Valar Guild

May 24, 2020 Sunday Meeting

5:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Savings Time
Discord: Valar Guild/meeting_place

Back to News
Transcript work by
Varda.
[times are Central Time from Varda's Discord. Add one hour for Eastern.]
["slight smile" is the same as we are used to using as a regular smiley]

Attending (and spoke): (6)
    Discord: Arien, Ar-Pharazon, Eonwe, Falco, Pallando, Varda (presiding)

Before-meeting
Meeting begins
Membership news
Web:
Gaming:
    General reports:  World of Warcraft, Lord of the Rings Online, Starcraft II, Warcraft III: Reforged, Diablo III. More WoW, LotRO, and SC. Tabletop.
Tolkien:
    RP
    Topic: Some say writers that went through the wars find it therapeutic to write, to help them past the experiences. Even if therapy wasn't JRRT's reason, it certainly added to the experience that aided the quality of his writing. Does it seem as if it might have been therapy to you, at least a bit?
After-meeting:
    More chat on the topic.
    More chat on the RP.
    Gaming chat mixed in.
    Flashgaming Reviews by Ar-Pharazon.
top

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 3:58 PM
Salutations on this the day and hour of our meeting.
[3:59 PM]
I have storms moving into the area so I don't know how long I will be here.

VardaYesterday at 4:02 PM
Aiya
[4:03 PM]
Storms have been hitting here as well, south of you. But no blink in the power, surprisingly.

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 4:03 PM
Heya., For a minute there I thought I was going to be conducting a meeting of one.

VardaYesterday at 4:03 PM
Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo!
[4:03 PM]
Membership:

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 4:03 PM
Glad you're ok :}

VardaYesterday at 4:03 PM
We are now into the chat and figured make it official!
[4:03 PM]
We're great. The plants are happy. The hail is more northwest and west, not even predicted close. : )
[4:04 PM]
Cooled down the temperatures
[4:04 PM]
Anyway, happy meeting time! : )
[4:05 PM]
In fun news, yesterday was World Turtle Day.
[4:07 PM]
Who all remembers any turtles from Tolkien? : )
[4:07 PM]
(They are all over the Lord of the Rings Online game.)

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 4:08 PM
raises hand

VardaYesterday at 4:08 PM
hehe - go ahead, please.

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 4:09 PM
I was just indicating I remember a turtle from Tolkien, hehe. You asked :}

VardaYesterday at 4:09 PM
Okie dokie
[4:10 PM]
Fastitocalon, who seemed to be an island, a great danger if you were trying to stop over with your ship. Even had plant life growing.

FalcoYesterday at 4:11 PM
Howdy Ya'll

VardaYesterday at 4:11 PM
Falco! Aiya : )

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 4:11 PM
Not to be mistaken for this guy, who was also mistaken for an island in one movie :} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e32GJ8HU_W0
    YouTube
    puppet23ca
    Gamera Guardian of the Universe Trailer

[4:13 PM]
Heya Falco :}

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:14 PM
Aiya!

VardaYesterday at 4:14 PM
Aiya Phar : )

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:14 PM
Quick nap and shower made me late

VardaYesterday at 4:15 PM
Not all that late. : )  Glad you could come!

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:15 PM
And not as half asleep as I was 2 hours ago

VardaYesterday at 4:16 PM
Yay!
[4:16 PM]
top

Web:
[4:16 PM]
I do not have anything up for you. Yet.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:17 PM
Arien poked.

ArienValarYesterday at 4:17 PM
aiya
[4:17 PM]
lurkmode

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:17 PM
Aiya

VardaYesterday at 4:18 PM
Aiya Sunshine : )
[4:18 PM]
top

Gaming:
[4:18 PM]
Eonwe, if the storms don't get you, would you like to take this section?

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 4:18 PM
Sure.
[4:18 PM]

World of Warcraft:
[4:19 PM]
A new preview is out for Shadowlands, this time for Oribos.  ---https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23429193/shadowlands-preview-oribos
World of Warcraft
    Shadowlands Preview: Oribos - WoW
    Oribos is the crossroads of the Shadowlands, where the impassive Arbiter passes judgment on souls, and shadowy denizens swap gossip and anima.

[4:19 PM]
Looking for something to do in WoW? If you missed any of the many things to collect during the Legion Expansion, the blog Legion: Mounts, Pets, and More might be of interest to you.  --- https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23429409/legion-mounts-pets-and-more
    World of Warcraft
    Legion: Mounts, Pets, and More - WoW
    Treasures are plentiful in the Broken Isles for those who know where to find them.
    If you're looking for a challenge, or just an opportunity to fill in your collections, then we've got you covered with a bounty of pets, mounts, and more just waiting for you.

[4:20 PM]
There's also some new 4K wallpapers out.  (I like the gates of Stormwind one) --- https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23429407/new-4k-digital-backgrounds-available
    World of Warcraft
    New 4k Digital Backgrounds Available - WoW
    Whether you’re doing a little at-home streaming or are working from home, we have just the thing you’re looking for—new 4k digital backgrounds.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:20 PM
Ah yes, Oribos. The Dalaran of Shadowlands.
[4:20 PM]
Even comes with its own version of ethereal vendors.

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 4:20 PM
Check out this week's hotfixes.  --- https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23277654/hotfixes-may-21-2020
    World of Warcraft
    Hotfixes: May 21, 2020 - WoW
    Here you'll find a list of hotfixes that address various issues related to World of Warcraft: Battle For Azeroth and WoW Classic.

[4:20 PM]

Lord of the Rings Online:
[4:20 PM]
There is once again the ability to transfer characters and shared items between worlds. Check out the announcement for restrictions and information.  --- https://www.lotro.com/en/worldtransfer
[4:20 PM]

Starcraft 2:
[4:21 PM]
A balance update came out this week.  --- https://starcraft2.com/en-us/news/23429406
    StarCraft II
    StarCraft II Official Game Site
    Wage war across the galaxy with three unique and powerful races. StarCraft II is a real-time strategy game from Blizzard Entertainment for the PC and Mac.

[4:21 PM]

Warcraft 3: Reforged:
[4:21 PM]
A new developer update came out this week. --- https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/warcraft3/23411981/warcraft-iii-reforged-developer-update
    Warcraft III: Reforged Developer Update
    In our developer update, we share some insights into the work that's been done since launch and provide an overview of what's to come.
    We also share a deeper look at an upcoming feature and lay out plans for future updates from the team.

[4:21 PM]

Diablo 3:
[4:21 PM]
There were some issues with the 2.6.9 PTR, and so the PTR has been delayed.  --- https://us.diablo3.com/en/blog/23420227/patch-269-ptr-begins-week-of-524-5-15-2020
    Diablo III
    Patch 2.6.9 PTR Begins (Week of 5/24)
    Our two-week PTR testing period for the 2.6.9 update begins on the week of May 24, and we're asking for your help to quell the tides of surging demons in Patch 2.6.9.

[4:22 PM]
Thus ends the Fifth Battle,... er, the gaming report.

VardaYesterday at 4:23 PM
Thank you. : )

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 4:24 PM
Unless you also want to know that in WoW this week's Bonus Event is World Quests and next week's is Warlords of Draenor TImewalking.(edited)

VardaYesterday at 4:24 PM
Hey, trivia is us!
[4:24 PM]

LotRO gamers seen in kin this past week:

Landroval server:
Bregalad
Eonwe
Fangorn
Hurin
Irmo
Lenwe
Miriel
Nar
Varda

Ithil server:
Falco
Fangorn
Varda

Anor server:
Fangorn
Varda
[4:24 PM]
In Starcraft, I know of at least Fangorn and Eowyn. : )
[4:25 PM]
I see Anarion playing it right now.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:25 PM
Fladrif last online 1 hour ago, guess I missed him

VardaYesterday at 4:25 PM
Maybe he'll be able to drop by here again sometime. : )
[4:25 PM]
Any other gaming news, other goodies to mention?

