Valar Guild

October 8, 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: 
A
rien, Ar-Pharazon, Eonwe (presiding), Falco, Sandalf
Before-meeting
Meeting begins
Membership news:
    Arien's vacation is over.
    Sandalf's garden harvest ahead of the cold.
Web:

    Art by Elwing-(V)
Gaming:
    Lord of the Rings Online, World of Warcraft, Overwatch 2, Diablo 4, Diablo Immortal
Tolkien:
    Topic: The Dark Years, the Days of Flight. What do we know about those years?
After-meeting:
    (non) Flashgaming Reviews (plus) by Ar-Pharazon. Includes Blizzard games afterwards.

 
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Before-meeting

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 3:58 PM
Heya.
[3:58 PM]
@Bounder Meeting begins in 2 minutes!

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 3:58 PM
Aiya!

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:01 PM
OK, let's begin.
[4:01 PM]

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Elen Sila Lumenn Omentielvo!
[4:01 PM]

Membership:

[4:02 PM]
Varda is busy with family, so you all get me chairing today.

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:02 PM
polishes chair
[4:02 PM]
Arien poked.

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:02 PM
So everyone who is here, say Elbereth to be counted for the attendance.

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 4:03 PM
Aiya all
[4:03 PM]
Elbereth

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:03 PM
Heya Arien :}

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:04 PM
Aiya Arien!
[4:04 PM]
And Elbereth!

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:04 PM
To make it three: Elbereth :}
[4:04 PM]
Any other Membership news?

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 4:05 PM
back to work tomorrow after a few days holiday or vacation as you say

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:05 PM
Ah, good luck

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 4:06 PM
thankies ^^

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:06 PM
I'd say have fun, but it's work, so have work? :}

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 4:07 PM
hehe aye trying to dry

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:07 PM
Some say it's not a job if you love it. I say, if you love your job, get a hobby!

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 4:07 PM
and some say ger
[4:07 PM]
get a life :)

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:08 PM

Web:

[4:09 PM]
New picture for the Anniversary by Elwing:  "Valar Aniv Party Prep" --- https://valarguild.org/tolkien/encyc/art/gallery/Elwing/PartyPrepfw.jpg


Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:09 PM
Yay fireworks!
[4:10 PM]
I'm impressed by the signs.

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 4:10 PM
nice one

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:11 PM

Gaming:

[4:11 PM]
Lord of the Rings Online:
[4:11 PM]
Update 37.2.1 came out this week. --- https://www.lotro.com/update-notes/update-37-2-1-release-notes-en
The Lord of the Rings Online
Update 37.2.1 Release Notes
Here are the release notes for Update 37.2.1, released on Wednesday, October 11th, 2023.

[4:11 PM]
Harvestmath is going through November 1st.
[4:12 PM]

World of Warcraft:
[4:12 PM]
This week's bonus events: Dragonflight Dungeons and Legion Timewalking.

The PvP Brawl Temple of Hotmogu will be available until Tuesday, October 17th.
[4:12 PM]
Fall of the Lich King is now available in Wrath of the Lich King Classic. --- https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24013830/wrath-of-the-lich-king-classic-fall-of-the-lich-king-is-now-live
World of Warcraft
Wrath of the Lich King Classic: Fall of the Lich King is Now Live! ...
With the Fall of the Lich King content Update, Wrath of the Lich King Classic players can engage in three new dungeons, join in the adventure in the Random Dungeon Finder, and much more.

[4:12 PM]
Check out This Week in WoW. --- https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24013831/this-week-in-wow-october-9-2023
World of Warcraft
This Week in WoW: October 9, 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. This week hearkens the Fall of the Lich King content update and a return to Icecrown Citadel to take on the Lich King in his seat of power in Wrath of the Lich King Classic.


Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:12 PM
Also a few more days of EK Dragonriding Cup!

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:13 PM
Check out Blues News. --- https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24017015/blues-news-october-13-2023
World of Warcraft
Blues News: October 13, 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.

