Desert Island Dwarves - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Lalwendë · 03-29-2007, 09:53 AM

So there you are, cast adrift on a sandy shore miles from anywhere, surrounded by the shark infested waters of the Great Sea. This is now your life and you must make the best of it.

You are allowed a little light relief though. And before you are to be cast from the back of Gwaihir, you have choices to make...

1.
You can take three companions (as opposed to eight songs

). You may take One Downer and Two Tolkien characters, OR you may take Three Tolkien characters. You must justify your choices. Think about how useful they will be to your survival and if your sanity can stand being a lifelong companion of these three coves. Maybe you want to populate the island? In which case choose someone you don't mind doing that with.

Or maybe you just want to laugh out the rest of your days? It's up to you.

2.
You will be given a box containing the obligatory copy of Shakespeare's Collected Works, a Bible, and in my version of the game, a complete set of Tolkien's work. However there will be room in this box for one other thing - an object from Arda's long and illustrious history. It could be a sword, a magical Elven object, or something made by Sauron. It could even be something botanical

or something made by Hobbits. The only thing you cannot take is a boat. What will it be? Can you justify your choice?

So what will it be?

Which three people are you taking to your lifelong rum-fest?
What object are you going to cart off?

******

With thanks to Desert Island Discs

***Thenamir*** · 03-29-2007, 10:12 AM

There are a couple of different sets that occur to me. Assuming that my lovely wife of nearly 23 years isn't invited, or that I'm single...

Set 1, along the traditional lines:
Yavanna -- there would never be a problem growing food.
Samwise -- Good comradeship and storytelling, aside from the fact that he's an excellent cook.
Arwen -- For the "other" kind of companionship.

And a Palantir, hopefully one with a wireless-internet connection.

Set 2 requires only one person and one object:
Cirdan the Shipwright -- for obvious reasons
The Party Tree from FotR -- Cirdan can't be expected to make the boat out of nothing...

The Might · 03-29-2007, 02:09 PM

Firstly, great thread Lalwende, I bow before thee!

Secondly...this is a tough decision
I think I'd take:

Set 1
If I really made a serious decision:
1. Ulmo, because as Lord of the Seas he could get rid of the sharks, I could at least get a bath that way
2. Yavanna to make some food as Thenamir already said
3. Probably Luthien, don't ask why

If it wouldn't be so serious
1. Legate, because that way I could spend my time talking about lore
2. Tom Bombadil to sing songs with
3. Rosie Cotton to bring us ale

Set 2
Probably Ulmo's horn so that I can annoy him until he decides to either kill me or get Osse move the island back to civilazation

***Thenamir*** · 03-29-2007, 02:20 PM

TM, you didn't include an object, artifact or other goodie in your choices. I'm thinking you'd probably want some kind of still...

The Might · 03-29-2007, 02:30 PM

Thenamir, I understood this in another way.
Set 1 requires three persons, either three Tolkien characters or two characters and a Downer.
Set 2 only requirs one object.
Please correct me if I am wrong here.

***Thenamir*** · 03-29-2007, 02:44 PM

The way I understood it, you get to bring along (1) and (2). I messed up the thinking because I was trying (unsuccessfully) to be humorous.

The Might · 03-29-2007, 03:12 PM

Ah, don't be hard on yourself...you'll just have to say bye to the Palantir and Cirdan...

***Thenamir*** · 03-29-2007, 03:29 PM

Lal, set us straight, please...

Lalwendë · 03-30-2007, 03:44 AM

The Might is correct here, good sirs.

You are allowed to bring:

Decision 1.
One Downer and Two Tolkien characters, OR you may take Three Tolkien characters.

AND

Decision 2.
an object from Arda's long and illustrious history

So, Thenamir, if you wish to bring Cirdan then I'm afraid you'll have to send Arwen to the briny depths.

***

But who shall I bring?

davem - this is an obvious choice.
Faramir - a better choice than Aragorn. Both would be most useful chaps to have around in a survival context, but Faramir might be less annoyingly smug.
Galadriel - we would need another woman if circumstances arose where we wished to repopulate the island - she could be 'assigned' to Faramir

- and she would also have the benefit of knowing lots of very old stories and a few magical powers maybe. Otherwise I would pick Gandalf, but he might not be so useful 'paired' with Faramir...and Eowyn might be a nuisance with her grumbling (can you imagine having to put up with her gripes about being in a 'cage' if she was trapped on a desert island?!).

I would say dear old Tom Bombadillo, but after several years' worth of his songs he might just get bonked on the head with a coconut, so t'would be a waste...

My object would be:
The Elessar - as it would ensure the island grew nice and green and all that business, meaning we would have plenty to eat.

