Abduction in Edoras Discussion Thread

[Taralphiel]

Here is my attempt to salvage the post I've been struggling with. I have every idea that some changes wil be needed, so please point them out. Hopefully I got the direction/timing/wording in some sort of neat order.

Also, Ang, please let me know if I should make changes to Gurth's parts.

If people wish to have Sorn spotted and chased after, I have no problems. I suppose I'd like him to have some sort of lead so his story can play out. But I'm more than willing to think up some more ideas.

- Tara

[littlemanpoet]

I think it's great! Good writing! Your struggles seem to have paid off. :)

[Taralphiel]

You have my thanks for a good idea, Elempi. It got the writing block un-stuck, so to speak :)

- Tara

[littlemanpoet]

Much welcomes! :) I'm glad it helped.

[Taralphiel]

Great posts! Wow, this is getting so exciting! :D :D

I figure if I balance my lunch hour well tomorrow I can hand-write some notes for my next post :) Taking into account the planning below, I'll be able to flesh something out in the next couple of days...

I'll have Sorn hear the shouts of Eodwine, take off up the hill and confront Scyld.

This is an idea I'd like to throw out. As I'm taking it that the persuing group will not take very long to gather and run after Sorn and Gurth, perhaps Gurth turns an decides to fight them?

Perhaps he comes across a dilemma when he hears Lin in distress, and turns on Sorn whilst he's distracted?

Please let me know what you think

- Tara

[littlemanpoet]

I think it would be great to have the chaotic Gurth switch loyalties right at the crucial time, and of course AFTER he starts fighting against Eodwine's Erolingas.

So, who kills Sorn? Gurth? How close does Scyld come to catching it? Wounded? How does Linduial feel about Scyld protecting her from Sorn? Good stuff! :D

[Firefoot]

So, who kills Sorn? Scyld had better get at least a hit in. ;)

[Taralphiel]

I think it would be great to have the chaotic Gurth switch loyalties right at the crucial time, and of course AFTER he starts fighting against Eodwine's Erolingas.

So, who kills Sorn? Gurth?

This is what I was hoping for. Gurth stems the tide, so to speak, but turns on Sorn at the last moment, when it becomes apparent that he is going to kill Linduial.

It was the intention of Anguirel and myself that an encounter between Gurth and Sorn be mutually fatal. If someone wants to lend a hand, please let me know how ;)

Meanwhile, has anyone heard from Ang?

- Tara

[Firefoot]

If someone wants to lend a hand, please let me know how *Points to post above...

[Anguirel]

I'm around, everyone, and v. sorry for my churlish lateness. Excellent post Tara, and your plan sounds good - Gurth is ready to play King Kong...

[Taralphiel]

Excellent! Looks like I can put something together.

Ang: I'll put up a post, but I may have to take some liberties with where Gurth is standing. Please let me know if you'd like something changed.

- Tara

[littlemanpoet]

As I see it:

Group One (Scyld and Linduial) has been located for the climax of the story. I hope to post for Eodwine soon, about the chase, but it looks like Group Two (Sorn and Gurth) needs to get some attention before Group Three (Eodwine & company) catch up .... or arrive moments after the double death...... And Group Four (Garstan and Herb Maester :p ) must wait.

So that means I'm waiting for Tara or Anguirel before I post.

[Taralphiel]

Sorn's made some way here.

Fire, let me know if you want to step in. I've left it open for you.

- Tara

[littlemanpoet]

Tara, you might want to add something to the end of your post about hearing the roar and rumble of many horses coming from the direction of Sorn's lands. Nice post! :)

[Firefoot]

I'm going to wait for a response from Tara or Ang before I reply to Jenny's post.

[Taralphiel]

At this stage I don't want to tread on Ang's toes by telling how the dagger will end up. I can only assume he isn't seriously wounded by it, as he needs to be able to continue fighting.

With that said, there also is not much I can post about without that details.

Does anyone else have any suggestions?

EDIT:

Brilliant post, Ang! I'm working on mine right now :)

- Tara

[Firefoot]

Just as an FYI: I'm going to be pretty busy this weekend and am not sure if I'll be able to post. (And this is mostly to Jenny:) If you want to go ahead and continue, Scyld's response to her thrown rock would probably be a brief nod. If the rock that Sorn is coming around is supposed to be Lin's hiding place, Scyld is going to be gesturing for her to make a run for it/get out of there and will himself be trying to get into a better position to fight Sorn.

Oh, and a late happy birthday, Tara. :)

[littlemanpoet]

What needs to happen next?

