Valar Guild

October 9, 2016 Sunday Meeting

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

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Transcript work by Ar-Pharazon and Varda.

Attending: (5)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar. Lenwe-(V)/perseid28, Varda Valar (presiding)
    The traditional AIM marathon of keeping the chat room ends tonight. The Anniversary was Oct 4 between those two meetings.

Before-meeting
    A taste of the chat marathon.
    New link for LotRO players on figuring how to maximize stats.
Meeting begins
Membership:
    Anniversary talk and looking forward.
Web:
    Forum
    Anniversary page
Gaming
Tolkien:
    Topic: What gave contentment or happiness in Tolkien's works to animal-types and the Valar?
       Bill the Pony
       Shadowfax
       Huan
       Yavanna
       Orome
       Tulkas
       Manwe
       Ulmo
       Aule
       Varda
       Eru
       Morgoth (After-meeting)
       Nienna (After-meeting)
After-meeting:
    Continued discussing the Valar.
    Flashgaming Reviews by Ar-Pharazon
    Personal gaming
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Before-meeting
Eonwe Valar (Eonwe Valar) has entered the room.
Varda Valar (VardaValar1) has entered the room.
Ar-Pharazon-V (ArPharazonV) has entered the room.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Aiya!
Ar-Pharazon-V: Happy pre-meeting?
Varda Valar: Aiya Phar :-)
Varda Valar: That too!
Varda Valar: Yay for the chat marathon
Varda Valar: Lenwe likes this as a form of Battle.net too.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Well, the ambition of using it more often than just weekly has come up in the past, hasn't it?
Varda Valar: and been done
Varda Valar: Trick is to find people that find it useful
Ar-Pharazon-V: Anyway, afk for a while. Back later!
Varda Valar: A number of kins put up a talk program for that
Varda Valar: Namarie Phar!
Varda Valar: and yes
perseid28 has entered the room.
Varda Valar: Aiya Lenwe :-)
perseid28: Aiya Varda, Eonwe, and Ar-Pharazon!
Varda Valar: Phar just left and Eonwe is probably at work
perseid28: I came across this this morning https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?539545-LotroCalc-calculate-stats-amp-plan-upgrades
perseid28: Ah, I see
Varda Valar: Thanks
Varda Valar: started in 2014. Could still be useful. Lot to look at.
perseid28: started in 2014, but if you look at the bottom of that first page it was last updated July 2, 2016
perseid28: it's mostly updated :)
perseid28: sorry, bottom of the first post
perseid28: updated through Update 18.2
Varda Valar: looking at last page. It's 2016. Very good
Varda Valar: That's super :-)
perseid28: I thought it looked pretty nice! Great designer--he/she gives two columns so you can compare your current build with a theoretical one
perseid28: This will be very helpful for me to figure out which stats to focus on
perseid28: However, my Excel doesn't like the file (which is a .ods format), so I'm downloading OpenOffice to see if that works better
Varda Valar: He says to use Google Drive
perseid28: Ah, from the first post:
perseid28: See below for a link to the spreadsheet document in the OpenDocument  format (ODS). The spreadsheet is made with LibreOffice, which is free downloadable.
Furthermore, the spreadsheet is also verified to work in OpenOffice.  It's alright, but it's much slower. Both have some quirks. At the  moment, I would advise to use LibreOffice.
The spreadsheet will not work in Excel, because of the macro functions and other differences.
Varda Valar: Anyway, a link like this is great for our forum's LotRO gaming links. :-)
perseid28: I'm glad I stumbled across it. I was in bed last night thinking how something just like this would be really useful
perseid28: There are a lot of stats to balance in LotRO!
Varda Valar: Agreed
Varda Valar: Now showing the link on the News to help us mention it at the meeting for the transcript.
