Valar Guild

August 31, 2014 Sunday Meeting

5pm EDT (UTC/GMT - 5)
AIM: Valar Guild Meetingplace

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Transcript work by
Ar-Pharazon and Varda.

Attending: (4)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1 (presiding)
Before-meeting
Meeting begins
Membership:
Web:
    New art by The Bohemian Weasel-(T)
Gaming:
    Heroes of the Storm (WoW)
    Diablo 3
    StarCraft 2
    Hearthstone
    flashgaming
    WoW
    LotRO
Tolkien:
    Discussion: From the Silmarillion, what would be some books we'd like to see come from it, maybe to be turned into movies? Could be short mentions as well as long.
After-meeting:
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Before-meeting
You have just entered room "valarguildmeetingplace."
VardaValar1 has entered the room.
VardaValar1: Aiya Phar :-)
ArPharazonV: Aiya!
ArPharazonV: Moment, just throwing some rotten fruit at friends in the brawlpub for an achievement.
ArPharazonV: They did it for me, so gotta repay!
VardaValar1: heheh
VardaValar1: Sounds like LotRO, no hurry, still a few minutes early.
VardaValar1: Saw Dagnir-(V) as Thief Galear, but he's not coming. Just nice to have seen.
VardaValar1: No space between the words, pardon.
VardaValar1: He's headed out, says he doesn't do the LotR thing much any more.
ArPharazonV: Aw.
VardaValar1: Any sign of Arien?
ArPharazonV: She's in WoW, I'll poke her.
VardaValar1: Thanks :-)
VardaValar1: I'm poking Indis
VardaValar1: She's about to go into a major run, but hopes to be here after a bit, at least lurk
AriehnV has entered the room.
AriehnV: aiya :-)
VardaValar1: Aiya Sunshine :-)
VardaValar1: Working with your rp group in WoW?
AriehnV: yeah :-) quite ammusing hehe
ArPharazonV: Now trying to get 20 people together for the achievement that needs 20 people and open a portal into the other brawlpub. So half busy for a few minutes more :-)
AriehnV: oh you can do that?
VardaValar1: You need Arien over there?
VardaValar1: ok, just lurk then. Main thing is to make an officer available to any member who wants to find one. :-)
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VardaValar1: Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo!
VardaValar1: Membership:
VardaValar1: Been spotting a few of the people we haven't seen in a long time. Good to see them gaming and chatting.
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VardaValar1: Web:
VardaValar1: Tolkien Site:
karakedi25 has entered the room.
VardaValar1: Indis is trying to come in, I'll delay a few seconds.
VardaValar1: Aiya Indis :-)
karakedi25: aiya
VardaValar1: New art from the The Bohemian Weasel-(T)
VardaValar1: In her cave is a new section for Fangorn, good for both the place and the character:
VardaValar1: http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/art/gallery/BohemianWeasel/characters/Fangorn/Fangorn.htm
VardaValar1: New artwork in that section:
VardaValar1: "I told Gandalf I would keep you safe, and safe is where I’ll keep you.". Treebeard, Merry, and Pippin
VardaValar1: http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/art/gallery/BohemianWeasel/characters/Fangorn/safe.jpg
VardaValar1: "Many of these trees were my friends, gentle creatures that I knew from nut and acorn…’ Treebeard, Merry, and Pippin.
VardaValar1: http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/art/gallery/BohemianWeasel/characters/Fangorn/lotr-treebeard-hobbits.jpg
VardaValar1: A meeting about to happen unexpectedly:
VardaValar1: http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/art/gallery/BohemianWeasel/characters/Fangorn/EmlHoomHoomPip.jpg
VardaValar1: Ent waters - two types:
VardaValar1: http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/art/gallery/BohemianWeasel/characters/Fangorn/EmlEntWatersPip.jpg
VardaValar1: A new piece for Merry and Pippin in Isengard:
VardaValar1: http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/art/gallery/BohemianWeasel/characters/Merry/EmlSarumansStoreroom.jpg
VardaValar1: For Merry, Pippin, and Sam: I will not say 'do not weep'. :
VardaValar1: http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/art/gallery/BohemianWeasel/characters/Hobbits/EmlWeep.jpg
VardaValar1: Planning on a new section for Pippin. Here are two pieces that will be going onto a proper page, uploaded for your enjoyment already:
VardaValar1: Fool of a Took!
VardaValar1: http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/art/gallery/BohemianWeasel/characters/Pippin/EmlFoolOfATook.jpg
ArPharazonV: Merry's weeping face from the movie, immortalized.
