curses in that odd langugage of theirs seemed more like a pocket of hot air underground - ready to go up in flames with only a spark.

 

Shaking his head, Frerin bit into the boar ribs he had been holding as he watched the aborted fight. Whatever else you might say about the tree-loving elves, they at least treated visitors properly. In addition to bread, fruit and nuts, they made sure that there was plenty of meat, and Frerin was glad for it. He had only one complaint, as he sourly drank from a mug of water, having tried the elven wine and detesting it as too sweet and too light. They had no proper ale! That was the problem with the elves.

 

Grumbling quietly, he chewed fiercely on a rib to free the last shreds of meat from it and dropped the cleaned bone on his plate next to the others. Letting his gaze wander the feasting hall again, he decided to talk to the more dwarf-like of his fellow dwarves and find out if he was from the Iron Hills, and if so, what news of his former home there was. pushing his chair back, he stood and made his way towards his fellow dwarves, noting the continued glares from the elf named 'Jagk' continued to glare at the more befuddled of his kindred.

[Savage Dragon]

Raus the carpenter observed the fight between the elf and the dwarf as many of the others did, with amazement, as the age old grudge between elf and dwarf resulted in a ruined dress and a few broken plates.

 

But it was not the elves and dwarves that amazed Ruas, for his commoner mind had already been brutally assualted with the realization that such magnificent creatures were more than mere legend and had accepted their existence for the sake of self-preservation.

 

No, Raus was amazed, and disgusted, at the treatment of such fine plateware. He grumbled something about what they did in his day (which considering his young age wasn't all that long ago) and returned to his simple wooden bowl with his simple food.

 

Raus's life didn't hold much exravagance, at least not since Claire...

 

...

 

Raus swallowed his last bite and left the table in search of a bed to lie down in. It was the elven wine, made him too loose, made him think of things he aught not. He would lie down for a while, though he doubted he would sleep.

[Sweetcherrie]

His hands were shaking as Stoomp sat down again. That lady hadn’t been nice at all, and he hadn’t meant to do all this. Stoomp felt like crying, but his momma had always said that only small dwarves cried, and he was a big boy now. He sat down again and looked at the food on the table, but he wasn’t hungry anymore.

 

He glanced at the pretty elvenlady who had been so angry with him. Of course, it had all been his fault. Stupid, stupid Stoomp! Under the table his hands turned to fists; this was such a nice party, and already he had made someone angry. He looked around a bit dazed, but then his eyes spotted a glass with water.

 

Stoomp’s face shriveled up in thought as he tried to capture what his mind was trying to tell him, and then it lit up. He knew what he could do! He took the glass of water, and cautiously took a napkin of the table. He would go clean that pretty lady’s dress with this water, and then she would be all happy again.

 

With the glass in one hand and the napkin in the other, Stoomp got up and started wobbling over to Jagkatha, a big, determined smile on his face; he would make it all better.

[Ayshela]

Linador sat back in his seat, thankful that he had been seated at the table behind the fracas, yet equally thankful he had been close enough to help restrain Jagkatha. She had an unusually short temper, especially of late, but no party of Elrond's should be marred by bloodshed no matter how gross - or unintentional - the offense. He found himself absently humming a bit of his favourite riding song as he looked about the room. There were an unusual number of strangers about, these days. All sorts of folks, from far and wide. "Better watch for further clashes of manners," he murmurred to himself. "Looks as though we may need a bit of soothing and smoothing over here and there."

 

Stoomp caught Linador's eye, just then, as he wobbled toward Jagkatha. "What in high heaven and middle earth is he - he wouldn't throw that on her?!" Linador caught his neighbor's arm and jerked his head in a sharp nod toward Stoomp. With raised eyebrows and caught breath they sat waiting to see what he had in mind, wondering if they should divert him.

[Ozymandias]

Jin found himself still occupied with picking bits of dinner out of his clothes as Stoomp made his way once more toward Jagkatha. His eyes widened in alarm as he took in this new tableau. "Agh, lad, hasn't this meal become legendary enough for you?", he muttered to himself. Still he sat, and cleaned, and watched.

