Tapestry of Dreams, Part 2 Discussion

[Formendacil]

While I'm perfectly content to sit on the sidelines for as long as possible... for all the usual reasons of lethargy and lack of direction... I feel morally obliged to point out that I guess I'm still around, and can probably write posts in the near future--if I get some direction where I should be going. It's the perennial problem for me: I own the character, no problem there, but Bergil and I are just sort of along for the ride. We're not in the driver's seat.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by Formendacil

We're not in the driver's seat.

I'd say at the moment Elempi's in the driver's seat, whether or not he wants it. The way I visualize it is that once in a while he leans back and says "Hey Fea, I'll take care of the gas and brakes [and maybe clutch], if you'll take the wheel for a bit." And, like with acquaintances who suggest I take the wheel from the passenger's seat, I absently reach over and navigate. And while it feels awkward and dangerous at times, especially around corners, it can be downright thrilling once you reach your destination and realize that not only have you not crashed and burned, but your trip was more interesting for the switch.

Wow. What a conceit that was.

[littlemanpoet]

Originally Posted by Feanor of the Peredhil

Wow. What a conceit that was.

Indeed.

Formy, I requested response from you at least twice in the last little while with no response, and now out of nowhere you make yourself known..... with the usual reservations. Can you commit to this for the rest of its short life, or not?

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Indeed.

Formy, I requested response from you at least twice in the last little while with no response, and now out of nowhere you make yourself known..... with the usual reservations. Can you commit to this for the rest of its short life, or not?

You did? *shakes head at self* I guess I never saw that... which is strange, but not entirely unexpected given the past month.

I would like to stay committed. If you say "rest of its short life", then that makes it rather possible sounding.

I guess it comes down to a question of what's expected. With regards to this RPG I consistently feel a bit confused as to how much you're anticipating in the way of posts. Unlike Fea, I've never really acclimatized myself to an RPG where, although I've read it, I have no history with its previous formation. Nor is my character so placed as to be a driving force in the plot. Bergil is basically just another "secondary human character" in a group full of them--which is fine with me.

I don't feel comfortable in this RPG with taking responsibility for the direction of the plot, and although seminary life is certainly busy, that is the chief factor in my infrequent posting. I could make many and varied--and true--excuses for my repeated set-backs in terms of frequent commitment (including months of no internet, broken legs, exams... etc... etc...), but that's the essence of it.

It's really up to you. In terms of frequency of posting, I can give as much as I ever have, but that's not an awful lot, I suppose, even looking at the best weeks. In this situation I seem to be a high maintenance writer, and I can't blame you for being frustrated with having to constantly prod me. If you want to cut me, then that's probably for the best, and I would have absolutely no hard feelings about that. On the flip side, if you think that I'm worth having around, in whatever shoddy form, then I do still want to contribute what little I'm capable of. I joined this RPG in good faith and although life has conspired with my laziness to foil my good intentions, I still have those good intentions.

So... I hate to put the onus on you, since that's all too often the story here, but... well... that's sort of where the onus is. I don't know what your exact expectations are for commitment, but it should be altogether too apparent how much commitment I'm able to offer: as soon as something new crops up here I tend to read it within a couple days, and if prompted can usually respond immediately or soon after (the past month being a bit of an anomaly that I don't anticipate returning, but cannot promise). Most important to consider: I'm not going to take initiative here.

As I said, if you'd rather I drop out, then I am completely fine with that (and would probably find it something of a relief), but there's also no hard feelings about keeping me around. "Not my will, but yours be done." *cough*

[mark12_30]

For me, stories are about the integrity of the characters more than about the plot. I.e. the plot should fulfill who the characters are, in a sense, complete their destiny.

So-- Formy, a question. Is Bergil-- as a man-- merely passingly interested in Indil's future, and ready to turn her safety over to someone else-- or is he passionately devoted to Indil ? I don't mean passionately as Raefindan would be, but as a protector, a helper and rescuer?

To put it another way, would he really really like to kill Tharonwe for what Tharonwe has put Indil through?

I know, turn the other cheek. However (a) that revelation has not entered Middle-Earth quite yet and (b) as a christian I don't believe that's intended when there are completely innocent lives involved, i.e. protecting the innocent is a call on any honest man's life. Indil is utterly innocent. Tharonwe is not. How does Bergil feel about him?

