The Threat of the Trees: Discussion Thread [Archive] - Page 2

Bêthberry

07-14-2003, 09:32 PM

DayVampyre, there is a right way and a wrong way to address issues. Using anger and invective is the wrong way.

If you have a problem with the time limits placed on games, you should PM the Mod for Rohan (me) to discuss it. I'd be happy to listen to reasonable discussion and disagreement.

You should not use the occasion to attack people who are trying to make the game work. Child of the Seventh Age has gone to considerable trouble to help the game owners find solutions to the many confusions they were running into with this game. Having so few gamers around to post will only make matters worse--carrying that many other characters is a great challenge--especially since the game owners themselves have dwindled in number. And it's not like Child was calling for the game to be permanently closed.

And Child is the Bard for Rohan, after all, responsible for mentoring games here. She was doing what she is supposed to be doing, looking out for the bests interests of the game.

I think it in the best interests of the game to call it suspended until a majority of the gamers can return to continue it. At that point, the game owners can call all the gamers back, provide clear direction for the plot, and have replacement gamers ready for the Entwives and the baddies.

Thus, the game will be temporarily closed Tuesday at noon. Any gamers please feel free to PM me about the decision or for explanation of why time limits are important.

Bêthberry
Moderator for Rohan

[ July 15, 2003: Message edited by: Bêthberry ]

Child of the 7th Age

07-14-2003, 10:47 PM

DayVampire,

I was just about to leap in and post when Bethberry beat me to it.

But I do feel compelled to say something more. I was sitting at the computer scratching my head in puzzlement after I read your post. I totally understand we might have different opinions about this or other topics. That's pretty normal when you get any group of people together.

I went back and eyeballed my post to make sure I hadn't written it after getting out on the wrong side of bed. But the tone didn't sound that horrendous to me. I was trying to make a suggestion and ask what others thought.

I don't think we've gamed with each other before. I've been in a lot of RPGS, but in the Shire (where I'm a moderator) and Gondor rather than Rohan. But if you have some personal concerns that I failed to pick up on before, just drop me a pm and we'll try and iron things out.

Meanwhile, you and I are probably going to disagree about the need for guidelines on the length of RPGs. One of my beefs about the old freestyle room is that the games dragged on and on, and three-quarters of them never finished. (Of course, the quality predecessor to this game was one of the happy exceptions.) That's what we're trying to avoid.

I hate the word "deadlines". If you say you hope to finish in say four months, it's not a "deadline; it's a tool to help in planning. And obviously people have to be realistic about those dates; sometimes you adjust them because different games have different circumstances.

Strangely enough, when I made my suggestion, the furthest thing from my mind was worrying about the ending date of the game. What I was thinking about was this: we started out with 14 posters including 4 founders. Right now we're down to 7 posters and 2 founders. That is a big load to carry and it loomed even larger after I looked at the vacation schedule.

I was also thinking about where we are in the game. We've reached the point when the questers will encounter the huorn and the Entwife and become aware of the existence of the Easterlings. Then we are supposed to head east. That is a totally new storylne which the original proposal didn't address at all. It requires a lot of planning and discussion. With less than a handful of people here, that would be difficult to do.

Anyways, I hope we do get these things straightened out and this game is reopened.

Child of the 7th Age

[ July 15, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Brinniel

07-15-2003, 09:11 AM

I think temporarily closing the RPG is a good idea. Two RPGers cannot keep an RPG going for several weeks. Especially since Ith doesn't come on the BD very often (about once a week). Locking the game seems like the best solution to me.

The following are game characters we will need to carry once the game reopens:

Mattius
Radagast
LinGalad
Anarya

Am I missing anyone?

DayVampyre

07-15-2003, 09:17 AM

First off, I'm going to address Child.

Toward you and this RPG I have no malicious intent and I'm sorry that you seemed to have read it that way. But I stand by what I posted. I find that you're a fine RPer and hold your skills highly. Even though I may be somewhat new to this board, but I'm not a newbie to RPGing. You asked for feedback and I gave it. And if it was fueled with anger, you would have known it.

Seeing as I'm going to mention the post above in mine right now, I will go ahead and say that I'm not 'attacking' Brinniel. There will only be 2 gamers for a few days, not several weeks. And it is not like there's been much if any activity in the RPG thread anyway, so what kind of benefits are there in closing it down? Reduced Medicare and Social Security?

Now onto to our beloved Moderater.

As for that post 'attacking' Child, yeah that's what I set out to do...flame someone I hardly know.

And how is closing down a thread 'looking out for its best interests?' It's not going to run away if we don't post on it. It's a beign object.

And seeing as we've only heard two opinions about that closing of this thread, I find that closing it down is very premature and childish.

Bêthberry

07-15-2003, 10:32 AM

A very crucial issue has not been addressed in the discussion here: there are not enough gamers and gamers owners around to take responsibility for the kind of extensive planning and character development that are required for the next stages of the game.

There is too great a likelihood of characters being misrepresented, particularly those that have not yet been introduced. And new storylines need adequate discussion among all gamers before they are introduced. Perhaps the term 'game owner' is misleading; 'game master' might be more precise as someone who oversees the game. Games belong to everyone who creates them by writing posts; all gamers have a say in how the game progresses and certainly gamers have complete control over their own characters.

The fact that only two gamers have replied to the concerns of the two moderators also suggests a lack of adequate attention to the game at this time.

Also, here at the Barrow Downs we ask that people not use sarcasm or a flippant tone on discussion threads because they are liable to misinterpretation, as has happened here. Instead, we ask that posters treat each other with respect.

The game thread is now closed temporarily. It will be reopened after the game owners satisfy the Moderator and the Mentor (Bard) that the planning and personnel issues have been resolved. This should happen once a majority of the gamers can respond the expected two to three times weekly.

The discussion thread will remain open to allow for that planning. Posts which do not facilitate that planning will be deleted without warning.

Bêthberry,
Moderator for Rohan

[ July 15, 2003: Message edited by: Bêthberry ]

Lyra Greenleaf

07-15-2003, 12:58 PM

So it's going to open again on August 12th? I guess I'll use the time to make bios for an Entwife and a baddie! Does anyone know good sources of info about easterlings? Or shall I just make it up?

Bêthberry

07-15-2003, 01:32 PM

Lyra,

My post does not specify a particular date when the game thread will be opened. It identifies the conditions which must be met first for that to happen.

And, no, character descriptions are not 'made up' but imagined creatively and consistently within Tolkien's Middle-earth.

Bêthberry

Child of the 7th Age

07-15-2003, 10:23 PM

Brinniel,

Of the people you have on your list, how many need to go with the company to the east, and how many will stay behind in Fangorn? Maybe those who stay behind won't need someone to "carry" them, but can be handled in some kind of narrative post describing what they'll be doing while they're waiting for the others to return.
However, if anyone heads east with the company, you probably would need someone to post for the character.

Lyra --

That would really help if you'd pick up one of the Entwives plus a baddie.

Right now I'm carrying Saelonia and Azunel and Peachblossom in addition to Brethil. Brethil (and Lim) will presumably stay behind. But that's still too much for me to handle. And we probably need more than two Entwives.

Brethil will presumably stay behind in Fangorn. But that still leaves two baddies and one Entwife. How about if I keep Peachblossom and Saelonia but drop Azunel. Then you could possibly develop some kind of a male character from Rhun. Maybe the person who owns the plantation with the Entwives and/or some kind of military leader. Would that work?

I will try to nose around tomorrow for some links that might help you with information on Rhun and Easterlings.

It would be nice to have an Ent come along on the journey. But that would probably have to wait until we see if we could pick up any additional posters.

Anyone else have any ideas on this?

Child

[ July 16, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Brinniel

07-16-2003, 09:04 AM

Of the people you have on your list, how many need to go with the company to the east, and how many will stay behind in Fangorn?
Well, I think the only character from the list that really needs to go east with the company is Mattius. Since he and Radagast have been leading the company to Fangorn, it seems that at least one of them should go east, and Mattius seems most likely to do so.

