Prisoner of Númenor Planning/Discussion Thread

[alaklondewen]

I, also, really like the idea of a password. Using this idea, I think we could possibly pull off an entire "underground" group.

My character (who's name is undetermined at this point) will be an underground Faithful who resides in Armenelos. With a secret system in place they could seek his aid. I was considering maybe a possible link between he and Arbarpa(naru), so that Kathaani would remember him and know to seek him out. (Just an idea on which I may elaborate at a later time.)

Alaklondewen had an idea that she hasn't been able to post yet which might help the secrecy issue. Her idea was that this particular group has been so isolated that they don't even know about Elendil's planned departure until the rescue party reaches Armenelos.

Yes, I was thinking that if they did not know yet that Elendil was leaving...it would add a new sense of urgency that might be more intriguing. I had even thought they might find my character packing and preparing to leave for Romenna. He would then tell them of the ships waiting in Romenna.

How we would notify the main group after we discover Elendil's plans is another question...

What if another rider had already been sent long before the rescuers' arrival in Armenelos to alert the remaining Faithful in the West? My character could easily inform them of this, especially if they become concerned with the others in Andunië. It is possible the rescuers left just before that rider arrived, or they missed them on the road... Anyway, that would take care of anyone left there.

I feel like I may be forgetting something, but I'll edit or post again if I remember what it is.

~Alak

[Meneltarmacil]

My character (haven't thought of an Adunaic name yet) was going to have been on Ar-Pharazon's ruling council for a while, until he started disagreeing with a number of things and directly challenging the king on many issues, especially that of bringing Sauron to Numenor. As a result of Sauron's corrupting influence, the king fired my character from his position and my character has since joined the Faithful, having adopted the elvish name Thoronmir. (he, by the way, is a distant ancestor of another RPG character of the same name which I have used before)

Would any of this fit in with your plans thus far?

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Meneltarmacil-

Fired from the council is fine, but I think you should find something else to be fired for, because you'd be extremely high profile if you were fired for that reason and we have to be uber-secret.

I would think as well that whatever you were fired for you ought to be in hiding since Ar-Pharazon wasn't terribly kind to his dissenters, Sauron liked to burn them in the temple at Armenelos.

So your background is iffy... it could work out but it will have to have some tweaking. But I like the idea of someone with political knowledge in our group.

Sophia

[TomBrady12]

Hello, TomBrady12 -

Please check your PM's.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio, Game Moderator

[piosenniel]

New writer for the game on board: TomBrady12

Welcome!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bringing this forward:

Only these writers may post to this thread at present (all other posts will be removed):

• piosenniel
• Child of the 7th Age
  
  
• Sophia the Thunder Mistress – Game proposer
  
  
• alaklondewen
• Himaran
• littlemanpoet
• Meneltarmacil
• Nilpaurion Felagund
• Regin Hardhammer
• TomBrady12

[piosenniel]

Bringing this forward; please use for your characters bio and first post:

Character Description Form:


NAME:

AGE:

RACE:

GENDER:

WEAPONS (No magical, super-hero, mithril weapons. Just good solid Middle-earth weapons and armor only that is appropriate to the race of the character and the time period.):

APPEARANCE:

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: (No half-Elven characters. No mixed-type characters. No super-heroes. No assassins. No one all powerful, martial arts proficient, or having any magical traits. Just regular characters with normal abilities for their races only):

HISTORY:

__________________________________


First post:

MAY BE PUT ON THE PLANNING THREAD AT A LATER TIME THAN YOUR CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

[littlemanpoet]

Character Description Form:


POSTED TO THE PROPOSAL ON PAGE 1 -- PIO

EDIT PLACED ON 2/23 - PIO


NAME: Abârpânarú Karíbzîr - Strong Handed Man Lover of Horses; Mabalar Melethroch

AGE: 112

RACE: Numenorean

GENDER: male

WEAPONS : Bow that is an heirloom of his house, handed down to the eldest child; bears the stylized, rampant horse of Karíbzîr heraldry, black on white; the bow is white with silver filigree after the manner of leaves on vines. Kept on his person, a knife, quarter of a ranga in length, same filigree, also an heirloom. Straight, with a silver hilt. Its blade is straight and slender but strong.

