In the Shadow of the Star: Discussion Thread (Part 2)

[piosenniel]

I closed the old thread per request of BW (it was over 10 pages long and pulled a lot of bandwidth). Here's the last post from the old thread:

Pio's post:

Gilly and twins are at Amaranthas' now, the windows are all thrown open, and knowing Gilly she didn't bother to latch the door.

Frodo lad is also in place, asleep, back against a tree outside the old Hobbit's house.

We are ready to be marauded whenever the ruffians are ready. smilies/eek.gif

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

[Child of the 7th Age]

Bandit Crew:

We are sooooo close to the end. We need to get this game moving again. Another week or two of posting and we can hack this thing out! The wedding part got ahead of the bandit part of things. Now the bandits need to catch up.

I've gone back and put a post on the closed thread where Stoatie talks to Ferny the night before the wedding. Ferny tells Stoatie what is going to happen the next day. (This is the same stuff we basically agreed on in the memoes.) This post is on the last page of the closed thread at June 4, 12:13 pm.

I am wondering if there are any other things which still need to go on that closed thread:

1. Nuru - there is a post by Bird where she is "beating" Fosco and it says he's supposed to respond. Do you want to add something? Just send it to me and I'll paste it in. Or do you just want me to erase her note and close it out as is?

2. Nuru - Do you want to have Ferny sit and think about how much he hates Frodo, Sam, etc. that last night before he leaves for Hobbiton? It could go directly after Stoatie leaves.

3. At one point Bird was going to pay the imprisoned Mithadan a visit. Bird, do you want to do that post?

Bandits --I will paste in anything on the old thread that you want me to.

Tomorrow, I will try to do a general post of the two groups arriving on the outskirts of Bag-end: the one to do the kidnapping (Child and Orual) and the other (Mithadan, Nurumaiel) to accost Himaran (Frodo-lad) and give him the ransom note. ( I am pretty busy Tuesday so may not get that up till late at night. My schedule clears out later in the week from Wednesday on, however.)

The bad guys will be hiding in a wooded grove north of the River. The kidnappers will go out first and steal the twins and Gilly, then hightail it back to the plantation where Bird is and the other hobbit kids.

Orual, you and I should coordinate on that if possible.

Then the next pair to go out should be Mith and Nuru.

If there's anyone who's too swamped right now to post in the next two weeks, let Pio or I know, please, and we'll manage.

I am going to send pms to everyone to eyeball this thread. Thanks!

Stoatie....

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

[piosenniel]

Gilly and the twins are sleeping like logs.

Come, you ravening hordes! (Or should I say hordettes, since there are few of you.)Drag us back to your lair for ransom!

Just don't forget the bag of baby supplies so conveniently left for you by the side of the cradle.

[Nurumaiel]

Sorry I've been really inactive recently. With a child in the hospital I haven't been able to get online much. Come Friday or Saturday, however, he should be home and I should have more time.

Child, I could probably do one of the two things. Which do you think would be more essential to the game? I'll definitely be able to do the Ferny and ransom note post when that comes, even if I have to put up a save for it.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Nurumiael,

I'm so sorry. I didn't know your son was in the hospital. I hope he is feeling better soon. I can certainly understand why your mind has been on other things.

Why don't we do this....?

Let's aim for the ransom note post. If necessary, I will save a space for you and you can send something later that I will paste in there. And, if you find yourself unable to post even then, one of us can cover for you.

Don't worry about the two suggestions for the old thread. Neither of them is terribly important. I will fill in a line or two of Fosco pretending to howl at the end of Bird's post. The post of Ferny itching to get even with Frodo is just a little icing on the cake and not essential for the game.

If you don't like what I write, or you have an irrational, overwhelming desire to do more later, you can always send me something and we'll just paste it in. But don't worry about it now.

I hope things go well at home and you find your way back here soon.

Cami

[ June 19, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Please excuse my housekeeping. I will be shifting some posts later today to get our chronology back in line.

We will try to get the bandit time line back in mode with the wedding.

Feel free to go ahead and continue posting in the meantime. I should be finished by mid-afternoon.

sharon

[ June 19, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Nurumaiel]

Thank you, Child. I will do my best to get that ransom note done, however.

[piosenniel]

Sharon

Horridly vain of me, but I moved my last post to a separate post box.

Wanted my 4000th post to the Barrow Downs to be on the Star.

[Himaran]

Starting tomorrow, I will be on vacation and away from a computer for one week. Hopefully that will give the bandits time to kidnap the twins.

Himaran

[Child of the 7th Age]

Thanks Himaran for letting us know. If we make a giant leap forward and get to the spot where we're roughing you up, we will leave a nice save space so you can scream loud and long after you get back.

Have a good time.

Cami

[Child of the 7th Age]

Mithadan,

I've done a set-up post for you to do the scenes in Bree. (6/12 at 6:12 am) You can tack it on right under mine.

Since we're heading to Bree first, I had to adjust the chronology to make sure we could actually cover that length of road in the time given.

The post also outlines Ferny's plans for the trip. We're starting out just past midnight. The Boss has arranged to take on fresh horses in Bree at sunrise and also when we reach the Brandywine which should be in the mid- afternoon. We'll be riding the horses into the ground!

