The Reunification of the Entish Bow - Discussion

[Kuruharan]

Shh. Don’t say that. You’ll jinx us.

[Diamond18]

That's a wonderfully funny post, Diamond, especially since the inner desires of each of the happy couple are so opposed to each other! Wait a minute - that's not satire, that's real life!! :eek: :rolleyes:

Well, both fantasies involve Pimpi doing a lot of killing, so there is some common ground. :p They may have to just build from there.

[The Saucepan Man]

I will be away travelling for the next week, returning on Friday. I have my next post more or less ready to go. So hopefully I'll be able to put it up when I get back, Lush and Thena willing. ;)

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Thanks for letting us know, Saucy, and have a good trip! Lush posted elsewhere within the last couple of days, so I have hopes that she will be getting hers written this week. I will post for Reaperneep, as promised, within a day or two. Problem is, I haven't seen Thena around in awhile - should he be unable to post, is there anyone with enough PC savvy to write a temptation post for Gatesy? I'll PM him in hopes that he will get a message, at least.

[Thenamir]

Message received, save placed, fill-in-of-save coming soon. Apologies to all, I have been utterly swamped with a massive project on a short deadline. Said deadline is this Friday, so hopefully it won't be too long until the save is filled in. Gatesy, though, will have a far different temptation, owing to his contract and deal with Mogul...

[Estelyn Telcontar]

It's good to know that you're still able to carry on with us, Thena! I look forward to your post - and to Lush's as well. [poke]

I have posted for Reaperneep; my apologies to C. S. Lewis...

Should you wish to move your save so as to take place after that, Thena, that's fine. I don't know how dramatic you intend to get! :eek:

[Lush]

Helloooooo!

Esty, I just got your message on my blog. This is a horrible horrible time for me, things fall apart, the centre cannot hold, and I'm absolutely drowning in assignments and general craziness. I'm going to marches, I'm trying to save the world and solve everybody's problems, and I'm trying to get on the Dean's List as well, and I fear I will fail at everything and fall apart completely.

I should have a lull Thursday afternoon. Then I will be able to post. I've been conceptualizing for a while, I just can't seem to be able to sit down and actually do it.

Much Love,
Natalia

[Estelyn Telcontar]

OK - good luck for everything, Lush! I suggest you put up a save for your post, then I shall contact Thena to see if he wants to move his. That will close this round of temptation posts. As soon as that's done, Saucy can go ahead and post his next part - the saves won't change anything in the ongoing plot.

We need to decide who will survive the battle - those of you who are having problems keeping up, please let me know. We can figure out an appropriate demise or exit for you - that would leave you with only one more post to write - or if you can't, one of us who is still around will do that.

Saucy, Mith, I know you're doing some behind-the-scenes plotting, but to coordinate things so that we can finally wrap this RPG soon, I need at least an idea of how to plan for your developments.

I'm getting a bit discouraged with the lagging here, so I'd appreciate some clear commitments - please plan to write your posts as needed or let me know if you cannot do so. I can no longer keep this story going with so few active players.

[Thenamir]

My save should be filled in by the end of the day (USA time). I cast myself at your feet in abject apologetic groveling for my spotty presence of late.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Great, Thena - something to look forward to! Lush has put up a save as well, so now I will move Merisu's post to the end of this series, then Saucy can continue.

[Thenamir]

On second thought, I will move my post to the end of the series, just before Merisu's defiance. There will be something happening at the very end of my post which will weaken, but only slightly, the hold Mogul has on the visions of all the others, which will make Merisu's breaking of the spell a bit less, well, Mary-Sue-ish. I hope that's OK.

============

OK the post is now up. Any objections can be edited away as needed.

Thenamir

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Bravo - well done, Thena! Gatesy's vision of Merisu as his wife cracked me up, and the vision of punishment was hilarious too - shades of Beren in the flashback...

I have accordingly moved my post for Merisu to the end, so we're all set for your post, Saucy.

[The Saucepan Man]

Nice work, Thena. :D

But are you suggesting that getting mixed up with loyers may end up costing an arm and a leg ...?

Perish the thought! ;)

Like an errant schoolboy, I left my post at home. :rolleyes: So I'll put it up this evening.

[Rimbaud]

I have a post also prepared, and I'll stick it up after SpM's, after any relevant edits caused.

Time for another quickfire round of posts?

[The Saucepan Man]

I'm done ...

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Very well done, Saucy! Your excellent post made for enjoyable reading today! I especially liked the "Mouth" parody and laughed (among many other laughs) over his lost Dragon love.

Thinking on how to continue, it seems to me that the end of your post calls for a reaction from Merisu, so I will put up a save. Should Rim's post belong in between, I can move it further down.

Question is, how do we continue? I assume that the big battle can begin, and that the Velour will have to come to the rescue, but I don't know if there are any plans behind the scenes for this part of the story. Please let me know if so.
Time for another quickfire round of posts?
Gladly - but what needs to happen next?

[Mithadan]

Trust us Esty. Saucepan, Diamond, Lush and i know what will happen after Merisu (tearfully) rejects Greedhog's offer. ;)

[Thenamir]

Ooooh! A surprise for Her Entishness herself! Awesome!

Can I be oone of the pre-informed, or is that on a need-to-know basis? Gateskeeper is definitely back, at least for the near foreseeable future.

Also FYI, my work has clamped down on the use of chat at work (no surprise, that), so I'll seldom be on IRC during the day. This message forum is a good way to contact me, as is thenamir@barrowdowns.com.

Thenamir

[Estelyn Telcontar]

My post for Merisu is up; I don't think I can claim that I wrote it - it's more a plagiaristic parody patchwork of pieces pawned from popular passages...

I look forward to being surprised by what happens next! Let me know if there's anything I can do to help finish my story. :rolleyes:

[Thenamir]

Impressive post, Esty! Though I recognized much of your source material, it was so arranged as to make me have to read it twice to force myself to think of those sources. Great job!

[Bêthberry]

Quilt while you are ahead, Esty.. (ducks from Mithadan's pun wraith) :D

[Estelyn Telcontar]

You have me in stitches, Bb!

I posted a "meanwhile, back....." interlude, just so that *something* happens...

[The Saucepan Man]

I do hope that Yawanna didn't overhear Mogul gloating about her gullibity ...

(hint, hint ;) )

[Thenamir]

Gateskeeper *does* have a recording device as part of the Sound-khaard upgrade for his staff he got back at Marrow-Bones...

[The Saucepan Man]

Outrage! I'm sure that breaks some sort of privacy law. Mogul shall get his loyers onto it immediately.

[Thenamir]

If he lives that long...

[Thenamir]

Please accept my apologies if the new post steps on toes. As Esty told me yesterday,

It is better to have posted and edited, than never to have posted at all.

I will be glad to make any changes necessary, including deleteing the post altogether if required.

[The Saucepan Man]

I should imagine that the only editing necessary will be for Mith to move his post after yours and pick it up from there. Wonderful post! Kontrole alt deleet! :D

But please please please remind of the source of klaatu barada nikto. I know that I know it, but can't quite recall from where. It's driving me crazy!

If he lives that long...You forget. He's immortal. And the void's not so bad once you get used to it. ;)

[Mithadan]

Fine post, Thenamir! It shall be as Saucepan said. I will move my save and fill it in, hopefully this weekend.

[Thenamir]

The phrase is from a classic black-and-white sci-fi movie, "The Day The Earth Stood Still". It was the command Klaatu the alien gave to the female lead to speak to the robot, Gort, to get him to quit mowing everything down and come to his master's rescue.

It was also used more recently in the movie "Army of Darkness" by the Bruce Campbell character as the words to retrieve the magic book he was after. And it's used in parodies all over.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

A great post, Thena! Nice use of technical possibilities, including but not limited to em-pethree. That definitely requires an answer from Yawanna, but I will wait until Mith fills in his save so as not to spoil plans. Saucy, please let me know if there is something you want me to include in posting for her.

[Thenamir]

But yes, I have unlimited chutzpah.

Trust us Esty. Saucepan, Diamond, Lush and i know what will happen after Merisu (tearfully) rejects Greedhog's offer.

But you won't share it with us? Sandbagging? Holding out on us? C'mon, fellow questians, geta move on.

Thenamir

<at the behest of she-who-shall-remain-nameless>

[The Saucepan Man]

Saucy, please let me know if there is something you want me to include in posting for her.I wouldn't presume to predict Yawanna's reaction. But, as they say, a woman scorned ... :eek: :D

[Lush]

I have momentarily shrugged off the shackles of exam-week, and have filled in my save. The next time you hear from me, I might already be in a real desert. Jordan!

If some crazy people drop a bomb on my head; I hope you guys miss me! (Just as much as everyone missed CrystalHeart for a few days)

And, as always, good job everyone. :)

[Mithadan]

I will likely fill in my save tomorrow.

[Mithadan]

Plot twist successfully executed....

[Bêthberry]

Oh, oh, that there be a shred of loyerlty in Meri Sue!

And praise be that the Pun Wraith did not need to respond to "Sewerim".