Varda Valar: Get it several places so maybe we can find it again. :-)
perseid28: Hehe
Varda Valar: Irmo's Virtues and Traits after RoI on our forum is still a good place for a start.
Varda Valar: This new one is good for full-blown stat work
Varda Valar: sooo, new thread I guess
perseid28: Looks like tactical mitigation is what I need most of, based on Irmo's post
perseid28: That also makes sense of what I read last night, where most instance bosses deal tactical damage
perseid28: is the beta server not open to everyone?
Varda Valar: Bullroarer is open to all. But the server has to be up to enter. And you have to download what amounts to a whole 'nother LotRO. If you have space.
Varda Valar: Yes, as a ranged caster, you will most likely be hit by tactical damage types.
Varda Valar: You need both, but concentrate on tactical
perseid28: And resistance doesn't look so important
Varda Valar: Look at resistance anyway. :-)
Varda Valar: Trying to update the links on our links collection, showing which are down, and it wigged out on me. Got some marked DOWN anyway.
Varda Valar: the LotRO links on the forum
Varda Valar: There we go - all done.
Varda Valar: Could look for where these sites have gone if they still exist, but not right this minute.
perseid28: Maybe a task for another day :)
Varda Valar: or a different part of the day. :-)
perseid28: I logged in to LotRO and an embarrassment of riches was waiting in my mailbox. Thank you!
Varda Valar: hehe - you're welcome
Varda Valar: You'll find better stuff as you go along. If the looks are good, old stuff can still be made into cosmetics. Nice system there.
perseid28: That's true
perseid28: I just found out that only Tier 7 and lower essences work in the armor and jewelry, which simplifies a lot of things
perseid28: Especially the fact that I don't really have Tier 8 essences yet and have no straightforward way of acquiring many at once
perseid28: So I can save any T8s for my next set of armor and get this set up and running quicker :)
perseid28: I've already passed the 20k morale mark and have only used one vitality essence so far. This is looking very good
Varda Valar: back for a moment
Ar-Pharazon-V: Aiya
Varda Valar: sounds good, Lenwe :-)
Varda Valar: Thanks
Varda Valar: About to head out for a bit, will be back.
Varda Valar: leaving the chat room up, as a proper pillar of the room
Varda Valar: oh, you should have some 8 essences from our runs. I picked up some that way.
Varda Valar: also from questing
Varda Valar: ok, namarie for now
Arien V (AriehnV) has entered the room.
Arien V: aiya everybody :-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: Aiya!
perseid28: Aiya Arien :)
perseid28: Was out for a bit
Varda Valar (VardaValar1) has left the room.
Varda Valar (VardaValar1) has entered the room.
Varda Valar: Aiya. Windows decided to "update" while I was out. Back.
Arien V: Aiya Varda :-) aiyata
Ar-Pharazon-V: Aiyata
Varda Valar: Thank you
Varda Valar: Noticeably slower, doesn't like selecting. Maybe it'll settle down...
Varda Valar: Thank you all for holdking the room open. :-)
Varda Valar: *holding
Arien V: :-)
Eonwe Valar: Heya All :}
Ar-Pharazon-V: Aiya Eonwe!
Eonwe Valar: How goes it?
Arien V: aiya Eonwe :-)
Eonwe Valar (Eonwe Valar) has left the room.
Eonwe Valar (Eonwe Valar) has entered the room.
Eonwe Valar: Bah, internet connection decided to be a pain.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Aiyata
Eonwe Valar: Thanks.
Varda Valar: I'm almost here
Varda Valar: and it's that time. :-)
Eonwe Valar: Drive faster? :}
Varda Valar: Anyone here?
Ar-Pharazon-V: Here.
Eonwe Valar: Heya :}
Varda Valar: Is driving hard a hard drive?
Varda Valar: Yay!
Ar-Pharazon-V: Does that means a high speed accident is a hard drive failure?
Varda Valar: Must be :-)
Eonwe Valar: hehe
Varda Valar: No one else was in LotRO. I'm out of it after a check
