Valar Guild

October 18, 2020 Sunday Meeting

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

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

Attending (and spoke): (8)
    Discord: Arien, Ar-Pharazon, Eonwe, Ioreth (After-meeting), Irmo, Pallando, Shelob, Varda (presiding)
    (Gimli said hi from Bnet)

Before-meeting
Meeting begins
Membership news:
    Phar is learning Japanese, so everyone started playing with it.
Web:
    Story: "Vignette on the Vingilot" by Elwing-(V)
Gaming:
    General reports
Tolkien:
    Topic from Shelob-(V): Shelob
After-meeting:
    Flashgaming Reviews by Ar-Pharazon.
top

Before-meeting
Eonwë Valar10/13/2020
Heya all.
[1:07 AM]
Got confirmation on one of my WoW Collector's Editions shipping, but not the other. Funny thing is it's the one not directly from Blizzard.

Eonwë Valar10/13/2020
Just for fun: Everyone playing WoW. It is October 13th, and the pre-expansion patchis expected to drop today. How far did you get your Heart of Azeroth before the pre-expansion patch drops?(edited)
[2:11 AM]
I got mine to lvl 94, and I'm about 25k from lvl 95. If I thought I'd make it before the prepatch I'd give it a try.(edited)

Eonwë Valar10/13/2020
Almost time to see how badly my character was nerfed by the patch, hehe.

Eonwë Valar10/13/2020
Oh teh noes, my talents have been reset :}

Eonwë Valar10/13/2020
Well, if Conseration still breaks stealth, I've got my favorite PvP flag-guarding tool back :}
[6:25 PM]
I'm going to have to rebalance my skill bars
October 14, 2020

Eonwë Valar10/14/2020
I hope the sluggishness I'm feeling in my Paladin's response time is due to the latency and not the changes, because he's definitely feeling like he took a hit in his power.
October 16, 2020

Eonwë Valar10/16/2020
My Void Elf Hunter has gained 16 levels since Tuesday. I suppose that's pretty good with little rested exp and considering the new cap is 50.
[1:28 AM]
(Puts him at 26)
October 18, 2020



Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Oops, Hallow's End began when I wasn't looking.

Varda10/18/2020
Aiya!
[4:00 PM]
Time does slip up on one, aye. : )
[4:01 PM]
@Bounder Huzzah! Meeting time! Come say hi, give your news, chat, get together for gaming! Or just lurk.... : )

Arien  Valar10/18/2020
Aiya all

Varda10/18/2020
Aiya Sunshine!

Irmo10/18/2020
Good evening indeed!

Varda10/18/2020
Aiya to the Lord of the Land of Dreams!
[4:03 PM]
Eonwe was just chatting so I know he's around here.
[4:03 PM]
phone, pardon a sec

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Aiya!

Varda10/18/2020
Aiya Phar : )

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Heya all.

Varda10/18/2020
One of Fangorn's brothers checking in on us, so sweet.
[4:05 PM]
Aiya Eonwe : )

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Just befriending my next turtle on my Hunter, hehe.

Varda10/18/2020
Nice : )
[4:06 PM]

top

Membership:
[4:06 PM]
That was already two pieces of Membership news. Any other we'd like to bring up? Valarite sightings maybe?

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
I can mention that I just started learning Japanese through Duolingo... though i've only got a few numbers so far.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Gimli said hi in our bnet group.

Varda10/18/2020
O fantastic : )
[4:08 PM]
heh, that could be a reply to both of you. : )
[4:09 PM]
Gimli loves all things Japanese. You'll have to grab a chance to chat with him. : )

Irmo10/18/2020
Wakarimasen Phar, gomen nasai

Varda10/18/2020
Konbanwa : )

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
That sounds familiar from anima but I don't know what it means yet
[4:10 PM]
*anime

Varda10/18/2020
Hah, anime is one reason to learn Japanese.

Irmo10/18/2020
^I dont understand, sorry

Varda10/18/2020
Mine? "Good evening"

Irmo10/18/2020
(and that is actually from the book Shogun

Varda10/18/2020
Konnichi wa would be for daytime

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Kiseki no Umi :}

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
konnichi wa was one I did remember

Irmo10/18/2020
Hai, wakarimasu!

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
The name of one of the opeings for one of my old favorite anime, hehe.

Irmo10/18/2020
(^yep, did understand that)

Varda10/18/2020
Kiseki... "Sea of Miracles" There's a song out with that title, I think.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Yes, there is :}

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Frankly, I've had 3 lessons so far of a few minutes. I've learned 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7.
[4:14 PM]
No idea what happened to 5.

Varda10/18/2020
The hai one you used, is "Yes, I understand"
[4:14 PM]
hehe Phar

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
When I think of numbers in Japanese, I get flashes of the Sesame Street movie "Big Bird in Japan", lol. One of the songs is about Ichi, Ni, San, hehe.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
ichi, ni, san, yon, ..., roku, nana!

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Darn childhood going and sticking with us.

Varda10/18/2020
Itsutsu for "five"?

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
hehe

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
3 syllables? That might explain why they skipped it.

Varda10/18/2020
Actually it must be another system

Irmo10/18/2020
(my regards to Merry btw Varda, if you please)

Varda10/18/2020
Go is five in that other one.
[4:17 PM]
I'm looking it up now, this might help:

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
But they also teach it with a specific alphabet along the side, which makes it a bit more complicated to learn.

