October 1, 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): ()
Discord: Arien, Ar-Pharazon, Eonwe,
Pallando, Sandalf, Shelob/Ungwetari, Varda (presiding)
Before-meeting
Meeting begins
Membership news:
The anniversary chat marathon starts with this
meeting and continues through next meeting. The anniversary is Oct
4.
Pallando is home from the fanfest in Iceland
for Eve Online, and gave his report (under Gaming/ Eve Online).
Web:
New image for the Anniversary page created
and uploaded during the meeting by Ar-Pharazon.
Gaming:
Eve Online, World of Warcraft, Starcraft 2, Overwatch 2, Hearthstone, Diablo 4, Diablo
Immortal, Diablo 2: Resurrected, Lord
of the Rings Online, Return to Moria
Games Site Mass Update
(GSMU). The email went out September 11. GSMU deadline was
yesterday, results will be tallied and gaming info will be
updated over the next couple of days.
Tolkien:
Topic:
Tolkien Moment: the song of creation for the first and for the
last Ardas. This relates to our anniversary and to our in-game
role-play for all games.
After-meeting:
The marathon chat continues!
RP
forum story discussion of the mysterious Houseless.
RP2
more discussion on another day.
(non)
Flashgaming Reviews (plus) by Ar-Pharazon. Includes Blizzard
games afterwards.
top
Before-meeting
Eonwë Valar — 09/28/2023 4:28 AM
Here's a bit of fun for you all: I've been skimming through The
Hobbit for other reasons, but In "An Unexpected Party" I was
re-amused by this line: "Not that Belladonna Took (my note: Bilbo's
mom) ever had any adventures after she became Mrs. Bungo Baggins."
--- After maybe, but what about before? :}
Eonwë Valar — 09/28/2023 4:36 AM
"Indeed for your old grandfather Took's sake, and for the sake of
poor Belladonna, I will give you what you asked for." --- Ok, we
need to hear about those adventures now, Gandalf dragging them off
to who-knows-where to meet elves or something :}
October 1, 2023
Varda — Yesterday at 9:53 AM
O yes! There must have been adventures!
[9:53 AM]
.
[9:54 AM]
The chat marathon begins at today's meeting in Discord's
meeting_place for the 26th Anniversary of the Valar Guild (which is
October 4) and continues through next Sunday's meeting. Drop in and
say hi when you can.
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 9:59 AM
Aiya Varda! Just got your message. I will not be at the meeting
today, as I have some visitors from Nebraska in for the next few
days, and I promised them a ride up Boulder Canyon today, to see the
Fall colors, followed by a walk on the Pearl Street Mall. I am
sending you two pictures of the Sand Box, perhaps you would be so
kind as to post them for me, and let everyone know I was thinking of
Eonwe when I saw this truck. I will try to join the chat several
times this week. Very windy here today, but still warm. A beautiful
day for a drive up Boulder Canyon! Have a great day!
Here they are!
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/98425690877104128/1158055659594588170/20230930_091210.jpg?ex=651c2c60&is=651adae0&hm=dbbbe126e79cb3d17d942e9311fc6dca708125743408bc4e03856034289d41ad&
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/98425690877104128/1158055660051771402/20230930_091318.jpg?ex=651c2c60&is=651adae0&hm=cdd73e8ab0a91f74c9846bbc66d1b581e97b2a84d2f9c3bea4a7ae5ed3ca0d28&
Varda — Yesterday at 12:59 PM
Have a great trip!
[1:04 PM]
And you just posted them! Huzzah!
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 1:55 PM
Aiya! And have fun, Sandalf
Varda — Yesterday at 1:57 PM
Aiya Phar : )
[1:57 PM]
Back and forth
Varda — Yesterday at 4:00 PM
Aiya!
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:00 PM
Aiya
Varda — Yesterday at 4:00 PM
@Bounder @Guild-friend Huzzah! Valar Guild meeting time!
[4:01 PM]
Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo!
[4:01 PM]
A star shines on the hour of our meeting!
Membership:
Aiya Phar : )
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:02 PM
Ayeh.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:02 PM
Aiya Eonwe!
Varda — Yesterday at 4:02 PM
Aiya Eonwe : )
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:02 PM
Arien poked, but she's away on battle.net so she's more likely to
catch on through here than there
Varda — Yesterday at 4:02 PM
I was just hanging out with Arien in LotRO. : )
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:02 PM
Ah, see, that works too!
Varda — Yesterday at 4:03 PM
So many ways to poke!
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:03 PM
Death by a thousand pokes.
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 4:03 PM
Aiya :)
Varda — Yesterday at 4:03 PM
Aiya Sunshine : )
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:03 PM
Aiya
Varda — Yesterday at 4:03 PM
I see lots of folks on the right side of the screen, so hello to all
those lurkers. : )
[4:04 PM]
Today at this meeting is the start of the week-long chat marathon in
meeting_place, for the 26th Anniversary week. : )
[4:05 PM]
All that type here (you!) get to be mentioned on the Anniversary
page as participating. : )
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 4:06 PM
i have something very nice for this occasion that you might
aprpreciate for this occasion It fits more at the end . i have
to admit that , but then on the other hand it was only released
yesterday
Varda — Yesterday at 4:06 PM
Is it membership, web, Tolkien, or none of the above? : )
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 4:07 PM
Tokien I guess ^^
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re5_lzlFS9M
YouTube
Clamavi De Profundis
Namárië - (Galadriel's Lament) - Clamavi De
Profundis
Varda — Yesterday at 4:07 PM
Yay music!