Ar-Pharazon-V: Empty server?
Arien V: here , there and everywhere
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Varda Valar: Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo!
Varda Valar: Membership:
Varda Valar: We have just had our 19th anniversary for the Valar Guild.
Varda Valar: You have all helped in making this possible. Thank you, thank you. :-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: Yay!
Varda Valar: Also, thank you for your parts in the chat marathon, going since last meeting. It's been tough for a lot of us, but with teamwork, we kept it up most of the time.
Varda Valar: Different time zones were in our favor for this particular endeavor. :-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: Just need some people in Australia.
Varda Valar: Need Ungoliant to come in. That would take care of that continent. :-)
Varda Valar: Unfortunately she's in the Outback somewhere, usually far from a computer.
Varda Valar: /wave
Ar-Pharazon-V: Ouch.
Varda Valar: Eonwe, do you have any words for us?
Eonwe Valar: Happy Anniversary all! :} Glad to be here, glad that you all made it :}
Eonwe Valar: Amazing it's been 19 years already, isn't it? ;}
Ar-Pharazon-V: Time flies.
Arien V: It is very amazing ! *cheers to all*
Ar-Pharazon-V: Grats to everyone!
Ar-Pharazon-V: We've made it another year.
Eonwe Valar: Next month, it'll be 17 years here for me, and I'll have spent half my life in the Valar Guild, hehe.
Varda Valar: Wow
Varda Valar: It's been amazing to see a lot of the folks in the Valar Guild grow up with us.
Varda Valar: Folks that joined us at about 15 years old. Add 19 to that and you have an idea.
Eonwe Valar: Aye.
Varda Valar: They grew up, went to college, got married, moved, went to the military, got various jobs. And yet many stayed with us for a lot of years.
Ar-Pharazon-V: I joined at 18, now I feel old compared to others...
Varda Valar: You ancient. :-)
Eonwe Valar: So after November 6th I guess I get to start saying I've spent most of my life here, hehehe.
Varda Valar: I''ve been here 19 years.
Ar-Pharazon-V: That's still about 5 years away for me...
Arien V: i ve been here .. uhm 10 years is it?
Eonwe Valar: You youngsters you :}
Varda Valar: hehe
Arien V: i am ancient :-P
Varda Valar: In a good way. :-)
Eonwe Valar: :}
Arien V: :-)
Varda Valar: We could all remenisce, but even better, we can look forward.
Ar-Pharazon-V: But that's less fun!
Varda Valar: So much more to do, more games have come out, more to do with the web.
perseid28: I've been here less than a year; in Valarite terms I'm just starting to walk
Arien V: learning to fly soon, Lenwe :-)
perseid28: :)
Varda Valar: And he is learning to fly. Lenwe has been very much involved, and thank you for that.
Varda Valar: You've joined right in with the AIM regulars, a real joy for us.
Varda Valar: You've been gaming with us in LotRO.
Varda Valar: Next thing we know you'll wind up on the forum!
Varda Valar: Lenwe has also done some writing for us
perseid28: I re-discovered there was a forum a few days ago!
Varda Valar: hehe
Eonwe Valar: (he also updated his gaming info with me, so check out what he plays on the Games Site! :})
Varda Valar: So, to mention some of that writing, let's move to
perseid28: Anyhow, my family and I are headed out for the evening, I just wanted to say 'aiya' to you all quickly before we left
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Varda Valar: Web News:
Varda Valar: Thank you. We'll toot your horn for you!
Varda Valar: Namarie!
Ar-Pharazon-V: Namarie!
perseid28: Namarie :)
Varda Valar: Box run tonight if lucky. ;-)
Eonwe Valar: Take care Lenwë :}
Arien V: Have fun :-)
perseid28: Hope so!
Varda Valar: Web:
Varda Valar: Thanks to the anniversary, we've had a whole batch of new goodies for the Tolkien Site.
Varda Valar: Also for the Games Site, since the update happens for that too. :-)
Varda Valar: First, new web stuff:

Varda Valar: Forum:
Varda Valar: We have a new link up for LotRO folk and we may have people other than Lenwe discovering uses for the forum.
[Note: Feel free to add your happy anniversary wish on the forum thread.]

Varda Valar: Anniversary page:
Varda Valar: http://valarguild.org/varda/NewsArchives/extras/2016/Anniv2016/anniv19th.htm
Varda Valar: This can be found in a link at the bottom of the News page.
Varda Valar: Folks have been sending in great stuff for it
Varda Valar: Here's some:
Varda Valar: Lenwe wrote an article on "Farmer Maggot"
Varda Valar: http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/articles/m/FarmerMaggot.htm#MaggotL
Varda Valar: It's easy to forget, but the main purpose of the Tolkien Site is for articles. :-)   Much appreciated.

Varda Valar: We also have new stories:
Varda Valar: Arien wrote "Fire from the Ashes":
Varda Valar: http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/fiction/authors/Arien/stories/FireFromTheAshes.htm
Varda Valar: I added a story for the theme using orcs, "Me First":
Varda Valar: http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/fiction/authors/Varda/stories/MeFirst.htm

Varda Valar: Speaking of themes,
Varda Valar: we have a couple of gaming screenshots for the theme of what makes some kind of Tolkien character contented or happy:
Varda Valar: Happiness is elves in the beauty of Forochel, from Lenwe, showing him with Erkenbrand:
Varda Valar: http://valarguild.org/varda/NewsArchives/extras/2016/Anniv2016/Erk_Lenwe.jpg
Varda Valar: This next image could go for both the theme and for WoW fireworks:
Varda Valar: Eonwe at Light's Sanctum:
Varda Valar: http://valarguild.org/varda/NewsArchives/extras/2016/Anniv2016/Eonwe%20at%20Light%27s%20Sanctum.jpg
Varda Valar: A paladin that made it to Light's Sanctum. That has to give a measure of happiness.
Varda Valar: That one just went up a few minutes ago, so it should be new to most of you. :-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: I just don't get the "fireworks" bit unless you refer to the candles.
Varda Valar: Ok, I don't see any fireworks either, so it must be pure theme.
Eonwe Valar: Hard to shoot off fireworks and take a screenshot :}
Varda Valar: The shot went off to late to catch them. :-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: Aw.
Varda Valar: Still works for theme, no worries. And it looks dramatic.
Varda Valar: Do enjoy the rest of the screenies on the page. I'll try not to turn this transcript into just a copy of it. :-)
Varda Valar: We will continue taking screenies and Tolkien Site goodies for the anniversary page until the end of October, so you haven't missed out yet!

Varda Valar: It includes the State of Valar Gaming for 2016:
Varda Valar: http://valarguild.org/varda/NewsArchives/extras/2016/StateofValarGaming2016.htm
Varda Valar: Thank you, Eonwe, for going to all the trouble to make that!
Eonwe Valar: *bows*
Varda Valar: Some of the info:
Varda Valar: As of October 1st, 2016, the Valar Guild Games Site now reflects a total of 155 members playing 17 games.
Varda Valar: Lord of the Rings Online is our strongest game yet again, with 31 members playing.
Varda Valar: World of Warcraft remains our second most-played game, with 10 members spread across 2 regions.
Varda Valar: 1 member plays each of Elder Scrolls Online, Grand Theft Auto 5, League of Legends, Smite, Spellstone, Star Trek Online, Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes, and War of Omens
2 members play each of Hearthstone and Star Wars: The Old Republic
3 members play each of Diablo 3, Guild Wars 2, and Heroes of the Storm
4 members play Eve Online
5 members play StarCraft 2
Varda Valar:     4 members say they can be found on Steam
    1 member says he can be found on Kongregate
    Not everyone replied yet. Eonwe will continue to take your updates, letting you know who else is out there to game with. :-)
    any activity within 90 days was counted as recent activity
Eonwe Valar: *Activity within official guild branches I could check
Eonwe Valar: That's really just LotRO and WoW Lothar/Uldaman.
Varda Valar: Thank you. :-)
Varda Valar: We could use help from branch leaders on this kind of check. :-)
Eonwe Valar: Indeed.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Only one on Kongregate, pff, and I thought I was getting people to play flashgames ;-)

Varda Valar: Outside the anniversary, we have a small picture from the Bohemian Weasel:
Varda Valar: "Annatar and the Craft of Ring-making", [Note: she made a framed thumbnail for the main picture that included Celebrimbor.]

Varda Valar: They have to mention they are using it. I know Bilbo and Sauron get on Kongregate just for two.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Fair enough.
Eonwe Valar: What Varda said :}
Eonwe Valar: I haven't quite developed electro-telepathy yet :}
Ar-Pharazon-V: hehe

Varda Valar: Links: I"ve been reminded to check the forum links for LotRO and did so, while adding a handy one for that game found by Lenwe:
Varda Valar: Spreadsheet for figuring stats and upgrades by Giseldah.
Varda Valar: Something unusual was that this link was shared during the chat marathon.
Varda Valar: We've found AIM makes a handy Battle.net at least for some LotRO players, as has been suggested before.
Varda Valar: It takes less space that a talking program while doing other things.
Varda Valar: Maybe it would help Fladrif and Phar get together? Not sure. But they would be welcome to try doing that.

