Valar Guild

April 3, 2022 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.]


Attending (and typed): ()
    Discord:
Arien, Ar-Pharazon, Eonwe, Ioreth, Sandalf13, Shelob, Varda (presiding)
Before-meeting
Meeting begins
Membership news:
Web:

Gaming:
   
Tolkien:
    Topic: RP Forum story postings.
    Topic: Earendil now has a real star named after him "Earendel". Tangented to family relationships among the Ainur.
After-meeting:
    (non)Flashgaming Reviews (plus) by Ar-Pharazon. Includes Blizzard games.
List of where other interesting links came up (happens a lot):
*
top

Before-meeting

March 29, 2022

Arien  Valar — 03/29/2022
Post Frali


April 3, 2022

Sandalf13 — Today at 3:41 PM
Hallo all! Aiya!~

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 3:41 PM
Aiya!

Sandalf13 — Today at 3:41 PM
Wow! You are here! What a very pleasant surprise to see you so early! How are you doing?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 3:42 PM
Yeah, thought I'd pop in early and check in on some other discord servers while waiting, I σnly log into discord once a week
[3:42 PM]
Pretty good, I suppose!
[3:42 PM]
You?

Sandalf13 — Today at 3:44 PM
I had a successful business trip to Denver. I left Thursday around 0630. I woke up that morning to some unexpected snow. There was a STRONG north wind blowing, and the interstate highway was full of frozen spots. I saw 17 jackknifed tractor-trailer trucks on the road between Lincoln and Grand Island. When I arrived in Denver Thursday afternoon, I was able to run outside in shorts and a tee-shirt...it was around 70 degs F, and sunny. What a change!

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 3:44 PM
Hah.

Sandalf13 — Today at 3:44 PM
Got home Friday evening around 1930, and went right to bed.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 3:45 PM
We actually had snow as well this week, for like... one night/morning.
[3:45 PM]
Probably the only snow we'll see this winter

Sandalf13 — Today at 3:45 PM
Was it a surprise?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 3:45 PM
Well, the week before that was pretty warm, so it was a big change, but it had been predicted.

Sandalf13 — Today at 3:46 PM
I often wonder who created the "European Model" for weather forecasting. Here in the States, when a forecast is issued, we get the "European Model" and the standard American model as well.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 3:46 PM
Heh.

Sandalf13 — Today at 3:46 PM
They often diverge!

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 3:46 PM
Might as well be the Dutch
[3:46 PM]
So which one's often right?

Sandalf13 — Today at 3:47 PM
Hard to say. I suppose there is some research to compare the results, but I am just a dumb geologist, not a meteorologist, so I can't really answer your very valid question. Sorry!
[3:48 PM]
I do remember what my mother always told me, however...when you look out the door first thing in the morning, you get a real sense of what the weather for the day will be. She was right, as usual.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 3:49 PM
Probably something instinctive, to do with cloud cover, air pressure etc.

Sandalf13 — Today at 3:50 PM
I think you are right. Also, the old nautical saying "Red skies at night, sailors' delight...red sky at morning, sailors take warning." has been shown to be true time and time again. It does have to do with humidity, cloud cover, pressure...and so on.

Arien  Valar — Today at 3:50 PM
evening Aiya Valarites

Sandalf13 — Today at 3:50 PM
Aiya Arien!

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 3:50 PM
Nice how people notice the patterns despite not actually knowing the relationship between observation and result.

Sandalf13 — Today at 3:51 PM
Maybe we are smarter than we think sometimes!

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 3:51 PM
I suppose that's one way religions are made.

Sandalf13 — Today at 3:51 PM
Have you been following the news from Ukraine?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 3:51 PM
Or at least what seems like superstition :)
[3:51 PM]
Vaguely.
[3:52 PM]
Aiya Arien!

Arien  Valar — Today at 3:52 PM
I only know that theres a lot of promises and lies as usual and cruelty

Sandalf13 — Today at 3:52 PM
That is for sure. The whole thing is depressing.

Arien  Valar — Today at 3:52 PM
but i keep more or less an eye on it
[3:53 PM]
but . Sandalf., that is why  I choose to ignore it more or less or at leaxst not to affect me .. i have donated for relief charities but more I cannot do

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 3:54 PM
Once in a few days I'll hit up the tv and see what any new developments are, but it all reads pretty much the same.
[3:54 PM]
bombardments here, civilians there, bit of territory being juggled about... most promising seems to be that the Russian army isn't doing too well internally.

Sandalf13 — Today at 3:55 PM
My habit is to bike over to the Coffee House in downtown Lincoln, and read the New York Times online edition as I eat my breakfast. I can't help but see the news, unless I want to stop reading the Times, which I do NOT want to do.
[3:55 PM]
They open at 0600...and I am there waiting to get in.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 3:55 PM
When it comes to fullfledged analysis of news reports, I'm actually still 4 months behind. I'm sure I'll get the bigger picture in a few months.
[3:56 PM]
But the most notable stuff... you can't really avoid that unless you try, and I don't bother trying, so I just hear some news here and there from other people.

Sandalf13 — Today at 3:56 PM
As a former military person (to use Churchill's famous title), I am amazed at the poor effort being produced by the supposedly invincible Russian army.
[3:57 PM]
I better say no more about politics...I certainly do not want to offend anyone's sensibilities.