APPEARANCE: 6 feet, 8 inches (not so tall for a Numenorean, I guess...) Raven black hair, clear face, long nose but not too long. Not too full lips. High cheek bones. Lean but not thin. Grey eyes. His war and hunting weapon is the bow. He keeps a long knife with him, an ancestral one with a silver hilt. Its blade is straight and slender but strong.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Abârpânarú is a great lover of horses, as are all of his household. He is one of the Faithful, and most loyal to his kin, then friends. He is aware of the hope of the Elendili to take flight by ship to the shores of Middle Earth in case of the uttermost failure of Numenor. He is clever of mind and tongue, learned, and counted wise by those who know him well; except for one folly: the Kariborim (known in later years as mearas). There are six: two stallions, Khibil (spring) and Nitirú (kindler); and four mares, Kali (woman), Izri (beloved), Lômi (night), and Mani (spirit). It is said of Abârpânarú that they are both his strength and his weakness. He loves them dearly and his commitment to their care and removal from the island is at war with his loyalties to kin, friends, and the Faithful. He would that all goes well, but would find it difficult to choose between kin and the kariborim; harder yet to choose between them and friends. He also keeps forty karibi, stock from Middle Earth, and loves them well, but not as dearly as his kariborim.

HISTORY: Born in 3207, Abârpânarú was the eldest son of Adúnzâirû (west-longing). He has a younger sister, Ziraphel (beloved daughter) born in 3222, who is married to one of the Faithful; Abârpânarú and Inzillomi have one daughter, Kâthâani. Abârpânarú considers his daughter the rightful heiress to all he owns, and remembers the sorrows that have befallen the House of Elros, not least because the rights of first born daughters have been forgotten. He has sworn an oath to his wife and daughter that it would not be so in the House of Karibizir.

Abârpânarú was trained in the care of his family's kariborim, and has trained his daughter in their care. Legend would later have it among the Rohirrim that Béma (Oromë) brought them from west over sea, and so it may be; but this line of mearas, or kariborim, were a gift to the Dúnedain from the Elves of Tol Erresëa, and the house of Karíbzîr was the only one in Numenor who still kept them. In the year 3279 he married Inzillomí Elendili (flower of the night), daughter of Elendil, and named for her full head of raven hair at birth, one of the Faithful, of the house of Elendil.

It is his deepest desire that his seven kariborim should be on board to make the trip. Since Ar Pharazon has left, he has been working ceaselessly to move his kariborim from Andunié in the west, to Romenna in the east, without raising suspicion. He and his daughter Kâthâani have been riding them across the island, to deliver them to his wife's family in Romenna so that they may be taken aboard ship. The King's Men, a dozen in number, confront them, and are bent on taking them captive for treason. Abârpânarú knows that Kâthâani has a palantir in her keeping, in the saddlebag of one of the kariborim. He places himself at the mercy of the King's Men, and sends his daughter and the kariborim away.... but Lomi, his mount, will not leave him. He convinces them not to capture his daughter, and the palantir is kept safe. Both are captured and brought back to Armenelos, imprisoned. His bow is taken from him. He wants it back, but it is not nearly as important to him as the kariborim, or the palantir.

[piosenniel]

Bringing this forward:

Only these writers may post to this thread at present (all other posts will be removed):

• piosenniel
• Child of the 7th Age
  
  
• Sophia the Thunder Mistress – Game proposer
  
  
• alaklondewen
• Himaran
• littlemanpoet
• Meneltarmacil
• Nilpaurion Felagund
• Regin Hardhammer
• samsmyhero
• TomBrady12

[piosenniel]

Bringing this forward:

Players/Characters

Main Characters

• littlemanpoet - Abârpânaru Karíbzîr/Mabalar Melethroch (the captive) BIO DONE ----- ** POST NEEDED **
• Sophia the Thunder Mistress – Kâthaanî Karíbzîr/Cerveth (the captive’s daughter) BIO DONE ----- ** POST NEEDED **
• Regin Hardhammer - Azarmanô Hazadbawîba/Elenfairë Ostovaivar – rescuer BIO DONE ----- ** POST NEEDED **
• TomBrady12 – Nimilroth Narâkmanô/Marsillion Thoronfaer- rescuer BIO DONE ----- ** POST NEEDED **
• Himaran - rescuer ** BIO/POST NEEDED **
• Meneltarmacil – rescuer ** BIO/POST NEEDED **
  
  
• 1 rescuer – Numenorean; preferably male (female with adequate explanation)** PLAYER STILL NEEDED **

~*~

Cameo Characters

• alaklondewen - underground contact in Armenelos ** BIO ONLY NEEDED **
• Nilpaurion Felagund - sailor - Númenorean male - Will only appear at end of story while the Faithful attempt to leave the bay. ** BIO ONLY NEEDED **
  
