The Silmarillion Survivor

[The Saucepan Man]

Ang, there are 3 votes already for Dior.

Whoever it is that brings down Doriath, the girdle is the major obstacle. While there are already Dwarves within the girdle, I doubt that they are of sufficient force to bring it down. No, the obvious vote is the best one today. And Melian has been around for far too long, anyway. It's time for her to go.

++MELIAN

[Anguirel]

Good catch, Saucie-

Ulmo-1
Melian-3
Dior-3

[Lalaith]

Ah, I've always been rather taken with Dior.....I think of him being rather exquisitely dressed....

But to save Melian, this fashion-plate must go....
++DIOR

[Gothmog]

arcticstorm:

Gothmog, from what I have read, it seemed to me that in the Silmarillion he wanted the silmaril for itself and used the Nauglamir as an excuse. I believe that given the chance, he will take it.

From what I've read, Telchar was never close to the silmaril. It is said that great craftmen from Nogrod made Nauglamir and that they felt the lust to possess it and therefor betrayed Thingol. Nowhere is the name Telchar mentioned, and as he is quite famous he should have been if he was involved. If there isn't more information somewhere else than in Silmarillion... I looked it up in Silm. to be sure.

And regarding Dior: personally I don't the eviction of him will make such a big difference. I mean a male called "the beautiful", does that sound like a mighty warrior?

[Anguirel]

This Telchar probably isn't THE Telchar, remember. He is exactly what you describe-a great craftsman from Nogrod...

Most witty re: Dior, but he could be a proto-skateboarding Legolas. And he did kill Celegorm, who seems pretty macho to me...

[Gothmog]

Right...that's true, had forgotten about that. Question is: does Nauglamir exist? Was it ever created and if so, brought to Nargothrond with Finrod and if SO brought to Menegroth by Hurin? If not, whoever would be the substitute for Thingol (probably Dior), have no reason to ask the dwarfes for help to include the silmaril in it. And if their never asked to help, they'll never get access to the jewel and will not be tempted to own it. Besides, I think it'll be heavy guarded. Only reasons the dwarfes could take it was that they worked alone with it and only Thingol supervised them.


And a small question about your vote, Ang

and to avenge Curufin-++DIOR...

It's not Celegorm your avenging? Had to to that you know

[Anguirel]

No-I am avenging Curufin in this game, as in this game it was Curufin that Dior (sort of) killed. Celegorm, you will recall, went down with Ancalagon.

The Nauglamir is still in Nargothrond. The Nogrod chappies are in Doriath to mend Dior's halls which were trashed in the battle...

Ulmo-1
Melian-3
Dior-4

[Celuien]

++TICKLE-ME-ULMO
Let's see what happens without his protection of the waters.

[Anguirel]

Ulmo-2
Melian-3
Dior-4

Dior the Beautiful is about to be separated from his wardrobe. Write-up following.

[Anguirel]

RESULTS OF DAY THIRTEEN (M-e)

Dior was getting withdrawal symptoms. He twitched. He paced about. He tossed his fine head. But he could not subdue his longing to wear the Silmaril again.

Without it, he felt...so ugly! His grandmother was far prettier than him when he lacked his gem! This could not go on! No matter how much it burnt him, he would take it back.

"Daddy," a voice came, "why are you so distraught?"

Hah! Perfect timing! It was his prissy daughter Elwing! Dior turned, and said, slowly but firmly, "Pass me your Silmaril, dear."

"But father, you gave it to me..."

"It's mine, mine, do you hear!" the King of Brethil cried. Close to tears, his daughter surrendered it. Almost before he felt the searing in his hand, Dior slipped the silver chain which held the Silmaril over his neck...now his throat blazed, and his voice choked in agony. Weeping, Elwing tried to take the jewel back, but her father drew his sword on her.

"Don't come...any...closer...Silmaril...mine..."

And so Dior burnt to death, just as Curufin, his foe, had done, for the Silmaril's sake.

RESULTS OF THE CHALLENGE

Elwing would not touch the jewel as it lay among the ashes, but ran through the halls, looking for her brothers and her mother. The family rushed to the scene.

"We shall go to Melian," Nimloth declared. "She will shelter us." And the widowed Queen took up the gem by its chain as it blazed their way.

