Hard Winters Planning/Discussion Thread

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

I was looking at the NPCs the other day, and it seems the list is a bit outdated. As per Legate's post here, Scyrr and Fearghall are departing with Athanar in the fall, with nothing conclusive said about Baldwic. He may have remained in the Hall initially. What about the other two? Fearghall might have come back with the caravan. I doubt Scyrr would have volunteered (but who knows? If you guys can think of a backstory/motive for his return, all is possible). Also, in her post here, Lommy mentions an Osmund. Does anyone know who he is or any background on him?

I think there wasn't anything about Osmund apart from the one post where he was mentioned. And Lommy would know more, I am not certain.

Anyway, of course we could have Scyrr come back with the motive that he might want to see his old buddy Áforglaed; but I am not sure I want to go there! For that matter, Áforglaed isn't grumpy by default, but he could do something rash, if it comes to that. If you had something specific in mind, G55, just say...

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

Hah! Good point. Though I always tell my campers that it takes two to make a fight. Well, a big enough fight at any rate.

Wilheard and Javan in the stables isn't good enough for you?

Originally Posted by Folwren

I have put Searyn back in the kitchen right after Elfthain asked his question, but I didn't have her say anything because I didn't want to interrupt in case one of the other ladies wants to go ahead and respond to him. Normally, she'd introduce herself and welcome him, but she's kind of tired, as they all are, and not quite herself, and I think she'll just wait to watch and see what happens. She senses she interrupted something anyway. Ya'll play it however you like, obviously, but that was why I didn't have her say anything to him.

I might be a bit busy today, I would like to make a couple of posts, but not sure if I'll manage. I'll try to get at least a small response to Elfthain in the next minutes, but then it's all yours. I am not sure if Lommy wants to interject for Modtryth, she at least originally was okay with leaving her do her things in the background. But if you want to post, I'd say just go ahead.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Okay, posted! Stefnu is taking a bit of her own initiative in dealing with Saeryn's children Let me know if the way I wrote Ruari's reactions is okay with you, Folwren. I tried to keep her to the spirit... And Mith, I decided to describe Elfthain as "boy" from Stefnu's point of view, based on the impression he would seem to give (I was deciding between "young man" and "boy", and for her, "boy" would be a more logical way to think about him). That all despite him being dramatically taller than her, but then again, who of the Eorlingas isn't... it's some Mountain-folk blood in her, I guess.

EDIT: Ha, typical. I was sure I re-checked whether Elfthain actually unstopped the other jar as well, and I must have misread it. Nevermind. I think Stefnu could be considered rash enough to open the honey jar by herself, if nobody else had. I can edit it in for clarification if needs be.

[Mithalwen]

I don't think the stopper matters I think it works as is. And Elfthain will seem boyish to anyone but small children I think, He is tall but only just turned 17 and not one of those younglings who are born middle aged or really self confident. So basically the rest of him hasn't caught up with his height yet.

[Folwren]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

Wilheard and Javan in the stables isn't good enough for you?

Speaking of, is Lommy around to continue the development?

Your writing for Ruari is fine. I'll try to post for her and Saeryn again later today. No particular promises, I've got a busy day ahead. Don't wait for me.

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by Folwren

Speaking of, is Lommy around to continue the development?

Yeah, RL is interfering but I'll write something tomorrow!

And I haven't been even reading this discussion thread and looks like you guys are making fun of my character already. Hmph.

[Galadriel55]

I seriously need to reread some Tolkien. I can't write! I start writing a post, and it ends up sounding like one of my biology lab reports. When did my English become so full of latin and formal language? Does that ever happen to you guys?

EDIT: if any of you would like your character to receive a message from somewhere, now is the time to "pass it along" (see below). Balan will deliver it.

