Riddles in the Downs - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Pervinca Took · 04-03-2019, 03:08 PM

No.

Are there vampires in M-e?

Urwen · 04-03-2019, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pervinca Took

No.

Are there vampires in M-e?

Thuringwethil was one.

Galadriel55 · 04-03-2019, 08:05 PM

The second line suggests A and/or R as letters of the word. I wonder if lines 1 and 3 also have cryptic elements, but so far was unable to think of anything cryptic or literal that works well.

Pervinca Took · 04-03-2019, 09:34 PM

There aren't really any cryptic elements.

Try finding a foul and violent place first. (The foulness is manifest, but the violence more covert/hidden).

Urwen · 04-04-2019, 03:32 AM

There are many of those (Thangorodrim, Utumno, Angband, Barad-Dur, Moria, Minas Morgul, Cirith Ungol, Nan Dungotreb, maybe even Nan Elmoth)

Huinesoron · 04-04-2019, 03:43 AM

Looking at the whole riddle, I'm wondering about the not-so-Silent Watchers at Cirith Ungol.

Dripping blood, maybe - I wouldn't be surprised if this were part of their description; also given the massacre in the Tower they were metaphorically dripping with blood.

In inertia, but not silent. - They were stationary ('in inertia'), but despite their name, I believe shriek either when Sam enters or Frodo and Sam leave.

Sentinels, possibly - This is a synonym for 'watchers'. At first sight, it's not clear whether the pair of statues are guards or not.

Of a place both foul and violent. - If this doesn't describe an Orc tower on the borders of Mordor, I don't know what does!

hS

Pervinca Took · 04-04-2019, 06:33 AM

I thought someone might guess the Watchers, and that was excellently argued. Not the answer I am looking for, though.

None of the 'foul places' suggested so far is the right one.

Think of 'foul' in the literal sense of 'disgusting.' (No, not Wormtongue's bookshelf). (Or Gorbag's toilet).

There is an especial reason for the 'dripping blood,' and for its being 'maybe.'

Nerwen · 04-04-2019, 07:04 AM

I'll go with something a bit more obscure: the Gorcrows from the "Mewlips" poem.

Dripping blood, maybe -play on "gore".
In inertia, but not silent. -"croaking in their sleep".
Sentinels, possibly -Well, they might be; who knows?
Of a place both foul and violent. -icky swamp, and the Mewlips kill you.

Urwen · 04-04-2019, 06:47 AM

Here is a fun answer: Grip, Fang and Wolf

Pervinca Took · 04-04-2019, 06:49 AM

Good idea!

My 'possible sentinels' don't have individual names, though.

P.S. I won't tell Farmer Maggot you said Bamfurlong was foul. He might set those very three mutts on you!

Urwen · 04-04-2019, 07:11 AM

Well, you did say to treat 'foul' as 'disgusting', and his name is also the name of collectively disgusting creatures.

04-03-2019, 03:08 PM	#1
Pervinca Took Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Treetops, C/O Great Smials Posts: 5,035	No. Are there vampires in M-e? __________________ "Sit by the firelight's glow; tell us an old tale we know. Tell of adventures strange and rare; never to change, ever to share! Stories we tell will cast their spell, now and for always."

04-03-2019, 08:05 PM	#3
Galadriel55 Blossom of Dwimordene Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The realm of forgotten words Posts: 10,517	The second line suggests A and/or R as letters of the word. I wonder if lines 1 and 3 also have cryptic elements, but so far was unable to think of anything cryptic or literal that works well. __________________ You passed from under darkened dome, you enter now the secret land. - Take me to Finrod's fabled home!... ~ Finrod: The Rock Opera

04-03-2019, 09:34 PM	#4
Pervinca Took Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Treetops, C/O Great Smials Posts: 5,035	There aren't really any cryptic elements. Try finding a foul and violent place first. (The foulness is manifest, but the violence more covert/hidden). __________________ "Sit by the firelight's glow; tell us an old tale we know. Tell of adventures strange and rare; never to change, ever to share! Stories we tell will cast their spell, now and for always."

