December
25, 2022 Sunday Meeting
5:00 P.M. Eastern 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): (4)
Discord: Ar-Pharazon, Eonwe (After-meeting), Sandalf, Varda
(presiding)
Before-meeting
Meeting begins
Membership news:
Web:
Gaming:
World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Lord
of the Rings Online
Tolkien:
Topic
from Varda: A snowstorm on Caradhras appeared suspiciously
localized and timed. Is the mountain alive? Did another power
cause it? Did such things happen outside of Caradhras?
After-meeting:
(non)Flashgaming
Reviews (plus) by Ar-Pharazon. Includes Blizzard games.
top
Before-meeting
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 3:58 PM
Hallo! It is a gray, cloudy, and a very warm day, relatively
speaking. It was only minus 3 this morning, and it has now warmed
up to 21 Grad F! Wow. A heat wave. It is snowing outside,
along with some ice pellets...a good day to be inside, which I am,
with some friends, enjoying the holiday. It was minus 15 F
(-26 C) on Thursday morning and minus 13 (-25 C) on Friday
morning. Both days the temperature never got above 0 Grad F
(-18C). So today really is a heat wave. Hope you all are well and
enjoying some good time with family and friends
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:03 PM
Aiya Enjoy the "heat" wave, and merry/happy [insert winter
solstice holiday of your choice]!
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 4:07 PM
Thank you so much, Ar! How did you spend today?
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:07 PM
Nothing unusual, we did our family christmas stuff yesterday,
today was leftover meats dinner though
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 4:08 PM
My friends and I got together at a local Chinese Buffet, and we
enjoyed a Brunch at 1100...excellent food. We all went home around
1300, and then returned to Roger's house for dessert...i bought an
apple pie at Costco and got some cookie dough/chocolate chip ice
cream at Hy Vee. We are eating it now...tasty, but fattening!
[4:09 PM]
So it was just you and your parents? No siblings?
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:09 PM
Yesterday my brother and his girlfriend joined us.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 4:10 PM
Wonderful! How is your weather? Any snow?
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:10 PM
Nope, nothing. We had a few subzero days last week, but when the
rains started, the temperature shot up as well, about 3-10 C.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 4:11 PM
Wow Subzero in the Netherlands. I thought it never got that cold
your way...
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:11 PM
It's quite rare, especially this early in the winter
Varda 12/25/2022 4:11 PM
Aiiya!
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:11 PM
Aiya!
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 4:11 PM
I wonder what kind of weather Saoir had...Aiya Varda! [Note:
Saoir/Arien]
Varda 12/25/2022 4:12 PM
Sunshiny here, so the Sunshine has been busy. : )
[4:13 PM]
Sorry, I fell asleep in front of the computer earlier and it was
suggested that maybe I should grab a nap. The alarm went off and
here we are. : )
[4:13 PM]
Didn't sleep last night.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 4:13 PM
Uh oh...nothing serious, I hope.
Varda 12/25/2022 4:14 PM
Nope.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 4:14 PM
Good.
Varda 12/25/2022 4:14 PM
Cooking all night and just kept going when daytime came. Until
sanity prevailed and forced sleep, heh.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 4:14 PM
You must have a housefull.
Of people....
Varda 12/25/2022 4:14 PM
Anyway, cup of coffee in hand, and here with good folk.
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:15 PM
Of food
Varda 12/25/2022 4:15 PM
Houseful of food is true!
Anyway, Merry Christmas!
[4:15 PM]
top
Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo!
[4:15 PM]
Membership:
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 4:16 PM
Right back at you.
Varda 12/25/2022 4:16 PM
Sounds as if you guys were already doing that part. Yay!
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 4:16 PM
Talking about the weather, and what we did for the holidays, so
far.
Varda 12/25/2022 4:17 PM
Read it. : )
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:17 PM
Basic watercooler talk :)
Varda 12/25/2022 4:18 PM
Eonwe emailed, hopes to be able to make it to the meeting.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 4:19 PM
I am dividing my attention between all of you and my
friends...fortunately, my laptop is only about 2 steps from my
seat at the table.
