Hard Winters Planning/Discussion Thread

[Inziladun]

I've been pretty busy lately, but I haven't forgotten Ladavan.
I've been considering whether he ought to have any more encounters with PCs the day of arrival, or just wake up the next morning with a funny notion in his head...

[littlemanpoet]

Firefoot, please describe Rowenna as excusing herself to help out in the kitchen.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I've been pretty busy lately, but I haven't forgotten Ladavan.
I've been considering whether he ought to have any more encounters with PCs the day of arrival, or just wake up the next morning with a funny notion in his head...

I have just been thinking it would be fun to have Ladavan interact with Áforglaed (preferably in the company of somebody else, like I could dump them together with Hilderinc). That could be just a talk over the meal, or when going to sleep, or whatever. If you are around, we could still work on that, even just put it to fill in. (Or in the worst case, if everyone wants to do a longer jump really fast, we could make a save and fill it in with a co-post later, if it won't include anything besides establishing the first connections.)

That said, maybe before we do any hyper-long time jump, it might be nice to just work on whether any of the newly arrived characters want to separately establish their initial interaction or meeting with others. (As in, making first impressions.) That could still be done rather over the course of next few days game-time rather than in several weeks. But it comes down to how many people want to do it and how.

If more people were interested in that, maybe we could also do some "First Contact Series" to cover the gap we are going to jump over, i.e. just a series of different posts where everyone could coordinate with each other the circumstances under which they would like to meet the other characters. You know, something like "Ledwyn and Scyld", "Ruari and Ladavan", "Saeryn and Brith" (was still supposed to happen, by the way?), "Elfthain and Hilderinc". If some people want this (and the forest-dwellers are not in a hurry to join us, although they basically could start arriving during that time too), we could make it into a kind of dragged-out start with these small episodes, so that everyone can write at the same time, and those who have something ongoing they might want to sort out, can do it during that time as well and not feel pressed by others.

Just an idea. I might anyway post something short today still for some of my characters, to finish sketching out their first day's doings.

[Galadriel55]

Speaking of what Legate said - I just remembered that Ledwyn owes an apology to a certain Gondorian lady. ;) If we proceed to dinnertime, Ledwyn would like to come up to Brith and attempt to communicate. If we jump a couple days, she will still attempt to communicate with Brith but will also apologize for not being able to do so sooner due to reasons etc.

What do you think, Lommy?

[Mithalwen]

Elfthain is up for more interaction. At the moment he is probably a bit unsure if he should go with Javan to eat or if that should be for the hungry Scarburgians only or go and clean his tack and stow his gear somewhere. He can hardly skulk in his room since I assume he will be sleeping anywhere he can find space for his bedroll. So ..

[Firefoot]

If we're going to continue on to dinner... is there anyone who might be prompted to tell Scyld the tale of the Easterlings?

[Inziladun]

I have just been thinking it would be fun to have Ladavan interact with Áforglaed (preferably in the company of somebody else, like I could dump them together with Hilderinc). That could be just a talk over the meal, or when going to sleep, or whatever. If you are around, we could still work on that, even just put it to fill in. (Or in the worst case, if everyone wants to do a longer jump really fast, we could make a save and fill it in with a co-post later, if it won't include anything besides establishing the first connections.)

Ladavan's last contact was with Léof, who had directed him to the courtyard where he presumably could see about food and housing. That leaves the easy possibility of encountering someone else.

I have a question: is Áforglaed easily identifiable as a soldier?

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Elfthain is up for more interaction. At the moment he is probably a bit unsure if he should go with Javan to eat or if that should be for the hungry Scarburgian's only or go and clean his tack and stow his gear somewhere. He can hardly skulk in his room since I assume he will be sleeping anywhere he can find space for his bedroll. So ..

Yep... in regards to that, I think he would most likely be welcome to some room that used to belong to one of those who died during the winter. There were also the barracks, which must be horribly underpopulated nowadays. They had been rebuilt, renovated, expanded, then vacated already by large after all Athanar's soldiers had left, and thus probably again lot of the rebuilt and renovated stuff was torn down during the winter for fuel.

If we're going to continue on to dinner... is there anyone who might be prompted to tell Scyld the tale of the Easterlings?

I assume that would be any of the "old" Scarburgians - Thornden, Javan, Modtryth, Stigend, even Cnebba (the first first-hand witness!) or also Ledwyn. Athanar's folk were fighting in the East when the Easterlings appeared around Scarburg (so none of my characters qualify, unless I wanted Stefnu to give an off-hand report which is not related to Scarburg itself, since she wasn't yet present).

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Ladavan's last contact was with Léof, who had directed him to the courtyard where he presumably could see about food and housing. That leaves the easy possibility of encountering someone else.

I have a question: is Áforglaed easily identifiable as a soldier?

Ha, I didn't notice this one when I posted. I am not sure how much, but Áforglaed is a young, strong man, he probably does not have the bearing of a soldier (unlike Hilderinc, whose looks scream "soldier!" if you see him from afar), but he might have the habit of, say, keeping some small dagger (a warrior's dagger as opposed to a random knife) at his side even when off-duty.

For that matter, I just wrote both Hilderinc and Áforglaed messing around the well, so they are both open for interaction there with anyone who might want to come and wash their hands before meal and somesuch. They can even be "drafted" by separate people, Hilderinc is basically going to leave the well-area now (and he probably dumped Brith earlier to figure out her things), so he can be bumped into also by someone walking towards the well, or from the stables, to the kitchens and so on. Áforglaed might literally bump into anyone who comes to the well.

[Firefoot]

Edit made to my last Scyld post concerning Rowenna. I assume that would be any of the "old" Scarburgians - Thornden, Javan, Modtryth, Stigend, even Cnebba (the first first-hand witness!) or also Ledwyn. Athanar's folk were fighting in the East when the Easterlings appeared around Scarburg (so none of my characters qualify, unless I wanted Stefnu to give an off-hand report which is not related to Scarburg itself, since she wasn't yet present). Yes - I was more looking for a volunteer who thought their character would be an eager tale-teller. :)

[Folwren]

Oh dear. I feel so bad for Eodwine.

Firefoot, unless someone else volunteers, I think Javan would be pretty excited to tell the tale of the Easterlings.

I hope to post sometime this evening.

[Folwren]

Legate, I wasn't originally intending to have Javan run into your characters, but then when I started writing my post and I was having him wash up, it occurred to me, he may as well be the one Áforglaed elbows out of the way! :D

I also wrote a post for Saeryn and Ruari. Players who have women in the kitchen - Ruari is there now, a little bit worried and scared. You all may play with her some. :)

[Mithalwen]

Elfthain is alone and palely loitering. If someone wants to take pity on him he will respond. Else leave him til supper. It won't kill him...:cool:

[Folwren]

Hey! I made a mistake and deleted Javan's post. Don't panic - it'll be back (I think...) so Mith's post will still be relevant. What I NEED to do is just edit it so that he is not the one who runs into Áforglaed, as Inzil went ahead to do it with his character. It is really better if Inzil does it, anyway, because Javan (along with Leof) will be probably the last ones to come in, seeing as they're tending to the horses. It takes a long time to do the chores, and I have many, many times come in last to meals while working at stables.

Sorry about the confusion.

[Mithalwen]

I could change my post no problem... it is a bit of a non event. And full marks for putting the horses first. I remember my first day at the Riding Therapy Centre I arrived having negotiated a couple of miles of snowy and icy track to hear one of the students being told off for leaving the horse in his care without water (You never leave him without water, you DO NOT wait for the ice to melt - you pick it out with your hands).......

[Folwren]

No, don't change your post. Better to put part of mine at the beginning of yours. If you don't mind, could you just copy and paste this in the beginning of your post?

Javan wanted to eat. He was as hungry as the next person. But he would not leave Leof out here working while he went in and broke his fast.

“I’ll finish the job with you,” he said. He turned to Elfthain. “You’ve come a long way and must be weary,” he said. “You ought to go in and rest. We will be in soon enough and I will come find you.” He offered Elfthain a quick, flashing smile, and then turned and hurried off to tend to the chores that could not wait until after dinner.

Piosenniel, if Mith is ok doing this, then you can disregard the PM I sent you and not worry about replacing my old post.

[Mithalwen]

Done.

[piosenniel]

Don't be alarmed if you've deleted a post - it's still available for retrieval by me...

~*~ Pio

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Áforglaed just apologized to Ladavan and then he already started acting in his typical manner "my mouth, my limbs and my brain act absolutely independantly of each other". The ball is on your side, Inzil :)

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I had also Stefnu momentarily take care of Ruari, once again, if there's anything you would like me to edit, Folwren or LMP, just let me know.

[Folwren]

It looks good! I like Stefnu, though it appears we might be in danger of her spoiling the children. :p

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

It looks good! I like Stefnu, though it appears we might be in danger of her spoiling the children. :p

Yes, we'll see if things like that continue in the future. :D It's possible, and I'm wondering if it happens, part of the reason might be that it's been some time since she raised both of her kids (or, the first one was her stepson), both of whom were boys, and whether she might be more prone to spoiling Ruari because she never had a girl child. But I really have the feeling Stefnu will be one of those characters whose behavior I can't be certain of in advance, nor I am absolutely certain of her motivations already. It will be an adventure.

[Mithalwen]

But maybe let her off this once because Ruairi needs a bit of comfort and reassurance..?:cool: My main concern is that there are no nut allergy sufferers at Scarburg....:p

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

But maybe le her off this once because Ruairi needs a bit of comfort and reassurance..?:cool: My main concern is that there are no nut allergy sufferers at Scarburg....:p

Well if there are, it will surely manifest itself soon ;)

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Inzil, I made Áforglaed respond to Ladavan. Plus I realised I didn't ask you whether Ladavan gives the vibe of a soldier. So in the post, I wrote Áforglaed's last reaction with the idea that there is something that might prompt him to think Ladavan might also be a soldier (since the topic came up). But if you think there shouldn't be anything, I can edit it back to just asking about Ladavan's occupation (but he would still make the remark about not fighting the Dunlendings anymore).

[Inziladun]

Thanks, Legate. I'm sorry for the delays on my part, but there's been a lot to deal with the past few weeks. I'm hopeful things will slow down now that I've gotten at least a few matters addressed. ;)

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Thanks, Legate. I'm sorry for the delays on my part, but there's been a lot to deal with the past few weeks. I'm hopeful things will slow down now that I've gotten at least a few matters addressed. ;)

Delays? Where? Even if that was actually true, don't worry about that, it's not a race :)

[Galadriel55]

Delays? Where? Even if that was actually true, don't worry about that, it's not a race :)

Indeed. If you call that a delay, I don't even want to know what my posting is like. :D

[Inziladun]

Thanks, guys. I just feel somewhat guilty at times when I have the temerity to allow RL to interfere with activity here. ;)

[littlemanpoet]

Perhaps I have been hasty in closing out the day?

If someone still has something that must be narrated for this day, please let me know and if I need to, I can change my post.

Otherwise, if all are ready to move on, how many days or weeks do we want to jump?

[Galadriel55]

I am good with the close, on my part. I think most others finished the stuff that ought to be completed before the jump too.

