Prisoner of Númenor Planning/Discussion Thread

[Himaran]

Pio mentioned early on that a particular character should die in the rescue, or the general time period of it, to add a touch of realism. Finding myself in agreement with this analysis, I would like to model my character (still under construction) as one who believes in his own invincibility, only to fall in the struggle... *sniff*

...unless someone else was already planning on taking the part.

--Himaran

[littlemanpoet]

I don't think anybody else has been hot to grab at that one.

Maybe you want to do two characters so that you have one left to write?

"Realism", eh? Another topic for debate, there. I'll leave it go for now. It was that matter of someone dying that kind of had me stewing a bit. Someone dying in the attempt to save one lone man's life? That seemed like a pretty poor bargain. So I kind of like the idea the mearas as an additional motivation for rescuing Abar.

I was also thinking that the capture could be handled differently. It could be that all six mearas are being taken across the island at once, and Abarpanaru sacrifice his own freedom so that the other five can escape, and they are determined to rescue him and his mearas. In fact, I kind of like that better. That way, more (if not every) characters have a mearas. Heck, we can always change the number of mearas if we want one for each character.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

LMP is Kathaani's mother alive? And did we ever determine whether the house of Karibzir had a connection to the Lords of Andunie?

I'm working on her history in my study breaks.

Sophia

[Edit]

The word Mearas comes from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning simply 'horses'. Its singular form would be mearh, but no character in The Lord of the Rings ever uses that word.

Since Mearas is a Rohirric word, is there any chance we could find a rough equivalent in Sindarin or Adunaic to use instead? Rocharim (Horse-kings) sounds a bit too much like Rohirrim, perhaps Rocherphin (Noble horses) or Rochedair (Fathers of Horses)? Karibarim (Kings of Horses), or Karibhorim (Lords of Horses), or Karibattim (Fathers of Horses)? Or am I overanalyzing just a little too much when the word Mearas seems out of place?

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Kâthaanî's bio is, for the most part, ready and available for public tweaking and I thought it needed a post unto itself.

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POSTED TO THE PROPOSAL ON PAGE 1 -- PIO

NAME: Kâthaanî Karíbzîr/ “Cerveth” Adaneth Melethroch

AGE: 32

RACE: Men, Númenorean

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: Kâthaanî carries a long bladed (rather dull) knife with a tarnished silver hilt which she uses more frequently as a sort of all purpose tool than a weapon. She has been known to use it to pry open simple locks.

APPEARANCE: Cerveth is tall (about 6’2”) and more lean than slender. She is long-bodied and narrow, not muscular and slightly wider at the shoulders than the hips. She is dark of hair and grey of eye with a long nose and a well-defined jaw for a woman. She is quite clever with her hands and can manipulate various contraptions easily (locks, tack) She is somewhat ill at ease in the elaborate costumes of the Númenorean upperclass women feeling far more comfortable in simple dresses and with her hair pulled loosely out of her face, and will frequently wears men’s clothes when she needs to ride astride.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Kâthaanî is impulsive, stubborn, and easily carried away—but rarely blatantly disobedient. She has a tendency to speak first and think about the consequences later, but as she matures she has begun to learn to control her tongue. She has a concrete sense of right and wrong; she has lived in a fairly sheltered world (even with the turmoil in Númenor) and has rarely encountered a situation where the moral choice is not instantly clear. She has never gotten along well with young women of her age, and consequently has spent much of her time with adults since her early teens. Because of this Kâthaanî considers herself extremely mature, whether or not her belief is correct is a different matter entirely.

HISTORY: Kâthaanî Karíbzîr was born the only child of Abârpânaru Karíbzîr and his wife, Inzillomí, in midsummer of the year 3287. Often called Cerveth, after the month of her birth, she spent her childhood years in a large house on the inland side of Andunië. She sometimes envied those who lived nearer the coast, but their house was ideally situated for her father’s horse breeding, opening as it did on the plains. Her childhood was as uneventful and sheltered as possible, given the circumstances in her homeland. The inner conflict in Númenorean society was almost unknown to her, even though her parents were among the Faithful, as they chose not to discuss it with her until she had reached a responsible age. Nevertheless, the values they taught her were the values of the Old Houses of Númenor. She is well read, her father studied with her as a child and during her youth she became familiar with much of the history of Númenor and some First Age history which has been preserved by the Faithful. She is one of the few Númenoreans of her generation to become fluent in Sindarin and has learned some words in Quenya as well.

Her father began training her in the care of his horses, and particularly the Kariborim as soon as she was old enough, and by her early teens she was an accomplished horsewoman with a sound understanding of her charges and several generations of the most important bloodlines memorized.