Aylwen Dreamsong

07-16-2003, 10:14 AM

But someone will need to take up the part of Mattius, it would make more sense than just carrying him through our posts since he will be like the leader of sorts. So we can replace the gamer or leave Mattius in Fangorn...?

-Aylwen

[ July 18, 2003: Message edited by: Aylwen Dreamsong ]

Brinniel

07-16-2003, 10:48 AM

So we can replace the gamer or leave Mattius in Fangorn...?
Knowing the character Mattius for nearly a year, I think it'd be a bit off if we left him in Fangorn, so I'll have to say replace the gamer if that is fine with everyone else.

The question is, who would replace him? If someone here wants to take over Mattius, that'd be fine (just make sure you can handle another main character). Of course, our other option is to recruit another RPGer from the Rohan list. Either way, if Mattius is replaced, I think it's only fair that one of the requirements for playing the character is reading The Blue Mountains since most of the character development for him is done there.

Lyra Greenleaf

07-16-2003, 12:51 PM

Pio sent me a great link about Easterlings, so that's fine. I've been thinking, how would the son of the guy who owns the plantation be? He'd be a soldier, do you want him to have come with Saelonia or not? I could have "my father" as a sort of carry along character seen through his sons eyes. And when I said I'd make it up I didn't mean I was about to make them green skinned with magical abilities...

Child of the 7th Age

07-16-2003, 10:33 PM

Thank you, Pio.....

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

Lyra,

Your idea about the son of the plantation owner sounds excellent. I agree that we could see his father through the young man's eyes. Very clever!

Now, as far as the son goes, I think we might have to stop and think about the plot for a moment. Let's say he was one of the soldiers with the army, perhaps in some sort of minor command position?

In my last post, Selonia said she was going to return to Rhun and tell the Khan about the huorn and how they were going to create a military diversion to the west. Then, while the king's attention was diverted, the Khan was supposed to slip his army in from the east. Meanwhile, the huorn were to be led out of Fangorn to start pillaging as far south as the outskirts of Edoras and as far west as the outskirts of Isengard.

I think we need to have the Entwife escape. I could do a post where that happens when the game first reopens -- just as the huorn army is marching south towards the boundaries of Fangorn. Then you could do a post where Azunal commands your character to go tell Saelonia about the "unfortunate incident" of her escape and that she (and the plantation owner) should keep an eye out for her, since she may head back towards her enslaved sisters in Rhun. Since his father is technically the "owner" of the Entwife slave, this would make sense that the son would be sent with this message.

From that point, you'd travel east with Saelonia and return to your father. Meanwhile, the Entwife would be "rescued" by the members of the company and spill everything about her enslaved sisters. Then, the company would have to make a choice whether or not to turn east to help the enslaved Entwives. I don't think that would be an easy choice, not with the huorn beginning to go on a rampage. Perhaps there'd be disagreement between the different members.

Lyra --

Do you think this would work for your character? Would you prefer something else?

As to the green skinned part and the magical abilities...... smilies/wink.gif We'll discuss that later..... much later! Say in the year 2005.

Cami

[ July 17, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Lyra Greenleaf

07-19-2003, 04:28 PM

That all sounds fine. Could you possibly follow this link and tell me if "our" Easterlings are the Swarthy men or one of the other varieties? Men of Darkness (http://people.wiesbaden.netsurf.de/~lalaith/Tolkien/Men_of_Darkness.html)

[ July 20, 2003: Message edited by: Lyra Greenleaf ]

Bêthberry

07-20-2003, 10:24 PM

My thanks also Pio. I'm sorry Lyra that I couldn't help. The 15th was my day for packing for a family trip out of the country and I was swamped with work here with inadequate time for BD stuff.

Mattius has PMed me. It sounds to me that he expects to have regular access again in September when he starts uni.

Bethberry

Bêthberry

08-09-2003, 03:27 PM

Hello Tree, um, huggers?

Lyra's PM box is full, so I thought I would simply try to catch everyone here.

Brinniel, Itaeliel, Lyra, DV, and anyone else who is around and interested, now that people will be wandering back from vacations, will you be doing the planning here or via PM? If you want feedback on your ideas, remember that The Bard (Child) is here to help on this thread.

Don't let the game whither away. It deserves to be finished.

Bethberry

Brinniel

08-13-2003, 11:39 AM

I'm back!

As to answer the previous question: It'd be best if we did our planning on this thread; PMs will just be a hassle.

I'm glad to hear that Mattius will be rejoining us fairly soon. He'll be useful to have around again. smilies/smile.gif

Lyra Greenleaf

08-22-2003, 12:29 PM

Sorry to do this, but just as everyone else is coming, I have to leave! I no longer have the internet (I'm in an internet cafe) and so I have to withdraw. I'm really sorry to let everyone down like this. I've enjoyed this game and the BDs.

If I'm really lucky and it gets fixed in a couple of weeks, I'll see how far you've got and I'll be back. If it takes longer then good luck, I hope you get to finish the game.

Child of the 7th Age

08-22-2003, 12:36 PM

Lyra,

I am really sorry to hear this. I hope you get your computer access back. It's possible this game may get off the ground a little later and you will be back. Let us know....

Pio or I will also be dropping you a note about Resistence.

Cami

Brinniel

08-24-2003, 10:44 AM

I was informed by Ithaeliel yesterday that she will no longer be on the Barrow Downs. So, unless I can someway convince her to come back, she won't be participating in this RPG anymore. smilies/frown.gif

Uh, just wondering: Is anyone in this RPG still here? I don't want this game to remain unfinished, but it's kind of difficult to continue if there's no one left participating.

Aylwen Dreamsong

08-24-2003, 03:21 PM

I'm here. Just waiting for everyone else.

-Aylwen

Child of the 7th Age

08-24-2003, 03:29 PM

Brinniel,

I thought this was a good game, and I am willing to help. However, I'm uncertain what to do.

Is there any chance of Mattius coming back in the fall? Didn't Bethberry mention that he might be back in September? If so, should we wait for him to return.

We've lost so many players. Wouldn't we have to go out and try and get replacements? There is one possibility I can think of. We could do a narrative post and have the "old crew" (i.e. those who'd dropped out from the game) stay in the forest and/or go out to fight the huorn who, according to my last post, were following the Easterlings out of the woods to launch an attack. They would then drop out of the storyline.

We'd have to recruit new posters for the main crew who'd be going east to rescue the Entwives, plus at least one other person to help me portray the enslaved Entwives and the nasty Easterlings.

Perhaps, the next step should be this:

1. Write those posters who originally signed up and see who's still interested if the game gets going again.

2. Contact Bethberry for ideas and help.

3. Think of people who might be interested in coming on board.

You can contact me by pm or my barrowdowns addie (childofthe7thage@barrowdowns.com), but just as Bethberry says in her post on the mail......please be very explicit about who you are and what you're writing about or I may delete you as a suspicious e-mail.

Cami

VanimaEdhel

08-24-2003, 04:16 PM

I just got back from vacation yesterday. I would most certainly be interested in continuing. If you want, though, I'll hold off posting until we have a set core of Role-Players. Kalir and I are open to whatever you want to do.

DayVampyre

08-24-2003, 04:35 PM

ditto-minus the vacation bit-

Child of the 7th Age

08-24-2003, 05:45 PM

Yeah! At least, there are five of us....let's see what Brinniel thinks since she's the remaining founder.

Cami

Mattius

08-27-2003, 05:37 AM

Is there any chance of Mattius coming back in the fall?

**From the shadows creeps foward a familiar hooded figure who has faced much tormoil and challenges over the past few weeks**

So sorry about leaving you all without much warning but I have been sorting out University and stuff like that.

Although I won't be able to post as regularly as before I may be able to post every three or four days. Please tell me if this is constant enough for the RPG because if not I will leave it to those who can.

