March28, 2010 Transcript of the Sunday Meeting of the Valar Guild

You have just entered room "valarguildmeetingplace."

Eonwe Valar has entered the room.

AriehnV has entered the room.
Eonwe Valar: Heya.

ArPharazonV: Aiya both
Eonwe Valar: Afk for a minute, then I suppose we'll begin.
AriehnV: aiya Valarites :-)
Eonwe Valar: Ok, back.\
Eonwe Valar: Everyone I can send an invite has one.
AriehnV: all right
Eonwe Valar: I guess this is going to be a very quick meeting.

ArPharazonV: who did you get, in case we don't want to invite double?
AriehnV: i think people might be busy with family and things like that , since the easter holiday started
Eonwe Valar: Arwen, fladrif, Gilraen, and Menel.

ArPharazonV: ehr.. easter's not until next week though

VardaValar1 has entered the room.
AriehnV: and Varda just sind in
VardaValar1: Aiya!
AriehnV: there she is :-)

ArPharazonV: Aiya!
Eonwe Valar: Heya Varda :}
AriehnV: aiya :-)
VardaValar1: A poem was just sent in and I was hurrying to put it online. Now up. :-)
Eonwe Valar: Aye, this week is Palm Sunday.
Eonwe Valar: Cool :} Now we have something to say in Web News when we get there :}
VardaValar1: :-)
Eonwe Valar: Ok, let's begin the Meeting :}
top

Eonwe Valar: Elen Sila Lumenn Omentielvo!
Eonwe Valar: As said, today is Palm Sunday, so maybe that's where everyone is right now :}
Eonwe Valar: Any Membership news from any of you?
VardaValar1: We have some people interested in joining us, but haven't made it through yet.
Eonwe Valar: Cool :}

ArPharazonV: well, I hope pc stuff is settled now, haven't crashed in a few days (knock on wood) after fiddling a bit with my graphics card inside the pc case, though I don't see how that would've changed anything

ArPharazonV: Of course, at this point I'm just awaiting the next crash to arrive.

ArPharazonV: but no more news otherwise
Eonwe Valar: Good luck :}
top

Eonwe Valar: OK, Web News:
Eonwe Valar: New Poem up on the Poems page :} Any more you want to tell us about it, Varda?
VardaValar1: The new poem is "My Immortal" by Alcardilme-(T)
VardaValar1: http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/poetry/MyImmortal.htm
VardaValar1: It's a lament by Faramir for Boromir.

ArPharazonV: hmm *checks annotation at the bottom* I figured it'd be inspired by Evanescence
VardaValar1: She plans to send us her completed rewrite of a novel on Denethor, so that will be going up soon, probably.
VardaValar1: Maybe that's an error?

ArPharazonV: no, it was a confirmation
VardaValar1: I copy/pasted, not good with music.

ArPharazonV: though I'm not sure if that first c is actually in there, it's a tough name to remember...

ArPharazonV: anyway, continue
Eonwe Valar: The title of the poem is remeniscent of an Evanescence song :}
VardaValar1: ah, ok, that's what it says on the page, aye.
VardaValar1: I've also been repairing the A-Z Encyclopedia.

ArPharazonV: Aye. I meant that I figured it was inspired when I saw the title, and then I clicked the link and was confirmed.
VardaValar1: I added more links to the bottom to the other parts of the Tolkien Site, and did a lot of repairs so the links go properly to the A-Z part.
VardaValar1: If you find some that are still nutty, please let me know.
VardaValar1: Feel free to send in articles, poetry, art, etc. :-)
VardaValar1: I'm done.
Eonwe Valar: Thanks :}
Eonwe Valar: On the Games Page, you'll notice a change to the Gaming News.
VardaValar1: I missed a membership news item: Nimrodel's birthday was this week.

ArPharazonV: Congratulations!
VardaValar1: http://valarguild.org/eonwe/index.php
Eonwe Valar: First, it now says "Gaming News" followed by the year at the top. I thought it could use a header :}
VardaValar1: That is nice. : )
Eonwe Valar: Second, links now work in the Gaming News again.
Eonwe Valar: I've retroactively applied this to the 2010 news, so rather than having the URL in text, you can click a link again, but I'm not going back to apply it to the 2009 news.
VardaValar1: That should be fine. It's the new thing for 2010 after all.
Eonwe Valar: Hopefully there's more to come soon :} the Games Page work is never done :}
VardaValar1: Know that feeling, hehe.
top

Eonwe Valar: Gaming:
Eonwe Valar: Diablo 2:
Eonwe Valar: The 1.13 patch went out this week.
Eonwe Valar: I couldn't find any patch notes for it on the page, so you may just have to download it to find out what's in it.

