Valar Guild

September 18, 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): (6)
    Discord:
Arien, Ar-Pharazon, Eonwe, Sandalf13, Shelob, Varda (presiding)
Before-meeting
Meeting begins
Membership news:
Web:

Gaming:
    Games Site Mass Update (GSMU) emails are out. Please send in your gaming info by September 30th to Eonwe-(Valar).
    World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Lord of the Rings Online

Tolkien:
    Topic: How does Sauron attack?
After-meeting:
    (non)Flashgaming Reviews (plus) by Ar-Pharazon. Includes Blizzard games.

 
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Before-meeting

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 1:30 PM
Hey Phar, when you see this, do you recall any Dwarf- or Paladin-only mounts added to WoW in the last few months?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 2:29 PM
Your mention in harbor made me think... and all I could think of was the new dark iron dwarf mount in 9.2.5.
[2:30 PM]
But I do believe that if you get a new mount on another character, and then log your dwarf paladin for the first time again, it might be the first time you reach the 350 mount total on one character, so it could be any new mount you've gained between paladin logins.
[2:31 PM]
Including the Wrath Classic one, for example.

Sandalf13 — Today at 3:57 PM
Hallo All!

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 3:57 PM
Aiya!

Sandalf13 — Today at 3:57 PM
Aiya Ar!
[3:57 PM]
Was ist neu?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 3:58 PM
Not much, trying to play 3 games at once at the moment

Sandalf13 — Today at 3:59 PM
I shall not disturb you, then.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 3:59 PM
that's okay, meeting's about to start anyway
[3:59 PM]
What's one more thing?

Sandalf13 — Today at 3:59 PM
I admire your ability to "multi-task"...I wonder how one says that in German.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:00 PM
in the NL we just say multitask

Varda — Today at 4:00 PM
Aiya : )

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

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:00 PM
Aiya Varda! Thanks for your E-Mail earlier...please change Chapter Two to Chapter 2, on the site.

Varda — Today at 4:01 PM
@Bounder Hurray! Time to chat about gaming, Tolkien, say hi to old friends, or just lurk!
[4:01 PM]
Be glad to.
[4:02 PM]
Was just working on the Macbeth. Never out of things to do. ; )
[4:02 PM]
Got your email.

@Ar-Pharazon-V
But I do believe that if you get a new mount on another character, and then log your dwarf paladin for the first time again, it might be the first time you reach the 350 mount total on one character, so it could be any new mount you've gained between paladin logins.

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 4:02 PM
My main would've been my first Paladin login because I always log into him, and I didn't play the DK area to get the Wrath classic one, unless there's another one to get just for logging into it.,
[4:03 PM]
I tried to do the DK starter area, and found out I had to go through the effort of levelling to 55 first.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:04 PM
What? Weird. First one shouldn't need 55 first.
[4:04 PM]
Except for the fresh servers, I think.

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 4:05 PM
That's the message I got when I tried to make one in Wrath Classic. (edited)

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:06 PM
Alright, let me test it.
[4:07 PM]
Why play 3 games at once when you can play 4...

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 4:07 PM
hehehe

Varda — Today at 4:08 PM
or five?  ; )

Arien  Valar — Today at 4:08 PM
aiya all :)]

Varda — Today at 4:08 PM
Answer might be for the social part.
[4:08 PM]
Aiya!

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:08 PM
Aiya Arien!

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

Varda — Today at 4:08 PM
We are already meeting so let's make it "official" hah.
[4:08 PM]

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Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo!

[4:08 PM]
(aka howdy)

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:09 PM
Huh. I can't be in WoW and WoW Classic at once.

Varda — Today at 4:09 PM

Membership:

[4:09 PM]
What we're already chatting about. ; )
[4:09 PM]
That's interesting. Too similar?
[4:10 PM]
And aiya to Arien, Ar-Pharazon, Eonwe, and Sandalf. : )

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:10 PM
It counts as logging in on the same account from 2 places.

Varda — Today at 4:10 PM
Same account. ahh.

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 4:10 PM
Heya all.

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:10 PM
That gives me such a headache...to paraphrase the Broadway play "Hair."

