August 13, 2023
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, which is Valar time and LotRO /servertime.]
Attending (and typed): (5)
Discord: Arien, Ar-Pharazon, Eonwe, Sandalf, Varda (presiding)
Before-meeting
Meeting begins
Membership news:
Web:
New story by Eonwe: "Life's Little Surprises"
Gaming:
Lord of the Rings Online,
World of
Warcraft, Overwatch
2, Diablo 4,
Diablo 3, Diablo
Immortal, Hearthstone
Tolkien:
Topic:
Saruman took over the Shire with the Ruffians. But his idea of
power wasn't to show he could give everyone the way to a better
life, but that he would wreck all their lives in his petty hatred
and revenge. Was this uncommon in those attempting to gain total
power? Did it depend on who it was?
After-meeting:
More Tolkien chat.
(non)
Flashgaming Reviews (plus) by Ar-Pharazon. Includes Blizzard
games afterwards.
top
Before-meeting
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 9:40 AM
Happy International Left Hander's Day. Hope you all found presents
under you Left Hander's Day tree. Or a basket of left-handed
trinkets from the Left Hander's Day Bunny. You must now spend the
rest of the day with your right hand tied behind your back.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 12:58 PM
That could cause some raid difficulty.
Varda — Yesterday at 3:57 PM
meep!
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 3:59 PM
Meep meep meep!
Varda — Yesterday at 4:00 PM
Aiya : )
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 4:00 PM
Aiya right back at you!
Varda — Yesterday at 4:00 PM
I suspect your clock is about 1 minute faster than mine. It's been
consistent. I use the one on the computer.
[4:01 PM]
But it's great to know someone else is here!
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 4:01 PM
6.5 hours from Lincoln to Thornton this morning. Left Lincoln at
0506 CST and arrived home 6.5 hours later, with time for a pit stop
in Big Springs, on the CO=-NE border. IT was a nice visit.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:01 PM
@Bounder @Guild-friend Yay! Valar Guild meeting time! Come say hi!
[4:02 PM]
Wow! Welcome back! Hope you've rested a bit.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:02 PM
Aiya!
Had to help with bedding
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 4:02 PM
Yup. I am game to go for the Guild.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:02 PM
But here now!
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 4:02 PM
Yay!
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:02 PM
Heya.
top
Varda — Yesterday at 4:02 PM
Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo!
Membership:
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 4:02 PM
Aiya Eonwe!
Varda — Yesterday at 4:03 PM
Aiya to Sandalf, Phar, and Eonwe!
Feel free to give membership news. : )
We have the Return of the Sandalf
Think it's also one for Phar?
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:04 PM
I returned 8 days ago But my parents came back today! So a bit
of chore-ing going on
Varda — Yesterday at 4:04 PM
ah, ok. : )
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:04 PM
Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
Varda — Yesterday at 4:05 PM
hehe
[4:06 PM]
Any other membership news, so I don't step on a toe somewhere? : )
as in
https://valarguild.org/tolkien/encyc/fiction/authors/Irmo/stories/Anticlimax.htm
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 4:07 PM
Oy Weh!
Varda — Yesterday at 4:08 PM
Irmo told a funny story there. ; )
On to
top
Web News:
[4:08 PM]
Thank you to Eonwe for a new story!
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 4:08 PM
I still say Oy Weh. Sounds like a story that Rodney Dangerfield
would write.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:08 PM
"Life's Little Surprises"
[4:09 PM]
https://valarguild.org/tolkien/encyc/fiction/authors/Eonwe/stories/LifesLittleSurprises.htm
"Dinmir and Aldawë return from Lindon to
Rivendell after several years." The tale comes after "Loa" and
before "It Takes Two...".
[4:13 PM]
Feel free to make comments here to let Eonwe know how it hit you. :
)
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 4:17 PM
Aiya all from my cosy sunbarge
Varda — Yesterday at 4:17 PM
Aiya Arien! heheh
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 4:17 PM
Aiya Arien!
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:18 PM
Aiya!
Over here you're already below the earth.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:18 PM
Heya Arien.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:18 PM
She's flying high here!
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 4:18 PM
I am on my mobile si excuse my typing
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:19 PM
gasp but how can that be? Unless... the earth is not flat??
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 4:19 PM
/rofl
Varda — Yesterday at 4:19 PM
It's...not?
[4:20 PM]
Hmm - kind of ball-shaped.
