Discussion thread - Perilous Journeys Shadow III

[Rian]

Well, the whole point of the bear was to keep in the animal theme of part II - the bear at Cameth Brin and the bear that the WK killed, and now a bear that E & co. have to deal with, but I'll consider changing it. I"ll get to it next week (after Easter - Happy Easter, everyone who celebrates it! )

In California, where I grew up, there's lots of bears and it seems that the attacks are more often than not surprise attacks (i.e., the approach not heard!) And with the general noise of the camp (even though they're trying to be quiet) and especially around the horses (17 horses is a LOT of horses!!!) I thought that it wouldn't be unreasonable for them to not notice a bear's sound, esp. because the bear was approaching at the noisy end of camp (the horse end). If you guys are OK with that, I can rewrite those extra details in to make it more realistic.

Earniel's probably right with the horses spooking more - I guess we need to decide how the horses were put up for the night - hobbled, tied, temporary rigged corral, what? As I said before, 17 horses is a lot!

As far as the doe and fawns, E's men heard it because the doe got very close and they were at the "quiet" end of camp away from the horses.

But comments are appreciated, because realism makes a story better, so I"ll mull on these comments and work on it next week. Are you guys totally against another bear? I thought it would be fun, and then we could rename part II "Bruins and Bewitchments"

[Gordis]

eryndil said:

Gordis:

I did the placeholder in III - while I was at it, I did two of them for Eryndil (oh that's me... this makes me so schizophrenic! ;D ) in II.

I can't help but think that Nauremir's parents would want to see him - I think a father would be inclined to open a casket anyway. So... Gimilbeth may want to have something planned.

Well Val, EVERYBODY knows that Eryndil is you! ;D On a forum with 7 participants things are much easier!

As for the coffin, I guess you are right. The stench from the coffin may serve as an excuse not to open it in public - but the parents ...
If they demand to open the coffin, then Gimilbeth will have to share the secret with them. I hope they won't wring her neck!

BTW it would be great if SOMEONE here agreed to write a post from the POV of Nauremir's parents. Or it will be too one-sided...
Any takers? - Just one post!!!

[Rian]

Gordis, I think it will be fine if you just write a blurb from Gimilbeth's POV as she reflects on the event that evening ("G thought back on the afternoon as she checked her face in the mirror that evening. N's mother had broken down in tears, wailing and hugging the coffin, her face red-eyed and blotchy. G thought that if she ever needed to cry, that she would do so in a more decorous and less face-damaging fashion....") We already have tons of POVs in the rpg, and I think it might even be better if we don't add another, unless someone wants to do it. I know I don't want to - I have enough going already with adding 2 more characters recently!

[Valandil]

gordis said:

Well Val, EVERYBODY knows that Eryndil is you! ;D On a forum with 7 participants things are much easier!

I know... that was sort of a bad joke, like that I didn't know I was also Eryndil. We just end up talking about our various characters in the third person so much of the time.

Say - a question here: With Algeirr having been hung on the road, for being a thief... does this mean Eryndil (me again! )went too easy on him, when he caught him and the other boys in the act, red-handed? By rights, should he have hung the lot of them? Does Callon think so - and not respect Eryndil for it?

Just thinking... maybe too much.

[Gordis]

I would say that thought might have crossed Callon's mind. Eh, Rian? ;)I am not sure if I am up to writing everything about Gimilbeth and Nauremir's parents. Perhaps Elfhild could help?

Val, while looking for GHM's avvies, I was thinking it would really be easier if you identify him with
1. either Merendil (Captain of the King's guards may also be the head of the Army)
2. or Nimruzir of Fennas Drunin.

What do you think?

Also I doubt "Marshal" as a military rank was ever used in Tolkien's world "Captain" seemed to be the highest rank.

[Valandil]

Gordis:

I think I could easily go with your Option #2, as you've suggested before. And... I like one of your newer avvies for Merendil.

Tolkien actually used "Marshal" in association with the Rohirrim. "Captain" he uses most frequently, but I think rather generically - as in "leader" of whatever size force, not so much a particular rank.

But "Marshal" just came to mind when I was thinking of this role - I didn't even think of the later use in Rohan. I'm thinking of someone who's responsible for carrying out the King's orders in regards to military actions, and who handles deployments of troops, etc.

[Gordis]

OK, Val. I like the av you have chosen for Merendil and I agree that GHM should be a lord of higher standing than Merendil - the Captain of Guards in Cameth Brin.
I am sure the Marshal = the Captain of the King's army should be member of the Private Council - so Nimruzir is a good choice.

[Elfhild]

I have just made a post for Tarniel.

[Gordis]

Very nice post, Elfhild! Great to see you out of Angmar's icy tower and posting!

I loved this "triangle in the making!"

[Rian]

valandil said:

Say - a question here: With Algeirr having been hung on the road, for being a thief... does this mean Eryndil (me again! )went too easy on him, when he caught him and the other boys in the act, red-handed? By rights, should he have hung the lot of them? Does Callon think so - and not respect Eryndil for it?

Just thinking... maybe too much.

The thought crossed Callon's mind ... but being a reasonable person and not knowing how matters of the king are solved, and not one to take a life hastily (remember Gandalf's quote about taking lives?) he thought that it was probably a wise decision, although thinking they got off easy for what they did. And he would also think that justice caught up with Algeirr anyway through Gimilbeth.

People, could you please comment on my post #30 about the bears? I'd be glad to change the animal if you guys think it's too many bears. And I think I made the camp too "quiet", anyway - as I pointed out, 17 horses is a lot of horses! I think perhaps they'll have to abandon secrecy, although they would certainly have watchmen out. Val, how would you have Eryndil set up a camp with 17 horses?