Númenórean Blood Runs Black Planning/Discussion Thread

[Folwren]

I haven't gone and read what's been added to the RPG itself yet, but before I left this thread, I figured I could voice an idea that just popped into my head.

Kath, I think it's a good idea to try to find replacements for our players. Evidently, it seems that Fordim's the most missed (at this point). . .we could try getting Arry into it. He's just finished an RPG, and I don't think. . .though I'm not possitive. . .I don't think he's in any other game in the Shire at present.

Now, off to read the RPG. . . see what Firefoot's been doing on my ship.

-- Folwren

[Folwren]

Would anyone object if the Gondorian's landed at Pelagir tomorrow or Thursday? If you want to do anything before that, let me know - or just write it.

Welcome, Arry and Durelin!! So glad to have you both!

-------------------

Firefoot. . .Menelcar's thoughts are so insulting. I'm getting confused about my own character. . .whether he's really quite as bad as you're making him out to be. l)

-- Folwren

[Anguirel]

Give us Corsairs time to see your approaching fleet and get back on board sharpish.

How is the battle going to proceed after that? I take it it won't be a straight bang-bang defeat for us, as that would bring the RP to a rather premature conclusion. I imagine something like-

Fame and Fortune escapes with possible carry-along NPC ships sunk

Gondorians pursue right up to Umbar

Final defeat of Corsairs, either by sea or in the city itself

[Folwren]

Fame and Fortune escapes with possible carry-along NPC ships sunk

Gondorians pursue right up to Umbar

Final defeat of Corsairs, either by sea or in the city itself

Yes, that's what I was figuruing.

How many ships do you all have there at Pelagir? If it's only two or three, it will be a quick battle there in the bay. Then we Gondorians will stay where we are until the very few damages are fixed and then we'll give pursuit.

We'll wait for you, then, to do what you need to.

-- Folwren

[Anguirel]

Well, if Aman agrees, I think three NPC ships should be enough for you to whet your rams on...though naturally they'll conveniently decommission your NPC ships as they go down!

Then we'll have a straight Raca/Cuivie vs F & F chase, which will remove a world of confusion...

[Folwren]

Originally Posted by Anguirel

Well, if Aman agrees, I think three NPC ships should be enough for you to whet your rams on...though naturally they'll conveniently decommission your NPC ships as they go down!

Then we'll have a straight Raca/Cuivie vs F & F chase, which will remove a world of confusion...

My dear old chap, if you think three of your NPC ships is going to help maim Gondor's entire fleet of NPC ships, you may find yourself sadly mistaken.

Till later, though. . .

-- Folwren

[Firefoot]

Firefoot. . .Menelcar's thoughts are so insulting. I'm getting confused about my own character. . .whether he's really quite as bad as you're making him out to be. l)

Folwren - Please, please don't take any meaning out of Menelcar's thoughts - it's certainly no reflection of what I think of him (or your writing). Menelcar's rather prejudiced and extremely misguided - he's going to see wrong whatever way you go, unless something drastic happens. For example:

Menelcar thought he detected some resentment. Yet Hereric never seemed to do anything about it, leading Menelcar to the conclusion that the man was weak-willed

If Hereric openly showed dislike and disrespect, Menelcar would have found him insulting, disrespectful, conflict-loving... Menelcar's certainly not the type of guy I'd want to hang around with. (In a way, he's almost worse than Grimkul and Ulwakh... )

But he may come around. Maybe.

Can't wait for the battle, everyone!

[Arry]

Pardon the suggestion of a lowly slave boy -

There is about a 75 mile stretch of straight river from Pelargir northwards toward where the Gondorian fleet is coming from (Atlas of Middle-earth - Fonstad). Wouldn't the brilliant captain of the corsairs have lookouts on the highest masts?

And such a lookout could send out a retreat call - horns, drums, etc - saying the fleet is in sight.

That way the corsairs would have a head start.

By the way - how many ships are we looking at for the Gondorian Navy? and how many for the Corsairs?

[Folwren]

Alrighty, ladies and gents, battle/fight/skirmish or whatever you would like to call it starts tomorrow morning. Before I leave work today, I'll have the Gondorian ships pulling into view in the river. There are still several, several miles between us and the Pelargir, though, at that point. That will give you Corsairs time to spot us and run for your ships.

Any pre-fighting scenes that anyone wants to write (mainly thinking of Alcarillo and his ships mates here) should be written before, well, tomorrow late morning. I should be posting the first clash of ships around 10:00 EST. . .or a little later.

Be pre-warned.

---------------------------------------

Now about the battle itself, let me see if I can't make things clear in my mind. . .we Gondorians get to pick on a few non-character ships and win in these fights, right? Is it correct to assume that we're allowed to destroy them, once we've killed all their people and freed all the galley slaves? Preferably, we haven't sunk them with those poor wretches chained to their oars. . .

Also, having thought on it at length last night, those Xebecs of yours are going to have a great advantage in speed, especially being galley ships. Am I correct to think thus? But all in all, we might have the advantage in maneauvering in a river, big as it is. Well well, we'll see.

