Looking at all my notes and files and such, I realize I need to actually try and get one of these projects done. So I went through them and pulled a few that are farthest along, and will try and work on one of them to completion. I just don't know which one I should put my efforts into first. So I thought of posting the working titles and a short description of what its about here so you kind folks can help me make up my mind? Any commentary and critique is most welcome. Do note that my stories are written with a 'man on the scene' sort of viewpoint so grammar, sentence structure, and such will not be that of an English major.
- Darkening of the Days - Set in Eriador, a young ranger is gripped by the reality of life in the shadows in the years before the War of the Ring. A bit dark and occasionally grim, it fills in on how life may have been for the Rangers. Book character Halbarad makes an appearance, and Aragorn is only mentioned as he was likely off south at the time. Elrond gets a mention as well. The rest of the characters are my made-up originals.
- The Fracturing of Arnor - Set in the years just before and during the reign of King Earendur, its more of a dark social/political intrigue that focuses on the internal conflicts that led to the break-up of Arnor into Arthedain, Rhuadur, and Cardolan.
- The Long Defeat - Set in the year 1940 of the Third age, the King Araphant of Arthedain tries to forge anew the bonds with the Kingdom of Gondor. The sub-setting is in two parts. That which takes place in Fornost, that which takes place in the Weather Hills.
- The Winter of Winters - Set in Bree and the surrounding lands in the years 2758-59 of the third age. The books tell of the suffering that befell Rohan and Gondor during this time, but if it was that harsh of winter in the south, it was all the more colder in the north. The Rangers were hard pressed to keep the Shire and Breeland safe from the fell white wolves of the north.
- Shadows of Rhuadur - set in the time just before the war that destroyed Amon Sul, its a story written by soldiers whose watch had them in the Weather Hills. One company of Arthedain, and one company of Rhuadur. A sort of bottom level tale, told from the 'grunts' viewpoint on both sides.
- The King's Mercenaries - Set after the war and well into King Elessar's reign, times of battle would still flare up on the outskirts of the realm. The books mention in brief that King Eomer would always ride with King Elessar to war afar, so this tale is about a company of mercenaries that were hired by King Elessar to help man the far reaches of the realm. With a cadre of ten aging Dunedain veterans in command, the company is fleshed out with veteran soldiers from other armies of men from the War of the Ring (Dale, Dunland, Gondor, Rhun, Harad, Khand) and others trying to hide from their old lives or those eager to seek adventure. With the exception of the history and the make-up of the company, it is presented in a series of short tales of different campaigns and situations, with some personal bits of the characters coming out.
Another thought I had for this thread was to put links to the fine stories of Arnor that reside here in the Scriptorium. If you know of any I have missed, do post the link please. And if they're on other sites, post those links as well (subject to forum rules on posting links to other sites). These are ones I've found so far in the Scriptorium:
- The Rise and Fall of Calimendil, Fifth King of Cardolan (1st draft) by Celebrimbor32
- The Rise and Fall of Calimendil, Fifth King of Cardolan by Celebrimbor32
- The Bloodline Hero by Celebrimbor32
- The Lost Palantir by Isildur's Bane
- Rambles of a Ranger by kaya
- Tales of Nolduryan by Valandil3430
- Visitors Come to Court by Valandil3430
- Letters to Firiel by Valandil3430
- Annals of the Northern Kings by Valandil3430
- Arrasuil's Journal by Arassuil
I was thinking of starting an Arnor-based thread in the Alliances forum that would serve as a hub with links to all the bits about Arnor that are here in the Scriptorium, Prancing Pony, and the Books forum. But the rulesposted at the top of the Alliance forum seemed vague on what the content can be (RP'ng, stories, etc. being in their respective forums, etc.) I'll check into that further.