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News:

Feb. 1, 2012
    Gaming / WoW:
       The patch has been re-patched. Happy gaming to all!
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EST:
          12-man Protector of Thongulhad completed: with 10
             Celeborn (Kebb), Eomer (Erkendan), Galdor (Andwe), Gildor (Livinola), Gorlim (Aeronwy), Indis (Mereniel), Nimrodel (Ardisian), Pippin (Faerus), Tulkas (Astald), and Varda (Tinwetari).
          12-man Way of Smiths try (npc died) with 9:
             Same group except without Eomer, and with Gildor switching to his guardian Marrella.

Jan. 31, 2012
    Gaming / WoW:
      
The latest patch is messing up the game for some folks; it's not your computer.

Jan. 30, 2012
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EST:
          Culling Pit:
Completed for several needing it.
             Galdor (Dolenatan 72 captain), Gildor (Lirafalla 74 rk, Fairmaiden 75 minstrel),  Gorlim (Istarond 73 lore-master), Indis (Mereniel 75 lore-master), Nellas (Nimeithel 75 warden), and Nimrodel (Wildwyn 71 lore-master).
          Sammath Gul: killed Gorothul for Vol. 2 Epilogue
             Celeborn (Kebb 75 champ), Galdor (Thongaladh 75 champion), Gildor (Fairmaiden 75 minstrel), Indis (Mereniel 75 lore-master), Nimrodel (Ardisian 75 hunter), and Varda (Tinwetari 75 minstrel)

Jan. 29, 2012
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (8)
       AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), fladrifv, Glorfindel VG, GwaihirValar, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, and Menelvagor Valar
Tolkien:
    RP
    Topic by Eonwe: First, name all the attendees possible of the Council of Elrond. Once that is done, why each was so special as to have a seat in that discussion.
    Topic for next week by Eonwe: Who Could (or Should) have been at the Council of Elrond, and why they weren't there.

Jan. 27, 2012
    Article link located by Finarfin-(V) and shared by email: "Explaining Imaginary Worlds: Why 'Lord of the Rings' is so Addictive".

Jan. 26, 2012
    Elwing is having connection problems for internet and phone line, as in no connection. Fixed!

Jan. 25, 2012
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Riders of Rohan expansion announced as upcoming, including mounted combat. Official link here.
       Wednesday 8pm EST instance. Requests have been made for 6-man Culling Pit [requester dropped the request], Sammath Gul, and Tomb of Elendil [requester did not show].  We did not manage to get over four together at one time. We did, however, have three run together clearing Isengard dailies and two working on quests together in Dunland.

Jan. 23, 2012
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EST run. Several guild members need help vs bottlenecks and these two 6-man instances are possibilties if those needing them show up: Tomb of Elendil and Sammath Gul.

Jan. 22, 2012
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
    Attending (8):
       AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), fladrifv, Glorfindel VG, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, and VardaValar1
    Tolkien:
       Topic: In LotRO, most of us high level are running around Isengard dealing with Saruman. What abilities did this old villain show in the books?

Jan. 21, 2012
    Gaming / SW:TOR:
       We now have an official guild on Rubat Crystal on both Republic and Empire.
          Republic's guild name is Valar, Empire's name is Valar Guild.
          Members starting the guild today are: Sauron, Orome, Fundin, and Thranduil.
          We use the usual friend channel same name for both sides.
          The group has a section on our Ventrilo.

    Gaming / LotRO:
          Saturday 1pm Eastern 12-man skirmishes completed:
             Assault on the Ringwraith's Lair:
                Hurin (Hiurred), Indis (Alasse), Irmo (Irmogar), Melkor (Melcor), Miriel (Mahariel), Nimrodel (Ardisian), Pippin (Avengelina), Thranduil (Artemas), and Varda (Tinwetari).
                Helpers were Druiel (hunter), Eladda (champion), and Roundbelly (minstrel).
             Attack at Dawn:
                Same group except that Indis switched from Alasse to Mereniel, and Eomer (Erkenda) replaced Roundbelly.
                 Druiel won the Worn Symbol of Celebrimbor. (Druiel is in our friend channel and has read LotR.)
             Breaching the Necromancer's Gate:
                 Indis switched from Mereniel to Alasse, Melkor switched to his champion, Druiel had to leave and was replaced by Yvain, Celeborn joined as Kebb.
                 Eomer (Erkendan) won the Worn Symbol of Celebrimbor.

Jan. 19, 2012
    No news was given on Jan 18, 2012 in honor of the internet blackout over SOPA and PIPA that would remove many sites from the internet. Here's a link to Dreamland Chronicles that on purpose used a good explanation and cartoon from another site on Gizmodo.

Jan. 18, 2012


Jan. 17, 2012
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Update 5.1 patch notes.

Jan. 16, 2012
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm Eastern regular run time: two 6-mans completed:
          Battle of the Tower (also completed a Vol. 2 Epilogue quest):
             Galdor (Thongaladh, champion), Gildor (Marrella, guardian), Indis (Alasse, lore-master), Melkor (Melcor, champion), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), and Varda (Tinwetari, minstrel).
          Sammath Gul:
             same group.
       Tomb of Elendil quest post-poned to another time, as Nerdanel will not be able to make the Wednesday run.
Jan. 15, 2012
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda.
    Attending: (7)
       AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), fladrifv, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Gwaihir Valar, and VardaValar1.
    Gaming:
       Miriel's forum post: Fellowship Maneuvers: What to do when your cursor lags out but you still have a keyboard.
    Tolkien:
       Arien-(Valar)'s topic: In what ways did the Valar assist the Free Peoples during the War of the Ring?

    Gaming / WoW:
       Scheduled Sunday run time running, report from Eonwe:
   
    Gaming / SW:TOR:
       Channel commands, letter from Menelvagor:
            Me and Sauron were testing channel commands, but half of them seemed not to work, so I checked the web for the commands, and here they are:
 
CHANNELS
/create [channelname] [password]- Create an Channel and an optional password
/cjoin [channelname] [password] - Join an already made channel also including a password if needed
/cleave [channelname] [password] - Leave a custom channel also including a password if needed
/lock [channelname] - Allow only invited players to join the channel
/unlock [channelname] - Allow all players to join the custom channel
/cinvite [channelname] [player] - Invite someone to the custom channel
/password [channelname] [password] - Set a password for the channel
/password [channelname] - Clear a password from a channel
/ckick [channelname] [player] - Kick a player from the channel
/ban [channelname] [player] - Ban a player from the channel
/unban [channelname] [player] - Unban a player from a channel
/mod [channelname] [player] - Give a player the moderator status in the channel
/unmod [channelname] [player] - Remove mod status from a player
/mute [channelname] [player] - Remove the ability to send messages on the channel
/unmute [channelname] [player] - Grant the ability to send messages on the channel
/moderate [channelname] - Set the custom channel to only let moderators speak
/unmoderate [channelname]- Set the custom channel to let anyone speak
/channellist - List all custom channels you are on
/list [channelname] - List the players on the custom channel

Jan. 14, 2012
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Saturday 1pm Eastern 12-mans:
          Battle in the Tower T2 completed.
             Galdor (Andwe, hunter), Hurin (Hiurred, captain), Irmo (Irmogar, guardian), Melkor (Melko, minstrel), Miriel (Mahariel),  Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), Orome (Oromdur, burglar), Pippin (Avengelina, champion), Thranduil (Artemas, burglar), Tulkas (Astald, hunter), and Varda (Fainan, hunter).
             Guild-friend Anrisa (captain).
          Breaching the Necromancer's Gate completed.
             Anrisa had to leave, so we 11-manned.
          Attack at Dawn completed.
             We brought in other folks to help fill in the group as more people needed to leave: Anodred (hunter), Tinalyth (Hunter), Vayguin (hunter), . Since we had an oversupply of hunters, Nimrodel switched to her champion, Cynthiajane, while Galdor switched to his champion, Thongaladh. Those remaining from the other runs were Hurin, Irmo, Melkor, Miriel, Pippin, Thranduil, and Varda
            

Jan. 13, 2012
    Letter from Pallando-(Valar):
Aiya!
I am working my way back to the US where I will have Feburary off for
leave.. after that I should be reentereing the world of the Valar
guild and Eve! :)

    Gaming / SW:TOR
          More members are showing up on our Rubat Crystal server: Orome-(Valar) and Menelvagor-(Valar) are the latest I know of. Orome will continue to be in LotRO for those Sunday morning runs as always, and is a lifer in LotRO.
          Irmo has kindly added another channel on the Valar Guild Ventrilo server  for the use of our SW:TOR members. Enjoy! Please use your guild name as your visual name in Ventrilo to help others know who you are.

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Message from LotRO:
The LOTRO Game Servers will be brought down on Tuesday, January 17th from 6:00 - 10:00 AM Eastern (-5 GMT) for an update to the game. Patch notes will be available during the downtime.

    Gaming / WoW:
       Random heroics:
          Lost City of the Tolvir, then Vortex Pinnacle with:
              Bilbo (Jovius, druid), Eonwe (Auros, paladin), Sauron (Tevildo, mage), Varda (Varda, priest) and a nice pugged guy Jynx from another server.
          End Time:
              Bilbo (Jovius, druid), Eonwe (Auros, paladin), Eowyn (Mairovende, shaman), Sauron (Tevildo, mage), and Varda (Varda, priest).
          Tried again switching out two people, and completed End Time:
             Bilbo (Billboh, mage), Sauron (Artano, warrior).
          Well of Eternity completed::
             same group

Jan. 11, 2012
    Gaming / SW:ToR (Star Wars: The Old Republic)
       Our server is Rubat Crystal, an rp server allowing us the freedom to do nearly anything.
       We have both Alliance and Empire, although we are not an official guild branch there at this time.
       Contact Sauron-(Valar). His character for Alliance is Annatar, and for Empire is Sauronv.
          The "Sauron" on the Alliance side is not our Valarite.
       Thranduil-(V) made a character there tonight.
       Lhee group is on Ebon Hawk rp server, we learned tonight.

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm Eastern scheduled run night.
       We joined up with Lhee group and ran 12-man skirmishes including Prancing Pony, Ford of the Bruinen, and Thongaladh.
          I didn't keep notes, sorry, but among those who were in and out for the runs were Eomer (Erkendan, captain), Galdor (Andwegar, burglar), Gildor (Marrella, guardian), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), and Varda (Tinwetari, minstrel; Fainan, hunter).
       Eomer and Varda also did a string of 3-man Fangorn's Edge using the new instance finder, with new guild-friend Haldern whom you may be seeing in the friend channel. His kin mostly disappears into SW:ToR except raid nights. Yes, he has read LotR a long time ago.

Jan. 10, 2012
    Nerdanel has a computer again and is back with us in LotRO. :)

Jan. 9, 2012
    Happy birthday, Meriadoc-(V)!

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday, we did not group.

Jan. 8, 2012
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (8)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Glorfindel VG, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1

    Gaming / WoW:
       Wyrmrest Temple's Obsidian Sanctum.
        Naxxramus complete clear by the same group:
          Bilbo (Billboh, mage), Eonwe (Auros, paladin), Fangorn (Treebeerd, mage), Glorfindel (Raladek, hunter), and Varda (Varda, holy priest), along with guild-friend Kaz (Millenear, shadow priest).

Jan. 7, 2012
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Saturday 12-man runs are back after the holiday break!
See you at 1pm Eastern.
        Practicing FM's by the number instead of the color proved good and we will probably continue with that method as the regular system.
          Breaching the Necromancer's Gate T2: completed
             Celeborn (Kebb, had to leave from lag),  Eomer (Erkendan), Gorlim (Aeronwy), Hurin (Hiured), Indis (Alasse), Irmo (Irmogar), Melkor (Passim), Miriel (Mahariel), Nimrodel (Cynthiajane), Pippin (Avengelina), Tulkas (Astald, replaced Celeborn), and Varda (Fainan).
             Anrisa (captain) aided us.
             Worn Symbol of Celebrimbor won by Gorlim!
        Attack at Dawn T2: completed
            Eomer (Erkendan), Gorlim (Aeronwy), Hurin (Hiured), Indis (Alasse), Irmo (Irmogar), Melkor (Passim), Miriel (Mahariel), Nimrodel (Cynthiajane), Pippin (Avengelina), Tulkas (Astald) and Varda (Fainan). Anrisa (captain) aided us. (Screenie from Miriel on the forum.)
          Battle of the Tower T2:
             Gorlim (Aeronwy), Hurin (Hiured), Indis (Alasse), Irmo (Irmogar), Melkor (Passim), Miriel (Mahariel), Nimrodel (Cynthiajane), Pippin (Avengelina), and Varda (Fainan).
             Anrisa, Kendrek (minstrel), and Snib (minstrel) aided us. Tulkas had to leave. Eomer had to leave after staying up since 8am the previous day.
           Battle of the Tower T2
              NPC Broin died so we reformed. Pippin, Gorlim, and Kendrek had to leave.
              Hurin (Hiured), Indis (Alasse), Irmo (Irmogar), Melkor (Passim), Miriel (Mahariel), Nimrodel (Cynthiajane), and Varda (Fainan).
              We were aided by Aephron, Anrisa, Eladda, and Minibou

       Unscheduled Saturday morning run, report from Miriel:
            Sammath Gul completed with:
                Irmo (Imogar, guardian), Thranduil (Artemis, burglar), Celeborn (Kebb, champion), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter) and Miriel (Mahariel, minstrel). Hurin joined us for the final boss on his champion.

