Lyon

Although the grey light of dawn was only just breaking, Ciradhel's knights were already traveling south along the Greenway, toward where it crossed the Gwathlo. Their patrol route had taken them far to the west, past the ruins of Fornost Erain and almost to the borders of the Shire, and they had followed the Baranduin south, rejoining the road at the Sarn Ford. For four days, they had continued along the road at a goodly pace, and on the morning of the fifth day they could hear the roaring of the Gwathlo in the distance.

"Within a week or so, we'll be warm and cozy back in the House of Elrond," said Thoronhen, speaking around his pipe. Uruvion, riding behind him, waved the smoke out of his face with a grimace.

"I don't see why you must continue that disgusting habit, mellon," said the swordsman sarcastically. Thoronhen gifted his knight brother with an equally sarcastic smile.

"Would you tell the Grey Pilgrim to cease his disgusting habit? Or the Dunadan? Nay, brother, you would not, so do not attempt to reform me."

"Were I he, I would have given up hope that that could ever happen," said Glennodad. "Eyes front, brothers. I have a feeling that we're going to run into trouble today. Crebain are in the skies to the south, as you would know if you lifted your eyes from the road."

Ciradhel ignored his comrades' banter, instead looking forwards towards the ruins of Tharbad. Although fog still hung thick about the river, he could see movement between the knights and the ruins: a single man, moving north along the road on foot. He signaled for the pace to increase.

Drawing rein in front of the man, Ciradhel frowned down at him. "Who are you, and why do you thus walk the edge of the Wilds?" he demanded. "Speak, or chance my brothers' arms!"

The Man drew himself up to speak, and Ciradhel could see that he was tall and proud, with dark hair and a fierce light in his grey eyes. A horn, bound in silver, hung on a baldric by his side. "Boromir, son of Denethor am I, Captain-General of Gondor. On the urging of a vision sent to both my brother and I, I seek the Sword That Was Broken in Imladris."

"From Gondor, you say?" said Ciradhel incredulously. "And on foot?"

"I had a horse, but it was left at the crossing of the river, some two hours past," said Boromir tiredly. "Now I seek Imladris afoot, for the news that I bring is urgent."

"We will bring you there, where you make seek the counsel of Lord Elrond," said Ciradhel. "The Dunedain of the North still sojourn at the House of Elrond for some time, and it is their leader who bears the Sword you speak of."

Thoronhen abruptly crushed out the ashes in his pipe, tucking it into his pocket and drawing out his bow. "Ciradhel, enemies approach. Orcs, twelve of them at least. Two are mounted on Wargs."

Ciradhel drew his sword, the elven steel singing as if in joy as it leapt free of the scabbard. "Close ranks! Protect Lord Boromir!"

((Consult the map to see which territories you border. There should be at least two other players, counting the Sniper's presence in the City.))

Venator's brush with the wild boar had left him drained of power, and for the better part of a day cycle he remained in the Great Tree, regaining his strength. At the end of the cycle, he dropped down, heading for a patrol along the edge of his territory. As he went, he touched up the traps, adding several more alarms. It would not do well to be taken unawares by another attack so soon.

As he rounded the southern edge of his territory and began to loop around, he saw a flash of green in the distance. The Hunter frowned. I wouldn't have created anything that far out... but what is it, then?

Venator steeled himself, checking that his bow was at the ready, and stepped out into the featureless gray plain that lay between the edge of his forest and the green fields beyond. In several moments, he was crawling across the fields, grass swishing against his cape as he made his way deeper into the territory.

This must belong to another one of the combatants! Venator realized. He frowned. But are they an ally, or an enemy? Only one way to find out.

Raising his voice, Venator stood up straight, shouting "Is anyone there?"

The Overlord- The undisputed ruler of the Grid. His realm stretches further than any other, and his Will has been honed to a razor's edge by his long sojourn. Over the years, he has created a huge army of Unwilled constructs, some of them almost as powerful as combatants in their own right. Several others have joined him, and have set up their realms around his, which lies dead center on the Grid.

?, The Marksman- An ally of the Overlord, whose adjoining territory is a bombed-out city. Takes the form of a human female armed with a sniper rifle and clad in military camouflage.

