Scarburg Meadhall Discussion Thread

[Mnemosyne]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

Hehe... I love you Mnemo!

Does this mean you'll go to bed now and get a healthy amount of sleep in you, just because I'm asking nicely?

There's nothing like a healthy dose of racism to keep the pot stirring... after all, the kitchens seemed pretty quiet last time I checked. Why should we have all the fun to ourselves? :evil:

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Mnemosyne

Does this mean you'll go to bed now and get a healthy amount of sleep in you, just because I'm asking nicely?

Maybe...well definitively... and it's only about 3AM (and I have classes only at 12...)

Thornden might break up the suspense, or Coen, or anyone of the previous Mead Hall just taking initiative and pulling Lithor (and Crabannan) out from the spotlight.

I'm going to sleep now and leave it to you.

And any others might post for their reactions anyway even if not willing to break the deadlock...

[Gwathagor]

Well, this IS fun. I haven't enjoyed myself this much in RPG-land since I got to write the part of the vampire in the Treachery of Men. All those murders...

[Folwren]

I had a thought. Since Lilige had worked with Javan while unpacking the wagons, would she know his name and be able to tell Wynflaed, even though Aedre didn't know?

time for dinner.

-- Foley

[Loslote]

She does, and can tell Wynflaed as soon as she gets back from the banquet. Lilige will be with Aedre...unless Aedre gave her the slip and went to the stables, but I think Nienna had decided against it? Either way, she'll probably be in her Lady's chamber. It would be natural for Wynflaed to ask if she'd seen who it was, and Lilige can and will tell her.

[Groin Redbeard]

Okay, I've deleted my post until Nogrod and I can get a PM post up together.

Also, as a side note, I would like to add that Lithor's boast was not unusual for the Anglo Saxons to make. It is a tradition that each warrior must do when introducing himself (as seen in Beowulf). Secondly, Lithor's spear throwing in the great hall was also not unusual. My inspiration for it was from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, where something much more gruesome happened there. A game, song, story, or challenge was not unusual at Medieval banquets. Lithor is doing nothing out of the ordinary there.

[Folwren]

I don't really think it was the challenge itself that Athanar is angry with. It is the form of the challenge. The beginning of my post with Thornden kind of expresses, I think, what many people might be thinking - how the humor would have been right for Eodwine's time, but not now with this new lord and questions of authority still being bandied about.

Looking forward to your guys' post. Your last one was really good and I would've repped it, but they said I couldn't. Anyway, I'm sure this one will be great, too.

-- Foley

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Folwren

I don't really think it was the challenge itself that Athanar is angry with. It is the form of the challenge. The beginning of my post with Thornden kind of expresses, I think, what many people might be thinking - how the humor would have been right for Eodwine's time, but not now with this new lord and questions of authority still being bandied about.

You're quite right Foley with the "temporary-rule" -issue that it's mainly the way it was said, quite mockingly from Athanar's POV. But calling Athanar and his household "guests", by a soldier, and in public, is actually also something more substantial Athanar can't just tolerate.

Like he has shown the King's decree giving him the eorlship for everyone to see and then hearing someone calling him a guest five minutes later... thus basically publicly denying his authority. No leader would tolerate that, but someone else might have acted less heatedly.

But as you say Foley, there are so many issues of insecurity and threat around him that he overreacts. If and when we get this thing straightened out during some time and more posting, you'll see lord Athanar has nothing against a merry party... Although I don't think him to be a "party-animal" -type of person himself.

[Folwren]

Yeah, I figured. It was even the 'temporary lord' thing that caught me off guard and not exactly the 'guests' part.

This incident will make it even harder for the new people to settle in and the old people to accept them. I've been kind of thinking about what Javan is doing and thinking all this time. I don't know what he'd be thinking. Sometimes my characters manage to confuse me.

And I may post some post for Saeryn and her thoughts, just so I can fill some time and space before you two get your post up, so it doesn't seem like the game is stalling.

-- Foley

[Gwathagor]

Hey, um, Nogrod - you keep saying "quests." Do you mean "guests?" Just curious.