Hookbill the Goomba · 03-30-2007, 04:01 AM

Ah Ha!

It's a good thread.

Decision 1

I'll take:
- The Phantom because Alien will probably follow thus creating much comedies

- Samwise: I hear he makes the best 'taters around! Also, it'd be good to hear some of the Gaffer's wisdom.
- Gandalf: Fireworks!

Decision 2

The Dragon Helm with which to scare off the sharks.

Precioussss · 03-30-2007, 05:58 AM

I would take:

1) Beren, because he'd kill some sharks for us to eat (I love shark)

2) A Balrog, because he could cook the shark, being a walking barbeque. He could also heat the water so I could get a bath.

3) Faramir, for company

The object I would take would be a Silmaril, so we would have a source of light in the dark. We could use it as a nightlight.

Legate of Amon Lanc · 03-30-2007, 06:50 AM

Well, even before I read TM's post, it was obvious for me (right after reading "or one Downer") to include him in the "package", for the same reasons he stated. Taking into mind the fact that we have the complete work of Tolkien with us there, I think actually nothing else is necessary. We'll just sit on the shore and ask each other trivia questions, until we both die by starvation and thirst

But if I had to be more... hmm... imaginative, then probably I'd take Saruman with me (seems a strange choice to you? He'd be great for the chatter!) - this also goes along with the possibility of taking TM, at least there will be fun - and... hmm... Galadriel. I like her far more than Lúthien, and also they might have really funny debates with Saruman by the time me and TM discuss the books.

If we wanted to repopulate the island, then I'll probably have to drop either TM or Saruman, which would be a shame either way. If I understand it correctly, then I'd probably have to leave Saruman and bring in Lúthien. The way the rules stand there would be no other choice. After all... it might not be so bad.

And also concerning the object... hmm... there are certainly many, many interesting things from ME... dropping the "watching TV" Palantír possibility (or even Mirror of Galadriel, when we have her.. I suppose the Mirror works even on the salt water and not only clear "fuel"), and presuming that we can't take the Flame Imperishable

, then possibly something like the Elessar, so that our desolate island wouldn't be as desolate... or... (if I wanted to take Miruvor, it wouldn't be replenishable, right?)

Hmm, have to think about it yet...

Lalwendë · 03-30-2007, 07:22 AM

I'd have picked Saruman and Gandalf for sure if davem was not coming, but I seriously couldn't cope with the arguments once they all got going being sarcastic with one another, and I know it would be me who was left to go and gather all the coconuts and light the bonfires.

*awaits davem's repsonse*

Mithalwen · 04-01-2007, 12:21 PM

Are we allowed one person we'd wap over the head with a piece of driftwood before they could stumble on to the beach?

Lalwendë · 04-02-2007, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Are we allowed one person we'd wap over the head with a piece of driftwood before they could stumble on to the beach?

Of course. As you will be on an isolated island, violence is something that can be gotten away with. Of course you may care to ponder what happened in Battle Royale...

I want to know who's going to get whomped with the piece of 2x4 now...

Hookbill the Goomba · 04-10-2007, 03:34 AM

Decision 1

I'll take:
- Morgoth: At least if he's here, he can't be causing trouble elsewhere.

- Sauron: See above
- Gandalf: To tell the above two how bad they are and to beat them at chess.

Decision 2

- I'll have me the Black sword. You got to have a talking sword, just in case conversation with the others gets boring.

Elfchick7 · 04-10-2007, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Might

Probably Ulmo's horn so that I can annoy him until he decides to either kill me or get Osse move the island back to civilazation

Um...TM? Why don't you just bring Osse in the first section? Then you wouldn't be stuck on the Island anymore? Just wondering...

Anyway:

Section 1
1. The Lord of the Eagles whose name I can never remember how to spell
2. Sam
3. Manwe

Section 2
lembas

Rune Son of Bjarne · 04-10-2007, 07:16 PM

I would bring:

Formendacil - I would prefer to bring a person that I know I disagree with on a lot of subjects so that we would have plenty to talk about, it often becomes dull if you start a discution and all the other person does is agreeing. Plus with Formendacil it will not turn ugly.

Galadriel - She is hot/beautiful (I could do with Cate Blanchet as well) and clever and powerful and all that Jazz

Gandalf - So that I would have someone to beat in chess, he also tells great stories and especially in the Hobbit he is a cool dude.

and for the one item I would bring a. . .

Silmaril - You guess why!

