ATM II Planning/Discussion Thread

[Celuien]

If anyone is wondering about my intentions for RoboSkitt, it's pretty much nothing more than to see it destroyed in various and spectacular ways. :rolleyes:
Sounds like fun.

I'll fill my save soon, but I need to find something out from LMP first. His last post intrigues me, and I sort of need to know something about it before I write my post...

EDIT: On second thought, since LMP is on vacation, it might take him a while to get back to me. I'll hold off on that in case he doesn't have to chance to reply soon, so save filled anyway. :)

[Lhunardawen]

Save filled. Lhuna, if you don't want to fall for Dracomir's ruse feel free to avoid it, but I think it might be quite fun rendering you Inaudible for a bit...
Ouch. :D Technically it isn't like Maika to accept something like that, especially from someone she doesn't particularly like, but what did they say about discontinuity? Dracomir would better be prepared, though, if ever. We'll see.

Speaking of Dracomir...I've just finished book one (gasp!) and I hate him. Draco, I mean. :p

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I've just posted an interesting little twist on the bridge of Kazad dum. A little roll reversal, I think it works. A chance for Roggie of Morgoth to show his quality. I leave it to you to decide what happens to him against the evil Santar.

[JennyHallu]

I've had my first Downs Dream-or meta-Dream. Basically I dreamt that I dreamt a dream with weird Celtic imagery involving the Triple Goddess in the form of Diamond, Fea and Jenny, woke up (still in the dream) and decided to submit it to the Barrow-Downs, but then got distracted and swanned about in London for a bit. Then I really woke up.


Well? Fea? Diamond? Can we pretty please form the Triple Goddess? Somewhere in this?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

It could be interesting. Let's save it for later. I've got an idea about it that's better to be done once certain other things occur.

Form, B88, TGWBS... are you guys around somewhere...?

[the guy who be short]

Exams finished last Monday, but I've been back at college and learning lots (paradoxically, I'm doing more subjects now than before exams). But at least the exams are over. I'll be with you soon.

[Formendacil]

It could be interesting. Let's save it for later. I've got an idea about it that's better to be done once certain other things occur.

Form, B88, TGWBS... are you guys around somewhere...?

Yes.... but.... I haven't a clue what I'm doing.

And Mt. Zoom driving away definitely didn't help.

[Lhunardawen]

There you go, Anguirel. Poor Maika.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Save filled. Look out Skittles! :p

Interesting way of dealing with Santar, Roggie, I must say. Didn't see that coming.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Hookbill, you've crossed with LMP. He's got Skittles being converted to... something... and you've got her being fallen upon and whatnot. For all that teasing Skittles is dangerously fun, I'm pretty sure that unless Smilog and Co. fell on RoboSkit whilst Anakron was elsewhere with LegitiSkit, an edit needs to be made to correct the inconsistency.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Ah. I'll see what I can do...


Wait, I'm confused. I was sure that Skittles was still in the laboratory waiting for the robot to leave and go and do mischief, but it got stuck with the door. I assumed that was when Anakron and Panakeia entered with their announcements. Both this (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=475240&postcount=105) and this (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=475262&postcount=109 ) post lead me to belive this.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Hold on... maybe I misread...

Edit: Gotcha. Nevermind. Ignore me. :rolleyes: ;)

I definately missed something in there. Blame the weather: going from 50 to 90 degrees in two days makes for somewhat or a rough transition.

[Diamond18]

Save filled.

Pertinent info for the easily confused :p:

Smilog, Tollin and Igör have left the labratory, leaving Anakron, Panakeia, Skittles and RoboSkitt behind. ;)

[littlemanpoet]

I don't have enough creative juices to make a whole post to follow on Diamond's latest and greatest, but if anybody wants to (coughCeluiencough) do so, Anakron will drawl, "Yes, I believe! Absolutely! See ya! Bye!" :D

[Celuien]

"Yes, I believe! Absolutely! See ya! Bye!" :D
In RoboSkitt? Panakeia will be highly disappointed. :p :D

[Celuien]

I hope someone wants to rescue Panakeia. Preferably Anakron. ;)

If not, she can escape by tearing her dress. That's almost worse than being hit with Skittles' switchblade.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Hookbill, I'd like to preface this by saying that I love your character and I love your writing. Still, I have a bit of an issue that needs addressing.

Some of you know, some of you don't: I'm in control of Heren's Roggie account. He was slated to write Roggie himself, but he went and became a father on me ;) (and what a cute baby, I might add, and a beautiful wife, so no wonder he has less time now... :)) and so offered me the loan for the duration of the game.

That said, I have a very set character description of Roggie being misunderstood, not cruel or self-absorbed. He was a slave to Morgoth back in the day and as soon as he could escape, he did. He has a reputation, but it's unwarranted. Roggie of Morgoth is an actor and only accepted this country into his control because Mardil convinced him that any other would take it for self-advancement and the people would suffer.

Roggie has a temper, but he would not kick a dwarf and laugh, nor would he punch him in the face.

He will threaten anybody that gets near him, but Roggie's bark is far more potent than his bite, if you follow. He's a huge pacifist, regardless of his decision to make Skittles his chief war advisor.

Please, keep up the fantastic writing. It consistently makes me laugh aloud. But try not to take too many liberties with my character or soon I'll not recognize him. The whole reason I'm so fond of him is that Roggie is not a stereotypical Balrog.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Well, I had a bit of a plan going on. It was a joke that everyone started hitting Smilog, and it would be explained later that his voice sometimes reaches the exact and odd pitch that inadvertently makes anyone who hears it feel violent. Tollin would slowly have resorted to giving Smilog a good kick every now and again, not only for this reason but also because he is becomes extremely arrogant and treats Tollin like a servant at times. Nothing against Roggie, I wanted this to be a joke reserved for later, but I can reveal it now if it will make you feel better.
I know Roggie isn’t supposed to be pure evil or anything, I just like to think that my character is that annoying at times.
I can change things if it'll make you feel better.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I'm quite okay with the joke; it just seemed as though Roggie were acting so out of character as to become somebody else completely. Unless, of course, there's a RoboRog running around that I don't know about, which is entirely possible. :)

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Unless, of course, there's a RoboRog running around that I don't know about, which is entirely possible. :)

In a world of driving mountains, Sauron Santar, Skittles and such, ANYTHING is possible.

I have, now, made a slight change to my post:

The Minotaur went first, followed by Roggie, who knocked Smilog to the ground, almost not knowing why he did it

Hope that is better. :)

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Much better, thanks. :)

[Diamond18]

I hope someone wants to rescue Panakeia. Preferably Anakron. ;)

I've got an idea, so leave it to me. :D

[Celuien]

I've got an idea, so leave it to me.
Uh-oh. I can't wait. :D

[Diamond18]

Save filled. :)

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Funny stuff, Diamond! :D
I liked the cork floor! But wouldn't that expand or something when the water came though the ceiling? Or, we could just ignore this and count them as separate jokes.
Jokes, as we all know, follow their own rules. :p

[Diamond18]

Probably best to keep the jokes separate, since the corkboard floor was random spur of the moment insertion, with disregard for all things resembling logic... :D

[Lhunardawen]

I don't know why, but I find myself chuckling everytime I read the words Abby Normal. :D

[littlemanpoet]

I'm going to take a few days' break from ATM2 whilst Anakron is off konveying new fanatical religions amongst Trolls (Allah-matar), helping Lugnut develop his (Womb of the Ring with the prophesied Second Coming of Sauron), Dwarves (we'll think of something), and Humans (Elessar Reincarnated in Mardil, among others). Panakeia will eventually find him, I suppose, somewhere in Mordor not so far from Mount Zoom....

[Anguirel]

I'm going to take a few days' break from ATM2 whilst Anakron is off konveying new fanatical religions amongst Trolls (Allah-matar)...

Er...quite risque? I don't have a problem with this personally, but...y'know...I don't want anyone to track you down and murder you, Elempi...

[Celuien]

Ummm. RoboSkitt is currently disabled. Let me know if that's okay. If not, I'll delete or edit as required. :)

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

littlemanpoet: I trust that you'll be extremely careful with this. I can't stress it enough.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I'm wondering if LMP noticed the subtle reference to the band Genesis in my latest post. ;)

Fea, I leave it to you (and Roggie) to decide what to do with the police. I'm a little stuck for ideas at the moment. I did have a rather amusing plan, but I've forgotten most of it now. :rolleyes:

[the guy who be short]

I don't see the problem with Allah-matar, though associating him with trolls may be a little scandalous. But I myself intend to introduce the Spanish Inquisition, so religious satire should be on the table, methinks.

[Anguirel]

As long as Christians are pilloried too (Illamatar doesn't count) I don't mind especially...

Jenny, could you reply to Dracomir's nasty little snipe? I'm slightly immobilised till you do...

[Kath]

Why doesn't Illamatar count? I always figured he was supposed to be parodying the Christian God - Fea?

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Ah! I've remembered what I was going to do! It's a little chase scene that ends oddly and rather unexpectedly (I would hope).

