The Hills of Evendim Planning/Discussion Thread

[piosenniel]

Originally posted by Elora:

Here's the plot outline, which I thought might be helpful. This outline is a guide which we'll use to move our story along and keep on track.

1.) Meetings

• Characters arrive at Prancing Pony and word of the search party to be formed reaches those at the inn courtesy of Falowik and the Master of Buckland's Second, Doderic Brandybuck.
  
• A party is formed of the disparite races, and the beginnings of both friendship and conflict begin. Not everyone will get along amicably. Each joins the party for their own reasons. Meneltarmacil is chosen as leader, and in that some differences emerge.
  

2.) Journey into the Wilds

• The party sets out, provisioned, to search the surrounding lands, heading west and north towards the Hills.
  
• The party follows the Brandywine River, observing the ban on travel through the Shire, uncovering a disturbing lack of trail and signs. Doubt as to whether Falowik really saw what he did begins.
  
• Whilst in the open land of the downs, the party undergoes it's first night attack. In the dark, chaos and confusion reign supreme. Doubt arises as to whether the source of aggression comes from within the group or from the mysterious men that were said by Falowik to have attacked Eodwine.
  
• Falco suspects Falowik and his "cohorts" are responsible for the night attack but says nothing for the moment as he lacks proof. He resolves to watch even closer.
  

3.) Foul deeds will out

• They reach Deadman's Dike and discover old signs of camp amid the ruins of Fornost. Disturbing evidence comes to light of those that made use of those ruins. (the remains of missing scouts, Rangers and messengers but not Eodwine)
  
• The extent of danger is realised too late for the party to withdraw and summon more assistance. It is now ominously evident that they are dealing with something far more sinister than rougish bandits, although what precisely is still unknown to them all.

4.) Wandering the Ruins of Men

• The party strikes west now, making for the Emyn Uial (Evendim Hills). They begin to discover the true extent of the menace in the north, but still do not know if Eodwine is alive or dead.
  
• A schism splits the party. One group thinks it would be wiser to return to Bree now whilst they still can and muster a force. The other refuses to leave Eodwine out there, the memory of the discovery at Fornost too vivid in their minds. The party decides to push on.
  
• The enemy has detected the party's presence at Fornost (Deadman's Dike) and now hunts them in a concerted, organised method.
  
• Those who press on, push towards Annuminas and Lake Nenuial. There they find the central settlement camp of the mysterous villian. The Emyn Uial are infested with a warren of murderous fiends. It is worse than even their darkest fears. The group is beset and the schism worsens under the pressure.

5.) Valour in Desolate Places

• A few believe that Eodwine must be located, somewhere in the ruins of Annuminas, despite the peril. They locate him with much difficulty, given the terrain and the danger, and unaware of whether he is dead or alive, resolve to bring him out and make a hard strike against the brigands and evil Men that are responsible for so much violence in the north.
  
• They launch a raid, a small number against many, alone in the wilderness. Their aim is to retrieve Eodwine and incur lasting damage to the villians however they may. Not everyone in the group agrees, some have grave misgivings such that they ponder about turning back even then to seek more help. This goes far beyond the Master of Buckland's writ.
  
• The raid very nearly ends disasterously. The party is split, some managing to escape and others forced to take temporary shelter in the Evendim Hills around Annuminas. The enemy hunts them with a vengeance. They flee back, through the hostile lands with either an alive and very injured Eodwine or his body, in a desperate flight, attempting to meet each other again. The only thing likely is that they will each meet their deaths.

6.) The Longest Road is that taken home

• Not all may emerge, depending on skirmishes and encounters with an enemy now intent on not letting word of their presence and numbers reach the Thain.
  
• Those that do survive flee to Bree in desperate flight. The Master of Buckland, aware of strife roused, is ready to receive their report.
  
• Once in Bree, their part of the venture is over. Injured, weary and heart sore after so much evil, The Master of Buckland stands them down with thanks. With his allies, he can move against the threat within the Evendim Hills.

__________________________________________________ _______________

Where are you in the game at this point?

~*~ Pio

[littlemanpoet]

We're moving from #4 to #5, and have deviated from the outline in three primary ways:

1. The enemy still doesn't know about us, we've been too thorough.

2. We have our own little army ready to use if we want them, though their health is in question.

3. Someone claims to have a secret, which needs to be discussed. I can make this individual a remorseful type who is quite willing to help, to move the plot toward it's soon to be finish.

I think we can have this wrapped up in 4 weeks, with a concerted effort from all involved, who are actually available.

LMP

[Imladris]

I have a question, LMP. From my understanding of your last post, some people will be staying behind in the base to help Uien. Is this correct? If so, will those people there also be attacked?

