Valar Guild

October 7, 2018 Sunday Meeting

5pm EDT (UTC/GMT - 5)
Discord: Valar Guild/meeting_place

Back to News
Transcript work by
Varda.

Attending (and spoke): (8)
    Discord: Arien, Ar-Pharazon, Celebrian, Elrond, Eonwe (before-meeting), Ioreth (before-meeting), Pallando, Varda (presiding)

Before-meeting
    This ran long as it includes much of the ongoing chat marathon and planning.
Meeting begins
Membership news:
    21st Anniversary of the Valar Guild.
        The chat marathon ends with this meeting.
        Screenies for the anniversary and theme continue all October.
        Tolkien Site contributions (theme: drink) continue all October.
Web:
    Tolkien Site: new article and stories this week.
    Games Site: updated with this year's games.
Gaming:
    State of Valar Gaming Report
    General gaming news
Tolkien:
    Topic: When did you guys and gals first get interested in Middle-earth? Were you kids or adults? Was it books, movies, games, school, family, friends?
After-meeting:
    Chat topic continues.
    Flashgaming Reviews by Ar-Pharazon
    Personal multi-gaming report by Ar-Pharazon
    Personal Eve gaming report by Elrond
top

Before-meeting
(times are in Central from Varda's Discord, so add one hour for Eastern)

Eonwe ValarYesterday at 6:51 AM
Heya all. Stopping in to say hi.
Eonwe ValarYesterday at 8:09 AM
My journey across the continents of Azeroth and beyond for the Anniversary is now up:
http://valarguild.org/gaming/wowlothar/events/twenty-first-anniversary-celebration-on-wow-04oct2018
    The Valar Guild Games Site
    Valar Guild Games Site
Enjoy :}
And now I must be off for the time being.
VardaYesterday at 8:16 AM
Thank you, Eonwe. : )
O'ros, Auros.... hmm
IorethYesterday at 8:53 AM
I am so upset I missed the anniversary stuff. I told myself last year that I wanted to make it to this year and October just flew in. Today is the first day that I've even sat still long enough to read email.
VardaYesterday at 8:53 AM
Welcome back. : )
You made it to the Anniversary chat marathon!
IorethYesterday at 8:54 AM
I guess I should put it on my personal calendar.
VardaYesterday at 8:54 AM
The final anniversary meeting is today.
We are still taking writing/art and screenies for the Anniversary page and sites.
IorethYesterday at 8:54 AM
It's not the same as in-game... you guys are so special and I wanted to be there
VardaYesterday at 8:54 AM
Thank you from all of us.
I didn't give enough warning on the schedule, haven't been home much.
IorethYesterday at 8:55 AM
I haven't written anything in forever. I still have 3 books in the rough of my own trilogy just sitting there
VardaYesterday at 8:55 AM
Maybe something short when you're priming the pump?
IorethYesterday at 8:55 AM
Na-no-wri-mo is coming up and I hope to finish something then
VardaYesterday at 8:57 AM
We are taking Anniversary writing/art all through October still. Maybe a drabble, double drabble, or a poem? For folks who want to know what a drabble is, it's a story with a beginning, middle, ending of exactly 100 words, double is 200 words.(edited)
We will be happy to see your writing any time. : )
IorethYesterday at 8:58 AM
Don't know that I've intensionally done something like that before... I'm so long winded talking that I regularly exceed that just in conversation... hehehe
VardaYesterday at 8:58 AM
Anniversary theme is /drink.
It's tough! It's almost like writing a poem, and can sometimes turn into one.
It forces focus, a nice exercise even if you don't use it.
IorethYesterday at 9:00 AM
So three sets of 100 or 200 = story
VardaYesterday at 9:00 AM
100 words can make a story. Tricky. I find 200 words better.
IorethYesterday at 9:00 AM
so all three parts = 100 or 200