Varda 12/25/2022 4:20 PM
Meriadoc is visiting my house, playing LotRO at the moment. : )
Good to hear, Sandalf.
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:20 PM
(bring laptop to table, chat with both at once!)
Varda 12/25/2022 4:20 PM
Merry Christmas to you and your gang!
[4:21 PM]
top
Web:
[4:24 PM]
Nothing new and visible to report. One reason is I stopped going
outside the guild to get stuff, mostly. Our own folk have become
few that add to the website. Recruiting has not been going on,
adding to the problem. And we tend to be scattered out these days
except the LotRO gang and the Sunday meetings. Even LotRO seems to
be coming in at all different times of day, mostly. Prime time no
longer seems to exist.
[4:25 PM]
Prime Time is when most of us come on at the same time, generally
after supper Eastern time. That is no longer the case.
[4:26 PM]
We have up and down times of activity, this is one of the lows,
but it's not zero at all. A happy thing.
[4:26 PM]
top
Gaming:
Eonwe gave us some news at
[4:26 PM]
http://valarguild.org/gaming
The Valar Guild Games Site
Valar Guild Games Site
World of Warcraft:
[4:27 PM]
Don't forget your presents under the Winter Veil Tree.
This week's bonus event: battlegrounds.
Vault of the Incarnates LFR Wing 1 is open.
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:27 PM
Ah, yes, must make sure to send all the alts to Ironforge again...
after having visited Stormwind en masse for the reagent bag back
in prepatch.
Varda 12/25/2022 4:27 PM
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23891615/vault-of-the-incarnates-raid-finder-wing-1-now-live
World of Warcraft
Vault of the Incarnates Raid Finder Wing 1 Now
Live! - WoW
End Raszageth the Storm-Eaters plans of
freeing her fellow incarnates within the Vault of the Incarnates
beginning December 12 with Dragonflight Season 1!
[4:28 PM]
Aye, a bit of fun. : )
If you're looking for a list of mounts and pets to collect in
Dragonflight, this blog is for you.
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23891317/dragonflight-mounts-pets-and-more-await-in-the-dragon-isles
World of Warcraft
Dragonflight: Mounts, Pets, and More Await in
the Dragon Isles - WoW
New land, new adventures, and new treasures
await to be discovered in the Dragon Isles, along with a variety
of mounts, pets, and toys to add to your collection.
[4:29 PM]
Check out the plan for the future of Dragonflight with the blog
Dragonflight in 2023 The Road Ahead.
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23897170/dragonflight-in-2023-the-road-ahead
World of Warcraft
Dragonflight in 2023 The Road Ahead - WoW
Get a look at the future development for the
Dragonflight expansion with Executive Producer Holly Longdale.
[4:29 PM]
Check out the latest hotfixes.
Check out the latest hotfixes.
[4:29 PM]
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23885941/hotfixes-december-22-2022
World of Warcraft
Hotfixes: December 22, 2022 - WoW
Here you will find a list of hotfixes that
address various issues related to World of Warcraft: Dragonflight,
Wrath of the Lich King Classic, Burning Crusade Classic, and WoW
Classic.
[4:30 PM]
Hearthstone:
[4:30 PM]
Patch 25.0.4 is out.
[4:30 PM]
https://hearthstone.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23892223/25-0-4-patch-notes
25.0.4 Patch Notes
25.0.4 is a data-only patch that includes
balance changes to Standard, Wild, Battlegrounds, and Arena!
[4:31 PM]
That's the end of Eonwe's report.
Any new gaming info from you folks? Most games have some kind of
Christmas activity going on.
[4:32 PM]
Lord of the Rings
Online
has Yule Festival, including the new steed, and lots of
activities.
[4:33 PM]
Sorry but the point I fell asleep is when sitting down at the
computer to start working on the meeting report and stuff. Holding
still did it. : )
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:33 PM
Yep, Hearthstone has a new winter veil quest event, Siege
of Iceforge, where the Lich King has taken over as father winter
Varda 12/25/2022 4:33 PM
O wow. What happened to the old one?
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:33 PM
Captured somewhere presumably, they don't say!