I start University in about a month and move out of my house at about that time to. The good news is that the Uni. has a wenty-four hour broadband computer room with about 500 PC's in it!

All the best, Matt

**The hooded figure returns to the shadows from whence he came**

Bêthberry

08-27-2003, 03:34 PM

Greetings Gamers for Threat of the Trees,

I am really pleased to see so many back. I think you have a chance to keep this game alive, with a very large emphasis on the "you."

My involvement as the Rohan Moderator is to be a facilitator. I will assist you to make moving the game forward less difficult, but I will not myself make the plans or determine the decisions. In Rohan, no Mod will ever take over the job of game owner or step in for a lost gamer. That is the responsibility of the gamers themselves. I do, however, have some suggestions. Most of them require you to think outside the box, to take a leap into improvisation.

First, you need game owners--think of this role as manager if you want--who will accept responsibility for organizing all the nitty gritty of gaming--nudging people who don't post, but more importantly responding to cues in posts and suggesting ways to develop the game and helping everyone reach decisions about what to do. This is a serious commitment and you need to have one or two people who will do this work.

Mattius, do you have the time to co-own the game with Brinniel? I would also encourage DayVampyre to consider taking on this role. Whether via PM or here on the discussion thread, you need to identify two people to assume these tasks. And then they need between them to identify just what each one will do.

Secondly, all of you need to think not in terms of what you once planned in the past, but of where the game can go now. If necessary, throw out the original plan. Improvise. Belin, Anglachel and I did that on My Crow Management; it ended in a way none of us, including the Game Owner, had originally intended or imagined, but in many ways I think it is a more unique game for that. The challenge of how to go forward in a different way forced us to think imaginatively. This was collaborative interactive gaming. That is what I would encourage you to do here.

Third, this game is too complex for outside gamers to come in and pick up an existing character. It is, after all, a sequel to The Blue Mountain, and so doing that would require a strong hand with characterization and much research. It is not likely that Rohan gamers would want to do that. (Not impossible, just very improbable.)

Thus, you need to think how to jettison some of the characters who have lost their writers, even if one of them is Mattius' character. After all, Aragorn had to go on without Gandalf. Nothing is impossible in fiction if it is handled credibly.

You also must determine what plot possibilities are possible with the gamers you have. If you are sad to see a good idea go, keep it for another game. One crucial point to consider here is that it is too much to ask one gamer to write both the captives and the enslavers; Child agrees with me. How are you going to resolve this?

So, all of you here, Brinniel, DayVampyre, Vanima, Aywlen, and Mattius especially (Child wants to see you resolve the problems, as she has done her job of setting out possibilities for you), have some serious work to do here. I am going to give you a deadline to accomplish this work: the following points must be resolved by the end of September.

1. Two gamers must come forward and commit to specific jobs as Game Owners.

2. All of you must decide what general plot line to follow given the gamers/characters you have active now. You must post that here and agree to descuss how to get there here in the Discussion thread.

3. You must have a set up so that the same person does not have to run both Easterlings and entwives.

4. You must decide how regularly you expect gamers to post. If you want to go with once a week, fine. If you want to leave it open, fine. Whatever choice all of you agree upon, you must hold each other to that.

5. You must make a realistic timeframe for concluding the game. Rohan is not a land of laissez-faire gaming or maybe-I'll-post-if-I-have-nothing-better-to-do. You must make a serious commitment to finishing this game within a certain time. I don't care what it is as long as you all commit to it and as long as there are at least two or three posts every two weeks. Whatever time frame you choose for concluding the game, I will hold you to it.

I will make one last requirement: The gamers here must resolve these points by the end of September. I had asked you to resolve the plot difficulties by August 15, but no one came forward to argue one way or another. If nothing happens by the end of September, I will say that you have forfeited the game. I am prepared to delete it if you do not accept responsibility for your gaming. (I will give a one week warning here before deleting the game.)

Ask me if you want help generating ideas, ask me if you want help with characterization, ask me anything else you wish, but take ownership for your own game. I am not a teacher forcing you to do homework. I am someone who loves interactiving writing and who wants to see all of you share in that excitement. And I am someone who is aware of how prescious are the resources here at the Barrow Downs, as well as the standard of excellence which the Downs represents.

This is your game. It is a great game and I don't want to see it lost. And I want to see you have fun. What are you going to do with it?

Bêthberry,
Moderator for Rohan

DayVampyre

08-27-2003, 04:37 PM

Being as fond of the this RPG as the next guy, it would be a pleasure to help run the game and whatnot. PM me if ya'll want me smilies/tongue.gif

DV

Brinniel

08-27-2003, 09:35 PM

I'm relieved to see this game has not been abandoned. smilies/smile.gif

Mattius- I'm glad to see you back! Of course, you can stay in the RPG, if you'd like; we need you, even if you won't be here every day.

Two gamers must come forward and commit to specific jobs as Game Owners.
Well, I was one of the original game owners, and I am still willing to take up the responsibilty of being one, as long as there is another to help. Day Vampyre, you are welcome to help run the game if you wish, as I don't see a problem with that (unless anyone else objects).

Unfortunately, school has started for me, so might not be here every day, but I'll try to be on as often as possible.

As I can see right now, our abandoned characters are:

Endereth
Lim
Radagast
LinGalad
Anarya

As Bethberry said, it would be too much to ask for someone to replace these characters. But there are simply too many abandoned characters for us to carry. If possible, I would like to somehow drop a couple of these characters, depending on what we do with the plot.

Ah yes, the plot. We could use one of the previous plot ideas or make up a new, less complex one. A less complex plot would probably be best, but before I put much thought into this, I'd like to hear everyone else's opinions on this...

You must have a set up so that the same person does not have to run both Easterlings and entwives.
Hmm. I'm still thinking about this one. Perhaps we can have someone else take up Peachblossom since she hasn't developed much as a character yet. Or as Child stated awhile back, someone could take Azunel. If it is possible, I would still like to recruit people to play new characters (entwives and easterlings), as we really do need them. Also, if anyone is willing to take on a second character, that'd be great.

Of course, there is much more for us to discuss, but first I think we should discuss what we want to do about the plot, as that is the most important part of the RPG. As I stated above, I would like to hear opinions on this, so if anyone has ideas or suggestions for the plot, feel free to post them.

VanimaEdhel

08-28-2003, 02:12 PM

Well, if you wanted to keep LinGalad on, as he was closest with Kalir, I could probably grab him for you.

As for the other characters, I would vote that we try to get a game owner to play Radagast, as he's sort of the head of the group. The other three you could probably either write out somehow or give to other players, if they are willing to play them.

Child of the 7th Age

08-28-2003, 10:22 PM

My personal preference would be to come up with a streamlined plot, and then to see how characters fit in.

Our existing plot assumes a lot of characters for whom we don't currently have players: a group of imprisoned Entwives; plantation owner(s) over the Entwife slaves; and several Easterlings who will later give chase after we rescue the Entwives.

Bethberry states that she'd prefer us to come up with a plot that will work with the six posters we currently have, rather than adding others. If this is the case, somehow we have to simplify things or come up with a totally different angle that would dispense with some of these "extra" characters.

I am personally very flexible. I don't mind if we take a different slant on the story and I will gladly see any or all of my characters die or be written off if this helps.

Cami

Bêthberry

08-29-2003, 08:09 AM

That's the spirit, Child!

The most fruitful way to proceed is precisely that: not simply to state which character/s one wants, but to discuss how, with fewer gamers, to create a feasible plot and with which characters. Think in terms of the story's need.

Of course if Mattius is around to post in September he can still run Radagast, but don't be wedded to the idea that things cannot change.

Bêthberry

VanimaEdhel

08-29-2003, 09:53 AM

As always, I welcome the death of my characters for a noble cause. I apologize profusely to them afterwards, promising to make it up to them somehow, but I love being able to say that my characters died for the game.

Do any of you gamers have any basic storyline ideas that can work in our lack of characters? I'm trying to think of them, and I'm writing them down as I do so.

