The Fellowship of the Fourth Age (Part 1): A New Beginning Discussion Thread

[piosenniel]

Child/Aiwendil


SAVE filled.

~*~ Pio

[Durelin]

I like the 'fire trench' idea, Hilde. A trench might be enough to contain it well enough...maybe...at least believably enough? What does everyone else think? Should we go with the fireballs, the fire trench, or neither?

Besides my opinion, you don't need acohol or lighter fluid to start dry grass and plant life on fire.

I actually meant to be used to set on fire rather than the grass and plant life, as *technically*, just the alcohol will burn and not the ground. But yes, your points about 'controlled' fires are very very true.

Edit: Save filled. I only talked about the tunnel. Any other ideas (like the fire ones) can be added in, if anyone would like, or they can simply be covered by anyone else who would like to.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Carl's save is filled. I mentioned the trench but not the fire, incase it does not seem feasible.

I also thought the stones could be piled in the blanket and snapped to send them showering on the approaching slavers.

[Brinniel]

Are we still on a weapon shortage for the ex-slaves? Even with the traps, the ex-slaves who choose to fight will need someway to defend themselves, and I know not all of them own knives.

How many of the ex-slaves would be able to use a bow and arrow? And how many of them would already own one? Arrows can be quite deadly, especially when used as an element of surprise. The slavers do not expect the ex-slaves to be prepared for attack, so I was thinking, if several archers hid in the brush and shot at the slavers just as they approached, several riders could easily be taken down. The ex-slaves, particularly the fifteen more experienced, have learned how to use the resources around them, so a few bows and several arrows could easily be made. I'm sure Shae could be quite crafty when it comes to weapon making...

Just a thought...

[Nogrod]

I have an idea.

How many horses do we have? There is seven in the fellowship, have they all a full grown horse or do Vrór and Carl have something like ponies? Would it be plausible that we might have caught one or two horses from the slavers last attack?

The writers of the fellowship should speak for themselves, but is there anyone else who would make a formidable warrior on horseback than Dorran in the fellowship (I ran through the BIO's and was left uncertain about it)? Of the escapees at least Beloan might be decided to be one with with experience fighting as a rider and also on the basis of what I wrote the last time, Joshwan might be a candidate also (maybe Khamir too - even he would have to be a real pro to make it one-handed?). And surely some of those people who we have not yet named, especially among the people who were with the initial "Khamir's bunch" - or some of us writers making their character a fluent rider? (Hadith will not be one)

A group of let's say 5-7 riders, led by Dorran, might prove an asset the slavers could not foresee! A nice flanking movement on a tight spot might make a difference causing damage and confusion.


I also like Brinniel's reminder of projectile weapons. As we have described the surroundings, there shouldn't be suitable materials for any new bows (and anyway, it's pretty hard to make a lethal bow in a matter of hours - all the soaking & twisting & stuff that really turns a toy into a real weapon takes days and weeks). But why shouldn't we have some bows already? And surely there would be slings! The number of arrows and sling-pebbles should be limited: maybe 4-5 arrows/bow and about 8-10 pebbles/sling, or something? With something like 4-7 bows and about 10 slings we might have a "ranged attack -party" of 14-18. Add to that a 5-7 "cavalry unit" and we have clearly boosted our defence!


The tunnel-idea is a good one (if there is enough soil over the bedrock!). The horses rushing in at full gallop will surely stumble and the rider will be thrown off. That's just what we will need to happen. No army made of these people & their equipment will stand a full frontal cavalry attack. No way. We need to unsaddle the slavers and gain whatever momentary advantage we can. Dropping them from saddle by making the horses to stumble surely is a good way to that end.

If there is going to be a storm, then the fireballs will be a bad idea. In heavy rain they won't alight, in strong winds they will be next to impossible to throw anywhere in particular as they will be so light.


Anyhow, what say you?

PS. About this "cavalry" of ours. Surely there shouldn't be any real champions in our riders - except Dorran. One or two might be good riders (with some actual experience) and the few rest would basically know how to ride and be formidable fighters in general. Dorran might teach them some basics before the engagement?

[Regin Hardhammer]

Save filled. The slavers have just left their camp. Ishkur has dragged a small barrel back for all the orcs to enjoy.

Child -- I've moved the time to the afternoon as you suggested.

- Regin

[Folwren]

Athwen has the ability to ride almost as well as her husband (she beat him in a race once, when they were younger ) - not fighting, of course - but if you need someone to simply do interesting and wild horse maneauvers, perhaps to lead the slaver's on, Athwen can do it.

Otherwise, she won't be doing anythng besides staying back and helping the wounded and hurt.

-- Folwren

[Durelin]

Just as a note: Carl I believe has a pony, and Vror has nothing in the way of a mount.

Love all the ideas!

And yes, finally we get to meet up with the orcs! Shall be more than a little interesting!