Friends of Nimrodel: Tapestry of Dreams - Discussion

[alaklondewen]

lmp, I'm afraid it is I that pictures Ædegard as an older man, and Celegtâl would certainly know the difference. Thanks for pointing it out, and I did edit. :)

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Whoosh...

I got up a post that continued the 'confrontation' between Celegtâl and the Rohan group...:)

Happy spring-almost-summer, everyone! These months are flying by...only 28 more days of school!

-Aylwen

P.S. Happy Mother's Day, as well!

Edit: I was wondering if you'd notice that I'd left Liornung's name out, Nuru. :D I had no name to mix his up with :(...though maybe Bella would have a different excuse later on.

[mark12_30]

Aylwen, Nuru, Alak... very funny! I love it.

Looks like lmp is next.

Anorien: Where do we want this to go? Are we looking for a peaceful resolution, or is the merchant going to do something stupid and get him and his henchman injured or killed?

[Imladris]

I'm thinking peaceful, as I think I hinted at in my last post...he's not really all that bad...just a bit difficult with a large splash of revenge...

[mark12_30]

Hokey-Dokey. No bloodshed today.

Orual: Ravion tensed his arm suddenly as though to strike, and the merchant let go of Aeron's arm reflexively. Brilliant. And so subtle, I missed it the first time through and found myself wondering how Aeron got to the fire! :rolleyes: (...Game-owner... ..... in.... spaaaaaaace..... ) *cue muppet music*

:o

Okay, then, time for a brief "Mellonin pondered" post.

[littlemanpoet]

Uh oh, Orual. Looks like we posted right on top of each other. I only read the first couple lines, but it looks like we may be getting in the way of each other. How do you want to handle it?

[Orual]

We cross-posted, but it wasn't really to cross-purposes...so I just edited and let what I had written flow more naturally from what you had set up. Check it out and see if there's anything I need to change, but I think that there ought to be no problem.

[mark12_30]

...I think it's good... and I think Raefindan very nicely gave Mellonin-- er, Fingon-- the argument that he needed!

Onward! Uh, I guess that means me next! Wheee!

[littlemanpoet]

Orual, that was a work of genius! Way to go! :) :D

[alaklondewen]

lmp, there is a small problem with your Lorien post. Caranduin and Celegtâl know nothing of Amroth and Mellon, but they will take you to Erebemlin anyway. I probably should have been clearer beforehand, but would you mind editing that dialogue? Thanks. :)

Edit: Also, Celegtâl is standing before you, while Caranduin is in the tree. ;)

[mark12_30]

Okay! Fingon hath spoken-- and Mellonin is a sqeaky-voiced bundle of frayed nerves!!

[Imladris]

Good old Aeron showing some sort of nobility at the end. :) Nice touch...

[littlemanpoet]

Oops, and thanks, Alak. Will fix. :)

[mark12_30]

Okay, team, I'm Stumped. Suggestions?? Brainstorms??

[Imladris]

I edited post 200 for more chaacter developement....

As for brainstorms, whatever happened to the dragon idea? Maybe we'll still have merchants to deal with as well...*evil Calvin grin*

[mark12_30]

The horse.... Every man has a weakness.

Mellonin just got ticked....

[Imladris]

I'm impressed that you guessed the merchant's weakness before I even knew it...which is really odd since I basically wrote the weakness in there...I am too subtle for my own good.

I was kind of thinking: wouldn't it be good if some sort of tragedy hit the company? i don't know what kind of tragedy. Illness maybe...I'm not too sure.

[mark12_30]

Hee hee! DOn't let the merchant get away without his confounded necklace. We wouldnt' want him back THAT soon.

Illness: not just yet.? Let's get them mostly across the mouths of the Entwash. But everyone can be tired and run-down, and then the illness can hit suddenly.

Whatta buncha sickos. :rolleyes:

[mark12_30]

Pouncing belatedly on something I should have pointed out earlier:

Honesty is a huge thing in Middle-Earth. (I had a bunch of quotes ready, but heck, you all know what I mean.) Aeron doesn't get it; but everyone else (with thepossible exception of Raefindan, and that's up to lmp) should either be scrupulously honest, or, feel horrendously guilty about their failure to do so.

The Anorien group -- Mellonin and Ravion (at least) -- now falls into the latter category.

The elves on the border of Lorien-- alak, I think we need to readdress their statement "you are watched by many." What else can we have there? Can they just stand there and look dangerous? Or can we have a few other archers hidden in the eaves of the forest? They can't just lie... they'd stop being elves and suddenly morph into orcs :eek: ;)

[alaklondewen]

Helen, I completely understand. I had contemplated using the line for a while before I wrote it, and then decided I would try it out. I edited post #201 and reworded some things in that scene. :)

[mark12_30]

I knew you would! I'll go check it out... "brb"


...Yes, I like it much better this way! Thanks so much for editing.

Now Amroth must thank Erebemlin...

[alaklondewen]

Helen, we need to discuss an issue with the elves...the role of Taitheneb. I like Taitheneb as a character, and I know you are growing attached to him as well. ;) Erebemlin has this deep love for his king that has last thousands of years, and I just can't see him giving up care for his returned king to another. I feel like somewhere in the last scene (I'm not sure when and where it happened) Erebemlin is coming off as weak and afraid. He is neither. No, I don't think he would be comfortable opening his complete thought to Amroth, but I don't think he would fear helping his king, or be 'glad' Taitheneb is going to watch over his dreams. Would you mind editing this? I would look over my posts as well to see if this 'feeling' of Erebemlin is being carried through them as well. Thanks so much.

[mark12_30]

Alak, I can just rip it out and start over. Or better yet, you can put in what you want. Let's just do that. I was running on empty there, and I don't like what I wrote.

[mark12_30]

OK. I now realise that I had basically hijacked Taitheneb; Mea Culpa (my sin.) I hereby relinquish him! Alak, he's all yours again, and anything you want edited in my previous posts, please point out and I will cheerfully do so!

How about I just provide this guideline about Amroth: Amroth is in his usual hurry to move forward; he's going to be racking his brain as to what the chalk and decay and dust might mean from his most recent dream (his other dreams have all been watery or just plain dark), and come to the incorrect guess that she is somewhere over in dusty Dagorlad or Gorgoroth (if he guessed the paths of the dead, they wouldn't ride down the Anduin. And he knows she likes water, so he'll hope that she did go down the Anduin.)

What will eventually correct his misconception will be discussions with Raefindan when they meet up. Raefindan "remembers" that Mithrellas never was interested in Mordor at all, but instead was interested in the White Mountains.

Once they get to the Belfalas area they can hear rumors about a wild elf living in the mountains, or something.

So:

--Amroth is in his usual hurry to get on with the search and his next idea is the the Dagorlad and after that the ash plains of Gorgoroth
--He's immediately ready to jump back on Echo and ride off. without grasping the illness and weariness of the body he is wearing
--WildMellon/ Nethwador won't be far behind him (although he may be looking over his shoulder hopong for a glimpse of Lady Bella.)

So: Rohan team: You're on. Keeping the above three points in mind, go wild.

Rohan Riders are approaching the flet, correct? What's next?

[alaklondewen]

Helen, thank you so much for understanding. I have written a new scene for the flet and carried time ahead a few hours, so the Rohan group can arrive.

[mark12_30]

Love it.

Alak, thank Eru that you said something.

[mark12_30]

*watching the door ladder with baited breath*

(Must be Nethwador talking, Amroth's asleep.)

Orual, does Erundil have any plans, or do you have plans for him?

Meanwhile, what's up in Anorien? Shall Ravion's Anorien team press hard to arrive (and get through) the Entwash?

I'm guessing that Ravion pushes the group pretty hard, and shoots for 25 miles/day.

Ravion's group left Minas Tirith the evening of the 16th; it's now late on the 18th. So let's call it 2.5 days of travel at 25 miles / day. (At that rate the rookies should all be footsore and griping!! ) that puts us (by my guesstimate) basically a day away from the Entwash (make the Entwash late at night Dec 19th) I'm guessing that Ravion would know a path that waves a bit but would get the group through the Delta fairly quickly. It's too cold to swim, so they'll be looking for shallow fords and I would imagine weaving a bit. Maybe the Entwash delta would take them three days to navigate? So 20, 21, evening of the 22 they clear the Entwash.

From there it's a day to Sarn Gebir. I should think we'd go west of Rauros (not taking the stair) unless Gond can climb a huge stair like that? A small one, yes, but that's a big long stair...


comments?

[Orual]

I was about to ask about Erundil, actually. Should he be leaving soon? I think he's coming dangerously close to figuring out who the real blacksmith is. I think he should bow out now and get on his way to the Gondor group.

Thoughts on that?

As for Ravion and the Gondor crew, I think that we ought to get going. They're going to want to put a little distance between themselves and the merchant, just in case...plus Ravion's always griping about wasting time, so he'll want to get moving, even for its own sake.

[mark12_30]

He seemed ancy when the elves said their bit; I havlf expected him to say something polite to the elves and return to his own marches.Does that sound right to you, or do you think he'd really leave from the base of the tree...? Seems too late to me then, as if he'd be in it for good whether or no.

We could insert a gracious exit at any time from meeting the two elves onward, , and it shouldn't take many edits to snip him out of the ensuing posts.

Anything you like!

[alaklondewen]

If I may speak for the elves ;), I would suggest writing his exit taking place earlier than the current scene, because Caranduin, or any of the other elves, will not allow him to be 'loose' in the forest. It might even be *really* dangerous for him, because another elf we haven't discussed could see him...

[mark12_30]

:eek: Ranger-kebab! :(

So... Erundil should depart in post 201?

[Orual]

Post 201 sounds good. Should I PM alaklondewen something to put in underneath that post?

In other news, I'm going to be out of town over the weekend. I should be back by Monday, and may not even be out of town overnight...it depends on the weather. But it's probably safest to assume that I'll be gone til Monday.

[alaklondewen]

Orual, that is fine with me. :)

[Orual]

Easier done than said...it's on its way.

[alaklondewen]

Orual, your post is up in #201, and I edited my last post for Celegtâl to reflect the correct number in the group.

[littlemanpoet]

"Deluding"? How about "fooling"?

By the way, I've been wondering if Raefindan was the type to burst out like that "Enough!" of his. I've been kind of wanting him to do something like that for a while now. Thanks for having him do that, Orual.

[Imladris]

I changed it...I do wonder how the peoples of Middle-earth communicated to each other...such a limited vocabulary. *sigh* ;)

[mark12_30]

lmp, could you post the essentials of Middle-English vocabulary (you know what I mean... what you told me... less french, less Latin, etc...?) That might take some of the pressure off you. And then we could all help each other.

[mark12_30]

~*~*~*~*~*~ It's Vewy Vewy Quiet...~*~*~*~*~*~

(Elmer Fudd comes to Lothlorien.)

At any rate, alak is bursting to write, and so I have taken the liberty of nidging the action along just a little, with Ædegard (lmp, I hope that's OK.). Alak, go ahead and write; I will keep putting up little nudges, and if anyone (especially in the Rohan contingent ) wants to edit **Please** let me know! I will happily paste anything in that's needed.

[littlemanpoet]

As requested by Helen, I'm going to give a little background into how Tolkien worked with language in LotR. First of all, let me just say that Linguistics (the study of language) is a fascinating hobby for me, and I'm not really an expert, I just happen to know a little something because I've taken a few courses in college, and just love the topic. Anyway.....

Modern English is loaded with borrowings from Greek, Latin, French, (and in the case of American English) Native American, German, Gaelic, and other languages as well. It's why modern English has such a huge and rich vocabulary.

But here's the rub: Tolkien stuck, as much as he could, with the roots of English, which are found in Anglo-Saxon, which is also known as Old English. There is actually quite a lot written in Old English, because with the acceptance of Christianity, Anglo-Saxons learned their letters. Thus, Old English works include "Beowulf", "Pearl", the Gospels, "Orfeo" (a story borrowed from Greek myth aka Orpheus), and "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", borrowed from Celtic myth. The upshot is that we know what Old English vocabulary was like.

Moving on.

If you want to know what the Old English vocabulary was, by and large, read LotR, excluding Elvish words. There are exceptions, such as Frodo using the word "travelers", whereas the Old English choice would be "wayfarers", but by and large, Tolkien used Old English words.

In the 900's, the Vikings rampaged all over Europe, and conquered much of Scotland, Ireland, and England. Because of their influence, the Scots say "kirk" instead of "church". Just one example.

In 1066, William the Conqueror invaded England from Normandy in France, and forced his Norman French to be the accepted language of the upper classes for 200 years in England. Thing is, William's ancestors were Danish Vikings, so that his Norman French was a mix of Danish and French. Because of William, English has such words as: ... bailliff, beef, pork, guard, and so forth. You may wonder what the English called the meat of a pig before 1066. Well, pig. Or hog.

With the Renaissance, many Greek and Latin words entered the language. Greek words tend to be those associated with Medicine and Philosophy, such as cardiovascular, hermetic, encephalogram; and apology, philosophy, theology, etc. Any word ending in ology is Greek. Latin borrowings are a huge part of English. Any word ending in "tion" is from Latin. Deluded is Latin. So is ruin, believe it or not! Peregrine is Latin, as is pilgrim. Illustrate.

French words entered English, all over again, in the 18th century. Most words that have "ou" in them, or most other double vowels, are French. Trouble. Question.

German words tend to have to do with education. Kindergarten. Semester. One exception is Heck. It means Gate. Heck is an abbreviated way of saying "Gates of Hell".

I hope this helps. This is only the briefest and crudest presentation. I've tried to show that there are exceptions to every single one of the generalities I point to above. There you have it. If you have any questions about this, feel free to ask.

LMP

[mark12_30]

Okay, I can't resist; I'm gong to put in my own two cents worth, as they say here on the Downs.

The way I approach this-- being essentially clueless about french and latin and half the other stuff-- is as follows. I go for as many monosyllabic words as possible. (cough)

I use short words.

Simplify, simplify, simplify. Elves speak in simple ways. I didn't really believe this til I looked up some of Galadriel's speech.

"The love of the elves for their land and their works is deeper than the sea, and their regret is undying and cannot ever be wholly assuaged. Yet they will cast all away rather than submit to Sauron: for they know him now."

"Assuaged", "undying" are the only three-syllable words (sort of); the rest are all two-syllable or one. One syllable is safest if you can find it.

Anyway, it seems to work; lmp nabs me much less these days!

;)

ps. lmp says "assuaged" is french, and it's the only non-english word in the whole quote. Hey! I'm getting there! Yippee!

[mark12_30]

...several paragraphs of them would be good.

We do seem to have stalled.

I find myself wondering whether (with Erebemlin's new revelation) the search might not happen more quickly. Erebemlin may be able to sort out the signals more clearly than the feverish and weary Amroth.

That said-- the Anorien troop does need to surge northward. Orual, will you be able to post soon?

[alaklondewen]

Aylwen, I used Bellyn in my last post (yes, I post again...couldn't help it). Please, please, tell me if I've overstepped any boundaries. I could just see it given several cues from your posts.

[littlemanpoet]

I'd say don't worry about it. IMHO, if you have inspiration to write for the rpg, and others don't seem to, go for it. We can let you know if there are edits that need to be made. We'll even be nice about it! Even me! :p Promise! You may be the one to get me going with your next post! So have at it, is what I say. That okay, Helen?

