Indeed, I am aware of what the Ring does, and is capable of doing to a human, and why the Hobbits were the ones best suited to carry it.
My only concern is making sure the group makes it to Mt Doom with a minimum of losses and delay. If we're taking the front lines, even with out equipment, we're not going to be able to do much, unless we somehow lure Sauron and Saruman to out base, and make them waste time against our perimter defenses, the 50 cal and the 40mm gernade launcher of infinite ammo.
I would still feel better if we got the Fellowship in a hummer or some other fast mover, easier to evade the Uruk-Hai and Goblin hordes, especially if we're going to be working on getting Rohan and Gondor into gear.
Scenario: LA.com in Middle Earth
Moderator: frigidmagi
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Dark Silver
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#76
Allen Thibodaux | Archmagus | Supervillain | Transfan | Trekker | Warsie |
"Then again, Detective....how often have you dreamed of hearing your father's voice once more? Of feeling your mother's touch?" - Ra's Al Ghul
"According to the Bible, IHVH created the Universe in six days....he obviously didn't know what he was doing." - Darek Steele bani Order of Hermes.
DS's Golden Rule: I am not a bigot, I hate everyone equally. | corollary: Some are more equal than others.
"Then again, Detective....how often have you dreamed of hearing your father's voice once more? Of feeling your mother's touch?" - Ra's Al Ghul
"According to the Bible, IHVH created the Universe in six days....he obviously didn't know what he was doing." - Darek Steele bani Order of Hermes.
DS's Golden Rule: I am not a bigot, I hate everyone equally. | corollary: Some are more equal than others.
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Elheru Aran
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#77
The problem is, we've got several hundred miles to cover between Hobbiton and Mordor, let alone the trip getting to Hobbiton. Hummers aren't exactly known for fuel economy...
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Comrade Tortoise
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#78
Elheru Aran wrote:The problem is, we've got several hundred miles to cover between Hobbiton and Mordor, let alone the trip getting to Hobbiton. Hummers aren't exactly known for fuel economy...
And we would be tempted by the ring during the trip.
"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution."
- Theodosius Dobzhansky
There is no word harsh enough for this. No verbal edge sharp and cold enough to set forth the flaying needed. English is to young and the elder languages of the earth beyond me. ~Frigid
The Holocaust was an Amazing Logistical Achievement~Havoc
- Theodosius Dobzhansky
There is no word harsh enough for this. No verbal edge sharp and cold enough to set forth the flaying needed. English is to young and the elder languages of the earth beyond me. ~Frigid
The Holocaust was an Amazing Logistical Achievement~Havoc
#80
Couldna i pass for a hobbit?*grins* I could snatch the ring and take it away! BWAHAHAHAH
NO seriously... how hard can it be?
NO seriously... how hard can it be?
[img=left]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/ ... rlysig.jpg[/img]
Terminally Flirtatious : Gotham Grrl : Imp-kin : Comm Major : NOT a Blonde : Empyrean Night~Good Friends don't let friends die
"Oh, pipe down! It's not like you've never been bound and gagged before." - Harley Quinn.
Terminally Flirtatious : Gotham Grrl : Imp-kin : Comm Major : NOT a Blonde : Empyrean Night~Good Friends don't let friends die
"Oh, pipe down! It's not like you've never been bound and gagged before." - Harley Quinn.
#81
How hard could it be to resist the one Ring? Extraordinarily. Faramir and Aragorn are the only Mortals (not counting Sam) to let the ring pass from them when offered.
It's easy to sit here and say we could resist the ring, but the truth is we won't know until we get there. We know how quickly the ring can act, and how totally it can twist people. We do NOT want to run experiments with it to see just who is resiliant and who is not, as people will die. Any one of us is suspect, period. There are a handful of people in Middle Earth who can withstand the temptation of the ring for any length of time. Remember, even Frodo gave in at the Cracks of Doom.
It's easy to sit here and say we could resist the ring, but the truth is we won't know until we get there. We know how quickly the ring can act, and how totally it can twist people. We do NOT want to run experiments with it to see just who is resiliant and who is not, as people will die. Any one of us is suspect, period. There are a handful of people in Middle Earth who can withstand the temptation of the ring for any length of time. Remember, even Frodo gave in at the Cracks of Doom.