I would say don't jump more than a couple days; there are several new characters in the caravan who haven't yet made relationships with the old ones, and lots of news to be exchanged. I think it would be awkward if we skipped this phase. If we are looking for something exciting to happen, there was a suggestion earlier that the Entwash can flood, or there could be the first stirrings of the local lords. In terms of my character, I am very flexible, but I think that a week is the absolute maximum that we should jump. If, however, people want to skip farther along, I could live with that.

[Firefoot]

A few days to a week is fine with me.

[Mithalwen]

Would the waggons stay as long as a week I wonder? Flooding would stave off the issue but I need to resolve it somehow. It doesn't need to be played out though. It can be reported, How indisposed is Eodwine and if he is incapacitated who deals with the military aspect of the Eorlship?

[littlemanpoet]

Would the waggons stay as long as a week I wonder? Flooding would stave off the issue but I need to resolve it somehow. It doesn't need to be played out though. It can be reported, How indisposed is Eodwine and if he is incapacitated who deals with the military aspect of the Eorlship?

We can work with the flooding of the Entwash; it would be quite natural; just add constant rain.

Eodwine is in a bad way. He can lounge about and converse with other folk, but he's in no way to lead a military excursion.

I suppose it would fall to Thornden in his place, though Rowenna might have a few thoughts about her own capacity to lead; not that she would consider unseating the hand-picked second in command, but she might upstage him in the heat of it all.

However, a military business wouldn't be needed if flooding is the issue.

Shall we go three days forward? By then we can have a good deal of flooding with nonstop rain.

[Mithalwen]

Ok, that could work if it suits others. I don't want a military expedition just thinking longer term who Elfthain would need to deal with if he transferred posting.

If you don't want a bunch of redundant waggons horses and drivers around then could be that Elfthain got delayed temporarily and so separated from the rest of party... horse lost shoe just after start may be and returns alone to Scarburg to get it replaced and the intervening couple of hours enough to make road impassable.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I am fine with the proposed ideas. Flooding might be a good start.

Btw, sorry for taking long to respond, this time from my side, Inzil. Hope I did not cut the conversation short, too (but if you wished to add something, it can also be inserted into my post, or you can of course post something for yourself and I can edit my post).

I guess in any case, if we jump a few days, I think we could assume Ladavan's application to service being safely underway (like you could just retrospectively think some opening dialogue happened, but he might still be under consideration and you could then have discussions with other people about it later), or you could make it happen "on-screen" later (e.g. with the explanation that the high-ups didn't have time in the first few days and so on)... I guess that would be up to you and the other people involved; just ideas.

I think a few of those who haven't posted much lately (right now thinking Lommy, Nogrod who have been busy/off) might want to add something somewhere (Lommy mentioned that she might check in today or tomorrow), but I guess nothing that dramatically important. I am also thinking whether I might want to write some fill-in jump-post retrospectively reflecting on the first day's end/the days we jump over from (some of?) my characters' pov, but that's nothing that would interfere with others.

[Mithalwen]

Other factor in flooding is how it would affect the woodlanders and Leof's sister whose name has escaped me...

[Firefoot]

I think we should hold off on the flood just yet. There are a lot of characters with business with Eodwine that can be put off a couple days because Eodwine isn't well. So between the arrival of the woodlanders and Leof's sister and getting everyone sorted out I think there's enough material to work with. The flood can be the next day we wrote about.

Thoughts?

[Mithalwen]

Main thought that I don't want my self-inflicted problem to become a more general one and to stymy anyone else. I will work something out. If I have to temporarily incapacitate Elfthain so be it. He's young and healthy, he will recover :smokin:

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I think we should hold off on the flood just yet. There are a lot of characters with business with Eodwine that can be put off a couple days because Eodwine isn't well. So between the arrival of the woodlanders and Leof's sister and getting everyone sorted out I think there's enough material to work with. The flood can be the next day we wrote about.

Thoughts?

No problem with that. It might make sense as far as I am concerned. It just then comes down to who wants to sort out what. I can always find something to fill in just by posting a couple of interactions between my own people (I at least want to do one thing at some point anyway), but also can be of assistance to anybody who is around. Áforglaed can further assist Ladavan (and Hilderinc can too, for that matter). Stefnu can look after Saeryn and Eodwine's kids if Eodwine seems to require a lot of Saeryn's attention and the kids somehow end up messing around too much, feeling neglected, or all of the above. And basically my characters are there for anyone to interact with if you need someone. There's always a way to do it. (If I had an idea to "help" Elfthain stay, I'd be happy to assist, too :) )

[Mithalwen]

It doesn't have to be big drama. If the flood is going to happen anyway he just needs a minor hindrance to stop him going with the main party and then by the time the floods clear he may feel inclined to get permission to stay for whatever reason. Even that he feels he would be more useful there than at Edoras. But don't have the flood just for his sake...

[Galadriel55]

Well, I've been thinking of introducing another character ever since the resurrection of the RPG forum, but I've been putting it off because I couldn't even write properly for one character. However, summer is almost over and I'll soon be gone from my madhouse of a home, with considerably more time on my hands, so it's gonna happen soon. He's going to be travelling from somewhere far, and has no problem with delivering a message from Elfthain's mother telling him to stay in Scarburg for one reason or another. If that works for you, Mith, then I can happily hurry up with the bio and include it with the background post. :)

[Thinlómien]

I'm sorry I've been neglecting this, I'm catching up today/tomorrow!

But I'm fine with wrapping up the day; everything my characters do is either not important (Modtryth will do her job and Wilheard will shirk his responsibilities and sulk) or can be filled in in retrospect (Brith talking to Saeryn and asking to stay; likewise I assume Fréa and Caranthir would talk to Eodwine and offer their services so they could stay for a while, maybe over the summer for starters...? that would totally happen "off screen" though as they are NPCs)...

edit: AND I promise to keep an eye on the RPG every couple of days from now on so I won't find myself in a similar situation again. Typical summer craziness with a million things to do.

[Thinlómien]

Okay, caught up with the game thread! Lovely posts, everyone! I quite adore our new crew - and the old as well. I'll read the discussion thread (I saw talk of a flood :eek: ) tomorrow and try to write something for my characters, but definitely don't wait for me. I'll also poke Nogrod like I've done several times before but I wouldn't be too hopeful as he's now back to work and I've been harassing him about his paper telephone too... but I'm sure the plot is not hanging on Stigend or Cnebba.

[Mithalwen]

Well, I've been thinking of introducing another character ever since the resurrection of the RPG forum, but I've been putting it off because I couldn't even write properly for one character. However, summer is almost over and I'll soon be gone from my madhouse of a home, with considerably more time on my hands, so it's gonna happen soon. He's going to be travelling from somewhere far, and has no problem with delivering a message from Elfthain's mother telling him to stay in Scarburg for one reason or another. If that works for you, Mith, then I can happily hurry up with the bio and include it with the background post. :)

Kind offer but I really don't want to put anyone out or alter their plans. And I can't think why mama would keep her cub away. The last thing she said was come home soon.... Don't worry. It may just be that if he is delayed long enough to see these pretty girls arrive her will be begging to stay :p

[Folwren]

Mith, did you decide you didn't just want to have Elfthain to stay because Eodwine or someone invites him? I remember Elempi mentioning that option.

[Mithalwen]

That would be absolutely fine. But Eodwine doesn't seem well enough yet to be aware of someone so peripheral ... maybe Javan could put in a word with his big brother>:cool:? Then Elfthain could write to his uncle by the returning convoy or something.

[Inziladun]

Legate, I'm all right with a time jump, and maybe Ladavan just being found and approached by someone in response to his military interest. Hopefully the contact will be as open-minded as Áforglaed, if he doesn't do it himself. Or maybe not. ;)

[Folwren]

That would be absolutely fine. But Eodwine doesn't seem well enough yet to be aware of someone so peripheral ... maybe Javan could put in a word with his big brother>:cool:? Then Elfthain could write to his uncle by the returning convoy or something.

That is a great idea.

Would not the people in the convoy in general want to stick around a few days anyway to rest? How quickly do you think they'd want to move on?

[Mithalwen]

Certainly a few days since although it isn't a huge distance it would have been fairly hard going for the draught horses in the mud. so long enough for Elfthain to perhaps start to make a few friends and be amenable to the idea of staying. :D He had better be on his best behaviour..

[Folwren]

So if I post in a few hours and move forward a couple days, will everyone be alright with that?

[Mithalwen]

Sounds good to me.

On a side note:

Are the map and plan on the old thread still valid (Nogrod's)? I make it about 40 miles in old money between Scarburg and Edoras is that right?

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Legate, I'm all right with a time jump, and maybe Ladavan just being found and approached by someone in response to his military interest. Hopefully the contact will be as open-minded as Áforglaed, if he doesn't do it himself. Or maybe not. ;)
Anything goes :) For that matter, I am not sure I would call Áforglaed necessarily "open-minded", he's just, maybe I would say, chaotic in the way that he doesn't mind :D So I think we'll still see him going "hey! Look guys, I am sitting next to a Dunlending!" and, say, if something went missing, he would suspect the Dunlending first, but at least he is being kind of honest in this way of thinking.

So if I post in a few hours and move forward a couple days, will everyone be alright with that?
Fine by me.

Sounds good to me.

On a side note:

Are the map and plan on the old thread still valid (Nogrod's)? I make it about 40 miles in old money between Scarburg and Edoras is that right?
Should be. For that matter, I have been thinking (Pio?) if these maps from the previous thread (namely Nog's and Folwren's, I think - Scarburg and surroundings and the general outline of the Hall - probably now somewhat changed, but for the basic orientation purposes) could be linked directly among the sources on the first page of this thread. I used them a few times already on this thread, and it's kind of difficult to look up at this point.

[piosenniel]

For that matter, I have been thinking (Pio?) if these maps from the previous thread (namely Nog's and Folwren's, I think - Scarburg and surroundings and the general outline of the Hall - probably now somewhat changed, but for the basic orientation purposes) could be linked directly among the sources on the first page of this thread. I used them a few times already on this thread, and it's kind of difficult to look up at this point.

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

Your wish is my editorial command! :)

There is now a link to the original page from the Scarburg Meadhall Discussion Thread where the maps and descriptions of the Meadhall and its surrounds are listed.

The link is on post #3 of this discussion thread - HERE (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=696867&postcount=3)

[Folwren]

So a few hours passed and nothing happened. I will do my utmost to post later today, but if someone beats me to it, then so be it.

-- Foley

[Folwren]

Ok, so I went and fell off the face of the planet after promising to post. Sorry about that. Teaching has begun and I have no internet at home. I cannot possibly write a post at this point in time. I am not sure when I'll be able to. Internet comes on at home on Saturday, though! :D

-- Folwren

[littlemanpoet]

OKAY, EVERYBODY, WHAT'S THE STICKING POINT? RL?

What needs to happen to get to the new day?

[Folwren]

Haha. When I first read your question I thought you were inserting 'sticking' for some expletive. I re-read it and saw that was not so.

Yes, sir. Well, mine is 2-fold. One reason is RL - mostly the fact that I had no internet at home at all last week.

The second is that I started 2 PM posts and haven't yet finished either one.

Honestly, I think most people are waiting for someone to start a post for the next day. I promised to do it, then never did, and I regret saying I could do it when it turns out I couldn't.

