ENTS

Viola Thistle · Post by **Viola Thistle** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 2:38 pm

Thought I'd post this proposal. It came to me last night as I was falling asleep.

The Ents were one of my favorite beings in Tolkien's LOTR. Thought it would be interesting if two or three trees on the island were Ent-like. Nothing visually different from the rest of the trees. When used they could spout interesting verbage - history, where artifacts could be found (artifacts don't even have to be real), part of a ritual, anything vague enough that could be used for rp reasons. These things are good as story starters and story continuers.

My other ideas was to ask the Ent-like trees questions, and get 8-ball type answers back.

Obviously, I don't know how any of this is coded but perhaps it wouldn't be too different from the bookshelves.

I think these Ents should be hard to find, therefore making the finding of the Ent an adventure in its own. Just an idea!

PS - I'm really not interested in gobs of information from Tolkien experts on why this wouldn't work or isn't part of his vision. This isn't his world, I just used an idea and changed it. Sometimes rp'ers get a little cranky about Tolkien -

Darlok · Post by **Darlok** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 2:43 pm

I dont know if Ents would fit into Illarion, because this game should not end as "yet another LotR-Game-Copy".

If you talk about "finding" Ents, our Islands is very small, even with a single Ent on it, this wont remain secret the way you want for a long time.

But hey ... maybe next year.

Viola Thistle · Post by **Viola Thistle** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 2:56 pm

I agree I don't want it to be a LOTR copy at all. Perhaps the location could change from time to time. Hey doesn't even have to be a tree, but something common that the characters walk by all the time without really noticing. I guess refining my proposal, I'd like to see a hidden Oracle.

Of course there is the problem of a lumberjack trying to cut the ORACLE TREE down. Would he die? Would his axe break continuously? Would the Oracle Tree die?

As a side note, why does everyone think the island is soo small? I think it has a nice size. When Viola goes hiking she NEVER sees anyone at all in the far reaches.

Darlok - what about a "hidden Oracle" ?

Darlok · Post by **Darlok** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 3:52 pm

"You" already have a more or less hidden Oracle.

The Shrine in the Woods, founded by the Ushara-Priest Falkner, would fit your Desires full.
The Location is West from the Northern Ruins, near our Town.

By the way, dont chop the holy trees! (For everybody out there)

Because you are a Halfing (if i remember right), and Halfings like to pray to the Earth Goddness Ushara, or the Younger God, Oldra.

So if you need advice from your God, go ahead and ask her.

Viola Thistle · Post by **Viola Thistle** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 3:54 pm

Ahh, thanks for passing that along Darlok. Viola will have to make a trip out there. Thanks.

Erdrick · Post by **Erdrick** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 10:46 pm

I think it would be a nice idea... But it really isn't backbreaking labor to make a different looking tree...
If you draw some sketches, perhaps Martin would take some time to work on it...
But who knows.

Kasume · Post by **Kasume** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 11:43 pm

Erm wasn't hobbits from LOTR too? Ents would be cool. Although haunted trees sound cool too! Like a tree that attacks you when you get to close.

Mishrack · Post by **Mishrack** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 11:50 pm

Nah, Tolkien found the term Hobbit. Before then they were jsut nown as halflings.

Korwin · Post by **Korwin** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 11:50 pm

First of all, we have Haflings, no where does it state that they are hobbits.
Anyway, back to the topic. I think it would be immensly entertaining to have a GM change their 'avatar' (whatever you want to call it), to a tree and lurk in the forest. How much fun I would have if someone ran into town yelling "A tree attacked me!".
Changing the subject yet again, you should try starting a rumour with some of your friends, something like "I saw this peculiar tree creature in the woods".

Kasume · Post by **Kasume** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 11:52 pm

Hobbits is a other name for halflings. They are the same thing.

Yet wouldn't it be better to actually have the tree look weird? I mean it could be like one tree on the whole island that attacks you. They won't be everywhere.

Mishrack · Post by **Mishrack** » Wed Apr 30, 2003 12:08 am

No kasume, you are wrong.
Hobbits are halflings that come from the shire in the lotr.
a halfling is any halfling.

Kasume · Post by **Kasume** » Wed Apr 30, 2003 12:42 am

Then why do the halflings in this game surprisngly look like the ones in lotr?

Gro'bul · Post by **Gro'bul** » Wed Apr 30, 2003 12:44 am

halflings are halflings. Hobbits are just halflings from lotr.

Kasume · Post by **Kasume** » Wed Apr 30, 2003 1:13 am

oooook....Fine then....Wasn't halflings in lotr too?

Elaralith · Post by **Elaralith** » Wed Apr 30, 2003 2:14 am

"Ents" and "Hobbits" are no more Tolkien than Elves are. They are all very much a part of the fantasy culture...Tolkien is to fantasy like Shakespeare was to English...he contributed a lot.
Hobbits=Halflings...and actually Korwin the term "Halflings" was used by Tolkien too...if we were to find everything of Tolkien's of fantasy as we know it today there would be a whole lot of stuff that would be labeled as "Tolkien".

Kasume · Post by **Kasume** » Wed Apr 30, 2003 3:17 am

Whatever it's off topic. Just stop heh.

Christiana · Post by **Christiana** » Wed Apr 30, 2003 7:40 am

i think ents are not a problem in illarion, but... do you have good selfmade grafics for it?
i think this is the biggest problem by ents...

Falk vom Wald · Post by **Falk vom Wald** » Wed Apr 30, 2003 12:03 pm

Can anyone of you buddies give me the title of a fantasy-story containing creatures like Halflings (not dwarf, nor gnome) called Halflings or something alike, published before JRRT wrote LOTR? Far as I know, there isn't one. But you might know better...

Viola Thistle · Post by **Viola Thistle** » Wed Apr 30, 2003 2:21 pm

@Christiana - Unfortunately I was born lacking all artistic bones, genes, and talent.

Perhaps I could convience a resisdent graphical artist so submit an Ent on my behalf...Any one willing to give an Ent a try??

Christiana · Post by **Christiana** » Wed Apr 30, 2003 5:42 pm

finish a good graphic and post it in the graphic forum. if it is good i am sure they will use it. perhaps not as ent, maybe as treemen...