Modding Union

[en] The English RPG Forum => RPG Discussions, Feedback and Proposals => Thema gestartet von: Walküre am 27. Aug 2016, 22:36

Titel: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 27. Aug 2016, 22:36
This is the relative thread of the White Council game (https://modding-union.com/index.php/topic,33833.msg444369.html#msg444369), meant to allow the participants to discuss its development, other people to give feedback and new possible users, who might want to join it, to ask for acceptance in the very RPG game.

The White Council game has been an idea of ours even before the establishment of this section: given its iconic relevance in Tolkien's lore and the pivotal characters involved, we thought that it would have been the best work to begin with. The English RPG Team sincerely hopes it will also serve as a proper guidance for anyone approaching to this section for the first time. Just like the White Council intended to counsel the Free People in their time of need. It magnificently symbolises kindness and unity for a greater goal  ;)

(http://cdn.collider.com/wp-content/uploads/the-hobbit-christopher-lee-hugo-weaving.jpg)



Elrond: VectorMaximus
Galadriel: DieWalküre
Gandalf: Fine
Saruman: The_Necromancer0
Erestor: kolibri8
Glorfindel
Círdan
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Fine am 29. Aug 2016, 11:48
I want to give my compliments to all participants: you've so far all done an impressive job in writing, language and storytelling. It is a lot of fun to write and it helps me improve my skills of the english language. I am looking forward to the continuation of the council and the tales we will share. :)
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 29. Aug 2016, 13:00
It is a lot of fun to write and it helps me improve my skills of the english language. I am looking forward to the continuation of the council and the tales we will share. :)

Lore content, forum cooperation, fun and practice of the language: I really see this as a win-win situation  8-)

I'm thinking about structuring the meeting in multiple events, during a span of, say, 2/3 days. The first night (until dawn) could be centred on the general discussion of the most important topics, like a main overview of the context. The second day could then be appointed to be the meeting that nominates the head of the White Council, even though I still have to come up with a suitable typology to follow (an election, a proclamation by consensus or a single member's proposal?). I guess the third and last day should deal with concrete measures to take and the assembly's final decisions.

Needless to say, in between each meeting there can be space for more intimate talks among certain guests or internal conversations of some characters encompassing memories and past events. Let me know your own considerations  ;)
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 5. Sep 2016, 21:56
Sorry, if the progress of the game seems to be halted. Galadriel's address to the White Council will soon arrive. It's just that I was busy with other things.

Besides, I was recently wondering about how many possibilities we have with this theme: we might explore the other meetings (centuries after the first) too and maybe present our own interpretation of the attack on Dol Guldur. I'm sure we will have the opportunity to do great deeds together  8-)

Goodnight  ;)
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: VectorMaximus am 6. Sep 2016, 05:06
I would post, but I've recently moved into my college (university by European standard), and my free time is at an all time low. I will make an effort to get out the next Elrond pov though.
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 6. Sep 2016, 18:21
Take all the time you need, and good luck with university (I'm going to start my classes soon too). Alongside matters that concern the development of the game, we are obviously more than entitled to manage our participation here and to find solutions to suit anyone's needs  :)
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Fine am 7. Sep 2016, 21:28
Of course nobody should feel any sort of pressure as a part of any of our RPG works, this is never a good circumstance for creative writing I would say. As Walküre said earlier, just continue whenever you get to it and when you are in the right mood. I look forward to how the other council members will react, but I will wait patiently until the right time has come.

In the meantime, I am finishing up the Siege of Dol Guldur on the german RPG, which will probably happen tomorrow. So yeah, I keep myself occupied ;)
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: The_Necromancer0 am 5. Okt 2016, 13:13
Would it be possible for someone to move the game along? Not immediately of course but when your time allows it, I've got a Saruman pov ready but it would work best as a reaction to something, such as somebody entering the library or the next phase of the council being called. Again, don't rush, just whenever possible, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 5. Okt 2016, 13:55
We decided to move forward to the meeting of the second day, meant to choose the leader of the White Council (elected by the majority of the members) and to indicate its precise role. Vector is willing to call for the second assembly as soon as he can; I guess you're nonetheless more than free to add your piece to the narration now, provided that it didn't refer specifically to the second meeting or that it didn't need the second meeting to begin (Elrond is the only one authorised to start the talks).