We should be getting to Bywater about 8 pm when we discover that no one's at the Inn.

I'll try to do a bandit arrival post later today. I'll be glad to edit that to fit with your earlier posts if that is needed.

sharon

[ June 22, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Those darn bandits have just arrived in Bywater and ransacked Cami and Maura's burrow!

See 6/19 at 12:41 pm.

Mithadan--

Don't know if there's any way for you to leave a sign or hint for Cami?

sharon

[Child of the 7th Age]

OK, see completed post of 6/19, 12:43 pm.

Mithadan, or Ferny -- Could you do a favor for me? Before you take off to rough up Fosco and deliver the note, please set fire to Cami's burrow. Maybe they can use the brand to scare Fosco? I have no idea.....

I'll try to get the kidnapping part done tonight and tomorrow. Then you'll be free to act.

Let me know if anything needs to be edited later.

sharon

[ June 22, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Mithadan

Just received a pm back from White Lady. She will be watching for you at the Inn and working on a post to follow up on your note.

sharon

[piosenniel]

snick . . . snick . . .

Pio is sharpening her blades . . .

[ June 23, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Just edited the last post in my string this morning.....hope to get to the snatching this afternoon.

Stoatie
*********************************************

If Stoatie has any smarts, he'll start making out a will. I believe Gilly will tell him that.

Cami
********************************************

I only did what my boss told me....

Stoatie

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

[Child of the 7th Age]

Pio,

Please don't comfort the babies till you check your e-mail.

Cami

_____________________________________________

I went ahead and placed your post, and will do just a small follow up post following it. -- Pio

[ June 23, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

My follow up post is on board!

Come, villains . . . your doom is upon you . . .

[Child of the 7th Age]

The dastardly deed is done! Just try and catch us.

Orual/Shifty - Be my guest. I'm sure you can come up with something miserable for that hollering kid you're holding.

Cami

[piosenniel]

I filled in my 'Gilly' SAVE.

And added a post for Pio.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Pio,

Do you want me to restructure my post just before to "insert" the scene where Gilly picks up the basket? Or do you prefer to leave it where it is?

I will continue to do save spaces should White Lady or Himaran need them.... Himaran is on vacation one week, and White Lady can't post until the set up by Mitahdan goes up.

Cami

[ June 25, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[piosenniel]

I think it'll be fine - it happens as Stoatie is shoving her out the door.

~~ Pio

[Mithadan]

With apologies for my absence, I have filled in one of Child's 'saves' from June 12, 2003 06:15 PM to add some discussion about the bandits brief rest stop in Bree. There is some information there which will be of particular interest to theWhiteLady.

The placement of the post is a bit clumsy. Feel free to move it if you wish.

[piosenniel]

Mithadan

Broke your last post(was on 06/12 6:15 spot) in two: the first part to 06/12 6:12 pm; the second half to 06/19 12:40 pm

theWhiteLady

Your post is up on 06/23 10:12 pm - Looks great!

[ June 28, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

Cami

Your SAVE space for returning to the ransacked burrow is now on Page 2 - follows my post on Last of Page 1.

[piosenniel]

Pio is riding east after the twins and Gilly. Rose will speak with her before she sets off from Amaranthas'.

Where exactly are Bird and Mithadan at the moment?

[Child of the 7th Age]

Bird is back caring for the hobbit children. Mithadan and Ferny are still in the Shire. They have yet to rough up Himaan and drop off the ransom note.

I will work on my savce later today.

Cami

[piosenniel]

Where exactly did we decide the place was where the kidnappers had the children?

[Child of the 7th Age]

If I remember correctly it was near the quarries of Scary in the Eastfarthing....

Mithadan or White Lady or Bird.....is that correct?

Cami

[Mithadan]

I just filled in the "saved" post from June 25, 2003 05:42 PM, sending Ferny and Mith on their way to rough up Frodo-Lad.

Stoat and the Babies are not returning to Bree? Wouldn't that make a bit more sense?

[Nurumaiel]

All right, do I need to go do the Ferny post now where he'll be leaving the ransom note? And will Frodo-lad be the victim of this 'attack'?

[piosenniel]

Nuru

Go ahead and catch Frodo-lad and send him packing to Sam's with the ransom note.

[Orual]

Everyone--

We're expecting a lot of rain where I live in the next couple of days. I may or may not have power, and I don't particularly like being online or on the computer during an electrical storm, so it's entirely possible that I will not be on for two days or so. I just wanted to let you know.

Regards,

Orual~*

[Mithadan]

Frodo-Lad has been nabbed in the post saved on June 29, 2003 06:45 PM and we are waiting for Ferny to speak.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Thanks Mithadan! I've also dropped a note to Himaran to see if he's back from vacation.

In all our discussions, we never addressed where Ferny was going to ask that Sam and Frodo be turned over. Is it someplace near Hobbiton or Bywater? Then Mithadan and Ferny would race them back to Scary? Or are the hobbits going to be told to go far afield to Scary itself (or someplace outside Bree to keep their lair secret), and not inform the law or bring any friends?

Nuru, what do you think? Anyone else have an ideas?

sharon

[Nurumaiel]

My humble suggestion is the Three Farthing Stone. It just sounds rather sinister.