[4:34 PM]
"The Scourge has conscripted the inventors of Ironforge to make
munitions for Greatfather Lich King. Drive them out to save
Ironforge, and let them get back to making Winter Veil toys for
all the good girls and boys!"
Varda 12/25/2022 4:34 PM
Part of what keeps players interested, mysteries, perhaps a rescue
party, and breaking the siege!
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 4:34 PM
Sounds pretty bad for Father Winter...
Varda 12/25/2022 4:35 PM
Sounds like a change in building plans. Uh oh.
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:35 PM
Greatfather Winter's still around though, he's in a weekly brawl
later on
Varda 12/25/2022 4:36 PM
There you go. Wonder if he'll get into the other mix-up too.
[4:39 PM]
Working on the LotRO report in the background.
[4:41 PM]
Fangorn, Meriadoc, and Varda have been working to get Meriadoc's
characters caught up while he has the chance to play during
Christmas. : )
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 4:41 PM
We are munching on apple pie and caramel popcorn.
Watching the snow and the ice come down. Susan is debating whether
to go out on her annual tour of the outdoor lights on display
around the Lincoln area..
Varda 12/25/2022 4:42 PM
Some unexpected arrivals, maybe due to the holidays, such as
Aranuir.
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:42 PM
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow ♪
Varda 12/25/2022 4:42 PM
Can she see much in this weather? Might need a bit of a delay.
[4:43 PM]
Good to see Ioreth is back despite health problems.
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:43 PM
Bah, logged into WoW just too late, Arien last online 4 minutes
ago
Can't drag her into the channel.
Varda 12/25/2022 4:44 PM
Worried because it's unlike Dis to be gone this much. But she
might be involved with happy things like getting out doing stuff
for Christmas holidays. : )
[4:45 PM]
11 days for Dis is long. It's nothing for a lot of other people,
but not for Dis.
Any other gaming news? Wild light displays? And thanks for trying,
Phar!
[4:46 PM]
For LotRO the 2023 tentative schedule is now online:
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:46 PM
I have an arrangement with another Dutch player in our raidgroup,
where if I'm offline unexpectedly for so long, he's going to check
up on me in real life.
Varda 12/25/2022 4:46 PM
https://www.lotro.com/news/lotro-public-event-schedule-en
The Lord of the Rings Online
2023 Public Event Schedule
Get a list of bonuses, events, and other
time-specific changes here for 2023!
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:46 PM
Could be useful for Dis?
Varda 12/25/2022 4:47 PM
That would be great, Phar. Unfortunately the only person who might
have been able to do that for us is now deceased. (Note: her
husband, Walda-(V) in the Valar Guild.)
Maybe we can find another.
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:47 PM
Alas.
Varda 12/25/2022 4:47 PM
That's very organized of you, Phar. : )
[4:48 PM]
For me, you can check with family members that come on Discord for
anything drastic.
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:48 PM
Strangely, or perhaps wisely, the idea of "If I die tomorrow, how
will my online friends know?" passes my mind from time to time.
Varda 12/25/2022 4:49 PM
Or even just too injured to come to the computer, or just having
unexpected fun.
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:49 PM
Oh, certainly, but if I know I'll be able to come back later, it
doesn't feel so serious.
Varda 12/25/2022 4:49 PM
There are others I'd like to know about. One disappeared in
Australia's Outback. One disappeared in a ship pushing ahead of a
tsunami and storm.
[4:50 PM]
And others that just disappeared, hopefully just busy.
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:50 PM
Indeed.
Varda 12/25/2022 4:50 PM
On to
top
Tolkien:
[4:50 PM]
Speaking of weather mishaps,
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:51 PM
Mountain's at it again?
Varda 12/25/2022 4:51 PM
Caradhras, living mountain? Machinations by magical or non-magical
entities?
[4:52 PM]
Maybe. : ) How about those storm giants who ignore current
events but toss huge boulders and chunks of landscape at each
other in their own concerns?
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:52 PM
Movie had Saruman behind it, but the mountain seemed to have a
mind of its own in the books, and not a welcome one.
Varda 12/25/2022 4:52 PM
The movies suggested Saruman did it.