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Gwathagor

Hey, um, Nogrod - you keep saying "quests." Do you mean "guests?" Just curious.

I actually do, mean "guests" that is... That's an age old letter-blindness with me...

[Gwathagor]

Oh, good. Everything makes much more sense now.

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Folwren

And I may post some post for Saeryn and her thoughts, just so I can fill some time and space before you two get your post up, so it doesn't seem like the game is stalling.

That's a good idea.

We're actually writing the post (we've had two rounds) but I'm not sure when Groin is going to be back - and especially while he has deleted his earlier post there could be a specially good spot to post something in the next hours... (I mean those reactions can of course come also after the dialogue between Ath & Lith but they would be even better posted before.)

[Groin Redbeard]

Our post is up. Thanks Nogrod!

[Nogrod]

Thanks Groin! It was a lot of fun indeed!

It's so different when you can't just decide what happens yourself but someone actually puts you in a tight situation and requires you to really think how your character reacts - and throws your character into a situation you wouldn't have imagined yourself!

As said earlier, this kind of posting is strongly recommended to everyone who just has time!

[Thinlómien]

OH MY!!!!!!!!

Seems like I should never let school take over me and go away from here.

Off to post (and come up an excuse for the WW not to have already interfered!)

[Thinlómien]

I will continue for the two rascals later (this weekend) and get them more involved with stuff. That's there as a sort of reminder that they exist.

As for what I posted for Modtryth, if someone wants to hear Modtryth's remark and continue, feel free to. If not, I will continue from there myself (I can very well do that).

[Folwren]

Wow, Lommy, in one post you managed to make me have two different reactions while thinking about two different characters. Worry for Javan and righteous indignation in defense of Saeryn. I just about screamed when I read their comments about her. Good job!

Nogrod and Groin, great post! Poor Lithor! Poor man, having insulted him at the last. Oh wow. Yippee! Posts can get back online. I am SO excited!

-- Foley

[Thinlómien]

You love my new characters, Foley, don't you?

[Groin Redbeard]

I got a post up in defense of Lithor. It is obviously bias, but I could not stand to watch everyone tare him up without some type of defense. I'll have to think hard on how to change Lithor's attitude back around, I don't want him to be a depressed angry character (that is what Erbrand is for). I'll have Lithor lay low for a while, stay in the shadows and pop out every now and then when needed.

Durelin, Lommy, nice posts. I like Coen a lot and I hope that we hear more from him in the future and I want to see those twins interact more with original Scarburg characters.

Nogrod, are you going to post for the grumpy old man character soon? I want to see how he fits in with his new surroundings.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I'll be out of touch for a bit- my computer got sick and needs some organ transplants, so I won't have it for a few days at least.

Make good art while I'm gone!

[Nogrod]

What a perfect timing to come and read the thread!

Originally Posted by Groin

Nogrod, are you going to post for the grumpy old man character soon? I want to see how he fits in with his new surroundings.

Ahh... I had actually forgotten about him... Yes, sure.

But now I'm off to sleep.


Btw. I used the quite modern expression of a "good cop or a bad cop" for I wanted you all to understand what he means (even if it's just him thinking to himself). But if anyone of you would suggest a bit more ancient sounding metaphor to it's place I'd gladly change it as it kind of sounds a bit off to my ear at least...

[Folwren]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

Btw. I used the quite modern expression of a "good cop or a bad cop" for I wanted you all to understand what he means (even if it's just him thinking to himself). But if anyone of you would suggest a bit more ancient sounding metaphor to it's place I'd gladly change it as it kind of sounds a bit off to my ear at least...

I agree. I wondered why you used it. I'll try to think of something.

Groin and I have written a post together. I didn't want to post it until someone had posted after Groin's last post to see if people really cheered for Saeryn. I will not post it quite yet, although Nogrod did post. I will wait to see if anyone else has aught to say.

How much more of this night needs to happen?

-- Foley

[Folwren]

I posted the post that Groin and I wrote together. I would have waited for Legate to post, but I don't know if I have internet at home and I will not be anywhere with sure internet again for a few days. Legate can still post, though.

-- Foley

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Wow, that's a great post (in several senses of the word, for sure... ).

[Nogrod]

Let's wait for Lommy to post - and anyone who wishes!

But then we could roll this thing forwards.

Are the writers of the soldiers willing to write something on the practising the next day? We might make a few posts for the next day just to get in the mood of how people feel when sober after a confusing banquet.


Lord Athanar at least should settle the matter with Lithor... and that should involve Thornden, Coen and maybe Lithor himself, I think. We should decide on that here.

Talking of that: great post Foley and Groin!

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

The boys know that Saeryn is as much a noble as they do, right? They're just being crude creeps?

Don't get me wrong, I love the problems they cause, and every time I see them trashing Saeryn I want to go slap them silly, I just want to make sure they know that if Degas heard them refer to his sister like that, he'd be torn between either pounding the snot out of them or going to Athanar to report their behavior.

Hey now... *has idea*

Not now, though. No time now for ideas... Sigh.

[Groin Redbeard]

Everything is looking grand! I'll get a post up for Lithor soon.

[Groin Redbeard]

I posted for Lithor. Let me know, Lommy, if it was alright that Lithor found the boys out. Old people just seem to know things like that. If you would rather have the boys approach Lithor, I'll change my post.

[Folwren]

Your post was good, Groin. I'll think of a reply later today and post it. Mnemo, if you want to overhear them talking to Lithor, you can take over after my post (if that's ok for Groin). Actually, wow, that would be really cool, Lithor sort of "saved" by Athanar's wife. Ooh...

I had a thought. Any time now, Javan and maybe the other boys will be slipping away from the tables....they could come across them first and then run in for help, maybe...if Lithor is being maltreated.

[Mnemosyne]

If they end up finding Athanar and/or Wynflaed first, we still don't know specifically who hit Aedre... It could make things a bit more interesting for later.

Plus the boys already talked about beating up Javan, and once we've put everything together this would make excellent motivation.

I don't, however, know whether it's in character for the lads to go and fetch help from the new eorl and his lady, especially if they're worried that they're going to be in trouble at some point.

Just some thoughts.

[Groin Redbeard]

Originally Posted by Mnemosyne

I don't, however, know whether it's in character for the lads to go and fetch help from the new eorl and his lady, especially if they're worried that they're going to be in trouble at some point.

Perhaps they could run to Thornden and have and have Wynflaed overhear what they say.

[Folwren]

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

You love my new characters, Foley, don't you?

Love is hardly the word I would use to describe my feelings for them.

Groin, I don't think that Lithor need become a depressed, angry sort of character. His actions, words, and behavior thus far in the game seem to make him out to be the sort of man that eventually, he would let his ill feeling go. If he indeed knows he's not guilty, then he'll be more likely not to be depressed. As for the angry...well, I can see him being angry as long as Athanar and others continue thinking he was guilty and he feels he wasn't. That will make him think he's being unjustly judged and condemned. But if he's a responsible fellow, he'll do his best to get rid of the anger and carry on with life, allowing them to be wrong in their impressions of him.

Don't hide Lithor. Take the opportunity to build his character.

-- Folwren

[Groin Redbeard]

Originally Posted by Folwren

Don't hide Lithor. Take the opportunity to build his character.

I won't hide him forever, but building his character might be dangerous to his reputation. The thing I like about Lithor is that nobody knows the intricate details of his past, so I can throw little tidbits of information in as I go. After the details of something is known, especially history, it loses its attraction.

Formy, that was an awesome line at the end of your post: "elvishily impractical." What a great line!

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by Groin Redbeard

Formy, that was an awesome line at the end of your post: "elvishily impractical." What a great line!

Thank you, sir. It was a happy little moment of inspiration, I though.

And because I've been asked elsewhere, I'll clarify Náin's situation so that the rest of you are clear...

Because Náin has the misfortune to have as his writer a student who is sporadically able/unable interested/distracted, depending those sordid things known collectively as "real life", what I've told Nogmod is that Náin will still be attached to Scarburg--but he doesn't permanently live there. It fits well with his history/situation thus far: he's something of a goodwill ambassador from the Dwarves to the Rohirrim, so he's back and forth between Gimli at Aglarond and the Rohirrim--in theory Éomer in Edoras, but mostly on loan to Scarburg as a "consultant," to use the modern term, and as a sculptor for some of the finer bits of the hall, like the fireplace mantle, etc.