Varda Valar: Coding work has been going on in the background, but real life slowed down our plan to unroll it for the anniversary.
Ar-Pharazon-V: What?
Varda Valar: But changes may be coming later.
Ar-Pharazon-V: I'm not a programmer, if that's what you're asking.
Varda Valar: Eonwe has been doing most of that work.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Or.. nevermind.
Ar-Pharazon-V: We just tend to talk on battle.net :-)
Varda Valar: Not asking anyone, just letting you know we've been working on it.
Ar-Pharazon-V: No, I saw my name mentioned.
Varda Valar: Ah, ok. The real Battle.net They haven't changed the name yet?
Ar-Pharazon-V: Not yet. I think.
Varda Valar: Okies
Ar-Pharazon-V: Probably going to be a major undertaking to change all the names.
Varda Valar: On to:
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Varda Valar: Gaming:

Most of this news comes from the Valar Guild Games Site by Eonwe with some live from us here.

Varda Valar: LotRO:
Varda Valar: Hobnangians is going. Go after your chicken when ready!
Varda Valar: We've been doing more group runs at high level, since more of us have reached the top or close to it.
Varda Valar: Close enough, especially with some big guys along. :-)

Varda Valar: WoW:
Varda Valar: The second wing of LFR is now available for Emerald Nightmare.
Varda Valar: A new blog is out about Legion Class Trials.
Varda Valar: Check out this week's hotfixes.

Varda Valar: StarCraft 2:
Varda Valar: A new preview blog is out: Patch 3.7 Preview: Collection - Announcers, Skins, and more!.

Varda Valar: Heroes of the Storm:
Varda Valar: A new game mode is coming: Heroes Brawl.
Varda Valar: Check out what else is under development in this blog.

Varda Valar: Hearthstone:
Varda Valar: A new update came out this week.

Varda Valar: A little more on LotRO. We have had a few more people showing up after the GSMU that reminded them they are gaming. :-)
Varda Valar: This past week, we had:
Varda Valar:
Arien
Bregalad
Cirdan
Dis
Eonwe
Erkenbrand
Fangorn
Gil-galad
Gorlim
Lenwe
Marigold
Nar
Nerdanel
Nimrodel
Varda
Varda Valar: Alphabetical order, just easier to find your name. :-)

Varda Valar: Any other general gaming comments or Valarites you've seen this past week in other games?
Ar-Pharazon-V: Played Fladrif in Hearthstone this week, a few matches of the chess-themed brawl.
Varda Valar: o cool :-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: As you can imagine, it was definitely his type of hearthstone brawl ;-)
Varda Valar: Sounds like him. :-)
Varda Valar: On to
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Varda Valar: Tolkien!
Varda Valar: The theme for the anniversary was what makes various types of people contented or even happy in Middle-earth, from elves to orcs. To that, let's add critters!
Varda Valar: What made Bill the Pony go from a starved, sad pony to a healthy one showing his courage?
Eonwe Valar: an apple? :}
Arien V: great then :-) Varda was called into real life for a bit
Ar-Pharazon-V: An apple sounds about right!
Arien V: uh yes loyalty shown to him by his new owners
Eonwe Valar: Sam's love and kindsness had absolutely nothing to do with it! Only apples! :}
Arien V: well .. horses are like that ^^
Ar-Pharazon-V: Apples are all you  need.
Eonwe Valar: Like scooby snacks :}
Eonwe Valar: More seriously, of course the care Sam showed had alot to do with Bill's transformation.
Varda Valar: back
Eonwe Valar: WB :}
Varda Valar: Aye. Bill and Sam supported each other. Sam didn't have to be the only pack mule.
Varda Valar: Hantal :-)
Varda Valar: Some comment that Bill was the 10th member of the Fellowship.
Eonwe Valar: Groan-worthy joke coming in 3 seconds...
Eonwe Valar: Is that like being the fifth Beatle? :}
Eonwe Valar: You were warned :}
Varda Valar: Bill had been mistreated for a long time by Bill Ferny. Even on the rough road with the Fellowship, Bill the Pony gained health and contentment.
Varda Valar: *groannnn*

Varda Valar: How about Shadowfax?
Eonwe Valar: Hmm, Shadowfax...
Eonwe Valar: We didn't get so much about Shadowfax I don't think to know what makes him "happy" per se. Once he met Gandalf he seems to have preferred Gandalf as a rider. Maybe Shadowfax just wanted to be part of something big and decided aiding Gandalf was the best way?
Ar-Pharazon-V: I think Shadowfax was happier without a harness etc?
Varda Valar: Shadowfax was fine with his life, apparently, until he, King of the Mearas, found out how good it was to have a Maia rider instead of a human.
Varda Valar: He went wild when he lost Gandalf.
Ar-Pharazon-V: You make it sound like he went berserk.
Varda Valar: When he got his newly bleached Gandalf back, he seemed pleased again, going on adventures with him again.
Varda Valar: Shadowfax refused to be ridden by anyone else and ran wild in the grass.
Varda Valar: Untamable by any others.
Varda Valar: This was more a friendship.