I will put up a save space for Ferny and fill it in as soon as possible.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Nuru,

That's a great place for the exchange, the very center of the Shire!

I've also filled in a save of 6/29 at 6:45 pm just above Mithadan's. Can you tell I was reading Poe this afternoon?

Cami

[piosenniel]

OK I have a fair picture of the location of the plantation outside of Bree and where the children are being kept. Pio will make for there.

Bird- I'm going to have to oscar-mayer you to find this is where the children are and not in Scary as Rose was led to believe.

It is about 100 miles to Bree ( so about 15 hours ride), I'll scout the place as I can by day, then go in at nightfall.

[ July 01, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Pio,

I wanted to do a post where Stoatie arrives with the kids, but now I'm confused where I'm going.

Aren't the babies being taken to the same place as the hobbit children (where Bird is), and isn't that place Scary?

I had envisioned the initial drop off of Frodo and Sam purposely being set up at a different point so that the bandits could still maintain the secrecy of the original site where the children were being hidden. (Of course, they wouldn't have known about Rose.)

I am going to check the older pages of the RPG to see what we said there. Will get back shortly.....

Cami

[ July 01, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Carrûn]

In regards to Frodo-lad both Himaran and myself are now home, he came with the rest of the family to pick me up from Ft. Knox (by the way that was nice of you guys smilies/biggrin.gif). Since he's been doing such a fine job I'm just going to have him finish out the game but I am back and will probably get involved in some more RPG's soon once I recover.

Goodbye Kentucky and hello again PA.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Carrun, Himaran,

Welcome back! Himaran - if you need a post pasted in, just put it on the discussion thread or send it to Pio or myself by pm.

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

OK.....Cami emerges from reading ancient, dusty pages of this RPG trying to figure out this location thing out.....

When they kidnapped Fosco, Nuru said this:

Bill Ferny sat impatiently, waiting for Stoatie. They had moved their hideout from Stoat's cottage to a place a little ways out of the village of Scary.

When Mithadan and Bird went to spy on Ferny, they said this:

Mithadan and Bird packed their things and took to the road a day after arriving in Bree. After some inquiries, they determined that Ferny's plantation lay outside Bree's fence to the south and east of Bree-Hill. They passed quickly through the town and exited by the east Gate keeping to the road initially. Though there would likely be a cart path to the plantation, they chose to leave the road to do some scouting about.



I guess we can assume four things then:

1. The original hideout was in Stoatie's cottage. (post of 4/11)

2. By the time Fosco was nabbed, it had moved to Scary. (post of 4/11)

3. By the time Mithadan and Bird went out to do their spying, the set-up and the kidnapped children had again moved to a large plantation south and east of Bree Hill. (post of 5/14) This is where the twins are being taken.

4. The ransom note will specify that Frodo and Sam be dropped off at the Three-Farthing Stone which is a different location than where the twins are being taken. (Nuru's note on the discussion thread)

Pio and everyone, is that right? I will do my post this afternoon based on that information unless I hear otherwise (in which case I'll be happy to edit).

Cami

[ July 01, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[piosenniel]

I'm taking Pio to the plantation just southeast of Bree - since that's where Bird seems to be at the moment.

In my next post, I'll have Pio stop at the Floating Log in Frogmorton - she can learn there that the First Eastfarthing Troop (Shiriff's of Frogmorton) had increased patrols greatly since the kidnappings in that area and it was suspected that the ruffians had now moved their base of operations out of the Shire. That should cover any indiscrepancies in the storyline.

Take your time on your post - I'll do a post in the meantime with Gilly and the twin's arrival.

[Nurumaiel]

The Ferny post is filled in. Frodo-lad has been given the ransom message to deliver to Frodo Baggins.

LMK if there are any problems.

[piosenniel]

Gilly's post for 7/1 2:40 is filled in. All she needs is an opportune moment to leave a clue.

Mithadan

Pio has just osanwë'd your character (7/1 3:08) - is she getting through to him?

[Child of the 7th Age]

Pio,

Just finished my post. Can you take what we discussed from here? (My post is like the energizer battery: it just kept going and going!)

You're welcome to borrow Stoatie and Shifty to help you as needed.

Cami

[piosenniel]

Pio will pick up the trail soon. Gilly's left her the clues and Mithadan will fill in the rest long distance.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Mithadan, Pio,

Please check your e-mails and respond when you have time. Then I will go ahead with the beginning scenes at Bag-end.

Cami

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

[Child of the 7th Age]

Pio,

I've restructured the skeleton outline of saves slightly so they better fit in with your post. Let me know if you see any problems.

Himaran, White Lady, Nuru, Orual

Please check your pms and eyeball the saves on the thread.

You can send your posts to Pio or to myself and we'll paste them in.

Cami

[piosenniel]

I am moving these back above my post. I'll edit in a little lead in for them.

TO BE ADDED:

White Lady's post: Character witness for Mithadan

Himaran's post: Character witness for Mithadan

Child's post: Cami berates the shirriff: "None of this would have happened if you had believed us...."


What I saw happening is that Halfred heard all the character witnesses and Cami's outburst, but is still making excuses for himself. It's when Amaranthas comes in, and then his own wife orders him to get with the program that he finally 'gets it'.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Pio,

OK, I get it. That sounds fine.
*******************************************

Everyone,

Himaran has filled in his save of June 25, 3:39 am (page 1) where he witnesses the kidnapping.

Cami

[piosenniel]

One other thing - the Shiriff and the band of hobbits: Halfred, Filibert, Milo, Hugo, Sam, Maura, Merimac Muddyfoot (Fosco's daddy), and Hob will come out of the cover of the trees from the west into the clearing where Frodo will be with the Big Folk, and engage the ruffians.

I am envisioning Mithadan here taking charge of Frodo and preventing any of the other Men from harming him.

[ July 02, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

I have filled in posts for Halfred, the Shiriff on:

07/01 - 12:18 am

07/012:41 pm

[Child of the 7th Age]

I received messages back from Orual and Nurumaiel. They'll be looking at the skeleton saves for the ransom note subplot and starting to work on something for that.

Cami

[Nurumaiel]

For the two Ferny posts needed, I think I'll wait until some of the saves previous to them are filled in so I can have a better idea of what to write in my own posts. Is that all right?

[Child of the 7th Age]

Nuru,

That's fine. I hope to get something filled in for Frodo and Cami in the next few days.

Cami

[Child of the 7th Age]

I received notes from White Lady and Himaran who will also be working on the back saves.

Cami

[piosenniel]

I filled in a 2nd spot for Halfred on 07/01 2:41 pm - anyone else feel free to add your observations if you wish.

[ July 04, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

I have filled in a post for Cami in the large save of 7/1 at 12:18 am.

Himaran has also filled in two posts for Frodo-lad at this same spot.

He also made an interesting observation which I think we'll need to make a decision on and edit one way or another. He is referring to Mithadan's earlier post where he "roughed up" Frodo-lad.

Pio's post right after the first save you left for me denoted that the Sheriff recieved a real ransom note. So Mithadan and I are doing one thing, while Pio is doing another.

Thus, the post I just emailed you might be wrong, so let me know if I should change it or edit it to your liking.

How shall we deal with this discrepency?

Cami

[piosenniel]

My post is edited - there are no further problems

[ July 04, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Nurumaiel]

I have a little question the concerns what will happen later on. How will the story end?

I would like to request that towards the end of the story after all the ruffians are dealt with I could make a Fosco-coming-home and Muddyfoot family post, just for the sake of a story where no one disappears. If any readers are following the Muddyfoot family in particular, I don't think they would really like it if they just disappeared midway through the story.

So let me know about that, and when the Frodo giving himself up post is done, I'll get to work on the Ferny post following it.

Thanks! smilies/smile.gif

[piosenniel]

Nuru -

I was hoping that in the assault on Ferny's plantation, that Fosco's Daddy would join in with the Hobbits who will assist Mithadan on the assault on the front entrance to the place - drawing away most of the Men there, while Pio, Cami, and Bird kill a couple of the ruffians (Shifty plus one unnamed other) and get the children out by the path Pio will have established by then.

Immediately following the wrap-up of this, we will return to the Shire - you can do a welcome home for Fosco and Daddy scene then, surely Peony will be there too, eh - supporting her sister-in-law. (I for one have been following the Muddyfoot family!)

And following that, we'll head into the Naming Day Party followed by Cami's departure and then Pio/Mith et al.

[ July 05, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Nurumaiel]

Thanks, Pio! smilies/biggrin.gif

Departures? smilies/frown.gif I hope I don't go into tears at the end of the game.

[piosenniel]

*hands her a hankie

I'm already crying . . . Pio will never see Cami again . . .

[Child of the 7th Age]

Yes, I have definitely ordered extra hankies. I have also filled in the following saves in the ransom subplot:

7/1 at 2:40 am and 2:41 am.

My daughter had a slumber party to celebrate her birthday, and I've been up all night trying to get the hoardes to cooperate!

Cami

[piosenniel]

Herding cats, eh, Child?!

theWhiteLady's post is up on 7/1 12:18 am.

Have PM'd tWL (Rose) and Nuru (Merimac/Fosco's daddy) to see if they want to put in a post about waiting in the woods to capture Ferny et al.

[piosenniel]

Time to scrape the barnacles off the Lonely Star and bring her in to port.

Can those who need to get the 'SAVES' filled in concerning the Ferny/Frodo episode please do so.

If you wish, Cami, I'll write the subduing of Ferny and the freeing of Frodo - or ANYONE can volunteeer to do that scene.

Mithadan - your character needs to osanwë Pio the directions to Ferny's plantation. I have written Pio as far as I can, she will await now the arrival of the troops ( which should include Maura, Cami, Merimac - Fosco's Daddy, Halfred and the deputies - Filibert, Milo, and Hugo).

Cami can you PM people to get posts ready for the above mentioned slots and for the attack on the plantation.

Once this is done, the miscreants subdued, the children rescued, we will head directly back to the Shire.

Short Naming Day party/ceremony then and etc.

BTW - I'll carry Bird's character per her request for now.

[Mithadan]

I have edited Child's post of July 01, 2003 02:41 PM to describe the approach of Ferny and the others to the meeting place.

I have edited Piosenniel's post of July 01, 2003 03:08 PM to provide her with a general location for the plantation as she proceeds towards Bree.

[ July 08, 2003: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Thanks, Mithadan.

