Greetings all! If you're a fan of the world of Tolkien, then this is the roleplay for you. Our story will be following a group of intrepid volunteers as they uncover an unfolding plot of darkness in their supposedly peaceful world. All canon races will be accepted (Within reason - no Spiders, please.), and it will be taking place not so long into the Fourth Age.
The year is 4E 219. King Eldarion, the son of Aragorn and his wife Arwen, has been ruling in relative peace for nearly 100 years. But trouble is brewing in the lands of Middle-Earth. News of Goblins returning to their Mountain strongholds and causing trouble on the fringes of the Misty Mountains has reached the realm of Gondor; paired with the return of the spiders of Mirkwood, and seemingly random attacks on the roads or in the wilds against various races has caused the King to begin to worry. It was small instances like this that led up to the greatest and bloodiest wars that lands have ever seen. Are they a cause for concern, or simply small factions of evil, striking back against the good and innocent? King Eldarion does not know the answer, but it is not only he that ponders over this question. The lands of Elves, Dwarves and Hobbits are too wondering what these occurrences might mean... and the ever-growing kingdoms of men are beginning to grow antsy of these terrors. The Second War of the ring and the felling of Sauron may have occurred over a century ago, but the memory of this is still fresh in the minds of some. The realms of Harad and Umbar well remember their predecessors involvement in such acts; nor is their involvement truly forgotten by the allied forces of Gondor, Rohan and now Arnor. Tension builds among these humans races, as they do amongst the other species of this world.
The Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor: The current ruler of Gondor is King Eldarion, son of Aragorn. His Sister Princess Tinúviel rules in Arnor, in the former capital of Fornost, while Eldarion rules from Minas Tirith in the South. Both Minas Morgul and Osgiliath were retaken, rebuilt and repopulated by many, the former having it's original name of Minas Ithil returned to it.
Rohan: Home to the Horse-Lords, and the capital remains Edoras. The descendent of Éomer and his wife Lothíriel rule here. They remain independent - but friendly - with the realm of Gondor. Other notable places include Isengard and Helm's Deep.
Dol Amroth: A coastal Principality, descended from the line of Imrazor. It is rumoured that there is elf-blood in the veins of this house, for the Princes born here are as fair as the Eldar to look upon.
Ithilien: A principality established after the second war of the ring; this line descends from Éowyn and her husband Faramir. As such, all reigning Princes or Princesses of Ithilien are also the king's steward.
Dale: Following the destruction of Smaug and the Battle of the Fives Armies, Dale flourished under the new control of Bard the Bowman, and his line of children. They are now a popular trading spot between Erebor and other regions, and their wealth is renowned.
Esgaroth upon the Lake: Rebuilt after it's destruction from Smaug, it too made use of the wealth now flowing in from the north from the newly established Erebor and Dale. Although independent of Dale with it's own Master, the two work in harmony with one another, and rarely come to a disagreement. While Dale makes it's money through more material wares, Esgaroth continues it's work in fishing and boat-making.
Harad: Home to the Haradrim, the people of this southern land have grown both in strength and independence away from the more northern lands of Gondor. While no longer seen as a true enemy by the King, tension and mistrust still remains.
Other: Many other lands contain men, both friend and foe. Colonies have appeared in the liberated land of Mordor, and around the lands of Rhûn and Nurn.
Rohan: Home to the Horse-Lords, and the capital remains Edoras. The descendent of Éomer and his wife Lothíriel rule here. They remain independent - but friendly - with the realm of Gondor. Other notable places include Isengard and Helm's Deep.
Dol Amroth: A coastal Principality, descended from the line of Imrazor. It is rumoured that there is elf-blood in the veins of this house, for the Princes born here are as fair as the Eldar to look upon.
Ithilien: A principality established after the second war of the ring; this line descends from Éowyn and her husband Faramir. As such, all reigning Princes or Princesses of Ithilien are also the king's steward.
