Prisoner of Númenor Planning/Discussion Thread - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Sophia the Thunder Mistress · 05-10-2005, 10:41 PM

The same with for me.

Didn't mean to be gone so long, things converged rather more hectically than I thought they would.

I will try to get a post up tomorrow. It's really time to move the action along a little.

Again apologies.

Sophia

Himaran · 05-13-2005, 07:01 AM

Well, now that we're all done making up

, let's get this story rolling! I put in a post in which:

- It's morning.
- It's sunny.
- The group is packing to leave the campsite.

And less important but still noteworthy:

- Abarzadan is having issues with animals.

I'm looking forward to getting to the city, where Abarzadan may or may not try to betray the company - naturally, something would go wrong, and he would end up back in cahoots with them, but we shall see...

Himaran

littlemanpoet · 05-13-2005, 09:45 AM

I guess I need to put some thought into the geography of Armenelos. If anybody knows anything, or knows where to look for it anywhere, please feel free to post info or links here. Thanks!

piosenniel · 05-13-2005, 10:44 AM

About Armenelos . . .

Here are some thoughts on Armenelos, culled from Fonstad's "Atlas of Middle-earth" and from "Unfinished Tales" - 'A Description of Numenor':

Armenelos lies in the region of the island called The Mittalmar, and specifically in a smaller area of that region called 'Arandor' (Kingsland).

From the Atlas, the city appears to lie very near the southwestern foot of the Meneltarma, where the grass-covered base of that tall mountain slopes gently into the surrounding plain.

Tolkien describes the Mittalmar as "a region of grasslands and low downs, and few trees grew there . . . a region of pastures."

Near Armenelos along the crest of the southwestern ridge of the mountain's base, was the climbing road that led up to the summit of Meneltarma.

Between the southwestern and the southeastern ridges of the mountain's roots (the mountain's feet, by the way, are in the shape of a star, matching the shape of the Island), there is a shallow valley named Noirinan (Valley of the Tombs). At the head of the valley chambers were cut into the rock at the base of the mountain and the Kings and Queens of Numenor were buried there.

Regin Hardhammer · 05-13-2005, 06:59 PM

My save is filled in.

littlemanpoet · 05-14-2005, 09:30 AM

Thanks, Pio. That was most helpful.

Given the type of terrain around Armenelos, and the nature of the rescuing party, it seems to me that some things need to be considered before the approach to the city is written.

1. There is no cover to speak of, with low, grassy hills being the major feature, for do doubt a good two dozen miles in every direction.

2. The mountain, then the temple, respectivley, appear to dominate the scene.

3. The place will be crawling with King's men.

4. The Kariborim will stick out like seven sore thumbs.

All this taken into account, it seems to me that the rescuing party will have to go under cover of assumed identities, as did Frodo as Mr. Underhill. The horses cannot go into Armenelos, unless they are noised as "spoils of looting" the Faithful.

If the party goes in acting like bad guys with Kariborim as spoils, they could well be forced into many an awkward situation, and rest assured this player will write them into the story!

If, on the other hand, the part agrees to split in two, a couple remaining with the Kariborim in secret, while a chosen group sneaks into the city, an entirely different set of risks present themselves: what if they are found out? some captured?

So, this needs to be discussed by the rescue party members, I think. Any other options you can think of should come up in such a discussion as well.

Feanor of the Peredhil · 05-14-2005, 02:53 PM

We have an Armenelos contact, right? So there's always the all-together-too-simple way of meeting up at his place and going from there. But there's always the issue of GETTING there.

05-10-2005, 10:41 PM	#1
Sophia the Thunder Mistress Scent of Simbelmynë Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Aboard Highwind, bound for Traverse Town Posts: 1,780	The same with for me. Didn't mean to be gone so long, things converged rather more hectically than I thought they would. I will try to get a post up tomorrow. It's really time to move the action along a little. Again apologies. Sophia __________________ The seasons fall like silver swords, the years rush ever onward; and soon I sail, to leave this world, these lands where I have wander'd. O Elbereth! O Queen who dwells beyond the Western Seas, spare me yet a little time 'ere white ships come for me!