[4:13 PM]
Check out this week's hotfixes. --- https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23985151/hotfixes-october-13-2023
World of Warcraft
Hotfixes: October 13, 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.

[4:13 PM]
Overwatch 2:
[4:13 PM]
Halloween Terror 2023 is now going. --- https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23985158/fight-in-the-trials-of-sanctuary-now-live-with-halloween-terror-2023/
Overwatch
Fight in the Trials of Sanctuary – Now Live with Halloween Terror 2...
An epic battle against Inarius Pharah and Lilith Moira will determine the fate of Sanctuary in Blizzard’s first-ever crossover game mode!

[4:13 PM]
Diablo 4:
[4:14 PM]
The next patch comes out October 17th. --- 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.

[4:14 PM]
See what's coming in the new season. --- https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/diablo4/24014289/master-your-power-in-season-of-blood
Master your Power in Season of Blood
Join class designer Adam Jackson as he breathes life into the changes that rework core gameplay systems in Diablo IV.

[4:14 PM]
Diablo Immortal:
[4:14 PM]
Hallow's Wake is going October 18th through November 2nd. --- https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/diablo-immortal/24014290/survive-sinister-haunts-in-hallow-s-wake
Survive Sinister Haunts in Hallow’s Wake
Your life melds with the afterlife during the Hallow’s Wake holiday event. Scare your way through Sanctuary in a new ghastly event and try out updates to your favorite features.

[4:15 PM]
Any other gaming news?

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:16 PM
Hallow's End also starting in WoW next week.

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:16 PM
Aye, get ready for the endless runs of the Headless Horseman... unless you already got the mount like me :}

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:17 PM
Or me, but there's supposed to be new stuff from him as well.

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:20 PM
Ok, so I guess we're on to...
[4:20 PM]

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Tolkien:

[4:20 PM]
Any topics, or do you want to spin the Wheel of Tolkien? :}

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:21 PM
Wheel of Tolkien, turn, turn turn...
[4:22 PM]
Tell us the topic we should learn!

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:22 PM
Exactly :}
[4:23 PM]
For those who don't get it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJkPJ806h9I
YouTube
Top Clips
Animaniacs - Wheel of Morality

[4:23 PM]
Spins the Wheel of Tolkien.

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 4:24 PM
Aiya all! Sorry  I am late. It is a BEAUTIFUL day today...after many overnights below freezing. Had to pull in some of the remaining veggies. The garlic smells so good!

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:25 PM
Aiya!

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:25 PM
Heya Sandalf.

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 4:27 PM
Is Arien still onboard?

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:28 PM
Checks passenger list. I don't see she's disembarked.

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 4:28 PM
Thanks, Steward Eonwe.
[4:28 PM]
Better than jumping overboard, right?

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 4:28 PM
still lurking in the shadows

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:29 PM
Hiding in the engine room.
[4:29 PM]
How there ever manage to be shadows around her, I don't know?

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 4:29 PM
must be sauron trying to creep up from behind

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:30 PM
Ok, so today's Tolkien Topic is: The Dark Years, the Days of Flight. What do we know about those years?

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:31 PM
Is that the Second Age?

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 4:31 PM
nothing
[4:31 PM]
never heard that name

Falco — 10/15/2023 4:32 PM
Aiya

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 4:33 PM
Does it refer to the days of darkness following the destruction of the Two Trees, and the flight of the Noldor during those dark days?
[4:33 PM]
Aoiya Falco.

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:33 PM
Oh, that could be it.

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:33 PM
"Thus the Black Years began, which the Elves call the Days of Flight. In that time many of the Elves of Middle-Earth fled to Lindon and thence over the seas never to return; and many were destroyed by Sauron and his servants."
Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:33 PM
Ah, must be the Second Age.
[4:33 PM]
Dunno, that age seemed pretty golden to me!

