Hard Winters Planning/Discussion Thread

[piosenniel]

** Please excuse this dusty old brain for not noticing the Downs had gasped to life once again....

Greetings, fellow players, here on the wide and rolling plains of Rohan!

This thread will be a place where we can discuss and plan the action and dialogue and what-not that is written on:

The Hard Winters RPG game thread -- happening circa Spring of 4th Age year 19, after a harsh winter.....

The new facilitators for this incarnation will be:

littlemanpoet, ably assisted by Nogrod

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NOTE:

All new gamers to the RPG (that is, those who don't already have established characters bios on the Scarburg Meadhall Discussion thread (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=551131&postcount=2)) must submit an Abbreviated Character Description form to this thread when they place their first post on the RPG thread.

Abbreviated Character Bio Form

NAME:

AGE/GENDER/RACE/WHERE FROM:

APPEARANCE (very brief physical description/or as detailed as the player wishes to be):

BITS OF CHARACTER/HISTORY YOU FEEL MIGHT BE HELPFUL IN DEFINING THE CHARACTER
(again, as brief or detailed as you wish):


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Go ahead and start discussing your RPG plans here.

[piosenniel]

Players/Characters List (see below this part of the post for Thinlómien's list of characters according to profession/attachment)

("XX's" designating characters who won't be played from the Meadhall)

ArrySecg and Thystel - Fana's brothers/Granny Haesel's grandsons - WITHDRAWN FROM GAME

Envinyatar
Heafoc - WITHDRAWN FROM GAME

Firefoot
Scyld (aka Nydfara) (http://www.forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=555438&postcount=207)
Léofric (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=552957&postcount=101)
Cerwyn (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=697008&postcount=5)
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Folwren -
Saeryn (http://www.forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=554223&postcount=171) - Eodwine’s wife
Eoghan and Ruari (http://www.forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=554223&postcount=171) - Saeryn and Eodwyne's twins
Thornden (http://www.forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=551272&postcount=14)
Javan (http://www.forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=551272&postcount=14)
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Galadriel55
Ledwyn (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=662764&postcount=3524)(Her son, Theolain, died during the hard winter.)
Balan Bard (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=701602&postcount=340)
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Inziladun
Ladavan (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=699829&postcount=50)
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Legate of Amon Lanc
Hilderinc (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=612865&postcount=1626)
Áforglaed (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=622445&postcount=2390)
Stefnu (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=699994&postcount=69)
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littlemanpoet
Eodwine (http://www.forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=551231&postcount=13) (First Eorl of the Meadhall)
Rowenna (Wenna) (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=551596&postcount=39)

Harreld Smith (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=551596&postcount=39)
Garreth Smith (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=551596&postcount=39)

XX Master Falco Boffin - has gone back to the Shire
XX Laerdil (Elf) - won't be around. He's probably over the sea by now.
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Mithalwen
Elfthain (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=697051&postcount=6)
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Nogrod
Cnebba (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=551323&postcount=22) - with Thinlómien
Stigend (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=551484&postcount=35)

XX Athanar (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=612975&postcount=1641) – off on an away adventure with Durelin’s ‘Coenred (Coen) (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=613986&postcount=1690)’
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Snowdog
Halcwyn of Rohan (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=697320&postcount=7)
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Thinlómien
Wilheard (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=697331&postcount=3981) Please note: Wulfric is DEAD
Modtryth (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=551323&postcount=22)
Cnebba (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=551323&postcount=22) - with Nogrod
Brith (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=700026&postcount=85) (short for Brithiel)

Fréa and Caranthir (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=700026&postcount=85) - 2 soldiers traveling with Brith
Fréa and Caranthir are NPCs -- freely to be used by any writer.

XX Wulfric – will not be played in this game
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Undómë
Fana - WITHDRAWN FROM GAME
Haesel - the old herbs-woman - WITHDRAWN FROM GAME
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NPC's

Athanar’s soldiers - BALDWIC SON OF BALDWIN; FEARGHALL; SCYRR (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=622445&postcount=2390) (NOT Áforglaed, who is being played by Legate of Amon Lanc)
Osmund (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=700743&postcount=214) - soldier in Eodwine's household/mentione a few times in Scarburg Meadhall thread
Fréa and Caranthir (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/editpost.php?do=editpost&p=700026) - 2 soldiers traveling with Brith

____________________________________________


Link to Thinlómien's list of characters according to profession/attachment -- HERE (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=699984&postcount=66)

[piosenniel]

Location/Description of Meadhall/MAPS - HERE (http://www.forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=551132&postcount=3)

This includes (from the original Scarburg Meadhall Discussion Thread):

Scarburg Meadhall & surrounding area
Meadhall overview
General Middle-earth overview

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Useful Information about the Eorlingian/Rohirric culture

IN PROGRESS.....

From the original Scarburg Mead Hall Discussion thread: HERE (http://www.forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=551139&postcount=9)
*

Links to Rohan wiki-world: HERE (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Rohan) and HERE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohan_%28Middle-earth%29)

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Other links which might be of some use:

"An Appreciation of Weather in the Lord of the Rings" - HERE (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1256/wea.194.01/pdf)

From the PBS NewsHour - Science section:
"Climate models turn the weather in Tolkien's Hobbit into science" - HERE (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/modeling-middle-earths-climate-isnt-magic-its-science/)


The Encyclopedia of Arda - [I]Old and Rare Words Used in Tolkien's Works - HERE (http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/words.html)

[piosenniel]

Reminders for the So Far Unnamed RPG in play:

Please remove your signature from EVERY post to the RPG thread


No SAVES on the RPG thread.


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


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


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


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

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

[Firefoot]

NAME: Cerwyn

AGE/GENDER/RACE/WHERE FROM: 18 year old female, from the West Emnet. (As of spring F.A. 20)

APPEARANCE (very brief physical description/or as detailed as the player wishes to be): Blonde hair, green eyes, moderate height. Girl-next-door-type pretty.

BITS OF CHARACTER/HISTORY YOU FEEL MIGHT BE HELPFUL IN DEFINING THE CHARACTER
(again, as brief or detailed as you wish): Leof's sister. She was only seven when her mother died and had to take on many household tasks at an extremely young age. She has been dutiful and responsible, keeping her head low so as to keep her alcoholic father's attention away from her as much as possible, though she is by nature neither shy nor quiet. After Leof left, her father grew steadily more controlling and, correspondingly, feelings of resentment and rebelliousness have slowly been growing in her - a desire to be free of the life she has grown up with. She is afraid of being married off to a suitor of her father's choice.

-----------------------------------
LINKED ~*~ Pio

[Mithalwen]

Abbreviated Character Bio Form

NAME:Elfthain

AGE/GENDER/RACE/WHERE FROM: 17 years old, Rohirrim male from Upbourn in Harrowdale

APPEARANCE (very brief physical description/or as detailed as the player wishes to be):
Just under sixfoot and not quite full grown but much closer to reaching his full height than full strength. Still rather gawky, not quite beardless. Dark gold hair worn short in an attempt to defeat its curls, blue eyes.

The horse he has ridden to Scarburg, Safran is a 15hh mare bright bay, quarter cob,with a large white star and one white sock (near hind leg).

BITS OF CHARACTER/HISTORY YOU FEEL MIGHT BE HELPFUL IN DEFINING THE CHARACTER
(again, as brief or detailed as you wish):
Only surviving child of Elfride (Darker Days) and Theodmund who died when he was seven while serving in the guard of Eomer in one of the post-War of the Ring expeditions to the South. His younger sister Matilda took ill and died aged five. In a much larger extended family, his closest relation is his uncle Elwin who is an ambitious and successful career soldier, married to a Gondorian lady who was in the retinue of Queen Lothiriel. Currently part of the garrison of Edoras.

A somewhat reluctant warrior in training, Elfthain will inherit his father's estate at Upbourn when he is of age but in the meantime his mother is a supremely competent regent.

Elfthain spent about a year in Gondor when he was ten as a page to his Uncle who was on secondment there so he is well off, well connected and has a wider experience of the world than most yet he is diffident and rather embarrassed by his privilege and wishes above all to be accepted on his own merits.

Has far more skill with horses than weapons and regards his military training in peacetime as little more than marking time until he can take up the reins at the farm. Basically good hearted but liable to thoughtlessness he often finds negotiating the debatable land between childhood and adulthood a struggle and feels his father's absence more keenly than ever.

Abbreviated Character Bio Form

NAME:Elwin

AGE/GENDER/RACE/WHERE FROM: 39 years old, Rohirrim male currently living at Edoras.

APPEARANCE (very brief physical description/or as detailed as the player wishes to be):
About 6"3 and strongly built. Strong but handsome features. Has the same dark gold hair and grey eyes as his sister but otherwise no great resemblance between them - he looks like his father while his sister favours their mother.

BITS OF CHARACTER/HISTORY YOU FEEL MIGHT BE HELPFUL IN DEFINING THE CHARACTER Son of Eldred and Elflád. His father was a good soldier but a cold husband and father. His mother died when he was eight by which time he had already started his military career as a page. He has become a successful soldier and a significant figure at court helped by having a Gondorian wife, Gilwen. He has also spent time in Gondor. Unlike his father who was killed during the War of the Ring he is a devoted father to his large brood which currently numbers six (four girls and two boys) and uncle to Elfthain. Good natured and loyal, but has confidence bordering of arrogance and is ambitious and astute.


NAME: Elfride

AGE: Not quite 35
RACE: Rohirrim

GENDER: female

APPEARANCE: Tall (about 5"8)grey eyes, golden blonde hair prematurely showing a few threads of silver. Currently thin but not naturally or normally so but the result of the deprivation of the winter

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Elfride's naturally merry heart has been subdued by the losses she has suffered. She manages her farm and house, can handle a sword competently and a horse extremely well and as well as the usual skills appropriate to a woman of her kind (of a well established and prosperous though not noble family) she has a particular knowledge of herb lore. To those ignorant of her story her restraint and reserve can be seen as coldness. Inside she struggles with her instinct to overprotect her surviving child.

HISTORY:

Elfride is the daughter, sister and niece of career soldiers. Her mother died when she was four and her brother already being a page and her father having little interest in girl children, she was raised by her mother's brother and his wife mostly at Edoras. Aged seventeen, she married, Theodmund, a friend and fellow officer of her brother, who took her to live on his family's farm at Upbourn which he had become heir to after his elder brother was killed in the War of the Ring.
There she bore a son, Elfthain, and a daughter Matilda. Elfride's relationship with her mother in law had a difficult start but they overcame this and Theomund's mother passed on her knowledge of healing and midwifery.
Ten years ago, Theodmund was killed on an expedition in the Southlands. Her daughter and mother in law were killed by the strange fever that had afflicted the village two years later, which was beyond her skill to heal.
She spent some time in Gondor when Elfthain was there as Elwin's page but has otherwise lived quietly on her estate and has resisted or repelled all suggestions or offers of remarriage.
--------------------

LINKED ~*~ Pio

[Snowdog]

Name: Halcwyn
Age: 30 (in 4th Age 20)
Gender: Female
Race: Mixed Rohirrim/Dunedain
Appearance: Somewhat tall and lithe with long sandy blond hair and grey eyes.
History: Born in Eriador, she first came to Rohan as a child when her mother returned to her family home near the foothills of the White Mountains by the Anborn River in Westmarch. This was where her grandparents raised horses and tended crops When they both became ill, her mother and father inherited the land, but her father being Dunedain, was not much for settling down in Rohan. So her mother tended to the place and the herd as best she could. In the year before the war, her mother passed away in her sleep, so Halcwyn and her brother inherited the land. But her brother's heart was in the north, so gave his share to his sister, making Halcwyn sole owner. Halcwyn lived there tending to the herds and fearing troubles from Dunland when the war started.

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


LINKED ~*~ Pio

[piosenniel]

Nogrod's post from the Meadhall Discussion thread (#3986 (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=697336&postcount=3986))

--- A spelled-out timeline of the jump from the Scarburg Meadhall storyline ---

Jumping to the present Mead Hall from late year 15 to spring 19... (only four years!!!) So this is my first version of it - and I will send it to lmp to especially add things from the POV of the Mead Hall itself and to correct / change any bad ideas I have not thought through - and to make it a more consistent narrative.

But now is the time to say your word for what happens. These could be the general outlines, but what say you?


~*~

Year 16 of the Fourth Age saw the finishing of the Mead Hall. Not all wounds were healed inside the Mead Hall but with Saeryn giving birth to twins even those discrepancies seemed to be set aside by most people for the time being. It did help the two lords seemed to get along well enough and seemed content with a kind of sharing of responsibilities. Lord Eodwine still being convalescent and a father of the newborn it was just natural lord Athanar took care of most of the things at the Mead Hall – but it seemed he was actually hearing lord Eodwine with his decisions. And that helped many original Mead Hall residents to trust him a bit more.

The summer then was far busier anyone could have expected. With king Elessar’s trip to lake Evendim all the areas under the rule of the king received a host of visitors taking their trips to areas they had never ventured as they were deemed safer with the king himself showing it was safe to take the road. The Scarburgians were even forced to build a two-storey shed for visitors who were happy with a more modest accomodation.

The local lords saw this as an opportunity to thrive and lost their interest in the Mead Hall – and the people of the Mead Hall just had no time to worry about the local lords in turn.


As the spring of year 17 of the Fourth Age came on it carried with it troublesome news. There were increasing number of reports of raids by Easterling tribesmen and groups of orcs from Wold, East Emnet and North Marches.

King Eomer wasted no time but called for a partial muster of northern and north-eastern Rohan to face the challenge. As the most senior commander of the region lord Athanar was called to lead the party of the rohirrim from Mid-Emnet – and was summoned to take most of his men with some of lord Eodwine’s soldiers as well. His sons Wulfric and Wilheard were mustered too alongside most of the local lords and their sons.

Lord Eodwine had not fully recovered but was forced to take the full responsinbility of the Mead Hall once again – with only a handful of active-duty soldiers left to defend the Mead Hall.

[A group of scattered easterlings flee away from the battle in East Emnet and will cause trouble at the Mead Hall which the deplenished Mead Hall wins?]

The riders of Riddermark did drive the scattered enemies away from the eastern parts of Rohan but before they could return more serious news were brought to Edoras. King Elessar had come back from the north and was building an army to ride north-east, to Rhûn, to fight the source of the raiders that festered the eastern borderlands of Gondor as well – and of which the raiders to northern Rohan were only a small part.

Lord Athanar and his troops were mustered with the larger call to arms and they rode beside king Eomer to the east led by the high king Elessar himself and his Gondorian army late in year 17.


In year 18 of the Fourth Age the spring came late and the northern parts of Rohan missed their first sowing. Most of the men were waging a war in the east under the banners of king Elessar of Gondor. It was a time of troubles as it was clear there wouldn’t be as much harvest this year. Many thought these were ill omens indeed.

The rohirrim came back from the war in the east in early autumn. It was a reason for some optimism and there were celebrations in the Scarburg Mead Hall as well with so many returning from the campaign – and tears wept for those who didn’t. Lord Athanar’s older son Wulfric had fallen on the last battle of the campaign. [we could add here a name or two from some soldiers we have already named from both Eodwine’s or Athanar’s men]

Lord Athanar had been rewarded by king Eomer for his bravery and leadership in the war in the East with an eorlship nearer his native lands in Edoras – and a lot more prestigious post as well. Thus king Eomer also nicely resolved the problem of the unhappy double leadership in Scarburg seeing that lord Eodwine was good enough to claim back his seat as the eorl of the Scarburg Mead Hall.

But the worst was to come. The men came back just in time to help with the second harvest and everything looked a bit better, but just after two days of harvesting the winter came. And it was just October.

With the temperatures falling well below zero for several consecutive days it was clear the rest of the harvest was not going to be resurrected. Lord Athanar decided that his people would be too many mouths to feed while not able to produce enough in return by hunting or other means, and took a large party with him back to Edoras and to his seat of eorlship, promising he would ask for king Eomer for any supplies the kingdom could send them. He left a few soldiers behind to help lord Eodwine though as the number of active duty soldiers of the Mead Hall had become thin indeed.

But then came the snow. Had lord Athanar just barely gotten away the snow filled the fields, then the forests, then the roads. The Scarburg Mead Hall was surrounded by snow – heaping over two meters where the wind stacked it outside the perimeters of the buildings of the Hall. The Mead Hall was completely isolated from the world – it was even isolated from the nearest local lords and their dwellings.

By time the snowbanks hardened and made it very hard to dig through them – but new snowstorms also kept the surface of the snow treachery so that it wasn’t every day people of Scarburg could walk on top of it either. They manged to establish a narrow path to where they had chopped wood for the buildings but there was not that much wood left.


In year 19 of the Fourth Age the winter took even firmer grip of the Mead Hall.

In February they burnt the wood of the sheds they had built just two years ago just to keep warm. They send a few soldiers to find help during sunny cold days of low temperatures in March when the snow drifts now almost three meters high around them carried a walking man – but none of them returned.

In late March the death-toll started rising when the weakness and cold did their job and exhausted those weak enough. In April they were eating bark of the trees boiled in snow by burning the logs from the upper stories of the guest wing.

In May the spring finally came. The snow melted fast with the temperatures rising above 20 C.

Five days after the sudden warming of the weather the people of the Mead Hall heard a remarkable sound from far away: something very noisy was coming through the snow.

The carts filled with food were spotted first by the kids who ran back to the hall screaming in joy. They were saved!

Leading the convoy was lord Athanar’s son Wilheard.

[piosenniel]

Firefoot's post from the Meadhall Discussion thread (#3994 (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=697531&postcount=3994))

Just to be clear - we're now starting in F.A. 19? So more of a 4 year jump?

I think I'm the last person on the thread who will argue with that ( ;) ) but want to make sure we're all on the same page.

[piosenniel]

Nogrod's post from the Meadhall Discussion thread (#3995 (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=697679&postcount=3995))

Just to be clear - we're now starting in F.A. 19? So more of a 4 year jump?It looks like that.

It was easier to make the general storyline so that it went over four years rather than five (one reason being that we were already in late autumn year 15 where we left the game so there was not much of that to play anyway for year 15).

So it should be something like May F.A. 19 as we start - and the snow is just receding (well melting away) so much that it is possible for a caravan of aid to come through.

So there would still be considerable amount of snow everywhere (except perhaps the inner yard of the Mead Hall and maybe a path or two to some nearby locations like where people would have tried to gather wood etc. that would have been kept quite clean of snow) but it would be melting quickly...

[piosenniel]

Firefoot's post from the Meadhall Discussion thread (#3996 (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=697685&postcount=3996))

Are we starting on the day the caravan gets there?

[piosenniel]

Nogrod's post from the Meadhall Discussion thread (#3997 (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=697693&postcount=3997))

Are we starting on the day the caravan gets there?It could be a nice spot to start. At least quite a dramatic way of doing it?

What do you others think?

[piosenniel]

Firefoot's post from the Meadhall Discussion thread (#3998 (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=697783&postcount=3998))

That is fine with me - like you said, a nice dramatic start. I will probably put off introducing Leof's sister until a bit later though (I've already written their reunion and I think it would fit better maybe a month or so later?).

One thing I just want to question... it seems a little unlikely to me that Scarburg would get hit so hard by the winter, but the surrounding areas had enough surplus from their harvests that they're able to send aid... Scarburg is only about 50 mi from Edoras, which isn't far when it comes to weather systems. This seems a bit isolated.

Also, doing some research on previous harsh winters, the Long Winter in Rohan lasted November-March with Rohan under snow for five months - the winter described in Nogrod's post sounds like snow cover for seven (October-May), so we're talking about by far the worst winter in Rohan's history.

I don't want to criticize the work you've done, Nogrod, since I really appreciate it, but I just wanted to put in perspective how bad of a winter we're talking about (maybe snow cover from November to March as in the Long Winter just doesn't seem like a very harsh winter to a Finn, lol - actually, it doesn't seem that absurd to me, either...).

An interesting point that seems relevant whatever way we go though, also about the Long Winter: "The melted snow caused great floods with the Entwash becoming a vast fen." Seeing as Scarburg is quite near the Entwash...

(Source. (http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Long_Winter))

[piosenniel]

Firefoot's post from the Meadhall Discussion thread (#3999 (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=697789&postcount=3999))

Also been doing some research on hay, and looks like it's a crop that gets harvested two or three times a year, so the horses should be okay, anyway.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Also, doing some research on previous harsh winters, the Long Winter in Rohan lasted November-March with Rohan under snow for five months - the winter described in Nogrod's post sounds like snow cover for seven (October-May), so we're talking about by far the worst winter in Rohan's history.

