Eorling Mead Hall Planning/Discussion Thread

[littlemanpoet]

Originally Posted by Kath

Thanks lmp that does make much more sense!

Most welcome, Kath.

Originally Posted by Durelin

The "Viking Mead Hall" was decidedly a poke at stereotypical knowledge of mead halls.

Poked I am. And glad to have inspired some creative juices flowing between the court of justice and a rereading of The Hobbit.

Originally Posted by Fea

I'd like a permanent place for Saeryn, LMP, if that could be arranged... and is agreeable to the Innkeeper. ... Is that, perchance, agreeable?

Most certainly.

And I've been thinking..... whereas in a traditional Mead Hall, everybody just sleeps in one main room, we'll have a variation on that at the Eorling. Y'see, since it is the old White Horse, the only thing that will really need renovation is the common room. All those rooms off down corridors are already there, and Eodwine isn't about to ruin a good thing.

There's just one little problem...... What with ATM running and all these other things I have on my plate, I don't know exactly how soon I can have the first post up on the New Thread that is adequate to the kind of ambiance I want to achieve. So please be patient. It should be up by the end of the weekend.

Thanks!

[Nerindel]

No worries LMP, we look forward to it

So is the main hall going to be pretty much like the lay out of Beorn's hall with a sunken fire pit in the centre of the room and tables up the sides like.. forgive me movie Meduseld and the central area for gathering to hear Scops(poets) and gleemen (Harpists/musicians) who will perform by the fire light?

As for Æðelhild she will be most relieved that work will still be available to her but finding out that Eodwine is an Eorl may make her a little nervous, I will pm you a little more of why this will be so when I find a little more time.

I am also looking forward to the 'time jumps' as fun as a day to day accounting is I always find that I'm eager for the plot to advance and thicken so to speak.

[Bêthberry]

Hello there new Inn--meister and new Inn-mates

I toyed with the idea of burning down the old White Horse Inn after Bethberry left, to leave the place open for lmp to set up his mead hall as he wishes, but decided to leave things for him to work out.

You could, of course, have the fire, and that would allow you to redo completely the physical layout the way you envision it. Also provide some initial requirements for action. (The Horse did have a fire once, though, in the stables, so maybe that is a bit repetitive. Yet a town built of wood and thatch...)

One aspect of the Rohirrim which has never seemed very Anglo-Saxon (or Viking) to me is the horse-rearing and the wide grasslands. I have always read those traits as pertaining to Tolkien's rough geographical layout of Middle-earth, which would put Rohan in the same tradition as the cosssacks of south eastern Europe. (Well, okay, I know the Kievian Rus was founded by Vikings. )

Expect Ruthven when she's least expected!

[littlemanpoet]

Again, pardon the lack of quotes. Yes, Nerindel, it will be as you have queried. There may be an aspect to which Aedhelhild (sorry no ansi to hand again), having known Eodwine before his elevation, may be somewhat less intimidated. But play it as your character is best played, by all means.

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

I toyed with the idea of burning down the old White Horse Inn after Bethberry left, to leave the place open for lmp to set up his mead hall as he wishes, but decided to leave things for him to work out.

Glad you didn't. I don't foresee a burning down; too hard to control those things, and there's too much good about the old White Horse worth preserving.

One aspect of the Rohirrim which has never seemed very Anglo-Saxon (or Viking) to me is the horse-rearing and the wide grasslands. I have always read those traits as pertaining to Tolkien's rough geographical layout of Middle-earth, which would put Rohan in the same tradition as the cosssacks of south eastern Europe. Well, okay, I know the Kievian Rus was founded by Vikings.

I lean on Shippey for this: the particular Anglo-Saxon kingdom that Tolkien called his geographic home, was old Mercia (a latinate word); translated into the West-Midland Anglo-Saxon: literally, 'the Mark'. Shippey goes on to provide evidence (I don't have the tome with me) that the West Midland love of horses is specific to The Mark. Consider how many totemic chalk-horses there are scattered over England; maybe there were more horses in Anglo-Saxon England than the Normans would have liked us to believe. But this is beginning to sound like a Books discussion the way I'm rattling on, so I'll shut up about it.

As you can see from the above few paragraphs, I'm very very enamored of the whole Anglo-Saxon aspect of the English past and history (they are two different things). So this is a really good fit for me at the Mead Hall.

Expect Ruthven when she's least expected!

Cool! Gandalfesque, there, eh?

[Esgallhugwen]

Hello old friends, I have returned to once again enjoy the pleasures of the Barrow Downs.

It's sad that Bethberry has taken her leave. But new beginnings are always fun and exciting. I'd like to reprise my roll as Gudryn, seeing that now LMP is running his very own Inn it might prove difficult to keep the young lass in check.

I very much think that Gudryn would enjoy taking up a job at the Mead Hall. This would help to keep her busy and help her adoptive father with the renovations. Gudryn is fast maturing what with the obstacles and joys that have been thrown her way during the course of her whole life. After all she is becoming a lady sooner then latter and she must begin her journey into adulthood wherever it may lead.

I will leave the decision of her occupation up to you LMP, Gudryn is most capable and has many talents.

[littlemanpoet]

Excellent, Esgal!

I'll have Eodwine bring it up with Gudryn, and we'll see where it goes. Glad to have you back.

[Kath]

lmp if you need helpers in the kitchen I can happily create a character looking for a job. I prefer to have something for a character to do anyway! Anything in particular you need?