Friends of Nimrodel: Tapestry of Dreams - Discussion [Archive] - Page 4

littlemanpoet

01-29-2005, 06:46 PM

Helen, Aylwen, nice stuff!

Tharonwë is going to allow himself to be captured, and Raefindan rescued. Raefindan will be under continual hypnosis. Both Tharonwë's and Raefindan's minds will be closed to osanwë by Erebemlin and Taitheneb; only Amroth will be strong enough to break through this. I figure this is so because of the kind of practice Tharonwë has had over the years, both of at least keeping tabs on (and maybe controlling to a degree) Nimrodel and Mithrellas over the years from his swamp, and controlling the many generations of merlocks.

Tharonwë will attempt to bring others of the humans under hypnosis. This will be much more difficult. The question I have is, would Erebemlin and Taitheneb be able to detect Tharonwë's osanwë like a smell on the air, or like "frisking"? How much experience do Ereb and Taith have with the art?

Upon Tharonwë's capture (for which he'll offer little if any resistance), he will begin to measure the humans. Whom will he find most susceptible to his will, and on what grounds? Below are just guesses.

It took time with Raefindan, who was basically strong of mind and resistant, but Tharonwë had the luxury of time, and the leverage of Raefindan's internal conflict with having come from the future.

Aeron is by comparison lawless and unruly, and grieving. That makes him unstable and susceptible.

Erundil is stable of mind and heart and profession, and is less so.

Ravion is full of self-doubt and self-loathing; more susceptible.

Mellondu is quite strong of character and will, and holds the fëa of Amroth within him; this Tharonwë knows and therefore will shy away from him, leaving him for last.

Ædegard is ruled by his oath, which has a power of its own. If Tharonwë can leverage the oath, Ædegard proves susceptible; if Tharonwë discovers that through the oath Ædegard tenaciously resists his will, Ædegard becomes one of the least susceptible - and more likely to resort to physical violence,

Leafa is timid and accepting of others. She seems swayable.

Bellyn seems more grounded and sturdy overall.

Mellonin is conflicted. Susceptible.

Nethwador has a connection to Amroth and the Elves; his mind is probably somewhat foreign to Tharonwë. He might be next to last.

Is there anything I'm forgetting? Missing?

mark12_30

01-30-2005, 08:54 PM

Nuru, Aylwen, lovely posts. Were it not bedtime, I would reply! Tomorrow, I hope.

lmp, thanks for the outline! Food for thought...

littlemanpoet

02-03-2005, 03:03 PM

I'm getting frustrated enough to speak up, my friends.

This rp is dragging. The quality of the posts has not diminished, but their frequency has. .... severely.

It seems that I'm the only one initiating anything in terms of plot. If I'm wrong, please feel free to slap my hand and tell me otherwise. Is anyone else going to initiate anything? Or are you waiting for me to do it? I'm tired of being the only one. Somebody esle, please start something.

Nurumaiel

02-03-2005, 03:43 PM

Well...

*mulls for a few moments*

If Ædegard spoke to Leafa of what you mentioned earlier, that is, that he doesn't think he can marry her because of his hand, or rather the lack of it, perhaps something could come up, even if not directly linked to the central plot.

Er.... I'm not quite sure what's coming up next with Amroth, so Liornung doesn't have very much to do right now, aside from sing songs and tell tales. I think Leafa is the best bet for possible conflict, as far as my characters are concerned.

And I apologise for causing you frustration, lmp. I'll try to be better in the future.

mark12_30

02-03-2005, 04:22 PM

I won't start serious conflict until either Mellondu lets Amroth surface, or, Mellonin and Mellondu argue over whether Mellonin should go home. Mellondu will be tempted to go home himself-- unless Amroth surfaces before then; Mellonin will insist on going after Raefindan; Mellondu will come along to look after her despite her insistance that he should go home and not her.

That conflict will come up when they draw near Minas Tirith.

I want to make ***serious*** tracks southward. Conflict is fine, but we need to get through Pelennor, past Minas Tirith, and down to South Gondor. Somebody needs to get to the Paths of the Dead and find Nimrodel, whether in dreams or in real life, and the troop needs to get to either Erech or the elf-havens, to finish off the game.

IMO we are back in travelling mode, and this is a race southward to get to Nimrodel before Tharonwe does. However, Amroth can't drive that race while Amroth is submerged! The motivation will either have to be up to the elves (carrying out their king's last orders) or the friends of Raefindan will have to chase hard after Raefindan who is dragged along by Tharonwe.

If need be, I can do this with Mellonin. This soon after losing Gwyllion it's not really in character for her; she's still in shock and it would take more strength than I designed into her for her to lead the quest at this point.

However, if I have to to get the game moving, that's what I'll do.

littlemanpoet

02-03-2005, 09:24 PM

Thanks for the responses. I thought I'd stir up the pot a bit. Glad I did.

Nuru, since Leafa is designed as tentative and passive, it's up to Ædegard to initiate. I've been holding off on him, waiting to see someone take initiative.

Tharonwe is readying himself to be captured. The group will catch up to him and Raefindan halfway through the new day. Raefindan's state of hypnotism is not a catatonic state; rather, he will appear to be himself, except modified according to the express wishes of Tharonwe.

I have been wondering what's up with Mellondu. What makes him tick?

Sounds like we need Alak to write her Elves pushing the group.

alaklondewen

02-03-2005, 09:52 PM

I have meetings and class most of the day tomorrow, but I may be able to get them going by tomorrow night, if not, then it will be Sat. morning for sure. If no one posts before...I'll use my save to add what I have planned for Taitheneb..do you want me to take it to morning, or to the road, or do you want time for dream sequences...?

And I, too, apologize for my lack of posting. I will do my best to do better.

~Alak

Nurumaiel

02-04-2005, 09:04 PM

I hope the plot twist I have introduced is not a devastating thing from the point of view of playing the game... I'm quite sure it will be rather devastating to at least a few of the characters.

mark12_30

02-04-2005, 09:18 PM

Mellondu-- tick? Not very loudly.

He is very passive and pacifistic; he is a dreamer. This is what made him such an easy choice for Amroth; he enjoyed the romance of Amroth's quest for Nimrodel, and eagerly agreed to help Amroth search for his long-lost sweetheart. As long as it was about love and romance and travelling, it was fine.

Swamp-elves, toothy cannibals attacking his sister-- and Amroth's bizarre reaction to Tharonwe's threat-- came crashing into his sweet dream, and he has turned from that dream in horror. If love for Nimrodel could have made Amroth callous toward Mellonin, what good was it? He has dismissed the quest in his mind. He wants to return to the safe, peaceful, comfortable reality that he knew-- the smithy, the manor, the other servants, his sister at hand, his parents nearby. It seems less monotonous now. He will pressure Mellonin to return home.

But the impact on Mellondu's heart of sharing Amroth's memories of Nimrodel was deeper than he knew. She will not be dismissed so easily.

Mellonin is still somewhat in shock, and will be for another several days of travel. When they draw near to Minas Tirith, the nightmare of the swamp will recede. If Raefindan seems well, she will be sorely tempted to return home.

Nurumaiel

02-05-2005, 10:40 AM

My lads and lassies....

I had originally intended Leafa to slip away unnoticed and, bluntly, become lost in the darkness and in her feelings at this time when the company has their mind on something else. I see that both Aeron and Bella have already seen her and pursued her... and caught her. Is it all right to ask you to let her go unnoticed?

Unless, Aylwen, you'd like to go through with that which I mentioned to you over PM... but that would mean Bella wouldn't catch her just yet.

Aylwen Dreamsong

02-05-2005, 11:00 AM

Nuru -

That sounds fine to me! :smokin:

I can edit right away.

-Aylwen

Imladris

02-06-2005, 12:00 AM

Per Nuru's requst, I have deleted my post as...that was the main point of it...having Aeron notice her leave taking...

littlemanpoet

02-07-2005, 09:08 PM

Immy, think about how the ghost of Gwyllion might come to Aeron's aid. She's still Gwyllion, and she still has that connection (of sorts) with Mithrellas, with the sympathetic "art" of the lock of Gwyllion's hair. What would Gwyllion see, do, freed now of the constraints of a mortal life?

Nuru, I like what you're doing with Leafa. Thanks for taking initiative. :)

Question for everybody: am I being too pushy? a busy body? should I be more patient and leave your characters to you, minding my own business? Please tell me what you really think. Thanks!:) - LMP

Imladris

02-10-2005, 12:11 AM

Thank you, Lmp, for the hint for a post. As you knew, I had no idea what to do so that helped immenselfy.

My save is filled in (as you could probably guess) and, what's more, it's longer than three paragraphs! Hopefully I got the ghostliness of Gwyllion right...if not I'll edit...

Nurumaiel

02-10-2005, 12:19 PM

Lmp, you are not being in the least pushy! For me you have been a great encouragement to move on, and you're always full of wonderful ideas. The only thing I find lacking is in myself, and I'm certainly going to try to make a move to assist you in encouraging and coming up with new ideas.

Aylwen, would you like Bella to stumble upon Leafa now? I intended for those footsteps Leafa hears to be, in fact, Bella. After the two of them realise who the other is, they can begin to wonder where they are and how to get back, and whether they should sit and wait for help or if they should strike out on their own.

Sophia the Thunder Mistress

02-18-2005, 05:37 PM

Due to a computer problem, and the fact that his password is stored on the site and not in his head, LMP has been unable to get on the Downs for a few days. He's hoping to clear it up by the end of next week, but until then he'll be in touch by YIM.

I put up the post he wrote for Raefindan on the game thread.

Sorry to jump in. :p

Sophia

mark12_30

02-20-2005, 10:48 AM

Hullo, tapesters.

lmp im'ed me with the following:

lmp: Hi, Helen. I'm at the hotel so I better take advantage of the computer availability while I have it. Sophia posted for me, as you know, on Tapestry. I'm very grateful to her. Anyway, now that I look back on it, Tharonwe would have overheard their conversation, and now wishes to (very subtley) make sure Raefindan stays with the group instead of leaving for Marigold. Also, once morning comes, and everybody's whereabouts gets cleared up (since surely, on this open plain - with a few trees I suppose - everybody will be somewhat embarrassed to see that they're all within shouting distance of each other), Ædegard will start packing, ready to start off toward Rohan, allowing Mellondu to continue the loan of his mount (whose name I forget). Should try to have a bit of a caustic and.....

lmp: ....embarrassingly public dispute between Ædegard and Leafa, which may change his mind, and may not. His oath he now considers to be worthless, having been spoken out of his own foolishness. Maybe you want to post this up on discussion? Thanks, and I hope to be back among the Dead soon. - LMP

alaklondewen

02-21-2005, 01:13 PM

Wow, so the news is out about Roy. :eek: I've tried to stay away from this with my Elves, but now they will have to deal with it. How much exactly should they see of the future through Roy, if any at all? Will Maegeleb cover his mind so Erebemlin and Taitheneb cannot see it? Any help at all on how to handle this? Or do you have something planned?

Thanks.

~Alak

Sophia the Thunder Mistress

02-22-2005, 04:45 AM

From LMP:

Tharonwe has made a tactical blunder by revealing Roy's secret, too gleeful with Roy's discomfiture. Now he faces the dilemma of having to either hide Roy's mind from the Elves, or hide what he's been doing while leaving Roy open to the Elves; he chooses the latter - it gives him greater flexibility to use hypnotism elsewhere..... I wonder if Tolkien is rolling over in his grave at my use of the time travel idea?

:D The messenger, Sophia

mark12_30

02-22-2005, 04:17 PM

All, I tagged a Mellonin post on the end of lmp's post (that he had me put up.)

Hey, lmp, get a password, willya? PM Mithadan, or something! ;)

alak,

I had no clear plans for nethwador's racing off-- just that he would never sit still if Bella was in danger. (However did she run off without him noticiing?? I'll have to backfit that, or it's just not plausible...)

anyway, I guess we can use Nethwador's near-panic and his relief at finding Bella again for a foil to Leafa's and Ædegard's chilly un-relationship...

Orual, Mellonin would like nothing better than for Ravion to invite himself into the threesome-- only he's out in the snow isn't he? Dratted nuisance. Maybe when he gets back with Bella and Leafa, she'll try to get him together with Mellondu.

Southward, march!

littlemanpoet

02-22-2005, 06:00 PM

Thank the gods for good friends who know computers well!

I still have to read the latest on the Tapestry thread, but it's verrrrry good to be back!

I'll take a peek, and thanks to Sophia for helping out so much! Did you know that she's been reading our little rp? Says it's one of the best written! :D :)

mark12_30

02-23-2005, 10:51 AM

Glad to see you. lmp. How did the last ad-aware scan go?

Orual, if you'd like your rangers to find the girls, that would be good. Taitheneb wound have found them by now if they were nearby, so it makes more sense for him to have gone the wrong way to begin with.

It's night-time? Ædegard and Aeron, and Liornung are asleep but Mellonin, Mellondu, and Raefindan are awake? Hmmm, doesn't make sense; the elf would order the mortals to sleep. Guess I'll put my little circle to sleep, then. **off to edit**

littlemanpoet

02-23-2005, 02:20 PM

Clean as a whistle. Nice post for Amroth! Feeling back in the groove, eh? :)

Raefindan will want to talk to Ædegard at some point. But I'll wait until morning, unless the arrival of Leafa and Bellyn and their searchers wakes everybody up. Actually, come to think of it, I can't see anybody asleep, Elf orders or not, while some of the party are missing. That includes missing Nethwador.

Orual

02-23-2005, 04:49 PM

Gah! I'm so sorry for my absence, everyone. Things have been crazy in real life lately, but hopefully they'll start to slow down soon as I'll either have made decisions or they will be made for me. Le sigh...

Anyway, I'm going post right now. Thanks for the heads-up, Helen! And welcome back, lmp.

Aylwen Dreamsong

03-01-2005, 02:26 PM

Hey everyone!

The ladies have been found! :eek: :D

Where to next?

-Aylwen

mark12_30

03-01-2005, 04:07 PM

Delightful!

Argeleafa & Bella-- back to camp; some angst between Ædegard and Argeleafa, I assume; Nethwador greets Bella happily; then-- southward ho! Mellonin and Mellondu think it's time to go home to Minas Tirith, except that Mellondu has an uneasy feeling he can't quite shake.

littlemanpoet

03-03-2005, 10:58 AM

Ædegard's young and rash enough to want to act immediately upon the return of Leafa to the party. Who's going to get the ladies and the rangers back to the camp? Waiting somewhat patiently.... :D

littlemanpoet

03-08-2005, 10:18 AM

Helen, I was assuming that it was the wee hours of the night when the rangers and young ladies returned to camp; thus, Ædegard and Leafa reunite around 2 a.m., and then it's a few hours of sleep for everyone. Mellonin's conversation with Ravion regarding parents' blessing could still be in the morning, but we need a clear cut break between the previous night and the new morning.

mark12_30

03-08-2005, 11:05 AM

Whups, I thought ... er... nevermind. I'll just change it to dark. It'll be better for the flow if Erebemlin can rally thr troops and get us all going just as the sun is rising anyway.

Guess I should bring Nethwador (and Taitheneb) straggling back to camp... whicvh means editing a few posts back. Off I go.

Orual

03-11-2005, 11:29 AM

I've just posted, and, Helen, let me know if there's something you'd like me to change. It's kind of different from what we had discussed concerning Ravion and Mellonin, but given the shape that the story has taken, I found this turn of events more in line with Ravion's character. However, if you'd prefer something different, just tell me.

mark12_30

03-11-2005, 12:00 PM

Orual, I like it, and it works so far.

I've given Minas Tirith some thought lately. ONe option for the future is that Mellonin and Mellondu will actually return to Minas Tirith-- perhaps with stubborn Erebemlin attending Mellondu's every move? Mellondu will discuss it with his father, who will ask him:

Did you give this elf-lord you word that you would aid him in his quest?

Uh-- well-- Um-- That is-- maybe I--

All right, son, then go and keep it.
We can re-address the number of horses at that point, and decide who is going on the remainder of the quest. I'm thinking of writing this up rather hastily, and getting on with it all.

Some characters we may have to carry as best we can, if folk get busy. We obviously won't finish the game by Spring... but I hope it doesn't drag ion indeterminably.

Thoughts? Reactions? Opinions?

Horses:

Erebemlin & Taitheneb have their own
Nethwador has Celegoer
Mellondu has Echo
Liornung, Ædegard, & Argeleafa & Bella each have their own
Ravion has Gond.