And will that be Mary Suerim?

And oh that this cameo writer was on retainer!

Really, it is rewarding to see a case summarised so well. A plea well bargained, bar none.

Okay, I rest, with no defense.

[Thenamir]

Bethberry: ouch. You serve a mean process with all those jury-rigged puns. Restraint is clearly in order.

All: is this going to be a trial (complete with a jury of peers, i.e. the rest of the Velour), or just a hearing before Mantoes for a temporary injunction? I was buried under real life and didn't get much of a chance to use Tickle-Me Ulmo, and would love to revisit him.

[The Saucepan Man]

And so the trial begins ....

[Thenamir]

Nicely done, Saucy!

Is Yawanna present in the jury box? And has she read her O-mail lately? :D

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Sorry, Yawanna's had problems with her Pea-Sea; when she's caught up with the most pressing news, she will certainly react.

[Kuruharan]

If I may...

*cough*

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Go for it, Kuru! I'll try to get a post for either Merisu or Yawanna, preferably both, up within a few days, but it would be nice to have Mith's save filled in first so I get an approximate idea of what's happening.

My PC problems resulted in failure to comment on Mith and Saucy's previous posts - thanks, guys! Both were excellent, very funny - I love Grrralph the Grrrey, ummm - Sueim, I mean. Any clue as to why he woke up just then? I also especially enjoyed Mantoes opening of the court session - so delightfully formal!

[Kuruharan]

Yeah, but, it's kind of hard to...

Well, it kind of seems like a pivotal post and all that...

How am I supposed to know how to follow up for something that hasn't happened yet?

[Estelyn Telcontar]

PM

[Kuruharan]

Not sure if I should try that right now...

[Thenamir]

Kuru,

Just do what I did -- post a good story bit, and make Mith move his post to sometime after yours! :D

[Kuruharan]

Oh, alright. Gimme a day or so...

[Mithadan]

Nyaah, nyaah! Got my post in first! :p

[Thenamir]

One of Greedhogs clerks dropped this note, which I pass along.

defoliating cleanser

de·foli·ation n. -- causing the leaves of trees and other plants to fall off (as by the use of chemicals)

Orcs are always defoliating things...I think he meant exfoliating:

ex·foli·ation n. -- To remove (a layer of skin, for example) in flakes or scales



===========

Yowee!! This is the 800th post in this discussion. Another milestone come and gone without ceremony or celebration.

[Kuruharan]

Huzzah!

There, ceremony and celebration.

My post is done.

[Mithadan]

Your honor, I respectfully reserve 60 seconds for rebuttal...

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Well done, Kuru! The Dwarf is a person of many talents indeed!


Why do I get the feeling that posting would be more active here if we added a couple of werewolves to the story?! :eek: :rolleyes: ;)

[Kuruharan]

Maybe that's what happened to Diamond.

[Diamond18]

Maybe that's what happened to Diamond.

Eh?

[Kuruharan]

Ahh, so she hasn't been eaten. That's well. Can't be too careful and all that...

[Diamond18]

Ah. I thought you were implying I may have turned into a werewolf, which puzzled me seeing as how my temporary save fill in has great balls of fire rather than full moons.

Don't worry, a more permanent filler-inner is coming, it's just... taking time.

[Mithadan]

I have added a post to Kuruharan's in order to adjust the location of the characters. Diamond, if you need some changes, please tell me.

[Lush]

I should be able to gather my wits and post by the end of the week.

[The Saucepan Man]

At some point, Greedhog will need to make his (proper) submission. This week is tricky and I am away for the Bank Holiday weekend, so it will have to wait 'til next week. Will it make sense following on from your post Lush, or shall I put up a SAVE afer Diamond's post?

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Great post, Mith! Trust a loyer to win a point there!

I plan to post for Merisu/Yawanna next week before I leave for my vacation - I will wait to see what develops in the meantime. (So much for my dream of having completed this game before I'm gone...) :rolleyes:

[Kuruharan]

(So much for my dream of having completed this game before I'm gone...)

You should know us better than that by now! :D (It's been what...two, three years?) This could go on for months yet... ;) :p

[Diamond18]

My post is up, and totally not worth the wait, but you would have had to have waited months more to get a decent one. :p

[The Saucepan Man]

My post is up, and totally not worth the wait ...It like totally was, dude. :D

Nice to see Vogie's poetry being put to good use for once (although, officially, I thoroughly disapprove of his actions, of course ;) ).

I have put up a SAVE for Greedhog's submissions, but I doubt that I'll be able to fill it before next week. If Lush posts in the meantime and it makes more sense for it to come after, I'll move it.

[Mithadan]

Unfortunately, I must agree with Saucepan. Your post is excellently funny Diamond. I will need to read it again...

Yup! Still funny!

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Very funny indeed, Diamond! I almost choked upon reading the first Pimpi/Vogy conversation, having seen SW Episode 3 last week - hilarious!

Should Merisu have noticed what's happened to Gravlox? Or are those paying attention to the trial too far away/preoccupied to see? I'm just wondering if there should be a reaction, or whether that would spoil your carefully laid plans, Mith.

[Mithadan]

Given the strategic situation, i.e the Itship is facing the amassed might of Mogul, any reaction would be unwise. Besides, all eyes are focused upon Sueim and Greedhog. :D

[Diamond18]

I almost choked upon reading the first Pimpi/Vogy conversation, having seen SW Episode 3 last week - hilarious!

Now just imagine Darth Vader reciting poetry bewtween hoo-per's.

[The Saucepan Man]

Save filled ...

[Estelyn Telcontar]

...and wonderfully so, Saucy! What an enjoyable post! I chuckled most over the contrast between Greedhog's legalese and Mantoes' hip-speak, though I must mention "Court-ship" as runner-up.

I am writing a post for Yawanna which will have her getting Gatesy's message and beginning to have a shadow of a doubt. There is nothing I can really write for Merisu at the moment. As I am leaving on my US trip on Monday, June 6, I may not be able to post during the next couple of weeks. Please feel free to carry on.

[The Saucepan Man]

What a delightful post, Esty. :D

The tale of the West Side is fitting, oh so fitting. Oh, and do I detect an ever so subtle reference to a certain thread currently producing much heated debate ...? ;) And I love Yawanna's anticipation of her tenure as Queen of Muddled-Mirth.

By the way. You do realise that it's all a set up. You should know by now never to trust unsolicited o-mails from senders with long, unintelligible names ...

... though I must mention "Court-ship" as runner-up.I am surprised that one hadn't been snaffled up already. Too obvious, perhaps?

Apologies to those who are unfamiliar with English courtroom "manners", certain London firms of solicitors or Latin legal phrases. I can assure you that Greedhog, in this instance, is no caricature. That's really how they speak! :eek:

[Estelyn Telcontar]

That's really how they speak! I doubt it, Saucy - I could understand most of what Greedhog said! :rolleyes:

[Rimbaud]

I've popped in to look as to when jumping in might be appropriate, but there seem to have been schemes-within-schemes that I wouldn't want to disturb. What's the immediate plan?

~R

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Rim, your best bet is to PM Saucy and/or Mith to check with them. They won't tell me what they're up to!

[Mithadan]

Once Lush posts, I will be able to finish up our set piece and anyone is free to go. If you want to post now, go ahead, but don't save Gravlox, don't mess with the trial and don't reunite the Ent or wipe out the armies of Mogul.

[The Saucepan Man]

Really, most of the trial planning has been down to Mith. I just take his instructions, like a good little loyer. ;)

Once the trial is over, I suspect there will be a rather tumultuous battle, so it'll be pretty much a free for all. My only request is that, for the time being at least, neither Mogul nor Soregum get killed and the Entish parts remain unreconstituted.

Anyone is free to take down Greedhog during the battle - provided, of course, that they fulfil the criteria for doing so. Although the spectacle of a loyer being taken out by one of his own might be fun. No honour among thieves and all that ... :rolleyes: :D

[Lush]

Sorry guys, I seem to be suffering from severe writer's block. It's late here in Amman. I think I'll sleep on it and do my bestest to post in the morning.

[Lush]

Ok, save is filled. Mith take a look and see if I'm missing anything.

It's kind of....crap, but the desert heat has currently melted my creativity.

[Mithadan]

*To the accompaniment of fife and drum music, Mithadan creeps back tiredly from the City on the banks of the River Charles....

Lush! Wonderful!

[Mithadan]

The post which will fill in my save will be rather long. Unfortunately, I don't think I will have time to fill it in before I leave for vacation this saturday. My apologies. If I can somehow get it done, I will.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Greetings from Far Far Away! (located in central Texas) I enjoyed reading your post, Lush - very funny! Depend on Leninia to make the fulfillment of her wishes look like a political manifest! :rolleyes: Mith, I look forward to your post, whenever you have it ready.

[Thenamir]

...and the world holds its collective breath awaiting the eventual climax and denouement of the story...which explains why most of them have turned blue and passed out...

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I'm back from vacation, and what do I see? The last post, save for Lush's save, is my own, over three weeks ago. I suppose everyone is still waiting for Mith's save in order to know how to proceed...

