Tapestry of Dreams, Part 2 Discussion

[Orual]

Name (that you go by): Orual is good for now.

Age: 18.

Occupation: Student of theatre, assistant playwriting teacher.

Future Aspirations: A professional career in theatrical performance, ideally musical theatre; a loving family of my own.

Goal in life: I think I said this last time, but as Mark Twain said, "to live so that, when I come to die, even the undertaker will be sorry."

Short term goals: Doing well in my university's production of Godspell.

Passion: Theatre.

Hobbies: Acting, singing, playing piano and guitar, writing, dancing.

Famous for (brag about yourself): Being the last one to get the joke and making it look cute, making a 4.0 my freshman year, being the theatre major who helped all the biology majors pass Bio 101...

Fave book: I can't pick just one!

Fave movie: "A Christmas Story". Just to be old-school.

Fave sport: Olympic gymnastics.

Fave store: A local store that sells incense, crystals, and stuff, and has yoga lessons in the back.

Fave music: Showtunes, especially anything written by Stephen Sondheim.

What you can't stand: Intolerance, arrogance.

What you plain dislike: Know-it-alls.

Who you admire: My family for putting up with me, my teachers for their passion to educate me, my friends for always being there for me, and my friend Alex for all that he gave me (I miss you).

What you most love to do: Perform, and be with people that I love.

Your self-confessed flaws: Shyness, difficulty trusting people, and an inclination to frustration.

What intrigues/fascinates you: Passions--the things that really get people going.

What scares you: Losing people who are close to me.

Quotation to live by: "You can stop being anything." - Neil Gaiman

Value-specific:

What do you want most in a friend? Trustworthiness.

What do you want most in a teacher? A real passion for teaching.

What do you want most in an ally? Loyalty.

What do you want most in a team-mate? Like Immy said, somebody who will smack me if I'm wrong and let me know!

What do you want people to remember most about you? My loyalty; that I was always a good friend and there when people needed me.

Writer-specific:

Your favorite work you've written so far: In light of recent events, a short story called "Forever" that I wrote for a creative writing course about a girl who loses her best friend to a hate crime. It's really depressing, but I love it.

Your favorite character so far: On the 'Downs? Ravion. In all my writings? Eli from "Forever".

What you plan to write soon: A play about a young Hispanic girl and her matriarchal family.

What inspires you to write: Events in my own life.

What makes your writing stall: Poor planning.

Do you get writers' block and how do you overcome it? I get writer's block all the time, and the two things that force me past it are 1) just writing and 2) last minute PANIC!

Middle-Earth specific:

Your favorite ME character(s)? Sam.

What do you like about them? He's the friend I've always wanted, and I am so blessed that I am finally finding Sams in my life now.

Your favorite moment(s) from the Trilogy? It always makes me cry when Sam has to abandon his pots in Mordor.

Your favorite plot twist(s) from the Trilogy? Wow, I can't even choose.

Looking at your personality as it is, what race do you belong to in Middle-Earth and why? I'm a Hobbit, but I like to think of myself as a Took.

What race would you *like* to belong to in Middle-Earth and why? Hobbits are fine with me!

What place(s)would you live in Middle Earth and why? The Shire, because I spent my childhood years curled up in bed hearing stories of it.

Where would you want to visit? Why? In Middle-Earth? Lorien, for its sad beauty in the dwindling of its people.

[Nurumaiel]

Name (that you go by): Nurumaiel, or Nuru for short

Age: Not dreadfully old, but not terribly young

Occupation: Assistant homekeeper

Future Aspirations: To either become a nun, or become a full-time wife, mother, and homemaker

Goal in life: I would say to become a saint, but that process extends beyond death generally, or at least officially... to become an unofficial saint, then

Short term goals: To achieve a feminine and Godly womanhood

Passion: My Faith, and music... and all things true and beautiful

Hobbies: Dancing, singing, violin, piano, guitar, sewing, knitting, writing, reading, rambling, as well as many others

Famous for (brag about yourself): I would imagine that I'm most famous for my singing. Everyone insists that I have a lovely voice (which is nice to hear, considering the work I've put into it!). I'm famous amongst some people for my writing, but my singing is more widely known

Fave book: Anything by L.M. Montgomery, Gene Stratton Porter, Tolkien, Lewis, MacDonald, etc... G.K. Chesterton and Hilaire Belloc... Shakespeare, naturally... the Brontes, Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell... dear me, I'm naming authors rather than books. But my favourite books can be summed up easier by their authors.

