The Fellowship of the Fourth Age (Part 1): A New Beginning Discussion Thread - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Nogrod · 02-08-2007, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dury

I understand your concern with your character's actions and situation being determined. Child and I have been working with the assumption that all the Orc men in particular have been drinking quite a bit, thinking they can relax because everyone's dead and surely having something to celebrate because all the stuff in the camp is theirs (and we thought that this had been agreed upon, sorry we were mistaken). By the time the slaves and fellowship there, we guessed they'd all pretty much be out. Dragging passed out drunks into a pit is just rounding them up.

Basically I agree with the situation you have worked with - as I think I have myself referred to a camp full of drunken orcs too... But I think the two veterans would know better than that - and it seems that for some reason (possibly some hitherto-unknown special trait of female orcs) the women are also taking it easier.

But that kind of makes it also a bit believable, I think. Count out Ishkur and Gwerr, the females and the underaged, and the advance party will meet with 7 orcs who can't even walk straight. With those they can deal with easily and have their moral problems whether to just kill them or let them live imprisoned.

That of course if Makdush will also be so stupid as to drink himself so passionately off the consciousness... That could indeed be one possibility to try and better the relations between Ishkur/Gwerr vs. Makdush, if he were to join the two after the others are taken as prisoners? (and there would be only six drunken orcs lying on the ground as the party comes in) Looking this from Gwerr's point of view, he would just detest the possibility

, but from the overall narration's viewpoint it might be something we should consider?

Quote:

Beloan should be one of the advance party. I actually was thinking of having him kind of initiate it by asking those who have seen the slaver camp where it is and if they have any idea how much supplies there might be...and get the ball rolling on a group to go scope it out and pick up some things. Lindir might be the one to really do that, though. Joint effort?

Let's work Beloan out then. I will look at your proposed bio-stuff tomorrow (RL) and will send you my suggestions.

But feel free to post with Beloan initiating the search-party. I think we have both posted quite a lot for him so that he could be an actual joint-character. What say you?

Regin Hardhammer · 02-08-2007, 07:41 PM

Child and Nogrod,

One piece of good news... I have a friend who's bringing a laptop so I can get computer access through him. That means I can post if I need to in this discussion and on the game.

**************

OK, I am more than a little confused. It was my original assumption that my character Ishkur would be pretty out of it by the morning because of drinking. In fact, I know Child is posting a save for Makdush where a wounded slaver passes on misinformation to a representative from the southern plantation, saying that all the slaves and slavers were likely wiped out. That was going to make Ishkur relax and stop worrying about who shows up in camp.

I really need to think about what's been said in this thread and figure out how Ishkur would fit into all this. Give me a little time and I'll try to post my response very late tonight.

Folwren · 02-08-2007, 08:33 PM

Hey, everyone!

I have been so crazily busy with things in RL, that I haven't had time to read this thread since Child's long post.

I had an idea, in case you all were wondering how on earth they won't kill eachother. Or how the slaves won't kill the orcs when they find the drunk orcs and all that kind of stuff. Well, it dawned upon me today that pretty much everyone there has just about every reason in the world to hate orcs except Athwen. She's never met one, she's never been harmed by one, she's never had family members harmed by one, she's not like Lindir and Aiwendil who have been enemies with them for years... I guess Vror and Rog might not have personal quarrels to pick...

Anyway, besides all that, she's also a woman and less than likely to want any more blood spilled than necessary.

If you can figure out a way for her lack of enmity towards the orcs and her gentleness to help you solve what problems you still have left with this, by all means, let me know and I'll do whatever I have to.

Also, all this might be obsolete, considering that there are several rather lengthy posts between this post and Child's.........

-- Folwren

Regin Hardhammer · 02-09-2007, 12:30 AM

Looking back on the summer, I'm pretty certain I was actually the one who first proposed that the orcs get drunk and pass out and that the women plead for mercy. I felt comfortable with that for my character. Ishkur's been under intense pressure on the road for a while, having to watch his back every minute. I could see him letting his guard down for one night, especially if he felt that no one is going to return to the camp. It just doesn't strike me that most orcs are terribly disciplined.

Still, I am willing to tinker with that as long as the basic story line remains intact. I do think it's important that all the male orcs be in chains by the second day when the women plead for the men's lives. I know that Firefoot and Undomie are already doing some planning for that.

Perhaps the story could go something like this.... Initially, there are six or seven orcs who "get away" and don't get caught by the slaves and the fellowship. In addition to Grask, Ungolt, and Undomie's sisters, this would include Gwerr, Ishkur and possibly Makdush, if Child wants to include him. I personally would like to have Makdush since it would break down some barriers between Uruks and regular orcs. Tnat means that eight orcs would initially be rounded up....that would include six males, one female and one female "child"---all NPCs. Later that same day, the three males could try to break in and free their companions. They come close to succeeding but at the last minute are beaten back and thrown in the pen with everyone else. The fact that they tried to stage a rescue against such big odds might surprise some of the slaves and fellowship....they could have just turned tail and run away. The next monring the others will arrive and we'll folllow the outline

As far as the motive and details as to why these orcs hid and/or weren't caught in the initial haul, we can leave that up to the individual orc poster.

