Númenórean Blood Runs Black Planning/Discussion Thread - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Eorl of Rohan · 10-06-2005, 09:04 PM

Yay, someone liked my post!

Quote:

Goodness, Eorl, don't you have enough conflict wit hthe slave master himself?

Yeah, but I like all kinds of conflicts. Internal conflicts, external conflicts, social status conflicts, personal differences of opinion conflicts, they are the most fun to write, don't you think? Although, now that I think about it, Ferethor wouldn't be too pleased at the position I am putting him in.

I'm giving Ferethor a decidedly good and totally unreasonable reason to hate Spawn's character, which I won't tell yet - it's a secret, but you will know it by and by. Of course, Ferethor will be constantly bickering over Fordim over the leadership of slaves, too. Can't wait.

Quote:

I was thinking when Pio announced that Fordim would be coming if he could be the acknowledged leader of the slaves that Fordim's character could actually come into the same ship as Spawn and Eorl were in at the beginning of the RPG. Place him conveniently somewhere within the ship, and start fresh.

Yep, Folwren, I think your suggestion has merit - though it would be Fordim who decides this, I guess. Can you elucidate, though?

Fordim Hedgethistle · 10-06-2005, 09:33 PM

Alrighty then Eorl and Spawn, somewhat further apart our characters shall be.

I'm not sure I'm getting the gist of your suggestion Folwren: that my character (whomever he may be) is first brought aboard the vessel at the game's beginning? Not so sure I like that idea for my own idea of the game -- as I have already confessed to Pio, I have watched Ben Hur so many times that I have fallen in love with the idea of Slave Prince. For this to work, my guy will need to have been a slave on that ship for long enough to win the respect and confidence of the other slaves. If I bring him onto the ship at the very beginning, then the game (for me) will be about establishing dominance (which isn't really interesting to me), when what I really would like to explore is the conflict between the slaves and their masters.

So unless this really does ruffle too many feathers I would like to stick with my original conception of my guy as a lifelong slave who is considered a leader by the other slaves from the outset. Now, that having been said, I very much agree with Eorl: conflict is the fuel of a good RPG, so if he thinks that his character would like to challenge mine, then that's all for the good. In the end, however, I would like to see the slaves working together toward their common good -- and against their masters.

(Yeah, Aman I'm looking at you...be afraid, be very afraid...no wimpy love stories this time around m'girl.... There's gonna be some hurt this time.... heh heh heh *Fordim wishes again for an evil smilie*)

Folwren · 10-07-2005, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fordim:
So unless this really does ruffle too many feathers I would like to stick with my original conception of my guy as a lifelong slave who is considered a leader by the other slaves from the outset.

Goodness no, man. It was just a suggestion that I only threw out there for thought. It's not like it's my character or anything. If I really had anything to do with it, then I might be a little more adimant about having it my way, but it's not. It's all yours to do what you like with.

So no ruffled feathers at all.

Don't have any more time for comments.

-- Folwren

dancing spawn of ungoliant · 10-07-2005, 08:47 AM

Fordim & Eorl, I was thinking that a slave sitting next to my character dies thus giving my character an opportunity to move to sit on the right side of the bench so he can see a glimpe of sky and sea from the oar hole (is that a proper term? If not, could someone tell me a more appropriate one, please?). Maybe Fordim's character can be placed to sit next to mine so we three don't have to know each other right when the game starts but we are close enough to communicate.

Aman, two men per oar is perfect.

Amanaduial the archer · 10-07-2005, 11:29 AM

Quote:

(Yeah, Aman I'm looking at you...be afraid, be very afraid...no wimpy love stories this time around m'girl....

Well, bearing in mind that it's an all-male cast, and the numerous debates surrounding such possibilities (or impossibilities maybe) in ME, then I rather doubt it, yes

Oh...oh dear. There is something very odd about sitting here watching my slaves conspiring before my very eyes. Rather depressing. Ho hum. And bearing in mind that I can already forsee the possibility of personality clashes with Azaryan, and certainly it looks unlikely that Rakin and Sangalazin are ever going to be doting best buddies...now add a bunch of unruly slaves? Foils, and to think I thought I'd broken your spirits. Whippings for all! I thought the slave commander would be the crew man in charge of the slaves, the master of the slaves, rather than a slave himself? That was how I had imagined a slave commander would be...

Fordim Hedgethistle · 10-07-2005, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amanaduial the archer

I thought the slave commander would be the crew man in charge of the slaves, the master of the slaves, rather than a slave himself? That was how I had imagined a slave commander would be...

Well, the original description of the part was a bit vague on this point, and I have to admit that spending a game wearing a loincloth, screaming at slaves and hitting them with a heavy piece of wood did not have a lot of appeal to me. A rebellious and powerful slave, on the other hand, holds a lot more appeal. I floated two possible 'takes' on the character by Pio and Perky and they said that a slave commander who was himself a slave was fine by them.