Dale: Following the destruction of Smaug and the Battle of the Fives Armies, Dale flourished under the new control of Bard the Bowman, and his line of children. They are now a popular trading spot between Erebor and other regions, and their wealth is renowned.
Esgaroth upon the Lake: Rebuilt after it's destruction from Smaug, it too made use of the wealth now flowing in from the north from the newly established Erebor and Dale. Although independent of Dale with it's own Master, the two work in harmony with one another, and rarely come to a disagreement. While Dale makes it's money through more material wares, Esgaroth continues it's work in fishing and boat-making.
Harad: Home to the Haradrim, the people of this southern land have grown both in strength and independence away from the more northern lands of Gondor. While no longer seen as a true enemy by the King, tension and mistrust still remains.
Other: Many other lands contain men, both friend and foe. Colonies have appeared in the liberated land of Mordor, and around the lands of Rhûn and Nurn.
Eryn Lasgalen: The Kingdom of King Thranduil; while he and most of his people dwell in the north, the south has been reclaimed from the spiders and evil that dwelt there for so long, even going so far as to taking Dol Guldur and re-establishing it as a southern watch. However, Southern Mirkwood remains empty, bar for a few intrepid colonists, and the Istari Radagast. The spiders may be gone for now, but something is still odd about the trees there...
Lothlórien: While Galadriel departed from the Grey Havens with Gandalf and the Ringbearers, her husband Celeborn remained, staying in the beautiful forest with his people for a time. By now, he and many of the Silvan Elves dwelling there have departed for Aman, but the forest is not as abandoned as Imladris. Thranduil took it as an extension of his own Kingdom, and while the magic of Galadriel has left the forest, it remains both a beauty, and a stronghold for the elves still living there.
Grey Havens: Located in the diminished Elven realm of Lindon, surrounding the Blue Mountains.
Ithilien: Following the War of the Ring, Legolas Greenleaf settled a colony of Elves there at the allowance of King Elessar and Prince Faramir. It is believed most of these people left for Valinor after a century or so, but some may still remain among the men that dwell there.
Dôr-min-Taur (Literally, "land within forest"): A small colony established in Southern Mirkwood. Originally consisting of just Elves keen on making a stronger hold on the south, Dwarves soon flocked to the colony after a mine was opened, and the rumour of Mithril veins in the earth spread. As of now, the colony contains a good mix of races, with even a few curious Hobbits having visited once or twice on their journeys East.
Lothlórien: While Galadriel departed from the Grey Havens with Gandalf and the Ringbearers, her husband Celeborn remained, staying in the beautiful forest with his people for a time. By now, he and many of the Silvan Elves dwelling there have departed for Aman, but the forest is not as abandoned as Imladris. Thranduil took it as an extension of his own Kingdom, and while the magic of Galadriel has left the forest, it remains both a beauty, and a stronghold for the elves still living there.
Grey Havens: Located in the diminished Elven realm of Lindon, surrounding the Blue Mountains.
Ithilien: Following the War of the Ring, Legolas Greenleaf settled a colony of Elves there at the allowance of King Elessar and Prince Faramir. It is believed most of these people left for Valinor after a century or so, but some may still remain among the men that dwell there.
Dôr-min-Taur (Literally, "land within forest"): A small colony established in Southern Mirkwood. Originally consisting of just Elves keen on making a stronger hold on the south, Dwarves soon flocked to the colony after a mine was opened, and the rumour of Mithril veins in the earth spread. As of now, the colony contains a good mix of races, with even a few curious Hobbits having visited once or twice on their journeys East.
Erebor: Following the death of Smaug and the Battle of the Five Armies, Erebor once again had a King under the Mountain to rule it. The line of Dain Ironfoot II rule here, and the Dwarves are back to their digging, deeper and deeper into the Earth. In recent years, a separatist sect is rumoured to have appeared; bent Dwarves who are selling the treasures of the earth to less than friendly-folk, at a higher-than-normal price. The current King disregards these rumours, but shipments are going missing more and more to be considered coincidence.