[mark12_30]

Absolutely. If we're too careful, we'll never get anywhere.

I'd rather edit than tiptoe.

Speaking of plot twists, I hadn't figured on Erebemlin being able to sleuth his way through Amroth's dreams. This could significantly shorten the search, eh? Which (truth to tell) comforts me significantly. I had begun to worry that this game would stretch on into the 22nd century... kidding. But it did threaten to go on longer than we would have enthusiasm for... so Erebemlin's detective work is a good thing. It's easier to stretch a game with details than condense it with haste, I think. So-- Detective Erebemlin is warming to the task.

Turns out to be a VERY good thing that Orual had a spare ranger to send Amroth's way. And it also looks like the two teams could join forces sooner rather than later, which I also like...

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

It's all good, alak! You overstepped no boundaries.

Amroth awakens! :D

-Aylwen

[Orual]

I'm back! Turned out that the weather was good, so we stayed out over the weekend...now, somewhat relaxed, I've returned and I'm going check out the game thread right now.

[mark12_30]

Welcome home! It's a big relief to see you posting again! I missed Ravion.

[mark12_30]

I have a strong temptation to change my "location", thusly:

"Napping peacefully in Erebemlin's flet. Please do not disturb."

[alaklondewen]

Quick question...where exactly are the Gondorians on the 19th, or is it the 20th now? Should we (the rohan group) be packing along quickly to catch up to their date? I think we're just getting up on the 17th, or maybe there's an idea of which I am not aware. Anyway, I just need to get my mind around it.

[mark12_30]

Yes, Ravion's group is at the 20th and Ædegard's group will wake up soon on the 17th. Moving Rohan/Lorien along timewise would be a good thing.

[Orual]

Helen, you said earlier that the Anorien group needed to make some headway northbound. I assume we should surge on despite Raefindan's nasty cold? (Poor Raefindan! I think I've had that cold...)

[mark12_30]

Orual:
Yes. Distance is good. They'll get to the Entwash delta soon (if they aren't nearly there already.)

No rest for the weary Raefindan...

Rohan was supposed to "catch up" to Ravion's group timewise (rohan was a week behind.) We made good progress; we have a few more days to close up. I think Ravion & co can cover game-distance, let relationships continue to build and characters continue to develop.

Meanwhile, we can be hurring Ædegard's group three days forward timewise. Alak has agreeed to drive Ædegard & Erebemlin's troop onward.

[mark12_30]

lmp--

Ædegard: ooo, great questions! Looking forward to Erebemlin' answers!

Raefindan.... :eeeeew: Sounds like this would be a really good time for Aeron to teach Raefindan how to clear his nose in the field. Or Ravion.

Mellonin would also know how, I suspect.

[alaklondewen]

I'm sorry to take so long, but I've been job hunting the last couple of days, and I'm exhausted. I will be fresh tomorrow and will have Erebemlin's reply posted. Tough questions, by the way. Way to keep me on my toes, lmp. ;)

See you all tomorrow.

[mark12_30]

Gondor team,

Now that we've had our fun with it, do you think we could edit out the baser elements of the whole snot theme? It doesn't qualify as "High, purged of the gross".... I don't think the proffessor would approve.

Thoughts?

[Imladris]

Okay I edited out one "graphic" description of the mucus...only one sentence. I serfed through all my posts on the subject to see if there was any more but I did not find any. If you are referring to using a sleave for a nose rag, I really do think that Aeron would use his shirt and that he told Raefindan to use it in the highest sincereity.

[littlemanpoet]

Um, sorry to have dragged this fine collaboration through ..... the mud..... so to speak. :D But who was it who wrote Raefindan having a cold, eh? And speaking of Raefindan's declining health, who was it (sorry, have had no time to research this thread) who gave him the bum leg, and what did you have in mind? I wrote the hip thing because I can relate to it. Did you have something else in mind?

And do feel that I need to edit out some of my cold-symptom meanderings?

Please do tell.....

[mark12_30]

Immy the sleeve thing is OK as it is now. (He really would have learned to snort, though. Wearing drizzle is the pits. )

The pneumonia is fine (Hope you're up for a passenger, Gond!) but... yeah, I think the graphic cold symptom discussions are a bit beyond what Tolkien would have done. Especially (at the end of post 236) the bit about Jorje licking up Raefindan's sneeze. Eeeuuugh. I'd put the book down and walk away at that point. Can we lose it? (Please?)

Um-- the limping... I didn't have a lot of plans, just vague thoughts about blisters perhaps or sore muscles. The hip thing is fine by me. Plot twists, we like plot twists.

I wonder how Ravion will handle it? I have a vision of Raefindan draped over Gond's back, limp arms and legs dangling. Poor Raefindan. Poor Gond.

[littlemanpoet]

Oh, all right. Sorry about he Jorje nose thing. That comes right out of real life; it's the way dogs will be.

But if you don't want green, I'm okay with that. Green was my cue that Rae has pneumonia. It's a one to one correlation, according to my medically knowledgeable spouse. So if you want to avoid this particular plot development, we can all edit, if you like, but I'd just as soon we didn't; this shall prove a useful vehicle for Raefindan to do some maddened dreaming of Imrazor, I'm thinking.

Okay, I've fixed the last three posts for Raefindan (or is it two?). I've removed some of the more nasal references, and rewritten the Jorje incident; I also fixed my failure to have Rae's speech sound like a bad cold. Now I won't have to worry about that for a little while, what with him out cold and all - pardon the pun. :p

[mark12_30]

Better! Thanks!

I leave tomorrow morning for a three-day business trip. I don't expect to have any internet access while I'm gone. Carry forward! Post like blazes! Don't be shy and don't worry.

Looking forward to reading it all when I get back!

Grace & peace, --mark12_30

[mark12_30]

Hello!

I'm back, and happy about it!

How is everyone? Questions, concerns, curiosities...?

Lovely posts, by the way. It was delicious reading them when I got back.

[littlemanpoet]

I am somewhat at loose ends. I'm not happy with Raefindan's dream. Helen and I have discussed Imrazor's relationship with Mithrellas briefly in the past, and whereas I had just assumed that Imrazor had more or less overpowered her, Helen had not seen it so. So I want to work some tension into their relationship, such that Imrazor's tension is between fate (as he sees it) and honor, and Mithrellas's is between love and duty on one hand, and between love and - I don't know - distrust or resentment on the other.

One other primary question: when Imrazor happend up on Mithrellas, was it after Nimrodel had missed the boat, or before? And if it was after, was Nimrodel flying alone into the wilds of Gondor, and Mithrellas following after, or with her, or what?

[mark12_30]

Good morning, lmp...

I could guess! Just kidding. I am not sure it is clear in the writings, but I will glean from them what I can and post my observations here asap.

--off to dig

[mark12_30]

Okay... I don't have time to quote it all now, but:

...
page 260 unfinished tales: Galador was the son of Imrazor the numenorean, awho dwelt in belfalas, and the elven lady Mithrellas. She was one of the companions of Nimrodel, among many of the elves who fled to the coast about the year 1980 of the third age... and nimrodel and her maidens stayed int he wooded hills, and were lost. But in this tale it is said that Imrazor harbored Mithrellas and took her to wife. But when she had borned him a son, Galador, and a daughter, Gilmith, she slipped away by night and he saw her no more.

Seems to me that he-- or somebody-- found her wandering and maybe hungry, and took her to Imrazor's house, and he "harbored" her-- "safe harbor" comes to mind, doesn't seem forced to me-- and then "he took her to wife". I figured she left because she didn't want to watch her husband get old and die.

Seems to me that by the time Nimrodel lay down beside the Mere of Gilrain, she was alone. page 254 unfinished tales: ...she became lost in the white mountains......she sat by a mere, seeing the stars reflected in its dim waters, and listening to the waterfalls...

My expectations of the game are shifting... I had expected the two teams to be separate for quite some time, but now I expect they will join up much sooner, and take a more direct route to the Gilraen (at least) than i had previously planned. I think Erebemlin and Taitheneb, along with Liornung and Bella and anybody else who knows the song and the legends, will be thinking hard about them, and the GIlrain should become the focus of the search before too much longer. The focus on the Dagorlad and the Morannon (for now)was just to get them swinging westward so they could meet up with Ravion's group. I think we need that synergy for the game.

I'm leavng for my parents' house shortly and I'll be busy all day tomorrow. Feel free to gallop ahead. Speaking of Tomorrow: Happy Birthday Alak!!

[littlemanpoet]

I've revised Raefindan's first dream. Now I feel like I can move forward with it. There's a little bit of the flavor of Beren and Luthien about it, but Tolkien did set up the template after all, didn't he?

[mark12_30]

Hello Dream-Team,

I am not quite sure whether my old laptop committed suicide (unlikely) or was murdered (likely) but in either case it is dead, and I now salute you from the keyboard of my "new" PC. Golly, it's fast!! It's also very stripped down. Send me email or PMs only til further notice!

I have a few things to check out, and then I'll be back with a new game post.

(Where to, Iluvatar?)

Grace and peace, --mark12_30

[mark12_30]

Rohan team-- we are camped at the Field of Celebrant. That was a battle between Rohan and the Wainriders. Room for some ethnic conflict, if you like!

[Imladris]

Hey! Sorry I wasn't around today....was having a blast at a Renaissance Faire.

But anyway, what is this song? Grasping for the moon....I'm lost...or confused...or just not thinking straight...take your pick. ;)

And before I forget, I'm going to be leaving on June 9 and I'm not sure how long I'll be. I won't have much internet access, so I'll be scarce.

Cheers!
Imladris

[mark12_30]

The Moon Song...

I haven't written it yet. But (if I do) it will probably compare heartache to the pull of the tide, caused by the love of a shining one who is (or seems!) far out of reach. It will be short; maybe two brief verses, or one long verse, or some such.

EDIT: I was thinking something like this:


Afar I plead from deep and hollow.
Shimmer, glisten, and gaze on me,
For as you rise, I must follow;
O, beckon me.


How you rule me! Though ripple and foam
Heed every wind, yet I, heart-deep
Remain your thrall; heart-hope, heart-home,
Heart-doom you keep.


(The last line of each verse ought to be indented... sigh.)

How one does fuss at these things...

[alaklondewen]

Yikes...please accept my apology for such a long absence. I'm going through a real life transition, so I'm still figuring out time and such. Anyway, I tried to slip some ethnic conflict in there (taking cues from Helen's earlier suggestion). Let me know if any of it needs editing.

[mark12_30]

We do seem to have slowed down! Alak, the answers to Amroth's questions can all be found on the reference page. See my sig and click on the tapestry link....

Gondor? What's going on in Anorien? Mellonin is trying NOT to let Ravion into her heart. What's Ravion's move?

Amroth would insist that the Rohan group follow the river, so although it's tempting to shortcut across the bends, he at least will not do so. Even considering that, the two groups could meet up in maybe five or six days. WOW!!! Much faster than I had anticipated. Hey! You guys plot-twisted my plan! :D :p You rule.

Orual, how fast can your ranger cut cross-country and meet Ravion and talk about the (perfectly insane and raving) blacksmith? Mellonin goes moonstruck herself...

[Orual]

Ravion is stubbornly unaware of Mellonin's struggles...although he isn't a complete numbskull, so he will figure it out eventually. He has his own rather complex feelings toward Mellonin, though he hasn't figured out what they are yet.

As for Erundil, he'd be cutting across country as fast as his horse would take him to give Ravion the news, and considering that he's alone, he'd probably be reaching them pretty soon. Shall I post for him?

[mark12_30]

Post for him anytime you'd like once he could reasonably show up there. If he departed the Lorien border on (pause for timecheck) Dec 16, I think noonish.

I make it roughly 300 miles from the Nimrodel-Lorien border, to the Emyn Muil; mouths of the Entwash is further still. From "References " in the SHire:

Gandalf's and Pippin's ride took 3 days and covered 300 miles. (HRW: Incredible feat: only a tremendous athlete (Mearas!) could do this.)
The march of the Rohirrim by horse from Edoras to Minas Tirith had them going about 60 miles a day. (HRW: Another amazing feat. Use as maximum/ extreme.)

A cavalry travels at ~30 milies/day, or so. But a Lone Ranger (Hi-Yo Mithril!) could do the 60 miles/day, I guess. Tired horse!! But if you figure 60 miles/day and he rode *straight* for Ravion, he'd get there in about five days. So Emyn Muil on Dec 21, noonish at the earliest. Entwash is another 100 miles plus, so call it two more game-days, Entwash delta on Dec 23, noonish.

Sound reasonable?

[mark12_30]

Saturday is Aylwen's birthday! Happy Birthday Aylwen!!

(picture Heren-Istarion's avatar in triplicate, here...)

:)
:cool:


'*****************************************

(Speaking of avatars, Nuru, I love your new one!)


'*****************************************

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Awww, thanks Helen!

(pictures Heren's avvy three times in her mind)

-Aylwen :D

P.S. Wow! I just saw Nuru's new avatar! Pretty! Very nice. *clap*

[Orual]

Sounds perfectly reasonable, Helen. Mental note for an Erundil post on the 23rd, game time...

[Imladris]

Looks like I'm going to be gone longer than I expected and we're leaving a day earlier. I will definitely have a post up for Aeron and Gwyll by then, so no fear of that. ;)

I have a very cool mom and she has agreed to bring me to the library every once in a while so I won't be gone completely....

Cheers!
Imladris

[mark12_30]

Place your bets now, folks! Will there be ANY singles left by the end of this quest???

[alaklondewen]

I can't see into the future, but there would really have to be a whopper of a plot twist for Erebemlin to find romance on this journey. ;)

I have a post about half done, so it will be up in the morning...time for bed...

[Imladris]

I assume you mean single as in marriage, Bolco?

Then I lay my bets on Aeron and Gwyllion... ;)

[littlemanpoet]

What can I say? Ædegard knows he needs a wife. And no, don't tell me I don't have to apologize; I'm not doing that! ;)

Besides, you can't blame me that Nuru introduced a single Rohirric maiden! That was the stroke of doom for Ædegard! :D

As for Jorje, I just noticed that everybody else forgot about him, and Raefindan can't really include him in posts right now, so I thought I'd get inside the dog's head. Hope that's okay! It's probably not the way Tolkien would have done it (I think of a certain fox in the Shire), and I could change it, but I thought it would be fun to try out a dog's pov. Never did it before!

[Nurumaiel]

Besides, you can't blame me that Nuru introduced a single Rohirric maiden!

Yes, the blame is on me. Apoligies! :D I actually introduced her with the intention of finding a wife for Liornung, who just won't find one no matter how much I pressure him. Nothing doing. He's stubborn, and I place my bets that if Argeleafa weds one of the company it won't be Liornung.

So, good Ædegard, if you eventually make your move, I, Liornung the skillfull bard, will not interfer. :D

Helen, I thought you'd be interested to know that baseball season is over. So I have more time but I'm going to miss it and all the lads! :( After three hard games yesterday, two of which they won, they were finally out of the playoffs when they lost this morning, which finishes them in third place. We were hoping for the championship but, alas, it was not to be. A trivial thing, one might say, but I had been praying and when the game was over I scowled up at the heavens... and then a smile started coming to my face and I knew I couldn't be upset with my Lord because He was too sweet... so I did not weep but rather laughed! I won't ramble on about baseball here, however.