This has historical precedence, actually. Slaveowners have always allowed some slaves to rise 'above' their fellows to act as foremen: it was a way of maintaining control by giving them some hope -- do as you are told, and you can have some benefits; rebel and you'll be chained to that oar forever...

So now perhaps I'm getting a new take on my character: perhaps someone in this 'in-between' space???

Spawn: I like your idea of having the game begin with my guy being moved into the 'seat' next to your guy. If you want to go ahead and begin your post (as mine will take a few days to work out, at least) then perhaps you could end it with your character moving into the better seat and wondering who will join him. Then my post will be about the events that lead to my character being chained there.

EDIT

I'm really liking this idea of my character as being a slave who has been 'elevated' at some point. Right now I'm thinking that he will be someone who has been a slave all his life, but who has some special talent which 'won' the masters' favour, allowing him a respite from the slave hold. He would have used his greater freedom to help the other slaves as much as possible (smuggling them bits of food etc) but something's happened (he was caught planning a slave revolt?) that has got him back in chains... This would explain why the other slaves look up to him, but it would give Eorl's character Ferethor yet another reason to resent my own, insofar as it would be easy to see my guy as a patsy to the masters.

One thing's for sure, Aman's going to have to watch her back

Anguirel · 10-07-2005, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amanaduial the archer

Ho hum. And bearing in mind that I can already forsee the possibility of personality clashes with Azaryan, and certainly it looks unlikely that Rakin and Sangalazin are ever going to be doting best buddies...

You can't get on with the proud warrior or the debauched fop? Quel horreur...what sort of Lord are you after? You Corsair ruffians can't be choosers...

It always struck me, incidentally, that Aragorn would have made rather a good Corsair. I wonder if he ever served on a ship in disguise before his expedition...

piosenniel · 10-07-2005, 02:23 PM

Fordim's new persona:

The slave driver of the Corsair Xebec leered down at his galley slaves, coiled whip in hand, and bellowed, "I've got some good news and some bad news. The good news is that you'll be getting double rations tonight!" The murmuring of the surprised slaves as they struggled with their oars was interrupted by the slave driver. "The bad news is that this afternoon Sangalazin’s Easterling wants to learn to water-ski."

Off topic . . . will not happen again . . .

~*~ Pio

10-06-2005, 09:33 PM	#2
Fordim Hedgethistle Gibbering Gibbet Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Beyond cloud nine Posts: 1,844	Alrighty then Eorl and Spawn, somewhat further apart our characters shall be. I'm not sure I'm getting the gist of your suggestion Folwren: that my character (whomever he may be) is first brought aboard the vessel at the game's beginning? Not so sure I like that idea for my own idea of the game -- as I have already confessed to Pio, I have watched Ben Hur so many times that I have fallen in love with the idea of Slave Prince. For this to work, my guy will need to have been a slave on that ship for long enough to win the respect and confidence of the other slaves. If I bring him onto the ship at the very beginning, then the game (for me) will be about establishing dominance (which isn't really interesting to me), when what I really would like to explore is the conflict between the slaves and their masters. So unless this really does ruffle too many feathers I would like to stick with my original conception of my guy as a lifelong slave who is considered a leader by the other slaves from the outset. Now, that having been said, I very much agree with Eorl: conflict is the fuel of a good RPG, so if he thinks that his character would like to challenge mine, then that's all for the good. In the end, however, I would like to see the slaves working together toward their common good -- and against their masters. (Yeah, Aman I'm looking at you...be afraid, be very afraid...no wimpy love stories this time around m'girl.... There's gonna be some hurt this time.... heh heh heh Fordim wishes again for an evil smilie) __________________ Scribbling scrabbling.

10-07-2005, 08:47 AM	#4
dancing spawn of ungoliant Mischievous Candle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: So near to Russia, so far from Japan, quite a long way from Cairo, lots of miles from Vietnam. Posts: 1,234	Fordim & Eorl, I was thinking that a slave sitting next to my character dies thus giving my character an opportunity to move to sit on the right side of the bench so he can see a glimpe of sky and sea from the oar hole (is that a proper term? If not, could someone tell me a more appropriate one, please?). Maybe Fordim's character can be placed to sit next to mine so we three don't have to know each other right when the game starts but we are close enough to communicate. Aman, two men per oar is perfect. __________________ Fenris Wolf

10-07-2005, 02:23 PM	#8
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	Fordim's new persona: The slave driver of the Corsair Xebec leered down at his galley slaves, coiled whip in hand, and bellowed, "I've got some good news and some bad news. The good news is that you'll be getting double rations tonight!" The murmuring of the surprised slaves as they struggled with their oars was interrupted by the slave driver. "The bad news is that this afternoon Sangalazin’s Easterling wants to learn to water-ski." Off topic . . . will not happen again . . . ~*~ Pio