I don't want to criticize the work you've done, Nogrod, since I really appreciate it, but I just wanted to put in perspective how bad of a winter we're talking about (maybe snow cover from November to March as in the Long Winter just doesn't seem like a very harsh winter to a Finn, lol - actually, it doesn't seem that absurd to me, either...).
I was about to point that out, too. I think it's just Finnish thinking ;) In normal countries (well, okay, in countries in latitude and climate similar to Rohan, anyway), winter would last December to February, and snow starts to appear/melts away in average sometime in December/March (say mid-March, meaning those tiny patches on the ground here and there). It can appear for a day in November or March, but any other month there is something weird. And again, in the age of peasants tilling their not-very-extensively-farmed fields with whatever they can, even a hail just before harvest can cause serious problem, and even a few weeks difference in the snow's coming can be disasterous. A month should do it. Also, since I am talking about it, temperatures below 0°C are also sufficient ;) (for the benefit of Finns who might start suggesting -20 is too warm. Between 0°C to -10°C is totally enough! It's just needed that the snow doesn't melt!).

An interesting point that seems relevant whatever way we go though, also about the Long Winter: "The melted snow caused great floods with the Entwash becoming a vast fen." Seeing as Scarburg is quite near the Entwash...Something to look forward to in a couple of weeks of our RPG, then ;)

[Galadriel55]

Also, since I am talking about it, temperatures below 0°C are also sufficient ;) (for the benefit of Finns who might start suggesting -20 is too warm. Between 0°C to -10°C is totally enough! It's just needed that the snow doesn't melt!).

It just has to be enough to be colder than usual - anyone wants to take an estimate? But if it's only like -10C, I doubt there would be serious amputation-meriting frostbite cases. Mild ones are possible, and cases of being cold all the time (and therefore all the consequences of that, including a low immune response ;)) would be very common due to lack of appropriate clothing (shapka-ushankas weren't yet invented, I presume :D). But perhaps there was a period of extreme cold that only lasted less than a week, not the whole winter. So if anyone is still considering frostbite, this is a possible explanation. If we're going to go for it, I might have Ledwyn blacken a minor body part to make her further unstable.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

It just has to be enough to be colder than usual - anyone wants to take an estimate? But if it's only like -10C, I doubt there would be serious amputation-meriting frostbite cases. Mild ones are possible, and cases of being cold all the time (and therefore all the consequences of that, including a low immune response ;)) would be very common due to lack of appropriate clothing (shapka-ushankas weren't yet invented, I presume :D). But perhaps there was a period of extreme cold that only lasted less than a week, not the whole winter. So if anyone is still considering frostbite, this is a possible explanation. If we're going to go for it, I might have Ledwyn blacken a minor body part to make her further unstable.

Totally not a problem, I am sure. I was talking about temperatures during the day, temperatures during the night could drop much further. Also, it is totally okay if you have a single night, or even day, when the temperatures are really low (even if it's been -8°C the whole winter, one day you can have suddenly a 20-degrees drop just because the weather is messy), you go out to the forest without proper clothing, or a badger steals your gloves, then you return late and get lost, come home late at night, and whoops, and you have a good start for having some body part amputated eventually ;)

[Galadriel55]

Totally not a problem, I am sure. I was talking about temperatures during the day, temperatures during the night could drop much further. Also, it is totally okay if you have a single night, or even day, when the temperatures are really low (even if it's been -8°C the whole winter, one day you can have suddenly a 20-degrees drop just because the weather is messy), you go out to the forest without proper clothing, or a badger steals your gloves, then you return late and get lost, come home late at night, and whoops, and you have a good start for having some body part amputated eventually ;)

I can think of at least 3 Jack London stories dedicated to precisely that. ;) Except his freezing stories often involve falling/stepping into a hidden creek that does not freeze even in the coldest temperatures, which isn't likely in the SMH whereabouts.

Also, forgot to mention - the fifth year that appears to be missing is the pretty uneventful year at the very start when the building of the Hall is finished. So if we want to stick to the 5 year jump timeline, it could be tacked on briefly. If not, I'll edit my Ledwyn post to reflect that, since I believe it mentions that year.

[Firefoot]

I think someone said Rohan was sort of similar to France, so here are the temperature profiles of a Lyon and Dijon (I literally know nothing about Europe but they look pretty inland and close-ish to mountains to seems comparable to Rohan geographically):

Lyon (http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Lyon-weather-averages/Rhone-Alpes/FR.aspx)

Dijon (http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Dijon-weather-averages/Bourgogne/FR.aspx)

So actually, I think the temperature profile proposed by Nogrod isn't too bad, maybe just gets a little too cold too fast and lingers a bit too long. But in the middle of winter, I would definitely say -20 C as a low isn't unreasonable.

Two winters ago, Chicago had one of the worst winters in its recorded weather history, where we alternated weeks basically where it would be about 25 F/-4 C and snow heavily, then drop to a high of about 5 F/ -15 C. The alternating dumping snow and bitter cold temperatures was brutal (and this is a city used to having snow on the ground all the time from late Dec - mid March). Geographically, we're not similar to Rohan, but we're pretty similar to France in latitude.

Also, it doesn't necessarily have to be that cold for frostbite to occur - you just have to be exposed for longer if it's less cold. (I had one patient who just liked walking barefoot in the snow... guess what, he lost one of his feet. :rolleyes: )

(Aren't you guys proud of me? I even converted temperature scales for you :) )

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I can think of at least 3 Jack London stories dedicated to precisely that. Except his freezing stories often involve falling/stepping into a hidden creek that does not freeze even in the coldest temperatures, which isn't likely in the SMH whereabouts.
I was just thinking the same :)

I think someone said Rohan was sort of similar to France, so here are the temperature profiles of a Lyon and Dijon (I literally know nothing about Europe but they look pretty inland and close-ish to mountains to seems comparable to Rohan geographically):

Lyon (http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Lyon-weather-averages/Rhone-Alpes/FR.aspx)

Dijon (http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Dijon-weather-averages/Bourgogne/FR.aspx)

So actually, I think the temperature profile proposed by Nogrod isn't too bad, maybe just gets a little too cold too fast and lingers a bit too long. But in the middle of winter, I would definitely say -20 C as a low isn't unreasonable.

Two winters ago, Chicago had one of the worst winters in its recorded weather history, where we alternated weeks basically where it would be about 25 F/-4 C and snow heavily, then drop to a high of about 5 F/ -15 C. The alternating dumping snow and bitter cold temperatures was brutal (and this is a city used to having snow on the ground all the time from late Dec - mid March). Geographically, we're not similar to Rohan, but we're pretty similar to France in latitude.

Also, it doesn't necessarily have to be that cold for frostbite to occur - you just have to be exposed for longer if it's less cold. (I had one patient who just liked walking barefoot in the snow... guess what, he lost one of his feet.)

(Aren't you guys proud of me? I even converted temperature scales for you :) )
We definitely are :) And yes, I was also thinking more or less some places in France are reasonable: exactly, the proximity to mountains, also to the sea (at least relatively, Rohan is a bit more inland in general, but then again France is big enough to account for the inland climate). Also comparing to other similar places that's what I would expect to have similar climate, more or less.

[Mithalwen]

And a country not geared up for regular substantial snows will be hit worse than people having the same weather in a place used to it. I spent my year abroad for my degree in St Etienne in the Massif Central of France. It was allegedly the first place to get snow in the winter and was certainly very cold between Christmas and Easter - I can't remember snow at Christmas and I think I would have done since a White Christmas is something I have always hoped to experience but just doesn't usually fit with UK weather... even when we had a very bad winter a few years ago it didn't quite happen.. However there was a lot of snow 3 months later in March when my family came to visit though not everywhere.. the town in its valley was clear and Lyon was quite hot the day we went there, as was Le Puy where it was actually very warm - I was never so fit before or since and had turned into a "Mountain goat" and remember basking in the sun waiting for my father and sister to complete the climb up to the chapel.. but the day we went higher up into the national park there was a lot of deep snow.. so much so that we turned back.

Anyway do the old hands have any preference for Elfthain being new or a Scarburg "intern" of a few years standing? I may have to alter his age but he may be just 17 istead of nearly 18 I will have to check his birthday with his mum ;)

[Firefoot]

And again, in the age of peasants tilling their not-very-extensively-farmed fields with whatever they can, even a hail just before harvest can cause serious problem, and even a few weeks difference in the snow's coming can be disasterous. A month should do it. I like the idea of a hail storm a lot - make it more realistic that the food shortage be more localized to the Scarburg area.

[littlemanpoet]

On the RPG thread itself, we'll need to describe weather conditions without the benefit of all the modern amenities we're so used to, such as temperature, fronts, patterns, and all that. We may want to consider developing a vocabulary we can use, or have our copies of LotR and The Hobbit ready to hand so we can see what Tolkien did.

One tool will be to describe the weather from the perspective of your character: how does it feel? What is seen? Heard? tasted? smelled?

[Mithalwen]

Good point LMP. I knew I was in a previously unexperienced level of cold when my hair froze on the short walk between swimming pool and hall of residence in St Et. And one year when I was very young at home the sea started to freeze.

[Galadriel55]

When I was little(er), I tried to estimate if the temperature is below -20C (around -4F I believe) by the way my eyelashes froze together for a bit every time I blinked. I eventually abandoned the task because of inconsistent results (wind chill, most likely).

Also, the winter before last I had to walk around a lot when it was -20 and windy, so I made use of hood and scarves to the point where I joked that I looked like a polar talibani - you could barely see any of my face except for my eyes.

But lets also imagine that our characters don't have modern jackets and snowpants. Would they have fur coats? I don't think so. I can't see Rohirrim wearing them. (Also, wasn't it the end of winter when Aragorn&co came there in TTT? They didn't appear too cold without coats, and no snow). So without proper clothing and some wind, milder temperatures would be just as fearsome. Perhaps no freezing eyelashes, but freezing bodies for sure.

[piosenniel]

Here's an interesting read from an online science-oriented compendium:

"An Appreciation of Weather in the Lord of the Rings" - HERE (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1256/wea.194.01/pdf)
-----
From the PBS NewsHour - Science section:

"Climate models turn the weather in Tolkien's Hobbit into science" - HERE (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/modeling-middle-earths-climate-isnt-magic-its-science/)
-----
And just for the fun of using such words:

The Encyclopedia of Arda - Old and Rare Words Used in Tolkien's Works - HERE (http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/words.html)

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

On the RPG thread itself, we'll need to describe weather conditions without the benefit of all the modern amenities we're so used to, such as temperature, fronts, patterns, and all that. We may want to consider developing a vocabulary we can use, or have our copies of LotR and The Hobbit ready to hand so we can see what Tolkien did.

One tool will be to describe the weather from the perspective of your character: how does it feel? What is seen? Heard? tasted? smelled?
Certainly. Well, let's simply have The Ring Goes South open at hand, and maybe a few chapters about Túrin and co., I think (at Faelivrin and whatnot).

But lets also imagine that our characters don't have modern jackets and snowpants. Would they have fur coats? I don't think so. I can't see Rohirrim wearing them. (Also, wasn't it the end of winter when Aragorn&co came there in TTT? They didn't appear too cold without coats, and no snow). So without proper clothing and some wind, milder temperatures would be just as fearsome. Perhaps no freezing eyelashes, but freezing bodies for sure.
That's exactly it. Imagine, Rohan is really quite mild. There was no snow left at the end of February, and I have no reason to assume the year of the War of the Ring was in some way dramatically warmer than otherwise. So, imagine the shock when there actually is snow on top of it being normally cold like usually in winter, or maybe even a bit colder.

The whole difference of our Hard Winter and the normal conditions in Rohan can really be in the fact that there is the snow, which people may not be used to that much, or may not be used to it lasting. Certainly not used to any huge snowdrifts or snowstorms which take a couple of days. That's a weather phenomenon which can simply randomly happen one year, a set of really bad circumstances.

I imagine normal Rohan to be windy, it being such an open space, and the wind in winter would be cold, but usually - given that Rohan is protected by the mountains from the west and south - usually the wind would come from the east and it would be dry (because it is coming from the mainland), so there wouldn't be that much precipitation to cause large amounts of snow falling when the temperatures are below zero. But if, in our case, there simply came unusually more clouds from the west - from the sea, heavy with water - which obviously happens from time to time, but in our case it just maybe happened on a bit larger scale - you can get a large amount of precipitation; snowfall for days. And then, instead of leaving, some of the clouds can be stopped by the mountains and sort of keep rotating in place and hitting especially the valleys below - which could kinda be also the case of Midemnet - with more snow until basically everything falls down. And then, after the sky has cleared, you can have these very bright, but therefore also very cold days with cold wind from the East, when the temperatures are so low and people are just shivering and rattling their teeth and crust forms on top of the snow and it never melts.

[Firefoot]

I like pio's weather article so well that I will even forgive the author for mistaking Asfaloth for Shadowfax. ;)

[littlemanpoet]

Much thanks to Nogrod for stringing together a lot of great ideas. All I added was Rowenna's banditry and a new character, Jian. I think he'll be an npc, and who knows how long he'll stay?

I also tried to do as much as I could by way of using terminology that fits our milieu.

Just a quick note: it has been mutually decided that Athanar becomes a chieftain on the frontier of the Rhun, guarding the Lands of the West from further attacks.

Short general introduction to the Scarburg Mead Hall

Scarburg Mead Hall had had a stormy beginning. By king Eomer’s word, Eodwine was made Eorl of Middle Emnet to bring it under king’s peace. This was done because it was known in Edoras that some of the stronger and wealthier local landholders in Middle Emnet sought more to add to their own wealth than to rule well, show loyalty to the king, or work for the common good.

Finding only smoking ruins at Scarburg Hall, the folk who joined Eodwine began the hard task of rebuilding the old Hall and establishing the new Eorldom. Sadly, Eorl Eodwine took ill before he had time to see either task finished, and was deemed beyond healing.

Believing his loyal servant to be dying, king Eomer chose as new eorl for Scarburg, Athanar, a renowned hero of the War, battle tested chieftain, a man strong enough of fiber to make firm the King's rule. Although given to quick wrath, he was reliable, trustworthy, stern, and strong.

Eorl Athanar’s efforts at bringing the Mead Hall under his rule were doomed to failure from the very beginning, for the folk of Scarburg were loyal to Eodwine's memory and light-handed rule, and chafed under the more stern authority of Athanar. They had no wish to be ruled by the new eorl. Amid much mayhem, with great resolve Eorl Athanar did finish the mead hall, and by a set of bold moves brought the local landholders under the king’s rule – at least for the time being.

Then, unforeseen by all, like one risen from the dead, Eodwine came back.


Jumping to the present Mead Hall

Year 16 of the Fourth Age saw the finishing of the Mead Hall. Not all wounds were healed inside the Mead Hall but with Saeryn giving birth to twins even those ills seemed to be set aside by most people for the time being. The two eorls seemed to get along well enough and seemed content with a sharing of responsibilities. Eodwine still healing, and a father of the newborns, Athanar oversaw the daily life of the Mead Hall – but was hearing the counsel of Eodwine. Thus, most of those loyal to Eodwine came to trust Athanar a little more.

The summer was far busier than anyone could have expected. With king Elessar’s trip to lake Evendim, all the lands under his rule received many visitors journeying where they had never dared to go before. The Scarburgers built a two-story shed for visitors who were happy with a more modest bedding.

The local landholders, eager to line their pockets, set aside their dislike of the new masters in Scarburg.

As the spring of year 17 of the Fourth Age carried with it troublesome news. There were more raids of Easterling tribesmen and groups of orcs from Wold, East Emnet and North Marches.

King Eomer called a muster of eorlingas from the northern and north-eastern parts of the Mark. He called upon Athanar to be chieftains over all of the eorlingas from the Middle Emnet. He took with him most of his men and some of eorl Eodwine’s as well. Athanar's sons, Wulfric and Wilheard, were mustered alongside most of the local landholders and their sons.

Having not fully recovered from his illness, Eorl Eodwine was charged with sole rule of the Mead Hall once again – with only a handful of eorlings left to defend it.

A not so small group of easterling fugitives from the wars in the east, stumbled upon the Mead Hall. By lucky chance, Cnebba and his friends were puttering about amid the outskirts of the Scar, and spied the undisciplined rabble before they knew they had been seen, and well before the easterlings realized what kind of easy booty lay before them.

Cnebba brought the news to the Eorl, who mustered the few eorlings in his charge. They took their places in defense, and by means of a sudden rain of arrows upon the enemy, made it seem as if there were more of them than there were.

However, the easterlings' sudden losses did not lessen their desperate greed to take this prize and what loot it might have to offer. They laid siege. A sense of dread set in among the folk of Scarburg, for they were badly outnumbered.

Rowenna came to Eodwine and asked leave to gather any boys, girls, and women who were willing to be given quick and basic training in banditry, and do what damage they could. Eodwine thought the request odd, but given their dire straits, saw no reason to say her nay.

Between night raids, baiting, and other means, Rowenna and her makeshift gang of bandits picked off one, two, or three easterlings at a time. It was a mere few days before the easterlings were demoralized, according to the reports from Rowenna's well placed spies, and in the face of an eorling sally at dawn, the easterlings broke camp and fled, or sued for mercy.

Knowing that the Mead Hall could not feed and house so many captives, Eodwine charged them to leave the Middle Emnet, going he cared not where, and that any found within a day's walk on the morrow, would be killed on the spot. Whether Eodwine meant his threat or not, became a matter of debate among the folk of the Mead Hall, for he would not say.

The following day, search parties were sent out, and only one easterling was found within a day's march; this one was found sitting cross-legged, not two stone's throws from the Mead Hall beyond the Scar. His weapons were laid down and he rose, his hands held above his head. In broken Westernesse he said that the unmercy of the mead hall, whether death or imprisonment, was better than any other fate that awaited him elsewhere. Eodwine took pity on him against the heated objections of Rowenna. This one proved his worth over the following months and years. His name was Jian.

The riders of the Riddermark drove the scattered enemies away from the eastern parts of the Mark, but before they could return more serious news was brought to Edoras. King Elessar had come back from the north and was mustering an army to ride north-east, to Rhûn, to defeat the source of the raiders that festered the eastern borderlands of Gondor, of which the raiders to the Mark were only a small part.

Lord Athanar and his eorlings were mustered with the larger call to arms and rode beside king Eomer to the east led by the high king Elessar his Gondorian army late in year 17.

In year 18 of the Fourth Age the spring came late and the northern parts of the Mark missed the first sowing. Most of the men were waging a war in the east under the banners of king Elessar of Gondor. It was clear there wouldn’t be a good harvest this year. Many thought these were ill omens.

The eorlingas came back from the war in the east in early autumn. Their return brought hope, and there was a night of singing and dancing to celebrate the victory. The dead, including Athanar's oldest son, Wulfric, who was cut down in the closing battle, were honored and buried with song.

Eorl Athanar was awarded for his bravery and leadership in the war in the East with a chieftainship on the frontier of the Rhun, answerable directly to the Prince of Ithilien - a prestigious post indeed. Thus was ended the unhappy double leadership in Scarburg since seeing that Eorl Eodwine was whole enough to claim back his seat in Scarburg.

But the worst was to come. The men came back just in time to help with the second harvest, but just after two days winter came. It was October.

Biting cold settled in upon the Mark for many days. The ground froze. The crops died in the fields. Athanar deemed it wise to take leave, with his folk, so there would be fewer mouths to feed in Scarburg. He took with him a large party back to Edoras, vowing to ask king Eomer for any goods that could be spared. He left a few eorlings behind to help Eodwine, for their number at the Mead Hall had become thin indeed.

Then came snow. Athanar and his folk escaped the first blizzard in thenick of time. Wind swept fields, forest, and roads were covered. When sunlight finally glared over the vast white, the drifts were man-high. The Mead Hall was cut off from the rest of the Mark, even the nearest landholders..

The snowbanks hardened and were very hard to dig through. New snowstorms added more layers of snow. Walking on the face of the desert of snow was treacherous, for one never knew where one might fall through and land a few feet below. The folk dug narrow, high walled paths to their store of chopped wood, the meat shed, and the smithy. They were soon low on firewood.

In year 19 of the Fourth Age the winter took even firmer grip of the Mead Hall.

In February they tore down the sheds they had built just two years ago for firewood. They sent a few eorlings to find help during sunny cold days in March. The men made makeshift shoes of cross-cut wood, tied to their boots, so they could walk on the top of the man-and-a-half high snow. The men never returned.

In late March, the Mead Hall began to feel the pangs of starvation: the old and infirm were dying, first one then another a few days later, then another a day more .... until a pall hung over the Mead Hall, and it seemed that death and despair might win the day as well as the night. In April they tore apart the upper story of the guest wing, and used it for firewood, and ate bark from trees boiled in snow.

In May, spring came suddenly. Days and days of balmy sunshine warmed the air and melted the snow quickly.

Five days after the sudden warming of the weather the people of the Mead Hall heard a remarkable sound from far away: something very noisy was coming through the snow and the rising flood waters.

Carts trundling down the muddy road, filled with food, were spotted first by the children, who ran back to the hall screaming in joy. They were saved!