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 4:20 PM
Sorry to disappoint
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:20 PM
Either the world isn't flat, or you're actually talking to me from
about 7 hours in the past or so. Which option is more interesting?
Varda — Yesterday at 4:20 PM
Oh no, much prettier, great lighting effects.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:20 PM
Smoke and mirrors?
Varda — Yesterday at 4:21 PM
It's still Sunday Aug 13 here, 4:20 PM locally, 5:20 PM Valar Time.
Reason we need a group time or we'd be so lost!
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:21 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-ennC_wikw
YouTube
Überclips
"Welcome to the world of tomorrow!" (Futurama)
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 4:21 PM
22.21 here
Varda — Yesterday at 4:22 PM
Time, all inside a ball to look into, thus no problem poking into it
from outside. Oops,seem to be inside. Valarite problem.
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 4:23 PM
Today is the tomorrow of all our yesterdays
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 4:23 PM
It is Tango time here....I think I will go dancing on that note.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:23 PM
Only the most recent one, Arien. It's the day after tomorrow for the
yesterday before that.
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 4:23 PM
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death...
Varda — Yesterday at 4:24 PM
Dance in joy!
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 4:24 PM
Details.
..
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:24 PM
All we are is dust in the wind ♪
Varda — Yesterday at 4:24 PM
Dust to dust, fea to Fea
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:25 PM
All your money won't another minute buy... unless it's for health
insurance... and hygienic living...
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 4:25 PM
The answer my friend is blowing in the wind
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:25 PM
Or just, food...
Varda — Yesterday at 4:25 PM
Ok, we don't need to go to commercials
The wind? Manwe, dearest...?
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:26 PM
If you're gonna blow, do it against the wind instead. You'll absorb
more of it.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:26 PM
Every rose has it's thorn. Just like every day has its dawn. Just
like every cowboy sings a sad, sad song.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:26 PM
Just don't spit in the wind. Or tug on Superman's cape
[4:27 PM]
Ok, let's move on to
top
Gaming!
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:27 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-eXUtoDH4g
YouTube
1 name left (you took the rest)
Bill and Ted - Poison Every Rose has a thorn
Varda — Yesterday at 4:27 PM
Eonwe, would you like this shiny, cheerful gavel for a bit?
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:27 PM
Sure.
[4:28 PM]
Lord of the Rings Online:
A warning to anyone with sturdy steel keys or with Steel-bound
lootboxes: They're no longer going to be available when Update 37
goes live. The Lotro Team is advising to use them up before then.
You can read the Announcement on the LotRO Forums, but there's not
much more info to be had than that. ---
https://forums.lotro.com/index.php?threads/sturdy-steel-keys-being-deprecated-in-update-37.2390/
World of Warcraft:
This week's bonus events: World Quests.
The PvP Brawl: Packed House is going through Tuesday, August 15th.
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 4:28 PM
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=i+ride+an+old+paint+lyrics#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:184998e2,vid:jkVkH-F6fV8
🔎 i ride an old paint lyrics - Google Search
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SinOJQT5J4g
Woody Guthrie sings "I Ride an Old Paint".
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:29 PM
With Classic Hardcore realms going live August 24th, check out these
blogs: ---
https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23991792/classic-hardcore-realms-go-live-august-24
World of Warcraft
Classic Hardcore Realms Go Live August 24 - WoW
Face Azeroth’s dangers in WoW Classic’s Hardcore
realms and see just how far you can go.
You only have one life to live, and the Spirit
Healers won’t be there to send you back out into the world of the
living when you die.
Death is permanent, and once you’ve been bested
by the environment (or even other players), you’ll need to dust
yourself off...
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 4:29 PM
that one is for Eonwe...
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:29 PM
Facing Mortality – What Lies Beyond Death in Classic Hardcore ---
https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23988664/facing-mortality-what-lies-beyond-death-in-classic-hardcore
World of Warcraft
Facing Mortality – What Lies Beyond Death in
Classic Hardcore - WoW
Death isn't necessarily the end for Classic
Hardcore characters. Learn about your choices and how to make the
most of your Hardcore experience.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:29 PM
: )
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:29 PM
Adventures in Classic Hardcore: What’s Playing ---
https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23988663/adventures-in-classic-hardcore-whats-playing
World of Warcraft
Adventures in Classic Hardcore: What’s Playing -
WoW
Classic Hardcore is upon us August 24. Get a
quick refresher on the content available, the special considerations
for Hardcore and be ready for your ticket into a new adventure!