Jan. 6, 2012
    Gaming / WoW:
       Friday scheduled 7pm Eastern: Dire Maul completed.
          Eowyn (Mairemage, 46 mage), Fangorn (Oltreetender, 51 warrior), Glorfindel (Raladek, 84 warrior), Sauron (Artano, 85 warrior)), and Varda (Draugelena, 45 resto druid)

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Unscheduled. Report from Miriel-(V):
          Fangorn's Edge completed, The Pits (Ironarm Wing), and Dargnakh Unleashed:
            Irmo (Imogar, guardian), Thranduil (Artemis, burglar) and Miriel (Mahariel, minstrel)

Jan. 4, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm Eastern.
            Fangorn's Edge 3-man:
              Eomer (Erkendan, captain), Indis (Alasse, lore-master), and Nimrodel (Cynthiajane, champion).
             School and Library 3-mans:
                Galdor (Thongaladh, champion), Nimrodel (Cynthiajane, champion), Tulkas (Astald, hunter)
             Foundry 6-man:
                Eomer (Erkendan, captain), Galdor (Andwegar, burglar), Nimrodel (Cynthiajane, champion), Tulkas, and Varda. Mernele (minstrel)

Jan. 2, 2012
    Membership:
       
Gorlim-(V), we hope you feel better soon! He's still headachy along with bronchitis.
        Pippin-(V) is working during the regular time for Monday and Wednesday runs for now, but is available for the Saturday runs.
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm Eastern: Sammath Gul completed, finishing up the Epilogue for two kinfolk. It's still a level 65 dungeon tried for the first time with mostly level 75's, but we were still amazed at how fast we blew through it.
          Galdor (Thongaladh, champion), Gildor (Marrella, guardian), Hurin (Hiurred, captain), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), Tulkas (Astald, hunter), and Varda (Tinwetari, 72 minstrel)

Jan. 1, 2012
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon-(V) and Varda-(Valar)
Attending: (7)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, arwenv1, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1
Membership:
    Time to make the 2012 Membership page. Full Members have only to contact Varda by email (varda.elentari (AT) g mail (dot) com) and let her know they want to be included. Active members are usually put on the page without need of contact but mistakes can be made, so be sure to give a holler if you're not included when the 2012 page comes out.
    Tolkien-only members have been almost completely inactive, so all of them are now only being shown on the Credits page and their parts of the Tolkien Site rather than the Membership page. This change also gives an advantage in programming a new version of the page, so I've been told, if we decide to use the new coding.

Dec. 31, 2011
* Happy New Year! *

fireworks

Dec. 28, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wed. 8pm EST 12-man Prancing Pony skirmish.
            Galdor (Andwegar), Hurin (Hiurred), Indis (Celebrethil), Irmo (Irmogar), Miriel (Mahariel), Tulkas (Astald), and Varda (Fainan).
            Folks who helped round out the pug were Anrisa, Eladion, Garnet, Mosby, and Phenrial.

Dec. 26, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Nimrodel will be unavailable for the next few days.
       Monday 8pm EST 6-man classic level 75 Annuminas: Glinghant.
          Celeborn (Kebb, champion), Gildor (Marrella, guardian), Melkor (Belkus, burgar), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), and Varda (Fainan, hunter). Melilotus (minstrel) of Lhee group aided us.

Dec. 25, 2011
Merry Christmas!

Tolkien Site / Stories:

    "The Oliphaunt's Tale" by Mirabella-(V). "What was the fate of the oliphaunts who fought in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields?" Aragorn, Legolas
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (5)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1
Web:
    New story by Mirabella-(V) as mentioned above.
    RP forum title voting completed on the forum. Title chosen.
Gaming:
    BroodWar
    puzzle game including url
    LotRO (news swaps back and forth with the WoW section)
    WoW
    "Lord of the Rings: War in the North" review by Arien-(Valar)
Tolkien:
    Hobbit movie trailer with a better link found by Ar-Pharazon-(V).
    RP forum story sequel title has been chosen, so we moved to the plot line discussion. Thread set up during the meeting and old story threads closed to further posting unless called for by the writing group to correct the plot.
After-meeting:
    WoW: members have been busy all holiday and kept going.

Dec. 22, 2011
    Fangorn and Varda have been married for 38 years today. Many enchiladas were destroyed before bringing you this message.

Dec. 21, 2011
    Hobbit trailer, official. (Instead take another link given during the Dec 25 meeting.)
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EST 12-man skirmishes completed (no symbol):
          Battle for the Tower
          Ringwraith's Lair
             Galdor (Thongaladh, champion), Gildor (Marrella, guardian), Gorlim (Aeronwy, minstrel), Hurin (Hiurin, champion), Indis (Alasse, lore-master), Nimrodel (Cynthiajane, champion),
and non-Valarites but worthy companions: Cwenhild (first run, switched to Isilwing, champion, for second run), Elaytra (hunter), Eoblod (champion), Kossuth (champion, has a warden Elhalrond), and Thrasili (minstrel).

Dec. 20, 2011
    Gaming / LotTO:
       Yule festival starts today.

Dec. 19, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday run 8pm EST. Level 75 12-mans.
          Prancing Pony 12-man skirmish completed with 9 of us.
             Galdor (Andwegar, burglar), Gildor (Livinola, captain), Gorlim (Aeronwy, minstrel), Hurin (Hiurin, champ), Indis (Alasse, lore-master), Melkor (Melko, minstrel), Nellas (Nimeithel, warden), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), Pippin (Avengelina, champion), and Varda (Fainan, hunter).
          Breaching the Necromancer's Gate 12-man, 7 Valarites, pugged the rest for a full group.
             Galdor (Thongaladh, champion), Gildor (Marrella, guardian), Gorlim (Aeronwy), Indis (Alasse, lore-master), Nimrodel (Ardisian), Pippin (Avengelina), and Varda (Fainan).

Dec. 18, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (7)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presided over Tolkien), fladrifv, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1 (presided over business meeting)
Tolkien:
    RP forum story title list finalized. Vote for your preference on the Forum.

Dec. 17, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Saturday run 1pm EST.

Dec. 14, 2011

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EST. Foundry 6-man. Killed the first boss, Darh, as was our goal going in.
            After Galdor left, Celeborn came in and Gildor switched to guardian for the second boss. We ran out of time before figuring out the trick, although we improved each try.
          Celeborn (Kebb, champion), Galdor (Andwegar, burglar), Gildor (Livinola, captain; Marrella, guardian), Gorlim (Aeronwy, minstrel), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), Pippin (Avengelina, champion), and Varda (Fainan, hunter)

Dec. 13, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Miriel's report on three of the new instances:
Irmo (Imogar, guardian), Celeborn (Kebb, champion) and Miriel (Mahariel, minstrel) completed the 3 new 3-man Isengard instances: Dargnakh Unleashed, Into the Pit of Abomination (Ironarm wing) and Protecting the Forest.

Food for thought on the end fights...
Dargnakh Unleashed- Every 78 seconds Dargnakh unleashes a gigantic AOE attack which can kill all in range except the main tank, this can be recognized by the dust falling from above and the ground shaking. So all except the tank should make sure they are in the middle of the room at that time. Have the tank move Dargnakh to each corner of the room as his AOE attack also destroys the structures/scaffolding holding up the roof. Once all 4 structures/scaffolding are destroyed the sun shines through and we all all know what happens to a troll in daylight!

Into the Pit of Abomination (Ironarm wing)- Have the tank move Ironarm around the room every few swings as he drops a green cloud which summons multiple limraefn. If Ironarm is not moved out of his green mist the limraefn spawn over and over, do damage and knock-backs, making this fight long and perhaps impossible.

Protecting the Forest- Three Ents are very upset with the happenings in the area. Orcs swarm them and after a few minutes 3 large trolls enter the fight. You must kill the orc swarms and trolls before the last Ent is defeated. This is a dps race with moderate healing needed.

Hope this information is helpful!
Maha

Dec. 12, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday instances:
        LotRO Update 5: Armies of Isengard.
          Don't forget to re-do rank-ups on your legendary items.
          Instance Finder: Shift + F
          Book 5 starts in the Rohirrim camp with Halbarad and is done solo. It has a lot of story and is not very long, so enjoy!
          The new instances start at the pipe north of the old one, and we need to do the exploration deed there to open new instances.
          The 6-man has the first age symbol: Worn Symbols of the Elder King.
          Update 5 release notes

       We split up into three-mans for the new level 75 three-man instances at the pipes.
          The Pits:
              The first group to load in and arrive were Celeborn (Kebb, champion), Galdor (Andwe, hunter), and Hurin (Hiurred, captain). They got well into the Pit, finding the troll a problem.
          Fangorn's Edge:
                Most of the rest of us arrived after the first group got going. This group got together and split into 3-mans. Both groups trying Fangorn's Edge completed it.
                Gorlim (Aeronwy, minstrel), Pippin (Avengelina, champion), and Varda (Fainan, hunter).
                Gildor (Marrella, guardian), Melkor (Passim, rune-keeper), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter).
          The Pits: Fire wing:
                Gorlim (Aeronwy, minstrel), Pippin (Avengelina, champion), and Varda (Fainan, hunter). This group got into the fire side a good way, but time caught up with us and we had to break up.

Dec. 11, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda.
Attending: (7)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Glorfindel VG, Menelvagor Valar, and VardaValar1 (presiding)
Tolkien:
    Topic: What kind of lights were used for Middle-earth (including Valinor) to light most of the world?

Dec. 10, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
      
Completed three 12-man skirmish raids before needing to break up for the night. Well done, all! Next Saturday Irmo and Miriel will be away celebrating Miriel's birthday. Christmas and New Year's will disrupt the Saturday runs after that, but we can still run with those showing up, even if it's a part-pug, 6-man, or 3-man, or duo! Go us!
       Breaching the Necromancer's Gate:
          Celeborn (Kebb, champion), Cirdan (Menarus, hunter), Galdor (Thongaladh, champion), Hurin (Hiurred, captain), Indis (Isaniel, minstrel), Irmo (Irmogar, guardian), Melkor (Passim, rune-keeper), Miriel (Mahariel, minstrel), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), Orome (Oromdur), Pippin (Faerus, guardian), Varda (Fainan, hunter).
       Attack at Dawn:
         
Same all-Valar group. Isaniel won the Worn Symbol of Celebrimbor.
       Battle in the Tower:
         
Same group.

Dec. 9, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Message from Turbine about the upcoming update:
 The LOTRO Game Servers will be brought down on Monday, December 12th from 6:00 - 10:00 AM Eastern (-5 GMT) to launch the latest game update, Update 5: Armies of Isengard.
Patch notes will be available during the downtime.
Thanks for your patience, and we'll see you back in the game soon!

Dec. 7, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Instance not run due to disinterest.

Dec. 5, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
        Monday 8pm Eastern scheduled run time.
            Great Barrows: Thadur
level 75, collected one half of the key for Nellas.
                Galdor (Andwegar burglar - Thongaladh champ), Indis (Isaniel, minstrel), Melkor (Belkus burg - Passum, runekeeper), Nellas (Nimeithel, warden), Pippin (Faerus, guardian), and Varda (Fainan, hunter).
             School
                Celeborn (Kebb), Gildor (Fairmaiden, minstrel), and Nimrodel (Cynthiajane, champion).
             Library
                Galdor (Andwegar, burglar), Gildor (Fairmaiden, minstrel), Celeborn (Kebb).