*Esty pokes Mith!

[Mithadan]

*Ouch

I'm back and working on it. Sorry all.

[Mithadan]

I've filled in my save. Actually I broke it in two. The new save, "Of the Curse Upon the House of Who-Him and the Prophecy of the Step-Sister of All Battles" is back story only. So you all can have at it and begin hacking away! Please note Saucepan's prior admonishments regarding who can be killed (and how) and who cannot be killed.

Battle on Dudes and Dudettes!

Oh and thank you Diamond and Lush for your distinguished and excellent assistance.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

It's great to see things moving again! Thanks for two wonderful posts, Mith - that second one was above and beyond the call of duty, making it all the more enjoyable.

While I was in the States, I bought The Sillymarillion - amusing reading, but I couldn't help but think that posts like this last one by Mith and Saucy's epic back stories are every bit as good and better. I'm very proud of what we've accomplished here - I don't think it would be possible to get the RPG into publishable form, but it is a fantastic piece of reading! My heartfelt thanks to all of you for making it so.

Saucy, your save gives us something to look forward to!

It's fun to sit back and let you guys write the battle - let me know if there's anything I can do someday! ;)

[The Saucepan Man]

OK Mith - I'll see your Too-thin and raise you an Ancalorgas ...

I will be away for the next two weeks, so it looks like I might miss some of the great battle that is to follow. :( Mind you, at the rate this story moves it will probably still be in full swing when I return. I do hope so, as I would like to post something about Soregum and, of course, Mogul's final (? ;) ) confrontation with the Itship.

It's fun to sit back and let you guys write the battle - let me know if there's anything I can do someday!Why? Isn't Merisu participating? And, in any event, isn't the scorned Yawanna going to lead the Velour back into battle, US cavalry style? :smokin:

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Thanks, Saucy, for taking the time to write your wonderful post before leaving on vacation! It is both appreciated and very much enjoyed! I especially enjoyed Greedhog's lament on playing fair and the Trekian technobabble about the time continuum. (And the line "to curry favour" reminds me of a lyric from P.D.Q. Bach's "The Seasonings" - "To curry favour, favour curry.") Now I think the Itship really needs a eucatastrophe!

Is it a free-for-all now? Mith, Saucy, any guidelines or can the rest of us jump into the fray and wreak our usual havoc as we wish?

I'd like to ask the rest of you for a brief roll-call; as always, I will post, of course, if no one else does, but it would be nice to have more participation again. So, who's next?? Thena? Kuru? Diamond? Lush? (That's all of us who are left - I wonder if the Werewolves have been secretly at large on more threads than just their specified ones!)

[Mithadan]

Our long running subplot has now been completed. Have at it!

[Estelyn Telcontar]

A huge thanks to both of you for the wonderful long-term planning you've done for this sub-plot! It took a lot of thought and time to write those excellent posts, and I enjoyed letting you move the plot along. Now it's time for the rest of us to do our share - I will begin with a post for Merisu and have put up a save to that end. Then I hope others will jump in and battle. I reserve the final confrontation for Yawanna; other than that, no restrictions.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Don't worry, folks - it's not *really* the End of All Things! I hope all the members of the Itship will gather courage, strength and ideas to fight this great, final battle. Suggestions for the various characters: a "wool-over-the-eyes" business scheme from Kuru; a one-up-manship bragging contest between Chrysie and the other dragons; some computer trickery from Gatesy; poetry or arrow-throwing spells from Vogy; food fight from Pimpi - or would that be just too cruel? And who can predict what Leninia might have up her flowing sleeves?! For that matter, I hope my meagre suggestions will inspire you to come up with improvements! Mith, are you going to use Gravlox in this situation?

[Kuruharan]

Sorry. No wool-over-the-eyes business scheme yet.

Kuruharan has his supercilious side too, you know.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I just read your post after writing the above, Kuru - and had several good laughs over Donkey Hoté and the windmills! What fun! Great job - now who's next?!

[Thenamir]

most excellent posts, all, very enjoyable!

I do have a nit-pick, though. In the Ent-Cylopedia of names-that-have-been-named, the hidden city was already called "Mandolin". Although, Gondola is pretty good. Just thought I'd mention it. As if we cared about consistency...

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Shucks, Thena - Tolkien gave his characters and places multiple names so often, I'm sure this was done on purpose! ;)

[Thenamir]

Gateskeeper has weighed in for the battle. Flame away!

[Estelyn Telcontar]

What a hilarious post, Thena! I loved the ridiculous conversation between O2 and Vogy, also the Gatesy the White scene, but the tactical maneuver takes the cake! Spells of delay and time-wasting indeed!! (Not that I would know anything about those... ahem!) Thanks for a great contribution!

OK, the battle rages, courageous deeds are done, but remember, it's not over until the fat lady... Um, I mean until Yawanna comes.

Now, where are Diamond and Lush??

*pokes Mith for an answer to her previous question* Mith, are you going to use Gravlox in this situation?

[Mithadan]

I could. Or you could. I'll see what I can think up.

[Thenamir]

With the general resusitation of the dead in full swing, perhaps it is time for the reappearances of Sasser the electric drake and a certain zerl of Gravlox's acquaintance...

[Mithadan]

I had not forgotten about either. And it was a bunny, not a zerl... ;)

[Thenamir]

it was a bunny, not a zerl...

Alzheimer's is a terrible thing.

[Mithadan]

I was just starting to write my post, when, unfortunately, inspiration struck (and it hurt too). As a result, my post will be delayed a day. The good news is that you all will not be subjected to a parody of Surrey With a Fringe on Top (Rogers and Hammerstein).

[Mithadan]

OK. Next?

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Your inspiration is always worth waiting for, Mith! (Though I can't help wondering what the "other" song parody would have been like.) Lovely :rolleyes: violence, heroic fighting, and a hilarious variation on the Eagle theme! Thanks for activating Gravlox once again - and Merisu with him. Her despair couldn't last long, could it?!

I've contacted Diamond and Lush (the latter is travelling, so I'm not sure when she'll be able to post) in hopes of eliciting contributions from them before wrapping things up with Yawanna's final blow - or whatever.

[Diamond18]

I'm here. I'll have a post up, ummmm, eventually. Esty, I'm going to send you a PM with a request, soon as I hit "post" here. (Well, actually, it's "Submit Reply".)

[The Saucepan Man]

... and the Trekian technobabble about the time continuumAhem! "Whovian", please. As are the metal monsters. ;)

I do have a nit-pick, though. In the Ent-Cylopedia of names-that-have-been-named, the hidden city was already called "Mandolin". Although, Gondola is pretty good. Just thought I'd mention it. As if we cared about consistency...Ah, but what of Tintin Rumbaba and the alternative seven sons of Feeblenor? Cohesive plot? Consistency? Pah! :D

The battle is going nicely. I have a post or two in mind for it, but would prefer to wait until others post first. Surely there's ample scope to milk this one? First Age heroes, Smug the Complacent, Werewolves and a Vampire vamp, not to mention the aforementioned metal monsters.

Greedhog needs to be dealt with too at some point. I shall include his foray into the field of battle in one of my posts.

The final (?) confrontation with the Big Bad Bildur probably ought to wait until Yawanna arrives ...

[Mithadan]

Werewolves and a Vampire vamp, not to mention the aforementioned metal monsters.

...We did the Mash.
We did the Monster Mash.
The Monster Mash.
It was a graveyard smash...

:D

Oh, and Diamond, feel free to make use of Gravlox's bunny (reincarnated of course, unless someone stashed him somewhere).

[Diamond18]

Oh, and Diamond, feel free to make use of Gravlox's bunny (reincarnated of course, unless someone stashed him somewhere).

Harvey is quite dead. Cause: Death By Dragon. (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=328919&postcount=186) ;)

Another former member of the Itship who met a similar end was Norni, the dwarfling that the Itship met somewhere along the line.

[Lush]

Esty,

I've just read your message on my blog; I'm having a really crazy week, it's the season of birthdays (mine, my mom's, aunt's, cousin's, and hopefully soon my baby niece/nephew), and I'm totally burned out, but I should have something by the week's end.

Kissy kissy to all.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Ahem! "Whovian", please. As are the metal monsters. ;) I do humbly beg your pardon! Unfortunately, we've not seen those here...

The battle is going nicely. I have a post or two in mind for it, but would prefer to wait until others post first. Surely there's ample scope to milk this one? You're very welcome to post as often as you have a good idea for the battle! We're still looking forward to Di and Lush's posts; after all have posted at least once, I can have Yawanna finish the battle off any time. So please do say so if you want to post more.

The final (?) confrontation with the Big Bad Bildur probably ought to wait until Yawanna arrives ... Precisely! I have already made my plans for that.

[The Squatter of Amon Rûdh]

It is done. And if it was good enough for Dickens, it must be good enough for Etceteron. I hope Squatter somewhere in cyberspace gets a good laugh.

