Thread for Brainstorming and Planning Games/Proposals

[Bêthberry]

The idea for this thread grew out of a discussion at The White Horse Inn, here:Discussion of gaming, p. 6 of The Horse. (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=20&t=000006&p=6)

This is a thread not for role-playing but for discussing game ideas: story line, time of game, number and type of characters, etc. Ideally, the discussion will lead to a game proposal which can be submitted here to Bethberry, the Moderator for Rohan, either via PM here on the forum or to bethberry@barrowdowns.com.

The gamers who created The Blue Mountain RPG will be coming here to develop their ideas, but anyone can also use the thread to solicit ideas and advice about game ideas.

Have fun! :D

Bethberry

[ February 24, 2003: Message edited by: Bethberry ]

[Mattius]

Hey hey hey! (The extra hey was to say hey). So I guess we will just be carrying on what we were talking about on the White Horse thread. Anyone want to join the sequel to The Blue Mountains??

[Auriel Haevasawen]

Of course, where else do you think I'd be dear boy?

(Don't expect any posts till the weekend though, working to horrible deadlines in mortal world!)

To others not originally TBM afflicted ... join with us, join with us, join with us! We want to eat your brains (sorry,shareyour brains, Freudian typo!)

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

My brain probably doesn't taste very good! Though, I'd be happy to join with you people of TBM!

[ February 28, 2003: Message edited by: Aylwen Dreamsong ]

[Mattius]

Originally posted by Ith...

I came up with something interesting last night when I was half-asleep; it's pretty basic but it can make for something VERY interesting:
Despite the taking back of Isengard by Gondor, Fangorn Forest has suffered much since the War of the Ring. The trees have become more malicious than ever, killing even men, and the Ents grow ever more sparse. They have retreated deep into the forest and don't know of the terrors that have happened. Fangorn is almost impossible to come out of alive now.
The king visits Isengard. He hears of what has happened in Fangorn and summons warriors from all around to find out and vanquish the problem.

....we could have Ents, mortals, anyone as characters! And Radagast might even be a little more in character; he'll be more at home.


Anyone have any problems with this idea? I know I certainly don't but im pretty sure Ith and everyone else will be open to suggestions!

[Ithaeliel]

I am definitely open to suggestions; if you come up with a new game plan please post it here! By the way, where are you, Brinniel?! smilies/frown.gif We need you!

Aylwen- I'm glad you decided to join us! It's all the more fun to have you on board
smilies/smile.gif.

[ February 26, 2003: Message edited by: Ithaeliel ]

[Brinniel]

I'm here, I'm here. Sorry, I've been overloaded with research projects at school the past few days (you should know that Ith!).

Welcome, Aylwen! It is good to see you join us. :)

Like everyone else, I'm completely open to suggestions. Unfortunately, I'm no good when it comes to thinking up a story myself. I'm much better at building from someone else's idea. I think Ith's idea is excellent and would make an interesting story. As said before, if this story takes place 1,000 years later, it will allow more creativity. The Fangorn Forest would be an interesting setting, as it is almost the complete opposite setting of TBM.
Of course, I'm still willing to hear some other story suggestions, too.

I hope to see some others besides just the five of us who wish to take part in this future RPG.

[Ithaeliel]

Sorry, I've been overloaded with research projects at school the past few days (you should know that Ith!).

Oh, do I know it.... this week has been and continues to be a living h*** (except here!).

As for people joining, the discussion thread will be up soon enough, and then the others will join. Aylwen's just a bit early smilies/biggrin.gif.

I'm glad we're able to agree on so much of this; it makes for a much faster and easier process.
Speaking of agreeing, I agree that about a thousand years from TBM is a good starting point. Just one thing: where does it begin? Should there be one long post getting us all to Isengard/Fangorn to meet with the high king, or should we all come one-by-one from our various locations?

[Mattius]

I like the idea of us comming one by one to Gondor without seeing each other for a millenium. Brinnel will also have to write out Rothalle somehow too, or we could just not mention her at all I guess.

I quickly drafted up an opening post for Mattius and Radagast and Brin suggested I put it up here so here it is!

Mattius laid down into the golden foliage with a sigh of delight. The fall and autumn leaves crackled under his weight as the elf put his hands behind his head. The little river sang close by and birds harmonised beside it. Opening his eyes he looked up at the streams of brilliant sunlight breaking through the naked treetops. He still liked the Golden Woods; even a thousand years after Galadriel had left, Lorien still had something magical and elvish about it.

He sat up and looked for Radagast, the wizard was a few feet away, kneeling down and filling up a flask from the small stream. The birds were dancing about him as he chatted back to them cheerfully. With a straining groan he pushed himself to his feet and the birds flew skywards. Mattius jumped to his feet but spun around when he heard horses hooves on the ground. Indeed there was a tall man dressed in the garb of Gondor riding a tall brown horse.

“Greetings!” Radagast said as the rider slowed his stallion and jumped down.

“Good afternoon to the pair of you,” he replied, “I am Arthos, Messenger of Gondor.” The man removed his helm to reveal his shoulder length black hair and shook hands with the elf and Radagast. “I travel to the Northern Kingdoms of the Dale and The Lonely Mountain but came to these woods to search for a river or stream where I may refill my water supplies.”

“Then you have struck luck good sir,” said Mattius leading him to the stream and helping him fill his flasks. “May I ask why you are heading so far north of Gondor, for it is a long ride.”

“Indeed you may and indeed it is,” Arthos said standing up to face the two travellers. “The King is in search of a hero, there has been problems in Fangorn.” At this Radagast’s mind sparked.

“Fangorn?” He asked in a calm voice.

“Yes I’m afraid so, people have been going in and are not being seen again. That wasn’t so bad, people just tended to avoid it but just recently…” Arthos’ voice trailed off.

“Yes?!” Radagast said almost screaming.

“Well, bodies began to be found, ripped to shreds and now there are rumours of children being stolen from their beds during the dead of night. Things are looking really bad.” For just a second Mattius caught the look in Radagast’s eyes. Pure fear. “But I must be on my way, thank you for your help gentlemen.” With that he put his helm back on, mounted his horse and rode north.

“What is wrong Radagast?” Asked Mattius.
The wizard looked up at the elf.

“We need to go to Minas Tirith Mattius, immediately.” Mattius nodded as Radagast began to walk south in deep thought. He would give Radagast time to speak his worries, one thousand years of being with him had let him know when to leave him be.

[ March 02, 2003: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Hirilaelin]

I thought of this idea a bit ago, and thought it was really cool, but need some help developing it more completely.

The basic idea is that it is some time after the War of the Ring, but in Mirkwood, evil has been growing. Dol Guldur is still there, poisoning the forest, and the elves, (aided by various wizards, rangers, etc.) have to destroy it.

I need some help with the timeline, and I have a rather technical question: are there female Istari? I ask this, because I would like to be one, (if this RP ever gets played) but I don't know if it would be "Tolkien." Thanks very much!

[Brinniel]

I'll probably write out Rothalle by having her go west. I think I might write a flashback in my first post to show this.

So are we all going to run into each other at Minas Tirith?

[Ransom]

Hey-

I'm interested in learning more about your RP. ^_^ Around what year would this RP take place? It seems like a post-War of the Ring RP, but i'm not sure. smilies/frown.gif

-Ransom

[ March 02, 2003: Message edited by: Ransom ]

[Ransom]

I've been working on a RP for the last week, and I was wondering what you all thought of it. smilies/smile.gif

In War

History of the Order of the Black Rose

“Ecthelion II, son of Turgon, was a man of wisdom. With what power was left to him he began to strengthen his realm against the assault of Mordor. He encouraged all men of worth from near or far to enter his service, and to those who provided trustworthy he gave rank and reward.”

-Appendix A, Return of the King, page 1030

Perhaps because of her national identity, Gondor always suffered from a dearth of information about her foes. While nobles, merchants, and even the Stewards had small number of personal spies, their efforts were largely devoted toward their political enemies. The only information about the movements of Gondor’s foes usually came from merchants. This information, when obtained, was often embellished to a great degree. Ecthelion viewed the chaotic state of Gondorian intelligence a severe annoyance. His solution was extremely unconventional, and the howls of outrage from the nobles echoed off the walls of Minas Tirith.

Ecthelion gathered two hundred men who had proven their loyalty to the White Tower both physically and mentally. On New Years Day of 2970, he knighted all two hundred and formed the Order of the Black Rose. Its organization was that of a religious order, with the member supposedly sequestered in a handful of chapter houses scattered throughout the land of Gondor. To further strengthen the false image of the Order, he attached half a dozen priests and priestesses of Namo and Nienna.

