I'll be starting my Fourth Age chronicle this weekend (finally!) and here's an NPC that will be part of the main PC hero group. Comments appreciated.
PS - I posted this to the Decipher boards, but wanted to put it here in case anyone doesn't visit there. Also, this is a much better forum set-up.
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Hamlin of Edoras
"Bravely bold Kings Dáin and Brand
Rode forth from Erebor..."
Race: Man (Middle Man [Rohirrim])
Racial Abilities: Adaptable, Dominion of Man, Skilled (+2 to Swiftness)
Attributes: Bearing 10 (+2), Nimbleness 8 (+1)*, Perception 8 (+1)*, Strength 6 (±0), Vitality 10 (+2), Wits 10 (+2)
Reactions: Stamina +2, Swiftness +3*, Willpower +2, Wisdom +2
Size: Medium
Order: Minstrel
Order Ability: Gladden
Advancements: 0
Skills: Armed Combat (Swords: Longsword) +4, Climb +1, Debate (Negotiate) +1, Games (Dice) +2, Inquire (Converse) +2, Inspire +3, Language: Easterling dialect +1, Language: Rohirric +3, Language: Sindarin +1, Language: Westron +2, Lore: Heraldry +1, Lore: History (Gondor, Music, Rohan) +5, Lore: Oral Histories +2, Lore: People (Men, Elves) +5, Lore: Realm (Gondor, Rohan, Elves of Mirkwood) +5, Observe (Listen) +4, Perform (Play Flute) +5, Persuade (Charm) +2, Ranged Combat: Bows (Shortbow) +6, Ride (Horse) +3, Stealth (Shadow) +1
Edges: Honey-tongued, Keen-eared
Flaws: Proud, Rival (Gondorian minstrel)
Health: 10
Courage: 4
Renown: 1
Gear: Flute, longsword, dagger, shortbow, 20 arrows, horse, leather armour, cloak
*: Favoured attribute or reaction
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Background
Hamlin, son of Bulwyf, is a minstrel who has seen much in his 33 years. He caught the wanderlust bug early in life, and took up the flute rather than the sword and set off on his own in search of adventure and excitement. He'd play for his meals (and rarely went hungry) and found ways to charm himself into evening lodgings (and rarely slept in barns or alone).
Travelling from Rohan to Gondor to Bree and back again, he received the greatest shock of his life when his travels found him in Dale just before the Easterling hordes attacked during the War of the Ring. Hamlin found himself fighting alongside the Men and Dwarves of the area, and with them was pushed into hiding in the Kingdom Under the Mountain. He was witness to the gallant stand and fall of King Brand and King Dáin, an event he later turned into a ballad. With a motley assortment of heroes, including an Silvan maiden, a Dwarf, and a pair of Dúnedain (a loremaster and a magician), Hamlin joined in the counterattack and helped the Free Peoples carry the day against the Easterling army.
Following the war, Hamlin and his new companions attended the coronation of King Elessar and his subsequent marriage to Queen Arwen Undomiel. After a short period of celebration, the small band of heroes said their good-byes in Minas Tirith and went their separate ways.
Since then, Hamlin has travelled through the reunified lands, singing songs of heroes fallen and victories won during the war. He tries to get his ballad into the popular mainstream, but it hasn't caught on yet. Much to his annoyance, a Gondorian minstrel has seen better success with a similar ballad. Hamlin and this other minstrel often find themselves at odds, somehow ending up in the same town or inn offering similar services. On a number of occasions, the two have traded harsh words that have led to first blood duels. As neither minstrel is particularly skilled with a blade, the duels are little more than extended posturing. It remains to be seen where their spat will lead them.
Hamlin is a goodly man, more inclined to listen than to ramble. He has talked himself out of a number of potentially bad situations (and into a number of very good situations), and has even occasionally been used as something of a mediator, something he takes great pride in.
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