Surely that should be somewhen. The mills of Squatter grind slow, and not always terribly small, but sooner or later some things get done around here. Hence lo! I caught up with events in Muddled Mirth this weekend. I did indeed have a good laugh, although I don't guarantee that I won't resurrect the character at some point in the future for disturbed reasons of my own. Why, I wonder, does nobody share my taste for the quiet, noble dignity of being crushed by a falling safe?

I hope that it's a compliment to you all that I missed writing for REB as I read. It's a good thing that I haven't been, though, since little enough work has been done this year as it is. It's good to see you rushing toward a suitably unlikely conclusion: good luck with the remainder of the Quest.

[Bêthberry]

Why, I wonder, does nobody share my taste for the quiet, noble dignity of being crushed by a falling safe?


because it takes a special sort to laugh at the fate of spermatozoa?

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Nice to see you peeking in, Squatter - and likewise, Bb! Our mills grind rather slowly as well; we're still waiting for Diamond and Lush to post; now Kuru has a save up, and Thena and Saucy want to write battle posts before I finish off. I hope some of this will happen in the next week or two, while I'm away - whatever's not up by then will not happen. My final battle post will go up before the end of August. Then we will wrap with the reunification.

[Mithadan]

Then we will wrap with the reunification.

Wait a minute! Reunification? There will really be a reunification? I thought that was just a joke...

I'm going to have to go back and change all my posts from the beginning on...

[The Saucepan Man]

Wait a minute! Reunification? There will really be a reunification?Of course there will be - the reunification of Muddled-Mirth under the benevolent rule of Môgul Bildûr.

MWAHAHAHAHAHA! :smokin:

I'm hoping to make a post or two on the battle while you are away, Esty. What do you have in mind for the final battle scene? Would you mind letting me know the gist?

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Nothing easier than that, Saucy! Gist: Mogûl and his minions get their collective ***es kicked by Yawanna! It is the final defeat, of course. PM me if you need to know that in more detail...

[Kuruharan]

Since this is possibly my last post of the story I felt the need to shoot down something lofty.

[Lush]

Guys, we just had to put our kitten to sleep, after four days of constantly struggling for his life and watching him get worse and worse.

I'm not sure if I will be able to write anything remotely funny or clever over the next week.

I think you might have to go ahead without me, especially if we are in a hurry. If anyone wants to take up Leninia's character and give her a nice send-off, they are more than welcome to.

If we haven't moved on, and I have snapped out of it in the next few days, I'll be happy to write something.

I'm really sorry. I know it seems stupid, grieving for a cat, but it just won't let me go at the moment. I'm a mess. Watching Archie suffer and spending sleepless nights by his side has been so draining. My hands keep shaking.

Esty, please let me know if Leninia can be put on hold, or if we have to wrap things up right away. I'll be more than happy to participate if I just have the chance to calm down a little bit and think happy thoughts.

[Thenamir]

Don't give up on Gatekeeper yet! I've lost my job, and in the flurry of packing up my stuff I forgot to forward my post-in-progress to my home address, so I'm trying to reconstitute it from memory. But it will be up within the next few days -- I hope by tomorrow, but I'll make no promise of that.

In the meantime, Saucy, go for it.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Since this is possibly my last post of the story... What does that mean, Kuru? I do trust you're not leaving us so near to the end! I enjoyed your post tremendously - the Shakespearian touch is so fitting to one so noble as Chrysie!

Lush, I can understand - I've lost pets that were family members, one of them just this spring. You're entitled to time out if you need it. We'll go on without you but leave Leninia in, so that you can come back when you're able.

Saucy, I'm delighted to see that you've put up a save and look forward to your post!

Good luck with your reconstruction, Thena - don't worry! Sometimes rewriting from memory can actually improve a post.

I'm back home from my UK trip (which was absolutely fabulous, just to make you all jealous, with some very funny parody plays, such as the production of the 'Reduced Silmarillion Company') and am keeping a Velourian eye on developments here - i.e. I'm doing nothing! :rolleyes: It will take me awhile to catch up with forum reading/moderating, so I doubt that I'll intervene unless something spontaneously comes to mind for Merisu.

In the meantime - Rim, are you still posting?

[Kuruharan]

But I thought we had reachéd the Grand Finale complete with fireworks, explosions, Yawanna swooping down from on high, and the 1812 Overture playing in the background.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Come on, this is an RPG based on Tolkien's LotR et al - that means multiple endings! You don't think the story will be over with Melvin's destruction, do you?! There's an Ent to be reunited, and a Mire out there to scour - or something...

[piosenniel]

And in PJ style - there could, of course, be a wedding . . . or at least a fade to black, discretely worded, stay in a tawdry motel . . . :rolleyes: ;)

http://forum.barrowdowns.com/ubb/icons/icon13.gif

~*~ Pio

continuing to read along . . . :)

[Kuruharan]

Ah, I see the source of confusion. I meant that it might possibly be my last post of this chapter of the story, then.

discretely worded

What does this strange phrase mean?

stay in a tawdry motel

Merisuwyniel has already sort of been down this particular road...a couple of times.

It was a few years ago though. ;)

We should check...this might be one of the longest running RPG games in history. :D

[The Saucepan Man]

Esty - Apologies for not having filled in my save. I want to do something with the Daleks, and have a few ideas, but need to give it some further thought.

I would also like to post once more for the battle before Yawanna arrives so, if that is the intended subject of your Save, would you mind if I put up another Save and you moved your Yawanna post after it?

Apologies again for my slowness. Normal service will soon be resumed (just as soon as the latest Werewolf game finishes ... :rolleyes: ).

[Estelyn Telcontar]

No problem, Saucy - my post is just an interlude and not the end of the battle. I was suddenly inspired by some developments on the forum and decided to work them into a post. You have time for posting; I've also attempted to contact Diamond in the hopes of eliciting a post from her, and Thena and Mith want to post as well, so there's no hurry and no worry.

Hope you all enjoy my post! :D

[Bêthberry]

Oh, Esty, the things you have up your sleeves. You're a tricksome lass you are. And you having just met so recently those two Downers also.

Mistress Seamstress indeed. :D

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Does anyone remember if we had a parody equivalent for 'Maiar'? Diamond's list on the first page of this thread doesn't include one, and all I can remember is the Toll-Maiar we had upon landing in Valleyum. Lacking an appropriate designation, I left the original word in my post.

[Kuruharan]

Maya.

[The Saucepan Man]

One save completed. Another added.

Apologies to those who are not Whovians. But you did have your Trekkie stuff ... :p ;)

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Fair enough, Saucy - and it was fun to read even though I have not had the opportunity to see Dok-Dorhu!

I couldn't resist continuing with a post in a similar vein to my previous one. If it makes your saves difficult to handle, you're welcome to move them again, of course.

Diamond has let me know that she won't be posting soon, so unless Lush surprises us with a post, we can finish this off. Please let me know if you plan to post and if anything specific needs to be planned.

[The Saucepan Man]

Hmm, we are moving from the realms of parody into satire ... ;)

A wonderful post, Esty! :D

I have two more posts for the battle. One will fill in my current Save (which I have moved to after Esty's latest). The other will run into Esty's post to finish off the battle. I would rather spilt them up, so does anyone else plan on posting before my penultimate battle post?

[Mithadan]

I apologize for the delay. I have been sidelined for the past week or so due to uncontrollable circumstances. I will fill in my save later this week.

[Lush]

Ok, I put a post I should be able to fill after Tuesday; after my wiritng professor gets off my back for about two minutes, that is. That woman is a tiger. ;)

[Mithadan]

I have (at last) filled in my save on page 7. Sorry for the delay. I have been indisposed...

[Estelyn Telcontar]

"Indisposed" sounds awfully close to "ill" - hope you're well now, Mith, and thanks for posting! I enjoyed reading your account of the Velour's *hesitance* to participate (that is putting it so mildly that it's actually canonical! :rolleyes: ) - their rousing reminds me of the Ents. Now I look forward to seeing what they cook up - just remember, it can't be the decisive stroke! Yawanna is waiting on the sidelines, hoping her cue comes before she forgets her lines...

[Lush]

Dear Guys and Girls,

I've been pretty indisposed lately myself, and was finally coming out of funk to sit down and write Leninia's farewell post and try to actually make it funny and coherent for once.

This morning I found out that my darling sweet beautiful cousin Yaroslava was killed in a car crash. She was twenty-seven years old.

I hope that you can give me some time off. Try as I might, all words fail me. I'm not even sure how I'm managing to type this right, I don't think it's sunk in yet.

I'm really sorry to be holding everyone up. I hope that you can understand. Will resurrect Leninia as soon as I am able.

Take care.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

My dear Lush, I'm so sorry to hear of it! How terrible for you and all of your family. Please don't worry about the RPG - you have enough more important things on your mind now, and I'm sure you won't feel like writing comedy. We'll carry on without you and you can jump back in when you're able to. Will you delete your save or would you like one of the mods/admins to do so?

There's one save left then, Saucy's. Mith, are you planning to post about the Velour effort next? Then Saucy's second post, then mine for Yawanna. If anyone knows of a reason why this plan should not be carried through, let him speak now...