 

It was not that he had any particular like or dislike for either injured party. It was just that being a maker and trader of delicate things, Jin had (as soon as he had seen Stoomp in action for the first time) conscientiously avoided meeting him for the express purpose of not alerting Stoomp to the fact that Jin was a jeweler.

 

Finally, the feeling of impending doom hung so heavily above his kinsman that Jin had to act.

 

"Stoomp, m'boy! May I have your assistance with something?", he called out, just loudly enough for his volume to be considered polite.

[Venefyxatu]

Neriam had been enjoying the fine Elven food and the light conversations with some of the other guests. When the commotion started, he'd pulled back a bit; he didn't want to be part of it, not here, not in one of the few places he was always welcome.

While he didn't hold any particular like or dislike for Dwarves, he did feel sorry for the poor fellow who'd started it. From the look of things, he hadn't done it on purpose. Luckily for him, one of his kinsmen seemed to be looking out for him.

 

Suppressing a slight smile, Neriam watched the man who left the room... apparently he wasn't used to Elven wine, though he did look rather sad ... Wondering why, Neriam decided to try and ask him about it next time he saw the man. For now, he'd continue enjoying the feast.

[Lord Panther]

Having been in conversation with Mattias, and abstaining from the elven drink as to not dull his senses, Garnorn had missed being involved in the ruckus that unfolding in front of his eyes.

 

Never before had he seen such a group of travelers in Rivendell. Surely it was something important that Elrond had for them, if he had collected such a group together. He intended to be a full part in it, just not a full part of what was going on currently.

 

Quietly, cup of water in hand, Garnorn walkes over to the table of foods, fills his plate with a few choice items, and returns off to the side so that he can observe and learn more about the others. Knowing that there will definately be conflicts to come, with mish-mash of races present, he was determined to be one of the peace-keepers and not allow the others to kill one another.

[Patrick]

Seothen turned to Túrin, smiling at the ranger.

 

"Seothen is my name," he said shaking Túrin's hand. "I've come because of trouble in the southern Mark. Orcs and other vile creatures intrude upon our territories, taking horses with them when they leave. I am here to seek Lord Elrond's council in this matter." His expression darkened as he spoke, betraying the emotions he felt in connection to these vile acts. "But come," he said in a lighter voice, "now is the time to eat and drink and be merry. Grave matters such as the one which brings me here are best left to be discussed during the Council."

 

Seothen picked a chicken wing from his plate and took a bite.

 

"You're a man of Gondor?" he asked, falling into the same error as many had previously, mistaking a Dunadan for a son of Gondor.

[Katzaniel]

Rootmaker stared at the elf who stood in front of, and slightly under, him. "I cannot doubt that one of Elrond's elves would speak the truth," he intoned, "and yet this news is grave indeed... so very hard to believe..."

 

"You come at the right time, Entish friend, for tomorrow night Elrond is holding a council to discuss this very problem. Please, stay. We will find some accomodations for you, and perhaps you can still be of use."

 

"The entmoot decreed that I was only to come and speak to the elves, and only that much because of the debt that we owe you. I can stay a little longer, but then I must go back to the entmoot and inform them of this new information."

 

"You needn't worry about that, friend Rootmaker. We'll send a messenger back in your place. Having the help of an Ent, though, is a grand surprise, and worth much more than one messenger in these troubled times."

 

"What, just like that, Larinon? Don't you need to consult with Elrond? With the rest of the elves?"

 

"I know that this is exactly what they would wish."

 

"Well, I don't know what the Ents would wish. I will need to communicate with them."

 

"Rootmaker. You know what your kind is like. If you go back now, it might take years before another Ent is sent to help us. The threat of Sauron is real, and imminent. We need your help now."

 

"I can't make a decision that quickly! I need to think."

 

"Think fast, friend. Go, take tonight to feast, and then attend the meeting tomorrow. But you haven't much longer than that to ponder the situation."