Khazad-dûm: Moria was retaken by the Dwarves shortly after the end of the Third Age; it is now considered their chief stronghold, and it is now richer and even more beautiful than Erebor. Still, the Dwarves dig deep, mining mithril to sell to elves and men; again, rumours of separatist Dwarven merchants has cropped up here, but with how dig they deep, that is the last thing the line of Durin have to worry about...
The Glittering Caves: After being re-discovered by Gimli during the battle of the Hornburg, the Dwarf settled a colony of his kin there to make good of the ore-rich caverns. To this day, they remain as beautiful as they had been nearly 2 centuries ago, even after much mining of the walls and floors.
Other: Dwarves have settled in many places through-out Middle-Earth. The Iron Hills and Blue Mountains are only some to add to the list.
Khazad-dûm: Moria was retaken by the Dwarves shortly after the end of the Third Age; it is now considered their chief stronghold, and it is now richer and even more beautiful than Erebor. Still, the Dwarves dig deep, mining mithril to sell to elves and men; again, rumours of separatist Dwarven merchants has cropped up here, but with how dig they deep, that is the last thing the line of Durin have to worry about...
The Glittering Caves: After being re-discovered by Gimli during the battle of the Hornburg, the Dwarf settled a colony of his kin there to make good of the ore-rich caverns. To this day, they remain as beautiful as they had been nearly 2 centuries ago, even after much mining of the walls and floors.
Other: Dwarves have settled in many places through-out Middle-Earth. The Iron Hills and Blue Mountains are only some to add to the list.
The Shire: The main home of the Hobbits; consisting of various farthings and lands, it is typically "ruled" by 3 authorities. The Mayor (And his contingents of "Shirrifs"), the Thain, and the Warden of Westmarch. After 7 consecutive terms as Mayor Samwise, the title seems to have been kept in the Gamgee line in the years following. Typically because the Hobbits reckon the Gamgee's are good at that sort of thing. As for the Thainship, it remains with the Took family, and the title of Warden to the Fairbairn's.
Westmarch: A stretch of land in Eriador gifted to the Shire by King Aragorn; a Warden was reinstated not too long after that, and it is guarded well by the Hobbits. After the Scouring of the Shire, they guard their borders far more diligently now.
Bree: A town found between the Shire and Imladris; a decent enough place, if you avoid the crooks. Home to the now-famous Prancing Pony (Thanks to the Book of Westmarch), the population typically consist of Hobbits and Humans. They get along better than the "Big-Folk" generally would with Shirelings, but they are all mostly friendly anyway.
Westmarch: A stretch of land in Eriador gifted to the Shire by King Aragorn; a Warden was reinstated not too long after that, and it is guarded well by the Hobbits. After the Scouring of the Shire, they guard their borders far more diligently now.
Bree: A town found between the Shire and Imladris; a decent enough place, if you avoid the crooks. Home to the now-famous Prancing Pony (Thanks to the Book of Westmarch), the population typically consist of Hobbits and Humans. They get along better than the "Big-Folk" generally would with Shirelings, but they are all mostly friendly anyway.
The once lost land of Beleriand has resurfaced - in part - in the past century. The involvement of the Valar is a curiosity to many, considering how the first children of Eru had been avoiding Middle-Earth for quite some time. The lands once known as East Beleriand resurfaced some time in the first century of the Fourth Age, and has been taken advantage of by Elves, Dwarves and Men. The lost city of Gondolin was restored (Along with some new Elvish colonies), and the Dwarves are delving deep into the mostly untouched mountain ranges that were once flooded. The race of men do not have much stance or power in this once-forgotten realm, and the true "ownership" of the lands are currently undetermined. This has not led to any infighting... yet.
Other than destroyed settlements and swiftly re-growing plantlife, the geography of East Beleriand was mostly unchanged. The mountains, hills and rivers were all as they were several Ages ago, and even the forests that had drowned were growing again in the same spots. All that was left was to rebuild, and to rename. The Elves first to step in this once lost land renamed it as Balannadôr (Land-Gift from Valar), although it is more commonly named as East Beleriand or "The Lost Lands" in the common Westron tongue.