Nice that it’s onto a 4th page.

I'm still clueless as to where this RPG is heading! :D

Do we know who is driving Mount Zoom, by the way?

[Anguirel]

Well, he's not called Godamatar or Christamatar for a start, is he? On the purely linguistic level he's more remote than Allahmatar. (As it happens I also voted No in the Is Eru God? poll...)

I must stress that I am in no way bound up with Islam and in fact think it has grave intellectual flaws (as well as being slightly resentful of the fact that the Muslims sliced my lot to pieces in the seventh century...) but I just think we should try and be even-handed...

[Kath]

Alright! Just wondered.

Anyway, it's lmp, it'll be done fine.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Save filled. The weirdest chase scene ever!

...

Probably.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Okay, everybody hold on. Absolutely no religious punnery... at least not yet. A few things must be clarified.

Illamatar was a spur of the moment pun from game one that was half-stolen from Reunification of the Entish Bow and their Emu Iluvtar or however the heck it was spelled.

I punned only Tolkien's Eru with no inclination (and this had better not start a discussion on how Tolkien's God reflects the Christian one) to tag anything legitimate.

Before anybody toys with real religions in any form or function, I need to check on a few things.

So until you hear back from me on this, I want to see none of it.

[littlemanpoet]

How about sparing Feanor the hassle and creating our own spoof religions that may partake of the stuff of that hideous time in the future without coming too close? That would mean that Panakeia's StarTrekism, Skittles' RoboSkittism, Lugnuts' Womb of the Ringism, and Elessar reincarnated are fine; the only thing that needs to be a little less obvious is the Trolls' belief. Will that work?

Next issue: will anybody freak if there's fundamentalist fanatical terrorism appearing here and there in ATM2?

[piosenniel]

Here's a caveat from the moderator:

No religions will be parodied or pseudo-represented at present until Child of the 7th Age and I discuss this.

-- piosenniel

[littlemanpoet]

Okey doke. Back to romance and angst we go..... :p

[Celuien]

Pio - is it okay if Panakeia continues to be celebrity-obsessed? Trekdom isn't really a religion, nor intended as a representation of anything in the real world other than excessive obsessiveness over TV shows.

Or should I have her mysteriously be 'cured' of the Dweomer's effects?

Just want to make sure. :)

[littlemanpoet]

I'm wondering if LMP noticed the subtle reference to the band Genesis in my latest post. "Supper's Ready". Nice touch. :)

[piosenniel]

Child and I have reviewed this subject. We've also taken a look at some directives from the Barrow-Wight and suggestions from the Administrator for the RPG forums.

If you wish to write about a religion which has nothing to do with any established religion - such as Trek-ism that's ok. But no established religion is to be parodied. And if someone objects to a made up religion, saying for example it is too close to making fun of some established religion, then those posts will need to be edited from the game.

I would suggest you just steer away from this subject in the long run and find another avenue to pursue.

~*~ Pio

[littlemanpoet]

If it's okay with everyone else, then, I'll have the Blue Istari step in and do a prime directive corrective. :p

[Celuien]

If it's okay with everyone else, then, I'll have the Blue Istari step in and do a prime directive corrective. :p
Fine with me. Panakeia will be glad to be rid of her Trekism.

Expect her, however, to be embarrassed and annoyed when she realizes how silly she's been. ;)

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Thank you, Pio and Child.

Thank you also, ATM2 Crew, for understanding my concern with the issue.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I hope The Barrow Wight won't be insulted by me giving him a very well spoken English accent. :D

Fea, any indication as to when Zoom will be... erm... zooming again, or are you saving it to be a surprise? :)

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Fea, any indication as to when Zoom will be... erm... zooming again, or are you saving it to be a surprise? :)
I'll write it's zoom-away "tomorrow" morning. There will be a full night in Lost Angles.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I'll write it's zoom-away "tomorrow" morning. There will be a full night in Lost Angles.

That's actually quite good. I didn't want Smilog and co. to find out just yet anyway. I have many, many plans for insane adventures for the Dwarf and Minotaur (and Roggie if he decides to tag along).

If no one objects, I'm thinking of having the Barrow Wight join the group. I've not decided how long he'll last though, (he may end up 'flying' out of the story like Andvarri), so I'm not going to write a character description thing unless I think he needs to be used more.

[Diamond18]

*raise your hand if you want to see Panakeia smack Anakron - or at least dump him*

:p

Anyway, I just thought I would let you all know that I shan't be making a Skittles post for a couple days, probably. If you need/want to include her in any of your posts, um, I dunno, do whatever. You can even get rid of the robot if you want. Such is the extent of my I-have-no-plans-at-the-moment.

[littlemanpoet]

*raise your hand if you want to see Panakeia smack Anakron - or at least dump him*
That would be fun! :D

[Celuien]

That would be fun! :D
I'll see what I can arrange. Given recent events in our post-in-progress, she might just do it. ;)

[littlemanpoet]

I'll see what I can arrange. Given recent events in our post-in-progress, she might just do it. ;)
Then Mordor beware..... :D

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Game Timing Update:

Though it is open to change, the game was slated to run for several weeks. Thus far, one morning and early afternoon of it has taken us several real time weeks. At this rate, the game will end some time after we've all watched the birth and growth of grandkids.

Unless somebody gives me a fantastic reason for a longer delay, I'd like to see "today" and all of it's adventures or pieces of adventure, wrapped up by this time next week. Does that give everybody enough time to wrap up their tangents and get back to Mount Zoom?

Celuien and LMP, can Anakron and Panakeia get through the Lost Angles part of their snit and return to the mountain by then?

Form, Jay, B88, can we wrap up lunch and conversations with locals (there will be time for more of that later) and get back to the mountain?

Hookbill, Roggie, can we um... finish whatever it is we're doing there and get ourselves into a negotiating mood?

Everybody else: are we good to go?

By this time next week, I want everybody inside of Mount Doom. By next weekend, I want Roggie to have been successfully convinced by his diplomats (all of them!) to negotiate. Savvy?

I love adventures, but they don't all have to take place on the first day.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I was under the impression that Roggie wouldn’t be in a negotiating mood until his casino was ‘safely’* back in Mordor. So, that may be difficult, but I'll give it a go.
Perhaps Smilog can start dropping hints here and there and eventually he gives in?


*Or as safe as one can get in Mordor...

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Roggie will be what I tell him to be. Consider it an extra big challenge, if you like. I don't want the game to stagnate on day one.

[littlemanpoet]

Game Timing Update:

Celuien and LMP, can Anakron and Panakeia get through the Lost Angles part of their snit and return to the mountain by then?As soon as Panakeia decides whether she's going to drop Anakron or go through hell with him, Anakron will head for his private chambers in Mount Doom. I just hope Celuien didn't delete her copy of our PM post we were working on, 'cause I did. :( OOOOOPs!

[Celuien]

As soon as Panakeia decides whether she's going to drop Anakron or go through hell with him, Anakron will head for his private chambers in Mount Doom. I just hope Celuien didn't delete her copy of our PM post we were working on, 'cause I did. :( OOOOOPs!

Never fear. Check your PMs. ;)

I can finish up our stuff in one or two more posts, I think...

[Formendacil]

Form, Jay, B88, can we wrap up lunch and conversations with locals (there will be time for more of that later) and get back to the mountain?

Fine by me... but as Alli's driving, I think YOU should have the honours of seeing it happens. :p

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I will make sure we're back to Mount Zoom. I just wanted to make sure you guys could get all of your unfinished business taken care of up to the point that a sudden relocation wouldn't completely mess up your subplots.

[Formendacil]

I will make sure we're back to Mount Zoom. I just wanted to make sure you guys could get all of your unfinished business taken care of up to the point that a sudden relocation wouldn't completely mess up your subplots.

Er?

We HAVE a subplot?

It seemed to me like we were just making things up as we go...

Mind you, I was starting to develop some plans for talking to the locals... but they can wait for another time. (*Gets plans for that as well*) Maybe TGWBS or Boromir have a subplot in mind right now... but I'm just drifting.

[littlemanpoet]

Never mind sub-plot: We have a plot? We're just making things up as we go. :p

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Never mind sub-plot: We have a plot? We're just making things up as we go. :p

As shown quite perfectly in my latest post. :D

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

:eek:

There is indeed a plot.

Basic Storyline:

As the King’s Law weakens, the Dweomer becomes more and more unpredictable, and Roggie’s subjects emigrate to Gondor, the political situation is rocky. Several ambassadors must negotiate peace between the countries.
Basic plot being: ambassadors negotiating peace between the countries.

By sub-plots I merely mean any agendas that you guys have that don't directly relate to your characters (meaning the diplomats themselves) behaving in such a way as to... oh, I don't know... stem off a huge war wherein everybody dies.

[Celuien]

Never mind sub-plot: We have a plot? We're just making things up as we go.
I guess we (meaning Anakron and Panakeia's keepers) are sort of improvisational just now. But we do have a basic sketch. We just don't know the details of how we're getting there. :D

Anyway, save filled. It'll be interesting to improv out of this one, considering our ultimate plan. :p

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Save filled. Smilog goes crazy and stuff. A mysterious figure seems to have taken control of Mount Zoom. I haven’t expanded upon this in case Fea has a plan in place. My plan is that they enter the Crack of DOOM again and fall down a trap door and end up in some random part of the casino.