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 4:07 PM
Tolkien
Varda — Yesterday at 4:07 PM
We can listen to it while having the meeting. Perfect!
Ungwetari — Yesterday at 4:07 PM
Is there a lament for a spider dying from muscle aches and
sleepiness?
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:07 PM
We don't like music here in the Valar Guild. Just because the world
of the book we base our guild around started with a song doesn't
mean we have to like it.
[4:08 PM]
(I kid, of course :})
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 4:08 PM
I know Eonwe
Varda — Yesterday at 4:08 PM
Pallando in a side message says he has gaming news for when we get
there. : )
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:08 PM
Hmm, music is totally not a LotR thing anyway. It's not like there's
a dozen songs in the book, and LotRO certainly doesn't have players
able to perform it.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:09 PM
Must be opposite day. : )
@Eonwë Valar
(I kid, of course :})
Ungwetari — Yesterday at 4:09 PM
No kidding, oh messenger of ye ole gods.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:09 PM
Yes it is! ...wait...
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:09 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZO8wxQGz0Y
YouTube
Medbob
No Sense of Humor
[MIB]
Varda — Yesterday at 4:10 PM
Maybe the Valar of Aspirin needs to be made for our Shelob?
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:10 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wxDmfOmNOA
YouTube
Nu Meditation Music
Fall Asleep in Under 3 MINUTES ★︎ Body Mind
Restoration ★︎ Melatoni...
Ungwetari — Yesterday at 4:11 PM
Aspirin doesn't help with muscle aches.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:11 PM
There you go!
Your song.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:11 PM
If nothing else it's relaxing.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:11 PM
Do spiders take hot soaking baths? : )
Ungwetari — Yesterday at 4:11 PM
They would if they had a bathtub to take those in.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:11 PM
Hot springs in Middle-earth!
Ungwetari — Yesterday at 4:12 PM
I wonder why I would need a song that's 12 minutes long if I'm not
going to listen to it for more than 3?
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 4:12 PM
I am sure Yavanne and Nessa planted flowers for muscle relaxing
somewhere in Valinor
Varda — Yesterday at 4:12 PM
I see lots of typing. Going to let folks catch up. (edited)
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:12 PM
https://youtu.be/p9szq_K12hs?t=141
YouTube
Voyage
Mysterious Island | Giant Crab ATTACKS! | Voyage
@Arien Valar
I am sure Yavanne and Nessa planted flowers for muscle
relaxing somewhere in Valinor
Ungwetari — Yesterday at 4:13 PM
Oh yes, definitely. My teammate had this salve that really did help
with the cramps during the game yesterday. I don't have the stuff
now though.
And besides, it'll go away at some point
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:15 PM
https://youtu.be/-jiQdqoe1cU?t=129
YouTube
Movieclips
Superman IV (3/10) Movie CLIP - No Pain, No Gain
(1987) HD
[4:16 PM]
Said as Superman throws barbells at you.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:17 PM
Sandalf left us a message in Before-meeting above, plus pictures. :
)
@Ungwetari
I wonder why I would need a song that's 12 minutes long if
I'm not going to listen to it for more than 3?
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:17 PM
12 hours, even, and yes, that does strike me as weird... it
shouldn't need to be longer than 3 minutes.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:17 PM
Feel free to scroll up for the Sandbox.
@Ar-Pharazon-V
12 hours, even, and yes, that does strike me as weird... it
shouldn't need to be longer than 3 minutes.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:17 PM
In all fairness, it says you'll fall asleep. It doesn't say you'll
stay asleep :}
Varda — Yesterday at 4:17 PM
heh
[4:18 PM]
On to
top
Web:
[4:18 PM]
The Anniversary Page is hungry, Precious. ; )
[Note: image added during the meeting]
On to
top
Gaming!
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:18 PM
Sorry for late response, btw, was researching how to draw a wolf for
my anniversary picture :)
Varda — Yesterday at 4:18 PM
Cool!
Pallando has gaming news for us.
[4:19 PM]
Tough working from your phone.
Go ahead when you can!
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:19 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0trGRJs_IU
? :}
YouTube
miracleofsound
WAKE THE WHITE WOLF by Miracle Of Sound (Witcher
3 Song)
1
Pallando-Valar — Yesterday at 4:19 PM
So big news for Eve. As I mentioned last week Havoc
(expansion) and Vanguard (new shooter) have been announced. The
first step to Havoc started last week with the Deathless requesting
a number of parts from capsuleers in order to build the ship caster
in Zz. This includes parts from Drifter Hives and Sleeper data
caches.
Additionally, the Crimson Harvest starts next week. The Blood
Raiders are once again out raiding and rewards will be given for
hunting them down for the next month or so.
In player events, a number of organizations in the militias have
announced a big brawl tho happen in December between all of the
militias.