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 4:26 PM
I only need 18 more Shreds of Insanity to be completely insane,... er to complete my quest.

VardaYesterday at 4:26 PM
hah! : )

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:26 PM
Insane in the Membrane.

VardaYesterday at 4:26 PM
Not sure if we should wish you good luck.
[4:27 PM]
Oh, the tabletop gamers are doggedly continuing our games using Roll 20 online. We'll be very glad to have the table back instead.

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 4:27 PM
Getting them slowed to a trickle after 139 for some reason. Only got from BG wins after that, though supposedly getting them from HKs should've been possible still.(edited)

VardaYesterday at 4:28 PM
Moving on to
[4:28 PM]
top

Tolkien!
[4:28 PM]
First up,
[4:28 PM]
the RP forum has posts on our group story.
[4:29 PM]
Latest was May 19 from Eonwe/Auros, that I just noticed a while ago. /smackhead

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 4:29 PM
I left us off at the night of the same day, per Phar's request.

VardaYesterday at 4:29 PM
Phar has a switch to Helvy coming up. : )

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:30 PM
Aye, don't know if anyone else wants to make a post before my guard shift

VardaYesterday at 4:30 PM
I don't have anything that would push the story forward, so not me.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:30 PM
Half my warlock's bio now written, so I guess I'm in a writing streak

VardaYesterday at 4:30 PM
Excellent. : )
[4:32 PM]
We'll find out if Arien would like to make a post, when she's available.
[4:32 PM]
Meanwhile,
[4:32 PM]
top

here's a chat topic. Love to see if you folks have any opinions on this, or thoughts.
[4:32 PM]
Some say writers that went through the wars find it therapeutic to write, to help them past the experiences. Even if therapy wasn't JRRT's reason, it certainly added to the experience that aided the quality of his writing. Does it seem as if it might have been therapy to you, at least a bit?

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 4:33 PM
I think because he was inclined towards a love of making stories in the first place, it probably did help.
[4:34 PM]
Your sentence does say "writers" so I figure if he was a carpenter, writing might not so much have helped, heh.(edited)

VardaYesterday at 4:34 PM
SaoirToday at 4:34 PM
not really . we settle down for the night , Frali takes his place as guard i guess maybe after Fainan but else nothing i know of

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:35 PM
I suppose making a feel-good story of sorts with a more clear distinction of good and evil was a good escape from the realism of war, though he did put some aspects of that into it.
[4:35 PM]
Hobbit being more feelgood than LotR

VardaYesterday at 4:35 PM
His time of war was more clear cut on who might be considered "evil", as in taking over from everyone else by force.

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 4:35 PM
Most of his stories at the time were of the creation mythos as I recall: Valar, Eru, ordering of the universe.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:36 PM
True, but they weren't quite orcish

VardaYesterday at 4:36 PM
True. It was intended as a mythology for England, since he saw none for his home country.

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 4:36 PM
Well, during his time in the trenches.

VardaYesterday at 4:37 PM
He did suffer from combat fatigue. And he said the talk was unlovely "orcish".

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 4:38 PM
WW2 it was his son fighting that war.

VardaYesterday at 4:38 PM
Aye
[4:38 PM]
WW 2 JRRT helped at home. They were being bombed all the time.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:38 PM
Meat's back on the menu...
[4:41 PM]
I can imagine fantasy writing helps during the trenches.

Pallando-ValarYesterday at 4:41 PM
Aiya

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 4:41 PM
Heya Pallando :}

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:41 PM
Aiya!

VardaYesterday at 4:41 PM
Aiya to the Blue Wizard!
[4:43 PM]
Even if JRRT's writing wasn't therapy partly, would you say it gave more authenticity to his fantasy?