In reality, the order was given control of the Steward’s large but inefficient intelligence network. It took five long years of purges and training before the first pieces of reliable information began to flow in from such places as Harad, Laketown, and even Bree. The order continued to expand, adding more knights and spies with each passing year. Denathor II spent part of his youth with the knights, and its excellent performance greatly pleased him. He placed the order under his direct command, merging it with the elite Citadel Guard that held the White Tower.

History of the Cult of the King

To the best of Gondor’s combined knowledge, the Cult of the King was founded shortly after the return of the Witch King to Mordor in 1980. The name of the original founder is lost in the haze of time, but the extralegal interrogation of several former members has given some insight to the group’s twisted theology. Maintaining that the Valar have selfishly abandoned Middle Earth, the group believes that Saurun will become the new God after conquering the last of the fallen Valar’s servants. While there theology is somewhat unstable, their dedication to the downfall of Gondor is unquestionable.

Unlike the Order, whose agents generally operate independently, the Cult rarely has less than five members in any given place. While group’s leader is usually a member of their priesthood, their cells have been known to pose as anything from a family to a merchant train. This teamwork had the unexpected side affect of severely limiting the group’s operation areas. While over three-dozen cells are known to be active in eastern Gondor, the cult shows no interest in any country besides Gondor.

They have a large amount of monetary resources, most of which is dedicated to bribing and subverting various nobles and merchants. Over the last three months, acts of sabotage and assassination have been attributed to the cult.

Story

Three Errand Rider, bearing messages from Denathor, have vanished overnight on a lonely stretch of road between Minas Tirith and Pelargir. The documents carried contained information about Minas Tirith’s defenses as well as the general status of the Hosts of Gondor. Interrogation of cultists arrested near Osgiliath has hinted that one of the of cult’s more skilled cells had a hand in the disappearance. The Order wants the cultists exposed and captured before the documents can be sent to Mordor.

Luckily for Gondor, the weather has taken a turn for the worse and snow is already an inch deep. The storm will last on and off for three our four days, leaving about a foot of snow and seriously impeding travel over the Anduin. The cultists will need to wait a week before they can head turn the stolen documents over to their masters. The PCs much catch or kill all five members of the cult before the week is out.

[ March 02, 2003: Message edited by: Ransom ]

[ March 02, 2003: Message edited by: Ransom ]

[Ithaeliel]

So are we all going to run into each other at Minas Tirith?

Probably not Minas Tirith; it would take too long to get to Fangorn from there. I think we should meet up at Isengard.

Ransom: I'm glad you're interested! This is a post-war RPG; sometime in the middle of the fourth age I'm assuming. And your RPG sounds very, very cool.

are there female Istari?

That there are... or is. There is only one that I know of and that is Alatar. She was one of the blue wizards, the two who went into the far east of the world and were never seen or heard from again. But you could change it to make it work somehow!

For the record, here's the first post for Ender:

It was dusk in Lorien.

The ever-darkening clouds loomed overhead, their grey mass turned different shades of pink in the wake of the sun. Far beyond, to the east, a vast canvas of sky gave off flaming auras of all the colors of a rainbow. Amid the painted wisps of cloud and air was an orb of dark gold, ever sinking further toward the deeps of the world.

It was on such an evening that Endereth walked through the woods of Lothlorien again, after many, many years. Only shortly after her escapades in the Blue Mountains had she even set foot in the land she had once called home. But long since then she was a ranger. She had no home.
In her travels she had descried many processions of her people on their way to Valinor. Her heart broke again and again each time she saw them, for she knew they would never have her among them. She was a lone wayfarer, never to find a home with the elves again. She had forsaken them for her own desires long ago.

Now, as Endereth walked through the Golden Wood, once great and lit with the magic of the Lady of Light, she was taken aback at the magnitude of its fading. No sunlight shone now through the trees, and the golden leaves of winter were not nearly so wondrous as they once had been. Still they fell in numbers at her feet as she wrapped her dark cloak tighter still about her chilled body. The whole wood seemed to shrink before Ender's feet as her clear, icy eyes beheld a land shrouded in dusky silver.

Ahead of her there was an opening in the trees, leading to the shining waters of the river Nimrodel. Beside it, a tall bey mare was leashed to a tree. She neighed and lifted her head slightly as Endereth approached. The ranger gave a wry smile and stroked the mare's neck. "Yes, I remember it too, Caeren. It used to be glorious, but no longer. Now, let us move on."

The elven ranger mounted her steed hastily and they made east, following Nimrodel upstream, as the last sliver of sun sank behind the hills. Its light still gave a golden hue to Ender's face as she left Lorien; for the last time, she thought. Her back turned to the forest, she was surprised to hear three voices speaking with serious tones. Sliding off of Caeren's back, Endereth ran to the source of the voices, though their persuns were hidden from view. As soon as she believed she was close enough, Ender gave a startled cry to see a messenger of the King of Gondor ride away quickly. Just a few feet away she heard the two remaining voices speak.

"What is wrong, Radagast?"

Ender stifled a gasp. Radagast? Was Radagast the Brown, wizard and bird-lover, truly here in Lorien?

"We need to go to Minas Tirith immediately." It was the voice of Radagast. Endereth would know the commanding tone anywhere. And it must have been Mattius with him!

As Radagast appeared and began to walk southward, Endereth walked out from behind a tree, breathless, unsure of what to say. A strong-looking, fair-haired elf looked up as she appeared, looked down again, and did a double-take. "Endereth?!" he shouted.

Radagast whipped around at Mattius' cry, his eyes growing wide, and he smiled in spite of himself. "Why, if it isn't the ranger Endereth! Mae govannem, my dear."

"Mae govannem, my old companions," Endereth replied, still reeling from the shock of seeing the two there of all places. "May I ask you both... what has just occured that requires a venture to Gondor?"


Sound okay?

[ March 02, 2003: Message edited by: Ithaeliel ]

[Auriel Haevasawen]

Many apologies for disappearing off the face of the Earth temporarily.

There are a lot of good ideas here. If we're all going to work together we need to come up with a pencilled-in plan of how to combine them.

For now heading for Isengard seems the best option in our main thread but there seems a lot of scope to combine other threads like Ransom's for example and allow them to run along side each other before finally joining. Oh dear, v.v.tired and that may not make sense. Great posting ideas so far. Must apply brain (such as it is).

[Mattius]

Yes with hindsight I agree that Isengard would probably be a better meeting place than Minas Tirith. Your post was cool Ithaiel, like friendsreunited.com!

Ransom, is there any chance you would like to join this RPG as well as concentrating on your own too (which sounds very cool and I may wish to join in the future)?

Anyways I need a bath so I'm off for a while- adieu!

[Hirilaelin]

Were you talking to me Ransom? Well, if you were, the answer: After the WotR, but i don't know exactly when, which is the problem. I was thinking something like 20 years, maybe a few more, or maybe right smack afterwards. I'm still undecided.

[Ithaeliel]

So we seem to have worked most of the details out; should we send in the proposal now?

[Mattius]

Seeing as though it was your original idea I think you should be in charge of the RPG Ith. But don't worry, we will all help out!

[Ithaeliel]

If you say so smilies/smile.gif though I tend to think of it as our RPG. So I think I'll send in a proposal, though if I find any missing details I'll get back here first.

Edit: I found some already! How long is this going to take in both the story and in real life, and what should be the title?

[ March 04, 2003: Message edited by: Ithaeliel ]

[Mattius]

What does the mod. say is the maximum length of time can be? A title? Hmm, something like 'Fear of Fangorn' but thats not too great.

Hey Ith , if the opening paragraph has to be quite long then why don't you put mine and yours together to make it a bit more substantial?

[ March 05, 2003: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Ithaeliel]

You're right Mattius; I think I'll combine the two posts. I don't know if there's a time limit on games in Rohan, I believe you just have to meet the deadline you claim. I'd estimate this would take about, oh... three to four months? And about the same time for the story itself.

As for the title- "Fear of Fangorn" isn't too bad. Maybe something like "Threat of the Trees?" That's kind of lame too, though.

[Mattius]

Yeah it is hard, I wil have a good think over the next couple of days or so and see what I can come up with.

[Ithaeliel]

I've sent in the proposal and I tried to speak for all of us, though I could not put in everyone's profiles, so I'm trusting you to post them in the discussion. If, when you see it, you want to change anything or think something is inaccurate, please tell me and I'll just PM the moderator! smilies/smile.gif

See you all in the discussion thread!

[Auriel Haevasawen]

I'm sure they'll be flexible about our time frames as we've already proved we can be trusted with a convoluted plot!

Please, please, please can we have some Entwives? (Sorry, personal obsession. I won't be remotely offended if they don't suit the development of the plot.)

Awaiting discussion thread!

[Mattius]

Wow cool idea, I would really like to see that! I have no problem with them being included but its really up to Ith.

[Brinniel]

I remember Ith once talking to me about including Ents and Entwives in the story....

