Outracing the Flames Discussion Thread

[piosenniel]

Arry invites you play in his game:


Outracing the Flames


Basic Storyline:

It is late autumn of 3017 TA; the War of the Ring will begin in June of 3018 TA. Orcs and Easterlings have begun to rampage near the eastern borders of Rohan. One of the small villages just outside the eastern Rohan border has been hit hard, most of its people killed, its houses and barns burned. The leader of that village has sent messengers out to those other villages nearby which he thought might be next on the agenda of the ravaging orcs/Easterlings.

One of the messengers has come to the village of Wulfham, a village just within the eastern boundaries of Rohan. The March-warden (minor Lord) there sends out a number of young volunteers to ride to Edoras to raise the alarm as they go along and to bring back assistance. The March-warden intends to pack the village up and move them all towards Edoras for protection. All of his armed men will ride with them - that's why the younger folk are asked to be the messengers.

During the first week of their ride, they encounter another group of riders who’ve come from a small village, Bregoware, just outside the eastern boundaries of Rohan (that would be on the other side of The Great River – the Anduin).

The two groups will have to form an alliance of some sort in order to survive the ride and deliver the message to Edoras.

[piosenniel]

The purpose of the story is to: Bring news of the destruction of outlying villages to King Theoden at Edoras

This means we will know the story is over when: The message is delivered (or if there is interest in continued play – when the messengers are reunited with their villages)

[piosenniel]

Starting Location: The far eastern borders of Rohan, somewhere near the Wold. (See Map)

Likely destination: Edoras – the King’s Hall

[piosenniel]

Timeframes:

This game takes place in the Third Age, very late autumn, of the year just prior to the start of the War of the Ring. (The War of the Ring begins in June of 3018 TA)

The storyline itself or plot covers about a month to a month and a half.

This game requires a time commitment of three (3) months from me, the game owner, and from the major players.

[piosenniel]

Other thoughts:

We would most likely be from farming villages (raising crops and small animals) - not horse raisers. The outlying lands are a little harsher than the grassy lands nearer to Edoras.

Women would be as likely to know how to wield weapons as the men, though I don't think they would be able to become professional soldiers in the employ of the March-warden.

Weapons would probably be simpler than those of the professional army - plain steel swords, hunting bows, knives; stout sharpened wood staves - the sorts of things farmers might have in their family armory.

I was thinking we would be about 200 or 250 miles from Edoras, possibly up near the Wold.

I'd like our route from the eastern border to take us toward where the Snowbourne River intersects the Entwash. We can ride along the Snowbourne, then, to Edoras. The Snowbourne River is that little white dotted line that connects, on the first map below, to the Entwash River, and goes straight to Edoras.

[piosenniel]

MAPS:


Map 1 (http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/maps/rohan.gif)


Map 2 (http://us.share.geocities.com/karenlpy_lotr/MiddleEarth.jpg)

Map 3 (http://perso.wanadoo.fr/hugo1900/img14.jpg)

[piosenniel]

Here are a couple of name lists for reference in making up Rohirric names for your character.


Old English name lists:

MALE (http://www.ealdriht.org/names/Englishnames.htm)

FEMALE (http://www.ealdriht.org/names/Englishnames.htm#Girls)

~*~

Anglo-Saxon name lists:

MALE (http://www.20000-names.com/male_anglo_saxon_names.htm)

FEMALE (http://www.20000-names.com/female_anglo_saxon_names.htm)

[piosenniel]

Dedicated Players: (Their character bios and First Posts will need to be on board before the Discussion Thread is opened.)

1.) Farael
2.) Maeggaladiel
3.) Naria
4.) Tevildo
5.) Undómë
6.) Valier
7.) Arry
8.) Eowyn Skywalker
9.) Nogrod

[piosenniel]

CHARACTERS/PLAYERS

Rohan village - Wulfham

1.) Valier – female – 19 y/o - Vaenosa
2.) Naria – female - 18 y/o - Incana
3.) Tevildo - male – 16 y/o (passes for 18) - Dorran
4.) Arry – male – 20 y/o - Brand

~*~

Outlander village - Bregoware

1.) Undómë – female – 17y/o - Meghan --- (carry-along character - male - 42 y/o - Rædwald)
2.) Farael – male – 20y/o - Osmod (Osse)
3.) Maeggaladiel – male – 18y/o - Fion
4.) Eowyn Skywalker – 20y/o - Eostre Merir
5.) Nogrod - Sythric

[piosenniel]

Arry’s character

NAME: Brand,

AGE: 20 years old

RACE: Men

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: An old short sword, plain blade with leather wrapped grip – passably fair at using it. An all purpose double edged knife he always wears on his belt – uses it throughout his daily routine. Weapon of choice is his stout oak cudgel he uses when out with the small flock of sheep belonging to his family.

APPEARANCE: 5’ 6”, 140 lbs; fair skinned with an uneven light tan; lean build, lithely muscled; straw blond hair, chopped off just below the shoulders and bound back with a leather thong. Dark blue eyes. Wears dark brown breeches, homespun tunic, brown leather belt with a brass buckle. Scuffed mid-calf boots Has a tightwoven cloak his mother made him – light brown.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Brand is a quiet, even tempered, dependable fellow. Hardworker. Likes to see a task through to the very end. He likes the rhythm of the old ways, or so he calls them, doesn’t care much for change, and can be quite suspicious of any who live outside his village. He weighs almost everything in light of how it will benefit his family first and then his townsmen. He is, of course, a loyal man to his King, and would knock anyone down with a blow from his cudgel who’d gainsay him. The King, though, is more a vague idea to him than a real man.

HISTORY: He comes from a long line of sheep farmers, and as the only son, he expects to take over the running of the family farm when he is older. He has two sisters, both older than he by several years – Hilde and Winnifred. They are married and plague him constantly with invitations to meet what they consider suitable matches for him. He is not in the market for a wife at present. He has projects about the family farm he wants done before he starts thinking of a family. He’s not traveled much – just those times with the flock as he moved them from grassy area to grassy area. And never across The Great River. Those times they move to summer pasture, he rides among them on his sturdy chestnut mare; his hound running at his side, keeping the sheep together. Dog and horse are as even tempered as their master.

Over the past year, the villagers have heard rumors of Orc and East-men pushing against the outlying borders of those little hamlets that lie just east of the river and beyond. Brand has pushed down the panic and fear those stories first brought him. Now he is determined to figure out some way he can be of use in the protection of his family, his village, and the livelihoods that sustain them.

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FIRST POST FOR THE GAME FOR THE ROHAN VILLAGERS


Arry’s post


The iron bell that hung in the wooden tower above the Lord of Wulfham’s mead-hall rang out in the dark watches of the night. Aldwulf, the march-warden for this far eastern area of the Riddermark, sat in his carved chair giving orders to his wife and sons. They moved quietly and efficiently about him – pushing back benches and tables to make room for the crowd they knew would soon be there; heating up kettles of water for the hot tea the cold and tired villagers would need to hear the news.

Aldwulf rubbed his thumb along his coarsely bearded jawline. It was a nervous habit of his, helped him keep his focus he told himself. Tonight that was a lie. He couldn’t focus, not yet. The news was still too fresh. It made his gut ice cold to think of the horror that was coming their way.

A messenger had come earlier in the evening from one of the small hamlets a week’s ride north of Wulfham. The smoke they’d been seeing on the far hills now had a hideous face he’d told them. Orcs and men from the east-lands had made their way near to The Great River. A number of Outlander villages that lay in their path had been razed – the houses and barns burned to the ground, the people killed. The headman for the messenger’s village had sent him and a number of other messengers out to warn those who dwelt near them. And he, himself, had been sent by the headman to let the marchwarden know what was happening.

Questioned by Aldwulf, the man told him that many of the villages were heading to safety. A number to small fortressed hills further westward and some even making the long march to Edoras. ‘It is said,’ the messenger told him, that some great power to the south and east of us presses against the Mark and would swallow us one by one, until his shadow covers the grasslands and we are no more.’

The man would not stay once his message was delivered and the lord’s questions answered. He took a quick meal, a cup of ale. and then was on his way, riding back to intercept his own village’s flight to a place of safety.

‘Rouse yourself, Aldwulf,’ he heard his wife say as he considered the choices before him. ‘The crowd is come through the gate and will soon enter the hall.’ She handed him his thick vest to put on, for it was still cool in the hall, thought they’d piled the grates with wood and the flames licked at the offering hungrily. He tied back his grey shot hair with the piece of cord she gave him next and stood up before his chair as the villagers entered.

^*^*^*^

Brand squeezed along the south wall of the hall, making his way to a place nearer the raised platform where the Lord stood, talking to the heads of some of the more prosperous families in the village as well as the man who captained his small company of warriors. Brand waved off the offer of tea, focusing his gaze on that core of decision makers. Something big was happening and those who saw to the welfare of the village were discussing what should be done.

Aldwulf finished speaking to the men near him and motioned for the crowd to attend him. With an economy of words he explained the situation – that a messenger had come and the news bode ill for Wulfham. In the space of a few days, he would expect the villagers to pack up their belongings and be ready to move themselves and their animals to the safety of the King’s own city. The warriors would ride with them for protection, he told the people, many of whom were already muttering about the plan, both from fear and from the tumultuous turn they knew their lives would soon be taking.

Many questions were shouted at Aldwulf. And he took them as calmly as he could, giving as much assurance as he could to his frightened and angry people. When the asking was all done, and the ruffled feelings smoothed over for the moment, he raised his hand again, calling for quiet.

‘I have need of a small party of volunteers,’ he said, his gaze going about the room. ‘Fast riders to bring this news to Edoras. The King will want to protect his people and to do so he will need to know what we have learned. I would send some of my own armed men, but I want them all with us as we travel.’

His eyes rested on a number of folk about the hall and then moved on. ‘Four young people, those for whom others can pick up their responsibilities is what I want . . . what Wulfham needs.’ He nodded toward the captain of his men who began moving through the crowd with three other of his warriors.

Brand watched as three of them clapped their hands on the shoulders of a young villager each and led him or her . . . for there were two females he noted with some astonishment . . . to where the march-warden waited. ‘Poor sods,’ he murmured to himself, thanking his lucky stars that he did not stand among them.

Much to his surprise and dismay a voice rang out behind him. ‘There you are!’ the captain, himself, said, drawing near. He grasped Brand’s shoulder and urged him firmly toward the others.

A short while passed and villagers began to return to their houses, most to begin the long job of sorting through what they would need to bring; many to weep at what they must leave behind.

Brand and his chosen companions were told to go home and get what rest they could. Aldwulf would see them back at the hall midmorning to instruct them on what he wished them to do. ‘Bring your horses and what weapons you might have,’ he told them. ‘My house will fill your packs with food for traveling and with drink for several days' journey. You will leave directly then for the King with my written message.’

He nodded to them once he had finished speaking and then wishing them well, dismissed them to their beds.

[piosenniel]

Valier's Character

Name: Vaenosa

Age: 19

Race: Men

Gender: Female

Weapons:Handmade bow and quiver of arrows.Fairly good shot from horse back.Two small daggers,both homemade with red dyed leather hilts,hidden under her riding tunic.

Appearance:5'8 Slender,but with feminine curves.Mid back length, hay coloured hair that tended to curl(annoyingly)Hard,peircing blue eyes. Delicate facial features.Wears a tan riding outfit that consists of: pants,tunic,dark brown boots laced to the knee,and a brown leather hip pouch which belonged to her father.

Personality/Strenghts/Weaknesses: Cold,shy,quick to judge,untrusting.Has a sort of macabre sense of humor.Slightly obsessive with everything she attempts .Loyal to all those that she loves. Over confident, thinks things would be done better if she did them herself.Very self reliant, almost anti-social.

History: Lived on a small farm,that mostly grew crops for the surrounding farms.She is an only child.Her father died when she was 10.Her mother raised her by herself until she fell ill.Then Vaenosa cared for her.Has travelled.Always on her own with her chestnut stallion named Nay,who is a silly, giddy,fellow that loves to run.She never visited many towns,just watched the counry side fly by.

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Valier's Post

Vaenosa turned her back to the crowd and grasped her mother's hand firmly, leading her towards the small stage that was set up in the town hall. "Vaenosa you must go child! Do not worry about this old woman, I will be fine. I will go with one of our kindly neighbours,do not fret!" "Mother I will not leave you,not in your condition! Who will care for you? You are not strong enough,you need me here with you."

As they approached the stage, the MarchWarden was requesting volunteers to ride ahead with a letter for the King. Vaenosa felt a slight squeeze in her hand. Sighing deeply she turned around again to her ailing mother. " No mother I insist I stay here with you!" But the look of determination in the sick woman's eyes, melted Her heart. Before she could try and reason with the woman again,she felt a push from behind. Hands grabbed her from the front and lead her away.With one last look at her mother, Vaenosa raised her head high and walked towards where the other volunteers stood.

After receiving praise from the March Warden, he dismissed them all to their houses, to return in the Morn with weapons and horse. Then he would fill them all in on their duties.

Vaenosa was dazed. Almost walking in a fog, she found her way outside without looking for her mother.The cool air hit her face, bringing some colour back to her ashen cheeks. Then came the small frail arm, touching her own. "This my daughter is all I ask of you before I go......Please save this town,Get help while we still can! Your Father loved this town, as I do. I would love for this to be your place. For you children and your children's children. Please go."

With shoulders slumped and head hung low, Vaenosa let herself be led back slowly to the place she called home.

Awaking the next morning to he mothers wracking coughs, the day before came flooding back."Well there's no chance I'm getting out of this now,I may as well make the best of it." Vaenosa was reluctant to put all her energy into the thought of the long road ahead,for if she did she would be set to accomplish what ever was asked of her, to the fullest extent. This scared her to her very core. Yet she would put on a brave face and say goodbye to her mother,maybe for the last time.

After a teary goodbye and a promise to stay safe, Vaenosa packed a travelling pack with some extra clothing and equipment. She was accustom to carring only what was essential, to let Nay go as fast as he pleased. Walking out to the stables, lifted her spirits some due to the slight Autumn breeze.

Nay was prancing in his stall and throwing his head back in anticipation. She had not let him run the day before and now he knew she was taking him out. "alright my friend,lets go." She jumped smoothly on to his blanketed back and without another look back, she started down the road to the town.

Tying Nay outside took alot longer than it should have, Vaenosa was still nervous about the whole thing. There was three other people she would be traveling with, and she was sure they would just get in the way. Taking three deep breaths she walked up the steps and through the door.

[piosenniel]

Naria's character

Name: Incana

Age: 18

Race: Human

Gender: Female

Weapons: She would carry a rock thrower of sorts made of a long piece of leather looped and attached to a y-shaped hard wood stick. She has a pouch for carrying her rocks for her rock thrower- slung over her shoulder. She would also carry a simple utility knife long enough to do some damage if need be.

Appearance: Incana has long dark blonde hair almost brown that she keeps tied back in a half ponytail. Eyes that seem to change their colour with her mood; sometimes a gold colour sometimes a hazel green. She is 5'6" and weighs in at a whopping 115lbs. She would have pale skin compared to most of the other villagers, but very rosy cheeks. She usually wears a wrap tunic made of leather and lined with angora, that her mother made for her and leather leggings. She has a pair of high leather boots that she wears this time of year that tie up around her calves.

Personality, strengths, weaknesses: She has a great personality, at least that's what her parents say, she is always bubbly and full of life. She is usually the voice of reason when a problem arises. But, Incana is quite bull headed at times when she wants to be usually ending her in hot water.

History: Her father is the village horse breeder and works hard on there farm tending to the horses and goats. Her mother is a seamstress using the goat wool for angora. Her mother would have also worked on the farm tending to the goats, chickens and horses. She is the only child of her parents, her mother had a hard time during labor with Incana and didn't want to risk losing her life with another one. Because her father was a horse breeder he would have to travel great distances at times to sell his stock therefore, Incana was used to being by herself although she didn't mind being alone she often wondered what else there could be outside her village for her. She had learned a lot of the techniques that her mother had taught her and wouldn't have minded putting them to use some day. She often muttered to herself "why does no man want to take me as his bride?" She always thought that she was missing something in her life, besides having no family of her own or husband at her age, but couldn't quite put her finger on it. They have a herd of 15 horses and two of them were not to be ridden, "they are strictly for breeding!"her father would say. So she always had her pick of which to ride on any day. Because of his generous nature, her father had built a smaller house off to the side of theirs in case someone from out of town would need a place to stay. Her uncle was that person, he said he was only going to stay for a week or two but it's turned out to be two years now. Incana liked to watch her uncle practice his archery she thought, for being an older man, that he was the best that she had ever seen. He was also very good in tracking and taught Incana a few tricks of the trade.

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Naria's Post:

Incana and her mother were getting ready for bed when her father and uncle came crashing through the door. "Something is going on in the town square" her father exclaimed. "We heard the bell ring, must be very important." said her uncle. With their night dress on and lanterns in hand , Incana and her mother hurried outside with her father and uncle leading the way. "It's a good thing that we reside nearby else you ladies would be catching a chill this night." her uncle said trying to lighten the mood.

Approaching the centre of town they noticed a large group of people had already arrived. Some they recognized some they did not. "I wonder where these people have come from that I have not seen before." Incana said with concern in her voice. "Oh don't worry, I'm sure it's nothing that we should be too concerned about." her mother said not quite convincing herself of that.
The four of them walked through the crowd and into the town hall where there were even more people that they had and had not seen. Incana was starting to feel overwhelmed and scared. She took her father's hand and held it tightly. Her father, straining to hear, heard what sounded like a plea for help from an older man in the sea of villagers. With Incana's hand still tight in his they weaved around people until they were closer to the stage.

The MarchWarden had given his speech to everyone and after listening to him, Encana's parents couldn't believe what they had just heard. "He can't be serious Sending our young ones out like that." Her father said in obvious disdain about the idea. There was some quarreling back and forth among some other parents and it was getting louder and louder. The MarchWarden banged his staff on the stage floor twice. All went silent. "I implore all of the young people of Rohan, come forth if yea shall volunteer for this task." Incana felt a pain in her stomach and a pull in her that she could not ignore. She slowly loosened her grasp of her father's hand and walked even closer to the stage. "NO!" cried her mother "I won't let you do this." Incana picked her mother up off of the floor, wiped away her tears and whispered into her ear, "I'll be ok. Don't fret mother I will come back to you. I have to do this." And with that Incana raised her hand.

With barely any sleep Incana awoke the next morning to find that it wasn't a dream that had kept her tossing but a cold reality. Her mother had been up before her daughter that morning and prepared and packed some food and extra clothing for the journey. Her father came inside and wiped away some dirt off of his face. Incana couldn't help but notice that the dirt had smudged even though it wasn't hot enough outside this time of year. She felt tears well up in her eyes and threw herself into her father's arms. He pulled her back and told her that the horse was ready while he walked into another room. Incana heard muffled sobs; she wanted to go and be with her father but she changed her mind. Her mother hugged her only child and said good-bye and told Incana that she loved her. Incana put the food pack around her waist and went outside where her horse was waiting tied to a post. She fastened her weapons to the side of the horse sighed deeply, mounted and made her way to the town.

[piosenniel]

Tevildo's character

NAME: Dorran

AGE: 16, but passes as 18

RACE: Human

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Dorran cherishes a sturdy bow and knife that were passed down to him by his father. He has some skill with these weapons in hunting and cleaning game. He has a sling fashioned from soft leather, which is the weapon he prefers to use when protecting farm animals from annoying pests like snakes and rodents or in bringing down small prey to feed himself and his sister.

APPEARANCE: Dorran is a tall but slender lad with a shock of brown curly hair, skin that is darker than most in the village, and earnest brown eyes. His serious expression and somber demeanor make him look considerably older than his actual age of sixteen years. Dorran wears a pair of mended breeches, a shirt, and a homespun vest that have all seen better days. His pockets generally bulge with the rocks that he always keeps nearby in case an unsuspecting rabbit comes darting across his path. Around his neck hangs a simple thong with a copper medallion that he keeps tucked underneath his shirt. Dorran has a way of blending quietly into his surroundings so that few of those who pass by even notice him. He generally prefers it that way.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Dorran's personality seemingly matches his quiet and unassuming outer appearance. He keeps much to himself out of choice and necessity. He lacks the protection that comes from having a cynical tongue to lash out at others or an adult protector. His manner is steady and cooperative, but he gives little hint to the outside world of what his real feelings are. He lacks confidence, thinks little of his own abilties, and tends to live from day-to-day, not caring much about the future. In reality, he is an extraordinarily gifted young lad who has managed to provide for himself and his younger sister despite enormous adversity.


