Personality: A gardener by trade, a simple Hobbit of plain speech... Prior to his involvement in the war of the ring, Samwise Gamgee was much like other hobbits, or he would have appeared so to those who do not know very much about hobbits. Sam is much like other hobbits in that he lived an unadventurous, bucolic and simple life of farming, eating, and socializing prior to his adventure with Frodo. Sam doesn’t have a fancy way speaking, using plain common terms and mannerisms when speaking rather than eloquent or sophisticated words. He is very much at home in the Shire, feeling a strong bond to his home, his family, and especially his friends. From a young age he learned to work hard, learning about knots and rope along his older brother who went to work for a Roper. Unlike the other three hobbits that would make the journey, Sam was not from a family of means. Rather he was familiar with working, cooking, and helping to look after his siblings in turn; all without much complaint or thought for much more than what they had. He never complains about what he has to do and simply sees to it that it is done.
However, there were a few things that set Sam apart from most hobbits of the Shire even before the ring. Unlike most hobbits, Sam was rather curiosity about the world and his love for elves was not something that was usual for one from the Shire; though this curiosity and passion was fostered and fueled by none other than Bilbo Baggins and his tales of adventure. Before he had left the shire one of Sam’s biggest dreams was to meet a real life elf, and even once he has met them there is a certain part of him that is infatuated and in awe of them. In addition to his fondness for Elves, Sam also has an interest and skill with Poetry which for a gaffer and gardener doesn’t seem like a rather useful skill to his father.
I made a promise, Mr Frodo. A promise. "Don't you leave him Samwise Gamgee." And I don't mean to. I don't mean to.
One of the most notable things about Sam, and the most endearing, is his strength of character both in his loyalty to his word and to his friends. To Sam a promise is a solemn oath that is to be kept so long as one is able. Even if there are dire circumstances and things turn out to be far different or worse than what might have been expected, Sam will see to it that he keeps to what he has promised. At the same he expects others to keep to their word as well, though not being naieve enough to believe that everyone will. For Sam this is the largest measurement of a person’s quality of character. Once he sees that someone doesn’t go back on a promise he considers to be of the highest quality.
This loyalty is even stronger though for his friends, those for which he will cross Middle Earth and armies to carry and support. It was Sam’s concern for Frodo that lead him to eavesdrop, despite protesting he wasn’t, on Frodo the night that Gandalf returned. Thinking of other’s first Sam gives no thought to himself if it means that he is able to help a friend. Going without food for the sake of saving more Frodo, carrying him when he was unable to walk any further, and even resisting and voluntarily giving up the One Ring. Rather than abandon his friend he would rather drown, before leaving fighting off spiders and orcs. To his discredit though Sam also can be overly protective and coddling to those that are friends as well, distrusting and somewhat hostile to any who might seem to have questionable intentions or uncertain qualities. He is quickly driven to action and rash action by the perceived endangerment of those close to him, again taking little regard for himself in the matter.
Samwise the brave
Throughout the journey Sam seems to manage to keep his spirits up, his determination and drive only wavering in a few instances when they’re all pushed to the point of breaking. Each time that their wills reach that final precipice from which there would be no return, Sam pulls through and manages to hold strong against all the odds. He faces giant spiders without fear, runs Orcs through with little hesitation, and makes no objections to the dangerous paths that must be followed.
“The Brave Man Is Not He Who Does Not Feel Afraid, But He Who Conquers That Fear” – Nelson Mandela
There are times that Sam is afraid, and number of things that he is afraid of, Sam is willing to face and admit these fears without hesitation. He rises up to meet and conquer his fears each time that they arise. His honesty and steadfast determination see them through each time; though he seems especially fearful of magic and being turned into something unnatural.
A practical hobbit none the less. Despite everything Sam is a practical and simple soul. He is the rock which keeps Frodo grounded, providing a strong support for all those around him. In times of scarcity Sam makes do with what is available, he uses resources wisely, and even looks to the weather and plans things in a manner that suggests a mature and rooted nature. Bearing whatever burdens he must, Sam shoulders through all of life’s struggles and embraces all of its gifts; doing so in a true hobbit-like manner.
Abilities: Sam is a rather skilled gardener, being a right proper one that leads to even his family later being referred to as the gardeners. He’s also a good cook and can work wonders so long as he has some potatoes. In addition he’s somewhat familiar with fighting with frying pans and isn’t half bad with a sword.
