The Fellowship of the Fourth Age: A New Beginning Planning Thread - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Child of the 7th Age · 06-15-2006, 02:12 PM

Here is the first game post....

I really think this story could be awesome!

_______________________________

MOVED UP TO THE PROPOSAL ~*~ PIO

Elessar set down the letter on his desk, walked over to the window, and stared off into the distance. Here at the summit, he could look down and see the gleaming white towers and six lower tiers that characterized Minas Tirith, the chief city of Gondor. The streets were far more crowded than they had been a short while ago, since the city's population continued to grow. This was only one of the many accomplishments in the past ten years. The ancient lands of Gondor and Arnor had been reclaimed and reunited. The Hobbits of the Shire, the Elves of Greenwood, and the Ents of Isengard could be counted among the many Free Peoples of Middle-earth who enjoyed complete self government with freedom to maintain their local customs. Representatives from the king had even managed to reach a rough understanding with their long-time enemies, the Easterlings and Haradrim.

Despite the return of peace and prosperity, one troubling problem remained. Early in Elessar's reign, the king had declared that the lands of Núrn be gifted to the slaves of Mordor. This edict had proven difficult to enforce. In the region south of the Sea of Núrn, most of the slaves had revolted and secured their freedom, setting up fortified villages where they could defend themselves against orc attacks and till their fields in relative peace. In the region north of the Sea, the situation was different. With Sauron's restraining hand removed, local strongmen with armed retinues continued to repress the slaves and deny them freedom. Eager to extend their authority and gain more land, these tyrants engaged in constant warfare both among themselves and against the orcs who roamed throughout the region. Gondor had sent soldiers to try and topple these petty rulers, and the troops had scored an easy victory. But the moment the armies were dispatched back home, another strongman emerged and reasserted control over the slaves.

Elessar had once hoped that the slaves could flee the plantations and find refuge in the fortified villages to the south. Given the chaos that dominated the area, it was very possible for slaves to slip off into the night and simply disappear. But the neighboring communities were too young and fragile, and lacked sufficient stores of food to offer a home to more than a handful of deserters. What was needed was a safe haven for the refugees to go, someplace where they could begin a new life. They could not remain in the area near the Sea of Núrn or even on the Ash Plain to the north because of the presence of numerous gangs of orcs. More than one group of escapees had managed to elude the dogs and posses of the slaveholders only to perish at the hands of orcs. The slaves of Mordor were now a forgotten problem that no one had the knowledge or heart to resolve.

For the first time, however, after reading the missive, Elessar felt a tiny glimmer of hope. The letter, for all its rough and ragged appearance, had been written by a slave leader who understood the problems of his people and had some notion how to solve them. Though the message had been penned by one who could barely read or write, its meaning was unmistakable. A group of fifty slaves had raised an armed rebellion, managing to escape and take refuge in caves along the river to the west. There, they had been greeted by fifteen other men, the beleaguered remnents of an earlier band of run-away slaves.

Both groups agreed they could not stay in their temporary shelter. The ex-slaves were insistent that the situation was too dangerous, since brutal orc attacks had recently become a frequent occurence. Yet where could the refugees go? It was one of the new escapees who came up with an audacious plan to head north across the Ash Plain for the southern reaches of the Plateau of Gorgoroth and attempt to establish a village there. The petitioner had written this letter, humbly requesting that Gondor send representatives from the Free Peoples of Middle-earth to help protect them on the journey, individuals who could also teach them the skills needed to forge a new community.

Aragorn shook his head in amazement. It was at once a bold and utterly perilous suggestion. As far as the King knew, no party had made it across the Ash Plain in recent years. Roving bands of Orcs and other outlaws made the passage dangerous as well as unamed shadows that had been unknowingly left behind when Sauron departed the earth. At the very least, the journey would be a challenge. Even if they made the crossing, there was no certainty of success at the end. The Plateau of Gorgoroth was uninhabited, a veritable wilderness. Farming would be difficult at best, since there were no substantial bodies of water nearby.