[Kath]

I'm fine with having things wrapped up. Monday will be my last exam and so after that I am absolutely free to participate in this properly.

[littlemanpoet]

:eek:

There is indeed a plot.


Basic plot being: ambassadors negotiating peace between the countries.

By sub-plots I merely mean any agendas that you guys have that don't directly relate to your characters (meaning the diplomats themselves) behaving in such a way as to... oh, I don't know... stem off a huge war wherein everybody dies.Thanks for the refresher. I was just kidding about "no plot".

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Thanks for the refresher. I was just kidding about "no plot".

Don't worry, LMP, I'd completely lost the plot anyway. :D

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Thanks for the refresher. I was just kidding about "no plot".
I know. ;)

Don't worry, LMP, I'd completely lost the plot anyway.
I know that, too. :p

[Lhunardawen]

Hookbill, I think you left your siggie in one of your later posts...

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Hookbill, I think you left your siggie in one of your later posts...

Ah! Well spotted. You win... erm... some goods.

[Celuien]

Okay.

Panakeia will be remaining in Lost Angles when Mount Zdoom leaves. She and Anakron need their time apart. ;)

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Understood. So now the only folks not at Doom are the Gondorians. No worries there. Shall the Mordorians actually start trying to convince Roggie to try negotiating again?

[Kath]

Fea please change your avvie back! I keep thinking you're Guy and it's most confusing.

If the Mordorians and off to try and talk to Roggie, please drag Igor along with you so he's there when I can post.

[Lhunardawen]

Shall the Mordorians actually start trying to convince Roggie to try negotiating again?Coming...sort of.

I'm sorry, Anguirel, but I had to do it. If you really need Maika to wear the Inaudibility Cloak or not find out what it does, though, I'll edit my post.

[littlemanpoet]

I'm going to take a few days' break from posting, basically because all Anakron has to do until Mount Zoom gets wherever it's going, is to wallow in his self-pity. Which gets a little boring to write after a while, if you know what I mean. :rolleyes: I'll keep reading along, of course, and jump back in when the timing for Celuien's and my agreed upon plot outline calls for it.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I love writing for this character too much. :D
So, I'm keeping the Barrow Wight around for a while...

NAME: The Barrow Wight

AGE: Not known. Although he often states that he's "Not old enough".

RACE: Dead... Man... Ghost... Thing.

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: A sword.

APPEARANCE: Tall and broad shouldered with a large shiny skull. Most of him has become skeletal over the years, yet he maintains some areas of flesh and skin as well as some vital organs (presumably including lungs, although this is in discrepancy). His eyes consist of two luminous lights buried deep in his skull that seem to flicker as he blinks. He wears Numenorian armour over which he has a long dark blue shroud that is torn and worn, the hood, however, can conceal his face in shadow and he does a mean Nazgûl impression.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Strangely English in accent and attitude to life in general. Was probably a war veteran of some sort and alludes to military terms on random occasions. Strengths include an extending arm that can crawl around corners to investigate things, although he is reluctant to use this ability, (one of his brothers supposedly did the same once and had his hand cut off by a halfling), also he has some swordsmanship that he will willingly implement if called upon. Also a rather light wit. Weaknesses include a slight pompous attitude that gets him into trouble on several occasions. He is slightly cowardly in the face of battle, although this is rarely seen, as many foes will run from the sight of a walking corpse. He also has an addiction to smoking tobacco.

HISTORY: After the fall of Angmar, the Barrow Wight and his family dwelt for a long while on the Barrow Downs, minding their own affairs. Tom Bombadill became an ally after a while (and several drinks) and they managed to live in harmony for a good many years. The Barrow Wight and some friends decided one day to travel around Middle Earth looking for adventure and things. They came across Minas Mor-go and revived its travelling abilities as well as discovering much of Project Zoom. So, they went around for the next one hundred years, seeking all the other Zooms and getting rid of them. Mount Zoom was last on their list, but as they went to go for it, the thing Zoomed off, quickly they made chase. The Barrow Wight wasn't as bent on destruction as his friends and decided to help out Roggie and the others, hoping he could get a job in the casino (a secret dream he had been harbouring).

[the guy who be short]

Note: Hyarmenwe does not speak English. The couple will have to be Sindarin-speakers, which seems unlikely in Mordor.

[Anguirel]

Not that unlikely-I thought the couple were Gondorian ex-pats.

My save is filled in...

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I have no issue at all with the young couple being multi-lingual. That was probably the only thing about them uncanonical enough to get them assigned. :p

[Formendacil]

Note: Hyarmenwe does not speak English. The couple will have to be Sindarin-speakers, which seems unlikely in Mordor.

He does, however, speak Westron- which presumably remains the Lingua Franca of Western Middle-Earth- albeit with a heavy "English" vocabulary in Mordor...

Been gone all day, and I'll be gone again soon enough... may not post too soon.

[Diamond18]

My save is up. Yay.

[Kath]

Alright Igör is in Roggie's chamber along with Dracomir but can't be seen. Sorry for the long absence and the rubbish return but I just wanted to get him in the right place since I've missed the two weeks of madness.

[Anguirel]

Hookbill, Tom entered through the window on a broomstick, not through the door...

[Diamond18]

Uh... perhaps I need to try this again.

Last night I filled in my save, which entailed Skittles entering Roggie's chamber directly after Dracomir, before Smilog/Tollin/B-W and Igör. It's there, trust me. ;)

[Kath]

Alright, I have edited my post so that both Skittles and Smilog (and assorted hangers-on) are now in the room. Anyone else?

[Lhunardawen]

Save filled - Maika and Lola are in. Finally!

[Formendacil]

SAVE-filled.

And in under 48 hours, amazingly.

Boromir, TGWBS, or Fea: it's all yours.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Hookbill, Tom entered through the window on a broomstick, not through the door...

BLAST! I can change this.

[littlemanpoet]

Once the Gondorians and Mordorians are all in Roggie's audience hall, what's supposed to happen? What's likely to happen is, of course, probably going to get completely sidetracked by this wacky set of ambassadors, but I thought I'd ask. :p

[Kath]

Um, Fea, was Igor included in that line up? Couldn't work it out.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Kath: yes.

LMP: given some new developments, I'm no longer positive. I'll let you know as soon as I'm sure. :p

[littlemanpoet]

Guy: Tgwbs? Hee hee! Clever. Tugwubs. :D

[Diamond18]

Only, it's not Tugwubs, it's T'Gwibs or Tigwibs. Or at least, to me. :D

By the way, I'm accepting suggestions on why Skittles should try to talk Roggie into restarting the negotiations. Because blimey if I know. If anything it seems she should be arguing for a war so that she can continue to be the Chief War Advisor. :rolleyes:

[Formendacil]

Only, it's not Tugwubs, it's T'Gwibs or Tigwibs. Or at least, to me. :D

By the way, I'm accepting suggestions on why Skittles should try to talk Roggie into restarting the negotiations. Because blimey if I know. If anything it seems she should be arguing for a war so that she can continue to be the Chief War Advisor. :rolleyes:

Because... erm.... I dunno.....

Maybe because RoboSkitt would have wanted war?

Sorry.... 'tis the best I can think of...

Oh, and TGWBS is pronounced "Teegee Doubleyou Bee-Ess", but in sort of a rolling manner. If that makes sense.

[littlemanpoet]

Only, it's not Tugwubs, it's T'Gwibs or Tigwibs. Or at least, to me. :D

By the way, I'm accepting suggestions on why Skittles should try to talk Roggie into restarting the negotiations. Because blimey if I know. If anything it seems she should be arguing for a war so that she can continue to be the Chief War Advisor. :rolleyes:
Maybe she has moments of even deeper insanity than usual during which she uses a semblance of wisdom that belies an unconscious need for the order she needs to have in place .... in order to be able to create chaos!

[JennyHallu]

ah! Elempi, thou cruel...cruel...whatever thou be-est. Jackalope?

My brain is spinning in circles.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Perhaps because she knows that it will only cause paranoia if she starts acting sane?

[Celuien]

Save deleted and replaced with the post.

Opera. :D

EDIT, for coordination purposes: LMP: I'm taking items two and four from our outline simultaneously right now. Four will be expanded upon in a less operatic and more Anakron-plot appropriate fashion soon. Before or after 5, as you like. :D

[littlemanpoet]

ah! Elempi, thou cruel...cruel...whatever thou be-est. Jackalope?

My brain is spinning in circles.
:D Quite happy to oblige. :p

[JennyHallu]

Yes, well. Remember when you were a little kid and spun around just for the fun of total nausea/vertigo when you stopped? WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Oh. And I have a really odd mental image of your photo page image with antlers. :eek:

[littlemanpoet]

I have a really odd mental image of your photo page image with antlers.You do realize that I have to use this, now. :p

:eek: Skittles has got a bee in her brain for Anakron. This could seriously mess with Celuien's and my plot outline. What do you intend, Diamond?

