Valar Guild

December 20, 2020 Sunday Meeting

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

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

Attending (and spoke): (9)
    Discord: Arien  Valar, Ar-Pharazon-V, Eonwë Valar, Falco, Ioreth, Irmo, Miriel/Maha, Shelob, Varda (presiding)

Before-meeting
Meeting begins
Membership news:
    Falco's SpaceX news
Web:
Gaming:
    General reports: World of WarcraftLord of the Rings Online, Overwatch, Hearthstone, Diablo 4, Diablo Immortal, more LotRO
Tolkien:
    Topic: Tolkien Moment from Varda. As Ar-pharazon puts it: If you're gonna die, make it count.
After-meeting:
    Flashgaming Reviews by Ar-Pharazon.
top

Before-meeting
IrmoToday at 4:00 PM
Aiya aiya

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 4:00 PM
Aiya!

VardaToday at 4:02 PM
Aiya Irmo and Phar!

Eonwë ValarToday at 4:02 PM
Heya.

VardaToday at 4:02 PM
@Bounder Hurray! It's meeting time! Come say hi, lurkity lurk, or even chat!
[4:02 PM]
Aiya Eonwe!

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 4:02 PM
Aiya Eonwe!

FalcoToday at 4:02 PM
Aiya

VardaToday at 4:02 PM
Good to see you could make it after all. : )  At least for a while.

[4:03 PM]
Falco! Aiya!

top

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

Membership:
[4:03 PM]
Falco, do you have time right now to give your amazing news?

FalcoToday at 4:03 PM
Sure lol

VardaToday at 4:03 PM
Hurray! Fire when ready. : )

FalcoToday at 4:04 PM
Ok!

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 4:04 PM
Aiya Falco!

FalcoToday at 4:04 PM
Lately my gaming time has gone down quite a bit as I'm a member of LabPadre which is a group of individuals who monitor SpaceX from Boca Chica Tx.
[4:05 PM]
I have been asked to be a Commentator for upcoming Launches and Closures at the Site.
[4:05 PM]
LabPadre has a YouTube Channel with 7 Cameras onsite which Monitor Activity and Live Launches from the Site.
[4:06 PM]
Currently there are over 7K Members on Discord for those that want additional information, learn more, or to share insights.
[4:07 PM]
Last launch of SN8 atracted over 132K viewers.

MahaToday at 4:07 PM
Aiya! Hope everyone has a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season.

VardaToday at 4:07 PM
Aiya Miriel. You too!

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 4:07 PM
Aiya!

FalcoToday at 4:07 PM
If there is a SpaceX Launch going on I will most likely be watching versus playing or commentating.
[4:07 PM]
If you have any interest in SpaceX, I would recommend checking out LadPadre.

VardaToday at 4:07 PM
I'd like to join you in that watching, Falco.

FalcoToday at 4:08 PM
Aiya Miriel!

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 4:08 PM
Our holiday season has been nerfed, increased lockdown until jan 19th. But at least we can still have 3 visitors for the holidays as an exception.

VardaToday at 4:08 PM
https://labpadre.com/
LabPadre.com
GEAR UP WITH LABPADRE
LabPadre is a free 24/7 live stream of the SpaceX Starship construction and testing site in Boca Chica, Texas. Multiple camera views available.

[4:08 PM]
https://twitter.com/LabPadre
    LabPadre (@LabPadre)
    I love delivering live video to the world. I hope one day to broadcast live from Mars!
    Tweets
    1266
    Followers
    23447
    Twitter

ShelobToday at 4:08 PM
2 Phar. 2.

VardaToday at 4:08 PM
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFwMITSkc1Fms6PoJoh1OUQ
    YouTube
    LabPadre
    SpaceX Boca Chica, Texas Live Launches and Testing, South Padre Island Events.
    NASA Updates.
    Spring Break, Extreme 4x4 off road, and other fun videos and live streams.


FalcoToday at 4:09 PM
We refer to most viewers as the Nerdel! LOL

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 4:09 PM
No, I think 2's the standard for the lockdown, but 3 for actual xmas.

VardaToday at 4:09 PM
Aiya Shelob. Hope they don't figure it by foot traffic when you have eight legs.
[4:09 PM]
Sounds close to Nerdanel. : )

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 4:09 PM
Also, aiya spidey.

FalcoToday at 4:09 PM
:)

VardaToday at 4:10 PM
Falco, I don't think I covered it all on links.
[4:10 PM]
Do you have more you'd like to mention?
[4:11 PM]
Texas: cram everyone in that fits like the old phone booth. More pie!

ShelobToday at 4:11 PM
Good evening. Gaming with friends at the moment.

FalcoToday at 4:11 PM
I think the links provided cover it very well.