[4:29 PM]
Get In and Get Going: Classic Hardcore ---
https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23988130/get-in-and-get-going-classic-hardcore
World of Warcraft
Get In and Get Going: Classic Hardcore - WoW
Whether new to World of Warcraft or returning,
we'll help you prepare to take on the challenges ahead, but
surviving them all depends on you.
Check out This Week in WoW. ---
https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23985785/this-week-in-wow-august-7-2023
World of Warcraft
This Week in WoW: August 7, 2023 - WoW
Each week we’ll look ahead to what’s in store for
World of Warcraft, share the latest news, and keep you in the know
byte by byte.
Get ready for the next Dragonflight content
update, Fury Incarnate, when it goes live the week of September 5.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:29 PM
(Hardcore when we played it meant we deleted the character after it
died.)
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:29 PM
(Now it'll stay dead for you.)
[4:30 PM]
Check out Blues News. ---
https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23988135/blues-news-august-11-2023
World of Warcraft
Blues News: August 11, 2023 - WoW
Stay up to date with World of Warcraft when you
join us each week as we round up some of the latest top blue posts
and discussions.
[4:30 PM]
Check out this week's hotfixes. ---
https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23973739/hotfixes-august-10-2023
World of Warcraft
Hotfixes: August 10, 2023 - 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.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:30 PM
You can still delete it.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:30 PM
Or you can sit there like one of the Houseless: wish you could do
something in the world and never be able to.
Overwatch 2:
Overwatch 2: Invasion is going, and there's a new support hero named
Illari. ---
https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23989473/overwatch-2-invasion-is-here-with-new-adventures-a-new-hero-and-new-ways-to-play/
Overwatch
Overwatch 2: Invasion is here with new
adventures, a new hero, and ...
It’s Overwatch 2’s biggest update yet,
introducing new hero Illari, the Flashpoint PvP game mode, and the
start of our all-new Invasion Story Missions!
[4:31 PM]
Diablo 4:
Patch 1.1.2 will be out August 15th. ---
https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/diablo4/23964909/diablo-iv-patch-notes
Diablo IV Patch Notes
We will continually update this article with all
patches the development team implements for Diablo IV.
A new short story is out: "Teeth of the Plague". ---
https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/diablo4/23987085/diablo-iv-short-story-teeth-of-the-plague-by-z-brewer
Diablo IV Short Story: “Teeth of the Plague” by Z
Brewer
Join Tejal, a scribe of the sacred Hedaji, as she
recounts a tale from Sanctuary in a new short story set during the
events of Diablo IV.
Diablo 3:
The PTR for patch 2.7.6 is coming August 15th, but currently the
link to the announcement doesn't work. When it does, I'll put one
up.
Diablo Immortal:
Check out the latest bug fixes. ---
https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/diablo-immortal/23826549/diablo-immortal-bug-fixes-and-patch-notes-for-all-platforms
Diablo Immortal Bug Fixes and Patch Notes for All
Platforms
We will continually update this blog with all bug
fixes and patches the team implements for Diablo Immortal on all
platforms.
[4:32 PM]
Hearthstone:
Patch 27.0.3 is out. ---
https://hearthstone.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23987541/27-0-3-patch-notes
27.0.3 Patch Notes
Patch 27.0.3 includes balance changes to
Standard.
[4:33 PM]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz6OGVCdov8
YouTube
nikchi
The Song that Never Ends
Except my Gaming News does in fact end, and it has right now, until
next week.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:33 PM
: )
[4:34 PM]
Addendum to
LotRO:
Landroval kin branch, RP-encouraged regular server:
Bregalad/Quickbeam
Dis
Fangorn/Treebeard
Nar
Pengolodh
Varda
Crickhollow kin branch, regular server:
Eonwe
Fangorn
Varda
Treebeard kin branch, legacy VIP-only slow-leveling with slider
difficulty server:
Varda
Starcraft 2 players still actively bashing things and running
out of minerals. : )
[4:36 PM]
Any other gaming news? Requests? Suggestions?
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:36 PM
One of those puppets looked so familiar.. and then I remembered the
The Nanny episode with Lambchop.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:37 PM
Lambchop, familiar. : ) One of the cuter muppet looks. [Note: not a
muppet but a hand puppet.]
