The Fellowship of the Fourth Age (Part 1): A New Beginning Discussion Thread

[piosenniel]

SAVE was filled.

Azhar and little Tom are on their way back to the women and children with Rôg.

Imak is sorely injured but not dead. The two slavers who were with him are dead.

~*~ Pio

:)

[Folwren]

What can be done to move this forward a little bit? Athwen is waiting for the attack on the women and children or for more wounded people.

Kwell is...waiting for me to write about him. I'm waiting for the slaver's to almost finish their attack on the women and children.

Can something be done?

-- Folwren

[Durelin]

I'll post to have the slavers attack the women and children if you're unable to, Child. Sorry, I've been rather busy, too. I should just be able to hit "send" tonight for the rest of my college apps (well, except one...but that can wait a little), though, and so I should have time to do a post.

If you'd rather do it, or had another trick up your sleeve, just let me know, Child.

My other option (or I could include this in my post along with moving forward with the battle) is bringing Khamir, Adnan, Nasim, and Gamal with Vror to where everyone's gathering for the showdown, but the timing in my head made it seem like they'd still be dragging poor Vror along when the slavers attacked. Could work out either way. If you'd like, I can have the guys arrive just a bit before the attack so Athwen has Vror to take care of, Folwren.

[Nogrod]

What can be done to move this forward a little bit?We need the attack... good if you have time to start it Durelin.

I'm having quite hectic days ahead but I'll try to write something pretty soon, hopefully tomorrow.

[Folwren]

If you'd like, I can have the guys arrive just a bit before the attack so Athwen has Vror to take care of, Folwren.

Whatever you like. I can wait.

If you do have them arrive a little before time, I'd like to know what all is wrong with Vror before I have to write about Athwen taking care of him.

-- Foley

[Brinniel]

Just so everyone knows, I've edited the last couple paragraphs of my post. I decided I should bring Shae closer to the women and children's camp- after all, that's where the battle is happening. It made more sense for two slavers to attack her there. So anyways, she is currently standing on the outskirts of the camp, which is why she doesn't see very many ex-slaves around.

Aside from the location, she still remains in the sticky situation she was in before the changes. Anyone feel free to rescue the poor woman... :rolleyes:

[Durelin]

Alrighty...

Please please, everyone, let me know if my post is alright!

Child - I kept things fairly vague, so anything you had in mind can hopefully be included easily in some way. I can always edit, or do away with what I've done entirely.

Folwren - I had the guys bring Vror to Athwen. Sorry I skipped on ahead to the slavers attacking, but if you'd like I can move the second half of my post to after any post you might want to do regarding working on Vror (or Adnan, since Vror's a tricky case).

As for what's wrong with him, I'm not exactly certain what the outcome might be, but he's suffered from lack of oxygen - not for a very long time, but long enough to put him out (and he probably got bonked on the head pretty good, too, by stuff), and possibly to cause a little damage in his brain. :eek: I'm not quite sure about that yet, but I think there shall be repercussions.

Now, I am not at all informed about everything lack of oxygen for a (short) period of time can do to a person, but I'm hoping that I might be able to take some creative license on this one and mess him up in a way that I'll like to write about. ;)

Vror also has a few cuts on his head from sharp objects. He might have a massive splinter somewhere...yeah, somewhere. :D

Adnan's main injuries are gashes on his cheek, chest, and wrist (not too too bad) and two missing fingers (his middle and ring finger) on his left hand. He's lost quite a bit of blood I imagine. He won't die if Athwen doesn't get to him, though. He's a toughy.

Brinniel - Sorry I didn't have my boys help Shae out. I thought about it (would be especially fun for Khamir to feel a little high and mighty at having "rescued" her), but with everyone scattered, I figured I should get Khamir and them to the women and children in time to help hold off the slavers until the rest can arrive.

Again, everyone please let me know if there are problems with my post.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

There is to be an attack on the women and children, but is this to be carried out by all the remaining slavers? Or are there still a few elsewhere? Anybody have a tally board update?

Once again, Durelin, I'm posting this before having a chance to read your last installment. Hope that I'm not too far behind the times. ;)

[Brinniel]

Sorry I didn't have my boys help Shae out.
It's okay. I'm sure there's a main character somewhere out there that can come to her rescue. :p

Actually, reading your post, I notice that you write that the battle has only just begun. Meanwhile, in my post for Shae, I've written so that the battle's been going for sometime. This can easily be fixed- I think I'll just bump my post down to the bottom. That way these posts will keep chronological and make better sense.

Sorry for all the changes on my post...I think this should be the last. :rolleyes:

[Child of the 7th Age]

First, everyone, thanks for keeping things going for the past few days, and I apologize for my unexpected absence. My mom is in her mid-nineties and every so often she needs some extra help keeping practical things on track. Everything is fine now, and I think I'm back in the saddle....

Durelin -- the post is great! I am overdue on something for Lindir and Aiwendil. But if I try to write one tonight I may fall asleep over the keyboard. :D Have erased my old save and should take a stab at a post tomorrow.

[Durelin]

Ah, sorry Brinniel...your post was so long and I confess I rushed through it. It deserves better!

Welcome back, Child! I'm glad everything's okay with your mother, and I hope it continues to be. And no worries...we've all been busy, I think.

[Tevildo]

I have a favor to ask. This post needs to go in a box somewhere before the slaver's' attack. Otherwise my timing is off. Would anyone be willing to do that?

This post might work well at the end of Folwren's in 300, or the beginning of Durelin's box in 301.

I am sorry to be late with this.

I've been thinking about this. How would someone feel if they'd spent most of their life in terrible conditions as a slave and then they found out they had some special powers or abilities they never knew they had? It's almost like a little kid praying for superpowers so they can bash in the heads of kids who are teasing them, and then suddenly they get those powers.... I think this will not be easy for Azhar. There are downsides here, and she is totally unaware of them. What's that old saying?.....Be careful what you wish for...

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


Tevildo's post

Tom had fallen asleep in Rôg's arms, his head nestled securely within the shapechanger's cloak. The girl trotted alongside her rescuer as the little party of three hurried back towards the grove where the women and children were waiting. Azhar's heart pulsed with a strange excitement. So much had happened since the morning that she barely knew how to make sense of it all. Even now, she was having trouble getting her bearings. In all the tumult and shock, she'd forgotten about the war, her fear of losing Tom, her inability to hold her shape, and even her repulsion at seeing the slavers' bodies lying dead and mangled on the ground. Her head was filled with jumbled images of great bears and flashing dragons, creatures of incredible might who could lash out and in a single instant command the attention of all around them.

The girl's entire life had been mired in fear. She had feared the whips of the orc overlords and the sneering grins of the Easterlings. For the first time since leaving the plantation, Azhar sensed the enticing possibility of leaving that experience behind her. If she could learn to control these abilities, if she could take on the bear form whenever it suited her, then she would be as strong as any Orc chieftain....even stronger. Part of her wished that she had come into her powers many years ago. She imagined swooping down on a band of slaveholders and taking them out with a single blow. The other part wanted to change into bear form and clamber up onto a pile of rocks so everyone could see and admire her mighty muscles and claws.

A brief smile slipped over Azhar's face. Kwell had said that women couldn't fight. She would have loved to see his face when she casually changed her form and slipped up behind him with a loud and menacing growl.

Azhar glanced nervously over at Rôg and wondered. The man was enormously kind; he seemed so mild mannered and unassuming. He meekly acceded to the requests of Lindir and even the elderly Aiwendil, yet he was clearly a better fighter than either of them! If Azhar had been Rôg, she would have slipped into dragon form and glided out over the open plain in full daylight, attacking and decimating the band of slavers before they ever even reached the camp. Why, she wondered, didn't he do that? Then they wouldn't have had to go through this terrible battle. At the very least, she would have made sure that all her companions knew and understood exactly who she was. But it seemed as if Rôg was very quiet about these things, keeping everything to himself.

Azhar would have loved to ply Rôg with a whole string of questions. At the same time, she wondered whether she would have the chance to see the dragon again should the slavers attack their little grove. Unfortunately, this did not seem to be the right time or place to be asking Rôg such hard questions. And she had better keep her own mind on what was going on around her or she would end up dead before she ever had the time to learn how to hold and manage her other shape.

With a sigh, Azhar said her hasty goodbyes to Rôg, thanking him for all his help and promising to look out after the children. She and Tom went back to where the women were waiting, only this time two of the mothers whisked the little boy and his sisters away and reassured her that they could manage to care for the three children. Too nervous to stay hidden in one place, Azhar wandered back to where the older children were waiting. She looked around for Kwell but he still was not back. Then she stared out and saw where Athwen was caring for the sick and wounded. The woman seemed to be havingg quite a time of it. Darting from boulder to boulder, she came up to the healer and asked, "Do you need any help?"

[Folwren]

I can put it at the end of my post.

I will try to fill my save sometime soon today.

EDIT: Tevildo, your post is placed. You'll have to let me know if I didn't get some of the bolded names in the write places. And I fixed on typo towards the end.

-- Folwren

[Folwren]

Save filled.

However - I did not write in Azhar's coming up and asking if Athwen needs help. That means I'm going to have to edit it again. I'll do that, Tevildo, have no fear...I will do that. Sometime.

-- Folwren

[Brinniel]

Ah, sorry Brinniel...your post was so long and I confess I rushed through it.
Yeah...I've realized that. I just started writing, and when I was finished, I had reached almost four pages on Word! :eek: Perhaps I should've cut it down a bit, but I didn't have the heart to. I also considered cutting it into two posts, but that didn't happen either.

Sorry if it's caused any sort of inconvenience. I guess I tend to ramble in my writing, especially when it comes to dialogue. :rolleyes:

[Nogrod]

I just started writing, and when I was finished, I had reached almost four pages on Word!You sound just like me... :) Happily I have a habit of writing my posts in paper on cafe's or in the neighbourhood Czech-pub, so I need to re-write them with the computer (not yet owning a laptop). That kind of neatly reduces them to only two-pages (and lessens the grammatical errors and widens the vocabulary as I have a dictionary at home)! :D

[Durelin]

Oh no, it's no problem Brinniel! I marvel at those who can write so much and so well! I'm also a little envious of you people: yery rarely can I sit down and right anything very lengthy. The most I've ever written of something continuous is 8 pages. I guess I have a little ADD when it comes to writing. :p

[Folwren]

Tevildo,

I have edited my post and put Azhar into it. Tell me if it's alright, because I used her a little bit, too.

-- Folwren

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Carl's post is up.

[Tevildo]

Folwren,

Your post looks great. Check your pm's. I've sent through some ideas on this.

[Folwren]

Hi. Kwell's save is filled.

How is the struggle carrying on in the glade with the women and children and Rog and Aiwendil?

-- Folwren

[Child of the 7th Age]

With the holidays coming, many of us will be more heavily involved in activities with family or friends or even going away. Durelin and I were thinking that this would naturally slow down our storyline. While we've had some RPG's officially "close" over the holidays, we decided not to do that. Our game will remain open, though we do understand that some folks will be posting less often. If you can post regularly, that's great. If not, have a good break and we'll see everyone back in full force with the start of 2007.

Since some people will be missing for the next two weeks, we won't officially do the final battle in the grove till early January. People can keep busy with small skirmishes, tending the sick, orc drinking scenes, character angst or whatever else you can dream up. I'll get a long post ready for the nasties' big battle and put it up around January 1 so people can then respond and begin the serious fight. I may just decide to have the slavers attack some of your specific characters if they're in the grove. If there's anything in particular you'd like from the slavers in terms of the battle and your own character, just let me know and I'll try to include it.

Durelin and I felt that, this way, people can write if they want to in late December but none of us will feel guilty if we are slow to respond. Of course, if you run into any special problems, just post on this thread or drop a pm and Durelin or I will try and help.

After the battle, it's straight back to the slavers' camp to pick up any supplies and goodies left there. That is when our real fun will start! If anyone feels brave enough to pick up an orc minor character, let us know on the thread with a short profile and explanation. We'll need more active posting by orcs. I promise to take my own character Makdush out of mothballs! :rolleyes:

Meanwhile, everyone have a good holiday though I do expect to be around and occasionally posting.

Child

[Nogrod]

After the battle, it's straight back to the slavers' camp to pick up any supplies and goodies left there. That is when our real fun will start! If anyone feels brave enough to pick up an orc minor character, let us know on the thread with a short profile and explanation. We'll need more active posting by orcs. I promise to take my own character Makdush out of mothballs! They should be more active indeed... Where is Regin anyway? I have just been waiting for him to answer my post about three weeks or something! And other orcs have been a bit more than quiet too... This orc-thing sounds so delicious that we should not miss it!

[Firefoot]

I've been thinking about posting for Grask for a long time now... I promise I'll write something for him soon.

[Regin Hardhammer]

Sorry, Nogrod. I've been mired in final papers and now exams. (Actually, I am up late studying now.) I'll try and get something up for Ishkur, probably Monday. My last exam is on the 19th and then I fly home. Things should get easier then.

But it has been hard to write when the storyline has been so centered on the slaves, and I'll be glad to see more action with the orcs.

- Regin

[Nogrod]

Sorry, Nogrod. I've been mired in final papers and now exams. (Actually, I am up late studying now.)No problem. I'm more than tied at the moment too. Work and study: two major hindrances to having fun! :D

[Tevildo]

I hope it will be alright if I fill my save tomorrow.

[Brinniel]

Well, since we're sort of taking a break for the holidays, I suppose I don't need to worry, but I just want to let everyone know I'm leaving to visit family in California tomorrow and won't be back until the 30th. I don't plan on holding my grandparents' computer hostage, so I will be absent until then.

It shouldn't be a problem since I can't exactly post for Shae until she's rescued. If someone does happen to post something involving her before I return, I'll be sure to put up a save as soon as I get back.

Happy Holidays, everyone! :D

[Child of the 7th Age]

I am mentally working on my post...even though nothing appears yet in a little box! Just wanted to check on numbers, which have been so vexing.

I am assuming the following.... There were originally 27 slavers. About twelve were killed in the initial conflict (the ones that were totalled up earlier in the thread). Another four were taken out by Pio and Brinniel more recently. That leaves 13. Imak is badly wounded but alive. The other 12 are in good fighting shape.

Feel free to criticize and/or sharpen up my math. (I was never any good at numbers anyway!) Unless I hear otherwise, I am going ahead with the slavers on the assumption of these figures.

What I really can't tell is how many slavers are left. Presumably a number have been killed and/or injured that are not even mentioned in our thread. Can I assume we have about 25 slavers and fellowship in good fighting shape? Perhaps another 25 are injured and/or are females/children who would be hidden in the grove? If anyone has ideas on this, it would be helpful.

I've been called to jury duty tomorrow and am hoping to be dismissed. I plan to try and write out a draft of my post while I am sitting in the box as they shuffle the panel! So if something strange get mixed into the narrative, don't blame me. :D

[Nogrod]

I've been without a working net access at home for a while, but will get it back soon, hopefully... So sorry for not posting for a while.

[Nogrod]

My net access is okay now. Thank heavens for that.

I will be joining the company of my girlies :) for a couple of days but will be back with more time on Monday and try to post something then.

Child: your tally looked reasonable enough with what comes to my memory of things.

[Brinniel]

Okay, I am back from my Christmas vacation.

I don't have time to read any post right now, but I'll be sure to get updated within the next few days. :)

[Child of the 7th Age]

Sounds as if we are slowly regrouping. I have a save up and I hope to fill it tomorrow.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Just a note that I will be out of touch Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. And mostly likely will be trying to upgrade my OS at home next weekend. *Eek*

Child, yes Carl is in good fighting shape, though a bit achy. Please feel free to mention him and his passenger if you would like.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Hilde,

Will do so...

*********
I have half my save filled. I will be putting up an additional post in the same box that describes the action from Lindir's point of view. This would give me a better chance to mention specific people by name.

By the way, I may play "fast and loose" with some characters. :D If you don't like the situation I put you in for any reason, just let me know and I will edit.

[Folwren]

I have been knocked down by the flu. I may not be functional for another two or three days, or longer. We'll have to see. If you need to use my characters at all, go ahead.

-- Folwren

[Child of the 7th Age]

Folwren,

I hope you feel better. Don't worry about a two to three day absence. Right now, we have a number of people with computer problems and other conflicts so things are going slowly. I don't expect to have my own post finished till late tonight. Take it easy and rest.

[Regin Hardhammer]

Save filled here. (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=504059&postcount=310) Gwerr, Grask, Mazhg, Zagra.....my post mentions all of you, but I think Gwerr needs to answer first.

Then I'll do a post that drops the money off....

I think being away from the plantation has had a "good" effect on Ishkur, but he still has a few things to learn, especially about female orcs. :D

[Child of the 7th Age]

Rest of save filled.... sort of. There are a lot of people and "extras" to keep track of. I am sure I've managed to forget someone and to put others in the wrong place. :rolleyes:

Please let me know if I need to change or add anything. If you really don't like the situation I've put your character in, let me know and I will change it. Everyone is welcome to start taking whacks and to get this battle finished.

Nogrod -- Are you around or are you still having computer problems?

[Tevildo]

Folwren,

I hope you are feeling better.

I also hope it is alright that I used your character to ask Azhar to run an errand. I wanted to get out somewhere for a moment closer to the main attack. I'll gladly edit if you see the need.

I do plan to ask Rôg a question in my next post....

[Folwren]

Tevildo,

Your post was fine. No changes necessary.

I'm still not going to post, everyone. Athwen seems to be doing just fine in other player's hands. ;) Let's get the battle completed...

-- Folwren

[Nogrod]

I'll come with some posting tomorrow (within 24 hours).

I'll bring Beloan and Qat to the fight.

I post for Gwerr to address Ishkur.

I hope to meet Firefoot online to make a post for Hadith and Johari.


Just to tell what I wish to be up to... :)

[Nogrod]

Gwerr and Ishkur are brought a bit forwards... my post with Hadith and Johari is also ready after some consultations with Firefoot. I try to write it down here asap.

Regin: In your last post there is a mentioning that Ishkur nods in reply to Nogrod... :D

[Regin Hardhammer]

:rolleyes:

Whoops... I made the correction and put up a save.

- Regin

[Durelin]

Brinniel

Shae hasn't gotten any help yet, has she? Did you have a plan to work it out yourself? If not, I have a plan...actually two plans. One is the obvious: Khamir runs off to find her and "rescue" her. But there's another option, too. Mwaha.

