conversations.from: system
conversations.value: Nestled in the Westfolde, between the River Entwash and the Gladden Fields, the Rohirrim or "Horse Lords" make their home.  Resilient, sober and principled, the villagers of Aldburg have bred and nurtured their horses in this pristine valley for generations.  So intertwined have the two races become that horses are considered members of the family- an extension of the Rohirric lineage.
  
  But another race is intent on expanding it's territory and harnessing the power of the fabled horses of the Rohirrim.  The Orcs crawl and clatter among the shadowed peaks of the Kintwise Mountains; setting their camps, such as they are, in an ever-closing noose around the riches of The Folde.  Orc raiding parties go out regularly in search of loot, land, horses and Rohirrim to capture, tame, and enslave.
  
  The Orcs are a mighty, slobering, band of hooligans led by a slighty-less-slobbery captain who is hell bent on dominating The Folde.  His only problem (at present)... horses don't like orcs.
  
  
  The Westfolde opens wide beneath the crystalline sky, it's vast resources glimmering like so much gold.  This land is a treasure sought by many- to keep hallowed and alive as their forefathers did, or to pillage and consume in an undertow of destruction.
  
  Who will rule The Glimmering Folde?
  
  
  
  
  -Note 1: Choose which side you'd like to play, Orcs or Rohirrim and create a character accordingly. I have pre-loaded some character natures to choose from or you can write your own.
  
  -Note 2:  Since horses weigh so heavily into the identity of the people of Rohan, anyone who'd like to come up with a mini-bio for a horse companion for their character is encouraged to do so.  I'm not trying to make this into a horse story, but I think we ought to have a way to use horses frequently... at least as an extension of our human characters.
  
  Currently the Beta version of Storium only understands one character per user per game. (You can't play a Rohirrim and his horse as two separate entities.)
  If you'll write a brief description of your horse (gender, name, temperament, etc.) I will create a batch of asset cards to give back to you instead in an attempt to enable us to use horses to meet different challenges throughout the game.
  
  -Note 3: To offset the extra agility of a character with a horse, if you choose to play the Orc's side I will write asset cards for you in line with orc abilities.  Suggestions are invited.  
  
  -Note 4:  While I based this story on J.R.R. Tolkein's Lord of the Rings stories, *this is 
  not a purist adventure*.  Using Rohirric-sounding names and terminology will add flavor to our story, but I only want to use those aspects that will be a jumping off point for a story of our own.  I do not intend for anyone to be a prisoner to the original text.  My goal is to imagine life as a Rohirrim or an Orc *and to write about it* rather than poring over research for accuracy, so have fun and don't sweat the details.  
  
  
  --Some primer sites to dust of your Rohirric/ Orcish knowledge. (Besides the obvious reading the LOTR series or watching the movies).
  
  General LOTR sites:
  
  - http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Rohan
  
  - http://www.tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Rohan
  
  http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Orcs
  
  Map of Rohan:
  - https://www.lotro.com/en/forums/showthread.php?350017-Map-of-Rohan-unearthed
  
  
  *Beric the Briton*, *Wulf the Saxon*, *Kristin Lavransdatter*, *The Paradise War* Trilogy, *Byzantium* would be good inspiration. It would also be appropriate to incorporate aspects relating to Goths, Scandinavians, Norse mythology and the medieval Anglo-Saxons.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You're running from something.  Someone.
  