Varda — Today at 4:10 PM
Heya 
Can't be in the same place twice. : )

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 4:11 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crW6xQ3rkm4
    YouTube
    Matthew Swanson
    Rita Repulsa - I've got such a headache!

Varda — Today at 4:11 PM
heh

Arien  Valar — Today at 4:11 PM
Ilaw of something or someone that the same mass of particles cant  take the same location in the same universe or some such .. i forgot

Varda — Today at 4:12 PM
Have to do a bit of plane shifting! One here, one on a neighboring brane. : )

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:12 PM
A brain plane?

Varda — Today at 4:13 PM
That too. : )  Brane is a real word, for those innocents trying to read our nuttiness.
[4:14 PM]
Any other membership news we want to mention?

Arien  Valar — Today at 4:14 PM
i ve seen fladrif online
on bnet

Varda — Today at 4:15 PM
Very good! Aiya Fladrif wherever your roots wandered off to at the moment!

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Web News:

[4:16 PM]
I'm still working on Sandalf's book of essays, and had hoped to have the latest up by now, but nope.
[4:17 PM]
My apologies for the slow coding. But it is happening!

Arien  Valar — Today at 4:17 PM
well you have to do other things as well

Varda — Today at 4:17 PM
Why? ; )

Arien  Valar — Today at 4:17 PM
i dont kno angel

Varda — Today at 4:17 PM
I am also slow at it. But getting faster.
hehe Arien
[4:18 PM]
tosses a laughing gavel to Fionwe
And it's time for

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Gaming!

[4:19 PM]
Remember to add your game additional info either as we go or at the end, whichever works, to the rest of you

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 4:20 PM
You can just imagine this as the lead-in. You don't shorten such an epic moment into a few seconds:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pis3veqKl8k
    YouTube
    EgalmothOfGondolin01
    LOTR The Return of the King - The Ride of the Rohirrim

[4:20 PM]

World of Warcraft:
[4:20 PM]
This week's Bonus Event: World Quests.

The PvP Brawl: Deep Six runs through Tuesday, September 19th.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:21 PM
Eonwe, just made a DK on classic without having a level 55.

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 4:21 PM
Blizzard put up a blog on stuff to do before Dragonflight launches: Things to Do in the Shadowlands When You're (Mostly) Dead. ---
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23850853/things-to-do-in-the-shadowlands-when-youre-mostly-dead
    World of Warcraft
    Things to Do in the Shadowlands When You're (Mostly) Dead - WoW
    Before you journey back to Azeroth, you may want to spend your remaining moments in the afterlife seeking out a few rewards that will no longer be obtainable (or more difficult to acquire) in the upcoming expansion—Dragonflight.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:21 PM
Proof's in the screenshots.

@Ar-Pharazon-V
Eonwe, just made a DK on classic without having a level 55.
Eonwλ Valar — Today at 4:21 PM
Must've been the server I tried to make it on then.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:21 PM
Could be. I think some servers are exceptions, like fresh servers?

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 4:21 PM
No characters on there, but I don't have any lvl 55 anywhere in Classic.
[4:22 PM]
Probably a fresh server. Pretty sure it was marked "recommended."
There's also a blog for WotLK Classic: Building Azeroth: The Wrathgate. ---
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23850852/building-azeroth-the-wrathgate
    World of Warcraft
    Building Azeroth: The Wrathgate - WoW
    In our third episode of Building Azeroth, discover more about the Wrathgate In-Game Cinematic and how it changed the future of storytelling in WoW.

[4:22 PM]
Check out the latest hotfixes. ---
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23800887/hotfixes-september-15-2022
    World of Warcraft
    Hotfixes: September 15, 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.


Varda — Today at 4:22 PM
Ghost Campaign! o wait, not D&D.

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 4:23 PM
Overwatch:
Check out the new blog: Ooverwatch 2 Explained: Battle Pass, Shop, Hero Unlocks, and More. ---
https://playoverwatch.com/en-us/news/23824003/overwatch-2-explained-battle-pass-shop-hero-unlocks-and-more/
    Overwatch
    Overwatch 2 Explained: Battle Pass, Shop, Hero Unlocks, and more
    Overwatch 2 releases October 4th and will usher in a new era for the game.

