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Birdland · 11-06-2002, 11:33 PM

Hi, sorry this is so late in the conversation, but I'd thought I'd throw my opinion in. After all, everybody's got one. (An opinion, I mean.)

As for the drop off: aren't Hobbits known as "wandering people"? At least for the first few 1000 years of their history. They're nomads! Drop them off a little past Minas Anor and let them wander. It'll do 'em good. If it takes them 50-100 years to branch off and semi-settle in the regions they were known for, that's no big deal. Who says they have to immediately be plopped down in Mirkwood or The Vales, or anywhere else? After all, that's what our ancestors did.

Second, regarding the little room: Archeology teaches us that cities start out small, and are built out and up. Look at the excavations done on any ancient city. You find a top layer, then a second layer, then a third, etc., etc. That little room at the beginning of the Third Age could have been buried long ago as Minas Anor grew. That's what I was picturing, anyway, when the scene came up.

Same with the bas-relief. It may have been carved by some ancient Numenorean artist to commemorate what he remembered from the Locks of the Faithful. But time, changing tastes, and vegetation led to it being forgotten and covered.

So leave your clues, and let time take care of the rest.

[ November 07, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

11-06-2002, 11:33 PM	#738
Birdland Ghastly Neekerbreeker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto Posts: 1,751	Hi, sorry this is so late in the conversation, but I'd thought I'd throw my opinion in. After all, everybody's got one. (An opinion, I mean.) As for the drop off: aren't Hobbits known as "wandering people"? At least for the first few 1000 years of their history. They're nomads! Drop them off a little past Minas Anor and let them wander. It'll do 'em good. If it takes them 50-100 years to branch off and semi-settle in the regions they were known for, that's no big deal. Who says they have to immediately be plopped down in Mirkwood or The Vales, or anywhere else? After all, that's what our ancestors did. Second, regarding the little room: Archeology teaches us that cities start out small, and are built out and up. Look at the excavations done on any ancient city. You find a top layer, then a second layer, then a third, etc., etc. That little room at the beginning of the Third Age could have been buried long ago as Minas Anor grew. That's what I was picturing, anyway, when the scene came up. Same with the bas-relief. It may have been carved by some ancient Numenorean artist to commemorate what he remembered from the Locks of the Faithful. But time, changing tastes, and vegetation led to it being forgotten and covered. So leave your clues, and let time take care of the rest. [ November 07, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]