this is what Home Alone looks like with people who have actual skills at building defensive forts

[bythewaves]

Who: OTA
What: Anyone who is visiting/trying for one of the elves on the kill list is about to learn that there is a slight problem when one has people who have built, and refined, defensive fortifications for literal millenia. You know. Things like oh, deadfalls. Arrow traps. Confusing magic that leads you in circles...
Where: Elfhouses! and the forge
When: Backdated to during the assasination period
Warnings: Violence that may or may not be played for commedy, depending on what traps are triggered and who is triggering them. Character death unlikely but maiming is possible, if so desired.



The House of Finwe is long used to a bounty hanging over their heads in one way, or another. To be a prince of that line in Middle-earth is to wear a target on one's back - worse, if one is unfortunate enough to wear the High King's crown. So none of them are particularly upset about being on the Null's hitlist - annoyed, is probably closer to the mark. (The family members who stayed off the list, on the other hand... )

Still, they've no time to build a castle - it would be rather wasteful of resources anyway - and Maglor's suggestion of a moat is vetoed for much the same reason. No, they'll have to settle for more basic things...a portcullis on the doors and windows, to begin with. Ones which drop wickedly fast when triggered. Nice and easy and obvious. A little too obvious, perhaps?

If one is visiting, it would be wise to call ahead!



{ooc: Apart from the very visible defenses, visitors may run into any of the following:
A: Magic Defenses - woven by Elrond and Maglor, these are reminiscent of the protections of Rivendell, designed to trap anyone unwary in confusion and send them wandering in circles, unable to locate what, or who they are trying to find. These are set at every window, and also anywhere there is water in the house. So if you were visiting and wondering why there is a little portable fountain in the main room, that would be why.

B: Deadfalls - built by Curufin and Celebrimbor, there are deadfalls set up over every major entrance and exit. They decided that it would be terribly rude to kill anyone, so the deadfalls are mostly desinged to trap, but there are, in fact, rocks in those deadfalls.

C: Nets - these are set up over windows, for the most part, but also occasionally in weird places like bedroom doors. The triggers are mostly magical, but occasionally mundane. Possibly, there was something of a family prank war quietly taking place as well.

D: Arrow traps of various types - this was Curufin getting into the swing of things and everyone else egging him on, but yes, if you hit the wrong switch, say, or pull a book that isn't a book off a shelf, expect an arrow or several launched at you. At least none of them are on fire, or poisoned?

E: Wire traps - this was Celebrimbor getting into the swing of things with some of the dwarven tricks he learnt. There are wires strung across the windows, and occasionally in other places (like stairways) - razor thin, so fine as to be almost invisible. Some are sharp enough to cut. Others will trigger traps. ALL of them will set of silent alarms that bring the inhabitants running.

The Elves and Sansa all know how to disarm the traps - but of course, this relies on them being home and knowing that visitors are coming! }

Comments

[loveathousandyearsgone]

Just because they are prepared for assassinations doesn't mean Elrond won't be hard at work ensuring they have ample supplies. He's been making salves, cutting up cloth for bandages and sanitizing them, hauling water, and everything else he and Sansa can think of that they could possibly need.

And then there are other supplies, such as food, and ensuring everyone has enough to eat. Comfort comes after, but surely as the former master of the Last Homely House on Middle-Earth Elrond can make sure there's plenty of that too!

So there is usually a pot or three of coffee and teas ready to warm up the other defenders of their tidy pair of homes!

[bythewaves]

"You should rest, Elrond."

Maglor comes over to help.

"You've been at this all day!"

[loveathousandyearsgone]

Well now that it's been mentioned...! Elrond glances at his foster father with a wry smile. "And you have been idle?" He teases, fond. But he'll let himself be steered away.

[bythewaves]

"Checking the wards doesn't tax me much." Maglor smiles at him fondly and nudges him towards the tea and biscuits.

"You did a wonderful job with them - do I detect something of my cousin's teaching in that?"