[Ithaeliel]

I personally really have no idea how Entwives would fit in with the story, but I suppose that, seeing you are such a creative bunch, you could find a way to weave them in nicely.
In other words, it's fine! Entwives away!

[Auriel Haevasawen]

Yipee. We have cameos, we have main characters, we have an introduction. Now all we need is an adventure. Saddle up and away we go!!(metaphorically speaking I haven't ridden a horse since I was 11 and I can't imagine my alter-ego going for it much!)

[Mattius]

Hows the application going Ith?

[Ithaeliel]

I'm not sure what's up. I sent it in about a week ago, and the reviewers haven't contacted me yet. I'll be sure to tell you when something happens, though.

[Auriel Haevasawen]

No problem, I'll just hang around until something happens. I'm a little over worked again so only being involved in one story as a cameo (in the Shire) is probably for the best but I'm really missing you all. I think of you as pixelated friends. I think I'd better check on how Radagast is doing in the pub for now. See you or read you soon.

[DayVampyre]

Be there room for a late comer? This seems like it will be a very fun and interesting RPG...

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Hey, can I join too? Heh heh heh, love the RPG's.

[Brinniel]

Anyone's welcome to join and I'm happy to see newcomers. Right now we are waiting for our discussion thread, which will hopefully be up soon.

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

I've gotten two PMs from those who were in The Shadows of Umbra RPG saying they are still interested in doing a second RPG together. Perhaps we can begin our discussion here shortly.

[Ithaeliel]

but I'm really missing you all. I think of you as pixelated friends.

The feeling is mutual, Auriel! smilies/smile.gif Yes, I've missed roleplaying with all you guys too, and seeing as I'm only involved in two RPGs right at this moment I'm looking forward to more excitement.

DayVampyre and Horse-Maiden: You may certainly join! And you're not late at all. The discussion hasn't even begun yet. We'll start accepting characters when the thread is up, however, so with a little time we'll see who wishes to come.

Does anyone have an idea of how long the reviewers take with proposals on average? It seems an uncomfortable length of time right now; I've got no word. Maybe I mistyped the address, but I could have sworn I was pretty careful. If one of the moderators for Rohan sees this, could you please do us a courtesy and tell us how long it might be? Thank you!

Ithaeliel

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

It took the reviewers a week (give or take a few days) to accept my game.

I can't wait until the discussion thread opens!

Aylwen

[ April 12, 2003: Message edited by: Aylwen Dreamsong ]

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

ah, yes! this is going to be so fun.

ive been looking for a RPG to go into, and now i found one!

go me! smilies/biggrin.gif

[Mattius]

I can't wait to start RPging with you guys again!

[Ithaeliel]

Only a week for yours, Aylwen? It's been at least two here! Maybe I'd better re-send it... lucky it got saved smilies/smile.gif

[DayVampyre]

Yay! I'm glad I wasn't too late!

[ March 22, 2003: Message edited by: DayVampyre ]

[Auriel Haevasawen]

OOOh new people. I'm very excited now. Resurect us please moderators. We want to start discussing!! Please!

[dragoneyes]

Discussion of the Shadows of Umbra sequal may start now smilies/smile.gif. You said you recieved two PMs Brinniel, who was the other?

18 years after the the end of the Shadows of Umbra would be the best time for me (or later, but not really earlier), feel free to disagree anyone!

[Brinniel]

You said you recieved two PMs Brinniel, who was the other?
The other was Aman, who is away in Ireland right now. I haven't gotten reponses from Helka or Vanima, but also haven't seen either of them on the BD lately. Perhaps they are on vacation too.

But now that we will begin our discussion, I will post my story idea, as it is only halfway thought out, and I could use some suggestions.

It begins here:

20 years after the Shadows of Umbra, a dying elf stumbles into a small town just east of the Misty Mountains. Someone tends to him (perhaps Tallin accompanied by Hwesta), and it is learned that he is the only survivor of 16 elves who left on an expedition to the Misty Mountains 50 years ago. The purpose of the expedition was to find and retrieve an important object that was believed to be lost in the mountains hundreds of year ago before evil finds it and learns to wield it. Unfortunately, the expedition ran into many troubles in the Misty Mountains, and after being attacked by goblins, trolls, and wargs, only this one elf has made it out alive.
Unfortunately, the elf dies of his wounds the next day. In his dying words, he requests that a new expedition is made, as this missing object is still lost and is too important to be neglected.
After much debating, it is agreed that this second expedition will be made, this time with a smaller group of expeditionaries. This group will face the same troubles as the first group and perhaps even enter the mines of Moria.

That is my idea for a storyline. It is not very organized, as it was just a random brainstorm of mine. I have not even figured out what exactly the object should be yet (something like a stone, staff, etc.), but I'm hoping that someone will come up with a suggestion.

I also think that this RPG should be kept open for 2-3 more people, though that is not for me to decide.

I hope to hear responses from you soon, dragon, and hopefully from Helka, Vanima, and Aman, too.

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Oooh, I like it!

[dragoneyes]

I have not even figured out what exactly the object should be yet (something like a stone, staff, etc.)

You've got me think that we'll be running throught the mountains looking for a pebble now. I like the idea of looking for a staff though. I'll come up with something tomorrow, I'm quite idealess at the moment.

[VanimaEdhel]

I like the idea! Sorry, I was in Florida, but I don't have school this week, so I'll be here to help brainstorm and get our idea off the ground!

I was thinking: maybe the item should be some precious item made by the Dwarves around the time the Nauglamír was forged that was lost or something...would that work?

Oh: I was thinking: if someone wants to pick up a completely different idea: has anyone ever done a "Fall of Gondolin" RPG? It would be interesting. Someone could be Tuor and maybe Idril...it could work out really well. If someone wants to pick up the idea: go ahead. I was just casting it into the Void for any takers!

[Bêthberry]

No dice, Vanima. smilies/wink.gif

Run with the idea yourself. smilies/smile.gif

Bethberry

[Ithaeliel]

I re-sent the proposal on Thursday; still no word.

Have we been forgotten?

[Brinniel]

I sure hope not. I'm currently help planning 3 RPGs and participating in zero. I'm kind of missing the actual writing part. I do hope we can get started soon.

BTW, what is the title, Ith?

******

maybe the item should be some precious item made by the Dwarves
That could work, but the item also has to be something of importance to the elves, too.

[VanimaEdhel]

Well, the Nauglamir was made out of Elvish gold, so...they'd be very interested.

Bethberry: we've been over this, Your High Moderator-ness! smilies/wink.gif

[Ithaeliel]

Well, it looks to me like the discussion is not going up for our RPG. Does anyone know what to do? It's now nearly April. I doubt that sending the proposal in again would do anything. I'm open to any suggestions.

Bethberry, o moderator thee, do you know how come the reviewers might not have received our proposal; or if they did, why haven't they contacted us?

[Bêthberry]

I'll check on it later tonight, Ithaeliel, and get back to you via PM if not here. Sorry for the delay.

Bethberry

[Ithaeliel]

Thank you so much! I think we're all ready to begin the discussion!

Ith

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Yes, yes I am. smilies/smile.gif smilies/wink.gif

[Bêthberry]

Okay, Susan told me last night in chat your proposal had been approved. The threads have been posted this morning.

I have closed the game thread until you guys have selected all the other gamers you want. PM me when you want the game thread opened.

Have fun!

Bethberry

[VanimaEdhel]

Here's another idea out into the wind if anyone wants to pick it up:

Has anyone ever done an RPG from the "baddies" point of view? Like one entirely done by spies of, say, Sauron in the Third Age? Like maybe a tale of an Orc company, or maybe a tribe of men that are loyal to Sauron? Just another idea if you guys want it.

And, the sequel is going up? Yay! Count me in, people!

[Amanaduial the archer]

I havent checked this thread for a while actually, Im sorry! I am of course still interested in the sequel- what will be the title, have we got one? Helka hasnt been on for a while, and he only seems to go on sporadically and rather shortly. Im guessing we will be playing the Shadows characters; Tallin will tend to the traveller, along with Hwesta, and when they hear of this will be interested, maybe for some reason to do with the object (I dont know why exactly, but it really would have to be something of personal intersted to them as well, or maybe their better nature is just appealed to- we'll work on that with Raye! smilies/biggrin.gif ) Being as Tallin became so much closer to Raye near the end of the Shadows, she'll pay a little visit to her old friend, wherever she is, in Mirkwood or Lorien, depending on how things are going with Dimithil (ie. Whether Helka is playing!). After much persuading, Raye agrees to go with Tallin and Hwesta. And....damn, I cant think how to get Arrelle into this. Maybe she lives in the city that Tallin and Hwesta had been residing in and she hears of this traveller and the healer, and, with her curiosity roused, she comes to see the healer, then finds it is Tallin. How does that sound?