ShelobToday at 4:11 PM
Board gaming online

VardaToday at 4:11 PM
Go for it, Shelob.
[4:11 PM]
Falco, you mentioned a Discord channel also?
[4:11 PM]
How do we reach it
[4:11 PM]
?

FalcoToday at 4:11 PM
Yes the LadPadre discord server
[4:11 PM]
Let me look up the link

VardaToday at 4:11 PM
Thank you.

FalcoToday at 4:12 PM
https://discord.gg/ZutvHM8p
    YOU'VE BEEN INVITED TO JOIN A SERVER
    LabPadre
    1,119 Online
    7,753 Members

Joined

Arien  ValarToday at 4:12 PM
Aiya

VardaToday at 4:12 PM
Aiya Sunshine : )

[4:12 PM]
A wild Varda appeared. : )
[4:12 PM]
Thank you.
[4:13 PM]
And what about that interesting new commentator for LabPadre who starts tomorrow?

FalcoToday at 4:13 PM
I don't know much about him...

VardaToday at 4:13 PM
hahahahaha

Arien  ValarToday at 4:13 PM
let me guess Falco

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 4:13 PM
Aiya Arien!

Arien  ValarToday at 4:14 PM
i bet you know him like your self :D?

FalcoToday at 4:14 PM
I don't know much about Rockets but they have asked me to join as I have 30+ Years in A&D that is relevant.

VardaToday at 4:14 PM
When does the commentary start? (tell time zone with that please)

Arien  ValarToday at 4:14 PM
Aiya Phari

FalcoToday at 4:14 PM
Typically its around any major launch from the site.  Tomorrow we have a Closure Scheduled at the Site from 8AM to 5:30PM Central and the Team will be covering the closure.
[4:15 PM]
We expect SN9 to launch near the end of this year to at least 12.5 KM or they may be just preparing for Static Firing of the Raptor Engines.

VardaToday at 4:15 PM
Just? ; )

FalcoToday at 4:16 PM
Quite a few vidoes of StarShip SN8 are on youtube that is really cool to watch.

VardaToday at 4:16 PM
What does A&D stand for?

ShelobToday at 4:16 PM
They could be actually launching something... so "just" might be appropriate.

FalcoToday at 4:16 PM
Aerospace & Defense

VardaToday at 4:16 PM
Now that sounds like relevant knowledge!

FalcoToday at 4:17 PM
Starship Diagram

VardaToday at 4:17 PM
Static firing tends to be spectacular to watch, too.
[4:17 PM]
Oh  thank you! That pic is worth a lot of words.

FalcoToday at 4:17 PM
SN9 is the vehicle that is being preped for launch.  To give some perspective this is nearly the same size as an A380 Airbus
[4:18 PM]
This is Elon's vehicle to be used for taking people to Mars.
[4:18 PM]
SN8

VardaToday at 4:18 PM
raises hand I volunteer to go. : )

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 4:19 PM
How's the wifi out there?

FalcoToday at 4:19 PM
This is the diagram giving you an idea of the size of this beast.

VardaToday at 4:19 PM
Bet that's a long line.

FalcoToday at 4:19 PM
1000s of people went to watch the last launch.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 4:19 PM
I'm not going anywhere until WoW goes down forever. After that you can take me to Mars.

VardaToday at 4:20 PM
stows away inside

FalcoToday at 4:20 PM
:)

VardaToday at 4:20 PM
Hey, set up repeaters all the way and play. ; )

FalcoToday at 4:20 PM
StarLink

VardaToday at 4:21 PM
Exactly!
[4:21 PM]
https://www.starlink.com/

FalcoToday at 4:21 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxpoN6LK3wE
    YouTube
    LabPadre
    Watch Starship SN8's Historic Launch With 6 Cam Replay Thermal Imag...

[4:22 PM]
This is one of the most unusual approach landings with a very nice BOOM at the end.
[4:23 PM]
Exceeded all expectations and appears the correction to prevent the final BOOM is a relatively simple adjustment.

VardaToday at 4:25 PM
He apologizes for the camera work. I remember how fast it used to turn to nothing but a tiny white dot. : )

FalcoToday at 4:25 PM
Yea we had a bit of a mistake.  Someone hit the wrong button and the cameras reverted to Preset for normal monitoring of the site.
[4:25 PM]
Tooks us awhile to get the cameras redirected.

VardaToday at 4:25 PM
Oops. : )

FalcoToday at 4:26 PM
The FLIR camera shows a really cool view!
Here is a 3x3 View of the Cameras monitoring real time the activity.  1 of the cameras is currently down for work.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 4:27 PM
For some reason I love FLIR as an acronym.

VardaToday at 4:28 PM
Wow, really turns to the tail at the last minute.

