Eorling Mead Hall Planning/Discussion Thread

[Folwren]

Thanks! My little brother is Javan's age, about, and I also have a cousin here who's ten, so I have some good examples about how such a one would react.

Oh, Foley, it may be true that we writers know Elián's name, but Javan does not. It looks awkward seeing his real name used in your post.

Yes, I thought about it. I guess I can change it. I wasn't sure what would be more awkward, using his real name, or the name Javan knew him by...

-- Folwren

[Ealasaide]

Thanks, Elempi! heehee

Nicknames are great. :) My preferred form is Eala.

I'd like to post first in response to Folwren -- thanks for asking! I've got a post half-written, but it is a short one. I should have it up sometime later this afternoon.

[littlemanpoet]

Another great post, Eala. :) My next, in which Falco will give his turn of the story of Eodwine and the outlaws, as far as he knows it (plus what he imagines) ;) must wait perhaps until Wed., because I have a very busy day tomorrow. Time will tell. But if Javan speaks first, that is fine. So is any action in the "tableau". If there is no further action there, then I will take it upon myself to write that too, but probably not until Wed. or Thurs. Time for me to off to bed as I'm up in just over 6 hours.... :rolleyes:

[Ealasaide]

Thanks, Elempi! :D

No hurry re: your response. :) I'm looking forward to it!

Just a little advance word from me, though: I will be away from the computer from Friday afternoon until late Monday, so I won't be able to respond until Tuesday at the soonest if I miss my window of opportunity before I leave. (I'll be off at a fencing tourney, probably getting my butt handed to me. The bright side is that in a double elimination, you can only die twice! haha)

[Finduilas]

Folwren asked me to tell you that she is not feeling well at present, which is why she hasn't posted. She should be back soon.

[littlemanpoet]

Folwren asked me to tell you that she is not feeling well at present, which is why she hasn't posted. She should be back soon.
Thanks. I saw that yours was the latest post, Finduilas (Findy?) :p , and here I thought maybe you'd been approved already for Rohan. Ah well.

[Finduilas]

Thanks. I saw that yours was the latest post, Finduilas (Findy?) :p , and here I thought maybe you'd been approved already for Rohan. Ah well.

Just Fin, and no, not yet. Foley should be back some time today... we hope.

[Ealasaide]

Argh! I was hoping to answer your excellent post this afternoon before leaving, Elempi, but I have run out of time. (Too much to do, too little time.) I will be sure to get something up on Tuesday. Apologies in advance for the delay.

[Finduilas]

Unluckily, I don't think Foley will be back anytime today. She might not be back till Sunday.

[Folwren]

Okay. I'm back. Partially. Still somewhat weak, but I'm getting over it.

I need to tell you, though, Thursday night I am leaving for camp. Below, I have written out what days I will be here this summer. It's pretty meager. :( I'm very sorry. I get to work at camp six weeks, though!

June 8 (after 6:00) to June 10 (until 3:00)
June 15 (after 6:00) to June 17 (until 3:00)
June 22 (after 6:00) to June 24 (until 3:00)
Jun 29 (after 6:00) to July 5
Maybe July 7 and 8 for about 24 hours.
July 13 (after 6:00) to July 15 (until 3:00)
July 20 is the last day of camp. And we'll be leaving for Virginia sometime between the 23 and the 27, I think, but I'm not sure when.

Now...I don't believe there's anything I have to post right now, so I'll get back to all the work that I have to catch up on. Being sick for a week is not fun, so I don't advise it.

-- Folwren

[Ealasaide]

Glad that you are feeling better, Foley! :)

Wow, looks like we won't be seeing much of you over the summer. Have lots of fun!

[littlemanpoet]

Augh! I'm dying of thirst! Water! Water! Somebody help me!

Ahem.

In other words, how long am I going to have to wait before someone else posts? :(

[Ealasaide]

I should have something up tonight. They actually expected me to work at work today. (Of all the nerve!!)

[littlemanpoet]

Good posts, Foley and Eala.

I just remembered we have a cavalry from Meduseld that needs to make its arrival. I'll make that post at some point in the next day or so.

Big Festival in my home town may keep me away for much of the next three days.

[littlemanpoet]

Oooh, I love a good plot turn! :D Nice one, Eala! But your sailor most certainly has made an enemy of Foley's bandit (sorry for already forgetting names of characters).

I guess I'll have Eodwine reply to the Captain of the guard's social miscue, soon as I can figure out who the devil the chap is. Anybody have an idea for a name for this bloke? Or do we already know? I'm supposing he's the replacement for the dearly departed Haleth, right? Not Hama either. Hmmmm! (Elempi mulls....)

[Ealasaide]

Nice one, Eala! But your sailor most certainly has made an enemy of Foley's bandit...

Yes, he thought of that but figured it might be smarter to kiss up to the guys in charge since they outnumber the guys in shackles... ;)

Of course, there is the possibility that my sailor might end up in shackles right alongside the other bandits, in which case this might not have been the most clever thing to do. hmmm...

It has possibilities either way, doesn't it? However things happen to go, Elián has got a few tricks up his sleeve. :D

[littlemanpoet]

Eala, I goofed. Somehow, I missed reading the paragraph in your previous post that refers to Elián having stepped over to Rowenna and telling her. Had I actually read that the first time, I would have written from her perspective instead of Eodwine's. I'm going to copy and save both my last post, and yours, to this post, and then we have the option to delete those posts and start over again giving Rowenna the chance that you were trying to give her. And we have the old posts here if we want them after all.

Are you willing to do that?

formerly post # 801

Eodwine looked up at Haleth, for so the captain was named, and furrowed his brows.

"You would speak differently had you known these two as did we, Haleth. These were Lefun and Ritun, friends of ours, killed by these outlaws."

Haleth's eyes widened and he looked about him. "Oh! Hm!" He coughed into his fist, his face reddening. "Forgive me. I did not know."

"Will you help us return Lefun and Ritun to the my mead hall?" Eodwine asked.

Haleth gave a curt nod and gave his closest warriors quick orders. While they began the work of hoisting Lefun and Ritun amongst six men, the new stranger spoke up.

“Don’t ask me how I know,” he said barely loudly enough to be heard over the snarling of the dogs. “But this man has not been properly searched. If you value your life, check behind his buckle and bracers. He still has the tools to free himself.”

Eodwine narrowed his eyes at both the speaker and the outlaw whom he had just betrayed, the wiriest and weakest looking by far of the three bandits. "Thornden, check him."

As Thornden searched the outlaw, who was staring balefully at the sailor, Eodwine spoke again.

"You tell me not to ask how you know. But that begs the question, friend, if so I may call you. You know each other." Eodwine meant his words to be statement of fact rather than question. "Do you know any of these others? Are you perhaps the odd one of their number that we cannot find? Speak quickly or you may find yourself bound and taken by my law."

formerly post # 802

The muscles along Elián’s jaw line clinched as the Eorl overheard his remarks to the woman holding the dogs and rounded on him, firing the volley of questions that Elián had been hoping to avoid. He had chosen to address the woman because she had seemed the least likely to interrogate him, but had forgotten to take into account his sea-farer’s voice. From necessity, he had developed the sort of voice that could carry from one end of a ship to the other in a gale. While he could speak as quietly as the next person – after all, it was the only way to have any privacy whatsoever aboard a small ship -- oftentimes ashore he found that he had been speaking louder than he had intended. This, apparently, was one of those times.

Ignoring the baleful glare of the outlaw that he could feel drilling into the side of his face, Elián turned toward the Eorl with an expression of calm equanimity.

“Begging your pardon, milord,” he said politely. “I only pled not to be asked out of embarrassment over an act of very poor judgment. I do know this man, but only in passing.”

“Liar!” muttered the outlaw behind him. Actually, they had done quite a lot of business together. And drinking.

Elián pressed on regardless. “He has a set of lock picks and a miniature dagger hidden on his person. I know because I sold them to him.” That much, at least, was the truth. “I had won them at dice and, being in need of money and having no call for such things myself, sold them rather than destroying them... as perhaps I should have done.” Another lie. Before running away to sea, Elián had spent several years apprenticed to an unscrupulous cutler who had taught him, among other things, how to craft a very efficient set of lock picks. The tiny dagger had been Elián’s own invention. He had made at least fifty sets of both with his own hands over the years and sold all of them for a tidy profit. For all he knew, the rest of the outlaws had them as well. For his own sake, he hoped that they didn’t, but the other two were beginning to look vaguely familiar as well.

“Oh, you liar!” said the first outlaw even louder. By then, the other two outlaws were watching the proceedings with interest as well.

“I speak the truth,” lied Elián confidently. “I am not an outlaw. If I were, why would I turn on my friends? If I chose, I could have killed the Shirrif here and his young friend with ease when I encountered them in the woods, yet I did not. In fact, I offered them my aid.”

He paused, looking innocently from face to face, trying hard to judge how far his bravado would carry him. “Also, I could have chosen to remain silent and let this fellow use his picks and his blade to free himself. I did not. So, arrest me if you must, milord, but do so with the knowledge that it is an ill way to repay a stranger for a service rendered.”

[Ealasaide]

Oh, I don't mind leaving things the way they are or, if you would like to get Rowenna into the picture, I don't mind doing the rewrite. I'm agreeable either way. :) It's all good fun for me!

[littlemanpoet]

I'd prefer to do the rewrite featuring Rowenna. I have reasons.

However, I don't know when I'll be able to get to it as I'm going on a 25th wedding anniversary 4-day vacation this weekend. And I'm busy tonight. So this may not happen until Tuesday night. Sorry.

[Ealasaide]

Sounds good to me. Have a great time on your vacation!

See you on Tuesday. ;)

[littlemanpoet]

I'm back.

I had more than half of my new edit typed when I inadvertently deleted the whole mess. I'm really ticked off at the moment. Maybe I'll finally start typing on wordpad and saving, then posting the finished thing here. This usually doesn't happen to me, but once like this is too often, thank you very much.

It was a long post. :mad:

I'll try again tomorrow.

[Ealasaide]

Okay! No hurry. :)

[littlemanpoet]

My edit is up.

[Ealasaide]

Okay, my new post is up, too. I did want to point out a little confusion that occurred between old posts & new posts, though.

In your post, Elempi, you say:

Ghem's talk had been as if he'd snitched his lockpicks off their previous owner unbeknownst, which might or might not be true; so either Ghem or this Elborn was lying ... about that.

I'm guessing that refers to Elián's tale of having sold Ghem the lockpicks after winning them at dice. Unfortuately, that entire speech of Elián's got deleted in the re-write, so, at this stage, Rowenna has nothing on Elián other than his phony name.

I'd be happy to work the dice tale back in somehow, but at the moment, Rowenna's ahead of the game.

[littlemanpoet]

Ah. I see what you mean. I had thought that I remembered that his original words to Rowenna, he had said they were his. I'll fix.

Interesting comment, by the way, in regard to Bree. I've been planning on sending Falco Boffin away back to the Shire. Depending on how much you want your character to go to Bree - or not - there could be some dovetailing. Of course, that doesn't entirely make sense considering this rpg-ish thing is in the Rohan forum. But anyway....

[Ealasaide]

hmmm... sounds interesting nonetheless! We'll have to see how things progress. There may also be an RPG lurking in there somewhere...

[littlemanpoet]

There may also be an RPG lurking in there somewhere...There are actually a couple. If Anguirel still haunts this part of the Barrowdowns or wishes to, there's his Manawyth character, a Dunlander who is currently under house arrest and Eodwine wants to get to the bottom of his case ... while he goes in search of rumors of his late wife....