The first place the Elves sought out was the lost Kingdom of Gondolin, for it was one of their people's greatest labours. But so ruined was the city that once stood here from the sacking of Morgoth that only remnants of it remained; the foundations and various cellars located beneath the ground was all that was left of Gondolin. If any part of the city had survived the attack by Morgoth and his forces, it had been utterly destroyed by the flooding of Beleriand. Still, the Elves could not turn away from the land of their ancestors, and with Glorfindel at their lead, re-built the city. It was now named Caras Cŷreled (The Renewed Elven-City), and it's ruler for the time being is Glorfindel. However, Aman calls to him daily, and he will not linger in Middle-Earth for much more time, even in his rebuilt home from so long ago. While he has promised to choose a new King for the rebuilt city (For he is without spouse or child and heir), the decision has not been made yet, and several ambitious Elves are beginning to grow impatient in what is clearly going to be a power-struggle.
5 Main Cities:
- Caras Cŷreled (Where Gondolin once stood)
- Dwarven City in Ered Calengaer (Previously Ered Gorgoroth)
- Dwarven Colony in Blue Mountains (Recently unsunken part)
- New Havens (Home to Círdan)
- Mixed Race City at Amon Ereb; mainly Elves.
7 Smaller Towns/Villages:
- One on Outskirts of Taur-Im-Duinath
- One on the coast south of the River Duilwen
- One located near where the Gulf of Lhûn used to be (Now considered a Waypoint for travellers going into this new land)
- One located at the foot of the Andram hills, roughly two day's ride from the coast
- One on the borders of River Celmon and Nan Elmoth; the river lies to the immediate North, and the forest to the immediate West.
- One on the river Esgalduin near the Coast; in the forest of Neldoreth in the lost-realm of Doriath.
- One in the land of Himlad, south of Himring by about a day as the crow flies.
Other:
- Menegroth; home to the second kin-slaying by the line of Fëanor; the city was untouched when re-found by Elves, but when descending into the city, the fair folk could not bear the memories of the dead that lingered there. Kin-Slaying was a terrible crime, and after so long, they weren't capable or willing to renew the once-home of Thingol. It lays abandoned; wholly underground, and not even the Dwarves whose kin built the halls wish to venture below. With the water now gone, and no free folk willing to re-populate it, fouler things swirl in the dark tunnels below...
Other than destroyed settlements and swiftly re-growing plantlife, the geography of East Beleriand was mostly unchanged. The mountains, hills and rivers were all as they were several Ages ago, and even the forests that had drowned were growing again in the same spots. All that was left was to rebuild, and to rename. The Elves first to step in this once lost land renamed it as Balannadôr (Land-Gift from Valar), although it is more commonly named as East Beleriand or "The Lost Lands" in the common Westron tongue.
The first place the Elves sought out was the lost Kingdom of Gondolin, for it was one of their people's greatest labours. But so ruined was the city that once stood here from the sacking of Morgoth that only remnants of it remained; the foundations and various cellars located beneath the ground was all that was left of Gondolin. If any part of the city had survived the attack by Morgoth and his forces, it had been utterly destroyed by the flooding of Beleriand. Still, the Elves could not turn away from the land of their ancestors, and with Glorfindel at their lead, re-built the city. It was now named Caras Cŷreled (The Renewed Elven-City), and it's ruler for the time being is Glorfindel. However, Aman calls to him daily, and he will not linger in Middle-Earth for much more time, even in his rebuilt home from so long ago. While he has promised to choose a new King for the rebuilt city (For he is without spouse or child and heir), the decision has not been made yet, and several ambitious Elves are beginning to grow impatient in what is clearly going to be a power-struggle.
5 Main Cities:
- Caras Cŷreled (Where Gondolin once stood)
- Dwarven City in Ered Calengaer (Previously Ered Gorgoroth)
- Dwarven Colony in Blue Mountains (Recently unsunken part)
- New Havens (Home to Círdan)
- Mixed Race City at Amon Ereb; mainly Elves.
