Scarburg Meadhall Discussion Thread

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Lhunardawen

Foley:

For the sake of putting things in context, if ever, do you mind giving me a quick summary of everything that's happened since Eodwine and Saeryn got married? The only things I picked up from my browsing are that Eodwine got sick and is now in the Houses of Healing, Athanar's the new eorl, and Erbrand (joined by Lithor) fled when he (accidentally?) killed one of his men. I'm sure I missed a lot of important stuff.

He didn't kill him, but he thought he killed him, and he fled. It was an unfortunate set of coincidences, basically leading the men to start fighting each other when nobody else was around. The man (certain soldier called Scyrr) is now being cared of by the healer (he was badly wounded, but not dead). The next step (and the main reason why Athanar came anyway) is to deal with the local landlords who seemed not to be very keen on the eorl-less Mead Hall sticking its nose into their private "realms". Otherwise, I think you have listed the rest correctly. I don't know much anything about pre-Athanar events, so perhaps somebody else can tell you, although I assume there wasn't much.

Originally Posted by Folwren

One problem: I really have no idea who Thornden would choose. I'll have to peruse the list of soldiers that are being played. Any suggestions for anyone? It would be a BAD idea to send Matrim and Aflorgad (or however you spell his name) off together. I actually think that Thornden wouldn't pick Matrim anyway, I just thought I'd throw that out there.

But wouldn't that be hilarious if Áforglaed (that's the name ) went with Matrim? But no, I think it can be anybody. But if we plan to write for these two fellows as well, then it would be nice if the other one was somebody's specific character, so that there can be some nice dialogue on the way. Or we just treat it as NPC-trip and say "well, they went there and came back".

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

But wouldn't that be hilarious if Áforglaed (that's the name ) went with Matrim? But no, I think it can be anybody. But if we plan to write for these two fellows as well, then it would be nice if the other one was somebody's specific character, so that there can be some nice dialogue on the way. Or we just treat it as NPC-trip and say "well, they went there and came back".

I think it depends wholly on that latter question. If someone wants to write for the trip - together, or alone with an NPC - then we should choose it thus. If we want to just tell they went there and came back, then it could be any two NPC-soldiers (preferably not someone we like to write about and could thus be used with the others meeting the lords).

So anyone willing to write about the trip?

And hey Foley, lord Athanar actually meant what he said; that he'd like to see two people chosen who have strongly opposing views. That is the whole point. He will send a letter to king Eomer about the fugitives, but he will also add that Eomer should ask the messengers about why what happened did happen... (and he's not going to tell the messengers that the king will be asking their views on the matter)

So he's telling the king how things are without whining about his troubles himself.

And thinking of two soldiers on a mission - even if totally on different POV, or even in hate or anger - they just would need to see the task done and to come back without killing each other, unless they wished to share the fate of Lithor... So yes, lord Athanar is quite confident nothing bad will happen between the two.



On other issues...

Great to see you Lhuna! And I like lmp's Harreld, the way he takes the issue.

Abour changing the day:

I'd like to write a short post after we decide on the messengers, but that is not a must. I can write it also as a view back in the morning - like Athanar thinking about the last night when he sent the messengers, or anything.

If you Lhuna wish to put something in for the late evening, please do. And naturally everyone else.

Should we say that we'd start the next day on Monday (RL)? Before that everyone is free to make posts for the evening or night. Also, as I'm not sure about my Monday scheduals (it can be either a relaxed day or a hectic one), then I'd say that anyone coming to the thread on Monday (his or her timezone) could open the new day. What do you think?

And if that is okay, then let's try to decide on the messengers before Monday...

