10-09-2008, 01:44 AM | #1 | |
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Journeys discussion thread
I'm thinking (and I know some people here who are "in the know" might think I'm crazy!) of starting up a new RPG in the style of one that we did several years ago. It's actually more of a cooperative writing thing than the usual RPG. We each would write very short chapters or episodes, often using another person's character, giving any person whose character was used complete edit rights to preserve the integrity of their character. What I liked about it was that it didn't have that "choppy" feel of many RPGs, because we would write complete little episodes.
Here is a sample of one episode that I wrote: Quote:
Anyway, it worked really well for a long time until several problems arose, some of which I won't mention because there were a lot of hurt feelings involved. But mainly the problems arose when a few of the people refused to give edit rights to the owners of the characters they used, or tried to take over another person's storyline (like person A wanted a break-in in a castle to happen, and person B thwarts it by just happening to have a guard come by right then, and person A then has another bandit bonk the guard to try to keep his storyline, then person B adds another guard to try to thwart the storyline, etc. etc.) Now part of the fun of RPGs is surprises, but also part of the fun is to invent something and carry it through. So anyway, those were two of the main problems. (con't)
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. I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva! |
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10-09-2008, 01:51 AM | #2 |
Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!)
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Anyway, I was thinking of starting up something like it again because I miss the writing, but right off the bat I would name myself as RPG-master, with the final decision rights over story disputes (just because SOMEONE has to do this if we really can't decide as a group) and state very clearly that the character owner ALWAYS has final say about any use of their character, and for others to please respect the storyline of others - surprises are fun and welcome, but don't just destroy someone's intended storyline idea. Also, it would be very canon-mindful, and humor is very welcome but shouldn't be slapstick or ridiculous. And another thing is a promise to really, really try to make at least one post a week, or one post every two weeks at the worst - I'd rather have a not-so-perfect post once every week or two than a real gem once a month, because it's frustrating to have to wait for others. Of course we'll understand if something comes up, but then please understand that we might need to carry your character for you, or you might need to remove your character, if it's holding others up for a really long time.
Since I moved from California, where I was born and grew up, to Arizona, and since I've always loved Gondolin, the idea I had was this: a story about some of the survivors from Gondolin several years down the road. They've helped the sick and injured; they've made it safe to Cirdan (this particular group, at least); yet their hearts are restless - they've left their home and they don't feel at home where they're at now, and they aren't ready to go over the sea yet. So they get an idea to go on a journey - visit the major elven kingdoms and see the beauty in each, and see if their hearts can find rest in any of them. Of course they'll have some adventures on the way! Another theme I'd like to work in is the dreams of the elves - how they're so vivid, and sometimes even others can see them, IIRC. I'd love to have "dream sequences", so to speak, from the Mooters here, showing their ideas of what Gondolin was like. Anyway, I've been thinking about it and wanted to float the idea and see if anyone is interested EDIT - another thing I thought is that the characters would be more of a high-class-type of elf, so that they would have access to the Elven leadership of the places that they visit.
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. I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva! Last edited by Rían : 10-14-2008 at 09:06 PM. |
10-13-2008, 06:32 AM | #3 |
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I might be interested, if enough time can be found on my part. What time-frame are we talking here? If I recall correctly there wasn't much left standing in the first aera of the Elven realms after the fall of Gondolin. So are we talking second age or third? I don't think fourth is much of an option.
And can non-Elven characters be played as well? Their nature will of course depend on the time-frame that is chosen.
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10-14-2008, 05:11 PM | #4 |
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Probably Second Age - I was thinking of them visiting Lorien and Greenwood and maybe Rivendell and/or Eregion. I'm rusty on my dates, but I think mid-S.A. might work.
Non-Elven characters would be workable, although it would take some doing, esp. since there's a lot of travel and Elves are the hardier travellers. But I'm very open to any workable ideas, and can make the elves the type that are interested in other races. But I haven't seen much interest in this style of RPG so far, so maybe it just isn't a good time now.
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. I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva! |
10-14-2008, 05:26 PM | #5 | |||
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Quote:
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10-14-2008, 05:34 PM | #6 |
Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!)
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oh, that's ok - I'm not sure if I want to do it myself! I just wanted to float the idea, and if there was interest, then great, and if not, then it wouldn't be a big deal.