Would something like that work?

By the way, I think Hilde is right about the caves and pits. In some ways, the worst thing you could do is to stake out the orc prisoners in bright sunlight in some kind of holding corrall, at least during the daytime hours. It would drive Ishkur crazy to be out there in the bright light. Maybe you can toss us into the pit that night.

Folwren I think you have a good idea. When the women make their plea to spare the other's lives, perhaps Athwen can be the first one to moved by their gesture???

Oh, yeah, about that money... Isn't there some way we could hold on to that? How closely are we going to be searched?

Hilde Bracegirdle · 02-09-2007, 06:07 AM

And don't forget that the pit has a way out of it. That would have to be blocked somehow.

Regin, I like the idea of the orcs coming back to free their fellows. It might strike a cord with Carl at least. He is under the impression that orcs are self- serving nogoodnicks, though he has never met one, and it may serve to chip away at this notion.

Tevildo · 02-09-2007, 07:09 AM

Regin and Nogrod - Like Hilde, I think this is a good idea.

The male orcs played by actual posters come off looking better than if they just got rounded up half drunk and asleep. Plus, Dorran will think a little better of someone who would come back and try to rescue a companion.

By having female orcs be among the first imprisoned, the good guys will also have a harder choice. It may be a cultural thing but I think it would be harder for Dorran to vote to execute a female, especially when one of these females is actually a "child". Under these circumstances, I'm not sure if the vote would be a hundred percent to execute as the outline says. It's vaguely possible that the vote would be to spare the woman and child and execute the rest.

As far as the orc money goes, I was thinking this. If Ishkur and Makdush found a nearby place to hide the money before they made the rescue attempt, no one would know about its existence. Once they're freed from the pit or pen or whatever, they could discreetly dig it up and conceal it on their bodies and saddlebags. No one is going to search them at that point. Plus that money could maybe make some interesting complications later, either serious or amusing.

Realistically, both Dorran and Azhar will have to remain behind when the advance party goes out to the slaver camp. They will recover enough to help tend the sick and prepare the bodies for burial or burning.

Child of the 7th Age · 02-09-2007, 11:59 AM

Regarding the orcs, this seems fine to me! I'd be glad to have Makdush be one of the three male orcs who manage to stay free for a bit and try and rescue the others. I'll delete my present save (which is long overdue) and work on a post this afternoon. It will be the same basic idea as before---a conversation between a wounded slaver and someone sent up from the southern plantation--only this time they will be saying that the slaves will likely be victorious and may well decide to come over to the slavers' camp in a day or two and clean it out. Makdush will pass this information on to Gwerr and/or Ishkur, which presumably would be an incentive for all of us to keep our eyes open.

There's a lot of other good ideas here as well and hopefully we'll incorporate some of those into our posts.

Nogrod · 02-09-2007, 12:10 PM

Looking good now... I think.

As Ishkur and Gwerr are together in the slave-master's tent with the horse (who is saddled with the money), it would be easy to them to get out when they notice the humans coming... If Child wishes to make Makdush also taking a runner, we could then make the three meet. How does that sound, Regin and Child?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tevildo

If Ishkur and Makdush found a nearby place to hide the money before they made the rescue attempt, no one would know about its existence.

Gwerr surely hopes the storyline will never reach this point...

EDIT: actually managed to x-post with Child...

02-08-2007, 07:41 PM	#2
Regin Hardhammer Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tumunzahar/Nogrod Posts: 364	Child and Nogrod, One piece of good news... I have a friend who's bringing a laptop so I can get computer access through him. That means I can post if I need to in this discussion and on the game. ************** OK, I am more than a little confused. It was my original assumption that my character Ishkur would be pretty out of it by the morning because of drinking. In fact, I know Child is posting a save for Makdush where a wounded slaver passes on misinformation to a representative from the southern plantation, saying that all the slaves and slavers were likely wiped out. That was going to make Ishkur relax and stop worrying about who shows up in camp. I really need to think about what's been said in this thread and figure out how Ishkur would fit into all this. Give me a little time and I'll try to post my response very late tonight. __________________ 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.'"

