The Mount Zoom Challenge – Discuss

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Greetings Downers, new and old, rotten and fresh!

The Mount Zoom joke has grown and grown. From its humble beginnings here and here. The Fortunately / Unfortunately thread has much to answer for.

So, Nilpaurion Felagund and I have been devising a little game for the mirth Forums. Much alike to the Werewolf games, it’s a sort of RPG, but a little too silly for the RPG forums. By "a little silly" I of course mean "completely insane".

Here is how it will work:

We (me and Nilp) will select some drivers and helpers from volunteers who can take on the personal of a character to drive the 'vehicle'. For example Sauron for Mount Zoom, Denethor for Minas Taxi, Frodo for Bag End and so on.

The race begins from The Lonely Mountain and the finish line is in The Grey Heavens.

As the drivers go along the moderators of the game (for this one, me and Nilp) set different challenges, depending on how you complete them will decide which way you go. Challenges could be things like, "A great chasm has randomly opened up in the earth, decide how to get your vehicles over it." Or "You have to cross the river Anduin, GO!"

The winner is the one who thinks of the funniest way across the obstacles. They can be voted for in this topic here.

If that is okay then good! But if anyone wants to suggest changes, please state them here. This is, of course an experimental game and may well (read: probably will) go very wrong.

So, the vehicles and drivers and assistants are as follows:

MOUNT ZOOM = Sauron + Mouth of Sauron

Bag-Endless-fule = Bilbo + Frodo

Orth-Tank = Saruman + Wormtong

Barad-Dash = Gothmog + Orc (player can chose name)

Medel-zoom = Eowyn + Eomer (or a maiden, if circumstances allow)

Minas Mor-go = Witch King + Ring Wraith #4 (s/he always gets left out)

Minas Taxi = Denethor + Faramir

Okay folks, Discuss away!

GAME THREAD

[Caranlondien]

Oh, excellent game idea!

To clarify, is the concept that there are two players per vehicle (a driver and a passenger)? So, for example, Saruman and Wormtongue would PM to decide how to respond to the challenge, with Saruman having final say, as the "driver"?

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Quite right, Caranlondien.
That way there can be more players. 14 instead of 7.

The way I see it is that there will be an initial challenge, "get away from the Lonely mountain" and the driver and assistant will discuss which way to go: North, South, East or West. This they can decide after each challenge they are set.

[Farael]

Hmmmm sounds interesting... recruiting already? If you are, I'm definitely in!!! And I call dibs on Medel-zoom Just wait 'till I go on a Theoden-like rant

The only thing is.... who will decide which player(s) win each challenge?

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Well, I've thought about this and Nilp will correct me if he has a better idea...

A general challenge will be set to all, along the lines of "There is a hole in the ground" or "its raining and the ground is slippery" and each must use their surroundings and wit to get past them. They will all, hopefully. get past them and move on, but on this thread people can vote for the winner based on wit, quick thinking and imagination. Voting* will be by any players (can't vote for selves) and when someone wins Nilp or I will move them on further than the others.

* Like WW, ++ Vehicle.

[Caranlondien]

For the voting, maybe to avoid tricky situations (where a player might cast a throwaway vote to avoid being beaten) the votes should be PM-ed to the moderator. If people want to see the votes, the mod could always post them later.

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by Hookbill the Goomba

Quite right, Caranlondien.
That way there can be more players. 14 instead of 7.

The way I see it is that there will be an initial challenge, "get away from the Lonely mountain" and the driver and assistant will discuss which way to go: North, South, East or West. This they can decide after each challenge they are set.

QUESTION: Will this Driver/Assistant discussion be on the thread? And, after the discussion is the Driver (or the Assistant) supposed to write it up rather RPesque?

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Originally Posted by Formendacil

QUESTION: Will this Driver/Assistant discussion be on the thread? And, after the discussion is the Driver (or the Assistant) supposed to write it up rather RPesque?

Both can post if they wish. The Driver should be the 'leader', if thats the right word, and the assistant can... well... assist. This way they can have converse and have a much more amusing time... I would hope.
The driver and assistant should discuss the course of action in the thread itself. Here is an example.

*********

: There is a hole in the road!

assistant: Perhaps we could build a ramp?

: It'd need to be a bleeding big one. Perhaps we can send a message to Gwihir? He mau carry us.

assistant: I don't think they are strong enough.

********

And so on.

Originally Posted by spawn

Do you have any estimation, how time-consuming this will be? I'd love to drive or be a 'map-reader', but right now I'm not supposed to have a social life whatsoever... not even at BD.