FalcoToday at 4:28 PM
My wife is watching the job openings in the area hoping one pops up for us, lol.
[4:28 PM]
Belly Flop is what Elon calls it with the Crazy Elon Kick Flip.

VardaToday at 4:29 PM
: )
[4:30 PM]
Before they went to rockets, we used to be interested in something more like a space plane. This is more like the old science fiction magazines.

FalcoToday at 4:30 PM
Very much so.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 4:31 PM
Space Shuttle always looked the part.
[4:31 PM]
Sleek, somewhat plane-like...

FalcoToday at 4:32 PM
Yea.  I miss the Space Shuttle.

VardaToday at 4:33 PM
So do we all. But we are forging ahead anyway!
[4:34 PM]
I could talk about this stuff all day, but cough maybe we should continue with the rest of the meeting.

FalcoToday at 4:34 PM
Thanks Varda!

VardaToday at 4:34 PM
I hope everyone has joined the Nerdanel , er Nerdl, channel. ; )
[4:34 PM]
And we must all be watching Falco tomorrow! Even if we have to catch it later instead of live.
[4:35 PM]
Thank you for sharing that with us!

[4:36 PM]
Any other membership news?

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 4:36 PM
Well, had my mom's 65th birthday yesterday, that was fun, even if it meant an evening without gaming
[4:37 PM]
pc gaming, that is

IorethToday at 4:37 PM
grats and hugs to her

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 4:37 PM
Thanks

VardaToday at 4:37 PM
Congratulations on her making it past everything to 65 and your chance to be there. : )

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 4:38 PM
We're still here

VardaToday at 4:38 PM
Yes!
[4:38 PM]
I wonder when the first Irish pub goes up between the Moon and Mars...
[4:38 PM]
o pardon, I digress.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 4:39 PM
Just look to the point when the rockets no longer go straight.

VardaToday at 4:40 PM
hahahaha
[4:40 PM]

top

Web:
[4:40 PM]
Only the void...
[4:40 PM]

top

Gaming:
[4:41 PM]
That we did!

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 4:41 PM
The void beckons...

VardaToday at 4:41 PM
: )
[4:41 PM]
Fionwe, you're up!

Eonwë ValarToday at 4:41 PM
Raises sword to the air.

Arien  ValarToday at 4:43 PM
well let me tell you .. if any of the celts .. be it a scot or an irishman/ woman travel anywhere in space and there is a be it ever so small it might be managable .. they will find a way to brew something of the indigenious beverages ~

Eonwë ValarToday at 4:43 PM

World of Warcraft:
[4:44 PM]
Now going through January 2nd: the Feast of Winterveil. ---
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23237901/don-your-holiday-apparel-the-feast-of-winter-veil-has-begun
    World of Warcraft
    Don Your Holiday Apparel—The Feast of Winter Veil Has Begun! - WoW
    It’s time once more to don your finest finery, drink a little egg nog, and embrace the spirit of giving (the Smokywood Pastures way). The Feast of Winter Veil has begun!

[4:44 PM]
This week's bonus event: Shadowlands Dungeons.
[4:44 PM]
Check out the latest hotfixes. ---
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23580183/hotfixes-december-18-2020
    World of Warcraft
    Hotfixes: December 18, 2020 - WoW
    Here you will find a list of hotfixes that address various issues related to World of Warcraft: Shadowlands and WoW Classic.

[4:44 PM]

Lord of the Rings Online:
[4:44 PM]
Update 28.2.1 came out this week. ---
https://www.lotro.com/en/content/update-2821-release-notes
    The Lord of the Rings Online
    Update 28.2.1 Release Notes
[4:45 PM]

Overwatch:
[4:45 PM]
A new blog is out: Freeze the Day: Behind the Newest Winter Wonderland Brawl ---
https://playoverwatch.com/en-us/news/23585676/freeze-the-day-behind-the-newest-winter-wonderland-brawl/
    Overwatch
    Freeze the Day: Behind the Newest Winter Wonderland Brawl
    Get a behind-the-scenes look at Freezethaw Elimination from one of its creators, associate level designer Trey Spisak.

[4:45 PM]

Hearthstone:
[4:46 PM]
Patch 19.2 came out this week. ---
https://playhearthstone.com/en-us/news/23584141/19-2-patch-notes
    19.2 Patch Notes
    The 19.2 patch includes new Battlegrounds Heroes and Minions, balance updates for Standard and Duels, game improvements, and more!

[4:46 PM]

Diablo 4:
[4:46 PM]
The Quarterly Update for D4 is out. ---
https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/diablo4/23583664/diablo-iv-quarterly-update-december-2020
    Diablo IV Quarterly Update—December 2020
    We’re excited about several big updates and revisions that the team’s worked on for a long time that we are trying to complete before the holidays.