[Firefoot]

I put up a save which I'll fill tomorrow afternoon sometime.

I'd say that Gurth will need to join the fight here soon, and I think the plan was for Sorn and Gurth to be dead before Eodwine & co. arrive (?). And once the battle is over, Scyld's going to hit it on out of there. He might be turning good, but he still can't trust Linduial enough to go back with her, although he'll leave her to go back/be found.

Does this sound about right?

[JennyHallu]

Sounds good to me...

LMP, will Eodwine be making sure that planting and whatnot are taken care of at Sorn's estate? We wouldn't want the farmwork to get behind and waste the good land.

WARNING: I probably won't post in game until after Christmas. A lot going on the next few days, and we'll be heading to Indiana Thursday night. Yes, we're going to drive all night after working all day. So what? It'll surprise mummy.

[littlemanpoet]

LMP, will Eodwine be making sure that planting and whatnot are taken care of at Sorn's estate? We wouldn't want the farmwork to get behind and waste the good land.Only if someone in-story recommends it. Eodwine's character is such that he wouldn't think of it himself, because though Eorl, he still hasn't gotten his mind around the whole idea that these c. 2500 square miles called the Middle Emnet are his business. :rolleyes:

[JennyHallu]

Well I haven't got a character around who would recommend it (Lin's a little preoccupied...) either unless Marenil shows up for some reason. Poop.

[littlemanpoet]

I suppose Garstan might be able to think through his pain, or Thornden might suggest it. If it's not within their characters' purview, I guess it presents Marenil with a bigger challenge later...... ???

[Firefoot]

Woo, Indiana. :D

Save is filled. Tara, feel free to wound Scyld a little bit - and I'm sure he'd welcome the opportunity to do the same. ;)

[JennyHallu]

I've done some research...planting needs to be done in March. Farming is a very time-sensitive thing. Eodwine was a farmer, wasn't he? I'm surprised he wouldn't think about it, whether or not he's used to it being his business. Fields left fallow unnecessarily are a wasteful wasteful thing.

[littlemanpoet]

So as this rpg is taking place in April-May, the planting was done by Sorn if at all. I'll give you that Eodwine would notice if fields are fallow that should be planted. He still wouldn't remember that it's his business; he'd see it as Sorn's relatives' business instead.

[JennyHallu]

'k, we're good then.

This is me saying goodbye until next Wednesday...see my signature if you're curious where I am! ;)

God bless you all, and Merry Christmas!

[Taralphiel]

Sorry I didn't see your post sooner, Fire

I hope my response works. I know Sorn's taunts are more than likely inaccurate, but Scyld can feel free to try and tell him how wrong he is ;) I'm hoping Gurth will cut in here and settle Sorn's part soon.

As I'm supposing I won't get in another post beforehand, I'd like to wish everyone in Abduction a very Merry Christmas! Enjoy!

- Tara :D

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Maybe a little flawed, but I needed to be finished. If I've forgotten anything crucial, my apologies.

[littlemanpoet]

I'd like to post for Eodwine and the troops, but don't have a really clear idea of how close they are to the fight between Scyld and Sorn.

The way I have this pictured in my head is that there is a rough, hilly area just beyond Sorn's lands, up and into which Scyld and Linduial have led Sorn and Gurth. The first rise is where Sorn and Gurth were when Eodwine spotted them, at which time Scyld and Linduial may be supposed to have been already through the next small valley and climbing the next rough slope. My thinking is that by the time Eodwine and his closest fellows reach the crest of the first hill, Sorn will have just started attacking Scyld; and from the crest of the hill Eodwine and others could spot this and urge their horses on through the small valley and up the next hill, rather quickly.

Is that reasonably accurate?

I think that the deaths of Gurth and Sorn should occur just before Eodwine's force gets there, right?

Last, is this land too rough for horses? If it is, that greatly aids the timing issue by slowing down Eodwine and company so that the fights to the death, including Linduial's part in them, may ensue as far as the writers wish to take them.

[Folwren]

Last, is this land too rough for horses? If it is, that greatly aids the timing issue by slowing down Eodwine and company so that the fights to the death, including Linduial's part in them, may ensue as far as the writers wish to take them.

I would say that the land is not too rough for them. It may be too rough for them to go galloping over it, but they could probably take it at maybe a trot. Or, if you want them to go slower, you can make it so.

