Iorwyn

Backstory
Iorwyn, also known simply as The Oakneedle, has spent her life studying the secrets of the forest, its animals and plants, an

d becoming a great healer. Hailing from the northern region of Rhosgobel, she, like most of her kinsmen, grew up hearing the stories of Radagast the Brown. Almost as soon as she could walk, she ventured into the forest to find him. Radagast, always happy to impart knowledge on the Woodmen, was impressed with how quickly Iorwyn learned and how in tune she was with the forest. While magic is exceptionally rare in Middle Earth, Radagast suspected that there was something special about Iorwyn, even if it wasn’t magical in the sense that a wizard knows magic. He soon took her on as his apprentice. He taught her all he could about the healing properties of herbs and plants, how to commune with animals, and how to identify all the secrets the forest has to offer so one is never lost nor feels threatened, even in the seemingly cursed woods of Mirkwood.

Her time with Radagast and in the forests of Mirkwood often put her in contact with the Elves of Mirkwood, unusual for someone from the race of men. While the elves still considered her to be a Woodmen, she was respected for her knowledge and compassion, and they eventually shared with her some of their own forest secrets as well as the language of the Elves. It is said that she is as welcome amongst the elves as The Great Elf Friend and ranger Strider.

While Radagast is considered an eccentric hermit, who doesn’t often venture into the villages of the Woodmen, Iorwyn was just the opposite, and could often be found traveling throughout the region, providing care for the ailing and injured. She is of House Rhosgobel, but considered a part of all the clans of the Woodmen and highly respected by the council of elders.

While her time in the forest made her somewhat odd in her mannerisms and speech, the Woodmen are often themselves considered uncouth by outside clans and races and Iorwyn was embraced and respected by all who knew of her. She was known to travel great distances if she heard that someone needed her aid, and as such was always welcomed with a place to sleep and food to eat wherever she went. The Woodmen are known for their frugal living, taking and using only what they need, and Iorwyn was a prime example of this. She never charged for her services. She found no need for coin, as the forest was able to provide all that she needed. However, she was never one to turn down a warm meal, a cold ale, or a good pipe.

While she is loved by those who know her, rumors of her exist far beyond the forests and, like with Radagast the Brown and the Mirkwood forest itself, outsiders have developed tales and rumors of darkness and ill omens. Some are distrustful of her healing abilities, considering them unnatural and the work of dark magic. Due to their proximity to Dol Guldur, and the fact that they survived the last battle against the Necromancer, outsiders have often been wary of the Woodmen and some have even accused Iorwyn of being in allegiance with the Dark Lord. Undaunted by these tales and rumors, Iorwyn continues to travel where she is needed and hope that with each person she helps, word will spread and verse and song will be written of her, rather than rumors and whispers. Unlike Saruman, she seeks no castle, nor temple, nor army, and is content with a bedroll and a tree perch.

While she has traveled far and wide, there are many places left she wishes to visit. She has yet to see the fields of Rohan. She has heard many tales of these riders and longs to see the great horses of the Rohirrim, for it has been many generations since horses lived amongst the Woodmen. Through her dealings with the Elves of Mirkwood, she has also learned some of the Elven Lore and has oft dreamed of visiting Rivendale and delving through its vast library and learning more of the secrets of elven healing from Elrond. And rather than being afraid of the rumors, she would love to meet the Lady of the Woods. For it is told that Galadriel possesses great power and the forests of Lothlorien are known for their healing properties. During her time in the forests of Mirkwood, she was able meet the elf Legolas, who told her of strangle little creatures called Hobbits, or halflings, and that they also know something of plants, growing vast gardens, as they call them. Something she has never seen. Apparently they are also connoisseurs of pipe weed. And finally, during her time with Radagast (and the Elves of Mirkwood), she learned some of the songs of old, and heard mention of the great tree hoarders and oldest creatures of Middle Earth, known as Ents. There is much speculation as to whether or not such creatures ever existed (and often it was hard to tell what was real since Radagast often spoken in riddle), but Iorwyn hopes that one day, she will be able to travel to the great Fangorn Forest and see for herself if the rumors are true. For who better to learn the secrets of the forest from than the forest itself.