Valar Guild

January 24, 2021 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): (6)
    Discord: Arien, Ar-Pharazon,  Eonwe, Falco (After-meeting), Ioreth (Before-meeting), Varda (presiding)
   
Contents:
Before-meeting
Meeting begins
Membership news:
Web:
    News 2021 updated, dropping 2020 to News Archives.
Gaming:
    General reports: World of WarCraft, Overwatch, Heroes of the Storm, Hearthstone, Lord of the Rings Online; Diablo 2
         Under the D2 link: Vicarious Visions (part of Activision with Diablo 2) merged into Blizzard; Diablo 2: Resurrected.
Tolkien:
    Topic from Eonwe: RP forum story discussion. Recap and what the characters do going forward.
After-meeting:
    RP chat continues
    Flashgaming Reviews by Ar-Pharazon.
top

Before-meeting

Ioreth01/20/2021
Sorry I missed you all! My schedule has been messed up.


January 24, 2021

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 3:58 PM
Salutations all.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 3:58 PM
Aiya!

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 4:01 PM
I need to go afk for a moment. We'll give it a couple more minutes, then we'll begin shortly.

VardaYesterday at 4:04 PM
Aiya!
[4:04 PM]
Just got home. : )

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:04 PM
Aiya! You made it!
[4:04 PM]
Well, close enough.

VardaYesterday at 4:05 PM
heh
[4:05 PM]
@Bounder It's that wonderful time to get together, say hi!, chat, talk games and Tolkien! Or maybe lurk...
[4:06 PM]

top

Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo!
[4:06 PM]
Membership:
[4:06 PM]
Very happy to say I made it to the meeting, thanks to Fangorn's aid in making it home this early. : )

Arien  ValarYesterday at 4:07 PM
Aiya all

VardaYesterday at 4:07 PM
Ioreth left a message for us that her schedule has been messed up.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:07 PM
Aiya Arien!

VardaYesterday at 4:07 PM
Aiya Sunshine!
[4:08 PM]
It's a  great idea to do like Ioreth and Eonwe and some others and leave a message to say hi, maybe give some news when you can. We still see it come meeting time!
[4:09 PM]
Feel free to start up a Tolkien topic too. Doesn't have to just be at meetings. The joy of typed messages!
[4:09 PM]
Any membership news?
[4:09 PM]
Seen any fellow Valarites?
[4:10 PM]
Helm, Aragorn, others?

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:10 PM
checks bnet I'm sure Fladrif's been around...

VardaYesterday at 4:10 PM
I should mention Tulkas says hi from LotRO. : )

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:10 PM
He usually is.
[4:10 PM]
Yep, 1 day offline.

VardaYesterday at 4:11 PM
Flad might be just right for leaving a message when his schedule is kinder.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:11 PM
He does seem busy for a tree.

VardaYesterday at 4:11 PM
Or anyone who has scheduling conflicts.
[4:12 PM]
He's following Fangorn's fine example. : )
[4:12 PM]

top

Web news:
[4:12 PM]
You may have noticed the News page dropped the 2020 year into the Archives so it should load quickly now.
[4:13 PM]
The Membership page has a slight update, in dire need of more work. cough

Gaming!
[4:14 PM]
I'm sure Eonwe would be willing to give the gaming news, if he weren't away. : )

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 4:14 PM
I just got back, so you're welcome to put that supposition to the test :}

VardaYesterday at 4:14 PM
As always, feel free to add in your part of general gaming news.
[4:14 PM]
Ah hah!
[4:15 PM]
Fionwe, would you be able to lead off the Gaming News for us? : )

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 4:15 PM
Certainly :}

VardaYesterday at 4:15 PM
Huzzah!

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 4:16 PM

World of Warcraft:
[4:16 PM]
For collectors, there's the blog Shadowlands: Mounts, Pets, and More (Part 1). ---
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23612219/shadowlands-mounts-pets-and-more-part-1
    World of Warcraft
    Shadowlands: Mounts, Pets, and More (Part 1) - WoW
    Beyond the veil, a bounty of new mounts, pets, and more await you in the Shadowlands. Which of these many treasures will you set your sights on?

[4:16 PM]
Castle Nathria LFR Wing 3 is now available. ---
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23584139/castle-nathria-raid-finder-wing-3-now-live
    World of Warcraft
    Castle Nathria Raid Finder Wing 3 Now Live! - WoW
    Cut down the traitorous Sire Denathrius and his court loyalists before their twisted plans unfold in an epic new raid—Castle Nathria.

[4:16 PM]
This week's bonus event: Cataclysm Timewalking.

The PvP Brawl: Gravity Lapse begins today and runs through Tuesday, January 26th.
[4:17 PM]
Next Week's bonus event is Battlegrounds.

Check out this week's hotfixes. ---
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23580183/hotfixes-january-22-2021
    World of Warcraft
    Hotfixes: January 22, 2021 - WoW
    Here you will find a list of hotfixes that address various issues related to World of Warcraft: Shadowlands and WoW Classic.

[4:17 PM]
Overwatch:
[4:17 PM]
Check out the blog "Next Stop: Kanezaka". ---
https://playoverwatch.com/en-us/news/23609156/next-stop-kanezaka/
    Overwatch
    Next Stop: Kanezaka
    Learn about the ins and outs of the newest Overwatch map from four of its creators.

[4:18 PM]
Heroes of the Storm:
[4:18 PM]
A new balance patch came out this week. ---
https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/heroes-of-the-storm/23591147/heroes-of-the-storm-balance-patch-notes-january-19-2021
    Heroes of the Storm Balance Patch Notes - January 19, 2021
    Heroes of the Storm has just been updated with Hero balance changes! Read on for details.

[4:18 PM]
Hearthstone:
[4:18 PM]
Patch 19.4 came out this week. ---
https://playhearthstone.com/en-us/news/23591149/19-4-patch-notes
    19.4 Patch Notes
    The 19.4 patch brings the Darkmoon Races Mini-Set, a Mid-Season Update for Duels, new Battlegrounds Heroes and Minions, and more!

[4:18 PM]
Lord of the Rings Online:
[4:19 PM]
Update 28.3 came out this week. ---
https://www.lotro.com/en/content/update-283-release-notes
    The Lord of the Rings Online
    Update 28.3 Release Notes
[4:19 PM]
For those who like having access to game soundtracks outside of the game, the War of Three Peaks Soundtrack has been posted to Youtube. ---
https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?685630-Update-28-War-of-Three-Peaks-Soundtrack-now-available-on-YouTube
    Update 28: War of Three Peaks Soundtrack now available on YouTube
    Thanks for listening!