Arien  Valar — Today at 3:59 PM
It is lmore that the meeting begins soon and that is a topic that should not be discussed there .. maybe if at all on harbor rather than in meeting place

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:00 PM
Yeah, we try not to do religion, politics, or anything else that can be polarizing but is not relevant to our meetings

Varda — Today at 4:00 PM
Aiya

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:00 PM
Aiya!

Arien  Valar — Today at 4:00 PM
Aiya !

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:00 PM
I agree, and thanks! I will add, however, that while I was in Denver, I stopped in a local grocery and went crazy over an olive bar that they had in the shop...I brought home about six different containers of kalamata olives, italian olives, mushrooms, and so on. I can enjoy them with dinner tonight. Aiya, Varda!

Varda — Today at 4:01 PM
Aye, and we have  a problem with Discord getting on us if we say something on religion or politics that offends them.

Arien  Valar — Today at 4:01 PM
Hobbits like mushroos

Varda — Today at 4:01 PM
mmm olives! adds cheese

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:01 PM
We never liked to anyway before all that, Varda

Arien  Valar — Today at 4:02 PM
Are you sure that you are not secretly a hobbit. Sandalf ;)?

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:02 PM
Yes...one of the offerings was mozarella cheese with italian olives and garlic. Yum.

Varda — Today at 4:02 PM
Aye, Phar. We are a Tolkien and gaming club, not a political club or religious/anti-religious group.
[4:02 PM]
The concept of Second Breakfast is a lovely one .  : )

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:02 PM
I wouldn't mind being in an anti-political group but that concept is political itself :)

Varda — Today at 4:03 PM
Aye, Phar.
[4:03 PM]
Anti anything brings up whatever it's anti.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:03 PM
Technically, "anti-political" would be letting other people handle politics and policies and just dealing with whatever comes.
[4:03 PM]
I kinda fall under that.

Varda — Today at 4:04 PM
That is a political view too. : )

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:04 PM
In a way :)

Ioreth — Today at 4:04 PM
I got in a discussion about vaccines this morning. still people are so emotional about it

Varda — Today at 4:04 PM
Aiya Ioreth : )

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:04 PM
Aiya!

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:04 PM
Aiya Ioreth!

Varda — Today at 4:04 PM
Another topic we can avoid, since those are all covered heavily elsewhere.
[4:05 PM]
@Bounder Aiya! Valar Guild meeting time! Drop by and say hi! Maybe chat gaming and Tolkien, put in your two cents!
[4:05 PM]

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Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo!
[4:05 PM]

Membership:

[4:06 PM]
Anyone here feel free to say Hi!
[4:06 PM]
Hi!

Arien  Valar — Today at 4:06 PM
Hi !

Varda — Today at 4:06 PM
(We scared them off with the exclamation point.)

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:06 PM
Hi!
[4:06 PM]
Sorry, was just grabbing a snack ;p

Varda — Today at 4:07 PM
Another hobbit!

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:07 PM
Fladrif currently visible on bnet!

Varda — Today at 4:07 PM
Any membership news? I'll mention those seen in kin on LotRO shortly.
[4:08 PM]
Yay Fladrif! May the ent someday rejoin the meeting. We shored up the stage floor just for him (and Fangorn).
[4:08 PM]
Aiya Eonwe : )

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:08 PM
Aiya Eonwe!

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 4:08 PM
Greetings to those here in Melkor's Theme.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:08 PM
He wishes.

Varda — Today at 4:09 PM

Web:

[4:10 PM]
Nothing new at them moment except that my computer connection seems to be lagging slightly now and then.

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:10 PM
My provisional Plate Tectonic Model of Middle-earth.
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/98425690877104128/960285149159895050/Tectonic_Mtns_and_Basins_M.E..jpg

Varda — Today at 4:10 PM
If I disappear, we are fortunate enough to have at least two that can gavel. : )
[4:10 PM]
Ah hah!
[4:10 PM]
Nice!!

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:10 PM
M = Mithlond Basin, A = Arnor Basin

Varda — Today at 4:10 PM
Bilbo doesn'twant us breaking the plates. /duck

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:11 PM
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!

Varda — Today at 4:11 PM
That's an intriguing map.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:11 PM
Looks interesting.

Arien  Valar — Today at 4:11 PM
nice work

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:12 PM
You have NO IDEA how hard it is to geologically explain the mountains at right angles around Morder. A real geologic puzzler.

Varda — Today at 4:12 PM
Can't living horrors be tweaking them a smidge?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:12 PM
Seems a lot of plates though, and relatively small. I guess that says something about the tectonic activity in the area.

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:13 PM
Middle-earth is really not that different from Europe, what with the Hercynian Orogeny, Caledonian Orogeny, the ALpine orogeny...plus a lot of older, smaller ones.

Varda — Today at 4:13 PM
Hopefully you will be telliing us in your essay, though.
[4:14 PM]
Considering this is supposed to be ancient history of real places, that makes sense.

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:14 PM
Yes. It is readable, and will be going to two other geologic reviewers. They may disagree with my interpretations, but I do not want to be caught short on geologic facts.

Varda — Today at 4:14 PM
Facts are facts. Interpretation is another animal. : )

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:15 PM
Ah, yes, I'm only used to the major plate maps. Yours seems similar to https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Tectonic-map-of-Europe-showing-the-distribution-of-the-East-European-Craton-and-main_fig1_292399217

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:15 PM
When the Earth was hotter and younger, the plates were a lot smaller and moved a lot faster....my analogy is to a bumper-car game.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:15 PM
Hehe, yes.

Varda — Today at 4:16 PM
So when was Pangea, in your figuring?

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:16 PM
Yes Ar...I looked at that map too in my investigations.

