Lord of the Rings Fanatics Plaza

@Aigronding Mordagnir Rior was an Aphador with the Imladris guards and my npc Aerwyn was a Vayatiriwë in the Lindon guard but I've never led a mission and I don't feel confident to start doing it yet so maybe she could start at a lower rank?

@Dwim You definitely earned that rank - I didn't make it easy to rank up that high! Ah, good times. I have an entire Google Doc of tallying up points (and post types) for each guard, and next to Nethalion's points tally I left the note, "Seriously, how on earth". You helped out a ton and did a brilliant job of it, and posted like crazy, and were also a ton of fun to RP with. I'd say you deserve whatever rank you wanted at this point (though I'd also say that anyone who wants a lower rank should be able to get it anyway, if it were up to me).

@Aigronding Mordagnir Those ranks make sense, but I leave it to you/whoever wants to run this to figure out what exactly you want to do. I'm just gonna leave my old system here, unmodified (do modify as you/the person who's in charge see fit). To clarify - I've realized that I've got too many other (non-Plaza) things I'm doing to want to run stuff myself, so feel free to assume that Baingíl is on vacation and someone else is running the show, or she's retired (and you can get yourself a new Chief Guard), or she's so busy with Guard paperwork that she's essentially imprisoned in her office by enough parchment to drown Smaug, much less the beleaguered Chief Guard. Or she got kidnapped by squirrels. Or she's just busy being Chief Guardly somewhere else, but that's boring. If someone else wants the actual Chief Guard position and title, I'd say retirement; otherwise, I give full permission to make up your favorite (preferably funny) rumor about why Baingíl hasn't been seen recently. Or have everyone make up their own rumor, and have conflicting rumors abound. That sounds fun.

Without further ado... Old System. Copied from the old Mirkwood Guard OOC OP that I have in my Google Drive, modified for easier formatting/reading.

-----

New Sign-Ups:

Fill out the survey below, then go post in the IC thread as a trainee finding Baingíl Randír in the training fields.

RP Training Questions:
1. How long have you been on the Plaza?
2. Have you ever done any Plaza-style RPing? If so, how much, and what kind of characters?
3. Have you done any Plaza-style RPing that involves fighting?
4. Are you interested in receiving training as part of your joining the Mirkwood Guard?
Character Questions:
5. What is the name of your Mirkwood Guard character?
6. What is their primary fighting style/weapons they use?
7. What are their main skills and character traits?

-----

Ranks

All points mentioned are special Mirkwood Guard points and have nothing to do with trib. See how to earn them below.

• Chief Guard of Mirkwood*
  Benefits: Administration of the Mirkwood Guard. All decisions subject to approval by the ruler in charge of Mirkwood.
  Prerequisites: Appointed by the ruler in charge of Mirkwood.

• Arphen (Lord of Mirkwood)**
  Benefits: Same as Caun, AND may make Guard decisions in the Chief Guard's stead (subject to veto by the Chief Guard)
  Prerequisites: 800 points AND recommendation by three (3) other Guards AND approval by the ruler in charge of Mirkwood

• Caun (Commander)
  Benefits: Same as Rochir, AND may RP command of a specialized unit of Guards, AND may win two (2) sparring matches with the Chief Guard
  Prerequisites: 500 points AND EITHER successfully running two (2) Guard RPGs OR successfully recruiting two (2) guards who reach the rank of Tauror or higher OR successfully arresting three (3) prisoners

• Rochir (Knight of Mirkwood)
  Benefits: Same as Dagnir, AND may select one (1) animal companion that makes sense in canon AND may narrowly win one (1) sparring match with the Chief Guard
  Prerequisites: 300 points AND completion of twenty (20) posts in either single-post or multi-post challenge OR consistent participation in three (3) Guard RPGs

• Seargent-Major General***
  Benefits: Same as Dagnir, AND may name own title of equal or greater silliness (subject to approval by Chief Guard)
  Prerequisites: 175 points AND one (1) post that causes the Chief Guard to laugh

• Dagnir (Assassin)
  Benefits: Same as Pengron/Magron, AND may request special assignments in Guard RPGs
  Prerequisites: 125 points AND EITHER completion of ten (10) posts in either single-post or multi-post challenges OR proposal of a successful Guard RPG

• Pengron (Archer)/Magron (Swordsman)
  Benefits: Same as Tauror, AND may select specialization of ranged weapons or close combat AND may assist in training AND may run Chief Guard-approved Guard RPGs
  Prerequisites: 100 points AND EITHER consistent participation in a Guard RPG OR completion of three (3) multi-post challenges OR completion of five (5) single-post challenges

• Tauror (Forester)
  Benefits: Same as Othon, AND may propose Guard RPGs AND may lead patrols AND may challenge the Chief Guard to a sparring match.
  Prerequisites: 50 points AND EITHER participation in one (1) Guard RPG OR completion of a multi-post challenge.

