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Mae Govannen! New guy here

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 3:56 am
by Glaenry
Greetings!
Call me Beryndor for now, but I'm sure as I explore, that may change. Pardon if it is rude to not introduce my true name, though I come from the Knight Realms forums, where real world info wasn't necessarily shared. I discovered the Middle Earth Ranger Handbook late last week and in very short time find the Richmond Fantasy Inspired Hiking group and then had this forum was pointed out to me. I didn't realize that a lot of my life has been pointing me towards this, but let me say I am so excited, gratified and thrilled to know I'm not the only person who wants to live as a denizen of Middle Earth. I'm still in my early twenties a recent musical theater graduate, but at the moment none of that matters, I am just so ready to get started on something I've been waiting to do my whole life. I have tons of questions, I want to meet people, learn skills, and get outdoors in kit. It's a pleasure to meet everyone.

I have a fair amount of kit already, just because of who I am, actor, larper, medieval enthusiast, etc. Though I would certainly love constructive criticisms, additions, if there is a topic section where people post what they have for the purposes of advice.
What I lack is world experience, and I am a bit fearful of creating a persona "wrong".
I've gathered that the Third Age seems to be the main reenactment time here. When abouts in the Third Age is this in relation to the Hobbit or Lord of the Rings? What is a good way to create a persona that is grounded in Tolkien's world without coming off as what one might describe as fanfiction. I've found that backstories I write tend to come off as a little too intense.

I am DC based, are there woods people can recommend that are nearby suitable for ranging? On location, it seems like there are maps somewhere detailing say, where the Misty Mountains might be, how do I access those?

I am sure I will bother people with far too many questions for far too long, I apologize in advance. In the meanwhile, thank you for your time, your answers and your wisdom.

Re: Mae Govannen! New guy here

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 5:03 am
by theowl
Welcome! If there's a direction you'd like to go, most people here can steer you right. Everyone here is at a different place in regards to how in depth and "accurate" they are, so don't worry too much about judgement.

Re: Mae Govannen! New guy here

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 5:05 am
by theowl
Also, check out the getting started section, lots of good info there for... getting started.

Re: Mae Govannen! New guy here

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 5:14 am
by Harper
Welcome Ranger!

Re: Mae Govannen! New guy here

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 6:25 am
by Taylor Steiner
Yes welcome!

Re: Mae Govannen! New guy here

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 7:00 am
by Iodo
Welcome Ranger :P
Glaenry wrote: What I lack is world experience, and I am a bit fearful of creating a persona "wrong"
What is a good way to create a persona that is grounded in Tolkien's world without coming off as what one might describe as fanfiction. I've found that backstories I write tend to come off as a little too intense.
I don't think you can create a persona wrong, mine is probably the least convincing and well researched here, everyone works to different levels of detail, accuracy and authenticity, I personally don't like spending huge amounts of time researching and don't mind if there are a few mistakes, the convention here is to keep to keep persona's common (not to go into the realm of famous/noble/well known) and back-story's simple, it doesn't really become fanfiction unless it influences the plot of the story

Hope this helps

Re: Mae Govannen! New guy here

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 1:03 pm
by Peter Remling
Welcome to the Forum !

Re: Mae Govannen! New guy here

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 1:25 pm
by Darnokthemage
Welcome! I knew you would like it here!

The forum has no official time stamps, but most of us mainly focus on the years between Bilbos journey and the beginning years of the Fourth age. This is because our sources are focused here.

Personas are as Iodo stated mainly focused on the common people. So no knights of Dol Amroth (Unless you could get the armour and horse for one!). Many are rangers, but there are dwarves, Dalesmen and other peoples too.
As Tolkiens books only show parts of the world we try and fill in the remaining parts with real historical stuff (And fiction, in small portions).

You do not have to worry about filling the forum with too much discussion, t is what it is here for! Most of us are also eager to answer and dicuss questions and such you have.

Re: Mae Govannen! New guy here

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 1:43 pm
by kleenur
Welcome! This is a very cool place.

Re: Mae Govannen! New guy here

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 4:09 pm
by Ghostsoldier
Welcome to the greenwood, Ranger!

Rob

Re: Mae Govannen! New guy here

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 7:34 pm
by Manveruon
Well met, ranger!

It's funny, your post here is uncannily familiar! You sound an awful lot like me when I first stumbled upon these forums about a decade ago! I found the site entirely by accident while searching around the internet for tutorials on making quivers and arrows for an original Ranger costume I was putting together, and I had no idea that there were other people out there doing this same kind of thing. It's always a wonderful feeling to find your tribe!