ArPharazonV: Hmm, let me look, I've got some official links in my bookmarks..
Eonwe Valar: WoW: Patch 3.3.3 went out this week, and brought to us Random Battlegrounds.
Eonwe Valar: It also brought a vendor in Dalaran willing to sell us items for our frozen orbs.
Eonwe Valar: This includes a(nother) flying carpet pattern for tailors.
Eonwe Valar: Lothar: A few of us have been on, the usual suspects like Fangorn, Elwing, and myself mostly :}
VardaValar1: I have two flying carpet patterns, so this is a third? Cool.
Eonwe Valar: I guess so :}
VardaValar1: I was on also, in both servers.
VardaValar1: Bilbo and Eowyn were also on.
VardaValar1: Bunch of us ran last night.
VardaValar1: (not me)
Eonwe Valar: LotRO: Your floor here too, Varda :}

ArPharazonV: Hmm, can't find the patchnotes for Diablo II either. Ended up at the patch-page but it's only to 1.12 so far.
AriehnV: brought on lots of disconnections and lag issues too

ArPharazonV: Good to know the strategy sites are still operational though...

ArPharazonV: anyway, continue
VardaValar1: WoW Uldaman server: I was on, leveled and had fun. :-)
VardaValar1: LotRO:
VardaValar1: The Spring Festival started March 23, 2010 with new games, including shrew-stomping in the gardens.
VardaValar1: Some old fun games are back including the maze.
VardaValar1: Welcome Back Weekend started a tad early on March 25 Thursday, with free horse rides and 5% extra experience.
VardaValar1: Much high and low level questing has been going on and we're vying to see who gets the kinhouse rent paid first.
Eonwe Valar: Any other gaming go on this week?
VardaValar1: Bilbo and Sauron have been in Dragon Age and Mass Effect 1.
VardaValar1: StarCraft/BroodWar for Fangorn, Eowyn, Sauron, and Varda.
AriehnV: Arienwyn dinged 37 :-)
Eonwe Valar: Conrgats :}
Eonwe Valar: Congrats even
AriehnV: thankies :-)
Eonwe Valar: Any other gaming news before we move on to Tolkien?

ArPharazonV: did some Guildwars, not much.... but mostly WoW for me

ArPharazonV: I saw Menelvagor online there for a bit

ArPharazonV: since the server he plays on now was down at the time, he decided to visit Argent Dawn :-) we chatted a bit
AriehnV: oh he is back :-)?

ArPharazonV: not for real on AD, but I believe he's raiding on another server now?
VardaValar1: We don't see him on LotRO. He went to his lady friend's WoW server.
AriehnV: ah i see
AriehnV: hehe what women can do lol
top

Eonwe Valar: Ok, whisper me Tolkien topics, or you'll get one of mine :}
Eonwe Valar: You don't *really* want to risk one of *my* topics, do you? :}
Eonwe Valar: Everyone who's here, spell Boromir :}

ArPharazonV: B... O... hmm... now it's getting difficult

ArPharazonV: S? D? R?

ArPharazonV: probably R
Eonwe Valar: So just me and Phar then? :}

ArPharazonV: guess so
Eonwe Valar: It's a good thing I don't hold trivia every Sunday after the meeting and offer prizes on Lothar for the winner :} I'd never have to award prizes to anyone :}

karakedi25 has entered the room.
karakedi25: Aiya
Eonwe Valar: OK, Phar, let's spin the Valar's Wheel of Destiny! *Brings out a giant wheel stored in the Halls of Mandos*
Eonwe Valar: Heya Indis :}

ArPharazonV: Aiya!

ArPharazonV: hmm... can I buy a vowel?
Eonwe Valar: Just in time for Tolkien :}
Eonwe Valar: *Grabs spoke on the wheel and gives it a mighty spin, causing it to cycle through the options at blinding speed*

ArPharazonV: Just for a humorous link that I got reminded of by your wheel of destiny... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv6IWX1_XHQ
Eonwe Valar: *Wheel slows down. It's almost possible to read the options*

ArPharazonV: Animaniacs, Wheel of Morality compilation
Eonwe Valar: Aye, I remember that :}
Eonwe Valar: Wheel of Destiny, turn turn turn. Tell us the Tolkien that we should learn :}

ArPharazonV: hehe
Eonwe Valar: *Wheel lands on.......*
Eonwe Valar: Tolkien Trivia :}
Eonwe Valar: Anyone besides Phar and I here? :}
Eonwe Valar: And Indis? :}
karakedi25: I am
Eonwe Valar: OK, since it's just we three, let's do it this way:
Eonwe Valar: Rather than cycling through everyone, we'll just do a sort of showdown :} Whoever gets the answer first asks the next question :}
Eonwe Valar: Sounds good?

ArPharazonV: sure
karakedi25: kind of hard on anyone who gets a series of them right

ArPharazonV: *grin* ask a question, answer a question, ask, answer, ask, answer...
Eonwe Valar: At worst, it trades back and forth between two people, but I don't think between we three that'll happen often.
Eonwe Valar: *often.
Eonwe Valar: oh, it did show "often" at the end, nm :}
Eonwe Valar: OK, let's start this way.. Ladies first, Indis :}
karakedi25: I don't have anything prepared.
Eonwe Valar: Aw.

ArPharazonV: aw, you can think of something!
karakedi25: looking now
Eonwe Valar: Not every question has to be incredibly difficult :}
karakedi25: under which king did the Mereth Aderthad take place?