As Kâthaanî matured she began to realize that her parents’ views did not reflect the views of much of Númenorean society and she quickly became as ardently Faithful as the rest of her family. In her early twenties her family relocated to a smaller more modest house farther outside the city which quickly became the focal point for the group of the Faithful remaining in Andunië (the Anannost?).

At the turn of the year 3319 Kâthaanî is taking more responsibility for Abârpânaru’s horses as he is taking more responsibility for the family’s political commitments. He has recently returned from a trip to Rómenna and announced that Elendil, the son of Amandil, will soon be leaving Númenor for the Elven Realms in Lindon. Kâthaanî is a little frightened by this news, as her father has every intention of leading the Anannost? to Rómenna to join the soon-to-be-Exiles as soon as possible. She is also disappointed because her father had promised her the foal from his planned breeding of Khibil and Lômi, and it is unlikely that he will follow through with the breeding this spring if they will soon be traveling.

[piosenniel]

There is an older Quenyan word for 'horse':

mairo; the plural of which would be mairor

[littlemanpoet]

I had figured that Inzillomi is alive; I wish there was someone who could play the role. She could turn out to be a pivotal character, considering who she is. If she cannot be played by anyone, then it may be convenient, story-wise, for her to have died in childbirth - - - or something. Her death would make the father-daughter relationship all the tighter. I could go either way, though. She just needs to be played by somebody, I think, if she's going to be alive.

The House of Karibzir take up military service, as do all Numenoreans, I would expect, and to that degree, the family members are associated with ships. However, it is not something that has been "in the family" for many a generation. So the Karibzir take to boats more willingly than hobbits, but it is not a mode of transportation that they love.

Since there has been a marriage between the Karibzir and the Lords of Andunië in the last generation, I should think that the association between the two is warm, at least.

I like Karibhorim (Lords of Horses) best, myself, thought the Quenya word appeals too. I doubt the likelihood of the Karibzir using a word for their horses that is unlike their own family name, though. Although the wear and tear of common usage would probably render it Kariborim, if you know what I mean.

On a related note, the Karibhorim would not be the only horses in the keeping of the Karibzir, only the most treasured. I will edit my character description to give a number of how many horses. I'd say forty would be a seemly number.

Nice touch with the breeding of Khibil and Lômi. I like that. Could function as a promise between the two as an inspiration to escape to freedom and survive.

[edit] I've made some edits to my character description, regarding some of that above. I've made it so that Kathaani is Abar's only child, but left the wife alive so far. I've changed the name of the mearas to Kariborim, and called the lesser horses Karibi. Should that be Karibir? Karibim?

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

LMP We can always manipulate Inzillomi ourselves if she becomes important and we can't get anyone to play her. I had supposed she would be the one to more or less commission the rescue party, combined with Kathaani's desperation to go do something.

If Khibil and Lomi's breeding was planned for spring of 3319 and it's now September of 3319 did Abarpanaru follow through with the breeding? If so, horse pregnancies last approximately 11 months, Lomi would be pretty pregnant. Or did he decide postpone?

Himaran check the PMs-es please.

Everybody else, it's getting to the point where your bios should be about done. In the next couple of days, if you could?

Barring official complaints the Kariborim or Karibhorim is what we'll be calling the Mearas, Anannost is what we'll be calling the Faithful at Andunie.

Please try to use the accent marks in your bios and on the game thread, on this thread I don't care. I know they're a pain, blame Tolkien.

Considering a few concerns I've heard... I think that the horses will be a big concern for Abarpanaru and Kathaani, and more or less not a concern for anyone else aside from the practical difficulties of it. The rescuers may even be irritated with the idea that Abarpanaru is making such a big deal about it.

As promised, rep points to

TomBrady12 for the group name.

Sophia

[TomBrady12]

Here is my bio, it is basically finished. I would still be open to some tweaking if anyone has any insight which I may have missed.

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POSTED TO THE PROPOSAL ON PAGE 1 -- PIO


NAME: Marsillion Thoronfaer/Nimilroth Narâkmanô

AGE: 52

RACE: Human/Númenorean

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Ziraphel, the mother of Marsillion, presented him with the sword of his father on the eve of his departure for Middle Earth. It was originally intended as a marriage present, but Ziraphel deemed Marsillion's situation dangerous, and felt that he may need to carry a sturdy blade on his person. His mother's forethought proved very useful, as Marsillion used the sword on many occasions. The blade is 33 inches in length, and 2 2/3 inches wide. Its long handle is of a dark brown wood, and intended for two handed use. The guard is short, and of polished silver, as is the crown shaped pommel, the most prominent feature of the sword. This weapon is wielded in similar fashion to an axe. Its wide heavy blade, and two handed design make it an ideal hacking weapon. Marsillion is very adept with the sword as he has participated in a number of skirmishes and small battles, most of which against attacking bandits on the wild roads of Middle Earth.