  Does anyone here know what you've done?
conversations.prefix: On The Lam:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: A company of 200 orcs.  They run, they hunt, they stab, they cleave, they spear, they follow orders really well.  And there are a LOT of them.
conversations.prefix: Orc- Horde of Foot Soldiers (copy):
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You discover a small sack of oats.  Might come in handy...
conversations.prefix: Oats:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Friesian, mare, black, luxurious mane and tail, about 15 hands tall, compact muscular body, strong legs with long silky hair on lower part of legs, spirited horse which needs a firm hand and confident rider. She is obedient to Eryndal, feisty and clever around Eryndal’s husband and stable hands, but seemingly intuitively gentle around their children
conversations.prefix: Friesian- Eryndal's Horse:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The innovative shoulder straps on your basket make it ideal for long journeys and heavy loads.
conversations.prefix: Foraging Basket:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: A crudely constructed enclosure covers the freshwater spring providing water for the people of Aldsburg.
conversations.prefix: Spring House:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The mysterious elven bread that keeps you going all day with just one bite.
  You found 50 wrapped loaves.
conversations.prefix: Hidden Cache of Lembas Bread:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Team up with someone you might never think of.
conversations.prefix: Unlikely Team:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A quality crossbow with a quiver full of 6 thick arrows.  Aimed correctly, this is a killing weapon.
conversations.prefix: Crossbow and 6 Arrows:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: As a young foal, he grew up together with Eolin and they bonded more strongly than any other horse and rider alive. Hasufel is a very fast and agile white stallion with great endurance, but he is very hot headed and stubborn, yielding only to the hand of his mistress.
conversations.prefix: Hasufel- Eolin's Horse:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You have mixed a moderate batch of sesame, olive and hemp seed oils,  herbs of arnica montana and St. John's wort with essential oil of true lavender and yellow beeswax.  Compacted into a prepared deerskin pouch.
  An effective treatment for bruising and swelling, scrapes and cuts.
conversations.prefix: Healing Salve:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You are a natural leader.  People will follow your charismatic personality into almost any situation.
conversations.prefix: Leadership:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Show us what a strong woman can do!
conversations.prefix: Girl Power:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Never leave a Rohirrim brother behind!
conversations.prefix: Rescue Brandt:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Warmth and protection in blanket-form.
conversations.prefix: Cloak:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: To light the way.  Or set something... or someone... on fire.
conversations.prefix: Torch:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A young gelding with a mottled grey and black coat. His name means "Avenger," and his trainer certainly was aiming for certain characteristics when teaching him.
  
  Fearless and tireless, he is not to be taken lightly.
conversations.prefix: Wrecend- Anforlætan's Horse:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Excellent for close combat with orcs. Also handy for chopping wood, digging up roots, and general camping needs.
conversations.prefix: Short Sword:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Bred deep in the mountains while Shagrol was in hiding, Karath is massive, standing 5 feet tall, and is covered in a thick coat of grey sandpaper-like hair. He is a fearsome beast, with a taste for horse flesh.
  Karath is also the leader of the wargs, their commander under the orcs. But while Karath is a mighty steed, he does not have the speed or endurance of horses.
conversations.prefix: Karath- Shagrol's Warg:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: With this sinister-looking weapon everyone knows you mean business.
conversations.prefix: Orc Battle Axe:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Home of the Cynefrid, many a night is spent reveling and feasting here.  
conversations.prefix: Aldburg- Fodra House:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Dark and stenchy.  Only an orc would call this home.
conversations.prefix: The Orc Caves:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Doesn't matter what he knows, he's dead weight and he needs to go.
conversations.prefix: Kill the Prisoner:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Doesn't matter what he knows, he's dead weight and he needs to go.
conversations.prefix: Kill the Prisoner (copy):
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: He's no use to you anymore.
conversations.prefix: Kill the Prisoner:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: He's no use to you anymore.
conversations.prefix: Kill the Prisoner (copy):
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Never leave a Rohirrim brother behind!
conversations.prefix: Rescue Brandt (copy):
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You have resources others only dream of.  Sometimes money *can* buy happiness.
conversations.prefix: Riches:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Your father's father trained you from childhood- horses are the highest form of companionship, protection, and friendship.  Your camaraderie with the equine species is legendary.
conversations.prefix: Rohirrim- Horse Whisperer:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You DO NOT. like being told what to do.  Or even *suggested* what to do.
  
  It insults your fragile ego.
conversations.prefix: Churlish:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You have human nature figured out.  It's hard to pull one over on you.
conversations.prefix: Nobody's Fool:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Although you keep it to yourself most times, you have a passion for learning and knowledge.  There are very few things you don't know something about.
conversations.prefix: Educated:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You are prone to look for love, which means you usually find it in one form or another.
conversations.prefix: Romantic:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You want your name in the annals of history.
conversations.prefix: Fame and Glory:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: There are a lot of you.
conversations.prefix: Orc- Sheer Numbers:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: There are a lot of you.
conversations.prefix: Orc - Sheer Numbers:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Slightly smarter than the average Orc, you command loyalty and obedience from your troops.  You've had your eye on the Glimmering Folde and it's horses for quite some time.
conversations.prefix: Orc- Captain:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You've grown up in the village of Aldburg with a horse or two always sharing your humble, but joyful, home.  These nights,  you've overheard your parents whispering about unrest on the fringes of Rohan.  What could it mean?
conversations.prefix: Rohirrim- Child of Rohan:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Your head is perpetually in the clouds.  Or on the snowy peaks of the Kintwise.  Or in the babbling stream with the salmon.
  Never centered on where you are and the matter at hand, you long to see what lies beyond the village gates.  With all this murmur about Orcs coming out of the mountains, you might just get that chance.
conversations.prefix: Rohirrim- Dreamer:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Pure muscular strength paired with quick reflexes and agility means you can tackle almost any physical challenge.
conversations.prefix: Athletic:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: It takes an awful lot to get you riled up.  Life is good, why sweat the small stuff?
conversations.prefix: Laid Back:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You live a quiet, peaceable life in Aldburg. Tending to your garden, your hut, your family and your horses, life in the Glimmering Folde is idyllic.  You've lived here your whole life attending every birth, wedding, and funeral.
  
