The Lingering Darkness Planning/Discussion Thread

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Well Snowdog your post doesn't show the distractions at all! It is hard to write with life packed to the gills already! Right Ealasaide?

Nice job Elora, especially with Elrond's sons, but I did want to ask if you really need the passage about Naiore assisting Sauron in picking wraiths. I highly doubt this could/would happen as Sauron was not openly evil at that point and probably had individuals or titles in mind as the rings of power were forged. Plus he doesn't seem much of a delegator! smilies/wink.gif

[Nerindel]

Snowdog & Nerindel, Easalaide could you please let me know if your characters need to interact or sight either Naiore or Vanwe before mother and daughter meet. I don't want to skip too far ahead in one post and ruin your own ideas and plans.


Yes! I had rather hoped that Naiore would be leaving with Vanwe the following night, I quiet fancied the idea of them running into Léspheria on their departure! I see a few things happening here:

Mistaken Identity - Naiore initially mistakes Léspheria for her cousin, Valaindon! (Léspheria's mother) who she thinks dead. but with her senses or through Vanwe she will learn otherwise.

Growing friendship - Léspheria senses, Vanwe's elation at being reunited with her mother and not wishing to jepordise their growing friendship, she will not raise arms against Naiore, thinking it best that Vanwe sees the truth for herself. I imagine at this point Naiore will not attack Lespheria in front of Vanwe, but will see Lespheria's growing friendship with Vanwe as a bit of an irony and see it as the same weakness Lespheria's mother possessed.

Léspheria can then go on to the inn or meet the rangers as they take up Naiores trail. She will not Abandon the young elf smilies/wink.gif

What do you think smilies/biggrin.gif

I see Léspheria in most respects as Naiores opposite, ie: where Naiore see's love, loyalty, compassion, frienship....etc. as weaknesses Léspheria finds strength in this things and were the darker emotions fascinate Naiore, Léspheria fears them and what they can do to people.

These emotions have almost destroyed her twice, although the emotions were not her own. The first was the year she endured her mothers torture through an emotional link they shared. The second was her first encounter with the Bard Menecin when he was brought to Rivendell.

Anyway, I have to get to work now, I hope that was insightfull to Léspheria's character smilies/biggrin.gif

Snowdog I will put up a post for Amandur tonight (GMT) smilies/wink.gif

[ September 10, 2003: Message edited by: Nerindel ]

[Ealasaide]

Elora - No, my characters will not need to interact with Naiore or Vanwe directly until they have met up with each other the next day. Kaldir will have to deal with Benia's escape before he can pick up Naiore's trail. That also gives me a handy "out" as to why he doesn't catch Vanwe before she falls in with Naiore.

Once Kaldir has dealt with Benia & Gilly to his satisfaction, he will return to the inn's grounds to look for Naiore. I see this happening sometime in mid-to-late morning? Before the other Rangers realize Naiore is so close. I think it is very important that Kaldir gets out on her trail before the others.

[Imladris]

Gosh, thanks for all the compliments about my character! *blushes sheepishly*

No, I don't think Maethor needs any interaction with Naiore and Vanwe before they meet...

[Snowdog]

Snowdog & Nerindel, Easalaide could you please let me know if your characters need to interact or sight either Naiore or Vanwe before mother and daughter meet. I don't want to skip too far ahead in one post and ruin your own ideas and plans. I thionk Hanasían will see Vanwe in the early morn after he talks with Amandur, and he will have to decide his course. Of course the other Rangers will want to pursue Naiore right off, which is the immediate goal of the mission. However, he wants to know where Benia went, and suspects Kaldir doing something in his absence.

Nice job Elora, especially with Elrond's sons, but I did want to ask if you really need the passage about Naiore assisting Sauron in picking wraiths. I highly doubt this could/would happen as Sauron was not openly evil at that point and probably had individuals or titles in mind as the rings of power were forged. Plus he doesn't seem much of a delegator! The passage , but its inclusion will hardly have any relevence to this RP, so lets not get so wrapped up in details smilies/wink.gif. My take on this sort of thing is if it doesn't contradict Tolkien's own writings in the story, then there is alot of 'behind-the-scenes' interactions that could have gone on. For instance... We know from the appendices in Return of the King that the Dúnedain were ever diligent in protecting the northern plains and hills from incursions of evil (wargs, orcs, etc.), but there is little details given as to the actual events that took place. Example... Arathorn II, Aragorn's father was killed by an orc arrow in the eye, but the details are left out. So it would be presumed that they pursued and otherwise had an entanglment with a band of orcs somewhere in the lands that had made up the Kingdom of Arnor. Going by the history of the Northern Dúnedain, it was apparent that there were many such battles, skirmishes, incursions over the years since the Witch-King was driven out. Are we not free to make up our bits of story within these confines, as long as no canon is affected? Anyway, I am getting long-winded here. Lets write and let the creativity flow!

Nerendil, it sounds good to me!

Well, I'm at work, so have to get back to it.
Happy writing all! smilies/smile.gif

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Snowdog, I’m not sure that I follow your point. I’m not against fabrication of details, but do oppose altering the personality traits of characters Tolkien has fully fleshed out, especially if it does little to enhance our own RP. It is unnecessary. And at anyrate I’m no expert and it is just my 2 cents, to be taken or not.

[Snowdog]

Sorry Hilde, didn't mean to ruffle you. Since it had little to do with the RP, to me it is just as easy to ignore and move forward than to bring it up. But that is me and everyone sees things different.

So, peace, and onward! smilies/smile.gif

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

No problem Snowdog, I'm just learning about this RPG stuff. I realize now I should have PM'd regarding this matter rather than put it on the discussion thread. Sorry. smilies/tongue.gif

[Elora]

Yikes.... Maverickian Elora has struck again! smilies/tongue.gif

I should clarify something first, as this may well be the source of contention (polite contention as it is). Naiore did not go out and choose the nine Mortal Men. You're quite right in that Sauron was not the sort to share.

But in the Second Age, Sauron was on a con job. He had to appear nice. He couldn't be openly nasty (even though Galadriel and Gil-galad did not fall for the guise).

Naiore, with her keen empathy, would have been well placed in those days to observe Mortal Men, and detect those more open to approaches than others. She herself would not have been openly known to be what she was. Her true colours were not revealed to the Free Peoples until much later.

So, Naiore would only have been able to sense those susceptible to power, greed and lust for dominion. That's the limit I have placed on her role in selection: identifying likely targets. Of course, Sauron could have used Naiore in many ways.

For example, "Surely I can not be as grim and terrible as the lies say, for do I not have an High Elf in my service?" But that's a tale for another day. Certainly, it has intrigued me how Naiore would have interacted with the Wraiths in Mordor. Both were of rank, both would have been allies and enemies.

But that is another tale in how that would have gone, those factional struggles for power and dominion with Mordor. Sauron would have allowed that to a point as it kept his minions controllable - if they banded together, there is no telling what power structure they may challenge - even his own! Unthinkable - divide and conquer!

Yes, the power and political landscape of Mordor through the ages, and Sauron in particular through all 3 ages, has long interested me.

With that clarification now said, have I managed still to radically alter Sauron?


I'll delay Naiore's snatch and grab job until the following night. Thanks for letting me know about that! smilies/smile.gif An Ent would call me positively hasty, and perhaps a little orcling too, but that's another story in and of itself! smilies/smile.gif

[Ealasaide]

Elora:
I'll delay Naiore's snatch and grab job until the following night. Thanks for letting me know about that!


To what are you referring? I have the distinct feeling that I am missing something. If Naiore is not snatching Vanwe until the following evening, I guess that will leave me with some time to kill with Kaldir. I can't very well have him creeping about the woods all day & neither confronting Naiore nor capturing Vanwe.

[ September 10, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaide ]

[Elora]

Well I had planned on Naiore grabbing Vanwe on the first night of the RP... but based on Snowdog and Nerindel's plans I thought I could delay it a little.

As for how much I delay the actual encounter, I do not know. Perhaps Naiore can snatch Vanwe during the day. It does not necessarily have to occur under the cover of darkness.

Perhaps a morning snatch, which allows everyone to do what they had planned to do with their characters would suit everyone... I'm sure Naiore would like to quit squatting out in the wilds as soon as she may.

Does that suit? Looking for a best fit solution for us all. smilies/smile.gif

[Ealasaide]

Oh! Okay. A morning snatch was what I was expecting, but if that doesn't suit everyone else, I can always adjust. smilies/biggrin.gif

I just wanted to make sure I knew what was happening. smilies/smile.gif

[Elora]

You and me both smilies/wink.gif

Last night I was merrily planning ahead when it occurred to me that maybe my ideas had remained locked in my head and that I hadn't COM-MUN-I-CAT-ED to others. Kind of a typical oversight. Can create hiccups, although it does make for an interesting and surprising unfolding of a RP, particularly when the plot is not so distinctly shaped! smilies/wink.gif

Hopefully a morning snatch will work for everyone... An idea will be that when Devorin realises that Vanwe hasn't taken Deor for a run, a search party will be organised to locate the missing horse. As stable hand, Vanwe will naturally set out, which gives Naiore the necessary chance.

Perhaps Vanwe will even find traces of trail that Naiore missed in her hurry... dunno yet. Another idea that just decided to float about aimlessly inside my empty skull. smilies/smile.gif

[Ealasaide]

An idea will be that when Devorin realises that Vanwe hasn't taken Deor for a run, a search party will be organised to locate the missing horse. As stable hand, Vanwe will naturally set out, which gives Naiore the necessary chance

Ooh! I like it!

[Snowdog]

Morning snatch works for me.

Hilde, I guess I am kind of old at RP, for I have had many a good RP go to pieces because of minor issues boiling up into major tiffs. My apologies for that. You write pretty well in my opinion.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Thanks, I wish I could write faster though, need to knock off the rust here!

I still stand with my first statement, but don't want to make anyone uncomfortable with it. As long as it's not a keystone of sorts in the story, I won't bring it up again.

[ September 11, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Elora]

Let me assure everyone that it was only a passing reference and certainly was added in order to convey the depth of the character's involvement with Mordor.

Have yet to decide if I'm old or young as far as RP goes.... old enough to know better than to sprinkle references such as that and young enough to make such boldness somewhat of a expectation. smilies/rolleyes.gif

OK, dawn snatch seems to be the go.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Thought it might be useful to post this here for reference, hope it is right. I'm trying to work up a connection between Kaldir and Rauthain involving this stuff.

Raven Falls: Where a band of rangers were ambushed by orcs, 3 years prior to the War of the Ring.

In current RPG Hanasían mentions that one was killed and one (Kaldir) was missing as a result.

Green Dragon mentions Hanasían woke up in a pool nearly drowned (nice imagery).
Kaldir was carted off and evidentially wound up getting to know Naiore better than he would have cared too.

Names of the rangers:
Elendir - the leader?
Halbarad
Hanasían
Kaldir
Rauthain
2 others

Did they have a mission? Was it to pursue Orcs or something else? Anybody care to speculate?

I’ve gone back and fixed a post of mine when it came to my attention that Naiore was not present at the time. My apologies Elora, I goofed. smilies/tongue.gif


EDIT: I have amended this to add the time, thanks Ealasaide!

[ September 11, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Ealasaide]

Hilde - the Battle of Raven Falls was three years prior to the War of the Ring.

[Snowdog]

I'll have to go look at the posts in Green Dragon Part 4, somewhere in the page 5-8 range. Have a meeting here at work at 1 so it will be a coule hours before I can clarify.

[Elora]

I'll pull my weight and take a look at it as well. smilies/smile.gif

[Nerindel]

Sorry everyone I have been having connection problems, but hopefully it is fixed now smilies/redface.gif

Pio could you please put this post after Snowdogs dated Septemper 10, 2003 01:09 thank you! smilies/biggrin.gif

Amandur

As Hanasían made his way from the common room, Amandur re-lit his pipe and collected his thoughts, there was much to tell and much he hoped Hanasían would reveal to him. His hand went to his breast pocket and pulled out the neatly folded parchment, Elessar's message revealed very little only that others where also on Naiores trail and that if he could he should join with them. But in Bree Lóthaniel had told him much and this he would share with his brethren.

Deeming that enough time had passed since Hanasían's departure he rose from his seat and made his way up stairs, he paused at Léspheria's door, remembering his promise to her to watch over Vanwe while he remained at the inn. She will be safe tonight at least he thought as he continued on to his room. He grinned as he turned the small brass handle and found it unlocked,

"The key was not needed then my friend ." he laughed as he closed the door behind him.

"No" Hanasian replied a wry grin on his face as he fingered the Khandese dagger he had used to open the door.

"You wish to know what I know of both Naiore and Vanwe," he whispered grimly as he walked toward the window.

"Only recently have we discovered that Naiore had a daughter, The elven ranger Lothaniel and a few of the kings men were patrolling the road to Belfalas when they heard rumours that an elf fitting Naiore's description had be seen in the area, they picked up the trail and Lothaniel became concerned when they found out that their quarry inquired about the elven bard Menecin, who is protected by the elves of Rivendell. They caught up to their quarry in Firien wood as she rested by the Mering stream. Lóthaniel being their scout on this journey had been the first to see their quarry. At once he knew they had made a mistake, the elf was younger than Naiore and her demeanour was not that of the Revennor of Mordor, also their was one major difference.. her eyes were that of her fathers, an elf that Lothaniel helped to protect. They immediately fell back and sent messengers to King Elessar and Lord Celeborn, telling them of their discovery." Amandur turned from the window to look at Hanasían, he looked up as Amandur paused, waiting for him to continue.

"When they learnt that the young elven woman was searching for her mother they decided to stay on her trail hoping that the daughter would lead them to her mother. But in Rohan they lost her trail. They realised that Vanwe was heading north so they went on to Rivendell with Lóthaniel, thinking to continue the search for Naiore in the north after replenishing their supplies. But this did not happen at this time Skaikrish an orc Chief, who somehow managed to escape from Mordor and lead a band of orc's into the Blue Mountains." Amandur looked at Hanasian as though contemplating his next words.

"I do not know if you remember Captain Halwain, he was a friend of your fathers... well his wife was killed By Skaikrish when he escaped through Ithilien. On finding out that Skaikrish was gathering an army in the Blue mountains, he took a scouting party to find out what the orc was up to, but none of them returned! Lóthaniels orders were to travel with the rangers and pick up the trail of Naiore, but with this change of circumstance, Lóthaniel and the rangers were sent to the Mountians With Halwain's daughter, to try to find the missing rangers and investigate if Skaikrish posed a threat. Like Lóthaniel I feel that the orc chiefs sudden boldness at this time is not coincidental."

"I also believe that Naiore is nearer than we believe, Lady Léspheria of Rivendell is able to read the emotions of others and this morning she sensed someone in those woods!" he said again turning to the window and looking down on the moonlit trees.

"When I searched the area there was no discernible footprints but the earth was disturbed, but any of the inns less than reputable patrons could have caused this." he sighed not truly believing his own words and waited for Hanasían's insight.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

I have also moved Lespheria's post smilies/wink.gif

Ok now I'm off to catch up smilies/eek.gif

[Ealasaide]

Welcome back, Nerindel! I hope you have your computer problems ironed out now. smilies/smile.gif Those can be such a hassle!

[piosenniel]

Nerindel

Your post is placed.

~~ Pio smilies/biggrin.gif

[Nerindel]

Thanks Ealasaide, well I've managed to get my next post up so it's looking good smilies/biggrin.gif

Thanks Pio smilies/biggrin.gif

Ok,Snowdog what news does Hanasian have from Minas Tirith? smilies/biggrin.gif

[Ealasaide]

Ok,Snowdog what news does Hanasian have from Minas Tirith?

Snowdog -- you can always have Pio insert the necessary post somewhere above the morning's action around the stable... but then you probably already know that! smilies/wink.gif smilies/biggrin.gif

[Ealasaide]

There's a great map of the area of Middle Earth (Northern Eriador) that we are writing about on Page 74-75 of Fonstad's "Atlas of Middle Earth".

I just thought I would mention it for anyone who does not already know about it. smilies/biggrin.gif

[Snowdog]

crap! I didn't see the back-post! Well, my edit will have to wait as Im off th get a molar pulled.
later all.

Edit: Ok, I'm kind of groggy on this medication, but I will edit to include the above back-post from Amandur. Sorry I missed it this morning but I was pressed for time to get to the dentist.

[ September 12, 2003: Message edited by: Snowdog ]

[Elora]

I need an index for my sticky post-it notes that bedeck my atlas.... but I needs must concur. I use that map as my reference for any Eriador planning (when I allow myself time to reference anything).


Snowdog want a beer to go with that spinning head? smilies/smile.gif

[Imladris]

I know this is a little early to be you guys this, but I know that if I don't do it now, I'm sure I won't remember to do it later, so here goes. I will be going on a trip at the end of September into the beginning of October...I will be able to get internet access, but my posting might be a bit sporadic.

[Snowdog]

Um.. yeah... I will be way out then!

Yes, my Atlas is full of markers and also a 3x5 card with the various scale of miles marked on them, so I can measure the distance and determine how long it would take to get places both on foot and on horse.

Yeah, I'm spoardic in my posts anyway, so join the club Imladris.

[Elora]

OK, Naiore has sprung. smilies/evil.gif

I plan to send her on a circle around Staddle, Coombe and Archet, using the cover of the Chetwood, to come into Bree from the Western Gate rather than the more obvious Eastern Gate. Certainly going is slow when one is riding through a forest, but this is true of those who pursue her.

As Naiore's stolen horse carries two riders, an open pursuit across the plains before the South Downs would only lead to Naiore being run down before she gets to Bree.

[Everdawn]

Just a question... When is Avanill supposed ot meet up woth Naiore? He doesnt seem to have much to do at the moment, any suggestions of how he can make himself useful for the time being?

[Nerindel]

Hey everyone,

I won't be able to post today/night. (Sister-in-laws hen night smilies/wink.gif )

anyways I was planning on Amandur taking up Rauthains offer of assistance and following the Geldings tracks into the grove and discovering Vanwe's and Naiore's prints together! I pm'ed this Idea to Hilde so if she whats to use it she can smilies/wink.gif

Then after informing Hanasían and Maethor of our find, we would go with the Hanasíans plan to search the ways north and east.

This was just my thoughts and don't need to be used.

The only thing I ask is that Amandur go's north as I will be diverting Léspheria to Chetwood smilies/tongue.gif

Everdawn I think Elora is the best one to answer your question, but I would think Bree would be the place for you to take up with Naiore, maybe Avanill has some buisness in Bree? or perhaps he over hears the rangers talking about Naiore?

Anyway got to go, I'll be sure to have a drink for all of you smilies/tongue.gif

Have fun smilies/biggrin.gif and I'll post on the morrow.

~Nerindel

[Ealasaide]

Benia & Gilly are making for Archet, with Kaldir on their trail.

Since Kaldir does not know that Naiore has made her move already, he needs to pick up her trail somehow without going all the way back to the inn first. I can see him finding the trail just outside Chetwood, but he needs some kind of visual confirmation that it is Naiore's trail, not that of just some random elf.

Short of an actual sighting -- which is possible -- do you have any thoughts or preferences, Elora?

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I apologize if my posts are a bit off geographically. I'm working without benefit of an atlas and the maps I am using are lacking detail. Does anyone know of a detailed one on-line?

Nerindel - I also apologize for not carrying on further, but had a long post written on Rauthain speaking with Maethor and then decided Rauthain was getting out of character and pruned it back very hard. Ran out of time to write more with Amandur. Hope the time with your sister-in-law went well. smilies/smile.gif

[Elora]

Everdawn - Bree seems good to me for our characters to meet. Naiore could not meet with any at the inn, as she was maintaining cover. In Bree, though, she will stop to gather information and supplies.

She'll be staying with Barrold and will have need of a rare elixir that is hard to get in latter days. It's a derivation of the orc-stuff that Merry and Pippin were given to lend them energy. Given your character's background with Naiore, she'll be pleased to see your character there.

How does that work for you? smilies/smile.gif

Ealasaide - I figured on a sighting on the trail too in my planning. Naiore will be stopping to capitalise on an opportunity with Vanwe. I'll set that up now, which will create an opening for Kaldir to observe whilst she is distracted.

I hope that works for you. Let me know if it doesn't. smilies/smile.gif

Nerindel Hope that hen's night goes off for you all. smilies/biggrin.gif

Hilde You have no atlas to refer to? The accuracy of your geographical locations is astonishing all the more. smilies/smile.gif

[Ealasaide]

Elora - perfect! I'll read your post before moving on with Kaldir, et al.