 

Rootmaker nodded. He would feast with the elves tonight, at least. After that... well, it would be the hastiest thing he'd ever done. But Larinon did have a point. If there was going to be Ent help in the coming disaster, then it would have to be him.

[Guest Phoenix]

After her initial shock at being covered with food, Megwyn couldn't help but laugh as Jagk responded with her usual unpredictability. Leaping to restrain her, she marked the stunned looks from surrounding tables and the poor dwarf who was the focus of Jagk's wrath, then collapsed laughing again when she heard Jagk's response to Mattias' attempted reassurance.

 

"but it was a new dress!"

 

"Jagk its ok, you can wear your other new one - we got two, remember? he didn't mean anything by it, he's just clumsy. and your hair still looks perfect..."

 

Under the onslaught of compliments, Jagkatha started calming down again. after all, even covered with food in a ruined dress, she was still one of the best looking here. she eyed the approaching Stoomp with caution, prepared now to let him come this close to her without trying to rip his beard out by the roots.

Meg noticed with relief that Jin was now with Stoomp, and hoped that with him as a calming influence they'd be able to get this sorted and the party underway again.

 

"see? he's come to apologise..."

 

Meg walked over to greet Jin and Stoomp (while keeping Jagk behind her, just in case) and was promptly covered with water, as Stoomp tried to 'clean' Jagk's dress.

[Finnius]

It had been such a nice tree, too, until it had started moving. Filk scrambled his way down the branches, through hair-like twigs and past an ear-shaped knothole, and just like that the tiny, furry-footed Shire-native was dislodged from Rootmaker's head. After a short, bumping tumble, Filk at last found the floor, to the disagreement of his backside.

 

The hobbit stood with a groan, rubbing the afore-mentioned backside, and took in the sight he'd gotten himself stuck in. After a few moments, he considered climbing back into whatever strange moving tree he'd fallen out of.

 

Of course, that would be the hobbitish thing to do, and Filk was trying his hand at being un-hobbitish. And so it was, with a plastered grin and a shaking heart, that Filkiormous Magnanimous Berrison inserted himself into a picture of Dwarf-Elf relations gone horridly awry, thus;

 

"Stoomp! Stoomp, wait! Oh drattit you've made such a mess, here just give me a moment to clear these broken dishes and- oh right, Stoomp, hold on just a moment there!"

 

And so the hobbit bobbled after the errant dwarf, occasionally stopping to pick up a piece of detritus and put it in the growing pile of such.

[Mynx]

Jagkatha tried to keep a straight face at the squawk of shock that came from Meg as she felt the cold water seep into her clothes - and even succeeded for about 3 seconds - before she collapsed in a heap of laughter.

Megwyn tried to look indignant and glared at Jagkatha while Stoomp cowered behind Jin, terrified that this time he had gone too far.

 

Gasping for breath, Jagk managed to pull herself off the ground and onto her knees, where she clutched at Meg's legs and tried to look up at her emploringly.

"My hero," she managed through the giggles. "T-taking an onslaught of water for me to sa-save my p-poor defenseless silk dress!"

 

This proved too much for the two girls and they both collapsed about each other in hysterics, leaving the two dwarves to look on in bafflement before Jagk managed to get enough control over herself to stand up.

 

"Come on," she said, still giggling. "Let's go get changed into some clean clothes before the singing starts."

The dwarves watched the elf and the ranger disappear, still giggling, before Jin shook his head and shrugged at Stoomp.

"Don't think I'll ever understand females," he muttered before moving off to find something to drink.

[Tanuchan]

As the feast was moved into the Hall of Fire, and after tales from both elves and men were told by those who had the will and the skill, a clear voice rose in song.

 

A Elbereth Gilthoniel,

silivren penna míriel

o menel aglar elenath!

Na-chaered palan-díriel

o galadhremmin ennorath,

Fanuilos, le linnathon

nef aear, sí nef aearon!

