Session 5-03: Season Outline

MithLuin

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Session 5-03 of the Silmarillion Film Project will be held on Thursday April 23rd. Our goal is to come up with an outline for the 13 Episodes of the Season, incorporating the many storylines we've discussed for these characters.

In Session 2, we talked a bit about Aredhel's storyline, and it seemed there was a desire for her death to occur some time after the mid-point of the Season. We also talked about how Finrod would be a strong protagonist throughout the season, especially concerning the theme of how Elves respond to change in Middle-earth.

So, what should the midpoint be? Andreth's story is one suggestion.

I will have a GANTT chart up soon, so we can start working on placing particular events in particular episodes, and see what the pacing looks like.

Viewable and Editable GANTT chart here:
 
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GANTT Chart previews:

1The Noldor
1.1Fingolfin strengthens the Siege
1.1.2Fingolfin tries to muster the Noldor
1.1.3Fingolfin's duel with Morgoth
1.2Fingon gifts Dragon-helm to Hador
1.2.1Fingon fights in Dagor Bragollach
1.3Aredhel restless in Gondolin
1.3.1Aredhel leaves Gondolin (FA 316)
1.3.2Aredhel travels through Nan Dungortheb
1.3.3Aredhel visits Fëanoreans
1.3.4Aredhel in Nan Elmoth
1.3.5Aredhel marries Eöl; birth of Maeglin
1.3.6Return to Gondolin (FA 400)
1.3.7Deaths of Aredhel and Eöl
1.4Finrod meets Bëor
1.4.1Finrod accepts Bëor as his Vassal
1.4.2House of Bëor fights alongside House of Finarfin
1.4.3Finrod witnesses the death of Bëor and realizes what it means for Men to be mortal
1.4.4Finrod follows up with a middle-aged Andreth who is unhappy and rethinks his own position on the relationship between Men and Elves
1.4.5Finrod forms alliance with Nogrod
1.4.6Finrod rescued by Barahir; gifts ring + Oath
1.5Aegnor meets Andreth and they fall in love
1.5.1Death of Aegnor
1.6Death of Angrod
1.7Maedhros accepts Amlach's pledge
1.7.1Curufin confronts Eöl while he is pursuing Aredhel
1.7.2Caranthir assists Haleth after the fact and offers her the chance to live in his lands
1.8Turgon allows Aredhel to depart Gondolin
1.8.1Turgon orders Eöl's execution and accepts Maeglin
1.8.2Turgon makes a cairn for Fingolfin

2The Sindar, Laiquendi, and Avari
2.1Green Elves really don't like Men
2.1.1Can the Men go away now?
2.1.2Galadriel and Celeborn negotiate peace
2.2Thingol doesn't particularly like Men either,
2.2.1so he says none inside the Girdle,
2.2.2 but the People of Haleth can live in Brethil
2.2.3Galadriel and Celeborn return to Doriath?
2.4Eöl ensnares Aredhel and marries her
2.4.1Eöl takes Maeglin to Belegost
2.4.2Eöl follows Aredhel to Gondolin and kills her in an attempt to kill Maeglin
2.4.3Execution of Eöl in Gondolin
2.5Círdan?

3The Dwarves
3.1Dwarf-centric storyline about the relationship between Belegost and Nogrod
3.2Nogrod makes contact with Nargothrond
3.2.1Nauglamir made by Zirak
3.3Eöl visits Belegost with Maeglin

4The Villains
4.1Sauron puts Annael under the Spell of Not-So-Bottomless Dread
4.1.1Annael 'escapes' with Rhogrin
4.1.2Annael bewitched as Sauron/Thuringwethil's spy
4.1.3Annael's treachery made known to the elves
4.2Captives in Angband forced to work as slaves of Morgoth's war machine
4.3Fake!Amlach at the Council
4.4.1Orcs Attack Aglon
4.4.2Orcs Attack Thargelion
4.5Tevildo's Death?
4.6Glaurung and the internal politics of Angband
4.7Dagor Bragollach
4.7.1Villains kill Aegnor
4.7.2Villains kill Angrod
4.7.3Villains kill Hador
4.8Morgoth's Duel with Fingolfin


The Men are still a bit of a quandary. I'll see if I can get that sorted out enough for GANTT chart purposes shortly. In the meanwhile, any plot points missing from those lists that we wanted to include in this season? I'd prefer to include items that will later be cut, rather than forget something and have to add it back in later.
 