7 Smaller Towns/Villages:
- One on Outskirts of Taur-Im-Duinath
- One on the coast south of the River Duilwen
- One located near where the Gulf of Lhûn used to be (Now considered a Waypoint for travellers going into this new land)
- One located at the foot of the Andram hills, roughly two day's ride from the coast
- One on the borders of River Celmon and Nan Elmoth; the river lies to the immediate North, and the forest to the immediate West.
- One on the river Esgalduin near the Coast; in the forest of Neldoreth in the lost-realm of Doriath.
- One in the land of Himlad, south of Himring by about a day as the crow flies.
Other:
- Menegroth; home to the second kin-slaying by the line of Fëanor; the city was untouched when re-found by Elves, but when descending into the city, the fair folk could not bear the memories of the dead that lingered there. Kin-Slaying was a terrible crime, and after so long, they weren't capable or willing to renew the once-home of Thingol. It lays abandoned; wholly underground, and not even the Dwarves whose kin built the halls wish to venture below. With the water now gone, and no free folk willing to re-populate it, fouler things swirl in the dark tunnels below...
The Fourth Age began when the last of the Ringbearer's left for Valinor from the Grey Havens, on the 29th of September of it's 3021st year, though by Gondor's reckoning, the Fourth Age began on the 25th of March, to honour the two year anniversary of the fall of Barad-dûr. For this roleplay's sake, we'll stick with the original date of 29th September.
NOTE: ALL TEXT IN ITALICS IS NOT ORIGINAL LORE; IT HAS BEEN INVENTED FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE ROLEPLAY.
TA 3019 - The Ring is destroyed, and Mount Doom erupts for one final, cataclysmic time. The ensuing eruption was so violent that it tore the structure of the volcano apart, and then led to subsequent geographical instabilities over many years.
TA 3021 - Galadriel, Elrond, Gandalf, Bilbo and Frodo Baggins depart for Aman from the Grey Havens.
FA ? - The lands of Ithilien, Nurn and Arnor are formally introduced as semi-independent states, or principalities. Nurn - and Mordor - are gifted to the slaves of Sauron who had been forced to work their previously, farming food to feed his evil armies. The volcanic land is rich for farming, and in present days, the land is much more fair to look at, and the people much happier. All that remains of Barad-dûr is a large gorge, that is seldom visited.
FA 47 - Eldarion, son to Aragorn and Arwen, is born.
FA 49 - Roughly 50 years into the rule of King Aragorn, Middle-Earth had been subjected to seemingly random tremors, the epicentres typically surrounding mountain ranges. While no fatalities or major incidents occur from these events bar freak accidents, the activity is disconcerting.
FA 69 - Mount Mindolluin is hit by a tremor. Several rockslides cause damage to Minas Tirith, and minor injuries are reported across the city. More worryingly, however, are rumours of steam and smoke issuing from the peak during the earthquake. Around this time, several Elves have received dreams of Valar coming to Middle-Earth. They do not know the meaning of such visions, but are able to identify Ulmo, Aulë, and Yavanna in an unknown location by the shore. The Lord of Water stands in the ocean, and the Lord and Lady of the Earth stand on water-logged, cracked ground.
FA 70 -
FA 100 - A peace treaty is established between Harad and Gondor, and stronger trading ties are created between the two. Minor clashes over land still occur, but such things don't threaten the tentative peace between their leaders.
FA 120 - King Aragorn II passes away; Eldarion assumes the throne. His older sister, Tinúviel, takes the seat of Arnor in the North. Shortly after he passes, Legolas Greenleaf builds a boat and leaves for the Undying Lands with Gimli, now a very old Dwarf. (It should be assumed that all other canon characters present in the books - barring Elves and Maiar - have now died.
FA 121 - Arwen Undómiel passes away, at the age of 2901.