[Lush]

Yo, I went ahead and deleted the save myself. Thank you so much for your kind words.

[The Saucepan Man]

Very sorry to hear of your family's bereavement Lush. My sympathies are with you and your family.

Esty, I have been away but I will try to fill my save this week.

[The Saucepan Man]

Hold your ground, hold your ground. RPGers of Gondor, of Rohan, my breth/sist-ren. I see in my screen the same inertia that would take the creativity of me. A day may come when the save of Saucepan is filled, when we may continue the tale and search for scant remnants of storyline, but it is not this day. A scrap of mirth and scattered laughs, when the post of Sauce slips awkwardly in, but it is not this day. This day we wait! By all that you hold dear in this good Mirth, I bid you stand, Guys and Gals of the Quest!

Seriously, I am working on my post. There's quite a bit of ground to cover, but I could (indeed would prefer to) split it in two if anyone else wants to contribute to the battle. If so, speak now as I will be in a position to post at least the first half of my planned post within the next day or so.

Oh and Mith. Did you propose posting anything about the Velour having second thoughts? I could include something in my post if not.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Saucy, please do go ahead and post that first half as soon as you have it finished! Perhaps someone will be unexpectedly inspired by it; perhaps Mith will post for the Velour in arms; and if nothing else I might come up with something to fill in. Bb has her invitational post after your save, so you wouldn't be posting back to back in any case. As to other possibilities, I doubt that Thena will be able to post at the time, but if Rim is still with us, he might; I don't know about Kuru...

Oh, and nice speech, Saucy! ;)

[Rimbaud]

I'd be happy to post a brief Hal perspective, just let me know when so as not to disrupt the post order.

[The Saucepan Man]

Okey dokey. I'll try to get the first half up tonight and then see what happens.

[Mithadan]

I'm in too. If need be, I could post next. Let me know.

[The Saucepan Man]

'Tis done.

I have one more, hopefully shorter, post to put up before Yawanna arrives. In the meantime, please feel free to go ahead, Rim, Mith and anyone else for whom inspiration may strike.

[Rimbaud]

Ok. So just a Hal still stuck in the action post is suitable?

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Anything along the line of active battling (or avoiding such...) without final results is just fine, Rim.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Great posts, Saucy and Rim! I hope to comment more when I have time to concentrate, but I do want to let you know how much I enjoyed your contributions!

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Just a brief look back before we hurry ahead... :rolleyes:

Saucy, your alliterations are so much fun to read! I chuckled over Greedhog's talking - and his echo of "Bones" McCoy! Do you think WhoHim's cry "Plot shall come again!" is canonical?! It seems too unlikely. The story development makes me curious to see how it will continue! Nice to have Reaperneep mentioned again.

Rim, how nice to have you posting again! It was a treat to see things from Hal's point of view for a bit there, though apparently his view is now rather impaired. The voice in his head seems related to the alter egos some Downs members have!

Now, to continue - Mith, then Saucy again, then me for Yawanna, right?

[Thenamir]

Ladies and Gentlemen (and assorted other races):

I apologize for my near-total absence over the last 6-8 weeks. I lost my job, and have been diligently searching for a new one while juggling ever-so-carefully my dwindling supply of silver pennies. I am now re-employed in Phoenix, leaving the wife and kids in Houston for the time being, as I hope that my old job will open back up in January. This is, I hope, a temporary position.

In the meantime, though, I have lots of time, but no computer except at work. I will attempt to contribute to the ongoing conclusion of our long-term adventure as I am able. Onward!

Thenamir the Bewildered

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Mith? Saucy? Anyone posting soon?

[The Saucepan Man]

Well, I was waiting for Mith, but I can go ahead if you want.

I'm away for most of this week, but I should be able to post something over the weekend or early next week. It will take us into Yawanna's arrival, so if anyone wants to post anything else in the battle, post now or forever hold your keys ...

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Oh my goodness!

*swoons*

Three saves - Thena, Mith, and Rim too - all within two days, and the promise of Saucy's post after that! Lots to which I can look forward - but I asks you nicely, I begs even, please get them written soon!

[Mithadan]

My save is filled in. Saucepan, I hope you didn't really need... well you'd better read it... :p

[Rimbaud]

Moi aussi. I'm not sorry to any one person...

[The Saucepan Man]

Er - the idea was for the battle to continue until Yawanna turns up to save the day ...

And wasn't the Valar's gesture supposed to be futile?

Really, what is this preoccupation with sudden and battle-turning events? It just means that Mogul's going to have to introduce (or reintroduce) yet more forces of darkness to the field. :rolleyes:

Oh well, c'est la vie ... er ... mort.

[Rimbaud]

Yes, I made a point of saying 'only those particular orcs', because I have a suspicion more fiends will appear as required...

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Great posts, Mith and Rim! Well, well, no one had thought of using "mooning" yet, so there are actually new parody ideas out there! However, the disappearance of so many foes does challenge our inventiveness, as the battle isn't over till the fat lady ... I chuckled over the revisionist history mentions, Mith! Nice use of "Day Ussex Makkinna", Rim! Somehow the Eagles weren't quite Tolkienish, though...

Saucy, whenever you want to proceed, you may do so - Thena will fit his post into the chink he chose for his save, I'm sure.

[Mithadan]

Very well. I have revived half of the evil forces by editing my post. Do with them as you see fit. I don't think Rim's post necessarily requires any changes.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Thanks, Mith! That does help...

[Rimbaud]

I don't think Rim's post necessarily requires any changes.

That is not to say, however, that I cannot do so if required. Sauce?

[The Saucepan Man]

Thanks Mith for making the alteration. :) It saves yet more verbose summoning up of additional troops on my part. ;)

Rim, I'll review and let you know, but I don't think there will be any need.

Needless to say, my earlier comment was not intended in any way to impugn the quality of both posts. I enjoyed them immensely. :smokin:

[Thenamir]

Gateskeeper post up. Wish I'd had more time to work on it. Real life and the fact that I do not have a computer at my cheap hotel (the YMCA again) have prevented me from being more involved and from spending as much time as I'd like in creative thought.

Esty has requested the post immediately to follow, so I put up a save for her.

[The Saucepan Man]

Oh good! Greedhog's back ... :D

And it looks like Hush went through the regeneration field too. :p

I still have my post to put up before Esty's battle-concluding one. It would go rather nicely after your excellent contribution, Thena, so would you mind deleting your Save, so that I can put it up?

I promise to do it this week. Dark Lord's honour ... :rolleyes:

[The Saucepan Man]

Ah - I see that Esty's forthcoming post is not the conclusion of the battle. I've added a save after hers which is intended to lead into Yawanna's arrival.

Any objections, or are we all agreed that this battle has lasted long enough?

[Rimbaud]

I removed the save. If the order needs shifting, just ask.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Any objections, or are we all agreed that this battle has lasted long enough?
:rolleyes:

Thanks, Rim, for deleting the save!

[Rimbaud]

Any objections, or are we all agreed that this battle has lasted long enough?

In story time or real time? :)

[The Saucepan Man]

In story time or real time?Aren't they the same? :confused: ;)

[Estelyn Telcontar]

OK, folks, my save is filled in. I offer my humble apologies to whoever wrote "The Music Man" and to Peter Schickele, whose sportscast version of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is the highlight of my P.D.Q. Bach collection.

Thena, I greatly enjoyed your post! Alas, no time right now to be more specific.

Pray proceed, Saucy...

[The Saucepan Man]

Pray proceed, Saucy...I have duly proceeded.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Wonderful, Saucy! I love it when you loyers use your inside knowledge to post. I'm afraid it'll take me a couple of days to write up my post for Yawanna, as I had to wait in order to take all other factors into account. Besides that, I have a nasssty cold and am not thinking much right now, and none of that is creative!

[Thenamir]

I know we've been carrying on thru this story for quite some time, but there is a part of me that will be quite sorry to see it come to an end. Participating in this story has been a welcome distraction from two periods of unemployment and tense waiting for movie releases. There may be a bit left to write for the ending here, but before it's all over I want to say what a wonderful time I've had being a part of this epic two-pluss years in the making. God bless you all.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Sorry folks, it's taking me a bit longer to get my head back together again, so I will have to try your patience a few days more. Come to think of it, why should I be the only one who learns patience? ;) :p :rolleyes:

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I've posted the first part of my Yawanna plot continuum - which will need editing, since I haven't completed the song lyrics yet. (I'm busy with preparations for a weekend away right now.) I will need at least another post or two to finish the current development, then we will proceed to the final (who am I kidding?! :rolleyes: ) wrapup of the story. Everyone should plan to post at least once or twice in the next few weeks, please.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I've edited my post to include the song lyrics for Yawanna. Saucy has a save up; after that I will continue the final confrontation before proceeding to the reunification. Please contact me if you have an idea and wish to post; as long as developments are coordinated, contributions are welcome!

[Estelyn Telcontar]

My dear fellow Ent-ities!