Oh by the way, to all of you: Eala and I are building a post via PM that I expect to be ready no later than the end of the weekend, and probably sooner. So if things seem a little quiet it's the "still before the storm", after a fashion. :p

[Mithalwen]

On the matter of the north kingdom.. Due to the difference in the start of the Fourth Age in the Shire and Gondor - I am not sure if 1436SR is FA 15 or 14 ... The year of course is when Elessar rides North to dwell by Lake Evendim for a while. Even if it is FA 15 there surely would be a certain amount of preparatory to-ing and froing along the Greenway which might be utilised?
I don't think this has been mentioned already but I may well have missed it :cool:

[littlemanpoet]

On the matter of the north kingdom.. Due to the difference in the start of the Fourth Age in the Shire and Gondor - I am not sure if 1436SR is FA 15 or 14 ... The year of course is when Elessar rides North to dwell by Lake Evendim for a while. Even if it is FA 15 there surely would be a certain amount of preparatory to-ing and froing along the Greenway which might be utilised?
I don't think this has been mentioned already but I may well have missed it :cool:
Good of you to bring that to our attention, Mith. The "Hills of Evendim" rpg was set in FA 14 on purpose; Eodwine was a scout loaned to Elessar by Eomer at that time. So it would actually be very appropriate for there to be mentions of to-ing and fro-ing through Rohan between Gondor and the Shire.

[Mithalwen]

Ah well a quick search informs me that that RPG was finishing as I arrived here ...

[littlemanpoet]

Ah well a quick search informs me that that RPG was finishing as I arrived here ...
Sorry, did not mean to mislead. I mentioned it merely as something possibly worth using as set-up for a new rpg.

[Folwren]

Elempi, I'm here for the weekend...about forty-eight hours. Are we anywhere near Falco, Thornden, and Eodwine's talk?

-- Folwren

[Nogrod]

"Long time no sea!" as Kath's signature says...

I try to read myself up to date this weekend and if not earlier then after the Midsummer eve's party I will be joining again with full effort...

I have not forgotten this game. It's just that the RL keeps running over...

[littlemanpoet]

Elempi, I'm here for the weekend...about forty-eight hours. Are we anywhere near Falco, Thornden, and Eodwine's talk?I've closed the latest post with a nifty little lead-in to it.

By the way, much thanks to Eala for a most enjoyable post created via PM. I always have fun doing those.

I know how it is, Nogrod; my own efforts to be around here have been quite limited, compared to the "good old days".

[Folwren]

Ehehehe...funny and very nifty, yes. Sometime today, I hope to have time to sit down and write a post. Of course, if I don't get a post up and you get on and want to write something, then go right ahead without worrying about cutting in before me.

-- Folwren

[Ealasaide]

By the way, much thanks to Eala for a most enjoyable post created via PM. I always have fun doing those.

Thanks to you as well! I had great fun with it & hope to do more in the future. :)

[Folwren]

Elempi,

I posted something, but I'm afraid it's short and didn't get very far into the conversation. I didn't know what else to do.

I will be leaving for camp around 3:30 tomorrow - about 23 and a half hours from now. So, if you post today sometime, I should be able to reply again, if necessary.

-- Folwren

[littlemanpoet]

I got carried away, but I've left you a prompt, Foley, so you can continue the conversation. Let me know if I went too far, if there's anything you want me to remove.

I've added a word in the introductory post to this discussion thread on PM-built posts, with a couple of examples. I encourage others who wish to try out this conversation-style posts. They're fun. :)

[Nogrod]

I encourage others who wish to try out this conversation-style posts. They're fun. :)I've done a few with Firefoot in the Fellowship of the Fourth Age and can assure you that lmp speaks the truth: they're fun indeed!

Truly recommendable if the timetables fit!

[Folwren]

I would be more than happy to do a post by PM, but I really don't have time. I"m leaving tomorrow...sorry. I'll go see what happened.

- - Folrey

[Lhunardawen]

I do hope Eodwine and the rest get back to the Mead Hall soon, so the rest of us could finally share in all the fun. :D

I'll post something about Ginna and Lèoðern's walk either later today or tomorrow.

[littlemanpoet]

I do hope Eodwine and the rest get back to the Mead Hall soon, so the rest of us could finally share in all the fun.Sorry about that. I think we can pretty much wrap up this little side-plot by the end of this weekend.

[Lhunardawen]

My post is up. If you've any complaints in my handling of Lèoðern, Celuien, please do let me know.

Kath, what do you think if we let Ginna and Kara meet again before Eodwine's lot arrives?

[littlemanpoet]

What a great post, Lhuna! I can't wait to get the crew back to the Mead Hall. I'll try to see that accomplished soon; that is, as soon as Foley posts to finish off the little "ruckus" between Falco and Thornden.

[Folwren]

There, that should finish it off. Go ahead and use Thornden again if you need to in your next post so that after you have Eodwine answer, you can take them all the way back the Hall.

I used Eodwine. If you'd rather me change anything, then just tell me so.

-- Folwren

[Kath]

Kath, what do you think if we let Ginna and Kara meet again before Eodwine's lot arrives?
Sounds like a plan to me. Give me a PM and we'll get some ideas going?

[littlemanpoet]

Okay, we're back at the mead hall, from Rowenna's perspective.

Foley, do not take personally anything Rowenna thinks about your characters. She has gotten very cynical and critical in the past two years. It - uh - scares me how much she looks, in my mind's eye, like that eye-blinking Merisu 'smiley' .... :rolleyes: (but her eyes aren't that big nor does she have such a smoochy pout.)

:Merisu:

...so you know what I'm talking about. :rolleyes:

[Folwren]

Foley, do not take personally anything Rowenna thinks about your characters. She has gotten very cynical and critical in the past two years. It - uh - scares me how much she looks, in my mind's eye, like that eye-blinking Merisu 'smiley' .... :rolleyes: (but her eyes aren't that big nor does she have such a smoochy pout.)

Okay, I'll try not to. :D Thanks for saying that, though. I'll go off and read what you've written and I'll try not to take it personally. I feel so dumb, though, sometimes, trying to write for a young man. I'm too young to do that still. Oh well.

-- Folwren

[littlemanpoet]

There's a contradiction between something I wrote in post # 801 & what Foley wrote in post # 805.

#801:

She gave him not even a glance, holding the eyes of the Eorl, who agreed to her offer. He sent Haleth on ahead with the two headed dead man, then he and his men showed her each of their kills to Rowenna.

#805:

The entire group set off. Some of the guards of Meduseld took up Rilef’s body and walked behind Thornden. The others from the Mead Hall walked behind those – Garmund going directly behind Rilef, looking crushed and depressed.

I like what you wrote in 805, but then I need to figure out how to change 801 so there's not such a huge party of cavalry in the way while Rowenna identifies the dead. Any ideas?

[Folwren]

O-oh. Oh dear. That's entirely my fault. I had thought I had read that somehwere, but then I couldn't remember where, and I guess I didn't try hard enough, but I didn't find it.

Let me know what you decide on doing - changing your post or having me change mine. I'm leaving for camp shortly and will have to fix it later if you want me to do the changing.

Sorry.

-- Folwren

[littlemanpoet]

No problem. I'll change my post to have Haleth and his men leave without taking Rilef with them. That's about as simple a fix as I can devise.

[littlemanpoet]

What is needed to help my fellow rpg writers to post?

[Celuien]

What is needed to help my fellow rpg writers to post?

Consistent Internet access. :rolleyes:

That won't happen until I get a new computer. Long story.

[littlemanpoet]

Consistent Internet access.
Sorry, can't help there. :rolleyes:

I'm planning on moving "time" forward a good bit next time. That means retrospective writing. In other words, expect a jump of at least a month. Your first post on the new day will therefore be a retrospective post, in which your character thinks - or talks about with another character (PM built post opportunity) - about the events of the past month. These will include:


a last rites ritual for Rilef
Eodwine holding court during which time will occur the trial (and later the execution) of Ulric and Withold
the fate of Ghem
the degree to which Rowenna and Elián fit (or not) into the EMH
more conflict between Thornden and Falco (or not)
more conflict between Garmund and Cnebba (or not)
perhaps more events that I can't think of because you will


The current date at the EMH is May 24, Fourth Age year 15 (this rpg started on New Year's Day of year 15 which is March 25). We've spent posts #469 to the current post running three days straight, and it's time to make a jump.

Please respond with any concerns, questions, ideas, and so forth. Thanks!

[Nogrod]

What is needed to help my fellow rpg writers to post?Time to write without RL-hindrances... :rolleyes:

But as I said, I will be back after the Midsummer Eve's parties the next weekend are over. Rest assured I will post then more frequently. That's a promise.

Celuien: what do you think, should we press on with the gap between Garmund & Cnebba or should we more or less heal it? We probably should make their relation somewhat better now as the chance was there (with the lambs and the fight at the ruins) and I don't see what kind of a mess we should throw them in to give them another one... :)

[Lhunardawen]

What is needed to help my fellow rpg writers to post?
I knew you were bound to ask that sooner or later... ;)

I was going to post here that Kath and I are PM-building a post for Ginna and Kara leading up to the women meeting the arrivals. We're still on it. Please wait patiently for us again... :)

[littlemanpoet]

Cool! :) I'll wait somewhat patiently. (Eager to see what comes of it).

[Ealasaide]

I will try to get something up there today from Elián.

[Celuien]

Should we press on with the gap between Garmund & Cnebba or should we more or less heal it?
I'm all for healing it. They've squabbled enough, and besides, Garmund isn't anywhere near thinking about a fight right now because of the events surrounding Rilef.

[Lhunardawen]

The wait is over; our post is up. Thanks for the patience. :)

[Ealasaide]

Now it's my turn to beg for patience! I had hoped to get a post written yesterday but couldn't find the time to write. I will try to have something up there no later than tomorrow. After that, I will be clear for the time change.

[Folwren]

I'm stuck in a massive rut that I can't seem to get out of. I think it's mostly writer's block. :( So, if I don't post before everyone else is done posting, just move in without me. Sorry.

-- Folwren

[littlemanpoet]

I was a little disappointed that Lhuna's post ended where it did; I had been hoping for some interaction between Kara & Ginna and the others. That's just me. Maybe Garreth will be needed to break the ice. Certainly not Harreld. And Falco is in a rather subdued mood. Maybe people's writer's blocks or diffidence has to do with the funereal nature of the current storyline?

[Lhunardawen]

Interaction...regarding Rilef's death? Or before their arrival? If it's the latter, it was my fault for breaking off the conversation before Kara asks Ginna more...sensitive questions. If it's the former, well, I'm sure the two of them would like some interaction with the men. For my part maybe it is diffidence. But I'm sorry you were a bit disappointed.

[littlemanpoet]

I'm sorry you were a bit disappointed.Don't be. :) It was a very, very mild case. It simply means that I'm eager to see more of your writing. ;) I'll give it until this evening, and if something hasn't been posted by then I'll probably do a little bit of narrating to move the plot along and get people to a more comfortable point for interaction.

[littlemanpoet]

I didn't get a chance to write anything last night. I'll try for something today, but if someone beats me to it, that's fine.

[Thinlómien]

Summer is quite dificult for me. I'm always somewhere else than home (okay, I could have written something a few weeks ago). Now I'm going to Berlin for a few days and then, just less than a week after that, I'll be going to see my relatives in eastern Finland. My granny has a net access, but I'm afraid I won't be online very often. Then, I'm going to have a tour in my friend's summer houses and that's two weeks with no net access at all. Then, there's a few days' pause, but then I'm going to be a councellor on a summer camp for a week so... It's til mid-August that I really have time to post, but I might try to come up with something before that (it's just too bad having two regular RPGs goiung on the same time)... So, if Noggie could continue being the main writer of Cnebba and could possibly carry Modtryth along, I'd be glad...