Still, if the feat could be done, if a new community could be established, the possibilities were enormous. Freed slaves from other plantations would finally have a place to go. Aragorn conjectured that, once the village was well established, it could even send couriers back to encourage other slaves to revolt, guiding them across the Ash Plain to the safe refuge that lay beyond. Half-way camps could even be established. One village could multiply and eventually become a whole network of thriving outposts. So much suffering could be avoided! The image was simply too appealing for Elessar to resist.

The King felt a strange yearning to join the group himself. What an exciting and worthwhile endeavor it would be. But that was no longer possible, since his own responsibilities as well as the presence of his beloved wife and children required him to stay in Minas Tirith. This adventure would have to go to others.

Aragorn quietly began humming the tune of an old ballad as he wrote out the orders for each individual whom he would ask to join the group. Dwarves, Elves, Men, and Hobbits--they must all be included. This might be the last time that all the Free Peoples were called together in a common goal of such great importance. The soul of Mordor was at stake. It would take a fellowship--the Fellowship of the Fourth Age--to rise to such a challenge and guarantee a new beginning for the people of Mordor.

piosenniel · 06-15-2006, 02:19 PM

Go ahead and work on it up in the proposal form section if you want Cami - or here if it's easier to find - then just transfer it up to the proposal form.

~*~ Pio

Child of the 7th Age · 06-15-2006, 02:24 PM

Will do. I'll finish it in the box and then transfer it up.

Child of the 7th Age · 06-15-2006, 05:49 PM

OK, first post of the game finished. I believe this story has possibilties.

I'll start working on my profiles and posts.

In terms of the first post of the game that everyone submits, we need to say what that should be. Presumably, for the Fellowship, it should be their individual response to getting the letter from Aragorn and then setting out the door.

We'll have to do one post to leap time forward and get us to the caves where the slaves stay.

Any ideas what the first posts of the slaves or orcs should be?

Yea, and I agree there's no need to turn in a first post for minor characters.

Durelin · 06-15-2006, 06:05 PM

Quote:

I was wondering, Child: What will your first post for the game cover? Because I was thinking that perhaps, if you were going to cover the stuff going on and Gondor, that I could write a post that would cover the stuff going on in Mordor (or vice-versa).

And that brings up another question: We are starting the game with the group from Gondor already hooked up with the Mordor group, right? Would the first post(s) be prologue-like, then, at least covering the Gondor group's being sent out and journey to Mordor?

Just bringing some questions forward to make sure they don't get overlooked. Please answer them whenever you get the chance (no rush; was just afraid my post was too cluttered and jumpy and such...or something).

Thanks very much.

Child of the 7th Age · 06-15-2006, 06:57 PM

Yes, good idea. My folk are in Gondor, and my first post will be their response in Gondor to the king's request. (I'll likely do a single joint post with both Lindir and Radagast in it.) If you'd like, I can merely mention near the end of my post that your Gondor character comes to us and we set out together to meet with the king. That would cover his entrance. It would be good if you could focus on the slave contingent.

BTW, I think all of the people Aragorn sends out would need to be staying in Minas Tirith or someplace not too far away. (including visiting Elves, hobbits, etc.) It wouldn't make sense that someone would take months to reach Minas Tirith (to say nothing of how they get the message).

That leads us back to the other question. What would first posts for slaves/ex-slaves look like?

Maybe for the Orcs first post would be their disatisfaction with their leader and how restrictive he is?

Once the first post is done, I think time has to leap forward for slaves and Gondor people till the point where they meet up in the caves. That meeting of slaves and folks from the west would be the second post.

Second post for Orcs might be their decision to strike out on their own, not knowing where they're going? Only the vague direction of north....perhaps to hunt for something valuable (perhaps weapons or armor of mithril?) they mistakenly believe Sauron might have left behind on the Plateau of Gorgoroth?

Just thinking out loud. Other views are definitely welcome....

____________________

Is that first game post OK?

Durelin · 06-15-2006, 07:17 PM

Quote:

My folk are in Gondor, and my first post will be their response in Gondor to the king's request. (I'll likely do a single joint post with both Lindir and Radagast in it.) If you'd like, I can merely mention near the end of my post that your Gondor character comes to us and we set out together to meet with the king. That would cover his entrance. It would be good if you could focus on the slave contingent.