GANTT Chart previews:

1The Noldor
1.1Fingolfin strengthens the Siege
1.1.2Fingolfin tries to muster the Noldor
1.1.3Fingolfin's duel with Morgoth
1.2Fingon gifts Dragon-helm to Hador
1.2.1Fingon fights in Dagor Bragollach
1.3Aredhel restless in Gondolin
1.3.1Aredhel leaves Gondolin (FA 316)
1.3.2Aredhel travels through Nan Dungortheb
1.3.3Aredhel visits Fëanoreans
1.3.4Aredhel in Nan Elmoth
1.3.5Aredhel marries Eöl; birth of Maeglin
1.3.6Return to Gondolin (FA 400)
1.3.7Deaths of Aredhel and Eöl
1.4Finrod meets Bëor
1.4.1Finrod accepts Bëor as his Vassal
1.4.2House of Bëor fights alongside House of Finarfin
1.4.3Finrod witnesses the death of Bëor and realizes what it means for Men to be mortal
1.4.4Finrod follows up with a middle-aged Andreth who is unhappy and rethinks his own position on the relationship between Men and Elves
1.4.5Finrod forms alliance with Nogrod
1.4.6Finrod rescued by Barahir; gifts ring + Oath
1.5Aegnor meets Andreth and they fall in love
1.5.1Death of Aegnor
1.6Death of Angrod
1.7Maedhros accepts Amlach's pledge
1.7.1Curufin confronts Eöl while he is pursuing Aredhel
1.7.2Caranthir assists Haleth after the fact and offers her the chance to live in his lands
1.8Turgon allows Aredhel to depart Gondolin
1.8.1Turgon orders Eöl's execution and accepts Maeglin
1.8.2Turgon makes a cairn for Fingolfin

2The Sindar, Laiquendi, and Avari

2.1Green Elves really don't like Men
2.1.1Can the Men go away now?
2.1.2Galadriel and Celeborn negotiate peace
2.2Thingol doesn't particularly like Men either,
2.2.1so he says none inside the Girdle,
2.2.2but the People of Haleth can live in Brethil
2.2.3Galadriel and Celeborn return to Doriath?
2.4Eöl ensnares Aredhel and marries her
2.4.1Eöl takes Maeglin to Belegost
2.4.2Eöl follows Aredhel to Gondolin and kills her in an attempt to kill Maeglin
2.4.3Execution of Eöl in Gondolin
2.5Círdan?

3The Dwarves
3.1Dwarf-centric storyline about the relationship between Belegost and Nogrod
3.2Nogrod makes contact with Nargothrond
3.2.1Nauglamir made by Zirak
3.3Eöl visits Belegost with Maeglin

4The Villains
4.1Sauron puts Annael under the Spell of Not-So-Bottomless Dread
4.1.1Annael 'escapes' with Rhogrin
4.1.2Annael bewitched as Sauron/Thuringwethil's spy
4.1.3Annael's treachery made known to the elves
4.2Captives in Angband forced to work as slaves of Morgoth's war machine
4.3Fake!Amlach at the Council
4.4.1Orcs Attack Aglon
4.4.2Orcs Attack Thargelion
4.5Tevildo's Death?
4.6Glaurung and the internal politics of Angband
4.7Dagor Bragollach
4.7.1Villains kill Aegnor
4.7.2Villains kill Angrod
4.7.3Villains kill Hador
4.8Morgoth's Duel with Fingolfin


The Men are still a bit of a quandary. I'll see if I can get that sorted out enough for GANTT chart purposes shortly. In the meanwhile, any plot points missing from those lists that we wanted to include in this season? I'd prefer to include items that will later be cut, rather than forget something and have to add it back in later.
Nogrod is the Dwarven realm Eol has dealings with, not Belegost.
 
I have a suggestion for a plotline involving Men and the “Catch and Release” program. How about we have some of Sauron make some Men (and Women) of the House of Hador disappear (maybe even killed) and frame the Elves by planting some of his ”not so Bottomless Dread”-hypnotized Elves near where some of them disappeared, to sow hostility between the House of Hador and the Elves so Amlach will dither? One of these could be Annael, being how the plot is discovered. However, he’d slip up when he incapacitates Amlach and impersonates him at the summit, because Amlach frees himself, learns of the impersonation, and declares himself with Maedhros.
 