In the lead wagon was Athanar’s son Wilheard.

[Nogrod]

This is pretty cool lmp!

I love the way you make the sentences flow in that style. *hats off*

I also loved the addition of the little bandits... and how we can use that as part of our characters' new future as well.

We were just discussing (myself, Lommy and Legate) about the starting of the actual thread, and came up with the idea that Lommy might send the first post from the POV of Wilheard leading the convoy to the Mead Hall.


PS. I sent lmp some ideas about lord Athanar's next appointment, but like I said to him in the PM, it's more or less okay to me whatever it will be...

[Firefoot]

We were just discussing (myself, Lommy and Legate) about the starting of the actual thread, and came up with the idea that Lommy might send the first post from the POV of Wilheard leading the convoy to the Mead Hall.

Yes! So ready to start! :D

Well, almost. My post about Scyld's time away is turning into another novel. :rolleyes:

[Nogrod]

I need to upgrade Stigend - and we have to do to the same to Cnebba with Lommy as well.

And I'm not sure we're the last ones needing to have this or that done or checked.

But we're getting there... :)

[piosenniel]

Would someone like to let Inziladun know the RPG may soon be starting and now is a good time to get a Character Bio on board and tweaked as needed...

Thanks! Pio

[littlemanpoet]

Thanks, Nogrod! You provided great ideas to work with. :)

For Athanar, I'm thinking of a chieftainship somewhere between the Anduin and the Rhun...

[Nogrod]

I actually PM'd you lmp about lord Athanar's future but then thought also sharing those thoughts here as it might help people orientate with Wilheard... ;)

I think lord Athanar would have this frontiersman -spirit.*

I mean I think I even wrote there back then that when they organized the Scarburg men into columns and rode to meet the local lords Athanar finally felt himself at home doing the thing he loved and knew how to do, feeling the wind in his face, hearing the clamor of arms and the pounding of the hooves... And he also took part in the drillings and excercises every now and then in the Mead Hall even if that could have been wholly taken care by his right-hand man Coenred.

And knowing that man I'd say he's not one who asks for the opinion of his family as to where to settle - which general trait of his personality can be sadly seen fex. in his sons. He of course loves them in his own way and wants them to be great men following his footsteps and bringing honor to the family... but he seems to be quite at loss as what that might require from him - other than military discipline.*

So let him move there.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I need to upgrade Stigend - and we have to do to the same to Cnebba with Lommy as well.

And I'm not sure we're the last ones needing to have this or that done or checked.

But we're getting there... :)

I have the bio for my new character ready, I am still dissatisfied with its form though. Meanwhile, I actually realised what it is that I wanted to post about Hilderinc in the meantime, but I'd hope to write and do that in a matter of days (I know I've been saying that for a while now...). There's also the post we are co-writing with G55, but all in all, we are getting ready, yes...

[littlemanpoet]

Athanar is given the chieftainship of the frontier of the Rhun, guarding against further attacks from the east. He is answerable directly to the Prince of Ithilien. So he leads both Eorlings and Gondorians. Should be just the right fit for such a man of action. :)

[Firefoot]

I hope everyone's not so busy playing Werewolf to have forgotten this... :) My first posts for Scyld and Leof are basically ready but waiting to see the official first posts of the game to make some final tweaks and make sure the details line up.

Did anyone contact Inziladun?

[Thinlómien]

I hope everyone's not so busy playing Werewolf to have forgotten this... My first posts for Scyld and Leof are basically ready but waiting to see the official first posts of the game to make some final tweaks and make sure the details line up.

Did anyone contact Inziladun?
Not yet I guess since no one said they did? Why don't you send a pm to him since you seem to have time in your hands. :p

I have been horribly busy with like a million things - werewolf included, touché - but I will try to write a draft of Wilheard's first post in the weekend, so I can post it whenever everyone else (Elempi? Nog?) feels ready to start.

I was thinking of writing a post with possibly some details about the journey from Edoras without too much of Wilheard's reminiscing. Two questions:

1) Are there any notable characters or NPCs that are coming with Wilheard from Edoras? Anybody have any preferences about what kind of people the caravan consists of? (A couple of peasants/servants and some soldiers to guard it? Something else? We don't need to be too specific bc honestly I doubt Wilheard is even paying much attention, even if he's in charge. :D)

2) Any preferences about where I should leave off? Wilheard arriving on the yard with the caravan and greeting Eodwine? (I assume he'd come out to greet them if the kids warned him in time?) Would this mean people would want to rather start writing from the kids running back with the news about the food and write their characters reactions to that, or is it clearer to start with a post ending "Westu hal, Eorl Eodwine! here is your food" (NOT those words exactly but you know what I mean ;))?

[Firefoot]

I have Scyld coming back with the caravan.

[Mithalwen]

I was thinking that since no one expressed a preference that Elfthain might come with the caravan. I had thought he could have been transferred there if they were short handed but I think now maybe he could come as part of the escort and perhaps ask for a transfer in order to perhaps make a name for himself away from Edoras where everyone knows him and his family and vice versa.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Ha, I actually wanted to raise the question about how are people planning to introduce their new characters already several days ago, but totally forgot about it... Also been awfully busy these days (mostly Werewolf, but also other stuff in the rest of the spare time).

Anyway, that was one of the reasons I was being slow in posting the bio of my new character, because I was deciding in the end if I shouldn't make her come all the way from Edoras, which would shuffle around the end of her up-to-now story. But originally I was thinking she could be just living nearby (around one of the local lords' places) and she could technically come up even a bit later... or maybe she could arrive when the supplies come, since the Mead Hall will be sort of the "distribution center" for the local area, am I right? It might be an extra reason for her to come there...

[littlemanpoet]

Well, the official first post has been posted here.

Pio was going to copy and paste it to the game thread. I guess that hasn't happened yet.

I'm uncomfortable starting without Folwren.

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

The intro post (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?p=696873#post696873) is now on the RPG thread.
~*~ Pio

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I'm uncomfortable starting without Folwren.

I think she is now traveling, in any case she should pay a visit around here in, like a week, or a bit less? Which is, incidentally, also the "deadline" we kind of agreed on to be ready for the transition... So I think we can consult her then, among other things, even if she does not have time otherwise.

[Nogrod]

I'm uncomfortable starting without Folwren.Folwren is going to visit us here in finland between June 20th - 23rd. And I got the impression Finland is their last stop in their voyage - so they'd be home on Wed June 24th.

I have two suggestions.

1) We start on the Midsummer's Day (or Eve) as it is a nice day to start in principle. Folwren won't be able to post on the few first days (that shouldn't be a problem as nothing that much probably happens in the early stages as most people probably wish just to bring their characters forwards to the scene?).

2) We wait for Foley and decide fex. that the game starts on Wed June 24th.


Either way I think we should decide on some exact time the game begins and after which posting is free - and Lommy could send her first post with Wilheard to kick it up then (I still like that idea that the first actual post would be describing the caravan coming to Scarburg).

[piosenniel]

(I still like that idea that the first actual post would be describing the caravan coming to Scarburg).

Clarification, please - I put lmp's introductory post (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?p=696873#post696873) on the game thread as the first post. Are you saying that there will now be another first actual post to the game?

I'll close the RPG thread until whoever writes that post is ready to post it on the game.

[Mithalwen]

Just generally speaking, the 23rd June is a very good date.... :Merisu:

[Nogrod]

Clarification, please - I put lmp's introductory post (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?p=696873#post696873) on the game thread as the first post. Are you saying that there will now be another first actual post to the game?

I'll close the RPG thread until whoever writes that post is ready to post it on the game.Oh sorry to create confusion.

I mean sure we'd have the "jump-post" you already have there as The Very First Post. It explains what this place is and how have we jumped from the earlier installment of the Mead Hall to the current one.

But after that post we need to then start - to have something to kick it off and running.

Well it of course could have been any post with someone just starting it at the date we decide we're ready to start, but we thought it would be nice the first "actual" post in the thread (after the jump-post) would be Wilheard leading the caravan to the Mead Hall. It could also then signal a starting flag to everyone that the game is now open.

So we were in fact discussing of the second post of the thread, not the first one. :)

[piosenniel]

Got it! :)

So just let me know when the first poster author is ready to post his/her post and I'll open the thread....

[Inziladun]

NAME:Ladavan

AGE/GENDER/RACE/WHERE FROM:39/Male/Dunland

APPEARANCE (very brief physical description/or as detailed as the player wishes to be): Thin, average height for Dunland/Rohan. Hair is dark.

BITS OF CHARACTER/HISTORY YOU FEEL MIGHT BE HELPFUL IN DEFINING THE CHARACTER
(again, as brief or detailed as you wish): Fought for Saruman during the War of the Ring. Parents had disappeared before then. He heard a rumor later they had been slaved to death in Isengard. Had a brother, Meryk, who had also fought in and survived the War, but had told Ladavan immediately after he was "going north" with a band of his fellows, and had not been seen since. Has come to ply his trade as a carpenter.
________________

LINKED ~*~ Pio

[Undómë]

Might I join in?

NAME:
Fana

AGE/GENDER/RACE/WHERE FROM:
15 y/o; female; an Eorling; a wooded area just south and east of the Meadhall – about 8 km down the local main road (I hope I am looking at Nogrod's map correctly and that the top of the map is North – HERE (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=615602&postcount=1880))

APPEARANCE:
Lithe as a flower’s stem; fair skinned; waist length amber blond hair, generally worn in a braid down her back; one eye light blue, the other green- hazel; deft of hand and nimble fingered; dresses in woodsy hues – long skirts, long –sleeved homespun blouses, warm woolen shawl, thick hooded dark woolen cloth for colder days

BITS OF CHARACTER/HISTORY YOU FEEL MIGHT BE HELPFUL IN DEFINING THE CHARACTER:
Fana is the grand-daughter of Haesel, the local gaers-wif (herbs-woman), who was also called by the less friendly to her ways – ‘haegtesse’ (witch). Those who crossed Haesel sometimes found themselves or their livestock vexed with troubles and botherations of varying sorts. For the most part, though, Haesel, eased her naeighbors' lives with her herbal elixirs and unguents. Haesel had taken her grandchildren under her wing when their parents died. Fana has proved to be a quick-minded pupil in the learning of her grandmother’s herblore.

She has two younger brothers – Secg, 7 y/o and Thystel, 5 y/o

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

NAME:
Haesel, the local gaers-wif (herbs-woman; herbalist) – one of the Cunning Folk

AGE/GENDER/RACE/WHERE FROM:
45 y/o; female; an Eorling; in an out of the ways part of the wooded area just south and east of the Meadhall – about 8 km down the local main road

APPEARANCE:
At 45, Haesel is truly an old crone. Her hair is long and thick still, but now an ashy grey, where once it shone as silvery blond as the summer's full moon. She wears it in two long braids wrapped round her head like a silvered crown. Like her granddaughter, Fana, she has one piercing blue eye, and the other hazel green.
She is 5’1” tall; her back as straight as an iron rod. She seems taller than she is because of the way she carries herself combined with her her commanding personality. She is a thin, wiry woman given to quick movement despite the aches and pains that come naturally with age. He skin is tanned reflecting much time spent in the out of doors. Her hands are gnarled with age, but her fingers are still adept and nimble at her craft. She generally wears a long homespun shift with a similar length long tunic of varying weights of cloth depending on the season – most of them in earthen shades. Atop these two garments is usually cinched an apron with numerous deep pockets. Around all this is a woven leather belt from which hangs a ring of many intricate keys of various sizes for her cupboards and her chests.

BITS OF CHARACTER/HISTORY YOU FEEL MIGHT BE HELPFUL IN DEFINING THE CHARACTER:
Haesel can be as quiet as a cat sizing up a mouse when you first meet her. She watches closely and listens closer to all the little clues you give away without your knowing. She has a very organic sense of what is right and what is wrong. For the most part she feels we beings are mostly good in nature and will treat our problems and pains as best she might. For those she considers more on the negative side of the balance, she will treat them as well but with a sizeable helping of her counsel to be better persons added on to their dosings of elixirs and unguents.
She comes from a long line of Cunning Women – her grandmother taught her, and that grandmother taught her grand-daughter. Haesel sees in her grand-daughter, Fana, the makings of a very skilled gaers-wif (herbalist).

________________________

The two brothers will be written by Arry - and actually we'll share writing all of the characters as needed.

________________________

LINKED ~*~ Pio

[Nogrod]

Undómë and Arry!

It's been a long-long-long time!

Welcome to the Mead Hall indeed.


PS. And yes, the top of the map is North.

[littlemanpoet]

I second the welcome! :) How has Scarburg Mead Hall managed without a gaers-wif?

Thanks for helping to think through our starting process and all. I must have been looking in the wrong place for the jump post. Leave it to me to not be able to find the obvious. :rolleyes:

I think it would be great for Wilheard's coming to be the "first" post.

[Nogrod]

I think it would be great for Wilheard's coming to be the "first" post.Thinlómien said she'd have ample time to write it the coming week so that she could post it then whenever we decide the game is going to start.

[Arry]

OK - so here are my characters ---

NAME: Secg

AGE/GENDER/RACE/WHERE FROM: 7 y.o. Eorling boy; lives in the woods southeast of the Scarburg Meadhall

APPEARANCE : Scrawny, agile kid with brown eyes and dark blond hair that sort of sticks out wildly all over his head. His older sister, Fana, tries to corral him and keep it snipped to a shortish length. It’s of no bother to him that his head looks like a clump of sedge-grass has sprung up on top. It’s always been that way and if he needs to look presentable, he simply puts on a cap. Fana, his sister, keeps his clothes clean and mended as best she can. He’s a rough and tumble sort of kid and there are always tears and holes here and there for her to patch.

BITS OF CHARACTER/HISTORY YOU FEEL MIGHT BE HELPFUL IN DEFINING THE CHARACTER:
Fiercely devoted to his sister and his little brother. A bright, quick mind – but sometimes his schemes get him into a bit of trouble. He takes care of and is quite fond of Naep, his nanny-goat. During the harsh wintertime, Naep lived inside the stone hut with straw-thatched roof that served as the family’s residence
__________________

NAME: Thystel

AGE/GENDER/RACE/WHERE FROM: 5 y.o. Eorling boy (see Secg’s bio for where they live)

APPEARANCE : Sturdy little boy, just on the cusp of lengthening out like his brother. Dark blond hair much like his brother’s – sticking out all over, unless his sister can catch him and get it brushed into some semblance of order. He’d rather just shove it under a cap, though, like his big brother. He wears his brother’s hand-me-downs and looks at times like a patchworked little fellow.

BITS OF CHARACTER/HISTORY YOU FEEL MIGHT BE HELPFUL IN DEFINING THE CHARACTER:
Serious faced, given to scrutinizing strangers to the point where they often feel a bit uncomfortable. He has an able mind like his brother and sister and catalogs a great deal of information away in the mind behind his innocent little face. He’s his brother’s little shadow – trying all the things his brother does. He, too, is fiercely devoted to his sister. He takes care of the family’s chickens – only one of which has made it through the winter with them. Her name is Ulcia (Ully, for short), and she too, has wintered inside the hut with the family and Naep, the goat. She roosted in the strawy eaves and rafters in the sturdy little hut.

LINKED ~*~ Pio

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

Hey, "U" - it occurs to me that we'd better put together a short bio for Grandma Haesel. Are you game to do it?

- A -

[Firefoot]

Great to see so many new characters! Welcome, all!

[Nogrod]

This might be a redundant question - and sorry for asking if it is something you have held self-evident all the time and thought carefully already...

But have you all new writers to this story already thought of how your characters end up / have ended up to the Mead Hall?

You can arrive with the caravan or just on your own (after the winter has just lifted it's worse hold it makes it possible for you to run somewhere to find food) in a sense "real time" as the writing starts, or your characters could have possibly joined the Mead Hall during the winter - or even earlier if you wish.

We have a four years jump here so please feel free to put your characters into the Mead Hall at the moment you think fits best your ideas about your characters' past.

If you decide that your characters have stayed at the Mead Hall already a year or two (game-time) before we start (in real terms), we can always come up with some relations they'd have with the other residents afterwards.

[Inziladun]

Hm. Perhaps Ladavan has already been there for a time, if indeed some explanation of it seems logical.

[Undómë]

Hey, "U" - it occurs to me that we'd better put together a short bio for Grandma Haesel. Are you game to do it?

Now how did she get forgotten? Yes, I'll get something together for her.
______________________________

This might be a redundant question - and sorry for asking if it is something you have held self-evident all the time and thought carefully already...

But have you all new writers to this story already thought of how your characters end up / have ended up to the Mead Hall?

Our little family doesn't live at the Meadhall. We live out in the woods; Grannny prides herself on her independence. I think that normally we would come in at the first spring fair/market... but this year we'll come in a little earlier - needing to get something for Granny Haesel, I think. So, you Meadhallers would have seen us now and then and know Granny by reputations and use of her herbal elixirs and balms (perhaps even come to the hut for more urgent needs) . But, really we're quite the wildings compared to you more sophisticated "-hallers "

Does this sound feasible?

[littlemanpoet]

Inziladun, welcome. I'm interested in your ideas for your character. I think that we have other Dunlanders, such as Modtryth and famliy, am I right? It might be interesting how that all works out.

[Inziladun]

Inziladun, welcome. I'm interested in your ideas for your character. I think that we have other Dunlanders, such as Modtryth and famliy, am I right? It might be interesting how that all works out.

Thanks! I'm more then open to any suggestions.

[Snowdog]

it's looking like this may get started soon! A couple simple questions from someone who has not been involved with the past .... If I was looking at a map of Rohan, where exactly would I find the Meadhall? and has the in-game year and month of starting been decided? I haven't been following all the back and forth among the elder writers between the other thread and this one. I'm hoping a summary of the scene and setting will be covered in an opening post to help get us new folk orientated.

That said, Halcwyn is ready to 'show up' at the hall in my first post, which I'll finalise after the opening post(s) are up and the RP is running.

[Undómë]

So, Arry, Granny Haesel's bio is now up on my original post for Fana - HERE (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=699855&postcount=51)

That was fun thinking about her character!

[piosenniel]

If I was looking at a map of Rohan, where exactly would I find the Meadhall?

Here's a link to a Map by Nogrod of where the Meadhall is: HERE (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=615602&postcount=1880)

See other hand-drawn maps and a detail of the Meadhall and the outbuildings - HERE (http://www.forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=551132&postcount=3)

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

It's Year 19 of the Fourth Age -- May
See HERE (http://www.forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=696873&postcount=1)

Hope that helps!

~*~ Pio

[Thinlómien]

This looks all very interesting! Welcome Undómë, Arry and Inzil! :)

When I write the "first post" I can leave it partly vague who's coming along with Wilheard. Like I said, he's hardly a people's person anyway, and he's probably been even more immersed in his own thoughts since his brother's death; so I'm not going to spend the post writing his observations about his travelling companions... But still good to know Scyld and Elfthain are with the caravan.


Inzil - veeery interesting! I daresay you will end up writing with me and Nogrod. Nog's character Stigend is the resident carpenter, and my character Modtryth is his wife and half-Dunlending herself. So lots of connections with the little family of ours!

I'm actually excited about a Dunlending character from the perspective of writing Modtryth. Seeing as she identifies as an Eorling and has been previously mistreated thanks to her Dunlending looks, I can see a lot of drama in the horizon if she has to interact with an actual Dunlending. She's generally a kind and understanding woman but I think ironically enough she might show a bit of her hostile side to someone who belongs to a group she very clearly wants to disassociate herself from... oops. :D

Also there's the adorable 1/4 Dunlending teenager son of Stigend and Modtryth's, Cnebba, who might be curious about the folk his mother's mother belonged to... So if Ladavan has already been to the Mead Hall for a while, we might need to establish some sort of history for the interactions between these characters. Or then he could only come now and we could let it all play out on the thread...? Thoughts?

[Thinlómien]

by profession/attachment, hopefully helpful especially to the new players... my confused comments in italics, to be removed once someone refreshes my memory/ clears things up.


