Bloodstained Elanor Planning/Discussion Thread

[Arry]

Sorry - but I prefer that Grom and Snik not lead the escort back to Dol Guldur . . . they would rather brain themselves with their cudgels or fall on their rusty swords.

I can, would be happy to in fact, invent a short bio for an Uruk lieutenant if you wish . . . and Grom and Snik can accompany him as his right and left hand men . . . so to speak . . .

[Orofaniel]

Seems that I cross posted with you Arry.

Could we still have the tings I propsed? And just make up another character as Arry (and others) said?

[Arry]

The Uruk Lieutenant

Name: Gâshronk

Age: unknown

Race: Uruk

Appearance/Personality: Taller and broader than Snikdul and Gromwakh; but not as tall as his hero – Thrakmazh. Well muscled, snaggle-toothed, and wears a topknot of bristly black hair on his otherwise bald skull. Prides himself on the great, ragged gash where his left eye used to be – with his one eye, a watery brown orb, he feels half-way to accomplishing his goal of becoming just like Thrakmazh. And in secret, well hidden dreams and thoughts, he looks to one day supplanting the Uruk Captain.

He is not quite the thinker his hero is, but he can be every bit as cruel. He would love the opportunity to head his own little unit of Orcs whom he looks down upon as beings just a step below cockroaches.

All that is needed now is for his role model to choose him for duty!

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

I’ve left him rather vague and am not wed to him as a well-defined character. You may use him as you will, and attribute whatever is needed to him to get him chosen for the job.

Will this do?

[Orofaniel]

Arry- That seems fine by me.

Is it okay for me to use him in my post, Durelin?


EDIT:

Okay, I just filled my save. The elves are being held in one of the tents. Not treated too nicely... Um, some of them are a bit injured, but it's not much. They're just exhausted.

However, I didn't go as far as Thrakmazh choosing an Orc to lead them back to Dol Guldur as I wasn't sure if Durelin thought Arry's character was "accepted".

Anyway, Kransha- Couldn't you just follow up my post when all is cleared; whether Arry's character is going to be used or not?

BTW: If anyone wants me to edit anything, let me know.

[Kransha]

1. No, Oro, no edits are required. Great post, as usual. The tension between the three captains is a great factor to be added into the storyline. And an ever-present plot device, which I just used to put in 'yet another' plot twist. As long as everything is okay with Durelin, yes?

2. I posted, appointing Gashronk the leader of the escort party. My post also contains a conversation between Herding and Thrakmazh in his tent, on the subject of...umm...well, you'll see. Oro, tell me if I ought to edit anything. At some points, I was unsure if I was making Herding a little TOO hostile. Will edit if needed.

3. For further, and further, and further clarification, Thrakmazh just upped his evil plans a notch, conspiring with Herding, who may or may not care. A little later, before the elves depart, he might have one last go at them, giving Ambarturion another chance to swear vengeance, and Coromswyth another chance to spit in his face (you see? No love for the orcs). But, that won't be tonight.

[Alatariel Telemnar]

Filled in my last save. Most likely will either post another save soon or post again soon. It's moving quite fast..

[Orofaniel]

well, you'll see. Oro, tell me if I ought to edit anything. At some points, I was unsure if I was making Herding a little TOO hostile. Will edit if needed.

No, no edits. It was brilliant. Herding is perfect, just as I expected his character to be in such a position. Brilliant. And the tension..woha..it has developed - I love it.

I'll follow up your post as soon as possible. A save will do for now, I'm afraid.

[Firefoot]

I put up a save for the Thorvel and the other Mirkwood Elves to get them caught up with the Orcs, etc. It should be filled within a couple hours.

Edit - my save has been filled. If Durelin or Hama want me to change anything about their characters, just let me know.

[Arry]

Do you want Gâshronk the Uruk and his little band of Orcs to start moving the 3 captured elves toward Dol Guldur now? Or . . .?

Will do so when it seems best to you.