I can't answer any of your other questions. :)

-- Foley

[Firefoot]

Mostly I'd agree with Folwren, though I think the way Jenny and I were describing it, it was rather rocky, sometimes climbing over rocks (not huge ones, with Lin's wrist)... so perhaps the precise path that Lin and Scyld took wouldn't work for horses, but I'm sure they could manage.

I'd say that the rest of your post is fairly accurate.

I'll try to have a post up for Scyld tomorrow.

Does anyone know where Ang is? Last I checked, he hasn't been around since before Christmas sometime...

[littlemanpoet]

Okay, thanks. I thought it was kind of rocky with bushes, tussocks and scrub-trees instead of big ones like maples. If it's rocky, maybe it's a little sandy too? Or at least not so black and thick as elsewhere on the Eorling plain?

Anyway, I'll wait until after Firefoot posts before I do.

[Anguirel]

I'm about, though a hint about when Gurth should strike would be much appreciated...

[Firefoot]

Anytime now, Ang. I'll have my save filled sometime this afternoon, but not much significant will happen... so whenever you're ready. :)

[Taralphiel]

Wonderful post, Fire! You know Sorn too well! *happy*

Ang, do you think Gurth's first reaction would be to swing at Sorn? My impression is he aids Sorn until he makes the mistake of perhaps lunging at Lin, making it obvious to Gurth what he has to do.

Does this seem agreeable to everyone?

I don't really have much to post until that's decided. If that's the way to go, I'll make another post between Gurth turning, then after.

Gotta have a dramatic death post with a last stab at evil monologues. My last fix. ;)

- Tara

[littlemanpoet]

Ang, do you think Gurth's first reaction would be to swing at Sorn? My impression is he aids Sorn until he makes the mistake of perhaps lunging at Lin, making it obvious to Gurth what he has to do.My two cents: that seems just the right way to write this! :)

[Firefoot]

Cobwebs are starting to grow in this thread...

[Taralphiel]

Hi all,

I am trying to sneak on my work connection for a few moments to catch up. For RP purposes my connection has been gone and will be so until about Wednesday.

I can write SOME stuff, but it wil be limited. Let's see if I can do something worthwhile and capitolise on all my free net-less time ;)

- Tara

[littlemanpoet]

This has been a hectic month for me, as point man for my church's men's retreat. It took priority. Now that it is finished, I can devote more time to this again.

So is it time for Eodwine and his 'cavalry' to arrive? I don't think so. There needs to be a fight to the mutual death between Sorn and Gurth, does there not?

[littlemanpoet]

I have a thought to put this to rest by means of a narrative after this fashion:

Here the narrative stops. The author of this tale did not finish it for reasons unbeknownst to this loremaster. Related accounts seem to provide knowledge where this story lacks an ending, and it runs more or less thusly:

Linduial suddenly rose and flourished her blade. Sorn saw her and paused in his fight with Scyld, his expression ravenous. He raised his blade to throw it at her. Scyld called for her to duck. But at that very moment, the giant Gurth came up the rise and Scyld set himself to fight two opponents at once. Sorn reached back to begin his throw as Linduial stood transfixed. Scyld yelled her name again. Sorn began his throw. Gurth reached out and caught his arm at the last moment, and Sorn's blade was sent flying off uselessly, and fell to the ground. Sorn screamed at Gurth and charged him. Gurth raised his weapon and clove Sorn from his neck down, even as Sorn's blade found Gurth's oversized heart beneath his ribs. Sorn dropped and never rose again. Gurth sank heavily to his knees, then tipped like a felled tree, and slid down the rough hillside. Linduial and Scyld looked away. Only then did the charging brigade come upon them. Scyld was arrested despite Linduial's protests. By the end of the day, Linduial was safe in Edoras and in the keeping of Queen Lothiriel.

Scholars differ as to the accuracy of this version, but it seems to best fit the story preceding it, and appears to have been written in a hand similar to that which penned the longer version.

An alternative to the above would be to copy this into your own next post and edit it to your liking, discussing as we go, until all writers are satisfied that the necessary points are included, and then story done.

Well, what do you think?

[Firefoot]

I think that something like that is what will need to happen.

I did talk to Jenny a few days ago over IM; she said that she has been really busy and off and on sick, and I didn't get any kind of indication of when she was planning on coming back.

So.

That leaves me in something of a pickle, because much of Scyld's development has hinged on Linduial and I had initially intended that his coming to the Mead Hall would depend somehow on her. That leaves two dilemmas: why would he come to the Hall, and why would he then continue to stay? As for his coming, I think that if he had been arrested he would have, upon release, fled the city to make a new life elsewhere.