VardaValar1: Pippin looking toward's Mordor:
VardaValar1: http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/art/gallery/BohemianWeasel/characters/Pippin/EmlPipLooksTowardsMordor.jpg
VardaValar1: That's the lot.
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VardaValar1: Gaming:
VardaValar1: Non-WoW, non-LotRO:
VardaValar1: From the Games Site from hard-working Eonwe:
VardaValar1: Heroes of the Storm - Dev insight blog is up:
VardaValar1: oops, that's WoW news, but here it is anyway about Kerrigan:
VardaValar1: http://us.battle.net/heroes/en/blog/15503467/developer-insights-the-heart-of-a-queen-8-27-2014
VardaValar1: Diablo 3: Patch 2.1.0 has been released:
VardaValar1: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/blog/15487814/patch-210-now-live-8-26-2014
VardaValar1: The first season began Friday, just in time for the long weekend. :-)
VardaValar1: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/blog/15522718/season-now-live-8-29-2014
VardaValar1: Blizzard updated their site to reflect rankings and the patch 2.1.0 changes:
VardaValar1: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/blog/15463643/site-updated-with-rankings-and-patch-210-features-8-26-2014
VardaValar1: StarCraft2: the public test realm is now up for patch 2.1.4
VardaValar1: http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/blog/15381552/public-test-realm-patch-214-8-27-2014
AriehnV: oh yeah in that line .. i finally got the update for Diablo and am exploring the campaign ^
VardaValar1: Any comments on it, Arien?
ArPharazonV: I made my first seasonal myself, a barbarian named after my WoW warrior (and a Numenorean king) called Caldarion :-)
VardaValar1: Nice :-)
AriehnV: i like the graphics in it and got through the first couple of scenes killed Uzrael and the witch .. and yeah got thrugh a cemetary thing
AriehnV: i havent seen else major changes yet but
AriehnV: its not bad :-)
ArPharazonV: Level 14 myself, killed the skeleton king, got the first sword piece, and a short distance more...
ArPharazonV: and got my first legendary :-)
ArPharazonV: Which also unlocked my first transmogrification item, even though I don't have the npc for it yet ;-)
VardaValar1: It's ready when you are. : )
ArPharazonV: Rather enjoying it, and I'll surely continue to 70 for the reward!
ArPharazonV: yep!
VardaValar1: Thanks for the reviews. :-)
VardaValar1: Hearthstone: You can get the first wing of Naxxramas free until Oct. 8
VardaValar1: http://us.battle.net/hearthstone/en/blog/15542009/curse-of-naxxramas%E2%84%A2-launch-event-ending-soon-8-2 8-2014
VardaValar1: Anything else on Hearthstone? Phar maybe?
ArPharazonV: Did more Hearthstone myself, yes, 2 classes at 27 now, working on the rest. Also did a bit of a "league" with some of my WoW raidcolleagues, even though my decks are still pretty bad :-)
ArPharazonV: Also, today's the last day for this season, so if you're missing August's cardback, go get to rank 20 now!
ArPharazonV: Tomorrow the next season starts, not sure what cardback we'll get.
VardaValar1: Thanks for the warning.
ArPharazonV: This month's was an Icecrown-themed cardback, and definitely one of the better-looking ones we've seen so far, in its simplicity.
ArPharazonV: And I've got nothing more on Hearthstone.
VardaValar1: Thank you, Phar, that's lots.
VardaValar1: Any other gaming news or business or comments, suggestions?
VardaValar1: heh, LotRO:
ArPharazonV: Well, some more flashgaming.
VardaValar1: Go ahead, Phar
ArPharazonV: And I've been trying a bit of Virtual Villagers, a pretty old time management game, but still fun to run in the background.
ArPharazonV: Oh, if you want a puzzle flashgame...
ArPharazonV: http://www.kongregate.com/games/rowlandrose/music-bounce where you have to gates to release balls/pellets to make a melody.
ArPharazonV: Can be a bit difficult, and a lot of trial and error, but still fun if you have time to waste!
VardaValar1: Being stuck in lines, waiting, is a good time for such things. Waiting rooms, etc.
ArPharazonV: yep
ArPharazonV: the timing and ordering can be a bit edgy though, so might take a few tries even if you think you're in about the right area.

VardaValar1: WoW:
VardaValar1: Beta patch notes have been updated:
VardaValar1: http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/13423478/warlords-of-draenor%E2%84%A2-beta-patch-notes-august-27-8-27-2014

VardaValar1: LotRO:
VardaValar1: Extra experience weekend for our three day weekend.
VardaValar1: The kin got two new 100's just today, so we're moving right along.
karakedi25: Some of us madly leveling alts to take advantage of it. Double xp
VardaValar1: Exactly right.