Varda Valar: How about Huan, Hound of Valinor?
Varda Valar: Huan was a hound of Orome, for hunting, and had hunted with the greatest. He was gifted to Celegorn for hunting.
Varda Valar: But Huan had intelligence and compassion, the latter of which Celegorm had a deficiency in.
Varda Valar: Huan discovered happiness and contentment by going to Luthien and Beren, leaving Celegorm.

Varda Valar: Another form of very visible happiness is in the Valar.
Eonwe Valar: Ladies and gentlemen, I must call it a day, and my computer needs sleep too after pulling 2 all-nighters :}
Varda Valar: They sang of those things in which they were most interested. That made them contented and happy.
Varda Valar: Namarie Eonwe :-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: Namarie!
Eonwe Valar: Take care all, good night, sleep wel, and have fun :} Happy Anniversary and good to see you all :}
Varda Valar: What they cared about manifested in their song, shapes, and what they created. The song was of what they loved, what gave them contentment and joy.
Eonwe Valar (Eonwe Valar) has left the room.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Very expressive people.

Varda Valar: Yavanna often took the form of a great tree. She sang of and made the plants and animals, and made ents for their protection.
Varda Valar: Aye. Very accurate, Phar.
Varda Valar: Feel free to mention any others and their expression of joy. Their joy made Middle-earth, which gives us joy. :-)

Arien V: Tulkas .. had in joy in hunting
Ar-Pharazon-V: So did Orome, right?
Arien V: hunting and Orome yes
Arien V: Tulkas excuse me was more for blacksmithing
Ar-Pharazon-V: I thought Tulkas was more of a brawler :-)
Varda Valar: Tulkas, the laughing warrior. More of a bare knuckles guy than a weapons type.
Arien V: ah i see then it was brawliing he had joy in :-D
Arien V: Orome was the hunter thou :-)
Varda Valar: True. Orome loved the hunt. He was the explorer that found the elves too. He enjoyed horses and hounds.
Arien V: i love horses too :-)
Varda Valar: Me too. Orome had the great horse, Nahar, father of the Mearas.
Ar-Pharazon-V: I don't really have much of a relationship with horses. I like dogs though?
Varda Valar: Orome enjoyed the hounds, one of them being Huan. I wonder what the others were like? :-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: It'd be nice to imagine there being more Huans around.

Varda Valar: Manwe loved the air and was the breath of Arda, seeing all that went on, and closest to the mind of Eru. From him came the great eagles.
Varda Valar: Aye. :-)

Varda Valar: Ulmo loved the waters and sometimes appeared as a great wave.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Must be fun!

Varda Valar: Manwe and Ulmo were friends, making the rains together.
Ar-Pharazon-V: "Let's see what happens when we put water and air together!"
Varda Valar: and drop it on Aule's head, like a water balloon.

Varda Valar: How about Aule? What was his joy?
Ar-Pharazon-V: Making gavels? ;-)
Varda Valar: heh
Varda Valar: I think he has his assistants making those things. :-)
Varda Valar: Aule was a craftsman. His joy was in the creation of things, of crafting them, rather than building up piles of stuff to hoard or build up his ego.
Varda Valar: He needed no wealth
Ar-Pharazon-V: Only raw resources.
Varda Valar: With Yavanna as his wife, he surely did not lack for resources. :-)