So I think that I'm going to go with my original intention that Scyld not be arrested but make his narrow escape between Sorn's and Gurth's deaths and the arrival of the rescuers. (The point ultimately being that he still doesn't trust Linduial - and this is a post that I had really wanted to write... not sure how that would fit in, though... perhaps if I did it as flashback when I brought Scyld to the Mead Hall? That might work best.) That way, when he would come to the Mead Hall, his face would be anonymous, and he could easily assume a new name.

As an asside thought, say Scyld was arrested, what might the punishment be? Or was Linduial right that he would be granted pardon if she pleaded for him? Because I don't want that... it's way too easy. ;)

Also, I believe Jenny made reference in her last post for Linduial in the Mead Hall that Scyld was still a fugitive from the law. (That's the other reason I really want her to come back... I want to know really badly what she has up her sleeve for Linduial.)

The staying is easier. Tara and I have already talked about a possible link between Scyld and Lys, and I could easily use that.

Make sense?

[littlemanpoet]

Firefoot, perhaps what needs to happen is for you to take the raw material of the post I provided above, and write it from Scyld's point of view, including his escape in the nick of time.

Jenny and I had discussed possibilities for Linduial, and what we had worked out was that Linduial was going to come back to Rohan as an ambassador of Dol Amroth and its surrounding territories over which it rules. This would put her in an interesting position vis a vi Eodwine and other Eorls, as well as vis a vi the King and Queen of Rohan. I'm not sure what Tolkien had in place in terms of ambassadorial immunities and whatnot. They would probably not be the kind we have in RL; however, her status as princess and ambassador would give Linduial a unique position in Eorling society and politics.

If you use my raw material, changing it to fit what works best for Scyld's story, maybe you can work in the skeleton of what kind of relationshp Scyld might have with such an ambassador?

[Folwren]

Firefoot,

I do hope you do something good with Skyld. He's an excellent character.

And it would be amazingly interesting if he did come to the Mead Hall and was somehow connected to Lys. That would be crazy and fun. Perhaps the first stir of Lys' memory would return to him! What sort of connection do you suppose it would be? I'd more than excited. Thornden's very closely attached to Lys already and if Skyld came in and somehow upset the boy, I'd be able to have fun with Thornden......

Elempi,

Your idea is good. We would write that last bit much more detailed, would we not? Somehow?

-- Folwren

[Taralphiel]

I'm back. The technical difficulties became much worse before they got better. Hopefully it's all fixed now. :)

I'm making a post a priority. I'm amining for tomorrow night.

- Tara :)

[Anguirel]

I'm still around, and ready to post Gurth's part in proceedings - I too had been waiting for Jenny. Don't leave me out...!

[littlemanpoet]

Excellent! Feel free to use the raw material in my post above, and feel free to NOT use it, since you're both willing to write a post.

I think, for the sake of keeping things moving, we can safely assume that Linduial was going to risk her neck in something resembling my guess in that same post. So unless and until we hear otherwise from Jenny, let's just make that assumption as the basis for our own posts; sound reasonable?

This is, by the way, a suggestion. This is not my rpg, it's Jenny's, and I'll help in whatever way I can, including shutting up and leaving well enough alone.

[Firefoot]

*Waits impatiently*

Don't mind me... ;)

[Taralphiel]

*gets mind around what's been discussed*

I see no harm in working with what you've mentioned, Elempi. At one end it could mean tweaking with the post, at the other removing it entirely. I'm not tooconcerned about either result.

I'm refining my draft, but I want Anguirel and Fire to get a chance to put things in too. I won't write too much.

It'll be labelled as a proposed post. I really don't want to step on people's toes here. This is Jenny's RPG, like you've said.

- Tara :)

EDIT: There you go, a rough try at it. I'm thinking I need to tone down the dramatics. But, it IS Sorn. He's all about dramatics. That's why I like writing for him. ;)

Pick it to pieces, everyone. Jenny , have I got it right?

[littlemanpoet]

Nice post, Tara!

I suggest that we can assume that our posts are good enough to be "not proposed". If someone has a complaint, he or she can lodge it here. Right?

[Firefoot]

If I have some time this weekend, I may work up a brief post for Scyld, though I really don't have much to say for him. Ang, I think this would be a good time for Gurth to come to the rescue...

[littlemanpoet]

I shall be gone for approximately 41 days. I'm hopeful that something will happen with this rpg in the meantime. Maybe it could get finished. Eodwine and his troops could easily be handled in 3rd person from here on, I believe. Take care!