Varda — Today at 4:16 PM
In the history of Middle-earth I mean.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:16 PM
So more than actually active plates, your map shows remnants of plates that are no acting against each other. Got ya.

Varda — Today at 4:17 PM
But they would explain Mordor's volcanic activity? And maybe how they pushed the Brown Lands to occur?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:18 PM
Ah, that's a good point, actually. Out of all those plates, only Mordor seems to, in our time, get its share of vulcanism and earthquakes. So that would be the only tectonically active area.

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:18 PM
There were TWO major "supercontinents." The First was RODINIA, created when all the continents were joined together. This happened about 1.2 Ga (billion years ago) and marked the first "modern" Plate Tectonic event. The second was PANGEA, that again brought all the continents together, and formed the Appalachian-Hercynian orogeny.  About 280 Ma (million years ago).\

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:18 PM
Is that what the green lines refer to?

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:19 PM
Yes. There are seven "big" plates currently, all of which represent glued together micro-continentsw from the Precambrian.

Varda — Today at 4:19 PM
Ahh, I did not know! Fascinating.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:20 PM
Hmm, I loved those early chapters in my earth sciences books  Snowball Earth and all that.

Varda — Today at 4:20 PM
What is gluing them?

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:21 PM
The Eriador plate, for example, consists of several older micro-platres glued together, evidenced by the Weather Hills, the Ered Uial, and the small hill regions in The Shire, for example.
[4:22 PM]
Early collisions between micro-plates way back in the Precambrian. we are talking 2.5 Ga plus. Sort of like the Mesabi Range in Minnesota, a remnant of the Penokean orogeny.
[4:22 PM]
Or the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They mountains are not real mountains today, but they once were.

Varda — Today at 4:23 PM
You make me want to go read more, right now!
[4:23 PM]
But
[4:23 PM]
Time to move on to the Gaming Report.

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:23 PM
Gotcha and thanks. YOu will soon see Chapter Three.

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Gaming:

Varda — Today at 4:23 PM
Please feel free to add your own gaming news as we go, in the section for that game, or add another game at the end.
[4:24 PM]
tosses the giggling gavel to Fionwe
[4:24 PM]
Yay 3 : )

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 4:24 PM

World of Warcraft:

This week's Bonus Event: Arena Skirmishes.

The PvP Brawl: Deep Six runs through Tuesday, April 5th.

The Darkmoon Faire is running through Saturday, April 9th.
[4:24 PM]
The Mage Tower now open permanently. --- https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23736141/shadowlands-the-mage-tower-returns-permanently
World of Warcraft
Shadowlands: The Mage Tower Returns Permanently - WoW
The Mage Tower will now be always available, bringing back epic solo challenges and awesome rewards for those who conquer them.

[4:24 PM]
Check out the latest hotfixes. --- https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23770463/hotfixes-march-31-2022
World of Warcraft
Hotfixes: March 31, 2022 - WoW
Here you will find a list of hotfixes that address various issues related to World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, Burning Crusade Classic, and WoW Classic.

[4:25 PM]
Check out these completely super serious and so totally not an April Fools Day joke 9.4 Patch Notes. Because Blizzard doesn't do April Fools Day jokes ever. (Hint: They're an April Fools Day joke) --- https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/wow/t/world-of-warcraft-patch-94/1211252
World of Warcraft Forums
World of Warcraft Patch 9.4
World of Warcraft Patch 9.4 Build 202241 Producer’s note: this is HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL! Please keep it together on this one. DO NOT FORWARD. Beyond the End of Infinity: The Final Everything Beginning Forever Overcoming the challenges of the Shadowlands has opened an infinite number of pathways to an infinite number of worlds like Azeroth, an...

[4:25 PM]
Lord of the Rings Online:
[4:25 PM]
The Update 32.0.6 came out this week. --- https://www.lotro.com/update-notes/lotro-update-32-0-6-release-notes-en
The Lord of the Rings Online
Update 32.0.6 Release Notes
Here are the release notes for Update 32.0.6, released on Thursday, March 31st, 2022.


Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:25 PM
A lot of references in there this year that I didn't get. But there's some good stuff too.

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 4:26 PM
Diablo 4:
[4:26 PM]
The Quarterly Update is out. --- https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/diablo4/23788294/diablo-iv-quarterly-update-march-2022
Diablo IV Quarterly Update—March 2022
Today we have artists here to talk about their craft and everything that goes into building the world of Sanctuary.

[4:26 PM]
Heroes of the Storm:
A new balance patch came out this week. --- https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/heroes-of-the-storm/23787368/heroes-of-the-storm-balance-patch-notes-march-29-2022
Heroes of the Storm Balance Patch Notes - March 29, 2022
Heroes of the Storm has just been updated with Hero balance changes! Read on for details.

[4:26 PM]
Hearthstone:
[4:26 PM]
Just like with WoW, check out these completely super serious and so totally not an April Fools Day joke 22.6.1.1.1.1 Patch Notes. Super serious. (See the hint for the 9.4 WoW Patch Notes.) --- https://playhearthstone.com/en-us/news/23765271/22-6-1-1-1-1-patch-notes
22.6.1.1.1.1 Patch Notes
Whoa, now those are some patch notes.


Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:27 PM
For WoW I'd like to add... as a precursor to the actual announcement... people have found the next expansion in the websites' source code, or something. I'll not spoil though, should be easy enough to find

Varda — Today at 4:28 PM
: )

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 4:28 PM
That's it for the Gaming News I have.