03-29-2007, 09:53 AM	#1
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	Desert Island Dwarves So there you are, cast adrift on a sandy shore miles from anywhere, surrounded by the shark infested waters of the Great Sea. This is now your life and you must make the best of it. You are allowed a little light relief though. And before you are to be cast from the back of Gwaihir, you have choices to make... 1. You can take three companions (as opposed to eight songs ). You may take One Downer and Two Tolkien characters, OR you may take Three Tolkien characters. You must justify your choices. Think about how useful they will be to your survival and if your sanity can stand being a lifelong companion of these three coves. Maybe you want to populate the island? In which case choose someone you don't mind doing that with. Or maybe you just want to laugh out the rest of your days? It's up to you. 2. You will be given a box containing the obligatory copy of Shakespeare's Collected Works, a Bible, and in my version of the game, a complete set of Tolkien's work. However there will be room in this box for one other thing - an object from Arda's long and illustrious history. It could be a sword, a magical Elven object, or something made by Sauron. It could even be something botanical or something made by Hobbits. The only thing you cannot take is a boat. What will it be? Can you justify your choice? So what will it be? Which three people are you taking to your lifelong rum-fest? What object are you going to cart off? ****** With thanks to Desert Island Discs __________________ Gordon's alive!

03-29-2007, 10:12 AM	#2
*Thenamir* Spectre of Capitalism Join Date: May 2001 Location: Battling evil bureaucrats at Zeta Aquilae Posts: 985	There are a couple of different sets that occur to me. Assuming that my lovely wife of nearly 23 years isn't invited, or that I'm single... Set 1, along the traditional lines: Yavanna -- there would never be a problem growing food. Samwise -- Good comradeship and storytelling, aside from the fact that he's an excellent cook. Arwen -- For the "other" kind of companionship. And a Palantir, hopefully one with a wireless-internet connection. Set 2 requires only one person and one object: Cirdan the Shipwright -- for obvious reasons The Party Tree from FotR -- Cirdan can't be expected to make the boat out of nothing... __________________ The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. ~~ Marcus Aurelius

03-29-2007, 02:09 PM	#3
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	Firstly, great thread Lalwende, I bow before thee! Secondly...this is a tough decision I think I'd take: Set 1 If I really made a serious decision: 1. Ulmo, because as Lord of the Seas he could get rid of the sharks, I could at least get a bath that way 2. Yavanna to make some food as Thenamir already said 3. Probably Luthien, don't ask why If it wouldn't be so serious 1. Legate, because that way I could spend my time talking about lore 2. Tom Bombadil to sing songs with 3. Rosie Cotton to bring us ale Set 2 Probably Ulmo's horn so that I can annoy him until he decides to either kill me or get Osse move the island back to civilazation __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown

03-29-2007, 02:20 PM	#4
*Thenamir* Spectre of Capitalism Join Date: May 2001 Location: Battling evil bureaucrats at Zeta Aquilae Posts: 985	TM, you didn't include an object, artifact or other goodie in your choices. I'm thinking you'd probably want some kind of still... __________________ The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. ~~ Marcus Aurelius

03-29-2007, 02:30 PM	#5
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	Thenamir, I understood this in another way. Set 1 requires three persons, either three Tolkien characters or two characters and a Downer. Set 2 only requirs one object. Please correct me if I am wrong here. __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown

03-29-2007, 02:44 PM	#6
*Thenamir* Spectre of Capitalism Join Date: May 2001 Location: Battling evil bureaucrats at Zeta Aquilae Posts: 985	The way I understood it, you get to bring along (1) and (2). I messed up the thinking because I was trying (unsuccessfully) to be humorous. __________________ The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. ~~ Marcus Aurelius

03-29-2007, 03:12 PM	#7
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	Ah, don't be hard on yourself...you'll just have to say bye to the Palantir and Cirdan... __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown

03-29-2007, 03:29 PM	#8
*Thenamir* Spectre of Capitalism Join Date: May 2001 Location: Battling evil bureaucrats at Zeta Aquilae Posts: 985	Lal, set us straight, please... __________________ The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. ~~ Marcus Aurelius

03-30-2007, 03:44 AM	#9
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	The Might is correct here, good sirs. You are allowed to bring: Decision 1. One Downer and Two Tolkien characters, OR you may take Three Tolkien characters. AND Decision 2. an object from Arda's long and illustrious history So, Thenamir, if you wish to bring Cirdan then I'm afraid you'll have to send Arwen to the briny depths. * But who shall I bring? davem - this is an obvious choice. Faramir - a better choice than Aragorn. Both would be most useful chaps to have around in a survival context, but Faramir might be less annoyingly smug. Galadriel** - we would need another woman if circumstances arose where we wished to repopulate the island - she could be 'assigned' to Faramir - and she would also have the benefit of knowing lots of very old stories and a few magical powers maybe. Otherwise I would pick Gandalf, but he might not be so useful 'paired' with Faramir...and Eowyn might be a nuisance with her grumbling (can you imagine having to put up with her gripes about being in a 'cage' if she was trapped on a desert island?!). I would say dear old Tom Bombadillo, but after several years' worth of his songs he might just get bonked on the head with a coconut, so t'would be a waste... My object would be: The Elessar - as it would ensure the island grew nice and green and all that business, meaning we would have plenty to eat. __________________ Gordon's alive!