Pio,

I will do the pms tonight.

I've had my hands full with real life plus plot twists and missing posters in Hunt for the Dragon which is supposed to be chugging into Elvenhome by July 11. I would be most grateful if you'd do Frodo for me, at least if that part of the plot goes down before the end of the week.

Will get back with you later with more details.

Cami

[Mithadan]

I've PMed Nuru about Ferny's posts and offered to do them if she cannot.

[Mithadan]

Nuru has asked me to do the Ferny posts. I will try to get to them later today.

[Mithadan]

I've edited a few posts to detail the taking of Frodo by Ferny and the Battle of the Bywater Pool (such as it is). Ferny is dead, deceased, departed... he is an ex-ruffian (OK, I've been reading Entish Bow again).

Tomorrow, I will post the planning of the assault on the plantation and give Piosenniel directions.

[Child of the 7th Age]

I am back in the saddle again. I did two short posts near the end of the string that dealt with Stoatie's journey to the Plantation, and his dreaming of better things to come....

I'm working on a post now where a band of hobbits comes up to Cami as she's leaving the Inn. They will volunteer to help and she will accept them. By the time she gets up to the pond she will meet up with Mithadan and crew. They will begin their journey east, with Mithadan in the lead. Just a ways down the path, Frodo-lad will join us. Samwise will have no choice but to take him along, since speed is of the essence and we can't send him back alone. (He will assure us he's left a note for his poor mother and assured her he will stay close by his dad's side!)

I'll finish the post tonight or tomorrow.

Hope that is ok. If you see a problem or have other ideas, let me know.

Pio---do you want to do that strategy post?

After the strategy post, I'll do one where Stoatie wakes up. It's already dark. Ferny should be back but he's not. So Stoatie begins to get a little queasy.

Would that work?

Cami

[piosenniel]

I am back in the saddle again. I did two short posts near the end of the string that dealt with Stoatie's journey to the Plantation, and his dreaming of better things to come....

Hmmmm . . . looks like Bird is one of those better things, eh?!


I'm working on a post now where a band of hobbits comes up to Cami as she's leaving the Inn. They will volunteer to help and she will accept them. By the time she gets up to the pond she will meet up with Mithadan and crew. They will begin their journey east, with Mithadan in the lead. Just a ways down the path, Frodo-lad will join us. Samwise will have no choice but to take him along, since speed is of the essence and we can't send him back alone. (He will assure us he's left a note for his poor mother and assured her he will stay close by his dad's side!)

This sounds fine – please do mention Merimac, Fosco’s daddy, as being in the group going to the Plantation.


Pio---do you want to do that strategy post?

I would love to do the strategy post – but I’m a little unclear about what this is about. If it’s about the attack on the Plantation - I thought Mithadan had offered to do that just above your recent post on the Discussion Thread. He is supposed to be telling Pio that they are on their way and that they will attack at the front entrance (in the north) of the plantation, and draw off most of the men from the cottage where Bird, Gilly, and the children are.

However – I can get that done (I can do it from Halfred’s point of view, who is trying to get it straight in his mind) – if this is what you mean: I’ll have Halfred go over how Mithadan the character has outlined the attack plan to the band of Hobbits. Then, off they’ll go.

After the strategy post, I'll do one where Stoatie wakes up. It's already dark. Ferny should be back but he's not. So Stoatie begins to get a little queasy.

He should be getting queasy – he’s been drinking like a fish! smilies/wink.gif

[Child of the 7th Age]

Ack, your lovely avatars look so much alike that I am getting the two of you confused! Now I see this:

Tomorrow, I will post the planning of the assault on the plantation and give Piosenniel directions.


OK, my post is finished. Cami has led the band up and is asking for someone to fill her in. That can be Halfred or Mithadan, whatever works best. Or you can tell her that no one is sure yet. Whatever fits in the storyline.

I am going to write Himaran and see if he can do a brief post in the next two days where he meets up with the band. (He had written me to check on things on Friday, and to see what he should be doing.)

I'll make sure and do a save tomorrow for that just to be sure.

Also, I will drop a line to White Lady, Nuru, and Orual to let them know they can join in if their schedule permits.

Cami

[piosenniel]

LOL - Mithadan and Pio have been 'married' too long - they are starting to 'look' alike - or is that the old saying about people and their pets . . .

If Mithadan hasn't posted by tomorrow when I leave for work - I'll put up a strategy post and then Child you can get everyone to the plantation.

Cami should 'bug' Mithadan about where Pio will be so she can slip down and join her - (it will be dark, you had better try a little osanwë if you don't want the Elf to dispatch you as a baddie!)

I'll have Pio slip in and do a little planning with Bird and Gilly, before the attack begins. (Geez, Bird, get some tin foil on your antennae and tune in a little! smilies/wink.gif)

[Child of the 7th Age]

Himaran, White Lady, Nurumaiel, and Orual.....please check your pms. Please get back with me by return pm or on the discussion thread.

Thanks.

Cami

[piosenniel]

Sharon -

Hobbits and Mithadan are now clattering down the road . . . bound for Bree

[Child of the 7th Age]

Himaran,

I did a save if you need it. But if you manage to get in quickly, you can just do one of your own, so it will be easier to post and edit.