Dec. 4, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda.
Attending:
    ArienV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Glorfindel VG, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1.
Tolkien:
    Topic: Interesting elves in The Silmarillion and why.
After-meeting:
    RP thread for suggesting and votiing on final title for our sequel to "Scouting Ahead".
    WoW discussions

    Gaming / WoW:
       We ran a couple of random heroic dungeons together:
          Lost City of the Tol'Vir completed by Eonwe (Auros, paladin), Elwing (Elwingv, hunter), Fangorn (Treebeerd, mage), Sauron (Sauronv, warlock), and Varda (Varda, priest).
          Halls of Origination completed through the first boss, Temple Guardian Anhuur. Since Sauron needed to leave because he had work early in the morning, Eowyn came in and joined the group in his place as Mairovende, Shaman. We had three others that needed to leave due to the late hour, so we left on wings of victory.

Dec. 3, 2011
    Saturday 1pm Eastern:
       12-man skirmishes. Please sign up or off at the forum to help planning. Running these same ones should let everyone pick up any loot from here that they've been hoping for on their mains. The runs went quickly giving time for an extra run; well done!

        Report from Miriel:
Thanks to all who continue to make Saturday Valar Guild runs so much fun! So much fun this week we just could not stop and added a fourth skirmish.

Breaching the Necromancer's Gate
Cirdan (Menarus, hunter), Celeborn (Kebb, champion), Galdor (Andwegar, burglar), Indis (Celebrethil, burglar), Irmo (Irmogar, guardian), Melkor (Passim, rune-keeper), Miriel (Mahariel, minstrel), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), Pippin (Faerus, guardian), Tulkas (Astald, hunter) and guild friends Mosby (burglar), Jadeana (minstrel) from the Palantiri.

Tuckborough
Cirdan (Menarus, hunter), Celeborn (Kebb, champion), Galdor (Thongoladh, champion), Indis (Celebrethil, burglar), Irmo (Irmogar, guardian), Melkor (Passim, rune-keeper), Miriel (Mahariel, minstrel), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), Pippin (Faerus, guardian) and guild friends Mosby (burglar), Jadeana (minstrel) from the Palantiri.
Celeborn won the Worn Symbol of Celebrimbor

Battle in the Tower
Cirdan (Menarus, hunter), Celeborn (Kebb, champion), Galdor (Thongoladh, champion), Indis (Celebrethil, burglar), Irmo (Irmogar, guardian), Melkor (Passim, rune-keeper), Miriel (Mahariel, minstrel), Pippin (Avengelina, 75 champion) and guild friends Mosby (burglar), Jadeana (minstrel), Candrandir (guardian), Elgarain (minstrel) from the Palantiri.

Defense of the Prancing Pony
Cirdan (Menarus, hunter), Celeborn (Kebb, champion), Galdor (Thongoladh, champion), Hurin (Hiurred, captain) Indis (Celebrethil, burglar), Irmo (Irmogar, guardian), Melkor (Passim, rune-keeper), Miriel (Mahariel, minstrel), Varda (Fainan, hunter). Guild friends Candrandir (guardian), Elgarain (minstrel) from the Palantiri and Anrisa (captain) from PLOI.

I look forward to seeing you all next weekend.

   
After the big runs, the School / Library 3-mans were run by
       Celeborn (Kebb), Cirdan (Menarus), and Hurin (Hiuro).
       Galdor (Andwegar), Hurin (Hurin), and Tulkas (Astald) who had to go after one and was replaced by Varda (Fainan).
       Galdor (Thongaladh), Gildor (Fairmaiden), and Nimrodel (Cynthiajane).

Dec. 2, 2011
    Gaming / WoW:
       Friday 7pm Eastern:
       Heroic Wells of Eternity g
ave a few bazillion experience to the guild.
          Heroes: Bilbo, Bofur, and Nob.
       Hellfire Ramparts
and Blood Furnace dungeons run by lowbie group, with leveling and Outlands flying ability for Elwing:
          Heroes: Elwing (Eledhiel, 58-59-60 warrior), Eowyn (Rohirwyn, 63-64 warrior), Fangorn (Fanghorn, 63 priest), Varda (Fainan, 68-69 hunter), and guild-friend Schlep on Belhorath (71 death-knight).
       Also present later: Glorfindel and Eonwe.

Nov. 30, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm Eastern runs:
          Prancing Pony s
kirmish 5-manned, completed plus encounters:
             Gildor (Livinola, captain), Indis (Celebrethil, burglar), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), Pippin (Avengelina, champion), and Varda (Fainan, hunter).
          Amon Sul
skirmish 5-manned:
             Same group.
          School/Library
3-man instances:
             Gildor (Fairmaiden, minstrel), Nimrodel (Ardisian), and Pippin (Avengelina)
          Thangulhad 6-manned:
             Celeborn (Kebb), Eomer (Erkendan, captain), Gildor (Fairmaiden, minstrel), Indis (Celebrethil, burglar), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), and Varda (Fainan, hunter).
          Way of the Smiths some of us 12-manned with Lhee group:
             Celeborn (Kebb), Eomer (Erkendan), Indis (Celebrethil), and Varda (Fainan).

Nov. 29, 2011
    Gaming / WoW:
       The 4.3 patch is here with Transmogrification and storage in the Void.

Nov. 28, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm Eastern get-together. No healer of any sort was available for the scheduled 6-man, due to poor timing or illness. After a while we had a 3-man for School/Library with Galdor (Andwegar, 75 burglar), Gildor (Livinola, 75 captain), and Nimrodel (Cynthajane, 75 champ). Some of us grouped up for regular questing and leveling.

Nov. 27, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda.
Attending: (5)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, Glorfindel VG, and VardaValar1 (presiding)
Games:
    Flashgame:
        Nob War: The Elves
    WoW:
       Patch 4.3 will probably come out this week.
    LotRO:
       Harvest Festival is running again just for this weekend.
Tolkien:
    Topic: The ideals of the writer show through in his work. Good is not one thing for Men and another for Elves or Dwarves. What are a few and some examples of them?
After-meeting:
    RP talk, then on to WoW.

    Gaming / WoW:
       Fangorn is working up a new warrior quickly, so we joined up with him on lowbies if we had them and went to three 5-man instances:
          Deadmines (Westfall):
             Heroes: Arien (Faradrien, 13 hunter), Eonwe (Auros, 85 paladin), Fangorn (Oltreetender, 21 warrrior), and Varda (Draugelena, 31 druid healer).
          Black Fathom Deep (Ashenvale):
             Since characters had to be level 15 to enter, Arien's 13 hunter Faradrien had to level up a little. Glorfindel joined in with Raladek, 24 hunter. Eonwe, who'd been having connection problems, stepped out to let one of the ladies enter, so Eowyn came in with Dernhelm. Arien and Glorfindel needed to leave before we had quite finished the dungeon, but the survivors kept going and did all that was left.
          Shadowfang Keep (Silverpine Forest):
              Eowyn needed to leave to tend Schlep who had a nasty stomach bug (get well soon!). Elwing joined the group with Eledhiel, 53 warrior. Eonwe rejoined the group on Auros with his computer rebooted. The instance was about the Worgens and three of us at the entrance were Worgens: Eledhiel, Dernhelm, and Draugelena.

Nov. 26, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Prancing Pony
6-man skirmish:
          Indis (Celebrethil, burglar), Irmo (Irmogar, guardian), Miriel (Mahariel, minstrel), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), Pippin (Avengelina, champion), and Varda (Fainan, hunter).
       Breaching the Necromancer's Gate
12-man skirmish:
          Same group plus Celeborn (Kebb), Gorlim (Morwena, hunter), Hurin (Hiurred), and Nellas (Nimeithel).
       School and Library 3-mans, 3 groups:
          Galdor (Thongoladh, champion), Hurin (Hiurin, champ), and Varda (Fainan, hunter).
          Hurin (Hiurin, rune-keeper), Melkor (Passim, rune-keeper), and Pippin (Avengelina, champion)
          Galdor (Andwegar, burglar), Gorlim (Morwena, hunter), Nimrodel (Cynthiajane, champion)

Nov. 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov. 21, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm Eastern run. Since we didn't have enough for a 6-man, three of us ran lowbies with Hamson's young Hamsun in the Low Lands of Ered Luin for a bit enjoying the change. Then more folk came in and some higher level fun also ensued, although two stayed with Hamson.

Nov. 20, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda.

    Gaming / WoW:
        Molten Core completed for rep:
           Arien (Annarwen, 85 druid), Bilbo (Billboh, 85 mage), Eonwe (Auros, 85 paladin), Eowyn (61 warrior), and Varda (85 priest).
        Blackrock Caverns heroic difficulty, ran it up to boss Corla:
           Same group. Then Arien needed to go to sleep.
        Blackrock Caverns heroic: Corla through completion:
           Sauron came home about the time Arien needed to leave. Nice timing, Dark Lord!
           Bilbo (Billboh, 85 mage), Eonwe (Auros, 85 paladin), Eowyn (61 warrior), Sauron (Sauronv, 85 warlock), and Varda (85 priest)

Nov. 19, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Saturday 12-man raid skirmishes level 75:
          Tuckborough:
             Cirdan (Menarus, hunter), Gildor (Marrella, guardian), Gorlim (Morwena, hunter), Hurin (Hiurred, captain), Irmo (Irmohir, captain), Melkor (Passim, rune-keeper), Miriel (Mahariel, minstrel), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), Pippin (Faerus, guardian), and Varda (Fainan, hunter).  Guildfriends from the Palantiri: Jadeana and Mosby.
                Memory fails for the other three: could have been NOTCeleborn (Kebb), Cirdan (Menarus), Tulkas (Astald)? They were not Annael, Galdor, or Indis
          Battle in the Tower:
             Cirdan, Galdor (Andwegar, burglar), Gildor, Gorlim (Aeronwy, minstrel), Hurin, Irmo, Melkor, Miriel, Nimrodel, Pippin, Tulkas (Astald, hunter). and Varda (Fainan).
          Breaching the Necromancer's Gate:
             Celeborn (Kebb), Cirdan (Menarus), Hurin, Indis (Alasse, lore-master), Irmo (Irmogar, guardian), Melkor, Miriel, Nimrodel, Pippin, and Varda. Guild-friends from Lhee group: Daegaran (captain) and Kymli (minstrel). Melkor won the Worn Symbol of Celebrimbor!

       Three-mans afterwards:
          School and Libary runs:
           
Celeborn (Kebb), Hurin (Hiurred), and Indis (Celebrethil, burglar).

Nov. 17, 2011
    Welcome to the Valar Guild, Hamson-(V)!
Hamson is from Texas, 48, and is lucky enough to have grandkids. He plays 2-3 times a week, sometimes daily. He's read the LotR a couple of times and has the H and Sil on order. His favorite character is Samwise Gamgee, the always faithful. Hamson chose Hamson as a name because he is one of Sam's two brothers.

Nov. 16, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm Eastern:
          Great Barrows Maze level 75:
             Gildor (Marrella, guardian), Gorlim (Aeronwy, minstrel), Indis (Celebrethil, burglar), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), Pippin (Avengelina, champion), and Varda (Fainan, hunter).
          School  and Library:
             Galdor, Gildor, and Nimrodel.

Nov. 14, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday afternoon runs:
        Culling Pit, needed by all in the run, completed.
            Annael (Annisia, 75 guardian), Hurin (Hiuro, 75 guardian), Indis (Tengwarien), Irmo (Irmohir, 75 captain), Miriel (Mahamiriel, 75 lore-master), and Pippin (Faerus, guardian).
          Culling Pit again, needed by Hurin, Indis, Irmo, and Pippin.
             Annael (Annisia, 75 guardian), Hurin (Hiurin, 75 champion), Indis (Isaniel, 72 minstrel), Irmo (Yrmo, 75 warden), Miriel (Mahamiriel, 75 lore-master), and Pippin (Avengelina, 75 champion).
       Monday 8pm Eastern  6-man level 75 skirmishes with the same group each time led by Pippin and completed:
          The Battle in the Tower, completed:
             Gildor (Marrella, guardian), Indis (Celebrethil, burglar), Melkor (Passim, rune-keeper), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), Pippin (Avengelina, champion), Varda (Fainan, hunter).
          Assault on the Ringwraith's Lair, completed:
             Same characters.
    Membership:
       Ulmo quit.

Nov. 13, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Sunday morning Melkorrim runs including: Tuckborough skirmish.
          Angrod (Lorelina, 57 minstrel), Falathar (Lorelana, 60 lore-master), Gwindor (Baragrod, 55 lore-master), Melkor (Belgg, 59 guardian), Orome (Oromm, 57 hunter), and Rosie (Rosei, 56 captain).

Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon the Golden Cool One and Varda.
Attending: (8)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Indis-(V)/karakedi25 (attempted to enter), Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1 (presiding)
Membership:
    Nov 10: Wedding anniversary of Irmo and Miriel!; birthday.
    Fladrif has moved into his new home well enough to have a good internet connection again.
Gaming:
    Candyland
    BroodWar
    StarCraft 2
    WoW
    Robot Wants - favorable review
    LotRO
Tolkien:
    RP plot discussion
After-meeting:
    RP chat continued.
    WoW folk gathered: Elwing, Eonwe, Fangorn, Varda.

Nov. 12, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Saturday skirmish raids level 75:
          We had an overabundance of people, huzzah! So we had some of us on standby for those who had limited time.
          Amon Sul:
             Cirdan (Menarus, hunter), Galdor (Andwegar, burglar alt), Gildor (Marrella, guardian), Gorlim (Aeronwy, minstrel), Hurin (Hiurred, captain), Indis (Celebrethil, burglar alt), Irmo (Irmogar, guardian), Melkor (Passim, rune-keeper), Mirel (Mahariel, minstrel), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), Orome (Oromdur, burglar), Pippin (Avengelina, champion).  Orome won the Worn Symbol of Celebrimbor!
             Varda on standby with hunter Fainan.
             Tulkas was on working up his 72 hunter Astald in the book quest in Isengard.
          Tuckborough:
             Galdor had to leave, Fainan replaced. Cirdan won the symbol!
          Breaching the Necromancer's Gate:
             Replaced nearly unconscious Gorlim with Gunwarth who is now in our friend channel. Nellas (Nimeithel, warden) took Orome's spot when he had to go to bed.
       Afterwards people did three man skirmishes and Library.
          Skirmish: The Rift of Nurz Ghashu: Hiurred, Menarus, and Kebb.
          Library and School: Done by two teams: Irmo (Irmogar, captain), Indis (Celebrethil, burglar), and Varda (Fainan, hunter); Galdor (Andwegar, burglar), Gildor (Marrella, guardian), and Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter).

Nov. 10, 2011
    Membership:
       Irmo and Mriel's wedding anniversary!
       Varda's birthday.

Nov. 7, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm Eastern instance run time completed Culling Pit, needed by Galdor, Melkor, and Nimrodel.
          Dis (Lilyblossom, 75 min), Galdor (Andwe, 75 hunter), Gildor (guard, 75), Melkor (Passim, 75 rk), Nimrodel (champ, 68), and Varda (Fainan, 75 hunter).

Nov. 6, 2011
US Daylight Savings Time is over.
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (7)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv (attempted), Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1
Membership:
    Daylight Savings Time ended in the Americas
    Birthday
Web:
    Tolkien Site: Story "Hunger" by Mirabella-(V)
Gaming:
    flashgames
    SC2
    War in the North: review by Gwaihir-(Valar)
    BW
    Eve
    WoW: general plus reports
    LotRO: reports
Tolkien:
    Topic: The storyline evolved through the notes we see in HoME and into the Sil where it had to stop despite later notes. But we can still consider the later notes such as on Narn.
    RP forum story: Need new title for our sequel to "Scouting Ahead"
After-meeting:
    WoW instance runs successful (report below). We learned that Merry's acount had been hacked and phoned him, so he's taking care of it; it even had a friend invited account attached to it, something else to watch out for.

    Gaming / WoW:
       Raids completed:
          Molten Core completed for rep:
              Arien (druid), Bilbo (mage), Elwing (hunter), Eonwe (paladin), Eowyn (shaman), and Varda (priest).
          Obsidian Sanctum:
                Arien, Bilbo, Elwing, Eonwe, Eowyn, Sauron (warrior), and Varda. Sauron got the rare black dragon mount!
          Ice Crown Citadel:
                Bilbo, Elwing, Eonwe, Eowyn, Sauron, and Varda.

Nov. 5, 2011
    Tolkien Site / Stories:
       "Hunger" by Mirabella-(V). "A ghost story set in the Occupation of the Shire".

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Saturday level 75 skirmish raids:
          Amon Sul:
             Comment on the Amon Sul fight from Miriel-(V):
                    We must keep in mind that assisting the Main Assists is very important, especially on the last boss fight so that we are not overwhelmed. Hope all had an enjoyable time, see you next week!

             Galdor (Andwe, hunter), Gildor (Marrella, guardian), Gorlim (Aeronwy, minstrel), Hurin (Hiurred, captain), Irmo (Irmogar, guardian), Melkor (Passim, rune-keeper), Miriel (Mahariel, minstrel), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), Pippin (Avengelina, champion), Thranduil (Artemis), Ulmo (Ylmir, burglar alted by choice), and Varda (Fainan, hunter).
       Tuckborough completed:
             Same group except changed out Melkor's Passim for Indis's Alasse (lore-master) so that Melkor and Orome could have a duo of father and son time.  The Worn Symbol of Celebrimbor dropped here, roll won by Mirel. Grats!
       Breaching the Necromancer's Gate completed:
             Same as the Tuckborough group.
      
    Three man level 75's afterwards for School and Library completed:
       Hurin (Hiuro), Irmo (Irmogar), and Varda (Fainan)
    Three man level 75 for School:
        Galdor (Andwe), Gildor (Marrella), Nimrodel (Ardisian)

    Duos level 75's Breaching the Necromancer's Gate, Assault on the Ringwraith's Lair both completed:
       Hurin (Hiuro) and Varda (Fainan)

Nov. 2, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm Eastern: 3-manning for School/Library by Galdor (Andwe, hunter), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), and Pippin (Avengelina, champion).

Nov. 1, 2011
    Happy birthday, Alatar!

Oct. 31, 2011
    Happy Halloween!
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm Eastern run. Feel free to wear funny outfits!
           Report from Nimrodel and Pippin:
               School/Library runs completed by two teams: Gildor (Marrella, guardian), Indis (Alasse, lore-master), Melkor (Passim, rune-keeper) and the second (super-fast) team of Galdor (Andwe, hunter), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), and Pippin (Avengelina, champion).

Oct. 30, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (8)
        Arienv, ArPharazonV, Eomer-(V)ex1999-2009/dudeman51983, Eonwe Valar (presiding), Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Gilraen-(V)/Iyrenth, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, and VardaValar1.
Membership:
    Daylight Savings Time ended in Europe, not in the Americas until next weekend.
    Eowyn-(V)
    All Tolkien-onlies
Web:
    Closing Anniversary entries for the Tolkien Site after October ends. The spot may be held by emailing or telling Varda that you have something you're working on for the Anniversary.
Gaming:
    WoW
    LotRO
    other games
Tolkien:
    Topic: Mythological creatures in Tolkien's works.
After-meeting:
    WoW instance runs successful. See below.

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Headless Horseman runs for the Halloween festivities. Seven runs completed for the guild achievement, more done for individuals' upgrades and dailies.
          Participants: Arien, Bilbo, Elwing, Eonwe, Eowyn, Fangorn, Sauron, and Varda.
       Molten Core raid completed for reputation.
          Participants: Bilbo, Elwing, Eonwe, Fangorn, Sauron, and Varda.
       Ice Crown Citadel raid through the first boss: Lord Marrowgar. Ended after that boss since people needed to drive home or had work the next day.
          Participants: Bilbo, Elwing, Eonwe, Eowyn, Fangorn, Sauron, and Varda.

Oct. 29, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Saturday 10pm Eastern raid runs:
            Report from Miriel-(V):
On Saturday, October 29th we did our second 12 man guild run. Full of fun and laughs!

Defence of the Prancing Pony
Cirdan (Menarus, 75 hunter), Gildor (Marrella, 75 guardian), Hurin (Hiurred, 75 captain), Indis (Alasse, 75 lore-master), Irmo (Irmogar, 75 guardian), Miriel (Mahariel, 75 minstrel), Melkor (Passim, 75 rune-keeper), Nimrodel (Ardisian, 75 hunter), Pippin (Avengelina, 75 champion), Ulmo (Niequi, 75 minstrel), Anrisa 75 captain from PLOI and Eladion 75 lore-master from The Tuatha De Danann helping our guild out.
Here Miriel had a huge oops! She accidentally gifted the Careworn Earring (caster item) to Ardisian in the mad haste of looting. Sent a ticket to the GM's to help her correct this error, but that was sadly and instantly refused. Apologies to all.

Tuckborough
Went on to Tuckborough with the same group set up. Pippin was the lucky Valar member who won the Worn Symbol of Celebrimbor for the week!

Stand at Amon Sul
And last but not least was Stand at Amon Sul same group set up, although Galdor (Andwe, 75 hunter) took over Nimrodel (Ardisian, 75 hunter) spot to end the evening with a successful and enjoyable bang!

Oct. 26, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm Eastern:
            Great Barrows: Thadur, level 75.
                Galdor (Andwe, hunter), Gildor (Marrella, guardian), Indis (Alasse, lore-master), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), Pippin (Avengelina, champion), Ulmo (Niequi, minstrel)

Oct. 24, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm Eastern: Great Barrows level 75 run, completing Thadur. The Maze we didn't quite complete.
          Participants: Cirdan (Menarus, hunter), Gildor (Marrella, guardian), Indis (Alasse, lore-master), Melkor (Passim, rune-keeper), Nimrodel (Ardisian, hunter), Pippin (Avengelina, champion subbed in for Cirdan between instances), and Varda (Fainan, hunter).

Oct. 23, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (8)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv, galdorandwe, GwaihirValar, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1 (presiding)
Membership:
    Mirabella
    Ar-Pharazon
    Arien
Gaming:
    flashgames
    Might and Magic Heroes 6 review
    WoW expansion, reports
    LotRO reports
Tolkien:
     RP
    Housing in Mirkwood. Housing second go-around.
    Mirkwood, Rivendell, and Lorien's relationships.
    Telepathy , telepathy 2
    Palantiri

Oct. 22, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Saturday 1pm Eastern 12-man skirmishes completed very well. No wipes, all completed, and one Worn Symbol of Celebrimbor won by Irmogar (for a very rare winning roll for anything, leaving him happily flabbergasted). More about it on the Forum. :)
          Prancing Pony:
             Participants: Annael (Rhonia, 75 champion), Cirdan (Menarus, 75 hunter), Gildor (Marrella, 75 guardian), Gorlim (Aeronwy, 75 minstrel), Hurin (Hiurred, 75 captain), Irmo (Irmogar, 75 guardian), Miriel (Mahariel, 75 minstrel), Melkor (Passim, 75 rune-keeper), Nimrodel (Ardisian, 75 hunter), Pippin (Avengelina, 75 champion), Ulmo (Niequi, 75 minstrel), Varda (Fainan, 75 hunter).
          Tuckborough:
             Participants: We had the same group except that Cirdan had to leave. Pinkfae, a friend from Palantiri, filled in as a 75 Lore-master.
          Stand at Amon Sul:
             Participants: We had the same group except that Pinkfae needed to leave as did Gorlim and Pippin. We were fortunate that Galdor (Andwe, 75 hunter), Indis (Alasse, 75 lore-master), and Nellas (Nimeithel, 73 warden) were able to arrive for the last run and jumped right in.            

Oct. 19, 2011
    Happy birthday, Mirabella-(V)!

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm Eastern: possibly a 6-man Prancing Pony skirmish set at level 75, allowing players level 74 and 75. It re-sets Thursday so that it won't conflict with the weekend 12-man raid at the Prancing Pony.

Oct. 17, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday get-together 8pm Eastern.
        Culling Pit try. Participants: Gildor (75 guardian Marrella), Maedhros (68 rune-keeper Lachwen), Melkor (74 rune-keeper Passim), Nimrodel (74 hunter Ardisian), Pippin (75 champ Avengelina), and Varda (75 hunter Fainan). Some of us played together in the outer Isengard area either needing or helping others so that they could go into inner Isengard.
       Superior 4th Mark acquisition: This can only be done at level 75. We had a discussion of running 12-man skirmishes on weekends in the afternoon. Post your available times on the forum thread. Six-mans are already going in the afternoon with a person here and there dropping out and being replaced. We should have enough level 75's in the evening soon for 6-man's at that time, and we can do 3-mans almost any time of day.
         
    Gaming / WoW:
       Grats on hitting guild level 14!