[Celuien]

:eek: Skittles has got a bee in her brain for Anakron. This could seriously mess with Celuien's and my plot outline.
Depending on how it's handled, Skittles' attempted war on Anakron could add an additional dimension to items 5 and 10... :D So long as it doesn't completely change our ability to run the other portions of the plot outline.

[littlemanpoet]

Well yeah. But the ambassadors need to make sure that they don't meet the End Game goal too soon, or we've written ourselves into an anticlimax. Blah. Change the goal?

Anyway, I do want to hear from Diamond and figure out how her plans might affect the outline.

Oh, and here's a special something (http://www.freewebs.com/celuien/lmpantlers.JPG)from Celuien to me. I feel so loved. :rolleyes: :D

[Celuien]

Well yeah. But the ambassadors need to make sure that they don't meet the End Game goal too soon, or we've written ourselves into an anticlimax. Blah. Change the goal?
Right... I hadn't thought of the effect on number 11. :rolleyes: I was focused on the endpoint after the outline concludes (bells ;))...
I feel so loved.
:D

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Well yeah. But the ambassadors need to make sure that they don't meet the End Game goal too soon, or we've written ourselves into an anticlimax. Blah. Change the goal?
Ye of little faith. Do you really think I don't have things in store to prevent the game from ending any time soon? It's meant to take at least several weeks, game time, and we're still on day one. No worries.

Actually, one worry. I'm concerned that everybody is going to go overboard within the first few "days" of the game and run out of steam for later on. Please remember that there is plenty of time and you don't all have to complete your adventures on the first day.

[littlemanpoet]

If Day One can end soon, that will help Celuien and me.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I'll post the transition tonight and if I forget anything or anything needs to be edited in, let me know and it can be fixed.

Edit:

Okay, so I lied. I'll not be posting the transition tonight because I'm bone tired and it was affecting my writing negatively. I'll not be posting it tomorrow because I'm sleeping as much as I can and then working from noon until 10ish, after which I'll presumably be as tired as I am now. I'm thinking that Sunday is a maybe, Monday is a definately-if-Sunday-doesn't-work for the transition post.

That means that you guys have a few more days to wrap up any "today" business. Any qualms?

[littlemanpoet]

No qualms here. In fact, I'm getting kinda eager to see what kind of wild antagonisms could be unleashed between Skittles and Anakron yet toDay. :p

[Diamond18]

Anyway, I do want to hear from Diamond and figure out how her plans might affect the outline.

You think I have plans?

:eek:

Er, seriously, I was just casting about for a reason for Skittles to want to council Roggie towards going after the Blue Wizards instead of the Gondorians, and a grudge against Anakron seemed the most in-character way to go. You know, it isn't easy trying to give a chaotic character some direction. :rolleyes:

[littlemanpoet]

I don't really see the problem of Skittles that way. If she's a chaotic character, you have 360 different directions you can take, and not one of them needs a reason. Even reasonability. Know what I mean?

Oh, and the word is spelled embarassed. For a reason. ;)

So I assume that, with Roggie's Warlady unconscious, negotiations will probably be postponed until another Day?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Yes. Which poses a question:

Would you like the game to play out in a day-by-day format, or skip around a little? Accepting votes on this. Majority rules. If there's a tie, I'll break it, but I'd like to know if you guys are comfortable with skipping a few days here and there to keep things from dragging.

So, actually, two questions:

Do you want to skip the occasional few days?

If so, what do you want to do in terms of the interval between right now (Day One in the game) and What Comes Next?

[Formendacil]

Yes. Which poses a question:

Would you like the game to play out in a day-by-day format, or skip around a little? Accepting votes on this. Majority rules. If there's a tie, I'll break it, but I'd like to know if you guys are comfortable with skipping a few days here and there to keep things from dragging.

So, actually, two questions:

Do you want to skip the occasional few days?

If so, what do you want to do in terms of the interval between right now (Day One in the game) and What Comes Next?

1a.) I think skipping around is a little bit better, personally... although it really doesn't matter.

and, on that note:

b.) I'd think a jump of two/three days would be good here, on the assumption that Roggie is either intransigent to reopening negotiations or refuses to contemplate them until Skittles is fully functional. Either way, a pause of two/three days is fine by me.

[Kath]

Fine with me. Though, what would be going on? Will we just have been sitting around in our rooms waiting for Roggie's decision?

[Anguirel]

Blast. Should have checked before I jumped in...sorry if my awakening Skittles was baad. Maybe we could round up today with the arrival of some Troll-Nurses to take Skittles into Care.

I'm all for skipping days.

[littlemanpoet]

Skipping days is fine with me. Not more than three seems good, and no more than two seems better.

EDIT: And I like the idea of Skittles going into "Care" ... whether she wants it or not... :D

[Celuien]

What everyone else said about skipping days. It's fine with me. :)

[Diamond18]

I don't really see the problem of Skittles that way. If she's a chaotic character, you have 360 different directions you can take, and not one of them needs a reason. Even reasonability. Know what I mean?

Well yes, but since Skittles does whatever she wants I like for Skittles' whims and wants to seem like they're hers, not just me shoehorning in whatever action is convenient for the story. So when I need to shoehorn something in, I want there to be a suitably selfish reason for Skittles to be doing it, to minimize the appearance of shoehorning. :D I make these things hard on myself just for fun.... :rolleyes:

As to Skittles current state, I was rather expecting Igör to fulfil his potential as Kath once said he could. ;)

I don't care about the days either way.

[Kath]

As to Skittles current state, I was rather expecting Igör to fulfil his potential as Kath once said he could.
Which was to do what now?

[Diamond18]

I though you said he could fix up any of the motley crew should they meet an unfortunate end.

[Lhunardawen]

I'm all for skipping days as well. We don't want to run out of, ehem, things to do, do we?

[littlemanpoet]

I though you said he could fix up any of the motley crew should they meet an unfortunate end.
Do you mean we get to see her with a Bride of Frankenstein hairdo, and appropriate stitchwork along her wrist, neck, etc.? :D

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I like to think I can deal with either situation (although that remains to be seen).

Skipping a few days is fine with me, as I've just thought of some amusing things to say about Smilog and his entourage. :D

[Lhunardawen]

I was feeling ranty. If the post is out of place, which it could well might be, let me know and I'll delete or edit it accordingly.

[Celuien]

"If only Panakeia were here..." she began quietly. "She might know where Nichole is, and surely that lovely med student can do something about this."
:D

Alas! Nichole in ATM I suffered from amnesia and didn't know where she was from or what she used to do before anakronistically arriving in Mordor, though she did have a talent for contacting her author. I'm afraid she would have been quite useless, even if she hadn't vanished in a pair of ruby red slippers and gone home to her mysterious city of metal and glass towers. No place like home, there is. ;)

[Kath]

I though you said he could fix up any of the motley crew should they meet an unfortunate end.
Ah indeed he can, but I wasn't aware Skittles was dead! Hmm, looks like I need to read up a bit.

[Anguirel]

She isn't dead as of my latest post...

EDIT: You got round that very well. Good.

[Kath]

Well she's getting healed now at any rate. She and Igor have left Roggie's chambers and gone back to hers.

Might be a good point to stop actually.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

If you guys would like to stop there for now, feel free to do so. I didn't have time to post yesterday, as I suspected, and today turned out much the same, though for different reasons. Tomorrow should *crosses fingers* work out in my favor, or perhaps late tonight.

[Lhunardawen]

:D

Alas! Nichole in ATM I suffered from amnesia and didn't know where she was from or what she used to do before anakronistically arriving in Mordor, though she did have a talent for contacting her author. I'm afraid she would have been quite useless, even if she hadn't vanished in a pair of ruby red slippers and gone home to her mysterious city of metal and glass towers. No place like home, there is. ;)
Aw. So do I have to edit out the Nichole part?

[Diamond18]

Do you mean we get to see her with a Bride of Frankenstein hairdo, and appropriate stitchwork along her wrist, neck, etc.? :D

Um, how about just the wrist? :rolleyes:

Anyway, as to her deadness, well, I figured a gushing artery was pretty dire and would be leading to death fairly soon. But I see it's all been wrapped up nicely so you knew what I had in mind anyway. :)

[Celuien]

Aw. So do I have to edit out the Nichole part?
No, it's fine. Nichole was probably caught on camera by the reality show that followed the ending of the Offending Party's journey. And her assignments to Mordor and the Shire as Celuien managed to reach Mordor as hacked up wads of paper from Sylvester (eew) - Anakron saw them. ;) So some investigative person might have found out about assigments that peg her as a med student and reported on it as a solved mystery for the Offending Party, letting Maika find out about her identity. :D

And Nichole has been reassigned to Mordor numerous times since her Dorothy-inspired escape. So who knows? She might be back, even if I did say at one point that she was never seen in Mordor again after her disappearance. :D Or at least, it would be correct to assume that if anyone knew about her return, Panakeia would.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I'm being a slacker. I'm sorry. Life hit like a shot of Jim Beam and I'm really just trying to find time to get all of my work done. I'll have my saves filled before the weekend is over.

