The Veil Lifted Discussion Thread

[piosenniel]

Welcome All!

From Bêthberry’s opening post to this autumn season’s game:

The Veil Lifted (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=13350) awaits gamers who want to savour the treats (and a few tricks) in the challenge of imagining Tolkien’s Middle-earth in the 7th Age. It is middish in the 7th Age and our story takes place in New Ford.

Like The Yule Log (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=12478&page=1) , this is an informal game for all who care to join—a Hallowe’en Handout for us Downers.

Your moderators are piosenniel and Child of the 7th Age. Watch for an appearance by littlemanpoet as well.

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

Since this is an open game, no formal character bios are needed for play.

Let the opening post spark your imaginations and come as a 7th Age (present age) character and enjoy a night of trick-or-treating, pranks, and the possible appearance of those long ago characters of Middle-earth who began to fade as the Age of Men began.

Consider the Discussion Thread now open for questions, rants, plottings, etc. :)

Have fun!

[piosenniel]

Reminders for an RPG in play:

Please remove your signature from EVERY post to the RPG thread - including SAVES


Don't use smileys in your RPG posts or icons - e.g., http://forum.barrowdowns.com/ubb/icons/icon8.gif http://www.forum.barrowdowns.com/images/icons/WhiteTree3.gif http://forum.barrowdowns.com/ubb/icons/icon14.gif etc.


Don't use the 'Reason for Editing' function on your RPG posts. If it's critical that other players know that you've changed something, then put a post on the Discussion Thread about your edit.


No OOC (out of character comments) on the RPG thread - use the Discussion Thread.


SAVES should be filled within 24 hours/48 at the latest and may be removed from the game at the discretion of the moderator.


Swearing, sexual conduct, or obscenity of any kind are absolutely prohibited. There are no exceptions.

. . . I always ask myself if any of these words or euphemisms for cursing would be found in Tolkien's works. So I always say no to cursing and to any 'pseudo-cursing'. They need to keep it clean. -- per The Barrow-Wight

[Naria]

This sounds absolutely delightful!! Since we don't need character bios, does this mean we just think of a name for our character and go full steam ahead? Ooooo, I can't wait to throw some rotten eggies :D

[Glirdan]

This should be quite interesting! I loved the Unforbidden RPG of last year so this should be quite fun as well!

[Bêthberry]

It's an informal game, which means you can simply go right ahead and post in character--knowing in your head who your character is and how you expect him or her to develope and act. Characters and posts must still follow the gaming guidelines which pio has posted here and which are explained more fully in The Golden Hall and the Redbook, in the Shire.

As with The Yule Log, this isn't "my" game and, in fact, because of RL committments, I likely won't be able to post much myself. It belongs to the gamers who write and post here. You can work out the details of plotting here on the discussion thread.

Make it a grand scary, light-hearted, fun game!

Bêthberrrry ;)

[Glirdan]

Okay, posted. Hope you don't mind Noinkling but I couldn't help it!! You presented the perfect opportunity for me! :D

[Kath]

The Hobbits have a couple of shadows. :)

[Folwren]

It looks fun, but I've never been trick-or-treating before and wouldn't know how to behave...

-- Foley

[Forest Elf]

This should be fun, I've already got my post up.

[Celuien]

I've never been trick-or-treating before
Same here.

Actually, that gives me an idea... ;)

[Folwren]

Oh wow! Two people have told me that now! I thought my faminly was the only family who didn't ever do that...*chuckle*

Well, I've been pretty much talked into joining through PM. You can blame Kath if I decide to add some character(s).

-- Folwren

[Celuien]

Oh wow! Two people have told me that now! I thought my faminly was the only family who didn't ever do that...*chuckle*
:D That's what I thought about my family.