I'll start working on a'something unless you'd rather I not at this point. So just let me know.

Sorry, should've taken the initiative a while ago. But I just finally have a more interesting idea than the (sometimes?) predictable Khamir. :D

[Nogrod]

Firefoot: I've posted now. Check my post to see whether everything is okay with Johari in this final version (it's not exactly the same we talked about but I think near enough).

......
Well Beloan and Qat still... but if anyone of you needs some hands in the battle I believe we could take it as granted that they have joined the others around the grove at this time. I just started thinking, whether it's wise to make a post for two NPC's. :)

[Durelin]

Ah, in my next post I'll be sure to mention at least Beloan, then.

But, speaking of the NPC thing...we can always make Beloan (and Qat) officially "minor" characters with a short bio. Beloan should really be one by now. Perhaps I should write up a quick bio for him and make it official, finally... :D

Like, how about this (please edit and/or add to it, Nogrod, if you'd like. I'd say he's been more your character than mine):

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

Name: Beloan

Age: late 30s-early 40s

Gender: Male

Race: Man of ??

Weapons: Long knife and bow (does he have anything else?)

Appearance: Err... Nogrod? What do you say? :p

Personality: A natural leader, charismatic, and though persuasive, not forceful. He has a great amount of patience, particularly when it comes to dealing with people. Not confrontational, and seems to prefer letting things happen than actively trying to secure a fate for himself. A gentle man to friends, but ruthless to enemies, particularly due to his hard life as a slave. He is more hopeful than many who have endured such hardship, likely because he is more mentally prepared to endure it. He is not as tough in body as in spirit, though, and cannot withstand as much physical pain as a man like Khamir can.

History: Beloan was among fifteen ex-slaves under Khamir's leadership, and was one of those with the one-armed man the longest. He was essentially Khamir's second in command, and second only because Khamir had ambition while he did not. Even so, Beloan and Khamir were and are friends, both intelligent men who have shared many experiences together. Beloan is more the brains and Khamir is more the brawns, but each is a good combination of the two. Since Khamir has become incapable as a leader, Beloan has filled his place nicely.

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

There's a bit...what do you think? Simply my take on his personality and such, so definitely needs revisions. And obviously I ran into some problems...I really don't remember if either of us has described his appearance at all, where he comes from, or anything of that sort.

If you'd rather PM me and discuss it, that's fine with me. And if you think the bio is really not necessary, that's fine with me, too!

Oooh, we can call him a UPC, a Universal Player Character...Universally Played Character...something of that nature. But I think the fellow deserves an upgrade. ;)

[Firefoot]

Nogrod, looks fine.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Good idea about Beloan.

I am wondering how the fighting should go in the long run. Should we have one big final push by the slavers to break into the part of the grove where the main body of women and children are kept and where Athwen is tending the sick? Up till now, they are just nibbling on the fringes of that section of the grove. If you'd like, I can do a post where Aiwendil describes when the slavers begin this final assault? Presumably, they will eventually be turned back. We could go ahead and resolve the other fighting scenes already under way but have a band of four begin to crack into the center of the grove. Would this work? Also, wouldn't we sadly have some casualties among the non-combattants which we'd want to touch on very briefly? Any other ideas?

If others agree, I'll put up a save for this that I'll likely fill in on Monday. Can anyone think of anything else we need to do in the long run to "tie up" the battle?

[Durelin]

I think that sounds like a great idea, Child. We can't have this being easy or anything. ;)

A few casualties are in order... Hmm... *plots*

Perhaps those named characters who have not yet been mentioned in the battle/have not arrived can come running in to help save the day when the slavers begin to break through...

[Child of the 7th Age]

Durelin -

That's a good idea about the reappearance of those who are still outside the grove.

I am waiting on Hilde's post but once Lindir is through helping there, he can charge back to the center to fight. Folwren - could you bring Kwell into this? There's also the possibility of people fighting who are in the grove but who haven't fought up till now. Tevildo - perhaps Dorran and/or Azhar??

I also need to check with Pio on Rôg and Aiwendil's stance in all this. Once I get that clarified, I'll put up a save.

[Durelin]

I'll be posting soon and likely have Khamir run off to help Shae, and then the two can come racing back to help out, unless Brinniel objects.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Child, Carl's post is up. Sorry to have taken so long with it, but it was a fun one! :D Perhaps, Carl and Dirand's alarm at having the slaver so close to the boulders could be a tip off for the enemies? Also the slighter of the two slavers, the one knocked down by the horse, could be either alive or dead. I leave that up to you.

[Nogrod]

Good ideas pouring in!

Maybe we should indeed have a breach from where a few slavers break in to the grove. That could also be a natural place for Hadith to try and rise up - whatever would follow from that.

About those who could come to help ie. being still "outside", I think Beloan and Qat fit the description. Last time we met them, they were by the trenches. After that they must have met Dorran to give Fewerth to him to carry away. Then they must have started towards the grove.

Durelin: I like your idea of upgrading Beloan and most of the things you had sketched in the Bio looked just as I have thought him. Maybe a couple of vices too and then some outlooks? I'll try to think of them too.

[Folwren]

I had not planned to bring Kwell back until it was all over, but I can if you like.

Not tonight, though. We're watching the Extended RotK tonight for the first time since.....well, two years, at least. :)

-- Foley

[Durelin]

Brinniel

Let me know if there are issues with my post. Also, would you like to/do you have the time to take it from there? You could just continue just their conversation...moment...whatever :p ...or you could move both of them toward the grove for the final final stand, or both. :D

I'm fine with doing another post soon to have them running back, though, if you'd like/need me to.

[Firefoot]

The post I started earlier is finished. I had started working on it on a computer at school and was mid-sentence when the bell rang. Only the last two paragraphs are really new.

[Brinniel]

Goodness me. I haven't been on the BD for a few days and suddenly this thread gets busy. Never fear...now that I'm back in my dorm again, I should be on more often...

Durelin, for the most part the post looks fine. I actually had Shae walking away from the two bodies when she was attacked, but I figured she hadn't gotten far, so they should still be very visible- she's just not directly next to them.

I'm just a little confused on this part:
Then the one-armed man whirled around and leapt forward the help Shae; it appeared to him that she couldn’t tear away from the slaver’s grip…he would run her through in a moment if he didn’t…

The woman yanked her shirtsleeve from where it had been caught in the golden armour, tearing a small piece of it in the process. She looked a bit flustered, and she was wounded, but she stood steadily.
In the transition to the next paragraph, was it Shae that killed the other slaver? You didn't seem to mention it, so I'm a bit puzzled...

I'm going to bed right now, but I think I'll try to put up a response sometime tomorrow. :)

[Durelin]

Ah, sorry, I'll make appropriate edits, and have Shae walk away from Khamir back to the bodies.

Yes, Shae killed the other slaver...Khamir thought she needed help, but really she had already killed the man, she was just stuck for a moment. Too corny? Probably. :p

I'll edit to clarify that, as well.

Please let me know if there are other problems.

[Folwren]

Child, what do you want Kwell to do upon arriving at the encampment? How many slavers are left? What still needs to be done before the end is achieved?

I apologize about not getting a post up. Our power was out for a day and a half and I've been busy since... Hopefully today.

-- Folwren

[Nogrod]

How many slavers are left? What still needs to be done before the end is achieved?The slavers seem to be dying with a good pace indeed... :p

I guess in the end they must all die or realise the situation and ride away for their lives. I think the second option more plausible and also as a possibility to give our orcs some action. Think of it: a band of drunken orcs against a few battle bruised slavers in the slaver-camp! :eek:

If you still think the breach is a good idea, I could write that on thursday evening (+2GMT), making maybe three slavers get into the grove and do some damage. We could get some of the women wounded or killed and Hadith would get a reason to get up. If someone wishes to write the breaching before Thursday, that's just fine.

If we think that the last slavers will run for their lives, we should make a decision of how many of them would escape (and who they might be if there are any already named ones doing the runner) and when.

Two sidenotes on NPC's:
- Beloan and Qat are free to be used I think. Khamir and Shae might meet them if they were in the direction of the trenches as B & Q are coming from there?
- Khala and Cuáran can be used in the grove; two middle-aged women who are pretty good at first aid and will anyhow be rushing around there to help anyone they think need help.

[Child of the 7th Age]

If you still think the breach is a good idea, I could write that on thursday evening (+2GMT), making maybe three slavers get into the grove and do some damage. We could get some of the women wounded or killed and Hadith would get a reason to get up. If someone wishes to write the breaching before Thursday, that's just fine.

Nogrod -

Could you hold up on that?

Rôg and Aiwendil would like the honor of chasing the last culprits out of the camp, since they've not had a chance to get their blows in yet. Azhar has also agreed to help set up this scene. There will be a final few slavers--fierce and determined and initially unwilling to flee who actually kill a few women and/or children.

Azhar has agreed to be the first one to see the small group break through and ask Rôg for help. I will put up my own save and hopefully fill it in late tonight or tomorrow. That will be a lead-in for Pio's post.

I do need to check on the number of slavers still alive and likely won't get that done till tonight. I promise you, however, that at least two will be alive to make it back to the slavers' camp thinking to retrieve their possessions. The confrontation between the Orcs and the remaining slavers is fine but we would want to make that a short and sweet appetizer to get on to the main course, which is the confrontation between the Orcs and the freed slaves/fellowship. It will be extremely interesting to see who wants to mow the drunken orcs down in their tracks and who will respond to a plea for mercy.

Folwren -- It sounds as if you have your hands full now. If you'd like, you can just bring Kwell back late to the camp after things are over and see that a few women and children have been killed. That's good for some guilt! :rolleyes: If you prefer, however, you can bring him back in enough time to do damage to one slaver and perhaps save someone's hide among the women. We've been vague about slaver numbers up till now, and I'm sure we can squeeze one more out. Just let me know what you prefer.

I've also been having access and utility problems. We've had freezing rain -- very rare for where I live, since Houston is more like Umbar! Several of the area schools are cancelled, and none of our power lines are protected underground. Two of my utility "legs" are up (we have 3) but one is damaged, which means lights are flickering periodically. Very weird.

[Nogrod]

Nogrod - Could you hold up on that?Surely. If you have plans for the breach already, the better.


The confrontation between the Orcs and the remaining slavers is fine but we would want to make that a short and sweet appetizer to get on to the main course, which is the confrontation between the Orcs and the freed slaves/fellowship.Indeed. The thing I was thinking was that the ex-slaves & the FS will probably not move on to the slaver camp immediately (at least "writingwise") so the writers of the orcs have little to do but to wait (RL terms) and get more drunk (storywise). So to that a few beaten slavers would be something like variation before the ex-slaves finally arrive there... :)

But as an appetizer, of course.

[Folwren]

Folwren -- It sounds as if you have your hands full now. If you'd like, you can just bring Kwell back late to the camp after things are over and see that a few women and children have been killed. That's good for some guilt! :rolleyes: If you prefer, however, you can bring him back in enough time to do damage to one slaver and perhaps save someone's hide among the women. We've been vague about slaver numbers up till now, and I'm sure we can squeeze one more out. Just let me know what you prefer.

Having full hands is a mild way to put it, actually. Today, Mom and Pop told me I need to figure out admissions to college and corresponding classes and all that stuff and I've been running around the internet for an hour to no avail. I can't find a THING on distance learning or correspondent classes!

Anyhow, Kwell...um...how about you all carry on and I'll get a post in for Kwell when I can. But you asked specifically for me to bring Kwell back into the glade and I wanted to know if that was absolutely necessary. Because if it is, I can do it, but if it's not, I'm more inclined to be 'lazy' and not write a post until after the battle. A post for Kwell, that is. I do intend to write something for Athwen.

I've also been having access and utility problems. We've had freezing rain -- very rare for where I live, since Houston is more like Umbar! Several of the area schools are cancelled, and none of our power lines are protected underground. Two of my utility "legs" are up (we have 3) but one is damaged, which means lights are flickering periodically. Very weird.

In Houston? Wow. I know the storm was wide, but I had no idea that Houston would get freezing rain. We had freezing rain and some trees fell over the powerlines, that's why we were out for a while.

I need to get back to my college research. Have fun.

-- Folwren

[Durelin]

Nogrod - In my latest post I placed Beloan already fighting in the grove. But that can easily be changed if it's better he still be back nearer to the tunnel.

And just as a note, while we're kinda on the subject of *college*, I just want to let everyone know that Friday and Saturday I will be away for a scholarship competition (creative writing...woohoo), and will likely not be able to get online at all those two days. Not a big deal, but I thought I'd let people know, particularly since we're trying to coordinate the wrapping up of this battle.

(On that note, I am going to ask for a shameful, shameful favor if anyone has lots of free time in the next couple days and is extremely bored: I want to take a short sample of my roleplaying along, just in case I get the opportunity to show them what I spend so much of my time doing...I would really really appreciate it - really times a thousand! - if anyone could let me know if they think any of my posts, in this RPG or others, really stands out as a good example. I don't care about taking it out of context or anything, so it can be anything...I just need the best written example I can find, and I am a poor judge.

If you remember the basic idea of the post but don't want to have to look for it or anything, please don't, but if you could let me know what you remember of it, I can probably find it.

So, if anyone's looking for something to do on a lazy weekday afternoon... Thank you so much!!!

And sorry for littering the discussion thread. Just let me know and I'll delete all that nonsense.)

Edit: I made edits to my last post. Hope it looks alright now, Brinniel.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Durelin and Folwren,

Good luck to you both with college related activities. Our family went through this last year and I know it can be a giant headache. Durelin -- I'll try to eyeball both games we're in together and see what I come up with in terms of posts. You have many good ones.


Folwren -- Don't worry about doing a post for Kwell now. We're fine without the extra post. I like your latest piece for Athwen.

We're supposed to get an ice storm tonight. The areas north of town are the worst hit. Someone from the northern U.S. (or Scandinavia :) ) would laugh to see how the tiniest bit of ice or snow can tangle up my city. Hopefully, our power will hang in there.

This is affecting large chunks of the country. My 95-year old mother lives 1,000 miles from me, and she had to be evacuated due to ice and power outages.

After Tevildo gets a post up, I'll go ahead with mine.

[Durelin]

My city freaks out when it rains... :rolleyes:

Thank you so very very very much, Child!

Folwren - I'll have Vror wake up once your schedule is a lot less busy, and Athwen can be the first to discover what permanent damage has been done. :p Good luck with college stuffs! 'Tis a pain.

[Folwren]

My city freaks out when it rains... :rolleyes:

Harhar. That's funny. We can hold up under pretty tough weather, most of the time, down here.

Folwren - I'll have Vror wake up once your schedule is a lot less busy, and Athwen can be the first to discover what permanent damage has been done. :p Good luck with college stuffs! 'Tis a pain.

lol! If you could write a post tonight or tomorrow, I might have a fair chance of getting a post up in reply tomorrow or Thursday. And I will be writing a post for Kwell sometime within today, tomorrow, or Thursday, too.

Thanks for all your two's good wishes on college stuff. I talked to Mom this afternoon and we came up with a good decision on it. :D

-- Folwren

[Tevildo]

Child, Pio,

Let me know if I should change anything.

Are the numbers alright?

[Brinniel]

After much sweat and tears, I'm finally done with my post. No, seriously. I had almost finished post, and then I accidently hit the wrong button and lost everything. I had rewrite the entire post. :mad: I should really learn to post a backup next time...

Durelin, let me know if the post looks alright. I wanted to try to match the tone in your last post, but there were a few things I wasn't sure about.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Aiwendil looks fine....

[Durelin]

Your post is great, Brinniel! Any discepencies are my own fault, anyway.

Folwren - I'll try and get a post up tonight or tomorrow, though I can't guarantee, sorry. I've got a good bit of work to do...could get done with it quickly, or it could take me longer. We'll see. :)

[Folwren]

Folwren - I'll try and get a post up tonight or tomorrow, though I can't guarantee, sorry. I've got a good bit of work to do...could get done with it quickly, or it could take me longer. We'll see. :)

Whatever works for you, Durelin. :)

I'm going to be gone next Tuesday through Thursday. I am not sure what those dates are. I may be leaving as early as Monday afternoon/evening, I'm not certain. Just wanted to let you all know before hand.

-- Folwren

[Folwren]

There you are! Kwell is back in action. Is it good enough? Not too unrealistic? Is it unclear? I hope all is well with it. Let me know if something is wrong.

How long now? Until it's over?

-- Folwren

[Nogrod]

There you are! Kwell is back in action. Is it good enough? Not too unrealistic?Nicely written aka a good one, but what I'm a bit uneasy with is the amazing results of the ex-slaves in general! (So not Foley's post in particular as it indeed had a justification of three vs. one) I mean everytime they challenge an enemy they win and take one or two slavers with them (I'm not innocent to this myself either). And it is quite rarely that any one of them dies in the action.

I feel sorry to say this, but: more deaths to the goodies and better fighting & surviving slavers are needed to make it look believable! (Sorry to be calling for realism in fantasy... :rolleyes: ) I mean let's face it: the slavers are professional fighters and the ex-slaves are just anybody, furious to fight for their freedom, to be sure, but still quite the underdogs in practise.

It feels we're too effective...

Otherwise: great posting everyone, I really have enjoyed trying to catch up with the stuff here!

[Child of the 7th Age]

Guys....I have managed to come down with a lousy case of something like the flu (chills, fever, etc.) . I am hoping that a good night's slip will let me do a post tomorrow. If I hopefully manage to do that, I will describe a number of freed slaves male and female hitting the dust so that should take care of our problem.

I think once Pio and I post that should probably be the end of the fighting. Aiwendil and Rôg will be chasing a number of folk out of the camp, so they will be free to head towards the orcs.

How does this sound? Sorry about my lag but I am really out of it.

[Durelin]

That sounds fine. I think it's a good time to move on.

If it's alright, though, I'll put up a save and just write up a bit to have Khamir and Shae there, and then take care of one last piece of business...

I may or may not end up including Vror waking up in that post...if not I'll have him wake up soon after the battle, hopefully with enough time for him to be able to demand going along to check out the slaver's camp...maybe...

Some kind of flu seem to be attacking everyone this year. I believe I might have it...it has passed through my entire family and a lot of people in my school. It's even affecting people who got a flu shot this year.

I really hope you feel better, Child, and don't worry about getting your post up!