02-08-2007, 08:33 PM	#3
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	Hey, everyone! I have been so crazily busy with things in RL, that I haven't had time to read this thread since Child's long post. I had an idea, in case you all were wondering how on earth they won't kill eachother. Or how the slaves won't kill the orcs when they find the drunk orcs and all that kind of stuff. Well, it dawned upon me today that pretty much everyone there has just about every reason in the world to hate orcs except Athwen. She's never met one, she's never been harmed by one, she's never had family members harmed by one, she's not like Lindir and Aiwendil who have been enemies with them for years... I guess Vror and Rog might not have personal quarrels to pick... Anyway, besides all that, she's also a woman and less than likely to want any more blood spilled than necessary. If you can figure out a way for her lack of enmity towards the orcs and her gentleness to help you solve what problems you still have left with this, by all means, let me know and I'll do whatever I have to. Also, all this might be obsolete, considering that there are several rather lengthy posts between this post and Child's......... -- Folwren __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis

02-09-2007, 12:30 AM	#4
Regin Hardhammer Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tumunzahar/Nogrod Posts: 364	Looking back on the summer, I'm pretty certain I was actually the one who first proposed that the orcs get drunk and pass out and that the women plead for mercy. I felt comfortable with that for my character. Ishkur's been under intense pressure on the road for a while, having to watch his back every minute. I could see him letting his guard down for one night, especially if he felt that no one is going to return to the camp. It just doesn't strike me that most orcs are terribly disciplined. Still, I am willing to tinker with that as long as the basic story line remains intact. I do think it's important that all the male orcs be in chains by the second day when the women plead for the men's lives. I know that Firefoot and Undomie are already doing some planning for that. Perhaps the story could go something like this.... Initially, there are six or seven orcs who "get away" and don't get caught by the slaves and the fellowship. In addition to Grask, Ungolt, and Undomie's sisters, this would include Gwerr, Ishkur and possibly Makdush, if Child wants to include him. I personally would like to have Makdush since it would break down some barriers between Uruks and regular orcs. Tnat means that eight orcs would initially be rounded up....that would include six males, one female and one female "child"---all NPCs. Later that same day, the three males could try to break in and free their companions. They come close to succeeding but at the last minute are beaten back and thrown in the pen with everyone else. The fact that they tried to stage a rescue against such big odds might surprise some of the slaves and fellowship....they could have just turned tail and run away. The next monring the others will arrive and we'll folllow the outline As far as the motive and details as to why these orcs hid and/or weren't caught in the initial haul, we can leave that up to the individual orc poster. Would something like that work? By the way, I think Hilde is right about the caves and pits. In some ways, the worst thing you could do is to stake out the orc prisoners in bright sunlight in some kind of holding corrall, at least during the daytime hours. It would drive Ishkur crazy to be out there in the bright light. Maybe you can toss us into the pit that night. Folwren I think you have a good idea. When the women make their plea to spare the other's lives, perhaps Athwen can be the first one to moved by their gesture??? Oh, yeah, about that money... Isn't there some way we could hold on to that? How closely are we going to be searched? __________________ 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.'" Last edited by Regin Hardhammer; 02-09-2007 at 12:48 AM.

02-09-2007, 07:09 AM	#6
Tevildo Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Curled up on Melko's lap Posts: 425	Regin and Nogrod - Like Hilde, I think this is a good idea. The male orcs played by actual posters come off looking better than if they just got rounded up half drunk and asleep. Plus, Dorran will think a little better of someone who would come back and try to rescue a companion. By having female orcs be among the first imprisoned, the good guys will also have a harder choice. It may be a cultural thing but I think it would be harder for Dorran to vote to execute a female, especially when one of these females is actually a "child". Under these circumstances, I'm not sure if the vote would be a hundred percent to execute as the outline says. It's vaguely possible that the vote would be to spare the woman and child and execute the rest. As far as the orc money goes, I was thinking this. If Ishkur and Makdush found a nearby place to hide the money before they made the rescue attempt, no one would know about its existence. Once they're freed from the pit or pen or whatever, they could discreetly dig it up and conceal it on their bodies and saddlebags. No one is going to search them at that point. Plus that money could maybe make some interesting complications later, either serious or amusing. Realistically, both Dorran and Azhar will have to remain behind when the advance party goes out to the slaver camp. They will recover enough to help tend the sick and prepare the bodies for burial or burning. __________________ Now Tevildo was a mighty cat--the mightiest of all--and possessed of an evil spirit,...and he was in Melko's constant following; and that cat had all cats subject to him, and he and his subjects were the chasers and getters of meat for Melko's table.

02-09-2007, 11:59 AM	#7
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Regarding the orcs, this seems fine to me! I'd be glad to have Makdush be one of the three male orcs who manage to stay free for a bit and try and rescue the others. I'll delete my present save (which is long overdue) and work on a post this afternoon. It will be the same basic idea as before---a conversation between a wounded slaver and someone sent up from the southern plantation--only this time they will be saying that the slaves will likely be victorious and may well decide to come over to the slavers' camp in a day or two and clean it out. Makdush will pass this information on to Gwerr and/or Ishkur, which presumably would be an incentive for all of us to keep our eyes open. There's a lot of other good ideas here as well and hopefully we'll incorporate some of those into our posts. __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

02-09-2007, 06:07 AM	#5
Hilde Bracegirdle Relic of Wandering Days Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: You'll See Perpetual Change. Posts: 1,480	And don't forget that the pit has a way out of it. That would have to be blocked somehow. Regin, I like the idea of the orcs coming back to free their fellows. It might strike a cord with Carl at least. He is under the impression that orcs are self- serving nogoodnicks, though he has never met one, and it may serve to chip away at this notion.