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Cynical Cat
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#82
It obviously already has Lindar. One should remember that Boramir was a hero and almost an icon of heroic virtue and the ring corrupted him by merely being near him.Hotfoot wrote:How hard could it be to resist the one Ring? Extraordinarily. Faramir and Aragorn are the only Mortals (not counting Sam) to let the ring pass from them when offered.
It's not that I'm unforgiving, it's that most of the people who wrong me are unrepentant assholes.
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Comrade Tortoise
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#83
I keep trying to figure out Aragorn, and I think it is that he had no ambition to prey on... he turned from his ambition conciously...
But yeah.. we dont want to risk that ring...
But yeah.. we dont want to risk that ring...
"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution."
- Theodosius Dobzhansky
There is no word harsh enough for this. No verbal edge sharp and cold enough to set forth the flaying needed. English is to young and the elder languages of the earth beyond me. ~Frigid
The Holocaust was an Amazing Logistical Achievement~Havoc
- Theodosius Dobzhansky
There is no word harsh enough for this. No verbal edge sharp and cold enough to set forth the flaying needed. English is to young and the elder languages of the earth beyond me. ~Frigid
The Holocaust was an Amazing Logistical Achievement~Havoc
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Cynical Cat
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#84
Yes he did have an ambition. It involved needing to become the High King of Gondor and Arnor, in fulfilment to Elrond's requirements on who he would let marry his daughter.Comrade Tortoise wrote:I keep trying to figure out Aragorn, and I think it is that he had no ambition to prey on... he turned from his ambition conciously...
But yeah.. we dont want to risk that ring...
It's not that I'm unforgiving, it's that most of the people who wrong me are unrepentant assholes.
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Robert Walper
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#85
Well, given what I've seen and heard about the Ring, no one can resist it, at least indefinitely. Humans are easily corrupted, and the fact remains even the beings seemingly resistant to it eventually succumb. So it doesn't appear to be a matter of resistance to the Ring, merely how much time it takes to corrupt it's keeper.
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frigidmagi
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#86
It's not a matter of virtue or will. Boromir was considered a paramount hero and man of strong will. He turnned. There simply seems to be no real measurement to understand who will or won't which is why we have to stay away from the posionous thing.
"it takes two sides to end a war but only one to start one. And those who do not have swords may still die upon them." Tolken
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Elheru Aran
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#87
Okay, so we've established that the Ring is the bad and thus not to touch it. We're making allies with local rulers and the like. We've got a nicely fortified perimeter about our base.
What more?
1.) What can we do to make a sustainable community for the 18 years of waiting we have?
2.) What precautions can we take to prevent the two forces of Evil-- Saruman and Sauron-- from taking notice of us in this time?
3.) What can we do to assure ourselves of having assistance from the local population in time of need?
There are more questions, but those three should do for now...
What more?
1.) What can we do to make a sustainable community for the 18 years of waiting we have?
2.) What precautions can we take to prevent the two forces of Evil-- Saruman and Sauron-- from taking notice of us in this time?
3.) What can we do to assure ourselves of having assistance from the local population in time of need?
There are more questions, but those three should do for now...
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Robert Walper
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#88
More importantly, what the hell are we going to do to keep from getting bored and depressed in said primitive enviroment? I could see myself throwing myself into the physical and military training for a great deal of time, but not everyone will be into that.
#89
There's going to be a lot of work that needs to be done. Spare time for the first several months will be scarce, as we need to make tools, structures, and other things. We will basically be either working, eating, or sleeping in order to get things done. This is going to be hard work, no question.
1. Our base shouldn't exist until several months into this. We want to stay mobile and keep our options open. Our best bet, as I'm said before, is setting up operations in Lothlorien. If we have to set up somewhere else, we should do it near the Shire or Rivendell, or potentially as far south as Gondor, our easiest human allies.
2. They will almost certainly know of us from the moment we set foot on Middle Earth, unless something in the OP's magic shields us from their notice. Either way, we should remain moble for the first few months, seeking out Gandalf and attempting to make contact with the elves. When we make it to Rivendell/Lothlorien, we are as safe as we can be from the prying eyes of the two towers. Another reason why we should get to them ASAP and set up a base there. It's the only way we can discuss things freely. Any mention of the ring, its location, or its owner outside of these places could be disasterous.