The object would have to be something to get one of them at least interested- maybe something to do with the wolves for Tallin, or something from Rayes dark past for Raye, or have something to do with Berethion and/or his travels for, well, for all three of them?!

EDIT:
Has anyone ever done an RPG from the "baddies" point of view See the Ride to The Dark Side; done half from a band of baddies point of view. By the way Bethberry, is that going into the Elvenhome?

[ March 30, 2003: Message edited by: Amanaduial the archer ]

[dragoneyes]

I'm not having Arrelle, she'd been so dead set on not adventuring any more I think it would be out of character for her to suddenly up and go. I had planned for her son to go out and follow in his mothers footsteps and get sidetracked by the news of the traveller. Or something along those lines.

[Brinniel]

I'm in a bit of a conflict with myself. I'm debating on the issue on whether to call my character Raye or Corrowyn. I was intending to call her Corrowyn in the sequel, but still use her outside name as Raye (since most people know her by that name anyways), but would that be too confusing? Perhaps I should do the same thing as I did in SoU; use her name Raye, but have those who are closest to her call her by her true name. I don't know....which way would be the least confusing for you guys?

This is how I wanted Raye/Corrowyn (heck, I'll just call her Raye for now) to start in the RPG:
Raye and Dimithil sit in a tavern in the small town. Dimithil tells Raye the rumors that a wounded elf has come from the mountains. Raye, who has been sensing danger, is curious about this elf, but does not intend to visit him; not until morning, at least. But then wargs attack the town at night...

That is just a thought, though I'd really like Raye to start off in a tavern, as it seems like a natural place for her to be.

I'm beginning to feel a bit frustrated that Helka has not responded to my PMs nor has shown any sign of coming to this thread. Where is he; I saw him post in another RPG, but that's about it. Even if Helka decides not to participate in the sequel, I still need Dimithil, for it is he who know Raye best (they've been traveling together for 18 years, after all). So, if Helka does not take part in this RPG, perhaps we could have someone else play Dimithil?

BTW, are we keeping this RPG open? I still think we need 2-4 more characters.

EDIT: Woohoo! 900 posts! :D

[Amanaduial the archer]

Dragoneyes, the son thing sounds good, yeah.
Hmmm, I dont think we should actually have Dimithil in this if Helka isnt in it. I dont want to carry a character really. I mean, if anyone feels strongly about it, then sure, we can have him, but you know...

Brin, whats the next part of that? Wargs attack the town, and then what? And where are they?

[Brinniel]

I dont want to carry a character really.
We wouldn't have to. If Helka decides not to be part of the RPG and we decide to still use Dimithil, we can have someone else play him. When the discussion thread opens, we could say that we need 2-4 characters, plus someone to play Dimithil. Requirements to play Dimithil: they must have read the Shadows of Umbra. But of course, we wouldn't have to worry about that if Helka shows up.

Brin, whats the next part of that? Wargs attack the town, and then what? And where are they?
Well, I think the town should be located just east to the Misty Mountains. After the warg attack, everything is a mess. The next morning, the elf dies, but not before telling Tallin and Hwesta everything that has happened to him. They meet up with Dimithil and Raye and discuss a new expedition. From here, I don't know whether the second expedition should be announced publicly, or if the four invite others to join privately and they leave for the Misty Mountains in secret.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Would they be in the same town as Tallin and Hwesta? Or would they somehow meet up otherwise? Bear in mind we have quite speedy messengers at our service, who can communicate with both Raye and Tallin...Jet and Dia. Oh, unless their mind speech can carry that far....oh, no, Raye cant talk through her mind. Ah well, we still have Jet and Dia- they could travel from Tallin to Raye with a message.

Thinking aloud, sorry.

Requirements to play Dimithil: they must have read the Shadows of Umbra Well, they would need to read the last few pages at least. Asking them to read the entire RP would be a little demanding, and time consuming- it would slow things down. Say the last 2 pages, or page and a half.

[Brinniel]

Asking them to read the entire RP would be a little demanding
Well, not if they're interested. I believe there are some people who read The Blue Mountains RPG before joining The Threat of the Trees. Also, if newcomers for the SoU sequel might understand the relationships of our characters if they read the SoU. But still, you're right. Reading the entire RPG shouldn't be required, though it is recommended.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Fair enough, recommended but not demanded.

BTW, congratulations on your 900 posts!

What do you think of using the wolves as messengers to get the group together? I dunno, maybe Arrelles son could be...*found* by one of them on the way... smilies/evil.gif

Ideas for a title?

[dragoneyes]

I was just thinking about a name for the son when I thought it would be quite interesting to name him after someone, perhaps even Berethion. Any views?

[Amanaduial the archer]

Hmmm...Arrelle wasnt that close to Berethion though, was she?

[Brinniel]

BTW, congratulations on your 900 posts!
Thank you! Oooh, I'm getting close to 1000. :)

Ideas for a title?
I think we need to figure out what our precious item we're searching for is first. Because we'll probably include the name of that in our title.

I thought it would be quite interesting to name him after someone, perhaps even Berethion
I don't know. Using the name Berethion might be too confusing.

[dragoneyes]

Arrelle wasnt that close to Berethion though, was she?

She wasn't all that close to anyone. Maybe I should just name him after the horse. Or not.
Using the name Berethion might be too confusing.

Never mind then, it was just an idea.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Hmmm, but naming him Berethion...well, it wouldnt half be funny to see Raye and Tallins faces when he told them his name was that of their beloved! Oh, that would just be class... This is growing on me. I mean, if Dia/Jet got a little peckish on their journey (ok, theyd have to be a little more than peckish), he/she would grab a tasty little snack in the form of human boy (yeah thats right, Arrelles son), he would not be marvelously happy about this (to say the least), would resist, it would come out his name was Berethion and kablam! The wolf would take this as a sort of omen and drag the boy to see Tallin.

[dragoneyes]

You see? It might not be such a bad idea after all. It would be fun to see their faces and what was going through their heads. It wouldn't be too far-fetched for Arrelle to name him that, Berethion was the only male who died on their little escapade.

[Brinniel]

it wouldnt half be funny to see Raye and Tallins faces when he told them his name was that of their beloved!
If Raye discovered another Berethion, she'd probably accuse him of stealing the other Berethion's name and identity and swear to hate him for eternity. :p Raye may no longer be a murderess, but she still has a fiery tongue and a bad reputation.

[dragoneyes]

That would make for an interesting RPG though wouldn't it? Having one character hate another for no real reason.

[Brinniel]

Wait, when we refer back to the old Berethion, how will we know which one we're talking about? You're going to confuse poor Raye, you are. She won't like that. :p Perhaps we could call Berethion, Bereth?

[dragoneyes]

I was just about to suggest that myself Brinniel. Bereth will do I think, it's better than Berry, which was all that my brain kept thinking of, at any rate.

[VanimaEdhel]

I leave for twenty-four hours...yeesh.

And I was part of "Ride to the Dark Side", actually...I was Izrenna.

And, disregarding Raye and Tallin, we could have an interesting reaction from Hwestlaeriel. He was, after all, her brother. While the others would be astonished, she would probably have mixed feelings, both proud of her brother and as despressed as one can get.

[Brinniel]

Yes, having Arrelle's son be named Berethion would cause plenty of controversy.....I like it! :D

Aside from Helka's abscence, I think we may be able to send in a proposal fairly soon. But we are still missing the most important thing. What is the object going to be? I heard some ideas before; let's here some more.

[Bêthberry]

You are right, Aman that Ride to the Dark Side should be going to Elvenhome.

I am dissatisfied with the pacing of my last post and want to edit it, but haven't had time. Once I make that revision, I will move it.

Meanwhile, if anyone else wants to do an edit to his or her post/s, let me know and I will open the game for you, temporarily.

Bethberry

[Brinniel]

The Blue Mountains needs to go to Elvenhome too. I surprised to see that the RPG is still open. Just thought I'd mention it.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Thanks for the offer Beth, but its fine. Im happy with my posts.

Sorry Hwesta! My mistake! I didnt really concentrate as much on the elven, goodies side. Man, I have been apologising way too much recently...

That would make for an interesting RPG though wouldn't it? Having one character hate another for no real reason. Well, it certainly happened enough in Shadows! This idea really is growing on me- Having Berethion would be good, and would probably throw the three elves majorly! Heehee, Berry...

What ideas do people have for an object?

[Brinniel]

What ideas do people have for an object?
Well, let me point out some earlier quotes.

dragoneyes:
I like the idea of looking for a staff though.

Vanima:
I was thinking: maybe the item should be some precious item made by the Dwarves around the time the Nauglamír was forged that was lost or something...would that work?
Both of these ideas are very good. I'm actually reading about the Nauglamir in the Silmarillion right now. :) An item similar to the necklace would be interesting...