[4:46 PM]

Diablo Immortal:
[4:46 PM]
Diablo Immortal is now in Technical Alpha. ---
https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/diablo-immortal/23583662/diablo-immortal-technical-alpha-one-step-closer-to-hell
    Diablo Immortal Technical Alpha—One Step Closer to Hell
    Learn more about the Diablo Immortal Technical Alpha. Get all the details and answers to your most pressing questions about the limited public Technical Alpha.


Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 4:47 PM
Only for those with phones.

Eonwë ValarToday at 4:47 PM
You can get a full scoop from the following articles posted:

Our Free To Play Approach and Values ---
https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/diablo-immortal/23580185/our-free-to-play-approach-and-values
    Diablo Immortal Gameplay Overview: Everything You Need To Know ---
https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/diablo-immortal/23557147/diablo-immortal-gameplay-overview-everything-you-need-to-know
    Character and Skill Progression in Diablo Immortal ---
https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/diablo-immortal/23572633/character-and-skill-progression-in-diablo-immortal
    Itemization in Diablo Immortal ---
https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/diablo-immortal/23574266/itemization-in-diablo-immortal
    Our Free to Play Approach and Values
    Today we want to share how we're coming at the business model for Immortal—what it is, the values behind it, and how it works in practice.

Diablo Immortal Gameplay Overview: Everything You Need to Know
Learn more about Diablo Immortal in our Gameplay Overview. We’re beginning our Technical Alpha, and we have a lot of information to share with you about the game’s setting, classes, progression, and more.

Character and Skill Progression in Diablo Immortal
Learn more about Character and Skill Progression in Diablo Immortal. We dig into the classes, skill systems, and other action-RPG elements that empower your character.

Itemization in Diablo Immortal
Learn more about Itemization in Diablo Immortal. We dig into everything you need to know in your journey to build up your character’s ultimate arsenal.

[4:48 PM]
"Do you guys not have phones?!" lol :}
[4:49 PM]
Thus ends my gaming report.

VardaToday at 4:49 PM
Thank you, Eonwe! : )
[4:50 PM]
We started this group in Diablo and it's still going!

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 4:50 PM
I may mock, but if I did have a smartphone I'd definitely be playing that one when it comes out

VardaToday at 4:50 PM
Look at the tire skid marks where Phar just left to pick up a smartphone.
[4:51 PM]
Ask for it for Christmas. ; )
[4:51 PM]
They can deliver, I suspect.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 4:51 PM
Neh. One of the reasons I don't have a smartphone is so I don't get sucked into that stuff when by chance I'm not behind the pc.

VardaToday at 4:52 PM
Good point.
[4:52 PM]
A little bit more on LotRO:
[4:52 PM]
A batch of interesting names:
[4:52 PM]
Landroval server:
Arien
Bregalad
Celebrian
Eonwe
Frodo
Irmo
Lenwe
Marigold
Miriel
Nar
Varda

Ithil server:
Dis
Eonwe
Falco
Varda

Anor server:
Fangorn
Varda

IorethToday at 4:53 PM
Where's my name?

VardaToday at 4:53 PM
Falco and I happened to run into each other today even though neither of us had been on much lately. That's where I found out what he was about to do tomorrow.
[4:53 PM]
When were you on, Ioreth? It's just a list of the past 6 days.

IorethToday at 4:54 PM
no, not this week

VardaToday at 4:55 PM
So you need to show up for the week to have your name blazoned on the list! Feel free!
[4:56 PM]
We'd love to have you there. : )
[4:56 PM]
Names from way back keep popping up.
[4:56 PM]
Any other gaming news?
[4:57 PM]
On the right side of the screen, I see members gaming in Elder Scrolls Online, World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, Path of Exile, Lord of the Rings Online, and Mindustry. : )
[4:58 PM]
Feel free to write a review of your game and send it to Eonwe! Maybe you can mention your games here and get more company.
[4:59 PM]
Any other news, cool links, comments, suggestions for what you'd like to see, need of an invite?

ShelobToday at 4:59 PM
Game done.

VardaToday at 5:00 PM
Grats. : )

ShelobToday at 5:00 PM
I did win, so yes. Thanks.

VardaToday at 5:00 PM
Huzzah!

ShelobToday at 5:00 PM
Also, I have Mindustry running for the past lot of days, so not exactly necessarily what I am playing.

VardaToday at 5:01 PM
There's also a lag after getting off the game.
[5:02 PM]
Are we ready for...
[5:02 PM]

top

Tolkien!
[5:03 PM]
All of us made it into the guild by having read The Lord of the Rings Online, and afterwards being able to retain enough to prove we read it. No mean feat. : )
[5:03 PM]
So here is a Tolkien Moment for you, suitable for gamers (which we also are) and for the crazy times we live in:
[5:04 PM]
Return of the King, "The Last Debate". Gandalf speaking:
[5:04 PM]

"We must walk open-eyed into that trap, with courage, but small hope for ourselves.
Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:04 PM
...reading LotRO?

