The full tale of the Company of the East Road spans many years and many adventures. Over time, some of these tales have been recorded to places such as the Laurelin Archives, whilst others, perhaps more, have been lost to the ages.
The purpose of THIS page is to attempt to index such stories that are of prime relevance to the major plot of the Kinship itself in 2025+. The goal is as a reference library, to make it easier for everyone, new and old, within the Kin or without, to follow along if they wish.
2025 – Chapter 1: The Shadow Beneath the Road
The new year begins with a new RP storyline, that will see:
- A new beginning in Bree brings hope, as the Company of the East Road establishes a new home and welcomes fresh faces. But beneath the promise of growth lies the first murmurings of trouble.
- Ghosts of the past return to claim their due, as whispers of one member’s dark history spreads, threatening to unravel the Company’s hard-won reputation. Rangers and allies begin to question their trust, and a split forms between those seeking redemption and those demanding accountability.
- A reckoning of conscience and kinship will occur, as moral compromise clashes with honour. Harsh realities are faced, truths demanded, and oaths tested. The choices made will reshape the Company’s future, while one member’s final decision tears the road ahead in two.
A New Home and Roads Ahead https://laurelinarchives.org/node/65267
The Company of the East Road relocates to a new Kin House. A fresh recruit called Naridalis, reflects on her journey and considers her responsibilities within the group. As the Company settles in, the kin's leader Deorla, issues orders to gather lumber for final renovations, with the mission to be led by the notable bard and kin stalwart Guriwen.
Where the Road Darkens https://laurelinarchives.org/node/65294
The expedition that was dispatched to acquire lumber faces rejection by the Woodworkers’ Guild of Esteldín, citing criminal associations - specifically, allegations tied to Deorla’s past. The Rangers have shared disturbing accusations, branding the Company as untrustworthy. The revelation fractures morale; Alairif, a newer member of the kin also, vows to seek justice, even within the Company if needed.
A Letter in the Night https://laurelinarchives.org/node/65300
Troubled by Deorla’s past, Naridalis finds solace in a letter from Lonoric, a hobbit minstrel who uncovers disturbing records regarding the Company's shadier dealings in the Shire’s Mathom House. Naridalis resolves to ask him to investigate further, hoping truth, not rumour, will guide the Company’s path. Perhaps there is some truth to these allegations afterall…
Deorla Thoughts https://laurelinarchives.org/node/65301
Deorla contemplates her past in front of the Company’s new home. Despite once serving Sauron (!) as a military commander, she feels a fragile peace among her kin, but fears how they will see her should the truth emerge...
Company Revived https://laurelinarchives.org/node/65309
Tarnon observes a revival of spirit in the Company after Deorla’s return. While the group regains strength, rumours about Deorla persist. Tarnon remains hopeful, but the shadow of the past looms.
Reply to the Letter https://laurelinarchives.org/node/65312
Deorla answers a private letter from Guriwen (not linked here on request) concerning the Ranger's accusations.... defending her wartime actions and affirming her loyalty to the Company. She expresses willingness to open up about her past and seeks updates on the mission to get the lumbar.
Letter to Deorla: We Need Answers https://laurelinarchives.org/node/65325
Likely speaking for many, Alairif demands truth from Deorla regarding the accusation and evidence of a murder of a Ranger in a pointed letter. He offers support if she confesses but insists that trust within the kin has been damaged and must be rebuilt. The letter is both a plea, and a warning...
Recovery and Revelations https://laurelinarchives.org/node/65326
Recovering from being wounded and in a reflective mindset, Tivlyn questions what she’s begun to hear about Deorla’s past. Saved by her once, Tivlyn now feels conflicted between gratitude and unease, determined to find out who Deorla truly is.
Behind the Bark https://laurelinarchives.org/node/65354
The Company’s lumber mission leads them into the Wildwood, where they encounter a challenging reception with both the factions there. The discovery of murdered workers and a dubious origin for lumber via a man named Mattas poses a grave moral dilemma for those seeking to complete the mission; made worse when a stranger appears.
The Weight of Grey https://laurelinarchives.org/node/65356
Naridalis reflects on the ethical quandaries they now face. Alairif rejects Mattas' offer outright, but Raspi and others are less... black and white. Naridalis begins to question whether moral compromise is necessary for the good of the kin. Asking herself whether the matter is less black and white, and instead, more grey…
A Daughter's Bargain https://laurelinarchives.org/node/65357
In desperation to resolve the impasse, Naridalis writes to her father in Lothlórien, offering to return home in exchange for aid. Something she knows he wishes. She sacrifices her independence to obtain the lumbar for the Company, knowing the cost may be more than she can bear; but side-stepping the ethical issues posed by their journey to the Wildwood.
A Father's Price https://laurelinarchives.org/node/65358
Her father responds swiftly, agreeing to provide the wood, but only if she returns to Lothlórien as she had feared. Naridalis reflects on the looming separation from her chosen kin in the West, but is relieved the matter is solved.. or is it?
What Remains Unspoken https://laurelinarchives.org/node/65359
Naridalis pens a letter to Alairif, who has left the expedition abruptly in the night; with a few others. She explains her choices and their cost, and acknowledges the uncertain future ahead for them all. Alairif would now walk a different path, away from the Company, with Guriwen – founding a new kinship named ‘The Flame of the West’... to do what must be done if others won't.... to bring Deorla to justice. [You can read more about that and their ongoing story here: https://laurelinarchives.org/node/65403]
For the Leader Who Was https://laurelinarchives.org/node/65360
Unable to let go of her issues with these alleged crimes, Naridalis writes to Deorla, expressing a mixture of disappointment, sorrow and conflicted hope. She reflects on the weight of her promises to the kin and the toll taken by the scandal and moral ambiguity now corroding the Company. She notes she is departing for Lothlórien in return for securing the lumbar; poisoned task that it was, and urges Deorla to look within herself for what she knows is the right thing to do...
Herald of the Unseen War https://laurelinarchives.org/node/65362
Deorla reflects on the letter from Naridalis, and of other letters received (Alairif, Guriwen and others), and grapples with the shattered trust now rising within the Company. Caught between what she had hoped was a redemption and her dark past, she uses a coin toss to determine her next step: to continue pretendingor embraceher true self. Deorla decides to revert to her darker side. She dons her old armour, adorned with the marks of Sauron, and prepares to embrace her former role as 'Hand of the Shadowflame'. Resigned to leave behind the Company and this façade, she abandons any remaining pretence of redemption and leaves.
Deorla Departure Letter https://laurelinarchives.org/node/65366
Deorla announces her departure from the Company of the East Road [IC RP only], publicly by noticeboard; severing all ties with venom. She names various people with contempt, thanks some for awakening her true self, and leaves behind a legacy in ruin. [ note, Deorla’s tale continues further, as a branch to the main kin RP here: https://laurelinarchives.org/node/65381 ]. Though Sauron has fallen, does Deorla seek to rekindle the embers of his dominion, moving from shadow to shadow across Eriador and beyond? Only time will tell. The only thing certain for the moment is that the future of the Company itself stands on a knife edge...
The story will continue in 2025 - Chapter 2: Mending the Path
Additionally, stories posted more broadly by members of the Company can be found in its main chronicle, which you can find right here.
