Glorelendil wrote:Falenthal wrote:
* Someone beloved to you (your parents, a brother, a loved one...) has travelled to the Grey Havens to abandon Middle-Earth. You went with him to bid him farewell. There you saw the Sea for the first time, and stood in the port gazing to the West during some nights, under the light of the stars. You've never been to Valinor, but in those days (and nights) spent at the Havens, you saw a glimpse of the Inmortal Lands that await those of your race. Now you know there's a light at the end of the road, and bear this light with you in this dark times.
Awesome idea for a new Undertaking for elves, Falenthal. Allowed once (ever) per character; make a Wisdom roll and restore 1 Hope on a success, 2 on a Great Success, 3 on an Extraordinary Success. Or, given the stiff requirements, make it 1 by default, +1-3 more as per above.
Would be nice to discuss "What happens to elves the first time they see the Sea?".
We have the knowledge about what happens to Legolas, to the point of being forwarned by Galadriel herself of the dangers implied.
I'd say, first of all, there are two ways this can happen:
1) As an "accident", as something that happens in an adventure -for example-, where the elf might not be fully prepared to face the effects of the Sea on him, and the primitive instincts that will be awoken in him.
2) As an Undertaking, being fully conscious and willing to visit the Sea (whether at the Grey Havens or anywhere else).
For the second option, I think the "There And Back Again" Undertaking from the Rivendell supplement might fit perfectly well: recover Hope, as it gives you something more to fight for and the consolation that there'll be always an escape from the misery of the world. But also gain some Shadow, as the chance to leave everything behind, and let the mortals face their own problems, is a very strong temptation.
For the first, I don't have any clear idea. Something a bit "savage" but interesting could be:
"Gain as many Shadow points and Hope points as your Wisdom score."
The more wild elves (mirkwood, avari,...) don't feel the Call of the Sea as strong, but the wisest (Noldo, old ones,...) find it very difficult to resist and avoid it at all costs. Elrond and Galadriel only travelled to Lindon when they were ready to depart.
On the other hand, the wisest elves know exactly the importance of the Way to the West, and therefore find it a stronger source of Hope to resist in Middle-Earth.
The question is: how does Círdan resist the lure for such a long time, being one the Wise? But we'll surely get the explanation when the Elves of the Grey Havens come out as a playable cuture.