3. We can and should send envoys of our most diplomatically minded folks to local towns and villages that we come across, especially to the north, near the Shire, where there does not seem to be a King ruling the lands, and thus less of a chance of pissing him off by stealing his vassals. Having Gandalf, again, is critical. We will be gaining significant allies through him, and frankly, I don't see us pulling this off without him, period.
1. Our base shouldn't exist until several months into this. We want to stay mobile and keep our options open. Our best bet, as I'm said before, is setting up operations in Lothlorien. If we have to set up somewhere else, we should do it near the Shire or Rivendell, or potentially as far south as Gondor, our easiest human allies.
2. They will almost certainly know of us from the moment we set foot on Middle Earth, unless something in the OP's magic shields us from their notice. Either way, we should remain moble for the first few months, seeking out Gandalf and attempting to make contact with the elves. When we make it to Rivendell/Lothlorien, we are as safe as we can be from the prying eyes of the two towers. Another reason why we should get to them ASAP and set up a base there. It's the only way we can discuss things freely. Any mention of the ring, its location, or its owner outside of these places could be disasterous.
3. We can and should send envoys of our most diplomatically minded folks to local towns and villages that we come across, especially to the north, near the Shire, where there does not seem to be a King ruling the lands, and thus less of a chance of pissing him off by stealing his vassals. Having Gandalf, again, is critical. We will be gaining significant allies through him, and frankly, I don't see us pulling this off without him, period.
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Elheru Aran
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#90
Hotfoot--
The problem is that as per OP we *already* have a base, apparently a permanent one. Somehow I don't think abandoning it would be ideal, especially considering all the toys we'd be leaving behind. If we already have a base, then at least we don't have to decide where to go-- plus, we can use the time we have to make sure it's damn well impregnable by any army that Middle-Earth could possibly throw at us (ref my suggestion of chevaux-de-frise, mines, IED's, mortars, etc....). Seriously, unless Sauron sends a few Nazgul on fell beasts, we shouldn't have trouble holding off any Orc horde coming our way if we have adequate preparation ahead of time... and even Nazgul wouldn't be that big a problem. If Legolas could down one with a frickin' arrow, I don't think a M2 would have a problem....
The problem is that as per OP we *already* have a base, apparently a permanent one. Somehow I don't think abandoning it would be ideal, especially considering all the toys we'd be leaving behind. If we already have a base, then at least we don't have to decide where to go-- plus, we can use the time we have to make sure it's damn well impregnable by any army that Middle-Earth could possibly throw at us (ref my suggestion of chevaux-de-frise, mines, IED's, mortars, etc....). Seriously, unless Sauron sends a few Nazgul on fell beasts, we shouldn't have trouble holding off any Orc horde coming our way if we have adequate preparation ahead of time... and even Nazgul wouldn't be that big a problem. If Legolas could down one with a frickin' arrow, I don't think a M2 would have a problem....
#91
For all we know, each and every arrow Legolas used was enchanted by Elven magicks. While a Ma Duece could probably put the hurt on, we can't rely on our defenses to hold out forever.
As for our base, unless it's set up in the pass between Isengard and Rohan, or just outside the Black Gate, I don't see it as being of great strategic importance. While its defenses and stocks of supplies may be wonderous, I see it as a liability in the long run, because it ties us down to one place that is outside of the major points of conflict in Middle Earth. Unless we bring the Ring to our base, there's literally no reason for the forces of Mordor or Isengard to come after us if we button up. They'll just wait to deal with us until after the ring has been returned, and the kingdoms of man have fallen. We stand zero chance against a full-strength Sauron. Last I checked, none of us were Numenor.
If we are to stay at the base, it should be only long enough to train those without existing skills. After that point, we need to find some way to stay in contact, because we should split up, with one group defending the base, and the other group going out and gaining allies with Gandalf.
Deployment ranges on our vehicles is likely not far enough to bring us to Isengard or Mordor, especially given the lack of offroading we'll have to do. We'll need horses, and the scouting group will need to be capable of surviving on limited resources.