VardaYesterday at 9:01 AM
Correct.
IorethYesterday at 9:01 AM
that sounds hard
VardaYesterday at 9:01 AM
It is! Helps to have examples. We have some on the site.
Here's a 200:
http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/fiction/authors/Varda/stories/StayingSharp.htm
    Staying Sharp
    Story: How does Elrond stay sharp with so many leaning on him?
Jay of Lasgalen wrote a ton of them if you'd like to flip through some of her work on our site.
She wrote 100, really tough.
I mean the 100 word ones.
IorethYesterday at 9:05 AM
Nice idea, I'm so used to writing novels that it is tempting. It is a lot like a more structured version of what I always called "word painting" - decribing something with only words so that the reader sees what I am seeing.(edited)
VardaYesterday at 9:06 AM
Good to hear another term, pretty descriptive too. JRRT as an artist also painted with words; you could imagine the painting while reading in some spots.
IorethYesterday at 9:07 AM
Might be why I like him so much, my mind is always painting what I read. He also describes places that sound like where I have been before. England is on the same parrallel as Oregon after all, a lot of similar places.
VardaYesterday at 9:08 AM
Could be.
IorethYesterday at 9:08 AM
They say that Myrtle trees grow in Oregon and England, I've never confirmed that though.
VardaYesterday at 9:09 AM
Now you wind up Googling. ; )
IorethYesterday at 9:09 AM
And if it was so, why is it called "California" Bay tree... lol
brb, sun is coming up and animals want out.
VardaYesterday at 9:09 AM
Cheers
IorethYesterday at 9:37 AM
Where do I post it?
VardaYesterday at 9:38 AM
A drabble? Email me and I'll put it online for you.
IorethYesterday at 9:41 AM
Done... it's not very good.
/drink is a hard topic
VardaYesterday at 9:41 AM
Umbellularia californica is in Wikipedia, called Oregon Myrtle and California Bay Laurel. The myrtle is family Myrtaceae and found in Europe.
IorethYesterday at 9:41 AM
lol
VardaYesterday at 9:42 AM
For a broad prompt, easier to write after narrowing down as in ent draught, stirrup cup, greeting of Theoden and friends by Merry and Pippin at Isengard.
Thank you for your writing piece for the anniversary. : )
IorethYesterday at 9:45 AM
working on a double
VardaYesterday at 9:46 AM
Nice drama in this one.
Is the name "Drink"? Need a name for filing on the site.
IorethYesterday at 9:48 AM
Who knows - it's the first word of the piece. I suppose the name would be "Choice"
VardaYesterday at 9:48 AM
ok
VardaYesterday at 9:55 AM
http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/fiction/authors/Ioreth/stories/Choice.htm
Choice
    Tolkien-inspired drabble from prompt "drink".
Would you like a different descriptor there? I forgot that it shows when the link is posted this way.
IorethYesterday at 9:57 AM
Looks good enough
VardaYesterday at 9:57 AM
or
Drinking water in the wild can be a dangerous choice.
Hah, of course use both. Plenty of room.
IorethYesterday at 10:15 AM
bah, that one went long. You want to see it anyway?
VardaYesterday at 10:16 AM
You can work on it more, or not call it a drabble?
Sure, taking all lengths of stories.
IorethYesterday at 10:16 AM
it was suppose to be 200 words, it went double that.. lol
VardaYesterday at 10:16 AM
: )
VardaYesterday at 10:27 AM
Send when you're ready. : )
IorethYesterday at 10:27 AM
Sent
VardaYesterday at 10:27 AM
Thank you
Must be some kind of lag.
Got it. : )
IorethYesterday at 10:41 AM
Lately with Yahoo I think that they must have server congestion. There are some days I'll have my inbox cleared and that evening there will be messages covering several days waiting for me.
VardaYesterday at 10:41 AM
ugh