Sorry for not having informed you about this, but we were discussing in our internal forum and this topic was brought out as well. As always, the malicious Wise plot behind the White Wizard's back  :D
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: The_Necromancer0 am 5. Okt 2016, 15:20
And then you guys wonder why Saruman turned evil... :D
I'll keep my piece for now, see if I can fit it anywhere later. Looking forward to the seconds meeting.  xD
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 16. Okt 2016, 01:25
Galadriel has accepted the refusal of Gandalf to be appointed as the leader of the White Council. After all the other members of the assembly have announced the candidate they want to lead them, we should proceed with the actual election. And, dealing with this aspect, I want to share these considerations.

Galadriel is willing to abstain from expressing other preferences and she will therefore abstain from voting any of the ones proposed by the others. With her abstention, I want to give the sense that she's quite sceptical about whatever outcome is to result from that election; that is, she will never be fully convinced by the final choice of the council (and the future events will prove her right).

That attitude will also introduce one of the factors at the root of the unfriendliness (destined to grow ever more manifest as time passes by) between Galadriel and Saruman: the fact that the most authoritative member of the White Council had not supported his candidacy from the beginning was always regarded, by the White Wizard, as a symbol of disloyalty and distrust in his rule.

But abstention also means that Galadriel won't participate actively in the discussion that will then indicate Saruman as the most favoured proposal. Is Elrond going to abstain as well, or will he eventually agree with the other guests about Saruman? I would really like to explore the beginning of the hostility between those two characters, starting from this pivotal occasion, even though I don't want her to seem too much passive or unwilling to take part in the talks. What do you think?
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 15. Jan 2017, 17:04
If you don't have any objection to that, I will proceed with ending the meeting of the White Council with the final response of Galadriel. Then, I'm planning to make a very small digression in the in-between period before the beginning of the second meeting. By that time, Saruman will have elected Isengard as his stable dwelling and started to immerse himself into the lore of the Rings of Power (trying to retrieve some of the lost and forgotten arts). We'll then discuss what the main topics of the second meeting will be centred on  :)
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 29. Jan 2017, 15:14
Ok, I set all the pieces for the second meeting of the White Council to officially start. Before immersing ourselves in the events, I'm planning to do a brief digression (something that occurred just some time prior to the second meeting). Of course, were you to have other digressions to explore in mind (a particular adventure of Gandalf during his journeys or some reminiscences of Saruman), you're more than welcome to express yourselves.

In my opinion, due to the gravity of the situation, the second meeting ought to be characterised by more resentful/hard feelings, heated discussions (via the usage of quite brief posts) and, overall, a much more lively climate. You don't absolutely have to worry about time or boundaries of space (there are none), because we can easily alter the time of the narration at our own will. Another aspect, which would certainly be interesting to focus on, could be the story-telling activity of each character, who might be willing to make the assembly aware of particular memories or happenings; for example, Fine might be keen on telling us what was like to confront Sauron in Dol Guldur. The scopes for creativity are really vast indeed, and we should consequently take advantage of that.

As always, if you have any doubt or if you want to put forward a certain strategy, every suggestion is well accepted here  :)
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Fine am 30. Jan 2017, 10:15
I agree with the more serious and, in some way, passionate tone of the upcoming discussion. For Gandalf, I would like to start the meeting with him giving a full report of his foray into Dol Guldur; but I do not have any previous digressions planned. I will wait until everyone is ready to join the Council Meeting and then start if off with Gandalf's tale, if that is okay with all of you.
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 30. Jan 2017, 11:38
Ok, I'm perfectly fine with that. My digression narrates an event occurred immediately after the discovery of Gandalf. It is connected with it, but it doesn't involve him directly.

Obviously, as it's easily intelligible, Saruman will eventually refuse to assault the fortress. But I'm sure it will be very interesting to portray the heated discussion which is to take place. Necro will have to defend his position against very determined opponents  xD
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: The_Necromancer0 am 30. Jan 2017, 12:15
*mind controls everyone* Done.  :P

I'm looking forward to a more heated debate, although I'll have to do my best to keep my text to the same standards. Perhaps, I shall try to digress with memories of Valinor, it could be interesting although the result is not guaranteed  :D.
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 30. Jan 2017, 14:44
Necro, in my own opinion, digressions concerning Valinor are a bit inappropriate for the general tone of these events. Not just in regards of Saruman, but for all the other characters as well. In particular, haven't the Istari had their memories of Aman almost entirely concealed within their own mind, so that they would not have made usage of them to acquire more power? If I were to explore some digressions with Saruman, I would opt for his obsession with the Rings of Power. Anyway, this is just an advice of mine.