03-30-2007, 04:01 AM	#10
Hookbill the Goomba Alive without breath Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: On A Cold Wind To Valhalla Posts: 5,912	Ah Ha! It's a good thread. Decision 1 I'll take: - The Phantom because Alien will probably follow thus creating much comedies - Samwise: I hear he makes the best 'taters around! Also, it'd be good to hear some of the Gaffer's wisdom. - Gandalf: Fireworks! Decision 2 The Dragon Helm with which to scare off the sharks. __________________ I think that if you want facts, then The Downer Newspaper is probably the place to go. I know! I read it once. THE PHANTOM AND ALIEN: The Legend of the Golden Bus Ticket...

03-30-2007, 05:58 AM	#11
Precioussss Wight Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dancing on this earth for a short while Posts: 111	I would take: 1) Beren, because he'd kill some sharks for us to eat (I love shark) 2) A Balrog, because he could cook the shark, being a walking barbeque. He could also heat the water so I could get a bath. 3) Faramir, for company The object I would take would be a Silmaril, so we would have a source of light in the dark. We could use it as a nightlight. __________________ I am against nature. I don't dig nature at all. I think nature is very unnatural. I think the truly natural things are dreams, which nature can't touch with decay. - Bob Dylan

03-30-2007, 06:50 AM	#12
Legate of Amon Lanc A Voice That Gainsayeth Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: In that far land beyond the Sea Posts: 7,431	Interesting! Well, even before I read TM's post, it was obvious for me (right after reading "or one Downer") to include him in the "package", for the same reasons he stated. Taking into mind the fact that we have the complete work of Tolkien with us there, I think actually nothing else is necessary. We'll just sit on the shore and ask each other trivia questions, until we both die by starvation and thirst But if I had to be more... hmm... imaginative, then probably I'd take Saruman with me (seems a strange choice to you? He'd be great for the chatter!) - this also goes along with the possibility of taking TM, at least there will be fun - and... hmm... Galadriel. I like her far more than Lúthien, and also they might have really funny debates with Saruman by the time me and TM discuss the books. If we wanted to repopulate the island, then I'll probably have to drop either TM or Saruman, which would be a shame either way. If I understand it correctly, then I'd probably have to leave Saruman and bring in Lúthien. The way the rules stand there would be no other choice. After all... it might not be so bad. And also concerning the object... hmm... there are certainly many, many interesting things from ME... dropping the "watching TV" Palantír possibility (or even Mirror of Galadriel, when we have her.. I suppose the Mirror works even on the salt water and not only clear "fuel"), and presuming that we can't take the Flame Imperishable , then possibly something like the Elessar, so that our desolate island wouldn't be as desolate... or... (if I wanted to take Miruvor, it wouldn't be replenishable, right?) Hmm, have to think about it yet... __________________ "Should the story say 'he ate bread,' the dramatic producer can only show 'a piece of bread' according to his taste or fancy, but the hearer of the story will think of bread in general and picture it in some form of his own." -On Fairy-Stories

03-30-2007, 07:22 AM	#13
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	I'd have picked Saruman and Gandalf for sure if davem was not coming, but I seriously couldn't cope with the arguments once they all got going being sarcastic with one another, and I know it would be me who was left to go and gather all the coconuts and light the bonfires. awaits davem's repsonse __________________ Gordon's alive!

04-01-2007, 12:21 PM	#14
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,449	Are we allowed one person we'd wap over the head with a piece of driftwood before they could stumble on to the beach? __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

04-10-2007, 03:34 AM	#16
Hookbill the Goomba Alive without breath Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: On A Cold Wind To Valhalla Posts: 5,912	I'll give it another go... Decision 1 I'll take: - Morgoth: At least if he's here, he can't be causing trouble elsewhere. - Sauron: See above - Gandalf: To tell the above two how bad they are and to beat them at chess. Decision 2 - I'll have me the Black sword. You got to have a talking sword, just in case conversation with the others gets boring. __________________ I think that if you want facts, then The Downer Newspaper is probably the place to go. I know! I read it once. THE PHANTOM AND ALIEN: The Legend of the Golden Bus Ticket...