[Nogrod]

So, if Noggie could continue being the main writer of Cnebba and could possibly carry Modtryth along, I'd be glad...It is so sad you didn't manage to make a post for Cnebba as you intended... But anyhow, I will be able to write him - and to bring Modtryth along if needed but hopefully not - so I guess "ev'ry lil' thing... 's gonna be allright"... (guess what is the reggae-song I'm hearing from the radio at the moment?) :)

I hope I can be in within a day or two.

[Firefoot]

Just to let you know - I'm going to be out of town next week, and I'm not sure about how much internet access that I'll have.

[Folwren]

I'M HOOOOME! Until next Thursday. And I'm very happy, too.

Cheers!

-- Folwren

[littlemanpoet]

It would be nice to wrap up the Day this weekend. I'll write a post tomorrow. Probably from Rowenna's pov. I hope it will be after someone else has posted.

[Folwren]

Heyho...I guess if I really feel like it, I might drag myself out of bed early tomorrow morning and write something for Thornden and/or Javan, just to please you. I'll do my best to post something before you post the last post. Around what time do you think you'll write it?

-- Folwren

[littlemanpoet]

Eala has plans for a plot twist that I want to allow for, so this Day's going to go on for a 'wee bit' yet. :p

[littlemanpoet]

I've attached an updated plan for sleeping arrangements. At this point they do not include arrangements for Elián and Rowenna. That remains to be seen. Is there anybody that I missed?

[littlemanpoet]

Here's an overview of how the whole place looks in my mind. Sorry if this wrenches things for your own imaginations. :(

[littlemanpoet]

Foley, you are using Léof in such a way that, considering my post just before yours, he has to be in two places at the same time. Can you do with just Garwine?

[Folwren]

Hm. You're right. Sorry. I was thinking...I was thinking incorrectly about something that no longer makes sense, so I won't explain. It was too late in the night to be writing...

I'll fix it. But I have to go help make lunch/dinner now, so it will have to wait a while.

-- Folwren

[Folwren]

Hm. I edited Leof out of what I have so far, but I'm going to add some more and still have Thornden address him in the end. But I'm needed again, so, I'm afraid I can't do it now.

EDIT: I have now completely edited my post. Does that work better, Elempi?

-- Folwren

[Ealasaide]

Thanks for the floor plans, Elempi! Those will be very, very helpful to me.

One question: Where's the door to the cellar? Could be very important... Eh, come to think of it, have you got a diagram of the cellars, as well? Or shall I just wing it? :D

Sorry for my delay in posting, too. I've had way too many irons in the fire this week, but I do have a Ghem post partially written that I hope to finish sometime today.

[Nogrod]

I know I've promised this possibly a few times already, but I will be with the story in a Day or two...

But really all kinds of things have been in the way, mainly unexpected works and enjoying the summer with Lommy & her sis. But now I'm going to be alone in the city for a couple of weeks and should have time also to catch up and take part in here...

See you soon.

I'm looking forwards to this new plot of yours Eala!

[littlemanpoet]

Here are a couple of revised floorplans yet again.

One adds the new stairway down to the cellar, as well as the general location of the paddock, and the new dog yard.

The second maps out the cellar. You will notice "old stairs". These are from when the kitchen was directly behind the mead hall proper. Currently the old stairs are still there, but now they go nowhere. Where the corridor used to enter the kitchen is now part of the alder courtyard, with dirt fill and new grass. But it makes for an interesting feature nonetheless. It's what gives old homes their curiosity factor, eh? ;)

Turns out the cellar is bigger than I expected. But one could say that it's bigger than Eodwine and his friends expected, but necessary because the old cellar was smaller and right beneath the kitchen; it made no sense to block off the old cellar, so the new cellar became an extension of the old. The fact that it never entered anyone's posts is just one of those things, I suppose.

[Ealasaide]

Oh, that's great. Thanks, Elempi! Now I'm glad that I missed my own deadline for finishing my post on Tuesday. This helps a lot!!

I'll try to get my post out there today, if at all possible.

[Ealasaide]

Okay, gang... the great escape has begun! The outlaws are still in the cellar in case anyone wants to get in on this. I will wait a day or so for others to post -- or let me know that they intend to post -- before I take the outlaws to the next step.

[Nogrod]

As I now have time I would be happy to put Stigend in with this mess. After all he has to be a streetwise person as he has managed to get a living as a wandering smith with a half-Dunleding wife and an odd looking kid (think of the situations they would have to have managed...) - and anyhow he has been serving at the men at arms in his youth so he might be able to do a thing or two even if he isn't a professional... :D

I'm catching up with you, something like a page left to read and then I'm up to it.

And anyhow, Stigend has this far being mostly a nice father who overprotects his son and is all flovers and peace. But there sure is another side to him as well, coming all the way from his childhood insistence of making his own mind and even defying his family. As I kind of missed the last action-part because of RL business I'd love to give it a more decent try this time.

[Ealasaide]

Looking forward to your post! :)

[Nogrod]

Looking forward to your post! :)Thanks. But I think we need a starter from you anyways... and maybe some of the others would like to post as well before it?

I've done my "approach-post" now with getting the people under my guardianship to the place (yes, Lommy gave me the right to use Modtryth as I see fit - let's hope she will not be angry with my way of portraing her character here).

But maybe a post from lmp or Foley or something before the action really begins? Anyhow something has to happen before the people realise that the prisoners are not where they're supposed to be...

[Lhunardawen]

It just occurred to me - does Thornden's wounded hand need any tending? I know someone who could possibly relate to the pain.

[littlemanpoet]

Sorry, this has been a very busy week for me between 53 hours of work and my wife's family in town for Independence Day festivities and trying to catch up on an rpg I've been invited to join late. I hope to get caught up here by the end of today.

[Ealasaide]

Thanks. But I think we need a starter from you anyways... and maybe some of the others would like to post as well before it?


Oh, yes... that's what I had in mind. I thought that anyone who might like to get in on the Escape Scenario might want to write posts setting their characters into position for getting involved in subsequent action.

My next post would start the actual action of the escape, once I know where everyone is and what they are up to. :)

[Folwren]

It just occurred to me - does Thornden's wounded hand need any tending? I know someone who could possibly relate to the pain.

Oh. I totally forgot about his hand. Whoops. Yes, that thing'll need tending to sometime or other. I'll have to write it later...or something...

-- Folwren

[littlemanpoet]

I was planning to post today, but I want to wait for others to do so first.

The way it looks to me, Rowenna will probably have made her way into the mead hall to observe the goings on regarding Rilef. On her way she will listen for sounds in the cellar, and will be determined to not interfere, and if she can help it, not to let others interfere with Ghem's and the others' plans to escape, so that her checkered time with them does not come to light. So she might attempt to dissuade Stigend should he try to interfere, but in a very subtle way such as redirecting his path away from the cellar, if she can.

Do with that what you like, Noggie. I'll wait for more writers to post.

[Nogrod]

Here's what I've been thinking...

So the outlaws get away and climb the stairs to the kitchen. Wasn't it so?

In that case no one in the hall will have any idea they've escaped. Unless something betrays their escape.

So could it be that someone is there in the kitchen or is just going back there and notices the outlaws there - and screams? Maybe if s/he is there already the outlaws might jump on her/him? Although I'm not sure if a plain scream would provoke the reaction we possibly want so maybe that person should openly call something like "the outlaws" or "they're loose" or whatever.

Now I think Stigend is sitting quite near the stairs (as is implied from my last post) so he would not be in the best position to make a dash for the corridor that leads to the kitchen as there sure would be many people trying to get through that narrow door already. So he would take another route and rush out from the door at the right side of the stove getting to the alder court and trying to reach the kitchen from outside picking whatever utensil he could use as a weapon on his way (surely the normal people sitting in the hall are not armed).

I'd like to think Garstan would come with Stigend. Is that okay for you Celuien?

lmp: I'm not sure how we could fit Rowenna with this scenario but let's come up with something?

What do you think? Other suggestions?

[Lhunardawen]

Ginna says hello, Noggie. I can't bear to miss this, so I stationed her in the kitchen. I hope nobody minds. :)

Oh, and she's holding a knife. Does she need more drama in her life? :D

[Nogrod]

Nicely set Lhuna!

[littlemanpoet]

lmp: I'm not sure how we could fit Rowenna with this scenario but let's come up with something?

What do you think? Other suggestions?
Your plans work for me. What I stated earlier (So she might attempt to dissuade Stigend should he try to interfere, but in a very subtle way such as redirecting his path away from the cellar, if she can) is her ideal situation, how she would prefer things to work out. If they don't, she'll adapt.

[Lhunardawen]

Um, Elempi? Do I have a free rein here or does Ginna have to follow? I don't want to get in the way of any plans, and from the looks of it Ginna has to go, but I'm asking anyway.

[Nogrod]

If Ealasaide posts now we should have a nice little get-together in the kitchen... *hint* :rolleyes:

[littlemanpoet]

Um, Elempi? Do I have a free rein here or does Ginna have to follow? I don't want to get in the way of any plans, and from the looks of it Ginna has to go, but I'm asking anyway.

Lhuna, do whatever is in your character's personality to do. That's what I'm doing with Rowenna. If 2 of the 3 escaping rogues need to be captured for the storyline to work, then it'll happen, maybe just not the way you or I originally thought it would. This kind of thing happens to writers all the time.

[Nogrod]

Lhuna, do whatever is in your character's personality to do. That's what I'm doing with Rowenna. If 2 of the 3 escaping rogues need to be captured for the storyline to work, then it'll happen, maybe just not the way you or I originally thought it would.I do agree... and am eager to see Eala's post sooner that later as the set up is quite interesting right now (with Ginna in the kitchen). :)


lmp: What do you think about the following matter?

I wrote somewhere in my earlier post here in the planning thread that the "normal people" would not have arms with them in the hall. Is there an armory in the Mead Hall in the first place where people would keep their "serious" weapons?

Thinking of this particular occasion, people who were with the rescue-party have barely had time to turn around in their rooms and would probably not have visited any armoury. So would they have left their weapons beside the main door to begin with - to be recollected later to the possible armoury? It was the practise of the northern and germanic tribes in RL at least to leave the weapons at the door and not to carry them inside - and I would be amazed if lord Eodwine would allow people carrying weapons with them inside the Mead Hall anyway...?

In that case (weapons at the main door) the weapons will be too far for Stigend (and Garstan) and they will have to improvise... and I kind of like the idea. Surely an everyday knife would hang on both of their belts still as they would have left only major weapons to the door - and those working-knives would be at their sides all the time... But what do you think?

And in any case, who are there in the Hall right now waiting for the court to begin who actually bear arms becasue they have an official duty to fex. bring the outlaws to the justice from the cellar?

Has lord Eodwine a sword at hand himself?

[littlemanpoet]

Very interesting thoughts, Noggie. I have never given thought to an armoury or where people leave their weapons. No doubt you are correct as to leaving weapons outside the main hall. My initial thought was that weapons would be hung on the walls of the Great Hall, especially on the (front) wall farthest from the kitchen. Perhaps we could posit an antechamber just inside the doorway that Eodwine and his craftsman have built but we writers hadn't thougt of? :p

....as shown in the attachment; what do you think?

[Nogrod]

My initial thought was that weapons would be hung on the walls of the Great Hall, especially on the (front) wall farthest from the kitchen. Perhaps we could posit an antechamber just inside the doorway that Eodwine and his craftsman have built but we writers hadn't thougt of?That woud sound realistic... and the picture you had of it was good as well...

So normally the weapons would be kept in the antechamber but just at this particular moment people would have left their weapons inside the doorway (the main door down there) as they have just rushed in and wished to see their friends or loved ones sooner than later ie. before the court takes place.