[Mithalwen]

If you like I could post something that would at least start off a day a couple of days on if you will allow me to assume that Elfthain and Javan have struck up as much of a friendship as possible in the time and E realising to his surprise he is a little sorry that he is due to depart soon with convoy. Also to be written in the recognition that I may make rookie errors that the old Scarburgians will want corrected. Oh and do you want rain written in?

[Folwren]

I'm very happy with assuming that Javan and Elfthain struck up a friendship. Rain would make sense.

I will try to write a post today. Emphasis on 'try'.

[littlemanpoet]

Haha. When I first read your question I thought you were inserting 'sticking' for some expletive. I re-read it and saw that was not so. :D

'Sticking' go for it, Mithalwen! ;)

Do that and I'll follow with something about either Eodwine or Rowenna.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Way to go, Mith! I say if you have some good idea, go for it. (Or anyone, really.) I've been away for a week, so there was no chance to post whatsoever. And Mith, I would not worry about getting the "facts" right or anything. In the worst case, everything can be corrected later, but I think all of us here are sensible and experienced writers and that the main point of posts is that they are sensible, and that I am sure we need not worry about. Minor technicalities are just minor technicalities.

[Firefoot]

For me it's been partly RL and partly just waiting for someone else to start the day...

I'm also sort of waiting for some cues about Eodwine's state - whether Scyld will feel like he can take his letter directly to him or whether he seems too ill/disengaged, in which case he might first approach Saeryn or Thornden...

[Thinlómien]

Lommy update: I'm still not caught up with the discussion thread (oops - and I'll join the RL excuse club) but Folwren and I are writing a pm post with Brith and Saeryn, and it can be posted later. So, whatever is going on, don't wait for me, I'll catch up, and also, I'm not as inactive as it may seem. :D

[Mithalwen]

Well it a start and I am truly happy to amend anything though I hope not everything! If anyone wants to talk to the lad he will answer promptly..

[Firefoot]

I think writing that post made me feel nearly as anxious as Scyld...

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Ha! Really nice to see the activity. I hope I will find a moment during the weekend to post something. Really hope so!

[littlemanpoet]

Firefoot - note that you have written this: discipline under Scyld’s ruthless hand - I think you want the name "Sorn" there.

Are the contents of the letter from Linduial posted anywhere? If not, can you give me a gist of what Eodwine is reading?

thanks! :)

This is going to get interesting....

[Folwren]

This is going to get interesting....

I agree. I can't wait. :D

[Firefoot]

Gah, my bad.

I haven't written the letter out anywhere, but the gist of it is Linduial's account of Scyld's role in her kidnapping and subsequent escape; I believe at some point Jenny wrote that Linduial credited Scyld with saving her life so that would probably be mentioned. Probably there would be some explanation of why she never mentioned Scyld when she was first rescued (respecting his wishes though she had been willing to defend him at thattime - he just didn't trust her or the government authorities). Scyld has read it and considered it kinder than he deserved, and believes it sufficiently exonerates him to be comfortable enough handing it over.

[littlemanpoet]

Greetings, Eorl Eodwine

We hope this missive finds you well.

It is with mixed feelings that we write this, for we do not relish the memory of our kidnapping. However, we remember with fondness the hospitality afforded us at your Mead Hall. We also remember with gratitude the one you know as Nydfara, whose real name is Scyld, for it is through his kindness and skill that we are alive today.

We were imprisoned by the dastard Sorn for ransom, and Scyld was at first our jailor. However, he did not like Sorn nor relish the evil man's ways, and helped us to escape, and protected us from murder at the hand of Sorn.

By the time you arrived at Scarburg to save us, with the assistance of Scyld we had accomplished our freedom. We offered, at that time, to defend his innocence and honor, but in his natural humility he requested that we not make good on the offer.

We thus, with full pleasure, take it upon ourselves to do as we offered then, and swear to the uprightness, faithfulness, decency, honor, good heart, and above all innocence, of Scyld. We hope that you will accept this letter in its intent, and declare Scyld to be not guilty of any crime, but instead a hero and a man of honor.

sincerely, Princess Linduial of Dol Amroth

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

What do you think? A bit too formally? :D Revise, rewrite, etc., as you wish. :)

[Mithalwen]

Greetings, Eorl Eodwine

We hope this missive finds you well.

It is with mixed feelings that we write this, for we do not relish the memory of our kidnapping. However, we remember with fondness the hospitality afforded us at your Mead Hall. We also remember with gratitude the one you know as Nydfara, whose real name is Scyld, for it is through his kindness and skill that we are alive today.

We were imprisoned by the dastard Sorn for ransom, and Scyld was at first our jailor. However, he did not like Sorn nor relish the evil man's ways, and helped us to escape, and protected us from murder at the hand of Sorn.

By the time you arrived at Scarburg to save us, with the assistance of Scyld we had accomplished our freedom. We offered, at that time, to defend his innocence and honor, but in his natural humility he requested that we not make good on the offer.

We thus, with full pleasure, take it upon ourselves to do as we offered then, and swear to the uprightness, faithfulness, decency, honor, good heart, and above all innocence, of Scyld. We hope that you will accept this letter in its intent, and declare Scyld to be not guilty of any crime, but instead a hero and a man of honor.

sincerely, Princess Linduial of Dol Amroth

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

What do you think? A bit too formally? :D Revise, rewrite, etc., as you wish. :)

A pedant writes: only rulers should really use the pluralis majestatis but maybe different etiquette applies in Gondor... I wonder if they have an equivalent to Debrett's, Burke's and the Almanach de Gotha? ;) I'll get me coat....

[Firefoot]

Sounds fine to me, though I was also a little offput by the royal we.

[littlemanpoet]

I suppose there are other ways than the royal we to evoke Linduial's native arrogance. ;)

[Mithalwen]

Oh well if off-putting were the intention...:p Aragorn uses the third person and Gil-galad uses I , I think, but he is writjng to a fellow king not a subject.

[Undómë]

Arry, Envin - check your PM's - let's see what we can cobble together...

[littlemanpoet]

Greetings, Eorl Eodwine

I hope this missive finds you well.

It is with mixed feelings that I write this, for I do not relish the memory of my kidnapping. However, I remember with fondness the hospitality afforded me at your warm, if plain, Mead Hall. I also remember with gratitude he whom you know as Nydfara, whose real name is Scyld, for it is through his kindness and skill that I am alive today.

I was imprisoned by the dastard Sorn for ransom, and Scyld was at first my jailor. However, he did not like Sorn nor relish the evil man's ways, and helped me to escape, and protected me from murder at the hand of Sorn.

By the time you arrived at Scarburg, with the assistance of Scyld I had accomplished my freedom. I offered, at that time, to defend his innocence and honor, but in his natural humility he requested that I not do so.

I invited Scyld to stay on at Dol Amroth, and would happily have placed him in a good situation. However, he was determined to return to Scarburg, though why he would wish to live in such a backwater, I have no idea. I mean no disrespect to you for living there Eodwine, as you have been assigned to the place and would no doubt prefer a better.

Since Scyld is indeed determined to return to you, with full pleasure, I take it upon myself to do as I offered then, and swear to his uprightness, faithfulness, decency, honor, good heart, and above all, innocence. I hope that you will accept this letter in its intent, and declare Scyld to be not guilty of any crime, but instead a hero and a man of honor.

sincerely, Princess Linduial of Dol Amroth

[Firefoot]

Sounds good - go with it.

[Folwren]

Pio, could you put this post at the end of Legate's post, before Mith's day changing post?

Morning After the Arrival of the Caravan

Saeryn had noticed the woman that came with the caravan the first night she arrived, though she had no chance to speak with her. The ordering of the new supplies and seeing that everyone was fed, and tending to her sick husband and child, had filled Saeryn's time. It was not until the second day that she was able to approach the woman.

She left the women washing up dishes in the kitchen and went out to the hall. The stranger had been given no task and stood rather awkwardly by the fire. Saeryn smiled.

"I am truly sorry I have not greeted you before now, lady," she said. She spoke respectfully, for it seemed to her that the woman came from a respectable family. "I was remiss yesterday not to have seen to your bed myself. Forgive me." The woman's head dipped slightly, and she looked at a loss for words. Saeryn did not pause long. She motioned towards a table and as they sat down, she said, "What is your errand here, and how may I assist you?"

Brith smiled, and a little belatedly, dropped in a curtsey. "My lady Saeryn," she replied in Rohirric, as she had been addressed. "If it please you..." she hesitated, switching to Westron. "I am ashamed to say I know very little of your beautiful language." She smiled.

Saeryn, too, smiled. "I can speak Westron if you like. I was asking your errand, and if you might require assistance of any kind."

"My lady, I would hate to ask anything, seeing how things stand here," Brith said quickly, then realized that her words could be interpreted the wrong way. Especially since she hadn't really been doing anything useful all morning, but she had been discouraged by a local woman who had shrugged off her question if she could help with any of the household chores. She didn't want to seem too proud or condescending. "My name is Brithiel, and I am of Lamedon. More recently, from Arnor." Idly, she wondered if she was rambling.

"I am a seamstress by profession. I have come to Scarburg on a... personal quest." Again she paused. She had nothing against telling this grave and friendly young lady her story, but her father had always told her to keep it short when she was explaining something. Saeryn gave her an encouraging nod and she continued.

"I am hoping to stay for a few weeks, or maybe a few moons, while I take care of my business. I understand you already have many mouths to feed, and I do not desire to be a burden. I will help you as I may. Sewing is my trade, and I also know weaving and spinning." She paused and smiled again. "I am more than glad to help you with anything that has to be done around the household, too. I spent the last couple of years doing laundry and shearing sheep, among other things."

"One willing to work hard is always welcome here," Saeryn said kindly. "We have fallen on hard times, but winter is passed, and the roads are opened to Edoras. I do not think I am wrong to say that you will not be a burden and we have plenty of supplies now. May I ask what this personal quest is and why you have chosen our humble, and rather worn, home to finish your business in?"

"Oh my lady, but Scarburg is lovely!" Brith insisted. "The scar is a marvel, and you can see the hall has been constructed with love. It only saddens me to see how you have suffered in the winter."

Saeryn smiled and murmured something about Brith being too generous with her praise, and then waited patiently for her to continue.

"But I did not choose to come here because of your beautiful home, I'm afraid. I am looking for a man by the name of Belecthor, son of Handir. We were betrothed to be married many years ago." Brith cast down her glance. "He... we didn't marry, and I heard he's now in Rohan and has a family here. In Edoras I heard stories that his wife is the niece of a landholder in Mid-Emnet named Tancred. I understand this Tancred lives not far from Scarburg."

Brith looked back up at Saeryn. She realized for the first time that her errand may seem inappropriate for an unmarried woman traveling alone, if not even scandalous. She tried a faint smile.

Saeryn returned the smile, though it was no stronger than Brith's. She had met Tancred only once, and she had not been well impressed by him.

"You may stay as long as you have need," she said after the briefest pause. "We will do what we can to help you in your search."

"Thank you, my lady," Brith replied. "You are too kind." She hesitated. She had offered her services in exchange for a roof over her head and something to eat, that was just and fair. To come as a wealthy foreigner and offer money could be seen as rude. Still, she felt like she had been presuming and given a bad impression of herself. "If I may, would you, Lady Saeryn, accept a small gift as thanks for your hospitality?" She produced a small pouch and opened it on the table. "These are freshwater pearls from Lake Evendim. They are abundant there, worn by commoners too on festive occasions, but here in the south we seldom see them. If you know a good jeweler, these could be made into a lovely little brooch or bracelet for your beautiful daughter - or perhaps I could help you to sew them in one of your own gowns, in the Gondorian fashion?"