[Durelin]

Arry, your Gâshronk is absolutely perfect! Thank you for supplying him for our needs! Sorry for the delay...he is most certainly "accepted"!

Looking good everyone...looking very good. Yes, we are moving quickly, and I need to get myself moving just as quickly.

-Durelin

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Coromswyth and Ambarturion have just figured out what the Enemy's plan is -- which might be too soon for the plot, Durelin, so if it is, let me know and I will edit and send apologies.

On the other hand, all they have is a theory -- the Mirkwood Elves have no reason to believe this theory if (and when) they hear it. . .

Great game so far, everyone!

[Durelin]

Fordim - That is exactly what I thought should happen, and when it did was not at all a big concern.

Yes, a theory, for some to believe and some not to.

[Arry]

Fordim and Amanaduial

Would you like to throw the Elves in the wagon yourselves . . . or leave that to a post from Grom and company?

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Well, I just posted and wouldn't have much to add to what's there other than "The foul orcs threw them unceremoniously into a wagon and began the journey to Dol Guldur."

Perhaps Aman would like to get us on our way?

[Durelin]

Well, I basically got you lot on your way, I hope no one minds... And I threw in a little encouragement for you prisoners...hope no one minds that little addition, either. Any of the Lorien elves can be the one who sees.

Okay, here's a run down...

The scouts are planning to head off the orcs escorting the prisoners back to Dol Guldur.

Meanwhile...the army moves slowly toward Lorien.

More meanwhile...the prisoners are treated poorly, but find hope...

As the orc escort is moving slowly, I expect that the rescue will occur shortly. But I don't think we're ready for it quite yet...

Is everything actually going alright?



-Durelin

[Kransha]

One question, Durelin: Is the prisoner wagon still in close proximity to the army's camp? If so, Thrakmazh still has some parting words for the prisoners, and might try to wave down the wagon before they depart in earnest. If it is already too far, I might try to conspire a post below yours, so that it might not seem out of place. Suggestions? Opinions?

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Kransha -- I have a save up in which Ambarturion will reply to Grom's proposal. If you would like, it could include a 'flashback' to Thrak's parting words(?).

If you want to do this, just PM your post to me and I will insert it into my post.

(BTW -- I still think it should be "Crapulent Corpse" )

[Kransha]

I will do exactly that, if Durelin does not believe the first suggestion fitting. Whatever seems best. It would merely include a last conversation, mostly one-sided (Thrakmazh likes to hear the sound of his own voice as you may have guessed) between my orc and Ambarturion, so as to keep their tension up. Revenge is always nice, but when somebody wants revenge on Thrakmazh, he gives them a bloody good reason.

(P.S. I might go with 'Crapulent Cadaver.' How does that suit you? )

[Durelin]

Kransha - I do not think a 'flashback' would be out of place at all. The scouts are trying to get ahead of the orc escort, and so there is no problem in them starting off before the pisoner wagon.

[piosenniel]

Kransha

If you wish - place a post here, on the Discussion Thread, and I'll insert it at the end of Arry's post #82.

~*~ Pio

[Arry]

I'd also be happy to move my last post forward, if needed.

[Kransha]

Fear not, pio to the proverbial rescue. Many thanks, O mod most kind. I'll have that post shortly (working on it as we speak). No need for anyone to move or edit posts, for all is taken care of (I say only in assumption). Expect my post on this thread in under an hour and a half.

[Kransha]

Ok, here ya go. This has Thrakmazh catching up with the leaving wagon, so place it where it seems appropriate. No need to post it right away, though. If either Arry, Fordim, or Aman would like anything changed, say so now...Point out corrections as they come, or are needed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kransha's post --- POST PLACED ~*~ Pio

It was a more complicated task then Thrákmazh had thought it would be to locate the elves. Before he’d given the order, they’d already been loaded, bound and hapless, onto a vehicle meant to bear them to the hill on which sat Dol Guldur. Thrákmazh, though, was not done with them. In truth, he had hoped for another night to ‘spend’ with them, but that was surely not to be. He had hoped too that Herding, the foolish Southron, would side with him and let him keep the elf a prisoner for the sake of troop morale, but that was not to be either. He could only hope that old Herding would consider his other offer with more thought-out care over the course of the day. Now, he dashed headlong through the winding paths created in the camp, trying to locate the road that the wagon and prisoner escort had departed on. At last he found it, seeing the wagon bumping along, jostled by the rough, unruly terrain, down towards the deeper forest, past grove and plain, headed for Dol Guldur. Mindlessly, not thinking or knowing why, he barreled after it swiftly, raising his voice to catch them as they continued on.

“Wait! Hold!” He roared, flagging down the vehicle, those who dragged it through deep dirt, and those surrounding it, who looked glumly back at their commander but managed to feebly snap to attention…or most of them, at least. The wagon swiveled and lolled from side to side as if its wheels could barely hold it. The harnessed orcs who bore it turned, dragging the wagon to one side as Gâshronk, the lead orc, bounded to the back of the escort, with a miniature escort of his own, and gave a mixture of a bow and a salute to his captain, Thrákmazh, who waved him off dutifully and turned, catching his breath as it was removed from him, and strode toward the wagon back, where the elf-containing cages sat. He easily singled out the one who’d threatened him who was conveniently awakened now, as the others were not. He had not, before, had great opportunity to overview the captive elf and now, as he and his kindred were taken from the army’s camp, he saw the elf truly for the first time. As he headed around to the cages, the elf took notice of his presence, but barely so. His face was that of rock and stone, immobile, it did not shift in fear, surprise, or rage. Thrakmazh, though, ignored this.

“I wished to thank you, elf,” he said, a grim smile of evil satisfaction on his twisted, one-eyed face, “for your sword.” As if to illustrate some unsaid fact, he swung the blade rather majestically through the air, ignoring the ironic beam of light the reflected off it from the hanging sun above and found its way to his squinting eye. He looked back, twirling the weapon in a mocking fashion, and feigned a look of philosophical thought. “I wonder now, how many orcs have been slain by it?” The elf did not fully return his grinning gaze, but replied calmly all the same. “More than you could count, orc, and it shall yet slay one more.”

Again, an unheard of anger arose in Thrákmazh, a madness he did not understand. How was it that the threats, useless and worthless, of this one elf, had so incensed him, angered him so. Roaring furiously, he smashed the hilt and blade of the tapered, gleaming weapon of ivory white against the cold gray bars of the elf’s cage, rattling it, but, too much like the other elf slain recently, he did not flinch. Thrákmazh, passionate and enraged in his cause, continued. “Many threats have been made to me by your kind, but all cut down before they are fulfilled. You may be the only wretched elf ever to make such a promise and escape my blade. Yes, you will die in more horrible a way than ever I could conceive, but I still would rather see you slain now. Thank whatever you hold dear that it was not I who was given the task of ending your too-long life.”

As before, the elf said nothing, but remained, courting death, unable to defend himself in any way. Thrákmazh was beyond outrage, but calmed himself as best he could and, taking a deep, exaggerated breath, took a step back from the wagon. He looked back, his one eye hidden by a dense shadow permeating the air above his head like a following cloud, crouched at his heels and waiting for summons. He glared, but soon relaxed his gaze and gait, beginning to pace before the elf’s prison. “Who was the lad,” he said after a great pause, “the one I killed; your son, brother, student, cousin? I would not have expected such oaths from an elf who had no good reason for wanting my death. Many things, elf and man and orc, want my death. But Thrákmazh the Mighty still lives, and stands before you.” He turned now, stopping his movement, looking to the silent, emotionless being, swinging the elf’s blade again with an overly elegant flourish. “No creature who wished for life has ever sworn to slay me, for it is only a wish for death, foolishness and idiocy. I have killed more living things that any man would bother to count, but I remember every face, so nothing has ever eluded the arc of my sword. Every single face still lies in me, retained by the duties of memory, and now the face of that young elf dwells there too. Think of it, elf; whether or not you are dead before the night is out, you will still have escaped me, and that is a great task.”

The elf gave no visible reaction, but spoke quietly. “You have not yet escaped me, spawn of darkness.”

“What, no gratitude?” Thrákmazh’s voice was that of anger, but he gracelessly mixed that with cruel sarcasm, “No grace and polite conversation? I suppose that what I’ve heard of elves is all a lie. You just seem more civil, more advanced in the ways of war and life, but you are not if you could not save yourselves or do better than petty oaths and insults.” No movement, no sound from the elf, none at all, to Thrákmazh’s further displeasure. How he wished to ram his own sword through those obstructing bars and skewer the fool where he lay, but duty would not let him. Grumbling, he turned away. “But, alas, I cannot continue this conversation. I have many things to do here, many things, and none, thankfully, involve you. So, go your merry way, or not-so-merry, as it is, and enjoy the hospitality of Dol Guldur. Again, I thank you for your sword. Surely many have fallen beneath it, but it will serve me just as aptly as it has served you.” He waved off Gâshronk, signaling that he should continue. Painfully slowly, the wagon began to bounce along the stony earth as Thrákmazh stood, brooding quietly, upon the road.

Soon enough, the wagon had been ferried almost out of sight, about to disappear into the distance. His back turned to it, Thrákmazh’s one eye sought solace in the pure white of the Elvish blade, but it stung him, and his hand burnt as he held it, but he could not let it go. Some lurking feeling, latched onto him, clung to the majestic blade, but in the niches of his small brain, a voice screamed at him to release it, plunge it into the earth and leave it, but he could not. He breathed harder, looking down on it and tracing its subtle edge. The elf who’d lived to swear revenge was somewhere in the blade he held…Thrákmazh was, as never he had been before, unsettled. This elf would not die at Dol Guldur, no indeed. It didn’t make sense to the orc, but, as the symbols blazoned into his rusty blade, the knowledge was imprinted upon his mind. Trying to salvage his own bewilderment, he spun, looking after the wagon, and held up the blade, yelling towards it gruffly.

“Farewell, O elf without a name, and may your death be slow and painful.”

This brought him no satisfaction as the wagon disappeared from view. Disturbed deeply, pained, and with a palm burning with searing pain, Thrakmazh turned and hurried back towards the camp, trying to leave the prisoners, the elves, and his nameless foe behind, praying never to see any of them as long as he lived…which was something that the uruk captain, Thrákmazh the Mighty, One-Eye, Captain of Dol Guldur and the orcs of Mirkwood, had never even considered thinking.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

P.S. Kudos to anyone who recognizes the line I inadvertantly stole from Henry V.

P.P.S. It's feels sooooooo good to be bad.

[Amanaduial the archer]

A slightly long post made, but nonetheless, a post Apologies for it's lateness.

Pio - if you find any objection to the content of the post (mainly the first half, I suppose), please contact me and I shall change it accordingly - I think it is maybe on the border of any rules, I don't think I have broken them, but if you think so do contact me. Thankyou.

[piosenniel]

I am moving a few posts since they seem horridly out of sync . . .

Arry's will be at the end since his is when the Orcs are well on the way back to Dol Guldur.

Please do leave any back posts here on the discussion thread and tell me where you want them placed and I will do so. Or check the game thread more often and leave a SAVE for yourself.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio

[Firefoot]

