The Council of Elrond

Steve Hatherley

This is a fictional plot from a Lord of the Rings freeform (also fictional) that I’ve created purely as an example. I’ve written the plot up here in summary form (in bullet points) to show how you might start putting a plot together, before doing the detailed writing.

The Council of Elrond – Overview

Frodo Baggins has brought the One Ring to Rivendell. Elrond has called a secret council which includes Gandalf, Boromir, Gimli, Legolas, Strider and Frodo. The purpose of the council is to determine the fate of the One Ring.

Timeline

Date/Time	Character(s)	Event	Plot
6 weeks ago	Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Strider	Strider and the hobbits arrive at Rivendell with the ring. Frodo is near death, after the Nazgul attack (see Attack of the Nazgul plot for more info)	The Council of Elrond
5.5 weeks ago	Elrond	Elrond writes to the Dwarves and Gondor inviting them to the council.	The Council of Elrond
2 weeks ago	Elrond	Elrond invites Legolas and Gandalf to the council.	The Council of Elrond
4 days ago	Boromir	Boromir arrives at Rivendell	The Council of Elrond
3 days ago	Gimli	Gimil arrives at Rivendell	The Council of Elrond
NOW	All	Game start	NA
+1 hour	Elrond, Gandalf, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, Strider, Frodo, Sam, Pippin, Merry	The Council of Elrond held (lasts 30 mins)	The Council of Elrond

Frodo

• Has been invited to the council by Elrond.
• Is currently the ring bearer. 
• Wants to go home (but also to do the right thing).
• Starts with the One Ring (item)

Gandalf the Grey

• Has been invited to the council by Elrond.
• Knows all about the ring - but dare not wear it.
• Wants the ring destroyed.

Elrond

• Has called the council (and will chair it).
• Wants the ring to be destroyed – but this is not a job for elves and the council must decide who is to destroy the ring.
• Knows about the ring.
• Believes men to be weak and doesn’t trust Boromir.

Pippin

• Hasn't been invited to the council, but has snuck in anyway.
• Wants to find out what's going on.
• Eager to help Frodo and Sam.

Merry

• Hasn't been invited to the council, but has snuck in anyway.
• Wants to find out what's going on.
• Eager to help Frodo and Sam.

Boromir

• Has been invited to the council by Elrond.
• Believes that the ring is a weapon of great power and should be used against Sauron.

Strider

• Has been invited to the Council by Elrond.
• Wants to see the ring destroyed.

Gimli

• Has been invited to the council by Elrond.
• Wants to make sure that the ring does not end up in the hands of the elves.

Legolas

• Has been invited to the council by Elrond.
• Wants to make sure that the ring does not end up in the hands of the dwarfs.

Sam

• Has been invited to the council by Elrond.
• Wants to do what’s right and support Frodo.

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Article by Steve Hatherley. Steve is an active freeformer in the UK and has written a number of freeforms. For more information about UK freeforms, please visit uk-freeforms.wikidot.com. Steve is also a partner of Freeform Games LLP and has a website dedicated to freeform-style murder mystery games: http://www.great-murder-mystery-games.com

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