ArPharazonV: Ugh, I'm horrible at Lat.. I mean Elvish. Let's see, let's translate first.
karakedi25: can anyone translate?
Eonwe Valar: I believe it was Maedhros that called/hosted it, but Fingolfin had been given the High-kingship by then.
karakedi25: It was Fingolfin
karakedi25: means Feast of Reuniting
VardaValar1: [Back. Was working with Phar on adding more webcomics to the Links page:

ArPharazonV: ahh
VardaValar1: http://valarguild.org/varda/links/links.html#Web_Comics
VardaValar1: Interruption over.]
Eonwe Valar: Are you joining the Showdown Varda? :}
VardaValar1: About to scroll back and see what you're up to. :-)
karakedi25: Phar, who was reunited? Do you remember?

ArPharazonV: Probably the Eldar and Sindar after Fingolfin led the Noldor over the ice?
karakedi25: close

ArPharazonV: Noldor who came by boats and Noldor who went over the ice?
karakedi25: closer

ArPharazonV: then I don't know without looking it up
karakedi25: The feast included all of the elves of Beleriand, though some were better represented than others.

ArPharazonV: yeah but who was reunited, then?
karakedi25: in particular, the Feanorians and the other Noldor, as you said, but also attempted to build bonds of friendship with the Teleri

ArPharazonV: allright
Eonwe Valar: So, I guess you have to ask a new question? :}
karakedi25: Someone else's turn
VardaValar1: Not by the rules stated earlier. :-)

ArPharazonV: Ehrm, I think it's your turn. You got the King right.
karakedi25: I asked the question.

ArPharazonV: Eonwe's turn I mean.
AriehnV: well then i ask one if u dont want to
Eonwe Valar: I didn't know if Indis was going to take my answer or not, since it didn't seem it was right.
AriehnV: or Eonwe asks

ArPharazonV: I mean, I can ask one if you want, but I thought Eonwe got it right.
karakedi25: I was giving you the official answer
VardaValar1: We don't prepare ahead of time for this stuff, by the way.
Eonwe Valar: The purpose of this is that the first person to answer correctly asks the next question, so if nobody got it, by necessity the asker would have to pose another one.
VardaValar1: Official would be in the book.
karakedi25: that's what I meant
karakedi25: give me a minute if you want me to ask another'
Eonwe Valar: Typcially the asker would be the one to say "Correct, (name)" or similar.

ArPharazonV: The question was who was king at the time, and Eonwe said the high king at the time was Fingolfin, which was correct..?
karakedi25: no one got it fully right

ArPharazonV: or "under what king".. anyway
karakedi25: OK, yes
karakedi25: so Eonwe
karakedi25: I meant which king called the feast, but no real difference

ArPharazonV: Ah.
VardaValar1: karakedi25 : under which king did the Mereth Aderthad take place?
karakedi25: so Eonwe's turn to ask a question
Eonwe Valar: ok.
Eonwe Valar: Here's an easy one :}
Eonwe Valar: Name for me one Dwarf woman :}
VardaValar1: Dis
karakedi25: Dis
Eonwe Valar: Varda got it out first, hehe.
karakedi25: good, Varda gets it
VardaValar1: Who headed the elves that aided the hobbits escape from the Black Rider before Crickhollow?
Eonwe Valar: Gildor
VardaValar1: Right.
karakedi25: Inglorian

ArPharazonV: Gildor Inglorion I believe
karakedi25: -ion
VardaValar1: Gildor Inglorion, aye, Eonwe got it first. : )
Eonwe Valar: Who's horse did Frodo borrow to cross the Ford into Rivendell?
VardaValar1: Glorfindel's
karakedi25: Glorfindel

ArPharazonV: Glorfindel's

ArPharazonV: bah, I type too slowly

ArPharazonV: need more practice ;-)
Eonwe Valar: Tenths of a second in the difference between these responses :}
VardaValar1: I've seen game lag make the difference. :-)
VardaValar1: Could be AIM lag too.
Eonwe Valar: Blame Gwaihir for my fast typing. Running a trivia against him can be a challenge :}
karakedi25: I'm faster if I can skip upper case

ArPharazonV: same, and the ' was annoying too
karakedi25: you didn't need a possessive there
VardaValar1: What's another name for Aragorn?

ArPharazonV: Elessar
karakedi25: Strider
AriehnV: Estel
Eonwe Valar: Thorongil, now that the other names have been used :}
VardaValar1: Pharazon got it first, but that was fun. All different and all right.
VardaValar1: hehe

ArPharazonV: :-)
VardaValar1: Wingfoot

ArPharazonV: I'm sure there are others, I wonder what his name was in the southern lands... anyway
VardaValar1: Thorongil
karakedi25: Thorongil

ArPharazonV: that was not my question, btw
AriehnV: longshanks ^^
Eonwe Valar: :}
VardaValar1: Good, Arien : )

ArPharazonV: What was the northernmost harbor belonging to the King's Men of Numenor in Middle-earth?
karakedi25: Umbar

ArPharazonV: correct
AriehnV: Caer Lond
AriehnV: oh no thats west isnt it
karakedi25: Who was Elrond's chief advisor?
VardaValar1: Erestor

ArPharazonV: Glorfindel?
karakedi25: Varda has it
AriehnV: Erestor

ArPharazonV: allright

ArPharazonV: *shrug* need to read more
VardaValar1: These meetings help a lot too.