Fave movie: Wives and Daughters, Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, Anne of Green Gables and the Sequel, Ben-hur, Therese... Meet Me in St. Louis, The Harvey Girls, Holiday Inn, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers... Arsenic and Old Lace, High Noon, On the Waterfront, The Maltese Falcon, Treasure of the Sierra Madre, White Heat, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington... and any one of those good old movies.

Fave sport: To watch, football, particularly my extremely talented younger brother... the only real sport I do is dancing

Fave store: Book stores, and fabric stores

Fave music: Just about anything classical, Bach in particular... I was going to say my favourite classical piece is Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, but I'm torn between that and Pachelbel Canon at the present moment. Old Irish songs, especially as sung by the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem... 'oldies' like Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra... Patrick Doyle's Henry V... Loreena McKennitt... Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem and Cats... various other musicals, but Man of La Mancha in particular... and beautiful old chant, which seems to be extinct is so many churches nowadays

What you can't stand: People who seem to think I'm in some way 'oppressed and a failure' because I dream of being a stay-at-home mother... hymns such as I am the Bread of Life (I feel so silly singing I am the Bread of Life, because I'm not, so I don't sing it), and people who say that chant is old and outdated and doesn't 'do' anything for the soul... people who tell me that, as a Catholic, I worship Mary, and then tell me I'm lying when I say I don't... bad music.

What you plain dislike: People who get annoyed and offended when the seven children in my family pass them by... and again, people who think I have no right at all to be a stay-at-home mother... and again, silly hymns, and connected to that, the idea that, just after receiving the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist we ought to stand up and sing about how we are the Bread of Life and how special we are, rather than get down on our knees and adore God... so, definitely all those Hymns to Self.

Who you admire: St. Therese, and her parents... so many mothers of large families I know who I respect so much... my own parents... St. Dominic Savio... St Maximilian Kolbe!!... our dear old papa John Paul II, and our dear new Benedict XVI...

What you most love to do: Play the piano and sing... I simply love to sing, and I simply love to play... I just enjoy putting my heart in soul into creating beautiful music.

Your self-confessed flaws: Lack of diligence, though I hate to admit it. If something is frustrating me it's tempting for me to just set it aside. Reacting too strongly to things is another. If I think about something insulting someone said a month ago, I get very passionate about it still. Whilst writing about what I can't stand and plain dislike above, my heart rate certainly did pick up quite a bit! Fortunately my shyness is a blessing, for it keeps me from losing my temper to people's faces... I just lecture about it when I get home.

What intrigues/fascinates you: Everything... some grand bit of music, with all its subtle details, or a wee bit of grass that's growing out odd...

What scares you: The reflection that the future is coming up too fast! Where did all the time and freedom go? Where are the lazy days of childhood?

Quotation to live by: I have a terrible lot of quotations to live by, but the first to come to mind: "If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly." --G.K. Chesterton

Value-specific:

What do you want most in a friend? What I really appreciate is a friend who will acknowledge that I'm a thoughtful, quiet introvert, and that it's a different thing from being scared and unsociable.

What do you want most in a teacher? A sense of beauty and wonder... I don't want someone who will prattle off facts in their barest state, but look to find truth and knowledge in things.

What do you want most in an ally? An alliance, I imagine... I want him to really and truly be on the same side as me.

What do you want most in a team-mate? A good character. I love have team-mates I can respect for more than just their talent.

What do you want people to remember most about you? Anything that was good, and I pray they'll forget all that was bad. And I want people to remember that I was a Catholic, and extremely proud of it.

Writer-specific:

Your favorite work you've written so far: With a Fairy Hand in Hand, a book based off W.B. Yeats poem The Stolen Child

Your favorite character so far: Liornung, of course!... and Tipsy, from the above-mentioned work.

What do you plan to write soon: Finish my fairy-story, and come up with some articles for a Catholic newsletter I write for.

What inspires you to write: Anything has the potential to inspire me. Another book, or some bit of a conversation I overhear, or the dialogue between a pair of birds...

What makes your writing stall: For my present story, I'm stalled because I took a vacation from writing for awhile and can't remember what I was planning when I left off...

Do you get writers' block and how do you overcome it? Like everyone else, I do get writer's block. Various methods work, but none of them are guaranteed. Just writing even when I don't want to sometimes helps, acting scenes out sometimes help, reading it aloud to the kiddies sometimes helps, and putting on music with the proper mood and creating a scene to fit it sometimes helps. And then, sometimes, I can do naught but wait.

Middle-Earth specific:

Your favorite ME character(s)? Faramir

What do you like about them? It's hard to put into words... there's just such a depth to him... such nobility and honour and courage... a brave fellow, but he has also a very gentle spirit... he's simply splendid.