[Child of the 7th Age]

If it's alright, though, I'll put up a save and just write up a bit to have Khamir and Shae there, and then take care of one last piece of business...

That sounds good. If I am still totally conked out, I will delay the post but hopefully there will be some improvement.

[Brinniel]

I mean everytime they challenge an enemy they win and take one or two slavers with them (I'm not innocent to this myself either). And it is quite rarely that any one of them dies in the action.
Yes, I've noticed and I admit I am guilty as well.

If it helps, Shae only actually killed two of the four slavers she fought (one was killed by Reagonn, and later another by Khamir). And during her first fight, she got pretty injured from her fall...not to mention, the second slaver she fought (the one Reagonn killed) gave her some nasty bruises. Though I suppose you also count the slaver she killed the night Azhar and Kwell were rescued as a third, but since he died before the battle, I'm not sure if he's part of the number of slavers we decided on...

Anyways, I wanted to see the number of deaths we have on our hands so far, so I reread the RPG, and this is what I got:

Slavers:

2- killed by Beloan
1- killed by Kwell
2- killed by Khamir
1- killed by Adnan
1- killed by Dorran
2- killed by Shae (unless you want to count the one from the other night?)
2- killed by Rog
1- killed by Joshwan
1- killed by Reagonn
1- killed by Aiwendil
1- killed by Johari
1- killed by Carl and Kwell
1- killed by Carl and Dirand
1- killed by Kwell and two men
2- killed by Nasim, Gamal, and Zaki
2- killed by Khamir, Nasim, and Gamal

Total: 22

Of course, I'm sure a few more will die as we conclude the battle...

Ex-Slaves:

1. Tareef
2. Joshwan
3. Erlech
4. Zaki
5. Ayce
6. Darren
7. Korden
8. Syth
9. Reagonn
10. Rowenna
11. pregnant woman

Well...I'm sure plenty more ex-slaves have died and we just never mentioned them. Of course, we won't receive the final tally of the dead until the battle's completely over, but until then, perhaps it is a good idea to start stacking up even more ex-slave deaths.

This weekend, I might write up something between Aedhild and Eirnar. As I mentioned before, I wanted to kill off Aedhild, and I have an interesting idea...

[Folwren]

Well...I'm sure plenty more ex-slaves have died and we just never mentioned them. Of course, we won't receive the final tally of the dead until the battle's completely over, but until then, perhaps it is a good idea to start stacking up even more ex-slave deaths.

Don't forget all the wounded ones that Athwen is back working on. She has a few that she can't save. Those are pretty much dead, therefore, and should count in the tally.

I think the slaves have a good chance, Nogrod. We out number the slavers, and we have Rog on our side. :D

-- Foley

[Child of the 7th Age]

I'm having to use a back-up computer this weekend that doesn't have Word so I'm composing and editing in the post box itself. I'll let you know when it's actually finished....hopefully sometime tonight.

[Child of the 7th Age]

That was fun. :) One slaver off and running in the direction of the orc camp. Two more for Rôg to dispatch.

Orcs - be my guest. The man is yours. Apparently, a man can sometimes run faster than a boar and sometimes not. So we'll see if the fellow gets there in one piece.

I've managed to fill that part of the save that Pio will need to post. Hilde - I still have to work on Lindir. I hope to do that later tonight.

[Folwren]

Child,

Are you better yet? Over your flu, I mean? I sincerely hope so...

-- Folwren

[Child of the 7th Age]

Thanks Folwren. It's taken a day or two, but I am much better now.

[piosenniel]

Durelin

Khamir and Shae make it to help in the last defense, whether they are needed or not...

I'm in the midst of writing Rôg's post -- there are 2 slavers on horseback that he'll deal with; that is, he'll take down the horses. The slavers will tumble off. One will break his sword/weapons arm; the other will be somewhat dazed.

Can your character and Shae take care of the 2 men?

I'll do in a lead in for that, if so.....

~*~ Pio

[Nogrod]

DurelinCan your character and Shae take care of the 2 men?Unbelievable heroics, again... a couple of "Everyman" taking care of experienced soldiers on horseback just like that? :(

We should twist this to another direction, I think? Well, this is only my point of view, but it starts to look very unbelievable that these ex-slavers just knock the battle hardened enemies like that...

As you wish, surely...

[piosenniel]

Nogrod

Did you read my entire post?

The men will be unhorsed - one of them will have his sword/weapons arm broken; the other will be dazed.

Do you not think that will even the odds?

If not, I will have Rôg kill one of the men outright, leaving only one other for Khamir and Shae to do in.

[Nogrod]

Nogrod
Did you read my entire post?Yes I did. But I'm not saying this because of just your post Pio - which I think was reasonable enough - but I was trying to use it as an example of what we're doing as a writer-community... We all write reasonable enough scenarios, but they all seem to end with the ex-slaves getting the upper hand and the real fighters loosing. It would not be a problem if there would be one or two of those "lucky strikes" from "our" side against the bad losses of most of the posts, but as everyone makes them turn to the goodies it starts to look unbelievable...

Sorry to be this oneminded on this. I know it's fantasy and the Ex-slaves should beat a million dragons with their left hands anyhow if the storyline needed it... :D (And yes, this grin is made with all the good intentions, no malice intended)

[Nogrod]

Yes I did. I went back to check it and and must say I'm not wholly certain any more of the post you refer to as I couldn't find anything written by you in a long time but only a post in this discussion thread (your post in the discussion thread felt familiar and I thought I had been brave enough to actually read everything that had happed so far again today...) ... Puzzles me indeed... even though I will hold my basic point still: we (the ex-slaves) are too good in fighting.

[Durelin]

I'm in the midst of writing Rôg's post -- there are 2 slavers on horseback that he'll deal with; that is, he'll take down the horses. The slavers will tumble off. One will break his sword/weapons arm; the other will be somewhat dazed.

Can your character and Shae take care of the 2 men?

I believe so...though Gamal and Nasim, and even Beloan, too, could come help if need be...

Nogrod - Just remember that these ex-slaves (the original fifteen) are warriors, too, even if they don't have armour. I'd say all of them have had their fair share of battling, if on smaller scales, doing various raids against the plantations. And armour has its own drawbacks, such as slowing people down. So really outnumbering the slavers is key...and simply be prepared. If you've got two quick ex-slaves against even a well-armoured and well-armed Easterling, the ex-slaves have pretty good chances.

But you definitely have very good points, and that's just my view...I'm by no means an expert on anything battle related, hehe...

[piosenniel]

Nogrod

I'm referring to this post (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=506455&postcount=835) on the discussion thread - #835.

Let's just forget that scenario set up for Shae and Khamir - I will take care of the matter in another way.

~*~ Pio

[Nogrod]

I'm by no means an expert on anything battle related, hehe...Happily, no one of us is in RL... :rolleyes:

What i meant is that there is a X number of meetings between the slavers and the Ex-slaves / the FS - and if every one of them ends up with the Ex-slaves / FS winning - the all-out result looks astonishingly impossible... I have tried to be as balanced as possible in my posts and I think my results are about equal. I should possibly have made posts that get more of us killed and leaving more of the real slavers alive, I admit. But I think some of you others should think about this same thing too...

So we need more descriptions of those meetings where "our" people get crashed and lose as otherwise we will soon be needing to adjust the initial number of the slavers and raise their numbers to double our ex-slaves... I mean if every ex-slave manages to bring down two enemies, there needs to be a double numbers of the enemy to confront us. Although the preliminary idea was - if I remember it correctly - that there should be half the number of ex-slaves as the slavers attacking...

Soon we have killed as many slavers as there are ex-slaves around, even though there are women, children and the elderly composing a reasonable part of "us" while the slavers are all tough soldiers on horseback...

It just feels unbelievable, a bit too fantastic, sorry.

It's just my view of the things, though...

[Durelin]

Pio - If you're going to adjust those plans, it seems I should be editing my latest post pretty majorly...Shae and Khamir took down two unwounded slavers in that one, hehe... :eek:

Personally, I'd love to have Shae and Khamir kick some more butt. :p

[Nogrod]

I'm referring to this post (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=506455&postcount=835) on the discussion thread - #835.

Let's just forget that scenario set up for Shae and Khamir - I will take care of the matter in another way.
Yeah. That was what I was referring to in the first place too... And indeed I don't think that it is reasonable to talk over that one as I think there are questions pertaining to the larger picture of affairs we should discuss now. Sorry if I used you as an example of a larger point unfairly. Sorry indeed.

F.ex. if the slavers making a breach would actually be able to create a real havoc - catching or killing something like 4-8 people (if there are 4 possibly free slavers left), it would look a bit more realistic. I think both Khala and Cuáran (as characters I have brought into this game) could be sacrificed - or those yet nameless ones.

But somehow I just think the real soldiers (the slavers) should not lose all the time...

[Firefoot]

I think that part of the problem is that each of us is writing for our own character - and most of us certainly aren't ready for our characters to bite the dust yet! We don't have many people writing characters whom they want killed, so that basically means that the characters we are specifically writing about wind up coming out on top in their fights. That's my simple answer.

As long as the numbers work out in the end, it should be fine. Just because it's working out well for the primary characters doesn't mean it necessarily is for everyone.

[Nogrod]

As long as the numbers work out in the end, it should be fine. Just because it's working out well for the primary characters doesn't mean it necessarily is for everyone.Your first point (we have our own characters we don't wish to kill) was good, but on this second one I would like to comment. Yes. We should be more ready to
a) kill our "secondary characters"
b) those we have named in passing
c) those we have not named in the first place

Would that sound unfair or bad to you?

For example: I kind of have learned to like Beloan and could see him making a difference in the game after the fight with the slavers ends but we should be ready to kill him off too. Or anyone named... not to talk of writing posts where before unnamed people get killed...

We should also see that it seems that most of the people this far taking part in the fight have been men, so there should be a lots of women (and some children & the elderly) who are not yet accounted for - so a good part of those not named yet are women - hopefully all of them will not die, but a few should...

[Brinniel]

I've updated the death count list I made earlier in case anyone cared. I know it at least helps me figure things out...

Personally, I'd love to have Shae and Khamir kick some more butt.
Well, I like that idea :D

Shae may be exhausted and injured, but she's certainly determined. I'm sure she'll find another adreneline rush as she attacks her next opponent, and you know how powerful that stuff is. :p

Nogrod- I meant to write a post with Eirnar and Aedhild earlier and never got around to it. I could still write that post and include plenty of devastation from the ex-slave side in general. I promise the post won't be full of heroics...

[Durelin]

I meant to write a post with Eirnar and Aedhild earlier and never got around to it. I could still write that post and include plenty of devastation from the ex-slave side in general. I promise the post won't be full of heroics...

If you don't have the time or would prefer it, I can include the deaths of Eirnar and Aedhild in my post.

Sorry; that will be up as soon as possible. I needed a day off from lots of thinking today, though, so I apologize for not working on it yet.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Nogrod,

Killing too many slavers? It's good to remember not to go crazy but my feeling is that things may not be as clear cut or one sided as you suggest. Some of our characters have had success, but others have encountered their share of problems and hardships. In fact at this point, I have grave doubts about killing too many more of the good guys. Let's consider the situation and the numbers. We started off with 77 good guys max (70 slaves, 7 fellowship) and about 24 to 26 slavers.

The initial strategy of the slaves was foiled because Imak split his troops....so right from the first, things were not a piece of cake. The storyline does include scenes where the good guys fought but were unable to bring down their prey. Lindir along with Gretl and Wulf, two members of the original band, tracked several slavers to the southern portions of the camp yet failed to harm the men. Moreover, Lindir and several other members of the fellowship are experienced fighters. Although the elf has been soldiering for several thousand years, stretching back to his days in Beleriand, he has made no kills in this battle. Aiwendil has chased one man out of camp but has also killed no one. And Tevildo's Dorran, an experienced Rider, brought down just one and still bears a head wound from the previous day's skirmish that prevents him from fighting further. (He has retired from the fighting to haul bodies in for treatment. ) We have one major character lying wounded, with no real idea how serious his condition may be. Finally, the charging boar witnessed the deaths of two women and has heard the shrieks of a number of others who are presently being attacked within the grove.

I pulled up the casualty list graciously supplied by Brinniel and updated it with some additional information on those injured, kidnapped, etc.

Slavers:

2- killed by Beloan
1- killed by Kwell
2- killed by Khamir
1- killed by Adnan
1- killed by Dorran
2- killed by Shae (unless you want to count the one from the other night?)
2- killed by Rog
1- killed by Joshwan
1- killed by Reagonn
1- killed by Aiwendil
1- killed by Johari
1- killed by Carl and Kwell
1- killed by Carl and Dirand
1- killed by Kwell and two men
2- killed by Nasim, Gamal, and Zaki
2- killed by Khamir, Nasim, and Gamal

Total: 22

Of course, I'm sure a few more will die as we conclude the battle...

*****I would add two names to this:

Run off/Unknown
Imak
Man chased by boar towards the Orc camp

That makes 24 slavers in trouble or dead.


The there are the dead Ex-Slaves:

1. Tareef
2. Joshwan
3. Erlech
4. Zaki
5. Ayce
6. Darren
7. Korden
8. Syth
9. Reagonn
10. Rowenna
11-12. pregnant woman


Again, you need to add these names among the injured, some more and some less seriously so :

Vror
Dorran
Hadith
Adnan
Rôg

Plus, there were those who had to be rescued:
Tom
Azhar [/i]

That means we've described serious problems for 14 members of our band. There is also the possibility that one or more of those wounded may die or suffer long term impairment. And it is likely that other fighters have fallen quietlly, a fact that is still unknown to us. Plus, when the dust from battle settles, many of those still on their feet will bear additional minor wounds. (Aiwendil certainly will.)


From Aiwendil's description of the activity in the grove and also from Undomie's save, I would estimate we're talking about another 5-6 folk killed or seriously injured among the women and children. That means out of 77 good guys, we've had casualties and mishaps for 24 members of our band. That is about one-third of our total! The temporary loss of one-third of any community is a huge loss, especially when 18 of those have perished (about one-fourth of our total ranks). I honestly don't think we want to hack down too many others. We need enough people to start a community in the north. The heart of this RPG isn't the battle (as fun as that is) but the establishment of a new Mordor and the relations between humans and orcs. We can't have a new Mordor without people to start it.

My only concern here is the number of slavers that I postulated from the beginning. We probably should have gone with a figure around 30 rather than 24-26. But I refuse to be hog tied strictly by an artificial number, especially one that can be so easily changed. What I would like to do, if no one objects, is to go back through the entire thread and change the slavers estimate upward to 30. This could be done very easily with the search function. Would anyone have problems with that? If I adjust that number upward, it would also let those who want to get in their final hacks do so with ease..... (without going crazy, of course). And if another slaver or two takes to the hills or to the orc camp, that would be fine with me.

So we need more descriptions of those meetings where "our" people get crashed and lose as otherwise we will soon be needing to adjust the initial number of the slavers and raise their numbers to double our ex-slaves...

One final note regarding this.... One of the constant criticisms of Tolkien is that he lets his major characters off too easily....only one member of the fellowship is actually killed depite the enormous danger. We know there are deaths and injuries going on among the various "good" soldiers during the battles but these are generally not described and, with a few exceptions, happen to characters we don't know well. My gut feeling is that many RPG's done in the spirit of Tolkien tend towards this same model. For the most part I am comfortable with that. And, as I said before, I wouldn't have a problem nudging up the number of slavers by just a bit. Moreover, just as in Tolkien, there is more going on here than first meets the eye. We won't know our full damages until the battle ends and things settle down.

So please don't whack too many more of the good guys down.

[Regin Hardhammer]

I filled in my save with a short post. Firefoot - let me know if my use of Grask is alright. Otherwise, I'll edit it.

- Regin

[Undómë]

There are 6 women dead, 2 girls, and possibly 3 or 4 small children.

EDIT: WELL, THAT'S WHAT I HAD AT FIRST - BUT NOW THESE NUMBERS ARE NO LONGER TRUE. ONLY 3 WOMEN (MY CHARACTERS) ARE DEAD.

The women are in disarray, running helter-skelter from the grove in different directions.

There are 3 slavers after them (the two original ones Child of the 7th Age mentioned in her post for Aiwendil + another who joined them).

The slavers are each now riding separately from each other after groups of women and children, intending on rounding them up like so much cattle.

The thoroughly clubbed Rôg has been dragged by the women to some shrubs along the edge of the grove's clearing and stuffed out of the way beneath some low-growing bushes.

[Brinniel]

Aiwendil has chased one man out of camp but has also killed no one.
Whoops...I wasn't sure about that but I guess I assumed that the slaver did die. I need to start reading more carefully. :rolleyes: You can fix that if you like, Child.

Question: Wasn't Rowenna the midwife? I thought so, but now I'm not sure...

Also, you can add Shae to the list of injured. While it's nothing terribly serious, she'll definitely need some attention from Athwen once the battle is over.

What I would like to do, if no one objects, is to go back through the entire thread and change the slavers estimate upward to 30.
I like that idea. I think a larger amount of slavers would be better. Besides, I originally thought the number was at 27 or 28.

I'm going to put up a save for Aedhild and Eirnar. Right now, I'm planning to kill off Aedhild for sure....I'll leave the fate of Eirnar up to someone else. I'm not sure when I'll fill in this save, but I'll try to as soon as possible.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Brinniel,

No, Aiwendil did not kill his slaver. The last time I saw him, he was chasing him eastward across the plain.......

But yes, Rowenna was the midwife, so I've revised that initial figure down by one.
___________________

Original figures....

70 slavers
7 fellowship members

Current figures.....

Fellowship....Three wounded of which two are unconscious.

Ex-slaves: 22-23 dead; 2 injured plus 2 earlier kidnap victims (26-27 in all)

Altogether, that gives us roughly 40% of the fellowship wounded and one-third of the ex-slaves dead; plus another 6% wounded and/or traumatized by kidnapping. ;)

[Nogrod]

... That makes 24 slavers in trouble or dead.......vs. 12 goodies. So for every ex-slave killed two deaths of slavers... :D
We need enough people to start a community in the north. The heart of this RPG isn't the battle (as fun as that is) but the establishment of a new Mordor and the relations between humans and orcs. We can't have a new Mordor without people to start it.Sure. As I said, if the storyline requires, we'll do anything.
What I would like to do, if no one objects, is to go back through the entire thread and change the slavers estimate upward to 30.A good idea. Otherwise we would have already run out of the slavers... :)

And just not to leave any room for misunderstandings: I'm quite happy with this game and enjoy writing it as it is. It was just that I started to feel a bit uncomfortable with the success of our good guys. But that's no major problem anyhow.