I was hoping I'd be able to link the recording of the panel I was on
at fanfest but they haven't finished editing it yet. Hopefully next
week!
Varda — Yesterday at 4:20 PM
Feel free to link anytime. Doesn't have to be just at meetings.
Also, this week is the chat marathon so it would be very welcome!
[4:21 PM]
Maybe they will finish the editing by next week, pardon. : )
Pallando-Valar — Yesterday at 4:22 PM
That's it from me.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:22 PM
Thank you! That's a lot!
[4:23 PM]
Are you still at Fanfest?
Pallando-Valar — Yesterday at 4:23 PM
No, flew back Monday.
I'm just about recovered from the con crud.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:23 PM
Welcome home! Maybe now you'll have a moment to play.
[4:23 PM]
ugh! Inevitable.
[4:24 PM]
We'll put you in the same line with Shelob for Athelas. : )
[4:24 PM]
Eonwe, your floor. All star-shiny from Pallando and myself.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:25 PM
Thanks.
World of Warcraft:
This week's bonus event: Cataclysm Timewalking.
The PvP Brawl Warsong Scramble will be available until Tuesday,
October 3rd.
The Darkmoon Faire is going this week.
The Harvest Festival is going until Monday, October 2nd.
Brewfest ends Friday, October 6th.
See what's available at October's Trading Post. ---
https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23985156/octobers-trading-post-is-spooktacular
(hint: 3 more class transmogs and a broomstick mount for
completing stuff)
World of Warcraft
October’s Trading Post is Spooktacular - WoW
Get a little spooky and maybe a little ooky with
this month’s Trading Post offerings.
Take a magical ride with this month’s signature
item—Eve’s Ghastly Rider mount—and show off your class pride with
new Death Knight, Demon Hunter, and Druid sets.
[4:27 PM]
Check out This Week in WoW. ---
https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23985155/this-week-in-wow-september-25-2023
World of Warcraft
This Week in WoW: September 25, 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.
The Final Surge for the September Trading Post is
now active.
It’s a good time to make a final push, fill the
bar in your Traveler’s Log, and collect the Crusty Crawler’s
Mount—before things get ghastly for October’s...
[4:27 PM]
Check out Blues News. ---
https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24009900/blues-news-29-september-2023
World of Warcraft
Blues News: 29 September, 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.
[4:28 PM]
Check out this week's hotfixes. ---
https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23985151/hotfixes-september-26-2023
World of Warcraft
Hotfixes: September 26, 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.
[4:28 PM]
Starcraft 2:
[4:28 PM]
Patch 5.0.12 went out this week. Last week it was on the PTR. ---
https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/starcraft2/24009150/starcraft-ii-5-0-12-patch-notes
StarCraft II 5.0.12 Patch Notes
Patch 5.0.12 has arrived with balance changes,
bug fixes, and map pool update.
[4:29 PM]
Overwatch 2:
[4:29 PM]
New blog: Catching Sunlight - Prototyping Illari's Abilities With
The Hero Design Team. ---
https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24003136/catching-sunlight-prototyping-illari-s-abilities-with-the-hero-design-team/
Overwatch
Catching Sunlight - Prototyping Illari’s
abilities with the hero de...
Learn more about Illari’s early ability
prototypes from the Overwatch 2 hero design team
Hearthstone:
Patch 27.4.2 is out. ---
https://hearthstone.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23999072/27-4-2-patch-notes
27.4.2 Patch Notes
Patch 27.4.2 brings balance changes to Standard,
Wild, Twist, Battlegrounds, and more!
[4:30 PM]
Diablo 4:
A Developer Update Livestream is coming October 4th. ---
https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/diablo4/24009617/tune-in-to-our-next-developer-update-livestream
Tune in to our Next Developer Update Livestream
Watch the next Developer Update Livestream on
October 4. Uncover the secrets to wielding vampiric power and
upcoming quality-of-life details.
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.
Diablo 2: Resurrected:
Ladder Season 5 has begun. ---
https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/diablo2/23991801/diablo-ii-resurrected-ladder-season-5-now-live
Diablo II: Resurrected Ladder Season 5 Now Live
Ladder Season 5 begins on September 28! Muster
the might to liberate Sanctuary’s denizens from sinister influences
as you race to Level 99.
[4:31 PM]
And that's it from me.
[4:31 PM]
Well, I guess one more thing.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:32 PM
(gaming always has one more thing)
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:32 PM
GSMU deadline was yesterday, results will
be tallied and gaming info will be updated over the next couple of
days.
[4:34 PM]
Now that is it.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:34 PM
Thank you, Eonwe. That is a ton of work.
[4:34 PM]
Lord of the Rings Online:
[4:35 PM]
Landroval branch:
Aranuir
Arien
Elwing
Eonwe
Nar
Varda
Crickhollow branch:
Eonwe
Falco
Varda
Treebeard branch:
Varda
[4:35 PM]
Since Arien is still playing, she may need added to one of those
lists where we don't see her at the moment. : )
She also let me know that for LotRO players at least, we needed a
reminder.
Any character over 365 days has its rank dropped to recruit, until
it shows active again.
[4:36 PM]
This includes officers, who might find their return is not to Full
Officer.