HISTORY: Dorran and his sister Creide, now twelve years old, came to the village of Wulfham when they were tiny children, brought there from some identified place that lay towards the east by an elderly maiden aunt. Neither of the trio ever spoke of what had become of the childrens' parents. Whatever difficulties had befallen the family, Dorran and Raven kept the story to themselves. The aunt was a poor seamstress, barely holding body and soul together. Both Dorran and Creide had to be sent out in service at a very young age. After helping out in the households of several farmers in the region, the children found their way into the employ of Lord Aldwulf: Creide as a scullery maid and Dorran in the stables. With the passing of their elderly aunt, the march-warden and his lady had taken pity on the two and let them bed down in a tiny cellar room that faced onto the courtyard. The children are well behaved and generally accepted by the other villagers, yet now and then someone mentions in a whisper that the two were originally from outside the area, and no one knows from where they came.

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Tevildo's post

Dorran sat up with a start, threw off the covers, and leapt to his feet, hurrying over to the door and throwing it open. The sun had risen several hours before. He had managed to sleep through the cock's welcoming cry and all the hustle and bustle that had gone on in the courtyard, an area that stood only a short distance from the doorway of their tiny shed. Quickly sweeping his eyes over the area in front of the main hall, Dorran could see that preparations for their journey were well under way. The horses had been saddled and were snorting with impatience to be off. Several of the party had already arrived and were saying their final goodbyes to well wishers and friends.

Pummelling his fist into his other palm in frustration, Dorran turned and glared back at Criede. His sister was seated at the small table and was putting the finishing touches on a large sack of provisions that she meant for her brother to carry with him. "Why didn't you wake me sooner?" Dorran demanded. "I intended to be up and about. And what are you doing with all that food? The Master said he'd supply us with whatever we needed."

"Perhaps so," retorted the younger girl. "But this may be the last time for a while that you get a taste of my biscuits and apple tart. I thought you might like it." She stared back at him and then boldly stuck out her tongue. One moment Criede could be serious and adult, and the next moment acting just like a child.

"Alright, alright." His tone had softened considerably. "You've got me there. But still, I should have been up at dawn. What about the watering and feeding of the horses?" He stopped for a moment and shook his head, "It isn't like me..."

Criede interrupted before her brother could say another word, "The Master said I was to let you lie abed. You were up late helping him to gather the things that the group would need today. He wanted you to get some sleep before you began your journey. Anyways, it's only a few steps out to the courtyard, and you'll be ready to leave."

"Well enough, I suppose," he conceded with a sigh. "Promise be you'll be good, Criede, and do what the Lady says, and that you'll mind her on the road. She says you're to sleep in the hall with the other maids until you all leave together so you won't be out here on your own."

"I'd rather stay here," she objected. "This is my home."

"No more trouble now. Just do as the mistress says. When she says it's time to leave, you must go with her. She has always been kind to us and I expect you to behave. I'll see you soon in Edoras so you have nothing to fear."

"Alright, I promise. But why are you going early? You don't have to, you know. The Lord wouldn't make you. I'm sure of it."

"No, he wouldn't make me. But I want to go. I would never feel right being here and doing nothing, not knowing the danger the whole realm is in. Anyways," he muttered through gritted teeth, "not if I could do something to strike a blow at the likes of them."

Criede glanced up sideways at her taller brother, "You don't expect to see any of. those, those.... things on the road."

"I don't know but I don't expect so. They're still off to the east, or so I heard the Master talking. But if I do meet one, he won't live till another day. They are evil through and through. They have no soul, no heart, only blackness." There was real animosity in the lad's voice, the tone of one who knows more than what he says.

"Promise me, Dorran." his sister responded. "Promise me that you won't do anything foolish. You're the only family I have."

"I promise. I'm not a fool. And being dead isn't something I want to do for a long time. Anyways, dead men can't fight Orcs."

With that final thought, Dorran reached down and gave his sister a final hug, and raced out into the open courtyard to join the others who were just mounting up.

[piosenniel]

Farael's character

NAME: Osmod (Osse)

AGE: 20

RACE: Human

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: An old but well cared for short sword that belonged to his grandfather. Back on those days it had a pattern drawn on the blade but it has long been erased. The grip is simple leather, comfortable if not very luxurious. Also, Osmod carries a longbow and a quiver full of arrows. While living outside the town and caring for his cattle he had had to deal with predators more than once and he was a good archer. Much better than a swordsman anyway.

APPEARANCE: Tall, around six feet, and in good shape as he was often looking after his father's cattle. Dark black hair cut rather short, about two inches above his shoulders. He wears simple home made breeches and tunic, both light brown and a black leather belt. His boots and cloak belonged to his grandfather before him, during his times as a rider in the armies of Thengel King, father of Theoden.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: A shy and quiet man, he enjoys the wonders of nature and peace. He has been raised to work hard on the task at hand, which ever that may be. He is extremely loyal to both the King of Rohan (even if he now lives outside the boundaries of the country) and his friends.

HISTORY: Even though Osmod's family is very wealthy, his father has always made him work for what he wanted. As soon as he was of age, Osmod was sent to look after his father's cattle and he loved it. The wide open spaces, the company of animals... much simpler than that of men with all the lies and pretended friendships. His horse, a strong dark brown gelding, is all the company he needs, and all the company he seeks more often than not.

Ever a lover of nature and peace, when peace was shattered and nature threatened by the invading orcs and men, Osmod wanted to join the King's army and fight them back, as his grandfather had done. Yet as the March-Warden had asked for volunteers to run to Edoras and alter the King, Osmod knew it was his best opportunity to help his family and the few friends he had. Their only hopes rested on a quick ride to the King's palace and an even faster ride to rescue the harrased villagers.

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Farael's post ------------ FIRST POST FOR OUTLANDERS

The long, slow wail of a horn arose those living close to the Town Hall. The sound of horns was taken up and repeated by others as they awoke and soon all the town had rose to the sound of alarm. The March-Warden Horwald was calling for a town meeting. It had not happened since the times of Brego King, many lives of men before, that this emergency call had sounded in the middle of the night. There was no man alive who had been born then, but still the villagers responded as they had trained themselves to do.

Upon receiving the disturbing news in the middle of the night, Horwald had ordered his eldest son to sound the alarm but he had not shared the dire news with anyone. It was the right of all the townspeople to learn about the incoming dangers at the same time. After making their respective horn calls, the people of Bregoware had started to make their way towards the Town Hall. As this town was mostly a farming community, it had been the best part of two hours before all the families were represented. Mostly men had answered the distress call, but in dangerous times like these some brave women had joined their husbands and fathers.

With a sigh, Horwald raised his hand to ask for silence. He was proud to see the look of worry in the faces of men untainted by fear. Soon that would be no more, as the news he had to tell them were ones no March-Warden had ever been forced to say in this town. A tense silence was finally achieved and so Horwald, son of Leodwald addressed his people. They were his, his responsibility. As he repeated them the words of the messenger, who at the time had long ran off to meet with his own townspeople, he saw even the bravest of his men frowning. Bregoware had been harassed by easterlings and even a party of orcs before, but the news were that of a marching army not a wild group of bandits. The people had followed him through the hardships of living outside the boundaries of the Kingdom of Rohan and they trusted him. They would follow him if he ordered them to abandon their houses. They would follow him if he ordered them to retreat into the fortified city and prepare themselves for what could be a long siege. But as he looked into his people’s faces, he could not bear the thought that in the next weeks some of them would die, no matter what choice he made.


Osmod was awaken by the alarm cries of his own family’s horn. He ran up to his father’s chambers to find him standing by the window, blowing at the horn that had belonged to his grandfather. He could hear the distinct sound of other horns at the distance, but more worrying to his mind was the sound of his mother crying. Leofwen had always been a strong woman; she had even ridden against an invading group of bandits in her youth.

The alarm sound was soon picked up by other families and father and son readied themselves for the ride to the Town Hall. They chose their fastest horses and carried their swords with them. Osmod did not have a sword that belonged to him and so he ‘borrowed’ his grandfather’s. It had been hanging on the wall since the day Osbearn had returned from the ranks of Thengel King.

They were one of the last people to arrive, as his father’s lands were far outside the town, but many of the men present allowed them to make their way closer to where the March Warden was standing. Horwald’s face was grim and soon they learned why. First there was silence. Then the yelling started. The opinion that was voiced the loudest was that of war. They had defended themselves from those orkish bandits before, they would do it again. Yet soon common sense sank in and they realized they would fight a loosing battle that would be over before it even got started. The men still wanted to fight, many of them were gripping their swords hilts already. Yet as they looked around the room and saw the women present, they understood they could not let their families die for their pride. Soon the room was silent and the March Warden announced what they all dreaded. The city was to be emptied by noon on the following day. They would march towards Edoras, protected by the warriors of the town.

As everyone was reading themselves to go back to their houses and start preparing for the long escape, a voice was heard on the back of the room. Osmod could not tell if it had been a man or a woman who had spoken, he could not tell even if it had been any older than himself. Yet the words were true. Marching armies could run faster than retreating towns and even if they left on the first light the following day, they might not make it to Edoras before the orcs caught up with them. At least some riders would need to be sent to alert The King and bring back help.

Silence fell upon the room again as they saw the March Warden deliberating with his main counsellors. When he looked up, his face was stern and decided. Four of their fastest riders would go ahead of the main group. Yet he could spare none of his warriors and so volunteers would be needed. Osmod’s hand moved towards the hilt of his sword even before Horwald had finished the call for volunteers. Never before had anyone but the March Warden heard those words and never before had they been meant for anything other than teaching the March Warden his duties and responsibilities. “Who among the people of Bregoware will answer my call? Who among us braves will show to be the bravest? Who will risk pain and death for the greater good of his people?”

The room fell silent, interrupted only by the sound of a sword being unsheathed. One volunteer had accepted the call. Soon two more swords were raised over the heads of their brave owners. One last volunteer was needed yet the room had fallen silent again. Osmod closed his eyes and tensed his grip on the sword. Almost without him knowing, he unsheathed his grandfather’s sword. He had answered the call for help.

Voices were heard at the back of the room and spread out quickly towards the front. Soon all the gathered townspeople were discussing the names of the volunteers. Everyone seemed to want to talk to Osmod and grab his arm. He had shown to be as brave as his grandfather Osbearn had been, they said. He had shown to be great among the great of his town. But Osmod knew he had shown nothing yet. He was still safe inside the walls of the village and there were many dangers to confront before he would even consider himself to be brave.

Horwald dismissed everyone but the volunteers and their families – it would have been pointless and cruel to force them appart now when they would be parting soon enough, perhaps for ever- who stayed and gathered close to him. He praised the volunteers sincerely and offered them his help in anything they needed. He would provide them with food and water, as well as fast horses if they lacked one. Of course, they all had good horses, but it was a great compliment to be offered a horse by the March Warden himself. After the March Warden had spoken, Osmod asked of him only one thing. The sword he carried was old and the edge was dull. He wanted to carry his grandfather’s sword and would very much appreciate it if the March Warden could have it sharpened for him. Horwald granted him his wish, as he granted everything the others asked. They stayed until it was long past midnight discussing the best strategy for their ride, but they all agreed that there was no way of knowing what they would find and so no way of making accurate plans. The town of Bregoware would have to trust on their rider’s skill and intelligence. And as most of them made their way to their respective houses, they knew their trust had not been misplaced.

Osmod rode back to his father’s estate. His father had been uncommonly silent since he had volunteered himself and they rode in silence towards the big house. After they left the horses in the stables, Osmod’s father asked him to wait on the hall before retreating to his own room. Osmod complied and sat down on the cold floor, feeling more comfortable there than on the sturdy chairs. He scrambled up to his feet as he heard his father walking back in and could not help to gasp when he saw what he was carrying. His father had his own longbow on one hand, the finest quality weapon his family had. But what surprised the son was the family horn in his father’s left hand. It belonged to his father, it had belonged to his grandfather before and to his father before then. “Son, it has been our family tradition that the father of the house gives this horn to his son on the day of their wedding. I know not if I shall live to see that great day and this is why I want you to have it. It may be of assistance to you and I know our ancestors will forgive me for breaking our long held tradition”. As Osmod laid sleepless on his bed, he told himself that nothing would go wrong as he had the protection of those who had fought the same enemy before and won.

[piosenniel]

Undómë’s character

NAME: Meghan

AGE: 17

RACE: Men

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: Long, thick pole about 6” taller than herself; it tapers from sharpened tip to about a 3” knobbed base. She uses it mostly for dissuading small predators from her flock of goats. A skinning knife in a plain leather sheath hangs at her hip from her belt. She is a fair marksman with her small hunting bow – though she prefers to set out her corded traps or nets when looking to bring in small animals or birds. She is also hardly ever without her sharp, metal knitting needles close to hand.

APPEARANCE: 5’1’ 111 lbs; fine boned, slightly built, agile, well muscled/strong for someone with such a small frame. Thick, honey blond hair, worn in a long plait to mid back. Light blue eyes. Skirts and tunics during the warmer months; A pair of her brother’s old pants, made of thick material, thick socks, knee high soft, worn boots and warm sweaters in the colder months knitted from goat hair yarn.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Meghan is a self sufficient woman. Used to being on her own as she moves her small flock of goats from one sparsely grassed area to another. She is quick to laugh at the antics of others as well as at her own follies, and when she does her eyes glint with impish delight and her entire face lights up. She has opinions on almost everything, and is quite capable of defending them if challenged. Fortunate for her, she has enough native wit to know when to keep those opinions to herself. She is a kind person, especially to those she feels are being unjustly trod on. Her kind-heartedness, though, is sometimes difficult to discern beneath her oft-times prickly exterior.

HISTORY: Meghan’s father died of some consumptive illness when she was quite young. Her mother, though she did not suffer the same illness as her husband, never quite recovered from the loss of him. She fell in on herself, growing old quickly. Meghan, at age eight, and her brother, barely fifteen took over the running of the house and the care of the goat herd. There had been four other babies between her and her brother, but none had survived their infancy. Her brother Leof, needless to say, has always been very protective of her.

Meghan’s mother is still living, though her mind wanders much in bygone days. Leof married, and he and his wife, Gudryn, have two babes of their own Everyone lives in the small family house her father had built. Meghan loves them all dearly, but oft times she feels hemmed in and overwhelmed by the close, constant presence of them all. As often as she can, she stays with the goats as they move from pasture to pasture. Nights they huddle near her, listening, she likes to tell herself, to the music she plays on her reed pipe.

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Undómë’s post

Meghan stood against a wall, on a chair she’d dragged over to give her some height. Had it been her choice, she would have stayed home altogether, minding her mother while Leof and Gudryn saw to the fuss at the town’s hall. Not that she wasn’t concerned about the horn call to gather, but the thought of so many people as they pressed in against her made her loathe to go.

‘I’ll just look after mama,’ she had told her brother, as he scrambled into his tunic. ‘And the babes, of course. You and Gudryn can find out the news.’

‘Nay,’ he’d told her. It was Gudryn who would see to the household while they were gone. It was he and Meghan who would represent their family at the meeting.

So, here she stood on her small island of wood looking out over the sea of her townsmen’s heads. Their faces were all turned to Horwald as he raised his hand to speak. And the words he spoke were chilling. A small current of cold fear ran down her back, making her shiver. Orcs! Worse yet, Easterlings! And in an organized group this time, not just some willy-nilly raiding. She wondered for a moment what sort of dark captain might have managed to make them work together. Given their natural hatred of each other they would have torn each other apart. She shivered again at the thought that somehow they were now acting together.

Her mind was racing as the march-warden laid out his plan to move the villagers toward Edoras. How would she manage her goats on the march? What supplies would she need to bring for the long journey? She would want to make sure they had enough to eat – especially the milkers, as they would provide nourishment for her family and others. She was making lists in her mind when she heard someone ask the question about sending for help. And looking up she saw Horwald nod his head at the truth of it and speak with his counselors.

Meghan flattened herself against the wall as he called for volunteers – four fast riders to make haste to the King himself. She did not intend to be one of them. She closed her eyes, willing herself invisible. Peeping through one eye she saw that swords had been raised as the volunteers made themselves known. Osmond’s blade was raised, as well as one of Fion’s weapons, and there across the room was the hand of . . . a woman, whose name she could not recall. Voices were raised praising the braveness of the volunteers.

But the march-warden had called for four – she only saw three . . .

Beside her, her brother made a shuffling sound as he readjusted his position leaning against the wall. She turned to ask him if he’d noted the fourth volunteer and saw with horror his own blade raised. In a quick, unthinking move she bent down from her perch on the chair and grabbed their father’s old sword from his hand. ‘You sheep-brained fool!’ she hissed at him, the sword upraised in her hand as she maneuvered it away from him. ‘Who will protect our mother and your wife and babies if you ride off westward?’

Murmurs of approval swelled about her. She stood upright wondering why her name rose on the current of voices. Her face blanched when she realized she still held her brother’s sword up and away from his grasp. She leaned back against the wall for support, her knees suddenly turned to jelly, as the march-warden pointed to her and nodded his head in approval.

The remainder of the meeting, after the greater part of the villagers had gone back to their homes, was a blur to her. Plans were discussed, as well as supplies, and horses. She recalled saying that ‘yes’ she would need a faster horse, as their old farm horse would only plod her way to Edoras and most likely arrive after the villager itself had got there.

Leof and she tramped home in a stony silence. He was angry that she had grabbed the blade from him and been counted among the volunteers; she was angry that he had thought to raise it on his own behalf at all.

o*o*o*o

Meeting at the Hall the next day

It was a tired Meghan who dragged herself to the Hall the next morning.

Her packing had not consisted of much – her few clothes, her cape, her stick and little bow, her knife, and of course, her knitting needles and her yarn. Gudryn had made her up a small packet of food for the day, knowing the march-warden’s family would see to her other provisioning.

She had said her good-byes, telling her mother not to fret. That she would soon be back and that Leof and Gudryn would take good care of her. Gudryn hugged her, whispering ‘thanks’ in her ear for making Leof stay with them. Leof, faced with the inevitability of her going thawed and clasped her fiercely to him. ‘You come back, you hear!’ he ordered her, his voice gone husky with emotion. ‘Or begads I’ll hunt you in the otherworld and drag you back to us!’

Meghan pushed herself a little away from him, and kissed him on the brow. ‘And you brother, take care of my goats! Else I give you a thump on that thick head of yours for everyone that’s gone missing.’

She pushed open the doors to the Town Hall and tromped in. Laying her pack and bedroll at her feet, she thumped her pole on the wooden floor to draw attention to herself. ‘Well, here I am; ready as I’ll ever be. Now if you’ll just show me to the horse you promised, I’ll get the both of us ready to be off . . .

. . . on this fool’s errand! she added to herself. Fools all, if we think we’ll make it . . . more the fool, if we think the King and his Riders will care about our outland problems at all . . .

[piosenniel]

Maeggaladiel's Character

NAME: Fion

AGE: 17

RACE: Men

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Well-used wooden bow, quiver of arrows. One plain hunting knife.

APPEARANCE: About 5'9". Dirty-blond wavy hair, usually pulled back into a ponytail. The meagre beginnings of a beard marks his chin. Gray-blue eyes. A somewhat muscular build from years of farmwork, but not overly so. Fion is stuck somewhere between lanky teenager and adult, and he has been trying to push himself towards the latter.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Fion is somewhat naieve, and an idealist. He sets out from his home ready to save the world, not expecting the world to laugh and kick dirt in his face. He can be over-eager to help people and can become sidetracked easily. He tries to play the role of the gallant knight in shining armor, and is easily delfated when people give him a dose of reality. He is, however, loyal and honest, a quick thinker, and an excellent shot with the bow.

HISTORY: Born and raised on a small farm, Fion has known no other life. He has dreamed of traveling to Edoras, though, and wants to become a Rider of the Mark. Most of his life has been spent working on a farm with his father and younger brother. Through his various roles as "delivery boy" for his father, he has proven himself a swift rider and a trustworthy messenger.