But the rumours had reached Telchar and his smiths, who had not been paid for their building, and they followed the Queen; and a glimpse of the white light enslaved them. They surrounded the royal family, and demanded the Silmaril. When Nimloth ordered them away, they seized their axes. Only Elwing escaped the slaughter, hiding beneath the enchanted cloak of Luthien's hair; and the Naugrim bore away the jewel.

When Melian beheld through her arts what seemed to be the massacre of her daughter's family, she forsook Middle-earth, defeated at last by misfortune.

But neither would the Dwarves escape with their plunder; for the Laiquendi brought word of the theft to Maedhros and Maglor. The High King of the Noldor laid a trap between the rivers of Ossiriand; and the Dwarves were cut down. But Telchar hurled the Silmaril which scalded him even through his dwarf-mail into the water of a river, shortly before Maedhros slew him. And the gem flowed down the river and came to Sirion, where it revealed itself to Elwing when she fled there.

Day Fourteen in Middle-earth! The contestants:

Tribes

VALAR

Elbereth
Ulmo
Mandos, Doom of

NOLDOR

Maedhros
Maglor
Celebrimbor
Ereinion
Galadriel
Idril
Salgant
Glorfindel
Finduilas
Gwindor

TELERI/SINDAR

Celeborn
Mablung
Cirdan
Elwing

MAIA

Uinen
Arien (with Sun)

DWARVES

Mim the Petty-dwarf

MEN

Tuor
Nienor

PEREDHIL

Earendil

FORCES OF EVIL

Morgoth
Sauron
Glaurung

Fourteenth challenge-the Humbling of the Gnomes. Bring down Nargothrond. (Gondolin tomorrow!)

[arcticstorm]

++Arien
I think the time has come for us to bring down the sun, the darkness will make it much easier for Morgoth's forces to take down both Nargothrond and Gondolin, I just want Mim tro escape with his life, being the only remaining dwarf. but I do not think that is possible.

[The 1,000 Reader]

++Arien.

The reasons above state my opinion. She better still blow herself up before Morgoth rapes her, though. Don't be cruel, Ang.

[Anguirel]

Hmmm. Methinks today needs lengthening.

I remind viewers that Morgoth still does not know Nargothrond's location. For him to discover it, one of two things must occur-

1. The folk of Nargothrond become confident enough to march against him.

2. A traitor reveals Nargothrond's secret.

Here are the contestants presently in Nargothrond-

Queen Galadriel
Celeborn (fled there after fall of Doriath)
Celebrimbor
Nienor
Finduilas
Gwindor
Mim, the jester

Isolate characters by evicting their friends/lovers to create traitors, or eliminate counsellors who advocate caution. Or, best of all, both...

I have decided on my likely vote but will only announce it when I see a bit more action. In the meantime-

Arien-2

[Celuien]

++CELEBRIMBOR

Methinks Mim was only "apparently mollified," so that if given the chance to re-pursue his claim on Nienor with Celebrimbor out of the way, he would do so. Refused again, he could easily turn traitor.

[Lalaith]

Ang, I can't remember, is Finduilas currently hooked up with anyone?

[Anguirel]

Finduilas is still mourning Turin. Gwindor is still fruitlessly pursuing her...

[Gothmog]

Is there going to be an end to the suffering of our poor elves? Or is Ang on a killing spree that will lead to the extinction of all pointy-eared creature this side of the giant swimmingpool?

Mim would be a perfect traitor. He's done it before after all... It is a good plan to remove Celebrimbor, but what if Nienor doesn't refuse Mim's proposal this time? Scary thought...

Removing Gwindor in should work IF there's someone to speak for a more agressive tactic. Now when Turin's gone, maybe Galadriel can take his role? But she's the queen, and if she wanted a more forward strategy, she had already made it show. But could Gwindor be the traitor? He has lost his love, betrayed by his best friend and left without power in the court of Nargothrond. If we removed Finduilas, what could stop him from going over the edge? Or is his loyalty to the kingdom (queendom?) to great? If so, he may become a traitor not knowing it, like Hurin betrayed Gondolin's location.

So that leads me to either Celebrimbor or Finduilas. I'll wait with my vote until I've heard some more voices...

[The Saucepan Man]

I like Celuien's reasoning.

++ CELEBRIMBOR

For the reasons stated by Celuien.