[Nerindel]

Thanks Hilde, Elora it was a great night, anyway getting back to business smilies/biggrin.gif

Amandur is now with Rauthain and they are heading roughly Northwest to Chetwood smilies/wink.gif

Elora when you said 'The worn leather of the belt snapped with the forceful search' were you describing the sound or did you mean it came off? I wasn't sure whether Amandur and Rauthain should find it or not?

[Elora]

I've put up the pause on the trail. smilies/smile.gif

Naiore is using the last of a substance that is no longer in wide production since Mordor was gate-crashed by the Free Peoples. It's like the exlir that orcs would use, but Naiore's has a twist. Hers dulls the mind also. She would use it to disarm the mental defences of her prey and strengthen their physical resilience so that she could "play" with them a little longer.

For Naiore, a play mate who expires too soon is a real disappointment. Nasty, ain't she! smilies/wink.gif


I'm struggling a little to capture Vanwe's complicated state of mind. She's not an idiot but she is gullible to the fantasy of a loving mother. Naiore will never be able to build a maternal bond that is genuine. She will only be able to create the guise of one, faster if Vanwe's senses are befuddled.

I'm deliberately not writing in that Naiore and Vanwe are cantering or galloping yet, as I don't want to give rise to an unreasonable lead of time or distance before everyone has departed from the inn.

NerindelThe worn leather belt did come off. I didn't know just how well the Rangers would have inspected the site beyond the footprints. The belt and puch could well have fallen into undergrowth.

However, if you think it would be found, I'd be perfectly happy for that to occur. The contents of the pouch are as follows, just in case you think this could be used for insight:

* A piece of paper that Vanwe made her notes on (I described what they actually were for future reference in a post for Vanwe prior to her capture). Vanwe's hand writing is feminine and distinctly smooth and graceful, but it is written in Common Tongue as she was raised by the Haradrim and does not know Aduanic or Eldar modes of written expression.

*A length of braided leather - it's a piece of the flail that the Villagers would use to correct Vanwe. She cut it up the night she fled and took it with her for impetus on the road should she ever think about falling back.

* A lock of hair given to her recently by Hanasian - it's the same colour as her own and Naiore's and it's bound by the leather braid - an ironic juxtaposition that Vanwe will come to fully appreciate later.

*Carrot - to entice Deor should she have found him.

*A small belt knife - Vanwe used it for carving.

*A small carving of a swan - Vanwe made it on the road when she learned of her mother's noble title "Lady of the Swan". It's a symbol of what Vanwe wanted to be true of her mother as opposed to what she had been told. In that carving, Vanwe invested all of her creative ability, hopes and dreams and she is a remarkably gifted carver.

* 3 copper coins, the last of her financial means.


That pouch contains all of Vanwe's worldly possessions. But that pouch also says a lot about the person who owned it, depending on who looks at it and what they know of Vanwe. For Vanwe, that pouch is her life and she guarded the meagre contents of it with all she was worth. She had planned to give the notes to Hanasian in hopes it helped him as he had her.

Hope that helps! smilies/smile.gif

[Snowdog]

Good writing folks! I'll have a bit of a post up here soon, working on the pursuit where Hanasían and Maethor will find Kaldir's trail I suppose. I weighted the thought of one of us riding straight to Bree via the road, hence will have a presence there before the arrival of Naiore & Vanwe. However, Avanill may want to make time down the road to Bree now, to do the same.

Well, off to write some....

[Nerindel]

Wow! Thanks for all that Elora,

But I decided to have Amandur give the belt to Hanasían, so that he would get to read Vanwe's notes after all smilies/wink.gif

Yay! Léspheria is on the move and is now heading towards the southern reaches of the Chetwood, she should get there by nightfall smilies/biggrin.gif


Ok, like Hilde I don't have Fonstads maps. (Soon to be remedied smilies/wink.gif ) But I do have Barbara Strachey's Journeys of Frodo, Atlas, But I query her location of Archet! on her map of Bree she has Archet east of Combe, but I'm sure that in FOTR (A knife in the dark, I think?) we are told that Archet was hidden in the trees just beyond Combe, So if this is seen from the east road looking left as they traveled east(Before they enter the wilds) then surely Archet is to the north, I'm I right or am I just confusing myself more? smilies/confused.gif

[Elora]

Snowdog I surely hope that this does not come to pass. smilies/frown.gif If there is any assistance we can offer, please let us know.


Nerindel I'm looking at the Fonstad map on page 74-75 right now. Archet is placed slightly north-east of Combe, deeper in Chetwood. smilies/smile.gif

Hope that helps. By slightly north-east, I'd estimate about 6 to 9 miles.

[piosenniel]

Everdawn

It had not surprised him that one of the horses had been stolen. He highly doubted that it was his. That horse is the most horrible creature one could ever meet.

Your most recent post was very humorous - I enjoyed it!

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Good grief! I did a search on google for a map of Archet and all I found was a Shirepost entry talking about it's postal stamp. Did find that the post master there these days is one Penny D. Thorney. I wonder how much it would cost to send a letter?
Thanks for the help folks. But if I make a serious blunder, please let me know.

Snowdog - I hope that things work out alright and that you can find computer time.
I end up with an hour or so before work somedays, to post. But it's hard to spent time on computer at home, even just to type.

[piosenniel]

Here is a map of The Shire & Bree-land (http://www.shirepost.com/ShireMapLarge.html).

And here's one of Eriador (http://lotrmaps.middle-earth.us/maps/r3t_M101.jpg).

[Nerindel]

Oh! No! Snowdog please say it ain't true, who will Lead the rangers if you go smilies/frown.gif

Elorathanks, thats roughly where I assumed it should be, It just confused me that Strachey had it southeast rather than northeast smilies/wink.gif

EverdawnI have to agree with Pio very funny smilies/biggrin.gif

[/B]Everyone[/B] Should anyone think they would encounter my newest NCE here is a brief description: to all appearances Fallas looks to be nothing more than an old hermit, Dressed in a shabby woollen robe tied at the waist by a well worn brown leather belt.

His hair is grey, as are his eyes and his beard which is tuck in his belt, he has a wooden staff which supports his seemingly frail body, But these thing are Deceptive, for in need he is swift and agile. His age and origins are unknown, but It is rumoured that he was once one of the Dunedain and has some of the foresight of his kin.

The Breelanders for the most part ignore him fearing that his long life is caused by some kind of sorcery. which of course is not true, and is only heightened by rumours that people have gone into the wood and not return.

These people being theives and bandits, who have heard of Tallas' trade and sought to aquire some of his more rare potions, But Tallas does not hold with these sorts of people and would have sent then on their way or their death if they refused to leave.

[Snowdog]

I guess I have some explaining to do here. Basicly my situation is this... When I got started on this great story, and I LOVE this story to pieces, I would spend a couple hours every couple nights to read and write and stay in it. However, things move fast here, so it was every night I needed to stay on top of it all. Well, I won't now be getting on the internet at home, and very seldom at work, so I will have little to no time to write a post that would be meaningful, let alone understandable and with correct grammer. I will try and do my best to stay current on reading this, but I am afraid I will will not be able to post. Again, my apologies.

[ September 16, 2003: Message edited by: Snowdog ]

[Ealasaide]

Sorry I have been away from the computer for a couple of days. Seems like a lot is going on! I will read both threads & try to get caught up.

I'll do my best to get posts up today for both Benia & Kaldir.

Snowdog Wow! I'm sorry to hear about your situation, but I hope you will try to hang in with us for awhile. Maybe things will simmer down in a few days & you can come back in on a regular basis. I feel like I am constantly playing catch-up, too, especially on the weekends. Let us know if there is anyhting any of us can do to help!

[ September 15, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaide ]

[piosenniel]

Nerindel

How large a part in this game will your NCE have? Will other players be using him?

If this will be an ongoing character that will be used throughout the game then please do a very brief character description form for him so that he's fairly firmly established in everyone's mind.

Thanks! ~~ Pio

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Pio Thanks a mint for the maps!!!! The Shire/Bree one is marvelous! I can actually read it! I had seen it listed on the site, but assumed the one was only the Shire so hadn't examined it yet. (It does look like a fun site to check out.)

Snowdog I understand down to my furry feet what you are saying. This RP has kind of taken all of my freetime and then some, also. I've even temporarily halted my "Walk to Rivendell" (actually Lorien now), something I was loath to do, in order to have more time to write. Oh if days were only 36 hours long! (I'd probably get a lot more sleep! smilies/wink.gif )

Proposal - Seeing now that I'm not the only harried person in our group, do you think we could make an effort to slow down so that everyone can relax a bit more? It seems to have been happening on it's own these past few days, but I know it's hard when ideas come to mind and you want to get them out before they are obsolete. There are ways around that though too, right? smilies/wink.gif

Nerindel - Is Halwain a man or an elf? I thought man first then elf, so I thought I'd better ask. I've probably overlooked something somewhere.

[ September 15, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Elora]

Hilde, my thoughts precisely.

I would like to second her proposal and throw my agreement and whole hearted support behind it with all I have.

Snowdog you don't me any explanations, for one. I hope that there is a way through this. Slowing down is probably a good idea so that we can all have the benefit of more time to work on our characters. A number of us are playing a few.

Speaking for myself here, I find that when I am not posting for a character on this RP, I'm frantically trying to forward plan with any free time I have. I guess that shows how much I love role playing more than anything else. I sure would appreciate some breathing time to make sure I capture the essence of the story and the individuals I am working on each time.

[Imladris]

I was skimming through the Rohan games and I came across one (the Brotherhood, I think) and the game-owner said that he only wanted two or three posts a week maximam on the game. Now I think that that is too few (especially for one with so many characters) so I thought that maybe, to slow things down a bit, it would be a good idea to limit each character to one post a week. That way, it would give people with problems (such as Snowdog and Hilde) time to craft a creative post as well as letting people who have more than one character (such as Elora and Elesaide) not loose the essence of their character.

So what do you think?

Imladris

[ September 15, 2003: Message edited by: Imladris ]

[Elora]

An interesting suggestion that has merit, in my opinion, Imladris.

Would this cause us to run into difficulty with time limits on the rp? Are those limits negotiable?

[Ealasaide]

I agree wholeheartedly that we need to slow down a little bit!!! After all, we have 13 weeks to write this thing. Like Hilde & Snowdog, I was feeling a bit harried, like I was constantly falling behind and having to work as hard as I could just to read everything... Then I would spend all my time reading & not have any time left to write.

I think it's wonderful that everyone is so enthusiastic, but we need to keep this fun, not a chore.

Having said that, I am also very hesitant to put a formal limit to the number of posts anyone is allowed to write. My thought is that we just give everyone else a reasonable amount of time to post after we post.

I guess my point is this: let's just keep in mind that some people have more time to write than others, and give the people with less time a little consideration.

If THAT doesn't work, then we can try limiting the number of posts.

How does that sound?

[ September 15, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaide ]

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Whoa! thirteen weeks? I thought we had six! And here we are with stuff from act two already being accomplished!

Which ever way we want to slow down is Ok with me.

[Nerindel]

Yes, I too believe slowing down is a good Idea, My partner too is feeling a bit neglected of late smilies/frown.gif and I have promised my son that I would start writing a story for him and I just haven't had the time. smilies/frown.gif


Nerindel - Is Halwain a man or an elf? I thought man first then elf, so I thought I'd better ask. I've probably overlooked something somewhere.

Hilde sorry I should have made that more clearer Halwain is a man (He was made Captain of the Annúminas when Amandur refused the post smilies/wink.gif )

Nerindel
How large a part in this game will your NCE have? Will other players be using him?

If this will be an ongoing character that will be used throughout the game then please do a very brief character description form for him so that he's fairly firmly established in everyone's mind.


His part is not large at all, he will not leave Chetwood, he was merely added as a means to turn Léspheria towards Bree.

But if anyone else wants to use him they are free to do so.

If a Proper description is required I am happy to do one, just let me know! smilies/biggrin.gif

Everyone Just a remainder that I will be on holiday and have no internet access from the 24th to 29th September, So I don't know what will happen to Léspheria and Amandur in this time, but hopefully if we are slowing down, they won't get left to far behind! smilies/biggrin.gif

[Snowdog]

Some comments here:

1. DON'T put limits on the number of posts. This impedes creativity. Also, this is one of the drawbacks to having a timelimit on an RP in the first place in that it causes people to post frequently in the hopes they stay ahead of the 'script'. If not, then the time-squeeze issue comes into play and people hurry through their posts.

2. My personal situation is a bit more than just not having the time to read and write, and I am activly talking to another to take over my part in this RP (if this is acceptable to everyone). If I do get them interested enough to take it over, I will post a 'crossover' post followed by theirs to give the character continuity. If this does not work out, I will write the finish of Hanasían of the Dúnedain.

3. I think everyone writing to this story has done, and will continue to do a fantastic job in telling this tale, and my hope is that everyone will continue to do their best!

[Ealasaide]

Well, bummer, Snowdog! You will be a tremendous loss. smilies/frown.gif

Good luck with your situation. Just let us know what you will end up doing where the game is concerned. Since Hanasian was your character before this game came along, please don't feel obliged to kill him off in order to take him out of the game. He can always be called away by Elessar on some urgent business elsewhere. If necessary, one of us can handle the scene for you. That way, Hanasian will be alive & well and able to carry on elsewhere at a later date.

With that in mind, your friend can come in as his own character. Maybe his guy can arrive with the message that Hanasian must return to Gondor at once... Then the new character can take over Hanasian's mission. Just a thought! That way, it takes the pressure off your friend to stay true to Hanasian. I'll miss the connection between Hanasian & Benia, but... oh, well!

We will miss you (& Hanasian) very much!

[ September 16, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaide ]

[Imladris]

Yeah, I'll miss you, too, Snowdog; Maethor will miss Hanasian...

Imladris

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I second (oops, third) that sentiment!

On the practical side what is to become of Maethor in the interim?

Looks like we are posting at the same time here, Imladris!

[Nerindel]

Namaarie Snowdog,

Sorry to hear that you are leaving us. smilies/frown.gif

Your first person narrative, is always a joy to read and will be sorely missed, as will you by all here.

And listen to Ealasaid don't kill Hanasían of the Dunedain smilies/tongue.gif

[Snowdog]

Alright, if it is ok with the writers, I have recruited a daring soul from among the ranks of my workmates, who also happens to be a Tolkien book fanatic. He is willing to give it a go as he has written in RP before. I had told him about this site earlier when we were recruiting for people, but he never did get into it. Anyway, he is reading the story outline I had printed earlier, and he will hopefully post here as soon as he is registered. I gave him the freedom to use Hanasían if he wants to, but he may take your idea of a different character.

Well, I am officially 'off the internet'.

Namarie

[Ealasaide]

Okay - thanks, Snowdog! You probably won't see this, but, if you do, please feel free to pop in to the Discussion Thread & say hello if you get the chance.

Snowdog's Friend - please post here on the Discussion Thread as soon as you can so that we will know who you are and what your plans are in terms of a character, i.e. whether you will be carrying on with Hanasian or writing someone new.

If the character is new, I'm sure Snowdog will have told you how to go about constructing a character profile, which should be posted to this thread ASAP.

If you have any questions, please be sure to ask. We are all a bunch of enthusiastic busy-bodies who would be more than happy to help out... probably more than you would like! smilies/wink.gif smilies/smile.gif

[Arveleg]

Hello all! I have taken the daunting task of writing for Snowdog, and as I have read much of what you all have done here, it will be a daunting task indeed. What I will do is carry on with Snowdogs character as that will cause less confusion in the thread. Also, I think I have a pretty good handle on it based on the character profile and what has been written so far. So I will try and construct a post, and please let me know if I am doing anything wrong or missed any details. I look forward to writing with you all!

[piosenniel]

Welcome to the Shire and to this excellent game, Arveleg! smilies/biggrin.gif

Please do check your PM's (Private Messages).

~~ Pio, Shire Moderator

[ September 16, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Ealasaide]

Arveleg - Welcome to the BD, brave soul! You will be filling some big snowshoes! smilies/wink.gif
I'm looking forward to writing with you. Any one of us would be happy to try to answer any questions you might have about characters, plot, etc.
In the meantime, feel free to jump in with Hanasian whenever you are ready.

[Imladris]

Welcome to the game, Arveleg!!

[Imladris]

Elora, what happens to Vanwe once Naiore dumps her as it were to her fate? Does she fall in with the rangers or...? I'm sorry if I'm jumping too far ahead, but I was just wondering...

BTW, do you have an answer for Naiore's question for where does fear spawn?

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Salutations Arevleg! And thanks so much for taking up Hanasian and helping all of us out here. Have fun!

Nerindel – Belated thanks for letting me know about Halwain. His name didn't look elvish, but then again I don't know the languages.

BTW, do you have an answer for Naiore's question for where does fear spawn?

Imladris & Elora – I certainly hope you don’t feel the need to research this question?! smilies/eek.gif

[Arveleg]

Thanks for the welcome everyone. I will try and get something up today, and Piosennel, I will also do as you suggested. Thanks again.

[Ealasaide]

Looking forward to your post, Arveleg!

I also plan to have something up today for Kaldir.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Crikey Ealasaid! Does that mean Gilly should post? smilies/biggrin.gif

[Arveleg]

edit- sorry, I guess im not cut out for this.
To me it made sense since everyone left the Forsaken Inn in the morning, and everyone it seems is heading for Chetwood. It seemed that the other two rangers had the trail of Naiore and Vanwe well in hand. I guess that doesn't leave much for Hanasian to do but post something like, Hanasian followed the other two Rangers. I guess I will wait for Act 3 and post. Sorry to have muffed up the script.

[ September 17, 2003: Message edited by: Arveleg ]

[Ealasaide]

Arveleg - nicely written post but you screwed me & Hilde up in a major kind of way. Hanasian is not supposed to confront Kaldir until the end of Act 3, if you look at the outline. We are currently in Act 2.

Right now, Hanasian & Maethor are supposed to be on Naiore's trail, moving toward Chetwood. Naiore & Vanwe are to the north of Benia & Gilly.

**********************
Here is the outline:
ACT 1: At the Forsaken Inn
Lespheria departs, leaving Amandur at the inn, where he remains in the hopes of finding out where Naiore is.

Naiore & Vanwe meet somewhere near the inn.

Kaldir captures Gilly, who is trying to rescue Benia.

Hanasian returns to the inn from Bree.

2 Shady Underworld Types arrive at the inn. (Or they may already be there -- writer‘s choice.)

2 New Rangers arrive at the inn, meeting Amandur and Hanasian.

ACT 2: Meetings & Departures
Kaldir returns to the woods, where he had earlier sensed an ominous presence, and discovers that it is indeed Naiore. He picks up her trail.

Naiore & Vanwe fall in together.

Hanasian & Amandur also learn of Naiore's presence by chance, intuition, or whispered rumor.

Having been intercepted and turned back by a messenger from her twin brother, Lespheria returns to the inn, where she rejoins Amandur.

Hanasian joins forces with the other two (as yet unnamed) Rangers.

Hearing somehow of Naiore’s presence, the Underworld Types decide to seek her out, leaving the inn before the others.

The rest of them depart (in separate groups) in pursuit of Naiore.

Gilly and Benia accompany Kaldir as his prisoners (sort of).

Act 3: Intrigue
Naiore & Vanwe take up with the two Shady Underworld Types

The Hunters & the Hunted all stalk each other a bit. There are run-ins & confrontations as Naiore attempts to take out her pursuers by whatever means she has at her disposal.

Gilly & Benia try to decide whether to assist Kaldir, escape from him, or attempt to redeem him.

Hanasian catches up with Kaldir.


Act 4: The Noose Tightens
With Rangers and bounty hunters closing in, Naiore changes her focus from killing the Rangers to pursuing Menecin, using any and all means to conceal her path.

The Rangers (all of them) and Lespheria ride together.

Shady characters start to realize Naiore may be setting them up for a fall and so plot against her.

Gilly & Benia manage to free themselves or Kaldir loosens his grip as he becomes increasingly focused on the hunt for Naiore.


Act 5: End Game
Naiore makes her attempt to kill Menecin. She fails & flees to the south, deserting Vanwe to her fate.

Naiore tries to take down anyone she can as she attempts to escape the closing trap.

The shady characters make their move against Naiore, either on their own or together.

Naiore is trapped somewhere near the Gladden Fields, where she is either captured or slain.
****************************

Also, before attacking other Major Characters, please clear it with the other writer either here or by PM before posting.

Also...Kaldir would not be caught by surprise like that. Be careful before taking him on. He is dangerous and would kill your character as soon as look at him if attacked like that.

[ September 17, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaide ]

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Wow, Beautiful writing there Arveleg! Unfortunately, though, Benia doesn't have outside help at this stage, nice though it would be.