That leaves, on foot or riding behind:
Aeron
Erundil
Raefindan

Edit: pray that I have time to fuss at the timeline & the map shortly... I think (with weary horses, especially some folk riding double) we should probably "slow down" to 30 miles a day... right now we are just south of the Entwash, true? I think we are maybe 100 miles from Minas Tirith. Let's call it three long or four short days travel.

I should think everyone would go to Minas Tirith, or at least near; some need medicine, some need R&R. We can all be suitably annoyed when Mellondu sets out at dawn the day after he comes home.....

Maybe we catch up with Ravion as he wanders morosely southwards?

mark12_30

03-15-2005, 08:59 AM

Er, anybody here?

Anyone who wants to can write up the departure from camp. Erebemlin & Taitheneb are leading the group sort of by default; but Erebemlin, I think, will be glued to Mellondu's side, and who knows what the group will do when we get to Minas Tirith.

But that's three or four days' travel hence. Let's get there.

littlemanpoet

03-15-2005, 09:21 AM

Sorry for dropping the ball. I'll try and put up a post this afternoon (Tuesday); can't promise though.

Aylwen Dreamsong

03-15-2005, 06:59 PM

If I don't totally collapse of exhaustion after my homework tonight, I'll get a post up tonight. If not tonight, definitely tomorrow afternoon. :D

-Aylwen

mark12_30

03-17-2005, 03:39 PM

Oh, Aaaaaaalak.....?

If you can move the camp out, that would be good. If not-- If you need me to carry Erebemlin and Taitheneb for a bit, let me know...

alaklondewen

03-17-2005, 06:00 PM

Helen, I've had one paper after another for weeks...I'm sorry. I can move the camp along if you can wait until the weekend. After tomorrow, I'm on spring break and everything at school will be caught up, turned in, and dealt with. But it will not be possible for me to post before that...again, I'm sorry...

mark12_30

03-17-2005, 06:28 PM

Alak, sweetie, don't fret. As a team, we can certainly carry your characters til your papers are done & your schedule relaxes. I just didn't want to hijack them without your permission.

Step in anytime, okay?

Love ya!

mark12_30

03-20-2005, 12:15 PM

Alak, that was GORGEOUS.

Aylwen Dreamsong

03-20-2005, 02:29 PM

That leaves, on foot or riding behind:
Aeron
Erundil
Raefindan

If Nethwador will let Bella share a horse with him, one of these folks can use Bella's horse.

-Aylwen

Nurumaiel

03-20-2005, 06:25 PM

Alak, let me second Helen's comments! Unfortunately I have to spread some more rep around, otherwise...

Taking cue from Aylwen, Leafa could easily double with Ædegard or Liornung, and one of the horseless could take her steed. Or Liornung could take Aeron.

alaklondewen

03-20-2005, 06:31 PM

Thank you for the kind words. :)

As to the horse situation, we also have Maegeleb to consider...I suppose one of the elves should take him. Maybe Erebemlin is annoyed enough to put him with Taitheneb, but if someone else would like him (poor unwanted elf), that would be fine also.

mark12_30

03-20-2005, 06:51 PM

I wonder if they'd make Maegeleb run...

Alak, why (thru Erebemlin and Taitheneb) don't you organize the horses? I'm sure Nethwador would be delighted to share Celegoer with Bella.

Aylwen Dreamsong

03-24-2005, 11:57 AM

Post is up.

I vote that from now on we let anyone but me handle the songs/singing. :D

-Aylwen

littlemanpoet

03-25-2005, 10:10 PM

Your song reminds me of Pippin's song before the violent slob that Denethor is portrayed to be in the movie. Such a moving, sad song. I liked it. Pippin's song redeemed that miserable tomato gouting scene (yick), and your song lends weight and depth to the general sense of foreboding and doubt that hinders the company. At least, that's how it seems to me.

But deuced if I know what to do with Ædegard and Raefindan right now. Helen, you handled Rae wonderfully. I could have Tharonwe suggest something to some member of the party, but why bother when things are already going his way?

mark12_30

03-26-2005, 08:25 AM

What lmp said! Aylwen, your song's just right-- emotionally strained, hungry, contradictory... Deep down Mellondu suspects what it means, but he can't face it.

lmp, let's just get to the city. The elves know that Mellondu is ready to just go home... and Tharonwe would like that just fine, would he not? Erebemlin and Taitheneb can shut their minds tight. Erebemlin knows that he won't leave Mellondu's side; Taitheneb guesses his decision; but nobody else knows that. So it will be a bit of a surprise when a very tall, very large, very blond elf follows Mellondu right into his parents's little modest apartment and, Sam-like, refuses to budge from Mellondu's side.

Taitheneb can ride herd on Tharonwe til the Mellondu-and-his-Dad-concerning-Erebemlin-and-Amroth scene plays out. I guess some of the others can visit the Inn, or something.

What think ye, folks?

littlemanpoet

03-27-2005, 09:09 PM

I'd like to see Aeron create a bit of a ruckus regarding Minas Tirith. Does he want to go there? If he's okay with going there, I would think he'd fear capture and would therefore feel the need to slip away from the group quickly.

"Has anyone seen Aeron?"

"No, he's been so quiet for so long that I didn't notice him. How long do you think he's been gone?"

"He entered the city with us," says an Elf.

"Oh no......"

and so forth. Immy? What do you think?

Imladris

03-27-2005, 10:43 PM

Oh...I'm so sorry guys...I've been falling behind... :o

I'll get caught up and have a post for Aeron by Tuesday at teh very latest...

Again, so sorry!

mark12_30

03-28-2005, 05:32 AM

In general, if I'd been out on this (really quite miserable!) trip, I'd be thinking "Wow, an Inn! Hot food and a real bed! Can't wait!" and wishing the horses would go faster.

Aylwen Dreamsong

03-28-2005, 07:22 AM

I'd be thinking "Wow, an Inn! Hot food and a real bed! Can't wait!" and wishing the horses would go faster.

My sentiments exactly.

Helen - what/where does Nethwador want to do/go when all is said and done?

-Aylwen

P.S. Happy late Easter to those of you who celebrate...if not, Happy late Sunday!

mark12_30

03-28-2005, 10:26 AM

My sentiments exactly.

Helen - what/where does Nethwador want to do/go when all is said and done?

-Aylwen

P.S. Happy late Easter to those of you who celebrate...if not, Happy late Sunday!

Thanks, Happy Easter Season to you too! ...It goes til Pentecost... ;)

Nethwador's first loyalty was to Amroth, so if Amroth surfaces, Nethwador will snap to his side... looking hastily over his shoulder to see if Bella is following. If she does not follow, he will be wrenched in two, oscillating unpredictably between Amroth and Bella.

In the long run, he hasn't given much thought to where/ what he wants-- as long as he can still enjoy Amroth's benevolence and protection-- the first benevolence and protection he's ever had; and, as long as he goes wherever Bella is going. About six inches from her side. If the two ever separate, see previous paragraph. :eek:

He likes Liornung, too. And Taitheneb is nice, and Erebemlin is good because he respects Amroth's condescendance to the boy and follows suit.

ps. He's tagging happily along with this troop because Bella and Mellondu are going in the same direction. But he's NEVER been to a city before.

mark12_30

03-28-2005, 04:33 PM

Aeron has slipped off, two long or three short days out from the city.

I wonder if Erebemlin would respond like he did before: This was madness. The company was finally on the right track…they find the lost man, capture his captor, and the incompetent mortals scatter like gnats.

How would the elves respond? The rangers? WIth the city only three (or two ) days away, will they turn aside?

mark12_30

04-02-2005, 08:52 PM

...sad am I without thee.

Farewell, Il Papa, and God speed you to His side. You were, and are, one in a million. Thank you.

mark12_30

04-05-2005, 09:04 AM

Either one more LONG day of travel, or two short.

I think "tomorrow afternoon" Erebemlin will call a halt outside the Pelennor, and Mellondu will disobey him and ride straight home...

littlemanpoet

04-05-2005, 06:58 PM

Ædegard's mind has been opened to influence by Tharowne, obviously, due to the fact that Tharonwe was able to persuade him so forcibly that the boy was a fool himself and had gotten his own hand cut off by his foolishness.

Now, such a persuasive feat was necessary for one as stubborn and stiffnecked as Ædegard. It would be less necessary for others. So, I'd appreciate it if the rest of you might consider to what degree Tharonwe might be able to render your characters forgetful of the quest. Thanks for thinking about it!

mark12_30

04-06-2005, 10:58 AM

...How'd I do...?

Nurumaiel

04-06-2005, 11:07 AM

Leafa, timid, meek, and much more easily worried, would succumb under Tharonwe's influence easier.

Liornung would be, perhaps, harder. He's a naturally cheerful fellow, for one thing, and he knows how to fight gloomy thoughts, and for another thing he's very scrupulous about right and wrong, if Tharonwe went there with his influence. Too scrupulous, maybe, and that could be something that Tharonwe would notice.

lmp, a question...

Is Tharonwe trying to influence the members of the company on something very specific, or is he playing on whatever he thinks would be the most effective with that individual?

littlemanpoet

04-06-2005, 04:01 PM

You did great, Helen!

Nuru, as Helen has shown, and I have tried to with Ædegard, it depends on the individual, but there is one overriding theme: Tharonwe wants the quest to fail. To that end, he will attempt to read the thought of each individual, and use that thought to his advantage.

Ædegard clearly wants to be done, and Leafa has shown herself to be quite willing to go wherever Ædegard does, especially since he has agreed to go to her Father to ask his permission on their union.

Nethwador and Bellyn have now revealed fear at the loss of Amroth as their area of weakness. Tharonwe can't get them to stop thinking about Amroth, since Amroth has touched Nethwador's soul deeply, and Bellyn's soul has now been touched in turn by Nethwador's, though not as deeply. So rather than forgetfulness a la Ædegard, Tharonwe will try to nudge N's and B's fears toward despair.

Mellondu is clearly angered at Amroth over the treatment of his sister, and Tharonwe's course with him is clear: keep that anger boiling, or cooking at least, so that it hardens on that "anvil" into resolve NOT to allow Amroth to come out.

Mellonin has exhibited a strong desire to have Mellondu and Raefindan with her back in Minas Tirith, and for life to return to normal with her real and adopted brothers. Tharonwe will stoke that desire.

Raefindan has allowed himself to get into a pickle about his personal anachronism. He refuses to act or speak any more than necessary for fear of influencing this time and place in the wrong way (butterfly effect). I, um , forget what it was that Tharonwe hypnotized Raefindan to forget. :p Can anybody help there?

Liornung's sense of right and wrong would suggest that he has a problem with Amroth for allowing the women to have been left captive to Tharonwe. Would he consider that to have been wrong? Would he consider leaving Aeron behind to be wrong?

Who have I missed, other than the Elves, who are (not entirely) immune to Tharonwe's osanwë? They are immune to hypnotism, but not osanwë. Think you that it is not so?

mark12_30

04-13-2005, 08:04 PM

lmp, that was glorious.

littlemanpoet

04-13-2005, 09:26 PM

Thanks, Helen. I hope to engender some more participation in friends at Tapestry by example. Also, the writing bug has hit me pretty hard these last few days.

Oh, and Alak, as if you have time, you might be interested in a thread of story written back in the Shire, at the Green Dragon Inn Part 5 & 6, regarding one Falowik Stonewort and Uien of Lorien. If you like love stories, that is. Just look for posts by littlemanpoet & Elora. It was quite (chuckle) fun to write. Enough about that! How about some posting, friends?

mark12_30

04-15-2005, 10:18 PM

This week is psycho, but it's almost over.

However, I am entering into a long phase of bring Incredibly Busy, which is why I really wanted to finish this game by March. Too late now. I will be out straight from now til perhaps August, perhaps longer.

Maybe I can post sometimes during lunch break at work.

littlemanpoet

04-15-2005, 10:27 PM

Well, as you can see, the writing bug has hit me hard. I can't wait for the rest of you, if you have nothing to say at a given point. This is currently one of the few avenues I have for story-making, seeing as I have the bug but no other story to "inoculate" it with. :p I'll do what I can, Helen, to carry things. Please give me pointers or swift kicks as applicable.

Orual

04-18-2005, 11:21 AM

I am so sorry for my absence. I've been deep in production with two or three plays for the last month now, in addition to school craziness (I hate scheduling!), so I haven't even checked my e-mail in forever. I haven't forgotten this, though, and I'm going right now to check out the game thread and see if I can add anything in the five and a half milliseconds I have before I have to do something else...

...not that I'm stressed out or anything. :p

Nurumaiel

05-04-2005, 05:19 PM

Lmp, I have been working out a post for Liornung (finally!), mainly concerning the thoughts that Tharonwe will be putting upon him.

In your latest post, just about everyone in the Rohan group are going with Raefindan, and I wanted to make sure I knew where they were going. Is it to Mellonin and Mellondu's home, or...?

littlemanpoet

05-04-2005, 07:10 PM

Sorry, Nuru, that my post was not as clear as it could have been. Yes, I posted that Liornung was going with to see Mellonin and Mellondu at their home.

alaklondewen

05-08-2005, 08:33 PM

I apologize for the lag in posting, but...I am now a college grad as of this weekend. :D I shall get some good unstressed rest and will start writing ASAP. This is actually a scene I've been looking forward to write, so it's just in time it seems.

~Alak

Orual

05-09-2005, 09:38 PM

So sorry I've been flaking. I had some pretty hard times in real life lately, but things are looking up, so I should be on more often.

Congratulations on your graduation, alak!

~O

mark12_30

05-10-2005, 04:15 AM

Orual-- glad to have you back! Alak-- Hooray!

mark12_30

05-15-2005, 07:47 PM

Happy Pentecost, everyone-- especially Nurumaiel who I'm sure has a new appreciation of it!

Alak, I'm hoping you find time for Erebemlin's reply...

Orual, what do you have planned (short-term) for Ravion?

I am glassy-eyed with work and many deadlines. Please post anyway if you feel so led.

mark12_30

05-19-2005, 09:57 AM

Nice post, Immy!

alaklondewen

05-27-2005, 03:03 PM

I spoke with Helen and LMP earlier this week, and now I'd like to tell everyone. Because of several real life events in my recent life, I must withdraw from the game and all gaming on the Downs. I will be without internet access for the next two months or so after tonight.

I would just like to say that it has been such an honor to write in this game and with such a talented group of writers. Thank you for the opportunity.

I look forward to coming back and reading the rest of the tale. Take care of Erebemlin for me. He has become a dear friend of mine. I do hope he will find his way back to Marigold when the end comes. :)

Take care, and I hope to see you all in a few months.

~Alak

mark12_30

05-27-2005, 07:27 PM

More than one of us is busy in Real Life. I will be extremely busy over the next two months as well.

I am seriously considering calling this Part One of the game, and finishing it up, and closing the thread for now. We all seem to be winding down except for the ever-productive lmp. It's hardly fair to ask him to carry ALL of the characters and write in a vaccuum...

So-- please think about how you want Book One to end for your character. I expect that the final scene of Book One will be here in Minas Tirith. Erebemlin, Amroth, and Mellondu will have to come to some sort of conclusion; and the Rohirrim will have choices to make (at least in theory.)

Sometime after August or September, we can pick it back up again (if we have even wound it down by then! We've all been quite pokey lately...)

So... questions? Comments? Ideas for the "To Be Continued" end-of-season cliffhanger?

littlemanpoet

05-28-2005, 10:26 AM

I'm willing to bring this to a head with the help of Orual and Imladris. We have a confrontation broiling now, the one that Helen was hoping to generate. I'd love to see it turn into a multilayered thing with Ravion and Mellondu at odds over Mellonin, while Erebemlin and Mellondu are at odds over Amroth. Added to this might be Raefindan being at odds with Erebemlin for his harsh dealing with Mellondu, Erebemlin irate that Aeron not be allowed back into the group's doings - to which Aeron can respond with Marigold's blessing upon him, which Erebemlin would have a hard time arguing with, considering where Erebemlin's heart is.

Of course, there I go again. :D Maybe we need to just have Ravion and Aeron arrive at the scene in order to create the cliff-hanger set of potential confrontations I've suggested above, and have the whole thing just teeter on the edge until we're ready to pick it back up this late summer or something.