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:35 PM
This is after Eregion is laid waste in the Second Age, after the forging of the Ruling Ring. Sauron gathers as many of the Rings of Power as he can and draws to himself everything he could that once served Morgoth.

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 4:36 PM
ah yes i remember now .. it is the age that Sauron came to Numenor

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 4:36 PM
Ah. Elrond established Rivendell at that time as a refuge and fortress for the Elves.

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:36 PM
"and he gathered again under his government all the evil things of the days of Morgoth that remained on the earth or beneath it, and the Orcs were at his command and multiplied like flies."
Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:37 PM
Someone should sail over there and talk to that guy.

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 4:37 PM
Tolkien never talks about the mating practices of the Orcs, or exactly how they do, in fact, breed like flies.

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 4:38 PM
he sais that they multiply in the ways of the elves

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:38 PM
The One Ring was forged c. SA1600.

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 4:38 PM
would you like to write some xrated fan - fiction sandalf :)?

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 4:38 PM
They are supposed to have been made by Morgoth from Elves that he captured, tortured, and then corrupted. There is no mention of female Orcs in the Legendarium that I am aware of.

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:38 PM
Let's not, Arien.

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:38 PM
(it's the beards)

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 4:39 PM
sorry Eonwe ^^

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 4:39 PM
I do not think I would be very good at it.

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:40 PM
"Certain species of fly, locusts, and chickens actually have the ability to switch between sexual reproduction and parthenogenesis."

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:40 PM
Morgoth would've had to have captured both men and women of Elves, and later of Men, to breed orcs. There may have also been spirits under his service who took physical form in the early process.

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:40 PM
There you go. If there's no orc females and they breed like flies, it means they reproduce asexually!
[4:41 PM]
Personally I like how Saruman grew them in mud in the  movie

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:41 PM
I think it more likely that neither Morgoth nor Sauron particularly cared about the niceties of relationships. No flowers, no chocolates, no nice music. When you see your servants as little more than animals, it's easy to overlook alot.

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 4:43 PM
yeah mud creatures with bones in them alas .. more speculation whether he killed prisoners first as sacrifices and created his orcs necreomantic with "animnatiing mud*

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:44 PM
Isn't there some sort of religious principle that says we're made out of clay?

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:44 PM
Low-tech Borg maturation chamber?

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 4:44 PM
dust phari dust

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:44 PM
Hmm, but clay as well.

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 4:44 PM
welll clay is wet dust
[4:45 PM]
sort of anyway

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 4:45 PM
I found it!
[4:45 PM]
There it is...I knew I saw it somewhere.
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/98425690877104128/1163231308420501614/3f437e17ca33412d053b6902bed12c73.jpg
[4:46 PM]
"From dust to dust...." recited at many burial services.

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:46 PM
I'm sure there's differentmythological/religious accounts. Everything solid can be broken down to "dust" in some form.

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:47 PM
Erosion.

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 4:47 PM
A better term would be "weathering."

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:47 PM
Erosion is the removal?

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 4:47 PM
Erosion is the process of transporting weathered materials from a source area to an environment of deposition, usually the ocean.

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:48 PM
Right.
[4:48 PM]
Been a while :)

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 4:48 PM
Good thing you know a geologist, then.

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:48 PM
hehe

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:49 PM
Back to the topic: The War of the Elves and Sauron begins in SA1693, but Sauron doesn't invade Eriador until 1695 and lays waste to Eregion in 1697. Two years later (1697) and he's overrun Eriador. So approx. nine years from the forging of the One Ring to control of Eriador.

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 4:49 PM
Wow, What a guy, What a Ring.

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:50 PM
And he's driven out of Eriador 2 years later (1701) so he doesn't hold it for long thanks to the Numenoreans.

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:50 PM
Still a nasty 2 years.

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 4:50 PM
They were still largely good in those days...

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:50 PM
Or 4 years.