Nogrod is the Dwarven realm Eol has dealings with, not Belegost.

It's true he was in Nogrod in FA 400 when Aredhel and Maeglin escaped. We did specifically have Telchar, a craftsman working in Belegost, have dealings with him, though. Presumably, he has interacted with both dwarven realms at times.
 
I have a suggestion for a plotline involving Men and the “Catch and Release” program. How about we have Sauron make some Men (and Women) of the House of Hador disappear (maybe even killed) and frame the Elves by planting some of his ”not so Bottomless Dread”-hypnotized Elves near where some of them disappeared, to sow hostility between the House of Hador and the Elves so Amlach will dither? One of these could be Annael, being how the plot is discovered. However, he’d slip up when he incapacitates Amlach and impersonates him at the summit, because Amlach frees himself, learns of the impersonation, and declares himself with Maedhros.

I like the idea of tying the two villain storylines together - the 'catch and release' for the elves, and the alienation of Men. I am not sure we'd want to put Annael and Amlach in the same geographical location, though - Annael and Rog are in Mithrim with Fingon, while Amlach and the people of Hador are in Estolad at that time. So...it's only later in the story that they are neighbors.

I think it important that the Elves feel betrayed by Annael, not just the Men. That doesn't mean we can't use an idea like this, though, and I do like the concept of the mistrust going both ways because of Sauron.
 
Well, events for Men this season:

House of Beor:
  • Meeting of House of Beor and Finrod; Balan leaves with Finrod and becomes vassal, taking the name Beor
  • Balan’s son Baran is left to lead the rest of the House. Discontent begins
  • Bereg and Fake!Amlach speak against the Elves at council of 368 F.A.; Bereg takes a number of Men back over the Blue Mountains
  • Andreth’s father Boromir receives Lordship of Ladros; perhaps this is as consequence of reaffirmed loyalty to the Elves?
  • Aegnor and Andreth’s doomed romance
  • Conversation between Finrod and Andreth in 409 F.A.
  • Dagor Bragollach; Bregolas Lord of Ladros is KIA; Aftermath: Finrod and Barahir make a pact, Barahir receives Ring of Barahir, House of Beor is whittled down to only 13 defending Dorthonion; our Dirty Baker’s Dozen (to quote Graham McTavish describing the Company in The Hobbit)
House of Haleth
  • Arrive in Beleriand a little later; one of the “Unfriends” of the Green Elves
  • Morgoth sends Orcs against their stockade in 375 F.A.; their leader Haldad and his son Haldar are KIA; Haldad’s daughter Haleth holds the line against the Orcs for a week until Caranthir arrives with reinforcements (and Starbucks)
  • Caranthir proposes an alliance, but Haleth says “No thanks” and takes her people through Nan Dungortheb to Doriath; we have discussed having Tevildo killed during this period
  • In Doriath, Thingol refuses to have them settle on his lands (does he have premonition of Beren?), but allows them to settle outside of the Girdle in the Forest of Brethil, where they are to guard the Crossings of Teiglin
  • Haleth dies in 420 F.A., so her nephew Haldan accedes to the position of leader
  • Dagor Bragollach: House of Haleth does not take part in the main battle, but are assailed by Orcs in the south-west; Thingol sends Sindar led by Beleg to assist them
House of Hador
  • Arrives in Beleriand; leader is Marach (unnamed)
  • Fake Amlach at summit of 368 F.A.
  • Real Amlach affirms loyalty to Elves
  • (Presumed) Fighting at the Pass of Aglon, where Hador proves his worth; he receives Dor-Lomin and Dragon-Helm
  • Dagor Bragollach: Hador and his younger son Gundor are KIA; lordship of Dor-Lomin falls to his elder son Galdor
 
I like the idea of tying the two villain storylines together - the 'catch and release' for the elves, and the alienation of Men. I am not sure we'd want to put Annael and Amlach in the same geographical location, though - Annael and Rog are in Mithrim with Fingon, while Amlach and the people of Hador are in Estolad at that time. So...it's only later in the story that they are neighbors.