[Kath]

We forgive you :) RL has to take precedence every now and then!

[Boromir88]

I think I'm being a bigger slacker Fea, well at least now the 4th is over and everything will start slowing down.

Well, tomorrow I am going to Lexington, Kentucky, for end of the season reports/meetings and all that fun stuff and won't be back until the 15th.

To the fellow Gondorian Ambassadors, Bearugard has come down with a little case of food poisoning, and he will be out until he magically gets better when I am able to return. :D

If there are any problems with my post, I will probably have to change them when I get back, for I'm leaving tomorrow at 8.

[Formendacil]

If there are any problems with my post, I will probably have to change them when I get back, for I'm leaving tomorrow at 8.

Well, while I found your post to be highly entertaining for what is effectively a week (or longer) cop-out setup, there is one thing that I would address...

You have Aleksandur wearing corduroys. As a Gondmordorian who appears nearly normal to Hyarmenwë, and considering that he self-admittedly wants to be as Gondorian as he can, it's rather unlikely that he'd be wearing them.

Other than that... no problem here.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Well played, B88. Nice cop out. ;) See you next weekend[ish].

Hookbill, I plan to move my Alli SAVE so that it comes after B88's post. Can you delete yours and repost it after I have my post up?

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Hookbill, I plan to move my Alli SAVE so that it comes after B88's post. Can you delete yours and repost it after I have my post up?

*Salutes* Yes, my lord!

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

*takes a look in the mirror*

Ahem.

That's my lady, young hooligan. :p

PS: thanks.

[littlemanpoet]

On the grounds that I set this thing up in the first place, I hope you can all put up with me trying to keep some of the original stuff (that does not disagree with nor antanoize our beloved Feanor of the Peredhil) that is supposed to be in place:

1. U-haul ought to be italicized, Fea.

2. Hookbill, there is no such place in Mordor as Los Angeles. The place is called Lost Angles.... which should be italicized too. This is a most crucial difference.

3. Mount Zoom should be italicized too.

Oh, and is Mount Zoom going to skidaddle out of Lost Angles?

[Diamond18]

Well, LMP's niggles have emboldened me. :D I wanted to note that it seems extremely odd for folks like Hyarmenwe to be saying "ok" and seems like grounds for immediate assignment. :)

Oh, and, who exactly is all in the council room, now?

[Anguirel]

Bang on, Diamond. That's exactly what I want to know. Fea said "eight delegates", but Beauregard has food poisoning and Smilog and co. still seem to be running around in ever more incomprehensible circles...

[Hookbill the Goomba]

2. Hookbill, there is no such place in Mordor as Los Angeles. The place is called Lost Angles.... which should be italicized too. This is a most crucial difference.


Can I just say 'LA' instead, then? I'm awfully confused.

[Celuien]

Can I just say 'LA' instead, then? I'm awfully confused.
Oh dear. Don't be confused. :)

Lost Angles is indeed Mordor's own spoofy version of Los Angeles. But its name is Lost Angles, not Los Angeles. Just like it's Mal-in-Bu, not Malibu, Rode-o Drive, and not Rodeo Drive, Fallen Arches Mall instead of the Fallbrook Mall, etc.

Better?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

My official position on just about everything ATM related is that if LMP has a qualm, we're going to listen to him. He is the original mind behind this vision of Mordor and therefore knows it best. While I am, when rushed or impatient, willing to employ the use of the anakronism incontinuity, or even better, deau ex machina, I'd prefer to do things right the first time than to explain them away later.

Therefore, among other things, my slacking with italics will change; I've been setting a rather bad example. :)

Since Bearugard has food poisoning and Smilog just returned to Zoom, I will edit my post to accomodate.

Diamond and Anguirel: as of now, there are six delegates there, in whatever condition the past few days have left them.

Hookbill: if LA makes it easier, go ahead.

Celuien: thank you for the clarification.

LMP: yes. Where shall it go? Taking votes.

[Formendacil]

Well, LMP's niggles have emboldened me. :D I wanted to note that it seems extremely odd for folks like Hyarmenwe to be saying "ok" and seems like grounds for immediate assignment. :)

If anyone's making Hyarmenwë say "Okay", I want THEM assigned to Mordor.

*old man grumbles*

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Lost Angles is indeed Mordor's own spoofy version of Los Angeles. But its name is Lost Angles, not Los Angeles. Just like it's Mal-in-Bu, not Malibu, Rode-o Drive, and not Rodeo Drive, Fallen Arches Mall instead of the Fallbrook Mall, etc.

Better?

Not really. But I'll take your word for it. I'm not familiar with american landmarks and such. What's next? Small Jim instead of Big Ben? :p

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Not really. But I'll take your word for it. I'm not familiar with american landmarks and such. What's next? Small Jim instead of Big Ben? :p
That's okay... neither are we. ;)

And you know... Small Jim... :smokin: I like it.

[Celuien]

Not really. But I'll take your word for it. I'm not familiar with american landmarks and such. What's next? Small Jim instead of Big Ben? :p
Sorry. I used to live in LA, so I know the stuff there.

I like Small Jim too. :smokin:

[littlemanpoet]

I swear, Mount Zoom had better NOT be going to Small Jim. On the other hand, that would send it right next door to Caer Pairadocks, so that wouldn't be all bad either. Would you like that better, Hookbill? Gorgoroth and the north of Mordor is generally American and the entire Nurnien plane is both British and, well, vaguely Narnian. :rolleyes:

[Celuien]

Umm. About my reference to Dr. Dream in that save. That's completely unrelated to Elempi's dream analysis on the BD dreams thread, other than my borrowing the name from the thread for convenience of explaining what I'm up to and that there will be interpretation going on. Just a dream interpreter, who may or may not be accurate. ;) :)

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Small Jim may be making an appearance soon. :p
I have a few plans developing.

Just need some clarity before I go ahead...

Where are the Blue Wizards at the moment? Do we know what they are up to?

[Anguirel]

We don't know, and no.

Same as usual really...

But Hookbill, the Blue Istari are the Big Threatening Mysterious Evil Menace in this RP. Please don't make them into...oh, I don't know...drunken French wine salesmen who are the mainstays of Uncloakers Anonymous, or something similar...

EDIT: Oh, and is anyone going to respond to my start on this trade sub-plot?

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Please don't make them into...oh, I don't know...drunken French wine salesmen who are the mainstays of Uncloakers Anonymous, or something similar...

... erm... what would ever have made you think that?


(They're on to me!)

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

*points to Anguirel*

Yes. Listen to him. It's not that we have a conspiracy going on or anything ;) but he knows more than what's good for him. :p
Try to keep the Blue Wizards out of skylarks.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Well, I hope my post can be a compromise; my little idea for them is dismissed as a mad man's conspiracy theory.

Who knows... maybe it's true! :eek:

[Celuien]

Save filled.

[littlemanpoet]

I got the Mountain moving. I hope that's okay? I do believe everybody but Panakeia is aboard? If not, I most certainly can fix.....

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Everybody please refrain from posting until you hear from me again.

Thank you.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Count this as hearing from me again.

I gathered information last night and organized it in a very clear way that was much upsetting. Which is why I paused the game until I could work a few things out.

A very brief glimpse of our co-writers's lives right now shows busy work, busy lives, business with school and with friends, Internet-less extensive travel, real life emergencies, conflict that makes writing hard.

These issues are not limited to individuals, but have come up with us all. They are just a few examples of my concern.

It appears to me that very few of us (certainly less than the majority) have the time and ability right now to dedicate themselves to this story. I would not see it tangent away from itself due to characters falling into shadow at their masters' absence. I would not see the story stagnate into ruin.

My proposed solution is that, until we can all get ourselves into an order better in which to participate, we kill the game. September or October seem a good time to bring it back.

This is where you guys come in. I want responses, and I want them honest.

If we put the game on hiatus until we can sort our lives into something conducive to writing, will we lose interest in the game? Will it be possible to stop the game and restart it, as a team working together, with a better ability to participate, later on?

Or, will the coma that I want to put it in slip into a silent death while we attend to other things?

Please answer. I prefer the idea of simply stopping the game until we can give it the attention that it deserves. What do you think? Will it help, or will it hurt?

[the guy who be short]

I posted before but it didn't appear. Alas.

I posted to the effect of: I can be dedicated from probably Wednesday to Mid-September.

You should draw up a timetable of when people will be absent. If there is not too much conflict, coma can be avoided.

Coma will probably lead to death as we will have to get back into character after months.

[Kath]

Fea, right now I have more free time and net access than I will after September, as I will (hopefully) be starting at university in mid-September, which is likely to take up a rather large amount of time.

As for taking a long break, I'm not sure it would be such a good idea. As TGWBS said it's hard to get to know a character again after such an absence.

I think the reason the game is stalling a little is that we're not entirely sure of what we're doing. Getting an agreement on trade? Ok, but Ang's post pretty much summed up the whole meeting.

