Lord of the Rings Fanatics Plaza

Atop a high hill overlooking Edoras, opposite the Golden Hall, an imposing building stands guard over the city. Three flags - red, blue and green - fly from the battlements. At the top of the steps soldiers stand guard on either side of an ornately carved door.
There is an air of formality and movement to the hall that, while intimidating to those who have never experienced it before, is comfortable and familiar to those who have. On the dais there are chairs at the ready for the Marshalls of each Eored, with the banners of each hung proudly behind them. Most days though, the First Mashal is the one who remains here in Meduseld. Considering the extent of his duties, and patrols, if the first Marshal is absent from the dragon room, Feldmarshal Guthbrand aims to be there, to take up the mantle of duty for cavalry matters.

This hall is bustling throughout the day, calmer at night. Cavalry members come here to take up patrol, find a new assignment and new hopefuls come to see if they might become a recruit, a sperewigend and one day a member of the Rohirrim Cavalry. Need a new assignment? Come and get one here, but don't complain if that assignment involves mucking out the stables. There ARE a lot of horses to take care of in the cavalry. Need training? See if you can be assigned to our drill master! Did you spy something suspicious on patrol? Come here and give your report, so the cavalry can take action, whether it is to send out a scout, or to perhaps do a more decisive intervention. Want promotion? We will figure out how to get you there!






Here is the current command structure for the Cavalry. If there are any inaccuracies, please let me know. If you want to pick up a previous rank, let's discuss!








Thread Rules:
- This thread is intended for Cavalry play
- Please keep your posts IC, and at least 200 characters long.
- Any OOC comments/questions please blank out at the bottom of your post Like this: OOC (change the text colour to white so you can’t see it)
~ No Godmodding
- With the amount of players currently active, I aim not to spread players too thin, however I do want people to have room to play their characters. Best threads for Cavalry play are: Daily life , Ealniwe Inn , Marketplace, and the Cavalry training grounds.
All these threads are open for play to any and all players from any and all kingdom, as long as you pay attention to the setting.


OOC: Posted after consultation with, and with permission from First Marshal Shivased

@Eldrith

Rillewen wrote: ↑Fri Jul 15, 2022 8:26 am

Léolith - (hopeful) new recruit

It had been a long journey for Léolith. Not so much in distance, but her own personal journey had been long, or so it seemed to the young woman that stepped quietly into the building. She had stopped to admire the place from the outside for a moment, hardly able to believe she was really, finally, making this step. Ever since that unplanned adventure in her thirteenth year, some years before the war, Léolith had thought more and more about her future plans, wondering whether she might take this sort of path. And then, after the war, and everything that had happened then, she made a resolution. This was absolutely what she wanted to do. And now she was here.

Glancing around, she instantly felt assaulted by nervousness and a little insecurity, wondering if she would be accepted, or if they would send her away. Yet, at the same time, hope, mingled with a sense of pride and patriotism, settled into her heart. This was where her brother once came, to join this same fighting force. He had spoken of it to her, in the times he used to visit. Had he stood upon this very spot, she wondered? Had he seen exactly what she was seeing, now? Or had the interior changed since then? She absently smoothed her dress slightly as she wondered what Léored would say if he could see his little sister now. She hoped he would be proud of her.

But it seemed like she was not in luck today. As Leolith took a look around, she was disappointed to notice how empty the hall was. Where was everyone? She called timidly out into the emptiness, and got no reply. No one seemed to be here, at present. With a sigh, she concluded that she must have come too late in the day. Everyone had gone home already. So, she turned and exited, deciding she would simply come back in the morning.

And that is exactly what she did. The sun shone bright as Leolith entered the building a second time. She had spent some time yestereve, practicing in the training area that was, thankfully, open to everyone. She'd spoken with the quartermaster, and felt as if her confidence was renewed. And now, here she was again, more determined than ever.

Taking a deep breath to settle her nerves, Léolith found that she was in luck this time. There was someone here. Perhaps the very person she needed to talk to? She hoped so, as she focused her gaze upon him. “Westu hal,” She smiled as she approached. “I’d like to join the cavarly, please.” The atmosphere seemed almost intimidating, and far more formal than any she had ever experienced, but the young woman remembered to stand straight, not slouching. “My name is Léolith,” She added with a small smile, trying her best to appear calm and confident, regardless of how she truly felt.