I could manage a post about both, I believe, unless you'd rather edit it in my character's role in the group (or you can edit that in either way; it's up to you).

And the first post looks great! I love Aragorn's reminiscing; that's a great touch.

Quote:

What would first posts for slaves/ex-slaves look like?

Maybe for the Orcs first post would be their disatisfaction with their leader and how restrictive he is?

I suppose then that the slaves posts should deal with their escape from the rebellion gone wrong, and the ex-slaves...well, will they be hiding in the mountains as a gang, or will they be among the other slaves, escaping from the rebellion that they took part of? (Like a liberation force.)

Your ideas for the Orcs' first posts sound good to me; I'll have to come back with more ideas later if I can. Being pulled away from the comp now...

Child of the 7th Age · 06-15-2006, 07:18 PM

Just reviewing the earlier part of this thread. Here's an answer to a related question.... I do think it would be good if your major character was the slave, and the man from Gondor a secondary character. That way, as game founders, we'd have a solid foot in both those camps.

One other question I raised:

Quote:

One more Orc issue that needs ironing out.....are these the kind of Orcs that prefer night and are blinded by the light of the sun? Or are they the Uruk-hai?

06-15-2006, 02:12 PM	#1
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Here is the first game post.... I really think this story could be awesome! _______________________________ *MOVED UP TO THE PROPOSAL ~~ PIO** Elessar set down the letter on his desk, walked over to the window, and stared off into the distance. Here at the summit, he could look down and see the gleaming white towers and six lower tiers that characterized Minas Tirith, the chief city of Gondor. The streets were far more crowded than they had been a short while ago, since the city's population continued to grow. This was only one of the many accomplishments in the past ten years. The ancient lands of Gondor and Arnor had been reclaimed and reunited. The Hobbits of the Shire, the Elves of Greenwood, and the Ents of Isengard could be counted among the many Free Peoples of Middle-earth who enjoyed complete self government with freedom to maintain their local customs. Representatives from the king had even managed to reach a rough understanding with their long-time enemies, the Easterlings and Haradrim. Despite the return of peace and prosperity, one troubling problem remained. Early in Elessar's reign, the king had declared that the lands of Núrn be gifted to the slaves of Mordor. This edict had proven difficult to enforce. In the region south of the Sea of Núrn, most of the slaves had revolted and secured their freedom, setting up fortified villages where they could defend themselves against orc attacks and till their fields in relative peace. In the region north of the Sea, the situation was different. With Sauron's restraining hand removed, local strongmen with armed retinues continued to repress the slaves and deny them freedom. Eager to extend their authority and gain more land, these tyrants engaged in constant warfare both among themselves and against the orcs who roamed throughout the region. Gondor had sent soldiers to try and topple these petty rulers, and the troops had scored an easy victory. But the moment the armies were dispatched back home, another strongman emerged and reasserted control over the slaves. Elessar had once hoped that the slaves could flee the plantations and find refuge in the fortified villages to the south. Given the chaos that dominated the area, it was very possible for slaves to slip off into the night and simply disappear. But the neighboring communities were too young and fragile, and lacked sufficient stores of food to offer a home to more than a handful of deserters. What was needed was a safe haven for the refugees to go, someplace where they could begin a new life. They could not remain in the area near the Sea of Núrn or even on the Ash Plain to the north because of the presence of numerous gangs of orcs. More than one group of escapees had managed to elude the dogs and posses of the slaveholders only to perish at the hands of orcs. The slaves of Mordor were now a forgotten problem that no one had the knowledge or heart to resolve. For the first time, however, after reading the missive, Elessar felt a tiny glimmer of hope. The letter, for all its rough and ragged appearance, had been written by a slave leader who understood the problems of his people and had some notion how to solve them. Though the message had been penned by one who could barely read or write, its meaning was unmistakable. A group of fifty slaves had raised an armed rebellion, managing to escape and take refuge in caves along the river to the west. There, they had been greeted by fifteen other men, the beleaguered remnents of an earlier band of run-away slaves. Both groups agreed they could not stay in their temporary shelter. The ex-slaves were insistent that the situation was too dangerous, since brutal orc attacks had recently become a frequent occurence. Yet where could the refugees go? It was one of the new escapees who came up with an audacious plan to head north across the Ash Plain for the southern reaches of the Plateau of Gorgoroth and attempt to establish a village there. The petitioner had written this letter, humbly requesting that Gondor send representatives from the Free Peoples of Middle-earth to help protect them on the journey, individuals who could also teach them the skills needed to forge a new community. Aragorn shook his head in amazement. It was at once a bold and utterly perilous suggestion. As far as the King knew, no party had made it across the Ash Plain in recent years. Roving bands of Orcs and other outlaws made the passage dangerous as well as unamed shadows that had been unknowingly left behind when Sauron departed the earth. At the very least, the journey would be a challenge. Even if they made the crossing, there was no certainty of success at the end. The Plateau of Gorgoroth was uninhabited, a veritable wilderness. Farming would be difficult at best, since there were no substantial bodies of water nearby. Still, if the feat could be done, if a new community could be established, the possibilities were enormous. Freed slaves from other plantations would finally have a place to go. Aragorn conjectured that, once the village was well established, it could even send couriers back to encourage other slaves to revolt, guiding them across the Ash Plain to the safe refuge that lay beyond. Half-way camps could even be established. One village could multiply and eventually become a whole network of thriving outposts. So much suffering could be avoided! The image was simply too appealing for Elessar to resist. The King felt a strange yearning to join the group himself. What an exciting and worthwhile endeavor it would be. But that was no longer possible, since his own responsibilities as well as the presence of his beloved wife and children required him to stay in Minas Tirith. This adventure would have to go to others. Aragorn quietly began humming the tune of an old ballad as he wrote out the orders for each individual whom he would ask to join the group. Dwarves, Elves, Men, and Hobbits--they must all be included. This might be the last time that all the Free Peoples were called together in a common goal of such great importance. The soul of Mordor was at stake. It would take a fellowship--the Fellowship of the Fourth Age--to rise to such a challenge and guarantee a new beginning for the people of Mordor. Last edited by piosenniel; 06-16-2006 at 02:09 AM.