VardaToday at 5:04 PM
For, my lords, it may well prove that we ourselves may perish utterly in a black battle far from the living lands; so that even if Barad-dur be thrown down, we shall not live to see a new age.
But this, I deem, is our duty.
And better so than to perish nonetheless--as we surely shall, if we sit here--and know as we die that no new age shall be."
[5:05 PM]
End quote.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:05 PM
If you're gonna die, make it count.

VardaToday at 5:06 PM
There you go! Right!

Arien  ValarToday at 5:06 PM
Too right!

ShelobToday at 5:07 PM
Which is why Denethor's choice of death was deemed madness and cowardice.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:09 PM
And not a very fun way to go, at that.
[5:09 PM]
I'd rather get my head chopped off.

VardaToday at 5:09 PM
And taking his only remaining son with him into the fire without consent.

ShelobToday at 5:10 PM
Head chopped off or burned to death. Dead is dead. You might not enjoy one more than the other for the fleeting time it takes for death to set in, but in the end it matters little.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:11 PM
We don't really know, in psychological perception, how long death seems to feel. It might be stretched out.
[5:11 PM]
But I meant burning might take a while longer.

ShelobToday at 5:11 PM
Which is, incidentally, kind of an excerpt from another favoured author of mine, Terry Goodkind.

VardaToday at 5:12 PM
He's a good writer.

ShelobToday at 5:12 PM
Was. He passed away this year.

VardaToday at 5:12 PM
Burning is considered one of the most painful of deaths.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:12 PM
Sure, but.. by whom?

VardaToday at 5:12 PM
He's deceased. His writing is still here and still on my shelf. A kind of immortality?

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:13 PM
Getting your head chopped off might be very painful indeed for a short moment, but nobody is around to tell.

VardaToday at 5:13 PM
Try getting a burned hand or a cut hand. Neither one is fun, for sure.

ShelobToday at 5:13 PM
True, but the thing is, not considering any after effects of death none of us know, burning to death for a couple of minutes may be painful at that time, but it is fleeting compared to the life of a human being, not to mention the eternity that comes after.

VardaToday at 5:15 PM
So did Denethor go to Eru? Probably got a major talking-to.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:15 PM
But both the life and the eternity (if it exists) remain so regardless of the method of death, why not try to go in a painless manner anyway? It's like refusing to iron out a small crease because the rest of the blanket's flat already.

ShelobToday at 5:15 PM
I would say it's more like if you fold that blanket left or right, in the end it matters little.
[5:16 PM]
It still ends up being folded.

VardaToday at 5:16 PM
Painless would be nice, whichever way we're folded.(edited)

ShelobToday at 5:16 PM
Or maybe Eru would send Denethor back into the new Arda after the Second Music as a slug?

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:16 PM
Reincarnation of the bad people? Interesting.
[5:17 PM]
Ants. Worms. Slugs.
[5:17 PM]
Sea cucumbers.

VardaToday at 5:17 PM
Maybe to learn? But actually I seem to remember Tolkien saying he wasn't doing reincarnation for the books. May have to look that up.

ShelobToday at 5:17 PM
Well, it is said, but not confirmed anywhere I believe, that the children of Men who go to Iluvatar, have a major role to play in the Second Music and the perfection of Arda.
[5:18 PM]
He wasn't.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:18 PM
Well, reincarnation for the second Arda, I mean. [Note: sorry not to have commented on this. Yes, everyone starts anew for the next Arda.]

Eonwë ValarToday at 5:18 PM
Was Denethor "bad" though? He was jealous of his position, certainly, but he was trying to ensure the future of his people.

VardaToday at 5:18 PM
Tolkien uses oblique things like "it is said" all over.

ShelobToday at 5:18 PM
Which is why, with the exception of whatshisname that Arwen replaced in the movies, no names got recycled for the Immortal Elves. [Note: Glorfindel]

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:18 PM
I believe this is mostly about his way of death, Eonwe
[5:18 PM]
But yeah, there were worse humans around, surely.

VardaToday at 5:19 PM
Denethor was misled. He also became more cold after the death of his wife; so evil, I don't think so.

ShelobToday at 5:19 PM
The Nine come to mind.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:19 PM
I mean, not me, obviously...

Eonwë ValarToday at 5:19 PM
Legolas and GIldor are two more that got re-used, actually.

ShelobToday at 5:19 PM
Aye, he was maddened, not evil.
[5:19 PM]
Really?
[5:19 PM]
I must have missed those.

Eonwë ValarToday at 5:19 PM
But my favorite-to-quote "Laws and Customs Among the Eldar" can cover that too, if memory serves.