Aye, Phar.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 4:52 PM
On a personal note, the snowy, icy and bitterly cold weather we
have been experiencing of late always makes me think of Dor-Lomin
in the First Age, and how Tolkien mentioned the snow-covered pines
in that area. It almost feels as if the Witch King himself is
blowing down the blizzards on the Great Plains!
Varda 12/25/2022 4:53 PM
Poetic thought.
Morgoth was a big one for cold dangers.
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:53 PM
He must like us, then.
No snow here.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 4:53 PM
Do you have any idea what it is like hoping your truck starts when
it is minus 15 F?
crank...crank...crank...maybe catch.
Varda 12/25/2022 4:53 PM
It was only -10 F for us. : )
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 4:54 PM
That IS cold for Houston! I never remember it getting that cold
down there...
Varda 12/25/2022 4:54 PM
It was not Houston.
We used to live in the Panhandle and other places
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 4:54 PM
Well...you are north of Houston, I remember
Yeah...the Panhandle can get that cold, no doubt.
[4:55 PM]
Sort of like us.
Just further south...high and dry.
Varda 12/25/2022 4:56 PM
So is the concept of a living mountain with a temper for Caradhras
one you'd entertain, Sandalf?
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:56 PM
Geologically, there is a certain animation to rock and mountain...
though we're often talking about centimeters a year
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 4:58 PM
Not really....I do think that avalanches and snowslides are common
events in mountainous terrain, and can be quite random, so I tend
to the belief that Saruman was NOT responsible for the adverse
weather on Caradhas, but then again, numerous people have pointed
out that Elrond was able to somewhat moderate the climate in
Imladris with the use of Vilya..so who knows? Wer weiss?
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 4:59 PM
in Middle-Earth, parts of nature with life or will to them often
have a Maia behind them. Maybe not all the smaller Maiar were
benevolent at this time.
I doubt the Balrog had that kind of control to lure them into
Moria.
Varda 12/25/2022 4:59 PM
Some people are upset by the idea that there could be any magic in
the LotR, perhaps forgetting it's a fantasy. Some are upset in a
writing fashion that there could be more or less unrelated events
in a world that affect the plot, such as changing the direction of
travel.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:00 PM
And I do think that mountains are "living," and go through a
life cycle as we do, though slowly, on a geologic time scale.
Varda 12/25/2022 5:00 PM
Things that change over time do generate an appearance of living,
aye.
[5:01 PM]
It's interesting to see a speeded-up version of the peaceful
plants around us, fighting over territory for food, sun, room.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:01 PM
Speaking of snow avalanches, I am due for my one week of skiing at
my time-share in Dillon, CO, the last week of January. I do not
know if I will make it this year, but I will try. I am only 2
hours away now, at most!
Varda 12/25/2022 5:01 PM
Close!
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 5:01 PM
You can ski there!
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:02 PM
So much to do when moving in....I will have only about a week to
get everything moved in before it is time to go up to my
timeshare...so we will see.
Varda 12/25/2022 5:02 PM
Are you finding Colorado much different from Nebraska? Or don't
know yet?
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:02 PM
Six hours from Lincoln to Denver, and another two to Dillon.
[5:04 PM]
I lived in Aurora, CO, when I just finished my PhD, and was
working for Pennzoil (of Houston fame) from 1980-1986, when I
resigned to go to the U.S. Naval War College for one year in
1986-87, The best years of my life were spent in the Front Range.
I am very excited about moving back there, but also stressed. So
much to do!
[5:05 PM]
In the wintertime, the weather is about the same all across the
Great Plains. In the summer, Lincoln is more humid than Denver,
but not so much in the winter. Lincoln is still a lot drier that
places further east (Iowa, Missouri) and south....Kansas,
Oklahoma, Texas...so no, I am pretty used to the climate.
Varda 12/25/2022 5:05 PM
Not bored then!
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:06 PM
Lincoln gets about 28 inches of rain per year. Denver gets around
16 inches of rain per year....Des Moines, only 150 miles east of
Lincoln, gets around 34 inches of rain per year...
Sorry to have drawn off topic.