Varda10/18/2020
comparison:
[4:18 PM]
https://www.fluentin3months.com/japanese-numbers/
    Fluent in 3 months - Language Hacking and Travel Tips
    How to Count to 100 in Japanese
    Ichi, ni, san...

[4:18 PM]
Ok, we went a bit afield there, but it was fun.
[4:18 PM]
Explains why we had different numbers going.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
"let's see, chi was the one that looked like a 5.."

Varda10/18/2020
heheh

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
It's as easy as Minya, Tatya, Nelya... :}

Varda10/18/2020
It does!

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
ni is stonehenge on its side...

Varda10/18/2020
That's what we ought to be using. : )
[4:19 PM]
or a bite. : )

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
n is the curly L, yo, looks like a sideways dog...
[4:20 PM]
sa's giving me some trouble.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
(Technically that's ordinals though, First, Second, Third :})

Varda10/18/2020
Ok, we're definitely wandering but we can say we're educational!
[4:22 PM]
On to

top

Web:
[4:22 PM]
We have a new story from Elwing. : )
[4:23 PM]
It's on the News and the Anniversary page as well as Stories, so you can find it later if you like, and of course here:
[4:24 PM]
"A Vignette on the Vingolot"
[4:24 PM]
http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/fiction/authors/Elwing/stories/AVignetteontheVingilot.htm
    A Vignette on the Vingilot
    Silmarillion fan-fiction. A sailor
    overhears Eärendil talking with Elwing.

Varda10/18/2020
Quite short. Feel free to enjoy!

Arien  Valar10/18/2020
bit too late but just readling up and Irmo .. that is where i learned a bit too

Varda10/18/2020
It was definitely intended for us, as people who know the books, but for humor. : )
[4:25 PM]
Hey, you came when you could and that's much appreciated.

Arien  Valar10/18/2020
and .. *i understand " in Japanese is "Wakalimas"
[4:26 PM]
hai is yes that is right

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Nani?
[4:27 PM]
Yes, there's a few I've picked up here and there, but I'm taking it from the basics with this course...
[4:28 PM]
Actually, I should be able to spell "nani" now.

Varda10/18/2020
But you can have fun looking up stuff on your own time and shock them with cool new stuff, or just know it better.
[4:28 PM]
Are you having to draw the words and numbers too?

Arien  Valar10/18/2020
and haha i love that  vignette

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
since I've got both "ni" (2) and "nana" (7) now. Nope, it's an online course. You see the symbol and have to identify it. Some questions have a bunch of symbols and a bunch of sounds and you have to link them.
[4:30 PM]
actually I'd probably remember better if I wrote them donw.
[4:30 PM]
*down.

Irmo10/18/2020
Nice Arien, bu make that wakarimas  The Japs hate l's just as much as the Chins hate r;s  

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
So it's basically the same sound but one nation leans one way while the other leans the other?

Irmo10/18/2020
exactly

Varda10/18/2020
Listening to little children, English speakers, the r becomes a w. Must be something tough about it.
[4:33 PM]
JRRT might get a kick out of our talking languages. : )

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
yarrrr

Varda10/18/2020
Did anyone take a quick peek at Elwing's story? Seriously short.

Irmo10/18/2020
he would!

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
So basically to the Japanese, y'all and yarrr sounds the same.

Varda10/18/2020
heh

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
But yes, I just read it  It's fun!

Varda10/18/2020
So a child wanting very much to talk like a pirate would really work on the r's!
[4:34 PM]
Cool. : )
[4:35 PM]
Thanks. She's one of those that would actually read a review from our transcript. : )
[4:35 PM]
Ready for...
[4:35 PM]

top

Gaming!
[4:35 PM]
One of our favorite sports. : )
[4:35 PM]

Eve Online:
[4:36 PM]
Oct. 15 patch notes for version 18.10.
[4:36 PM]
https://www.eveonline.com/article/qi4t9e/patch-notes-for-version-18-10
    EVE Online
    Patch Notes for Version 18.10 | EVE Online
    Patch Notes for 16 October are now available!

[4:36 PM]
Do any of you have a game with news that tends to get neglected? Guild Wars, other?
[4:37 PM]
If your favorite game is well-represented here in our News, yay!

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
stares at nonfunctional GW shortcut I wonder where those discs went...

Varda10/18/2020
Uh oh
[4:38 PM]

World of Warcraft:
[4:38 PM]
As of Tuesday, the pre-expansion patch is out with the system changes.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Suddenly, level 50.

Varda10/18/2020
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23529212/the-shadowlands-pre-expansion-patch-is-now-live
    World of Warcraft
    The Shadowlands Pre-Expansion Patch is Now Live - WoW
    The Shadowlands pre-expansion introduces a variety of changes and updates from character customization to the new starting experience.

[4:38 PM]
Grats, Phar. : )

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Down from 120

Varda10/18/2020
This last week's bonus event: Pet Battles.
[4:39 PM]
The PvP Brawl: Cooking Impossible begins the 13th and runs through Tuesday, October 20th.
[4:40 PM]
A new cinematic is out: Dark Abduction.
[4:40 PM]
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23545413/watch-shadowlands-dark-abduction
    World of Warcraft
    Watch Shadowlands: Dark Abduction - WoW
    The shattering of the veil between the Shadowlands and Azeroth was only the beginning. Dark deeds are afoot and Sylvanas is making her next move.

[4:40 PM]
Check out this week's hotfixes.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Also summarized as "yoink".