On now the End of All Things (or at least of my gaming news): And like in the movie, we'll have seven or eight false endings before we get to the real one, lol. :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOnhBKPSuWA
    YouTube
    EgalmothOfGondolin01
    LOTR The Return of the King - The End of All Things

Varda — Today at 4:24 PM
hehe
[4:25 PM]
A little addition for the

Lord of the Rings Online folks:

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 4:25 PM
See? ;}

Varda — Today at 4:25 PM
Never Ending Story!
Right!
"Tale of the Shipwrecked Mariners" event continues through Sept 19.
[4:26 PM]
Lord of the Rings Online kin branches:
Landroval kin branch:
Dis
Eonwe
Fangorn
Ioreth
Nar
Varda

Crickhollow kin branch:
Eonwe
Fangorn
Varda

Shadowfax kin branch:
Arien
Varda

Treebeard kin branch:
Varda
[4:26 PM]
There you go.
Any other gaming news?

The Eve Online people are still going. Pallando for one. Sauron is still quietly mining asteroids. : )
[4:27 PM]
And don't forget the GSMU!
[4:28 PM]
If anyone needs an invite to a kin branch, we try to have officers available on Sundays at least.

@Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:21 PM
Could be. I think some servers are exceptions, like fresh servers?
Eonwλ Valar — Today at 4:28 PM
Can confirm, just made DK opposite-faction on the server I had a lvl 5-ish on, then tried on "New" server and it gave me the message.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pele5vptVgc
    YouTube
    Tanix Kington
    Knowing is half the Battle

Varda — Today at 4:28 PM
Eonwe, Pallando, and myself among others.
[4:29 PM]
Thanks for experimenting and sharing, Eonwe!
On to

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Tolkien!

[4:29 PM]
What kind of attacks did Sauron use? Can we think of any examples?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:29 PM
grats on making it work anyway, Eonwe 

Varda — Today at 4:30 PM
Nice. : )

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:32 PM
Attacks Sauron used personally?
Or by proxy?

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 4:32 PM
Well, he was known for his mean east hook.

Varda — Today at 4:32 PM
That he was behind works.
heh
[4:33 PM]
I could just start off if that would help. : )

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:33 PM
If personally, shapeshifting into a wolf was one thing he did, I think?

Varda — Today at 4:33 PM
He did use that for an attack, aye, knowing the prophecy and thinking that might fulfil it!

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 4:33 PM
He was real fond of the blame game.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:33 PM
He was also quite good at corrupting men. I don't think any man should feel ashamed to fall for his corruption cough.

Varda — Today at 4:33 PM
True

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:34 PM
It appears to me that Sauron's attacks were pretty conventional. His main attack was reserved for Gondor, but to further his ends he made diversionary attacks against Dale and Erebor, Lothlorien, and Thranduil's realm. Nothing like keeping everyone occupied...but the attacks were pretty straightforward orcs versus everyone else type things...The Nazgul were busy only in the south.

Varda — Today at 4:34 PM
But like Osse, try to come back from that error. Osse was one of the few to do so.

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:34 PM
As was boromir?

Varda — Today at 4:34 PM
: )

Corruption of existing beings into spies and fighters and mounts.
Ex: elves sent back with twisted minds. Orcs, trolls, nazgul, dragons. Fell beasts, maybe the horses the nazgul used?

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:35 PM
But Gandalf tells Frodo that the horses that the Nazgul ride are regular horses...born and bred to serve Sauron, but still just horses.

Varda — Today at 4:36 PM
They are just horses, yes.
They were stolen from the Rohirrim, always the black ones. And trained to be able to stand being ridden by the Ringwraiths when other horses could not. So aye, just stolen and trained.
Good comment.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:37 PM
Always the black ones?

Varda — Today at 4:37 PM
Yes.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:37 PM
I wonder if that's for nightly camouflage or they just have a taste for black.

Varda — Today at 4:37 PM
Could be both. : )
They were trying to save on black shoe polish.

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:38 PM
Dark is dark, as they say, and black is still black...or swarthy, to use the old Proto-Germanic term....

Varda — Today at 4:39 PM
They actually do use black shoe polish sometimes to darken up horses.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:39 PM
Blackface... seems oldfashioned.

