Red Flows the Sirannon Planning/Discussion Thread

[Gwydion]

Wow this is cool! Here goes:

Character Description Form:

1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – NO

2.) How many RPG’s on the Barrow Downs are you currently involved in? 0

List them, please:

Please note you may play in only 2 (TWO) Shire games at one time. Exceptions to this may be made for this on a case by case basis by the Shire Moderators. (The Green Dragon Inn DOES NOT count as a game for this.)


3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn – YES

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Gwydion's character

NAME: Alethian Eriam

AGE:3522

RACE:Elf

GENDER:Male

WEAPONS:Second Age elven-sword,dagger of the Noldor, Bow of the Galadrim, and quiver of arrows.

APPEARANCE: 5'10", dark hair, bright grey eyes, fair-skinned, lean, compact runner-like body. Uses all senses to the utmost possibility.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Far-sighted, strong, wise, small amount of arrogance.

HISTORY: Alethian has lived most of his life in Lorien and has mainly lived his life defending Lorien from the forces of evil. Tries to help all the elves and bolster all defenses, was once an aid to the Lady Galadriel, a great honor indeed and was sent to help Elrond of Imladris in the battle.

[piosenniel]

Durelin

*images from 'Field of Dreams' drift by . . . 'If you build it, they will come . . .'

I've added Kath (Orc); Firefoot (Orc); and Gwydion (Lorien Elf) to the posters list.

~*~ Pio

[Durelin]

We're really making this happen, aren't we? *does a little dance*

Kath and Firefoot - So glad to have you aboard!

Gwydion - Welcome! Please check your PMs.

Esgallhugwen - I'm so glad you're interested in playing! And don't rush too much on your bio...I'm not doing any better than you when it comes to bios and such...in fact, most likely I'm doing worse.

Encaitare - Oooh, yes, wonderful character! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Pio - "Red Flows the Sirannon"...I like it... You almost gave into the temptation, didn't you?

As a note, CaptainofDespair will be playing a cameo role as a big baddie, that will for now be known as 'Sauron's Champion'...lame title, but it's practical.

Aman - Finally responded to your lovely email, and, in so doing, I came up with a lot more ideas.

Speaking of these ideas...I will be editing this post ASAP, to add as many of them as I can as clearly as I can.

-Durelin

[piosenniel]

Yes, I almost put up "Blood on the Waters" as a possible title, but then managed to rein myself in.

~*~ Pio

[Firefoot]

Hey all, I'm really excited about this game. I'm looking forward to playing with all of you.

It's interesting, actually. I've been thinking lately that an Orc might be fun to play, and this game comes along. So especial greetings to Encai and Kath, my fellow Orcs.

I'll be working on my bio here soon, as soon as I can come up with a good Orc name (it's always the names. I never get better at coming up with those).

[Durelin]

I decided to make this a separate post, as these thoughts became relatively lengthy very quickly... And this ain't the half of it!

Here are some points I came up with:

Concerning the basic outline of the game:
If the siege on Ost-in-Edhil began late in 1696, then early in 1697 it would be destroyed after just a couple weeks, and then Elrond's forces would arrive. But, events prior to the actual siege, and prior to Sauron's invasion of Eriador are very important. Aman brought to my attention the importance of the actual forging of the Rings to the storyline/plot of the game. If we begin the game with the actual forging of the Rings and then skip to the actual attack on Eregion, I think many more opportunities will be open, and the story this game will tell will be more effective.

This might be a little tricky, but I think rather than spending some time with the events that led up to Sauron's invasion into Eriador will make the events concerning the actual siege easier to understand, and thus easier to RP. The background of an event such as the battle at Eregion (and the escape to Imladris) is really what makes the event, and thus it is important to explore that as well.

Starting with the forging of the Rings, most likely through a first post describing the actual forging and setting the stage (with the elves of Eregion, in particular), would be an excellent starting point, I think. It would let everyone get a basis for just what kind of power is being created in the world...and then shortly thereafter, a great power of evil is created. And of course that would give us time to do some lovely character interaction between the Elves of Eregion and the Dwarves of Moria...as friendliness between Dwarves and Elves, I believe, is an interesting concept.

As to how the siege itself will unfold, particularly in the arrival of Elrond and the *escape* of the survivors, there's a lot yet to work out, and I've come up with several options. I'll try to describe those options in detail in my next post.

Concerning Celebrimbor (and Elrond...and a few other things):

Celebrimbor is going to be a very important character in the plot of the RPG. I've been going from the point of view that Sauron's attack on Eregion is a form of punishment - he wishes to punish the Elves for *deceiving* him, particularly Celebrimbor, as he hides the Three Rings, the greatest of the Rings of Power, from Sauron after discovering Sauron's deception. Sauron has just created the Master Ring, and that will also be an important part of the story, as Sauron is a new power in this scenario...and at this point, he's winning! This is another reason why the forging of the rings is such an important event. It gives Celebrimbor's character relevance (again, as Aman pointed out), rather than him simply starting out in the RPG as simply some elf who, basically, made Sauron angry.

Now, for the options...Characters such as Celebrimbor and Elrond, historical characters who are important in this RPG, could be what I like to call 'universal carry-alongs'. Basically, they are NPCs. And, they will be available (as established characters in Tolkien's histories of Middle-earth) basically, to be *RPed* by everyone. Gamers' characters will interact with Celebrimbor and Elrond, and they can be like carry along characters that everyone may *use*.

The other option of course, is for Celebrimbor and Elrond to be characters that two gamers play, either has primary or secondary characters. This might be a little intrusive on Tolkien's writings, as these two characters are so historically important in Middle-earth. But, if done correctly, this might be a good way to go.

Concerning the first post of the game:

The first post of the game will have to be a big stage setter. It is possible that the entire stage could be set: the forging of the Rings and all events prior to the siege of Eregion could be covered in the first post (and then we’d just plunge into the siege). I'd prefer it if the first post simply covered the forging of the Rings, and set only a basic platform rather than an entire stage. The first post could tell of Eregion, of how Sauron came to the Elves, and then of Celebrimbor and the forging of the Rings. What would follow would be an opportunity for gamers to set their own stages, so to speak. Each gamer would establish who their character is, and collectively get to establish what it is like to have the new power of the Rings in their world, what this means for each of their characters and for each of their characters' people, etc.

All of this talk makes me realize one very important thing…this game, if many of the things I discussed become realities in this, most likely is going to take more time than I originally predicted, and thus more commitment. I don’t want to ask that of people unless they really want to commit so much of their time, as that is unfair, but I present all of my ideas to you as options.

Hopefully my next post will be clearer, more direct…and just more productive.

~To be continued~

-Durelin

P.S. - Right now, my plan for the bad guys is the most clear! You go, orcses.../Maiar

EDIT: Oh, and Pio...

1.) CaptainofDespair - Sauron's Champion; big baddie

Hehe...I love when people take me seriously.

[piosenniel]

If you are interested in the game, please PM me & let me know what character type you'd like to play.

I'll add your name to the list of posters for the thread, then.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio, Game Moderator