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin accidentally trips one of his own arrow traps. He forgets he put one in the bookshelf, and starts rummaging around looking for his bound copy of his gunsmithing notes, which he keeps at home rather than at the forge. How could he forget such a thing?? It was his idea! The deadly arrow releases and plonks neatly into his bicep.

"Ouch!!!!!" And that is only the first word out of his mouth. The words that follow are dreadful maledictions in Sindarin, a language it is a lot of fun to curse in, since it is highly flexible and colloquial, and is full of colorful loan-words from the Common Speech and from Dwarvish.

[bythewaves]

"Curvo?!" Maglor comes running when he hears the swearing, only to stop and shake his head.

"Oh no, Curvo..." He sighs and comes over. "Here, let me see that."

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin starts to laugh amidst his curses. He looks down at his sleeve, where the shaft protrudes. The arrowhead is buried, but not so deeply that it's going to be impossible to get it out without resorting to the Clinic healers (or Elrond, who is a lot closer).

"I must be an idiot! Another accident! Weren't we just talking about this a couple of months ago?" He grins at his brother. "But don't worry, it's not that bad."

[bythewaves]

Maglor sighs but relaxes as Curufin smiles at him.

"Aye, we were. And I'll believe that when I see it. At least we decided not to barb the arrow tips so this should come out clearly. Arm."

[handofsilver]

Those maledictions were heard by keen Elven ears. Celebrimbor abandoned his book and slunk, carefully, through the house, his face paling of color when he saw his father...impaled.

"Atto!" he hissed sympathetically and grabbed a towel to staunch some of the blood, "Come, sit down, we must remove it..."

Arrows indoors might not be the best idea. He glanced around for the unsprung traps, making mental notes.

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin laughed ruefully. "Thanks, Telpë. You are kind."

And he held the towel to his arm and followed Celebrimbor to the kitchen, sat down, and let him tend to the injury.

And. . . ah. . . he'd have to agree with that, after this. Indoor arrow traps might not be the best idea.

[castintofire]

Being among the tallest of the Elves had its downfalls, for Maedhros occasionally had to not only duck to get inside, but quickly try to dodge something flying for his head just for getting too close.

Such as now, when he was only trying to knock on a brother's door only for one of the many traps to be sprung - on his head! He let out a disgusted sound as he stumbled a few steps back, arms stuck to his sides.

"Well done," he admitted, trampling any annoyance down with long years of practice. "A little aid in removing it would be nice, now." Surely someone is listening? He hoped?

[utulien_aure]

“Russandol?” Fingon’s head popped out of a room a few doors over.

“Someone’s been overenthusiastic with the traps again?”

[castintofire]

Who always came to the rescue? Fingon! Maedhros sighed, though there was affection in the sound.

"I suspect Kano, or Curvo." If not both.

[handofsilver]

"Uncle!" Celebrimbor tutted and rushed, carefully, to Maedhros's aid. He did not want to spring any further traps. The house was full of them - and he was rather proud of that fact.

"Be still and lean down for me." he was doing his best not to smile or laugh. His poor grumpy uncle.

[castintofire]

Maedhros had the best nephew! So he'd managed to trample most of the annoyance, it was enough! His smile turned rueful and he obliged, bending - carefully - to allow the smaller Elf to help.

"Thank you, Nephew."

[bythewaves]

There's a giggle, from behind the door, but by the time he opens it, Maglor is studiously not smiling.

"Oh, did I forget to tell you about that one?"

[castintofire]

Maedhros squinted suspiciously at his little brother, any lingering annoyance vanishing with that very pointed lack of smile. Anything that made Maglor laugh was worth any embarrassment.

"You might have. I fear your memory is going, little brother," he retorted, feigning grave insult even as he struggled to hide his own sudden mirth.