Ar-Pharazon-V: So what about Varda? :-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: What makes you see stars in your eyes? ;-)
Varda Valar: Light
Varda Valar: Varda is the Valie of light. Understanding that helps illuminate (yes, a groaner) her motives.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Right! I was thinking too specific.
Varda Valar: She rejected Melkor and his darkness to aid Manwe.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Makes sense.
Varda Valar: She collected the light that dropped from the two trees into glowing vats, using that resource to create stars.
Varda Valar: When she saw that the Elves were about to wake into darkness, she gathered up the old stars into constellations to give more light and created new, bright ones.
Varda Valar: That light entered the eyes of the Elves so that they glowed.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Is that why? Hmm...
Ar-Pharazon-V: Seems Varda's pretty important!
Varda Valar: Her favorite of the Children of Iluvatar was from that time on, the Elves.
Varda Valar: Light is handy. ;-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: It sure is.
Varda Valar: Light helped power the trees and therefore life.
Varda Valar: Her touch could hallow objects so that those of evil intent would be burned by them.
Varda Valar: Perhaps those of good intent were strengthened by them or otherwise aided.
Varda Valar: She put the light in the two towers, a hallowed light.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Did all that stuff make her happy? :-)
Varda Valar: Also, she liked to join Manwe on Taniquetil and look out over Middle-earth. She heard all. If one called on Varda, she knew.
Varda Valar: Light was her joy, so yes.
Varda Valar: She sang of light, brought it into existence in all its forms.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Makes you wonder how dark the place must have been before the song.

Varda Valar: Eru had no light. Eru needed no light. But he seemed to be desirous of company and loved song and creation, teaching it to his children, the Valar, and passing that on to his other children.
Varda Valar: Darkness is not evil, but the absence of light. As Irmo requested, times of darkness were needed for rest and dreaming.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Children! That's what makes Eru happy.
Varda Valar: Arwen aided folk in bringing back the joy of the beauty of night. In night, the stars may be seen and bring joy.
Varda Valar: That sound perfect, Phar. :-)
Varda Valar: And Phar just solved the mystery of the universe. :-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: Go forth and multiply? ;-)
Varda Valar: heh
Varda Valar: Just don't get too carried away? :-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: hehe
Varda Valar: With that resolution to all questions, the 42, it's time to check out the gavels and end the chat marathon. The official one, anyway.
Varda Valar: *catches a gavel speeding by on a way-too-merry conveyor belt on the shelf*
Ar-Pharazon-V: Well

Ar-Pharazon-V: What makes Morgoth happy?
Varda Valar: *it rings like a bell in the air. Bells everywhere ring*
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Varda Valar: After-meeting!
Varda Valar: Morgoth wanted to be Eru and sought for anything he thought would make him the top.
Varda Valar: Not sure what he thought Eru would do if they were "equal".
Varda Valar: Morgoth wanted the power of creating life that was within Eru, thinking it was a separate item hidden in the Void.
Varda Valar: He thought that would do it. But it was a quality of Eru, not separate.
Varda Valar: The Flame Imperishable.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Feel a bit sorry for him, almost!
Varda Valar: The other thing that Morgoth aimed for was nihilism. For nothing at all to exist, even himself.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Because it was created by another, I think?
Varda Valar: As he kept searching in the Void, he became separated from the others, and essentially lost himself. He would have been the greatest of the Valar.
Varda Valar: Right, Phar
Varda Valar: If it wasn't created by Morgoth, it wasn't worth anything, because he didn't have total ownership.
Varda Valar: He didn't create himself.
Ar-Pharazon-V: What would his role have been if he hadn't been corrupted, I wonder.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Eru's second in command? Leader of those on Arda?
Varda Valar: He was intended to be the greatest of the Valar. He partook somewhat in all their gifts, and should have been a coordinator. Not necessarily best at anything.
Varda Valar: He would not necessarily have gone to Arda at all, but remained outside. Or he could have done like the Valar that we know and gone with them to make Arda the way Eru desired.
Varda Valar: He should have made *wait for it* harmony.
Varda Valar: /duck
Arien V: so .. he was to creat harmony and ended up in creating chaos
Varda Valar: Exactly. Very sad.
Varda Valar: But Eru used that to make variety.
Varda Valar: He didn't let Morgoth go to waste.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Very creative!
Varda Valar: :-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: ..Pun not intended.
Varda Valar: but enjoyed.
Arien V: :-)

Varda Valar: Nienna was the Vala of Compassion, Pity, Hope. Her contentment was in harmony, things going right for folks.
Varda Valar: She should have been great friends with Melkor as he should have been.
Varda Valar: Instead her Pity was one of the great weapons agaiinst him, as he could not understand compassion.
Varda Valar: Self-sacrifice is not the same as nihilism.
Varda Valar: She even pleaded for Melkor after his term of bondage, to be allowed to come out and join the others. He had served his penance.
Varda Valar: Manwe wasn't just listening to his own heart or to Melkor's words, but to others of the Valar  and their wishes.