Not that this leaving the weapons at the doorstep would help anyone - if not with the possible impressive turns of fate to come? :D

Lhuna: don't let Ginna to give in to Rowenna too easily! It's better storywise to actually have someone who can actually write in the kitchen... and anyway someone has to make a noise in there for the others to realise in the first place that something is wrong ie. the outlaws have escaped...

[littlemanpoet]

Now now now, Noggie. Do not try to unduly influence someone else's character to get what you want.

Lhuna, be influenced by Rowenna. Her charm and bearing are irresistible. :Merisu:

No, but really, write whatever seems most likely for your character.

[Nogrod]

Now now now, Noggie. Do not try to unduly influence someone else's character to get what you want.:D

So how it is in English? In Finnish it's said that a pot scorns a kettle because of it's black side... So aren't you doing the same my friend? :)

Go on Lhuna and do as you wish, notwithstanding what either of us wishes...

And whether our wishes are of any interest in general to begin with that depends wholly how much weight do you wish to give them... Well, lmp's surely are a bit more important as he's the host of the game but so far when he makes no over-ruling judgements or pre-requirements on issues I think we can do what we like...

And why should you listen to either of us? :cool:

[littlemanpoet]

So how it is in English? In Finnish it's said that a pot scorns a kettle because of it's black side... So aren't you doing the same my friend?In English we say, "The pot's calling the kettle black." Pretty pedestrian by comparison, I think, but it means the same thing. And yes, of course that's what I was doing. :D

[Lhunardawen]

Well, thanks for confusing me, you two. :p

Here's the thing: I placed Ginna in the kitchen in the first place to fulfill Nogrod's wish, although I didn't know it at the time, and there I would want her to stay. I'm also sure she would love to take part in foiling the outlaws's escape. But right now I can't imagine a reason for her to refuse to help Rowenna. So...do I push my privilege as the writer, or respect my character's, well, character? :D

[Nogrod]

There is a simple answer to that Lhuna. Wait for Ealasaide to post the outlaws in to the kitchen so you don't need to make the decision... :)

[Lhunardawen]

There is a simple answer to that Lhuna. Wait for Ealasaide to post the outlaws in to the kitchen so you don't need to make the decision... :)

I was actually considering that, but didn't think it was an option. Thanks, Nogrod. :)

Now, Eala, please DON'T wait for me to post. ;)

[littlemanpoet]

Well, if Eala doesn't post soon, then I'll post for Rowenna again, including something about the cat having caught the serving wench's tongue, and then.... we'll see...... ;)

[Ealasaide]

EEK! Sorry, gang! I was kept away from the computer by RL complications & work. I'll get caught up on the thread right away and get to work on a post.

I will have the outlaws' next move up there no later than tomorrow! I will do my best to get it done this afternoon.

[Nogrod]

Good to see you back Eala!

*eagerly waiting for your post*:)

lmp, if you have spare time why not make a general description on the Mead Hall now as the people have gathered around the body of Rilef and wait for the court to begin proceedings?

I mean my characters were not those most near to Rilef and it's lord Eodwine's court anyway. So I am in no position to make that post anyway.

But just to heighten the mood and describing the situation?

[littlemanpoet]

Do a tableau post? Instead of reading this great new LotR movie spoof? Awww. :(

Oh, okay. I'll give it a whirl. The spoof will be there. (See my siggy while the opportunity lasts) ;)

[Ealasaide]

WHHEEEEEE! My post is up! :D

[littlemanpoet]

Lefun and Ritun lay on a table between the antechamber and the firepit. Eodwine and his House stood around the body. The Eorl had told the story of the Rilef's death and then asked if anyone else would like to say something. He waited. And waited. Days passed. Meanwhile Rowenna and Ghem had separate adventures. Thornden and Leof somehow were with the group yet available to chat about Thornden's nephew, how Eodwine did not know. But he waited, expecting Garstan to say something, Falco to say something, anybody to say something, but no-one did. They all stood around, waiting for Elempi to lose patience move the plot along.

"Ahem," Eodwine coughed, looking up to the rafters. "Writer mine, this is not ATM. This is not a spoof. These other writers have busy lives and it's not their fault. So just do the post like you know how and move the plot along."

Darn it, said the Writer from above the rafters, But I was having so much fun. Oh, okay.

[littlemanpoet]

Wow! This is going to take some thinking! Great post, Eala.! :) What would Rowenna do? hmmmm..... :D

[Nogrod]

Nice post Eala!

But you don't give us others any chance of taking part as no one raises her/his voice to be heard to the hall... :(

So the people will just sit and wait in the Hall as they have nothing else to do... (and the writers will just sit and wait as well... :))

[littlemanpoet]

I s'pose Rowenna could whistle for her dogs if she dares, and get them all in a barking uproar..... Hmmm..... sorry, my dance show is on. See ya tomorrow! :p

[Ealasaide]

Sorry, Nogrod, but I thought that that part would best be left up to the writers of the two women.

My approach was that it would be foolish of the outlaws to raise their voices in the process of trying to escape. Since I am not terribly familiar with the personalities of the two women, I thought it should be left up to them to decide how to react, whether to call out or what. Once I know what they are going to do, I can create more of a ruckus in the next post.

[Ealasaide]

Lhunardawen - now that Elempi has posted, I am waiting for you to post with Ginna before I come back with the outlaws.

Expect all **heck** to break loose in the kitchen on my next post!!!

[Lhunardawen]

Eala and everyone else, I will, once again, request for your patience. :) I should have a post up by this weekend (it's Friday VERY early morning for me right now). Heh, this is fun, but tough. What should Ginna do...

"See, you even have a new wench for your pleasure."
Geesh, Elempi, as if the situation's not complicated enough. :D

[Nogrod]

Thank's for opening the backdoor to me lmp! I do appreciate...

I try to post today.

[Nogrod]

So a hostage situation coming forwards? :eek:
*just guessing* :p

[littlemanpoet]

This is exciting! :D Eodwine will be in the thick of things now. It will be interesting to see how Rowenna explains herself to Stigend for the words he overheard. Ginna, too, for that matter. I don't expect much difficulty there, however. ;)

[Ealasaide]

Sorry, Lhunardawen, I had intended to wait for you to post, but the thread has moved on. I need to get a post in there for the outlaws. Looking forward to hearing from Ginna when you get the chance!

[Nogrod]

Looking good indeed!

Only please Eala could you consider one minor correction to your post as I don't think the first description one would come up with Stigend is "young man"... :) Okay he's only thirty and thence quite young at least if the outlaws are clearly older (and in that case it's allright to me surely if the older outlaws think of him as a young man).

In principle I quess Stigend would not have taken the steps forwards because the best position for him surely is standing at the doorway - not to say that he would have given Ghem a chance to sneak behind him and bolt the door... but as it is good for the drama here I'd say let's leave it like it now is. This way we have more options open I think.

Let's see how this plays out...

[Ealasaide]

At the age of 43, I consider any gentleman under the age of 35 as a "young man." But I will make the correction. For future reference, what descriptive would you prefer?

[Nogrod]

At the age of 43, I consider any gentleman under the age of 35 as a "young man."Soon celebrating my 40th birthday myself I tend to think the same in RL... it just looked to me like you were talking about a twenty-something there. :) That may be a language-issue as well as in Finnish a "young man" is much more twenty - even younger - than thirty...

Indeed that raised the question of how old people in the Mead Hall are in the first place? I remember that Garstan is 35 (and Modtryth is few years younger than Stigend eg. 27-28) but how about Garwine or Thornden? Lord Eodwine needs to be a mature person I quess as well as Falco, right? How about Ginna or Kara? Or the newcomers?

For future reference, what descriptive would you prefer?:rolleyes:
Honestly I have no idea... But now as I think of it I can see one more reason why the "young man" kind of bothered me. For I have myself always thought of Stigend to look a lot older than his age because of the hard wandering life, tough manual labor in construction sites, defending his odd family from peoples scorn and sometimes violence...

But you couldn't naturally know that as I think I haven't talked about that too much after my first postings here. So sorry about the inconvenience.

[Ealasaide]

No inconvenience at all! But thank you for the explanations. I have to confess thinking, my goodness Nogrod is picky! ;) "Young" seemed like such an innocuous adjective. Now that I know your reasons, it is much more understandable. All I had to go on really was the following:


Stigend....age unknown... an Eorling journeyman carpenter, whose wife is Modtryth, and son, Cnebba

Since he seemed to be acting like an impetuous young fellow, charging all alone into a room full of cutthroats, I suppose I did make the assumption that he was not so weathered and experienced as you now point out he is. Apologies!

Perhaps we should have a link somewhere to a more comprehensive set of character portraits so as writers we all have some sort of quick reference that we can go to when dealing with another writer's character. I don't even know what most of the characters here look like aside from male/female and a rough age estimate. It makes for much more colorful writing when we can make use of accurate detail.

As for the ages of my characters:
I see the outlaws as being in their early-to-mid-30's. Ulric may be slightly older (Elempi -- correct me if I am wrong. You were writing Ulric before I got my hooks into him. :))
Elián is in his late twenties, probably 27 or 28.

[Nogrod]

Since he seemed to be acting like an impetuous young fellow, charging all alone into a room full of cutthroats, I suppose I did make the assumption that he was not so weathered and experienced as you now point out he is. Apologies!No need for apologies... I tried to wrote it into my post that he was enraged (that's the charging-part) because of how the outlaws actions had affected the children - and yes that's Stigend's soft spot - his child with whom he is overprotective... Modtryth snaps him for it every now and then... :) But that also can be known only if one is familiar with the earlier phases of the characters...

Perhaps we should have a link somewhere to a more comprehensive set of character portraits so as writers we all have some sort of quick reference that we can go to when dealing with another writer's character.There indeed is a list of the names of the persons in the Mead Hall and with many their ages and a sentence-worth of description in the post #1 of this thread. But they sure are no descriptions in any thicker meaning of the word.

[littlemanpoet]

Perhaps we should have a link somewhere to a more comprehensive set of character portraits so as writers we all have some sort of quick reference that we can go to when dealing with another writer's character.

Tell you what: we do have a character list; it would be no problem for me to add anything like age, basic descriptions, and so forth, to what's already there. Just let me know and I'll add it. Some of the characters already do have ages attached to them in that post. See the very first post of this discussion thread for the link.

As for the ages of my characters:
I see the outlaws as being in their early-to-mid-30's. Ulric may be slightly older (Elempi -- correct me if I am wrong. I'd say you're right about the outlaws.

[Nogrod]

It would be nice to know when Lhuna has time to write. I think she promised this weekend. Here in Finland (+3GMT) it's late Saturday evening - like 10PM - so with Lhuna it's even later. So I gather she will not post in the next few hours...

So maybe I can post something within an hour or two to build up the situation? Let's hope Lhuna gets online after she wakes up on Sunday (it's probably Sunday there already but anyway).

I'll start thinking a post...

[littlemanpoet]

It would be nice to know when Lhuna has time to write. I think she promised this weekend. Here in Finland (+3GMT) it's late Saturday evening - like 10PM - so with Lhuna it's even later. So I gather she will not post in the next few hours...I've gotten into the habit (from WW) of expecting Lhuna to post during the opposite 12 hours of the day from me, here on the Eastern Daylight Time Zone of the U.S. So right now it's roughly 3 a.m. by her. :rolleyes: Yeah, she may be a night owl, but I figure we'll need to wait another 6 hours at least before she posts.

[Nogrod]

Allright.

I have moved the scene a bit forwards now. And I have taken some liberties with it. Hopefully not too many. Please inform me and I can change anything you think should be changed.