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:40 PM
Sounds a little like the horse "Silverblaze" in the Sherlock Holmes story by the same name...supposed to be one his best stories...includes the famous line...."But the dog did nothing in the night!..." Sherlock Holmes says "That is the significant thing.." or something like that.
[4:41 PM]
Now I remember..."that is the singular event"

Varda — Today at 4:41 PM
The absence of something can be very important, aye.

Reeks. Light against his followers could be scary or damaging or lethal, and it showed where they were; darkness from reeks counteracted these things. Darkness showed that his power stretched into that area, affecting morale on both sides. Reek sometimes carried plague into the enemy.
Absence of light, there. : )

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:43 PM
Yes...a good Old English work, "rec." Forget that fancy French miasma thing

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:43 PM
Sauron also weaponized the Palantiri.
Using them to good effect (or evil) against Saruman and Denethor.

Varda — Today at 4:43 PM
True!

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:43 PM
Tried it against Aragorn as well.

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:44 PM
But as Gandalf again points out, Denethor was "too great to be subdued to the Dark Lord's will..."  (For those of you who are interest, see Chapter 5 currently being coded!)

Varda — Today at 4:45 PM
While not subdued to Sauron's will, Denethor was misled. The judicious editing of true events can be nasty.

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:45 PM
Very true!

Varda — Today at 4:45 PM
That is also what happened to Saruman.
[4:46 PM]
Taking over a leader to take over or otherwise affect that leader's people. Theoden, Denethor, Saruman.
Besides the palantiri, there was the Voice.

Voice. Sauron could defeat the Numenoreans by "surrendering" so he could talk his way into corrupting their king and the king would corrupt the people. Saruman used his voice. Grima may have been given some of Saruman's voice or taught techniques of propaganda to use on Theoden-king.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:47 PM
Do they have The Voice in the US?

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:47 PM
An interesting question for me is this: one might think that since Sauron is a Maia, and Saruman is a Maia, a contest of wills between them would be somewhat "equal." I think it is extremely informative that Gandalf made the above statement to Pippin. That puts Denethor on the same archetypal level as Saruman, perhaps.
[4:48 PM]
You will have to wait for Chapter 7 to see my deeper analysis of that one...

Varda — Today at 4:48 PM
They are Maiar, but the Istari were at a major disadvantage. They were sent to be Advisors, not leaders or combatants, so a chunk of memory and power were removed, as well as being given the bodies of old men.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:48 PM
Well, neither was "subdued" per se. Saruman agreed to work with Sauron while actually studying him to supplant him, though I have a feeling he became less confident in that as the war went on.

Varda — Today at 4:49 PM
Aye, Saruman hoped to become the Dark Lord himself, but only became a knock-off imitation.

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:49 PM
I agree, Ar. I think that Saruman was smart enough to realize he had chosen wrongly.
I think a very powerful moment is Gandalf's last offer to Saruman, at Isengard. Very much like Gandalf's last bid to Denethor to take up his role as Steward and fight the enemy...both very powerful scenes.

Varda — Today at 4:49 PM
The misleading is what puts them on the same level, which is true.
[4:50 PM]
And they both refused.
Gandalf comments that he too is a steward. "Did you not know?"

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:50 PM
As all the Istari were supposed to be...

Varda — Today at 4:51 PM
So that works with what you were saying, about the similarities.

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:51 PM
It is also interesting to read Pippin's thoughts on the matter. At first, he though Denethor and Gandalf were similar, and then he thought that Denethor and Aragorn were more similar...keen observation on the part of a Halfling!

Varda — Today at 4:52 PM
Faramir gets to show what a good Steward is supposed to do. Then is rewarded handsomely for it. Give up one thing, go on to a new.

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:52 PM
Absolutely. I believe that Faramir inherited more of his Mother's better feelings than Boromir did...

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:52 PM
Logically, that means Gandalf and Aragorn are similar.

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:53 PM
Of course.

Varda — Today at 4:53 PM
Faramir similar to a wizard, rather than an elf comparison, too. So aye.

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:53 PM
After all, Aragorn is a descendant of Luthin, the daughter of a Maia...