Varda 12/25/2022 5:08 PM
Caradhras, the "Redhorn" differed from the other two large
mountains over the dwarven strongholds because of the uplift of
pink igneous rock.
[5:09 PM]
Well, we have reached the hour, rather quickly for me from being
late, heh. My apologies again.
Good that your new area will still feel reasonably homey to you. :
)
[5:10 PM]
Any other gaming, membership, Tolkien request for invites, etc
before we are inundated by partying gavels?
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:11 PM
In Chapter Three, I discuss the red coloration of Caradhras...pink
feldspar, I suspect.
Varda 12/25/2022 5:11 PM
Did wonder if the different type of mountain had anything to do
with its unpleasant temper.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:11 PM
Red...Mars....god of War...maybe.
[5:12 PM]
Not to mention blood.
A bad humour.
Varda 12/25/2022 5:12 PM
heh
[5:13 PM]
http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/papers/Sandalf13/3GeologyofMiddle-earth.htm
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:13 PM
I suspect that Silvertine may have had a lot of calcium or sodium
plagioclase....bray in color, that in the right light and from a
distance could appear "silver."
gray
Varda 12/25/2022 5:13 PM
Use something like Find in Page. Caradhras is in a table there.
[5:14 PM]
That mention in the table is the only one I see for Caradhras.
But there's a lot of info packed in that spot. : )
[5:15 PM]
True. Red is associated with blood, shows up strongly in a snowy
environment.
gavel herd hops past as if a mob of pogo sticks were going by
[5:16 PM]
at least one remembers its duty and gives its proper due to the
hammerpad
thwoink!
styrofoam snow rains down promptly, as the trick was set up
early to give a festive appearance to our table
top
After-meeting!
[5:17 PM]
Free chat!
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:17 PM
I am still working on including the last few paragraphs to Chp 3,
Varda. I hope that with the holidays past, I can refocus on that.
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 5:17 PM
watches gavels pogoing by on
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISg6GARmPMA
YouTube
Kevin MacLeod Archive
Kevin MacLeod: Spazzmatica Polka
Varda 12/25/2022 5:18 PM
The geology of Middle-earth also gives us characters that are not
connected to the main plot except as they change the terrain. Thus
the storm giants, Caradhras.
Polka never dies!
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 5:18 PM
Perfect music for a pogo line!
Varda 12/25/2022 5:19 PM
Just right. : )
LotRO report (belated):
Lord of the Rings
Online:
Landroval server:
Aranuir
Eonwe
Fangorn
Ioreth
Meriadoc
Nar
Varda
Crickhollow server:
Arien
Eonwe
Fangorn
Varda
Shadowfax server:
Varda
Treebeard server:
Varda
[5:19 PM]
(Report dropped off by a partying gavel.)
[5:20 PM]
Sandalf, that would be great. : )
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:20 PM
I doing the Polka to the music...by myself, of course....
[5:21 PM]
Sounds Euro-technic.
Varda 12/25/2022 5:22 PM
Bit parts by parts of the geology. : )
Morgoth's Ring may be affecting them.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:22 PM
Wow. Need to catch my breath. That was a pretty fast polka, nicht
wahr?
Varda 12/25/2022 5:22 PM
That polka sounded speeded up!
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 5:22 PM
By my favorite internet composer!
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:23 PM
I hope that everyone enjoys a wonderful end to the Xmas holiday on
this wonderful weekend.
Varda 12/25/2022 5:23 PM
Morgoth put a part of his power into Arda, reason it's called
Morgoth's Ring.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:23 PM
I wonder what he is thinking, locked in the void outside.
Varda 12/25/2022 5:23 PM
So we might expect it to play some part, more relevant than it
might appear, even without conscious manipulation.
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 5:23 PM
Bigger the mountain, the more of Morgoth's power, the more it can
seem alive?
Varda 12/25/2022 5:24 PM
Maybe the uplift pushed a batch of the malevolence together as it
moved?
Reason it's so grumpy. : )
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:24 PM
But he will come again, they say, at a Middle-earth version of
Ragnarok, and it is prophesied that Turin will deal him the final
death blow.