  ~*~
  
  
• 1 Númenorean leader of the Faithful - male or female acceptable ** PLAYER STILL NEEDED **
  
  
• 1 sailor - Númenorean male (Elendil may be used but must be true to character. Will only appear at end of story while the Faithful attempt to leave the bay) ** PLAYER STILL NEEDED **

[piosenniel]

Sophia

On page 1 of this thread, posts 2 through 17 will be the proposal I transfer to the Discussion Thread - if there are any changes to be made, please refer to which # post they go on.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio

[piosenniel]

NILPAURION FELAGUND

Clear out your PM's please.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio

[alaklondewen]

I apologize for taking a while to bring this together, but Sophia assures me that you aren't waiting *only* for me. I'm putting a big research project together, and getting all of the finishing touches together is turning out to be quite trying.

I am currently working on the bio, but I need a bit of advice, or idea help. Monôizindu (spirit of truth) resides in Armenelos, and will be the one the recuers ask for aid. What I was thinking is that possibly there is a close bond between Abârpânarú and him. There are reasons that I shall not disclose now that he needs a personal, or sentimental, reason to want to help rescue the prisoner. It needs to be more than just he is another faithful (which I'm sure he would possibly help anyway, but I need deeper). At first, I had considered the horses...but I believe Abar's house is the only remaining house in Numenor to have them. Maybe there is some sort of childhood link? Do you think they had educational systems with their level of advancement?

I need some help, folks. I would appreciate any ideas you have, especially lmp. I will have the rest of it up in the next day or so.

Thanks for your patience,

~Alak

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

I've just been in touch with littlemanpoet, who is away for the weekend and is also having some trouble with his computer at home, and to make matters still worse, he can't remember his BD password. He said he will try to make it on as much as possible on his work computer this week, and hopefully will have the rest of the issues straightened out by the end of the week.

Alak- he wonders whether Abar and Monoi may have known each other through the military? If Abar had saved Mono's life in the past, it might be an incentive for Mono to want to help Abar now...

Sam- he apologizes for Falowik's failure to move or speak in the Green Dragon , and will catch you up there ASAP.

*whew* Message delivered.

~Sophia

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Azarmanô went down on the shore and waited for Tiru, the contact from the local Faithful who usually met him and took delivery of the supplies. Today Tiru did not look pleased. His face was wan and nervous and he was moving fast. Azarmanô called out in anticipation, “I have news for you. You must gather the others and tell them that the time has come for us to leave Númenor. Elendil gathers the fleet in the east for the Faithful to depart. We can wait no longer. Tell your neighbors to gather in this cove and I will take them to where Elendil’s ships are gathering in the eastern bay.”

Regin's post ^ made me think that they knew Elendil planned on sailing, but didn't really have a particular time set yet. But that's just my own misunderstanding, so no biggie. Here's my first post... feel free to critique:

----------------------------

POSTED TO PROPOSAL - PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU EDIT IT -- PIO

The rain poured from the black clouds like so many thousand tears. Lightening lit the tormented sky as another wave shifted the ground. Inzillomí Elendili moved quietly through the shadows of the awnings, coming in from the stables. From cosseting her black mare, Alya, the mistress of the house had been startled by the sound of pounding hoofbeats. Reaching the house before her unknown guests, Inzillomí went to her sitting room and settled quickly, picking up a piece of embroidery on her way. To a stranger, it would look as though she had been sewing quietly for some time. A fist pounded on the oaken doors, echoing through the large house. She rose gracefully, gliding delicately to the entry way. Meeting a maid in the hallway, she waved her off silently. Opening the heavy doors, she was faced with a full guard of the King's Men. Briefly she wondered where her own guards were, until she saw a flash of silver in the doorway of the stables. One man stepped forward.

"To what do I owe this honor?" Inzillomí asked cautiously. She knew this man; they had been childhood companions. These days, however, it did not pay to trust those you once knew. The uniformed man hesitated as streams of water ran down his cheeks. "Officer, it is raining and my floor is getting wet. Either state your business or come in for a cup of tea, but I will not tolerate the warping of a perfectly good door frame because of carelessness."

The officer nearly laughed, quickly hiding his smile with a well-timed cough. He had been sent to escort the out of favor families to Rómenna but he felt compassion for them. He had known Inzillomí for many years. "Inzi--" he caught himself. Standing up taller, his smile vanished. It was one thing to be compassionate, another to be soft. He had his orders. "Mistress Inzillomí, the King offers you the honor of relocating your family to Rómenna. You will please pack only what you can carry on one horse. You will please be ready in one hour. Your escort will be waiting outside your doors to ensure that you do not lose your way to the front garden."

