Edit 2/10/08: It's the third month and there's been a bit over 200 thread views, of which maybe 20-30 are mine, but zero replies. I think maybe there is too much set story and too much detail for anyone to deal with, or maybe its too hard to incorporate NCE inn-staff into one's posts, or whatever. I said after 3 months that if nothing progressed I would close the inn per the RP inn rules. I have just under 2 weeks to go, and so I thought I would edit this post to something lighter and simple and see if any interest comes along.
Edit 30/6/11: Due to many months of inactivity and my time constraints, I have written this Inn to an end. Thank you everybody who participated!
Introduction
Having applied for and been granted a building and operation permit for an Inn here in the Prancing Pony, it is my hope that writers feeling an urge to do some un-scripted Middle-Earth RP and maybe want to interact with other writers in-character, polish their muse, and maybe even develop and spin off an RP story. Come and spend some time at The Shrouds of Varda. The innkeeper, servers, and bartender characters are to be considered neutral and therefore can be used in one's posts as needed. This will eliminate the requirement of an answering post from a controlled inn-staff character for services rendered (drinks, food, room requests, etc.) and allow for more interaction between the various writer's characters that enter the inn. Since this an 'Inn', there is no accompanying out-of-character thread, so if there is a need for an OOC, then tack it on either the beginning or end of your in-character RP post. Try and be brief, and no OOC-only posts. All the Guidelines and Rules for Role Playing in the Prancing Pony are in force, and I wish to put emphasis on section #2 and section #7. Its my hope that the majority of posts will contain both scene setting and thought narrative as well as dialogue in hopes that the tales will build while much fun ensues and this business venture is a success. Enjoy!
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Shroud of Varda Inn - Fornost, sometime in the Fourth Age
In the Third Age, the Kingdom of Arnor was first ruled from the city of Annuminas, but later as the people dwindled, the ruling seat was moved to the fortress city of Fornost. The city was later destroyed by the armies of Carn Dum, but sometime after the return of the King, the city was again rebuilt. Just inside the gates of the new city to the right stood an old stone building that had survived the sack in reasonable good structural order, and now, as then, ithoused an inn. It was now called The Shrouds of Varda, and was a place where people from all parts of Middle Earth would visit after a long journey, or spend a last night of merriment before setting out the next day. Here too the local folk would gather to meet and talk over good food and drink and make merry. The inn got its name from its rooftop garden, where one could dine quietly in the midsummer twilight and watch the stars appear. But most opted for the warmth and bustle of the large common room.
Inside the two massive carved oak doors was a wide open square room with stone arches supporting the roof, allowing for no posts to obstruct the room. The right wall was lined with an oak bar where the drinks were served. Everything from spirits to fine local ale was available, and Touron the bartender knew his business. Scattered about the room were tall old wooden tables and some three-legged stools for those who preferred to sit, not stand. Many were worse for wear, but comfort was the norm in the common room. Sisters Brenae and Dawnae worked as serving maids, and brothers Marvol and Martli were serving waiters. Each would take turns with duties in the kitchen, collecting firewood, and tend the patrons steeds in the stables. A lively place this room, with words and deeds telling of travels and tales in the dim lustre of smoke-filled lamplight being the norm.
To the left just inside the great entrance was an archway that had stone stairs that went up, turning back to another flight that came to a doorway. Out this door was the rooftop garden, where in contrast, finely crafted wood tables, chairs, and benches were arranged among the foliage to allow for privacy. Luxury dining and favoured table service was the forte of the rooftop garden, and seating here could be requested if one wished.