Lonely Star: Fanfiction/RPG discussion - Page 10 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Rose Cotton · 10-10-2002, 01:57 PM

Um...here's my say on all this:

YES to Rose and Cami going to the caves early. We can do this two ways.
1. Cami thinks it's a good idea and they find someway to get there.
2. Rose gets into some mischieve. She already wanted to go to the caves with Daisy so it would make scence for her to try. And then either she can drag Cami into it or Cami can just decide to follow.

NO to the convienent need for somthing iron. Making our weapons with no excuse is a chance to but a bit of suspence into the story. Your right Helen, the men are not that stupid. Perhaps they could figure out that we're doing somthing and so we have a little difficutly escaping. If the rescue goes too smoothly it won't be much of a climax to our story. No climax ever runs smoothly. Ex: LotR: Frodo wasn't supposed to put the ring on and he wasn't supposed to lose a finger but in the end it turned out alright.

I want to be on the edge of my seat as we write this ending. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

mark12_30 · 10-10-2002, 02:07 PM

Mith:

Wanted: Middle-aged hobbit blacksmith/ weaponsmith for young Tuka to work with. Inquire at Tombs, Meneltarma, back river entrance. Ability to swim a definite plus.

No knitting duties.

***Mithadan*** · 10-10-2002, 02:36 PM

Rose, how about Mith and Pio escort you in? No more taking chances with our Hobbit friends. Soon, there will be no obstacle to getting a skiff up the river, so we'll take you guys there.

Helen, as you wish, though it seems the idea of smithying is a bit up in the air. How about filing edges onto existing implements instead?

Re: putting out the lights. No one, not even a Hobbit, can operate in total darkness. Leaving a few candles or guttered torches will create plenty of shadows/dark spots for your purposes. Also, a candle will not burn if covered by a bucket. It would go out in a minute or so, maybe less. Try it. That's the basic principle behind a candle snuffer.

Pio, Mith would be delighted to come along. Going off on a surprise, unplanned jaunt would be so naughty. Let's see, no armor, no sword, 2 long knives, 4 throwing knives, 2 garotte cords...

[ October 10, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

Child of the 7th Age · 10-10-2002, 02:51 PM

An escort sounds great! Would the last part be by swimming? Would you come in with us, and then leave

The Eldars will already have met Pio, but they have not seen Mithadan yet. This might be a good chance for them to meet the Man who owns the Lonely Star. So I hope you could come in.

Mith, you are in an interesting situation. By definition, you are the "enemy" at least in the hobbits' eyes. The only men the hobbits have met in the past 60 years have been real stinkers in the tombs. Would they trust you? You would need to overcome that distrust.

I believe that some of the more educated would remember the legends of the House of Beor in the First Age. Remember, when the hobbits came to Beleriand, they came in together with the Men of that House. Maura's father fought and died with the Men in Dorthonion (at the outlaw's hideout of Tarn Aeluin). Perhaps the hobbits need to be reminded of that history.

sharon

Child of the 7th Age · 10-10-2002, 02:54 PM

Ah, I have it! Rose and Cami pester Mith and Pio so much, the couple throw them in the skiff and ship them out to the tombs.

mark12_30 · 10-10-2002, 03:04 PM

Mith, I was looking for a way to relieve you of knitting duties; sounds like you've got that covered. Smith or not as you please.

I'm aware of flames & oxygen; I was going to type "light a candle and put it under a bushel" but thought ... Nah. Anyway. Point being, one candle on reserve. Point also taken: Reserve a candle in one of the annexes of the main chamber away from the guards. Okay.

Sharon, you're the supply depot expert. Please feel free to run with that re: Loremaster. I can pretty much guarantee I'll space that entirely.

[ October 10, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

mark12_30 · 10-10-2002, 06:28 PM

I've posted a string of threads. [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] As always if anybody has anything to add or interject let me know. (Please.) Happy to slip-to-the-right.

Sharon, I decided to get this preliminary stuff out of the way, and tomorrow after dinner & the meeting, the games of Candlestones will start in earnest. I'm hoping to lure the forge-guards away from their posts with the game.

Mith, the re-edging idea is good too... what would I re-edge? Shovels are in use; picks are in use. Smithy weapons would have to be shaped. ...spoons?? Maybe the spoon handles would provide a long enough edge?

***Mithadan*** · 10-10-2002, 06:36 PM

Just make the spoons long enough. Any sturdy metal would do. Broken pieces of tools, for example. A stolen dinner knife, an iron or steel hinge, etc. Then, your smith only has to "borrow" some files, rather than starting up a whole smithy. The risk of being caught is a lot less too. Just remember to get rid of the filings.

piosenniel · 10-10-2002, 06:47 PM

Quote:

This might be a good chance for them to meet the Man who owns the Lonely Star. So I hope you could come in.

Mithadan does not own the Star, as I recall. Pio distinctly remembers giving Angara her part in it when she 'died'. I thought the back story was to include Pio and Bird providing the seed money to rescue his ship from being auctioned off. They are the owners, and I believe they offered Mith the right to buy a share in it should he recoup some of his monies lost in the unfortunate downturn of the shipping trade.

Child of the 7th Age · 10-10-2002, 08:33 PM

Pio --

Sorry about giving your ship away!! But I'm still confused. This is regarding the fanfiction revisions so there's no urgency on this, but I'm trying to figure it out in my head.

I'm trying to remember this-- In the original story we each had a share because we won the ship from the REG adventure. When we got rid of the REG adventure, I know that changed totally.

I know we decided that, at the beginning of the story, I had a geneological book from Bilbo with reference to the Sea Hobbits in the margins. And when my Aunt died, I got a small inheritance from her. I decided to take that money and try and get a ship to go chasing after these Sea Hobbits. I went around to a bunch of captains who all turned me down. Mithadan was my last resort. And he agreed.

Did I put that forward to "rent" the Star for this adventure, or did I buy a share? I remember you said something about us meeting in a disreputable tavern!!! Cami must have been pretty desperate to go meet with you there.

Does any of this ring a bell? I have a rough draft which I did shortly after Mith did his intro. but I never got into ship ownership questions.

(Whoever he is, I still think the hobbits might want to meet this Man, especially because some would be inherently suspicious.)

Pio, will you tell the hobbits about the Man who will help lead the expedition when you speakn front of the Council?

sharon

piosenniel · 10-10-2002, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Now that I think about it - no, we don't need the ship to be an elven ship.