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:43 PM
Did what? The therapy?

VardaYesterday at 4:45 PM
His experience in the war.

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 4:45 PM
I can easily agree with that. He had his own experience to draw on.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:45 PM
Ah.
[4:46 PM]
I wouldn't know about that. It might have made the wars more realistic?

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 4:48 PM
Authenticity = he knows what happens in a war from personal experience.
[4:48 PM]
I.E, fun story...
[4:49 PM]
Christopher Lee apparently was, shall we say, quite experienced from his time during WW2.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:49 PM
I guess I'm muddling authentic with realistic then.

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 4:49 PM
Well, when Peter Jackson was directing the part of the Two Towers movie where Saruman gets stabbed from behind by Grima, Christopher Lee had to explain to him exactly how that would've gone down.(edited)
[4:51 PM]
Well, authentic and realistic aren't exactly distant cousins.
[4:52 PM]
And by "fun" story, I guess I mean more "interesting" than "fun" heh.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:53 PM
Fun fact!

VardaYesterday at 4:53 PM
Aye, on Lee. : ) He knew from having done it. ugh
[4:53 PM]
He knew how to react too. Some knowledge is not a lot of fun to have.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:54 PM
Well, a lot of experience is not a lot of fun to have, so that makes sense.

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 4:54 PM
"He who increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow"? :}

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:55 PM
Not heard about that, though I have heard ignorance is bless.
[4:55 PM]
At any rate, being a teacher sounds like a poor job when you put it that way

VardaYesterday at 4:58 PM
Any knowledge can be used for good. Lee used his to aid in a better creation.
[5:00 PM]
It's a choice how to put down that knowledge. JRRT kept his writing clean, although he knew all the orcish words far too well. He left out the extreme graphics that he could have used, but got across that war is a tough business. That we have to have a really good reason, defending our people, homes.
[5:00 PM]
He put out a strong message, whether intentional or not.

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 5:00 PM
He could've shown the depravity of evil, I'm certain. I'm also glad he didn't, heh.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:01 PM
Would you say Peter Jackson did?

VardaYesterday at 5:01 PM
Good people have to do something when evil starts taking over.
[5:02 PM]
PJ got a lot of the idea across, in my opinion. Hard not to, considering the source material.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:02 PM
I meant when it comes to showing the extreme graphics of war.
[5:02 PM]
There were quite a few deaths in there.

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 5:03 PM
LotR was a PG-13 movie, so no, PJ didn't go as far as he could've heh.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:03 PM
Heh.

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 5:03 PM
I'd say he respected the source material in that respect, but then in the Hobbit he gave us Kili flirting with Tauriel, and Dwarves bathing in Elf fountains.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:04 PM
Hmm. One of the more recent WoW books has dwarves bathing in a moonwell.
[5:04 PM]
I wonder if they were inspired...

VardaYesterday at 5:05 PM
heh
[5:05 PM]
Evil will win if good people don't do something. I think that got across in both mediums.
[5:06 PM]
And good people are capable of having fun on their own. : )

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:06 PM
Heh, yes.

VardaYesterday at 5:07 PM
Would have been tough to be that playful under Sauron's rule.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:07 PM
A good lesson in celebrating life even when at war.
[5:07 PM]
Perhaps especially when at war.

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 5:08 PM
Here's a description that I like, of the Numenoreans, perhaps apropos here:

VardaYesterday at 5:08 PM
We saw heroes standing up for what was right. For their families, friends, homes.

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 5:09 PM
"For the Dunedain became mighty in crafts, so that if they had had the mind they could easily have surpassed the evil kings of Middle-earth in the making of war and the forging of weapons; but they were become men of peace."(edited)
[5:10 PM]
Tolkien could've written Game of Thrones. He chose Lord of the Rings.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:12 PM
Game of Thrones.. I can't see him writing something that graphic.
[5:13 PM]
But yes, writing about peaceful races rising to action to defend what's good seems rather better than the shades of grey and petty politics of GoT.
[5:14 PM]
Then again, would we have preferred LotR to be 8 seasons?