Saeryn's lips parted with surprise. She smiled, pleased by the gentle luster of the pearls, and she touched one with the tip of her finger.

"This is no small gift," she said, glancing up at Brith. The young lady looked nervous, scared that she had offended Saeryn, and Saeryn smiled again. "I will accept them."

"I will still work, as we agreed," Brith hurried to say.

Saeryn smiled kindly. "Let us go to the kitchen and I will introduce you to all the ladies."

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

DONE ~*~ Pio

[Galadriel55]

Question - are we now one or two days ahead? Does the conversation between Saeryn and Brith take place at the same time as Mith's time jump post, or the day before?

[Mithalwen]

Ok, I jumped two full days in my post from what was then the last post and was on the evening of the arrival. Since then Folwren's has posted for one of the days I glossed over but this made my post title deceiving since it just said thee days later. I have edited this to clarify that it was three days from arrival and two since Saeryn and Brith spoke.

If three days is too big a jump it would be a simple edit at this point to lose a day .

[Folwren]

Sorry about the confusion. I understand it to mean something like this:

Say the caravan arrived Monday
Tuesday Saeryn and Brith had their conversation
Wednesday we haven't spoken of because nothing but recovery has really happened
Thursday is the current day that Mith started

Is this accurate?

[Mithalwen]

Not you fault. I have to admit I thought that I should change the heading and then got distracted and forgot. That time line is correct. I said that "Tuesday" the supplies were put in better order and "Wednesday" it rained.

[Galadriel55]

Ah. Thanks a lot, Mith and Foley. :)

[littlemanpoet]

Hmmm.... I am discovering a characteristic in the Eorl that I did not know quite existed so strongly. He does not like duplicity. This is going to make his reaction/response to Scyld rather interesting. I must think on it some. I expect to post something in the next day or so.

[Folwren]

Hmmm.... I am discovering a characteristic in the Eorl that I did not know quite existed so strongly. He does not like duplicity. This is going to make his reaction/response to Scyld rather interesting. I must think on it some. I expect to post something in the next day or so.

I am not surprised. It does not seem like something Eodwine would appreciate. I kind of expected it.

[Firefoot]

I had no idea of Eodwine's feelings toward Linduial. Even more interesting...

Also, I was wondering if you were going to pull Rowenna into this somewhere. :)

[littlemanpoet]

I had no idea of Eodwine's feelings toward Linduial. Even more interesting...

Also, I was wondering if you were going to pull Rowenna into this somewhere.

Yes, Eodwine's antipathy toward Linduial has been lurking in the background for quite some while. ;)

And how could I not include Rowenna in this? This is gonna be fun. :D

[Galadriel55]

I seriously need to reread some Tolkien. I can't write! I start writing a post, and it ends up sounding like one of my biology lab reports. When did my English become so full of latin and formal language? :( Does that ever happen to you guys?

EDIT: if any of you would like your character to receive a message from somewhere, now is the time to "pass it along" (see below). Balan will deliver it. :)

(also, if your message is from the north - or any other direction - I really have no problem with changing Balan's destination)

[Galadriel55]

NAME: Balan Bard

AGE/GENDER/RACE/WHERE FROM: 24 / Male / Man / Near the Long Lake

APPEARANCE (very brief physical description/or as detailed as the player wishes to be): A bit shorter than average. Slightly stocky. Deep brown wavy hair to his shoulders. Wears a beard. Clear blue eyes. Dresses in simple traveling clothes. Not many possessions.

BITS OF CHARACTER/HISTORY YOU FEEL MIGHT BE HELPFUL IN DEFINING THE CHARACTER (again, as brief or detailed as you wish): Balan was orphaned before he got to know his parents. During the War of the Ring, he was taken in by several families, none of which were able to keep him for long, more from circumstances rather than unkindness. During the chaos of the war, he travelled through many places with many people, and when he was old enough to understand, the only details of his birth that survived were than he was born somewhere on the Long Lake and that his parents are both deceased.

After the War, Balan never settled down. At first he traveled with his foster families, then on his own. He began traveling by himself at a fairly young age, and he earned his food through storytelling. Eventually, he made his way to the Long Lake to find the scattered knowledge of his family. None remained, but he met many good people whom he visited in future years. There, he was first named “Balan Bard”, not for his music but for his stories, and he kept the name. Since then he has wandered to the far corners of Middle Earth, going even to those places that most of the Western people avoided. He has seen the lands in the North and some of those in the East.

Balan is good-natured, gentle, and generally cheerful. He has a knack for understanding what goes on in people’s minds. He is honest, but rarely gives a straight answer, especially to a person seeking advice. He prefers to tell tales of his own invention – while he respects history and knows some of it, he leaves it to others. Likewise, he admires music, but has no skill with any instrument himself. He is especially fond of children and reserves the best stories for them.

He has passed through Scarburg Mead Hall once before, two years ago on his way south, by the urgent summons of a friend. He was travelling fast and did not stop even for one night. He remembers little of the people who live there, but recalls the place itself. With the coming of spring he started his trek northwards, to visit his birthplace, and chose to pass through the Riddermark.

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

LINKED ~*~ Pio

[Folwren]

Ok, folks, the weekend is coming up and I foresee some extra time, at least on Saturday and Sunday, during which I can write.

Would anybody like to have any sort of interaction with any of my characters, or must I go and create some hubbub on my own and draw you all in after me?:Merisu:

[Galadriel55]

Ok, folks, the weekend is coming up and I foresee some extra time, at least on Saturday and Sunday, during which I can write.

Would anybody like to have any sort of interaction with any of my characters, or must I go and create some hubbub on my own and draw you all in after me?:Merisu:

Sure. For Ledwyn, my only preplanned interaction is with Brith, but if you have any ideas, shoot. Balan will also arrive shortly (can do so today) and I have grand plans for him; any interaction would do.

Did you have any specific ideas?

[Mithalwen]

Elfthain would welcome any diversion I am sure.

[Firefoot]

Leof is floating as well.

[Folwren]

Elfthain would welcome any diversion I am sure.

Thornden hasn't run into Elfthain yet, I don't think. I'll have him notice him.

Leof is floating as well.

Eoghan, Eodwine's son, can come visit Leof. I just now got this picture of him sitting on the stall wall while Leof cleans stalls and just being a quiet companion. So cute. Oh my goodness.

Sure. For Ledwyn, my only preplanned interaction is with Brith, but if you have any ideas, shoot. Balan will also arrive shortly (can do so today) and I have grand plans for him; any interaction would do.

I'll try to think of something for her. Maybe Rauri can come snooping around for more honey? :D

-- Folwren

[Firefoot]

Eoghan, Eodwine's son, can come visit Leof. I just now got this picture of him sitting on the stall wall while Leof cleans stalls and just being a quiet companion. So cute. Oh my goodness.


Love it. Will try to write tomorrow, either to start something or to respond if you get to it first.

[Galadriel55]

I'll try to think of something for her. Maybe Rauri can come snooping around for more honey? :D

Oooh, wonderful! Especially if Stefnu is around. I realized as I was writing my last post that while Ledwyn doesn't necessarily dislike Stefnu, they do disagree on several fundamental principles. Stefnu irkes Ledwyn, but she's too much of a mouse to actually tell her that, but she's can't hide her feelings for the life of her. As for Ruari, I think that Ledwyn treated both her and Eoghan about the same, maybe with slightly more affection for Eoghan, because she also raised a boy and because Ruari is a bit too wild for her. But she thinks Stefnu favours Ruari too much over her brother, and might try to compensate for it... This should be interesting.

Also, the Balan post didn't end up happening today, but I'll do my best to make it happen this weekend.

[Folwren]

Awesome! I'm so glad you all like the ideas. I went ahead and posted. I got stuff in for Thornden, Ruari, and Eoghan. So Leof and Ledwyn are all set up. :D I look forward to seeing how this progresses.

Elempi, the whole altercation between the kids would have happened within Eodwine's line of sight as he sits chatting with Ndyfara/Scyld. I didn't want to interrupt, though, so I didn't say anything about him. I thought you may want to know.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I'll try to think of something for her. Maybe Rauri can come snooping around for more honey? :DOooh, wonderful! Especially if Stefnu is around. I realized as I was writing my last post that while Ledwyn doesn't necessarily dislike Stefnu, they do disagree on several fundamental principles. Stefnu irkes Ledwyn, but she's too much of a mouse to actually tell her that, but she's can't hide her feelings for the life of her. As for Ruari, I think that Ledwyn treated both her and Eoghan about the same, maybe with slightly more affection for Eoghan, because she also raised a boy and because Ruari is a bit too wild for her. But she thinks Stefnu favours Ruari too much over her brother, and might try to compensate for it... This should be interesting.

That sounds great :D And Stefnu's presence certainly can be arranged. I mean, she can be just assumed to be present whenever needed, and I can actively step in when circumstaces would be favorable.

I'm a bit ashamed for my inactivity recently, had a lot of other stuff on my mind. But now certainly could offer also my folks for interaction. Áforglaed, if something needs to be messed up, is there, and also Hilderinc, for perhaps something a bit more rational... or if some item needs to be dropped again. :D Anyway, I'll look into stuff even if nobody in particular wants to interact; but if you do, I am offering to take the bait with any of my three folks.

[Folwren]

Legate or Gal55 I feel either of your characters could answer. Obviously, Stefnu is more in the spotlight at present, but Ledwyn could feel the need to interfere, too, so however you two want to play it.

[Galadriel55]

I want to mull this one over for a bit, and it's too late here to write a post now anyways. Legate, if you have a response ready, go for it, and if not I'll write one tomorrow. This is so promising! :D

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I have a draft of a post for Stefnu which I hope to finish and post later today (several hours), so unless you have some pressing brilliant other ideas, I'll have it here soon :)

[Galadriel55]

Sure. I'll wait for your post.

[Mithalwen]

Oh dear, Elfthain seems to be the unwitting cause of trouble! He will answer Thorden shortly..

[Folwren]

Oh dear, Elfthain seems to be the unwitting cause of trouble! He will answer Thorden shortly..

Haha! I know. I hope you don't mind that I put in there that Elfthain made swords for the twins.

[Mithalwen]

Not at all. I was delighted, though I suspect he may not be the finest of craftsmen!

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I posted :) A novel way for Stefnu to handle the situation, which I am sure might also bring nice further reactions. With a bit of interlude there. As always, if there's anything somebody would like me to alter (namely Folwren, if you would like me to somehow edit Ruari's behavior), I can do that. Otherwise, enjoy :)

[Inziladun]

I've been woefully negligent here recently, due to just mundane RL business.
This week isn't looking a great deal better on that score, but toward midweek I should have more time to catch up on developments and see how Ladavan fits in with the next-day drama.

[Folwren]

Not at all. I was delighted, though I suspect he may not be the finest of craftsmen!

Oh, I wasn't thinking of anything remarkable. I was imagining two sticks tied together, one shorter than the other to create the cross hilt, and that be about it!

