Here we have a short log of some fun RP with a human Morian, Styx, that had been creeping about Lorien's borders for a couple of days. He had already been met by another guard, and didn't take our warnings to leave.

Note that in this scene, there tends to be a great deal of 'shadowy figure' poses since both Wolfe and myself are playing the mysterious Galadhrim types. For the record, Wolfe's poses can usually be picked out by the fact that he's hooded...none of my poses mention me being hooded (even though I was). Likewise, if the shadowy figure speaks, then it's me...Wolfe remained silent throughout. One final hint would be if the shadowy figure is holding a bow...that's Wolfe. If there is any possible discrepancy, I've included in parenthesis the name of the poser at the end of the pose.

And without further ado...

Streamside
Beside the River Celebrant, which Men call the Silverlode.
Already wide and gathering into a swift current, the river takes a turn to the south and rolls through some rapids -- quite uncrossable here. Looking only a short way to the east you can make out the beginings of a large wood, it's trees filled with golden leaves, quite unlike the light fir grove you are in now. A mingled light filters through the wood and sparkles off of the foaming river as dawn breaks over the horizon.
Contents:
Wolfe
Styx
Obvious exits:
Northwest leads to Plains aside the Silverlode.
South leads to Union of the Silverlode and Nimrodel.

People in the room with you:
IC -T M Orophin Quendi Silvan Galadhrim
IC -- M Wolfe Quendi Sinda Galadhrim
IC -T M Styx Human Morian

Streamside
Beside the River Celebrant, which Men call the Silverlode.
Already wide an...
Contents:
Name Gender Species Who Combat Type
---------------- ------ --------- --- ------------- ----------------------
Orophin Male Quendi .. IC ARMED PLAYER (0s idle)
Wolfe Male Quendi .. IC ARMED PLAYER (8s idle)
Styx Male Human IC unarmed PLAYER (0s idle)
---------------- ------ --------- --- ------------- ----------------------

Middle-earth time is:
Before Dawn on Trewsday, Day 23 of December, 3010
Real time is: 21:18:24 MST on Sun Mar 09 1997

Styx
A 6 feet tall human. He wears a dark fur cloak over his shoulder. His hair is black as well as his eyes. Under his cloak you notice a large blade and a scaly armor

Around you, the predawn shadows of the forest seem to shift and move of their own accord. (Orophin)

Styx rubs his face for a few seconds and he gets up slowly. He squints his eyes and looks about him. He carefully takes a few more steps and moves closer to the river. Once there, he bends down and drinks for a while.

>From the deep shadows under the mellyrn, a lone form takes shape about 50 yards away from you. In a clear voice like the song of the river itself he speaks, "What is your business here, edain?"

His soft footfalls landing silently as he weaves through the forest, a shadowy figure, his featured hidden by a dark, hooded cloak, slows his pace to a stop as the voice rings out.

Styx shakes his hands and looks in a bag strapped to his back. He takes a large water skin and fills it slowly. He takes some water and spits it to the side. He jumps up as he hears voices and crouches low, reaching for his weapon. Half-drawing it out he scans his surrounding and starts to retreat very slowly.

Again the figure speaks, the night breeze carrying his voice to you, "It would be wise not to retreat from me without answering my inquiry."

Quickly training an arrow on the frightened edain, the shadowy figure holds his longbow steady, mirroring the edain's movement. (Wolfe)

Styx tilting his head to the side he looks about to see if the stranger brought any friends. Keeping his blade ready he shrugs, "Who are you? the forest belongs to all! i have done nothing but drink. Who are YOU?

Located many yards behind the elf who speaks, hidden by the dense forest, the shadowy figure keeps his aim on the edain, although he loosens his grip ever so slightly at the sound of the edain's voice.

The figure remains completely motionless like unto a statue of granite in the shadows, "In brighter times perhaps all would be free to tread upon this ground, but these lands are under the dominion of those who keep and dwell in this wood. You have already spoken to one of us, and I believe he made it clear that you were to leave, why now do you still tarry here?"

Fleeting sounds can be heard in the trees high above. Perhaps it was just the wind...

Styx listens carefully as the strangers talk. He puts his blade back in scabbard, but he remains crouched, ready to leap out of harm's way. He shrugs and waves his hand.."They are many orcs roaming the mountain now, a great gathering of them, I am waiting for them to leave, begone! It seems, they do not...linger to close to your woods, that seems like the best place to hide for a while. I respect your domain and your woods, but i value my life more."

His gaze quickly darting from the treetops back to the edain, the shadowy figure stands perfectly still, keeping the arrow taut against his bow's string. (Wolfe)

The figure considers this a moment, but makes no motion. As far as you can tell, the voice you hear is merely originating from the wood in the area of the figure, there are no obvious signs of his speaking, "Aye, the beasts you speak of have learned that we are not kind to trespassers." He pauses, a long moment before continuing, "From whence do you come, edain?"