Varda10/18/2020
heh
[4:40 PM]
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23277654/hotfixes-october-16-2020
    World of Warcraft
    Hotfixes: October 16, 2020 - WoW
    Here you will find a list of hotfixes that address various issues related to World of Warcraft: Battle For Azeroth and WoW Classic.

[4:41 PM]
Eonwe's back and has something for us about WoW. Go ahead!

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Thanks.
[4:41 PM]
Just thought I'd share a few impressions on the patch so far.

Varda10/18/2020
Cool.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Anyone who took a peek in on the screenshots channel will see my new Void Elf Hunter with the High Elf aesthetics, and that he made it from 10 (starting level for a Void Elf) to 50 (current max level) in the last 5 days.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Grats!

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
That's virtually no rested experience, given I was moving that fast.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
I have a new alt too, made my panda DK day before the patch because I got my CE that day, so she started at 58
[4:45 PM]
(just tossed link in screenshots... carry on Eonwe!)

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
I personally think that was a pretty good pace. Kept me interested enough in the story without it dragging. I chose the Legion expansion to Chromie Time through. If you haven't hit max level previously, you're stuck going through Battle for Azeroth the first time.

Irmo10/18/2020
And this is where I have to answer to my calling! Off to dreamland  Bye bye folks!

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Makes sense, though, keeps people a bit involved with the story if they've not seen it before.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Considering there's now 7 expansions and you can choose which of those seven to go from 10-50 in, I'd say that makes things a little more replayable for alts.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Namarie!

Varda10/18/2020
Namarie

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Sleep well Irmo.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Eonwe, I've been wondering. What happens if you don't poke Chromie and try to level the old way?

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
I didn't try that way, hehe. But if I recall, you should just be in the regular world where everythign is squished to the appropriate level.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Ah, okay.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
So WotK would be,.. 25-30 I think, something like that.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Probably outlevel stuff really fast

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Probably, hehe.
[4:49 PM]
But it does kick you out of Chromie Time  into the "real world" after about a 30 or so second countdown to brace yourself for time travel, heh.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
I mean, if you're on your fourth paladin or whatever I can understand, but I'd rather see all the content with all the classes at least once, for mog's sake if nothing else.
[4:49 PM]
Ah yes, I heard, after you hit 50.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Yeah. So if you're going to Chromie Time the entire expansion and not just go back to mop up after you hit max, you need to remember to turn off EXP gains at 49.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
hehe

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
The pace kept me engaged with my Hunter, so I thought it worked out well. I don't think it needs sped up, and I hope it's not slowed down later.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
That's good. But how far in were you when you hit 50 (or 49.9)?

Arien  Valar10/18/2020
Phari

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Mostly skipped Stormheim. I was getting started on Suramar.

Arien  Valar10/18/2020
to answere your question if u dont go to Chromie you land automatically in the latest expansion aaka Zandalar

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
But isn't that also chromie time?

Arien  Valar10/18/2020
you see the guy who gives you the missions in each faction and follow that up and not yetr
[4:53 PM]
i guess it might become chronmie time after sl and the next is annokunced

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
I did run into some problems transitioning into BfA though, like after getting my Heart of Azeroth, my portal back to Boralus was missing, and I couldn't go back into the Chamber.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Yeah, there's some bugs, but they're hotfixing that as they go.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Overall though, first impression of the new system from the perspetive of making an alt is good.
[4:56 PM]
My main of course lost a huge chunk of power, and his ability to solo what he could before is in question.
[4:56 PM]
I wasn't happy about that, heh. But I'm sure we all have a similar story.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Myyyyeeees. Our mythic expeditions have become rather more interesting.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
I'll end my assessment there. We'll see how Shadowlands shapes up when it finally launches.
[4:59 PM]
And I got my Collector's Edition in this week as well, so yay for all of us who ordered it :}

Pallando-Valar10/18/2020
Aiya

Varda10/18/2020
Thank you and congrats on the Collector's Edition. : )

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Aiya!

Varda10/18/2020
Aiya Pallando!
[4:59 PM]
Did you want to add anything about Eve Online?
[5:00 PM]
We only mentioned the patch notes.

Pallando-Valar10/18/2020
...my grandmother always told me if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Oh, for those interested, my Hunter's name is Calauros, heh.

Pallando-Valar10/18/2020
I'm afraid I'm not particularly pleased with CCP right now.
[5:01 PM]
My group has managed some impressive feats int he face of strong adversity, but well.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Sorry to hear that Pallando.

Varda10/18/2020
Your group is to be commended then. : )

Pallando-Valar10/18/2020
I will say that the war for the stars has ended (for now) and 27 stars were ...transformed somehow, and previous connections don't exist and they're red and in a new sort of space.
[5:02 PM]
The details are complex and we're doing a lot of SCIENCE to figure them out, so maybe in a few weeks I can update everyone with what happened.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
..Calauros? Are you taking my tradition of naming everyone Cal-?

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Will the update come with a Thomas Dolby soundtrack? :}

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
also, half-afk, preparing midnight dinner

Pallando-Valar10/18/2020
Actually the official soundtrack is Prodigy - Invaders Must Die.
[5:04 PM]
But maybe the update can do just a little bit of blinding science.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Been using "Kal" for a while, with Gal/Cal being more recent (philologically) versions of that root :}

Pallando-Valar10/18/2020
(all of my fleets for the past 5 or 6 months or so have been titled "Invaders Must Die" and at some point certain people who have been recording fights are supposed to make me a video with that as the soundtrack..)
[5:06 PM]

[5:07 PM]
there's an image of a star in the new space with a Bhaalgorn-class battleship in the foreground.