Because I'll never miss a chance to share kitty pictures, here's the inspiration for Midnight (http://pics.livejournal.com/celuien/pic/00008h4k). That's my sister's cat. I would never make my kitty wear a sweater. :p

[Firefoot]

I hope you don't mind that my characters are planning on making some trouble for Becca, Celuien... I promise Midnight won't get hurt... :eek:

[Celuien]

I hope you don't mind that my characters are planning on making some trouble for Becca, Celuien... I promise Midnight won't get hurt...
Trouble is fine. :)

And Midnight better not get hurt. :mad:

[littlemanpoet]

Hiya Forest Elf, have you got someone in mind as your first victim? What about a sixteen year old Aragorn wannabe? Or not?

[Celuien]

A quick word on scenery...

Becca lives in an end rowhouse. There are three steps up to the front door from street level, though the house is set back from the main sidewalk by a small front garden. The garden wraps around the three open sides of the house (right wall shared with the neighbor). The garden is largest in the back and the side garden ends on a small alleyway. The house is red brick with a black door like this one (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/when_in_london/NovLondon04/DSC01394.jpg), only with a brass knob, letter slot, and lock, and the other difference being that the door is black. There's a black iron railing on the steps. All of which works with what Firefoot has written, since I'm sure that garden includes a lawn. :D

Cel is feeling detail oriented. And very visual. :rolleyes:

[Firefoot]

Cel is feeling detail oriented. And very visual. That's good. I hate having to ask people about things like that... :D

[Dimturiel]

Well, well, this looks intersting. I think I'm going to give it a try.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Ok, post up.

I am assuming that the 7th Age would include the present world of Tolkien scholarship as well as the Barrowdowns. I have more ideas in this direction later. :D

[Firefoot]

Love it, Child. :D (Unfortunately, I have to spread some more rep around, though...)

[Undómë]

Dimturiel

A quick couple of questions, if you would:

How old is your character and what does she look like, briefly.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Dimturiel -

Your character seems to be attracting a lot of interest! :D

I received your pm and will try to put up a post approaching her late tonight or tomorrow morning.

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Well...

Someone has found Midnight.

;)

[Celuien]

Well...

Someone has found Midnight.

;)
Good. ;)

Would it help if kitty had a collar?

[littlemanpoet]

I wonder if cats like fake Rangers who aren't really Aragorn? :p

[Celuien]

I wonder if cats like fake Rangers who aren't really Aragorn?
Cats are always friendly creatures, if they're treated nicely. :p :D

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

*kicks self for getting involved...*

But Tish just wanted to be written. How could I say no, when she demanded so impolitely with that secretly pleading look in her eyes?

I'll do a quick character sketch for you guys in case you want to use her before I get around to writing more:

She's in her mid-twenties, and used to be a very cute blonde. Now she's got short black hair, wears a lot of silver jewelry, and spends her nights with lit candles and poetry anthologies. Her house is very small, of unknown age and color, with an infrequently mown front lawn (her elderly, bored, neighbor does it for her without invitation). When she's not at work (editor of a local newspaper that prints, she's frequently heard to say, nothing of interest or importance), she eats Indian food and plays piano. She doesn't own any forks, dislikes everything (not really), and wishes she had the sort of temperament to give long, bitter tirades.

Her reason for hating Halloween is that her parents never let her go trick-or-treating as a kid.

[Folwren]

Alright, I've given in. I introduce my two character, Ellen and Josh, brother and sister. Ellen's probably about 16 and Josh 7.

Fea, I've picked on your Tish character. Answer when you've a chance, it's half a blessing that you won't be answering too quick, as you implied above, because I'm quite business enough without this game.

Elempi, I have to say...your character is hilarious!

-- Folwren

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

So you caught me taking a quick break before bed/Macbeth.

No worries on rushing any response. I'm in no hurry.

[Dimturiel]

Well, for all those intrested in my character, here are a couple of things to help you. She is somewhere in her twenties. She is tallish with long black hair and green eyes. I hope this helps. :)

[Celuien]

If anyone is wondering what Becca looks like, she has dark brown hair that falls between her shoulder blades, brown eyes, and (since it's autumn) is fairly pale. Middle height, slender. Likes to wear flowing, ankle-length skirts, sweaters and boots. She's somewhere in her late twenties. Profession: harpist in the city's opera orchestra. Also teaches harp at a music school.