[dragoneyes]

Would someone please tell me what Nauglamir is? I would look in the Silmarillion myself but I can't find the book (my sister has informed me that it is somewhere in the house but that isn't helpful at all).

[Amanaduial the archer]

The Nauglamir was a necklace made of mithril, and was commisioned by...*argh, I should know this, but I cant remember his name!*...and elven king, of Lorien, but was made by dwarves. It contained one of the Silmarii.

[the real findorfin]

The Necklace made by the Dwarves of Nogrod and Belegost for Finrod Felagund.

[Brinniel]

Here is a direct quote from The Silmarillion about the Nauglamir:

And in that time was made for him [Finrod] the Nauglamir, the Necklace of the Dwarves, most renowned of their works in the Elder Days. It was a carcanet of gold, and set therein were gems uncounted from Valinor; but it had a power within it so that it rested lightly on its wearer as a strand of flax, and whatsoever neck it clasped it sat always with grace and loveliness.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Thanks Brin!
Anyway, now we all know what the Nauglamir is...but what object are we going to use? And will the dwarves there acrually be the bad guys?

[Brinniel]

We could create an item similar to the Nauglamir (perhaps a crown, staff, etc), made around the same time, but it was lost and forgotten until 50 years ago. We would also need a name for the item (don't ask me; I haven't a clue what it should be).

I was thinking of wargs, goblins, and trolls as our enemies rather than dwarves. The dwarves have no clue that this expedition ever happened, as the elves kept the expedition secret to prevent any future wars with them.

[Amanaduial the archer]

I vote staff. Staff of Earth maybe...but something to do with at least one of them...

[dragoneyes]

I vote staff too, actually, what Aman said.

[VanimaEdhel]

A staff sounds good. Also fairly portable (and useful) for when we get it back. Not like if it was a throne of gold or something (not that I'm saying I wouldn't like one of those, but it would be impractical to carry around Middle Earth).

[Amanaduial the archer]

Right, so it seems staff has it. What will be special about said staff then?

[VanimaEdhel]

Would it have to be magical? It could very well just be very expensive and treasured as the crown piece of some nobleman/noblewoman's collection of jewels.

[Amanaduial the archer]

It wouldnt have to magical, but people do tend to put more worth in magical things. I dont really have a preference. Why, do you have an idea?

[Bêthberry]

Hmm. Slippery ground here.

*coughs* magic = superpowered = Tolkien NOT *coughs*

Now that my throat is cleared, let me say I am sure all of you are such good writers that such exaggerated qualities will not mar your game.

Your friendly neighbourhood Moderator of Rohan,
Bethberry

[Amanaduial the archer]

You know, Bethberry, the sarcasm in that sentence was almost tangible, even sitting here on a different continent... smilies/biggrin.gif

Ok, so we have been 'advised' to leave the magic factor alone. So jewels it is. Elven or otherwise?

Bethberry, just a note; this RP may not stick strictly (oh, thats a tongue twister!) to Tolkiens boundaries. But if you so wish, we will of course leave magic alone. BTW when is The Ride going to the Elvenhome? It deserves to go there.

[dragoneyes]

Seeing as it is the Elves which are going after it, I think that Elven jewels would suit it best. It also needs a good name, I have no (decent) suggestions though, were it left up to me the thing would probably end up being 'The Jewelly Stick' especially this late at night.

[DayVampyre]

I may not even be in the RPG but I am quite fond of "Jewelly Stick" smilies/tongue.gif

[Brinniel]

Elven jewels, definitely. Perhaps there could be some kind of fancy stone planted into the staff. As for a name, it probably should be some Elvish name (I may need some help with that one).

[VanimaEdhel]

Well, mîrnad literally means "Jewel Thing", if you want to go with that. smilies/wink.gif

In Quenya, Silvandl could mean "Shining Staff".

I think that Tâkala is good. It means "High Shine". Silmevandl means "Starlight Wand". That's good too. If there is a meaning, I can try to look it up for you (ah the joys of the Council of Elrond site).

[Bêthberry]

Ah, me. My tone missed its mark. My comments were straight, not dry, Aman, and honestly meant. I do not use irony or sarcasm when talking with gamers here in Rohan. *mumbles with bemused frustration*

Please do remember that this game will need to be reviewed by Gandalf the Grey and SusanDelgado. Here is one of the criteria they will be using, taken from the thread The Golden Hall

Tolkien: Keep your stories within the bounds of Middle-earth and realistic to the world J.R.R. Tolkien created. Hobbits don't use magic, orcs don't have guns, female dwarves don't travel, and there are no half-elf/half-dwarf characters. Having read Tolkien's books (rather than simply seeing the movies) is pretty much a given in Rohan. Knowing the books will familiarize you with Tolkien's style of writing (which you are not required to emulate) and, better still, keep you knowledgeable of the type of characters and events that would be 'realistic' in Middle-earth. *(There is the rare chance that a story that breaks this rule will be allowed, but it will be restricted to the highest standards found in Gondor).


Debates about magic can be found in the Books forum, but in Rohan, magic should not explain or explain away or empower anyone or anything. Escapist fantasy does not become the Perilous Realm.

Bethberry

[Amanaduial the archer]

Ive kept to every one of those rules but one in all the time Ive been here, and that was only....light(ish)ly broken. Lol, I know Bethberry, I was only joking before.

I would go for Silvandl, or silmevandl; Shining staff and Starlight wand seem somewhat more proffesional than 'wand thing'. Besides, I cant get the hand of the marks over letters. *sheepishly smiles*

Shall we just have it as a general, beautiful, elven, jewelled staff and stop looking for connections, simply doing it on the basis of completing a dying elfs last wish, and wanting some old friends to do it with?

Hey, it works for me.

[ElentariGreenleaf]

WOOO! "Jewely Stick" rocks! Hehe... I've been talking to dragon eyes about this RPG..... um.... thinking up thing.... and I read some of the old RPG. I'd very much like to join when it opens ^_^ cause I'm not in any RPGs yet (but hoping to own one in the Shrei... hint hint Child.....) ^_^

[Amanaduial the archer]

Possibly you could own one in the Shire, but Im not sure about the Shrei.... smilies/biggrin.gif

Hmmm. Must cut down use of sarcasm...

[ElentariGreenleaf]

Yes, you really must cut down on the use of sarcasm.... and it's not my fault i can't speel (and that was on purpose)

Hehe.... I'm gonna kick up a fuss. Who's owning this RPG? (MWAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!!!!)

[Amanaduial the archer]

It will be joint owned, I should say. Its really the only fair way.

[dragoneyes]

That's what I said wasn't it Elentari? Anyway, I too like the name suggestions without accents (Silvandl mostly) because I can't do them either.

[Amanaduial the archer]

I think Silvandl has it then, an jewelled, elven staff which has got lost in the mountains. I think it should be from Mirkwood, a staff of honour or something, awarded to a courtier for a high honour long ago maybe. But when the courtier had to...'leave in a hurry', the staff fell into the wrong hands, orc hands, until the orc too came under unfortunate circumstances (man, its starting to sound like theres a curse on the staff!) and, lost for a while in the wilderness, it then was found by a dwarf, one of a race of appreciaters of fine gems and crafts. And.....

would someone else care to carry on the story? I dont know where that came from, it was a random strong of thoughts put together...

[ElentariGreenleaf]

MAn, it sooo want to bring Elentari into this... but I will resist the temptation! If I am alowed to join, I will create a new character, called Kari. <-- love that name ^_^

It could be some Itsari's staff..... or it could just be what aman siad :P

[dragoneyes]

It can't be magical Elentari. And continuing with Aman's idea: perhaps the dwarves left it in some hoarde of treasure which was then lost (trolls, orcs again, something along those lines) and it's been locked away in some cave in the mountains ever since.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Excellent, but may I just add 'long lost' in front of cave; having a war between the entire mountain of dwarves and...five or six elves (and humans? Do we have huma characters? Im sure we can.). Striking me as not such a good plan for the whole life deal.

If everyone approves of that plot then...

We have a plot.
We have original characters.
We have a non magical object.
We have a quest.
...and we do not have a name.

Anyone? Maybe just 'Silvandl' or 'The Quest For (The?) Silvandl' ?

[ElentariGreenleaf]

I think there are too many "Quest for the..." How about..... hmmm....

From the Shadow of the Cave? That's dumb though....

Cave of Wonders
Silvandl from the Past
Silvandl of hope
Silvandl hunt
Hunt for the Silvandl

I must have missed the part about non-magical stuff ^_^

[Amanaduial the archer]

Out of those, I would say Cave of Wonders. Or maybe we could have that in some form of elvish...

Brinniel? Vanima? What do you think? Are you still there?