• Othon (Guard/Soldier)
  Benefits: Same as Trainees, AND may play as a Guard of Mirkwood in other threads AND may create Guard NPCs of equal or lower rank AND may arrest prisoners in the Guard HQ
  Prerequisites: 10 points AND EITHER completion of training OR completion of one (1) single-post RP challenge.

• Trainee
  Benefits: Trainees may participate in Mirkwood Guard RPGs and may RP in the Guard HQ AND may participate in training exercises.
  Prerequisites: Completion of survey in the OOC thread

* THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE.
** This is a specialized role, and may be limited in number of people allowed to hold it.
*** This title may be skipped, OR one may revert back to it from higher levels.


Earning Points

Note: The Chief Guard may offer “specials” on the number of points one may earn in an RPG in order to increase Guard participation. For example, consistent (and/or outstanding) participation in select RPGs may earn the exact number of points needed for the next rank. Additionally, arbitrary points may be assigned to particularly creative ways of participation in the Guard not listed below. Points may be assigned retroactively for non-Guard participants/collaborators in Guard RPGs or prisoners who join the Guard at a later date.

Training
Basic Training post – 2 points per post
Sparring match – 3 points per post

Challenges
Single-post challenge – 10 points
Multi-post challenge – 8 points per post

Guard HQ
Basic free RP – 2 points per post*
Interaction with prisoners – 5 points per post*
Creative free RP (involving fellow guards, such as a patrol) – 4 points per post
Creating an NPC prisoner (NOT arrested by oneself) – 5 points per post*
Assisting in training (for guards ranked Pengron/Magron or above) – 10 points per post

Guard RPGs
Proposing a successful Guard RPG – 10 points*
Running a successful Guard RPG – 20 points*
+ 2 points per GM post*
+ 3-5 points per IC post as a Mirkwood Guard
Participation in a Guard RPG – 3-5 points per post*
Participation as a non-Guard in a Guard RPG - 2 points per post*
Consistent participation in a successfully completed Guard RPG – 10 points*

Other
Participation as a Guard in non-Guard RPGs – 1 point per post
+ 1 point per post for each additional Guard who posts with you
+ 2 points per post for each Guard ranked Arphen or above who posts with you
Particularly outstanding IC post bonus – 2 points**
Provision of particularly helpful materials (such as Alma's weapons guide) – 10 points*
Amusing the Chief Guard (must be at least semi-canon, context-appropriate) – 3 points*

* Eligible for retroactive assignation. Some special cases may be included.

Some definitions I use:

Animal Companion – A canon or semi-canon animal that may assist in appropriate Guard activities. Example animals: horse, squirrel, wolf. (Horses may be allowed for ranks lower than Rochir IF the RPG requires the use of them, and other animals may be allowed for isolated cases with the approval of a Guard holding the rank of Arphen or higher.

Consistent participation – Participation in a Guard RPG until one's IC role is finished or the RPG is closed, or until the GM stops updating permanently.

Guard RPG – An RPG in which the Mirkwood Guard holds a significant role, approved by the ruler of the area the thread is in and by a Guard holding the rank of Arphen or higher. May be run with a co-GM (both will receive full credit and points for the RP) and may include non-Mirkwood Guard participants. Includes collaboration between armies from different areas.

Multi-post challenge – A challenge, specified by the Chief Guard or a Guard holding the rank of Arphen, that involves two (2) or more separate RPers, to be completed in the Guard HQ thread OR a free RP thread OR the throne room of Thranduil.

Patrol – A group of soldiers, NPC or otherwise, led by a Guard with the rank of Tauror or above, consisting of ten (10) or fewer soldiers. A good excuse for being out in the forest to catch a prisoner or to discover information important to an RP. May also head small groups in Guard RPGs.

Single-post challenge – A challenge, specified by the Chief Guard or a Guard holding the rank of Arphen, that only involves the person being challenged and/or NPCs created by them and no other RPers, to be completed in the Guard HQ thread OR a free RP thread.

Sparring match – A training exercise involving a friendly fight in which neither participant is significantly injured.

Special Assignment – More dangerous roles in Guard RPGs, such as creating a diversion or executing a particularly tricky maneuver.

Specialized unit – A group of soldiers, NPC or otherwise, with the rank of Pengron/Magron (or lower). May contain thirty (30) or fewer soldiers.

Training – A series of posts for the purpose of assessing and developing the fighting abilities (and the combat RPing abilities) of the Guard being trained. May target a single ability or general-purpose combat RPing.

-----

As a bonus, here's the old Mirkwood Guard header I used, for nostalgia's sake. It could definitely have better contrast between words and picture as well as other fixes I'm not gonna do, but I dug it up so why not?



Edit: And I also dug this up - I had a little habit of making a certificate for anyone who joined the guard and got past "trainee" stage. Some... relevant examples are included; obviously some wordings have changed but the first one - the template - was the most recently updated version. Just for fun.



I think that's all the particularly useful resources I have laying around for the Guard, though who knows, I have a lot of old notes and stuff.

@Baingíl Randír, thanks for saying that! :smiley8: I guess it's easy now to forget or underestimate exactly how much time and energy we dedicated to the Plaza at certain times of our life. My time in Mirkwood was certainly one of those times, but such fun it was!

And seeing that post, and the banner and certificates, brings back some great memories. Making rumours about the Chief Guard also sounds fun!

@Aigronding Mordagnir, thank you, it would be great if you could mark Nethalion as a scout. I have to go back and research all the things I wrote about him, but from memory I'd said he was 150 years old. But I've been thinking lately that perhaps I should revise thay to 250 for the sake of the experiences he's had.

@Almarëa Mordollwen I've added you as Nestor in the ranks list for Adab Nestad!! Nestor away!

And generally, sorry I haven't been around much this week. Between work, school, and the stuff happening in the real world, my bandwidth has been limited.

@Baingíl Randír Yikes! That's a lot of detail. What on earth have I gotten myself into by agreeing to participate in that craziness?

It looks like a lot of fun, but certainly more intense than any other RPing I've done around here before. No wonder some of you are so good at it.

I don't know if folks would be interested, or if we already have enough activities running at the moment, but I have all of the posts/files for the old archery tournaments, if anyone would like me to revive one in Rivendell?

@Aigronding Mordagnir @Dwim With regards to aging of elves:

"The Eldar grew in bodily form slower than Men, but in mind more swiftly. They learned to speak before they were one year old; and in the same time they learned to walk and dance, for their wills came soon to the mastery of their bodies. Nonetheless there was less difference between the two Kindreds, Elves and Men, in early youth; and a man who watched elf-children at play might well have believed that they were the children of Men, of some fair and happy people. For in their early days elf-children delighted still in the world about them, and the fire of their spirit had not consumed them, and the burden of memory was still light upon them.

The same watcher might indeed have wondered at the small limbs and stature of these children, judging their ages by their skill in words and grace in motion/ For at the end of the third year mortal children began to outstrip the Elves, hastening on to a full stature while the Elves lingered in the first spring of childhood. Children of Men might reach their full height while Eldar of the same age were still in body like to mortals of no more than seven years. Not until the fiftieth year did the Eldar attain the stature and shape in which their lives would afterwards endure, and for some a hundred years would pass before they were full-grown."
-Morgoth's Ring, The Later Quenta Silmarillion, Laws and Customs Among the Eldar

Aig, if needed Gellam could step in as leader of the Mirkwood contingent temporarily. I never joined the Mirkwood Guard with him since I've mostly played him in Rivendell, but backstory-wise, he would be an appropriate choice if necessary. But it would of course be better if someone who was actually in the Mirkwood Guard wanted & were able to do it :smiley8:

@Aigronding Mordagnir Tirno is fine. Thank you.

@Baingíl Randír, thanks for being so kind! Thranduil couldn't have asked for a better Chief Guard. Perhaps she and Nethalion should catch up at some point and talk about old times. Perhaps in the Mirkwood free RP thread.

@Aigronding Mordagnir & @Moriel, thank you for the information. I think that's why I originally chose 150 as his age. I might stick with it then (adding a couple of years since the Plaza absence of course!).

And thanks Aig re. the Scout position for Nethalion. I'll get to Ost-Halatir as soon as I can.

Tarawen wrote: ↑Thu Jun 04, 2020 4:08 am @Almarëa Mordollwen - I personally would be into something like that! A bit of lighter RP that does not involve me perpetually wandering a maze sounds fun.

Ah, @Tarawen, you are hopelessly lost in that Maze!

@Aethelu snd @Sil As an FWI, my story at Adab Nestad with Brandor is taking place a few months prior to current plaza events - I’m trying to figure out how my character got to where he is in Osdolen. You’re welcome to be part of it, just wanted to make you all aware that it is a slight flashback.