[Tevildo]

There is no way Dorran could witness that carnage of women and children in the grove and not try to do something depite the likely results, since he already has a head injury......months ago in real time, but just a day ago in game time.

Please reserve one of those three baddies for me. I will fill the post tomorrow.

[Undómë]

EDIT:

Nothing to see here really . . . pass on by.

I had originally had counted up 32 slaves as the total being dead or injured.

But that is now revised downward to my own 3 characters being dead in addition to those ex-slaves others killed off in their posts.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Undómë,

That's correct. Only the 32 in trouble or dead should actually be 33, since Brinniel has said she will be killing off Aedhild.

[Brinniel]

Actually, if you edit from my error, there should only be 21 slavers killed...

Reading your save, I hope you do not plan to kill off Dorran, Tevildo. I would be very saddened if such an event were to occur. :(

Durelin- I don't know how far you've gotten on writing your save, but I was think maybe it'd be better if Shae and Khamir only take down one slaver. After all, Shae is still injured and though she can fight, in all likelihood she probably would no longer be able to kill a slaver without a lot of help from Khamir (or someone else). As much as you'd all like her to be, Shae is not a warrior princess. :p :rolleyes:

[Folwren]

Question! Question!

The women and children have been slaughtered and scattered (see Undome's latest post). They're running for their lives.

Athwen was behind them, farther back in the grove. She has wounded people with her and besides that, she's probably not inclined to run away anyway. But what of her? Will the three slavers leave her be while they run up the others? (There are only three left, right?)

Just wondering... I'm not going to put up a save or write a post until Tevildo has filled his.

-- Folwren

[Nogrod]

Actually, it's not 12 "goodies" dead to 24 slavers in trouble or dead. Since my last post, the tab looks like this:
.........................
13. Brenna (in the grove)
14. ex-slave female (in the grove)
15. ex-slave female (in the grove)
16. ex-slave female (in the grove)
17. ex-slave female (in the grove)
18. ex-slave female (in the grove)
19. Nia (16y/o) (in the grove)
20. Gwenith (11y/o) (in the grove)
21. young child (in the grove)
22. young child (in the grove)
23. young child (in the grove)
24. young child (in the grove)
25. young child (in the grove)How brutal of you Undómë! :eek:

But even as we're talking about innocents taking it rough, I must confess the numbers start to look more believable... although they are just numbers that look better now... :(

Just forget my whining and get on with it everyone. I'm feeling a bit embarrassed because of all the hassle I have seemed to arouse here...

I'll try to wake Hadith up to fumble again if I have time to do it before everything's over... :)

[Tevildo]

I am talking with Folwren about what to do. This isn't a case of me deciding to kill my characters. The way this story has gone in the last day in trems of "realistic" situations and body count, I really have little choice.

Azhar is trapped at the entrance to the grove with the rest of the women. She was thrown to the side and wounded. Her chances of getting out alive are very slim. Even if she does get out, she is going to have seen all that death and dying and she'd have to deal with that. She'll know she could have done something if she had only been able to put on the bear form. Seeing Rôg clubbed will also be a shock, since she's one of the few who knows that he could have saved himself by shifting forms.

I think I have even less choice with Dorran. He would not stand by and let this happen. He will try to fight and die because he was wounded and unconscious the day before. To do anything else would be totally "unrealistic".

I am going to use my save to do a set up post for Azhar and wait till after I talk with Folwren to finish everything up.

Oh, yeah....by the way, the figures everyone is using are wrong. It was a long time ago --four months--but there was a whole lot of discussion about numbers and how important it was that there be a balance between orcs and slaves. Child and Durelin said that there could be a certain number of slaves killed, but that the orcs (who are physically larger and much more experienced) had to be a much smaller group or there would not be a realistic chance of cooperation between the two bands. They both had to feel threatened with no one having the upper hand. The founders were very specific about the numbers: 65 ex-slaves, 25 slavers (now revised up to 30), and 15 orcs plus the 7 fellowship members. If anyone wants, I can give you the links.

Including Aedhild and Azhar who will likely die, we have 27 dead ex-slaves. That's a 42% mortailty rate -- I feel like I've slipped back to the slaughters of Beleriand. That leaves 38 alive, but two are badly wounded and a bunch presumably have minor wounds. It's possible those numbers about who is alive will drop because realistically you can't know your exact body count in the middle of a battle. There will be just three members of the fellowship who can fight. Everyone else is injured, dead or a woman.

At this point, I would bet on the orcs......

[Nogrod]

There will be just three members of the fellowship who can fight. Everyone else is injured, dead or a woman.Teehee! :D

At this point, I would bet on the orcs.........who are totally drunk by now. I think it will be more than even from the point of view of the ex-slaves & the Fellowship.

But otherwise you speak well Tevildo. The headcounts from the beginning do not seem to hold anymore. So we will just have to accustom ourselves to the new situation and try to bear with it. I believe we can do it.

PS. I t would be too sad to see Dorran go at this point, so please save him in a way or another...

[Tevildo]

First, the initial part of my save is filled.

But otherwise you speak well Tevildo. The headcounts from the beginning do not seem to hold anymore. So we will just have to accustom ourselves to the new situation and try to bear with it. I believe we can do it.

I certainly know and understand what the headcount and slaughter in the grove mean for my own characters. What I can not say is what they mean for the plotline that Durelin and Child laid down at the beginning of this game.

[Undómë]

Not all of the Orcs are drunk. Mostly the males, I would think.

And the females, at least mine, will be thinking of what's best for themselves in any encounter with the Fellowship/ex-slaves over any concerns for the Orc males.

[Regin Hardhammer]

I agree with Tevildo.

Ishkur has just had a coherent conversation with Grask. The ex-slaves weren't supposed to arrive till the middle of the night and Orcs can hold a lot of alcohol(kind of like frat parties). I am putting up a save where the injured slaver stumbles into camp and Ishkur questions him and finds out the basics of what's going on at the battle. I won't do more than that till I'm sure we're all on the same page. But one alternative would be for Ishkur to recommend a pull-out from the slavers' camp and a return to our own base. Then, by the morning we'd be reasonably clear headed and ready to attack whether at one location or the other.

[Nogrod]

Not all of the Orcs are drunk. Mostly the males, I would think.

And the females, at least mine, will be thinking of what's best for themselves in any encounter with the Fellowship/ex-slaves over any concerns for the Orc males.You're right about the drunkenness, I suppose. But I'm not sure whether the females can "foresee" that there will be any encounter, not the least an encounter with something like the fellowship and the ex-slaves (of which the latter they would know nothing anyhow)...

But maybe we'll see in due time?

[Regin Hardhammer]

Nogrod,

We've cross posted. I'm not sure if you saw what I said.

Ishkur isn't totally drunk yet and he would at least have the wits to recommend a pull-out from the camp and an attack in the morning.

[Nogrod]

Sorry guys. It seems I'm now the one who is losing touch with this game...

So one of the slavers is already back in the camp (well, one of them)? This fast? How on earth? Sorry. I may have read the last tidings badly or something.

If it is so, I'll draw back my words and apologise. It's late now here but I will check these tomorrow.

[Nogrod]

Nogrod,

We've cross posted. I'm not sure if you saw what I said. Yes we did, indeed. I was not intending to say all the males would be drunk at this moment (I think Gwerr also has something like a reason left 'till now), but as I thought it would take time for anything to happen I easily foresaw these orcs getting more drunk...

But as I said, let's see what happens and when.

[Undómë]

But I'm not sure whether the females can "foresee" that there will be any encounter, not the least an encounter with something like the fellowship and the ex-slaves (of which the latter they would know nothing anyhow)...

This has nothing to do with 'foreseeing' - I'm only saying my two characters will act in their own best interest as calculated by themselves.

[Regin Hardhammer]

The slaver who is back in camp is the one chased out by Aiwendil. There are a lot of horses out there on the plain running loose and it wouldn't be that hard to nab one to ride.

[Nogrod]

The slaver who is back in camp is the one chased out by Aiwendil.So how near / far the slaver camp actually is? My recollection of the things past gives quite a distance (f.ex. it could not be seen from the top of the highest hill around = at least 20 miles or something). So what time it actually is in the slaver camp now? And what is it in the battle?

Somehow I can't make these two lines converge even if I try. But as I said, I may be wrong and just perceiving the whole situation wrongly...

And sorry, Undómë, I didn't mean to annoy you. I was only wondering how the females could get ready for the ex-slaves like you wrote it earlier. It's of course another thing to be on one's toes all the time for whatever mishap. Although I think there would be a temptation to just fall into the looting and having a good time as all the others are doing it... but maybe the females are more cool than the males with the orcs as well as with us humans? :D

[Durelin]

I'd like to ask everyone to remove themselves from all the numbers, and rethink this story, this game in the big picture.

It is called "The Fellowship of the Fourth Age: A New Beginning."

The goal is a new beginning for the slaves, a new settlement that will last, for which you need quite a number of people. Whether or not this settlement is successful is not a question we're asking in this game, it's not an issue being explored. It is already determined that this is successful.

The capture of Azhar and Kwell, their rescue, and the attack of the slavers are all (ultimately) part of a very interesting subplot, which was so interesting that it has taken up quite a lot of time. It's only been covered in such great detail because of the amount of interest that was shown through people's posting. We're on to the ninth page and we still haven't united the Orcs with the slaves and Fellowship - when this occurs was when the game was really supposed to start.

If over half of the slaves are dead before the game was really supposed to start...well, we have to question what we're doing.

"Realism" doesn't mean as many dead people as we can manage. And is it even realistic for slavers, who make money off of capturing slaves (and this is their only way of making money, such as enough money to have food), to simply slaughter the unarmed ones? Sure, Imak has a personal vendetta, but what about the others? I doubt they're the loyal type; I doubt they care what happens as long as they get food, drink, money, and fun...

We must remember that we are applying our concepts (which may or may not be true) of the "real world" and what "realistically" occurs in the real world to a fantasy world, and more importantly, to a game. Personally, I don't want to spend an hour or so looking through a game to find all the numbers of the dead, wounded, etc...and I don't think anyone should expect anyone else to do it. How we know these statistics can be considered unrealistic, as well. How does one character know how many people have been killed around them? Running in to dead bodies or watching people die is a nasty business, and though it's going to happen, it's not going to happen to everyone.

So why should everyone be describing and tallying death on a large scale, considering roleplaying means we play a character, and write from that character's point of view - on the small scale. Here on the Barrow-Downs, sometimes roleplaying is taken in a broader view, I think: sometimes people narrate more than roleplay. There's nothing necessarily wrong with that, but I think it's really detrimental to the game in certain situations.

We just have to remember we're roleplaying. Playing a role. Playing, having fun, as a part of a game.

Everyone's writing and participation has been absolutely amazing, and I want to thank you all for all your work and interest. And I also want to continue in the way we have been: having fun and writing a great story. So I ask that everyone will sit back and have fun with this, while realizing that this is a game, and an opportunity to have fun together thanks to Child's conception of the idea.

-Durelin

[Nogrod]

I'd like to ask everyone to remove themselves from all the numbers, and rethink this story, this game in the big picture.I do agree, indeed, even if I was the one laying this molehill that turned out to be a mountain. That was not my intention anyway.

We're on to the ninth page and we still haven't united the Orcs with the slaves and Fellowship - when this occurs was when the game was really supposed to start.
...........
We just have to remember we're roleplaying. Playing a role. Playing, having fun, as a part of a game.Isn't the fact that we're on the page 9 just a confirmation of the latter, that we all have been enjoying this game and playing it to the fullest? :)

On the "realism-issue" I would think that Durelin is right about the slavers and by that I mean that they would not try to hunt down everyone to kill them but to capture as many they can and then retreat if they saw the situation too hard on them. Now most of them are dead anyhow and that can't (shouldn't) be changed... So as I said, let's just continue.

And for my part I will end this discussion about any numbers or distances or whatever here as I see it's growing too big in relation to its worth. I'll be happy with everything suggested.

As Durelin said: let's just have fun and write for our characters. And sorry about all this trouble.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Great post Durelin. I agree with much of what you've said. Now that we've had a chance to echange thoughts by pm, I'm going to put forward some of the ways we thought of that might be helpful to resolve this.

First, a personal note....and bear with me on the length of this post. As Durelin hints, this plot idea was "my baby"--a long held dream I've wanted to see spun out in an RPG or a fanfiction. The whole reason I was so careful about the numbers in the groups is that I wanted to make the plot believable. (I guess believable is the word I prefer rather than "realistic", since the latter is so often used to criticise Tolkien and negate the meaning of fantasy.) Both the Orcs and the ex-slaves have to feel that they can not make it to the north unless they rely on help from each other. Moreover, the two groups must be convinced that the physical power of each is roughly equivalent to the other, so that one band can not destroy the other. Since Orcs are better fighters both by nature and experience (though less capable of original thought), the band of ex-slaves must be considerably larger than that of the orcs.

Nogrod is certainly right to remind us that the victory of the slaves must come at a price. It can't be easy. There must be deaths. The problem comes with the specific numbers involved. I had never envisioned a death toll of 42% among the slaves (or the death of a member of the fellowship) as this would do serious damage to the careful equation we'd concocted at the beginning of the game. Regin, Tevildo, and Umdomie are also correct that such a drastic shift in numbers would necessitate a different plot than the one originally envisioned. In relation to this, here is the original agreement on the distances between the camps.

If we assume the slavers took one hour to return to camp and galloping horses go 6.7 mph (Fonstad's figure), the distance between the two camps is 6-7 miles.

Given the figure of seven miles, it is quite conceivable that the injured slaver could reach the orc camp on horseback in about an hour and spill the beans to Ishkur as to what has happened. Of course, the slaver could also go wandering off in the desert and never be heard from again.

I think we can reach a middle ground here: realistic numbers of dead but enough alive to preserve the original storyline. But to do that, minor changes will have to be made. I am therefore making the following requests.....

1. First, Tevildo, you were right about the numbers. We started off with 65 slaves. More importantly, please don't kill your characters without trying to work this out. I understand why you felt you had to do that. If the situation was this dire in the grove, Azhar would have died and Dorran as well trying to help her. Let's assume for a moment that the number of deaths is a wee bit lower, the situation grave but not to the point of breaking. I see no problem with you continuing with your two posts for Azhar and Dorran, perhaps softening the first one just a tad with a word here and there (nothing drastic).

Would you consider having Lindir come in to help pull the chestnuts out of the fire? He is the actually the character with the most experience in war and would likely keep a cool ahead and come up with a trick or two to get you two free from that brute. He may pay a small price, but being an elf who heals quickly does have certain advantages. (He also has the advantage of height and several thousand years of battling against Morgoth and Sauron.) I am not the greatest writer of battle posts, but I'll do my best.

2. Undomie - Whoa! I wish I could write with your energy and decisiveness when it comes to action. Could you soften it ever so slightly? Have some of the deaths be injuries? This wouldn't take much revision, just indicating they are stunned or whatever rather than dead. I will let you be the judge of the correct number of deaths to injuries. Just remember we have to rise again to fight a much worse enemy, and I don't mean orcs!

3. Regin -- Could you just hold off filling that save? I know you and the other orcs have good reason to be restless but please wait till the rest of this falls more into place. I really would like to keep to the original plot we agreed on: some portion of the fellowship will travel to the slavers' old camp late tonight and catch the orcs there -- the men half drunk and the women playing the role suggested by Tolkien in pleading for mercy. (Pleading? Maybe that's the wrong word...I'm not sure how an orc would ask or demand a break. That could be interesting to see.) Then the good guys will face a gigantic moral dilemma.

The glue that will hold this all together is what Aiwendil is going to find when he's out there on the plain heading back to camp snorting and smelling the night air. The one thing that's guaranteed to bring two enemies together is when they discover they have an even larger headache to face in the near future, one tha could destroy them both. :D

Nogrod - I know this isn't 100% of what you wanted, but I think it does tread a middle line so we can all continue with our characters and storylines.

If you or anyone has more ideas on this, just share them on the discussion thread.

Oh, yes....the death of Aedhild. That's up to you, Brinniel, and what you need to do with the character.....although at this point I'd love to see a certain number of warm, living bodies.

[Tevildo]

Child -

I am more comfortable with this so let's go ahead. There's still going to be some sad deaths and injuries in that grove but hopefully not so many that we can't continue with the same story line.

Let's assume for a moment that the number of deaths is a wee bit lower, the situation grave but not to the point of breaking. I see no problem with you continuing with your two posts for Azhar and Dorran, perhaps softening the first one just a tad with a word here and there (nothing drastic).

Yes, I can do that. But probably not till tomorrow.

Would you consider having Lindir come in to help pull the chestnuts out of the fire?

That would be helpful. I will send you my ideas. To make this believable, one of my two characters should probably get hurt, but no one will die. My characters seem to have a knack for getting sick and injured since both of them have already been in the infirmary once. Athwen could make a fortune if she could just start charging for all these "housecalls". :p

[Brinniel]

I definitely agree on what's being said here. While at first we may have gone over a little much on the heroics, this devastation that has suddenly swept through the camp is just too overwhelming, and in my opinion, has gone overboard. Not only would we lose the large number we need, but emotionally, how would the remaining ex-slaves carry on? We lose that many ex-slaves, and we lose that sense of hope we need to start that new beginning.

Tevildo, as others mentioned before, please don't kill your characters. Azhar and Dorran are great characters and it'd be terrible to lose them. And while I knew characters would be killed off, I never imagined them to be the main characters. I've killed off my own character before in a different RPG when I saw it necessary, and honestly it just plain sucks because once your characters are all dead, you're done. And I don't know about everyone else, but I'd hate to lose you as a writer on this RPG. Dorran may be slightly injured, but I would think he could successfully rescue Azhar. After all, he is a Rider of Rohan (not to mention ex-slave), so he should be pretty tough, right?

And as for Aedhild... If no one minds, I would still like to kill her off. After all, with Nova gone, she is now an NPC, therefore not important to the story, plus I have this really great idea on her death that I'd like to use. Here's what I could do: I'll have Aedhild be one of the woman that were mentioned in Undome's post. At that point of time, she won't have died just yet, but will be seriously injured. Eirnar will find her, and that's basically where my post will pick up. Eirnar will definitely not die; instead I can use him as another reinforcement. Depending on what Durelin posts, perhaps I will have him aid Shae and Khamir.