06-15-2006, 02:19 PM	#2
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	Go ahead and work on it up in the proposal form section if you want Cami - or here if it's easier to find - then just transfer it up to the proposal form. ~*~ Pio __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.

06-15-2006, 02:24 PM	#3
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Will do. I'll finish it in the box and then transfer it up. __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

06-15-2006, 05:49 PM	#4
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	OK, first post of the game finished. I believe this story has possibilties. I'll start working on my profiles and posts. In terms of the first post of the game that everyone submits, we need to say what that should be. Presumably, for the Fellowship, it should be their individual response to getting the letter from Aragorn and then setting out the door. We'll have to do one post to leap time forward and get us to the caves where the slaves stay. Any ideas what the first posts of the slaves or orcs should be? Yea, and I agree there's no need to turn in a first post for minor characters. __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

06-15-2006, 06:57 PM	#6
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Yes, good idea. My folk are in Gondor, and my first post will be their response in Gondor to the king's request. (I'll likely do a single joint post with both Lindir and Radagast in it.) If you'd like, I can merely mention near the end of my post that your Gondor character comes to us and we set out together to meet with the king. That would cover his entrance. It would be good if you could focus on the slave contingent. BTW, I think all of the people Aragorn sends out would need to be staying in Minas Tirith or someplace not too far away. (including visiting Elves, hobbits, etc.) It wouldn't make sense that someone would take months to reach Minas Tirith (to say nothing of how they get the message). That leads us back to the other question. What would first posts for slaves/ex-slaves look like? Maybe for the Orcs first post would be their disatisfaction with their leader and how restrictive he is? Once the first post is done, I think time has to leap forward for slaves and Gondor people till the point where they meet up in the caves. That meeting of slaves and folks from the west would be the second post. Second post for Orcs might be their decision to strike out on their own, not knowing where they're going? Only the vague direction of north....perhaps to hunt for something valuable (perhaps weapons or armor of mithril?) they mistakenly believe Sauron might have left behind on the Plateau of Gorgoroth? Just thinking out loud. Other views are definitely welcome.... ____________________ Is that first game post OK? __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote. Last edited by Child of the 7th Age; 06-15-2006 at 07:04 PM.