She was relieved that the guy at least didn't seem to be grouchy or rude. She relaxed slightly. "Are you the feldmarshal?" She asked, with a brief flicker of uncertainty rising up inside. What if she'd just assumed, and had gotten the wrong person? "Someone told me I that I was supposed to speak to the feldmarshal," She went on to explain. "And that I'd find him here, so I.." She paused. "I hope you weren't busy, sir." She blushed faintly as she realized her nervousness was making her ramble slightly. Stop it, she scolded herself mentally.

When he asked if she could ride, Leolith smiled and seemed to light up slightly. "Oh, yes. Ever since I was very little." She assured him. "My brother even gave me a horse of my own, years ago, and I ride every day." She stopped and bit her lip before she went off rambling again. He didn't need to know all about her riding history, right? Nor about the adventures she'd had. "I rode here, in fact. I've come from the West Emnet region," She added, in case that mattered.

"Pleased to meet you, Feldmarshal Guthbrand." Leolith replied, with a little smile of amusement when he thanked her for interrupting his reading of reports. "I'm glad I could help, then." She grinned. So far, she liked him.

She gave a nod when asked if she was of age. "Yes, sir, to both questions." She added. After a brief hesitation, she added something else. "My parents were surprised when I mentioned I was going to join. But they did not object." Her hands fidgeted with the belt on her dress. "They did express concern, of course.." She couldn't blame them for that, after they'd lost one child in battle. "But they also understood. My father even offered to ride with me here, but I told him I thought it would be best if I did this on my own." She smiled a little at that.

As for the last question, she shook her head. "No, I stayed elsewhere, last night." She answered. "I encountered the quartermaster, Eldrith, yestereve, and she was kind enough to offer me a place to sleep for the night. I hoped to either get a place in the barracks, or.. I shall have to find somewhere else to live, I suppose." She frowned, as she hadn't really anticipated having to find living quarters.

"They sound like good and wise people."

They might not have liked the idea, but they had supported you. After the wars, after the losses, there had been both reactions from parents: pride if their children wanted to join and at the same time concern. They had lost civilians as well, but the cavalry had chosen to bear the brunt in Rohan, and they had gone out to aide their allies. Many had fallen on foreign soil. "Why was it a surprise to them?"
He wanted to make certain your choice wasn't a whim. If it had long ripened and you'd only now told them, that was one thing, but he needed dedicated recruits, not just.. people wanting a change.

"She gave you a room at the inn?" He nodded, as if the question was more of a statement. It clearly did not surprise him that you had run into Eldrith. Being new in town the Ealniwe inn was a natural point to start at. "You could move into the barracks but we need about three more days to clear things. She knows about the hole. It should be fixed soon." He presumed it was WHY she'd offered you a room at the inn. She had ordered the work to be done at the roof, but it had taken a bit more time, and he wanted it done fully before the beds were returned.

She couldn't help but smile at the words about her parents being good and wise people. They were, and she loved them for that. Even if they did worry a little too much. But they also had good reasons to worry, she knew. She could hardly fault them for it.

She was not expecting his question, about why it had been a surprise to them. But, of course, he did not know any of their history. She hesitated briefly before answering, a bit less enthusiastic. "My brother was in the cavalry. He.. died, in battle." She explained. "I suppose my parents were surprised that I would want to.. well, follow the same path. It was a hard loss," She shifted her weight to the other foot before looking up. "But that is one reason that inspired me to join. Because of him. But not only because of him," She added.

But she was getting ahead of herself, there. So, she broke off as he asked about her having a room at the inn. "Oh.. she did offer, but then she also offered a room for me at Aern Fraeblod," She informed him, before looking intrigued by the mention of a hole and not being able to move into the barracks for three days. "Oh, I see." She paused. "I don't think I heard anything about a hole, sir. What happened, if I may ask?"

She gave a sad smile in acknowledgement of his words. Yes, she knew her brother was not the only one they had lost. She felt some encouragement at the mention that the feldmarshal may have known her brother, however. "Perhaps," She agreed, slightly hopeful. "His name was Léored, he was a few years older than I." She explained. "He rode in the Third Eored, under..." She paused. "Well, at the time, lord Eomer, Third Marshal of the Mark, as that was before he was king." She added, then lowered her head. "Léored died in the Pelennor battle. I don't know any other details besides that."

Raising her head again, Leolith paused at the question about honoring his memory. "That is.. a part of it, yes." She agreed, before getting a bit sidetracked by the man's obvious surprise at her being invited to stay at Aern Freablod. She had been just as surprised, of course, so she understood. But he moved on to speak of squirrels, and she had to smile a little at the image that brought up. "Oh, yes. Troublesome little critters," She agreed with a little laugh. "Alas, I'm not much of an archer," She lamented. "I do know how to shoot, but I'm nowhere near as good as my cousin. She could..." She paused, a hint of sadness touching her eyes and voice now. "She could put an arrow through a squirrel's eye from a surprisingly far distance," She had lost a bit of the enthusiasm she had started that sentence with, but she still wore a smile, albeit a slightly sad one.