Hiding her panic, Inzillomí smiled at her childhood friend. Snake! her mind screamed. "No." she replied calmly.

"You must excuse me, Mistress, but I thought I heard you say "no". You are please to be aware that you have no choice."

"I am and I do. I have business today that will not wait, as I am sure you will quite understand. You will have to return tomorrow when my family is all together and prepared. I will not leave without them, and I will not leave my belongings behind. May your day be as peace-filled as my own." With that, Inzillomí politely shut the door in the officers' faces.

Hoping her audacity would not serve to get them all killed, Inzillomí spared a fearful moment wondering at the whereabouts of her family. She peered out the window, seeing the King's Men clustered in a small group. Suddenly the men scattered, mounting up and set off down the road. Short-lived relief filled Inzillomí as the rain slowed. As quickly as the storm had begun, it was over. Within a short time, the sun shone brightly, drying the land. A brisque wind pulled crimson leaves from the trees and Inzillomí, tired and worried, walked alone through her garden admiring the last dark blossoms of the season. Azarmanô was due with tidings from Elendil any hour; Marsillion had gone to meet his cousin; Abârpânarú and Kâthaanî would not be returning. Inzillomí's family was scattered and she was left to lead the remaining Anannost to whatever end. It was her responisibility to get her people safely to the East. Suddenly, heavy hoof beats filled the air once more. Turning quickly on her heel, Inzillomí Elendili ran, skirts billowing in the wind, her hair streaming out behind her, hurrying to meet unexpected visitors for the second time in so many hours.

[piosenniel]

Sophia

Please see post #140 - where was that info about the Kariborim supposed to be edited in?

~*~ Pio

[littlemanpoet]

I see the House of Karibzir/Melethroch ending up as the lords of some bit of Arnor when all is said and done..... Dol Amroth? Pelargir? Tharbad?

As with the House of Elendil, the House of Karibzir comes from Silmarien, therefore of the royal line of Elros. Silmarien is the mother of Valandil, heir to the House of Elendil after Tar-Elendil, 4th King of Numenor. This makes the House of Karibzir (at first called Melethroch) one of the Lords of Andunië. This House takes the name of Karibzir in the reign of Ar-Adunakhor (20th King). So Valandil has a second son who establishes the House of Melethroch. That makes the lineage ancient and loyal while having enough time to have a notoriety of its own ..... being that this one House of the Faithful chooses to remain at Armenelos. What do you think?

I would have made the second son a daughter, but I don't think that daughters had legal right to establish new lines of lineage... if they can, I'd go daughter. Why? It follows after Tolkien's precedent of Silmarien having been wrongly passed over for rulership, who should not have been.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

I had envisioned us winding up in Arnor, rather than Gondor... although I suppose that's debatable (I just have a weird personal preference for Arnor). I like the idea of setting us up at Tharbad. Or what about Vinyalonde? There's an ancient haven there, which would have been long abandoned by this time. It later becomes Lond Daer. The Melethroch lineage could easily set up shop, so to speak, in the ruins of Vinyalonde and rebuild the city?

As for the second son/daughter, how much later is Aldarion than Silmarien? Maybe it would be possible to be descended from a daughter. I like the reference to Silmarien in it. I'll puzzle on it a bit.

We are remaining at Andunie, not Armenelos right?

TomBrady12 is my brother, everybody be nice to him. He's going to be writing a rescuer called Marsillion/Nimilroth.

Everyone- Or rather, all rescuers- I neglected to mention that somebody ought to have some sort of healing knowledge. There's a good chance that we'll get bloodied up a bit. So if someone wants to incorporate that into their character, that would be great... if not, we'll limp.

Sophia

Now taking ideas for a group title for our little sect of Elf friends. The person who contributes the winning name gets... um... rep points from Sophia?

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

I got these questions in a pm today, and I can't say I know the answers to them.

What of carrying weapons openly throughout Númenore? Do citizens carry swords on their belts at this time?

Also, I know that they were taller than all other men, but how tall is that in feet and inches. Probibly this isnt ever written by tolkien, but is there any precident set on the board telling their height?

Anybody able to help?

Sophia

[littlemanpoet]

Abarpanaru it is.

I'm fine with the idea of the secret group not being in communication with Elendil's party, if it can be made to fit with the premise (I think it can).

I like Alak's ideas.

We could also add a wrinkle that Elendil is uncertain whether to believe the messenger from Aparpanaru's group (which needs its own name). He could wrestle with the possibility that it's a trap crafted by Sauron.