Pallando-ValarYesterday at 12:14 PM
Round 1!
https://youtu.be/Z9HFrM5QgLI
    YouTube
    Alan Downing
    Valar Guild's 21st Anniversary

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 12:33 PM
"Quadruple drabble" does have a ring to it.
VardaYesterday at 12:33 PM
It does. : )

O wow, that's some serious fireworks, Eve folks!

New story by Ioreth: "On Track":
http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/fiction/authors/Ioreth/stories/OnTrack.htm
    On Track
    Tolkien-inspired story.

Video on the anniversary page now.
Being called away, but will come back and forth. People have this odd notion of wanting lunch. ; )
Pallando-ValarYesterday at 12:40 PM
I have the raw video as well if someone wants to add some text or music to it. :smiley:
that first one had Elrond, Arien, and myself.
VardaYesterday at 12:40 PM
If any of you are good at that, please get with Pallando and me.
Pallando-ValarYesterday at 12:44 PM
This next one will have Elrond, Celebrian, Arien, Sauron, and myself.
Pallando-ValarYesterday at 1:15 PM
https://youtu.be/9XYFG9clb2Q
    YouTube
    Alan Downing
    Valar Guild 21st Anniversary

ArienVYesterday at 1:15 PM
I sent you some screenshots Varda :smiley:
VardaYesterday at 2:37 PM
back
Thanks Pallando and Arien  :smiley:
Watching video
Astounding. Just... astounding.
Anyone even able to come up with music to go with that? Could be the Song of Creation here.
VardaYesterday at 3:22 PM
Video and screenies now on the Anniversary page.
ArienVYesterday at 3:27 PM
oh yes .. oh Fortuna ..
that would  go so along :smiley:
Carl Orff :smiley:
or even Chariots of Fire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pQlRZZ9NMs
    YouTube
    Ferdinands Channel
    Chariots Of Fire - The London Symphony Orchestra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXFSK0ogeg4
    YouTube
    Beatriz
    Carl Orff - O Fortuna ~ Carmina Burana
or of course .... how could i forget that :smiley:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY0CGHNSFh0
    YouTube
    Holly Webb
    "Running to the Light" by: Runrig *photos*
or classic again :smiley: very classic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D2jQkBygtQ
    YouTube
    Hella Wahnsinn
    Georg Friedrich Händel ~ Feuerwerksmusik
VardaYesterday at 3:50 PM
"O Fortuna" is a medieval Latin Goliardic poem written early in the 13th century, part of the collection known as the Carmina Burana. It is a complaint about Fortuna, the inexorable fate that rules both gods and mortals in Roman and Greek mythology. (quote from Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Fortuna )
    O Fortuna
    "O Fortuna" is a medieval Latin Goliardic poem written early in the 13th century, part of the collection known as the Carmina Burana. It is a complaint about Fortuna, the inexorable fate that rules both gods and mortals in Roman and Greek mythology.
    In 1935–36, "O Fortuna" ...
Sauron and I were curious what they were singing.
ArienVYesterday at 3:51 PM
:smiley:
the up and down neverending and you cant change ithe way it goes but the music fits
i think anyway ... i love Carmina Burana as a whole
best fitting probably is chariot of fire tho
VardaYesterday at 4:04 PM
It's that time!
top

The Sunday Meeting begins! Feel free to say hi at least then go back to lurking or join in. : )
Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo!
ArienVYesterday at 4:05 PM
Aiya :smiley:
VardaYesterday at 4:05 PM

Membership:
Aiya Arien : )
Arien gets to poke Phar for a change! ; )
ElrondYesterday at 4:07 PM
Aiya
VardaYesterday at 4:07 PM
Aiya Elrond : )
ElrondYesterday at 4:07 PM
Celebrian is in the kitchen by proxy
VardaYesterday at 4:08 PM
Aiya Celebrian! : )
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:08 PM
Aiya!
And  yes, I'm here, Arien, and have been saying stuff earlier today :wink:
Was just wrapping up Heroes of the Storm friends quest.
ArienVYesterday at 4:09 PM
hi hi .. i know i know still was nice to have it this way round for a change ~
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:09 PM
Enjoy your fun, I'll get you back another time... :wink:
ArienVYesterday at 4:09 PM
i am sure :smiley:
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:09 PM
Right, back to WoW we go.
CelebrianYesterday at 4:10 PM
Aiya! Cooking dinner:)
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:10 PM
Aiya!
VardaYesterday at 4:11 PM
top

Web News:
We have lots of new stuff sent in for the 21st anniversary. Thank you all! Still accepting all of October for anniversary writing/art so you're not too late yet, folks.
Tolkien Site / Article:
"Drink in Middle-earth" by Arien-(Valar)
http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/articles/d/drink.htm
    Drink in Middle-earth
Article concerning drinks in
Tolkien's works, Middle-earth.
This means we also have a new section in the Tolkien Encyclopedia for Food and Drink, first new section in a long time.
http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/foodanddrink.htm
    Food and Drink
    Food and drink in Tolkien's works,including Middle-earth and Valinor.
Tolkien Site / Stories:
"Choice" by Ioreth-(V). Written as the 100 word drabble challenge form using the theme of /drink.
http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/fiction/authors/Ioreth/stories/Choice.htm
    Choice
    Drinking water in the wild can be a dangerous choice.
    Tolkien-inspired drabble from prompt "drink".
"On Track" by Ioreth-(V). Short story including the theme of drink.
http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/fiction/authors/Ioreth/stories/OnTrack.htm
    On Track
    Tolkien-inspired story of the Northern Rangers.
And congratulations again to all of you for keeping the Valar Guild going for 21 years. Thank you all!
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:16 PM
drinks to that
VardaYesterday at 4:16 PM
/drink
ArienVYesterday at 4:16 PM
I love that drabble :smiley:
that is really good
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:17 PM
:champagne_glass:
VardaYesterday at 4:17 PM
top

Gaming:
There was a lot going on this past week for the anniversary. You guys rock!
I'll try to hit all the anniversary stuff along with the general gaming report, as accompaniment.
From Eonwe:

This year's State of Valar Gaming Report is now available. Enjoy!
This was compiled from the info sent in earlier. Feel free to update Eonwe any time.
http://valarguild.org/gaming/news/state-of-valar-gaming-2018
    The Valar Guild Games Site
    Valar Guild Games Site
Also from Eonwe:

Happy Twenty-first Anniversary to the Valar Guild!
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:20 PM
Happy anniversary!
VardaYesterday at 4:21 PM

World of WarCraft:
This week's bonus event: Arena Skirmishes.
This week's PvP Brawl: Deepwind Dunk.
Check out this week's hotfixes.
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/21973195/hotfixes-october-5-2018
    World of Warcraft
    Hotfixes: October 5, 2018 - WoW
    ​Here you'll find a list of hotfixes that address various issues related to World of Warcraft:Battle For Azeroth.