Shelob10/18/2020
Good evening

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Fionwë --> alternate "Kalmo", Kalasul self-made for my Holy Priest way back in the day, "modern" Quenya = "Calasulo". I named my Demon Hunter Calraufar, and just couldn't get a name to sound good besides "Calauros" so I went with it, heh.

Pallando-Valar10/18/2020
(the little line in the lower left igoes to the device that powers the transformation)

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
I've got like 20 Cals now.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
That's an interesting image, Pallando.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Can always find something that sounds decent

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Not like we're competing for names anyway, Phar :}

Varda10/18/2020
Thanks. I was trying to figure out the image.
[5:13 PM]
Looking forward to the video.
[5:13 PM]
Aiya Shelob : )

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Aiya!

Varda10/18/2020

Starcraft 2:
[5:15 PM]
Big news here:
[5:15 PM]
Blizzard has announced they will no longer be creating for purchase content for Starcraft 2. Check out the announcement for more info.
[5:15 PM]
https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/starcraft2/23544726/starcraft-ii-update-october-15-2020
    StarCraft II Update - October 15, 2020
    We want to let you know about a development change we’re making for StarCraft II.

[5:17 PM]
Overwatch:
[5:17 PM]
A new blog is out: Traces of Tracer: A History of the First Overwatch Hero.
[5:17 PM]
https://playoverwatch.com/en-us/news/23544725/traces-of-tracer-a-history-of-the-first-overwatch-hero/
    Overwatch
    Traces of Tracer: A History of the First Overwatch Hero
    Before you dive into issue #2 of Tracer’s titular comic, London Calling, discover more about how the most iconic character of Overwatch became who she is today.

[5:17 PM]
Hearthstone:
[5:17 PM]
Now out: Patch 18.4.2.
[5:18 PM]
https://playhearthstone.com/en-us/news/23537436/18-4-2-patch-notes
    18.4.2 Patch Notes
    The 18.4.2 patch includes balance updates for several Battlegrounds Heroes and minions!

[5:18 PM]
Something is being revealed October 22nd.
[5:18 PM]
https://playhearthstone.com/en-us/news/23537431/save-the-date-hearthstone-fall-reveal-coming-october-22
    Save the Date: Hearthstone Fall Reveal, Coming October 22!
    Tune in on October 22 for a preview of new content and major changes coming to Hearthstone.

[5:18 PM]
Looks like a suspicious Eye there.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
eye and balloons, looks like the Darkmoon Faire.

Varda10/18/2020

Lord of the Rings Online:
[5:19 PM]
Durin's Day is going until October 20th.
[5:19 PM]
A number of Captains have been giving free summons to the Durin's Day area.
[5:20 PM]
This is the place where the thrush knocked and the light fell on the spot for the key for Bilbo and the dwarves.
[5:21 PM]
If no captain available (and it's nice to tip!), run up to Dis's Raven place and take the rocky slope up on the left side, goes a pretty long way, to the top.
[5:22 PM]
Enjoy! This only goes on for a short time, (used to be one day only) but complaints from people working or otherwise unable to show that one time of year.
[5:22 PM]
World Server Transfers are now possible again (for those realms that allowed transfers).
[5:23 PM]
This is also true of the old Bombadil server. Feel free to take the free transfer if you like.
[5:23 PM]
Finally. : )
[5:24 PM]
SSG is trying to make it a regular feature for Wednesday 8 am to be a downtime for maintenance/restart. We'll see how it goes.
[5:25 PM]
Some of us in LotRO are deeding and whatnot quite hard to make enough LotRO points to buy the upcoming expansion without having to use cash. Not everyone has a lot of money right now for fun goodies like this.
[5:25 PM]
O no, we might have to play!

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Pay or play, that's the question.

Varda10/18/2020
And if we get suddenly wealthy, we can use the points for lots of other goodies, no worries.
[5:26 PM]
It is fair for a game to ask for money for an expansion to keep themselves afloat.

Shelob10/18/2020
I still have 18k points left over from the original VIP membership offer I got from way back in the day before there were LOTRO points.
[5:27 PM]
It got me all the expansions up until this point.
[5:27 PM]
Lifetime membership it was called back then... and it was about 2 years of playtime paid in advance I believe.
[5:28 PM]
Worth every penny as it turns out.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
I think the last expansion I paid real money for was maybe Helm's Deep.

Varda10/18/2020
Lifetime membership, which a number of us have, does not include expansions. Those we have to buy.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
And aye, best 200.00 I spent for that LotRO lifetime membership, hehehe.

Varda10/18/2020
But lifers get 500 LP per month. : )

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
And here we are, spending over 100 bucks for a single CE in WoW.

Shelob10/18/2020
True, but when LotRO went free to play I just got like a gajillion points for free.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Aye, and since I barely spend mine, I've got plenty for expansions that I then wisely only get when they go on sale, heh.

Shelob10/18/2020
Or maybe that was because I hadn't played for ages and those free points continued to accumulate.

Varda10/18/2020
They did accumulate, aye.

Shelob10/18/2020
Speaking of accumulate... I've been raking in the experience in Moria.
[5:30 PM]
Ungwetari is now lvl 62, and I must say that I absolutely LOVE Moria to bits.

Varda10/18/2020
I like to buy the crafting bags, stat tomes, extra storage with LP.

Shelob10/18/2020
Khazad-Dûm's artwork is really something to behold.

Varda10/18/2020
That's great! Moria is also good for finishing up the pages if they weren't completed yet.