FA 140 - All colonies and rebuilt cities in East Beleriand are now completed and populated. More solid trade routes, guard patrols and infrastructure is developed between the different populaces. Places of note are Caras Cŷreled, the Dwarven Strongold in Carad Elengaer (In Elvish, the "Mountains of the Green-Sea." Named this because when the ocean left the lands, great forests began to grow on the mountains. The Elves saw this as a sign of Yavanna cleansing the once-terrible home of Ungoliant, to ensure nothing evil could ever dwell there again - therefore, it seemed inappropriate to keep the old name of "Mountains of Terror".), and the New Havens.
FA 147 - Dôr-min-Taur is established in Southern Mirkwood. A contingent of Elves, Men and Dwarves work together to build it. Their actions are deemed foolish due to the dark nature that once belonged to Mirkwood.
FA 150 - More Dwarves flock to Dôr-min-Taur after a mithril mine is established there.
FA 204 - Multiple threats are issued to the leaders of Elves and Dwarves by an unknown person; they state that the leaders are too collect all of their people and leave Middle-Earth for good, or war would ensue. The threats are promptly ignored, and life goes on as normal.
FA 219 - Our roleplay begins. In the past years, spiders and Orcs have returned to the lands of the free; the borders of the Shire & Westmarch, Rohan, Isengard and Lothlórien are frequently tested by Goblins from the Misty Mountains, while Spiders have been spotted in the forests of Beleriand, Mirkwood, and the replenished realm of Mordor. Attacks on the road across the continent have become too many to consider coincidence, but no signs of Orcs have been found amongst the slaughtered bodies of Elves, Dwarves, and more recently, Men. In recent months, the colony of Dôr-min-Taur has fallen silent. With the amount of mithril it exports to other realms, this has become a cause for concern - particularly because the colony is rather hard to find in the forests of Mirkwood without a guide. Your character has - for some reason - arrived in Mirkwood to investigate the silent colony. Whether there because you wish to know what has happened to a friend or family member; or you've been called to investigate by a superior; or if you're simply just curious to see what has occurred... you are here, not so far from this elusive colony. It is not surprising when you are joined by others, also there for their own reasons. Whatever the case, you do not realise the quest that is now laid before you... nor the difficult choices that lay with it.
NOTE: ALL TEXT IN ITALICS IS NOT ORIGINAL LORE; IT HAS BEEN INVENTED FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE ROLEPLAY.
TA 3019 - The Ring is destroyed, and Mount Doom erupts for one final, cataclysmic time. The ensuing eruption was so violent that it tore the structure of the volcano apart, and then led to subsequent geographical instabilities over many years.
TA 3021 - Galadriel, Elrond, Gandalf, Bilbo and Frodo Baggins depart for Aman from the Grey Havens.
FA ? - The lands of Ithilien, Nurn and Arnor are formally introduced as semi-independent states, or principalities. Nurn - and Mordor - are gifted to the slaves of Sauron who had been forced to work their previously, farming food to feed his evil armies. The volcanic land is rich for farming, and in present days, the land is much more fair to look at, and the people much happier. All that remains of Barad-dûr is a large gorge, that is seldom visited.
FA 47 - Eldarion, son to Aragorn and Arwen, is born.
FA 49 - Roughly 50 years into the rule of King Aragorn, Middle-Earth had been subjected to seemingly random tremors, the epicentres typically surrounding mountain ranges. While no fatalities or major incidents occur from these events bar freak accidents, the activity is disconcerting.
FA 69 - Mount Mindolluin is hit by a tremor. Several rockslides cause damage to Minas Tirith, and minor injuries are reported across the city. More worryingly, however, are rumours of steam and smoke issuing from the peak during the earthquake. Around this time, several Elves have received dreams of Valar coming to Middle-Earth. They do not know the meaning of such visions, but are able to identify Ulmo, Aulë, and Yavanna in an unknown location by the shore. The Lord of Water stands in the ocean, and the Lord and Lady of the Earth stand on water-logged, cracked ground.