When the orcs began their advance on Rohan, Fion begged his father to let him fight with the adults. His father refused, saying that a farm boy with a bow could do little good in such a battle. When the call for messengers went out, Fion approached his father again and demanded to go. His father finally agreed, although hesitantly. Fion was elated.

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Maeggaladiel's post

The hall went silent as the call for volunteers rang out. Fion looked up at his father. The broad-shouldered man stared out over the sea of frightened faces, his own sun-worn face an expressionless mask.

Fion grimaced. Why so few volunteers? This was an important job! This mission required endurance, knowledge of the land, and speed on horseback. It practically screamed for Fion's involvement. Why, he could do this with his eyes closed!

There was a voice from the front of the hall, and people were nodding at him. That was when he realized his hand was above his head. Oh...

"Fion!" his father hissed in anger and shock. "You fool, what are you doing?" He grabbed the boy's arm and forced it to his side. "You cannot do this!" But it was too late. The boy's fate had been sealed.

"He's naught but a child!" his father protested to the people around him. Fion, feeling rebellious, pulled away.

"I have seen ten-and-seven summers; that is enough!" he said. He jutted out his chin, wishing that his "beard" was more than short blonde dandelion fuzz.

"And I am the fastest rider around!" he added proudly. "You said so yourself!" He held up the worn hunting bow. "And I can hit a bird's eye in the dark!" A mild exaggeration, but boasting never hurt.

His father stared at him, his expression odd but unreadable. Fion shifted uncomfortably.

"I can do this," he insisted, pleading with his eyes. "Please, let me try. If I don't go, we could all be in danger."

There was another long silence. His father stared hard at Fion; the boy tried hard to return the stare. After a moment, the elder man sighed.

"Do what you must," he said. Fion, wanting to prove himself mature enough to handle the task, refrained from letting out a joyous yell.

"I'll make you proud," Fion said. His father grasped his shoulders.

"You already have."

[piosenniel]

Eowyn Skywalker's character

NAME: Eostre Merir

AGE: 20

RACE: Human

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: Eostre carries a quarterstaff about six feet tall, made out of simple wood, a bow and a quiver of arrows (she probably has about twenty arrows, none of those unending elven arrows that Legolas seemed to have), and a longer dagger (does the term dirk apply in Middle-earth? Because that's how I'd define her blade), in case her staff were to break or anyone be too near for ranged attacks. No flashy weapons for her. Armor-wise, she has leather vambraces, only because it would be stupid for an archer not to have that sort of protection and a thick leather tunic underneath her clothing. At least, she will in this RP, not that she'd normally wear that sort of garb.

APPEARANCE: Eostre isn't very tall—perhaps 5"2— a typically larger human build overwhelming her features, and leaving her, although fairly pleasant looking, not the beauty queen of the area. Her hair is not so long as it is free-flying, cut shorter to not get in her way with various chores overwhelming who she is. Her eyes are a dark brown, and her hair's a sort of flaxen brown, not really gold, but more flat. She wears flat brown clothing, trousers underneath a skirt for the sake of both convenience and riding, and a long sleeved tunic with a vest-like foldover front. ((one might think Jedi, but not quite so overdone)) Her skirt is a basic long pleated job. Wearing moccasin-like leather shoes, she doesn't tend to think too much of her appearance, trying to keep herself down to a simple, pragmatic approach. She wears her hair up in a ponytail much of the time, believing in being pragmatic at nearly all times. ( For reference, a photo, but her hair should be blond and tied back. (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a10/angstypen/characters/Ariane-foreheadwrong.jpg) And just totally ignore the clothing.)

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Eostre is a cynic. It's pretty well as simple as that. The oldest daughter in her family, she quickly adapted to a mistrusting manner—though nothing happened to her parents to scar her, in fact, they're all still alive. It's natural for the oldest child to become either a caretaker or sort of slip away into their own world. Eostre somehow managed to do both, dutifully carrying out her chores and actions until she left home at the age of twenty (that was this year, I suppose) to work as a farmhand, no desire to get married living in her heart at that time—though this could change. She was a fast learner, silently picking up on everything, not readily desiring to speak unless spoken to—yet when she did choose to speak, she was able to become an incredible leader. She sees things very often as purposeless, preferring to let others do their foolish play while she walked alone, letting herself close herself in far too easily.

For this, she's very shielded, her personality guarded. She hates to trust unless positive this emotion will be returned, and although is very passionate about what she believes to be truth, masks her patriotic spirit as much as the leader underneath the indifferent guise. A notable physical weakness is an allergy to pollen, ei, hayfever. And though she's had to lift heavy things in typical farmwork, not to mention shooting off intruders now and again, she's not particularly strong with melee fighting. She has few qualms in killing if she has to, and knows a deal about basic medications, both able to come up with herbal mixtures and the nitty-gritty of setting broken limbs and bandaging wounds.

If she chooses to love and or trust someone, she holds to this to the uttmost, though this leaves her very suseptable to heartbreak, whether through death or simply betrayal. Eostre also has a nearly flawless memory, though again this is also a weakness as things most people would want to forget engrain themselves into her mind.

Since age limits in this RP force me to make Eostre younger than she should be, the fact that she's the oldest child made her end up wiser beyond her years, perhaps a bit of an unnatural maturaty, though no worse than her narrator, who suffers the same maturaty defect in reality. (coughs)

HISTORY: Eostre has no greatly exceptional history. She's the oldest born in her family, grew up to learn to take care of horses, cows, chickens, and sheep, not to mention knowledge of how to weed the garden. Having about five siblings, she's well aware of a maternal need to care for people although cynicism frequently overrides this. Once she decided her siblings (who weren't that much younger than her; her parents were busy) were well enough on their own, she decided that it would be better to help out with some older people whose oldest children had been killed in a previous bandit attack, or something like that. Considering he was her mother's brother, therefore rendering the family owning the farm her uncle and aunt, there was nothing of any scandelous manner to consider, and considering their only child was six years old, it was probably a good thing she helped anyway. Nooooooothing of merit here.

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Eowyn Skywalker's post

Jerked from a weary sleep by a strong wailing of an alarm, Eostre's eyes flickered open in the dark. An attempt to speak... her voice choked off and she leaned over to grasp a white square of fabric, rubbing some excess mucus from her mouth with a grimace. It took the adult woman sometime before she was able to place the harsh sound of alarm that drilled through her mind, chasing away all the flickering images of the dreamworld she dwelled in during her sleep. Something about... A chicken?

But, as was her custom, she didn't let anything sway her course from the choice to sit up and shove her bedding aside, yanking her nightshift off and changing hastily into full garb. By the time she was fully dressed—making the attempt to change in the dark hardly easy—the sound of the alarm had long leaned towards the houses far further away from the Town Hall, and in other rooms in the house, there came the sound of feet smacking against bare wood, her host family coming to wake her up.

Had they honestly thought the light sleeping Eostre would still be abed when alarms cried all through the town, the clatter of hooves passing through the streets and roads stretching far beyond the town to the adjoined lands? She could scarcely sleep through the sound of bacon frying in the rare mornings when she was ill, mainly from allergies. But it meant little; she was dressed, as were they all, and the bordering elderly Haodel and Gelwyn were insisting she ride to the Town Hall with them from their farm. Gelwyn wanted to stay with cousin Ieloa, Haodel wanted to go to the meeting... clamor. She didn't mind. There was no way she could ever have fallen asleep after such a racket! What was the world coming to? A full out war?

Needless to say, not being so far out of town, the two arrived quickly to the Town Hall, possibly after the first ten or so people had arrived. By this point the woman was well awake, sticking close to Haodel as they watched others arrive to the meeting.

An explanation...

Eostre exhaled. So. It did come to war, then. She felt no fear, only a vauge sense of intriege at the arguements being cast around the room, the voices raised and tossed from one hand to the next. The call for aid was too facinating; she didn't want to see any unnecessary death.

Metal cut against metal, and a sword was raised above one volenteer's head, held high in the crowd. She hardly hesitated after that. The mission screamed for fast riders, for those who knew the land, knew how to fight, and wanted to protect their land. She unsheathed her dirk, raised it above her head with just the faintest flicker of a challenging smile on her face.

Haodel threw her a glance. "Eostre..."

"They mayn't even allow me to ride along," she murmured in soft reply. "If they do, I ride hard. I shall return, and in the meantime you and Gelwyn will manage."

He only inclined his head, and she realized when he had spoken, he hadn't spoken in critisism. So. It was done, then. She glanced up at the flame-colored light reflecting off of her blade for a moment, then back down at the others surrounding her. Somehow, time seemed to blur past, others finally raising their blades in agreement of the mission.

Time passed...

The Marchwarden dismissed everyone beyond the volunteers and their families, but names had still spread. Her family recognized her involvement, remaining while Haodel returned to his family. Somehow through the plans, the clock passed well beyond the witching hour as they spoke, exchanged embraces with her family near the end, though they were unnaturally silent, Eostre noted.

She was silent through much of the planning, letting things sink in. And when she went to ride back to Haodel's family, her parents pulled her aside, insisted that it would be better if she spent one last night at home. As if she would never return, she thought...

And yet, as she lay sleepless abed once more, she felt no fear of death, only a desire to protect others of the potential same fate.

[piosenniel]

Nogrod’s Character

NAME: Sythric

AGE: 41

RACE: Men

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Good,basic Rohirrim sword, gotten as a honorary gift from the riders’ guild at Croacht after ten years of service: good weapon, but not a masterpiece or anything of worth in gold in the wide world. Brand new horserider’s longspear, iron tipped, gotten from the March-warden. Longbow, made of fir, basic model, not more than ten years’ old, bought from an armourer in Bregoware + 18 arrows in his own soft leather quiver + 20 arrows tied with a string, from the March-warden. Small round shield of wood (swordmans’ shield), gotten as a part of a “starters’ kit” at Croacht, and has hanged along ever since: badly bruised and damaged, the paintings in the leather topping almost all gone. Mediumsized knife, iron blade, not sot much a weapon, as an all around tool: present from his much admired great-uncle (starring: the family-logo, a silver wolf’s head at the back of the handle – makes it propably the second or third most valuable item he has with him). Toughened leather breast-armour and greaves (on arms & legs), another gift from his great-uncle, a worthy gift indeed. No helmet: Sythric never liked them.

APPEARANCE: Normal height, clearly under six feet. Has gained a little surplus weight as compared to his youth, but not a fat man at any standard. In a good shape to his age, strongly built. Hairline at the forehead has escaped a bit higher, so he combs his hair backwards and ties it to two ponytails at the back. Hair colour: yellowish-light brown. No whiskers over the upper lip, but strong sidewhiskers + plaited beard (pigtail!). Blue-grey eyes that can be quite flashing and intense, but have also a “switched-off” -position. Mellow-orange cotton shirt (under the leather armour) and light brown leather trousers.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Sythric is not the ice-breaker at the parties! From the early childhood onwards, he has had the feeling, that he is being walked through his life without anyone bothering to ask, what he himself would like to do or decide. After his assignment with the riders, he has tried to wrestle himself free from this, but due to his tough, conservative upbringing, he hasn’t quite gone over that yet. All this has made him quite a cynical, almost nihilistic – and at lately, quite straight-forward speaking man. Still, there is a romantic inside of him. Secretly he believes in justice and freedom for the days to come. That is well revealed in his almost altruistic love of young people, male or female: in the drive, which he gets into, when he is going riding on with the youngsters, or teaching them to shoot arrows etc. He truly believes, that the new generation can make the difference.

Over that, it should be mentioned, that he is quite moody and unpredictable: at a moment, tender and caring, at another, sarcastic and dooming.

HISTORY: Born to Skara, a farming community, or indeed a manor farm of some esteem, Sythric had a twofold inheritance: either to be a landlord or a soldier. As he was the second child (his big brother Swithulf is 2-years older), the latter choice seemed to be calling him. As he won all the childrens’ fights with his brother and cousins, his father laid great expectations on him. He was to be a rider, and he was trained to that from the beginning. If everything would have gone according to his fathers’ wishes, he would have become a heroic rider of Rohan. That never happened: he served at the riders of Croacht (the same place were Raedwald was serving – they both knew each other and even shared some battles together) and returned “fully served” at the age of 30, as a mere sergeant (that was his dad’s point of view).

His great idol had been his great-uncle, Limferth, who had, in his time, served at the “rohirrim proper”, the king’s hird. The tokens his great-uncle ordered to be given to him at his deathbed (the breast-armour & greaves and the knife), were great marks of honour for him. And they still are. The only cause of envy was, that his great-uncle’s sword and shield went to his cousin, Aethelbane, and not to him.

As Sythric returned, he was an oldtimer to marry, but there was a younger half-kinswoman, Ceolflaed, who had been recently been widowed with no children. All the families thought, that this would be a good marriage, and so the wedding was held. They had a rush of love: Sythric trying it seriously the first time, Ceolflaed trying to make it reality a second time. It passed away quite quickly. They couldn’t divorce, because of the conservative values of the time, but also, and more importantly, because of the strong social and economic ties that had been settled between the families under the umbrella of being “kinsfolk”. The “old couple” had their first child, Hunlaf, the very same year Sytheric came back from the riders’. Their daughter Cwen was born about three years later. That was the time-span of their love. After that it waned.

Sythric got to doing anything else than being with his wife. He started mentoring bregowarian youngsters and teens in riding, sword handling, archery etc. Many wealthy families were ready to pay for this teaching for their young hopefuls. Added to his savings from the military, he didn’t have to make any other living for their family. They lived at Skara, at the old farmhouse, the one that was built there first, by the first settlers of Woldland. It was an old and not so comfortable logging, but it was ok. for Sythric. It had tradition. His brother Swithulf lived at the magnificient main-building of Skara: it had 7 rooms and the longhall (not to mention all the workingrooms of the three household servants – the stableboy and field-assistants had their own little dwelling near the longhouse). In Sythric’s house there was just the one main area, and the dormitory corners with curtains. But he was happy with it.

Lately Sythric had managed to persuade his brother Swithulf to let his youngest sons ride with him – and after a much longer conversation, his eldest daughter too. And as his own son Hunlaf was also coming to an age, they started having their own riding parties every now and then. The youngsters had a chance to learn skills they admired, and Sythric a chance to be away from home a few days in a row.

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Nogrod’s post ------- Place after Undómë's Rædwald post

Sythric was tending a dying fire in the middle of the northern wilderness, when he heard the distant horns in the still air. The three young lads and the girl were sleeping a good nights’ sleep, and the horses were taking their well earned rest just a few feet away. He knew immediately, what the horns meant. All the things he had seen and recollected from other ranging peoples’ depictions during the last year, or year and a half, pointed to one direction only: a large scale orc raiding party would be up on their village one day or another, this autumn or winter, pillaging and plundering. Now it seemed to have come to happen.

He got so excited, that he almost bruised the lads, kicking and shaking them out of their happy dreamworld. One of them was his own son, Hunlaf, 12-year old kid, who still sucked his thumb while asleep. The other two lads were the youngest sons of his brother, Swithulf: Waermund and Waerferth (16 & 15 respectively), and the girl, indeed a handsome young lady, was his brothers’ still unmarried daughter Winflaed (17). He urged them to get up and on the road. There was alarm at Bregoware, an alarm that hadn’t sounded during the decades the Bregowarians remembered. It was time to ride, and ride fast. They rode south, towards the town, and Sythric pressed them forwards as if all the hounds of Mordor would have been on their heels. The youngsters started to sharpen, got alarmed, all senses open. It was a ride in a deep night and darkness the young had never encountered – or were never taught how to cope with. They would remember it for the rest of their lives.

Some time after the daybreak they reached the outskirts of Bregoware. They had not been as fast as Sythric would have hoped for, but they hadn’t been as slow as he had feared. The young had been quite good indeed. He should have to praise them to his brother someday. At the small hill, north of the town centre, he told his young companions to reach homewards, and bid them tell his wife and brother, that he would be accompanying them soon enough. Then he rode down to the Town Hall.

The March-warden was having a council with the city elders, when Sythric entered the Hall. They all fell silent at his arrival. Before they had time to open their mouths in a greeting, Sythric got straight into the business – as was to be expected from him: “So, an orc party, much larger than a normal one, now coming to pillage for real, not just probing, isn’t it? Today or tomorrow?”

“That’s correct, and sadly, at the same time incorrect, master Sythric,” said the March-warden slowly. Sythric had never quite catched the idea, why March-warden preferred to call him ‘master’. There was something playful or humorous in that honorific, but was it all? “It’s just much worse. A greater party, yes. Orcs, yes. But also easterlings. And not a raiding party... but a full army. We have already called for evacuation at noon.” The March-warden made a rhetorical pause to let his word sink in, deep down to the bottom of it all. Sythric felt his blood thrusting with such velocity through his rusting veins that he thought he could not cope with it for long. In the following silence he almost heard his own heart thumping, with ever increasing speed. So, it did come to this, he thought to himself, my skills were never needed here when I had them, and now, when they would be needed, I don’t have them anymore. I’ve defended many villages and run against many enemies, but never have I defended my own town, my own people. Now I am not able, not more than the other old battle-rags around here: some council, the last defense perhaps... His solitary thoughts were distracted by ever more urgent whispering by the council members. They were talking about him. He knew it.

“Master Sythric”, began the March-warden, as their discussion had settled. “Would you serve your town in a time of distress, in an errand both urgent and most crucial to our destiny?” Hearing the unexpected pledge in the middle of his self-depressing thoughts, Sythric only nodded slightly, and kind of wondered, whether this man was really asking, would he do something for the town, or was it again some rhetorical nicety. The March-warden started explaining the events of the night, but when he got into the riding party and those involved in it, old counselor Hugebryth cut in, a very cynical tone in his soft voice: “It probably was pure madness to send just four riders for an errand of that importance at times like these. But what should we say about the wisdom of choosing two boys and two girls whose experience can be compared to that of the kids? Would you send your son Sythric, or would you go yourself? What should we have decided last night? Let me say, reason can not be seen dwelling here, under the roof of this very hall. They sure can ride, and some of them probably can hunt or fend off foxes from their goat herds. But have they ever even seen an orc, or an easterling warrior in full armour, not to talk of confronting one, or ten? And even if they would make it to the Golden Hall, could they get an audience, or would anyone believe them, or even take them seriously? Just asking, old and tired man as I am...”

So, this is it, no use in real war, but ready to be sacrificed with a quest, that only a fool would hope to have an effect on anything, thought Sythric by himself. Aloud he said: “If it is the wish of the council, that I should trace and join them on this errand, so be it. You don’t have to ask, whether I’m willing to help my town. You know the answer. And if this is the way you see fit, then this is the road I will take. But first I must see to my family and my brother to arrange evacuation affairs. And because I have practically been riding since yesterday morning, both I and my horse need some rest. I could be off late afternoon and if I ride without pause, I should reach them early tomorrow morning. Is that all right with the council, or should I try to hasten?”.

“We are most grateful to you, master Sythric. Is there anything you would need on your quest, any gear you would like to upgrade? You are welcome to claim them from my armoury, ... or kitchen”, said the March-warden. “My spear is not in shape it used to be, and one could always do with some extra arrows. Otherwise, I do prefer my own equipment. Some dried meat would be useful, my share of our own would then go to my children and my brothers’ children. It may be a tuff journey for you all too.” Sythric answered. The March-warden called for the armourer to see these items to Sythric’s old farmhouse before noon.

As Sythric was taking his leave, the old counselor Hugebryth rose up from his chair and called him to wait. He took a couple of short steps towards Sythric and addressed him, looking straight into his eyes, kind of evaluating him as he spoke: “We all know you are a good man, and we also know that as a mentor for many of our young riders, you love and care for them deeply. Just remember, that this message to the King, no matter how slim are the chances that it will affect anything in the end, is the single most important thing on your journey. It’s more important than the lives of any one of those youngsters, and remember also this: your being alive is the best insurance we have for the message reaching its destination. Don’t try to be a hero of your conscience, be the hero of your people.” He took a step backwards and mumbled quietly, as to himself, even the words were at least half directed to Sythric: “If this would be done my way, you would have ten spearman riding with you – maybe we wouldn’t even need you then, other than just taking the youngsters safely back.”