Residing nobility
Eodwine, the Eorl of Scarburg, played by littlemanpoet
Saeryn, his lady wife, played by Folwren
Eoghan and Ruari, their 4 or 5???? year old son and daughter, played by Folwren
Wilheard, son of the former Eorl Athanar, no official position in Scarburg yet, played by Thinlómien

Soldiers and such
Thornden, steward? master at arms???? someone enlighten me please, played by Folwren
Hilderinc, guardsman, played by Legate of Amon Lanc
Áforglaed, guardsman, NPC
Osmund, guardsman, NPC
Elfthain, newly arrived warrior-in-training, played by Mithalwen

Craftsmen and other established masters of the hall
Léof, stablemaster, played by Firefoot
Stigend, carpenter, played by Nogrod
Garreth and Harreld, smiths, played by littlemanpoet
Scyld, a half-professional leather worker, played by Firefoot

Household (serving) women
Modtryth, played by Thinlómien
Rowenna, played by littlemanpoet
Ledwyn, played by Galadriel55
Stefnu, played by Legate of Amon Lanc

Young Meadhall residents
Cnebba, 12-year-old son Stigend and Modtryth, played by Nogrod and Thinlómien
Javan, 18-year-old brother of Thornden, does he have a profession now that he's an adult???, played by Folwren
Garmund and Leodthern, 13- and 9-year-old orphan brother and sister, adopted by Stigend and Modtryth, NPCs

Locals
Haesel, herbs-woman, played by Undómë
Fana, her granddaughter and apprentice, played by Undómë
Secg and Thystel, Fana's little brothers, played by Arry
Heafoc, a hunter, played by Envinyatar

Visitors (???)
Halcwyn, played by Snowdog
Ladavan, travelling carpenter, played by Inziladun
Cerwyn, Léof's little sister, played by Firefoot
Brith, travelling seamstress, played by Thinlómien
Fréa and Caranthir, sellswords, NPCs
Balan Bard, a traveller and storyteller, played by Galadriel55

[Thinlómien]

^ I will keep the list above updated.

Comments would be very welcome since I've been mia from Scarburg for pretty long (oops). Especially Folwren and Gal, please check what I wrote about your characters and comment. Anyone else want to correct me, be my guest.

I have a couple of questions.

1) Any other characters that are around from the old thread? NPCs? Carry-along characters? My biggest question would be about Ginna, Kara and Frodides. Should someone message Lhuna and Kath (maybe on facebook). Nog, did you hear back from Celuien about her old characters?

2) I assume the total amount of people in Scarburg must be higher than this. So making up NPCs is welcome.

3) Speaking of which, I think we may have some rather important positions even unfilled. (Especially, for example, if we don't have Frodides/Kara as the cooks anymore.) Thoughts? What positions are there in the Mead Hall that should be filled by an NPC, an old character getting a promotion ;) or that should be acknowledged to be open? (For example again, if the Mead Hall doesn't have a cook. I'm sure the household women would manage, but they do have a lot to do already with the child-rearing - if there are children, though, and not just a bunch of teenagers - and cleaning and assisting Saeryn and serving and generally seeing the domestic affairs in Scarburg run smoothly.)

[Inziladun]

Inzil - veeery interesting! I daresay you will end up writing with me and Nogrod. Nog's character Stigend is the resident carpenter, and my character Modtryth is his wife and half-Dunlending herself. So lots of connections with the little family of ours!

I'm actually excited about a Dunlending character from the perspective of writing Modtryth. Seeing as she identifies as an Eorling and has been previously mistreated thanks to her Dunlending looks, I can see a lot of drama in the horizon if she has to interact with an actual Dunlending. She's generally a kind and understanding woman but I think ironically enough she might show a bit of her hostile side to someone who belongs to a group she very clearly wants to disassociate herself from... oops. :D

Also there's the adorable 1/4 Dunlending teenager son of Stigend and Modtryth's, Cnebba, who might be curious about the folk his mother's mother belonged to... So if Ladavan has already been to the Mead Hall for a while, we might need to establish some sort of history for the interactions between these characters. Or then he could only come now and we could let it all play out on the thread...? Thoughts?

Intriguing! I really am ambivalent as to Ladavan's means of arrival. I rely on the opinions of the"regulars" as to the potential for maximum drama. ;)

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

NAME: Stefnu

AGE/GENDER/RACE/WHERE FROM: 36, female, Eorlinga, Midemnet (originally from near Dunharrow)

APPEARANCE: 5' 6'' tall, a bit stocky, golden-red hair usually worn in two braids or under a scarf, grey eyes

BITS OF CHARACTER/HISTORY YOU FEEL MIGHT BE HELPFUL IN DEFINING THE CHARACTER: Stefnu was born in the shadow of Dwimorberg in the White Mountains as third of four daughters, but she had then lived for years with her older husband, Mildric, who was a traveling merchant, originally from the Scarburg area. Because of her husband's occupation, she often remained behind in his house near lord Friduhelm's hold. At first, she had the company of Mildric's son from his first marriage. He eventually began to accompany his father to learn the trade, and around that time Stefnu bore Mildric a second son. That kept Stefnu's life busier for some years, but when the boy reached his late teens, he left to learn a trade of his own. Mildric, growing older, remained more often at home those days, but there were still long periods of time when he and his firstborn son traveled around the Mark and sometimes beyond.
After Athanar's soldiers arrived to Scarburg, Stefnu met several of them when they were riding by on errands. Being home alone, she found new occupation for herself by preparing refreshment for the soldiers and treating them with meal whenever they were out long, which was duly appreciated. Especially young Áforglaed seemed to enjoy Stefnu's company and she liked to jest with him. When Athanar's men left to war, she made sure to wish them well on their journey, and she also heartily welcomed them back when they returned.
During the Hard Winter, Stefnu's husband remained at home, while his firstborn stayed in Edoras, where he reputedly had found himself a wife. As the winter hardened, Mildric, being already old and frail, took ill and eventually, one cold December night, he passed away. Stefnu mourned for him, but one thing seemed clear to her: she did not want to remain alone in the house belonging to her stepson. As soon as the weather permited, she decided to head for the Mead Hall in hope to find herself a new place.

Stefnu is an outgoing person, but having spent much of her life alone, she is not the type to stick her nose in other people's lives without invitation. She is respectful to others, but quick to speak up whenever she thinks otherwise. She is fairly intelligent and possesses a decent ability to judge people quickly. She also does not always keep her judgements to herself, even though she does it in a kindly manner. Having had her hands on raising two children of a very different kind, it has been proven she has something of a gift in addittion to experience with raising kids. She is a decent enough cook, but possesses better skills from other areas that she has honed while being home alone, such as her hobby of basket-weaving or making small decorative objects of natural materials. She has some knowledge of herbs and more ancient lore which has been passed down in her family; songs and tales of the old mountain-folk. She has a somewhat deep, very melodic voice, and likes to sing while working and sometimes even while not.
___________________________

LINKED ~*~ Pio

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

So, as you see, I finally posted the bio I've been drying here for ages... Figured out it would be the easiest to add the few finishing touches if I just post it here. The original idea, as mentioned on the old thread, was to have Stefnu come with the intention (her intention, at least) to eventually marry Áforglaed, one of Athanar's men who stayed behind. But I decided to let it develop on its own, now she is freshly widowed and it mostly serves as one more incentive for her to appear (and to be received, having met many of the men - not just Athanar's! - before).

Now, my dilemma is thus - whether I let her come to Scarburg together with the caravan (snows have melted, now she feels okay to travel) or (I might have slight preference for that one at the moment) that she came sometime after her husband's death, basically after realising she can't really cope on her own, I'm envisioning a lonely voyage through the snow with a sack of whatever provisions she had left in her home. Given that husband might have owned decent supply of some "exotic" food thanks to his profession, she would have perhaps even something small to bring to the Hall with her which she would dig up from her husband's hidden personal store, sad leftovers of what they hadn't eaten already. Of course it would be of little help to the amount of people in the Hall, but in such conditions... it would probably also ease her acceptance to the Hall. She would then gladly take on any tasks required to contribute. Speaking of which...

3) Speaking of which, I think we may have some rather important positions even unfilled. (Especially, for example, if we don't have Frodides/Kara as the cooks anymore.) Thoughts? What positions are there in the Mead Hall that should be filled by an NPC, an old character getting a promotion ;) or that should be acknowledged to be open? (For example again, if the Mead Hall doesn't have a cook. I'm sure the household women would manage, but they do have a lot to do already with the child-rearing - if there are children, though, and not just a bunch of teenagers - and cleaning and assisting Saeryn and serving and generally seeing the domestic affairs in Scarburg run smoothly.)
...just looking at Stefnu's bio, I realised her CV could qualify her for example for the cooking and similar tasks. I did not intend her position to be that, in the beginning, but if it is something we are looking for, it actually seems she could fit neatly in there.

But yes, with that said, if I go with variant B (her being in the Hall for a few months already, during the winter), it possibly might be easier, people would be assumed to know her, even though still little enough so that all the relationships could be basically built from scratch. That would both give us the option of genuine relationship-building without the need to pre-invent anything and at the same time spare us the first encounters "Hi, what is your name" which might just be tedious if there would be a lot of new characters anyway...

[littlemanpoet]

Lommy, I contacted Lhuna and she will not be able to write for Ginna. Therefore, I have it that Ginna becomes lost during the hard winter, and Harreld has given her up for dead after a long search. So her actual doom is unknown, which is how I prefer to leave it until things shake themselves out. And I get to write a morbid Harreld if I choose. ;)

[Snowdog]

Thanks for pointing me to the info Pio. I'll try and get my head around this as it seems that planning and backstory is to the nth degree. At this point, my character will be a casual visitor that happens by the Meadhall. Will try and work it in from there.

[Galadriel55]

Comments would be very welcome since I've been mia from Scarburg for pretty long (oops). Especially Folwren and Gal, please check what I wrote about your characters and comment. Anyone else want to correct me, be my guest.

Yup, Ledwyn's description is good. I imagine that she has some skill with string-related crafts (probably some rudimentary weaving), like I briefly mentioned in her filler post, but that would be on-the-side. She would maybe occasionally make something, but do that in her "free time" as opposed to a main job.

I assume the total amount of people in Scarburg must be higher than this. So making up NPCs is welcome.

And the total number of dead people probably exceeds one boy. But we could leave the dead people unnamed, possibly referring to them as "the three men who dies last night" or somesuch.

3) Speaking of which, I think we may have some rather important positions even unfilled. (Especially, for example, if we don't have Frodides/Kara as the cooks anymore.) Thoughts? What positions are there in the Mead Hall that should be filled by an NPC, an old character getting a promotion ;) or that should be acknowledged to be open? (For example again, if the Mead Hall doesn't have a cook. I'm sure the household women would manage, but they do have a lot to do already with the child-rearing - if there are children, though, and not just a bunch of teenagers - and cleaning and assisting Saeryn and serving and generally seeing the domestic affairs in Scarburg run smoothly.)

That's another thing I was also wondering about. Surely, with all the people in the Hall, the twins wouldn't be the only children born in 4 years? But that requires a lot of major changes in the lives of characters whose writers are either not active or don't want these changes to happen [so quickly]. Maybe we should invent some NPC children, or even a whole young family unit?


And since I'm posting here anyways, I thought that maybe it's fitting that Ledwyn should get mild frostbite sometime in the winter. It's such a delightful possibility that's been discussed but not really applied. I don't want the idea to go to waste, and I think it would benefit her in the sense that it would make her even more unbalanced. However, I'm debating which body part I should ruin. Not anything major, but perhaps a finger or toe, maybe an ear. You frostbite experts ;) - which would you say is the most realistically probable case considering she wouldn't have spent that much time outside the Hall? I suppose the ear is the least realistic, fingers and toes are more likely. But even so, what could she be doing outside for so long when there's nothing to do due to the snow? Inside the Hall, it wouldn't be warm, exactly, but there is at least one fire, so it doesn't make sense for someone who spends the whole winter within a two-minute walk from it to get serious frostbite. Any suggestions?

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

That's another thing I was also wondering about. Surely, with all the people in the Hall, the twins wouldn't be the only children born in 4 years? But that requires a lot of major changes in the lives of characters whose writers are either not active or don't want these changes to happen [so quickly]. Maybe we should invent some NPC children, or even a whole young family unit?
Unless most of the children born in the last 4 years also for example died during the winter. They are a bit of a risk group, to be sure (although again it would be the families' priority to protect them).

And since I'm posting here anyways, I thought that maybe it's fitting that Ledwyn should get mild frostbite sometime in the winter. It's such a delightful possibility that's been discussed but not really applied. I don't want the idea to go to waste, and I think it would benefit her in the sense that it would make her even more unbalanced. However, I'm debating which body part I should ruin. Not anything major, but perhaps a finger or toe, maybe an ear. You frostbite experts ;) - which would you say is the most realistically probable case considering she wouldn't have spent that much time outside the Hall? I suppose the ear is the least realistic, fingers and toes are more likely. But even so, what could she be doing outside for so long when there's nothing to do due to the snow? Inside the Hall, it wouldn't be warm, exactly, but there is at least one fire, so it doesn't make sense for someone who spends the whole winter within a two-minute walk from it to get serious frostbite. Any suggestions?
Fingers and toes. You could make it an ear if you wanted to exploit the trouble you hinted at in your fill-in post in which she seems having to keep scarves on. As for a reason to go outside: just like everyone, to gather firewood. One badly timed part of afternoon outside is enough, having some head-cover, losing it thanks to wind as foreshadowed, and then farewell to arms. I mean, ears.

[Firefoot]

Fingers would probably be the most interesting (fun fact: forget about waistlines - hands are the second most important body part for self -body image, after the face).

Similar to what Legate said, you could have her out for firewood and take her glove off for some reason (too bulky/clumsy).

As for which finger(s), the thumb would obviously be bad news. But if I had to choose a finger to lose, it would be my index finger. Your middle and ring fingers can compensate pretty well. Losing the middle finger would be more awkward but still okay. Your ring and pinky fingers are really important for grip strength and stability (imagine carrying a heavy plate or tray with just your thumb and first two fingers). Missing either of these fingers, especially the little one, I would expect to see increased clumsiness, possibly dropping things.

The other thing to keep in mind is often with frostbite you only lose part of the finger, but the remainder/tip is often uncomfortably sensitive to touch, making it less useful than one might expect.

Hope this helps!

[Thinlómien]

Edited Ledwyn's details, added Stefnu and Scyld, whom I had forgotten because I didn't know where to put him. Btw Firefoot does he have any job or anything? What do you fathom he's doing in the Meadhall? Like, how is he useful? :D

LMP, I take it that you'll be writing Harreld then? Should Garreth also be listed as your character or as an NPC?

I'll message Kath on facebook and ask if we should keep Kara and Frodides as NPCs or if they should leave the hall, or if she wants to make a comeback and write them. :)

Currently sketching Wiheard's first post (yay!) and entertaining the idea of bringing my first ever 'downs RPG character for a visit to the Meadhall (no, Lommy, no!)

[Firefoot]

Btw Firefoot does he have any job or anything? What do you fathom he's doing in the Meadhall? Like, how is he useful? :D

lol, he previously was not useful I'm terms of skilled labor, but I wrote into his first post for the new thread that he's been working with his brother learning leather-working, since the hall lost its last one.

[Nogrod]

Our little family doesn't live at the Meadhall. We live out in the woods; Grannny prides herself on her independence. I think that normally we would come in at the first spring fair/market... but this year we'll come in a little earlier - needing to get something for Granny Haesel, I think. So, you Meadhallers would have seen us now and then and know Granny by reputations and use of her herbal elixirs and balms (perhaps even come to the hut for more urgent needs).If you live in the woods the Mead Hall people will be first and foremost astonished to see you alive after that harsh winter - not probably quite understanding that some folks could actually manage that kind of climate even easier than those depending on farming for their diet.

[Thinlómien]

If you live in the woods the Mead Hall people will be first and foremost astonished to see you alive after that harsh winter - not probably quite understanding that some folks could actually manage that kind of climate even easier than those depending on farming for their diet.Can we start a witch hunt for these suspicious people surviving on their own in the wild? :p ;)

[Mithalwen]

Thanks for pointing me to the info Pio. I'll try and get my head around this as it seems that planning and backstory is to the nth degree. At this point, my character will be a casual visitor that happens by the Meadhall. Will try and work it in from there.

I don't think you need to worry too much as a new character. I think most of the planning etc is because people are reprising existing cbaracters with histories with other players characters which have to be taken into consideration.

I have opted to have my character as a new arrival so I can learn with him about Scarburg as we go... however since I have used him elsewhere I just like to tie up his history for my own satisfaction.

[Thinlómien]

I have been rereading Wulfric and Wilheard's old posts. Boy those two managed to poke their noses into many things and cause a lot of chaos. :D I'm also writing down for myself that Wilheard is a lot meaner than I thought, thinks Scarburg is a cursed place, probably has ADHD, has no head for drinking (this should be fun!) and often needs to pee. (Seriously, he tells that to his brother twice in all their 20-ish posts.) ;)

I also found an NPC soldier called Osmund, originally from Scarburg. He was quick to befriend Athanar's men, and seems jolly and jovial by nature. (He has a very long monologue about the beautiful women of Scarburg in one of my posts.) I'll add him to my list of characters. Anyone else remember any NPCs that would likely be around (ie. probably not Athanar's soldiers)*, please remind me and we can keep them.

* speaking of which, what about those that are definitely going to be around? Did Hilderinc and Áforglaed, for instance, spend the Hard Winter in Scarburg, or did they ride to Edoras with Athanar and come back with Wilheard? Legate?

Firefoot, duly noted. I edited what my list says about Scyld.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I have been rereading Wulfric and Wilheard's old posts. Boy those two managed to poke their noses into many things and cause a lot of chaos. :D I'm also writing down for myself that Wilheard is a lot meaner than I thought, thinks Scarburg is a cursed place, probably has ADHD, has no head for drinking (this should be fun!) and often needs to pee. (Seriously, he tells that to his brother twice in all their 20-ish posts.) ;)
I really think he seems like a fun character. He should contribute to make things more lively around...

* speaking of which, what about those that are definitely going to be around? Did Hilderinc and Áforglaed, for instance, spend the Hard Winter in Scarburg, or did they ride to Edoras with Athanar and come back with Wilheard? Legate?
See my last post on the old Scarburg thread (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=699603&postcount=1381) (not the discussion thread, the actual thread). Hilderinc and Áforglaed at least would be spending winter already in Scarburg, or that's how I assumed it to be (Athanar leaves and delegates some of his men who will be left behind and helping Eodwine as extra hands, so that Scarburg isn't suddenly low on manforce. That probably would also logically imply we do not have that many more actual guards, otherwise Athanar wouldn't need to do that).

[Thinlómien]

See my last post on the old Scarburg thread (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=699603&postcount=1381) (not the discussion thread, the actual thread). Hilderinc and Áforglaed at least would be spending winter already in Scarburg, or that's how I assumed it to be (Athanar leaves and delegates some of his men who will be left behind and helping Eodwine as extra hands, so that Scarburg isn't suddenly low on manforce. That probably would also logically imply we do not have that many more actual guards, otherwise Athanar wouldn't need to do that).Thanks! Duly noted.

And I have good news:

1) I now have a draft for the first post. So, whenever you guys are ready to roll, I can finish and post it.

2) I heard back from Kath already and she says she'll be back! :) Probably just writing one of Frodides and Kara, but she doesn't yet know which one. I nudged her to pop by.

[Firefoot]

Thanks! Duly noted.

And I have good news:

1) I now have a draft for the first post. So, whenever you guys are ready to roll, I can finish and post it.

2) I heard back from Kath already and she says she'll be back! :) Probably just writing one of Frodides and Kara, but she doesn't yet know which one. I nudged her to pop by.
:D to both those things.

[Thinlómien]

I know I have way too many characters already, but I just couldn't resist when I remembered I had a character in the Green Dragon Inn (nine years ago, eek) that I only wrote a couple of posts for. Terrible waste of a developed character, methinks. So, she's going to visit the Meadhall, and if I think I can juggle 3 1/2 characters and/or enjoy writing her very much, she may stay. I also added two NPC soldiers that might be interested in staying in Scarburg for longer.

~*~

NAME: Brith (short for Brithiel)

AGE/GENDER/RACE/WHERE FROM: 26, female, from the city of Calembel in Gondor

APPEARANCE: Brith is a beautiful woman with long black hair and sparkling dark eyes. She is slender, if not even too thin, and always well dressed.

BITS OF CHARACTER/HISTORY YOU FEEL MIGHT BE HELPFUL IN DEFINING THE CHARACTER: Brith is very kind, shy and sensitive. She relies more on emotion than reason, and her logic isn't always the easiest to follow. She has seen a lot of the world for a young woman, but is still prone to daydreaming.

Brith is the middle child born to a captain of the guard and a seamstress favoured by the Lady of Calembel. As a young maid she learnt her mother's craft, even though she never had her older sister's skill with needle and thread. She has also been somewhat reared in the manners befitting a court lady.

Following an unfortunate breaking of her engagement, Brith left Gondor seven years ago and hasn't been back since. She briefly visited the Shire and then made her way to Arnor, where her uncle is among the settlers re-establishing the North Kingdom in the name of King Elessar. In Arnor, Brith was once again engaged to be married, but things went awry for the second time.

Soon after, Brith decided to make her way back south. Her plan was to find her first betrothed, who had left her for an Eorling woman all those years ago, and finally lay the ghosts of her past to rest. She has now spent the winter in Edoras and learnt her former intended's wife is from a family near Scarburg, and consequently joined the caravan heading for the Meadhall.

~*~


Fréa and Caranthir are NPCs, freely to be used by any writer.