I'll pick up the search for Midnight again later today.

[Durelin]

As far as I could tell there wasn't any rule regarding animals, but if my post is not satisfactory, I will be happy to delete it.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Durelin -- Animals are most welcome....especially such a clever one.
Aiwendil also has a sentient owl named Hedwig.

Dimturiel -

I await your response with anticipation. Let me know if anything needs editing.

[Firefoot]

Since it seems to be the fad...

Raven is about seven years old, has long, straight black hair, and large dark eyes. Tucker is about five, your typical skinny little boy with wavy brown hair and features similar to his sister's - no doubt about these two being siblings.

[Durelin]

Durelin -- Animals are most welcome....especially such a clever one.
Aiwendil also has a sentient owl named Hedwig.

Ah, lovely! Sorry, I hadn't had the chance to but skim all of the posts (so why did I post, you ask? Because I'm just that silly) yet. Perhaps fittingly, I find imagining a sentient owl much easier than imagining a sentient crow...and yours is definitely convincing. :D

[Undómë]

With a nod (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=495559&postcount=29) to Mssrs. Will and Percy Bysse for the use of their works. :)

Romeo and Juliet for the first and Queen Mab: A philosophical Poem for PB.

Child

I think Jack might see your character at the library. ;)

[Child of the 7th Age]

With a tip of the hat to Jack in anticipation of our meeting....

[Celuien]

Elempi: The fake Ranger who isn't Aragorn appeared in my last post. Please throw herrings at me if I need to change anything.

[littlemanpoet]

Elempi: The fake Ranger who isn't Aragorn appeared in my last post. Please throw herrings at me if I need to change anything.
As a matter of fact, it seems Sid's 12 instead of 16, and his sword is cardboard instead of hammered metal. Know what? That just might work anyway, so leave be. :) I'm rather pressed for time tonight so I'm going to have to remain a sidekick. Put whatever words in Sid's mouth that you like, and have him do whatever you like. He probably does, however, want to know the name of the damsel in distress that he has now sworn to save, both cat and owner. ;)

[Celuien]

Posted edited to give Becca's name. Kitty will be introduced shortly. ;)

[Bêthberry]

Great stuff here from everyone. It's a treat to read.

I'm busier than I even thought I'd be, so I suspect I'll have time just for the odd cameo. Posted one now. Blame Child for the inspiration of such post-modernist self-reflections upon the site. :D

[littlemanpoet]

Sorry, I have been ridiculously busy with 11 hour work days followed by 2 hour church meetings. :eek: Who needs Halloween for scary? Anyway, I think this was a great idea, and I am by no means considering it done, but the interest level has obviously died off once the real thing came around. I suggest that next year we start in late September or early October and spend the whole month working up to this.

While I'm at it, it would be cool to do another Yule Log type thing, only start it like the day after American Thanksgiving or something. Just my two cents.

[Celuien]

Still interested here! I'll fill the save later today. It's been a busy week. Lots of time on the road, with no sign of things easing up until February. :eek:

[Child of the 7th Age]

Littlemanpoet

Child prods the body to see if there is life..... I do believe she lives, though respiration is shallow. Things were pretty feverish the first few days this was up. Perhaps we're just going through a slower phase.

I do think your idea about an earlier start, though, is a good one for the future.

If you or anyone else wants to head for the library, you are welcome to do so, or you are welcome to continue on with the other subplots.

Undómë, Pio --

Aiwendil has arrived and may have a friend in tow. Feel free to use my character as needed in your burglaring scene.

Point of information ---Hedwig has heard rumors of strange goings on in the world of faerie. Awendil would like to check on the various Tolkien sites on the internet to see if any of them have any hint as to what is going on. :D So if there is a terminal nearby, that would be good.

[Celuien]

And the save is filled. :)

[littlemanpoet]

'Fraid mine's a weak post. Hope it can be used. Any edits desired, please say so. Maybe I ought to go get Sid run over by a car. Blah.