ArPharazonV: That's true.
VardaValar1: Name a named weapon from the Lord of the Rings.
Eonwe Valar: Glamdring
AriehnV: Sting
karakedi25: Anduril
VardaValar1: (It's ok to keep naming just for fun)

ArPharazonV: Narsil, Anduril, Aeglos...

ArPharazonV: Orcrist
Eonwe Valar: The Witch-King :}
VardaValar1: One Ring ;-)
Eonwe Valar: Fear :}

ArPharazonV: B...B... what was Tuor's weapon?
AriehnV: Mormegil

ArPharazonV: Dramborleg, that's it
Eonwe Valar: I want to say Dramborleg, but it's my turn to ask the question :}
karakedi25: that was Turin
AriehnV: aye true

ArPharazonV: Ringil
VardaValar1: Given by Ulmo?
Eonwe Valar: Ok, let's try something *slightly* harder.

ArPharazonV: Fingolfin's sword I think
VardaValar1: Ringil was Fingolfin's, aye
Eonwe Valar: Who was the king of Dale during the War of the Ring?
VardaValar1: Turin's sword was Gurthang/Anglachel

ArPharazonV: B..rand?
karakedi25: Tirom was called the Mormegil
karakedi25: *Turin
karakedi25: not my day for typing

ArPharazonV: otherwise, Bard.. but not sure whether the II or the III....
Eonwe Valar: As the only one within even 5 seconds of my question, Phar, you get it :}
VardaValar1: Agrees with Phar.
VardaValar1: Brand
karakedi25: that's the only one I can think of. Son or grandson of Bard?
VardaValar1: grand
AriehnV: grand

ArPharazonV: grand, I think
Eonwe Valar: It was Brand, son of Bain, son of Bard.
VardaValar1: Anyway, Phar's turn now.
Eonwe Valar: Ay.e Gogo Phar :}

ArPharazonV: ok, who, in the book, says: "Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger." ?
AriehnV: Gloin
karakedi25: Gildor, I think
Eonwe Valar: Gildor
AriehnV: er gimly

ArPharazonV: Indis is correct, as is Eonwe, but too late :-)
VardaValar1: afk
AriehnV: Never ask the elves for advice for they will say yes and no

ArPharazonV: :-)
Eonwe Valar: :}
AriehnV: :-)
karakedi25: How did the Three Hunters get confirmation that they were on the trail of the abducted hobbits in Rohan?
Eonwe Valar: Found a leaf-shaped brooch.
karakedi25: correct
karakedi25: too easy
karakedi25: how did the brooch get there?
Eonwe Valar: Pippin "dropped" it :}
karakedi25: yes

ArPharazonV: one of the hobbits ran off from the group, dropped his brooch, and was taken back, I think?

ArPharazonV: Pippin, then
karakedi25: yes

ArPharazonV: the Hunters found the trail leading off, and located the brooch there
karakedi25: Eonwe's turn
Eonwe Valar: Let's see...
Eonwe Valar: What is the Dwarvish name for Aulė?
karakedi25: Mahal
VardaValar1: mahal
Eonwe Valar: Indis got it first :}
AriehnV: if u want a bit metal and picture guessing have a look at that :-) /www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqeppsozj9o&feature=related , just for fun
AriehnV: some i recognise and some i dont
karakedi25: OK, here's a tricky one....
karakedi25: When did Gollum destroy the lembas that Frodo and Sam were carrying with them?
VardaValar1: Didn't
Eonwe Valar: He didn't.
karakedi25: awwwwww

ArPharazonV: hehe
VardaValar1: Hey, it's us. :-)
karakedi25: varda was first

ArPharazonV: I knew it was not at the stairs, but I was wondering if he did it somewhere else

ArPharazonV: Ithilien maybe
Eonwe Valar: Movie-difference ones are good. Some we use on entry tests :}
VardaValar1: Aye
VardaValar1: How was the Witch-king able to destroy Gandalf's staff?

ArPharazonV: ... now I'm paranoid... did he, in the book?
karakedi25: I don't remember that he did
Eonwe Valar: He didn't.

Menelvagor Valar has entered the room.
VardaValar1: Eonwe is right.
Menelvagor Valar: Aiya!
VardaValar1: It was in the extended DVD, not the books.
VardaValar1: Aiya Menel :-)
karakedi25: aiya!
VardaValar1: It was not possible.

ArPharazonV: aye, I remember the scene in the movie
Eonwe Valar: They had only met for a mere moment at the broken gates of Minas Tirith before the Witch-King went back into the fray of the battle.
Menelvagor Valar: Just got home, and slightly intoxicated.

ArPharazonV: aiya Menel
VardaValar1: Maybe you should go find some coffee. : )
AriehnV: aiya .. hic
Menelvagor Valar: thanks Arien :-)
Eonwe Valar: OK, let's go with this one...
Menelvagor Valar: You'll find that Alcohol has very little sway over my grammatical abilities *grin*
VardaValar1: Menel, go ahead with your membership news.
Menelvagor Valar: Okies :-)
Menelvagor Valar: In short...
Menelvagor Valar: I had my 29th birthday last monday.
Menelvagor Valar: End shortness.