[Brinniel]

Maybe just 'Silvandl' or 'The Quest For (The?) Silvandl' ?
I like them both, though Elentari may be right; the word quest is often used in titles. The word 'search' is definitely out of the question (I'm already confused enough by the two 'search' RPGs that exist).

Here are some more ideas:

The Hunt for the Silvandl
Pursuit for the Silvandl
Expedition of the Silvandl

Ok, those aren't too great, but whatever the title is, it should definitely include the Silvandl.

I'll volunteer to send in the proposal, though I think Aman should write the history of the Silvandl since she seems to have a good idea about it.

Once we have a title, I'll send one last PM to Helka, giving him five days to agree if he wants to join us or not. If he doesn't respond or says no, I'll leave the spot for Dimithil open for others to play.

I'd prefer if we kept this RPG small, as it is supposed to be a secret quest. I'd say no more than 4 or 5 new characters, plus perhaps a new Dimithil.

How long do you think it will take to finish this RPG?

[Amanaduial the archer]

I think Aman should write the history of the Silvandl since she seems to have a good idea about it.
! I do?! Hey, I didnt know anything about that, but ok.

Maybe we should just leave the title at simply 'Silvandl'. Heh heh, Simply Silvandl...ahem, sorry. There are many variants on this, but there are hundreds of 'Quest for-'s and 'Search for-'s, and we want something a little more original. How about that?

Brinniel, that sounds good. Just one thing; how about five or six players? Six at the most. I don't want it to be too big either, obviously, but I don't want it to get too small, or there's a massive gap if a player can't continue for whatever reason.

This will be a Rohan RPG, won't it? That means we have more time allowance. The Shadows of Umbra went from October 27th- March 8th. That was pretty exceptional though; it sort of collapsed at intervals, for periods of up to two weeks at a time, so there were long spaces of doing nothing, and then at the end time was pushed as Piosenniel wanted to get it finished- fair enough, it shouldnt have lasted five months, no way. The at other times there were up to four posts a day! So that isnt actually a brilliant measure of how long this will take....shall we say two or three months maybe?

I will send the history of the Silvandl to all members of the game, as soon as I have it solidified.

[ElentariGreenleaf]

PLEEEEEEEEEEEEASE! Tell me when this starts so I can join! I'd hate to be left out of yet another limited space RPG! ^_^

[dragoneyes]

and humans? Do we have huma characters? Im sure we can.

They'd need a good reason though, unless someone goes around advertising. I'm getting that vision of an elf with a cheesy smile and slicked back hair handing out leaflets again... oh dear. It would be mostly Elves though.

Excellent history by the way.

[ April 11, 2003: Message edited by: dragoneyes ]

[Amanaduial the archer]

Yeah, thats a worrying image....

Thanks sweet. smilies/smile.gif

[Brinniel]

So, the title 'The Silvandl RPG' works?

Just one thing; how about five or six players? Six at the most.
Don't forget we already have Raye, Tallin, Hwesta, Bereth, and Dimithil (whoever will play him). That's five already. I say we accept no more than five others, plus someone to play Dimithil.

shall we say two or three months maybe?
I was thinking 3-4 months. That seems like enough time.

Aman- Thanks for the PM of the history. It looks good. I'll probably edit the last paragraph to add more info, if you don't mind. I'll be needing to keep the PM.

[ElentariGreenleaf]

Can I join? When it opens i mean. <---- that's obvious ^_^

[Helkahothion]

I'm here. I'm here. Don't have the nerve to leave without me. Sorry for my long absence, but I will play Dimithil. I'm sorry I did not respond sooner. I have been at school for a long time and homework got the best of me. I'm sorry for that. About the Raye Corrowin thingy. I can remember that Raye was the last thing that was holding Corrowyn to her old live and Dimithil had managed her to leave that name. So it would be very odd, if she started to use the name Raye again. Ill continue reading the tread, it was just that after being halfway page 2 I had the feeling that I was going to be left behind. So ill go read the posts again. Byebye.

Greetings,

Anuion

P.S. Happy 9ooTH post Brinniel.

Okay done reading. I don't think we need more additionel players though. We where going to keep the group short so we would not get too many involved. Ofcaurse ElentariGreenleaf has too come. She has been cheering for it and I'm quite fond of her writing skills. But except her, I think only we don't need anymore good guys. The group before us was not much different in number than we are now, so that should be enough. In my opinion we now only need some baddies. But that is ofcaurse my opinion. It's just that too much writers can be a B**ch for the discussion, since it will get flooded. Not that the writers here are bad. What do you think?

[ April 12, 2003: Message edited by: Helkahothion ]
________
Herbalaire review (http://vaporizer.org/reviews/herbalaire/)

[Amanaduial the archer]

How about just "The Silvandl"? Its obviously gonna be an RP. Just a thought.

When will this game be starting? Im going to be away for a week, for could we say next Monday 21st or Tuesday 22nd? Thanks.

[VanimaEdhel]

Just be careful about how many we accept. It gets very confusing if we have more than 10 characters in the RPG. There are RPG's I've joined that just accepted everyone that joined, and ended up having about 15 or 20 players, and it just got crazy. The smaller, the better, I think. So: I say that at the very most we accept about five more.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Ditto that.

[ElentariGreenleaf]

YAY! I've been accepted into your RPG! Thanks Helka!

Oh, about the number of players. Holiday in the Sun had about 20+ players, and it wasn't fair on the smaller characters, like mine (Sofiya, a maidsewrvant) cause they get left out. I just stopped posting in the end. So I'd say no more than 5 new.

[Bêthberry]

It is great to see such enthusiastic, creative work being done on this thread. It is fascinating for me at least to watch you guys develop your ideas. And that is an honest compliment.

However, maybe I've missed something here, but to talk of when the game will start before it has been submitted to Gandalf the Grey and Susan Delgado as the reviewers for Rohan game proposals is a tad premature. Please use the proposal form (which can be modified to meet the needs of your game) and submit your game ideas to Gandalf and Susan once you have finalized your plans.

Bethberry

[ April 12, 2003: Message edited by: Bethberry ]

[Brinniel]

Happy 9ooTH post Brinniel
Aw, thank you, Helka. smilies/smile.gif
I am very glad to see you have not left us.

I think we should say four new players are allowed. Yes, Elentari, you'll be one of
those four, though we'll still need to accept your character once you write your profile (don't write it yet, though).

It is great to see such enthusiastic, creative work being done on this thread.
Thank you for the compliment, Bethberry. I am also happy to see this planning go through so smoothly; it allows me to have high hopes for the RPG itself.

Please use the proposal form (which can be modified to meet the needs of your game) and submit your game ideas to Gandalf and Susan once you have finalized your plans.
Ah, yes. I plan to get to work on that this week.

[ElentariGreenleaf]

YAY! Game plan proposal means........ closer to a new rpg! YAY! My RPG is gonna be opened in the Shire at teh end of April!!!! YAY!! ^_^

[Helkahothion]

What is it about Elentairi? I would be very much like to join it.

[ April 15, 2003: Message edited by: Helkahothion ]
________
How to roll joints (http://howtorollajoint.net/)

[ElentariGreenleaf]

A dragon, Mirkwood, long lake and the Blue Mountains. You can do the math ^_^ Actually, Bethberry would just kill us for going off topic.

[Brinniel]

Sorry for my long absence, I have been piled up with homework this week (I had to hand-write a 7 page speech about freedom of the press. It was a rather painful experience...). Unfortunately, since I have been so busy, I have not had the chance to even start on the proposal. I'll get to work on it today and hopefully have it sent by next weekend.

[Brinniel]

As I write the proposal, I am coming across a few questions that need answering.

1. The RPG is to take place in the 4th Age, but what is the estimated year?
2. Do we want dwarves in the RPG? As secondary characters? (Remember this is a secret quest and the Silvandl is really meant for the elves.)

Let me know soon.

[VanimaEdhel]

1. The RPG is to take place in the 4th Age, but what is the estimated year?

About 20 years after the first would be good, I think. That way everyone is into their new respective lives, so it will be even more difficult to decide whether to go or not (some personal internal struggles). I went to see what time frame the original was in, but they didn't save the Discussion in Elvenhome.

2. Do we want dwarves in the RPG? As secondary characters?

I suppose they could be in. Although I'm not sure they should necessarily be on the quest itself. Maybe they can be elsewhere, talking about it or something. Or how about we have to get by them somehow and they almost refuse to let us through as we won't tell them why we're passing through. Then, if we do tell them, they would be even more hesitant. It'll pose another obstacle.

That's my opinion in any event.