04-04-2019, 03:32 AM	#5
Urwen Spirit of Nen Lalaith Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Meneltarma Posts: 5,408	There are many of those (Thangorodrim, Utumno, Angband, Barad-Dur, Moria, Minas Morgul, Cirith Ungol, Nan Dungotreb, maybe even Nan Elmoth) __________________ Tuor: Yeah, it was me who broke [Morleg's] arm. With a wrench. Specifically, this wrench. I am suffering from Maeglinomaniacal Maeglinophilia.

04-04-2019, 06:33 AM	#7
Pervinca Took Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Treetops, C/O Great Smials Posts: 5,035	I thought someone might guess the Watchers, and that was excellently argued. Not the answer I am looking for, though. None of the 'foul places' suggested so far is the right one. Think of 'foul' in the literal sense of 'disgusting.' (No, not Wormtongue's bookshelf). (Or Gorbag's toilet). There is an especial reason for the 'dripping blood,' and for its being 'maybe.' __________________ "Sit by the firelight's glow; tell us an old tale we know. Tell of adventures strange and rare; never to change, ever to share! Stories we tell will cast their spell, now and for always." Last edited by Pervinca Took; 04-04-2019 at 10:23 AM.

04-04-2019, 03:43 AM	#6
Huinesoron Overshadowed Eagle Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: The north-west of the Old World, east of the Sea Posts: 3,971	Looking at the whole riddle, I'm wondering about the not-so-Silent Watchers at Cirith Ungol. Dripping blood, maybe - I wouldn't be surprised if this were part of their description; also given the massacre in the Tower they were metaphorically dripping with blood. In inertia, but not silent. - They were stationary ('in inertia'), but despite their name, I believe shriek either when Sam enters or Frodo and Sam leave. Sentinels, possibly - This is a synonym for 'watchers'. At first sight, it's not clear whether the pair of statues are guards or not. Of a place both foul and violent. - If this doesn't describe an Orc tower on the borders of Mordor, I don't know what does! hS

04-04-2019, 07:04 AM	#8
Nerwen Wisest of the Noldor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ˙˙˙ssɐןƃ ƃuıʞooן ǝɥʇ ɥƃnoɹɥʇ Posts: 6,694	I'll go with something a bit more obscure: the Gorcrows from the "Mewlips" poem. Dripping blood, maybe -play on "gore". In inertia, but not silent. -"croaking in their sleep". Sentinels, possibly -Well, they might be; who knows? Of a place both foul and violent. -icky swamp, and the Mewlips kill you. __________________ "Even Nerwen wasn't evil in the beginning." –Elmo.

04-04-2019, 06:47 AM	#9
Urwen Spirit of Nen Lalaith Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Meneltarma Posts: 5,408	Here is a fun answer: Grip, Fang and Wolf __________________ Tuor: Yeah, it was me who broke [Morleg's] arm. With a wrench. Specifically, this wrench. I am suffering from Maeglinomaniacal Maeglinophilia.

04-04-2019, 06:49 AM	#10
Pervinca Took Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Treetops, C/O Great Smials Posts: 5,035	Good idea! My 'possible sentinels' don't have individual names, though. P.S. I won't tell Farmer Maggot you said Bamfurlong was foul. He might set those very three mutts on you! __________________ "Sit by the firelight's glow; tell us an old tale we know. Tell of adventures strange and rare; never to change, ever to share! Stories we tell will cast their spell, now and for always." Last edited by Pervinca Took; 04-04-2019 at 06:57 AM.

04-04-2019, 07:11 AM	#11
Urwen Spirit of Nen Lalaith Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Meneltarma Posts: 5,408	Well, you did say to treat 'foul' as 'disgusting', and his name is also the name of collectively disgusting creatures. __________________ Tuor: Yeah, it was me who broke [Morleg's] arm. With a wrench. Specifically, this wrench. I am suffering from Maeglinomaniacal Maeglinophilia.