Eala: I thought that Ghem would attack as the noise from the passage came louder and louder and if they wished to make a run for it they'd have to do it sooner than later - and when Ulric caught Stigend's attention with his taunting that would have been the perfect moment for it.

------
EDIT-NOTICE: The discussion on the relative positions of the people in the kitchen contained such a lot of errors that I have deleted that part of this post entirely. Read lmp's take on the relative positions.

[Folwren]

IF I write a post for Thornden, he'll be running up from the courtyard of the alder tree, I think. And I believe Falco is out there as well. Isn't there a door from the kitchen to that courtyard? Did one of the outlaws shut and lock both exits from the kitchen (i.e. the one to the corridor and the one out in the courtyard)?

-- Folwren

[Nogrod]

Isn't there a door from the kitchen to that courtyard? Did one of the outlaws shut and lock both exits from the kitchen (i.e. the one to the corridor and the one out in the courtyard)?One of the outlaws locked the door out (to the alder court) but he couldn't have locked the one to the corridor leading to the hall as I think there is not one - at least yet - and if there were, he wouldn't have had time to do it anyhow... :D

But yes Falco is in the courtyard and now they will be hearing the sounds of a fight from inside...

Although someone needs to come in from the corridor - or through the outdoor - pretty soon as Stigend can't hold the three outlaws just by himself... :p

[littlemanpoet]

I've added the directions of the compass to "Plan 7" for the attached Eorling Mead Hall map. I hope that helps.

I forgot there were so many doors to the kitchen! Okay, here's how it works:

The NE door is to the Great Hall, and Eodwine and "Elborn" are running down it toward the kitchen. Apprently Ghem is closest to this one, which was contrary to how I had been reading Eala's posts; I had figured Ghem to be closest to the SE door.

The NW door is to the alder court, and is locked (as of the post just before Nogrod's which I haven't read yet), outside of which are Falco and apparently Thornden if Foley writes it that way.

Stigend is, as of the end of his most recent post, in between these two doors.

The SE door leads to the back yard, so to speak, and was the one I thought Ghem was closest to, through which he could have made a solo escape. Now I don't know what to expect.

The SW door is the one to the cellar, from which the outlaws have come.

The oven is in the North wall, and some other doohickey, I don't know what it is, is in the south wall; shelves? I would imagine that where the word "kitchen" is in the map, is a table on which Ginna was chopping whatever it was she was chopping; and now Stigend has it between himself and Withold & Ginna, and Ulric and Rowenna, while Ghem is apparently to his right.

Everybody clear on that? Any questions? Any corrections to this needed?

Finally, it's time for Eodwine to appear in the kitchen. So I'll write a post. I'll describe "Elborn" coming into the room right behind him, and the way I see it, Eodwine is going to keep moving forward until he has blocked the SE door, whilst Elborn stays in the way of the NE door, effectivley forcing Ghem to escape through the Alder court; I would expect Ulric and Withold to follow suit if they have any intentions of getting out of there alive. I'll leave Elborn's role pretty vague so that Eala can write what she wants.

[Folwren]

Hm. What do you think the scale is on your maps, Elempi? Looking at it, I realize Thornden and Leof may not have been able to hear Stigend, they were so far off and with so many walls between them all. What do you all think? They're in the stable, which is rather far from the kitchen.

-- Folwren

[Lhunardawen]

I'm so sorry, this weekend was busier than I expected... Catching up now...

EDIT: Post up. Heh. Ginna's such a silly girl.. :rolleyes:

[Ealasaide]

Eh... I haven't read the new posts to the thread yet, but at the end of my post, Ghem was closest to the door from the Alder court, not the door to the Great Hall.

I'm off to read the new developments now!

[Nogrod]

I'm going to edit my last post a little bit to straighten out some of my misconceptions... :o

Does it look reasonable if the situation is described now as the following:

Ulric and Rowenna are somewhere near the top-right corner of the kitchen (SW door leading to the cellar)?

Ghem is at the bottom-right corner (NW door leading to the Alder Court)?

Stigend is to the left from Ghem, somewhere in the bottom-middle between the corridor-door (NE) and the Alder Court door (NW)?

Withold and Ginna are about in the middle of the kitchen?

Lord Eodwine has just reached the "back-door" top-left (SE door)? And Elborn is somewhere in the middle of the left left-side between the corridor-door (NE) and the backdoor (SE) - or possibly still at the corridor-door?

I'll change my post accordingly if this looks like a reasonable description...

[littlemanpoet]

Hm. What do you think the scale is on your maps, Elempi? Looking at it, I realize Thornden and Leof may not have been able to hear Stigend, they were so far off and with so many walls between them all. What do you all think? They're in the stable, which is rather far from the kitchen.Darn it, once upon a time I had distances all figured out. I seem to recall deciding that the guest rooms were 8x8, making the guest room wing width out at 20 feet, so I'll go with that. See the attached for a map of scale.

I'd accuse you guys of driving me nuts with your questions, but I'd be lying. I love 'em. :D

So anyway, if Thornden and Léof are down by the stables, with at least two walls between and roughly 90 feet away, they'd hear something loud but vague over the roof of the guest room wing. You decide.

Noggie, your revised estimated locations look right to me. :)

[Ealasaide]

Looks reasonable to me, Nogrod!

[Nogrod]

Okay. I will edit my last post with this placement in mind - tomorrow as now I need to sleep now.

But please Ealaside, I think it might be your "turn"... :)
(Not that no one else could write, but now Lhuna, lmp and myself have posted the last as active characters in this scene - and it's possible that Foley needs to wait until someone breaks free from the Alder court door to take part... or she might have her own ideas...)

But anyhow. I don't think it will be only lord Eodwine and Elborn who rush in... At least Garwine should be in there as soon as the aforementioned people - and Garstan I think at least... So even if the writers of all the people are not around online most of the people in the MH would have been at the "ceremony" and thence heard the alarm and so at least the adult males would have gotten in to help their eorl... or what do you say?

[Ealasaide]

I say I'm halfway through a post! I will try to have it finished & out there tonight or tomorrow at the latest.

[littlemanpoet]

Garwiné has been ordered to remain on guard by the body of Rilef. If he leaves, he has disobeyed a direct order. Since Alcarillo isn't doing much writing at the moment, someone else is either going to have to take that character in hand or leave him where he is.

I'm wondering what Manawyth might do in such a situation? I'm thinking that he's still under house arrest, and is charged with horse thievery - - - twice over now - - - - but still considers outlawry beneath himself, and the kidnapping of women, not to mention murder for the sake of loot, to be outrageous, something that Manawyth would be aroused to oppose..... but he's not my character..... (sigh)

Now to go read half a post....

[Ealasaide]

Outlaws are up. I'm working on a post for Elián now.

[Nogrod]

Nice move Eala... even if I think it may have not been the best one for Ghem... :)

Just think of Stigend's point of view to begin with... Of the three Ghem is now the most dangerous as he can move without a hostage and behind the Alder Court door there must be people of the Hall waiting... So he probably shouldn't attack Withold (holding Ginna as a hostage) but Ghem who is now near enough - unlike Ulric & Rowenna (I think lmp needs to settle that anyway as Rowenna is his character).

But even more gravely (to Ghem): there should be one or two people running in the corridor to enter the kitchen any second now... at least Garstan and Garwine (yes he's ordered to guard the body but this kind of alarm is a different thing and surely lord Eodwine would have at least showed with his hand for him to follow when he passed him running in to the passage)?

It's sad Celuien and the more so Alcarillo have been with us so little lately but their characters still would need to take a stance, wouldn't they? And where's our dwarf? :)

What I try to say is that the passage from the hall to the kitchen is full of armed men... So getting Ghem out requires something else... but what...?

It will be interesting to see how we will get ourselves through from this set up. If I remember it correctly from somewhere (a PM with Eala or a discussion here) but Ghem should be able to get out and with others it's more ambivalent - Rowenna surely is another matter and we probably won't be killing lord Eodwine, Ginna or Stigend either...

I might do my part by making Stigend to act stupidly and trying to save Ginna from Withold first and thence leaving Ghem alone - but that would mean that Falco and Thornden would need to wait yet for a moment to get into action from the Alder Court...

What do you think?

Or surprises anyone?

[littlemanpoet]

I should think that the Eorl of the Middle Emnet has more than just one man at arms after a couple months - so what if they haven't been named yet? So let's assume that there are a few others besides Garwine. How many, I don't know; something that seems reasonable.

As to the situation in the kitchen, I thought Ghem was pretty stupid and overly loyal in not just ducking out the Alder Court door and leaving Ulric and Withold in the lurch; I would probably have had Falco not see him until too late. But that option was not chosen, for some reason that is beyond me; he's not my character. Anyway, Rowenna is taking a "wait and see" attitude, especially since she has not got any free movement at all, and she has now decided that holding her tongue is probably the best course of action for the nonce.

As to Eodwine, he doesn't see much point in attacking either Withold or Ulric because he has no interest in endangering the lives of Ginna and Rowenna. So he's willing to maintain a defensive and holding posture until more of his House show up to tip the balance against Ulric and Withold. Speaking of which, I would expect that Ulric and Withold, and Ghem for that matter, realize that time is of the essence, and they are losing it rapidly the longer they just stand there and hold the two women hostage. So as time progresses, the initiative and advantage will switch to the Eorl's House, away from the outlaws. It's like a siege only without trebuche's and all that good stuff.

[Nogrod]

I should think that the Eorl of the Middle Emnet has more than just one man at arms after a couple months Exactly to the point. Stigend was hired for two purposes, because he was a handy craftsman but also because he had served in the men at arms... but surely there are others beside Thornden and Garwine...

How many, I don't know; something that seems reasonable.Will we try to be historical (whatever it is?) or "Tolkienish" (whatever it is?) or just plain "fanfic-writers" (whatever it is?)?

I'd say 3-5 would sound realistic to me as permanent household knights / men at arms, whatever. To these would be added people like Thornden and Stigend with their respective roles in the Mead Hall. Not to say the quests...

As to the situation in the kitchen, I thought Ghem was pretty stupid and overly loyal in not just ducking out the Alder Court door and leaving Ulric and Withold in the lurch; I would probably have had Falco not see him until too late. But that option was not chosenAs I said earlier: a nice move, but not the best for Ghem. Now we need to think something different...

One suggestion would be: we have never said how ready the kitchen was. I mean that has been all the way under construction - the oven and the fireplace are made as Garstan has done that and the passage from the Hall is ready as well as Stigend has done that but maybe there is some unfinished work in the kitchen Ghem might use for his escape?

Speaking of which, I would expect that Ulric and Withold, and Ghem for that matter, realize that time is of the essence, and they are losing it rapidly the longer they just stand there and hold the two women hostage. So as time progresses, the initiative and advantage will switch to the Eorl's House, away from the outlaws.That's the reason why I thought Eala should post asp but his latest post didn't kind of solve the problem - even if it was an imaginative one and pretty good as such.

But we'll surely solve this.

One thing coming to my mind - and probably the best I have right now - would be another miscalculation of Stigend (I can write that, surely - easily tomorrow = under 24 hours). He could try to take on Withold and saving Ginna with a risk. That would leave a path open for a "quick reacting" Ghem to unbolt the door and run away to the Alder Court. Then it would be a question only how Falco and Thornden fail to catch him...

[Nogrod]

A quick addenda...

Seeing lmp's last post I don't think Stigend would disobey his lord's word and try to attack Withold... really... he would not.

We need to get into the structure of the kitchen then?

[Nogrod]

Okay, one more idea.

If it's okay with Lhuna that Ginna will be wounded we might go this way...

After the general rant described by lmp Withold would get overloaded with tension and cut Ginna's throat with his knife (well not mortally anyway as possibly Ginna would be spirited enough to make a last moment duck away from the mortal wound or something) to show they mean it and should be set free... stupid but understandable.