Your favorite moment(s) from the Trilogy? Too many to name... Frodo's dream in Bombadil's home, and that moment at the end when he beholds white shores... Aragorn's awe-inspiring transformation from Strider on the River Anduin...

Your favorite plot twist(s) from the Trilogy? I don't think I could name a favourite... I love all the plot twists.

Looking at your personality as it is, what race do you belong to in Middle-Earth and why? I think I'm too much of a mix to choose!

What race would you *like* to belong to in Middle-Earth and why? I think I'd very much enjoy remaining just as I am

What place(s) would you live in Middle Earth and why? I'd certainly choose the Shire... it's the most home-y... gardens, and familiar paths... even the Sacksville-Bagginses and their ilk would be more like what I'm accustomed to... much more than dream-like Elven lands.

Where would you want to visit? Why? I should like to visit simply everywhere. But above all I should like to see Henneth Annun.

How would you travel? On foot. I love to meander my way along and enjoy the scenery, and take in all the little details.

Besides the usual camping & travel stuff, what single special item is in your knapsack and why? Limited to just one, I would take along my Rosary. It has all the most beautiful and sad memories, prayers, and feelings connected with it. If I'm granted one more, I'd like to take along my Book of Letters and a pen to write the letters.

And now, some advice... always proof-read, especially if you're talking about why you admire someone! I was too busy reflecting on why I liked Faramir to pay attention to what I was writing... consequently, the terrible typo:

...there's just such a depth to me... such nobility and honour and courage...

Thank goodness I caught that before I sent this through! I'd have to add that another one of my flaws is a dreadful conceit and vanity!

New Quotation to live by: Always proof-read.

[littlemanpoet]

Name (that you go by):littlemanpoet, LMP, Elempi

Age: 46

Occupation: shipping & receiving clerk

Future Aspirations: published author

Goal in life: to be an effective vessel of the Secret Fire

Short term goals: Finish "The Incarnate Dream"

Passion: Listening to God, Friendships, writing, Barrowdowns

Hobbies: writing, Barrowdowns, traveling, playing congas

Famous for (brag about yourself): a good tenor voice, avoiding crowded rooms, being goofy

Fave book: The Lord of the Rings, hands down.

Fave movie: Dead Poets Society, Deep Impact, Sixth Sense

Fave sport: college football to watch, hiking for personal enjoyment

Fave store: the local Stamp store (you buy stamps and make your own greeting cards), where I buy gifts for my wife.

Fave music: Genesis and related for modern, Baroque and Renaissance for Classical, and lots of folk music: blue grass, Celtic, etc.

What you can't stand: Too much physical pain.

What you plain dislike: Country music. The results of other people's inconsideration of others.

Who you admire: My father for being a holy man of God with a sweet spirit and a great tenor voice . Also other Barrowdowners, such as Helen for spirituality, Celuien for sweetness of character, Feanor for writing genius, and many others.

What you most love to do: Write. Spend time at Barrowdowns. Travel. Explore new places (in books is good too, but I prefer real places).

Your self-confessed flaws: Arrogance the depths of which are not yet plumbed. Impatience. A tendency toward recklessness (read, decisive to a fault).

What intrigues/fascinates you: Um, the opposite sex (you've probably noticed from rpg's).

What scares you: Forever; in both directions.

Quotation to live by: "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the certainty of things not seen."

Value-specific:

What do you want most in a friend? Reciprocation.

What do you want most in a teacher? Clarity.

What do you want most in an ally? Dependability.

What do you want most in a team-mate? Dependability.

What do you want people to remember most about you? That I was always willing to change for the better.

Writer-specific:

Your favorite work you've written so far: The Incarnate Dream (it doesn't have to be done, does it?)

Your favorite character so far: Raefindan (Roy Edwards)

What do you plan to write soon: The Incarnate Dream (it ain't done yet)

What inspires you to write: A good idea.

What makes your writing stall: When others, well intentioned or not, try to leverage my writing toward their own agenda: discouragement.

Do you get writers' block and how do you overcome it? When I get discouraged. Encouragement, whether from within or without.

Middle-Earth specific:

Your favorite ME character(s)? (1) Frodo (2) Galadriel

What do you like about them? (1) His depth of character. His compassion. (2) Her compassion & clarity of vision

Your favorite moment(s) from the Trilogy? When Galadriel speaks love into Gimli's heart in Lorien.

Your favorite plot twist(s) from the Trilogy? The Ents defeating Saruman.

