Shadow of the West Discussion Thread

[Kransha]

Bb, I am in total agreement with you, that such matters would be more appropriately sorted out in the game, so as to create more interesting surroundings, but I will make a brief little stab of a point. According to Fordim's wonderful overview of Pasthian culture: In Alanzia, "the immortal devils" as the Elves are called there, are forbidden, on pain of instant death.

Morgôs' dislike of Alanzia would at least be fueled thus far, by that fact. He sees Alanzians as racists, and as the enemy (regardless I suppose, of how long he's been fighting them). Of course, I'm sure that fleshing out the other reasons, the deeper, darker, and 'funner' ones in the actual game is a better solution. Either way, I'm fairly sure that I, personally, will get plenty of enjoyment out of antagonizing the character of a mod (hoo-ha, superiority complex coming on!).

Plus, this situation gets us all a charming little quadrangle of intrigue. Morgôs is loyal to Faroz, but doesn't like his wife. Arlomë, his wife, is close to the queen, who her husband despises. Depending on how public these opinions, the queen (this is all up to you, Bb, obviously) might resent the General, which puts Faroz in a strange position as well....Yes, that's some quadrangle...parellogram...quadrilateral, maybe?

P.S. I just realized, whenever I quote Fordim's passage about the Customs and Manners of Pashtia, I feel like I'm quoting HoME, The Laws and Customs of the Eldar.

[alaklondewen]

Bb, I hope I did not make you think I wasn't interested in Arlomë's role in the court, because I am...very. So thank you for elaborating what you had in mind. I think this will add an interesting element to the mix, so count me in.

I cannot wait for this game to begin.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Thanks very much Bb for bringing us back to the appropriate language here. Think of me as an administrator everyone. The world, relationships, culture, history, everything Pashtian is up to US to explore and discover as the game unfolds.

To that end -- let's do as much of that as we can as the game goes along, rather than here in the DT, either before the game begins or once it is underway. Again, let me cite the Inns as the best example: there are not DTs for the Inns, so all developments are accomplished through the game interaction itself. If there's something you want to do that directly impacts another character, check via PM first. But if it's anything else, just do it and we can all adjust/react to that.

For my part then -- not weighing in at all on why, how, where, the relations or implications of the marriage to Bekah -- I will state simply that Faroz is 42. I will also cite a relevant passage from the "Customs and Manners":

Their last war lasted nearly ten years and cost the lives of thousands upon both sides. It was finally ended when the Kings of Alanzia and Pashtia agreed to marry their children.

So it would appear that Faroz was not King when he was married to Bekah and the war was ended. As the children of that union would appear to be in their early twenties, then I can only surmise that Faroz and Bekah have been married for 25 years, making Faroz 17 at the time of their marriage. Hmmm. . .I wonder if he fought in the war directly -- perhaps WHEN THE GAME BEGINS his general or his Queen will clear this up for me. . .

Delighted by the enthusiasm, but let's try to keep a lid on it for a bit. I really do want the creativity to take place IN THE GAME THREAD.

More Gentle Nudging -- if Oro and Aman could be persuaded to give us character descriptions, perhaps I can open the Game Thread sooner than planned and "let loose the dogs of Rohan".

One More Parting Word -- Remember, approach the game as you would gaming at the Inns. Create your characters in the game threads, introduce new plot twists at every opportunity, develop relationships with other characters in the game. . .in brief, embark upon the story with an eye to discovery. Remember how Tolkien wrote LotR, and "discovered" Strider was a Man, and then had to figure out what he was to the Ring?

[Firefoot]

This game just keeps getting more interesting - and we haven't even started yet!

Kransha, the bit about your character looking to form an alliance with Siamak sounds very promising.

[Bêthberry]

Oh, not to worry, Alak. I was concerned you might feel too much pressure from the combined suggestions of Kransha and myself and I wanted you to feel free to make your own decisions about your character.

I really like the way Firefoot and Aywlen have created very different personalities for the Royal Children. But everyone has done a splendid job and I am very excited to be gaming with all of you. Fordim, you are much to be congratulated for inspiring a formidable group of talented writers with a fascinating scenario.

Bekah was fourteen at the time of the arranged marriage, so she is now thirty-nine If anyone thinks this is too young, I'll make her fifteen and now forty. Middle age! A time for self-reflection and self-appraisal.

Fordim, I have a question which concerns elements of the Legendarium rather than character so I assume it is okay with you to ask this here. What kind of time span in the mannish lives are we looking at? Are the Pastians long lived, like Western men used to be? Or are we looking at the usual historical range of medieval humans, being at the most 50 to 55 years on average. (actually, I think it is closer to 45.) Clearly with the question of limiting Avari service to 99 years, and having very long lived elves in Pashtia, the nature of human mortality might become a significant consideration here. Not necessarily, but maybe.Or maybe not.

This is all just so cool. And I have reached my smilie limit and so I cannot use the cool or smokin' smilies.

See y'all on the game thread!

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

I imagine there is some very natural antagonism between Bekah and her daughter, as is usual during the teen years when a daughter is establishing herself as an adult and wanting to move beyond the mother's sphere. This need not be a political dispute but for the time simply a personal state in their relationship. Does this make any sense to you?

Oh, Bethberry! It makes perfect sense, and I know very well what it is you speak of. I'm afraid I would not have good understanding from the motherly end of the spectrum, though.

Bekah was fourteen at the time of the arranged marriage, so she is now thirty-nine If anyone thinks this is too young, I'll make her fifteen and now forty.

Not too young at all...at least, not to young to have two teen-aged children. This would make 15/16/17 (probably 16/17) a good age for Gjeelea, unless Bekah was younger than...25 (?) when giving birth to her. How old is a good age for the Pashtians to be having children, Fordim? In our age it is certainly not too old to be having children at 25, but...

I'm just wondering, because we have not established the royal children's ages yet.

-Aylwen

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Lifespan. . .hmmm. . .well, these people eat a diet high in vegetables and grains, some meats, lots of fruits. They live in a climate that is warm and thus spend a good deal of time outside getting their exercise. They are wealthy and educated, sophisticated. I would say that the only model I can find like this would be Imperial Rome (ca. 100 AD) when life expectancy among the praetorian classes was as high as 65-70 (when things like epidemics and natural disaster are factored out).

Given the good health (not to mention dynastic aspirations) of these people, then, Bekah could most certainly have had children earlier than 25 (probably much earlier. . .say. . .15??) and also later. She's capable of bearing a child at 39, although that might not be such a good idea for her health. So by my reckoning her kids could be any age up to about 24.

So Faroz and Bekah were 17 and 14 when they were married. . .a very intriguing set of ages. I remember how extremely young 14 year olds seemed to me when I was 17.