Sythric bowed and exited the hall. He rode to his old farmhouse and ordered the farmhand to see to his horse. Then he negotiated evacuation-matters with his brother. His wife and children would of course go with his brother’s family, and with all the rest from Skara. It was just a question of some special items he would like to be taken with for him, if possible, and such matters. As he then told her wife about this new twist of his fate, they suddenly embraced, even hesitantly kissed each other. That hadn’t happen in years. There was a little shining tear in his eye, when he hugged his children, and demanded Hunlaf to defend his little sister, Cwen (9) in all circumstances, and her mom too. It was his duty as the oldest man in his family.

Then he started to gather his war gear in silence. No one said a word. The children were watching their father collecting and packing items slowly, but with precision of a life long experience. Hunlaf took Cwen by the hand, and they wept quietly together, without tears, just moist eyes gleaming ever brighter. Neither dared to look at each other. Ceolflaed turned her back to the room and just stared out of the window. Her shoulders were trembling weakly. Sythric tried to force a smile to his children when he was finished, but couldn’t. Slowly he bent himself down to meet his childrens’ eyelevel, looked them both in the eyes, took a strong grasp from both of their shoulders, and pressed them softly but firmly. “There will be a better world, one day there will be. You shall see it”, he almost whispered. He rose up and got out of the hall to the barnhouse to get some sleep.

In the dim light of the barn attic, laying on the hays, his tears flew openly. He was tired, frustrated, kind of offended, angry, and most of all, afraid of the fate of his children, his brother and his children, even of his wife. When he fell asleep at last, he was seeing images of burnt houses, screaming children and marauding orcs, fire and blood. And riding, all the riding... Things that had really happened, and things he hoped, never would.

As Sythric woke up, it was late afternoon. His horse was brushed and fed and looked quite lively again. March-wardens’ promised gear had been delivered to the door of the old farmhouse. Everything was quiet and empty. There was no one at sight: just birds singing their songs and the sound of the grasshoppers filling the air. Suddenly he saw a glimmer at the doorsteps of the old farmhouse. He took a closer look and found out, that it was a small wristband, made out of little pieces of glass. It was the band of Cwen, made by Sythric himself, when Cwen had her fifth birthday. He held it in his hand for a while, just staring at it and then slipped it carefully into his beltsack. He packed the rest of his gear, saddled his horse and rode out, into the empty fields.

[piosenniel]

CARRY-ALONG CHARACTERS


Carry-along character – Undómë

NAME: Rædwald (the aging lancer)

AGE: 42

RACE: Man of Bregoware

GENDER: male

WEAPONS: long, plain oak, iron tipped lance; plain iron short sword; iron helm, boiled leather vest beneath a short, sleeveless chain-mail shirt. Other items of armor have been melted down by him at one time or another for farm implements and repairs.

APPEARANCE: Ash blond hair, streaked with white. Thick white mustache with close trimmed beard, also much streaked with white. Faded blue eyes. Skin wrinkled and roughened from many years spent in the sun moving his herds about. Ordinary homespun clothing, leather breeches, thick, tight woven, hooded brown cape. Scuffed and worn mid-calf boots.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Cautious, soft spoken, Good at sizing up problems and paring them down to their essentials. He’s not as quick physically as he was when he was younger. He likes to think this isn’t so and continues to act as if his reflexes were as acute as if he were in his twenties.

HISTORY: The youngest son in his family, Rædwald never married. He figured his father’s resources would be stretched far enough for his older brothers and his sister’s dowry.

At the age of seventeen he left home with the blessings of his father to serve in the ranks of the Riders for one of the more important Lords along the Rohan borderlands. He served for eleven years, coming back to Bregoware at the news of his father’s death to help with the homestead and the family flocks.

From his service to the Lord he had managed to save a small pouch of coins with which he bought a trio of nanny goats and one billy. He has since increased his herd to about fifteen head. He lives in a small hut he built on the outskirts of his father’s (now Rædwald’s oldest brother’s) land and spends all of his days with his little herd.

His hut borders on Leof’s land. He and Meghan and Leof have often aided each other with the goat birthings or the doctoring of various ailments of their animals. They have also cross mated their flocks to make for stronger, healthier goats. Rædwald is fond of Meghan, thinking of her as almost a niece of his own. She and he are close friends and respect each other for their knowledge and love of their flock.

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Rædwald

Undómë's post

(I'll put this up after the group leaves the village. He'll follow after them and meet with them when they make camp)

It was late morning, the four riders would already be well on their way from the village. Meghan’s brother, Leof, had come earlier in the morning to ask a favor of Rædwald. Since Leof had his family and his mother to look after, would Rædwald follow after Meghan and keep an eye on her for him. After a short consideration, the older man had said he would do this, for a promise from the younger man. And so they met for one last word together before Rædwald left.

‘Now, Leof,’ Rædwald said, motioning for Meghan’s brother to follow after him. ‘I’ve milked the nannies and penned them in with hay in the rick. The two billys are in there, too. And I’ve given them all a measure of oats.’ He pointed to the small pen where his little flock now stood jostling each other for positions near the fence, vying for his attentions. ‘Now over there,’ he went on, pointing toward the little shed that served as his barn. ‘There under the tarps is the hay you can take with your own. Some of it’s loose; got most of it tied into sheaves. And in my hut are three oaken barrels of oats. Take them, too.’

He reached down and gave his oldest nanny a scratch between her ears. ‘I’ll see you in a couple turns of the moon, old girl.’ His hand came up to the back of his neck and he rubbed it slowly. ‘Now you remember, Leof, what I told you.’ He raised his hand to cut off Leof’s protest. ‘Nay, I mean it. You must make that promise to me, or I cannot take this task on for you.’

Rædwald saw Meghan’s brother to the edge of his little holding. The man had made his promise, and Rædwald knew his goats would be safe, whether or not he made it back to them. He pushed what clothes he thought he’d need in his old leather pack; rolled up a bedroll; stuffed some dried fruits and meats into leather packets, and filled several skins with water from the well.

He got down on his hands and knees and looked beneath his single bed. It was dark, and he got back up to fetch a candle stub. There they were – his helm, crusted with dirt and some straw where it looked as if a mouse had nested in it; his mail shirt, a bit rusted here and there; the thick leather vest that went beneath it, nibbled on, he noted. And there, rolled up against the wall his oaken lance, the tip of it having fallen victim to the same rust as had his shirt.

Rædwald gave them all a cursory cleaning, then stuffed the helm, vest, and mail shirt into a canvas sack. He secured everything to his dun mare. Giving his little holding one last look about, he mounted up and moved at a tempered pace out of the village. If they met no problems along the way this day, then he would come upon them in the evening as they camped.

[piosenniel]

Farael's post - 2nd Post

Osmod’s first thought of the day was “For the Lord of the Mearas I overslept.” Looking out his window, he could see the sun was already shining brightly on this chilly autumn day. He was supposed to be meeting the other riders in less than an hour and yet he had not even started packing. He knew not what to do and so he laid in bed for a few more moments. “If I am to be late, I might as well enjoy what could very well be my last awakening on this comfortable bed.” Yet the grim thoughts convinced him to wake up at last rather than stay in bed. With a tired sigh he put his traveling clothes on and made his way to the kitchen. It was a pleasant surprise to find not only a full breakfast set for him, but also everything he planned to take was set and packed by the door. His family was waiting for him and they called him merrily. They enjoyed breakfast together and then walked with Osmod to the stables. He had been expecting his father to ride with him into the town, but when he did not make any attempts towards his own horse, Osmod understood he would be riding alone. Holding back the tears he hugged his father and his mother. The neighbours had also come to wish him good luck and so it was a fairly merry group that accompanied Osmod outside of his father’s plantations. He knew they would all look after each other and found that thought comforting.

The ride to the Town Hall was slow and uneventful. He did not want to tire neither himself nor his horse and so he got there a few minutes late. It seemed no one else had made it any earlier and as Osmod was being greeted by the March Warden and his wife, he heard a banging noise behind him. “Well, here I am; ready as I’ll ever be. Now if you’ll just show me to the horse you promised, I’ll get the both of us ready to be off . . . “. He turned around, startled by the sound and the claim, and smiled at the woman that had recently arrived. He remembered her name from the meeting the night before and so he greeted her. “Miss Meghan, I admire your enthusiasm. I hope the other riders will be as excited as you seem to be about our… adventure. Myself, well… I must say, now that departing seems imminent, I’m all the more hesitant. Yet I hope you will bear with me through today, I’m sure I shall feel better tomorrow after camping on the outdoors.” He smiled at her and walked over to shake her hand. “I am Osmod, just in case you have forgotten.”


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This thread will be opened once all the character bios and posts are on the Planning Thread.

Once I've transferred all the bios and posts here - I'll open this thread.

Arry - you can then put the posts in the order you want them for the game thread and I'll open the game for play.

~*~ Pio, game moderator

[Naria]

Does everyone have there posts in? If so, what day are we starting the game?

[piosenniel]

Arry will be available for the game on Tuesday - so that's the day the game thread will open.

:)

~*~ Pio

[Arry]

Let’s group the different villagers together and put the name of their village above each post for now. Wulfham for the Rohan proper villagers/Bregoware for the Outlanders.

The older characters, Undómë’s first and Nogrod’s following hers, can be posted later – after the Outlanders are well on their way. Pio you can post them at the appropriate time – or you two gamers can get them on at the right time, if you’re able.

Post Order:

Wulfham

Arry
Naria
Valier
Tevildo

---

Bregoware

Farael
Eowyn Skywalker
Maeggaladiel
Undómë


See you all on Tuesday or shortly thereafter as your schedules allow!

-- Arry

[Farael]

Pio, Arry and all my Bregoware friends. With regards to the ordering of our posts, and most importantly our second posts I was thinking that we could make a big mega-post with a short second post of each of us (I believe Undome and myself have already taken our characters to the Town Hall the following morning) in which we introduce each character to each other and then we can carry on with our "adventure".

Sounds good? if not, Undome's second part of the first post and my second post will be a bit too short when compared with the others.... or so I think

Looking forward to writing with you all!!

[piosenniel]

Actually, they aren't too short, Farael - they get your characters to the leaving place and both of you are free to add additional posts where you talk with the others in your party, mount up, receive direction from the march-warden as you wish, etc. Don't hurry along - there's plenty of play time and it's nice to deepen your characters as much as you can.

I'll work on putting up the posts just after midnight here in the Pacific northwest of the US - after I return from work. There will also be some final instructions about posting to the game included.

Undómë and Nogrod - I'll put your 'older characters' posts on the game once the chosen riders have left Bregoware.

[Nogrod]

Looks good!

And even if we oldtimer's are slow to start, we'll be at your backs soon enough.

Have a good ride everyone!

And let's hope that Valar will guard our way.

[Farael]

And let's hope that Valar will guard our way.

Which reminds me... exactly what beliefs did the people from Rohan have? if I'm not mistaken, the Valar are the gods of the elves and Numenorians (and as we are lead to believe, the 'true' deities of Middle Earth) yet did all the other cultures worship the valar?

[Eowyn Skywalker]

I'm awayish Tuesday and Wednesday, so I'll try to get a post in Thursday...

[piosenniel]

The RPG is now open for play. Have fun!!

--------

A few reminders:

Remove your signature from EVERY post to the RPG thread, including SAVES.

Fill in your SAVES (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=316329&postcount=5) in 48 hours, please.

Do not use smilies or any Post Icons on your Game posts.

Don't put 'Reasons for Editing' on your game posts - if it's important that the other gamers know you've edited something - use the Discussion Thread to tell them about it.

Please remember to use other writers' characters very carefully. Don't speak for them or have them perform actions unless it is okayed by the character's owner.

[Arry]

:D Yay! The game is open for play!!

Until our two groups join together - let's use the names of the 2 villages in bold as headers to our posts. I think it will be easier to keep track of our separate groups that way.

-----

Farael

I put your second post on the game for you.

-----

Tevildo

My character, Brand, has finally gotten to the Hall - and has greeted you as the first fast-rider he spies.

Ladies of Wulfham, feel free to come and join us two guys and get our food, water, etc. Before we actually leave, I think the March-warden will give us a few instructions.

:)

[Nogrod]

Do we have any more clearer idea about our villages' whereabouts than that they are in / around Wold, near the eastern Border of Rohan, Bregoware even at the east side of Anduin? Within that description falls quite a lot of land.

I was just wondering about the route we well take: as someone riding after the others, I should have some idea about the direction... :p Hopefully the March-warden of Bregoware will say it aloud at the game thread?

[Arry]

Here's where I see Wulfham - on the MAP (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=440438&postcount=6), in the upper right hand area, there is a section of The Great River (Anduin) that bulges out into The Undeeps, Wulfham is in the upper corner of that.

Bregowarians - where do you want your village? North or south of us Wulfhamers? It's on the other side of the river and shouldn't be too far from us, so that we can meet up easily enough at some point.

I'd like our route to go down along the river at least for a while - do you Bregos want to come upon us or would you like to have us find you?

[Farael]

We could be South of where you are, cross the river ahead of you and maybe have some of our experienced riders send out scouts that will run into you... it remains to be seen whether you will be considered friend or foe :p

What do you fellow Bregowares think?

[Undómë]

Sounds good, Farael. Let's not find them too soon - we need to give all our characters time to get to know each other . . . and most likely grate on one another's nerves a bit. ;)

Arry

What say you about when our two groups should hook up?

[Maeggaladiel]

Sounds good to me, too.

[Valier]

Sorry I haven't posted yet on the RPG fellow Wulfhamers, I promise I will tonight or tomorrow!

[Tevildo]

Me too! I've put up a save for Dorran to respond to Brand.

[Nogrod]

Are we just gathering momentum, or have all the others' overslept too? :rolleyes:

[Farael]

Patience my friend... I'm sure they are all cooking up something special. Or just plain ol' busy. I was lucky to get my second post when I did, or else I wouldn't have been able to write anything until today, it's been a long (yet incredibly exciting and great) week.

By the way, I could answer Undome's post, but I'm waiting for some more of us Bregowares to show up...

[Arry]

Valier, Tevildo, Eowyn Skywalker, Maeggaladiel -

Hope to see a post up from you all soon. By Monday, at the latest, I would really like to get us moving out of our villages.

Thanks! -- Arry

[Nogrod]

I have a couple of suggestions concerning how familiar old Sythric is with the riders' and vice versa.

Sythric won't propably know either Fion or Eostre Merir. We could think that he might have seen them in some village festivities' or something, and possibly could recognize a face to look like "seen you somewhere". The other way around: if it is not very common to make a career as a soldier among the Bregowarians, then all those who have been soldiers, would be generally known. So Fion and Eostre propably know, who Sythric is, and recognize his face (and know, that even as experienced as he is, he is no great hero, just an ex-soldier).

Meghan should be familiar to Sythric via Raedwald. I propose, that they would have also met. Even though Sythric and Raedwald are not the closest friends, they are ex-brothers-in-arms and in that way, at least buddies. So during the last ten years they must have visited each other at least a few times - and of course made company in common village parties. Raedwald propably has told Meghan some stories about their time at armed service. (Undómë: I will try to come up with one or two funny or terrible stories R. might have told M., so that you cuold use them in the game as Meghan's knowledge, if you wish).

As Osmod's family and Sythric's family share two common qualities (being more wealthier than most others & having soldiers in many generations backwards), it is most propable, that the families know each other, at least at the level of bussiness etc. As Syhtric's brother runs Skara, and Osmod's father runs their place, I would suggest, that those two would know each other well. From that it would easily follow, that also Sythric should know Osmod's father, and from that, that he would know - and propably have also met - Osmod himself. I have some ideas concerning the meetings of Sythric and Osmod years ago, but I quess we can PM about them, if you think this overall idea seems reasonable enough.

[Farael]

Eowyn Skywalker & Maeggaladiel, I'm waiting for you to post so that we can at least introduce ourselves and get going. I haven't seen you around for a bit... yet I'd appreciate it if you let me know when you will be posting, just so that I can try to get a post soon after you and get everything rolling.

Nogrod, your idea sounds alright, and I'm ok with Osmod knowing you form before, but we shouldn't know each other very well... Osmod is more of the reserved type and Sythric was more a friend of his father rather than his.

[Tevildo]

Nogrod,

Check your pms.

P.S. My save is filled and another short post added.

[Arry]

Good to have you on board - Tevildo, Maeggaladiel, Valier! :D

[Valier]

May I ask if anyone knows who is left to post before we can start? :D

[Arry]

I'll most likely get a post up tomorrow that will get us Wulfhamers out of the village.

I will confess, without shame, that all of Sunday will be wrapped around the Superbowl, pre and post, and all that stuff. Along with, of course, foods galore and foaming drink in abundance . . . :D

So, most likely, you will see no post from me that day . . . :rolleyes: :p

But feel free to travel along as you wish and get to know one another better. I'll be back on Monday to pick up on what's going on.

-- Arry

[Farael]

And yet another post up! I think we are missing one rider before we can start our journey... although, is your secondary character (Raewald?) going to meet us before or after we leave, Undome?

As well, I said that everyone feared for their loved ones. If any of you does NOT want his character to feel that way, let me know and I'll edit it out, but I think its logical and it adds to the 'mood' of the story we are trying to tell.

Looking forward to get our group on the road... the worst part is that time of insecurity right before the start!!

Edit and PS: Don't expect me to be around too much during Sunday either :p GO STEELERS GO!!!.

[Valier]

Telvido Please empty your pm's !!!!I was trying to send you one but your all full up! anyways I responded to Dorran approaching Vaenosa....I'm So SORRY!! she's mean!!!! She doesn't like men at all....She will come around eventually....(Maybe) :D

[Tevildo]

So sorry, Valier. I had a whole lot of messages come in at once! Box is cleared.

Tevildo

[Undómë]

Rædwald is leaving shortly after the main group is already on their way.

[Arry]

Steelers! hack, cough . . .

Seahawks http://forum.barrowdowns.com/ubb/icons/icon13.gif

:)

[piosenniel]

From a previous post by Arry:

Until our two groups join together - let's use the names of the 2 villages in bold as headers to our posts. I think it will be easier to keep track of our separate groups that way.


So - most likely if you see an 'edited by piosenniel' on your post - it will be to add your village's header.

~*~ Pio

[Nogrod]

Hello, fellow travellers'!

It's nice to see, that things are cooking after all! Good! And off we go!

But still I would like to be a kind of hornet (hopefully in a kind of Socrates' like of manner than as just a wit-picker) as regards to our starting positions.

If discrepancies with Tolkien’s Middle Earth are neglicible in general in BD, I’m not going to be the one to demand correction to the normal gaming-practises’. The game would work easier the way, we are going right now. But if there is a wish to set the game in somewhat original locations, and not to sway the logic of ME, I would voice a concern about the placement of the villages’.

Outlanders’ must live outside some natural border of Rohan to be called “outlanders”. The only natural borders around Wold seem to be rivers. But should these outlanders’ really be dwelling at the eastside of Anduin? This choice will surely meet the first-sight requirements of gaming as planned eg. making it easier from the standpoint of the plot. But there are several problems here.

Firstly, the idea of Rohan-people living at the eastbank of Anduin sounds pretty far fetched. It would be too dangerous and hard – and even futile: there is room enough in Wold, or around Entwood, to accomodate ten times the population it has. So why to go over the Great River, to perilous areas, when there is room enough in these safer locations too? (Well, we could come up with something, better pastures? Maybe these villages’ are so old, that there has been no threat until now, and the fields have been good at times long by etc.?)

Secondly, we will have some problems concerning the crossing of the Great River. As the greatest river in the familiar Middle Earth, it should be both wide, and having a very strong current. So it would be quite impropable, that there were nice fords’ at regular basis. I don’t remember Tolkien telling anything about the fellowship having to carry their boats for a while, because of a ford at Anduin.

So how should the outlander people go regularily over the river? By boats? Well enough for people, but how about horses? By some kind of rafts? (that’s what I would go for, if we leave it here) But how would we ensure, there is a raft at both sides of the river, and how steerable is a raft in the strong current of the Great River? We could have ropes, surely, but I just find it awkward to figure out, how the fellowship in LotR had to duck, while passing the Wold-rohanians’ ropes...

