RP: Archaic Words and Uncommon Actions

[Eonwë]

I'm making this post for side notes on words and things we "do" in any Role-play that goes on our Role-Play boards that the general population may not understand, sort of a reference guide. What can I say, I love knowledge and spreading knowledge (that's why I'm a Noldo in MEO :} )

For the RPers, you can note the circumstance and/or word here with an explanation. For those reading it, you can post your question here so it can (hopefully) be answered by the person using it, or by someone who does know :}

Since I started it, I'll ask the first question :}

Why rub grass/hay on a horse after a long journey? I believe I read about it somewhere, but don't remember, so I'd like to know :}

Take care :}
Eonwë

[Varda]

A role-playing help for using Elvish is on our web site:

valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/lang/TolkienLangs.htm

[Shelob]

Don't pin me on this, since I read it somewhere in a fantasy book, but I thought it had something to do with clearing persperation holes (whatever the proper name is for them). Another use might be that the hay is used to ease the muscle tention of the horse, especially on the back where the saddle has been "agonizing" the poor animal for a long time.

[Varda]

This is the usual horse rub-down done after any travel, but using materials at hand. It massages, it cleans, it adds to the bond between horse and rider. Carrying a barnful of tack into the wild, especially for us medieval types, is not possible. A side note, sweet-smelling grasses improve the horse's scent, and chlorophyll has a way of killing odor.

[Eonwë]

Here's one I just did in the MEO RP that may not be known or understood.

Auros and Estarion are both warriors of their respective peoples. Auros, in "interrogating" Estarion, drew Estarion's sword from its sheath.

For any important sword, it would be an insult or challenge to the owner of that weapon. Any noble or even any great warrior would have a weapon that was specifically for them, one that held alot of importance, whether to his family or to himself alone. A sword, axe, whatever wouldn't mean that much to a "commoner" or low-class soldier. A sword is a sword.

The easiest example to find of this would be in LotR itself. At Meduseld, Aragorn did not want to give Anduril into the keeping of anyone else. "Were it any other sword," he said. Gimli, though his axe had no name, loathed to leave it sitting where others would touch it as well.

As for not touching the blade, that I drew from a Japanese custom that a samurai would not touch the blade of his sword. I would assume other groups would have similar customs, particularly because one wouldn't want to get oils from their fingers, dirt, anything such as that on their blade, as it could dull the weapon, making it harder to cut through things, people, etc.

Thus Auros is testing Estarion's story, level of skill, and yet remaining within some level of respect should the story prove true. Pushing some might be forgiven in time. Going too far can end you up in a fight :}