[Anguirel]

Gothmog raises an interesting point: who will speak for an agressive strategy now Turin is gone?

My answer is: Turin's sister, Nienor. She will sway her husband, whose despised father Curufin started the isolationism of Nargothrond. And Celebrimbor will have influence with the Queen.

Only the sage and knowing advice of Gwindor, and maybe the Queen's own wisdom, will delay such an approach.

This leaves us with several options-evict Gwindor and see if Celebrimbor can persuade Galadriel, or evict Galadriel, let Celebrimbor take the throne, and watch him challenge Morgoth head on.

As for treachery-I don't really see that Celebrimbor's departure will make Mim more likely to turn traitor. Even if he doesn't get Nienor, he'll have been revenged on his rival. Would Maeglin have betrayed Gondolin in the book so eagerly if Tuor had been killed before his capture?

I think Gwindor and Finduilas would both be better options. With Gwindor gone, Finduilas will have no confidante to turn to, and embittered by her rejected bid for the crown may try desperate schemes. With Finduilas gone, Gwindor's life will be empty and nihilistic, putty for Morgoth to work on.

So-my lead candidates are Galadriel, Gwindor and Finduilas, in that order. However, I like, nay, adore, Galadriel, so I'm voting

++GWINDOR

Arien-2
Celebrimbor-2
Gwindor-1

[Lalaith]

I wouldn't have minded kicking out Finduilas as she always annoyed me in the Sil - although I have to confess that Ang's revisionism has made her considerably less drippy.
I'll go ++GWINDOR because I think poor Nienor, the sole survivor of the Hurin dynasty, has had enough trouble in her life. But I'll switch to Celebrimbor in case of a draw, to save Arien. I think plunging Middle-Earth into starlit gloom is a bit drastic.

[Gothmog]

I will not break this three way tie, so my vote is:

++Finduilas

Of reasons stated above. I think Gwindor can be the traitor, knowing or not, if she's evictet.

Let's see who breaks the tie Otherwise, this could turn real nasty. What if there's an other vote for Finduilas? Not much people left for the orcs to kill...Interesting!

[Lalaith]

Hmmm....this is getting interesting. What deadline are we talking about, AngMod?

[Anguirel]

Hmmm. Let's say...7:30 this evening, in five hours...

Arien-2
Celebrimbor-2
Gwindor-2
Finduilas-1

Lalaith, if you switch to Celebrimbor, I'll switch to Arien! I'm not having another beloved Feanorian go down without taking a decent character with him...

[arcticstorm]

from reading the information presented so far, the best choice woild be --Arien ++Gwindor

[Lalaith]

All right, keep your hair on. I'm not particularly fussed re Celebrimbor. We could both switch to Finduilas if you like.

[Anguirel]

Hair retained and deal struck! But it looks like we may not have to...

Arien-1
Celebrimbor-2
Gwindor-3
Finduilas-1

[Gothmog]

Oh, come on, switch to Finduilas you two. It's lonely here and that would create a new tie. The reason to vote for Finduilas is to get Gwindor frustrated and vice versa. Interesting if both goes

[Tuor in Gondolin]

Due to requests from S.A.P.S.
The S ociety for the A dmiration of P etty DwarveS ,a vote for
+ + Celebrimbor is cast so those two star-crossed kids
Mim and Nienor can finally get together.

[Lalaith]

Gothmog, I'm happy to switch, but I don't think Ang will because of his Feanorian issues...Celebrimbor is currently under threat....

[Anguirel]

My mind is read! So far-

Arien-1
Celebrimbor-3
Gwindor-3
Finduilas-1

Gothmog, all you'll achieve is Celebrimbor's downfall, and both Gwindor and Finduilas will stay. Or perhaps that's your real aim; not content with throwing out Curufin, you target his son as well-for shame!

[Gothmog]

But you're mistaken Ang! I proposed the switch before Celebrimbor was under this new threat. A switch back then would have created a tie between Finduilas and Gwindor. I've got nothing against Celebrimbor. He's a fine lad, turning his back to his evil dad like that. I'm not anti-Feanorian, just Anti-Evil Cs

Oh, I checked Lalaith vote again. It wouldn't been a tie between Finduilas and Gwindor. I thought she voted for Celebrimbor. Sorry! But I must have confused more things...hmm...I don't know how I was thinking, but it seemed clever at the time.

I'm thinking of changing my vote to break the tie, but I think I'll stay out of this.

[Lalaith]

Oh go on Gothmog, there's a dear. After all, you might need a favour later on in the game...

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

I think i it is just wishfull thinking that leads you when you vote Celebrimbor.

Of Finduilas and Gwindor, I see Gwindor as most likely to become a traitor, he has been broken once a second time and there is not much of an elf left in him.

++Finduilas

[The Saucepan Man]

I'm feeling guilty for having persecuted Ang too much ...

And the arguments against Gwindor and Finduilas are compelling. Although, they both seem dependant upon the death of the other. I will create a tie and rely on another to break it.

-- CELEBRIMBOR
++ FINDUILAS

[Lalaith]

Right-ho.
++FINDUILAS

[Gothmog]

There you go, you came to my side at last, Lalaith Now we're waiting for Ang...

[Anguirel]

Arien-1
Celebrimbor-2
Gwindor-3
Finduilas-4

Voting closed. Sorry I'm late. Write-up may be a tad hurried due to closing network...

[The 1,000 Reader]

No problem. Just don't go overboard. If your stressed out, take a nap or drink some tea.

[Anguirel]

RESULTS OF DAY FOURTEEN (M-e)

Though her heart still mourned Turin, outwardly Finduilas began to lead a life of reckless gaiety. She rarely slept, and wandered the palace, a goblet of wine almost always in each hand.

Mim noticed her increasing lack of discipline, and determined to use it against her. His rejection had turned his desire for elven maids to poisonous hatred. So it was that he slipped a deadly Petty-Dwarven venom into one of her goblets...

Now the effects of her debauchery began to show. She wasted away, shrunk, wrinkled, aged. When she died weeks later, she resembled an old mortal woman, even as Gwindor looked like an old man.

RESULTS OF THE CHALLENGE

Gwindor's life was now without hope or purpose. He spent company with the jester, Mim, taking pleasure from his bitter philosophising. By Mim's advice, he wandered carelessly beyond the Guarded Plain by night, and fell into the hands of Orcs. He gave away the secrets of Nargothrond without remorse. "Go there and bring their death and yours." Then he fell lifeless to the ground, broken by sorrow.

And so the Orc-host, led by Glaurung, surged into the Guarded Plain. But a messenger from ruined Dor-Lomin arrived, bringing Nienor the black sword of her brother.

In that hour Celeborn fell to the Dragon, and the army of Nargothrond was routed. Celebrimbor was slain in the caves, marshalling the citizens to resistance. But as Glaurung drew night to Galadriel in the palace itself, Nienor leapt from behind a pillar, and struck the monster in the belly with her brother's sword. So died Glaurung; and Nienor and Galadriel made their stand; but the Orcs were too many, and all Nargothrond at last was slain. In her last moment Galadriel wove an enchantment that brought the caves down upon them all; and so not one Orc of that horde escaped the ruin, and Gwindor's prophecy was made complete.

And Mim too perished in the caves his forefathers had delved.

It's Day Fifteen in Middle-earth! The contestants:

Tribes

VALAR

Elbereth
Ulmo
Mandos, Doom of

NOLDOR

Maedhros
Maglor
Ereinion
Idril
Salgant
Glorfindel

TELERI/SINDAR

Mablung
Cirdan
Elwing

MAIA

Uinen
Arien (with Sun)

MEN

Tuor

PEREDHIL

Earendil

FORCES OF EVIL

Morgoth
Sauron

The fifteenth challenge-the long-awaited Fall of Gondolin!

[Celuien]

A sad day! Celeborn and Galadriel lost in the blink of an eye. After such a disappointment, why not promote the greatest possible destruction in Gondolin?

Main candidates:

Arien - casting Middle-earth into darkness to aid the attack.
Glorfindel - things can't go as well without him to fight the Balrog.
Idril - if she hasn't prepared the back way out of Gondolin yet, eliminating her will make it harder for anyone to escape.
Tuor - loss of a leader to increase chaos in the attack.
Ulmo - we already have Earendil, so apparently Tuor has arrived in Gondolin with Ulmo's warnings, but if he's gone, Nan-tathren won't be a safe haven after escape.

I'm leaning somewhat toward Arien.