Yes, it is definitely time to work on characters, as putting on the final touches has taken way too long...
Four is definitely a good number, and the three main groups of the
Lorien envoy, the
Mirkwood scout party, and the
Orc 'special forces' unit. I believe we will also need a couple minor characters roleplayed among the orc army. Having these extra roles is not only very important to helping the story along, but it will give people who cannot commit a great amount of time to the game a chance to roleplay. I believe that would be an excellent bonus, and I do not see how the story could flow without at least a small view point from the army, so that its movements may be followed (as they will be separate from the Orc 'special forces' unit). It will give everyone much more of an understanding of what is going on and when. I know I need that...
Also, I think it would be very nice to have a cameo role among the soldiers defending Lorien. Again, this would help the story along and make it much easier to follow, as it would give us a view point from which we could see how Lorien is faring in the attack, and would help even more in the understanding of where the orc army is and what it is doing. The reason this is so important is because this is a big group of orcs running around, and they are a large part of the story. Yet, the focus is away from this force (and for many a good reason). So, though we should keep the character number limited, there are some small, even 'extra' roles that should not be overlooked. I believe the biggest problem concerning a large number of characters is just what you mentioned, Fordim: the lack of roleplayers for the roles. I had that problem with Dark Seduction. Still, I believe we should wait and see if 4 characters per group is too much.
Concerning characters: it looks as if we have smoothed out most of the problems concerning the kinds of roles that would be involved. I believe one, maybe two female roles are available: a female ambassador or a female maidservant to the ambassador, or both. There are plenty of options for baddies and warriors, as you know. I believe Fordim's list is superb, and here it is (with a few additions of my own):
Barad Dur 'special forces':
1 Easterling captain
1 Easterling grunt (servant of the captain?)
1 orc captain
1 orc grunt (slave of the captain?)
Mirkwood scouts: 4
Lorien Envoy to woodmen:
1 ambassador (female?)
1 ambassadorial maidservant/manservant (female?)
2 guards
Or
2 ambassadors (one female)
1 ambassadorial maidservant/manservant
1 guard (as we do have lots of the 'sword-wielding' type)
Secondary Characters - Barad Dur main forces:
1 Orc/Easterling captain
1 Orc/Easterling grunt
(it would be preferable if it turned out to be one Easterling and one Orc...)
Cameo:
1 Lorien warrior of the defense
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Quote:
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And as to where the first post will be, maybe we could have one big combined first post with a part for Mirkwood, Lorien and the baddies so that we don't have to start the game in one place or the other.
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Concerning this, I believe it would be wonderful if the first post of the game be only from the owner(s) character's(s') point(s) of view. This should be a member of the Lorien envoy: setting up the story before the scouts discover trouble. Then each player that is a part of the game, beginning with you guys who have put up with me and my planning thread, would start off the story from the other points of view. That might get a bit tricky, but if we can get the game to open smoothly, I believe we're home free.
Note that the above paragraph was just an idea, and now one that I doubt will work.
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Good to see people back and posting!
Thanks a bunch everyone!
-Durelin
P.S. - Fordim: when you said 'Barad Dur special forces', I just assumed that you meant 'Dol Guldur special forces', and I went ahead and changed it, but then I realized you might have meant Barad Dur. So, am I right or wrong...?
Thanks again!