Meanwhile, the base itself is not resiliant against all attacks. Saruman has been show to control the weather, and orcs prefer attacking at night. Ranged weapons are only as good as the range at which you can aquire a target and fire reliabily. An Orc or Uruk-Hai assault on clear day, assuming we've got favorable terrain would be a total slaughter for the forces of darkness, but in the night during a rainstorm? This gets much trickier. Even nightvision is going to be limited in the storms, because it can't rely on ambient starlight in order to enhance the image.
If we're set up near a forest, we could be in for even more trouble. Mirkwood is, as I recall, still pretty damn dangerous. Fangorn? The second we chop down a tree, we're on the Ent's shit list, not a good place to be. Lorien? Without Gandalf to vouch for us, we're in deep shit. Pretty much the same in Rivendell.
If the base is in a high-danger area, more personnel are going to be required to maintain base security. Recruiting from nearby areas will be difficult, as the local soveriegn powers are going to want their own people to serve in their armies, defending their cities, not our little outpost. In low danger areas, like near Rivendell and the Shire, fewer people will be needed, and in fact most of us will have to move out in order to better combat the forces of Mordor and Isengard when the time comes.
As for our base, unless it's set up in the pass between Isengard and Rohan, or just outside the Black Gate, I don't see it as being of great strategic importance. While its defenses and stocks of supplies may be wonderous, I see it as a liability in the long run, because it ties us down to one place that is outside of the major points of conflict in Middle Earth. Unless we bring the Ring to our base, there's literally no reason for the forces of Mordor or Isengard to come after us if we button up. They'll just wait to deal with us until after the ring has been returned, and the kingdoms of man have fallen. We stand zero chance against a full-strength Sauron. Last I checked, none of us were Numenor.
If we are to stay at the base, it should be only long enough to train those without existing skills. After that point, we need to find some way to stay in contact, because we should split up, with one group defending the base, and the other group going out and gaining allies with Gandalf.
Deployment ranges on our vehicles is likely not far enough to bring us to Isengard or Mordor, especially given the lack of offroading we'll have to do. We'll need horses, and the scouting group will need to be capable of surviving on limited resources.
Meanwhile, the base itself is not resiliant against all attacks. Saruman has been show to control the weather, and orcs prefer attacking at night. Ranged weapons are only as good as the range at which you can aquire a target and fire reliabily. An Orc or Uruk-Hai assault on clear day, assuming we've got favorable terrain would be a total slaughter for the forces of darkness, but in the night during a rainstorm? This gets much trickier. Even nightvision is going to be limited in the storms, because it can't rely on ambient starlight in order to enhance the image.
If we're set up near a forest, we could be in for even more trouble. Mirkwood is, as I recall, still pretty damn dangerous. Fangorn? The second we chop down a tree, we're on the Ent's shit list, not a good place to be. Lorien? Without Gandalf to vouch for us, we're in deep shit. Pretty much the same in Rivendell.
If the base is in a high-danger area, more personnel are going to be required to maintain base security. Recruiting from nearby areas will be difficult, as the local soveriegn powers are going to want their own people to serve in their armies, defending their cities, not our little outpost. In low danger areas, like near Rivendell and the Shire, fewer people will be needed, and in fact most of us will have to move out in order to better combat the forces of Mordor and Isengard when the time comes.
#92
I'd definately have to stay away from the ring personally. Because I think of myself as a rather unambitious person, and thus I would WANT to test myself, and the best way to do that would be with the ring. So yeah, I'm definately staying away from that thing.
I'd say one of the things we could do is actually open up our fortress and basically turn it into a city. Get mainly metalurgists in there and with the right training we can actually start producing things, also quite probably get some better training with the weapons of the time then if we were to do it on our own.
In terms of diplomacy, Gandalf, Rohan, and the Northern area near Bree and all are the big ones. Gandalf will get us ins pretty much everywhere, Rohan is important because if they fall, we've got lots of problems.
We're not going to be able to avoid the All Seeing Eye, especially with us just popping into existance and especially when we start going to see the other kingdoms.
In terms of when the big day hits, we send a few diplomats to the Council at Rivendell but stay OUT of the fellowship. It breaking the way it did is very important. Getting 9 people (let alone 10 if we send a person) through Mordor would have been danm near impossible. Also without Merry and Pippin meeting the Ents Saruman would have been far far more difficult to destroy. Also Gondor would not have recieved help from Aragorn, etc and so forth. It is actually quite important to things going the right way that the fellowship broke the way it did.