Varda 12/25/2022 5:24 PM
That is one version, aye.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:24 PM
Good for Turin!
Varda 12/25/2022 5:24 PM
Manwe will come down from Mount Taniquetil at long last.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:25 PM
Morgoth certainly helped his family to suffer....one way or the
other.
Varda 12/25/2022 5:25 PM
I'd rather see the boss fight, myself. But I can see a reason to
have it be Turin.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:25 PM
There is also mention of another who might deal the death blow to
Morgoth....Eonwe? Earendil?
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 5:26 PM
Heh, LotRO timeskip...
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:26 PM
But NOT one of the Valar...I suspect they would be shy of killing
a fellow power....
[5:27 PM]
I read Kullervo. Talk about depressing....then Tolkien had to
write the Tale of the Children of Hurin....notr one of his happier
stories.
[5:28 PM]
Again the winter...Tuor and Vorone espied Turin striding north
through the frozen meres, heading towards his final, fatal
encounter with Glaurung.
[5:29 PM]
It is enough to make one weep....even a grown man, such as
myself...
Varda 12/25/2022 5:31 PM
I read Kullervo a long time ago. Not a bright lot, different way
of thinking too.
[5:32 PM]
I liked that bit where the two stories intersected, and only the
reader knows the significance.
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 5:32 PM
It was a nice touch, yes.
Varda 12/25/2022 5:32 PM
The Powers can't be killed, exactly. And it's up to Eru for any
final solution because they belong to him.
[5:33 PM]
Becoming a powerless Power is a lot of punishment.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:33 PM
True...but I do remember the bit about Turin...
Varda 12/25/2022 5:33 PM
Fatal for Glaurung too. A bit of foreshadowing. Look out villains!
Even Morgoth! Turin is coming. (edited)
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:34 PM
Tuor and Turin were first cousins on their fathers side, and still
distantly related on their mothers' side...that might be a good
Tolkien discussion someday, comparing Tuor and Turin....and how
much of their fate was self-induced, and how much was forced upon
them?
Varda 12/25/2022 5:35 PM
Morgoth had plenty of input, but he had clay to work with that was
not as resistant as it should have been.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:35 PM
I know that people view Turin differently...I prefer to believe
that a lot of his misfortune sprang from outside sources, although
he did make some really bad choices himself, apparently.
[5:36 PM]
But why did he make those poor choices? Sort of like Denethor,
perhaps.
Varda 12/25/2022 5:36 PM
Turin could have been great in a better way. Falling in with
outlaws, leading them, but keeping them acting as bad folk rather
than, for instance, the protective Rangers.
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 5:36 PM
Seems a bit reckless/impulsive, but that might be because of
experiences.
His wisdom stat was low, at least.
Varda 12/25/2022 5:37 PM
A bit of striking back at perceived unkindness by the
"Establishment" maybe.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:37 PM
I always thought that he carried a bit of the same genetic code as
Tulkas...
Varda 12/25/2022 5:37 PM
Tulkas, the laughing warrior.
Simplified a number of problems to operate on them with his own
skill set.
[5:38 PM]
He did not slide into the unpleasant areas that Makar (for
instance) did.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:38 PM
I still feel sad about Turin. He represents so much of us, in that
he made so many mistakes in his life, just like I know that I
have, over the course of my life.
Varda 12/25/2022 5:39 PM
Turin's story is interesting, complicated. And ultimately he has
the biggest win. : )
He needed to really learn about that foe to have that win.
Morgoth was affecting Turin, but Turin was learning all about
Morgoth at the same time.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:40 PM
Indeed he does. Do you think that Turin knew that he was learning
about Morgoth as he was doing so? Interesting thought.
Varda 12/25/2022 5:40 PM
Manwe had difficulty understanding Morgoth's mindset, his own
brother.
[5:41 PM]
But Turin knew the mindset all too well.
Turin may not have known or intended to learn about Morgoth, but
he did learn.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:41 PM
But perhaps that was because Manwe could not separate himself
objectively from another Vala who was so much like him, only a bit
more powerful. Turin, on the other hand, was a Man, with all the
foibles that a man carries with him or her.