[Helkahothion]

I don't think Dwarfes are a good idea. They would only be in the way. (sorry Vanima) and that would according to my opinion cause boring speeches about why. That COULD fit in a Moty Python sketch though. (Don't kill me for that off-topic Bethberry) Anyway, that wand, did it belong to some kind of wizard of the tird age or something?
________
Ferrari 328 history (http://www.ferrari-wiki.com/wiki/Ferrari_328)

[Bêthberry]

Bethberry loves dwarves. They are funny, hugely funny. Go read The Hobbit. And Fawlty Towers wins out over Monty Python, but not by much.

We could even to a Fawlty Ring Towers.How Merry and Pippin lived after LOTR. Life is never as good as our memories.

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Bethberry could play a dwarf for your game. Bethberry likes dwarves. smilies/biggrin.gif http://www.gamers-forums.com/smilies/otn/other/vikingsmiley.gif

-Frain

Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd aimênu!

[Helkahothion]

Agreed.


Falty towers> Monty Python. But they both star John Cleese.
________
YZR500 (http://www.yamaha-tech.com/wiki/Yamaha_YZR500)

[dragoneyes]

I wouldn't say that Monty Python 'stars' John Cleese, but he is in them both.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Im a little confused as to exactly how we got onto the subject of Faulty Towers and Monty Python....was watching the Life of Brian the other night though. Class...

And that is an honest compliment. smilies/smile.gif

Im gonna go against the trend here it would seem and say I dont think dwarves are necessary. If anyone (Bethberry, Bethberry, Bethberry...) has a particular desire to play a dwarf, I wouldnt object, but it would probably have to be a cameo role.

Who will do the first post? Brinniel, as you said you will do the proposal, are you doing the first post? Or should me or Vanima do it, as the elf will stumble in on us and tell us his story and dying wish?

[Helkahothion]

Well, it is quite clear that Brinniel is writing it, since she has to send on along with the proposal.

I'm not getting something, does Bethberry want to play a dwarf or are you pushing her.

(It was a joke people!!!)

Look, I past the 700. GO ME! *pats himself on the back*

[ April 20, 2003: Message edited by: Helkahothion ]
________
FORD SIERRA RS COSWORTH HISTORY (http://www.ford-wiki.com/wiki/Ford_Sierra_RS_Cosworth)

[Amanaduial the archer]

a) It is of course Bethberrys own choice, you muffin, you cant force someone to play a character, and I wouldnt try.

b) No, it was not clear.

c) Congratulations. *pats Helk on the back and hands him a bacardi*

d) The bacardi will be removed if you insist on being a muffin head. smilies/evil.gif

[Helkahothion]

*Opens his own Bacardi and laughs at Amanaduial the Archer.*

I think it would be an honour to have Bethberry in our RPG. Ofcaurse, she would write under my supervision.


(that was also a joke.)
________
Volvo d5 engine specifications (http://www.ford-wiki.com/wiki/Volvo_D5_engine)

[dragoneyes]

enough 'jokes' already!

[Brinniel]

About 20 years after the first would be good, I think.
Yes, I'm making it 18 years after the first one, but I don't know what year the first one took place. Any ideas?

As for dwarves, I will list them as a secondary character.

Who will do the first post? Brinniel, as you said you will do the proposal, are you doing the first post?
I will do the first post as the dying elf. He will probably be my second character for about two posts. Corr and Dimithil don't really come into the story until later that evening.

The proposal is a little over halfway done. My goal is to have it sent by Saturday.

[Helkahothion]

My goal is to have it sent by Saturday.

Wassn't the goal to get the staff out of the mountain? Else it would be a very short RPG.
________
Suzuki cultus history (http://www.suzuki-tech.com/wiki/Suzuki_Cultus)

[Amanaduial the archer]

Lol Helka smilies/biggrin.gif

I think you can just make a date up Brinniel, just make it fit in. Legolas was mentioned in the first one, and it was based before the fellowship set off. Can we have it before the Hobbit? Say 10 years before maybe.

[ElentariGreenleaf]

Hmmm, maybe we should take dragoneye's advise and stop with the lame jokes ^_^ Talking of dragon, has anyone seen her around lately?

[Helkahothion]

How could we see her? She is dead. OK ill stop. 10 years before the Hobbit. Seeing as the last one did not have an exact time, it doesn't matter that much if it happens then I think.
________
Suzuki alto lapin history (http://www.suzuki-tech.com/wiki/Suzuki_Alto_Lapin)

[Amanaduial the archer]

Dragon has reappeared on Imladris, but Brinniel is still missing.

El, please could you see my note on the Thanks thread.

[dragoneyes]

Reappeared indeed! I was only gone for one night. Everything here looks good to me though.

[VanimaEdhel]

My am I confused...from what I can tell of actual plot-line discussion, I agree with everything that you say. I will not be here next week due to play rehearsals until 9:00 p.m. at my school every day and then the actual performances next weekend (on top of softball, homework, etc.), so you may have to start getting the ball rolling, so to speak, without me. Just warning you of my insane schedule.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Thats fine, as your character is so closely linked to mine at the start, that schould work ok.

But the proposal...is with Brinniel who is...well, that is the question. Anyone seen Brinniel?

[dragoneyes]

All I know is that she'd said she'd get the proposal in by today and I can only assume that she has.

[Bêthberry]

Aylwen understood that I never miss an opportunity to put in a good word for dwarves! Yeah Frain!


When I have more time, you can bet that I'll jump into some of your games with glee.

Bethberry

[Amanaduial the archer]

Awww, thanks Brinniel!

I wasnt sure though...were we having dwarves?

[Helkahothion]

I believe a cameo of some sort.

[Brinniel]

Aack! I'm very, very sorry for my long absence. I expected to be on last weekend, but my schedule has been so hectic and during the times I could get on, my sister was on (she just had her wisdom teeth out).

Unfortunately, I have not had the chance to finish the proposal yet, though I'm getting close. I promise to work on it ASAP. Again, I apologize for the delay. I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed and unfortunately, it won't get any better next week. smilies/frown.gif

Awww, thanks Brinniel!
For what? :confused:

[Helkahothion]

For being sucha nice girl. Anyway, I for one forgive your absence and welcome you back to the downs smilies/biggrin.gif

[Amanaduial the archer]

Brinniel! Welcome back! Thankyou! Thankyou! Thankyou!

[Bêthberry]

Fellow Rohan gamers,

Our gaming comes with a cost; it is time to reflect on this fact and make some changes to how we run our games.

We RPGers are the most voracious consumers of Barrow Downs resources. We use a game thread, a discussion thread, PMs to plan games, and are constant visitors to the site, often returning more than two or three times a day to keep up with developments in the game in order to prepare our own posts.

Why is this a drain on BD resources? Please take some time to read carefully and reflect seriously upon the Barrow Wight's recent posts in the "Announcements >> The Barrow Downs" forum concerning storage space and bandwidth, chat and discussion, and the costs of running the site, and then change your posting habits.

What are the most beneficial changes in our posting habits? For one, we need to stop using the discussion threads for idle banter, for personal comment. We must restrict our posts to discussion of the games only, that is, to issues of plotting, character interaction, clarification, and notification of absences. For most occasions, we don't need to make multiple posts about why we are absent or how we are doing and we don't need to make a string of 'see ya' posts in reply. For personal comments, we can use the chat room or PMs. A discussion thread that is far longer than a game thread is often a signal of a misuse of the discussion thread.

Please take the time to do several things: Delete posts or run of the mill comments in the discussion thread that have no bearing on the game. Refrain from such posts and comments in future discussions of the games. Limit your daily visits to the thread.

If we all help out, we can ensure that our games remain treasures in the Barrow Downs.

Thanks for being responsible gamers and credible members of the Downs!

Bêthberry

[Amanaduial the archer]

Does each visit use up bandwidth? Or when you say limit your visits, do you mean just limit the posting?

Brinniel...is there any chance of getting this game started any time soon?

[Bêthberry]

My dear, truly beloved Aman,

Please read the BarrowWight's post here. (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=14&t=001075)

Bêthberry

[Brinniel]

Brinniel...is there any chance of getting this game started any time soon?
Due to school and other commitments, I have decided to hold off on sending the proposal until my school year ends and I can breathe again (that'd be June 5). My apologies. :(

[Amanaduial the archer]

Thats fine, I have exams coming up in a few weeks, and I cant really take on any more games right now.

Bethberry....is that some of the famed non-sarcasm of Bethberry? smilies/biggrin.gif

[Bêthberry]

Bethberry....is that some of the famed non-sarcasm of Bethberry? <http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/smilies/biggrin.gif>



Always, Aman, always. smilies/wink.gif

[dragoneyes]

The 5th of June has come and gone and I was wondering quite where that proposal had got to. Any news?