ArPharazonV: Congratulations!
karakedi25: Happy birthday
AriehnV: beppy hirthday ^^ :-D
VardaValar1: Happy birthday, Menelvagor. :-)
Eonwe Valar: Congratualtions and Happy Birthday :}
Menelvagor Valar: Thanksies :-)
AriehnV: youngling :-)#
VardaValar1: Added it to the News page. :-)
Menelvagor Valar: Cool :-)
Menelvagor Valar: and yes, I am young still :-)
Menelvagor Valar: only one year to go, and then I figure I can be considered "old'ish".
AriehnV: hmm which is the first beverage mentioned in LotR :-)?
Menelvagor Valar: Hobbit water?
Menelvagor Valar: or beer?
Menelvagor Valar: beer most likely.
VardaValar1: Beer?
Eonwe Valar: It's still my question :}
karakedi25: or ale
Menelvagor Valar: ah, we're doing round robin on LotRO questions? :-)

ArPharazonV: we're doing "who gets it right, asks the next one" but with this many people we might want to reconsider
Eonwe Valar: If you get it right, you ask next question :}
AriehnV: aye and its Eonwes question
Menelvagor Valar: righto :-)
AriehnV: but Beer yes
Eonwe Valar: Let's see, we have..

ArPharazonV: I think you had one already, Eonwe
Eonwe Valar: Indis, Eonwė, Phar, Arien, Varda, and Menel now? Am I missing anyone?
AriehnV: i think its sam sitting in the green dragon over a mug of beer
VardaValar1: afk

ArPharazonV: right, gossipping about frodo
AriehnV: :-)
VardaValar1: back
Eonwe Valar: WB :}
VardaValar1: and walking trees.
VardaValar1: Speaking of which, we're missing ours.
Eonwe Valar: Are we all still willing and able to continue? If we're going to switch formats I want to make sure we're not going overtime for anyone.

ArPharazonV: I should be going soon, but I've been known to stretch it.
Menelvagor Valar: I think that was more about the wealth and riches hidden in Bag End :P
VardaValar1: I may be slipping out to start some supper, won't take long.
Menelvagor Valar: I'm willing to continue :-)
AriehnV: i am still all right for a bit altho i am getting a bit sleepy but more out of habit grin
AriehnV: was off today and will be on lates tomorrrow
top

karakedi25: I hope we'll discuss the RP
Menelvagor Valar: oh boy.
VardaValar1: afk
Menelvagor Valar: been a while for me, hasn't it?
Eonwe Valar: Might want to read up on the RP, Menel :}
karakedi25: short afk
Menelvagor Valar: I suppose :-)
AriehnV: aye i am not sure whether ur character slipped out somewhere but you can always catch im up to the rest of us
Menelvagor Valar: but it's bound to be a tad difficult currently.
Menelvagor Valar: I think last time I posted, I was pinned down by.. uhm... a horse and Fralķ.
Eonwe Valar: I think you have a post or two after that.
AriehnV: you woke up and back to ur senses i think

ArPharazonV: that was.. quite a while now, we've already spent a night somewhere and have moved on
Menelvagor Valar: Aye.
karakedi25: back
Menelvagor Valar: I suppose I have ridden on with the party silently.
Menelvagor Valar: wb Indis.
AriehnV: wb Indis
karakedi25: ty
Eonwe Valar: Would make sense that Estarion would've. Where else would he go in Mirkwood that wouldn't get him run into orcs or spiders at this point? :}
Eonwe Valar: Though we ended up running into orcs and spiders too, but that's not the point :}
karakedi25: you could do a catch-up post about how you spent some time recovering from the travails of that day

ArPharazonV: Aye. That's a bit how I started my own post.
AriehnV: i d guess anyway Estarion might be a bit guild ridden or embarrassed about his behaviour even though its not his fault
karakedi25: more likely embarrassed
Menelvagor Valar: I was thinking much the same Arien :-)
AriehnV: so likely he wouldnt be very chatty .. , didnt have the impression he is of the chatty type :-)
Menelvagor Valar: Well, he is a stranger to the party more or less.
Menelvagor Valar: An Elf though he may be, he's had less dealing with the Elves of Mirkwood or even of Imladris than the Dwarves of Erebor.
Menelvagor Valar: or his people for that matter.
Menelvagor Valar: anyways, reading up, a bit slower than usual, but reading *smile*
Eonwe Valar: I really have nothing to add to the RP yet. I'll have to see how the situation plays out.
VardaValar1: I had assumed he was riding silently with the group.
VardaValar1: None of the group seems chatty.
karakedi25: waiting for Menel to finish reading

ArPharazonV: well it's raining, Varda ;-)
Eonwe Valar: I think she's referring to overall :}
VardaValar1: Overall, we hardly chat.
Eonwe Valar: Thinking about it, I wonder how much dialogue we really have that isn't "We must run!" or "Let's fight!"