So thirdly, we would have a specific problem of our game. Could four outlanders’ get themselves over the river with their horses (rafts would need quite a pulling power)? How about one old-timer doing the same alone (Raedwald)? Or another old-timer doing it in the dark of the night (Sythric)?

I don’t know about the plans Arry has, but if Arry’s plans are not tied to certain geographical locations, we could think once more about the first settings of the game. If Arry’s plans require places’ he has outlined to us with current settings, it will surely be ok. with me. You all can just forget these thoughts I’ve brought out.

But another option could be seen. The river Limleith (?) (Limlight) is coming from Entwood to the river Anduin. People might live north of Limlight and be rohanians (f.ex. just north of 'L' at the map). True outlanders’, but still in little more secure foundations than those who would be living east of Anduin. They could come over the river - a minor river should have a ford somewhere - and ride alongside Entwood’s edge to the Entwash, where the party of Wulfhamers’ would come too (If Wulfham would be somewhere near the 'U' of the Undeeps on the map, at the west side of Anduin of course)? And there the parties could meet – if Arry hasn’t planned it otherwise... There would then be some time, before this meeting (and people would have time to get on together)

So Arry, if your ideas concerning the happenings’ of both parties are not tied to certain locations, I hope, you would think this one more time.

If some of my premises’ are bad or untrue, I’ll apologize the time you spent with this letter...

PS. Arry: check the PM before answering.

[Arry]

Will reply later - when I'm back home.

What PM, by the way?

-- Arry

[Arry]

Everyone please read this.

This is how I see the setting for the game:

Villages:

I’d really like the two villages to remain where we’ve put them. They are both small, fairly isolated places. They are not wealthy villages, but have managed to scrape a living from the Wold and the Brown Lands. That is one of the reasons their village leaders wish to bring them in closer to the more defensible, larger towns – eg., moving toward Edoras.

The Bregoware group has chosen the name of the village in this way:

Since our village is just outside the eastern boundary of Rohan, that would put us on the other side of the Anduin. How about we say our village is near a ford in the river. Old English for "ford" is "ware".

And just to tie us into Rohan proper - we could have some old story of how one of the early kings of Rohan used the crossing to for . . . well, something important . . . "Brego" is the Old English word for "ruler or lord".

And Brego was the second King of Rohan . . . so stretching it a bit, our village could be called:

Bregoware

And yes, Tolkien never actually mentioned ‘King’s Ford’ but he did say, in Unfinished Tales, “The History of Galadriel and Celeborn”, Appendix C that:

. . . [T]he great loops of the Anduin (where it came down swiftly past Lorien and entered the low flat lands before its descent again into the chasm of the Emyn Muil) had many shallows and wide shoals . . . especially in the two westward bends, known as the North and South Undeeps.

I’ll grant that the river still moves at a fair pace and could be treacherous if trying to cross on horse or foot.

Therefore, I propose that the Bregowarians have a ferry at their ford, with a ferryman and his family who run it. Since the villages are few and far between in this part of Rohan, I can see the outlanders ferrying across their goats and sheep (the smaller flocks) to pasture often along the empty western side of the river – especially if those with cattle and horses used most of the good pasture land on the Outland side of the river.

----------

The attacking Orcs and Men of the East:

This is not a big invading army that is marching westward into Rohan.

From the timeline for the game:

This game takes place in the Third Age, very late autumn, of the year just prior to the start of the War of the Ring. (The War of the Ring begins in June of 3018 TA)

What I see for the game are small parties of invaders making more and more frequent incursions into Rohan. They can be gathering information, simply marauding the outlying and less defendable villages, carrying information, etc, between Isengard and Mordor.

----------

About the two groups meeting up:

Here’s how we can handle this problem.

Since the two groups are completely discrete entities at the beginning of the game, we do not need to assume that both groups leave on the same day.

The Wulfhamers will have left their village say{EDIT DONE} 3 days prior to the Bregoware group. That should leave enough time for the Wulfhamers to come within range of the Bregowarians as they travel south.

----------

Can we all work with these ideas?


-- Arry

[Valier]

Roger, Roger, good Moddie!! :D :rolleyes:

[Arry]

OK - the Wulfham riders are on their way. Brand is riding at the back; the next person to post please take the front position for this day of riding. Or at least until we stop for a quick midday meal.

We don't want to push our horses at an extremely fast pace this early on. But we can move at a good clip. Feel free to ride together at some points of the journey . . . a little talk and getting to know one another would be good.

[Tevildo]

Arry -

Your ideas sound fine to me! Ah, it's good to be off and riding.

[Farael]

Aye aye ModArry.

By the way, would you mind sneaking in the "current date" of the Wulfhamlers departure in your post? I think tonight I'll have us Bregowares on the road if no-one does it before me and I'd like to add the date for our reader to know that the story is not happening for both groups at the same time.

[Arry]

Farael

For the sake of the reader - just put a bolded title above your "we're heading out" post that says:

Three Days After the Wulfhamers Departure (EDIT DONE FROM 2 WEEKS TO 3 DAYS)

Until we meet up - that will be all we need to establish our 2 separate timelines.

-- Arry

Oh - and by the way -- officially I'm the game founder; Pio is the Game's Moderator - she will iron out any problems we can't agree on, or remind us of RPG rules/protocol as needed. :)

[Nogrod]

[QUOTE=Arry]Everyone please read this.
This is how I see the setting for the game:
I’ll grant that the river still moves at a fair pace and could be treacherous if trying to cross on horse or foot.

Therefore, I propose that the Bregowarians have a ferry at their ford, with a ferryman and his family who run it.

This is perfectly fine with me. Maybe it was good that I asked (became clear to us all), but sorry to have been putting my ideas forwards so insistencely. Just learning the trade... :)

The attacking Orcs and Men of the East:

This is not a big invading army that is marching westward into Rohan.

What I see for the game are small parties of invaders making more and more frequent incursions into Rohan. They can be gathering information, simply marauding the outlying and less defendable villages, carrying information, etc, between Isengard and Mordor.

We might put the words of the Bregoware March-warden (in my post) in general "brackets". He was understandably kind of over-reacting to the situation (and basically, Sythric was right!). This is ok.

Since the two groups are completely discrete entities at the beginning of the game, we do not need to assume that both groups leave on the same day.

The Wulfhamers will have left their village say 2 weeks prior to the Bregoware group. That should leave enough time for the Wulfhamers to come within range of the Bregowarians as they travel south.

Good idea! All of our thoughts have lingered about the people of these two villages' starting on the very same morning - or at least, I have thought it that way (the bells / horns are sounding at the middle of the night in both places etc.). This idea of your's is both logical (outlanders' would hear the alarm sooner) and more flexible (with interest of molding the game).

Even though, I think, two weeks is quite a long time (compared to the overall time, we think, we could manage to the Golden Hall!).

But that should come to clear in its time.

[Undómë]

Bregowarians -

I'll be gone for several hours - to to cinema YAY!!! :D

When I've returned - I'll get us out of the city and safely across the river . . .

[Nogrod]

Bregowarians -

I'll be gone for several hours - to to cinema YAY!!! :D

When I've returned - I'll get us out of the city and safely across the river . . .

Great, that someone takes us out of the village!

But.

Do not take us across the river!? If we are using this timeline Arry is proposing (two weeks!!!) we should be living somewhere north of Lorien or something, Around the Beorning settlements', I suppose (how far could you ride in two weeks? Quite far I think)? ;)

Even if we shorten this time-gap a bit, we should not go over the river just yet, bacause otherwise the Wulfhamers' would have too great a ride to catch us. We could of course ride a circle in southern Woldland for ten days' while waiting for the Wulfhamers' to come, or Arry could arrenge us as real adventure or something...

Arry will of course settle this, but I am just voicing my concern... Sorry. :D

[Naria]

I do agree that the outlander's should wait to cross the river or just get across and wait for us or something cause it would take us way to long to meet up with you guys. According to the timeline that Arry has put out Wulfham should not be too far from the river and ferry. Think of it as the outlanders are in the future and we are in the past. So it is our group that has the catching up and meet with the outlanders. I think that the whole idea is set up so we can all ride together and have most of the adventures with the entire group. If I am wrong on this can Arry orPio let me know. :) It would be a BIG help.

Pio. Do you post the times of day like morning, afternoon and evening? And can we put in our posts changes in weather or do you also do that?

[Nogrod]

I do agree that the outlander's should wait to cross the river or just get across and wait for us or something cause it would take us way to long to meet up with you guys. According to the timeline that Arry has put out Wulfham should not be too far from the river and ferry. Think of it as the outlanders are in the future and we are in the past. So it is our group that has the catching up and meet with the outlanders. I think that the whole idea is set up so we can all ride together and have most of the adventures with the entire group. If I am wrong on this can Arry orPio let me know. :) It would be a BIG help.


I totally agree! We should have most of the adventure together! This starting stuff is just the basement over which we should build our story.

[Farael]

I totally agree! We should have most of the adventure together! This starting stuff is just the basement over which we should build our story.

Yet we should let some time for relationships and interactions between the groups within themselves start to settle in. We are all strangers to each other and so I think it'd be better if first we got to know each other (and possibly get a little on each other's nerves) and then the two groups met.

Yet I think two weeks might be a little excessive.

Edit: actually, it depends on how we advance time... if we are going to enact every day that happens, two weeks will be WAY more than necessary. If we are going to jump three or four days at the time, it might be alright.

[Nogrod]

Yet we should let some time for relationships and interactions between the groups within themselves start to settle in. We are all strangers to each other and so I think it'd be better if first we got to know each other (and possibly get a little on each other's nerves) and then the two groups met.

Yet I think two weeks might be a little excessive.

Edit: actually, it depends on how we advance time... if we are going to enact every day that happens, two weeks will be WAY more than necessary. If we are going to jump three or four days at the time, it might be alright.

Sure we need time to come to know each other, and to get into each other's nerves' as well. I was just wondering about this two-week timetable. Sounds pretty lavish to me. Even if Arry has something in store for us...

By the way, it would be nice to see us Outlanders' being set on the road too. Would you Undómë do it as you promised, or should someone else make it? Let's not make this crossing of the Great River too great a problem! :p

If no-one makes a move in 24- hours, I'll take the liberty of setting you / us off... :p

[Tevildo]

I don't think you have to worry. Normally, RPGs don't enact one day at a time. You can whiz through an entire week in one post, or take several days to play out a few hours of action. I'm sure Arry will help us by giving suggestions on the appropriate way and time to advance the clock.

The two sides of the story don't even have to run in complete tandem as long as we all meet up at the same time and place in the end.

[Undómë]

I've deleted my SAVE.

Please - someone else write what you wish to write and get us where you wish to get us.

[Farael]

I've deleted my SAVE.

Please - someone else write what you wish to write and get us where you wish to get us.
Well, I'll do it if you'd like. Although I wouldn't mind you doing it! =) you are a good writer.

[Arry]

Depressing! 4th quarter and the Steelers just passed for a Touch Down!

But I digress . . .

I guess I misunderstood previous posts about each group getting to know each others' characters. It seems now that the preference is for the two groups to come together as soon as possible.

So - I'm pushing back the first of the planned surprises for the individual groups.

Bregoware will be across the river and 60 miles south of Wulfham (a 2 full days ride - and here we will agree that horses can average 25 to 30 miles per day).

Wulfham will have left 3 days prior to Bregoware. That will make them 30 miles ahead of Bregoware on the third day.

We will spend only a few days riding as separate groups.

I will have something happen to the Wulfham group which will slow them down at some very soon time - players will be alerted on the discussion thread.

At that point the Bregoware party can discover us - by advance riders or simply running into our camp at some point. We do not need to work this out at this point.

Once the groups are together then the planned surprises will begin.

I will label my leaving the village post appropriately (see post #23 of the game thread).

[Farael]

Sorry, no... I won't be able to get us out tonight. I should be free tomorrow around 3 PM Central time (GMT-6 I believe) but if anyone else wants to take us out, I won't object.

[Nogrod]

Undómë
I've deleted my SAVE.

Please - someone else write what you wish to write and get us where you wish to get us.

What a pity! You write well. Just hope, I wasn't the reason for you deleting your save. Just feeling a bit low about all that my whining has lead to... :confused:

Arry
I guess I misunderstood previous posts about each group getting to know each others' characters. It seems now that the preference is for the two groups to come together as soon as possible.

I hope I wasn't the reason for this either. I was worried about the logic of the story: One would ride quite far in two weeks. I'm totally in for giving us enough time to get to know each other. That just should happen in a couple of days' game time, merely than two weeks'.

But Arry: you are making good "saves'"! :cool: I like the look of this.

Hope Undómë changes her mind about writing the party off the village. Still, I've promised to write it, if no-one else does, and I'll keep my word if needs be. It would just be better, if the writer would be one of you riders' concerned in the scene.

[Maeggaladiel]

Sorry I've been so behind in my posting, everyone. Three of my professors decided on a whim that it would be fun to have midterm exams a week early, at the same time as my big Electronic Media project was due.

[Farael]

Ok, we are off.... sorry if it's not my most inspired post but we need to get on the way. Let me know if I left any spelling/grammar mistakes there, I'm pretty sleepy today.

I should have NOT watched the Superbowl yesterday, which would have meant I would have been able to sleep a little more tonight... but heh, my Steelers won =D Two years ago when I moved to Canada they all laughed at me... NOW I LAUGH AT THEM!! HAHAHA

[Undómë]

So --- before I post:

How far away is the ferryman?

[Farael]

So --- before I post:

How far away is the ferryman?

I'd say a long day's march? I'm not sure it'd make sense to have it any further than that, but I don't want to hurry things either.

[Nogrod]

Undómë So --- before I post:
How far away is the ferryman?

I'd say a long day's march? I'm not sure it'd make sense to have it any further than that, but I don't want to hurry things either.

I agree with Farael. For the Outlanders to have some time together, there should be at least a day's march. I don't know, whether Arry has any plans for us concerning where we will be overnight - at which side of the river?

So I think our first day should be spent riding and starting to build relations. Let's care about the ferry when the evening falls.

My vote goes for the ferry at noon, the next day.

[Undómë]

Then, my older character, Rædwald will be meeting up with the group before they cross the river, is that correct?

My plan was to have him come upon them at their evening camp.

Also, since we are a day away from the river - that will make us 2 days behind Wulfham once we've crossed. Is that where you meant to have us?

[Undómë]

Eowyn Skywalker

I've had my character make an overture toward yours. will await your reply. :)

[Valier]

Arry, Naria,Telvido do you "guys" have any ideas about the rest of our ride to the river? I'm sorry Vaenosa is not very friendly at the moment...So feel free to gossip about her..(Giggle) :cool:

[Arry]

Valier

You might want to do a follow up post to Naria's last one (#27). I should think that Vaenosa would have something to say to Incana sort of ordering her about.

[Valier]

Thanks Arry! I posted in the RPG. Still any ideas as to when we should stop? How long have we been traveling so far?

[Nogrod]

Bregoware will be across the river and 60 miles south of Wulfham (a 2 full days ride - and here we will agree that horses can average 25 to 30 miles per day).

Wulfham will have left 3 days prior to Bregoware. That will make them 30 miles ahead of Bregoware on the third day.

We will spend only a few days riding as separate groups.

I will have something happen to the Wulfham group which will slow them down at some very soon time - players will be alerted on the discussion thread.

At that point the Bregoware party can discover us - by advance riders or simply running into our camp at some point. We do not need to work this out at this point.


Then, my older character, Rædwald will be meeting up with the group before they cross the river, is that correct?

My plan was to have him come upon them at their evening camp.

Also, since we are a day away from the river - that will make us 2 days behind Wulfham once we've crossed. Is that where you meant to have us?

I sadly came up to a similar calculation as I checked Arry's message quoted above (even though I think we are 2 days behind the Wulfham riding party, not the town of Wulfham itself... you propably meant that too, but as we most of us have a secondary English, just wanted to check).

But I also think, there is an easy way to resolve this one. If the Wulfhamers start just TWO days earlier (not three), they could spend the second night around the area were the ferry is - so where the Outlanders would be coming to the next night, or something. So the Wulfhamers would have a ONE day lead. And as Arry promised to slow them down for the Outlanders to catch, we could eventually catch them the second evening (Outlander reckoning - fourth by Wulfhamer reckoning), or the next morning, or day, or whenever Arry's plans would lead to it. I quess this will depend on how Arry's "slowing down" of them is going to happen, and propably we shouldn't even know it in the first place. I think this is going smoothly as we just can settle this "first night out" -problem. But surely we can already ride on. It's just morning in our game now! :)

Wulfham people starting off two days earlier sure makes them ride two days more together, but we Outlanders could talk more (in real time) - and with the advent of Raedwald first and then Sythric second, and a river to be crossed, I think we have lots of writing before meeting these other fellows.

And sure Undómë, I believe, that Raedwald should catch the others the first evening (and Sythric during the night), otherwise these elderly chaps would have quite a tuff ride to make for the gap. Indeed Raedwald shouldn't be so very many hours behind the others (the party left in the morning, and all of the evacuation was already done before afternoon), maybe he left at noon, or something. Up to you, I suppose?

[Farael]

Just in case you guys notice it... I changed where it said that Osmod was "behind" the group for "ahead" of the group.... Undome happened to write that I was leading and while I hadn't thought of it, I liked it better to be ahead and alone than behind AND alone.

[Eowyn Skywalker]

I'm sorry if I'm a bit slow on replying. This game started at a bad time for me; I had a sudden onrush of inability to post through other things... piano lessons, trips out of town that ended up a lot longer than anticipated, and of course the pain of trying to set up an RPG full world on my own site... not to mention that I had to deal with another RPG situation on yet ANOTHER site... argh... my poor head...

Anyway, I'll try to keep on top of this... I think my time might be returning to normal, but I'm just not sure... I will still post as regularly as possible, but I'm not used to having to post every day or more on an RPG. With the last BD one I did it wasn't that desperate... I'm unused to people being desperate for me to post. Generally things run a bit slower on here. But I've replied to you, Undome. If you'd prefer to talk to someone who'll reply a lot faster, I might not be the best person for you to talk to, but Eostre will talk. Besides, it'll give me reason to keep posting regularly (that means every day, in my book). Curious: it's been a little while since I've read the rules on here... what was the minimum RP post length in the Shire? I know they're not suppose to be dialogue only based from memory... was it two longer paragraphs? I see a lot of that.

[Arry]

Nogrod

I did mean to say that the village of Wulfham is located 60 miles (a full 2 days ride) north of the village of Bregoware. And no I am not changing when the Wulfham group leaves again. We will simply deal with this a little later in the game, just prior to us meeting up.

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

Eowyn Skywalker

Every day posting isn't necessary (although, those who can do it are certainly not discouraged from it) - a couple of times a week is sort of the minimum.

As to post length. The minimum posting length for the Shire is 2 paragraphs with 2 sentence minimum each. As people get more proficient in writing for games I'm sure the posts will expand, but it's not required for this game.

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

Naria

Do you post the times of day like morning, afternoon and evening? And can we put in our posts changes in weather or do you also do that?

Sorry I didn't answer this earlier - the group decides what time of day it is and what sort of weather. So -- right now it should be say nearing noon for the Wulfham group. I just included that reference in my latest post) We can just assume we've been traveling along for a while.

I just mentioned in my last post a little about the present weather. the sun is shining in a hazy sky. It's relatively warm at the moment. But the evening camp, out in the cold, will most likely be quite chilly. It is late autumn when we are starting out - so would you like it to be a good day of riding (sun, not too cold) for a while? This might be good until we meet with the other group. Then someone could bring on some cold rain, etc.

If you are going to change the time of day - let's say you write a post that gets us to our evening camp - then just post on the Discussion Thread that you have done so. Also do that for changes in weather.

How does that sound?

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

Valier

About how long we've been riding:

I just posted that it's not quite mid-day yet.

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

All Wulfhamers

Let's finish up any conversations we're having, then one of you can bring us to the little wooded area along the river that I mentioned. We'll have our midday meal there and gather some small firewood for our evening camp further on down the trail.

Remember as we ride along, we are sticking close to the river (it will be on our left). We haven't come to the for where the Bregoware party will cross over. We should be doing that on our group's second day of travel.

[Undómë]

Pio


I've gone ahead and posted the First Post for Rædwald.

He's riding casually along and will catch up to the Bregoware party when they've made their camp for the night.