Lyra Greenleaf

08-29-2003, 04:27 PM

Hey everyone! I’m back! (Well kind of). We restored factory settings on our computer which means we can get the internet again! But we don’t have a virus scan until Monday, so I’m not really supposed to be here… or online at all… But if there’s still a space for me in this game I will be back in three days, for good. (Crossing my fingers!)

DayVampyre

08-29-2003, 07:11 PM

mmm'kay, so here's the plot, as I have so far been able to understand, as it seemed to be getting complicated in the last it there...

go into forest--find out why trees attacking, somehow---leave the Fanghorn and go south?--stop what's going on down there

...what would make sense would be to find out what is going on the the fanghorn, and then head back to Isengaurd, although I think that going to Gondor might make more sense and telling the king and whatnot, what is going on there and that it is the Southorns causing the trouble. Seeing as Gondor had always had problems with them anyway, an army could be assigned out from there.

Then if your personnal character would choose to go on, they could post from inside the battle the liberation of the entwives and whatnot.

Also if you were choose that your character not go into battle, you would be free to post as the Southron warriors in battle. Then we would be able to play without having to recruit a whole slew of new players, and would let players tired of playing their character, a fresher and different view of the game.

Aylwen Dreamsong

08-30-2003, 08:06 AM

I can see myself having a lot of fun posting for Ajada if we decide to go and tell the king. smilies/evil.gif

I don't imagine Ajada would go into battle, so I'd be happy to play a southron warrior in said battle.

-Aylwen

[ August 31, 2003: Message edited by: Aylwen Dreamsong ]

Child of the 7th Age

08-30-2003, 09:39 AM

Day Vampyre,

I think your basic idea is right on. Eliminate the part where the good guys go to Rhun and physically rescue the Entwives off the plantations as a separate part of the plot. It would have been an intriguing tale, but we just don't have the manpower. Instead focus on the military conflict. Let posters chose to join the army of Gondor or that of the Easterlings. They could keep their own character or invent a new one.

This would assume that the Entwives are still slaving away in Rhun. That way, we wouldn't have to post for them throughout the game, simply know they are waiting in captivity.

I do feel the best route would be for the good guys to go to Gondor immediately and tell the king. Then have him send out an army. Posters could choose whether they wanted to be in the army of Gondor or with the attacking baddies.

Would the battle take place in Rhun or Gondor itself or somewhere in between? If in Rhun or in-between, the army could continue on to the plantations and physically liberate the Entwives. If closer to Gondor, the freeing of the Entwives could just be part of the peace accord. They would show up in Fangorn at the very end after they'd been turned loose from Rhun.

Presumably, I would keep my two baddie characters: Saelonia the Priestess and Azunel, an Easterling military commander as part of the attacking group.

I have edited my last post. It now says that Saelonia sent back a messenger bird with a note. In it, she urges the "khan" of Rhun to send a mighty army to attack Minas Tirith. I also edited my post to say that Peachblossom will be taken back to Rhun in chains to rejoin her enslaved sisters.

That would eliminate her from the storyline as a separate entity until the very end. But I'd very much like to use Peachblossom to do a little vignette near the conclusion of the game in which she describes the joyful reunion of the Ents and Entwives? Would this be alright? That crazy post has been percolating in my mind for months!

I did have two questions about some loose threads for my characters. In my last post, I said the Easterlings would lead the huorn forward towards Isengard and Edoras to wreck havoc and divert the attention of the King of Gondor away from his eastern border where the larger attack would come. Do you want to leave that part in? Or should I change it to eliminate the part about Isengard and Edoras, and instead say that the huorn will march out from the forest towards Minas Tirith and join the attacking force sent by the Khan to bring down Gondor. Please advise what you'd like me to do with this.

Also, the original game plan was for Peachblossom to escape the Easterling caravan late at night and find the good guys who've come to Fangorn, telling them about her enslaved sisters, and the planned attack by Rhun on Gondor. I can still do this if you want. I'll merely have her decide to return to the Easterling camp because she is afraid what her captors will do to her sisters if she escapes. She'd return to the Easterling caravan in the middle of the night without Saelonia even realizing that she's been gone. Then she'd be dragged off towards Rhun again.

Will this work as a way to tell the good guys about the attack? Or do you prefer to develop another way to handle this and leave Peachblossom out of the mix? Either way is fine. Just let me know...

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

Lyra

I'm glad you're back so soon. I hope you'll go ahead with your earlier plan to join up with the "bad guys."

Cami/Child

[ August 30, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

VanimaEdhel

08-30-2003, 10:00 AM

If possible, posting for a baddie would be a very nice change for me. I think I could use some experience playing evil people. If you want, I could even start working out the character now so that I have it all prepared for when we need it. Anyway, I don't think that Kalir, a farmer, would be of any use as a soldier. He probably would want to go home once the Entwives and the Ents were reunited, not taking part in the actual battle.

So I take it we've decided that this will have a happy ending and will not be a failed mission/battle? Sometimes the missions that fail, or at least have more of a bittersweet ending, are the most touching. Obviously, as an evil character, I offer my character to be killed off in the end, but maybe we could work out some of the good characters dying (if some of you are going to play soldiers, maybe you could play one of the soldiers that dies in the battle).

Brinniel

08-30-2003, 10:21 AM

Lyra- Glad to see you're back. smilies/smile.gif

I like your idea, Day Vampyre. If we had left in the part where we go to Rhun, it would end up as one big mess, with the little characters we have. Also, going to Gondor really would make more sense.

BTW, we could still use Peachblossom to slip away at night and warn the good guys of the Easterling's plans. But she would then return to the Easterlings encampment that same night, since she will be afraid that her sisters will be punished and slain if she were to run away.
I think that's a good idea. That way our group will have easily accomplished their quest to find out what has been going on in Fangorn and will have a reason now to leave for Gondor.

Question: If we'll be putting our main focus onto our current group of good guys, the Gondorians, and Easterlings, then do we really need our huorns that are in play?

Child of the 7th Age

08-30-2003, 10:38 AM

Brinniel,

In order to have some continuity in the story line, I think you'd have to say where the huorn are going. The sole reason for Azunel and Saelonia to go to Fangorn was to get the huorn to join on as allies of the Easterlings. So they'd want to "use" their ally in some way.

Either the huorn will cause havoc in the countryside around Isengard, or head immediately out to link up with the attacking force from Rhun. (Which do you prefer? Maybe the latter?)

But I could have Saelonia describe what they're going to do in just one paragraph. Then they'd drop from the storyline completely. No one would have to post for them.

The only thing you might want to do is briefly allude to the fact that they were present at the final battle, and that they were pleased to see the Entwives return to Fangorn at the very end of the story. Other than that, we could ignore them.

Do you think this will work?

Also, as far as sadness goes, I do see one thing. The handful of Entwives left alive will be very few. Not enough to ensure the survival of the race... So the reunion will be bittersweet.

Cami/Child

[ August 30, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

DayVampyre

08-30-2003, 12:31 PM

I like the bit with Peachblossom 'escapes' and finds our group of do-gooders and then returns, cause really how else are these guys going to find out exactly what's going on....

I think that the battle would play out better in Rhun than in Gondor. Then we would be able the liberate the entwives and whatnot.

With reguard as what to do with the huorns, them doubling back and going to Rhun, would be significantly easier...but would the story still flow well if that happened?

I think that the Huorns should stay and run amok, cause, you know, Gondor's got men to spare and so does Edoras for that matter.

Mattius

08-30-2003, 02:02 PM

Good evening friends!

Sorry again about not being on all of the last month but I have been sorting a lot of stuff out. But now I can get to the PC at least once a week (probably more). Then when I go to University (starting September 23rd) I will be back fully.

Right then, first of all to answer Bethberry's question, I would not mind being a co-owner still but the same applies for the filp side.