I'm so glad you found the Rangers handbook! Sadly, I was never able to finish a complete draft of it on my own, to my satisfaction. But Elliot (Taurinor) used the basis of what we had established, and rounded it out very nicely for his Richmond fantasy group! I'm so glad it has been helpful to at least someone! I really need to go back in and finish editing my version to completion.

In terms of persona, I agree with what other people have said above. I think the best way to keep a persona realistic is to keep it simple, and common. So I would probably avoid things like tragic backstories, and tales of great heroism. Probably also avoid complicated genealogies, at least at first. After all, no one is born a famous hero, so if your chosen persona begins as just an ordinary person, they will be more believable. Other than that, just stick with what you know of the Professor's lore, and you should do just fine! Hell, I've been doing this for almost 10 years, and I've still never put together a detailed persona/backstory of my own. I'm mostly just me, but in Ranger clothes, haha.

Re: Mae Govannen! New guy here

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 8:56 pm
by Taurinor
I'm glad you made it over here! Welcome!
Glaenry wrote:I have a fair amount of kit already, just because of who I am, actor, larper, medieval enthusiast, etc. Though I would certainly love constructive criticisms, additions, if there is a topic section where people post what they have for the purposes of advice.
If you want to share what you have and get some ideas/feedback, you can create a new topic about your clothing/garb in the "Soft Kit" subforum, your equipment (canteens, tarps, cookpots, what-have-you) in the "Hard Kit" subforum, and weapons in the "Weapons and Armor" subforum. This forum LOVES photos, and if you ask for constructive criticism, you are very likely to get it, but usually some compliments, as well :mrgreen:
Glaenry wrote:What I lack is world experience, and I am a bit fearful of creating a persona "wrong".
I've gathered that the Third Age seems to be the main reenactment time here. When abouts in the Third Age is this in relation to the Hobbit or Lord of the Rings? What is a good way to create a persona that is grounded in Tolkien's world without coming off as what one might describe as fanfiction. I've found that backstories I write tend to come off as a little too intense.
I don't think that there is necessarily a wrong way to create a persona, just some different styles. You'll see a continuum on the forum if you poke around a bit. I tend to try to stick to the "keep it common" mantra, to the point that my spouse has called my persona (and my D&D characters, on occasion) boring, but that's just what I like. Some folks here have a bit more flair to their personas, because that's what they like. Again, if you ask for feedback, you'll likely get it!
Glaenry wrote:I am DC based, are there woods people can recommend that are nearby suitable for ranging?
One place I like to take folks is Caledon State Park, which is a bit east of Fredericksburg. It's a lovely park in general, but the big draw for me is the primitive campsites, which are only accessible by a 3 mile pack in or by canoe. The trails are relatively gentle, well-maintained, and cut through an old-growth deciduous forest, and the campground is right on the Potomac. There's a Portojohn and usually some cut firewood, but other than that, you carry everything in and out. I find it to be a good stepping stone for folks who want to try a more backpacking-style overnighter, but maybe don't feel comfortable with dispersed camping yet.

I haven't actually been, but Prince William Forest Park is supposed to be very nice.

And of course, the Blue Ridge Mountains are always lovely.

Re: Mae Govannen! New guy here

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 11:44 pm
by Glaenry
Taurinor,
Thank you for the site recommendations! I enjoy hiking abr damping, but my bushcraft and survival experience is limited to watching videos or reading articles. If at some point in the future you plan to go with a group of folks, either just on a day trip or perhaps an overnight trip, what are the odds, I could join your journey?

Re: Mae Govannen! New guy here

Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2019 1:14 am
by Greg
From introduction to real-world connections in one thread. BAM. I love this community.

You're in the right place! When I found the MERF, I too, knew I'd finally found exactly what I'd always been looking for. Welcome to the adventure!

Re: Mae Govannen! New guy here

Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2019 7:25 pm
by Taurinor
Glaenry wrote:I enjoy hiking abr damping, but my bushcraft and survival experience is limited to watching videos or reading articles. If at some point in the future you plan to go with a group of folks, either just on a day trip or perhaps an overnight trip, what are the odds, I could join your journey?
That's where we all start, and I'd say I'm not much further along than that! And of course you're welcome to join in! I'll keep you in the loop :mrgreen: