Scarburg Meadhall Discussion Thread

[Thinlómien]

I posted.

I'm just wondering if Modtryth should know where Ædhel is. If she should, I can edit my post. And I just couldn't help adding that last sentence to the Modtryth-part...

Considering the Cnebba+Garmund+Javan episode, Foley you should feel free to go on and decided whether the younger boys really ambush Javan by attacking him from the tree, or whether they just hide him. In either case, I doubt they're difficult to see...

[littlemanpoet]

I think it safe to say that Modtryth would know Aedhel is in camp, and would wonder why Eodwine didn't think of sending for her sooner.

Eodwine will find Modtryth's playful barb somewhat interesting. Question: is Rowenna present when she says it? I think so, no?

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Eodwine will find Modtryth's playful barb somewhat interesting. Question: is Rowenna present when she says it? I think so, no?

Yes, I think so. That is kind of why I couldn't resist adding it...

[littlemanpoet]

And the plot thickens. .....

[Groin Redbeard]

Wow, you guys have sure been busy in my absence. I'm looking forward to reading your posts, and I'll get one in as soon as possible.

[Folwren]

Poor Saeryn. She has more on her plate than even she imagined.

Lommy, I stopped my post with Javan there so that you can decide what the boys do.

-- Foley

[Thinlómien]

Ooh this is so fun. I doubt I manage to post today, but you can count on me doing that tomorrow...

[Gwathagor]

If I think of improvements, I'll make them. But, for now, here is my thoroughly useless, do-nothing character. He might also be called a troublemaker, though he does actually create trouble. It just follows him.


NAME: Crabannan

AGE/GENDER/RACE/WHERE FROM: Man, not Eorling. Originally from Dale.

APPEARANCE: Tall, broad-shouldered, shaggy-headed, aquiline-nosed, lean-muscled, dark-eyed, dark-haired, high-browed, thin-bearded, black-cloaked, grey-clad.

BITS OF CHARACTER/HISTORY YOU FEEL MIGHT BE HELPFUL IN DEFINING THE CHARACTER: 38 years old. Carries longsword, shortsword, longbow, and a harp. Is taciturn and thoughtful, sometimes misinterpreted as grumpy because his brows are almost perpetually furrowed.

Crabannan's past is shady, and he does not talk about it much. He is originally from Dale, but has spent very little time there in the past two decades. Wanders a great deal. Has a knack for getting himself into bizarre and dangerous situations. Brawls and fights seem somehow to develop wherever he goes, and though he only occasionally instigates them, he nearly always enjoys them. Has fought under the banners of Dale, Gondor, Rohan, and Mirkwood, and was involved in most of the biggest battles of the War of the Ring.

Has served as bard to everyone from kings to tribal chieftains; if he has an official occupation (which he adamantly denies), it is this. He claims to have little skill with the harp, though. In addition, he has spent time in just about every other occupation under the sun, from soldier to hunter to smith to farmhand to lumberjack. Most recently, he was a kitchen-boy in an East Emnet settlement, but he lost that job a 6 months ago when he broke the head cook’s nose over a girl. The crooked eorl failed to see his point of view, and so he was told to leave.

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

LINKED ~*~ Pio

[Groin Redbeard]

Hmm... your character looks a bit fiesty. Please try not to brake anybodies noses when you arrive! I'm glad to see that you've finally joined!

[Folwren]

Oh, yay. Looks like an excellent roll model for the newly reformed Javan.

This could turn out extremely fun.

[Gwathagor]

Originally Posted by Groin Redbeard

Hmm... your character looks a bit fiesty. Please try not to brake anybodies noses when you arrive!

Like I said, Crabannan doesn't TRY to cause trouble. It just happens.

[Lhunardawen]

Thanks, Elempi. I needed a prod towards some direction. Will get a post up sometime today. (Is it just me, or is it a bit tougher to write when you're sick?)

[littlemanpoet]

Hmm.... except for the beard and leanness of build, Crabannan almost reminds me of Conan the Barbarian.

Gwath, we ought to figure out a good time/opportunity to introduce your character. Also, why is he coming to Scarburg?

Lhuna, I expect to have a post up for Harreld today or tomorrow.

Finally, how much time do we want to spend on this Day? I can see a few things happening that need to be resolved: (1) Dan & Oeric, (2) the hunting party with Garstan & Erbrand (I think Dan would not need Erbrand whereas the hunting party will, and this gives us somebody to write about that little adventure, (3) Modtryth, Saeryn, Rowenna, and Aedhel (& Eodwine), (4) Javan and the tent makers, (5) Falco leaving, (6) Stigend and the timber, (7) Lhuna and Harreld.

Sheesh! We're busy today! I guess we have plenty to do before we wrap up this Day.

[Thinlómien]

Haha, Gwath, that looks good!


I'm off to write a post now. I will at least write about the boys. If it doesn't take a very long time to write it, I'll add something for Modtryth too.

And Nogrod is currently in Romania and coming back on Sunday, so we won't get anywhere with the Stigend-timber plotline before early next week, I'm afraid...

[Thinlómien]

Ok, I wrote something for Cnebba. It's quite late an I should do some schoolwork, so I didn't write for Modtryth as I don't actually need to write for her for the plotline to go on...

Personally, I think it would be funniest if the boys' little fist-fight ended by someone accidentally coming across it, preferably someone who's not really related to them in any way in particular. Not Modtryth (or Stigend or Garstan), and maybe not Thornden either. (Even though that might be very amusing as well, poor Javan. ) Any ideas?

edit: Folwren, if you have a better idea, go on, of course.

[Folwren]

Good post, Lommy! I'd rep you, but I haven't done enough repping recently.

Your idea of having someone come across them fighting is fine. Thornden can't do it, he's decidedly busy (even though I haven't written for him at all this day ). So...does anyone want to volunteer to have their character walk by? Or hear them and go see what's up?

EDIT: Lommy, the only other idea I had was that, if they're fighting behind the tents (which I think they are) they could stumble into/onto one of them. And that one could just happen to be the one where Saeryn is, with Modtryth and Rowenna. But I think that would be too drastic.

[Groin Redbeard]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Gwath, we ought to figure out a good time/opportunity to introduce your character.

How about when somebody needs their nose broken! Sorry, I couldn't resist.


LMP, I noticed that we don't have anybody writing to Garstan. Should I write for him while we're out hunting, or has somebody taken his character? I was reading his bio and it really isn't all that different from Erbrand's.

Since I'll be going on the hunt I'll need a good range weapon, and I didn't mention any in my bio. I was thinking that Erbrand could either barow a bow and arrows or I could have him use a sling instead. Is their a preference to which one I should use?

Great post Thinlomien! I reckon somebody better intervene before those boys kill themselves, silly boys.

EDIT: Thanks for clearing that whole job business, LMP. I was just about to ask about that.

[Gwathagor]

[quote=littlemanpoet;556075]Hmm.... except for the beard and leanness of build, Crabannan almost reminds me of Conan the Barbarian.

Gwath, we ought to figure out a good time/opportunity to introduce your character. Also, why is he coming to Scarburg?quote]

I've written an introductory post for Crabannan, so he is coming today, probably before lunchtime in Scarburg. He is wandering west-ish and comes upon Scarburg by accident. He plans to stop through for a day or two before moving on. We'll have to construct something to keep him around for longer.

Crabannan has several advantages over Conan, including an education and a intelligent sense of humor.

[littlemanpoet]

Oops! It seems I've decided to place Garstan in more places than he can be in. Seems he's already involved with the tents.

Groin, Celuien is the writer for Garstan, but she is busy with real life issues for nigh unto a year so far, I believe, and so there is no-one writing her character, who is a "shone shaper" or mason by trade (we don't use the term mason as it is not Middle Earthy enough). So Garstan continues to be a character we LIKE to keep in the rpg because we all like Celuien and would love to have her back, and she hasn't closed the door on that either. So we use her character as it suits us (reasonably).

Groin, as the list below indicates, your character is the only one with an active writer, so feel free to do what you like with the characters. And there are plenty of weapons around, they just have to be dug out of whatever crate they were placed in for the trip to Scarburg.

Just to keep everything straight, I've put together a job list and characters busy with which jobs. If you think I need to change something, please let me know and we'll see what we can do. The ones I just sort of plunked down for lack of a better idea are italicized.

animal pens: Léofric (Firefoot), Eodwine (LMP), Thornden (Folwren)

hunting: Erbrand (Groin), guard4, Balvir, Matrim

tents: Garstan, Garmund, Cnebba (Thinlomien/Nogrod), Javan (Folwren), Lys,

With nothing but boys who can't help quarreling, tents aren't going to get very far until the animal pens are situated and those men join with the tents, I'm thinking.

timber: Stigend (Nogrod), Æthelstan, guard5, guard6

sickbed: Saeryn (Folwren), Modtryth (Lommy), Rowenna (LMP), Æðel

kitchen: Frodides (Kath), Kara (Kath), Léoðern? (who's taking care of the little one?)

smithy: Harreld (LMP), Ginna (Lhunardawen)

tracking Oeric: Daghan-Turi-Dan (Eonwe), Oeric (shaggydog)

leaving: Falco (LMP)

spying: Scyld (Firefoot)

Wow! There's a lot to do and perhaps not enough people to do it all!

(sheesh! I must have edited this post a half dozen times!)

[Lhunardawen]

Lommy, you crazy girl. That post was hilarious. Poor Javan.

I was wondering if maybe Léoðern could get bored in the kitchen and wander out and catch the Orc and droogies fighting? Will she be allowed to walk that far on her own, if it's far at all? If it's suitable, I can volunteer to let the little girl walk in on the boys.

Meanwhile, I think Harreld is not going to make this easy at all.

EDIT: After more than an hour, I just noticed this:

Originally Posted by Elempi

(7) Lhuna and Harreld

Um, much though I love Harreld, he's really too old for me.

[Gwathagor]

Crabannan's intro post is up. I hope it's not too much introduction before his entrance, but generally my posts will be shorter than this one. Anyway, he's walking into town now with his horse, so feel free to begin to interact with him.

[Kath]

Leodern is being looked after by whoever she's around. Me or Ginna if she's in the kitchen, Folwren if she's tailing Javan etc. At the moment I've no idea where she is so she can be in the kitchen if it's easier.

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by Kath

Leodern is being looked after by whoever she's around. Me or Ginna if she's in the kitchen, Folwren if she's tailing Javan etc. At the moment I've no idea where she is so she can be in the kitchen if it's easier.

Leodern is in the kitchen - Modtryth sent her to follow Javan there and being a good girl, she probably did so and after that, Frodides and Kara have probably been keeping an eye on her and maybe giving her some little chores. (At least Modtryth the semi-official nanny is definitely not looking after her at the moment, nor is she with her brother and Cnebba.)

Originally Posted by Lhuna

Lommy, you crazy girl. That post was hilarious. Poor Javan.

Thank you - but it is not actually me who's crazy here, but Folwren: she's the one who got the idea that they should start a proper fight.

Groin, Celuien is the writer for Garstan, but she is busy with real life issues for nigh unto a year so far, I believe, and so there is no-one writing her character, who is a "shone shaper" or mason by trade (we don't use the term mason as it is not Middle Earthy enough). So Garstan continues to be a character we LIKE to keep in the rpg because we all like Celuien and would love to have her back, and she hasn't closed the door on that either. So we use her character as it suits us (reasonably).

And I could add that while everyone is welcome to write for him, he has mostly been written for by Nogrod and LMP this far.

Originally Posted by Gwath

I've written an introductory post for Crabannan, so he is coming today, probably before lunchtime in Scarburg. He is wandering west-ish and comes upon Scarburg by accident. He plans to stop through for a day or two before moving on. We'll have to construct something to keep him around for longer.

It was great, I think. (Sadly, I too am plagued by the not spreading enough syndrome...)

Originally Posted by Lhuna

I was wondering if maybe Léoðern could get bored in the kitchen and wander out and catch the Orc and droogies fighting? Will she be allowed to walk that far on her own, if it's far at all? If it's suitable, I can volunteer to let the little girl walk in on the boys.

If you can make something funny out of it, go on. I think she could just slip away when Frodides and Kara are not watching, or she could catch the boys fighting when being on some errand given her by Frodides or Kara...

[Lhunardawen]

Originally Posted by Kath

Leodern is being looked after by whoever she's around. Me or Ginna if she's in the kitchen, Folwren if she's tailing Javan etc. At the moment I've no idea where she is so she can be in the kitchen if it's easier.

I take it you mean 'me or Lhuna.' Really, I have no idea why Ginna and I are always being mistaken for each other.

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Thank you - but it is not actually me who's crazy here, but Folwren: she's the one who got the idea that they should start a proper fight.

Well then, the compliment goes to both of you.

Originally Posted by Lommy

If you can make something funny out of it, go on. I think she could just slip away when Frodides and Kara are not watching, or she could catch the boys fighting when being on some errand given her by Frodides or Kara...

If it's okay with Foley, I'll see what I can do. I have to summon a bit of mischief, and that'll be quite a task as I'm generally a well-behaved little girl.

[Folwren]

Originally Posted by Lhunardawen

If it's okay with Foley, I'll see what I can do. I have to summon a bit of mischief, and that'll be quite a task as I'm generally a well-behaved little girl.

You? I don't believe it.

It's fine with me.

[shaggydog]

Ergh! I believe it's a corollary to Murphy's Law that as soon as an RPer asks others to do something with him on the game, RL steps in and gets totally crazy!

Apologies to Firefoot and Eonwe for not being more in touch. It will probably be the weekend before I can get back to Scyld and Dan Sorry!!!!

[Groin Redbeard]

This is a perfect way to start your day (hey, that rymes!). I'm glad to the RPG filled with posts!

Originally Posted by LMP

hunting: Erbrand (Groin), guard4, Balvir, Matrim

Now I'm assuming that Balvir and Matrim are just two characters that you made up for this situation, right?

Originally Posted by Gwathagor

Crabannan's intro post is up. I hope it's not too much introduction before his entrance, but generally my posts will be shorter than this one. Anyway, he's walking into town now with his horse, so feel free to begin to interact with him.

An excellent post, Gwathagor! I liked the way that you put all these little details into it, expecially when you were talking with your horse. For a minute I thought that Dr. Doolittle was coming to town!


I'll get a post in as soon as possible.

[littlemanpoet]

Thanks for keeping us informed, shaggydog.

Actually, Groin, Nerindel invented them as Gondorian men at arms from Æðel's noble house. So they are not technically under the rulership of Eodwine, but of Æðel; who is in Eodwine's protection.

Balvir is a captain type and Matrim is an experienced veteran of slightly lower rank. Matrim has a budding friendship with Javan. Balvir has not really been written much about.

[littlemanpoet]

Harreld will have a reply post in place by the end of tomorrow.

I've been thinking about a trick for writing that some comments here and there have brought to my mind. Our posts have a combination of actions, speech, and thoughts. What's interesting is how a character's thoughts are used by other posters.

For example, Lhuna commented that Harreld is not going to make this any easier for Ginna. Part of this is that Harreld has guessed wrong as to what's on Ginna's mind. Lhuna has been writing for Ginna such that she too is guessing wrong about what's on Harreld's mind. What's the upshot? A very interesting character interplay with lots of potential for conflict and misunderstanding, which is what drives interesting story.

I've seen where characters guess exactly right what is on the mind of another character, and it's usually too lucky or too easy, and actually serves to short-circuit good story opportunities. So next time you write a post for your character, think about what makes your character tick, so you can have an idea what wrong guesses he or she might make. I think you'll find it fun.

Just a by the way: healthy interactions in real life are based on precisely the opposite, that is, NOT assuming what the other person is thinking, but asking.

[Kath]

I take it you mean 'me or Lhuna.' Really, I have no idea why Ginna and I are always being mistaken for each other.

Truth be told, I intended to write Kara or Ginna, so actually I got Kara confused with myself!

[Folwren]

Originally Posted by Kath

Truth be told, I intended to write Kara or Ginna, so actually I got Kara confused with myself!

Oh, that is even more funny! Elempi (and others, must mostly Elempi) does that quit frequently!

[Groin Redbeard]

I've just put up my post for the hunting party. Since Nerindal has been absent from the Downs for over five months I went ahead and wrote for Balvir, Matrim, and guard4. If I have over stepped my boundries by writing for them just let me know and I'll abreviate my post to just Erbrand.

[Gwathagor]

Posted. Crabannan broke up the fight.

[Lhunardawen]

Originally Posted by Folwren

You? I don't believe it.

Rats, I thought I had everyone fooled.

Originally Posted by shaggydog

Apologies to Firefoot and Eonwe for not being more in touch. It will probably be the weekend before I can get back to Scyld and Dan. Sorry!!!!

Oooh! I'll be looking forward muchly to this post.

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

I've been thinking about a trick for writing that some comments here and there have brought to my mind. Our posts have a combination of actions, speech, and thoughts. What's interesting is how a character's thoughts are used by other posters.

For example, Lhuna commented that Harreld is not going to make this any easier for Ginna. Part of this is that Harreld has guessed wrong as to what's on Ginna's mind. Lhuna has been writing for Ginna such that she too is guessing wrong about what's on Harreld's mind. What's the upshot? A very interesting character interplay with lots of potential for conflict and misunderstanding, which is what drives interesting story.

And here I was thinking when I saw my name highlighted: "Oh no, Elempi's going to scold me for making too many assumptions about his character!" I'm excited to learn what Harreld really (and wrongly) guesses of Ginna's mind.

Originally Posted by Kath

Truth be told, I intended to write Kara or Ginna, so actually I got Kara confused with myself!

Oh, dear Kath, that's an awful case of identity crisis!

Originally Posted by Gwathagor

Posted. Crabannan broke up the fight.

Thanks, Gwath! I really couldn't come up with an interesting way for Léoðern to barge in on the boys.

[littlemanpoet]

With AEdhel in the tent as healer, either Modtryth or Rowenna could be excused as there's no need for two errand runners. Which one shall stay and which one shall go? Any thoughts, Lommy? It doesn't matter to me.

Name the men-at-arms Game

From now until the end of May, lets everybody offer names for the three unnamed men-at-arms. I'll keep a tally, and in the first week of June, we'll vote. Each player/writer gets three votes (in June). Start: NOW!

[Gwathagor]

Aethelward!

[littlemanpoet]

Originally Posted by Gwathagor

Aethelward!

Great start, Gwath! As Gwath intuited (or perhaps deduced), these three are Eorlings and ought to have Eorling names.

I've finally had a chance to read some recent posts, such as yours, Groin. I see that you have taken it upon yourself to give one of the guards a name, which is appropriate. "Lithor". Seems like a reasonable name to me. Shall we make it two guards that we need names for, and accept "Lithor"? Groin, what do you think? Otherwise, we could add it to the list. I'll do that for now until we decide.

1. Æthelward
2. Lithor
3.

One other thing, Groin, the White Mountains are 50 miles away from Scarburg. It would take more than a day to get there, and then the hunt could begin, and then more than a day to get back. I think you don't want that. The hunting is pretty much going to have to happen on the open plains within perhaps ten miles (or twenty?) from Scarburg, where presumably some sort of herd animal, deer-like, or whatnot, could be found roaming. The Scar of rocky hills runs westward from the River Entwash for perhaps thirty miles, and Scarburg is about 20 miles west of the Entwash. South of the Scar there are inhabited lands for farming; north of the Scar has not been determined, but it could very well be empty except for game.

Incidentally, it was a nice stroke to have Balvir name Matrim as his Lieutenant, a word which is of French derivation. As Eorlings are based on Anglo-Saxon, the Gondorians are based on French or Roman, so that works quite well, and you could have Erbrand notice the foreign word too, as another indication of their "Gondorian-ness".

One last thing: Gwath, is Crabannan familiar with Gondorian? "Recompense" is a Latinate word and not something the boys would even recognize, being boys as well as Eorling.

[Groin Redbeard]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Seems like a reasonable name to me. Shall we make it two guards that we need names for, and accept "Lithor"? Groin, what do you think?

We can keep Lithor on the list for now, but if anyone comes up with a better name I'll willingly change it (my post was rash and hurried). However, Æthelward is wonderful name! Great going, Gwathagor!

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

One other thing, Groin, the White Mountains are 50 miles away from Scarburg.

Dang it, it all looks so small on the map. I'll change it right away.

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

you could have Erbrand notice the foreign word too, as another indication of their "Gondorian-ness".

I'll change that too. Thanks for your help, LMP.

It was sheer brilliance with your characters entry, Gwathagor! It's like your character can't escape his fate of causing (intentionally or unintentionally) brawls!

[Thinlómien]

Gwathagor, you're making me laugh, almost hysterically! That post!

Originally Posted by LMP

With AEdhel in the tent as healer, either Modtryth or Rowenna could be excused as there's no need for two errand runners. Which one shall stay and which one shall go? Any thoughts, Lommy? It doesn't matter to me.

I think it might be dramatics-wise be more interesting if Rowenna stayed, but it would make more sense if Modtryth stayed, as she knows Saeryn, unlike Rowenna (do Aedhel and Saeryn know each other?) and it might be nicer for Saeryn to have Modtryth around around. Would either of Modtryth and Rowenna be especially needed somewhere else?

Names? Hmm... What about Wilcred? Or Osmund? Or Alfhere? Or Elfric (or Ælfric, is that sounds better)?

Personally, I think we should avoid having too many æ's and ð's - as interesting as they are - as Tolkien was kind enough to translitter the names in a more "reader-friendly" way... I mean, sometimes the names we use here in the Meadhall sound so authentically Anglo-Saxon that they don't actually fit nicely with the names of the Rohirrim in LotR.

[Eönwë]

You could go with some kingish names, like Alfred (or Ælfred if it makes you happier), or Redwald (Rædwald). Sorry Lommy.

And how about titles. like "...the..."/"...of the..."/"... ....-....[must be a kenning here]" depending on what they are.

And an interesting question Elempi would Eorlings name their swords?