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:51 PM
Then it says "the Westlands have peace for a long while." One would think that's the end of the "Days of Flight" but it doesn't actually give us an end date.

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:52 PM
We're so used to wars and histories lasting centuries or millennia, that we forget that 2-4 years of occupation is actually quite realistic between larger powers.

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 4:52 PM
yeah they took Sauron as prosoner back to Numenor after defeating him in Eriador  and he worked on them from there

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:53 PM
Other places suggest the Dark Years go on until the end of the Second Age.

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:53 PM
Even while Sauron is not there. Who'd be in charge? The Nazgul?

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:53 PM
The Witch-King is a likely candidate.

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 4:54 PM
A former Numenorean, it is to be noted.
[4:54 PM]
A Black Numenorean, to be precise.

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:54 PM
Good lad.

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 4:54 PM
In terms of following the black arts, of course.

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 4:55 PM
https://valarguild.org/tolkien/encyc/fiction/authors/Arien/stories/BondsWithoutHope.htm  I think that would count as a second age tale
Bonds Without Hope
Fiction set in the Second Age. Woodman captured by a Numenorean patrol.
[4:56 PM]
That is a story which i wrote a few years ago

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:56 PM
Reading up a bit... I think driving him out of Eriador must've been about a thousands years before we took the guy to Numenor.

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 4:57 PM
The Nazgul first about around SA2251, so about 500 years after Sauron is driven from Eriador.
[4:58 PM]
If the Witch-King is a Black Numenorean, it would be less than 400 years since the Shadow fell on Numenor (c. SA 1800).
[4:58 PM]
So he probably wasn't a terribly noble guy, or terribly reserved in his use of his Ring.

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 4:59 PM
Could be noble, in the sense of high bloodline

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 4:59 PM
Black Numenorean because he was a Numenorean in the Black years
[5:00 PM]
who settled in Middlearth in thew black years

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 5:00 PM
Because he was a Numenorean who served Sauron.

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 5:00 PM
of course .. sorry mind getting a bit foggy at this hour
[5:01 PM]
brain i mean :)

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 5:01 PM
Mist on the brain.

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 5:02 PM
brain fog?

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 5:03 PM
aye sort of .. i guess you could call it sleepyness or drowsyness or tiredness

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 5:03 PM
Like fog, it evaporates in the brilliance of Arien.

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 5:03 PM
:)

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 5:03 PM
Of the Mouth of Sauron:
"But it is told that he was a renegade, who came of the race of those that are named Black Numenoreans; for they established their dwellings in Middle-earth during the years of Sauron's domination, and they worshipped him, being enamoured of evil knowledge."
Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 5:04 PM
Like those shadows she's hiding in.

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 5:04 PM
I recall reading somewhere that some of the Black Numenoreans were so corrupted, that they practiced child sacrafice in an attempt to extend their own lives. HAs anyone else heard of this?

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 5:05 PM
i think i read that somewhere
[5:05 PM]
but i forgot where

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 5:05 PM
Me too...hence the question. Brain fog?

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 5:05 PM
It wouldn't surprise me, that something like that was somewhere in the legendarium.

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 5:05 PM
Maybe just dementia in my case.

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 5:06 PM
never

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 5:06 PM
So... children, because they take the shortest time to make or because they have the most life to steal from?
[5:06 PM]
Either way, sounds efficient.

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 5:07 PM
Sacrifice the next generation for the comfort of the present. "I can always make more."

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 5:07 PM
Yep, sounds about right. Maybe "comfort" isn't the right word, but I do know there are animals that will eat their young if needed to survive.
[5:07 PM]
Better just the mom lives to make new ones, than for both to die.

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 5:09 PM
Well for these Numenoreans we're talking about trying to eek out a few more years to enjoy their wordly pleasures longer (and avoiding going out into the "Great Dark" to the master they worshipped) by taking decades, maybe centuries of life from a child. I think "comfort" sounds right in that scenario.
[5:10 PM]
Of course, there was no was that would actually work, so they'd have done it all in vain.