I will wait until tomorrow morning to see if I should post Gilly. It runs slightly counter to Arveleg's, so I didn't feel right posting it yet. Though Gilly's eye-sight isn't the best! smilies/wink.gif

[Snowdog]

Sorry it didn't work out. Arveleg was used to freestyle and was rather annoyed at the response he got. He said he remembered why he quit RP writing in the first place, "because the freestyle creative writing form was a thing of the past."

I posted a short bit writing out Hanasían from the story. My apologies.

[Ealasaide]

Thanks, Snowdog. Sorry, everybody. smilies/frown.gif

[Imladris]

So does Maethor join Amandur and Rauthain now? This is so messy...no offense to anyone.

[Ealasaide]

No offense taken, Imladris. It is messy. I should never have invited someone in, sight unseen, who was not familiar with the dynamic of the game, much less the protocols of the BD. My apologies.

Yes, Maethor will now be riding with Rhauthain & Amandur. I will have to check the previous posts, but I think you may be able to carry on with those two from where the game currently stands. (Later) Okay, I just checked. Maethor will have to ride a little to catch up with them, but you can take care of that with a sentence or two.

Again, My apologies. My bad. I am kind of new at this.

[ September 17, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaide ]

[Imladris]

Elesaide, I was just going to apologize for my comment. I mean, you and Snowdog and the others thought up of this game and made it work and now this is happening! I had no right to complain. Bad me!

Okay, I think I'll take care of Maethor right now. This will sound pathetic, but I've missed him. smilies/rolleyes.gif

[piosenniel]

Okay, my understanding is that Hanasian and his writer are permanently gone from the game.

Do you think you will be needing another Ranger character to come on board? Or can the present writers handle this absence - either by carrying on without Hanasian . . . or inventing an NCE that the other Rangers can use as needed . . . or someone picking up another secondary Ranger character (you all seem rather loaded down with characters at this point, however) . . . or do you want to look to recruiting someone to play a Ranger? (Which would work out best if you could find someone on the BD whose writing you liked and felt was compatible with yours and then invited them to read the game so far and see if they felt they could jump in.)

What do you all think would be best to do?

[Elora]

Firstly, apologies for my absence. It is owing to extenuating circumstances that cannot be avoided.

Presently, I can only offer brief discussion. I won't be posting for some days for my characters but I have not disappeared. I expect to be back in some fashion by Monday (board time).

As for the matter at hand, I had hoped to use the bond that was developing between Hanasian and Vanwe as leverage for when Vanwe decides to throw her lot in with the Dunedain later on in the RP.

I ask that, whatever you decide, some scope for that impetus for Vanwe be developed in some other way (be it with a new character, NCE or an existing character).

If you decide not to recruit another ranger and not create Hanasian as a NCE, I'll need to create a bond for Vanwe over the course of the RP with another existing character. Perhaps Maethor, as Vanwe is not quite so terrified of him as she is of Amadur.

I hope the above makes sense. I'm sorry I can't be of more help right now.

Arveleg I'm sorry I missed your arrival and the opportunity to extend my greetings. Seems the chance has well passed and you've left us. Sorry about that too.


Belated as this is, and likely pointless as I suspect you won't read this at this late stage, Mae Govannen and Namarie.

[Nerindel]

Ok,
I have been busy reading over Hanasíans Bio and his posts past and present and I think his character is to deeply involved in the plot to let him go, So if everyone agrees I will take over his character [gulp] smilies/biggrin.gif

But I will need the assistance of everyone else who is linked to this character, ie Benia, Vanwe and Naiore, ok smilies/wink.gif Thanks!

I will pick Snowdogs character up in bree, once everyone gets there,

The only flaw in my plan is my up coming absence, but I can write a forwarding post for Hanasían and PM it to one of my fellow Co-owners and they can edit it to fit with what is actually happening at the time (if you know what I mean?)

Snowdog if by any chance you get to see this do let me know if there is anything you think I should know about Hanasían.

[Ealasaide]

Wonderful, Nerindel! Thanks for stepping into the breach. If Elora & Hilde are agreeable to that solution, I am all for it! Bravo!

As for your upcoming absense, it's really not that long of a time. We will able to work around it pretty easily. If you would like to post ahead for one or more of your characters, that's fine. Or, you can PM your posts to me. I would be happy to do any necessary edits & see that your post is placed on the thread for you at the appropriate time.

Elora - we've missed you, but we all understand "extenuating circumstances". Post when you can! We will look forward to seeing you back on a more regular basis after Monday.

A couple of questions - do you still intend to write your bad guy character, Barrold Ferney? If so, when & how will he be joining the story line? A thought: perhaps Everdawn's Avanill could meet up with him in Bree. Then the two of them can hook up with Naiore.

[ September 18, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaide ]

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Of course Hilde is agreeable, she is delighted! Bless your heart Nerindel and many thanks!

[Imladris]

Ah, confusion strikes again (or it may be that blonde streak...whichever), but why is Naiore making for Bree? Why doesn't she just go and take Vanwe or whatever. Am I just being stupid? And if I am, let me ask some more questions that may be considered stupid:

Why is Vanwe such a threat Naiore?
Why is she so upset with Menecin?

I'm sorry...but these have been bugging me and if I missed the answers to these questions in the Discussion Thread, don't hesitate to slap some sense into my head. smilies/wink.gif

Imladris

[piosenniel]

A very quick note about Hanasian:

I received a PM from Snowdog. He would like the name of the Ranger changed, and I am supposing the Horse, also.

Nerindel - can you choose the names and can everyone please edit them into your posts (I'll do the ones under my name).

Thanks!

~~ Pio

[Ealasaide]

Pio - thanks! Also, could you do the ones in Snowdog's posts, as well? I think he just mentions the horse by name, since he writes in the first person.

Nerindel - since we are changing names, I guess this leaves it open for you to change or elaborate on any aspect of the character bio you would like & make the character your own. Actually, I think this would be advisable, at least to a small degree.

Imladris - I think she is heading to Bree so that she can hook up with the other two bad guys. Then she will double back toward Rivendell once she hears about Menecin's presence there. As for your other questions, I think I will leave those for Elora to answer.

[ September 19, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaide ]

[piosenniel]

Yes, I'll also do any changes needed in Snowdog's posts.

[Everdawn]

Ok well this shouldnt complicate things too much, sing Avanill hasnt begun his proper part in the game yet, but i am flying south to Sydney for 5 days so i wont be near a computer, i hope thats ok.

I will post so that Avanill is in Bree, ELORA If Naiore gets there in the time i am away, could you just put something in for Avanill? Thats only if you get to that stage, if not theres nothing to worry about. smilies/wink.gif

[Nerindel]

er! Do you know what you are asking by having me change Hanasian'a name???

If I change the name then I will have to change the history and the personality as these things are unique to Hanasían,then all Snowdogs posts will have to be edited, Essentually deleteing the Character from the rpg.

I know this is what Snowdog wanted me to do, But I'm sorry, In all good consciousness I can't do this, He took the time and effort to write this character and that should be recongnised!

I would rather see The character leave than delete him entirely smilies/frown.gif
I hope you all understand what I mean.

This can work two ways:

1/ Hanasian has left a note in bree, explaining his need to leave! (Something about his father, as this is the only thing I think would cause him to abondon the search for Naiore)?

2/Amandur meets another ranger who is to take Hanasian's place, as he is called away on another matter?

If you wish to have another Ranger replace Hanasian, I am quiet happy to write a bio for this character smilies/biggrin.gif

Sorry for being a pain smilies/frown.gif

Nerindel.

[Snowdog]

I appreciate the sentiments Nerindel, and after carefully re-reading the whole RP, I see that changing the names will not really work without starting alot of other complications, not to mention alot of unnecessary work on everyones part. Since I, and everyone else had a bit of time to think, I pondered that which I am doing to all of you here, and again apologize. I want to make it easy to keep going, and the doubts can impede the creativity everyone in this Story has, so I propose for your consideration two alternatives to keep things flowing smoothly:
1. Hanasían meets another Ranger he knows along the road to Bree and gives him the pouch & belt (forgot about this), and any information that he had, and this Ranger that Nerindel (or someone else) creates takes over, so the RP dynamic from this point will have him in it instead of Hanasían. I can post the exchange bewteen Hanasían and this Ranger, then Nerindel or if an NCE, anyone can write from there for this Ranger. This accomplishes two things. One is it effectively writes out Hanasían from the story without causing much, if any, problem with the back-story, and also introduces the other Ranger.
2. Hanasían stays in the story as an NCE, which I am have mixed feelings about. I am somewhat loathe to do this as NCEs usually are handled with less care than one's own character, and I am afraid he would be made out as somewhat of a dolt. Hanasían is a character born out of an RP I was in for a couple years (He was born at the end of Shadow over Arnor (http://www.tolkienonline.com/thewhitecouncil/messageview.cfm?catid=25&threadid=280#1), which has more the story of his father and mother in it) so I guess I am quite protective of him. On the other hand I am sort of interested to see what other people would come up with when provided his Character bio. Like I said... mixed feelings.

Either one of these two alternatives would make the transition much easier for everyone involved. Any thoughts/opinions?

[Imladris]

I hope nobody minds my two cent's worth, especially since I'm not a game owner, but I don't really think that you should have Hanasian as a NCE because Snowdog had several good reasons for not wanting that, and I think it would just seem kind of odd for readers of the game. It's like, you start getting to know the character, and suddenly he's just gone...disappeared as it were. Having him as an NCE would break the flow a lot more than just simply writing Hanasian off somewhere.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I would opt for choice one as well, but I'm also not a game owner. Since Vanwe and Kaldir have more of a back story going on, Elora and Ealasaide should be the ones to decide it would seem. (Also Nerindel as she might wind up writing the character!)

[ September 21, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Elora]

My, my, so much to respond to.

I'm not confortable with Hanasian as a NCE. SNowdog has put a great deal of work into developing that character and his history. Whilst we could perhaps approximate something in line with his creative vision for Hanasian, I doubt we could nail it as he could.

Knowing how attached I get to characters that I've created, I wouldn't like to contemplate writing someone else's as a NCE and muffing it up. So my opinion, for what it's worth, is that we arrange a passing of the torch from Hanasian to another character (passing on necessary info). This way, the story line can flow forward with this new evolution and Snowdog's Hanasian is not eroded by NCE activities.

Evolution and change is the lifeblood of collaborative writing, be they free form RP or planned ones such as this. Change is necessary. smilies/smile.gif

OK, here are the responses to questions:

1) What happens to Vanwe once Naiore abandons her?

Well, interesting question. Vanwe is abandoned by Naiore at Imladris, as she will send Vanwe in to do her dirty work and hence Vanwe will fall into the waiting net. What happens to her depends on whose hands she falls into. If she falls into Kaldir's, I cannot yet predict what comes to pass.

If she falls into the Dunedain's or Imladris', then she will face the gruelling process of learning the truth of her mother.

Regardless, the plot outline is clear enough that however this comes to pass, Vanwe learns the extent to which she has been betrayed by her own mother and sets off after her for a reckonning. Being the daughter of two formidible Noldor, she is something to contend with despite her habit of minimising and underestimating herself.

She'll either set out alone, fleeing Kaldir, or with those who set after Naiore from Imladris, all depending on the above.

2) [I]Where does fear actually spawn?[I]

This question of Naiore's is the root of much of her choice. She is, aside from all else, a philosopher. Her empathic senses detected an undercurrent of fear behind the culturally advanced and sophisicated facade of the Noldor. I chose fear based on my own exploration of the nature of primal motivations, instincts and so forth in my student days.

There is no defined answer to this riddle, hence Naiore fruitless search through all the years. Fear spawns in an unknowable place deep within us all. She cannot possibly extract it as it's interwoven throughout us. It cannot be measured or quantified. She's become a master at eliciting it, and detecting its presence. She can control it to a fine degree. But the essense of fear is unpredictable and wild.

So Naiore will never have her answer. All her choices will be in vain, all she sacrificed (and she gave up much to freely pursue this question of hers beyond the moral bounds of her restrictive, civilised, society where base emotions such as fear, lust, rage and love are tightly controlled). For all her intelligence and ability, Naiore made fundamental errors in judgement that reflect more of herself than that which she pursues.

3) [I]Do I still intent to write Barrold Ferney?[I]

Yes, I sure do. He'll join the RP at Bree. He has a safe house and an past acquaintance with Naiore Dannan. Naiore will make for Barrold immediately once she gains Bree. She'll be sending Barrold out to earn his extortionate gold. She'll want supplies, horses, poisons... so therein lies the opportunity for Barrold to encounter the other underworld figures for the people of Bree are justifiably reluctant to do business with Master Ferney.

4) [I]Why is Naiore making for Bree?[I]

Naiore is running low on key provisions. She's been on the run in the wild for quite some time. Her push north into the Shire has been foiled, and now the Dunedain are hot on her trail and she has a hostage to manage.

In short, Naiore is under some pressure for provisions, time to plan and a place to lay low for a while. She much prefers to pre-plan, being an analytical creature. So, Naiore is making for the only safe place she knows of in the North - Barrold Ferney's. Even that's not so safe, but she has means of keeping Ferney in some semblance of control.

She needs food, fresh horses, and she needs to replentish the stuff of her trade. Poison and toxins, hone her weapons, scout the land and draw up plans. That's why she's making for Bree.

Plus, it works well for the story as characters need a place to converge and meet up.


When I next post for my characters, it shall be nightfall and at Bree that I open at. So, if you have plans for your characters that occur prior to Bree or nightfall, let me know so I don't gazump you (as in, pull the story out from underneath you).

[Ealasaide]

Okay...let me see if I have everything straight...

Nerindel will not be taking over Hanasian or changing his name? If that is the case, then we need to write Hanasian out of the story. I don't think it would work to use him as an NCE.
Whether we bring in another Ranger character or not really depends on whether Nerindel would like to write another Ranger. Frankly, as long as we can fill the holes in the plot that Hanasian leaves behind, I really don't think we need to add another Ranger...although another Ranger would be nice!

Here are the plot problems that arise with writing Hanasian out...
1) The growing sympathy between Vanwe and Hanasian. Perhaps we can work out a way for Maethor or a new Ranger to fill this gap.

2) The connection between Benia & Hanasian. This is not central to the plot & can be dropped. I can always come up with something else.

3) Vanwe's pouch. With a little editing, I think Hanasian can hand it over to Maethor or the new Ranger.

[ September 22, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaide ]

[Snowdog]

Since I had to agree with Imladris and Elora, I went ahead and wrote a post to pass the pouch to a Ranger. I used the name Dulrain, but if you wish another name for the NCE Ranger, then it will only be an edit if a couple spots in my post for Pio to do. This new NCE Ranger has allthe information that Hanasían knew for he told to the Rangerin their meeting, and he is now on his way to Bree and can arrive anytime anyone wants to write him in. Hanasían departs on his personal quest, and leaves the story with everything written beforehand still intact. I closed his part in the story and there will be no further posts from me. I think this was the simplist and easiest way to take care of this. I would like to wish all the writers Happy Writing, and I will miss interacting with you all.

Namarie,
Hanasían

[Ealasaide]

Thanks, Snowdog! We will carry it forward from here. Happy trails!

[Ealasaide]

When I next post for my characters, it shall be nightfall and at Bree that I open at. So, if you have plans for your characters that occur prior to Bree or nightfall, let me know so I don't gazump you (as in, pull the story out from underneath you).


Elora, can you hold off until I get one more post up for Kaldir? I just need for him to round up Gilly & Benia once & for all, then find Naiore's trail.

[Elora]

That I most certainly can do Ealasaide. smilies/smile.gif

Snowdog, may Illuvator guide your path and smile upon your days. smilies/smile.gif

[Imladris]

Thanks for the clarification, Elora. It's just that I'm one of those writers who like to have a reason for everything (hence some problems with writer's block) and I knew that the Bree and all was so that everything would come nicely together and all, but I wanted to know why Naiore was making for Bree, which you have just explained. My thanks. Rotten sentence. No time to fix. Sorry.

[Ealasaide]

Okay, Elora, I have posted with Kaldir. You may move ahead into the next day & Bree. smilies/smile.gif

[Elora]

Shall do, Ealasaide. smilies/smile.gif

Imladris, pleased I was able to help. Nothing wrong with asking questions. I am known to do the same from occassion to occassion myself. smilies/wink.gif

[Nerindel]

Hey, all

I had hoped to post for both Amandur and Léspheria before I left, but there just hasn't been that time! sorry smilies/frown.gif



Imaldris and Hildeif you what you can rejoin Amandur in the prancing pony and have him introduce Dúlrain and I will edit their (Amanadur & Dúlrain) meeting in front of Léspheria's when I return smilies/wink.gif Also Lespheria has entered the prancing pony and will tell the rangers that she sensed her nearby.

EloraI hope I was right in thinking that Naiore would feel when another was sensing her mind smilies/wink.gif

Anyway I have to get some sleep before we leave smilies/tongue.gif cyas Tuesday smilies/biggrin.gif

Happy writing
~Nerindel

[Ealasaide]

ummm... I have question. I thought Kaldir was ahead of the other Rangers, but Nerindel's post has him behind them. One of us needs to do an edit.
Where are the Rangers?????

Since Kaldir had taken off well before the others, even what with Benia & Gilly, I had really pictured him as being ahead of the others.

[ September 23, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaide ]

[Elora]

Ah curses, I had hoped to avoid gazumping you Nerindel and have ended up doing it all the same. smilies/frown.gif My apologies!

You are correct that Naiore would sense another reaching for her. She doesn't read thoughts but is remarkably sensative to the emotions of others (a variation on Galadriel's abilities, to whom Naiore is related as is of course Vanwe). Vanwe's abilities could be developed in any number of ways.

That's why Naiore is concerned about Vanwe. Her daughter may use abilities inherited from her mother and kin to bring about Naiore's demise. In fact, Vanwe's abilities are largely undeveloped, a calculated consequence of leaving her with those unskilled in such Elven crafts (the Harardrim). They tend are healing, though, and take an artistic path. Can't forget her father is a Bard, and so she would also have a love of language and song.

I imagine that based on this, Vanwe will prove adept at learning languages. She presently only has Common Tongue, with limited literacy and numeracy. But she needs none of these things to heal.


Imladris and Everdawn I will be sending Barrold out on his errands for Naiore on the following day. I expect him to be searching for horses, poisons and of course, information.

My plan was for Barrold to inform Naiore that Menecin yet lived, and is at Imladris. Barrold being Barrold, it's unlikely he'd come across that tidbit or even know it's value, by fratenising with Rangers and Elves.

So, I figured that perhaps Barrold would get this from one of your characters in his interaction with them. They'd know that Barrold was in the market for some items that they'd make a tidy profit on and things could unfold from there.

Based on that, your characters get their introduction to Naiore and the chance to get a cut of the action/profits through Barrold.

Imladris, I realised that I have still left one of your questions unanswered. You asked why Naiore hates Menecin.

Their relationship is a complicated and tangled one. Naiore once loved him, as far as she left herself that is. She's a tightly controlled creature, and to truly love means to let go and open yourself. I doubt if she ever truly did that ever, even in the early days.

At first, Naiore would have hated what Menecin represented. Marriage to him would for Naiore mean capture, imprisionment. She would have felt contempt for his apparent blindness to the things she saw. She would have found his love a weakness, a thing to cloy her mind and life.

Menecin, though, loves with all he has. He is a creature of depth in emotion and mind. It was Naiore's unusual nature that drew him to her. She was like a muse, and the relationship developed to be more. When she left, he was devastated. Menecin was one of the most vocal who thought she had been taken.

He pursued her, hoping to somehow save her. He did not know he was attempting the impossible, to save her from herself, because he did not see into the depths of her heart. Naiore never let him. Menecin became driven, hunting her trail, refusing to believe the rumours until the disaster of the Gladden Fields.

When Naiore once again became known to her people, and this time as their foe, it became harder for Menecin to ignore the truth. Still, he claimed that she was in thrall. He had seen those in thrall to Morgoth in the First Age. He watched their torment, rejected by their people should they survive to escape. He loved Naiore despite all this and refused to abandon her to a smiliar fate.

The woman Menecin loved was a lie, but he did not know it yet. He pursued her doggedly through the years and the hunt took a terrible toll on his spirit. He changed, became dark and brooding. At times bitterly angry and others stricken by grief, Naiore became an obsession. He never knew how close he came to tripping her up over the years.

Eventually, Naiore turned to her past to deal with Menecin. He was, in a way, her first victim. His long deterioration and hopless quest was one cruel torture. He represented all Naiore thought she had risen above. She abandoned Sauron's service for a time to see to her own needs. Displeased, Sauron allowed this once he knew what his servant was doing. One Elf destroying another suited him fine.

Naiore set up Menecin so that he found her at last in a desolate place in the wilds. She had him fall on a raggle taggle band of orcs that she feigned had been tormenting her. Menecin was a fell creature. Fuelled by the discovery of his love, he fought as though he were possessed.