[Folwren]

Lhuna, here is the timeline I put up after Elempi came back:

August 9, Saery and Eodwine married.
October 9th, Eodwine falls ill.
October 10th, the three significant lords of the Middle Emnet come to Scarburg. They refuse to recognize Saeryn's and Thornden's authority and don't pay taxes, but offer to give a gift so they can survive the next month...how kind.
November 10, Degas comes back into town. (Post 506)
November 11, Lord Athanar and his entourage comes to Scarburg. (post 509)

On November 12, Erbrand gets into a fight with Scyrr, thinks he kills him (but doesn't quite) and flees. Lithor meets him on his way out and decides to go with him, and so deserts. The rest of the day was spent looking for them, and now that they haven't been found, Athanar is sending word to King Eomer and in the mean time, is going to go and deal with the stiff-necked landlords.

Is that too brief? I can put more detail to things if you want, but I think it's pretty clear cut. Except, what's not so clear, is that people really clashed that first day that Athanar arrived. Two fights broke out, one between Matrim and Aforglead and one between Javan and Aedre (Lord Athanar's daughter), Saeryn was ousted from her place of lady of the hall by Athanar's wife Wynflaed, Athanar proclaimed his eorlship by providing a paper showing the king's decree, and Lithor managed to insult Athanar by a comic speech that Athanar did not approve of. So, yeah, that day of their arrival was really busy and didn't work out too smoothly.

[Folwren]

Nogrod, I'd rather not put a time line on when we start the new day. We'll see if we're ready by Monday, but if not, I'd say we shouldn't rush it. But that's just my opinion and there are a lot of other players here now.

[Mnemosyne]

When we're ready to move on to the next day, I've got a little something for Wynflaed drummed up so that I can cover what happened for the rest of this day from her POV. I think it'd make for a good transition, but I'd rather not post it until we're ready to move on.

[Lhunardawen]

Nogrod, in case you were waiting, I have nothing to put in for this day (game time). I'm just waiting for the next day - albeit still unprepared for it.

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Lhunardawen

Nogrod, in case you were waiting, I have nothing to put in for this day (game time). I'm just waiting for the next day - albeit still unprepared for it.

I'd say anyone willing should post for the next morning now as it seems no one has anything to add in to the evening.

I'll make a post as well for the next day tomorrow or the day after, but do not wait for me. Any posts on the new day are good.


Mnemo, go on posting if you have something in your mind - and if you need any help from me in regards Athanar, just PM!

lmp - trying to PM you back tomorrow... (too late now).


So the next day should be dawning!

[littlemanpoet]

It's great to be back, Firefoot!

And it's great to have a new day to write in. A couple of us have been discussing a great new mess of a plot development that I'm more than eager to get started on. Not telling yet, you'll have to see it unfold. :rubs hands eagerly:

EDIT: Foley, let me know if any of the words I put in Thornden's mouth need to be changed.

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Folwren

Nogrod, I'd rather not put a time line on when we start the new day. We'll see if we're ready by Monday, but if not, I'd say we shouldn't rush it.

I have no reason to hurry either... I just caught a feel from some posting (especially yours Foley! ) that people were anxious to change the day.

But we should probably make a deal that those who wish to contribute to the day we're on should voice their wish to do so.

[Lhunardawen]

Thank you, Legate and Foley.

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Lhuna, would you like me to change my posts a little bit, or do you want to add something to it? Feel free to tell me, or PM a change, or however you want to handle it... Also, didn't Harreld and Ginna become betrothed the day of Eodwine and Saeryn's wedding? I s'pose we had better think about that, as well as timing for a marriage if that's what will happen? And Ginna's father is not likely to warm to it either, come to think of it....

I sent you a PM. (I'm guessing it would be useless to say this. )

[Folwren]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

I have no reason to hurry either... I just caught a feel from some posting (especially yours Foley! ) that people were anxious to change the day.

*blush* Yeah, sorry about that. I do often come across as impatient. Although I'm ready to move on, I'd like others to have plenty of time to post....I also really want to hear from Dury again.

