forums.cubicle7.co.uk
archive

Has anyone made list of people living in Thranduil's court or at it's fringes? In addition to the usual suspects, that is; Legolas, Galion, Irime, Ruithel, Halbrech & Hanna, Ormal, Duvainiel, Oldir, Tinuhel... did I miss anyone?

I am thinking of inventing a few more NPC in order flesh out the crowd a bit, and could use some ideas; or better yet, if someone's already done the work for me...?

We're soon playing the Question Beast event, and I suppose most of the above NPC wouldn't be present, so I guess I'd need some Sindar nobs and hunter types...and concerning future events, it would be nice to include more people, so the identity of the traitor wouldn't necessarily be so easy to guess?

...Thalien (ahem) or whatever her name is from the film!

On second thoughts:
My mind went to The Halls of Thingol, more particularly some of the detail in Children of Hurin book. I recall there being a description of advisors to the King (in fact advisors to the King seem to often come up in Elven kingdoms). Not all of whom are kindly. Often suspicious of others in their halls or plotting and scheming it seems to carry better favour with the King. As I recall one of Thingol's advisors insulted Turin and, having had a cup thrown at his head for doing so, then attempted to ambush Turin as he set out to leave the next day.

Perhaps you will find more detail there than I can remember about the Elves who live close to the King. There's a scene when Turin is 'at table' with the Elves and there's a distinct inference of a seating hierarchy and what types can sit where.

Butterfingers wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 09, 2018 1:28 pm

Has anyone made list of people living in Thranduil's court or at it's fringes? In addition to the usual suspects, that is; Legolas, Galion, Irime, Ruithel, Halbrech & Hanna, Ormal, Duvainiel, Oldir, Tinuhel... did I miss anyone?

Lindar from Tales from Wilderland (p. 10).

Thanks SurrenderMoney, I had forgotten all about him.

Matt, that's exactly the kind of people I imagine Thranduil would be surrounded by, in addition to idle nobles, diplomats and general yes-men... What about the royal family, is Legolas it, or are there more? maybe cousins etc.

I wouldn't expect an elven court to much resemble a human court, since it would lack the ambition and intrigue of the courtiers. It's not like there is much room for advancement after thousands of years of the same people. Rather, I would expect the courtiers to be satisfied with their particular jobs, which probably aren't all that rigorous anyway. What point would there be to being an immortal yes-man?

It might be worth noting that Heart of the Wild (on page 81) indicates that Thranduil has more than one son, though any sibling(s) of Legolas remain unnamed.

6. Elvenking's Apartments: Thranduil lives in these rooms when he is in the palace. When he is off hunting, he usually leaves one of his sons as seneschal.

Matt Clark wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 09, 2018 2:11 pm

...Thalien (ahem) or whatever her name is from the film!

That would be Galion, Thranduil's wine steward. His companion, the Keeper of the Keys was named Elros in the films (presumably no relation to the brother of Elrond).

Matt Clark wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 09, 2018 2:11 pm

...Thalien (ahem) or whatever her name is from the film!

That would be Galion, Thranduil's wine steward. His companion, the Keeper of the Keys was named Elros in the films (presumably no relation to the brother of Elrond).
[/quote]

I was meaning the 'made up elf woman' from the Hobbit film trilogy. The one who falls in love with one of the dwarves!(?!!?). But with tongue firmly in cheek as the saying goes.

Matt Clark wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 09, 2018 7:29 pm

I was meaning the 'made up elf woman' from the Hobbit film trilogy. The one who falls in love with one of the dwarves!(?!!?). But with tongue firmly in cheek as the saying goes.

Tauriel. (I'm thinking of using photos of her to represent Ruithel in my game.)

Matt Clark wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 09, 2018 7:29 pm

I was meaning the 'made up elf woman' from the Hobbit film trilogy. The one who falls in love with one of the dwarves!(?!!?). But with tongue firmly in cheek as the saying goes.

Sorry! Yes, Tauriel. I overlooked the 'she'.

Stormcrow wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 09, 2018 6:03 pm

I wouldn't expect an elven court to much resemble a human court, since it would lack the ambition and intrigue of the courtiers. It's not like there is much room for advancement after thousands of years of the same people. Rather, I would expect the courtiers to be satisfied with their particular jobs, which probably aren't all that rigorous anyway. What point would there be to being an immortal yes-man?

That's an interesting point you make, Stormcrow. It's hard to imagine such society with immortal members... wouldn't you get bored to death doing the same job for hundreds of years on end? Maybe they would switch jobs at regular intervals to keep the tedium away? Or take long breaks to go on a long 'walkabout' or something? Even in eldar society, you have to keep the wheels turning, even if work isn't what elves really care for, right? If everybody was just just singing and merry-making, I don't think the Wood-Elf realm would have stood for so long; or does it all hang on the shoulders of Thranduil? He certainly is a powerful personality enough.

I wonder how this matter was handled in MERP, have to ask a couple of friends of mine...