Looking at your personality as it is, what race do you belong to in Middle-Earth and why? I can hardly believe I'm saying this, but an Elf. I used to believe that anybody who claimed such a thing must be arrogant, but now I understand: there's a spiritual clarity about Elves that I didn't understand before, and I've been given the grace to get that kind of clarity.

What race would you *like* to belong to in Middle-Earth and why? Elves. Believe it or not.

What place(s) would you live in Middle Earth and why? By the Sea, in the North.

Where would you want to visit? Why? Imladris, to be where there is peace and clarity. To talk with Glorfindel and Elrond.

How would you travel? I would walk or ride horse.

Besides the usual camping & travel stuff, what single special item is in your knapsack and why? a harp, to express the music I find in my heart (sorry if this seems like romantic goop, but I'm just being honest).

[littlemanpoet]

I broached this in the original Tapestry discussion thread, so I'll do it here now too.

The use of language is a critical element in LotR. I tried to encourage us, in our attempt to be canonical, to use language that was as simple as possible, as a way of being true to Tolkien who used almost all Anglo-Saxon based word choice in LotR.

That was two years ago (I think). My view has changed a bit, based on other rpgs I've been in.

The general practice seems to follow a pattern of using Anglo-Saxon based vocabulary if your character is from Rohan or from the North, whether the Shire, Bree, the Carrock, or Dale. Dwarves tend to use an even harder English, based in Nordic, which is not easy to pull off, but not impossible. Gondorian humans use Latinate, and even Greek-based English vocabulary, to reflect the (sort of) Roman civilization of Gondor by contrast to the relatively "barbarian" Rohirrim, etc.

Please don't take what follows as criticism so much as observation.

Liornung and Ravion were both given to a lot of Latinate expression. Aeron and Gwyllion, Mellonin, Mellondu, and Amroth, worked with a much more archaic vocabulary, probably because Imladris and Helen took their cues from my examples with Raefindan especially, but Ædegard too. Leafa sounded Rohirric. Bellyn used a good deal of Latinate English. Nethwador obviously used a very limited vocabulary, appropriate to his character. The Elves used a rather Tolkienian vocabulary to my (admittedly poor) recollection.

Obviously, I think Immy and I have every intention of continuing to have fun with the interchange between Raefindan and Aeron. But I don't want to assume anything.

Latinate: any word ending in "tion", "ize", for example; most words beginning in "pre", "re", "com", "con", et cetera.

Do we want to attempt a canonical vocabulary, depending on our characters' origins? Do we feel capable? If desiring and wanting to learn, are you willing to put up with Elempi offering revision advice? The teacher in me is itching to offer insights, but I'll steer clear if everybody prefers.

Wouldn't it be great to have other Downs'ers say that Tapestry was one of the best rpgs on the Downs? (I always shoot for that goal, can't help myself...)

Let me know.....

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by Elempi

If desiring and wanting to learn, are you willing to put up with Elempi offering revision advice?

Feel free to advise me, oh professorial one. I'm quite certain that being a student will never get old. I should warn you, though, that I'm the student who researches my teacher's interests so that I can learn fun things and provoke highly entertaining debates when I'm bored... you may regret the offer. Quite seriously though, if you can help me learn neat stuff and become a better writer for it, how could I possibly refuse?

By the way, my life is officially back to [as] normal [as it ever is]. I should be able to finish reading Tapestry within the next week... two at most.

[Nurumaiel]

lmp, I'm more than willing to take your advice! I'm very ignorant on the subject, but I do want to learn more.

A couple of questions...

Firstly, how far would you like it to extend? The dialogue of the characters, naturally... their thoughts as well? Just the writing in general?

Secondly, though Liornung is of Rohirric origin, would he have more of a range considering that he spends his time travelling from place to place, and would more than likely pick up on various dialects?

[littlemanpoet]

All of you are most gracious.

Originally Posted by Nurumaiel

A couple of questions...

Firstly, how far would you like it to extend? The dialogue of the characters, naturally... their thoughts as well? Just the writing in general?

Secondly, though Liornung is of Rohirric origin, would he have more of a range considering that he spends his time travelling from place to place, and would more than likely pick up on various dialects?

Liornung would have picked up a smattering of Gondorian, no doubt. So I can see him doing more with Latinate vocabulary.

EDIT: my reply continued:

It's really up to you, Nuru, whether you want Liornung to be "taken with language for its own sake", or be more rooted to his own speech with borrowings as he finds them useful. My own sense after reading the whole story again, is the latter, but he's your character.

