The Fellowship of the Fourth Age (Part 1): A New Beginning Discussion Thread

[Durelin]

So let us make this not too easy! (Well, we have to win anyhow, but still, let's not make it without a cost or with incredible heroism)

Yep, and I can pretty much guaruntee you that, personally, I'm going to kill someone off...

[Child of the 7th Age]

Yep, and I can pretty much guaruntee you that, personally, I'm going to kill someone off...

Oh my goodness, Durelin. Don't do anything drastic. We have lots of NPC to dispose of on the side of the good guys.....
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Athwen could be riding boldly to meet the slavers and act like being surprised and make a run away from them towards the camp - thus luring the slavers to follow her.

Good ideas! I really like the decoy on horseback catching the eye of the slavers and leading them on a merry chase that heads straight towards the hidden trenches/tunnels and our waiting cavalry who attack from the flank. I can also imagine the foot soldiers lying in wait and springing out once some of the slavers have been knocked off their horses.

One problem I see is the burning fires. Durelin and I had agreed that there would be a little wind/sand storm blowing in to complicate the battle and to let Rôg and Aiwendil do their mischief to help even the odds: here. Well, that may be a bit of an exaggeration. It won't be that bad, but you get my drift. We would have a hard time keeping any fires lit.

Actually, with a storm swirling around, the slavers won't expect to see fires lit. I am wondering if we couldn't use our own real camp rather than constructing a "fake", The people who need to take refuge will already have been led to the safety of the knoll with the sheltering boulders as Lindir described. We could set the stage in our own camp by making it look "occupied". If we just leave some "stuff" on the ground....a few tents, bedrolls, garbage from dinner, the glowing embers of the now extinguished firepits, a goat or two running underfoot, even some dummy figures clad in robes and filled out with hay if we want to get fancy, it will look as if we're still there at least from a distance. Visbility is going to be quite bad.

We need Tevildo and Folwren to weigh in on these suggestions before we take this too much further. Since Folwren's poster and character both have a lot of experience with horses, she would be the logical one to play this part, but we have to see if she would like to do it. I hope so. I have to admit that the slavwers would be more likely to follow an attractive woman, seemingly unarmed, with hair flying out in back of her, rather than a battle hardened man.

Also, Dorran as the leader of the cavalry makes a lot of sense if he would do this.

I'd like to use Lindir with the archers. He has a fair amount of experience on his resume ( )---several thousand years of fighting with the Noldor, including most of the major battles of the First Age.

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Child of the 7th Age

I'd like to use Lindir with the archers. He has a fair amount of experience on his resume ( )---several thousand years of fighting with the Noldor, including most of the major battles of the First Age.

Okay, I found it. I thought I had seen something like this somewhere. If Lindir leads (and teaches) the archers & slingers the others might be available?

But surely Khamir might be a good choice to lead the footsoldiers too?

[Durelin]

Well I've been missing things left and right...Sorry!

Khamir isn't going to want to lead anyone, so Beloan is still definitely a good choice. Alrighty, I shall edit in that Beloan is in charge of a group of foot soldiers, and some other reason why Khamir doesn't want to talk to him.

Edit: Post edited! Sorry about that.

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Durelin

Edit: Post edited! Sorry about that.

No reason to be sorry about anything. This is quite wildly embarrassing to anyone and as one sees one corner another sees the next one...

[Folwren]

Okay. What needs to be done now? The slavers are riding towards camp. . .how soon do they reach it? Where is the istari and Rog? When does my character need to get out there?

Tevildo, what you wrote was fine. I don't need to answer. Good job.

-- Folwren

[Child of the 7th Age]

Are we ready to go ahead? Does anyone need extra posts or time? Have I/we forgotten anything?

Folwren -- I think you could definitely ride into position.

If anyone needs to get up something before the battle, please do a post or save. Reagin says he'll try and do a post or two for the slavers but everyone is welcome to use them as needed. Please don't kill off my character Imak, since he is such an honorable chap. Also remember that the winds and sand will be blowing so take that into account in your posts.

My own access this week could be a little iffy. I have a spouse going for an operation and very brief hospitalization starting Tuesday and then he's recooperating at home for the rest of the week. Nothing terrible or earthshaking but I may be tied up more than usual.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

If you'll humor me a minute, I've a few questions.

Originally Posted by Child of the 7th Age

I'd like to use Lindir with the archers. He has a fair amount of experience on his resume ( )---several thousand years of fighting with the Noldor, including most of the major battles of the First Age.

Does this still hold true, Child?

And Folwren, where would Kwell be during the attack?

And one final one. Is the wind storm going full blast now? I haven't had a chance to read the post for Imlak, so forgive me if its already mentioned there. Should make for very, very close range shooting in order to be effective, I would think.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Hilde,

Yes, you're right. The archers will likely have to get in very close range or their shots would go totally off course. I had sort of envisioned archers darting out from cover and virtually running up to the mounted slavers in order to get in a shot.

Isn't Carl with the archers too? If so, maybe we can coordinate something.

Aiwendil, by the way, has gone back to try and help guard the women, children, and elders who are hiding in the boulders behind the camp. Anyone is welcome to join him.....

[Folwren]

Hilde,

I really don't know myself where Kwell is. The last post I did with him left him helping Vror with the tunnel, but he's quite through with that by now, I'm sure.

Where do you need him? That's where he'll be. No, really. Tell me where you need him and I'll consider. Pretty much any place will work. He has a dagger that Lindir gave him and knows how to shoot a bow, though he doesn't own one himself.

-- Folwren

[Brinniel]

I'm not sure if this is the best time to post for Shae, but I'm leaving for Virgina on Wednesday, and I'm not sure how much internet access I'll have. I'll be back Sunday, but even then I won't have much time due to a heavy load of schoolwork which I'm afraid will only grow heavier through the first half of December (ugh). I will be sure to fill in the save sometime tomorrow before I leave.

A question: Aside, from Athwen, Dorran, and Shae, who else is on horseback? I know there's not a lot of us, but surely there is another rider I can mention in my next post.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I have mentioned a young man in my last post,who will be riding Carl's pony. An escapee who must have worked with horses on the plantation, I should think.

Child, yes Carl will be with the archers.

And Folwren, I will PM you around lunch time with a bit of an idea, if that is alright. Have to get to work just now.