NAME: Fréa and Caranthir - 2 soldiers travelling with Brith

Since leaving Arnor, Brith has been travelling with two soldiers in their middle to late forties. Fréa, an Eorling, and Caranthir, a man of Gondor, are veterans of many wars together and nigh inseparable brothers-in-arms. In their old days, the two have sought more peaceful employment, protecting travelers and merchants across Middle-Earth. Recently they made a decision to return to Fréa's homeland, the Riddermark. They are currently seeking more permanent employment.

Brief descriptions of Fréa and Caranthir:

Fréa is tall and sandy-haired and has an amiable personality. Caranthir, more quiet and taciturn, is sturdy and has a salt-and-pepper beard. Caranthir speaks the language of the Men of the Mark fluently but with a Gondorian accent.
__________________________

LINKED ~*~ Pio

[Snowdog]

I have been working on some back story myself since I took a partially developed character from a past storyline and fit her in since the timeline and general geographic area (Greater Rohan) area is the same.

[littlemanpoet]

Might as well include Harreld and Garreth as my characters, you all know I'll end up writing for them. :P

[Firefoot]

What all are we waiting on at this point?

[piosenniel]

1) I now have a draft for the first post. So, whenever you guys are ready to roll, I can finish and post it.

I'm going to go on ahead and open the RPG Thread.

Thinlómien - when you are ready with that first post, please place it on the game thread.

Needless to say, all other writers please wait until she's done this before placing your post.

~*~ Pio

[littlemanpoet]

Let's do this!

[Firefoot]

It's been three days since Lommy has logged in...

[Thinlómien]

Alright alright! I thought you guys wanted to wait until the 23rd or when Folwren comes back. But personally I don't have any problem with starting now, so xpect the first post to be up within an hour.

[Thinlómien]

Posted!

Let me know if you want me to add or change anything, it's not a bother at all.

I wrote the post with the assumption that basically all the folk of Scarburg Meadhall are assembling to greet the long-awaited food caravan, and Eodwine is out too. (Or maybe he isn't and Wilheard is just impatient to get things going. :D)

Anyway, Eodwine has been directly addressed by Wilheard now. I have no desire to write a long dialogue that will slow everyone else down too, so maybe LMP if you write for Eodwine now and put a couple of (polite but not too friendly ;)) words in Wilheard's mouth too, and they can probably have a longer chat on or off "screen" later?

Notable things for all writers: unless someone challenges my arbitrary decision, it's now late afternoon/ early evening. The caravan probably has several horses with them, lots of supplies, a bunch of soldiers and some civilians, including people that have never been seen at Scarburg before.

Let the madness begin...

[Undómë]

Arry and I will have a little series of posts that get us off toward the Meadhall. Our little family group will be there in a few days game-time...

Haesel and Fana have had time during the winter months to make unguents and salves and powders and will be bringing them in to trade for supplies at the Hall.

[Firefoot]

Anyone with characters in the caravan - feel free to engage Leof as he tries to get the horses sorted out.

Or, to those with characters in the Hall, Scyld will be starting to unload the food from his cart so he's around to run into too.

:)

[Nogrod]

I heard from Celuien and sadly she said she feels not able to join us, but she said, that if she has time in the future she'd rather then take a visiting character...

That means the destiny of Garstan and his children are in our hands.

I talked about it with Foley on our way to the airport this morning and with Lommy later on the day, and we were kind of starting to favor the idea that Garstan could have died during the winter (giving his share of scarce food to his children and working like a bull to benefit others) and then getting a fever or something with an already weak body etc.

That would add a lot of drama with the two children being orphaned by the winter and most probably being adopted by Stigend and Modtryth. We were already discussing the possible reactions of the children with Lommy: Garmund (now a teenager) would react violently not taking orders from Stigend as he is "not my dad - and you can't boss me around" and Leodthern (now 9 years old) might turn on blaming herself for his dad's death ("Why did I eat the stuff he gave me and now he's dead because of my selfishness!")... and Leodthern has also lost her idol Ginna, so we'd have a lot of drama for the kids on offer.

And in the end, Garstan was a nice chap - like Stigend they both are this kind of jovial, nice, dutiful, responsible professionals who always do the right thing etc. so losing him wouldn't be that much of a loss writing-wise as in the end (of our writing) Garstan and Stigend became to resemble each other a lot anyway.



Another thought on people who might have suffered or even died... how about the old Raban? The old master who was given the task of teaching Javan how to make a chainmail as a punishment / lesson to be learned (holding your temper, concentrating, learning patience, learning new skills...) by lord Athanar? He was old and weak already then - so he could be one of our named victims of the harsh winter as well?

Would Javan think of him as "good riddance" or start to mourn for him - or just learn something of his sudden disappearance?


Nice to see the wheels rolling! :)


PS. / ADD: The thought just came to me: if you Foley think Raban and Javan would have built something like a true connection it might be he didn't leave with Athanar's retinue before the winter as he thought he could teach this young lad a thing or two (and didn't find any foreseeable interesting challenges for his age otherwise) and saw his place there at the Mead Hall - and then died with the malnourishment and cold... It might add an interesting twist to Javan's character being forced to part with a good adult friend - or at least a person he would have learned to admire or at least to approve of? What do you think Foley?

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Really nice to see this rolling!

A disclaimer from my part - I have posted for both of my characters with the knowledge that I am now going to be probably without internet access for almost two weeks, so I did not feel like starting to engage them outright in a direct dialogue with someone. But if anyone wishes to utilise any of my characters in the background of their posts, feel free to do so: their place is kind of given, and if you wish, you can let them respond to a thing or two if it is useful for your posts (Firefoot, for instance?). (Hilderinc's right arm is a bit unsteady from his recent wound, so if you wish to have somebody drop something while unloading the carts, or any similar small accident just to add to the dynamics, you have my permission to use that as well.) Otherwise, they can be just expected to do whatever everyone else is doing.

Btw - Nogrod, you mentioned Frodides in your post, so how is it with her and Kara, are they both here and alive? (I was originally planning to include the names of some of the kitchen women in my post for Stefnu, but then I realised I am not certain about their presence or absence, so I let that be.)

Pio - I noticed in the list of characters, you still have "Áforglaed+wife" under my name, of course the "wife" in question would (eventually, possibly) be Stefnu; I just want to give it free development and a bit of time. So if you can just format it appropriately in some way so that it isn't confusing :)

Anyway, looking forward to more posts once I am back, everything so far looks great!
_________________________________

Changed Player/Character list :) Áforglaed is now fancy free

~*~ Pio

[Nogrod]

Btw - Nogrod, you mentioned Frodides in your post, so how is it with her and Kara, are they both here and alive? (I was originally planning to include the names of some of the kitchen women in my post for Stefnu, but then I realised I am not certain about their presence or absence, so I let that be.)I thought I heard Kath was coming along and just ran into the conclusion that both of them are alive... We'll see, I can edit that post if it turns out Frodides is not around any more.

On another related issue: I made the post kind of presupposing that Garstan is dead, but the post also makes sense if he is still alive or has just disappeared like Ginna. So I'm not claiming he should be dead... Let's think about that together before establishing how it is with him.


I thought also Stigend was kind of introduced weirdly as: will be occasionally mentioned/brought in by another character, which he certainly is not. I mean he's my only character (one that is only mine) at the moment and I'd like to keep it that way. :)

But that's no problem. We can change it in time.

[Snowdog]

Wow... this really took off fast! I've been flat out at work and had no desire to spend my evening hours on a computer, so I'll work Halcwyn in by this weekend. If I get a break later this week, it will be sooner. Great posts so far everyone!

[littlemanpoet]

Nogrod, I like your ideas as to who does not survive the first hard winter.

I think that Rowenna will have come through this hard winter in fairly good condition, having learned dire survival skills among the brigands. She will, of course, be underweight, but pretty much well in body and mind.

[piosenniel]

Pio - I noticed in the list of characters, you still have "Áforglaed+wife" under my name, of course the "wife" in question would (eventually, possibly) be Stefnu; I just want to give it free development and a bit of time. So if you can just format it appropriately in some way so that it isn't confusing :)
_________________________________

Changed Player/Character list :) Áforglaed is now fancy free

~*~ Pio

[Galadriel55]

Speaking about character lists, I updated Theolain's bio to reflect the fact that he is now officially dead.

Speaking about other things, I will try to get a post in for Ledwyn in the next few days, but no promises. Nogrod mentioned sawdust in his post; I was gonna suggest another "last resort" - bleeding horses slightly to thicken broth/soup/whatever's for lunch. As far as I am aware, cows were bled a little bit each day during famines for this purpose, so why not horses?
_____________________________

Noted and changed Theolain on Player/Character List ~*~ Pio

[piosenniel]

I thought also Stigend was kind of introduced weirdly as: will be occasionally mentioned/brought in by another character, which he certainly is not. I mean he's my only character (one that is only mine) at the moment and I'd like to keep it that way. :)

But that's no problem. We can change it in time.
_______________________________

The Stigend addendum is changed now.

~*~ Pio

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Speaking about other things, I will try to get a post in for Ledwyn in the next few days, but no promises. Nogrod mentioned sawdust in his post; I was gonna suggest another "last resort" - bleeding horses slightly to thicken broth/soup/whatever's for lunch. As far as I am aware, cows were bled a little bit each day during famines for this purpose, so why not horses?

If the Rohirrim would do such a thing... I mean, it crossed my mind whether they would eat horses and the answer was cathegorically no, "they treat them like their own children". Obviously if they did do the bleeding, they'd know how to do it painlessly, but still, it's more the question of principle?

Anyway, now I am really off for a while, but things look good here :)

[Firefoot]

I'm with Legate, bleeding the horses seems like it would be uncharacteristic of the Rohirrim.

[Galadriel55]

If the Rohirrim would do such a thing... I mean, it crossed my mind whether they would eat horses and the answer was cathegorically no, "they treat them like their own children". Obviously if they did do the bleeding, they'd know how to do it painlessly, but still, it's more the question of principle?

True. Ah well.

[Nogrod]

Nogrod mentioned sawdust in his post; I was gonna suggest another "last resort" - bleeding horses slightly to thicken broth/soup/whatever's for lunch. As far as I am aware, cows were bled a little bit each day during famines for this purpose, so why not horses?I think even the Mongols would have bled their horses - or at least eaten those who fell - if there was a major famine. Some Hindu-communities might have died rather than touched their cows though... So I think it is a question of their "practicality". As I think the "Rohanites" were not revering their horses in a deeply religious manner thinking they were the embodiment of the divine and possibly the vessels of their fellow-humans' upgraded souls, they should have at least eaten those horses who didn't survive the cold.


Thanks Pio for correcting that with Stigend. I might have just been unclear about my ideas about what I'm willing to do...

[Galadriel55]

I think even the Mongols would have bled their horses - or at least eaten those who fell - if there was a major famine. Some Hindu-communities might have died rather than touched their cows though... So I think it is a question of their "practicality". As I think the "Rohanites" were not revering their horses in a deeply religious manner thinking they were the embodiment of the divine and possibly the vessels of their fellow-humans' upgraded souls, they should have at least eaten those horses who didn't survive the cold.

I don't know. It seems more likely to me that they would bleed them a bit in the worst of times than eat the fallen. Their relationship was not religious, true, the Rohirrim didn't worship horses or anything but I imagine they did treat them like friends. People don't eat fallen friends. That's just wrong. But sometimes you have to exploit friends to the last bit, and I think they would have understood it that way. But we could leave the horses out of it altogether and avoid this problem. It was just a suggestion.

[Nogrod]

But we could leave the horses out of it altogether and avoid this problem. It was just a suggestion.If it turns out a problem, then we should just let the question pass...

I might think that kind of thing would add to the "realism" of the story, but if we're writing fantasy, then why try to be "realistic" in the first place? :)

[Mithalwen]

Eating horses is a cultural taboo in England (though it has happened). I have heard the fear of unwittingly eating horse being cited as a reason not to travel and proof of the barbarity of foreigners. I have known others whose Tolkien reading ended with the dwarves ponies being eaten by goblins.

Very much food of last resort but the scarburgians may have got there. Maye they would have got like the Andean plane crash survivors who regarded it as sacramental.

[Galadriel55]

Ok, finally got something up for Ledwyn. Feel free to interact with her, be you someone from the carts or whoever she bumped into from behind.

[Envinyatar]

Fana and Haesel

Fana hurried to a low bench near the fireplace and slipping her feet from the slippers wriggled her toes toward the flames. “Much better!” she thought to herself, feeling the chill dissipate. Leaning over toward the fire she reached out her hand to stir the small iron pot set near the heat. Old, hardened beeswax mixed with lanolin and a bit of bear’s fat from the bear haunch one of the huntsmen from the other side of the woods had shared with Gran. Well, not really shared… Gran had worked something special for the man and he had expressed his gratefulness. She had wanted to know what Gran had done, but the look in Gran’s eyes had told her this would be a lesson learned at a later time. Things ripen in their own time, she reminded herself.

Undómë (and Arry, too, of course!), do you mind if I flesh out that character and come with your group to the Hall?

And all you other Gamers, do you mind if I come on board?

[Firefoot]

The more the merrier!

[Arry]

Sounds like a good addition to our little group. Secg and Thystel will enjoy having another male to tip the scales in our favor!!

Looking forward to see how you work up the character!

- A -

[Folwren]

I have finally returned. I'm home from my long trip and will begin to catch up on what I missed. It may be slow going - things are busy here and I haven't been feeling well for a day or two. I will post as soon as I can. I am very excited to see this started!

I'm so glad so many people are joining! This should be fun. :)

-- Folwren

[Undómë]

Envinyatar - sounds great! Flesh away at the hunter fellow and drop on by....

[Envinyatar]

Flesh away at the hunter fellow and drop on by...

Was hoping you'd say as such. Here he is. Let me know if you think anything needs a bit more fine tuning.

NAME: Heafoc

AGE/GENDER/RACE/WHERE FROM:

30 years; male; most likely Eorling, with possibly a Dunlander or so in the family mix; has a permanent living quarters in a large forested area just south of the Snowbourne and west of the Entwash – but is a nomadic hunter with out of the way places he camps in many of the forested areas.

APPEARANCE:

About 5 ft 8 inches; very stocky, muscular build; dark blondish, rather scraggly hair made even darker with oils and dirt due to his infrequent washings. Eye color is a nondescript brown. Lips are often set in a serious line – though he is fond of jokes and has a wide, infectious grin and laugh when something tickles his funny-bone. Skin is rough looking from his time living out in the elements. Clothes are non-descript earthy, dirty colors – thick-clothed breeches, homespun tunics. And in the colder times, he wears a multitude of layers to maintain some warmth, including a thick fur cape, gloves and thick leather mid-calf ankle-boots with fur wrappings as needed for the lower legs.

BITS OF CHARACTER/HISTORY YOU FEEL MIGHT BE HELPFUL:

A very straightforward fellow. Faithful to his promises and expects the same of others. Likes to be quiet and have a good look at people he’s never met before - before he’ll trust what comes out of their mouth. Nothing he likes more than getting to know somebody over a large mug of ale. He is an excellent huntsman and woodsman as that is what his father taught him, and to be truthful, he doesn’t see much to recommend the townish sort of life. Doesn’t do much growing of his own vegetables and grains – he trades for them in meats and what things others might need from the forest places that are his territory.

He fishes, traps, hunts with a goshawk named Anga for small animals; uses a bow, a club, an axe, a spear, a hunting knife as needed. Can use a sword, but thinks of it mostly as a weapon to use when facing a man.

He’s a widower – his wife died during the winter along with their new baby girl.
_________________________

Linked ~*~ Pio

[Firefoot]

Inzil - I've had Leof approach Ladavan.

If any of you others with characters with horses would like your character to overhear and jump in, feel free.

[Inziladun]

Firefoot, he's answered. It helps that Ladavan and I are equally strange to the Meadhall. Cluelessness is not always easy to imitate. ;)

[Firefoot]

By the way, I was referencing Folwren's post here (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=616257&postcount=1938) concerning the layout of the hall. Since Nogrod made mention of a woodworking shop, and I figure Harreld and Garreth had a real smithy by this point, I made reference of those buildings as well - I imagine them somewhere on the right side of the map.

This map (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=615602&postcount=1880) is also quite useful, I think.

[Firefoot]

Inzil - Leof already introduced himself. :)

[Inziladun]

:rolleyes:

It's been that kind of week (or three). Thanks.

[Thinlómien]

(I have been busy and slacking and forgetful, but I'll write something for all my characters during the remainder of this week, pinky promise!)

[Galadriel55]

(I have been busy and slacking and forgetful, but I'll write something for all my characters during the remainder of this week, pinky promise!)

I must say the same for myself (even though I have a lot less characters to write for than you do :rolleyes:). I have a very irregular schedule, so I can't sit down to write regularly. Just as I think, "I should have Ledwyn start talking to this person", someone else jumps in instead (which is probably for the better, since, once again, I can't always write in a regular and timely manner). But I was thinking of having Ledwyn just start a conversation with one of the newcomers - potentially Brith, if you're ok with that - unless someone wants to bump into her first.

[Firefoot]

Does anyone have any thoughts about where the unloaded goods are going? Just a pile in the main room of the Hall until things can get sorted out? Or directly to the kitchens with the food? (Trying to imagine how much stuff we're talking about...)

And is someone 'directing traffic'? Seems like a reasonable role for Thornden, maybe? Or is everyone sort of running amok?

[littlemanpoet]

Probably running amok. Eodwine is weak and therefore somewhat ill of mind (of some sort).

[Galadriel55]

Done! :D Lommy, I avoided any specific descriptions of Brith, but if something is inaccurate, please let me know, or if you want to change anything at all. :)

[Folwren]

If the question "Is everyone sort of running amok?" refers to me, then the answer is decidedly, "Yes."

I'll try hard to post today. I think Javan will hop in and help with the horses, and Thornden can direct the traffic stuff.

-- Folwren

[Thinlómien]

Also, usually medieval ladis didn't just sit around and do embroidery but actually run the household. So if something needs organizing, where is Saeryn? ;)

[Folwren]

Where is she, indeed. Not quite certain yet.

Thornden has finally shown up on the scene. He gave Cnebba and Garmund a job, directed Javan to help Leof with the horses, and sent a few men to stack wood (I didn't name anybody, but if someone wants to do that, that'd be fine). Oh, and he send Leodthern to find Modtryth. So...that should give a few people something to do.

I'll try to write something for Saeryn today, too. Sorry it's taken me forever to get on and start. I found it surprisingly rough to break the ice and write a post. And then when I did, I felt maybe Thornden was being too bossy, but then I thought this was probably his job, so it's ok. Tell me if I'm wrong.

[Thinlómien]

Amazing posts and I love all the new characters! I have to say Legate may have stolen the show though with Áforglaed talking to the chicken. :D

LMP, I decided to continue Wilheard and Eodwine's dialogue after all. I'm afraid Wilheard is even worse at niceties than his father...

Gal, I had Brith reply to Ledwyn. Language troubles ahoy. Brith speaks very little of Rohirric, mostly what she picked up in Edoras over the winter. I don't know how many Rohanians would speak the common tongue? Everyone seems to speak it in The Lord of the Rings, but the "everyone" we see are soldiers, often officers. It sounds a little odd that a majority of the peasants would know a second language. Brith might need her "uncles" - or *nudge nudge* maybe someone else eventually? - around to translate with some people!

Firefoot, Folwren and whoever else is writing about the stables, just a heads-up that you've got to newcomer veteran soldiers bringing in horses, first an Eorling with two horses and the a Gondorian with one. They are NPCs so do what you will with them, but just so you know there's traffic that way.

Nogrod, I just wrote a little filler for Modtryth. If Stigend is too weepy, please let me know. :D He just seemed quite rattled (and I'm not saying it's not for a reason. I find it very amusing how he's always so much more emotional than Modtryth). Now it looks like Leodthern has been told to tell Modtryth to take care of the arriving things in the kitchen, so I think she'll be busy with that and doesn't have time to chat with her husband, so I guess you can figure out something else for Stigend to do?


PS. I actually found more old Brith posts back from 2006! Turns out she has even worse tolerance for alcohol than Wilheard and becomes very self-pitying when drunk. Can we have a feast so my characters can embarrass themselves? :p Also apparently her horse is called Grayday (what a silly name!)

PPS. Added Heafoc to my list and updated Wilheard's bio a tiny bit. He now has a nasty war scar.

PPPS. Don't you worry Folwren. It is Thornden's job to boss people around.

[Firefoot]

Gal, I had Brith reply to Ledwyn. Language troubles ahoy. Brith speaks very little of Rohirric, mostly what she picked up in Edoras over the winter. I don't know how many Rohanians would speak the common tongue? Everyone seems to speak it in The Lord of the Rings, but the "everyone" we see are soldiers, often officers. It sounds a little odd that a majority of the peasants would know a second language. Brith might need her "uncles" - or *nudge nudge* maybe someone else eventually? - around to translate with some people!