And:

I'm having a hard time writing both sides of the Ravion/ Mellonin love story. I'm used to having someone else write Ravion. To me he is central to Mellonin's plot. Does he interest you?

[littlemanpoet]

Formy, when you have written, there has been depth worth reading. If the last month as been an anomaly and you promise to post when asked to, that's good enough for me. I think that Helen makes a good point as to Bergil's motivations, especially now that Raefindan has (in appearance) turned traitor.

As to Ravion, my opinion is that the right person to write him is Orual. Given that she is not available to us anymore, Helen knows him best. Were Formy or Fea or I to write him, he would undergo some kind of strange personality alteration, I fear, and that would not be good for the relationship. Unless Formy believes that he can give it a good go, I would suggest that Helen continue to write him, and be willing to accept suggestions from Fea and me (and Formy if he cares to) as to any apparent changes needed as we proceed.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

I would suggest that Helen continue to write him, and be willing to accept suggestions from Fea and me (and Formy if he cares to) as to any apparent changes needed as we proceed.

This seems best to me. I'd offer to take him, but he's not the sort of character I work best with (ie: he's just so darned normal) and like Elempi said, I'm pretty sure under my direction he'd have manic personality changes regardless of good intentions, and things would get messed up utterly.

And I'd like Formy to continue writing with us because to my mind, Bergil has unfinished business. Like Helen said: Indil. She's his charge, and she's (to the eyes of the group) currently a hostage of an evil jerk and a murderer who's working for the evil jerk. Loose ends tend to need tying.

And as Elempi pointed out: it's not a long commitment, if we can work quickly. We're so near to the end, that now it's just finishing.

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by mark12_30

So-- Formy, a question. Is Bergil-- as a man-- merely passingly interested in Indil's future, and ready to turn her safety over to someone else-- or is he passionately devoted to Indil ? I don't mean passionately as Raefindan would be, but as a protector, a helper and rescuer?

To put it another way, would he really really like to kill Tharonwe for what Tharonwe has put Indil through?

I know, turn the other cheek. However (a) that revelation has not entered Middle-Earth quite yet and (b) as a christian I don't believe that's intended when there are completely innocent lives involved, i.e. protecting the innocent is a call on any honest man's life. Indil is utterly innocent. Tharonwe is not. How does Bergil feel about him?

I certainly do see Bergil as a "turn the other cheek" sort. Take a look at his readiness to tussle with Pippin, and look at the family background--Beregond can take a lot on faith, but he'll strike a mortal blow for Faramir.

So, as to his relationship with Indil, Bergil sees himself as responsible for her. He is, in his mind, basically her legal guardian: he found her and took her with him and until and unless her family turns up, he's going to act as such. Being young and a warrior by trade and nature, I imagine he'd gladly strike a violent blow right at Tharonwë. I'm not sure it would be an irrational rage driving him so much as a righteous anger and a very clear sense of justice--which, of course, has been horribly violated.

(As a side-note, it's interesting to consider where this attitude of Bergil's would leave him at the end of the tale, with Indil's family presumably dead. Bergil doesn't exactly have the lifestyle conducive to raising a young girl But that's not really relevant to the moment.)

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Formy, when you have written, there has been depth worth reading. If the last month as been an anomaly and you promise to post when asked to, that's good enough for me. I think that Helen makes a good point as to Bergil's motivations, especially now that Raefindan has (in appearance) turned traitor.

Then I'll stick around. As far as I know, last month was an internetless anomaly.

On the subject of Raefindan & Bergil, it will certainly be interesting to see what transpires when they meet again.

As regards Ravion--I certainly don't feel I know his character well enough to write him. I know his exterior habits somewhat, but I don't know what makes him tick on the inside.

[mark12_30]

OK, I'll keep Ravion. But I really do miss Orual.

[littlemanpoet]

Originally Posted by Formendacil

... it's interesting to consider where this attitude of Bergil's would leave him at the end of the tale, with Indil's family presumably dead. Bergil doesn't exactly have the lifestyle conducive to raising a young girl But that's not really relevant to the moment.

Maybe not Bergil, but perhaps Ravion and Mellonin will have such a lifestyle.

Then I'll stick around. As far as I know, last month was an internetless anomaly.

Good.

Yes, Helen, I miss Orual too.