I have a post that I would request be put into the general save.

~~~~

Firefoot's post ---- POSTED ON THE RPG ~*~ Pio

Thorvel blinked in surprise at Calenvása’s answer. He didn’t know? Thorvel tried to puzzle that out. Surely there had to have been some reason, though the words sounded honest enough. The Elves had been cruelly thrown into the wagon. The Orcs had been preparing to move. And yet they had still waited for the Captain to give the command, but he hadn’t. The question was why. Targil looked equally confused. Thorvel didn’t say anything; the important thing was that they were moving now, and further argument was one thing they did not need. Unfortunately, they had been unable to get a head start on the Orcs, which meant that they would have to move through the forest for a longer time, impeding on their swiftness and silence.

Thorvel paid careful attention to the ground beneath his feet, in order not to snap a twig or crackle a leaf. Either mistake could be fatal so close to the small band of Orcs, even though he doubted they would hear such a small sound. They had not gone far when a shout from a harsh Orkish voice was clearly heard over all the other sounds: “Farewell, O elf without a name, and may your death be slow and painful.” Thorvel smiled grimly. It seemed that one of the Elves at least had put up some kind of fight to elicit such a comment.

Slowly the Elves gained ground, until they had moved almost beyond sight of the Orcs. Thorvel walked moved more freely then, and ventured to speak, though softly. For once, they were all close enough for each of the Elves to hear him.

“How far do we go then, before we stop to lay plans and prepare to attack the Orcs? I daresay they shan’t get very much farther before they must stop for the night.”

Calenvása matched his quiet tone, glancing back at the Orcs to judge their speed and location. “They aren’t moving very quickly. I suppose we will need to start looking for likely locations when we get to that point, based on how far the Orcs have moved by sunset.”

Thorvel pressed further, not satisfied with the vague answer. “Then do you have any plans for an ambush? Or do we have yet to work those out?” The Captain looked over at him. “We will have to see how the Orc camp is laid out first, and decide exactly what to do then.” Thorvel grunted. It seemed he wasn’t going to get much information out of Calenvása right now. The Captain seemed to be thinking, and Thorvel figured that Calenvása would talk when he was ready, and not before. Remembering the Captain’s early admittance that he hadn’t known why they didn’t move, Thorvel supposed that it was possible that Calenvása didn’t have any clear plans yet. As long as you come up with something before tonight...

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

I have filled in my save. It's a bit uneven, but there was so much to reply to!

BTW -- Do you all remember the discussion we had WAAAY back in the thread about the need for theme music? I believe the winner was the Battle from Gladiator. . .? Well, I've been humming it pretty non-stop since the Lorien Elves encountered the orcs. . .

EDIT: My apologies in advance, but I will probably be able to post only sporadically over the next week or so, as my town has been placed under a state of emergency after we got quite a bit of flooding. I have about 5 ft of water in my basement, and one of our trees came down, but everyone is safe.

At any rate, I will be back -- if sodden!

[Durelin]

Fordim - No problem at all, of course, and I hope everything dries out!

The battle from Gladiator? A theme from an academy award winning movie...for an academy award winning RPG? I certainly think I've got a group of academy award material writers helping me out!

Thank you, Pio, for working out the post situation...I am terribly sorry for causing so many problems! But now the orc escort with their wagon is on its way...

Now Calenvasa just needs to take charge, or let someone else...

I am afraid I will be on my own absence, popping in sporadically just as Fordim will be forced to do. I am going on a vacation for five days, am leaving tomorrow, but will have access to a computer. I will post as often as I can.

-Durelin

[Kransha]

Academy award winning indeed!

Just for *added* clarification, Thrakmazh is sewing the seeds of dissent, now by approaching Koran and Ehan with some 'information.' Aman and/or Aylwen, I left that scenario open, while making obvious what Thrakmazh is about to say. Feel free to pick it up...yes...alright...

[Amanaduial the archer]

Hrm - Kransha, I'm not really sure how to carry that on. I don't suppose Koran saying "Yes?" will make a particularly thrilling post...

[Kransha]