ArPharazonV: Hmm. That's true. I for one am bad at social interaction, and I prefer to focus on action scenes rather than small chat. But it would be nice to mix it up once in a while.
karakedi25: we chatted some at Thranduil's hall
VardaValar1: We're pretty much what in D&D is called a hack & slash group.

ArPharazonV: Just have a 3-page conversation on the road while nothing in particular happens. But forum posts are hard for that.
VardaValar1: We put in some spots so we could interact, on purpose.
Eonwe Valar: Aye, campfire scenes being among them.
VardaValar1: Mostly nothing happened.
VardaValar1: So we'll have an action story. Nothing wrong with that. : )
karakedi25: for now, there's not much opportunity to chat in the midst of an ambush, but maybe after it's over, we can share our stories of what we did in the fight, or even background, or whatever...
VardaValar1: I meant interaction.

ArPharazonV: We've got a pretty good way to Rivendell, and I don't see much happening yet on that journey, when it comes to action scenes.
Eonwe Valar: I was going to say, an interesting discussion on the RP might be on character interaction: how each character sees another character, and not by the words of the author behind the character, but from the other authors based on how we've managed to show that interaction within the story.
karakedi25: Meren has been waiting for a chance to learn more about dwarves from Frali, and probably more about the Avari

ArPharazonV: Maybe we'll skip over the trip in 3 posts, but it might be a nice chance to interact.
Eonwe Valar: Anyone interested in doing that? We can pick on Auros first if everyone wants, hehe.
karakedi25: let's get through the current emergency, and then it would be nice to set up some opportunities for the kind of thing people are suggesting
VardaValar1: We can show how we view the others in our thoughts and actions. We don't need to have a long discourse on what we did previously ourselves. Interaction is between people, not just about ourselves.
VardaValar1: You can do it anytime, during action scenes where you help one person over another for a reason, or treat one a little differently.
VardaValar1: How characters interact doesn't wait until nothing is going on.
AriehnV: Frali is feeling far too much *out of place * at the moment
AriehnV: he is a dwarf among elves
AriehnV: two people that didnt get along very weel with each other over time
AriehnV: he is a warrior, has nothing to fight nothing to kill and is still verra young
VardaValar1: Thranduil seemed to become more friendly with Dwarves near the end of the Hobbit, but Legolas still seemed to have the old bad feelings, had to come from somewhere.

ArPharazonV: I have no idea anymore what Calion is up to. I've fleshed out Calaron (or basically, the sorcerer occupying Calaron) more than I ever did with Calion, I think, and Calaron won't even be a permanent character.
AriehnV: aye and i think Frali shares that a wee bit since he is a distant nephew to Gloin
AriehnV: he wasnt born until a bit after the battle of the five armies

ArPharazonV: I know Calion's somewhat of a noble (and yet with some hostility to Noldor nobles it seems?) but he's also a nature-guy and communicates with animals, and he likes to do his own thing while not neglecting his duty.... but further personality is completely absent

ArPharazonV: and I'm not sure how to change that
Eonwe Valar: Could read up on the Silvan Elves to get some ideas? :}

ArPharazonV: maybe
VardaValar1: You need to give him some background. How does he feel about the other races and why? What's his goal in life?
VardaValar1: He had a girlfriend.

ArPharazonV: hmm, that's not a bad idea

ArPharazonV: no, Calion didn't, I think... it was Calaron who had a semi-girlfriend
AriehnV: else Frali is good natured , has a wicked sense of humour but is also very adventurous and curious, likely to get himself into trouble (see my first story i wrote after joining :-) )
VardaValar1: The one that got shot.
Menelvagor Valar: I think Farli and Estarion are more alike than they think :-)

ArPharazonV: that was Calaron's love-interest, yes, not Calion's
karakedi25: They're both strangers in the party
Menelvagor Valar: well, not to the party, but to the kinship that most share.
VardaValar1: What kinship do the others share?
Menelvagor Valar: Indis, Fainan and Meren are all from Mirkwood, and Auros, well, he's Auros :-)
Eonwe Valar: hehe
Eonwe Valar: Indis = Meren :}
Menelvagor Valar: My apologies.

ArPharazonV: Calion's a strange case. Noble, yet nature-hugging... disciplined, but doesn't like to be ordered around. I have a feeling it's a mix of what I want to be (or would be as an elf) and what I am. So far I haven't given him much to go on, but what there is seems strangely contradictory.
VardaValar1: They are from different parts of the society, so they don't bump into each other's circles much.
karakedi25: the separation between the Avari and the Eldar happened long before that between the Teleri and the Noldor
Eonwe Valar: Or perhaps Indis => Meren (with => being an arrow, not greaterthan/equal to ) :}
karakedi25: Meren is cautious around Calion, as she is aware that he takes his nobility rather seriously
karakedi25: and does not wish to be snubbed because she isn't noble
VardaValar1: Calion is a noble, Meren is a teacher, Fainan is a scout. They don't run together naturally.
Menelvagor Valar: Well, if an outsider would look onto the party, I think they'd say that Frali is the most odd one out.

