Scarburg Meadhall Discussion Thread

[Folwren]

Okay.

I still don't know when I'll post. I've been busy since school started.

-- Foley

[Folwren]

I just read Nogrod's second post - in case I don't get to write anything, assume that Thornden has no quesitons.

-- Foley

[Thinlómien]

Foley, I think I just distract myself in general.

And sorry for not keeping my promise about the posting schedules. It really wasn't (mostly) my own fault - like I explained LMP on Facebook both times when I tried to get on the 'downs yesterday it was down (both times for several hours).

Anyway, that shall be fixed as soon as I've had some food and tea: I shall write for Modtryth and if I get enthusiastic, also for Wulfric and/or Wilheard.

[Thinlómien]

Lhuna - I've posted, see if you want any changes and I'll have the done no problem. Also, we should keep in mind Garmund might pop up soonish to tell Falco has come back, if I remember correctly.

Shall write for Wulf&Will as soon as I come up something funny and fitting enough.

[littlemanpoet]

So Faramund has found a way to justify himself. Doesn't mean he's not a grasping, greedy, overbearing landlord. But he thinks he has the law on his side. Should be interesting.....

[Folwren]

Shoudl be interesting, indeed. What are you trying to do? Start a Rohanian civil war?

I think Faramund is something of a moron, and so does Thornden, but Thornden is fairly good at concealing his feelings, I think...

-- Foley

[littlemanpoet]

Originally Posted by Folwren

Shoudl be interesting, indeed. What are you trying to do? Start a Rohanian civil war?

No, I'm just carrying through on what the character feels like.

[Nogrod]

Well... huhh-uh.

Quite a nice spotting though lmp, as I think it was exactly Thornden who insisted on Faramund being thrown out from the hall. So Faramund would not have too warm feelings on Thornden...

(If you didn't know that lmp, you might wish to add some "inner thoughts" from Faramund behind those words where he is like he doesn't recognize Thornden )

Btw, do we have a shared understanding regarding the relative strenghts of the two groups of men? My gut feeling would be that lord Athanar would lead more men that Faramund has (there are the men of the older Mead Hall + lord Athanar's own men), but as we have been describing Faramund as a wealthy man he might have more men one would foresee. But what do you others think?

We should probably also check if there are any numbers mentioned anywhere earlier.

I mean, that will affect a lot how lord Athanar will react to the new developements - which he will soon no doubt find out about. If he has the upper hand comfortably he will probably be tough and threaten with force, at least first; but if not, he's not going to let any of his men get killed because of a young hothead he can handle later with king Eomer's help... The one thing all the war vets learn from their experiences is that no one should be risked if it's not absolutely necessary - and even if Faramund might feel this to be a thing of his honour and pride (and conceiling his crimes) and something he'd be ready to sacrifice his men for, to lord Athanat it is nothing personal; only one more little thing on the agenda that should be dealt with... in time if not now.

[littlemanpoet]

My thought is that Athanar has roughly 36 men on horse, Faramund about 24. The advantage in numbers Athanar has is not entirely erased by the advantage Faramund has of being on defense.

I'm wrestling with how low Faramund would go: does he take the high road and give Athanar's men an out by allowing them to take their horses and leave, or does he take the low road and capture the horses and try to gain the upper hand by force? The latter would put him (even in his own mind) clearly on the wrong side of the law, which would ruin his self-justification, so I'm thinking he won't go there. High road it is.

I added a few thoughts to the last post for Faramund, having to do with his memory of being thrown out. Thanks for the tip, Nogrod!

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

My thought is that Athanar has roughly 36 men on horse, Faramund about 24. The advantage in numbers Athanar has is not entirely erased by the advantage Faramund has of being on defense.

To me that sounds like a reasonable count. Although I must say that Athanar will not be on offence... He's too seasoned and wise for that.

I'm wrestling with how low Faramund would go: does he take the high road and give Athanar's men an out by allowing them to take their horses and leave, or does he take the low road and capture the horses and try to gain the upper hand by force? The latter would put him (even in his own mind) clearly on the wrong side of the law, which would ruin his self-justification, so I'm thinking he won't go there. High road it is.

Also looking at the numbers of the men, the fact that lord Athanar is actually a commander who has led men in the great war, the fact that many of lord Athanar's men have served in major units of eorlinga (not to talk of the infallible original Mead Hallers ), it would be a decent decision on behalf of Faramund not to try his luck the low road...


What about Stedford? Have you any strong feelings about him lmp? I see you write him sneaking past Faramund so I take it he's going to give the ledger to Athanar. But after that?

I think we could make him this dramatic hero who does what is right even if the consequences might be costly to him?

[littlemanpoet]

Nice post, Noggie! I get a kick out of how you call him Stedfast every once in a while (toward the end of your post). It is in his character.

No changes needed to Stedford's words and thoughts and actions. Nicely done. Athanar's appeal to Stedford is pitched perfectly. I'd give you props but I have to spread 'em around...

[Firefoot]

Nogrod - Athanar sent somebody to have Leof and the horses come to him "here" where Athanar is, but I'm not very clear on where that is anymore. My understanding of Faramund's hall's layout is something like a large hall front and center (where all the Scarburg soldiers were), which is attached to Faramund's quarters - unless this has a back door, comings and goings would be noticeable from out in front where Leof is. Off to one side then is the paddock and the stables, where Faramund and his men now are. And then there's a cabin somewhere where Friduhelm is... and somewhere there's a wall.

That's the way I'm picturing it, but I don't know if that's consistent with other people's views. I guess could you correct my mental picture if it needs it, and then explain to me where Athanar is so I can write a post for Leof?