[piosenniel]

OK, Undómë! :)

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

Nogrod

Your post for Sythric is now on the game. :) Move him as you wish.

~*~ Pio

[Naria]

I am so sorry about the confusion Pio and Arry. I will definitely put any changes that, we as a group or individually, are going to make here. I will blame it on first RPG hiccups :D There is no need to put my original post back on. It doesn't really fit anyway with my new post and Valier's post. Thanks anyway. :)

Thanks Arry for the response to my question regarding the time of day and weather. It helps alot! :)

[Farael]

I'm having second thoughts about meeting so soon. We Bregowares will have TWO experienced riders, a group of five people... there are far too many interactions to explore and I don't think a couple of days will be long enough. I still think two weeks is too much, but one or two nights might be too little.

I don't know what neither FounderArry (did I get it right this time? :) ) nor Undome have in mind, but I think it might be good to kill off Raewald BEFORE we meet with the other group. Perhaps, even RIGHT before. Maybe the Wulfham group should have started their journey a week before Bregoware and they be the ones to catch up with us. I think five to seven days would be long enough for us riders to get to know each other. I sure am excited for things to happen, but on the long run it might be better if we knew each other and had at least some stories (and hopefully arguments) for later on the game.

Just my two cents, I know I'm taking liberties with both the game and Raewald, neither of which belong to me... feel free to smack me for sticking my neck too far out!!

[Nogrod]

I just sended Arry a PM, that I was ok. with this timetable, and didn't want to whine anymore! :confused:

But I don't think we should change this any more at this point. For even this is my first RPG online, I would see this going well by the following reasons:

1) A party can ride a day or two, game time, using a week, a year, or a lifetime, in real-time.

2) Bregowarians have at least two days - and who knows Arry's plans - maybe three, four more, before meeting up with the Wulfhamers.

3) The Wulfhamers have three days lead (in game time), so they will have much of writing, as we started simultaneosly, in real time.

So we Bregowarians just go easily, meaning: lots of messages, less miles! We will just be more talkative on our journey... ;)

PS. And don't forget: if we allow these people to ride for a week or two before they meet, they will meet at the steps of the Golden Hall! :D Well, that would make quite a differnet game, it really would...

[Arry]

Bregowarians

Sorry - but all the plans for the earlier attacks have been pushed back with the readjustment of the leaving times. So there will be no opportunity for someone to die before the groups get together. (Unless of course Undómë decides to have the old fellow fall off his horse and break his neck which is entirely her right to do).

We can travel along enough time until your group is ready to find us. I will then invent something that slows our group down, allowing yours to catch up. Since your group left at noon from your village, that makes the Wulfham group about 90 miles (2 1/2 days ride) ahead of you. The Brego-group just needs to let me know here on the discussion thread when the group has had enough time together and wants to catch up with the Wulfhamers. This will easily be accomplished with a very few posts that 'crunch' some time and bring the Brego-group within haling distance of the Wulfhamers.

If you want, any of the Bregos can invent some something that invokes a small crisis for your group. The horses get spooked, for example and you spend some time chasing them down . . . something inventive.

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

Wulfhamers

Valier has graciously mentioned getting us to the wooded area. We'll have our mid-day meal there and Brand will speak with Vaenosa. After that we'll be on our way again - And I'll crunch some time for us then, and put our group two days further ahead in our journey. That will put us 2 1/2 days ahead of the Bregoware group.

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

Distance to the Golden Hall

It's about a 450 mile journey from Wulfham to the Golden Hall following the route the March-warden laid out for his riders. At 25 miles per day it would be almost 3 weeks to the King.

-- Arry

[Arry]

Valier

Brand has spoken to Vaenosa. It should be interesting to see what your character makes of his request. :)

----------

Tevildo

Brand is hungry and looking forward to lunch!!! :D

[Undómë]

Maeggaladiel

I've included Fion in my post, #43. Let me know if anything needs editing. I'll carry him along with us until you can post for him. :)

[Valier]

Great stuff Arry! I will post after Telvido fills in his save. :D

[Eowyn Skywalker]

For reference, Undome, you misinterpeted Eostre. She was cynical, yes, but not trying to shove you away. I define cynical as critical or mistrusting of other people's actions.

On the remark of killing characters, I find the idea of having him break his neck greatly amusing... very ironic. Heh. But if we need more characters to die, I'll gladly kill off Eostre one of these days, if only for the sake of getting to write an agonizing death scene.

[Tevildo]

Dorran's save is filled......and lunch is served. :D

[Undómë]

For reference, Undome, you misinterpeted Eostre. She was cynical, yes, but not trying to shove you away. I define cynical as critical or mistrusting of other people's actions.


Actually, I didn't misinterpret. Meghan misinterpreted, or rather read Eostre's laugh and actions in that way. She is much better at figuring out goats - their needs and temperament, than she is other people. :)

[Maeggaladiel]

Thanks Undome! I'll post something as soon as Farael writes up her SAVE.

[Valier]

Just to point it out Farael is MALE in *R.L *and as Osse :D :p

[Farael]

Just to point it out Farael is MALE in *R.L *and as Osse :D :p
Thanks Valier, but how do you know? *wink* did you check?
Sorry, I'm just in a happy mood. I'll have the save filled by tonight if I don't get home too late or tomorrow afternoon the latest.

[Valier]

Nice Farael! ;) I won't be able to fill in my save till sunday morning at the latest. If you guys don't want to wait I can delete the save and just come in after. :p

[Maeggaladiel]

Just to point it out Farael is MALE in *R.L *and as Osse :D :p
.......

.......

.......

I am such an idiot. :sweatdrop: I'm sorry Farael! I was goign back and forth between two different boards when I wrote that. Having two conversations with two folks of opposite genders at the same time is apparently a bad idea. I... Hold on.. That means I must've called the GIRL on the other board a GUY! *runs to go check*


Aaaaand I did. Well great. Now I look like a moron on TWO boards. :rolleyes:

[Farael]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I filled my SAVE.

And don't worry about it Maeggaladiel, as long as you don't start hitting on me, we should be fine :p

[Undómë]

A quick question - are the Bregos where they're going to camp for the night?

[Farael]

A quick question - are the Bregos where they're going to camp for the night?

Not really, I was thinking just a break and lunch. We have only traveled for two hours! we should cover at least six more hours of traveling to consider we have covered a "good distance"

Which reminds me, how much should we travel every day?

[Arry]

Farael & other Bregos

What I'd like to see done by tomorrow sometime, is the Brego group getting to their night time camp. That can be done in a single post by someone. You can spend some posts getting the camp set up, supper eaten, and settling down for the night.

That way - it provides the opportunity for your other two players to come on board.

Rædwald will come upon you at supper, I think, And Sythric later on when the group is asleep.

Once your group is done dealing with those two additions, I'd like you to do avery few posts which get you across the river.

At that point, I'll crunch some time for the Wulfham group, and we'll move a couple of days south of you in a single post. Your group will then come south and we'll meet up.

[Nogrod]

Farael & other Bregos

That way - it provides the opportunity for your other two players to come on board.

Rædwald will come upon you at supper, I think, And Sythric later on when the group is asleep.

Once your group is done dealing with those two additions, I'd like you to do avery few posts which get you across the river.

At that point, I'll crunch some time for the Wulfham group, and we'll move a couple of days south of you in a single post. Your group will then come south and we'll meet up.

Sounds good. And thank's for hasting things a bit.

I already took to this same tenor by posting my second mail - it is late afternoon / early evening at that post. I Hope it would stir some action. I have another post to send before my Sythric will reach the riders. So I'll just wait for Raedwald to meet with them at first and the party going to sleep. It's kind of a night post... just before I come to Bregowarians' camp...

Sorry about the length of my posts, but just having to wait until I can come to the real game, makes my mind coming up with ever new things to mention in the posts.

I'll be shorter in the real communication. Before that, I just have to build my character by these monologues...

[Farael]

Farael & other Bregos

What I'd like to see done by tomorrow sometime, is the Brego group getting to their night time camp. That can be done in a single post by someone. You can spend some posts getting the camp set up, supper eaten, and settling down for the night.

That way - it provides the opportunity for your other two players to come on board.

Rædwald will come upon you at supper, I think, And Sythric later on when the group is asleep.

Once your group is done dealing with those two additions, I'd like you to do avery few posts which get you across the river.

At that point, I'll crunch some time for the Wulfham group, and we'll move a couple of days south of you in a single post. Your group will then come south and we'll meet up.

I'll do it, but I need to wait at least for Eowyn Skywalker's post. And I'd like a post by Maeggaladiel too if possible. Then we could get going again and "nothing of importance" will happen 'till night-camp time. Then Raewald can come in and then Sythric.

Edit: If anyone else wants to do it/contribute in doing it it's fine by me... I meant to say (and forgot) that I have next week off so I'll have time for writing

[Tevildo]

Naria, Valier

Any chance either of you can post? (Valier - you still have your save, which you should try and fill in by late tonight, if my recollection of the Red Book is right.) Arry and I went last. I am waiting for someone else to go ahead in our group before I post again.

I am looking forward to the point where the two groups join up!

_________________

Arry,

Do you want me to go ahead and get the Wulfham group on the road, or shall I wait for the others to put up their response?

[Valier]

Telvido I posted in the RPG, I finally got it done sorry for making everyone wait so long!

[Valier]

ARRY,NARIA,TELVIDO

I filled in my save but I just read it again and it might be better if my post came after Dorran's I addressed everyone in my post, so I can't wait to see what happens next! :D

[Tevildo]

Valier,

I'm confused.

Regarding the placement of my post..... If there is a problem, I will shift. But it seems more logical to have the fire started and going when your character drops off the berries. To make it blend more easily with your filled save, I will edit so Dorran isn't calling people to eat their meal quite yet.

I've use saves myself, and I know that sometimes it's hard to fit what you want to say into an ongoing storyline, especially when that storyline has already gone forward. I think the person filling in the save is supposed to adjust as much as possible. If I lop off the ending of my post about calling people to lunch, that should work with yours.

Did you mean to address Dorran as "Mistress" Dorran, or was that a typo? If you are teasing him by calling him a woman (perhaps because he's cooking?), he will probably react quite strongly, even if he has to trample over two horses and a running Incana in order to reach Vaenosa. :p Please advise.

[Arry]

Valier

Your post looks fine to me right where it is now. :)

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

Eowyn Skywalker

Please get a post up in answer to Farael's last post.

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

[Farael]

Arry
Should I get going if Eowyn hasn't answered by tomorrow or should we wait?

[Arry]

Just get going, please . . .

Pio can slot something in for Eowyn her if she feels she can't fit it in after you've gotten the group moved on.

Thanks -- Arry

[Valier]

Telvido Yes she did mean to call you Mistress,like I said she is not to keen on men and takes every chance to belittle or poke fun at them. Can't wait to see the reactions!

[Eowyn Skywalker]

Eowyn Skywalker

Please get a post up in answer to Farael's last post.

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

I've been having internet problems. I'm sorry. I couldn't get online to say so. Desperately sorry for holding things up...

[Arry]

Wulfhamers

We are now at our evening camp - Brand has doled out the tasks to be done.

It's nearly dark; the wind is turning cold . . .

[Tevildo]

I have started the fire and the evening meal, and made a place for the women's bedrolls close to the fire so they will be more protected. (I'm not sure if Vaenosa will like this.)

[Eowyn Skywalker]

Eostre and Meghan hate each other... (crosses eyes) I never meant for this friction to occur between the two female members of the Bregoware party, seriously, I didn't. But it's amusing and may at least cause for plot strife as things carry on...

...hopefully they won't continue acting like such... brats... for the rest of the trip, though. Lack of trust is not good.

I think my computer issues have resolved themselves. Think. Must run spyware or something. (kicks computer)

[Naria]

I've put my post up! Yeah I know, finally :D

[Arry]

Wulfham

I've gotten the group settled in for the evening. Incana, Vaenosa, & Dorran go ahead and make your own finishing up the evening and getting off to sleep posts.

Naria, how about mentioning to brand before you go off to your own bedroll about the deer track you saw.

& who wants to post as taking the night's first watch?

--Arry

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

Bregoware

If no one's gotten your group to the night camp by tomorrow morning real time - then I'll figure out someway to get you there.

Then, Undóme, please bring your carry along character into the camp.

-- Arry

[Farael]

Sorry Arry, I'm on it... some RL stuff came up but it seems to be over now. My apologies if anyone was waiting for me to write it, we'll get going as soon as I finish writing the post up.

EDIT: Fellow Bregowares,
Given that I'll be chumping quite a bit of time, I hope you won't mind if I borrow your characters a little bit. Let me know if you would like any corrections to be made

Edit#2: Good, we are camping for the night now. I would not want to have deer for dinner as it'd sound as if we were following Wulfham's story too closely. How about catching some rabbits? It might even force us to work as a team, one scaring the rabbit towards the other two who will (hopefully) catch it. What do you say?

[Naria]

I know that this isn't the place to post about a rep, but I thought maybe I'd get a better response here than in the rep thread. I find it difficult to thank somone for a rep when there is no name attached. So if it was from somebody here, please let me know. :) Thanks


btw the rep was for this thread

[Eowyn Skywalker]

Right... I'll permit the godmod of my character in the light of this being a lot stronger of a story-based RPG and that we needed to move forwards greatly, but I really don't like being godmodded at all. I look at it in the light of Eostre (or whoever else) being my character, thereby I'm the only one who'll know how she thinks to get her to respond.

Fortunately she doesn't mind being used to suggest getting supper. She says she would've phrased it a bit differently, but wasn't so dirastically out of character that I'd require a rewrite of that line. Heh. She's not usually one to first suggest something, though, just to remember. She's more... quiet. Think before acting. Annoying, really. (smacks her) But it was close enough to in character I'll survive

I'll get a post in once we decide how we're going to do this. Maybe we could get some fish if there's a stream nearby? And I think both of us girls brought archery gear... some of the men might've too... maybe we could bag a duck/goose or three?

I also suggest, since we're getting near the river, it could be getting a bit wetter, seeing as Rohan's fairly flat and flat lands tend to get boggy even a ways away, depending on the season. We might be able to pick up some interesting root vegtables or herbs, maybe some wild strawberries for desert? We should also consider discussion watches before night falls IC, and in OOC any possible nighttime perils, just to hike the drama a tad...

A question. Approxomately what season is this in Terran months? Just so we know how late it'll be before night falls and the sun rises...

[Arry]

From the Discussion Thread:

Timeframes:

This game takes place in the Third Age, very late autumn, of the year just prior to the start of the War of the Ring. (The War of the Ring begins in June of 3018 TA).

Specifically - it's mid-October.

As a reference, sunset here in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. for that time of year is around 6:30 p.m; sunrise around 7:30 a.m.

[Farael]

Eowyn, I'm sorry if I used your character a bit, but I needed to chomp a lot of time in one post and it would have not worked if EVERYTHING had been Osmod's ramblings and second-thoughts. If you can think of a better way for me to phrase Eostre's request, please let me know. I think of all the characters she is the most likely to make such statement. Unless I'm reading her completely wrong, Meghan will not do it and I'm not sure I get a read on Fionn yet.

I'll try to limit using other characters in the future. For further reference, Osmod can be 'borrowed' if needed be just as long as
a) Whoever borrows him does not go too deeply into his thoughts and reasoning
b) He does not say anything that would be out of character and most importantly,
c) The borrower ought to be willing to change/delete Osmod's part in the post if I think it's not quite right.

Point B is a little complicated so point C is most important. If you are ok with that then I'm ok with you using Osmod (note, I often use "you" as a general "you all" even right after being talking to a specific someone. just clarifying as the list was a case of a 'general you')

Another thing we could do if time allows is to put the possible post on this thread first and see how we work it all together. After all, this is a 'team' effort, right?

Still Eowyn, if you think I should change it, let me know. I could make it an unidentified grumble or maybe someone else will volunteer for it. I wasn't sure if I should have used Eostre as I don't want her to be "the bad guy" of the group but at that moment and given that I did not have time to discuss it with everyone, she seemed the best fit.

[Valier]

Wulfhamers: I have decided that Vaenosa should take first watch(She wouldn't have it anyother way would she?) Oh and the salve is supposed to be horseradish or something like it! Oh if someone would approach Vaenosa soon to get her to wake them next would be good. I will wait till Telvido does his nightly post then I will post the first watch. I have an idea I would like to try, to open Vaenosa up a little bit. Let me know if this is ok! :D

[Eowyn Skywalker]

Farael: No, she's the cynic of a group, so remarking "I thought you promised us a fire, at any rate" or something like that's fairly IC. But, yes, I agree. Meghan's too... at the moment, too naive and nice to be pushy (that's how Eostre reads her), and Fionn's too "happy days slashed with evil angst etc so let's just be Luke Skywalker instead!". If you know what I mean. If you want to plug in a bit of an edit and indicate that she thought that no one else would've even considered that they needed a fire and dinner before they could have breakfast, curse it all... or something like that... just to explain why she spoke up.

Thank you, Arry. I knew it was late fall, but I didn't know what timezone you were basing it on... heh. I wanted a Terran view for translation.

[Farael]

Eowyn,
While you are right and I should add what you say, my post is still focused on Osmod. I'm not sure I could show any insight into Eostre's thoughts in the middle of it with any sort of credibility. Why don't you add it into the last post you wrote?

Edit: and sorry, I'm not a big fan of star wars, I have no idea what you just said about FIonn

[Eowyn Skywalker]

Farael,

Oh, that's fine. I'm not demanding an edit... trust me. Don't worry about it. If this wasn't just a one-thread RPG, I'd have a fit and insist on an edit, but as it's plot based I'll tolerate bunnying. And basically I was implying that Fionn seems to be a bit of a typical hero type... a bit naive, etc.

[Envinyatar]

* Riders of Wulfham *

Through the good graces of your game founder, there is now a 120 lb, angry and hungry female cougar stalking your horses.

You're trespassing in her range and to be honest she doesn't like two-leggeds on general purposes.

The female of the species . . . 'has a distinct scream that has been described as "nerve-wracking, demoniac, terror-striking, a trilling wail" '.

Good luck!

[Arry]

OK - I've gotten us on our way to encountering what's attacking the camp.

She's a large, determined predator . . . let's start the battle against her . . . but please, no one kill her off all in one post.

Give Envinyatar another chance to write for her.

There is a chance that there will be injuries to at least one of the horses and possibly to the characters. If you are willing to have your horse or characters hurt in some way - please go ahead and write that at some point in one of the battle posts.

-- Arry

[piosenniel]

Arry & Envin

Just to let you know I added the Wulfham banner to your posts.

;)

[Farael]

Arry,
Should I let the 'battle' scene with the cougar finish before I post again? I would not want to 'disrupt' the pace of the other part of the story.

I could get a post up tonight, or tomorrow as well.

[Valier]

I'm making this post at 10:11 pm Please let me know what time it says that I posted on this box in your time. Then We will all know what times we will be posting because it seems to me that most of you post when I am sleeping.:D

[Envinyatar]

So . . . while you are bickering, mama has circled round and driven off one of the horses :eek: -- yours, in fact, Arry.

In the meantime, mama's little boy (actually a nearly full grown male - he's one year old and weighs about 120 lbs himself) is planning on taking out Incana. Cougars normally stalk their prey until they are very close to them and then make a very quick dash and a high leap for the throat or back of the neck.

[Arry]

Farael

Go ahead and post for Bregoware.

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

Naria

Do you want to take a first blow at the male cougar who's got his eye on you?

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

Envin

Poor Lady! Well, let me see what I can do with that situation.

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

Valier

Your post time shows at 8:11 p.m. here in the Pacific US time zone. I generally post very late at night here - I'm a hopeless night-owl.

[Farael]

Arry,
I guess that explains you being around when I PM'd you at 3 AM... I'm a bit of an 'evening person' myself... or rather, a vampire

Valier,
Guess what time it appears to me? Go prairies!!!

Hunting party from Bregoware
Should I take us back? Raewald is already on camp and it's not fair that the other guys are getting all the fun with the big kitten while we chit-chat and hunt wabbits. No, I don't mean Valier as the big kitten, I mean the cougar.