?, The Jester- An ally of the Overlord, whose adjoining territory is a labyrinth filled with fantastical creatures and gruesome traps. Alternates between male and female depending on its mood and opponent.

?, The Nomad- An ally of the Overlord, whose adjoining territory is a flat plain. Takes the form of a dark-haired male, mounted on a light but fast horse and armed with bow and sword.

?, The Grey Knight- An ally of the Overlord, whose adjoining territory is a castle. Takes the form of a human male: seven feet tall, wearing grey plate armor with a face-concealing helm, and carrying a battle-axe.

?, The Captain- An ally of the Overlord, whose adjoining territories are a vast sea to the south of the Citadel. Takes the form of a human male, wearing impeccable naval military dress.

William, The Liege- An enemy of the Overlord, whose medieval kingdom territory borders the lands of the Grey Knight and the Nomad in the north. Takes the form of a human male in chainmail and a green surcoat. His Unwilled are distinguished in strength by their helmets: chainmail coifs for the weakest, full helmets for the stronger Unwilled, and winged great helmets for the Links.

Al'Karak, The Slavemaster- An enemy of the Overlord, whose desert territories border the lands of the Captain in the south. Takes the form of a bearded human male wearing long, flowing white robes. He uses his Will to subjugate other combatants, destroying those he cannot enslave. Currently, he has the Assassin (human female), the Smith (human male), and the Warlock (human male) under his control.

Callum, The Berserker- An enemy of the Overlord, whose territory is a massive demonstration of trench warfare and encroaches on the Marksman's domain in the east. Takes the form of a human male wearing mud- and bloodstained World War I-era military dress. Focuses on creating huge numbers of weak Unwilled to go "over the top".

Soren, The Mentalist- A neutral player in the conflict, whose mountain territories border the lands of the Jester in the northwest. Takes the form of a blind monk dressed in simple robes. He has only one Link, and uses it as a channel to "see" events taking place all over the Grid.

Click the picture for a larger version of the map!




Map Key:

Black: The Citadel (Overlord)
Dark Grey: Various Realms* (Overlord's Subordinates)
Light Grey: The Vigil (Sentinel)
Dark Brown: The Desert (Slavemaster)
Brown: The City (Don)
Red: The Trenches (Berserker)
Dark Red: The Installation (Wraith)
Yellow: The Swamp (Biomancer)
Dark Green: The Forest (Hunter)
Green: The Fields (Warrior)
Light Green: The Freeholds (Liege)
Mud Green: The Dead Lands (Necrophage)
Dark Blue: The Keep (Vigilante)
Blue: The Theater (Puppet Master)
Light Blue: The Temple (Mentalist)
Purple: The Shipwreck (Pilot)


*North: The Castle (Grey Knight)
Northeast: The Plains (Nomad)
South: The Ocean (Captain)
East: The Siege (Marksman)
West: The Labyrinth (Jester)

Theodred

"Hold the line, and never back down. Remember who you fight for!"

Early Life
Theodred, only son of the King of Rohan, was born in 2978 T.A. His mother, Elfhild, died in childbirth, leaving him to be raised by his father, King Theoden. As a young man, Theodred was close with his younger cousins Eomer and Eowyn, and after the death of Eomund, he became like an older brother to the former Third Marshal's children.

Experience in the Field
Rohan had been at peace for a long time, but nonetheless Theodred felt that he should keep his troops in fighting form. As heir to the throne, he was awarded the title of Second Marshal of the Mark when he came of age, and patrolled far and wide with his soldiers in order to protect the outlying villages from bandits, goblins, and raids from the Dunlendings.

Present
Theodred and his group of knights and bodyguards are stationed near the Fords of Isen, due to the rumors of increased Dunlending forays into the Westfold.

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Character Name- Theodred
Age- 40
Race- Northmen
Nationality- Rohirric
Faction- Rohan
Rank- Second Marshal of the Mark
Armor- Traditional Rohirric armor, consisting of plate pauldrons and a scale breastplate and fauld. See image. He usually fights without a helmet, making him more recognizable to his troops.
Starting Weapons- Fine Rohirric sword and lance with banneret.