Also in terms of the lack of posters, having just read the RPG page it seems that its all about to kick off in Fangorn so we could have a small batlle where some people may, gasp, die(!!). This would free us of those who are no longer participating and also give the survivors the will to push on the Minas Tirith ASAP.

And oh yeah one last thing, the streamlined storyline of racing to Gondor, warning the King- BATTLE, is fine with me!

Adios!

DayVampyre

09-02-2003, 03:56 PM

'kay so since we've gotten our meathooks around a pretty firm tentitive plan shall we start playing again? Is there anything ya'll would still like from me to comb over and whatnot?

Also, as to direct the newpostings, instead of just wandering aimlessly around the forest, I propose that the adventurers settle in a camp. It is night after all!

Child of the 7th Age

09-02-2003, 04:11 PM

Day Vampire,

Do you want to use Mattius' idea about having a battle in Fangorn to kill off some folk and "get rid" of characters that way?

The only other thing I can think of that Bethberry mentioned was this:

1. How often will people post?

2. About how much longer will the game take?

As far as posting goes, could we say once a week, even though we may do more frequently than that?

How long? I don't know....is three months realistic?

Also, the new baddies will need to post a brief profile on the thread before they do their first post, but that can be after we start playing again.

Day Vampyre - If we can agree on the above, or some variation, can someone check with Bethberry to see if we can get running again?

Cami/Child

[ September 02, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

DayVampyre

09-02-2003, 04:26 PM

The Fanghorn Battle would, indeed be good way to "Ahem" get rid of the extra characters and whatnot.

It would be easy enough to set up. After the ent-lady gives her visit and tells the group what is going on, just have a small scouting party that was looking for her, attack.

With regaurds to posting, posting once a week or more is great as for the 3 months limit, sounds pretty good...give or take a margin of three days.

[ September 02, 2003: Message edited by: DayVampyre ]

Child of the 7th Age

09-02-2003, 08:48 PM

Only three days? smilies/biggrin.gif

Actually, the idea of having Peachblossom forcibly seized by the Easterlings' search party sounds good. Better than what I'd come up with before.

Cami/Child

Bêthberry

09-02-2003, 09:13 PM

Okay, great work here.

I see:

1) a pared-down plot that will be managable with the gamers available, with a clear sense of where the action will lead/conclude.
2) an agreed-upon posting schedule. (Remember, in a tightly plotted game, one person not posting means many others likely cannot post either. Gaming, like nature, abhors a vacuum.)
3) a time frame, something to aim for: shall we say, then end of December? (Hah, last posts as a new year's eve party)

What I don't see is something specific about which game owner will do what. Who is the one owner I can contact, who will then contact everyone else in the game, if need be? Who will be responsible for nudging tardy gamers? Who will check in daily or at least every other day, just in case any problems or confusions develop? Remember, the game actually belongs to ALL the gamers, who contribute ideas and posts. But the game does need someone to 'oversee' it so that narrative threads don't unravel. Let me know which game owner will do what and then I will open the thread.

Bêthberry

DayVampyre

09-03-2003, 05:15 AM

I can do it, if no one else wants to smilies/wink.gif

Bêthberry

09-03-2003, 08:08 AM

Let the game continue. Have fun! (PS. The game thread has been open for several weeks, since we recovered from the technical problems.)

VanimaEdhel

09-03-2003, 01:31 PM

All this sounds feasible to me.

Aylwen Dreamsong

09-03-2003, 03:34 PM

Yay! Lets get started again! I posted last, so don't look at me! smilies/evil.gif

-Aylwen

Brinniel

09-03-2003, 04:34 PM

What I don't see is something specific about which game owner will do what. Who is the one owner I can contact, who will then contact everyone else in the game, if need be? Who will be responsible for nudging tardy gamers? Who will check in daily or at least every other day, just in case any problems or confusions develop?
You can contact me, Bethberry by PM or email me at Brinniel@juno.com. I am willing to contact others if there is ever a need to. Also, I will check this thread as often as I can, like I always have.

The Fanghorn Battle would, indeed be good way to "Ahem" get rid of the extra characters and whatnot.
I think I can manage to write a dramatic death scene for Endereth. smilies/evil.gif (Hm, I wonder if Ith will kill me if she ever finds out my plans for her character...)

It's good to see this RPG running again. smilies/smile.gif Now, let's start posting everyone (I'll wait for someone else to post before I do since I posted just before Aylwen).

Lyra Greenleaf

09-03-2003, 05:09 PM

Here are the bios for a baddie and an Entwife. Sorry it's been so long but I lost them when I had to reset my computer. I hope they're OK?

The Entwife:
Name: Lightbark
Age: 2000. Or so.
Race: Ent(wife) Of an apple-tree persuasion.
History/ Character: She can remember being in the forest with the Ents but (even though she misses them) she loves to feel the bright sunlight and grow flowers that could not stand the dark forest. Gardening is her life and what she most hates about captivity is no freedom to choose what to plant and no chance to enjoy it. Since Peachblossom was taken she has become a sort of unnoficial leader of the Entwives as she is (relatively) outspoken and hasty. She wants action and the Entwives are beginning to listen.

The baddie:
Name: Altair (the flying eagle, a star in the Lyra constellation. I didn't know that existed!)
Age: 21
Race: Easterling
Appearance: Lots of black hair, big dark eyes, tall and quite thin, very good looking. However- prone to looking sulky and /or arrogant.
History: The spoiled only son of the Khan, he is very arrogant of himself and his position. He has three older sisters who (along with his mother) have taught him that he is important above everyone else. His father is a wise man who knows that his son has to learn humility and so sent him to serve under Saelonia, a trusted friend. As yet it hasn't worked.
Character: Arrogant, spoiled, flirtatious, sulky, thinks women are inferior, vain of his appearance, but scrupulous of rank. Obeys both his father and Saelonia implicitly even if he hates doing it and doesn't agree. Also very fond of all his family.

Child of the 7th Age

09-04-2003, 12:55 PM

I will try and get up a post where Peachblossom overhears the Easterlings' plans and escapes, probably late tonight.

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

Bethberry -

Please check your e-mails.

Cami/Child

Mattius

09-04-2003, 03:02 PM

Hey!

I posted on the RPG thread, let me know if you want it changing or not.

Cheers!

Matt

Child of the 7th Age

09-06-2003, 10:00 AM

Good guys (and bad),

My last post sketched out the battle strategies of the bad guys. The main body fo the Khan's troops will come north of Mordor along the foothills of the Ash Mountains, then swing northwest to the Dead Marches and down again to the Wetwang that borders the Anduin at the base of the Falls. Their plan is to march south from there following the course of the river and attack Minas Tirith.

This is the same information that Peachblossom will bring to you folk in the woods in my next post.

(I hope this is alright with Lyra and Vanima. I thought it was the most secret and protected route the Khan's folk could take. If you see any problems with this, let me know.)

It is up to you folk (the good guys) to decide later in the story where you want your troops to battle the Khan's forces. A "battle" in the marshes itself might be kind of interesting given the terrain, or you could encounter us anywhere along the earlier part of that route.

Since the three "evil" posters will presumably be tracing out the march from the east towards the Wetwang, please let us know later in the story how far we should get, i.e. tell us exactly where the good guys would like to attack us.

We mean to be obliging villains and don't want to rush to the Wetwang if you prefer to do us in along the Ash Mountains or at some other point.... smilies/biggrin.gif

Cami/Child

[ September 06, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Lyra Greenleaf

09-06-2003, 10:06 AM

That's fine by me for one, but I haven't been accepted yet.

Brinniel

09-06-2003, 08:41 PM

I like the idea of having a battle in the marshes. That would be interesting...

