Roleplayers of Laurelin's monthly roleplay prompt for January 2025 is... "Brigands, Ruffians, and Outlaws"!
"For in that time of ruin houseless men went astray: remnants of battle and defeat, lands laid waste; and some men were driven into the wild for evil deeds. They hunted and gathered such food as they could; but many took to robbery and become cruel, when hunger or other need drove them. In winter they were most to be feared, like wolves; and Gaur-waith, wolf-men, they were called by those who still defended their homes." (“Túrin Among the Outlaws”, The Children of Húrin)
"‘And now they’re gone for robbers and live outside, hiding in the woods beyond Archet, and out in the wilds north-away. It’s like a bit of the bad old times tales tell of, I say. It isn’t safe on the road and nobody goes far, and folk lock up early….’" (“Homeward Bound”, The Lord of the Rings)
While Middle-earth has long fostered heroes, from Tuor, to Glorfindel, to Frodo of the Shire, it has also bred men and other folk that harbour something of the Shadow in their hearts. In some cases, these wayward folk have been compelled to villainy by the Enemy or their servants, but in others, as in the case of Turin’s band of robbers in The Children of Hurin or Sharkey’s men from the south in The Lord of the Rings, these brigands, ruffians, and outlaws have turned to cruelty, robbery, and murder against the Free Peoples of Middle-earth out of desperation, want, and even a simple lust for greed.
This month’s prompt asks you to host sessions and events focused on exploring, interacting, and dealing with the consequences of brigandry in Middle-earth. Details are below:
Yule-tide has come to an end, and for many folk in Middle-earth the hardness of winter has reared its head again: winter stores and rations begin to dwindle. What’s more, what little is left to most people is now under threat by bandits that stalk highways, sail ice-choked shores, and raid small farms and towns in an effort to refill their own diminishing hoards. No longer will a locked door, a trusty bow, or the avoidance of dangerous roads ensure a Free Person’s safety; at the turn of winter, all of Middle-earth is menaced by brigands, outlaws, and ruffians.
For the “Brigands, Ruffians, and Oulaws” prompt, host a session or event on Roleplayers of Laurelin's LFRP Board that deals with brigandry in some capacity. Sessions or events responding to this prompt can range from encounters—and skirmishes—with brigands, or character explorations of these outlaws; this is a fine opportunity for you to dust off a brigandly character and probe what it means to live on the edges of society and make a livelihood, there, by thievery or worse. We also strongly encourage members to make use of our new RP Opportunities forum for this prompt: looking to encounter or to create a band of outlaws? Create a “seeking character” hook on the RP Opportunities forum! Brigands stole your family’s supplies in the last RP encounter you did? Make a “seeking object” hook out of it! While you are free to do what you will with this prompt, it is a great opportunity to use RoL's new forum to collaborate with others.
💰 🗓️ Players who host sessions on Roleplayers of Laurelin's LFRP Board responding to this prompt by January 31, 2025, will be added to a prize draw for rewards that include 600 gold and more!