*mystical voice
“Time doesn’t seem to pass here; it just is”
@Dimcairien Luiniel

@Dimcairien Luiniel That'll teach me not to read the posts above mine more clearly

Well, someone had to challenge @Aigronding Mordagnir for the longest character submission on the site ! By which I mean to say that Erfaron's bio is up now, Aig. Luckily it doesn't seem to have killed the New Plaza. And yes, it is long. If you are scared off by the thought of reading it all, then honestly, do not bother. I shan't blame you ! It is more a reference point for myself than anything. He may have lived a (very) long time, but my rogue Elf hasn't done much to be proud of so I won't expect for people to be familiar with all of that. :smiley10:

I just messaged you on Facebook, @Ercassie , saying that I was pasting info about Earenolwë being friends with Sarnirion...now I have the good chills, this is cosmical .

I should dump ALL of Earenolwë's biography in one post to challenge you, Cassie, but I will remain humble . Hurray for intricate character histories! You know I'm going to read it, Cassie ]!! ROUGE ELF MOLES OF GONDOLIN UNITE!!!! Well, yours is a rogue. Hatholdir just might be straight up evil

Plaza members reading about Hatholdir and Erfaron by the end of the month, Cassie, after reading their bios and piecing their history together from other submissions

Finally created a character worthy of putting in the army. His bio looks so small and dinky compared to all of yours but then he's really only existed for two weeks. I'll try and get a post in tomorrow

@Tarawen Sure, if you feel comfortable chumming up with an Orc. :smiley10: And if we can ever find each other in that place.

Okay friends, so Aig and I were discussing some Bree-Land related activities that we're thinking about running, and I wanted to float the ideas to see where the interest lies! We were thinking about some of the following threads:

Summer Derby Game
Bree-land Pony Express/Post Office
Bree-land Stables
Bree Street Market
Hunting Lodge

What are everyone's thoughts about these activities? Any of them jump out to you as something you'd want to take part in or even help out with?

I'm intrigued by this "Hunting Lodge" but I have no memory of it whatsoever. Would you mind helping a poor addled minion out?

I'll tag @Aigronding Mordagnir in this question because he was the one who used to run it!! It was called the Maple Hunting Lodge, I believe...

Jeez! @Aigronding Mordagnir did you used to run everything?!

@Quill I have been musing about reviving the Sparrow Theatre, which was also in Bree I believe - if anyone would be interested?

Yes @Frosty the Snowman, he really did

@Almarëa Mordollwen I'd be interested! I apparently had a group of NPCs called the Sharrow Family Singers in Bree, a la Von Trapps, so perhaps they could be involved!

Thanks, @Quill for getting Bree discussion started, and for helping the area momentum with me in the old Plaza. You're a wonderful partner

@Frosty the Snowman, you and Quill are right, I used to run a lot of things in Rivendell and Eriador ! I'm grateful for my TRs though like Cassie, Moriel, Quill, and Alma.The hunting lodge thread took place in a maple forest in the Chetwood. Participants gained prestige by hunting game, the bigger and deadlier and more difficult- like wolves and boars and bears - the high ranking you are. You can also get rid of pests from folks' homes like coyotes and foxes. Crafting is a thing and you can sell your materials in the market if we make one.

Also, I'm thinking of bringing back the Watchers, mentioned in Fellowship of the Ring. On the Plaza they caught criminals in the Hill Watch Constubulary thread led by my Sheriff, Miles Brackenbrook and Quill's Hobbit deputy. On the other hand, I can create an organization of medieval-like foresters who make sure the wildlife and flora of the Chetwood is okay, stopping poachers, and rooting out ruffians. What sounds better?

I'm also thinking of creating a treasure hunting game RP involving my gambler, Anne Snapdragon's cousin Todd Thorn, leading a band of rascals into the ruins of Cardolan and Arthedain to collect relics for my antiques dealer in the market. We'd be putted against a band of treasure seekers working for the antiques guy in the Gondorian market. With an online file roller, I determine what treasure you collect and the higher number thd more valuable it is. Thoughts? Quill told me she's excited for both.

@Almarëa Mordollwen, before the old Plaza shut down, I had character Vincent Peppermint as a playwright for the Nightingale Theatre and Miranda Peppermint, his in-law as a novelist. Vince wrote Arnorian plays and Miranda wrote Gondorian plays. Lauren, Anne's little sister writes children literature similar to Redwall , anthropomorphic animals in tge Old Gorest and Mirkwood . I can have them help you in any way with the Sparrow Theatre?