Other Worlds Than These (Discussion Thread)

[feawen]

well elspeth doesnt know about the others yet she has to think of something and Anahera is of no help to her self at the moment let alone writing a letter, which she cant do!

[Aikanáro]

LOL, and Ashkaio can write a letter that nobody else can read. It's a good thing Elspeth's thought of a plan!

[Earniel]

Originally Posted by feawen

i was thinking of a connection with the dragon and anahera! i think she could do with a pet right now, she's a little in shock!

Maybe Anahera's people could use the little dragons to help them hunt, a bit like dogs in our world?

Originally Posted by Aikanáro

As it's a possible link-up point for later, do we actually have any characters who can write in Westron?

Beryn can write a little although her spelling of more complicated words is bordering on atrocious. Indigo will no doubt be able to write well and even do some calligraphy. But since I'll be gone tomorrow neither of my characters will be of use for that for now.

Originally Posted by Varnafindë

I hope she finds something else to answer, too ...
What about "no, I'm actually a kitten "

Or: "Of course I can't talk, whoever heard of talking badgers? It's all in your imagination. You probably stood in the sun too long, you might want to go home and have a lie-down."

[Midge]

Originally Posted by Aikanáro

As it's a possible link-up point for later, do we actually have any characters who can write in Westron?

Aerin can write in Westron - it was part of her training as a Messenger of the Lady. Gotta be able to read the addresses, even when they come from people who don't speak the same language as you.

Lur and Lantie won't really be able to write. I haven't researched it much, but I get the feeling their family is mostly oral - especially since they don't really die of old age...

I'm quite enjoying the Aerin-Nightshade story too...

[Varnafindë]

Originally Posted by Midge

I'm quite enjoying the Aerin-Nightshade story too...

I repeat my question from the LLL discussion thread - what color is Aerin's hair?

[Midge]

Oh, I didn't see that question. Hum... like, a dark brown color. I kind of pictured her with a similar coloring to Liv Tyler.

[Aikanáro]

I hope you don't mind, Varna, but I'd like to skip ahead a little with Rivailen and Baru and have them ride to the inn and get settled there in my next post, basically because we've got a few timing issues I need to sort out. (They should really have arrived before Anahera, who is on foot...)

Would that be okay?

[Midge]

I did some exploring through old LLL discussion threads - Feawen suggested once that after we find the Entwives, we go searching for other things like Palantiri, Blue Wizards, Dwarven Rings, etc...

Wonder how old we'd be (IRL) by the time our company found EVERYTHING there is hidden in Middle Earth...

[Aikanáro]

Well, if we average four years per quest...

This RP is different in that we start by finding something and then have to figure out what to do about it!

Edit: Feawen, where's your new signature from?

[Midge]

The Lord of the Rings HISHE... One minute...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yqVD0swvWU

Everyone on this board should watch it once. I referenced it when I said I was glad we didn't have to get rid of the Guardian ourselves...

[Aikanáro]

That's awesome. Loved the inclusion of Gollum! Thanks for sharing, Midge!

[feawen]

i love HISHE!
i often go "Ya, one of us could have died!" To my boyfriend he is no longer amused by it! lol

[Varnafindë]

Originally Posted by Midge

Oh, I didn't see that question. Hum... like, a dark brown color. I kind of pictured her with a similar coloring to Liv Tyler.

Thank you!

Originally Posted by Aikanáro

I hope you don't mind, Varna, but I'd like to skip ahead a little with Rivailen and Baru and have them ride to the inn and get settled there in my next post, basically because we've got a few timing issues I need to sort out. (They should really have arrived before Anahera, who is on foot...)

Would that be okay?

Yes, that's fine with me! They are ready to leave now, there's nothing more they need to develop storywise where they are. So they can leave and skip the details and settle at the inn in the next post.

The falling through of Ashkaio and his whole exchange with Elspeth must have happened considerably later than the falling through of Anahera, then. And we have no indication of when Nightshade fell through - it can be earlier or later as we wish.

[Midge]

Originally Posted by Varnafindë

Thank you!

Was that to make sure she looked like the description of Queen Susan?