ArPharazonV: If he is, you know more than me. I just figured I'm stubborn.
Menelvagor Valar: followed by Estarion and then Auros.
Eonwe Valar: The Silvan Elves in general are more,.. simple for lack of a better word, in their lifestyle, Phar. The Sindar essentially went back to this lifestyle when they came among them.
VardaValar1: They went back to nature. : )
Menelvagor Valar: But Auros, by virtue of being Noldo has natural tendencies to leadership, therefore not being so much phased by there being any difference.

ArPharazonV: So maybe Calion *is* disciplined, but more used to working alone?
karakedi25: Phar, Meren doesn't *know* it--she is assuming it based on lack of information and some aspects of Calion's manner

ArPharazonV: Look. I've got Character Development already. Amazing.
Menelvagor Valar: And Calion might be a noble, but he is effectively of the same racial branch as Meren, a Scholar and Fainan as Scout in the Military.

ArPharazonV: True.
Menelvagor Valar: so, if looked at in-depth, we're all somewhat at odds with the company we presently keep.

ArPharazonV: You know, I might write up a biography. I've done several of those for WoW, and I might write one down for Calion in the RP.
Menelvagor Valar: at odds not meaning disagreeing, but unused to each other's company.

ArPharazonV: I wouldn't post it of course, since you're not really supposed to know it, but I could base my personality and actions on it.
Eonwe Valar: Sounds like a good idea, Phar :}
VardaValar1: Aye
Menelvagor Valar: You should post it though :-)
karakedi25: Meren's main concern is not to be a burden, and to make her place in the company when she can.
Menelvagor Valar: I think we're all good enough role players not to take into account anything we're not supposed to know / have experienced.
Menelvagor Valar: Aye Indis, and as the latest addition to the party, that would make it difficult to her in that respect.
karakedi25: She's aware that under normal circumstances, she would not have been selected, and she is very eager for the new knowledge and experiences the trip promises
Menelvagor Valar: we all have our issues, except for Auros of course, for aside from being a Noldor, he's Auros *grin*
Eonwe Valar: That isn't an issue? :}
karakedi25: maybe his issue is being a Noldo ;-)

ArPharazonV: I should make 2 biographies. One I post, one I don't. The second one is the main one, full one, will incorporate anything I can think of. The first one will be posted and can be used for reference *by you*: It will incorporate parts of my personality that's already been noticed in the story and history that's already known to the party, and if I reveal bits about my past in the RP I can copy it over from the unposted to the posted.
Menelvagor Valar: it was meant as a joke ;-)
Eonwe Valar: :}
Menelvagor Valar: Eonwe does present some of the issues that Auros has, but also constantly discounts them as not being the most important at the moment.
Eonwe Valar: I have one bio for Auros that I use as a baseline for his actions/decisions as well as backstory, and plan to share some parts of his past in the RP as time goes by.

ArPharazonV: Anyway, enough about me. I'm looking forward to learning about the rest of the characters more than even has been revealed here :-) But for now, I'm going to bed.

ArPharazonV: Saving and sending.
Eonwe Valar: Sleep well Phar :}
VardaValar1: Namarie
karakedi25: night Phar
ArPharazonV: saved
Menelvagor Valar: I think I've told as much as there is to tell about Estarion's background as there is, and the rest I basically make up as I go.
Menelvagor Valar: Just like I wrote that battle-song for the RP :-)