Thanks,
Imladris

[littlemanpoet]

Good question, Imladris. Since the Master and his forces don't know "we" exist, the settlement is probably safe. That's the way it looks to me, anyhow. So whoever goes on the next phase of our expedition, will be the only ones in immediate danger - and those against whom they march may be in more danger, the way this group fights.

I hope that answers your question. If you have any more, please bring them up.

[Elora]

And a fine resource it is, too. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Thanks for that, Pio. I have a well worn, tattered and coffee cup stained list of keyboard shortcuts that I never seem to be able to locate in the jumble of my desk when I need it.

Having it online is a wonderful thing.

[Elora]

We have a little hiccup with continuity in our story.

As I understood it, Falowik was speaking to Thoronmir in their room, and Lira was speaking with Uien in hers.

Meneltarmacil, your latest post has Thoronmir downstairs in the commonroom, with Lira present at the table. Unfortunately, there's no discussion of how that came to be. What did Thoronmir say to Falowik before he went downstairs? How did Lira come to be downstairs?

What I find helps is jotting down where characters are, what they are doing, who they are talking to. That way, if I need to reference them in my own post, I can maintain the flow of the story.

For now, I think we need an edit to fix this hiccup. Thoronmir's discussion is a good one, we just need to make it fit in with the earlier posts. Is there anyway you could add an exchange with Falowik before getting Thoronmir downstairs to have his discussion with the others, omitting Lira until such time as she reaches the commonroom herself?

Just a suggestion. If you have another way to amend it, that'd be fine too. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Personally, I'd like to see the conversation you wrote for Thoronmir remain as it adds interest to your character and the story. I thought it had lots of value. All we need to tweak are those little details that preceed Thoronmir's conversation in the commonroom.

[littlemanpoet]

I've adjusted my last post so that Thoronmir's gear is in the room, and not Thoronmir; no conversation until he arrives.

[Alatariel Telemnar]

Yet another mistake has been made, unless I missed something...

"Yes, please tell," said Finëwen.

in your post, Meneltarmacil, you said that Finëwen was at the table, yet in my last post, she was lying in bed, supposeldy going to sleep. Has Finëwen been moved back down there or something, I dont remember reading anything like that in peoples posts...

Either, I change it so that she appears to be down their for a bit, or you can just change it so that someone else changes it... it seems a lot easier if you would just change the name, so I wouldn't have to rewrite the post... but I dont mind rewriting it... I just wanted to point that out... [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[littlemanpoet]

Just a couple things, Elora. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

- Falowik leaves the door open for the sake of propriety. Thoronmir may come at any moment, and it would not be meet for him to barge into a private "who knows what?" behind a closed door.

- Falowik will not touch Uien out of his own desire or accord, except in ways that, though of an intimate nature, always follow form - such as the kissing of a hand, or any kind of touch that comes with courtesy and seemliness. His hands will be folded between his knees as he sits next to her.

I'll go ahead and post up my next bit, but I pray thee please edit your post accordingly... thanks! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[Elora]

Done and done [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

EDIT:

And done! Yipes!

I guess I should know by now what comes of doing multiple posts concurrently. Mish-mash! [img]smilies/redface.gif[/img]

Hopefully, I've un-mished the mash so that it is now lump free. Apologies and my thanks for your patience.

[ November 06, 2003: Message edited by: Elora ]

[Nurumaiel]

I'm back, everyone! I'll be reading through the game to get a clear idea of what's going on, and I should be fully 'back' in a day or two.

Thank ye, all!

[Lumiel]

Hey hey peoples! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Just letting you guys know that I won't be able to post until at least Saturday or Sunday. Have fun! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

~Lumiel

[Elora]

Hear ye, hear ye, oh good peoples of Evendim Hill ilk!

[img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Now that I have your attention, I thought I'd alert everyone that I will be forwarding our story along in 3 days time.

At such time, I will send off our party on their errand and move them along the trail.

If you have anything further for your character to wrap up between now and then, please do so as soon as you can.

My forwarding post will encompass the entire group of characters and move them at least two days into the journey.

If you have ideas that will be affected by this planned forwarding post, please drop me a P.M so that I can accomodate them for you.

So, 3 days to finish any current business of your character whilst at the Prancing Pony before dawn and the journey begins.