What about this idea: Child comes to the tavern to hire the ship to pursue the stories and clues concerning the lost hobbits. She's been told the man, Mithadan, might have a ship available for hire. She pours out her story to him before he has a chance to tell her he is just about to lose his ship due to an acumulation of poor previous voyages and debts of his coming due. Pio and Bird, their ears ever open for a promising deal, overhear what she is proposing, and propose to strike a deal with the hobbit and the man. For a share in the ship and a share in whatever profits this voyage might generate, they would be willing to pay the debt off. Mithadan can keep a share in the ship if he agrees to pay them back the price of his share from the generated profits. Surely Child and Rose can come up with a little money to put into the pot - all with the agreement that the elf and skin changer will eventually be paid the price of the others' shares of the ship. Pio can bring Veritas on board either later, or she can be sitting there with them, eavesdropping.

I think the original name of the ship should not be The Lonely Star - we should rechristen it (probably at a later date if we aren't dragging I & T into the beginning of the story - possibly when we find Kali and resolve to go on the quest). Mithadan can conveniently find the flag of Eärendil in his seaman's trunk, or something like that.(opening the possibility for another reinforcement of his ancestry). Khelek we can pick up at the library in Minas Anor as per the RPG.

What do you think? Might this sort of scenario be doable for us?

I thought we were still possibly doing this scenario as a lead in after you do your lead in as to why you are searching for the hobbit history. Or did we wander off into some other scenario? I personally think this would be funny - Bird and I could write most of it. Yours and Mith's lead-ins to the story are of a more serious tone - this could bring some comic relief. Mithadan has only assumed full command of the ship when were were in periods of disarray.

I have no problems with Mithadan being the Star's Captain - let him have the headache of it!

Sure, Pio will introduce Mithadan. Hopefully Gamba will not go after him with one of the sharpened spoons! Since this rescue is a joint venture, she will not introduce him as THE Leader, but as one of the Leaders.

BTW - I need to know exactly when you will be wanting to go to the caves.(And how will you bring this up to Pio and Mithadan? Perhaps after Pio shares her report of the meeting with the Elders?!) Pio is going to be exhausted by the number of trips she now is planning - one for the large meeting of the hobbits (Levanto is reporting to her today, game day is the big meeting tomorrow gameday at night?); two is the trip to escort you and Rose to the caves (I'll let Mith handle that write, if her doesn't mind.); three to assasinate the crew of the ship docked upriver (which will have to be just prior to us on our way to rescue the hobbits; and then four, the actual rescue itself.

*flexes her shoulder, arm, and leg muscles*
She will be sick of swimming for a while!

Will you write the big, first hobbit meeting scene? When do you think you might post it? Pio will then give a brief talk on logistics.

piosenniel · 10-10-2002, 09:17 PM

MITHADAN

Quote:

Rose, how about Mith and Pio escort you in? No more taking chances with our Hobbit friends. Soon, there will be no obstacle to getting a skiff up the river, so we'll take you guys there.

If we take out the crew of the black bannered ship too soon, won't Gorthaur possibly find out and send additional ships to investigate? As I put in an earlier post - there are pigeons on the boat - I thought that the boat might be using them to send communiques to Gorthaur or whoever their commander is.

Can you see a way around this? Pio does not care when we do our guerilla foray, only that it not cause us more trouble.

*lightbulb on*

Perhaps we can take the pigeons with us and send false messages of assurance back?!

Birdland · 10-10-2002, 10:43 PM

I have to read over all these posts again to get everything straight in my mind, but two things occured to me:

Yes, Cami should be there, but is there something that Cami has from Gondolin that would be recognized by the cave Hobbits in order to "seal the deal"? Some token or artifact that would mean something to them? Or a song perhaps?

Slitting the guards' throats would be easy for a hobbit - as long as they are laying down. Otherwise, you may need some kind of 2-hobbit assault. One to bring the Men to their knees, the other to slit aforementioned throats. Some kind of club to the knee, or a well-aimed stone to the...well, someplace that's sensitive?

Birdland · 10-10-2002, 10:49 PM

Oooops! I thought Kesha was a girl!

Helen, can you recommend a hobbit lass in the group who would carry the "precious needle" and volunteer to stitch up Gamba's shirt? [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

***Mithadan*** · 10-10-2002, 10:56 PM

Re: Fan Fiction and ownership of the Star, I think I've come up with something to tie up several threads of the tale; why Pio and Bird each own a piece of the ship; how Cami and Rose hook up with Pio, Bird and Mith; etc. I'll post it tomorrow.

4 trips is too many, Pio. Why don't we take out the ship on the river first, per your last suggestion (we sail it back cutting the trip in half, then scuttle it, keeping the pigeons or use it to bring Cami and Rose back up the river). Then we bring Cami and Rose to the caverns.

Child of the 7th Age · 10-10-2002, 10:56 PM

Bird --

You might want to look at the last post by Daisy on the discussion thread. Looks like you just boasted you're going to take on Sauron single-handed!! Well, maybe not that drastic, but you do sound a little belligerent. See what happens when you spend a few hours at work. People volunteer you for 'little' assignments.

sharon

Child of the 7th Age · 10-10-2002, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Yes, Cami should be there, but is there something that Cami has from Gondolin that would be recognized by the cave Hobbits in order to "seal the deal"? Some token or artifact that would mean something to them? Or a song perhaps?

Definitely, Cami and Maura exchanged necklaces in front of the entire community. Cami's necklace is a green stone. She pledged to wear it forever. (Cami is a hopeless romantic.) I would think that the Loremaster would recognize it, and be able to attest to its validity.

sharon

Birdland · 10-11-2002, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Mith:
Wanted: Middle-aged hobbit blacksmith/ weaponsmith for young Tuka to work with. Inquire at Tombs, Meneltarma, back river entrance. Ability to swim a definite plus.

Dang, we had the perfect guy for the job, but he was just sacrificed. It's so hard to find good help these days.

Birdland · 10-11-2002, 01:26 AM

"Hello. I am Birdee the Skinchanger. You keeled my father, (maybe, the details are kind of fuzzy). Prepare to die!"

Always wanted to say that to Incarnate Evil.

mark12_30 · 10-11-2002, 01:28 AM

Bird,

Kesha is male... about ten. Phura's sidekick.

Esta is in her teens, vaguely Gamba's age, and his old playmate. She would be happy to stich up his shirt.

You are of course correct on the throatslitting. Tuka argued for a seven-hobbit assault (see Tuka's tickling match post) but it will be at least five per guard. They might not all make the correct "whuh" sound, but a few seconds after that it won't matter.

piosenniel · 10-11-2002, 01:30 AM

MITHADAN

Quote:

4 trips is too many, Pio. Why don't we take out the ship on the river first, per your last suggestion (we sail it back cutting the trip in half, then scuttle it, keeping the pigeons or use it to bring Cami and Rose back up the river). Then we bring Cami and Rose to the caverns.

