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

Nogrod · 11-24-2006, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Folwren

I think it was brilliant of you to switch horses. Dorran's horse would certainly have drawn attention to himself.

Good idea storywise, but really: would a rider give up his familiar and strong horse when there was a battle of life and death ahead? Drawing attention is a thing to be considered, but facing a battle with an old friend and companion should be something much more important... (one you can trust and one you know... not to mention being afraid of what happens to your companion in strange hands)

But surely, suits me well. The situation is opening nicely and we have all the options open. That is good.

Folwren · 11-24-2006, 07:29 PM

Considering the circumstances, I think what Dorran did was smartest. If he had gone in with his large, rohanian war horses, do you think any of the slavers who had seen him would have mistaken him for anything other than a foriegn rider? As it was, if they saw him, they could have easily taken him for one of their own companions. Also, with the wind and sand picking up, Dorran needed to be as close as he was in order to see what happened to Athwen. If he had been back with the other ex-slave riders, he wouldn't have been able to see clearly and wouldn't have been immediately aware of her danger.

Dorran would have done a bit of riding before going out with the strange horse. He is also very used to working with horses, so he could probably adapt pretty well and fairly quickly to Rog's animal. Of course, it would have been nicer and much more convenient if he had been able to use his own horse, but it wouldn't have worked quite as well.

I think it was fine.

I'll try to post something tonight.

-- Folwren

Hilde Bracegirdle · 11-24-2006, 09:34 PM

Tevildo, Folwren and Nogrod, I have filled in the save for Carl, and think that he must be at the opposite end of the tunnel, thus missing out on what has been transpiring with your characters. Yes, as much as I like the fellow, he can pretty oblivious!

Tevildo · 11-25-2006, 10:40 AM

Nogrod -

I've thought about your idea but decided to stick with my original plan. Here's more explanation than you ever wanted.....

In Dorran's mind, the most important thing was avoiding detection. His own horse would have been a dead giveaway. Forgoil (Yes - Dorran has a wild sense of humor.) was a large battle hardened steed who would have stuck out like a sore thumb. (For similar reasons, Dorran couldn't borrow Lindir's horse.)

What Dorran was doing was risky. The slavers numbered just two dozen and would have known each other on sight. Dorran stayed near the back to minimize his chance of being caught. His only real option for keeping his own horse would have been not to ride with the slavers. Since he didn't know if Athwen might be caught some distance away from camp, he refused to do that. Dorran had little time to "try out" Rôg's horse since Lindir came up with his idea at the last minute. All Dorran could do was make the best of a bad situation. Forced to make a choice between two imperfect options, he chose the one he thought would let him keep his wife safe.

As the 'horse person' in the fellowship, he would have gained a basic understanding of all the horses. He had helped care for them every night during the long trek. Dorran purposely chose a nondescript mount with a steady disposition but made the mistake of overestimating his own abilities. As a gifted rider, he thought he could squeeze more out of Rôg's steed than was possible and ended up taking a fall.

Firefoot · 11-25-2006, 10:57 AM

If you want to look at it from a different angle, too, you can look at jockeys... racing strange horses certainly isn't something that they would be unfamiliar with. The conditions are a bit different, granted, but comparable, I think.

Folwren · 11-25-2006, 12:37 PM

Oh, I think it's definitely doable and probably best the way it is.

-- Folwren

Durelin · 11-25-2006, 04:43 PM

I took some liberties in my post, so I hope it's alright...but I am also completely prepared to change any of it.

First thing: I decided that Khamir and the 'rear' 6 of the fighters were toward the end of the tunnel opposite the one the 'front' five of the fighters are closer to, and are further away from where Athwen is. Khamir has no idea what's going on on that end.

Second: I had an NPC fighter named Tareef sort of 'disappear' he can either be dead, or he could simply have ventured farther away from the others.

Third: I had Khamir realize that there was something amiss, and think of their basically unprotected 'rear.' For now, only three men have been sent to cover the rear, and I imagine hopefully gather some others that can be spared. This was the part I was most uncertain about, because I didn't want to infringe on any plans you had, Child, or any plans anyone else had. So, just let me know if there need to be minor or major changes.

Fourth: Vror has been taken care of...well, sorta. He's at least above ground again. And I managed to mutilate Adnan.

So, he's not dead. Just...in lots of pain.

Finally, I was really wondering how we're ever going to keep the slaver casualties realistic. (Just as an amusing thought I wanted to share, not actually as a concern.) We have determined there's 25 of them, but I wonder how true to that we will be able to remain in our posts about our characters killing them. I guess that's why I remained pretty vague except for Khamir taking one down with Adnan's help, and then Adnan managing (barely) to take one slaver down on his own.

Anyway...That is all, I think.

Edit: Oh...eight pages!