Naiore allowed him to slay the orcs and began perhaps her most terrible Ravenning ever. She allowed Menecin to think her saved at long last. She gulled him and Menecin was only too willing to believe. He had his love back once more. For Naiore, she was curious to see how far she could push love, how it worked. When she tired of her game, she attacked Menecin.

Her violence was viscious. Unlike occassions before, she was moved by personal passions that ran deep. This was no task appointed to her. This was her own. Menecin was too much of a hindrance that may trip her up at an inconvenient time. He was baggage when all was said and done. She thought she had disposed of him accordingly.

Menecin survived, barely. Naiore moved on, free of her past and believing that a glorious future awaited from her. That Menecin did not die will represent a personal failure for Naiore. That will not be acceptable. She'll further think that Menecin is in cohoots with Vanwe and thinks to use their daughter against her.

Menecin is quite mad, but even so would never match the depths to which Naiore will sink in order to see her will done.

So, for all those reasons, Naiore will hate Menecin with an implacable passion for he represents weakness and a past she would deny, as well as failure. Menecin's existance threatens to make all Naiore has worked for and all she believes in a lie. For he loves still, as much as he hates her now. Love cannot exist if fear is the root of all existance, all emotion, thought and action.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I thought Kaldir was ahead of the other Rangers, but Nerindel's post has him behind them. One of us needs to do an edit.
Where are the Rangers?????

I had the impression he was behind also, since the rangers were traveling through the Chetwood after Naiore & Vanwe while Kaldir was dealing with Benia & Gilly. I suppose that when Kaldir found the tracks they could be changed to read, “exiting the forest” instead of “entering the forest” which to my mind would place Kaldir after Amandur & Dúlrain in reaching Bree, but likely a little before Maethor & Rauthain, if it aright with everyone. With the nightfall and Rauthain’s delaying until there are more rangers, I can see them stopping close by Bree, perhaps with Maethor going ahead to the Prancing Pony to contact the others. I also was wondering about how to avoid Rauthain and Kaldir meeting up just yet. It doesn’t seem the right time. Or is it? Kaldir’s got a lot going on at present, and Rauthain would no doubt be irked to find he’d put shackles on a lady!

Elora, it is rather funny timing, your writing about Menecin and Naiore here. Yesterday I was working on a post I was trying to put up before you had a chance to change the time, and it mentioned their strange relationship. Needless to say I didn’t finish it before you posted, but I hope to get it cleaned up and tweaked before Imladris has a chance to go. I’m relieved to find it echoes quite a bit of what you have written here.

And Imladris, thanks for mentioning Naiore and Kaldir again. Hopefully Rauthain will out with at least some of his back story and knowledge! If his writer will stop typing here and get to work! smilies/biggrin.gif

[Ealasaide]

I am totally confused. I can't have the tracks exiting the forest because he is on the east side of the forest. If the tracks are exiting, then Naiore would be heading east & away from Bree.

All this talk about the Rangers in the forest...I thought you were still back in the forest around the inn! The business with Gilly and Benia wouldn't take more than about 30 minutes, tops. Also, how could Kaldir have seen Naiore & Vanwe if the Rangers were already ahead of him? That would put the Rangers ahead of Naiore as well. Oh, this stinks.

I will rewrite my post & try to find a way for it to work. Actually, I'll have to rework my last two posts.

Hilde - as for putting shackles on a woman...Kaldir isn't too fond of doing that either but since she sawed through the ropes he put on her earlier, he had to do something.

[ September 24, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaide ]

[Imladris]

Your welcome, Hilde, for mentioning Naiore and Kaldir. Maethor can't really decide what to feel about them. He is loathe to believe the tales of Naiore (yet he knows they are true) and he feels sympathy for Kaldir, yet he can't stand that he has turned to bounty hunting. Maethor also wouldn't mind running on ahead to the Prancing Pony whenever they reach Bree...

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I’m sorry Ealasaide! smilies/frown.gif

The way I saw things going, was that Kaldir left the inn got side tracked with Benia and Gilly, who were on foot headed north and a little west toward Archet. The rangers leave very soon after Kaldir, following Naiore also north and west but not exactly the same bearing. Kaldir could have skirted the forests lower edge after catching Benia while Naiore & Rangers made a wide high arc up toward Coombe and back down to Bree, as she was trying to shake off pursuers if there were any. Whichever way you decide to go, though. And perhaps I am alone in seeing things this way.

As for the shackles…here I thought you brought them into the story so you could place them on Naiore eventually! smilies/wink.gif

Imladris, I’m still working on that post and HOPE to have it up today.

[Ealasaide]

No problem, Hilde. I'm rewriting to put ol' Slowpoke at the back of the herd.

Rewrites are done.

[ September 24, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaide ]

[Imladris]

This is probably a useless post, but I'm putting it up anyway. I thought that that was an excellently crafted post, Hilde!!!! Very nice reading it!!! smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/wink.gif

[Elora]

Hilde! I gazzumped you too? smilies/frown.gif

A pox upon me for my thoughtlessness. Next time, I think it fair to leave it to another of our fine crew to forward the time line if necessary.

However, I am relieved that what ended up being a long diatribe was of some use to you Hilde. smilies/smile.gif

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Thanks for the encouragement! I felt it to be a bit "over the top" and choppy, but now you all know where Rauthain's mind is.

Elora, actually I had the Naiore part written after reading Imladris' post on the story before I found your "diatribe" here this morning. Hence my reaction to it. Honestly, sometimes I feel telepathy is at work, I'll be writing something and someone will use the same particular word or phase a quarter or half the world away! I wonder if I am the only one who has this happen? smilies/tongue.gif At anyrate you have done a wonderful job at describing your characters, Elora. Not an easy feat, for Naiore in particular is a bit hard to wrap one's mind around, (for this poor hobbit at anyrate).

Don't worry about gazzumping! I had plenty of time and warning about the impending time change.

[ September 27, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Imladris]

Just to remind everybody, I'm going out of town for a week on Monday...I will try to get a post up for Maethor before I leave (Time, Time, where hast thou departed so swiftly?). I will try to post and keep up to date on everything but I make no promises.

[Ealasaide]

Imladris - thanks for the reminder regarding your upcoming absense! Post if you can with Maethor. Otherwise, is it all right with you that he be carried along with Rauthain & Amandur until your return?

[Everdawn]

Elora-
RE: Ferney, ill wait for you to lay the scene and he will be met with a rather hesitant but willing Avanill, is that ok?

[Imladris]

Yeah, that's all right if Maethor is carried along by Rauthain and Amandur. By the way, you guys have done a great job keeping Maethor true to his character. smilies/biggrin.gif

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Imladris - Is it Ok then for Maethor to go to the Prancing Pony and meet up with the other rangers if you haven't posted before you leave?

I'm stumped a bit about where to go from here since quite a few of the good guys have an excellent idea were Naiore is, and Maethor, Rauthain, and Kaldir will find her tracks leading there.

1) Are we planing to descend on Barrold's place at some point?

2) Is Naiore going to be forced to shift her location?

3)How are we going to orchestrate the stalking and run ins so that it is not a disorganized "free for all"?

4) Also wondering about the part of the script when Hanasian catches up to Kaldir. Conceivably Rauthain could fill this small part of Hanasian's portion of the story, although I don't know if I could carry it off well as I wish I could.

One more thing I wanted to bring to everyone's attention, Ealasaide has revised her last post for Benia. If you are printing these things out, as I am, you might want to replace it.

[ September 27, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Ealasaide]

This is an e-mail I sent to Hilde earlier explaining where I see things. Looks like the bunch of us need to put our heads together & figure out where to go from here.

I think Lespheria & Amandur only know that she is in Bree. Have Rhauthain & Maethor tracked her as far as the house? I thought they would only get as far as Bree, then lose her in the shuffle of all the footprint traffic of town. They would pick back up on her (I thought) somehow at the inn.

And, yes, I think we need to keep Rhauthain & Kaldir separate for the moment.

I have a PM into Elora suggesting that Kaldir pick up on Naiore, et al, by seeing Barrold disposing of the stolen horse & following him to the house. Being outnumbered (Naiore, Barrold, Avanill, & Vanwe), he would not approach her at this time.

Maybe we should put all of this up on the Discussion Thread! I see some major confusion in the offing if we don't! Also, As I have said many times, Kaldir needs to get in ahead of the Rangers on Naiore's trail. If he doesn't, he knows he hasn't got a chance of getting at her. In which case, he would know he is wasting his time & head south with Benia. I can't see him trailing along as a spectator behind the Rangers.


Elora - the rest of us need your input in particular in terms of what you see happening next with Naiore!

Here is the status of things Right Now:

Amandur & Lespheria are on their way to rendevous at the Prancing Pony.

Maethor & Rhauthain are following Naiore's trail & are just outside Bree, probably within sight of the gate.

Avanill is at the Prancing Pony or on his way there.

Naiore & Barrold are in Barrold Ferney's house with Vanwe tied up in the cellar.

Kaldir is slipping into Bree from the North.

Benia & Gilly are in Kaldir's campsite north of Bree.

[ September 27, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaide ]

[Imladris]

Hey, thanks for the thing where everybody is now, Elesaide...would it be alright if I had Maethor head off to the Prancing Pony in the post that I plan to write, hopefully tonight?

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I figured that Maethor and Rauthain were near enough Bree to see it, (on the outskirts I guess). Which compass direction I don't know. Sounds like to the east would be best.

Toying with the idea of having Rauthain hang back and not go to the Pony, but it sounds like he should be there.

Are we also going to introduce the new ranger? I suppose we need Nerindel's input for that question. Some one could or should explain Hanasian's absence.

[Ealasaide]

Here's what Nerindel had to say about the new Ranger (directed mostly to Hilde & Imladris):

you can rejoin Amandur in the prancing pony and have him introduce Dúlrain and I will edit their (Amanadur & Dúlrain) meeting in front of Léspheria's when I return Also Lespheria has entered the prancing pony and will tell the rangers that she sensed her nearby.


Does that help?

[Ealasaide]

I figured that Maethor and Rauthain were near enough Bree to see it, (on the outskirts I guess). Which compass direction I don't know. Sounds like to the east would be best.

Oops! Sorry, Hilde. I will correct my post. smilies/smile.gif

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Thanks, Ealasaide for refreshing my memory! (DOH!) smilies/tongue.gif

[Imladris]

Maethor has been posted. smilies/biggrin.gif I'm sorry if my writing hasn't been up to par lately...I have just been really tired for the last few weeks because of school and tons and tons of homework.

[Ealasaide]

No need to apologize, Imladris! Your writing has been just fine. smilies/smile.gif We all understand time constraints.
Thanks for posting!

[Elora]

Okey Dokey smilies/smile.gif

My thoughts of events in Bree for my posse of characters were as follows:

*Naiore has to learn of Menecin's presence at Imladris. Her plans to attack the Shire are then changed, seeing Menecin as a greater risk and danger, her personal reasons and her suspicion that Menecin is using Vanwe. She'll use Vanwe against him and Imladris.

*Naiore makes a concerted effort to further gull Vanwe whilst in Bree. It is easier to do there than on the road.

*Barrold needs to meet up with the underworld figures. I figured this would happen when he is out getting supplies for Naiore's attack on the Shire.

*Barrold will probably stumble across the news of Menecin. How he will do this I do not yet know. He won't know what it means, but sense that it is of great worth to Naiore and so furnishes it in return for a small sum of say, hmmmmmm 50 gold? smilies/wink.gif

*Naiore will change her plans and will need help if she is to take on Imladris. She sends Barrold to find help. He brings back the underworld types and the group is formed. It is a group of little loyalty and trust.

*Naiore sets off with the group and Vanwe for Imladris. She would be duly tracked and followed.


Does that help at all?

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Yes, that helps quite a bit. Thank you. Is this all to take place in a day or two RPG time, or longer?

[Ealasaide]

Thanks, Elora! That helps quite a lot.
I do have another question:

*Barrold needs to meet up with the underworld figures.

How many others is he going to recruit (besides Avanill)? Not that it matters...just curious.

[Elora]

Well now, interesting question indeed. smilies/smile.gif

He will certainly recruit Avanill.... mayhap Ealasaide's horse thief too...

Naiore could have an army and still Imladris would likely fend her off. Elrond chose his site for the defensive haven in the 2nd Age well. Plus, she will want to move swift and quiet.

Barrold doesn't trust himself, much less any colleagues in his line of work.

So, unless someone wants to play another underworld character, I figure Barrold would recruit Avanill and do business with Cobhran Tucker to obtain some freshly stolen horses. Fast ones.... Naiore will be happy to pay a price for the right mounts. She does not stint on necessities such as decent horses, weapons and the like and she has a remnant of the wealth she amassed over Two Ages of terror.

[Ealasaide]

Oh, yes! Cobhan Tupper would love to get involved here! smilies/wink.gif

Also, could you ask Barrold to mind his language? Cursing is not permitted in the Downs. smilies/smile.gif

[Nerindel]

I'm back smilies/biggrin.gif

WOW! lots to think about and reading to catch up on smilies/wink.gif

Ealasaide sorry about the rangers being ahead, but I assumed that her trail would grow cold in Bree and Kaldir knowing 'people' that the goodly rangers wouldn't, would then gain the upperhand! and trail her as she leaves?

after scanning the new posts here is how I see my characters progressing:

1/ Amandur will meet Dúlrain, while trying to get info from the less reputable folk of Bree, he will not find Barrold Ferney for though he knows of him he knows not were he hides, only that he frequents the Prancing Pony, hence meeting Dúlrain and the others when they arrive.

2/Léspheria finds Amandur and Dúlrain in the inn (also Rauthain and Maethor, if they are there before I post?).

3/once together and all is told they must decide what they should do next, will they search about the farm houses were Léspheria sensed Naiore? or will they continue to question the less reputatal folk of Bree until they find out something?

4/Léspheria has to somehow find out that Naiore has learned that Menecin is in Imladris,
Elora here is one idea: Barrold takes Avanill to raid the old ranger Tallas' supplies, there they can come across his notes regarding Menecin, Naiore, Valindon, Vanwe and Léspheria? they will have to mortally wound him and leave him for dead, thus Léspheria will sense something amiss as they pass back through the woods and she and Amandur will ride to his hut and find him and before he dies he will tell them what has happened, and together they will put two and two together and assume the worst. smilies/tongue.gif

OK, I have printed out the new posts and will work on something for Amandur and Léspheria.

[Elora]

Great idea Nerindel. smilies/biggrin.gif I'll happily seize it! smilies/wink.gif

Tallas will be near by Bree, I take it.

Ealasaide, fine! I'll take Cobhan Tucker and not Cobhran Tucker if you prefer! smilies/tongue.gif (Truth be told, my browser was loading slow and I ran out of patience in my skimming to check his name spelling. My apologies!)

I'll do my best to curb Barrold's vocabularly.... but I wouldn't be surprised if "Blimmey" (troll speak) and "Garn" still slip out. He's not a man overly concerned with social niceties, shall we say. smilies/smile.gif

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Your know after seeing this twice from dear Ealasaide, you would think I could remember it, but I came across it and thought to bring it up before we get ahead of ourselves.

I have a PM into Elora suggesting that Kaldir pick up on Naiore, et al, by seeing Barrold disposing of the stolen horse & following him to the house. Being outnumbered (Naiore, Barrold, Avanill, & Vanwe), he would not approach her at this time.

I would imagine that this should happen before the incident with Tallas. What say you Ealasaide?

And welcome back Nerindel!

[ September 29, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Ealasaide]

Hi, Nerindel, welcome back! Don't worry about those posts that put Kaldir behind the others on the way to Bree. Apparently, I was in my own little time zone. It's all fixed now. smilies/smile.gif

Hilde - sorry, not to have clarified this earlier, but there has been a slight change of plan regarding Kaldir, Barrold, & Naiore that Elora & I worked out by PM. Kaldir will intercept Barrold on his way back from ditching the gelding & they are going to have a little conversation. I hope to get to that post today. THEN he will discover where Naiore is holed up. But, yes, I would think that would take place before the incident with Tallas.

Elora - how about Cobhan TUPPER? smilies/wink.gif And, yes, I think a little trollspeak would be prefectly acceptable, especially from the likes of Barrold!

[ September 30, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaide ]

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Very good, thanks for the clarification, Ealasaide. Rauthain's not ready to pack it in for the night, so now I can have him out and about without interupting anybody. smilies/biggrin.gif

[Nerindel]

Great idea Nerindel. I'll happily seize it!
Tallas will be near by Bree, I take it.


I had to read over my post, but I put Tallas' hut south west of Archet but east of Combe (in Fonstads map it's the trianglular wooded area next to Combe)

here's the description of his hut:

"Well, we are here!" he said gesturing to a small ring of majestic oaks. Hidden within sat a small wooden house, which even her elven eyes had not perceived until he pointed it out.

"Stay close!" She whispered to the white mare as she followed Tallas through the green and brown wooden door. A small copper kettle whistled over the fire in the dimly lit room and the musty smell of the dried herb's that hung from the rafters reach her nose. On a small oak table by the south facing window sat two earthen ware mugs and a platter of fresh bread and cheese.

"well! do you plan to stand there all day or will you join me for tea" he laughed indicating the vacant chair across from him. Removing her bow and sitting Léspheria's eyes fell on the shelves that lined the length and breadth of the north wall, various vials, jars and bottles sat neatly upon the shelves.

[Elora]

Ealasaide, who the devil is Cobhan Tupper, garn it? smilies/biggrin.gif :P smilies/wink.gif

Don't know who you're talking about.


*slaps own knee in appreciation of her hilarity. "Me so funny."*


Nerindel, thanks. Think I'll have Naiore and co encounter Tallas on their way to sneak into the Shire, where a change of plans undergoes. That way, they switch directions and should make it more interesting for those tracking her. smilies/evil.gif

[Nerindel]

Ok, everyone!

I plan to have the hobbit thief Toby Longholes overhear a conversation between Barrold and Avanill and he will tell Amandur that the two are in cahoots smilies/evil.gif

I think then that Léspheria and the rangers will go back to the farm houses where she sensed Naiore, but Naiore will already be gone, some where here we will also find Kaldir et al's trial ahead of us.

is this ok with everyone else?

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Nerindel - I am just starting a post that has Rauthain showing up at the Prancing Pony, I will try to hurry with it and will mention how the gelding's tracks have gone off to the west but it seemed unburdened and the boot marks alongside were of a man's.

Please let me know if I should put in a save before you post.

[Nerindel]

As we are going to use Tallas again I have prepared a short Bio for him, I will also prepare Bios for Dúlrain and Toby Longholes. smilies/biggrin.gif

Hilde don't worry about putting up a save! I will not be posting again untill Maethor and Rauthain have joined us in the inn. smilies/wink.gif

Name: Tallas

Age: Unknown but looks in his hundredth year.

Race: Man (Unknown origins, The elves suspect he is Dunedain)

Gender: Male

Weapons: Tallas' only weapon appears to be the wooden staff that supports his frail frame, but hidden inside the staff is a long sword with a slender blade.

Appearance: To all appearances Tallas looks to be nothing more than an old hermit, Dressed in a shabby woollen robe, tied at the waist by a well worn brown leather belt.

His shoulder length hair is grey, as are his eyes and beard which is tucked in his belt. He has a wooden staff which supports his seemingly frail body, but these things are deceptive, for in need he is swift and agile.
To those who look years of wisdom and foreknowledge can be seen in his eyes.

Personality/Strength/Weaknesses: Tallas' long years and foresight have made him wise and patient. He will always help those who request his assistance, but he hold no love for those who seek to cause harm to others. He is a solitary man and finds comfort in the peacefulness of the Chetwood.

Although advanced in his years he seems not to have lost much of his ability to wield both staff and sword. Tallas is a peaceful man but when angered a fire burns within that seems to give him added strength.

History: Not much is know of Tallas' history, but nearly all the rangers of the north have dealt with or heard of him.

After the War of the Ring Tallas settled in the calming woods of Chetwood, where he trades medicines and potions with those of a goodly nature. He also is a friend of the elves of Rivendell and Elladan and Elohir. Hearing of his foresight sent him notes that they gather on Naiore and Menecin, hoping his foresight will give clues as to the outcome of their dilemma.

Tallas also helped Léspheria's mother when she sought out her cousin, he also kept notes on Valaindon and her daughter Léspheria foreseeing that all four where connected.

His only notes on Vanwe are his recent sighting of her and what Léspheria has told him.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Name: Toby Longholes

Age: 58

Race: Hobbit (Breelander)

Gender: Male

Weapons: Dagger and belt knife

Appearance: Toby is 2ft 9" and is thin by the standard of hobbits, he has sharp pointy features, most unusual for one his race and he has dark brown curly hair and keen rich brown eyes.