I sort of can't believe this has never (to my knowledge) come up before. I have no idea.

I also recently realized that I have probably vastly overestimated the literacy rate of a people that are "wise but unlearned, writing no books." :rolleyes: Guess that's why the pros have editors... But on that note, would Rohirric have a written alphabet?

[Inziladun]

I don't know how many Rohanians would speak the common tongue? Everyone seems to speak it in The Lord of the Rings, but the "everyone" we see are soldiers, often officers. It sounds a little odd that a majority of the peasants would know a second language.

I'd wondered about this. I guess Ladavan's been doing some serious studying of the language of the Rohirrim. He'd be more likely to know something of that tongue than the Common anyway. Maybe he bought something to help him. Call it Orthanc-stone (http://www.rosettastone.com/). :D

[Arry]

Undome and Envinyatar --

I was thinking we could wrap up this day's scene with either a post just from Envin or maybe one from him and one from you.

Then, once the Meadhall's present day has turned to the following day, we can be down the road to the Meadhall.

How does that sound to you?

- A -

[Folwren]

The problem with that, Arry, is that days at the Meadhall tend to take forever, unless people make a concerted effort to move along. Maybe we can, if you three are out of action until we continue.

I think that it would work if we decided moved on without too much delay. I don't think a large celebration would be got up that very day. I think the people would be more focused on regaining strength and whatnot before putting on a whole big feast or anything. So, Lommy, your characters may need to wait a bit before embarrassing themselves too badly.

[piosenniel]

Hmmmmm... well if the day takes toooooooooo long to turn to the next - maybe we should rename the game. How about:

-------------------- Hard Winters, Day 1 ---------------

Just joking! ;)

:D Pio

But, more seriously, this is an RPG now and not just a slow-moving Inn-ish (Ent ish) sort of piece. Maybe it could move along at a slightly quicker pace than the original Mead-hall. What do you think?

[piosenniel]

Arry

I've added in that nickname for Thystel's hen to your bio for him.

[Arry]

Thanks, Pio, for the edit!

Undome, Envin --

We can always make this day our group is in to be a day prior to what's going on in the game and keep writing a bit more backstory and interaction in our little group.

I don't think it would require much editing on our part.

What say you?

- A -

[Folwren]

Hmmmmm... well if the day takes toooooooooo long to turn to the next - maybe we should rename the game. How about:

-------------------- Hard Winters, Day 1 ---------------

Just joking! ;)

Bahaaha! That's what I thought when the title was originally suggested!

But, more seriously, this is an RPG now and not just a slow-moving Inn-ish (Ent ish) sort of piece. Maybe it could move along at a slightly quicker pace than the original Mead-hall. What do you think?

I tend to agree, at least until all our characters are in position to be played, where as now we have three people's characters in a separate location waiting to be brought in.

Firefoot, Saeryn has spotted and addressed Scyld.

[Undómë]

Arry Lets do go ahead and move our own timeline back. I'll look at the posts for our group and see where we need to edit.

[Mithalwen]

Sorry I did do a post for Elfthain but my computer ate it and then I had to go away to househunt.. and have been unwell again. I will try to redo tonight but it may need to be tagged in. If necessary I can do a much shorter post than was lost and let the lad brood on his backstory if an occasion arises

Anyway Elfthain, should speak the common tongue well enough and may even have a smattering of Elvish from his year in Gondor when he was ten. Though given his age at acquisition he may have serious gaps in his vocabulary .

[Firefoot]

Working on posts for Leof and Scyld now.

One thing to keep in mind for the current day is that a true feast would be a really terrible idea - everyone would get really sick (it's called refeeding syndrome (http://www.nutrition411.com/content/refeeding-syndrome-0)).

[Galadriel55]

Gal, I had Brith reply to Ledwyn. Language troubles ahoy. Brith speaks very little of Rohirric, mostly what she picked up in Edoras over the winter. I don't know how many Rohanians would speak the common tongue? Everyone seems to speak it in The Lord of the Rings, but the "everyone" we see are soldiers, often officers. It sounds a little odd that a majority of the peasants would know a second language. Brith might need her "uncles" - or *nudge nudge* maybe someone else eventually? - around to translate with some people!

Oh, that's brilliant! Ledwyn is the most old-fashioned village rustic, she probably knows a few words at most in the common tongue. Ohhh, I can't wait until I get the chance to reply for her - misunderstandings galore!!! :D

PPS. Added Heafoc to my list and updated Wilheard's bio a tiny bit. He now has a nasty war scar.

Oh, that reminds me, I should update Ledwyn's description to include her frostbite. Will be done shortly.

Hmmmmm... well if the day takes toooooooooo long to turn to the next - maybe we should rename the game. How about:

-------------------- Hard Winters, Day 1 ---------------

Just joking!

Or more like Hard Winters: The Arrival of the Caravan. :D

One thing to keep in mind for the current day is that a true feast would be a really terrible idea - everyone would get really sick (it's called refeeding syndrome (http://www.nutrition411.com/content/refeeding-syndrome-0)).

Haha, used to fill up hospitals every Easter when people would stuff themselves on fatty food after a 40 day fast that precedes it by the religious calendar... But either way, I think everyone is too exhausted to put up a proper feast - a good meal is more like it.



EDIT: Lommy, did Brith address Ledwyn in the Common Tongue or in Rohirric? I'm assuming Common Tongue.

[Folwren]

Haha! Gal55, you made me laugh aloud with your post. Poor Ledwyn! As tempted as I am to step in with a post from Thornden, I'm going to hold off and let Legate and/or Lommy respond.

[littlemanpoet]

As to language.

The Hobbits spoke nothing but Common Tongue.

The Eorlings spoke Common Tongue to everyone not from the Mark.

Same for Elves. Same for Gondorians. Same for Dwarves.

So it seems like everyone new Common Tongue. I suppose that's why it's called "common."

Second point on language: Please same me a lot of time having to remind you and ask you to correct your posts. The people of the Mark don't say "Rohirric" or "Rohan" - those are Gondorian terms for them. They call themselves Eorlings, and they speak Eorling, and they live in the Mark.

Thanks. :)

Lommy, what does the letter say? Any ideas? It's from Athanar, right?

[piosenniel]

Thinlómien

I put a link to your Character - Profession/Attachment at the end of Post #2 - the Player/Character List (mostly for my own convenience - I hate hunting for posts on a thread). All edits you do to your original post will of course be reflected through the link.

See link HERE (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=696857&postcount=2)

[Envinyatar]

Undome and Arry

I took the initiative and read through our little group's series of posts. As far as I can see we've all been fairly vague on relating our posts specifically to the events-at-the-meadhall's time line.

How about we label our posts for now with a heading that indicates our group is proceeding on a timeline a few days previous to the game's main timeline. Maybe something like:

Forest-dwellers timeline: a few days previous to the arrival of of the convoy

Then, when this arrival day (or maybe even the following day), is completed in the game we can make our arrival at the Hall.

How does that sound?

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

Also, I'll go ahead and post next - a story for the boys :)

[Undómë]

Thanks, Envinyatar. I'll go ahead and label my posts as you suggested.

Arry - can you please do the same - and maybe make this post (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=700109&postcount=10) a little more vague about when we're planning to start for the Mead Hall,

Thanks, U

[Arry]

Done and done!!!!!

Looking forward to the story, Envin :)

- A -

[Envinyatar]

And done, again!

I'll work up the story tomorrow.

[Mithalwen]

As to language.

The Hobbits spoke nothing but Common Tongue.

The Eorlings spoke Common Tongue to everyone not from the Mark.

Same for Elves. Same for Gondorians. Same for Dwarves.

So it seems like everyone new Common Tongue. I suppose that's why it's called "common."



But not necessarily all of them. Hobbits and some men speak it because it has replaced their own tongue, Dwarves won't share theirs. The Rohirrim presumably spoke their own tongue among themselves but I can't imagine that all were universally fluent in westron especially in remoter areas - how often would they encounter other folk? They were pretty suspicious of Aragorn and co when they turned up though I expect there was more toing and froing in peacetime.
Westron wasn't universal even among the elves with their facility for languages and all the time at their disposal. Haldir was definitely rusty and his brothers didn't speak it hardly at all....

Anyway I have finally reconstructed my post..:rolleyes:. it Is a bit of a tome but I doubt he will usually be anything like as verbose.. so will go and hook in somehow... oh I don't believe it it has swallowed my edits and I know I saved them... I may bave to go and cry..

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I am finally back from my two-week retreat into absolute wilderness... it's great to see the posting activity. I really liked everything so far, great stuff :) One minor observation: Folwren, wouldn't Thornden know that Wilheard is dead (your post #29, beginning)? Athanar's men had visited Scarburg after the war in the East once in the fall of previous year, so...? (But of course maybe Thornden just forgot, or wasn't as focused on that...)

Anyway, I hope I might post something small tomorrow. Let's see :)

[Folwren]

I am finally back from my two-week retreat into absolute wilderness... it's great to see the posting activity. I really liked everything so far, great stuff :) One minor observation: Folwren, wouldn't Thornden know that Wilheard is dead (your post #29, beginning)? Athanar's men had visited Scarburg after the war in the East once in the fall of previous year, so...? (But of course maybe Thornden just forgot, or wasn't as focused on that...)

Yes? I don't know. I will take your word for it. I was unable to pay as close attention to the early posts and planning stuff as I should have. I'll alter that.

-- Folwren

[Thinlómien]

HEY, WILHEARD ISN'T DEAD. WULFRIC IS.

Seriously though, you guys make me giggle, both in the game thread and here. :D I will write for Brith after Legate has written - or at least I have consulted him about Hilderinc's immediate reaction to Ledwyn's stumble. Poor Ledwyn!

As for the language issue, LMP is quoting canon, but I still find it a little odd all the peasants in Rohan would speak the common tongue, as they have very limited contact with outsiders. Basically what Mith said.

Lommy, did Brith address Ledwyn in the Common Tongue or in Rohirric? I'm assuming Common Tongue. In the common tongue, like you assumed. :)

Lommy, what does the letter say? Any ideas? It's from Athanar, right? I didn't think much, to be honest, that just came out of my keyboard. ;) I would assume Athanar wrote a short letter saying what Wilheard basically already said: that Athanar wishes for Wilheard to stay in Scarburg and Eodwine to put him to good use... And if it is his style, then maybe warn Eodwine of Wilheard's slightly erratic recent behaviour. Nogrod? Ideas?

[piosenniel]

Anyway I have finally reconstructed my post..:rolleyes:. it Is a bit of a tome but I doubt he will usually be anything like as verbose.. so will go and hook in somehow... oh I don't believe it it has swallowed my edits and I know I saved them... I may bave to go and cry..

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

Once the tricksy Computer Vala has decided to let you keep your post, just put it on this thread and tell me which post you need it edited into (name of original poster and the post #, please). And whether you want it above or below the original poster's post.

~*~ Pio :)

[Galadriel55]

Haha! Gal55, you made me laugh aloud with your post. Poor Ledwyn!

Glad to be of amusement. :)

As to language.

The Hobbits spoke nothing but Common Tongue.

The Eorlings spoke Common Tongue to everyone not from the Mark.

Same for Elves. Same for Gondorians. Same for Dwarves.

So it seems like everyone new Common Tongue. I suppose that's why it's called "common."

Fair enough. But not everyone automatically knows the Common Tongue, especially in isolated places (e.g. Lorien). So if you feel it would be more proper that way, I can change my post to reflect that Ledwyn, hailing from an isolated little village and never seeing a foreigner until she came to the Hall, is exceptionally bad with that language. Maybe even have her understand, but still run away on a different pretext. Would you say that's more true to the canon?

Second point on language: Please same me a lot of time having to remind you and ask you to correct your posts. The people of the Mark don't say "Rohirric" or "Rohan" - those are Gondorian terms for them. They call themselves Eorlings, and they speak Eorling, and they live in the Mark.

Thank you. I sometimes need that reminder.

But not necessarily all of them. Hobbits and some men speak it because it has replaced their own tongue, Dwarves won't share theirs. The Rohirrim presumably spoke their own tongue among themselves but I can't imagine that all were universally fluent in westron especially in remoter areas - how often would they encounter other folk? They were pretty suspicious of Aragorn and co when they turned up though I expect there was more toing and froing in peacetime.
Westron wasn't universal even among the elves with their facility for languages and all the time at their disposal. Haldir was definitely rusty and his brothers didn't speak it hardly at all....

Exactly! So fluency shouldn't be assumed, and if you think that everyone would know at least a bit of it, then once again, I can always compromise.

And aww, I'm sorry your post keeps doing that! I hate when that happens. :( But I hope you'll be able to outsmart the computer soon.

[Mithalwen]

I have resorted to old school paper ..with a fountain pen. That jolly well stays written. Will type up tomorrow... thanks Pio et al...

[Envinyatar]

Arry and U -- left you a hook to interject as you wish.

:cool:

[Undómë]

I think Fana will want to chime in :)

[Arry]

Nice start to a story, Envin!

I noticed that Gran chimed in, too. What's the "two hawks" reference she muttered there at the end?

Anyway, I will write a little something for the boys later on this evening.

- A -

[Envinyatar]

"U" - nice twist to my own story!!! I'll have to work out how it will go in :)

Arry - Look HERE (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=171365&postcount=3) - at the bottom of the page are a couple of links to Old English dictionaries

[Arry]

Envin

*face/palm

of course, of course.......

[Folwren]

Hey! Nice activity going on. That's fun. :)

I posted for Saeryn and Thornden. Legate, Lommy, and Nogrod, I think I left hooks for all of you. I will soon get Saeryn back out to Eodwine, I think, depending on if any conversations start in the kitchen or not.

Kara is still at the Hall, right? Let me know if I'm wrong.

Is Frodides still around, or did she die over the winter?

[littlemanpoet]

Sorry, I do not have time to research it, Nogrod or Lommy, can you tell me what Wilheard's ''erratic behavior" is?

thanks! :)

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I posted for Saeryn and Thornden. Legate, Lommy, and Nogrod, I think I left hooks for all of you. I will soon get Saeryn back out to Eodwine, I think, depending on if any conversations start in the kitchen or not.
Good job! I had something kitchen-related on the way as well, I'll see if I manage to post it...

I am going to post for Hilderinc in any case, just something short.

Kara is still at the Hall, right? Let me know if I'm wrong.

Is Frodides still around, or did she die over the winter?
I think this has been debated and left inconcluded. There were originally ideas that one of them could die, but then there was no clear decision and no clear indication from Kath who said she wants to come back eventually and post for (one or both of) them. Then Nogrod at least had mentioned Frodides in his post earlier on, and I think maybe Kara was mentioned somewhere else, so technically it kind of came up naturally to the conclusion that they are alive and well. Or at least alive.

[Envinyatar]

Undome and Arry

Story-time done. Someone get us to bed!

What shall we do "tomorrow"? ;)

[Undómë]

Lovely! Gore galore!!!!!

Gran will clap her hands and see about getting everyone to bed.

Arry - you know the boys will want to see those scars!

And about that bear - good eye to pick up on that from my earlier post

:D

[Arry]

Envin - great story!!

Undome

Go ahead and write the boys into your post. :)

- A -

[Undómë]

Right then! Arry and Envinyatar - we're all cozily tucked away.

No need really to come back to life in any hurry, eh?

[Envinyatar]

Nice wrap up!

Good-night, sleep tight.....

[Arry]

What he said!

- A -

[Thinlómien]

Pio, yay for linking my list! I feel very responsible now.

Re: Kath's characters. I have poked her twice about Scarburg and the first time she clearly said she's coming back. So, ummm, wait for her still and not write anything too conclusive about Kara and Frodides, just assume at least one of them is there and edit later if necessary?

Folwren, I'm not going to write for Modtryth right now unless something special happens. Don't feel like I have anything to contribute about the grain :D so feel free to move on with Saeryn! I was just reading your post now, though, and I'm sure Modtryth has grown very fond of Saeryn because she's just such a generous Lady of the Hall. Also, I believe Modtryth is one of the (if not the??) only named characters in the hall who has actually given birth to a child and taken care of a baby, so she might've been very helpful to Saeryn in the past couple of years. Do the kiddos have a nurse or a nanny of some kind btw, or does Saeryn do everything by herself (/with the assistance of the household women)?

Writing for Wilheard soon. I guess he's going to run into whoever's still at the stables. Léof and Javan?

[Folwren]

Yup, Javan will be around.

I'll post for Saeryn sometime today, then.

-- Folwren

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Re: Kath's characters. I have poked her twice about Scarburg and the first time she clearly said she's coming back. So, ummm, wait for her still and not write anything too conclusive about Kara and Frodides, just assume at least one of them is there and edit later if necessary?
That's more or less what I was thinking. So we can just let them inconclusively run in the background and if it comes to that, we can just edit the name in the post from Frodides for Kara or vice versa. So as long as it isn't clear that we are dealing with the granny or with the younger girl, it should be fine... Even though of course it would be nicer to know soon.

Also, just posted for Hilderinc (with Lommy's assistance to fill in her character's reactions). It's basically open, if Lommy wants to post for Brith now, and whether eventually we want them to reach Saeryn (Folwren?), or only later...

P.S. Ad the whole potatoes situation: as Inzil had sort of pointed out earlier in his post, obviously it is not such a tragedy that potatoes have fallen in the mud, but I have all the time been kind of coming from the idea that there are people who have not seen decent food for weeks, and then a sack full of potatoes just falls and the precious potatoes roll in the mud. It's purely psychological, kind of hysterical effect you could expect from people at this stage, starting to look for every single piece, what if just one got lost in the mud! What if somebody stepped on it! What if random animals started eating it! (Those who arrived would of course probably have different perception of this, but I guess that much is clear anyway. For instance Brith cleaning the potato is kind of her own initiative, but every Scarburgian would appreciate it anyway, because it's a lovely gesture to our lovely potato which is about to save our life.)

P.P.S. Lommy off-handedly mentioned "do Rohirrim even have potatoes?" which, in my opinion, is a valid question, which had occured to me already when it first appeared, but then I concluded that a) even if they didn't before the War of the Ring, they had had 20 years of merry contact with Hobbits to get acquainted with them on daily basis (I can totally imagine Shirelings exporting taters in great numbers, if it came to that), b) the fact that Gollum didn't know what "taters" are, it doesn't prevent more "civilized" folk from knowing that. After all, everything useful we know of, including pipeweed, came originally through the Númenoreans.

Yup, Javan will be around.

I'll post for Saeryn sometime today, then.

-- Folwren


Incidentally (just distantly related), Stefnu could be in the kitchens, too. I had actually some draft post ready for her already some time ago, but then things moved kind of in a different direction so I kind of ditched it. But Folwren, if you want to delegate something in the kitchens, you can include her as well (just as a "tool"). She's been working around for several months and is probably fairly "domesticated". But if you do not want to delay yourself with any kitchen stuff anymore and are just going to skip and post for Saeryn already being somewhere else, that's fine too. Because I would like to put in at least one post for Stefnu kind of musing about the meals to be made (if I still find the draft I had somewhere), and I can include others in it, but don't have to.

[Thinlómien]

P.P.S. Lommy off-handedly mentioned "do Rohirrim even have potatoes?" which, in my opinion, is a valid question, which had occured to me already when it first appeared, but then I concluded that a) even if they didn't before the War of the Ring, they had had 20 years of merry contact with Hobbits to get acquainted with them on daily basis (I can totally imagine Shirelings exporting taters in great numbers, if it came to that), b) the fact that Gollum didn't know what "taters" are, it doesn't prevent more "civilized" folk from knowing that. After all, everything useful we know of, including pipeweed, came originally through the Númenoreans.Well, I'm still a little undecided, but I decided to roll with it. We can also change that to turnips, and no great harm done.

Also, just posted for Hilderinc (with Lommy's assistance to fill in her character's reactions). It's basically open, if Lommy wants to post for Brith now, and whether eventually we want them to reach Saeryn (Folwren?), or only later...Indeed - very easy to write a post when you can consult the other writer who sits across the table from you. :D So I went ahead and wrote something short. If Legate wants to write more dialogue with his very untalkative character ;), go on. If anybody wants to interrupt the slightly bizarre sight-seeing tour, feel free to. And if nothing special happens, I think we can leave the tour at that and Folwren and I can write Brith offering her services to Saeryn a bit later?

[Firefoot]

Lommy, Leof is also still in or around the stables.

[Folwren]

Incidentally (just distantly related), Stefnu could be in the kitchens, too. I had actually some draft post ready for her already some time ago, but then things moved kind of in a different direction so I kind of ditched it. But Folwren, if you want to delegate something in the kitchens, you can include her as well (just as a "tool"). She's been working around for several months and is probably fairly "domesticated". But if you do not want to delay yourself with any kitchen stuff anymore and are just going to skip and post for Saeryn already being somewhere else, that's fine too. Because I would like to put in at least one post for Stefnu kind of musing about the meals to be made (if I still find the draft I had somewhere), and I can include others in it, but don't have to.