Marsillion has some skill with a bow; however, he prefers to fight with the sword, and leave the bow for hunting. Marsillion also carries a long dagger inside his boot at all times. He has done so since he was given the blade before his first hunting trip as a young boy.

APPEARANCE: Average height for a Númenorean, Marsillion stands 6'6'' and is of a muscular, heavy build. He is by all means a physical presence. He is stronger than most men his age. His wide shoulders and strong arms contrast slightly with his lingering boyish features. His shoulder length hair is dark blond and wispy, even in light breezes. He is very fair skinned, with a dark brow, and no facial hair covering his strong jawline.

PERSONALITY: Marsillion is still young, and at times suffers lapses of judgment, but is, at his core, kind hearted and generous. He tends to be quiet and reflective, usually content to watch as others bicker and squabble around him, but once inspired to action he can be quite fiery. He is not above taking the counsel of older, wiser souls, but can make quick decisions when situations require it. He is well educated, and quick witted. His years traversing Middle Earth have made him mature beyond his years.

HISTORY: Marsillion was born in 3267 at his family home in Andunië. He was the second and youngest child of Azaruth Narâkmanô and Ziraphel Karíbzîr. His sister, Nîlomîth, was much older than he, and married when he was just a young boy. His father was a renowned naval officer, who through a series of military victories, achieved a nearly iconic status. Ziraphel, the sister of Abârpânaru, was a member of the Faithful, and worked tirelessly to convince Azaruth to retire from the King’s service and join the Faithful. She was a convincing speaker, and her reasoning soon changed Azaruth's loyalties. Marsillion endeavored to be like his father in all ways, and planned to follow his path into the military. Azaruth; however, forbade Marsillion to join the military, stating that fighting for the King was no longer an honorable profession. Azaruth became a prominent leader of the Faithful. He found his fame a curse as well as a blessing, though he was able to convince many people to join the faithful he often found it extremely difficult to keep any secrecy in his life. Ar-Pharazôn got wind of Azaruth's betrayal and sent troops to arrest him in the fall of 3305. When the troops arrived Azaruth and Marsillion were relaxing in the garden outside their Andunië home discussing Marsillion's future, as he would soon be a man. Ar-Pharazôn’s men broke into the home and came upon the two in the garden. They seized Azaruth, and commanded Marsillion to vow fealty to the King, or be arrested. Azaruth, knowing he would be killed, ordered Marsillion to swear the oath to Ar-Pharazôn, and tearfully Marsillion obeyed. Azaruth was beaten in front of friends and family in Andunië before being taken to Armenelos. He was sacrificed to Melkor in the temple of Armenelos on the coldest afternoon of the winter of 3305.

In 3312, at 45, Marsillion became apprentice to Sâpathan Gimilzayân, the head tax and tribute collector of the Númenorean holdings in Middle Earth. Marsillion traveled Middle Earth, from petty kingdom to kingdom, with Sâpathan, collecting treasures beyond his imagination to be shipped back to Númenor. He saw the strain the people of Middle Earth were under, and it went to his heart. It was his job to weasel all the treasures he could from people who fought everyday just to feed their families. Already angry and bitter with Ar-Pharazôn for the murder of his father, Marsillion's rage was fueled as he witnessed the intense greed of his own people.

While traveling, his party was attacked on many occasions by bandits, as well as by local militias. Marsillion found fighting to be a good release for his pent up anger. These attacks, helped make him a strong warrior, even though he was technically not supposed to participate in battle. Marsillion befriended the company of warriors who served as his bodyguard, and with their help he became a master swordsman. His swordsmanship was the only positive gain Marsillion saw from his time in Middle Earth; however, in truth he gained maturity, compassion, and mercy, which were lessons he probably would have learned slowly, or missed completely, had he stayed in Númenor. Tax collector was no position for a compassionate man, and Marsillion did not last long. Being under contract, he could not quit his job, so by night, in the summer of 3317, he came to Umbar and hired a private merchant to sail him back to Númenor. With luck, the ship (the Azargimil) avoided the King's Navy and arrived off the coast a few miles north of Andunië. Marsillion loaded his possessions into a small raft and came ashore alone under the cover of darkness. Travelling secretly and using the name Abârkan, he came at last to his uncle, Abârpânaru Karíbzîr's home outside Andunië, where his mother had dwelt since the death of his father.

Marsillion lived secretly in Andunië with the Karíbzîr family learning the ways of the Faithful, and becoming deeply imbedded in their plans. He grew quite close to his younger cousin Kâthaanî, and became her protector, so to speak. Marsillion found her reckless, and quite frequently in need of protection. He made it his task to look after her safety and well being, and from his arrival in early winter 3317, through the summer of 3319 he spent many hours bailing her out of the trouble she so easily found.