Toby wears cream/brown shirts, brown trousers that are held up by yellow braces and green waistcoats all made of the finest material his stolen wealth can buy. he also has a brown travelling cloak.

Personality/Strength/Weaknesses:Toby is nearly always complaining about something or other, he hates the peaceful happy hobbits of the shire. When cornered Toby is quick to shift blame to others and will sell out anyone if it saves his own skin or if the price is high enough. He is quite fierce when angered and is proficient with both dagger and knife, he is also extremely stubborn and speaks his mind.

Tobys main strengths is his stealth and his slight of hand that makes him an excellent thief.

His main weakness is his greed and his love of fine ales, when drunk Toby has a loose tongue and boasts alot about his accomplishments.

History: During the war Toby worked for Bill Ferny, he stole for him and spied on the hobbits of the shire, but after Sharkys end he stole back into Bree and hid until his small part was forgotten, but not all forgot and it was not long before Toby was visited by Barrold, Bills cousin, he knew of Tobys skills in thievery and spying on others, he often used him to these ends.

Although Toby holds no love for the villainous scoundrel, together their thievery has become quite profitable, Toby stealing and Barrold selling their bounty to the black market, of course he his aware that Barrold takes the bigger share of the profits, but he pick pockets and none of this he shares with Barrold.

[ October 01, 2003: Message edited by: Nerindel ]

[Imladris]

Garn!! Gone for a few days and two completely new characters. So there's going to be an attack on the old hermit in Chetwood and is that when everybody comes together and they find out that Menecin is in Imladris? Or do they still come together at the inn...(sorry, in a rush at the library....try to go on the thread again later.)

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Much obliged to you, Nerindel. Now if I can get the durn thing writ up! smilies/biggrin.gif

Hey Imladris, I believe Maethor should be at the Inn right about now, (if he didn't get side tracked, that is!)

[ October 01, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Imladris]

Okay, cool...maybe I can whip up a post for Maethor real quick...

[Elora]

Good stuff Imladris! smilies/biggrin.gif

Great idea Nerindel! smilies/evil.gif

Plots, eavesdropping, twisted minds and uncertain allies.... just love it. Gimme some intrigue any day.

Thanks for the bios. They'll be fantastically handy.

Now, as for Vanwe. Some of you may be puzzling over why I put a post up for that character. Afterall, she's not going anywhere or doing anything that advances the RP right now.

I'm laying the groundwork for Vanwe's descent. She has a long way to fall, pushed down the slope by her mother. She'll be betrayed, her life will be threatened... she'll run afoul of Barrold, who will take out his anger and dislike of women and her mother upon Vanwe.

In short, I'm throwing Vanwe into a pit. She needs to be at rock bottom by the time they arrive at Imladris - hopless of any way out, all hope abandoned. I figure that would make Vanwe amenable to entering Imladris so as to get Naiore in. But, she'll get caught also. Vanwe needs not to care about anything, about her life, her future and anything she takes on.

Listless and depressed, careless of herself and therefore easily given tasks to do and easily caught. Naiore is undertaking a long dismantling of any sense of determination, self identity and self worth. She's deconstructing her own child - a ravenning... and she's reaping the "reward" which is Vanwe's distress, pain, anguish and rage.

The only thing that saves Vanwe is that she does get caught and her mother's arts can no longer weave about her constantly.

Vanwe has to sink to rock bottom to know her own mettle and to understand what she is actually capable of.

So, my last Vanwe post had her on the beginning of the slide. Plus, it was an opportunity for Lespheria to know for certain that Vanwe was in Bree somewhere. It occured to me that Naiore could have quite easily killed Vanwe and dumped her on the trail. So that deals with any doubt on that score.

smilies/smile.gif

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

There you go Nerindel, the gang's all here! Please let me know if there is anything that needs to be changed, not that there is much meat in the post!

Nice to see Maethor made it, I was worried with all the villianous thugs about! smilies/wink.gif

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Speaking of thugs, where is Avanill? Did he enter the Inn Everdawn?

[Nerindel]

Hey everyone,
I've just edited my last post for Léspheria, I re-read my last post and didn't like it smilies/rolleyes.gif so I changed it slightly. It also occurred to me that not many elves would have passed through Bree, so Léspheria's presence would be noted in the inn.


Ok, now I am at a loss, The rangers are ready (I think) to go search the farm houses where Léspheria sensed Naiore.

But I think we are waiting for Kaldir to find Naiores trail, Barrold to met with Avanill, (so Toby can over hear something profitable) and for Naiore to leave???

I'm not trying to rush anyone I just want to be sure this is where we are at smilies/wink.gif

[Elora]

I'll be leaving Barrold out where he is so that Kaldir can bump into him and Toby can overhear the conversation.


Naiore will be moving to a safer spot near Bree in the early hours of the morning, so that should Barrold's house be searched she is not found. She will leave Vanwe behind, and return to collect Vanwe, Barrold, Avanill and set off.

I have a plan for Vanwe, should the Rangers come and search Barrold's house. She'll still be disorientated. I ask that she won't be found in that search, however she will witness the Rangers looking which will terrify her (given her aversion to legitmate representatives of authority).

Barrold will deflect the search of the cellar, secreting her away in a nasty place (a filthy cupboard somewhere in the house). Then, once the search turns up nothing (aside from the missing silver dinner service someone had taken from their house a few months ago), Barrold will gather the supplies, recruit Avanill and leave with Vanwe for Naiore's bolthole.

[Everdawn]

Speaking of thugs, where is Avanill? Did he enter the Inn Everdawn?
--------------------


Ah! Yes he did!

[Nerindel]

Thanks Elora that helps alot,
for that to work we will have to find a distraction for Léspheria for she would surely sense and find Vanwe if they where in the same building, she would also know if Barrold was lying he is man and much easier to read. hmm.. yes I will have to think on that one!!

EverdawnAn elf in Bree should stand out in Avanill's mind, as it is not common to see one in Bree let alone one in the company of four rangers. smilies/wink.gif

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Thanks for the clarification folks, I was wondering how we were going to move on from this point. Always nice to have it down in green & black to refer to!

Nerindel That was a good way to get the rangers moving again. Many thanks! smilies/smile.gif

Ealasaide, are you out there? Methinks the real world has swept you up! smilies/eek.gif

[ October 05, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Ealasaide]

Hi, gang! Sorry it has been so long since my last post...real life has stepped ALL over my writing time this week. I don't think I have been able to sit down at the computer for more than five minutes to check my e-mail since sometime on Monday. I hope I haven't held things up too badly.

I PROMISE a post from Kaldir this evening. Hopefully, I will get something in for Benia as well.

Nerindel thanks for the Bio, I will look it over right now & get back to you via PM if I have any comments. The new bios on the thread look great, by the way.

[piosenniel]

Your tenacious fan checking in once to again to tell you how much I am enjoying the development of the story!

smilies/cool.gif

[Elora]

Piosenniel Aw shucks, we're blushing! smilies/redface.gif smilies/smile.gif

Ealasaide I hope all is well. We're patient souls and Barrold is perfectly happy to chatter to himself in the dark! smilies/wink.gif

Actually, the delay works in favour of the story. Naiore will move herself and leave word for Barrold in a cunning fashion. smilies/smile.gif

[Nerindel]

Hey everyone,
Met Dúlrain smilies/biggrin.gif

Name: Dúlrain

Age: 39

Race: Man (Dunedain)

Gender: Male

Weapons: Arthedain Broad sword, a jewel encrusted companion sword, given to him by a wealthy young woman in gratitude of his assistance when she and her companions were waylaid by bandits on the west road, he also carries a belt knife and a crude long bow, his dark green quiver hangs from his belt rather than his back. Dúlrain carries a second sword, which he wields only against orcs, it once belonged to a close friend who was killed by orcs at Raven Falls (or so he believes).

Appearance:[B] Dúlrain is tall, lean and muscular like most of his kin, his hair is raven black and sits to his shoulders, He is darkly tanned and his eyes are a soft, kind, gentle grey. Dúlrain is lucky enough not to be marred with many battle scars infact the only prominent one is a scar left from an arrow wound to his left shoulder.

Like most of his brethren he clads himself in browns and greens of the forest, His dark Brown boots and cloak are well worn and weather beaten from his many travels.

[B]Personality/Strength/Weaknesses: Dúlrain is intelligent, strong willed, brave, confident and practical, he speaks his mind when he feels it is necessary and is generally of good humour though it is said by many that his humour has grown somewhat Sarcastic and dry over the years. To those he calls friends he is loyal and trustworthy. He is generally undaunted by the evils of the world believing that good always prevails. He is loyal to his king and is always completely at his disposal, he never doubted that Aragorn would take his rightful place as King of the reunited kingdoms.

Dúlrain's strengths are his expert swordsmanship, his speed and his agility, these being the main reason why he bares little scar of battle, he is proficient with bow and his eyes are keen. He prefers to leave tracking to others, but his speed and agility make him an excellent scout and he is always cautious, ready for what ever may be around the bend!

Dúlrain's handsome features and soft gentle eyes have always attracted women to him, giving him the reputation of being a bit of a ladies man, but he is not arrogant with it. Those who know him know that he has a weakness for women in distress and will willingly risk his life to protect the fairer sex.


History: Dúlrain was raised by his father in the wilds of the north, a dangerous and harsh upbringing that has made him the ranger he is today. Dúlrain has been fortunate to have rode and fought in the company of both Amandur and Hanasían.

Dúlrain was with Amandur when they met the remnants of the battle of Raven falls, when Elendir and his company had failed to return at the expected hour, Amandur and a few others, Dúlrain included where sent to see what had happened to them. Dúlrain was concerned as a close childhood friend rode in that company. On rendezvousing with Elendir's company he was dismayed to hear that his friend was lost, but although he search for his friends body he never found it, but he did find his kins sword and his blood soaked cloak torn and discarded by the river. The war ended his search and he rode to Gondor with the grey company.

After the war he joined Hanasían and aided the Rangers of Ithilien in their search for the criminals of the dark tower. He knows nothing of Kaldir's capture or his years of imprisonment in Mordor, nor that his friend yet lives and is following the path of a bounty hunter. Dúlrain believes Kaldir was killed by the orcs at Raven Falls and his body was lost to the river.

He was with Hanasian when they hunted the remnants of Sauron's elite followers, he had wavered and stayed his bow as a beautiful elven woman ran from the hut he and the archers of Ithilien had surrounded, it was only her cold callous laughter, which chilled him to the bones, that reminded him of the monster that she really was, the pain and torment she had caused to so many came flooding back and even as she used one of her companions as a shield he let loose his arrows angered at his hesitation.

For the past six months Dúlrain has watched the south downs for signs of Naiore the last of Saurons Revennor's and the most deadly and elusive of all his servants it is said and having seen and tracked her for many years he does not refute these claims.

While on guard he caught sight of one who had long been thought lost, but as he approached the figure disappeared, he searched long but found nothing, but when he decided to leave he saw the man again and was sure that it was Hanasíans father, but again as he approached he disappeared so he rode at once to find Hanaísan.

he found Hanasian just Southeast of Bree, and told him what he had seen, Hanasían then bid him to ride to Bree and join with Amandur and a few others of their brethren, telling him that the trail for Naiore had again grown warm.

[Imladris]

Nice to see Maethor made it, I was worried with all the villianous thugs about!

LOL, Hilde.

About Vanwe: she had a conection with Hanasian, right? Well, from what I understand, wasn't that conection rather important to story? What will become of that?

I'm sorry if I'm being annoying, but I just have to know!

[Ealasaide]

Okay, Elora, I've posted with Kaldir. He and Barrold are alone outside Bree. I started the conversation, but since I wasn't sure how to proceed with Barrold, I left it open for you to carry on.

Basically, I see Kaldir as trying to get as much information as possible out of Barrold without getting hostile or giving too much of his own business away.

[Elora]

Her connection with Hanasian was of some importance, but Hanasian's absence is not insurmountable even we do miss Snowdog's wonderful contributions. smilies/smile.gif

Hanasian was the first and singular authority figure that she trusted. That trust bond was strong enough for Vanwe to consider offering Hanasian all she knew of her mother.

I had planned to use that bond as impetus for Vanwe to choose to throw her lot in with Hanasian's Ranger companions later on into the story. Now I will have to find a way for Vanwe to build a bond with another character at some later point.

I anticipate doing this once Vanwe reaches Imladris. She narrowly avoids Kaldir, only to fall into the waiting watch over Imladris. Elladan and Elrohir will naturally wish to question her, particularly as she seems to be in cohoots with her mother. She will also encounter her father for the first time there.

In short, it will be a tumultuous time for the Elf and those friendships will be one of the few things that will help her find her way through.

My sketchy thoughts on this have Vanwe forging a deeper bond with Lespheria at Imladris (something I had planned on doing all along) and also forming a bond with another Ranger. Otherwise, the prospect of joining a group of Rangers would be too implausible for Vanwe to consider. She has learnt to avoid those in power, for they can hurt to most. Such is her lesson from the Haradwaithe.

Hence the friendship with one Ranger will be instrumental in Vanwe moving past this as she needs to if she is to make her life in the North.

Does that help?

Nerindel, great profile. Nice to meet Dulrain. smilies/smile.gif

[Everdawn]

EverdawnAn elf in Bree should stand out in Avanill's mind, as it is not common to see one in Bree let alone one in the company of four rangers.


I was thinking about that. Thanks for pointing it out... i am biding my time. smilies/smile.gif

[Imladris]

That does help, Elora. I had thought you wanted Vanwe to join the Rangers, but I didn't exactly realize just how you were going to do it. Thanks a bunch.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Nice volley there between Kaldir and Barrold. Very enjoyable reading!

[Ealasaide]

Thanks, Hilde! smilies/smile.gif

Question: Does anyone know what the exchange rate is in Middle Earth? What would the equivalent values be for one gold piece, one silver piece, etc, in, say, US Dollars?

I'm a little boggled, here.

[Elora]

I have no earthly idea, Easalsaide (good work too, btw smilies/smile.gif ). I know this is a matter of conjecture.

Perhaps we could come up with a rough scale. Excuse my calcularions and I can't guarantee that they're in USD as I'm Australian and my mind works in ASD smilies/wink.gif (Lame joke there, folks).

OK. Let's take the rough prices for metals

1 gold coin = $50

1 silver coin = $10

I copper coin = $1

That's just off the top of my head. If we wanted to, we could decide value by looking at current metal prices and caluculating on ounce weight of the coins.... but who is to say that's any more valid than the above scale?

smilies/smile.gif

[Ealasaide]

That scale works for me! Thanks, Elora!

I will go by that Rate of Value henceforth. (Actually, I think I will go back & edit one of my Kaldir posts with Tupper. I had no idea what the exchange rate was when I wrote it, so the dialogue is WAY off.)

[Elora]

I'm a little hesitant to impose an arbitrary value and I'm sure others will have their own estimations of the worth of varying coinage.

Just wanted to say that I don't expect you to back track and edit just based on my estimations. smilies/smile.gif

I was just tossing out something, grist for the mill so to speak.

[Everdawn]

I'm Australian and my mind works in ASD
Ditto, im in Brisbane.


I had no idea what the exchange rate was when I wrote it, so the dialogue is WAY off.)

Yeah, have you seen one of my posts, where Avanill is told by the old man to sell the potion at a price? I look at it now and it is unbelieveable. Ill have to go back and fix it up. Now that we have a rough list it will make things easier, (espesh. for Avanill who is a blackmarket trader) Thanks Elora! smilies/wink.gif

[ October 07, 2003: Message edited by: Everdawn ]

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Sounds good to me too Elora. Hmm, I wonder how much it would cost for a cup of coffee? One copper? Outragous! Why in my day you could get at least 3 cups for that! smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/wink.gif

[Nerindel]

arg! 60gold = $3000 and Amandur thought he got a got a good deal smilies/eek.gif I think I might change that, info on Barrold isn't worth that much smilies/wink.gif smilies/tongue.gif

But thanks for the scale that will help alot smilies/biggrin.gif by the way have we decided on how much the bounty is for Naiore?

ok I've got side tracked again, what I was going to say was that I have posted again smilies/biggrin.gif

Toby is following and eavesdropping on Barrold and Kaldir, Lespheria and Amandur have left the inn and are watching the house where Lespheria believes she sensed Naiore.

perhaps Rauthain and Maethor could run into the two scoundled that both Ealasaide and I mentioned in our posts, and pump them for info! smilies/evil.gif

I am still perplexed as what to do about Léspheria, She has not sensed Vanwe so she must be unconscious, but when she regains consiousness and witnesses the rangers searching the house, when Barrold returns, Lespheria will have to be else where?

hmm perhaps Naiore can throw her a bone? yes! perhaps as they prepare to enter the house, Léspheria senses Naiore further afield drawing her away from the house, Oh yes, perhaps it is Léspheria that leads Kaldir to Naiore, just a thought. Ealasaide and Elora your input might be helpful here smilies/smile.gif

[ October 07, 2003: Message edited by: Nerindel ]

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I was also trying to figure out were to go from here.

Perhaps Toby could overhear Barrold grumbling regarding having to meet Her on Bree Hill (such a nasty climb in the dark) and offer the info. to Amandur just before Rauthain & Maethor arrive. I imagine Amandur could sight him walking home, and Toby would also have opportunity to let slip Kaldir’s location.

Amandur & Léspheria could let Rauthain & Maethor know they are headed (to find Naiore) before setting off.

Rauthain & Maethor could make the ruckus at the old farmstead!

Please note that Rauthain would be interested to know whether Lespheria had felt Vanwe’s presence. If she hadn’t that would give him a reason to break into the farmhouse (to see that there had not been a murder) and thereby frighten Vanwe in her delirium.

Could Naiore have managed to get Vanwe in the closet earlier and Barrold head straight to meet her after disposing of the horse and bumping into Kaldir?

Just another angle.

[Ealasaide]

I am getting lost. Please tell me if this is correct:

Kaldir has finished speaking with Barrold & is on his way back to his camp.

Barrold has just re-entered Bree by the west gate.

Toby Longholes is still outside of Bree's west gate, having barely missed being caught by Kaldir.

Naiore is holed up somewhere on Bree Hill.

Benia & Gilly are in Kaldir's camp on the north outside of Bree.

Amandur, Lespheria are watching Barrold's house. (Which presents a problem... how will Barrold get Vanwe out if the house is being watched?)

Rhauthain, Maethor, Dulrain, & Avanill are all at the Prancing Pony.

Vanwe is in Barrold's cellar.

Did I miss anyone?

From here we need (not necessarily in order):
1) Avanill to hook up with Barrold et al.

2) Barrold needs to fetch Vanwe & move her to where Naiore is waiting.

3) Naiore finds out where Menecin is & changes plans, heading for Rivendell rather than the Shire.

4) Barrold raids Tallas' supplies.

5) Rangers raid empty house.

6) Naiore sets off for Rivendell, followed by Kaldir, then the Rangers.

7) Kaldir needs to fetch his horse & prisoners before setting off after Naiore.

Is this what is happening? If I have gotten something wrong, please let me know. We need to get Naiore on the Road to Rivendell!

[ October 07, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaide ]

[Elora]

That's my grasp of the situation too Easalaide. smilies/smile.gif

Barrold will organise Vanwe when he returns. Nerindel's idea of Naiore luring her and Amandur away to allow Barrold access to sort things out below works.

Then again, without a reason to search, perhaps Vanwe could overhear voices and the bootsteps of Rangers in her confusion down in the cellar. She won't be very conscious, so the sounds will merge with nightmare.

I plan to have Naiore on her way by sundown of the next day, hopefully earlier.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Does this mean Elora, that the rangers need to get out of there before Barrold arrives, or is he coming in between groups of rangers -if Amandur goes with Lespheria- or when Amandur is alone waiting for Maethor and Rauthain. Perhaps they should leave before he arrives, so it is easier for him to do the needful.

[Elora]

Sorry Hilde... I've been a little distracted radically reworking the plot planning for my own work. ( smilies/rolleyes.gif )

I think it best to keep it simple....

Provided the Rangers don't rifle through the house and cellar, Vanwe can remain where she is. That way, Barrold only has to arrive if it is necessary for the thug to speak with Lespheria or the Rangers. Provided that he doesn't trip over his own feet on his way back through Bree, that should be easy to arrange.

If that is the case, then that should make for an interesting exchange. If it is not necessary for Barrold to have a verbal exchange, then Barrold will certainly note that some has been looking about and be none too pleased about it.

In the first scenario, I will need to post soon to place Barrold where he needs to be for the story to move forward. If this is the option that people prefer, then please let me know.

If not, then I'll post for Barrold after the Rangers have searched around (but not through the cellar) and take him into the following morning when he will start to organise supplies.

