Ages of Arda IV: Mantle of Darkness - Historical RPG OOC Thread & Sign-ups

[Eriol]

Ages of Arda is a historical RPG series which I've orchestrated as GM for more than ten years on the Plaza. It originated from the Undying Lands subforum of Old Isengard, led by Morgray and only envisioned as one RPG, Flight of the Noldor. When he needed to commit to RL, he handed the remainder of the story to me and I decided to make a saga which stemmed from this storied event. Ages of Arda continued with Destiny's Way and Children of Endor, ultimately hosted in Rivendell and later Lindon in Eriador. Ages of Arda has served as a wonderful opportunity to dramatize the lives of canon characters of Middle-earth's ancient lore and, more importantly, it gives us a chance to depict our Elven characters (and their ancestors) in the legendary past. The third RPG, Children of Endor, enriched the long-running series by giving roleplayers a chance to chronicle the lives of their mortal NPC forebears as well with the arrival of the Edain and others of humankind left behind in the East.

When the Old Plaza shut down, we were just initiating the departure of Princess Aredhel from Gondolin and awaiting Haleth's battle of the Thargelion stockade before her perilous exodus to Brethil. Now on this New Plaza we'll begin the canon events of Mantle of Darkness with these epic moments from the First Age. With those storylines finished, what's left of the canon tale of the RPG will portray the Bragollach War and the Quest of the Silmaril undertaken by Beren & Lúthien. I've already made the gameplan, approved by Ercassie and Moriel who will both be my co-GMs. This is the first time I've shared direction of my Plaza magnus opus with anyone but I believe that it will impell this installment, and others forthcoming, to swift and satisfying conclusions. Ercassie and Moriel will make prompts based off the gameplan I wrote for actions surrounding the Midlands and East Beleriand theatres of the conflict. My direction will focus on the West Beleriand side of the war including the Beren & Lúthien phase of the RPG which ends this episode on the eve of the Nirnaeth and the sad tale of Túrin (Ages of Arda V: Masters of Doom).

This OOC thread is reserved for out of character remarks and planning for Ages of Arda IV: Mantle of Darkness. It is also a Sign-ups thread to claim canon characters which people haven't claimed yet. A copy of the Vacancy List will also appear in the Rivendell Archives thread, controlled by Ercassie and I will make one for the Taken List which is shown in my second post to come here (Please tell me if I mised anyone and if you still want your canon character from before). Moriel will post a Locations List the three of us are devising which describes what major areas of Beleriand are being roleplayed in just in case anyone needs a reminder. If you don't have a working knowledge of The Silmarillion but would still like to play, let us know and the GMs will be happy to give you a crash course in the First Age history pertaining to the lore surrounding this RPG.

Now without further ado... Please, take my hand again, and let me lead you into the dark.... we're going to be in it for a very long time. These next two RPGs involving the Nirnaeth/Turin and the Fall of Doriath/Gondolin will be rather heartbreaking unless, of course, if you're a minion....

[Eriol]

It's good to be back, my friends. Got some of my old crew with me but I'm hoping to see some new members taking part. Ages of Arda is the work of my heart on the Plaza and I hope it will be as important for you as it is for me.

Dramatis Personae for

Ages of Arda IV:
Mantle of Darkness
And Prior Historic Moments

Aig:

Fëanor (flashbacks): Late High King of the Noldor, led Exiles to Aman.
Ulmo: Vala King of Waters.
Manwë: Vala King of the World
Irmo: Vala King, Master of Visions and Dreams. More commonly known as Lórien. Estë's husband.
Estë: Vala Queen, Healer of Hurts. Irmo's wife.
Nienna: Vala Queen, the Mourner and Lady of Hope. The sister of Irmo and Námo.
Olórin: A Maia of Nienna, known as Gandalf in the Third Age
Pallando: A Maia of Orome, later starts rebellions against Sauron in the East during the Second Age.
Alatar: A Maia of Orome, later starts rebellions against Sauron in the East during the Second Age.
Celegorm: King of Himlad, Feanor’s son. A hunter.
Fingon: High Prince of the Noldor, Fingolfin’s son.
Finrod: King of West Beleriand.
Turgon: King of Gondolin. Wielder of Glamdring.
Egalmoth: Chieftain of the Rainbow House in Gondolin, the wealthiest Elf in the city. Tried to guard Aredhel on her journey.
Beren: Son of Barahir and Lúthien’s lover.
Salgant: Chieftain of the Harp House in Gondolin, Maeglin’s ally.
Amrod: A King of East Beleriand, Feanor’s son and Amras' twin.
Maglor: King of the Gap, Feanor’s son. An esteemed musician and poet.
Barahir: Chieftain of First House of the Edain.
Hathaldir the Young: One of Barahir’s Twelve Companions.
Gorlim the Unhappy: One of Barahir’s Twelve Companions. Eilinel’s husband and a traitor.
Aredhel: Princess of Gondolin, Maeglin’s mother.
Tuor: The mortal husband of Idril, Chieftain of the House of the Swan Wing
Haldad: First Chieftain of the Haladin

Ercassie:
Thingol: King of the Teleri.
Maeglin: Lord of the House of Mole, and traitor of Gondolin
Idril: Princess of Gondolin.
Radhruin: One of Barahir’s Twelve Companions


Moriel:
Lúthien: Princess of the Teleri, Beren’s love
Caranthir: King of Thargelion
Glaurung: A great wingless dragon
Thuringwethil: A vampire demon of Angband, Sauron’s messenger.
Amras: A King of East Beleriand, Feanor’s son and Amrod’s twin. A hunter.
Queen Airesarë (Fingon’s wife, name made by Moriel)
Haleth: Chieftess of the Second House of the Edain, a warrior.
Oromë: Vala King of the Hunt.
Draugluin: Blue-furred sire of Werewolves, old in evil.
Carcharoth: A terrifying werewolf nurtured by Morgoth himself after Draugluin’s death.
Eöl: The Dark Elf, a kinsman of Thingol. A smith and Aredhel's husband.
Tilion: A Maia of Oromë, a hunter and steersman of the Moon.
Nessa: A lithe Vala Queen. Wife of Tulkas and Oromë's sister. The Dancer, the Swift.
Yavanna: A Vala Queen, Mother of the Earth. Nature is hers.
Meássë : A Maia of war, Makar's fierce sister.
Amnon: A prophet.
Celeborn: Husband of Galadriel, Lord of Doriath.
Dior, son of Beren and Lúthien, grandson of Thingol, King of Doriath.


Rivvy:
Morgoth: The most powerful demon, waging war against the Peoples of Middle-earth.
Ecthelion: Chieftain of the House of the Fountain. A singer and flutist. Tried to guard Aredhel on her journey. Wielder of Orcrist.
Glorfindel: Chieftain of the House of the Golden Flower. Tried to guard Aredhel on her journey.
Gelmir: A prince and warrior, Gwindor’s brother.
Rochallor: Fingolfin’s horse

Nurbor:
Fingolfin: High King of the Noldor, killed by Morgoth

Turin:
Túrin: Hurin’s son.
Hador: Third House chieftain, succeeded by Galdor.
Húrin: Third House Chieftain
Haldar: Son of Haldad
Haldan: Haldar's son and Haleth's nephew, claimed chieftain after her death.
Hunthor: Kinsman of Brandir the Lame and a companion of Túrin


Celebrin:
Maedhros, King of Himring and eldest son of Fëanor.
Orodreth: Warden of Minas Tirith, Finrod’s vassal
Círdan: The Shipwright, Lord of the Falas


Almarëa:[/b]
Melian: Queen of Doriath
Voronwë: A noble mariner of the House of the King in Gondolin. Kinsman of Círdan through his maternal line.
Mablung: Captain of Thingol’s guards in Menegroth.

Voronwë
(A noble mariner of the House of the King in Gondolin.
Kinsman of Cirdan through his maternal line.)



Aerlinn:
Gil-galad: High Prince, Fingon’s son
Celebrimbor: Son of Curufin, and a talented smith
Rog: Chieftain of the Hammer of Wrath in Gondolin, an elite smith and the strongest Elf in the city.

Tarawen:
Morwen: Húrin’s wife
Thorondor: King of Eagles
Curufin: King of Himlad and son of Fëanor. A hunter and smith


Frosty:
Sauron: Mairon, Morgoth's Chief Lieutenant.
Ulfang the Black: Evil Easterling Chieftain. Caranthir’s follower and Morgoth’s spy.
Penlod: Chieftain of both the House of the Pillar and Snow.

Taethowen:
Niniel: Daughter of Hurin
Eilinel the White: The doomed wife of Gorlim the Unhappy


Thalionwen:
Emeldir the Manhearted: Barahir's bold wife, leads an evacuation of women and children from Dorthonion to Ered Wethrin.
Galadriel: Finarfin's daughter and Celeborn's wife, Lady of Doriath.

Quill:
Finduilas: Princess, Orodreth’s daughter.

Lain:
Beleg: Captain of Thingol’s marchwardens


Sil:
Daeron: Chief Minstrel and loremaster of Thingol’s court,
enamoured of Lúthien his friend

Dimcairien:
Huor: (Hurin’s brother)

Androthelm:
Bór
(Good Easterling Chieftain,
follower of Maedhros and Maglor)

[Eriol]

Untaken List

For those not listed above in the Dramatis Personae,
you may start asking up three characters for now. Sign-ups will last a week.


Landroval
(A Great Eagle, Gwaihir’s brother)

Gwaihir
(A Great Eagle, Meneldor’s brother)

Hareth
(Galdor’s wife)

Glóredhel
(Haldir’s wife)

Gundor
(Hador’s youngest son)

Galdor the Tall
(Chieftain of the Third House, father of Hurin and Huor)

Bregolas
(First House chieftain, Barahir’s older brother)


Baragund
(Father of Morwen and
one of Barahir’s Twelve Companions, his nephew)

Belegund
(Father of Rían and one of Barahir’s
Twelve Companions, his nephew)

Bregil
(Bregor’s daughter, mother of Brandir and Beldis)

Hirwen
(Bregor’s daughter)

Gilwen
(Bregor’s daughter)

Brandir
(Bregil’s son, the namesake of his nephew)

Beldis
(Bregil’s daughter, Handir’s wife)

Handir
(Haladin Chieftain, Bregil’s husband)

Brandir the Lame
(Bregil’s son)

Dairuin
(One of Barahir’s
Twelve Companions)

Dagnir
(One of Barahir’s
Twelve Companions)

Ragnor
(One of Barahir’s
Twelve Companions)

Gildor
(One of Barahir’s
Twelve Companions)

Arthad
(One of Barahir’s
Twelve Companions)

Urthel
(One of Barahir’s
Twelve Companions)

Hendor
(Turgon’s aged Housecarle)

Gorgol the Butcher
(Orc captain, Barahir’s murderer)

Borlad
(Bór’s faithful son)

Borlach
(Bór’s faithful son)

Borthand
(Bór’s faithful son)

Ulfast
(Ulfang’s son,
Caranthir’s servant and a spy of Morgoth)

Ulwarth
(Ulfang’s son, Caranthir’s servant and a spy of Morgoth)

Uldor
(Ulfang’s son,
Caranthir’s servant and a spy of Morgoth)

Galdor
(Chieftain of the House of the Tree)

Beleg
(Captain of Thingol’s marchwardens)

Aranwë
(A nobleman of the House of the King
in Gondolin and father of Voronwë. His wife
is related to Círdan.

[Almarëa Mordollwen]

I will take Melian and/or Voronwë, if no one has spoken for them yet.

[Eriol]

No one has, @Almarëa Mordollwen ! Consider them yours! It's great to have you back with us! :smiley8:

[Zôrzimril]

Oooooo! It's exciting to see this back, @Aigronding Mordagnir. I remember fondly participating in a much earlier installment of this long ago - I am 99% sure that's where the "scratch... on the throat" line came from. I think I also RP'd as Thorondor at one point, and I definitely had an NPC named Brona who was ... someone's herald. I'd have to dig up his character bio to figure that one out.