VardaToday at 5:19 PM
Legolas didn't really get a restart. That was just my fictional story.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:19 PM
Yeah, I remember a Legolas.

ShelobToday at 5:20 PM
What's the name of Whatshisname btw?

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:20 PM
Oh?

Eonwë ValarToday at 5:20 PM
Glorfindel

ShelobToday at 5:20 PM
Thanks.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:20 PM
Pretty sure there was a Legolas in one of the First Age stories at one point.

Eonwë ValarToday at 5:20 PM
Legolas reused from an Elf in Gondolin.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:20 PM
There.

VardaToday at 5:20 PM
Glorfindel seems to have come back as himself, as an adult. It would not work to put an adult mind intact in a baby's body.

Eonwë ValarToday at 5:20 PM
Gildor the same, if memory serves.

ShelobToday at 5:20 PM
I believe he died killing a Balrog in one of the Northern passes in the Echoriath after the sack of Gondolin.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:20 PM
Of course, yes, Legolas wasn't the same person.

VardaToday at 5:20 PM
The name of Legolas and some others were re-used, yes.

ShelobToday at 5:21 PM
Now there's a story that was reused twice it seems. Once for the name, and another for Gandalf.

Eonwë ValarToday at 5:21 PM
Re-incarnation =/= Rebirth. Glorindel was indeed "Incarnated again", in a body like his original.

VardaToday at 5:21 PM
Aye, Eonwe

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:21 PM
Actually, Varda, if I remember that Laws and Customs.. wasn't there something about reborn elves getting their memories back after 50 years?
[5:22 PM]
Or.. reincarnated.
[5:22 PM]
Now I'm lost.

VardaToday at 5:23 PM
Maybe you are thinking of after time in Mandos?

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:23 PM
Probably.

Eonwë ValarToday at 5:23 PM
I don't remember that part Phar. Not saying it's definitely not there, but I skim that often enough that I'm pretty sure I'd remember it if it were there.(edited)

ShelobToday at 5:24 PM
Well, it was said (there it is again), that after a time of reflection in Mandos the Elves return to their bodies (or new ones), but I'm not sure whether any of them ever left the Blessed Land after that.

Eonwë ValarToday at 5:24 PM
Give me a sec, I feel a need to verify my assertion now, lol.

VardaToday at 5:25 PM
An elf out of Mandos generally remained in Valinor.
[5:25 PM]
Glorfindel was an exception.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:25 PM
Hmm, I've got it in this online pdf of the chapter, but it might apply to a specific circumstance only.
[5:25 PM]
I'll grab the book in a moment if it's warranted by what I'm checking here...
[5:28 PM]
It's from a section about rebirth, apparently linked to those who were done waiting in Mandos, so it does seem applicable.
[5:30 PM]
Book fetched.
[5:35 PM]
Page 221 in my book

Eonwë ValarToday at 5:36 PM
OK fair enough.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:36 PM
"A houseless fea that chose or was permitted to return to life re-entered the incarnate world through child-birth. Only thus could it return. [A footnote describes Miriel as an exception since her body was intact] For it is plain that the provision of a bodily house for a fea, and the union of fea with hrondo, was committed by Eru to the Children, to be achieved in the act of begetting.
[5:39 PM]
As for this re-birth, it was not an opinion, but known and certain,. For the fea re-born became a child indeed, enjoying once more all the wonder and newness of childhood; but slowly, and only after it had acquired a knowledge of the world and mastery of itself, its memory would awake; until, when the re-born elf was full-grown, it recalled all its former life, and then the old life, and the 'waiting' [in Mandos, I presume], and the new life became one ordered history and identity. This memory would thus hold a double joy of childhood, and also an experience and knowledge greater than the years of its body."
[5:40 PM]
I guess I took the 50 years from elsewhere, as the period of full-growth, but might be wrong there.

Eonwë ValarToday at 5:41 PM
That's probably where you got it, aye.
[5:42 PM]
Tolkien decided against all the rebirth stuff, of course :}

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:42 PM
Alas.
[5:44 PM]
Still, for this kinda stuff I say, unless it's explicitly contradicted in the main canon, I'll consider it canon level 2

Eonwë ValarToday at 5:45 PM
If Tolkien went through the effort to reject it and figure out why to reject it, it's probably safe to say it's not canon at any level :}

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:46 PM
Maaaybe.

ShelobToday at 5:46 PM
Just like Pharzy to openly doubt the word of the Valar.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:46 PM
hehe

Eonwë ValarToday at 5:46 PM
lol

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:46 PM
Just like Shelob to delight in it

VardaToday at 5:49 PM
It was later rejected as it did not fit the overall developing storyline.