What this means, in practical terms, is that Náin will around as often as I am--if it's month or two when I'm too busy or distracted, Náin will conveniently be away that day/week at Edoras or Aglarond... but otherwise he'll be at the Hall. And if things turn out that I am able/interested to be around all the time... then it'll conveniently just be the days that we don't roleplay when he's off.

Sound good?

[Groin Redbeard]

Hurry back soon Formy.

I have decided to take Folwren's advice and expand on Lithor's thoughts, though I was very careful not to expand on his past (that must be kept allusive and alluring). I also took the liberty of speaking for Kara for two sentences. Kath, let me know if I need to change anything.

[Eorl of Rohan]

Eeeeh.... Do I have to read all 18 pages of post in order to join the Meadhall, Lommy?

[Folwren]

Oh, no, Eorl. Don't even attempt it. Um...what kind of character are you thinking of introducing? Allow me to give you a summary of what has occurred, and then you can form your character accordingly and join.

About a month ago, Lord Eodwine, the realy eorl of Scarburg, fell sick. No one realized how sick he as until he positively collapsed, and no one in Scarburg could do anything about it, so they took him to Edoras. King Eomer, who had granted Eodwine his position as Eorl and given him Scarburg, did not think Eodwine likely to return soon, so he decided to set a new eorl over the place, despite the fact that Eodwine had a wife, Saeryn, who the people of Scarburg thought perfectly capable of ruling in Eodwine's stead until his return.

The new eorl is Athanar, who has just arrived in the game the previous day, game time. We are currently playing the day after his first night. The day of his arrival proved full of conflict, his people did not mix well with the Scarburg people. There were some fights and disagreements. Some of the Scarburgians think that Athanar and his people are usurpers of power - they especially resent the fact that Saeryn is being ousted from her place of lady of the hall by Athanar's wife. Tension, as you can imagine, is high.

Where we are now in the game - all the men-at-arms have just finished a drill type thing under the new captain/commander, Coenred. Thornden, the man who Eodwine had put into the position of captain, etc., is Coenred's .... lieutenant, you might say. He's under him, anyway.

One of Athanar's men-at-arms was for some reason unable to be with the others at the time of the drill, and he got into a fight with the Scarburgian man named Erbrand. Erbrand in the heat of the moment nearly strangled Scyrr to death and when he thought he was dead, he came to himself and realized his own danger and ran. Before he could leave he was met up by another Scarburgian man named Lithor (a man-at-arms who quite unintentionally got mixed up the wrong way with Athanar the previous night) and he and Lithor left together...

So, right now, Scyrr has just been found, Athanar has been allerted about what happened to him, Lithor's absence has not been verified, and I have a vague feeling the place is about to errupt. Good luck slipping unnoticed into the story.

Does that help? Anything else I should add, anyone?

-- Foley

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Folwren

Does that help? Anything else I should add, anyone?

You have basically summed up the most important general events very well. I would only add that if you want any help with introducing your character into the story, Eorl, you might as well try to ask us around here. I mean: it's probably the easiest if you come up with a character to your own likes, and then unless you have a good idea yourself, you can ask around and we might help you to find his place. Basically there can be "old" soldiers, "new" soldiers* (including soldiers from Edoras from the King himself, who however are expected to leave back home later - though that's still some time and certainly an excuse could be devised for a single person who'd wish to stay, or something ), (old) peasants, whatnot... and of course you can even introduce somebody from the outside, if you really wanted (though that'd prove a bit more tricky, but only a bit)...

*There are a few "half-NPC" characters who don't have much of a character up to now and whom you could pick and develop if you didn't have any better idea - though I assume you'd have an idea of your own, too.

[Thinlómien]

Nice to see you're interested, Eorl. I hope Folwren and Legate have satisfied your curiousity for starters, if not just ask. We like new writers.