Just as a reminder, here is where we are at in the plot outline. It's a guideline that should help you come up with ideas for your character and the story. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Meetings - ALMOST FINISHED

• Characters arrive at Prancing Pony - DONE
  
• A party is formed of the disparite races, and the beginnings of both friendship and conflict begin. Not everyone will get along amicably. Each joins the party for their own reasons. Meneltarmacil is chosen as leader, and in that some differences emerge. - TO BE COMPLETED in 3 DAYS

Journey into the Wilds COMMENCING in 3 DAYS

• The party sets out, provisioned, to search the surrounding lands, heading west and north towards the Hills. - FORWARDING POST WILL BEGIN THIS FOR ALL CHARACTERS
  
• The party follows the Brandywine River, observing the ban on travel through the Shire, uncovering a disturbing lack of trail and signs. Doubt as to whether Falowik really saw what he did begins.
  
• Whilst in the open land of the downs, the party undergoes it's first night attack. In the dark, chaos and confusion reign supreme. Doubt arises as to whether the source of aggression comes from within the group or from the mysterious men that were said by Falowik to have attacked Eodwine.
  
• Falco suspects Falowik and his "cohorts" are responsible for the night attack but says nothing for the moment as he lacks proof. He resolves to watch even closer.
  

So, in short, in 3 days, dawn in Bree will arrive, the party will set out and the action will begin. I will get this going for us in my forwarding post.

If you've got any questions, feel free to P.M me or let me know here. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[Meneltarmacil]

I will not be able to post from Friday until late afternoon on Sunday, just to let you know.

[Elora]

Thanks for letting us know Meneltarmacil. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

I shall be putting up the forwarding post tomorrow.

It will take all characters from dawn to the late afternoon, two days hence into their journey along the Brandywine River.

Last call for anyone wanting to wrap up night before posts at the Prancing Pony or let me know of any thing prior to the post.

[img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[littlemanpoet]

Elora, please include in your forwarding post Falowik's acceptance of Thoronmir's offer to be second in command. Thanks! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[Elora]

Done [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Alright, we are now on the second evening of the venture on the very cusp of the Wilds.

I thought we would pause there so that if any of you had plans for your character, discussions or observations and the like, you could do so.

Lets get moving again, and into some action proper. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[Esgallhugwen]

I have a question. Will our camp be attacked around the time Falco takes up his watch? If so, I was wondering if it would be ok if Esgallhugwen during or before her watch or perhaps even when Falco is on watch and she leaves the camp to see what the problem is. Anyway she becomes distracted by faint sounds coming from behind a boulder or a few trees (if there are trees where we are). This could turn out to be a wounded wolf cub or such. Perhaps left as bait (to lure one of us astray from the camp), a horrible fluke of nature, or someone with an incredibly sick sense of humour.

So me, Esgallhugwen, will take this wounded cub into her care, and it could bring up questions as to wheather their being watched or if it was just chance they came across this wounded creature.

It's just an idea that may help to bring about the night attack, bring up the question as to who attacked them, give Falco motive to think it was the Big Folk portion of their group who did the deed and so forth.

So please let me know what you think. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] That's just the simple version.

[Elora]

Good idea, Esgallhugwen. By all means go ahead with the wolf cub.

If the camp is to be attacked, it will not be on this night, as far as I know.

One of the things about this RP is that the baddies are surprise elements for us all to contend with. So as far as I know there is no plan to attack the camp tonight, BUT the group is heading into very dangerous territory and so may be attacked later on, as per the plot outline. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Hope that helps.

[Esgallhugwen]

Ok that's great I just wanted to clear that up, I wasn't too sure if any fighting would be happening that night or not. I suppose it's good that it doesn't for the sake of the wolf cub's safety and all. Besides I think we're still too much in the open land for them to be attacking us yet.

[Elora]

Alrighty, we've moved along again.

The group is now camped just outside of Fornost. This is the chance to decide if your character is starting to wonder about the rumoured ruffians which have been absent. It's also the opportunity to explore your character's expectations of what will be found at Fornost.

Let's get going folks. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[Imladris]

LMP, I posted something with Gorby painting Falowik and I hope I didn't get his features too messed up...speaking of Gorby, is he hobbitish enough?

Acutally, speaking of my characters, please tell me if you have any problems with Lira...

[Nurumaiel]

I've done a post for Anson. Imladris, I hope his interaction with Gorby is all right. Just let me know if you think Gorby is at all out of character. I fear Anson has some serious misconceptions about Middle-Earth...

[Imladris]

Nice to see you post, Nuramiel! I was afraid that I might get Anson all out of shape! No, you did a good job with Gorby and yes Anson does have serious misconceptions of Middle-earth...but it will provide food for thought for Gorby, if I can get the post crafted!

[littlemanpoet]

All of your posts have been quite intriguing lately. Good stuff! I've been able to use them as bouncing off points to do some character stuff with Falowik.