11-24-2006, 07:29 PM	#2
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	Considering the circumstances, I think what Dorran did was smartest. If he had gone in with his large, rohanian war horses, do you think any of the slavers who had seen him would have mistaken him for anything other than a foriegn rider? As it was, if they saw him, they could have easily taken him for one of their own companions. Also, with the wind and sand picking up, Dorran needed to be as close as he was in order to see what happened to Athwen. If he had been back with the other ex-slave riders, he wouldn't have been able to see clearly and wouldn't have been immediately aware of her danger. Dorran would have done a bit of riding before going out with the strange horse. He is also very used to working with horses, so he could probably adapt pretty well and fairly quickly to Rog's animal. Of course, it would have been nicer and much more convenient if he had been able to use his own horse, but it wouldn't have worked quite as well. I think it was fine. I'll try to post something tonight. -- Folwren __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis

11-25-2006, 10:40 AM	#4
Tevildo Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Curled up on Melko's lap Posts: 425	Nogrod - I've thought about your idea but decided to stick with my original plan. Here's more explanation than you ever wanted..... In Dorran's mind, the most important thing was avoiding detection. His own horse would have been a dead giveaway. Forgoil (Yes - Dorran has a wild sense of humor.) was a large battle hardened steed who would have stuck out like a sore thumb. (For similar reasons, Dorran couldn't borrow Lindir's horse.) What Dorran was doing was risky. The slavers numbered just two dozen and would have known each other on sight. Dorran stayed near the back to minimize his chance of being caught. His only real option for keeping his own horse would have been not to ride with the slavers. Since he didn't know if Athwen might be caught some distance away from camp, he refused to do that. Dorran had little time to "try out" Rôg's horse since Lindir came up with his idea at the last minute. All Dorran could do was make the best of a bad situation. Forced to make a choice between two imperfect options, he chose the one he thought would let him keep his wife safe. As the 'horse person' in the fellowship, he would have gained a basic understanding of all the horses. He had helped care for them every night during the long trek. Dorran purposely chose a nondescript mount with a steady disposition but made the mistake of overestimating his own abilities. As a gifted rider, he thought he could squeeze more out of Rôg's steed than was possible and ended up taking a fall. __________________ Now Tevildo was a mighty cat--the mightiest of all--and possessed of an evil spirit,...and he was in Melko's constant following; and that cat had all cats subject to him, and he and his subjects were the chasers and getters of meat for Melko's table. Last edited by Tevildo; 11-25-2006 at 11:03 AM.

11-25-2006, 12:37 PM	#6
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	Oh, I think it's definitely doable and probably best the way it is. -- Folwren __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis

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11-24-2006, 09:34 PM	#3
Hilde Bracegirdle Relic of Wandering Days Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: You'll See Perpetual Change. Posts: 1,480	Tevildo, Folwren and Nogrod, I have filled in the save for Carl, and think that he must be at the opposite end of the tunnel, thus missing out on what has been transpiring with your characters. Yes, as much as I like the fellow, he can pretty oblivious!

11-25-2006, 10:57 AM	#5
Firefoot Illusionary Holbytla Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,547	If you want to look at it from a different angle, too, you can look at jockeys... racing strange horses certainly isn't something that they would be unfamiliar with. The conditions are a bit different, granted, but comparable, I think.

11-25-2006, 04:43 PM	#7
Durelin Estelo dagnir, Melo ring Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,063	I took some liberties in my post, so I hope it's alright...but I am also completely prepared to change any of it. First thing: I decided that Khamir and the 'rear' 6 of the fighters were toward the end of the tunnel opposite the one the 'front' five of the fighters are closer to, and are further away from where Athwen is. Khamir has no idea what's going on on that end. Second: I had an NPC fighter named Tareef sort of 'disappear' he can either be dead, or he could simply have ventured farther away from the others. Third: I had Khamir realize that there was something amiss, and think of their basically unprotected 'rear.' For now, only three men have been sent to cover the rear, and I imagine hopefully gather some others that can be spared. This was the part I was most uncertain about, because I didn't want to infringe on any plans you had, Child, or any plans anyone else had. So, just let me know if there need to be minor or major changes. Fourth: Vror has been taken care of...well, sorta. He's at least above ground again. And I managed to mutilate Adnan. So, he's not dead. Just...in lots of pain. Finally, I was really wondering how we're ever going to keep the slaver casualties realistic. (Just as an amusing thought I wanted to share, not actually as a concern.) We have determined there's 25 of them, but I wonder how true to that we will be able to remain in our posts about our characters killing them. I guess that's why I remained pretty vague except for Khamir taking one down with Adnan's help, and then Adnan managing (barely) to take one slaver down on his own. Anyway...That is all, I think. Edit: Oh...eight pages!