Radagast the Brown

Radagast the Brown is a wizard. He abides in a small wood of ancient oaks in Rhosgobel, close to the southwestern eaves of Mirkwood, where many Woodmen have come to stay near him. Once content to spend his time in quiet conversation with birds and animals (whose diverse languages he seems to be able to speak fluently) Radagast had an active part in the White Council’s preparations to attack Dol Guldur, and since that time he has shown an increased interest in the matters of the people living in the area. The wizardry of Radagast seems to be connected to the animal and plant life populating Middle-earth. He is learned in the lore of herbs and beasts, and seems to have a special friendship with birds.

Like his peers Saruman the White and Gandalf the Grey, Radagast has always appeared to the eyes of mortals like a vigorous old man who doesn’t seem to wither and grow weaker with the passing of the years. He wears a tall, wide-brimmed hat and brown cloak over clothes of earthen colours, and sports a long, wild-looking reddish beard slowly turning grey, and long, unkempt hair of the same hue. He usually paces his stride with his long Oaken staff. He seems to rarely leave his small cottage, apart from short walks into the forest to the east. Despite his solitary life, Radagast seems to be well informed about events happening in the land of the Woodmen at any time, sometimes betraying knowledge of things befalling in more distant places in Wilderland. While never really rude, his years of isolation (or his friendship with Beorn...) seem to have made his conversation come across as brusque or abrupt, as if he was unused to the common laws of courtesy recognised by Men, Dwarves and Elves.

Strangers wanting to meet Radagast and asking the local Woodmen for directions are led all the way to his house, reached by a pathway of white stones starting close to the Great Hall of Rhosgobel. Visitors trying to reach the house of the wizard alone seem to lose their way easily and find themselves back in front of the Great Hall after walking aimlessly for some time. During the warm months of the year, any visitor might be forced to wait for a while, together with the many Woodmen coming to see the wizard and seek his help.

Banna

A Woodwoman named Banna greeted the company on the edge of Rhosgobel. She is tall and gangly, and while her features could not be called pretty, there is a merry glint in her eye. She says that Radagast asked her to accompany the companions to the River, where they can take boats upriver and then travel west to Mountain Hall.

Banna is one of Radagast’s aides and messengers. She is eternally optimistic and positive, and loves tramping through the forest and the vales of Anduin more than anything else. She is curious about other folk, but has no desire to leave the lands she knows and loves – maybe one day, when she has seen all the forest and walked every valley from the Forest Gate to the Mountain Pass, but not yet. While she is a good shot with a bow and can handle a knife, she only fights in defence of her homeland. She knows little about the outside world, but knows everything about the lands of the Woodmen, down to the smallest piece of gossip or the best-hidden path through the woods of the Western Eaves.

Banna is cheery and upbeat. She asks questions of any who are not Woodmen or Beornings; Banna has never seen a Dwarf or a Hobbit, or even a house that was made out of anything other than wood. She tilts her head as if listening to the wind every few minutes. She addresses animals as ‘Master Rabbit, Mistress Cow, Lord Bear’ and so on – treating them as people.

Brunhild

Widow of Rathfik, who was slain by Oderic.

Shanker

Shanker is a crazy old human wanderer first encountered by our heroes in some ruins just prior to the battle with the Barrow Wight.

They later found him being robbed by some of Valtar's bandits.  The man is capable with a blade, but his hygiene and sordid reputation have left him an outcast.  The heroes suspect that there may be more to Shanker than meets the eye.

Selva the escaped slave

Selva was found held as a slave in the tent of the bandit lord Valtar.  The heroes untied her and helped her escape after killing the bandit.  She broke off from the rest of the group before they entered Beorning's compound.  Her current status and location is unknown

Oderic

Status: Deceased

Oderic was a villager from the small hamlet of Stoneyford.  Oderic slew Rathfik, husband to Brunhild, in a fit of rage when he saw Rathfik strike the woman.  Oderic then fled the village and was captured by bandits serving Valtar.  To save his life, Oderic began helping Valtar prepare for an assault on the Beornings and other human cities and villages.

