Middle-Earth Role Playing Campaign

The chronicle of this campaign consists of entries from the diary of Dorin the Dwarf, leader of the quest to find the lost sword of Durin. This is a major change from most of the Merp stories on Renyámon-Fenoras, as they are being put together by myself instead of Brian Lowe. I am the Game Master and therefore have slightly different views than the players, but hopefully they will not show through. Paul G. Kesson, GM.

Paul's MERP Campaign

Dorin, Dwarf Warrior

Belgareth, Dúnadan Animist

Caos, Dúnadan Warrior

Locke, Hobbit Scout

Xhanite, Silvan Elf Mage

Edward, Noldo Elf Bard

Kaiotë, Easterling Ranger

Lornath, Sinda Elf Scout

Gavrad, Dunlending Human Animist

Eódán, Half-Elf Warrior

Dorin's Journal
Guided Tour

Dorin is the cool character under the stress of leading the group; he likes to think before acting but that is rarely possible now. He was sent with the group to ensure they stay in line on their quest, and to make sure they don't think about trying to keep the treasure for themselves.

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Dorin's Journal
Guided Tour

The older brother of Caos, Belgareth often found himself trying to talk some sense into him (although it was of little good) or patched him up after one of his errors of judgement. Belgareth tries to help the group when he can, and with Caos out of the way, he should be able to put more of his energies into this task.

Belgareth disappeared under mysterious circumstances on day 12 of the quest.

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Dorin's Journal
Guided Tour

Unlike his younger brother Belgareth, Caos lives for battle. His real name isn't Caos but he's always causing it so it seemed like a good nickname (the spelling comes from his lack of basic intellectual capacity.) He is the member most likely to dash into battle too quickly and usually relies on Belgareth and Gavrad to keep him alive afterwards.

Caos was killed by his brother Belgareth on day 11 of the campaign.

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Dorin's Journal
Guided Tour

Unlike most of his kind, Locke is fairly adventurous and is not afraid to try new things. He is very fast (even for a Hobbit) and has been able to almost vanish from sight at top speed. He usually follows others but is quite independant when he wants to be.

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Dorin's Journal
Guided Tour

Xhanite is the most rebellious of the group and is often against the ideas of others unless they benefit him. His incredible magic power is just about the only reason the group keeps him around. He is quite the intellectual, and thus he will agree with most choices made as long as they are logical.

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Dorin's Journal
Guided Tour

Edward has always been interested in the arts and in learning other languages, so it made sense that he become a bard. Edward and Lornath get along well since they are both Elves and try to keep the group away from trouble in Mirkwood because they know it somewhat -- they have passed through it more than once.

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Dorin's Journal
Guided Tour

Kaiotë has not been truly accepted into the group as he is an easterling and is regarded as a threat by some. His skills are adequate, but he has spent too much time on his horse. If he could track as well as he can ride, he would have the makings of a truly great ranger.

Kaiotë was killed by an accidental discharge from a lightning-bolt rod on day 10 of the campaign.

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Dorin's Journal
Guided Tour

Like much of his race, Lornath is a happy-go-lucky Elf. He came from Mirkwood looking for adventure, and adventure he has found. Very young for an Elf, and from a sheltered background, Lornath constantly exasperates the rest of the party with his silly suggestions and absurd ideas. If he lives long enough to actually grow up, he may become a useful scout.

Yes, this is the same Lornath that shows up in the first campaign. I started playing him again at level 2, to see if my increased experience in MERP changes the way I develop his character.

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Dorin's Journal
Guided Tour

Outcast both in his own land and abroad, Gavrad is truly alone in the world. His closest companion is a pet lynx (wildcat) named Kyrna. Gavrad is a Dunlending, a race of men scorned throughout much of Middle-Earth. Add to this his own brooding and sour nature (rare for a Dunlending), it is surprising the other members of the party tolerate him at all. But he is not useless: his skills as a healer have been useful on many occasions. Gavrad carries with him an amulet that lets him cast a spell to summon a small animal once a day, and a set of four oghum stones for warding off evil spirits.

Like Lorath, this is the same character that shows up in the first adventure.

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Dorin's Journal
Guided Tour

The daughter of Elvish male and a Rohir maiden, Eódán was brought up by her mother in the tradition of the Riddermark, skilled in the use of horse, sword, and bow. When Eódán was fourteen, her mother died, and she left the village in Rohan live with the Elves and learn about her Elvish nature. Eódán has chosen to live as an immortal Elf, and is determined to find Polquarre, her father.

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Dorin's Journal
Guided Tour

Girithron 7, 1645, Day 1

Today I met my companions for the quest to find the lost Sword of Durin. When we left the Lonely Mountain we found an Umli, only semi-conscious lying on the ground. He had gotten lost and travelled too far south and run out of food. He agreed to join us and we continued on our way south towards the Long Lake.