Varda Valar: Ok, I'm done. :-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: Nice connection :-)
Arien V: Great job :-)
Varda Valar: /curtsey
Varda Valar: Eonwe as a paladin at Light's Sanctum now has a proper small image to click for a larger one on the anniversary page.
Varda Valar: lol - but it needs to move to Themes instead of fireworks. /facepalm.  /fixing
Ar-Pharazon-V: Shall I start personal gaming?
Varda Valar: Fixed.
Varda Valar: Aye, go for it when ready!
Varda Valar: Arien might have some to add alongside it?

Ar-Pharazon-V: Flashgaming!
Ar-Pharazon-V: http://www.kongregate.com/games/grmaster/sons-of-guns is the first! A sort of snake-ish action shooter, where you choose a force of 5 heroes, unlock more as you earn more money, and see how far you get, getting more starting money as you progress. Also a choice of skills and gear.
Ar-Pharazon-V: See how far you get with the composition you like best :-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: I do suspect there's an end to the game with a final boss, but haven't gotten that far yet ;-)
Varda Valar: We'll give you time. :-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: Or maybe I'm getting this all wrong and everything crosses over to the next run.  Hmm. Guess i do need to play it more!
Ar-Pharazon-V: Anyway, fun, go play ;-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: I do suppose that makes it rather easier.. eh.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Next!
Ar-Pharazon-V: http://www.onemorelevel.com/game/lee_lees_quest_2 a sort of parody platformer game with lots of fourth-wall-breaking commentary. I've not played the first game, but I don't think you really need it to understand what to do :-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: http://www.kongregate.com/games/CellCraft/cellcraft is the third game! A strategy game wherein you have to develop your cell and beat off viruses and the like. Fun and educational!

Ar-Pharazon-V: Blizzard gaming!
Ar-Pharazon-V: Diablo 3: Got around to finishing chapter 4 of the season journey. I think season ends in less than a week, so that was just in time to get the new pet and portrait frame. Pet = a sort of nightmare unicorn thing, pretty cute (and evil!)
Ar-Pharazon-V: Now it's time to wait for the next season :-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: Hearthstone: Levelled my first class to 44, the shaman.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Rest is soon to follow, though still a bit more behind than usual. I'm sure they'll catch up quick.
Ar-Pharazon-V: In the meantime I have to hope not to get too many shaman quests ;-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: Brawl this week was chess, as mentioned earlier! Your cards have been replaced by chess pieces, and positioning them relative to your opponent's pieces is vital. Good luck!
Ar-Pharazon-V: (remember, still got a few hours ;))
Ar-Pharazon-V: Heroes of the Storm: No new levels, but the event stimpacks are still getting me some good xp. Now at 148 out of 150 artifact pieces, so I only need one more artifact event to finish the quest. Should be simple enough, will probably get it tonight.
Ar-Pharazon-V: WoW: Level 109 after tonight, 1 more to go. Hoping to get there thursday or friday, just in time for a saturday raid ;-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: Still poking Stormheim, which has also allowed me to finish some skinning and leatherworking quests. Also 1 quest away from getting my 6th Legion cooking recipe, which should allow me to continue that questline and open up the kitchen.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Most of Stormheim is complete now; I've finished the trials and escaped Helheim. Just some wrapping up to do, and an alliance vs horde section. Oh, and some side quests. Yeah, I'll probably reach 110 before the end of the zone.
Ar-Pharazon-V: And I've gotten myself a new pet, the Stormborne Whelpling. Really nice color for a dragonwhelp!
Ar-Pharazon-V: But mostly looking forward to 110 now to open up artifact knowledge and a few more quests, though I should also do some gearing up when that's done!
Ar-Pharazon-V: As well as starting the bi-weekly archeology quests. It'll take 4 months of that before I get my favorite appearance. So it's a bit of a priority :-)
Ar-Pharazon-V: And that's the end of my report for the week!
Varda Valar: Thank you, Phar :-)

Arien V: good night everyone :-)
Arien V: Namarie all !
Varda Valar: Namarie!
Arien V (AriehnV) has left the room.
Ar-Pharazon-V: Namarie!
Varda Valar: Going to watch the debate now
Varda Valar: afk
Ar-Pharazon-V: Saving and sending transcript.
Ar-Pharazon-V: And I'd say, enjoy the debate, but I know who's debating ;-)
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