[littlemanpoet]

Well, then, it looks as if Ædegard has found sufficient reason to stay on the quest. He was having his doubts, but not anymore.... :D

[mark12_30]

Glad to have that settled! But we have a new problem in Anorien. I hope Gond went northwest?

Immy, I guess you are gone already? Sob! When you say you don't know when you'll be back.... ummmmm... what does that mean...? days? Months? (To quote Jorje: AaaWOOOO)

Nuru-- I am delighted to have you less scarce! And thank the Lord for the timing, too-- it would have been hard to have both you and Immy scarce at the same time. (yee..)

I'm one to talk, eh? I've been scarce myself! But that's over, and "I'm back."

:rolleyes: Nothin' up my sleeve... ;) :p

[Imladris]

Not completely gone yet, Balco. However, my brain is fried with exhaustion....I leave in about three hours...and then I still have to finish packing...*list of things to do crams in on my mind....suppresses rising panic* ;) *cough*

Oh, I'll be back in a couple weeks -- did I make it sound longer than that? :p To me a couple of weeks is a very long time....and I'm going to miss this game a lot. But my mom is a very cool mom who has agreed to bring me to the library to use their computers a couple times a week. :D

Neat avatar LMP!

Cheers,
Immy

[littlemanpoet]

Thanks, Immy! I have Bolco to thank for the help. Smith is my favorite Tolkien character, bar none!

Meantime, I must ask if I understand what's happening correctly. Is it really true that Raefindan is still tied to Gond, hanging upside down beneath the horse, as the horse gallops madly off, its knees no doubt knocking what little chance of recovery the poor man has, clean out of him?!?! At least Jorje will be there to clean up the mess if and when Gond comes to a stop!

[mark12_30]

Actually, if they tied Raefindan on well enough (ankles around horses' barrel AND hands around horse's neck) , he's hanging against the horse's shoulder and hampering the movement of that leg.

He can't be comfortable. And his hands and ankles will not be happy. And the blood will be pounding in his head.

[mark12_30]

Aylwen, it's been quiet lately for Bella-- what would you like to see her up to?

Conflicts? Issues? Concerns? Archery contests?

Let us know!

[mark12_30]

I know who Raefindan finds. Or, who finds him.

Gond is going run a long way with Jorje following him... Or maybe not. Maybe this guy can live close, or Raefindan would be dead by the time he found him.... Okay. So he does live close. There's a dark elf nearby... Eol's cousin, in heart if not in blood. He lives in a place that other elves will never go, and men will hardly ever go. Swamp? Somewhere along the Entwash?

He has the arrogance and defiant attitude of Feanor without a tenth of the class or beauty or power.

Name, I need a sinister, lonely, bitter elvish name.... Raefindan's nightmare has only begun...

[mark12_30]

Alak, can you think of a bitterly isolationist elvish name? ....please?

There's a new guy in the swamp, and I finally understand why Nimrodel got lost. (That always bugged me. An elf that gets lost??? Never made sense.)

[mark12_30]

Alak has named the dark elf Tharonwe-- corrupted faith.

lmp, if I got into Raefindan's head too much, let me know; I was trying to do not-inside-head but I slipped a bit I think. I may edit it anyway.

[littlemanpoet]

Raefindan's pov is fine from my point of view, but let's just say he remembers his dreams, which you can be sure he does, he's going to miss them! ;)

[mark12_30]

I have been editing the timeline, and I have found sa problem. Good news and bad news: Good news is I dropped a day. Erebemlin's flet was Dec 16. I slipped and started calling it the 15th.

Bad news: now i have to track that thru and fix it. If anyone heeds to change a header I will let you know...

EDIT: maybe it was just one bad post.. Nevermind...

[mark12_30]

Hello Tapestry of Writers,

I'll be away today, but here's the skinny on the swamp-elf.

A thousand years ago, he was wandering in the White Mountains, and a lovely singing elf-maiden came his way. He fell for her, wooed her passionately, and was repulsed. Nimrodel stated that she was only interested in Amroth and would never leave him.

That elf, in his brokenhearted bitterness, cursed both Nimrodel and Amroth. Hence Nimrodel's wandering, despair, and insanity, and Amroth's drowning and isolation.

Of course, the forlorn and rejected elf then heard the songs and tales, and realized if anyone knew he was responsible he would never be popular again-- so, calling himself Tharonwe he went into voluntary exile. Not wanting to cross the vast lands of the East during Sauron's reign, Tharonwe settled for the cave in a swamp. He's bitter, lonely, angry, isolationist, and not exactly in league with the good Valar.

Once Tharonwe realises, or guesses, or intuits or Osanwes or whatever, that Raefindan has some (vague and distant) connection with Nimrodel (through Mithrellas), he will have someone to vent his anger on. Will he do that physically, mentally, or both? With what resources and what intent? I dunno. Have fun.

I've sent Ravion on alone after Gond and left the two ladies and Aeron collapsed in the middle of the swamp. (Alligators? Snakes? Watchers in the Water??)

Have fun! I plan to return tonight.

ps. I edited the timeline, it's at the link in my sig. I didn't put in the post numbers... I'll try to do better as we go.

[Imladris]

*plunges into a midst of posts and brushes herself off* Sure...when I leave the game speeds up. *sarcastic smile* Why couldn't the slow spurt have come during my vacation, hmmm?????

Anyways, the arrangement is this: I hop onto the library computers on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. I may or may not have time to post as it's always hard to compose a post in an hour when one is also juggling mod duties as well. Yeah...all the excitement came at the wrong time.

My vacation might also be extended another week or two...or three...or four...;)

First thing tomorrow I'll post for Gwyllion's creeps about the swamp. 13 minutes just doesn't leave enough time, I'm sorry. *rolls eyes*

Cheers! http://forum.barrowdowns.com/ubb/icons/icon13.gif
Imladris

[mark12_30]

...here I thought the game was taking off....

Questions? Suggestions? Tomatoes?

[Imladris]

Sorry Mark12-30.

I wrote a beautiful post for Gwyllion at the stupid library. Unfortuantely, I used a window where I wasn't logged in for some stupid reason. Therefore, the window asked me to loose in and I lost my whole stupid bloody post.

Very angry.

Imladris

[Orual]

Helen,

How soon can Ravion and Aeron meet up with the swamp-elf? I think that would move the story along some. I don't have any plans for their trip between now and their coming across the elf, so I'm afraid my posts are going to become inner-thought monologues and more boring stuff like that. (By the way, I finally saw your post on "Things Barrow-Downers Would Never Say"...bwah hah!!!!! Thank you!)

I think the sooner Ravion and Aeron can come to the elf, the sooner there will be some conflict. In fact, I'm kind of foreseeing a physical fight between Ravion and the elf, if that's cool with everybody. Ravion would definitely instigate, being of a somewhat jumpy mood right now. Any thoughts on that?

[littlemanpoet]

Sorry for not helping to move the story along. I'm kind of waiting for someone to do something with the Amroth group before posting for Ædegard. Maybe I should just start up on that, but frankly, I'm having trouble figuring out where the group is on the map!

I'm planning on a harrowing experience for Raefindan, coming up shortly. Should be written by the end of the night.

And now onto the special request, and please forgive the extended nature of this post!......

Friends, I'd like to ask your permission to add Elora as another writer for Tapestry. She and I would bring one new character each to the rpg: I would bring Falowik, and Elora would bring Uien. They have just finished their adventure in the Hills of Evendim, and in the months it takes for them to go to Eryn Lasgalen to see Lira buried (see Evendim for details), then go to Lorien, Uien's homeland, they would arrive there just about the time Ædegard's group is one day out of Lorien.

Why would Elora be a great addition to Tapestry?

Elora brings depth of character to all of her writing. She brings a unique perspective that involves the five senses and a well drawn point of view.

Elora writes Uien Aduial, a 579 year old female Sindarin Elf. Following is her character description, which is written by Elora, but edited by me in the interest of brevity. Uien carries no weapons of her own and avoids weapons, for they represent only pain, suffering and death to her.

Uien is a silvan Elf, tall and slender, with long golden hair that falls in a cascade to her waist. She has clear grey eyes and the timeless beauty of her people. Her eyes show her years of experience when she permits it. Uien has a light step and the innate grace of her kindred. Her hand is gentle. She appears ephemeral, giving occasion to the saying of her kin that twilight lives within her and her name.

Uien is a creative soul inextricably bound to the life and beauty of Middle-earth. Gentle of spirit, Uien is rarely given to anger unless it is on the behalf of those dear to her. She can be fierce when roused. As with many who hail from Lothlórien, she can appear lofty and insular, particularly when displeased with someone. Normally, she is given to quiet laughter. She is introspective and given to dreaming, with a love of all things living or growing.

Uien is particularly enamoured of twilight. It is the time of day she most loves, when the world can become magical. She is given to dance at such times, when she believes herself alone and unwatched. Once a creature of much mirth, Uien has quieted. A sadness lingers beneath the surface that many mistake as aloof pride. Yet her generosity of spirit has not been broken entirely and her friendship once given is true and eternal.

Uien is a healer. She is also a painter. Clever with her hands, with deft and quick fingers, Uien is capable of most tasks that she comes across. She can be swift and silent as a shadow and can see the true natures of those around her.

Quiet, Uien’s strength of will and determination often comes as a surprise. She is often mistaken as meek or distant. She will speak her mind when she thinks it necessary and follows her own will and instincts. She has acquired the wisdom of one who has observed those around her over the years. She had the blessing of a loving family in the closely knit community of the Galadhrim and formed close attachments to her parents and siblings. These attachments have remained with her.

Uien struggles with alienation and abandonment as well as shame. She can sometimes wander unwisely and this has led her into grave peril in the past. She is alone utterly, her kin gone, and found it hard initially to make her way in the mortal lands. She had a protected childhood that little prepared her for the harsh realities of life beyond Lothlórien’s protected borders.

Uien overcame this over time, but carries with her the shadow of a turbulent period of adjustment. She thrives when home, but has none in these later days to call her own. As a result, she is troubled by her itinerant state and wonders if she would have made the same choices had she known what the future held.

Uien was amongst the last generation born in Lothlórien. She was treasured by her people. Sauron returned to Mirkwood six years after her birth and the Watchful Peace ended.

In the War of the Ring, Uien's father and eldest brother fell in Mirkwood. Her younger brother returned, haunted by the death of the War of the Ring. It was then that she developed her aversion to weapons and things of war. Uien’s mother too saw only grief and death now, having lost her husband and her son and endured Three Ages in Middle-earth. Thus the decision was made to seek the Grey Havens.

Uien set out with her family with the last party to leave Lothlórien. Uien could not bear to leave earlier and still her heart misgave her as they departed. Moria was still closed to them and her people did not take that dark road. As with those before them, they made for the Pass of Caradhras. Her brother was eager to ensure they remained together on the pass and shepherded Uien on.

The urge to linger was still strong within her. Already she had begun to consider remaining at Imladris. The choice was never presented to her. Sauron may have been defeated, but the Misty Mountains continued to be plagued by orcs. They knew that the Elves took the Caradhras pass and would wait for their opportunity to strike at them.

A sudden storm crashed upon them once they entered the pass. Cutting snow and ice was hurled, the wind shrieking as if it sought to pluck them up and cast them either into the ravine or the clutches of the waiting orcs.

The party took cover, forced to wait out the raging blizzard. Uien found herself separated from them, forced to take shelter beneath an overhang. Her last sight was of her brother reaching for her through a gap in the snow that closed before she could take his outstretched hand. Caradhras spared neither Elf, Man nor orc it’s anger.

When the storm passed, Uien was alone. She searched, frightened for her family. Uien found orcs instead. They snatched up the lone Elf eagerly and made off with their prize. Uien found no trace of her party and could not know if they had perished or been forced to go down from the pass to escape the storm and the orcs.

Uien found herself in the darkness of an orc den. She endured torment and cruelty, and was saved from death by unexpected Dwarves cleansing the mountains of orcs. They discovered Uien badly injured and almost beyond recognition.

They took her with them and she slowly recovered in their care, alienated as an Elf amongst Dwarves. Uien took many months to heal, and not fully. It was difficult to live amongst Dwarves and once healed, took leave and set out in search of her kin. She found her way back to Lothlórien and found it almost empty. She told her tale of horror to Erebemlin and others. Though she knew them, she could not remain until she was certain of the fate of her family. Possessed by great grief, she wandered aimlessly. Her travels took her into Rhûn and once the people got over her Elven nature, for Sauron had told her many lies, she found temporary home. It was her first encounter with the Edain and she was little prepared for them.

A wasting illness swept through the village, and Uien healed one little girl. The villagers demanded that she cure the rest of them too, but she could not, and they condemned her. She was forced to flee. She went north and west, staying away from people until she arrived at the Prancing Pony Inn in Bree, penniless and exhausted. She felt too shamed to seek her people at Imladris, the orc pits surely hanging over her in their eyes. In Bree, Uien was somewhat of a novelty. Elves did not frequent the settlement. She managed to secure work in the stables, her ability with horses as with all living things emerging. She found she could heal them, and that they did not react with anger or hatred.

There she met Falowik Stonewort, a wanderer of the lands north of Bree, who had come to Bree for the first time in twelve years of self-imposed exile, to report a man captured by a party of evil doers. Falowik was a man with as troubled a soul as Uien's. Somehow, by a grace unknown to either of them, she was able to heal the despair in his heart. And by a grace neither of them foresaw, they came to love each other. Falowik was sure that he did not deserve it, but once given, her heart's love was his. Since then there paths have been interlaced, mainly through the adventure of the Hills of Evendim. And now they go to Lorien so that she can show him her homeland. There they will meet up again with Erebemlin's friends who remain in Lorien, and he will tell them the story of Amroth with its latest wrinkles. Uien immediately believes in her heart of hearts that if Amroth has returned, seeking Nimrodel, then Nimrodel must still be alive, somewhere, somehow, in need of being freed. Uien thinks of her ordeal with the orcs, and fears the same or worse for Nimrodel, and is urgent to follow the party of Ædegard and Amroth, and catch up to them.

Please let me know if it seems well to all of you to include these two characters in Tapestry. Thanks for considering them.

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Uien is a healer. She is also a painter.

Bellyn says 'yes' to Uien!

;)

-Aylwen

[mark12_30]

Very quickly:

Elora & Uien look promising to me!

Orual: Aeron and Ravion are almost there and can arrive ASAP. The Swamp Elf's cave is in the middle of the marshes, or so. Conflict? Sure! Physical fight? Sure! Just don't kill him off, we need him later too.

lmp-- Aedegard's group is just at (or just past) where the Limlight and Anduin meet.

Immy-- Alas for the lost post! I hate it when that happens. (Why I like WordPad...)

I have band tomorrow (surprise!-- ack) and so must get some sleep now and won't be able to post til tomorrow afternoon. Ædegard's troop should continue down the Anduin, gaining time as they go (we have a few days yet to catch up.) Then Ravion's group and Ædegard's group can meet somewhere along the Anduin; the existence of the swamp elf can become known, and Erebemlin, Taitheneb, and Amroth will hunt him down again.