[Anguirel]

Added a plot twist I thought of just now...hope you all like the spot of poetic justice...

[Taralphiel]

Your post is amazing, Aguirel! Perfect touch, I love it! I wish my reputation wasn't telling me to be more sociable and spread the love around more. ;)

I'm tempted to stall a little longer and wait for Jenny, but I do think this is what she was happy with. I'll write a post soon, and I hope I can lead on that thread of yours and do it some justice, Ang.

- Tara :)

[littlemanpoet]

Any intentions of continuing or finishing this rpg soon?

[Firefoot]

I have a final post written for Scyld. I had thought it would be better to wait for Sorn and Gurth to actually die first, and then I lost track of time... Should I wait? Or go ahead and post it?

[Taralphiel]

*stops dragging her feet* n.n;;;

You'll have my final post soon. I'm almost reluctant to see Sorn off, especially with Jenny not around, but I suppose it can't be avoided.

Please forgive me if I take a while crafting it. I'm not very good at final posts! *giggle*

- Tara

[Anguirel]

And your final post kills off Gurth, so I s'pose my final post is already done...

I'm quite looking forward to seeing the giant die!

[Firefoot]

So here's what I'm thinking...

I'll put up my last post for Scyld, so that the good guys can get on with finding Linduial and we can work this into some kind of conclusion. Whatever needs to happen with Gurth and Sorn can be inserted when those posts are done.

Also - I wouldn't mind feedback on this post, as far as Linduial goes, if something I have her say/do seems out of character.

[Taralphiel]

Good work, Fire! It looks good to me. :)

My last post for Sorn is coming along, but I'm not completely satisfied with it. I also have to check some things with others in PMs. But it will be up soon.

- Tara

[littlemanpoet]

Three cheers for Scyld! Three cheers for Firefoot! Quite the moving narrative.

I don't know what the rest of you think, but the thing feels finished to me. Sure, we could have Linduial rescued and have some kind of wrap-up scene, but do we really need it?

And when's Scyld coming to EMH? :D

[Taralphiel]

Is my last post still required?

I have it here, though I'm worried it might make everything feel a little 'jerky' after Fire's post.

Please let me know.

- Tara

[Firefoot]

It's about Sorn's death, right? Sorn's dead in my last post, so just have it inserted before mine... if you post it here, I could even put it before my post.

I think that it should definitely be put in, though - right now the flow is a little off, they were fighting and all of a sudden they're dead without any death scene. ;)

[Taralphiel]

Allright the Fire, here's my post. Like I've mentioned before, it's not perfect. If you can tell me what's missing, or if there's something I need to take out, you'll be rewarded with cuddles. :P

The second sentence also irritates me. I don't know how to re-word it.

Can you tell there's a writer's block gaining strength here? :P

~*~

The dagger sank in and tore. The sickening smell and warmth of Helm’s fluid on his hands was all lost on Sorn. It was just the act, and the simple instinct. Helm bellowed, and the sound rose and rent the hillside as Sorn withdrew and plunged the blade again and again.

Scyld and the girl disappeared, as all the things that had once mattered were sifted in with the dirt under his feet. Helm’s blood mixed with his. He could feel the pain growing on his senses; the great weight of the blow to his skull. Sorn faltered, his arms going slack at his sides. He fell, a great weight to the dirt.

He mingled with the dust. He mingled with everything that did not matter. Sorn wished to laugh, at the great ruin he had made of himself, but his throat was too tight. His body lost all composure, and he could not lift his head from the dirt.

He heard shouting, and panicked cries all around him. He heard running, and the steady ringing thump of hooves growing louder. He saw Helm stagger, and begin to fall.

That was the last thing Sorn of Rohan saw. All was lost to him. All that was left of him is was crime, and the smear of shame that ended his house and line.

~*~*~

Have at it! I do agree i'd suit being before your post, which leads to an apology for not conquering it sooner. ;)

- Tara

[littlemanpoet]

Yeah, I agree that Tara's post should be inserted in and before Firefoot's. And on second thought, it would be in the spirit of Tolkien to wrap things up and have a "well I'm back" moment.

[Firefoot]

So is that it, then?

[littlemanpoet]

Can you think of anything else it needs?

[piosenniel]

So....if this is all done, I'll move it to Elvenhome. Yes?

[Celuien]

I've nothing more to add... Garstan's story is completed in the MH thread. :)

[littlemanpoet]

I'd say this is wrapped up.

[piosenniel]

~*~ To Elvenhome ~*~