Don't worry about the comments. The point of the second meeting is exactly to recreate a very heated discussion, comprising thus shorter answers (unless one member is to tell a certain story, as Gandalf). Therefore, I guess we won't focus on high-tone phrasing, but rather on impactful contributions  :)

I want all of them to argue  :D
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 9. Feb 2017, 01:06
With your consent, I will insert another smaller digression and then the official meeting will officially start.
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Fine am 9. Feb 2017, 05:48
Sure, go ahead :)
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 9. Feb 2017, 23:42
For the sake of the narration, if Vector is not able yet to join us, each of us could momentarily take the role of Elrond, provided that we maintain a coherent idea. The quite neutral behaviour of the Lord of Imladris, as the moderator of the meeting, will surely help.
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Fine am 15. Feb 2017, 09:13
I'm a bit unsure of when and where the second session is, time- and space-related. The latest interlude took place in Lothlórien; is the setting switching back to Rivendell now? Just wanting to make sure I understand correctly what the plan is.
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 15. Feb 2017, 10:01
Yes, that was the second digression I had planned. Galadriel was riding to Rivendell with her escort (to attend the meeting), whereas Celeborn remained in Lórien and endeavoured to organise the defences (in case of a sudden attack in the Lady's absence). I will open the meeting later in the evening.

Instead of an open-air setting, I pictured the council taking place in Elrond's residence (indoor), each of the participants being in front of one another around a banquet-like rectangular table. The weather is supposed to be quite stormy (or, probably more fitting for Rivendell, it could also be a calm yet rainy night), in order to indicate the gravity of the situation and the general anxious mood which is pervasive among the Wise; not to mention the bitterness of the debate that is soon to occur.
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 16. Feb 2017, 00:57
I apologise. I just finished my weekly university classes today and had to reply to other posts this evening. I didn't manage to open the second meeting. As I have spare time these days, I will settle the game tomorrow and focus on its initial development  :)
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 20. Feb 2017, 11:20
One question: does Saruman know that Gandalf is the bearer of Narya? One of my intentions is also to explore what could be an interesting aspect; that is, Gandalf didn't tell the whole story to Saruman. Not only was he chased down in the dungeons of Dol Guldur, but he also had to withstand a direct confrontation with the formless shadow-like Sauron, similarly to how they contested each other in DOS. Gandalf then succeeded in warding off the darkness, particularly with the help that Narya provided (strengthening endurance). Therefore, only Gandalf and Galadriel are the ones who do have knowledge of the exact events. What if they had decided to report just a part of the tale, lest Saruman know the actual identity of the mysterious bearer of the Ring of Fire? A riddle the White Wizard had often struggled to solve.

What do you make of this spin?
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: The_Necromancer0 am 20. Feb 2017, 11:50
Apparently the Unfinished Tales mention that the "White Messenger" (Saruman) became aware of Narya at some point, but no precise time is given. I'm looking forward to contributing to this continuation even if I have been a bit short on time recently. Playing as Saruman is really thrilling. No matter what is decided on the matter of the Narya, Saruman can be played either way.
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 20. Feb 2017, 14:42
With your consent, I would opt for Saruman being unaware of the identity of whom bears Narya. He surely knows the generalities of the Three Rings' properties, but he still doesn't have knowledge of the actual fate of these artefacts. If he can easily guess those who wield Nenya and Vilya, the individual-centred nature of the Ring of Fire certainly makes it more difficult to determine Narya's vicissitudes in the course of numerous centuries. I also think that this aspect of the narration might represent Gandalf's and Galadriel's distrust towards Saruman in better terms; specifically, they worry about his eager interest in the forgotten lore of the Rings of Power.
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: The_Necromancer0 am 20. Feb 2017, 15:09
So be it. I've already started writing my piece with Saruman unaware, so I'm fine with keeping it this way.
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Fine am 20. Feb 2017, 15:10
I wrote my text with that assumption in mind (Saruman not being aware of Narya's true wielder); I hope I did not misinterpret anything I said in Gandalf's report.
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 23. Feb 2017, 21:21
Just to hint at a possible aspect to develop, I remember reading that the White Council had been believing for long time that the dark presence in Dol Guldur might have been one of the Nazgûl, if not the very Witch-king, until the discovery of Gandalf. I guess it would be interesting if Saruman tried to advocate that thesis again, in order to dissuade the other attendees' propositions.