FA 70 -
- January: Rumours that Mount Mindolluin is a dormant volcano run rampant in Minas Tirith. Many wish to flee, but remain only at the behest of their King. No further evidence of volcanic activity comes from the White Mountains, and scholars of the earth are sent to investigate. It was believed that Orodruin - the only apparent volcano in Middle-Earth - was created by way of Melkor's evil, and not a natural geographic occurrence. Therefore, the tremors are now believed to be remnants of the evil of Mordor, staying as long as possible in Middle-Earth. The quakes continue for several more months, before suddenly stopping.
- February: Barely a month after the near-daily tremors stopped, a messenger from Lindon arrives at Minas Tirith. According to the messenger, a great shaking caused the Grey Havens to be evacuated, and the water from the shores was pulled back to almost impossible lengths. When the Elves returned, they discovered that the Gulf of Lhûn had disappeared. In it's place were the restored peaks of the Ered Luin, and beyond that, a great stretch of water-logged lands. Before their eyes, it was seemingly healing itself, and greenery was beginning to appear.
- March-April: Further reports of once-lost land appearing at the coastlines followed that of Lindon; the lost realm of East Beleriand had been raised from the sea as far south as the mouth of the river Isen, as far north as the Icebay of Forochel, and as far west as where the river Sirion once lay. The dead, water-logged earth was being restored very quickly by unknown forces. Unknown of course, until the dreams of the Elves suddenly made sense. Clearly the Valar had seen some sort of greater evil in the remaining tremors of Middle-Earth; as the tremors had stopped as soon as the land was brought back from under the waves, the people of Middle-Earth could assume that in doing this, the Valar involved were able to stop the tremors... and whatever evil that may have come with it. Healing the Earth was a simple task for Yavanna and her husband, and with his dominance over the Oceans, Ulmo was able to hold back the tides while the once-flooded lands were restored.
- June-September: The first to investigate these renewed lands were the Elves of Lindon, and the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains. By the time investigators from Rohan and Gondor had arrived, long-lost remnants of old kingdoms had been uncovered by the Elves and Dwarves. The first priority for the Elves was to reclaim Doriath and the city Gondolin, while the Dwarves were heading into the once-flooded caverns of the Ered Luin. After some time of wondering what exactly to do, colonies were established in East Beleriand, from all races bar the Hobbits. Círdan the Shipwright left his home in the Grey Havens to a more suitable place on the coast to build and launch ships from; he settled where the Mouths of Sirion once lay, and established a colony of Elves there. This is now the updated port for where the Eldar leave for Aman, and is simply named as the "New Havens".
FA 100 - A peace treaty is established between Harad and Gondor, and stronger trading ties are created between the two. Minor clashes over land still occur, but such things don't threaten the tentative peace between their leaders.
FA 120 - King Aragorn II passes away; Eldarion assumes the throne. His older sister, Tinúviel, takes the seat of Arnor in the North. Shortly after he passes, Legolas Greenleaf builds a boat and leaves for the Undying Lands with Gimli, now a very old Dwarf. (It should be assumed that all other canon characters present in the books - barring Elves and Maiar - have now died.
FA 121 - Arwen Undómiel passes away, at the age of 2901.
FA 140 - All colonies and rebuilt cities in East Beleriand are now completed and populated. More solid trade routes, guard patrols and infrastructure is developed between the different populaces. Places of note are Caras Cŷreled, the Dwarven Strongold in Carad Elengaer (In Elvish, the "Mountains of the Green-Sea." Named this because when the ocean left the lands, great forests began to grow on the mountains. The Elves saw this as a sign of Yavanna cleansing the once-terrible home of Ungoliant, to ensure nothing evil could ever dwell there again - therefore, it seemed inappropriate to keep the old name of "Mountains of Terror".), and the New Havens.
FA 147 - Dôr-min-Taur is established in Southern Mirkwood. A contingent of Elves, Men and Dwarves work together to build it. Their actions are deemed foolish due to the dark nature that once belonged to Mirkwood.