Oct. 16, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
    Attending: (8)
        AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), fladrifv, GwaihirValar, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1
    Web:
       Screenshots of the Anniversary activities done by the WoW folk now up.
    Gaming
        WoW
        LotRO
        BroodWar
        SC2
        Menelvagor's change in gaming areas
    Tolkien:
        Forum story RP
        Topic: What kind of landforms, vegetation, and peoples can we expect in the area between Rivendell and the Witch-King's former domain?
    After-meeting:
        WoW group met and ran intstance.

Oct. 14, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Kinship Auction
now going! (Oct 14-17) Drop in mathoms, potions, crafted items, rescources and pick some up! Click Kinship only and Search to see what's there..
       Map link:
Here's an entertaining and informative mxap of the Pit of Iron by Silently, a nice guy we met there. Update: Here's another map that came out later by another group, showing better how to reach Lunt. Another map later on suggested by Eomer.

Oct. 13, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Our first Kinship Auction will be held this weekend October 14-17. Post your excess and goodies, and come see what cool new stuff you can pick up. This helps everyone and the recipes can help lowbie crafters who can't reach Dunland. A nice how-to by Miriel is on the Forum. Thank you Miriel for suggesting the Kin Auction House weekend. We're considering doing it twice a month.

Oct. 12, 2011
    Wednesday 8pm Eastern: Culling Pit completed.
       Participants: Bofur (Dagr, 75 minstrel), Dis (Lilyblossom, 72 minstrel), Gildor (Marrella, 74 guardian), Indis (Alasse, 75 lore-master), Nimrodel (Ardisian, 72 hunter), and Varda (Fainan, 75 hunter).

Oct. 11, 2011
    LotRO is hiring.

Oct. 10, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday daytime:
           Report from Irmo-(Valar):
            The daytime crew completed The Culling Pit: Miriel (72 minstrel Mahariel), Annil (72 champion Rhonia), Hurin (73 captain Hiurred), Cirdan (Menarus, 74 hunter), Thranduil (72 burglar Artemas) and Irmo (75 guardian Irmogar).
       Monday 8pm Eastern: The Culling Pit completed.
          Participants: Eomer (Erkendan, 72 captain), Galdor (Andwe, 75 hunter), Gildor (Marrella, 74 guardian), Gorlim (Aeronwy, 75 minstrel), Melkor (Passim, 72 rune-keeper), and Nimrodel (Ardisian, 72 hunter).
    Link:
        Flash mobs can be good, like this one in Copenhagen. Link from Meriadoc-(V), alternate link, and alt link.

Oct. 9, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5) (and AIM chat marathon finish! Come help for whatever time you can!)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
    Attending (8): AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Gwaihir Valar, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1 (presiding)
    Last day of the AIM anniversary chat marathon.
    Web:
       Anniversary page updated, continuing to take entries until the end of October.
       Forum repaired
    Tolkien:
       JRRT gave us both the fabulously beautiful and the scarily spooky. The contrast made each stronger. Can we think of some examples of spooky and how it might have had an opposite?
    After-meeting:
        Marathon ends for holding the guild AIM chat room open from last meeting through this meeting. Thanks for joining in! (Ok, some of you still aren't leaving. Who said it couldn't keep going and going...)
        Pictures of gaming or other events by individuals on such places as Photobucket can be linked to the website such as the Tolkien Site for ones suitable for illustrating encyclopedia articles, poems, or stories, or to the forum or Games site.
        WoW Lothar group did the Molten Core raid for Hydraxian water lord reputation.

Oct. 8, 2011

    The Full Member previously known as Legolas-(V) has changed his name to Thranduil-(V).
The previous Thranduil passed the name to the more active player in a kind act, since he is going to law school and unable to game. The previous Thranduil is still a member but is trying to think up another name, perhaps more obscure. The current Thranduil had requested the name from the beginning, taking Legolas while waiting for the name, since 2007. A kind father and son happening!

    Tolkien Site / Stories:
       "Honor Redeemed" by Arien-(Valar). What happened to the soldiers that Aragorn sent away from the Black Gate battle? Written for the 14th Anniversary of the Valar Guild.      

Oct. 5, 2011

    Tolkien Site / Articles:
      
"Wolves", concerning all types of wolves including named ones, by Irmo-(Valar).

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8 pm Eastern: 6-man run: The Culling Pit completed.
          Participants: Eomer (Erkendan, 70 captain), Gorlim (Aeronwy, 73 minstrel), Nimrodel (69 hunter), Pippin (Avengelina, 74 champ who leveled to 75), and Varda (71 hunter). Isilwing, a guild-friend, helped with her 69 champion.

Oct. 6, 2011
    Happy birthday, Tulkas!

Oct. 4, 2011
Happy 14th Anniversary, Valar Guild!

    14th Anniversary Page

    Gaming / LotRO:
       1pm Eastern (19:00 CET)
we met at Bree for music and fireworks! Screenies were taken and some can be seen on the forum.
       8pm Eastern
were going to meet at the kin house to pick up fireworks, but the group decided to meet at the Bree West Gate instead. This was a good time to wear party clothes! Hunters were able to port (and captains can summon late-comers) to the main cities. A person (or several) would yell "Happy 14th Anniversary, Valar Guild!" and then we blasted fireworks and jumped to the next location. We planned on hitting the major cities and did go to Bree, Michel Delving, Thorin's Hall, and Rivendell. People needed to leave or we would have finished up in the new hub city of Galtrev.

    Gaming / WoW:
       7pm Eastern (6pm Central) guild fireworks run to the main cities. Varda joined in on the first one but needed to head for the LotRO group afterwards. Eonwe, Eowyn, and Sauron were in on the whole run and also made fireworks (some quite expensive!).

    Tolkien Site today:
       Art:
            "Nerdanel" by Nerdanel-(V)
       Articles:
             "Wolves" by Irmo-(Valar) going online later.

Oct. 3, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
    Grats to Miriel and Irmo, running together as a duo and hitting level 75 together in LotRO early this morning; that's our kind of romance. Grats also to the whole group, playing hard and yet taking time out to help each other while we all enjoy the new content.
    There have been weird crashings so if you're keeping a few fireworks to shoot on October 4, consider putting them in your shared storage.
    For tomorrow, consider finding what wild set of party clothes you want to wear or if you want to show off full uber armor (or both!).

Oct. 2, 2011:

    Thank you
for responding to the Games Site Mass Update! A good one-third of the guild responded to Eonwe, up from the previous year. (Yes, you can still respond if you haven't yet.) You are automatically considered members for 2012 for answering unless you say otherwise.
~*~

    The Valar Guild's 14th Anniversary is this coming Tuesday, October 4th. The web page for plans is now up. Let Varda know if you have something to add to the list by email, meeting, in-game, phone, or the AIM chat marathon.
        Gamers:We intend to shoot off fireworks and (character special effects) at major cities together while yelling "Happy 14th Anniversary, Valar Guild!" in the LotrO branch on the Landroval server and in the WoW branch on the Lothar server. 
            The LotRO group will have two times, one set by the afternoon group and one at the regular instance time of 8pm EDT. Feel free to bring pie, drinks, musical instruments, and tales for those getting together times before the fireworks blast. :)  Fireworks will be made available, and feel free to bring them if you have them! Those folks who can't come at the scheduled times, please feel free to solo or grab kin and guild-friends at a time that works for you and do your fireworks blast! And if you want to go every time, woot!
        Writers, artists, and musicians (frequently includes gamers!): when emailing your items for the Tolkien Site, please mention that they are for this anniversary. We do take them late, although it would be nice to have them for the actual anniversary.
          The AIM chat one week marathon of holding the Valar Guild Meetingplace open kicks off today at the regular Sunday meeting and continues through the next. Just hold it open or say something to the gang that even the afk can scroll back to see. No, the entire marathon is not planned to be transcripted, just the meetings. :)
          Forum: feel free to say "Woot!" in your own words on a forum thread for the 14th Anniversary.
          Thank you for being a part of the vision!
~*~
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5) (and AIM chat marathon kick-off! Come help for whatever time you can!)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
    Attending: (6)
        AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv, GwaihirValar, VardaValar1 (presiding)
    Web:
        Annual report on the State of Valar Gaming, by Eonwe-(Valar).
        14th Anniversary page is online.
    Tolkien:
       Monsters in Tolkien's world.

    Gaming / WoW:
       Participating: Arien, Bilbo, Elwing, Eonwe, Eowyn, and Varda.

~*~
Oct. 1, 2011
    Happy Birthday, Glaurung!

Sept. 29, 2011
    Gaming/ LotRO / Membership:
       Congratulations to our three new Warlords: Galdor, Miriel, and Pippin!
          A warlord is an officer on our LotRO Landroval server only, not gulid-wide. These are folk we are asking to help with the general business that they already do and are being recognized for. We are now giving them tools to help make what they do a bit easier: kin message, all-kin mails, and the ability to invite alts of members when Maiar and Valar are unavailable.
        With their different times of day for being online, our three types of officers should be able to spread out enough of us to help members at nearly any time.


Sept. 28, 2011
    Gaming / LotrO:
       We are happily running the new areas, joining up here and there. The new level cap is 75.

Sept. 26, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       "Exceptionally High Volume:
             "Due to high demand players may experience long wait times or connectivity issues while patching or logging into the game. We are working to increase performance and will continue to do so as needed. We appreciate your patience and understanding."
       Ok, so there are a lot of us in the line with you, could be a while to get in, be patient.
       While waiting, here are the official notes for Rise of Isengard.
       Rise of Isengard expansion is online!
       Monday we all went happily crazy running tons of new content and leveling.

Sept. 25, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending:
(5)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (chaired business section), Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1 (Tolkien section)
Tolkien:
    Topic: "Suppose Frodo would actually have had the willpower left to drop the Ring into the fire himself, would then Gollum have been on the last ship, being a ringbearer?"

    Gaming / WoW:
        Sunday WoW dungeon runs with Arien, Bilbo, Elwing, Eonwe, Fangorn, Nob, and Varda.

Sept. 24, 2011
    Happy Birthday, Bilbo-(V)!

Sept. 23, 2011
    Gaming / WoW:
       Friday get-togethers were by Bilbo, Elwing, Eonwe, Sauron, and Varda for The Coren Darkbrew run for Brewfest gaining trinket upgrades, then random dungeons using the Dungeon Finder made very fast by starting with a full group. Nob came online with his warrior /wave!

Sept. 22, 2011
    Bilbo and Frodo's birthday! (book)
Bilbo gives a practical gift:

Bilbo gives Sting to Frodo

Sept. 21, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
        Wednesday: Mirkwood and other book quests, deeding, and generally getting ready for the Rise of Isengard.
          Amongst those arriving in Mirkwood came Maedhros's Lachwen, and he had the good sense to take a screenshot for his journal.

Sept. 19, 2011
    International Talk Like a Pirate Day!
Pirate-related quests and general silliness are going on in both LotRO and WoW. Have fun, mateys!
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday instance runs:
          Helegrod marks warm-up raids.
             Cirdan (first time!), Galdor, Maedhros, Melkor (62 captain Melkus),  Nerdanel, Nimrodel, and Varda (65 hunter Fainan). Those not listed kept the same characters for the next run.
          Halls of Crafting completed. It's a good jewelry dungeon and some folk got upgrades; the group also picked up Medallions of Lothlrorien, deeds, and quests. Since it's long, the run ran into people's bedtimes so we had two players who swapped out with standbys.
                Eomer (Erkendan switched to his Khori character both 65's), Galdor (63 captain Dolenatan), Maedhros (62 rune-keeper Lachwen), Melkor (minstrel Melko), Nerdanel (65 hunter Lothelena), Nimrodel (61 warden Anthemis), Pippin (65 champion Avengelina swapped in for Galdor), and Varda (65 minstrel Tinwetari swapped in for Melkor).
            Waterworks area: Cirdan on 57 hunter Menarus duoed at first with Varda on 65 hunter Fainan, then later with other players still remaining after the above HoC run.
              

Sept. 18, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
    Attending: (7)
        AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (chair), fladrifv, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1
    Tolkien:
        Arien's topic: Cair Andros during the War of the Ring.

Sept. 16, 2011
    Gaming / WoW:
       Friday:
          Scholomance:
Elwing (46 warrior Eledhiel), Fangorn (49 priest Fanghorn), Sauron (85 warrior Artano)
          Eonwe came on briefly, having to leave due to storms. Varda was online for the Friday get-together also.

Sept. 15, 2011
    Happy Birthday Nellas!