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Tolkien:
VardaValar1: Open for suggestions for a Tolkien topic. :-)
VardaValar1: Just a quick thought,
VardaValar1: From the Silmarillion, what would be some books we'd like to see come from it, maybe to be turned into movies? Could be short mentions as well as long.
ArPharazonV: Gondolin comes to mind. We've already had several more detailed versions, one in the Book of Lost Tales, and the start of one in Unfinished Tales.
ArPharazonV: Combine them, and you could have a pretty interesting movie.
ArPharazonV: We already have a book about the children of Hurin, which could make a movie too.
VardaValar1: Aye. I had a thought that Christopher Tolkien might have had that in mind. :-)
VardaValar1: Gondolin would be very interesting. Love to see that developed fully.
ArPharazonV: The third classic from the Silmarillion is, of course, Beren and Luthien.
VardaValar1: Aye. Beren and Luthien seems to be a natural.
ArPharazonV: With detailed versions of those also available in various parts of the History.
VardaValar1: It has a lot of information to work with for a full story.
ArPharazonV: Could even take the version where Sauron was a cat and make it into something for younger audiences :-)
karakedi25: All would make great movies but Christopher would never allow it
VardaValar1: hahaha - aye, Phar.
VardaValar1: Indis, why not? He set up CoH as if it could become a movie.
karakedi25: Tevildo the cat....NO! Not indoctrinating kiddies to be anti cat!
VardaValar1: Made it more human-centric than the original.
karakedi25: CoH/
karakedi25: ?
ArPharazonV: All kids know cats are evil-minded jerks when they want to be. They grow up to love em anyway.
VardaValar1: hehe - ok, how about werewolves from Luthien and Beren then? Anti-dog!
karakedi25: Nah, you have Huan to counter that.
karakedi25: cats are evil minded jerks, and dogs slobber...
VardaValar1: Huan was a good one all right. : )
VardaValar1: Could have a story just from Huan's viewpoint.
ArPharazonV: That might work, sure :-)
VardaValar1: And the joys of slobber.
karakedi25: *laughs*
VardaValar1: Some small bits in the Sil could be fleshed out into good long tales.
VardaValar1: I happen to like both cats and dogs. Not sure what sort of person that makes me. ;-)
ArPharazonV: A documentary about life in Aman.
VardaValar1: Interesting thought
ArPharazonV: Interviews with the Valar, etc.
karakedi25: that could be neat
VardaValar1: It could show the conflict between Noldor and Vanyar attittudes, and how the Teleri tend to stay away from both.
karakedi25: I also like dogs ok, but they take an awful lot of attention
VardaValar1: The interview idea could make a series of short stories.
ArPharazonV: Possibly!
VardaValar1: A TV series!
ArPharazonV: The entire Silmarillion could be an amazing tv series.
ArPharazonV: More castmembers die than in Game of Thrones.
VardaValar1: hehehe Phar
VardaValar1: Do it in sections.
ArPharazonV: Seasons :-)
ArPharazonV: Or you could just have a series of movies.
VardaValar1: I'd prefer a series of well-made movies.
ArPharazonV: Of course!
ArPharazonV: If you gotta do it, better do it well.
VardaValar1: I see no reason why they couldn't have all the stuff in the books, then fill in the holes thoughtfully.
ArPharazonV: Sounds about right. Isn't that what they do with LotRO?
VardaValar1: Aye. :-)
VardaValar1: Then we have games made from those stories.
VardaValar1: Card games, mmo's
ArPharazonV: Silmarillion Online.
ArPharazonV: Settlers of Gondolin.
VardaValar1: Full of destruction and disaster. Sounds like several mmo's.
VardaValar1: Have the storyline of the Silmarillion Online move across the area.
VardaValar1: Go right with the story flow.
VardaValar1: Start with nothing, have a song from Eru. :-)
VardaValar1: Show the Valar becoming involved in the Song of Creation.
ArPharazonV: That'd be a good intro. Or a tutorial.
VardaValar1: Be nice to flesh it out so people can get to know the Valar.
ArPharazonV: You start with a minigame... a musical rhythm minigame.
ArPharazonV: Perhaps tied to your character creation.
ArPharazonV: Choose feats and initial factions with some mockup of the Valaquenta, where all the Valar are introduced to you.
VardaValar1: Be a Maia, choosiing which of the Valar you want to work with.
ArPharazonV: That works.
VardaValar1: Gandalf seems to have worked with more than one.
ArPharazonV: The tutorial area is the first creation of Arda Unmarred, before Morgoth arrives and messes things up.
VardaValar1: Most seemed to stick to one, easier to keep to the desired activity, maybe.
ArPharazonV: And then you get to move through the awakening of the races, and everything starts to take off, and the bulk of the game starts with the theft of the Silmarils, I guess?
VardaValar1: I'd love to see what stories or poems the gang comes up with after this. :-)
VardaValar1: Good thought.
VardaValar1: We could make it follow the silmarils closely, especially if we're doing a movie.
ArPharazonV: I was thinking game, with the above sequences.
VardaValar1: Aye, good idea.
VardaValar1: Your game is going well.
ArPharazonV: MMO, or some sort of strategy RPG, or something like Elder Scrolls or an MMO...
ArPharazonV: Blend all the things.
ArPharazonV: And I just said MMO twice.
VardaValar1: Yes, not arguing, just wandering afield. :-)
VardaValar1: Awakeing of the races could be another part of character creation?
ArPharazonV: Maybe, but you've already had a bunch of that and a sort of tutorial playing section. But it could be additional features. I think the Elder Scrolls character creations can be stretched out a bit too.
ArPharazonV: So there's precedent.
karakedi25: ESO character creation is way overdone
ArPharazonV: Not sure where the first war on Morgoth and his capture comes in.
VardaValar1: If we want to start with lots of races, we have to start pretty far in.
VardaValar1: Following the silmarils would start with Feanor in Valinor. If we start later, we can use historical flashbacks
ArPharazonV: Tutorial and character creation complete, a bit of a cinematic picturing the capture of Morgoth, some intermission in Valinor, time-skip maybe, and then we get to the Silmarils.
VardaValar1: So, just using the first part as back-story explanation of what's going on with the creation of the silmarils and why they're such a big deal.
ArPharazonV: I suppose. And the first chapter of the real game might then be crossing the Helcaraxe?
VardaValar1: Not starting with their creation? We can choose to go with Feanor or return as some did after the Kin-slaying
VardaValar1: It would be hard to do much mixed race gaming. Pretty elf-heavy
ArPharazonV: Hmm.
VardaValar1: Always seemed strange to me with so much elven background that the Lord of the Rings had so little about the elf character in the Fellowship, barely there.
VardaValar1: Even Gimli was given more backstory
ArPharazonV: Yes. If it's the first MMO in a series, you start with races of Elves. Some time later, some events and battles later, few expansions and you start to get the houses of Men, and the Dwarves.
VardaValar1: Humans came in from the east, fleeing Morgoth. Some met Avari and learned from them. Some kept going to Beleriand and learned from the higher elves there and worked with them.
VardaValar1: How are dwarves going to get in on it?
ArPharazonV: They'd appear as npcs soon enough, but maybe they'll have their own faction, or work with the Sons of Feanor.
VardaValar1: Guess we can work it out a bit by the map. Start in our region and be affected by the backstory
ArPharazonV: Those would be added with the Blue Mountains :-)
VardaValar1: This could bear more thinking. Most of the gang seems distracted right now, but sounds ss if you've got a good handle on it.
ArPharazonV: Well it's all just "what if" anyway. It's not like I'm making the game.
VardaValar1: Agreed. :-)
VardaValar1: Just a fun mental exercise. :-)
VardaValar1: I would like to see that series of interviews of characters in Valinor
VardaValar1: It could be something Bilbo does after he arrives there. :-)
VardaValar1: Or some Noldo with a newspaper. : )
VardaValar1: Shall we call it here?
ArPharazonV: Sure :-)
VardaValar1: Phar, have a handy hammer over there? Think I'll let you do the closing this time.
VardaValar1: If you'd like. :-)
AriehnV: oh well Middleearth online first patch the Silmarillion with extensions Atalante and the kingdoms of Middleearth .. patch three . 6 the the loss of the ring
ArPharazonV: Nah, that's allright, go ahead.
VardaValar1: hehee - lots of patches, expansions, updates.... :-)
AriehnV: patch 4.0 the finding of the ring with the story startyng hmm
ArPharazonV: Atalante would be fun. Let me know what Pharazon looks like!
VardaValar1: heh
VardaValar1: We should get some of these artistic types going on characters who are in the guild. :-)
VardaValar1: Not likely, but a fun thought.
VardaValar1: *fingers a couple of hammers on the long shelf*
VardaValar1: *hefts one*
VardaValar1: *Sledddddge!*
VardaValar1: Er, Aule, could you fix this table top? It's looking a bit, splintered to nothing.
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VardaValar1: After-meeting
ArPharazonV: oh, apparently http://www.thehobbitfancontest.com/ is now open
VardaValar1: *looking*
ArPharazonV: Peter Jackson's contest to visit New Zealand.
