A whole lotta stuff
Feb. 13th, 2013 10:34 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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gondobackupA summary of brainstorming and plots and ideas from various ooc chats...
Background Stuff
Note on city architecture: I’m thinking that the city has some pretty elaborate stonework throughout, and that this would include etched stone tile around the bases of fountains and the edges of roads.
There is an invisible line running NW-SE parallel to Idril’s Way through the middle of the city, called the Merilir (Sindarin meaning “rose line”*, Carnilotië in Quenya).
It is there because [ we said so ]. The line itself is not insidious at its root, only historical. At various points along the line are tiles etched with the Merilir symbol, amidst the other decorative tiles. They do not look out of place, as they have been there since the city’s founding.
*Yes, name stolen from The Da Vinci Code.
In relation to the cult: The Elven cult has restored some underground passages used in the construction of Gondolin’s water system to use and extended some of them. Their altar room, where the ritual sacrifices take place, is directly under the center of the city. The cult believes that the Merilir has a power of its own, and their altar is laid parallel on the line. They draw on this magic in performing their killings -- thus the manner of death may be similar to electrocution, hence why no cause of death of the victims has been ascertained.
The bodies so far have been placed in alleys where the Merilir line transects them. Because the Merilir stones are part of the normal architecture of Gondolin, they were not initially noted by the guards investigating the murders.
In relation to Fëanor: Fëanor has been experiencing a prickle on the back of the neck type of feeling during his reconnoitering in certain parts of the city. These are apparently strongest in the centre of the city, over the Merilir and ipso facto the cult’s altar.
In relation to Ecthelion: Upon Finrod’s disappearance, Fëanor tells Ecthelion and Turgon about the feelings of foreboding, and leads them to the fountain in the King’s Square where he’d met Finrod earlier and the feelings were strongest. Ecthelion notices the Merilir tile at the base of the fountain and recalls seeing it at the other sites where bodies had been found. Things click partly into place, and he sends guards to recheck those sites.
In relation to Luthien: Luthien has recurring dreams of something malicious beneath the foundations of the city. Connection, if any, to the line unclear. Most likely source of the ominous dream is the cult activity.
Timeline of Play
Note: The details of who’s involved can be tweaked! No one is forced to do anything. For example, Mochi doesn’t have to play a scene where Luthien worries about Finrod’s absence. Likewise, just because a character is not listed does not mean they cannot get in on the action. For example, Sar could decide to slate Fingon as part of the rescue party (we hear he has experience).
Also, not everything in the timeline above needs to be played out in a detailed way. So if you're thinking, "oh god that sounds like a lot", don't panic! Some of it could be referred to by a character or narrated if needed.
Anything to add, leave a comment!
Background Stuff
Note on city architecture: I’m thinking that the city has some pretty elaborate stonework throughout, and that this would include etched stone tile around the bases of fountains and the edges of roads.
There is an invisible line running NW-SE parallel to Idril’s Way through the middle of the city, called the Merilir (Sindarin meaning “rose line”*, Carnilotië in Quenya).
It is there because [ we said so ]. The line itself is not insidious at its root, only historical. At various points along the line are tiles etched with the Merilir symbol, amidst the other decorative tiles. They do not look out of place, as they have been there since the city’s founding.
*Yes, name stolen from The Da Vinci Code.
In relation to the cult: The Elven cult has restored some underground passages used in the construction of Gondolin’s water system to use and extended some of them. Their altar room, where the ritual sacrifices take place, is directly under the center of the city. The cult believes that the Merilir has a power of its own, and their altar is laid parallel on the line. They draw on this magic in performing their killings -- thus the manner of death may be similar to electrocution, hence why no cause of death of the victims has been ascertained.
The bodies so far have been placed in alleys where the Merilir line transects them. Because the Merilir stones are part of the normal architecture of Gondolin, they were not initially noted by the guards investigating the murders.
In relation to Fëanor: Fëanor has been experiencing a prickle on the back of the neck type of feeling during his reconnoitering in certain parts of the city. These are apparently strongest in the centre of the city, over the Merilir and ipso facto the cult’s altar.
In relation to Ecthelion: Upon Finrod’s disappearance, Fëanor tells Ecthelion and Turgon about the feelings of foreboding, and leads them to the fountain in the King’s Square where he’d met Finrod earlier and the feelings were strongest. Ecthelion notices the Merilir tile at the base of the fountain and recalls seeing it at the other sites where bodies had been found. Things click partly into place, and he sends guards to recheck those sites.
In relation to Luthien: Luthien has recurring dreams of something malicious beneath the foundations of the city. Connection, if any, to the line unclear. Most likely source of the ominous dream is the cult activity.
Timeline of Play
Finrod and Fëanor meet in the King’s Square when Fëanor is out for one of his walks. Fëanor counsels Finrod to wear a (better) sword, and Finrod learns of Fëanor’s ominous feelings.Done.Finrod tells Ecthelion and possibly Turgon about Fëanor’s ill-feelings and Luthien’s dreams.Done.The Cult Elves dump the body of the Elf Formerly Known As Silver's. Finrod witnesses, goes to get a bunch of guards for backup. Cult elves have vanished by the time he/guards return. But they've seen him, now are gonna have him.Done.Cult Elves make an attack on Finrod. After their kidnapping mishap with the latest elf and no-longer-Arakano, they're determined to have 'no mistakes this time', so send a bigger group to do the job. Swords and drugs involved as per usual. Finrod might kill one or two expendable cult unnamed NPCs, but haven't decided yet. Obviously, the Cult Elves are ultimately able to kidnap him and drag him off to their secret empty warehouse hidey hole or whatever.Done.When Finrod does not appear for work or council, Ecthelion, Turgon and Luthien worry. At the same time, Fëanor goes to hand deliver a new sword to Finrod at home, who is not there. Mistrustful, Fëanor goes to Ecthelion and/or Turgon to tell them.Done.Fëanor leads Ecthelion and Turgon to the fountain in the King’s Square where he met Finrod and felt the strongest sense of evil. Ecthelion notices the tile symbol, a few things click into place, and he sends guards back to the three sites where bodies were found to check for the same tile engraving.Done.- When the presence of the Merilir tiles at all three sites is confirmed and the connection to the line confirmed, the search is concentrated to the line. Some guards are tasked with searching for additional evidence surrounding the line, and another group to rescue Finrod. Someone suggests a hidden headquarters underground. Turgon uses his city knowledge to bring them to one of the old construction entrances. They know the right one because the cult has drawn its symbol on that entrance (the tentacle-and-eye seen at the body sites).
- Meanwhile, Finrod overhears discussion amongst the cult members. He can understand the meaning behind their words even when they speak in code.
- Finrod escapes his bonds and means to go directly to Ecthelion and Turgon. He meets up with his rescuers en route instead, Ecthelion among them.
- Presumably the cult members present are taken prisoner? Place searched for evidence?
Note: The details of who’s involved can be tweaked! No one is forced to do anything. For example, Mochi doesn’t have to play a scene where Luthien worries about Finrod’s absence. Likewise, just because a character is not listed does not mean they cannot get in on the action. For example, Sar could decide to slate Fingon as part of the rescue party (we hear he has experience).
Also, not everything in the timeline above needs to be played out in a detailed way. So if you're thinking, "oh god that sounds like a lot", don't panic! Some of it could be referred to by a character or narrated if needed.
Anything to add, leave a comment!