Anniversary news from WoW:
Eonwë's Celebration walkabout through WoW is now up. Enjoy!
http://valarguild.org/gaming/wowlothar/events/twenty-first-anniversary-celebration-on-wow-04oct2018
    The Valar Guild Games Site
    Valar Guild Games Site
If anyone else has screenies from WoW for the Anniversary or would like to make one for the Drink theme, these would be welcome. : )
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:24 PM
Unfortunately I've not yet progressed so far that I've been exploring all the dive bars :wink:
VardaYesterday at 4:24 PM
Just need one. : )
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:24 PM
Even that! I've no idea where they are...
VardaYesterday at 4:24 PM
hah, ok. Might have to take a potion!

StarCraft:
Season 2 has begun for Starcraft: Remastered.
https://starcraft.com/en-us/articles/22549344
    StarCraft: Remastered
    StarCraft: Remastered upgrades the essential sci-fi strategy experience—the entire original game and its award-winning expansion, StarCraft: Brood War—from beginning to end.

For StarCraft 2,
 hello to those currently playing it like Eowyn and her youngster, and others. Fangorn also plays.
Suggestions welcome for how to do a drink screenie there!

Hearthstone:
Update 12.2 came out this week.
https://playhearthstone.com/en-us/blog/22546493/update-12-2-october-2-hallow-s-end
    Update 12.2 - October 2 - Hallow's End
    In this Hearthstone update we’re decorating the Tavern for a spooky Hallow’s End event that includes a special guest: the new Paladin Hero Sir Annoy-o! We’re also adding New Player Ranks, giving the Welcome Bundle a facelift, adding new Daily Quests, fixing some bugs, a...

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:27 PM
(Also for Starcraft 2: Phase 3 of the Warchest opened up this week, with new skins and a new comic)
VardaYesterday at 4:27 PM
Thanks!

EVE Online:
Here's where it gets really lively.

We have one video from Elrond shooting his "Lance Doomsday": [Note: edited: Moved this to the top of Eve as it is separate from the others.]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDhF0fqd1c8
    YouTube
    Brad Wilson
    Valar Guild Celebration - Eve Style

Valarites Arien, Celebrian, Elrond, Pallando, and Sauron got together to make explosive fireworks at Jita.
We have four screenies of this from Arien:
http://valarguild.org/varda/guild/NewsArchives/extras/2018/anniv/Eve/2018.10.07.17.56.29.png
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:29 PM
Fireworks, in space!
http://valarguild.org/varda/guild/NewsArchives/extras/2018/anniv/Eve/2018.10.07.17.56.54.png
http://valarguild.org/varda/guild/NewsArchives/extras/2018/anniv/Eve/2018.10.07.17.57.10.png
http://valarguild.org/varda/guild/NewsArchives/extras/2018/anniv/Eve/2018.10.07.18.01.03.png


On the aforementioned group run with Arien, Celebrian, Elrond, and Pallando, this video is from Pallando:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9HFrM5QgLI&feature=youtu.be
    YouTube
    Alan Downing
    Valar Guild's 21st Anniversary

This next video from Pallando is after Sauron joined the group:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XYFG9clb2Q&feature=youtu.be
    YouTube
    Alan Downing
    Valar Guild 21st Anniversary

This last one is now the header for the Anniversary page.
Pallando-ValarYesterday at 4:34 PM
I have the raw video as well, of course. If someone would like to edit text and music on top let me know and I'll give you the raw.
VardaYesterday at 4:34 PM
Hear that, you wonderful creative folk out there? Go for it!
Any other comments from the amazing Eve folks?
ArienVYesterday at 4:38 PM
it was good to get together as a whole for once :smiley:
CelebrianYesterday at 4:38 PM
Yep!
ArienVYesterday at 4:39 PM
carry on Varda :smiley:
VardaYesterday at 4:39 PM
Thank you

Lord of the Rings Online
group had two runs available on Oct 4, at noon and seven.
The screenies, not as amazing as Eve's so we will now have to compete, are up:
http://valarguild.org/varda/guild/NewsArchi ves/extras/2018/anniv/anniv21st.htm#LotROannivscreenies
    21st Anniversary of the Valar GuildYear 2018, 21st Anniversary celebration of the Valar Guild
Fireworks, drinking, dancing, horse-riding.
For the second run, we just ported wherever the two hunters felt like going. The unrehearsed nature of it was quite fun so we may try that again.