Girithron 8, 1645, Day 2

We reached the Long Lake at Sun Down and stayed the night.

Girithron 9, 1645, Day 3

Left Lake Town and started west. After a few hours we came to a tower. In the tower we met and Elf named Lornath and fought two superbeings. After defeating the superbeings, we found a dozen chests and the tower started collapsing. Sabin didn't make it out, but he threw his sword out the window for us. Boris tried to catch it but instead it embedded itself in his head. After the tower collapsed we looked inside and found Belgareth's brother Caos and an Easterling called Gavrad who joined us as well.

Girithron 10, 1645, Day 4

We found an orc cave today and spent the rest of the day exploring.

Girithron 11, 1645, Day 5

The day started with a battle against some orcs after Caos and I yodeled to get their attention! After the battle we left the cave to continue towards Mirkwood. We can see Mirkwood now. Caos cut a leg off a deer so we had to kill it, we all hate him for it now.

Girithron 12, 1645, Day 6

We entered the castle of the Wood Elves today and spent the day looking around and buying things.

Girithron 13, 1645, Day 7

We enlisted the help of Galadhil, a human staying with the Elves, and started along the forest river heading northwest. Locke killed a Huorn and a then bunch of them came after us, but Edward managed to calm them down.

Girithron 14, 1645, Day 8

We spent the day following the river, with only a few small battles.

Girithron 15, 1645, Day 9

Uneventful day. We followed the river with nothing to break the monotony. We were unable to find a place to camp, but a man living in the forest allowed us to stay in his house. He turned out to be an evil mage working for the Necromancer: he poisoned our drinks to make us sleep, but Caos, Kaiotë, Locke and I were unaffected. Those affected were soon asleep and the others went out to get some air. While we were outside Turgalath (our "host") locked the door. Eventually we got in and I killed him. We then got the other's doors unlocked and waited for them to wake up.

Girithron 16, 1645, Day 10

We looked around Turgalath's house and found some interesting trinkets. While trying to figure out what they do, Kaiotë zapped himself with a Lightning bolt spell which fried him something terrible. Seeing that Kaiotë was dead, we decided to burn the house with him in it. We left the burning house and went on our way. A few hours later, we found 2 Huorns discussing what to do with a Half-Elf that had wandered into their space. Edward was able to convince them to let the Half-Elf down and into our care. She introduced herself as Eódán. Little happened throughout the rest of the day.

Girithron 17, 1645, Day 11

Early today we found Troll tracks and followed them to a Troll cave. Caos and Locke decided to go in even though everyone warned them of the danger, and when they got past the door, some trolls started to block it. Caos managed to run out, but Locke stumbled a little and got trapped. We eventually got him out.

Then Belgareth started laughing at Caos, so he went over and belted him. Belgareth reacted by using his staff of lightning bolts which against Caos, stunning him. Trying to avoid further trouble, we tied Caos up, but the Half-elf cut some of the ropes holding him so he got free and attacked me. I reacted by swinging my morning star at him, but since I wasn't looking I hit the horse he was next to which fell on him, breaking his leg. At this point no-one really liked Caos so we decided to leave him on his own, but then Belgareth asked me to stick a poisoned dagger into him, to put him out of his misery.

Eódán didn't like this, so she went over to Belgareth, took his herb pouch, and stomped it flat. This really annoyed Belgareth (with good reason -- that pouch held half our herb supply!) so he attacked her with his staff, too, and blinded her. Gavrad says she should get her sight back in about 2 weeks.

Girithron 18, 1645, Day 12

Today the skies opened up and it really rained. Not much happened, save for at one point it looked like Belgareth was dragged into the forest by a wolf. We haven't seen him since he disappeared, so I guess he was killed by the wolf.

Girithron 19, 1645, Day 13

We continued travelling today, little happened.

Girithron 20, 1645, Day 14

Again travelling, still little of interest.

Girithron 21, 1645, Day 15

We reached a town today and found out that a group of trolls is planning to attack. It seems the town and the trolls have had a feud going for some time now, and the trolls have delivered an ultimatum. For free room and board we agreed to try and help. We spent the rest of the day preparing, and a Half-troll who was trying to stop what he called the "bad trolls" joined our party in the work of fortifying the town.

Girithron 22-27, 1645, Days 16-22

We spent our time preparing for the battle: Gavrad worked to restore Eódán's sight, Locke worked on traps around the outside of town, Pain (the Half-troll) and Dorin worked on walls at each entrance which we will set on fire, Edward and Xhanite ran errands getting all the things the others needed, and Lornath and Galadhil acted as look-outs.

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Guided Tour

Hamster Pages

Epilogue: Reunion

MERP Campaign #3: Paul's MERP Campaign

Hamster Pages

Brian Lowe's Home Page

Brian Lowe / Winnipeg PC User Group / blowe@wpcusrgrp.org
Last updated on June 17, 1998. Accesses since December 19, 1997: