Behind the Hedge? The Dueling Inn? or, gauntlet tossing on locale...

[The Barrow-Wight]

I've not yet seen Rimbaud's e-mail on this topic, but I am wondering how mock duels could be accomplished without straying from the theme of the Downs. They sound entertaining, but I'm just not grasping how they might fit into our fairly strict Middle-earth boundaries. Allowing members to go on random rants against each other may be humorous and even interesting, but where would it stop? If we begin with faux fights, would real debates follow? And then what? Rap battles? Beat poetry bashes? We've never had an off-topic section on the Downs before, and this idea looks like a first step down that road. Am I wrong? Am I misunderstanding something? If so, tell me about it and I'll give it some more thought.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Oh, I definitely think one should come in one’s own Barrow Downs persona and follow RPG rules. But on the question of what issues should be resolved… perhaps the would be duelists should be requested to submit a short form on the thread declaring their issue (which must be Tolkien related) and weapons to be used (must be appropriate). The proposed duel could be accepted or rejected or further refined at that point. After a submittal is accepted, a time limit might be set, or perhaps a limit on the number of posts allowed. Just some thoughts on how it might be kept on track. Of course a certain etiquette should be developed and adhered to.

[mark12_30]

I have not seen Rimbaud's recommendations and so have hesitated to reply. However, from my viewpoint and by my recommendation:

It would be no different than any other Inn or Party-thread except that fighting ( *in character* ) and using satirical elements would be expected rather than disallowed.

Tolkien-oriented themes, Tolkien-oriented topics of discussion, **and** arriving, engaging, and departing in-Tolkien-based character would all be requirements.

The thread would, of course, be in a moderated forum (Gondor, Rohan, and The Shire are dependably and capably moderated as is Mirth) and as usual the reigning moderator would have final say on all posts.

All of these elements have been put to good use in some form or other on the Downs since the RPG forum reforms were put in place. The Snowed Inn allowed for fighting (snowball fighting) which turned into Maia-snow-battles (as I recall Tulkas vs Balrog) with enjoyable satirical elements involved; no departure from Tolkien themes occured, although there was one character-hijacking which was immediately rectified as soon as it was pointed out.

In the current Inns, one may come and go (in-character) as one wishes, and be engaged by whoever else chooses to engage.

Satire is employed in the Entish Bow.