That's fine by me for one, but I haven't been accepted yet.
Of course you're accepted, Lyra. Hm, Altair. I like that name. smilies/biggrin.gif

DayVampyre

09-07-2003, 08:07 AM

A battle in the stinky swampy marshes?!? smilies/eek.gif

Yeah, I think I can dig on that smilies/biggrin.gif

Mattius

09-07-2003, 12:48 PM

Yeah the Marshes sound like a good idea to me too smilies/biggrin.gif

VanimaEdhel

09-07-2003, 01:38 PM

Marshes...yummy...and here's my evil character:

Name: Navru
Age: 26
Gender: Male
Race: Easterling
Appearance: Nearly black eyes; dark, straight hair; strong build; 6' tall; about 210 pounds; average-looking
Personality: Strictly a soldier; he does not have a high rank, but he's all about business
Weapon: Sword
Markings: A faint scar left on his right cheek from his right ear to his right nose from an accident he had when he was a boy
History: His father was a soldier and his father before him and so forth. He has no siblings. He married when he was nineteen. His wife is the daughter of another soldier. Her name is Ataman. They have two children, the older a five-year old daughter named Bosha and the younger a two-year old son named Goman. His wife wished he would stay home, but his allegiance is to the army.

Is that character okay? Sorry it took me too long. School preparation took longer than I thought. I can change anything you want. And I was thinking he could be killed off.

Brinniel

09-07-2003, 04:12 PM

Looks good to me, Vanima. smilies/smile.gif

DayVampyre

09-13-2003, 04:51 PM

Hey guys, lets pick up on the posting here...its been awhile since anyone other than Child, Mattius and myself have posted... smilies/biggrin.gif

Child of the 7th Age

09-13-2003, 11:13 PM

I'd like to do the post where Peachblossom breaks out and goes wandering through the forest, and runs into the "good guys" and spills the beans.

But I hesitate to do that since it means I'd have two posts in a row.

Also, are the "good guys" ready for an Entwife visitor? That should lead shortly into the first battle when the Easterlings come looking for her and she gets dragged off....

How about it?

Cami/Child

Brinniel

09-14-2003, 04:24 AM

Well, I haven't posted yet because, for one, I've been a tad busy. And two, I was kind of waiting for Peachblossom to come anyway. I don't think there's anything I can contribute to the RPG without making it drag until Peachblossom runs into us.

So I'll say, go ahead, Child, and lead the entwife to us "good guys." smilies/smile.gif

Child of the 7th Age

09-14-2003, 06:41 AM

Brinniel,

....At your service. I've saved a spot and will try to get the post up this afternoon.

Cami/Child

VanimaEdhel

09-14-2003, 01:28 PM

When do you want the other Easterlings to start posting? Around now or do you need us to wait a while more?

Child of the 7th Age

09-14-2003, 02:31 PM

Anyone care to say hello to an Entwife? She has come blundering into your camp and has something to tell you. Anyone is welcome to use my character to get the vital facts about the assault.

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

Vanima,

I do know that the Easterlings are supposed to discover Peachblossom is missing when they get up, and then send out a sizable military group to get her back. They will kill off our disposable characters.

Could you do the posts for that? First wake up and find her gone, and then send out a patrol to trace her down. Maybe you could be placed in charge of that patrol who comes searching for her?

Remember she was dragging that blasted bar and made no attempt to cover her tracks. I think you can find her pretty easily. Just give the good guys a chance to get the information out of her. Then you can probably come crashing into camp.

Is that OK with everybody?

Cami

[ September 14, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Brinniel

09-14-2003, 07:01 PM

Ack. I guess I got to the RPG too slow. I wrote a post, but it looks like you beat me to posting it, DV.

Bethberry- Do you think you could place my post before DV's, if I PM it to you?

Child of the 7th Age

09-15-2003, 12:05 AM

OoC: Umm, I'm not quite sure as to how you want your Ent to talk, seeing as they've got their own particular dialect... so if you want to fill in your Ent's message or if someone else wants to give it a go...

....To talk like Treebeard? smilies/rolleyes.gif That is way beyond me! Someone else can do it if they like; I really don't mind.

The other possibility is that the Entwives have been apart from the Ents for so long that they sound very different. Indeed, they may very well sound like an Easterling, since this is where they've been for a ton of years.

Day Vampyre, I will bow to your judgment on this one! Perhaps, to make the conversation believable, someone is going to have to use Peachblossom in their own post to set up some give and take--question and answer. All the basic facts have been laid out; Peachblossom would know the basic plan but nothing else.

Whatever you decide is fine.

Cami

Child of the 7th Age

09-15-2003, 12:07 AM

Brinniel,

I don't mind putting it in at the end of my own post with a special heading showing it's yours (as long as it flows into what comes later)....

Cami/Child

Lyra Greenleaf

09-15-2003, 03:05 PM

What does anyone... everyone... have in mind for the captive Entwives as personified by Lightbark?

Also, Child, I know Altair is Saelonia's messenger to his father, but will he start from Saelonia's group, on his journey to the Khan, with the Khan or on his journey from the Khan? Which one fits with the timings?

Child of the 7th Age

09-15-2003, 05:10 PM

Brinniel,

I pasted in your post as requested. I think it reads alright in relation Day Vampyre's. But if either of you feel revisions are needed, just suggest them here and I'll paste them in.

Lyra,

I'll get back with you shortly.

Cami

DayVampyre

09-15-2003, 06:56 PM

reads right to me...And I hope to the good lord above that someone can talk for our ent-lady...I know I can't. Not without it sounding like Treebeard on a little trip...

PeachBlossom: HooMMMMerer,HooMMMerer, beware hastyness, HooMMMMerer, HuuMMMerer, Easterlings, hasty,HuuMMMerer,HooMMMer
Mattius: (Stares, sorta perplexed)
Radagast: What's going on here? Where's the real Ent-Wife?
Adaja: ShE'S HerE tO kILl uS aLl!!!!

Unless Rohan has gotten a new policy endorsing "addled" ents smilies/evil.gif smilies/rolleyes.gif

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

Brinniel

09-15-2003, 08:15 PM

My post seems to fit quite well before DV's. In fact, it fits even better than I had expected. smilies/smile.gif

As for the Ent and Entwife talk: I glanced back over 'The Two Towers,' and I noticed that save Treebeard, the Ents did not use the words, "hoom," or "hmm," that often. Looking at Bregalad's lines, I can see he only used those words a few times. Otherwise, he spoke the same type of words anyone else would speak, though I noticed his main subject was nature (which is typical for an Ent).
I'd imagine that Peachblossom's voice would sound slow, like the Ents, and rather low pitched for a female.

Hope that helps.

Child of the 7th Age

09-15-2003, 11:13 PM

Day Vampyre - That was very funny! If I made her sound like that, everybody would be rolling in the aisles. smilies/biggrin.gif

Brinniel - I think you're right. Whoever speaks for Peachblossom, let's try to keep it fairly straightforward. Otherwise, I'm afraid that she might come over sounding like a parody which is isn't quite what we had in mind!

But, anyone is welcome to pick up the conversation with her at this point.

Cami/Child

[ September 16, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Child of the 7th Age

09-20-2003, 10:57 AM

Is there an Elf to speak with Peachblossom and tend her wounds and get those crazy chains off?

Lyra, Brinniel, or whoever is carrying Lingalad or someone I've forgotten? She would have been faster to trust an Elf than any other creature.

Cami/Child

VanimaEdhel

09-20-2003, 02:53 PM

I'm assuming since no one said, "Nooooooo! Vanima, you FOOOOOOL!" that my post is all right? Or did you want me to be more than about a party of ten for the search and capture?

Brinniel

09-21-2003, 01:42 AM

Actually, it might be a good idea to add more than ten to the Easterling party, since there's about nine or ten of us good guys. It would be more understandable why some of the good guys get killed if we're outnumbered by a fairly large number.

Day Vampyre- Do you think you could delete that ooc bit from your last post? There's not really any need for it anymore.

VanimaEdhel

09-21-2003, 03:06 PM

The group has been doubled. *bows* We're coming to get you now...mahaha... smilies/evil.gif

VanimaEdhel

09-26-2003, 03:57 PM

Just a little question: where is everyone?