Any other games that might be good for showing the drink theme that we play?
ArienVYesterday at 4:43 PM
World of Warcraft with the Brewfest
VardaYesterday at 4:43 PM
That would be great!
ArienVYesterday at 4:44 PM
just didnt get quite the oomph yet to get round to do that but my days off are coming :smiley:
VardaYesterday at 4:44 PM
Cool. Maybe some others might join you for a drink. : )
ArienVYesterday at 4:44 PM
we ll see :smiley:
VardaYesterday at 4:45 PM
Thank you all for the wonderful jobs you've done. :smiley:
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:45 PM
Ehr, sorry to disappoint you...
but brewfest ended yesterday.
VardaYesterday at 4:45 PM
Thanks, good to know.
Got you all off the hook for that one, heh.
ArienVYesterday at 4:46 PM
Brewvest yes indeed i just saw that sorry 9
:frowning:
but i ll find something ..
VardaYesterday at 4:46 PM
Maybe in the Panda or Dwarf areas?
ArienVYesterday at 4:46 PM
probably yes
VardaYesterday at 4:46 PM
Anyway, on to
top

Tolkien!

When did you guys and gals first get interested in Middle-earth? Were you kids or adults? Was it books, movies, games, school, family, friends?
    I was a kid, loved reading them. Started out more in Science Fiction then discovered Fantasy, although at that time folklore was more interesting. Middle-earth combined it all for me. Eru-(Valar) got me into the idea that it could be more in the game, finding me in Diablo where I was using a name from Middle-earth.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:51 PM
Well. Let's see. Always used to love reading fantasy as a kid, though that was in Dutch. Can't really imagine doing that again now :wink: I remember seeing a summary or review in some school magazine about LotR, though again the Dutch version. Seemed interesting, but didn't pay too much attention to it.
Fast forward until I'm about... 14-15 or so, and strolling through the school library, where I see Fellowship of the Ring.
In English, mind you. Still, it rings a bell, not sure how... but I start reading it in my spare time. Memory is a bit vague at this point. First time I'm seriously reading books in English, beyond a few simplified versions of books for class. I think I've got David Copperfield lying around somewhere still...
And it just... grabs me, I guess. I finish the trilogy, doing a bit of research into it, and making a list of all the books related to Middle-earth that are available.
At some point I come into a few hundred euros. I think it was from a bingo session on vacation :wink: At that point I start my collection. Going to a local-ish shop, seeing what they've got available, and what I can pre-order. It is at this point that I collect my own copy of LotR, The Hobbit, and part 2 of the History of Middle-Earth... and over the next year or so collect the entire History, the Silmarillion, and UT.
It must've been not long after that I found you. I'd already been playing Warcraft II and III for years, and was looking for Tolkien maps in WIII or some other combination of the two... and ran across your website!
Of course that was just the start of my collection habits when it comes to fantasy fiction. I've since picked up a few more Tolkien books as they came out, like the Narn, and Letters, and even got my hands on an old little booklet containing Farmer Giles of Ham and Tom Bombadil :wink:
And when I went to university I got introduced to the Discworld series, which I have complete as well, and not too long ago I started collecting my own copies of all sorts of Warcraft books...
And now english language Fantasy is totally my thing!
Yeah, I think that'll do for my account :smiley:
VardaYesterday at 5:01 PM
Sure glad to have you with us. : )
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:02 PM
(and Gondolin should be about 10 days away)
ArienVYesterday at 5:02 PM
indeed nice Story :smiley:

ElrondYesterday at 5:04 PM
I read alot of books and fantasy as a kid, played and DM'd D&D back in the early days (red/blue books and AD&D 1&2nd edition). Really got hooked on DragonLance and remembered seeing Hobbit/LOTRO in early years as a cartoon in school (the really bad one). Ran a fantasy BBS (pre-internet) and then a mud, and played lots of TSR computer games, lots of old Infocom games. Got into WOW from a friend off our mud, then LOTRO when it came out, and ran into Irmo and Maha on there, and that landed me and Celebrian here.
VardaYesterday at 5:04 PM
Wonderful. : )