-- Foley

[Folwren]

I went through all the soldiers that had players and couldn't find any that fit Athanar's bill, so I went to see what kind of NPC characters we had...none that would do that I could find in the little time I had, but I remembered that some soldiers had been played way at the beginning days of the Mead Hall, so I looked that old thread up and found Garwine. I believe he's a fairly mild chap, but I didn't want to create a whole new NPC who'd never been mentioned before -that just seemed wrong for some reason - so I grabbed him. :|

Too bad Crabannan isn't a soldier. I'd have chosen him in a heartbeat.

All that to say, I've posted and I think that we can move on if everyone wants to.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I think this is going nicely... and I have nothing against moving on. I am just popping in here mainly to say that I won't be around until Sunday, so that if anybody required me to post, or had any question during that time, don't expect the answer until then I think I might have something to post during the expedition to the foreign lords, but I am sure it can be inserted if need be, or if you moved so far forward...

And in case Dury appears, or even if she does not and we consider whom to send to Edoras (although that could also be inserted, if it came to that, as it is not so important if there are just NPCs going), Áforglaed might be a good idea still, at least if Coen has also noticed that he is not quite okay with Scyrr being wounded now... In fact, if Athanar wants the soldiers to have both-sided account of events to Éomer, then Áforglaed is probably the man to send.

[Folwren]

I personally thought that when Nogrod wrote the post, Áforglaed would be perfect to send, too.

[littlemanpoet]

Nice post Foley. Now I'm wondering if we want to wait until Garwine and friend bring back word from Edoras, including a certain letter from Ginna's father? Or do we want a separate messenger to deliver that note on THIS day? What do you think, Foley & Lhuna?

[Nogrod]

Foley: would you put this in your last post, like to the beginning of it (before Thornden meets Athanar)? I feel lord Athanar would need to have this to say before the messengers went off.


--- * ----

Lord Athanr looked at the empty parchment and wrote the words My King, to begin the letter. It felt preposterous and not himself. He took the parchment and folded it in parts, sending it to the fire.

My lord. He began the next one. He looked at the paper for a while and thought it would have to suffice.


I need to make a call for a tanner named Erbrand and a soldier named Lithor. This Erbrand tried to kill one of my men, Scyrr, if you remember the old warhorse; and Lithor joined Erbrand in escape after having been judged for trying to revolt against your rule. The two are armed and dangerous. Although I find it sad to call after them as they seemed like good men.

They ran away before noon this day and I sent men to go after them as soon as their desertion caught my ears. Neither was found around the premises within ten miles.

Do ask the two messengers I sent you with this message, why there were these troubles. You'll get the picture from there.

Yours truly,

lord Athanar


He eyed the parchment once more and then rolled it to a tube pressing his seal of wax on it.

Coming downstairs he met Aforglaed and Garwine waiting for him in the hall.

"So it is you two to carry the message?" Both of the men nodded. "Good..."

"Give this letter to the king - and do not let all the soothsayers get in front of you. Say it is important news from the Scarburg Mead Hall."

Lord Athanar gave the parchement to Garwine and stood back. "Go with my best wishes and come back later... and use your free time in Edoras well..." he smiled to the two and winked an eye to them.

"I'm waiting to hear your report the day after tomorrow.... Now ride as like the ghosts would pursue you... the earlier the king learns of your news the better chances there are getting these two caught."

[Folwren]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

Foley: would you put this in your last post, like to the beginning of it (before Thornden meets Athanar)?

Done and done.

Lhuna, I hope you break your writer's block soon. Remember, Elempi offered you his help, and I'm sure if he isn't available, I'd be willing to help, too.

-- Fols

[Lhunardawen]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Nice post Foley. Now I'm wondering if we want to wait until Garwine and friend bring back word from Edoras, including a certain letter from Ginna's father? Or do we want a separate messenger to deliver that note on THIS day? What do you think, Foley & Lhuna?

I'm for using the same messenger going back...for fun. Or whichever works for our purposes. (Foley: )

Also I'm hit with a really bad case of writer's block (told ya I'm rusty ) and will be internetless for today and tomorrow. I hope that serves as a cure somehow.

[Folwren]

Elempi, I'll take you up on that offer. I know you've pointed out some stuff to me before.