[Folwren]

'Fraid mine's a weak post. Hope it can be used. Any edits desired, please say so. Maybe I ought to go get Sid run over by a car. Blah.

Oh, for heaven's sake, don't kill him. Sheesh. My Josh character is about to begin to try to think of some trick to play on the stuck up snob who refused him treats. Perhaps your Aragorn son of Arathorn could help him....or hinder him....

-- Folwren

[littlemanpoet]

Okay. :)

[Celuien]

Chuckling at the idea of a 28ish Becca becoming an old lady... :p

I guess I can change her age. Or assume that young trick'r'treaters see anyone over 17 as 'old.' :D

[Esgallhugwen]

I dunno, when I was only thirteen or so little kids thought I was a teacher because I was so tall. Not to mention my maturity level at that age was very high.

So it's possible that they would think Becca is old, even though she's only 28ish.

[Celuien]

So it's possible that they would think Becca is old, even though she's only 28ish.
Quite true. I gave a presentation to a class of second graders earlier this year. When they heard I was 22, they commented on my advancing years. :D It's all a matter of perspective.

She's going to stay 28.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

So it's possible that they would think Becca is old, even though she's only 28ish.Last year some of the fifth graders I tutored thought one of the kindergarteners I taught was my very own. :eek:

This year I've been confused as faculty (technically admin, but that's just complicated) at my school many times.

When I went Christmas shopping with my mum, a few old ladies thought I was like 14.

Age is relative.

[littlemanpoet]

Chuckling at the idea of a 28ish Becca becoming an old lady... :p

I guess I can change her age. Or assume that young trick'r'treaters see anyone over 17 as 'old.' :D
Yeah but my 12 year old (who started out as a 16 year old :rolleyes: ) should know better. I'll edit when I get a chance.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

To let you know, Tish is probably going to end up in a battle for her life and/or the world in general against some canonical baddie (yet to be determined) left over from the 3rd and 4th Ages.

At the very least, she'll encounter ghosts.

It's Halloween. She's Tish. I can't help myself.

Oh my, I could have her encounter the ghost of The Professor himself. Oh the possibilities of a dark graveyard this night are endless.

We'll just have to see, oh yes, we will.

[piosenniel]

Just a reminder:

SAVES should be filled within 24 hours/48 at the latest and may be removed from the game at the discretion of the moderator.

I am deleting SAVE posts that run over the 48 hour request.

~*~ Pio

[Celuien]

Sorry to hold things up, but Becca's author will probably be away until Monday night. Cupcake distribution will resume then. :)

[Undómë]

Well, Child, piosenniel, Dimturiel - I've tried to follow up on your post Child. :rolleyes:

Make of it what you will. :p It could go anywhere from here, I suppose :eek:

[Celuien]

Save filled.

[Celuien]

A brief reply is now up, and I'm off again. Back late Monday or sometime on Tuesday.

[littlemanpoet]

This seems to me like a good place to wrap up the thread's story. I have an idea to have Sid turn around and look, and see at least one of the characters that have been introduced into this little story, and turn to tell Becca he'll be back, and then narrate a series of briefly mentioned meetings, such as with a certain pair of hobbits, as well as an old man coming out of a library at a strange time of night, and the young woman with him, who's eyes seem very old, et cetera.

You know, it occurs to me that handled properly, this could work as a very nice little published tale. Lots of interesting characters, with the Becca to Sid passing the special thing on as the sort of spine of the story. There are obvious issues regarding the star, since that is Tolkien literary property, but there might be ways to get around that. Just a thought.

[Undómë]

Child, Pio, Dimturiel -

Do we want to somehow wrap up our little subplot?

What would you like to do?

[Child of the 7th Age]

Undómë -

Yes, I have been a laggard here. My apologies.

The reference to those animals you folk developed was so intriguing, I honestly wasn't sure what to do with it. It's a pity that original animal rpg was never finished.