[4:37 PM]
This has nothing to do with overall guild Honors such as Maia or
Vala, etc.
[4:38 PM]
So run your characters though now and then. : )
For another game entirely,
"Return to Moria"
Four player co-op on PlayStation 5, and 8-player co-op on PC with PC
via Epic. X-box version is planned for next year.
[4:39 PM]
https://www.thegamer.com/tag/the-lord-of-the-rings-return-to-moria/
TheGamer
The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria | TheGamer
The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria is a game
focused on survival and crafting.
Taking place after the events of the books,
you're tasked with reclaiming the procedurally generated realm of
Moria.
[4:39 PM]
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/from-bakshi-to-balrogs-how-return-to-moria-is-bringing-tolkien-into-the-fourth-age/ar-AA1hwCQu
Also mentions of other Tolkien games, and a little bit on the one
giving out LotR video gaming licenses, which is Embracer Group
(formerly known as Nordic Games Licensing AB and THQ Nordic AB) and
is Swedish.
[4:39 PM]
August 2022, they acquired Middle-earth Enterprises (fka Tolkien
Enterprises) giving them rights to video games based on the LotR and
the Hobbit. It is in the Embracer Freemode division as Middle-earth
Enterprises.
[4:40 PM]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mergers_and_acquisitions_by_Embracer_Group
List of mergers and acquisitions by Embracer
Group
Embracer Group is a Swedish video game holding
company controlled by Lars Wingefors. In 2016, the company was spun
out of Nordic Games Group and in 2019 it was renamed Embracer Group.
As of 2021 they own more than 76 internal studios
in over 45 countries in Europe and the Americas. Its subsidiaries
are organized under twelve groups: Amplifier Ga...
That's it for my gaming news.
Does anyone need anything for their gaming, or have suggestions,
requests, etc?
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:41 PM
Survival and crafting, eh? I know it's popular, but not really my
thing. I might watch a playthrough on youtube at some point instead
Varda — Yesterday at 4:41 PM
Also fighting. : )
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:41 PM
True, of course!
Varda — Yesterday at 4:41 PM
You can buff yourself with gold in your newly made cavern home.
Fight better to defend it.
[4:42 PM]
But I like the LotRO MMO with massive numbers of players. : )
Any other comments?
On to
top
Tolkien!
[4:44 PM]
Here's a bit that seemed very appropriate for our guild, including
background on how we do role-play in-game as folk getting ready for
the final Arda by running avatars in the current one.
As we are in 'school", we recognize our fellow classmates.
Ok, Tolkien Moment incoming:
"Of the Beginning of Days, Silmarillion
[4:45 PM]
Quote:
Then the voices of the Ainur, like unto harps and lutes,
and pipes and trumpets, and viols and organs, and like unto
countless choirs singing with words, began to fashion the theme of
Iluvatar to a great music;
and a sound arose of endless interchanging melodies woven in
harmony that passed beyond hearing into the depths and into the
heights,
and the places of the dwelling of Iluvatar were filled to
overflowing, and the music and the echo of the music went out into
the Void, and it was not void.
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
after the end of days.
Then the themes of Iluvatar shall be played aright, and take Being
in the moment of their utterance,
for all shall then understand fully his intent in their part, and
each shall know the comprehension of each,
and Iluvatar shall give to their thoughts the secret fire, being
well pleased.
End Quote
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:47 PM
Hmm, so what if you're really not into music/singing?
[4:48 PM]
Just read a book while everyone else is singing up a new world?
Varda — Yesterday at 4:48 PM
Hum? : )
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:49 PM
Auros does not sing :}
[4:50 PM]
That he'll admit to :}
[4:51 PM]
If you don't like singing, I'm sure there's instruments, or you can
pass out the sheet music :}
Varda — Yesterday at 4:52 PM
That's just the Ainur, anyway.
[4:53 PM]
Pharazon and Auros can skip out. ; )
(the Narn I Auros Auros that is)
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:53 PM
Hmm, thought I remembered Men taking part. Elves may or may not, I
forget, but I got the impression everyone was involved.
Varda — Yesterday at 4:53 PM
Eonwe of the books, however, makes music.
[4:54 PM]
End of days, the Children of Iluvatar. That could even mean the
adopted ones. : )
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:54 PM
I bet dwarves are great at singing.
[4:55 PM]
Deep, booming voices.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:55 PM
"all then shall understand" at least to me says everyone from Manwë
to Fatty Bolger is going to be singing, with maybe Melkor and his
cronies left out.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:55 PM
Melkor tied up and gagged, hanging from a tree.
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 4:56 PM
hehehe i seem to remember that picture from somewhere
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 4:56 PM
(Asterix)
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 4:57 PM
uhu of course
Varda — Yesterday at 4:57 PM
Chorus of Hey ho merry dol?
@Ar-Pharazon-V
Melkor tied up and gagged, hanging from a tree.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 4:58 PM
Thinking of Frieza's afterlife in Dragonball Super now.
[4:59 PM]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQpu_AwDbKU
YouTube
Anime reminder
Frieza returned in hell😂
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:00 PM
Yep, that looks about accurate enough for Melkor
Varda — Yesterday at 5:01 PM
We have reached the hour. : )
[5:01 PM]
the gavels look confused
they are wearing Bahama shorts, believing they were on
vacation for the week
the hammerpad lightly taps them over the hammerhead
[5:02 PM]
top
After-meeting!