Does that make more sense? I hope so, as today I have been confusing myself left, right and centre. Would make for a nice change.

smilies/smile.gif

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Do you have any preference Nerindel or Imladris? It doesn’t matter so much to me as long as I know which it is.

One thing though that I do have trouble with is the idea that the rangers could search a house and not realize a cellar is there. If the house is locked (padlocked on the outside of the door) and shuttered, the rangers could conceivably leave without a search, as it would appear no one was at home. But then again to my mind, it depends on if they think Vanwe or her body might be there.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

How about this senerio?

The rangers meet up at Ferny's and wait in the shadows, (They had seen the geldings prints and Rauthain recognizes Ferny boot and stride as the one with the horse an the other side of town)

Barrold returns home and the ranger’s question him. He offers to show them his house to get them off his back.

During the search Barrold places himself in front of a piece of beaded wainscoting that hides the entrance to the secret compartment of the cellar.

When ranger’s get to close he mentions how another of his associates asked him to get rid of a horse today (trying to throw them off). He gives them a name of another thug.

The rangers ask to see the cellar and he takes them to an outside entrance to the main part of the cellar.

The rangers then are outside, when Léspheria who had remained outside feels Naiore off toward Bree hill, and they leave.

If you want Léspheria to have left earlier, the rest of the rangers could go after the guy Barrold mentioned, but they would want someone to keep on eye on Barrold (perhaps the ranger Vanwe gets to know). But all this would make it difficult for the rangers who are left to catch the trail again.

[ October 08, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Nerindel]

ok to make life easier I am going to edit my last post, so the rangers are searching Bree for sign or word of Naiore, with Léspheria and Amandur searching the south side of town and Rauthain and Maethor searching the north side, eventually meeting up in the middle of town, having found nothing.

Dúlrain will come across master Longholes and bring him before Amandur, where he will spill the beans on Kaldir and Barrolds conversation, this should bring them to morning.

They will then force Toby to take them to Barrolds hide out, but Both Barrold and Vanwe will already be gone, believing Naiore already fled, they head back into the woods to pick up her trail.

instead of Naiores trail they find Kaldir's and Knowing that he too searches for Naiore they follow his trail, that way we are back on track, Kaldir tracking Naiore et al and The rangers tracking Kaldir et al.

The rangers can then split up when Tallas is attacked, Rauthain, Maethor and Dúlrain continueing on as Léspheria and Amandur go to find Tallas.

Does this sound plausable to everyone???

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

oops sorry Hilde it looks like we where puzzling over the same thing, But I do not think that having Léspheria near the house will work she would sense Vanwe's sudden fear and apprehension as the Rangers searched the house.

As for sensing Naiore I have decided that Naiore is too far away, It has been noted the Lespheria's abilities are giving her an unfair advantage, so I have decided to limit them, she can only sense the emotions of those near by, ok smilies/wink.gif

As for Barrolds place, perhaps Rauthain and Maethor can search the grounds of the farm (unaware as yet that it belongs to Barrold)find it in darkness and disrepair an assume it abandoned, this way Vanwe could over heard some of their conversation regarding their hunt for her and her mother. *Shrugs* just a thought.

[ October 08, 2003: Message edited by: Nerindel ]

[Ealasaide]

Sounds good to me, everyone!

I will have to do some pondering & figure out how Kaldir will find Naiore, et al, and get back on her trail before the Rangers. At the moment I am thinking that he will look for Barrold Ferney at a place he has been known to conceal fugitives in the past. There he will find evidence of Naiore, but she will have already moved on. He will follow her trail from there. And the Rangers will follow his trail.

Right now, though, Kaldir is heading back to his camp. That will give you all a chance to get your action taken care of before I mobilize him again sometime the next day. smilies/biggrin.gif

[Imladris]

Maybe we should have Vanwe and Barrold already gone somehow, if that would work. Because right now, it just seems to me that if the Rangers don't find that cellar and are so easily fooled by that Barrold, that would just make them all dunces. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this just seems so unranger-like to me. Cellars usually have dirt floors, I'm sure there would be some kind of track (but I could be wrong, I'm not a ranger...just some poor girl from Mundania).

Or maybe Elora can somehow have Vanwe creep out and run right into Barrold again, or maybe even her mother, to create a little suspense in the story. Or have her slip out, have Barrold show up at the hourse, find her gone and then he has to deal with the rangers, and maybe the other bad guy (Everdawn's character) can run into Vanwe. This might create a little suspense for the reader as well (What will happen to Vanwe?).

These are all just my thoughts on the matter and I don't know if they are good or not.

Edit: I forgot that Vanwe is tied up, but I'm sure that a pice of broken pottery could cut the ropes, or even her little carving knife if she still has it.

[ October 08, 2003: Message edited by: Imladris ]

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

If Vanwe were able to get away and Avanill catch her (in her current state) it would be a excellent opportunity for Avanill to get into the thick of things!. It does seem that she is in no condition to escape at the moment though.

Nerindel & Ealasaide – A couple of questions…how would the rangers recognize Kaldir’s trail if they saw it unless they caught a glimpse of him as well? Should that be part of the plan? Otherwise they would have to go back and pick it up from where he was spotted. And would Benia & Gilly be with him? Also am I correct in that you are proposing that Dulrain, Maethor & Rauthain go after Naiore, and will or will not Léspheria & Amandur bump into Avanill & Barrold. en route to Tallas.

I really don’t think it is plausible to have our rangers tracking in the woods at night. They are good but not super human! It be dark out dare! smilies/biggrin.gif

[ October 08, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Imladris]

I totally agree with you Hilde, about the rangers tracking in the dark...even Aragorn didn't want to do that. smilies/wink.gif

About Vanwe...Elora, I know this is your character, but may I offer a suggestion? It appears that she is gaining strength. When people are desperately determined to do something, it seems as if they find like an inner strength or something (that sounds really hokey-pokey there, but I'm thinking right now of the chase of Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli). That's my suggestion.

[Ealasaide]

I find that I have to agree with Hilde & Imladris that we can't have the Rangers looking like idiots by not finding the basement or by letting themselves be fooled so easily by the likes of Barrold Ferney. Seems to me that the more Ferney tried to steer them away from an area, the more they would be inclined to search it!

On that note, I think it would probably be best for Vanwe to be out of the house by the time the Rangers search it.

As for the Rangers finding Kaldir's trail, I have no objection to their seeing him. By then he would probably have Gilly & Benia with him, so the sighting would have to be from a distance. Otherwise, what's to stop them from riding up & interfering? Or, maybe something else would be going on that would keep them from interfering with him at the time of the sighting. Either way, they would already know he was also on Naiore's trail.

[Elora]

All valid points.

Of course, to get Vanwe out of the house, Barrold needs to get there and spirit her away before Rangers show up. As I understand it, Rangers already observe the house, so therefore there'll need to be some further alterations.

Here is my own question. If Rangers don't like to track in the dark, why would they locate a concealed cellar in the dark? Seems to plausible that they might not. Barrold has used this cellar in past for his activities. It is concealed, but not indetectible in daylight.

Certainly, Vanwe is in no condition to escape. She's bound hand and foot and exceptionally weak. She won't be going very far under her own management.

Barrold will certainly encounter Avanill in the morning. As that character is esconced at the inn right now, that seems to me to be the best course to take to bring that character into the thick of things.

Hilde, concerning Vanwe, I take a somewhat different view. I can appreciate your concern and have no desire to engage in cliches with my own characters. We're of one mind there.

Vanwe is not getting stronger. Rather, her character is becoming more defined. Up to now, she's been somewhat indistinct. What can she do? Why is Naiore so concerned about her abilities?

My intentions for Vanwe is to make her similiar in some respects to her mother and father, but make different choices. Vanwe's uncanny healing ability is rooted in the same talents as her mother's sensativities. Naiore choses to use her in violent and destructive ways, Vanwe does not.

For Vanwe to emerge as something more than a victim character, a cliche I wish to avoid, her abilities do have to start to come to the fore. So, Vanwe's terrified reach, crude as it was, is the beginning. That served three purposes. First, it helped me reveal something more about Vanwe. Secondly, it gave Lespheria something to sense apart from Naiore and confirm Vanwe's survival thus far. Third, it was impetus for the Rangers to do more than sit at the inn and discuss things. I doubt those characters would sit whilst the hunt was afoot, be it night or dark.

So, rest assured, Vanwe is not developing into some superhero, multipowered character. But neither shall she be a passive victim. Vanwe's tendancy to underestimate herself is her main downfall. The sooner she uncovers her resources and begins to use them, the sooner shall she stand on her own feet.

One final note, I had Vanwe's surge crude and grasping as Vanwe has had no training for her sensativities. Without so much as an Elven role model and the active and violent repression of her abilities by the villagers, her skill and contol is rough and she feels reluctant to ever use her sensativities. It is a thing of shame, corruption and fear for her, given her childhood.

That sort of baggage is not easily overthrown on account of one, albiet very traumatic, experience. So therein is a natural break to any tendancy for Vanwe to morph into something supernatural.

[Imladris]

Here is my own question. If Rangers don't like to track in the dark, why would they locate a concealed cellar in the dark? Seems to plausible that they might not. Barrold has used this cellar in past for his activities. It is concealed, but not indetectible in daylight.

My understanding is that cellars are located outside a house, in the ground, and are accessed by a trap door. Now, rangers aren't stupid and they would assuredly search the house and grounds thoroughly before they left. Another thing: you weren't exactly clear where the cellar was located. Surely one of them would notice a different sound or feel in the wood (or ground, wherever the cellar is located)-- more of a hollow sound. That's why in World War II, the people who hid the Jews would line the secret rooms with bricks so that the Nazi's couldn't tell between the real wall and the fake wall.

I don't know how to explain myself without making an a$$ out of myself, but I am going to do it any ways. What's up with Vanwe? How is she turning into this superhero? She's not even a hero yet; she is too bloody weak and pathetic. To me, she's very weak --she's almost stagnant. She's predictable. Have I missed something here? I am going to list everything that you've said that seems to have come out of the blue:
1. "I can appreciate your concern and have no desire to engage in cliches with my own characters. We're of one mind there."
Was this discussed in a PM or something?
2. "For Vanwe to emerge as something more than a victim character, a cliche I wish to avoid, her abilities do have to start to come to the fore."
Vanwe is a victim character right now. She's been picked on by the entire world, according to her history. She can't do anything. That can make a really good character, but it's a little much right now. In this RPG, she hasn't used her abilities to sense things. Why is she so frightened in the cellar? You are having an effect without having a cause. Is it because her mother betrayed her?
3. "So, Vanwe's terrified reach, crude as it was, is the beginning."
What is this "terrified reach" you are talking about? Was it when she felt that terror well up inside her and she would have screamed if she had had the strength? That's hardly a gift. She didn't read anybody. Also, the Rangers were not sitting and doing nothing. From what I have read, Naiore is not someone to go rushing after rashly. She is a force that needs to be reckoned with. It would be foolhardy to go after Naiore so impetuously. Besides, it just seemed like they were taking a long time because it took a few days to post what really happened in just a few minutes. I don't think it would have been very smart to meet and then just to go after Naiore without comparing notes and making a logical decision based on those notes. Even Aragorn was leery to track the hobbits in the dark, and they were valued friends.
4. "So, rest assured, Vanwe is not developing into some superhero, multipowered character. But neither shall she be a passive victim. Vanwe's tendancy to underestimate herself is her main downfall. The sooner she uncovers her resources and begins to use them, the sooner shall she stand on her own feet."
Just because Vanwe underestimates herself doesn't mean she should just sit there, tied, without trying to do something to free herself. Heck, even Pippin tried to help by throwing away his Lorien brooch. Why isn't she doing anything? Why isn't she trying to find her mother and figure out what's going on?

Vanwe is stagnant. What can she do? Why is Naiore so concerned about her abilities? That's why she needs to escape. She's been searching for Mom and Dad for years, through many dangers. Why is she giving up now? What happened to her carving knife? Why can't she cut her bonds with that? She doesn't have to cut the bonds that bind her hands. All she needs to do is cut her feet and crawl away. And now she doesn't even find the impetus to try and escape to find her mother?

Right now, in my opinion, this story lacks life. There is nothing to spice it up. We need suspense. Every story needs suspense. Right now, a reader can predict what's going to happen. But if Vanwe escapes for reasons within her character, the reader will be left in suspense. Will she find her way to Lespheria and tell them about Naiore, or will the love of her mother lead the rangers or Lespheria away? Will she run into her mother? And if Avanill captures her, will Avanill hang onto her or give her back to Ferny or Naiore? Right now Avanill is another stagnant character, through no fault of Everdawn. If Avanill captures Vanwe, there could be an interesting, maybe even humorous, flare of tempers between Ferny (who would of course pursue Vanwe in fear of Naiore) about who gets to keep Naiore's daughter. But this is up to Elora what to do.

This is just my humble opinion. A classic theme in literature is the meeting/separation theme to create suspense. If any of you have watched the TV show "24," you'll know what I mean.

Right now Vanwe is doing the opposite of what she's been doing for her entire life. All she's been concerned about is finding her parents. Now her mother has drugged her and abandoned her in the hands of a swine like Ferney. Why? Naiore's actions have not been explained, no motive has been identified. Why is she so frightened of her daughter? It seems that Vanwe is giving up too easily from what I've learned of her character.

I'm sorry if I have offended you, Elora and the others, but I think this needed to be said.

[Ealasaide]

As I understand it, Rangers already observe the house, so therefore there'll need to be some further alterations.


Elora - I believe Nerindel has written an edit to her last posts so that the house is NOT currently under observation.

Imladris - Obviously, you have some issues with how the storyline is progressing. If you could state more specifically (to me in a PM, if you like) what is troubling you, perhaps we can sort it out. Part of the problem here is that you were not in on Elora's character development of Vanwe & Naiore that took place in the Green Dragon before we moved over to the current RPG format. Perhaps if you gave Elora a little more time to develop her characters, their roles & motivations would become more clear to you.

In the meantime, let's try to keep things on a friendly & positive note.

[ October 08, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaide ]

[Elora]

No offense and your comments are welcome. Hopfully my reply will be taken in the same manner.


The cellar is concealed by brush. A thought that occurred to me is why Rangers would take the liberty of searching a private residence without the owner present in the dark with Naiore conceivably lurking nearby.

Such riffling of private property I would think sit ill with the Rangers.

As for Vanwe, this seems very much a matter of opinion and perspective. Let me give you mine, as she is my creature.

What's up with Vanwe? How is she turning into this superhero? She's not even a hero yet; she is too bloody weak and pathetic. To me, she's very weak --she's almost stagnant. She's predictable. Have I missed something here?

Perhaps so, Imladris. Hilde raised the concern about Vanwe suddenly becoming powerful. Hence my comments on this.

On a broader scale, Vanwe is far from weak. She sees herself as small, and yet her achievments thus far in her history suggests otherwise. A weak and pathetic character would never have dared defy the Haradrim and flee. Certainly the long and harsh road would have been the end of her. Vanwe has been able to get herself through many challenging situations.

She is weak now on account of what she was given by her mother. I could not magic away the effects of such a thing and keep the plot plausible.

1. "I can appreciate your concern and have no desire to engage in cliches with my own characters. We're of one mind there."
Was this discussed in a PM or something?


No PMs have passed on this. It's merely my reply to what Hilde posted earlier today (board time) concerning Vanwe's character development through the course of the RP thus far.

Vanwe is a victim character right now. She's been picked on by the entire world, according to her history. She can't do anything. That can make a really good character, but it's a little much right now. In this RPG, she hasn't used her abilities to sense things. Why is she so frightened in the cellar? You are having an effect without having a cause. Is it because her mother betrayed her?

I really have to disagree with you on that one. Vanwe's character profile clearly sets out her abilities and as you can see she is far from completely devoid of skills. She can do something. In addition to her adept surivival skills, Vanwe's sensativities and healing abilities give her talent. She's also artistically minded.

Forgive me if the RP has not enabled me to fully reveal Vanwe's entire personality, but it is only in it's early stages. Vanwe has had to be grabbed for this RP to even begin. That means she had to have vulnerabilities that fit that scenario. It doesn't mean anything else.

By the way, the whole world didn't pick on Vanwe. She's suspicious of the world as she's an isolated figure in it, divorced from her culture, her kindred and any community. However, as evinced by her involvement in the Green Dragon, not everyone picks on her.

She found the beginings of friends and home there, and her perspective on the world was slowly changing. Naiore's intervention via this RP has taken her away from those bonds. I have said before now that I plan on Vanwe forging them again in this RP. She has a connection with Lespheria, and had a connection with Hanasian. She will forge new connections.

What is this "terrified reach" you are talking about? Was it when she felt that terror well up inside her and she would have screamed if she had had the strength? That's hardly a gift. She didn't read anybody.

Actually, Vanwe did reach with her emotions. Given her sensativities, she projected this. Lespheria sensed her. That has all been recorded in RP. Were Vanwe better skilled in her abilities, perhaps she could have been both more coherent and better targeted than simply projecting wildly outwards.

Neither Vanwe nor Naiore read people.... both sense aspects about people. Naiore senses emotions with startling insight (combination of practised observation and her innate ability as discussed in her character profile). Vanwe has inherited this also, but it is more about sensing injury and illness and putting that right - hence healing.

Lespheria is also has a version of this sensativity. She sensed Vanwe, being familiar with her already to a point, but for Lespheria to do that, Vanwe had to be conscious.

Also, the Rangers were not sitting and doing nothing. From what I have read, Naiore is not someone to go rushing after rashly. She is a force that needs to be reckoned with. It would be foolhardy to go after Naiore so impetuously. Besides, it just seemed like they were taking a long time because it took a few days to post what really happened in just a few minutes. I don't think it would have been very smart to meet and then just to go after Naiore without comparing notes and making a logical decision based on those notes. Even Aragorn was leery to track the hobbits in the dark, and they were valued friends.

No kidding! But, where to start in the night without a target acquired? House to house search of Bree until they stumbled over Barrold Ferney?

Lespheria provided direction. That, added to intelligence gathered has been enough for some to have their Ranger characters go off in search during the night.

I'll be more than happy to move it along. My perspective is this. I've been delaying to allow Barrold to begin interacting with other folk - Kaldir notably. Were the Rangers following Naiore, they'd have their targets split as Barrold headed in one direction to dispose of the gelding and Naiore in the other. Can't have the capture too simple as it's not due to happen yet and that would only make the Rangers look a little foolish - something we wish to avoid.

I'm eager to get this moving along, but discussion cropped up as to where Naiore, Vanwe and Barrold should be. It's yet to be resolved. Should I post, inevitably, someone or the other shall be jumping up and down about it not suiting their plans.

Hence, this discussion. My opinion is that it would be easier for us all if the Rangers set up a watch over Barrold's house. If they don't know where Naiore is, it's unlikely they'll venture in blindly. Meanwhile, watching Barrold will at least take care of that aspect of their hunt.

Why it is necessary for Rangers to search "tonight" RP time, I don't really know. Then again, I'm not planning for any Ranger character. That lies in the hands of those who are. I'm doing my level best to accomodate people's opinions and wishes.

Not to forget, last time I hurried this along, I ended up gazumping people. Not keen to repeat that.

Just because Vanwe underestimates herself doesn't mean she should just sit there, tied, without trying to do something to free herself. Heck, even Pippin tried to help by throwing away his Lorien brooch. Why isn't she doing anything? Why isn't she trying to find her mother and figure out what's going on?

Were Vanwe conscious, she would be doing something. Perhaps I have not been clear enough in describing what was done to her by her mother and her present state. Let me remedy that now.

Naiore administered a tincture she developed. Its effects are to pull all energy, physical and mental, into the body for a period of sustained exertion. It dulls the mind increasingly as the hours pass. Naiore administered it at morning. It is now late evening. Vanwe is exhausted physically and mentally.

However, Vanwe is recovering and much faster than Naiore could have ever expected, hence Naiore's surprise at sensing Vanwe's projection at all. Believe me, once Vanwe is conscious and able to move muscles, she will not simply lie bound quietly.

Once again, the plot states that Vanwe accompanies Naiore willingly or otherwise until Rivendell. When she wakes bound, Naiore's ability to gull Vanwe will be reduced. It will become a process of threat and inuendo from that point. I can't have it too easy for Vanwe or Naiore if this is to be an interesting RP.

Vanwe is stagnant.

If that is true, I'll have Barrold kill her now and you can run the RP without her.

That's why she needs to escape. She's been searching for Mom and Dad for years, through many dangers. Why is she giving up now? What happened to her carving knife? Why can't she cut her bonds with that? She doesn't have to cut the bonds that bind her hands. All she needs to do is cut her feet and crawl away. And now she doesn't even find the impetus to try and escape to find her mother?