Varda — Today at 4:53 PM
The good guys tended to have worked out similar ideas, often coming from different directions.
[4:54 PM]
On the other side, power for meeeee!
Back to Sauron and his attack tactics:

Dread. Dishearten the enemy so they won't fight back. Nazgul. (Oathbreakers did the same for Aragorn.) Catapult heads of defenders over the walls into the city of Minas Tirith. Aforementioned palantiri.
[4:55 PM]
Dishearten. Keeps even the powerful who could do so much from fighting at all.

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:55 PM
The Black (there it is again!) Breath...

Arien  Valar — Today at 4:55 PM
not to mention physical torture and slave work ....

Varda — Today at 4:55 PM
Even to the point of suicide and taking others with them.
Aye!

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:55 PM
Imagine taking a face to the face...

Varda — Today at 4:56 PM
Face-off.

Bribery. Grima was like a lesser version of Saruman in believing the evil could not be defeated and trying to grab what he could for himself in the mess: power for Saruman, Eowyn for Grima.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:58 PM
Makes me wonder what kind of life Grima would have imagined for the two of them in a world ruled by orcs.
Staying under Saruman's umbrella of power, I suppose.

Varda — Today at 4:58 PM
She would be dependent on him, have to look to him.

Sandalf13 — Today at 4:59 PM
What would they do with their children? Oy...

Varda — Today at 4:59 PM
At least, so he might figure. No, wait, don't grab that sword! Not the black powder, dear!

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:59 PM
Hah, yes. He would've gotten a lot more than he bargained for.

Varda — Today at 4:59 PM
She would never let the kids out of her sight!

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 4:59 PM
Though who knows? Maybe he liked strong women.

Varda — Today at 5:00 PM
He must have, to fall for Eowyn. : )

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:00 PM
He would likely come to hate her for the very things that made him desire her.

Varda — Today at 5:00 PM
Aye! Well said.

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:00 PM
Just lie Gollum and The Ring...
like

Varda — Today at 5:01 PM
Love/hate you mean?

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:01 PM
Tends to be that way with people who want what they can't have, then they get it through deceitful/treacherous means.

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:01 PM
Yeah...I am thinking "bittersweet" as well.
[5:02 PM]
Bittersuί in German.

Varda — Today at 5:02 PM
One last item, kind of reaching here:
[5:03 PM]

Harm the reputation of the rangers with gossip?

Arien  Valar — Today at 5:04 PM
well Morgoth did that with the Elves and Valar so . given the teacher we shouldn' t be surprised

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:04 PM
Might have been Saruman's doing. He would be more likely to station half-men and brigands in Bree and the likes to spread rumors.

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:04 PM
Personal opinion since we have nothing to go by in this regard, but I'm not so sure Sauron/his minions invented that one so much as capitalized on suspicion already there.

Varda — Today at 5:04 PM
Probably.
[5:05 PM]
Does anyone else have any more suggestions for Sauron's tactics? We're up against the hour.

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:05 PM
But then again, the Rangers enjoyed that kind of reputation...it helped people overlook who they really were and what they were really doing....odd, as  I think of it. A lot of fanfiction talks about this issue for the Rangers...they liked/disliked their reputation among Men.

Shelob — Today at 5:06 PM
Aiya!

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:06 PM
Aiya!

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:06 PM
Aiya Shelob!

Varda — Today at 5:06 PM
Aiya Shelob : )

Shelob — Today at 5:06 PM
Maybe someone brought this up already, but was Sauron really a good tactician?

Arien  Valar — Today at 5:06 PM
aiya strange lady of the webs

Shelob — Today at 5:06 PM
He might have been Melkor's right hand man, but his skill lay in subterfuge.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:06 PM
I suppose it prevented them from being bothered by people who wanted them to do things outside of their line of work of protection.

Varda — Today at 5:06 PM
Did Sauron nearly take over everthing so much so that the Valar thought he might do just that?

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:06 PM
When I was at the Naval War College, we once talked about this: the general consensus was that Sauron was not a good general.

Shelob — Today at 5:07 PM
I think most of his tactics were basically 'if I throw enough orcs at it, it will eventually succumb'... which was more or less Melkor's stratagem as well.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:07 PM
Yep, sounds about right, though Melkor got a bit more creative with his... creations.
Even Saruman was more experimental than Sauron.

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:07 PM
Morgoth was blinded by the Silmarils, Sauron was blinded by the Ring.