Nurumaiel

05-28-2005, 03:32 PM

If there's going to be a Book Two, I don't think there's really anything specific that needs to be done with Liornung and Leafa. They're both in a relatively comfortable position... Liornung hasn't had any trouble recently, and Leafa is now in a very satisfied state, all things being resolved with Ædegard. In other words, whatever the general plan for the Rohirrim is will work for them.

I apologise for my lack of writing recently... we've just finished up a very exciting baseball season (and, Helen, perhaps you'd like to hear how the boys did... the twelve-year-old's team won the championship, both twelve and nine y/o made it to their league All-Stars, both won the MIP award, and the twelve y/o made it to the travelling team made up of the best players in the league), and I've been sewing rather frantically to get ready for a trip to Virginia which will take up most of my June. And more impairing than that, I've had a tremendous writer's block that has affected RPGs, my own stories, my journal, letters, and everything else that involves writing.

I'll be leaving for VA on June the 7th, so if there's anything I should do before the end of Book One, I'll try to have it done before then, in the case that you're finished before I get home.

However, I'm looking forward to seeing what lmp, Orual, and Imladris do with this confrontation!

Orual

06-03-2005, 10:16 PM

I like where Ravion is right now, character-wise, for the end of Book One. Also, I'm leaving for a week tomorrow morning, with dubious internet access. I'll try to get online, but I don't *know* if I can. Otherwise, this is a great time for me to take a break...I have three theatrical projects this summer (one of which being an epic Shakespearean undertaking with TONS of lines for me), and though I'll still be busy in the fall, writing will give me an outlet.

It's been great writing with everybody, and I look forward to Book Two!

Nurumaiel

06-06-2005, 01:39 PM

I'm leaving in a couple hours for that trip to the east coast I mentioned earlier. I'm sure I can trust every one of you to handle Liornung and Leafa when and if necessary. If Book I is finished before I return, I'll see you all in Book II, which I greatly look forward to!

Bêthberry

08-31-2005, 10:39 AM

A fey creature wanders into the discussion thread, unravelling more than a few good dreams here. But for good cause ...

Never before had the white screen of doom looked so forbidding. To be denied access to the Barrow Downs, why, it was strangely like being told to stay in The Shire and keep out of trouble. No dark barrows for us!

But now that we are allowed back into the eerie green glow of our beloved Downs--all hail the Barrow Wight for slashing his green sword across those barriers--let us greet all returning wraiths in appropriate Downs fashion: an RPG party here in Rohan.Unforbidden (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?p=409605#post409605)

Bring: A sense of humour and wit and civility

Attire: Cloaked in clever words and no uncloaking please. We are a family site.

Your host: Feyberry, the cryptic aura who is the Modalternator for Rohan.

Where and when: Starting now and continuing until all missing wraiths have been accounted for

PS: This thread is a squat (that is, an occupation of a given piece of public land in order to acquire title to it)! It has snuck around back of the Golden Hall and established itself in defiance of formal proposal. But show those in Meduseld that squatters know a thing or two about good gaming. Will we be forcibly removed--expelled--by the guards or will we win a permanent residence in Edoras? Time will tell...

(PS : Remember to remove your signatures. )

EDIT: No Downers are forbidden to game in Unforbidden. Let all who wish, even those without gaming experience or Rohan credentials, hustle their skinny skeletons on down to the a-wake-ening.

mark12_30

05-19-2006, 10:05 AM

lmp:

Here's a scratchy list of the characters I can remember (aided by lazily scanning discussion thread...) Oh, I forgot the dog. Jorge. Hee hee hee! ...and for villains, Tharonwe had the Gollums... Mewlips... no, Merlocks. Eeew. And that merchant who was after Aeron. And there was the water creature. Who did I leave out? Oh, Marigold. Anyone else?

Mellonin
Mellondu / Amroth
Raefindan ................Imrazor
....................Mithrellas
.....................Nimrodel
Ædegard
Nethwador
Taitheneb
Erebemlin
Ravion
Aeron
Bella
Liornung
Leafa
Tharonwe

littlemanpoet

05-19-2006, 02:43 PM

[QUOTE=mark12_30]lmp:

Here's a scratchy list of the characters I can remember (aided by lazily scanning discussion thread...) Oh, I forgot the dog. Jorge. Hee hee hee! ...and for villains, Tharonwe had the Gollums... Mewlips... no, Merlocks. Eeew. And that merchant who was after Aeron. And there was the water creature. Who did I leave out? Oh, Marigold. Anyone else?

Mellonin - - mark
Mellondu / Amroth - - mark
Raefindan ................Imrazor - - LMP
....................Mithrellas - - LMP
.....................Nimrodel - - mark
Ædegard young Rohirric wheelwright - - LMP
Nethwador - - - young Easterling - - mark
Taitheneb - - - Elf? - - ?
Erebemlin - - - Elf? - - ?
Ravion - - - conflicted Ranger - - Orual
Aeron - - - thief - - Imladris, but now who?
Bella - - - Gondorian maiden - - Nuru?
Liornung - - - bard and lyricist - - ?
Leafa - - - Rohirric maiden, love interest of Ædegard - - Nuru?
Tharonwe - - - "evil" Dark Elf - - LMP

What did I miss?

mark12_30

05-19-2006, 02:56 PM

[QUOTE=littlemanpoet][QUOTE=mark12_30]lmp:

Here's a scratchy list ...

Mellonin - - mark
Mellondu / Amroth - - mark
Raefindan ................Imrazor - - LMP
....................Mithrellas - - LMP
.....................Nimrodel - - mark
Ædegard young Rohirric wheelwright - - LMP
Nethwador - - - young Easterling - - mark
Taitheneb - - - Elf? - - ? --(dang, I miss Alak!) who?
Erebemlin - - - Elf? - - ? ....see above...
Ravion - - - conflicted Ranger - - Orual
Aeron - - - thief - - Imladris, but now who? --... and the ghost of his sister, too.
Bella - - - Gondorian maiden - - Nuru? --Was Aylwen. Now who?
Liornung - - - bard and lyricist - - ? --written by Nuru-- can't imagine/ (wouldn't want?) another writer
Leafa - - - Rohirric maiden, love interest of Ædegard - - Nuru? --Yes
Tharonwe - - - "evil" Dark Elf - - LMP
Jorge. Hee hee hee!

What did I miss?

alaklondewen

05-19-2006, 03:42 PM

Wow, is it ever good to see some posting on this thread. I have missed this story so much. If this starts back up, I am totally here. Schools over, work doesn't come home with me, and I've been itching to write for quite some time.

Helen, lmp, it's great to see you both. I hope to see a few others come around. :D

~Alak

littlemanpoet

05-19-2006, 03:47 PM

mark12_30

05-19-2006, 08:30 PM

Okay, here are some suggestions:

Character - - former writer - - keep or drop - - new writer?

Mellonin - - mark - - keep - - mark
Mellondu / Amroth - - mark - - keep - - mark
Raefindan / Imrazor - - LMP - - keep - - lmp
Mithrellas - - LMP - - keep - - lmp
Nimrodel - - mark - - keep - - lmp
Ædegard - - LMP - - keep - - lmp
Nethwador - - mark - - keep - - mark
Taitheneb - - Alaklondewen - - keep - - Durelin ALAK!
Erebemlin - - Alaklondewen - - keep - - Alcarillo ALAK!
Ravion - - Orual - - keep - - Orual
Aeron - - Imladris - - keep - Feanor
sister of Aeron - - Imladris - - keep - - Feanor
Bella - - Aylwen - - keep - - JennyHallu
Liornung - - Nuru - - keep - - Anguirel or Nuru, of course
Leafa - - Nuru - - keep - - Celuien
Tharonwe - - LMP - - keep - - LMP
Jorge - - many & various - - keep - - Formendacil? :D

What do you think?

In general, I have confidence in your choice of writers, trusting that you choose sticklers for canon, those of high moral persuasion, comfortable with the herioc, etc. The whole "high, purged of the gross" bit.

My only reservation would be that Liornung belongs uniquely to Nuru. If she can't play him, I'd send Liornung back to Rohan before I gave him to someone other than Nuru. Regarding Leafa, I'd still prefer that Nuru have right of first refusal; but being that Leafa is Ædegard's flame, we can't exactly send her back to Rohan unless Ædegard goes himself. Hey! I still do Ædegard's code automatically. Alt-0198. Æ. Kewl!!!

Regarding some of your writers-- The other issue/ possibility is that the folk you have listed may not be the least bit interested in that character. Perhaps rather than insist on continuing every single character, we should allow for some Southern Gondorians, or some Dol Amroth Denizens, or renegade elves or ... something. Maybe we meet up with some southbound traders from Dol Amroth and friendly old Raefindan invites them along for company despite the rumblings from the other introverts. Anyway, a few fresh characters might be a (really) good thing. Worth allowing for.

Now for the honesty regarding schedules bit-- I will be lucky to post one or two times a week, on my lunch hour. So the game will either drizzle very slowly, or, flow despite me. Either way I guess that's okay. "Revenge of the Entish Bow" finally finished, and it moved slowly. Precedent set, as if we needed one.

So.... if this takes a long time to wind up and get going, that's okay.

EDIT:

ALAK!!!!! ALAK!!!!! WOW!!!!! She's BACK!!!!!! Okay, Alak gets Erebemlin and Taitheneb. GLEE!!!! WOW! ALAK, you don't know how glad I am to see your post. Obviously, I missed it -- assumed that lmp and I were the only ones posting. HI, ALAK!!!! :D :D

mark12_30

05-19-2006, 08:37 PM

**** still jigging about alaklondewen's return****
:cool:

littlemanpoet

05-19-2006, 09:08 PM

Hmmmmm..... canon? That might be a little more stickling.

*LMP rushes back to drawing board*

I'm sure of Celuien, Undomé, and Feanor, and I think Formendacil might work out well too.

Celuien and Formendacil I'm most sure are of similar moral sense to us, though Feanor could get along well enough with it if it's understood at the outset. Undomé I don't know very well except that she's an incredible writer.

Check out

this (http://www.forums.barrowdowns.com./showpost.php?p=454195&postcount=122) and this too (http://www.forums.barrowdowns.com./showthread.php?t=12478&page=4) for example.

littlemanpoet

05-20-2006, 03:29 PM

Character - - former writer - - keep or drop - - new writer?

Mellonin - - mark - - keep - - mark
Mellondu / Amroth - - mark - - keep - - mark
Raefindan / Imrazor - - LMP - - keep - - lmp
Mithrellas - - LMP - - keep - - lmp
Nimrodel - - mark - - keep - - lmp
Ædegard - - LMP - - keep - - lmp
Nethwador - - mark - - keep - - mark
Taitheneb - - Alaklondewen - - keep - - Alaklondewen
Erebemlin - - Alaklondewen - - keep - - Alaklondewen
Ravion - - Orual - - keep - - Orual
Leafa - - Nuru - - keep - - Celuien
Tharonwe - - LMP - - keep - - LMP
Jorge - - many & various - - keep - - Formendacil? :D
Aeron - - Imladris - - drop
sister of Aeron - - drop
Bella - - Aylwen - - drop
Liornung - - Nuru - - drop

So Undómé and Feanor are the two other writers I think could really do this justice, bringing in new characters. There may be others of whom I'm not thinking. Kath? Firefoot?

Nurumaiel

05-21-2006, 01:24 PM

Oooh! Ooh! Ooooh!

I'm still here!

I've just been busy with little league baseball these past couple of days and haven't been able to get on the computer.

I definitely want to continue playing the game, and keep both my characters as well.

So glad to see we're starting up again!

mark12_30

05-21-2006, 03:52 PM

WOOT WOOT WOOT!!!!!

Can't imagine the game withut Liornung's fiddle, sad and glad by turns.

HURRAH!!!

Oooh! Ooh! Ooooh!

I'm still here!

I've just been busy with little league baseball these past couple of days and haven't been able to get on the computer.

I definitely want to continue playing the game, and keep both my characters as well.

So glad to see we're starting up again!

littlemanpoet

05-21-2006, 04:29 PM

Cool! :) Welcome back, Nuru!

Okay, my list updated then.....

Character - - former writer - - keep or drop - - new writer?

Mellonin - - mark - - keep - - mark
Mellondu / Amroth - - mark - - keep - - mark
Raefindan / Imrazor - - LMP - - keep - - lmp
Mithrellas - - LMP - - keep - - lmp
Nimrodel - - mark - - keep - - lmp
Ædegard - - LMP - - keep - - lmp
Nethwador - - mark - - keep - - mark
Taitheneb - - Alaklondewen - - keep - - Alaklondewen
Erebemlin - - Alaklondewen - - keep - - Alaklondewen
Ravion - - Orual - - keep - - Orual
Liornung - - Nuru - - keep -- Nurumaiel
Leafa - - Nuru - - keep - - Nurumaiel
Tharonwe - - LMP - - keep - - LMP
Jorge - - many & various - - keep - - Formendacil? :D
Aeron - - Imladris - - drop
sister of Aeron - - drop
Bella - - Aylwen - - drop

Possible writers:

Celuien
Undómé
Feanor
Firefoot
Kath

Of these, Feanor is probably the busiest, although that hasn't necessarily stopped her in the past. Undómé is currently at the Shire rpg level, but her ability is far beyond that, and an invitation is quite reasonable. Celuien is a deep writer, morallly and characterization-wise. Can't say enough good about her. Firefoot & Kath both have ability, but I don't know how much this might be their cup of tea.

Nurumaiel

05-21-2006, 05:12 PM

Helen, as far as Bella is concerned, would we want to keep her in the game on account of Nethwador? She was one of the only people he really trusted and responded to. You'd know better than I!

lmp, I'm familiar with all of the writers you've mentioned, some more so than others, and I believe they'd be good choices, if they're interested.

Alak, hallo! :D

alaklondewen

05-22-2006, 04:39 AM

Nuru! It's great to see you. :) Helen, thanks for your welcome. I must admit you sent me into a fit of giggles. My little one was quite curious as to why Mama was chuckling to herself like that.

I'm only aquainted with a couple of the writers you've mentioned, lmp. However, when I have some time, I hope to check out the others.

I completely support the idea of having some new characters brought it. It might freshen the storyline a bit and keep the "oldies, but goodies" on their toes.

mark12_30

05-22-2006, 07:39 AM

Helen, as far as Bella is concerned, would we want to keep her in the game on account of Nethwador? She was one of the only people he really trusted and responded to. You'd know better than I!

That's a strong argument for keeping her. However, dramatically it would also be a strong reason for letting her go. Nethwador would have to choose between the two. He'd stick with Amroth, but the parting would tear him in half; and it would also force him to relate to the menfolk again. Liornung's easygoing nature might keep him sane until Amroth resurfaces.

But I guess I could play it either way. If someone picks Bella up, I'm OK with that too.

littlemanpoet

05-22-2006, 09:16 AM

What about Nuru picking up Bella? You seem to have the most interest in keeping her around, and therefore you'd be the most sympathetic, character searching writer for her....

Nurumaiel

05-22-2006, 10:30 AM

lmp and Helen, I would consider picking up Bella, save that Helen's point about Nethwador is a good one. From the point of view of Leafa and Liornung, it would also be rather hard on them to see her go, which will give a bit to work with.

The other thing to keep me from picking her up is time constraints. I don't think I have the time to handle an extra character. So, whether we send her back, or someone else picks her up, I believe that, like Helen, I'll be all right with it either way. Poor Liornung will regret one of his song company leaving, but I think he can manage as well, as long as Ædegard is still up for a song now and then. :D

mark12_30

05-22-2006, 07:36 PM

I keep envisioning Bella being mildly reprimanded for consorting with an easterling-- but seriously reprimanded for riding with a group of unknown men, and being admonished that she should return to civilisation for her reputation's sake.

Not that she'd buy it in her heart, but I think she would dutifully obey.

Hah-- maybe she changes her mind after the group leaves, and retraces Nimrodel's steps through the White Mountains, and meets up with her and Mithrellas in the paths of the dead....

littlemanpoet

05-22-2006, 08:35 PM

I'm fine with setting Bella gently aside, just thought I'd bring it up, Nuru.

In the Paths of the Dead? :eek: Gruesome, Helen!

mark12_30

05-23-2006, 07:09 AM

Gruesome...? Well- natch, but that's (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=305620&postcount=9) where Nimrodel's been these thousand-whatever years. And Mithrellas, too, poor girl.