  For you, Aldburg is sleepy and constant... just the way you like it.
conversations.prefix: Rohirrim- Villager:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: "Work?"  "Responsibility?"  "Discipline?"  "Honest gain?"  "Perseverance?"
  
  What are these things you speak of?
conversations.prefix: Lazy:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Once you attach your devotion to a person, cause or idea it will take death to sever you from them.
conversations.prefix: Loyal:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You have never been spry or robust- spindly, wan and faint is more like it.
conversations.prefix: Sickly:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You falsely believe that you can do anything and be anything.  Your personal pedestal is several notches higher than everyone around you.
conversations.prefix: Arrogant:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Ambition has gotten you far, but your tendency to over-reach will be your downfall.
conversations.prefix: Ambitious:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The world is here for your pleasure.  "Take what you can, when you can" is your motto.
conversations.prefix: Selfish:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: It's about the power.  It's about the dominance.  It's about crushing the competition.
  
  You must. have. more!
conversations.prefix: Megalomaniac:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: All members of the opposite sex should be banished because of your heartbreak.  You will never love again and that colors the way you see everything.
conversations.prefix: Burned By Love:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The love of your life has got to be out there.  You just need to find them.
conversations.prefix: Looking for True Love:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You are a loyal patriot to the core, even if it costs you your life.
conversations.prefix: For King and Country:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: In this uncertain world you long for safety and assurance.  
conversations.prefix: Security:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You're painfully aware that you lack certain skills and strengths.  You are looking for a chance to change all that.
conversations.prefix: Improve Yourself:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Don't rock the boat.  
  Things are fine just as they are and you never want anything to change.
conversations.prefix: Maintain the Status Quo:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You crave a change from ho-hum living.  You're looking for something or someone exciting to throw your lot in with.
conversations.prefix: A New Adventure:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Years ago your family was held in high esteem.  You seek to restore your family name to it's former glory.
conversations.prefix: Reclaim the Family Name:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: No bones about it- you want more stuff.  Yeah, that sounds about right.  More stuff.
conversations.prefix: Wealth:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: In service to the King of Rohan, you may be sent to the furthest corners of the kingdom on any errand. Your role is mainly political and strategic and you are a jack of all trades.  
  
  Your patriotism is admirable.  Your skills with sword, scroll and bridle, enviable.  Your diplomatic prowess, however, is not.
conversations.prefix: Rohirrim- The King's Rider:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: A company of 200 orcs. They run, they hunt, they stab, they cleave, they spear, they follow orders really well.  And there are a LOT of them.
conversations.prefix: Orc- Horde of Foot Soldiers:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Boldly going forth despite your fears, you know that no one was ever memorialized for being a coward.
conversations.prefix: Courageous:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You have an innate sense of the right thing to do.  You "read" people and situations quite well and can accurately assess outcomes.
conversations.prefix: Intuitive:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You are a natural peace bringer.  Your winsome and attractive personality means nearly everyone likes you the moment they meet you.  You make friends wherever you go.
conversations.prefix: Plays Well With Others:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You have a tendency to obsess over the details and focus on problems from one angle and one angle only.
  For you, there is only one way- YOUR way.
conversations.prefix: Myopic:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You don't know that you don't know.  Pity.
conversations.prefix: Naive:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You're running from something.  Someone.
  
  Does anyone here know what you've done?
conversations.prefix: Running Away:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The central green in this small village is the gathering place for market, news and community life.  
conversations.prefix: Aldburg - Village Green:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Hot and close, the smithy is always bustling.  Horses need to be shod, wagons need new wheels, swords require sharpening.  Never a dull moment here.
  
