Discussion Thread Number 5 Of Wraiths-Kings-Friends-Rings Campaign

[Gordis]

Originally Posted by The last sane person

you can deffinatly see the wreckage of a ruined village/town/thing and smoke from those fires with the winds while within a hundred miles, no doubt there.

Not within a hundred miles!

Lond Daer is 230 miles from Tharbad. It is canon, I checked.

[The last sane person]

....Just not when caught with your knickers around your ankles. And yes, I am still going to take Shah's patrol that will INCLUDE MARTY AND/OR RAY out for a looksie, and I wont let any of your corsairs kill either of the three. I side with LMM, for a sea port to have zip warning when pirates are on the lurk doesnt strike me as pausible. Again, they wont know if its pirates, but something is better than nothing.

By a hundred miles I was refering to the scouting party going out and searching in the places and towns around Tharbad. I am not saying that the ruined place is 100 miles. Forgive me if thats what you thought I meant. By the time they are within 100 miles of the place, the smoke/wreckage/survivors/la de da will be visible, then they are going to hurry their messangers ass right back to Tharbad. Thats how scouts work.

[Lady Marion Magdalena]

If one can see the wreckage from 100 miles one can see the smoke carried by a strong wind from much farther away.

[The last sane person]

True, but whatever. I Still think that ringing the bell, or at least, if not even that, having Shah just go investigate with his patrols. He has military clearance to do that, its his job.

[Gordis]

I think you two were too lazy to check the distance, and now you are too obstinate to admit your fault.
But do as you wish. Don't complain afterwards if the game gets dull.

[The last sane person]

Edit, never mind....Screw it

[Lady Marion Magdalena]

Actually I spent a good while staring at the maps and trying to estimate the distance. And my estimate was a greater distance then the figure you came up with. Sorry.

[CrazySquirrel]

Nice posts, Rian and Serenoli!
And Udu and Gor!

I have filled in my place holder 749 before Serenoli's.


Perhaps, as the fight is going to be a major event of the game, it would have been better to ask EVERYBODY's opinion, how they want it to happen?

[Gordis]

Originally Posted by Lady Marion Magdalena

Actually I spent a good while staring at the maps and trying to estimate the distance. And my estimate was a greater distance then the figure you came up with. Sorry.

Then I am sorry.

But do you truly believe that one can sense smoke at a greater distance than 230 miles = 370 km? Honestly?

[Earniel]

So we're going to have a bonfire and right after that a giant raid? My mind is screaming "The fall of Gondolin! The fall of Gondolin!" all over. On account of that simply being me, I simply don't see Tharbad realistically surviving a raid at those odds. Unless the raiders run into some unexpected hindrings or so.

But hey, always in for being proven wrong... Although if people want this fight so badly I think it could work if Mahtaliel and Shah get an inkling of what's coming. They might prepare something that may give Tharbad a fighting chance against the raiders? Or in any case, spare enough of Tharbad so we don't have to continue the game in a half-burned down or torn down city? Seen both their occupations and history, they could very well pull something off. The rest of us can carry on in either complete ignorance or some undeterminable unrest. Working up the unrest through Tharbad towards Friday, as Maggie suggested, could IMO be interesting too. The unchanging wind might just add that unsettling atmosphere. Just my two eurocents.

Originally Posted by Gordis

Thank you, GW! I hope your buzzards will not let any messengers (like gulls and such) bring the news to good guys in Tharbad. And the birds will have plenty of food.

Um, no. A buzzard doesn't stand a chance against a gull, they're not up to aerial battle. Even crows can send the poor beasts running- er flying. Hawks, yes, gulls would be at a good risk then. Not buzzards. Details, details, I know.

Originally Posted by Gordis

And Val is the King, not a baby, eh, Val?

But he's not stupid either. He knows very well he's still without an heir. Fortifying Tharbad or even simply repairing the damage would take months, staying during that time would be suicide. And seen the rivalry between him and his cousin Melendil right now, I think little will sting Val more than letting his cousin get a hand on Arnor when he dies. But RPG-Valandil's actions are up to Valandil himself. *hands the poor High-king of Annuminas a nice hot cup of tea and sends him to his bed to recover*

[Rían]

*checks CS's filled-in post*
CS nice post - I like Zimra's reaction to Tolvadok, and how Lilly prepares for an unknown victim and then finds Tolvadok!

Serenoli - I really like your Tolvadok character - I think he'll be interesting at Orrodel!

Maggie - The Mahta and Shah interactions are very enjoyable!

GW - nice picture of the animals gathering with the pirates

Udu and Gor - good vivid, visual posts - I always "see" what's happening

My feeling on the raids - I don't care either way if it's a total surprise or not or somewhere in between, as long as the major characters don't get "offed", and as long as it's not bad enough to take Val away from the University (and therefore out of our rpg). I think the latter is a bigger problem - I just can't see a conscientious king happily continuing to attend his classes after an attack on a city like that What can we do about that?

And I hope the Chancellor wouldn't just remove two innocent elves out of a class - it would look very odd, IMHO. You FOEADs have your conferences, and we came up with the study/project group to give the FOGALs some regular get-togethers.