ShelobToday at 5:52 PM
Spreading a little darkness is the light of my life, Pharzy.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:52 PM
Indeed

Arien  ValarToday at 5:53 PM
i am sorry .. but i have to retreat to the realms of Irmo to be reborn in full glory tomorrow

ShelobToday at 5:53 PM
Namarie Arien!

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:53 PM
Try to keep your memories!
[5:53 PM]
And namarie

ShelobToday at 5:53 PM
May you illumine us all come morning!

IorethToday at 5:53 PM
waves

VardaToday at 5:53 PM
Namarie!

Arien  ValarToday at 5:53 PM
Namarie Friends

VardaToday at 5:53 PM
It is past the time!
[5:53 PM]
the gavel leaps shining into the air

ShelobToday at 5:54 PM
Hammertime!

Eonwë ValarToday at 5:54 PM
Sleep well Arien.

VardaToday at 5:54 PM
it drops in a blaze onto the hammerpad
[5:54 PM]
fwooosh!

ShelobToday at 5:54 PM
Dah-dah-dah-duh!

VardaToday at 5:54 PM
the hammerpad has gone metal!
[5:54 PM]
they sing their way to the shelf

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:54 PM
Wasn't it always of metal?

VardaToday at 5:54 PM
the hammerpad can't get up on the shelf and rolls back
[5:55 PM]
Normally wood.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:55 PM
Ah.

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VardaToday at 5:55 PM

After-meeting!

Arien  ValarToday at 5:55 PM
melts down and  a magic wind blows and cools the molten metal .. the gavel is reborn and jumps back to the shelf

VardaToday at 5:55 PM
Namarie Arien. and nice add!

ShelobToday at 5:55 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otCpCn0l4Wo
    YouTube
    MCHammerVevo
    MC Hammer - U Can't Touch This (Official Music Video)

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:57 PM
"Twee tosti's" rocks out ♪

VardaToday at 5:57 PM
I have been called away.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:58 PM
Enjoy the fewd!

VardaToday at 5:58 PM
Namarie : )

ShelobToday at 5:58 PM
Enjoy dinner!

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:58 PM
namarie

ShelobToday at 5:58 PM
And with that, I believe I shall find me a bed as well.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:59 PM
Namarie! Where do spiders sleep?
[5:59 PM]
Web-hammocks?

ShelobToday at 5:59 PM
The bones of our past dinners.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 5:59 PM
Doesn't sound very comfortable.

ShelobToday at 6:00 PM
But I believe web-hammocks are just called "webs". :)(

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 6:00 PM
Depends on the shape, doesn't it?

ShelobToday at 6:01 PM
Not really... Though I do suppose a web is the better version of a hammock.
[6:01 PM]
Much more stable.
[6:01 PM]
Not much chance it will tip over if you flop onto it.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 6:01 PM
I wonder... with 2 vs 3 dimensional ratios...
[6:02 PM]
can a spider become so big its own web can't hold it?

ShelobToday at 6:03 PM
I don't think so.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 6:03 PM
Not even when Shelobsized?

ShelobToday at 6:03 PM
Though I think that whatever the web is attached to might be liable to breakage.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 6:03 PM
Hah.

ShelobToday at 6:04 PM
Well, the webbing tends to get stronger with size.
[6:04 PM]
Shelob's web could only be cut by an elven sword.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 6:04 PM
True.

ShelobToday at 6:06 PM
But you might have a point.
[6:07 PM]
Though I think my earlier point is part of why spiders like Ungoliant and Shelob moved away from trees and into mountains.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 6:08 PM
Rocks break less easily. I see your point.
[6:08 PM]
Still, those spiders in Mirkwood were pretty big by our standards.

ShelobToday at 6:09 PM
Aye, and their webs could hold them easily.
[6:09 PM]
But the roots in Mirkwood ran deep.
[6:10 PM]
And the trees themselves are nothing to sneer at either.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 6:10 PM
fnuf

ShelobToday at 6:10 PM
But the spiders in Mirkwood are still small compared the the Lob.
[6:11 PM]
2 or 3 times smaller if memory serves.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 6:11 PM
Sounds about right.

ShelobToday at 6:12 PM
Though I have to go on memory of the Hobbit of Bilbo vs the spideys and LotR conflicting with the movies.

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 6:51 PM
Huh. Had to go afk for the first five minutes of that Heroes of the Storm match, with nobody assigning my offline char... then came back when we were level 8 already, topped the kill list within 2 minutes, and got MVP by the end.
[6:51 PM]
Sometimes I wonder what other players are doing...