Varda — Today at 4:28 PM
A bit on Lord of the Rings Online:
[4:28 PM]
The Spring Festival is having its last weekend, for our weekend players.
[4:29 PM]
And here is the report for Valarites who showed up in the kin. (I see others who aren't in kin who  are Valarites during the week, but they don't go on this list.)
[4:29 PM]
Landroval server:
Celeborn
Eonwe
Fangorn
Ioreth
Lenwe
Nar
Varda

Anor server:
Eonwe
Fangorn
Varda

Shadowfax server:
Arien
Varda

Treebeard server:
Varda
[4:30 PM]
It was fun seeing Arien on Shadowfax server today. : )  And there was much pie.
[4:30 PM]
Any other gaming news to mention?
[4:30 PM]
Final Fantasy? Minecraft? Eve Online? (I know folks are playing them!)
[4:31 PM]
Starcraft 2 had Fangorn, Eowyn, and Faramir playing.
[4:31 PM]
Any other news to add before we change gears?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:32 PM
Oh, right...
[4:32 PM]
I think one of the actual WoW patchnotes mentioned achievements for pre-ordering Diablo 4 in the 9.2.5 patch. So that should tell you something about that game's schedule.
[4:33 PM]
I suppose the achievement being in doesn't yet mean you can pre-order it, nor that pre-ordering it really narrows down the window of release.... but it still says something about when they expect it to go to market.
[4:34 PM]
So that's some potential potential news

Varda — Today at 4:34 PM
Nifty : )
[4:34 PM]
On to
[4:34 PM]

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Tolkien!

[4:34 PM]
A bit of astronomy for you. : )

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:35 PM
From you we might expect nothing less!

Varda — Today at 4:35 PM
The naming of a new star, for a famed Tolkien character!
[4:35 PM]
hehe
[4:35 PM]
There are reasons why I'm Varda. ; )
[4:35 PM]
https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/meet-earendel-most-distant-star-astronomers-have-observed/
Sky & Telescope
Monica Young
Meet Earendel, the Most Distant Star Astronomers Have Observed
The Hubble Space Telescope has revealed a single star whose light has traveled for 12.9 billion years to Earth — the most distant star known.

[4:36 PM]
https://www.space.com/hubble-most-distant-star-tolkien-name-earendil
Space.com
Meet Earendel: Hubble telescope's most distant star discovery gets ...
Tolkien fans and space fans rejoice!

[4:36 PM]
There you go! A Silmaril rides the sky!
[4:36 PM]
JRRT had intended Earendil to be Venus, but that was taken. : )

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:37 PM
Too bad we cannot see it with the naked eye, though...not really like Gil-Earendil!

Varda — Today at 4:38 PM
Fortunately we are able to see the morning star at least. For this amazing subject, we will just enjoy it in pictures.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:38 PM
Gravitational influences, spacetime ripple, the view of a star in mirror image... that's amazing.

Varda — Today at 4:38 PM
Agreed!
[4:38 PM]
happy dance

[4:39 PM]
In other Tolkien-related news, we have some new posts on our ongoing Forum story aka RP.

[4:39 PM]
Also, Eonwe answered Arien's riddle!
[4:40 PM]
https://valarguild.proboards.com/thread/1642/angmar-bound-chapter-where-shadows?page=4&scrollTo=7025
Angmar Bound, Chapter 2: Where Shadows Lie | Valar Guild
Auros: It was late in the evening when Auros finally crossed his threshold, and sleep was still far from him. His first task was to return to his armory, and setting the bundle with the sword o
[4:40 PM]
https://valarguild.proboards.com/thread/1628/riddle-game-book?page=2
The Riddle Game - Book I | Valar Guild
Heya All! Since there was some interest expressed in reviving the riddle game we played several years ago, here we go! Since we're gearing this up, let's set up a few guidelines to help
[4:41 PM]
So as soon as Arien says if Eonwe is right, we'll be ready for the next riddle in the Riddle game.
[4:41 PM]
And yes, Sandalf, you're welcome to the Riddle Game too. : )

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:41 PM
Thank you!

Varda — Today at 4:41 PM
Enjoy!
[4:42 PM]
Looks as if Phar may be up next for the Story.

[4:42 PM]
Did anyone have  a topic/question/Tolkien Moment they wanted to bring up?
[4:42 PM]
(Also, has Sandalf ever seen one of our Tolkien Moments?)

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:43 PM
No...I have not.

Varda — Today at 4:43 PM
We haven't been doing them lately. Not sure why not. We'll have to pull up  a few again. Always fun.
[4:43 PM]

Right now, who wants to tell us who that Earendil guy was, and if he affected the Lord of the Rings story somehow?
[4:44 PM]
Group answer welcome!

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:44 PM
Earendil was the son of Tuor and Idril Celebrimbal.

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 4:45 PM
Earendil, the only true Half-Elf in the Peredhil.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:45 PM
Well, the most LotR relevant thing that comes to mind is the Phial of Galadriel, containing the light of his star, and helped the hobbitses a bit in Mordor.

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:46 PM
He also steered Vingalot to do battle with the chief of the dragons in the final battle at Thangorodrim.

Arien  Valar — Today at 4:47 PM
Posted that Eonwe is right :)

Varda — Today at 4:48 PM
Thanks, Arien : )
[4:49 PM]
So we see ancient history in the legendarium coming out of the deeps of time to aid.
[4:49 PM]
Did Earendil have any descendents that played a part in the War of the Rings?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:50 PM
Hmm, twins, I believe? Some half elf man and a half man elf...