One other thing: we passed right by the place where Falowik witnessed Eodwine's capture - somewhere about half way between the last camp and Fornost. I'm about to post a flashback type post to include that. You all have been doing great with the "doubt Falowik or not" posts, so it actually dovetails pretty well! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[Meneltarmacil]

I've just posted about the company's arrival at the outskirts of Fornost, and I think now would probably be a good time for our enemies to show up. (note the description of the hills)

[Imladris]

LMP, that was a very nice post, except that Corn is Lira's bird, not Eswen's. I was just wondering if you could fix that... [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[Alatariel Telemnar]

Okay, Im all confuzzled... *decides she should read the posts more carefully*

umm, just ignore me... I get confuzzled all the time... I will understand... eventually...

[Elora]

True to form, Uien has gone a-wandering away into the twilight with heart and mind filled with all manner of things.

I have a plan for her. Stones hold memory and sometimes sing and lament in such a way that Elves can hear and sense it if close enough. Recall Legolas' words as the Fellowship travelled through Hollin, if you will.

Uien will hear snippets of lament in the stone ruins of Fornost that the group can use to unravel events at the place. However, as is often case, the true meaning of the stone's lament will not become clear until after a pivotal event.

In this case, it will be after the group stumbles on the other evidence of evil amidst the stones of Fornost that the full meaning becomes clear.

[img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Great work everyone. Let's keep it up.

[Imladris]

Elora , not meaning to try to rush over and steal your thunder, but wouldn't all the elves hear the stones? Unless Uien could hear it because she was alone... [img]smilies/confused.gif[/img]

[Elora]

Yes, Elves would hear the stones if they were nearby and it was quiet enough.

I reasoned that the stones whispered rather than rang out over the countryside. It is for that reason, that Uien will hear the stones of Fornost, for she is in their immediate vicinity and she is alone and there are no competing sounds to drown out their whispered lament.

When the other elves come to the vicinity of the stones, and should it be quiet enough when they do and they are paying attention, it is likely that they too will make out what is stored within the stone's depth by way of memory.

I am presently in the process of planning out in greater detail the events of Fornost, but rest assured, all will come to Fornost to hear and see what they will in good time.

[img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[Imladris]

That's what I figured but I wanted to make sure...thanks!

[littlemanpoet]

Oops! Sorry, Lira. I will go fix.

[Imladris]

It's okay...I know how terribly confusing names can be...

[Lumiel]

Imladris, if I use your character in a wrong way, just tell me. I didn't put a lot of what Gorby did in my post because I didn't want to accidentally write it in a way that was out of character for him.

[littlemanpoet]

We have a couple continuity problems at the moment, nothing insurmountable but I thought I'd mention them so we can set them straight.

Elora: When Falowik withdraws into himself, and Uien slips away, and Gorby is drawing Falowik's face, they're all around the fire already, not riding horses anymore.

Imladris and Lumiel: Gorby's question to Lumiel if she likes the Shire is of course within his rights to ask, but it is a little naive of him as well, because the King's Edict is in effect, and Lumiel cannot have gone into the Shire, unless she did it in that special way Elves do, at night, in secret, in which case Lumiel would not find it any more warm and friendly than anywhere else - and I would suspect that this is not how Lumiel would move about anyway. So Lumiel can't really answer in the way she did, because she's not untruthful, seems to me. I still think you can have the two talk about it, but in a way that has continuity with the Edict.

Sorry to cause a fuss. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]

LMP

[Imladris]

No trouble at all! How would Bree work? Gorby is fascinated with Bree so it wouldn't seem too out of place...I haven't read LotR for a while so I tend to forget small details like that... [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] I'm sorry...you'd think that after my reading it about five times or so in the last three years I'd remember more...

Edit: I'll change when I hear back from one of the game owners and Lumiel, Gorby was fine...the whole post was nice except that I got the subject content messed up...*chagrined blush*

[ November 22, 2003: Message edited by: Imladris ]

[Elora]

LMP!


I'll do a quick re-work to fix that glitch up. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]


As for Bree.... I see Bree as a conduit for the folk of the Shire and the larger world. The Edict would mean that the wider world has no way into the Shire. Bree would be the one place where they could trade with Hobbits, and Hobbits with them. So I see it as a bit of a commercial, mercantile centre, a cross roads of sorts that links the protected Shire to the rest of the world, for Bree lies not in the Shire.

[img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[Imladris]

Hence the reason for Gorby's fascination of it...I'm off to change it to Bree then!

[Imladris]

Guys, just wanted to let you know that I will be gone from Wednesday through Sunday.

Why I'm writing, can elves talk to animals?? I'm just wondering and don't have time to do a search...