Eorling Mead Hall Planning/Discussion Thread

[Celuien]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Celuien, yes on the stove. Please!

Guess everyone's tired of cold sandwiches.

Alrighty, he'll get to work on that stove. Three days should have it just about done. And no need to wait for lime mortar to set for a week before using the stove - he's using dry set and carving to make the blocks fit...

Hmm. Tonight is sort of busy. Maybe late this afternoon, or earlier if my team stays as low on the workload as it's been recently.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Just checking in; I'm still alive. Following along. Good stuff, everyone. If anybody feels the need to incorporate Saeryn and Degas, Saeryn's feelings toward Manawyth are protective now: she accepted him, ergo everybody else should, and she won't be happy to hear of horse stealing. Degas is ambiguous about him. Saeryn's mostly been working, getting things in place for the hall's guests, all that sort of thing. Degas is helping out where needed. You know... the typical.

[Folwren]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Folwren, Thornden can do whatever you want him to do. There are always consequences for actions, but they can be headed off. For example, if you want Thornden to stick around, have him do it, and have him put together a set of reasons why he needs to stay around, armed with which he goes to Eodwine and gives the Eorl his speal.

Oh, well, that's likely. I don't want him to disobey intentionally and get marked as such. He's got to be more responsible than that. He'll have to go, even though he won't want to.

Actually, would this be a good way to bring up the conflict that you've mentioned before? One reason to get Jenny's character in as the actual steward? Because Thornden runs on impulse occasionally (as I assume he would if he decided to go directly against orders just to see if Lys survives).

What do you think? Or are you going to be vague and stuborn like other RPers I've written with and say 'You decide, and whatever you write, I'll decide what my character'll do'? I hope not.

-- Folwren

[JennyHallu]

Or he goes and is just so distracted by worrying over Lys he makes some significant mistakes.

I think this would be a good place to introduce conflict, and agree with you there. But I'm going to be irritatingly vague and suggest that how you introduce that conflict is up to you. It is, after all, your character.

[littlemanpoet]

I also choose to be irritatingly vague. How else, my dear Folwren, are you going to be creative on your own account? Play with it! Have fun! I promise to let you know what won't work, but only after you write something.

[Folwren]

*frowns in frustration* I knew it! I just knew it! Neither of you oblige to be helpful and I am left exactly where I started, just as I expected - not know what to do. Well, you'll have to allow me a little time to think over it. Carry on, everyone. . .I might get a post up later on this afternoon.

-- Foley

P.S.

I promise to let you know what won't work, but only after you write something.

Have you any idea how embarrassing this can be? 'Sorry, old chap, that ... doesn't work. Go back and edit it.'

[Taralphiel]

Just posting so you all don't think I've disappeared!

I'm working up a reply post for Lys, where he wakes and looks at the situation. I'll have him see Thorden quickly out of the corner of his eye. Is that okay? I want him to identify with him early on

Thanks everyone!

Tara

[littlemanpoet]

Originally Posted by Folwren

Have you any idea how embarrassing this can be? 'Sorry, old chap, that ... doesn't work. Go back and edit it.'

Why should this be embarrassing? I've had to change things pointed out to me by a moderator before. So you just do it. It's no big deal. What's to be embarrassed about? Everybody makes mistakes, especially in writing. Take courage! We're all in this together.

By the way, you did an excellent job with that last post....

....although I need you to change just one little thing....

(just kidding)

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Everybody makes mistakes, especially in writing. Take courage! We're all in this together.

Very true. If y'all knew the number of times I've PMed LMP with "Hey, can you read this over for me?" You can't expect to be perfect. Just have fun and learn as you go.

[JennyHallu]

Jes' so y'all know, I do intend to post...eventually.

