Shadow Over Rhudaur Planning Thread

[Valandil]

Rian - I've read it. Eryndil appears to be speechless, for a day or two. I'll try to get that modified soon.

Gordis, et al - about Broggha's marriage to Tarniel:

I think for this to happen, Broggha will have to be established at some other place, and take Tarniel there. Now - I have already set up a lot of the "history" we're working toward, so I offer the following somewhat hesitantly. Think of this as a possible scenario, with many others still possible - not as a determined part of history. But - if you like it, we could work toward it.

Winter 1346-47 Broggha's men winter on King's Road. This becomes a bit of a nuissance to all parties - puts a cramp on local resources - like food!

Meanwhile, we introduce a new character - in my mind I think of him as a "Grand High Marshall" - but maybe the name is shorter (I'll say GHM for now). He's in charge of deployments of Rhudaur's forces. Maybe he's also the "governor" in charge of Odaragariel's family home (do we have a firm location on that, btw? Did we set further upriver? North and east?). Anyway - the guy is totally loyal to Tarnendur, but Broggha finds a way to twist things and start to cast suspicion upon him.

Spring 1347 Broggha finds a way to totally discredit this GHM - and probably others who are actually loyal to Tarnendur.

Summer 1347 Eryndil either learns something about what Broggha did, or otherwise protests and supports the old GHM too much - and is discredited himself. Broggha shifts his men to Penmorva. He begins to win the King over, claiming that he can help him, that he should be the new GHM, that he needs more resouces and he will crush the King's enemies.

Fall 1347 In a campaign to "wipe out traitors" - Broggha attacks various smaller fortresses, including Ostinand, which he wipes out on the last day of October. Eryndil had already been banished from court, and now flees with other survivors, taking up the life of an outlaw, in the forests.

Winter 1347-48 The King, feeling secure, rewards Broggha with the estate of Mitheithel.

May 1348 Broggha, preparing to leave Cameth Brin from a Council meeting, kidnaps Tarniel and Odaragariel (sorry, Wilwarin - wanna join an outlaw band? ) and flees with his captives to Mitheithel. The King rallies what remains of his forces and prepares to lay seige.

Mid-year's Day 1348, Broggha and Tarniel are wed at Mitheithel.

early July 1348 Broggha explains from the ramparts of Mitheithel that he and Tarniel are married. He brings her forth, and she tells her father, from there, that she stays with him willingly (under duress? More likely than having been charmed by Big Red - most likely at least Odaragariel was threatened with great harm if she answered wrongly). Tarnendur resigns himself to this match and returns to Cameth Brin.

late August 1348 One of Tarnendur's sons has an 'unfortunate accident'

October 1348 Tarnendur's other son also suffers a weird stroke of fate. Tarniel begins to "show"

November 1348 Resentful, Angry, Suspicious and also very much alone (for Broggha had outlawed his greatest allies) Tarnendur summons Broggha to Cameth Brin to account for his actions. Broggha comes, willingly, and innocently - and brings his wife Tarniel along. But as they meet, Broggha becomes enraged by the King's accusations, rises up and strikes him down. Even Tarniel is stunned. Broggha's men gather to him - and with the royal family all gone, he convinces the remnants of the King's guard / soldiers to go along with him. (EDIT: After all, the child that Tarniel bears will be not only the child and heir of Broggha, but the grandchild and heir of Tarnendur as well... whom Broggha loved as a father, and regrets that he slew so mindlessly from his great wrath... and how he wishes he could recall that deadly stroke... yadda-yadda)

Only the barest of outlines. What do you say?

I think Broggha should work hard to gain the King's confidence. I think he should even appear to be taking on Dunedain culture - and feigning respect for the King and his heritage. This is a surer way to stay on course than being always an affront.

And - as I say, the above can be changed a lot - it's just a suggested course of action.

In fact, I'm preparing to introduce another sub-plot which could weave nicely into what I describe above - slightly modify, but maybe enhance, some of the events.

But I think Broggha has an "image problem" with the King that he needs to correct. He should make himself appear to be compliant, supportive, respectful. Maybe he can bring to justice one or some among his band who have wronged others and broken the King's Laws, for instance...??

[Rian]

valandil said:

Rian - I've read it. Eryndil appears to be speechless, for a day or two. I'll try to get that modified soon.

Val - Let me know if you want any edits (standard operating procedure on this board )

as for the rest of your post - wow, you're good at details!!!

Serenoli - any posts on the hunt? I think you should write one from Odare's POV - I like her a lot!

[Gordis]

valandil said:

Alternately - since that gives you a Sitting Room without any light, the Bath Room and Wilwarin's Room could each take a small "bite" out of the corner of the rooms of Tarniel and Odaragariel (respectively) - with all four rooms and the Corridor again opening into the Sitting Room. Then, the Sitting Room is larger and much more cheery. (Palace Remodeling Time!)

I am not sure I get it, Messire Architect. I don't want the Sitting room without windows, but where in your Alternate version is Odare's room - upper right on the plan, or where the study currently is- next to Tarniel's room??

Rian- nice post. Great brooch! Val will be a fool to refuse it.