Sept. 14, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday:
          Helegrod marks run.
          Sixteenth Hall completed. We went for Maedhros' rune-keeper's class quest and just kept going and going all the way through the end (the Lost one went down, along with his mushrooms and bugs) with some members leveling up. The run also was for giving Nimrodel's warden practice tanking in some tricky situations and giving Gildor's minstrel practice as main healer. Galdor swapped out with Melkor partway through, just barely before his face might have smacked into the keyboard. We were fortunate to have Pippin come in with us for Sixteenth, as he took a break from playing Gothic. He's trying to complete that game before the Rise of Isengard expansion, at which time he'll be sizzling in LotRO again. Legolas dropped by during the run and said hi before he had to go to work; he hopes to be returning more regularly again.
          Heroes: Galdor (captain Dolenatan), Gildor (65 minstrel Fairmaiden), Maedhros (60 rune-keeper Lachwen), Melkor (captain Melkus), Nimrodel (60 warden Anthemis), Pippin (65 champion), and Varda (65 hunter Fainan).
          Meanwhile, the dashing duo of Cirdan and Gimli made their way into Moria together, with a level up along the way.

Sept. 13, 2011
    Happy Birthday Irmo!
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Gorlim
is now number 9 on the Landroval server in pvp. He made the top rank of 9 (High Warden) as well as making a killing blow on his 500th so he has the title of Warrior. /salute!

Sept. 12, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
      
Monday:
       Helgrod marks raid with seven people.
         
Heroes: Galdor, Gildor, Melkor, Nellas, Nerdanel, Nimrodel, and Varda.
       Grand Stairs hard mode six-man completed. Melkor got the Painted Vane.
          Heroes: Galdor, Gildor, Melkor, Nerdanel, Nimrodel, and Varda.
             They were on classes: captain, guardian, minstrel (heal), lore-master, warden, and minstrel (dps, heal as needed).


Sept. 11, 2011
"We still remember, we who dwell/ In this far land beneath the trees,/ Thy starlight on the Western Seas."
FotR, "Three is Company"

    Tolkien Site / Articles:
      
Galadriel by Irmo-(Valar). A complete biography. Written for the Valar Guild's 14th Anniversary coming up in October.

    Tolkien Site / Poetry:
        By Firiel-(T):
           The Stars of Ilmen
           As For Me!
           Tindómerel
           At Twilight's Fall
           Maeglin's Cry

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Report from Miriel-(V):
          Spontaneous Carn Dum run this evening for Cirdan.
            Cirdan (Menarus), Miriel (Mahairiel), Irmo (Irmbrand), Hurin (Hiuro), Annael (Rhonia) and Kebb (Celeborn ) who had to leave us midway, so we were joined by Nerdanel (Lothelena) to finish the instance.
        Thanks to all. Urugarth will be next!
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5) Sept 11
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
    Attending: (6)
        AragornValar1, AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (chaired part), Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, VardaValar1 (chaired part)
    Tolkien:
       Topic: Disasters in Middle-earth.

Sept. 10, 2011
    Tolkien Site / Poetry:
      
Tar-Míriel by Naomi-(T), our newest Tolkien member. Tar-Míriel at the sinking of Númenor.

Sept. 8, 2011

    Gaming / WoW:
       The Lothar guild branch hit level 13 today!

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Noon EDT Garth Agarwaen run. Report from Miriel-(V):
          Cirdan (Menarus) Miriel (Mahairiel) Irmo (Irmbrand) did the 1st 2 instances. Joined by Hurin (Hiuras), Annael (Rhonia) and Nerdanel (Ereghel) for last instance of GA.

Sept. 7, 2011
    Happy Birthday Nerdanel!
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday:
            Helegrod mark raid run.
                Heroes: Galdor (61 captain Dolenatan), Indis (captain Mirminuial), Maedhros (58 rune-keeper Lachwen), Nimrodel (59 warden Anthemis), Ulmo (58 hunter Winge), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).
            Grand Stairs quest mode run.
                Same except that Indis switched to Isaniel (minstrel) and Varda's minstrel dropped to allow it to be a 6-man fellowship.
           Tomb of Elendil run will be done another day as we ran into a time crunch.
                Some of the characters needing it are Maehdros' Lachwen, Nerdanel's Ereghel, Pippin's Faerus, and Varda's Tinwetari and Timbridhil.

Sept. 5, 2011
    Happy Birthday, Melkor!

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EDT instance runs, much fun had.
          Helegrod marks runs (with a few twists to the usual runs):
             Heroes: Galdor (61 captain Dolenatan), Hurin (rune-keeper Hiuro who should've been asleep but ran with us anyway), Gildor (guardian Marrella), Nerdanel (lore-master Lothelena), Nimrodel (warden Anthemis), and Varda (Tinwetari).
          Fil Gashan, 5-manning it and completing the captain's class quest. (Would you like that pan-seared?)
             Heroes: Galdor (61 captain Dolenatan), Gildor (guardian Marrella), Nerdanel (lore-master Lothelena), Nimrodel (champion Cynthiajane), and Varda (Tinwetari).
          Grand Stairs, 6-manning it, completing through the boss, Igash.
             Heroes: Galdor (61 captain Dolenatan), Gildor (guardian Marrella), Indis (lore-master Mereniel), Nerdanel (lore-master Lothelena), Nimrodel (warden Anthemis), and Varda (Tinwetari).
       For Wednesday, we've had requests for Grand Stairs quest mode, and for Tomb of Elendil (book quest). We can do both easily enough.
         

Sept. 4, 2011
    Welcome to the Valar Guild, Cirdan-(V)!
Cirdan joined us today in LotRO on Menarus (his old name in DAoC), scouted by Miriel-(V) and tested by Irmo-(Valar). He's 31. He gamed with Irmo and Miriel's DAoC folks for years and looked them up on Ventrilo. He plays LotRO most days. He's read H and LotR. His favourite character was Gandalf when he was younger, for all the obvious reasons, but gradually his preference has changed to elves like Elrond and sons, and also Aragorn is a rolemodel.

Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon, Eonwe and Varda
    Attending: (9)
        AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Glorfindel VG, GwaihirValar, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, and VardaValar1

    Membership:
       Your email should have a letter from Eonwe-(Valar) <NOSPAMdeneltir@hotmail.com> giving you the latest guild news and a request for a reply with what games you are now playing and what name we should use to find you there. (Multiple heading emails like this might be blocked by your spam filter.) Answering that you're not playing any games currently is also a big help, as it lets us know your email is still good and counts as guild activity counting to keep you in the guild for next year. If you didn't get the email, you can use the address above to contact him anyway.
        In any game that has the ability, please make a Valar channel to help find each other; if you're our lone representative keeping the channel alive in your game, you are extra special!
       We can also be reached using AIM any Sunday at the meetings or from the Forum (please use your guild name to help the rest of us recognize you).
       Lord of the Rings Online (LotRO) has a free-to-play option if money is a problem or you're just curious; find us on Landroval server and remember to join the friend channel.
       Also, for the Valar Guild's 14th Anniversary, your Tolkien Site is taking articles, art, poetry, stories, music, or anything else your creative mind would like to send concerning Middle-earth. Please mark your contribution as being for the Anniversary, give your guild name for credit, and email it to Varda-(Valar) <NOSPAMvarda.elentari@gmail.com>
    Persons whose emails were not working:
Aerandir
Arien
Barahir
Beren
Elrohir
Dis
Galadriel
Gorlim
Hurin
Mablung
Malbeth
Pengolodh
Thingol
Ulfang
      
Sept. 3, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Grand Stairs: Unscheduled get-together running quest mode a couple of times for young alts' quests, older characters' deeds, and fun of being together. We swapped out as people needed to go to bed. Igash had to worry when he saw us coming...again. We plan on doing this again for the scheduled Wednesday run for Maedhros and Nerdanel.
           Heroes: Celeborn (Kebb), Galdor (Dolenatan), Hurin (Hiurin), Indis (Isaniel), Malbeth (Etheron), Nimrodel (Anthemis and Cynthiajane), and Varda (Fainan).
        
Sept. 2, 2011
    Gaming / WoW:
       Cleaning up Twilight Highlands bottlenecks, quests, dailies: Elwing, Eonwe, and Varda.

Aug. 31, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Helegrod marks spiders and drakes wings.
          Gildor, Indis, Malbeth, Melkor, Nerdanel, Nimrodel, and Varda.
       Skumfil for deeds, killing Brumbereth as an extra.
          Gildor (guardian Marrella), Indis (minstrel Isaniel), Malbeth (hunter Etheron), Melkor (rune-keeper Passim), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).

Aug. 29, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm runs completed:
          Helegrod marks runs drakes and spiders: Nellas' first time in. :)  Same six below plus Gorlim's minstrel Aeronwy.
          School: Indis (minstrel Isaniel), Melkor (rune-keeper Passim), and Nimrodel (champion Cynthiajane).
          Library: Nellas (hunter Nimromiel), Maedhros (57 rune-keeper Lachwen), and Varda (guardian Timbridhil).

Aug. 28, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda.
    Attending: (6)
        AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1

    Gaming / WoW:
       Completed Molten Core, Ahn Qiraj 40 man.
          Heroes: Arien (80 druid Annarwen), Bofur (85 warlock Diziet), Elwing (85 hunter Elwingv), Eonwe (85 paladin Auros), Fangorn (85 hunter Treabeard), and Varda (priest Varda). Congrats to Elwing on winning the red Qiraji battle mount! Now we'll have to look twice to see if that's Auros or Elwingv.

Aug. 26, 2011
    Gaming / WoW:
       Friday: for the scheduled time, we worked on a few less-worked on characters: Elwing's Whitetower, Fangorn's Fangoern, and Varda's Fainan. Eonwe's main, Auros, came too.

Aug. 24, 2011
    Welcome to the Valar Guild, Dagnir-(V)!
Dagnir joined us in LotRO today after having run several times with Nimrodel and Galdor, chatting in the friend channel, and looking over our site. He's 31 living in Pennsylvania, USA, EST. He was scouted by Galdor and tested by Varda. He currently plays LotRO and used to play WoW and Dragonrealms. In the LotR, the character most outstanding to him was Aragorn, since he seemed kind of alone and was mysterious.
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm run: We picked up Helegrod marks for two wings.
          Indis (minstrel Isaniel), Malbeth (hunter Etheron), Maedhros (54 rune-keeper Lachwen), Nimrodel (54 warden Anthemis), Pippin (champion Avengelina, Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).
       Afterwards was a run at Stoneheight by Gildor (minstrel Fairmaiden), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), and Pippin (guardian Faerus).

Aug. 23, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Example of some of the messing around that goes on between scheduled instances:
            Sword Halls 3-man completed by Galdor, Nimrodel, and Varda.
            NorthCotton Farm Tier 2 run by Galdor, Nob, and Varda.

Aug. 22, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EDT:
          Completed a bottleneck book quest for Gimli and Nimrodel: 1.7.8 "Gates of Carn Dum".
             Heroes: Gildor (guardian Marrella), Gimli (hunter Gloinson), Indis (lore-master Mereniel), Melkor (rune-keeper Passim), Nimrodel (warden Anthemis), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).
    Tolkien Site:
       We are putting out a call for material in honor of the 14th Anniversary of the Valar Guild Oct. 4th. This can be anything, but the email needs to be marked that it's for the celebration. We are taking art, articles, stories, poetry, music, languages, or anything else your creative minds come up with.

Aug. 21, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon the Golden and Varda.
Attending: (6)
    ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1
Web:
    Article: Nerdanel
    Story: Sometimes You Just Can't Win
Gaming:
    Hellgate
    flashgames
    WoW
    LotRO
Tolkien:
    Discussion: FotR Ch. 3 "Three's Company"
After-meeting:
     WoW run in Uldaur, completing it, and then in Obsidian Sanctum where Elwing got the Black Drake mount.
       Heroes: Bilbo (mage Billboh), Bofur (Diziet), Eonwe (paladin Auros), guild-friend Lumierre (Brassiere in the first run, Dreamkast in the second run), Nob (Peralt), and Varda (priest Varda).

Aug. 20, 2011

   
YouTube suggestion from Meriadoc-(V). At last a great one for Arwen. Enjoy!

    Tolkien Site / Stories:
        "Sometimes You Just Can't Win" drabble by Jay of Lasgalen. Elrohir is sick and tired of being confused with Elladan.

    Tolkien Site / Articles:
       "Nerdanel" by Varda-(Valar).

Aug. 19, 2011
    Membership:
    Happy birthday, Elwing-(V)!

