LLL discussion thread part IV

[Aikanáro]

Wow. I think that counts as a Crowning Moment of Awesome, for those of you familiar with TV Tropes.

Particularly the whistling.

[Varnafindë]

I was actually applauding, all on my own

I think I should have Baru do something similar. Not too noticable to the Khagan, of course.

Edit:

No warrior worth the name would follow an oathbreaker.

Some warriors that Tabril would not consider worth the name, might still follow him, though.
A completely foreign concept to her. And it might not happen within her sight anyway.

[Earniel]

I thought it was pretty clever myself. Of course it is easier when you're handling both the good and the bad guys, then you can decide how to deliver check and checkmate and when.

Originally Posted by Varnafindë

Some warriors that Tabril would not consider worth the name, might still follow him, though.
A completely foreign concept to her. And it might not happen within her sight anyway.

Well, the Ultai are Men, so undoubtedly a bit more fickle about honour than Elves, even Avari. And as I established before the Ultai also value cunning. So if the Khagan can find a way to talk himself out of the oath, his soldiers may consider his honour intact, but he may also risk mass desertion or even an uproar if he doesn't play his cards right. It makes the Ultai a bit more complicated but that's realistically human.

[Aikanáro]

Yes - that line was more to reflect Tabrîl's perspective rather than to say anything definitive about the Ultai. She approved of Finrod, remember? It hasn't really occured to her that the Ultai might not treat oaths as such a serious business, and that they'd appreciate the finding of loopholes.

[Varnafindë]

There are cultures of our world that consider treachery a work of art (at least I've heard of one such culture), and will admire highly someone who betrays others with great cunning and perhaps over a long time. So the definition of honour may vary ...

(I assume Tabril wouldn't share that view of treachery either.)

[Earniel]

I've heard of one such culture too, but only from hearsay that is supposedly exist, nothing else.

In that aspect I based this Ultai custom a tad on the idea of Trickster gods. Mostly the Scandinavian Loki since that is the one I am most familiar with. Loki excelled in trickery and not just with words, and while his tricks can be used to create a lot of havoc he can also be a force for good and play his tyricks on the bad guys.

[feawen]

just got back from holiday it looks like you have been busy while ive been away! very exciting!

[Earniel]

And there they are. The Entwives. After four years of play.

Not sure if I can squeeze out another post before leaving. Holiday preparations here are like organising a fullblown exodus. So feel free to finish it on your own, there are no leading posts from me required anymore. Just dig them out, and give them some Entdraught, that ought to wake them up.

I'm just a wee bit sorry the end was a bit rushed this month. Originally I had planned for a great big battle with the Ultai, but after finding out most of you weren't really interested in a fight, I scrapped that and rewrote it into just a game of words. I also for a very long time planned on involving the Dwarves at the end. (I sent away Borin the Dwarf just for that.) I had set them up as a vehicle for the glorious return of Quickleaf. But since Coffeehouse hadn't posted in a long while, the need of bringing in the Dwarves fell away. It definitely made the ending a bit swifter too, so perhaps it is better that way.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed yourself. It's been a big learning experience for me, so thank you all for that. And thanks for sticking with me for four years! (Four years? madness!)

[feawen]

well i have found it most enjoyable thank you!