Scarburg Meadhall Discussion Thread

[Folwren]

Nogrod, I'd rather not put a time line on when we start the new day. We'll see if we're ready by Monday, but if not, I'd say we shouldn't rush it. But that's just my opinion and there are a lot of other players here now.

[Mnemosyne]

When we're ready to move on to the next day, I've got a little something for Wynflaed drummed up so that I can cover what happened for the rest of this day from her POV. I think it'd make for a good transition, but I'd rather not post it until we're ready to move on.

[Lhunardawen]

Nogrod, in case you were waiting, I have nothing to put in for this day (game time). I'm just waiting for the next day - albeit still unprepared for it.

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Lhunardawen

Nogrod, in case you were waiting, I have nothing to put in for this day (game time). I'm just waiting for the next day - albeit still unprepared for it.

I'd say anyone willing should post for the next morning now as it seems no one has anything to add in to the evening.

I'll make a post as well for the next day tomorrow or the day after, but do not wait for me. Any posts on the new day are good.


Mnemo, go on posting if you have something in your mind - and if you need any help from me in regards Athanar, just PM!

lmp - trying to PM you back tomorrow... (too late now).


So the next day should be dawning!

[littlemanpoet]

It's great to be back, Firefoot!

And it's great to have a new day to write in. A couple of us have been discussing a great new mess of a plot development that I'm more than eager to get started on. Not telling yet, you'll have to see it unfold. :rubs hands eagerly:

EDIT: Foley, let me know if any of the words I put in Thornden's mouth need to be changed.

[Folwren]

Okay, Elempi...at first I thought maybe Thornden wouldn't mention that he stank, but then it occurred to me, maybe, if he knew him well enough. Then I thought, "No, probably not" but then I thought, "Well, it'll make what we have planned even better if we make it out that Thornden and Harreld are on very familiar terms with each other." So, keep it.

BUT I don't think Thornden is actually going. I think he is sending Garwine. I wish Thornden were going, but I don't think Athanar will allow it. Nogrod? Am I right? Harreld can ask if the messengers can drop by Garreth's place.

Mnemosyne, I know your probably writing a post for the previous day. Go ahead and finish, if you're still planning on writing it and we'll work it in either at the end of my last post or beginning of Elempi's new day post.

And I think that's all I've got. I may try posting this evening, but I doubt I'll manage it.

-- Foley

[Mnemosyne]

Post is up; how do we want to work it in to the narrative?

Nog, let me know if I got Athanar wrong in any way, or if there are any other "behind the scenes" duties that I should have slipped in, or anything.

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Folwren

Nogrod, I'd rather not put a time line on when we start the new day. We'll see if we're ready by Monday, but if not, I'd say we shouldn't rush it.

I have no reason to hurry either... I just caught a feel from some posting (especially yours Foley! ) that people were anxious to change the day.

But we should probably make a deal that those who wish to contribute to the day we're on should voice their wish to do so.

[Lhunardawen]

Thank you, Legate and Foley.

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Lhuna, would you like me to change my posts a little bit, or do you want to add something to it? Feel free to tell me, or PM a change, or however you want to handle it... Also, didn't Harreld and Ginna become betrothed the day of Eodwine and Saeryn's wedding? I s'pose we had better think about that, as well as timing for a marriage if that's what will happen? And Ginna's father is not likely to warm to it either, come to think of it....

I sent you a PM. (I'm guessing it would be useless to say this. )

[Folwren]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

I have no reason to hurry either... I just caught a feel from some posting (especially yours Foley! ) that people were anxious to change the day.

*blush* Yeah, sorry about that. I do often come across as impatient. Although I'm ready to move on, I'd like others to have plenty of time to post....I also really want to hear from Dury again.

-- Foley

[Folwren]

I went through all the soldiers that had players and couldn't find any that fit Athanar's bill, so I went to see what kind of NPC characters we had...none that would do that I could find in the little time I had, but I remembered that some soldiers had been played way at the beginning days of the Mead Hall, so I looked that old thread up and found Garwine. I believe he's a fairly mild chap, but I didn't want to create a whole new NPC who'd never been mentioned before -that just seemed wrong for some reason - so I grabbed him. :|

Too bad Crabannan isn't a soldier. I'd have chosen him in a heartbeat.

