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

[HerenIstarion]

BTW, davem may be Melben, and yours truly Barmudon the Highlander (ibid, my family name being the place name of the higland region of Georgia - Lashkheti (so Lashkhi - one from Lashkheti)

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by mark12_30

I like the Pseudo-Sam idea.

Much as I admire the qualities of Sam, The Saucepan Man is no "Pseudo-Sam". He fights as himself, or not at all ...

Mind you, I could always come along as Mögul Bildür. [insert evil smilie]

Actually, assuming that this goes ahead, I don't see any problem with people using their (non-Middle-earth related) screen names and personas, provided that they act in a suitably Middle-earthian manner. It works at the B-D Birthday Parties, after all.

[mark12_30]

Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man

Actually, assuming that this goes ahead, I don't see any problem with people using their (non-Middle-earth related) screen names and personas, provided that they act in a suitably Middle-earthian manner. It works at the B-D Birthday Parties, after all.

One may of course log on as your normal self (most RPG'ers do, and how else would we know who showed up to fight?) but the item in question is really the character portrayed, or the Persona. Can that Persona be non-Middle-Earth? Can the Persona be non-Tolkien?

Scroll back to the Barrow Wight's first post on this thread. The Wight prefers to keep it Middle-Earth-related. The Downs (in general) is always Tolkien-related. We may discuss Roverandom, or Smith of Wooton Major or Farmer Giles of Ham; but at the borders of Tolkien's works, there must our proud waves stop.

One of the conditions of "this thing going ahead" (not yet a done deal by any means) will obviously be that it begin, and remain throughout absolutely Tolkien related as befits the Downs. So I think I will say nay; if your character is not from Middle-Earth, then the character that you portray must originate from a Tolkien source. This still would provide tremendous leeway, as that would include Farmer Giles of Ham, Smith of Wootton Major, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Beowulf (he translated that too, didn't he? We just don't have a copy yet), The Lost Road, and even The Notion Club Papers. However, since not everyone has read all that, you might be prepared with a bibliography and character bio explaining their origins, if you bring in (for instance) an Oxford professor.

All this is food for thought. I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this thread, because this is a great help in sorting all this stuff out.

EDIT:
Unrelated Footnote: How Fordim's Roaming Gauntlet made its way to the Tolkien Coming Of Age Club , starting at Post 210...

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

For some interesting reading along these lines. Look for OF HONOR AND HONORABLE QUARRELS

Although this describes a later time period it seems more fitting than trail by combat! Of course rapiers would probably not be an appropiate choice of weapon.

Perhaps Barrow Downers with non-Tolkien names should create one ME type alternate to battle for them consistantly? That way one might have a good idea whom they would face should they decided to "toss a sock".

[mark12_30]

Hilde, a marvellous resource. Thank you indeed.

A rapier has "two edges and one point"! Goodness, what one learns on lunch break...

[The Saucepan Man]

Can that Persona be non-Middle-Earth? Can the Persona be non-Tolkien?

Hmm, there are many Downers who have screen-names which, while not referable to any specific character or race within Tolkien's works, could nevertheless serve admirably as name within Middle-earth. Fordim Hedgethistle is a good example (although I seem to recall him being a rather affable, if metaphysically confused, Balrog at the last BD party ). Is there any restriction on the type of name to be used? Should it sound Middle-earthian? How precisely would that be defined? And are those members who share a screen-name with a specific Tolkien character obliged to act consistently in the manner of that character if they choose to use their screen-name?

I only raise these questions because it seems to me that, if a particular duel arises as a result of a contre-temps on, say, a Books thread, the protagonists themselves should be entitled to fight it out, rather than sending along alternates (unless, of course they would prefer to do so). It seems to me that, provided that the persona fits within Middle-earth, the name itself should not really matter.

Admittedly, I am in somewhat of a pickle as The Saucepan Man is a specific character in another body of work (albeit one which, like the Hobbit, provides a Faerie world for young readers to enjoy). Then again, my original comment was, at least in part, hypothetical, as I am not a regular RPG'er.

[mark12_30]

"Saucepanedain".

I suppose it could be a required part of throwing the gauntlet-- renaming yourself as necessary. Or maybe adding enough to get you there in disuise that won't fool anybody... Sort of like Aragorn's Litany Of Names.

"I, Xenarwenadriel, Dragon-Tamer, Frodophile, Balrog-Swooner, Wearer of the Mystical Mithril-Rimmed Glasses, Proud Owner of Lorien-Weave Socks, and devoted Defender of metaphysical words beginning with a Capital Letter, do defy thee to defend thy monstrous deceit with soul and body or henceforth be named scoundrel!"

(Ominous sound of Sock floating to the floor.)

Rereading your post, Saucepanedain-- you mentioned being required to stay in name-character if you've got an ME-name. As in, must Legolas fight as the Prince of Mirkwood? Not unless he wants to. He can redefine himself during his challenge as above. "Legolathain, Wheelwright Of Rohan Who Got Stuck with a Funny Name..."

Edit: going back & forth about putting up a first post... Really, it belongs in Gondor, so-- patience.