Ubiquitous Urulóki
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: The port of Mars, where Famine, Sword, and Fire, leash'd in like hounds, crouch for employment
Posts: 747
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Likewise, Ossë
I've been wanting to clarify one or two things, but never really got around to saying anything. So, this seems like the ideal time.
I must impress upon you, my fellow writers, that this is a game that takes place in a somewhat archaic time. Many of you have played in Rohan (and are probably more well-versed than I in the ways of BD writing/gaming, so this seems condescending), but others have not. This game touches on a civilization that is not widely portrayed in either Tolkien or RPGs, Arnor. Arnor is a sister of Gondor, in a sense, but an ancient one, as this game takes place a good millenia before the events of The Lord of the Rings, which, in itself, is not modern. Thus, it seems that Arthedain would be like an offshoot, slightly modernized, of Numenor, as I mentioned in my little note about the structure of Fornost.
I'm not entirely sure why I'm saying this. Everyone seems to have grasped the concept, but, I'll just make the point. Like I've implied, time and time again, I am trying to avoid becoming manipulative, and want this game to be as open-ended as possible, considering that it has a definite ending. Luckily, we've been allowed quite a bit of liberty, but I'd like to stick to a genuine ideal. Had to get that off my chest, if it makes any sense.
Saurreg: In a desire to get your bio complete, I'll give you a little critique of what you have. Your bio, in itself, is great, and Belegorn is a very interesting character, but there are a few quirks in your first post. You don't have to change these things, but they are merely oddities - For one, your use of military terms (i.e. regiment) is spot-on, but I do not think all of them are appropriate. The rearguard is not a regiment, in the normal sense, but I suppose you may call it that if you so wish. One thing that does seem inaccurate is the use of the term "Royal" to describe everything. In truth, the rearguard is Royal, I guess, but the army is not, and Royal seems to be too specific an adjective to describe the rearguard, especially capitalized, because that implies that all these things are royal, something out of 1600's France, perhaps. Similarly, I find the use of 'drummer boys' in an archaic setting to be jarring, but hey, that's just me.
There I go again, with my controlliness. Well, change whatever you want, it's not a big deal. I'll just make my peace here, and establish what does not seem to fit.
Also, I would like to consider something. At the time of this game, there was a very recent political controversy, of national scale and depth, involving Arvedui.
On the death of Ondoher [King of Gondor at the time, slain by Wainriders] and his sons, Arvedui of the North-kingdom claimed the crown of Gondor, as the direct descendant of Isildur, and as the husband of Fíriel, only surviving child of Ondoher. The claim was rejected. In this Pelendur, the Steward of King Ondoher, played the chief part.
'The Council of Gondor answered: "The crown and royalty of Gondor belongs solely to the heirs of Meneldil, son of Anárion, to whom Isildur relinquished this realm. In Gondor this heritage is reckoned through the sons only; and we have not heard that the law is otherwise in Arnor."
'To this Arvedui replied: "Elendil had two sons, of whom Isildur was the elder and the heir of his father. We have heard that the name of Elendil stands to this day at the head of the line of the Kings of Gondor, since he was accounted the high king of all the lands of the Dúnedain. While Elendil still lived, the conjoint rule in the South was committed to his sons; but when Elendil fell, Isildur departed to take up the high kingship of his father, and committed the rule in the South in like manner to the son of his brother. He did not relinquish his royalty in Gondor, nor intend that the realm of Elendil should be divided for ever.
'"Moreover, in Númenor of old the sceptre descended to the eldest child of the king, whether man or woman. It is true that the law has not been observed in the lands of exile ever troubled by war; but such was the law of our people, to which we now refer, seeing that the sons of Ondoher died childless."
To this Gondor made no answer. The crown was claimed by Eárnil, the victorious captain; and it was granted to him with the approval of all the Dúnedain in Gondor, since he was of the royal house. He was the son of Siriondil, son of Calimmacil, son of Arciryas brother of Narmacil II. Arvedui did not press his claim; for he had neither the power nor the will to oppose the choice of the Dúnedain of Gondor; yet the claim was never forgotten by his descendants even when their kingship had passed away.
-Appendix A, The Return of the King
This caused a great upheaval, no doubt, when it occured, and many people were forced to take sides, although it didn't matter to the decision, which was made by Gondorian counselors. I suggest that, it would be an interesting character exercise to think about how your character[s] might have felt about this incident, when it occured. Did your character support Arvedui's claim, or were they against it? All characters, except maybe the two Dunedain children, were around at this time, and must've had a political stance on the matter.
This is not a requirement, just a suggestion.
P.S. pio, in light of recent developements, I have written a little prologue to the game. Should I, perhaps, PM it to you for pre-approval?
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"What mortal feels not awe/Nor trembles at our name,
Hearing our fate-appointed power sublime/Fixed by the eternal law.
For old our office, and our fame,"
-Aeschylus, Song of the Furies
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