Search for Rhûn Discussion Thread

[Will Witfoot]

Himaran, I have a post ready about Gortek's feelings about the journey south and on the arrival to Rhûn. Would it be possible to put it into that save of your's, since I don't have time at the moment to add to it and write about the journey over the mountains. My next post will be made by tommorow night.

Here is the post:


Will Witfoot's post

From the beginning Gortek had been joyed by the arrival of some fresh company, and the last couple of weeks had certainly not dulled that feeling. Even the apparent distrust that some of the party's numbers seemed to hold against the three companions couldn't bring him down.

During his journeys he had, of course, heard rumors and stories about the land of Rhûn. Everyone with the slightest inkling of the subject claimed that Rhûn was filled with a myriad of natural treasure, but that in it's jungles, death stalked those foolhardy enough to cross it's borders.
He wasn't worried about the potential dangers of the journey. If he had wanted a safe and secure life he wouldn't have made travelling his chosen way of life.
As for the promise of possible riches, Gortek had a hard time containing his excitement. Where ever there was wealth to be gained, he couldn't be kept out.

The simple thought of all the upcoming excitement made him want to burst out in mirth. Even now he couldn't entirely suppress a jolly cackle from escaping now and then. Completely caught up in his daydreaming, he failed to notice that the rest of the company were giving him some berth, seemingly unnerved by his mad laughter.

That was when he heard Bali call: "Over the next hill, we may be able to see the sea! We made it, laddies, were here!"

Gortek almost leapt next to the expedition's leader, eager to catch a glimpse of the fabled land of untold riches and death.
Judging by the gasps of surprise, cries of disappointment and the confused look on Bali's face Rhûn wasn't what they had expected it to be.
Gortek's own expectations concerning the place had always been vague, as news of Rhûn were for the most part very scarce. From what little he had heard though, he knew that entering the land wasn't going to be easy.

He glanced at the company.
"Well, what did ye expect? 'Course it's got to be difficult ta get in, otherwise all the riches would have been taken by now."

He joined the others as they began to trudge southward, looking for a way that would grant them passage into the land of Rhûn.
They had been travelling for several hours when they found what they had been looking for. Overhead, high in the mountains, one could see a high pass that cut it’s way between two ancient and mighty peaks. To get there, though, they would have to scale up the sheer face of the rocky cliff that arose from the earth like a natural wall. It seemed like Rhûn itself wanted to be left alone into its brooding solitude.

[Himaran]

Will - I placed it in the appropriate spot.

Alright, we made it!

Now, we enter the dense jungle. It is time to get lost in the maze. All the while, we get closer to the sea, but get more and more lost.

PROBLEMS THAT NEED TO OCCUR: - I don't want to do this by myself:

Jungle is uncomfortable. Flies, snakes, etc.
Dwarves get lost, think that they are going in circles.
The map (useless as it is) gets blown off by the wind.
A dwarf stumbled of the side of a plateau. Holding onto the edge, he is forced to drop his provisions in order to survive.
Once they stumble upon a path, there is a roadblock. They are forced to enter the jungle again!

Other posibilities:

Harassment by Rhunians?
Minor injuries - broken hand? Fingers?

Final Destination:

Reaching the Sea of Rhun. (accidentally)

[Himaran]

Novnarwen will deal with the following in her post:

Jungle is uncomfortable. Flies, snakes, etc.
Dwarves get lost, think that they are going in circles.

People still need to post about the following:

The map (useless as it is) gets blown off by the wind.
A dwarf stumbled of the side of a plateau. Holding onto the edge, he is forced to drop his provisions in order to survive.
Once they stumble upon a path, there is a roadblock. They are forced to enter the jungle again!

Seriously, why do I keep getting the feeling that I am the only person writing in this RPG? Some of you are posting regularly, but most are not. The game only has 30 days left. This is the INTERESTING part of the game, and no one is posting at all. The game is always at the bottom of the Shire.

I don't want to be harsh, but if you are having problems at least let me know. You need to post in the game thread twice a week for this game to finish, and it is not happening. Some of you haven't posted for a month or so.

I love RPGS - I love this game, and I know it can be successful and interesting. But we won't have time for interesting happenings at the sea and in the caves in people don't post and move the game along. I don't want to take up 5 consectutive posts on the discussion thread yelling at people to fulfill their obligations.