Varda — Today at 5:07 PM
We did list a few other strategems back there. : )

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:08 PM
Sauron was a Maia of Aulλ and liked order. He invented his own language. He was no slouch in the brains department.

Varda — Today at 5:08 PM
Sauron was blinded by not seeing that others might not want the power of the Ring, so he misguessed their moves.

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:09 PM
Why was it only Aule's Maia who went bad? Did Aule fail to teach his pupils something?

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:09 PM
We already mentioned Ossλ.
The Balrogs were spirits of fire.

Varda — Today at 5:09 PM
The Balrogs were Maiar of Morgoth, so that means Aule wasn't alone.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:09 PM
Maybe there was something about being a brilliant craftsman that makes you go corrupt, like Feanor?

Shelob — Today at 5:10 PM
I think you forget, Sandalf, that of all the Valar, Aule and Melkor were most alike.

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:10 PM
So it wasn't just Aulλ's, it's just Aulλ's were close enough in inclination to Melkor to be seduced.

Varda — Today at 5:10 PM
Morgoth liked to swipe other folks' helpers, take everything and everyone for himself. Crafters were valuable!

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:10 PM
What Shelob said.

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:10 PM
True, but Morgoth was pretty rotten from the start...of the "good" Valar, only Aule gave rise to baddies.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:10 PM
Including those pesky dwarves!

Shelob — Today at 5:11 PM
Melkor wasn't exactly rotten though, he just had a different opinion of where the music should be headed.

Varda — Today at 5:11 PM
Ulmo had Osse, who later repented and returned, but was not as stable as before, storming around.

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:11 PM
Tell me about it.

Varda — Today at 5:11 PM
All the music for meeeee!

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:11 PM
Again, Ossλ. It's been a while, but as I recall it was Uinen that helped bring him back to Ulmo's employ.

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:11 PM
Indeed. She used her wiles to modify his behavior.

Varda — Today at 5:11 PM
Girls can have a strong influence on the... heh. [Note: was going to say weak-minded, but it began to sound like an unintended insult to men.]

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:12 PM
Sort of like Tulkas and his wife, true?

Shelob — Today at 5:12 PM
And lest we forget, it was Νluvatar himself who said that the music was by his design, no matter how Melkor strove to weave his own self into it.
And quite frankly, if you're told that you can't do anything that's already pre-ordained, you might not like it either.

Varda — Today at 5:13 PM
But there is plenty of room to create between the broad guidelines.

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:13 PM
Eru made the building blocks. He set the theme. Melkor is working within that theme no matter what he does.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:13 PM
Well, all of the Valar knew that everything was by Eru's design. Only one disagreed with the notion.

Shelob — Today at 5:13 PM
It doesn't absolve anything that Melkor does afterwards, mind you, but I'd be rather miffed and rebellious too.
But hey, I guess it takes an evil spider to know an evil dude, eh?

Varda — Today at 5:14 PM
The broad rules gave them a canvas and paint to use.

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:14 PM
You don't sound evil to me, Shelob.

Shelob — Today at 5:15 PM
I was told that if I had any inclination towards evil, I would not have been allowed the name Shelob to begin with.
I just like to roleplay once in a while.

Varda — Today at 5:15 PM
: )

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:15 PM
:)

Varda — Today at 5:15 PM
Just like Sauron likes to go Muhahahahaha

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:15 PM
Odd, I really am a giant winged flame-sword-wielding Paladin in real life. You're not really a giant Hobbit-eating spider?

Shelob — Today at 5:15 PM
Oh yes! I love Sauron!

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:16 PM
Sauron, Sauron, you're our man...if you can't do it, no one can!

Shelob — Today at 5:16 PM
But then again, I love Varda's entire family! [heart emote]

Varda — Today at 5:16 PM
We've seen you, Eonwe! You are indeed a knight!
[5:16 PM]
We enjoyed your visit. : ) [Note: comment is to Shelob.]

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:16 PM
OK, quick quote...

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:20 PM
While we are waiting, I am going to send Varda an E-Mail with a potential topic for next week, if she is willing.