Child of the 7th Age

09-26-2003, 05:38 PM

Vanima,

I'm waiting for an Elf to respond to Peachblossom's last post....

Cami

Brinniel

09-26-2003, 11:43 PM

Mark12_30 had a nice post going, but she deleted it, probably because she made the decision not to participate in the RPG after all.

I would post, but I just came back from my school's homecoming football game, so I'm a bit exhausted at the moment. I'll be gone pretty much all day tomorrow, so I'll try to post Sunday.

VanimaEdhel

09-27-2003, 03:23 PM

Okay...I was thinking more along the lines of some other baddies so I know where they are...the other baddies are still playing, right?

Child of the 7th Age

09-28-2003, 07:11 PM

Vanima,

I have two Easterling baddies. But I also have Peachblossom. My preference is to stick to her until she is recaptured, since I donn't like playing two sides of the fence at once.

Then I will be happy to wreck havoc with you!

Cami/Child

mark12_30

09-30-2003, 07:56 AM

Brinniel, did you get my PM, and do you approve of it (injuring LinGalad vice killing him off)?

Awaiting your reply and permission before I post, --mark12_30

VanimaEdhel

09-30-2003, 04:34 PM

It's okay, Child...I was just wondering where the other already-bad characters were hiding...I kind of wanted to wait for them to get on the road with me or wherever they were so that they had a chance to post before I pushed on.

mark12_30

09-30-2003, 08:57 PM

...looks like the tentative plan is to leave LinGalad badly wounded after the upcoming conflict (instead of dead). That way he can resurface/return later, healed up, as the opportunity arises. Brinniel doesn't like the idea of leaving him IN the forest... so nearby will be fine, I guess.

Now about that wounded Entwife...

(edit)

I tried to leave an opening for everybody. But it's awfully quiet out there.

[ October 04, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

Child of the 7th Age

10-08-2003, 12:23 AM

Mark 12_30 and others,

Peachblossom has finally gotten her act together and responded.

I believe there may be strange sounds in the forest which do not bode well for your party, or for the Entwife.

There were points where I put words in people's mouths. If anyone is uncomfortable, let me know....

Cami/Child

[ October 08, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

VanimaEdhel

10-08-2003, 04:12 PM

Ummm...other Easterlings? I'm kind of waiting on them so I know which want to be in my troup and which want to be back with the other Easterlings. At least PM me with what you want me to do with your character.

Child of the 7th Age

10-08-2003, 11:50 PM

I definitely think we need some guidance from one of the founders on this situation... Day Vampyre, Brinniel, where are you?

I have two baddie characters, and also Lyra has one. If you want, I am willing to do a set-up post with Azunal describing the tracking party in general terms and the fact that they've arrived at the camp where the Entwife is, and you and Lyra can take it from there. Would this help or not?

Are there any more baddies that I've forgotten?

I know Lyra had some questions about where her Easterling fit in that we never clearly addressed. But right now we could sure use him in the scouting group.

Cami/Child

DayVampyre

10-09-2003, 02:50 PM

right now the best course of action, I think would be for you to go through with what you seem to already have planned.

Brinniel

10-09-2003, 04:25 PM

If you want, I am willing to do a set-up post with Azunal describing the tracking party in general terms and the fact that they've arrived at the camp where the Entwife is, and you and Lyra can take it from there.
I think that idea would work best.

Vanima- You're still planning for Kalir to depart from the group later on, isn't that right? Where will that be happening? Do you think you could play him along with your baddie until he is no longer with the group? Just a thought...

Child of the 7th Age

10-12-2003, 09:55 AM

Now about that wounded Entwife...

The wounded Entwife will be dragged back by a small party to her sisters on the plantation.

We needed to prune out some characters in order to give justice to the ones that are left.

Helen - If you'd like to play her on the road, let me know and you'd be welcome to do that. I am concentrating on my two baddies after this - Azunal and Saelonia.

You'll have to say something fast, or the baddies will drag her away...

Cami/Child

VanimaEdhel

10-12-2003, 12:34 PM

Okay: can-do with Kalir.

And yay: baddies coming to join me!

Brinniel

10-12-2003, 01:54 PM

We needed to prune out some characters in order to give justice to the ones that are left.
I think we can get rid of Anarya since she doesn't have a very important role. And as for Endereth, I'm planning to write her death scene. Just to add some drama... smilies/evil.gif

Child of the 7th Age

10-14-2003, 12:35 AM

Let the battle begin....

I have filled in my save briefly describing the general assault.

Cami

Child of the 7th Age

10-20-2003, 11:04 PM

Anyone out there....?

Cami/Child

Brinniel

10-21-2003, 07:58 PM

I'm still waiting for Vanima to fill in her save.

Vanima, where did you go?

Child of the 7th Age

10-23-2003, 05:56 AM

Brinniel,

I sent Vanima a reminder pm this morning. Why don't we give her a a few days to respond? If she doesn't surface by the weekend, maybe we should go ahead.

If necessary, there would be plenty of time for her to add in a post later, since the fight will undoubtedly take a while to play out. Since there are relatively few of us, we'll each have to do some description of both sides in our posts anyways.

How does that sound?

Cami/Child

[ October 23, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

VanimaEdhel

10-23-2003, 04:55 PM

Coincidentally, today is the first time I've been online at all since I saved the "Save". I posted. We can start the battle now! Yay!

Brinniel

10-23-2003, 08:29 PM

Good to see you back, Vanima. smilies/smile.gif

Yay! We can finally get back to the RPG. smilies/biggrin.gif

Unfortunately, my post will have to wait until another day. I've only just begun an English essay that's due tomorrow. Gah! I better get back to working on it. Later.

VanimaEdhel

10-25-2003, 04:09 PM

The Navster's dead... smilies/frown.gif I really liked him...maybe I'll give him his own story at some point.

Ah well...time to finish this battle off, I suppose?

Child of the 7th Age

10-26-2003, 10:08 AM

Vanima and others,

How about this?

I think if Peachblossom was there looking at the death and carnage, she would feel terribly guilty. She instinctively knows the main reason the Easterlings are there is to get her back and her own capactity to fight is limited because of her wounds. In effect, she has brought death into the camp. She has passed on the information that she intended to, and now feels she must return to her captors to stop the carnage.

If no one objects, I'm thinking of doing a post like this: she attempts to fight but is herded back by torches. Then, wanting to put an end to the bloodshed, she literally gives herself up to the Easterlings.

You guys can decide then what you want to do with the fighting, whether to continue or stop: have the good guys retreat into the woods or fight on; have the Easterlings leave with the Entwife or continue fighting. Also, you may want me to do this surrender, but to give you more time on the fighting. Just let me know your preference and I'll comply.

I won't actually set this post up for a few days, since I want to let people see this note.

If you think something else would work better than this, let me know and I'll try to work with that instead.

Cami

[ October 26, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

mark12_30

10-26-2003, 10:53 AM

For one thing I've lost track of who is supposed to die off in this battle and who makes it through... what is Mattius' fate? Endereth? etc etc... guess I need to review the plans. More about that later.

But I don't think the company is likely to give up the Entwife without a much more desperate fight. She may feel guilty, but she's their only clue about this mess, and besides, elves like Ents. Maybe when the Easterlings come after her with torches, the company can hastily shove her into the stream and knock her over, and the torches are no longer a threat. They fight on, almost winning, but another group of Easterlings arrive, back the company into a corner, drag the Entwife out of the stream, and by then she goes with the Easterlings semi-willingly while the company is fighting their way out of the corner (during which, those company members doomed to die can have a nice dramatic death-scene.) By the time they are done fighting she's gone.

So now who gets to die off again...?

Edit: I read back to page seven and I still don't get who is going to die. Endereth, Anarya, Matiius, Radagast, and LinGalad are in one list. LinGalad gets wounded and sent away (perhaps to Kalir's farm) to recover. Who else is going to either die or leave?