While we wait for Saucy's post, I would like to share my thoughts upon nearing the end of our story. There are a number of possible reactions: relief at having stayed with it, more or less, and finally reaching the end (perhaps I should have T-shirts made with "I survived the Entish Bow" on them! ;) ); satisfaction on a job well done; sadness that the Downs' longest-running RPG is over. I feel all of that and more - I am proud of having shared this experience with all of you. It was something very special, with excellent writing and wonderfully funny contributions, lovable characters, and a plot that was original in its own way, not just a parody of an existing story - and which often tooks turns that were unexpected even for me! To say nothing of our valiant attempts at continuity... :rolleyes:

We have had quite a few readers, hopefully more than I know of, and even the discussion thread was eminently readable. I hope that some of them will post their reactions on the Gondorian RPG Reviews (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=10557) thread, which is empty so far.

The question which has come up is, should there be another episode of this franchise? I have two reactions to that question - on the one hand, I'm so glad to be finished with the responsibility of keeping this story going for such a long time and bringing it to completion, that I have no desire whatsoever to take on a task like that again; on the other hand, something would be missing in my life, and I know there are stories to be told. I have no idea of any of you have the desire to carry on with such an ambitious project, perhaps on a simpler level.

Who could be interested in continuing? Diamond is virtually gone from the Downs, a loss, but interests and priorities change, and that's valid. BW quit the RPG some time ago; Squatter ditto, and his presence here has been all too rare, alas; Rim is around occasionally, but not regularly; Kuru posts irregularly as well; Lush's posts are few and far between; Bb has been available only for cameos; Thena's online opportunities are sketchy at best; Mith and Saucy are busier than ever with work and family; and I have other projects which are time consuming. The list of our writers grows thin!

Shall we breathe a sigh of relief and let it pass to the West? Or is anyone interested in continuing their stay in Muddled Mirth?

[Kuruharan]

I could continue in a new story, if we started sometime after the New Year.

This past (well, actually, still current) semester is my last before I do my thesis, so I (believe it or not) kind of had to prioritize (GASP!).

But whatever everybody else thinks.

We have had quite a few readers

Perhaps you could draft a few of these alleged readers who might bring fresh blood (literally) to the tale and wouldn’t be afflicted by the bouts of ennui and idleness that beset the rest of us. ;)

[Thenamir]

Esty, if I haven't said it before, to you and to all, please accept my apologies for my times of sporadic or non-existant posting.

If you have another episode in you, I would certainly be honored to be a part of it. At the moment, my online access is work-only, but lunchtime provides many an opportunity to read and/or write, and hopefully I will be back home by January. I can't chat from here, but I can post! And my last few posts have all been created under these circumstances.

That's not to say that we could not benefit from some fresh participants. Perhaps some of the Writers of Rohan (pun definitely intended).

[The Saucepan Man]

I forgot to mention that I have filled my save.

Shall we breathe a sigh of relief and let it pass to the West? Or is anyone interested in continuing their stay in Muddled Mirth?Somehow, I suspect that my principal character ain't gonna to make it out of the tale alive. :(

Still, I would be happy to participate in a (second) sequel, if there was enough interest. Or perhaps it could be a prequel ...

[Estelyn Telcontar]

A great post, Saucy! For some reason, portions of it seemed familiar somehow... deja vú, I guess! Much fun to read - and you even used "patchwork" in it! As to the last sentence, now that needs a week's answer, or none. I'll do my best to post soon.

[Lush]

*cough*

I'm not really sure what's going on, but I've got a vacation coming up (after the 14th, to be precise), and I finally seem to be in the right state of mind to write something else besides elegies for all the family members I've lost this autumn.

So... let me know if you want Leninia resurrected, Esty.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Leninia is still alive and well, so your post will be very welcome, Lush! I will do my very best to finish off the current scene so that we can move on to the reunification - or at least the transition thereto - next week. Those who wish to post during the transition should plan to do so next week or soon thereafter, though posting during the reunification scene is also an option. However, anyone who does not post before the story ends will find a sudden and gruesome end! :eek:

I will try to keep the story moving, but I can't guarantee that we will finish within this year - maybe closing off the RPG should be our collective New Year's resolution? :rolleyes: ;)

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Sorry, it's taking me a few days longer to finish my post. Unfortunately, this week's creative writing energy was completely used up by figuring out many ways to say the same things, i. e. Christmas mail. :rolleyes: I promise to do the best I can as soon as I can...

PS - My post is up now, and anyone may proceed with new posts. The Almost-Finished-Ship is travelling to the holy mountain of Tan-Quickly-Hill; comments on the happenings, and odes to O2 would be appropriate, as would interaction between the characters and descriptions of the journey. Those who do not post now may do so after the holidays, when the reunification ceremony will take place.

[The Saucepan Man]

Drat! Drat and double Drat! And I would've gotten away with it if it had been for the meddlin' Pesky-Ship!

Great post Esty - apart from the doing away with Mogul bit. :(

If anyone posts before I get round to it, can you please remember to unearth Soregum from underneath the scattered Troll remains. He's slightly shaken, but not too stirred. ;)

[Lush]

Okay... I'm on vacation, and am, of course, coming down with the deadly strain of avian flu, or something along the same lines. Bleh. I am flying to Kentucky tomorrow, and hopefully will have ample enough Internet access to put something up by Christmas. If I am too ill, and will die, I hope you all will miss me, knowing that my last thoughts where directed toward the Itship and its wonderful participants. Happy *cough wheeze* Christmas.

[Bêthberry]

In full honour and respect of Lush's sick bed, (oh, would that--slap!) an advertisment has been offerred in lieu of your irregularly scheduled posts.

A small gift to tide you all over the seasonal interruptus. ;)

[Estelyn Telcontar]

What fun! Good ol' BST is back again! Thanks for an enjoyable post, Bb! You, a cameo writer, have set a good example for all "regulars". :rolleyes: I hope to see more posts in the coming week; then the end draweth nigh...

[Lush]

Hokay... I'm finally coming back to Duke, to regular Internet access, and away from crazy relatives. Should post next week. Love you all. Kiss kiss.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

The first post of my finalizing narrative is up. I will continue within the next days, breaking my part of the story into bite-sized posts. You are welcome to post any time you have an inspiration; however, there will also be ample opportunity to do so when the reunification ceremony is over.

"Tying up loose ends" is the motto for this last section; if your character, Muddled-Mirth or Velour, has unfinished business from the past, you may want to use that as a stepping stone for your post(s). I will write a burial scene for Orogarn in addition to the other business at hand.

Apologies to JRRT for lifting the poems almost verbatim from The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth...

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Orogarn Two has been buried in all honour, but with only those who are present now attending the solemn rites - which are Merisu, Yawanna, and Falafel (all three played by yours truly, yes). I have no idea if any of the other players are still around, but I will give all a week or perhaps two to catch up and post at the barrow. It's fine if you intend to post later instead, but I do ask all of you to at least post on this thread briefly to let me know you're still alive after the holidays! Lush, you've spoken up, so don't necessarily have to answer roll call. (I have no objection to a post from you, however! ;) ) Please, people, let me hear from you - I don't care to go through all the work of PMing each of you personally. Anyone who is lagging behind may meet with a terrible end; it is a dangerous land to walk through without a guide or guard...

By the way, Orogarn's heroic death is only a plot device, neither more nor less than that. It was suggested that the Itship should not get away without a loss, and that of a Hero seemed most appropriate. Besides, the Homecoming section with the barrow was too good not to parody! All similarities to site founders in real life is completely coincidental, of course!

Possibilities for posting ideas at this point - mourning the death of the only remaining hero; character interaction between Itship and Velour; browsing the barrows, reading the markers to see what on earth could be buried here in the Deathless Lands (besides plot continuity, of course! :p ) - or whatever inspiration occurs to you.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Hurray, a post! I was beginning to feel lonely here, even almost invisible, since there was no reaction to my appeal for a roll call.

Thanks for another great, funny post, Kuruharan! I really enjoyed reading the Dwarf's high-falutin' speech and the conversations, both inner and outer. Manuël's complaint about the big words had me laughing out loud!

One minor discrepancy needs an edit - Gravlox is not walking with Merisu at this point; she, Yawanna, and Falafel are ahead with the cart. All others are lagging.

Anyone else ready to catch up - or at least to let me know here when you will be able to post? I would much appreciate hearing who's still alive and with us.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I'm still hoping for brief notices that

Saucy
Mith
Diamond
Thena
Rim

are still alive, as well as the promised post by Lush.

A change in my plans will keep me away from my keyboard most of the time during the next couple of weeks. Therefore you all have a bit of additional time for catching up. I will by posting the reunification scene before mid-February. I'd hate to have things breaking up after so long, so I will try to use your characters, but I can't guarantee that I will drag all missing characters along for the ride.


The current lack of interest in the end spurt confirms what I already thought about a third part of the saga - it's not going to happen.

[Thenamir]

I'm alive, but just barely. Access to Downs limited to infrequent visits to library. Am still in Phoenix, but job may open up in Houston in the next couple of days, which will open things up considerably. I will post here as I am able.

[Mithadan]

I'm here, and will try to contribute. Time has been short, but I will do what I can.