Stigend would run on Withold and attack him and just then Ghem might try to slip away from the bolted door (as Stigend is no more in his way) - and all these Eodwine's men he sent outside to the Alder Court would not yet be in place... So he should only manage to get past Falco outside (and possibly Thornden - not easy that one!)?

What do you think?

As I have a few days left of my luxurious holidays I would be happy to write a post staging that situation tomorrow.

[littlemanpoet]

Sorry Noggie, I haven't time to read your posts right now. I'm not satisfied with my last post. I'm going to change it a bit in about 5 hours when I'm on lunch break. So hang in there. I'll explain more later, but "punch in" is in just moments.

[Lhunardawen]

Isn't it too much for Ginna? And I forgot she still had her bandage on! I don't mind personally, if she has to be wounded again, though, if it's really necessary.

I was thinking she could probably do some brave but stupid move to save herself or something, but I don't know how. I'll just follow what happens for now.

[Ealasaide]

I NEVER claimed that Ghem was mental giant. ;) I did have something planned, but subsequent events have mucked it up, so I am re-thinking the situation.

Do I have a say in what the outlaws do? It looks like you all are planning it out for me. :eek: Do I have to do what you decide?

[Ealasaide]

Having had to trash my earlier plan (& my post for Elian), I am now working on a new Outlaw post.

[littlemanpoet]

I hope, Eala, that you can consider these three outlaws yours. If we put words or actions on them that you need undone, please say so. I'm going to edit my post now.

[Ealasaide]

Oooooohhhhh.... I hope you didn't change it too much. I just finished my post! I'll have to see what changes you made. :)

[littlemanpoet]

You had better read it, Eala. I probably screwed up half your post. :( Sorry. But I'm much happier with the set up now. Harreld has turned into the "chaos element" that Ghem can use to whatever advantage he chooses, not to mention Ulric and Rowenna individually.

EDIT: Correction: most of your post.

So would you like me to change mine a little bit so some of yours can stay? (sigh)

[Ealasaide]

Yes, you did screw me up royally. I went ahead and placed my post, so please read it and we'll decide which way to go.

[Lhunardawen]

Me loves Harreld. :D

[Ealasaide]

I would appreciate it. :) If I have to throw this one away, that will make two posts in a row that I have had to trash.

[Nogrod]

I'd say we leave all the things as they are now but Eala deletes the last paragraph of his latest post describing the other outlaws getting out from the kitchen.

For the following reasons:
- it's too fast a conclusion... we'd love to write more...
- it makes all the MH men in the kitchen look like a bunch of idiots incapable of doing anything
- it contradicts with lmp's post about Harreld making a charge (from which I'd love to continue...)

[Ealasaide]

I can do that but I do have a few comments:

Regarding too fast a conclusion: I had not intended that to be the conclusion. Drama could continue in the Alder Yard.

Regarding the Eorl's men looking like idiots: Huh? I didn't think that the Eorl would charge forward when it could lead directly to the death of Ginna and/or Rowenna. To me, it seemed prudent of the Eorl to give them a little space. When they did make a move for the door, it would happen very quickly. Stigend did get an axe hit on Withold on his way out the door. How is that idiocy? Actually, I had thought you might like that. Silly me.

LMP had not made the change showing Herreld's attack until AFTER I had finished my post. Since he had offered to change his post to accomodate mine, I was waiting to see what that change would be before making any changes to my post. Therefore, taking Herreld's attack into consideration would have involved my being psychic. I am not.

[Nogrod]

Anyhow let's let Ghem to get to the yard...

With the others... I'd like to make Stigend to kill / severely wound Withold personally (as he's so near and Harreld has started the thing anyway) but I could refrain if anyone has a better storyline-idea...

*Shrugs*

[littlemanpoet]

Okay, everyone please stop and take a deep breath. And exhale again. ;)

Thank you.

First I want to set up expectations for us all: we are all of us sensitive about our own writing. Criticism of another's writing is stepping into tricky waters where the currents are fast and changing and it's very easy to lose one's footing .... especially if English is our second language. So....

If you have a problem with the structure of someone's story telling, send me a PM about it. An example would be the degree to which the outlaws can have free movement in confined quarters while their opponents stand with weapons ready. I will look into the issue and make a decision. That's my job. That way you can be angry with me, or not, and I'm quite happy to live with that if necessary.

If you have a problem with what someone else posted because it conflicts with what you just posted, courteously say so on this discussion thread.

If you have ideas as to how things might play out in the storyline, please say so here; if another writer chooses not to accept your ideas for his or her character, you simply need to live with it.

If you find another writer insulting or offensive in discussions, please PM me about it instead of answering the writer directly. I'll take a look and find (I hope) an amicable solution. You're quite free to be angry with me if you don't like my decision, I can handle it.

If another puts words in the mouth of your character, or gives actions to your character, that don't fit your character, courteously request a change.

Thank you.

Now for my thoughts on the current situation.

I would like Eala to put her post back up. What I saw of it on my short lunch break looked pretty good to me, although it conflicted with that which I had just cross-posted. Where I see contradictions between her post and mine, I will revise my post as needed; if I see any specifics that I feel the need for Eala to change hers, I'll let her know. But I don't think I'll be asking for much change in her post, especially since she has been very quick to change her posts for the sake of others lately. Specifically, I'm thinking of having the blacksmith twins come in AFTER the action in Eala's post, which should remove any contradictions, and still give Stigend the opportunity Noggie wishes for.

One more aspect of this issue: how much free movement does an outlaw have in a hostage situation? A lot. The outlaws are the ones threatening the lives of people dear to those who are besieging the hostages. Therefore, Eodwine will shout down any sudden movements from his own people in order to save Ginna and Rowenna from any harm, much less possible death. That's my decision. You may be angry with me if you like. I'm okay with it. ;)

[Folwren]

I'd like to say real quick that I...really...am not here until Friday. I'm at camp and can only check this like once a day for about two minutes at a time. So don't make any plans around me. Or, if you do, make plans that are able to wait acouple days yet.

Sorry.

-- Foley

[Nogrod]

I'm breathing freely and will settle with any decisions you people come up with... :)

Sorry if something I've said has annoyed anyone.

[Ealasaide]

My edited post will be back up sometime tomorrow. Unfortunately the only remaining copy is on my office computer and I am at home today. :)

[littlemanpoet]

One additional thing to keep in mind about working with the plot twists in other writers' posts is that "Time" is fluid. You need not be stuck in thinking that your character is in "suspended animation", as it were, for the duration of other people's posts. So your posts can cover the same plot time as all the previous posts for which it makes sense.

For example, Elempi is posting that Harreld is stomping down the hallway and then stops and then roars and charages. During that same time-period, Noggie can have Stigend do something completely independently, because Elempi has made no comment on Stigend's character.

If I'm saying something you already know and you're wondering why I'm bothering, just let it pass; if this helps, great.

[littlemanpoet]

Are people waiting for me to revise my post before continuing? I was waiting for Eala to re-post her post, after which I was going to revise mine and carry the Harreld bit into a new post. Just checking.

Another trick that we might find helpful: Other writers have their characters do surprising things, to which our first reaction may be, "But my character would have done such and such in the middle of that action! - - I need to ask that writer to revise accordingly." That's the obvious way to go, but there's a better way - a Tolkienian way.

The Tolkienian way went like so: Tollers would make up an Elvish word, then find himself asking the question, "well how did that word come to be?" Then he'd write a story about it.

So when something doesn't happen the way you expected, ask yourself, "Now, why didn't my character do such and such when that character did so and so?" Then use your imagination to see what kind of answer you come up with. You might surprise yourself that what results turns out to be better and more interesting than going with the original plan.

[Nogrod]

Are people waiting for me to revise my post before continuing? I was waiting for Eala to re-post her post, after which I was going to revise mine and carry the Harreld bit into a new post. Just checking.I have been waiting for you both... :)

But Eala said she would post today so it might be soon. Good to know you're going to revise your posts lmp as well so that I don't rush in when there still are possible changes...

[Ealasaide]

Sorry for the delay, everybody. I'll have my post back up there tonight. I was going to try to work on it today at work, but ended up having to work at work. (Oh, horrors! ;))
I'm revising it a bit, but I'll definitely finish this evening.

***********************

Okay... the new version is up.
Folwren -- I hope you don't mind Thornden's taking what would be the equivalent of a hockey check to the chest. It was the only way I could think of to get ol' Ghem out of there.

[Nogrod]

lmp: could it be that the "madman" on Withold's throat is Harreld as you wrote?

I could write tomorrow how Stigend slips out and gets after Ulric then...

[littlemanpoet]

Sorry I was delayed in my revision. All set now. I seem to have settled the matter perhaps a bit too deftly. Let me know if you want me to change something in reference to your character.

[Lhunardawen]

Loved your post, Elempi. :)

I know my post was open-ended, and I could have changed that, but I wanted to see what Harreld would do. Call me whatever you like, but there it is. :p

[Nogrod]

Nicely written people! And Ginna sure can provide us with surprises! Nice writing Lhuna!

The overprotective carpenter is having now problems of his own... :)

It surely is up to Eala whether Ghem is still around and wishes to steal a horse or something or whether he's away for good.

[littlemanpoet]

Innnn(!)teresting! :)

Who would have expected it of Ginna?

Good writing, Noggie! One thing you might want to consider, if you're interested in revising your post this way, is that Stigend might have thought about Léof being in the stables; or maybe he didn't. Your call.

I'll write something for Harreld, Falco, and Eodwine tonight. I hope I have enough inspriation. :rolleyes:

[Lhunardawen]

Elempi, I was laughing all over the place reading your post. :D (Good thing I'm alone, or someone might have placed me in a straitjacket!)

And I just realised that Rowenna's actually a year younger than Ginna! Well, there's no denying that Ginna's a spoiled brat...

[Nogrod]

One thing you might want to consider, if you're interested in revising your post this way, is that Stigend might have thought about Léof being in the stables; or maybe he didn't.I might think about that. But also this Elborn-guy is somewhere as well. He might find Stigend - or Stigend might hear him if he is inside the hall somewhere... And pretty soon Harreld and Ginna are coming in too.

So people seem to be gathering inside as well.

Yes, this looks interesting.

[Lhunardawen]

I wonder...how would Garreth react to Ginna and Harreld?

But I'm sure Elempi had already thought of that. :)

[littlemanpoet]

I wonder...how would Garreth react to Ginna and Harreld?

But I'm sure Elempi had already thought of that. :)What, I keep Falco, Eodwine, Harreld, and Rowenna in mind, and you're not satisfied? You want me to think of Garreth too!?!? Good heavens! I must admit that I only gave him cursory attention. :o I'll see what I can do.....

....I'm going to wait for a bit and let a few other folks post before I do again. I have to think about all my characters. I have too many. Maybe I should kill off another. Hmmm... which one? Eodwine? No, he's kind of crucial. Falco? Hmmm..... Rowenna? Nah, too new. Garreth? Harreld? Hmmmmmm! That could be interesting! Just kidding. But I do need to make at least one of them travel away, and soon.

[Folwren]

Dang it. I have never been so sorry to miss a week here at the Mead Hall.

I'll go read up on the thread. I doubt it'll do much good for me to post now. *sigh*

-- Folwren

[Lhunardawen]

What, I keep Falco, Eodwine, Harreld, and Rowenna in mind, and you're not satisfied? You want me to think of Garreth too!?!? Good heavens! I must admit that I only gave him cursory attention. :o I'll see what I can do.....
Well, it's your fault for creating too many interesting characters. :p But I was merely suggesting, feel free to ignore me.