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 5:15 PM
Game of Thrones, from what I have seen, is also a much more cynical world.
[5:16 PM]
There is more hope for the lowest man in Tolkien's world than there is for the greatest in Martin's. I would make that same argument for Jordan's Wheel of Time series too.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:16 PM
They are two extremes. I suppose realism would lie somewhere in the middle.
[5:19 PM]
If LotR was GoT, Arwen wouldn't have stood a chance of making it to the end...

ArienValarYesterday at 5:20 PM
mission accomplished , Trolls destroyed

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 5:20 PM
Even under Sauron's oppressive rule, there's always the chance of escaping to lands ruled by more reasonable statemen, like Denethor (heh). Where can the people of Martin's world escape to? Zombieland?

ArienValarYesterday at 5:20 PM
uhm yes beyond The Wall

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:20 PM
The North (Starks) was kinda okay... until they were betrayed.

ArienValarYesterday at 5:21 PM
that was other land

VardaYesterday at 5:21 PM
Arien, grats on the troll wipe-out. : )

ArienValarYesterday at 5:21 PM
thanks

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:21 PM
Zul'Gurub?

ArienValarYesterday at 5:21 PM
aye

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 5:21 PM
Yeah, Sean Bean doesn't last long.. I mean good people. Yeah, totally not making a Sean Bean joke....

ArienValarYesterday at 5:21 PM
nope Zul Farak actually with my warrior
[5:22 PM]
she is just 49

VardaYesterday at 5:22 PM
Of course not, Eonwe. ; )

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:22 PM
Ah
[5:22 PM]
Those Sandfury people.

ArienValarYesterday at 5:22 PM
hehe
[5:23 PM]
well ..the starks had kind of bad cards from the start

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:23 PM
I think I saw youtube videos at one point about the many deaths of Sean Bean.

ArienValarYesterday at 5:23 PM
after the wee boy was nearly killed and survived only paralysed
[5:23 PM]
Bran
[5:24 PM]
of course then .. the incestuous twins

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:25 PM
One of the most admirable factions in GoT was made up of criminals and outcasts.
[5:25 PM]
There just weren't a lot of good sides in GoT.
[5:25 PM]
LotR at least had elves and dwarves on the side

ArienValarYesterday at 5:25 PM
and their illegal offspring whom they shoved under Rons father .. and the bitter cripple who had nothing of life apart from rule , the use of his brain and an ocean of cynicism
[5:25 PM]
ruse not rule

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:26 PM
I liked Tyrion. Cynical, yes, but one of the few people who cared more about making the world a better place than his own ambitions. Though he did give himself a key role over and over again

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 5:26 PM
Anyway, my point is that Tolkien could've written a far more cynical and dark book, even given the time of his writing. His book wasn't all sunshine and lollipops, but there is at least hope for the average man in Tolkien's works, even in dark times.

VardaYesterday at 5:27 PM
Aye, Eonwe

ArienValarYesterday at 5:27 PM
there was a good bit of humor in there

VardaYesterday at 5:27 PM
Hope, a major theme. Even Aragorn was Estel/Hope.

ArienValarYesterday at 5:27 PM
i loved that

VardaYesterday at 5:27 PM
Hope was on Frodo's side.

ArienValarYesterday at 5:28 PM
uh yeah indeed

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:28 PM
Sam got across as more hopeful than Frodo.
[5:28 PM]
Always trying to lift his spirits.

VardaYesterday at 5:29 PM
Frodo needed that help since the Ring was dragging him down constantly. Just being a hobbit helped.

ArienValarYesterday at 5:29 PM
hope can be found in unlikely places
[5:30 PM]
Gildor said that fairly at the start

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:31 PM
A single star through the smokes of Mordor.