There is one other trip Pio has to make - that's the one tomorrow game day (13 Cermië) where she goes upriver to the caverns to check on Daisy and Bird, and winds up talking logistics of the rescue to the HLF (Hobbit Liberation Front)general meeting.

I suppose also that since we are later taking Cami and Rose upriver by skiff or liberated ship, Pio had better scout someway of getting us all in there. I do know the Siril comes out of springs that originate deep within Meneltarma, so we should be able to get fairly close. This should work also for the rescue ships - we should be able to bring the line up very close to the entrance to the caverns.

Once Pio returns from the HLF meeting- which should be early a.m. 14 Cermië - let the poor Elf rest a few hours - then if you'ld like, we can head upriver for a little cord and blade hit-and-run! (Pio is looking forward to this!).

I like the idea of using the ship to go back upriver with Cami and Rose. We can't take it up all the way (even the lackadaisical prison guards would hardly miss something as large as a ship sailing up to the cave entrance) - so we'll either have to walk part way or take a smaller skiff most of the rest of the way in - there will stll be some walking involved.

We should probably take Ancalimon with us on this trip to stand watch on the abducted ship until we get back. yes/no?!

mark12_30 · 10-11-2002, 07:11 AM

On one hand, I hear, hurry up and let's get this moving, and on the other hand I hear slow it down. I'm a little confused. Somebody care to elaborate?

***Mithadan*** · 10-11-2002, 07:51 AM

Child will not be posting much, if at all this weekend. Neither will I. While things are moving steadily now, we have to accomodate peoples' schedules. There's a lot going on in the story now, so we need to take care not to step on each other's toes as we go forward. There will still be room to post this weekend.

***Mithadan*** · 10-11-2002, 08:40 AM

Fan fiction suggestion:

There's been a few suggestions about how Pio and Bird end up on the Star as "equal partners". Another one was that Mith loses the Star in a game of chance. Mith wouldn't do this. Its completely contrary to his character.

Here's my suggestion. Starting with my previously drafted backstory (Bird needs to be added in as Pio's companion; when Pio refuses Mith's dinner invitation, Bird accepts and sits at the "captain's table" with Mith and some rather stuffy lords and ladies - good opportunity for some early humor), Mith is not the owner of the Star, he's just the captain. When the Star arrives in Gondor and the passengers are let off, Mith meets with the owner and discovers he intends to sell the ship. Mith doesn't have enough money and is too proud to ask his brothers, though they would likely be glad to contribute.

Cami (and Rose) meet Pio and Bird. A "chance meeting", during which Cami tells that she has tried unsuccessfully to hire a ship to seek the origins of the halflings but has been unsuccessful. Either Pio or Bird is taken by the story, Pio because of her background or Bird because of her mysterious heritage. They seek out Mith and try to hire him and the Star.

They are told the Star is up for sale and Mith can't afford to buy it. The short version is they pool their funds and buy the Star as a joint venture (meaning Mith isn't completely in charge). Mith hopes to buy out Pio and Bird when they return. How Veritas gets on the ship is beyond me but we can work it out. We may need one or more crewmembers (the "red shirts" as Bird would put it), but we're on our way.

[ October 11, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

Child of the 7th Age · 10-11-2002, 08:54 AM

Helen --

Sorry. Part of the slowdown is me. It's hard for me to post much Friday afternoon through Saturday because of family commitments and shabbat. Plus, the hobbit council meeting is a section that requires planning and coordination.

Since I'm drafting the skeleton of the hobbit meeting that takes place the evening of 13 Cermie, we didn't want the chronology of the story to sweep past that point. The other problem is that the hobbit meeting has to be dovetailed with the response by Pio to our strategy questions. So Pio and I have to communicate some way. I'll probably be sending her a draft by e-mail. Then we'll figure out whether it's better to do it by cut and paste in one giant post, or by separate threads.

For example, I assume Pio will tell a little about the chief members of the fellowship as an introduction to the hobbits. And I also assume some of the hobbits will be a bit alarmed when they hear that one of the leaders of the rescue is a Man. (What will Gamba think when he not only hears Pio is married, but that she is married to a Man?) That's the kind of interaction we need to plan.

However, I don't think there's any problem with posts that stay within the chronology. Some of my characters do their best work in the middle of the night.
_____________________________________________

I have several questions. If anyone can help, please be my guest:

Attendance at Meeting: I am assuming the meeting will have about 13
people:

Loremaster
Phura
Gamba (invited because of his
position in the Locks)
5 Elders
3 sons/daughters of elders
Bird
Pio

Is there anyone else at this meeting? Even with Phura's new status, I think Loremaster would "chair" this meeting.

Place of the meeting: How about the mines in the dead of night? Hobbits would have to filter back there bit by bit, so the guards wouldn't notice a clump going at once.

Helen, can you give me any more information on the Elders, either individually or generically. Otherwise I'll use my own imagination. Do I have the numbers right? What "age" are the Elders? (In Beleriand, they were what I would call middle-aged, 45 and up. Has this changed?)

Bird, what 'form' will you be in when you attend this meeting? I assume you will lead Pio to the meeting. Do you want your character to speak at the meeting itself in favor of the plan to save the people in the Locks, and also to plan an ambush of the last two hobbits who are going to be sacrificed? Would you like to write this section yourself, and forward a copy to Pio (and me) to place in the giant cut and paste post? (I can do the writing if you prefer but I thought it would have more flavor coming from Bird!)

Helen, Regarding the Locks Is it alright if Gamba 'volunteers' to help lead the assault on the locks?

Big Question re Ambush: What are the last two names on the selection list for that final day? Is one of them Loremaster or is this too 'convenient'? Anyone have any ideas who's on that list?

Regarding Daisy and the Locks: Is it possible that she will purposely do something to get herself a longer sentence in the Locks? It might be convenient to have an 'inside' prisoner when the break-out comes. Also, that means Kali will be able to race in towards the Locks at the time of the rescue and help "save" his embattled sweetheart. I am envisioning the Locks as a real pitched battle going on for some time. What do you think? I am assuming Anee will not stay in prison, but will go out so she can help Gamba plan and prepare for the assault.

Phura and Weapons:-- Helen, do you want Phura to give a brief report on what the hobbit's have decided to do about weapons? If so, that should be sent to Pio (and please me too) for inclusion in the big post. If you prefer, I can do the writing but I'd still need the basic info on what the hobbits are planning to do. (Plus, again, it would have more flavor coming from Phura's creator.)

Suggested Timeline: Helen and Pio-- if you decide to write the section for your character, try to e-mail it out to us by Sunday morning. (I'll probably be the one to mess up on this!!)

Any other suggestions, ideas, comments on this whole thing.

[ October 11, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

mark12_30 · 10-11-2002, 10:36 AM

Sharon:

No problem. I was confused, that's all. I am perfectly happy to send you whatever I write (You should be used to that by now.) In fact, if you like, I'll send it all to you and you can decide when and how it goes up. You're the editor, after all.

