As a recent newcomer wandering into the Realm of Ulmo, I, LinweSingollo, was first drawn to the quiet, reflective pools of the “Post Your Writing” thread – created as a place where Ulmonites can share their poems and short stories in an appreciative and supportive atmosphere.
I was immediately impressed with the breadth and depth of talent found in this thread. I discovered poems describing the beauty of nature and the emotions it stirs; many deeply personal poems of wistful longing and searching questions about the complexities we all experience in life and personal relationships. Occasionally, my ear would catch the rippling murmur, the upbubbling of some of the more light-hearted, even downright humorous poems. Whatever your taste in writing, there is no question that we have a highly creative and talented group in our Realm of Ulmo.
Next, I made my way to the sunny, splashing shores of the Games Threads, a great way to meet members and have fun at the same time. I’ll just list some of the more popular games:
“What Are They Really Saying?” – In this game, the mods post a LOTR-related picture and then everyone posts what the characters could be saying or thinking. The mods then choose the best one to be submitted to Haldir’s Pretty Pictures in the Humour Gallery. I’ve giggled myself silly at the witticisms my fellow realmers have come up with!
“Prediction Game” – A simple game where you post something about the person after you and see if your prediction comes true.
“Fortunately…Unfortunately” – The initial post describes something good that happened (LOTR-related). Then the next post has to start with “Unfortunately…” and give it a negative twist. The following post counters with a positive twist, and so forth. We get some pretty wild and crazy twists to the game!
“Who Am I?” – A “guess the identity” game. One person takes on an LOTR persona, and the other players take turns asking one question at a time, to which the ‘character’ must answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’, until someone correctly identifies them.
“Council Conundrum” – Someone offers a scrambled Tolkien-related word and everyone tries to unscramble it.
Likewise, the RPGs offer Ulmonites a chance to act out the lives of characters that explore Arda in the Third Age from the White City of Ulmo. This epic series is known to the realm as a continuing series of books under the unifying title The Council of Ulmo. The three books written so far are: The Council of Ulmo, The Journey to Dol Amroth, and we are currently in the process of writing the third one, The Journey to Rohan.
The series begins by introducing Ulmo’s council, which was formed and headed by Nínimiel, who was promised by Ulmo safety for the rest of her life if she would head this council in times of peace and rest. In times of danger this council would call its members to come together and act.
A small band of dissimilar people answered her call in the Pearl Tower council room, Mortals, Elves and Maiar. During the first meeting, it was revealed by the Dark Elf, Enchilion, that some ancient evil indeed stalked the world looking for a host to inhabit and carry out its nefarious deeds. A great, unnatural storm rose up and the island was overrun by Orcs and Goblins.
Many battles were waged along the way, but with the help of the two princes of Dol Amroth and their soldiers, the Elven Lord of Imladris and the members of the Council and an Eagle or two, Nínimiel was rescued. Once back safely within the city, things turned to a more personal matter. Ancient and mystical bonds made in the heat of the fight to save a companion were tested and renewed. New loves were allowed to blossom and a celebration, along with a wedding in the far off city of Dol Amroth, were planned.
The following morning, the great ships of Dol-Amroth, flying under the silver and white Swan banner, headed for home. The Lord of Imladris was not among them. He was on his way home to his beloved valley, but promising to join the remaining council members in Dol Amroth for the wedding of Elphir and Eruanneth. He held a portion of a secret he thought wiser not to share just yet. But secrets have a bad habit of not staying secret. A long whispered legend of a piece of the Silmaril, a coin, a knife and a map leading to it, about to be made very real. A dark Pirate and his fell Elven companion committed murder to obtain the information along the Brandywine. Far above the ships making passage to Dol Amroth, a dark crow circles.
Aboard the ship, the company reveled in the easy voyage and companionship. Friendships deepened and a love long denied between two of them came to bear fruit. A stop in Lothlórien reunites families for a time; blessings are asked and given for another betrothal between a mortal and a Dark Elf. All seemed perfect until another murder, and the arrival of Lord Elrond, said different. The legend of “Maglor’s Door” was revealed to the company and a hint of the ones seeking the successor caused the company to split. A group would travel over land and the others over the sea. A Marchwarden of Lothlórien joins the group on the ships of the prince, his only concern being the mortal daughter of Lothlórien’s forest.
The real successor to the legend crept into Umbar with Elrond and others. Plans were laid for the escape and it was successful, not without great tragedy, but the curse of Maglor’s Door lay to rest for all time. The remaining original members of the company struggled to piece back together their lives, each taking a different path. New faces and places offered Rohan, the land of the horse lords, and Gondor, with its White City reborn under the first king in a thousand years.
I, longbe4thesun, have found these RPGs very entertaining to read and an amazing representation of the creativity that flows through every member of our realm. While not every realmer participates in the RPGs, those who do not participate enjoy reading the adventures of the characters.
by longbe4thesun and LinweSingollo
Information provided by LadyCeleborn and Naurlas