[5:02 PM]
And our chat continues! yay!
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:02 PM
So before the RP ladies and gentlemen escape, quick question.
Do any of you three want to put in a post before I move on to the
next day, or should I just forward at my leisure?
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:03 PM
https://www.lambiek.net/artists/image/u/uderzo/uderzo_koperenketel.jpg
top right is what I was thinking of
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:03 PM
Or did one of you three want to carry us into the next day? :}
Ungwetari — Yesterday at 5:03 PM
The only carrying I will do is myself and to bed. Namarie!
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:04 PM
Namarie
Varda — Yesterday at 5:04 PM
Namarie for now!
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:04 PM
Hmm, not sure if I've got anything to add at this point. Not sure
where you're going with the latest apparition but I don't know if
you want any of us to comment on it :)
Varda — Yesterday at 5:05 PM
um, Eonwe. I'm not sure what to say.
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 5:05 PM
I just wonder whethr this friendly presence would be feelable for
Frali or any of the others?
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:05 PM
There doesnt' have to be any sort of speculation on what the
thing is in the story, particularly right now.
[5:07 PM]
So we can skip those kinds of posts. I suppose nothing outside
of the building would've been heard, since I wrote it was voiceless,
but if anyone was awake, they would've heard a couple of Noldor
speaking in Quenya, then switch to Sindarin.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:07 PM
Are we able to tell it's there?
Fainan's Quenya is not the best, better reading. But Sindarin, no
problem.
[5:08 PM]
How dare you use Quenya. : )
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:08 PM
:}
[5:10 PM]
As for what this thing is for us writing it, I like what both Varda
and Phar said it reminded them of because that's what I was going
for to some degree: Houseless and Banshee mentioned respectively.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:11 PM
Houseless is known in Middle-earth. Ban sidhe though...
I doubt my Silvan elf ever heard of that.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:11 PM
Note, banshees are not known for being voiceless.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:11 PM
Well, it doesn't have to be called a Banshee in Middle-Earth :}
Houseless is certainly fitting enough.
[5:12 PM]
Aye, hence my "to some degree" :}
Varda — Yesterday at 5:12 PM
A Houseless is an Elf that didn't let its hroar go to Mandos but
stayed in Middle-earth. Rebellious.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:13 PM
*Fëa. Hroa is the body.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:13 PM
A ban sidhe is a female ghost giving warning to the family that a
death is coming.
Fea, thank you. : )
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:13 PM
Indeed, they generally come with wails.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:13 PM
that lost its hroar and didn't let its fea go to Mandos
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:14 PM
...Exception is the one in one of the Discworld books who was shy
and opted to slide notes under their doors instead.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:14 PM
Well it doesn't have a voice or a body, and it doesn't have someone
to aim its thoughts at yet.
[5:15 PM]
I thought it would help play into the name of the chapter ("Where
Shadows Lie") and have a bit of fun as we try to search the town.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:16 PM
Fun! What is this? A game?
So, recently dead. We might find the body nearby.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:17 PM
Side quest!
Bring peace to the houseless.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:17 PM
Aye. And maybe the fea will give us a clue to our main quest?
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:17 PM
If we need to speculate about its motives, let's say that what we're
looking for (at least as far as knowledge) is in this town, and the
Houseless inhabiting Calaron is expecting to come here and sift
through all this stuff. Maybe Houseless A (Calaron inhabitant) made
promises to Houseless B (town-roamer) that once it's got itself
secure, it'll help Houseless B secure a body too. Maybe a lie, maybe
not, but contingent on Houseless B guarding the town while he's
away.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:18 PM
Might as well drag it into the overall plot. : )
Guard from what?
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:18 PM
Us?
Varda — Yesterday at 5:18 PM
My thought too.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:18 PM
Snoops, interlopers, good-guys.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:18 PM
Yep, that's us.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:18 PM
Dudley Do-Right.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:18 PM
adjusts hat
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:19 PM
goody two-shoes holier than thou lightloving elveses
Varda — Yesterday at 5:19 PM
Light-loving. That's me! And probably holier than thou, hah. (Varda)
[5:19 PM]
but Fainan, hmm.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:20 PM
Houseless B maybe not quite so given over to the Shadow yet, took
some convincing. Maybe even a victim of Houseless A.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:20 PM
Pharazon loves gold, that's close enough! But yeah.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:20 PM
Spitballing here, so let me know if any of this sounds good, or if
anyone has a better thought.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:21 PM
Well, if we help it with properly burying the body, maybe it will
like that and not try to kill us after all.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:21 PM
I have something of an ultimate end for the spirit in mind, probably
light allusion to, but in the meantime plenty of fun to be had while
we're in the town.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:21 PM
The other houseless may not be much help at burial.
[5:22 PM]
But may prefer not to be Warg munchies.
Securing a body. And here we are with some.
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 5:22 PM
someone who is alreeady touched by a shadow of sorts mayhaps>
Varda — Yesterday at 5:23 PM
It is looking for a body. Telperion's has shown up around town,
might be just right.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:23 PM
Would be interesting if it thought it could take a Dwarf, but it
wouldn't go well for the spirit.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:23 PM
Is it looking to get its old one probably buried, or does it want to
take a new one?
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:24 PM
*Telperos :}
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:24 PM
*properly
Or are we doing the first to prevent it doing the second?
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 5:24 PM
haha that was my oopsie last week green
grin
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:25 PM
We'd have to assume that an Elf was dragged way out into Angmar
recently enough for there to be something to bury.
Unless Calaron brought one with him...
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:26 PM
Ooh, twist, it is Calaron, at last forced out by Houseless A.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:26 PM
And assuming that the spirit would be satisfied with just being
buried properly.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:27 PM
...I promise I'm not trying to make every aspect of our adventure
about me.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:27 PM
One problem with that: Auros had seen Calaron. He would've
recognized him.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:27 PM
His spirit?
[5:28 PM]
Does a houseless spirit truly look so alike its body in features?
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:28 PM
His spirit "form" is not going to be so much different from his Hroa
that a being who can see such things wouldn't recognize him if
they've seen the latter.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:29 PM
Fair enough, it was a bit out there
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 5:29 PM
well my dear Valarites .. i am afraid i have to leave for now
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:29 PM
Sleep well Arien. Feel free to comment on the RP in the channel
during the week if something comes to you :}
Arien Valar — Yesterday at 5:30 PM
I shall
Namarie !
Varda — Yesterday at 5:30 PM
Namarie!
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:32 PM
I'm not averse to Calaron having brought a victim along with him for
the purpose of using the spirit to guard the town, but I rather
envisioned an elf long dead, already long since having refused the
summons and moving from envy to hatred of the living.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:33 PM
Sounds better.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:33 PM
Althought now that I say that "aloud" I'm not sure how my envisioned
end for it was supposed to work now, heh.
I need to dig into my brain for how I worked that out better.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:33 PM
You're wondering why the body would still be around?
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:34 PM
hehe
Varda — Yesterday at 5:36 PM
Well, one thing. Frali is probably the one safest as a Dwarf, to go
talk to it.
[5:37 PM]
If it's the original Calaron's spirit, that could get very
interesting and informative.
The revenge could be turned around to go after the Houseless in his
hroar.
@Varda
If it's the original Calaron's spirit, that could get very
interesting and informative.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:37 PM
We already ruled that out.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:38 PM
At a distance or blurred, he might not be so recognizable.
[5:39 PM]
May look like a vaguely humanoid (elfoid?) shape.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:40 PM
I'm not so sure any of us (well, Auros/Telperos/Frali at a minimum
but I tend to think any elf qualifies) are really in any danger of
being possessed against our will. More dangerous would be
illusion/suggestion/Palantir-type scenarios, listening to it and
basing our decisions on what it chooses to show us.
Auros saw it clear enough to call it a "fair" form, before it got
angry at least.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:43 PM
ok
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:45 PM
It may well try to approach Frali first.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:46 PM
Why?
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:46 PM
Spite? Malice? boogedy booogedy boo?
Trying to hinder our search, trying to chase us off, or at least
delay us.
[5:47 PM]
Might for some reason think a Dwarf is easy pickings, might sense
some exposure to a familiar shadow.
[5:48 PM]
The sword is part of the Glaive, the glaive is(?) the weapon of the
Houseless Inhabiting Calaron, or at the very least something it
desires to strengthen its own power. (edited)
[5:49 PM]
If the Houseless roaming the town is serving fhe one inhabiting
Calaron as we're spitballing here, it may think that exposure to the
shadow gives it some edge(?) (edited)
[5:50 PM]
Might not understand the resilience of Dwarves against such things.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:50 PM
Likely, if the Shadow leaves some taint. It might come after that
Auros guy carrying the shadow-tainted item?
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:51 PM
Oh, it will try to hinder Auros' hunt.
[5:52 PM]
I imagine this thing will be studying us intently beyond the walls
of that guardhouse, looking for any weakness, any cracks in our
armor, any tiny bit of information to exploit.
[5:54 PM]
And by "us" I of course mean "our characters", heh.
[5:57 PM]
What I want to do here is sort of build a baseline of understanding
of the spirit we're dealing with and what it's going to be doing to
give a "shape" to it, so to speak, then let everyone write their
exposure to that spirit as they more or less want over the time
we're in the town.
Varda — Yesterday at 5:58 PM
Is there a point to spending time on the ghost part of the story?
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 5:58 PM
Side quest!
Varda — Yesterday at 5:58 PM
hehe
We can work towards the point
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 5:58 PM
Subplot? Or as Phar put it, heh.
[5:59 PM]
Auros will be dealing with it, Telperos might have his moments with
it. It's going to be resolved when we leave the town.
Varda — Yesterday at 6:00 PM
Can we pick up info from it that moves our understanding on how to
deal with the Big Bad?
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 6:00 PM
Hmm..
[6:01 PM]
Thinking of the best way to answer that.
Short answer yes, long answer don't make it just spill the beans? :}
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 6:02 PM
Fetch quest!
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 6:02 PM
breadcrumbs maybe?