EDIT: Seems I'm a little slow on my posting, as I have only just read your last post Tevildo, but I'm glad to see you're not killing them off. :)

[Folwren]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for not killing your characters, Tevildo!!! Thanks much, Durelin and Child, for your girls' posts. He wouldn't listen to me! ;) This morning was tough. I didn't want to tell you then, because I didn't want to disuade you with my personal feelings, but I was down right depressed as we wrote those PMs, Tevildo, and you were so set and determined to kill poor Azhar and Dorran.

As to how to continue, Athwen can also run in and help. If she looks up and over to see the women and children attacked and then kind of runs forward in alarm, sees them all scattered, and then sees Azhar hurt, perhaps Dorran can jump in against the slaver, Athwen can run forward and get Azhar (move her, half carry, half drag, maybe) while Dorran distracts the slaver. And then Lindir can come and help Dorran.

How's that sound? Please can we do it? I've not been able to do anything with Athwen this whole battle, except run on the horse and then try to mend people.

I am so happy now, you can't guess. :D

Cheers!

-- Folwren

[Regin Hardhammer]

Ah, well! You win some and you lose some. ;) Part of me was dreaming about leading a victorious army against the slaves and fellowship. I guess it's back to the horse farm.

But really, this is better.....the idea of the two groups having to cooperate. I've erased my save for now. I still may do a scene with that slaver who's escaped, but I'll do it later in the night. I think Nogrod is right that it would take him a little longer to find his way back to the camp.

[Child of the 7th Age]

As to how to continue, Athwen can also run in and help. If she looks up and over to see the women and children attacked and then kind of runs forward in alarm, sees them all scattered, and then sees Azhar
hurt, perhaps Dorran can jump in against the slaver

Folwren -

This sounds good to me from Lindir's perspective. We'll see what Tevildo says. I'm also relieved that Dorran and Azhar will continue to be part of the story.

And as for Aedhild... If no one minds, I would still like to kill her off. After all, with Nova gone, she is now an NPC, therefore not important to the story, plus I have this really great idea on her death that I'd like to use.

Brinniel -

If you've got a good story idea, definitely run with it.


Part of me was dreaming about leading a victorious army against the slaves and fellowship. I guess it's back to the horse farm.


Regin -

The trials and tribulations of being an orc! I sympathize. Actually, someday I'd like to do an RPG from a "Marxist" perspective that acted out the "Orc as worker" theories that abound about LotR! I think I may have to sneak a story like that in through the back door of the RPG forums!

[Nogrod]

Very well thought out posts Durelin & Child. You're quite wonderful mods!

[Undómë]

Well, there you go - post modified.

My three characters are dead - Brenna, Gwenith, and Nia. Everyone else in the grove area is alive.

The 3 slavers have put up their deadly weapons (swords, bows, etc.) and are riding about knocking the fleeing women down and netting them in order to capture them alive.

You can do what you will with who is hurt and how much, etc.....

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

Tevildo

You will most likely need to edit your post for Azhar - since the field is now no longer littered with dead bodies. Sorry about that!

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Oh good, I was thinking that Carl would be moping about in shock for the rest of the story! :)

[Tevildo]

Undómë,

Sounds good. I'll edit that post tonight.

Folwren,

Yes, I'm really glad this all worked out, and I'm sorry if I gave you a great big headache. :eek:

As to how to continue, Athwen can also run in and help. If she looks up and over to see the women and children attacked and then kind of runs forward in alarm, sees them all scattered, and then sees Azhar hurt, perhaps Dorran can jump in against the slaver, Athwen can run forward and get Azhar (move her, half carry, half drag, maybe) while Dorran distracts the slaver. And then Lindir can come and help Dorran.

I like this approach a lot. Let's run with it. I'm not sure if I'll get the post up tonight since I'm behind on everything. But I'll be working on it soon.

Addendum : My post is edited. Things are still grim, but not as helpless as before! I'll write the second part tonight or tomorrow.

[Durelin]

Finally filled in my save.

Brinniel - I used Shae a little. I hope it's alright. Any of it can go or be edited if you'd like.

Child - Should I wrap up the fighting in the grove in my next post? Or do you want to post as Lindir to do that? I was going to have Shae and Khamir team up with Lindir and anyone else around to drive the slavers out of there once and for all, but I was not sure what Lindir was up to, so I didn't get that far in the save I filled in.

[Brinniel]

Hmm...I wonder if Khamir will ever get over his stubborness. :rolleyes:

The post looks good, Durelin. It's probably a good thing for Shae to slow down as well, with her broken ribs and all, even though she doesn't want to admit to the pain (I guess she can be pretty stubborn too).

Hehe, what a ragged (and stubborn) pair Khamir and Shae make. :p

I will be sure to get my save filled in by Sunday (hopefully earlier). Folwren, I hope you won't mind but I plan to use Athwen briefly in that post. It won't be anything big, but I thought I should let you know...

Depending on what Child posts for Lindir, I may write a post for Shae within the week..

[Child of the 7th Age]

Should I wrap up the fighting in the grove in my next post? Or do you want to post as Lindir to do that?

Could you hold off? We had planned something. (See discussion thread just a few spots earlier.)

I am waiting for Tevildo and then Athwen to post. (Tevildo says he'll do it tonight.) Once their posts are done, Lindir will quickly tie up a scene with Carl and then both of us will head for the grove where I'll help "rescue" Tevildo's crew. Lindir will chase one slaver off to the east and mention generically that others are being chased out or slain as well....

Since we now have 30 slavers, anyone who wants to can get in a final lick. (I think Hilde plans a final post for Carl.) At that point we should be finished with this part of the game....

Pretty good, huh? We're only four months late. :D Meanwhile, I'm going to fill in Aiwendil's save tonight.

[Durelin]

Holding off is definitely fine with me.

Sorry, I'm really confused with all that's going on, and (obviously) behind on posts. :o I wish I could sit back and read posts more thoroughly and in order this weekend, but with both a five page Latin "take-home test" and another project, I don't see that happening. :rolleyes: But that's not an excuse for my disregard. I'm very sorry!

[Folwren]

Child,

I'll be able to at least get up a save tomorrow. Fact is, I may even be able to write the actual post then, too, but I am not possitive. If I can't write the post, then you can move on with only my save being up. I'll outline it pretty thoroughly in the save so you can write efficiently enough without an actual post written.

-- Folwren

[Tevildo]

Folwren,

I've edited my last post. The slaver has tied up Azhar and is dragging her away. :eek: I am thinking the easiest and quickest way to do this scene would be for Athwen and Dorran to come running to the grove together. Then Athwen could get Azhar loose and try to get her out of there, while Dorran starts to fight the slaver.

Could you possibly bring my character to the grove and get him positioned for the fight? Then I could take it from there. Feel free to use Dorran to set up the scene.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I am wondering if someone might clear something up for me. Were the wounded being kept in a place separate from the grove? I had assumed that they were very, very close if not in the same place.

[Folwren]

Tevildo,

Yes, I can do what you ask, definitely. How jolly! A tied up prisoner! Those are always one of the funnest to write about. :rolleyes: I mean, sometimes...you know...

I am wondering if someone might clear something up for me. Were the wounded being kept in a place separate from the grove? I had assumed that they were very, very close if not in the same place.

I have pictured the wounded being the farthest back in the grove. They were behind the women, sheltered by rocks and bushes, almost out of sight. They were in a place where even with the wind storm, there was little wind.

-- Folwren

[Child of the 7th Age]

Folwren,

I would agree with that description....

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Thanks, muchly.

[Child of the 7th Age]

My save is filled. Read it and weep!

These nasties really did exist, and many of them lived in the foothills of the Plateau of Gorgoroth. They definitely did not die after the destruction of the Ring. They were said to have scattered mindlessly in many directions after the last battle. The only thing I've "changed" from Tolkien for our story is that they have now regained their ability to organize and fight.

Hopefully, both the freed slaves and orcs will realize that they both have a bigger problem than each other!

[Folwren]

My save is mostly filled

Tevildo - how on earth is Athwen to get those iron cuffs off of her??

[Child of the 7th Age]

Hmm.....

I don't know what Tevildo will say, but I can think of two possibilities.

1. Steal the keys, but that would be difficult, or,

2. hack through the chain. This would be much easier to do than cutting the bands off her wrist. (those wrist cuffs could be dealt with later). Maybe just drape the chain over the top of the boulder and slam down with all your might with an axe or hammer? That way at least she is free to leave.....

***********

Edit: OK, I see you've got her loose. My guess is that you're going to need someone skilled in metalwork. I know Lindir could do this or maybe Vror???
But it would have to wait till after the battle ended.

[Folwren]

I've cut the ropes, but I believe she is still chained to the horse. Am I wrong? Check his post. I believe he not only had her roped but also chained to him.

[Tevildo]

To tell the truth, I never thought about how Azhar would get free. :eek:

The rider had one end of the chain in his hand. The other end was attached to those iron manacles that are locked on the girl's wrists. He probably looped his end of the chain around the pommel of his saddle or something like that. You could have the slaver drop the chain or have it come unattached from the saddle. That's possible. Then Azhar will be free, even though she's still dragging the chain.

You could do what Child said....take a hammer and slam down on the outstretched chain if you want to cut some of that off. Or you could just leave it and drag it along. I vote for Lindir to get the whole thing off once the fight is over.

If you can come up with another idea, I'm certainly willing to be flexible here. (sorry about this....)

[Folwren]

No, that's fine, Tevildo. I just didn't want her dragged around by the horse while the men were fighting. I'll just have him drop it when he reached for his sword, how's that?

I'll do that later, though. It's too late to be patient with a veeerrry slow computer and editing would take too long.

-- Folwren

[Folwren]

Alright! I believe that it is done. Tell me if anything needs to be changed, Tevildo.

-- Folwren

[Child of the 7th Age]

Hilde,

Save filled and moved to another location later in the thread: here. (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?p=506674#post506674)

I trid to do what we discussed. Carl has a wound -- not serious at all but it has drawn some blood. I'll eliminate this if you'd prefer, just let me know. And if there's any other problem, just tell me.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Looks great, Child. Thanks.

[Tevildo]

My save is filled. Lindir...it's your turn.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Dorran is being dragged back to the hospital....

Who'd like to do our final battle post? I think we've reached that point unless someone has something more they'd like to get in. It probably wouldn't take more than a few sentences to pull thing together by generically describing the final rout of the few remaining slavers....

Any takers?

After that, we might want to do some planning as to what comes next and how fast we plunge over to the orc camp. There are a number of unanswered questions in our story at this point. Presumably, going to the slavers' camp would have to be done sometime during the same night as the battle itself (game time) to catch the male orcs in an inebriated state. Who goes and who stays among the slavers and fellowship?

Presumably we are heading over there quickly to pull back their supplies and such. In a place like Mordor, you better pick things up quickly or someone else will!

I am assuming gravely injured characters will need to stay in our own camp. But we need enough people in the party going to the slaver's camp that we could realistically deal with 15 orcs, most of whom are drunk.

And where should the argument happen about the orc's fate? I would assume there would be a preliminary argument in the slavers' camp that basically dealt with the question of whether we should slay them immediately....and the answer to that would be "no". But the whole idea of them joining us in the march would surely not come up at that point..... Perhaps that particular argument should only come when we reunite with the whole camp? I am envisioning Aiwendil bursting into camp at some point and talking to Lindir about the much bigger problem we'll be facing shortly. That should perhaps force some cooperation between the two groups.

Do we just hold the orcs in the slavers' camp and have our main group (including the injured) come over the next morning? Or do we drag the orcs back physically with us? Could we realistically do that? It's one thing to guard them, but it's another thing to force them to go somewhere....

I'm also curious where you think our characters will eventually line up on this issue of cooperation with the orcs: for or against. Assuming that the female orcs do make a plea for mercy, Aiwendil will probably be inclined to go along at a fairly early junction, both the fairness issue and the fact that the two groups will have bigger fish to fry. Lindir will be more cautious but eventually come around to that point. I can imagine that some of the characters, such as the slaves, will be very opposed.

Any ideas, comments would be helpful. Also, do we realistically need another orc character or two??

[Regin Hardhammer]

I'm also curious where you think our characters will eventually line up on this issue of cooperation with the orcs: for or against.

Needless to say but some of us orcs won't be too thrilled about the situation either.

- Regin

[Durelin]

I started working on a post for Khamir, and wasn't completely positive where to go with it, so I'll turn that into a wrap up post if that's alright.


I'm also curious where you think our characters will eventually line up on this issue of cooperation with the orcs: for or against.

Khamir = decidedly against. I mean, one of those bloody critters lopped off his arm years ago... :p

Adnan will have an open mind. Besides, his hatred lies (well, lied...I think he's going to resolve that hatred, though he'll have some other issues, hehe) with Easterlings.

Vror hasn't had any experience with Orcs, though he knows plenty about their nastyness from the older generations. So I think he'll be fairly open-minded. He'll find himself especially unable to hate them when it comes to female and young Orcs. Paternal instincts and the like...

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Carl will be deeply suspicious of the orcs, and I don't think he will be over joyed with the prospect of joining up with them. (Might even act a bit 'orcish' about it.)

[Tevildo]

Interesting. Dorran's parents were killed by orcs.
:mad: Enough said!

Still.... The real question isn't how our characters feel at the beginning of this mess. It's whether or not they are capable of change.

I suspect Dorran is capable of change, even if very slowly. I also suspect that, if there is any sentiment to give orcs a chance, it will generally come from the members of the fellowship rather than the slaves (though there may be certain exceptions to this.) If Aiwendil and Lindir and eventually Vror soften their stance a bit, Dorran will begin to feel some pressure to re-examine his own attitudes. Like Durelin's character, Dorran is more likely to be soft hearted about the women and the children....especially the children.

*************
Azhar is in an interesting position. She has equal hatred for orcs and easterlings so, in that sense, she's not as fixated on orcs as Dorran is. Azhar will do everything she can to avoid coming in contact with the male orcs. She doesn't want to fight them--she just wants to avoid them. Female orcs and children are a different matter. She's never known any. I assume that, if female orcs lived on the plantation, they did drudge work rather than being overseers....the same for the kids. It's possible that Azhar would actually have some things in common with the kids and women if she would ever talk to them -- types of labor they both shared. If Azhar can make some contact of this type, her atttitudes will soften. More than that, she could become a veritable firebrand on behalf of "orc rights".
:D

[Regin Hardhammer]

It seems as if the orc women and children will be in a pivotal position when it comes to dealing with non-orcs. Ishkur has never been beholden to any woman in his life so having to rely on orc women even for this will not be easy.

[Firefoot]

I've been under the impression that Grask was the only Orc child in the lot - that's certainly how I've been writing my posts. But maybe the word "children" has just been being used for convenience - it sounds better, I suppose...?

Grask is going to be curious, maybe a little fearful, but mostly curious. Johari will be distrustful and probably resentful.

[Nogrod]

Sorry to have been away for a time again. I'll be in soon enough. Modding a WW-game seems to be a full time job, at least if you add to it some social life with your children... ;)

But to answer your question Child:
- Hadith couldn't probably even understand that one could live alongside an orc in other conditions than slavery (either way) or enmity. Hopefully he will be in such a bad condition that he can't open his loud & conservatively idealistic mouth here! But who knows?
- Gwerr will be one of those who could see a point in co-operation - at least as long as it might make the Uruks the main "suspects" and thence lessen their influence. But he would be pretty upset with any Elf showing up (old instincts, you know).

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Durelin, I've got Carl's post up (finally), and had the notion that the slavers' might decide that it wasn't worth pursuing matters once they found out how badly things were going for them. Maybe just grab a few choice persons head back for their camp. And so I had what Lindir had described earlier as "one of Imak's most trusted henchmen" shouting something. Didn't know if you could use that. It could be anything, some strategy or a report on their losses, whatever.

And as always, if I need to change something, just let me know. I might not get online again before tomorrow to fix it, though. And apologies for the delay in filling in the save.

[Durelin]

Sorry for the wait. With my net down most of today, I've gotten a little behind. I'll get my post up as early tomorrow as possible (and if I'm really lucky, tonight), though.

Thanks, Hilde, I'll definitely keep that in mind.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Durelin,

Yes, please do the wrap-up for the battle. That would be great.

Firefoot,

Yes, Grask is the only "named" orc child who is actually being played. But perhaps out of the fifteen orcs, there would be one more who has been a NPC who is a child? This seems like a good idea since several posters made reference to children as a "softening" agent.

Also, it would not be a bad idea if someone "picked up" another orc and actively played them.....man, woman, or child. ;)

[Durelin]

My post is up, and I hope it's alright. I read everyone's previous posts, but I'm pretty horrible at picturing things like battles, so it's quite possible things might conflict. Just let me know if I need to edit anything.

Next thing on my agenda is to have Vror wake up...

Oh, and I am quite tempted to add an Orc to my character ensemble... :rolleyes: ;)

[Firefoot]

Yes, Grask is the only "named" orc child who is actually being played. But perhaps out of the fifteen orcs, there would be one more who has been a NPC who is a child? This seems like a good idea since several posters made reference to children as a "softening" agent. The only problem I have is that numerous times throughout the thread I've made reference to Grask being lonely/not having any companions.

Possible solution: perhaps an additional female orc child, perhaps a little older, so that she would associate with the female orcs? The orcs have struck me as being very sexually discriminatory, so an orc child very set in the female role probably wouldn't have much contact with Grask.

I might also suggest a child very very young, but this would have made escape difficult in the first place...

Does this sound all right? The more I think about it, the more likely it seems to me that Grask wouldn't seek out female companionship, even if she was closer to his age. Another male Orc child would just be contrary to almost everything I've written for Grask so far.

[Durelin]

One more thing that I feel horrible for forgetting...

I'm very sorry, Brin, for using Shae all the time lately. Just let me know if I need to change anything, or remove parts concerning her that you would like to handle yourself. I feel really bad when I "carry" any characters along, even if just very briefly...I've had bad experiences with that with others! So, again, I am sorry, and just let me know if there's anything that needs to be changed or removed.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Firefoot,

Good points about the orc child. Assuming we do have another orc child, whether a NPC or played by someone, it sounds as if that child should be female.

