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

[mark12_30]

Originally Posted by Feanor of the Peredhil

Oh dear... I suppose now I'll have to get involved in the "RPG thing", as it is so aptly put. I really haven't the faintest idea where to begin...

There's no knife at your throat, Fea, at least not on my account. Can't answer for your threadmates, can I?

Normally The Downs periodically hosts some sort of party thread to give folk a taste of RPG'ing without the rigors thereof. This falls along those lines-- come and go as you please, be a reasonable citizen of The Downs, have fun while you are at it.

At least, that's how I see it thus far. But who knows in what form it will actually materialize?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

This falls along those lines-- come and go as you please, be a reasonable citizen of The Downs, have fun while you are at it.

That's highly reassuring. You see, I'm excited to take part in this, but I was afraid that my busy and ever-changing schedule would make it impossible to stick around, which is part of why I never managed to get into RPGing.

There's no knife at your throat, Fea, at least not on my account. Can't answer for your threadmates, can I?

That's less reassuring.

Fea

[the phantom]

This thing sounds like fun, but who would I want to fight?

And what about?

And what loon would be willing to fight me?

And is there a way to sufficiently handicap me (to make it fair for my opponent)?

[The Barrow-Wight]

I've not yet seen Rimbaud's e-mail on this topic, but I am wondering how mock duels could be accomplished without straying from the theme of the Downs. They sound entertaining, but I'm just not grasping how they might fit into our fairly strict Middle-earth boundaries. Allowing members to go on random rants against each other may be humorous and even interesting, but where would it stop? If we begin with faux fights, would real debates follow? And then what? Rap battles? Beat poetry bashes? We've never had an off-topic section on the Downs before, and this idea looks like a first step down that road. Am I wrong? Am I misunderstanding something? If so, tell me about it and I'll give it some more thought.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Oh, I definitely think one should come in one’s own Barrow Downs persona and follow RPG rules. But on the question of what issues should be resolved… perhaps the would be duelists should be requested to submit a short form on the thread declaring their issue (which must be Tolkien related) and weapons to be used (must be appropriate). The proposed duel could be accepted or rejected or further refined at that point. After a submittal is accepted, a time limit might be set, or perhaps a limit on the number of posts allowed. Just some thoughts on how it might be kept on track. Of course a certain etiquette should be developed and adhered to.

[mark12_30]

I have not seen Rimbaud's recommendations and so have hesitated to reply. However, from my viewpoint and by my recommendation:

It would be no different than any other Inn or Party-thread except that fighting ( *in character* ) and using satirical elements would be expected rather than disallowed.

Tolkien-oriented themes, Tolkien-oriented topics of discussion, **and** arriving, engaging, and departing in-Tolkien-based character would all be requirements.

The thread would, of course, be in a moderated forum (Gondor, Rohan, and The Shire are dependably and capably moderated as is Mirth) and as usual the reigning moderator would have final say on all posts.

All of these elements have been put to good use in some form or other on the Downs since the RPG forum reforms were put in place. The Snowed Inn allowed for fighting (snowball fighting) which turned into Maia-snow-battles (as I recall Tulkas vs Balrog) with enjoyable satirical elements involved; no departure from Tolkien themes occured, although there was one character-hijacking which was immediately rectified as soon as it was pointed out.

In the current Inns, one may come and go (in-character) as one wishes, and be engaged by whoever else chooses to engage.

Satire is employed in the Entish Bow.

[Amanaduial the archer]

I really haven't the faintest idea where to begin...

Well, there's always the 'Dragon, y'know Good place for anyone wishing to start gaming whenever you can fit it in, although if there are any fights, there will be *cough* words with the Innkeeper. *evil* Yes, Mark, I'm looking at you

Originally Posted by Feanor of the Peredhil

That's less reassuring.

The Innkeeper sidles a step or two away from Fea and hides the knife in her skirts. "Ahem..."

In the current Inns, one may come and go (in-character) as one wishes, and be engaged by whoever else chooses to engage.

This maybe brings up a question, Helen: would you come to The, however you name it, the 'Dueling Inn' in character or as yourself? Would the 'duels' be between the members themselves, or between devised characters?

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by mark12_30

... arriving, engaging, and departing in-Tolkien-based character would all be requirements.

Well that counts me out then.

Which is a shame since, being experienced in the resolution of disputes in my professional capacity, I might have been able to offer a service here - for a reasonable fee, of course.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

... arriving, engaging, and departing in-Tolkien-based character would all be requirements.

Fea shows off her strikingly beautiful Half-Elven self: a fiery spirited young maiden with a distinct love and respect for art and nature, but with Man's desire for scientific advancements. Even while she puts up with no foolery, Fea's sense of humor is legendary.

Cough, cough. It makes it easy when your screen name is ripped directly from Tolkien's world. But, Saucie, I suppose you could be a mimicry of Samwise Gamgee, if worse comes to worst.

Well, there's always the 'Dragon, y'know Good place for anyone wishing to start gaming whenever you can fit it in

Fea looks down at her tidily organized schedule of the next week: busy, busy, busy... day off!... busy...

Perhaps Thursday I'll have time... It's the homework... they keep piling it on, even on top of everything else that takes up my time.

The Innkeeper sidles a step or two away from Fea and hides the knife in her skirts.

Just as the Innkeeper backs away, Fea feels her own ankle sheath (made of the finest Gondorian leather) come loose. She quickly turns to one side, allowing her skirts to billow outward, covering her feet just in time. The blade has fallen to the floor, but Fea has cunningly hidden the mistake... "The Innkeeper will never guess," she thinks, "until it is too late."

[mark12_30]

Saucie, no need to give up hope so soon. Possibilities abound. I like the Pseudo-Sam idea. He must have clattered.

This maybe brings up a question, Helen: would you come to The, however you name it, the 'Dueling Inn' in character or as yourself? Would the 'duels' be between the members themselves, or between devised characters?

Well, if a fights-allowed satire-inn were to open (which has yet to be determined) then the characters who arrive to duel must be Middle-Earthy. But that can be accomplished either by creating a new character, or doing what is neccessary to make your BD identity Middle-Earthy.

Fordim Hedgethistle as a character name stands by itself and would be fine (especially if he's a hobbit.) "Sauron The Abhorred", no problem either.

davem might stretch his name to Davemir, or Davem Iron-Fist, or Davemolas The Other Prince Of Mirkwood, or... well, you get the idea.

So-- either start new, or morph what you've got to be Middle-Earthy and Tolkienish. Your choice.

All this is still under negotiation, so we'll see what happens.

[Lalwendë]

Mark, with a screen name like mine, - meaning merry or mirthful maiden - the only fights I could have which would be in any kind of character would be tickling contests, or maybe playing 'sausages' - where your opponent must only say 'sausages' in reply to whatever you ask, the object being to make them laugh. And I wouldn't fancy having a tickling match with someone's evil persona!