I am posting Algeirrs much deserved end. ;D

[Rian]

*moment of silence for Algeirr*

And I have made my (hopefully) final post in part II now, where C&C are riding through the encampment. I put in the marriage thoughts, too - good idea, Gordis. Anyone involved with characters or geographical knowledge, please let me know if I need any edits

About the broach - there's a fun story behind that - I was doing some more unpacking, and I came across my decorative belt-buckle that I used to wear when I was showing horses. I based the broach on that (Except the belt buckle is rectangular, and doesn't open up and I doubt if the maker thought of elanor blossoms when he was making it! But you never know ... )

[Eärniel]

gordis said:

Right, the King ordered Wilwarin to stay in the same room where T+O sleep. There are two solutions: 1. to make Odare sleep in Tarniel's room with Wilwarin sitting quietly inside.
2. I can change the location of Odare's room to where the "common study" is located and put "common study" instead of Odare's room. - see below. Then the girl's room would be adjacent - and the King can order to make a door connecting the 2 rooms. Then Wilwarin can guard both girls at once, with more emphasis on Tarniel.
What do you prefer?

I think it would be easiest if Odare's room is next to Tarniel's with a connecting door. If Elfhild and Serenoli agree to the move, of course.

The question is how can Broggha abduct and marry Tarniel without making Tarnendur berserk?

Just brainstorming.

If Broggha works by a ploy, he could set up a fake assasination or kidnap-attempt of Tarniel, then take her into 'his protective care' as he of course has the best interests of Rhudaur at heart. He could try and discredit a few Dunédain while at it. Wilwarin can either be killed in this or be among the discredited. Either way the loss of Tarniel's bodyguard will cause a significant dent in the idea that Tarniel would be safe.

And if even the center of Camoth Brin is unsafe for the royal princess, and if it looks like Dunédan plotting is responsible for the attempt on her life, maybe in all the confusion, Broggha's abode may look like the safest place in town. Especially if Broggha has worked a few months to polish up his image.

If the King has had to invite Broggha to Camoth Brin and give him a place on the council, he might be equally forced to hand over Tarniel.

rian said:

Gordis - good idea about switching the common room and Odare's room. Can you squeeze a little "service" type room in between the two rooms, with a door to the hall and a door to each room? That would be a perfect little spot for Wilwarin. The idea behind the room would be, perhaps, a place for servants to keep fresh fruit and water and other little goodies in and available to the princesses, without their being bothered (they'd typically keep the connecting door to their rooms locked). Whatcha think?

Personally I think Wilwarin's room is good where it is. If the room is between the princesses' bedroom, it would just be more doors to watch. And I would imagine the girls like their bodyguard to be a little further away when she's not needed.

And while your changes sound interesting, Val, they might just be a bit too much of a reorganisation.

Hmm...She may even propose Belzagar to marry her if he convinces the WK that she would be a better Ruler of Rhudaur than Broggha. I am not yet sure how to play it. Ideas?

Gimilbeth strikes me as someone who'd cut out the middleman and go straight to the WK to negociate. Although she could marry Belzagar to gain an ally in her quest for the throne, especially if both end up in league with Angmar. And Belzagar looks like a pretty influential person on his own. Or perhaps the WK would make the marriage a requirement for his aid in getting Gimilbeth on the throne? That way he'd have two pawns that will be stronger together than alone, and if need be he could play them both against another.

[Eärniel]

Oooh darn, looks like I missed reading the last page when posting. Seems like you and me had the same idea, Val!

valandil said:

(sorry, Wilwarin - wanna join an outlaw band? )

If she isn't killed or executed before that, that was exactly where I was going to take her.

[Rian]

*hands Wilwarin a six-shooter*

[Rian]

Gordis - I think you have the word document of the first part, right? Anyway, I was re-reading it, and came across an error. I had made a mistake about which horse was shot at one point, and had left in a mistake when I thought it was the gelding. IT was actually Callon's mare. I found where Caelen referred to the horse as "he" and "him", so I fixed it. Also I added a line at the end of the paragraph. It's now this:

Caelen fought back her disgust and fear and said meekly, "No tricks. Please, I just want to help her, she's in such pain..." Then realizing that these men didn't care at all about the animal, except for what they could use her or sell her for, she added, "And she's worth a lot of money!"

Anyway, could you please fix it in the Word document when you get a chance? And I saw that there's a forum added for publishing the work - both in-progress, final, and comments - which I think is a good idea. Could you please put the word document in there, along with your chapter headings and all? I'm ready for a re-read and some touch-ups of my stuff before it goes out.

What do you think of that, O Administrator and everyone else? Is that OK?

EDIT - oh, nevermind, I forgot you had the "next chapter to be published" thread - that will do

[Witch-king of Angmar]

Farewell, Algeirr.

Now with Amazing how a chance encounter has messed up the orcs' plans. ;D

[Caelen]

(Rian) One more note - I added yet another back-post - I added a little blurb at the end of Part I. I thought it needed a little more of a wrap-up and a tie-in with the first post there. Thumbs up or down?

(my goodness, I've posted a lot the last few days! I've been shamelessly avoiding my paperwork! Such fun! I better go ... )

ps - Val - could you please edit your last post in part I? You have both C&C with a determined look. Could you please change Caelen to some sort of ambiguous look or something like that? If you read the little post I made after yours, you'll see what I mean. Thanks!