Legate, I can write Saeryn giving Stefnu a job. I was actually looking around for another female and I thought she was still out in the courtyard. But if you need her situated in the kitchen, I can arrange that.

And if nothing special happens, I think we can leave the tour at that and Folwren and I can write Brith offering her services to Saeryn a bit later?


Yup, that's fine. Saeryn is still running about, but it'll be realistic if they have to go searching for her, even if they have to wait a bit before seeing her.

[Thinlómien]

Okay Folwren and Firefoot, Wilheard is now at the stables! Please correct me if you want me to change something I said about your characters, also (this is a general note that goes for all my writing) I know next to nothing about horses so please nitpick if you feel like I'm writing nonsense. :)

I couldn't resist making a little dig at Javan, after all I don't want to write Wilheard too nice and responsible :p and besides he really did hold a grudge about him having that fight with Aedre, he would have gone and beaten the poor boy had his mother not explicitely forbidden it. :D Also I'd say Wilheard would be like 6'1'' or 6'2" so he can probably comfortably look down at poor Javan. (Until Javan's giant of a big brother can come and look down at Wilheard in turn, haha.)

PS. Just as a general note - Wilheard was briefly in Scarburg in the autumn with Athanar's party, but he was freshly back from the war and Wulfric had just died, so I think he was suffering from pretty severe PTSD and grieving his brother, so he was mostly keeping to himself and going out with his horse, or maybe drinking, so I doubt he interacted with any of the locals much during the two months of so when he was around.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Legate, I can write Saeryn giving Stefnu a job. I was actually looking around for another female and I thought she was still out in the courtyard. But if you need her situated in the kitchen, I can arrange that.

Sure thing. I didn't post for Stefnu after that, but she was kind of left in a flexible position: I could have let her stay in the courtyard if there was somebody she could interact with there, but I think it also makes sense to assume she would have e.g. picked up one sack of something small, returned with it to the kitchens and then stayed there. So if you have use for her, you can assume she is there, or even write her coming in, and Saeryn can grab her from there.

[Folwren]

I couldn't resist making a little dig at Javan, after all I don't want to write Wilheard too nice and responsible :p and besides he really did hold a grudge about him having that fight with Aedre, he would have gone and beaten the poor boy had his mother not explicitely forbidden it. :D Also I'd say Wilheard would be like 6'1'' or 6'2" so he can probably comfortably look down at poor Javan. (Until Javan's giant of a big brother can come and look down at Wilheard in turn, haha.)


Oh! I cannot WAIT! Javan may be little, but I'm sure he's up for any sort of trouble. I was thinking writing an eighteen year old was going to be boring, but with Wilheard around to make mischief...yes...this will be fun...

[Galadriel55]

I'm sorry for my lack of posting lately. I will have some time this week, so I think I'll post some wrap up for the potato chaos, if everyone is ok with it and ready to move on. Thoughts/requests?

[Folwren]

Yep, that's fine, Gal55. I'm pretty sure everyone else has moved their characters forward.

[Galadriel55]

Yep, that's fine, Gal55. I'm pretty sure everyone else has moved their characters forward.

With your permission. :)

(Also, feel free to use Ledwyn around the Hall. If she's not in the kitchen, she might be e.g. preparing tables for the meal)

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Poor Ledwyn! Amazing post, G55. Also like all the other posts (Wilheard and Javan!!! The boy became a great teenager, saying just what he is thinking :D )... I hope to contribute something of my own soon again :)

[Mithalwen]

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

Once the tricksy Computer Vala has decided to let you keep your post, just put it on this thread and tell me which post you need it edited into (name of original poster and the post #, please). And whether you want it above or below the original poster's post.

~*~ Pio :)

I don't know which Vala is in charge of computers.. I might have guessed Irmo for dreams and visions as far as they relate to RPG posts but either he has left his judgmental brother in charge while he takes his summer vacation or Osse has extended the scope of his mischief... any way Lady Nienna has harkened to my tears and after a short delay to get over not quite breaking my own nose with a car door (don't try that at home, children) I think.. I has a post.... anywhere between 16 and 29 would do I think.. Elfthain is prolly one of the unloaders in p29... better fate than being bitten by Wilheard's horse!!! Hope Elfthain will be more prompt and less verbose hence forth...





Elfthain

"Can't you get me out of it Uncle? I am your shield bearer? " Elfthain had asked on the eve of departure. The boy had looked hopeful but his uncle laughed but with a hint of sadness and shook his head. " You expect me to countermand both your mother and the king? You are still on leave and to risk such folly I would have to think it a bad idea. And I am sorry 'Thain but I don't".

The boy looked a little hurt and Elwin raised his hand to stem the budding protest. "You are my sister-son and I love you just as much as my own children - for your own sake, as well as hers, and that of your father who was my dearest friend ; but you are not a child anymore and the time for playing is over. I know your heart isn't in soldiering... and really I don't mind. You are lucky enough to have a choice.." Elfthain hung his head at this - he knew his father and uncle had been scarce older than him when they rode to Gondor in the great War, "but whatever you do, you should do it wholeheartedly. Your mother has worked very hard to keep the estate going for you - it hasn't been easy for her and she has sacrificed much. If you intend to take control when you are of age, you need to do things properly. She raised you better than to be the sort of landlord who gives a few orders to his steward and sits back and collects the rents"

"I do know uncle..and I do want to farm.. farm properly.. it was just mother took it the wrong way.."

His uncle grinned and commented that from what he had heard there wasn't a good way to take what had been said. Elfthain realised that further discussion would be fruitless. It was clear that his remaining leave would be spent sloshing through the mud to some forsaken place rather than in the restored comfort of Upbourn Grange, finally emptied of the many villagers and estate tenants who had taken refuge there during the worst of the winter for economy of fuel and other reasons.

Only the foundling remained and it seemed was unlikely to be going anywhere soon: In the midwinter a woman had been found in the woods at Upbourn, dying of hunger and exposure, and sheltering beneath her cloak was a young girl, a toddling thing, little more than a baby. The woman seemed to be of the Eorlings but the child's hair was as dark as a raven's wing and as healthy as the woman was ailing. Clearly all resources had been devoted to the little girl. They had done all they could for the woman but to no avail and she had died without giving much clue to their identity. The child had been no help, unable to provide even her own name she had been addressed as "poppet" so often that she had ended up calling herself Poppy and it has stuck. And Elfthain's mother, Elfride, had seemingly become besotted by the little girl to a point that worried her son. Some might have said he was jealous unused for many years to sharing maternal affection and attention but for the most part his concern was genuine... a strange light seemed to come into her eyes at times when she held the child, fierce and defensive as if she might never let her go. And he worried about her health too..she was thinner than Elfthain had ever known her. Elfride had put all her energy into getting the village through the winter, taking minimum rations herself to leave more for the still-growing young, the ill, women with child or nurslings. By and large she had succeeded. There had been deaths of course - cold could be helped but the toll of years could not yet few died who might ordinarily have been expected to see Spring and all from mischance in the extreme conditions rather than starvation or cold. Save the stranger...

So it was not to be wondered that Elfride, exhausted, had responded badly to her son both querying her attachment to the child and saying that things should be easier now the snow had gone. He had received a lecture as to how she was perfectly aware that Poppy wasn't hers, let alone her lost daughter returned and then a detailed breakdown of how parlous the situation still was - they had depleted the firewood stored to season for next winter and the portion of the crops reserved for seed, many animals had been culled to save feed and so there would be fewer eggs, less cheese and butter, rations would be short until first harvest and perhaps after since they should do all to prepare lest this Winter not be a one off. Thought would have to be given to preserving as much as possible and to repairing and refurbishing the villagers and tenants homes to insulate them better against the cold. It was not going to be easy at all.

And so it had chanced that this exchange had been vastly ill timed, early on the day his mother had been summoned to Edoras to report on what supplies they had left and what could be spared for the succour of the outlands. And since his mother had been raised at court and had known Eomer since childhood the audience had moved on from the requisition to comparing notes on the hazards of raising sons. The upshot had been that it had been decided it would be good for him to be part of the escort and to see first hand how much worse the Winter had been in the remoter areas and he had been despatched along with the waggons to Edoras with barely time to gather his belongings let alone change his mother's mind. And Poppy had formally been placed in his mother's care until such time as her kin could be traced.

"Mother, will be alright won't she Uncle?" Elfthain queried as he made his final preparations. "Cenric says women go strange and witless around her age..." Elwin made a noise between a choke and a snort and then erupted in laughter so violent his nephew feared he might injure himself.

"I strongly advise you not to repeat that in your mother's hearing... but if you do I beg you give me sufficient notice that I may charge admission to the spectacle". His sister was still only in her 35th year and was far from losing her wits, though she had lost her temper with her lackadaisical son. Cenric was another esquire and inclined to give Elfthain rather dubious advice based on his six months seniority in age.

"My horse knows more of the womanly mind than Cenric and would give you better counsel..." Elfthain ruffled his nephew's curly hair and became more serious. "My sister has more mothering in her than even the most demanding only chick could exhaust, Elfthain, and now you are almost fledged and away, do not grudge her the pleasure of having a child in the house - even if it is only for a little while". Elfthain gulped and focussed hard on the strap he was fastening. It was nearly time to go and the courtyard was full of loaded carts, horses, those who were to travel and those who were seeing them safely on their way.

"Tell mother I am sorry won't you?"

"You can tell her yourself," Elwin gestured and Elfthain saw his mother making her way through the melee on her grey palfrey, the child Poppy, seated before her.

"I had to bring her" Elfride stated, by way of a greeting, dismounting and settling the little girl on her own two feet "there was no time to leave her with anyone and I couldn't let you go with only the memory of hard words."


Elfthain's glib tongue nearly pre-empted his brain to say he was only going to Scarburg not war but he stopped himself just in time. Instead he crouched down and scooped up Poppy who was trying to hide behind his mother's skirts. "Will you look after Mother for me while I am gone?". The little girl nodded solemnly though he doubted she truly understood what he said. He planted a gentle kiss on her brow before putting her back down and addressing Elfride. "I am sorry, I will try to make you proud of me".

"I already am. Come home soon, come home safe!". With that the muster horn had sounded and there had been time for little more as he had made ready to ride. A salute to his uncle and a bow to his mother and he had taken his place in the convoy momentarily at least resolved to make good his promise.


Elfthain might have even enjoyed the journey over unfamiliar territory had its leader been more inspiring or even cheerful and the pace less glacial. Usually of a lighter hearted disposition, he had followed the example of his commander. His resolution failing in the lack of opportunity for pride inspiring valour, he had spent much of the slow trek mum-chance and brooding over his banishment. It seemed a hard fate to spend what was meant to be his free time plodding along beside a cart when he could have been schooling his new horse - a fine iron-grey colt he had coveted since it was foaled and which had finally become officially his on his recent seventeenth birthday - all just because of a couple of ill-considered remarks. His older horse, Safran, though less glamorous was ideally suited to this venture, barely fifteen hands and a quarter mountain cob, she was smaller and sturdier than most of the other riding horses but surer footed and sensible enough to need little guidance from her master whose thoughts were often elsewhere. The evenings were no better , Wilheard gave no greater impression of desiring conversation at camp than during the day and he was shy of imposing his company on the older soldiers who seemed to be having a more convivial time.


Yet if the journey had been dismal the destination once reached had presented a scene of quiet desperation. The people were thinner and more haggard than any he had seen in Harrowdale or Edoras and even the buildings seemed to have been butchered. They were right, he thought sadly. Others have had a much harder time of it. He didn't need to wait for orders. It was obvious the most useful thing he could do among these starvelings. He dismounted and loosened Saffy's girths before hitching her to one of the waggons, then fell to unloading

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

Posted to RPG Thread - HERE (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=700361&postcount=29)
~*~ Pio ~*~

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Nice one, Mith. I am now curious to see Elfthain around more in the future. Hopefully you'll manage to avoid the gates of computer Angband... (Personally, I have really adopted the policy to write in some text editor first, keep saving it as I go, and only then copy and post it... Not used to do that every time, but nowadays I do, just to be on the safe side.)

[Mithalwen]

I have a stop gap computer until I am settled just a tablet with keyboard which is a bit fiddly and I think I am possibly in denial about needing specs. But I was using a draft in Outlook and saving and then it suddenly threw a hissy fit and reverted back several version. It did it again today (hope triumphing over experience - I should have emailed it to myself) but I only lost some formatting and typo corrections which I hope I have redone now.

I don't know if anyone uses it already but I have been trialling Scrivener since I have become by default the family archivist and have various documents that I want to type up lest anything happen to the originals (my father's diaries of the last days of the Raj, a memoir of a Victorian childhood by a cousin etc) aswell as my own research. However I haven't got to grips with it yet but after this experience I think I might cough up for it since I think it would be a boon for RPG. Anyway

[Folwren]

Mithalwen! Great to see your post! I really enjoyed reading it and I am looking forward to getting to know your character better.

[Galadriel55]

Seconded / thirded / whatever. Great post, Mith! Can't wait for the brooding young man to bump into someone. :)

[piosenniel]

I don't know which Vala is in charge of computers.. I might have guessed Irmo for dreams and visions as far as they relate to RPG posts but either he has left his judgmental brother in charge while he takes his summer vacation or Osse has extended the scope of his mischief... any way Lady Nienna has harkened to my tears and after a short delay to get over not quite breaking my own nose with a car door (don't try that at home, children) I think.. I has a post...

I used Folwren's post, #29 HERE (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=700361&postcount=29)

So there you are amidst all the hubbub.... :)

[Mithalwen]

Thank you all. I am sure Elfthain will bump into someone soon, I just hope he is better than me about not bumping into things...stables maybe, since he is a good enough son of Eorl to make his horse's welfare a priority or maybe someone in the kitchen as he unloads.. I will have another readthrough to get a better sense of what is going on and who is where and get him properly involved asap.

[Mithalwen]

Right well Elfthain has done his bit for the common weal and has stopped by the kitchen, if he isn't engaged in conversation there he is heading for the stables where he might be only too interested in any gossip concerning his temporary CO...

By the way, why are they making porridge in kettles? Is that an American thing like the great biscuit dilemma?

[Folwren]

Nice gifts, Mith. Those are amazing. I would never have thought of the leavening.

By the way, why are they making porridge in kettles? Is that an American thing like the great biscuit dilemma?

Haha! Yes...? What else would porridge be made in? We make it in a saucepan, but if we were going to make it for a lot of people, we'd get a big pot of water going. Maybe the word kettle is used incorrectly, if it was me using it. I'll go change that.

EDIT: Nope, wasn't me this time.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Nice gifts, Mith. Those are amazing. I would never have thought of the leavening.
Indeed. It's exactly one of the absolutely logical things that does not necessarily cross your mind, that they might need it. And it will be appreciated.


Haha! Yes...? What else would porridge be made in? We make it in a saucepan, but if we were going to make it for a lot of people, we'd get a big pot of water going. Maybe the word kettle is used incorrectly, if it was me using it. I'll go change that.

EDIT: Nope, wasn't me this time.

Ouch. That was me, I guess. And that might have been a bad use of words, maybe subconscious, because in my native tongue the word for a very big pot (which is what I was picturing when writing it) is kotel, which sounds effectively the same... in fact, I would bet on that the words are etymologically related.

Ha, actually: I just checked some dictionaries and it seems that the word "kettle" might be appropriate, since the use of it as the smaller kind of container (or even just a kettle for making tea) is only post-medieval... and kettle even looks like being a bit more "originally English" word (as opposed to "pot" being a bit more French). So in fact, maybe I could keep it there, since it would be appropriate... (It would still however be just art came out of the unintended.)

[Folwren]

Ha, actually: I just checked some dictionaries and it seems that the word "kettle" might be appropriate, since the use of it as the smaller kind of container (or even just a kettle for making tea) is only post-medieval... and kettle even looks like being a bit more "originally English" word (as opposed to "pot" being a bit more French). So in fact, maybe I could keep it there, since it would be appropriate... (It would still however be just art came out of the unintended.)

That's what I thought, really. I looked it up in the dictionary and technically, kettle works, but then I looked up google images, and all that came up was a teapot, so now adays, that's really what a kettle means. But I think a big pot could be called a kettle, too.

-- Fol

[Galadriel55]

I doubt you can drink tea from a fine kettle of fish with as much ease as the modern kettles, forget about the fish stink. So I also cast my vote for the more archaic use of kettle. :)

Also, when I read Foley's question about what porridge is made in, my first thought was "in a pot for a small group, in a kotyol for a large gathering or over a fire..." Legate, I completely get you!!! :D

[Mithalwen]

It seems that a kettle can mean a cauldron so my ignorance is the only problem. I have never heard it used other than for boiling water or the very specific fish kettle for poaching fish. But since we call timpani kettle drums it must be so... still seems a bit eccentric though.. like something my uncle, bewildered by dementia, would do...(he tried to run his lawnmower on claret last summer..) but it is clearly correct. The German Kessel means cauldron and boiler as well as kettle... typical Brits only caring about tea..:p

As for the leaven, I am on a baking kick at the moment and made sourdough bread at the weekend which made me think of it - I used a packet but I will try from scratch next time. Apparently it isn't hard just takes a few days to get going. I had to edit because I realised I had put it in French not English. And beekeeping is just something I want to do somewhen..

[Mithalwen]

That's what I thought, really. I looked it up in the dictionary and technically, kettle works, but then I looked up google images, and all that came up was a teapot, so now adays, that's really what a kettle means. But I think a big pot could be called a kettle, too.

-- Fol

But a kettle and a tea pot are completely different things!! ;) apart from the shape and sometimes materials... you boil the water in the kettle (always use freshly drawn water) and then make the tea in the tea pot... that isn't just us is it? I am sure I have seen them in furrin parts...though not in the States where I learnt the hard way that you have to specify if you want your tea hot....:(

[littlemanpoet]

Eodwine is sound asleep. :)

[Galadriel55]

I was looking at the NPCs the other day, and it seems the list is a bit outdated. As per Legate's post here (http://www.forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=699603&postcount=1381), Scyrr and Fearghall are departing with Athanar in the fall, with nothing conclusive said about Baldwic. He may have remained in the Hall initially. What about the other two? Fearghall might have come back with the caravan. I doubt Scyrr would have volunteered (but who knows? If you guys can think of a backstory/motive for his return, all is possible). Also, in her post here (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=699984&postcount=66), Lommy mentions an Osmund. Does anyone know who he is or any background on him?

Hence, we only have these guys:

BALDWIC (FEARGHALL?): http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=622445&postcount=2390

FREA and CARANTHIR: http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=700026&postcount=85

OSMUND (???)


Should we find a good grumpy replacement for Scyrr? :Merisu:

PS: Pio, your links to Frea and Caranthir in the first post seem to attempt to take me to a forbidden page. I looked up those guys through Brith's bio.

[Folwren]

Should we find a good grumpy replacement for Scyrr? :Merisu:

Other than Wilheard, you mean? ;) :p

-- Folwren

[Galadriel55]

Other than Wilheard, you mean? ;) :p

-- Folwren

Hah! Good point. Though I always tell my campers that it takes two to make a fight. :) Well, a big enough fight at any rate.

[Folwren]

I have put Searyn back in the kitchen right after Elfthain asked his question, but I didn't have her say anything because I didn't want to interrupt in case one of the other ladies wants to go ahead and respond to him. Normally, she'd introduce herself and welcome him, but she's kind of tired, as they all are, and not quite herself, and I think she'll just wait to watch and see what happens. She senses she interrupted something anyway. Ya'll play it however you like, obviously, but that was why I didn't have her say anything to him.

[piosenniel]

PS: Pio, your links to Frea and Caranthir in the first post seem to attempt to take me to a forbidden page. I looked up those guys through Brith's bio.

The link has been corrected :)

It was a link to my editing page....

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I was looking at the NPCs the other day, and it seems the list is a bit outdated. As per Legate's post here (http://www.forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=699603&postcount=1381), Scyrr and Fearghall are departing with Athanar in the fall, with nothing conclusive said about Baldwic. He may have remained in the Hall initially. What about the other two? Fearghall might have come back with the caravan. I doubt Scyrr would have volunteered (but who knows? If you guys can think of a backstory/motive for his return, all is possible). Also, in her post here (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=699984&postcount=66), Lommy mentions an Osmund. Does anyone know who he is or any background on him?
I think there wasn't anything about Osmund apart from the one post where he was mentioned. And Lommy would know more, I am not certain.