[Orual]

I hope my post wasn't too much of a cliff-hanger...I had to leave it open-ended, because I wasn't exactly sure how the elf would respond to the intrusion, except "not well". If I need to extend it, just let me know

~Orual

[Nurumaiel]

Bring Elora, Uien, and Falowik by all means! I'm sure there will be a hearty welcome for Elora from all of the players, and perhaps and equally hearty welcome for Uien and Falowik from the characters. Anyhow, I'd like to see them again. :)

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

News...news...news...

First off, welcome to Elora! Yes...well...:)

I have vacation notices to inform you all of, so that you don't think I've disappeared on you or anything!

From Sunday, June 20th to Thursday June 24th I will be away at the Naval Academy (running, no less). That Thursday and Friday I'll try to post if I can (hopefully!) because the afternoon of Friday, June 25th I leave for Quebec and I won't be back until June 29th. After that I'm here until August, so these are the only posting troubles for now. So for about eight days I'll be away.

Until then...I shall be posting and waiting the arrival of Uien and Falowik. :D

-Aylwen

[mark12_30]

Greetings, Tapestry of writers!

I just had an idea crazy enough that I had to post it, although I think its come up before.

What if the first person to post in the morning would do the dawn (usually the wakeup) post; posts throughout the day would be the travelling posts, fighting/ stopping for lunch/ whatever; and the person who posts last on that day (for instance Orual, or Alak) would write the campsite post?

If we were in the middle of a Big Event we would agree to stretch it out further.

Crazy, no? But somehow it seemed like great fun when I thought of it... Have I posted this same idea before now? Perhaps I have...

Immy, are you out there still? I miss you!

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Your crazy idea seems just crazy enough to work (doesn't it always? And where have I heard that before?), Helen!

Although, as summer begins and waking comes late to sleepy students...I can see myself making far more daytime and campsite posts. :)

I love your ideas.

-Aylwen

[Imladris]

*collapses at mark12_30's feet* Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday strange magic brings me here...

Yay to Uien! Missed her in Evendim...

[littlemanpoet]

I have informed Elora of the unanimous acceptance of Uien and Falowik in Tapestry.

One minor request I must make of Nurumaiel: please revise your post in which Ædegard is following the Elves, and Argeleafa is trying to follow him but is too in awe of the Elves, such that Ædegard does notice, and falls back to ride with her. Sound good? Sorry I don't have the post #....

[mark12_30]

Hey, lmp, you've passed 1000 posts.

Aylwen: thanks! Bella is in the thick of things, and Amroth is coaching Nethwador to behave as a gentleman. Five thousand years of experience does help.

Immy-- A great black broot, eh? Methings you meant "brute". Either way: Wow!! I was kidding about the watcher, and now here one rises out of the reeds! I better not joke about a balrog!! How are we going to get poor Gwyllion out of this one? Yikes! Does she have something she can jam into his throat, and make him gag...? Where's Jorje when we need him?

Elora: welcome!

At the beginning of the discussion thread there was a questionnaire (for fun) that you are welcome to fill out if you'd like. What are your (and Falowik's) plans for diving in here? Would you like to do first posts on the discussion thread (which would be fine) or do you have other ideas for weaving in to the story?

I'm looking forward to the plot twists you will bring! Welcome to Tapestry Of Dreams.

[Nurumaiel]

I'm heading over to do it right now, littlemanpoet. Thanks for letting me know of his actions! I wasn't to sure how bold he would be.

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

AYA!

I dare not miss out on posting in Bellyn's lessons! I just wanted to use this quick moment before school to let you guys know that I will come home frome school this morning (early dismissal week) and post.

Anything else you guys want in my post besides?

Off to school!
-Aylwen

[littlemanpoet]

Our idea is currently that Uien and Falowik arrive in Lorien one day after Amroth's party have left. The reason for their arrival, ostensibly, is so that Uien can show Falowik her homeland. The background to these two is that this man and this elf woman have fallen in love, and after wrestling with the difficulties of cross-race matches, Falowik has decided that their unionis worth far more than the pain of the eventual separation by death. Falowik has chosen against feeling guilty that he will be the one to die first; for her part, Uien has foresworn her immortality, but of course remains an Elf, thus following in the steps of Luthien.

When Uien and Falowik hear of Amroth and his search, the story strikes close to home for Uien, for she was also left behind, and left for lost in the mountains, and she will see visions not unlike Amroth's own, but from her own perspective. Maybe (I don't know, just speculating now), there is some relation between Uien's family and Nimrodel's, that allows her to dream of Nimrodel's actual current condition. Just a thought. Tell me if I'm way off on that. At any rate, Uien will be urgent to catch up to Amroth, and Falowik will, of course, come with.

[Elora]

Littlemanpoet! :D

Thanks so much for putting me in for this. I have decided to put in a hasty appearance lest others of this RP think me absent entirely. I'd like to do a complete read of things before I say further.

Thanks and well met to those who have so kindly welcomed me. I look forward to commencing.

Initial thoughts on the possible Nimrodel/Uien link. Uien's parents were of some stature within Lothlorien, their places firmed throughout the Second and Third Ages. It is possible on that societal basis that there is some familial connection between the two women. Perhaps through Uien's father's family.

Uien, as healer and Elf, is sensative and that familial bond would suggest that she dreams too, albeit from her perspective as Littlemanpoet has suggested. Mingled with her own memories of abandonment and being sundered from kith and kin, it would make for a potent impact.

But, no more until I sort out what's what a little better in my own head and answer any outstanding questions concerning Uien.

:)

[mark12_30]

Elora! It's delightful to see you here, and delightful also to anticipate the effect of your skills and insights on each of the Tapestry writers. It's a great team.

Welcome to Tapestry!

[Elora]

Oh my, so much to read and I daren't breathe until I am sure I can do so without shaming myself in this fine company!

Such wonderful work you have all have crafted. I am filled with both enthusiasm ( as in "let us have at it!") and some trepidation. I hope my absence from collaborative writing will not betray me or the fine tale that is emerging.

:)


I will endeavour to read the entire thread, and make notes, over the weekend. But, true to form, I have time right now to answer that questionnaire. Always time to talk about myself (self deprecatory grin bright for any who peep through the monitor screen) :p



Name (that you go by) : Karen, but I also have a stage name of Sahlah

Age: 31

Occupation: Emerging Author - first novel (fantasy) at publishers as we speak. To feed myself and my creative soul, I am also a Middle-Eastern Dancer. I work in a music shop too.

Future Aspirations: Get this bloody tale out of my head, into books, on the shelves and into people's hearts before all the characters drive me completely bonkers!

Goal in life: Live it like you'll never have a second chance

Short term goals: Survive the editor's knife without dissolving into precious diva tears and running to my therapist. Get a signed publication deal that will not drive me into pennury for the next 15 years.

Passion: Writing, most definately, but also music and dance

Hobbies: Swimming, ashatanga yoga (necessity for maintaining flexibility), pilates, sky diving from time to time (nothing improves your perspective on life on the ground like hurtling from 14,000 feet above sea level towards it)

Famous for (brag about yourself): Been nominated for a national dance award this year that I have not the faintest hope of winning. I'm just pleased it wasn't the Arabic Commediene of the Year Award, or special recognition for circus antics. A fair dinkum Middle-Eastern Dance award - bizzare but true.

Fave book: Hmmmm. Tolkien's works is a given.... Ulysses by James Joyce, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, The Inferno by Dante, Fury by Salman Rushdie, The God of Small Things... and anything involving psych thrillers and serial killers (my dirty little secret )

Fave movie: Star Wars (the first 3 - though that shows my age), Monty Python's Flying Circus, Dead Man Walking, Mystic River, Shrek

Fave sport: Rugby Union, but in a trip to the States in December 2003 I discovered the joys of Ice Hockey and now I am addicted to that.

Fave store: Music and book shops never fail to suck me into their vortex and chew up whole hours of my life.

Fave music: I simply adore arabian music, but aside from that I'm a clasical muso with strong Alternative, Indi, Rock tastes. DOn't mind the occassional rap or hip hop but I LOATHE with unashamed fervency the barest whiff of commercial, main stream music.

What you can't stand: I'm best known for my inability to tolerate fools. But I must state what I mean by that. I can be very patient, especially when I know the other person is trying as hard as they can. But, if they are simply being ignorant, arrogant and foolish, then hell hath no fury.

What you plain dislike: Hatred, Shania Twain, Intolerance, Cruelty

Who you admire: I still am an ardent admirer of the brave man who stood in front of a column of tanks in Beijing, white plastic shopping bag in hand and the bodies of the slain and injured lying bleeding around him.

What you most love to do: Honestly, eat and sleep

Your self-confessed flaws: Impatience, bearing grudges, rashness, pride pride pride and of course, hand in hand with that, sheer bloody minded, muleish stubborness

What intrigues/fascinates you: This is fairly evident in my writings, but I am fascinated by evil. I am intrigued by how it is portrayed, dealt with, described and measured. I am fascinated by how people respond to it, in particular the phenomenon of demonisation and the creation of "monsters". Slinky's also fascinate me.

What scares you: I am a raging arachnophobe, which made for an interesting interlude in the theatre's around the time that Shelob was rampaging over the screen, in 30foot colour and surround sound. Complete strangers found me clinging to them with unprecedented familiarity, peering from behind there shoulders like a timid mouse. Suffice it to say that the trailers for the film 8 Legged Freaks were enough to reduce my knees to jelly. Then again, try living with the most toxic spiders in the world and see how much you like them. I see my fear as rational and hence not a phobia. It's survival, I tell ya, when a bird-eating, barking pre-historic left over of a spider has set it's sights on you in your very home!

Quotation to live by: "No worries" It's a sarcastic thing with me, as I am a confirmed worrier.

Value-specific:

What do you want most in a friend? A true heart.

What do you want most in a teacher? Inhuman patience

What do you want most in an ally? Someone to check me before I stride off to do battle over some thing or another and ask me "You sure this is a good idea?"

What do you want most in a team-mate? Complete and total submission, of course.

( I should warn you that prior to writing, I was an Industrial Psychologist who specialised in corporate Human Resource Management. My professional idol was none other than Catbert, of Dilbert Fame, and to make matters worse I worked in the Financial Services Industry!)

What do you want people to remember most about you? There was a chick who knew how to laugh and knew her way around beer.

Writer-specific:

Your favorite work you've written so far: Hmmm..... this questionnaire? In truth, I think it would have to be my manuscript though the Editors might have a thing to two to say about that before all is said and done.

Your favorite character so far: I have an evil character that I adore. I love writing her, I love thinking for her, and its because she's a 3 dimensional, understandable evil that is accessible and not some alien monster thing. You'll meet her soon, I hope, at your nearest book store. (I know, I'm a tease as well as a know it all smart alec)

What you plan to write soon: The second novel, for the tale is bigger than one book

What inspires you to write: Human nature and the great "What if" premise that underlies all speculative fiction.

What makes your writing stall: Lack of vision and time, lack of focus and determination, and I'm a shocking procrastinator too from way, way back.

Do you get writers' block and how do you overcome it? Sure do. I find I try to go back and work on concept developments - characters, histories, geographies, politics, culture and so on. After about 5 minutes, I go make coffee and play with the dog.

Middle-Earth specific:

Your favorite ME character(s)? First Age - Fingolfin, Maedhros, Maglin, Turin Turambar. The rest pale in comparison to those for me. I'm a silmarillion gal.

What do you like about them? There is a tragic nobility, a distant air of fairness in the face of such foulness, of courage, strength and frality wrapped in the elvish characters of the First Age. I'm an Elf junkie at heart. I adore Turin Turambar, all the despair and darkness, failed joy, hopelessness.... a tragedy indeed. He'd be my favourite over all.

Your favorite moment(s) from the Trilogy? The Prancing Pony Inn, The Bridge of Khazad-Dum, The Rangers of Ithilien

Your favorite plot twist(s) from the Trilogy? Of all, Gandalf's fall and return. I remember clear as yesterday where I was when I first read he fell as a child (on the trampoline at home on the farm on a sunny afternoon after school). Tears ran down my childish cheeks and I had to put the book down and weep. My parents were mystified. Happened all over again when he reappeared. I was certain it was Saurman. On that occassion I capered with childish glee, tears of joy. My parents decided it was time for Ritalin and therapy.

Looking at your personality as it is, what race do you belong to in Middle-Earth and why? Probably a hotheaded Elf who joined Fingolfin and Finarfin in their exodus from Eldamar. Failing that, by appearance I'd have to say Rohirrim, but pursuits, I'd have to say Harradrim (Arabic influence, and somewhat fiesty spirit)

What race would you *like* to belong to in Middle-Earth and why? Well, I think facial hair would itch abomidibly, so not the Dwarves. Probably Elf or Numenorian. Still, being a contrary and peverse soul, I wouldn't object to being Khandese or Rhunic

What place(s)would you live in Middle Earth and why? Simple, that one. Ithilien. Has the best library around.

Where would you want to visit? Edoras, Minas Tirith, Lothlorien, Mirkwood. I hear Thraduril throws a high time of a party.

How would you travel? Well, I'd start on horse back but given as it's been so long since last I rode (and I nearly always end up loosing a battle of wills with a mountain of horse flesh that weighs at least 4 times what I do) I'd invariably end up on my own two feet.

Besides the usual camping & travel stuff, what single special item is in your knapsack and why? My zills. I can write in my mind, and spin verbal tales, but I must dance and with zills I can create my own accompaniment to free that side of my character.

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

HI ELORA!!!!

**waves**

:) :D

Welcome to the crew...and, uh, please don't worry about shaming thyself in our company. Or, at least don't worry about shame in my company.

Whooo...that was exciting...

:D

-Aylwen

P.S. - Awww Nethwador/Mellon is so sweet...awww...

[Imladris]

Eep! I'll edit quickly.

Hmm...I'm not sure what to do about Gwyllion...*whistles absently for Jorge*

[Imladris]

I spose they didn't have CPR back then?

Well -- I did a post...I'm not happy with it but you all get the general gist. Even if I wasn't rushed I would not have been happy with it. I've just never had a close one near death before so it is all rather new....

Cheers,
Imladris

[mark12_30]

Orual-- I hadn't planned on Ravion showing up so soon, but I'm glad he did! And Aeron too. That worked out very well. Better than I had hoped! As I wrote it, Mellonin's arm took a blade-hit in the underwater scuffle. Nobody knows by who because of the murk. I think (if you'd like, Orual) that Mellonin also punctured Ravion while she was hacking away; location & severity of scratch/ cut/ wound is obviously your choice.

One minor thought-- I hadn't pictured the Entwash Delta as being a place for trees, but I guess there could be some evergladish swamp trees... After their December swim, they'll be desperate for firewood, so it's just as well. But they are bound to be strange trees to these landlubbers. Someone ought to remark on that.

Immy, your post is fine, I thought it worked out quite well! Very Aeronish. Great idea about the venom when Gwyllion is caught. It made Gwyllion's long submersion more plausible. Gwyllion ought to be rather sick from the poison, and Ravion and Mellonin too, although they probably got a lesser dose. I think the group will have to take a day of rest, though; perhaps they'll travel for an hour or so inland to leave the beastie behind and then they'll need a fire.

I'm glad Gwyllion made it through! I was worried.

So-- Since Raefindan is still pretty sick and weak, Aeron gets to be the doctor for a day! Good old Jorje can show up after all the excitement is over with a nice dead rabbit? Or fish? Jorje's constant absence when he'd come in handy is annoying! But I've been thinking of him as a tracker type; a nose-hunter, not a fighter or herd-dog. Just good on a scent. But the team need not discover his tracking skills for quite a while yet; he can just hang around, fend for himself and be uselessly annoying til we get to Edhellond and beyond. Sound okay, lmp? (Since he's your dog...)