All that to say, I've posted and I think that we can move on if everyone wants to.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I think this is going nicely... and I have nothing against moving on. I am just popping in here mainly to say that I won't be around until Sunday, so that if anybody required me to post, or had any question during that time, don't expect the answer until then I think I might have something to post during the expedition to the foreign lords, but I am sure it can be inserted if need be, or if you moved so far forward...

And in case Dury appears, or even if she does not and we consider whom to send to Edoras (although that could also be inserted, if it came to that, as it is not so important if there are just NPCs going), Áforglaed might be a good idea still, at least if Coen has also noticed that he is not quite okay with Scyrr being wounded now... In fact, if Athanar wants the soldiers to have both-sided account of events to Éomer, then Áforglaed is probably the man to send.

[Folwren]

I personally thought that when Nogrod wrote the post, Áforglaed would be perfect to send, too.

[Firefoot]

Things have gotten busy here! And welcome back, Elempi.

I've been lurking on and off but have been too busy to try and make things happen... (this semester has been terrible in terms of workload). However, now that things are going on I'm definitely going to make an effort to keep with it. I have a lot to do this afternoon but hopefully by the weekend I should be able to get a post up.

[littlemanpoet]

Nice post Foley. Now I'm wondering if we want to wait until Garwine and friend bring back word from Edoras, including a certain letter from Ginna's father? Or do we want a separate messenger to deliver that note on THIS day? What do you think, Foley & Lhuna?

[Nogrod]

Foley: would you put this in your last post, like to the beginning of it (before Thornden meets Athanar)? I feel lord Athanar would need to have this to say before the messengers went off.


--- * ----

Lord Athanr looked at the empty parchment and wrote the words My King, to begin the letter. It felt preposterous and not himself. He took the parchment and folded it in parts, sending it to the fire.

My lord. He began the next one. He looked at the paper for a while and thought it would have to suffice.


I need to make a call for a tanner named Erbrand and a soldier named Lithor. This Erbrand tried to kill one of my men, Scyrr, if you remember the old warhorse; and Lithor joined Erbrand in escape after having been judged for trying to revolt against your rule. The two are armed and dangerous. Although I find it sad to call after them as they seemed like good men.

They ran away before noon this day and I sent men to go after them as soon as their desertion caught my ears. Neither was found around the premises within ten miles.

Do ask the two messengers I sent you with this message, why there were these troubles. You'll get the picture from there.

Yours truly,

lord Athanar


He eyed the parchment once more and then rolled it to a tube pressing his seal of wax on it.

Coming downstairs he met Aforglaed and Garwine waiting for him in the hall.

"So it is you two to carry the message?" Both of the men nodded. "Good..."

"Give this letter to the king - and do not let all the soothsayers get in front of you. Say it is important news from the Scarburg Mead Hall."

Lord Athanar gave the parchement to Garwine and stood back. "Go with my best wishes and come back later... and use your free time in Edoras well..." he smiled to the two and winked an eye to them.

"I'm waiting to hear your report the day after tomorrow.... Now ride as like the ghosts would pursue you... the earlier the king learns of your news the better chances there are getting these two caught."

[Folwren]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

Foley: would you put this in your last post, like to the beginning of it (before Thornden meets Athanar)?

Done and done.

Lhuna, I hope you break your writer's block soon. Remember, Elempi offered you his help, and I'm sure if he isn't available, I'd be willing to help, too.

-- Fols

[Lhunardawen]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Nice post Foley. Now I'm wondering if we want to wait until Garwine and friend bring back word from Edoras, including a certain letter from Ginna's father? Or do we want a separate messenger to deliver that note on THIS day? What do you think, Foley & Lhuna?