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. I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva! |
10-14-2008, 08:46 PM | #7 | |
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But if we can emphasize the TRY TO, and perhaps start with something not quite as ambitious, lengthwise, the idea appeals to me ... And as always I'm then thinking which of my family members could be suitable for being put into such a story. One of my main characters, Rameldir, is himself a survivor of Gondolin - but he's not a wandering soul, he's well established in Elvish high society. First in the court of Gil-galad at Lindon, and later with Elrond at Rivendell, if this is later than SA 1697, when Rivendell was established. They would meet him and have some interesting talks, I'm sure, but he wouldn't be part of the group. Then I've got a couple of survivors from Nargothrond - but they are happily married by mid-SA, and not feeling any need for such a journey. They have got a daughter, though - would she be a possible candidate for joining the group? She is born early SA, so she is not one of the survivors herself. I haven't played her anywhere, only her future husband and daughter - so she could be played by several writers without me necessarily feeling too possessive of her. Or I suppose I could even create someone completely new - preferably another survivor of Nargothrond, though. Brother of the happy wife and uncle of the daughter.
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10-14-2008, 09:01 PM | #8 |
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We'd definitely emphasize the "try" part of every week - once a week would be a goal to shoot for and hopefully hit a good number of times, but not a must - life happens! For me, I found that the writing came prettily easily, because I wrote most of it in my head during times in the car, in line at the bank, etc. etc.
One thing I forgot to mention, and that your post put into my mind, is that I was picturing the elven characters as rather "high society" so they can have access to the rulers of the various kingdoms, so your Rameldir would fit in really well, esp. since he's a survivor of Gondolin. Why not consider him taking a "road trip" for a bit? Anyway, toss it around in your head for a bit and see if you like it - I'm not in a rush. I really like the Gondolin theme and the idea of them kind of taking a "last look" around the various elven settlements, looking for something that somehow lets them feel at home again, although they don't know what that something is yet. Maybe Rameldir could meet up with the group and kind of catch their wandering bug and decide to join up, not even quite sure what it is that's drawing him, knowing that he could always go back. I don't know - just some thoughts. The daughter might work, too - you'd have to come up with a good reason for her leaving home and joining the group, which I'm sure you could do. I'd prefer the Gondolin background, but she could have her own reasons for feeling restless and wanting to look around the world. Maybe I'll just draft an initial concept post to show what I'm thinking. I'll probably use my previous characters from Gondolin.
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. I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva! |
10-14-2008, 09:43 PM | #9 |
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Would you place this after Rivendell was established?
Rameldir could feel responsible for the group, or be sent as an escort by Elrond - or there could be a better reason. He was only a child when Gondolin fell, only ten years old. So he doesn't remember as much as he would have liked to. I put him right into the royal family, by creating a daughter of Angrod as his mother, marrying into Gondolin and giving her life to save her son - Rameldir was orphaned at the fall of Gondolin, and Tuor and Idril fostered him. It's been ages since he met someone who remembered the city of his childhood. He will listen eagerly to everything they can tell him, to everything that can rekindle his own memories of the lost city. Then the daughter - her name is Nólem*re, btw, easier to refer to her that way - knows Rameldir, too. Her parents (the survivors of Nargothrond) were friends of his, but they moved to Lorinand when "many Sindar and Noldor went to dwell" there before SA 1200. She could well feel restless - she later gets married, but only towards the end of SA. None of them will be with the group from the beginning of the story, but they may both meet up with the group (at different times, possibly) as the story grows.
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10-14-2008, 10:35 PM | #10 |
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Yes, I was thinking of putting it after Rivendell was established.
I'll have to recheck my ME geography - I'm a bit rusty, and geography was never my strong point ... but they could go to Rivendell first.
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. I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva! |
10-16-2008, 05:38 PM | #11 |
Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!)
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Here is the draft concept: an idea
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. I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva! |
10-17-2008, 03:52 AM | #12 |
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Well, well, well, Tyaron and Alagos sure get around, from Tharbad to Amon Sûl to Mithlond. How are you keeping their timelines straight?
I'll have to think about a character and check up on what is actually happening in the second age.
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10-17-2008, 09:57 AM | #13 |
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I never thought of re-using characters until Angmar suggested it over at t'other place, and it seems like other people do it, too - makes sense, when you've spent time developing them! And actually, I was thinking your Earniel character from the other RPG would fit in well ...