But if everyone thinks we'd benefit from a break then it's alright with me, though we might have to restart nearer October if you want posts from me!

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Well, as anyone who has seen the 'How Long' thread will know, I have very little on my plate these days and spend much of my time on the Downs. September, however will be the worst time for me for three reasons:

1) I will be starting University.
2) This includes a trip to Wales in the early days of September and
3) The course I am taking will require a LOT of my time and concentration.

However, I'm sure the thread will go on splendidly (if not better) without me. If the final decision is to re-schedule it until September then I'll have to pull out, I'm afraid.

Also, the Mount Zoom challenge offers in incite into the badness of a pause. After the pause it seems that most players (including myself) found it hard to get back into it. So far it has begun to stagnate, but we shall see what we shall see.

[Formendacil]

As with the (thus far spoken) majority, I've got a good deal more time on my hands now than I will in mid-September- and I agree with the Lady Kath that the main issue is that none of us really has any clue where to go with negotiations, or how to make them interesting.

That said...

Although I will have less TIME to be online come mid-September, I think it might serve me better to start again then, because while my time is definitely going to be more limited, I think and hope that it will be more REGULAR. August, in any event, is going to be a horrid month for regular internet access between family events, packing, a week-long trip out of the country, and getting settled in at college.

So I'm in favour of a delay.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

You should draw up a timetable of when people will be absent. If there is not too much conflict, coma can be avoided.
Will do. If everybody could let me know?

I can start by saying that my availability from July 24th until September 4th is severely limited. LMP has agreed to keep an eye on things for me, but it means that there will be next to no writing from Alli, Roggie, or Malfoidacil (I'm carrying him until Ang returns). It also means that Illamatar won't be cameoing any time soon.

It also means that, based on this:

I think the reason the game is stalling a little is that we're not entirely sure of what we're doing.
the game will stall that much more since I won't be around to answer the questions that you guys haven't actually asked.

If we can sort out all of your questions in the next week so that everybody has a clear idea of what's going on, I'll rethink killing the threads.

But you have to ask them. I can't read minds.

[Kath]

Ok, the final aim of this is to have Roggie and Mardil agree a treaty so that inhabitants of Mordor aren't escaping into Gondor and that no anakronisms are leaking out, yes?

So, if all the negotiators are sitting down at a table together and trying to work it out, do we all actually want it to work? The problem I'm having is that we could have this finished in a week, I can't work out where the drama is.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Ok, the final aim of this is to have Roggie and Mardil agree a treaty so that inhabitants of Mordor aren't escaping into Gondor and that no anakronisms are leaking out, yes?
Exactly. And quite honestly, you really don't have to worry about that, because if it comes down to it, we can spend the entire game accomplishing nothing but self-made adventures and have it end with Mardil and Roggie getting bored, sitting down together, and working out a treaty without any of their negotiators involved. I actually like this plan a lot, to be honest.

do we all actually want it to work?
Probably not. Where's the fun of actually getting things done? You're politicians, loves. Everybody knows that they never accomplish anything important. ;)

The problem I'm having is that we could have this finished in a week, I can't work out where the drama is.
What I want you guys to do is work together to create the drama. There is unlimited potential for it. If you guys want, you can totally ignore Alli and go off and do things that have nothing whatsoever to do with the instructions that she gives them. As long as you work together and weave a plausible story out of your plans. Hyarmenwe having a daughter somewhere in Mordor? He could go on a quest to find her. Heck, have him bring Maika along on the quest. Smilog and Tollin can be bodyguards. Skittles could take advantage of her warlordessness and wage a fully fledged war on slugs that the entire country gets involved in. Aime and Malfoidacil are caught up in their own subplots that you can weasel out of them and take part in. See what I mean? Take advantage of the possibilities, just work together to do it.

This isn't my game, it's our game. Yes, I have say in how it ends and there are a few things that I hold sacred (the blue wizards shouldn't be messed with is pretty much the only one), but you guys are writing it more than I am.

The middle of the game, between "We need a treaty" and "Holy cow, we actually have one!" is fluid, created so that you guys get to write the story how you want it. If I wanted the story the way I wanted it, I'd have written a novel by myself.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Pax Vobiscum says:
But mostly, I think we think that we're supposed to be negotiating.

Pax Vobiscum says:
It was never clearly stated that negotiations are only an excuse for parodic fun.

Viê Revant says:
and here i'd assumed that it was understood as such...

Viê Revant says:
i'll fix that

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

[littlemanpoet]

I'll have as much time as I need for ATM2 because I'm in the process of whittling down my involvement to ONLY rpgs that I'm already a part of. So when doesn't matter to me.

Here's my view on what WE CAN DO, and is based on what some of us have been doing:

Anakron and Panakeia have a built in plot to follow, based in who they are. We know our characters well.

Diamond has a very clear idea of who Skittles is, and thus her character has a lot of focus.

Hookbill has a clear idea of what gets Smilog going (or its opposite), and has done a rather good job of surrounding Smilog with sub-characters that help Smilog be Smilong to the greatest effect.

You guys might find it really, really helpful to figure out what it is that motivates your characters, and also give them whatever sub-characters set them off the best.

Anakron has Panakeia for angst value (who is thankfully written by someone else), and Lugnut for comic relief (of a sort).

To sum up, I can keep going now, and stand in for Feanor with the general idea that we'll be able to kind of wave the magic wand and do all the negotiating we need in short order when we're good and ready to, and in the meantime, let your characters romp with the anakronisms. Or, I can wait and start back up later; I know my character. In the interests of most of the players, it seems like maybe it ought to keep going now....

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Hookbill has a clear idea of what gets Smilog going


Now if only I knew WHERE he was going. :p

I have to agree that it seems to be going okay at the moment. Most people seem to know their characters well and the writing is of a very high standard. Personally, it did take me a while to get into the swing of the character. Looking over the posts made and comparing the older to the newer I can see that the first few were a bit, well, lacking compared to the more recent as, even though it was a character I had given a lot of thought to before the game began, it did take a while to get into the swing of writing for him and finding a style that suited him.

But I have noticed that some of those who came over from ATM1 still had something of a knack for their characters even after the break from 1 to 2. (Not sure how long that break was, actually). I think it all depends on the individual writers and how they feel they can react to a stop in writing. Its always hard to start writing again after a pause from, say, a writer's block and I can see this pause causing similar problems.

Yet, the decision is not mine and I'll have to go along with the final one if it suites more players.

[Formendacil]

... but I'll repeat myself again here- for posterity's sake. :p

I do still prefer the wait. One less thing in August is just that: one less thing. And I know that I won't be able to play with as much regularity or enthusiasm as I'd like.

That said, if the majority wants to go ahead, and Fea's willing to allow them- that's fine with me. One speaks of getting to know characters well... and I know Hyarmenwë, and would love the chance to get to play with him more freely.

And you speak so appropriately of subcharacters, LMP... As I was talking to Fea on MSN earlier, I found myself with one in mind (one I would NEVER put into an RPG other than this...). So I can definitely work up some enthusiasm, if we decide to go ahead.

But, to repeat, I'd RATHER we took the break. It'd smooth the transition so.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Yet, the decision is not mine and I'll have to go along with the final one if it suites more players.The decision is not mine, either. For a [very] short time I considered it more mine than others, but I remembered that, really, it's not. This is our story. If you guys are comfortable writing without me, and able to write well in this time frame, then by all means, please do.

LMP described it beautifully with

we'll be able to kind of wave the magic wand and do all the negotiating we need in short order when we're good and ready to, and in the meantime, let your characters romp with the anakronisms------------------------------------------

It would appear that right now, we've got

Pro-Continuation: TGWBS, Kath, Hookbill

Pro-Coma: Form

Adaptable: LMP, Celuien, Diamond, Lhuna

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

As I was talking to Fea on MSN earlier, I found myself with one in mind (one I would NEVER put into an RPG other than this...).I want to see this character more than you can possibly believe.

[littlemanpoet]

I must admit that I had a bit of a writer's block with Anakron, expecting him to do little more than sit around and watch a lot, as my first post(s) indicate(s), and then have a blow-out with Panakeia, and that would be it; then the idea of the Anakronism Dweomer's evil suddenly struck me, and suddenly Anakron had a motivating force. So maybe a break was a little tough, but not insurmountable once I found the motive. And the break lasted from March to June.

[Celuien]

I'm flexible with regard to scheduling. Panakeia's motivation should be obvious. ;) :D And I have the outline for where the Anakron and Panakeia saga is heading.

[Diamond18]

As far as the break -- I could handle it either way so I will go with what the majority wants. As far as my own personal schedule, it'll be the same in September as it is now. I don't foresee any trouble on my own part with getting back into character after a break of a couple months (I do it all the time in my personal non-RPG writing) but if others have that concern I respect their feelings about their characters. At this point in the story it's kind of hard to write a Skittles post because she's not really one to sit around negotiating. But as Fea suggested, she can go off and cause random madness on her own. So as long as I have permission I can come up with something.