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

All right, my friends.

I just wanted to remind you guys so that you didn't think I was disappearing...

As said in my discussion thread post on 6/13, I'm leaving today on vacation. I'll be back for about a day on Thursday, and I'll use it to maybe (hopefully) get a post up. Then I'm leaving again. Whoo...

Well, I just wanted to let you all know!

Have fun!:D

-Aylwen

[littlemanpoet]

Shoot! I keep forgetting about Jorje! I'll edit my post to take care of that. I'll also edit for the cuts and whatnot, and the cold, which here in June, we're all tending to forget about!

Rae could have recalled CPR, but it turned out not to be needed. Maybe later.

[Orual]

lmp, thanks for adding in Ravion's cut--last night I didn't have time to check the discussion thread. (This is mainly due to the fact that I just heard that I'd landed the lead in a Shakespeare play, though I hate to brag... :D )

Helen, yeah, I was thinking of a cypress or something. I live in a pretty swampy area, and there are always stands of trees--I could certainly edit if you'd like, though.

[Elora]

*Screws eyes shut and tries valiantly to forget the cold. Opens eyes and finds self still shivering*

"Ah well, at least its a tropical southern hemisphere winter," Elora's writer sighs with a wry smile.


Folks, I'm in the process of drafting up an opening post (thanks to a much needed prompt from lmp :D ). I was a little bashful and hanging back so that I didn't trample in too early and spoil things. :)


Being a thick head - I'd like a cue as to when to post, so I do not become a veritable fly in the creative ointment *buzz buzz*


*lmp throws his hands up, sighs and wonders what else he needs to do - apart from bellow "POST NOW!!!!!!!" in his best drill seargent impersonation*

:p

[mark12_30]

Drill Sgt lmp, ten-hut-- Bellow on three.

One... Two....

(actually, Elora, you can always post it here on the discussion thread, and then we can decide where it'll go inthe flow of things.)


THREE!


ps.: What place(s)would you live in Middle Earth and why? Simple, that one. Ithilien. Has the best library around.

It does? I didn't know that! Who gets credit for that? Faramir? Does he rebuild Osgiliath...?

[Elora]

Oooopppps!


My bad..... I did a copy and paste for the formatting of an earlier response (being essentially lazy and not wanting to retype all the questions as well as my answers.) I must have skipped over Ithilien in my haste and tiredness (being a late night post and me overdue for my bedtime). I meant Imladris, as I have always been torn between deciding where I would spend most of my time there - Hall of Fire, the Library of Elrond or skipping about the Gardens making a nuisance of myself with those Elves who sat in trees serenading Bilbo, Thorin, Gandalf et al....


OK, based on sketches by email between lmp and I, I've shaped up an entry point. Uien and Falowik, having departed Mirkwood (a necessary journey associated with events of the Hills of Evendim), draw close to Uien's childhood home around the time the search party leaves Lothlorien (and day before or after). Uien has started having dreams that trouble and confuse her. She cannot decide if they are her own memories and dreams, or those of another, given the similarity and contrasts. By those dreams Uien shall be guided towards the search party, and perhaps they to her.... but that is just a concept at the moment (imho = in my humble opinion)

It's a draft, of that you can be sure, so I am not emotionally attached to it in any way. In fact, I may emphatically disown it later on. :rolleyes: ;)

So let me know what you think. :)


Opening Post for Uien and Falowik

Uien stood, watching the eastern horizon colour with the ascension of the Sun, arms wrapped around her. It was quiet; the world paused as if holding its breath as it moved from night into day. It was a time of peace, introspection, and not unruly strange musings. Her brow furrowed as she attempted to right the disorder she had woken into, straight from another uncannily vivid dream. Elf, she was familiar with the way memory and dream entwined. But not this…. It was tangle…. Too clear to be dream, yet too foreign to be her own memory. Or was it? Uien sighed, brow furrowing and gaze unfocussed as she tried to recall. Abandonment…. Chill despair…. The sensation of being lost, a terrible thing. Lost so that no one could find you, beyond all redemption and recall…. The horror…. Yes, they were her memories alright. Uien’s arms tightened around her. She knew those things and more still. But her dreams were different. There was restlessness in them… and… a madness? She had thought herself mad in the pits. She had abandoned her senses and her reality in a last desperate defence to survive the torment….

But survive she had. She had been brought out by the unlikeliest of rescuers. That was long ago now. Since then she had slowly reclaimed, piece by piece, herself. Indeed, she had gained so much more than she had lost to Caradhras and the orcs. She could hear Falowik’s soft breathing, still regular in sleep, behind her. She had gained her Lauréatan. She turned back to look upon his sleeping face. He was dreaming, she saw. May his dreams be fairer than hers. It made no sense for her to be dreaming as she was. They were not her dreams, not her memories. She was happier than ever she had been. She did not know from whence they came, or what they meant. She would have to find out if they were to stop. Uien unfolded her arms and returned, kneeling beside where Falowik slept and dreamt. He was far from where they were. Where did he wander? Her face lost its pensive cast and softened into a smile of startling tenderness. She brushed golden hair from his brow and he stirred in his sleep, eyes drifting open lazily, the echoes of dreams still in their blue depths.

Uien bent over him and pressed a kiss to his brow, softly, her pale hair falling in rivers around him.

“Good morning, beloved,” she said. Falowik’s answering smile sent her heart soaring and the uncertainty and confusion that woke her was forgotten in its flight. The dawn light danced delicately around them, through the trees in a soft glow. “I slept too long,” he said. “Nay,” she replied, “You have woken just in time for dawn to greet you.” Falowik pushed himself up to sit, rubbing his face. He saw that already their small camp fire had been lit once again. He looked at Uien in question, his mind as quick as ever. “How long have you been awake,” he asked. It was not the first time Uien had been up and about before him. A pattern was emerging. Uien demurred, “Not long, Lauréatan. Look the water boils already.” She rose and crossed to where water bubbled, removing the tin and pouring out two steaming cups of tea. Falowik was not so easily put aside.

“Are you having trouble sleeping, Fair One?” Uien sighed, unhappy to have worried him over a trifle such as her dreams. “It is nothing, truly. Besides, I love well to watch you sleep.” She handed Falowik a hot mug of tea, its herbal scent refreshing and rousing. She sipped at her own, sitting down by his side. Falowik looked closely at her as she did so. Uien smiled, but not before he saw the remnants of her early morning wonderings in her face. “We will reach Lothlórien soon, my love.” Her joy was clear, at least. Perhaps, Uien thought as she sipped, her dreams were nothing unusual. After all, she was returning home at last. All these years she had stayed away, shamed by the pits, and thought lost. Memories would be dredged up, and perhaps she forgot some things to protect herself. Falowik’s arm wound around her shoulders and she nestled into him. The dreams would stop once they had come to her home. Yes, they would stop then. Between the comfort of Falowik at her side, and the long ached for return to her childhood home, Uien’s unrest melted away into the sunrise.

[mark12_30]

Elora,

I finally had time to read and think! Your opening post is lovely, and weaves well; good work.

She's golden-haired, eh? Any relation to Galadriel? (Just kidding!!!! I'm not a hair-color-nazi!!! As long as her hair isn't red, I'm happy!)

Once you've determined the date (you can get to a timeline from my sig, PM me with any questions) go ahead and post it . We usually try to put the date and location in the title (especially when it's changed) and if a writer has more than one character we put the character in the title too.

What path have they taken towards Lorien? Did they cross the mountains? If they had come down from the mountains and followed the Celebrant, it would be fitting if the dreams began when they neared the Nimrodel. Or if you want the dreams to go back further than that they could have travelled along the Nimrodel (maybe even from its birthplace in the mountains) with both the dreams and the stream growing in strength and intensity.

Once again, lovely work. Welcome to Tapestry!

[mark12_30]

...waiting with baited breath...

Elora...?

[Nurumaiel]

I'll try to come up with something, Helen, but I have to study the timeline for a bit... I've found myself confused as to where the Rohan group is and what day it is and what time of day it is. Are we still on the day of the fiddle lesson, or have we moved on? If the former, are we travelling yet or are we still stopped there?

[mark12_30]

The Rohan group is on Dec 20. The fiddle lesson was at lunchbreak, and they are riding south along the river again. You can put the time anywhere from midafternoon on. Feel free to take the group to the 21st!

[Elora]

Elora tries to slip quietly through the door, a difficult task when one is festooned in a coined hip scarf...


Sorry, I'm still around. I'm a little busy right now. Have a paid gig (a wedding, in fact) tonight and I'm working hard at perfecting routines. It's the small things that make a difference, and if I know they're done right I'll be all the happier and so will the reception guests.

I'll come back to you on dates, paths, the specifics you've requested once I've finished earning my keep.

:)

[mark12_30]

lmp,

I'm thinking that Raefindan will discern that the nightmares have doubled in intensity (for both himself and Mellonin) since their encounter with the swamp-elf. Sound good?

Also, I'm thinking that Amroth, Erebemlin, and Taitheneb could "intercept" (BFLW) the swamp-elf's thoughts as he sends nightmares towards Raefindan. (Do they just spill over into Mellonin's dreams? Or is he also expanding his curse on Nimrodel, and *that* is spilling into Mellonin's dreams? Hmmm.)

Anyway one option is that Ædegard's team could come thundering south to find and confront the swamp-elf. They'd stumble across Ravion's Ramblers -- either before or after. I like before; I think it would be great to have Mellonin witness the confrontation between Mellondu-Amroth and Broken-faith-Swamp-Elf.

Do they kill Swamp-elf or leave him or take him captive? oooo.... I like the captivity thought. He'd be wreaking havoc the whole time. Maybe they use him to find Nimrodel-- or they try to ; he bitterly leads them astray? Hmmm.... just how evil IS this guy???

[mark12_30]

Nuru, great choice of songs! It always strikes me that it's a reflection of the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. Stunning song.

[Elora]

Alrighty then.... (sorry folks - Ace Ventura, Pet Detective was the re-run Sunday Night movie at my place last night :o )


The date of Uien and Falowik's arrival is the day after Amroth's party departs Lorien. Now, the time line document loaded funny on my screen, but if I have done it right, that would place their arrival on the 18th December.

As for the path, they came from Eryn Lasgalen by way of the Anduin. For that reason, I thought it likely that Uien's dreams would begin as she neared the immediate vicinity of the Nimrodel and Celebrant.

As for her hair colour, it's a characteristic of appearance she in fact derived from an earlier incarnation who was indeed descended from Finarfin. I changed her name and history in another RP for expediency at the time, but retained the golden hair so she would be a little recognisable still.

I'm still a little hazy on her parent's lineage.... So far, I have modelled them on Celeborn and Galadriel... But with her father being Noldorin and of Galadriel's (and hence Finafin by default's) following and her mother Sindarin. They followed Galadriel and Celeborn after following Amroth, from Doriath at the end of the First Age, through to Lorien in the Second Age, abiding there in the Third Age. Her father and eldest brother dying in the battles of Lorien and then Mirkwood (Taur e-Ndaeldelos) , and remaining elder brother and her mother departing for Eldamar at the conclusion of the Third Age.


Hope that clears a few things up. :)

[littlemanpoet]

I hadn't considered that the swamp-elf's nightmare-giving could continue after Raefindan leaves, but I think it's a fantastic idea! So yes, Raefindan can figure this out, but not until after Mellonin is willing to tell him her dream.

Let the Elves intercept. Another great idea. As for the type of "spill-over", heck, this is story, so go for the more dramatic, as long as it fits canon. To me, both do.

Let Ædegard and company stumble on the Elf before, for the same reason - more fodder for a good read! :D

Take the swamp-elf captive. We need a villain. The more troubled and contorted, the better (think of Sméagol). He needs to do as much damage as he can, but not just out of some kind of two-dimensional "I am evil so I do these things" motivation. You've already established (at least, to us) his personal torture at having been rejected by Nimrodel. Deepen the character. If you want help, I'd be glad to. Maybe we can all lend ideas toward this.

[Orual]

Quick question about dates--for the Gondor group, is it now the 22nd, or the 23rd? Because as I remember, I'm supposed to bring Erundil in on the 23rd.

[mark12_30]

I am editing my last post to bring the Rohan group forward another day. So Aedegard's group (as of the edit) is on Dec. 21. Somebody can bring them downriver another 50 miles to another campsite and we'll make it Dec 22, and hten they'll be even! Wohoo!

Ravion's group is on Dec 22. Erundil comes tomorrow.

I'll update the timeline too.

(edit: both done)

[alaklondewen]

lmp, I moved my last post to its rightful place after your post. Flows much more smoothly, I think. ;)

[mark12_30]

Oooo, Nuru: what a wonderful idea!
"The Lay of Mellondu and Amroth's Fourth-Age Quest"?

LOVE IT!!! LOVE IT!!!

**Jumping up and down**

[mark12_30]

We could each do a couple of sections. Ædegard could do the alliterative stuff. Amroth could add a few nightmares. Liornung could pull it all together and weave it into a whole.

**meanders off humming**

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Hey everyone!

I got back this morning from my vacationing in lovely Québec. I'll get a post up sometime today between practice, sleeping, and unpacking. :)

-Aylwen

P.S. Québec really is a wonderful place, you know. :D

[Nurumaiel]

Well, Helen, I'm glad you're so enthusiastic about Secgrof's little idea. :D If all the members of the company pitch in and help Liornung out a little, perhaps he can sing it at the end of the game when he is once again sitting by the fire of 'the Inn.'

A quick question: would you prefer the ballad to be rhyme or no rhyme? It would prove more of a challenge to make it all rhyme, of course, but I think it would be amazingly fun to do.

Looking forward to your post, Aylwen! I'm glad to hear you had a lovely trip, and it's good to know that you came home safely. :)

[mark12_30]

I think it would be fun to shoot for a blend of alliteration and rhyme; some sections rhyming (sung by Liornung, if he likes, or Amroth, Erebemlin, Taitheneb) and some sections alliterative, sung by those Rohirric types.

We can see what happens. It'll be partly driven by inspiration, after all...

[Imladris]

I feel as if the Gondor team has been lost in the dark. What should we be doing?

[mark12_30]

Uh.... good point. I'd better have Mellonin either explain her dream or refuse to, and explain it only to Raefindan... not sure.

The group can decide how far to travel (if at all.) Raefindan and Gwyllion might need another day to recover? Whoever gets to the decision can make it.

lmp has something brewing with the Swamp-Elf, also.

[Nurumaiel]

I've passing through to let you all now of my upcoming absence. I will be leaving home early tomorrow morning and will return home Tuesday evening, though I probably shan't post on the Downs until Wednesday as I will have to unpack. A brief absence, indeed, but an absence nevertheless, and one I felt you should know of.

A farewell to you all, and carry Liornung and Argeleafa well 'till my return. And until that same return, be blessed and safe (and, I do suppose, after my return as well).

[Imladris]

Bolco, Aeron and Gwyllion are arguing in front of Mellonin...and Gwyllion and Aeron actually make comments to Mellonin...