Cami

[Child of the 7th Age]

Nuru,

Thanks for hurrying to do that before you leave on Wednesday. I'm going to post it on the discussion thread just to make sure it doesn't inadvertently get erased.

We'll move it over at the appropriate spot on the thread.

Have a good time, however long or short a while you are gone.

Cami


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

THE POST

Merimac Muddyfoot burst into the hideout, scanning the room quickly. The one he was looking for was nowhere to be seen. Puzzled and more than a little fearful, he went into the adjoining rooms, but still no sign of life. Sitting down, he gathered his wits together, thinking back to days when they had all been home. What type of places had the little rascal hidden then? All types of places, that was the answer. If he became lost, he could be anywhere. There was no specific "type."

"Hallo, Daddy," a small, tired voice behind him said, and he felt a little hand slip into his. "Have you came to take me home now?"

Merimac turned, and a strangled sob burst from him. He pulled his son close to him, the tears streaming down his cheeks, clasping him tightly. Fosco relaxed in his father's strong arms, confident that he would be taken care of now. He knew he was safe now. There was nothing to fear.

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

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

[Child of the 7th Age]

I've received a note from Himaran. He's working on a post for Frodo-lad to join the group.

Cami

[piosenniel]

Sharon

On Thursday or Friday - do you want to have the attack on the plantation and the rescue of the children?

[Child of the 7th Age]

Can we start Thursday and spill over till Friday as needed? I will be in and out but I can definitely post. (In fact we could even begin Wednesday...)

What do we still need to do to set up the scenario?

sharon

[piosenniel]

I have 3 posts to do tomorrow:

07/02 12:38 - It's right after Ferny is killed - I'll have Mithadan marshall the troops that were at the ambush of Ferny and make a quick plan to be on the way.

My other two later saves will get the troops to Breeland and heading to the plantation and get Gilly and Bird their final instructions to be ready for the escape.

Friday - let's have the attack on the plantation and it's resolve if we can . . .

[Child of the 7th Age]

White Lady,

Please check your pms before you post.

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

Pio,

A Friday attack sounds fine. Please check your e-mail. I'll be sending something through in another minute or two.

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

I received a post from Himaran for Frodo-lad. I'll be pasting that into the earlier save just a few spaces up from the end of the thread.

Frodo-lad's post is up. It is at 7/14, 4:31 pm.

Cami

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

[Child of the 7th Age]

1. Post of 7/13, 4:37 pm has been edited to refer to the fact that Frodo twisted his ankle and had to be dropped back at the Inn.

2. I am adding a post in an earlier box of 7/14, 5:23, where Frodo and Bilbo unsuccessfully try to persuade Lorien to intervene.

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

Himaran has said he'll be able to keep a close eye on the thread and jump in as needed with the ponies at the southwest side of the plantation....

Pio -- I've put a save for Cami and company to make their way over to the southwest side of the plantation with ponies. If this is a bad spot, move it forward as needed.

Also, I have Frodo -lad and Merimac. Shall I also take Ruby or not?

Cami

[piosenniel]

Actually - why don't you bring Ruby and Buttercup with you.

Leave all the men at the north end.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Pio,

Yes, I will.

Please check your e-mails.

I had trouble getting onto the site for a little while.

sharon

[ July 18, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[piosenniel]

Most of my posts are filled in.

Later today, I will do Lorien's intervention - short post. Then will start on the attack in the north and the rescue of the children

[Child of the 7th Age]

Save of 7/17, 8:41 pm filled in.

Being the nice fellow he is, Stoatie immediately assumes that he's been double crossed rather than that Ferny has been attacked.

Just lucky for you hobbits that he doesn't suspect an attack!

Cami

[Child of the 7th Age]

Mithadan,

Please see my save of 7/18 at 4:09 am which I believe pertains to your character as well as mine.... You are welcome to fit your post in the same box.

Cami

[piosenniel]

Lorien has sent out his wave of dreams and phantasmagoria - he's well on his way to drunk again . . .

[Child of the 7th Age]

Mithadan,

Please see Stoatie's dream, 7/17, at 8:47 pm.

Just remember this when you skewer Stoatie....nobody starts out wholly evil.

Cami

[piosenniel]

'Richard'?

No, no one starts out wholly evil, not even Melkor.

But a continuing series of bad choices does set one up for some drastic consequences . . .

Hmmm . . . now I'm wondering what Shifty's name and story were . . .

[ July 19, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

All my posts are filled in except for the actual removal of the children. Cami, do you want to fight a baddie there?

I'll stick Nuru's little scene in there when I write it.

And then the last of this episode I need also to do - the meeting of Mithadan and the Hobbits with Pio and Cami et al near the Greenway.

Sound OK?

[piosenniel]

Bringing this forward:
____________________________________

Nurumaiel's post

Merimac Muddyfoot burst into the hideout, scanning the room quickly. The one he was looking for was nowhere to be seen. Puzzled and more than a little fearful, he went into the adjoining rooms, but still no sign of life. Sitting down, he gathered his wits together, thinking back to days when they had all been home. What type of places had the little rascal hidden then? All types of places, that was the answer. If he became lost, he could be anywhere. There was no specific "type."

"Hallo, Daddy," a small, tired voice behind him said, and he felt a little hand slip into his. "Have you came to take me home now?"