....I'm going to wait for a bit and let a few other folks post before I do again. I have to think about all my characters. I have too many. Maybe I should kill off another. Hmmm... which one? Eodwine? No, he's kind of crucial. Falco? Hmmm..... Rowenna? Nah, too new. Garreth? Harreld? Hmmmmmm! That could be interesting! Just kidding. But I do need to make at least one of them travel away, and soon.
You know, I think Ginna would only be too happy to get rid of Rowenna for you. (Now where's that evil grin when you need it?)


Foley, I don't think the fun's over. Thornden might be able to do something yet. :)

[littlemanpoet]

Well, it's your fault for creating too many interesting characters.And to think that most of them started out as non-player filler types. :rolleyes:

You know, I think Ginna would only be too happy to get rid of Rowenna for you. Wow! To think that such animosity has already developed over my femme fatale! And to think that her original purpose was to get Ginna out of the way of danger! This could be interesting..... ;)

[Nogrod]

Okay.

I've put in one post more as my "writing days" are drawing to a close for this summer. I'll be around of course but the next few weeks will be difficult... I hope I can make one or two in these next couple of weeks.

Now initially I thought it could be Elborn who walked silently in the hall as there is at least for now no explanation where he went and it would fit his character to just come back and slowly look around...

But anyone else may pick this opportunity as well.

[Firefoot]

Well, I need to figure out where Leof is. He didn't come out into the courtyard, and if he had been in the stables Stigend definitely would have seen him - Leof wouldn't be hiding.

So... even if it is Elborn in the hall that Stigend hears, maybe Leof could be there too? Perhaps when Thornden ran out into the courtyard, he might have told Leof to check the hallway? Is that okay?

[Nogrod]

even if it is Elborn in the hall that Stigend hears, maybe Leof could be there too? Perhaps when Thornden ran out into the courtyard, he might have told Leof to check the hallway? Is that okay?The request of Thornden is a bit hard as Stigend has already consumed some time at the residential quarters.. But it could be quite okay if he'd just alarmed him in general... but if Thornden didn't call for Leof especially he might just be leaning over the hay somewhere in the stables as well? Then it would be as understandable that Stigend didn't notice him... but that all depends on how cognisant of the last events Leof was... MAybe the middle-solution is the best one?

For if he knew there was something wrong and things happening he should be in the hall looking what's the matter (as he was not in the actual fight anyway) but if he didn't realise that at all (which I find a bit unbelievable) then he might have a nap in the stables...

So maybe Leof should be in the hall better than not be there?

I mean if Thornden had given him an order he would have obeyd that and either had been involved in the fight in the ALder court or had been already in the "quarters" and thence met Stigend already... So maybe he's just come in to learn out the things himself - and meets Stigend who's about to kill him before he realises who he is...

That in case you have time to write pretty soon as I think Lhuna and lmp both are pretty active right now and possibly (hopefully) Eala as well...

But do write! It would be nice to have more voices in here!

[Nogrod]

And anyhow, anyone, do come in the hall!

Everyone's character can be fitted in so do not hesitate! :)



PS. It's funny though that there's already two posts that say that Harreld will get Ginna out of the Alder court through the kitchen door when it is a real detour, while they could just walk straight in from the Hall-door which Stigend used (and Thornden and Falco earlier) if they were to go to the residential quarters to Modtryth and the kids. :confused:

[Lhunardawen]

Well, Ginna considers the kitchen familiar territory... ;)

If she could read the posts I'm reading from the other characters, she would be feeling extremely stupid and ashamed right now. As such, I'm feeling stupid and ashamed for her. :o

[Firefoot]

Here's the way I see it:

Leof and Thornden were in the stables when most of the happenings in the kitchen occurred. They hear vague noise and commotion - shortly (perhaps when it doesn't immediately die down), Thornden ran out into the courtyard. Two things could then happen (I'm going to number all points to keep them straight...):

1a) Leof stays in the stables.

1b) Thornden tells Leof to check the halls, since neither of them know what's going on.

2) Question: Does the residence wing have one or two floors? Where do those stairs go - the cellar?

3) At this point, Stigend enters the stables. Now, he walks all the way through them - even if Stigend didn't see Leof, Leof would have seen him - he's pretty in tune to what happens there. This then contradicts point 1a.

4) Stigend enters the residence wing. Leof isn't immediately in sight. Ergo, he must either be in a room or upstairs or the cellar (point 2). The second two make more sense... and if it's the cellar, Leof would then realize that the outlaws have escaped and make the connection with the earlier commotion.

5) Stigend and Leof hook up? Elborn shows up?

[littlemanpoet]

The "residential wing" has a floor level and an upstairs.

Harreld would most certainly take Ginna by the quickest way to the residence wing, namely through the door you mentioned. Can any posts with stuff about that please be revised accordingly? Thanks.

Also, there needs to be, at some point very soon, an outburst from Frodides along the lines of "What has happened to my kitchen?!?" For surely she would be relatively near. Kath?

[Lhunardawen]

Harreld would most certainly take Ginna by the quickest way to the residence wing, namely through the door you mentioned. Can any posts with stuff about that please be revised accordingly? Thanks.

Will do, sire. :)

[Kath]

Right, yes, sorry. I sort of lost Frodides and Kara when all this started and have been trying to work out where they'd be. And while I'm admitting my total confusion ... what has happened to the kitchen? Apart from the apparent lack of either Kara or Ginna being in it?

[littlemanpoet]

Right, yes, sorry. I sort of lost Frodides and Kara when all this started and have been trying to work out where they'd be. And while I'm admitting my total confusion ... what has happened to the kitchen? Apart from the apparent lack of either Kara or Ginna being in it?
Frodides, like Kara, were no doubt with the rest in the Great Hall for the solemn moment regarding Rilef. Having been excused, Frodides and Kara apparently did not go back to the kitchen, so I imagine the most likely alternatives would be, in the case of Frodides, her room, the latrine, getting on with that visit to the market, or some such. For Kara, maybe it was interaction with the Dwarf, or in her room for a moment, or the latrine, or sent by Frodides to market, or the two went together, or for a walk in the paddock, your call.

[littlemanpoet]

Great post, Foley! :) A very intriguing read.

Firefoot, are you in hopes of your character running into Eodwine for better orders than Falco passed on, or do you intend any more of an exchange with Falco?

[Firefoot]

Firefoot, are you in hopes of your character running into Eodwine for better orders than Falco passed on, or do you intend any more of an exchange with Falco? It doesn't matter. Leof is hoping for a something a little bit more detailed and clear, but he has the gist of the message, so if he runs into either of them (I don't recall where Eodwine is at the moment), great, otherwise he'll just ride on.

[Ealasaide]

I've been without access to the computer for a couple of days & see that I have A LOT to catch up on. I'll see what I can do about getting Elian/Elborn on the move again. And, yes, Ghem, is still lurking about...

[Ealasaide]

Folwren -- Nice posts. I do have one small correction to ask of you, though. (Please!) In your last post you mention the guards taking small knives and lockpicks off of Ulric and Withold, but Ghem is the only one who had them. Thanks! :)

[Folwren]

Whoops. That's right. Well, would these fellows have had any sort of weapons on them? Please let me know so I can write about them and not have Thornden be at fault again. :P

-- Folwren

[Nogrod]

Well, would these fellows have had any sort of weapons on them?Their weapons were taken from them when they were first taken as prisoners - only Ghem's small stuff remained unaccounted for. They took knives from the kitchen as they tried to escape but naturally they're not having them anymore as they lost them in the fight... ;)

[Ealasaide]

Yes, Nogrod is correct. In the process of escaping, Withold had picked up a kitchen knife & Ulric had Ghem's little bitty knife, but they lost both of those when they were re-captured. Thornden is on top of things this time! :)

[Kath]

Ok, a post is up. I've managed to figure out where Kara and Frodides disappeared to at last! Thanks for your suggestions anyway lmp. :) Frodides has just confronted Eodwine, also interrupting his conversation with Rowenna.

[littlemanpoet]

Well here's a curmudgeonly problem! I've just requested of Lhuna to have Ginna escorted by Harreld to the guest rooms with Modtryth and the children, but Kath has Ginna and Harreld in the kitchen. And you know what? It makes more sense to me.

But Eodwine has sent Garreth into the kitchen too, which is NOT in Kath's post, so what shall we do about that?

So I'm willing to change my post accordingly, and sheepishly ask Lhuna to change her post back again. Is that okay with you, Lhuna? Everybody else?

By the way, Kath, it seems that I forgot to answer another of your questions: the kitchen has blood on the floor from Stigend, and the main table probably knocked out of its proper place; perhaps, if you like, there might be nicks in the table's surface or corners, as well as on walls, or wherever Noggie's description of Stigend's fight gives license to. Hope that helps.

[Kath]

Sorry about that, I can certainly write in Garreth being in the kitchen too if you're happy with them being there.

And thanks for the information about the kitchen, it does help explain Frodides' annoyance. :)

[Lhunardawen]

No problem, Elempi. :)

You could probably have Garreld sent off somehow, unless you'd rather let him stay in the kitchen and give you one more character to think about.

[littlemanpoet]

Eodwine will send Garreth back to the Hall, and Harreld & Ginna. That should pretty much solve everything. Problem is, I can't get to it until later today, and maybe not until tomorrow. Please be patient. I have a long, long meeting tonight, and I'm not sure one of my coworkers will show up. :rolleyes:

[Nogrod]

It looks like things are turning out nicely... and Ghem is still around... :eek:

Unfortunately I will be out of the reach of any computer from fri. morning to the wed. next week at least.

I'll see if I can write a short post today / tomorrow.

But feel free to use Stigend meanwhile if he's needed. He's wounded but would do anything if that would help protect Modtryth and the kids.

[littlemanpoet]

Lhuna, in post # 835 you have Eodwine telling Ginna to go to Modtryth and the boys. Please have him aim her toward the kitchen.

[Lhunardawen]

Oh, sorry, I forgot about that. My post has been changed.

You and Nogrod should edit your posts after mine, too. :)

[littlemanpoet]

I did edit once. Is there something I missed?

[Nogrod]

I had no time to come up with a post - or edit an earlier one. :(

Please feel free to use Stigend when he could help your writing.

So sad to get off when things actually start happening...

Have fun! I will have fun as well in the countryside!

[Firefoot]

Okay, I'm going to be out of town through August 1st, so if Leof needs to bring back some message from the king, feel free to handle that as you wish, Elempi.

[littlemanpoet]

Sounds good. Thanks, Firefoot. :)

[Lhunardawen]

I did edit once. Is there something I missed?
In post #837 it says "Eodwine told [Harreld] to bring Ginna to Modtryth's room." :)

[littlemanpoet]

Thank you! Fixed. :)

Is there anything else anybody wants to write for this Day?

[Lhunardawen]

I would like to write something about Ginna and Harreld while Kara is with them in the kitchen, but with a plant taxonomy exam tomorrow (in nine hours!) and lab reports and plates and everything, doing so would be academic suicide. :(

I'm okay for a time jump.

[littlemanpoet]

The time jump can wait so long as there's something that still wants to happen this Day. I can wait. :)

[Lhunardawen]

I don't know when I'll be free enough to post my bit of nonsense, and what I want to write (probably) isn't really necessary. The others might want to get ahead with the events.

[Ealasaide]

Sorry I have been absent lately. I've been wanting to post, but it looks like I won't be able to write or get back online for any length of time until after August 12th. I'm leaving Friday for Pennsic (big Medieval Re-Enactment/War) and am in that last panic phase of packing for a week in a tent and building/strapping out armor, etc, for the battles.

I will be sure to post with Elian & Ghem both when I get back. :)

[littlemanpoet]

I'm just amazed that anybody got on this site the last two days. All I got was "Forbidden!"