I think it important that the Elves feel betrayed by Annael, not just the Men. That doesn't mean we can't use an idea like this, though, and I do like the concept of the mistrust going both ways because of Sauron.
So what should Annael do that would expose him as an unwitting pawn in Sauron’s schemes in the Mithrim area?

Also, could Sauron do a couple himself, transform into an Elf and kill some people?
 
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In the published book Thingol does not like that Finrod is the only one to ask him for council on the men. He has been troubled by dreams of Men before they arrive. After Thingol bans men from entering Doriath Melian tells Galadriel that a man of Bëor's House will one day come into Doriath, not stopped by even the Girdle, driven by a fate greater than her power...

Also could we do something with the house of Haleth after they arrive in Brethil? In the published book it's said that Thingol would have refused to let then live there, if it were not for Finrod who persuaded him. Also Haleth has some nice lines of dialog here ;)

This could be used as a Doriath plot maybe? It also makes Finrod more involved and a more central character in the story as it was talked about in the last session.
 
Are there any stories to involve Amras? I read that Caranthir flees from Lake Helevorn/mt Rerir to Amras at Amon Ereb during the Bragollach. How would Amras react to that? Would it be kind of awkward between them? Would Caranthir be sorry to Amras for what happend to his brother? I can't imagine everything being fine haha :confused:
 
1 The Noldor
1.1 Fingolfin strengthens the Siege
1.1.2 Fingolfin tries to muster the Noldor
1.1.3 Fingolfin's Vision
1.1.4 Fingolfin's duel with Morgoth
1.2 Fingon gifts Dragon-helm to Hador
1.2.1 Fingon fights in Dagor Bragollach
1.3 Aredhel restless in Gondolin
1.3.1 Aredhel leaves Gondolin (FA 316)
1.3.2 Aredhel travels through Nan Dungortheb
1.3.3 Aredhel visits Fëanoreans
1.3.4 Aredhel in Nan Elmoth
1.3.5 Birth of Maeglin (FA 320)
1.3.6 Return to Gondolin (FA 400)
1.3.7 Deaths of Aredhel and Eöl

1.4 Finrod meets Bëor
1.4.1 Finrod accepts Bëor as his Vassal
---- Finrod asking Thingol for council?
---- Finrod persuading Thingol to let the Haladin stay in Brethil?
1.4.2 House of Bëor fights alongside House of Finarfin
1.4.3 Finrod witnesses the death of Bëor and realizes what it means for Men to be mortal
1.4.4 Finrod follows up with a middle-aged Andreth who is unhappy
1.4.5 Finrod forms alliance with Nogrod
1.4.6 Finrod rescued by Barahir; gifts ring

1.5 Aegnor meets Andreth and they fall in love
1.5.1 Death of Aegnor
1.6 Death of Angrod
---- Angrod and Aegnor supporting Fingolfin's call for an attack on Angband?

1.7 Maedhros accepts Amlach's pledge
---- Maedhros declining Fingolfin's call for an attack on Angband?
1.7.1 Curufin confronts Eöl while he is pursuing Aredhel
---- Celegorm and Curufin fleeing west?
1.7.2 Caranthir assists Haleth after the fact and offers her the chance to live in his lands
---- The fortress at Lake Helevorn destroyed and Caranthir fleeing to Amras at Amon Ereb?

1.8 Turgon allows Aredhel to depart Gondolin
1.8.1 Turgon orders Eöl's execution and accepts Maeglin
1.8.2 Turgon makes a cairn for Fingolfin

2 The Sindar, Laiquendi, and Avari
2.1 Green Elves really don't like Men
2.1.1 Can the Men go away now?
2.1.2 Galadriel and Celeborn negotiate peace

2.2 Thingol doesn't particularly like Men either
2.2.1 , so he says none inside the Girdle,
2.2.2 but the People of Haleth can live in Brethil
2.2.3 Galadriel and Celeborn return to Doriath?
---- Thingol's troubling dreams?
---- Thingol angry because no other Noldo than Finrod asks him of council about the men?
---- Thingol persuaded by Finrod to let the Haladin stay in Brethil?
---- Melian foretelling the arrival of Beren to Galadriel?

