Land of Darkness Discussion Thread

[Bêthberry]

Thanks for placing my post, pio.

I have a question about the timing. When exactly on Monday will the game close? Will we have the day to complete our post, or does the axe fall in the morning?

Right now, having survived the last orc onslaught with Alak's Lyshka, I'm at a bit of a loss to consider how to survive yet another attack. I hate to resort to that infamous line from Monty Python--"Run away! Run away!"--yet the thought is tempting.

And speaking of Monty Python, I did see Castle Doune in Scotland.

EDIT: Well, what wonders it does to read over each other's posts closely! I took a hint from Fordim's set up of the approach of Aldor and the orcs and have set up some possibilities for our defense. Catch a ride on the menhir express.

I have not mentioned anyone by name other than those that I have closely planned or interacted with but if anyone wants me to edit in the name of their character, let me know.

[piosenniel]

I work on Mondays - so, the game should close when I return from work which will actually be about 1 a.m. Tuesday morning, Pacific Time , U.S.

~*~ Pio

[CaptainofDespair]

Alrighty, my final post is up.

If it needs any changes, just give me a hint, or bluntly tell me.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Much to my surprise and delight, Pio has offered to extend the closing date for the game to Friday the 24th, and I have taken her up on the offer.

Please, however, keep the posts coming for the current fight with the orcs -- I will be putting up one of my 'moving things along' posts sometime late Monday/early Tuesday in which the fight will wrap up and the company will finally escape Mordor. I hope that we can then use the week to resolve and/or conclude the many character-based threads we've developed.

CoD -- What an incredible end for a fantastic character. Thanks much for participating in the game with such reliable and consistently high-quality posts.

[alaklondewen]

Master Fordim, while Bethberry and I were brainstorming about our characters’ ends in this game, some questions were raised. I would really appreciate it, if you might provide us some clarification.

First, I’m unclear as to what day and time it is. I understand the current battle is during the evening, but how close are we to the 25th when the Ring is destroyed. I know the Game Worksheet says we end on the 25th, but it feels like we’ve only gone through 3 or 4 days (this may just be me). Has the battle begun? How close are we to the Destruction of the Ring? (Too bad Rhand will not be living to see his master fall. )

In this planning, will we be ending in an immediate situation (I see we are running into the army) or are we giving them time to plan for their next move (which may be some time as they will be in need of medical care and such)?

I apologize if I sound like I’m asking for you to ruin the surprise…I don’t mean to, but the final posts of a game are important as the writer is leaving someone who is now apart of himself/herself. I hope this makes sense.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Valid and good questions Alak.

As it happens, we have been 'on the road' (so to speak) for almost six days:

day one: in the tower, getting into Shelob's tunnel

day two: Shelob

day three: getting out of Shelob's lair and resting for a full day

day four: getting down to the beginning of the Morgul Road; stones; army

day five: escaping the army resting all day; moving on

day six: dawn is approaching as we fight the orcs

This means that the date is now 21st March. The army of the West is upon the northern fringes of Ithilien. Yesterday (just after we got on the Path) Aragorn and commanders of the West fired the fields of deadly flowers about Minas Morgul (so if we had just pressed ahead instead of heading for the path. . .)

We have indeed gone a bit off the planned timeline for the game, but never fear, with the extra few days granted us by Pio I intend to get us to the 25th.

For the time being, however, the fight with the orcs should continue. Despite the heroic sacrifice of Morgoroth, there are still plenty of enemies. . .

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

OK *whew*

I've put up my LONG post in which the prisoners are finally freed. I do so now, rather than later in the day or early tomorrow, in case anyone wants to post about the orc fight in light of what I do in my long post. As you will see, I have put up a save for any such posts so they can go before mine.

Now, I have used quite a few other characters in my post -- PLEASE tell me what needs editing!! I have also killed off two more characters -- Sarin had to pull out of the game for personal reasons last week, and Durelin gave me permission to do as I wanted with her character some weeks ago. As a result, I have killed off Zuromor and Jordo.

So now you have until Friday to write posts for the following events:

1) the orc fight, leading up to our rescue -- feel free to 'overlap' your posts with mine; I will edit my post as needed to match up with any others.

2) also, waking up in Ithilien, the passing of Sauron, and our newfound freedom. What will everyone do? Where will they go? etc.

Thanks, all, for bearing with me on this last rather rushed leg of the journey. This game has been tremendously fun, and I'm sure we'll make a terriffic end for it!