[ October 26, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

VanimaEdhel

10-26-2003, 02:04 PM

I think that sounds like a great idea. Peachblossom would be greatly offended by the carnage at her expense. I think that it would be a very in-character thing to do. And we can't have too many in the party dying, or else there will be no party left. Just remember that.

And the other baddies should say which of theirs are going to die...or just Navru of us Easterlings?

Child of the 7th Age

10-26-2003, 02:14 PM

Azunal will stay alive....

Brinniel

10-26-2003, 02:40 PM

I'm thinking this: Peachblossom, upset by all the carnage, gives herself up. The Easterlings discontinue the fighting and leave with the Entwife. Our good guys continue fighting and try to prevent the Easterlings from taking Peachblossom, but are unsuccessful.

As for who dies: I believe Endereth and Anarya are the only two good guys who should die. Radagast cannot die really, and Mattius has returned to the BD, and though I'm still not sure if he'll continue the RPG with us, we should still leave his character open.

When it comes to the Easterling party, a good portion of them should die; maybe 10-12 of them. Of course, most of these are NPCs.

DayVampyre

10-26-2003, 05:53 PM

Hey all, sorry about my absence, hectic week...

Anyway, I'm all for these ideas...let's put them into play smilies/cool.gif

Child of the 7th Age

10-26-2003, 11:36 PM

Let me put a save on the game thread for Peachblossom that I will try to get to Monday or Tuesday at the latest. That will at least get us started.

If I tried to write tonight, it would come out all gobbledygook.... I've had a flu shot and am reeling around almost as if I actually had the flu!

Cami/Child

Mattius

10-27-2003, 08:31 AM

Good news guys, I have an opening in my week- Tuesday night! I will read through the discussion thread and RPG thread before adding a post for the first time in weeks!

Child of the 7th Age

10-27-2003, 12:46 PM

Mattius,

That is great news. I think it would be better if you didn't have to deal with my blank save, since you never know if I'll have it filled in by then.

So I am erasing it for now.... If I get time to do an actual post before then, I will certainly do so.

Helen, I will be sure to pick up off the Entwife cue in your post, so don't worry about a tie in. I'll make sure it's there.

Child

[ October 27, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Mattius

11-04-2003, 06:59 PM

By the way, when does this all have to be wrapped up?

Child of the 7th Age

11-06-2003, 04:44 PM

Mattius,

I think a more basic question is whether it's going to be wrapped up at all? With the manpower we have, I do not see this happening.

There were 14 posts on the game thread between September 20 and today. I don't feel that's enough to sustain this game.

____________________________________________

Peachblossom has surrendered and this particular battle should be coming to an end.

What's next?

Child

Aylwen Dreamsong

11-06-2003, 05:15 PM

My apologies for being completely absent while all this was going on. Things have been a little hectic lately, and I know this is a weak excuse but I apologize.

I'll try and get a post up tonight or tomorrow. smilies/smile.gif We can pull this together, I know we can.

-Aylwen

Child of the 7th Age

11-07-2003, 03:18 PM

Aylwen,

I hope you're right. I'm certainly willing to try.

Child

Brinniel

11-07-2003, 05:10 PM

I hate saving, but I have to get off the computer shortly.

Now that the battle is over, my next post will be on the aftermath, mainly focusing on the death of Endereth.

I should be able to fill in my save tomorrow afternoon.

[ November 07, 2003: Message edited by: Brinniel ]

Aylwen Dreamsong

11-15-2003, 05:49 PM

Where've you gone, Brin?

Who else is still alive out there?

-Aylwen

Child of the 7th Age

11-15-2003, 06:42 PM

I am...

Child

Brinniel

11-16-2003, 07:06 PM

Sorry, I didn't mean to hold that save for so long, but I've come down with the flu. smilies/frown.gif Since I'm still sick and won't be able to post for about another week, I decided to delete my save. I just ask that you don't go too far without me, as I still would like to write some of the aftermath of the battle, plus the death of Endereth (I just feel that scene should come from Calen's point of view since she and Endereth were best friends).

Again, I'm terribly sorry for my disappearance.

VanimaEdhel

11-18-2003, 05:13 PM

As this is the Barrow-Downs, I'm not particularly alive, but I am still here.

Mattius

11-18-2003, 07:01 PM

Tee hee!! smilies/tongue.gif

Bêthberry

11-18-2003, 07:19 PM

Since Brinniel has suggested you all go ahead and post, perhaps it would be preferable to see game posts rather than just discussion thread posts, although I do appreciate the effort of those who have posted here, in contrast to others who are lost on the ether.

This game is too good to be left to die. It must, however, be given momentum. Please start posting.

I would be very disappointed to have to retire this game to Elvenhome unfinished and I am sure that many of you would be also.

Bêthberry
Moderator for Rohan

Aylwen Dreamsong

11-18-2003, 09:02 PM

Along the same note as Bethberry -

We need to keep this game moving. At the most we've got five or six people actually around to post. We've had so many holdups, and while some of them are understandable, I think it's gotten to a point where we're stalling constantly. Only two of the original game founders are around, and we need to have someone to steer this game to a successful end...soon.

The game started in early April, and we're halfway to December. That's about seven months for a game that was supposed to take three. We've lost so much steam, but we need to complete this game with what we have. If we don't complete it soon, no one will have the desire to finish it at all.

What I'm saying is that we need to buckle down and get things moving to an end. Brinniel, we understand that you are sick (get better soon, it stinks having the flu!), but holding a game back for two weeks is too long, at the rate we're going.

Child and I thought of a plan to get this game moving towards a quick, suitable end, since there doesn't seem to be much of a rush to get things done (no disrespect meant, of course). How would everyone feel about Child and I writing a few time-condensed posts carrying the good guys and bad guys to the climax of the game (the end conflict with the Easterling army and what the King decides to send with the good guys)?

Let us know, please! smilies/smile.gif

-Aylwen

mark12_30

11-18-2003, 09:19 PM

Whatever y'all decide is fine by me.

mark12_30

11-19-2003, 10:48 AM

Somebody argue with cranky old Radagast...

Bêthberry

11-19-2003, 12:06 PM

It sounds like you and Child have come up with a very good plan, Aylwen. Nice work!

That's a very helpful post, Helen. Your hint here on the discussion thread is what the discussions should be about. Kudos.

Bêthberry

Mattius

11-19-2003, 04:05 PM

I'll go for that idea, right after I have written another post.

[ November 19, 2003: Message edited by: Mattius ]

VanimaEdhel

11-19-2003, 06:09 PM

Not to get redundant, but that sounds good to me, captain of mine! *salutes*

Mattius

11-19-2003, 06:37 PM

Okay, so what are you guys going to write in?

Child of the 7th Age

11-19-2003, 07:01 PM

Mattius,

In very broad terms, this is what we'll be describing:

1. The huorn's and Easterlings depredations on the countryside near Isengard and their subsequent retreat to the marshes north of Minas Tirith,

2. The remaining good guys get the King to send an army out with them to the outskirts of the marshes where the army from the East has camped.

3. The good guys are hiding on the edge of the encampment when the huge Easterling army including the Khan and Saelonia come in from the east.

For the most part, this will be basic narrative. I'll be working on #1 and Aylwen on #2. We'll deal with #3 after the first two segments are done.

I will compose and put my post up on the discussion thread, and Aylwen will eventually place everything on the game itself in the order she thinks best.

I am open to suggestions, ideas, corrections on my part of the narrative, especially on the part of those folk who are playing bad guys. I will gradually compose on the thread itself so check in and read. If you've got ideas, just post on the thread or send me a pm. (I will be dealing with broad action rather than individual characters for the most part.)

Our remaining month of action where we all hack out the rest of the story could perhaps focus on spying out the Easterlings to get an idea of how the good guys should attack, and then the attack itself? Then again, the good guys better watch their backs as Saelonia may send her spies into the marsh as well! The interesting part of this should be working out this action in the context of a marsh setting.

Any ideas, concerns?

Child