[The Saucepan Man]

Esty

Since moving house, I have been having problems with the transfer of my Broadband connection which are ongoing, so I have only been able to log on to the Downs intermittently. Not sure when it's all going to be resolved, but hopefully shortly ... :rolleyes:

I will certainly be posting during the Reunification and, if I can, will post something before we get there.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Thanks for your replies, guys! It's good to hear from you.

[Lush]

Hey!

I'm so sorry. I'm juggling an honours thesis, three classes, a new part-time job, and searching for a real job. It's been awful trying to muster up enough energy to put up a Leninia post. I WILL do it over the next couple of weeks. I promise.

Thank you for putting up with me.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I've been paging through the whole thread in an attempt to double-check my memory of all the pieces of Entish wood. Reading old (and I do mean old!) posts has reminded me of the wonderful times we had and the fantastic writing on this RPG - it's been grand! I shall do my best to end it well.

Anyway, as far as I can find, there were following pieces:
the Bow, Gravlox' wooden foot, the Great Foozle (found by Kuru), Leninia's Entish guitar, the Thighs of Soreham, the breadbox, and the broom. Did I miss anything?

My post should be up within the next few days. Alas, I am simultaneously working on a quilt for a competition with a deadline soon...

[Estelyn Telcontar]

The reunification ceremony is posted. I have assembled all of the wooden pieces and all of the characters, as far as I know. Should any of you have objections or additions, speak now or forever hold your pieces!

Kuru, I didn't know how to include Chrysophylax in this scene; there should be some task that he can accomplish, since he is sentient. I'm assuming that the other beasts of burden were left at Sethamir's.

Saucy's save is in accordance with a long-standing request of his. I look forward to seeing what he cooks up in those pans of his!

All others: I expect your posts either at this point or when the adventure is wrapped soon - better yet, both! Please consider what is to happen with your character(s) upon conclusion. Where do they go, what are their further plans, whether a marriage is in the offing, how they will get back from Valleyum to Muddled-Mirth...

Reaperneep will go on farther west all alone, in keeping with the original character that inspired him. Does anyone want to write that? If not I shall, to bring closure to his subplot.

Any questions?

[Kuruharan]

I'm sort of waiting to see what will happen with The Saucepan Man's post. I do have a thing or two in mind to wrap up the saga of Kuruharan and Chrysophylax.

[The Saucepan Man]

I'm workin' on it ...

[Diamond18]

I filled my save in (having grown bored of waiting :p). You'll just have to move your post, Saucy, I've maniacally stomped all over your dibs. Mwah ha ha ha ha ha ha!

[The Saucepan Man]

Ah well, it's me own fault for being so incredibly slow about filling in my save. :rolleyes:

Apologies to all. Save moved.

Mogul's return coming soon to a thread near you ...

[Diamond18]

It's in the grand REB tradition, one person takes a long time to fill in a save and another writes a post about it. I say we should patent our system.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Mogul's return coming soon to a thread near you ...
That sounds good, but can the word "soon" be given a more precise temporal definition? :p

[The Saucepan Man]

That sounds good, but can the word "soon" be given a more precise temporal definition?Surely you have realised by now, Esty, that time on this thread is relative. :D

[The Saucepan Man]

I'm workin' on it ... ... still workin' on it ...

Actually, I really am working on it. I should have the save filled some time this weekend.

Sorry, Esty, for the overrun, but I hope that you can find it within yourself to indulge my tardiness ... :rolleyes:

[The Saucepan Man]

OK. I'm done.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

It seemeth to me that I have not yet officially thanked Diamond for her post - I was happy to have you grab the initiative and write something while waiting! It seems that we have indeed perfected the art of posting without affecting the so-called "plot" in the least on this story. Thanks for the fun!

Now Saucy's long-expected party - umm, post - is finished, and it's wonderful to read, both hilarious and interesting. However, he sure has maneuvered Merisu and Yawanna into a corner with Môgul's connivings! I was hoping I could sit back and wait for all others to post before wrapping, but now I have to write the Backs-Against-the-Wall-Yet-Again-Ship out of this mess. Great job of surprising us, Sauce - an unexpected twist!

If any of you want to write in this situation*, please PM me ASAP so we can coordinate our efforts. Otherwise, I shall be up in my tower, staring into my Cell-antír in hopes of inspiration. I promise you, I shall post soon. (temporal definition of "soon" = within five days at the most)


*On second thought, don't worry about it. I already have some ideas and am working on a post with the next developments; if all goes well, I can revise my temporal definition to a matter of hours rather than days.

[Kuruharan]

I have my "riding (or rather flying) off into the sunset (or rather sunrise)" thing ready...so I'll just wait for that.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

The task is done.

Feel free to comment or react as you see fit. There still is some unfinished business, so please choose the best time to insert your post. I will post to connect and wrap things as necessary.

[Diamond18]

Esty, what is the unfinished business?

As you know I have plans to stage a wedding, and I'm wondering if this is the appropriate time to get it started. I am having an inkling that my post will be more suited to two or three posts, as there will be a "hey, let's get married" phase, a "hey let's petition Manuel for staying here" phase, a "hey let's send out invitations to the Itship" phase, and finally a ceremony. (With the inevitable personally written vows, of course).

I just don't know if anyone is up for posting in between my posts, or if there's more plot that needs to be capped off. As for other charactres, they should all be present for my posts because that's how I'm going to start writing it. So if anyone should leave or die before I'm done, I'll have to do rewrites and I just hate those. :p

Anyway this is to let you all know I'm going to start working on that final sub plot for my characters. If you would like to write anything of your own characters' reations or involvement before it's all done, let me know. Saucey, espeicially, do you think you'd want to write some sort of Soregum reaction to the Inviteship phase?

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Diamond, the unfinished business is just tying up loose ends. So please do feel free to write the first of your posts. I will spread my posts as needed and/or appropriate. I do want to write a touching scene between Merisuwyniel and the Reunified Ent, but I assume your first post would not take us out of the current situation, so I can post that after yours.

[Diamond18]

Ummm... I seem to be having a mental block. Maybe it would be better for you to write the Ent/Merisu scene before my characters start their shenanigns, becuase I'm not sure I can quite get around that. Also it occured to me that Soregum hasn't gotten a fair chance to defend himself against Mogul outing him -- I could just say that everyone's forgotten but I guess I'd like to know if that's okay with SpM.

[The Saucepan Man]

I guess that I ought to post something about Soregum, but it won't be for a while. In the meantime, you could just have everyone ignore him, insult him and generally berate him.

Although he did save Pimpi's life ... :rolleyes:

[Diamond18]

Although he did save Pimpi's life ... :rolleyes:

Which does not necessarily mean that anyone besides Pimpi will care. ;)

I see pre-nuptial bickering ahead.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I will go ahead and post for Merisu and the Ent. A save is up to that effect.
Time: 24 - 48 hours
Plot advancement involved: Nothing substantial - just a touching scene between Merisu and the Ent and a bit of aftermath

[The Saucepan Man]

Which does not necessarily mean that anyone besides Pimpi will care.Should be worth a wedding invitation, though. :D

I will put up a save after Esty's to deal with Soregum.

[Diamond18]

Is this going to be to deal with Soregum? I'm slightly confused, since I was going to go ahead with the ignoring/abuse in my post for after Esty's.

[The Saucepan Man]

I felt that, after what happened, the poor little chap needed some attention. Is the ignoring/abuse an integral part of your planned post, as I was rather hoping to allow him a little bit of redemption?

[Diamond18]

No... it's not integral. Just wanted to be clear.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

My save is filled in, with one blank - I'm not yet satisfied with any of the names that have occurred to me for the Ent. But it's better to enable Saucy and Diamond to proceed with theirs; I shall fill in the name when I have it.

[The Saucepan Man]

Oh you are a hard taskmistress ... :D

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Just setting my own deadlines and keeping them! Maybe my good example will encourage others... ;)

[The Saucepan Man]

Maybe my good example will encourage others... Harsh ... but fair. :D

[The Saucepan Man]

Aaahh, dontcha just love a happy ending?

My save is filled and Soregum's redemption complete.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Thanks for that wonderful post, Saucy! (...and so soon! ;) ) I laughed over the loyer speak, contrasting with the Cali/Valley slang, and the redemption is just sappy enough to be appropriate for a Mary Sue quest! But the last line really takes the cake...

[The Saucepan Man]

But the last line really takes the cake...It actually mirrors the way that I felt when I re-read the post. ;)

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I have a request for all of you members of the AuthorShip. Since there's obviously not enough interest to continue the RPG format, and I have some ideas for a "Next Generation" story, I'm considering doing that as a fan fiction. If I do so, may I use your characters if and when appropriate? That would especially concern Saucy and Mith, as Gravlox and Soregum - umm, I mean Windsor, of course! - will be staying with Merisuwyniel. However, I might want to have the one or other character (and/or their offspring) peeking into the storyline occasionally. Any objections? Please fill out the form relinquishing all rights to your character's name, personality, and any revenues acquired from the same, in triplicate...