Network/Actionspam Sample: [Sam had never been too comfortable with magic, and whether the watch that he was using now was magic or technology to the hobbit was indistinguishable. As such he opted for a simple audio feed rather than attempting to bother with video or typing. The sound of his voice is one that is a bit plain but easy to listen to, the tone one of contemplation and reflection.]
It’s a right strange thing you know, coming to a land so far away from home to find people and things the likes of which you never imagined. Nothing like what you hear in tales, but then how could you when it’s more than anyone could have thought.
Thinking of the world outside of the Shire was always a curious thought, how big and wide it was and how many things must have been out there. It was a little scary leaving it the way I did, and there were a great number of things that I saw that I never would have without leaving home. Stories of elves and dragons had always held my attention, painted a picture of that world for me. But I didn’t find out just how different it was until I saw it for myself. So now to find that there is more than even that, not only other lands but other worlds entirely, it’s rather hard to take in.
[There a brief pause as if he’s trying to find the right words, or perhaps to simply take a moment to let the previous statement to get across.]
In a way it makes me appreciate what I have, though it might just be a small place compared to the lands around it, or to other worlds entirely, the Shire is my home. It is the place that I can always see and think of whenever things start to get to be a bit too much. But it’s also a new chance, a chance to get to see and explore things that so many may not have had the chance to discover, to find out what really is out there beyond the fields that you’ve known and tended your whole life.
To get to meet great heroes from long ago, to talk to those who have never heard of that retched ring or that place. It makes it easy to see just how much there is out there, and the good in it all, that despite everything there is some place, somewhere that still is filled with goodness and light.
[The tone gradually changes a little, switch from a contemplative reflection to one of determination and perhaps just a hint of enthusiasm as he carries on; one of affirmation and encouragement.]
So even if if it might not have been by choice, and I might be able to go home just yet, I’m glad to have come here. To have gotten the opportunity to see so much and meet a lot of you, it is something that is quite amazing. I hope that you don’t forget that, don’t take it for granted, the people that you have gotten to know here, the stories that you’ll be able to share and tell once all this is done and over.
Because there will be something to tell, of that I’m certain; there always is in a tale like this.
[And with those hopeful words the hobbit ends the feed, not really certain who it was that was listening, but glad to have the thoughts off his chest none the less.]
Samwise Gamgee | Lord of the Rings | Reserved | 2 of 2
A gardener by trade, a simple Hobbit of plain speech...
Prior to his involvement in the war of the ring, Samwise Gamgee was much like other hobbits, or he would have appeared so to those who do not know very much about hobbits. Sam is much like other hobbits in that he lived an unadventurous, bucolic and simple life of farming, eating, and socializing prior to his adventure with Frodo. Sam doesn’t have a fancy way speaking, using plain common terms and mannerisms when speaking rather than eloquent or sophisticated words. He is very much at home in the Shire, feeling a strong bond to his home, his family, and especially his friends. From a young age he learned to work hard, learning about knots and rope along his older brother who went to work for a Roper. Unlike the other three hobbits that would make the journey, Sam was not from a family of means. Rather he was familiar with working, cooking, and helping to look after his siblings in turn; all without much complaint or thought for much more than what they had. He never complains about what he has to do and simply sees to it that it is done.
However, there were a few things that set Sam apart from most hobbits of the Shire even before the ring. Unlike most hobbits, Sam was rather curiosity about the world and his love for elves was not something that was usual for one from the Shire; though this curiosity and passion was fostered and fueled by none other than Bilbo Baggins and his tales of adventure. Before he had left the shire one of Sam’s biggest dreams was to meet a real life elf, and even once he has met them there is a certain part of him that is infatuated and in awe of them. In addition to his fondness for Elves, Sam also has an interest and skill with Poetry which for a gaffer and gardener doesn’t seem like a rather useful skill to his father.
I made a promise, Mr Frodo. A promise. "Don't you leave him Samwise Gamgee." And I don't mean to. I don't mean to.
One of the most notable things about Sam, and the most endearing, is his strength of character both in his loyalty to his word and to his friends. To Sam a promise is a solemn oath that is to be kept so long as one is able. Even if there are dire circumstances and things turn out to be far different or worse than what might have been expected, Sam will see to it that he keeps to what he has promised. At the same he expects others to keep to their word as well, though not being naieve enough to believe that everyone will. For Sam this is the largest measurement of a person’s quality of character. Once he sees that someone doesn’t go back on a promise he considers to be of the highest quality.