My life this week is crazy. I will do my best to come up with something, but I haven't yet been granted a clear vision of what Lin and Marenil are planning today. If you mention them, perhaps your character has noticed that Marenil has been very quiet. Hopefully Fea's life will calm down about when mine does, and we can develop the burgeoning relationship between Degas and Lin a bit. That could be fun

[Folwren]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Why should this be embarrassing? I've had to change things pointed out to me by a moderator before. So you just do it. It's no big deal. What's to be embarrassed about? Everybody makes mistakes, especially in writing. Take courage! We're all in this together.

I don't know why it's embarrassing for me, it just is. Well, not all the time, I guess, but when it's an obvious mistake, it can be quite horrible. I get embarrassed easily when I'm trying to do something well. You should see me driving. I hate town driving, and when I make a mistake, even if no one sees me, I turn red as a beet and get extremely hot. The sight of a police car (whether or not I'm breaking the law) makes me flush. I'll get over it. You'll see. So go ahead and correct me. I'm sure being embarrassed doesn't cause too much damage. It's just my foolish pride.

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

By the way, you did an excellent job with that last post....

....although I need you to change just one little thing....

(just kidding)

lol! Thanks.

Originally Posted by Taralphiel

I'm working up a reply post for Lys, where he wakes and looks at the situation. I'll have him see Thorden quickly out of the corner of his eye. Is that okay? I want him to identify with him early on

Yes, that's fine with me, so long as he doesn't tell Eodwine.

-- Foley

[Firefoot]

LMP, let me know if I didn't handle Eodwine quite right... that seemed to be the direction you were going with him.

[JennyHallu]

I've come up with plans for my day for Lin, I'll edit Marenil in or just leave him for a while longer, until he's needed. Maybe all the odd jobs he's been doing will come to light later.

Anywho, Fea, are you back? I think the girls should have a man with them, just in case, and Degas is one without predefined tasks on a Fair day. We could have fun with this.

Firefoot: Is this a ton of firewood in Newcastle, perhaps? (laughs at own joke) My guess is 2000 lbs.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Yes, I'm back. <- never thought I'd use that smily for that statement.

Degas would love to escort the ladies. Lemme go read up on what I've missed and I'll post.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Oh my, poor Degas!

That was just mean!

I'm still laughing. Oh that poor dear. Ooh, she's good. She's very good.

[JennyHallu]

See? Now he can follow the little carrot she just tied to his head for a while.

She can balance unfeeling mean-ness with sweet blushing innocent young thing-ness. Now the poor lad will be even more off-kilter. Lin fully intends to keep the ball in her court. For now...

Her author has plans to turn the tables later.

[Folwren]

Goodness, I have got tons to catch up on. Today, I will read everything and hopefully get a post up. A lot happened these past two days while I was gone.

-- Folwren

[Kath]

Ok I'm back and catching up slowly. Looks like things got interesting the last few days!

[Folwren]

LMP, I'm soon going to be posting a post about Thornden. . .however, I have to admit and say that I don't know exactly how one would go about this business, so if I write something that's obviously not right (or even if it's not so obvious but isn't right anyway) let me know and I'll edit it. (By the way, this sort of correction probably wouldn't be embarrassing. . .don't ask why not.)(Unless it were completely obvious.)

I have asked Undome (<-with lots of little accent marks) to play the part of one of your land owners. I believe she has PMed you with some question or other, so you probably already knew that.

Said post will be up within thirty or so minutes, I imagine.

-- Folwren

[Undómë]

Here is my little cast of characters:

Wistan, son of Rædwulf – 57 y/o; 5’6”(5’5” now that he’s older); grey hair, ear length; grey mustache and short beard; brown eyes

Cwen, Wistan’s wife – 43 y/o; 5’2”(5’1” now that she’s older); graying long blond hair; blue eyes

Rose, Wistan and Cwen’s daughter; unmarried – 20 y/o; 5’2” long dark blond hair; brown eyes

4 sons:

Garan 25 y/o (wife - Britta)
Willim 27 y/o (wife – Ardith)
Breca 30 y/o (wife – Lynet)
Æsc 30 y/o (wife – Mayda)

All the sons @ 5’6”, brown haired worn same as their father; all have mustaches and short beards. Garan and Willim have brown eyes; the twins have their mother’s blue eyes.