Anyone who has any idea of war tactics in such cases, I'd greatly appreciate it if you voiced your knowledge.

-- Folwren

[Dunwen]

I'm not sure how detailed I can get until Captain Vorimandur takes action...but they say the worst part of battle is waiting for it (although I suspect 'they' haven't ever been in action).

I'll have to see what I can do...

--Dunwen


P.S. Fordim, congratulations on your new babies!! I hope little 'Elrond & Elros' continue to thrive, and that you and their mommy are getting enough sleep!

[Folwren]

Alright, everyone! Here I am. I finally wrote a post and got it up. It would have been here earlier today, but I wanted to give people more chance to write something. I left a Save in case anyone wanted to put the alarm being risen in.

I've started the attack. I let one Corsair ship go, and one only. If you all think another should be able to slip past, I can fix it that way.

I intend to have all the Corsairs killed, galley slaves freed, and then the ship burned, that sound alright?

Any objections can be voiced without any offence taken on my part. I can change whatever anyone thinks I should change.

-- Folwren

[Amanaduial the archer]

...which gives me an idea for a really wild RPG when I am finally able to return to the Downs: musical characters! Every two weeks, everyone has to switch their characters!!

To revert to my Stopfordian roots: WELL GOOD! Ahem...*reverts to usual accent* That is an amazing idea, Fordim - I will take you up on that one

I intend to have all the Corsairs killed, galley slaves freed, and then the ship burned, that sound alright?

Good lord! I leave for a week and this is what happens?! Good lord! 'Scuse me while I go and check up on the thread really sharpish-like...

[Folwren]

Hm. It appears that I've jumped the gun on this one.

If people need/want more time, I can remove my post and save from the game and wait on it longer. . .my posting was hastily done, and I apologize.

What does everyone want to do? Let me know before this afternoon is out so that I can take action on it before I leave work today.

-- Folwren

[Arry]

Here's a post to warn the Corsairs off ship of attack:

Pio - can you put this onto Folwren's SAVE, please.

POST PLACED ~*~ PIO

-----------------

Arry’s post

Bahir spent most of the day on the crossbar of the mast. The deck below seemed far away, the figures who moved about on it like little ants. He settled his back against the mast pole, letting his feet dangle freely. There was a good view up and down the river, and to each side he could see the flatter areas near the water’s edge give way on each side to low lying hillocks amidst the grassier areas. A pretty enough land, but nothing like the sandy beauty of his homeland.

The ship rocked gently at its moorings, soothing him . . .

‘I must have fallen asleep!’ he grumbled to himself. The wind had grown chill.’ His belly grumbled in response, reminding him he’d had nothing to eat since much earlier in the day.

And here it was late evening, already. The sun just ready to sink below the horizon.

Bahir got up slowly and stood tall, stretching his muscles before descending the pole. He took a last look about at his airy world just before leaving the crosspiece. ‘What’s this,’ he said, frowning as his eyes scanned up the river. There were ships moving down the river at full sail. He shouted down to the guards who stood along the pier-side of the ship.

‘Raise the alarm! Many ships! Just upriver!’

He shouted his message again as he scrambled onto the deck and went running to take his position as message boy. Behind him, as he made for his spot, he could hear the large curled horns blaring out their warning to retreat to the ship And the orders of the First Mate to cast off the lines and bring the ship about. Already, the sailors were scrambling to position the sails as ordered . . .

[Arry]

Thanks -

So, . . . being a minor member of the crew, Boy will just wait now until the Captain or the Lord directs him . . .

[Folwren]

By the kind advise of Pio, I've editted and shortened my post. It gives everyone, particularly the corsair players, time to write stuff about the fighting or fleeing bit that they do, which ever. Pio figured it'd be better that way, and having thought about it, I think she's right.

So. . .that post that I wrote earlier today has been shortened dramatically, and hopefully everything will be fine now. I'm terribly sorry about earlier. 'Tis what comes of being hasty.

-- Folwren

[Durelin]

I've talked to Fordim, and I will hopefully get a post up as Chakka in the next couple of days. It's been a bit difficult to try and get oriented into the story, as well as such a 'meaty' character, as Aman so aptly put him. And there seems to be quite a lot happening... But here's to ignoring a research paper and theology test...

-Durelin

[Arry]

Slight confusion here -- Anguirel, you have the dead blond boy found in your quarters. Bahir packed him off to the captain's quarters and left him dead in Rakin's bed.

[Anguirel]

Argh! Sorry, missed that. So all I see is the liquor bottle. Right. Editting will be done.

Fixed. Sangalazin is cross about the theft rather than heartbroken about the murder...

No, not fixed. The wine, too, is in Rakin's room. Blast. I'll do a major overhaul.

[Dunwen]

Alcarillo, Lommy & Kath: Er, I seem to have created another sergeat for the Raca -- Sergeant Angaden, in charge of the ship's archers. I think he's like the chief archer, and is in the rigging right now to oversee their part of the battle. (And of course, he may take a few shots himself.)

-- Dunwen

[Arry]

SAVE filled.

Boy has reappeared and is heading for his place somewhere on the ship's riggings . . .

We await your further commands, O Captain!