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:50 PM
Of course! Elros and Elrond, thence to  Aragorn, descended in the right line from Elendil.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:50 PM
Right, that's them :)

Varda — Today at 4:51 PM
Aye!
[4:51 PM]
And Arwen also descended from Earendil.

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:51 PM
When Aragorn and Arwen got together, they kept it in the family, so to speak.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:52 PM
They're cousins... how many generations removed?

Arien  Valar — Today at 4:52 PM
He married Elwing., the daughter of Melian and Thingol

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:52 PM
I think it is in the sixties?

Varda — Today at 4:52 PM
Brought in some Maia blood there.

Arien  Valar — Today at 4:52 PM
And they had Elrond and Elros

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:53 PM
So when Pippin says to Merry that Aragorn and Gandalf must be related, he is really on to something.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:53 PM
Hmm, assuming "related" means anything among the Ainur.

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:53 PM
True.

Varda — Today at 4:53 PM
hah, good thought

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 4:54 PM
The Valar at least had some familial relationships among them.

Varda — Today at 4:55 PM
Eru saw them in a family relationship way, so it was true.

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 4:55 PM
I think I read a remark on it in HoME as I was going through, but don't remember if in context it was saying that Maiar don't have any familial relationships among them.

Varda — Today at 4:57 PM
The Ainur don't have the same kind of family relationships the other sibling groups (elves, men, dwarves) did, but they had a form of it. Maybe so they could understand the others better.
[4:57 PM]
Earlier writings even had children, but that was changed later. True immortals don't really need children, I guess.
[4:58 PM]
So Manwe and Melkor were "brothers". There were "siblings" and married couples.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:58 PM
That's one way to overpopulate

Varda — Today at 4:59 PM
Aye : )

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:00 PM
Heh, reminds me of an element of a story I crafted yeaaars ago, where a godlike dark serpent empowered a group of mortals into "gods" for his own amusement, and as those gods reproduced, they sapped so much of the serpent's power he didn't see his own end coming.

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:00 PM
Considering the consequences that seemed to come with it, it would make sense the Valar at least would not have children. Finding oneself stuck in a body unless either the physical form of the Vala or the child is slain would be quite... inconvenient. Thern there's the question of the nature of such a child. (edited)

Varda — Today at 5:00 PM
Sounds like a good plot.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:00 PM
And also of the Discworld, where the vampires are reluctant to reproduce, because they weren't creating their legacy, but their own rivals

Varda — Today at 5:01 PM
oops
[5:01 PM]
At one time, Eonwe and Arien were considered the children of Manwe and Varda.

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:01 PM
Aye.
[5:02 PM]
Er,.. Ilmarλ, not Arien.

Varda — Today at 5:02 PM
Then they became independent beings created at the same time. All the Ainur came at the same time, pretty much.

Arien  Valar — Today at 5:02 PM
Not a bad thought

Varda — Today at 5:02 PM
Ilmare, aye. And we can say Fionwe instead of Eonwe.

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:03 PM
Arien <= Urwendi, and was the one Fionwλ had an interest in.

Arien  Valar — Today at 5:04 PM
oh and Sauron was after me .. pardon., Urwendi ., as well so one reason more to hate Fionwe for me

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:04 PM
Ilmarλ <= Erinti

Varda — Today at 5:04 PM
Before Ilmare was the potential child, she was written as Erinti. As Erinti, she was sister to Σmar/Amillo and Salmar, and was Valiλ of love, music, and beauty.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:04 PM
You're a popular girl.

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:05 PM
Must be good lookin'....

Varda — Today at 5:05 PM
Sure of that!

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:05 PM
So many firey jokes to be made.

Arien  Valar — Today at 5:06 PM
well it was Erinti not Arien so I am afraid there was only the Dark Lord after me

Varda — Today at 5:06 PM
That's way too much. : )  And then there was Tilion.

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:06 PM
They say he was a handsome dude, however...

Varda — Today at 5:06 PM
We could figure all of the Ainur would have originally been handsome folk. Must have had to look for degrees of beauty.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:07 PM
Advantage of being able to shape your own form.

Varda — Today at 5:07 PM
: )
[5:07 PM]
And look like a tree or a standing wave.
[5:07 PM]
We have reached the hour. (so fast!)
[5:08 PM]
the gavel looks up from where it was hiding from all the fire
[5:08 PM]
hops hurriedly to the hammerpad
[5:08 PM]
thonky!
[5:08 PM]

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After-meeting!
[5:08 PM]
Those that need to leave feel free to fly free!
[5:08 PM]
Also, free chat about fire maidens, gavels, tectonic plates, etc.

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:09 PM
I need to return hoe for dinner, then will move on to the Telegraph Mill and check back on Discord. Namarie!
[5:09 PM]
home, that is...

Varda — Today at 5:09 PM
Enjoy your evening!

Ioreth — Today at 5:09 PM
Namarie

Arien  Valar — Today at 5:09 PM
Enjoy indeed
[5:09 PM]
Namarie

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:10 PM
Namarie!
[5:10 PM]
Speaking of fire maidens... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYdwWVihq0I
YouTube
CeliaBeoulve
Brazier of Dancing Flames


Arien  Valar — Today at 5:11 PM
that looks cool
[5:11 PM]
where do you get that?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:11 PM
Midsummer Fire Festival, a buyable toy.