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp8-eNYOqZmPX8bBiMXf75aSIg94QWuZa

VardaYesterday at 4:19 PM
Lots of sound tracks there for whomever wants, free.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 4:20 PM
Too bad it's not downloadable.
[4:20 PM]
On a side note, I'm lvl 303 in Heroes of the Storm. I keep forgetting to mention I passed 300 a few weeks back.

VardaYesterday at 4:20 PM
Congrats!

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:20 PM
grats!

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 4:21 PM
That's it for my gaming news, so I return the floor to Varda after a nice waxing and buffing to remove the scuff marks :}

VardaYesterday at 4:21 PM
First another scuff. ; )
[4:21 PM]
The kin folk who came to LotRO in kin this past week (but not counting today as I wasn't there today):
[4:21 PM]
Landroval server:
Celebrian
Dis
Eonwe
Irmo
Lenwe
Miriel
Nar
Varda

Ithil server:
Arien
Dis
Eonwe
Varda

Anor server:
Dis
Varda
[4:22 PM]
.
[4:22 PM]
Please note that Dis is active again! She is able to play again, and even started a new character on Landroval. : )

Arien  ValarYesterday at 4:23 PM
nice

VardaYesterday at 4:24 PM
On the side window, we have Valarites playing: Endless Space 2, The Elder Scrolls Online, World of WarCraft Classic, Red Dead Redemption 2, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cel lBlacklist, Path of Exile, and Battletech.  : )
[4:24 PM]
So we are definitely not confined to Blizzard and LotRO!
[4:25 PM]
Any other news that anyone would like to bring up? Requests, suggestions, in need of particular craft materials?
[4:26 PM]
I should also mention that Tabletop gaming is alive and somewhat well, operating on such online get-togethers as Roll 20 plus Discord, or even Discord alone.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:27 PM
Well, this week I found a youtube gaming channel which has kept me quite amused, if that's something you want

VardaYesterday at 4:27 PM
If you think others would enjoy it, feel free to link.
[4:27 PM]
and do we need a caution for younger folk? : )

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:28 PM
It's... not too bad with language, that I've noticed, but the content can be a bit dark

Arien  ValarYesterday at 4:29 PM
can hardly be worse than Elwynn Forrest or Barrens chat

VardaYesterday at 4:29 PM
Thanks. Link when ready.

Arien  ValarYesterday at 4:29 PM
:)

VardaYesterday at 4:30 PM
I know of guild parents who have the World channel shut off for the children, or the equivalent in their game.

Arien  ValarYesterday at 4:30 PM
as for dark .. i ve had some training

VardaYesterday at 4:30 PM
Light it up!

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:30 PM
https://www.youtube.com/c/LetsGameItOut is the channel; starts out as a bit of a let's play thing, but the last few years he's been focusing mostly on simulation games, tycoons, colonization, that sort of genre, and tries to see how he can break things and push things to the limit in, in my opinion, very creative and hilarious ways.
    YouTube
    Let's Game It Out
    A gaming let's play channel by some guy named Josh who makes fun-loving videos filled with joy and sarcasm.
    For business inquiries: letsgameitoutbusiness@gmail.com
    XOXOXO,
    Josh
    0C0B81

[4:31 PM]
He's gotten so popular that games in beta and with early access keys are giving him keys just so he's free to break things further

VardaYesterday at 4:31 PM
There's a gaming channel by Winter that helps teach how to play StarCraft, and takes on folks from his online audience too. Very popular. I don't know the link.
[4:31 PM]

So Josh makes a good game tester.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:32 PM
Let's just say that in a lot of tycoons and simulators, he specializes in creative ways to torment the people walking around.
[4:33 PM]
A couple of those standing out to me are
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvEKky9N1tQ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19JYOVPmwDM though he does some other genres as well.
    YouTube
    Let's Game It Out
    I Built a Theme Park of Perpetual Torment in Planet Coaster

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19JYOVPmwDM
    YouTube
    Let's Game It Out
    I Built an Unethical Zoo Where Nobody Is Safe - Planet Zoo

VardaYesterday at 4:33 PM
Ok. The link is available there for whomever this appeals to.
[4:34 PM]

Also, we can use suggestions for Tolkien topics. Ones that don't always come from me are very welcome for freshness!
[4:35 PM]

Also, one question. What would you feel our LotRO group has to offer a new recruit? What should we add for them?

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 4:38 PM
Family-friendly atmosphere. No profanity/obscenity.

VardaYesterday at 4:39 PM
Well, very little anyway.
[4:39 PM]
The voice chat is more liable to contain slips.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 4:40 PM
Fair enough. Can't say I'm perfect these days, reason I stick to text, lol.

VardaYesterday at 4:40 PM
We have a couple of very young children who play LotRO with parents and family. One is 6 and one is 7 that I know of right now.
[4:41 PM]
Text helps. : )
[4:41 PM]
One is my grandson...whom you may have noticed in the Valar area.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 4:41 PM
As the adage goes, "It is better to slip with the foot than with the tongue," although slipping with the foot wouldn't do my shoulder any good.

VardaYesterday at 4:41 PM
He can read text amazingly well.
[4:42 PM]
And still makes your point, Eonwe.
[4:44 PM]

Ok, so family-friendly atmosphere.
[4:44 PM]
We do have  a way for the family to join in even if not part of the kin.
[4:45 PM]
If they can be courteous and not slam Tolkien too much, they can join us in the user channel "Valar" in most games, and can use Discord with family and those Valarites willing.
[4:46 PM]
Sorry, I should say Guild to make it for all games. : )

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 4:46 PM
We don't have guild-specific "games" anymore like we did in D1 and D2, so nothing keeping them from gaming with us in that respect.

VardaYesterday at 4:47 PM
We make a sort of "shadow" guild across all games.
[4:47 PM]
We know our fellow Valarites and can trust them.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:47 PM
Oh. Speaking of D2, apparently the remake's confirmed, with the help of another Activision studio shoved into the Blizzard one.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 4:47 PM
I heard about the merger, but not about a confirmed D2 remake.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:48 PM
From one of the articles: "A group at Vicarious Visions is also working on the remake, which was known as Diablo II: Resurrected."