[4:38 PM]
Elvish music with no ending!
Any need of stuff in the kin chest (which server) or invites
(available now)?
Other?
Don't forget to use up your old sturdy steel keys. : ) Maybe
get something nice.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:39 PM
I thought there was but I can't remember it now, so I guess it must
not have been that important.
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 4:39 PM
The REAL Lampschop!
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/98425690877104128/1140399368785109054/Untitled.jpg
Varda — Yesterday at 4:40 PM
Or it was extremely important and you'll go oops! later.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:40 PM
hehe
Varda — Yesterday at 4:40 PM
Like trying to remember the Tolkien topic we may think of earlier in
the week.
[4:40 PM]
Speaking of...
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:40 PM
Aye, who hasn't forgotten half a dozen of those, heh.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:40 PM
At least, hehe
[4:41 PM]
On to
top
Tolkien!
[4:41 PM]
For no good reason, earlier thought of this one:
Saruman took over the Shire with the
Ruffians. But his idea of power wasn't to show he could give
everyone the way to a better life, but that he would wreck all their
lives in his petty hatred and revenge. Was this uncommon in those
attempting to gain total power? Did it depend on who it was?
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 4:41 PM
Before have to set finally
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:41 PM
I'll give https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNDrMU8-vjo
then for Lambchop
YouTube
The Nanny
Fran Meets Lamb Chop | The Nanny
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:43 PM
Not that I've watched much of that, but my favorite scene of what I
have seen is when she eats wasabi.
On topic: Yes and no?
Varda — Yesterday at 4:44 PM
Wasabi - grabs a glass of milk just in remembrance
Made the mistake of trying a wee dab to find out the taste.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:44 PM
Taking power only to destroy what you have is... well, usually not
the starting ambition, since it also means destroying your own
power.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:44 PM
I've been developing a taste/tolerance for it myself.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:44 PM
It would have been the inevitable result if Morgoth had won, though,
since he would never have been satisfied.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:44 PM
Morgoth, the Nihilist. His influence ran through the whole planet.
[4:45 PM]
Just don't wasabi by itself. ; )
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:45 PM
Morgoth was already all about destroying anything that wasn't
completely his.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:45 PM
And nothing could be.
Not even himself.
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 4:46 PM
Wasabi and pickled ginger...the best part of sushi.
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 4:46 PM
Not really Varda wreckage for wreckage sake with a bit of extra
profit and a pointing out "you are only rubbish slaves and I am in
command" not to mention a bit of extra gold
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:47 PM
Saruman by then had long lost the trappings of anything resembling a
desire to order things "for the betterment of Man". When his plans
were foiled, rather than the wisdom of repentance he fell further to
pettiness. "If I can't have what I want neither can you." Which,
again, ultimately would be where Morgoth would fall if he did have
control over everything, finding that since everything came from Eru
he ultimately couldn't win so he'd be all about doing the most
damage he could.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:48 PM
Arien, aye, that is more common.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:53 PM
What was Sauron's intent? He was in control of much of Middle-Earth
for millennia, but didn't seem to be actively destroying what he
had.
Perhaps it just hadn't served his goals yet.
[4:54 PM]
And Smaug was more about ownership and collection of treasure than
destruction, as well, until they made him angry.
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 4:54 PM
It started with turning out gaffer Gamgee and then tearing down the
old windmill
Varda — Yesterday at 4:56 PM
Sauron wanted control. What would the world be like if he had his
wish? We were told.
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 4:58 PM
I think that the clue is in what Gandalf said when Frodo freely
offered him the Ring. "Yet the way of the Ring to my heart is
by pity, pithy for weakness and the desire of strength to do good."
I think that Saruman, a Maia, originally had only the best
intentions regarding his role in Middle-earth, but he fell, like
Denethor, into the quagmire of hubris.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:58 PM
Sauron, at least at the beginning, convinced himself he was the best
person to be running things for everyone's betterment. That was
nominally his goal at his start. If you think you're the smartest
person in the room, and that no one could possibly be as smart as
you, the only people on your level abandoned everyone long ago, and
that because you were superior it was your duty to tell everyone
else how to live their lives, it's easy to see how that devolves
into "end justifies the means" and "you people just don't get it so
you must be dispatched" and finally "I deserve to rule and you
people are impeding what is mine by right." (edited)
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:59 PM
Perhaps there's another angle to what Saruman did... with Sauron
dispatched, Aragorn crowned, and the free peoples united, he knew
his dominion of the Shire would never be able to last very long.