Oderic was slain by our heroes in their assault on Valtar's compund.

Beorn

Beorn is the leader of a growing community of humans known as the Beornings, who live to the east of the Great River and north of the Old Forrest road.  Rumored to have supernatural powers connected to the spirits of the great bears of the woods, Beorn is fiercely independent and protective of his homeland.

The heroes met Beorn while investigating Odrik and subsequently recruited one of Beorn's Thanes, Beran, into their group.

Valtar the Bandit 'King'

Status: Deceased

Valtar was a bandit leader operating south of the Beorning lands.  He purported himself to be the rightful 'king' of Esgaroth.  In addition to being a highway bandit, Valtar was also a slaver.  He was killed by our heroes in a lightning quick raid on his compound.

What the heroes didn't expect was to find a severed head inside a chest in his tent. The head is guessed to be a communication tool for necromancers and agents of the Shadow.

Berylla Brandybuck

Berylla, is the sister to Dody Brandybuck of the Easterly Inn, she was returning on a trade caravan that was set upon by Goblins, Orcs and Wargs.  She was captured in the midst of the battle and stolen away to the Goblin king's lair.

Dody and Agatha Brandybuck of the Easterly Inn

Dody and Agatha are the proprietors of the Easterly Inn at the northern edge of the Beorning lands.  These hobbits have created a safe haven for travelers and traders stopping on the trade routes crisscrossing the Wilderlands.

Dody has hired the party to look into a supply caravan that has gone missing.  It's leader, Wilgar Longleg, is carrying goods necessary to keep the inn supplied and solvent.

Irime the Steward of The Mirkwood Realm

Irime is the Steward of King Thranduil of the Mirkwoord realm.  She is an old and powerful elf.  She warned Elladan of a darkness ahead in his travels, but could not say more.

Belgo son of Baldor

Belgo is the son of Baldor the merchant.  He accompanies Baldor on his trade route from Esgaroth west to the Elven Kingdom and further on to the Beornings.

Baldor the Merchant

The party met Baldor the merchant outside of Esgaroth, where he was being robbed by his own guards.  The party chased off the thugs and agreed to accompany Baldor on his journey as long as they share the same route.

Baldor trades ale and other good with both the Elves of Mirkwood and the Beornings to the West.  Baldor has a son named Belgo, who accompanies jhim on his travels.

Baldor is getting a bit senile in his old age and drank from the stream in Thranduils glade.  The water made him forget the last 5 years of his life and in a panic he ran into the dark of Mirwood.  Baldor was captured by Attercop spiders and had to be rescued by the party.  Artem bandaged the physical wounds inflicted upon the elderly man, but the waters of the stream seem to have brought back memories of Smaug's razing of Dale and the death of his wife.

Galion of the Mirkwood Realm

Former butler to Thranduil, king of the Mirkwood elves.  His drunken mistake allowed Thorin Oakenshield's party to escape.  He was demoted to a field ranger for his punishment.  Artem and Podo meet him and his rangers on the journey to rescue Oin and Balin.

Gloin of the Lonely Mountain

Gloin, a Dwarf of the Lonely Mountain - Member of Thorin Oakenshield's original company to take back Erebor. He is now the Dwarvin emmisary to Lake Town. He sent Podo Baggins and his Elven Ranger companion, Artem, on a task to find Balin and Oin, who he feared some sort of dark fate had fallen.

Oin of the Lonely Mountain

Oin - Dwarf of the Lonely Mountain.  One of the original members of Thorin Oakenshield's party.  Oin was kidnapped by the Mewlips and was rescued by Podo and Artem.

Balin of the Lonely Mountain

Balin - Dwarf of the Lonely Mountain.  One of the original members of Thorin Oakenshield's party.  Balin was kidnapped by the Mewlips and was rescued by Podo and Artem.