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 4:48 PM
Guess I should've mentioned that in gaming as well -- the merger that is.
[4:49 PM]
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-01-22-vicarious-visions-merged-into-blizzard linked from MMO-Champion is all I can find quickly.
    GamesIndustry.biz
    Vicarious Visions merged into Blizzard
    Long-time Activision Publishing studio will be "fully dedicated" to Blizzard titles going forward; former studio head Jen Oneal promoted to Blizzard leadership's team

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:49 PM
The same MMO article also links https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-22/blizzard-absorbs-activision-studio-after-dismantling-classic-games-team
[4:49 PM]
Which mentions it.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 4:51 PM
Hmm, I missed the second link under it on MMO-Champion that does mention Diablo 2: Resurrected.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:51 PM
That's the one

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 4:51 PM
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-22/blizzard-absorbs-activision-studio-after-dismantling-classic-games-team
[4:51 PM]
Well there we go. Thanks for bringing it up Phar, hehe.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 4:52 PM
No problem

VardaYesterday at 4:52 PM
Thanks for the news. : )
[4:54 PM]

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Tolkien:

Eonwe has been looking over items for our rp story. I think we are away from it so long that we lose track of what we are doing, and were vague on the idea on the current arc heading into Angmar.
[4:54 PM]
So for a recap:
[4:54 PM]
The team is headed to Angmar to find and stop the possessed being that has been menacing Mirkwood.
[4:55 PM]
We are aware that his last incursion was partly a test of a new weapon, having some form of magic. He has apparently returned to base to work on it with what he learned.
[4:56 PM]
We think we picked up a piece of the weapon and are trying to guess what it does from that and stop it and him.
[4:56 PM]
The weapon was used against the Halls of Thranduil which are guarded by magical gates.
[4:56 PM]
It may have had something to do with that.
[4:57 PM]
Ok, now correct me : )

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 4:57 PM
Discussion Thread first post updated as we discussed. I'm not going to go beyond 2020 into the past on this for simplicity's sake. I'm going to assume anything important before there that we were working with is already listed in one of my synopsis posts.
[4:58 PM]
Otherwise, if we cared about it that much, it'd have been brought up in 2020, hehe.
[4:59 PM]
Adding to Varda above:
[5:01 PM]
It has been established the "sword" and "staff" are originally one, broken up by whoever got it from its original owner, whom I forget if it was or wasn't the sorcerer we're dealing with.

Arien  ValarYesterday at 5:02 PM
i. e. the posessed Calion

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:02 PM
Calaron, but aye :}

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:02 PM
Before he possessed Calaron, anyway.

Arien  ValarYesterday at 5:02 PM
Calaron i mean yes lol

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:03 PM
Presumably the staff alone was used at the gate.

Arien  ValarYesterday at 5:03 PM
Last i remember we were searching some ruins and found a possible caved in room or tunnel and Auros found a cloak beloniing to a companion

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:04 PM
Yes. And we also found said companion's horse.

VardaYesterday at 5:04 PM
The weapon may have been whole when tested, then broken up for carrying back to base?

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:04 PM
If it were united, there'd be no reason to break it back up.
[5:05 PM]
It took something to break it up in the first place.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:05 PM
I think we discussed something in the past about the orc we got it from being a messenger orc?

Arien  ValarYesterday at 5:05 PM
it might have been an accident or broke during a skirmish you know what orcs are like or even they might have been jumped by spiders and it came to a fight duing which it broke

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:06 PM
The thing we're looking for is the method to destroy it since it seems pretty hard to destroy, but the place it can be united is likely to be the place it can be destroyed.
[5:07 PM]
We never set a specific reason for it breaking up, but due to the trouble Auros had trying to destroy it, the supposition is that something made it possible to break the two parts up in the first place. which indicates intention.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:08 PM
Lock and key.
[5:08 PM]
Transport them separately in case one of them gets ambushed.
[5:09 PM]
Maybe it gets a bit.. unpredictable when combined, so safest for the transport party as well to carry it split up, as an alternative.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:09 PM
Outside of the story, I kinda like the idea that the owner was betrayed by his own servants, possibly because they thought he was a bigger problem than they wanted with that thing, and then broke it up after they dealt with him.
[5:12 PM]
As Auros speculates, if it was one of the Free Peoples, they would've searched for and found a way to dispose of it.
[5:13 PM]
Or at least it would've been locked away in a stronghold, not left for orcs to find.

VardaYesterday at 5:13 PM
I agree that the item was on purpose broken up for transport and separated. That would prevent its potential unauthorized use. And maybe it was shown in the test to be defective?
[5:13 PM]
The parts' staying together too long might have been dangerous?

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:13 PM
What if....
[5:14 PM]
the original owner broke it in two when he found out his servants tried to overthrow him, so they couldn't use it...
[5:14 PM]
and now it doesn't work as well because it's in 2 pieces and it doesn't stick together well enough during testing...
[5:15 PM]
so they're trying to take it home to try to repair it back where it was made?

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:15 PM
And they slew their master anyway.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:15 PM
Yes.
[5:16 PM]
Maybe the glue didn't hold

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:16 PM
There is some missing "lore" in reuniting the two pieces that the current possessors do not have.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:16 PM
That works.
[5:17 PM]
One more reason to take the stuff back to Angmar.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:17 PM
Something that will also make it vulnerable for the brief moments before reunion.
[5:18 PM]
Or even for moments after. The disunion of the pieces left them somewhat vulnerable afterwards for a time. Enough for orcs to be able to etch runes across the blade.

Arien  ValarYesterday at 5:19 PM
sounds good

VardaYesterday at 5:19 PM
So does this mean the possessing character is not the original owner?

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:20 PM
I don't think we definitively established it in either direction.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:20 PM
It would, unless he changed mind on it after being unbodied?
[5:21 PM]
It could be...  like... the original owner's old right hand, leading the rebellion against him. Or a servant of Sauron who learned about it afterwards from some legend and came to Mirkwood to find it.
[5:22 PM]
Considering the lesser ring he's got, I prefer the latter.
[5:22 PM]
But either can work with a bit of creativity I'm sure.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:22 PM
It's possible he could be the original owner, looking to reclaim what was his after laying low long enough to be forgotten/watch his betrayers perish, or someone else who came along and learned about it by being in the right place at the right time and carefully piecing clues together, going to Angmar for the last bits of information he needs.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:23 PM
If it is the original owner, wouldn't he already have all the knowledge needed?