All that said, I'd be down to play Thorondor again, and one more character (maybe Melian, unless someone else has a strong claim to her? never mind, Alma beat me to Melian! I'd be up to play Morwen, though).

[Aerlinn]

*sprints in* Did someone say House of Finwe?

Interested in Celebrimbor and/or Gil-galad :smiley8:

[Eriol]

Glad to have you back on the team, @Tarawen !!! I'm pretty sure it was Brona who killed an Orc and that was the "....just a scratch. across the throat..." line ! Brona was the herald of Maedhros and that won't have to change! You'll see a lot of action as Brona during the Himring attack. You can have Thorondor and Morwen, old friend!

[Eriol]

Take both, @Aerlinn !! We all know you're good with playing younger characters, sis!!

[Zôrzimril]

Ahhh yes, good ol' Brona. I'm glad I'll get to bring him back! In fact, I found my old character icon for him in my Photobucket account, so yay for that!

Woo! Excited for this! (ETA: Also depending on how much time I have/the needs for casting, I may be up for picking up a third canon character. But I will let others sign up first.)

[The Good Hunter]

If I may... if Penlod is available I'd love a go at figuring him out, and Ulfang the Black (I do love a villain)

[Rivvy Elf]

This is sooo exciting! I'm prepping my Melkor up. He'll hate you, and you'll hate him. That'll be my first post. Doing a prep "diet of worms" for the Battle of Sudden Flame, issuing out orders, and ending the meeting.

...Then you'll see how I interpret Melkor's fun actions that initiate the battle. I plan to send a plume of lava to completely erase the markings the elves made on the gates of Angband as symbolism of the Siege ending. Is that okay, Aig?

[Eriol]

Penlod is all yours (You must have great social standing in the city because you have two Houses!), Frosty, and Ulfang the Black (I'll enjoy seeing you play evil!) Aigronding's son, Valion, is in the House of the Pillar so we'll be interacting! :smiley8:

[Eriol]

I'm so excited to see you tear / burn up, Beleriand, Rivvy :smiley8: :smiley8: !!! The Bragollach is epic, especially the beginning. This RPG, Morgoth turns up the heat!! He's on a winning streak to...the last RPG we'll do of the First Age run of AoA, brother!

Oh, man, you're going to erase Little Aigronding's mark on the doors ! I'm cool with that, Rivvy and it's poetic!! This is your time, buddy! Get those rivers of fire ready. Ard-galen is gonna be an inferno.

Issue those orders! You've got my demons, Eris (Fallen wind spirit of Manwë's manír from Book of Lost Tales I) and Kratos (Fallen Maia of Aulë, a Boldog Orc-like commander) and Filrain (Fallen Maia of Yavanna...)...I need to think of the name of that one Maia who betrayed Yavanna I had but her, too. Also, one of the weasels Tolkien speaks of in Book of Lost Tales II, one of those who scout and are 'full of the thirst for blood.'

Rivvy, also remember you need to get Gelmir captured in this RPG...

[The Good Hunter]

Great! We never really interacted 1-on-1 in the old Plaza so I'll be looking forward to it! Also *ahem* is there going be a big reveal for the other role I'll be taking?

[Rivvy Elf]

Gelmir ha. Yes, he will be captured

[Aerlinn]

@Rivvy Elf Little Linny wants flute lessons. Preferably not from Melkor. But uh...of course, things happen.

(Aig says she's with the House of the Fountain (woo!) at which point I think my only in character option is to badger Ecthelion to death for music lessons.)

I've got to sort out my NPCs...who were all those people anyways??

Edit: Frost is Olaf right!???

[The Good Hunter]

@Aerlinn I was hoping someone would make the Frost/House of Snow connection! :D

[Eriol]

@Frosty the Snowman , I'll be at Osdolen soon and Ost-Halatir. You will be taking over Dorthonion in this RPG, making it an evil nightmarish forest; just wait for the prompt (It'll be from Cassie when it's time). Also, you besiege Minas Tirith (Finrod's tower) with werewolves and claim it for your own (I'll be giving that prompt, I think, will look at my notes later on Google Docs). That's just the beginning of your sinister introduction unless you want to do some stuff before the canon prompts. @Rivvy Elf will have a meeting for the demons and other minions when the Bragollach starts.