As for your first question, the way I handle my posts is to allow myself a lot of freedom in narration, although I'm not going to start making analogies to nuclear weapons (unless Tharonwe does something to make it work!). Thoughts and dialogue are going to follow character speech tendencies very closely, however. I have purposely put a lot of Latinate in Tharonwe's mouth, (1) because he's evil, and great villains tend to talk in parsed speech, if you take my meaning; (2) because he's old, and the use of a large vocabulary reflects that. Erebemlin, being somewhat old, may have a larger vocabulary, but he has spent most of his years in Lorien, I'm guessing, and therefore his archaisms might follow a more strict pattern.

[Celuien]

Please go ahead and advise away, lmp. You know that I'm always ready to learn something new. And I'd appreciate the advice.

[Firefoot]

If Rugh starts using large vocabulary, slap me.

Seriously, though, I think it's worth shooting for.

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Anyway...one last post...

If Gondorians are prone to "Latinate" then I guess it's okay that Bellyn leaned toward that in Tapestry 1 because she grew up in Gondor...

And, as far as maiming/losing senses/what-have-you...I guess whatever is needed by the story, but my one true preference is for Bella not to die. That's all.

Name (that you go by): Aylwen. Mallory.
Age: 17
Occupation: Student during the school year. Cashier at a clothing store.
Future Aspirations: Travel the world. Join the Peace Corps. Write a book. Run a marathon. Become an anthropologist or something. Learn more languages.
Goal in life: Change the world. No, really, I’m serious.
Short term goals: Finish packing for Costa Rica.
Passion: My family and friends. Writing, music, running, athletics in general, languages.
Hobbies: Swimming and playing guitar, playing soccer.
Famous for (brag about yourself): Being happy all the time, talking a lot, being excited about the little things, having more miles on my running shoes than on my car.
Fave book: The Silmarillion, The Phantom Tollbooth
Fave movie: The Fellowship of the Ring, Garden State, Beauty and the Beast, and Finding Nemo.
Fave sport: CROSS-COUNTRY. Running, not skiing. Soccer is a close second.
Fave store: Music stores.
Fave music: I like music so much. I guess I’d say most alternative rock and “indie” rock. I also love the Beatles and Pink Floyd. I’m a sucker for Beethoven, Irish folk music, and church hymns. I love Spanish music. I guess it would be easier to just say that I love music.
What you can't stand: People who don’t use their turn signal when they drive, people who step on the back of your flip flops while you’re walking.
What you plain dislike: Math. Country music. Rap (it’s not music).
Who you admire: I admire a lot of people…
What you most love to do: Run. Play music. Write. Hang out with friends. Ride bikes.
Your self-confessed flaws: I believe I am one of the most impatient people alive. I am loud – the stereo, my guitar amp…they’re on the highest volume level or not on at all. I talk a lot. I take things with a grain of salt which makes people angry sometimes when I don’t take things seriously. There are very few things I do take seriously (those things include church, running, music, and family).
What intrigues/fascinates you: People. The world. Fire. Languages. Thunderstorms.
What scares you: Bugs. Failure. Disappointing the people I love.
Quotation to live by: “Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.”


Value-specific:
What do you want most in a friend? Honesty, loyalty, sense of humor, consistency.
What do you want most in a teacher? Intelligence, understanding, open-mindedness.
What do you want most in an ally? Intelligence, trust, loyalty.
What do you want most in a team-mate? Speed, endurance, strength. Other than that? Sense of humor, reliability, determination, motivation.
What do you want people to remember most about you? That I never gave up.

Writer-specific:
Your favorite work you've written so far: Mm. Well, I sure did like that short story I co-wrote in my freshman creative writing class. That was a good one.
Your favorite character so far: I love them all.
What you plan to write soon: I'll write a lot about my trip in Costa Rica.
What inspires you to write: People. Life. Music.
What makes your writing stall: Thinking that it’s not good enough, that it’s not right, that it’s not perfect, that no one will like it.
Do you get writers' block and how do you overcome it? I go for a long, long, long run. Or I go for a bike ride. Or I play some guitar. Then I come back and I’m okay again.