[Brinniel]

Actually, I was just working on it yesterday (after finally finding exra time). I'll probably send it in next weekend. A few more days won't hurt, especially since Vanima will be gone for awhile.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Thanks Brinniel. Oh, would you mind sending me a copy before you send it to Bethberry? Just so I can have a look. And dragoneyes, Vanima, Elentari and Helka will probably want a wee look as well, if you dont mind. smilies/smile.gif

[Brinniel]

Don't worry, I'll send you all a copy. smilies/smile.gif

Aman- Please check your PMs.

[Brinniel]

Due to the new policy of having only two owners to a game, I am unable to list all returning players from the Shadows of Umbra as owners.

I have decided to remain co-owner of the Silvandl, as I am writing the proposal. Since she helped write part of the proposal, I have asked Aman to remain co-owner with me, and she has informed me that she is interested.

Dragoneyes, Vanima, and Helka- You are all still welcome to help plan the game once it is running. I will be happy to see future PMs about ideas for twists in the storyline. And as I said earlier, I will send you all a copy of the proposal before I send it in. If any of you for some reason object to have Aman and I as co-owners, please let us know.

[dragoneyes]

It has been sent in yes? What was the outcome?

[Brinniel]

Oh, it's been a big mess.

I originally sent the proposal on June 22, but since the box for Rohan proposals hasn't been working it wasn't received. I sent the proposal again about four or five days ago, this time to Bethberry, and still no word.

Hopefully we can get this started soon, as I will be out-of-town for two weeks starting on the 20th, then I will be gone again from August 5 - 12. I really don't want to be gone when this RPG gets started. :(

BTW, is anyone else going to be gone in the next month? It'd be best if I knew ahead of time.

[Bêthberry]

The Rohan reviewers are working on the proposal as I type this, Brin and everyone.

Please remember that the proposal process is a legitimate procedure for application and not an automatic acceptance. The Reviewers work seriously to ensure that a proposal will produce a game that will not run into problems which could derail it and that will be of high quality for both the players and the readers.

Thanks for your patience. Until you notified me, we had no idea that the rohanproposals mailbox was not working.

Bethberry

[Helkahothion]

Dragoneyes, Vanima, and Helka- You are all still welcome to help plan the game once it is running. I will be happy to see future PMs about ideas for twists in the storyline. And as I said earlier, I will send you all a copy of the proposal before I send it in. If any of you for some reason object to have Aman and I as co-owners, please let us know.

Buttocks, ohw well, guess I'll have to start my own RPG some day. Do we have a starting date yet?

Abedithon le

[Amanaduial the archer]

Helkahothion, look at Bêthberry's post.

[dragoneyes]

Is there any news of this game? I have been looking forward to it and regularly checking on this thread for news. But alas! There was none.

[Bêthberry]

dragoneyes,

Mithdan sent a proposal review to Brinniel and Aman on August 12 with suggestions for revision. We have not heard anything back from them.

Bethberry

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

[Brinniel]

Aman and I have been revising the proposal for the past month. It took some time since we rewrote the entire plot. Actually, we are almost done revising.

But alas, Aman seems to have disappeared. :( I PMed her two weeks ago, but she has not responded. In fact, I don't even think she's been on the BD since the 10th. Does anyone know where she's been lately? Perhaps I'll try emailing her later...

My apologies for the extremely long delay.

[Amanaduial the archer]

And mine.

Alas would be the words some of you are now muttering, eh? Well, I'm back smilies/wink.gif Apologies for my extortionately long absense, not my fault (probably. Not entirely anyway...) - my computer finally gave up. The hard drive was entirely wiped of everything...*sob*...and, to cut a long story short, I was therefore without a computer or connection. *sigh*

Once again, sorry for the delay.

[Brinniel]

dragoneyes- Check your PMs.

[dragoneyes]

I'm beginning to woder what's happen again... I feel like I'm being pushy, am I being pushy?

[Amanaduial the archer]

No, no I wouldn't say you're being pushy and I'm sorry for all of this, but there have been a *heck* of alot of problems and bother over this RPG. Brinn and I are working on the changes which have been requested again, and although the new game is starting to look rather distant from anything to do with Shadows, we are doing our best. Apologies - things get hectic around here, it would have been perfect to start it in the Summer as planned, but, hey, there you go.

With helpless hands,
Aman

[dragoneyes]

Perhaps we can make it by next summer smilies/wink.gif.

[Bêthberry]

Just a few reminders here about game proposals.

While it is very understandable how love for a game can motivate gamers to create a sequel--and there were several Freestyle games which were a cut above most of the chat-style games and which would lend themselves nicely to sequels--gamers should realize that all proposals, even those for sequels to old Freestyle games, must develope a plot with a clearly structured narrative purpose and unique, plausible characters which either develope aspects of Tolkien's world or represent a clear interpretation or analysis of it.

All of the game proposal reviewers--myself, Mithadan, Piosenniel, and Child of the Seventh Age--work very hard with game proposers to help them achieve a game which will not only meet these new writerly standards but which will also be fun to read as well as to participate in.

If you wish to propose a sequel to an old Freestyle game, please spend some time considering how to make it achieve this level of gaming. The closer the proposal meets this level, the less likely it will require substantial revision.

If you have any questions about how how achieve this, you can contact either me, Aylwen Dreamsong, or Mithadan.

Bêthberry,
Moderator for Rohan

[Amanaduial the archer]

Exactly. The main problem under which all the others are subtitles is the fact that Umbra was a Freestyle game. The other problems have occured such as:

- why, plausibly, would the elves want to retrieve the Silvandl?
- Because it was stolen?
- By whom? At this point the whole lovely history and the part about the blue mountain, wild men, abandoned children, dwarves....went completely out of the window smilies/frown.gif. We came to the conclusion of a group of assassins who, foiled in their attempt on the king's life, stole the precious Silvandl instead. [This caused the name change from 'Silvandl' to 'The Assassins' Intrigue']
- Why would the Silvandl be in the open to get stolen?
- Because it was a gift given to the king from Lorien ambassadors, who are now leaving Mirkwood, in thanks for the help of Mirkwood in...[something which I'm not entirely sure of right now, as the only copy I have since my computer got a virus is on a school computer and I am on Christmas holiday, ergo I have not currently got a copy...]. They are formally leaving now and will present the Silvandl, an item of very substantial sentimental and tangible worth and beauty, in a ceremony that will mean there is only a skeleton guard around the palace. This means it will be easy for the assassins to strike.

- Who are the assassins?
- Now at this point we came up with some rather large problems of when exactly the story is happening. SoU was set in Thranduil's time, but this is not a very large problem; the only evidence of it being in that time are about three references to Thranduil and maybe two of Legolas. So we moved it back to the time of Oropher, in the second age, date SA 1698. A significant date! I quote from one of the critiques:

This is just one year afterafter the fall of Eregion, the Elven kingdom that stood just west of Moria. It is also one year before Sauron invaded Eriador, the lands west of the Misty Mountains. So if you intend your assassins to be in league with Sauron, you’ve picked a great time.

Lovely! Ok, so now we have a time and a possible motivation for the assassins - they could be fallen elves in league with Sauron. This also means the wood is not called Mirkwood, but Lasgalen/Greenwood. And that gives rise to possible alterior motives perhaps to drawing the elves out of Greenwood, which would add some more depth especially on the parts of the assassins, which would be excellent.

But....(why must there always be a but?!)

- Characters
- A fundamental problem! See, two of the principle characters are human, one with elven blood (something the reviewers didn't like) in a time when elves are suspicious of pretty much any other races. Which gave rise to Ascahyandel - a new character, her purpose being as the elven leader of the pursuers, as obviously to have Raye/Corr or Tallin leading the group would verge on being completely unbelievable. However, the very fact that they are human still presets a problem, but it may be got around - Tallin has her wolves, excellent trackers through the forest (the mindlink between Tallin and her wolves will remain, as the reviewers have not said this is a problem - if they do, I may have a way of getting around it...as compensation her abilities of speaking to other animals will probably be toned down rather, maybe a little more than normal humans). Also, she is a healer. Raye's reason will be that she can track almost as well through towns as the wolves can through forest, and the elves could have a problem through human towns.
Hwesta is not a problem, as she is elven and could be working in the palace as a courtier maybe - perfectly plausible, especially as her family have lived for man years in Greenwood.
However, Berethion may be a problem, Dragoneyes - we are pushing it getting two humans, to get another through, without really, really good reason might not be possible. What do you think?

Dragoneyes: also, have you any idea if Elentari still wants to play in this game? Is she too busy with Imladris?


Hope this helps a little smilies/smile.gif
-Aman

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 12:02 PM January 02, 2004: Message edited by: Amanaduial the archer ]

[Bêthberry]

Because this game was abandoned, I am closing this thread and will be sending it to Elvenhome in two days.

If any of the participants wish to resurrect the game idea, they should contact me via PM within two days.

If other games wish to brainstorm a game idea on a new thread, they should also contact me.

Bêthberry
Moderator for Rohan