Firefoot, I have no idea who's horse Cinderfoot is. I put down her description under the impression that she was a horse no one had written about. I also had Eoghan ask his last question quite ignorant of the horse's owner, too, so what he asks may be entirely out of the question. I mean, it has to be, seeing as he's tiny, and the foal's mother is so huge...the foal will be far too large for him.

[Folwren]

Legate, I insinuated Stefnu's reaction. I hope all is well there.

I will be able to post on most evenings. I am so excited about writing again, it's insane!

Inzil, I hope you can join us soon!

[Firefoot]

Folwren, you are correct, I made Cinderfoot up just for this encounter. I guess her ownership could go a couple ways. I'm speculating here, but it seems sensible that prior to Leof starting up his little breeding program most of the horses at the Hall would belong to a specific person (and that is probably still the case). But maybe now the Hall could have acquired some mares for breeding (it could be profitable), and Cinderfoot could be one if those - in which case it would be reasonable for Eoghan to eventually end up with the foal. Thoughts (from anyone)?

Either way though the decision would not be Leof's, so he'll think of a gentle way to deflect the questIon...

[Galadriel55]

Classes start tomorrow and I have an interview in the evening, so probably no post from me tomorrow. This whole week is a bit crazy, actually, but on Tuesday I might have some time.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Legate, I insinuated Stefnu's reaction. I hope all is well there.

Nice :D Will try to produce a response before I rush off today.

[Mithalwen]

Folwren, you are correct, I made Cinderfoot up just for this encounter. I guess her ownership could go a couple ways. I'm speculating here, but it seems sensible that prior to Leof starting up his little breeding program most of the horses at the Hall would belong to a specific person (and that is probably still the case). But maybe now the Hall could have acquired some mares for breeding (it could be profitable), and Cinderfoot could be one if those - in which case it would be reasonable for Eoghan to eventually end up with the foal. Thoughts (from anyone)?

Either way though the decision would not be Leof's, so he'll think of a gentle way to deflect the questIon...

Only that it seems like Cinderfoot's foal would be quite a lot of horse for even a young Eorling for quite some time.

[Folwren]

Only that it seems like Cinderfoot's foal would be quite a lot of horse for even a young Eorling for quite some time.

Yes, that's my thought, too. He's yet young for any unbroken horse. By the time the foal is old enough to be trained, Eoghan will be merely 7 or 8. The horse will be quite large by then.

[Firefoot]

Right, I agree about it being too much horse for him, but Leof isn't going to want to tell him that... the explanation though will depend somewhat on who the horse might belong to. Plus it's useful to me in general to have an idea of the makeup of the stables.

I guess when I said "it would be reasonable for Eoghan to end up with the foal" I meant it in an ownership sense, not that it would be a good idea. Hope this clears things up.

[Undómë]

We’ve been reading along, Arry, Envinyatar, and I, as this story unfolds. We appreciate how well it’s written and how the energy between the characters already established flows so smoothly. Honestly, though, we can’t see how our little group of characters might fit in.

Looking at our characters, we think they are more suited to an action-oriented type of game play, not for the deep character introspection and development your group is so skilled at.

Having come to this realization, we are going to withdraw from this RPG – hopefully to play with all you in another game at some time. We’ll remove our few posts from the game as they do nothing at present to enhance the game’s play.

[Mithalwen]

Oh, oh dear....

Please, at least do not delete the extant posts. I can only speak for myself but they were an enhancement.

:(

Edit...too late... :(

[Arry]

The last of the posts for the forest dwellers are deleted (I hope!) I was the tail-ender to do so - Pio, please look through those first 2 pages and take any off that we didn't see. Thanks!

nb: Mithalwen, there was no point to those character posts for this game. Maybe we can use them in one way or another on some other playing field.

- A -

[Mithalwen]

Reader pleasure? An unexplored vista? Because they were good?

[piosenniel]

Hmmmm... well that's a fine kettle of fish.....

Don't know why I said that, but I've always liked that phrase and wanted to use it!

Anyway, back to reality - I checked the game thread, Arry, Envinyatar, Undómë: all your posts are off it.

~*~ Pio

[Galadriel55]

Aww, that's a shame, guys. I was looking forward to seeing your characters come in and bring some fresh life into the Hall... :( And having introspective posts certainly does not diminish the value of more adventure-like posts. I would really urge you guys to reconsider your decision. I believe Pio has some necromantic power over deleted posts and might still be able to resurrect yours if you change your mind about leaving the game?... :Merisu:

[Firefoot]

Agree with G55 for what it's worth. :)

[Mithalwen]

I am really I am wondering if it is worth going on. I thought tis was meant to be a successor to the old inns, done in part to encourage people to role play, if we are truly such miserable introverts that even experienced playeys don't feel able to or just don't want to join in then that ia a failure. I would have thought that a degree of introspection is inevitable when new characters are settling.

[Folwren]

Don't let it influence you, Mith, you're well within the game now!

[Thinlómien]

I'm sorry to hear that, Undómë, Arry and Envinyatar! I enjoyed your posts and was looking forward to interacting with your characters too. I do understand your frustrations too - we are a bit of a slow bunch sometimes.

However, as you can see, many of us old writers are a little inactive, and that's more of a reason why I think we definitely shouldn't stay in our "comfort zone" - insofar as such a common comfort zone even exists. With the influx of new writers also new writing styles and plots are more than welcome. If you guys would like to stay and discuss future plotlines and pacing for the Meadhall, I'd personally be willing to sort out this "kettle of fish" as pio calls it. I think an active Meadhall with motivated new and old writers would be the ideal. :)

Take your time? I think if you guys want to come back, you can repost your old posts anytime you want, I doubt we have moved too far ahead in the time frame...

~*~

That being said, I'm finally back. So sorry for my inactivity - first I was having my summer holiday, then I just started my internship two weeks ago and I've been simply exhausted (too many new things and too early mornings for a night owl like me). I'm getting back on track now, though. I will write for all my characters today/ in the next couple of days AND I will also try to poke Nogrod and Kath.

Folwren, I see you posted our PM post. Thanks for organizing it! I also see you added a couple of lines, that was a cute ending.

Galadriel, I'm so sorry I left you hanging with the Ledwyn/Brith thing! Do you still have something you'd like to write with me, or should we just see where the story goes? Either is fine by me.

Also: added Balan to my list. I'm looking forward to seeing him in the hall!

Mith - a very belated reply to the Elfthain/Wilheard discussion, but yeah, let's assume Wilheard hasn't figured out (bothered to figure out? :rolleyes: ) Elfthain's family connections yet.

Elempi, Eodwine has been ill and busy. Do I assume correctly that he could've easily forgotten Wilheard for a couple of days, especially if Wilheard's been mostly keeping to his own ompany or that of his ill-tempered horse (and maybe sometimes that of the soldiers)? Athanar's letter would've told Eodwine to find some use for Wilheard, but I think he'll shirk his responsibilities as long as he can - not because he's exactly lazy, but rather because he's depressed and unmotivated. Unless you - or someone else! :) - has better ideas, I'll assume Wilheard's been sort of avoiding official duties and moping around for the past couple of days, as a highborn guest rather than as a man of the hall with responsibilities of his own.

[Folwren]

I am excited to see more of Brith! I think she'll be fun.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I really like all the last posts! This is really nice.

However, as you can see, many of us old writers are a little inactive, and that's more of a reason why I think we definitely shouldn't stay in our "comfort zone" - insofar as such a common comfort zone even exists. With the influx of new writers also new writing styles and plots are more than welcome. If you guys would like to stay and discuss future plotlines and pacing for the Meadhall, I'd personally be willing to sort out this "kettle of fish" as pio calls it. I think an active Meadhall with motivated new and old writers would be the ideal. :)

Take your time? I think if you guys want to come back, you can repost your old posts anytime you want, I doubt we have moved too far ahead in the time frame..

And I would basically second this. As for the older posts of yours, I also thought they were nice, and if nothing else their value could really be there for future readers. But like Lommy said, take your time. It was anyway nice having you around, and if you decide to come back, we'll be happy to see you around. :)

[Galadriel55]

Galadriel, I'm so sorry I left you hanging with the Ledwyn/Brith thing! Do you still have something you'd like to write with me, or should we just see where the story goes? Either is fine by me.

Also: added Balan to my list. I'm looking forward to seeing him in the hall!

Thanks! :) I'm looking forward to writing him. I figured I'll introduce him when Ledwyn gets out of most of her messes.

I was thinking of having Ledwyn approach Brith at one point and try to communicate - and could even do it now if you have no better occupation planned for her. RL is the main obstacle now, since I have to catch up with my readings and whatnot. I'll see if I can sneak in a post for Ledwyn concluding the previous mess before I throw her into another.

In the meantime, since it might take me a while to write the next post, if anyone wants to randomly interact with her - Saeryn? Brith? Stefnu? Anyone at all? - feel free to post or to involve her in your posts.

[littlemanpoet]

Lommy, your plan for Wilheard works for me.

If people feel like they don't fit, then that's their choice. I'm saddened by it because I liked what they brought, and it could have been worked out if they had chosen to broach the subject with us instead of just breaking the news; but that's their choice. We shall move on.

[Thinlómien]

I was thinking of having Ledwyn approach Brith at one point and try to communicate - and could even do it now if you have no better occupation planned for her. RL is the main obstacle now, since I have to catch up with my readings and whatnot. I'll see if I can sneak in a post for Ledwyn concluding the previous mess before I throw her into another.

In the meantime, since it might take me a while to write the next post, if anyone wants to randomly interact with her - Saeryn? Brith? Stefnu? Anyone at all? - feel free to post or to involve her in your posts.What about - if you have time, have Ledwyn approach Brith at breakfast, and if not, we can see later. I invented this project of sewing new clothes for the Meadhall residents, and I imagine all the household women who don't have a strict occupation (Frodides and Kara basically?) and who can and want to sew would be involved at least to some degree. And Saeryn herself would take part too? Folwren? I also just ralised I know very little of sewing and especially medieval sewing so I may need to do some research. :D Anyway, I think this would be a good excuse for the women to gather around and gossip - even though they of course have a lot of other things to do too.

Lommy, your plan for Wilheard works for me.Okay, so we'll see what happens first - Eodwine remembers Athanar tasked him with putting Wilheard to some use, Wilheard decides to man up and do something about it, or someone else (Thornden? Saeryn?) notes that Wilheard is just idling and asks Eodwine about it. :D Like, personally, I don't have any plans for him. I don't even know what he could feasibly do, what kind of positions are there in the household and such. He would probably be the happiest as a soldier - despite the fact that he dislikes Thornden and wouldn't like to take orders from him - (or at the stables) but I doubt he has given the thing much thought, also I don't know if as the previous eorl's son that would be below his station somehow? Not?

I am excited to see more of Brith! I think she'll be fun. Thank you! I think she's a bit like Ledwyn - she has the potential to cause chaos... :D

[Mithalwen]

Foley, I have put some words into Thornden's mouth. Let me know if you want changes.

I have given the Kings Guard a similar reputation to that of the Household Cavalry - the lower officer ranks acting as a bit of a finishing school for young males of the elite although also producing some truly outstanding and charismatic leaders. I will edit if there are objections.