"Actually, that brings me to the other reasons for my wanting to join." Leolith continued. She hesitated, but pressed onward with her tale, because as the person who would likely be in charge of the recruits and all that, she figured the man had a right to know of anything in her past that might make a difference to anything. "You see, I had a cousin... Gwilithiel," The name was Sindarin, so it would likely seem odd to any Rohir, but she could not help that. "She was a couple of years older than I am, and she was very good at swords and archery and all that. She and I used to practice with swords, and that is how I first began to learn. That is... well, my sword skills are.. hopefully passable," She blushed lightly. "I was never as good as Gwilithiel," She admitted. "But it did start me learning how to fight."

She drew a slow breath before going on. "So, those skills helped me a great deal a few years ago, when I was put into a very frightening situation wherein I had to fight to survive." She explained. "I.. was captured by some men, and taken off someplace far from home." She clasped her hands together in front of her, keeping her head up as she spoke. "I was not the only one. There were many of other girls taken capture, all different ages. I was thirteen then, and I believe I was one of the youngest." She frowned. "It was very... frightening, but," She drew a slow breath. "Myself, and another girl... we managed to work together despite our differences, and we got away." The finer details of that incident were less important. "We each got back to our families, or at least, I did, and I hope she did, too."

Biting her lip, Leolith paused only briefly before offering the last bit of explanation. "I have.. at times, thought about the others. The ones who did not get out. I've wished that there was something more I could have done, to help them also get away from those men. I.. don't know whatever became of them. And that troubles me, when I think about it." She added softly. Had they perished, or had they, too, managed to escape? She would probably never know.

"The reason I am here, sir, is because I'd like to be able to do more to help the innocent, and to put a stop to the bad people, like those men. To.. keep people safe from such threats. And it seemed like.. being in the Cavalry might give me the best opportunity, and training, to do all of that." She felt a little uncomfortable about having spoken so much all at once, and about something so personal and unpleasant in her past, but she wanted the man to understand why she was here, asking to join the cavalry.

She couldn't help but smile faintly to hear that the man had known her brother. She was glad, for it meant there was a chance of sharing memories. Perhaps not today, but other days. She nodded as he went on to speak more of Leored. "Yes, that sounds like him." She smiled, agreeing with the description he had given, and laughed softly at the thought of Leored making him feel old.

He seemed curious to hear the name of her cousin, but Leolith did not add any explanation at this time. Though, if he was interested enough to ask more, she would not mind explaining. She certainly had some interesting cousins, and she didn't mind telling more about them. But not when there were more important matters to discuss.

Instead, she focused on the more serious matter, and gave a small nod. "I don't know if that band is still operating," She mentioned. "Nor what their purpose was." She added, frowning. "But I am glad to hear that there are more patrols, now." She wouldn't be surprised if Leored had been the one to make the suggestion for additional patrols, since he had been most upset to learn of his sister's abduction. Yet, back then, there had been too much other issues going on, with the impending wars and the threat from the East. The cavalry had been unable to spare any men to go investigating into missing persons when they were needed more urgently for matters of war and defense of the country. In fact... perhaps they had been ordered not to, for she had heard some rumors that the former king, Theoden, had been under a spell of sorts which kept him from acting in the best interest of his people. Whatever the case, the matter had never been fully looked into, back then.

As he summarized what she had said into a much more concise way of putting it, Leolith nodded, confirming that she agreed with how he had put it. It was a bit of a surprise to hear him say, having so recently met her, that he thought well of her. But she smiled to hear it, then watched as he poured a drink, and offered it to her. "Thank you, sir." She said as she accepted the cup, wondering if this meant she was now officially 'in' the cavalry. If so, she hoped that she would be able to prove that she was worthy of it.

It was wise of you to not mention or speculate on the matters of the old king or the things that had gone badly before the wars. Bad memories they were, but they had been wiped out in heroes blood in the end. There had been no reports lately from the patrols about roving bands, but he would send a request to the Eored's Marshal. Béma's beard but now you were making him write a letter that would lead to another bloody report.

After you had accepted the cup, he filled a small measure in one of his own, lifted it to you and drank. "hælþ" *He simply said as he looked at you. It was a welcome indeed, though a welcome to try. To become part of them. Then, over the next weeks you would settle in, and if you held onto your resolution for a few weeks, you'd be a Sperewigend, an official recruit.