Shelob10/18/2020
The first time I walked into the 21st hall (close to the chamber of Mazarbul), I had literal goosebumps.
[5:32 PM]
It's a bit smaller than it ought to be, but that's okay in gameplay terms.
[5:32 PM]
But it really feels like Turbine created the place straight out of Tolkien's works, and it feels like I'm treading on hallowed grounds as a visitor.
[5:33 PM]
It's a great experience
[5:33 PM]
Of course, Moria became a whole lot more fun once I figured out that you can mount in there, just only goats.
[5:33 PM]
Made questing a whole lot easier at least!
[5:35 PM]
And the stairs... oh wow, the stairs! Even though it's not exactly layered one place on top of the other, it still feels that way for a large part because of the million and one stairs.

Varda10/18/2020
hehe

Shelob10/18/2020
Anyways, I'll see if I can remember to take a few screenshots this week to show those less fortunate not to play / have played LotRO.

Varda10/18/2020
The game was built on the books, and we lore nuts kept on it all the time. And they listened!
[5:36 PM]
That would be cool. : )

Shelob10/18/2020
I'll see if I can do a bit of a recreation of the path the Fellowship took.
[5:37 PM]
But I'll add in a few of the other places I visited.
[5:38 PM]
Oh, and I completed my quest of cleaning out my storage. And in the meantime cleaned out all the old characters and dumped them into the ashheap.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Kicking and screaming...

Shelob10/18/2020
Nah, they went willingly.
[5:39 PM]
Though I should have taken Menelmacare's gold.
[5:39 PM]
But then again, he earned it, so, oh well.

Varda10/18/2020
That was a lot of time, gone. I believe there is a name change. And yes, that's the first thing, is sell your stuff and send the gold to the surviving characters.
[5:40 PM]
Starting fresh!

Shelob10/18/2020
Lvl 45 is a month or two of time. Not that much.
[5:40 PM]
And I'm okay with it. It's indeed a fresh start.

Varda10/18/2020
Your bevy of spiders are going strong.
[5:41 PM]
Thank you to Irmo and Lenwe for running instances with Shelob at a time they all play.

Shelob10/18/2020
Menel was a male hunter, now that I've found my true self, I don't want to play males anymore. So, unfortunately, that means no dwarves for me.
[5:41 PM]
Yeah, that was amazing.

Varda10/18/2020
I play dwarves...
[5:41 PM]
Just can't tell a male from a female. : )

Shelob10/18/2020
Maybe in the future Varda.

Varda10/18/2020
Sure, no worries.

Shelob10/18/2020
But for now, I want to stick to strictly female. I think it's a trans thingy.

Varda10/18/2020
Play what suits you, because then you'll enjoy it and get good!
[5:42 PM]
No worries.

Shelob10/18/2020
Exactly.
[5:42 PM]
Anyways, that was my part of the news.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
ponders I now have 10 male and 10 female characters in WoW...

Varda10/18/2020
Do we have any more gaming news? Other businesses? Requests? What you would like to see in our kin chest in LotRO?
[5:43 PM]
I have a few male characters, mostly female.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
It helps to see them as their own person, I guess.
[5:43 PM]
It's like they're my children. Who I also control.

Shelob10/18/2020
Phar, I always, always had many more female characters than male characters in any game.

Varda10/18/2020
Avatars.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
yes, but with individuality, Varda

Varda10/18/2020
Just not blue.
[5:43 PM]
Aye.

Shelob10/18/2020
Phar, you leave those poor children be! Let them be themselves!
[5:44 PM]
wink
[5:44 PM]
Also, let them wander around in dark caves...

Varda10/18/2020
And meet up with Arien!

Shelob10/18/2020
Especially if there's a bit of webbing here and there.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
I usually do so. Which is why most of them stand in Ironforge (does that count as a cave?) for like 8 months at a time doing nothing.

Varda10/18/2020
I think the sun is tough on webbing.
[5:44 PM]
Slackers.

Shelob10/18/2020
Nono, I mean more caves like (and specifically!) Cirith Ungol.
[5:45 PM]
I could use a snack or two. grin

Varda10/18/2020
Remmirochant time. Need to kill Shelob in the big raid.

Shelob10/18/2020
Funny that you mention it!

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
...starting to sound like fun >.>

Shelob10/18/2020
I talked to a person looking in LFF for more people to the Shelob raid, and I asked him why they were hunting me.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Is that what I have to do before you snack on my little Cals?

Shelob10/18/2020
And that I ought to get to lvl 20 and get the undying trait muhahaha

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
*to prevent you

Varda10/18/2020
hehe
[5:46 PM]
In some of those raids, it feels as if Shelob has the Undying title. : )

Shelob10/18/2020
And the guy said is that you don't kill Shelob in the raid, just wound her, and that, according to Celeborn, she will not crawl forth from the shadows again.

Varda10/18/2020
There you go.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
So she'll just starve to death?

Shelob10/18/2020
Although, more specifically, he says she will not crawl from the shadows from that place.

Varda10/18/2020
She wasn't too keen on coming outside before. Orc munchies were common, that Sauron allowed her.

Shelob10/18/2020
And I pointed out that if she extends her shadows beyond that place, she won't be crawling from the shadows from that place, but technically crawling from the shadows that may have come from that place but are now in an adjacent place.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Yeah, but... how many orcs still roam that area?

Shelob10/18/2020
Grammar works on prophecy as well.,
[5:49 PM]
Like Glorfindel. He said that the Witch King would not be slain by Man.