Not to mention that the involvement of the Witch-king in the debate could give Elrond a chance to reminisce his memories of the wars against Angmar. In this case, I suppose, someone more versed than me in the lore of Arnor might be happy to give insightful contributions  :)
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: The_Necromancer0 am 5. Mär 2017, 22:42
2 small things about the POV I just posted:
1. Sorry if the ending feels a bit cheap, I've run out of actual arguments.

2. I'm leaving it open ended, you can either assume Saruman is done talking or you can pick up  from some point in his argument.
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 6. Mär 2017, 00:26
In accordance to Necro, we are soon to deal with possible integrations from the lore of the Unfinished Tales, via examining here some possibilities, in order to provide the context with many more elements to explore. As we have hitherto agreed, Saruman will remain unaware of Narya being wielded by Gandalf.

Of course, expedients such as summaries or loose endings are well contemplated. The other player will always be able to make usage of the situation and widen the game at will. On the matter, I think we should debate the prospect of the threat being one of the Nazgûl a bit more thoroughly. The divergent views of the guests will continuously clash with Saruman's refusal to take immediate action. At some point, in the midst of the heated exchange, things are inevitably to end abruptly, with Saruman overruling (with legitimacy) the other members of the council. Obviously, the duration of the very debate has no boundaries at all; we can freely prolong it as our will commands.
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: The_Necromancer0 am 7. Mär 2017, 23:28
My research for valid arguments lead me deeper than ever within the Middle Earth lore and into the Unfinished Tales. Once I got there, a couple paragraphs and sections caught my eyes and the seemed as though they could be interesting additions to the RPG. I looked through most of the text but only ended up finding one section that I found could be used directly in the RPG. Although there was quite a lot on Galadriel (and Celeborn), the Quest for Erebor, the Hunt for the One Ring and Disaster of the Gladden Fields (death of Isildur).
( Link to PDF  (https://toleratedindividuality.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/unfinished-tales-the-lost-lore-of-middle-earth.pdf))

Gandalf, Saruman and the Shire

This talks more of the dissent between Saruman and Gandalf where we can see Saruman mock Gandalf for his us of pipe weed and Gandalf let off a couple ambiguous rings of smoke. I must admit, I wasn't sure how canon these were since this Gandalf was not the one I grew up knowing but nonetheless I'm sure this part could be used in the Gandalf or Saruman POV.





Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 12. Mär 2017, 01:49
Thank you for providing us with this very precious insight, Necro. I knew about Gandalf's metaphorical rings of smoke, but I had never got through the details of that moment in the Unfinished Tales, alongside the other aspects concerning the bitterness between the two Istari (with Saruman feeling most of that resentment, of course). You are surely free to make usage of these little pieces, Necro; I can't see any defect in that and our whole work will certainly benefit from these secondary sides of the lore.

As I read those words, the opinion I had been coming up with, in regards of this kind of lore, was greatly reinforced: it's always great to analyse the difference between these successive additions and the rougher lore of the Silmarillion, which, regardless of its brevity and obscurity, kind of constitutes the origin of Tolkien's vision and the main fundamental pillars which his saga is built on. Paramount themes that are regarded as customary and pervasive, given their recurrence in the vastness of the very lore. I therefore suppose we could set the limits of whatever addition, so that those prime principles are not contradicted in any way. For example, I and Fine decided to accept only the earliest version of Galadriel's history (narrated in the Silmarillion), entailing her joining the rebellion of the Noldor for her malice-free longing for power in Middle-earth, surviving the deadly journey through the Helcaraxë and meeting with Celeborn (a Sindarin prince) in Doriath.