Anyway, of course we could have Scyrr come back with the motive that he might want to see his old buddy Áforglaed; but I am not sure I want to go there! For that matter, Áforglaed isn't grumpy by default, but he could do something rash, if it comes to that. If you had something specific in mind, G55, just say... :)

Hah! Good point. Though I always tell my campers that it takes two to make a fight. :) Well, a big enough fight at any rate.
Wilheard and Javan in the stables isn't good enough for you? :)

I have put Searyn back in the kitchen right after Elfthain asked his question, but I didn't have her say anything because I didn't want to interrupt in case one of the other ladies wants to go ahead and respond to him. Normally, she'd introduce herself and welcome him, but she's kind of tired, as they all are, and not quite herself, and I think she'll just wait to watch and see what happens. She senses she interrupted something anyway. Ya'll play it however you like, obviously, but that was why I didn't have her say anything to him.

I might be a bit busy today, I would like to make a couple of posts, but not sure if I'll manage. I'll try to get at least a small response to Elfthain in the next minutes, but then it's all yours. I am not sure if Lommy wants to interject for Modtryth, she at least originally was okay with leaving her do her things in the background. But if you want to post, I'd say just go ahead.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Okay, posted! Stefnu is taking a bit of her own initiative in dealing with Saeryn's children :) Let me know if the way I wrote Ruari's reactions is okay with you, Folwren. I tried to keep her to the spirit... And Mith, I decided to describe Elfthain as "boy" from Stefnu's point of view, based on the impression he would seem to give (I was deciding between "young man" and "boy", and for her, "boy" would be a more logical way to think about him). That all despite him being dramatically taller than her, but then again, who of the Eorlingas isn't... it's some Mountain-folk blood in her, I guess.

EDIT: Ha, typical. I was sure I re-checked whether Elfthain actually unstopped the other jar as well, and I must have misread it. Nevermind. I think Stefnu could be considered rash enough to open the honey jar by herself, if nobody else had. I can edit it in for clarification if needs be.

[Mithalwen]

I don't think the stopper matters I think it works as is. And Elfthain will seem boyish to anyone but small children I think, He is tall but only just turned 17 and not one of those younglings who are born middle aged or really self confident. So basically the rest of him hasn't caught up with his height yet.

[Folwren]

Wilheard and Javan in the stables isn't good enough for you? :)

Speaking of, is Lommy around to continue the development?

Your writing for Ruari is fine. I'll try to post for her and Saeryn again later today. No particular promises, I've got a busy day ahead. Don't wait for me.

[Thinlómien]

Speaking of, is Lommy around to continue the development?Yeah, RL is interfering but I'll write something tomorrow!

And I haven't been even reading this discussion thread and looks like you guys are making fun of my character already. Hmph. :p

[Mithalwen]

Yeah, RL is interfering but I'll write something tomorrow!

And I haven't been even reading this discussion thread and looks like you guys are making fun of my character already. Hmph. :p

You wait til Elfthain makes it to the stables and tells Javan just how often the convoy had to make "comfort stops" for Wilheard's benefit *innocent font off* :p

[Thinlómien]

You wait til Elfthain makes it to the stables and tells Javan just how often the convoy had to make "comfort stops" for Wilheard's benefit *innocent font off* :p

The bad-tempered mare wasn't -- enthusiastic about keeping a pace with the slowest carts in the caravan. Wilheard couldn't really blame her. If it had been up to him, they would have galloped all the way from Edoras across the open lands and arrived in Scarburg days ago. --

Wilheard shot an exasperated glance over his shoulder. The carts were rolling through the treacherous ground slower than Wilheard thought possible --

”We're not stopping until we're there,” he shouted --

Wilheard would probably kill Elfthain. :D

[Mithalwen]

I was you who highlighted his little problem:Merisu: Maybe he will just make his CO a nice pot of dandelion tea....

[Folwren]

I grow more and more excited at the prospect. :D I think Javan will like Elfthain.

I will post this evening...in about 7 hours or so.

-- Folwren

[Thinlómien]

Osmund is a soldier in Eodwine's household. He was used a couple of times in the Scarburg Meadhall, and I added him to the list because it would make sense to me he was still around if we need a random guy. My picture is mostly based on my own two posts where I used him back then, but I would say he is young-ish (early 30s? late 20s?) and unmarried. He is kind of chatty and loud and the main thing I remember writing about him was a post where the soldiers are drinking and Osmund is entertaining the rest by rating the women of Scarburg in terms of attractiveness.

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

Linked to Players/Characters List - Pio

[Mithalwen]

I grow more and more excited at the prospect. :D I think Javan will like Elfthain.

I will post this evening...in about 7 hours or so.

-- Folwren

I hope so. I think he would like to have a friend of his own age and while I don't think he has the temperament to really run wild I think he may have a slightly mischievous streak that it wouldn't do any harm to vent a bit, :cool:

[Mithalwen]

Right well Elfthain can either be delayed in the kitchen or sent off to the stables to make Javan's acquaintance as you will.

[Firefoot]

Two more incoming to the kitchen... I think I remember correctly that there's a door directly outside from the kitchen? If not let me know and I'll adjust my post.

[Folwren]

I may be wrong, but it seems I remember Osmund being a little older than Thornden, which means he's definitely in his mid-30's now.

Two more incoming to the kitchen... I think I remember correctly that there's a door directly outside from the kitchen? If not let me know and I'll adjust my post.

You are correct about the door directly to the outside.

[littlemanpoet]

Honestly, this is way too much fun. :p

Firefoot, please inject Rowenna laughing (good naturedly) at Scyld's "solemn" words, and edit as you like accordingly.

I'll wait for that.

[Firefoot]

Change made. :)

Folwren, congrats on 5000 posts. :cool:

[littlemanpoet]

Nice touch, FF. :)

And yes, congrats on 5,000.

[Galadriel55]

Ditto! Happy 5K!

Also,

"You were missed." His eyes opened wider and a momentary look of surprise flashed across his face before he mastered himself; but curiosity remained. She needed to say something more to take the edge off her words. She allowed a sardonic half smile. "I have been bored."

Oh man, I love those two! :D

[Mithalwen]

Well I suppose 5K is a reasonable effort ;)

Let me know if anything needs changing. If Thinlomien doesn't object, I may need an excuse for Elfthain to extend his stay, since I think atm he is meant to return with the waggon's and thought perhaps a kick from Wilheard's very marish mare mght do the trick. Not just now and not something that would need poor Saffy to be euthanased. Just enough to stop her, and by extension her master from travelling immediately.. I know he could just ride on a waggon but since the Rohirrim love their horses as their children, I don't think he would leave her with virtual strangers.

[Thinlómien]

Let me know if anything needs changing. If Thinlomien doesn't object, I may need an excuse for Elfthain to extend his stay, since I think atm he is meant to return with the waggon's and thought perhaps a kick from Wilheard's very marish mare mght do the trick. Not just now and not something that would need poor Saffy to be euthanased. Just enough to stop her, and by extension her master from travelling immediately.. I know he could just ride on a waggon but since the Rohirrim love their horses as their children, I don't think he would leave her with virtual strangers.I'm not objecting! Honestly, Bolt is a horrible horse, and Wilheard is just about the only one that can handle her. (If any of the characters present is exceptionally good with horses - Léof perhaps? - I'm sure he could handle her too, but she would be rather difficult with most people. So, if Wilheard is not around, she might wreak havoc!)

Btw I loved your post, Mith. I kind of kept the pony joke, because even if Saffy isn't a mountain pony per se, that's what Wilheard would name her in his head. He's not foolish enough to overlook the good qualities of such a horse but he's definitely judging Elfthain for riding such a "pony" however reliable little Saffy is. :D

Wilheard can be ignored in the stable storyline for now - unless someone really wants him around?, he's out soon. If someone wants to run into our resident anti-hero, let me know. I think he'd be heading for the kitchens eventually.

"You were missed." His eyes opened wider and a momentary look of surprise flashed across his face before he mastered himself; but curiosity remained. She needed to say something more to take the edge off her words. She allowed a sardonic half smile. "I have been bored."
Oh man, I love those two! Ditto, shipping it so hard.

[Mithalwen]

Saffy will actually scrub up nicely as I am basing the mountain cob on the Welsh Section D which have small pretty slightly dished faces reminiscent of Arabs (horses). However they are also a bit hairy and stocky and in this case moulting and muddy. She is the equine equivalent of the sensible first car. Reliable, not too fast and with all weather tyres. The colt at home is more of a sports car.

Does Wilheard think Elfthain is a peasant (which could make things interesting) or did that mean Javan and Leof etc?

[Folwren]

Thanks! I hadn't even noticed I'd reached 5,000. :)

I hadn't remembered Athanar disinheriting his son. What was it for? I feel bad now for Javan's insult. :eek:

[Mithalwen]

Being a git? If he was anything like his baby brother:p

[Folwren]

Being a git? If he was anything like his baby brother:p

Well, naturally. :p I was wondering more specifically....WHICH crime was it that caused him to be disinherited?

[Galadriel55]

Wasn't it just part of healing the rift between old and new Scarburgians? I think Athanar told Eodwine that if the yet unborn child is a boy then he will inherit the Eorlship. Not sure if there is a specific crime that catalyzed the decision.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Wasn't it just part of healing the rift between old and new Scarburgians? I think Athanar told Eodwine that if the yet unborn child is a boy then he will inherit the Eorlship. Not sure if there is a specific crime that catalyzed the decision.

Yes, it was the thing that Athanar was the eorl at that point, and so his firstborn son would be the one expected to become the eorl after him, but Athanar chose to instead pass Scarburg on to Eodwine's child if it is a boy. If you think about it from Wulfric's (and Wilheard's) point of view, it was really awful shock.

[Thinlómien]

Yes, it was the thing that Athanar was the eorl at that point, and so his firstborn son would be the one expected to become the eorl after him, but Athanar chose to instead pass Scarburg on to Eodwine's child if it is a boy. If you think about it from Wulfric's (and Wilheard's) point of view, it was really awful shock.Yup, this exactly. It doesn't really count as disinheriting per se, but that's how Wulfric saw it and so that's what Wilheard thinks too. (Fun fact - I think Wulfric, had he not died tragically young and foolish, would have become a decent man and a good leader, he had those qualities in him even back then. Wilheard, I'm not so sure. A decent man, maybe one day, but he's not cut out to be a leader.)

Does Wilheard think Elfthain is a peasant (which could make things interesting) or did that mean Javan and Leof etc?Well you know, I actually wasn't thinking very much at all when I wrote that line. Wilheard would consider anyone under of lower birth than him a peasant - which is funny, because he's not really a snob out of all things, I think his older brother must've just drilled some kind of sense of hierarchy into him - but I was just rereading Elfthain's bio and I don't think he's really much more of a peasant than Wilheard himself. So, I don't know - how does Elfthain carry himself? I noticed he has the courteous demeanor of someone well bred, but how are his clothes and equipment, how fancy? And does he mention his family much? Ie. do you think it would be plausible for someone who's not particularly observant about people (plus currently probably even less so bc some sort of ptsd/depression) to consider him a "peasant"?

[Folwren]

Ah, I see. I remember the part that this all happened in. It makes more sense than an actually disinheriting did. Thanks.

[Mithalwen]

Hmm yes but for that to happen it would have to be that Wilheard hadn't registered that Elfthain is Elwin's nephew as well as esquire. Elwin is too ambitious and prominent not to be noticed but Elfthain is diffident and too young to probably have crossed paths much with Wilheard in Edoras society. From what I have gathered of Wilheard's mama, she would no doubt know but it could easily have passed a self centred young man by especially if Elfthain has been in standard issue uniform for the journey. His personal gear is good quality but not flashy. He won't make a big deal of his background because he has never had to... but if the right buttons were pressed he could get a bit patrician I think..

[Mithalwen]

There, Javan has slightly freaked out Elfthain who is still talking too much - and I have given a bit more of his background. Though he hasn't so if wilheard takes him at face value as an unkempt common-or-garden shield bearer on a shaggy garron it could be amusing at some point.

[Folwren]

Ha! Sorry about that, Mith. :D I was more trying to set him at his ease.

So, what all has to be accomplished for this day before we move along?

[Mithalwen]

It worked fine. He is just worried he is going to be billed as Elfthain and his amazing performing horse on the strength of a couple of simple tricks.


Nothing that needs to be done "on camera" from my POV. Obviously Elfthain will need to clean his tack, remove his other gear from the tackroom and find somewhere to lay his weary head but all that can ber referred to. In an ideal world he would make himself useful and learn how not to talk in speeches but baby steps...:cool: He has a LOT of grooming to do tomorrow...

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

So, what all has to be accomplished for this day before we move along?

I wanted to ask the same question - it seems like the basic setup and arrival stuff is getting wrapped up quite nicely. So maybe, do we want to slowly make some shorter timejump - of course after all dialogues in-progress are finished (I guess especially Scyld-Rowenna, possibly Eodwine, mostly?). We could then do several things: since it's what, late-ish afternoon? Either wrap up the whole day and everyone could basically write what their character has been doing for the rest of the time, or then we could jump for example to everyone getting/sitting at the meal and stop at that for more detail; that would obviously be nicer if people wanted to use it for interacting, but only if they wanted to use it for interacting - it probably won't be that much fun describing how one's munching a porridge and looking around; that can be done equally well in a sum-up post of the whole day. Then, I guess, more organising can be done later.

[Firefoot]

I think Scyld and Rowenna are sort of wrapping up here (at least, Rowenna seems eager to escape the can of worms she opened). I'd be fine with moving the timeline along, unless anyone really wants to write about dinner. My vote would be for something in the 2 week range (at least 1, since it'll take Cerwyn that long to get to Scarburg and I'd like to start writing her at the Hall).

Additionally, Scyld is going to need to get up the nerve to give his letter to Eodwine, but he's also going to need to feel like Eodwine's in good enough shape to deal with it... I've toyed with the idea of Scyld speaking to Saeryn and/or Thornden about Eodwine's state first. I guess it depends on how Eodwine seems to be progressing in the time lapse.

[Galadriel55]

Good by me. Nothing interesting is planned for Ledwyn for now. I do hope she'll start interacting a bit more with others (read: I'll have enough time to write posts regularly). So far each post seems like a stand-alone novel. I don't mind if we jump to dinner, or a few days ahead - whatever's best for all.

[Mithalwen]

The only hitch for me with 2 weeks is that Elfthain is attached to the waggon train rather than Scarburg. so he either has to go or have reason to stay. I suppose he might come back on the next waggon train. Or Saffy can be kicked which would give him a reason to stay but his leave even allowing for nepotism and to stay on would surely require the consent of ... Eodwine? Wilheard ? (Eek). Eodwine has been observed isn't well but would Thornden's role include the military side as well as Elwin.

However if the character owners are agreeable there is no reason that can't be related rather than played out. I did think that I might have Elfride turn up to bring her boy clean socks and a horse with full complement of working legs at a suitable interval. Maybe Cerwyn will meet her on the road.

When are the woodlanders arriving?

[Folwren]

The woodlanders being able to join us is one reason I think it would be good to leap ahead some.

I didn't know the plan for the wagon train. Are they moving on, then? Wilheard is staying, right? I am sure we could find a reason for Elfthain to stick around. He could be kicked instead of his horse - it'd be more likely for him to be hurt by another horse's kick than Saff. Not that I'm trying to break other characters' legs here...:rolleyes:

From reading the above posts it looks like we need to:


Let Scyld give his letter to Eodwine, or decide to wait for a more opportune time
Figure out how Elfthain sticks around


Anything else?

[Mithalwen]

Wilheard is staying but there is no reason for the empty carts and their drivers to, as far as I know.
Not sure about Elfthain being more likely to be kicked. Unless a horse is loose it is fairly easy to avoid being kicked by them by the simple method of standing really close. He has been around horses all his life. He would know this. Only time I got kicked was by a brilliant but vicious 12.2 mare that was loose in the yard. Got of lightly with a half horseshoe bruise on my thigh but could have been a lot worse. I had been thinking of a cob at the place 'I used to work who also got kicked by a nasty little mare of 12.2, the aptly name Dotty. He had to spend six weeks in his box cross tied, poor old chap. I used to go and talk to him at lunchtimes since he was so bored .

Also a man is relatively easily transported compared to a horse unless we are giving him life threatening injuries or ones that will potentially maim him for life. That would definitely bring Elfride on the scene longer term since nothing would stop her getting to her injured boy though all the hosts of Mordor lay between them. Also if the boy is too hurt to be moved, he isn't going to be very active, laid up and possibly zonked out. Yes I can write for his lovely mother instead but that isn't really the way I had anticipated going so will need to have a think.

Elfthain will mind a lot more if Saff is hurt than him and his mamma will pay a relatively fleeting visit. If Elfthain is hurt, it solves some issues but to my mind makes more. I am not dismissing it and would welcome suggestions to resolve.

[Galadriel55]

If you need something to drive a horse berserk enough to kick a person, Ledwyn is at your service. Let's suppose she's sent to the stables for some reason, does something clumsy / trips / smashes into someone taking a horse out - the horse is angry, runs free, goes a-kicking. Or, for instance, if someone had their horse out and had to dash to someplace else, and just gave her the reins for a couple minutes, but once again being clumsy Ledwyn somehow scares the horse and lets go and etc. She's certainly clumsy enough with that sort of work, since I don't imagine she has lots of experience with horses. Sure, she can probably ride one when needed and knows their basic habits, but she's not that fond of them, and it's never been her job to take care of them, so if she's agitated herself, she could certainly make a fool of herself. So, rant aside, if you need someone to set a horse on another horse, I'm offering to do that. :)

[Firefoot]

There are other ways Safran could come up sick or lame as well. Bonus to this - built-in reason for interaction with Leof as well as our new herbs-woman. :)

Honestly, though, if I was you I would probably be trying to think of a reason to keep Elfthain at the Hall longer term, since (in the past, anyway) the timeline does not usually go day by day but jumps (a week, a month, several months sometimes) according to what's going on in the Hall and what suits the characters.

[littlemanpoet]

Picking up on Folwren's post, if we're eager to end this day and jump ahead a few, it looks like there are a few more things that need to happen.

- Folwren needs to write for Ruari, or maybe there needs to be a PM'd family post? to get Eodwine out of bed and moving toward Scyld.
- Scyld could beg off seeing Jian until later, say that he's looking for Eodwine?
- Elfthain could be invited to stay.

[Firefoot]

Scyld's letter does not necessarily need to be delivered today, though it could be if we want to keep writing the same day. No need to hold up on my account.

Also I guess since the away characters don't have to be on the same timeline a shorter jump is fine too. Whatever everyone else wants.

[Firefoot]

lmp, I wasn't really sure how to wrap up that last post. If you have anything more for Rowenna, feel free to pick it up there; otherwise if you want me to edit the end so they naturally drift away from each other while serving up dinner I could write that in as well.

[Folwren]

Elempi, there's a short post for Ruari at the end of my last post on the thread. I'd be fine doing a PM post, if you like.

I agree - Elfthain could be invited to stay. I didn't know how to put it in my last post, but it's pretty simple.

Yeah, I know it's easy to avoid getting kicked by a horse...I just thought it wasn't likely for Saff to get a broken leg from another horse. Firefoot is right - there are multiple ways to lame a horse....she could get some sort of hoof infection, or something. But, obviously, if Elfthain is invited to stay, it'd be so much easier (and nicer) than laming poor Saff. :p

[Mithalwen]

The mechanics of Safran being lamed isnt' the problem. She is turned out with a new group. Horses are hierarchical animals, it happens it doesn't even need a horse as obviously inpleasant as Bolt. Though seeing as she is there.. there are different types of fracture, and bones heal better than ligaments

I hadn't realised that the Meadhall did time jumps frequently or I would have chosen perhaps to make Elfthain start as having been there a while already. That ship has sailed. But I am still happy with the horse being injured as a reason not to go immediately since it seems that this type of injury is not uncommon and she will be absolutely fine after the box rest and convalsescence or at least fine enough to be a brood mare. It did occur that the injury would give scope for interaction with Javan, Leof and the witch:p. It isn't the herblore he would have a problem with, his granny was skilled in it but in a more scientific way. just the hocus pocus....anything like that may disturb him.

Having thought about it, I don't want Elfthain to be injured at this point. I could write it but if I had thought of going there I wouldn't have started from here... I would have had new characters with less prior angst. It would be too painful and I wouldn't have given them both a taste of happiness, Elfride with a lovely new daughter to play with without the inconvenience of a new husband... and Elfthain a chance to be himself. Too mean. And I often seem to write unhappy characters and wanted a bit of a change.

So if the hall is prepared to take him, my feeling is that his uncle will let him stay on
the condition that he commits to a decent amount of time there not the few weeks necessary to see Safran through the worst of it....six months .. a year? He will probably approve that he wants to make his own way a bit. Then Eodwine/Thornden can make use of him as they see fit. Or I suppose Wilheard ...

None of this has to be played, Elfthain can muse as he tends his horse...

BTW I thought the woodlanders were only 5 miles away?

[Undómë]

Please don't hurry the timeline along - your characters and interactions are coming along nicely.

And we 'woodlander' writers for the time being have busy schedules.