Do we want to set up a brief skirmish where those inside the library manage to "keep out" the gang of animal creatures, or perhaps alternatively end up finding out they aren't such baddies after all?

Or shall we leave it unfinished and mysterious ..... have them lurk outside the gates, perhaps make a plea to enter--one that is strangely garbled, and then disappear so we never find out what they're really after? This sort of thing intrigues me. Even folk who have one foot in faerie encounter mysteries they truly can't unravel. Plus, loose ends can always be useful for later stories although I have nothing definite in mind.

Any preferences/ideas Pio or Undómë or Dimturiel or shall I flip a coin?

[Dimturiel]

Child, Pio, Undome

Well, from my part, I would like a loose end. It would seem more intresting that way, and more complex. That is my oppinion, but if you guys want something else, it's ok with me.

[piosenniel]

Child, Undómë, Dimturiel

I'd like to finish the reference to the animal people. In Dimturiel's post I got the idea that what her character saw were Orcish sort of folk.

The characters I introduced were along the lines of the Native Old Ones from the Charles de Lint books about his fictional town, Newford.

Here's what I was thinking - in de Lint's books those of the Faerie Realm came over the seas to the New World. And met there those of the spirit world/mythlore of North America. I was intending to have this be a band of those ancient Folk of the the Native North-Americans who have crossed over to the 7th Age middle-earth realm with those of their people who've emigrated east across the seas.

Can we have a brief confrontation with the bad guys and let these mysterious strangers lend a brief hand against them?

It needn't be a long episode, but I'd like to bring it to some closure.

But - whatever you folk want to do is fine with me.....

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

An aside - I wrote to Gilthalion a number of months ago and he has given permission to take his premise for the story and whatever posts we'd like to use and play out the Simian Shadow RPG.

Could be fun, eh?

~*~ Pio

[Estelyn Telcontar]

An aside - I wrote to Gilthalion a number of months ago and he has given permission to take his premise for the story and whatever posts we'd like to use and play out the Simian Shadow RPG.

Could be fun, eh?

~*~ Pio

Oooooh! Ask me, ask me! ;) (Will that be in the facetious parodic mode in which it began, or are you planning to make a serious story of it?)

[Undómë]

Child, Pio, Dimturiel

Perhaps we could leave it hanging...

[Child of the 7th Age]

Hmm...

Perhaps we should play it out and see how it goes.

I'm not quite sure what I'm doing with this, but that has never stopped me from posting before! How about I start off by having Aiwendil see some of those strange orc types milling around outside the library looking very nasty and threatening? We can generate some sort of confrontation and those Faerie folk and/or Native American spirits can turn up later to help us and then mysteriously disappear????

That way we can tie up one problem (the orcs), but still have the other group hanging loose. and mysterious

Does this sound doable? In any case, I've put up a save.

__________

Interesting how my mind immediately leaped to Simian Shadow. I guess it was the reference to someone with a "foxy face". I'd love to do something with that someday.

I've read one or two books by Charles DeLint but am no expert. However, there are things in this equation that remind me very vaguely of Gaiman's American Gods.

[Bêthberry]

oohhh, ooohhh, I must get my act together. I have at least one more post in mind. Maybe I can tie this one into the action in the library....

[Child of the 7th Age]

Save filled. The story pushes on.

[Undómë]

Alright, then. Jack has shown a way out.

Does someone want to take us through the tunnel and out of doors?

[piosenniel]

Save filled.

The group hasn't made it through the tunnel yet....would someone like to take a stab at the noises heard at the bottom of the stairs?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I solemnly swear I will actually go somewhere with my Tish plot thing.

Just not today.

:(

[Noinkling]

Save filled.

[Undómë]

I'll finish this storyline up, the you can all post a last thing for your characters if you wish.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Undómë,

That sounds great! I'll get something up for my character after that.

[Undómë]

OK -- posted. Hope it's alright.

Tried to capture the spirit of those characters you described, Pio.

~ U

[piosenniel]

'Tis done then.....

~*~ To Elvenhome ~*~