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:23 PM
Aye. You should read the first part as ending at "perish" and the rest being the second contigency.(edited)
[5:25 PM]
If it's the former, namely that it's the original owner, he would be going to Angmar to bring the parts together/expecting the sword to come to him through his servants.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:25 PM
Well, yes, I got that, but.. ah, okay

Arien  ValarYesterday at 5:26 PM
indstead a party of Elves and a dwarf carry it to him  what shock

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:26 PM
Knowing it'd be the best way for us to locate him. He's played us well.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:28 PM
So far so good on the direction here I'd say.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:28 PM
Aye, but it doesn't help us in our exact current situation, what to do next

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:29 PM
Yeah
[5:29 PM]
Law of conservation of detail would probably say that unless we have something we really want to write about, we should probably get to the next plot point soon.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:30 PM
So where are we right now?
[5:30 PM]
We have a ruin, we have our party, we have a cloak and a spare horse.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:30 PM
Goals:
[5:31 PM]
1.) Find out how to destroy the sword and/or staff.
[5:31 PM]
1.a.) FIgure out how to do that.
[5:31 PM]
(From our characters' perspective)
[5:31 PM]
2.) Find Telperos.
[5:32 PM]
The problem from the character's perspective is we don't have alot to go on re: where to find the information we need.

VardaYesterday at 5:32 PM
Does the item that we have help us track the other half?

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:33 PM
I think we've determined there may be some possibility of that, to those sensitive to the item, for lack of a better way to put it.

VardaYesterday at 5:33 PM
Otherwise, why are we bringing them together? Can we make a feedback pulse that destroys the whole thing or part?

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:33 PM
But if we go looking for the staff before we know how to destroy it, we're risking alot.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:34 PM
Yes, I think we're carrying the sword with us because we think it may help us find the staff and sorcerer, but also to find out more about it and a way to destroy both...
[5:35 PM]
but you have a point; find the knowledge first, the staff later.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:35 PM
I would also note that I don't believe it's common knowledge that Auros has the sword with him at this point.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:35 PM
Which means Auros needs to be the one with a reason to bring it along.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:36 PM
In fact, I'm pretty sure it's not. It may come as a shock that Auros brought it.
[5:37 PM]
One of the things we had discussed for Frali, if Arien was interested in pursuing it, was for Auros to "re-sensitize" Frali to the "aura" of the sword to help try and locate the locus of its creation and hopefully the information we need.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:37 PM
But if one can track the other, it's a good bet that sorcerer sees us coming, which even as a possibility is only known to Auros.
[5:37 PM]
Ah yes

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:38 PM
Auros knows what's he's looking for, so to speak, both in the sense and in the knowledge, and he's not in any particular danger in that respect. Frali though, based on the previous reaction, would be risking more.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:39 PM
So we're not using the sword to track the staff, but to track the forge, so to speak.
[5:39 PM]
Or that's Auros' plan.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:39 PM
That's what he's doing, yes.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:39 PM
Which means sorc either knows we can do that and is banking on it, waiting for us at the forge; or we'll catch him by surprise.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:39 PM
Or the basic idea.
[5:40 PM]
Hmm
[5:41 PM]
I don't feel strongly either way on the idea of him knowing/suspecting we can do that and banking on it.
[5:41 PM]
Either way could be written interestingly.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:41 PM
Well, we basically don't have to decide until the last moment on whether he's got a trap set for us

Arien  ValarYesterday at 5:41 PM
hmm can the sword "sense " aka the source of its power and tries to use Frali as the party come closer to it or does it work the other way  round?
[5:42 PM]
sense the forge i mean

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:42 PM
As far as I can tell, we're hoping the other way around, but the first way is a risk.
[5:43 PM]
We may try to have Frali use the sword, but risk the sword using Frali in return.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:44 PM
I don't want to use any cliche'd analogies to describe what I have it mind, but it's kind of hard, heh.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:44 PM
Well, I did have the way the Ring came closer to possessing Frodo's mind as they got closer to Mount Doom in mind

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:45 PM
To use a completely off-the-wall one, I guess it's like if you know the taste of ketchup, you know when you're eating something else with ketchup on it.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:45 PM
So we want to use Frali's "attunement" to the sword as a way to detect similar "magic"?
[5:46 PM]
Like a dog sniffing a piece of cloth belonging to a missing person?

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:46 PM
In the same way that Gandalf lighting a fire says "Gandalf is here for all to see."

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:46 PM
(is that one of the cliche'd analogies?)

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:46 PM
Scent being one of the ones I was considering "cliche'd" yes.
[5:48 PM]
But if it works go with it. The idea is that a being's power is apparently identifiable for those who know what they're looking for.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:48 PM


Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:48 PM
Their "signature" so to speak, another cliche'd one.

Arien  ValarYesterday at 5:49 PM
i see such as a portal always leaves an identifiable trace .. lthat is of its presence but not of the caster

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:49 PM
So anything with a similar "signature" to the sword is likely to be related to it in some way, and thus something we want to investigate. However, we have to be close enough to identify it.(edited)

VardaYesterday at 5:50 PM
The "taste" analogy is cool. Maybe he actually tastes something particular with more detail and strength up close.  Frali close enough to Auros will wonder why he's having problems with his food tasting the way it did near the sword.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:50 PM
hehehe

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:50 PM
"Frali, mind giving this building a lick to see if we're close?"

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:51 PM
lol

Arien  ValarYesterday at 5:51 PM
chucklles

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:53 PM
I'm trying to avoid us going to Carn Dum as it doesn't strike me as a good place to go with anything short of a small army, and thus going with the idea anything we need to find will be somewhere in the lands of Angmar.
[5:54 PM]
We've narrowed the search somewhat to the lands of Angmar south/west of the mountains.
[5:55 PM]
The question is how to narrow that further.

Arien  ValarYesterday at 5:55 PM
hmmm

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:56 PM
I believe we'd discussed a couple of "dead ends" before someone, probably Calion, got aggravated by Auros' "nothing here, let's go" attitude, confronts him, then he's surprisingly forthcoming on information.
[5:56 PM]
Don't know if that's still something we want to write, not sure how I'd want to approach that right now.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:56 PM
Alright, I'm guessing we'd need... 7 dead ends for Calion to get frustrated. 6 to go!

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:57 PM
Lol
[5:57 PM]
Let's reconsider that then.

VardaYesterday at 5:57 PM
We might want to know how he knows it's really a dead end?

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:57 PM
Or at least find a way to not make us write every single dead end.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:57 PM
Montage?

VardaYesterday at 5:57 PM
Seven ruins later, a tired party sat around the campfire.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:58 PM
Calion: Auros, are we there yeeeet?
[5:58 PM]
How do you knooooow?

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 5:58 PM
We could probably meet Telperos at the last dead end, Calion gets the idea that with another Noldo there he/they are about to get shut out even more from the discussion, chooses that time to vent?

Arien  ValarYesterday at 5:59 PM
let me  have a look of the in game angmar map ...

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 5:59 PM
We can let Auros and Telperos go to a secluded corner to discuss things, wait until they come back and say "You know we have good ears, right?"