05-13-2005, 10:44 AM	#4
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	About Armenelos . . . Here are some thoughts on Armenelos, culled from Fonstad's "Atlas of Middle-earth" and from "Unfinished Tales" - 'A Description of Numenor': Armenelos lies in the region of the island called The Mittalmar, and specifically in a smaller area of that region called 'Arandor' (Kingsland). From the Atlas, the city appears to lie very near the southwestern foot of the Meneltarma, where the grass-covered base of that tall mountain slopes gently into the surrounding plain. Tolkien describes the Mittalmar as "a region of grasslands and low downs, and few trees grew there . . . a region of pastures." Near Armenelos along the crest of the southwestern ridge of the mountain's base, was the climbing road that led up to the summit of Meneltarma. Between the southwestern and the southeastern ridges of the mountain's roots (the mountain's feet, by the way, are in the shape of a star, matching the shape of the Island), there is a shallow valley named Noirinan (Valley of the Tombs). At the head of the valley chambers were cut into the rock at the base of the mountain and the Kings and Queens of Numenor were buried there. Last edited by piosenniel; 05-14-2005 at 06:14 PM.

05-13-2005, 06:59 PM	#5
Regin Hardhammer Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tumunzahar/Nogrod Posts: 364	My save is filled in. __________________ For once I myself saw with my own eyes the Sibyl at Cumae hanging in a bottle, and when the boys said to her: 'Sibyl, what do you want?' she replied, 'I want to die.'"

05-14-2005, 09:30 AM	#6
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	Thanks, Pio. That was most helpful. Given the type of terrain around Armenelos, and the nature of the rescuing party, it seems to me that some things need to be considered before the approach to the city is written. 1. There is no cover to speak of, with low, grassy hills being the major feature, for do doubt a good two dozen miles in every direction. 2. The mountain, then the temple, respectivley, appear to dominate the scene. 3. The place will be crawling with King's men. 4. The Kariborim will stick out like seven sore thumbs. All this taken into account, it seems to me that the rescuing party will have to go under cover of assumed identities, as did Frodo as Mr. Underhill. The horses cannot go into Armenelos, unless they are noised as "spoils of looting" the Faithful. If the party goes in acting like bad guys with Kariborim as spoils, they could well be forced into many an awkward situation, and rest assured this player will write them into the story! If, on the other hand, the part agrees to split in two, a couple remaining with the Kariborim in secret, while a chosen group sneaks into the city, an entirely different set of risks present themselves: what if they are found out? some captured? So, this needs to be discussed by the rescue party members, I think. Any other options you can think of should come up in such a discussion as well. Last edited by littlemanpoet; 05-14-2005 at 09:47 AM.

05-14-2005, 02:53 PM	#7
Feanor of the Peredhil La Belle Dame sans Merci Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: perpetual uncertainty Posts: 5,517	We have an Armenelos contact, right? So there's always the all-together-too-simple way of meeting up at his place and going from there. But there's always the issue of GETTING there. __________________ peace

05-13-2005, 07:01 AM	#2
Himaran Ash of Orodruin Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Thangorodrim Posts: 777	Well, now that we're all done making up , let's get this story rolling! I put in a post in which: - It's morning. - It's sunny. - The group is packing to leave the campsite. And less important but still noteworthy: - Abarzadan is having issues with animals. I'm looking forward to getting to the city, where Abarzadan may or may not try to betray the company - naturally, something would go wrong, and he would end up back in cahoots with them, but we shall see... Himaran

05-13-2005, 09:45 AM	#3
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	I guess I need to put some thought into the geography of Armenelos. If anybody knows anything, or knows where to look for it anywhere, please feel free to post info or links here. Thanks!