Middle-Earth specific:
Your favorite ME character(s)? Feanor and Sam.
What do you like about them? For an elf, Feanor is just so…so human. He is the dark side of every person…plus he’s fiery and passionate and determined – focused to the point of recklessness. Sam just reminds me of my best friend.
Your favorite moment(s) from the Trilogy? The very end…when Sam says, “Well, I’m back.”
Your favorite plot twist(s) from the Trilogy? I guess it’s not really a “twist,” but I love that the hobbits, even with everyone doubting them and laughing at them, changed their world. It is hope that maybe the average someone can change everything.
Looking at your personality as it is, what race do you belong to in Middle-Earth and why? Eh, I guess those silly hobbits. They’re short. They’re happy 24/7. They like to dance around. Need I say more?
What race would you *like* to belong to in Middle-Earth and why? Probably the elves. They’re very tall and I’d really like to know what the view is like from up there. I don’t think I could handle living forever though.
What place(s)would you live in Middle Earth and why? The Grey Havens. It sounds rainy and drizzly there, and I like the rain.
Where would you want to visit? Why? Near or Far Harad…it sounds like it’s a sandy, hot, dry, savannah wasteland. Sounds fun.
How would you travel? I run everywhere. Walking just isn’t fast enough.
Besides the usual camping & travel stuff, what single special item is in your knapsack and why? An MP3 player. Where would I be without my music?

So, right. I'll be back July 6th...hope I don't miss too much.

-Aylwen

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

The use of language is a critical element in LotR. I tried to encourage us, in our attempt to be canonical, to use language that was as simple as possible, as a way of being true to Tolkien who used almost all Anglo-Saxon based word choice in LotR.

On a similar, but not identical note...

I'd like to take a little umbrage at your use of "Translation" thus far. And I mean it as inoffensively as possible.

Specifically, I'm referring to the incidents with Raefindan, where he starts recognizing connections between Rohirric and his own "home" language- English. Such as when he decides there's a real connection between "Edgar" and "Ædegard".

The thing here is that if we accept that English is merely used in lieu of Westron, then we have to accept that Anglo-Saxon is merely used in lieu of Rohirric. Therefore, it CANNOT be possible, as presented, for Raefindan to hear the phonetic and linguistic connections between Ædegard and Edgar, because Ædegard is merely a substitution for the "real" Rohirric name- which might likely have the same meaning, but which certainly wouldn't have a discernable phonetic similarity that Raefindan could recognize.

Similarily, I'm a little bit queasy about Raefindan's use of words that Mellonin, Aeron, and others don't understand. While it is entirely possible for bits of English to slip into his speech, with English being used as a translation for Westron, it really blurs the lines of what is translation and what is real English.

I bring this up purely because LMP has started off on language. It's an issue that gave me a few twitches in my cheek when reading the story. And it's a really minor issue- but if you want to be as canonical as possible, one has to remember the Translator's Conceit.

Do I even make sense?

[littlemanpoet]

Originally Posted by Formendacil

Do I even make sense?

Absolutely. You make very good points.

Gondorian is not really Latin.
Rohirric is not really Anglo-Saxon.
Commont Tongue is not really modern English.

Nevertheless, what I have been doing is an imitation of what Tolkien was working at in his Notion Club Papers (I think), in which an Anglo-Saxon father and son from roughly 1,000 A.D. dreamed of himself being present at the Akallebêth, and he was able to recognize similarities in speech between what Elendil was saying and his own speech. So what I am doing may not be as finely crafted as Tolkien's, as I'm no gifted philologist. However, what I am doing has a precedent in Tolkien.

So maybe I'm not doing it the way it ought to be done, but I'm trying to be as canonical as I know how to be. I hope that helps to explain things well enough....

[alaklondewen]

lmp, I'm all for improvement, so if there is any way to better my writing, please give me suggestions. I, for one, am happy you're offering your assistance.

[littlemanpoet]

I've finished reading everything up to yesterday. Wow!

We sure did put our characters through a lot! On purpose, as I recall. There were a lot of tear jerking moments, on pages 16 - 18 especially. Reading Jorje against the Merlocks actually got me almost whooping for joy. ....which is somewhat proud to say, as I wrote it, but I s'pose I did okay with that one. The burial was really moving. One of the greatest treats was reading how Ædegard finally started listening to Leafa, seeking her point of view, and discovering what a wise woman he had fallen in love with. Very enjoyable!

A lot of it was very harrowing. It's no wonder we were exhausted by page 18.

All that to lead into this:

We really need to make Tapestry 2 as - erm - "harrowing" (in its way) as Tapestry 1.

So let's plan for it early. Thus, heres the question:

What are you willing to allow to happen to your character(s)?

1. cuts and bruises?
2. maiming?
3. loss of one or more of the 5 senses?
4. loss of a limb, ear, etc.?
5. death?

Please go with your true desire and willingness. If I'm overstepping my bounds with this, please let me know and I'll quiet down. But I'll add just this much: Tapestry 1 was made the better for being willing to let our characters really go through difficult stuff.

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Absolutely. You make very good points.