Anyway, try to get me a reply, I'll probably post tomorrow morning (around 10 AM Central Time, GMT-6)

[Arry]

Well, Vaenosa has pushed Brand to his limit . . . :eek:

[Nogrod]

Hunting party from Bregoware
Should I take us back? Raewald is already on camp and it's not fair that the other guys are getting all the fun with the big kitten while we chit-chat and hunt wabbits. No, I don't mean Valier as the big kitten, I mean the cougar.


Take your time to chat at the fireplace as long as you will. I still have one more "riding-post" coming - that's a night post. I could put it in sometime when you are getting to sleep / deal with night watches etc.

I guess Sythric will reach you guys around 2 or 3 am. Should I then PM with the night watcher about my coming in, before actually coming to your camp? We could make some deals about what happens (f.ex. watcher sending a post first when she/he hears something coming, how she/he reacts etc?).

Nice to be coming into the real game at last...

[Arry]

Nogrod

Don't pre-arrange your post with the night watch, please.

It will be more interesting to see how that responding gamer handles your character's entrance in a more spontaneous way.

[Nogrod]

Nogrod

Don't pre-arrange your post with the night watch, please.


Point taken. I will not.

Good stuff going on, all around.

[Valier]

Does anyone mind if I kill the male cougar? I thought it would be fitting. Vaenosa could gain some trust from her fellow riders.

[Naria]

Valier--I think that you would have to do a bit more right now than kill an animal to gain trust in our group, but it may be a good start. :p :)

As far as my character goes, I don't think she could do to much unless the cougar were to actually attack and land on her knife or something. Her rock thrower is still by the horse packs. I don't mind if Valier kills it if the rest of the group doesn't mind. If not, I am sure I could come up with an interesting post for the cougar fight scene.

[Arry]

Valier

It's fine by me.

-------

Brand will need to go after his horse.

"Dorran" - you want to come along?

[Tevildo]

Brand,

Sure! Take the lead and Dorran will follow.

[Arry]

OK - Brand and Dorran have left Vaenosa to take care of the young male cat.

------

Tevildo

I've started us off - let me know if and what needs to be handled in my use of 'Dorran'.

Get us as far as you want - start the attack against the cougar if you'd like.

I sort of see Lady backed up against something and rearing up and slashing at the cat. She can be injured in some way . . . and I'm certain she's gotten a few licks of her own in at the cat.

-- Arry

[Tevildo]

Thanks, Arry. I've got a save up and will hope to do that late tonight.

[Farael]

Hey guys,
Sorry, I said I'd put up a post this weekend but I'm struggling with an organic chemistry assignment that's due on Wednesday... I really don't know how much I'll be able to post this week, given that after this assignment I have to do a lab-report. If you feel I'm holding us back, feel free to use Osmod for a bit.

I really apologise for it, but I rather not post at all than post a hurried, short little post.

[Nogrod]

Please Bregowarians, do something! :p

And if Farael is out for some time + he has given allowance to use his character, so go on with it, anyone of you. Take responsibility!

I mean we Bregowarians are one day short in this game with regards to Wulfhamers, and they are posting actively all the time. It should just be the other way around. We have less days (game-time), so we should have more posts! Otherwise, by the time we meet, they will have a good storyline & familiar characters and we wouldn't.

And of course, I would really like to come into the real game at last :rolleyes:

[Eowyn Skywalker]

If this is going to carry on, I'll narratorially mod a bit, and see if I can get a bit of action going in the Bregoware area, if no one minds. I tossed in a brief post, just to make certain people knew we still lived, but if we, say, want to have an attack, or something else...

(has a few ideas, but isn't going to talk until they're executed)

A curiousity/idea. Basically we're leaving the trip to be a fast paced battle to get to Edoras, right? Well, we ought to get some subplots working. I suggest putting in both a traitor... someone who's not for us... and I also suggest that this person not be Vaenosa, who is the immediate suspect for her sharp temperment, and not Fionn, who seems too farmerly to be possibly dangerous in this manner (unless he gets turned in the middle). I would also suggest a bit of a love story interwound if we want to take one set of characters and get them to fall in love. Just a couple ideas.

I can half-lead Bregoware if Farael's out of commission for any length of time.

[Farael]

I can half-lead Bregoware if Farael's out of commission for any length of time.

Good news, I should be able to post tonight after all (G'd bless Google, I felt so stupid when I found an example that resembled what I was trying to do closely enough that I could figure out the rest on google after spending two days looking at my book and any other "scholarly" source)

I don't know how my times will be this week, I'll keep you up to date as much as I can (no matter how busy I am, I always sneak into the 'downs for a bit when I take a break).

A curiousity/idea. Basically we're leaving the trip to be a fast paced battle to get to Edoras, right? Well, we ought to get some subplots working. I suggest putting in both a traitor... I would also suggest a bit of a love story interwound if we want to take one set of characters and get them to fall in love
I think sub-plots should get going, but I'm not sure a traitor could be worked out. Dissention between the two groups and even within them may happen and some minor (or major?) back-stabbing as well. Yet how could we explain someone trying to boycott a mission that is set to help their villages? we have all left family behind, so it makes it hard to find a plausible reason for a betrayal. From the profile of our characters, I don't think that money or power could work to tempt anyone.

Love story? well, that would be easier to work in, but we need some more interactions! it's far too early to start on that, not even two nights into our journey. We should let our characters interact by themselves and see where will lead us to. It would be nice for a Wulfhalmer and a Bregoware to fall in love while the rest keep on arguing over little nonesenses, but we shall see how things work out. In any case, let's not get ahead of ourselves... and Arry.

[Naria]

Don't know if this is a Bregoware conversation, but I agree with Farael. The traitor idea would be hard to do at this point. Someone should have been one from the start and not let us know about it, then just started working with it as the story went along. Maybe one of the 'carry ons' could be a traitor and turn things uside down for awhile? My character does not have that in her so I couldn't be one. As far as the love story goes I think it sounds good. I also agree that we should keep on with what we are doing in our travels and just wait and see what happens. :D

Arry I have put a small post in closing the gap from when Brand and Dorran leave. I thought I should set the scene instead of just leaving it the way it was.

[Valier]

Well I have killed the beast and am now waiting for the men to return. So I hope you guys can post soon!!! This is getting good!:)

[Farael]

Well, up went my post and off I go soon. I would REALLY appreciate some help with my first paragraph though, there is something wrong with it and I can't put my finger on what it may be.

Also, something I forgot to ask on my last post:
Arry, is it OK if two (or more) of us PM each other to prepare a surprise for the rest of the group? and if we do, should we keep you in the loop?

[Arry]

Farael

Yes, you should definitiely be keeping me in the loop. :cool:


and . . . I don't really see anything wrong with the paragraph you were talking about.

-- Arry

[Farael]

Farael

Yes, you should definitiely be keeping me in the loop. :cool:


and . . . I don't really see anything wrong with the paragraph you were talking about.

-- Arry
We are all a bunch of owls, are we not? I was not expecting answers until tomorrow.... but then, I think you are an hour or two behind me.

Now, does your answer mean that we can plot 'secretly' as long as you are informed?

And also, about my paragraph... it just doesn't seem to flow properly, I don't know... it's probably gramatically correct but I don't find it smooth enough.

[Arry]

I need the basic outline of your surprise - you and whoever else is in on the planning can handle the details.

-- Arry

[Tevildo]

Save filled.

I certainly hope Brand is close behind on that trail, or Dorran will be toast....

You just can't trust those cats one bit!

[Maeggaladiel]

Whew! I'm back. Sorry I was offline all weekend; things are getting busy.

Yeah, I realize Fionn is kind of a stereotypical naieve hero-type, and I'm hoping I can kind of flesh his character out a little bit over the course of the game. Not quite sure how I'll do that, but I'm considering it.

[Undómë]

Will it be alright with the Bregowarians if I write a post to get us to late night - so that Nogrod can come on board?

[Farael]

Will it be alright with the Bregowarians if I write a post to get us to late night - so that Nogrod can come on board?

Works for me... I was waiting for you to talk to Raewald, but if you want to get us ahead in time, just make sure you add somewhere that Osmod made a little drawing with a branch again. (Edit: and if you feel like asking what it is, he didn't tell anyone what it was without being rude either... just sort of vague)

[Valier]

I have this whole week off school, so I can post frequently if others are around too! :D

[Nogrod]

Bregoware

Will it be alright with the Bregowarians if I write a post to get us to late night - so that Nogrod can come on board?

As you might quess, that's all right by me... ;)

Just don't forget the night-watch. You need someone there!

Probably you would have to decide, whether to let the fire go on (keeps animals away, but might attract "visitors") or to kill it (no-one sees you, but you'll be cold).

I'll write my "coming in"-post according to your decisions about these ones'. I sure have seen your fire earlier on in the dark, and can find your place following that sighting.

[Undómë]

Nogrod

I've left 'Osmod' at the first watch . . . Rædwald will take the second. So - it's up to you who your character encounters. If it is my character, then please do allow me to write whatever response is needed for him.

The fire will be left going - it's well banked, so it will no doubt die down to glowing coals to be left for the morning.

You can, of course, instruct the group the next night about the possibility that leaving the fire going might not be a good idea.

~ U

[Nogrod]

Nogrod

I've left 'Osmod' at the first watch . . . Rædwald will take the second. So - it's up to you who your character encounters. If it is my character, then please do allow me to write whatever response is needed for him.


Well, if you don't mind, I 've written a quite easy "coming in"-path. It had to be Raedwald at guard, because the time would be nearer to two or three o'clock am. when Sythric arrives. If you - or anyone else would like to have a more dramatic entrance, please let me know. I can do that too. But because I think we should firstly and foremostly go for the relationships and character-building, I think this is the easiest way to go forwards...

Undómë: If you mind myself coming in this easily, would it be allright, if I just quitted my message after the fourth paragraph? You can continue from that one on, and I can delete the last paragraphs after you have reacted, and then go on within the lines you have opened.

But even with my post as it is, you can (and should!) make your own viewpoint to be voiced! It would be good to have your post next to mine, describing the situation from Raedwald's point of view - and probably getting it forwards from the situation I have left us in...

Well, basically it's the question about how big a thing we will want to make this to be... I would be ready to slip in just this easily, have some discussion, and then leaving the rest for tomorrow. But if you think this is bad, I'll be sending you a more careful "approach"-post tomorrow (RL-time).

But anyhow: an experienced soldier would not approach a friendly camp that doesn't know of his arrival with stealth! So it's clear, Sythric will declare himself from a secure distance...

[Arry]

Tevildo

Well . . . the cougar is dead . . . or nearly (if you want to deliver the killing blow).

At any rate - Brand is bleeding (left arm and right side of face have long deep gouges); he's fallen on his back (ooh! visions of Elijah Woods' Frodo) and has hit his head hard enough to be knocked out.

You can either load him up on Lady and take him home or perhaps if you're done in a bit, too - the women can have to come find us . . . any way's fine with me :)

-- Arry

[piosenniel]

Bringing this forward -

A few reminders:

Remove your signature from EVERY post to the RPG thread, including SAVES.

Fill in your SAVES (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=316329&postcount=5) in 48 hours, please.

Do not use smilies or any Post Icons on your Game posts.

Don't put 'Reasons for Editing' on your game posts - if it's important that the other gamers know you've edited something - use the Discussion Thread to tell them about it.

Please remember to use other writers' characters very carefully. Don't speak for them or have them perform actions unless it is okayed by the character's owner.

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

Note:

If you see an 'edited by piosenniel' on your game post - it will be to remove your signature or an icon.

Anything else that needs to be edited will be addressed by PM.

[Valier]

Telvido if you want I can treat Incana, Maybe rouse her (depending on what Naria thinks) and come find you men and drag you back to camp as well....;)

[Farael]

Friends from Bregoware,

How should we go from here? Now we are all aboard, I'd say we get to the rafts in two or three posts tops, another two for crossing the river and if Arry agrees, no more than three until meeting up with the guys from Wulfham? they look to be in pretty bad shape, it would make sense that they'd ask for our help now that they need us, even when they might have rejected us otherwise.

I was thinking something along the lines of posts by Nogrod and Undome (for Raewald) as they take the lead of the group and get us to the rafts. Then maybe Eowyn could tell us how Eostre finds the two newcomers. I'd like to get a chance to post for Osmod (after all, he has been displaced from being the leader of the group) and then maybe Maeggaladiel can find the other group. I just think Fionn is the most likely to 'go to the rescue' of others in need. I have left out Undome's Meghan because I'm undecided on whether she should post for her when Eowyn and I post or maybe after Fionn comes back with the news of a group in distress.

Just for the record, that's a tentative outline... I'm not the game founder nor mod so feel free to criticize it!

[Tevildo]

You may need to extend your current post.....

I think that Vaenosa is the only character who's truly unhurt from the Wulfham brigade. Dorran needs help getting Brand back to camp. Dorran isn't badly hurt but he has twisted his leg and is a bit dazed so can't carry Brand's body on his own.

Vaenosa - You're welcome to get the two of us back in the glade. Feel free to use my character to help you lift and carry the injured Brand back to camp.

[Eowyn Skywalker]

If anyone wants to conspire over PM to come up with some random stuff, I'm open to it. :D

Then maybe Eowyn could tell us how Eostre finds the two newcomers.

Hm? Can someone fill me in as to what was decided about my character whilst I was away for... less than a day... Just explain that a little better, yes?

[Valier]

I posted while you were posting! should I edit it or wait for Naria?

[Tevildo]

Can you go ahead and edit. Use a few sentences to go back to the glade with Dorran and help carry Brand back?

If that won't work, let me know on this thread. I'll have Dorran get no answer near the camp so he will go back on his own to the glade and drag (literally!) Brand back.

Either way is fine (unless someone else has other ideas/suggestions). Let me know.

I am off to bed now but will make any needed adjustments in the morning.

[Arry]

Hm? Can someone fill me in as to what was decided about my character whilst I was away for... less than a day... Just explain that a little better, yes?

Nothing was decided for your character - Farael was simply saying that it would be good to have "Eostre" be able to give her opinion on the 2 newcomers to the Bregoware party -- Rædwald and Sythric; in addition to his character being able to give his opinion. And this was all in reference to his suggestion that the Bregoware party try to catch up to the Wulfham party in say 3 posts.

[Naria]

Tevildo, I have put a save in. I will fill it as soon as I can tomorrow. My character has to wake up soon, so I think this would be a good time.

Valier, could you have you character not quite awake? It would fit in better with what I'm planning. If not I can work with the original as well. :)

[Tevildo]

That sounds fine. I'll wait till you two (Naria and Valier) work out your sitution and then respond with whatever is needed.

[Arry]

Bregoware

Since Undómë and Nogrod have just posted - perhaps Farael, Maeggaladiel, or Eowyn Skywalker should step in with a post about the arrival of either or both newcomers to your group.

Then - who is willing to get the group across the river and started south? And as a point of information for me, will the crossing of the river take most of the next travel day for you? (Exactly how far is your present camp from the ford?)

The reason I'm asking is that I'm going to hold up the Wulfham group for one game day; that is, the characters will spend their second game day in camp, recuperating.

Our third day out from the village we'll be on our way again, most likely at a slower pace . . . and hopefully, if things go well, and your group gets across the river, then Wulfham will be say just a little less than 30 miles ahead of the Bregos.

[Tevildo]

Arry,

I can't imagine why the Wulfham folk might want to spend a day in camp. :D

[Nogrod]

Bregoware
Then - who is willing to get the group across the river and started south? And as a point of information for me, will the crossing of the river take most of the next travel day for you? (Exactly how far is your present camp from the ford?)


We probably need some posts before we go back to sleep for some hours. We should be on our way at early morning, and reach the rafts at noon as discussed earlier. So we should be at westbank of Anduin early afternoon perhaps.

Maybe we will be sent forwards in the morning by the one that has then time (there still are some posting to do before it)?

[Maeggaladiel]

I'd like to get a chance to post for Osmod (after all, he has been displaced from being the leader of the group) and then maybe Maeggaladiel can find the other group. I just think Fionn is the most likely to 'go to the rescue' of others in need. That's fine with me. But I'm still kind of confused as to when we should be running into the Wulfham party. From what I understand, we're waiting until morning, and then we'll cross the river. After that, should I "send" Fionn to scout ahead, where he stumbles across the Wulfhams? And will he run into the entire group, or will Brand and Dorran still be off by themselves by that time?

[Arry]

Please remember that by the time the Bregos cross the river, the incident with the cougar will all be done. (The Wulfham's first day is 3 days game-time before the Brego's first day)

So - by the time the Brego's cross the river, the Wulfham group will be on its way again. And we will be about 45 miles in front (further south down the river) of your group by then.

I doubt that Fionn will be able to scout us out at that point.

Once the Bregos cross the river and begin going south (and I expect this to be done by this coming Sunday), I have something which will slow the Wulfham group down again, without loss of blood :D.

At that point the Bregos can come upon the Wulfhamers.

For right now - please start your reactions to finding yet another person has joined your group. Do you welcome the addition. Did you even like the fact that Raedwald showed up? What do you think about the council sending a babysitter for you - are you a little relieved . . . or peeved that they thought you couldn't come up with solutions on your own?

There should be a discussion of who will lead the group now and how will they lead. How is Osmod feeling about all this - relieved? And what about Eostre and Fionn? Undome hasn't voiced her opinion out loud, but I noted she's given Osmod an appraising look, wondering how he's taking this all in since he had started out as their group's leader.

Can you get all that going on the game thread, please . . .

[Nogrod]

Well.

I trust Arry to do this meeting stuff for us, so let's not care about that! Let's just play our game.

I've ended my post in a way, that Sythric turns away from the others - after a pure monologue - and goes to tend his horse.

Please anyone, ask after him and make him come back to react!

Well, that's not necessary... but feel free to do it!

But as I think, we should have quite a lot of conversations going on tomorrow (game-time), and Sythric's need of sleep is quite obvious.

You are welcome, anyone, to use Sythric at the early morning hours, to just get us on and away. He should seem older than he is, and really dragged in the early morning hours. Just too little sleep in a couple of days...

Also: Osmod and Meghan should feel quite free to open a discussion with Sythric, for they know each other somewhat. Check the post I did quite early on the planning thread: Sythric would be acquainted with both Osmod (his father is a bussiness-company with Sytric's brother, the head-man of Skara), and Meghan is known to Sythric via Raedwald - not the "best friends", but still brothers in arms.

[Valier]

Telvido or Arry: I was wondering how you want me to post my next post? Should I just help Dorran back then retrieve Brand and the horses? If either of you has seen this before I wake up Any ideas? If not I will make something up when I wake up tomorrow.:D

[Naria]

Well it looks like most of us Wulfhamers are on at the same time :)

Arry ,Tevildo and Valier I have filled in my save.

[Tevildo]

Naria -- the post looks good.

Valier - You can bring back Brand on your own (dumping off Dorran in camp :D ) , or use Dorran to help get Brand back to camp together. Either way, you are welcome to use my character for this purpose.

After you post, I'll probably put up something where Dorran makes some kind of friendly gesture to Vaenosa (if that's ok to you).

Also, Valier, you can gather the horses if you want to in your post, but they'll likely come back to camp on their own. I know mine will, and I have a feeling Lady may follow closeby as Brand is brought back into camp.

I think this will work.

[Valier]

Sounds good to me but I can't say Vaenosa will be OVERLY nice to Dorran just yet...she's getting there...or at least more toleratable. I will post in the morning!

Oh and yes please have Dorran attempt his friendly gesture anyways!:D

[Tevildo]

Sounds good to me, too. No, Dorran won't expect to be welcomed with open arms, but we can maybe take the first step of not killing each other. ;)

[Valier]

Oh I also wanted to know who has healing skills? Do any of us?

[Tevildo]

Hmm...

I knew we forgot something. As far as I know, none of the Wulfham group has skills as a healer. My character Dorran who works in the stables has had a lot of experience treating injured horses but nothing with people. If we're desperate, he is probably able to search for herbs and make a 'poultice' for wounds. But if someone else has healing experience with human beings, please pipe up.

I'm not even sure if the other group has a healer. I remember Undómë's carry along character also had experience treating animals but I can't think of anyone else.....

Someone please correct me if I am mistaken.

[Undómë]

Eowyn

Just to clarify - Meghan's brother, Leof, sent Rædwald to look after her. Leof is back at the village with his wife, babies, and mother.