Eonwλ Valar — Today at 5:20 PM
"And it came to pass that Iluvatar called together all the Ainur and declared to them a mighty theme...."
next paragraph:
"Then Iluvatar said to them: 'Of the theme I have declared to you, I will now that ye make in harmony together a great music...'"
[5:22 PM]
Everything in the Music relies on that theme. Even Melkor's rebellion requires something to rebel against. It requires other participants to drown out. Without those, it's just Melkor sitting in his bedroom, strumming on his bass guitar looking edgey.

Varda — Today at 5:23 PM
Well said.

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:24 PM
And, may I add,
"Never since have the Ainur made any music like to this music, though it has been said that a greater still shall be made before Iluvatar by the choirs of the Ainur and the Children of Iluvatar before the end of days."
Varda — Today at 5:25 PM
Aye! When there is  greater understanding of each other, as the folk are learning in their lives on Middle-earth.

Arien  Valar — Today at 5:26 PM
mind you if i would have to rap all day , sing cheesy ballads or growl all day if i could have gaelic folk, epic metal or soft arias i 'd find probably my own style which wouldnt be up to anyone's taste

Varda — Today at 5:26 PM
But it would fit into the great music. : )

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:27 PM
Whatever song you sing would be music to my ears, Arien! :)

Varda — Today at 5:28 PM
You are our Sunshine. : )

the gavels hop off the shelf in unison, tapping out a beat as they head for the hammerpad
[5:29 PM]
they thunk and...
a pure, glorious note comes from the hammerpad
all rejoice

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After-meeting!

Shelob — Today at 5:30 PM
weaves a nice curtain for the gavel to sleep unperturbed behind

Varda — Today at 5:30 PM
snoozing sounds

Arien  Valar — Today at 5:30 PM
probably ^^ theres some pretty good crossover stuff out there like No exit  by Blondie . that is something i can tolerate

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:31 PM
"Heart of Glass" was a killer...
[5:32 PM]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGU_4-5RaxU&ab_channel=BlondieVEVO
    YouTube
    BlondieVEVO
    Blondie - Heart Of Glass


Varda — Today at 5:35 PM
yep. Trust is absolutely necessary. Be trustworthy on all sides.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 5:36 PM
Eventually, all sound and music will come together in harmony...
One genre to rule them all.

Varda — Today at 5:37 PM
A joyful noise. : )

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:38 PM
If you think that Blondie is good (it is!), just listen to the Third Movement of Cesar Franck's Symphonyt in D, available on Youtube. It has been called the greatest secular hymn to the Lord ever written. It uplifts mere mortals above the mundane...

Arien  Valar — Today at 5:39 PM
its enough to stand in a crowd of 18000 and sing one of the most beautiful songs ever
[5:39 PM]
every single voice ..

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:40 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GbZGJ6uEXA
    YouTube
    Giarola77
    C. Franck - Symphony in D Minor - O. National de France - Bernstein...

[5:41 PM]
If you all get a chance...

Arien  Valar — Today at 5:48 PM
i shall listen to it tomorrow  time to listen to some dream music tho ~

Varda — Today at 5:48 PM
Sleep well. : )

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:49 PM
Thanks! I hope that you enjoy it...The clip that I posted is for the Third Movement only...Namarie all! Time to go to the Telegraph Mill to work on Chapter 8 - The Etymology of the LoTR.

Arien  Valar — Today at 5:49 PM
thank you and you too when you get to it .. else enjoy your evening 

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

Varda — Today at 5:49 PM
Thank you for both.

Arien  Valar — Today at 5:49 PM
Namarie1

Sandalf13 — Today at 5:49 PM
sei gesund!

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 7:00 PM
Personal gaming report!
[7:00 PM]
For (non)flashgaming, here's
https://www.kongregate.com/games/graebor/sort-the-court
    Kongregate
    Sort the Court!
    Grow your kingdom by giving your decree in the form of simple yes/no answers.
    Originally released in December 2015, Sort the Court started as a game jam proje...

