Red Flows the Sirannon Planning/Discussion Thread

[Mithalwen]

I had a blonde moment and thought we had moved on to the next spring rather than next spring but one - so I will have to tinker a little so that Galmir isn't suffering too much from delayed development.

[CaptainofDespair]

I look forward to working with you, Child.

I'm sure your character won't conflict with my ideas, as they are fluid and quite apt to change. But, I will give you whatever information you seek regarding such plans, of course.

-CoD, Master of Arda

[Child of the 7th Age]

Master of Arda,

Will drop you a note this weekend.

Your nasty servant,

Ulrung

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Here is my brief profile. I've made my captain one of the Wainriders. It's interesting that we have info on the Easterling in the first and third age, but absolutely nothing on the second (unless someone can dig up something more than I've located.) I am assuming the groups that were mentioned in terms of fighting Gondor in the Third Age were actually around in the second as well. We simply don't have an historical record....

Name: Ulrung
Race: Wainrider
Gender: Male
Age: 45.

Ulrung hails from the land to the east of the Sea of Rhun. He is a member of the ruling caste of the tribe of Wainriders, a close relation of the tribal chief. An accomplished charioteer and swordsman, he commands a large contingent of bowman who are also mounted on chariots as well as lowly footsoldiers whom he considers to be expendable. He bears a scimitar and bow in battle. He has long black hair, grey eyes, and wears a light suit of armor when fighting.


Sauron has appointed Ulrung second in command for the planned assault on Ost-in-Edhill. Ulrung's family has given its loyalty to the Dark Lord, not totally understanding who Sauron is or the scope of the latter's ambitions. What Ulrung does understand is that Sauron's plans seem to fit in with his own. Ulrung considers the people of the West to be filthy scum, not worthy of walking the face of Arda. His disdain for the Elves and those men who favor them knows no bounds. He has a grudging respect for Dwarves, whose tenacity in battle touches a cord in his own being. Still, in the engagement to come, his heart is set on grinding the enemy into the ground. Only in this way, will his people gain the riches and power that Ulrung so deeply craves.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Save filled....

[Folwren]

Arry and Pio,

I'm working on a post that tells about the huge gathering in the Stonecut Halls. I thought it was a great idea and think it'll be fun to write, but I'm not sure what all the Dwarves would do. I've considered it a little bit today...different things they might do. I was wondering what you two thought would be Dwarven type things to do.

I was thinking that some sort of dancing would be fun. I don't know what sort of dancing they do, and if they could even do it with so few women. I only know English Country Dancing (which I don't really see Dwarves doing) and Square Dancing, which is even less likely for Dwarves to do, seeing as it's an American version, pretty much. But that's really a minor detail.

There is a lot of mentioning of songs in Tolkien's work, and probably story telling of some sorts.

But what sort of games do you think? The first thing that came to my mind was Scottish Games...seeing who could pick up and carry the rediculously heavy boulder the farthest, who could toss the treee trunk farthest (I don't see how they could do that in the halls, though), possibly even a sort of randition of tug of war. If 'capture the ledge' that Arry mentioned in one of his earlier posts is a real game, or if it's something you just made up the title for the fun of it, explain it to me. It sounded cool to me, seeing as Riv got an awesome throwing arm and excellent aim from it.

So, really, all I want is some input and thoughts from you two. I'll be writing and thinking on my own to be sure, but whatever you all think will be nice to know, too.

Until then,

-- Folwren

[Arry]

Folwren

When I starting thinking about the Dwarves and dancing, I thought about another group of people who are traditionally mountain dwellers (though not under the mountains, but in the wooded hollows among the hillsides) - the folk who settled along the Appalachian Mountain range. They were a hard working, resourceful people with close knit communities who drew deeply on their Ango-Celtic roots. They brewed their own drink, 'moonshine', and made some of the most energetic, sweetest, toe tapping music I've had the pleasure to play and dance to.

Some dancing styles included both men and women, but many were individual dances or dances done in little groups of the same sex, mostly male. Some of the dances were little competitions between the males, showing off for the women or just plain trying to outdo each other.

Here's an example of the kind of music I'm speaking about (you can scan down the pages to where the music files are): The Camp Creek Boys - The Fuzzy Mountain String Band

The kind of dancing I had in mind is called Buck Dancing - one of the variants of Clogging.

Just because I enjoy it so much I'll throw in this short history of Appalachian traditional music, too.

Now I can just see the Dwarf men in their hard-soled boots, dressed in their best breeches, their eyes glinting as they try to outdo each other in their energetic, rhythmic, clogging. A little 'likkered' up on home brewed ale - they could set the great hall ringing with the beat of their feet on the hard stone floor.

Perhaps that is more than you wanted to know . . . but you did ask . . .

-- Arry

[piosenniel]

From the article on 'Appalachian Trafitional Music'

Appalachian music is mostly based upon anglo-celtic folk ballads and instrumental dance tunes. The former were almost always sung unaccompanied, and usually by women, fulfilling roles as keepers of the families' cultural heritages . . .

Now that would be interesting - one of the women, her clear, pure voice rising in the great hall - singing something of Skald's (I do recall one his talents is composing poems concerned with clan history!) . . . and perhaps Bror's harp could do the accompaniment?

Riv, of course, will not sing unless he is well into his cups -- though he sings with great gusto, his voice is somewhat off key. He can however keep excellent time with the banging of his mug on the oaken table.

I do agree with you folwren - I don't think the Stonecut halls are big enough for some thing like The Highland Games - though that would be interesting to pursue in another RPG - where all the Dwarf clans could come together to compete. There could be some fiery brawls in that competition, and what thick-hided creature could they get to referee?

Food and drink, laughter, music and dancing as Arry suggested . . . and stories as the party dies down a little . . . that's what I see for the scenario

~*~ Pio