I had originally postulated that they had left The Paths of the Dead when Elessar broke the curse, envisioning the climax of the story to be at the seashore. On the other hand, we could go all the way to Erech to hunt them down. What do you think?

Hmmm, canonically, since this story is early fourth-age, the curse should be broken, and the redeemed-bad-boys all gone to their eternal rest etc. So where does that leave Erech and The Paths of the Dead? Is "that mountain still evil?" Or is the evil only in the still-demonized-and-distraught Nimrodel?

ps. Firefoot has expressed interest in the game, and is reading her way through. I find that to be happy news.

littlemanpoet

05-23-2006, 09:27 AM

The evil is in the distraught Nimrodel, in my opinion.

My sense of the setting has always been a fair vale high in the mountains to which Nimrodel believes herself, and therefore is, captive; and Mithrellas stays with her out of loyalty.

Feanor has expressed great interest also.

mark12_30

05-23-2006, 10:56 AM

But that makes it too easy for Mithrellas. Much more of a sacrifice on her part if she has to travel to find food, and bring water, to sustain a barely-interested Nimrodel-- who in her insanity won't leave the (chalk paths, salt cliffs, noxious caves, whatever.)

I also think it would be great fun if, upon finding her, Nimrodel is no longer the beauty she once was. Deceptive appearances is one of the main themes of the RPG.

Quite glad to hear that Feanor is interested. (You are referring to Feanor of the Peredhil? There are a few others in the Members list.)

littlemanpoet

05-23-2006, 01:24 PM

Okay, I see your point and I'm fine with it.

Yes, Feanor of the Peredhil. One of the out and out best writers around these boards. :p I know she's going to feel like now she has to live up to that praise. :rolleyes: But you know what? She will. :D

mark12_30

05-23-2006, 04:36 PM

I heard from Aylwen-- hurrah!

I haven't been on the downs in over a year, but if things are looking up again for tapestry I'm willing to get back into the swing of things. It would appear that you guys are already making plans for leaving Bella out, but summer's here and I've got time on my hands so if you want Bella back in the mix...

Here's what I think: Yes to Bella, but with a new plot line for her. I really like the idea of Bella being a puzzle peice that the troop needs, and that the puzzle isn't complete until she provides a missing peice.

Here's a stray thought: what if, in the general re-ordering of things, and parental advice being heeded, and decorum being re-considered, several of the womenfolk stay behind in Minas Tirith-- Bella, Leafa, maybe even Mellonin. Yeah, even Mellonin. Parting produces much angst, of course, from Ravion (poor Ravion!) to Ædegard to Nethwador, and even Raefindan is a bit glum.

But the women find after a few days that they just can't sit still; the dreams return full-force; they team up again to commiserate, and unbeknownst to the departed menfolk, the women find themselves pulled over the White Mountains in the same path that Nimrodel took. Cold, dangerous, etc.

In addition to their nightmares, we could even have the ghost of Aeron's sister haunting them as they go.

Mountains are great fun.

What think you?

Nurumaiel

05-23-2006, 07:11 PM

Aylwen! Hurrah! So glad to see you! :D :D

Helen, it sounds all right with me. I know that I'd have a bit of fun working with that. I agree with you... mountains are fun. It would also give me the ideal opportunity to expand on Leafa's character. I've always considered her as rather secondary... Liornung was my primary concern. But if she was in a separate setting, I could give her full justice.

littlemanpoet

05-23-2006, 09:45 PM

I don't like it. I'll be honest. This gender apartheid just doesn't sit well with me. What are the menfolk supposed to be doing meantime? Where do they go? Along the more conventional paths?

Follow the road to Pelargir, then along the Bay of Belfalas toward Dol Amroth after much boring taxation at various toll booths, not to mention the baleful Tharonwe constantly reminding them how useless they are, finally wending toward Erech where they find that the womenfolk have figured the whole thing out and everything's dorey hunky and 'what took you so long?'

Blah.

mark12_30

05-24-2006, 07:06 AM

No, not three amazons solving the quest by themselves. No-No-No. Realist, realist.

First off, it's not gender apartheid to realize Minas Tirith would not approve of
men and women casually questing together in Elessar's time. Have you ever been camping with a mixed group of men and women? Unless you're married, it's awkward. It's difficult for the ladies to remain modest and demure. No parent in Elessar's time would have approved of his/her daughter camping about with a bunch of barely-known males. When the troup arrived in Minas Tirith, the city would be busily exhorting the women to take safe haven there while the men finished their insane quest.

Meanwhile the overly ambitious, overconfident (deranged???) womenfolk get ***lost*** in the mountains. Just like Nimrodel did. After much hardship ( I believe in equal pay for equal work, but I'm not crossing the White Mountains without some rangers and elves to rescue my sorry carcass) they barely make it across by the skin of their starving and frostbitten teeth. Interesting new characters can rescue them, if the menfolk don't get around to it. Maybe some Gondorian sentinel is standing guard at one of the beacons, or there's a Pukel-mountain-man that helps them along, or ... something.

They don't solve the whole thing; they bring clues. Like (for instance) assurance from the Pukel/sentinel/(insert rescuer here) that Nimrodel hasn't been seen in the upper mountains for 1000 years, so they needn't bother searching back over the pass.

The women would follow (stumble along) Nimrodel's path to the ocean, more or less, since she left for the paths of the dead much later (towards the end of Mithrellas & Imrazor's time togehter.) Maybe the ocean is where the menfolk meet them. Or maybe they take refuge in some South Gondor town, and somebody has mercy on them & sends mesasges to the shore that they've arrived.

So now I've explained myself a bit better, what do you think?

mark12_30

05-24-2006, 07:26 AM

I guess most of this is borne of my certainty that Minas Tirith won't sit idly by while three young ladies ride off with a motley crew of males.

At the beginning of the quest, Mellonin's brother was LOST. Now he's found. Her job is done. "So stay home!" they will say. "Don't go traipsing off with your moonstruck brother."

If the ladies don't cross the mountains, then we'll need another subterfuge. Maybe "it's tradition for the women to farewell the men" and they ride as far as _____, and then suddenly decide to go along anyway.

But I can't see them casually riding south into God-knows-what-destiny while Minas Tirith sits back and smiles blessings on them. At the very least there should be a bit of a scandal and lots of nasty rumors. I'm not crazy about that slant, really.

I'd rather continue along with the doom/ insanity/ destiny/ mysterious *something* that seems to have driven much of this story to this point.

littlemanpoet

05-24-2006, 09:44 AM

Well, I'm still not thrilled. I may have Raefindan get a dream about the womenfolk and then have the menfolk themselves head into the mountains where they meet. I see your point about Minas Tirith's point of view, but maybe the various women need to have their own personal reactions to it. Eowyn certainly didn't want to be cooped up. O'course, one could argue that Gondor and Rohan are two completely different cultures. Do you argue that? If so, then Leafa may have a different point of view than, say, Mellonin....

mark12_30

05-24-2006, 10:11 AM

Their own personal reactions: of course they would; and Leafa would not be beholden to anyone but Ædegard; and Bella wouldn't be beholden to anyone but Nethwador and (to a point) Liornung.

But I think you are overlooking the concept of a woman's honor. Eowyn was riding in a man's disguise to seek death in battle-- to gain a man's honor without sacrificing her womanly honor. (Obviously, if she tried to seduce anyone, her cover would be blown.)

Let's think for a minute about the women who traveled in LOTR.

Arwen: Rivendell to Minas Tirith-- had her father with her.

Galadriel: Lorien to Minas Tirith, and then back again-- had her husband with her.

Eowyn: was disguised as a man. (As indeed Mellonin has been for much of the journey, for a similar reason.)

Without a relative or a spouse travelling with her, and perhaps a handmaiden to be a witness of her good behavior, a lady's reputation would rapidly deteriorate into that of camp follower. For that reason, a lady would shun the situation unless honor demanded otherwise (such as, my brother is MISSING, and we can't afford to hire a team of rangers to hunt him down.)

Al the menfolk with the possible exception of Nethwador, would know this.

I'm not saying that we have to have all three women cross the mountains (I did think it was a cool idea, but I'm willing to let it go.) What I am less willing to let go is that if they leave the city (and obviously they all will) on the quest, we've got to get around that question of "Why are these women on the road", cleanly and with their honor somehow intact. "Lost in the mountains" was one way.

Other suggestions?

littlemanpoet

05-24-2006, 04:13 PM

Okay, the women's honor issue is now understood. It's a worthy point.

Celuien has expressed interest also now.

Now then. If the party separates into men leaving first, then women later, the women's honor issue gets even more dicey than if the women leave with the men.

All that needs to be done, then, seems to me, is for the women to have a good reason to leave Minas Tirith for, say, Dol Amroth or some other location, under the protection of these brothers and their friends. Thoughts?

I rather think anyone's thoughts might help at this point, including Nurumaiel, Alaklondewen, Aylwen, Feanor, Celuien, and Formendacil, if you are so inclined. I hope I am not being too froward with that invitation..... :confused:

mark12_30

05-24-2006, 04:21 PM

Celuien has expressed interest also now.

Ah, good; and welcome.

All that needs to be done, then, seems to me, is for the women to have a good reason to leave Minas Tirith for, say, Dol Amroth or some other location, under the protection of these brothers and their friends. Thoughts?.

:smokin:

I rather think anyone's thoughts might help at this point, including Nurumaiel, Alaklondewen, Aylwen, Feanor, Celuien, and Formendacil, if you are so inclined. I hope I am not being too froward with that invitation.

Indeed you are not being too forward. The thread is too quiet! Thoughts, reactions, opinions, comments... catcalls?

Feanor of the Peredhil

05-24-2006, 05:04 PM

Instead of concentrating on positive reasons for the ladies to leave, why not consider the half-empty glass and think of reasons that it would be less appropriate for them to stay?

PJ was able to bring women and children to his Helm's Deep because of pure physical danger if they were left behind. The ladies don't have to be in danger, but if there is a reason legitimate enough that they can't stay, there won't be as much fishing for reasons good enough to pull them along. Does that make sense?

mark12_30

05-24-2006, 07:10 PM

The ladies don't have to be in danger, but if there is a reason legitimate enough that they can't stay, there won't be as much fishing for reasons good enough to pull them along. Does that make sense?

Right, that seems to me to be the crux of the matter. The impelled-by-dreams-of-Nimrodel seemed like a good reason (to me) that they would leave on impulse, especially considering how many other characters have been 'driven' by chaotic circumstances deep within their psyche.

(Maybe the deep psychological stuff has been used enough in this game that it's a bit old by now. On the other hand it is a central theme: Tharonwe, Amroth/ Mellon, Raefindan/Imrazor... even crazy little Gwyllion.)

Reasons Bella can't stay: She's from Gondor in the first place; she's a highly skilled mapmaker; I don't see any reason they wouldn't offer her work (and rest from a harrowing journey.) Aylwen?

Reasons Mellonin can't stay: None that I can think of; her former employers (both of them) would take her back, both with Estelyn in mind; and her parents would insist on her staying, especially since her addled brother was off again-- why risk losing both their children? She's sweet on Ravion, but that's not reason to go off into the wild with him, especially since he'd rather come back on one peice, and if by chance he doesn't he certainly wouldn't want Mellonin to die with him.

Reasons Leafa can't stay: She's from Rohan and a Wanderer/ex-gypsy; Liornung thinks she should go somewhere where she will have a safe and happy home with a family of some sort. ?? Nuru?

Aside from the dreams/ madness/ inner impulsion thing, I'm drawing a blank. Anyone?

In the meantime, I'm reviewing the thread; I'm on page eight... when I catch up to where we are now, I might have some more ideas.

THe next question is, why are we getting wrapped around an axle about this anyway...? For the moment, we're trying to assemble (reassemble ) a team, with characters, and while it would be nice to have all this planned out, I guess we could postpone the decisions until Mellondu explains to his parents why he's being stalked by a seven-foot-tall elf.

I guess I'll focus on other things for a bit; please feel free to let the ideas fly.

Feanor of the Peredhil

05-24-2006, 07:35 PM

I can see the trouble. I'll keep reading the story thread (y'all are long-winded :p) and as I get better acquainted with characters maybe I can come up with something that's actually helpful.

mark12_30

05-24-2006, 07:48 PM

"My young love said to me, 'My mother won't mind
and my father won't slight you for your lack of kind.'
She stepped away from me and this she did say:
'It will not be long, love, till our wedding day.'

Such brilliance, Nuru, to choose that song.

LOVE IT. (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=332367&postcount=332)

bookmark: page 9, post 332... hmmm, maybe i'll put a bookmark in my location.

Celuien

05-24-2006, 09:13 PM

Ah, good; and welcome.

Thank you. :)

Just read over the thread.

Getting the women back on the quest does present a problem. But the dreams seem like a good way to get them to leave.

What if they dream and leave before the men? Then they're not leaving in an objectionable mixed gender party or trying to catch up to the men, and any reuniting of the group could be in the context of a non-honor-impairing rescue. And they could be excused for going in the first place by reason of being temporarily possessed by visions that left them a bit non compos mentis...

In addition to their nightmares, we could even have the ghost of Aeron's sister haunting them as they go.
I like that!

Firefoot

05-24-2006, 09:27 PM

I'm a little hesitant to post ideas before finishing the thread (I'm about 2/3 there, now), since while I've picked up the gist of it I'm not totally sure about the circumstances at the end. But what Celuien said sounded like an interesting idea to me: What if they dream and leave before the men? Then they're not leaving in an objectionable mixed gender party or trying to catch up to the men, and any reuniting of the group could be in the context of a non-honor-impairing rescue. And they could be excused for going in the first place by reason of being temporarily possessed by visions that left them a bit non compos mentis...

Feanor of the Peredhil

05-24-2006, 09:28 PM

mark12_30

05-24-2006, 09:29 PM

Thank you. :)

Just read over the thread.

Getting the women back on the quest does present a problem. But the dreams seem like a good way to get them to leave.

What if they dream and leave before the men?

Oooooh! Hmmmm--- now that sounds good-- I like it. Men debate and plan, while looney women impetuously ride off into the southern fog... Menfolk to the rescue... Chasing the Wild Mellon, part two, only this time it's the sister that's moonstruck and the brother that's (momentarily) sane.....

Oooo, Ravion will be SOOOO angry with Mellonin. And Ædegard! Yikers.

This relieves Erebemlin of the obligation to drag Amroth back out of Mellondu, at least for a while, and gives him room for some half-pleased, half angsty ponderings as we go...

Dang, Celuien! I like it!

Then they're not leaving in an objectionable mixed gender party or trying to catch up to the men, and any reuniting of the group could be in the context of a non-honor-impairing rescue. And they could be excused for going in the first place by reason of being temporarily possessed by visions that left them a bit non compos mentis...

All good.

I wonder which direction they start off in?

How about over the mountains, and the menfolk follow them that way? :p (ducking projectiles thrown by lmp)

lmp, Nuru, Aylwen?

mark12_30

05-24-2006, 09:32 PM

My experience with well-meaning folk is that they aren't of a temperament to let that situation happen.

"To where did those lovely young lasses about whose honor we've been worrying disappear?"

"Oh, you know. They're a bit non compos mentis so we decided to let them wander the wilderness alone."

Right-- but if they essentially sleepwalk out at night, and head over the mountains (gee, via Rath Dinen? Must check maps) then like Mellondu's initial departure, they'll be missed and AWOL.

(Mellondu was suspected of drinking too much and playing hookey, leaving his employer much annoyed.)

That also could be their head-start-- most parties assume that Mellonin would have (like her addled blacksmith brother) gone north to Rohan, so the rescue parties head off in the wrong direction-- except those who have been travelling with her enough to know the dreams so far. After a few frantic searches northward, Ravion, Raefindan, Mellon/Amroth, and Erebemlin decide to turn south. Do they choose the wrong route at first?

Do the women (Bella, Leafa, Mellonin) disappear togeter? Or each separate? Do they travel together, or do they fan out, or do they trace Nimrodel's path a few days apart?

THis is getting fun again. :D

Aylwen Dreamsong

05-25-2006, 06:11 AM

What if they dream and leave before the men?

That is an interesting idea...the elves (and certain male characters) really, REALLY won't be very happy about that. Some of them who aren't attached to the women (emotionally) will probably have half a mind to let them leave without going after them.

But I can see Bella having fun with this. Maps everywhere in her mind, figuring out where to go.