(also, if your message is from the north - or any other direction - I really have no problem with changing Balan's destination)

[Galadriel55]

NAME: Balan Bard

AGE/GENDER/RACE/WHERE FROM: 24 / Male / Man / Near the Long Lake

APPEARANCE (very brief physical description/or as detailed as the player wishes to be): A bit shorter than average. Slightly stocky. Deep brown wavy hair to his shoulders. Wears a beard. Clear blue eyes. Dresses in simple traveling clothes. Not many possessions.

BITS OF CHARACTER/HISTORY YOU FEEL MIGHT BE HELPFUL IN DEFINING THE CHARACTER (again, as brief or detailed as you wish): Balan was orphaned before he got to know his parents. During the War of the Ring, he was taken in by several families, none of which were able to keep him for long, more from circumstances rather than unkindness. During the chaos of the war, he travelled through many places with many people, and when he was old enough to understand, the only details of his birth that survived were than he was born somewhere on the Long Lake and that his parents are both deceased.

After the War, Balan never settled down. At first he traveled with his foster families, then on his own. He began traveling by himself at a fairly young age, and he earned his food through storytelling. Eventually, he made his way to the Long Lake to find the scattered knowledge of his family. None remained, but he met many good people whom he visited in future years. There, he was first named “Balan Bard”, not for his music but for his stories, and he kept the name. Since then he has wandered to the far corners of Middle Earth, going even to those places that most of the Western people avoided. He has seen the lands in the North and some of those in the East.

Balan is good-natured, gentle, and generally cheerful. He has a knack for understanding what goes on in people’s minds. He is honest, but rarely gives a straight answer, especially to a person seeking advice. He prefers to tell tales of his own invention – while he respects history and knows some of it, he leaves it to others. Likewise, he admires music, but has no skill with any instrument himself. He is especially fond of children and reserves the best stories for them.

He has passed through Scarburg Mead Hall once before, two years ago on his way south, by the urgent summons of a friend. He was travelling fast and did not stop even for one night. He remembers little of the people who live there, but recalls the place itself. With the coming of spring he started his trek northwards, to visit his birthplace, and chose to pass through the Riddermark.

--------------------

LINKED ~*~ Pio

[Folwren]

Ok, folks, the weekend is coming up and I foresee some extra time, at least on Saturday and Sunday, during which I can write.

Would anybody like to have any sort of interaction with any of my characters, or must I go and create some hubbub on my own and draw you all in after me?

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Folwren

Ok, folks, the weekend is coming up and I foresee some extra time, at least on Saturday and Sunday, during which I can write.

Would anybody like to have any sort of interaction with any of my characters, or must I go and create some hubbub on my own and draw you all in after me?

Sure. For Ledwyn, my only preplanned interaction is with Brith, but if you have any ideas, shoot. Balan will also arrive shortly (can do so today) and I have grand plans for him; any interaction would do.

Did you have any specific ideas?

[Mithalwen]

Elfthain would welcome any diversion I am sure.

[Galadriel55]

Firefoot, do you have plans for Cerwyn's arrival? If you didn't, I was going to offer to meet her en-route to Scarburg. Logically thinking, Balan is travelling on more or less the same road as she is, at more or less the same time, but probably at a slightly quicker pace. I'm still hesitant to bring him in while Ledwyn continues to be interesting, but I was thinking of what I'm going to do for his entrance and I realized that he and Cerwyn would probably see each other on the road.

[Firefoot]

Sure, if he's traveling faster he can come up behind her on the road. Just remember she's wearing boy's clothing.

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Firefoot

Sure, if he's traveling faster he can come up behind her on the road. Just remember she's wearing boy's clothing.

How good is her disguise? Like, at what point would he be able to tell that she's a girl (if at all)?

[Firefoot]

She'll have her hair pulled up under a hat, I think, and be wearing trousers. Probably a cloak as well given the weather. But the disguise is meant more for casual observers than close scrutiny. She's pretty bedraggled at this point so there might be stands of hair escaping from her hat, that sort of thing.

[Folwren]

The Rohirrim were described as having long hair in the book anyway.