I don't mind that you ignored it, but I would like to know Mellonin's reaction to them, if you know what I mean, so that I can do a post for Aeron and Gwyllion if she did not appreciate their careless remarks of death. *evil Calvin grin*

[mark12_30]

Edited! Thanks for the nudge.

Anybody seen Orual? Ravion is on the spot... and we can't afford to stall out any more. I'll give it this evening, and then I'll put in a deletable placeholder.

In the meantime:

Amroth is dreaming intensely again, which means feverish & weakened by it all. Anyone on the Rohan team, feel free to have Amroth mutter/ speak in his sleep. After he's spent the night diving into his nightmares, he'll need attention of some sort from Erebemlin &/or Taitheneb. The two elf-warriors can start encountering the Swamp-Elf's interference, if you so desire; otherwise I'll write up an Amroth post to handle it.

When that happens, they saddle up and charge south to find Tharonwe (Swampy.) ((0_0)) We need to be careful NOT to kill him, but to take him hostage.

Hoping to get himself off the hook, Tharonwe lets on that there is a sickly, red-haired man out there who knows of Nimrodel. They take him captive anyway. (Pretty unusual behavior among elves, no?)

Any questions, fire away. I'm sick so I'll be in bed early, but post 'em and I'll check tomorrow AM if I don't end up getting up at midnight >_<

After I do the dishes I'll come back and figure out what date Ravion's group is on, so we can choreograph bringing the two groups together.

lmp, feel free to continue writing for Tharonwe if you would like?

Immy, Mellonin would appreciate more support from Gwyll. She'll probably slug Aeron if he doesn't change his tune though.

[Orual]

Hey! Sorry I wasn't able to post last night--we were having a familial crisis involving fractured metatarsils and, as always in my family, theatre. It's good now, though, and I'll post ASAP.

[Imladris]

Methinks Aeron deserves to be slugged. :D *evil Calvin grin*

[mark12_30]

Ah! Good to see you, Orual! Hooray!

Metatarsals??? Uh Oh. Lord, please heal them...

Immy... Stay tuned! :returns Calvin Grin:

[littlemanpoet]

It's funny, I'll give you that, but......

I'm only just slightly put out. Mellonin's loaded "thank you" had all the earmarks of a major blowout that could really have made things fun, and you guys get all gooey and kissy face make up. What is this? :p Ravion's thoughts were quite apt, to start with, but Mellonin's nonverbals were all negative. What pulled that piece of fluff reply out of Ravion? Come on! :D Show Ravion's spleen! Have him get all upbraided that he's trying his hardest, never mind that he's not at all satisfied with his lack of achievement, but he's not about to tell Mellonin that out of sheer shame..... and he says something really offputting about her ungratefulness, which sets her off with an "of all the nerve, here I just thanked him for everything he's done, and he up and tells me I'm ungrateful! What Mordor pit did he crawl out of!"

I do like how Ravion's head must be spinning, wondering where all Mellonin's spleen is coming from, and why she's being so mad at him for doing well. Hee hee! But I just thought I'd make a suggestion or two.

And so forth. Come on, guys, lets not be squeamish. ;)

And I'll give some thought to Tharonwe. Busy day today. Tomorrow should offer more time.

[mark12_30]

Golly, lmp, you're bloodthirsty.

.... it sounds like fun.... :D

I was currently planning on keeping the tension up between Mellonin and Ravion for as long as possible, delaying any significant exchange of warm feelings until the end of the story, and keeping them on edge and guessing... With Ædegard and Argeleafa on the Rohan side we've got plenty of romance going on. (Yeah, lmp, who are you calling gooey kissy face!?!?!?!?) *cough*

We could just let it stew as is for a while, with resentful signals flashing back and forth. Or Ravion could stalk over and detonate. Or he could try and be nice and she could detonate, and he detonate in return... Or... oh, there are lots of possibilities. Let's keep them at war, though. Even if it ends up being a one-sided war...

Meanwhile, I think Aeron and Mellonin will draw blood shortly.

[littlemanpoet]

Um, who is Freawine? I'm lost on that one. Should I remember that? Sorry I am, because I don't. :p

[Nurumaiel]

littlemanpoet, Freawine was in the first post for Ædegard, but now that you mention it Helen wrote that post.

Helen, could you help out with this?

[mark12_30]

Sure, be right back...

(This is great. Gooey, honey-sweet-love in Rohan-- bloody catfighting at the Entwash. Talk about contrast! Whee!)

lmp-- post nineteen. First page. He's the older soldier (rider) who makes Ædegard stop and oil the saddle, etc.

[mark12_30]

Orual and/ or lmp-- feel free to beak up the fight before we kill each other.

[Imladris]

*gasp*....but we're having too much fun....:D Plus, it'd be an awesome plot twist.....but I like my Aeron...

*cough* Above post was more in jest than anything else.

*scurries off to get one more Aeron fight post*

Cheers,
imladris

[Imladris]

I hate to be a real pain in the neck but when the fight is over, will the parties meet on this day game time? Or...am I just confused again?

[mark12_30]

Aeron &c are midday Dec 22. They are slighly north of the middle of the Entwash Delta. By evening of Dec 23 they should be nearing the last stream, or have crossed it, and be out of the delta.

Meanwhile: the evening of Dec 22, 100 miles north of Rauros Falls-- Amroth sends his wild broadcast and then finally dreams in earnest, reaching for Nimrodel, sensing Nimrodel's madness again (as he used to before Erebemlin started guarding his dreams).

Swamp-elf-Tharonwe will pick up on that, since it's a bit of a "broadcast", and presumably turn Amroth's dreams into Very Nasty Swamp-Elf-nightmares.

(Amroth will wake up an Emotional Wreck. I'm sure he'd appreciate some singing from Bella and Argeleafa, and maybe a cheerful tune from Liornung.)

Erebemlin, Amroth, and Taitheneb will realize that Somebody is meddling, the three of them will pay much closer attention the next night (23rd-- they'll be 50 miles north of Rauros by then) and they will mentally nab Tharonwe the Swamp Elf.

They will ride like thunder through the East Emnet (Westward around the falls) and *straight* into the swamp, confront Tharonwe, and eventually take him captive.

Tharonwe-Swampy lets on that there is A Redhaired Man who knows about Mithrellas.

They then hunt down Ravion's group.

Then we are all one big happy family!

:D

EDIT: Immy, were you thinking of Orual's other ranger? (name escapes me) he's supposed to show up soon, and push Mellonin over the edge again.

[Imladris]

No, I wasn't...

I think....that somebody needs to point out that it was Gwyllion who attacked Aeron...since the ranger has told him to shut up. :p

Cheerio,
Imladris

[mark12_30]

Rotten, naughty Gwyllion. Of course Mellonin was entirely innocent in the whole affair.

[Imladris]

*gasp* Mellonin I mean...

Well, stupid Gwyllion forsaking her brother like that....:p

[Orual]

Heh, yeah, Ravion does have certain...prejudices... :p

Post up, in other news. Sorry I've been a little spotty with posting lately.

[mark12_30]

Orual: I love it.

Ravion for the wilds, Raefindan for worldly wisdom?

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Hey guys,

I brought the Rohan group to the morning of Dec 23. If anyone wanted something posted before that, just let me know and I can edit.

Bellyn feels very bad for Amroth! :(

-Aylwen

[mark12_30]

Thanks, Aylwen!

I'm off to read your post.



"...Some people can swim in the sea of knowledge all day, and not get wet at all."

[mark12_30]

Immy: Wow. Aeron is in rare form!

[Imladris]

Rare form? What do you mean?

*is pleased about the "wow" though* :D

[mark12_30]

It was the "You are dead to me" ... whamo.

She oughta smack him. But then, maybe it's better she doesn't; humility is a terrible thing to grow into.

[Imladris]

Well....still....he is upset. After all, the Ravion does have his prejudices....and Gwyllion already feels a bit guilty for calling him a monster....

[alaklondewen]

I'm sorry...I've been thinking of this post all day, and I just didn't get it posted before Helen posted. Helen or Aylwen, would either of you insert this post into yours (Beginning of Helen's last, or the end of Aylwen's last)?

~*~*~*~
Morning of Dec. 23 ~ Erebemlin and Taitheneb

"I hope we are not a burden to his journey."

The young woman looked to the elves with sincere, child-like eyes. Erebemlin tipped his head to one side and studied her mortal face. He had not paid the humans much attention thus far, yet he did not think of them as burdens. Rather, he thought nothing of them. The elder had never cared much for the ways of Men. They acted too quickly, were too emotional, and did not pause long enough to see the true beauty of creation. Now this young pleasant looking woman sat before him with concern lining her small features…concern for his king.

Erebemlin had always thrown himself completely and utterly into his duty. Little attention had he ever paid to personal relationships that went beyond loyalty to his king and land.

Taitheneb, on the other hand, felt a twinge of sorrow at the thought of the young Bellyn considering herself a burden. He too tipped his head as he studied her pretty face, although, instead of the curiosity seen in Erebemlin’s eyes, the younger elf’s eyes twinkled and small creases formed at their corners. “Nay, my lady. You have been no burden.”

Bellyn looked away with her face newly flushed, and Taitheneb continued. “Your songs have been a comfort to Lord Amroth, and just look at the young man beside you.” Nethwador looked up, and his eyes darted from the elf’s face to Bellyn’s and back again. “Much of the eagerness to learn and be civil has been inspired by you, lady. Nay, you are not a burden…you are a blessing.”

[mark12_30]

posted! Thanks-- love the contrast between the two elves.

[mark12_30]

Aylwen: lovely song; it doesn't sound familiar...?

;)

Now for a response to Bella's generous heart...

[mark12_30]

Entwash Delta folk: Does anyone have anything to add to Dec 22 before I push it through some nightmares to the 23rd?

As an aside I was wondering: Dec 25 is approaching; shall we mark it in any way? (TOlkien had the company set out from Rivendell on that day.)

Another aside: Orual, lmp, and Immy-- perhaps you can team up in pursuing Aeron's transition to manhood?

Schedule stuff FYI:
I will be on (family and business) travel from Saturday til Wednesday.
Vacation (on an island with no electricity) second week in August. (Please, God, may my husband also have the time off, and come with!)

Hopefully I will also disappear for several weekends! Something in me still thinks it's April or perhaps May. Burdened with deadlines and deliveries, the sweet summer is passing quickly-- and I have not enjoyed it as I should. I live 20 minutes from the ocean and have not yet wet my feet in it. I do believe Tollers would chide.

[littlemanpoet]

Um, uh, yike.

Nothing like requesting that I step outside my comfort zone!

I've only tried to guide one person into impending manhood, which is me, and I don't think I'm done yet, at age 44!

What on earth do you have in mind?

Me personally, I want to send Raefindan into the fray and request that Ravion tie the little tyrant's hands behind his back, after which Raefindan would happily serve as personal escort back to a jail cell in Minas Tirith. Hmmm..... maybe it would make a good threat... on ... his way ... to manhood .... :p

I may get another chance or two to post, but a certain online writers' group is having their first annual conference this weekend, and I'm going. I don't know if I'll have a chance to post between Friday and Monday.

[Imladris]

Well, having Aeron growing up into manhood is going to be a lot more difficult if

Me personally, I want to send Raefindan into the fray and request that Ravion tie the little tyrant's hands behind his back, after which Raefindan would happily serve as personal escort back to a jail cell in Minas Tirith. Hmmm..... maybe it would make a good threat... on ... his way ... to manhood ....

I think you are all coming down awful hard on Aeron. Think about it: His mother died giving birth to little Gwyll, his dad left them therebye leaving him around the age of nine to care for his little sister all by himself.

Then he comes into you guys. There he meets Ravion, a ranger. Now, according to what Aeron has heard of rangers, they're good and honest. Now, Ravion, to Aeron's mind, has not lived up to that image. In fact, Ravion did a horrid thing when he said that Aeron had started the fight.

Aeron also feels that Gwyllion has deserted him. Betrayed him by calling him monster and stuff....

As for the crying and assuming people are dead, Aeron has had to live like that. He has learned that crying won't help you. He has learned that it is better to assume the worst. So, in effect, he's not making fun of Mellonin...he's not trying to hurt her. He's trying to help her. And punishing him for that, attacking him for that is a step backwards. You can't really blame him for acting the way he's acting right now.

For those of you who have read The Outsiders and That Was Then This Is Now by S.E Hinton can compare Aeron to like....Ponyboy, Soda, and Dallas I think. Hardened Greasers. That's what Aeron is basically. A greaser who has seen a lot of pain.

[littlemanpoet]

Thanks for the clarification, Imladris.

Do please remember that Ravion, Raefindan, and the rest, don't know all this about Aeron, and we're going to do our best to make our characters react within the nature of who they are. Which is one reason why Raefindan hasn't done anything drastic yet, even if LMP wants to make him do so!

So Raefindan is going to act toward Aeron the way Raefindan would, in the context of how Aeron acts, and of who Raefindan is. I'll tell ya this much - it's hard! Raefindan is more honorable, day in and day out, than I know how to be, I dare say, So it's a challenge to write him realistically, which is why I'm using Tapestry to practice him.

I'll have to think really hard about how Raefindan would handle the kind of challenge Aeron presents.

LMP

[Imladris]

No, I understand that they don't know this about him, which is why I put that post on teh Discussion Thread. I was, however, getting a little nervous at the tendancy to think him selfish and a little tyrant... ;)

Cheers,
Imladris

[mark12_30]

On the nitpicky side since Orual seems a bit scarce:

Grond is "The Hammer of the Underworld" and refers to (1) Morgoth's mace and (2) the battering ram used against the gates of Minas Tirith.

Gond means "Stone" and is Ravion's personal joke about his own horse ("Dumb as a stone", which Gond is obviously not, but Ravion sees some humor in it.)

Regarding Transitions To Manhood: I'm not asking for a CGI transmogrification; one step at a time. Although big steps are nice. Perhaps a revelation a la Eustace Clarence Scrubb?

Eventually Mellonin will realize that she is a manipulative, controlling b*tch, but not yet. She has a ways to go, and Ravion is in for a LOT more torment in the meantime.

[littlemanpoet]

No prob, Imladris. Raefindan will stay in character - but that does not exclude me from thinking that Aeron is a selfish little tyrant. :p

Helen: Manipulative, controlling b*tch?! Are you kidding? I've met some. Mellonin doesn't come close! You'll have to make her a lot less sympathetic if that's what you're aiming for. :)

[mark12_30]

MCB: Oh, it's nothing conscious or intentional... But her little brother's willing compliance, helpful nature and generous heart have spoiled her rotten.

Besides, a fully certifiable American Manipulative Contolling B*tch would not last very long as a servant girl in Minas Tirith. She's mild, as they go. She *does* have a conscience... which will ache all the more when she finally gets a good look at herself.

(edit: perhaps 'petulant spoiled daddy's little girl' is a little hearer the amrk, but she hasn't been home for five years... anyway I think you get my drift.)

[Imladris]

Lmp, I'm so sorry for being a pain, but you haven't quite gotten Aeron right.

In his profile thing, he doesn't anger easily but he also keeps a mask of reckless arrogance on his face and he's sarcastic. He's also an excellent liar and doesn't betray his emotions, as you yourself said once when we chatted.

So, Raefindan can't insinuate that Aeron is easily angered and that he is tormented by self guilt and loathing because Aeron doesn't show that because he doesn't get angered easily and because he doesn't betray his emotions. I think this is the first time he has become really angry and then because he was attacked.