Another thing to think about: What dream is strong enough to take the women away from the ones they care about (aka Mellondu/Amroth, Ædegard, Nethwador) and wouldn't they tell these dreams to the menfolk anyway? Maybe the men don't believe them? It would have to be a pretty compelling dream to take the women into the wild.

I don't feel strongly with whichever way the women separate from the men. I'll go with whatever you all think would work out best. I do like this new idea, though.

Celuien

05-25-2006, 07:11 AM

Another thing to think about: What dream is strong enough to take the women away from the ones they care about (aka Mellondu/Amroth, Ædegard, Nethwador) and wouldn't they tell these dreams to the menfolk anyway? Maybe the men don't believe them? It would have to be a pretty compelling dream to take the women into the wild.
Brainstorming...

Maybe it's a dream that's more than a dream where Nimrodel or Mithrellas mysteriously put an overwhelming compulsion to leave into their heads. Or they hear poor Gwyllion calling to them, though that vision would logically go to Aeron as well since it looks like he's the one who has to release her - which might not work if he's being dropped. They could slip out in the middle of the night under the 'control' of their dreams and have their disappearance cause concern to everyone else (who wouldn't really know, but might guess what happened) when they're missed in the morning.

Anyway, the women would have to leave in fairly quick succession in order to avoid their companions taking steps to prevent them from vanishing. Once the men know that something's going on after one disappearance, they'd be on the watch for further trouble.

mark12_30

05-25-2006, 08:31 AM

I'm thinking "Delirium", like Mellondu's original departure that started the whole thing.

I envision Mellonin visiting her parents and then returning to her old room at the Inn-- not much supervision there, she can disappear overnight and not be missed til morning.

Bella and Leafa would be staying where? At the Inn, I would say, unless they've spent most of their money by now-- Leafa won't have much anyway. I dunno. So where WOULD Leafa and Bella be staying-- ideas?

Maybe Mellonin goes delirious as Mithrellas and departs late evening, when all think she is abed. Likewise either Bella or Leafa goes delirious as Nimrodel, ahd her companion chases her thinking she can't have gone far?

With Mellonin taking on Mithrellas's dreams, that would provide some tension between Raefindan, Ravion, and Mellonin. There'd also be tension of a different sort from Mellondu.

alaklondewen

05-25-2006, 05:10 PM

I agree that it would be rather interesting to read (and write for you folks with lady characters), if the women somehow found themselves travelling and finding hardship in the mountains. However, I would find it difficult to believe that all three had some sort of similar dream and they all sleep-walked out of town and wound up together. One would be more realistic, I think...especially if it was Mellonin. However, if Mellonin were to slip off in the middle of the night, what would possess the other two to follow? If they were staying together, somehow, and Leafa and Bella realised she was missing...would they not wake the men, even if they did look around town thinking she'd not gone far?

And Aylwen is quite right about the elves reaction to the women running off. Erebemlin, for one, will think them very foolish and, most likely, think that straying from the current quest and bringing Amroth back more important than chasing silly humans. Taitheneb may be a bit more open to the idea. Ooh, I smell conflict...

As to where Bella and Leafa might stay...do you think Mellonin's family, so relieved to see their daughter safe and sound, might invite her young female friends to stay as well...even if it was the inn? If not, I'm sure someone who has seen the travelers coming in and heard rumours of the moonstruck Mellondu would offer them a comfortable place to sleep, especially if their honour is in question. Someone would surely want to make sure they are staying safe and not staying in the same quarters as the rough bunch of men. Maybe an older couple or a widow...someone that it would not be inappropriate to have young women sleeping in their home. That could offer a place for a tempory new character or two while they are in the city.

~Alak

littlemanpoet

05-25-2006, 08:28 PM

I think that all this brainstorming is going to get turned on its head when our new writers have (1) finished reading what we've written so far (2) created new characters.

Those new characters are going to present so many new possibilities that I think it's rather a waste of time to talk about what who might do when and why until the new characters are introduced.

Who's going to play Jorje? :D

Formendacil

05-25-2006, 08:35 PM

Who's going to play Jorje? :D

Do I detect a nudge for me here? I seem to recall my name being attached thereto on your suggestion sheet. Although I've been reading through the RPG proper far enough to know who Jorje is (and whence came his name), I'm not entirely far enough along yet to realise just how much he actually needs a writer...

Oh, and to save myself the PM... I am interested in playing- and if the revered company herein is willing to have me and give me safe passage into this Forum of Gondor, then I'm more than willing to play- even if only as a dog. It being known, however, that I may have to drop out come the school year and September.

If you still want me, you've got me.

mark12_30

05-25-2006, 09:35 PM

Formendacil, welcome. And no, you will not be limited to Jorje-- unless you so desire. ;)

Formendacil

05-25-2006, 10:27 PM

Formendacil, welcome. And no, you will not be limited to Jorje-- unless you so desire. ;)

Well, it'd be all very well and all to play such a noble beast... though knowing scarcely a thing about dogs as it is... but I think if I'm going to be given the honour of playing in Gondor, I'd like to make a proper character of it. :D

littlemanpoet

05-26-2006, 03:38 AM

I'd be happy to write for Jorje myself. But Firefoot has honored me enough to remind me of what a unique style I used for him! :eek: I'll have to reread this whole thread myself! Haven't had time yet.

Firefoot

05-26-2006, 05:55 AM

I've got to say, Jorje is one of my favorite characters... :)

Whew! I've finished reading it (at about 11:00 last night - I was all set to go to bed at 10 but couldn't just leave the last two pages ;) ). I've got an idea for a character bouncing around in my head, but I'd like to think on it a bit more before posting more about it.

Celuien

05-26-2006, 02:06 PM

An idea for a new character...

NAME: Sæthryd

AGE: 30

RACE: Human, Rohirric

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: None

APPEARANCE: Sæthryd could be the perfect image of the Rohirric maiden – tall, blonde and blue eyed. From a distance, she appears beautiful. On closer inspection, she appears far older than her age and has what can only be described as a glint of manic intensity in her eyes, which tend to stare far away. What she ‘sees,’ she keeps to herself. She is unkempt and disheveled at home, but can put herself in order when required.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Insanity. But though Sæthryd is quite mad, she can hide her illness under reasonable words and actions when the apparence of sanity is needed to achieve her purposes. She possesses fanatical intensity over her obsessions, and she can be both ruthless and bold in their defense when threatened.

HISTORY: Sæthryd’s birth was an event of great joy to her parents, freeholders living near Dunharrow. As she grew, however, oddities in her behavior began to appear. While other children played, Sæthryd wandered alone, talking and singing to herself of outlandish visions. At first her parents believed that she would outgrow what they thought was merely a wild imagination coupled with shyness. But Sæthryd’s ‘imagination’ did not recede with the years. Instead, it took on an alarming nature when she became obsessed with the Dwimorberg. Saying that it and its inhabitants called to her, Sæthryd made numerous attempts to go to the Paths of the Dead but was stopped by her parents, who grieved for her shattered mind and hoped that she would one day be healed of her madness.

Sæthryd finally succeeded in reaching the Paths of the Dead a year after the War of the Ring concluded. With the curse removed and the Dead departed, no harm came to her, and she passed through to the other side of the Ered Nimrais safely. Having survived the journey, she developed a possessiveness about the mountain, believing that it belonged to her – and the visions she received of the inhabitants of the Paths of the Dead – alone. She then began the life of a hermit in the mountains and became a jealous guardian of the ways to the Paths of the Dead.

~*~

Opinions? Feedback? I thought it might be interesting to have the current ladies of the story encounter a dangerous madwoman who will try her best to keep them from getting to Erech, or anywhere else near the Paths of the Dead - - - or could alternately lead them right to the Paths if the fancy struck her.

Firefoot

05-26-2006, 03:54 PM

Here's my idea for a new character...

Name: Rugh

Age: 24

Race: Wild Man

Weapons: blow gun and darts

Appearance: Typical Wild Man: around four foot tall and stumpy, thick limbs with toughened muscles, thin dark hair, dark eyes without whites, no facial hair, thick-set but remarkably thin for that. Wears only grasses about the waist; woven grass pouch for darts attached to ‘belt.’

Personality/Strengths/Weaknesses: Rugh lives a very solitary lifestyle, having no family left. He is naturally wary of all who venture into ‘his’ part of the White Mountains. He is prone to very sudden mood changes, sometimes without warning, going from merry and carefree to fierce and vengeful. He takes great joy in things of beauty, whether natural things such as stars and forests or items of craft: he enjoys creating small carvings of wood using a sharp stone he keeps in his pouch with the darts. As most Wild Men, he has great knowledge of plants: which are poisonous, which are edible and tasty, which have some medicinal value.

History: At a young age Rugh was taught many things by his father: knowledge of plants, carving of wooden figures, the use of darts, and the rudiments of the Common Tongue which had been passed down in his family as tradition. However, his father and brother died when he was about ten, slain by hunters of the Stone-folk. A couple years later (in the same year as the War of the Ring), his mother died of an unknown illness, and some attributed this to the bad air slightly earlier in the year. After this, Rugh slowly began to break away from the loose tribe of Wild Men he had belonged to, eventually becoming completely solitary.

~*~*~

I figure he'll probably hook up with the ladies once they've entered what he calls his territory. He could be useful, if he wants to be... or maybe he'll decide to up and leave, catching wind of the men, whom he would probably consider much more dangerous and more worth keeping an eye on...

alaklondewen

05-26-2006, 04:09 PM

Celuien, I personally love the idea. Sæthryd sounds like she would do well in my partial hospitalization group, but that's beside the point. Her symptoms point toward a schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder (delusions, hallucinations, a hint of obsessive compulsive behaviour?), which is a fascinating idea, especially with the mysticism and "madness" driven actions the story has included thus far.

I think it's great, but of course, her use would depend on the course of action decided upon for the women.

Well done, I'm looking forward to writing with you.

~*~
Firefoot, interesting character as well. It looks as though the ladies will be having friend and foe on their adventures.

I believe we've worked together before, and it will be nice to write with you again.

~Alak

Celuien

05-26-2006, 07:03 PM

Her symptoms point toward a schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder (delusions, hallucinations, a hint of obsessive compulsive behaviour?), which is a fascinating idea, especially with the mysticism and "madness" driven actions the story has included thus far.
Thanks. :) I was thinking along the lines of schizoaffective disorder - she definitely has a mood disorder component to her behavior, and not so much of a blunted/flat affect. But I digress. ;) It would be really interesting to try to figure out which of her visions are real and which are delusions, since I think she has been getting some of the real dreams that are floating around as well.

I can revise depending on where everyone is heading...

littlemanpoet

05-26-2006, 08:27 PM

If we are serious about Canon, then it seems to me that something as modern sounding as schizo-affective disorder must have some kind of Middle-Earth based source. Pray what could that be?

Celuien

05-26-2006, 08:35 PM

If we are serious about Canon, then it seems to me that something as modern sounding as schizo-affective disorder must have some kind of Middle-Earth based source. Pray what could that be?
Well, I would never think to have anything appear in Middle-earth under that name, of course. That would never work! :eek: I think we digressed a little into attempting to diagnose the character.

littlemanpoet

05-26-2006, 08:45 PM

Well, I would never think to have anything appear in Middle-earth under that name, of course. That would never work! :eek: I think we digressed a little into attempting to diagnose the character.
But that doesn't answer my question. There has to be some reason why she is the way she is. All her history says is that it happened. How?

alaklondewen

05-26-2006, 08:56 PM

That's the question scientists have been researching for years.

However, how would Tolkien explain any developmental, medical, or mental disability or illness? There are of variety of internal, physiological explanations, but the people of middle earth would never know about them. So, maybe we could take a look at how individuals thought of mental illnesses before modern medicine.

Many people explained "madness" as a punishment for some sort of sin by the individual or possibly even their parents. Another explanation they could use would be some major stressor or traumatic event that triggered her symptoms or madness.

These, of course, are just a few suggestions running around in my head.

Celuien

05-26-2006, 09:13 PM

But that doesn't answer my question. There has to be some reason why she is the way she is. All her history says is that it happened. How?
I had an original background that I dropped as too over the top, but I can present it if you like:

Raid on settlement where parents resided led to her mother being sent off to safer quarters, but she became separated from the group and wound up on the way to the Dwimorberg. Search party found her later, dead on the path, with the newborn Sæthryd barely alive next to her. This knowledge opened her to the receipt of evil influence from the mountain and gave her an interest in the Paths of the Dead, which combined to cause her condition. A stepmother then replaces mother in the history given.

Alternately, she could have been haunted by real visions out of the mountain from childhood for unknown reasons and those slowly drove her to her current state. That's plausible since she was under the Dwimorberg when the dead still were there.

Or there could be a family history of mental illness. If we accept the conceit that Middle-earth is a past time period for our world, diseases that exist today exist in the past.

I don't know. If it's not canon enough, I'll scrap the idea. I just thought she was interesting.

littlemanpoet

05-26-2006, 09:25 PM

No, it's canon enough. I was just wanting to know how. I like it.

Sorry for being curt today. I will change my tone. Unacceptable, no matter what. Sorry. All's good.

Orual

05-27-2006, 07:56 PM

Oh my goodness! I'm so excited! I go back and read the old thread every now and then, and I miss it so much...this is wonderful! It's the perfect time, too. I'm out of school, and, having just made an A in Creative Writing, I'm pumped to write some more!

So a big "hello" to all my old Tapestry friends, and a big "welcome" to all the new-comers!

~Orual (Ravion!)

Nurumaiel

05-27-2006, 10:16 PM

Orual!!! I'm so thrilled to see you! :D :D Welcome back... and congratulations on the A.

And welcome to everyone else, as well!

I apologise, lads and lassies, for being so silent on the thread...

The women going off alone... I honestly don't feel strongly either way. The main thing in my mind is a better development of Leafa's character. If they split up from the men, that would be an opportunity... if we continue on as we've doing, I'll find another way of developing her.

As far as lodgings for Bella and Leafa are concerned, my initial thoughts were the same as Alak's... the two of them staying with Mellonin's family.

littlemanpoet

05-28-2006, 11:06 AM

I'm all for developing Leafa's character. Ædegard needs her to stand up to him more.

Orual

05-29-2006, 12:26 PM

Question...

Is anyone picking up Aeron? (I'm sad to see that Imladris isn't playing anymore.) Where the thread left off, Ravion and Aeron are deep in conversation, so I'll be willing to write for Aeron for a while unless and until we find a place to send him home. Are there any other plans at this point for him?

~O

littlemanpoet

05-29-2006, 06:30 PM

I had supposed either Anguirel or Feanor to pick up Aeron; natural thieves, those two. :) But maybe it's best just to gently let him go..... however, what does that do to Gwyllion? So no. We need somebody to play Aeron because there's destiny there, a real mix of angst and fate, rebellion and need to find himself and his purpose. Not to mention the grief and stangeness of her ghost hanging around him all the time......

Orual

05-29-2006, 09:37 PM

Fabulous! I look forward to playing with whoever picks up Aeron.

Just to pitch in my two cents about the ladies leaving, I know that speaking for Ravion's storyline, the idea that the women take off on their own without letting the men know is the most exciting prospect for me. Ravion would not be happy, just as things are (unhappy, but) stable for him, all of a sudden the women strike off on their own...

How fun! :D

mark12_30

05-30-2006, 11:24 AM

Eh, what I meant to say was....

Imagine for a moment that there is a good couple of days of planning. The menfolk agree that the womenfolk should stay safely behind; the womenfolk protest vigorously; the menfolk stand firm. The womenfolk casually jest about chasing the menfolk along their planned route ("Now that we know where you are going, do you rteally think we will stay behind?") Ravion (and others) issue deep growls and dire threats. THe ladies reluctantly/laughingly/wistfully acquiesce, but only after pestering the menfolk regarding their travel plans.

THe dank, moonless, foggy, drippy night before the departure:

Everyone gathers at an inn outside the seventh wall of the city. Leafa, Mellonin, Bella are staying together in a separate room, so as to farewell the men in the morning. Two hours after bedtime, one of the ladies (say, Leafa?) has several nightmares in succession, and then leaves the room, sleepwalking/entranced a la Mellondu/Amroth. Mellonin and Bella go out in the fields to look for her; they see her riding north, on the flint road (no tracks) receeding into the fog; they run for their horses to chase her. She leaves by the North gate of the Pelennor.

The men wake up, wonder why the women haven't said farewell, and realize their horses are gone. They furiously "chase" them to the south Pelennor gate-- only to learn from the guards there that no women have departed all that night. They then scour the Pelennor, and later, learn that the women departed from the North gate.

Were the two Rohan girls headed home? Did they invite Mellonin to go with them? Why did they go that way? And should the party split up to find out why?

...

Comments, tomatoes, eggsses?

littlemanpoet

05-30-2006, 08:48 PM

I like it.

Feanor of the Peredhil

05-30-2006, 09:21 PM

Ditto what Elempi says.

Formendacil

05-31-2006, 01:02 AM

Well, I'm not dead... I'm still following things here with interest. And I think I may have come up with a potential character for submission. And this character is a most canonical one indeed.

Bergil, son of Beregond, was at least ten years of age during the War of the Ring, when he befriended Pippin Took. This being the Year 12 of the Fourth Age, Bergil is approximately 24. His father and family having removed to Ithilien with Prince Faramir, Bergil has himself since joined either the Rangers of Ithilien or the Knights of Dol Amroth (not sure which...). His younger brother Borlas (known from the "New Shadow" would probably be in his early-mid teens).

I've two ideas how to work Bergil into this tale: the first would see him as a Ranger of Ithilien, joined to the company in the aftermath of losing their womenfolk. Ravion and Erundil are capable Rangers indeed- but they are Rangers of Arnor, and have no authority in the South. Bergil is assigned to assist by Prince Faramir, who as Steward of Gondor has no intention of seeing such things occur.

Scenario Two sees Bergil as an aspiring Knight of Dol Amroth. He has recently been visiting family and old friends in Emyn Arnen and the city while on leave, and is returning to Dol Amroth to return to his post. On the way he overtakes/is overtaken by the Menfolk, and falls in with them as something of a guide (none of the Elves, Rohirrim, or Arnorian Rangers would have been there before. Raefindan, as Imrazor, is another matter, but after 1000 years, places change).

Anyway, those are the rough thoughts that I've been having thus far. Any thoughts, questions, critiques?

mark12_30

05-31-2006, 11:21 AM

lmp likes it. Hey!

Formendacil:

:D

With regard to Bergil: LOVE it.

Knight or ranger? Your choice; ranger seems a bit more natural. It would be nice (also) to have a Knight from Dol Amroth-- maybe an appearance from a relative of Imrahil, or something similar...?

Flimsy the Skinny, nephew of Forlong the Fat?

Formendacil

05-31-2006, 12:07 PM

Formendacil:

:D

With regard to Bergil: LOVE it.

Delighted to hear it.

Knight or ranger? Your choice; ranger seems a bit more natural. It would be nice (also) to have a Knight from Dol Amroth-- maybe an appearance from a relative of Imrahil, or something similar...?

Ranger is more natural, I would possibly agree... but with Ravion and Erundil, the company seems Ranger-saturated already- though the differences between Arnorian Ranger and Gondorian Ranger might make for interesting drama. Or it might be enlightening to see the flip side of the Ranger coin: where Ravion is older, experienced, and somewhat troubled, Bergil is younger, brasher, and very confidant (having lived through the Siege of Minas Tirith, I don't see him as being too easily shaken).

As to a relative of Imrahil: there are several canonical possibilties. Imrahil has three "canonical" sons. That is, in a geneology for the House of Dol Amroth originally intended for inclusion in the Appendices, he is given three sons: Elphir, Erchirion, and Amrothos, as well as his daughter Lothíriel, who married Éomer. Also, Imrahil is easily old enough for his elder sons to have fully grown, if young, children.

Also, in addition to his sister Finduilas (who wedded Denethor and was the mother of Boromir and Faramir), Imrahil had another sister (from the same geneology): Ivriniel. Whether she wedded and had any offspring is unknown... though I'd say it's a safe assumption that she did. Her children (since she was the eldest child) would probably be in the Boromir/Faramir age range- so 45-55 (but of Númenorean blood) at the time of this tale would seem likely.

littlemanpoet

05-31-2006, 06:17 PM

Formendacil

05-31-2006, 11:20 PM

I find your reasoning that Prince Faramir would not like Arnorian Rangers wandering about Gondor, to be rather persuasive. How have they "gotten away with it" so far? I like the idea of Bergil the Ithilien Ranger, and hope you go with him.

Well, with two votes in favour- and that of LMP and Mark/Helen both, how can I not choose Ranger?

As regards "gotten away with it?"- I would point out that neither Ravion nor Erundil have been acting as official representatives of the King or the Law at any time. They have drawn on the reputation of Rangers- 'tis true, but not in an exactly official capacity. Also, much of the story has taken place outside the Realm of Gondor- I believe the mouths of the Entwash are considered to be Rohirric territory.

It's only now, with the story returned to Gondor and taking place (for the men) in a specifically Gondorian direction that Gondor would likely be involved. 'tis also likely that the disappearance of the women is making a bigger noise in Minas Tirith than Mellondu's disappearance, and thus attracting the attention of the authorities.

I foresee Bergil being very agreeable, and getting along with people- at first. Once a major decision comes up, then I can see him taking sides- and sticking with them.

Aylwen Dreamsong

06-04-2006, 11:12 AM

Question: Are we re-opening the old thread or starting a new one?

Orual

06-04-2006, 10:08 PM

Could someone please PM me if I'm needed here, or if we start the game? I'm not checking here as much, as I'm dealing with the loss of a friend right now. Please pray for me and for my friend and his family, and keep me up to date with the game.

Thanks.

~O

mark12_30

06-05-2006, 09:05 AM

Question: Are we re-opening the old thread or starting a new one?

I haven't finished rereading the old thread, and don't have a clear picture of how it ends anymore (or even if it does-- I think we just kind of drifted off...) I could be convinced either way.

Orual-- We're with you. The peace of Christ be with you as you remember, and grieve, and heal, and cherish the memories. Take your time.

mark12_30

06-09-2006, 11:46 AM

Tapestry--

lmp and I are both swamped, and trying to find a way to have the game proceed anyway. Please bear with us til we come up with a p-p-p-Plan.

Scheme about the tale and about your characters, do!

Here's praying that Orual is doing okay, all things considered.

mark12_30

06-10-2006, 08:36 PM

Aylwen raised the question, are we starting a new thread or continuing the old one. I think the right answer is yes to both... I think the old thread is dangling and incomplete, and we should finish it up, and leave a "cliffhanger" of sorts to get book 2 off to a good start.

So I'm going to ask the original gamers to consider this outline, and how they would weave an end to book one.

Since I'm nose-deep in that, I'll be rereading my last several posts on the thread and considering how I need to wrap things up, Basically everyone should end up aware that another quest is pending; women will stay. Erebemlin will be the driving force, I think. I'm off to find out what he hasn't done yet...

alaklondewen

06-10-2006, 08:54 PM

I agree, Helen, that Erebemlin will be a strong force in getting them back onto the second quest. He didn't want to come into the city to begin with and will do whatever he can to get them out of the city. The first major problem with him will be either reaching Amroth or somehow changing Mellondu's mind/heart. I'm sure Mellondu is not going to give up easy.

Now, may I ask what kind of timeline we are looking at to start the process of finishing the first book?

mark12_30

06-10-2006, 09:20 PM

Now, may I ask what kind of timeline we are looking at to start the process of finishing the first book?

I think the sooner the better. With this team assembled, it would be better to get going, and maintain some momentum.

Orual

06-10-2006, 10:47 PM

I'm back, guys. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.

I'm ready to start when everybody else is!

alaklondewen

06-11-2006, 06:09 AM

If we need to start soon, do we have a commitment from Feanor or Anguirel (or any of the new writers) to write Aeron's part, or should we all carry him through the completion of the first book and have someone pick him up in the second?

Orual, it's so good to see you back with us. I pray all is well.

Feanor of the Peredhil

06-11-2006, 10:27 AM

I'm loathe to write a character that isn't mine. I've done it before with Kathaani Karibzir in Prisoner of Numenor but she never felt right without Soph and I was always nervous it wouldn't work right. Picture Viggo Mortenson's portrayal of Aragorn versus how it would have been if Sean Bean was cast. Same role, same lines, same position in the Fellowship... but every actor brings something different to the stage. I don't want to warp Aeron. I like him too much the way he is.

Also, my life took a very busy turn over the past couple weeks and I've got one more before it starts to smooth out. It won't be until next week that I'll be able to finish reading through the story thus far.

littlemanpoet

06-11-2006, 03:11 PM

Perhaps we should consider getting in touch with Imladris? Maybe that circumstance which caused her departure from the Downs is not as big or overriding (whatever it was) as it was when she left?

mark12_30

06-11-2006, 03:22 PM

Orual: Good to see you.

Aeron can be carried by old gamers until the new game begins. There is still time to decide who it will be.

EDIT: Cross-posted with lmp. lmp, please do, and let us know.

Important event:
lmp and I agree that we'd like Alaklondewen (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/member.php?userid=418) to take charge of the game, as essentially Third-In-Command, until and unless lmp's life or my life relaxes enough that we can do the job justice. (....might never happen!) I still must officially own the threads (both old and new) as the Gondorian game owner; but Alak will handle day-to-day leadership. lmp and I will be here and there, of course (lmp there, me here :D ) but Alak now has the reins. I am delighted; regardless of my availability or leack thereof, the game wants to go! So I thank God for Alak's willingness. With Alak as "Officer Of the Deck", the game may proceed-- full charge!

Book 1 and Book 2
The goal is to wrap up Book 1, leaving pointers to Book 2. With the new discussion thread, new team members may do the usual thing: bios, first posts if you like, etc. I think I will go ahead and open the new (Book 2) discussion thread. New team members, you now have a place to let loose. Please do!! Feel free to re-post any relevant information you have already put here; also feel free to toss out wild ideas, or even sane ones.

Old team--

With Alak's approval, I'm putting up a Mellondu/Erebemlin post on the old thread. Comments, questions, and ideas for your characters-- let 'em fly, or just go ahead and post. WOOOOOT!!

New Team so far:
Feanor of the Peredhil
Formendacil
Celuien
Firefoot

Character list as I understand it so far:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Character - - former writer - - keep or drop - - new writer?

Mellonin - - mark - - keep - - mark
Mellondu / Amroth - - mark - - keep - - mark
Nethwador - - mark - - keep - - mark
Raefindan / Imrazor - - LMP - - keep - - lmp
Mithrellas - - LMP - - keep - - lmp
Nimrodel - - mark - - keep - - lmp
Ædegard - - LMP - - keep - - lmp
Tharonwe - - LMP - - keep - - LMP
Taitheneb - - Alaklondewen - - keep - - Alaklondewen
Erebemlin - - Alaklondewen - - keep - - Alaklondewen
Ravion - - Orual - - keep - - Orual
Leafa - - Nuru - - keep - - Nurumaiel
Liornung - - Nuru - - keep-- Nurumaiel
Bella - - Aylwen - - Aylwen Dreamsong

Jorge - - many & various - - keep - - Formendacil?
Aeron - - Imladris - - ?
Gwyllion -- Imladris - - ?

New Characters:
Sæthryd - - Celuien
Rugh - - Firefoot
Bergil - - Formendacil

mark12_30

06-11-2006, 05:35 PM

....someday I'll read it. But there's a handy summary at Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Loves

These four concepts strike me as applicable concepts to this whole game.

alaklondewen

06-12-2006, 04:59 AM

We're off, so feel free to post whenever you're ready in Book 1.

I've put my first up, you all know the drill, if I misused your character...etc.

I'll put up one for Erebemlin tonight. :)

~alak

mark12_30

06-12-2006, 11:57 AM

Can't wait to hear from Erebemlin. :D

lmp: Regarding Tharonwe and realism-- A few pages back one of the characters had mentioned turning Tharonwe over to Elessar, for wreaking havoc on his North borders.

Would the guards of the city be investigating the entrance (wihtout fanfare) of three unknown elves-- one a bit suspicous looking?
Would Elessar happily let Tharonwe go, or would a hearing be arranged?
If Tharonwe gets jailed, how does he escape?

alaklondewen

06-12-2006, 08:25 PM

Alrighty, Erebemlin's up.

Aylwen, Nuru, lmp, feel free to play with him, hook him, whatever you like while we await the decision of Mellondu.

Orual, I'm composing a post for Aeron to get you going...should be up tomorrow night.

I was also wondering about a possible role of Elessar, not only with the Tharonwe issue but would Lorien elves come to Minas Tirith and not expect or ask to see him (or on the other hand, would that be completely out of place?). It is quite possible Erebemlin has met him previously, and surely (or possibly) they would know Queen Arwen. Just something to think about as it's getting late.

littlemanpoet

06-12-2006, 08:57 PM

I can't answer the questions right now.

Yesterday church held me all day.
Today a friend was released from jail and his car unimpounded. I was his transportation.
I have yet to reread ANY of the original thread.
If I post any thoughts here, or any narrative there, I fear it will be in ignorance or forgetfulness and be most unhelpful.
And I leave for a 6 day vacation starting Thursday morning. :eek:

Formendacil

06-13-2006, 12:45 AM

I was also wondering about a possible role of Elessar, not only with the Tharonwe issue but would Lorien elves come to Minas Tirith and not expect or ask to see him (or on the other hand, would that be completely out of place?). It is quite possible Erebemlin has met him previously, and surely (or possibly) they would know Queen Arwen. Just something to think about as it's getting late.

Speaking as an uninvited canonist...

I'd say that it's hardly expected of them. Minas Tirith is a great city, and your average traveller certainly wouldn't be stopping in to see the king. Granted, mind you, that the Lórien elves are hardly "average"...

So it wouldn't be a matter of course- at least in my humble opinion.

That does not mean, however, that such a visit would be improbable. Elves in Gondor were rare, even with Legolas living in Ithilien, and would have been accorded fairly high respect. Should Erebemlin desire to meet the king, that would likely be arranged with ease.

As to knowing Arwen...

If Erebemlin was a high enough ranked Elf (and it seems to me that he was) to have been present at Galadriel and Celeborn's court in Caras Galadhon as more than a mere bystander, when not border patrolling, then he would likely have known her- if as an acquaintance, only. I would personally doubt that he would KNOW Aragorn, but it's likely enough that they met. Was Erebemlin with the Elves who accompanied Galadriel and Celeborn to Arwen's wedding? Or was he assisting with the post-Dol Guldur reconstruction?

Just some thoughts...

mark12_30

06-13-2006, 06:49 AM

....someday I'll read it. But there's a handy summary at Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Loves

These four concepts strike me as applicable concepts to this whole game.

OK, I'm halfway through it (bought the audio version, CSLewis himself, very cool.) It is indeed highly applicable (to the game and to RL) & I heartily recommend the book....

littlemanpoet

06-13-2006, 09:00 AM

OK, I'm halfway through it (bought the audio version, CSLewis himself, very cool.) It is indeed highly applicable (to the game and to RL) & I heartily recommend the book....
I've read it. In what ways do you see it applying?

mark12_30

06-13-2006, 09:28 AM

I've read it. In what ways do you see it applying?

Disclaimer: Must be missing some obvious connections but here's a first cut:
Charity (agape) is a love towards one's neighbour which does not depend on any loveable qualities that the object of love possesses. Lewis sees charity as a specifically Christian virtue, and the chapter on the subject focuses on the need of subordinating the natural loves to the love of God.
Agape, the disinterested desire for the best for The Unlovable Other: Ædegard, grudgingly perhaps, towards Mellondu. Also Liornung towards Mellondu/Amroth; and Bella towards Amroth. Ravion towards Mellonin, to a degree. Liornung towards everybody. How did a Christian fiddler find his way into Fourth age Rohan?; but there he is.

Eros is love in the sense of 'being in love'. This is distinct from sexuality, which Lewis calls Venus, although he does spend time discussing sexual activity and its spiritual significance in both a pagan and a Christian sense. He warns against the danger of elevating Eros to the status of a god, but he also praises it as an indifferent appreciation of the beloved as opposed to any pleasure that can be obtained from them.
Eros, the fascination of The Other for what they are: Amroth & Nimrodel; Imrazor & Mithrellas; Ædegard & Leafa; Nethwador & Bella. And, I suppose, Mellonin and Ravion, though they fight it like cat'n'dog.

Friendship (philia) is a strong bond existing between people who share a common interest or activity. Lewis explicitly says that his definition of Friendship is narrower than mere Companionship; Friendship in his sense only exists if there is something for the Friendship to be about.
Phileo: Friendship borne of a common passion &/or goal: Erebemlin & Taitheneb & Amroth; Mellonin, Raefindan, & Ravion; Bella & Liornung; in an odd way, Liornung, Bella, and reluctant Ædegard...

Affection (storge) is fondness through familiarity, especially between family members or people who have otherwise found themselves together by chance.
and... Storge: affection borne of (grudging) toleration of another's company for an extended period of time: Many of the other relationships. Mortals toward Nethwador. Aeron & everyone else; Ædegard & everyone else; maybe, eventually, Erebemlin & all those semi-pathetic mortals...

.....I don't mean to derail this into a theological/ philosophical debate-- really I don't! It's just that this subject is near & dear to my own heart, having thought extensively about it in other terms. Lewis' terms are a nice framework to work with too, and his verbal illustrations are both delightful and peircing.

My fascination with the ideas began one day when my neice asked me, "So how do you know when you are in love?" Red alert, red alert (she was thirteen, extremely impressionable.) One of these days I'm writing a novel about it. In a sense, this game is about that too; the differences between a crush and a commitment; between a friendship and a loyalty; between an allegiance and devotion; willing and unwilling service, and all of the intricacies thereof; I could go on & on.

The current possibilities between Mellondu and Erebemlin has me on the edge of my seat...

EDIT Yeah, I'm on a bit of a roll, but anyway... I love Lewis's illustration comparing love & commitment to diving into the water and then swimming. The dive (like falling in love) is exhilarating, shocking, rushing, overwhelming. The person who goes from relationship to relationship looking for the rush of romance over and over is like the guy who keeps diving into different pools, but never swimming. He doesn't ever cross the water; he just splashes a lot. If you want a realtionship, you've got to walk out the commitment-- you've got to swim. And that takes effort, zeal, commitment, energy. Work. That's just an awesome way to look at it.

My niece said love was when you can't stop thinking about another person. I said, yeah but that's just a crush. You should only marry once, but you'll have a crush on scores of people before you die... She looked shocked. Why is that surprising...? Eros versus storge & agape. Eros is by nature fleeting; if it's not augmented by storge or phileo or (preferably) agape or (even better) a combination of all three, then the relationship wanes.

With storge-- the (sometimes grudging) affection borne of familiarity-- he keeps talking about the family dog's affection for the family. I love it. Jorje rises like cream to the top!

Anyway-- exploring the intricacies of relationships has been a big one with me.

Who do you love, I hope it's me
I've been changing as you can plainly see....

I met all the girls and I loved myself a few,
and to my surprise
Like everything else that I've been through
it opened up my eyes

Garbage lyrics, super-catchy tune, and extremely dangerous world view.

Yeah.. and this is tolkien related because??? Ummmm, it all goes back to that other catchy song....
"An elven maid there was of old, a shining star by day..."

..end ramble.

alaklondewen

06-13-2006, 05:20 PM

We have a time issue, I believe.

It seems that the group arrived at Mellonin and Mellondu's home at a half hour before noon (lmp #694 (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=385762&postcount=694)). This was just after Raefindan breakfasted and bathed.

However, Ravion and Aeron are star watching while the others have recently left to visit the siblings.

I'm afraid some editing will need to be done. If the group plans on being in Mellondu's home until after dark, then we can add a statement someone about the day passing in one of the earlier posts to logically put Aeron and Ravion in the evening. If not, then we need to edit the hour of day during the interaction. I would think that being in their home from morning until evening be overmuch, especially with how little the family has to take care of that many guests. However, Imladris is not here to edit...Orual, what do you think? Anyone else? Suggestions?

I have a short post for Aeron ready, but I need the time to be right.

mark12_30

06-13-2006, 06:23 PM

I think Ravion and Aeron are still at last-night, but the rest of them are in The-Morning-After.

I'll look at it some more. I think we could shuffle things around Imladris' post (I hope), moving Aeron & Ravion before or into, and Rohan, Mellondu & Mellonin & Erebemlin, after.

Edit: No, you're right; Ravion "mentions" that everyone else has gone to Mellonin's parents' house. So Ravion & Aeron are stargasing on the evening of the day of the visit.

Hmmm.

Edit 2:

We could apply a band-aid as follows: when Father, mother, Mellondu & Mellonin retreat into the back room, Father asks for a day-- instead of a moment or two. The whole band excuses themselves politely, and some of the conversation and pondering takes place while walking back to the Inn, or later in the day, or... or something like that.

Option number three: find a mod, and ask politely for some juggling.....

Orual

06-13-2006, 11:47 PM

Yet another case of me not paying enough attention. It's pretty late, and I'm not entirely sure I'm reading the problem right, but would it fix things if I edited my post to have the others somewhere other than at Mellonin's parents' house? I don't think Immy had anything in her posts suggesting where the others were, so hers wouldn't have to be tweaked.

alaklondewen

06-14-2006, 04:40 AM

You know, Orual, I think that would work. Afterward we'll see if we need some shuffling, possibly moving them after the house scene...that's if it seems off with the different times going at once (and if a mod would be willing).

littlemanpoet

06-14-2006, 09:14 AM

I'm afraid a PM is the only way I have access to Imladris. I'll send one, but don't hold out much hope. I guess we'll have to carry him & Gwyllion.

littlemanpoet

06-14-2006, 02:19 PM

I'm on vacation June 15 to June 20. My computer access will be limited.

mark12_30

06-14-2006, 03:13 PM

Enjoy!

It's my turn next week.

alaklondewen

06-14-2006, 04:53 PM

Have a nice and relaxing vacation, lmp. :)

If we don't get a reply to the pm to Imladris, I believe she has a blog. I can try that in case she doesn't receive email notifications of private messages.

And may I ask...did we start the game off too soon? Is everyone busy right now? I know we wanted to get it going because people appeared motivated. Do you all mind checking in just to let us know?

Firefoot

06-14-2006, 05:48 PM

I'm here and ready. :)

Celuien

06-14-2006, 05:51 PM

I'm here and ready.
As am I. :)

Have a great vacation, lmp!

Imladris

06-14-2006, 06:52 PM

Leave the Downs for almost a year and then poof! A thread resurrected Frankenstein style.

Alak and LMP -- I'm glad you two were able to get in touch with me.

I would be honoured to play Aeron and Gwyllion again. However, if the game is going to be fast paced (doesn't seem like it will), I will apt to be a bit slow...I hope that is alright with you all?

I'll just commence re-reading the game thread now. =)

mark12_30

06-14-2006, 06:55 PM

Wow!! Welcome back, Immy. Good to see you!

alaklondewen

06-14-2006, 06:58 PM

I am one happy girl! Welcome back Imladris! By the way, I'm so glad I got the right blog...I was going to feel really silly if I'd been mistaken.

I had a post for Aeron ready, but you think you can jump in as soon as you're caught up on reading...I'll leave that to you, or if you need more time, I'll run it by you before I post it.

*dances and cheers*

littlemanpoet

06-14-2006, 08:16 PM

YAY! :D

Welcome back, IMMY!!!

I was so afraid you'd happen across that PM in about the year 2012 or something.... :eek:

Made my day! :D

Formendacil

06-14-2006, 11:30 PM

As am I. :)

Have a great vacation, lmp!

Aye, ready here to- and the sooner we start the more likely it is that I'll actually be able to contribute deeply.

Just give me a deadline for Bergil's bio... I'm horrendously slow without a deadline.

Feanor of the Peredhil

06-15-2006, 07:30 AM

I've been battling a load of time constraits over the past few weeks that have kept me from reading at the pace to which I am accustomed. I'm still only about half way down page seven on the game thread, but after tomorrow I'll have a rather lot more reading time. After a week from tomorrow, my life should go back to normal[ish].

That's when I'll be able to create a character and get going. But there's no need to wait for me.

Edit: I'm so glad Aeron will be staying around!!

Orual

06-15-2006, 12:09 PM

IMMY!!!!!!!

I'm so happy to see you! Ravion would have been so lonely without Aeron, though he'd never ever in a million years admit it...

alak, should I go ahead and make that change to my post?

Imladris

06-15-2006, 12:30 PM

Wow thanks for all the welcome backs! I feel so loved. :p

I'm very happy to be able to play with you all again...I really enjoyed the Ravion and Aeron moments. hehe

And Alak please go ahead and send me that post that you wrote up. =)

alaklondewen

06-15-2006, 03:19 PM

alak, should I go ahead and make that change to my post?

Orual, that would be great. Thanks. :)

I'm working on a post for Erebemlin's reply to Mellondu and in that he will state the game time we have to finish Book 1. I would like everything that's going to happen to wrap up Book 1 to occur within the next 2 days/3 nights (game time). The party will be leaving at dawn on the 3rd day.

That means in that time we need to:

Turn Tharonwe into the proper authorities
tell the women they will be staying behind
have whatever is going to happen with the women...happen
and get ourselves ready for the next phase

We also need a cliffhanger and a lead to get readers interested in reading the second part.

These are our goals, if you all want to brainstorm and plot and scheme...let's do it. :D We're wanting to close this up sooner rather than later, because we have several really eager writers ready to join the pack and we don't want them losing their momentum.

mark12_30

06-15-2006, 06:31 PM

Marigold across the marshy miles... Nice touch, alak!

alaklondewen

06-15-2006, 06:43 PM

Thanks Helen!

Do you remember way back on the discussion thread, when Ædegard took a liking to Leafa and you took a bet that everyone in the game would find romance? Well, I had replied that it would take one whopper of a plot twist for Erebemlin...yeah, I believe we've had one or two...or five.

mark12_30

06-16-2006, 05:35 PM

Stray thought:

Elessar being who he is, if he caught wind of a scheme to find Nimrodel, he would certainly want in on it. Not that he'd go himself, but he'd be eager to send some soldiers or rangers or... he'd want to help somehow.

There are two possibilities for this:

1. Oh, boy, more new characters; or
2. Erebemlin replies to Elessar that he would like to accept-- Mellondu comments "Oh, great, an audience for my supposed insanity, now I'll never live it down, nor this life debt either"-- and Erebemlin, in a rare moment of emotional sensitivity coupled with good foresight, realizes if Mellondu is uncomfortable, he's less likely to allow Amroth to surface. Erebemlin turns down Elessar's offer in case extra (too many extra??) characters will lock Amroth away for sure.

Maybe something in between happens; Erebemlin accepts a few good men, but not too many. Alak will know!

A little clarification on Mellondu:

When Mellondu first began dreaming that he was Amroth, it was wonderful, adventurous, exciting, challenging, romantic (in the poetic sense, and in the "Gee She's Pretty" sense, both.) He let himself be swept away, gave Amroth all the control he wanted, and relaxed and enjoyed the trip.

Until his sister was threatened, and Amroth made no effort to renounce Nimrodel in order to save Mellonin. In not fighting Tharonwe for Mellonin's life, suddenly Amroth became a bad guy. Lack of trust now means that Mellondu has no interest in giving Amroth control-- none whatsoever.

But now there's this life-debt; he has to serve Erebemlin; so he knows Erebemlin is going to want Amroth back.

Here's a big rub-- until Mellondu begins to trust Amroth again, he may very well be *unable* to allow Amroth to surface, even if he agrees to try. Or-- maybe he can relax long enough for just a glimpse of Amroth before he quenches him again.

This may or may not come up during the week I'm gone but if it does, you're all forearmed.

OK-- in the morning, I'm off for vacation, nine days. Back a week from Sunday night, may not post til Monday morning after that. Enjoy, don't be shy, and here's hoping for lots of reading when I come back! Thanks again to Alak for taking the reins!

Orual

06-16-2006, 08:20 PM

Do Immy and I need to bring Ravion and Aeron up to the current day? Or, rather, let me rephrase: how quickly to Immy and I need to bring Ravion and Aeron up to the current day?

alaklondewen

06-16-2006, 08:34 PM

Well, Helen and I were attempting to push the time along in our posts to catch up to Ravion and Aeron. So, if you are writing on the day before, then as soon as you can catch up, do. However, if you want to keep them on the same day as the others, we'll be at nightfall very soon, I hope, and that will even us up. Of course, the more posting the better, at this point. ;)

What do you think?

Imladris

06-16-2006, 11:35 PM

Just my pidley two cents --

I think it would be awkward to have Aeron and Ravion be ahead of the other main characters, namely Mellonin and co (if I made a time mistake in one of my posts please let me know and I shall edit) and that it would be better for Aeron and Ravion to catch up to the others.

So Orual can write...and if there is not a chance to move the time forward to nightfall (to Mellonin and co) then I'll do it.

alaklondewen

06-17-2006, 01:25 PM

Immy, that totally works for me...having Ravion and Aeron catch up.

Nuru and Aylwen, the ball is in your court at Mellondu's home. I'll let you decide whether or not to have dinner with them. I can think of good things that can happen both ways. :)

I'll be leaving in a couple of hours to go visit my Poppy for Father's Day. I'll not have access tonight and most of tomorrow, but I'll check in before I go and when I return.

Happy Father's Day, everyone!

~Alak

Nurumaiel

06-17-2006, 02:09 PM

Would Liornung pass up an invitation to dinner when he's been asked to sing? :D

I'll come up with something as soon as I'm able.

Aylwen, any thoughts on Bella and Leafa? Do you feel strongly whether they stay for dinner or not? Liornung will definitely be pressuring them to stay, hoping that he can convince them to sing, as well. Let me know what you think.

Aylwen Dreamsong

06-17-2006, 05:06 PM

I don't mind, stay or leave, though Bella would generally be inclined to stick around with Liornung and Leafa...I say they stick around. :)

I'll get a post up soon as well...Bellyn is from Gondor...she ought to be having major memories and flashbacks right about now. This should be fun!

Aylwen Dreamsong

06-17-2006, 08:42 PM

Bella is officially back.

:p

Hope it's okay. If not, let me know...

Feanor of the Peredhil

06-18-2006, 07:12 AM

Helen, dear, I've been meaning to ask. I came across this while reading the discussion thread last night:

By the way, I'm trying to get a mental picture of each of you as writers and people, so I've been browsing profiles and questionnaires (remember "All About You"? I have very little info on either littlemanpoet or Imladris. If that's how you like it, I don't mean to pry! But if you'd like to add an "All About You" post or whatever that would be good too...

Part of the reason why I'm asking, is that I like to understand where people are coming from morally and spiritually-- mostly so I can avoid offending folks unneccessarily. Also I find it easier to explain what I'm thinking if I understand where others are coming from.

I think I'm formulating an RPG Writers' Questionaire of my own as I write this... (bubble, bubble, simmer...) Sure enough, here it is-- Please note it's totally OPTIONAL... :) If you do decide to fill it out you can either PM or email anwers-- no need to post 'em here if you don't want to.

optionaloptionaloptionaloptional
AllAboutFriendsOfNimrodel.rtf (http://members.cox.net/hrwright61/AllAboutFriendsOfNimrodel.rtf)
optionaloptionaloptionaloptional
Is this something that you would like the new writers to do also? Or was it merely a thing of the past; part of the history of this marvelous story thus far?

alaklondewen

06-18-2006, 04:31 PM

Great post, Aylwen...it's so good to have Bellyn back!

Feanor, even though Helen will gone for a short while, I know her answer...YES! I know I would love to know more about you all as well, since I've only written with one of you in the past. So, if you want to fill them out, please do and post them on the new discussion thread. :)

~alak

littlemanpoet

06-18-2006, 06:54 PM

I've been spending some of this vacation rereading the first Tapestry thread. I'm up to page 5 now. Good stuff! :)

Imladris

06-20-2006, 12:33 AM

I brought Aeron and Ravion to the evening that the others eat supper with Mellonin's family.

This should fix any time incontinuities, right?

alaklondewen

06-20-2006, 04:41 AM

Yes, Immy, that evens us up. :) Thanks so much. Great post too, by the way. Aeron is on his way to becoming a man...well done!

Aylwen Dreamsong

06-21-2006, 08:02 AM

Just wanted to give an advance warning: I will be going on a trip to Costa Rica on Monday, June 26th and won't return until late on July 6th (I think that's a Thursday?). There will be no posts from me during that time because I will be having fun in the sun, looking at three-toed sloths, and traversing the canopies (yesss!).

Hopefully I can get one or two more posts in before then. :)

-Aylwen

alaklondewen

06-21-2006, 06:55 PM

Aylwen, that sounds so fun! I hope you have a great time!

I had planned on getting a dinner post up tonight, but I have something on my mind and I just can't pull it off tonight. So if anyone else is itching, feel free to get dinner going or tales or songs or whatever moves you.

Let's see, today is Wednesday (amazing grasp of the obvious, you say?), I would like have the current night completed by this weekend and the morning started. Is that doable? Am I asking too much?

I just know there's going to be quite a bit happen before they all leave Minas Tirith, and I want us to have time to do it all.

That reminds me...what do you all want to do with the women? Should Mellonin have a dream and sleepwalk? But if that happens, how will Leafa and Bella know she is gone? Will the women stay together? Or will something else happen?

Ideas? Suggestions?

Aylwen Dreamsong

06-23-2006, 08:32 PM

In my post the group has dinner, talks for a while, and is quickly shooed out by Mellondu. Hope it's okay...if not I'll revise as requested. :)

I can't see Mellonin going to Leafa and Bella and saying "I had this dream, come with me." I can see her going off on her own. Maybe they should each have their own dream? That would have to be one big coincidence though...I don't know. :p

Be back July sixth!

Aylwen

alaklondewen

06-24-2006, 04:43 PM

Aylwen, I thought your post was just right, and thanks for moving on and through the dinner. :) I hope you have a blast on vacation!

alaklondewen

06-24-2006, 08:01 PM

Mowing is a great time to think, and while I mowed this evening I had a couple of concerns came to mind.

The women will have to be told that they are not going on the next half of the quest. I know Bellyn believes she is going, but what of Leafa? I know Leafa is originally from Rohan, even though her family has gone the wayfaring way. I also know that Bella lives in Rohan currently. Without thinking of what has been planned for the ladies to go a different way...how would they get home? I mean, the men are leaving them stranded in Gondor and their money would last only so long for the inn. Would Mellonin's parents take them in temporarily? That would mean sleeping on the floor, or do we need someone in the inn to meet and take a liking to the girls and offer them a place?

If a place with Mellonin was offered, that would leave room for Mellonin to sleepwalk and the girls to look for her, thinking she'd not gone far and then find themselves off toward the mountains. Another idea would be to have them staying with someone who lived closer to Mellonin than the inn and then have a dream come to Bella or Leafa (or even a possible visitation of Gwyllion's ghost?). One of them disappears, the other runs to Mellonin's to ask for help and they're off.

What do you think about this? We need a realistic solution.

littlemanpoet

06-25-2006, 05:11 AM

Mellonin remains under the care and rule of Estelyn Telcontar, and that ladyship had her staying at The Seventh Star. Now that the "quest" is "done", isn't it a natural fit for Mellonin to take up her serving role there again? And couldn't the other women stay there as guests?

Ædegard's point of view is that with Mellondu in the protection of his parents, and the Amroth part of him under the guidance of Erebemlin, there is no reason for him to stick around, especially as he wants to take Leafa back to her father and both get the man's permission to marry her, and convince him to return to Edoras with them. How Leafa feels about this is up to Nuru, of course. I'm up to page 11 of the reread, and my opinion may change as I refresh my memory as to what has happened to Ædegard - - something about a lost hand, I'm thinking - - but the lost hand is more likely to convince him to leave the quest rather than stay.

So, something to perhaps lend aid, and something else to add confusion. :D

alaklondewen

06-25-2006, 06:14 AM

Nurumaiel

06-25-2006, 04:03 PM

Just wanted to let you know of upcoming absences.

On Tuesday a dear friend of mine is arriving for a visit, and we have a busy week planned out. So, while I'll be at home with my computer and all, it isn't likely I'll have the time to get on.

Come July 2nd I'll be free again, until the 9th, when I'll be leaving home to do some visiting for about a week.

If it's necessary to do anything with Leafa while I'm away, go ahead.

littlemanpoet

06-26-2006, 09:40 AM

You know, lmp, you bring up a good point, whether it was your intention or not. I had in my head that all the men would pick up and follow Amroth without question (that's the Erebemlin part of me), but you know, why would any of them want to go now? I can maybe see Liornung because of the adventure and song possibilities, but (and of course these are all up to the writers, I'm just talking off my head) Ravion may want to stay where Mellonin is (or he may want to run). Erundil and Aeron would be likely to stay or go with Ravion, no? Taitheneb will go wherever Erebemlin goes. Ædegard will want to go home, but what of Raefindan?

It will be interesting to see who goes with Erebemlin and who wants to stay in Minas Tirith or go home. Of course, if the women disappear, it may bring them all back together, but we might have a couple of days conflict in the meantime. :DNow that I've read the whole thing through:

Ædegard will follow Mellondu's lead because of Bethberry's words lending "destiny" to the whole adventure. He would be quite willing to accept Mellondu's word that the quest is over, and set off with Leafa for northern Rohan, but if Mellondu decides to go with Erebemlin, Ædegard will too.

Raefindan has come to believe that he has been brought from the future specificallyl because of the Amroth/Nimrodel story, and is determined to see it through.

I notice that Liornung is feeling homesick.

Aeron has the prophecy from Marigold that he will pierce through every illusion that holds all others back (it sure is good to have Immy back, considering that!).

Ravion and Erundil are Orual's business, of course, and there is no prophecy or promise determining their fate since Mellondu has been found.

Any other thoughts on the matter?

Orual

06-27-2006, 06:42 PM

As for my characters, I'll probably let Erundil stay in Gondor. Ravion, on the other hand, will want to stay around Mellonin, and also Aeron, to whom he feels a responsibility.

Imladris

06-27-2006, 11:09 PM

Aeron was going to stick with Ravion because of the oath made so long ago :P

Serve Ravion or to the jail! Though, really, his loyalty/service is more out of respect now.

alaklondewen

06-29-2006, 05:46 PM

In the spirit of the debate on lembas occuring on the Book 2 discussion thread, I have edited post #233 (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=324806&postcount=233).

Originally, Erebemlin simply requested the bread, but I have edited to reflect the on going discussion. :)

alaklondewen

06-30-2006, 05:00 PM

I made a few more alterations to #233 to make the dialogue more appropriate as that is one of our goals. :)

mark12_30

06-30-2006, 09:20 PM

Alak, I like it.

I'm assuming Erebemlin will lead the quest until/ unless Amroth surfaces; does he express any interest in who else is coming besides Taitheneb and Mellondu? Anything like intentionally assembling a team?

alaklondewen

07-01-2006, 05:51 AM

I expect Erebemlin will hold a meeting with the men after Tharonwe is turned in. Even though he has been highly frustrated with the humans, he believes that they were brought together for a reason. Also, having a few more men might be helpful, especially the rangers, if they have any problems on the road.

With that said, Erebemlin will call a meeting and offer the choice to stay or go. I think the only one he'll have an initial problem accepting is Aeron because of his running away, but it's possible that if he touches Aeron's thoughts he may see the changes in the young man that are occuring and be more willing.

littlemanpoet

07-04-2006, 10:54 AM

It's only been a few days, but I'm wondering what still has to happen to wrap Tapestry 1 up?

I know that Celuien, for example, is elsewhere occupied until the end of July, and a start on Tapestry 2 could wait until August, if we want it to.

Could we perhaps develop an outline to help us see how far we have to go?

alaklondewen

07-05-2006, 04:41 AM

Good idea, lmp. :)

The Elves

Tharonwe
Erebemlin calls a meeting with the men of the company
a possible visit to Mellondu's home

The ladies
realization they're not going, if they still expect to leave with the men
plans for their lodging and possible trips home
Something happens overnight and they disappear

The men

meeting with Erebemlin; decisions about going
gathering supplies, food, etc for the next quest

If there is anything I'm forgetting feel free to add to it and post.

Formendacil

07-05-2006, 02:44 PM

Okay.

Elessar has met the Elves.

I'm hoping what I've written works/is acceptable/doesn't step on any toes.

As always... let me know if anything's wrong, so I can change it.

EDIT: I've edited my post at Alak's request to include confrontation with Tharonwë.

littlemanpoet

07-06-2006, 03:32 AM

I don't have time now, but Tharonwë wouldn't be such a fool, not before such a formidable Elf as Arwen. He would not try to command Elessar, much less Arwen, as to what to think of the others. His way would be more subtle, to suggest and imply rather than baldly state. More later.

EDIT: I'm wondering about the osanwë between Elessar and Arwen. Is osanwe harder for the two than talking, or not? Passing information in the midst of counsel before others would be quite handy, and I can see that happening. I can also imagine that Aragorn would not find it necessary to give Arwen a somewhat scolding "I know", however mild, as it stands to reason that if they are communicating mind to mind, she would know what he knows. It must be remembered that the only communication at length that we have, from Tolkien, is the Appendix story of Aragorn's death and Arwen's bereavement. Did they communicate mind to mind there, or did they speak? If the spoke, one wonders how difficult osanwe is as a mode of communication? Surely easier for Arwen than for Aragorn? Are there any definitive answers for these questions, or are we going to have to come to a consensus opinion? Or does Helen want to make a ruling?

mark12_30

07-06-2006, 09:04 AM

Hmmm. What lmp said. As originally written, Tharonwe was sowing suspicion, which I think is more likely.

Judging the heart is a common theme in Tolkien, and both Arwen and Aragorn would see that Erebemlin and Taitheneb are elves who can be trusted. And one look at Tharonwe's heart would show otherwise. I doubt Tharonwe would open his mind at all; too risky; yet if he doesn't open his mind, he therefore arouses suspicion.

Perhaps Tharonwe might begin with something along the lines of, "The Marchwarden speaks of that which he knows and sees."

EDIT: Cross-posting with lmp's edit.

I do think humor between the king & queen would be subtle, perhaps the sparkle of an eye or the hint of a smile.

We know Aragorn did the contest-of-wills thing with adversaries (Mouth of Sauron comes to mind) and we know that Arwen watched over Aragorn from afar; so conversational osanwe is plausible between them. That they also spoke to one another is, I think, clear in the the appendices, at the very least the day they met. (Tinuviel!Tinuviel! ...Why do you call me by that name?)

(pov comment) Indeed, unless the narrator of the tale (I think we'd assume in this case Erebemlin or Taitheneb) were privy to the conversations, how would it make it into the book in the end? (a faux pas I've repeatedly committed, I must admit.)

I'll reread the post, and reconsider the subtlety issue. You might want to let the reader interpret some of what they might be telling each other by outward physical hints; glances, smiles, sparkling eyes... there's plenty of that in Tolkien, both in the ride back to Rivendell/Lorien, and in Rivendell itself (Arwen's piercing glance, etc.)

alaklondewen

07-06-2006, 09:26 AM

I've edited my post at Alak's request to include confrontation with Tharonwë.

There may have been a misunderstanding, so I apologize if it was my doing. I was not asking for direct confrontation to be written into the scene, but rather there was a statement written that had Tharonwë thinking that there was no way whatsoever he could even attempt Osonwë with Elessar. I was merely asking for room to be made for Tharonwë to attempt it based on PMs between lmp and I. (I didn't specify whether I meant the Osonwë would be attempted during current post or future, but I was hoping to get lmp in on the action.)

My apologies for the misunderstanding.

As to the Osonwë between Aragorn and Arwen, the way that Formy has written it, it appears that Arwen is using it and Aragorn is not...similar to the way the elves have communicated with Nethwador throughout the story. She is entering his mind and speaking and then reading the images there along with his facial expressions. I think the way it's written Aragorn is being read by his wife rather than sending his own thoughts and entering her mind. That's my impression, but I'm going to pull out my Appendices and see if anything is revealed.

EDIT - cross posted with Helen's edit.

I agree with your suggestions reagarding subtle glances and gestures. The subtle things within the story will be one of the things that keep the reader interested.

mark12_30

07-06-2006, 09:34 AM

Initial re-reactions with respect to Tharonwe's ploy--

Perhaps, instead of the attitude of cold command, Tharonwe might assume a humbly, gently submissive air, combined with a slight whiff of "injured victim whose plight would be misunderstood by these other elves who are unable to understand all that he has been through." (This is partly true, after all.)

If he can make it a sort of Maglor story-- I've been singing my grief to the river for so many centuries that I've gone moonstruck, sort of thing. While Tharonwe would not want to mention Amroth, nevertheless, having been exiled by a long-forgotten conflict over an unrequited love might, if played correctly, win him sympathy from Aragorn and Arwen-- as long as he doens't reveal the parties involved, and can justify his actions.

To pull that off, he'll have to work hard at a couple of things-- covering his own mean streak for one; and two, covering the details of the history he was involved in.

There's the rub; his actions were unreasonably nasty, and just really really hard to justify at all; there I draw a blank.

I guess the other choice is, to do a Morgoth-- lay low, look repentant, let himself be imprisoned in a "minimum security " area; and then work his osanwe on the guards, etc, and get out that way.

lmp?

mark12_30

07-06-2006, 09:37 AM

..... EN GUARDE!

Hee hee hee! :D

Formendacil, if your morale survives this maelstrom of opinions I'll be impressed! Don't take it personally...

Formendacil

07-06-2006, 01:44 PM

..... EN GUARDE!

Hee hee hee! :D

Formendacil, if your morale survives this maelstrom of opinions I'll be impressed! Don't take it personally...

My morale's fine... but my mind's slightly confused...

Assuming I make sense of all these suggestions... I'll go back in and re-edit somewhat again... although I'm well aware of the fact that I'll never please everybody. :p

Formendacil

07-06-2006, 03:20 PM

Okay, I've editted the post again. I do not think it smacks any more of confrontation, but more of Tharonwë trying to get on Aragorn's good side.

Assuming that the post is done... I think Erebemlin or Taitheneb needs to give Elessar a fuller account of matters in the swamp, eventually being coerced by Aragorn/Arwen to reveal the Amroth matter- at least, that's what Alak and I seemed to have agreed on.

During the course of that, Aragorn agrees to "hold Tharonwe without bail", so to speak, until the matter can be brought to a proper trial. Tharonwe's response, I presume, will be to appear to acquiese to this decision, with the full appearance of planning to acquit himself. He is thus rather rather underwatched when he makes his escape to pursue Amroth's company thereafter.

At least... that's the jist of what I understand comes next... but it's LMP or Alak's turn to post, so I'm not concerned overmuch.

Oh, and I rather like the constant refining of the post... makes for a much smoother end result. Although... since I've saved no copies... there's no going back if it worsens...

littlemanpoet

07-06-2006, 06:39 PM

Only in moments of greatest climactic import does the reader of LotR "hear" osanwë. The best example is on top of Amon Hen: "Fool! Take the Ring off!" Instead, as mark has suggested, it is most often described from the outside from the point of view of a Hobbit. Well, we have no Hobbits at our disposal in this tale, and only one Man, whose mind is an apparent battleground for osanwë. So maybe we need one of the humans present at this scene, to offer the thing from her(his) perspective?

Here's the heart of the niggle: it's easy to write words in dialogue form to represent osanwë ... too easy. I feel like we lose something in the gain of ease. Mystery, wonder. If we describe osanwë at one remove, I bet we come up with a more evocative tale.

Or maybe we just remind ourselves that this is an RP and not bog ourselves down with all that.... :rolleyes:

alaklondewen

07-06-2006, 07:00 PM

I can see what you are saying, lmp, so how does that effect the way we've written this story thus far? I know I have used the dialogue Osanwë many times with Erebemlin and Taitheneb, mostly when no other characters were present. I know these are not the only occasions when it was used. What do you suggest?

mark12_30

07-06-2006, 08:50 PM

Now I'm afraid to go back and look.... I suspect that I also have been guilty of blabber-osanwe. **blush**

littlemanpoet

07-07-2006, 03:28 AM

There's no point in going back and changing what has already been written .... except, perhaps, further revising Formy's post, if we feel up to it. :rolleyes:

Allow me to jump on the other side of the fence a moment: I love writing Tharonwe getting into the minds of others. But I notice that I do this in images at least, if not more than, words. Most of what passed between Raefindan and Tharonwe was verbal dialogue. I didn't make a conscious effort to avoid 'osanwë-blabber', but I guess it turns out that way.

So maybe one way of dealing with osanwë in a more creative manner, if deal we must, writing from the perspective of Elves as often as not, is to use a different sense than hearing. Imagine 'smelling' osanwë, or 'touching', or 'tasting'. I have no idea what that might be like as I haven't tried it, but I have tried 'seeing', and I liked what resulted. The 'other' senses would be good to thread into the rest of our writing as well, for that matter.

Oh, and on a completely different side-note: I have got to figure out a way to get Jorje back into this story. :(