This relates to my earlier comments about understanding the physical state Vanwe is in.

I won't repeat it again. I think we have that straight now.

Oh, and Vanwe does escape.... at Rivendell as per the plot outline. Fear not on that count.

Right now, in my opinion, this story lacks life. There is nothing to spice it up. We need suspense. Every story needs suspense. Right now, a reader can predict what's going to happen. But if Vanwe escapes for reasons within her character, the reader will be left in suspense. Will she find her way to Lespheria and tell them about Naiore, or will the love of her mother lead the rangers or Lespheria away? Will she run into her mother? And if Avanill captures her, will Avanill hang onto her or give her back to Ferny or Naiore? Right now Avanill is another stagnant character, through no fault of Everdawn. If Avanill captures Vanwe, there could be an interesting, maybe even humorous, flare of tempers between Ferny (who would of course pursue Vanwe in fear of Naiore) about who gets to keep Naiore's daughter.

All of what you suggest and descibe forms the next chapter for this RP that takes us from Bree to Imladris.

Predictability is the cost of preplanning events in a RP to the extent Barrow Downs encourages. Nature of the beast at this website.

Oh, and predict for me the ultimate ending of the RP?

Right now Vanwe is doing the opposite of what she's been doing for her entire life. All she's been concerned about is finding her parents. Now her mother has drugged her and abandoned her in the hands of a swine like Ferney. Why? Naiore's actions have not been explained, no motive has been identified. Why is she so frightened of her daughter? It seems that Vanwe is giving up too easily from what I've learned of her character.

I thought I'd covered off on these questions before. Certainly you have asked them and I had replied. I was unaware you still had questions.

Too early to say that Vanwe has given up. The RP has yet to move to a point where Vanwe has had the chance to decide all hope is lost.

As for Naiore's motivations, I suggest you read back through this discussion thread and the character profile and then specify where earlier elaborations leave unanswered questions so that I can respond.

Here's what I've said so far.

Naiore thinks Vanwe is a threat and a potential weapon being used against her by her foes. She thinks Vanwe is in league with Kaldir. When she learns of Menecin's survival, she'll think that Vanwe's father is also using her daughter.

She suspects of Vanwe what she knows herself to be capable of. That is treachery, deceit, murder... She knows Vanwe has been tracking her, and Naiore has only ever been hunted in the past by those who seek justice. That Vanwe was simply seeking her family doesn't occur to her and neither does the fact that everything Naiore does now to use and destroy her daughter will only achieve the end she wishes to avoid. Naiore is turing Vanwe into the weapon she thinks Vanwe already is.

A case of self-fulfilling prophecy.


So, no offense, but that does not mean that I have to agree. I think some patience and review of what has been discussed in the past would be of great assistance here.

Right now, I'm not editing anything nor posting anything until this confusion over what the Rangers wish to do regarding Barrold Ferney's house is resolved.

That is up to people other than me.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I am working on the assumption now that the ranger’s will have combed Bree and found nothing (If Elora wants to have some rangers around Barrold’s for Vanwe to hear let us know, also if they should mention Naiore or not). By the time they meet up it could be daybreak. That give Barrold time to get Vanwe out of there and Kaldir time to interact with his folk. The rangers can find Barrold’s House and tracks when Dulrain shows up with its location in the early morning. Amandur & Lespheria can had out on there path to Tallas at the same time.

Is this correct?

PS About the cellar, very simple, if the floor is wood there is a cellar, if it is dirt there is not. smilies/wink.gif

Please excuse me but I haven't had a chance to read Elora's last post as we cross posted, (but did see my name mentioned curiously enough). I will look at it more length when time permits. Adieu!

[ October 08, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Elora]

Hilde, I'm not going to venture an opinion.

Between Vanwe being either too powerful or too stagnant, seems I can't get it right.

So, it's up to you Ranger writer folk to figure out what you want to do and let me know.

[Ealasaide]

Okay, everybody, let's take a deep breath and move this puppy forward! smilies/smile.gif

Here's where we are now:

Kaldir is on his way back to his camp where Gilly & Benia are held.

Barrold Ferney has just re-entered Bree by the west gate.

Toby Longholes is outside Bree's west gate, having avoided being caught by Kaldir.

Naiore is holed up somewhere on Bree Hill.

Amandur & Lespheria are searching northern Bree for signs of Naiore's wherabouts.

Rauthain, Maethor, Dulrain, & Avanill are at the Prancing Pony.

Vanwe is in Barrold's cellar/basement.

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

Here's what needs to happen next:

1) Barrold needs to collect Vanwe & bring her to where Naiore waits. On the way, he will encounter Avanill, who has left the inn.

2) Dulrain catches Toby Longholes & takes him back to the Prancing Pony, where he is interrogated by the Rangers. They learn about Ferney's house at that time.

3) At dawn (or sometime therafter) the Rangers search the now deserted house.

4) Barrold & Avanill raid Tallas' supplies.

5) Somehow the Rangers find out about the raid. Suspecting Naiore, they go to investigate.

6) Naiore & company depart from Bree in the direction of Rivendell, as Naiore learns through Avanill that Menecin is in Rivendell.

7) Rauthain, Maethor, & Dulrain go after the trail of Barrold Ferney, et al, while Amandur & Lespheria try to find Tallas, with the intent of rejoining the others later.

8) Kaldir having returned to his camp & organized his group, takes off with Gilly & Benia on Naiore's trail, having found it at one of the places that Barrold has used in the past to hide fugitives.

9) The Rangers discover that someone is ahead of them on the trail. They can assume it would be Kaldir since they know he is in the area & interested in catching Naiore.

10) THEY ALL LEAVE BREE.

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

Unless anyone has any SERIOUS objections, I think that is how we should proceed. Please, everyone, let's try to work together & quit quibbling so much over details, eh? This is a team project here. Let's try to open it up a bit & give everyone a little room to run!

[Elora]

If that's the final word, that's fine by me.

I will wait on posting anything for a few hours yet.

[Nerindel]

ok, I have just deleted what I was going to suggest, but it was pretty much the same as what Ealasaide has just posted smilies/biggrin.gif

just one edit Amandur and Léspheria are searching the south side of town smilies/wink.gif smilies/tongue.gif

Also Lésperia has seen Kaldir and his prisoners in this Rpg and already suspects him of hunting Naiore and Vanwe!

Anyway great job Ealasaide that plan sounds good to me smilies/biggrin.gif

[Imladris]

My post was offered as helpful criticism to make this game better. I am not trying to control Vanwe (I never claimed I was, and I don't want to); I am not trying to control this game. I offered my opinion: this is what I thought a Discussion Thread was for. I highly resent the sarcastic comments that you wrote, Elora, as you were twisting my words and putting your own in my mouth. I was merely pointing out inconsistancies. I am not an idiot, and unfortunately I said some things that were exaggerated to make a point. Of course I know that Vanwe has abilities -- everybody has abilities: that is a given. I never said you should kill Vanwe. I never implied that she should be killed. I am well aquainted with the story of this game and with Vanwe because I took three days to read The Green Dragon Inn Part 4, starting on page two, and I read until I entered Green Dragon Inn Part 5 and Gilly disappeared.

I know that elves don't "read" people in the sense you think I mean. What you think I mean is a form of telepathy: that's Star Trek. This is Middle-earth. You took what I meant too literally.

When I wrote my post, I took what I knew about Vanwe and tried to nicely and politely point out where I thought she was acting contrary to her character. That was all this was about. I did not intend for this to become an attack on your character. This was supposed to be positive and helpful criticism. Now I'm being flamed for it.

To me, being conscious means being awake, which it seems Vanwe was in her last post. Hence my misunderstanding. I guess we have different definitions on being "conscious."

I did not mean permanent escape. I suggested that she could run into her mother, Barrold, or Avanill. That doesn't sound like escape to me. Sounds more like out of the frying pan and into the fire.

What do you think I am? We are all "authors" here to a story. An author knows what's going to happen. I was talking about from a reader's perspective, which I mentioned in my post.

This is not my game. I never claimed it was. I was making suggestions, I was trying to approach a problem from a different angle. Whatever you guys decided to do was fine by me. I just thought I'd add my opinions first and let the game owners make the final decision. I was trying to make it so that everybody could be kept in character, and at the same time pointing out things that didn't make much sense. When I write, I have somebody read my stories to see if there are any inconsitancies or to see if something is not clear. If they have a problem, I fix it. That was all I was doing with Vanwe. However, you are clearly upset with my post. I was trying to be friendly and positive. I did not mean to attack your character. You were free to disregard my suggestions, but instead you have decided to flame me for them. That is fine. If you want me to resign, you can have Naiore murder Maethor.

There is a saying that says that truth hurts. That goes for criticism as well.

[piosenniel]

While it’s nice to have a game plan for your RPG, it is more of a guideline than a fiat. When you subscribe to an outline too closely, it becomes as if you are backfilling in the story with your posts. You are writing your characters, in other words, to conform to the storyline, and not letting the storyline develop in a natural way from the way each player plays their character.

Sometimes it is fun to throw a twist into the game and let the other players react to it, without discussing all the ins and outs of it.

For example:

Vanwe is weak and tied up. And in a location where the Rangers could find her if they looked thoroughly. Why can’t one of them ‘find’ her? Can you effect a rescue of sorts and let Naiore and her Henchmen react to the rescue in a way which is in character for Naiore and her baddies. The rangers probably can’t take Vanwe far – since she is in a weakened state. Let Naiore have the opportunity to snatch her back.

This would spice the game up – all the writers would write independently in a sense. Someone would take the lead for the rangers and start it off, give each other enough room to hook into the situation, without wrapping the details of the action in each scene up so thoroughly. Throw hooks out to each other that another writer can latch onto with their character and take the action from there.

This is just an example of writing in a little more free-style form, and still accomplishing a goal; i.e., in this part of the Game – Naiore would at the end, have Vanwe, but the Rangers would have made her work a little harder for her prey.

As a group, you should, however, work in the way that is most comfortable for you.

_________________________________

On another note, it is best to concern yourself with the development of your own character and how he/she is going to react in a particular scene that is taking place. Unless another writer is stepping over the boundaries you have defined as comfortable for your own character, it is best if you simply have your character take in what the other character is doing and write your own character’s action with it in mind.

In other words – your character doesn’t know what is going on in the mind of the other character or what potentials the writer has set up for him/her – your character only knows what is seen, heard, etc of the other character, either from present or past direct experience or things that other characters have told him/her.

[Ealasaide]

1) Barrold needs to collect Vanwe & bring her to where Naiore waits. On the way, he will encounter Avanill, who has left the inn.

2) Dulrain catches Toby Longholes & takes him back to the Prancing Pony, where he is interrogated by the Rangers. They learn about Ferney's house at that time.

3) At dawn (or sometime therafter) the Rangers search the now deserted house.

4) Barrold & Avanill raid Tallas' supplies.

5) Somehow the Rangers find out about the raid. Suspecting Naiore, they go to investigate.

6) Naiore & company depart from Bree in the direction of Rivendell, as Naiore learns through Avanill that Menecin is in Rivendell.

7) Rauthain, Maethor, & Dulrain go after the trail of Barrold Ferney, et al, while Amandur & Lespheria try to find Tallas, with the intent of rejoining the others later.

8) Kaldir having returned to his camp & organized his group, takes off with Gilly & Benia on Naiore's trail, having found it at one of the places that Barrold has used in the past to hide fugitives.

9) The Rangers discover that someone is ahead of them on the trail. They can assume it would be Kaldir since they know he is in the area & interested in catching Naiore.

10) THEY ALL LEAVE BREE.


Basically that is a guideline, provided in the hopes of getting us out of gridlock and back on track. As Pio pointed out, you have every right to make changes and run with it as you see fit or as your character might see fit. We don't have to decide every little detail & plot point in advance.


If that's the final word, that's fine by me.
I will wait on posting anything for a few hours yet.


Elora - post anytime you are ready. The house is not being watched. Barrold can do anything he sees fit within the current situation. The outline is provided as a guideline only. The same goes for Vanwe or Naiore.

Everdawn - you might want to post & get Avanill out of the inn so that he can connect with Barrold Ferney.

Imladris - Please check your PM's! smilies/smile.gif

[Elora]

Thanks for the suggestion Pio.

EDIT:

In the interests of resolution, I am taking the opportunity to edit.

I am utterly at a loss as to how I have personally attacked another's intelligence, character, personality, or contributions.

I shall make a decision as to whether I continue with this RP tomorrow.

Imladris: noticed your earlier edit at the top of the page. Vanwe doesn't have her knife, it was left behind with her pouch when her worn belt snapped upon being captured. The two Rangers that had found her prints in the trees discovered this at that time.

The cellar is devoid of sharp objects. Even had she a key to open the lock, she would need to be conscious to use it. Right now, Vanwe is definately not conscious and given the terrible nature of the elixir given to her will not be conscious for some hours yet.

[ October 08, 2003: Message edited by: Elora ]

[Ealasaide]

Elora - your characters are essential to the continuance of this game. If you drop out, the game will close.

I am working hard to remedy this situation & I ask that everyone please take a deep breath and not make any rash decisions. This could still be an excellent game and fulfill the promise it showed in the planning phase and the posts that have gone up so far. smilies/smile.gif

We have come too far and worked too hard to see it implode like this.

[piosenniel]

Discussion Thread Part 2 can be found HERE. (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=19&t=000122#000002)

[ October 10, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

Basic Guideline for Game

ACT 1: At the Forsaken Inn

Lespheria departs, leaving Amandur at the inn, where he remains in the hopes of finding out where Naiore is.
Naiore & Vanwe meet somewhere near the inn.
Kaldir captures Gilly, who is trying to rescue Benia.
Hanasian returns to the inn from Bree.
2 Shady Underworld Types arrive at the inn. (Or they may already be there -- writer‘s choice.)
2 New Rangers arrive at the inn, meeting Amandur and Hanasian.

ACT 2: Meetings & Departures

Kaldir returns to the woods, where he had earlier sensed an ominous presence, and discovers that it is indeed Naiore. He picks up her trail.
Naiore & Vanwe fall in together.
Hanasian & Amandur also learn of Naiore's presence by chance, intuition, or whispered rumor.
Having been intercepted and turned back by a messenger from her twin brother, Lespheria returns to the inn, where she rejoins Amandur.
Hanasian leaves. Dulrain, the Ranger, joins forces with the other two Rangers.
Hearing somehow of Naiore’s presence, the Underworld Types decide to seek her out, leaving the inn before the others.
The rest of them depart (in separate groups) in pursuit of Naiore.
Gilly and Benia accompany Kaldir as his prisoners (sort of).

Act 3: Intrigue

Naiore & Vanwe take up with the two Shady Underworld Types
The Hunters & the Hunted all stalk each other a bit. There are run-ins & confrontations as Naiore attempts to take out her pursuers by whatever means she has at her disposal.
Gilly & Benia try to decide whether to assist Kaldir, escape from him, or attempt to redeem him.
Hanasian catches up with Kaldir.

Act 4: The Noose Tightens

With Rangers and bounty hunters closing in, Naiore changes her focus from killing the Rangers to pursuing Menecin, using any and all means to conceal her path.
The Rangers (all of them) and Lespheria ride together.
Shady characters start to realize Naiore may be setting them up for a fall and so plot against her.
Gilly & Benia manage to free themselves or Kaldir loosens his grip as he becomes increasingly focused on the hunt for Naiore.

Act 5: End Game

Naiore makes her attempt to kill Menecin. She fails & flees to the south, deserting Vanwe to her fate.
Naiore tries to take down anyone she can as she attempts to escape the closing trap.
The shady characters make their move against Naiore, either on their own or together.
Naiore is trapped somewhere near the Gladden Fields, where she is either captured or slain.

[ October 10, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

Here's where we are now: (per Ealaside's post on Discussion Thread Part 1)

Kaldir is on his way back to his camp where Gilly & Benia are held.

Barrold Ferney has just re-entered Bree by the west gate.

Toby Longholes is outside Bree's west gate, having avoided being caught by Kaldir.

Naiore is holed up somewhere on Bree Hill.

Amandur & Lespheria are searching northern Bree for signs of Naiore's wherabouts.

Rauthain, Maethor, Dulrain, & Avanill are at the Prancing Pony.

Vanwe is in Barrold's cellar/basement.

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

Here's what needs to happen next:

1) Barrold needs to collect Vanwe & bring her to where Naiore waits. On the way, he will encounter Avanill, who has left the inn.

2) Dulrain catches Toby Longholes & takes him back to the Prancing Pony, where he is interrogated by the Rangers. They learn about Ferney's house at that time.

3) At dawn (or sometime therafter) the Rangers search the now deserted house.

4) Barrold & Avanill raid Tallas' supplies.

5) Somehow the Rangers find out about the raid. Suspecting Naiore, they go to investigate.

6) Naiore & company depart from Bree in the direction of Rivendell, as Naiore learns through Avanill that Menecin is in Rivendell.

7) Rauthain, Maethor, & Dulrain go after the trail of Barrold Ferney, et al, while Amandur & Lespheria try to find Tallas, with the intent of rejoining the others later.

8) Kaldir having returned to his camp & organized his group, takes off with Gilly & Benia on Naiore's trail, having found it at one of the places that Barrold has used in the past to hide fugitives.

9) The Rangers discover that someone is ahead of them on the trail. They can assume it would be Kaldir since they know he is in the area & interested in catching Naiore.

10) THEY ALL LEAVE BREE.

[ October 10, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

Am opening a fresh Discussion Thread for the Game.

I've put the original game plan on this thread and the suggestions by Ealasaide of the direction in which the game should be heading at present.

Before the game starts back up, I would like you to consider the following observations/suggestions on my part. See if you can take your game up a level. You are all good enough writers to give this a try at some point during the game.

This is how I understand good gaming, and how I judge it for myself (on a very basic level):

Participation in it should be fun, exciting, and challenging. Ideally there would be some feeling of chemistry that develops among the gamers.

There should be ‘some’ organization – an understandable beginning, middle, and end to the game. The last two should be flexible, though, and not written completely in stone.

While it’s nice to have a game plan for your RPG, it is more of a guideline than a fiat. When you subscribe to an outline too closely, it becomes as if you are backfilling in the story with your posts.

You are writing your characters, in other words, to conform to the storyline, and not letting the storyline develop in a natural way from the way each player plays their character.

There should be some surprises and twists in the plotline that make it a little unpredictable and encourage the gamers’ characters to work a little harder to overcome or incorporate them.

It can make the game fresh and exciting if one or two of the gamers pick up on something another gamer has written for her character and uses it to put a little twist in the plot. The other characters can then react to the new wrinkle in the storyline and take it from there, without discussing all the ins and outs of it on the discussion thread. (If you are unsure whether this twist might take the game too far off course, then PM Ealasaide, of course and discuss it.)

It can be quite fun, too, when a couple of gamers get together by PM and plan a strategy the others know nothing about and will make them scramble to overcome the barriers/challenges set up before moving on toward their intended goal.

For example:

Vanwe is weak and tied up. And in a location where the Rangers could find her if they looked thoroughly. What would happen if one of them found her, and effected a rescue of sorts. This would offer the opportunity for Naiore and her Henchmen to react to the rescue. The rangers probably couldn’t take Vanwe far – since she is in a weakened state. Naiore would have the opportunity to snatch her back.

This would spice the game up – all the writers would write independently in a sense.

Someone would take the lead for the rangers and start it off, give each other enough room to hook into the situation, without wrapping the details of the action in each scene up so thoroughly. Throw hooks out to each other that another writer can latch onto with their character and take the action from there.

Ideally, none of this would be planned out before hand on the Discussion thread. Though the surprise could have been planned out in advance by the Ranger group in PM.

This is just an example of writing in a little more free-style form, and still accomplishing a goal; i.e., in this part of the Game – Naiore would at the end, have Vanwe, but the Rangers would have made her work a little harder for her prey.

Characters should grow and develop as the game progresses, as they interact with the other characters.

And this is something I firmly believe in – the writer of a character controls the actions, thoughts, feelings of that character completely, and conversely it is not the province of other writers to tell a character’s owner how they think the character should be acting.

Their job is to respond and react to what the character has done and have their own characters rise to the challenge.

[ October 10, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Everdawn]

Right now Avanill is another stagnant character, through no fault of Everdawn.