I don't care if they conflict with other RPGs or not, though, as long as they're consistent within each one - actually, for the first one I had made Alagos half-elven and given him a sister, and I dropped that for our other one. I don't know for this one - I think the sister is dead for good but I might stay with the half-elven because it's canon that there were possibly a few more. Anyway, I had a writing fit come on, and worked it out
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. I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva! |
10-17-2008, 01:17 PM | #14 | |
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I keep mine consistent, though - what I've posted somewhere, is part of the person's history from then onwards. The only thing that cannot be consistent, is Rameldir's family connection to Gil-galad. That depends on each threadmaster - whether he/she uses one or the other of Gil-galad's lineage versions. I prefer Tolkien's later version, but I don't insist on it if the threadmaster uses the other. (Which one will you go by here, btw?)
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10-17-2008, 04:25 PM | #15 | |
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So I think I'll make a new character for this game, although I may still go for a member of the House of Fountains. I almost never re-use RP characters anyway. So to each their own.
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10-17-2008, 05:08 PM | #16 | ||||
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Speaking of questions like Gil-Galad, I'll be going with Balrogs like in the Fall of Gondolin in BoLT 2 - IOW, fightable. I had an interesting idea about Balrog wounds, and in order for that to work, a Balrog has to be survivable! Quote:
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n.b. - hey, out of curiosity, I right-clicked on "miruvor" and hit "Look up in dictionary" - and it's in the dictionary!!!!! Go Tolkien!!!!
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. I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva! Last edited by Rían : 10-17-2008 at 07:46 PM. Reason: fix reference - Fall of G. is in BoLT 2, not 1. |
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10-17-2008, 05:20 PM | #17 | |
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*goes shopping and promises to show off what she might buy*
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10-17-2008, 07:12 PM | #18 | |
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I think there are two reasons why I reuse my characters. One, I'm too lazy to think up a new one every time. Two, I think it's fun to explore more eras of their lives, and fun to keep them all in one extended family. And I have no preference about Balrogs - I seem to have missed a good RPG by not joining Entmoot years ago - so fightable they are.
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10-17-2008, 07:46 PM | #19 | |||||
Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!)
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*hands Eärniel a shopping cart*
OK, I wired some money into your account. Aisle 1 is the house of the Golden Flower; Aisle 2 is the folk of the White Wing; let's see ... Aisle 5 is the people of the Fountain. Just avoid Aisle 13 - the house of the Mole ... Quote:
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. I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva! |
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10-23-2008, 12:57 PM | #20 | |
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Let me run these two characters by you. They're not exactly new, in fact they were originally secondary characters from the Eärniel-story. But I've never really developped their personalities there and this game might be perfect for that. The history may be a little patchy but I can fix that when I've done some more research. Hallindel and Halweg They're brother and sister, born in the House of the Harp in Gondolin. They were in their teenage years when the place went down and grew up in the Settlement at the Mouths of the Sirion. When the sons of Fëanor destroyed the settlement, both ended up in different groups of survivors, thinking the other dead. Neither of them managed to reach the safe haven of the Isle of Balar until the end of the War of Wrath. Hallindel wandered with a small group through the ruins of Beleriand while Halweg and his companions were surprised by orcs and taken to the dungeons of Angband. Hallindel is a pleasant, optimistic soul. She's fond of music with a preference for flutes. She usually carries her own reed-flute with her. She has a keen eye and her years of wandering before the War of Wrath has left her with some skill with the bow and sling. She's of average height, with dark hair and blue-grey eyes. Halweg is due to his stint in Angband, less social and forth-coming than his sister, although he is neither moody or brooding. He's proud without being arrogant and with an appreciation for beauty in all art forms. He does not resemble his sister much aside from the Noldorin dark hair and grey-blue eyes. He's a jewel smith by trade but he is not afraid to draw a sword when needed, which he prefers to a bow. (Maybe just a little because his sister is better with the latter.) His wife Losseloth has departed West after the War of Wrath due to injury. How does these two sound? [Edit to add: My skill in the Elven languages is very weak. But if I'm correct in remembering, Hallindel and Halweg are more Sindarin names than Noldorin. Since both lived longer among Sindarin than Noldor for most of their adult life, it is not really surprising both have a Sindarin epessë by which they go by.]
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