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:00 PM
Especially if it sounds like Telperos and Auros are getting on the same wavelength, already plotting the rest of the search out, etc.

Arien  ValarYesterday at 6:00 PM
there are some smaller places around Carn Dum .. fallen cities and ruins

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:01 PM
Auros wouldn't even bother walking off. He wouldn't see it as him hiding anything so he'd be standing there talking in front of everyone. He's not really hiding anything, he's just not sharing everything, heh.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:01 PM
So you and Telperos are standing there and Calion interferes, like "Alright, care to tell us what's going on here?"

Arien  ValarYesterday at 6:02 PM
like Donvail or Dun Covid which are both occuplied by angmar forces .. if we adapt that to empty ruins ?

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:02 PM
I forget if those are actual locations in the books.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:03 PM
...Does it actually matter? The RP was originally meant to represent LotRO.
[6:03 PM]
I mean, I don't know anything myself about the added geography in that game, but I don't mind you inserting it

Arien  ValarYesterday at 6:04 PM
no but it doesnt mean places like that exist .. i cant see Angmar as completely empty with only the capital lfeft standing

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:04 PM
We started this before they started naming stuff (or at least announcing those names) in LotRO, lol.
[6:04 PM]
How much do I care? Eh, 80%-ish I guess on this one?
[6:05 PM]
But aye, Arien, we don't have to use an actual name anyway, and I've been operating on the same idea, that there's more than just the capital as far as ruined cities go.
[6:06 PM]
What we just scouted was probably a small outpost or tower along the border.

Arien  ValarYesterday at 6:06 PM
aye
[6:06 PM]
well friends .. i shall read up when i come back from work tomorrow

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:06 PM
Alright, namarie
[6:06 PM]
Do like the rest of us, read it at work!

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:07 PM
OK Arien :}

Arien  ValarYesterday at 6:07 PM
i have to go to bed half an hour ago

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:07 PM
Let me know if you want to go forward with that stuff for Frali. We ought to start plotting that if we do.

VardaYesterday at 6:07 PM
It is an hour past time to call in a gavel.

Arien  ValarYesterday at 6:07 PM
yip sounds intruiging ~
[6:07 PM]
i look forward to it

VardaYesterday at 6:08 PM
Taste? Scent? Itchy skin? Take your pick and let us know what symptom. : )

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:08 PM
Ok, then I'll direct my thoughts that way.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:08 PM
So we're moving to the next ruin, are we? Maybe letting the horse guide us or something?

VardaYesterday at 6:08 PM
a shining gavel catapults towards the table, about to miss
[6:09 PM]
the hammerpad tilts onto its side and catches the gavel
[6:09 PM]
thwommmp!

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:09 PM
(maybe Frali can start glowing blue when we get closer)

Arien  ValarYesterday at 6:09 PM
my idea is more going the psychologic way as it was before when Frali showed reactions to the sword i. e. untypical behaviour of some kind i shall devise when the time comes ~

VardaYesterday at 6:09 PM
saved, the gavel beams happily and returns to the shelf
[6:09 PM]
But Frali recognizes it this time!

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:10 PM
If we're going to race right along to the final (from a writing perspective) dead end, then we don't want to worry about too many more unless we actually have a reason to write about them. I can scurry us through to the last once we're satisfied with any "intro" dead ends.

VardaYesterday at 6:10 PM
Frali should feel the sword before long, really. How far can Auros keep from him for long?
[6:10 PM]

top

After-meeting

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:10 PM
I'm contemplating what a "montage" post would look like in text-form.

VardaYesterday at 6:10 PM
and we continue...

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:10 PM
Can't exactly put it to music.

Arien  ValarYesterday at 6:10 PM
all right Namarie plotters  ~

VardaYesterday at 6:10 PM
Namarie : )

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:10 PM
namarie
[6:11 PM]
How about... like... a journal thing?

VardaYesterday at 6:11 PM
Seven ruins would be too many, sorry. Frali will catch you if we're not on horses all the time.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:11 PM
Day 3: Found another ruin...

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:11 PM
Well, my post from Auros' perspective would simply be something like "onwards they went from ruin to ruin, and the Noldo found nothing of use at any of them"(edited)

VardaYesterday at 6:11 PM
Day 4: This new ruin looks just like the last one. Bunch of rubble.
[6:12 PM]
Day 5: Another ruin. I'm developing a zit.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:12 PM
Day 6: We saw Auros picking up something small. Hasn't shown us. My hair's getting all frizzled.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:12 PM
Then for Calion "We've combed through the rubble of seven ruins, spending barely any time before you've called us to mount up again. We've surely not covered every secret they may have!" Something like that.
[6:13 PM]
hehehe
[6:14 PM]
Not saying those are the right words. Don't know if I'd use them myself, heh, but they convey the idea.

VardaYesterday at 6:15 PM
What is he not telling us?
[6:16 PM]
Auros may have some trouble with independent types he's with, including the dwarf.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:16 PM
Each of you would be bringing your own flavor to it anyway: reactions to the constant "Nothing here, let's go", no explanations, especially if I'm calling us to mount up not long after sending you all off to scout around.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:16 PM
Auros, why is your saddlebag vibrating every time Frali walks by it?

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:16 PM
hehe
[6:18 PM]
I kinda liked the idea of a captured orc and a little "good elf, bad elf", but Phar makes a point there's no reason for an orc to buy that.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:18 PM
I did? Too bad

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:19 PM
hehe Yep, your fault :}
[6:19 PM]
But it was a good point
[6:20 PM]
There's no reason an orc would believe either Elf is going to let him go, which leaves putting the fear of Auros in him, heh.
[6:20 PM]
If we were going to have a captured orc.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:21 PM
"You don't really need this finger, right?"

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:21 PM
Or that could be already done before we even get there.
[6:21 PM]
Telperos could've captured him, got the information we needed, and now we're at the decision stage.
[6:23 PM]
Although do any of us really want to be that ruthless.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:23 PM
Calion eyes Auros Either to vent my frustration on that orc, or on you...
[6:24 PM]
But no, not really.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:24 PM
Auros' decision would probably be surprising for those who didn't know him well enough.
[6:25 PM]
And now that I've said that you can probably guess what it would be, heh.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:25 PM
compassion?

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:25 PM
Would this be a bad time to plug my own stories? :}

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:26 PM
I'm sure people might be interested

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:26 PM
I've written a story where Auros was in a similar situation :}

VardaYesterday at 6:26 PM
Do we have it yet? : )

 Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:27 PM
Yes you do :}

VardaYesterday at 6:27 PM
This is a good spot for a link (since you're plugging it). ; )

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:27 PM
Auros Unplugged.