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 6:02 PM
gives it an orc body
Enjoy! Now how about this other guy?
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 6:03 PM
A chance for Phar to use his interactions to give the Houseless
inhabiting Calaron a fleshed out backstory? :}
[6:05 PM]
I expect by the end Auros will find, maybe not the exact answer
we're looking for, but narrow it down to a manageable, perhaps even
carryable, selection of what's sitting in that cellar.
Varda — Yesterday at 6:06 PM
Orc body, hehe.
[6:06 PM]
So we don't have to take every scroll but just a few that are
relevant. yay
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 6:06 PM
If there's some cipher needed to decode it to a known language, that
could be something to pursue.
Varda — Yesterday at 6:06 PM
The code is in that decoder ring we picked up earlier? : )
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 6:07 PM
:}
[6:07 PM]
"Be sure to drink your ovaltine!" :}
Varda — Yesterday at 6:08 PM
O no. Another long slog through scrolls. Right after Rivendell's!
/headdesk
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 6:09 PM
"nobody told me this game had so much reading in it"
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 6:10 PM
At least the game doesn't suck you into its world :}
[6:12 PM]
Auros' interactions aren't necessarily going to be the same as
Telperos' interactions, because they're going to react to it
differently.
[6:13 PM]
But the spirit is there to hinder our characters, remember that :}
[6:14 PM]
It just can't clobber us over the head and drag us out of town, heh.
[6:15 PM]
If it is collaborating with the Houseless inhabiting Calaron, it may
know enough about him and about Calion to try to use that against
Calion.
[6:17 PM]
It may play upon a scout's concern being so far from home, or the
condition of Mirkwood, or again, anything it overhears because our
characters are talking while they're strolling about town.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 6:18 PM
Just some thoughts.
If any of that is useful.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 6:18 PM
Hmm, indeed.
Thinking about it.
Varda — Yesterday at 6:19 PM
Fainan's been away from Mirkwood a long time. Anything could have
happened while we're being so slow to save it. Calaron may have
already attacked.
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 6:19 PM
And won't someone think of the wolves?! Won't someone think of poor
Helvy! :}
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 6:20 PM
Hmm, if the spirit starts taunting me about Helvy...
Varda — Yesterday at 6:32 PM
This can make us either break or make us even more set in going
after "Calaron".
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 6:32 PM
Let's just not get diverted into trying to go back to Mirkwood to
find him instead
Varda — Yesterday at 6:33 PM
Just you. ; )
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 6:34 PM
:}
Varda — Yesterday at 6:34 PM
Besides, he's long gone! Might be something you'd start to wonder?
Where would Helvy have gone?
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 6:34 PM
Spirit: "Oh, him? Yeah, he's totally back in Mirkwood now, leading
the attack. You should go there. You should go there right now."
Varda — Yesterday at 6:34 PM
It would be over by the time we arrived.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 6:35 PM
"Would I lie to you?"
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 6:35 PM
NO, he's in MOria/Isengard/Rohan/Helm's Deep/Dol
Guldor/Gondor/Mordor/Gundabad/Yondershire/wherever the current LotRO
expansion takes us :}
[6:35 PM]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhFpbgvmyao
YouTube
PeetrW
Spaceballs: Would i lie?
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 6:48 PM
Had planned to watch a movie tonight, but spending a few hours
discussing RP and working on my anniversary picture is also time
well spent
Eonwë Valar — Yesterday at 6:48 PM
:}
Varda — Yesterday at 6:57 PM
Kind of a movie in your head!
(with many videos)
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 6:57 PM
That works!
[6:58 PM]
And one still image that doesn't want to stay still.
Varda — Yesterday at 6:58 PM
: )
You have time.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 6:58 PM
Nearly done. Just trying to see if I should add some details, and
then the signature.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 7:08 PM
Ehhh, let's not. I've got the details I need.
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 8:38 PM
Back in a few minutes, then gaming report!
In the meantime, Varda's put a new piece of art on the anniversary
page
Varda — Yesterday at 8:47 PM
https://valarguild.org/community/NewsArchives/extras/2023/anniv26th.htm
26th Anniversary of the Valar Guild
Year 2023, 26th Anniversary celebration of the
Valar
Guild Tolkien fan club and gamers' group.
Check out the header art! : )
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Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 8:53 PM
Personal gaming report!
[8:54 PM]
For (non)flashgaming, this week we've got
https://www.kongregate.com/games/TheKongregateSquad/death-by-chocolatier
Kongregate
Death By Chocolatier
Before his death Chef Nogusto sold his recipe for
BonBon Kongpanions to his evil brother, Lord Sugarcoat. Delightful
chocolate on the outside encasing a living...
[8:58 PM]
Part of a series based on the kongregate website's Kongpanions, this
one is a puzzle game where you have to free your buddies out of the
chocolate machine, by using buttons, removing obstacles, shutting
down lasers, and other mechanics, as you make sure all the
kongpanions make their way down to the exit.
[8:59 PM]
And there's player-made levels as well if you really want a
challenge :)
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 9:02 PM
Blizzard gaming:
[9:04 PM]
Diablo 4: Spent a bit of time there, pursuing some Scosglen side
quests on my druid for Renown, including a dungeon, the Underroot.