And about the statement about the fire. Aeron would have ignored it because he's putting pretty much everyone on ignore right now (yes, I have not shown that but I'm telling ya'll now) and he's hiding within himself. He's being, in a word, an excellent liar: not betraying his emotions.

Also when you say that he is a coward, he would have slouched forwards, glanced at Raefindan, and said something along the lines of, "So I suppose the definition of cowards is --" and he would have then gone on to list the things he has done to help them, such as going after Ravion for Raefindan, admitting to the merchant that it was he who had stolen the necklace, that he would have gone to jail instead of abandoning his sister, and helping with the water monster. Then he would have added something like, "So that is the definition of a coward. Thank you for your enlightenment" or something to that effect.

Why does Raefindan think that Aeron has a problem against women? He is impatient with them for their sentimentality, yes, but he has never mentioned that to anyone.


If I have not portrayed Aeron as stated above, please tell me...

[mark12_30]

Why does Raefindan think that Aeron has a problem against women? He is impatient with them for their sentimentality, yes, but he has never mentioned that to anyone.

Well, he's snerked "Women!" a couple of times. It's visible in other words.

[littlemanpoet]

Imladris, how about editing my last Raefindan post as you like, post it on the discussion board, and I'll revise my post accordingly (with whatever necessary discussion to work out any wrinkles). Okay?

[Imladris]

Fine by me. Still, sorry about being such a pain.... :(

As night fell, Raefindan sat next to Aeron before the fire. Ravion sat across form Raefindan; Gwyllion sat to Aeron's right. To Raefindan's left sat Mellonin, and between her and Ravion snuggled Jorje, close enough to the fire to feel its warmth, not so close as to get his tail snagged by an errant cinder.

Raefindan breathed deep and sighed. "Ah, the night smells fresh, does it not?"

He glanced at Aeron, who turned away.

Raefindan shrugged. "You're putting us on ignore, Aeron. Quite a cowardly act, avoiding us like that.

Aeron's eyes flickered to Raefindan's face.

Poking the fire with a stick, he went on, "Well, it's like this. Thieves are by nature cowards-"

Aeron hunched forward, and said, "Who are you calling a coward!"

"Now, now, calm yourself, Aeron. Sit back down and I shall explain how it must be so."

Aeron glared at him while the fire sent ten flickers skyward. Then he sat back down, his heated eyes following the reaching tongues. "Must be so," he sneered. "Tell me how it must be so, oh wise Raefindan. I had not realized that cowards would go to jail before abandoning their sisters, admit to an angry merchant that he stole a necklace (a confession which saved a ranger's supposed good anme), and who helped battle a Kraken." He stopped, assumed a grave expression, and said solemnly, "Thank you for clarifying the meaning of a coward."

[Raefindan obliged with a lightness to match the rising smoke. While he spoke, Ravion's eyes came up from his contemplation of the flames. His brow rose higher and higher.

"As I was saying, thieves are by nature cowards, preferring to sneak around and cause loss and heartache among others rather than do honest work for an honest wage."

Mellonin faced Raefindan, tilting her head, a look of mild suspicion on her face.

"To mask such cowardice," Raefindan continued, "especially from themselves, thieves must be easily roused to anger, seeing injustice, or weakness, in others all the more because their guilt eats at them for all the wrong they've caused their innocent victims. Not only do thieves sneak about, but they dare not face their own guilt, which is yet another form of cowardice. Hemmed in by their own self-loathing, they are more easily angered than the honest and brave."

Aeron looked sourly at Raefindan, who had used many words he had never heard before; but he had picked up Raefindan's meaning well enough, and was incensed. But to show it would prove the red haird man right. It was infuriating! Aeron suddenly found himself in a trap as airtight as any jail cell.]

"So, little thief," Raefindan continued offhand-like, "whom I know not as well as I thought, I pray you, tell me where you got such odd notions about women."

