Storms at Weathertop. Shadow IV- Discussion Thread

[Valandil]

Eärniel - let's say dinner will be just a bit before sunset. Here in mid-November, this far north, that won't be too awful late (some help from someone in higher lattitudes? It might be about like it is this precise time of year for Gordis or Eärniel) - what time is sunset now? And are you at either the extreme west or east of your particular time zone?

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EDIT: as a sideline, I threw out a speculation long ago that in the wintry months, the Dunedain might eat only two meals per day - at least in the north. Their activity levels would be lower, and this might help ration out the food through the winter. Maybe exceptions are made for those who are still working hard, and maybe for growing children in wealthy-enough families, but we could go with just a mid-morning 'brunch' and a late afternoon/early evening dinner. Or else... do you all want to hold to the "three squares"? That might be less confusing for readers.

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As for Kirael surviving the change-overs, I think it's very likely. At first, the rival kingdoms even captured one another's soldiers. Later, even if inclined to wipe out the enemy soldiers, they would surely have kept a lot of the staff on hand that run things - especially kitchen help, farmers, herdsmen, serving girls, etc - otherwise, they'd have to capture the place with extra people on hand to do those jobs, or else... *gasp* do those things themSELVES!

"Sir, can we keep the cook?"
"I don't know... do we have a cook?"
"No, we don't have a cook neither."
"OK - let's keep the cook... Next!" ;D

I suppose a simple oath for lifelong servitude and loyalty would be required, etc, etc (Kirael would have then made several 'life-long' pledges to a succession of conquering monarchs). And Kirael would have to learn all the separate dishes of Rhudaur, Cardolan and Arthedain. (maybe like mastering German/Polish, French and English cooking... oh wait, do the English cook?)

[Valandil]

earniel said:

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Oooh, that would be cool. (I really need to read up on my RPG history here)
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Well... I really need to get the overall history thing posted on this board. I have to tweak it just a little bit first, but after some things Gordis and I have agreed to recently, I think the modifications will be pretty manageable. I'll try to do it soon, but first I at least want to do the follow-up post by Annundil to Gimilbeth's last post. I think very soon on that.

As for preparations - maybe an old man in a gray cloak would be haunting the kitchen, meddling with things and finding out what's in the pantry, so he can see what's for dinner.

[Duilin]

I'd suggest that, in terms of meals, there'd be a morning breakfast, a mid afternoon dinner, and a smaller evening supper. But it doesn't really matter, so long as we set a standard.

[Eärniel]

valandil said:

Eärniel - let's say dinner will be just a bit before sunset. Here in mid-November, this far north, that won't be too awful late (some help from someone in higher lattitudes? It might be about like it is this precise time of year for Gordis or Eärniel) - what time is sunset now? And are you at either the extreme west or east of your particular time zone?

Winter, yes, I had forgotten about that. These days (as we're at the same period as in the game) it's start to darken at 5PM and is dark by 6PM here.

EDIT: as a sideline, I threw out a speculation long ago that in the wintry months, the Dunedain might eat only two meals per day - at least in the north. Their activity levels would be lower, and this might help ration out the food through the winter. Maybe exceptions are made for those who are still working hard, and maybe for growing children in wealthy-enough families, but we could go with just a mid-morning 'brunch' and a late afternoon/early evening dinner. Or else... do you all want to hold to the "three squares"? That might be less confusing for readers.

Two dinners was customary in the Middle-ages, I believe. But we can swing either way. You can even have local cultural differences, like Arthedain being accustomed to two meals, and Rhudaur to three or something like that. (In that case, Gimilbeth and Hurgon will be hungry during their stay at Weathertop. ;D) Either way it's fine by me.

"Sir, can we keep the cook?"
"I don't know... do we have a cook?"
"No, we don't have a cook neither."
"OK - let's keep the cook... Next!" ;D

Good idea for if I ever do a flash-back for Kirael. ;D

valandil said:

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As for preparations - maybe an old man in a gray cloak would be haunting the kitchen, meddling with things and finding out what's in the pantry, so he can see what's for dinner.

Hahah, yes I can work with that.

[Gordis]

Report for latitude 60: Now it starts to darken at 4 pm and is dark by 5. But in a month - in December - the sunset will be at least an hour earlier.

What is the latitude of Amon Sul? - must be closer to that of Belgium, I guess.

Also don't forget, ye southerners , that in high latitudes the dawn and the sunset are long - it becomes dark very progressively and there is a long period of morning half-light.

Once I was on a trip to Brisbane (Australia) and I was amazed how the sun just popped out and it was full day in a matter of minutes.

Val: as a sideline, I threw out a speculation long ago that in the wintry months, the Dunedain might eat only two meals per day - at least in the north. Their activity levels would be lower, and this might help ration out the food through the winter. Maybe exceptions are made for those who are still working hard, and maybe for growing children in wealthy-enough families, but we could go with just a mid-morning 'brunch' and a late afternoon/early evening dinner. Or else... do you all want to hold to the "three squares"? That might be less confusing for readers.

I don't know why, but somehow in winter northern people tend to eat more and more often than in summer. Maybe just out of boredom. ;D And then all these winter holidays, corporate Yule dinners - I always gain some extra weight in winter *sigh*. ;D

[Valandil]

Probably the food is needed just to help keep us warm in winter.

Let's scratch my idea of two meals - and keep it at three.

Hmmm... I suppose Amon Sul might be like Belgium all around - lattitude, cooking, etc. Can you handle that, Earniel? ;D

[Gordis]

Here is a good site when you can have sunset and sunrise times at different locations.
www.earthtools.org/

London latitude is 51, and on Dec. 13 sunset is at 15.43

Yes, Amon Sul might be at the same latitude as northern Belgium - so Earniel will be monitoring this one. ;D

latitude 60 is more like Imlad Mitheithel and Angmar.

[Gordis]

valandil said:

Hmmm... I suppose Amon Sul might be like Belgium all around - lattitude, cooking, etc. Can you handle that, Earniel? ;D

Even complete with French (Cardolan) and Flemish (Rhudaur)influence ;D No Arthedain, though...

[Valandil]

gordis said:

valandil said:

Hmmm... I suppose Amon Sul might be like Belgium all around - lattitude, cooking, etc. Can you handle that, Earniel? ;D

Even complete with French (Cardolan) and Flemish (Rhudaur)influence ;D No Arthedain, though...

BTW - Gordis (and Earniel, and others who might know) - my impression has always been that English cooking gets 'knocked' throughout the continent. Is that so? We could make it the same for Arthedain, if you like. ('Arthedain cooking? An oxymoron!') ;D

[Gordis]

Yes English "cuisine" is reported to be inexistent. The French across the Channel get especially snide on that matter. ;D
Porridge from oats in the morning, overcooked meat or roasted ham for dinner... when in London I didn't like it much myself. And no croissants - even in hotels!