    Gaming / WoW:
       Despite craziness, some of us still managed to show up to chat and pass goodies around while doing dailies and quests. Eonwe's house had power outage problems, Varda's house had no air-conditioning for the day (now fixed), meaning the unwindowed upstairs where the computers are was of the temperature one would expect in Texas in the middle of August. Fangorn, Bilbo, and Eowyn were out of town.

Aug. 17, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday scheduled instance: We adventured in Angmar going to both Carn Dum and Urugarth, completing class quests and working on or completing deeds. We also added class items to the kin chest.
          Heroes: Maedhros (Lachwen, 53 rune-keeper), Nerdanel (Lothelena, 62 lore-master), Nimrodel (Ardisian, 65 hunter), Pippin (Faerus, 65 guardian), Ulmo (Winge, 54 hunter), and Varda (Tinwetari, 65 minstrel).

Aug. 15, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Since the morning maintenance, a number of us have not been able to enter LotRO. We are talking in Ventrilo. The problem was eventually fixed.

Aug. 14, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda.
Attending:
    Ariehnv, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, and VardaValar1.
Membership:
    Varda is back, just in time for the meeting.
    New member: Nerdanel-(V)
    Arien on vacation.
Web:
    Games Site Mass-Update coming soon.
    Art
Gaming:
    WoW
    LotRO
    Hellgate
Tolkien:
    Galdor's topic: Beornings and their ancestry continued.
    Topic: FotR ch. 2 "Shadows of the Past"
After-meeting:
    Some continuation of the Tolkien chat and then to WoW:
Gaming / WoW:
    WoW gaming together afterwards. Report by Eonwe:
    We got through Mimiron, and Lumierre and Nob joined us right before General Vezax. When we got to Yogg'Saron, we decided to go for hard mode for the guild achievement. Our best attempt got him down to 11%, but Nob and Sauron needed to go, so we called it there. We'll pick up on Yogg'Saron again next week, as hard mode is quite doable.The rest of us went into Tempest Keep to fight Kael'Thas for the Ashes of A'lar. The ashes, unfortunately, didn't drop.
    Attending: Members: Eonwe, Elwing, Eowyn, Bofur, Varda, Sauron, Fangorn, Nob; Guild-friend: Lumierre

Aug.
    Gaming / WoW:
       Friday:
          No report from Eonwe due to rolling blackouts. Bilbo and Sauron had no air-conditioning and did not go to the computers.

Aug. 11, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday report from Pippin-(V):
            not a lot of folks came on, it was a rather sparse night......so Ulmo, Nimrodel, and I took our Mini, hunter, guardian over to NCF and completed t2.    
            -Pippin, checking in :)

Aug. 9, 2011
    Fangorn's mother is expected to live perhaps another 48 hours, so Varda and Fangorn are headed out for perhaps a week away. We intend to stay for the funeral and perhaps a little longer to help out.
    Please feel free to go about normal instance runs as always. Galdor and Pippin are designated as good instance gather folks, but need to email run reports to Varda to be put on the News later: Instance name, how far in, and who went. Maedhros has a Thursday Goblin Town instance scheduled. Ulmo's Winge needs CD and Uru. Any class quest runs should have precedence.

    DeepGroover-(T) entered the Nationals with his models. Samples of work he's sent us in his Cave on our art site.
       "I entered 20 models in a total of 7 categories. When it was all over I left with 3 first place, 2 second place, and 2 third place awards. It's possible I earned the most awards for a single entrant."
1st place: Crow Indian Scout (Dismounted: all eras, 54 to 70mm) SPLIT: pre-1900
1st place: King Cerdic of Wessex (Fantasy) SPLIT: small scale
1st place: "The Confrontation" (Figure Dioramas)
2nd place: Comrades In Arms (Figure Vignettes)
2nd place: Highlander (Dismounted: all eras, 71mm and larger) SPLIT: pre-1850
3rd place: Medieval Knight (Busts, all eras) SPLIT: pre-1900
3rd place: "Happy Campground" (Automotive: light commercial)

"The Confrontation" above is new to our site as of today.

Aug. 8, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
        Monday instance report by Galdor-(V) on the March of the Irregulars!:
Aiya,

This was a group of “irregulars” to be honest...Celeborn (Kebb 65 Champ); Nimrodel (Wildwyn 65 Lm...and Ardisian 65 Hunter); Maedhros (Lachwen 46 RK); Ulmo (Winge 53 Hunter...Niequi 65 Mini); Indis (Mereniel 65 LM) later subbed out for Pippin (Faerus 65 Guardian) and Galdor (Dolenatan 48 Capt.)

Carn Dum: Mirroval queen and later Hechegim. Ulmo’s class quests for his Hunter. First toon indicates what each started with. Second toon indicated what they alted to. Indis went to sleep and Pippin took her place. We wiped 3 times, and then won Helchigam for Ulmo. Pippin was in Vent all the while giving us directions until he finally took Indis’ place. Once we had a dedicated healer (Niequi) we won easily. In all honesty, My Capt. did a fine job healing, but aggro became a problem. Loving that toon.
 
Submitted very truly,
Galdor

Aug. 7, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
    Attending: (7)
        AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, Fladrifv, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1
    Gaming:
        LotRO Beta going.
        Diablo III beta sign-ups now going.
    Tolkien:
        Forum guild story post.
        Tolkien chat: The Beornings: what do we know about them?

    Gaming / WoW:
       Uldaur. Continuing from last time, the group took down Thorim, Hodir, and Freya.
          Heroes:
            Members: Bofur (Diziet), Elwing (Elwingv), Eonwe (Auros), Eowyn (Mairovende), Fangorn (Treebeerd, for Freya), Nob (Peralt) and Varda (Varda).
            Guild-friends: Lumierre and Schlep
Achievements Obtained:
I Choose You, Runemaster Molgeim
With Open Arms
The Antechamber of Ulduar
Lose Your Illusion
I'll Take You All On

    Welcome to the Valar Guild, Nerdanel-(V)! Nerdanel found our kinship on LotRO-wiki and LotRO-mailed Fainan (Varda). Today after the WoW run, we got together in LotRO and she passed the entry test 5/5. Her three current characters are now in the kin, with her main being lore-master Lothelena. She does art for games and plans to donate something Middle-earthy to our art site. She's 29 and from California, so she's on Pacific Standard Time and running later than a lot of the group, for which our late night folks will be thankful. Other games that she's played include many MUD's, FFXI, Requiem, Dofus, Wizard 101 and DDO (most recent. She has not played WoW and is now playing just LotRO. In the LotR books, outstanding characters for her were fairly solitary, magical woods-lovers such as Tom Bombadil the enigmatic and Goldberry, and Radagast. In The Hobbit, she found Beorn outstanding. She chose Nerdanel because she's an elf-maid and a sculptor, not because of her connections to the Feanorians.

Aug. 5, 2011
    Gaming / WoW:
       Firelands raid, not geared enough and not enough of us, but we knew that before we started and got a look inside:
          Heroes: Bofur, Elwing, Eonwe, Eowyn, Sauron, and Varda
       Later instance runs: Bofur, Elwing, Eonwe, Eowyn, and Sauron
       Smaller groupings later: Bilbo and Varda; Eowyn and guild-friend Schlep.

Aug. 4, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:

       Special request run for Thursday by Maedhros, Goblin Town. A lot of us were underlevel in very early 40's, but had help from overlevel Pippin, then a couple of hours in, from Indis. Many pages dropped, quests done, deeds worked on or done, leveling, fun had. :)  We plan to continue it again next Thursday, after reaching 50 to complete the quest lines.
          Heroes: Galdor (Dolenatar), Indis (65 Mereniel), Maedhros (Lachwen), Nimrodel (Anthemis), Pippin (65 Faerus), and Varda (Tintabereth).

Aug. 3, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT instance: Sari-surma.
          Heroes: Gildor (rune-keeper Lirafalla), Indis (lore-master Mereniel), Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Tulkas (hunter Astald) and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).

Aug. 2, 2011
    Welcome to the Valar Guild, Grimbeorn-(V)!
Grimbeorn was scouted by Maedhros-(V) and tested by Varda-(Valar), making a brag-worthy 5/5 test score. The character he brought into LotRO is Rodavarg, a human champion. He used to play WoW but left it due to the constant level level raid raid mentality and didn't want that sort of kin in LotRO. He's from England, land of J.R.R.T. and has read the Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and Silmarillion. A stand-out character for him from the LotR was Faramir, an imperfect but good man who had to make the decision of what to do once he had captured Frodo and the One Ring. Unlike the movie, Faramir on his own decided to turn Frodo loose with his Sam and Gollum to complete the mission, none of this heading for Osgiliath and taking his father a mighty gift.

Aug. 1, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm instance: Sammath Gul (SG). We completed through the big boss Gorothul, Galdor-(V) collecting the Symbol of Celebrimbor.
          Heroes: Galdor (hunter Andwe), Gildor (rune-keeper Lirafalla), Gorlim (64 lore-master Istarond), Nimrodel (champion Cynthiajane), Pippin (guardian Faerus), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).

July 31, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin. If uncertain how to enter, message VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar or ArPharazonV for an invitation.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
    Attending: (6)
        AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, Gilraen-(V)/Iryenth, remotely during Tolkien: Indis-(V)/karakedi25, and VardaValar1

    Gaming / WoW:
       Sunday instance runs:
          The Eye of Eternity completed.
          Uldaur - first four bosses. This is a very long dungeon so we are just getting started and will work on it again during another scheduled instance.
             Heroes for both runs: Bofur (warlock Diziet), Elwing (hunter Elwingv), Eonwe (paladin Auros), Eowyn (shadow priest Aeowyn) and Varda (holy minstrel Varda). Bilbo came home and tanked for Uldaur on his druid, Jovius.

July 29, 2011
    Tolkien Site / Stories:
       "Dance With Me?" by Jay of Lasgalen. "It is the eve of a meeting of the three Elven realms for the Ten Year Council - and Elrohir is up to his old tricks."

    Gaming / WoW:
       Friday night get-together. Elwing, Sauron, and Varda ran dailies together in the Firelands and Tol Barad, then fishing and cooking dailies in Stormwind and Dalaran.

July 27, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT Annuminas:
          Glinghant wing for a successful marks run for 30 darkwaters, with five of us.
          Haudh Valandil for a successful full hard mode run rescuing the remains of King Valandil and freeing his wraith, with six of us.
             Heroes: Gildor (rune-keeper Lirafalla), Maedhros (champion Galadhalion), Nimrodel (champion Cynthiajane), Pippin (guardian Faerus), Tulkas (hunter Astald for Valandil part), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).

July 25, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EDT Sammath Gul run in Mirkwood completed in hard mode.
          Tulkas hands the Symbol of Celebrimbor to fellow Valarites in the run with a roll-off for the lowest number, which Varda rolls.
          Heroes: Galdor (burglar Andwegar), Gildor (runekeeper Lirafalla), Nimrodel (champion Cynthiajane), Pippin (guardian Faerus), Tulkas (hunter Astald), Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).

July 24, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin.
Meeting Transcript by Eonwe and Varda
Attending: (6)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, Fladrifv, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1
Membership:
    Fladrif-(V) is moving to Germany.

    Gaming / WoW:
        Black Temple:
           Bilbo, Bofur, Elwing, Eonwe, Eowyn, Fangorn, and Varda

July 22, 2011
    Tolkien Site / Poetry, Languages:
       "Evendim" by Luthien-(T).

    Gaming / WoW:
       Halls of Origination in Uldum:
          Bilbo (druid Jovius), Elwing (hunter Elwingv), Fangorn (84 magus Treebeerd), Sauron (shadow priest Thauron), and Varda (holy priest Varda).
             Group continued through the instance until Sauron had to leave at 11pm EDT (work in the morning) and then broke up into normal questing and dailies.

July 21, 2011
    Tolkien Site / Stories:
       "Breakfast in Bed" by Jay of Lasgalen. E

July 20, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT instancing cancelled due to the group's having too many problems with long afks or people needing to leave when trying to start up.

July 18, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EDT instances:
            Helegrod marks done for wings of the Drakes level 50, and Spiders level 57.
                Heroes: Hurin (Hiurred), Indis, (Mereniel), Gildor (Lirafalla), Glaurung (Blill), Maedhros (Galadhalion), Nimrodel (Ardisian), Pippin (Faerus), and Varda (Fainan), aided by Glaurung's friend Elantranir.
            Warg Pens (3-man) completed by Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Pippin (guardian Faerus), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).