Durelin and Legate, great posts. I'm tempted to exacerbate the problem and send Thornden in there, all oblivious like, but I don't think I can do that right now.

-- Foley

[Firefoot]

Hmm... I'm not sure it would be appropriate for Leof to ride out with the soldiers to see the lords? If they're going out in full array, he'd stick out like a sore thumb, I'd think. Then again, I don't consider myself well-versed in feudal politics and policies, so he could go with if that would be an appropriate thing for him to do.

Alternately, I'd be happy to get some kind of storyline going with any other characters who might be hanging around behind? Who all would that be?

[littlemanpoet]

Okay, Foley, just let me know the Post number you want me to look at - or PM me.

By the way, it just so happens that Rohan is NOT FEUDAL in its governmental structure. It's Pre-Feudal. Feudalism means that anybody who is not a lord is a serf; serf = not free. Pre-feudalism means that everybody who is not a lord is probably a farmer working his own land. Back in the old days they were called "wights" until the Normans took over England in 1066. It didn't mean "undead" back in the day; it meant "human". But we can just call them either "freemen" or "farmers".

Feudal term - - Pre-Feudal (Rohan) term:

Knight - - - - Eorling (wealthy landholder, breeds & owns his horses)
Lord - - - - Eorl (there are 3, over East, West, & Middle Emnets)
Vassal - - - no such thing
Fief - - - no such thing

So the class structure in "The Mark" (their own name for their lands - Rohan is what the Gondorians call it) is:

King - ruler
Eorl - general in war, judge in his Emnet
Eorling - owns his horse, local judge for freemen nearby
Freeman/Farmer - owns & works his own land, not wealthy enough to own a horse


Suggestion:
The way things have become structured in the Middle Emnet, the three "lords" besides Athanar are particularly wealthy land holders who wield more power locally than the usual Eorling; this is, perhaps, due to the fact that laws have been, shall we say, cavalierly observed of late; and the new Eorl is there to re-establish a more just observance of the law, and maybe even return lands to freemen who have lost theirs to unjust Eorlings.

Just a note on the above: Nogrod and I have been discussing how this is supposed to work, and it has been a very interesting process. The above paragraph is strictly a suggestion by way of explaining how things have gotten to the almost Feudal condition in the Middle Emnet compared to how they are supposed to be in Pre-Feudal Rohan - and this suggestion is mine and only mine, and it's entirely up to Nogrod and others whether to accept it. It was really a bit of a brainstorm. Far be it from me to tramp on toes!

[Folwren]

I did post for Thornden, but I didn't interrupt. One of them might have seen him pass, though. I almost continued but I don't have time to just now. I may tomorrow and go ahead and have Thornden meet someone carrying the letter, Elempi and Lhuna.

-- Foley

[Firefoot]

You know, I hesitated over the use of the word "feudal." Rightfully so, it seems...

[Mnemosyne]

So, any ideas about what's going to be going on back at the Meadhall while everyone else is running around?

[Thinlómien]

Okay I'm here and sort of catching up with stuff. Planning to write something still today. I have to admit I haven't read the admin thread thoroughly, so bear with me if I ask stupid questions or do stupid stuff... And my apologies for not having been around. Somehow I seem to be able to divide my time and concentration in any sensible manner...

[Thinlómien]

Just wondering...

since nothing has been said, should I assume that Wulfric and Wilheard have been ignored again? No one's given a thought if they should ride with the soldiers or stay in charge at Scarburg? Wulfric's going to be so happy - I can almost see him doing something stupid if not now then soon...

Now writing something for Modtryth.

[Thinlómien]

Nog -

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Just wondering...
since nothing has been said, should I assume that Wulfric and Wilheard have been ignored again? No one's given a thought if they should ride with the soldiers or stay in charge at Scarburg? Wulfric's going to be so happy - I can almost see him doing something stupid if not now then soon...

Lhuna -
sorry for taking time. I'll try to write something before Christmas!