The original portrait of the Silmarillion has always fascinated me for a few reasons, the most important of which consisting of the holistic approach of the narration, as it deals with all pivotal topics during the eras of Arda. An ancient, primordial and mythical conception that embodies the generalities of this universe. I thus feel that some late modifications of Tolkien himself or of his own son seem to alter the original essence of the mentioned properties. What do you think about it? I myself am a quite speculative/antiquity-minded person and a kind of law-guy too; henceforth, that explains quite exhaustively why I like to consider the Silmarillion a sort of mythical ensemble of tales, which sets the imperative rules that ought to be taken into account and determines the nature of the whole construction, as a constitution would do for a country  ;)
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 12. Mär 2017, 16:22
Zitat
Now the Shadow grew ever greater, and the hearts of Elrond and Mithrandir darkened. Therefore on a time Mithrandir at great peril went again to Dol Guldur and the pits of the Sorcerer, and he discovered the truth of his fears, and escaped. And returning to Elrond he said:
‘True, alas, is our guess. This is not one of the Úlairi, as many have long supposed. It is Sauron himself who has taken shape again and now grows apace; and he is gathering again all the Rings to his hand; and he seeks ever for news of the One, and of the Heirs of Isildur, if they live still on earth.’
And Elrond answered: ‘In the hour that Isildur took the Ring and would not surrender it, this doom was wrought, that Sauron should return.’
‘Yet the One was lost,' said Mithrandir, ‘and while it still lies hid, we can master the Enemy, if we gather our strength and tarry not too long.'
Then the White Council was summoned; and Mithrandir urged them to swift deeds, but Curunír spoke against him, and counselled them to wait yet and to watch.

‘For I believe not,’ said he, ‘that the One will ever be found again in Middle-earth. Into Anduin it fell, and long ago, I deem, it was rolled to the Sea. There it shall lie until the end, when all this world is broken and the deeps are removed.'
Therefore naught was done at that time, though Elrond's heart misgave him, and he said to Mithrandir:
'Nonetheless I forbode that the One will yet be found, and then war will arise again, and in that war this Age will be ended. Indeed in a second darkness it will end, unless some strange chance deliver us that my eyes cannot see.’
'Many are the strange chances of fee world,’ said Mithrandir, 'and help oft shall come from the hands of the weak when the Wise falter.'
J.R.R. Tolkien - The Silmarillion: Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 12. Mär 2017, 16:47
So, having a look at what our 'bible' tells us, we're more or less following the guidelines of the Silmarillion, with the sole exception that Gandalf didn't feel (in our game) to reveal everything he had faced in Dol Guldur to Saruman; even though Galadriel has knowledge of the real state of things, Saruman is thus given the scope for convincing the other guests that the menace might be one of the Nazgûl and for delaying possible immediate counter-measures from the same council.

I therefore believe we should take advantage of this ambiguous scenario of said/unsaid truths that has created among the participants of the assembly (with Gandalf and Galadriel siding with each other, obviously), with the objective of getting each of us to deal with the lost lore of the Rings of Power and to augment the liveliness of the relative debate. In the end, when we deem necessary to end the meeting, Saruman too will have admitted the return of Sauron and will have, though, imposed in the meantime his will to wait and linger.
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 6. Apr 2017, 23:23
As you may have noticed, the White Council is making an inquiry into the lore of the Rings of Power. Galadriel has narrated the brief generalities of the Three; Elrond has told the fate of the Seven. So, according to my plan, Gandalf should thus go forward with the sad story of the Nine and with how their bearers became the deadliest servants/slaves of the Lord of the Rings. At that point, Saruman shall conclude the overview of the Rings of Power by describing the characteristics of the One Ring. It is exactly around the One Ring that the discussion is to get heated, revealing the ambiguous interest of the White Wizard and making the distrust of some of the members really tangible. In itself, the inquiry is a quite significant event, since never before had the Wise discussed about the Rings of Power in such a detailed way.

At the beginning of each explanatory post, don't forget to add these GIFs and to put them at the centre with the proper feature.

(http://media.moddb.com/cache/images/groups/1/27/26045/thumb_620x2000/cba1fc74-441d-4200-98f9-ab43d6ddcfe1.gif)

(http://media.moddb.com/cache/images/groups/1/27/26045/thumb_620x2000/32b83ad3-c0a5-422d-91b0-50383ff1a832.gif)

Something tells me that Necro will be more than glad to come up with a presentation on the One Ring  :D
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 21. Apr 2017, 15:33
I would never rush a contribution to be made for such pivotal matters, but we need Gandalf's overview on the Nine Rings, so that Necro may reach the heart of the debate via the introduction of the One Ring into the inquiry. And that would be the first time in which the Wise deal with Sauron's artefact in a so direct (and preoccupied) of a manner.