[Folwren]

I invented this project of sewing new clothes for the Meadhall residents, and I imagine all the household women who don't have a strict occupation (Frodides and Kara basically?) and who can and want to sew would be involved at least to some degree. And Saeryn herself would take part too? Folwren?

Sure, I can imagine she'll take part. There will always have to be several ladies working in the kitchen, no matter the time of day, though.

Okay, so we'll see what happens first - Eodwine remembers Athanar tasked him with putting Wilheard to some use, Wilheard decides to man up and do something about it, or someone else (Thornden? Saeryn?) notes that Wilheard is just idling and asks Eodwine about it. :D Like, personally, I don't have any plans for him. I don't even know what he could feasibly do, what kind of positions are there in the household and such. He would probably be the happiest as a soldier - despite the fact that he dislikes Thornden and wouldn't like to take orders from him - (or at the stables) but I doubt he has given the thing much thought, also I don't know if as the previous eorl's son that would be below his station somehow? Not?

Thornden would be more likely than Saeryn to notice. It's within his domain, so to speak. When would that be? Before or after breakfast?

Foley, I have put some words into Thornden's mouth. Let me know if you want changes.

Looks fine. It seemed like something he'd say.

[Galadriel55]

What about - if you have time, have Ledwyn approach Brith at breakfast, and if not, we can see later.

I thought breakfast was the perfect opportunity, but it's certainly not the only one. So if the rest of you move on by the time I clear up my homework, I'll just find another way.

I invented this project of sewing new clothes for the Meadhall residents, and I imagine all the household women who don't have a strict occupation (Frodides and Kara basically?) and who can and want to sew would be involved at least to some degree. And Saeryn herself would take part too? Folwren? I also just ralised I know very little of sewing and especially medieval sewing so I may need to do some research. :D Anyway, I think this would be a good excuse for the women to gather around and gossip - even though they of course have a lot of other things to do too.

Ledwyn would probably participate. If the clothing is fancy enough, maybe she can even get creative - in the jump posts somewhere I mentioned that she learned some rudimentary ME equivalent of macrame and possibly weaving, which would come in handy.

Thank you! I think she's a bit like Ledwyn - she has the potential to cause chaos... :D

In a completely not intentional way. :D

I have given the Kings Guard a similar reputation to that of the Household Cavalry - the lower officer ranks acting as a bit of a finishing school for young males of the elite although also producing some truly outstanding and charismatic leaders. I will edit if there are objections.

I actually like that part a lot, Mith. I think it's a reasonable description, and a not entirely unfair reputation. It's a nice touch.

[littlemanpoet]

For any of you posting things related to the mead hall and/or the kitchen, feel free to take note that Rowenna is in a bad mood and not hiding it well. In fact, so poorly that she may be "kicked out for her own good." :D

[Folwren]

Oh, interesting. What would Rowenna do if she were the one who four Ruari in the kitchen with the honey?

[Mithalwen]

I hope she doesn't drop it.

[Folwren]

I hope she doesn't drop it.

Well, the thought has many times crossed my mind. In fact, when I first wrote it, I planned on it, and then I wasn't quite ready to commit myself (or her) to what might follow. :rolleyes:

[littlemanpoet]

Rowenna is tough and spirited, and she likes that in Ruari. She'd get down on her level and go conspiratorial, with the goal of keeping Ruari from getting in worse trouble but not telling on her. Maybe not the best way to handle it, but that's Rowenna.

[Folwren]

Rowenna is tough and spirited, and she likes that in Ruari. She'd get down on her level and go conspiratorial, with the goal of keeping Ruari from getting in worse trouble but not telling on her. Maybe not the best way to handle it, but that's Rowenna.

Oooh! She is a bad influence!

[Galadriel55]

Oooh! She is a bad influence!

My kind of person! :D Down with the tattletalers! (Ledwyn might not agree, though)

[Folwren]

Tattlers are no fun, but getting conspiratorial with a child after she broke the rules is quite another thing.

[littlemanpoet]

I have to remember that Rowenna is really angry at the moment. I suppose she could get kicked out of the kitchen and "stumble upon" Ruari, just sneaking out of the mead hall with the jar of honey. How would that work?

[Galadriel55]

Tattlers are no fun, but getting conspiratorial with a child after she broke the rules is quite another thing.

That's true. Though I think in Rowenna's place, I would find my own way of "dealing with" the child and keep mum to Saeryn. :D

[Folwren]

I have to remember that Rowenna is really angry at the moment. I suppose she could get kicked out of the kitchen and "stumble upon" Ruari, just sneaking out of the mead hall with the jar of honey. How would that work?

Sure. I'll try to post sometime about Ruari climbing down and sneaking out.

[littlemanpoet]

Rowenna always saw everything. :D

I'll have to think about this. Post soon.

[littlemanpoet]

Foley, Eodwine has already left the hall and is looking for Wilheard. Maybe he, not finding him anywhere outside, and because it's threatening rain, comes in and finds Wilheard at his breakfast?

If that works we can leave your post as is.

[Folwren]

Oh! Man. I knew that! I read your post but didn't register it, apparently.

I can take out that last part of Eoghan's. When Eoghan sees Eodwine, then he'll ask. It's fine. Eoghan and I won't forget.

EDIT: Ok, I edited my post on the game thread. I am thinking of sending Eoghan back to sit with Thornden, Léof, Elfthain, and Javan. I think I'll have him arrive there after Elfthain and Léof have talk about Ruari wanting to learn to ride and about Elfthain having to ride bareback and all, so his presence doesn't interrupt the conversation. I'll write another post later.

[littlemanpoet]

Lommy, where will Eodwine find Wilheard?

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Lommy, where will Eodwine find Wilheard?

Lommy is away from internet until Sunday, but she told me to pass on, I quote: Maybe Eodwine could run into him when he's coming back from his morning ride? Or if that seems inconvenient, maybe he can be say practising archery with one or two (random) soldiers?

[Firefoot]

Folwren, could you explain the use of ash for cleaning tack?

[Folwren]

I believe (though honestly I could be wrong because I didn't have to look it up when I wrote the post, though I wanted to) that ash can be used to clean leather and does not cause it to become stiff and brittle. I imagine you'd mix a bit of water with ashes so it's a sort of paste and then rub it into the leather and then gently wipe off excess. Now that I'm home (just got back from work a couple minutes ago), I will look into it.

[Folwren]

Ok. So apparently I just made that up. I can't find it anywhere online. That's really weird. I mean, of all the random things to pull out of one's head and think that it was something I had learned...why ash to clean leather?

Never mind. I'll take that out. :o

EDIT: Ash can be used to make soap. I must have heard that before and somehow in my scrambled brain I got it mixed up with cleaning leather. I just read about it online. So I'm not completely crazy.

[Galadriel55]

EDIT: Ash can be used to make soap. I must have heard that before and somehow in my scrambled brain I got it mixed up with cleaning leather. I just read about it online. So I'm not completely crazy.

Still beats what I know about the uses of ash - I just know it can be used as a fertilizer in small quantities, especially in poor soil that lacks organic material.

[Firefoot]

Haha, no worries. I've heard that about soap as well.

When I was looking last night I found a recipe for saddle soap that uses lye, beeswax, turpentine, oil, and water. Seems reasonable that these ingredients would be available to the Rohirrim. It can be stored indefinitely so there could be some on hand.

[littlemanpoet]

So I'm not completely crazy.
Shoot, and here I thought you were one of us. :D

I didn't expect Rowenna to be such a 'bad girl'. :p Your turn.

[Mithalwen]

Ash can be used for cleaning - they suggest it for glass on a wood burning stove mixed into a paste so they might possibly use it for metal.

[piosenniel]

About wood ash and its uses for cleaning:

from SurvivalTopics.com - HERE (http://survivaltopics.com/clean-your-cooking-gear-with-wood-ashes/) - Note what sorts of ash from what sorts of trees works the best and what NOT to use ashes on as a cleaning agent.

from The Farmer's Almanac - HERE (http://www.almanac.com/blog/natural-health-home-tips/got-wood-ashes-manage-them-safely-and-put-them-good-use) - Uses for garden soil, repelling slugs, melting ice, cleaning glass and metal

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

Recipe for quick and simple leather cleaner:

Leather Soap
From "the Art of Soapmaking" by Merilyn Mohr.

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cup clean rendered Tallow
1/4 cup Neats Foot Oil
1/2 cup Melted Beeswax
3/4 cup Cold Soft Water
1/4 cup Lye Flakes

Instructions:
Stir lye flakes into cold water until dissolved. Melt 1 cup tallow. Add neats foot oils and set aside to cool

Melt beeswax in top of double boiler. Add remaining 1/2 cup tallow to beeswax, stirring to melt and mix thoroughly. Retain tallow-wax mixture in hot water to liquefy.

When fat and lye are lukewarm, pour lye slowly into fat, stirring constantly to emulsify. Beating vigorously, add tallow-wax mixture in thin stream. This will cool and solidify quickly. Continue to beat till thick. Pour immediately into molds.

-----

*Neatsfoot oil - Neatsfoot oil is a yellow oil rendered and purified from the shin bones and feet (but not the hooves) of cattle. "Neat" in the oil's name comes from an old English word for cattle. Neatsfoot oil is used as a conditioning, softening and preservative agent for leather.

*Lye flakes - How to make - HERE (http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Lye)

[Galadriel55]

Firefoot, do you have plans for Cerwyn's arrival? If you didn't, I was going to offer to meet her en-route to Scarburg. Logically thinking, Balan is travelling on more or less the same road as she is, at more or less the same time, but probably at a slightly quicker pace. I'm still hesitant to bring him in while Ledwyn continues to be interesting, but I was thinking of what I'm going to do for his entrance and I realized that he and Cerwyn would probably see each other on the road.

[Firefoot]

Sure, if he's traveling faster he can come up behind her on the road. Just remember she's wearing boy's clothing. :)

[Galadriel55]

Sure, if he's traveling faster he can come up behind her on the road. Just remember she's wearing boy's clothing. :)

How good is her disguise? Like, at what point would he be able to tell that she's a girl (if at all)?

[Firefoot]

She'll have her hair pulled up under a hat, I think, and be wearing trousers. Probably a cloak as well given the weather. But the disguise is meant more for casual observers than close scrutiny. She's pretty bedraggled at this point so there might be stands of hair escaping from her hat, that sort of thing.

[Folwren]

The Rohirrim were described as having long hair in the book anyway.

[Firefoot]

Hmm good point. Do you think women would wear their hair longer than men?

[Firefoot]

Well, either way. I'll leave it up to you, G55, how long Balan will be deceived. Might be funny to write a few posts that way.

[Galadriel55]

Well, either way. I'll leave it up to you, G55, how long Balan will be deceived. Might be funny to write a few posts that way.

I'll try to come up with something entertaining tonight or tomorrow.

[Mithalwen]

The books says men wear their hair long but I imagine men and women would most likely wear different styles? Elfthain and I think quite a few of the other Rohirric males in this RPG are described as having shorter hair. For Elfthain, I have personally rationalised it as being because he doesn't like the curls that appear if he lets it grow long and because he has been exposed to Gondorian fashions - Boromir is described as having his hair shorn at shoulder length and it seems reasonable to assume that was the norm.