I'm for using the same messenger going back...for fun. Or whichever works for our purposes. (Foley: )

Also I'm hit with a really bad case of writer's block (told ya I'm rusty ) and will be internetless for today and tomorrow. I hope that serves as a cure somehow.

[Folwren]

Elempi, I'll take you up on that offer. I know you've pointed out some stuff to me before.

Durelin and Legate, great posts. I'm tempted to exacerbate the problem and send Thornden in there, all oblivious like, but I don't think I can do that right now.

-- Foley

[Firefoot]

Hmm... I'm not sure it would be appropriate for Leof to ride out with the soldiers to see the lords? If they're going out in full array, he'd stick out like a sore thumb, I'd think. Then again, I don't consider myself well-versed in feudal politics and policies, so he could go with if that would be an appropriate thing for him to do.

Alternately, I'd be happy to get some kind of storyline going with any other characters who might be hanging around behind? Who all would that be?

[littlemanpoet]

Okay, Foley, just let me know the Post number you want me to look at - or PM me.

By the way, it just so happens that Rohan is NOT FEUDAL in its governmental structure. It's Pre-Feudal. Feudalism means that anybody who is not a lord is a serf; serf = not free. Pre-feudalism means that everybody who is not a lord is probably a farmer working his own land. Back in the old days they were called "wights" until the Normans took over England in 1066. It didn't mean "undead" back in the day; it meant "human". But we can just call them either "freemen" or "farmers".

Feudal term - - Pre-Feudal (Rohan) term:

Knight - - - - Eorling (wealthy landholder, breeds & owns his horses)
Lord - - - - Eorl (there are 3, over East, West, & Middle Emnets)
Vassal - - - no such thing
Fief - - - no such thing

So the class structure in "The Mark" (their own name for their lands - Rohan is what the Gondorians call it) is:

King - ruler
Eorl - general in war, judge in his Emnet
Eorling - owns his horse, local judge for freemen nearby
Freeman/Farmer - owns & works his own land, not wealthy enough to own a horse


Suggestion:
The way things have become structured in the Middle Emnet, the three "lords" besides Athanar are particularly wealthy land holders who wield more power locally than the usual Eorling; this is, perhaps, due to the fact that laws have been, shall we say, cavalierly observed of late; and the new Eorl is there to re-establish a more just observance of the law, and maybe even return lands to freemen who have lost theirs to unjust Eorlings.

Just a note on the above: Nogrod and I have been discussing how this is supposed to work, and it has been a very interesting process. The above paragraph is strictly a suggestion by way of explaining how things have gotten to the almost Feudal condition in the Middle Emnet compared to how they are supposed to be in Pre-Feudal Rohan - and this suggestion is mine and only mine, and it's entirely up to Nogrod and others whether to accept it. It was really a bit of a brainstorm. Far be it from me to tramp on toes!

[Nogrod]

I'm warmly welcoming all help you lmp can give us on older language for as someone who in the end writes in a foreign language I just feel oftentimes amiss with how to say certain things, especially making them ring right in the context of people living and talking in some far past.

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Suggestion:
The way things have become structured in the Middle Emnet, the three "lords" besides Athanar are particularly wealthy land holders who wield more power locally than the usual Eorling; this is, perhaps, due to the fact that laws have been, shall we say, cavalierly observed of late; and the new Eorl is there to re-establish a more just observance of the law, and maybe even return lands to freemen who have lost theirs to unjust Eorlings.

Just a note on the above: Nogrod and I have been discussing how this is supposed to work, and it has been a very interesting process. The above paragraph is strictly a suggestion by way of explaining how things have gotten to the almost Feudal condition in the Middle Emnet compared to how they are supposed to be in Pre-Feudal Rohan - and this suggestion is mine and only mine, and it's entirely up to Nogrod and others whether to accept it. It was really a bit of a brainstorm. Far be it from me to tramp on toes!

It has been an interesting process indeed - and we probably should have done better to go through that back when lmp left as I must say I have been thinking more or less along some feaudalistic lines of thought all the time (but can see the point of making Rohan and Gondor quite different on that issue - and that way more according to Tolkien-universe). But it is interesting to try and bring together both those things that have been written and how it should be... And actually I find lmp's latest suggestion quite good (the bolded one).

