Eorling Mead Hall Planning/Discussion Thread

[Folwren]

LMP, I'm soon going to be posting a post about Thornden. . .however, I have to admit and say that I don't know exactly how one would go about this business, so if I write something that's obviously not right (or even if it's not so obvious but isn't right anyway) let me know and I'll edit it. (By the way, this sort of correction probably wouldn't be embarrassing. . .don't ask why not.)(Unless it were completely obvious.)

I have asked Undome (<-with lots of little accent marks) to play the part of one of your land owners. I believe she has PMed you with some question or other, so you probably already knew that.

Said post will be up within thirty or so minutes, I imagine.

-- Folwren

[Undómë]

Here is my little cast of characters:

Wistan, son of Rædwulf – 57 y/o; 5’6”(5’5” now that he’s older); grey hair, ear length; grey mustache and short beard; brown eyes

Cwen, Wistan’s wife – 43 y/o; 5’2”(5’1” now that she’s older); graying long blond hair; blue eyes

Rose, Wistan and Cwen’s daughter; unmarried – 20 y/o; 5’2” long dark blond hair; brown eyes

4 sons:

Garan 25 y/o (wife - Britta)
Willim 27 y/o (wife – Ardith)
Breca 30 y/o (wife – Lynet)
Æsc 30 y/o (wife – Mayda)

All the sons @ 5’6”, brown haired worn same as their father; all have mustaches and short beards. Garan and Willim have brown eyes; the twins have their mother’s blue eyes.

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

Wistan is a freeman, as are his sons. His large farm is called Dunstede (Hill Farmstead); located about 2 days ride southwest of Edoras along the foothills of the Starkhorn. Its size is about 5 hides (a hide being the unit of taxing/fee assessment of the farm, not its actual acreage). Suffice it to say the farm is more than adequate to support Wistan’s large family.

The farm grows oats to be traded at market as edible grain and for fodder. They have a small flock of sheep; a few goats; a number of pigs; chickens. And of course their own vegetable garden. Rose and her mother also keep a couple of beehives.

Wistan, Cwen, and Rose live in quarters just off the main hall. The four sons and their wives have separate small quarters for sleeping, but spend most of their daily activities in the family hall.

Wistan owns the farm, and does not owe the eorl any service in respect of labor as some of the less well off farmers in the emnet do. However, he still must pay ground rent and one pig a year to the eorl, as well as his church (local place of worship) dues and alms. He is also expected to perform carrying duties, help build and maintain fences and fortifications, and sundry other duties. He must also provide a soldier for the eorl’s/king’s army when commanded.

[littlemanpoet]

Wistan is in luck in terms of the dues and alms, as there is not church in Rohan.

Nice work, Undomé! I'm impressed! I'm just going to link my to your post in my "list of characters" post instead of write all that down over again.

Oooh! That's 3,000.

Being picky:

Linduial, in post #231 how about a more Gondorian analogy than "tip of the iceberg"?

Folwren, in post # 232 Eodwine will have directed Thornden to ask of the freeholders from whom he is collect coin, what boon would they ask in honor of the fee collected when the Eorl has means to give it? Such boons may include grievances to be righted, a quarrel with a neighbor to be arbitrated, thievery to be brought to justice, or whatever you can think of.

I must to bed and will have Eodwine answer Saeryn on the morrow.

[JennyHallu]

I'm not sure the analogy needs to be changed. It's all about voice: the analogy was not a thought of Lin's, it was part of my own narrative aimed at you all, not at any of the characters. I think such an anachronistic analogy on the part of the narrator could even be described as canon; Tolkien compares Gandalf's fireworks to an express train.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Oh snap.

[JennyHallu]

*is confused* snap?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Um... nevermind.

Jen, is there anything I need to be doing with Degas right now?

[littlemanpoet]

Originally Posted by JennyHallu

I'm not sure the analogy needs to be changed. It's all about voice: the analogy was not a thought of Lin's, it was part of my own narrative aimed at you all, not at any of the characters. I think such an anachronistic analogy on the part of the narrator could even be described as canon; Tolkien compares Gandalf's fireworks to an express train.

Yes, but I want to challenge you to try to find something Gondorian/Dol Amrothian anyway. Or maybe Rohirric. It would aid the sense of place in a way tips of icebergs doesn't.

Is Lin's keeping any eye on anything Degas admires including others of the fairer sex? Ah, I see Feanor's and my minds work alike.

Folwren, perhaps something like this. "Eorl Eodwine is eager to have you as guest at the Mead Hall, and when you come he will be honored to grant you a boon as a token of his high regard for you and your house." Or something to that effect. Maybe that's a bit flyin' up there falutin', but it gets across my general thought.

Or what Jenny said.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Is Lin's keeping any eye on anything Degas admires including others of the fairer sex? Ah, I see Feanor's and my minds work alike.

Simply pick what will be the most fun to write and go with it is my philosophy.

[Folwren]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Folwren, perhaps something like this. "Eorl Eodwine is eager to have you as guest at the Mead Hall, and when you come he will be honored to grant you a boon as a token of his high regard for you and your house." Or something to that effect. Maybe that's a bit flyin' up there falutin', but it gets across my general thought.

Or what Jenny said.

Before, after, or during the money taking?

Edit: Never mind. I've edited the post. Let me know if that's alright.

-- Folwren

[Folwren]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Folwren, in post # 232 Eodwine will have directed Thornden to ask of the freeholders from whom he is collect coin, what boon would they ask in honor of the fee collected when the Eorl has means to give it? Such boons may include grievances to be righted, a quarrel with a neighbor to be arbitrated, thievery to be brought to justice, or whatever you can think of.

I must to bed and will have Eodwine answer Saeryn on the morrow.

Oh. How would I go about voicing that? They do owe you something, do they not? I mean . . . what's Thornden to say? I really have no idea how all this goes. Is it something like - 'Please give me so much money. Thanks much. Is there anything lord Eodwine can do for you in return for this?' Naturally, I'd fix it up from just that, but is that the gist of it, or am I missing something?

I'll re-write it to the best of my understanding, and then if it's still wrong, then you can say so again. Perhaps another lesson over PM wouldn't be misplaced here.

-- Foley

[JennyHallu]

Well, he does have a plan to find a gift for Saeryn, right? I thought I would let you initiate that search.

And Foley, it may be as simple as just asking whether they have any grievances or anything. Kind of polling the people on their opinion of Eodwine and the way their lives are going.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by JennyHallu

Well, he does have a plan to find a gift for Saeryn, right? I thought I would let you initiate that search.

Okay. I'll do that later or tomorrow.