I'd say one of the things we could do is actually open up our fortress and basically turn it into a city. Get mainly metalurgists in there and with the right training we can actually start producing things, also quite probably get some better training with the weapons of the time then if we were to do it on our own.
In terms of diplomacy, Gandalf, Rohan, and the Northern area near Bree and all are the big ones. Gandalf will get us ins pretty much everywhere, Rohan is important because if they fall, we've got lots of problems.
We're not going to be able to avoid the All Seeing Eye, especially with us just popping into existance and especially when we start going to see the other kingdoms.
In terms of when the big day hits, we send a few diplomats to the Council at Rivendell but stay OUT of the fellowship. It breaking the way it did is very important. Getting 9 people (let alone 10 if we send a person) through Mordor would have been danm near impossible. Also without Merry and Pippin meeting the Ents Saruman would have been far far more difficult to destroy. Also Gondor would not have recieved help from Aragorn, etc and so forth. It is actually quite important to things going the right way that the fellowship broke the way it did.
Moderator of Philosophy and Theology
#93
I think this point needs to be stressed heavily, because it seems as though it is being lost on many people:
Our simply existing in Middle Earth will change the events of the book immeasurably. If we show up and make friends with Gandalf and try to affect change, the Council of Elrond will not happen eighteen years down the line, it will happen very damn soon after we give Gandalf the info.
Even if we sit back and wait until the events happen as they do, chances are extremely good that something will happen in 18 years to create a dramatic shift. Our best intel is that Saruman is a traitor, where the ring is, the Boromir will fall to the Ring's influence, Gollum is still alive and THE source of information to Sauron as to the location of the Ring. Our knowledge of the state of the forces in Isengard and Mordor is woefully incomplete, we know what they will be in roughly 18 years, but we have no idea of current forces and concentrations. All we can do is hope that they're nowhere near as numerous as they will be in 18 years, and that if we strike soon, we can prevail.
The longer we sit on this intel, the more rotten it will become, as our enemies will now factor our arrival into the equation. The sooner we release it to turstworthy sources, the sooner the fellowship will occur. Period. Do you honestly think that Elrond, Gandalf, and the others are just going sit on this information until it becomes almost too late? No. They will act quickly, wanting to destroy the ring ASAP. Given our amount of knowledge and aid on the subject, we will likely be invited by Elrond to the council to discuss what needs to be done. From there, we will outline the plan to everyone and hammer out the details.
We'll likely have to make some sort of compromises along the way. If we just say "this is how it's going to be done, either follow or get out of the way," chances are good that some of them will suspect we are, in fact, agents of the Dark Lord.
Our simply existing in Middle Earth will change the events of the book immeasurably. If we show up and make friends with Gandalf and try to affect change, the Council of Elrond will not happen eighteen years down the line, it will happen very damn soon after we give Gandalf the info.
Even if we sit back and wait until the events happen as they do, chances are extremely good that something will happen in 18 years to create a dramatic shift. Our best intel is that Saruman is a traitor, where the ring is, the Boromir will fall to the Ring's influence, Gollum is still alive and THE source of information to Sauron as to the location of the Ring. Our knowledge of the state of the forces in Isengard and Mordor is woefully incomplete, we know what they will be in roughly 18 years, but we have no idea of current forces and concentrations. All we can do is hope that they're nowhere near as numerous as they will be in 18 years, and that if we strike soon, we can prevail.
The longer we sit on this intel, the more rotten it will become, as our enemies will now factor our arrival into the equation. The sooner we release it to turstworthy sources, the sooner the fellowship will occur. Period. Do you honestly think that Elrond, Gandalf, and the others are just going sit on this information until it becomes almost too late? No. They will act quickly, wanting to destroy the ring ASAP. Given our amount of knowledge and aid on the subject, we will likely be invited by Elrond to the council to discuss what needs to be done. From there, we will outline the plan to everyone and hammer out the details.
We'll likely have to make some sort of compromises along the way. If we just say "this is how it's going to be done, either follow or get out of the way," chances are good that some of them will suspect we are, in fact, agents of the Dark Lord.