Styx shakes his head and looks deeper in the woods, "Alot of question you ask! yet you remain in the dark, what dark deeds have you committed to avoid being seen? I have done no harm and do not like to be treated as a thief or rogue! I am Styx as i told your fellow guardian, a..galiiindriOn. I have come from the north, many many days worth of travel. But I dare say we are more hospitable to strangers than you seem to be in theses strange woods."

His steady gaze showing no signs of change from the edain's pleas, the hooded-figure continues to hide in the shadows of the dense forest, his longbow, pointed at the trespasser, held steady.

The sun rises over the trees, flashing on the golden leaves of the Mallyrn.

Suddenly the statue of a figure moves. In one fluid motion the figure's cloak and hood are cast back as he takes a step forward. A mithril helm flashes brightly in the rising sun and the figure's golden radiant hair gleams in the sunlight, "I am Orophin, Knight Captain of the Order of Lothlorien, and keeper of the Lady's Wood."

Styx puts a hand to his chest and bows to the waist, "Well meet Orophin! Many of your people seem to be devoted to the protection of your woods. Wise it is in this place. Far too many orcs..Ah well, I fear they will be here for a long time. So I have to move on, may be you can help me, may be you can tell me of a strong realm close by, where I could offer my services

Orophin slides the sword back into it's sheath as you bow.

Relaxing his bowstring, the shadowy figure's slow, almost mechanical, movements continue to keep him hidden in the forest. Gripping the arrow's shaft, he slowly goes to one knee, closely watching the edain.

Orophin regards your bow appreciatively, but does not return it. When he again speaks, his voice still carries the clearity and sterness of his position, but it seems less commanding in a way, "I know of few peoples that would welcome strangers in these times. If you have come from the north and not found what you were searching for, then I would direct you south to the Rohirrim."

Styx thinks for a few seconds and raises a hand to his chin. He scratches it slowly and nods a few times, "Very well, your advise I shall take. I have heard nothing about those people, at least I will be far from the orchish hordes that roam the mountain. Though, I must admit that I will not move so quickly. I will wait until the orcish horde are gone. Then, I will move, but I do not want to finish at the end of their swords."

A call issues forth from the wood. Like unto a bird yet like no bird you've ever heard before. For a moment, Orophin's attention is caught as he looks to the treetops, but he quickly looks back to you. "If you plan to wait for the passing of the yrch from the mountains then I fear you shall be waiting even after your time has past. If it is passage over the mountains you seek, then you shall not find it safe. If you merely wish to travel around this wood safely, then I can escort you to our southern borders. If you do decide to wait for a western passage, though, you shall not be given free passage in this wood. I shall set a watch and restriction on your movements. How now do you chose?"

Holding his position, the shadowy figure takes his gaze off the edain to carefully scan over the forest, paying close attention to the north.

Styx stops scratching his chin and raises an eyebrow as the elf talks. He sighs loudly and shakes his head, "a hard choice it is. I will move a bit back north and away from your land then. I do not wish to be watched over or detain as any animal would. I value my freedom. I will leave your land since it is your wish."

Keeping perfectly still, the hooded figure casts his gaze back upon the edain. After the edain's words, he reaches up to a branch overhead, and rises, keeping sure to stay within the shadows.

Orophin nods, considering you for a long moment, "Very well if that is your choice. Take leave now, then, to fill your waterskins from the river and gather such firewood as has already fallen if you need it for your travels. When finished, go then and bear this warning: Do not return to the wood unless your very life is in danger. If the eyes of the trees see you again wandering upon this ground with no yrch upon your heel, then you may find the Wood to be more dangerous than those lands without."

Styx nods and moves toward the river slowly. He sighs once again and shakes his head, 'Very well, if such is your decision, i will gather some wood and take some more water. I am a bit..dismayed at your..suspicion of all. I am no orc and do not threathen you nor your woods, But i will be on my way now."

Orophin watches your motions in an almost unconcerned manor, but doesn't respond. He stands now as before, like a statue of an ancient elven lord standing still in this mysterious wood.

Styx nervously glances at the elf and his eyes try to take as much as he can. He stumbles a bit forward, taken by surprise as to what he sees. He quickly regains his composture and bends down, fills his skin after drinking. He quickly gets up and gathers a few pieces of dry wood. He stashes them in his back with a loud grunt.

As the edain stumbles forward, the hooded-figure nocks his arrow in a sudden fury, raising the armed bow quickly. He quickly relaxes as the edain makes moves to leave.

Styx says, "Well, farewell Orophin! may be we will meet again"

The 'statue' animates one final time to raise a hand in parting, "Fare the well, Styx. May your paths lead you to lighter times."

With those words and a grey blur of his swirling cloak, Orophin dissapears once again into the shadows of the wood.

Styx heads northwards along the Silverlode...

Styx has left.