However it describes Eowyn's hair as being released from its bonds when she removes her helm before the witch king that suggests she tucked it up rather than braiding it. So I guess you will have to choose. There are so many cultural conventions regarding hair across time and space that it is hard to say. Maybe the braids were a mark of age or rank or marital status.

[Galadriel55]

The books says men wear their hair long but I imagine men and women would most likely wear different styles? Elfthain and I think quite a few of the other Rohirric males in this RPG are described as having shorter hair. For Elfthain, I have personally rationalised it as being because he doesn't like the curls that appear if he lets it grow long and because he has been exposed to Gondorian fashions - Boromir is described as having his hair shorn at shoulder length and it seems reasonable to assume that was the norm.

However it describes Eowyn's hair as being released from its bonds when she removes her helm before the witch king that suggests she tucked it up rather than braiding it. So I guess you will have to choose. There are so many cultural conventions regarding hair across time and space that it is hard to say. Maybe the braids were a mark of age or rank or marital status.

Well, one thing is certain - women who work in the kitchen must tie their hair up for practical reasons. Braids, buns, doesn't really matter, but I think this detail holds regardless or culture.

[Firefoot]

Both my characters are described as having shorter hair as well but it had more to do with my own preference for short hair when I started writing them (when I was 16...) than any practical or canonical reasons. :rolleyes:

[Folwren]

The books says men wear their hair long but I imagine men and women would most likely wear different styles? Elfthain and I think quite a few of the other Rohirric males in this RPG are described as having shorter hair.

Huh...very true. My characters both have shorter hair.

It's nice having you around, Mith, you notice cool details and realistic stuff.

[Galadriel55]

My main inconsistency with Rohirric culture, I think, is not with hair length but with hair colour. Somehow I ended up imagining most of the Scarburg characters as having dark hair - black, brown, various shades of brown... The character bios don't help much; I tried to override my mental images, but they keep popping up. I don't have a problem imagining the LOTR Rohirrim as blonde, it's just a Scarburg thing.

[Firefoot]

I just wanted to mention that with Leof I was trying to open the door for the kind of conversation that might set the ball rolling for Elfthain to stay (since that was discussed a few weeks ago). I don't know if Folwren might want to jump in with Javan (who would seem to have the greatest interest in that so far, since they seem to be hitting it off)?

[Galadriel55]

Errr... sorry folks. Got a bit carried away with anatomy homework. Might do the post tomorrow.

[Folwren]

I just wanted to mention that with Leof I was trying to open the door for the kind of conversation that might set the ball rolling for Elfthain to stay (since that was discussed a few weeks ago). I don't know if Folwren might want to jump in with Javan (who would seem to have the greatest interest in that so far, since they seem to be hitting it off)?

I will give it my best...but not tonight. Hopefully tomorrow evening? Things are a bit crazy.

[Folwren]

Let me know if there are any errors in there. I wrote it quickly and didn't check it too closely. We DID decide that Garstan died, right, leaving Garwine and his sister orphans?

[Galadriel55]

Let me know if there are any errors in there. I wrote it quickly and didn't check it too closely. We DID decide that Garstan died, right, leaving Garwine and his sister orphans?

Yes, Garstan died... but isn't his son named Garmund? :confused:

[Folwren]

Yes, Garstan died... but isn't his son named Garmund? :confused:

Ha! maybe. Isn't there a Garwine here, too, though?? I'm so confused, and none of their names are on the character list. I'll change it to Garmund. I knew something wasn't right.

[Firefoot]

There used to be a soldier named Garwine written by Alcarillo.

[Thinlómien]

LMP - why not go with my suggestion as for where Eodwine could find Wilheard? Personally, I don't see Wilheard as a slacker (he's more like, mischevious and a little disinterested normally? and now depressed) and not a late riser by any means, I think being a morning person/ someone who sleeps very little anyway would better fit his character. I did not want ask you to rewrite your whole post, so I rather decided to go a different route to justify this ooc behaviour from Wilheard. I think this might be fun! But please, next time, ask me first, even if I'm seemingly not around - Legate is more diligent than I am and he keeps me updated on Scarburg. :o

So, basically, I'm thinking he went riding at night, got his clothes wet, caught a cold and has a rising fever now, high enough to make him a little confused. It makes sense Eodwine didn't notice it at first, especially if he expected Wilheard to be slacking and his perception was coloured by that.

But if we want, Wilheard could also have brought a disease from Edoras (if it's one with a long incubation period) or maybe from somewhere else in the surroundings - I mean, for the past few days, he's been a lot on his own, riding around, so maybe he met say travelling traders and got something from them. Or anything. The possibilities are as many as we want them to be...

[littlemanpoet]

I did ask, but never saw an answer. I posted my question back on September 24, on this thread. You can find it there if you like.

If you made a suggestion, I don't remember it. So not seeing an answer, I decided that it was high time I finally wrote something.

I really do not care if you want to go another direction with this. I could discard the whole post and it would bother me not a bit.

So let me know what you want to do.

[Thinlómien]

I did ask, but never saw an answer. I posted my question back on September 24, on this thread. You can find it there if you like.

If you made a suggestion, I don't remember it. So not seeing an answer, I decided that it was high time I finally wrote something.

I really do not care if you want to go another direction with this. I could discard the whole post and it would bother me not a bit.

So let me know what you want to do.

Well, just to be clear there was an answer:

Lommy, where will Eodwine find Wilheard?

Lommy, where will Eodwine find Wilheard?
Lommy is away from internet until Sunday, but she told me to pass on, I quote: Maybe Eodwine could run into him when he's coming back from his morning ride? Or if that seems inconvenient, maybe he can be say practising archery with one or two (random) soldiers?

But fair enough, confusion happens to everyone. I thought you had simply thought your idea is funnier than mine (which it was though :D) and decided to go for it instead, so I was a little annoyed. But I'm fine with as it is now.

Since we've both written posts with your idea in mind, I suggest we keep it. Like I said, this might even turn into an interesting subplot, and if not, I get an excuse to explore Wilheard's character with fever dreams.

(For those of you who have read George R.R. Martin, one of my favourite parts of the series is Brienne's fever dreams in A Feast for Crows.)

[littlemanpoet]

Oops :eek: Truth be told, I do now remember coming across that, and then promptly forgetting it. My bad. :/

Okay, we'll stick with what we've got so far.

[Folwren]

Do we have a healer here, or will Saeryn be the one looking after Wilheard?

[littlemanpoet]

We used to have a healer, but that writer left us long ago, and her character became a npc that was pretty much forgotten about. I think it best to assume that those who are now part of Scarburg must fend for themselves as best they can.

[Folwren]

K, that's what I kind of assumed. I think a character like that would travel around to tend to other households in a certain region, anyway, so she wouldn't be always around.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

We used to have a healer, but that writer left us long ago, and her character became a npc that was pretty much forgotten about. I think it best to assume that those who are now part of Scarburg must fend for themselves as best they can.
K, that's what I kind of assumed. I think a character like that would travel around to tend to other households in a certain region, anyway, so she wouldn't be always around.
Indeed. It's a pity now we don't have the forest-family writers anymore, they would have exactly fit right in. Anyway, if the knowledge of Wilheard not being well is going to spread, it occured to me that Stefnu could even join Saeryn or suggest substituting her for a while at some point (and she could try some curious mountain-folk medicine). How about that?

On another note: So which is it now, there seems to be now two different posts relating the same thing regarding Ruari and the honey. LMP?

[Folwren]

On another note: So which is it now, there seems to be now two different posts relating the same thing regarding Ruari and the honey. LMP?

Second one. The first one was too tame, we decided.

[littlemanpoet]

I've deleted the too tame one.

[Firefoot]

Folwren and Mithalwen, did you guys cross post? If so, looks to me like the easiest resolution might be just to switch the order of the posts and no one will have to edit.

[Folwren]

I can move my post in an hour or two.

[Mithalwen]

Yes just noticed. Iwill look.. inclined to edit anyway..Elfthain is turning into a chatty little blighter. He will get even on my nerves soon!

However just switching the order works. Elfthain is going to be a lot less chirpy now that Thornden has said that about the letter....

[Folwren]

Ok, I switched the posts. The piglet comment made me laugh aloud, so I figured Thornden would, too.

I also had Javan speak my mind - I'm confused about how the colt thing is going to work out. Is he going to be brought to Scarburg? I changed Javan's last question so he's addressing Elfthain rather than Leof (sorry, Firefoot).

[Mithalwen]

Cheers for that. I don't think Elfthain had thought it all through at the moment he asked. I love Saffy. She has become far more of a character than I expected. I am glad we didn't hurt her ..

[Folwren]

Firefoot, I have to say, I am super excited about your girl character (can't recall her name just at this moment) coming to Scarburg. I have an idea that makes me extremely happy, and I want to talk to you about it, but part of me says I should wait and see how things play out... So I wont' say anything, except that I'm excited.:smokin:

[Firefoot]

Firefoot, I have to say, I am super excited about your girl character (can't recall her name just at this moment) coming to Scarburg. I have an idea that makes me extremely happy, and I want to talk to you about it, but part of me says I should wait and see how things play out... So I wont' say anything, except that I'm excited.:smokin:

Me too. :D I have a lot of half-formed ideas floating around in my mind for her. Can't wait to hear what you have in mind as well.

[Mithalwen]

Things could get very interesting. :D

[Mithalwen]

I have assumed that Javan has asked the question that Thornden interrupted. Hope that is ok. Good call on not calling Saffy a sow.. Elfthain loves her and would probably feel quite protective of her even though he is quite rude about her himself.....

[Firefoot]

So I've tried writing for Leof a couple times now in the last couple days and find myself uninspired by his soap making venture... would anyone with one of the female characters be interested in helping Leof find/gather supplies?

[Mithalwen]

I read a book called Longbourn last year which had a soap making episode which was fascinating but unfortunately I got it from the library so don't have it to hand. I am not suggesting plagiarism but it might have had some tips. It was more a house hold soap I think -they used animal fat and it had to be left weeks before use so this soap might be for future use? I might get a copy of my own, it was a cracking read for anyone who likes Austen - it has its own story but is also the events of Pride and Prejudice from the servants' perspective... anyway I digress...

[Folwren]

Haha. Sorry, Firefoot. If no one volunteers their character (Saeryn is busy at present), then perhaps you can skim over it "and Leof made soap" and go on to something more interesting?

For instance, when is Leof's sister arriving? Gal55, where are you?

Mith, it's perfectly fine that you had Javan asked about Poppy. :)

I am going to post for Thornden and Eoghan soon. Maybe for Javan. Not sure yet.

What else is occurring in the near future? When this day originally began, we were going to bring the wood dwellers in. That kind of fell through. :( So what now? Bring in Leof's sister and Gal55's character... Flooding starting?

[Mithalwen]

Well since we have used the simplest method of getting Elfthain to stay, ie just asking:rolleyes: shall we get rid of the rest of the convoy with relevant correspondence before any flooding?

I think I had better write up a bit of bio for Elfthain's uncle/mother since I feel that at least one of them may turn up at some point.

Elfthain will try to ride out unless it is absolutely bucketing. His tack is clean though clearly that won't last... But happy to do what helpful to bring other players in. In the mean time happy to assume Javan and he are talking among themselves so I will leave that to your discretion.