ArienVYesterday at 5:06 PM
with me it started similar .. ii loved English and  was looking for books in English in the public library :)i came over the stories about King Arthur to fantasy as a literary genre and  in that same section stood the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings
i was 13 or 14 then
VardaYesterday at 5:06 PM
Fitting company. Return of the King Arthur, maybe not exactly. : )
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:07 PM
I might have been 16, actually...
Funny thing, libraries.
ArienVYesterday at 5:07 PM
I borrowed them as often a s i could .. there werent that many copies around of those books and i don t think many others had a chance to read them until i bought my own copy :smiley:
VardaYesterday at 5:08 PM
We were very lucky. We had libraries, books stores, used book stores all around, and friends and family that read and that we borrowed between.
ArienVYesterday at 5:09 PM
yeah and i read various other books inbetween
VardaYesterday at 5:09 PM
Have to be a pretty good reader already to handle Tolkien, aye.
ArienVYesterday at 5:10 PM
other fantasy and folk lore things .. especially i fell in love with Marion Zeimmer Bradley and Steven Lawhead and Mercedes Lackey
VardaYesterday at 5:10 PM
o man. wants to run to the bookshelf and bookstores right now
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:10 PM
Well, I'd always been a good reader, supposedly I learned to read in 3 hours. But to really start reading English books with LotR is quite a problem when you're not English yourself.
Though like I said, I'd been playing Warcraft for years, starting with II about 5 years earlier... that does help.
ArienVYesterday at 5:11 PM
but always came back to Tolkien and then i read The Siilmarillion in german and started to get a german Tolkien collection from 18 or 19 onwards i guess
active as afficionado i became when i started gaming here .. came across this website by chance
ArienVYesterday at 5:12 PM
if chance it was :smiley:
VardaYesterday at 5:12 PM
hehe
Council of Elrond, Chance or Not? :wink:
ArienVYesterday at 5:13 PM
hehe
i got hold of my first computer when i was 25 or so .. started to study at the bible college and internet became popular
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:14 PM
I can still see that first Fellowship book before me... I wonder if I could locate the exact cover online.
VardaYesterday at 5:15 PM
Mine is right here, multi-taped. Has JRRT's illustration on the front of the paperback. [Note: tape here means transparent sticky Scotch tape.]
ArienVYesterday at 5:15 PM
i got audio version of the Hobbit .. unfortunately the tapes are partly broken .. but i still have hem
BBC version i think
after that came comics .. a video recording of the old Lord of the Rings film from the 82 comic version  or roundab out that
i saw that when i was older .. and got hold of this really   collector version of that film story just only the first part  .. but it is really rare enough
i found it by accident in a station kiosk out of all places :smiley:
VardaYesterday at 5:20 PM
Used to be traveling areas were great to pick up books. : )  Hope it's still that way in places.
ArienVYesterday at 5:22 PM
and so it went on  .. i ve got a few volumes of the History of Middleearth in the mean time and my most recent acquisitions The Tale of the Children of Hurin an Beren of Luthien
VardaYesterday at 5:23 PM
Nice
ArienVYesterday at 5:24 PM
i ve got an  Atlas of Middlearth two linen maps .. one of the shire and  one of Lothlorien .. i think . the map of Middlearth a few picture postcards with tolkien motives . i think tha t 's it :smiley:
i got the maps from the comicon in Belfast :smiley:
that is my story :smiley:
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:25 PM
Oh, yes, got the Atlas and Journeys of Frodo as well.

VardaYesterday at 5:28 PM
We're nearly half an hour past the hour. Shall we call it here and let Europe get some rest? : )
Thank you all for a great year. :smiley:
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:29 PM
You too :smiley:
VardaYesterday at 5:29 PM
hammers and hammerpad throw confetti and streamers, make happy honking noises
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After-meeting!
Free chat
ArienVYesterday at 5:30 PM
fail in the memory :smiley:
the maps are Dain's map and the map of Middlearth :smiley:
i had to check ^^
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:31 PM
Oh, almost forgot, when we're talking maps...
back in university, my first study, so at least 10  years ago... I picked up a giant wall poster map of Middle-earth.
Still hanging on my wall :smiley:
VardaYesterday at 5:32 PM
ahh, I have a small tapestry on a wood pole of Middle-earth on the wall. waves to yours
ArienVYesterday at 5:32 PM
forgot also an interesting new age interpretation of LotR  and a german vocabulary on Elvish languages :smiley:
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:32 PM
Ooh, fancy :smiley:
new age interpretation, eh?
ArienVYesterday at 5:34 PM
oh yeah i think they call it *deep psychology * or something like that :smiley:
it makes interesting reading anyway
I ve also gotg The Languages of Tokien 's Middlearh here i see :smiley:
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:37 PM
Yeah, the languages have never really been my thing. Though there were some interesting bits throughout the History.
ArienVYesterday at 5:37 PM
Graphic Novel of The Hobbit in German
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:37 PM
The Westron names of the Hobbits come to mind... I did name my WoW marsuul pets after them :smiley:
ArienVYesterday at 5:38 PM
i ve also got The Adventures of Tom Bombadil and Farmer Giles of Ham :smiley:
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:38 PM
Maura, Kalimac and Razanur.
ArienVYesterday at 5:38 PM
probably a poor collecrtion compared to others :smiley:
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:38 PM
Sounds fine to me :wink:
VardaYesterday at 5:38 PM
It's a good one
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:40 PM
Afk a bit.
ArienVYesterday at 5:56 PM
i forgot completely :smiley: i ve got a gollum miniature as well .. was in the collectors edition of Lord of the Rings dvd :smiley:
VardaYesterday at 5:56 PM
neato : )
ArienVYesterday at 5:57 PM
:smiley:
ArienVYesterday at 6:10 PM
Namarie for  tonight :smiley:
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:17 PM
Namarie!
(bit late)
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Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:40 PM
Perrrrrsonal gaming report!
Okay, I've got 3 silly flashgames for you.