One of the things that bothers me about LOTR (and even more now, since I'm planning on incorporating Perelandra into this) is the lack of an English equivalent to the word hnau. Hnau is a word that Lewis made up to mean "any creature with a soul" or "a sentient creature" (I'm not sure those are interchangeable, but if not, I'm sure he meant the former), because in one of his books, he had three sentient species all on one planet. And there are LOTS of hnau in Middle Earth: Elves, Dwarves, Men, Hobbits, Ents... Maiar, Ainur... I don't know if you could count things like Dragons, Orcs, Wargs, Trolls, because they're evil, and just copies of original creations, but they definitely have an independence about them. Selfish, yes, but they are not robots...

Anyway I feel awkward saying things like "the languages of men" (which is a lovely short and succinct way of expressing it), because that seems like it leaves out the other species in Middle Earth since one of the races is called Men specifically...

Anyway, I can't wait for Lur and Lantie to get there. They know the word "hnau" even though it isn't applicable on their planet because their family is the only sentient species. It will be interesting to them to be able to see other hnau, instead of only hearing of them from Maleldil.

[Aikanáro]

Originally Posted by Varnafindë

Yes, that's fine with me! They are ready to leave now, there's nothing more they need to develop storywise where they are. So they can leave and skip the details and settle at the inn in the next post.

Which I've now posted They will, in fact, meet for dinner while Ashkaio and Elspeth are outside talking to Anahera.

Originally Posted by Midge

Was that to make sure she looked like the description of Queen Susan?

I love that Nightshade made that assumption.

One of the things that bothers me about LOTR (and even more now, since I'm planning on incorporating Perelandra into this) is the lack of an English equivalent to the word hnau. Hnau is a word that Lewis made up to mean "any creature with a soul" or "a sentient creature" (I'm not sure those are interchangeable, but if not, I'm sure he meant the former)...I don't know if you could count things like Dragons...

That's essentially what Rivailen was worried about when it comes to Dragons, though of course she doesn't have that useful word, either.

Lur and Lantie will have to introduce it into everyone's vocabulary.

[Varnafindë]

Originally Posted by Midge

Was that to make sure she looked like the description of Queen Susan?

Almost - it was to see whether she should ask for Queen Susan or Queen Lucy

[...] in one of his books, he had three sentient species all on one planet. And there are LOTS of hnau in Middle Earth:

Malacandra, with its three species of hnau, was populated earlier than Thulcandra. After Maleldil himself took the form of the hnau of Thulcandra (to fight the Bent One), that will be the only form the hnau will be given hereafter (says Lewis). That's why the hnau of Perelandra (which was next in line) have human form.

But the color may vary

Anyway, I can't wait for Lur and Lantie to get there. They know the word "hnau" even though it isn't applicable on their planet because their family is the only sentient species. It will be interesting to them to be able to see other hnau, instead of only hearing of them from Maleldil.

They will introduce a new and useful word. Baru will be very interested.

[Midge]

Originally Posted by Varnafindë

Almost - it was to see whether she should ask for Queen Susan or Queen Lucy

Ahh... I see... very clever of you!

Originally Posted by Varnafindë

Malacandra, with its three species of hnau, was populated earlier than Thulcandra. After Maleldil himself took the form of the hnau of Thulcandra (to fight the Bent One), that will be the only form the hnau will be given hereafter (says Lewis). That's why the hnau of Perelandra (which was next in line) have human form.

But the color may vary

That is why I am also loth to use the word "human" or "man" to describe the hnau in Perelandra, for though they LOOK like humans, they have no connection to us save their Creator and their form. The book, as far as I can tell, does not mention a name for their species, but only Perelandrians, perhaps.

And after all, Elves and Men probably look similar from afar... right?

[Varnafindë]

Originally Posted by Midge

The book, as far as I can tell, does not mention a name for their species, but only Perelandrians, perhaps.

And after all, Elves and Men probably look similar from afar... right?

I don't know any other name than perhaps Perelandrians, either.

I wonder how long it will take for Nightshade to realize the difference between Elves and Men

Unless I should have her remember some more non-canon Narnian history ... hmmm ... I mustn't have her know everything and make her into a Mary Sue, though ...

[Midge]

Well, she could remember that the White Witch looked human, though she had not a drop of human blood in her. I think that would be a canon reference for her.

[Varnafindë]

Good point. That would be part of the lore about the Golden Age.
And Nightshade is something of a loremaster - she makes sure that the next generations (of badgers, at least) get to hear the old tales.