Eonwë ValarToday at 6:55 PM
Going afk for 6 minutes? :}

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 6:55 PM
Possibly
NEW

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Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 7:26 PM
purrsonal gaming report!
[7:26 PM]
Flashgaming: 1 old, 2 new!
[7:33 PM]
https://www.kongregate.com/games/wiesi/new-york-shark is the first game, a fun fastpaced side scrolling action game! You play a shark swimming along New York, and can move and bite to grab and kill and get points
    Kongregate
    New York Shark
    2012 is upon us the end of the world and his name is shark. SHAARK!
    Where are we going big apple? The path to desolation.
    You thought it was safe out of the wa...

[7:33 PM]
Especially try to get the flying objects which are special events!

[7:34 PM]
http://www.kongregate.com/games/m0rkeulv/castlewars is the second game! A turnbased cardgame where you control one of 2 castles, and have to beat the other one to 100 stories high or just destroy it to win the match.
    Kongregate
    Castlewars
    Castlewars is a turn based card game where your goal is to be the first to build a 100 storey castle, you also win by destroying your opponents castle.
    Castle...

[7:35 PM]
Get resources, buy cards from the lineup, and get a large variety of effects for your wall, castle or more resources!
[7:36 PM]
Note: Easy badge says to beat the pc, but that's wrong, you need to beat another player. Lobbies don't contain many people but hopefully enough
[7:36 PM]
At least they did this week while people were going for the badge
[7:36 PM]
But just for fun, you can play vs the AI as well, and even change your deck!

https://www.kongregate.com/games/Raius_/the-alchemist for trhe third game, an atmospheric "interactive fiction" game where you play an alchemist brewing potions for 2 adventurers you've hired to get you ingredients. Lots of dialogue (most of which you can really skip, but it's a nice little story), and gameplay consisting of choosing the right potion for the day to get the good ending.
    Kongregate
    The Alchemist
    A short visual novel about a struggling alchemist, and the strange opportunity that could save their business.
    A quick, simple story with 3 endings to discover.

[7:40 PM]
In all, it'll be a fun few minutes

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[7:40 PM]

Blizzard gaming:
[7:42 PM]
Heroes of the Storm:
From 436 to 437! Got Falstad to level 8, in the match I mentioned earlier
[7:42 PM]
Also get an epic golden horse mount, not sure what hero I'll use it on!
[7:45 PM]
Hearthstone:
New patch is here, but not really noticing much of the reduced xp, though I did get other rewards through it. Including legendary quests. Got one to play 3 matches in standard ranked, while I always play wild ranked, so was a bit getting used to. Luckily I didn't need to win any for it, because all my standard decks are gimmick decks to complete specific quests
[7:46 PM]
Speaking of, one my new weekly quests is playing 30 "corrupt" cards from the new expansion, which could take a bit, as I don't have too many. But it should work in a few days.
[7:48 PM]
Brawl is gift exchange, where you get a gift (random card at cheaper cost) from every gift crate you break, either your own or the opponent's. Did pretty well with a warlock deck adept at destroying my own minions, letting me get both sides easily and overpowering the opponent.
[7:49 PM]
Still, lost 1 out of the 3 I played... apparently priests are also quite good at destroying both sides, though the card combos needed did seem  a bit more complicated.
[7:49 PM]
WoW:
[7:50 PM]
Made it from level 55 to 58 this week, completing Maldraxxus, 1 dungeon in Bastion and Maldraxxus each for the quests, and getting the first 2 chapters done for Ardenweald.
[7:51 PM]
I am not disappointed by the place. The moment I landed there and heard the music and saw all the creatures and critters I knew it was the zone for me
[7:51 PM]
And the scenery too of course!
[7:52 PM]
But yeah, not 60 yet and not all 4 zones done yet, so not capable of the endgame stuff. I did poke the Greench for the Winter Veil daily a few times, hoping for the Flames of Ragnaros weapon illusion, though I'm not sure it can be gotten below 60. Might as well try, right?
[7:53 PM]
What I did get for Winter Veil, though, was the new Grandfather Pepe costume for our little bird friend!
[7:56 PM]
And finally, a new pet through Maldraxxus questing, the plagueborn slime! Nice slime pet which occasionally slimes on you as well.
[7:58 PM]
Too bad the initial Ardenweald questing doesn't give any pets yet, I'm obsessed with the little Gormlings
[7:59 PM]
I'll get them as part of the covenant though, I'm sure!
[8:03 PM]
And that's my report for the week!

VardaToday at 8:19 PM
Thanks, Phar. : )

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 8:21 PM
Speaking of gormlings, found
https://www.deviantart.com/adamar44/art/Gormling-Nibbler-plush-863935848 and wish I had one
    DeviantArt
    adamar44
    Gormling Nibbler plush by adamar44 on DeviantArt

VardaToday at 8:26 PM
Those are nifty!

Ar-Pharazon-VToday at 8:29 PM
anyway, namarie

VardaToday at 8:29 PM
Namarie

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