Please, lets finish this one out in a decent manner.

Himaran.

[Novnarwen]

I've filled my save. Hope it is alright that Dwalin was bitten by a snake. I don't know how bad it is yet, all depends on whether it was poisonous (?) ....

Anyway, I am not trying to criticize, but I feel I have to say it anyway.

I love this game, but it's really hard to write posts. This particularly, since there are so many players who have 'dropped out' in one way or another. (That is at least the impression I have.) Therefore, I think it's difficult to interact with other characters in a way I would think was more exciting, in a way I would normally want to. I mean, it seems to me that none of the characters are even talking to each other, exchanging thoughts etc.

I know I was probably exaggerating there, but I feel that the characters are never getting to really know each other.

Anyhow, if we want this to really evolve into an extraordinary Dwarven adventure, with these nice twists, we need to get more posters.

I’m not trying to criticize or offend anyone, but it's a fact (or at least for me) that I find it very difficult to write posts in this RPG for the reason mentioned above.

Cheers,
Nova

(I will delete this post if you think it is offending or etc.)

[Carlas]

I couldn't agree with you more Nova, and I'm sorry to everyone if I haven't been posting as much as I would normally but I am trying to as often as I can! Plus my "e" key hasn't been working, I have to press it three times before it works!

Now to the game:

I just got rid of the [useless] map, but are there any dwarves in the group who know how to take care of a snake bite? Could come in handy right about now...

LET'S GET POSTING!

[Will Witfoot]

Well, I just handled the part where a dwarf loses his provisions while dangling from the cliff side.

I agree with Novnarwen, although I'm quite aware that I'm one of those 'slackers'. Once more I appologise for that, but I did have a horrendous amount of schoolwork to do. Now that my vacations begun, however, it's a completely different story .

I will from now on keep a steady stream of posts coming. Lets hope we can get this game up & running properly again!

[Himaran]

Dwalin is fine.

Gortek was pulled up, but he lost his pack. It had rope and provisions in it.

NOW: The dwarves go along the Plateau. Their path is soon blocked by an bunch of trees and rocks.

Remember: Before we reach the sea, the dwarves need to be in a poor physical and mental state. That means:

After going back into the jungle following the roadblock, the dwarve's food is ripped through by.... animals.... or Rhunians, if they post.

So....

We lose our food supply, and start getting hungry.
More injuries.
Tempers grow raw.

Then, we hit the sea.... We hit the sea on Wednesday, June 2.

_________________

About posters and non posters.

In essence, this game is going very poorly. There has been no bonding between characters because few characters ever post. This is solely there fault not that of those who have posted regularly.

I am not mad at anyone, just frustrated that friendships have not been forged between the dwarves, travellers, etc. Just rifts!

But maybe it is better this way - the company will bond when they are pitted against the Rhunians. The game could still end quite well, if people are willing to post.

Arvedui III: Time to start posting. We will meet your character soon!

[piosenniel]

Since Eruwen (Bestialan) hasn't posted in so long and hasn't responded to any of my PM's, please feel free to take over the character and do with him as benefits the game.

~*~ Pio

[Saraphim]

Oh! Everything is clear now. Thanks, Arestevana, for saying something, or I would have blundered about for a while. We could link up later on, perhaps when either hear from Eruwen or Bestialan gets killed off from lack of posting.

[Himaran]

Dwarves/Travelers: Get us to the sea, following these instructions

Whoever posts for the dwarves next needs to move us through the Canyon. In the Canyon there is a side path that leads east. The dwarves look at it, wondering where it leads. It leads to the Rhunian's Cave Entrance. Thus, a dwarf might have a premonition that evil lingers in that passage. But either way, the dwarves ignore it and continue through the canyon to its end. Then they see the sun shining brightly on the ground.

POST!

4 weeks left to go. I have worked out a schedule, and we can finish comfortably on time if people continue to post regularly.

Himaran

[Saraphim]

I had Nephil lay out plans with Maulká in my last post. If they do not correspond with things already in motion, I'll edit swiftly, but I figured I'd get things in motion a bit.

[Carlas]

We finally made it to the sea of Ruhn, and before any dwarves went mad too! But good things never seem to last...