[5:00 PM]
So he only had the short term in mind.
Do as much damage as you can on the way out.
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 5:00 PM
He was pretty corrupted by then....unable to accept Gandalf's last
offer of redemption.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:01 PM
Aye, he just wanted to destroy the idyllic life of those who
destroyed his plans, then he would be on his way to try and stir
something up elsewhere.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:01 PM
Indeed. He never planned to be the "boss" for very long.
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 5:02 PM
Where would he have gone next I wonder?
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:02 PM
I'm not sure even he had planned that far ahead
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:02 PM
His two mistakes: 1.) mistreating Wormtongue so bad then keeping him
around; 2.) Sticking around long enough to gloat in the Hobbits'
faces. (edited)
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 5:03 PM
I for one know where I am going right now .
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:03 PM
And yet if it wasn't for point 1, Frodo would have let him go
anyway.
Not that he expected that.
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 5:05 PM
Namarie from me
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:05 PM
Sleep well Arien.
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 5:05 PM
Namarie Arien! Sei gesund!
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:05 PM
Namarie!
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:05 PM
For the record: I haven't just been writing Auros stories, I have
also been considering the RP, so don't think I've left off one for
the other.
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 5:06 PM
Your writing is outstanding. An inspiration for those of us with
lesser ability.
While you are here, Eonwe...you wrote this much earlier in our
conversation today: Every rose has it's thorn. Just like every day
has its dawn. Just like every cowboy sings a sad, sad song.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:08 PM
It's a quote from a song by Poison, and also quoted by Bill, Ted,
and Death in Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey. Although I think I made a
slight error in the quote.
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 5:10 PM
Made me think of the beautiful old American cowboy song, " I Ride an
Old Paint," so I gave the link to a good version of the original sad
song. Here is another one that I guarantee you is well worth
listening to....What Aaron Copland did with "I Ride an Old Paint."
HE called it "saturday Night Waltz," from "Rodeo." The trouble is, a
waltz is in 3/4 time. It sort of is a waltz, but Copland turned it
inside out and upside down. Just try beating out 1-2-3 to Copland's
"waltz." Can't do it. He syncopated the timing, so the effect is
utterly ethereal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu_Q9ijKx8c&ab_channel=beac82
YouTube
beac82
Aaron Copland: 4 Dance Episodes from "Rodeo" -
III. Saturday Night ...
[5:11 PM]
This is the New York Philharmonic, Leondard Bernstein, conductor.
[5:12 PM]
Looks like a scene from anywhere on the Great Plains.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:12 PM
The despotic ruler types have to remove the free will of others to
make only the despot's will happen. Watching them all, keeping them
afraid so they obey.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:12 PM
Yep.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:12 PM
Even the orcs want to leave and make their own bands of bandits, but
fear to do so.
To fear to choose.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:12 PM
Too afraid to make others afraid.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:14 PM
Prevention of choice.
Let's not make a dark queen, warns Galadriel.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:15 PM
But what if someone wants that? How dare Galadriel refuse!
Sorry.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:15 PM
Heh, you're taking away the freedom of will of those who want a dark
queen?
Varda — Yesterday at 5:17 PM
No need to choose, to think. Yep, the "easy" way til they learn the
result.
Well, let's see, who wanted a despot? It did happen.
[5:18 PM]
Monarchy was the normal structure, and evil folk could twist it to
go from aiding their people to forcing the people to give them
everything.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:18 PM
I don't want control, I want to let go ♪
Varda — Yesterday at 5:19 PM
How about that one? Who wanted total anarchy? Help me out here.
Orcs even talked about being in bands, not alone. Any others you can
think of?
The Nine had a group, even.
[5:22 PM]
I think Tolkien was working more with the group/ fellowship theme.
The Fellowship had an amazing amount of choice given to them.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:22 PM
Even when the fellowship split up, they still stayed in groups.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:22 PM
Even in the Shire there was some basic governmental structure,
though most day-to-day affairs were handled by the people
themselves.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:22 PM
You don't have to go all the way with Frodo, you can stop at the
mountains, go to Minas Tirith.
