Storms at Weathertop. Shadow IV- Discussion Thread

[Eärniel]

I have a tentative character description for joining the weathertop cast on which I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Name:Kirael
Gender: Female
Race: human, Dunedain
Age: about 120? (never could convert dunedain ages well, so let's just say: old)
Appearance: slightly bent with age, salt-and-pepper wavy hair, wrinkled face and grey eyes. Misses a tooth or two. She's getting a bit deaf but she doesn't want to know.

Kirael has lived on weathertop nearly all her life. She used to run the kitchens, but has - due to her age- retired in a sense. She still meddles in the kitchens from time to time, though, and maintains the herb garden. She's overall respected because of her age and her folklore knowledge. Sometimes people visit her for charms against misfortune, for casting runes, a bit of scrying, and to learn good days for travel. That sort of thing, all very innocent. Kirael does possess a small talent of fore-sight. Unfortunately she also gets it wrong occassionally so people won't always take her word for things.

Any comments? I usually don't play characters with 'magic' but Kirael's will be very low key so I don't think I'll be upsetting balances or over-powering.

There's a realistic chance I won't be using her much because I most of the time suck at finding things to write about, but just how many times does one have the opportunity to play an old hag in an RPG?

[Duilin]

I'd think 120 is about vigorous middle age for the Dúnedain - 170 or so, maybe?

[Valandil]

Duilin may be right - though she could be a bit younger. The Kings of Arthedain who live out their full years are going a little over the age of 200 - but while Dunedain, she wouldn't be of the royal family, so a life expectancy of 170-180 might be about right, since the Kings seem to live a bit longer than most.

She could be between 150 and 160 though, and be getting quite old, but not so close to her deathbed.

If she has lived at Weathertop all her life, she would have served there while it was under the control of all three daughter kingdoms of Arnor, if we go by my history.

* Rhudaur controlled Amon Sul from 1142-1220 (Kirael was probably born in this time - maybe the latter half of it). In previous years it had been back-and-forth between Cardolan and Rhudaur from 957 onward.
* Cardolan had it from 1220-1245 - for 25 years while Kirael was still (for the Dunedain) a relatively young woman.
* Rhudaur got it back from 1245-1248, but didn't hold it for long. They and Cardolan had gotten Arthedain upset by this time.
* In 1248 Arthedain came out in force (under King Malvegil's father, Celebrindor) and took Amon Sul. They've held it for 99 years since then, up to the present.
* As an FYI, I've named the current Warden Annundil. His father was the first restored Arthedain Warden of Amon Sul (and its Palantir) - and was descended from a man deposed as Warden when Cardolan and Rhudaur first began to war for Amon Sul way back in 957.

In short, she's seen a lot of people come and go. The one constant being... she's had to feed them all!

I hope all that helps you. I think she's a great idea for a character.

[Gordis]

Great character, Earniel!
Though I agree with Val and Duilin that 150-160 is better than 120 for an old woman. (And women lived longer than men - even in Numenor)

I am so glad you are back, Earniel, and I look forward to Kirael's posts: by the way don't forget a great dinner in due tonight!

[Eärniel]

valandil said:

Duilin may be right - though she could be a bit younger. The Kings of Arthedain who live out their full years are going a little over the age of 200 - but while Dunedain, she wouldn't be of the royal family, so a life expectancy of 170-180 might be about right, since the Kings seem to live a bit longer than most.

She could be between 150 and 160 though, and be getting quite old, but not so close to her deathbed.

Thanks (you too, duilin), I think I'll go with 160 instead then.

If she has lived at Weathertop all her life, she would have served there while it was under the control of all three daughter kingdoms of Arnor, if we go by my history.

Oooh, that would be cool. (I really need to read up on my RPG history here)

But now that I think of it, would it work? I mean, if Weathertop changed hands so many times, it probably went with battle. Would it be likely Kirael survived through that all and was allowed to stay? I reckon if another country takes hold, they aren't that keen to keep the old inhabitants around, unless she makes some killer dinner! ;D

gordis said:

I am so glad you are back, Earniel, and I look forward to Kirael's posts: by the way don't forget a great dinner in due tonight!

Excellent idea! That would make a good introduction.

[Gordis]

earniel said:

But now that I think of it, would it work? I mean, if Weathertop changed hands so many times, it probably went with battle. Would it be likely Kirael survived through that all and was allowed to stay? I reckon if another country takes hold, they aren't that keen to keep the old inhabitants around, unless she makes some killer dinner! ;D

Suppose she does make killer dinners. After all, Dunedain are no orcs, they won't kill a peaceful woman who runs the kitchen, provided she is agreeable to go on with her duties regardless of the banner that now flies atop the tower. (But I believe it is a good idea to hide in some underground storage room while the fighting progresses - battle rage is battle rage - and then come out when the order is restored and ask the new boss for protection). I guess the fighting men who just won the fight would be all too glad to be fed - and then if they like her cooking, her place is guaranteed. ;D I suppose at first they will oblige her to taste her cooking before eating it, just to be sure it is not poisoned ;D, but then they will drop it.


So if Kirhael is born 1190 (50 years younger than Gimilbeth), she is born "a Rhudaurian"

gordis said:

by the way don't forget a great dinner in due tonight!

Excellent idea! That would make a good introduction.

Indeed - post right now, please, or just after Val's next post for Annundil - depending on what you describe - dinner preparations or the dinner itself.
I am very much looking forward to your contribution!

[Rian]

me too!

[Duilin]

So, my computer/internet situation seems finally to be at a stable place, and I can hopefully contribute more regularly. At what point should my posts that haven't yet been moved over into this thread have that done? Are there more other posts to intermediate, or should I do it now?

[Gordis]

I guess there should be Val's post and Earniel's post for the day.
Masybe also my post... But you may continue writing for the Cardolani guys, Duilin, right there in the old thread. We can always insert them at the right time.

Glad you have a good connection now, Duilin. We have missed you!

[Eärniel]

gordis said:

Indeed - post right now, please, or just after Val's next post for Annundil - depending on what you describe - dinner preparations or the dinner itself.
I am very much looking forward to your contribution!

I've posted a place holder. I think I will go with the dinner preparations. Kirael won't be involved in the actual dinner, I reckon. Not sure when the dinner will exactly take place, either. It's still early afternoon at Gimilbeth's reception. You might want to do some more conversation first, perhaps?

Darn, I better start looking up a bit about medieval kitchens! I am utterly clueless about cooking in general.