We'll have to work that out before lord Athanar and the Scarburg people meet the first lord. So maybe a few days (RL) still left. But as things are here in the open now, I'd appreciate any comments you others might have on the subject.

[Nogrod]

Oh, and sorry for not posting...

I spent the last night watching the US. election results & analysis program up to 4am from BBC and understandably have been both very tired and overtly busy today (needed to do also the stuff I would have otherwise done yesterday evening).

[Folwren]

I did post for Thornden, but I didn't interrupt. One of them might have seen him pass, though. I almost continued but I don't have time to just now. I may tomorrow and go ahead and have Thornden meet someone carrying the letter, Elempi and Lhuna.

-- Foley

[Firefoot]

You know, I hesitated over the use of the word "feudal." Rightfully so, it seems...

[Mnemosyne]

So, any ideas about what's going to be going on back at the Meadhall while everyone else is running around?

[littlemanpoet]

So, any ideas about what's going to be going on back at the Meadhall while everyone else is running around?

There is a little matter brewing of letters arriving; other than that, whatever you want.

[Folwren]

Mnemosyne, I'm glad to do something with Saeryn during the men's absence...

[Folwren]

Firefoot, I hope you don't feel I cut the conversation short. I figured I didn't see any reason Thornden would say more. I think Leof could come. Why shouldn't he? All the horses are leaving mostly, so he may as well come along. I'm afraid when Thornden said may sound something like, "Come act like everyone's paige and do our beck and call," but that's kind of the position I see Leof doing if he comes. Anyway, it's your call. I don't know what's going to be happening at the Hall during the day, so it may be just as well if you character comes along. If he does stay behind, I'm sure we can figure out something fun to get Leof involved in.

Elempi, it's all yours. Let me know if I need to change Harreld at all. (I thought the grin and the last clap on the shoulder of Thornden's may play right into your hand, by the way.)

[Folwren]

It has been done, as you wished.

[Folwren]

Looks like things are moving on at an admirable clip. Next post from any of the outward bound posters can get the company moving, right? I will try to post tomorrow. Possibly for Quin...that sounds like fun...And Saeryn.

Elempi, which woman would Harreld hand the letter to? Kara, or Saeryn, or Modtryth, maybe?

-- Foley

[littlemanpoet]

I'm a little uncomfortable with my post. It reminds me of moments in real life when you've said things you wished you hadn't, and it's too late to change it now. However, this is an rpg and it could be changed. But maybe it shouldn't be. In any case, there are going to be consequences in the story line no matter what is said and done, and that can be scary and fascinating.

Lhuna, what do you think?

[littlemanpoet]

"You know I'm always here for you, Harreld," she said loudly enough, not letting his hammering drown out her voice. And she left.

Ooh you stinker!

That's exactly the last thing Harreld is capable of dealing with! ... so of course that's what she'd say.

I'm going to let this one simmer for a bit...

[Folwren]

What has happened to everybody?

[Thinlómien]

Okay I'm here and sort of catching up with stuff. Planning to write something still today. I have to admit I haven't read the admin thread thoroughly, so bear with me if I ask stupid questions or do stupid stuff... And my apologies for not having been around. Somehow I seem to be able to divide my time and concentration in any sensible manner...

[Thinlómien]

Just wondering...

since nothing has been said, should I assume that Wulfric and Wilheard have been ignored again? No one's given a thought if they should ride with the soldiers or stay in charge at Scarburg? Wulfric's going to be so happy - I can almost see him doing something stupid if not now then soon...

Now writing something for Modtryth.

[Thinlómien]

Nog -

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Just wondering...
since nothing has been said, should I assume that Wulfric and Wilheard have been ignored again? No one's given a thought if they should ride with the soldiers or stay in charge at Scarburg? Wulfric's going to be so happy - I can almost see him doing something stupid if not now then soon...

Lhuna -
sorry for taking time. I'll try to write something before Christmas!