Gondorian is not really Latin.
Rohirric is not really Anglo-Saxon.
Commont Tongue is not really modern English.

Nevertheless, what I have been doing is an imitation of what Tolkien was working at in his Notion Club Papers (I think), in which an Anglo-Saxon father and son from roughly 1,000 A.D. dreamed of himself being present at the Akallebêth, and he was able to recognize similarities in speech between what Elendil was saying and his own speech. So what I am doing may not be as finely crafted as Tolkien's, as I'm no gifted philologist. However, what I am doing has a precedent in Tolkien.

So maybe I'm not doing it the way it ought to be done, but I'm trying to be as canonical as I know how to be. I hope that helps to explain things well enough....

Being well-acquainted with both The Lost Road and the Notion Club Papers, I'm well aware of the sort of time-travel story you're working with- I'm merely quibbling about the mode of presentation regarding the linguistic element.

Not, mind you, that I'm entirely sure how best to convery that... so much as I'm stating a general concern about blurring the boundaries between Westron-translated-by-English, and English Proper- though one will note that Tolkien himself came close to confusing the two.

Basically, what I'm MOST concerned about would be Raefindan making further (what's done, after all, is done) connections between words in Rohirric and words and English. Between Anglo-Saxon and English, this could be done, but Anglo-Saxon and Rohirric are not, as a seen, one and the same.

As for how far I'd be willing to torture/torment Bergil- or any other character- I honestly can't say at this point. Those are the sorts of things that the story has to dictate. Personally, I can see loss of limb or life being better/easier for me in virtually any circumstance than loss of a sense- though the challenge itself should maybe be reason enough to attempt the latter.

Basically, whatever makes the best story seems to be what I feel...

[mark12_30]

Name (that you go by): mark12_30; sometimes Bolco. Occasionally Lindo.

Age: 44.

Occupation: Systems engineer.

Future Aspirations: Short term-- switch to HSI; long-term-- teaching teenagers.

Goal in life: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Short term goals: Bond completely and thoroughly with my adopted kids.

Passion: Teaching teenagers, especially regarding worship.

Hobbies: Mountain biking, hill-biking (on the road...) Guitar/piano/pennywhistle

Famous for (brag about yourself): Guitar and vocals. On the lighter side: having an amusingly poor memory.

Fave book: The trilogy, still, after all these decades-- even though I haven't read it in at least three years.

Fave movie: Er... Besides LotR-- Maybe Ben Hur. I love the rain washing down the cross and spreading Jesus' blood over the earth; great image.

Fave sport: To watch? Olympic gymnastics, although Mountain Biking Trials, and BMX racing, is growing on me.

Fave store: A little dress shop along the causeway in Naples, Maine called "Robin's Nest".

Fave music: What we sing at church.

What you can't stand: A clueless boss. (Sorry.)

What you plain dislike: A project run by a clueless boss.

Who you admire: My Aunt the nun in Seattle.

What you most love to do: Mountain biking. Or hill-biking, second-best. THis morning I saw a wild turkey, a pelican, ducks snoozing on a rock in mid-pond, two deer, and two bunnies.

Your self-confessed flaws: ..... filling out surveys at work....

What intrigues/fascinates you: THe learning process; personalities and how they inter-relate

What scares you: The possibility of not bonding deeply enough with my adopted children.

Quotation to live by: Mark 12:30

Value-specific:

What do you want most in a friend? Willingness to pray together about anything and everything.

What do you want most in a teacher? Willingness to find out what I am hoping to learn, insstead of their agenda for me.

What do you want most in an ally? Tenacity.

What do you want most in a team-mate? Stability (because I'm all over the place and I need the balance.)

What do you want people to remember most about you? That I was a worshipper of Jesus.

Writer-specific:

Your favorite work you've written so far: Hmmmm. Either the "Bolco" books or "The Fairy Wife"?

Your favorite character so far: Lindo, in "The Lonely Star." Life imitates art.

What you plan to write soon: Instead of answering "Finishing my family history" or "Writing Eddie O'Connor" I'll be honest and say-- "I don't have much time to write these days."

What inspires you to write: Usually, suggestions from someone else. Lindo, Gamba, Phura, and Lorien (in The Fairy Wife) were all suggested by Child of the 7th Age.

What makes your writing stall: Real Life.

Do you get writers' block and how do you overcome it? Definitely. Stream-of-consciousness writing.

Middle-Earth specific:

Your favorite ME character(s)? The anonymous elf in Mirkwood..... I think I'm answering that because I love so many LotR characters so much, it's emotionally draining to go through the list. Yes, that's a copout.