If you give me way, I shall momentarily take the role of the Grey Pilgrim.
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Fine am 21. Apr 2017, 15:45
I got you covered. Sorry for the delay!

edit: thanks for adding the picture :)
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 21. Apr 2017, 16:12
Many thanks, Fine! We may now continue with the course of the assembly.

EDIT: Never mind  ;)
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Fine am 26. Apr 2017, 13:34
You are simly too fast for me, Walküre ^^

I just read your post:

''The hour is late, unfortunately. If we are to elaborate a military action, it's imperative that a mobilisation of forces be called now. Too many packs of Orcs lurk among the ruins of Dol Guldur''.

And then I thought: Hey, Gandalf could chime in about that. So I wrote the following:

Zitat
"I agree, noble Lady," said Gandalf. "We must take action now, before it is too late. The orcish presence stationed at Dol Guldur will only ever grow stronger the longer we wait. Let us call upon our allies and gather a host strong enough to sweep through the Enemy's defences, cleansing this dark place once and for all. We must send word to the Woodland Realm, the inhabitants of the Anduin Vale and maybe even the Riders of Rohan. And of course, the Galadhrim of the Golden Wood will surely aid us, if their Lord and Lady suggest it, I reckon. I shall seek out my old friend Radagast the Brown, for he does not dwell far fraom the Hill of Sorcery and must know of the darkness that lingers there. And when all is ready, we must make our move. Time is short, even for the long-lived Firstborn amongst us! Lady Galadriel is right - the hour is late, and it will grow even later (and thus, darker) if we do not act. Send word to all who would lend their aid in the attack on Dol Guldur, and send it now. That is my advice."

When I wanted to submit that, I got the message that a new post had since been written. So I guess my text does not really fit right now...
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 26. Apr 2017, 13:50
I apologise. I thought I could have Gandalf add a little piece to the discussion, so that I was able to follow a precise course of events. My idea was that, given that the council had just finished its inquiry into the Rings of Power, Gandalf would then remind everyone of the threat of the One Ring still existing in Middle-earth. Fact that links to the erstwhile debate about the Ring, reinforces the need for an attack to be launched and increases Saruman's irritation. The meeting is exactly supposed to get heated around the One Ring and the chief's reluctance to act (and we know why). Saruman is to show his evident and suspicious interest in the One.

There's no problem though. I will add a remark from Galadriel, just to connect to what you wanted to write. Then, that text of yours will be simply included in the exchange.

Sorry for the rapid development, but I was particularly inspired  xD
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Fine am 26. Apr 2017, 14:24
No worries; who am I to stand in the way of poetic inspiration?

I am glad though that my post is now not entirely in vain. :)
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 7. Jul 2017, 00:41
Since I would never force anyone to make a contribution, because each contribution should come from sincere inspiration, if you give me consent, I would politely ask permission to play Gandalf and Saruman to have the council continue. I am obviously to base those characters' words on lore-accurate facts and on the style you have chosen so far. This is just to know if I may take things in my hands, should a hiatus occur or if I would like the story to take a defined course. I'm of course planning to add more elements to the narration, yet minor, if compared to the main structure of the very thread.

As I know how daunting RPG-writing could be, I would really like to know your opinion. If there are aspects you don't deem proper, don't forget that it is always possible to go back and rewrite :)
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Fine am 7. Jul 2017, 12:15
Sure, go ahead. :)
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 7. Jul 2017, 14:14
Thank for your consent. The debate of the council will thus continue. I will notify you all, should important happenings take place in the story, so much relevant that your counsel is needed.
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 8. Jul 2017, 22:55
Zitat
''[...]Yes, the Ruling Ring is no more, his destiny having being ended along the shores of the Gladden Fields. The territories you much longed to have under your rule, Elven Queen, but that you then failed to retain. That I would really name a vain attempt.''

SAVAGE :D

What do you think about the debate getting really heated and personal, at times? I think it's a very smart way to make the reader realise that there is personal resentment between Saruman and Galadriel. It often occurs that cold and frank judgements mix with personal bitterness.
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 6. Okt 2017, 19:37
As it's predictable to imagine, the meeting of the White Council is to come to an end. What I have in mind is to mirror the actual lore, which comprises a very iconic moment: as the general discussion continues, Gandalf senses how all is to bode and gives up trying to reason with Saruman's intransigent stance on issues. He then sits apart from the other guests and starts creating rings of smoke with the pipe-weed gifted by the Hobbits.