Oooh, I don't know. Not as much as a WW game. It's not THAT serious. I would like to see how long it takes people to get past the first obstacle and go from there. I'd hazard a guess at saying around 4 days for each challenge (considering time differences and all that jazz). No idea of how many challenges there will be. Nilp and I will discuss it. We shall see, is all.

The idea is to figure out a good way of going about the challenges. If you wish, you can plan your course of action via PM and make a more RP style post. Which would be preferable. The example above is a little short, but its just to give an idea. The discussions should be lengthy.

Caranlondien: you are now listed.

[Formendacil]

Thanks for the reply, Hookbill.

So, Spawn...

You like Minas Tirith, and you want to be an assistant. Want to be my Faramir?

(Provided, of course, that Nilp doesn't swear everlasting revenge on me... But he IS the moderator....)

[Farael]

Testing to see if my wheels work properly

Edit: Looks like they do =) Thanks Hoobkill

[Hookbill the Goomba]

This is a fake Title.

My idea was that each driver and passenger would use their vehicle instead of a normal icon:
i.e. , , etcetera.

I'll use the Dwarfy the Dwarf icon for my posts in comentating and chalenge setting. I don't know if Nilp will want to do the same thing.

[Gandalf_the _white]

If theres space for another passenger count me in but as people who have played ww with me know, i get very limited access to computers occasionaly only to put one or two posts in at once

[Sleepy Ranger]

Oh my! Look here! I must ask if we may drive this fine automobile instead of the other very lovely one!

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Hookbill

Do you still want to be a part o' the fun Saucepan?

Only if there's no problem with me not being around from Wednesday this week through to Monday the following week. If so, then I had first dibs on Bilbo.

Otherwise, you'd best count me out.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Originally Posted by Gandalf_the _white

If theres space for another passenger count me in but as people who have played ww with me know, i get very limited access to computers occasionaly only to put one or two posts in at once

The only position yet to be filled is Saruman the Orth-Tank Driver.

Sorry, Sleepy, Bag-endless-fuel has been entered. Too late for any others.

[Gurthang]

Ah, hadn't seen the map before. Thanks, my driving Witch King.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Hay folks, just woke up to find 13 replies to the game! Very good stuff, folks, take deep pride in thy selves. As soon as everyone has told me which direction they are going in, I'll set the first challenge.

As for the betting system, Roa, you can organise it whichever way you think is best. Make it your own little project, I won't constrain you.

So far, this is what I have as far as direction goes:

Mount Zoom = West

Medul-zoom = South West

Minas Taxi = North West

Minas Mor-go = West

Barad-Dash = South West

Bag Endless-fuel = West

Orth-Tank = South West (according to Meneltarmacil, that is, so unless Sleepy says otherwise...)

Voting can begin as soon as everyone has past the challenge.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Oh dear


Morsul, are you not using my special icon?


So, Formendacil and Sleepy need to decide which way they are going and then Dwarfy will reveal the first challenge.

[Morsul the Dark]

You know orcs are always at each others throats and if anyone knows Gil-Galad and my history knows that almost perect casting

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Something just occurred to me.

*******
To all drivers! (And Frodo)

********

After each challenge, please specify (preferably in bold letters) which direction you will be taking and I'll move you forward depending on weather or not you won the votes.
Also, until Nilp returns, could the drivers and assistants please PM the votes to me.

Thanks, folkuls.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

HERE WE GO!

I just re-read Formendacil's post on the Game and realised that Minas Taxi was moving North West.
So, the first challenge will begin in earnist!
Lets look at the locations.

MOUNT ZOOM = Mirk Wood

Bag-Endless-fule = Mirk Wood

Orth-Tank = Near the Mountains of Mirk Wood

Barad-Dash = Near the Mountains of Mirk Wood

Medel-zoom = Near the Mountains of Mirk Wood

Minas Mor-go = Mirk Wood

Minas Taxi = Near the Grey Mountains.

The First challenge will be set soon... Well, as soon as I think of one.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Okay Drivers and assistants! Go for the first challenge. You can discuss your methods here if you wish to keep your inbox clear.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Wow, I didn't expect some of that... Oh well, that’s what the game is about.

So far:

Mount Zoom = Done - Rats turned into Rat Wraiths (No direction yet)

Bag Endless-fuel = Not done

Orth-Tank = Not done

Barad-Dash = Not done

Medul-zoom = Done - Rats scared off by weird worm (Heading North)

Minas Mor-go = Not done

Minas Taxi = Not done... and has a few Rat Wraiths heading for it!

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Well, I'm bored. So, for those interested I've made little posters for all the vehicles... (I can only fit 5 on a post...)

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Here be the others.

[Maeggaladiel]

Hehehe! Those are great, Hookbill!