---------------

Wistan is a freeman, as are his sons. His large farm is called Dunstede (Hill Farmstead); located about 2 days ride southwest of Edoras along the foothills of the Starkhorn. Its size is about 5 hides (a hide being the unit of taxing/fee assessment of the farm, not its actual acreage). Suffice it to say the farm is more than adequate to support Wistan’s large family.

The farm grows oats to be traded at market as edible grain and for fodder. They have a small flock of sheep; a few goats; a number of pigs; chickens. And of course their own vegetable garden. Rose and her mother also keep a couple of beehives.

Wistan, Cwen, and Rose live in quarters just off the main hall. The four sons and their wives have separate small quarters for sleeping, but spend most of their daily activities in the family hall.

Wistan owns the farm, and does not owe the eorl any service in respect of labor as some of the less well off farmers in the emnet do. However, he still must pay ground rent and one pig a year to the eorl, as well as his church (local place of worship) dues and alms. He is also expected to perform carrying duties, help build and maintain fences and fortifications, and sundry other duties. He must also provide a soldier for the eorl’s/king’s army when commanded.

[littlemanpoet]

Wistan is in luck in terms of the dues and alms, as there is not church in Rohan.

Nice work, Undomé! I'm impressed! I'm just going to link my to your post in my "list of characters" post instead of write all that down over again.

Oooh! That's 3,000.

Being picky:

Linduial, in post #231 how about a more Gondorian analogy than "tip of the iceberg"?

Folwren, in post # 232 Eodwine will have directed Thornden to ask of the freeholders from whom he is collect coin, what boon would they ask in honor of the fee collected when the Eorl has means to give it? Such boons may include grievances to be righted, a quarrel with a neighbor to be arbitrated, thievery to be brought to justice, or whatever you can think of.

I must to bed and will have Eodwine answer Saeryn on the morrow.

[JennyHallu]

I'm not sure the analogy needs to be changed. It's all about voice: the analogy was not a thought of Lin's, it was part of my own narrative aimed at you all, not at any of the characters. I think such an anachronistic analogy on the part of the narrator could even be described as canon; Tolkien compares Gandalf's fireworks to an express train.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Oh snap.

[JennyHallu]

*is confused* snap?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Um... nevermind.

Jen, is there anything I need to be doing with Degas right now?

[JennyHallu]

He's looking at merchant booths for presents and other cool stuff. (hope nobody minds that I dragged everyone along for a while.) He also has a little girl sitting on his head. More or less. I expect she's squirmy.

Is there anything you want to do with Degas right now?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Nope, I'm good.

[JennyHallu]

I figured we'd wait and let Celuien set the pace, since Lin and Degas are having fun humoring/spoiling Short'n'Squirmy . Lin's going to be keeping a close eye on anything Degas admires, by the way.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by JennyHallu

Lin's going to be keeping a close eye on anything Degas admires, by the way.

Ah, so what happens if he admires a dancer or two or something of the like?

And that should work well with letting Celuien take care of it, since Degas has no plans but to make sure the ladies under his protection are kept happy.

[Folwren]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Folwren, in post # 232 Eodwine will have directed Thornden to ask of the freeholders from whom he is collect coin, what boon would they ask in honor of the fee collected when the Eorl has means to give it? Such boons may include grievances to be righted, a quarrel with a neighbor to be arbitrated, thievery to be brought to justice, or whatever you can think of.

I must to bed and will have Eodwine answer Saeryn on the morrow.

Oh. How would I go about voicing that? They do owe you something, do they not? I mean . . . what's Thornden to say? I really have no idea how all this goes. Is it something like - 'Please give me so much money. Thanks much. Is there anything lord Eodwine can do for you in return for this?' Naturally, I'd fix it up from just that, but is that the gist of it, or am I missing something?