Saruman views the gesture as offensive and mocks his fellow Istar for his acquaintance of the Shire. Moreover, the White Wizard feels secretively that he's been deliberately provoked, as Gandalf had afterwards mimicked a person who was striving spasmodically to grab those immaterial rings of ashes. Saruman therefore wonders whether the Grey Pilgrim is aware of his own longing for the One Ring; fact that had been made quite evident by the continuous references to the lost lore of said artefacts. The climate thus worsens, although the assembly is nonetheless destined to get to grips with the growing threat of Sauron.
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 23. Dez 2017, 01:00
As it is very predictable to imagine, the second meeting of the White Council is to end very soon, after the Lady of Light will have talked to Gandalf in a sort of last address. Then, the third meeting is planned to be held a century later (more or less, if I remember), during the quest of the Hobbit.

Caught by surprise by the unexpected outcome of things, and very fast too, the White Wizard retracts his previous statements and requests that an assault be launched against Dol Guldur, as he really wished to prevent Sauron from conducting additional inspections along the shores of the river, where they both know that the One Ring was lost. This meeting is also supposed to build up the whole momentum of the actual strike against the fortress. And it is an event that will surely be explored in the most thorough manner, I can guarantee ;)
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 5. Feb 2018, 09:57
The new chapter of the RPG is to start with the choir of Lothlórien singing the coming of shadows in the world, predicting that a battle will take place between the White Council and this new enemy. Enemy who new is not, really.

The chanting will reflect Galadriel's divination and the awareness that the very conflict will not end the war nor resolve the issue at its root. Sauron has paved his way into the present once again, ready to assemble all the forces at his disposal for the real definitive war, whose verdict is destined to change the fate of anyone dwelling in Middle-earth.
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 21. Feb 2018, 14:22
Before the next meeting of the White Council has beginning, where the Wise arrange and plan to attack Sauron, I will indulge in another digression in which Saruman gets to discover that the mysterious Necromancer of Dol Guldur (whose identity is no longer that mysterious) has started conducting inspections along the river flowing across the Gladden Fields. This is the place where Isildur found a very sad death, betrayed by the One Ring to which he felt so much tied. Sauron is therefore well informed about the king's demise and about what may have happened to his precious Ring: lost in the waters of the river.

This naturally wakes Saruman's doubts and fear, for his rival could have preceded him and regained what he had been deprived of. Needless to say, it is well enough to trigger the most direct of the responses, convincing him that the near presence of the Dark Lord has really become quite menacing for the wizard's own plans.
Titel: Re: The White Council: Discussion and Feedback
Beitrag von: Walküre am 30. Apr 2018, 11:10
The current digression before the start of the next meeting of the council (the last one of our story) has now ended for the good. It means that the mentioned summit of the Wise will commence soon and that is to be the decisive occasion where Saruman orders that an attack against Sauron be immediately launched. Only, a just question might arise: in which aspect will this meeting differ from the interpretation of the Hobbit films?

Well, things have gone differently in our story. As it's clear to see and understand, such difference is to reflect on the next episode too. Contrary to the plot of the Hobbit trilogy, it is Saruman who himself summons his noble fellows and stoutly advocates the assault on the fortress, knowing that he would surely captivate the consensus of the others (who always had doubted the doing of the Dark Lord along those dreary woods). Another stark difference consists of the fact that the very strike is already planned and everyone is well aware of the real identity of the haunting presence in Mirkwood, without the need for Gandalf to adventure inside Dol Guldur. This has already taken place in earlier passages of the story. Furthermore, speaking about Thorin and his enterprise, Saruman is not at all doubtful of the propriety of the Dwarves' quest; he even welcomes the opportunity with open arms, seeking to use the dwarf-fellowship as a decoy to move Sauron's army away from the fortress. The very White Wizard then justifies his choice with the will to prevent the Enemy from assisting Smaug and vice versa, thus opting for a diversion, in order to leave Dol Guldur basically unkept and defenceless. This seemingly reasonable strategy will also serve him well to conceal and disguise his true intent, because he cannot reveal the actual cause of such sudden change of action: to bar the access to the Gladden Fields and forbid Sauron to conduct other inspections about the river course.