Also- I'm going away for the weekend; my cousin just had twins so we're all going over to visit her for Easter. That means you're in charge of Mount Zoom, Glirdan.

[Glirdan]

I shall lead and we shall not get lost. I think I'll come up with an idea of you getting terribly ill and then suddenly better.

Also, Hookbill, I'll be putting up the direction shortly.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Originally Posted by Glirdan

I shall lead and we shall not get lost. I think I'll come up with an idea of you getting terribly ill and then suddenly better.

Also, Hookbill, I'll be putting up the direction shortly.

Good, good!

Everyone make sure they are done by tomorrow morning at the latest! Voting begins after the last vehicle has past the rat challenge!

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Lets get an update.

Okay, the facts so far...

Mount Zoom = Done - Rats turned into RatWraiths (South West)

Bag Endless-fuel = Done - Rats leave under 'Saruman serconstances'. (West)

Orth-Tank = Not Done

Barad-Dash = Done - Rats eaten by Orcs. (west)

Medul-zoom = Done - Rats scared by weird Worm thing. (North)

Minas Mor-go = Done - Rats chase Orc corpse (South West)

Minas Taxi = Done - Rats lured by marmite. (West)

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Good Greif

Hurry up, Orth-Tank!

Please get past the Rat challenge by the end of today!
As soon as Orth-Tank has got past the rats and stated a direction, start ye voting! (I may be asleep at the time, but vote anyway, I'll pick 'em up in the morning)

[Sleepy Ranger]

Sorry for being so tardy but I've been busy these last two days. Its rather late night now but I'll have it done first thing next morning, I guess it'd be while you're asleep Hookbill. (We're three hours ahead of you).

Once again, sorry to leave everyone hanging.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Originally Posted by Sleepy Ranger

Sorry for being so tardy but I've been busy these last two days. Its rather late night now but I'll have it done first thing next morning, I guess it'd be while you're asleep Hookbill. (We're three hours ahead of you).

Once again, sorry to leave everyone hanging.

Okay, but hurry up. Or you shall be cast in to the realm of fire!

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Well done, Orth-Tank. You are past the Rat challenge!

Okay, folks, Voting is open now!

Voting will close on Monday night... ish. I’ll decide as we go, depending on how many players have voted. But try and get votes in by the end of tomorrow! This is going to be a long race!

Just a reminder fo how they all got past the Rats...

MOUNT ZOOM
Rats turned into RatWraiths

Bag-Endless-fule
Rats lest under 'Saruman serconstances'.


Orth-Tank
Rats caught in a giant net

Barad-Dash
Rats eaten by Orcs.

Medel-zoom
Rats scared by weird Worm thing.

Minas Mor-go
Rats chase Orc corpse


Minas Taxi
Rats lured by marmite.

So, get votin, folkuls!

[Roa_Aoife]

Voting Open, Betting closed!

++Minas Taxi!

[Kuruharan]

While I like Minas Mor-go's rather creepy solution to the problem and Bag-Endless-fuel's use of the obvious appealing, I'm finding the unrestrained violence of Barad-dash's solution to be irresistable.

++ BARAD-DASH

[Gil-Galad]

just wondering... can anyone vote or is it only non-racers?

[Roa_Aoife]

Racers pm the votes to Hookbill. You can't vote for yourself though.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

End of Voting!

So, lets look at the results!

With player votes counting as 2 points and non-players as 1.

MOUNT ZOOM = 11 points

Bag-Endlessfule = 2 points

Orth-Tank = 2 points

Barad-Dash = 5 points

Medel-zoom = 2 points

Minas Mor-go = 4 points

Minas Taxi = 5 points.

So, the winner of the Rat challenge is Mount Zoom! Look at it go!

The third challenge will be up in a moment or two.


Now, one of you has got to a secret Bonus area!
Orth-Tank is in the Galladen Fields! That was one of the 8 bonus areas. (4 good, 4 bad). The situation will be posted on the game shortly.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Location guide

Okay, a couple of notes to make...

MOUNT ZOOM
= Foot of Misty Mountains

Bag-Endless-fuel
= Foot of Misty Mountains

Orth-Tank
= Galladen Fields (will end up at the Ent Wash)

Barad-Dash
= Edge of River Anduin

Medel-zoom
= Outside of Mirkwood

Minas Mor-go

= Outside of Mirkwood

Minas Taxi
= Foot of Grey Mountains


Barrad-Dash, are you done? If so, that was quick... but still pretty funny.

[The Saucepan Man]

Are contestants alowed to pass over the Misty Mountains at any point, or do we need to take one of the recognised crossing points?

It really ought to be the latter ...