Elf Misdeeds

[shipwreck]

Question for you lore experts out there.

I am thinking of having an Elf NPC possibly seek vengeance on my Company during the Hunt from Darkening (2949). I'm hung up on whether or not this is unreasonable for a Silvan elf. There are obviously many examples of elves (High Elves especially) committing evil acts when driven to it, and The Hobbit even describes the Elves of Mirkwood as 'more dangerous' than the High Elves. For some reason I just can't quite make my mind up.

Any thoughts?

Whether or not he does something particularly heinous will depend on the rolls, of course.

[robert_pat]

Sylvan Elves sometimes develop into pranksters of sorts, and often value their own interests over the well-being of outsiders, both of which may have potentially deadly results. When Thorin and Company get lost in Mirkwood, they are seemingly strung along by a series of Elven forest feasts, which all disappear as they draw closer, leaving them hopelessly lost in spider country. So there is a solid basis for an Elf of Mirkwood seeking vengeance via exceedingly malicious tricks.

Then, of course, there's Feanor and his sons, who went to war with the most powerful of the Valar and slaughtered their own kin to recover the stolen Silmarili. Granted, they were Noldor and your Company almost certainly didn't steal a Silmaril, but there's a well known story of the Firstborn going on an Age-long murder-vengeance-rampage.

So yes, just like Men, Elves can be malicious and seek retribution.

[Matthew]

I suggest looking for some potential theme or plot hook through reading a book called 'the real middle earth' by Brian Bates - particularly his reference to elves and their relationship with humans. Brian Bates outlines the source material for Tolkien in an interesting and engaging way so it might help in developing an idea for you.

Cheers,

Matt

[Robin Smallburrow]

It is certainly possible as Elves actually harbour grudges even worse than Dwarves - witness Thranduil's refusing to treat wth Rivendell because of the treatment of his people by Feanor etc. i.e elves can harbour grudges over centuries, because remember to them 'it only happened yesterday'. However, unlike Dwarves they don't harbour grudges easily, so the crime the PC's committed would have to be something the NPC regarded as pretty bad (kiling, theft of something culturally significant etc.)

A clue here would be Thranduil's conduct towards the Dwarves of the Lonely Mountain - because they keep something he regards as rightfully his, he refuses to trust or treat with them.... note that Tolkien mentions that the Elves of Mirkwood are 'quicker to anger and less wise'. I don't regard the prankster part as the right way to go here, as I read from the OP that the NPC is after vengeance - elves generally don't play pranks if they want vengeance....

Robin S.

[shipwreck]

Well, to completely spoil it (I don't think any of my players lurk these forums ), the Company failed to protect Irime in Those Who Tarry. I want their actions to be consequential but I couldn't think of anything off-hand; when the Sons of Elrond arrived to help Irime they were mostly sympathetic as the companions were out of their depth against such an evil spirit.

So my thought was that when we hit 2949 and try that Hunt quest from Darkening, it would be revealed that Galion (from Thranduil's Halls, whom they've bumped into a few times to rather unpleasant circumstances) is completely distraught at the passing of Irime. Her leaving was hard enough on him, but at least she would find peace in the West; now that she has been ruined by the Gibbet King it is too much for him. Blaming the company, he would use trickery to lead them off the Hunt and into the path of the Werewolf (or some other such terribleness).

In other words, I'm having my cake and eating it too: tricksy vengeance

[Glorelendil]

In other words, I'm having my cake and eating it too: tricksy vengeance

I believe that's tricksy vengeancesss plural.

[Angelalex242]

Well, you generally don't want to send n00bs to protect Irime, it's true. That's an adventure for more experienced heroes. As beginners, only the high cultures really have a chance.

Even worse if the players are new and don't realize the best weapon against a dark spirit isn't a pointy object at all.

[shipwreck]

The quest does have its issues (as has been discussed in some lengthy threads) but this was like our 5th adventure and I'd been generous with AP. They actually did very well keeping their spirits up but the final roll was totally botched: 4 success dice that all came up 1-3 and the character was weary (crap, should I not have counted weariness?!).

[aramis]

Just remember: an elf has a LONG memory. It need not be soon. And it may not end for decades.

And it should be subtle.