[fracturedbeauty]

Yukari had decided to make a visit to Curufin. He didn't think to tell the Elf he was coming over. He simply figured if Curufin wasn't at home, he must be at Guard Headquarters or on patrol. Either way would be easy to navigate to, he's sure. So, why would he have to inform anyone? No real need to, whatsoever. He simply wishes to talk about more that can be done going forward, and offer the God Killer when he receives the information on its location.

He wasn't actually expecting a full-on trapping experience, though. Being a Mercenary definitely has its perks, when it comes to traps. Even more so do his Auras. So, when he feels the first nigh-invisible wire leave a faint cut on his cheek, his head flicks back from it as he draws his sword. Green Electricity crackles along its blade as he looks at the wire, humming in contemplation.

Weighing his options carefully, yet quickly, he allows his Electricity to trace along those wires so he can observe their positions, and moves along accordingly to get a more appropriate path. Your silly trap won't stop him, and he's much more on edge this time for any further.... inconveniences. So, when a few arrows shoot at him from another corner, his Colourless Aura erects a barrier against them, deflecting with ease.

"You'll have to try much harder than this, assuredly," he calls out in a practically singsong voice. He's clearly enjoying this a little bit.

[bythewaves]

There's no audible answer, but there is a sense of someone watching, weighing the threat - or not, depending - that the stranger in the house poses. It doesn't feel like Curufin. But the traps seem to almost funnel Yukari in one direction - towards the main room, and the little fountain there.

[fracturedbeauty]

When Yukari sees the fountain, he stops. Even on a normal day, this would be rather suspicious, wouldn't it? And given the bonus traps already, he's certainly not foolish enough to step near it.

Still, with no other directions to go, it seems it's time for a change in tactic. Following the wires didn't appear to link to any other significant forms of traps, near as he could tell. So, this should be fine. With a brief fencer's pose, and a fast and harsh slash, he attempts to cut the wires.

[dreamsallotted]

Seel probably should have called ahead before visiting Curufin. He'd taken a small break from building the bunker with Delmar and he was fairly certain he could defend himself against any human trying to make a play for him. When he walked to the house, the rather obvious defenses stuck out and he brought a hand to his mouth. Well, that was one way of dealing with the problem. Clearly some or all of the residents here were on the list.

The magical traps made him smile. These elves were creative. And here the Wraeththu at the house were just going to shoot people. He hadn't been aware that the elves living with Curufin, or perhaps Curufin himself, could use magic. So, he sent out a telepathic greeting, and just in case they weren't telepathic, he texted the same greeting.

Nice traps. Is it too late to offer some company or do you always shoot your guests?

He didn't want to undo or set off your fine, fine work.

[bythewaves]

There's a very distinct sense of "!!!!!!!!!!!?" that comes back at the telepathic greeting, but the answer actually comes in text (because Maglor is actually pretty crap at the whole osanwe thing).

Only those who come uninvited. Are you seeking someone in particular?

[dreamsallotted]

Right, no need to alarm the poor person. More than they already were given the state of their house. Although he imagined they slept a lot better than the Hara House did. Seel retreated from the mind touch when the alarm and confusion hit him and texted instead.

I'm an acquaintance of Curufin's. Is everyone in there alright? It certainly looks like you have the situation well under control.

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin returned from working at the forge and found Seel standing at the door of the house, looking amused. Curufin had seen the text when he was on his way down the spiral walk.

Company is always welcome! And we don't always shoot our guests. . . just sometimes.

And then he called out, so that they didn't have to continue by phone. "I'm pleased you came to visit us."

He ran down the walkways and quickly disengaged the wards and the dangerous contraptions. "Care to drink a cup of coffee with me?"

[dreamsallotted]

Seel looked down at the text to read it and then up when he heard the familiar voice. "I would love one, thank you." Seel knew how to be polite. He just didn't often care for it. But everyone was already on edge now. No need to add to the problems.

He watched as Curufin moved, the magic quite unlike what he used and was trained in. Naturally, they were from two different worlds.

"You have quite an elaborate trap system here."