"You will likely want to remain at Aern Freablod for the next few days. But if you want to start at the training arena, and you can come to the barracks and we will get you gear and test your riding skills and what weapon will suit you. And when the hole is closed, you can move your things to the barracks. How does that sound?"

She smiled as she watched him pour himself a drink as well. She nodded in reply to his welcome, and then lifted her cup slightly in return before she took a drink from it. She listened as he suggested that she stay at Aern Freablod for a few more days, and nodded slowly. "I will check with Eldrith, to make sure that it's alright." She answered.

Then as something occurred to her, Leolith looked curiously at him. "But, what about those who were already living in the barracks? Where are they staying?" She hoped they had somewhere to go. And how many were there? She had no idea if there was anywhere else for them to go, except maybe the inn? But she supposed maybe that wasn't really her problem to worry about.

As he mentioned starting at the training arena, she smiled. "Yes, sir." She said happily. Having promised Eldrith that last night's training would be their secret, she didn't mention that. "Sounds very good." She added. "Um.. where are the barracks? Or the.. armory? Is that where the gear is kept?" She asked, unsure where to go to get her gear. "Do I go and do that right now?"

"Those living in the barracks all have found shelter. Do not worry." There were not that many recruits each year as there once had been. Part of it was the devastation that the war had visited upon these lands, with whatever sons and daughters that had not perished in defense of it now needed on the land or in the businesses that had long been part of the family. Many a second son found themselves trained to take over from a craftsman or horse breeder father, when all his life that had seemed to be the trade going to an older brother. And the women... widows with children needed their female relatives. There were not that many female recruits either. "Most of them are staying with families, if not their own, than that of their comrades."

It was a good thing that you cared. That you thought about the others. Or worried about being the only one. You wouldn't be, but it was still a smaller entry than he would have liked. It changed the cavalry. The threat of Mordor taking over the lands was defeated for now, but there were other threats still out there. "And yes.. you can go right now. And tell them that the Feldmarshal sent you to be kitted out for training. If you get through the first 6 weeks, you will be a Sperewigend. How does that sound?"

She was relieved to hear that the other people had found places to live. And, she was also that much more grateful that Eldrith had offered her a place to stay, as it appeared that she would need to stay there for a while longer than she'd anticipated.

Hearing that she could go right now to get gear, she smiled happily and nodded. "Yes sir, that sounds wonderful." She declared. She wore a big smile. She had begun to worry that she would be rejected, and that they wouldn't let her join the cavalry or something. Not that she knew of any reason why they shouldn't, but she also didn't know what sort of standards they had, nor what they were looking for in recruits.

Six weeks seemed like forever, but she figured it would actually zoom by very quickly. She was eager to begin. "Thank you, sir." She added. "I will go and get my gear now." And with that, she turned for the door. Then, remembering she still had the cup in her hand, she turned back, lightly blushing as she set it down, then grinned and left to go and seek the armory and get her gear. This was such an exciting day!

Unless there was a real reason not to, any able bodied person, who was willing to put their life on the line would be at least admitted for training. The six weeks were to make sure you could seat a horse, work with others, and if you were able to learn. One didn't need to master things in 6 weeks, but one did have to show the ability to learn and stamina to go through the rest of the training as a Sperewigend. You didn't seem foolish. You spoke well, and you had drive. All those were excellent signs that you would come through at the other end

He grinned after you as you almost forgot that you were carrying to cup. Enthusiasm was there. He had a good feeling. Erkenbrand no doubt wanted his oar in. He'd not remembered Eldrith ever inviting anything to stay at Aern Freablod. Not until the moment the Holbytla appeared that clearly she had known for many years. But it was the first time in many years it seemed that a Rohirrim would find a place again in one of their oldest houses. Yes, a good feeling indeed.

"Good Luck, Léolith from West Emnet"

Stumping up the steps of the Dragon Room, trailing snow in her wake, Shivased returned the salute of the men-at-arms who stood at the doors, waiting for them to open one for her, and continued her heavy pace into the main room. She ignored the wide-eyed looks and heads that followed her and continued straight to her desk. Mercfully, the firepit was roaring, and her desk was close to it, so she could warm herself quite well as she stripped off her outer layers - travelling cloak, helmet, armour, even her tunic - until she was in nothing but bare feet, pants, and a slightly damp shirt. Those working around her had stopped to stare, but her ceorl, Haru, had quickly gathered everything up to be dried and cleaned, and sent one of those staring for hot tea and a meal, before hurrying away with his pile of equipment.