Quick reactions:

Yes, Loremaster should chair the meeting; Phura was going to make a point of giving him the robe back, for a while at least.

Elders--Esta, Tuka, and their two kid brothers now live with Elder Tura; that's all I know right now. Your guesses all sound great... 45+, etc. I've tried twice to come up with more Westron names and I get stuck. We've used all the syllables that look good to me. Name them whatever you like! (Bilbo! ...nah.)

Who is on the list: I don't know who is on the list for the final day (to get rescued.) Bird, create anybody that you like. Somebody is on the list for the day before, and they're not getting rescued. (Not Loremaster.) That leads into the Pio and Gamba question; Sharon, I'll send you what I've got on that so far; he's been distracted. From that you can guess who gets selected 2 days before rescue. I guess my "secret" plot twist is hereby given away.

Gamba will be involved with the Locks as you suggest, and that dovetails nicely with the other stuff. For purposes of the story: I know Meridoc the Smith was abducted during breakfast; but all the other hobbits have disappeared in the dead of night. The guard was supposed to be unusual (remember he's the first person Gamba has seen abducted.) Abductions normally occur around midnight or one, they are raced up the hill (by horseback perhaps) and are dead before dawn. Darkness for dark business, as they say.

If we assume that, then, to be effective, rescue will be a midnight-to-3 am one. Let me know if that dovetails with what you are thinking. Black dragon?

Bird, we can collaborate on that too; I'll have a desperate, failed rescue attempt, I think, the night before you are "on". You can ask questions from those who failed (Tuka, Gamba.)

Since the rescue is at midnight, too, does this present a problem? Is Bird rescuing the sacrifices the night before the rescue or the night of the rescue? Pio, you said "midnight rescue" if I recall-- did you mean 12:00-ish, or "nighttime when it's dark"?

Meeting stuff:
Phura and Tuka will be the weapons guys. Tuka will be there as Elder Tura's adopted son. I'll be glad to forward that stuff.

I know it's awkward, but can Bird not morph and not be a woman in this meeting? (Unless you want a major scene from Phura to completely disrupt and sideline the meeting. I was really hoping to save that for on board the Star. )
Any other stable form-- raven, bug, landlocked Dolphin... big dragon squeezed into tiny cave... just please, please, not lady-form. It's fine if she talks in bird or bug form.

If all that is impossible, I'm willing to make up some excuse for Phura to not be at the meeting, and have somebody else cover for him.

Sharon, I'll send you some stuff about Gamba's "distraction", and the weapons stuff will go to you and Pio both.

Child of the 7th Age · 10-11-2002, 10:56 AM

Helen --

Bird just sent me a pm that she will be a bug on Pio's shoulder and will talk through the Elf. The hobbits may think Pio is consulting someone with osanwe!

If we assume that, then, to be effective, rescue will be a midnight-to-3 am one. Let me know if that dovetails with what you are thinking. Black dragon?

The time frame is fine. They'll just have to keep the hobbits hidden all day from the guards. I don't think that's impossible, although I'm not sure how. (Take that back, I just got a great idea. He, he. This is really a good idea!! Will get back to that later.)

Personally, I would say no dragons for the ambush. Sauron is tearing up the countryside for sign of a dragon. If he hears of an ambush by a dragon in the prisons late at night, he'll have a 1000 extra guards crawling over the place the next day looking for the dragon. We can't have dragons until the very end when it's the rescue, and it's too late for Sauron to do anything.

Helen, I know you've written something about Bird. Is it a problem if she fights in human form on that last day? Bird shouldn't be near Phura. He's not participating in the Locks rescue. Nor does he have to take part in the ambush unless you want him to. I don't know what form Bird wants to take for all this. You'd have to ask her.

sharon

[ October 11, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

mark12_30 · 10-11-2002, 11:12 AM

As long as Phura doesn't see Bird in human form and doesn't see her morph, then Bird can do whatever she likes. Vague rumors/reports about a mysterious woman are fine as long as they are not morphing rumors and he doesn't lay eyes on her-- and doesn't hear about the white streak in her hair.

***Mithadan*** · 10-11-2002, 11:27 AM

*Mithadan, the character, sits and polishes his sword for the 48th time in the last seven days. Then he sets out to polish all the knives, daggers, and swords in the Lonely Star's armoury, you know, the place where all the WEAPONS are stored? Hint, hint. See my last RPG post as edited...

*Mithadan, the person sitting at this keyboard, is about to begin writing a massive brief (due in one week) on the doctrine of forum non conveniens and is not at all unhappy to be watching the game develop rather than writing it at this point.

[ October 11, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

Rose Cotton · 10-11-2002, 12:38 PM

Um..should I know what the cloth is for?

Child of the 7th Age · 10-11-2002, 01:37 PM

Mithadan -- Just how large is this armory?

sharon

p.s.Good luck on the brief. It sounds pretty gruesome.

***Mithadan*** · 10-11-2002, 02:01 PM

Not large enough to arm a battalion of Southrons. But I would guess that we could safely spare a dozen or so knives and maybe we could also craft some staffs. Mith, Pio, Veritas and Khelek all have their own arms. We would only need to retain some for Cami, Rose, Daisy, Kali and the adult Hobbrim. The ship would also have other implements which could be used or fashioned into weapons (kitchen knives, gaffes, hooks, belaying pins, nets, etc.).

Yes, the brief is gruesome. Maybe about 50 pages worth.

mark12_30 · 10-11-2002, 02:10 PM

Sharon, check your PM's; more installments your way, interpose/edit/post as you see fit. Do you want to be in charge of when they go up or do you want to put them up?

piosenniel · 10-11-2002, 02:24 PM

Hmmm! The rescue battle grows larger. I think Tuor will now bring 50 elven warriors.

Child of the 7th Age · 10-11-2002, 04:16 PM

Cami is excited. She's certainly never seen this many Elves in one place at once!

Helen --

As I see it, the post on sharpening weapons should probably go up before the council meeting (i.e. this weekend) if you want Phura to make this part of his report to the council.

If you'll look at the main thread, Mith has devised a way to bring "things" in through the water. If I were Phura, as part of his report, I would ask about the possibility of getting enough weapons in from the Star to arm the people going for the Locks and the Ambush. I don't know if this is possible or not. But ask Pio at the meeting. She, or Mithadan, will know.

While some of the other posts have implications for the rescue, they are more personal in nature ie. character interaction, I think you can post those whenever you want to.

sharon

piosenniel · 10-11-2002, 11:10 PM

It is now 13 Cermië.

Telerin here in 8 days.
Rescue in 9 days

Pio is on her way to the caves. Awaiting Sharon's post to continue.