ArienValarYesterday at 5:34 PM
the last ray of sun on the ruined king statue

VardaYesterday at 5:34 PM
Beautiful. Thank you.  : )
[5:35 PM]
the gavel is all polished and sparkly
[5:35 PM]
it bounces up to the hammerpad and shines it up
[5:35 PM]
whishhhhh!
[5:35 PM]
the gavel returns. The hammerpad is nonplussed but shiny
[5:36 PM]
top

After-meeting!

ArienValarYesterday at 5:36 PM
The Sunset Pippin and Bergil watch after the different regions* soldiers entered the gate
[5:37 PM]
or actually the rise of the sun that returns too early on the battlefield
[5:37 PM]
the sound of a horn

VardaYesterday at 5:39 PM
Those short lines could work into a new poem, guys.

ArienValarYesterday at 5:40 PM
mmh
[5:40 PM]
I like the idea

VardaYesterday at 5:40 PM
: )

ArienValarYesterday at 5:43 PM
well lets think there was something about a nice day in a beautiful landscape after walking days and days through stone , mountain and bog .. sure didn't really last that long but we actually know it brought some relief to Frodo and Sam

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:43 PM
Hmm, going through some of the Torghast powers in Shadowlands, there's some fun stuff here...
[5:43 PM]
"Inflicts Shadow damage equal to 100% of all the damage you receive, split amongst enemies within 5 yds, but you are no longer able to step backwards."
[5:43 PM]
That could be very annoying

ArienValarYesterday at 5:43 PM
hehe sounds fun
[5:45 PM]
but on personal gaming note  i have managed to finish the main grind for my second Paladin 's epic mount and his rep with Zandalar tribe as well as his gear are coming along

VardaYesterday at 5:45 PM
Frodo and Sam did need a break. : )
[5:45 PM]
Grats Arien

ArienValarYesterday at 5:46 PM
of course typical Blizz .. classic or retail ... the ret pali gets holy gear and the holy one ret gear

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:46 PM
Grats!
[5:46 PM]
haha

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 6:01 PM
While we're all here and I'm not getting chased away by thunder and lightning, any comments on my post in the RP anyone would like to make, or does it look good to everyone? ;}

VardaYesterday at 6:02 PM
It looked fine to me. Arien seems to be ok with Phar doing the Helvy post next. And thanks for cutting out a large chunk of geography that we'd have to search.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:02 PM
hehe
[6:03 PM]
Always useful to be able to exclude search area

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 6:04 PM
I thank Tolkien's history for the Rohirrim and a closer inspection of my map that made "East of the Mountains" make plenty of sense for that :}

ArienValarYesterday at 6:04 PM
cool

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:07 PM
"Your ability costs are reduced by 25%, but you are no longer able to view your map." Oh wow.

ArienValarYesterday at 6:07 PM
hahaha
[6:07 PM]
that sounds like a late April joke

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:08 PM
hehe
[6:08 PM]
"Heal 2% of your max health every 1 sec while running."
[6:08 PM]
runs in circle

ArienValarYesterday at 6:08 PM
chuckles&
[6:09 PM]
imagines a 40 man raid facing onyxia running in circles

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 6:09 PM
hehe

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:09 PM
I think these are Torghast only things, not permanent buffs
[6:09 PM]
But it would be fun if they made it to other endgame content.
[6:11 PM]
"Blink no longer has a cooldown or mana cost, but your movement speed is now capped at 3 yards per second."
[6:11 PM]
blink blink blink

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 6:12 PM
Afk for a quick sec.

ArienValarYesterday at 6:12 PM
bed time for me here
[6:12 PM]
Namarie all Valarites

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:12 PM
namarie!

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 6:13 PM
Sleep well :}

VardaYesterday at 6:17 PM
Namarie!

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 6:25 PM
Back.