VardaYesterday at 6:27 PM
hehe

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:27 PM
hehe
[6:27 PM]
http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/fiction/authors/Eonwe/Eonwe.htm
    Eonwe-(Valar), Story Author
    Tolkien-inspired stories by
    Eonwe-(Valar).
[6:28 PM]
http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/fiction/authors/Eonwe/stories/AurosCircaTA800.htm for the start (at this time) of Auros' tale.
[6:28 PM]
The first of two stories.
[6:29 PM]
http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/fiction/authors/Eonwe/stories/AurosCircaTA1200.htm is the other, and the one that's related to the discussion.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:34 PM
Auros in love, eh...

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:36 PM
hehe
[6:36 PM]
Think he was incapable of it? :}

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:37 PM
At least a side I did not expect to see

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:37 PM
:}
[6:37 PM]
Fair enough :}

VardaYesterday at 6:38 PM
: )

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:39 PM
I put a hint or two in the story's previous arc, but this one has a direct reference. Had to have the story ready in time for the post that mentioned it :}
[6:40 PM]
I was trying to have a story ready to go along with another reveal that's coming up, but it's just not coming together.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:45 PM
So Auros did actually make a deal with the orc. Is that what you're referring to?

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:46 PM
He gave his word that he would let the orc go free. He stayed true to his word.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:46 PM
nods
[6:46 PM]
I didn't mean to make it sound shady

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:46 PM
If this orc gave information with a similar understanding, Auros would do the same thing, whatever came of it later.
[6:47 PM]
"Even the wise cannot see all ends."

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:47 PM
It's true, Calion would not expect this.
[6:48 PM]
But after his thing with the wolf, he can't complain.

VardaYesterday at 6:48 PM
"Just try to look heroic, then."

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:49 PM
:}

VardaYesterday at 6:49 PM
One's word is what one is. Auros did fine there.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 6:49 PM
That means having a smile that goes "ting" when it hits the light, right?

VardaYesterday at 6:50 PM
hehe

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:50 PM
hehe

VardaYesterday at 6:50 PM
I think as a scout, Fainan will want to know what she's looking for. If Auros doesn't say, she's not going to like that.
[6:51 PM]
That will not wait for seven ruins.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:52 PM
Even Auros can't be exactly sure what he's looking for: a scroll, an anvil, a big sign that says "Glaive forged here."
[6:54 PM]
I suppose from his perspective, he figures they have as much information as he has as far as something to look for, but mostly has them looking for signs of other visitors.
[6:55 PM]
He of course is looking for more than an item, but also a sense of something, so when he's sure he's not going to find it he's ready to move on whether or not anyone else is done searching. That no doubt can get unnerving.

VardaYesterday at 6:57 PM
A sense of something. Legolas could hear the stones say they had been built high but the builders left long ago.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 6:57 PM
Aye, the stones of Eregion "remembered" the Noldor.
[6:59 PM]
The Noldor had been there for hundreds of years though. I wonder if the stones would "give a second thought" to a couple of orcs who wandered in for for a quick rest.

VardaYesterday at 6:59 PM
So a silvan can understand that concept, if we can find that it is a sense he looking for.
[6:59 PM]
So, not a forge sense. And that would not be enough, aye.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:01 PM
I'd say he's also looking for signs of Telperos.
[7:01 PM]
As indicated in the previous arc, Telperos can be a proper Noldo, lol.

VardaYesterday at 7:02 PM
We would notice if we found signs of another elf. Fainan is a tracker for the military in Mirkwood, not a sinecure.  : )

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:03 PM
:}

VardaYesterday at 7:04 PM
Eonwe is going to have to learn to use the team's skills. Could be a character arc.
[7:05 PM]
If they were Noldor, he would have no problem. But we're not.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 7:06 PM
Yep. We can help look for that "sense", we can help look for that friend, we can even aid with using the sword.
[7:06 PM]
Too bad Auros didn't tell us about it!

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:06 PM
Darn that Eonwë ;}
[7:07 PM]
(I know you meant Auros, just teasing :})
[7:09 PM]
I'll have to think on that, Varda. If he's not "using his team's skills" I think I need to ask why.

VardaYesterday at 7:10 PM
My guess is because his teams have always been Noldor.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:10 PM
Well,....
[7:10 PM]
Without giving anything away, I'll leave it at that.

VardaYesterday at 7:11 PM
Mirkwood elves are wilder, less in thought. Ok, so a Lothlorien elf, that's different. More civilized.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:13 PM
A part in the previous arc indicates he is (was at least) familiar with some Elves who lived in Mirkwood. Probably Sindarin. Definitely lost their lives in the Last Alliance.

VardaYesterday at 7:13 PM
Reckless. Didn't listen to orders.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:13 PM
(Corrected above from Silvan to SIndarin)

VardaYesterday at 7:14 PM
Lost it when one of their own was murdered in cold blood in front of them.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:14 PM
If I'm to be consistent, Auros's probably travelled with Fainan and Calion (and Frali) enough to have a decent idea of their abilities.

VardaYesterday at 7:15 PM
Pretty much just an escort for him.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:15 PM
So either he's assuming too much or something else.

VardaYesterday at 7:16 PM
And if we think he trusts us, then we wonder what is the something else and why he keeps quiet about it.
[7:16 PM]
Sensitizing Frali?

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:16 PM
He hasn't mentioned the sword at all, has no intention of mentioning it at this point specifically for concern of Frali.

VardaYesterday at 7:16 PM
You don't have to tell us. Just this is some of the thinking going on.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:17 PM
That's exactly what I'm doing is thinking too :} Nothing brand new shared here yet :}

VardaYesterday at 7:17 PM
The team's thinking is what I meant. They would give him benefit of the doubt for maybe three whole ruins? : )

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:18 PM
hehe
[7:19 PM]
Bringing Frali back to his sensitivity to the sword is not something Auros is keen to do. It's not something that's even entered his mind yet I'd say, and even when it does he would consider it a desparate move. The question then becomes why would he become that desparate?

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 7:19 PM
Three ruins was the first number I came up with but it felt so cliche.

VardaYesterday at 7:20 PM
We'll give him four then. Yay!

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:20 PM
hehehe

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 7:20 PM
Deal

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:20 PM
I hear four. Do I hear five? Fivefivefive I have five do I hear six? ;}

VardaYesterday at 7:20 PM
But Frali is going to start feeling it sooner than four. We might have to bring it to Auros's attention that the dwarf is acting odd.
[7:20 PM]
Back to three, hah!

