Post by Rowenna on Jun 6, 2008 15:04:03 GMT -5
This thread is intended to take a look at the different myths we use for the whole story. A part of this is looking at what we already did. I'm working on developing some ideas uniquely our own, and also on creating schisms between us and LotR. I would mostly like to handle the Wolf of Contrition myself, but after that, everything is tentative. Just my thoughts; you know what to do.
Elves
The elves originate from some continent over the sea. They first came several hundred, perhaps a thousand years ago to fight with the humans against a common enemy. The war was one, but it was believed that the enemy had enough reserve to counter. The elves settled in the woodlands, waiting for such a time when they would be needed. By the time of this story, none of the original immigrants are alive, and the continent across the sea is a complete mystery to the elves, sometimes described as a paradise where they could finally rest when the war was done. The concept of war faded out of the minds of some altogether. The war occurs sometime before the war of Rohan, and Fain is involved, and perishes in, the fight. After the war, which I think has to be a very short one, many of the elves start to leave. By A Question of Faith, many are gone, and it's noted how Rivendell is a mixture of men and elves, not like how it used to be. It's after the second war that Rohan and Gondor have a falling out and fight one another.
Some elves, like Henrogene, have the power to See. Half elves have shorter lifespans than full blooded elves, and full blooded elves do not have bodies that grow old with time, so they can theoretically go on unless something cuts their life short.
Dwarves
The the dwarves are a dwindling, secretive race. They are race very similar to humans, more generally aligning with evil forces than with good. Long ago, two tribes of Dwarves went to war with each other and they essentially destroyed each other. Their architecture remains, but is falling into ruin as humans expand over the land. One or two dwarf colonies remain, and they have very little influence to the point where the rest of the world simply neglects their presence if they have any needs. Dwarves have no special powers or talents but are quick to anger, though their lives in contemporary times are likely dominated by laziness. They have learned to remain in their homes, carved not deep in the mountains, but in the sides of the mountains. Outside of anything listed above, they are ordinary and similar to men.
Witches
The witch we have is Veera. As far as I know, they are another type of human.
Seers
We have had three Seers that we know of; an old woman who will approach Rowen in the beginning of the story, Henrogene, and Byron (for the record, I prefer we never actually verbalize that he is a Seer, but his dreams have predicted the future previously). We have seen Seers be elves and humans, and evidently, the talent can transfer from one person to another, as when Henrogene healed Byron. It is possible that only elves can originate as Seers, and humans can only garner the talent second-hand. Then again, that may not be true, as I never settled on the race of the old woman in the beginning.
Apparitions
The Wolf of Contrition
I would like to change the concept of the Hour of the Wolf to The Wolf of Contrition. The Wolf is a demon that feeds on a person's feelings of guilt. The Wolf is said to follow the contrite to feed off their guilt, and is an accepted concept by most. Most believe the Wolf is invisible, and will sometimes casually refer to the "Wolf on their back" when feeling morose. Depending on the reader's interpretation, this may or may not be so. Sometimes She can be seen, and sometimes She cannot, and most of the time, She is only used as an expression to explain a feeling without her actual being there (the same way someone can refer to luck shining upon them, or God hating them, etc.). If She does appear, She appears as a female to women and a male to men, only to the individual prey to her presence, and it is always the same wolf, and is multilocal, though She appears different to the different people She follows. She has many children, and can be almost described as a Queen of Wolves, though Her offspring are never seen and are minor sprites of little consequence. If there is an uncanny shadow or apparition, it may be one of her children.
Although the Wolf of Contrition may appear to be malevolent, actually, She serves to materialize something the tormented must deal with. The physical presence gives them something to tackle, and although calling Her a mentor may be a stretch, She helps to teach people to deal and overcome their guilt by Her presence of viciousness. When someone overcomes their guilt, She mellows out and leaves them on their way.
Elves
The elves originate from some continent over the sea. They first came several hundred, perhaps a thousand years ago to fight with the humans against a common enemy. The war was one, but it was believed that the enemy had enough reserve to counter. The elves settled in the woodlands, waiting for such a time when they would be needed. By the time of this story, none of the original immigrants are alive, and the continent across the sea is a complete mystery to the elves, sometimes described as a paradise where they could finally rest when the war was done. The concept of war faded out of the minds of some altogether. The war occurs sometime before the war of Rohan, and Fain is involved, and perishes in, the fight. After the war, which I think has to be a very short one, many of the elves start to leave. By A Question of Faith, many are gone, and it's noted how Rivendell is a mixture of men and elves, not like how it used to be. It's after the second war that Rohan and Gondor have a falling out and fight one another.
Some elves, like Henrogene, have the power to See. Half elves have shorter lifespans than full blooded elves, and full blooded elves do not have bodies that grow old with time, so they can theoretically go on unless something cuts their life short.
Dwarves
The the dwarves are a dwindling, secretive race. They are race very similar to humans, more generally aligning with evil forces than with good. Long ago, two tribes of Dwarves went to war with each other and they essentially destroyed each other. Their architecture remains, but is falling into ruin as humans expand over the land. One or two dwarf colonies remain, and they have very little influence to the point where the rest of the world simply neglects their presence if they have any needs. Dwarves have no special powers or talents but are quick to anger, though their lives in contemporary times are likely dominated by laziness. They have learned to remain in their homes, carved not deep in the mountains, but in the sides of the mountains. Outside of anything listed above, they are ordinary and similar to men.
Witches
The witch we have is Veera. As far as I know, they are another type of human.
Seers
We have had three Seers that we know of; an old woman who will approach Rowen in the beginning of the story, Henrogene, and Byron (for the record, I prefer we never actually verbalize that he is a Seer, but his dreams have predicted the future previously). We have seen Seers be elves and humans, and evidently, the talent can transfer from one person to another, as when Henrogene healed Byron. It is possible that only elves can originate as Seers, and humans can only garner the talent second-hand. Then again, that may not be true, as I never settled on the race of the old woman in the beginning.
Apparitions
The Wolf of Contrition
I would like to change the concept of the Hour of the Wolf to The Wolf of Contrition. The Wolf is a demon that feeds on a person's feelings of guilt. The Wolf is said to follow the contrite to feed off their guilt, and is an accepted concept by most. Most believe the Wolf is invisible, and will sometimes casually refer to the "Wolf on their back" when feeling morose. Depending on the reader's interpretation, this may or may not be so. Sometimes She can be seen, and sometimes She cannot, and most of the time, She is only used as an expression to explain a feeling without her actual being there (the same way someone can refer to luck shining upon them, or God hating them, etc.). If She does appear, She appears as a female to women and a male to men, only to the individual prey to her presence, and it is always the same wolf, and is multilocal, though She appears different to the different people She follows. She has many children, and can be almost described as a Queen of Wolves, though Her offspring are never seen and are minor sprites of little consequence. If there is an uncanny shadow or apparition, it may be one of her children.
Although the Wolf of Contrition may appear to be malevolent, actually, She serves to materialize something the tormented must deal with. The physical presence gives them something to tackle, and although calling Her a mentor may be a stretch, She helps to teach people to deal and overcome their guilt by Her presence of viciousness. When someone overcomes their guilt, She mellows out and leaves them on their way.