[Galadriel55]

I'm here... kind of. Every day I plan to start writing a response to Lommy, and it just never ends up happening. By the time I finish work I'm out of creativity. I had two midterms last week, but I'll probably be able to write this weekend.

For the future, if you feel like moving on ahead but are stuck with Ledwyn because of me, feel free to temporarily NPC her. I feel bad about other characters lagging behind.

[littlemanpoet]

One day of rain does not a flood create.

However, when it has rained non-stop for three solid days, then people are going to start worriting and talking.

And Eodwine will have the able bodied folk, including himself, digging trenches.

[Galadriel55]

One day of rain does not a flood create.

However, when it has rained non-stop for three solid days, then people are going to start worriting and talking.

And Eodwine will have the able bodied folk, including himself, digging trenches.

But if the Entwash overflows as well...

[Folwren]

Gal55, I was thinking more of Balan and Cerwyn than Ledwyn.

Mith, I will post for Javan and they can continue their conversation. I also still aim to post for Thornden and Eoghan. Time just slipped away yesterday. Should happen today in the very near future.

Trench digging sounds like a good thing to plan to do eventually...as the rain continues, since Scarburg is low, there may be a lot of gathering water.

Where is the Entwash in relation to us?

[piosenniel]

Where is the Entwash in relation to us?

Map of the Mid-Emnet: HERE
(http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=615602&postcount=1880)

All of the maps and drawings for Location of Scarburg/Maps of Scarburg, Meadhall, Middle-earth are in a link in post #3 of this discussion thread: HERE (http://www.forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=551132&postcount=3)

[littlemanpoet]

But if the Entwash overflows as well...
Indeed. Then trenches and the dykes that result from their digging are overwhelmed. All in good time. ;)

[Galadriel55]

Gal55, I was thinking more of Balan and Cerwyn than Ledwyn.

Yeah, I kind of dropped the ball on that. I totally missed Firefoot's post for Cerwyn. :o We're PMing about it though, so something should be up soon.

Indeed. Then trenches and the dykes that result from their digging are overwhelmed. All in good time.

I see you have it all calculated. ;)


Also, food for chaos: I thought when writing my post that if we need to create mass confusion, maybe there could be a misunderstanding of Westron/Eorling and one of the two monolingual ladies could end up thinking there's fire in the stables, or that the Eorl wants to paint the walls of the Hall, or a false rumour, or a wrong message, or something else totally ridiculous. I tell you in advance - Ledwyn will fall for just about anything. :D

[Folwren]

Also, food for chaos: I thought when writing my post that if we need to create mass confusion, maybe there could be a misunderstanding of Westron/Eorling and one of the two monolingual ladies could end up thinking there's fire in the stables...

Oh, man, that brings up some bad memories. ;) :rolleyes:

[Galadriel55]

Oh, man, that brings up some bad memories. ;) :rolleyes:

Oh gosh, I've forgotten about that! :D

[Folwren]

Firefoot, soon I'll be posting a co-written post that Elempi and I have done. Then Eoghan will be coming to find Leof, so you can put him in motion again, maybe.

Also, Mith, I may be able to do more interaction with Elfthain very soon. Sorry about the hold up. I've been really tired lately and haven't had much energy to write.

[Mithalwen]

Oh don't worry. You have a lot of significant characters to mind and I have just the one, and he will keep until you are ready. And he really is grateful for the help with grooming. :cool:

[Folwren]

Firefoot, I assumed some of the ingredients for the soap would be found in the kitchen? Probably Leof would ask for them and the ladies would find them for him. If I am wrong, I can change my post.

[Firefoot]

The kitchen is perfect. :)

[Galadriel55]

As I was writing last night, I discovered it's very hard to produce good English writing when you have the French and Russian versions of a certain musical stuck in your head simultaneously. :rolleyes: Just whyyyyyyyy? Why do languages get so mixed up in my head? I can't function properly when they do that. :(

[Folwren]

Haha! I haven't had that much difficulty when trying to write in English, though I must say sometimes my Spanish gets in the way of learning French and I keep recalling Spanish words instead of French ones.

We're patient....for now. ;)

[Galadriel55]

Haha! I haven't had that much difficulty when trying to write in English, though I must say sometimes my Spanish gets in the way of learning French and I keep recalling Spanish words instead of French ones.

We're patient....for now. ;)

It's happening... ;)

For me, I tend to insert Hebrew words into French and vice versa, because these are my two languages which are most lacking in vocabulary. I generally have no problem in communicating in any language (I have an issue with translating, though), or in a mix of languages (sometimes within the same sentence). My problem that night was that I had an amazing song stuck in my head, but in my mind the lyrics kept switching from French to Russian, and it did not rhyme, made no sense, and was just annoying the hell out of me until my mind started spewing bits of lyrics in both languages instead of legible English.

But most of the time the opposite effect happens - one of those musical songs gets stuck in my head in one specific language. It's musically the same song, but somehow my mind interprets it as two different songs capable of being stuck in your head. I didn't realize until this fall that trying to keep up multiple languages can have such unpredictable and annoying consequences!

But anyways, I did write what I meant to. It's progressing. No clue how long it'll end up being, though, or when it will be finished.

[Mithalwen]

I will spare you my language related embarassments but please Galadriel don't put yourself under so much pressure. Sometimes it is better to post something that keeps the story going rather that let the story die because you can't produce something you feel is good enough *coughwightfrightcough* :o . These days I almost feel happier speaking my appalling German than my French which although rusty is still actually quite good because I feel I have a standard to uphold in French having been pretty much bilingual up in the day - I feel it has to be perfect and end up saying nothing. There is so much less pressure with the German because no one expects me to be good so I concentrate on communicating rather than agreements and if I should be using the subjunctive.

[Galadriel55]

I will spare you my language related embarassments but please Galadriel don't put yourself under so much pressure. Sometimes it is better to post something that keeps the story going rather that let the story die because you can't produce something you feel is good enough *coughwightfrightcough* :o . These days I almost feel happier speaking my appalling German than my French which although rusty is still actually quite good because I feel I have a standard to uphold in French having been pretty much bilingual up in the day - I feel it has to be perfect and end up saying nothing. There is so much less pressure with the German because no one expects me to be good so I concentrate on communicating rather than agreements and if I should be using the subjunctive.

Oh no, I think I totally did not make that come out right. I did write what I intended to, it just took me longer, but it can't be posted yet as it's part of a co-post. But I can promise you that it's growing steadily. Also, I have no problem speaking or writing English - it's the other languages that are suffering. It was just that one time that was really weird, and mostly just annoying.

[Mithalwen]

Oh I know you don't generally but post 465 suggested a block. It happens . I remember having to translate something and not for the life of me think what explications was in English. It didn't help that we tended to lapse into Franglais. But imhave offended you and am truly sorry.:(

[Firefoot]

I will vouch that G55 has been very prolific in the co-post we are writing. :cool:

[Mithalwen]

I really wasn't having a pop...quite the reverse was intended. . Only opening mouth to change feet clearly...sorry :-[

[Galadriel55]

Oh I know you don't generally but post 465 suggested a block. It happens . I remember having to translate something and not for the life of me think what explications was in English. It didn't help that we tended to lapse into Franglais. But imhave offended you and am truly sorry.:(

Oh no... :( You haven't offended me. I just made an offhand comment, but based on the reaction I fear I have made it sound like I'm pushing myself into an ESL zone, which isn't true and wasn't the intent of that post, so I just wanted to clear it up. I don't know why this keeps happening to us, but I really should work on speaking (typing?) more coherently.

[Mithalwen]

I never think of you like that; just as impressively multilingual. Having trained as a languages teacher I have an residual interest in the quirks of language aquisition... but I still suck at communcation. Evidently. :rolleyes:

[littlemanpoet]

What games we play, eh, Firefoot? :D

[Firefoot]

Indeed. :D

[Folwren]

Whenever ya'll are finished playing your games together, I was thinking we could skip forward to when court was held and when Firefoot's and Gal55's character arrives. Maybe? Can't wait.

[Galadriel55]

Whenever ya'll are finished playing your games together, I was thinking we could skip forward to when court was held and when Firefoot's and Gal55's character arrives. Maybe? Can't wait.

Sure. That works.

I should post for Balan by the end of today. His story became longer than I anticipated. :rolleyes:

[Galadriel55]

Finally done! :D The story has an ending, and it will be told in due time. ;)

[Firefoot]

I'll have posts up for both Scyld and Cerwyn in a few hours.

[littlemanpoet]

Right then.

So.

What is on the agenda for court this day?

1. Scyld/Nydfara
2. Wilheard?
3. Other?

[Galadriel55]

3. Other?

4. Elfthain
5. Would Cerwyn and Balan arrive by then? Would they present themselves to Eodwine at court? Balan would, but at the very end. I'll let Firefoot speak for Cerwyn.

[Firefoot]

Yes, I think Cerwyn (and by extension Leof...) will end up being part of this court as well.

[Folwren]

Sounds exciting! Poor Wilheard is still sick.

[Folwren]

Sometime today can I go ahead and post about getting ready for the court and pretty much bring us straight up to it?

[Firefoot]

Fine by me. My next post for Cerwyn will bring them to the Hall so the timelines should line up nicely.

[Mithalwen]

So do we play out the court in full with lots of short posts or...?

[littlemanpoet]

Yes, lots of short posts. I'll post soon, when I get a chance.

[Folwren]

I skipped ahead quite a few hours. If anyone wants to add something that goes in the time that I had pass, I'm ok with it. I just wanted to get the ball rolling.

Also, I don't know how anyone thinks that court ought to be set up. I thought of a few different ways and went with what I thought best. If someone would like to suggest a different way, I'm open. Elempi, I imagine you had some ideas about how it would look, too.

[Firefoot]

I'll deal with Leof and Cerwyn's meeting in another post... it's getting late for me. No need to worry about waiting for them though, they might just miss the first part of court.

G55, I put some words in Balan's mouth just to get them to the Hall - if you'd rather he phrased it differently, let me know.

[littlemanpoet]

Looks good to me, Foley.

[littlemanpoet]

That was a fun read, Firefoot! :) Nice interplay.

[Folwren]

Oh, I am SO excited.

[Firefoot]

Thanks, guys. :)

[Firefoot]

Soo... anything we're waiting on?

[Folwren]

Inspiration? I've been trying to think of a post to write for three days now and have come up with nothing. Things have been really hectic for me, though, and that may have something to do with my lack of creativity. I will do my best to think of something tonight.

[Mithalwen]

Sorry I lost a post for Elfthain and haven't got around to reposting. I will try to do now if I can stay awake,

[Folwren]

Marvelous. Glad you posted, Mith, it gave me some stuff to use. I think we can progress with the court now.

[Galadriel55]

I've been waiting for a miracle that would let me dedicate at least half a page of writing to this instead of my biology assignments... :rolleyes: I know what I'll write, at least partially, but as I have a week to do my assignments they have been sucking up all the writing I can do in a day... I keep thinking next week should be easier, but each week they give something new and it starts again...

But I shouldn't hold up the main story. I was planning for Balan to only come forwards at the end of court, and Ledwyn might not show her face at all - or perhaps only in the background.

[littlemanpoet]

It appears I have something for Eodwine to respond to.

Whoever wants to be number one, speak up or start writing. If no-one does so in the next day or so, Eodwine will just go ahead and decide who's number one.