Re: Following Beleg up to a secret passage into the Tower, where he goes to see Tarniel's portrait, and subsequent secret use of the palantir by members of Cardolan's delegation to communicate with Gondor (and/or access to the High Chamber from the roof to do the same thing).
OK - I have never been fond of this whole idea. I will explain why, and I'll also tell why I've been hesitant to object. Then - maybe we can all come to some kind of agreement about it.
Objections:
1. Why, in the first place, would Elendil make a secret access, and the present guardians leave it unguarded? Just so guests could find a way to sneak into the place unobserved and use the Palantir without anyone knowing it?
2. Particularly in a tower. It's one thing in the middle of a building, where you can go all kinds of directions, but space gets sort of tight at the top of a tower.
3. I don't understand why Beleg would be left in the dark about the whole thing anyway. Why should he have to sneak into the chamber to see the portrait of the girl he might be married to, instead of just being shown the portrait?
4. As to using the roof - it's very steep, and it's up VERY high. The risk of a fall would be great. The risk of being spotted would be almost certain. Maybe less if attempted after dark - which increases the risk of a fall commesurately. Now - it's easy to dismiss such risks when we sit at our computers, controlling our characters, but imagine being in that position - with the option to go outside and climb up to and onto a steep, high roof on some dark winter night (for all to see - hoping not to be spotted) in hopes of finding a way to break into a place like this. Remember - it gets awful windy here too.
5. What makes the Cardolani's think that Romendacil would be willing to listen to them, or even to give them an audience? What if he just mentions to Malvegil, or Celebrindol, or the Warden - about this little 'request' he got - and asks them to convey his response to the ones he spoke with? ;D It seems to me that even trying to speak with him covertly is taking a great risk, because he may well be inclined to 'spill the beans' to the proper authorities. And...
6. I think there would be major penalties for sneaking into the High Chamber and using the Palantir without permission. It would/could/should be construed as treason. Probably punishable by execution. If the King, Heir and Warden are feeling particularly charitable, they may let them out of that - considering that they're trying to foster friendly relations, and we're nearing the Yule. So they might simply chop off a hand and a foot and banish them from the Tower (and its vicinity - say anywhere within 20 leagues or so) for the rest of their lives, on pain of death.
7. Plus - I don't like the Arthedainians treated as buffoons - which this whole scheme suggests to me. It's not the Three Stooges guarding the Tower and the Palantir. These men know how to do their jobs. It's hard for me to imagine that someone would get past them. If someone did, it's still hard to imagine they wouldn't get caught during or after.
(Note: for items #2 and #4, please see again the sketches on Amon Sul in the 'Amon Sul Planning Thread')
So - would the characters in question really risk what I describe above? To me, it just doesn't pass the 'smell test'.
However... I am willing to consider it further for the following reasons:
1. I'm only one part of this game, and I have been somewhat of a hold-up lately.
2. I hesitate to bring up too many objections to at least seeing the game move forward. I know others see things differently than me, so I'm willing to move forward with some consensus - even if I'm not totally on board with a particular action.
3. Duilin - in particular - has invested a lot of thought and energy in this matter. I don't want to dampen his interest. (Duilin - please don't let my objections bother you - it's nothing personal, just my nature. And I'm willing and able to do this despite them)
4. (subsequent add) Also, I have to admit that I'm not much in tune with the various Cardolan characters, and what their separate agendas are. I'm trying though, but I'm a little overwhelmed. This makes me more willing to just 'go with the flow' and allow whatever.
So - where does that leave us?
I can be flexible. I can't imagine ALL of my concerns above being addressed, but if
some could be addressed, or if some modification to the plan can be invented that's less of a stretch, or if everyone else wants to see this happen just to keep things moving - that's fine with me.
It just seems to me that Elendil would have placed this Palantir in such a way that it was extremely difficult - almost impossible - to have unauthorized access. And those who presently guard it would be very commited to that - and particularly on their guards with so many foreign (formerly warring) guests on hand. If we dismiss this all too lightly, it just doesn't feel right to me. Maybe I'm particularly sensitive on it because I'm the principal controller of the Arthedain group.
Well - can you see why I've hesitated to answer the questions about this?
You are all welcome to nominate me for the "Official Site Wet Blanket Award"! ;D
but she can't very well do that if there are no west-facing windows! 
It can just as easily be a south-facing window. 