Eonwe Valar: Having a bio/background certainly doesn't stop one from creating new stuff :}
VardaValar1: So you know your family, friends, pets, allergies, favorite foods, how you were educated, and your goals in life?
Menelvagor Valar: gives some hint of the state of the Avari nation Estarion gew up in :-)
VardaValar1: Nice : )
ArPharazonV: *nod* I would like to make up background as I go, but it's not working for me. I don't come up with anything, and my personality remains bland, and on occasion, contradictive.
karakedi25: Meren may start a conversation with Estarion about it
Menelvagor Valar: first 5... not exactly.
Menelvagor Valar: And which Estarion would be delighted to recount, some in detail (presenting new details most likely), and some in not so great detail, but rather referring to it, and expecting you to read back *grin*
ArPharazonV: sent
AriehnV: i always have a lot of clobbing such *biographies " for my rp characters no matter in which universe :-)
ArPharazonV: namarie all! Will read the transcript during the week
Eonwe Valar: A background doesn't have to spell out every day of a person's life either. Highlights that reflect important events of his/her time that would shape the person we see today is generally enough.
AriehnV: Namarie , Phara :-)
Eonwe Valar: Take care Phar :}
AriehnV: a lot fun i mean
VardaValar1: We elves probably don't have real allergies,but maybe dislikes. I ate that same jerked squirrel for three months straight on patrol. Keep it awayyyy.
Menelvagor Valar: haha :-)
AriehnV: "chuckles*
Eonwe Valar: :}
ArPharazonV: Well you all know my "pet", don't you? ;)
Menelvagor Valar: I hadn't really thought about food, but then again, what do we know about Avari food?
Eonwe Valar: Ah, Auros' "pet" peeve with Calion, aye :}
Eonwe Valar: Pun definitely intended that time :}
ArPharazonV: hehe
ArPharazonV: Namarie!
ArPharazonV has left the room.
Menelvagor Valar: is it anything like the other Elvish food, or is it a simplification thereof?
AriehnV: i d think its a lot of venison , mushrooms and berries
AriehnV: maybe even treebark
Menelvagor Valar: hehe :-)
Eonwe Valar: At least among the Eldar, there seemed to be a general joy in cooking. Don't see why the Avari wouldn't share that in some form.
karakedi25: I wouldn't underestimate their abilities
Menelvagor Valar: well, I think they may have a version of Lembas or Mirovur, but differently prepared, seeing as the ingredients are likely to be different.
karakedi25: I'd guess that they have taken what's available and made some art of it
AriehnV: well, grin, i ve read in some book that u can eat some sort of bark when they face eastward i think , its a useful and real survival skill
Eonwe Valar: Differently prepared, maybe not *quite* as potent, based on ingredients, aye.
Menelvagor Valar: True, but as to what I hinted at in a very early post is that the Avari are used to different kind of animals as well.
karakedi25: they've probably spread fairly far east
Menelvagor Valar: like the Squirrels of Mirkwood are much brighter and some of them used by evil.
Eonwe Valar: The orcs certainly had knowledge of herbs and such that made their healing "arts" quite effective, if not as elegant as Elven healing "arts."
Menelvagor Valar: and Estarion hinted that it was different for the Avari.
Menelvagor Valar: Quite true.
karakedi25: Do we have any thoughts about the next bits of action? (That would be difficult without Phar)
VardaValar1: Just seems to say Mirkwood squirrels tend to be black and taste bad.
AriehnV: all right friends, its time for the sun to go westering home ((nice song btw))
AriehnV: Namarie , i shall read ur post with pleasure , Menel :-) and the rest of the script
karakedi25: Namarie,
karakedi25: Arien
VardaValar1: Namarie, Arien
AriehnV: namarie
AriehnV has left the room.
Menelvagor Valar: hmm... I know I made up a name for the horse that Fainan so graciously bought for Estarion, but I am afraid I have forgotten that name.
Menelvagor Valar: Not sure whether I mentioned in main chat, but do you happen to remember Varda?
Eonwe Valar: I recall that you were trying to pick a name, don't recall if you actually did though.
VardaValar1: Means you can make up a new one. : )
Menelvagor Valar: I did, most likely in side chat with Varda :-)
Eonwe Valar: It would be in one of the meeting minutes if you did.
VardaValar1: Not set until useed in the rp
VardaValar1: I don't keep side chats, sorry don't remember.
Menelvagor Valar: Guess I´ll use part of the name I chose for my Paladin then :-)
Menelvagor Valar: hold on...
Menelvagor Valar: I think it was Steady Wanderer in Quenya.
Menelvagor Valar: Mith-something or something-randir.
Eonwe Valar: Well, it is now 2 and one half hours after meeting start. I shall now bang the gavel and let those who have not already gone be about their business.
Eonwe Valar: Mith would be grey, so not that :}
Eonwe Valar: *Bangs gavel*
top

Eonwe Valar: Aftermeeting.
Eonwe Valar: Let all who leave come back with a Tolkien topic, lest the Wheel of Destiny be spun again :}
VardaValar1: oops : )
Menelvagor Valar: hmmm...
Menelvagor Valar: I'm kinda liking my Paladin's name, but part of it is simply unusable for a horse from Mirkwood.
Menelvagor Valar: or at least not a horse that doesn't have armour fitted.
Menelvagor Valar: My din's name being Erentiris, which means Iron / Steel Watch / Vigil.

Menelvagor Valar (6:42:28 PM):    Eonwe? :-)
Eonwe Valar (6:42:36 PM):    Yes?
Menelvagor Valar (6:42:51 PM):    Ever named a gnome Noldo? ^^
Menelvagor Valar (6:42:58 PM):    on WoW that is :-)
Eonwe Valar (6:43:02 PM):    No, but I did name one Eoclaus :}
VardaValar1 (6:43:15 PM):    That was a cute story. : )
VardaValar1 (6:43:30 PM):    He has a champion elf in LotRO named Auros.
Menelvagor Valar (6:43:49 PM):    well, just checking on the Quenya wordlist, and happened on "Gnome"
Menelvagor Valar (6:44:02 PM):    to which the direct translation is "Noldo" ^^
Eonwe Valar (6:44:23 PM):    Aye, as you already know, "Gnome" was one of the original names of the Noldor/Noldoli.
karakedi25 (6:44:25 PM):    gnome in this case refers to one who is knowledgeable
VardaValar1 (6:44:29 PM):    Gnome was the original word for Noldo
Menelvagor Valar (6:45:24 PM):    unlike the gnomes in WoW, who are just short :P
Eonwe Valar (6:45:28 PM):    :}
Menelvagor Valar (6:45:38 PM):    inside joke, sorry :-)
VardaValar1 (6:51:08 PM):    I need to go. Been fun. :-)
Eonwe Valar (6:51:15 PM):    Take care Varda :}

Valar Guild

March 28, 2010 Sunday Meeting