Sinking down into her chair and sticking her frozen feet out to the fire to toast, she let out a contented sigh. What was supposed to have been a routine tour of the more remote cavalry outposts and a return to Edoras before the snow started had turned into being stuck at one when winter struck early, and months of travelling through knee-deep snow to get to the others on the way home. The last leg, from Helm's Deep back to Edoras, had them caught in a blizzard and taking refuge in a cave. It had not been pleasant, and a ride that should have taken a day or two had taken nearly a week by the time the blizzard had blown out and they'd made their way through the deep snow home. She was soaked, cold, hungry, and in no mood to deal with people.

As Haru returned with a trencher of stew, a warm cloak, and stockings, Shivased finally took a moment to look around. Everyone had gone back to their duties. Thankfully, the oddities and quirks of the marshals were well known and didn't hold attention for long. Haru, send a message to Braiarwood and let Jacen know I'm home and safe. she told her ceorl, pulling on the stockings and reaching for the stew.

Then, seeing Guthbrand nearby, she called out to him Hail, feldmarshal! What news in the months I've been stuck out in the snow?

Any day, any other day, your return would have been greeting by a salute, a grin, perhaps an order for a feast to start being prepared and then a report on the new recruit, some drunken bruhaha in the market perhaps, and something about a potentially illegally set up pumpkin patch that he had turned a blind eye to but that might have included some weird stuff. You know.. the usual. Nothing too worrisome. Small problems. Your return was long awaited, though only the last week or two of delay had been unexpected.

The salute was the same, and there was genuine joy in seeing you back. And perhaps.... some relief as well.
"First Marshal!" The title was a greeting as well as a statement, however it was followed by a silence that was just a hair longer than would be usual for him. "Do you need to see the Haelend?"

You looked cold, and he wasn't certain if it was merely 'cold' or dangerously cold. Even as he asked the question, the details of the thing most on his mind formed together into a coherent report. As little as they knew, it would not do for you to remain uninformed. The only way he would delay the report was if you needed to see a healer first. He knew you. If you heard of what happened, you'd do what needed to be done, postponing your own care. So he took the liberty to wait just a moment. You would get your report, after he knew you were not about to lose any fingers or toes.

The first spoonful of stew was halfway to her mouth when Guthbrand answered her. At first he was cheerful. Genuinely glad to see her, relieved she had returned, though she wasn't exactly sure if the relief was that she'd survived a routine set of rounds turned dangerous, or relief that he could now pass off the mundane, sometimes questionable happenings in and around Edoras off to someone else. Either way, though, she appreciated the greeting.

There was a look in his eyes, though, one Shivased recognized far too well from feldmarshals over the years. He was hiding something. Or, not hiding exactly, but did have something to tell her. Something more than the usual report had happened in her absence. Which, of course, something always happened. It wouldn't be a day in the Cavalry if something didn't happen.

Her eyes narrowed and she set down the spoon at the question about the haelend. I do not need a haelend, and if you call them, I will demote you she threatened, pointing a finger at him. I'm wet and cold, nothing more. Nothing a hot fire, hearty meal, and warm cloak won't cure, all of which I have. Now, give me a report. What is it you're not telling me?

There was a moment's pause. He was too old and seasoned to be threatened. And too dutiful to refuse the order, even if he had made the pause to check if you were were in need of treatment before. The narrowing eyes told him all he wanted to know. Any attempt to further make certain you were indeed well would be pulling your words into doubt. Not something you took kindly to. You said you were just cold. So he would treat it that way.

"Aside from the usual.." You had asked to say what he wasn't telling. That meant starting with the hole in the barrack roof would likely not be too well received. "Eldrith was in earlier. There's a Gondorian asking for aide in finding his sister in law. She's not convinced the sister wants to be found. She doesn't have any reason to be suspicious though, but..." He left that open. Under normal circumstances that would be the biggest news. Now... He looked at you, something bleak showing in his face. "We had a murder overnight. Maerith."
That was still hard to believe. A young woman, dead. They were no strangers to death. The war, but even the harshness of life, illness, accidents. Murder however was rare. The families were interwoven, intermarried, and this was not a brawl or argument gotten out of hunt. "She was found early this morning. Butchered like a beast, and the eye drawn upon the wall in her blood."

The eye. The servants of Sauron still alive. And somehow here. Unnoticed. Who had spilled blood once more, here within in their home. Not a battle. There was no honor in this. Only darkness and the stench of an evil that reared again and had to be stomped out.

@Shivased