I think I'll have Rædwald hit the sack - so, if Eostre wants to take the watch, that would be great.

[Arry]

About healing skills:

All of us should have some degree of healing skills. Households in such a village as we've come from did most of their own doctoring - so, and I hate to be sexist here, but the girls should have picked up some skills from mothers or aunts or grannies or any female relatives. There should be 'cures' handed down through the generations for fevers, and cuts, poultices, etc.

And any of us who are animal workers - Dorran with his horses and Brand with his sheep flock will have some medical skill. Much of what can be done for an animal can be done for a human, too.

About Brand's wounds - water boiled with a little salt and then allowed to cool to clean them; willowbark tea for pain; and a nice salve of comfrey, marigold, and beeswax (which you might find in Brand's pack - he's brought some remedies along he's used on his flocks - in a small wooden box).

[Tevildo]

Thanks, Arry! So thoughtful of Brand as well to being along the salve.

Valier, Dorran is well enough to bandage his own ankle and can take care of Lady. Do you want to tend to Brand?

[Valier]

Well everyones back at camp. I left it fairly open so do what you guys will and I will join again in a few posts.;) :D

[Nogrod]

I did put forwards a post where Sythric had nightmares and needed some company to get rid of them. So the one of you, who will in the end take the night-guard, should perceive Sythric's approach and go on with that one.

Sorry to have rushed forward in this manner, but I thought this a good chance for building Sythric's character a little & getting him to interact with one of you others before the daybreak. The reason for my haste being the fear, that someone would write us to the morning in the next post...

[Nogrod]

PS. to the earlier one. Whoever takes the guard, feel free to use Sythric f.ex. asking how the day went, or what is the general feeling of the group / the guard him/herself. Those are kind of things Sythric would be asking - and you can go on making a post without waiting for me to do any questioning of that kind...

[Arry]

Wulfham

I've gotten us to the next day - a day spent recuperating in camp.

Incana, if your character is up to it, she could bring in a small deer for us :)

[Maeggaladiel]

Whoever takes the guard, feel free to use Sythric f.ex. asking how the day went, or what is the general feeling of the group / the guard him/herself.

Uh oh. Do we even have a guard at this point? I think we've sent all of our members off to sleep!! :eek:

[Undómë]

I've put up a SAVE - if Eowyn can't post as guard by late tonight, I'll take on Sythric

[Eowyn Skywalker]

I'd post taking the watch, but I'm away over the weekend (Fri-Monday) and therefore might hold things up, because I wouldn't be able to post any conversational reply. I wanted to, just to have something to do, but I won't be able to get any more posts in than one... if that... because we're leaving really early (5:30) and I still have some packing to do. I give permission for Eostre to be modded by Farael if she needs to be moved around.

[Farael]

I give permission for Eostre to be modded by Farael if she needs to be moved around.
Thanks!! I'll take good care of her and try not to get her hurt

Now what do you guys (and gal) from Bregoware say if we get a nice bunch of posts up this weekend? I'd like to get some more interactions going between the characters so that by the time we meet with the Wulfham bunch they 'know' each other. I feel we are lagging behind Wulfham a little.

[Nogrod]

Now what do you guys (and gal) from Bregoware say if we get a nice bunch of posts up this weekend? I'd like to get some more interactions going between the characters so that by the time we meet with the Wulfham bunch they 'know' each other. I feel we are lagging behind Wulfham a little.

Go on Undómë! I totally agree with Farael's concerns... we should really start posting now more frequently.

[Farael]

Go on Undómë! I totally agree with Farael's concerns... we should really start posting now more frequently.

Well, it won't be 'till tomorrow for me, and tomorrow night at that.... sadly I have an Inorganic Chemistry lab-report to hand in tomorrow which I have been working hard... at finding excuses not to do it.

Any chemists around? =P

[Nogrod]

Well, it won't be 'till tomorrow for me, and tomorrow night at that.... sadly I have an Inorganic Chemistry lab-report to hand in tomorrow which I have been working hard... at finding excuses not to do it.

Any chemists around? =P

You just ask your professor, whether mathematics and the real world has anything in common, to boast a linkage by his/her profession and the reality... He/she will be quite bemused after that one! He/she will be in trouble... :p

[Undómë]

SAVE filled :)

[Maeggaladiel]

Now what do you guys (and gal) from Bregoware say if we get a nice bunch of posts up this weekend? I'd like to get some more interactions going between the characters so that by the time we meet with the Wulfham bunch they 'know' each other. I feel we are lagging behind Wulfham a little. I'll try! I'm only online late at night on weekends, but I'll try and write as much as I can during that time.

[Nogrod]

I sent an answer to Meghan. We could have a couple of lines, before the whole group goes forwards, but I 'm not against some immediate action either.

Undómë! React to my post if you have time to do it, and let's see, how it will continue...

Anyhow, we could be getting on the move also. So Farael, or anyone, make us go forwards, if you think so! You may use my character the way you wish: he should be tired anyhow and be reluctant to continue without some sleep - and that surely depends on when you will want to start...

[Nogrod]

We have a nice mood in our nightly discussion! It would be nice to continue, but I sure understand you others wishing to go forwards. Maybe Raedwald should make one post before we go on?

[Undómë]

So, we're awake now . . . and should be getting ready to head toward the ferry . . .

[Nogrod]

Bregoware

Good writing Undómë!

Maybe you others will take us on now? Sythric is free to be used, probably taking a riding position aside Raedwald, if there isn't anything curious about to happen...

And Farael, feel free to have Sythric ask you about your drawing - if Osse had seen S. looking at it, and think that S. should have seen you noticing it: or anyhow, if you want to make something of it.

[Farael]

Hey all,
I'm working on a bit of an elaborate post, it might take a while... it should be up by tomorrow afternoon the latest =) It has a bit of a surprise in it, hope you all enjoy it.

[Valier]

Would either you Arry or Telvido please post next with approaching Incana crying under a tree. Vaenosa would not be too keen on talking to anyone crying at the moment but, as soon as one of you posts that I will get Vaenosa to approach you guys about plans for the day.

[Maeggaladiel]

Really nice work, Nogrod and Undome! I enjoyed reading your conversation. I'll post with Fionn as soon as I see what Farael's got in store for us!

[Farael]

Sorry to hold you up, guys but I'm working on some song lyrics and yet I'm not quite inspired.... of course, writing them in English doesn't make it any easier. Still, so far it's been fun and I've got two stanza done and working on the third... I think I'll make two more (the third and another) and that should be enough, but I can't finish them tonight (it's 3 10 AM already)

If anyone feels like helping me, feel free to PM... I think it'd be best if you have any kind of Instant Messaging, just to speed up the process a little... PM's can take too long. But I can sure use some help =)

My post will be up before tomorrow evening I hope...

[Arry]

Naria

I've had Brand get up and find Incana . . . :)

-- Arry

[Naria]

Arry

Sounds good. I'll do my post sometime today :)

[Naria]

Arry, I've posted Incana's reply to you.

[Farael]

Posted at last!

The song could be better but I didnt want to hold us up for yet another day... and knowing myself, if I indulge into my perfectionism I might never quite feel the song is finished. Still, I hope you enjoy it. If I could play any instruments I'd record the melody I have in mind, but I guess you will have to trust me when I say it is quite a happy song.

Post post post!!! we need to get across the river! (I think that's what Arry said)

[Tevildo]

Farael,

Did you make a mistake? You left an earlier save unfilled and put up a post later on the thread. Don't you want to delete the earlier unfilled save?

[Farael]

Farael,

Did you make a mistake? You left an earlier save unfilled and put up a post later on the thread. Don't you want to delete the earlier unfilled save?

Argh, forgot to do that!!! sorry, I'll fix that up in a sec... thanks Tevildo!!

[Tevildo]

Glad to be of help!

[Nogrod]

Bregoware

I would like Sythric to address this "leader-affair" Osmod has raised, and thence answer it right here. I've saved myself that possibility.

I can take us out and going today, meaning the next 5 hours RL. If someone of you would like to take us on, he/she should reveal the intent quite soon. Otherwise I'll put us on the saddle and to the ferry.

I would really like to see some posts by Maeggaladiel and Eowyn, about your thoughts of these new circumstances. So at least post a save in 5 hours from now (5PM GMT right now) to make your thoughts heard - after that, you will have a chance for them in the ferry etc.

Anyways: I would like us to make the saves as telling some basic outlines of the time or possible impact of it. I think at least Maeggaladiel was ready to post at weekend, but then didn't, because didn't know enough about Farael's intentions.

So: without you sending something, a post or a save for the "morning reaction" before 10PM GMT, I'll send us on our way and onboard the ferry. If you would like to do that (sending us to the ferry), please let me know.

If you have something to put in, please do. I can look at my posting before 10PM (GMT), and adjust it accordingly

I will fill the "leader-affair" -text in anyhow. And for you others to know - if you want to react to it someways in your posts that will be later than a pure "leader"-post of mine (and thence, earlier as our "getting off and riding" posts) - Sythric's point is: he or Raedwald were not sent here to lead a party, but to help one. So he would - and quessing on behalf of Raedwald, like to act more as counsil and help, not as a leader.

Raedwald sure can disagree on Sythrics' interpretation! Feel free to do it.

[Tevildo]

My save is filled, and lunch is served.

[Valier]

Thank you Telvido for Dorran understanding some what Vaenosa's state. I don't know how this will work now with Arry's post towards her being more friendly. I guess we shall see.....:(

Also I would appreciate it, if everyone would read my WHOLE post before posting their own! I stated that Vaenosa spoke with Brand and Incana before leaving to trap the pig. That seems to be left out! Also please read carefully my words! Do not misconstrue her brashness for hatred! I have made it clear she is slightly retched! But she has her reasons! I have been trying to resolve this by posting her nightmares. It is the second day and alot has happened. But if others think it would serve you guys better, I will have Vaenosa leave and make her own way!..... Oh as well Vaenosa did not choose to go on this trip! Her mother sent her! :(

[Arry]

I have edited my post. Hope it fits in better.

[Tevildo]

Post edited to fit in.

[Nogrod]

Farael!

Your PM is full!!!

I've things to sent to you!

[Undómë]

Nogrod

I've put up a post to follow along after Farael's. It picks up on his 'leader' comment.

I was hoping you might move your SAVE after my post, where it might fit in better.

Thanks in advance!

~ U

[Undómë]

Nogrod

Hey --- THANKS! :D

And before the mod sweeps in - don't forget to remove your signature to your game post!!!!! :eek:

[piosenniel]

:D

[Farael]

Alright, given that Nogrod has gone ahead with a bit of an unfavourable reaction (although compared to the original it's what a rose's petal is to a rose's thorn) I just wanted to clarify that I did not mean Osmod to try to be the centre of attention and then a drama queen (or King, rather)

What I had in mind is for him to be 'relieved' and 'happy' that he does not need to take on the responsibility of being the leader anymore... a bit too happy about it perhaps. As I hinted when Osmod went to sleep during the night, he felt he was getting the hang of it and enjoying it somewhat and so, while he is glad for his elder's advice and help, he is also disapointed that they will probably make better leaders than himself.

As you can see by Nogrod's example, I don't mind your characters mis-reading Osmod, but I'd appreciate it if at least one of you thought that he was over-compensating rather than being a 'marthyr'. Just so that The Reader (whoever might want to read our little story) will see both sides of the coin.

[Nogrod]

Fellow Bregowarians!

Well!

There seems to be some action now! Great!

I'll take back my words on taking us to the ferry in a couple of hours time (RL)!

Sythric seems to have misunderstood Osmod's tone of voice, or then just heard only the content of them... and being under some pressure himself (understanding, that leadership might be an issue) to deal with it, he kind of rushes to conclusions, and tries a way to bring the party together...

This looks good! Farael should post now! It could turn out interesting, if Osmod is not ready to take the leadership. And what Raedwald thinks?

We'll see about that ferry, when we have time... :)

[Farael]

I sure hope Undome is around... I'll give her a chance to get a post up, then I'll make a post myself... I'm thinking something along the lines of Osmod offering Sythric and (or) Raewald the letters for the King. Also, Undome, I'd appreciate a bit of a defense by Raewald, but that's up to you. I just don't want Osmod to look THAT bad.

[Maeggaladiel]

All right! I finally got my post up. Sorry it took so long; this weekend got incredibly busy all of a sudden.

[Nogrod]

I just don't want Osmod to look THAT bad.

Looking good as ever!

I don't think you should be that worried, Farael. That was one character's interpretation in a disstressing situation - and remember: most of it was his self-thought: so nothing that would be known by anyone other than himself!!!

:p

We've just had this game rolling!!!

[piosenniel]

Let me reiterate what Nogrod has said in his previous post.

That was one character's interpretation in a disstressing situation - and remember: most of it was his self-thought: so nothing that would be known by anyone other than himself

While every writer has a certain ideas about his own character, other characters can certainly misunderstand actions and words, reinterpreting them in light of their own character's personality. Just as real people do.

As long as you're feeling your character is acting true to himself/herself that's good - what other writers have their own characters feel and react is out of your creative control.

[Farael]

I don't think you should be that worried, Farael. That was one character's interpretation in a disstressing situation - and remember: most of it was his self-thought: so nothing that would be known by anyone other than himself!!!


Of course, but I'm writing for the proverbial reader, even if only Pio reads our story besides ourselves... I don't want my reader to think the way Sythric thought. The Reader has insight into Sythric's thoughts and given that a written story lacks some of the aspects of reality, the way other characters percieve the reality of the story can often be taken by the reader for it to be the 'true' reality of the story. If the four remaining characters happen to think the same way than Sythric did, the reader might be VERY persuaded to think that way as well... and it just doesn't go with the way I want Osmod to be.

Edit: Cross-posted with Pio... I forgot to say, I'm sorry if it sounded as if I was reprimending Nogrod for his post... he sent a draft to me and I asked him to change just one thing (which he did) and go ahead with it... I won't repeat what I said above about The Reader, but again, feel free to let your characters react as they will, yet if you are unsure about it do me a favour and mellow Sythric's comments down a little. If not, I'll have to play with the cards I'm dealed.. that's part of the fun of this kind of RPG's! Unlike others that rely on dice and weird abilities to beat a certain oponent, here we know that the story will end the way we want it to end (whichever that may be) and the 'fun' is writing along with others.

[Undómë]

Whoa! Well, there's a problem here for me - I'm not writing for any readers other than ourselves. I'm just enjoying developing 'Meghan' and interacting with each of your characters as I think SHE might do - and without regard to how anyone else might interpret her thoughts, words, or actions.

I'm just playing a game here . . .

If the reader likes it, likes my character fine -- but perhaps they might see her as a complete twit. And I don't really care. From my point of view, I've written well, she's interacted with others as I feel she ought to, and that's all that matters to me in an RPG

[Farael]

Well, I'm not writing a novel, but I do mean to do something that will be enjoyable for whoever happens to stumble upon it! And I don't worry about the reader not liking Osmod, I worry about the reading getting the wrong idea about him! Basically, I don't want to RP a whiny, moody guy... yet I want my character to be consistant as well, for the reader's sake. Yet enough of that, at least from my part... if anyone wants to talk about it, feel free to start sending out PM's!! Let's get back to writing a game.

Edit: I'd also like to remind/inform those I have not told before, that I'm basically here to learn how to write good stories in English. I was a bit of a writer back in Argentina but now I find that my Spanish is not as good as it used to be and my English is getting better... given that odds are I will stay in North America, I rather learn to write in English than to remember how to do it in Spanish. That's perhaps why I am more concerned about overall quality of the RPG (at least my part on it, the rest of you can do as you please).

[Nogrod]

Fellow Bregowarians!

As I'm going to sleep soon, and won't be with you before 6-7 PM (GMT), I'll just suggest a few things.

Farael: Write Osmod's post to address either all (all would hear) or then just Sythric and Raedwald (they are near each other)

Undómë: Write Raedwald's answer to Sythric / Osmod / both.

Eonwe SW: Write about Eostre's feelings about this all...

Maeggaladiel: Feel free to come more involved: you write good posts, keeping up the tension...

I'll be able to getr Sythrics comments in less than 24-hours, and if everything is almost settled by then, we should really be getting forwards. I quess Arry is getting frustrated with us... :)

Anyhow: I think we have just started the "real game"! And it's fun!

I agree with Undómë about this basic predicament of this being a game and fun in the first place, not so much a serious novel (with my english I would never dream of writing one in english!)

[Maeggaladiel]

Maeggaladiel: Feel free to come more involved: you write good posts, keeping up the tension... Thank you! I'd love to get more involved, and I hope to do so. My main problem seems to be that I'm rarely online at the same time as the rest of Bregoware. I'm alone and I post once, and then by the time I'm online the following day, either too few people have posted or everyone has posted three times in my absence and are wondering whether Fionn has died in the night! :D

But perhaps now things will even out a bit more. I mean, look! I'm online at the same time as THREE Bregowarians! I'm not a lone ghost floating across the plains today.

[Farael]

Thank you! I'd love to get more involved, and I hope to do so. My main problem seems to be that I'm rarely online at the same time as the rest of Bregoware. I'm alone and I post once, and then by the time I'm online the following day, either too few people have posted or everyone has posted three times in my absence and are wondering whether Fionn has died in the night! :D

But perhaps now things will even out a bit more. I mean, look! I'm online at the same time as THREE Bregowarians! I'm not a lone ghost floating across the plains today.

I second Nogrod... great post! with regards to the problem of being here at different times, maybe we should start plotting ahead a little... just general ideas, but so that we all know more or less what the other wants to do.

[Valier]

Ok I am sorry if I came off a little rude. I just wanted to let you wulfhamers know that yes Vaenosa has problems, but I have been trying to drop small hints that she actually is beginning to care for the others. The boar was supposed to be a sign of her "affection". She lived alone with her mother for a long time and does not quite know how to interact with others well. I will try to make her more friendly as the days go by, but remember she will always be brash. Her comments towards the men are more humorous then hatred now. I thought I made that clear, but in the future I will try to make it more clear.


I understand it is hard for your characters to "get" Vaenosa by her actions and words, but the reactions I was hoping for would be more of concern for her and not straight out hatred.ie: Hoping that Vaenosa would die.
Please read her words for what they are and not what you think she is saying.
For a really good example of what I am talking about, take the men cooking. Vaenosa and I would assume Incana have both been raised cooking. The men's gungho attitude towards cooking and the like would seems strange to Vaenosa. Which in turn would affect her opinion of them. I understand this but it is a little strange that the men would get the woman to hunt while the men cook.

I added the Boar scene just for the purpose of seeming more friendly, and since I was the only one not injured I thought it plausible that she would try to find more food. I really don't know how to hunt! I have just been trying to fill in time. Vaenosa would rather cook and tend to the horses and such then risk her neck hunting. But someone had to do it. Remember I am a girl in RL I don't really know too much about the hunting and fighting. I thought that since everyone was injured this would be the logical thing to do.

Ok well after that rant I will try to vocalize her feelings and intentions more but, not so much that it changes her as a whole.Please feel free men to hunt and not just cook.

THE END:D :)

[Valier]

I've pm'd with Naria. She's come up with the idea of her knowing of me from both of our mother's doing business together. I'm allowing her to tell about Vaenosa's past because it makes more sense for her to do it. It would be out of character for Vaenosa to out right tell about it. I hope this opens up the mystery of Vaenosa for all of you, so we can slowly become friends.:)

[Eowyn Skywalker]

Hi. I'm back. I might not get a post up until tommorow, though... I'm sorry... stretched for time now that I'm back from the weekend... trying to catch up on everything...

[Maeggaladiel]

I second Nogrod... great post! with regards to the problem of being here at different times, maybe we should start plotting ahead a little... just general ideas, but so that we all know more or less what the other wants to do. Sounds like a fine idea to me. Does anyone have anything in particular in mind? I'm open to just about anything.

[Farael]

Sounds like a fine idea to me. Does anyone have anything in particular in mind? I'm open to just about anything.

I don't really have anything in mind just yet... maybe more talk between the characters? maybe Fionn joining Osmod and Sythric and Eostre joining Meghan and Raewald?

And also, I think we should start putting up Saves for Eowyn... so that she does not need to catch up to a whole lot all of a sudden.... it might make life easyer for her if she manages to find a way to add Eostre's part without changing (much) what has already been written