Arien  Valar — Today at 5:11 PM
niced

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:11 PM
Been around for a long time

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:11 PM
Gonna throw this out there real quick:
[5:12 PM]
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/satire
satire

Varda — Today at 5:12 PM
Neat toy, Phar

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:12 PM
Definition from that page.: A literary device of writing or art which principally ridicules its subject often as an intended means of provoking or preventing change. Humor, irony, and exaggeration are often used to aid this. (edited)
[5:13 PM]
Now, having said that...
[5:15 PM]
Remember that beginning last Monday, Discord as said they're going to be following you around the internet and even into the real world like Gollum chasing the Ring --- Even Tilion knew to keep his distance. --- https://discord.com/blog/addressing-harmful-off-platform-behavior
Addressing Harmful Off-Platform Behavior
Discord is a place where people come to hang out with friends, find belonging, and build communities. We want people to enjoy our platform, but never at the expense of others.

[5:16 PM]
In fact, I think we have some footage of one of their ardent Protectors hard at work (loud sound warning) --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds6-o4gomRc
YouTube
thejulianatheorist
Ignore Me - A Montage

[5:18 PM]
This is Jay Leno level satire. He used to do skits on the Tonight Show with the same kind of setup and payoff.

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:30 PM
Oh, made a correction to my latest RP post, for those involved in that. The intention was probably understood but the negation of the verb makes it clear, hehe.

Varda — Today at 5:30 PM
Thanks : )

Arien  Valar — Today at 5:35 PM
Pardon for the initial Namemixup
[5:35 PM]
in Frali 's post but I corrected that#]

Varda — Today at 5:35 PM
Yay that we can make corrections, or we would all be dooooomed.

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:37 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1Nd6LU4ImQ
YouTube
Eschmi
Bender(s) Doomed


Varda — Today at 5:37 PM
hehe

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:47 PM
Is there an English term for a loud pretend whisper?

Varda — Today at 5:47 PM
Stage whisper

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:48 PM
Seems a bit out of place, but I'll take it for my just about to be finished rp post.

Varda — Today at 5:48 PM
Or just describe it instead.

Arien  Valar — Today at 5:48 PM
right .. it is  time for me to head of gang

Varda — Today at 5:49 PM
Rest well, Arien! Thanks for coming. : )

Arien  Valar — Today at 5:49 PM
Namarie and have fun :)

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:49 PM
I'm not sure there's a good one for the purpose of naming it in a story, no.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:49 PM
Namarie!

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:49 PM
Sleep well Arien :}

Shelob — Today at 5:49 PM
Good morning everyone.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:49 PM
Well, I'm about to post, so you can tell me if it seems right.
[5:49 PM]
Aiya Shel!

Varda — Today at 5:49 PM
Nearly 6 pm here, but it will eventually be morning. Aiya Shelob : )

Arien  Valar — Today at 5:49 PM
Aiya and Namarie Shelob

Shelob — Today at 5:49 PM
Namarie Arien!

Arien  Valar — Today at 5:50 PM
:)

Varda — Today at 5:50 PM
Just say it was an unnecessarily loud whisper or something to that effect?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:50 PM
Well, it's supposed to be in humor, of a sort.
[5:50 PM]
Posted now, give it a look

Shelob — Today at 5:51 PM
I should have been in bed and sleeping at this point, but considering I've got the flu (it still exists!  ), I've been awake for like 3 hours total today.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:51 PM
Ah. Well, good time to be awake, then, the meeting!

Shelob — Today at 5:51 PM
A bit late for the meeting though.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:52 PM
Aftermeeting, close enough.

Varda — Today at 5:53 PM
Plenty of time to get in your two cents. : )

Shelob — Today at 5:54 PM
Well, some personal news then... It's been a long while, but the past few weeks I've finally been able to play basketball again. My ankle is finally recovered enough for that to be possible.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:55 PM
Space Jam theme has just entered head

Shelob — Today at 5:55 PM
I believe a remake has been released not that long ago.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:55 PM
Sequel, wasn't it? I've not seen it yet.
[5:56 PM]
Or you mean of the theme?

Varda — Today at 5:56 PM
Hurray for being able to use that ankle again!
[5:56 PM]
afk

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:57 PM
And yes, that's good  Always nice to be recovered enough for sports.

Shelob — Today at 5:58 PM
Judging by the trailer, it's pretty much the same movie but with a slightly different premise.

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 6:03 PM
On the RP: Not sure how many people will know what a "stage whisper" is. You might make people have to google it, hehehe. I don't know how big a deal I'd say it is to change it.
[6:03 PM]
We know what you mean, so there's that :}

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 6:03 PM
Indeed. I'm open for alternatives

Varda — Today at 6:05 PM
Jokingly loud whisper

Sandalf13 — Today at 6:05 PM
Hallo!

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 6:05 PM
I thought "fake whisper" or "false whisper" at first but not sure if those are actually expressions.

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 6:05 PM
"Whisper loudly" or some variant is what I would've gone with. I don't think there's really a single word for doing it out in the "real world".
[6:06 PM]
"Asides" would be when the audience is meant to hear it but not the other characters.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 6:07 PM
From what I could find, "stage whisper" can also be used off-stage for a loud whisper.

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 6:08 PM
Feel free to leave it :}
[6:08 PM]
As I said, not sure it needs changing and there's not a plethora of alternatives.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 6:08 PM
Indeed.