Himaran- Just so you know: The next 2 or 3 weeks I'll be having exams, EQAO, and all that fun end of the year stuff. I should be able to still post regularly and if not then you can just carry my character along, but I don't think there should be a problem.

[Himaran]

[B]The secret of the Sea of Rhun has been revealed.[/I]

My post covers a long time period. If anyone wants anything to happen BEFORE Bestialen attacks, post it on the Discussion Thread, and I will put it in the game.

Rhunians:

Bestialen attacked alone. Perhaps, after watching the battle and seeing what good fighters the dwarves are, you have a double take and decide to head back to the caves. Then the dwarves find your tracks and follow you to the entrance.

BTW, Aresteva, I made us of your putting the snake in Durin's pack...

Carlas:

Thanks for the notice. I doubt there will be a problem.


Himaran

[bilbo_baggins]

I am willing to post soon, Himaran. If Bestialen comes alone, can we still kill him, even if he is a pretty major character? Thanks.

I am rarin' to go and kill some Rhunians.

[Himaran]

I placed Fordim's post in the correct area, so that does it for the battle posts. We have (based on my ever changing game schedule) until Monday, June 7th to enter the caves. Today or tomorrow, I will post a detailed description of the rest of the game, so people can start posting without waiting for my to yell at them.

Himaran

[Himaran]

Ok: Here is a schedule for half of the remaining part of the game. I figure that if I reveal it to you now, you will be better able to post without having to wait for me to confirm something.

Rhunians:

Go to your leaders and report that you found an extraordinary large catch.
While you are giving your report, guards come and say that the catch has entered the cave system.
Your leaders decide: "Let them come deeper, farther."

Prisoner:

Hear's odd sounds.
Suddenly, a group of travelers breaks through your door.

Dwarves/Travelers:

Stumble around caves.
"This seems to be a door."
They break through it, only to find Arvedui III's character

Rhunians:

"They have broken into the hushed room!" (where catches are kept). "We can no longer wait."
The Rhunians (maybe twenty or so) hurry through the tunnels, heading for the prisoner's room.

Dwarves/Travelers/Prisoner:

"Something approaches."
"Stand ready, weapons out!"
Bali and Haenir shove the door back into place and brace it with two rocks.
The elf (I can never remember his name!) draws back two shafts. Hatchets are readied.
Then the dwarves hear noises behind them, they start to turn...
"Hold fast! Bali shouts. "It may be a trick - they will come. Durin, see if anything is there." And nothing is.

Rhunians:

The door won't budge. They bring in a small trunk, and pound it against the stone a few times. It collapses.


_____________________

General Battle Scene: Anyone can post at this time.

The outcome is. Several dwarves are injured (not seriously), and everyone survives. About five Rhunian's die, and they retreat into the tunnels.

______________________


[b]Please: to make this go smoothly, take a section - one or two lines - and write about it from your characters point of view. If we all take bits and pieces of this IN ORDER, you won't all have to wait around for me to tell you what to write.

From now on, it is your responsibility as players to move the plot along. I will motivate, and post as well - But not five times in a row.

Lets Move!

Himaran

[Novnarwen]

Isn't it ironic how I *complain* about few posters, and then three days after my computer breaks down and I'm not able to go properly on before the 6th of June (today) ?????!!!

I'm really sorry, I feel so bad about this. I've managed to read the last page of the RPG though. I haven't posted since the 28th and there has been loads of posts after that, so.... Anyway, I won't be able to post now since my computer time is up... but...I PROMISE AT LEAST ONE POST TOMORROW, HIMARAN....

Computers are nasssssty little things..
Yet again, sorry.

The slightly unhappy
Nova

[Himaran]

[b]Ok: here are the next posts that need to be done by someone OTHER THAN ME!!!



Arvedui III: I put a save up for you so the game can keep going.

Prisoner:

Hears odd sounds.
Suddenly, a group of travelers breaks through your door.

Dwarves/Travelers:

Break through the door, only to find Arvedui III's character.

Arvedui III's character is a young Gondorian man, wearing Gondorian clothing. He has been there for some time now, so he is dirty and has a haunted appearance. After all, the sounds, and the leather, and the sting of the whip... They torture their victims, you see.