Aeron's head pulled back, as if he were trying to avoid a left hook that had come from a direction he had not anticipated.
~~~~~~~~~
The paragraphs in brackets I do no know what to do with, as lmp knows Raefindan better than me. *grin*

DOes this help? And again, my most sincere apologies.

[Orual]

Sorry for the disappearance, guys! Unexpected stage managing gig plus crazy rehearsal equals me being gone for two days...I'm back, though, and going straight to the game thread.

[Nurumaiel]

Good day to all!

I will be gone on a retreat from July 23rd - 26th. I will be home on the 25th, but I'll need time to unpack, etc., besides the fact that our bus won't be coming in to the home front until nine or ten at night.

I'll be back for a few days then, but from the last weekend of July to early August I will be gone visiting friends. The exact dates for this trip have not been worked out yet, I fear.

I will be completely free after that until late August, but in those later days I will have computer access and I will still be free; not completely.

[littlemanpoet]

Thanks for putting in all the effort, Immy, but having had a weekend to let things moulder in this excuse for a mind, it's hit me that that post was just not in character at all for Raefindan. It was more me in a snide mood. Sorry. It will be revised, drastically, and I'll let all of you know when it is. I don't have time to do it right now because of a need for sleep, but by the end of tomorrow, I hope.

[Imladris]

No need to apologize Lmp. I understand how these things happen. :)

[littlemanpoet]

Post # 387 has been radically revised. I hope it doesn't mess anybody else up. But it just feels a lot more like Raefindan to me. I hope you agree. Sorry for all the bother.

[littlemanpoet]

In the following text, there are four words that are not likley to appear in Tolkien:

"disputes, injuries and lack of focus I see that you have much to contend with."

disputes: war of words.... quarrel

injuries: wounds ... hurt ... cut ... gash ... scratch ... tear .. blemish

focus: heedfulness ... regard .... care ... notice .... give mind to .... hearken to ...

just some ideas for you. Hope that helps.

[mark12_30]

lmp, Mellonin was replying to Ravion, and hence was quoting his words.

If Ravion (poor henpecked fellow) is up for editing, Mellonin will follow suit.

By the way, now that I am back from my business trip, I am sick as a dog. Fortunately today I have kept down a few snacks. There is hope. But I am groggy.

[Orual]

Ravion has been edited! Thanks for the advice, lmp. I'm not much of a linguist, and appreciate any suggestions.

[littlemanpoet]

You are most welcome, Orual. Anytime! And let me know if I ever get too cocky about anything at all...

[mark12_30]

Off I go to follow suit. Spades or Hearts?? Sorry....


<edit>

OK, Mellonin has fully and completely answered Ravion to her own satisfaction. Which means she said nothing decipherable.

No surprise if he's still bewildered.

[littlemanpoet]

Hee hee! What fun. I hoep this doesn't slow progress toward capturing the bad elf too much. But I felt like we needed a bit of a spark toward posting a bit more frequently. I hope this helps.

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Eeeee!

I was just about to post today, lmp, and you have given Bella much, much more to react to! ;)

What fun!

Many thanks,

-Aylwen

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Hey everyone,

I already PMed Helen about this, but I wanted to post it here too so that everyone knew. I will be on vacation and unable to post basically from tomorrow, Tuesday July 27 until Tuesday August 3.

Until I return, have fun posting!

-Aylwen

[mark12_30]

I didn't even notice that Ihad posted my last comment on the game thread....

Immy, nice post on Aeron and Ravion!

I'll be in Maine for the next four days; I may post tomorrow AM before I leave if I have time. Please write at will! It will be a quiet August, I think; when Aylwen gets back, I'm going back to Maine, lmp will be on vacation and I think Nuru is on travel as well.

Don't be discouraged if it gets slow. It'll pick up again toward the end of August... post when you can.

I'm looking forward to the confrontation between Amroth and the Swamp Elf; Liornung I suspect has more up his sleeve; we're expecting a visit from the Other Ranger; Aeron's Antics will no doubt continue; and so far, Ædegard's courtig has gone just a bit too easy, so I'm wondering what's next on that front. Time will tell!

[Orual]

I took some liberties with my last post...I hope it doesn't mess anything up too badly. If it does, just tell me.

[littlemanpoet]

Great post, Orual! Nothing like a good plot twist to engender interest in the story. Nice work!

[mark12_30]

... Mellonin's heart sinks into her boots as she realizes that maybe, just maybe, she should have been just a little bit nicer....

[mark12_30]

Orual, great stuff!!

How's Rohan? Is half of Rohan on travel? I'll check in again tomorrow and figure that out...

[Imladris]

Just popping in to let you know that I will be gone on Saturday through Tuesday. I don't think I'll be gone long enough to justify dragging my mummy to the library so I shall be very silent.

And Orual, when I saw Ravion break the fellowship, my jaw literally dropped! Most unexpected!

Excellent! *air guitar*

Cheers,
Imladris

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

How's Rohan? Is half of Rohan on travel? I'll check in again tomorrow and figure that out...

Just returned from the Badlands, my good friends! Wonderful place, I must say, but I don't think I noticed how thin the air gets up that high until I ran! And sunburn...but Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse were indeed wonderful sights, especially from our hot air balloon ride!

Sorry. Rambling on... ;)

In any case, Bellyn's reactions to the acceptance of marriage shall soon grace the game thread, and I can push the group ahead to catch Amroth in my post, if you all wish it.

-Aylwen

[mark12_30]

Great posts, all!

Immy, what tune are you playing on your air guitar? Lament For Boromir? (not that Ravion's dead...)

Whoa.. Aylwen, you rode a hot air balloon past Mount Rushmore???

Orual, I'm on-edge-of-seat waiting for Ravion's next move.

However-- I will also be on travel from Saturday morning to a week from Sunday (that's Aug 7 to Aug 15, Real Time.). Returning to Game-Time-- tonight-Game-Time is the night for Amroth to figure out that the Swamp-Elf is involved, and causing Trouble. YIPE! Guess I'd better think this over and write up a confrontation?

[Imladris]

lol -- the air guitar was in reference to Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure which is just a brief spell of sizzling electric music...no tune at all...

[Nurumaiel]

Hurrah! I'm back, and I'm ready to go on. Conflict has been the word on my mind. Now that the two are peacefully engaged, where does the conflict come in. Perhaps Argeleafa could be frightened at the prospect of being married soon, which will cause her to be shy and timid around Ædegard, which might cause him some confusion, which might cause some conflict?

I'll think it over and try to come up with something that will make the road a little bumpy.

[mark12_30]

Welcome back, Nuru!

[mark12_30]

A few vague plans outlined before I go on vacation for a week (Back the 16th) :

Erebemlin and Taitheneb figure something out regarding Swampy Tharonwe. Group heads south again.

Mellonin dreams of Nimrodel's despair and sense of betrayal, and her turning to another for comfort.

Nethwador is moved away from hope and confidence towards fear that Bella will likewise reject him.

Swampy Tharonwe mentally moves in at Nimrodel, wooing her more successfully now; but he can't resist making Raefindan miserable. Mellonin grows more confused as Nimrodel does.

[mark12_30]

Whooff... still at work at 22:36. Guess I won't get in another post-- so, love to all, & have a great week. See you on the 16th!

--mark12_30

[littlemanpoet]

I've been considering Nethador (that's how Ædegard thinks of his name) asking Ædegard to teach him Common Tongue so that he could talk to Bella and someday propose, too. I'm figuring that Nethwador is hoping that Æd would be sympathetic, since he feels toward Leafa as Neth does toward Bella. But Æd still has his anti-non-Rohirrim/Gondorian bias in place, and Neth picks up on this quickly, and conflict. I'm waiting to work it in. Thoughts?

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

I've been considering Nethador (that's how Ædegard thinks of his name) asking Ædegard to teach him Common Tongue so that he could talk to Bella and someday propose, too. I'm figuring that Nethwador is hoping that Æd would be sympathetic, since he feels toward Leafa as Neth does toward Bella. But Æd still has his anti-non-Rohirrim/Gondorian bias in place, and Neth picks up on this quickly, and conflict. I'm waiting to work it in. Thoughts?

*Thumbs Up*

Sounds fine to me, at least...but yeah...it's really up to Helen, eh?

:D

-Aylwen

[mark12_30]

sounds good to me.

Nice to be home, well, except that vacation is over...

[mark12_30]

Kudos to lmp for playing a REALLY good villain!!! Dude, you rock.

BAD Swampy, BAD....

Now I gotta go come up with some good posts.

[littlemanpoet]

Tharonwe has been busy. He has decided that he will not simply hide to evade capture, although he realizes that may be the end result of all events, outnumbered as he is proving to be. He has decided to take advantage of the weaknesses he has seen in the group. Tharonwe is as quiet and elusive as any elf, has excellent coordination and eyesight, and is deadly with bow and arrow. He is not above using poisoned arrows. He has learned the art of the blow reed as well, and is quite adept at concocting potions that induce sleep, fever, dream, or death. He has hiding places here and there in the swamp. Since there are few trees, he has created his own hiding places, having studied the wildlife that inhabit the swamps. So Gwyllion has been the victim of a blow reed, and has been cast into a sleep and does dream - so good instincts there, Immy! She was bound and gagged and brought to a place to which no ranger, dog, horse, nor other human could track her. The same fate has befallen Mellonin. By the time dawn arrives, she also will have been bound and hidden. Tharonwe's thinking should be obvious to you by now. Having captured those who were most defenseless in the party, and certainly cared for by those who remain, he has an advantage he didn't have before. When he reveals himself to those who remain free, whoever they may be by the time he's finished with his current tricks, he will make clear that he cannot be killed, or the two may not be found - in time to save them from starvation or the poison with which he has infected them (which may or may not be a lie). If those who remain free refuse to cooperate with him, he will threaten to throw one or both to the swamp beast, which he has - well - not tamed, per se, but over which he has a certain measure of control. Let's figure that if Tharonwe has not been back to the two ladies after 12 hours, they will have woken up and discovered their condition and helplessness. Have fun!

[Imladris]

Thank you for explaining more about the nassssty little ssswamp elf, LMP. ;)

However, I'm afraid that Raefindan has a bit of a problem...*cough* I hope I did justice to your character, as I'm not quite sure how he would react in such a situation.

Cheers,
Immy

[mark12_30]

OK, I am afraid I have gotten us all into a dating fuddle. And we are about to witness the Meeting of the Clans (if there is a Ravion-clan left by then!) so it is imperative that the dates be correct.

The dates in question are the Rohan dates; somehow we lost a day on page 8, and what hould have been the 21 was the 20, and dates have slipped ever since. My bad-- Sorry! But we must fix it. So... I have editing requests for several folk...


ROHAN:

Alak: Page 8, post number 319 : should be the 21st not the 20th.

Alak: Page 9, post number 334 : should be the 23 not the 22.

Nuru: Page 9, post number 336 : should be the 23 not the 22.

Nuru: Page 9, post number 338 : should be the 23 not the 22.

Nuru: Page 9, post number 340 : should be the 23 not the 22.

Nuru: Page 9, post number 342 : should be the 23 not the 22.

Nuru: Page 10, post number 372 : should be the 23 not the 22.

Golly, I feel like I'm punishing everyone who put the date in their title! I assure you this is not my intent...

Alak: Page 10, post number 377 : should be the 23 not the 22.

Aylwen: Page 10, post number 378 : should be the 24 not the 23.

Nuru: Page 10, post number 389 : should be the 24 not the 23.


SO: unless I am greatly mistaken, currently Amroth's clan is at the very-early-morning (wee hours) of the 25th. Amroth is pacing, Erebemlin and Taitheneb are carefully leaving him alone, and Ædegard and Aergeleafa are still seeing stars.

Mellonin, Raefindan, Aeron, Erundil are now at Dec 23 (morning.) So the two groups are TWO days apart again-- the other way round!

My best cosolation is that Tolkien lost a day, too, and had to engineer the story like mad to fix it. So we are in good company.

Somebody double check me just in case I'm wrong?

If I'm not wrong, then we need to get Raefindan's group forward two whole days (which I guess makes it just as well that the Rohan group has been posting less.) Then I'll do the dream-intercept. Mellonin can be raving from the poison by then (that'll work well for making the dream intense enough for Amroth to catch it.)

How about they find Gwyllion (in the nick of time) but not Mellonin? Then she can have her mostly-dead experience. All major characters gotta have at least one. The elves can fix her up.

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

My post has been edited to say 24th instead of 23!

Thanks for pointing this out! Better to clear it up now than later, eh?

-Aylwen

[Imladris]

Oh....so Mellonin and Gwyllion aren't in the same hiding place?

[mark12_30]

I'm thinking not. If they woke up together they'd be encouraged, and I'm sure Tharonwe doesn't want THAT to hapen. Also if they found one, they'd find the other; if they're separate, finding one almost makes finding the other harder, because you've been looking in the obvious places.

[littlemanpoet]

First off, that's a great post, Immy. I actually cheered when Raefindan tackled Aeron. Quite in character. Nice writing. :)

Good questions, everybody. Mellonin and Gwyllion are not in the same place. Neither of them have been poisoned. Rather, they've been drugged for long lasting sleep (easier to keep them quiet and captive that way), and such a state makes it easy for him to torture them with nightmares.

As for Gond and Erundil, they have been poisoned. Tharonwe's purpose with this is to intimidate those who remain free into becoming compliant. The poison is not fatal, but the party don't know that. It will render those poisoned sick with high fever and shakes, and inability to keep any nourishment down. Tharonwe has the only cure. He will be contacting Raefindan and company in the morning with his demands.

Finally, Tharonwe has no intention of giving back any hostages, not until he has gotten his way regarding Amroth. He does not realize that Amroth wears the flesh of Mellonin, but will figure that out eventually. Tharonwe also intends to do more capturing, especially since it has been quite successful so far. More than that we'll have to see as the story unfolds.

[Orual]

Hey all!

Sorry I've been absent for a bit: rehearsals started up for my newest play, so I had to get into the swing of things. I ought to be back now, though.

Hope my post fit in okay: I'd like to get Ravion back into the action, especially with Erundil pretty much incapacitated (which I liked, by the way!).

~O

[Nurumaiel]

:eek: Thanks for pointing that out, Helen! Looks like I've got the most editting to do. :o I'll be running over there to fix things up as soon as the supper is finished with.

I've been thinking about the little Rohan romance and if you think about it, the two dears have only known each other for a few days. I think this might cause Argeleafa some doubts, and she'll wonder if she really does love Ædegard, or if she just felt especially kind towards him because he was especially kind to her.

So, with the slight mix-up in the dates, where are we now? I can try to get a post up where Argeleafa starts having 'second thoughts' of a sort, but at the moment I'm as lost as she is! :D

[mark12_30]

Nuru--

Amroth's clan is at the very-early-morning (wee hours) of the 25th. (Merry Christmas to Ædegard's troop.)

Mellonin's most recent nightmare is during the wee morning hours of Dec 23. I think the rest of Raefindan's group is also at morning of Dec 23.

Ravion is returning, but the troop is half the size it was when Ravion left!

[mark12_30]

Chaos reigns! Woohooh!

[mark12_30]

By the way, magnificent posting, everyone! This has been great fun to watch-- but even better, I get to PLAY!

[mark12_30]

Anyone seen Alak? I don't mind writing the elves if she's out for a few weeks, but I'd hate to step on her toes if she's around.

Aylwen, Nethwador now has a few broken phrases of elvish-- Sindarin, which Gondorians understand quite well but Rohirrim do not. He will be eager to talk to Bella with his new-but-awkward vocabulary. He is still furious with Ædegard.

lmp and Nuru: LOVE this latest development!

Raefindan's troop (Ravion included): we have two days to chew up before the two groups can collide. Feel free to push the clock!

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Thanks Helen!

Post is up. If anything is unsuitable, or I misused anyone's character...just let me know. The usual. :D

-Aylwen

P.S. I agree whole-heartedly with Helen's above comment about the way this game is going! Love it!

[mark12_30]

Great posts, everyone! Aylwen, nice touch on Bella's dream! Must weave that into the Tapestry somehow...

[littlemanpoet]

Orual, there's a minor problem in your last post: Gond was sent toward Ravion and they should have met half way. Gond can't be used as a pillow for Erundil. He should instead be under Ravion's care as he comes back.

Other than that, what an amazing post! I'm gettin' all teary eyed. *sniff*

[Orual]

Thanks, lmp! I completely misread it. I'm going back to edit right now.

I'm glad you liked it, though!

[mark12_30]

This morning alak pm'ed me-- she is settling into a new place and her internet connection is up and working! Hallelujah! I'm sure RL is still keeping her busy as she settles in, but she promises to post before too long.

lmp is also busy-- he can use prayer as FWW is taking up a good deal of his time.

Some game thoughts:

Mellondu, aka Fingon, has resurfaced in Amroth. Amroth is not in complete despair, but he is quite discouraged and has retreated to consider his options. Amroth sensed (or will sense) Mellonin's dreams slipping through as he was searching desperately for the withdrawn thoughts of Nimrodel. He dismissed her as unimportant; but Mellondu recognized her, and concern for her was part of what caused him to assert himself.

Mellonin does not know any of this (I think.)

I would think Erebemlin and Taitheneb should be feeling pretty insecure about their king having withdrawn. They might interrogate Mellondu, or they might just go digging for their king... alak, what do you think? How would they react to this?

I do think they will keep up with the detective work. Tharonwe is guarding against Amroth; is he guarding against Mellondu? (since he's sharing a body with Amroth, Mellondu is catching the message-traffic so to speak.) Is Tharonwe guarding against Erebemlin and Taitheneb? What about Nethwador? Any one of them could sense additional interference from Tharonwe, thus clue-ing the Rohan fellowship to go Swamp-Elf-Hunting.

Speaking Of Swamps and hunts:

We need to come up with some sort of explaination for the Swamp Watcher in the Water. He seems to be Tharonwe's pet. Remember that Nimrodel, Amroth, and Tharonwe were around 1000 years ago when the dwarves aroused Durin's Bane in Moria, and that was what caused Nimrodel to flee. How would Tharonwe have connected with The Watcher In The Water's spawn?

I can think of a few options: One, he traversed to the West Gate of Moria (Over or Under the mountains) and spoke/osanwe'd with THe Watcher, and negotiated to take an egg or a baby-watcher eastward. The Watcher seems pretty reptilian and probably wouldn't care much.

Or-- the Watcher came from the northern mountains, beyond Mirkwood, where the Dragons are etc, and is a leftover from Morgoth.

Meanwhile:

Ædegard and Argeleafa are seeing a different type of stars this morning? More like the cartoon-style, after having been slugged...
(0_0)
(x_x)

[mark12_30]

post 413, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427: night of Dec 22

428, 429: late night Dec 22/ morning of Dec23
430, 431: Wee hours of Dec 23
433: morning of Dec 23.
441: Morning of Dec 23: Ravion rejoins Raefindan's troop

435-440 (Rohan): Dec 25-- Amroth is rejected by Nimrodel; Ædegard falls from Argeleafa's grace; Nethwador struggles for Bella's attention

445: MY GOODNESS!!! Boneheaded me-- I didn't realize that lmp had taken Raefindan's troop through TWO nights and days. Raefindan's trooop is now at Dec 25!

**FANFARE**

We are now synched up!! Astounding! lmp, you rule!!!

This works very well. We can work through this day-- Dec 25 (Merry Christmas, everybody) with plenty of elvish & Rohirric angst, and a happy reunion between Aeron and Gwyll. Tonight game-time, someone in the Rohan troop can osanwe-spy Tharonwe. Tomorrow, Dec 26, at Dawn the Rohan troop thunders southeastward.

[Nurumaiel]

Goodness, does that mean we're growing closer to where the Rohan and Gondor groups meet up? That'll be... fun... the Rohan group is having some trouble all ready and I've been sitting for hours on end each day wondering what Liornung is going to think of Aeron. Maybe... they'll like each other? :D

I'm going to run over and do a post for Argeleafa, and she's going to Ædegard's presence in tears and go to Liornung and Bella.... So, Aylwen, if Bella wants to say anything about this, you can go right ahead. It seems that both of the lassies are having some difficulties with love... And Liornung is going to be stuck sitting between them. :eek: :D

[Imladris]

Just to let y'all know I've fill in my save. :)

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Post for Bellyn will be up directly!

And I do love your new avvy, Nuru! ;)

-Aylwen

[littlemanpoet]

I'm very sorry, Imladris, but I forgot to mention about Gwyllion - had intended to and all, but distractions have been blocking my mental energies from this board. Anyway - I mean for Gwyllion to remain asleep - comatose in effect - for quite a while yet. Would it be asking too much to ask you to save that little exchange for a few days later when I'd like to have her wake up?

As for the lurker in the swamp waters, I prefer the Morgoth idea - - - always been there, it's just that swamps don't get passed through much, and anyone that does and gets eaten, goes missing, and people don't know why and don't go searching in the swamp because where are you going to start looking, you know?

I figure Tharonwe has had plenty of alone time to hone whatever skills he has chosen. He has had plenty of practice with osanwe considering Nimrodel. Also, being a loner and liking to keep it that way, and vigilant, he has been constantly on the lookout (or whatever you call it in osanwe terms), so he should be able to handle anything that comes his way. I want to keep his abilities unfolding as the story develops. We just don't know what all he's capable of yet.

I have not yet seen Ædegard slugged. Did I miss something?

[Nurumaiel]

lmp, I think Nethwador was on the point of doing something to Ædegard, whether it was slugging or no, but Bella jumped up and is trying to calm him down. Now it's up to Helen to decide whether Nethwador is calmed or whether the slugging commences.

Now to wait in suspense for her post.

By the way, Aylwen, I love my new avvy too. :D

And lovely post for Bella!

...I think conflict is so beautiful! ;) :D

[Imladris]

Edited, LMP! Satisfactiory I hope?

[mark12_30]

Somebody slugged somebody. Bella didn't see who threw the first punch, and she's a little too close to the action despite Nethwador's attempt to push her back towards Liornung.

[Nurumaiel]

Aylwen, would you like to do a post for Bella with her reactions to the fight before I do one? Liornung seems to be the only man left to intervene (save the Elves, but they're not Men :p ), and if I post for Argeleafa he's going to have to do something. So, steal this opportunity away.

And lmp...? If you want to do anything before Liornung jumps in?

I can't say he'll be successful in trying to stop the fight, but all the same...

[littlemanpoet]

I'll have a look around then post; in which I'll show that Ædegard doesn't know how to fight, but has the strength one would expect of a hardened wheelwright. (darn now I'll have to do some research on wheelwrights).

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Aylwen, would you like to do a post for Bella with her reactions to the fight before I do one?

Oops! Sorry I wasn't home in time to put up a post. Back to school again. :confused: That's fine that you did though, no complaints here. I'll get another post up tonight.

-Aylwen

[littlemanpoet]

I have been trying very hard to present Ædegard as a true Rohirrim with Rohirric sensibilities. The Rohirrim were modeled after the Anglo-Saxons from the middle ages, before 1066 (the date of the Norman Conquest). Honor and blood loyalty were core beliefs.

Now, we moderns think like moderns. No duh, eh? :p And therefore it comes as no surprise that Leafa and Liornung, especially, but also Bellyn, think like moderns instead of like Rohirrim and Gondorians of Middle Earth.

This is why I'm having Ædegard speak in the way he is to Leafa, who, for all her Rohirric looks and name, sounds to Ædegard nothing like what he would expect a Rohirric girl to sound like. To his mind, he half wonders if Leafa has been too much under the influence of the Easterlings, but he has to reject that notion, because it does not account for why Liornung and Bellyn think the same way. There is no such thing as a new fad or style in Gondor and Rohan - so he can't fathom that something has perhaps come down from the courts. The only conclusion that he might draw is that this new way of thinking comes from the Elves by way of the King in Minas Tirith, who had much to do with Elves.

Okay, yeah, I've had a lot of education to help me along, compared to some of you who aren't out of high school yet - and might I add that you're all doing quite admirably for all that and it ain't your fault that you don't have so many years under your - um - belt *ahem* (not to mention a few extra pounds) - but I'd like to encourage us toward one additional thing:

Immerse yourselves not only in your own characters and all the connections between characters, but into the culture of the time and place your characters inhabit.

It means forcing yourself to think in other ways than you're used to. And that's a really powerful tool for writing! Oh, and keep having fun with it, eh? ;)

[mark12_30]

In the morning (my time) or in a few minutes (game time), once an elf comes by to translate for them, Nethwador will be able to clarify that part of his anger was due to Ædegard's rejection of him-- but the other half of the anger was, that Ædegard made the quiet, gentle Wayfarer-girl cry.

Loyalty to the Wayfarers! Bad Ædegard!

And if he ever makes Bella cry, Nethwador just might bite him.

See y'all in the morning.,.. zzzzzzzzzzzz

[alaklondewen]

Elves...that would be me. I truly apologize for my unexpected disappearance. What I anticipated to be a smooth move to a new city (internet access included) wasn't as quick as I thought, so I've been access-less for some time. Please forgive me.

I am still catching up on reading (fantastic writing that always has me on the edge of my seat!). I will get a post up as soon as I can. My fingers are itching to write, so I hope it's very soon. :)

[mark12_30]

Helo Tapestry Team,

My mom is in the hospital after a surgery. It was successful, she is recovering (slowly). I am going up to help out for the rest of the weekend. Please popst like blazes as the Spirit mmoves you...

Please pray for my mom's swift & complete recovery, and please, continue to pray for lmp.

Love to all, and see you Tuesday or so! God bless.

--Helen

[Nurumaiel]

lmp,
I'm a little confused. Are you trying to explain your reasons for presenting Ædegard in a way that might make him appear 'cruel,' or am I do something wrong with my characters?

The way Ædegard is acting about the whole thing makes perfect sense; the way Liornung and Leafa are acting is a little confusing, and I had to think for awhile to figure out how they would act. Neither of my characters are as truly Rohirric as Ædegard, and for reasons, as well.

Leafa was raised by a father who was not very much 'into,' as you might say, his culture, and by a mother who was too meek to speak up against his ideas. Leafa met many kinds of different people and saw them all treated just as a Rohirric, and she was a Wayfarer for a little while. This combined with her naturally rather timid and gentle nature, she can't understand the concept of 'blood-guilt.'

Liornung was raised in a stricter Rohirric sense, but without lengthy explanation I can just say that working as a travelling bard in many different lands, he lost some aspects of the Rohirric nature as far as 'outsiders' are concerned. He can understand the concept of 'blood-guilt,' but he doesn't agree with it (anymore; 'twould be interesting to write of Liornung's earlier life before he took to the road).

There, my little clarification. :p