conversations.prefix: Aldburg- The Smithy:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You are angry with the world and won't let anything stop you in your quest for revenge.
conversations.prefix: Orc - Bloodthirsty:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: If you're mad, nobody's gonna get in *your* way.
  Your hot-headedness gets results. 
conversations.prefix: Orc - Temper:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You *should* think with the group. But that doesn't really appeal to your creative needs.
conversations.prefix: Orc - Dreamy:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The daylight... it burns us...  (plus, we can't see all that well.)
conversations.prefix: Orc- Daylight:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A shallow river running along the border of The Westfolde.  It is a vital resource for the Rohirrim.
conversations.prefix: River Entwise:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: As a youngster you were selected to train in horsemanship and combat in the service of the King of Rohan as a Rider of the Mark. Worldly wise and your training complete, the King has dispatched you back home to Aldsburg to protect it's gates from danger.
conversations.prefix: Rohirrim- Horse Master, Warrior:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A timber-framed communal housing structure for Aldburg's horse population.  Any villager without the means to host horses in their own home has access to the horse barns.
  In addition to stalls and a fenced riding ring there are storage rooms for feed and grain, bedding and tack. Attached is a small armory for horse-borne weapons.
conversations.prefix: Aldburg- Horse Barns:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Good-natured and deep thinking, Brandt is the go-to man for advice in Aldburg.  The constant stream of customers for horse shoes, plow blades and knife sharpening keeps his folksy wisdom in circulation.
  
conversations.prefix: Brandt- The Village Blacksmith:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: His name meaning "royal peace," Cynefrid has stood in protection over Aldburg for many years.  He is not a brash man and holds to the proverb, "In many counselors there is wisdom."
conversations.prefix: Cynefrid- Steward of Aldburg:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Agnes is one of the elders of Aldburg.  She gathers wool, dyes and weaves it, and sells her yarn and fabric at market.
  She is a bit hard of hearing and has very few teeth left.
conversations.prefix: Agnes- Old woman:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Now that you've wreaked havoc, can you get away clean?
conversations.prefix: Orc- Sneak Away from the Crime Scene:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Use your resources and teamwork to extinguish the fire and save the horses.
conversations.prefix: Rohirrim- Put Out the Barn Fire:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: An orc in the lowest of low positions, Phung-eyh will do almost anything to garner the approval of his comrades and the favor of his superiors.
conversations.prefix: Phung- eyh:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: An orc that bungles nearly every assignment he's given.  Mohss is curious about the Rohirrim and other peoples that roam near the Glimmering Folde.
conversations.prefix: Mohss:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Thirteen years old and freckled with sun kisses, life's possibilities stretch before Folkaa Cynefridsdatter.
  Folkaa has grown up hearing the enchanting tales of Old Rohan around her father's, Cynefrid's, hearth.  Eager and intelligent yet naive, she is anxious to make an impact on her world and her people like the heroes of old.
conversations.prefix: Folkaa Cynefridsdatter- Child of Aldsburg:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Horses are missing, and at least one Rider of Rohan has been taken captive. Convince the villagers to gather an armed force to deal with the orc raiders.  
  
  
conversations.prefix: Rohirrim- Muster a Posse:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You have a stinking Rohirrim prisoner.  Find out what he knows.
conversations.prefix: Orc- Extract Information:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Attempt to stay out of sight of the heightened Rohirrim presence patrolling the Folde.  Planning your next move would be a good option.
conversations.prefix: Orc- Hide in the Caves:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A company of 200 orcs. They run, they hunt, they stab, they cleave, they spear, they follow orders really well.  And there are a LOT of them.
conversations.prefix: Orc- Horde of Foot Soldiers:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: It's hard to explain...
conversations.prefix: There Are 200 Different Motives!:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You live a quiet, peaceable life in Aldburg. Tending to your garden, your hut, your family and your horses, life in the Glimmering Folde is idyllic.  You've lived here your whole life attending every birth, wedding, and funeral.
  
  For you, Aldburg is sleepy and constant... just the way you like it.
conversations.prefix: Rohirrim- Villager:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Once you have your mind sent on something it is hard for anyone to sway you, no matter their reasoning.
conversations.prefix: Stubborn:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Yeah... not too much going on upstairs...
conversations.prefix: Idiocy:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: BOO!!!
conversations.prefix: Scary:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You don't give up easily. Once you've set your mind to something, almost nothing can stop you from getting it done. Any hindrances are merely obstacles to be overcome.
conversations.prefix: Determined:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Be it your age or your attitude, Anforlaetan doesn't believe you have what it takes.
conversations.prefix: Doubt:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: big, ugly and covered with old blood... not the most heartwarming picture.
conversations.prefix: Terrifying!:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: When you find something new, you just can't leave it alone. If there's a new factor in the equation or something that might reveal a new concept, it simply must be investigated even if the stakes are high. 
conversations.prefix: Curious: