Shadow of the West Discussion Thread

[Bêthberry]

Writers of the Mark and Gondorians, Fordim Hedgethistle invites you to join his game, Shadow of the West, a game of intrigue set in the Second Age and exploring the creation of the Nazgul.

Please read carefully and completely Fordim's comments here about the characters and about the style of gaming he wishes you to pursue. If you think this game is for you, take up the challenge he has thrown you and contact him.

Have fun! I know I will. :D

Title: Shadow of the West

Basic Storyline:

This game will span a year in the history of the eastern kingdom of Pashtia. In the year 2203 of what is known in the West as the Second Age, an emissary arrives from an unknown king who calls himself Annatar, the Lord of Gifts. The Emissary seeks an alliance with Pashtia and offers King Faroz the Lord Annatar?s aid against his enemies. As a token of his goodwill, the emissary has brought with him a golden ring crafted by the Lord Annatar himself, and imbued with magical powers?

The purpose of the story is to explore the creation of the Nazgûl and the struggle of a distant people against their enslavement by Sauron.

This means we will know the story is over when the King is either driven out of his kingdom by a coup, or he and his allies crush the resistance and bring the land under the dominion of the Dark Lord.

Starting Location: The royal palace in Kanak, capital city of Pashtia.

Likely destination: The same.

Timeframes:

i) This game takes place in the Second Age at around year 2203.

ii) The story itself or plot covers one year.

iii) This game requires a time commitment of three to six months from me, the game owner and from the major players.




Characters:

Main character types are?

The Royal Family

King Faroz: known as Khamûl, which means ?shining one,? he is the powerful ruler of Pashtia. Cunning and careful, Faroz?s principle concerng is protecting his kingdom from their enemies to the north in Alanzia and securing thereby his own glory and wealth. He is neither cruel nor merciless, but coldly, sometimes even brutally, rational in the exercise of royal power. He commands the respect and awe rather than the love of his people, but he is widely regarded within the kingdom as a wise and just ruler. He can be ruthless to his enemies, but with his allies he is open and true. Played by me, the Game Owner.

The Queen: the wife of Faroz was a princess of neighbouring Alanzia before she was married at a young age to secure the peace between the kingdoms. It has worked, so far, but precariously. Played by Bêthberry.

One Daughter: promised in marriage at birth to the male courtier (see below) with whom the King wished to form an alliance. Played by Aylwen.

One Son: younger than his sister.


Members of the Royal Court

One Lord: older than the King?s daughter, who has been promised to him in marriage (see above).

One Lady: a powerful person in her own right, with lands and position.

The general of the King?s Army: an Elf and one of the Avari. Played by Kransha.

The general's wife: Played by Alaklondewen..

The general's grown child: Avari; male or female

Two Priests:

? One male.
? One female. Played by Amanaduial the Archer.



Secondary character types likely are?

The Foreign Emissary

A Black Numenórean: this character?s destiny is to become the Witch-King of Angmar and the chief Nazgûl. At the time of the game, however, he is still a Man, but he is a willing ally of Sauron who has taken the first of the Nine Rings in the full knowledge of its power. He is a powerful king in the south of the Gondorian realms, and a sorcerer. He has come to Pashtia with the second of the Nine and a proposal of alliance with Sauron. Played by me, the Game Owner.

All players will have certain latitude in creating their own secondary characters, but these will have to be approved by me, the game owner, first.



Character types which would not belong are any not listed above.

The game owner will play King Faroz



The first post for the game:

The Emissary arrived at dawn, emerging from the shadows of the west like the return of a dream. He and his vanguard of fifty tall men were dressed in richly woven clothes of purple and black, and their great war-horses struck sparks from the cobbled way that led to the city. Their faces were fair, though deeply tanned by their passage of the Great Desert, and yet despite the weariness of their journey they were proud and stern in aspect. Their hair was dark but their eyes were startling shades of gray, even blue, and not the usual brown. Most surprising of all, their faces were smooth and closely shaved. To many who saw them, they appeared as the Avarin, but their countenances, which bore the marks of age and toil despite their great beauty, were clearly those of Men, and not of the immortal ones. They were strangely armed with long, straight swords at their sides. Their weapons were the result of great craft, but many a Pashtian wondered at how such a large and cumbersome weapon could be used it combat.

They passed first through the rich farmlands that lay upon the banks of the river. The morning sun leapt above the horizon, revealing the company to the labourers already hard at work in the fields of their employers, trying to gather in as much of the crop as they could before the sun gained the advantage of the day, dissolving it with a blank white heat. The dark men did not glance to either side as they rode past the farms, nor did they acknowledge the stares of those they passed. The road turned away from the river and they followed it up a slight incline as it brought them closer to the city walls. Farmlands gave way to rolling hills, richly clad with grasses and shrubs, and home to the country estates of the nobility. The large houses of brick glowed like burnished bronze in the rising sun, and their groves of grapes, olives and figs clustered thick about them. At this season, the houses were deserted by all save the groundskeepers and a few servants, who watched the company pass from the walls that rose about the estates. These people were used to the sight of richly appointed parties, but these people from the west were so strange that they could not help but stare in wonderment.

The walls of the city rose up in the near distance but the company rode on apparently undaunted. They passed through the great empty fields that had been cleared for the mustering of Pashtia?s army and cavalry, and if they were at all impressed by the twin statues of Rhais and Rae that rose above them upon either side of the road, they did not show it. When they reached the city walls the gates were opened for them without any command or word being spoken, and it became clear to those who watched from the ramparts that the company was expected. The horses? hooves clattered noisily upon the stones as they followed the road through the suburbs. Here the houses were small and closely built, but they were all of them clean and richly appointed. They were built in the manner of all Pashtian homes, of mud-bricks that had been fired to bronze-coloured strength. The homes presented to the street only blank walls with narrow windows, but as the company passed the tall gates of each home they could see that the houses all had large central courtyards, and that all the rooms of the home opened out onto covered walks that ran about the inside the building. As they pressed on into the city, the homes grew richer, and taller, and in the courtyards were fountains and pools, supplied by the great viaduct that they had seen at the waterfall more than three leagues distant.

The road passed through another wall, this one not as high as the great outer defense, but richly carved and draped with banners of silk. Within the ring of this wall were the markets and houses of trade. The goods of the Pashtians were laid out upon counters and tables, and could be glimpsed beyond the thick wooden doors of huge warehouses. There was a great press of people about although it was yet early morning, and in the many markets the company passed through there was a continual hum of business and industry.

At last, the road achieved the wall of the Palace. It was the first structure they had seen not made of brick, but of hewn stone. It sprang up before them and glowed pink in the sun, for it was made of marble that had been brought here over immeasurable distances centuries before. The gate that admitted them into the Palace grounds was made of steel, and upon it were many figures engraved of the Kings of Pashtia and their deeds. Within the walls of the palace, the sounds of the markets were stilled and replaced by the gentle trickle of falling water and the call of birds. It was like another world, a green world of immaculately tended trees and flowering shrubs. There were small shrines and statues scattered amongst the streams and copses, and occasionally small villas could be glimpsed behind vibrant walls of hedges. The scents of a thousand different plants filled the air. The road rose up a hill toward the palace. It looked, from the outside, like the homes they had passed earlier, only much larger. It glowed with the rich warm hue of the bricks, and its walls were smooth and unmarked. When they passed through the gates, however, they were given a glimpse of the huge courtyard around which the palace had been built. It was filled with gardens and pools of water even more miraculously elaborate than those they had seen, and in its center there rose a single tall column of black stone, smooth and featureless, but which shone as though it had been burnished with a cloth. Beside the column was a deep well, perfectly round and carved, it seemed from the living bedrock upon which the palace had been built.

They stopped at the end of the passage that led through this wing of the palace, and a single guard stepped forward. He raised his hand and spoke to them in the common tongue of the East, and was surprised when he received an answer from the tall man who rode at the head of the column in the same language.

?Your coming is known to my King and you are welcome,? the guard began ceremoniously. ?My King bids you appear before him and make the purpose of your journey known.?

?I thank your King for this greeting, and I will attend him.? The company dismounted and followed the guard through a door at the side of the passage. He led them into a large hall, lit by rows of windows high up in the walls, and filled with a press of people dressed in silks and cloths of many different bright colours. The crowd was silent and moved aside to allow the company of stern men to pass. At the end of the hall there rose a tall dais, upon which stood the King, clad simply in an orange robe of silk, and wearing his diadem of pounded silver. He was unarmed, but about the foot of the dais were ranged a hundred of his personal guard, their faces covered with the same scarlet cloth that draped them to their feet.

The company halted at the foot of the dais and the Emissary stepped forward. Looking up to where the King stood he addressed him in tones of practiced diplomacy. ?Hail and greetings to King Faroz of Pashtia from my Lord Annatar of the West! He sends you good will and friendship, and bids me ask if you are willing to exchange the like with him.?

A murmur ran through the crowd at the fair words and the noble manner in which they had been delivered. The King, however, appeared unmoved as he replied. ?The greetings are returned, but I am afraid that I know nothing of your lord. You have come a long way from across the Great Desert, through which few Pashtians dare now travel, for we have heard that the lands to the west have grown dangerous and that the kingdoms of that realm are in eternal conflict. We want no part of foreign wars.?

?It is true that in the past there were trials in my land,? the Emissary replied. ?But those troubles are behind us now. My Lord desires only peace and friendship with all the peoples of Middle-Earth, and to that end he has sent me into these distant lands to seek out both with our long separated kindred of men.?

The King paused in thought for a time before responding. ?You speak fairly, and I will consider the request for friendship, but does your lord ask only for that? You would not have come all this way merely to express tidings of good will.?

?You are wise and perceptive, King Faroz. I cannot deny that my Lord has given me two tasks of more specific import. He bid me say that if you are willing to accept his friendship, then might you consider alliance as well? My Lord is powerful in his lands, as you are in yours, and one can never have too many allies in an uncertain world.?

?Of this first matter, we will speak further. What of the second??

The Emissary drew forth from beneath his clothes a small black bag, from which he took out a gold ring. It was unmarked and plain, but there was upon it a small red stone that glittered in the light, and the gold itself shone. Many who beheld the ring felt that it was a thing of great worth, and longed to examine it more closely. The Emissary held the ring aloft. ?My Lord Annatar is known in the west as the Lord of Gifts. Let this be the first of the gifts that he will send as token of his friendship and alliance!?

The King came down the steps of the dais and took the ring from the Emissary. He held it in his palm for a moment and gazed at it in silence. It was a beautiful thing, perfectly round and unmarked. Its gem seemed to glow with a dull red light of its own. He resisted the urge to put it on immediately, for he did not wish to seem over eager in the eyes of his people. Looking up at the Emissary once more, the King thought for a fleeting moment that he caught a look of great cunning on the man?s fair face, but when he looked again there was only a noble mien of respect. Closing his hand about the ring, the King spoke so the court could hear. ?It is indeed a rich gift, and I will accept it. As to the offer of alliance, I will speak with you further about your Lord and take counsel with my nobles. For now, however, accept in return my own expressions of thanks and friendship.? The King?s eyes drifted back down to the hand in which he clutched the ring. ?It is indeed a rich gift,? he said as though to himself. ?A precious gift.?


Other information of special interest that you would like to include:

The Kingdom

Pashtia is in the far East of the world, upon the shores of the Eastern Sea. It is a desert country, crossed by three great rivers that converge near the ocean and form a large crescent of fertile land upon which has grown up a small but powerful civilization that has lasted for thousands of years. The people of Pashtia are refined and well educated, and consider themselves to be among the most civilized people in the world, and with good reason. Art, philosophy and the sciences are all highly developed, and Pasthtian artisans and teachers are in high demand throughout the East.

There is in the kingdom a large population of the Avari, Elves who did not go into the West when they were summoned by the Valar, and who have all but forgotten their western kindred. Never having met even one of the Noldor, the Avari are a much more ?quaint? and perhaps even rustic people. They are far more like men than their western cousins. They are a minority in the realm, but they are treated with guarded respect by the other Pashtians. At one time, in the distant past, the Avari were persecuted and feared, but for a thousand years they have been welcomed into human society.

To the north of Pashtia, across the Great Desert Ardûn, is the larger kingdom of Alanzia. For centuries these two rivals have glared jealously at one another across the sands that separate them. Their last war lasted nearly ten years and cost the lives of thousands upon both sides. It was finally ended when the Kings of Alanzia and Pashtia agreed to marry their children. So far, the peace has held, but the rivalry remains. The armies of Alanzia are larger, but the Pashtians are better trained and equipped, thanks in large part to the contributions made to their military by the Avari. In Alanzia, ?the immortal devils? as the Elves are called there, are forbidden, on pain of instant death.

The religion of Pashtia is based upon the worship of the earth goddess, a belief that has its roots in the myths of the Avari. Within the last few decades, there have been calls from some amongst the nobility to have the priests acknowledge the supremacy of Rea, the male sky god to whom they claim Rhais, the earth mother, is subordinate.

I have loosely based Pashtia upon ancient Parthia. I will encourage gamers to visit this web site to help them visualize the architecture, artifacts, costume and manners of Pashtia. The two primary differences between Pashtia and Parthia, are geographic size (Parthia was a huge empire, not a small kingdom) and religion.


Customs and Manners of Pashtia

Families live together in multi-generation houses built to accommodate them. The family lives together as a single unit without dividing into generations or groups. All meals are taken communally at a low table in the courtyard of the family home, around which all members of the household sit upon richly embroidered cushions. This is true of all classes and occupations, for although it is a socially divided and strictly hierarchical society, the upper echelons of the citizenry do not look down upon nor denigrate those below them. One?s position in society is simply a fact of their existence, and not a moral or societal judgement of one?s worth.

All Pashtians have dark hair, either black or dark brown, and while the occasional child is born with curls, most people?s hair grows straight. Their features are even and their skin brown. The men all wear beards, and no Pashtian woman is so without shame as to be seen outside her house without a scarf to cover her head. Men and women dress very much alike, in light trousers and shirts, with robes overtop of these. Most of the citizens of Pashtia wear finely spun white cotton that is soft but durable. The better off citizens prefer to drape themselves in brightly coloured silk. By and large the men do not wear ornaments, but take great delight in growing long beards which they will braid and adorn with gold wire. All Pashtian women wear bangles about their wrists. The poorest women use clay and glass, but those who can afford it prefer gold or silver.

Men are the workers and warriors of Pashtia, and the heads of their households, but they do not hold sway over their wives and daughters as dictators. Women have the right to refuse unwanted marriages, or to leave marriages that have become difficult. Women can inherit property and title from their husbands, but in the event of a parent?s death, all the wealth goes to the eldest male child. It is Pashtian law, however, that the son must honour the obligations of the father, and to provide for his mother, grandmothers, aunts or sisters.

Pashtian artisans are known throughout the East as the most talented craftsmen, capable of making things that are both useful and beautiful. The primary occupation of most Pashtians, however, is agriculture for the rivers that flow through their land make the land about them bountiful. The farms of Pashtia grow all manners of goods, most of which are converted into manufactured goods before being traded abroad. It is thanks to this trade that Pashtia has become over the centuries one of the wealthiest kingdoms in the East of Middle-earth.

Pashtian soldiers fight with light swords and daggers and go lightly armoured. Pashtia also boasts one of the finest cavalries in the known world, with horses and men so well-trained that many who see them in battle believe that man and beast are able to communicate with one another?s thoughts.



The Gamers

As this game will succeed or fail by the relationships that exist between the characters, I wish to use a graduated system of signing up players. In the first round, I will request only that interested players submit a basic description of their preferred character, without a bio or history. They will also be asked to address how their character feels about each of the following issues:

i) The King has been asked by several of his nobles to erect a new temple in the city to the honour of Rea. This party hopes that such a temple will help their cause to have the sky god worshipped above Rhais, the goddess of the earth.

ii) For the last few years there have been calls for a law that would limit the term of service of any Avari in a royal posting to ninety-nine years. There are many amongst the nobility who feel that too many of the highest positions in the kingdom are closed to humans by the immortals who currently occupy them. Does the player?s character think that such a law would be just?

iii) The King has yet to declare his heir. Does the player?s character think that it should be the King?s son, who is the younger child, or should the King choose his daughter, in which case the noble she is promised to in marriage will rule?

Once the roles are filled, I will then ask all gamers to indicate those other characters that their character will seek as allies, and those characters that they will see as foes. Obviously, there may need to be some co-ordination of these lists amongst the players.

The third and final round will be the submission of first posts.


A Note to All Gamers: Concerning Events in Pashtia

While I do have some specific plot points, gamers will be expected to move the plot along themselves. The development of the game should closely resemble the Green Dragon Inn and the White Horse Inn, where gamers interactively create a story rather than passively react to events as outlined for them by the game owner. Plot twists and new developments will not only be tolerated but actively encouraged. Gamers will be asked to use the Discussion Thread to discuss possible plot developments with one another: alternately, if a gamer would like to spring a surprise on everyone else, they can contact me via PM. It is my sincere hope that the intrigues and relationships in this game will become nothing less than Byzantine in their complexity. As a consequence, gamers will be allowed and expected to take the initiative in gameplay.
________

[Imladris]

Hey!

I wasn't going to play any in any more games....but...this looks too intriguing to resist.

That said I am interested in this role:

One Lady: a powerful person in her own right, with lands and position.

Lady Arshalous: tall, slender, black hair twined in intricate braids, can be described in one word: polemic. She has a rather....cynical view on life and has the attitude: Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die. She wears lots of jewelry (mainly bangles and arm bands), and paints her eyes with kohl.

The King has been asked by several of his nobles to erect a new temple in the city to the honour of Rhais. This party hopes that such a temple will help their cause to have the sky god worshipped above the goddess of the earth.

I'm sorry if I'm being dense, but I wonder if there might be a typo here for I don't understand how a temple in honour of Rhais, who, from what I understand, is the earth goddess, could help the supremecay of the sky god.

However, if the temple is built in honour of the earth mother, Arshalous is for it.

If the temple is in honour of the sky god, Arshalous opposes the building of it for one reason: Rhais is the earth mother...as such she should be treated with respect.

If she had her way, though, no new temple would be built at all...the god had been satisfied with no new temple before...if a new temple were built then it could be considered as flattery.

But she could see no reason for the supremecy of either. To her, they were like the flip sides of a coin: the world could not be without the other.

As a law limiting the years that an Avari could serve in the kingdom, she is inclined to believe that such a law is silly. Why bother with the fuss of choosing mortals who would only die, when the position could be provided by a wise immortal? The more often a glass was handled by different hands (some of which would not be gentle), the more quickly the glass will break. However, in the hands of few, the glass has a better chance of surviving. In her opinion, the same principle applies to the kingdom.

The heir should be the wiser child: if the younger son was wiser than the noble betrothed to the daughter, then so be it. If the betrothed husband was wiser than the son, then let the noble become the heir.

Cheers and thanks!
Imladris

[Amanaduial the archer]

I also said I would back off on the games for a while, but people keep bullying me with all these lovely looking game proposals. Stay away, ye tempters of RPG! ;) Not that I'm complaining...

Fordim, for some reason I am having some problems with the PMs at the moment - it's just my server, I suspect, it's being difficult with certain pages for no apparent reason. But I shall send my answers for the priestess to you as soon as possible :)

Later, yer majesty.

- Ax

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Goodness gracious me! What is that they say about the devil and details?!?!?

Good catch Imladris! To clarify:

The male sky god is Rea and the female earth goddess is Rhais. The temple that is being propsed would be to Rea (male sky) as there are nobles who wish to subordinate Rhais (female earth).

Perhaps Bb could edit the first post accordingly. . .? *inserting the imaginary "hopeful" smilie here*

To be clear, the question that I would like gamers to answer is:

The King has been asked by several of his nobles to erect a new temple in the city to the honour of Rea. This party hopes that such a temple will help their cause to have the sky god worshipped above Rhais, the goddess of the earth.

I've also caught a spelling error in the first post. There the male sky god is identified as "Rae", but it should be "Rea" (RAY-ah).

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Fordim, for some reason I am having some problems with the PMs at the moment - it's just my server, I suspect, it's being difficult with certain pages for no apparent reason. But I shall send my answers for the priestess to you as soon as possible :)

Could I ask that everyone post the answers to their questions here in the DT, as everyone else will need to see where the others stand.

Thanks.

[alaklondewen]

Here is a short description of the General's wife...

Arlomë is an Avari, a Dark Elf, who never saw the light of Aman. She is tall with a thin frame. Her black hair falls nearly to her waist and is kept in a single braid with three strands of gold wire twined throughout. Her sharp blue eyes can pierce many a heart and their intensity cause many to become uncomfortable when they are the target of her gaze.

Arlomë enjoys her position and takes her reputation seriously. She holds herself and her family to a high standard of decency, and she is proud of their status.

Arlomë identifies deeply with the femininity of the earth goddess, Rhais, and therefore refuses to accept Rea as supreme, although she does recognize him as a deity. Arlomë would be greatly concerned about the building of a temple to the sky god, and she would pray to Rhais for mercy on the kingdom.

The controversy of a limitation being placed on the Avaris’ service is a personal issue that the elf woman is passionate. Arlomë is fiercely loyal to her husband, and the idea of his service being limited infuriates her. She knows of the importance Morgos sees in his position, and she would not have it taken from him. The mortals should be thankful they have him to lead and would be hard-pressed to fight the Alanzians without him.

Arlomë cares little as to who the heir will be, although if her opinion was requested, she would simply reply that tradition should be upheld and King Faroz’s son is the rightful heir.

~*~*~
I must say I'm looking forward to this game, and I thank Fordim for giving me the opportunity to write this part.

[Firefoot]

Looks like a fun game - I'd be interested in playing the king's son.

Siamak is not very confident in himself, or very outspoken. He prefers to listen to others and keep his own opinion quiet. He tends to be kind-hearted, but he will do what he thinks is necessary in a given situation, and if that means lie, cheat, or steal, so be it. He is intelligent, and gives a lot of thought to things, not liking to make quick decisions. Average height, broad shoulders, black hair and a long beard with a few small braids twined with gold wire.

Siamak thinks it would be a wise idea to build a temple to the sky god Rea. He doesn't understand religious issues very well and is therefore rather afraid of the gods. Rea hasn't punished them yet for not giving him his due honor, but who's to say that he won't? He thinks the gods should be worshipped equally so that neither will be angered for not being honored properly.

Siamak feels that the most qualified individuals should hold positions in the army. If that is the Avari generals, then they should be allowed to keep their positions. However, if after 99 years a more qualified Pashtian who wants the position comes along, they should have it. Siamak wants the law to be passed with those provisions.

Siamak harbors hopes of being the king's heir, but he doesn't have enough confidence in himself to think that he will be. Whichever way the king decides, Siamak wishes that he would make up his mind soon so that he could feel secure in his own position. Siamak tries to remain in his father's good graces so that he might be named the heir.

~*~*~

Hope this works!

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

The Princess has arrived...

:D

Gjeelea (Jill-laya) is cunning, smart and quick thinking. She will be personable if the need arises, but sly and gossipy when it suits. Gjeelea holds strong, unchanging opinions on certain matters even if she does not know much about them – makes decisions only because she thinks she needs to. She is clever and sly, and likes to have her say in things. At times she can be witty, but more often Gjeelea can come off as brash and cheeky. The princess knows well the way people work, and how people act in certain situations, and can easily manipulate a conversation. She is good with words. Gjeelea hates having her long black hair in her face and keeps in back in a multitude of tiny braids. She is just short of average. Her big bones contrast a tenuous, gaunt build that stunts any physical grace.

1) She would feel that if men and women are equal in society then both the god and goddess could be worshipped with equal reverence. Gjeelea would support the building of a temple, but not with the purpose to ‘overshadow’ Rhais.

2) Gjeelea would wonder why they do not have such high positions be given for certain terms of years, regardless of race.

3) The princess would prefer having her betrothed rule (even regardless of personality/manners/ etc.), for it would give her more input and say into how things are done within Pashtia when her husband becomes the king. Ultimately, Gjeelea would rather have her say in matters of state than have her little brother making all the decisions. However, in public she most certainly supports her brother.

-Aylwen

[Kransha]

Huzzah! Hooray! Hosanna! Hooplah! Halitosis!
The thread, she is open! Long have I awaited this...
Here, friends, O-mans, and countrymen, is my 'profile' (note the semi-quotation marks, peoples), for the Elven General of Pashtia

_______________________________

Morgôs (his Pashtian name, pron. MOR-gōs) - called Elrigon by family and other Avari (Avarin name, meaning “Star-Crowned Man” from Primitive Elvish, pron. EL-rig'on) - is an Avari, considered the mightiest general of Pashtia. Many say that he is, in fact, the greatest commander to ever lead an army in the east...

Morgôs, like all of his kind, is great in stature and fair to look upon, though he is less so than many of his kin because of his age. His face holds a pale, whitened complexion, framed by long and silky raven hair, braided and tasseled with silver filaments. His eyes are grayer than they are blue, dusky, and always murky and vague, like a slowly whirling eddy encompassed in each orb. Many who see him claim that it is near impossible to tell where his gaze has settled, because of the mistiness of the eyes and their nature, flashing like white flames, glistening like radiant stars. Morgôs’ sharp, chiseled features have dulled over the years, and the first meager signs of age have marred his Elven beauty. He is not muscular, but instead is slender and quick, though not extraordinarily nimble or sprightly. He rarely runs, and his manner is very slow and collected, so he is not thought of as swift, but his presence is often considered imposing purely because of his reputation.

He bears a regal air, one possessed by only the noblest of men and Elves. His gait is stately, as are his mannerisms, and his class and gentility are renowned, though such qualities virtually evaporate during combat. He is stern, often, but is jovial when it is appropriate to be so. He carries himself in a commanding fashion, and his voice of gruff and loud, with barely any residual Elven melody left in it. He is ever polite and sophisticated, thought to be the last of a dying breed in Pashtia, but his is far from perfect. He is ruthless and without mercy whenever his orders require such feelings. He has no qualms about war, or killing, as his years of subjugation and warfare have desensitized him to bloodshed in all its forms. He is capable of compassion, but only for his family, and sometimes his King. His own people are no longer favored by him, as he has placed service to the throne and desire for power above all else. He does not hesitate to follow royal orders, nor does he question them except under the most extreme conditions.

Once, long ago, when the Avari Elves were in the thrall of eastern men, he was more righteous, rebellious, and vigorous. Now, his methods are more tactful. His former thunderous luster is now lost to the royal court, but is retained on the battlefield. Morgôs is infamous for his ‘furies,’ as his semi-psychotic combat spasms were dubbed by some soldiers beneath him. He has been known to (only in direct, face-to-face combat, and rarely even under those circumstances) nearly lose grasp of reality, and berate the very borders of sanity with his incendiary anger and warrior’s rages. Strangely, he remains fully in control of his faculties during these bouts, and fights with dignified grace, and a simple Elvish temperament, but his vision of morality and soldiery ethics are blurred, causing him to become overly ferocious, and nearly unstoppable. He never loses his composure off of the battlefield, though. When given an objective, Morgôs pursues the ends doggedly and without relent. His view on achieving such ends is that all means used to obtain them are fully justified, which has led him to commit great atrocities against the Alanzian troops in the last war. He is not easily manipulated, merely loyal to a fault. His one weakness is that loyalty, which is so unflinching that it could easily result in something truly horrible. Morgôs is mightily ambitious, and lets nothing stand in his way.

i) The King has been asked by several of his nobles to erect a new temple in the city to the honour of Rhais. This party hopes that such a temple will help their cause to have the sky god worshipped above the goddess of the earth. Does the player’s character support or oppose the construction of the new temple?

Morgôs opposes the building of the new temple, but not greatly. As someone who’s only memories contain faith in Rea and Rhais, and the roots of both their worshipping, Morgôs is against any change, in favor or against his kindred who might disagree, and the two deities. He is dutifully accustomed to his routine and his station in life. He is, though, more an advocate of Rea, since he has his own link to the sky, as far as his beliefs go, and identifies with Rea. Of course, he finds that deity equality is best. His position of power might be compromised by a national transferal of faith, suddenly. Morgôs has never been very religious, as a military leader cannot afford to end up supporting a belief that has become dated or impolitic. Whenever approached about his opinion, he feigns objectivity, but has slipped enough visible messages on the matter to make clear his position. He is generally behind King Faroz in his actions, and will support what he supports, regardless of his own beliefs. If the King ever changes his position, chances are, Morgôs will as well. He has always been known for his staunch and sometimes violent support of royal actions, primarily because of his desire to remain close to King Faroz on the political spectrum.

ii) For the last few years there have been calls for a law that would limit the term of service of any Avari in a royal posting to ninety-nine years. There are many amongst the nobility who feel that too many of the highest positions in the kingdom are closed to humans by the immortals who currently occupy them. Does the player’s character think that such a law would be just?

Morgôs is completely against such a law, for obvious reasons. He has served in a royal post for hundreds of years, and such a law would force him to immediately relinquish his position. Ever since his days as a volatile activist for Avari rights, Morgôs has been opposed to the idea that Avari deserve less than their fair share. Though many Pashtians believe that the Avari receive that share, Morgôs still yearns for more, but no longer for his people, simply for himself. A law like this would severely impede the progress of the Avari towards further power in the Pashtian government and limit Morgos' power drastically. Morgôs is prepared to defend this position as long as the matter is discussed, and plans to use his control of the Pashtian military as a defining factor in the final decision if things get out of hand.

iii) The King has yet to declare his heir. Does the player’s character think that it should be the King’s son, who is the younger child, or should the King choose his daughter, in which case the noble she is promised to in marriage will rule?

Publicly, Morgôs is supports the younger son, because the law of Pashtia clearly states what should occur in such a situation. Morgôs, though not in complete support of Pashtian law, extols its virtues constantly in an attempt to keep himself from falling out of political favor. Privately, he is also for the son. Even though he values the experience that comes with age, both the King's daughter and the lord she is betrothed to are dissolute, in his opinion. Either way, he plans to support the son fervently, unless he is ‘swayed’ by the other party. Secretly, he hopes to secrete a political alliance between himself and the Prince, affiliation and support in exchange for furthering of his own career. Despite his endorsement of current law, as long as Morgôs remains in power and prospering, he doesn’t care what minor or major amendments are made to it. The King can’t live forever, and neither can his ways…Morgôs, on the other hand, can.

___________________________________

Master Fordim, O Lord, King, Ruler, and Etcetera, I hope this is all good. I look forward to the beginning of the game - a lot. I know my 'basic description' is too long, but I have neither the time nor the proper number of primates to pruduce anything *terse*.

[Bêthberry]

A couple of points:

posted by Fordim:

Perhaps Bb could edit the first post accordingly. . .? *inserting the imaginary "hopeful" smilie here*

To be clear, the question that I would like gamers to answer is:

The King has been asked by several of his nobles to erect a new temple in the city to the honour of Rea. This party hopes that such a temple will help their cause to have the sky god worshipped above Rhais, the goddess of the earth.

I've also caught a spelling error in the first post. There the male sky god is identified as "Rae", but it should be "Rea" (RAY-ah).

I have made the correction to the question here, for the benefit of potential gamers, Fordim, but I will let you make any changes to the first post when you open the game thread.

Yes, that's right, Writers of the Mark. Game founders in Rohan can start the game thread, once they are satisfied everyone is ready to start the game.

On to the other point:

posted by Fordim:
While I do have some specific plot points, gamers will be expected to move the plot along themselves. The development of the game should closely resemble the Green Dragon Inn and the White Horse Inn, where gamers interactively create a story rather than passively react to events as outlined for them by the game owner. Plot twists and new developments will not only be tolerated but actively encouraged. Gamers will be asked to use the Discussion Thread to discuss possible plot developments with one another: alternately, if a gamer would like to spring a surprise on everyone else, they can contact me via PM. It is my sincere hope that the intrigues and relationships in this game will become nothing less than Byzantine in their complexity. As a consequence, gamers will be allowed and expected to take the initiative in gameplay.

I want to support Fordim's point here and encourage you all to take him up on his offer. Byzantine but of course not labyrinthian--unless of course gamers all follow Ariadne's thread. ;)

As Fordim says, this game will live or die upon the quality of the interactions between the game players. He has specifically designed the game to allow for this and to be an intermediate level, Rohan game and I am very excited by this possibility. This is different from the kind of organising principle which the first level gaming forum, The Shire, quite rightly uses, where the game founder identifies the plot developments and the gamers simply respond to them.

Rohan gamers, however, are experienced gamers who understand plotting, character development, and interactive writing. They thus have earned more independence and responsibility--and are expected to demonstrate both. They are expected to recognise the stages and nuances of rising and falling action, helping to build up suspense or the drama of particular events as well as develope complexities of characterisation and interactions.

Gamers for "Shadow of the West" thus are expected to read closely the game posts, to attend to the cues and hooks and ideas written into the posts, and to respond to them in their own posts rather than through elaborate talk about the posts in the discussion thread (although of course such talk will still occur when the need arises, rather than routinely). This game is not like a piece of modern art, which appears meaningless or confusing without the the artist's verbal explanation. Like a good short story, it should incorporate its own meaning within itself and even the unexpected plot twists (which of course will be discussed with Fordim via PM or on the discussion thread with each other) will not be random events but will have some groundwork laid within the game itself. Reading back, we should be able to say, 'Oh, of course, why didn't I see that?' But of course, if we had, that would also defeat the fun!

In short, look to the posts! Read well and write wisely, as of course you all know how to do.

Now, to change hats and get my character's responses to Fordim's issues...

[Bêthberry]

Indeed, a superb idea, Fordim, to borrow Piosenniel's method. I hope you will continue her wise ways. In keeping with your wishes to avoid a bio or history now, I offer these responses of the Queen to your issues.

Queen Bekah, once Princess Bekah of Alanzia, and now known also as "Mayiam, "Lady of Cool Water", is the quietly competent consort of King Faroz. She arrived in Pashia as a young adolescent as part of a dynastic marriage intended to secure peace between her country and Pashia. She faced considerable hostility and mistrust upon her arrival and has worked assiduously to earn the trust and respect of the Pastians without being seen as a traitor to Alanzia. To this end, she has not courted issues of power and politics and has instead sought to identify herself with social and cultural issues, focusing upon her role as mother and the higher issues of statehood and just order. To this end, she has educated her children thoroughly in the culture of both Pashtia and Alanzia, drawn around her a small retinue of people from both countries and many ranks; she has been mainly responsible for helping to establish trade between the two countries. She has wisely not displayed her personal feelings but has always been guided by the question of what is best for continued peace, which she sees as proceeding from a strong central monarchy.

Her response to these three issues is based upon that main criterion: what will ensure the greater good and a strong monarch. :D

May the Queen humbly ask where the King stands in relation to these questions or is that part of secret game strategy?

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Ah, the appeal of royal priviledge.

Unlike my. . .er. . .Faroz's subjects, the King gets to remain silent on these issues until such time as he has decided them. Suffice to say that his decisions will be made based upon what his subjects have to say on the matter.

Of course, as he becomes more and more drawn by the Ring, who knows what that might do to his decision making abilities. . .? *insert ominous music here*

Sudden Note

Which reminds me! In the highly enjoyable Bloodstained Elanor there was some heated discussion relatively early on about appropriate theme music for the game. The final determination (for myself at least) was the big heroic battle/theme from Gladiator which I hummed to myself obsessively as I wrote and/or thought about the epic battle sequences that I indulged myself in during that game.

So I must ask -- what should the theme music be for Shadow of the West? I myself am a bit partial to the more eastern-inspired music of Loreena McKennit's latest CDs. Moody, etheral, but with some nice earthy/folksy/roots-music bases to keep them steadied, It's kind of like the more new agey stuff of Enya but much more energetic and historical-sounding.

[Nurumaiel]

Like many others, I didn't want to play in another game, but when it came to this game, I really, sincerely, desperately wanted to. So may I introduce a likeable ( :rolleyes: ) fellow:

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

Korak is a lord with great wealthy and little brain. That is to say, while he isn't out and out stupid, he doesn't care to use the intelligence he's been given, but prefers all things to be handled in a manner which uses physichal strength, not mental strength. It's a bit contrary to the general idea of his people, his disregard for intellect, for cultivation of the mind and of skills, but he doesn't care. In fact, you may say he doesn't have enough intelligence to notice that he's very much different. He harbours no feelings of love for the princess he intends to marry, and is only interested in her for the sake of alliances and for the sake of having an 'heir,' so to speak, to inherit his wealth and lands, whether it be his wife or a son. A very brief description of his outward appearance would be that he has semi-long hair of a dark colour that is braided, and his long beard is also braided. His skin is a rich brown, and likewise his eyes. He shows no outward sign of his 'stupidity.' It must be carefully noted, by the way, that Korak is not completely dense, but he is not completely intelligent, either, and he holds muscle over mind.

i) The King has been asked by several of his nobles to erect a new temple in the city to the honour of Rhais. This party hopes that such a temple will help their cause to have the sky god worshipped above the goddess of the earth. Does the player?s character support or oppose the construction of the new temple?

Korak is for the building of the new temple. He feels that a woman's place is that of wife and mother, and that a woman should not hold a position of power, even if it's a goddess concerned. Promoted worship of the sky god, he is sure, will 'put women in their proper place.' It's unlikely that Korak is one of the nobles that came up with the idea, for he wouldn't be really able to think of such a thing, but he probably was one of the nobles who petitioned to the King.

ii) For the last few years there have been calls for a law that would limit the term of service of any Avari in a royal posting to ninety-nine years. There are many amongst the nobility who feel that too many of the highest positions in the kingdom are closed to humans by the immortals who currently occupy them. Does the player?s character think that such a law would be just?

Short and simple, Korak doesn't care, because he's more than a little ignorant of the calls for such a law. If he was fully aware of it, he still wouldn't care, as long as it didn't hurt him.

iii) The King has yet to declare his heir. Does the player?s character think that it should be the King?s son, who is the younger child, or should the King choose his daughter, in which case the noble she is promised to in marriage will rule?

Naturally Korak wants the daughter to be heir. After all, he's going to marry her. Need more be said?

In short Korak is very handsome, a little dense, a bit of a brute, and rather power hungry.

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

I'm all for Loreena McKennitt, Fordim, though I've got only one CD of hers. (*slaps forehead* Why didn't I listen to her while I was writing out this 'bio?')

EDIT: Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention: this blighter here is that one lord that was still available. :)

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Having learned from the master herself, I want here to lay out, in full piosenniel fashion, an updated list of characters:

The Royal Family

King Faroz (FAR-osz): Fordim Hedgethistle

Queen Bekah: Bêthberry

Princess Gjeelea (Jill-laya): Aylwen

Prince Siamak: Firefoot


Members of the Royal Court (human)

The Lord Korak: Nurumaiel

The Lady Arshalous: Imladris


Members of the Royal Court (an Avari family)

General Morgôs (Elrigon): Kransha

Arlomë: Alaklondewen

Their grown child, male or female


Priests

One male

One female: Amanaduial the Archer


Still needed:


Members of the Royal Court (an Avari family)

Their grown child, male or female


Priests

One male



OK -- so that's two votes for McKennit. :smokin:

[Kransha]

Fordim, put me down for Loreena McKennit as well. I'd say those tones have the proper 'foreign' feel, so that we do not become grounded in Howard Shore's ever familiar canon-musicality. We're doing a different thing, a different beat, and we need a different tune to carry us along.

But, might I also suggest a mere sprinkling of Bizet, for the more exciting and lively moments, and a tempermental douse of Rimsky-Korskov for the...umm...exoticism?

My 2 kopeks, take and/or leave, as you will.

P.S. Each day my patience thins as to the beginning of this game. T'would be best, Mighty Fordim, to be apt and swift with thy arrangements - if thou knowest what my meaning is (I shan't be a-wanting to send you the way of Rosenkranz and Guildenstern).[/bad-shakespearean-english]

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Oh, Nuru! :eek:

Hmmmm *evil grin* This will indeed get quite interesting! Two power-hungry people...where will it lead?

I admit to not knowing much about Loreena McKennit. The only song I've heard from her was her rendition of "Highwayman" but that was back in 7th grade when we were reading the poem. :(

I guess my vote goes for McKennit, though, since everyone else is voting for her. :D

-Aylwen

[Nurumaiel]

Thank you kindly, Fordim, for accepting my character.

Personally, Aylwen, I wouldn't marry such a man as my character is, so I hope your own character differs enough from me that she'll continue to have at least some reason to marry him! He had to be handsome, for your (character's) sake. :D

While looking over the list of current players, I'm thrilled to see that I 'know' all of you at least a little bit. It makes me feel quite at home.

And, before I skip away, let me say, as Kransha did, that I'm more than eager for the game to begin, especially when I reflect on what a stunning cast of players I see thus far!

[Beserker_Warrior]

This game seems interesting, sooo. I'd like to play the male preist if he's still up for grabs.


Krishnal is tall and looks somewhat middle eastern. He seems to always be wrapped in shadow. He is a secretive supporter of Sauron and is waitning for the right moment to declare his allegiance. He is a priest of the sky goddess and is in favor of no laws that aren't his own.

[Bêthberry]

Beserker_Warrior,

Thank you for your interest in this game. However, you are not eligible to join it. Only gamers on the list of Rohan Game Players or Game Founders may join this game, or those on the Gondorian list. The Rohan list can be found in The Golden Hall, where the rules for gaming at the Barrow Downs are also found.

Please visit the Green Dragon in The Shire and apply to join some Shire games. That way you can become acquainted with the Barrow Downs style and standards for for gaming and can therebye earn your way into Rohan. You should also read The Redbook of Westmarch thread, also in The Shire forum.

Bêthberry,
Moderator for Rohan

[Nurumaiel]

I was (getting ahead of myself and) thinking about what kind of first post I could do, and I found to my horror that, while I know my character fairly well, I don't know his situation in life. The Customs and Manners from the proposal clears up all the basics, but I have one or two (or a few) questions.

Considering that this Lord I play (and also the Lady that Imladris will play) has wealth and some lands, how would his situation differ from other people? Would he simply have wealth and lands, and maybe a bigger house? Or would there be more, such as some sort of plantation or something? Would he actually be somewhat similar to lords of long ago, and possess his own little 'kingdom,' even if the King were the ultimate ruler? Would he have 'servants,' of a sort at least? Would he, being a man, actually work, or would he, being a wealthy man, be able to stay about at home and sit on his richly-coloured cushions all day, or maybe ride about on his fine steed? Also I gather that his parents, if living, would live in the same home as he?

That's all!

For now... *mad laughter, and a swirl of the Black Cloak I have donned in honour of my Deathday*

[Imladris]

*echoes Nuru's questions*

Also, this might sound a bit silly, but would/should Arshalous and Korak be related in some way?

As I said, it is a silly question, but it's been bugging me for a while...

[Orofaniel]

Still needed:


Members of the Royal Court (an Avari family)

Their grown child, male or female


I'd be interested in playing that character, if you still need it. Let me put up a description right away. Is it alright? :)

[Kransha]

Ai! Ai!

I have doscovered some positively glaring inaccuracies in my description of Morgôs! They are now corrected, but I suggest that, to those who it may seem relevant to, check the description again, for it has certainly been altered in several respects (I, like others, got the two Pasthian deities mixed up, which I didn't realize at the time). I changed the answers to 2 of the three questions posed.
-Morgôs is in full support of the King's son to be the next monarch. (*See original post for details)
-Morgôs is about half opposed to the building of a temple to Rea. (*same)

I am still looking forward, and upward, and etcetera, if that is a direction at all. So far, it seemed as if the only characters in the game would be those who are in general agreement with Morgôs about the three issues, but, lo and behold, a few dissidents have come. I see a lot of powerful people in the stands this fair eve, but, I...err, Morgôs, has the army of Pashtia situated neatly behind him, with King Faroz's standard borne over him, of course. Don't make me go Sulla on all y'all, ya hear? ;)

P.S. Some of you may have noticed a strange name being used in my original post as well. That was Morgôs' 'preliminary' name, before I thought of the name Morgôs. When I typed all that up, I had the old name in each space, rather than the actual one that is currently in use.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Wow -- I go into a committee meeting for an afternoon and this place goes nuts in my absence!

To answer the various questions:

Nuru and Imladris: I have imagined these members of the nobiilty as being extremely powerful members of the royal court: that is, they have large amounts of property and control a vast amount of wealth. This is a feudal society, so they will have armed soldiers and cavalry of their own, but these troops will, of of course, be part of the king's army and under royal control. Think of your characters as the "colonel's" of your soldiers with the King and his general (Kransha's character) as the, well, generals.

Given that they have wealth, armed men and land, they have political power. Their opinion has real weight and they know this. Depending on where everyone lives, the two analogies that work best I think are that these nobles are powerful Senators to the King's President, or front bench cabinet ministers to the King's Prime Minister. A Middle-earth analogy would be that these nobles are like Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth, or Erkenbrand of the Westfold.

As to their families, living arrangments, and day to day lives, I leave those entirely up to you.

Imladris: not a silly question at all! Again, I leave it to you guys to decide if they are related -- but if you want my opinion ;) I would think that it might add to the drama of the story if they were related, but not on very good terms. . .

Orofaniel: not too late at all. Put up the description at your convenience.

[Imladris]

Thanks for answering our questions!

but if you want my opinion I would think that it might add to the drama of the story if they were related, but not on very good terms. . .

My thoughts exactly...the reason I asked was because I wasn't sure if it was our preference or what...

What d'ya say, Nuru?

[Nurumaiel]

Thank you, Fordim, for the answers! Would living arrangements, which is up to us, include the choice of giving them servants or not giving them servants? I'm not quite sure if that would be too oppressive, considering that the people have a fairly open mind to equality. Or, at least so I gathered from the first post... they aren't exactly tyrannical fellows.

Imladris, if some sort of relationship between the Lord and Lady would create conflict and increase intrigue, then let them be related! As you were the one who originally posed the question (in oppose to me): did you have anything particular in mind?

Their opinion has real weight and they know this.

One of the only things that Lord Korak really does know.

I was just thinking: Imagine, if you will, the Sir Percy of the earlier chapters of The Scarlet Pimpernel... but this Lord Korak is Sir Percy's evil twin... stupid, yes, good-hearted, no. I mainly wrote what I just did in this paragraph to serve as a refresher for my own mind, so I might stick to the basic essence of Korak's character even if he changes a little bit in the course of the story.

[Imladris]

did you have anything particular in mind?

Well....I was thinking more or less cousins...with Korak extremely annoyed that she's not supporting him openly. Or would that be out of character?

[Novnarwen]

Hi! This looks great: the game itself and the characters so far!! :-D

Applying for male priest:

His name is Tarkan. (It’s a Turkish name, but your descriptions reminded me so much of middle-east/Asian (Turkey, being half European and half Asian) culture and society that I hope a Turkish name will do. If not, I’ll edit.)

He is a very skinny man. He has long arms and legs; he's tall like a tree. He has greasy, black hair, which reaches him to the lower half of his back. Sometimes he binds in into one single plait. Turkan’s face bears some very unusual features. He has large, dark rings under his black-grey eyes. His hooked nose is long, and ends with a huge tip and two big holes: his nostrils. He's quite pale, which gives him the look of being seriously ill at all times. In addition to this, his face bears features of the feminine kind; the high cheek bones, the smooth skin and the thin blood-red lips. But even though he might appear feminine, he is a true man in heart. ( :p ) He is the King's half-brother, and nothing tempts him more than power; the throne. He wants it, and he wants it badly.

The King has been asked by several of his nobles to erect a new temple in the city to the honour of Rea. This party hopes that such a temple will help their cause to have the sky god worshipped above Rhais, the goddess of the earth.

As a Priest, he is very religious, but he has always favoured Rea over Rhais. Naturally, he would be delighted if the King would build a new temple; even more so, if he was to be the upper priest in the temple. Since Tarkan has lost faith in the goddess of earth, Rhais, this new temple would be a good opportunity for him to get Rea's aid in achieving his goals...

ii) For the last few years there have been calls for a law that would limit the term of service of any Avari in a royal posting to ninety-nine years. There are many amongst the nobility who feel that too many of the highest positions in the kingdom are closed to humans by the immortals who currently occupy them. Does the player?s character think that such a law would be just?

He does not support such a law. Men are weak, Avaris are not. As simple as that..

iii) The King has yet to declare his heir. Does the player?s character think that it should be the King?s son, who is the younger child, or should the King choose his daughter, in which case the noble she is promised to in marriage will rule?

King Faroz heir will certainly not be the son, Tarkan will see to that. He wants the King to announce the daughter (if not himself.. ;)) to be his heir, so that the man she marries will be set to rule. Tarkan has himself grown quite fond of the little princess, and in the sick mind of his, he is planning to marry her, hopefully with the King’s support...

**

I hope this lil' weirdo is sick enough for you, Fordim. :D Hehe. Nah, joking. I hope he will do. I already have quite a few plans for this man, which I hopefully will get the opportunity to add later on.

Cheers,
Nova

[Bêthberry]

The Queen humbly wishes to pose another question of his August Majesty... Oh, wait, the game has not started.

Fordim, all your characters here are Pastians, except for the Emissary of course. It is possible to suggest minor or cameo roles for characters in Alanzia? Or should this be handled a secondary characters which one of us can do?

I am thinking particularly of the half-brother of Queen Bekah who rules Alanzia now. But I also have some traders and merchants in mind, who travel between the two countries establishing trade. So far, this game is very top heavy, with members of the aristocracy. Can we widen the social base a bit? I see Alanzia as a less stratified country socially, where merchants are not viewed as socially inferior. Should I make up brief descriptions for them and "advertise" for gamers? Or would that open up too many Byzantine prospects? I am willing to 'carry' these characters should you prefer that route.

I have other secondary characters also, such as servants, who will appear in my posts from time to time.

I would like to offer a place in the Queen's retinue to Alak's Arlomë, if such is acceptable to Alak's plans.

And might I suggest something to Aylwen? I imagine there is some very natural antagonism between Bekah and her daughter, as is usual during the teen years when a daughter is establishing herself as an adult and wanting to move beyond the mother's sphere. This need not be a political dispute but for the time simply a personal state in their relationship. Does this make any sense to you?

Right now, my ideas for the 'retinue' are simply to have a group of people, it could be just women, or it could include men, who weave tapistries. These and carpets are one of the prime commodities being traded between the two countries, althought spices, wheat, sugar beets and jewellry are also traded.

Not that I want to bring Alanzia so prominently into the game. Well, maybe I do. Just to give Fordim some things to think about so he can enjoy his role as Game Founder. :)

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Nova: my likey. So slimy and rotten -- Tarkan will certainly add something to the game. I imagine, given your description of him however, that Faroz is not terribly fond of this half-brother. Still, filial duty is important to the King. . .

Bethberry: now why do you want to go and give a poor old GO like me a headache? :p But to address your query.

Everyone in the game has a lot of latitude in creating secondary characters -- we will have to since, as you point out, this is an 'aristocratic' game and we will need servants, soldiers, attendants etc etc etc. All I ask is that everyone try to keep it from getting out of hand. I am not terribly fond of the idea of introducing player-characters for Alanzia. I have played in a couple games with different 'groups' or 'plots' and while they were interesting there were problems with co-ordinating them; some plots would go sterile waiting for others to catch up. I really do want to keep the game focused on Pashtia.

There are also some plot points coming along that might make Alanzian player-characters a bit problematic. . . (first hint)

All that having been said -- if an approved gamer wants to introduce a cameo character for brief time, and have that character written by someone else, then I suppose I won't have a problem with that. Obviously, I would want to be in on the decision however!

[Kransha]

Ooh, my semi-hemi-demi-Elven neck hairs are positively erect in anticipation!

I really have nothing to say, except that, I believe this is going to be an award-winning game in every respect, considering the almightiness of the Owner, the comprehensive ideas, and the cast so far. If ever it is finished, nay, begun, it shall most likely be worthy of the Tolkienion Medal of Honor. Such a delving into one of Tolkien's undiscussed aspects has not been, I daresay, successfully attempted before, save in a few instances. So, in short, I can't wait.

Alak, if I may insert an opinion, if you are not already going to take up Bêthberry's proposal and offer, I suggest that such a developement might be very interesting. Morgôs, as an Avari General and a Elf who's warred with Alanzia for centuries, is not entirely trusting of Queen Bekah, and bears a deep resentment against King Faroz for marrying an Alanzian for political reasons. If, by some courtly quirk, Morgôs' own spouse was part of the Queen's entourage...well, I believe you get the idea (consults nearest copy of Suetonius' The Twelve Caesars to get into politcal mood).

Fordim: If we have, as you said, the latitude to creat secondary, assisting characters, I assume that I have some leeway to create a few ideosynchratic officers to clutter up the ranks of the Pashtian army, yes? I can run a few ideas by you when they are prepared. Ought the higher echelons of the Pashtian military be Avari or mortal, by the way?

[alaklondewen]

Kransha, thank you for your input as it saves me time requesting it. ;) I actually agree that it would add some intrigue into the relationship.

Bb, I would like to know a bit more about what Arlomë's role would be. Is this something of a day job of weaving? What would be her relationship (and possibly, duty) to the Queen? Any clarification would be help my decision.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

OK -- updating again.

All the parts are now filled, but we are still waiting on character information from Orofaniel and Aman.

Gentle Nudge, Gentle Nudge.

Here is my tentative plan for getting the game going.

I will be very busy with RL for the next few days, so Oro and Aman will have that time to get their characters ready. The rest of you can use that time to figure out the kinds of questions about relationships between the characters that you are pursuing with such wonderful energy.

On Wednesday morning I will put up a post here on the DT in which I will cover some important issues about beginning the game, etc. Essentially, last minute housekeeping. I will also open the Game Thread with the first post. Please watch for the DT post and read it first before posting to the game.

Just to give you all a heads up, however: the game will begin at a formal dinner in honour of the Emissary's arrival. Everyone is there, it is night, and they are eating. There are a large number of smaller tables scattered about the room where people can eat or sit and talk with whomever they want, so feel free to 'mingle' -- just imagine it as a version of one of the Inns, and game away.

I'll have more on this for Wednesday, but in case you wanted to start thinking about your first posts I thought I'd give this out now. The first posts should probabaly begin with everyone entering the large formal dining hall from the central garden where they've been listening to a singer. Who will your character sit with and talk to? How does he or she react to the Emissary? etc etc etc.

The King will be in the hall already, sitting before one of the low tables with the Emissary. You can sit with him or not, as you wish.

The Royal Family

King Faroz (FAR-osz): Fordim Hedgethistle

Queen Bekah: Bêthberry

Princess Gjeelea (Jill-laya): Aylwen

Prince Siamak: Firefoot


Members of the Royal Court (human)

The Lord Korak: Nurumaiel

The Lady Arshalous: Imladris


Members of the Royal Court (an Avari family)

General Morgôs (Elrigon): Kransha

Arlomë: Alaklondewen

Their grown child, male or female: Orofaniel


Priests

Tarkan (half-brother to the King): Novnarwen

One female: Amanaduial the Archer

[Nurumaiel]

Ooooooooh....

I can't tell you how thrilled I am with the way the game looks (at least for my character). With Imladris' Lady Arshalous, a relation, and Novnarwen's Tarkan, a rival for the princess' hand, Korak is going to have plenty of reason to throw goblets at his servants and stalk up and down his room, growling and snarling in frustration. :D

How beautiful is conflict.

Fordim, I shall probably want to introduce at least one cameo character: Lord Korak's chief man... the fellow he throws goblets at. :D

[astarielle]

pants! i meant to right a bio etc a couple of nights ago..except i kinda left the bathtaps running and flooded the bathroom, so i didnt get round to doing it because i was mopping up the water that had come down through the ceiling into the lounge.My parents weren't too happy, i'm just so easily distracted! anyway, if you need someone to fill in at anytime, or any little cameo roles that need filling let me know and i shall see what i can do. (i'll try not to flood the bathroom again!)

[Bêthberry]

Several points to cover!

If I may step in here just briefly as the Rohan Moderator, I would like to comment on the use of the term "Game Owner." I know that term is used widely in BD, but so also is the term "Game Founder." I prefer the latter, which is used with "Game Manager" in The Golden Hall.

Why? Because I do not believe, with experienced gamers in Rohan, that a game is "owned" by the person who runs it or who proposed it. The game is created through the responsible and independent interaction of all the gamers who write it. No gamer "owns" the writing of another gamer. Fordim's desire to encourage all of us to game actively rather than passively is thoroughly in keeping with this vision of co-operative gaming. I would thus ask that everyone keep in mind that all of you, all the game players, are game owners here.

*puts on other hat as gamer*

Alak, please do not feel your character must become part of the court retinue with the Queen. My use of the tapestry example is in part based upon the role of courtly women in medieval society. The Queen would need a retinue because she will require "ladies in Waiting", attendants, someone to help her manage her daily work and obligations. I had thought it might be a natural for the General's wife to be given the role of "overseer" of the Enemy Queen. as she would also be a way to help Bekah learn about this foreign culture. Bekah, after all, was raised in a culture which banished elves. They were terrifying foreign entities to her when she first arrived. Has she come to know them, understand them, trust them, like them?

Kransha's comment about how he harbours mistrust of Faroz for marrying an enemy raised an interesting question to me. I had assumed that Faroz and Bekah were given to this marriage of alliance by their parents/ ruling monarchs. I had not considered that Faroz had been king during the last war. If the marriage was the will of his father (presumably) why would the General object so strongly to Faroz's accepting it? So, how much older than Bekah is Faroz? and was he king during the last war? Was Kransha's General the military leader during the last war or has he onver the last twenty years risen to this rank?

And, to be honest, as a gamer, I am wondering if all of these questions aren't something which would more interestingly be brought out in game posts rather than in discussion here. Just an idea. :)

[Kransha]

Bb, I am in total agreement with you, that such matters would be more appropriately sorted out in the game, so as to create more interesting surroundings, but I will make a brief little stab of a point. According to Fordim's wonderful overview of Pasthian culture: In Alanzia, "the immortal devils" as the Elves are called there, are forbidden, on pain of instant death.

Morgôs' dislike of Alanzia would at least be fueled thus far, by that fact. He sees Alanzians as racists, and as the enemy (regardless I suppose, of how long he's been fighting them). Of course, I'm sure that fleshing out the other reasons, the deeper, darker, and 'funner' ones in the actual game is a better solution. Either way, I'm fairly sure that I, personally, will get plenty of enjoyment out of antagonizing the character of a mod ;) (hoo-ha, superiority complex coming on!).

Plus, this situation gets us all a charming little quadrangle of intrigue. Morgôs is loyal to Faroz, but doesn't like his wife. Arlomë, his wife, is close to the queen, who her husband despises. Depending on how public these opinions, the queen (this is all up to you, Bb, obviously) might resent the General, which puts Faroz in a strange position as well....Yes, that's some quadrangle...parellogram...quadrilateral, maybe?

P.S. I just realized, whenever I quote Fordim's passage about the Customs and Manners of Pashtia, I feel like I'm quoting HoME, The Laws and Customs of the Eldar.

[alaklondewen]

Bb, I hope I did not make you think I wasn't interested in Arlomë's role in the court, because I am...very. So thank you for elaborating what you had in mind. I think this will add an interesting element to the mix, so count me in. :)

I cannot wait for this game to begin.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Thanks very much Bb for bringing us back to the appropriate language here. Think of me as an administrator everyone. The world, relationships, culture, history, everything Pashtian is up to US to explore and discover as the game unfolds.

To that end -- let's do as much of that as we can as the game goes along, rather than here in the DT, either before the game begins or once it is underway. Again, let me cite the Inns as the best example: there are not DTs for the Inns, so all developments are accomplished through the game interaction itself. If there's something you want to do that directly impacts another character, check via PM first. But if it's anything else, just do it and we can all adjust/react to that.

For my part then -- not weighing in at all on why, how, where, the relations or implications of the marriage to Bekah -- I will state simply that Faroz is 42. I will also cite a relevant passage from the "Customs and Manners":

Their last war lasted nearly ten years and cost the lives of thousands upon both sides. It was finally ended when the Kings of Alanzia and Pashtia agreed to marry their children.

So it would appear that Faroz was not King when he was married to Bekah and the war was ended. As the children of that union would appear to be in their early twenties, then I can only surmise that Faroz and Bekah have been married for 25 years, making Faroz 17 at the time of their marriage. Hmmm. . .I wonder if he fought in the war directly -- perhaps WHEN THE GAME BEGINS his general or his Queen will clear this up for me. . .

Delighted by the enthusiasm, but let's try to keep a lid on it for a bit. I really do want the creativity to take place IN THE GAME THREAD.

More Gentle Nudging -- if Oro and Aman could be persuaded to give us character descriptions, perhaps I can open the Game Thread sooner than planned and "let loose the dogs of Rohan".

One More Parting Word -- Remember, approach the game as you would gaming at the Inns. Create your characters in the game threads, introduce new plot twists at every opportunity, develop relationships with other characters in the game. . .in brief, embark upon the story with an eye to discovery. Remember how Tolkien wrote LotR, and "discovered" Strider was a Man, and then had to figure out what he was to the Ring?

[Firefoot]

This game just keeps getting more interesting - and we haven't even started yet!

Kransha, the bit about your character looking to form an alliance with Siamak sounds very promising. :)

[Bêthberry]

Oh, not to worry, Alak. I was concerned you might feel too much pressure from the combined suggestions of Kransha and myself and I wanted you to feel free to make your own decisions about your character. :)

I really like the way Firefoot and Aywlen have created very different personalities for the Royal Children. But everyone has done a splendid job and I am very excited to be gaming with all of you. Fordim, you are much to be congratulated for inspiring a formidable group of talented writers with a fascinating scenario.

Bekah was fourteen at the time of the arranged marriage, so she is now thirty-nine If anyone thinks this is too young, I'll make her fifteen and now forty. ;) Middle age! A time for self-reflection and self-appraisal.

Fordim, I have a question which concerns elements of the Legendarium rather than character so I assume it is okay with you to ask this here. What kind of time span in the mannish lives are we looking at? Are the Pastians long lived, like Western men used to be? Or are we looking at the usual historical range of medieval humans, being at the most 50 to 55 years on average. (actually, I think it is closer to 45.) Clearly with the question of limiting Avari service to 99 years, and having very long lived elves in Pashtia, the nature of human mortality might become a significant consideration here. Not necessarily, but maybe.Or maybe not. :D

This is all just so cool. And I have reached my smilie limit and so I cannot use the cool or smokin' smilies.

See y'all on the game thread!

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

I imagine there is some very natural antagonism between Bekah and her daughter, as is usual during the teen years when a daughter is establishing herself as an adult and wanting to move beyond the mother's sphere. This need not be a political dispute but for the time simply a personal state in their relationship. Does this make any sense to you?

Oh, Bethberry! It makes perfect sense, and I know very well what it is you speak of. :D I'm afraid I would not have good understanding from the motherly end of the spectrum, though.


Bekah was fourteen at the time of the arranged marriage, so she is now thirty-nine If anyone thinks this is too young, I'll make her fifteen and now forty.

Not too young at all...at least, not to young to have two teen-aged children. This would make 15/16/17 (probably 16/17) a good age for Gjeelea, unless Bekah was younger than...25 (?) when giving birth to her. How old is a good age for the Pashtians to be having children, Fordim? In our age it is certainly not too old to be having children at 25, but...

I'm just wondering, because we have not established the royal children's ages yet. :)

-Aylwen

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Lifespan. . .hmmm. . .well, these people eat a diet high in vegetables and grains, some meats, lots of fruits. They live in a climate that is warm and thus spend a good deal of time outside getting their exercise. They are wealthy and educated, sophisticated. I would say that the only model I can find like this would be Imperial Rome (ca. 100 AD) when life expectancy among the praetorian classes was as high as 65-70 (when things like epidemics and natural disaster are factored out).

Given the good health (not to mention dynastic aspirations) of these people, then, Bekah could most certainly have had children earlier than 25 (probably much earlier. . .say. . .15??) and also later. She's capable of bearing a child at 39, although that might not be such a good idea for her health. So by my reckoning her kids could be any age up to about 24.

So Faroz and Bekah were 17 and 14 when they were married. . .a very intriguing set of ages. I remember how extremely young 14 year olds seemed to me when I was 17.

[Firefoot]

In that case... I would like Siamak to be in his late teen years (17-19 area) if that works? Aylwen's character would have to be around 20 then - I'm not sure what age preference you might have, Aylwen. I figure that if they are older they can better understand the workings of the palace and have a more active involvement.

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Whatever you want is fine, Firefoot. :)

Though I doubt there will be too much 'natural antagonism' between Bekah and Gjeelea, in this case. Maybe there would be since the two still live together. I don't know. Thoughts, Bethberry?

So, Siamak can be late teens - I'll say Gjeelea is...21. Does that sound fine to everyone? Any objections to this, I'd be fine for changing.

-Aylwen

[Bêthberry]

Sounds fine to me, Aylwen. :) That might actually give the two a chance to get over the antagonistic phase and make tentative movements towards some relationship more congenial, depending on how we relate to the issues here which Fordim has intriguingly given us.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Greetings all,

King Hedgethistle, I present to you...the priestess.

Zamara, High Priestess of Rhais, is currently the principle priestess of Pashtia, and as the earth mother is valued over the sky god, this makes her more powerful than the priests as well. However, she is quite young, only in her mid-twenties, and very striking, but her devotion to Rhais is very powerful. Like all Pashtians, she is dark, but her black hair, unusually, is slightly wavy, and is worn either loose and entwined with golden cords, or in a long plait reaching past her waist. One of the only women in Pashtia who can venture outside without the covering of a scarf or shawl, and not be thought less off, her skin is rich dark brown, darker than most well-born Pashtians, despite the long hours spent inside the temple; her wide, slightly slanted eyes are almost black, but seem to have a hint of blue in them, something which some attribute to the fact she spends much time in the ‘prescence’ of Rhais. She stands tall and straight at about 5 ft 10 and is quite slim, although her elegant, enviable figure is covered by the flowing, floor length silk robes she wears, white or plain rather than bright colours like the other Pashtians, and fastened at the waist by a gold cord. Zamara wears gold bands at her wrists and one around her neck (think Aztec-style gold), as well as a simple gold chain and medallion that falls to mid-chest, the centre piece of which is a golden tree growing out of a rich, dark red ruby – the symbol of Rhais, and Zamara’s medallion of status.

The priestess is deeply sensitive, and very strongly opinionated, but she tends to keep her opinions to herself, forgetting very little. She forms opinions fast, and rarely forgets a face or situation - a trait necessary when dealing with those who worship Rhais. Despite her striking beauty, Zamara is not vain, and her entire life is taken up with the upkeep of the temple and the worship of Rhais: the temple is a sheltered world that she loves deeply, but she is also required to venture out, more often of late, for the requirements of the king and court. She is not married, devoting her life to Rhais, but even a High Priestess is not perfect…

The King has been asked by several of his nobles to erect a new temple in the city to the honour of Rea. This party hopes that such a temple will help their cause to have the sky god worshipped above Rhais, the goddess of the earth.

Zamara quite strongly opposes the idea of a new temple being built in honour of Rea, as it would undoubtedly overshadow Rhais, who is held as the more superior deity at the moment. The tradition has always been that the priests take care of Rea and the priestesses take care of the worship of Rhais, and as High Priestess, Zamara would therefore be in a rather precarious position if Rea was to become the ‘superior’ deity – and with this, Tarkan would become the High Priest. Zamara and Tarkan have come to an arrangement over the years whereby they work with each other as little as often, as although she would never let it be publicly known, she has some distaste for the priest: his obsession with power, and the odd look that he gets in his eyes when blessing Gjeelea, is something that makes the Priestess uneasy. She is not a greedy woman, but would rather hold the reins rather than Tarkan: if he was to become High Priest and marry Gjeelea, as Zamara suspects his intentions to be, he would command both state and religion, and that is always a dangerous position to be in, especially for one such as Tarkan.

ii) For the last few years there have been calls for a law that would limit the term of service of any Avari in a royal posting to ninety-nine years. There are many amongst the nobility who feel that too many of the highest positions in the kingdom are closed to humans by the immortals who currently occupy them. Does the player?s character think that such a law would be just?

Her view on this matter is less certain. The Avari as a people support neither Rea nor Rhair particularly, and the immortals’ familiarity and indifference to the gods makes Zamara uneasy: but they hold the positions well, and it is well known that they are superior to men in their battle. Besides, the Avari pay her due respect, and the very worship of Rhais is centred in their myths; and after serving in a military post for years, how could they simply be cast aside? She is undecided either way: military matters are a mystery to her.

iii) The King has yet to declare his heir. Does the player?s character think that it should be the King?s son, who is the younger child, or should the King choose his daughter, in which case the noble she is promised to in marriage will rule?

As Priestess of the earth mother, and seeing the way in which the male dominated kingdom is veering, Zamara would support the daughter of the king as heir – in theory. Tarkan’s attitude towards Gjeelea of late have put things into a rather different perspective (and the fact that frankly, Zamara is rather suspicious of Gjeelea herself). Siamak, on the other hand, is a thoughtful individual, much quieter and gentler than his sister, or so it seems to Zamara: she has met the him only formally, and would very much like to have the chance to talk more with the young Prince, to determine his values of each of the gods. Despite her feminine position, and the expectation that many of the subordinate priests and priestesses may hold of her views, Zamara would feel safer, and more secure, if Siamak was named heir.

~*~

I hope you find her satisfactory.

- Aman.

ps. personally, I would refer back to Gladiator again, but only because it is on my mind - the eastern music in 'To Zucchabar' seems fitting.;)

[Orofaniel]

I apologise for the long wait. I'm afraid it was not my will that was the biggest obstacle, rather my computer that has been acting most strange lately….:(

**

Evrathol is the son of Arlöme and Morgôs.

Evrathol is often thought of as a quiet and restricted person, but he opens up as soon as there are more people around him. Evrathol is very much like his father in appearance, maybe more than personality.

He has some of the same paleness as his father, which is emphasised by the black raven hair. Although the colour of his eyes makes small resemblance with his father’s, the structure of the eye itself, is very much alike. Evrathol is tall like both his parents and carries himself like an elegant creature, full of confidence. Even though he is young, he is far more confident and self conscious than one might have thought in the first place.

i) The King has been asked by several of his nobles to erect a new temple in the city to the honour of Rhais. This party hopes that such a temple will help their cause to have the sky god worshipped above the goddess of the earth. Does the player?s character support or oppose the construction of the new temple?

Evrathol has no objections towards the new temple, nor does he support it fully. He doesn't directly have any concerns about the outcome of the new temple, which keeps him neutral -for now at least.

ii) For the last few years there have been calls for a law that would limit the term of service of any Avari in a royal posting to ninety-nine years. There are many amongst the nobility who feel that too many of the highest positions in the kingdom are closed to humans by the immortals who currently occupy them. Does the player?s character think that such a law would be just?

Evrathol strongly opposes to such a law, like his parents. He finds it most unjust towards his kind because it has always been like this and he see no reason to change it now. He also knows that his father would probably loose his strong position, something Evrathol or the rest of the family, wouldn't have any great benefit of.

iii) The King has yet to declare his heir. Does the player’s character think that it should be the King’s son, who is the younger child, or should the King choose his daughter, in which case the noble she is promised to in marriage will rule?

Once again, Evrathol is not certain if this is anything that concerns him, so he doesn't find it suitable for him to have any clear opinion. He is not comfortable expressing it either. He is, however, a person who likes traditions and appreciates those the Pashtian have. If he was to choose between the two of them, disregarding the old traditions and laws, he would anyhow choose the son. Even though Siamak is not outspoken, nor very confident Evrathol is of that opinion that they may have some things in common. Evrathol could also see himself working with Siamak in the future.

**

Cheers,
Orofaniel

PS. Looks neat everyone! Can't wait for the game to begin. :)

[Firefoot]

Oro - Siamak is outspoken, very confident Whoa, this is completely opposite Siamak's character - he keeps his opinions to himself and completely lacks self-confidence. Maybe you missed the word 'not' in my original post. Anyhow, if those are characteristics your character is looking for, maybe his choice would not be the son.

Re Ages: I'll make Siamak 18 years old.

[Orofaniel]

Whoa, this is completely opposite Siamak's character - he keeps his opinions to himself and completely lacks self-confidence. Maybe you missed the word 'not' in my original post. Anyhow, if those are characteristics your character is looking for, maybe his choice would not be the son.
:eek:

Sorry. I certianly missed the "not" in your post. :rolleyes:

I've edited it now though. Hope it's alright. :)

Thanks Firefoot - it'll never happen again. ;-)

Heh.

Oro

[Novnarwen]

Hi!

This is starting to get very exciting - seeing all the spots having been filled by excellent writers and creative characters!

I was just going to make a little note, or request regarding my character Tarkan.

Even though he might seem very evil now, he might change, (and he might not, :p) during the Game. For now, I was hoping that no one would suspect him for anything. He is after all a priest! Who on earth would believe Tarkan has other than good intentions? He might appear odd to you, but please do not suspect too much just yet.

If you do, then I think that it'll be very hard for Tarkan to surprise you during the writing process. It'll also be very hard for me as well, (please note that I'm not complaining) to write for a character who has already been 'judged' in advance, because I won't have anything to go on. I'm not trying to make this difficult, but Tarkan has done nothing yet to deserve suspicion. I honestly believe it would be somewhat wrong to suspect him of anything at this point. For now, he is none other than the younger (I decided that just now, if that's alright, Master Fordim) half-brother of the King, who happens to be a priest... :D

Short question: Fordim, are we to put up real bios now? Or do we wait?

Thanks,
Nova :p

[Amanaduial the archer]

I've editted my post but only with a superficial change for to darken Zamara's skin. *shrugs* Little things. And it seems 'To Zucchabar' is actually not really fitting. Maybe 'sorrow'. Or turn to the Troy soundtrack, particularly '3200 years ago' or 'Hector's death'.

Novnarwen: would you like me to edit. It would be tricky as I have used Tarkan quite alot in my answers: it seemed fitting as they would work together. Zamara does not honestly think Tarkan is a bad person, she would not act on this, but it is just in her nature that she is very observant. If you feel very strongly though, I will edit.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Hip Hip Huzzah! The characters are done, the characters are done!!

To answer your question Nova: no, no more bios or histories or anything. Let's save all that sort of thing for the game thread, and let's allow it to happen there. Let's find out who we all are through the process of writing to each other.

For example, I've just found out that Faroz's father was a philanderer! For Tarkan to be the younger half-brother, well, it's clear that the former King was up to some extra-curricular activity since Pashtia is a monogamous society. Add to this that the former King obviously took care of his bastard son, elevating him to nothing less than the level of the high priest. . .!!!

I really do wonder how Tarkan and Faroz will get along? Perhaps they can speak for a bit at the dinner and we'll find out.

Remember everyone. . .the Inns, the Inns, the Inns!!!

Note About First Posts: It has come to my attention that in a game which is supposed to be wide open, I have been a bit too, shall we say, programmatic in my dictation of the first posts and what they should be about. This is quite right, and I apologise, so allow me to ammend -- Faroz concludes his audience with the Emissary by announcing that there will be a sumptuous banquet that night to honour his arrival. Feel free to begin writing your first posts at any point, then, between the interview with the Emissary (perhaps even during it) up to and perhaps including the start of the banquet.

As this might mean that the first posts will cover some different stretches of time, you can post them to the DT or PM them to me and I will put them in the game thread in a logical order when I open it on Wednesday morning. So if you want to write a post now go ahead and put it here, but you don't have to do that -- if you'd rather wait until Wednesday and see what all is going on before you begin, then that's fine too.

Just 42 hours left (more or less)! :smokin:

[Firefoot]

Siamak hurried out of the large hall as soon as the audience with the emissary was concluded. He was troubled, though he could see no reason for it, and wanted to think before he spoke with anyone. The halls of the palace were empty with the exception of an occasional servant, for all the nobles had attended the audience, curious about these strange foreigners, and they were most certainly strange. Unconsciously he reached up and fingered his black beard, its shorter length attesting to his youth. The beard, or lack thereof, had been only the first of many differences. They had been tall and of proud bearing, with startlingly blue and gray eyes. He was suspicious of them, for more reasons than their physical appearance. He had never seen men from across the Great Desert, and he didn’t know why they should be here now. What good would an alliance with Pashtia, hundreds of leagues away from the lands of the emissaries, do this Lord Annatar? It wasn’t as if any of the eastern lands had ever assaulted the west. Which made him wonder, had an emissary been sent to Alanzia as well? To Pashtia’s other neighboring countries? For all their fair words, he did not think that their motives were as noble as they were being led to believe.

His brow was furrowed in a thoughtful frown as he meandered through the many passages of the palace. The walls were richly adorned in colorful tapestries and lined with sculptures and statues. Siamak noticed none of these, however, buried in thought as he was. Subconsciously, he had taken himself towards the gardens within the palace walls. He had been raised in the palace, and knew the halls and rooms like the back of his hand, though for one less familiar it would have been easy to become lost.

The gardens were quite possibly his favorite place in the palace, especially the private ones limited to the royal family. There, he could be alone with his thoughts and away from the various court schemes for power and manipulations of the nobles to get the laws they favored passed. There were some days when Siamak thought he would be happy as a simple farmer, away from the complexities of palace life. Most of the time, though, he did enjoy his life, and deep inside he knew that he wouldn’t leave the palace for anything. He was not concentrated on this now, however, and varying thoughts of the emissaries drifted through his mind.

Siamak wandered over the cobbled pathways of the gardens, letting the chirping of birds and the trickle of water from the fountains set him at peace so that he could think clearly. He finally found a bench in a satisfactory location and sat down. It was shaded by a medium-sized fig tree and had a wide view in either direction to let him know if anyone was coming, though he didn’t really expect anyone. As far as he could tell, he was the only one who visited the gardens on a regular basis, except, of course, the gardeners.

He soon refocused on the issue at hand. The king had announced that there was to be a banquet tonight; he wanted to have his thoughts straightened out before then, because he was fairly confident that his opinion would be asked. Young though he was, at eighteen years of age, as the king’s son and possible heir to the throne, his opinion was not without weight. Nobles often times seemed to be trying to figure out where he stood, wondering if they should support him or his older sister. That didn’t mean that he would tell them his opinions, though; he was a firm believer that he could learn a lot more by listening than by talking.

His thoughts soon brought him to the ring the emissary had given his father. It was unlike any other ring he had ever seen, and if he had had a clearer view of it than many he still hadn’t seen it closely. He wasn’t sure he wanted to, either: anything with that kind of effect on people probably had some kind of magic, and he was tentative around things he didn’t understand, especially if it was from so far away... Perhaps he was just overanalyzing it. More likely it was simply a ring of great worth and beauty, two things that the culturally-advanced Pashtians certainly understood. Probably the ring was simply a token of good will. Probably.

The whole situation made him uneasy, even though he could pinpoint no reason for it. By all appearances the emissary and their Lord Annatar had nothing but good feelings towards them, and that may have been the problem. Siamak could not figure out why the Lord Annatar wanted their friendship, though he had nothing but proud feelings of his country. Their resources were many and the culture was rich and developed, but it certainly wasn’t practical to trade all the way across the Great Desert. It was simply too far. Pashtia did not want any part in foreign wars, and the transport of troops across so great a distance was unreasonable. Besides, regular communication would be near impossible.

Frustrated that he was getting nowhere, Siamak decided that it was time to go inside. He needed more information before he would be able to form a solid opinion based on facts rather than intuition. He now regretted his hasty retreat from the throne room because he might have been able to learn more about these strangers and their lands. On the other hand, it was just as possible that the emissaries had been escorted to guest rooms to freshen up after their journey leaving the nobles to gossip among themselves. Siamak didn’t like gossip very much - it was usually chock-full of rumors and half-truths, leaving one with the onerous task of deciphering how much of it was fact.

He returned to the palace building by a different way than he had come to a gate that would be closer to his personal living quarters. He had lost track of time out in the garden, and with surprise he had found it to be a few hours later than when he had come out, though there was still plenty of time before the banquet that night. By now, he had probably been missed, but he hoped not. There were very few people that he would be willing to see before tonight. He pushed through the garden gates, paying little heed to the guards there. He turned down the less used corridors in an attempt to avoid people. He knew that his own status was higher than theirs, but nobles made him nervous. They always seemed to want something, whether special favors with the king or some kind of alliance. Not that he wasn’t grateful for their support; if his father was ever going to name him the heir he would need all the support he could get. It wasn’t so much that he wanted to be king as he didn’t want his sister Gjeelea and her betrothed to rule. He didn’t like his sister very much. She was everything he was not: gossipy, manipulative, and out-spoken, and her fiancé was just as bad: greedy and brutish. In truth, he felt rather intimidated by his sister, and she was one of the people he was most trying to avoid.

Siamak sighed in relief when he reached the section of the palace that was the quarters for the royal family. Once he reached his rooms, he would not have to see anyone he did not want to, and he had only to eat a small afternoon meal, think, and prepare for the banquet tonight.

~*~*~*~

There ye are! Can't wait for this to get started.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

The game thread is open. Begin exploring the realm of Pashtia.

[Imladris]

Excellent!

I will do a post as soon as I can....alas, Tuesdays are not good days....

[Novnarwen]

Novnarwen: would you like me to edit. It would be tricky as I have used Tarkan quite alot in my answers: it seemed fitting as they would work together. Zamara does not honestly think Tarkan is a bad person, she would not act on this, but it is just in her nature that she is very observant. If you feel very strongly though, I will edit.

Amanaduial- You don't need to edit anything. :) Just a thought however... Even though Zamara is observant, there has been nothing to observe just yet, from Tarkan I mean. I plan to make him anonymous in the beginning, where he doesn't openly express his feelings; certainly not his fondness of the Princess. I hope too, to let the priests have a friendly tone. They don't have to be the best friends, but Tarkan will at least not express any 'nastiness' towards the priestess. I imagine it being some kind of false friendliness, at least that is how Tarkan is going to approach this matter.. If you want, we can discuss this further, and closer, via PM. :)

I will try to have a post up as soon as possible! The Game is looking great already!

Cheers,
Nova

[Firefoot]

(Completely off-topic side note) Fordim - when I open it on Wednesday morning Do you know that you've completely confused my days of the week now? I keep thinking it's Wednesday... :rolleyes: (Not that I'm complaining, mind you :D )

Anyhow, everyone's posts look good. Can't wait for the banquet to begin...

[Imladris]

Oookay....forgive this stupid question of mine:

I was driving in the car on the way home from Geometry class, thinking about my post, when I suddenly realized two things:

1. Do the women have to wear the veils in a banquet like setting such as this? (If they do, how do they eat?)

2. What kind of veils? Heavy, black, dark coloured veils (Islamic/Muslimish veils), or light, wavy, translucent veils. Would they wrap around the entire head? I'm sorry...I tried to find pictures and if this has already been addressed forgive me for not seeing it.

[Kransha]

w00t! My first post is up.

I am afraid that, in fact, it may be too long, so much so that is is a bit long-winded. I certainly hope that, despite its novella length, it is readable.

Fordim: The description of my first secondary character is contained in my post, as are *other things*. I described the Kanak Palace courtyard in great detail, and I hope all is in order. Also, I hope that my post does not chronologically conflict with any posts that will be put up soon. I will, of course, edit if need-be.

Morgôs is off to find his way in the palace, and wondering where his son and spouse are...which reminds me, where are his son and spouse?

alak and/or Bb: Is Arlome currently in the palace with Queen Bekah, part of her retinue as always? I'd like to know, just in case I have to tweak my post a bit in light of her whereabouts.

[Bêthberry]

If I may step in here as a writer of a female character and offer one reply to Imladris's question: None of the sources I read about ancient Parthia or ancient Persia had women dressed in veils. Fordim has placed Pashtia and Alanzia in a very ancient culture which by some thousands of years predates the typical kind of culture we associate with early Muslim countries. Veils for women came, if I am not mistaken, with Islam. (I hope I am not wrong about this.)

Thus, Bekah will not wear a veil. She might wear a headress with a crown with flowing cloth, but she will not cover herself up. In fact, I think I will decide right now that the only time she will cover her head with any kind of shawl will be when she needs protection from the sun.

But I don't suppose we have to have unanimity about this. Maybe the unmarried girls wear veils, as Aylwen has chosen to represent the daughter?

Kransha, please check your PMs. :)

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Pashtian women do not wear veils. They do, however, cover their heads with elaborate scarves (but not their faces) -- unless they are highly unconventional like, apparently, our Queen! ;)

[Imladris]

My apologies...I went back to your note on dress and even though I read "scarf" I translated it as veil...my apologies...

[alaklondewen]

Posted by Kransha
alak and/or Bb: Is Arlome currently in the palace with Queen Bekah, part of her retinue as always? I'd like to know, just in case I have to tweak my post a bit in light of her whereabouts.

Arlomë is in the palace with the Queen. I will have a post ready soon.

Also, Nuru brought this up earlier, but I don't think it was answered. How are we to view servants? Would it be strange for Morgôs and Arlomë to have servants in their home?

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Hmmm...I'll go edit then. Good quesion, Immy...one that never actually crossed my mind though. I should have read more carefully.

I'm going for a record number of edits on my first post. I keep catching little things just after I hit the edit button for the previous mistake! :mad:

-Aylwen

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Imladris: you have Lady Arhsalous addressing a slave; this should be edited, as Pashtia is not a slave-holding society. There are servants, but not slaves.

To answer the questions about how servants are regarded, I cite the Game Bible (otherwise known as the proposal):

for although it is a socially divided and strictly hierarchical society, the upper echelons of the citizenry do not look down upon nor denigrate those below them. One's position in society is simply a fact of their existence, and not a moral or societal judgement of one's worth.

So there are distinct differences between master and servant, but it is not a tyrannical relationship. Now, that having been said, our characters are individuals and some will be more kindly to the servants than others. . . ;)

Just a note to everyone who's posted so far: wow. I really mean that. These posts are wonderful, and are beginning to create a fascinating world.

One More Note: there seems to be a bit of fuzziness about the layout of the Palace. As I pictured it, there's a large outer wall surrounding the gardens. In the gardens there are villas, statues, etc. In the middle of the garden is the Palace. The Palace, like all Pashtian homes, is built like a square with an open courtyard in the centre. In this courtyard are more gardens, as well as the obelisk and the well. The King's audience chamber is in the palace building itself.

Is this how everyone else sees it??

[Imladris]

Edited. I'm sorry, I don't think I've ever been so absent minded before.

[Imladris]

I hope that my post is satsifactory and that I have made no more stupid and careless mistakes.

Nuru, I thought we could do with a dose of tension (;) ) so I had Arshalous pay her cousin a little visit. I hope that I portrayed everyting correctly...if anything displeases you let me know and I will edit accordingly.

[Nurumaiel]

Imladris, your post was fine. I particularly liked your description of Korak's gloomy abode.

I have posted, and likewise inform me if I have portrayed your character incorrectly.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Immy and Nuru: great posts both, I am delighted to see the gamers starting to interact with each other. Just a note, however: you've been posting comments to the DT that might more effectively be done through PM. I'd like to ask all gamers that if there's a comment or question which concerns just one or two other specific characters, please deal with them directly. I'd like to keep the DT for more generalised concerns/questions and for dealing with issues of housekeeping.

To that end:

The Emissary has been sent off to the courtyard before the banquet. Anyone who wants to use him should feel entirely free to do so. This is your chance to meet the future Witch King of Angmar up close and personal! :smokin:

EDIT: Out of curiousity I copied the game thread to a word document and reformatted it. Turns out that we've already written 18 000 words -- that's 58 double-spaced pages. Hmmm. . .that's a lot of reading for those who haven't posted yet. :p

Of course, about 53 of those 58 pages were from Kransha. . . :D

[Firefoot]

One word: WOW. That's a lot of pages - and I think about half of them must have been posted while I was trying to write my own post... ;) :rolleyes:

Anyhow, I introduced my own main secondary character in my post. The emissary being open was very tempting but, alas, I don't have any more time now.

[Orofaniel]

Wow. I thought Rohan games were slower... I was wrong, obviously. :rolleyes:

The 19 posts I had to cath up, however, was a great read. Lovely. :) (Not 19...Maybe....12?)

So, my first post is up. Please do sue me if I've got anything wrong etc. ;)

Cheers,
Oro

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Following my own dictum, I think that this query belongs in the DT rather than in PM (RPG Acronyms Abound: RPGAA).

Bethberry, I have a question about your post. You have the Emissary hidden from the Queen's eyes and wearing a "ring upon his finger". I am a bit unclear as to what is going on here. Is the Emissary wearing his Ring and thus invisible? Or is he wearing some other, normal ring and hiding in the shadows?

(I thought it important to clarify this in open discussion so that we can all be consistent in our use of the Emissary. If he is already using his Ring to spy on people, that would be important for everyone to know. . .not to mention totally cool! :smokin: )

[Bêthberry]

Opps, nope, I did not mean to imply he was hidden by virtue--heh--of his Ring. I really meant that he is hiding out in the shrubbery, so to speak. I meant to imply he was relying upon some sort of power it gives him via Annnatar to try to search out people's hidden desires and motivations. I was thinking in particular of your comment that as he speaks for Annatar, his own personal name will not be known.

I shall edit to have him hold the Ring that is around his neck or in his pocket or other some such nifty side step. He does have his own ring, right? Or is it neater that he is using the invisibility thing already?

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Thanks Bb that's much more clear.

To answer your question: he does have his Ring in his possession but obviously is not wearing it. As to should he be using it now or not. . .I don't know. . .it's your post so you can have it however you want it. (Freedom for the writers, remember? ;) ) Whatever you decide to do, the rest of us will write our posts to reflect that decision.

I must say how much fun I am having discovering this culture and the people in it. There are all sorts of things about this world I did not know: a nearby mountain range (I wonder what they look like up close? Or if anyone lives there?); the apparently widespread use of poison; the ornate nature of decoration; the religious practices, and apparently deep religiousity of the women as compared to the men; the extremely compelling sense of dislocation felt by the Avari -- not to mention the host of secondary characters fleshing out the tale.

I sure do hope that the banquet begins soon, as I want to see what happens when these people get together!!! :D

[Bêthberry]

I've made the edit to show that he uses the ring to draw upon Annatar's power to analyse her better. I'm assuming here that the power of reading people's 'heart's desire' will lead to his appealing to those desires as he wishes to draw people under his influence. He becomes invisible but is still not thoroughly used to these space warp jumps. ;)

Having just posted, I believe it will be someone else who can get the party rolling.
;p

[Nurumaiel]

That little person is me, Bethberry. I've unoffically started the banquet. (Hurrah?)

Question:
Are we (our characters, that is) just to stride in at our leisure, as we would do at an Inn, or will we be greeted and 'escorted' inside, and then left to mingle with who we choose?

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

That little person is me, Bethberry. I've unoffically started the banquet. (Hurrah?)

Question:
Are we (our characters, that is) just to stride in at our leisure, as we would do at an Inn, or will we be greeted and 'escorted' inside, and then left to mingle with who we choose?

Seems best to me if we treat it like one of the Inns. So come inside and make yourself comfortable. Be sure to pay attention to who is there ahead of you (or not), and as with the Inns, strike up conversations and begin those plot-lines!

Some info from an earlier post: the banquet is being held in a large hall just off the courtyard. The hall is filled with a number of smaller round tables and we can arrange ourselves around them with whomever we wish (although the Queen's table is, as Bb has pointed out, getting quite full).

Note: remember that this is an eastern country based loosely on the Persian Gulf region. If you want to get into food descriptions (I know I will) try to make sure that you catch the local flavour (http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/find/results?type=advanced&search=&operator=All&att=122&att=20&att=&att=&att=&src=&exclude_other=) (pun alert).

[Novnarwen]

Great posts everyone! I truly enjoyed reading them. I read 12 posts today... Because everything is moving so fast, I barely get to post! Eeeek! I'll try to do better; I’ll try to post more...

Anyway, just a short note about my post, if you were curious.. or if you weren't.. I've brought another character into the picture; he'll be following Tarkan closely, so do pay heed.. :p Tarkan has described him as a 'Servant' (from his point of view). Pelin, is not a personal servant though; he is someone who serves in the Temple(s) as well. I did write that in my post. I just thought I'd make it perfectly clear.

Also, I have taken the privilege to let Pelin call Tarkan 'Father'. As Tarkan is older, and have a better position than Pelin, I thought it was suitable. Okay.. maybe not suitable, but I'm having one of days again when superiority is important. Hehe. :D

Please let me know if my post needs any edits. ;)

Nova

[Bêthberry]

I was simply going to edit my previous post here but now with other posts, I probably should make a new one. So I will.

Fordim's question about whether the Emissary was using his Ring for invisibility has worked on my imagination this morning. I have gone back to edit my post yet again, to suggest some ways in which he was himself brought under Annatar's influence. And to suggest that he is as yet new at all this. I thought such a proceeding might give us more room to explore his own psychology. Fordim, since he is your character, I hope this is okay. I know you don't want him to overstep Faroz's own story.

And now I will simply wait for an appropriate point in the game where everyone else's posts will inspire me to decide what it was precisely he learnt about Bekah. :D

[Firefoot]

So come inside and make yourself comfortable. Be sure to pay attention to who is there ahead of you (or not), and as with the Inns, strike up conversations and begin those plot-lines! I have a question then. The Queen sent word to the Prince and Princess to join her for the 'entrance'. When will this be - once people have drifted in for the banquet? I am assuming so, since it wouldn't be much of an entrance if there wasn't anyone there to witness it... ;)

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Let's split the difference:

Faroz is already in his private garden, Bekah is on her way there to meet him. Let's say that the family will make their grand entrance from that garden (that is, the King's private garden has a door into the banquet hall for use by the royal family only).

So how's this: the royal family meets in the garden, everyone else heads for the banquet hall. When the crowd is there, the royal family will come in.

Note: the Emissary is wandering around the courtyard waiting for people to arrive. Can someone (not in the family) be sure to 'bring him along' and get him into the banquet hall? You can chat with him and invite him to sit with you, but he will inform you that he has been asked by the King to sit with him, so he will loiter about the hall until the royal entrance, perhaps chatting with others as you all wait?

Another Note: Bb has given us a nice look into his mind, but let's keep such things to a minimum -- he is, after all, supposed to be a figure of mystery to the Pashtians.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Bb has PMed me to say that she has once more edited her latest post to make it clear that the Emissary is NOT wearing the Ring -- so he's not quite ready to go that far yet apparently!

[Novnarwen]

I just posted.

Kransha and Aman - I hope I have handled your characters appropriately. If I haven't, please tell me and I will edit. :) :D

Nova :)

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

More Housekeeping.

Things were getting confusing for me about who was sitting where and doing what so I'm glad that the Chamberlain Jarult has clarified the situation a bit for us all!

It appears as though the royal table is set: King Faroz, Queen Bekah, the Emissary, General Morgos and Arlome. Siamak and Gjeelea are apparently free to sit there or not.

The table next to the royal table has Zamara and Tarkan, so it would appear as though there's lots of room left there.

EDIT -- I've pieced this together from the previous posts of myself and Bethberry. If there's something wrong with it, please do let me know.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Why not place Korak and Arshalous facing each other on the table of the Priest and Priestess? Could prove interesting...*wicked smile* Imladris, Nuru, how would you feel about that?

[Imladris]

Imladris, Nuru, how would you feel about that?

*rubs hands evilly* Excellent...

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

With apologies to Oro I (or maybe it was Jarult) forgot that Evrithol was to sit at the royal table with his parents Morgos and Arlome. I have edited my last post in include Morgos "and his family".

As to the Emissary -- he is now with that large group of characters: feel free to chat with him as you wish.

[Firefoot]

I made the royal family's entrance and got everyone seated. I hope everything's all right with the seating arrangement at the table, etc. I wasn't sure whether Pashtians said any kind of prayer or some such before they ate, so I didn't go that far...

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

I wasn't sure whether Pashtians said any kind of prayer or some such before they ate, so I didn't go that far...

I don't know if they do either -- maybe one of the next posters will let us know!

Reminder to All -- Pashtians eat at low tables without chairs, they recline on cushions and bolsters. Also, tables are round so there is technically no 'head' of the table, but for the Royal Table it makes sense that there would be a spot of significance reserved for the King that we can call 'the head'

[Kransha]

Speaking of table manners, I have a few obligatory questions which I think it might be appropriate to pose here on this thread.

On the matter of food: what fauna and flora, besides that already mentioned, is edible or important in Pashtia. Obviously some meat is eaten, but is the wildlife in Pashtia (not in Kanak, I assume) reminiscent of wildlife in the Persian Gulf? Would there be any particular manners, utensils, or other objects on the table, or ought we to improvize and be creative as far as such things go?

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Speaking of table manners, I have a few obligatory questions which I think it might be appropriate to pose here on this thread.

On the matter of food: what fauna and flora, besides that already mentioned, is edible or important in Pashtia. Obviously some meat is eaten, but is the wildlife in Pashtia (not in Kanak, I assume) reminiscent of wildlife in the Persian Gulf? Would there be any particular manners, utensils, or other objects on the table, or ought we to improvize and be creative as far as such things go?

Good questions. Obviously, as with all aspects of the game I want us to find these sorts of things out as we go, but I do have some ideas of my own, since you ask ;)

I've already said that Pashtians eat a diet high in grains and vegetables. I doubt they eat any kind of dairy other than yoghurt (the heat would not do milk any favours). They probably have some kind of beer and wine. I suspect they eat a lot of fish, as they live in the fertile plains between three mighty river systems. Kanak is also not too far from the sea and vessels from their port are able to sail to the ocean along the river in less than a day -- so probably lots of seafood.

The one thing I suppose that's important is that this culture be different from those of the West, so I would think that the absence of chairs probably means the absence of utensils: everything is finger food. It's also probably pretty spicy.

(Anyone getting an idea of my personal favourite kind of cuisine yet?)

At any rate, I'm actually a little happy to see things slowing down a tad after something of an insane beginning. That having been said, I don't want you all to feel that you have to wait to start posting about the dinner. If there's things you want to say to somebody else, or stuff you want to to, then go for it.

NOTE In addition to the food, what sort of entertainments are there in the hall? Can't wait to see.

[Bêthberry]

Stepping in as Moderator here:

I notice that Orofaniel posted a save Friday night and said it would be filled by the ubiquitous "tomorrow" but it is still not filled in and it is now nearly Sunday midday (by BD site time).

This game requires that gamers take their ideas and cues from the preceding posts. Thus it is even more important that if at all possible saves not be used. I have asked Fordim, as the Game Founder, to decide if he thinks saves are workable in this game and how long they should be allowed to stand unfilled.

For now, Oro, please fill in that save today.

Thanks for a speedy response,
Bêthberry

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

I had been pondering the issue of saves in this game -- and had not really achieved any resolution for myself. :o I'm glad that our esteemed Mod has stepped in.

I think it might be best if we do NOT have saves in the game, as we do need to keep things moving forward, rather than back. That having been said, if you do need to go back, we can still do that in one of two ways:

1) a flashback sequence, or remembering something that happened earlier -- my preferred method as it will allow a character to cover ground, but to focus on the present action

2) if it's imperative that there be a post inserted earlier in the action, then we can ask someone to insert it at the end of their post at the logical point.

My apologies for not working this through earlier, particularly to Oro.

[Bêthberry]

Oro, please clear out your mailbox so you can accept PMs. Thanks.

Bêthberry,
Moderator for Rohan

[Orofaniel]

I apologise. :(

I didn't know saves were unwanted. When I put up that save I didn't know that I had to work over time either....So, I'm sorry.

Repeating myself; I’ll get a grip, I promise.

Beth- PM box is cleared.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Thanks for filling in the save Oro, and don't sweat it -- me bad for not thinking through the issues around SAVEs before we began.

Important Note to All: The Emissary is known to the people of Pashtia only as "The Emissary", for the Lord Annatar does not allow his messengers to use their names. The name Ashnaz was one that he said Faroz could use in their private conversations. Please everybody (yeah, that's right, I'm looking at you Aman ;) ) have your posts refer to "the Emissary" only. . .unless of course he gives you another 'personal' name for your character's use.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Hey, don't name-call or anything! Psh...;)

Apologies, Fordim - I thought it would be a general name for which the Emissary was known from then on. My mistake - I'll edit accordingly.

[alaklondewen]

Ooh, interesting twist, Master Fordim...I can't wait to see what happens.

With that said, I am leaving today for Thanksgiving and will not be able to post until Friday or Saturday when I return. All I ask is that if action takes a change-of-location turn, that Arlomë is not forgotten. Other than that, use her as you will until my return. :)

Have a nice holiday!

Alak

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

As things seem to have slowed down a bit in the game (and that's all for the best) I think it might be time to think about moving the plot forward a bit.

To that end, I will be advancing time to the following morning (game time) on Thursday morning (real time). Please note that I am doing this according to the model provided by the Inns -- time will be advancing to the following day, but what happens before and after the advance is up to everyone.

I figure that the US Thanksgiving has been keeping some people busy, and that everyone has been catching their collective breaths after a rambunctious start. Still, we don't want to lose our incredible momentum.

So anyone who wants to get in a last-minute banquet post should do so soon. I, myself, will be putting up a late-night-after-banquet post sometime on Wednesday afternoon, so if you want to move out of the banquet and toward night, that would be very helpful to me. ;)

Finally, a request: some players have done a nice job of introducing some plot twists. . .could we get in a few more this week? Any plots to be hatched??

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Time moving forward

As promised, it is now the next morning in Kanak, principle city of Pashtia. There are some appointments already set for the day: the Emissary and Faroz will be spending some time together before the mid-day meal, and Gjeelea and Siamak will be visiting with their mother at lunch. In the afternoon, Siamak and the Emissary have an appointment -- have I missed anything?

It might be a good idea to look a bit further ahead right now, too. The game is slated to cover a year or so in the history of Pashtia so there should be at least a few good time jumps coming up. I'm not sure when and how long the first big jump should be, and I do not propose that we can or should settle that immediately, as we need to see where the story takes us -- but I would ask that everyone start thinking about this.

Also, with a new day comes new possibilities. We've explored the life and space of the Palace pretty well, but there's a whole city (not to mention a kingdom) beyond those walls: perhaps some of us will have business or pleasure to pursue in the wider world?

Just want to say again how much I'm enjoying the game so far. Every time I log on to the Downs I eagerly look for new posts to the game thread.

[Bêthberry]

Just another note to your good list, Fordim, about upcoming events. Bekah has also requested a meeting with Zamara, the High Priestess, in the afternoon. She invited Tarkan as well, but he declined. "He" should feel free, however, to show up if "he" decides to change his mind. ;) Neither Aman nor Nova need think that I have to start this meeting. The same goes for the meeting with Bekah and the Royal Children. Either Firefoot or Aylwen can start the meeting off.

Wonderful post, Fordim about the ring and very good catch there, Aman. I won't say a word about the nefarious alliance which Firefoot and Kransha are developing. :p

[Bêthberry]

Just a quick acknowledgement that I snuck in an edit to my post of last night, which everyone should be aware of.

I have added a small scene of Bekah with Nuru's and Immy's characters. I have taken the liberty *coughcough* of naming Lord Korak's mother and integrating the family slightly more with palace affairs. This, I hope, will set up some more scenes for them. Bekah too! I don't want her holed up in the palace all day.

[Firefoot]

I went ahead and brought Siamak to Bekah's apartments. Now Gjeelea just needs to show up. ;)

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Gjeelea has joined the queen and prince. Sorry that it was such a quick post - I'm off to do a lot of Christmas shopping and I didn't want to hold you guys up for the rest of the night. :D

Great posts everyone, if I may say so...

-Aylwen

[Kransha]

Hullo, again.

Firstly, I want to make an apology to everyone about the length of my post, which may impede the reading of it. I tried to delete unnecessary stuff, but couldn't do much with it without making it seem very disjointed. If you'll all accept that apologye, especially Fordim and Bb, then I'll proceed with a few questions.

Fordim: Your initial post said that Pashtia was small, but it does still have numerous little towns, I hope. I've invented one, called Durvelt, if you don't mind. Also, I made the assumption that there are nomadic tribes that roam the Great Desert, lesser peoples that prey off merchants and the like. Since you said we could run with such idea, I did.

[Novnarwen]

Hi everyone!

First.. I really enjoy reading everyone's posts! Really awesome!

Second ... I must apologise for my 'absence'. I'm aware that I haven't posted for almost 2 weeks. I have been quite busy, and there has been less time for computer than usual. The next weeks or so won't be any better, which brings me to my ‘issue’.

I don't mean to complain, but I ask you to understand that it's quite difficult for me to post as frequent as I would like to, especially since I'm not allowed to put up saves. When I'm first on the Internet, I have to read through all the new posts, (which are all fantastic) but by then, my time is nearly up. For me, a save now and then would really help, because I could come back to it the next day after having been able to think it through for a day, which would make it easier for me to write when I have little time to my disposal. I would also not have to spend all my time reading 5-6 posts that were posted when I was sleep … :p

When I'm not allowed to put up saves, I'm caught in this evil circle (Okay, not at all evil.. but you understand my point, or so I hope) where I have to read first and then after I have done that, my time is up again. You see, I seldom have time for both.. I know that you've said that flashbacks and such could work to catch up with earlier events that my character possibly has missed, but I can't do that every time.

I can't possibly see how a save can hurt, especially not at this point. I know you're afraid of losing the 'flow' (Is that it? :p ) in the game, but currently Tarkan is too busy thinking of himself and being with Pelin that it would not, as I see it, affect other people's posting.

Cheers,
Nova

PS! Just to make it clear .... I have posted now.. :)

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Fordim: Your initial post said that Pashtia was small, but it does still have numerous little towns, I hope. I've invented one, called Durvelt, if you don't mind. Also, I made the assumption that there are nomadic tribes that roam the Great Desert, lesser peoples that prey off merchants and the like. Since you said we could run with such idea, I did.

Very nicely done Kransha! An intriguing new plot twist, a better view of Kanak beyond the Palace walls, and some more details about Pastia. Wonderful!

Nova: I can truly sympathise -- this game is a bit demanding, but so rewarding! I would like to at least try to stand by the No Save Rule (which I admit, I have chafed against myself from time to time!); it works very well in the Inns, so I think it can work here.

That having been said, I am more than amenable to allowing people to send posts to me for inclusion 'earlier' in the thread. I can paste them into the end of one of my posts, or someone else can do that -- I even think it's possible to insert whole new posts(?).

The reason I wanted to keep saves out of here is not so much to do with "flow" as it has to do with making writing posts after the Save rather difficult. If I want to write a scene in which the King bumps into Tarkan, but I know that there's a Tarkan save above mine, I have a hard time knowing what to write. What if you are preparing a post in which Tarkan goes swimming or something?

But Everyone -- what is our position on Saves to be? If there is a general consensus that we should reinstate the save, then we can do that (although I will be brutal in policing the 24 hour rule for filling them, and you will be expected to give a brief description of what the post will be about). My primary concern here is that I don't want any one writer to feel as though she or he is at some kind of disadvantage, or not able fully to enjoy this game. So let me know what you're thinking!

[Bêthberry]

posted by Fordim
That having been said, I am more than amenable to allowing people to send posts to me for inclusion 'earlier' in the thread. I can paste them into the end of one of my posts, or someone else can do that -- I even think it's possible to insert whole new posts(?).

I asked this of Mithadan once, when we were using the old UBB software and he said not even Admins could create or insert 'back' posts like that. I doubt this new software would allow it, as we now have numbered posts. And, anyway, I'm not sure that such an answer is really much different from the main issue with saves. It would amount to including a back post which is for most purposes irrelevant to the posts which come after it. It would not reflect interactive gaming, but rather would be 'writing backwards' rather than forwards. I'm not saying I wouldn't do it for people, but I would caution against using it too heavily.

I would like to chime in with Fordim on the need to avoid SAVES in this game particularly. Let's check the guidelines for Rohan games in The Golden Hall:


Because gamers have shown in The Shire that they understand the basics of plot and game structure, Rohan gamers can be trusted to understand how to game using intelligent interaction and spontaneity, developing posts from previous posts rather than relying on extensive pre-planning. This does not mean that Rohan games revert to wacky, nonesensical freestyle games but that they allow gamers more creativity in developing the game as it goes along. Rohan games do not need to have a set system of posting order but rely more on interactive reactions among all gamers.

This game lives and breathes on the interaction of its characters. Even if a character is "off doing his own thing", he could well be providing something for another character to spin off from. Just take a look at the first three paragraphs of Kransha's latest post. It spells trouble for Firefoot's character even though those paragraphs are pure reminiscence.

I too can sympathise with Nova's predicament, as I myself have thought a save would come in handy. But let's remember again the Rohan guidelines:


Post at a minimum two times weekly for a major character, once weekly for a minor character, or as required for a cameo character, and read both the game and discussion threads at least every two days in order to keep informed of the game's events. (Posting speed can be discussed among gamers before a game starts and a consensus on posting speed can be reached. However, once this decision is reached, gamers are expected to follow it conscientiously. Games which don't move are not fun to read or play in.)

Notify the game founder on the discussion thread of any absences as far in advance as possible. Gamers who are absent longer than two weeks without any notification before the absence begins will have their character/s assumed by the Game Founder. Such characters can be written out of the game or handled at the Game Founder's discretion.


This is a very busy time of year for everyone, but please, if you cannot keep up the pace, let Fordim know. Give him or another gamer some ideas about how they can carry your character for you, even just temporarily.

On the other hand, I can also sympathise with Nova's point that there is a lot of reading to do in this tremendous game. Part of that comes from our habit of writing long posts. But let me remind everyone of what the expectations are. Again, this is from The Golden Hall.


Because Rohan gamers are confident writers, their posts reflect an awareness of the readers' need for detail and exposition to help them imagine the game's situation and of pacing, of balancing all details into a smooth, coherent unity. Usually, Rohan posts are two to four paragraphs long unless there is a clear benefit in terms of the story for a shorter post. Gamers may be required to make a case for a short post on the discussion thread. Gamers should also remember that exceptionally long posts can tax readers unless they make significant use of the details and formation to forward either plot or character.

That's right. Two to four paragraphs. That should represent one topic or idea. This is a particularly good thing to remember as we are getting into some interesting scenes where characters are discussing ideas in depth. There is nothing wrong with having your character set out a particular approach or idea, and then leaving the post at that, expecting the Game Player of the other character to pick up the thread of the conversation. (This is, in fact, how I envision the morning meeting between Bekah and the two Royal Children. I'm not sure what Firefoot and Aylwen think of this; I have to see their reactions to my next post. :D )

Posts which contain more than one topic run the risk of being exceptionally long, even if they are finely written and contain some brilliant set up of subplots. Yes, Kransha, you know I am talking about your post, even with your apology here. You could easily have cut that into four posts, spaced out between other Game Player's posts. Please, in future, don't restrict your hyperdrive imagination, but pace it better in the interests of other gamers.

Now, don't take this as meaning I expect to see posts of only two to four paragraphs. I'm sure you all know just how big a pinch of salt to take with this. And I'm sure everyone realises I would have handled this in PM had the topic of length not already been brought up on the DT. :)

I hope this provides some ideas and suggestions for how we can still avoid saves, as Fordim wishes while accomodating the needs of gamers who need more time to keep up.

Does this make sense?

[Amanaduial the archer]

Sorry...generally, my posts are about, what, three quarters of an A4 word processed page long? They vary from this length to about three pages - even on the Green Dragon, they're rarely shorter than half a page. Forgive me if I'm wrong but...are you saying we should make shorter posts?

Sorry if I'm wrong here :)

[Bêthberry]

My darling Aman, please reread this:

posted by Bethberry:
Now, don't take this as meaning I expect to see posts of only two to four paragraphs. I'm sure you all know just how big a pinch of salt to take with this.


I simply meant to remind everyone that posts of Tolstoyian epic proportions are not essential in this game or any Rohan game (and they can, in fact, impede a game). If people are having trouble posting because of time constraints, they should remember that they don't have to write huge, long, multi-paragraph posts. Short ones which adequately cover a topic will always do in a pinch.

:)

[Novnarwen]

Please note: I have nothing against long posts! If I could rep Kransha's long posts ten times in a row, I would. ( :p ) It's just, when you're not allowed to put up saves, long posts don't make it better. That doesn't mean, however, that I don't like long posts, or dislike everyone who writes long posts!!!! So, please, if you got the impression of me not liking, or approving, of long posts in my previous reply, then I have expressed myself vaguely, and I apologise for that.

As for saves.. I respect the decision you have made (make ?) regarding the issue. I must say though, that this makes it difficult for me to contribute to this game in a way I wanted to from the start..

Nova :)

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Question: Would Gjeelea be allowed to rule if she had no husband? Or, if, by some turn of events she were widowed (*evil grin*)?

-Aylwen

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Question: Would Gjeelea be allowed to rule if she had no husband? Or, if, by some turn of events she were widowed (*evil grin*)?

-Aylwen

Yes -- if she were named heir. . . Why do you ask? *innocent tone* :) ;) :D

[Bêthberry]

I had hoped to have time to write a post but alas I do not. I will be out of town this weekend without computer access. Feel free Firefoot and Aywlen or even Alak to devise a post and carry Bekah.

[Firefoot]

I will be away for Christmas from Wednesday the 22nd to Tuesday the 28th. I should have computer access, but I don't know if I will be able to get a post up for the Game thread. I plan to have a post up today, and another before I leave. Aylwen - this falls over a time period in which Siamak and Gjeelea will probably be meeting with the Emissary, so how do you want to work it? I could start it off before I go.

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Firefoot - that sounds fine to me, if it's not inconvenient for you to start things off. We can go as far as we can before you leave and see how it works while you're gone, carry Siamak along and whatnot.

Have fun for Christmas!

-Aylwen

[Orofaniel]

Sorry for the long wait, but my post which was "under construction" is now finished.

[Novnarwen]

Due to Oro completing her post, I thought it would be better if I divided my own post (the one above Kransha's latest) into two short posts. There is some new stuff in there though, in both the 'old' and the new. Please let me know if they need edits!

I hope everyone is having a grand Holiday! :) :D :p

Nova

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

First, Nova and Oro, I just wanted to say how well you both handled your recent posts: the "under construction" did not last too long, and you integrated the results very nicely.

Now, on to other issues:

As I said a while back, time will be moving forward very soon, I hope as soon as late next week. I'd like to send things forward by about a month in Pashtia, but I don't know how this is going to work for everyone. . .

If this is OK, then there are a few plots going on right now that need to be 'wrapped up' before the jump. So far as I can tell, these are:

1) the panic in the palace over the disappearance of Faroz

2) the meeting of Zamara, Tarkan and Bekah; Zamara revealing news of the 'demon' and asking for an escort to investigate; is Arlome going to join them?

3) conversation between Morgos and Siamak(?); Evrathol going to arrive(?)

4) Korak meeting with Gjeelea to discuss a date for their wedding(?)

Imladris: the Emissary is going to head back to his villa -- the the Lady Arshlous wanted to ask him about his god sooner rather than later, she can go by there. Just a suggestion.

At any rate, let me know if the proposed jump in time is convenient, if it's too much or too little, whatever.

[Bêthberry]

Okay, my post of yesterday has now been completely constructed. *coughs*

I did not bring us up to the meeting of Bekah with the High Priestess and Priest as I felt that Faroz might wish a response to this interview. Yet if Fordim and others think I should move things along, I will be happy to edit.

I should be around more regularly during the week now and able to post once or twice a week. However, for the next six to eight weeks I will be out of town with no internet access roughly every second weekend, starting with the upcoming one, so you can make all the nefarious plans you wish over the weekend and leave me to clean them up during regular business hours. :D

And a happy new year to everyone on this great game. And thanks especially to Fordim for the treat of gaming here.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

I knew that I said this would happen last week, but, well, things got interesting all of a sudden! Posting has, however, slackened just a bit in the last few days so I shall move time ahead by a full month on Friday morning EST.

Get ready. . .

[Amanaduial the archer]

Fordim, I am currently in the middle of my mock GCSE exams - this is therefore a slightly hectic time, the reason I haven't been posting. I will be able to make a post on Friday, but before then is a little doubtful.

I apologise for my absence, and thanks for your patience,

- Ax

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Fordim, I am currently in the middle of my mock GCSE exams - this is therefore a slightly hectic time, the reason I haven't been posting. I will be able to make a post on Friday, but before then is a little doubtful.

I apologise for my absence, and thanks for your patience,

- Ax

Hey -- no blame here. . .I was just commenting.

For the record: delighted with how the game is going, and looking forward to more.

Aman: study hard. Nothing's more important than your education. *finger waggle*

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Hello Everyone. Me again.

Just a reminder that time will be moving forward by a month in the game as of tomorrow morning. I was thinking of having it begin early in the morning of a bright day right at the beginning of the cool season. Pashtia is, obviously, not a cold place so this means that the temps are still pretty warm, but the days are more comfortable and at night it may sometimes be necessary to put on an extra cloak.

There are two important pieces of news in the kingdom:

First, the King has announced that he has approved the construction of a new temple in honour of the Sky God. Work has already begun on the building not far from the Temple to Rhais.

Second, in the last month, there has been no word or message of or from Alanzia. This, in itself, is not extraordinary between two such bitter rivals, but it is odd that there should be no news from the north. People are beginning to wonder. . .

Still enjoying the game, I hope? I am.

[Amanaduial the archer]

But of course, O Mighty Captain Fordim. Or was it Commander? I forget...;)

As promised, I have a post up - and early too, darn impressed with myself ;). I intend to bring myself and Bekah up to speed tomorrow - Bethberry, I intended maybe for Zamara to see Bekah's arm, maybe if she winced or something and it fell, and Zamara realised. She will, of course, promise not to tell, but maybe, as Bekah is a follower of Rhais, she may feel more inclined to talk to the Priestess. I will try not to godplay with your character and shall leave that up to you, simply starting the first part of that conversation. Is that alright with you?

[Bêthberry]

Aman sounds fine. Bekah will be very circumspect in who and what she tells, if at all, but she will be looking around to consider the needs of the nation and reconsidering her status and the King's.

I won't be around tomorrow or Saturday, so a reply will be delayed. But worry not.

Fordim, and yet you claimed earlier you were surprised to hear of your father's shenanigans and of the existence of a half brother. Tricksome one you are.;)

Lovely work all and despite my delays replying I am very much enjoying this game.

EDIT: Just read your post, Aman. Stunning use of the tapestry!

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

I honestly can't quite recall how all this came about. I think that the half-brother thing was Nova's idea. . .

Nova, by the way, is practically dancing with glee over the new development. I think that Gjeelea and Siamak might want to watch out as there may very well be a new aspirant to the throne.

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

I think that Gjeelea and Siamak might want to watch out as there may very well be a new aspirant to the throne.

Talk about not cutting any breaks! Now Gjeelea has to worry about Siamak, Korak, AND Tarkan. What's a girl to do?!?

I do actually have something somewhat substantial to add to this - I'd like to mention that I think everyone has been doing a GREAT job posting...every post is fun to read and well-written.

So the plot thickens...

-Aylwen

[Amanaduial the archer]

Most intriguing post, Fordim. About the 'giants wandering the countryside' - I presume you are referring to the object of our previous discussions? I will work on that in future posts... But what about these packs of wandering man like creatures? May I inquire as to what you have in mind here?

Secondly, a query as to timeline: you have already moved the time along, so shoul we just work from here, and not write up the posts for Bekah and Zamara's meeting? If you would prefer to just keep things moving along from the forwarded time, that is fine with me as long as it is alright with Bethberry, but do let me know.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Most intriguing post, Fordim. About the 'giants wandering the countryside' - I presume you are referring to the object of our previous discussions?

Yes.

But what about these packs of wandering man like creatures? May I inquire as to what you have in mind here?

No. Well, you can inquire, but I shan't answer. All will be made clear, in time.

Secondly, a query as to timeline: you have already moved the time along, so shoul we just work from here, and not write up the posts for Bekah and Zamara's meeting? If you would prefer to just keep things moving along from the forwarded time, that is fine with me as long as it is alright with Bethberry, but do let me know.

Sorry, I meant to address this very topic with a post to this here DT this morning but I ran out of time before a meeting and rushed away.

There were two matters still 'ongoing' -- Tarkan's discussion with Faroz and Bekah's with Zamara. I wanted to jump ahead anyway, however, as the rest of the characters seemed more or less set to go, and, well, I thought I should stick by my (second) deadline. That having been said: if Nova, Bethberry or Aman wish to do any posts wrapping up things from before the jump I will add them to the beginning of my post for Jarult.

Onward, my people!

[Bêthberry]

I think it is absolutely appropriate that Fordim moved events forward, as both a gamer and the Moderator of the Forum, Aman. He gave us lots of warning and I think part of the fun of this form of gaming is working around situations such as this one. No sense forcing the game to a standstill for "I mean to get here."

I already have half of a "forward" post worked out in my head. It seems to me logical that the Queen likely had need of an amanuensis (hee hee) and who but the High Priestess is a logical choice? Does this suit you?

I would much rather do this than create a "backwards" post that would not really move events forward.

If you have 'druthers', let's work them out via PM, okay? That way maybe we can spring a few surprises on Fordim and a few others. ;)

RL keeps me away from being able to post until Sunday at least, or possibly Monday.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Nova: please clear some space in your PM inbox. I tried sending you a PM as a kind of PS to my last but it came back PDQ.

Sorry everyone else: game away!

[Orofaniel]

Under construction post from looooong ago is now filled.

Interesting plot twists people. Lovely read.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Another post made - I apologise, it is rather short, but I felt I should update a little on Zamara nonetheless

Bethberry: I have hinted a little at one of the things we spoke about through PM. I hope I have handled this adequately for you, and will make any changes you would like. Is the way I have used the ideas alright, or...?

[Novnarwen]

I just thought I'd say that I've brought Pelin into the Game. (He's got his own post now!!) I hope I'll be able to continue with writing seperate posts for him, but we shall see. Anyway, I am hoping to put up nother post, tomorrow. Tarkan has still something to say about the piece of parchment and the book, which I hope will come as a surprise to you....

I'm enjoying all the posts! Wonderful! :)

[Imladris]

I'm sorry to say this but I am rather sick and won't be able to get a post up for some time.

I'm dreadfully sorry. Hopefully I'll get better soon.

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

I apologize for the very short post - Gjeelea had but one question for Tarkan and I tried to make the post as long as possible for such a short transition.

I hope you feel better, Imladris! :)

As always, great posts everyone!

-Aylwen

[Kransha]

I must also apologize, but instead for a very long post. I am trying to think of ways to compact it so it easier to read, but I have little time to do so, and it came up longer than expected. I did not want to divide it up, because I won't be able to post for a bit and I fear that, when I would be able to post the second part, the action that I desired it to fit with chronologically would already be over. So, there you have it. Sorry Bb et al.

Oh, and Fordim - *wink*...That is all.

[Bêthberry]

Kransha,

Dividing the post is no problem. Simply give me the second half and I will add it for you at the appropriate time even though you may be absent. Or you could send it to a fellow game who could append it to his or her post at the right time.

I have returned the post to you for editing.

Bêthberry,
Moderator for Rohan

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Nova, please empty some space in your PM inbox. We have matters, dark and secret, to discuss. . . ;) :eek:

[Bêthberry]

Reluctantly I find I must withdraw from the game. RL is just too busy these days,, and with my computer slowly grinding to a halt, I cannot keep up with the game.

I will shortly make one last post for Bekah and then bid you all a fond adieu. It's a great game. Have fun and remember I will keep watching.

Bethberry

[Amanaduial the archer]

Apologies for my absence over the past couple of days. I've been ill, plus a sudden explosion of RL have stopped me from having time to make a substantial enough post. I will get back on track as soon as possible.

Bethberry: Oh! Sorry to hear it :( I hope everything is ok, honey.

[Novnarwen]

Hi!

I'm sorry that is has been such a long while since I last posted. Due to loads of activity in RL life, which seems to have no end, I have had to sacrifice a lot of my time spent by the computer. I don't know when I'll manage to put up a new post, but I'll try as soon as possible. It's unlikely that it will be before next weekend. I'm really sorry. I hope it's alright.

Bethberry - I'm sorry to see you leaving the game. I hope you're okay! :)

Cheers,
Nova :D

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Quick note before I head off to school -

After Tarkan answers Gjeelea's question, I had planned for her to take leave of the Priest and run into Korak on her way out. Since Nova has not finished her under construction post and I do not know when she will do so, after school today I will put up a post that has Gjeelea leaving the temple and running into Korak. I hate having to make Nuru wait for us before she can post. When Tarkan replies to Gjeelea's question I will edit the post and add a response to the top of it.

Does this sound okay?

Now...of for an education...:D

-Aylwen

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Aylwen: sounds good to me.

Everyone: Remember, if a post has been Under Construction for more than 24hrs feel free to proceed with your own posts as you see fit. The burden for editing or changes should always rest with the person who left the UC up!

One More Thing: Another rather substantial jump forward in time is coming soon. . .

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Oh. My. Goodness.

Bethberry, that was an OUTSTANDING post, if I may say so. :eek:

Wow.

Right, so that's all I wanted to say really. I would have repped you - but apparently I need to spread the love a bit before I get back to you. :D

-Aylwen

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Fortunately for me, I've been spreading the love around and was able to rep that post. Indeed -- wonderful: there is a lot there for those of us who remain to react to.

Bekah, though now gone, will remain at the centre of much that follows. . .

As to which -- I apologise for my own absence from the game of late but a serious illness in the immediate family has been soaking up all of my remaining energies and time. It's nothing terrible or lasting, and we all expect recovery to be complete and swift, but it has made finding BD time rather difficult. That having been said, I should be able to put up a post sometime tomorrow in which Faroz wraps up his interview with the Lady Arshalous. If someone posts before I do, feel free to describe the reaction to the murder -- such a visible death will not take long for people to notice!

There is one slight wrinkle that has arisen in the timeline, but I think we can work around it. The Emissary is currently visiting Arlome while simultaneously murdering Bekah. Rather than rearranging posts and working around this, let's just go with it. He is a powerful sorcerer, in command of the dark arts, so perhaps he has found a way to make it seem as though he is in two places at once?? Alak and Oro -- perhaps this is something you could have fun with? Maybe the Emissary is not really in the villa, only some part of him?? I don't know. . .

Note to Kransha: now would be a really good time to bring in that plot twist we PMed about a while back. Nudge Nudge, Wink Wink.

One More Thing: Our noble and beloved Moderator has given us precisely the segue I was looking for in the game -- things are about to get a whole lot worse for the people of Pashtia very quickly. A line has been crossed, and there are events brewing (see my next posts! ;) ) that will soon bring things to a head. Given this, I would urge everyone to pick up on the rumours and directions indicated in Bethberry's post. The King is clearly not himself; the Queen has been murdered; and like I said, there's worse coming. . .

Seems to me that it's getting time for people to decide where they stand: does the Kingdom need a new King or not? And if so, who?

Remember -- I have designed this game with NO SET OUTCOME: whether Pasthia ends up falling under the Shadow or not is yet to be decided. It is already too late for Faroz and, sadly, his wife. . .but what of the Kingdom???

[Bêthberry]

Thanks peeps. With everything goin' on here I had at one point considered posting something to the effect of, "Oh, yeah, and she died" but then I got into the fun of writing it .

About that wrinkle in the timeline, Fordim with The Emissary seemingly in two places at once. As of this morning, *cough* Oro *cough* still had not filled in her "under construction" post from Feb 4. I had been waiting for her and Alak to finish the interview, but as you yourself said recently,


Everyone: Remember, if a post has been Under Construction for more than 24hrs feel free to proceed with your own posts as you see fit. The burden for editing or changes should always rest with the person who left the UC up!

One More Thing: Another rather substantial jump forward in time is coming soon. . .

As I didn't want Bekah's exit caught in your time warp jump, I thought it best to post now and let others rely on edits past.

I can always add posts to other gamers' posts if need be.


Beth the Mod
(Now, how many of you get that reference? ;) )

[Orofaniel]

Hm...well, actually, my post was finished. Alak was going to continue it by inviting the Emissary out in the gardens. Then I would bring Evrathol out and we'd make the bad man go away. :p

Hm.

Oh, btw; that title got me thinking Josef Conrad. o.0

[Kransha]

To Fordim: The twist is ready, I just need Aman to post (hopefully in the same timeframe in which the conversation between Zamara and Morgos is taking place). At that point I will introduce said point, and at a very interesting time, considering these events.

Bethberry: May I also add: excellent post, and posts. It's been a pleasure to write in a game alongside you, and an honor.



...doo doo doo *whistles*

[alaklondewen]

Hm...well, first I need to apologize for my unexpected absence. I am currently working on my honor's thesis and I've put in so many hours this week getting everything ready for data collection that I've had no time for anything. So I'm sorry...it seems things have been waiting for me and I didn't realize.

Hm...well, actually, my post was finished. Alak was going to continue it by inviting the Emissary out in the gardens. Then I would bring Evrathol out and we'd make the bad man go away.

As to the Emissary...at the end of my last post, Arlomë did invite him out to the gardens, so Evrathol can go there at any time. There should not have been a reason to wait for me for this.

Concerning his being in two places at once, we can have him suddenly take off, or maybe he goes inside and when he returns he is very different. We can play around with this.

I need to finish catching up on the game posts, and I will do my best to get something up this weekend. I'm not feeling well today, but that's most likely stress related and after some much needed sleep...I'll be better.

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Sorry for being MIA at a crucial point in the game - track meets keep me running all night and sleeping all day. The season is over though so I'll be getting a post up tonight. :D

Great posts all - I especially like Kransha's posts but, alas, I must still work on spreading the reputation to others before coming back to Kransha (or Fordim, or Firefoot, etc...yeesh I need to be more giving). :(

-Aylwen

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

I just wanted to let everyone know that I shall be away (FAAAAR away) from any and all internet access all of next week -- specifically, I shall be absent until Monday the 28th and possibly not even until Tuesday the 29th. I am hoping that I shall be able to post to the game thread one more time before I leave.

This means that I shall have to ask you all to carry Faroz along with the current scene -- and there is much to do! Morgos is going to be brought to the Palace, his family will (undoubtedly) want to see to him; both Zamara and Kanak will be required for the planning of the Queen's funeral; the murder of the Queen AND the attempt upon the General's life need to be looked into; if Morgos is up to it, there will need to be some conversation about preparing for war with Alanzia.

But First and Foremost is the Queen's funeral. The women of her family and inner circle will need to bathe and dress her, then stay up with her throughout the night so that she can be put upon her funeral pyre first thing in the morning. It's the duty of her eldest son to light the pyre.

When I do return to the Downs, I will be moving time forward by a significant chunk -- so if we can see to the Queen's funeral next week, and assorted fallout, that would be wonderful.

Enjoy!

EDIT

OK -- I've put up my post and I've tried to work it that you won't have to carry Faroz along. He shall spend the rest of the night (whilst I am away) in his chambers.

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

I have filled in my save - it is short, but important still, I think.

-Aylwen

[Amanaduial the archer]

I have posted, after a regretably lengthy silence, which I apologise for. May I just say that, as I have just re-read them all together, the posts the last few weeks have been truly fantastic - would that I could rate you all, but I can't. Truly excellent work. Ooh, plot thickening, plot thickening...*rubs hands gleefully*

I hope my post is alright. Zamara will be making her way to the palace now. But those are dangerous streets now for two women on their own...

[Orofaniel]

Hi

I filled my save; here (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=376922&postcount=189) I've also written a "continue-post". =P

I haven't had this much fun writing in a long time. :p The story has developed and the plots keep on rolling. ;)

If anyone wants me to edit something give me a hint. :)

[Novnarwen]

I'm sorry for my absence. Busy times..

I've just posted. Tarkan is not yet aware of the Queen's death, and I will make at least one more post before this is known to him. I hope to post again very soon.

Please let me know if it needs edits!

Aylwen- I didn't know you were expecting me to write an answer from the Priest to Gjeelea's question regarding the Emissary, and I didn't discover the open space you had left after my post before now. I have made a short new paragraph. I hope it was alright. Sorry!

Cheers,
Nova

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

My save is up...

Arlomë, Arshalous, and Zamara, I think, should be joining Gjeelea and the maids to help dress the queen...I don't know what other women would be asked to take part in this phase of the post-death rituals. :o

In any case, I put in my post that Homay goes to speak with Korak - I remember that in Bethberry's last post, Bekah asks Homay to reveal to him and Arlomë the crimes of the Emissary's men. Since Homay was one of Bethberry's characters, I guess Nuru could handle that conversation. Or, if you'd rather, Nuru, I could post for Homay?

:D

I love snow!
-Aylwen

[Amanaduial the archer]

Oh, the music for this occasion, I feel some good music is required... Is anyone else familiar with the King Arthur Soundtrack? I highly recommend it. Anyway, I feel at this time in the game, 'Budget Meeting' is just the thing required right now...or maybe 'Do You Think I'm Saxon'... And yes, I am aware that the names are truly awful ;)

Zamara is on the way to the Palace now, Aylwen - nicely handled post, by the way. As to the dressing of the Queen...well, we may just have to wing it! But before they get there...well, Zamara and Tayfar, alone in the streets where all sorts of dangers are now lurking...*really, really evil smiley* Well, just a maybe...