After reading the responses here it seems to me that we're not going to find a time in the near future where everyone's schedules and creative inklings converge.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

After reading the responses here it seems to me that we're not going to find a time in the near future where everyone's schedules and creative inklings converge.
Which seems to me to mean that we're just going to have to work our way through distractions and diversions.

Which works. My main reason for suggesting a hiatus was because it appeared that you guys needed one. Since I've been corrected that it's more that you don't know what you can and can't do, I need to rectify it.

"Negotiations" are simply an excuse for parodic adventures taking place between cultures. Stiff-necked Gondorians and crazy Mordorians working together.

Though they may solve absolutely none of the things Alli asks of them (and I'm totally okay with that), hopefully by the end of the game, through whichever adventures you come up with, they will have formed bonds that will make them want the countries to work together.

Di, you have my permission to wreak whatever havoc you want, so long as you okay it with everyone else.

Toss ideas back and forth with each other.

You guys might find it really, really helpful to figure out what it is that motivates your characters, and also give them whatever sub-characters set them off the best.
I agree. Think of what motivates your character and where you want your character (literally and figuratively) to end up at the end of the story. And then write them a story that does it.

My only condition is that you guys work together.

Oh, and that you don't bring the Blue Wizards into it.

[Kath]

Then we shall continue! Or at least, if everyones ok with that. I don't want to stop now I know the basic idea, it certainly could lead to some fun :D

Cheers for clearing it all up Fea :)

[littlemanpoet]

Oh, and that you don't bring the Blue Wizards into it.Um, they've kinda been sub-characters for Anakron, you know, sort of in control of his powers and what-not, and they're quite likely to intervene in his attempts to escape from being Grand Anakronist. Do I need to change my plans?

[Lhunardawen]

I'm sorry. I wanted, really wanted to post after Ang did, but as Kath and Form said I really don't know where to take things. All the while I was under the impression that our characters existed to make peace between Roggie and Mardil so I wasn't too keen about bringing up subplots that might seem too irrelevant or unimportant. But thanks for making it clear, Fea. If I can manage today I might finally post the crazy thing I had in mind...

I have no problem with regards to time and availability; I was just really stuck, unable to come up with anything. So place me with the rest of the flexible people.


Hyarmenwe having a daughter somewhere in Mordor? He could go on a quest to find her. Heck, have him bring Maika along on the quest.Hmm.

[the guy who be short]

Are we continuing then?

I'm free from now til the end of July.

I'm very busy from late July through to mid September.

Then I'm relatively free.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

We're continuing with the understanding that you must work together to create your own story. :)

Also with the understanding that my availability is soon to be limited and that LMP is "in charge" while I'm gone.

PS: Ang's not around, so it's probably a good idea not to rely too much on Malfoidacil.

[littlemanpoet]

I posted last, so who wants to give this thing a kick-start?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Not me. On the nose.*touches nose*

[Lhunardawen]

I will take it.

I will take the RPG somewhere, but I'm sure we'll all be lost when I do.

No, seriously now, my post shall have absolutely nothing in response to Anguirel's previous post, and might even make things more muddled. But there's some sort of export involved, I assure you. I'll be filling in my save tomorrow - I hope.

EDIT: On second thought...

Violent reactions are welcome.

[Formendacil]

Having had my dear sister point out that Alli has already left the room, I've changed my post so that it is now Skittles who tells Hyarmenwë he's been overly long-winded.

In case anybody cares...

[littlemanpoet]

I gotta say, Hookbill, anakronisms are one thing; rolling mountains and flying cities? If everybody else is cool with them, so be it; but they're not really anakronisms so much as pure fantasy, ya know?

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I did mention Minas Mor-go before; there is a sort of continuity going on with The Barrow Wight and his friends. I thought that with Mt Zoom... erm... zooming I'd include some of the other MZC vehicles just as an extra joke...
If it's too much I'll change it, but I was thinking of Minas Mor-go becoming a recurring enemy sort of thing.

[littlemanpoet]

Just an explanation of what I mean by "pure fantasy": I tried to make sure that my crazy anakronism thing was plausibly tied into features of the Legendarium. Thus you have the Blue Istari as the "evil" founders of the entire anakronism system. Thus, there is an at least plausible mechanism for all the crazy stuff that happens in Mordor.

Mount Zoom, now, I don't know how it moves. How did it come loose from its vast cavernous maw of fire and flame and magma? Where did the wheels come from? If these questions have Legendarium-based answers, then you don't have pure fantasy. If they don't, then it's not anchored down, which makes it pure fantasy.

At least, that's how I look at it. But hey, that's just me. Thought I'd 'splain. :)

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Well, as the founder of Zoomology at the University of the Barrow Downs, I feel I can offer some incite into the moving mountains and Cities. (And by the way, Fea made Mount Zoom Move in this game, not me :p )

Sauron was working on modifications to Mount Doom in order to make it move, modifications like creating a secondary magma chamber inside the Mountain itself and cutting it off from the lower vents. The wheels were made out of steel and placed there soon after the magma chamber was completed. Yet Sauron did not have the power to remove the Mountain from the ground nor did he have the technology to make it move.
When the anakronism came along, the new ruler of Mount Doom found that the technology was now readily available and in the course of ATM1 the mountain was removed from the ground with big knives. The wheels, however, were now covered in years of dust and ashes, making them blend into the mountain. When the Mountain started its engine for the first time, the ash and dust fell from the wheels and the Mountain was able to ZOOOOOMM! :D

[littlemanpoet]

Sauron was working on modifications to Mount Doom in order to make it move, modifications like creating a secondary magma chamber inside the Mountain itself and cutting it off from the lower vents. The wheels were made out of steel and placed there soon after the magma chamber was completed. Yet Sauron did not have the power to remove the Mountain from the ground nor did he have the technology to make it move.
When the anakronism came along, the new ruler of Mount Doom found that the technology was now readily available and in the course of ATM1 the mountain was removed from the ground with big knives. The wheels, however, were now covered in years of dust and ashes, making them blend into the mountain. When the Mountain started its engine for the first time, the ash and dust fell from the wheels and the Mountain was able to ZOOOOOMM! :D
Well, that explains everything. :D

[the guy who be short]

So... what's with the talking cat? A figment of Skittles' imagination?

[Diamond18]

It could really be a talking cat or it could be a figment of her imagination. What do you guys want it to be?

[the guy who be short]

It could be a hallucination, or you have to (*Puts of LMP face*) justify its anachronistic existence. :p

I side with LMP here. We are going a little nuts. And I'm not just bitter than Angawen can't join in...

[Diamond18]

Hey, I was up front in my bio about the fact that Skittles would be all nuts all the time. :p

Wasn't there a talking crow named Johnny Depp in ATM I? Among other bizarre travesties of nature? ;)

Regardless, it will probably be funnier if the cat appears intelligent and articulate to only Skittles and looks and sounds like a regular Siamese to everyone else. So if you want to write a post in which Angawen watches Skittles carry on a one sided conversation with the cat, go ahead.

[Kath]

Hey Diamond, Igor has just attached himself to the Skittles party. Hope that's ok, he's sort of appointed himself as bodyguard, or at least as there-to-stitch-her-up-just-in-case guard.

[Diamond18]

Igor is welcome aboard. I'd post a Skittles response but I won't be able to until Sunday, probably. So, just for the record, Hissyfit the cat is real. We were just discussing whether or not she actually speaks English.

[Kath]

So, just for the record, Hissyfit the cat is real. We were just discussing whether or not she actually speaks English.
Indeed. We know this, Igor does not. No one else has mentioned the cat so it's a fair question in his mind :)

[the guy who be short]

Wasn't there a talking crow named Johnny Depp in ATM I?No, dearest Diamond, there was absolutely not.

He was a sparrow.

[Kath]

He was a sparrow.

Because: Jack Sparrow.

[the guy who be short]

Aww, Kath, you remembered! *nuzzle*

Yes, I actually posted.

Dracomir is still in the room right? Where's Roggie gone? I'm slightly lost.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Dracomir is still in the room, but Anguirel is unable to write him, given that he's gone; therefore write as though he's there, but avoid anything to which Ang would need to respond. I have no idea where Roggie is. I don't remember whether or not he was ever even in the room. Given that Roggie's writer is a bit unable to post for him right now :rolleyes:, consider him not to be around and if I've said anything that contradicts it, I'll edit it later.

[Lhunardawen]

Ale eh, tugwubs?

Does Mordor have a law regarding alcohol and minors? What's the age limit for minors there, anyway?

(Whether or not Maika is still considered a minor, she'll pass on the question to Smilog...so get ready Hookbill! :p)

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Does Mordor have a law regarding alcohol and minors? What's the age limit for minors there, anyway?
Unlikely. Though if you want laws, go ahead and put them in.

There isn't one. Pick one if you like.

[Lhunardawen]

Save filled. Maika was too distracted to think of any law whatsoever, or so her writer reasons out. :D

Your turn, Hookbill. :p

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Sig, Hooky.

Great work, everyone. I love it.