Varda10/18/2020
But a Woman and a Hobbit? Look out.

Shelob10/18/2020
He did not say the race or the gender, so a She-man and a Hobbit-Man were not on the list.
[5:50 PM]
Therefore, Shelob has a little bit of wriggle room where Celeborn's prophecy is concerned.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Prophecies are like wishes from a genie.

Shelob10/18/2020
On the other hand.... we kind of know that Iluvatar's goal for Eä isn't exactly to have it be devoured by a spider, so he might be onto something.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Never be ambiguous if you want something done.

Varda10/18/2020
Gandalf was a Maia. And there were lots of Elves. Plenty of room for interpretation?

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
No man shall slay him.. but nobody mentioned that wasp going down his throat.

Shelob10/18/2020
And we know from Fingolfin's battle with Melkor that not even the Valar were unable to be wounded by one of the lesser races.

Varda10/18/2020
Ok, I need to give the Tolkien question and Tolkien Moment previously planned when you guys are ready. I'm running out of time.
[5:52 PM]
Or just stick with Shelob as a topic. : )

Shelob10/18/2020
I kind of thought we had smoothly transitioned into Tolkien already.

Varda10/18/2020
Morgoth was unwilling to do his natural Ainur thing of the body being a mere extension of the fea. He was not supposed to be a "body".
[5:53 PM]
Yes, that's why we put LotRO as the last game. ; )

Shelob10/18/2020
Yeah, but we all know that Melkor was a bit daft. He was probably too close to the speakers when the original music was made. Messed up his head it did.

Varda10/18/2020
heh
[5:54 PM]
That music of Creation may have been loud.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
He got messed up by the Void Lords of Warcraft.

Shelob10/18/2020
Twas his own fault that loudness.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Melkor was too busy trying to be the whole orchestra.

Shelob10/18/2020
He was trying to be the conductor.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
That as well. Play every part in the ensemble.

Shelob10/18/2020
As I said, a bit daft.

Varda10/18/2020
Feel free to continue the topic, but meanwhile,

Shelob10/18/2020
It's Eru's fault I tell you! He shouldn't have let baby Melkor drop on his head.

Varda10/18/2020
a gavel scampers to the hammerpad and jumps on it
[5:56 PM]
toink!
[5:56 PM]

top

After-meeting:
[5:56 PM]
Pray or prey continue.
[5:57 PM]
I must go make supper.

Shelob10/18/2020
Namarie Varda, Bon Appetit, Eet smakelijk!

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
eyes Shelob ehr.. who's the prey?
[5:57 PM]
Eet smakelijk

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Since we're in Aftermeeting, I'll throw this out there.

Shelob10/18/2020
Well, I live in a cave.... who else lives in a cave? eyes Phar close by

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Interesting definition of close by.

Shelob10/18/2020
All caves are interconnected. It is known
[5:58 PM]
Still waiting for Eonwë to drop whatever he's holding on us.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
"Pharazon" -> from "Pharaz" = "gold" but "Calion" from "Cal" = "shine" with an indication of light. Why not translate to words based on "Laurë" indicating gold of light/color, or "mal" indicating "gold"? Blame Phar for the positing, hehe.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
I suppose they preferred the sound.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
"Malion" or probably "Mallen" not good enough?

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Tar-Malion..
[6:02 PM]
It might work. It might.

Shelob10/18/2020
Maybe too female sounding?

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Tal-Laure might be. Malion.. I don't hear it.
[6:03 PM]
"Just call me Laura!"

Shelob10/18/2020
I think there is a subtle difference between the light as shining, versus the color of the light.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Laurion?

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Could work.

Shelob10/18/2020
The first indicates a reflection of the light, the second the light itself.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Mind you, Tar-Laure or Tar-Laurion has a bit of a tonguecatcher on the r-L.

Shelob10/18/2020
And considering that all things evil were a reflection of the gifts of Iluvatar... and Pharzy did kind of turn evil...
[6:06 PM]
Tar Calion would therefore suit him much better than Tar Larion would.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
So basically I'm a mirror.

Shelob10/18/2020
Like the Orcs are the mirrors of the Elves.
[6:07 PM]
Just very bad ones.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
To completely mix genres, Amandil's Shinzon?

Shelob10/18/2020
On that note, you could call yourself Azanul, Phar.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
I think I'll stick with Pharazon. I'm sure Tolkien had his reasons.
[6:17 PM]
Or Calion, rather.
[6:18 PM]
Let's not rewrite the master.
[6:19 PM]

And now, let's poke Hearthstone.. I might need to skip less days if I want to get my 5 wins this month, it's not been going well so far
[6:20 PM]
Still, the place I work in the mornings just shut down for 2 weeks because someone got covid. So I don't need to get up early for a while.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
I was actually posing it thinking you might have an exerpt or two to share on it, Phar, hehe
[6:22 PM]
And sorry to hear that.

Arien  Valar10/18/2020
right bed time

Shelob10/18/2020
Good luck! And hope your co-worker gets better!

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
shrug less early mornings, it's volunteer work... I should miss it, but I can't say no to some free days.

Arien  Valar10/18/2020
Namarie Valarites

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Yes, true, bad for the coworker.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Sleep well Arien.

Shelob10/18/2020
Good idea Arien! I ought to do the same.
[6:23 PM]
Namarie!

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Namarie!

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
As for your posit, Eonwe, I'm not actually that well versed in Tolkien's languages, not even for my own name
[6:36 PM]
Now, personal gaming rrreport!