---- Beleg assisting the Haladin fighting off Sauron's forces?

2.4 Eöl ensnares Aredhel and marries her
2.4.1 Eöl takes Maeglin to Belegost
2.4.2 Eöl follows Aredhel to Gondolin and kills her in an attempt to kill Maeglin
2.4.3 Execution of Eöl in Gondolin

2.5 Círdan?

3 The Dwarves
3.1 Dwarf-centric storyline about the relationship between Belegost and Nogrod
3.2 Nogrod makes contact with Nargothrond
3.2.1 Nauglamir made by Zirak
3.3 Eöl visits Belegost or Nogrod with Maeglin


4 The Villains
4.1 Sauron puts Annael under the Spell of Not-So-Bottomless Dread
4.1.1 Annael 'escapes' with Rhogrin
4.1.2 Annael bewitched as Sauron/Thuringwethil's spy
4.1.3 Annael's treachery made known to the elves
4.2 Captives in Angband forced to work as slaves of Morgoth's war machine
4.3 Fake!Amlach at the Council
4.4.1 Orcs Attack Aglon
4.4.2 Orcs Attack Thargelion
4.5 Tevildo's Death?
4.6 Glaurung and the internal politics of Angband
4.7 Dagor Bragollach
4.7.1 Villains kill Aegnor
4.7.2 Villains kill Angrod
4.7.3 Villains kill Hador
4.8 Morgoth's Duel with Fingolfin

5 House of Bëor
5.1 Bëor meets Finrod and agrees to go to Nargothrond
5.1.1 Bëor leaves his people at Estolad
5.1.2 Fighting at Maglor's Gap
5.1.3 Bëor moves his people to Ladros
5.1.4 Death of Bëor (FA 355)
5.2 Andreth (young woman) meets Aegnor (c. FA 380)
5.2.1 Andreth (middle aged woman) and Finrod discuss Aegnor
5.3 Barahir rescues Finrod in the Dagor Bragollach
5.3.1 Death of Bregolas in Dagor Bragollach

6 House of Hador
6.1 Enters Beleriand in multiple hosts
6.2 Settles in Estolad
6.3 Council (FA 369)
6.3.1 Fake!Amlach and Bereg speak against joining the elven war
6.3.2 Amlach joins Maedhros
6.3.3 Bereg leads Men from Beleriand to Eriador
6.4 Hador becomes Lord of Dor-lomin
6.4.1 Hador's exploits
6.4.2 Death of Hador in the Dagor Bragollach

7 House of Haleth (Haladin)
7.1 Haladin enter Beleriand and have conflict with the Green Elves of Ossiriand
7.2 Haladin settle in Thargelion; no contact with Elves
7.3 Orc Attack on their camp (FA 375)
7.3.1 Death of Haldad and Haldar at stockade
7.3.2 Caranthir meets Haleth and offers an alliance with her; she turns him down and leaves
7.4 Haleth, being denied entry to Doriath, leads her people through Nan Dungortheb
7.5 Haladin settle in Forest of Brethil
---- Finrod helping them to get permission from Thingol?
7.6 Beleg assists them in fighting off Sauron's forces?
 
So what should Annael do that would expose him as an unwitting pawn in Sauron’s schemes in the Mithrim area?
I think that in order to decide that, we first need to figure out what Sauron’s schemes actually are. In Season 4, Sauron gathered information and tried to set the Noldor and Sindar against one another, so maybe he would still be interested in gathering information and/or sowing distrust. This could be between the Noldor and Sindar again, or between Elves and Men, or between the houses of the Noldor.

There isn’t another big secret like the Kinslaying to reveal, so how could Sauron accomplish this with just one Elf under his control? Or, what else would he be trying to learn about the Elves that Annael could reveal?

Another possibility would be to have Sauron make Annael sow distrust on a personal level. Presumably, Fingon would reinstate Rhogrin as his lieutenant. If Rhogrin is sharing a lot of information he learned while he was captive or is keen on attacking Angband, we could have Annael try to discredit Rhogrin and suggest that Rhogrin is the spy.