[b]Rhunians:

"They have broken into the hushed room!" (where catches are kept). "We can no longer wait."
The Rhunians (maybe twenty or so) hurry through the tunnels, heading for the prisoner's room.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

I'm sorry for the lengthy disappearance. But I'm back on a regular basis now. I promise to post sometime today - tomorrow for our comrades east of the IDL.

[Himaran]

Ok, my post covered a few things - the door has been barricaded, and the D/T/P are ready for a fight!

Here's what must happen next:

Rhunians:

The door won't budge. You bring in a small trunk, and pound it against the stone a few times. It collapses.
_____________________


General Battle Scene: Anyone can post at this time.

The outcome is:

Several dwarves are injured (not seriously).
All D/T/Psurvive.
About 5 Rhunian's die
Rhunians: retreat into the tunnels.

Remember Dwarves:

These are very good fighters. Please: no "easy kills" where you swing at them and they fall over dead. Only exception is a hatchet or arrow kill when they bust through.

Himaran

[Himaran]

Rhunians:

Time to break off and retreat. You lost quite a few warriors.


Dwarves:

KILL, KILL, KILL! Once the Rhunian(s) post(s), the battle is over.


Himaran

[Himaran]

Ok: Battle Over!

Rhunians: Lick your wounds, argue, etc. We will be leaving the hushed room in two days (real time).


D/T/P: Time for some thoughtful posts. I think its time our characters got to know one another. We have until the 14th to do this and be on schedule, so there is plenty of time.

Fordim Hedgethistle: Bali and Haenir are having a conversation. You can read Bali's question and post a followup.

[Himaran]

Ok: We now officially do NOT have plenty of time. POST!!!!

[Himaran]

Get these posts up! If we have enough time, there is an interesting plot twist I would like to throw in. It would not work if we are behind schedule, however.

Himaran

[Himaran]

Ok: We are done in the chamber... so...

The Final Chapter: (outline)


Dwarves:

Decide to leave the chamber and explore the tunnels. And leave Rhun altogether, as there is no treasure. They know that they can beat the Rhunians, but why bother fighting them?

They travel through the tunnels and stumble upon the room where the Rhunians that attacked them are staying.

QUICK BATTLE:
Outcome:

Several Rhunians Die.
Bali is captured.
Rhunians Flee.


Everything above this line needs to be competed by Tuesday, June 22.
________________________



Dwarves:

Decide to go and find Bali. He kept them alive through the whole ordeal, so they should repay him.

Rhunians:

Take prisoner to the central cavern: The Council Room.
They decide to use him to lure the dwarves down to them.

Dwarves:

You attack immediately.
You charge into the Council Room before the Rhunians are ready, but slow down when you see Bali with a knife at his throat.

Haenir spots a large crystal-like ball. He grabs it for some odd reason. Suddenly, the Rhunians shrink back in fear. The crystal ball was found in their Sea by their first leader, and it "protects them." With it in enemy hands, they are afraid.

Dwalin understands this at once. "Hand over Bali," he says in a commanding tone, "Or I will destroy this crystal." He holds his axe over it, threateningly.

They hand over Bali. The dwarves leave peacefully, holding the crystal.

__________________________

Time for last posts! These are about:

Rhunians: The Crystal is gone! But they dare not go after them. For they will destroy it, and that would kill them all.

Dwarves: Time to go home! The dwarves leave the canyon, scale the plateau, traverse the jungle, and leave Rhun across the waterfall. The wide land spreads out before them. And they have a piece of treasure, invaluable in worth. It will sit in Erebor's hall, displayed for all to see - for the land of Rhun was conquered.

________

The End.


Almost done. Please post - take sections of this plot and post!!! I will put up a save - continue anyway!!!

Himaran

[Novnarwen]

I'm just going to drop by now and say that I'm going on holidays. I'll be away from Thursday (evening); 17th of June until Wednesday; 23rd of June. During that time, I will have no omputer access, so I would appreciate if you (Pio or Himaran or anyone else) put up saves for me, as needed.

I'll probably be able to post by next Thursday (24th of June).

However, I've put up a save now, of which I'll fill tomorrow, and I'll try to post early Thursday.