And listening to the soft voices of the elves starting to sing, most of the non-elven people left quietly for a well-deserved rest before the Council that Elrond had called for next morning.

 

 

 

"Suddenly as they were talking a single clear bell rang out. 'That's the warning bell for the Council of Elrond,' cried Gandalf. 'Come along now!' (...) The light of the clear autumn morning was now glowing in the valley. The noise of bubbling waters came up from the foaming river-bed. Birds were singing, and a wholesome peace lay on the land. To [him] his dangerous flight, and the rumours of the darkness growing in the world outside, already seemed only the memories of a troubled dream; but the faces that were turned to meet them as they entered were grave." J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Fellowship of the Ring".

 

 

Elrond nodded as the last of the guests who had been summoned for the Council arrived, joining the silent ring already seated about him. Gandalf was there, and the Elf Lords, and one which was clad in the attire of the Rangers of the North. All guests, representatives of the free people of Middle-Earth, were then officially presented, and the Council began.

 

Much of what was discussed is known from other tales, and much was kept forever secret. But on that morning, news were brough by several of the guests - some already known, some until then not known in full detail.

 

All listened when Elrond in clear voice told of Sauron and of the Rings of Power, and their forging in the Second Age of the world long ago. Of Númenor, and the coming of Elendil the Tall, and the defeat of Sauron at the Battle of Dagorlad, on the slopes of Orodruin.

 

And then the tale of the One Ring was told in full, of how Isildur was lost to its treachery and how it disappeared from the face of the world until being found by the most unlikely of creatures. Of how it had found a new bearer, and brought to Rivendell on Gandalf's counsel.

 

Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,

Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,

Nine for the Mortal Men doomed to die,

One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne

In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,

One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them

In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

 

The morning went on, and the debate started. On the destiny of the Ring, there were many thoughts and many opinions, but little do be done that would not endanger Middle Earth. And at length, Elrond again spoke, and his counsel was heard.

 

"Now at this last we must take a hard road, a road unforeseen. There lies our hope, if hope it be. To walk into peril - to Mordor. We must send the Ring to the Fire."

 

At his words, heavy silence fell. The noon bell rang, and still there was hardly a murmur, some of the present wearing the distant look of deep thought.

 

"The Ring must go South, and there must be a Ringbearer." Elrond's voice was now soft. "Among those who knew of the Ring before this tale has been told here, there have been volunteers. And after this Council, I will again talk to you, who vowed to undertake whatever is needed to defeat the Shadows, and a Ringbearer will be chosen. But the Ring and the Ringbearer should not go completely alone, and companions also will be chosen to go with them. The number must be few, since there must be speed and secrecy. However, apart from those who will make the Company of the Ring, there will be a few others that will be going at least part of the way with you - for I have errands for some, and others have errands of their own. Who has volunteered, and who is going on errands, won't be named; nor will the Ringbearer be disclosed, for it will be safer in this way."

 

Then there were whispers, and murmurings, and again discussion. But no other way was found, and Elrond's words were accepted as the wisest ones.

 

 

 

"So the Company of the Ring shall be Nine. And the Nine Walkers shall be set against the Nine Riders that are evil. On the Ringbearer only is any charge laid: neither to cast away the Ring, nor to deliver it to any servant of the Enemy nor indeed to let any handle it, save members of the Company and the Council and those companions that set out with you, and only then in gravest need. The others will go with him as free companions, to help him on his way. You may tarry, or come back, or turn aside into other paths, as chance allows. The further you go, the less easy will it be to withdraw; yet no oath or bond is laid on you to go further than you will. For you do not yet know the strength of your hearts, and you cannot foresee what each may meet upon the road." J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Fellowship of the Ring".