Pallando-ValarYesterday at 6:44 PM
Welp

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:44 PM
http://www.freewebarcade.com/game/super-puffer-fish/ is the first one! You control a puffer fish with arrow keys, rolling around a wooden pier, saving the fish at the end of each level. For extra stars, collect all the coins and beat the time limit.. in one attempt :smiley:

Pallando-ValarYesterday at 6:44 PM [Note: Eve Online]
We got slapped back.
Kinda expected. They called in a favor, we got hit hard. We're still up overall, but lost badly today.
:frowning:
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:45 PM
Ouch. Such is war, I presume?
Pallando-ValarYesterday at 6:45 PM
Such is war.
We will adapt and we will overcome.
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:46 PM
Playing zerg in Starcraft II right now, that fits right in...
Pallando-ValarYesterday at 6:46 PM
We made ourselves vulnerable and they exploited it -- it's okay.
We're mad(der) now.
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:46 PM
heh

http://www.onemorelevel.com/game/hold_on is probably the silliest one of today! You move the mouse to control a little guy holding on to a rope. The rope is sliding around and you have to keep up, while also avoiding falling rocks. If you flap loose from the rope for more than a second or so, you will fall. If you get hit by a rock, you will fall. Try to last as long as possible :smiley:
    Hold On - OneMoreLevel.com
actually http://www.freewebarcade.com/game/hold-on/ is a better working link for it

https://www.kongregate.com/games/Crescentyr/where-are-my-pets is the third game! A logic puzzle game. A variety of pets and foodstuffs are in different rooms, but they have multiple possible rooms they can be in. You get a lot of clues related to room positioning, like one pet or item being 2 rooms above another.
    Kongregate
    Where Are My Pets?
    Where Are My Pets? is a logic puzzle game about finding the location of your pets and other objects. Each room has several possible objects and you have to dec...
Pretty easy, with a lot of excess clues, but still fun. Try the hard mode as well, where you can't eliminate options, but have to choose correct locations only.
Nice music too.

Right, will continue blizzard gaming report after this daily SCII training match for the warchest :wink:
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 7:08 PM
Hmm, the joy of seeing zerglings chasing, surrounding and killing other zerglings... I'm going to like the upcoming campaign replay I have planned.