Originally Posted by Amanaduial the archer

Hrm - Kransha, I'm not really sure how to carry that on. I don't suppose Koran saying "Yes?" will make a particularly thrilling post...

Ummm...yes to what? Thrakmazh had not yet said anything, and what he is 'going' to say is detailed almost in its entirety in my post, so the conversation is waiting. I think I must've done something to be unclear, did I? (and you people probably thought all my clarification was unnecessary. Proved ye wrong, I 'ave)

Excuse me if this post makes no contextual sense. I'm a little...umm...out-of-it at the moment, and am suffering from the gnawing paranoia that I have no idea what I'm saying, and yet, this seems to make sense...or at least the illusion of sense...You see? There I go again.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Apologies Kransha - I wasn't sure whether you wanted me to put that in my post or make it yourself, as it is your character's plan. Sorry - I'll post now

[Amanaduial the archer]

I have editted my post from the save - Kransha, is this in line with what you wanted?

[Kransha]

Originally Posted by Amanaduial the archer

I have editted my post from the save - Kransha, is this in line with what you wanted?

Precisely. I really love the part at the end, the last paragraph. The tension is growing, amongst both the sides of light and dark (I'm not good at melodrama, can you tell?). Speaking of tension, and the eve of battle, in which that will all come to its crux, when is that? I mean the 'battle.' I assume, as soon as the little mini-epic of the escape/release of the Elvish prisoners is over, there will be a number of days in which more tension grows (and trolls become problematic, apparemtly), but about how many 'real-world' days might there be? I'm sure there is no exact date, and I could make assumptions...but...Let's just say I'm very eager for my villain to get his just desserts...

[Alatariel Telemnar]

really... need... to post.. *headdesk, headdesk, rubs red forehead*

[Amanaduial the archer]

Durelin - a reminder from what I told you before the game started: I will be absent from this Friday until next Saturday and unable to post. Sorry.

[Durelin]

A thousand apologies!

The much-awaited end of my vacation has come. Unfortunately, while on vacation, I had far less access to a computer than was expected...which you most likely noticed. Now I just need to get these scouts moving...

Aman - thanks for the reminder!

-Durelin

[piosenniel]

Bringing this forward:

OUTLINE OF THE GAME:

• Army prepares to march from Dol Guldur (day 1)
• Mirkwood scouts discover army (day 1), and, as it begins to march toward Lorien, they decide to follow (day 2 – 3)
• Lorien envoy is on their way to the Woodmen (days 1 – 3), a good ways outside Lorien on day 1
• Envoy crosses path of army (the two are heading in opposite directions, and it is hard to avoid a large army), and are captured (day 3)
• Small force breaks off to take the captives back to Dol Guldur (day 3)
• Mirkwood scouts, following, are able to ambush (night day 3) this force and rescue the captives
• The scouts learn of the plans: a special force will attack from another direction and assault Caras Galadon (day 4)
• The elven party races back to Lorien from the north at the greatest possible speed – the trolls slow the baddies down (days 4 – 7)
• When they arrive (night day 9), the battle is about to begin:
  When the army reaches the Anduin around mid-day on the 9th day, they stop to put up the floating bridges. They plan to begin the attack soon after dawn the next day. The Mirkwood scouts + Lorien envoy reach the borders of Lorien a little before dusk, and reach Caras Galadon soon after dusk. A council of war then follows during the night.
• The plan of the special force is foiled, and the entire army retreats (day 11)

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

TIMEFRAMES:

Time Periods (for a basic idea of the order of things):

Mikwood scout party scouts out and follows army (days 1 – 3)
Envoy captured – a party splits off to take captives back to Dol Guldur (day 3)
Envoy rescued – Plans of evil forces made clear (night of day 3 – day 4)
Race back to Lorien (days 4 – 7)
Defenders warned/inner defenders rescued from surprise attack (night of day 7 – day 8)
Lorien front lines hold off main force (day 9)
Enemy held – Retreat (day 11)

[Arry]

I moved us on toward night of the 3rd day. I hope that is alright.

Will move my post if needed - just let me know.

[Amanaduial the archer]

If none of the Mirkwood elves have posted by this evening, I will post the start of the rescue of the Lorien Envoy - it will be the last chance I have to post before leaving, probably.

- Aman