Ioreth10/18/2020
Was outside building a chicken house so I wasn't able to eves drop

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Alright. 3 flashgames have been chosen from this week's 7 badges, all ones I'd done before.. but fun!
[7:03 PM]
https://www.kongregate.com/games/Contrebasse_/love is the first game! Metaphor and a half right there. The idea is to gather happiness by risking getting hurt: You're a block that needs to get as close as possible to as many other blocks as possible flying around to get a higher spin and gather more happiness points, without actually being hit by them.
    Kongregate
    Love
    Love is a unique and addictive high-score game where you risk getting hurt to gather happiness. It features a fully interactive soundtrack that is entirely dir...

[7:03 PM]
See how many points you get!

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
https://www.kongregate.com/games/Mintsphere/trigger-knight for the second game, a running/survival game, bit roguelike-...like.
    Kongregate
    Trigger Knight
    An Experimental Mini-Survival/RPG that uses one-button mechanic!
    Guide the Knight to defeat as many enemies as she can before her life ends! Gather gold via c...
[7:14 PM]
Run along, fight enemies, collect gold, upgrade weapons and armor from shops you pass, but also keep enough gold to replenish your lifespan when needed.
[7:14 PM]
Onebutton game, since you can only perform one action when reaching an enemy or passing a shop.
[7:17 PM]

https://www.kongregate.com/games/2DArray/viricide for the third game! My favorite of the bunch for this week, an upgrade shooter. You're inside a computer fighting off viruses, collecting bits and upgrading your way through the levels, while being guided by the AI you're fixing up. If you die you keep the bits, so it's just a matter of upgrading until you can beat a level
    Kongregate
    Viricide
    Clear out the viruses that are infecting a chronically depressed AI. Buy upgrades, shoot bad guys, and ponder where the cutoff lies for being considered a livi...

[7:23 PM]
Heroes of the Storm:
Still level 430.. but got closer with a few!
[7:24 PM]
Hearthstone:
No new levels. Book of Heroes: Rexxar was released this week, along with a legendary quest, the third of the event, to beat the first boss.
[7:24 PM]
Which was, fortunately, not that difficult

Ioreth10/18/2020
I just discovered the messed with Druid starfall. I hate it when I have to learn new things

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Brawl this week is playing with one of several different "bosses" with specific class themes, I had some fun with the Cenarius one, which is about spamming treants and buffing em up
[7:25 PM]
Ah, yes, I heard.
[7:25 PM]
Pretty good, though, apparently.
[7:26 PM]
WoW:
[7:27 PM]
Another Jaina run on tuesday, the day before the patch in Europe, so we still got to use all our corruptions. Still no mount for me!
[7:27 PM]
We had our first raid today at level 50, because on thursday the servers were acting up. Tuning seems to be okay. Perhaps we're even a bit too powerful.

Ioreth10/18/2020
did you see the icyveins where someone level 11 solo'd the level 50 storm crow boss in kul tiras - a druid of course

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Got my Collector's Edition on tuesday! Looked through the artbook, listened to the soundtrack, and put my 4 Covenant pins on their stand, placed on my computer closet. Looking good. Was thinking of putting the Ardenweald pin on some of my clothing but it's looking fine up there so far.
[7:29 PM]
Azurethos? Huh, not bad. I guess the mechanics are okay to avoid.
[7:30 PM]
I thought it'd hit too hard though.

Ioreth10/18/2020
using that cromy thing. I'm not working on a low level so I have no clue how it works

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Ah. I guess I assumed the world bosses would be level 50 scaled.
[7:31 PM]
Also, druids best class!
[7:32 PM]
Anyway, got my CE, linked up SL to my account, and made my pandaren death knight, Calshanguia, who's armory page is up on the screenshots channel.

Ioreth10/18/2020
if you have a low level you talk to cromi and you can go quest wherever you want with some type of level balancing.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Yeah, but... world bosses, really?

Ioreth10/18/2020
wonder if they'll adjust that a little... lol
[7:33 PM]
What's the meaning of Calshanguia? it's pretty to look at.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Cal's basically my standard character prefix. I made her as a blood death knight, so I messed around a bit with some chinese and the word sangria.

Ioreth10/18/2020
it's a neat looking name. I like it

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
I think shi was the chinese word for death.
[7:35 PM]
While gui is ghost. So it's a mix of those elements. At least that's what I remember from when I decided on her name some months ago.
[7:36 PM]
And yes, I like the name too
[7:36 PM]
My little blood panda.
[7:37 PM]
So yeah, since I was able to create her the day before the patch, she started out at 58 and scaled down to 24 instead of 10

Ioreth10/18/2020
ah, it's really not bad leveling a lower one I'm told

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Nah, but still. Felt right to make her before the revamp.
[7:38 PM]
stares at armory picture She has such a creepy smile.

Ioreth10/18/2020
I like the makeovers I have seen so far. Cute flower for druids (guys and gals) is sweet

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
I could've waited a day to give her the new customizations, yes, but I like her the way she is now.
[7:39 PM]
I did take a number of my alts to the barbershop, though, to see if I wanted to change some things.
[7:40 PM]
I think I plucked the nose ring out of my paladin, gave my gnome warlock the new curly hairstyle, and messed around with the worgen a bit.