Right! Blizzard gaming.
Starcraft II:
Warchest phase 3 has started, the last one for this chest, including skins for flying units of all 3 races. Got the first tier already unlocked, giving mechanical overlords among other things. They look quite nice :smiley:
As mentioned a few days ago, the new episode of the comic features a Nova appearance, who will be apparently playing a larger role in it; this has alarmed me into planning a long-awaited campaign playthrough for Heart of the Swarm, Legacy of the Void, and Nova: Covert Ops so I'm at least up to date enough for the story. I left off Heart of the Swarm nearly 3 years ago, before the last few missions on the final planet, and I plan to play through it again and finish it this time. How I'm going to get into it again and which difficulty I'll go through, including npc conversations etc, I have not yet decided, but I intend to start after the warchest and Heroes of the Storm event are over, and I've completed chapter 4 of the Diablo season journey, so I have a bit of time to spare for a regular Starcraft II mission.
after I've completed chapter 4, that is
Speaking of!
Diablo 3:
Chapter 1 complete now, working on chapter 2. I'm up to level 55 now, with Kanai's Cube got. Next step will be getting to level 60 for a few more objectives, and then onward to 70 to wrap up chapter 2.
Heroes of the Storm:
Been hard at work on the quest event. Had 2 quests left tonight, including one to play 3 games with a friend, which I was tracking, and one to get an MVP award or specific healing award. You're only supposed to track and progress on one quest (of your choice) at a time, which is why I was rather confused to see both quests complete when I got MVP in the 3rd match with friend. Either it's bugged, or it automatically switches to the last remaining quest when you only have one left, but even then I should not have been able to do both in one match. Oh well!
With those done, all 4 lieutenants' questlines have been completed, unlocking the last quest, where you have to choose your side in the siege of the story, by either getting 40 takedowns in matches, or dealing 300000 siege damage in matches. Either way it's pretty much the longest quest in the event (as it should be) and I chose the 40 takedowns quest to get the normal tombstone mount rather than the corrupted one. Will work on that starting tomorrow.
Brawl was garden arena, where you have to gather 100 seeds before your opponent in a best-of-3 match. We won the first game with 2-0 and lost the second game with 2-0, so at least it was as fast as it could have been.
Gotten 3 levels in the meantime, going to level 306. Leveled heroes were Sergeant Hammer, Morales and Dehaka, I think. Combined with the chest rewards from the quest event and one from the brawl, I've gotten quite a bit of loot from the halloween season so far.
Including a legendary skin for Greymane, Doctor Wolf & Stein. Will make use of that when I start playing him :smiley:
Hearthstone:
Pushing more xp on all classes, with some getting pretty close to the next level and the others not too far behind. Brawl this week contains webspinners for all classes, which are 1-1 stat spiders which give random beasts to your hand when they die. Randomness everywhere. Still managed to win 3 matches for a quest though.
WoW:
Farming heroic difficulty Uldir a bit more, and got Vectis down today, putting us at 5/8. Had our first few attempts at Zul, but more experimenting with strategy will be required.
Loot still coming; got a new cat trinket and slightly better pants. Always nice.
Expeditions continuing: Got 2 more npcs out of the missing 5 for one achievement, and also completed the collection of 100 dubloons and 20 heroic difficulty expeditions. I'll continue on heroic until I get the last 3 npcs. Got a new queststarter too, but no other items.
PvP also continuing. Completed the 10 arena skirmishes for the weekly, though only the first one gave conquest.. haven't checked if that's the first one of the day or of the week, since I completed them all on wednesday. We also took a stab at premade rated battlegrounds with some people from my raidgroup, but had no success with winning any. Oh well, trying again next week.
Oh, for expedition rewards, a guide has appeared at https://warcraft-secrets.com/guides/island-expeditions-rewards/ to check which types of mobs you need for which rewards. Been trying to put the data in a sortable spreadsheet but I've not progressed far on that yet :wink:
    Warcraft Secrets
    Island Expeditions Rewards
    Island Expeditions Rewards Guide. Learn what type of Island Denizens, Invaders and Creatures you have to encounter in order to get Mounts, Pets, Toys, Quests and Transmog.
but if you're interested in the rewards, it's a good idea to check out that guide!
And finally, been throwing myself at Stormsong Valley in what time I have left after all that other stuff. Questing slowly progressing, with chapter 2 of 8 completed as well as a couple of sidequests, and now nearly friendly with Storm's Wake. I might decide not to unlock world quests as soon as I hit friendly, but finish the zone first for a better overview.
And that's my report for the week!

Ooh, and I just got a new legendary card in Hearthstone, the legendary druid spell. For one turn, gain 1 mana crystal for that turn whenever a minion dies... eh, seems rather niche, and I don't know if it's actually good.
Still, a legendary's a legendary.
Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 8:31 PM
namarie!
VardaYesterday at 9:37 PM
Namarie Phar

October 8, 2018
ElrondToday at 8:36 AM
Personal gaming report:

Eve Online:
It's been pretty quiet for me, I bought another titan, a leviathan, which is a Caldari shield titan. This gives me both an armor and shield based titan, and trained my fax pilot (healing ship) can support both armor and shield as well. Never thought I'd own one titan, much less two of them, as they are pretty skill intensive and very expensive to purchase.

I'm looking into alternative ways to make money, as the profit margins on skill farming has been shrinking, and this has been my main income for some time. I don't pay any real money to play Eve, and instead farm skill points, extract them, and sell them for in game money (ISK). I then buy game time to pay for all my accounts, and all the characters on them. To give you an idea at present, it costs roughly 1.5bil isk to fund the main account with plex, and then you purchase a Multi Pilot Certificate for about 1bil each to train the other two characters on your account (one main, two alts) on each account. I do the approx 12x for a total of 37 characters I currently manage as pilots/skill farmers. With occasional 1/2 off sales on yearly subscriptions, I keep some of the main accounts going for a bit, but the margins for profit are getting thinner, skill injector prices have dropped, plex has gone up along with extractors.

I used to smartbomb rock havens for around 420-500mil every 20 minutes. There are also contracting blazing npc missions to runners, which with the sheer number of accounts I have, may be more profitable. So I'm investigating which options for more profit/less effort I may go with as the profit margins shrink. I have been able to pull in anywhere from 38-40bil a month in profit, but once the yearly subs start to trickle out, that will end.(edited)
ElrondToday at 8:47 AM
When I first started, extractor prices were around 300mil and injectors sold for around 900mil, and 1.2bil for month of plex. Now the injector prices are around 340mil and injectors are at 705mil, and now 1.5bil for a month of plex. So while still profitable as a passive income, its not very much anymore unless you have alot of accounts.

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