[5:23 PM]
Aye, they worked together as a farming community with minimal and
mostly ceremonial government, that even helped more as symbols of
their unity in their way of life.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:24 PM
They still had a police force, though didn't seem to need it much.
Must be nice.
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 5:25 PM
They were all holders of cards from The International Order of
Bounders and Gatekeepers.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:25 PM
: )
[5:25 PM]
They cared about the good opinion of their neighbors.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:26 PM
Of course, otherwise they wouldn't be able to go to so many parties
Varda — Yesterday at 5:26 PM
They needed each other to make their crops, to mill them, to trade
them.
Party!
And the gavels are muttering on the shelf that they want to come
on out.
[5:27 PM]
the hammerpad spins impatiently
the gavels head out of the shelf in a Conga dance
Wait. Is the hammerpad joining the Conga dance?
Hey! come back here!
Um, well, there they went, dancing off with the sunset.
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After-meeting!
[5:28 PM]
Free chat. : )
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:29 PM
Arien's got followers?
Varda — Yesterday at 5:29 PM
Apparently. : )
[5:30 PM]
Sauron was not just into overt control, but into subtle, to bring
new folk in.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:31 PM
"We've got dental insurance..."
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:33 PM
It starts subtle, until subtle no longer works.
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 5:34 PM
Beware of Wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:34 PM
And before you know it, it's all "See that land you're not supposed
to go? Why don't you go there?"
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 5:35 PM
Like Eve taking a bite out of the forbidden fruit.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:38 PM
But when they have something they look forward to that includes
Fellowship, they are happier beings.
Able to trust their fellows.
Able to go forward.
Able to be worthy of Eru outside the circle of the world.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:39 PM
I was actually thinking about Adam and Eve today, and how that
would've been a problem with genetic diversity, and how actual
Adam/Eve pairs for animal species must have been really rare,
because evolution and speciation revolves around communities more
than single pairs... and yet there was mitochondrial Eve, who I
suppose must've had a lot of lovers.
...But ignore that tangent
Varda — Yesterday at 5:39 PM
Start with perfect genetics. Takes time to mutate.
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 5:39 PM
But going off an a tangent is the surest way to wisdom, so said a
wise man.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:40 PM
Probably agouti types with multiple possibilities.
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 5:40 PM
He also said "It is smarter to be lucky, and it's lucky to be
smart."
Varda — Yesterday at 5:40 PM
hehe
[5:41 PM]
We are in After-meeting, so we don't have to stick to any particular
subject. : )
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:42 PM
But without mutation, all descendants of Adam and Eve for the first
few generations must have shared the same genes.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:44 PM
Don't make me get out one of the X-men movie intro/exit speeches,
heh.
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 5:44 PM
But we basically still do, do we not? Even further back, a human's
DNA is close to about 98% shared DNA with a Bonobo Chimp,,,who, by
the way, are also guilty of neoteny...
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:46 PM
I suppose so. And yet if you look at all our different skin, hair,
eye colors, facial features, genetic defects...
[5:47 PM]
Those could not have all originated in 2 people
...actually, wasn't Eve basically a female clone of Adam anyway?
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 5:47 PM
Other than genetic defects, the differences are only skin deep.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:47 PM
1 person
Yes, but still based in genetics.
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 5:48 PM
And if you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you in Broeklyn...
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:48 PM
We're all just part of one big MMO.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:48 PM
That skin, hair, eye etc are genetic?
[5:51 PM]
All I'm saying, the first few generations after A/E, biblically,
must've looked quite similar
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:52 PM
Well, brothers today can look similar without being identical.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:52 PM
Yes, but they can carry genes from multiple generations back.
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 5:52 PM
As can sisters, as well...
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:53 PM
For some reason my brother and I when we were younger were asked if
we were twins alot, and we were nowhere near identical.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:53 PM
Agouti types carry a ton of potential different appearances within.
Mutations may allow these by stopping or pushing a hidden trait.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:54 PM
Anyway, I must be off real soon, but I want to leave you all with
the best proverb I've heard this week.
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 5:54 PM
Please do!
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:54 PM
"A closed mouth gathers no feet."
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:54 PM
Hah!
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 5:55 PM
I would say how true, but I don't want to say too much...better to
keep my mouth closed! he he
Varda — Yesterday at 5:55 PM
Good quote, Eonwe. : )
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:56 PM
Take care all, good night, sleep well, enjoy the story, and enjoy
the wisdom.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:56 PM
Namarie!