Sandalf13 — Today at 6:17 PM
Are we still on after-meeting?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 6:18 PM
Sure

Sandalf13 — Today at 6:18 PM
Ah! Ar! ALways good to see both you and Eonwe.
[6:20 PM]
I just looked over my plate tectonic map of M.E., and I see that  I failed to label the "Gondor Plate." Will have to fix that.
[6:20 PM]
Has the snow that you got in the NL melted since Thursday?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 6:21 PM
Yeah, the first morning/afternoon.

Sandalf13 — Today at 6:22 PM
Did not last long, then...but as you said, you usually do not get too much snow...although I remember all the old paintings by the Dutch Masters that show people ice skating on the dikes.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 6:23 PM
Yes, well, climate change  I think those paintings were mostly of the Little Ice Age?

Sandalf13 — Today at 6:24 PM
I believe you are correct, and the Little Ice Age was a real event.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 6:24 PM
We have had snowy and icy winters in more recent years, but the last "eleven cities" skating tour was in 1997.
[6:24 PM]
Since then we've just been seeing less and less of it.
[6:24 PM]
Last year was nice, though. About a week of actual ice and snow, with frozen skatable streams and everything.

Sandalf13 — Today at 6:25 PM
Like everyone else, it seems. We had a very light snow winter, and the snowpack in the Rockies of Colorado and Wyoming is NOT what it should be. I am really worried about a drought on the Plains this summer...we are already in it.
[6:27 PM]
Did you have a busy week at work?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 6:28 PM
Not really.
[6:28 PM]
There's never that much pressure on us, it being volunteer work and all.

Sandalf13 — Today at 6:28 PM
Do you do a lot of reading? Do you have the equivalent of an American library in your area?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 6:29 PM
I'm not sure. I think there's still a library, but have not visited in many years. Used to go there often as a kid. Then I started to go online more often, and the books I did read, I bought, usually as part of a series.
[6:30 PM]
Including Tolkien, Discworld, and Warcraft books, mostly.
[6:30 PM]
(Yep, I'm into english fantasy).
[6:31 PM]
Oh, and one of my favorite books is actually near me on top of the computer-holding cabinet/closet, a very nicely made collection of Shakespeare's plays and sonnets.
[6:32 PM]
I don't read as much as I should, but on the occasion I'll grab something random off the shelf, open it on a random page and let myself be nostalgic :)

Sandalf13 — Today at 6:33 PM
I think I told you that my mother was an English teacher for her career...she encouraged me to read from a very early age, as well as my sisters. Libraries hold a special place in my heart. Thursday evening I spent at the library of the Colorado School of Mines, in Golden , doing some research on Chapter Three. One of my favorite things is to sit in a library and read or work on my laptop. Coffee Houses work, too. And Shakespeare! My Mom would love you Shakespeare was one of her favorites as well. My Chapter Four is entitled: Denethor as Macbeth: The Tragedy of the Last Ruling Steward of Gondor. My Mom liked it.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 6:37 PM


Sandalf13 — Today at 6:37 PM
Do you have a favorite Shakespeare play?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 6:37 PM
I would've liked to work at a library, but in recent years it's all become volunteer work, and I really need to get something paid.
[6:38 PM]
Ehr, while I've leafed through em, I've not actually read that many as a whole. Time constraints :)  I have seen a few in movie form as well.

Sandalf13 — Today at 6:38 PM
Are people in the NL required to save for their own retirement, the way people in the USA now are?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 6:38 PM
From what I have read, i'm not sure I really have a favorite one. They're all just really fun to read through.

Sandalf13 — Today at 6:39 PM
I was always drawn to his tragedies. My favorites are King Lear, Macbeth, and Henry V.

Sandalf13 — Today at 6:49 PM
As I reflect on your words above, though, as usual, you have some keen insight. How can one choose a favorite among so many good things? Sort of like the "degrees of handsomeness" that we talked about earlier in the conversation this evening....

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 6:49 PM
Hehe, I'm not sure it's so much "insight" as much as "Eh, they're all nice".

Sandalf13 — Today at 6:49 PM
Give yourself credit where credit is due1
[6:50 PM]
I am amazed at the way you appreciate so much of English literature as a non-native speaker. Your knowledge is both a wonder and an inspiration to me...

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 6:53 PM
Kinda rolled into it, I guess. We've always had a lot of English in tv, movies and computer games over here. I was sold on the Warcraft series since I was 10, found my first Tolkien book in a school library at about 15, and it all just grew from there.
[6:53 PM]
The Dutch are famously good at English

Sandalf13 — Today at 6:53 PM
There are many similarities in the languages...
[6:54 PM]
I didn't get introduced to the LoTR until I was 19, and then I could not put the books down. I have not stopped since then.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 6:54 PM
When I was a kid, even the cartoons were in English on tv, though with Dutch subtitles. In recent years they've just been resynched in Dutch, which is a shame.
[6:56 PM]
It also helps that I'm just not a fan of the Dutch language in media. Of course I mostly read my books in Dutch when I was a kid, and I've still read my old school-required Dutch fiction in later years, but after starting in English that has been the majority of my reading.
[6:56 PM]
And don't get me started on Dutch tv series and movies...

Sandalf13 — Today at 6:57 PM
I am not aware of too much in the way of Dutch contributions to literature...am I incorrect? Of course, their contributions to the world of art of legendary.
[6:57 PM]
I know of many famous books/authors in German and English, but none from NL.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 6:58 PM
Dutch literature is usually only known in the Netherlands  Not sure if you've heard of the book/movie Turkish Delight? One of our most successful ones internationally, I suppose. Personally I can't stand the book.