VardaYesterday at 6:30 PM
Aiyata

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 6:30 PM
Hantal :}

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:37 PM
Personal gaming report!
[6:37 PM]
top

Let's start with some flashgames.
[6:39 PM]
3 upgrade games I've played and possibly linked in the past, 2 of which from the same creator, responsible for a lot of my favorite upgrade games.
[6:40 PM]
https://www.kongregate.com/games/CuriousGaming/wish-upon-a-star is the first one! One star isn't enough for your wish, so you need 1000  Collect falling stars, spending them between days to upgrade your catching abilities. Goal is to reach 1000 at the end of a day, not counting any you've spent up to that point.
    Kongregate
    Wish Upon a Star
    To make a powerful wish, you need a lot of stars.
    Theme: ‘They fall from the sky’
    Kongregate GameJam: Made in 72 hours (or less)

[6:44 PM]
https://www.kongregate.com/games/SilenGames/cyber-chaser is the second game! You play a guy who's taking revenge on a cyborg invasion in his town for smashing his car.
    Kongregate
    Cyber Chaser
    Run, jump, duck and shoot in this super addictive runner. Complete missions, unlock weapons and purchase an array of upgrades.
    The game combines the exciting...
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:53 PM
Collect coins, fuel, and other stuff to upgrade everything from abilities to weapons to support items that can drop during the game.
[6:53 PM]
Platform your way through all stages and complete all quests

[6:59 PM]
https://www.kongregate.com/games/SilenGames/icy-fishes is the last one! A chain reaction game where you have to blow up floating pieces of ice, get awards/achievements to buy upgrades and unlock bombs, and get gold to place those bombs to explode more!
    Kongregate
    Icy Fishes
    A fun chain reaction game with strategic system. Help the octopus to rescue fishes from ice floes to... eat them.
[6:59 PM]
Clear all the levels
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Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 7:09 PM
Blizzard gaming:
[7:12 PM]
Heroes of the Storm:
Still level 413, no new levels. Had a few low level heroes that are not in my active roster but I did have some brawling experience with in the 3 brawl matches, but none of them gained a level, though one was close.
[7:13 PM]
I think I got myself a legendary skin, but I can't remember for which hero
[7:13 PM]
ah yes, pretty sure it was butcher.. interesting skin that was
[7:17 PM]
Hearthstone:
Rolling pretty well in this new season, but the next one's almost starting already... seems weird  no new levels on the Demon Hunter, but got a few more wins on other classes.
[7:18 PM]
Brawl is an oldy but fun: Each player chooses a class and a deck full of 4 copies of random legendaries, as well as some cards to make them cheaper to play.
[7:18 PM]
Luck needed, but a lot of power in short matches, so it's fun