This loyalty is even stronger though for his friends, those for which he will cross Middle Earth and armies to carry and support. It was Sam’s concern for Frodo that lead him to eavesdrop, despite protesting he wasn’t, on Frodo the night that Gandalf returned. Thinking of other’s first Sam gives no thought to himself if it means that he is able to help a friend. Going without food for the sake of saving more Frodo, carrying him when he was unable to walk any further, and even resisting and voluntarily giving up the One Ring. Rather than abandon his friend he would rather drown, before leaving fighting off spiders and orcs. To his discredit though Sam also can be overly protective and coddling to those that are friends as well, distrusting and somewhat hostile to any who might seem to have questionable intentions or uncertain qualities. He is quickly driven to action and rash action by the perceived endangerment of those close to him, again taking little regard for himself in the matter.
Samwise the brave
Throughout the journey Sam seems to manage to keep his spirits up, his determination and drive only wavering in a few instances when they’re all pushed to the point of breaking. Each time that their wills reach that final precipice from which there would be no return, Sam pulls through and manages to hold strong against all the odds. He faces giant spiders without fear, runs Orcs through with little hesitation, and makes no objections to the dangerous paths that must be followed.
“The Brave Man Is Not He Who Does Not Feel Afraid, But He Who Conquers That Fear” – Nelson Mandela
There are times that Sam is afraid, and number of things that he is afraid of, Sam is willing to face and admit these fears without hesitation. He rises up to meet and conquer his fears each time that they arise. His honesty and steadfast determination see them through each time; though he seems especially fearful of magic and being turned into something unnatural.
A practical hobbit none the less.
Despite everything Sam is a practical and simple soul. He is the rock which keeps Frodo grounded, providing a strong support for all those around him. In times of scarcity Sam makes do with what is available, he uses resources wisely, and even looks to the weather and plans things in a manner that suggests a mature and rooted nature. Bearing whatever burdens he must, Sam shoulders through all of life’s struggles and embraces all of its gifts; doing so in a true hobbit-like manner.
Background: It’s a right useful thing, Wiki
Abilities: Sam is a rather skilled gardener, being a right proper one that leads to even his family later being referred to as the gardeners. He’s also a good cook and can work wonders so long as he has some potatoes. In addition he’s somewhat familiar with fighting with frying pans and isn’t half bad with a sword.
Network/Actionspam Sample:
[Sam had never been too comfortable with magic, and whether the watch that he was using now was magic or technology to the hobbit was indistinguishable. As such he opted for a simple audio feed rather than attempting to bother with video or typing. The sound of his voice is one that is a bit plain but easy to listen to, the tone one of contemplation and reflection.]
It’s a right strange thing you know, coming to a land so far away from home to find people and things the likes of which you never imagined. Nothing like what you hear in tales, but then how could you when it’s more than anyone could have thought.
Thinking of the world outside of the Shire was always a curious thought, how big and wide it was and how many things must have been out there. It was a little scary leaving it the way I did, and there were a great number of things that I saw that I never would have without leaving home. Stories of elves and dragons had always held my attention, painted a picture of that world for me. But I didn’t find out just how different it was until I saw it for myself. So now to find that there is more than even that, not only other lands but other worlds entirely, it’s rather hard to take in.
[There a brief pause as if he’s trying to find the right words, or perhaps to simply take a moment to let the previous statement to get across.]
In a way it makes me appreciate what I have, though it might just be a small place compared to the lands around it, or to other worlds entirely, the Shire is my home. It is the place that I can always see and think of whenever things start to get to be a bit too much. But it’s also a new chance, a chance to get to see and explore things that so many may not have had the chance to discover, to find out what really is out there beyond the fields that you’ve known and tended your whole life.
To get to meet great heroes from long ago, to talk to those who have never heard of that retched ring or that place. It makes it easy to see just how much there is out there, and the good in it all, that despite everything there is some place, somewhere that still is filled with goodness and light.
[The tone gradually changes a little, switch from a contemplative reflection to one of determination and perhaps just a hint of enthusiasm as he carries on; one of affirmation and encouragement.]
So even if if it might not have been by choice, and I might be able to go home just yet, I’m glad to have come here. To have gotten the opportunity to see so much and meet a lot of you, it is something that is quite amazing. I hope that you don’t forget that, don’t take it for granted, the people that you have gotten to know here, the stories that you’ll be able to share and tell once all this is done and over.
Because there will be something to tell, of that I’m certain; there always is in a tale like this.
[And with those hopeful words the hobbit ends the feed, not really certain who it was that was listening, but glad to have the thoughts off his chest none the less.]
Prose Log Sample: April Test Drive