Sandalf13 — Today at 6:59 PM
I have heard the name, but that is all.
[6:59 PM]
Wasn't the diary of Anne Frank originally written in Dutch?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 6:59 PM
Movie's by Paul Verhoeven, who's made some well-known movies in English as well.
[6:59 PM]
Oh, of course, Anne Frank. That was a real diary, in Dutch, yes, which was later made into a book.

Sandalf13 — Today at 7:00 PM
So. That certainly has become world-class literature...in Dutch. It was required reading in my high school years.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 7:00 PM
:)

Sandalf13 — Today at 7:00 PM
I guess that makes Anne Frank a Dutch writer, nicht wahr?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 7:00 PM
Just goes to show how little I know about the international impact of Dutch literature.
[7:01 PM]
Ehr, I suppose. By that token, everyone who writes in a diary is a writer. And she was born in Germany.

Sandalf13 — Today at 7:02 PM
Did not her family speak Dutch, however?
[7:02 PM]
Oddly enough, one of my favorite musical composers is Cesar Franck, whose last name is the same as Anne's...with the addition of the "c".

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 7:03 PM
I think so, yes. Looks like they moved here when she was 4.

Sandalf13 — Today at 7:03 PM
And don't get me started on Cesar Franck!

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 7:04 PM
Originally the word comes from the Franks, a tribe in Gaul, giving their name to France
[7:04 PM]
There's probably a web of etymological threads before you hit Anne Frank and Cesar Franck.

Sandalf13 — Today at 7:04 PM
Yes. I believe it became a popular family name in Germany, the Lowlands, and France.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 7:05 PM
Anne Frank was born in Frankfurt

Sandalf13 — Today at 7:13 PM
It is a sad, sad story.
[7:13 PM]
I wonder if Eonwe left the site..I hope i did not intrude on your intriguing conversation. If he left because of me, I apologize.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 7:14 PM
Naaah, of course not. And the conversation had dwindled like 10 minutes before you got back
[7:14 PM]
I've just been preparing for my gaming report ;0
[7:14 PM]
* ;)

Sandalf13 — Today at 7:15 PM
OK then. Stay well and healthy, and have a good week ahead. I have started logging on to Discord several times during the week, as time allows. Perhaps I will see you here this week. In the meantime, sei gesund, and always take care of yourself!

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 7:15 PM
You too!

Sandalf13 — Today at 7:15 PM
I do intend to start LoTRo as soon as  get Chapter Three finished.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 7:16 PM
Ah, enjoy

Sandalf13 — Today at 7:16 PM
Thanks, and Namarie!

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 7:17 PM
Namarie!

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Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 9:07 PM
K, personal gaming report!
[9:07 PM]
For (non)flashgaming, here's https://www.kongregate.com/games/targaciej/naboki
Kongregate
NABOKI
Disassemble puzzle.

More levels: NABOKI.eu

[9:07 PM]
A puzzle game where you have to rotate and click all the tiles to make them leave the screen, a sort of 3d unpuzzle
[9:08 PM]
direction arrows, levers, rotational buttons, etc!
[9:09 PM]
Blizzard gaming:
[9:10 PM]
Hearthstone: Made it to level 166 on the reward track, getting me enough gold to buy the Karazhan Nights card back.
[9:10 PM]
Also got the demon hunter to level 58. 2 more to go!
[9:11 PM]
Brawl is murlocs! Choose a class, get random class spells and a ton of murlocs.
[9:11 PM]
I won a few with the shaman myself, since that one synergizes well with murlocs.
[9:12 PM]
Much mercenary progress! Completed story quest 17, as I'd planned to do when I got my first level 17 task, which meant going into Blackrock Mountain for the first time.
[9:13 PM]
Thus defeating Coren Direbrew's bounty for the first time
[9:13 PM]
From the pack reward for the level 17 pack, I got the mercenary Sinestra, and enough coins to acquire Uther as well.
[9:14 PM]
For other tasks, they were mostly high level, and most of the mercenary levels I got were getting Mutanus and Mannoroth up a bit.
[9:15 PM]
WoW:
[9:16 PM]
More raiding! Got Anduin down on normal difficulty for the first time, getting a nifty cutscene and unlocking the final wing. There we got a few tries in on the Lords of Dread, and next reset we're planning on trying our first heroic fights.
[9:17 PM]
From a chest earlier in the raid that requires some planning and effort to unlock, all our Night Fae raiders (including me) got a new soulshape, the Snail.
[9:18 PM]
And for a whole lot of anima I got the Conservator's Raiment Set, completing the base Night Fae appearance sets
[9:18 PM]
Next up I'm saving for the items that got in in 9.1 and later, starting with a flying mount for renown.
[9:19 PM]
Weekly is arenas, which is going well, and is always fun
[9:20 PM]
Oh, and got my second setpiece, the helm, from Anduin. But since my specs use a legendary helm and legendary pants... neither has the 2-piece bonus. But it can only go up from here!
[9:20 PM]
Finally, more alting
[9:21 PM]
Completed the base mage class campaign, putting a powerful demon in a soulstone, getting a new title and heroic weapon appearance as well.
[9:22 PM]
Continued into the 7.2 chapter, opening up the Broken Shore, and then heading back to the class hall for the next mage questline.
[9:22 PM]
I got the secret frost weapon appearance along the way, and made it to level 47.
[9:22 PM]
One to go until she too makes her way to the Shadowlands
[9:22 PM]
And that's my report for the weekend!
[9:24 PM]
Namarie

Varda — Today at 11:12 PM
Thank you, Phar. : )

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