[Brinniel]

Okay, my save is finally filled. I severely apologize that it took so long...there were difficulties between both school and writer's block. I actually originally had a brilliant idea for my post and when I started to plan it out, my great idea turned into total rubbish. So, I brainstormed over and over how else I should write this darned post. Anyways, I didn't end up actually killing off Aedhild, just injuring her severely. Folwren, her life will be in Athwen's hands now. Heh...that poor woman has a lot of work to do. I found it hard to write for another person's character, so I can only hope that I did Nova justice.

Durelin- I think what you've done with Shae so far is mostly fine. Just don't forget she is just as injured as Khamir...I sort of got the impression that it seemed otherwise when she helped him over to where the injured sat.

On the questions regarding meeting of the orcs:

Shae will definitely be very much against cooperation. It was an orc that beat her against the head when she was 11, ultimately resulting in the blindness in her left eye. So it'll take a lot to convince her...

Also, I would prefer that Shae is in the group that first encounters the orcs. Though she is a bit injured and probably tired, after some attention from Athwen I think she will be in good enough condition. Besides, Shae can be rather stubborn and I very much doubt she would easily sit this one out...

[Durelin]

Durelin- I think what you've done with Shae so far is mostly fine. Just don't forget she is just as injured as Khamir...I sort of got the impression that it seemed otherwise when she helped him over to where the injured sat.

I had her helping simply because I thought she at least didn't have any injuries in her legs, and thus could walk better. I'm sure they were probably all sort of helping each other, just trying to keep each other standing... Here, I'll edit something like that in.

Let me know if there are any other problems.

[Brinniel]

Thanks...looks all good now.

Sorry...I suppose I can be a bit picky. :p

[Child of the 7th Age]

I usually prefer to "go with the flow" and let characters respond spontaneously. But the meeting with the orcs is going to take some planning. My main concern is making it believable that these two groups might actually consider grudging cooperation. This is obviously not something Tolkien explored in his stories other than his brief comment in HoMe about the possibility of "mercy".

Durelin and I exchanged pms and came up with the following ideas. None of this is written in stone. Additional ideas/comments are welcome, especially since some of this action "makes assumptions" about your characters that may or may not be right. If you're not comfortable with something in this post or have another idea, please speak out....

First, it's preferable that any action with orcs takes place in the slavers' camp rather than at the original campsite where the battle occurred and where the injured are now recuperating. I can definitely see how an advance party of 12-15 good guys could ride over to the slavers’ camp intending to gather supplies; discover a small group of drunk, snoring orcs; and then manage to overpower them. But I don't think we have the manpower to clamp these orcs in chains and drag them off against their will back to our original camp. That means we have two choices: kill the orcs on the spot (not good for our storyline) or imprison them temporarily in the slavers’ camp until the others arrive and we make a decision.

Logistically speaking, it would be very possible to imprison the orcs temporarily. The slavers’ camp has pens, corrals, pits, manacles, and chains….very convenient for our guests. We could use those facilities and implements to keep the orcs in check till the rest of our group arrives. That could be the next day, or if we wanted, even a later day by use of a time condense post. Meanwhile, those left behind at the original campsite could use the time to recuperate from injuries, bury or more likely burn the dead, tend to the wounded.

We had an earlier discussion about numbers of male and female orcs, but never reached a firm decision. Overall there are 15 orcs. Could we go with 10 males (Makdush, Ishkur, Gwerr, Grask and 6 NPC) and 5 females (Zagra, Mazhg, Ungolt and 2 NPC) ? One male (Grask) and one female (NPC) would be under age. That means the fellowship will have to contend with 9 sleeping/drunk adult male warriors (3 uruks?, 6 regular orcs?) I am guessing that the females and Grask will not be totally drunk and will be able to hide and evade the intial round-up and imprisonment by the good guys….but that will be up to you.

I believe there are 46 living ex-slaves plus 7 fellowship members. Of the ex-slaves, I would guess that 26 are men and women who would normally fight; 20 are children and females who do not usually fight. Another 6 members of the fellowship are combattants; Azhar is not. So overall we have 53 good guys: 32 fighters and 21 non-fighters. That’s 32 against 10 fierce orc warriors… plus some angry female orcs as well! This sounds about right for the two groups to keep each other in check, with neither having the clear upperhand. Of course right now, the number of good guys is lower because so many are injured. Still, we probably have 20 or so capable of fighting.

A possible plot line….

1. 12-15 relatively able bodied fighters ride over to the slavers’ camp at dawn to check on supplies. There is a wagon in the slavers’ camp which they intend to use for transporting the supplies.

2. When this party arrives, they discover 9 drunk/snoring male orcs….. Women and children are nowhere to be seen????

I can see one of our good guys who hates orcs come into camp first and stumble upon a sleeping victim. He/she will draw sword and prepare to execute. Lindir, who nominally heads the party, will stop him. (Don’t suppose everyone will be thrilled with that!) Lindir will order the males chained and thrown into the underground pit while we consider our options.

3. Since Lindir has no idea whether there are more orcs lurking about, he feels it’s essential that everyone unite in a single camp as soon as possible. He sends one or two messengers back to camp along with the wagon and tells the entire group to prepare to leave the next morning (?) after a day’s rest. Those in camp will presumably be thrilled to hear this news. When the actual trip comes the next morning, the sick will be transported in the slavers’ wagon and on sledges. We can do this in a narrative post rather than get too bogged down.

The next day everyone arrives in the slavers' camp, and the debate begins.

I see 3 options: kill the orcs immediately, leave them chained at the bottom of the pit (which Lindir sees as equivalent to a sentence of death) or leave them free to go their own way. Surely, no one initially considered the possibility of cooperation.

Aiwendil, who has been delayed out in the wilds (I'll think of something!) comes stumbling into the meeting late…. The camp is already voting and the judgment is death. (I think this is in keeping with what people said earlier on this thread, but let me know if I am wrong.)

4. A few slaves step forward to execute the order. At this point something happens :D. This is something the orcs will need to plan but somehow, someway, one of the orcs needs to make a plea for mercy….

5. I am planning on having Aiwendil step forward and explain what he has seen out on the plain in very clear terms. To put it bluntly, neither group will survive on the plains of Gorgoroth unless they cooperate against the overwhelming threat of the “olog-hai”.

The group hopefully reconsiders. Orcs and good guys agree to march in proximity, if not exactly side by side....

Will this work? Ex-slaves and fellowship….please let me know if you’ll be waiting behind in camp or going with the advance party to the slavers’ camp. Orcs….please let me know if your character is going to be imprisoned or out hiding in the bushes (or doing something else for that matter.). Everyone is welcome to respond on this thread or send a pm if you have something special up your sleeve.

*********

Speaking of sleeves.... :rolleyes: Firefoot, check your pm's.
******************

P.S. Would anyone like to be the character who first stumbles on a sleeping orc and draws out a sword to slay him?

[Regin Hardhammer]

Everyone,

The outline by Child and Durelin sounds fine to me. The orcs are already starting to plan what our response will be.

I do have one minor problem. I leave tomorrow for a three-day conference in Washington DC. That means I won't be able to post till late Monday or Tuesday. I'm not sure how fast things are going to play out so I don't know if my absence will be a problem.

Just in case....

Nogrod If Ishkur gets imprisoned while I am gone, could you carry him to prison along with Gwerr?

And Child this is to confirm my earlier pm.... Feel free to have Ishkur respond positively to the news that Makdush will bring.

See everyone later.

- Regin

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Two thoughts come to mind, Child. Firstly, I have always assumed that orcs were quite at home in pits and holes. But perhaps chaining them together will keep them out of mischief...or maybe they will get into worse mischief underground! :)

Secondly, would the average non-orc even be able to tell a female from a male orc? If so, perhaps the plea might be from a female who's not keen on being locked up with the males!

As for Carl, he is not running at 100%, but I can see him returning to the slavers' camp in order to keep his mind off things.

[Nogrod]

Well...

Basically it looks good.

But I'm a bit hesitant with this easy catch of all the orcs and am trying to bring together the puzzle left to me by Regin with his post here and his PM to me...

I know you others haven't played the orcs very much (except Undomë who's characters are now "safe" as it has been agreed that they will not drink too much and may get away) and from the viewpoint of the ex-slaves / the FS the orcs are mainly a challenge on your route.

But after playing the orc-guys pretty extensively with Regin I think we both have started to care for our characters so as to wish them to be able to make a difference as any character could - or at least not be such a prewritten fools.

And that I think would also enhance the actual playing, giving us all new ways to look at things and new situations to react to?

I agree that we should end up with a settlement - how fragile it might be - but just rounding up all the orcs doesn't sound like a way either Ishkur or Gwerr would allow it to go. They've been masterminding a few things already and would take care not to get drunk enough anyway as their future gold is at stake (even if they wouldn't be ready for any humans to appear, but just because of the Uruks they would be on alarm all the time). And they're over two thousand year old soldiers... they're no novices. Surely they would have something in their sleeve for any unforeseen situations?

If you haven't read their fortunes this far, they are in the slaver-captain's tent with all his treasure nicely packed into small pouches and laden to a horse that is also inside the tent. If they heard something alarming they would probably mount and ride away together coming back to see what's going on after they feel it's safer... That's just a preliminary thought, though.

I don't see this compromising the initial plan though. The discussions - as the rest of the ex-slaves / Fs would come to the camp - might just receive a few other unexpected guests with Aiwendil... :)

[Nogrod]

Thinking out aloud of the "forward party"...

We probably should pick there people who have time to post somewhat regularly and taking in characters who are relatively sound.

That means fex. that Hadith will not join them (as he wasn't able to take part in the closing action of the fight). But then again I would much like to warm up Dury's earlier idea of making Beloan an actual minor character, shared between Dury and me (others are welcome to use him for my part still even if we decide to make him "a character"). We could come up with a bio for him on the grounds of what Dury offered.

Then Beloan should be one of those in the advance party. And this giant-guy Qat possibly too as he's barely scratched?

[Durelin]

Secondly, would the average non-orc even be able to tell a female from a male orc? If so, perhaps the plea might be from a female who's not keen on being locked up with the males!

Well, I think we're going to go with the idea that Orcs reproduce in the same way as humans and Elves, so we can assume then that female Orcs have mammary glands. While that's certainly not always a give away, I imagine their voices are a little more...matronly? Perhaps their facial features are a little softer? And I imagine their a little lighter in build, though probably not by much.

I think confusion regarding this will definitely happen, though, when the slaves and fellowship first see them. I'd say we can assume that they'll see something different, though, and someone will suggest that they're...*gasp* female? I'm guessing the Orc-women might have something to say about the uncertainty there... :D

That's just me making assumptions. Does that sound at all plausible?


Firstly, I have always assumed that orcs were quite at home in pits and holes. But perhaps chaining them together will keep them out of mischief...or maybe they will get into worse mischief underground!

Good point...perhaps that should be worked in. (Don't we have enough going on? Yeah, yeah, probably...) Or, here's my attempt to explain it away: Well, the orcs are going to be found completely "wasted" at first, to put it bluntly. And from then on...well, I imagine they'll be closely guarded. And considering we've got people who have person grudges against Orcs, there are some that aren't going to hesitate to kill them on the spot if they make a move, which will be made clear, I'm sure, in various ways.

Wow, the Orc-human/elf/dwarf/hobbit relations are starting off really rough... :p

Nogrod -

I understand your concern with your character's actions and situation being determined. Child and I have been working with the assumption that all the Orc men in particular have been drinking quite a bit, thinking they can relax because everyone's dead and surely having something to celebrate because all the stuff in the camp is theirs (and we thought that this had been agreed upon, sorry we were mistaken). By the time the slaves and fellowship there, we guessed they'd all pretty much be out. Dragging passed out drunks into a pit is just rounding them up.

If you'd prefer a couple exceptions for you and Regin's character, I don't see a problem with having additional unexpected guests - two male orcs prepared to defend the females, children, and male orcs in the pit could only encourage the slaves and fellowship to decide that killing them was not the best idea. Not only do the have Aiwendil's warning, but then they'd also have two angry male orcs and some female orcs who are probably nearly just as fierce to deal with, and while their victory is simply assured by numbers, they really don't want any death, and certainly not more after their battle.

So, to put it simply, in my opinion, it is up to you...I don't think Child will have a problem adjusting things (that's why she posted the plans), but I will not speak for her.

And I agree, Nogrod, that Beloan should be one of the advance party. I actually was thinking of having him kind of initiate it by asking those who have seen the slaver camp where it is and if they have any idea how much supplies there might be...and get the ball rolling on a group to go scope it out and pick up some things. Lindir might be the one to really do that, though. Joint effort? ;)

I hope that helps everyone at least an itty bit, and I'm sorry if I missed anything...

[Nogrod]

I understand your concern with your character's actions and situation being determined. Child and I have been working with the assumption that all the Orc men in particular have been drinking quite a bit, thinking they can relax because everyone's dead and surely having something to celebrate because all the stuff in the camp is theirs (and we thought that this had been agreed upon, sorry we were mistaken). By the time the slaves and fellowship there, we guessed they'd all pretty much be out. Dragging passed out drunks into a pit is just rounding them up.Basically I agree with the situation you have worked with - as I think I have myself referred to a camp full of drunken orcs too... But I think the two veterans would know better than that - and it seems that for some reason (possibly some hitherto-unknown special trait of female orcs) the women are also taking it easier.

But that kind of makes it also a bit believable, I think. Count out Ishkur and Gwerr, the females and the underaged, and the advance party will meet with 7 orcs who can't even walk straight. With those they can deal with easily and have their moral problems whether to just kill them or let them live imprisoned.

That of course if Makdush will also be so stupid as to drink himself so passionately off the consciousness... That could indeed be one possibility to try and better the relations between Ishkur/Gwerr vs. Makdush, if he were to join the two after the others are taken as prisoners? (and there would be only six drunken orcs lying on the ground as the party comes in) Looking this from Gwerr's point of view, he would just detest the possibility :p , but from the overall narration's viewpoint it might be something we should consider?

Beloan should be one of the advance party. I actually was thinking of having him kind of initiate it by asking those who have seen the slaver camp where it is and if they have any idea how much supplies there might be...and get the ball rolling on a group to go scope it out and pick up some things. Lindir might be the one to really do that, though. Joint effort?Let's work Beloan out then. I will look at your proposed bio-stuff tomorrow (RL) and will send you my suggestions.

But feel free to post with Beloan initiating the search-party. I think we have both posted quite a lot for him so that he could be an actual joint-character. What say you?

[Regin Hardhammer]

Child and Nogrod,

One piece of good news... I have a friend who's bringing a laptop so I can get computer access through him. That means I can post if I need to in this discussion and on the game.

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

OK, I am more than a little confused. It was my original assumption that my character Ishkur would be pretty out of it by the morning because of drinking. In fact, I know Child is posting a save for Makdush where a wounded slaver passes on misinformation to a representative from the southern plantation, saying that all the slaves and slavers were likely wiped out. That was going to make Ishkur relax and stop worrying about who shows up in camp.

I really need to think about what's been said in this thread and figure out how Ishkur would fit into all this. Give me a little time and I'll try to post my response very late tonight.

[Folwren]

Hey, everyone!

I have been so crazily busy with things in RL, that I haven't had time to read this thread since Child's long post.

I had an idea, in case you all were wondering how on earth they won't kill eachother. Or how the slaves won't kill the orcs when they find the drunk orcs and all that kind of stuff. Well, it dawned upon me today that pretty much everyone there has just about every reason in the world to hate orcs except Athwen. She's never met one, she's never been harmed by one, she's never had family members harmed by one, she's not like Lindir and Aiwendil who have been enemies with them for years... I guess Vror and Rog might not have personal quarrels to pick...

Anyway, besides all that, she's also a woman and less than likely to want any more blood spilled than necessary.

If you can figure out a way for her lack of enmity towards the orcs and her gentleness to help you solve what problems you still have left with this, by all means, let me know and I'll do whatever I have to.

Also, all this might be obsolete, considering that there are several rather lengthy posts between this post and Child's.........

-- Folwren

[Regin Hardhammer]

Looking back on the summer, I'm pretty certain I was actually the one who first proposed that the orcs get drunk and pass out and that the women plead for mercy. I felt comfortable with that for my character. Ishkur's been under intense pressure on the road for a while, having to watch his back every minute. I could see him letting his guard down for one night, especially if he felt that no one is going to return to the camp. It just doesn't strike me that most orcs are terribly disciplined.

Still, I am willing to tinker with that as long as the basic story line remains intact. I do think it's important that all the male orcs be in chains by the second day when the women plead for the men's lives. I know that Firefoot and Undomie are already doing some planning for that.

Perhaps the story could go something like this.... Initially, there are six or seven orcs who "get away" and don't get caught by the slaves and the fellowship. In addition to Grask, Ungolt, and Undomie's sisters, this would include Gwerr, Ishkur and possibly Makdush, if Child wants to include him. I personally would like to have Makdush since it would break down some barriers between Uruks and regular orcs. Tnat means that eight orcs would initially be rounded up....that would include six males, one female and one female "child"---all NPCs. Later that same day, the three males could try to break in and free their companions. They come close to succeeding but at the last minute are beaten back and thrown in the pen with everyone else. The fact that they tried to stage a rescue against such big odds might surprise some of the slaves and fellowship....they could have just turned tail and run away. The next monring the others will arrive and we'll folllow the outline

As far as the motive and details as to why these orcs hid and/or weren't caught in the initial haul, we can leave that up to the individual orc poster.

Would something like that work?

By the way, I think Hilde is right about the caves and pits. In some ways, the worst thing you could do is to stake out the orc prisoners in bright sunlight in some kind of holding corrall, at least during the daytime hours. It would drive Ishkur crazy to be out there in the bright light. Maybe you can toss us into the pit that night. :D

Folwren I think you have a good idea. When the women make their plea to spare the other's lives, perhaps Athwen can be the first one to moved by their gesture???

Oh, yeah, about that money... Isn't there some way we could hold on to that? How closely are we going to be searched?

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

And don't forget that the pit has a way out of it. That would have to be blocked somehow.

Regin, I like the idea of the orcs coming back to free their fellows. It might strike a cord with Carl at least. He is under the impression that orcs are self- serving nogoodnicks, though he has never met one, and it may serve to chip away at this notion.

[Tevildo]

Regin and Nogrod - Like Hilde, I think this is a good idea.