Revision of Elven Warriors:

2 per Elven ship + 25 with Tuor.

Birdland · 10-11-2002, 11:16 PM

OK, I'm in thinking mode tonight. Concerning the rescue of the sacrificial hobbits: I'm thinking that a last minute save on the night of the rescue would be more suitable. If we were to rescue anyone earlier, it would put the prison in an uproar, cause the guards to be on high alert, etc. Not a good situation if we are planning a mass break-out. Everything should be as close to "normal" right up to the last minute.

Now, as to the rescue itself: a Black Dragon descending on the mountain and rescuing the "sacrifices" at the last minute would be pretty cool, right?

Also, what about the "Man sacrifices"? I'd rescue them, too, right? And maybe in gratitude they will agree when the Dragon orders them to repay the favor by helping the Hobbits in their rebellion?

Helen, do you have any ideas on the last sacrifices. You know the cave hobbit characters. They are your "babies", do you want it to be main characters, or just a couple of hobbits we haven't met yet? And as for the Men: some of those "nice" guards that you have mentioned?

mark12_30 · 10-12-2002, 01:10 AM

Bird,

LOVE the mountaintop rescue.

Today's guard would be good. He's going to be WAY too nice to Gamba, in the long run.

I've toyed with the idea of sending Gamba up the hill, on that last night, but... I dunno. Logistics. It works very well with my subplot, though. Gamba, Tuka, and that guard, all in Big Trouble. It would make sense. Also would add to the tension for the night of the rescue, losing two leaders => dis-spirited troops, Phura & Loremaster's distress... What think ye all?

The timing thing is dicey, though. Can you rescue them (O Black Dragoness) in time for Gamba to make it back to help clean out The Locks? He's mighty fond of that old Gammer, Mrs. Pansy, and wouldn't want to leave her there, or let her flounder on the way out.

I've wondered about a guard or two asking for mercy in the name of the Old School. And even asking to come with us. Would "we" give it to them? Or do "we" figure that if they don;t make it off island with Elendil & his nine ships, that's their problem?

Mith?

(EDIT) Option B: on the night of the rescue, Tarkil selects the two most popular athletes. That would be Gamba and Azraph-- Poor Phura!! And then when you rescue them, Bird, that places Phura very deeply in your debt-- making the later scene more poignant still. That could be good-- still contingent on if you can rescue them in time to get Gamba back to the locks mid-rescue... Sharon, since Gamba is MIA when the Locks rescue begins, Daisy and Anee will have to step in and do the best they can-- what do you think about that? (END EDIT)

[ October 12, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

Birdland · 10-12-2002, 07:03 AM

Oh, yeah. I didn't think about what would happen to any Men and what we would do with them AFTER the rescue. I guess the Man sacrifices could just run off screaming into the night.

How are the sacrifices conducted? Gutted, garotted, or burnt?

Rose Cotton · 10-12-2002, 07:05 AM

Quote:

"These are bladders. They will support those who do not swim well and can be used to carry things which are heavy or should not get wet. We can use these to carry things into the caverns and to carry Hobbits out!"

Mithadan, your a genius!

10-10-2002, 01:57 PM	#361
Rose Cotton Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: A place worse then Mordor........School! Posts: 1,075	Um...here's my say on all this: YES to Rose and Cami going to the caves early. We can do this two ways. 1. Cami thinks it's a good idea and they find someway to get there. 2. Rose gets into some mischieve. She already wanted to go to the caves with Daisy so it would make scence for her to try. And then either she can drag Cami into it or Cami can just decide to follow. NO to the convienent need for somthing iron. Making our weapons with no excuse is a chance to but a bit of suspence into the story. Your right Helen, the men are not that stupid. Perhaps they could figure out that we're doing somthing and so we have a little difficutly escaping. If the rescue goes too smoothly it won't be much of a climax to our story. No climax ever runs smoothly. Ex: LotR: Frodo wasn't supposed to put the ring on and he wasn't supposed to lose a finger but in the end it turned out alright. I want to be on the edge of my seat as we write this ending. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] __________________ "There's nothing you can do, Harry... nothing... he's gone."-Remus Lupin "The closer we are to danger, the further we are from harm."-Pippin (now how can you argue with that logic?)

10-10-2002, 02:07 PM	#362
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Mith: Wanted: Middle-aged hobbit blacksmith/ weaponsmith for young Tuka to work with. Inquire at Tombs, Meneltarma, back river entrance. Ability to swim a definite plus. No knitting duties. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

10-10-2002, 02:36 PM	#363
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,393	Rose, how about Mith and Pio escort you in? No more taking chances with our Hobbit friends. Soon, there will be no obstacle to getting a skiff up the river, so we'll take you guys there. Helen, as you wish, though it seems the idea of smithying is a bit up in the air. How about filing edges onto existing implements instead? Re: putting out the lights. No one, not even a Hobbit, can operate in total darkness. Leaving a few candles or guttered torches will create plenty of shadows/dark spots for your purposes. Also, a candle will not burn if covered by a bucket. It would go out in a minute or so, maybe less. Try it. That's the basic principle behind a candle snuffer. Pio, Mith would be delighted to come along. Going off on a surprise, unplanned jaunt would be so naughty. Let's see, no armor, no sword, 2 long knives, 4 throwing knives, 2 garotte cords... [ October 10, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ] __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.

10-10-2002, 02:51 PM	#364
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	An escort sounds great! Would the last part be by swimming? Would you come in with us, and then leave The Eldars will already have met Pio, but they have not seen Mithadan yet. This might be a good chance for them to meet the Man who owns the Lonely Star. So I hope you could come in. Mith, you are in an interesting situation. By definition, you are the "enemy" at least in the hobbits' eyes. The only men the hobbits have met in the past 60 years have been real stinkers in the tombs. Would they trust you? You would need to overcome that distrust. I believe that some of the more educated would remember the legends of the House of Beor in the First Age. Remember, when the hobbits came to Beleriand, they came in together with the Men of that House. Maura's father fought and died with the Men in Dorthonion (at the outlaw's hideout of Tarn Aeluin). Perhaps the hobbits need to be reminded of that history. sharon __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

10-10-2002, 02:54 PM	#365
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Ah, I have it! Rose and Cami pester Mith and Pio so much, the couple throw them in the skiff and ship them out to the tombs. __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

10-10-2002, 03:04 PM	#366
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Mith, I was looking for a way to relieve you of knitting duties; sounds like you've got that covered. Smith or not as you please. I'm aware of flames & oxygen; I was going to type "light a candle and put it under a bushel" but thought ... Nah. Anyway. Point being, one candle on reserve. Point also taken: Reserve a candle in one of the annexes of the main chamber away from the guards. Okay. Sharon, you're the supply depot expert. Please feel free to run with that re: Loremaster. I can pretty much guarantee I'll space that entirely. [ October 10, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ] __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