[littlemanpoet]

Would anyone be opposed to me zig-zagging Mt. Zoom to a new temporary destination? It sort of is needed to pursue the Panakeia/Anakron plot outline....

If I haven't heard any protests by this time tomorrow, I'll go ahead with my plans....

[Lhunardawen]

Hook, did you just make Maika drink? That, uh, complicates things a bit.

[Lhunardawen]

Apologies for the double post.

I've found a solution, Hook - just make the Gondorians drink and leave Maika out. She's Mordorian, anyway, and does not need to try something from her own land.

If we can get around the ending of Hook's last post, I propose that the ambassadors take a break from the talks and let them "romp with the anakronisms," as Elempi said. What say you all?

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Sorry about the confusion, I wasn't really concentration when I wrote my last post, as you can plainly see.
I'll make some changes.

Would anyone be opposed to me zig-zagging Mt. Zoom to a new temporary destination? It sort of is needed to pursue the Panakeia/Anakron plot outline....

I'm sure a Mountain needs to re-fuel every now and again. That can be your explanation.

Also...

It didn't help that Mount Zoom took up all three lanes of the highway

What about...

It didn't help that Mount Zoom took up all three lanes of the highway, as well as much of the land either side.

[Kath]

Soo, what was the closure all about?

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Soo, what was the closure all about?

The Closure was a 1960s sitcom staring Sean Bean and Michael Moore as a pair of super sleuths looking for adventure in downtown Leeds. Their adventures included the discovering of an abandoned mine filled with ghosts and learning the secret of the Mayor's office (he kept panthers in it).

The show ran for three seasons before it was cancelled due to vast swelling. Fans of the show demanded for it to be brought back for the conclusion to the third season was...

Oh I really can't be bothered.

[littlemanpoet]

Thanks, Hooky. Edited accordingly.

[Formendacil]

Well, Hyarmenwë has done a Skittles, and walked out on the "negotiations"- taking Maika with him.

As always, if there are any character mis-characterizations, let me know... and all that stuff. You know the drill.

[Celuien]

Elempi - Forgot to mention that the media van followed Panakeia on her trip. She just didn't notice. So they ought to pull up in a few moments to catch the happy reunion on kamura. Feel free to deal with them as you see fit. :D

[littlemanpoet]

Celuien, that is perfect perfect (almost) perfect and funny funny funny! :D I was thinking about having them meet precisely where the roads change from American rules to British rules, but we could write that in anyway.

The "almost" is a mere nitpick. Lundun is on the Sea of Nurnen, way to the south of the plains of Gorgoroth, where Lost Angles is located. So Panakeia would be traveling NORTHbound to catch him up. And turning into an orc just at that moment is a great twist! :D

I'd rep ya but this stooooopid computer...... blah blah blah....

[Celuien]

So Panakeia would be traveling NORTHbound to catch him up. Have I ever mentioned that I spend most of my life being lost...including when indoors? :D North and south are now returned to their proper locations.

I was thinking about having them meet precisely where the roads change from American rules to British rules, but we could write that in anyway.
Yes! Let's do that.

[Lhunardawen]

Post up. Sorry, Formy. :p

If I stepped on some toes, please yell "Ouch!"

EDIT: "Lady Maika," Hyarmenwë began tentatively, "do those - people - in the broom shed, do they, by any chance, bear any relation to Dracomir Malfoidacil?" It's from my post. Does he know that Dracomir's a wizard, and does he know the distinguishing characteristics of wizards? Have I just effectively assigned him to Mordor with this?

Are Harry, Professor Dumbledore, and Professor Kirke even supposed to be in Mordor?

[Formendacil]

Post up. Sorry, Formy. :p

If I stepped on some toes, please yell "Ouch!"

EDIT: It's from my post. Does he know that Dracomir's a wizard, and does he know the distinguishing characteristics of wizards? Have I just effectively assigned him to Mordor with this?

Doubtful if he KNOWS... but I wouldn't be surprised if he detected a similarity in some respects...

Are Harry, Professor Dumbledore, and Professor Kirke even supposed to be in Mordor?

Maybe they aren't...

But Hairy, Professor Bumblebore, and Professor Kerke may well be... :p

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

They are in Mordor if only because we had them there in the first ATM. Tom Felton whined about them a few times. Given that they bear relation to him, they are perfectly acceptable in whatever way they are used.

[Lhunardawen]

So I suppose I don't need to edit anything, and Hyarmenwë's safe?

[Kath]

Hey all. I'm off to the Peak District for a week as a celebratory holiday so please Di feel free to use Igor as you wish. Put words in his mouth if you need, I'll yell at you for them later ;)

I'll be back on Thursday.

[Formendacil]

So I suppose I don't need to edit anything, and Hyarmenwë's safe?

Looks like it...

[Hookbill the Goomba]

It's time for Iceland's ninth favourite pass time- spot the obscure film reference in my latest post. :p

[littlemanpoet]

It's time for Iceland's ninth favourite pass time- spot the obscure film reference in my latest post. :p
"Being John Malkovich". I never finished it, it was too bizarre, but there is no forgetting it. Darn, that was easy.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

"Being John Malkovich". I never finished it, it was too bizarre, but there is no forgetting it. Darn, that was easy.

Well done. You win... erm... a box of... boxes. :D

[Diamond18]

I've kidnapped your characters, Hooka, for some completely pointless and more than a little random ice cream humor. Hope you don't mind.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I've kidnapped your characters, Hooka, for some completely pointless and more than a little random ice cream humor. Hope you don't mind.

Good stuff, I say! I've got the Barrow Wight drunk again and quoting 'Withnail and I'. :D

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I'd like to make another time jump soon. Voting open for when I should jump it and how long of a jump there ought to be. I'm thinking a week as the answer to both questions, but I'll leave it up to you guys.

[littlemanpoet]

I thiiiiiink Cel and LMP can work with that.... after all, a nice week-long Dweomerless reverie seems fitting before (doom doom) reality (doom doom) sets back in.... :p

[Hookbill the Goomba]

A week you say? I can work with that. Smilog and Co can have many ambiguous and mysterious adventures that they'll refer back to! :D

[Celuien]

No problems with a time jump here.

Ah, yes. The unfortunate circumstances of (doom, doom) reality (doom, doom). I don't know what Panakeia is going to do when that sets in. ;) :D

[Celuien]

I've been swamped for the past two days and still have loads of work to finish tonight, so I won't be able to fill my save for a couple more days. I should have it done by Saturday afternoon. Sorry for the delay!

[Kath]

It's fine with me. Di's been taking good care of Igor so I can hop in whenever to take him back.

[Lhunardawen]

Maika and Hyarmenwë are kind of stuck in the wardrobe until Form does something (*ehem* :p). And when he (finally) does, I think we'll be fine with a time jump.

However... *points to Form's location*

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Yes. I know. No rush. I just thought I'd be nice and let everyone know that once they've finished up what's happening just now, I'd like to move things on a bit. Tossing out the idea of a week was a slip of my mind. It does that now and again. ;)

[Formendacil]

Two or three posts back and forth between Lhuna and myself ought to finish things for the moment... Hyarmenwe needs to put a proposition to Maika, and she needs to accept it (well, that's something Lhuna will be deciding one way or another, but it seems the logical assumption). Beyond that, nothing needs to be done in the current day, so as far as I'm concerned, we can move on once that's handled.

Oh, and concerning that, I'm off to post something in respect to that.

[Celuien]

Save filled. Finally. :rolleyes: :)

[Anguirel]

Save filled. Draco has seen the two ambassadors closeted in the wardrobe on his Map and made-or pretended to make-a nasty assumption!

[Lhunardawen]

Somehow I've expected that of Dracomir. I wonder why? :p

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Looks great, everybody. Let's wrap this day up, shall we?

[Formendacil]

Looks great, everybody. Let's wrap this day up, shall we?

Sounds good to me... I think Lhuna and I are ready to reconvene on a later date, after some fresh and unfruitful rounds of negotiations... to attend again to non-negiotiating events.

Although Dracomir's malicious mind could possibly delay things somewhat.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Sounds like a plan to me. Ang, we eagerly await your nastiness. :cool:

[Anguirel]

What Roggie makes of Dracomir's denunciation is up to him...

My current SAVE is kind of a "yo-ho, co-workers, I'm still here" post, don't worry about it, go on and finish the day if you like...

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I'm using Roggie's reaction in the transition. I think. That's subject to change.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Okay. For my benefit, who needs another post or two to wrap up, and who is cool for the switch?

Boromir, do you want to throw in a quick "Hey, my food poisoning miraculously went away!" post?

Form and Lhuna, you guys are ready to move on?

Ang, you're always ready for some new opportunity to play. :cool:

LMP and Celuien, looks like you guys have the happy reunion deliciously cloying?

TGWBS and Kath, you're okay for now?

Hookbill, do you need more time for your folks to get arrested or do you want to hit that up in retrospect?

Anybody/everybody?

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Hookbill, do you need more time for your folks to get arrested or do you want to hit that up in retrospect?

I'm leaving them on a cliff hanger till the start of the next day... :D