The male orcs played by actual posters come off looking better than if they just got rounded up half drunk and asleep. Plus, Dorran will think a little better of someone who would come back and try to rescue a companion.

By having female orcs be among the first imprisoned, the good guys will also have a harder choice. It may be a cultural thing but I think it would be harder for Dorran to vote to execute a female, especially when one of these females is actually a "child". Under these circumstances, I'm not sure if the vote would be a hundred percent to execute as the outline says. It's vaguely possible that the vote would be to spare the woman and child and execute the rest.

As far as the orc money goes, I was thinking this. If Ishkur and Makdush found a nearby place to hide the money before they made the rescue attempt, no one would know about its existence. Once they're freed from the pit or pen or whatever, they could discreetly dig it up and conceal it on their bodies and saddlebags. No one is going to search them at that point. Plus that money could maybe make some interesting complications later, either serious or amusing. :eek:

Realistically, both Dorran and Azhar will have to remain behind when the advance party goes out to the slaver camp. They will recover enough to help tend the sick and prepare the bodies for burial or burning.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Regarding the orcs, this seems fine to me! I'd be glad to have Makdush be one of the three male orcs who manage to stay free for a bit and try and rescue the others. I'll delete my present save (which is long overdue) and work on a post this afternoon. It will be the same basic idea as before---a conversation between a wounded slaver and someone sent up from the southern plantation--only this time they will be saying that the slaves will likely be victorious and may well decide to come over to the slavers' camp in a day or two and clean it out. Makdush will pass this information on to Gwerr and/or Ishkur, which presumably would be an incentive for all of us to keep our eyes open.

There's a lot of other good ideas here as well and hopefully we'll incorporate some of those into our posts.

[Nogrod]

Looking good now... I think.

As Ishkur and Gwerr are together in the slave-master's tent with the horse (who is saddled with the money), it would be easy to them to get out when they notice the humans coming... If Child wishes to make Makdush also taking a runner, we could then make the three meet. How does that sound, Regin and Child?
If Ishkur and Makdush found a nearby place to hide the money before they made the rescue attempt, no one would know about its existence.Gwerr surely hopes the storyline will never reach this point... :D

EDIT: actually managed to x-post with Child...

[Child of the 7th Age]

This sounds good to me. I'll incorporate the horse into my post and the entry to the tent.

EDIT: Nogrod has been in contact reguarding Makdush's meeting with his character andwith Ishkur. I've taken down my save for now and will post later this weekend.

[Nogrod]

Just a question out of curiousness...

I think a few of the slavers did manage to get away alive. Now they should be heading towards their camp, naturally.

What happens then? It kind of mingles our overall plans that pay heed only to the ex-slaves / FS and the orcs or then I have overlooked something. I tried to skim both threads but couldn't find an answer to this.

If the remaining slavers are on horseback and ride fast, they will be at their camp probably a few hours before any "advance-group" will be there. So are the orcs sober enough to kill them and then they fall into their ale as they think they have won everything (a bad logic, I might say)?

Or do the slavers just see the drunken orcs in their camp from a distance and flee? (Was your idea, Child, here, that the wounded slaver and the one from the plantation would meet and talk the things Makdush might overhear? surely with a camp full of orcs they would not discuss things in the middle of it - or so near that someone could hear it from the camp?)

Or should we use a kind of Deus Ex Machina and make the Olog-hai to finish it with them (could they be this near and not then confront us others too early)?

Maybe they just flee as they see the camp occupied?

[Firefoot]

I was under the impression that only one slaver escaped from the fray...?

Concerning which Orcs should be among the first captured:

In some ways, I think it would be more interesting if there weren't any women among them (or if there were, I would argue against the female "child" being among them) simply because I think that it could build up the suspense better. If when the women make their plea for mercy, the ex-slaves are already aware of female and children, I think it would be less... meaningful? Or perhaps there is one female among those captured... I could see an argument for "it's just one," while if you have a female child already there it's less of a surprise and there would be less need for a change of mind than if there wasn't.

Does this make sense? I think it would be more interesting if the ex-slaves were on the point of killing the orcs when they realize there actually are (more) women and two children.

[Nogrod]

I was under the impression that only one slaver escaped from the fray...?There came a shout retreat from one of the slavers who still persisted in battle: “Retreat, these dogs can bite!” The Easterling raged in his own tongue as he broke away from confrontation and took off out of the grove, almost stumbling over dead bodies as he went. The others followed as best they could.
[........]
The Easterling gripped Khamir’s knife as he turned around to face the one-armed man. The enemies’ eyes met, but neither attacked. The slaver threw the blade onto the ground and took off after his companions. Khamir watched him go, and did nothing.And what happened to the one Aiwendil chased out from the battle?

Anyhow, there seems to be some slavers quite alive...



Concerning which Orcs should be among the first captured:

In some ways, I think it would be more interesting if there weren't any women among them (or if there were, I would argue against the female "child" being among them) simply because I think that it could build up the suspense better. If when the women make their plea for mercy, the ex-slaves are already aware of female and children, I think it would be less... meaningful?I'm not sure about that, but what I'm a little concerned of is that if the advance-party tumbles to 6-7 strongly drunken orcs (no females or children), what would hold their hands? Would there be any reason to "save" them until the rest would come and we'd get into discussing their fate as we have planned?

How about if we write it so that the advance-party comes in and is about to kill the male orcs when someone discovers a hiding orc-child. One of them should speak bravely not being ready to kill a child, orc or not, and they would then decide to just round them up and wait for others to make a decision over their fates? Or something? Any ideas?

[Firefoot]

How about if we write it so that the advance-party comes in and is about to kill the male orcs when someone discovers a hiding orc-child. One of them should speak bravely not being ready to kill a child, orc or not, and they would then decide to just round them up and wait for others to make a decision over their fates? Or something? Any ideas? This is kind of along the lines of what Child and I have pm'ed about... (hope I'm not giving away any secrets here :) ) The idea was sort of that Grask would feel some loyalty to Ishkur, so if he, in hiding, saw that Ishkur was about to be killed, he would furiously run out waving his short sword and be captured as well. This would then open the door for one or more of the female orcs to plead for mercy.

[Child of the 7th Age]

I'm not sure about that, but what I'm a little concerned of is that if the advance-party tumbles to 6-7 strongly drunken orcs (no females or children), what would hold their hands? Would there be any reason to "save" them until the rest would come and we'd get into discussing their fate as we have planned?

How about if we write it so that the advance-party comes in and is about to kill the male orcs when someone discovers a hiding orc-child. One of them should speak bravely not being ready to kill a child, orc or not, and they would then decide to just round them up and wait for others to make a decision over their fates? Or something? Any ideas?

I don't think this is a problem given the fact that Lindir will be leading the advance party. As I said before, Lindir will require the others to "stay their hand". Let me explain at greater length.

First, we have two situations when the orcs' lives are at stake. The first instance is when the advance party stumbles into the slavers' camp and discovers drunk orcs who are sleeping off their excesses from the night before. Lindir will be in charge of this little party, since he has the stamp of approval of Ellessar and more experience than anyone in the group. (Once it comes to establishing the settlement, this will definitely change but for now on the road it seems the most reasonable choice.) Lindir has killed plenty of orcs in battle over several thousand years. However, he has never run any enemies through in their sleep, and is not about to start now. Nor will he allow others under his command to run through people who are sleeping. :eek:

He will give an order to hold off on killing. I expect that there may be grumbles and mumbles and worse from some of the other characters but that is alright. He will stand his ground and insist. Moreover, there is another critical reason to keep these orcs alive at least till the point they can talk. (They are now incoherent.) Our group has no idea if this is simply a few stragglers from a much larger party lurking about on the plain, or if this handful is all there is. If we kill them, we will be killing our only possible source of information. Lindir will try to get the orcs to talk, perhaps even with a promise of being set free. Methinks they may not answer but that is something that can be worked out in the actual game thread.

The second time the orcs' lives are at stake is the next day when everyone shows up and there is an official "inquisition". Firefoot and Regin and Undomie (as seen in Firefoot's post above) already have plans for a little trick similar to what you've suggested. Without going into details, they will be using both Grask's youth and the women's plea to soften some hearts.

_____________

Regarding the slavers....yes, there are a number alive. I really couldn't give an exact number and I don't think we ever actually say. Imak is alive and the man chased by the boar. There were probably others in that last assault. I am personally comfortable with having this as a loose end. The reality of battle is that some soldiers wander off, especially when they sense their own forces have lost. I imagine these folk would hightail it back to the south, although there is always the possibility they could raise a head at some point in the story. But I don't think we're talking about more than a few loose ends. My gut feeling is that life has lots of loose ends so I don't mind one or two surfacing in a story. Tolkien himself was certainly an expert at loose ends, as so much is hinted at but never discussed or even intentionally passed over.

You had earlier suggested by pm that I not use any of these escaped slavers in my post, and I had agreed to have Makdush talk directly to Ishmur and Gwerr. So at this point, I don't think they will surface in the storyline.

_____________

Firefoot -

You make a good point about the younger girl. I'd be very comfortable with having her stay "free" and surface at the same time that Grask does.

[Nogrod]

About the slavers: Loose ends are alright with me too. Although I would just wish to rise this possibility to our shared consciousness: they probably didn't just ran away as they had all their belongings in their camp and Imak had all his fortune there. So they probably headed back to their camp but were frightened by the sight of the orcs having taken over it and didn't think it wise to try their luck another time the same night (they couldn't be sure how many orcs there were) and then rode away before any orc could notice them...

That would make Imak practically mad, though... (nice stuff if we can afford new twists in the storyline later on: a regrouped and replenished party of slavers led by blazing-angry Imak trailing these people & orcs for his treasure! :eek: Just a possibility, though.)

About the plot from orc-perspective: Okay. It seems I was the only one who didn't know how things were going to turn out... :confused: Go on and execute the plan and Gwerr will follow it. (So is it now that Ishkur, Makdush and Gwerr slip away as they hear the advance party coming and then make an effort to save the prisoners?)

But just on general level I think that any plotting that concerns the basic outline of the storyline should be openly discussed so that also those outside the scheming-circles would know when not to bother thinking how things will unfold and thence save their time and effort - and eventually not raise an issue over things that have been already decided by others. It has been pretty stupid that I have tried to open a discussion about how things will go and only slowly have I learnt that my questions have basically been in vain as most things had been settled already without me having the faintest idea about it...

I feel myself such a fool.

But I'll get over it. :)

[Nogrod]

Save filled.

Please Regin, tell me if there is something that needs changing.

Child: feel free to make Makdush bump into the tent.

[Regin Hardhammer]

Nogrod,

Thanks for handling Ishkur. Had a great time. Just back and very tired after a long car trip so I won't post tonight. I have one wording request on the post--very minor. I've sent it to you in a pm.

- Regin

[Child of the 7th Age]

Regin - Welcome back. Makdush is giving it to Ishkur. Please refrain from killing me. If you outline a plan for getting out of the camp, I think the Uruk will be game to go.

[Durelin]

I've made some simple edits to Khamir's history to include some of the Khamir-Beloan backstory Nogrod and I worked up. If [i]Pio[/b] or Child could replace it in his bio, I'd be very grateful.

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

POSTED TO CHARACTER BIO ~*~ Pio


History: A Southron, born just a few miles north of Umbar, Khamir did not desire to join Mordor, refusing to ever fight alongside anyone but his fellow men. He had no love for Gondor or any of the other peoples of Middle-earth, but he was fiercely loyal to his own people, and believed that becoming Sauron’s minions was the end to the Haradrim’s power and independence. Because he would not willingly join the ranks under the Dark Lord’s command, he was made a slave when he was sixteen years old. His own father was the one who handed him over as a supposed traitor. His younger friend Beloan was enslaved along with him, as he shared the same ideals and also tended to follow Khamir’s lead in those days. He and Beloan were made slaves and worked on the plantations for several years before the defeat of Sauron. After this defeat, the two were able to escape from the plantations, along with many others; but, unlike many others, they were never recaptured. They joined up with a few other ex-slaves, and working as a team (though not always in the best of terms), they were able to scrounge up enough food and water for them to survive, if very hungrily. Mostly they are forced to and choose to steal. After he was praised for his bravery when he went even to the Mountain to look for water, the group of ex-slaves grew until he became the undeclared leader of a full out gang that set up base in the southern range of the Ephel Dûath. They make regular missions to different plantations that remain under the charge of both Orcs and Men. Their last mission met with disaster, leaving their numbers lower than they had been in almost a year: fifteen. The dynamics of the group were a little different even before this catastrophe, with Beloan, who was always Khamir’s “right-hand man” becoming more and more of a second (and not necessarily at all secondary) leader, as his skills, charisma, and decision-making abilities have clearly matured further than Khamir’s likely ever will.

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

Thanks so much!

[Nogrod]

Durelin: that looks very good!

I'll try to come up with something of a version of Beloan's bio / history on the basis of your initial suggestion & our last discussions & this one, tomorrow (RL) as I get to sit on the computer with some time...

Regin: wording edit will be made in a moment so consider it done as you read this... Welcome back my friend in orcsery! :)

[Tevildo]

Save filled......

[Folwren]

Tevildo,

Good post...but you put Folwren in once instead of Athwen. :)

I'll hopefully fill my save before too long today.

-- Folwren

[Folwren]

Save filled! And good gracious that thing is long! I didn't realize I had such a lot to catch up on...

Anyhow, I am fully intending to write a post for Kwell sometime soon, too, so let's all hope that happens.

Let me know if all of that is alright.

-- Folwren

[Brinniel]

I apologize that I haven't been dedicating as much time as I would like to this RPG these last few weeks. I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed with school lately and frankly, I'm just plain exhausted.

Anyways, I am thinking I will just delete my save and repost something later, as what I am planning to write would probably better fit after all of those posts. Thank goodness it is a long weekend- I will definitely be writing something in the next few days, hopefully tomorrow. I won't actually delete that save just yet...not until I know for sure that I want to change its placement, which again, should be by tomorrow.

Hilde- if I recall correctly, Shae should be the one who actually still possesses Granny Brenna's stone. In my post, I was actually planning to give it back to Carl, but if I do end up deleting my save and reposting (which I probably will), then that could be a bit problematic...

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Yes, Brinniel, you are right, and I hadn't quite forgotten. That stone was the replica that Carl had made at the fireside after he had given the original to Shea. Thanks though, for keeping a watch over my own meandering mind. :)
I will see if I can't make the post a little bit clearer at lunch. (Might tack on a bit more to the end as well.)

You could go ahead and have Shea give the original back to Carl. I think it might be nice to have it show up after he tried to put the situation past him. I do wish Brenna hadn't died. :(

[Tevildo]

you put Folwren in once instead of Athwen.

:o

Corrected :D

[Brinniel]

That stone was the replica that Carl had made at the fireside
Ah, yes...I had forgotten about that replica.

Thanks for clearing that up. :)

[Child of the 7th Age]

Folwren,

My save is filled. I asked Kwell to do something but he is also free to say something first (or not) if he wishes to.

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

Everyone,

I suggested that all those who are "able bodied" gather around the campfire to discuss what's next. No rush. If you are in the middle of activities and exchanges, feel free to finish those up first. Others are free to drift in....

[Folwren]

Excellent, Child! I will writed a post sometime today or tomorrow, hopefully. I haven't decided if he's going to say something first...we'll have to see.

-- Folwren

[Regin Hardhammer]

Nogrod - It looks as if the men are beginning to plan so the orcs should probably get out of camp (not that we know what is happening). You can give it to Ishkur if you want for relying on Gwerr to keep his mouth closed.

Child - I had Makdush leave as you suggested.

- Regin

[Child of the 7th Age]

Folwren's latest post for Kwell is here (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=509976&postcount=347) at the end of the box. We both thought it made sense to put it before Durelin's mention of the message being distributed through the camp.

[Nogrod]

POSTED TO CHARACTER LIST ~*~ Pio

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


Here is Beloan's bio & history. I hope Pio could insert this to a place where it belongs.

Durelin: I added one sentence to suggest a difference between Beloan's and Khamir's backgrounds. Otherwise it's in a same form than the last version...

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

Name: Beloan

Age: 35

Gender: Male

Race: A child of a South-Gondorian father and a Southron mother

Weapons: Long knife / half-sword that he took from a slaver in a fight four years ago. It has a simple but beautiful slightly curved blade and it’s hilt is covered with weathered down leather. Rough but elegant and most importantly very efficient and easy to wield. He also has a roughish self-made bow of spruce and a quiver of arrows.

Appearance: Because of his mixed inheritance Beloan’s skin is orangeish-brown and quite peculiar. He has high cheekbones and a sharp nose as Gondorians do (although his nose is a pretty large one) but a round face and thick lips as the Southrons have. His eyes are dark brown, almost black. Even though the life at the slave-camp and the life after it has been hard his leanness can’t hide his strong build.

After escaping from the slave-camp he has not been too straight about his looks and only occasionally trims his beard cutting off the excess of it. His hair and beard have gotten hues of grey albeit his relatively young age.

He wears a loose woollen tunic with embroideries at the collar made by a woman he had a relationship in the slave-camp. She never made it to freedom and Beloan still wears her hairbands in his wrist to honour her memory.


Personality: A natural leader, charismatic, and though persuasive, not forceful. He has a great amount of patience, particularly when it comes to dealing with people. Because of his experiences in childhood he’s not confrontational and seems to prefer letting things happen only trying to move them to his wished direction indirectly. He’s not actively trying to secure a fate for himself. Beloan is a gentle man to friends, but ruthless to enemies, particularly due to his hard life.

Even though his whole life has been a continuous struggle he retains something like an open mind and tries to see every situation also as an opportunity to something better. That optimistic stance he has inherited from his father. He has been rarely loved in his life, but with the love of Khamir and a few others he knows the value of love and care and tries to spread them around in this grim world.

History: Beloan was born in a small village by the coast near Pelargir. His father Delchar owned a little ship and made his living by trading along the coastline as far as up to Dol Amroth and down to Umbar. From one of his travels to the south he brought with him a young Southron slave named Zuabwhan. Eventually Beloan was to be born from her and not from Delchar’s wife Zinial.

Even though Zinial insisted that the slave and the newborn should be out from their household, Delchar never gave in to the demands of his wife. The athmosphere in the family got so tense that in the end Delchar had to take Zuabwhan and Beloan with to his travels as he didn’t dare to leave them alone with Zinial and the villagers backing her.