Hmmmm.... I can wait, but I don't want my fellow writers bored waiting.

Is there anybody else who wants to write for toDay?

[Firefoot]

Psst, Elempi:"I know of nothing, my king," Firefoot said in confusion.
Didn't know that Eomer kept his horse around as an active participant in court. ;)

Anyhow, I don't have much else specifically to accomplish this Day. I'll probably write about Leof's return to the hall when I'm not so tired...

However, now that Sorn's land's are being brought up, I just want to check - nothing was done with the property at all? His stuff not gone through, nothing taken (what about living things eg horses?)? 'Cause if it was left... somebody *coughScyld* would very likely have returned to the estate to loot it for it's more valuable items... particularly coinage.

[littlemanpoet]

That's what I get for posting in a hurry. :rolleyes: I'll fix it when I have time.

[Nogrod]

Sadly my hands have been full the few days I've been at home and I haven't had time to see what has happened here.

But like I said the last time I'm on my way to a summercamp tomorrow and will be back in a week just to start the school-season (the first days will be pretty rough). But I hope to turn back to this in 1½-2 weeks with at least some effort. I do have a few larger projects in the beginning of the season but it should ease a bit when September comes.

[littlemanpoet]

It seems that nobody has anything to post, or that we're waiting for Eala to post regarding Ghem and Elian. But that means waiting until 8/12, and that's a lot of days away.

If the rest of you want to do the time jump now so that you can write, I'm thinking that Eala could post retrospectively for her two characters, and then we could fill in the gaps as we go. Let me know.

[Kath]

Go ahead and time jump, my characters can deal with it.

Also, I won't be here for the next week as I'm going to France so don't write anything you need Frodides or Kara for. :)

[littlemanpoet]

Thanks, Kath. Anybody else?

[littlemanpoet]

Apparently not. I'll post the new Day sometime soon. I'm thinking one month into the future. Any problems with that choice?

[Folwren]

I just posted something that Tara had sent me through PM. She is currently gone right now, as I understand it. She wanted that posted before the time went on, but she wanted to know if Mith and I approved, but I never got back to her (I was gone on vacation before I received that) and I don't know if Mith did. Anyway, I popped it on before Elempi moved time forward. I will edit the post later and add a part for Thornden.

Mith and Tara, if I've done wrong, let me know.

-- Folwren

[littlemanpoet]

Okay, I'm glad you beat me to it with that post, Foley. And I'm glad you intend to add to it with Thornden's reply.

If there's anything else that must happen in the old day, we can either add it to Foley's post # 852, or I can delete and hold back #853.

[Folwren]

Right, well, I noticed that you were replying to Eorling Mead Hall so I thought, "Hm, Tara would likely want that post up before he does..."

Anyhow, I've added my post to it, so you can go read that now.

Do we ever get to find out what passed between Eodwine and King Eomer?

-- Folwren

[littlemanpoet]

Do we ever get to find out what passed between Eodwine and King Eomer?
Yes. I have so much "up my sleeve" that it's going to take a few posts to get it all out there. One theme per post is how I've chosen to deal with things.

[Firefoot]

I have a request... Elempi, a little while ago you worked out the timeline for the Hall, and I just spent quite a bit of time (well... 10 minutes, probably) digging it up (I'm trying to figure out where Scyld's at) - could you link to it in your first post on this thread? It'd be very useful. :)

Here's the link, so you don't have to find it too: http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=517500&postcount=1595

Also, Folwren, I need to know what you decided about Javan before I can really post for Leof.

[littlemanpoet]

Good idea. Coming right up. And I'll edit that post too, because I keep an rtf copy on my home computer that I modify as I go.

[Folwren]

Elempi, if Javan is too mean and plagues her too much, I can have him removed quickly.

-- Folwren

[littlemanpoet]

Foley, that post ... is .... hilarious! :D

So like a kid of that age, all whoopy about adventure, imagining the adventure is must have been like. I can't wait to post after that. ... but I'll have to wait until tonight. :(

[Folwren]

I'm glad you approve. Javan is extremely fun to write for. I can't imagine the pain it might cause, though, to a woman having gone through such things. I know Rowenna's pretty hardened, but all the same....to have her torments taken so lightly isn't nice.

I'm looking forward to your post. :D

-- Foley

[Firefoot]

Hope you two don't mind an interruption - Fol, let me know if you want Javan's bit of dialogue changed at all. :)

[littlemanpoet]

No problem, the more the merrier. :)

[Taralphiel]

Thank you Foley for chucking that in after my rushed PM. You're too nice to me!

Please give me a little time to read through the new updates. Jetlag seems to be taking a little longer to settle for me and I am a bit slow at the best of times. ;)

- Tara

[Folwren]

Thank you Foley for chucking that in after my rushed PM. You're too nice to me!

Nonsense. It's the least I could do. I'm glad you're back.

Firefoot, don't feel shy to bring Leof back and take Javan away just because he and Rowenna are talking right now.

-- Folwren

[littlemanpoet]

Hee hee! :D Great plot turns and character development regarding Javan, Foley. I can't wait to have Eodwine come into the kitchen and ask the obvious question, "What was that all about?" :D

And soon enough I have a plot twist of my own, which most of you have already seen signs of, having to do with the lands formerly belonging to Sorn.

Well, I'll fess up. King Eomer and Eorl Eodwine have worked out an understanding that Eodwine is going to move his seat of authority to Sorn's former holdings; he keeps possession of the White Horse Inn, which may again be its name, and it becomes again a profit making venture. King Eomer retains possession and authority over Edoras and the immediately surrounding lands, and Eodwine moves to Sorn's former lands. Those who wish to, go with him. Those who do not wish to, stay at the Inn.

This rpg continues to unfold at the Inn, with the Eorl visiting perhaps once each month. Who runs it in Eodwine's absence has yet to be determined.

[Nogrod]

I'm so sorry I have been taken away from all this the last weeks - and will be hands full of work for a few days still.

Just work from early morning to over midnight every day... :(

But I'll be back as soon as I can. Within a week I hope.

[Formendacil]

I feel guilty asking questions about an RPG I'm hardly doing anything in... but I'm rather curious, and, who knows, the answer might prompt me to write here again...

Anyway, with the additional time now elapsed since the last Day roleplayed, has the construction ceased on the Mead Hall/White Horse Inn? If so, then nothing really occurs to me, except that it might be a graceful time for Náin to make his exit, and so relieve me of the guilt of leaving him postless.

On the other hand, if Eodwine pulls of the Hall without the renovations being complete, I can see a whole string of potential headaches (and headaches equals drama) for the new "manager", in not only having to rebuild a business that has been lost, while answering to the Eorl--and in a larger, more expensive, unfinished building to boot (to use more modern phraseology, perhaps).

Not being sure how long the renovations/additions were intended to take, and not having a clue what would have been normal in Anglo-Saxon times, I really have no idea where the building project sits at--though it occurs to me that making the Inn profitable may well be directly due to the costs of building (I live in a province where building costs are really high right now, and there is a lot of building going on in different corners of my life...).

Anyway, I was curious.

[littlemanpoet]

This is not an rpg per sé, and thereby does not entail the commitments obligating one to post every so often. This is a "home base" for Rohan characters, which can from here head off into rpg's, or not, depending.

Therefore, guilt simply does not obtain.

If you do not post for a while, your character is inactive. If you cease to post for more than a month anywhere on the Downs, then I'll write your character having moved on.

But guilt is unnecessary. So stay and post as much or as little as you like. Something can always be thought up to make your character more useful according to your lights.

As for construction, I'd say that it is more or less complete in its basics. There may be detail work to be done. However, the new holding (Sorn's former holding) will need lots of work.

[Thinlómien]

I've finally read through everything that has happened since the men returned from the ruins. I must say that you've all written awesome posts and I truly mean it. It was really enjoyable to read through the thread.

So, now I'm here and at last able to participate. I will hopefully write something next week, but if not, I'll be anyway following the thread actively.

Keep up the good work everybody, you're gorgeous writers! :D

[Formendacil]

This is not an rpg per sé, and thereby does not entail the commitments obligating one to post every so often. This is a "home base" for Rohan characters, which can from here head off into rpg's, or not, depending.

Therefore, guilt simply does not obtain.

If you do not post for a while, your character is inactive. If you cease to post for more than a month anywhere on the Downs, then I'll write your character having moved on.

But guilt is unnecessary. So stay and post as much or as little as you like. Something can always be thought up to make your character more useful according to your lights.

As for construction, I'd say that it is more or less complete in its basics. There may be detail work to be done. However, the new holding (Sorn's former holding) will need lots of work.

Ssssh!!

While all you say is well and good, if you ever want me to post again (and I would prefer to be wanted than not), a little guilt is mighty powerful incentive. After all, the satisfaction of a post well done only comes AFTER the post is written.;)

[littlemanpoet]

Ah but guilt as motivation is a poor step-sister to the interest of the story and character, and much more likely to hinder creativity than engender it.

I am still seeking comments on the problem of Sorn's former lands. Which I think are going to be renamed Scarburg, for the "Scar" of rocky land nearby, as the locals call it. ..... makes it reminiscent of Scarborough, which is simple linguistic coincidence.

Anyway, as for Scarburg. Eodwine is going to go there to live, at some point. He will request that certain people come with him to his new "seat of governance", or some such. Rowenna is very likely to go with him, considering her motivations. Falco, I don't know. Eodwine is considering asking one of the Smith twins to become his Black Smith at Scarburg. Who joins him depends, perhaps, on where Ginna goes.

I don't really like moving Eodwine off center stage, but the idea of the Eorl of Middle Emnet having his seat of government right under the nose of Meduseld just doesn't make sense, at least not for the long term. King Eomer can see the problems with it: the King ought to be the authority of even local affairs in his own town. So he wants Eodwine to move, regardless of what Eodwine wants. What Eodwine really wants is to "shuck off" the Eorldom and become the tavern keeper at the old White Horse Inn, but that's not one of the choices available to him.

So where do you want your character to live?

[Folwren]

Eodwine, by rights, should be the one to choose. Everyone at the Mead Hall works under him and answers to him and in essence, does what he wants and will live where he wills them. Wouldn’t the Eorl’s entire household go with him? He will need an ostler and cook, at least, in his new holding, not to mention a few other random servants.

I honestly don’t know about Thornden. An inn would not need a man-at-arms, and if Eodwine does not need him at his new place, he may go back to Meduseld.

As for Javan – well, his father wanted to find him a place in Eodwine’s service, so I’m guessing that, if you’ll have him, Javan will go where Eodwine goes. However…..heh…..don’t make up your mind too fast. We always have an option of sending him home if he doesn’t work out.

My main question is, does the main play have to stay at the White Horse Inn? And my next main question – why?

-- Folwren

[Lhunardawen]

Ginna definitely goes with Eodwine; it was to him she was entrusted by Randvér, after all. But I don't see any reason (yet) for Ginna to be visiting the Inn every once in a while, so if the RPG is centered there, what would Ginna do?

[littlemanpoet]

So what I'm "hearing " is that it's probably best to keep this thing "The Eorling Mead Hall" with its cooks, ostler, servingwenches and men at arms, and just move the location to Scarburg, and have the White Horse Inn be a source of livelihood the Eorl has in Edoras. That actually sounds pretty simple and a lot less bothersome.

And that means that Harreld wants to become Eodwine's Smith, leaving Garreth brotherless and miserable back in Edoras, unless Garreth decides to offer his services too. Hmmmm! :) I'm beginning to like this direction. What do others think?

Just a thought: Frodides stays in Edoras, unless Kath really wants her along.

Now we need to start thinking about the layout of Scarburg..... :smokin:

[Kath]

Aww, but she's such fun to write. :( I'll have a think about it.