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:21 PM
:}
[7:22 PM]
We could take that route. If he was healed in Rivendell I don't know Frali necessarily has to start feeling it again. I saw this more as something Auros would be reawakening that otherwise would've been of no concern.

VardaYesterday at 7:23 PM
ok, so Frali may just be aware of the flavor of it's being around without it controlling him. Just makes him uneasy.
[7:23 PM]
He might put it down to the type of ruins we're in.
[7:23 PM]
Eeeevil

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:24 PM
Well once it's re-awakened there's plenty of concerns after having done that. That's the reason to Auros it's such a desparate move.
[7:26 PM]
Auros might still not share he has the sword, just try to guide Frali back to the memory, so to speak.

VardaYesterday at 7:27 PM
I wonder if it's Elrond's idea to trust a dwarf that much.
[7:27 PM]
Auros might not agree that a young dwarf can handle it.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:28 PM
I think that's a safe bet.

VardaYesterday at 7:28 PM
Maybe not openly disagree. Just reluctant.
[7:29 PM]
But Elrond has sent the dwarf along. A dwarf is known to not be taken over completely by a ring, so dwarves have proven resistant to mind-control. This is the only one he can send on this mission, and familiar with the party.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:30 PM
Frali volunteered, Elrond didn't object.

VardaYesterday at 7:30 PM
Eonwe is probably resistant to mind-control due to age, experience.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:30 PM
Doesn't necessarily mean he'd say "hey, give the sword to Frali."

VardaYesterday at 7:30 PM
Elrond was probably hoping Frali would volunteer, since he had been with the group before.
[7:31 PM]
Expecting it. Using the probability.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:34 PM
I don't know. Gut feeling is this is more of a "use your best judgement" kind of thing.

VardaYesterday at 7:35 PM
Ok

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:35 PM
Of course we didn't really focus on Elrond's motivations in this to leave more freedom for our own characters.

VardaYesterday at 7:36 PM
Elrond leaves room for Inspiration to work. He saw how the Council formed, too. And he figures the group will form naturally.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:38 PM
Reflecting on re: Auros not using his team's abilities.

VardaYesterday at 7:39 PM
Bad previous experience?

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:41 PM
I'd say that he is, just not in a way that might be easily understood. He trusts their expertise to look out for anything of note, without a need to say "bring me anything you find." He trusts if they do notice something of importance, they're going to say something.

VardaYesterday at 7:41 PM
That makes sense.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:41 PM
He doesn't feel a need to spell out their jobs. That's trust.

VardaYesterday at 7:42 PM
From working with them before? Being aware of how teams operate from other experience?
[7:42 PM]
So that works.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:43 PM
They went from Mirkwood to Erebor and back then to Rivendell. That's several days spent together.
[7:43 PM]
Weeks even.
[7:45 PM]
Enough for him to gauge competency at least as far as the skills needed for their current task.
[7:47 PM]
If he had doubts, he wouldn't have said to Elrond, "Both Fainan and Calion have proven themselves capable."

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 7:48 PM
Anyway, it's late, I'm gonna give my personal gaming report between this discussion

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:48 PM
OK Phar :}

VardaYesterday at 7:49 PM
We are pretty well talked out. : )

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 7:50 PM
For flashgaming.. more developments, as Kongregate has figured out that while the flashgames can be played through their link with Supernova, it appears badges cannot be earned this way because of the way it interacts with the interface.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:50 PM
So does anyone want to add anything about the current set of ruins before I start us ruin-hopping?

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 7:50 PM
So from next week, all games for the daily badges will be non-flash.
[7:50 PM]
So can it still be called flashgaming?

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:50 PM
hehe

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 7:50 PM
Ruin-hopping sounds fine, let me know if you want some observations or journal entries as we go

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:51 PM
I think when I do it, it's just going to be one post to take us to the next piece of interesting story.
[7:51 PM]
Everyone else's posts can be of similar design :}

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 7:51 PM
Well, we'll see. I've made catch-up posts before.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 7:53 PM
That's what I mean :} Everything from now until the final ruin in one go. So everyone can post their character's thoughts/feelings/reactions to how Auros is shuffling right along in their post afterwards.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 7:53 PM
Anyway, for this week I can still gather up a few games.. I'm sure at least 3 of the 7 are playable for one thing!
[7:53 PM]
Right, sounds good
[7:54 PM]
https://www.kongregate.com/games/FliplineStudios/papas-burgeria is the first game! Part of a series of restaurant management games I've mentioned several times before; I've always had it in mind to want to play the series in full at some point, and while it does not appear I can still get the site-specific badges I didn't have yet, at least I was happy to find out they can still be played through the extension.
    Kongregate
    Papa's Burgeria
    In this sequel to the award-winning hit game “Papa#39s Pizzeria”, you#39re headed back to the kitchen to run Papa Louie#39s new burger shop! New customers and old fa...

[7:56 PM]
Make burgers! Organize several steps in creating them and get tips according to your art and finesse. Unlock new ingredients, stuff to decorate the shop with, and customers, upgrading stuff and getting in-game achievements along the way!
[7:58 PM]
Actually, this installment may not have achievements yet, looking at it... but just see what you can unlock and try to get gold stars with all customers!
[8:01 PM]
https://www.kongregate.com/games/IriySoft/cursed-treasure-2-remastered is the second game! Apart from being among my favorite tower defense/upgrade games, I'll mention that this is a new version, html5, of a flashgame, created to withstand the fall of flash.
    Kongregate
    Cursed Treasure 2 Remastered
    === #39Remastered#39 means it#39s now HTML5 and it#39s ported from the mobile version, that has a number of noticeable improvements compared to the Flash version
    The...

[8:01 PM]
As such, badges can still be got
[8:03 PM]
Protect your gems by placing 3 types of towers on the side, upgrade them within the level, but also level up in general for more skill points to get permanent upgrades.
[8:05 PM]
Have fun getting through, and grind to your heart's content to get all the upgrades and hopefully get perfect on each level

[8:07 PM]
https://www.kongregate.com/games/eddynardo/sticky-sorcerer for the last! Which works in-site, so I guess it's also not flash
    Kongregate
    Sticky Sorcerer
    Simple platformer about a Sorcerer that likes to stick around when he visits.
    Created by eddynardo
    Graphics by 0×72 and Adam Saltsman
    Song quotLeafless Quince Tr...