Merimac turned, and a strangled sob burst from him. He pulled his son close to him, the tears streaming down his cheeks, clasping him tightly. Fosco relaxed in his father's strong arms, confident that he would be taken care of now. He knew he was safe now. There was nothing to fear.

[Child of the 7th Age]

I've finished my scene where the hobbits bring the ponies to the fence. Cami, Merimac, and Ruby are heading in your direction.

Yes, is it possible for Cami (and Ruby) to fight a baddie on the way out? That could be inside the camp as we bundle the children up and head for the ponies, or outside once we mount up and start riding. Whatever you prefer.....

Do you want to do a set-up post? You can leave a space at the end or in the middle (whatever is better) for me to sneak something appropriate in. However you want to handle it is fine.

Cami

[piosenniel]

I'll do a set up post here: July 18, 2003 04:11 AM - and you can latch onto it here - July 20, 2003 05:17 AM . (going to bed now!)

~~ Pio

[ July 20, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Pio,

Get some sleep!

The posts will be fine. I stuck Child's name in on the second box. I'll wait for you to do the set-up first.

Meanwhile, I'll try to work on the box where Stoatie attempts to abscond.

Cami

[Child of the 7th Age]

Mithadan, Pio, or whoever,

I've completed the set-up post for Stoatie's demise. You didn't think I was going to make it easy for you? But I'm sure you can find a way....

sharon

[piosenniel]

I'm a little confused on direction:

he continued riding westward at a hard gallop for a good ten minutes or longer until he came to the eastern boundary of the plantation,

He rode east correct - to the gate in the eastern wall . . .

Stoatie dug into his pocket pulling out a key to unlock the small iron gate, then relocked it securely, speedily riding forward in the direction of the Downs.

Is this the South Downs? In which case, they are to the west or the south of the plantation (they curve round that way).

Which direction is Stoatie heading in?

[Child of the 7th Age]

Pio,

Sorry about the typo. I meant east---he was riding east to the eastern side of the encampment. (I corrected my post.)

I envisioned Stoatie heading south and east towards the South Downs (not the Barrow-downs, the other one) Of course, I don't know how far he'll get!

Hope this helps you catch the blackguard.

Cami

[ July 20, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[piosenniel]

Perhaps I'll have the dragon flame him . . . smilies/wink.gif

My posts are now filled in, I think and theWhiteLady's post is also in place.

I'll work on Stoatie and Mithadan later. And probably Monday get us to the meeting place.

It's all set up for you and Merimac and Ruby to do in Shifty!

[ July 20, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Cami has done in Shifty on 7/20 at 5:19 a.m. She is a bit shook up.

Whoa! We're almost there. I'll send you an e-mail about the latter parts of the story.

Cami

[piosenniel]

OK - Sharon - get us back to the Shire! And we'll work our way through this:

Naming Party
Bilbo's demise
Good-bye from Cami to Pio
Poignant last scene w/Maura et Cami
GONE for good . . . sniff!
Cami's book worked in here somewhere
Departure from the Shire to Gondor
Epilog


Sound good?

[Child of the 7th Age]

Our band has finally reurned to the Shire.

Pio and Mithadan....bring on the naming party.

The outline sounds fine. I do have an idea about the book but will get in touch tomorrow.

Cami

[ July 31, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

White Lady,

Please check your pms.

Cami

[theWhiteLady]

Thank you, Cami! I'll be eyeballing the thread to jump in where I can smilies/smile.gif

[Child of the 7th Age]

Mithadan,

Your post was a perfect lead-in to the one I was working on, so I slipped mine in right after yours.

Thanks.

sharon

[piosenniel]

Will probably get the party post and the naming done by tomorrow, late sometime.

Little Bert and Ernie, as my co-workers affectionately call them, will have their official monikers by then.

smilies/wink.gif

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:ZhBLwDmEGmcC:worldwidemart.com/sapienza

___________________________________________

The one on the right looks like her ammë - so I guess that leaves the pointy-headed, serious one on the left to be daddy's boy. smilies/wink.gif

[ August 02, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Pat,

Sounds good but I do have a question. When is the best time for Cami to sneak in and say a private goodbye to the twins (without their parents peering over her shoulder!)?

Should I sneak the save in before or after "Bert and Ernie" are introduced to the admiring throng?

Hey, maybe we could start a betting pool on the discussion thread to try and guess the kid's names! (Whoops, I guess those posts might get erased as chat....but it is tempting.)

Cami

[Child of the 7th Age]

Pio,

I'm not sure if Maura's post with the children is in the right place. If there are more party posts to follow, I can leapfrog mine forward (or you can).

Cami

[piosenniel]

There are no more party posts - except perhaps a wind up and everyone goes off to sleep one . . .

I'll do that one tomorrow - or rather today after sleeping myself! smilies/biggrin.gif

[ August 07, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Mithadan, Pio,

I've just finished my post where Bilbo dies...

Tolkien manages to do these things gracefully in a single short paragraph (Arwen/Aragorn), and I take up half a thread! But then Cami, as a hobbit, was always a bit garrulous.

The next save is vacant, since I did it in a single box. Anyone is welcome to use it.

sharon

[piosenniel]

I want the next post - so I removed the intervening one.