What do you like about them? VIRTUE.

Your favorite moment(s) from the Trilogy?

--Frodo's dreams-- any and all of them.
--Boromir's wisecracking gives me the chuckles.
--"Horns, horns, horns. Rohan had come at last."
--"Begone, foul dwimmerlaik!"
--Eomer's song.
--Sam's star above the Ephel Duath.
--Grey Havens-- love/hate relationship.

Your favorite plot twist(s) from the Trilogy?
--Everything relating to Faramir.
--Aragorn, from the paths of the dead to his arrival in the black ships.
--Frodo's departure at the Grey Havens. (Don't think about that too hard; moving right along.)
--Plot twists, plot twists, what else..... Tom Bombadil. A plot twist in a person.
--Hoom hom.

Looking at your personality as it is, what race do you belong to in Middle-Earth and why? One of them procrastinating mortals in South Gondor who were late to the war, or never even came...

What race would you *like* to belong to in Middle-Earth and why? Elves of course; I love the thought of "putting the thought of all we love into all we make"; I love the integration with nature. Their sin is all their own, of course.; pride in their work being excessive, isolationism being excessive, and the whole embalming attitude towards the things they hold dear-- too dear. (I wonder what a redeemed Christian elf would look like?)

What place(s)would you live in Middle Earth and why? Mirkwood? Lorien? Rivendell? Somewhere with lots of singing, dancing, trees and water. How about Eregion before it's fall? Beleriand? You get the drift... You know, I was always fascinated by the Ered Luin, and the elves in Mithlond and Forlond. (See The Fairy Wife...)

Where would you want to visit? Why? Gondor, Rohan, Dol Amroth, and the ruins of Arnor. Somewhere with lots of ruins, history, and the hints of hauntings. Oh, and can I have a cottage on the shores of Evendim?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I mentioned it to LMP and I'll post up here. I finally had the span of time necessary to finish reading Book One. And then I sat down and caught up on the discussion threads. And now I'm in the process of seeking out a character whose story I can relate to the world. Any suggestions you might have will be met with enthusiasm and the likelihood of being used as a starting point for something that appears to have nothing to do with them.

[littlemanpoet]

Originally Posted by Feanor of the Peredhil

I mentioned it to LMP and I'll post up here. I finally had the span of time necessary to finish reading Book One. And then I sat down and caught up on the discussion threads. And now I'm in the process of seeking out a character whose story I can relate to the world. Any suggestions you might have will be met with enthusiasm and the likelihood of being used as a starting point for something that appears to have nothing to do with them.

Well, we have no hobbits. Or Dwarves. Scratch that. Feanor and Dwarves don't seem like good fit. I could see you writing a Falco Boffin type of hobbit, mayhap... But what would a hobbit be doing down in Gondor?

Okay, this is absolutely insane, but how about a redeemed merlock? Never mind, I didn't ask.

Or you could give Raefindan headaches and come into Middle Earth as his dearly departed love interest, Angela. Ha ha ha! crazy...

Sorry, the more I think about it, the nutser the ideas get, so I'll shut up now.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Okay, this is absolutely insane, but how about a redeemed merlock? Never mind, I didn't ask.

I know almost nothing about merlocks except what I learned through Tapestry. So if you guys misrepresented them I'm in big trouble.

Or you could give Raefindan headaches and come into Middle Earth as his dearly departed love interest, Angela.

Or I could give Raefindan headaches and come into the story as somebody that looks dead on like Angela and even has a few of her defining quirks. *ponders*

[mark12_30]

Originally Posted by Feanor of the Peredhil

Or I could give Raefindan headaches and come into the story as somebody that looks dead on like Angela and even has a few of her defining quirks. *ponders*

And then... later Raefindan meets up with Mithrellas. And THEN what? Tortured soul.

If Raefindan goes down through South Gondor (out of the Pelennor via the southern gate) and down via the Anduin, then he could (actually) run into one of Mithrellas' *descendants* in some rural area in South Gondor. I wonder if she'd be busy dreaming about Raefindan. Er, Imrazor. Er, who the heck is this Roy Edwards fellow and why is he invading my dreams...?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by mark12_30

If Raefindan goes down through South Gondor (out of the Pelennor via the southern gate) and down via the Anduin, then he could (actually) run into one of Mithrellas' *descendants* in some rural area in South Gondor. I wonder if she'd be busy dreaming about Raefindan. Er, Imrazor. Er, who the heck is this Roy Edwards fellow and why is he invading my dreams...?

Ooh, I like this. May I?