 

 

 

~~~~~~~

OOC: Please see instructions at the OOC thread. Roles have been sent, but the free-RP continues for about 36 hours, until I post the kill.

Edited May 7, 2006 by Tanuchan

[Savage Dragon]

Raus made his way through the streets of Rivendell, where many could be seen preparing for the long journey that had been set for them. While many took horses and mules to carry there supplies, supplies that included a vast array of weaponry and other such things, Raus carried only a simple pack on his back and a short knife at his belt.

 

The knife had drawn no blood other than his own, a common occurence for carpenters, and the pack held only a blanket, a lantern, a cloak for bad weather, and a measly nine copper pieces. Nevertheless, Raus felt completely prepared, he had never felt comfortable with the idea of possesion and had always maintained a short list of items that he called his own. He preferred to fill his life with love rather than things. A preference that had only made recent events harder to bear.

 

It was these events that guided him now and led him to seek further counsel from Elrond. However, he had been unable to meet with the wise man, after the Council Elrond had been swept into preperations for the fellowships journey. There had also been rumors of a healing of a halfling and possible prolems with his daughter. In any case, Raus was doubtful Elrond could help him find his lost wife. Though he be wise, he did not have the rumored power to see things that were, are, and yet to be. Raus needed another elf.

 

Raus did not know where this elf may be found, nor what help they may be able to offer him. He did not know where tomorrow would bring for him, where he would sleep or what he would eat. He did not know where his beloved Claire was or how she was. But as Raus began that journey with that strange mixture of travelers on that day that would be retold countless times, there was one thing he did know. That even if he were to lose his few simple possesions, he still had love in his heart and whatever adventures laid ahead he would be prepared.

[Mynx]

Jagkatha sighed with frustration as she stared at the pile of clothes and supplies that hid her bed from view. She had to admit to herself that she simply could not take everything she wanted.

Sighing a soft lament, she instead set about packing her tools into her rucksack - a few knives, soap, some blankets, some travelling food, a spare string for her bow...

 

Eventually she decided on a few choice outfits that served the double bonus of both style and practicality (she was a vain elf, but Jagkatha had journeyed enough to learn not to be silly when the need to travel light arose) and added those to the small bundle.

 

Securing the rucksack closed, Jagkatha then began to adorn it with the tools she needed and wanted to keep at hand. Her elven short swords in their sheaths were strapped to the sides, a small quiver of arrows and a bow string attached to the back. She then found her long bow, flexed the wood slightly to feel if there was any sign of age, and left it unstrung.

If it came to fighting, Jagk would rely on her swords first and foremost. The bow unstrung was as useful as a staff, and could be easily assembled if the need for a distance attack arose.

 

Stepping back from her bed, Jagkatha smiled at the smaller, more ordered collection of travelling equipment.

Grabbing a cloak from the hanger by the door, the elf left her room and wandered off to see how Megwyn was finding the task of packing for the journey.

[Sweetcherrie]

They had told him to pack, so Stoomp packed the best he could. He had taken a small bag pack and was now stowing as much of his belongings as he could into the bag. He wondered how he had managed to get himself into so much trouble yesterday evening, and why that pretty elvenlady had been so mean to him; all he had wanted to do was help her.

 

Stoomp sighed and it was then that he noticed he had accidentally stowed the banana he had been eating in with his clothes. Now his clothes and hands were half covered in banana puree and he wrinkled his nose as he started to take the banana mush out again; he was so simple sometimes. Stoomp realized this as well, and wished that he could be smarter.

 

Smart like Kormoose maybe, he seemed pretty smart, or maybe he could be nice like Jin, or strong as Rootmaker, but he wasn’t. He closed the bag, forgetting that he had put there was still half a crushed banana in it, and lifted it up. It was not too heavy, and he strapped the pack onto his back; it would simply have to do.

 

For a moment he stood there, thinking what he was supposed to do now, but then realized he had no idea. Were they supposed to gather somewhere? He sat down and squished the bag pack between his body and the wall, flattening the banana inside it further, and frowned to think where it was again that they would meet.

 

A smile appeared on his face. He would simply go ask one of the other dwarves, they had been nice to him, and they would surely know. With a happy grin on his face he jumped up, and bounced out of the room, off to find Jin or Frerin, or anybody that would be willing to help him in fact.