Lovely place beneath a large tree
[9:05 PM]
He got a quarter level along the way, to 54.25, getting him a new
paragon point. Soon he'll have access to a new paragon board!
[9:07 PM]
Hearthstone: made it level 81 on the reward track.
[9:08 PM]
Also progressing on the new quest event, based around Yogg-Saron and
his escape from Ulduar, with help from the other Old Gods.
Got a few packs as rewards, and am halfway along the track now.
Should make it before it's done!
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 9:10 PM
I opened a bunch more packs as well, 170 remaining. Along the way I
got 2 new legendary minions, Photographer Fizzle and Anachronos the
dragon. Some interesting effects they have!
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 9:10 PM
aiya Ar! Did you see the picture of the Sand Box truck that I found
for Eonwe?
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 9:11 PM
Brawl is Idols of Azeroth. Choose a class, get a deck full of 30
Raven Idols, which allow you to choose between discovering a minion
and a spell. I went to try a hunter focusing on spells, but the
opponent conceded on the first turn, so got my win fast. Maybe next
week I'll try it a few more times
I did, yes!
[9:12 PM]
And Aiya
WoW:
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 9:12 PM
Thanks!
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 9:13 PM
Still no raiding, though one of our old raiders did come back from a
long hiatus, since before this expansion came out. Should be good
for when we start raiding again
[9:15 PM]
Weekly quest is the first Timewalking quest in a series. There's a
new achievement as well; if you do 4 timewalks in a row, you get a
stacking buff, at 4 applications you get a bigger buff! Get the big
buff in each timewalking week, and you get a new mount. Since I
always do the timewalking quests, that shouldn't be a problem
[9:16 PM]
October's trading post is up, and while I've only gathered a bit of
currency so far through Brewfest, I did buy the druidy weapon
appearances. They look pretty good, and I used the moon-staff on my
horde balance druid.
[9:17 PM]
Speaking of Brewfest, got all the tokens I wanted to buy the final
item, the Brewgoggles appearance, on my dark iron shaman.
Along the way, she got to level 14 as well.
[9:19 PM]
And finally, bit of alting with the goblin warrior. She got to level
5, participated in a Footbomb match, and witnessed Deathwing setting
the mountain on fire. Next up will be the party questline, and then
we'll need to evacuate the island!
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 9:23 PM
And that's my report for the week!
[9:26 PM]
Namarie
Sandalf13 — Yesterday at 9:27 PM
Namarie! I hope you have a wonderful week! Sei gesund!
Ar-Pharazon-V — Yesterday at 9:29 PM
You too!
Varda — Yesterday at 10:06 PM
Namarie for now : )
Varda — Yesterday at 10:59 PM
Good night before it be morrow.
October 2, 2023
Eonwë Valar — Today at 6:27 AM
For LotRO: don't miss your chance at a free Black Steel Key with the
promo code. if you've for some reason got a bunch of
Traveler's/Adventuruer's lootboxes sitting around waiting for one,
there's your chance.
Eonwë Valar — Today at 7:10 AM
RP: A couple of things I wanted to add to that I don't think I gave
enough during the chat ---
@Varda
Are we able to tell it's there?
Eonwë Valar — Today at 7:14 AM
That's a tough one. Gandalf didn't perceive the Balrog until he
touched the door in Moria. On the other hand, I would lean towards
how things "felt" with the Dead Men of Dunharrow, or with the
Watchers near the Tower of Cirith Ungol. We know the latter had
spirits bound to stone statues, forced to be ever watchful of the
road.
What do you think an Elf would be able to tell without actually
seeing it? Do you think it would be enough to wake Fainan up, or was
she already awake? If the latter, she could also be reacting to
Telperos' reaction/description.
Eonwë Valar — Today at 7:21 AM
You said her spoken quenya is weak. Maybe she caught enough of the
description to make her concerned/wonder.
[7:22 AM]
A 3 thousand year-old Noldo calling something "unsettling" may be
unsettling, heh.
@Ar-Pharazon-V
Does a houseless spirit truly look so alike its body in
features?
Eonwë Valar — Today at 7:33 AM
To answer this a little more and give a basis in Tolkien's works,
when Tolkien writes about rehousing Elves in a new body, he says
that the spirit carries with it the pattern of the body, and it's by
this the Valar know how to rebuild it. He talks of the body and
spirit being so coherent that existing in a body not one's own would
be a state of torment (see: his ultimate argument against Elvish
rebirth).
So from this I draw that if one can make out the spirit, one can see
the pattern after some fashion. I know a set of house plans when I
see one, even if I don't have the skill or the material to build a
house myself.
Eonwë Valar — Today at 7:43 AM
I would also point out that enough of the "memory" of the form of
the Dead Men of Dunharrow remained that Legolas could see eyes,
weapons, horses; Gimli heard horns, faint cries, "murmur as of a
thousand voices", saw swords, saw clear enough to know it was the
King of the Dead that stood out from the host and broke his spear
when Aragorn set them free. (edited)
Varda — Today at 10:49 AM
Fair enough, Eonwe.
[10:51 AM]
Free Black Steel Key x1
Coupon Code: ONEKEY
Now through October 5th
[10:53 AM]
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