[7:01 PM]
A strategy/interactive fiction game, where you play a king who needs to make yes and no decisions for people who come to ask you things.
[7:02 PM]
Each decision changes population, happiness or gold; happiness makes your population grow each night; gold is basically necessary for tasks you give out.
[7:03 PM]
There's also bits of plotline that you'll affect with your answers, including a dragon, and ultimately with an invite from the Council of Crowns.
But it's always fun just to gather up your stats, as the amount of gold you have also piles up around your throne
[7:05 PM]
Oh, and the population size is also displayed in the background by the size of the town.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 9:09 PM
Right, and after playing that for 2 hours, let's continue
[9:09 PM]
Blizzard gaming:

Sandalf13 — Today at 9:10 PM
Just back from The Telegraph Mill! Got some good work done on Chapter Eight. Now I am reading your excellent report...
[9:11 PM]
You have been busy, I see. How is the job hunt going?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 9:12 PM
Not well, position's been filled.
Will try to find something else

Sandalf13 — Today at 9:12 PM
Good! Keep at it, and  I am sure that something good will come your way! You deserve it!

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 9:12 PM
Thanks
[9:13 PM]
Hearthstone:
Level 75 on the reward track now. Definitely slowing down.
[9:14 PM]
Brawl is the heroic arena, Brawliseum, which I don't do, so instead I got my weekly wins quest done through duels. I don't do those too often, but got lucky with a mage deck which has gone 3 to 0 so far!
We'll see if that'll last me through the next 2 days as well for this week's quest.
[9:15 PM]
Oh, nevermind, looking at it, I have different quests this time, so won't need to
I did complete the previous brawl with all 4 heroes, as I mentioned I was planning in the last meeting, so that was interesting.
[9:16 PM]
WoW:
A bit more heroic raiding in Castle Nathria, though we were a bit lacking in people.
Though we did get some bosses done for a few more people, so that helps.
[9:17 PM]
Weekly is world quests, for which I've been working on the most anima-rewarding ones  Should get me a good way to the final anima purchase.
[9:19 PM]
Rest of the time was spent alting! Got the rogue out of Bastion and through most of Maldraxxus, with just one questline to go until Ardenweald. Decent progress, though I have been getting a bit annoyed by missing dialogue in a bunch of quests. I know Blizzard is working on it, and just hope they'll have it fixed when I'm done with the 4 main zones on my last few alts and start the covenant campaigns, which I've not seen before. Would be annoying otherwise. Still, wowpedia website fills in the gaps somewhat when needed.
[9:22 PM]
Rogue has made it from 54 to 56, giving him the passive ability that lets Envenom extend the duration of Slice and Dice. Which is quite good! Not only for longer fights against elite mobs, but also when hunting down smaller mobs in quick succession for some killing or collecting quests, since I can cast S&D at the start of the chain and then just extend it all the way through. Increases my dps by quite a bit and simplifies my rotation a lot.
I've really hit my stride with the little guy, and I hope that continues for the rest of his questing
[9:23 PM]
And that's my report for the week!

Sandalf13 — Today at 9:23 PM
A good report! Bravo!

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 9:23 PM
bows

Sandalf13 — Today at 9:23 PM
Applause!
[9:24 PM]
I wish I could meet with you someday to learn to do some gaming...who knows? Maybe someday?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 9:24 PM
Maybe  Though I don't travel much.

Sandalf13 — Today at 9:25 PM
I do...though not to Europe, lately, but that could change. I fly to New York on Thursday morning to retrieve my car that I left there in August, when it broke down on the way to Long Island.
I just may show up on your doorstep some day! Be generous to a weary traveler!

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 9:25 PM
Hehe, will do  And good luck with the car!

Sandalf13 — Today at 9:25 PM
Yes. I could use some good luck with the car.
[9:27 PM]
I was last in London in 2008 (Fall) for my oldest daughter's wedding.

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 9:27 PM
Ah, how time flies, hm?

Sandalf13 — Today at 9:27 PM
Yes. And the faster it goes the older one gets...
[9:28 PM]
how are your parents?

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 9:29 PM
Quite well, and fast asleep at this point
[9:30 PM]
Which I should be doing as well, really.

Sandalf13 — Today at 9:30 PM
I suspect that you should be going to bed soon too...here in Nebraska it is only 2130, but I am jumping into bed in a few minutes to do some reading before I go to sleep. I get up at 0520 every day, and go to the Coffee House for my morning coffee. Sleep well! Take care, Namarie, and sei gesund!

Ar-Pharazon-V — Today at 9:31 PM
Namarie!
If I'm awake much longer, I'll be to bed after you get up
[9:37 PM]
Namarie all!

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