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 8:09 PM
WoW:
[8:12 PM]
Raiding still going, but in a slightly different format. Our thursday raid was replaced with a photoshoot of sorts, where we took all our void dragon mounts from the N'Zoth achievement, gathered in the outside area of Ahn'Qiraj in Silithus, and took a group picture of as many of our raiders as possible. Turned out nicely
[8:12 PM]
We had a poll about interest in trying mythic difficulty, which I believe is still under consideration, but we may not have enough people to steadily have 20-man raids.
[8:13 PM]
Instead, for now, our sunday raids will be alt-raids to prepare people who want to switch main character for the next expansion, as well as bring some friends including members of a French guild who might want to join us in full by the time of Shadowlands.
[8:14 PM]
I don't have any alts at that level, but it'll be interesting anyway. And easy, hopefully, since they'll be normal difficulty.
[8:14 PM]
That said, today's raid was still a heroic poke, clearing the first 3 and last 2 bosses through the shortcut, so we're still getting gear from there and items to upgrade our cloaks.
[8:15 PM]
I had a few tries at soloing 5-mask horrific vision of Orgrimmar, but with no success. Just didn't have a good day I suppose, and didn't make it very far in either attempt  Split Personality is not my favorite affix, anyway!
[8:17 PM]
I'll keep it to 2 tries a week. There's not much of an urgency to complete it other than some feats of strength that might be unavailable in 9.0, but with no other rewards to unlock from it I never really worry about feats that I'm having trouble with. Either I'll get them or I won't!
[8:17 PM]
And if I don't make it, I can always grind for the mount and cloak appearance during the next expansion when I'm 10 levels higher
[8:18 PM]
I did notice while buying an entry vessel for the horrific vision, that the 3 vision-essences had their rank 4 available for purchase, probably unlocked after 5-masking the visions either solo or in group. Not sure why I didn't notice them last week.
[8:19 PM]
In any case, I now have the rank 4 (cosmetic rank) for Spark of Inspiration, Strength of the Warden and Unwavering Ward. The second one is the tanking one which I actually use, so that's nice
[8:21 PM]
There's a new feature this reset, specific corruptions to buy with a currency which was previously only available to alts for buying essences you already had on your main, but now with the corruptions to purchase all characters can get the echoes. They come from emissaries, assaults, raid kills, and other stuff.
[8:22 PM]
I'm pretty sure which corruptions I want to buy to complete my gear up to 140 corruption, but I do need a bunch of echoes for that, so I've been doing those activities, including taking up emissaries again.
[8:22 PM]
Which also coincides with the weekly quest to do 20 world quests, so that's fine  In fact, I've calculated I'll hit exactly 20 this reset.
[8:24 PM]
No TA yet, still working on the new WoW biography, though I've made good progress on it this week! Maybe next week.
[8:24 PM]
And that's my report for the week!
[8:26 PM]
Oh, I guess I can add that Game of Thrones is doing well, with more buildings at 25, my army built up a bit again, and research progressing well. There was a new update that increases the power rating from upgrading commanders, which boosted me well over the 30 million rating I was going for, unlocking a new nobility rank and with it a new progress bar for pvp fights, which in turn made me decide to give enemy assaults a bit more resistance, by building up my defensive fortifications. Coupled with my secure resource cap, it should make it less attractive for other players to attack me, but when they do, I'll actually get something out of it
[8:28 PM]
So yes, the game's chugging along quite nicely now, and I'm looking forward to continuing all the quests for construction and research. I'm almost at the second-highest level experiencewise as well!
[8:28 PM]
I can keep you posted if I hit more important milestones

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 8:35 PM
Oh, missed something for WoW.
[8:36 PM]
I may have failed to complete the horrific vision, but I did get the final pet from it, a Void-Scarred Toad, as well as a toy, the Void-Touched Souvenir Totem. So that's profit!

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 8:52 PM
Congrats :}

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 8:52 PM
Thanks

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 8:53 PM
I should probably try a 3-mask before Tuesday, but I shudder at dealing with Rexxar. Is it odd that I find 3-mask Stormwind easier than thinking about 3-mask Orgrimmar? :}

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 8:53 PM
Well, 5-mask Stormwind I managed to get to the final boss, Orgrimmar I wiped at 2 and a half zones...
[8:53 PM]
It also depends on affixes.

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 8:54 PM
True.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 8:54 PM
I guess I'm more familiar with SW overall.
[8:54 PM]
Both as a city and for visions.

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 8:54 PM
But Rexxar always feels like a pain, and I can mostly deal with everyone in Stormwind, hehe.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 8:54 PM
Yeah, Rexxar is painful.
[8:54 PM]
Shaw is pretty bad too, though.

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 8:54 PM
Especially after realizing I could kick the bombs, heh.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 8:54 PM
Hah.

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 8:57 PM
Shaw can be annoying, no doubt. Don't know why I mind him less than Rexxar, but I do.
[8:57 PM]
Maybe because I have more room to move in.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 8:58 PM
Yes, that helps.
[8:58 PM]
Anyway, time to go... will make my own transcript copy first
[8:59 PM]
namarie!

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 9:00 PM
Sleep well ;}

VardaYesterday at 10:20 PM
Namarie Phar

VardaYesterday at 11:13 PM
May your Memorial Day go well. Namarie

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