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 5:42 PM
Interesting how mortal men (and some elves) were closer in mind to
Melkor than the other Valar. As if there's something... mortal
about Melkor's line of thought. Desire of their own destiny, for
example.
Varda 12/25/2022 5:42 PM
Manwe had a turn of mind completely alien from Morgoth's, closest
to the mind of Eru.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:42 PM
Yes. That is why it was so hard for Manwe to conceptualize evil.
[5:43 PM]
But as to Ar's thought, I think that Eru intended for Men to have
that constant inner struggle between the good and the evil.
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 5:43 PM
So it's not that Melkor has a mortal streak of thought, but Men
have been given a streak of Morgoth
Varda 12/25/2022 5:44 PM
Morgoth having so much of himself in the substance of Arda meant
he was close to humans.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:44 PM
I think that is closer to what Tolkien intended, yes. Do not
forget Tolkien's very firm Catholic upbringing and worldview
(weltanschaaung).
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 5:45 PM
(which literally means worldview, yep ;))
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:46 PM
I think that I send to Varda a few weeks ago a quote from
Kant....sorry if I repeat it here, Varda..."Kant taught, your
needs and your wants stand often in opposition to each other. You
do best when you do what you must, not what you want."
That is pretty Catholic...as well as Protestant, Jewish, and I
suspect Islam, allthough I am not sure.
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 5:47 PM
Actually, it doesn't have to be fundamentally religious, as
thinking about the bigger picture over your own needs is a staple
of civilization, especially when it comes to urbanization. Most
religions have similarly valuable ...values.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 5:52 PM
My group is finishing up....Susan did take Austin and go out to
see the lights. I need (it is a must-do, not a want!) to give
Roger his desk back, so I will bid all a fond Namarie. and will
check in later to read Ar's personal gaming report. Namarie and
sei gesund!
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 5:52 PM
Namarie
Varda 12/25/2022 5:53 PM
Namarie : )
Pardon the sudden quiet. Group phone call for Christma with a
family friend and speaker phones all around. : )
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 5:54 PM
Ah, enjoy
Varda 12/25/2022 5:58 PM
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 6:10 PM
And to you!
Eonwλ Valar 12/25/2022 6:31 PM
Salutations and Merry Christmas to all. Sorry I missed the
meeting, but life inevitably interfered.
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 6:34 PM
Aiya, and Merry Christmas Life has a way of doing that,
especially around the holidays.
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 6:38 PM
Aiya Eonwe! I just got back to my little apartment after an icy
and snowy ride home from Roger's...at least a gas station was
open, so I could run in to get a nice tasty beverage...diet coke,
to be precise.
Varda 12/25/2022 6:45 PM
Aiya Eonwe : )
[6:45 PM]
You made it to After-meeting! ; )
[6:45 PM]
Glad you made it home ok, Sandalf : )
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 6:47 PM
Thank you! It is a good night to be snuggled in....safe and sound,
warm and dry!
[6:47 PM]
I don't know about you folks, but I feel stuffed.
Varda 12/25/2022 6:49 PM
We're pretty stuffed over here too!
Here's an audit of Moria (link from FlameJilliyana):
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iSYwYWk9XDE
YouTube
Jackson Field
When The Mines of Moria Get Audited
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 6:51 PM
Does he think the helmet will help against said balrog?
Varda 12/25/2022 6:52 PM
Rules : )
Eonwλ Valar 12/25/2022 6:54 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWFF7ecArBk
YouTube
ThingsICantFindOtherwise
My Eyes! The Goggles Do Nothing! (The Simpsons)
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 6:59 PM
That is fantastic! Funniest thing I have seen in a while...I
wish they made it a bit longer....sorry, I am on my German
keyboard. My host-son Robin is talking with me via E-Mail.
The Moria audit, that is.
Varda 12/25/2022 6:59 PM
: )
Sandalf13 12/25/2022 7:05 PM
Down the page on the Moria audit, another few really (back to
English) videos showed up. The piano one is great, as is the short
person one.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/M7fLUgpx1Pg
YouTube
Peet Montzingo
When Another Short Person Comes Over🤯
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 7:40 PM
Those shorts lower on the page are random, btw Even if you
refresh the page you get different ones, so they're not even
different per person.
