I decided to make this a separate post, as these thoughts became relatively lengthy very quickly... And this ain't the half of it!
Here are some points I came up with:
Concerning the basic outline of the game:
If the siege on Ost-in-Edhil began late in 1696, then early in 1697 it would be destroyed after just a couple weeks, and then Elrond's forces would arrive. But, events prior to the actual siege, and prior to Sauron's invasion of Eriador are very important.
Aman brought to my attention the importance of the actual forging of the Rings to the storyline/plot of the game. If we begin the game with the actual forging of the Rings and then skip to the actual attack on Eregion, I think many more opportunities will be open, and the story this game will tell will be more effective.
This might be a little tricky, but I think rather than spending some time with the events that led up to Sauron's invasion into Eriador will make the events concerning the actual siege easier to understand, and thus easier to RP. The background of an event such as the battle at Eregion (and the escape to Imladris) is really what makes the event, and thus it is important to explore that as well.
Starting with the forging of the Rings, most likely through a first post describing the actual forging and setting the stage (with the elves of Eregion, in particular), would be an excellent starting point, I think. It would let everyone get a basis for just what kind of power is being created in the world...and then shortly thereafter, a great power of evil is created. And of course that would give us time to do some lovely character interaction between the Elves of Eregion and the Dwarves of Moria...as friendliness between Dwarves and Elves, I believe, is an interesting concept.
As to how the siege itself will unfold, particularly in the arrival of Elrond and the *escape* of the survivors, there's a lot yet to work out, and I've come up with several options. I'll try to describe those options in detail in my next post.
Concerning Celebrimbor (and Elrond...and a few other things):
Celebrimbor is going to be a very important character in the plot of the RPG. I've been going from the point of view that Sauron's attack on Eregion is a form of punishment - he wishes to punish the Elves for *deceiving* him, particularly Celebrimbor, as he hides the Three Rings, the greatest of the Rings of Power, from Sauron after discovering Sauron's deception. Sauron has just created the Master Ring, and that will also be an important part of the story, as Sauron is a new power in this scenario...and at this point, he's winning! This is another reason why the forging of the rings is such an important event. It gives Celebrimbor's character relevance (again, as Aman pointed out), rather than him simply starting out in the RPG as simply some elf who, basically, made Sauron angry.
Now, for the options...Characters such as Celebrimbor and Elrond, historical characters who are important in this RPG, could be what I like to call 'universal carry-alongs'. Basically, they are NPCs. And, they will be available (as established characters in Tolkien's histories of Middle-earth) basically, to be *RPed* by everyone. Gamers' characters will interact with Celebrimbor and Elrond, and they can be like carry along characters that everyone may *use*.
The other option of course, is for Celebrimbor and Elrond to be characters that two gamers play, either has primary or secondary characters. This might be a little intrusive on Tolkien's writings, as these two characters are so historically important in Middle-earth. But, if done correctly, this might be a good way to go.
Concerning the first post of the game:
The first post of the game will have to be a big stage setter. It is possible that the entire stage could be set: the forging of the Rings and all events prior to the siege of Eregion could be covered in the first post (and then we’d just plunge into the siege). I'd prefer it if the first post simply covered the forging of the Rings, and set only a basic platform rather than an entire stage. The first post could tell of Eregion, of how Sauron came to the Elves, and then of Celebrimbor and the forging of the Rings. What would follow would be an opportunity for gamers to set their own stages, so to speak. Each gamer would establish who their character is, and collectively get to establish what it is like to have the new power of the Rings in their world, what this means for each of their characters and for each of their characters' people, etc.
All of this talk makes me realize one very important thing…this game, if many of the things I discussed become realities in this, most likely is going to take more time than I originally predicted, and thus more commitment. I don’t want to ask that of people unless they really want to commit so much of their time, as that is unfair, but I present all of my ideas to you as options.
Hopefully my next post will be clearer, more direct…and just more productive.
~To be continued~
-Durelin
P.S. - Right now, my plan for the bad guys is the most clear! You go, orcses.../Maiar
EDIT: Oh, and Pio...
Quote:
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1.) CaptainofDespair - Sauron's Champion; big baddie
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Hehe...I love when people take me seriously.