I know! and its killing me! but not to fear, Avanill is about to become a functioning character in the game, i thought it not to post so frequently for Avanill becuase he would just be talking to himself! smilies/wink.gif

[Nerindel]

Thanks for that Pio smilies/biggrin.gif

I'm now getting very excited about this Rpg again smilies/biggrin.gif

I have been holding back on straying from the basic story line, if you have read any of the other Rpgs I have particapated in you will see that I frequently add surprises and new twists,(Mixing it up, so to speak) Take for example The Rpg Greenwood the great and the growing love betweeen my Character Taurewen and the proud elf Reynion, just when the readers (and writers) thought the two elves where going to live happily everafter, we pulled the preverbial rug from under them, and their story ended tragically smilies/wink.gif

so be fore warned smilies/evil.gif

Everdawn I'm looking forward to reading more of your Character, The growth of your character, Arië in Greenwood was wonderful to read smilies/wink.gif

Edit:
Elora I have decided to have Toby play both sides smilies/evil.gif well try too anyway! just now he has caught up to Barrold, intent on selling him information!

The information is thus:
1/ A ranger(Amandur) has been asking for him by name!

2/He has seen two rangers skulking about his place!

How Barrold aquires this info is entirely up to you smilies/evil.gif I just ask that you don't kill him, I still need Dúlrain to find him smilies/wink.gif

[ October 10, 2003: Message edited by: Nerindel ]

[Ealasaide]

Thanks, Pio! Those are all very helpful suggestions and should go a long way in opening up the action.

I just wanted to re-affirm that the list I provided as "what needs to happen" was just my way of organizing all the ideas that were being thrown around. It is just a framework. We are BY NO MEANS bound to follow it.

So - everybody - go ahead & cut loose! Let's see where it leads! smilies/biggrin.gif

(BTW, great posts Hilde, Everdawn, & Nerindel! I should have something up later today, too.)

[ October 10, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaide ]

[Ealasaide]

I've just posted & put Kaldir back in his camp with Gilly & Benia.

I have also advanced the time so that dawn is just touching the eastern horizon. It will soon be light.

[Elora]

Fantastic....

I never add twists and surprises to plots. Never ever.... simple, innocent me simply stays true to the plot and never deviates. her characters never take off in a different direction and refuse to come back when called. Never ever...

smilies/wink.gif

I'm being a smarty pants.

I'd love to get back into this now but unfortunately I can't owing to my house filling with hungry guests who were told by someone who resembled me that they'd be fed... also heading away to take in the rare blessing of an international sporting event being held nearby (4 hours away by that's very close here in regional Australia).

So, I won't be able to get my addled mind together and post something until Sunday night, board time.

Sorry folks... This was all last minute arrangements and I wish I could have given you all more notice. smilies/redface.gif

[Ealasaide]

No problem, Elora - Have a good time! smilies/biggrin.gif

We'll look for you to post on Sunday or so.

[Nerindel]

Heads up all!

I've posted for both Dúlrain and Amandur, moving the game on a bit.

Elora/Everdawnthe discussion between your characters and Toby will need to be added, perhaps you can work out a post together and put it on the discussion thread then I can paste it below Toby's post??

Toby treasures only two things, money and life (his own!), threaten to take away either and he will tell you anything, well almost anything, he won't tell you about dealing with Amandur,(Fearing Barrold would kill him smilies/tongue.gif )

I also did not have Toby say much about that encounter to the rangers (in amandurs post) as I figured that Barrold would make a point of not revealing much to the hobbit.

Imladris Amandur has sent Máethor to find Dúlrain who is patrolling the town, the interrogation of Toby has taken some time, so try to reflect this in your next post please, but don't find him just yet. Pm me if you have any Questions smilies/biggrin.gif

HildeRauthain is still in the inn with Amandur, Léspheria and Toby, Feel free to have Rauthain question Toby further if he wishes.

Ealasaide Please set Kaldir et al up as we discussed via pm smilies/wink.gif I am pming you a post to look at smilies/smile.gif

[Elora]

Ok, I'm here, I'm taking notes and trying desperately to concentrate whilst Rancid's rendition of Elton John's "Benny and the Jets" plays..... not easy.

Bless Rancid.


I hope to move forward to dawn with Barrold's post, which will include the discussion with Avanill and Toby. I understand that it may require editing to meet with the plans for the fine folk writing Avanill and Toby, which I am happy to do should it be necessary.

smilies/smile.gif

[Elora]

OK, done... hope that works out.

Everdawn, let me know if I need to amend anything concerning Avanill. smilies/smile.gif

Nerindel, I was all set to include Toby, but it seemed Toby had been intercepted by Rangers. I can edit if I had placed Toby and misread events. smilies/smile.gif

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Yes Nerindel, I do believe that Rauthain would be interested in questioning Master Longholes!

Elora, hope the dinner went well and that your kitchen didn't look like Barrold's in the aftermath! I know mine did Friday night! smilies/wink.gif

[ October 13, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Elora]

smilies/smile.gif

Kitchen, what kitchen? All there was in the morning when I got up was a steaming crater where the kitchen once was. That certainly took care of the washing up, but the step down into the now sunken kitchen is a bit of a steep one.

smilies/wink.gif

I'm going to put together a Vanwe post to get her up and about, relatively. She'll grow in strength steadily, reaching her full recovery by midday (much to Naiore's surprise and dismay). Then we shall see what we shall see. smilies/wink.gif

[Ealasaide]

Looks, great, everybody! I am working on a long post for Kaldir that will bring him and Gilly and Benia into Bree.

I hope to have that up tonight or tomorrow at the latest.

[Elora]

OK..... Nerindel and Ealasaid had a "cunning plan" which I very much liked the sound of.

The idea is for Vanwe to make an escape bid from Barrold and Avanill, bumping into Maethor who is looking for Dulrain.


Now, as I said, that outline is a sketchy one that arose from my initial thoughts on the idea Nerindel and Ealasaide suggested.

Any comments?

smilies/smile.gif

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Sounds good to me!

[piosenniel]

". . . His thoughts suddenly reeled, what if the veiled woman was the one they sought and the Hobbit woman was her prisoner, a means to enter the shire maybe? . . ."

Sitting here with my cuppa morning java like a Victorian slavering over the latest developments in my morning's spell-binding penny dreadful . . .

*mutters . . . Muddy bells! The page won't scroll down any further . . . Ack! Nor more posts to read . . .

[ October 14, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Elora]

OK... it's offical. I'm insane.

I coulda sworn I put up a description of Vanwe's escape, encounter with Maethor and recapture last night.

I'm sure I did.... perhaps I should start taking my medication again...

Anyways, I've done the dawn post for Vanwe. I posted from her perspective which is still very drugged and fogged.

Here's what's happened. Avanill and Barrold have come into the cellar, collected Vanwe and started off.

Everdawn I figured it would be Avanill who leads the way to where Tallas is, as it's his idea to procure the needed supplies from there.

Barrold will be left carrying Vanwe, who will not be nicely unconscious for very much longer, at which point.... look out.

Vanwe and Barrold will get into a confrontation. Avanill will hear the noise and get into an argument with Barrold. That's when I plan to have Vanwe escape.

She runs into Maethor, Barrold and Avanill run into Maethor and Vanwe. They fight. Dulrain hears the racket and investigates.

Upshot is that Vanwe is re-captured, I figured as Dulrain arrives, and the two villians skedaddle with Vanwe, to rob Tallas and high tail it out of there.

Now, if this outline vanishes without a trace, I'm checking myself into a retreat, Hollywood star style.

What do ya'll think?

smilies/tongue.gif

[Imladris]

That sounds good...I'm so sorry I haven't been checking and posting...what hectic day it has been!

[Everdawn]

Upshot is that Vanwe is re-captured, I figured as Dulrain arrives, and the two villians skedaddle with Vanwe, to rob Tallas and high tail it out of there.

All good, but remember, Avanill is not akidnapper, so i think he wont be very good at it. Could be funny if we work that the right way. smilies/wink.gif

[Elora]

Well then, sounds like we're all on board as I ran the outline past Nerindel and I think Ealasaid also....

Everdawn, I understand what you're saying and I agree. Could be very amusing smilies/wink.gif

[Ealasaide]

A quick edit to my last post for Kaldir: he is now passing Gilly off as "Mrs. Tunnelly of Archet", rather "Mrs. Proudfoot."

Apologies to all who know hobbits better than I! smilies/smile.gif

[Nerindel]

Everdawn you last post has left me a little confused, I thought Vanwe was going to escape before they raided Tallas's place, have I missed a change of plans smilies/frown.gif

one other thing Tallas would never have helped your kind of people smilies/wink.gif


--------------------------------------------
Here is Tallas's Bio to refresh everyones memory smilies/biggrin.gif

Name: Tallas

Age: Unknown but looks in his hundredth year.

Race: Man (Unknown origins, The elves suspect he is Dunedain)

Gender: Male

Weapons: Tallas' only weapon appears to be the wooden staff that supports his frail frame, but hidden inside the staff is a long sword with a slender blade.

Appearance: To all appearances Fallas looks to be nothing more than an old hermit, Dressed in a shabby woollen robe, tied at the waist by a well worn brown leather belt.

His shoulder length hair is grey, as are his eyes and beard which is tucked in his belt. He has a wooden staff which supports his seemingly frail body, but these things are deceptive, for in need he is swift and agile.
To those who look years of wisdom and foreknowledge can be seen in his eyes.

Personality/Strength/Weaknesses: Tallas' long years and foresight have made him wise and patient. He will always help those who request his assistance, but he hold no love for those who seek to cause harm to others. He is a solitary man and finds comfort in the peacefulness of the Chetwood.

Although advanced in his years he seems not to have lost much of his ability to wield both staff and sword. Tallas is a peaceful man but when angered a fire burns within that seems to give him added strength.

History: Not much is know of Tallas' history, but nearly all the rangers of the north have dealt with or heard of him.

After the War of the Ring Tallas settled in the calming woods of Chetwood, where he trades medicines and potions with those of a goodly nature. He also is a friend of the elves of Rivendell and Elladan and Elohir. Hearing of his foresight sent him notes that they gather on Naiore and Menecin, hoping his foresight will give clues as to the outcome of their dilemma.

Tallas also helped Léspheria's mother when she sought out her cousin, he also kept notes on Valaindon and her daughter Léspheria foreseeing that all four where connected.

His only notes on Vanwe are his recent sighting of her and what Léspheria has told him.

[Everdawn]

Oh no, dont worry, my mistake! I was just thinking that Avanill having taken Vanwe away from Barrold, Avanill would absent-mindedly let her go ( Becuase Avanill is not a kidnapper) as Barrold and he fought a slight way before Tallas shack. Meaning that Avanill has now seen the shack some way off.

As for Tallas, well i was only trying to find a link as ot why Avanill would know to come there for supplies. But now I read about him again, I will have Avanill only hearing of him. Will that be fine?

[ October 17, 2003: Message edited by: Everdawn ]

[Nerindel]

Thats fine Everdawn, sounds great I just get confused easily smilies/biggrin.gif

As for Tallas I would think that the more villianous elements of Arda would bear him a grudge:
1/ for not shareing his fine and potent wares
And
2/ for his continual aid to the rangers and law enforcers.

[Elora]

Well, I sent Barrold off to scout, leaving Avanill with Vanwe and created the escape opportunity.

If I've acted too hastily, I'm happy to edit, so please let me know. smilies/smile.gif

Everdawn, hope I've done justice to Avanill.

Vanwe will need a little bit of a lead so that she can bump into Maethor before Avanill and Barrold catch up to her.

Nerindel, I used Tallas' reference to tears. Hope you don't mind me borrowing inspiration like that. I dare say she'll shed a great deal more after Barrold and Avanill catch her up and strike at Tallas' place.

[Nerindel]

Mind, oh, not at all Elora, it was there to be used smilies/biggrin.gif

Great posts everyone I find my self waiting with anticapation for the next part of the story, even if I do know some of what happens next. smilies/biggrin.gif

[Imladris]

Question: Vanwe runs into Maethor in Bree, right? I saw a map of with Bree and Chetwood and it seems as if they are some way out of town? Did I misread/misunderstand something?

[piosenniel]

BREE-LAND MAP (http://members.tripod.com/john.ohara/images/Maps/BREE.jpg)

I looked in my Fonstad Atlas of M-e - Chetwood abuts up against the northern edge of Bree-hill, where Combe is located. The town of Bree is about 2 miles south east of the woods on the other side of the hill.

Hope that helps.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Please note that the map off the Shirepost site and the Fonstad atlas are tremendously different, including the locations of gates and main roads. I think that this, in part, contributed to the confusion earlier. The Fonstad map has everything closer to Bree proper. (Can you tell I bought an atlas? smilies/tongue.gif )

[ October 17, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Imladris]

*slaps head* Argh, if I had read Elora's post carefully, I wouldn't have asked that question (blonde stays forever).

Elora, do you want to post Vanwe going to the Prancing Pony (before Maethor finds her), or do you want me to post for Maethor first and having him find her?

[Elora]

Hmmmm, my plans had been for Vanwe to run into Maethor in the woods as I surmised that Maethor would be about looking for Dulrain...

I'm unsure about Vanwe meeting him at the Prancing Pony, as there will be confrontation between Maethor, Barrold and Avanill where Vanwe is recaptured again. My gut instinct tells me that those two would be unlikely to defeat a Ranger and kidnap Vanwe again in an Inn or even the streets of Bree.

Following on from that re-capture, I my plans had gone so far as to have Dulrain stumble across Maethor as Barrold and Avanill flee the scene of the attack with Vanwe. That way, the two Rangers would meet up and be able to exchange any information of relevance to them.

Then I had planned to have Barrold, Avanill and Vanwe return to Tallas' shack, attack the old man and raid his supplies. Dulrain would rouse the unconscious Maethor and try to piece together what the two scoundrels were up to and where Naiore is.

That's pretty much the scene I had painted in my head, all of it taking place in the woods adjoining Bree (according to Fonstad's reference map as that's the hardcopy atlas I own).

Will that be a problem? Do we need to tweak this a little. If so, please let me know. smilies/smile.gif

I'll be back tomorrow night - another crowded weekend before me, and I'll edit and alter anything I need to then, if that's OK by everyone. smilies/smile.gif

Everdawn if you feel that I'm hijacking Avanill, please let me know. I'm a little worried that I'm just jerking him about to fit my character plans and he's very much your character. I'd hate to overstep the line and tread on your toes. So, if I am, please holler! smilies/smile.gif

[Everdawn]

Everdawn if you feel that I'm hijacking Avanill, please let me know. I'm a little worried that I'm just jerking him about to fit my character plans and he's very much your character. I'd hate to overstep the line and tread on your toes. So, if I am, please holler!



No feel free! Thats fine, i understand that sometimes we need to do that to get our character's points about. I think ive done it a little too...

I do think that Avanill will not be as nice to Vanwe now that she has tried to escape him when Avanill was so nice to her. He does not like to have his good favour thrown into his face... smilies/evil.gif .

Just getting this straight: Barrold and Avanill are going after Vanwe, and then coming back with her to Tallas place. Right?

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I think the group still at the Pony will be on the move shortly, Imladris. They will be going to Ferny's to find it empty. It might be a good to have Maethor "run into" them at Barrold's or just after that.

[ October 17, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Imladris]

Okay. I just want to be absolutely sure this is what is going to happen:

Vanwe escapes before they attack/raid Tallas

Maethor will run into the rest of the party from the Prancing Pony as they go to Ferney's house and then will go to the woods to search for Dulrain.

Maethor finds Vanwe ( Elora what will happen when he finds Vanwe? I mean, if her hands are still tied he'll untie them, but what do you want them to do?

Barrold and Avanill catch up, knock Maethor senseless (Maethor will have to be extremely distracted for that to happen...he's not a super hero, but he would be able to fight two thugs), take back Vanwe and raid the place...etc?

I just want to be absolutely sure...oh, sorry I've been so far behind! I haven't been able to get on for the last two days...

[piosenniel]

All

As you know the Barrow Downs was not accessible yesterday except by a few:

See HERE (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=14&t=001150)

Elora is still having problems getting onto the site. Hopefully she will be here this evening or tomorrow at the latest.

[piosenniel]

Everyone

There are new rules in effect for all the forums which will be enforced by the administrators and moderators. Please familiarize yourselves with them here:

NEW POLICIES (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=19&t=000124)

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Imladris, the post I had written has put Rauthain, Amandur,Lespheria & Toby at Barrold's and was written before seeing your post on this thread (evidently my ISP updates lists frequently). If I need to reorder the post or edit it so that Maethor arrives before this point please let me know.

[ October 19, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Imladris]

Sounds great, Hilde...I'll try and get a post up for Maethor sometime tomorrow afternoon.

[Nerindel]

Imladris, Elora does this help any, in one of my posts for Dulrain I hinted that he had made one pass of the town, it is possible though not mentioned that he may have scouted a little outside the town too, but he did speak to the gate wardens so his tracks would at least lead Maethor to the gates? smilies/wink.gif

Although it is entirely up to you Imladris how you wish to proceed, I would like to suggest that Maethor not meet up with Amandur, Léspheria and Rauthain just yet, so that when Dúlrain finds him they can go on to the inn and receive Amandur's note, If Butterbur/Nob remember it of course smilies/tongue.gif (we could offer some comic relief here with Butterbar and Nob smilies/cool.gif )

I'm working on posts for all my characters and will try to have them up for tomorrow, but don't anyone feel obliged to wait for me, I can adapt if I have too. smilies/smile.gif

till tommorrow friends smilies/biggrin.gif

[Elora]

I've made it back! smilies/biggrin.gif

Imladris Vanwe has already made her escape and is presently fleeing through the woods with Avanill and Barrold on her trail.

When she collides with Maethor, I had thought that he may attempt to cut loose her bonds. Bearing in mind that the pursuit is so close, he may not have time to do so.

I'm happy to simply follow on from your concept of what Maethor would do.

Once Maethor, Barrold and Avanill have all fought, and Vanwe was recaptured, they'll then move on to strike at Tallas. From there, they'll move onto Naiore, apprise her of the morning's events and so on and so forth.

Everdawn, only soulds fair to me that Avanill will not be so kindly disposed towards Vanwe after her bolt into the woods. smilies/biggrin.gif

Nerindel, I think we're all good to go with the Tallas and Toby plans as we both seem to be on the same page with our thoughts. smilies/smile.gif

[Ealasaide]

Elora - thanks for the summary! Now...I have a question:

When Kaldir is finished speaking with Dulrain, he is going to check some of Barrold Ferny's hiding places. While I don't expect him to find Naiore herself, he will find the right hiding place soon after she & company have departed. (This will take place after the recapture of Vanwe & the raid on Tallas.)

I guess what I need to know is this: where is she? Will the Rangers be close on the trail of Barrold and Avanill? Kaldir needs to slip in somehow between the two groups.

[Elora]

Naiore has taken up residence in Bree hill, in the north west part. Her aim will be to depart through the North Gate, which has no Gatekeeper's residence nearby.

I figure that Kaldir would find her tracks and be able to trace them, but it would not be easy. Naiore had time to chose her trail carefully, so trail will be scant. Rocky ground and the like, heavy traffic and so forth.

I don't know how close the Rangers are to Avanill, Barrold and Vanwe... I figured on Dulrain finding Maethor, whom Vanwe fears is dead presently.

Barrold and Avanill need enough time to kill Tallas and effect their theft and flee to rejoin with Naiore.

Then, the nefarious party will be on their way, duly provisioned and keen to leave Bree behind for the time being.

Once on their way, I plan for Naiore to change her intentions from the Shire to strike at Imladris. She'll do this on the grounds of Vanwe's insurrection and the news learnt from Tallas of Menecin's survival. Naiore will think her earlier suspicions of Vanwe are verified and resolve to put an end to Menecin and her daughter's threat once and for all.

I figured they would be back on the road and making for Imladris now, by nightfall of the present day.

Such are my thoughts, hairbrained as they may be. smilies/smile.gif

[Ealasaide]

Thanks, Elora! That's excellent...answered all my questions.

Kaldir is a superior tracker, so he will be able to follow the difficult trail...but I won't make it look easy! When he finds their recently deserted hide-out, is there anything in particular that Kaldir might find to confirm for him that he has the right people? If so, let me know! Otherwise, I will just wing it. Thanks! smilies/smile.gif

[ October 20, 2003: Message edited by: Ealasaide ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Ealasaide,

Please check your pms.

Cami

[Elora]

Hmmm.... he may recognise Ferney's boot prints, possibly Vanwe's or Naiore's too.

[Snowdog]

Just gave it all a read and I have to say you all are doing a wonderful job! A bit sad I wasn't able to continue on with you all, but I am enjoying the read! smilies/smile.gif

[Ealasaide]

Hmmm.... he may recognise Ferney's boot prints, possibly Vanwe's or Naiore's too.

Oh, yeah...duh... smilies/biggrin.gif
It isn't as though he hasn't seen any of their footprints before.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Hey Mister Snowdog! Glad to know someone else out there is following along. smilies/wink.gif

[Elora]

smilies/biggrin.gif

Hail, Snowdog. An ale for you, from Vanwe and I.

smilies/cool.gif