Delchar died in an accident when Beloan was only 11-years old. After Delchar’s death Zinial drove Zuabwhan and Beloan out from her home and they fled back to south to the village where Zuabwhan had been born just north of Umbar. Nothing seemed to be easy to them as back there Zuabwhan was called a Gondorian whore and both of them were despised.

During his childhood Beloan had learned a considerable amount of skills while following his father. So he knew how to count and write, how to keep accounts, a thing or two about logistics, seafaring and shipping, haggling, of relative value of things etc.

Although people generally scorned Zuabwhan and her son the village-traders soon realised Beloan’s potential and started hiring him to little tasks here and there so that soon he was able to provide income to them both. Had the war not come Beloan might have had a bright future in trade.

In the village he befriended himself with a boy two years older than him called Khamir. They were both strong individuals who had had to struggle for their place in this world from very early age on, although from very different backgrounds, and they recognised that strength in each other quite immediately. So despite the initial contempt of other boys they got to be close friends and soon became the kings of the gang: Khamir leading with his charisma and idealism, Beloan aiding him with his wits and skills.

When the war was becoming imminent the two boys and their gang swore that they would not fight for Mordor or for Gondor but only for their friends and kinsmen. The Haradrim who passed the village on their way to Mordor captured most of them from a tip of Khamir’s father and were taken to a slave camp in Mordor.

The escape from the slave-camp they designed and orchestrated together. Like in the early years, Beloan still is more the brains and Khamir more the brawns, but each is a good combination of the two. Since Khamir has of late become incapable as a leader, Beloan has somewhat filled his place.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Nogrod -- Check your pms concerning orcs...

Everyone,

My mom was admitted to the hospital and is now thankfully home. I've had my hands full setting up help for her, but will try to get up a generic planning post by Lindir in the next day. My feeling is that we are kind of "stuck" at this point, and it would be better to push ahead and get to the scouting party that's going to meet up with the orcs.

Are there other loose ends that need tying? Do we need a lengthy discussion in the game on planning, or shall Lindir just lay out the plan?

I apologize for my own slow posting, but hopefully we will pick up again.

[Folwren]

I am glad to hear that your Mom is back home, Child. :)

I'd say we should push ahead. I don't think we need any terribly long discussion. Of course, I shouldn't have too much say in that, because if there was a long discussion in the game, my characters probalby wouldn't be taking part.

-- Folwren

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I was wondering about the rather good point Nogrod brought up earlier, reguarding the remaining slavers ,and the likelyhood that they would return to camp to pick up their stuff before moving on. Has this been addressed?

I do apologize for being a bit behind, (real life's a little too unreal), but I am glad to hear that things are settling down now for you and your mother Child

[Durelin]

I'm so glad your mother is alright, Child! And I do hope things stay/get calmer for you.

I agree about the "stuck"-ness. While it would be nice for everyone to have a little conversation, moving on is best. Would it perhaps even be best for the departure (and perhaps even the arrival?) to be covered in your/a narrative post, as well?

In your post when you have Lindir lay out the plan, Child, could you perhaps have Beloan contribute something to this, even if it's just some sort of agreement? I think everyone's going to start working together better, and that would be a nice sign of it, I think. That was the only "important" thing other than general plot stuff that I imagined occurring in the discussion. Thanks so much if you could.

As for who's going, Khamir will definitely want to, but in his condition cannot, unless someone puts him on a horse. None of my characters can make it, I'd say. Typical. :rolleyes: ;) If you'd like to use NPC Nasim or Gamal as among those who go, they could be tossed around. Beloan didn't seem to get severely injured, so perhaps he could be carried along either by Nogrod or myself, unless he stays behind to keep things organized in the slave camp.

[Nogrod]

Beloan didn't seem to get severely injured, so perhaps he could be carried along either by Nogrod or myself, unless he stays behind to keep things organized in the slave camp.I think Beloan should go and we could take him together. There is also this giant-guy Qat who is well and fine and would probably join the team too.

Happy to hear your news Child. I'll try to move those orcs from the tent as soon as I can. But as I said, if you wish to move them in a post for Makdush feel free to do it.

[Tevildo]

Child,

Dorran will stay in camp, but I'd like to have Azhar come along as her injuries were less serious (and otherwise I wouldn't have anyone to post with in those scences). You can mention her in the planning group if you'd like.

Folwren - could Azhar ride double with Kwell?

I'm assuming we can pick up enough horses roaming around for everyone in the party.

[Durelin]

Don't worry about characters being stuck behind. With all three of my characters staying behind, something has to go on. :p

[Child of the 7th Age]

I was wondering about the rather good point Nogrod brought up earlier, reguarding the remaining slavers ,and the likelyhood that they would return to camp to pick up their stuff before moving on. Has this been addressed?

Thanks, Nogrod and Hilde, for the reminder! Also a special thanks to Nogrod who once suggested that they become bait for the olog-hai. I've put up a save and will dispatch them that way. I am purposely being vague about the numbers in case anyone needs a stray ruffian to show up in a later scene. Imak, by the way, was severely injured but hasn't been seen from since.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Save filled. The slavers are no more, and Aiwendil has learned about the chest of gold. :eek: On to the planning session tomorrow.

[Folwren]

Folwren - could Azhar ride double with Kwell?

I'm assuming we can pick up enough horses roaming around for everyone in the party.

If Kwell's ridinga horse, sure she can ride with him.

And I imagine that Athwen'll stay behind with the wounded people, unless this is when everyone's going to be deciding on whether or not they're going to kill the orcs. That's not what's going to happen now, is it?

-- Folwren

[Child of the 7th Age]

And I imagine that Athwen'll stay behind with the wounded people, unless this is when everyone's going to be deciding on whether or not they're going to kill the orcs. That's not what's going to happen now, is it?

No... There will be a preliminary decision made by Lindir and the "advance scouts" not to slay the orcs immediately. That will mainly be Lindir "forcing" the others to stay their hands. The decision will be to wait and have their fate decided by the group as a whole. That's when everyone will get a voice and Aiwendil will come running in at the last minute.

If I can manage to prop my eyes open late tonight after others are snoozing and the house is quiet, I'll get the planning post up.

[Durelin]

Don't keep yourself up, Child! And please, let me know if you need/would like any help.

Folwren - If you need something for Athwen to do, specifically, Vror is growing conscious again and Adnan has no idea what to do. :D If you have other plans, though, he can certainly be forced to handle it himself. ;)

[Folwren]

Folwren - If you need something for Athwen to do, specifically, Vror is growing conscious again and Adnan has no idea what to do. :D If you have other plans, though, he can certainly be forced to handle it himself.

I know. I aim to write a post today of some sort, and it may be for Athwen. She will get around to Vror, have no fear. :D I've been gone the past three days, so I'm kind of behind on everything...and that also explains why I haven't talked much. But, I'm back now. :)

-- Folwren

[Child of the 7th Age]

OK, I am starting to work on the planning post. I am going to put it up a chunk at a time in one space and revise it as I go along.... I'll let you know when it is actually finished (though you are welcome to read my half done, pre-revision chicken scratches along the way).

First I want to make sure where everyone is. I read back over the thread and also considered how injured someone was. Based on that, this is my best guess as to who is going where.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I HAVE FORGOTTEN SOMEONE OR PLACED YOUR CHARACTER IN THE WRONG LIST. I WILL CHANGE OR ADD AS SOON AS YOU TELL ME.

Total good guys: 46 ex-slaves; 7 fellowship members
total orcs: 15

Absent in unknown location
Aiwendil


Staying in camp
Athwen
Dorran
Vror
Hadith
Khamir
Rog
34 NPCs


Going with scouting party
Carl
Lindir
Azhar
Shae
Johari
Beloan
Kwell
5 NPC's

Orcs immediately imprisoned
6 male NPC's

Male orcs on the loose who will attack during the night to try and save the others
Ishkur
Gwerr
Makdush

Female orcs and children still on the loose until the actual "trial"
Grask
female child NPC
Zagra
Mazhg
Ungolt
one female NPC

Is this right?

Durelin, Nogrod - Will you both be carrying Beloan, or just one of you?

Of those in the scouting party, who would be the one to first discover a sleeping/drunk orc and draw his/her sword to slay him? Would this be one of the characters listed or a NPC we devise? Which of our characters would realistically do this?

We seem to have a shortage of "real" males in the scouting party. I think they all fought so bravely that many were wounded. :p Are there any more "real" males going with the scouting party or will we be using NPC's for that purpose?

[Brinniel]

Hmm...lately I've been thinking that perhaps due to her injuries that Shae should stay behind as well. But then again, that'll make one less in the scouting party and though, I don't know how much you really need her (and hey, I won't deny that having her in the scouting party would be more fun for me). Of course, her injuries are quite treatable so this could be fixed with a brief mention of Athwen's healing skills. It can go either way, I don't really mind...I'm just trying to be realistic here... :rolleyes:

Of those in the scouting party, who would be the one to first discover a sleeping/drunk orc and draw his/her sword to slay him? Would this be one of the characters listed or a NPC we devise? Which of our characters would realistically do this?
If Shae does indeed end up going with the scouting party, I will volunteer her for this role. As I've mentioned previously, she has a huge grudge against orcs, and for a good reason. And as we've all discovered, Shae does have a tendency to act before she thinks... :p

[Durelin]

The only person missing that I know of is Adnan, who will be staying in camp. :D

Nogrod - If you'd like to be directly involved in the scouting party, feel free to play Beloan, of course. Or if you'd rather focus more on Gwerr, then I'd be quite fine with playing Beloan. Or if you'd like to work something else out, just let me know.

[Child of the 7th Age]

If Shae does indeed end up going with the scouting party, I will volunteer her for this role.

Sounds good to me! A male orc will perhaps be stunned to find himself accosted by a "female" human....

[Child of the 7th Age]

My save is finally filled. I have liberally used your characters. Please let me know if something should be changed or I neglected anyone who should be in the scouting party.

We can either leap ahead to the scout's departure the next morning or play out more events from the evening (like the funeral pyre). Anyone with preferences here? Especially those who are staying in camp....

I am also hoping to hear from Nogrod about the question that Durelin raised.

[Durelin]

I think, to help get things moving again, jumping straight to the departure is perhaps best. Characters can always reflect back on the evening.

[Child of the 7th Age]

I can do a brief post kicking the scouts out of camp and getting us on the outskirts of the slavers' camp sometime tomorrow, but did you need to reply to Athwen first?

Nogrod told me he'd be on later today to fill in the orc save, so I'm hoping we'll get an answer then to the question about Beloan.

[Durelin]

Yes, sorry; I'll put up a save, at the very least, tonight, for that. And if Nogrod doesn't mind, if you'd rather I can move on to the scouts leaving from Beloan's point of view.

But if people would prefer to play out the evening a little, I'd be fine with that to continue some stuff with Vror. :D

[Nogrod]

Durelin: Feel free to take Beloan with you. I might use him every now and then, at least as a platform to bring at least this giant Qat-npc along. If no one else wishes to be rude to an orc I could figure Qat could do that (I'm having more time to write for a while again as I have gotten rid of the exams and being killed by the Faithfuls in a werewolf game...).

About the general timetable & the orcs: So the party leaves in the morning? That will make the orcses situation a bit more troublesome as they seem to be drunk in the middle of the night. So they sleep their drunkenness off when the party comes, but how about those non-drunk males? I mean the females have been witty and gotten off. No problem with them as they can hide around. But as Ishkur, Makdush and Gwerr all are now worried about the slavers coming back (how little do they know!) why would they just run away from the camp without a reason or at least without an effort to save the others from this threat they recognise unlike their drunken mates?

If they just run for the females in the middle of the night we have no motive for them to try and rescue the others after they get caught... So maybe we just let the time go and decide that where the orc-posting now stands we are already talking about the early morning hours there? Then they could just hear the noise of the party (as it sets on) and run away as they have no other choice. That would also make it believable that they would try to come back and save their mates?

I'm leaving my save unfilled before we have some shared idea about this (I might as well delete it if it becomes totally obsolete).

[Durelin]

Well, if the orcs are real partyers and drink into the early morning (so we could just say they continued?), they should be out for a while. I wonder if hungover orcs are more dangerous than normal ones, though... :p

The scouts will just have to leave really early. :D

[Nogrod]

The scouts will just have to leave really early. :DRise'n'shine humans vs. the drunkard-orcses! :D

[Child of the 7th Age]

I have no problem editing Lindir's post to indicate an earlier time for getting the scouts out of camp. I had thought the orcses might not like the nasty sun and would be hiding their head under pillows by mid-morning. :eek: However, leaving at dawn is also fine, and I'll edit my set up post to suggest that sometime late tonight.

[Durelin]

I have no problem leaving things the way they are; I was mostly joking. ;)

Apologies, but I will have to make it three saves in a row on the game thread, as a very unfortunate (and completely worthless...*grumbles*) project is keeping me from writing. :(

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Wow, I think that that was a record for me. Carl's save is already filled. :D (No worthless projects going on here tonight, unless it might be my knitting. ;) )

[Durelin]

Folwren - Athwen's endless seeming patience may very well get tested! I'm afraid Vror's suffering from short term memory loss. :D Yes, I like screwing up my characters....

If no one minds, perhaps the scouts can wait to leave for just a little bit, while Athwen deals with Vror... :p

[Child of the 7th Age]

This is indeed interesting. We can definitely wait!

[Folwren]

Folwren - Athwen's endless seeming patience may very well get tested! I'm afraid Vror's suffering from short term memory loss. :D Yes, I like screwing up my characters....

If no one minds, perhaps the scouts can wait to leave for just a little bit, while Athwen deals with Vror... :p

Oh dear. Well, her patience may not run out, but her courage might, with a patient loosing his mind and others having already died. She'll pull through, though.

Before I write my next post - is his arm actually broken? Any other broken bones? I was careless not to have her check him for broken bones before hand. But I guess she's been busy enough to make that an excuse.

-- Folwren

[Durelin]

Oh, yes, I'd say his arm really is broken. Other than that, I'd say only cuts and bruises. Likely he might have some strained muscles in his back or something, but... If you want to have Athwen discover another thing wrong with him, that's fine with me. But then, we do want him to be moving relatively soon. ;)

Sorry, I'm coming up with these things as I go along. :D

[Child of the 7th Age]

Just to let folks know....

I'll be out of town for four days next week....from Tuesday through Friday. We are going to spring training in Florida (Yeah!). I won't have much computer access unless the hotel has a public terminal in the lobby so please feel free to use Lindir as needed to get over to the orc camp.

Just don't kill off all the orcs before I gte back. :D

[Nogrod]

Gwerr and Ishkur are back in action...

I decided to delete my save and post my stuff as a new post as the posting of the ex-slaves / fellowship seems to be slow anyway.

I have now tried to make these orcs a bit more sympatethic (I first thought of saying "humane" but realised it was a bad choice :p ) with their memories of war. I couldn't come up (and have no time to check it) with a specific battle from ME-histories where the goodies would have outflanked an army of the baddies (but the Pelennor Fields which I didn't wish to use here). So if you Regin come up with one, please feel free to name the battle in your next posting...

Child: it's up to you if you wish to let your Makdush-save stay where it is or post a new one for Makdush yourself too. Anyhow - as discussed in our PMs the two are not going to rush out of the tent before they will have to.

Regin: I have used Ishkur again a bit. I hope it's allright and will change anything you think needs to be changed.

[Folwren]

I have several questions...

How difficult is it to set a broken bone? What sort of strength is needed? What works as a splint? A wide, strong piece of wood? Would Vror need someone to hold him steady as Athwen set the bone? How painful is it? Would he need something to bite, like the Dr. Maturin gives Blakeney when he amputates his arm in Master and Commander?

Any suggestions or answers would be appreciated. If none of you know, at least give me your opinions so I can have more than my own opinion to form my post off of.

Anyhow, when I finish this post, I'm going to take it all the way through Vror's arm being set.

-- Folwren

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I do know that a thick stack of papers makes a good splint when wrapped around a forearm. And I do wonder if Rog might have some on him as I think of him being a scholarly type. Otherwise, the party visiting the slaver's camp might find a stack of documents there to use. It could introduce all sorts of possibilities, if the slavers kept records of just who they had captured and sold over the years. :eek:

EDIT: I do suppose that parchment might be too precious a commodity to waste on such lists. Hmm....

[Durelin]

I can't say I'm sure about it...I don't know if it really takes strength or just precision to reset a bone; all I know is that it hurts a heck of a lot, hehe. Personally I'd just skim over it, but I guess I'm a little lazy. ;)

And I think we'd better wrap up this, eh? Vror's damages can be revealed more at any point, and I think we'd better get the scout party moving. :D They'll both be staying back in camp for now, too, of course.

If you'd like to continue it a little longer, though, I'm up for it...as long as everyone else isn't getting too bored. :p

[Folwren]

Let them continue, by all means. I'll finish my post sometime this weekend. If you want to make a reply, we can insert it, but I think it would be great if the scouts could get going.

Besides, we could do this part while we are writing the scouts, too, can't we?

-- Foley

[Durelin]

Yeah - we could just jump to the morning.

Ah, I know - if you want you can make Vror pass out again when his bone gets reset. :D

Then he can come groggily back into consciousness all over again in the morning... :p

[Child of the 7th Age]

Goes over and gives the body a gentle prod.....

I am definitely guilty of not posting. I have been drowning under a pile of work and a writing block to boot! One way or another, I will get a post up tomorrow that will get us across the plain and into the other camp. (I can't promise you it will be the greatest writing, but hopefully it will do the job!)

I'd hate to see this story grind to a halt so maybe this will give us the shot we need to start moving again.

[Durelin]

I am so sorry for my absence. Due to a combination of illness and end of the school year insanity I've been lacking both time and inspiration. But I will try as hard as I can to help get things moving again.

I will get a post up moving the scouts out by tomorrow or wednesday (I'm sorry, I really can't guaruntee tomorrow because of accursed calculus), unless I hear otherwise or you get the chance to post before me, Child.

Oh, as a note - I will be completely gone thursday and most of friday for certain. No computer for over 24 hours! Agh!

I wish life were simpler. I've gotten accepted to all six of the colleges I applied to and Lord, I almost wish I hadn't! Well, by the end of April it will all be decided, and then in early May I will be completely done with school for the summer so I can dedicate myself to this RPG full-time. Promise! :D