[Diamond18]

Well, when I actually finish my post(s) I am hoping to lay Pimpi and Vogy to rest. No, not in the RIP way, I mean letting them slouch around in Valleyum eating and writing poetry for the rest of therir lives.

However, if you would like to include any number of offspring (that's two parts human, one part elven, and one part hobytla! :eek: ) feel free to do so. And if any cameo of V&P in Valleyum is needed, go right ahead.

Signed,

Diamond18
Diamond18
Diamond18

[Diamond18]

My save is filled in.

I have a total of 1 (one) joke in mind for the actual wedding, so I can't promise that will get written anytime soon.

But I filled this in within two days, do I get brownie points for that? :p

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Pay to author's account: 10 (ten) REB Brownie Points

Disclaimer: REB Brownie Points are purely symbolic, not to be considered legal tender anywhere at all, including Muddled-Mirth. You may not pass "Go" nor collect any amount of money, Monopoly or otherwise, with them.


A very enjoyable post, Diamond! Since the feasting is so obviously the center of attention, it's easy to tell that it was written from Pimpi, not Vogy's point-of-view. The wishes were wonderfully and typically silly for each character.

Oh, can I have some chocolate ice cream to go with that Chocolate Pudding Cake? A Triply Delectable Death may not alliterate as nicely, but what a way to go!

Final posts from each character are not yet desirable, as you want to have them all present at the wedding. If anyone wants to do any interim partying, playing, or plotting, you are welcome to post. I have put up a save (to be filled in soon, though not yet definably so) for Merisu's present pursuits, future plans, and true wish. All family-friendly, of course!

[The Saucepan Man]

I have a request for all of you members of the AuthorShip. Since there's obviously not enough interest to continue the RPG format, and I have some ideas for a "Next Generation" story, I'm considering doing that as a fan fiction. If I do so, may I use your characters if and when appropriate? That would especially concern Saucy and Mith, as Gravlox and Soregum - umm, I mean Windsor, of course! - will be staying with Merisuwyniel.Of course you may. Although I fear that, now that he has become such a good little Hobbit, Soregum - er - Windsor has lost what comedy potential he ever had ...

An alternative occurred to me if you are thinking of a second sequel. There are many excellent writers on the Downs, and a number have shown themselves to be very proficient at comedy writing. Perhaps the story might be continued with "fresh blood", as it were. And you might even be able to persuade some of us "oldies" to put in the occasional cameo. :D

Diamond, will any of Pimpi's relatives (on the Hobbit side) be invited to the wedding? Perhaps to console Windsor's broken heart ... ;)

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I fear that, now that he has become such a good little Hobbit, Soregum - er - Windsor has lost what comedy potential he ever had ...

Now that would entirely depend on the situation into which he is placed. After all, comedy makes good use of straight men. I can already see him struggling with the biggest challenge of his life...

An alternative occurred to me if you are thinking of a second sequel. There are many excellent writers on the Downs, and a number have shown themselves to be very proficient at comedy writing. Perhaps the story might be continued with "fresh blood", as it were. And you might even be able to persuade some of us "oldies" to put in the occasional cameo. :D

I don't think I have the energy to coerce, convince, and connive for a whole team of authors again, however much potential they might have. It has taken considerable willpower and persuasive attempts just to finish off this story!

[Diamond18]

Oh, can I have some chocolate ice cream to go with that Chocolate Pudding Cake? A Triply Delectable Death may not alliterate as nicely, but what a way to go!

Well I could edit my post to make that Merisu's true wish, but I see you have different plans. ;)

Diamond, will any of Pimpi's relatives (on the Hobbit side) be invited to the wedding? Perhaps to console Windsor's broken heart ... ;)

Er, well, I had only planned for people present in Valleyum at the time to attend. But cousins of Pimpi might be something for Esty to keep in mind for her sequel. ;)

[Estelyn Telcontar]

My save is filled in - I have left the second part (with the wish) for a later post, in case another is needed. Who wants to go next? Don't all post at once!

[Bêthberry]

Estelyn, it is so touching to see the lonely star-crossed lovers brought back together again in a truely Tolkien moment--or moments. Good, too, to see that canon can fire such good shots even in a parody such as this. You didn't even need to ask Gravey to be best man--especially since that place was always held by Halfulion.

Nice round-ups everyone, at this Not-okay-corralling of the authorship. If only I could resist the urge to say, "Go west, young writers." But you have been a maverick crew that has brought us a bonanza of good laughs. Thanks. :p :smokin:

[Kuruharan]

Kuruharan, Chrysophylax, and Reeperneep have left the story.

They do remain available for subsequent nonsense...for a suitable talent fee.

It's been a blast and I'd like to thank everybody who participated! :D

[Diamond18]

If Merisuwyniel’s hushed confession turned out to be what he was afraid it might be…he’d probably have a bout so severe as to cause him to retroactively starve to death.

Amen, brotha!

We seem to be fond of regurgative humor in this story, I've noticed. Parts 1 and 2. I wonder what that says about us.

Anyway, I have one or two more ideas for jokes, which brings me to a total of three ideas, so I'm inching closer to writing the wedding post.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Great post, Kuru, and very funny! If you think this spoof on a Mary Sue story prompts regurgitation, you should check out those that are written in all ernest! :eek: Taking Reaperneep with Kuru and Chrys (back east) is a very good idea. At any rate, it saves me having to think of a way to finish his character off. It was very kind of you to allow Merisu to have the final word - thanks!

Diamond, we await the marriage ceremony with bated breath. After that, final posts are requested.

[Diamond18]

My post is up. I had hoped to include roles for all the remaining characters, but it was turning out rather long anyway....

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Very enjoyable, Diamond! I laughed over Pimpi's pragmatic approach to love and marriage - more people in real life should realize that they have to "get used to a new love's annoying bits" before dumping the old one. The ceremony fits your characters perfectly - thanks for a very funny post!

Now, anyone can go ahead and post, though I think that it would be good if Rim posts for Hal, since he is to propose a toast of some sort as best man. Party posts for both Itship and Velour are appropriate, and if you want to write only one, making it do double duty as your character's farewell, that's fine. Everything that comes now is anticlimactic anyway! ;)

[Diamond18]

The ceremony fits your characters perfectly - thanks for a very funny post!

Well, yes, I never allowed Vogy any dignity before, so why start now, here at the end of all things? :D

Now, anyone can go ahead and post, though I think that it would be good if Rim posts for Hal, since he is to propose a toast of some sort as best man.

While it would be peachy fine if Rim could contribute a post for Hal, I wasn't really setting anything up there. Truth be told, my original idea involved Kuruharan taking Vogonwë to the cleaners (in the figurative sense) in return for assuming best dwarf duties, but *grumbleKurugrumble* he left while that plan was still gestating. :D Hal was my last minute grasping about for someone to subsitute. :p

Hey, maybe at the party everyone could sit in a circle and pass around the mystery smelling salts....

[Rimbaud]

As requested!

Hal's drunken, rambling, astonishingly tasteless speech is up.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Thanks for your funny - and fast! - contribution, Rim! Considering our secret plotting for Hal's future, which will be rather unexpected, I imagine, it's even funnier. I do hope speech-making will not be one of his main responsibilities!

Will either of you, Di and Rim, be making a final post for your character(s)?

First, we now need posts from Mith, Lush, Thena (not necessarily in that order) - am I forgetting anyone?

Saucy, will you be posting a final post for Soregum?

[Diamond18]

I don't think it's really that necessary, but if the inspiration strikes, I might. It depends on what others write, I suppose.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I am planning to wrap the story before Easter. I have sent a PM to those who have not yet written their final posts and whom I have not sighted here for a long time: Lush, Mith, and Thena. Kuru has already sent his characters off into the sunrise, and Di and Rim will likely not be posting again. (If you two change your mind, please do let me know!)

Saucy, what about you? Any last words for Windsor? If not, I'll just have him join Merisu and Gravlox on their trip back to Muddled-Mirth.

I will probably write a couple of posts with closing events, so as not to overload one with too much. If there are no further posts or notifications from the rest of you, I will dispose of all remaining characters as I see fit. If you have specific ideas, please let me know ASAP.

Let The End begin!

[Estelyn Telcontar]

This special post number seems to call for some kind of celebration, and so I have thought of an appropriate song parody for the occasion:

And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final posting...
My friends, I’ll say it clear,
It was the best – no undue boasting!

The storyline was full.
We traveled each and ev’ry highway;
And more, much more than this,
We did it my way.

Regrets, I’ve had a few;
But only when it moved too slowly.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through as this team’s goalie.

I planned each plotted course;
Each random stop along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I thought, “What am I to do?”
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I gently nudged; I did not pout.
I faced you all and you stood tall,
And did it my way.

I wrote, I laughed and cried.
I read your posts, your share of plotting.
Sometimes it almost died,
And yet it never started rotting.

To think we did all that;
And may I say - not in a shy way,
So many had a part -
It’s not just my way.

For what’s a story, what’s it got?
If not good authors, it has naught.
To write the posts that make us smile;
It takes both talent – and awhile!
We conquered foe, united Bow,
And did it our way!