Thanks in advance,
Nova

EDIT: I've filled my save

[Himaran]

Filled in my save.

Arvedui III: You have a save to fill.

Keep up the conversations - we can stumble around in the tunnels until Saturday, June 19th.

Himaran

[Himaran]

Common guys, POST! Only three days left, so let's finish this one quickly.

[Novnarwen]

Okay, I've filled my save. Sorry for the delay. (I never seem to be able to fill them in the right time, do I? )

Thanks Himaran for putting up a save for me. I'm working on the post now. Should be up later this evening.

Cheers,
Nova

Novnarwen's post - PLACED ON THE GAME THREAD - Pio

Everything had happened to quickly. Before the poor dwarf had given all this thought, he suddenly found himself and the company standing in a chamber, surrounded by these barbarians who were now closing in on them. Their blades were raised, and their eyes were lit up with a certain desire to end all of their petty little lives. They were ready to strike any moment now. But with a movement so fast, that the eye might have missed it, Hænir darted unexpectedly towards something which had obviously caught his attention. Grabbing a hold of whatever it was, everyone went silent. The Rhuians, who seemed quite pleased by the company’s arrival, seemed now to be in shock. Their muttering, their giggling and their smirking; all was gone. Now, everyone seemed rather tense. The barbarians, stood with mouths open, heaving after air. What was happening? Even Dwalin felt his sweaty hands almost losing their grip of his axe, which he had raised to defend himself.

After a few seconds, as Hænir had grabbed whatever it was, he came hurrying back towards Dwalin. Showing sign to hold his hands out, Hænir handed him something . . . a stone . . . Dwalin looked hesitatingly at him and at the shining object. The Dwarf hadn’t noticed its light before, but now, as it shone so clearly before his eyes, he couldn’t take his eyes from it. Was it gold? Was this the treasure they had come all the way from Erebor to get? He wondered. As he got a proper look of it, it actually reminded him of the moon. It was letting out this silvery light; which gave the impression of being an orb. No, this was not at all gold.

“Lad, I think I could use your help with this; just hold your axe above this trinket and make like you’re about ready to break it. Maybe that will convince them to give us back our leader!" Hænir said.

"Wow, this must be valuable!" Dwalin muttered to himself, not quite following Hænir’s way of thinking. He kept staring at it, feeling numb all over, as if a spell had been cast over him. It didn’t exactly reflect anything, so it was most definitely not some kind of mirror. It wasn’t gold either, and it could certainly not be silver. It was way too heavy for that. “But it must be valuable," Dwalin muttered again, as he was able to turn his attention towards the Rhuians, Hænir and Bali. And just then, he knew what Hænir had meant. It was valuable, very valuable. If it wasn't, why else would the Rhuians stand so still as if it was the end of the world? None of them had in fact moved after Hænir had got his hands on it.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could spot Bali. He tried to give him a wave. But as he was about to wave to Bali with his axe in his left hand and the orb in his right, he realised that it was quite complicated, and naturally he failed. He tried again, now almost losing his grip on the orb. There was a loud uproar in the crowd of Rhuians, as they saw how Dwalin had almost dropped the orb to the ground. The fear in their eyes showed that this thing, which Dwalin was holding, was something of the most precious they had. Giving this one more thought, Dwalin held his axe over the orb. Again, there was shouting and screaming. Frightened Rhuians looked as if they wanted to get a hold of the dwarf who was threatening to destroy the orb, but because of their fear that he would destroy it, they kept still. Dwalin smirked, hearing Hænir.

"Let the dwarf go, and I shall not give him," Hænir pointed at Dwalin, "orders to destroy it." The Rhuians looked sceptically at Hænir, showing no sign of letting Bali go. As Dwalin knew that they definitely had the advantage in this situation, he giggled. He lifted his axe, looked at the Rhuians who were surrounding them and Bali, ready to strike. Once more the Rhuians looked terrified, and they seemed to be having a disagreement. Dwalin couldn't make out what they said, but they seemed quite angry. "Don't give them anymore time," Hænir whispered into Dwalin air. He nodded, and sank his axe slowly. Just then, there was a loud scream from one of the Rhuians. As if seen a ghost, the Rhuian's white face lit up the chamber. Everyone seemed to turn their attention towards Dwalin and the company, who had just earlier burst into the room. Everyone held their breaths, looking horrified.