Ioreth10/18/2020
I've been giving forelocks to Tauren mostly. I love the new palamino color - and the pure white worgen

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-gb/character/eu/argent-dawn/caliona has the most changes though. Messed up her hair and put vines everywhere. She likes to show her wild side.
    World of Warcraft
    Caliona - Character - WoW
    Caliona (Argent Dawn) ❮The High Guard❯ - 11 Night Elf Beast Mastery Hunter, 13 ilvl

[7:41 PM]
Yeah, I was tempted by the white worgen
[7:41 PM]
Oh, and I also put some leaves in my druid's hair. Seems right for Shadowlands, to have some autumn hair.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Ok, I've got my portal to/from Silithus back but not my access to the Chamber of the Heart.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Ouch.
[7:42 PM]
Well, it's progress?

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Guess I've got to click through alot of quests before I get it all.

Ioreth10/18/2020
ouch. can you get there if you just go there? (and change to the right time)
[7:43 PM]
are we keeping essences or not? I've heard both ways

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Essences are kept in general, but won't be active in the Shadowlands.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
No way to change time. Chromie threw me out into the cold, cruel world.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
That Chromie, you never can tell.

Ioreth10/18/2020
even ol' whats her name who stands at the begining of the zone when you come up from the dino land?

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Well I've got the portal, so I should have access to the Heart too.
[7:45 PM]
Everything in the area spawns correctly.
[7:46 PM]
Maybe Azeroth just doesn't want to let me back into her heart rimshot.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
You might break it.
[7:47 PM]
If I had a diamond heart ♪

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Her heart had been rather achy-breaky of late.
[7:48 PM]
I shouldn't play games with it.
[7:49 PM]
I thought only a Druid could cause a total eclipse of it...

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Anyway, CE came with new mount, pet and hearthstone toy, so yay
[7:49 PM]
There's also the quest for the transmog thing but I've not started that yet. Kinda want to finish my archaeo first.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Insert any song by the band Heart

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
hehe
[7:51 PM]
But wait, there's more!

Ioreth10/18/2020
back to supervise chicken house project. Namarie if I don't see you soon.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Have fun :}

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
I got a new toy from expeditions; or rather, it procced as the quest reward for the treasure map mission you get from doing 3 expeditions.
[7:52 PM]
A drum that turns me into a pygmee!

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Congrats

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
pygmy?
[7:52 PM]
something
[7:52 PM]
Thanks

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
I did those just enough for the upgrade thing and never went back. I guess at some point I should.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Hmhm, lots of collectibles!

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
pygmy would be it

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Yeah
[7:53 PM]
And this week I also got the one toy from BfA I thought I'd have the least chance of getting, the pvp one which requires you to kill 10 enemy faction players and then 10 of your own to get an achievement from N'Zoth.
[7:54 PM]
Helped out a friend getting it, turned out that you don't need  killing blows so we both got the quest at the same time, and decided to get some more friends to get us the achievement each.. after which we helped a few others of the group too.
[7:54 PM]
Not how I imagined spending my monday night but it was fun, and we got our rewards

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Congrats on that.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Thanks!

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
NZoth keeps trying to get me to do that and I have to keep saying no, heh.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Lessee... pet battles for the weekly, got a few wins with my 3 gnome "pets", but nothing new about that...
[7:55 PM]
hah
[7:56 PM]
It works with friends though, get 3 or 4 and you can basically get it done in half an hour
[7:56 PM]
Oh! And finally more archaeaeaeology.
[7:57 PM]
Got all the rares! Two new pets, one from each faction, including a cute little wicker dog from the Drust, as well as the last toy.
[7:58 PM]
Then it was just waiting for the pristines. I got all the Zandalari ones now, and am just waiting for my last from the Drust. So the last few days I've been digging up Kul Tiras, hoping not only for that artifact to proc, but also to be pristine. Not very lucky so far!
[7:58 PM]
But we'll get there, I'm sure.

Ioreth10/18/2020
Back! I'm still trying to get my vial recipe

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Also, there appears to be an 8.2 questline for Magni and MOTHER which I knew I had missed back then, but it was removed in 8.3; it came back this week, so I think I'll go through it just for the lore.
[8:01 PM]
Ah, yes. That can be a pain, I hear

Ioreth10/18/2020
OH?

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Aaaanyway, that's my report for the week!
[8:03 PM]
...And yes, that's what I heard?

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
I don't remember, and I hadn't heard that.
[8:08 PM]
Afraid I'm of no help on that.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
The Magni quest or the vial?

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
The Magni quest.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Ah, yes.
[8:09 PM]
Well, according to the wowhead comments on the first quest, I wasn't alone. Some people even reported getting it after having completed it in the past.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
But I'm suprised that after everything, my Artifact is actually 4 ilvls higher than the weapon you get from starting Nazjatar.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Huh.

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Yeah. My Artifact is ilvl 64, the weapon is ilvl 60.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
Hmm.
[8:12 PM]
I've got a 115 equipped, that really ramped up then...

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
The BoEs from the invasion areas seem to only be ilvl 76

Ioreth10/18/2020
Someone in my guild mentioned the artifact weapon was better

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
There, Magni wants to talk to me again. Maybe now Azeroth will Listen to her Heart.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
hehe

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
It's pun night, heh.

Ar-Pharazon-V10/18/2020
namarie!

Varda10/18/2020
Namarie

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Sleep well :}
[9:24 PM]
Don't forget to go trick-or-treating on WoW with your lower lvl chars for easy exp :}

Eonwë Valar10/18/2020
Time for me to get some rest. Take care all, good night, sleep well, and have fun.

Varda10/18/2020
Going to bed here too. Namarie!

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