What things besides sowing distrust might Sauron try to do with Annael? Here are some other possibilities:
  • Assassinate Fingolfin and/or Fingon
  • Sabotage their military in some way
  • Gather information about the Noldor’s weaknesses
  • Try to capture more Elves
  • Give misleading information about an attack from Angband
  • Try to discover the location of Nargothrond and/or Gondolin
 
Are we going to include Finrod hunting with Maedhros and Maglor before Finrod encounters the house of Bëor?

Alas, no. That detail is part of the 'peace montage' at the end of Season 4 Episode 13. So, it happens, and is shown on screen, but no dialogue. Season 5 opens with Beor, and when he encounters Finrod, Maedhros and Maglor are not there.
 
In the writings on Maeglin in The War of the Jewels, there are some notes that expand on the story of Eol and his relationship with the Dwarves and the Sons of Feanor that we might be able to incorporate into our storylines:

"Lately [Eol] had visited Nogrod often; he had become very friendly with the Dwarves of Nogrod, since those of Belegost to the north had become friends of Caranthir son of Feanor."

"... Also [Curufin] knew of Eol's friendship with the Dwarves of Nogrod (indeed Eol could not have journeyed alone across E. Beleriand to Nogrod unless allowed by the 5 sons), among whom he had tried with some success to stir up unfriendliness to the Noldor. Which was a grievance to the 5 sons, who had, before Eol's coming to Nan Elmoth, had much profit from the help of the Dwarves."

Perhaps our storyline about the relationship between Belegost and Nogrod could involve some tension over whether or not to help the Noldor, prompted by Eol trying to stir up unfriendliness. We might be able to draw some parallels to the council of Men where they debate whether or not to help the Elves.
 
In the writings on Maeglin in The War of the Jewels, there are some notes that expand on the story of Eol and his relationship with the Dwarves and the Sons of Feanor that we might be able to incorporate into our storylines:

"Lately [Eol] had visited Nogrod often; he had become very friendly with the Dwarves of Nogrod, since those of Belegost to the north had become friends of Caranthir son of Feanor."

"... Also [Curufin] knew of Eol's friendship with the Dwarves of Nogrod (indeed Eol could not have journeyed alone across E. Beleriand to Nogrod unless allowed by the 5 sons), among whom he had tried with some success to stir up unfriendliness to the Noldor. Which was a grievance to the 5 sons, who had, before Eol's coming to Nan Elmoth, had much profit from the help of the Dwarves."

Perhaps our storyline about the relationship between Belegost and Nogrod could involve some tension over whether or not to help the Noldor, prompted by Eol trying to stir up unfriendliness. We might be able to draw some parallels to the council of Men where they debate whether or not to help the Elves.

Why would Eol be trying to stir up unfriendliness between the Noldor and the Dwarves if they're the reason why he can travel back and forth between Nan Elmoth and the Dwarven cities?
 
Alright...here's the Men.


View attachment 2799
You have Bereg listed under the House of Hador. He's actually from the House of Beor. Especially if we want to have a significant portion of the Men who came into Beleriand leave after the council, I think it's important that the council involve more than one House of Men.

What is the fighting at Maglor's Gap? I might be missing it, but I didn't see any reference in the published Silmarillion to fighting in Maglor's Gap until Glaurung attacks in the Dagor Bragollach.

I really think we should consider including the fighting at Aglon in the early 400s and have both Hador and the House of Beor involved. It would be a great opportunity to show Hador proving himself in battle so he receives the Dragon-helm and Boromir receiving Ladros.

By just having Beor move his people to Ladros, I think we would miss the element of the relationship between Men and Elves suggested in this passage: "But after a time the Elf-kings, seeing that it was no good for Elves and Men to dwell mingled together without order, and that Men needed lords of their own kind, set regions apart where Men could live their own lives, and appointed chieftains to hold these lands freely." Therefore, I suggest that the Men from the house of Beor who first come to Dorthonion live with Angrod and Aegnor, and receive Ladros a few generations later (Boromir).
 
Why would Eol be trying to stir up unfriendliness between the Noldor and the Dwarves if they're the reason why he can travel back and forth between Nan Elmoth and the Dwarven cities?
Eol clearly resents the Noldor and sees them as usurpers despite the protection they offer. He expresses this same viewpoint in his conversation with Turgon. Yes, it is illogical, but I think Eol's prejudice against the Noldor makes him too blind to see that.
 
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