AriehnV: *flashes ray on an gavel*
VardaValar1: Get to see the screening of the third Hobbit movie.
VardaValar1: I wonder if being in the area would give Fladrif an edge? :-)
ArPharazonV: I doubt it works that way :-)
VardaValar1: Agreed
VardaValar1: I wonder what it takes to be an ultimate fan?
VardaValar1: hmm, have to pay your own way over to New Zealand. That'll cut out a lot.
ArPharazonV: Ah, but that does give an edge to those who are already there :-)
VardaValar1: Complete 4 challenges to prove you're a big fan
VardaValar1: complete one (1) or more of four (4) online activities available to registered participants of the Contest App (each a "Challenge"). Through completion of the Challenges and certain activities related to the Challenges, entrants can earn Coins (defined below). One Challenge requiresyou to create and submit a video describing your favorite "memory" from Middle-earth and an explanation of why you are the biggest The Hobbit fan ("Video"), as more fully detailed in these Official Rules (including in Appendix A). Other Challenges may require that you create and submit or publicly post photographs, text, or other user-generated content (collectively, with your Video, "Entrant Content").
VardaValar1: Primarily judged on their video
VardaValar1: Postcard making.
VardaValar1: Multiple choice quiz on the topics of New Zealand and the filming locations.
VardaValar1: Ok, I'm not the biggest fan. :-)
ArPharazonV: hehe
ArPharazonV: What about Bilbo? :-)
VardaValar1: What about Bilbo?
ArPharazonV: Your relative! Son, was it? I can't keep track.
ArPharazonV: He must be a big fan!
VardaValar1: I don't know nor care that much about the actual filming process.
ArPharazonV: Bilbo-V
VardaValar1: He chose Bilbo back way before the movies. :-)
ArPharazonV: Even so, it features his character :-)
VardaValar1: This contest is about the movie fans
VardaValar1: Aye, so yes, he's quite tickled by that. :-)
VardaValar1: A young version, especially
VardaValar1: He's only 30 himself. My youngest son.
ArPharazonV: Even better, then!
VardaValar1: Agreed
VardaValar1: Could really study the extras in the bought movies. Should give the needed info.
VardaValar1: Be neat if he won. He's technically savvy and could probably make a good movie bit.
ArPharazonV: Well, there you go.
VardaValar1: So, are you entering? :-)
VardaValar1: 12 people can go for the screening in New Zealand. : )
ArPharazonV: I won't be entering, no. I'm not technically savvy, I'm not creative with video etc, and I've no desire to spend money on a trip to New Zealand.
VardaValar1: There's supposed to be other similar contests too. I think this one is more for the USA
VardaValar1: Aye, we wouldn't be spending that kind of money either. Just a nifty thought. :-)
VardaValar1: Good luck to whomever can do this!
ArPharazonV: Agreed!
VardaValar1: I'll just wait for the movie to come out and watch it with a bunch of Valarites. :-)
VardaValar1: Maybe for this last one we'll go in costume. We did for one of the LotR movies.
VardaValar1: Other folks at the movies loved it. I was surprised more didn't go in costume.
ArPharazonV: Hehe. In character?
AriehnV: in fact i have entered but there are people so far ahead that i ll have no chance whatsoever but for the fun :-)
AriehnV: even if i cant do the video
VardaValar1: Why can't you do the video?
AriehnV: well i guess i could i have a webcamera
AriehnV: i never tried anything with it
VardaValar1: You have one? Might check the directions and play with it.
AriehnV: well i see .. you only have to tell him what memory of The Hobbit you have and why?
VardaValar1: A special favorite memory
AriehnV: ah yes
AriehnV: bit like our Ulmo one :-)
VardaValar1: Question number one. :-)
karakedi25: guys, I need to log out--nice seeing you
AriehnV: yip
VardaValar1: Namarie!
VardaValar1: It's after meeting
karakedi25: namarie
AriehnV: oki do Namarie Indis :-)
VardaValar1: I have to go to supper too
VardaValar1: Namarie!
karakedi25 has left the room.
ArPharazonV: Namarie!
AriehnV: enjoy your meal
ArPharazonV: Aye, enjoy!
AriehnV: Namarie all :-)
ArPharazonV: Namarie!
AriehnV has left the room.
VardaValar1: Don't guess Flad's been coming in late?
ArPharazonV: Nope, not seen him in a while, not in HS either.
VardaValar1: Hope he's doing ok
ArPharazonV: Probably just busy with something again.
VardaValar1: aye
ArPharazonV: saving and sending transcript
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