[8:08 PM]
One in a series of platformers with unique characters and skills in each game. In this one you play a sorcerer who, in contrast to some of the other games, where you have to free people from chests, now places people in chests by possessing them. You can also possess the bats to make your way across obstacles.
[8:09 PM]
That said.. when you possess a person, don't hit the bats
[8:11 PM]

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Blizzard gaming:
NEW
[8:16 PM]
Heroes of the Storm:
Got some playing done, but not enough to get a new level, not even for poor Tyrande. I did make a few alterations to her spec and figured I'd play her with the Night Warrior music in the background from now on
[8:18 PM]
Hearthstone:
made it to 49 on the reward track, 1 to go until I can choose a new portrait for one of the basic heroes!
[8:20 PM]
The portraits are apparently based on the first class raidset from vanilla, which don't really look all that great in my opinion. I'm leaning towards mage or druid to choose from. But we'll see.
[8:20 PM]
Also, apparently, with the new patch came some changes.
[8:21 PM]
A new mini set based on the darkmoon racing, as part of the Darkmoon Faire set, of which I've gotten a few now. You can also buy the complete mini set for 2000 gold... but I like trying to collect them gradually.
[8:21 PM]
Also a bug which keeps warning me I've gotten an achievement, but in the list I can't find any I haven't acknowledged yet.
[8:22 PM]
And also I noticed now that not only quests, but also actual matches give progress along the reward track, which is nice.
[8:23 PM]
Brawl is about cloning, where you get a random deck, and each minion you play generates a 1/1 clone. Requires a bit of luck!
[8:23 PM]
Though I'm sure some classes may be better for it than others.
[8:23 PM]
WoW:
[8:24 PM]
No, back up. 2 legendary cards gotten for Hearthstone, including a rogue class legendary and a neutral one, G'huun the Blood God, also known as the fifth Old God who feels left out
[8:24 PM]
WoW:
[8:25 PM]
Raiding continuing on heroic, which is now our main focus apart from the last 3 bosses in normal which we try to farm with the shortcut.
[8:26 PM]
No new heroic bosses down yet, though we've had some progress on both the Kael'thas fight and the Darkvein fight.
[8:26 PM]
Did get a new raid weapon from the weekly vault
[8:28 PM]
More world questing! Really starting to run out of new ones now, which saves me time, and allowed me to get into dungeons a bit, as well as completing Bwonsamdi's campaign chapter I was working on.
[8:29 PM]
I've also started the weekly quests this time around, starting to collect souls from the Maw and more anima, getting a bunch more renowns along the way.
[8:31 PM]
For dungeons I've completed Spires of Ascension for which I had no quest, Theater of Pain for which I had a loose quest after the Sojourner questline, and De Other Side which comes through the covenant campaign at this point of the story. I wanted that done before continuing on.
[8:32 PM]
Then I did the next torghast quest section, completing a new section on layer 4, and questioning some brokers. I'm capable of rescuing Jaina now, which will be my next goal.
[8:33 PM]
In the meantime my renown's gone up to 19. Not sure I'll get much more catchup, since the chapters I've got unlocked should get me close to the current cap.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 8:33 PM
Current should be about 26.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 8:33 PM
Yes, but I've got 5 chapters waiting for me, so at most I should get only 2 more from other sources.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 8:34 PM
OK
[8:34 PM]
Not arguing, just letting you know where the cap is :}

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 8:34 PM
Unless catchup goes over that and I won't get more renown from the covenant campaign chapters along the way.
[8:34 PM]
Right
[8:34 PM]
Anyway, between renown and torghast, 3 more legendary powers got.
[8:35 PM]
Ursoc's Fury Remembered, Legacy of the Sleeper, and Vitality Sacrifice.
[8:35 PM]
The first two are pretty good as legendary powers for guardian spec go, but I think I'll make my first legendary Natural Order's Will anyway. In fact I might start my leatherworking for that during the next week.
[8:36 PM]
Other than that I think I've only got the weekly quest to mention, for timewalks. Which are going quite a bit smoother now with my soulbinds developed a bit.
[8:36 PM]
I think I had a bug though, where I got 2 completions for 1 timewalk. Weird.
[8:36 PM]
Can't be sure.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 8:37 PM
If you did, congrats :}

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 8:37 PM
Anyway, that's my report for the week! Next week we save Jaina, try to continue some more covenanting, and possibly even start grinding rep with Ve'nari so we can upgrade Torghast.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 8:38 PM
I really don't get these mission tables. Same level, same degree of difficulty, can end up being apparently any HP and dmg level.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 8:39 PM
Hmm, yes. Starting to notice that. I think I'm just going to focus on the xp missions and the Maw stuff if I can complete those.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 8:39 PM
I've seen normal missions of the same level, some be about 3k HP, others be 7k, for no reason apparent to me.
[8:41 PM]
A lvl 14 Elite can be 2.5k, a lvl 13 elite can be 6.5k. I'm not seeing the correlation.
[8:41 PM]
I focus on the anima and gold ones.
[8:41 PM]
When they're doable, heh.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 8:42 PM
Gold is tempting, but anima seems a bit poor. But xp will help them fight tougher missions and Maw missions are for an achievement. I can always focus on anima and gold later on.
[8:45 PM]
I like just taking 5 champions and putting them on a 1200 xp mission

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 8:45 PM
I'm running low on it because I upgraded my Covenant set, and because of all the missions I'm doing, heh.
[8:45 PM]
hehe

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 8:45 PM
Yeah... I'll need to get more anima too, but world quests should be better for that.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 8:46 PM
I try to set it up so I just have to send just 1 + generic soldiers when I can.
[8:46 PM]
Most of the world quests aren't terribly exciting for me right now, so I mostly only do as much as I have to do.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 8:47 PM
Heh, I suppose.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 8:48 PM
Well, just got my supply bag for getting 10k extra rep with Bastion. Got a pet and a toy out of it.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 8:48 PM
Hang on, made a paragon reward list...
[8:48 PM]
that would the larion cub?

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 8:49 PM
yep.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 8:49 PM
and... either the goliath gauntlet or the mark of purity.

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 8:49 PM
Mark of Purity.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 8:50 PM
The showy one then, not the one to kill critters

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 8:50 PM
So now we'll see if I loop around a second time to get another before I get one of the other reps to exalted, hehe.

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 8:52 PM
Heh.
[8:53 PM]
Anyway, time to sleep!

Eonwë ValarYesterday at 8:54 PM
Sleep well :}

Ar-Pharazon-VYesterday at 8:57 PM
namarie!

FalcoYesterday at 10:39 PM
Sorry I missed the meeting!  StarShip SN9 is set for flight on Monday if the weather holds!  If not it will be Tuesday.   Flight will be sometime between 8AM to 5PM but expect it will most likely be around Noon.   All times Central!

(Note Update: Launch re-set for Tuesday.)

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