Scarburg Meadhall Discussion Thread - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Gwathagor · 08-16-2008, 03:08 PM

Quarterstaves would certainly be safer than swords. Maybe we do both?

I think Nogrod is on to a good idea with the javelins. Why not change that to spears, one of the Rohirrim's chief weapons, and one in which all the men would have training?

Nogrod · 08-16-2008, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwathagor

Quarterstaves would certainly be safer than swords. Maybe we do both?

I'd say we should not go to a swordplay... it's just a bit too dangerous. But anyway you wish.

Quote:

Why not change that to spears, one of the Rohirrim's chief weapons, and one in which all the men would have training?

A good idea.

Btw. as I now see things have moved forwards quite a bit I'm not so sure whether we should now bring on anything about the kids as it would be going backwards in time in any case. So maybe we just stick to the present of the story? I'm pretty confident the "games" will allow us some opportunities to write them back in interesting enough fashion as they will surely compete more seriously than the adults...

Gwathagor · 08-16-2008, 03:29 PM

I suppose swords would be awfully dangerous.

Folwren · 08-16-2008, 05:31 PM

They would have practicing blades, folks. Blunted without points, but properly balanced, most likely. It's definitely do-able.

I don't care what we do with the boys. I was hoping someone (other than me) would decide what Garstan said to them.

Can someone really throw a javelin or spear 50 feet?

Quarter staff fighting sounds like tons of fun. I did that this summer with another friend. She and I really got into it. I got bloody fingers, and a banged head once. It was quite enjoyable.

-- Folwren

littlemanpoet · 08-17-2008, 05:56 AM

How many of Scarburg's women will take part in these traditionally manly games? Are there women's games that might be thought of? Or other such games, like what might be good for kids?

Nogrod · 08-17-2008, 08:47 AM

The kid's games... someone I think suggested running and that sounds good. Also, they have been practising archery the last few weeks so they should show people what they have learned. But no wrestling, please. I think they have had enough of that already...

One possible event could be that old game where two people face each other standing on a log that has ben hoisted up (like a meter or something) and they have heavy sacks as weapons trying to stay on the log and make the other fall. I can't remember the English name for it but I hope you know the sport. In that there might be a female competition as well.

Maybe something like dagger-throwing for the women or something? I mean at least I think the rohanian society was quite a traditional one in respect to male and female roles - with possible exceptions like that of Eowyn - and so the female "games" should be less dangerous and possibly less physical or aiming less to physical damage in the first place.

How about a competition which would include different tasks to perform? I mean tasks that would require agility, firmness of hand, wit and such. It might even be a game for all (also males and kids) as there might be interesting results. The tasks could be something like climbing to get a required object, pebble-throwing, building from pieces of wood a tower of a required height so that it doesn't collapse, figuring out any sort of puzzles, running/crawling/jumping through a track with different obstacles etc.

Or something like that.

Folwren · 08-17-2008, 10:06 AM

Whatever games there are for women to do, I imagine they would be designed for the woman to be wearing a dress/skirt - so no climbing could be involved. I kind of doubt that they would be included in any game with weapons (including the knife throwing). I don't remember reading any story wherein a woman took part in any tournament or games. Usually they sit by and be boring.

Not to say we can't break the rules a bit.

What about board games, like Nine Men's Morris?

No time for more suggestions just now...

08-16-2008, 03:08 PM	#1
Gwathagor Shade with a Blade Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: A Rainy Night In Soho Posts: 2,512	Quarterstaves would certainly be safer than swords. Maybe we do both? I think Nogrod is on to a good idea with the javelins. Why not change that to spears, one of the Rohirrim's chief weapons, and one in which all the men would have training? __________________ Stories and songs.

08-16-2008, 03:29 PM	#3
Gwathagor Shade with a Blade Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: A Rainy Night In Soho Posts: 2,512	I suppose swords would be awfully dangerous. __________________ Stories and songs.

08-16-2008, 05:31 PM	#4
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	They would have practicing blades, folks. Blunted without points, but properly balanced, most likely. It's definitely do-able. I don't care what we do with the boys. I was hoping someone (other than me) would decide what Garstan said to them. Can someone really throw a javelin or spear 50 feet? Quarter staff fighting sounds like tons of fun. I did that this summer with another friend. She and I really got into it. I got bloody fingers, and a banged head once. It was quite enjoyable. -- Folwren __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis

08-17-2008, 08:47 AM	#6
Nogrod Flame of the Ainulindalë Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wearing rat's coat, crowskin, crossed staves in a field behaving as the wind behaves Posts: 9,308	The kid's games... someone I think suggested running and that sounds good. Also, they have been practising archery the last few weeks so they should show people what they have learned. But no wrestling, please. I think they have had enough of that already... One possible event could be that old game where two people face each other standing on a log that has ben hoisted up (like a meter or something) and they have heavy sacks as weapons trying to stay on the log and make the other fall. I can't remember the English name for it but I hope you know the sport. In that there might be a female competition as well. Maybe something like dagger-throwing for the women or something? I mean at least I think the rohanian society was quite a traditional one in respect to male and female roles - with possible exceptions like that of Eowyn - and so the female "games" should be less dangerous and possibly less physical or aiming less to physical damage in the first place. How about a competition which would include different tasks to perform? I mean tasks that would require agility, firmness of hand, wit and such. It might even be a game for all (also males and kids) as there might be interesting results. The tasks could be something like climbing to get a required object, pebble-throwing, building from pieces of wood a tower of a required height so that it doesn't collapse, figuring out any sort of puzzles, running/crawling/jumping through a track with different obstacles etc. Or something like that. __________________ Upon the hearth the fire is red Beneath the roof there is a bed; But not yet weary are our feet...

08-17-2008, 10:06 AM	#7
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	Whatever games there are for women to do, I imagine they would be designed for the woman to be wearing a dress/skirt - so no climbing could be involved. I kind of doubt that they would be included in any game with weapons (including the knife throwing). I don't remember reading any story wherein a woman took part in any tournament or games. Usually they sit by and be boring. Not to say we can't break the rules a bit. What about board games, like Nine Men's Morris? No time for more suggestions just now... __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis

08-17-2008, 05:56 AM	#5
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	How many of Scarburg's women will take part in these traditionally manly games? Are there women's games that might be thought of? Or other such games, like what might be good for kids?