[littlemanpoet]

I've been picturing that Athanar and Stedford met in the hall where Faramund holds court. I could be wrong.

I've also been picturing that Faramund's place has the hall in front, and facing the Hall from the road, the stables are to the right, and the cabin of Friduhelm is beyond the stables along with other outbuildings; the paddock is behind both stables and Faramund's hall. At least, that's been my picture.

It might seem strange for the cabin and outbuildings to be beyond the stables; maybe they could be on the OTHER side of the hall from the stables, and a little behind?

[Mnemosyne]

Sooooo...

How are things looking on the home front?

I'm asking because Wynflaed is finally itching at my fingertips (and she's normally a patient character) after I unceremoniously withdrew her to prevent further awkward among the old-timers. I have my own ideas of what she might have been doing (and she assumed that Athanar took their sons with him on the expedition), and could probably manage a solo post, but I'd much rather interact with some other writers.

Any takers?

[Folwren]

Well, I can tell you where my characters are. Saeryn is still in the kitchen talking with Falco, as are several of the others still at Scarburg.

Javan is somewhere between the stables and the smithy with old Raban and Harreld.

I say, bring Wynflaed back into the action, if you want. She can come into the kitchen on any pretense you give her, I imagine. Possibly she is looking for Lilige?

-- Foley

[Mnemosyne]

Thanks, Foley. I'll probably bring her back in later tonight, when I have time to drum up a post. I just get a little concerned as I'm afraid Wynflaed's effect on the "old guard" is stifling conversation (which is why I took her out earlier).

I'm also curious as to Scarburg's housing arrangements for guests like Falco. I'm assuming he'll just put up in the barracks?

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

I've been picturing that Athanar and Stedford met in the hall where Faramund holds court. I could be wrong.

They met on beside the main door, around the stairs leading up. That I think is established in the thread.

Bun on the other issues I think there is no clear-cut view to prevail yet. So it would be up to anyone to decide while posting... I do think both Firefoot's and lmp's designs sound reasonable and usable.

[Firefoot]

So where is Athanar now?

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Firefoot

So where is Athanar now?

By the stairs with the two men (two others are around the farther corner looking if anything suspicious is brewing on that direction - and the fifth just took off with Stedford).

And yes, Thornden just came to break him the news on Faramund.

Also, Athanar sent Hilderinc to tell Coen to gather the men to the main door where Athanar now is - and then take a few men and come to Leof to get the horses.

I think it's like that now.

[Firefoot]

Legate - over to you. Hilderinc doesn't seem to like it much when people challenge him (much less the "stablemaster")... so I thought it might be fun to try and get under his skin a bit.

[Folwren]

Originally Posted by Firefoot

Legate - over to you. Hilderinc doesn't seem to like it much when people challenge him (much less the "stablemaster")... so I thought it might be fun to try and get under his skin a bit.

I wondered if you were doing it on purpose. I won't interfere. Hehe.

-- Foley

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Firefoot

Legate - over to you. Hilderinc doesn't seem to like it much when people challenge him (much less the "stablemaster")... so I thought it might be fun to try and get under his skin a bit.

Good, good! I haven't been around now for some time, so gotta read what you people have created meanwhile, but I will try to post soon, hopefully still today...

[Folwren]

Nogrod, you did well. Please insert what I have added here...

"Hah, I guess I know what you're thinking... I'm showing myself as a coward to him pledging peace in front of his threads? Let me tell you, I have no problems in acting like a coward in front of a fool if it helps me to get the evidence to nail him in court and keep all my men alive. That's one thing you learn in the battlefield, master Thornden... never lose your men if you don't need to, especially not because of vanity or pride. And even if he got that kind of thoughts into his head he'll be surprised enough to see us all mounted and in readiness to any move he wishes to make before he is able to execute them...."

"You mistake me, my lord. I think it is the right choice not to fight him if at all possible. But what shall you do with his father and with the ledger?"

Athanar looked at Thornden into the eye and nodded. "Just take care of yourself Thornden. I'll be in readiness to send a few men and your horses to get you back if there is any trouble. We will cover for you, you know that. Now go!"

I figured that Athanar saying, "Just take care of yourself" flows well after Thornden queries into his intensions. If you want to change it to, "Just take care of what I told you to" that'd be fine, too, but it's your choice.

-- Foley

[Nogrod]

Foley: I changed it into this:

"You mistake me, my lord. I think it is the right choice not to fight him if at all possible. But what shall you do with his father and with the ledger?" Thornden asked.

Athanar looked at Thornden into the eye and nodded. "Just take care of yourself Thornden. You'l learn that later... Anyway, you should go now. We don't have time to lose. I'll be in readiness to send a few men and your horses to get you back if there is any trouble. We will cover for you, you know that. Now go!"

I think that would be okay?


Others: just keep on turning the wheel forwards!

Also back in Scarburg...

[Folwren]

Looks fine, Nogrod. Thanks.

I will attempt to post later this evening.

[Folwren]

I'm going to be gone for the next 24 hours or so, so please don't expect any posting from me. I wish I'd had time to post for Saeryn, at least, but it was not to be so. Later, I guess.

-- Foley

[Nogrod]

Concerning the situation at Faramund's Hall... were discussing some background issues, lmp and me, concerning the bigger picture behind what happens right now (like why is Friduhelm in a condition he is, why did he give away his lordship, what does he know etc.). As soon as we have something like a decent shared view of it, things will roll forwards on that front again. And I think that will be pretty soon.

Meanwhile, I do suggest you others keep posting. Don't wait for us doing things inside the Hall - there should be a plenty of tension outside the two groups facing each other - or things going on back in Scarburg.