I'll re-write it to the best of my understanding, and then if it's still wrong, then you can say so again. Perhaps another lesson over PM wouldn't be misplaced here.

-- Foley

[JennyHallu]

Well, he does have a plan to find a gift for Saeryn, right? I thought I would let you initiate that search.

And Foley, it may be as simple as just asking whether they have any grievances or anything. Kind of polling the people on their opinion of Eodwine and the way their lives are going.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by JennyHallu

Well, he does have a plan to find a gift for Saeryn, right? I thought I would let you initiate that search.

Okay. I'll do that later or tomorrow.

[littlemanpoet]

Originally Posted by JennyHallu

I'm not sure the analogy needs to be changed. It's all about voice: the analogy was not a thought of Lin's, it was part of my own narrative aimed at you all, not at any of the characters. I think such an anachronistic analogy on the part of the narrator could even be described as canon; Tolkien compares Gandalf's fireworks to an express train.

Yes, but I want to challenge you to try to find something Gondorian/Dol Amrothian anyway. Or maybe Rohirric. It would aid the sense of place in a way tips of icebergs doesn't.

Is Lin's keeping any eye on anything Degas admires including others of the fairer sex? Ah, I see Feanor's and my minds work alike.

Folwren, perhaps something like this. "Eorl Eodwine is eager to have you as guest at the Mead Hall, and when you come he will be honored to grant you a boon as a token of his high regard for you and your house." Or something to that effect. Maybe that's a bit flyin' up there falutin', but it gets across my general thought.

Or what Jenny said.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Is Lin's keeping any eye on anything Degas admires including others of the fairer sex? Ah, I see Feanor's and my minds work alike.

Simply pick what will be the most fun to write and go with it is my philosophy.

[Folwren]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Folwren, perhaps something like this. "Eorl Eodwine is eager to have you as guest at the Mead Hall, and when you come he will be honored to grant you a boon as a token of his high regard for you and your house." Or something to that effect. Maybe that's a bit flyin' up there falutin', but it gets across my general thought.

Or what Jenny said.

Before, after, or during the money taking?

Edit: Never mind. I've edited the post. Let me know if that's alright.

-- Folwren

[Celuien]

Originally Posted by Feanor of the Peredhil

And that should work well with letting Celuien take care of it, since Degas has no plans but to make sure the ladies under his protection are kept happy.

I'll get to that tonight.

Short'n'Squirmy, eh?

[JennyHallu]

Weren't you squirmy as a child, especially excited? I know I was. I get squirmy when excited now, when I'm supposedly all grown up.

[Folwren]

LMP, I'm guessing I have some paper of proof on Thornden's person so that if some little lady like Rose demands them of him he can show her that he's being honest, but what would they look like and what would they contain? Any ideas, or is that up to me to decide?

-- Folwren

P.S. I'll warrant you're going to get mighty tired of my questions, aren't you? I promise you, though, that it'll only take one trip and then ever after, I'll be quite equipped to do this again.

[Undómë]

Folwren

Probably a little piece of vellum saying Eodwine authorizes you to act on his behalf in the matter of collecting taxes and fees and the granting of special dispositions and request as is within your authority, all in very high, legal type terms and such.

Besides the signature at the bottom of the paper, it will most likely have an official impression in sealing wax of Eodwine's family ring or something that bears his crest. (Otherwise - how will Rose know Thornden didn't just write it himself? )

Thornden would most like be carrying it and perhaps a list of those who are on the tax rolls, with what they owe, all rolled up and in a small leather, capped tube that hangs from your belt or is handy in your pack.

Just a thought.

~ U

[Taralphiel]

Hi all!

I'm curently thinking up a post where Hrethel treats Lys, if that's okay with everyone. I have to admit, I don't have a terrible lot of knowledge about medical treatments of the time, but I'll post up what I think will work. Then you can all give me your thoughts and I can edit it accordingly.

I thought I should make some progress on it, as it would be a little od that his wounds aren't seen to by the time Thornden gets back.

Tara