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 5:57 PM
Namarie!
[5:59 PM]
I too shall bid a fond (temporary) adieu, as I am tired....gained an
hour coming back from Lincoln. I am tired, and need to get a few
food items for the wek ahead...be back later. Bis später! Namarie!
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:59 PM
Namarie! Will give report later.
Varda — Yesterday at 6:03 PM
Namarie : )
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 7:42 PM
Hallo!
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Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 8:34 PM
Hi!
[8:34 PM]
Personal gaming report!
[8:37 PM]
For (non)flashgaming, https://www.kongregate.com/games/eddynardo/hasty-shaman
is a puzzle platformer, part of a series. In this installment, your
character is a shaman, with the ability to phase through the ground,
in order to collect all the chests in each level. But watch out for
fire and spikes, and a few new mechanics as you go through the 15
levels
Kongregate
Hasty Shaman
You asked for it so here it is, another game in
the series. Hope you#39ll enjoy it.
Simple platformer about a Shaman that hastes his
way through the ground.
Cr...
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 8:48 PM
Blizzard gaming:
[8:50 PM]
Hearthstone:
Gotten into the new reward track for the Titans expansion, up to
level 30 so far. Bunch of gold, new cards, and the Sargeras Card
Back as rewards.
[8:51 PM]
There's a quest event going with the launch of the expansion, going
up to 4000 xp, which is quite a lot. And since I already missed the
first few days, I've had to quest quite a bit every day, completing
the questline and a daily quest each day.
[8:52 PM]
Currently I'm about 500 xp short, but should get there since I now
get 2 daily quests after completing the main quest series, and
there's still 8 days left.
Noticed a new class skin up for 1000 gold in the shop, so I got
that Righteous Inferno Uther, sort of a hellish paladin skin.
[8:54 PM]
Brawl at the start of the week was Titan recipes, with class decks
based on Titan cards and combos. Some classes are better than
others, but I didn't try all of them. I will say that for playing
Forged cards for daily quests, warrior was pretty useful, since it
had several in the deck.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 8:56 PM
Current brawl is Blessing of the Raven. Choose class, get random
deck, every minion gets one of 5 random abilities, such as poison or
charge. Much randomness!
[8:56 PM]
And I finally started opening packs! I had over 300, and figured now
was about time, since it gets annoying to craft stuff for certain
quests if I might get them from packs that are already waiting to be
opened.
[8:57 PM]
I'm opening at least 10 packs a day, so that should help with new
cards and dust.
So at this rate it'll be about a month
[8:58 PM]
And I've gotten a bunch of legendaries from them as well, including
2 of the actual Titans from the new expansion! Though for a Titan
playing quests, I found out that the rogue one doesn't count,
probably because of a wording thing.
WoW:
[8:59 PM]
Raiding continues, and we finally brought down heroic Sarkareth
tonight!
[9:00 PM]
That made us quite happy, and gave a mark of mastery for the
achievement, which can be used to buy a heroic tier piece of your
choice. Since the shoulders were the only piece I didn't have at
heroic yet, it was an easy choice.
[9:01 PM]
Also did the megadungeon again, getting the infinite scales for the
highland drake, which I think is my last of the dragonriding mounts
that was missing the scales. And I got enough crests to have a
crafted ring made, at the highest possible ilevel! As the main weak
point in my gear, very nice
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 9:03 PM
In our old-school Siege of Orgrimmar raids, my mage finally got the
last missing cloth appearance, which means I'm almost completely
done with SoO normal/heroic appearances. Next week I'll come back
with the paladin instead, as I'll go for the really rare shoulders
from the final boss, the Tusks.
[9:04 PM]
Weekly quest is world quests, but haven't really made time to unlock
those yet.
[9:05 PM]
And finally, spent the rest of the WoW time hunting dragon glyphs to
upgrade my dragonriding!
[9:06 PM]
Got all the glyphs in the main 4 zones, unlocking the entire main
line of talents, including increasing maximum vigor to 6, and
getting a lot faster generation of vigor, especially at high flying
speed. It really makes a lot of difference when traversing the
Dragon Isles, and should be very useful in the Kalimdor Cup too,
which starts in a few days
So that'll be my main project for the next week, I'm thinking!
And that's my report for the week!
[9:07 PM]
Namarie :)
Varda — Yesterday at 10:30 PM
Namarie
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