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

OK -- so the game had gone kind of quiescent there, and I figured that rather than trying to whip you all into shape (since I am guiltier than anyone of letting it slip quietly into the night) I would just throw everything for a loop. Hence the latest, somewhat dramatic, post.

Time has moved forward by six months and life in Pashtia has been changed dramatically. I gotta say, that right now things are not looking good for the Pashtians. . .and they're going to get a lot worse from here on in. Khamul, as he is now called, is going to be plotting against his enemies and trying to secure his absolute power so that he can make a gift of his realm to his new best friend the Lord Annatar. . .

I just hope that the few good people of his kingdom can find a way to stop him.

[Kransha]

May I begin by saying: Great post, Fordim. Its always refreshing to feel like I'm actually reading a snippet of Tolkien in a game.

Second and, more importantly: Since the timeline's moved along six months, I assume people's lives have been severely altered. Your post mentioned that the Temple of Rhais is going to be (or has been?) destroyed, so a lot of the priestesses are out of a job, and Jarult is, but would it be to brash of me to have Morgos remain General? It would be, at this point, a totally vestigial position, and he'll have been shoved into a meaningless job with no real power over the army as he once had. Obviously this does not mean that he is still Khamul's trusted lieutenant, but, if Khamul is an adherant of the "keep your friends close and your enemies closer" proverb, he might see fit to keep Morgos in his court as a useless relic before he deals a more lethal blow.

Or has he been "laid off" like so many others?

Either way, he's still invariably linked to the King, even if he isn't really "Faroz" anymore.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Kransha, as always, you have some very good questions. In response to them I will only say this. . .

We'll have to wait for people to start posting to the game again so that we can know the answers! ;)

[piosenniel]

Aman is having major problems with her computer - it's not allowing her onto the Downs. I'm posting this here at her request:

~*~ Pio

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

My friends, Pashtians, countrymen/countrywomen/countrypersons of indescriminate gender....

Lend me your eyes. I come to make excuses, not to bury them.
The evil that a Barrowdowner does lives with them;
This evil is oft intered in their computer.
So has it been with my computer. The noble Pio
Comes to tell you that my computer has thrown a paddy and cannot get onto the Downs:
As it is so, it is a grievous fault,
And grievously I cannot (therefore) answer it (the RPG, that is).
Here, under leave of Fordim and the rest -
For Fordy is an honourable man;
So are they all, all honourable men/women/persons of indescriminate gender -
Come I to speak my excuses.

...ok, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I am, as you say, killing Shakespeare dead; quite a feat after a couple-a hundred years already lying in a cursed grave, but nevertheless one that is probably punishable by the slapping by a wet fish. And so I stop, however the allusion to Julius Ceasar is in my mind to this RPG.

The reason for this post? Well, my computer has, as I said, had a paddy - it is refusing to allow me access to the Barrowdowns at all. Most disagreeable. I am therefore obviously unable to read the RPG posts. Now the good saint Pio has agreed to help me out by sending me the posts from the RPG so I can keep up - a very kind offer indeed, but I'm afraid my audacity, dear readers, is going to stretch a little further.

I do not recieve half the notifications from this RPG - I get maybe one in five. Pio has sent me Nurumaiel's last post, so I am so far up to date. But I ask you if you could maybe help me out by doing one wee thing for me: my email is:

*** Aman left her email here - But I'd feel better if it weren't advertised - just PM me and I'll give it to you ~*~ Piosenniel (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/member.php?find=lastposter&f=26) ***

I'm trying my hardest to be humble here, please try not to read this as being cheeky, but I most humbly ask that, when you make a post on the RPG or the discussion thread...if you could send me a copy by email? Please! I feel like a right nuisance, and I'm terribly sorry for being a burden, but it would be a great help to me if you could do this. It should only be temporary, but I would rather not get behind, as I don't know exactly how long it will be until my computer comes to it's senses. Confounded machine. *glares*

If you have any other reason to contact me, please just send an email - I am on MSN with the same address, and on AIM with the name Amanaduial. I would be delighted to hear from you if you wish to contact me for any reason.

My thanks, and my apologies for being such a confounded nuisance,

Yours,
- Amanaduial

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Greetings All!

I feel that the time has come to start bringing this game to a close. The posts of late, while wonderful, have become sporadic and it seems as though the weight of the gaming is being carried by a few dedicated people rather than by the group as a whole. To that end, I would like to open a very brief discussion here about how we might want to conclude things.

For my part, I can say that Khamul (formerly Faroz), having now fallen completely under the shadow of Sauron, is going to start rounding up his enemies so that he can implement his Final Solution...but who, exactly, are his enemies? Given the power of the Ring we can assume that he pretty much knows what everyone is up to and that the following characters are in big trouble:

Zamara
Korak
Siamak
Gjeelea

What is more, given the views of Sauron on Elves, Arlome and Evrathol willl probably soon be joinging Morgos in quasi-imprisonment.

The wildcards are Arshalous and Tarkan -- where do they stand?

As I do not want to follow Khamul into tyrrany, I don't want simply to impose situations upon all the other players (e.g. arresting everyone and having them tossed in dungeons) -- so how would you like to see your characters 'handled' by Khamul? There are any number of options and I am delighted to accomodate any or all of them. Assasination attempts? Outright imprisonment? Thrown into cells singly or in specific groups? House arrest? Everyone together? Another option might be to have everyone gathered together at th Palace (brought there by orcs?) for a final confrontation of some kind?

The key thing that you will all need to address is how, if possible, can Khamul be defeated? At the moment it appears that Pashtia is doomed to follow him into servitude under Mordor...

I await your ideas. I will not impose a deadline on the completion of the game, but I would like to see it wrapped up sometime in the next 3-4 weeks.

[Kransha]

Ironically, I am just now able to get back into the swing of this, and I find us on the home stretch. I apologize for being MIA, I was struck with a rather unexpected sickness which made it hard for me to do anything on the computer or the Downs. I was, thankfully, able to moniter it in case things happened that required immediate, unavoidable attention, but in to poor spirits to muster a post, or even really explain why I was absent. Again, my apologies.

Also ironically, now that I can post in ernest again, I am short on time. As to the discussion at hand, I will respond with adequate length tomorrow. Today, though, I would like to add something. I have kept a lot of secrets about Morgos, and I will probably have to reveal them a bit prematurely. What is paramount, though, is that, despite the tyranny of Khamul, Morgos won't abandon him unless he must, or a loophole is found (later, I'll explain). Even if arrested or fired altogether and assaulted, he will not refute the lordship of Khamul. Long story, but hey, it'll all make sense soon enough...

[Amanaduial the archer]

Sounds intriguing, Kransha - the boy has a plan...

Firefoot, Aylwen, Your Royal Highness the Illumination of the Kingsom of Pashtia (Fordim) - check your PMs please. In the words of the Baron Bamburst (maybe): Ve Haff...a plan...*evil smile*

Please let myself and Novnarwen know what you think of the ideas outlined. They certainly answer some questions, and could bring about deliciously wicked others...

[Firefoot]

Just to let everyone know: I won't have computer access for the rest of the week, until late Saturday night. :( Hopefully this won't disrupt the flow of the game too much; I'll try to have a post up before I leave.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

I've done my best with my latest post to keep the action within the many subtle plans that people are working with via PM. Do let me know if there is something in there that needs changing or if there are any additions people would like to see.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Nicely done indeed, Fordim - I like the paranoia growing on Khamul, and the way the Emissary sleeps now in the same bed: elevated to the same status as the king himself...

I hope mine provides a suitable follow up. Our plans can commence now: I'm so excited! Aylwen, I wasn't sure about the whereabouts of your character now - join in by all means if you wish. I am so looking forward to the implementation of our plot! *rubs hands with manic, nay, psychotic glee*

[Novnarwen]

I've finished my post. :D

Aman - Please tell if I have handled Nadda inappropriately!

Nova :)

[Bêthberry]

*takes off her game hat and puts on Moderator hat*

Ladies and gentlemen, gamers all, your Game Manager has asked everyone to attend closely to wrap up this game. Many plans are afoot, yet needed posts are not being written and put up.

It has been over a week since we have heard from some of the very important players in this end-scenario. Please post within the next two days.

I remind you that game characters can be written out of games--yes, even at this late stage--if their absence slows down the game.

There is a way to save Pashtia and free it of the doom of its King, if you attend closely enough to the current posts and to the history of Khamul in LotR. Don't despair that all is lost simply because the King controls the Ring. Remember Frodo and remember how he was able to hide from the Eye.

I have a post for Daliyeh and Jarult--if Fordim does not beat me to it--ready to write, but we have not yet heard from our princess. Is she lost? Rally round your Priestess, Pashtians, or face the consequences.

[Kransha]

I'm here, and writing posts as fast as my tired hands can.

I've been in communication, via PM, with alak and Orofaniel, over the last week, so they are both accounted for (just covering for them here, not that they need it). We're planning something which will be underway as a finale sub-plot shortly, which should resolve, um, "family matters."

P.S. Oro and alak, I've read you're latest in our PM correspondence dispatches, and am composing a response. Expect it shortly - I apolgize that I can't pump it out sooner.

[Firefoot]

Where is everyone?

[Bêthberry]

I sent a PM to Fordim tonight about this very issue, Firefoot, before you posted here.

Discussion of this game began November 10, 2004 and the game opened November 16, 2004, with the expectation that it would require three to six month's time commitment from the gamers. It is now nudging past that; June 10 will be seven months.

There are allowances in Rohan for slower games, as the complexity of issues requires longer and more planned posts, but the expectation still is that people will post weekly at a minimum. The lack of any posts for 10 days suggests that things have stymied rather than that things are being planned.

Please contact Fordim immediately about your plans. If he does not hear from you within the week, he will have the authority to start carrying characters so that the final events can be brought into play.

This game began with great activity and enthusiasm. Let's not let it dwindle into lethargy and inaction. There are still major possibilities to play out. Does the King's subjugation to Annatar mean his people are lost also? Game players, it is up to you to decide that. Here is your chance to answer an issue unexplained in the canon!

Bethberry,
Rohan Moderator

[Amanaduial the archer]

Well, we had a nice little storyline merrily playing itself along here, involving, well, most of the cast actually; however, the next person to post logically needs to be Novnarwen, Tarkan and Pelin's writer. As there has been no movement on this front, I will make a post tomorrow, if I have time, moving it along a little (am in revision panic mode, but I'll probably have time, je pense) - I intended to do so on Friday, but have been at a wedding in Stratford and then working today. Novnarwen, if you wish to make a post which is chronologically before mine, I will paste it into mine at the beginning :)

[Bêthberry]

Alaklondewen has written to Fordim, Kransha and myself that she will be withdrawing from the game and from all gaming at BD because of several factors in RL. I assume that Fordim and Kransha will be coordinating the loss of her character but if any of you wish to contact her with questions or to wish her well, she said she will be checking PMs until this Friday, when she will be moving and losing computer access.

I'm sure I speak for us all when I say we wish her well and hope she can return as soon as possible.

Bethberry

[Novnarwen]

I'm really sorry for not having posted. I truly am. I have been so busy, with everything from visitors, concerts and exams. In all of this, I simply haven't found time for posting. Unfortunately, this week, as well, will be busy. However, I will try to make a post. Whether I make it in time before Aman posts or not, I am not sure.

I hope this is all right.

Alak- I'm very sorry to see you go. Hope you'll be able to get back soon. :)

Thanks for you patience,
Nova

[Amanaduial the archer]

Don't worry Novnarwen - good luck in your exams! What level?

I have posted: hope this is alright for everyone, and I apologise for it being slightly belated. Hopefully this can move us on to the actual contents of the meeting before Khamul, the Emissary et al turn up and crash the party. :)

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Greetings all!!

Aman: you are the truest most faithful Downer of them all! In the last two weeks, you are the only gamer (myself included) to post! Praise her with great Praise!!

It has become apparent that the game is officially, well, maybe not dead, but certainly quiescent. That is OK, we had a good go and it went on a LOOOOONG time.

But our revels now are ended; too many of our actors have melted into the air, and the great globe itself is dissolving. It is time for our insubstantial pageant to fade...

In keeping with forum rules, then, those gamers who have not posted in two weeks (which is everyone but Aman and, soon, myself) will have their characters summarily taken over by me. I will thus begin to close out the game with a series of posts that I hope to get up between now and Sunday night.

Any gamer who wishes to put up a post in these last days should feel utterly free to do so. I do not mean to wrest control of your characters from you -- only that if you are no longer able or interested in posting I will do so on your behalf.

[Firefoot]

I will have up a post tonight; before Aman had posted there would have been nothing for me to respond to...

[Amanaduial the archer]

A fair point indeed, sir, a fair point indeed...

And Fordim, erm...thank you? Calm down sir, it can't be good for your blood pressure ;) And be not morose, Captain: this game has been, and still is fantastic. There's no need to give it a quick shufty ending - it deserves a playing out, and we can give it that, good sir, if you're willing; even if half the gamers have 'melted away' and we haven't seen hide nor hair of some for weeks. I'll have another post up as soon as I can - I'm revising Philosophy tomorrow and god, but it's tiresome...

And yes, yes I am in a slightly odd mood this evening, due to variou events of the day including an English Literature exam: believe me, the word 'morose' doesn't generally feature in my every day vocabulary...

EDIT: Hrm. Due to a certain revelation that Novnarwen wanted to make regarding her character and Khamul, I'm not sure I can really press on that much. I'll just have to...hang on for a while then. Foils. But hey, press on Firefoot :) Novnarwen, don't worry about RL and everything, I hope it's all cool - if you could try to get the next post in the series up, that would be great, but if you don't have time could you possibly PM me about what you would like to happen. Hoping you can post as soon as, but don't worry.

Imladris, check you PMs please.

[Imladris]

I am sorry that I have not posted..

I have just not seen any reason too -- Arshalous always ws one of the back ground characters to my mind...

I don't even know if she and the king are married yet....or did I miss it in one of the posts?

[Novnarwen]

I have posted.

Aman, Firefoot, Aylwen- Please let me know if I have handled your characters appropriately.

Also, let me know if you want anything changed.


Cheers,
Nova

PS! I'm making a few edits on my post still...

[Amanaduial the archer]

Just one small thing: two servants not three.

Also, it is vital that Pelin has not noticed that the Princess is there: maybe he will just have assumed she is a third servant, her face must remain hidden. Otherwise yes, excellent :)

EDIT: ...and the next installement is in!

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Wonderful wonderful stuff up there! I should get Barrow-Wighted more often if this is to be the result!

Just a note to the conspirators: I've sent the Emissary off to the Elven quarter, but if he and his orcs are 'wanted' in your part of the tale, feel free to have them discover and/or chase your characters. Think of the possibilities: this will be the very first encounter between the Lord of the Nazgul and mortal beings...!!

[Nurumaiel]

I am leaving in just a few hours for a two-week trip to the east coast. I desperately wanted to write up a post involving Korak and a twist, but one of the lads had a baseball tournament over the weekend and my spare time has been taken up with packing. If the game is still going when I return, I'll try to get up those last couple of posts I had in mind... if not, Korak may be disposed of however the King, Arshalous, Gjeelea, etc. please... and I've enjoyed the game immensely!

[Firefoot]

To let you all know: I will not be here next week from Monday 13th to late on Friday 17th. If there is something for Siamak to respond to before then I will be able to post until Sunday night. Other than that, Siamak can be carried along in my absence as needed.

[Amanaduial the archer]

...and let the lynching commence for that stupendously melodramatic post. But hey...

Glad to see we're back on the road :)

[Bêthberry]

Kudos to Fordim, Firefoot, and Aman for staying the road. I keep hoping for some kind of eucatastrophe. I don't think we've had any RPGs which attempted this desperate twist at the eleventh hour, but it would be really cool to see one here. :cool:

Of course, feel absolutely free to ignore that suggestion should you wish to travel down the well worn path to destruction, infamy, carnage, scouring, and general darkness all round. ;)

[Amanaduial the archer]

'Ang on, 'ang on, 'ang on... I thought we agreed there would be a 'eucatastrophe', so to speak (and just bear in mind that I am using the definition of the word that I have picked up and which may well be wrong...*winces*)? That is to say, that there would be...

the well worn path to destruction, infamy, carnage, scouring, and general darkness all round

...for a fair wee while, right up to the point where our dashing heroes were on the brink of being executed (yay, fun-happy-time)...and then there was The Mighty Plot Twist that was earlier discussed in PM?

...does anyone else remember The Mighty Plot Twist...?

[Firefoot]

...does anyone else remember The Mighty Plot Twist...? Which one? ;) No, seriously, I'm not sure I do.

But the rest of that I remember (or, if I don't remember, it's always the way I had assumed it would go anyway... ;) )

[Amanaduial the archer]

Indeed. Hmm. Well, we had a plan, and a damn good plan it was as well. And I have said plan saved...on my laptop, which has died.

Bother.

*sigh*

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Here at the end of all things, I am glad that you are with me, my remaining gamers!

And thus was Pashtia spared the Night of Sauron, for the Nazgul fled into the West, never to be seen in the East again.

So here's what I propose: that the game be given one more week in which anyone who wants to can post their final word (or two) before I put up an Epilogue of some sort to finish it all off. There's still a lot that needs doing, so there should be plenty for us to work through! Who will become ruler of Pashtia? Will the City be rebuilt? Who has survived this terrible night and who has not?

[Firefoot]

Okay, I was having a hard time finding a place to cut off my post so that it made sense - I sent Siamak and Zamara in the direction of Tarkan, Arshalous, and Korak. I believe that Nova intended for Tarkan to die, but I do not know about Arshalous or Korak, and there didn't seem to be a way to bring Siamak and Zamara all the way ther without addressing that.

So instead, Aman, I posed (or Siamak did) Zamara with a question - you can use it as a lead-in to conversation if you like. Or, if you have a better idea for a conversation starter, let me know... like I said, I was having some trouble cutting it off. :)

This has been a great RPG, I'm really glad to have participated in it and find myself a little sad at its ending. Ah, well, it's been fun.

[Novnarwen]

Well, I've something in mind for both Tarkan (and Pelin for that matter). I'll try to post as soon as I can, but I'm currently sick in bed with a cold. Yeah, can you believe that? :eek:

[Bêthberry]

At last, at last, there's Daliyeh's last. I was wanting to bring in all sorts of ideas about the Pashtian culture but I couldn't recall enough of the things we had posted earlier and decided that, after all, a conclusion needs to be concluded and not drawn out.

A fabulous game full of intrigue and wonderful exploration of possibilities. Stellar work everyone! But mourn not the passing over much! ;)

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Finally, the epilogue is done and the game is done.

Thanks to everyone who made it such an enjoyable experience, particularly to those of you who stuck it out to the very end.

But, alas, here ends our Fellowship. I will not say do not weep, for not all tears are ill.... ;)

[Bêthberry]

Aw, Fordim, such a delightful and marvellous death scene! A eucatastophe in itself. Some Downers, however, might be nashing their teeth at it! ;)

I have closed the game thread but will leave the discussion thread open for a few days to allow the fellowship to make any final posts they wish. If anyone wants to make edits to any game posts, PM me and I will reopen the thread.

Splendidly done.

[Bêthberry]

* * * * To Elvenhome* * * *