Just before the axe would have destroyed the orb with the beautiful light, movements from the corner interrupted Dwalin’s concentration. From where Bali stood, also holding his breath, the Rhuians spread to give the dwarf room to walk pass them. Dwalin looked surprisingly around, very pleased with himself.

[Himaran]

Nova: Sounds good! Thanks for filling them in quickly.

Everyone: Time for last posts!

Dwarves, Travelers, and Arvedui III (if you are still out there):

Your final posts should be about heading up the canyon, scaling the plateau, going through the jungle, and exiting Rhun under the waterfall; just like how we came in. You can take one or more of these things and post about them, summing up your characters feelings about the game.

Saraphim: As the only remaining Rhunian, your last post can be about the reaction the whole tribe has to losing their sacred crystal. Be creative - good luck!

After enough people have last posts up, I will post my epilogue to the story and we are done. Hurry! The game cannot end any later than Tuesday.

Himaran

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

I've put up my final post and left the end of it ambiguous as to what happens with the globe. Given who Haenir is, there is no way he would consciously steal another people's sacred object, so I have him all ready to return it to Maulka.

I leave it to you Himaran, how to resolve this in your Epilogue. If you want Haenir to give it up, then that's good by me. If you want the Dwarves to keep it, you'd best have Bali notice what Haenir is about to do and then stop him!

Fun game all!

[Novnarwen]

Hi!

Here is my last post.

Novnarwen's post -Dwalin - POSTED ON RPG ~*~ PIO

It was a silent company that set out that day. When thinking about what they had been through, especially after the last event, Dwalin understood why. Now he found himself deep in thought however. Not only had he doubted that his brother was alive, been bitten by a snake, lost the map, seen Kain die, but he'd also promised these dwarves treasures. In fact, Dwalin had to admit, he had imagined mountains of gold and oceans of silver. Unfortunately, that had only been a dream not coming true. All they had was the crystal ball they had taken from the Rhuians, and what were they supposed to do with it? Dwalin didn't at all mind Hænir wanting to give it back to the Rhuians, as he would certainly not find it in useful in any way.

The lack of treasures and their misfortune was eating Dwalin up inside, as they walked in silence. And if that wasn't enough, he kept thinking about the second voice in his head; the one that had said all those things about him being jealous at Bali. Had he not proven himself in the chamber, when he had saved his brother's life? Dwalin frowned, being ashamed of himself. How should he not have saved him? They were brothers! And yes, he cared for him very much. Was he really jealous, or did he just admire him? Those were two very different things, but hard to tell apart. Deciding that he would have to think this through, he snorted and followed the others.

Soon, the company found themselves looking into the eyes of one of the Rhuians; a woman. Dwalin had seen her in the chamber. She, too, had stood stricken, as if the world was about to end when the dwarves threatened to destroy the orb. At the time, Dwalin hadn't felt anything. He hadn't offered her a thought. Now on the other hand, he realised, by looking at her, that it was right to give it back. As Hænir handed the crystal ball of to the woman, Dwalin smiled. They hadn't found any treasures, but Dwalin settled with the thought of Hænir showing such nobility was a treasure in itself. He only hoped that the others settled with this thought as well.

***

For each step however, as they got closer and closer to Erebor, Dwalin had difficulties coping and believing that they were on their way home from a perilous adventure. It had only brought but misfortune to all of them, so it was no wonder why he couldn’t cope with it. Or was it? After the company passed the sea of where Kain had died, Dwalin couldn't stop thinking of this event. Had it been his fault? After all, it had been he who had dragged the dwarves out on this quest. And what did any of them come home with except a story about bad fortune and much misery? He shook his head. At last, Dwalin had made up his mind.

"I need to talk to you," he whispered into Bali's ear. "But it can wait until we get home."

He turned his gaze to sky as they were coming out from the jungle. Far ahead he could spot a bird, flying. Was it coming towards them, to meet them, or would it be waiting for them when they came hurrying along the road out of Rhûn? Dwalin wondered.

***

Thank you for a wonderful Game, Himaran.

It has been great gaming with all of you! I hope we can do it again some time soon.

Thanks again,
Nova