FA 150 - More Dwarves flock to Dôr-min-Taur after a mithril mine is established there.
FA 204 - Multiple threats are issued to the leaders of Elves and Dwarves by an unknown person; they state that the leaders are too collect all of their people and leave Middle-Earth for good, or war would ensue. The threats are promptly ignored, and life goes on as normal.
FA 219 - Our roleplay begins. In the past years, spiders and Orcs have returned to the lands of the free; the borders of the Shire & Westmarch, Rohan, Isengard and Lothlórien are frequently tested by Goblins from the Misty Mountains, while Spiders have been spotted in the forests of Beleriand, Mirkwood, and the replenished realm of Mordor. Attacks on the road across the continent have become too many to consider coincidence, but no signs of Orcs have been found amongst the slaughtered bodies of Elves, Dwarves, and more recently, Men. In recent months, the colony of Dôr-min-Taur has fallen silent. With the amount of mithril it exports to other realms, this has become a cause for concern - particularly because the colony is rather hard to find in the forests of Mirkwood without a guide. Your character has - for some reason - arrived in Mirkwood to investigate the silent colony. Whether there because you wish to know what has happened to a friend or family member; or you've been called to investigate by a superior; or if you're simply just curious to see what has occurred... you are here, not so far from this elusive colony. It is not surprising when you are joined by others, also there for their own reasons. Whatever the case, you do not realise the quest that is now laid before you... nor the difficult choices that lay with it.
Trying to keep in line with the original roleplay, we're not looking for an absolute essay here. Just enough for us to get a decent grasp of your character, and to see how well you can write and how your lore-knowledge is. A picture is optional (Written description is mandatory), but if you are going to use one, try and keep it lore-friendly please. If it's unacceptable, you'll be asked to pick another. Oh - and only the one picture, not several.
[center][img]OPTIONAL![/img][/center]
[b][u]Name:[/u][/b]
[b][u]Age:[/u][/b]
[b][u]Race:[/u][/b]
[b][u]Sex:[/u][/b]
[b][u]Personality:[/u][/b]
[b][u]Appearance:[/u][/b]
[b][u]Backstory:[/u][/b]
[b][u]Reason for investigating the silent colony?:[/u][/b]
[b][u]Other:[/u][/b]- Standard Guild rules apply; no trolling, hissy fits, temper tantrums, slurs or needless insulting please. If you have a dispute with another player or a GM, please keep it to PMs, and keep it civil.
- Books trump movies! And games, for that matter. If I see a mention of Tauriel or the elves showing up at Helm's Deep, I shall have to ask you to correct it. I won't be a dick about everything ("Aragorn was never as reluctant to be King as he was in the movies reeeeeeeeee" < Being a dick), but try and keep the big stuff in mind when it comes to research.
- Speaking of lore, I don't expect you to know absolutely everything. Just a basic knowledge of the movies will probably get you through a lot of stuff in this roleplay, so I don't want to put anybody off by screeching "SILMARILLION ONLY" throughout the OOC. If you have any problems or questions about the canon, I, the players, and google are your friend. Don't be daunted by maybe not knowing something. Trust me, I googled half the shit I've written about here. :)
- While I haven't asked for an essay in your CS, please keep in mind that this is an advanced roleplay. We're going to need some decent grammar and spelling from y'all. And for the love of god, tone the purple prose down.
- Same applies for IC posts - decent spelling and grammar please. As for schedules, we don't have any specific rules against double-posting as long as you don't go crazy with it. A post will be expected once every fortnight, and we will want at least 2 paragraphs. If your and another person's character is having a conversation, collab the post, don't just go back and forth over 10 posts.
((I will be making some nicer maps for our updated East Beleriand, with more clear markers for dwellings and prominent landmarks.))
NOTE: Red line indicates the new coastline.
NOTE: Yellow dots indicate cities; red indicates lesser colonies, black indicates ruins.
NOTE: Yellow dots indicate cities; red indicates lesser colonies, black indicates ruins.
1x Thank