[7:40 PM]
*the same per
top
Ar-Pharazon-V 12/25/2022 9:37 PM
Personal gaming report!
[9:38 PM]
For (non)flashgaming, I'll give you one from the same
maker as last week's, actually.
https://www.kongregate.com/games/targaciej/hook
is a short-ish puzzle game where you have to unhook lines one at a
time so they don't bump into each other. Stuff gets complicated
later on, though, and timing will be necessary!
Kongregate
Hook
Tiny minimal puzzle game.
Full version:
http://playthehook.com
[9:42 PM]
Blizzard gaming:
[9:44 PM]
Hearthstone:
Level 50 on the reward track now, so halfway to the portrait
reward
Got a random legendary card from the new expansion for that,
Rotgill, an undead murloc. Seems useful for minion-heavy decks.
[9:46 PM]
New quest event is going for Winter Veil which I mentioned
earlier, which also includes some battlegrounds quests and
rewards. Haven't done those in a while, but you only have to play
them, not win them, so there's lots of people just slacking in
them right now
[9:48 PM]
Brawl is Wacky Waxy Winter Veil, where Greatfather Kobold drops
gifts containing powerful minions at a discount when a gift on
your opponent's board is opened. Got my win with a shaman deck
which was based on evolving your own minions, taking your gifts
from the board and annoying the enemy
Oh, and got my Death Knight class from 16 to 18. Getting there!
(edited)
[9:49 PM]
WoW:
[9:50 PM]
Druid still continuing in Waking Shores, haven't had too much time
between holiday stuff and other online stuff to do. There were
nights that I was just standing there and not actually questing,
just chatting and doing other things.
[9:52 PM]
But I did finish the sidequests at and near the Ruby Lifeshrine,
and continued on a few more main quests, confronting Raszageth's
attacking army and getting a new dragon combat cutscene. I also
did the Ruby Life Pools, first dungeon of the expansion, taking
place in an instanced version of the Lifeshrine itself.
And after taking down some protodrakes, I headed out of the
Lifeshrine area and caught a new breadcrumb to a sidequestline,
which I'll be continuing next.
[9:53 PM]
Also I got 64 on the way, getting another talent point, which
reminded me... I'd done the dungeon without allocating the points
I'd gotten since 60 in my tankspec. Still went well enough though,
as I'm still starting with pretty high gear from the last
expansion
[9:55 PM]
I did get some new stuff though! Purchased the Heartwarming Pack
from the shop, though I already had all 4 pets and 2 of the
mounts, so I got 2 new mounts and a transmog set for a quarter of
the full pack's discount price.
[9:57 PM]
So that got me the Fireplume Regalia set, which looks pretty good
on my elemental shammy actually.. as well as Lucky Yun, the Year
of the Ox mount that goes well with my paladin, and the Warforged
Nightmare, which comes with a toy you can use to let other people
use said mount as well.
[9:58 PM]
And finally, with gifts under the tree, I started moving
characters there tonight, starting with my first 5. That got me 2
new toys, the Falling Star Flinger and the Falling Star Catcher.
They go together, but really require multiple people to enjoy.
[9:59 PM]
Next week, more alts, more gifts, more sidequests and perhaps a
bit of Wrathion questing!
And that's my report for the week
Namarie!
Varda 12/25/2022 10:09 PM
Namarie Phar : )
Eonwλ Valar 12/25/2022 11:05 PM
Going over some stuff in the Appendics for reasons, and just did a
count of Sam's children: 13. One more and he could field an
expedition to Erebor, heh.
[11:06 PM]
Of course, it would only be appropos the 14th would be a Dwarf
since the other 13 would be Hobbits :}
[11:11 PM]
(Sounds like that could be an entertaining short story for one so
inclined to write it, heh.) (edited)
Varda 12/25/2022 11:57 PM
12 makes a raid : )
[11:57 PM]
Nighty night and Merry Christmas!
Eonwλ Valar 12/25/2022 11:57 PM
:}
[11:57 PM]
Sleep well :}
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