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 5:11 PM
we have a figure in our role play in wow that tells her followers to bear children either to be sacrificed i. e. as child sacrifice or to live as servants in the cult (with the same target to achieve immortality of course ) . shudders but i wonder whether thats really the idea behind it other than appeasing a deity

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 5:11 PM
If it works, it's still efficient. 9 months to make, 80 years of life extension. Of course it might be more efficient to just let them live their lives, but you know.

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 5:11 PM
Even the Rings of Power didn't grant or confer more life, they merely took what you had and kept stretching until every moment was a long weariness.

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 5:12 PM
Hmm, speaking of, that picture linked above reminded me of what Gollum waas turning into.

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 5:12 PM
The whole idea is so abhorrent to me, that I shudder to think of the practice. I apologize for even bringing it up.

@Ar-Pharazon-V
If it works, it's still efficient. 9 months to make, 80 years of life extension. Of course it might be more efficient to just let them live their lives, but you know.
Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 5:12 PM
Even if it somehow worked, to quote Chris Rock: "Just because you can do a thing doesn't mean it's to be done."

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 5:13 PM
True enough!

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 5:14 PM
No worries Sandalf it is abhorrent to me as well but we know it was practised in some religions it is a historic fact .. we know its as wrong as can be

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 5:15 PM
Anyway, my time has come and so I must bang the gavel here.
[5:15 PM]
Raises gavel way up into the air.

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 5:15 PM
Don't bang it too hard! IT might break!

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 5:15 PM
I was wondering if there was an evolutionary advantage... but probably better to reproduce to manifest multiple mutations.

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 5:15 PM
Not my gavel :}
[5:16 PM]
bang
[5:16 PM]

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Aftermeeting:

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 5:16 PM
I heard that even here....

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 5:16 PM
thank you Eonwe for such an interesting if somewhat dark discussion  but that was in the question ^^

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 5:16 PM
you shoot me down
[5:18 PM]
I hit the ground

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 5:19 PM
Oh no!

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 5:20 PM
Eonwe shot me dooooown ♪

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 5:20 PM
to bring a bit light back oand finish on lighte note
[5:20 PM]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrKZNqIR2U0
YouTube
TheJacksonsVEVO
The Jacksons - Can You Feel It


Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 5:21 PM
Namarie until later, when I return to read Ar's weekly report. Have a wonderful week, all of you! Sei gesund!

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 5:21 PM
Namarie!

Arien  Valar — 10/15/2023 5:21 PM
Namarie

Eonwë Valar — 10/15/2023 5:24 PM
I'm off now. Take care, good night, sleep well, and have fun.

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 5:24 PM
Namarie

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 5:38 PM
back later!

Sandalf13 — 10/15/2023 8:01 PM
I'm back, quoth the Terminator.

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 9:25 PM
Personal gaming report:
[9:26 PM]
For (non)flashgaming, there were actually 3 new games/badges of the day this week. Two of them are more long-term upgrade games, but the third is actually a fun turnbased strategy.
[9:28 PM]
https://www.kongregate.com/games/Embair/konkr-io is hex-grid strategy game! Take over each level/island by taking out the rival towns while making sure you don't lose all of yours. The more territory you control, the higher your income, but it has to be connected to a town. As a result, cutting through connections is a good way to cripple your enemies.
Kongregate
Konkr.io
Expand your kingdom, build up your economy, crush your enemies, then crush your allies too!

[9:31 PM]
You can create units to take territory, but the stronger the unit you make, the more upkeep they require, so keep an eye on that.. and with the way territory can change hands, it's better to spread out with basic units and place strategic defenders around, only getting higher soldiers when you need to take enemy towns or castles.