We could have Rivvy tell Sauron his orders to polute Dorthonion with his sorcery and to take Orodreth's tower away when the time is right. You can also show off your shapeshifter skills before he faces Lúthien and Huan later on.

[Rivvy Elf]

@Aerlinn and Ecthelion shall listen to these lessons because even that is a welcome distraction to the growing pile of paperwork on his desk.

[Rivvy Elf]

By the way, who's playing Sauron?

[Eriol]

I see what you did there, @Frosty the Snowman !

Linny, can you still play Ellindalë or let me borrow her like I have been doing for years ? She needs to wake up from her senses once she hears Celegorm tried marrying Lúthien against her will and then go find Telkelion so we can inevitably get them married :D ! Got to wait two ages to have their daughter Elmarya though .

@Rivvy Elf , @Frosty the Snowman is playing Sauron since @Ercassie decided to let someone else play him and a few of her other characters. :smiley10:

[Turin Ringhûn]

I can take Hador.

Part of me also wants to take Hurin.

I was also thinking of playing Hunthor, another great grandson of Halmir and companion of Túrin, who died on the way to kill Glaurung.

[The Good Hunter]

This is going to be fun. I'm gonna do some research into the Roman Emperor Aurelian and see how I can wrap some of his strategies with Sauron
and @Aigronding Mordagnir no rush man, it took me a days just to come up with way to get my guard character to the hall in the first place, he can wait awhile if you need

[Rivvy Elf]

Melkor will refer to Sauron as Mairon, his maia name. @Frosty the Snowman . Please refer to Sauron as whoever you want, of course

[The Good Hunter]

I'm good with that Rivvy, makes Shakespearean sense. Sauron would like think of himself as Mairon as well

[Eriol]

I can see you portraying legendary Hador and epic Hurin well, @Turin Ringhûn :smiley8: ! They are yours as well as Hunthor.

I like the Mairon decision!

Yeah, @Frosty the Snowman , there's a lot to do especially on top of essential work, ugh. Looking forward to writing with you :smiley8: !!

[Almarëa Mordollwen]

@Aigronding Mordagnir I will let other people have a go at signing up, but if no one claims Mablung, I would also be up for writing him.

[Zôrzimril]

^ Ditto what Alma said, except for Finduilas.

[Quill]

Actually, I would love to play Finduilas if possible!!

[Zôrzimril]

Oooh, go for it, @Quill! :smiley8: I'll tentatively put my name forward for Curufin then.

[Eriol]

You can have Mablung, @Almarëa Mordollwen ! There's still Daeron and Beleg up for Doriath.

@Tarawen and @Quill , let me pose a suggestion: One of y'all plays Galadriel and the other plays Finduilas....thoughts? I forgot to put Galadriel and Celeborn on the list.

I might be scarce for an hour or two. Need a writing break and playing Star Wars: The Old Republic MMO with a friend but keep those posts coming here!

[Eriol]

Oops, didn't say your post @Tarawen as I was writing! Okay, @Quill will have Finduilas and you can have Curufin, Tara!

Galadriel and Celeborn are still open!

[Zôrzimril]

Great idea for a compromise, @Aigronding Mordagnir! I'm happy to take on Curufin. I need to go reread the Silmarillion now.

[Thalionwen Hunigfolm]

I will take Emeldir and Niniel/Nienor, if no one else is claiming them!

[Taethowen]

DANG IT @Thalionwen I was just gonna ask for Niniel. You know I love a good tragic character.

[Thalionwen Hunigfolm]

I relinquish Niniel to @Taethowen and request Galadriel instead

[Taethowen]

Okay, now that I've looked at the list again, I'd also be willing to settle for Morwen and/or Eiliniel the White. If no one else has claimed them.

