Scarburg Meadhall Discussion Thread

[Nogrod]

If no one posts anything - or indicates a wish to post - in the next 24-48 hours, I will post Javan's hearing in to make things roll again...

But any reactions to Athanar's suggestion from Saeryn, Degas, Thornden (or even Wynflaed) - or general feelings before the hearings from anyone else would be appreciated.

[Folwren]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

But any reactions to Athanar's suggestion from Saeryn, Degas, Thornden (or even Wynflaed) - or general feelings before the hearings from anyone else would be appreciated.

I really do want to post, but every time I sit down to, Mom calls me away. I'll see if I can do something tonight....but we've got family here, so I don't know if I'll be able to. But...if it doesn't happen tonight, maybe it will tomorrow...

-- Foley

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Folwren

I really do want to post, but every time I sit down to, Mom calls me away. I'll see if I can do something tonight....but we've got family here, so I don't know if I'll be able to.

Don't feel rushed!

Btw. a question for everyone: do you feel that the way I keep pressing you to roll things forwards is like pressurising you writers over the top or am I too slow in calling for the advancement of the storyline?

I mean it's hard to say from my own perspective which way it is.

So do you wish for more easy time or more strict deadlines? The RL sure is an issue and holidays - *theBostonMootCough* - do play a part... but anyway.

I'm probably sending the hearing or Javan in 24 hours so anything you might like to post before that should be done before that. Unless there are posts that require answers & postponing the one we have done...

(=You can change the way things will go, anyone! Don't forget it. I mean even if some of us plan a few things in here every now or then, anyone can change the course of things by her/his posting... so do not fear of messing around, but do it!)

[Folwren]

Ah hm. I don't know, I don't know indeed. I tried to write a post today, but I could never quite get anywhere. Don't wait up for me. I think I am feeling that Degas or someone else needs to respond next.

I don't think you're being too pushy, generally. But that slight push on Christmas was a little much...otherwise, no, I think you're doing awesome.

-- Foley

[Groin Redbeard]

Originally Posted by Feanor of the Peredhil

So Degas and Rowenna are available for now, and Degas has shared his thoughts with the group. And revealed that he uses ladies' lotion to soften his hands.

Another chickified man.

Originally Posted by Nogrod

Btw. a question for everyone: do you feel that the way I keep pressing you to roll things forwards is like pressurising you writers over the top or am I too slow in calling for the advancement of the storyline?

I don't know how to explain it, but whenever you start pressing us to write it is as if you are twisting my arm. Every time I want to protest and say that you are pushing us to hard I get this pain in my arm where the...Ow! OW! I give, I give! I'll post!

Let me know if my post for Erbrand is OK, I took the liberty of having the the peasants eat outside of the hall.

[Groin Redbeard]

Also, now that winter has arrived wolves will be coming in abundance kill what they can from the animals of Scarburg. If we need another activity to do in the RPG, a wolf hunt would not be out of order I do not think. Later, however, if you decide to, Nogrod. We have enough to right about now.

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Groin Redbeard

I took the liberty of having the the peasants eat outside of the hall.

Peasants?

Now from where exactly did those people drop in?

I don't remember there ever been peasants in lord Eodwine's Hall and I doubt Athanar would bring ones around either. The countryside around the Hall is full of peasants so the lords don't actually need to carry "their own" around...

But... I think there is an issue here which this amazing appearance of peasants actually brings to light, and I think it has never been thought about.

So the surrounding countryside provides for the Mead Hall; the meat, the cereals, the wood etc. That's what the discussions with the local lords will be about besides swearing allegiance to the king via the Mead Hall. Lord Eodwine was not too enthusiastic about meeting the local lords but the fact that their supplies they had brought with them were running low was the reason he had to finally go on with it. And it was the promise of the lords that they would send them supplies. So clearly lord Eodwine didn't have peasants with cattle & stuff to keep the Mead Hall self-sufficent. And I think that is a good idea: a Mead Hall is not a peasant farm but king's institution dealing with law and order.

But it would actually be reasonable if the Mead Hall had like a host of chicken and maybe a cow or two (and a few pigs to feed on the leftovers and stuff), or something like that, just to get some daily supplies like eggs and milk the easy way.

Now do we need peasants to manage some chicken and a cow or two? I think we need to go only a generation back in Finland (or US?) where normal small-farmers handled a number of cattle & smaller animals as a norm. So I'd say the people in the kitchen could easily manage that - if it's a question of only providing eggs and milk.

Let's think about that.


Yeah Groin, a wolf-hunt is a good idea. I actually have an idea whom Athanar would order for the mission...

I'm going to check the post for Javan's hearing and hopefully post it soon enough.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by Groin Redbeard

Another chickified man.

Yes, a highly trained warrior noble who can take out anybody in his surroundings with a sword and almost anybody with a Rohanian/Gondorian equivalent of Mui Thai, who's also beaten the tar out of pirates on the open seas, and happens to like having hands that are callused in the appropriate places so he doesn't mess up the notes when he's playing traditional songs.

He's clearly a sissy because he's into personal hygiene and understands he's attractive to the ladies.

My oh my, women just loathe clean confident men with no fear of... gasp! Lotion!

Anyway, Nog: I've always kind of assumed there was a cow or two on premises, and a collection of chickens. Maybe a goat to range around and keep the grass down and provide milk. In this sort of culture, it would be the norm for somebody to be going out and milking in the morning, for kids to be set to collecting eggs from wherever the hens have hidden them, for buckets of milk to be sitting in a cool place, and for girls about Aedre's age to be boredly churning butter.

I took it so for granted I never even mentioned it. As a center of business more than a farm, they certainly wouldn't have all their own livestock (whereas Degas is clearly the lord of a rural holding where the number of piglets and ladybugs is of massive import), but they'd have the basics: milk and eggs close enough that they needn't be transported.

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Feanor of the Peredhil

In this sort of culture, it would be the norm for somebody to be going out and milking in the morning, for kids to be set to collecting eggs from wherever the hens have hidden them, for buckets of milk to be sitting in a cool place, and for girls about Aedre's age to be boredly churning butter.

I took it so for granted I never even mentioned it. As a center of business more than a farm, they certainly wouldn't have all their own livestock (whereas Degas is clearly the lord of a rural holding where the number of piglets and ladybugs is of massive import), but they'd have the basics: milk and eggs close enough that they needn't be transported.

Like I thought as well. So the household-staff (basically the kitchen staff) could do it.


On another note: Are you guys willing to post in reaction to Javan's hearing or should we step forwards? Lithor's hearing (and W & W's) is more or less ready and could be posted as well. So what do we do: wait for reactions (or other possible posts), or bring things forwards?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

Like I thought as well. So the household-staff (basically the kitchen staff) could do it.

Yes. And if Nienna is interested/willing, gathering eggs and/or churning butter might be a very good task to keep Aedre out of mischief.

It can be safely assumed that Frodides (or someone else, if they want to have done it) has been milking the cow or cows (I don't see more than two, really; enough milk for baking would be all they'd need, and they wouldn't want so much it would spoil) in the mornings, and the kids have probably had to go looking for eggs unless there's a hen coop. Hens are jerks, really, about trying to get their offspring to hatch via stealth egg-laying in sneaky places. But it would be so much a matter of routine that it wouldn't likely be incorporated into story parts of the story, if you follow me.

Like eating or sleeping: it's just part of the normal day.