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 9:36 PM
It's a careful balance, with lots of planning and being aware of what your rivals are up to. But there's 100 levels in the campaign, and a random map generator, so a lot of challenges to overcome in what is basically a simple strategy
[9:36 PM]
So enjoy!
[9:37 PM]
Blizzard gaming:
Diablo 4:
Season 2 about to begin. Haven't done anything this week since I was mostly busy with WoW (and the 3 aforementioned kongregate games) but I did decide on creating yet another necromancer, this one blood-specced for the Season of Blood, and loosely based on https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-gb/character/eu/argent-dawn/calshanguia my blood death knight
World of Warcraft
Calshanguia - Character - WoW
Calshanguia (Argent Dawn) ❮The High Guard❯ - 24 Pandaren Blood Death Knight, 27 ilvl

[9:40 PM]
Other option was a rogue vampire hunter, but eh... I'll find another context for that one. Blood theme's hard to pass up!

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 9:46 PM
Hearthstone:
Level 93 now on the reward track. Soon!
[9:46 PM]
Also got the death knight class to 35 along the way.
[9:48 PM]
Happened to glance at the shop, where I saw 2 hero skins available for gold rather than real money, so I bought them and got free class packs that came with them. Mrrgillidan the murloc demon hunter, and Wicked Prince Kael'thas for the mage.
[9:49 PM]
Brawl is the Chess game, where you get the chess pieces from the Karazhan encounter and their special mechanics, but you also get to put 6 cards if your choice in the deck. Chose the mage class with some direct fire spells, as well as the Grim Patron which goes well with the chess mechanic, though I haven't needed it yet.
[9:50 PM]
Oh, and I opened some more packs, and got the legendary naga Commander Sivara. Not too powerful, but neat to have.
[9:50 PM]
WoW:
[9:50 PM]
Still on raidbreak. Good thing too, still busy times!
[9:52 PM]
Two weekly quests again, one for timewalking (Legion) during which I got my third Mastery of Time buff. 2 to go! The other weekly is for mythic dungeons, for which I did the 4 Dragonflight dungeons I'm most familiar with. In all, 9 dungeons this week!
[9:53 PM]
In one of them I picked up a new leatherworking recipe, Toxic Thorn Footwraps. I didn't even know these season 2 epic crafts came from dungeons, but hey, I'll take any recipe that comes my way

Ar-Pharazon-V — 10/15/2023 9:54 PM
Also, the great Gnomeregan Run was this week! As every year, I did the run with my level 10 gnome warlock. There was a trading post objective to do the run with a gnome, max level 10, with a specific pink shirt, so I was lucky she wasn't level 11 yet  I got her the shirt and off she went!
[9:54 PM]
That also got me the last trading post points I needed for this month, which meant the Eve's Ghastly Rider mount, which is a flying broom. Very good for Halloween!
[9:55 PM]
And I spent some points too, on the Lil K.T. pet, and the Imp in a Ball toy. Both came from the past, but I hadn't been able to get them, so the trading post is a good alternative.
[9:55 PM]
And finally, the EK Dragonriding Cup!
[9:56 PM]
I completed them all with my druid main, gold on the normal races and all silver on the advanced and reverse. That got me enough badges to buy the Yellow Scales, Paired Horns and Horned Brow customizations for one of the dragonriding mounts.
[9:57 PM]
I thought I needed 25 more, but it turned out the vendor also got some customizations that were also available as rare drops in some racing bags... so I went for the guaranteed purchases instead, and sent out 3 alts to collect 125 more badges instead.
[9:58 PM]
Didn't bother with the advanced and reverse on them, it was a lot faster to just do the normal races on gold for all of them, being the mage, paladin and evoker. Had to hurry too, only one day remains, and I won't have time tomorrow, but got em all done this evening
[9:59 PM]
Shark Finned Tail, Pronged Tail, Hooked Snout, Curled Back Horns and Curled Head Horns are mine!
[9:59 PM]
And that's my report for the week  Hopefully next week I'll have time for some normal progress!
[9:59 PM]
Namarie!

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