Although @Thalionwen now says on Discord that I can have Niniel, but I'd still be willing to take Eiliniel the White as well.

[Moriel]

SQUEEEEEE. LET'S DO THIS THING.

@Aigronding Mordagnir coudl you please add Amnon the Prophet back to my list? I don't know if we'll see him again but still

OH and Celeborn please. There's flirting to be done *waggles eyebrows at @Thalionwen *

[Thalionwen Hunigfolm]

*air kisses at @Moriel*

[Eriol]

Curufin is yours, Tarawen! I support reading all of The Silmarillion just because but for this RPG, I suggest reading the two chapters 'The Fall of Fingolfin and Ruin of Beleriand' and 'Of Beren and Luthien' so you get the full story of what's about to go down in this RPG of AoA. Curufin is nasty and cunning, you'll love him. You and I are going to RP together a lot here because those brothers are always around each other, partners in crime! Linny will be with us, too, and Celebrimbor doesn't like dear ole dad much; he 'repudiated the deeds of his father' Tolkien says.

Thalionwen, Emeldir all yours! You're like a female Moses. Leading your people out of a terrible place; same with Moriel! Hurray for strong and heroric, empowering female characters! You may also have Galadriel! Big plans ahead for y'all in the Second Age and Third Age run!!!

Taethowen, would you like Niniel and Morwen and Eilinel, all three? I need to get on Discord with Moriel's link but it'll be hard to focus on writing,
lol.

Moriel you can be Amnon again!! Last time we saw him was dooming Gondolin. We need the prophet around besides my Ruim, Maia of Namo!!

I'll update the roster in an hour!

[Taethowen]

If I'm doing Niniel I'd rather someone else RPs Morwen, please, so I don't have to RP mother and daughter at the same time and confuse myself to pieces.

[Zôrzimril]

@Aigronding Mordagnir Yessssss I'm excited to play a morally ambiguous elf-lord. It'll be a new experience but super fun. And also very excited to write with you!

@Taethowen - I had volunteered for Morwen earlier so you should be set on that score.

[Taethowen]

@Tarawen I see that now up above, lol. I only glanced at the 'taken' roles list and missed that Morwen was on it, because she was still on the 'up for grabs' list.

[Zôrzimril]

@Taethowen - No worries at all! Just wanted you not to have to worry about being both mommy and daughter. Looking forward to RPing together!

[Aerlinn]

@Tarawen

(In the spirit of the above, I'm interested in Rog but not if he's someone else's first choice!)

[Zôrzimril]

@Aerlinn - bahahaha that is amazing! This is going to be a lot of fun. :smiley8:

[Ercassie]

Such excitement ! *dances* I can’t wait to be all snooty, sneaky and err .. suspicious again ! I have several of my own characters also who are spread all over as well as the canon three, and look forward to RPing with everyone. :smiley8:

@Aigronding Mordagnir I will happily get on that list for you.

[Eriol]

You've got Morwen, @Tarawen ! I should be on messenger before I sleep but, failing that, today after church and before I work! I had to take a small break to play Star Wars: The Old Republic MMO with a friend; she can't get on the game often and I needed her help to level up badly, eradicating hordes of Orc-like monsters . Do you still want to be Varda?

Taeth, I'm beginning to edit both the Taken and Untaken lists here in this thread. @Ercassie is going to post the latter in the Archives thread so she can help me keep that updated so everything is clear to folks. Whenever I'm not available during the day and Cassie is online, she can show which characters are still available in the Archives post she'll make.

@Aerlinn, you can have Rog (I'm excited for our Rog-Hatholdir spats !) and while we're posting cute memes, this one is for you, sis !

You're a lifesaver, @Ercassie ! I appreciate you helping me with the delegation of responsibilities and co-GM'ing, the same with Moriel! Y'all are great partners. Don't know how I'd get so much done or brainstormed without you both, my friends.

[Laintaen]

@Aigronding Mordagnir - If he's still available, can I sign up for Beleg? Or Daeron?

I remember being involved in a few of these, playing a number of Feanor's sons. Probably the longest posts I've ever done.