10-10-2002, 06:28 PM	#367
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	I've posted a string of threads. [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] As always if anybody has anything to add or interject let me know. (Please.) Happy to slip-to-the-right. Sharon, I decided to get this preliminary stuff out of the way, and tomorrow after dinner & the meeting, the games of Candlestones will start in earnest. I'm hoping to lure the forge-guards away from their posts with the game. Mith, the re-edging idea is good too... what would I re-edge? Shovels are in use; picks are in use. Smithy weapons would have to be shaped. ...spoons?? Maybe the spoon handles would provide a long enough edge? __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

10-10-2002, 06:36 PM	#368
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,393	Just make the spoons long enough. Any sturdy metal would do. Broken pieces of tools, for example. A stolen dinner knife, an iron or steel hinge, etc. Then, your smith only has to "borrow" some files, rather than starting up a whole smithy. The risk of being caught is a lot less too. Just remember to get rid of the filings. __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.

10-10-2002, 08:33 PM	#370
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Pio -- Sorry about giving your ship away!! But I'm still confused. This is regarding the fanfiction revisions so there's no urgency on this, but I'm trying to figure it out in my head. I'm trying to remember this-- In the original story we each had a share because we won the ship from the REG adventure. When we got rid of the REG adventure, I know that changed totally. I know we decided that, at the beginning of the story, I had a geneological book from Bilbo with reference to the Sea Hobbits in the margins. And when my Aunt died, I got a small inheritance from her. I decided to take that money and try and get a ship to go chasing after these Sea Hobbits. I went around to a bunch of captains who all turned me down. Mithadan was my last resort. And he agreed. Did I put that forward to "rent" the Star for this adventure, or did I buy a share? I remember you said something about us meeting in a disreputable tavern!!! Cami must have been pretty desperate to go meet with you there. Does any of this ring a bell? I have a rough draft which I did shortly after Mith did his intro. but I never got into ship ownership questions. (Whoever he is, I still think the hobbits might want to meet this Man, especially because some would be inherently suspicious.) Pio, will you tell the hobbits about the Man who will help lead the expedition when you speakn front of the Council? sharon __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

10-10-2002, 10:43 PM	#373
Birdland Ghastly Neekerbreeker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto Posts: 1,751	I have to read over all these posts again to get everything straight in my mind, but two things occured to me: Yes, Cami should be there, but is there something that Cami has from Gondolin that would be recognized by the cave Hobbits in order to "seal the deal"? Some token or artifact that would mean something to them? Or a song perhaps? Slitting the guards' throats would be easy for a hobbit - as long as they are laying down. Otherwise, you may need some kind of 2-hobbit assault. One to bring the Men to their knees, the other to slit aforementioned throats. Some kind of club to the knee, or a well-aimed stone to the...well, someplace that's sensitive?

10-10-2002, 10:49 PM	#374
Birdland Ghastly Neekerbreeker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto Posts: 1,751	Oooops! I thought Kesha was a girl! Helen, can you recommend a hobbit lass in the group who would carry the "precious needle" and volunteer to stitch up Gamba's shirt? [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

10-10-2002, 10:56 PM	#375
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,393	Re: Fan Fiction and ownership of the Star, I think I've come up with something to tie up several threads of the tale; why Pio and Bird each own a piece of the ship; how Cami and Rose hook up with Pio, Bird and Mith; etc. I'll post it tomorrow. 4 trips is too many, Pio. Why don't we take out the ship on the river first, per your last suggestion (we sail it back cutting the trip in half, then scuttle it, keeping the pigeons or use it to bring Cami and Rose back up the river). Then we bring Cami and Rose to the caverns. __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.

10-10-2002, 10:56 PM	#376
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Bird -- You might want to look at the last post by Daisy on the discussion thread. Looks like you just boasted you're going to take on Sauron single-handed!! Well, maybe not that drastic, but you do sound a little belligerent. See what happens when you spend a few hours at work. People volunteer you for 'little' assignments. sharon __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

10-11-2002, 01:26 AM	#379
Birdland Ghastly Neekerbreeker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto Posts: 1,751	"Hello. I am Birdee the Skinchanger. You keeled my father, (maybe, the details are kind of fuzzy). Prepare to die!" Always wanted to say that to Incarnate Evil.

10-11-2002, 01:28 AM	#380
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Bird, Kesha is male... about ten. Phura's sidekick. Esta is in her teens, vaguely Gamba's age, and his old playmate. She would be happy to stich up his shirt. You are of course correct on the throatslitting. Tuka argued for a seven-hobbit assault (see Tuka's tickling match post) but it will be at least five per guard. They might not all make the correct "whuh" sound, but a few seconds after that it won't matter. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

10-11-2002, 07:11 AM	#382
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	On one hand, I hear, hurry up and let's get this moving, and on the other hand I hear slow it down. I'm a little confused. Somebody care to elaborate? __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

10-11-2002, 07:51 AM	#383
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,393	Child will not be posting much, if at all this weekend. Neither will I. While things are moving steadily now, we have to accomodate peoples' schedules. There's a lot going on in the story now, so we need to take care not to step on each other's toes as we go forward. There will still be room to post this weekend. __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.

10-11-2002, 08:40 AM	#384
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,393	Fan fiction suggestion: There's been a few suggestions about how Pio and Bird end up on the Star as "equal partners". Another one was that Mith loses the Star in a game of chance. Mith wouldn't do this. Its completely contrary to his character. Here's my suggestion. Starting with my previously drafted backstory (Bird needs to be added in as Pio's companion; when Pio refuses Mith's dinner invitation, Bird accepts and sits at the "captain's table" with Mith and some rather stuffy lords and ladies - good opportunity for some early humor), Mith is not the owner of the Star, he's just the captain. When the Star arrives in Gondor and the passengers are let off, Mith meets with the owner and discovers he intends to sell the ship. Mith doesn't have enough money and is too proud to ask his brothers, though they would likely be glad to contribute. Cami (and Rose) meet Pio and Bird. A "chance meeting", during which Cami tells that she has tried unsuccessfully to hire a ship to seek the origins of the halflings but has been unsuccessful. Either Pio or Bird is taken by the story, Pio because of her background or Bird because of her mysterious heritage. They seek out Mith and try to hire him and the Star. They are told the Star is up for sale and Mith can't afford to buy it. The short version is they pool their funds and buy the Star as a joint venture (meaning Mith isn't completely in charge). Mith hopes to buy out Pio and Bird when they return. How Veritas gets on the ship is beyond me but we can work it out. We may need one or more crewmembers (the "red shirts" as Bird would put it), but we're on our way. [ October 11, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ] __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.

10-11-2002, 08:54 AM	#385
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Helen -- Sorry. Part of the slowdown is me. It's hard for me to post much Friday afternoon through Saturday because of family commitments and shabbat. Plus, the hobbit council meeting is a section that requires planning and coordination. Since I'm drafting the skeleton of the hobbit meeting that takes place the evening of 13 Cermie, we didn't want the chronology of the story to sweep past that point. The other problem is that the hobbit meeting has to be dovetailed with the response by Pio to our strategy questions. So Pio and I have to communicate some way. I'll probably be sending her a draft by e-mail. Then we'll figure out whether it's better to do it by cut and paste in one giant post, or by separate threads. For example, I assume Pio will tell a little about the chief members of the fellowship as an introduction to the hobbits. And I also assume some of the hobbits will be a bit alarmed when they hear that one of the leaders of the rescue is a Man. (What will Gamba think when he not only hears Pio is married, but that she is married to a Man?) That's the kind of interaction we need to plan. However, I don't think there's any problem with posts that stay within the chronology. Some of my characters do their best work in the middle of the night. _____________________________________________ I have several questions. If anyone can help, please be my guest: Attendance at Meeting: I am assuming the meeting will have about 13 people: Loremaster Phura Gamba (invited because of his position in the Locks) 5 Elders 3 sons/daughters of elders Bird Pio Is there anyone else at this meeting? Even with Phura's new status, I think Loremaster would "chair" this meeting. Place of the meeting: How about the mines in the dead of night? Hobbits would have to filter back there bit by bit, so the guards wouldn't notice a clump going at once. Helen, can you give me any more information on the Elders, either individually or generically. Otherwise I'll use my own imagination. Do I have the numbers right? What "age" are the Elders? (In Beleriand, they were what I would call middle-aged, 45 and up. Has this changed?) Bird, what 'form' will you be in when you attend this meeting? I assume you will lead Pio to the meeting. Do you want your character to speak at the meeting itself in favor of the plan to save the people in the Locks, and also to plan an ambush of the last two hobbits who are going to be sacrificed? Would you like to write this section yourself, and forward a copy to Pio (and me) to place in the giant cut and paste post? (I can do the writing if you prefer but I thought it would have more flavor coming from Bird!) Helen, Regarding the Locks Is it alright if Gamba 'volunteers' to help lead the assault on the locks? Big Question re Ambush: What are the last two names on the selection list for that final day? Is one of them Loremaster or is this too 'convenient'? Anyone have any ideas who's on that list? Regarding Daisy and the Locks: Is it possible that she will purposely do something to get herself a longer sentence in the Locks? It might be convenient to have an 'inside' prisoner when the break-out comes. Also, that means Kali will be able to race in towards the Locks at the time of the rescue and help "save" his embattled sweetheart. I am envisioning the Locks as a real pitched battle going on for some time. What do you think? I am assuming Anee will not stay in prison, but will go out so she can help Gamba plan and prepare for the assault. Phura and Weapons:-- Helen, do you want Phura to give a brief report on what the hobbit's have decided to do about weapons? If so, that should be sent to Pio (and please me too) for inclusion in the big post. If you prefer, I can do the writing but I'd still need the basic info on what the hobbits are planning to do. (Plus, again, it would have more flavor coming from Phura's creator.) Suggested Timeline: Helen and Pio-- if you decide to write the section for your character, try to e-mail it out to us by Sunday morning. (I'll probably be the one to mess up on this!!) Any other suggestions, ideas, comments on this whole thing. [ October 11, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ] __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

10-11-2002, 10:36 AM	#386
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Sharon: No problem. I was confused, that's all. I am perfectly happy to send you whatever I write (You should be used to that by now.) In fact, if you like, I'll send it all to you and you can decide when and how it goes up. You're the editor, after all. Quick reactions: Yes, Loremaster should chair the meeting; Phura was going to make a point of giving him the robe back, for a while at least. Elders--Esta, Tuka, and their two kid brothers now live with Elder Tura; that's all I know right now. Your guesses all sound great... 45+, etc. I've tried twice to come up with more Westron names and I get stuck. We've used all the syllables that look good to me. Name them whatever you like! (Bilbo! ...nah.) Who is on the list: I don't know who is on the list for the final day (to get rescued.) Bird, create anybody that you like. Somebody is on the list for the day before, and they're not getting rescued. (Not Loremaster.) That leads into the Pio and Gamba question; Sharon, I'll send you what I've got on that so far; he's been distracted. From that you can guess who gets selected 2 days before rescue. I guess my "secret" plot twist is hereby given away. Gamba will be involved with the Locks as you suggest, and that dovetails nicely with the other stuff. For purposes of the story: I know Meridoc the Smith was abducted during breakfast; but all the other hobbits have disappeared in the dead of night. The guard was supposed to be unusual (remember he's the first person Gamba has seen abducted.) Abductions normally occur around midnight or one, they are raced up the hill (by horseback perhaps) and are dead before dawn. Darkness for dark business, as they say. If we assume that, then, to be effective, rescue will be a midnight-to-3 am one. Let me know if that dovetails with what you are thinking. Black dragon? Bird, we can collaborate on that too; I'll have a desperate, failed rescue attempt, I think, the night before you are "on". You can ask questions from those who failed (Tuka, Gamba.) Since the rescue is at midnight, too, does this present a problem? Is Bird rescuing the sacrifices the night before the rescue or the night of the rescue? Pio, you said "midnight rescue" if I recall-- did you mean 12:00-ish, or "nighttime when it's dark"? Meeting stuff: Phura and Tuka will be the weapons guys. Tuka will be there as Elder Tura's adopted son. I'll be glad to forward that stuff. I know it's awkward, but can Bird not morph and not be a woman in this meeting? (Unless you want a major scene from Phura to completely disrupt and sideline the meeting. I was really hoping to save that for on board the Star. ) Any other stable form-- raven, bug, landlocked Dolphin... big dragon squeezed into tiny cave... just please, please, not lady-form. It's fine if she talks in bird or bug form. If all that is impossible, I'm willing to make up some excuse for Phura to not be at the meeting, and have somebody else cover for him. Sharon, I'll send you some stuff about Gamba's "distraction", and the weapons stuff will go to you and Pio both. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

10-11-2002, 10:56 AM	#387
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Helen -- Bird just sent me a pm that she will be a bug on Pio's shoulder and will talk through the Elf. The hobbits may think Pio is consulting someone with osanwe! If we assume that, then, to be effective, rescue will be a midnight-to-3 am one. Let me know if that dovetails with what you are thinking. Black dragon? The time frame is fine. They'll just have to keep the hobbits hidden all day from the guards. I don't think that's impossible, although I'm not sure how. (Take that back, I just got a great idea. He, he. This is really a good idea!! Will get back to that later.) Personally, I would say no dragons for the ambush. Sauron is tearing up the countryside for sign of a dragon. If he hears of an ambush by a dragon in the prisons late at night, he'll have a 1000 extra guards crawling over the place the next day looking for the dragon. We can't have dragons until the very end when it's the rescue, and it's too late for Sauron to do anything. Helen, I know you've written something about Bird. Is it a problem if she fights in human form on that last day? Bird shouldn't be near Phura. He's not participating in the Locks rescue. Nor does he have to take part in the ambush unless you want him to. I don't know what form Bird wants to take for all this. You'd have to ask her. sharon [ October 11, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ] __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

10-11-2002, 11:12 AM	#388
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	As long as Phura doesn't see Bird in human form and doesn't see her morph, then Bird can do whatever she likes. Vague rumors/reports about a mysterious woman are fine as long as they are not morphing rumors and he doesn't lay eyes on her-- and doesn't hear about the white streak in her hair. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

10-11-2002, 11:27 AM	#389
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,393	Mithadan, the character, sits and polishes his sword for the 48th time in the last seven days. Then he sets out to polish all the knives, daggers, and swords in the Lonely Star's armoury, you know, the place where all the WEAPONS are stored? Hint, hint.* See my last RPG post as edited... *Mithadan, the person sitting at this keyboard, is about to begin writing a massive brief (due in one week) on the doctrine of forum non conveniens and is not at all unhappy to be watching the game develop rather than writing it at this point. [ October 11, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ] __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.

10-11-2002, 12:38 PM	#390
Rose Cotton Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: A place worse then Mordor........School! Posts: 1,075	Um..should I know what the cloth is for? __________________ "There's nothing you can do, Harry... nothing... he's gone."-Remus Lupin "The closer we are to danger, the further we are from harm."-Pippin (now how can you argue with that logic?)

10-11-2002, 01:37 PM	#391
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Mithadan -- Just how large is this armory? sharon p.s.Good luck on the brief. It sounds pretty gruesome. __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

10-11-2002, 02:01 PM	#392
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,393	Not large enough to arm a battalion of Southrons. But I would guess that we could safely spare a dozen or so knives and maybe we could also craft some staffs. Mith, Pio, Veritas and Khelek all have their own arms. We would only need to retain some for Cami, Rose, Daisy, Kali and the adult Hobbrim. The ship would also have other implements which could be used or fashioned into weapons (kitchen knives, gaffes, hooks, belaying pins, nets, etc.). Yes, the brief is gruesome. Maybe about 50 pages worth. __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.

10-11-2002, 02:10 PM	#393
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Sharon, check your PM's; more installments your way, interpose/edit/post as you see fit. Do you want to be in charge of when they go up or do you want to put them up? __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

10-11-2002, 02:24 PM	#394
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	Hmmm! The rescue battle grows larger. I think Tuor will now bring 50 elven warriors. __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.

10-11-2002, 04:16 PM	#395
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Cami is excited. She's certainly never seen this many Elves in one place at once! Helen -- As I see it, the post on sharpening weapons should probably go up before the council meeting (i.e. this weekend) if you want Phura to make this part of his report to the council. If you'll look at the main thread, Mith has devised a way to bring "things" in through the water. If I were Phura, as part of his report, I would ask about the possibility of getting enough weapons in from the Star to arm the people going for the Locks and the Ambush. I don't know if this is possible or not. But ask Pio at the meeting. She, or Mithadan, will know. While some of the other posts have implications for the rescue, they are more personal in nature ie. character interaction, I think you can post those whenever you want to. sharon __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

10-11-2002, 11:10 PM	#396
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	It is now 13 Cermië. Telerin here in 8 days. Rescue in 9 days Pio is on her way to the caves. Awaiting Sharon's post to continue. Revision of Elven Warriors: 2 per Elven ship + 25 with Tuor. __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.

10-11-2002, 11:16 PM	#397
Birdland Ghastly Neekerbreeker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto Posts: 1,751	OK, I'm in thinking mode tonight. Concerning the rescue of the sacrificial hobbits: I'm thinking that a last minute save on the night of the rescue would be more suitable. If we were to rescue anyone earlier, it would put the prison in an uproar, cause the guards to be on high alert, etc. Not a good situation if we are planning a mass break-out. Everything should be as close to "normal" right up to the last minute. Now, as to the rescue itself: a Black Dragon descending on the mountain and rescuing the "sacrifices" at the last minute would be pretty cool, right? Also, what about the "Man sacrifices"? I'd rescue them, too, right? And maybe in gratitude they will agree when the Dragon orders them to repay the favor by helping the Hobbits in their rebellion? Helen, do you have any ideas on the last sacrifices. You know the cave hobbit characters. They are your "babies", do you want it to be main characters, or just a couple of hobbits we haven't met yet? And as for the Men: some of those "nice" guards that you have mentioned?

10-12-2002, 01:10 AM	#398
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Bird, LOVE the mountaintop rescue. Today's guard would be good. He's going to be WAY too nice to Gamba, in the long run. I've toyed with the idea of sending Gamba up the hill, on that last night, but... I dunno. Logistics. It works very well with my subplot, though. Gamba, Tuka, and that guard, all in Big Trouble. It would make sense. Also would add to the tension for the night of the rescue, losing two leaders => dis-spirited troops, Phura & Loremaster's distress... What think ye all? The timing thing is dicey, though. Can you rescue them (O Black Dragoness) in time for Gamba to make it back to help clean out The Locks? He's mighty fond of that old Gammer, Mrs. Pansy, and wouldn't want to leave her there, or let her flounder on the way out. I've wondered about a guard or two asking for mercy in the name of the Old School. And even asking to come with us. Would "we" give it to them? Or do "we" figure that if they don;t make it off island with Elendil & his nine ships, that's their problem? Mith? (EDIT) Option B: on the night of the rescue, Tarkil selects the two most popular athletes. That would be Gamba and Azraph-- Poor Phura!! And then when you rescue them, Bird, that places Phura very deeply in your debt-- making the later scene more poignant still. That could be good-- still contingent on if you can rescue them in time to get Gamba back to the locks mid-rescue... Sharon, since Gamba is MIA when the Locks rescue begins, Daisy and Anee will have to step in and do the best they can-- what do you think about that? (END EDIT) [ October 12, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ] __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

10-12-2002, 07:03 AM	#399
Birdland Ghastly Neekerbreeker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto Posts: 1,751	Oh, yeah. I didn't think about what would happen to any Men and what we would do with them AFTER the rescue. I guess the Man sacrifices could just run off screaming into the night. How are the sacrifices conducted? Gutted, garotted, or burnt?