Anyway - I saw Tolvadok made it to Orrodel, and someone had posted a Wed. dawn post, so I posted my "Tyaron coming back to Tharbad" post. I hope for buckets of tears from you guys for my poor character I know he's a favorite of everyone here! (joke! ) Luckily, in the style of Beleg when he got attacked by Turin's guys, he'll be a fast healer and able to participate (though not full-strength) in the happenings on Friday.

[Valandil]

Meh... pneumonia - and a 103.1 F temp! (I think that converts to 39.5 C - for you metrics - is that right).

Trust me, the High King has ways of finding out about the fleet from Umbar.

[Lady Marion Magdalena]

But do you truly believe that one can sense smoke at a greater distance than 230 miles = 370 km? Honestly?

I also spent time looking up elvish eyesight. When you take that and the fact that with the wind blowing the smoke towards Tharbad... yes, Mahta could easily see it from high on top of the walls, because due to the wind the smoke is now much closer than it's place of orgin.

I am looking forward to the attack, I think it will be interesting and entertaining to write/read. Sane and I planned our characters' reactions to such an attack way back around New Years. We're trying to help you with this segment of plotline, just trust us.

[Rían]

Originally Posted by Valandil

Meh... pneumonia - and a 103.1 F temp! (I think that converts to 39.5 C - for you metrics - is that right).

Oh no!!! Poor Val!

Originally Posted by Eärniel

Just my two eurocents.

Here's another thought - Tyaron, when he recovers from his faint, can bring up some interesting things he saw, in addition to the weird animal goings-on. He was about 50 miles or so away from Tharbad ...

I can see how having some notice makes some logical sense (as Val said, the king would have his ways...) but I can see the fun of a surprise, too. Maybe scale down the size of the attacking group, so it would be harder to detect and also less able to inflict damage in a surprise attack?

[Gordis]

The forces coming to Tharbad are not an invading army. It is a simple pirate raid, "plunder and run" thing.

There are twelve small, Viking type ships. How meny men, only Udu can tell. I don't see Tharbad as defenceless either. There is a garrison, certainly outnumbering the pirates.

So no major distruction of Tharbad or sack of the city is possible. Neither is it planned. Don't get too paranoid Without the advantage of surptise, the raiders have little chance agaionst a big sity.
So the more prepared the city will be, the more dull and eneven the fight will become.

And yes, Earniel, it was planned to have an association with the Fall of Gondolin and with Morgoth's attack on the Trees. It is very Tolkienesque to have an attack during a big celebration.

That was how we planned it . Now I doubt it will be possible.

[Rían]

no, I think it will come off, but possibly with some adjustments as people add their input from their experience.

Guys, let's remember Maggie's line (I think it was Maggie) about "just say yes" - can we go with this, with the caveat that Gordis just said? (no major destruction, and a garrison outnumbering the pirates)

[Valandil]

Originally Posted by Gordis

That was how we planned it . Now I doubt it will be possible.

Well... I don't want to spoil all the fun - I was just thinking of an opportunity to have a little fun with this myself. Maybe we work out some kind of compromise that makes everyone happy. Can't work on it now though - just not up to it.

Originally Posted by Eärniel

But he's not stupid either. He knows very well he's still without an heir.

Yes indeed... were you thinking to help him out with that?

[Gordis]

Originally Posted by RÃ*an

Guys, let's remember Maggie's line (I think it was Maggie) about "just say yes" - can we go with this, with the caveat that Gordis just said? (no major destruction, and a garrison outnumbering the pirates)

Somehow it is Maggie herself who always says "No"

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

How about a comrimise. Shah's company could return to Tharbad half a day before the Corsairs arrive, that way the element of surprise isn't completley lost, but they have sometime to gather strength. If they did arrive with absolutley no warning then Tharbad would be destroyed, along with all it's inhabitants.
Another thing, if there is some warning then won't the bonfire be cancelled. I can't really see all the students and Professors sitting around the bonfire, where a few miles away there is a battle going on.

[Earniel]

Originally Posted by Gordis

The forces coming to Tharbad are not an invading army. It is a simple pirate raid, "plunder and run" thing.

There are twelve small, Viking type ships. How meny men, only Udu can tell. I don't see Tharbad as defenceless either. There is a garrison, certainly outnumbering the pirates.

So no major distruction of Tharbad or sack of the city is possible. Neither is it planned. Don't get too paranoid Without the advantage of surptise, the raiders have little chance agaionst a big city.

If you say so.

Originally Posted by Gordis

And yes, Earniel, it was planned to have an association with the Fall of Gondolin and with Morgoth's attack on the Trees. It is very Tolkienesque to have an attack during a big celebration.

Yes, but it usually ends badly for the celebrators! (And I bet you didn't take into account the volumes of Elven Angsting this is going to release for having through live through such an experience. It's on your own head, just so you know it. )

Originally Posted by Valandil

Yes indeed... were you thinking to help him out with that?

That's it! I'm so setting you up with dearie Aiwendis!

One more thing. If the fight is going to be done, I don't think it should be combined with jumping a few days ahead.