Will the next of yours be Cami's good-bye's to Pio and Mith?

[Child of the 7th Age]

Yes, unless you or Mithadan have anything else to slot in....

sharon

[piosenniel]

Alright, then, Pio is looking for Cami . . .

[Child of the 7th Age]

Pio,

Check your e-mails. Shadow star is acting very strange. Please hold off on posting there till you check the thread.

sharon

[piosenniel]

I have it all saved to disc.

I sent an email to Mith and BW w/copy to you.

~~ Pio smilies/frown.gif

[Child of the 7th Age]

Pio,

I have sent you an e-mail about the ordering of the last scenes. Could you let me know what you prefer?

sharon

[Mithadan]

Evil Piosenniel! Leaving us all hanging in the air over the book, its contents and the identity of its author! Shame!

[Child of the 7th Age]

Just hang on Mithadan, it's coming!

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

Pio,

I have forwarded all five chapters to you in their entirity though a pm. Plus an appendix of various important events. This should keep Pio busy reading for some time.

It's actually not that long, but the crazy thing took me a chunk of the day on and off.

I look forward to your comments. Tomorrow I will catch up on other things which I've woefully neglected over the past day or two both at the Downs and on my real life desk.

Cami

[piosenniel]

Sharon -

I am done with the main section of posts and ledger entries. Very fun!!

I'm envisioning about 2 or 3 further short posts and the story will be ended.

Must go to work now.

~~ Pat smilies/biggrin.gif

[Child of the 7th Age]

Pio,

That was fun!

Take your time. I have to make one or two very minor edits in the old Star thread in order to have the ending agree with what Cami said about her sons at the beginning.

I'll let you know when those are done.

sharon

[piosenniel]

Finished, now, I think.

Let me know if that's enough, Sharon.

Great writing with you!

Let me know when and where the changes are that you are making in the earlier parts (or were the changes in the Voyage of the Star story?) I'll go back and edit them on my disc.

Let me move the Game and Discussion Threads to Elvenhome on Tuesday - if I post and delete on each of them and then move them, they'll all go over in a cluster.

~~ Pio smilies/biggrin.gif

[Nurumaiel]

Before the discussion thread is closed and moved, I'd just like to let you know how much fun I had and how I enjoyed working with all of. Angelica and her family were delightful to play (especially Fosco), and it was a challenge to have Ferny be a little comic as Tolkien had him but to also make his thoughts be more evil and his motives more sinister.

The end was so sad for me. I almost did stop reading, you know. I feel as though I've known Cami since childhood (*pointed look at Child as the speaker glances at an old RPG which she had the pleasure to own*), which made it all the harder for me. But, as when I read Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, I feel the sense of a bittersweet ending. The ending may have sorrows but they are not terrible sorrows, for they hold some sweetness and joy.

Thank you so much for inviting me to play this game. I hope to work with some of you again in the future!

Still sorrowing after the ending,
Nuru

[Birdland]

Way to go, Cami and Pio! Kudos for seeing a very complex tale through.

Sharon, do you feel that you did right by Cami, now? smilies/smile.gif

Pio - please tell me you ain't got anymore babies tucked away in a corner somewhere!

[Child of the 7th Age]

Pio,

Many thanks for the great wrap-up. I've made my revisions. They were very minor. Just didn't want a contradiction between what I said in the beginning and the end.

Again, it was great pulling this all together!

BTW, the revised posts are 1/24 at 1:45 p.m., and 1/25 at 6:56 a.m.

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

Nuru,

Thanks for your kind words. Yes, I do believe you knew Cami as a child!

Speaking of "bittersweet", it's amazing how many folk who started with this game are now gone from the Downs, or at least the RPGs! There are a number like Orual and Auriel whom I dearly miss. smilies/frown.gif

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

Bird,

Thanks Bird!

Sharon, do you feel that you did right by Cami, now?

Ahh...you know Cami, always kvetching! You can never do right by that girl.

Better check your e-mail...

Cami/Child/sharon (split personality disorder!)

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

[piosenniel]

Nuru

Thanks for the compliments. Sad as it was at times, this was a wonderful story to write. & I very much enjoyed your characters (especially the midwives! smilies/smile.gif )

Bird

Three is enough! The fecund couple will be having no more little ones!

Mith

I edited in a part for Mithadan - where he speaks about saying good bye to Maura and Gamba: September 04, 2003 05:37 AM

Sharon

smilies/biggrin.gif

It's all on disc, the changes in place - we can move it whenever we're ready.

*sniff . . .

[Mithadan]

Wonderful work, Child and Pio! A truly comprehensive and touching wrapup! As Nuru commented, a bittersweet ending in the truest Tolkien tradition. Congratulations are well deserved!

Until next time, Mithadan. smilies/wink.gif

[Nurumaiel]

Child

Did Orual leave? I never heard that news... that's rather tough on me...

BTW, I once heard the Star would be editted into fanfic format. Is this also happening with the Shadow of the Star? And, if so, where will I be able to see it when it's 'released'?

~Nuru

[piosenniel]

Ah, yes . . . the fanfic rendition . . . well Sharon and I have put that on the back burner for now . . . perhaps when things get quieter we can whip them both into shape . . .

*sound of Sharon banging her head against the monitor screen