July 17, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin.
Meeting Transcript by Varda
Attending: (6)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1
Web
    Article
    Art
Gaming:
    WoW
    LotRO
    Eve
    SC2
Tolkien:
    Topic 1: Chapter one of the Fellowship of the Ring at first glance may deceptively seem to have very little of importance in it, just as the hobbits themselves. What happened?
    Topic 2: When do you feel the story got going? What event?

    Gaming / WoW:
       Completed Naxxramus dungeon:
          Heroes: Bilbo (Jovius), Bofur (warlock Diziet), Elwing (hunter Elwingv), Eonwe (paladin Auros), Eowyn (priest Aeowyn), Sauron (warlock Sauronv), and Varda (priest Varda).

July 16, 2011

    Tolkien Site / Art:
        Link change: Anonymous Belgian Fan now answers to Rombadillo. Please note that this changes his file links, in case you previously bookmarked his art cave on our site.
    Gaming / LoTRO:
        YouTube link showing Moonbows in Yosemite National Park. This is in answer to questions about the moonbow in the Shire in the LotRO game, including do moonbows exist, do they have color?
        Sixteenth Hall instance run , report from Miriel-(V):
            On Saturday afternoon (7/16) some of us ran the 16th hall for Glaurung's burglar quest and continued to complete the instance.
                Glaurung (Blill burglar)
                Gorlim (Sprain guardian)
                Hurin (Hiurred captain)
                Miriel (Mahariel minstrel)
                Nimrodel (Ardisian hunter)
                Pippin (Avengelina champion)
            Cheers,
            Miriel

July 14, 2011
    Tolkien Site / Art:
       New art cave with plenty of new drawings, by Anonymous Belgian Fan. He kindly offered this work to share with fellow fans of Middle-earth. Name and link changed July 16, changed here as well.

July 13, 2011
    Tolkien Site / Articles:
       Zirakzigil by Varda-(Valar)

    Dwarf photos from the new Hobbit movie:
       Gloin and Oin
       Dori, Nori, and Ori
       Kili and Fili

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT instance runs. Helegrod drake wing for marks, then a full Helegrod spider wing run for marks, deeds, etc and hitting the boss, Zaudru.
          12 Heroes: Galdor (burglar Andwegar), Gildor (rune-keeper Lirafalla), Glaurung (Blill), Gorlim during the boss fight  (minstrel Aeronwy), Hurin (captain Hiurred), Maedhros main tank (warden Maedhroc), Melkor (rune-keeper Passim), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Pippin near the end of the run (guardian Faerus), Tulkas (hunter Astald), and Varda (hunter Fainan). We were aided by Glaurung's friend, hunter Elantranir.

July 11, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EDT instance runs: Helegrod drake and spider wings done for marks, Skumfil two wings completed, and Forsaken Inn.
          Helegrod raid heroes (12): Annael (Annil), Celeborn (Kebb), Eomer (Erkendan), Galdor (Andwegar), Gildor (Lirafalla), Gorlim (Sprain), Hurin (Hiurred), Maedhros (Galadhalion), Melkor (Melklore), Nimrodel (Ardisian), Pippin (Avengelina), and Varda (Tinwetari).
          Skumfil 6-man heroes: Eomer (Melurien), Gorlim (Aeronwy), Indis (Mereniel), Melkor (Melklore), Pippin (Faerus), and Varda (Fainan).
          Forsaken Inn 3-man heroes: Galdor (Andwegar), Gildor (Lirafalla), and Nimrodel (Wildwyn).

July 10, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda.
Attending: (6)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, Fladrifv, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1
Membership:
    Ar-Pharazon-(V) will be in the hospital for a little while.
Gaming:
    WoW
    LotRO
    SC2
    Villainous
Tolkien:
    Hobbit movie dwarf picture links on Facebook.
    RP discussion.
    Dwarves clothing color oddity in The Hobbit. Same movie dwarf pictures but not on Yahoo Movies.
    First Battle of Belariand - difference in indices in different Silmarillion versions.
After-meeting:
    WoW regularly scheduled run, reported below.

Gaming / WoW:
    Sunday WoW gaming together on Lothar, completing the Black Temple raid.
       Heroes: Bofur (warlock Diziet), Elwing (hunter Elwingv), Eonwe (paladin Auros), Eowyn (Sekhmet), Fangorn (Treebeerd), Menelvagor (Menelmacar went link-dead early and was replaced by Sauron, hmmm), Sauron (warlock Sauronv) and Varda (holy priest Varda). Guild friend Schlep as Belhorath.
    New bank tab bought, giving us another guild achievement.
    Our main healer hit the final heroic item level at last, in Twilight Highlands after the raid.

July 8, 2011
    Gaming / WoW:
       Friday run: Stonecore completed:
          Heroes: Bilbo (85 druid), Bofur (warlock Diziet), Elwingv (hunter), Sauron (84 priest Thauronv), and Varda (85 priest).

July 6, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm instance: Sixteenth Hall completed.
          Heroes: Galdor (burglar Andwegar), Gildor (62 captain Livinola), Melkor (63 lore-master Melklore), Pippin (guardian Faerus), Tulkas (hunter Astald), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).
       Skumfil questing requested next.

July 4, 2011
Happy Independence Day, U.S.A.!


    Declaration of Independence
- link from Franco Manni-(T) of Italy.

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EDT instance run: completed Sixteenth Hall.
          We made one mistake that we plan to correct next time. Even though at the Lost One we removed reflecting gear and turned off the first five combat options, we forgot that the lore-master air buff (we had two lore-masters) also reflects damage. We checked the combat log after having accidentally killed one bug and losing hard mode, and found out. Melkor still got enough Moria medallions to get his last Moria piece and we cleaned up or went well into a lot of quests and deeds. We had fun having so many crowd control fellowship members and so many fellowship maneuvers from our esteemed burglar, er treasure hunter, and were provided with a batch of new ones for these characters to also share from Mereniel such as two versions of Dawn of the Deep and two versions of Wings of the Windlord. We each picked position in the fm and stuck to it for each new type and hit them very well.
          Heroes: Galdor ((burglar Andwegar), Gildor (guardian Marrella), Indis (lore-master Mereniel), Melkor (lore-master Melklore), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).
      

July 3, 2011
    Tolkien Site / Stories:
      Mirabella-(V)'s story collection moved to a new folder (previously Branwyn-(T)), not all links are corrected yet. Eleven new stories have been added:
       Have Sword, Will Travel
       The Same River Twice
       After the Storm
       In the Van (AU, Humor) The Fellowship's road trip in a van..
       Eating for Two
       They Also Serve Who Only Wait
       Stirrup Cup
       Late
       Two Hundred
       Forfeit
       Steward's Trumpets
   
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin.
          Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda.
Attending: (8)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, Fladrifv, Glorfindel VG, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1
Membership:
    Fladrif is back from vacation.
    Glaurung-(MoH) is the chosen name for Mirielsson, who is very close to having finished the books.
    Glorfindel's doctor has told him to stay away from computer games until the tendon in his neck heals, to prevent stress.
Web
    Art
    Stories
Gaming:
    WoW
    LotRO
    SC2
Tolkien:
    Pictures on Facebook
    I wonder how many of those serving Denethor might have purposely held back some of their people.
    Difference in voluteers with Aragorn.
    The Oathbreakers.

    Gaming / WoW:
       Raids: Hyjal, Karazhan
          Heroes: Arien, Bilbo, Bofur, Elwing, Eonwe, Eowyn, Sauron, Menelvagor, and Varda; guild-friends Lumiere and Schlep.

June 29, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT instance: Forges completed.
          Heroes: Galdor (burglar Andwegar), Gorlim (hunter Morwena, 1st two bosses), Maedhros (champion Galadhalion), Melkor (rune-keeper Passim, subbed in for Gorlim), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Pippin (guardian Faerus), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).

June 27, 2011

    Tolkien Site / Art:
       Cave of Deepgroover-(T):
          "King of Dwarves" model: bust of a dwarf king.

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday morning hotfix.
       Monday 8pm EDT instance: Dark Delving for the guardian class quest, which we did.
          Heroes: Gildor (61 captain Livinola), Gorlim (minstrel Aeronwy), Indis (lore-master Mereniel), Melkor (rune-keeper Passim), and Varda (hunter Fainan).

June 26, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
    Attending (6):
       Ariehnv, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1
    Gaming:
       WoW: Lothar branch reached level 10 Friday during the summer festival quest for the Frost Lord, Ahern.
       LotRO: Summer festival is going. Monday morning LotRO will be down for a hotfix.
    Tolkien:
       RP discussion

    Gaming / WoW:
       Sunday after-meeting runs:
          Molten Core and Blackwing Lair completed by Bilbo, Elwing, Eonwe, Fangorn, Sauron, and Varda.
          Ahn'Qiraj 10 and 40-man. 10 was the same group plus guild-friend paladin Brassiere. AQ 40 Auros had to go first but Menelvagor came into the group and we completed it through the Eye.

    Hellos from Bombur-(V) and Earendil-(Valar) on AIM!

June 24, 2011
    Gaming / WoW:
       Friday scheduled run. The guild hit level 10! This was done by repeated attacks on Frost Lord Ahern. The first five attacks that got the guild credit were by Bofur, Elwing, Eonwe, Fangorn, and Varda. Two more attacks afterwards were done by Elwing, Eonwe, Eowyn, Schlep, and random healers.

June 22, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT: Fil Gashan for the captain's class quest with a side of the usual deeds, quests, and medallions.
          Heroes: Gildor (61 captain Livinola), Gorlim (62 lore-master), Melkor (63 hunter), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Pippin (64 guardian Faerus), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).

June 21, 2011
    Gaming:
       WoW and LotRO are both starting their summer festivals today.
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Isengard update major stat changes, with the addition of Finesse: Dev Diary by Ken "Graalx2" Burd.

June 20, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday morning maintenance patching at least 100 things from the big update.
       Monday 8pm EDT instance runs:
          Helegrod marks runs for drakes and spiders, raided with eight:
             Galdor (Andwegar), Gildor (Livinola), Gorlim (Morwena), Indis (Mereniel), Melkor (Melkoh, Pippin (Faerus), Tulkas (Astald), and Varda (Tinwetari).
          Ost Dunhoth platform 100 kills for North-men medalliions fellowshipped with five:
             Gildor (Marrella), Gorlim (Morwena), Indis (Mereniel), Melkor (Passim), and Varda (Tinwetari).
          Forgotten Treasury five-manned to quickly finish off two quests before bed for several members, leftover bits from a previous run:
             Indis (Mereniel), Melkor (Melkoh), Nimrodel (Cynthiajane), Pippin (Faerus), and Varda (Tinwetari).

June 19, 2011
Happy Father's Day!
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin.
    Meeting Transcript by the illustrious Ar-Pharazon and Varda.
    Heroes attending ():
        AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, galdorandwe, Glorfindel VG, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1 (presiding).
    Tolkien:
       In Norse mythology, Odin was called the All-Father. Would we be able to call Eru Iluvatar that as well?

    Gaming / WoW:
       We had so many high levels online for the Sunday run that we went raiding.

June 18, 2011
    Gaming / WoW:
       Friday runs: random dungeon runs done by the team of Bilbo, Elwing, Eowyn, and Sauron.

June 15, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT instances:
          Helegrod for marks: spiders and drakes.
             Galdor (burglar Andwegar), Gorlim (hunter Morwena), Melkor (61 hunter Melkoh), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Pippin (61 guardian Faerus), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).
          Grand Stairs quest mode for quests and deeds.
             Same group except that Gorlim changed to 62 lore-master Istarond.

June 13, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EDT instances: (Yes, we run stuff all the time and sometimes bigger than this on impulse, but this is "scheduled". Feel free to report your impressive impulse Valar group run with an email to Varda for the News.) Level 65 capped player if the level is not mentioned.
          Helegrod
raid instance drake (50) and spider (57) wings for Helegrod marks.
             Participants: Galdor (burglar Andwegar), Gorlim (minstrel Aeronwy), Indis ( lore-master Mereniel), Melkor (59 hunter Melkoh), Tulkas (hunter Astald), and Varda (hunter Fainan).
          Leader of the Foul Wood small fellowship (3-man only) quest in Eregion completed.
             Participants: Galdor (burglar Andwegar), Indis (lore-master Mereniel), and Melkor (59 hunter Melkoh).
          Forsaken Inn (level 65 3-man Tier 1) completed:
             Participants: Melkor (rune-keeper Passim), Nimrodel (champion CynthiaJane), and Varda (hunter Fainan).

June 12, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin.
    Special thanks to Ar-Pharazon who has sent the fair copy of the transcript unfailingly right after every meeting for years. Huzzah!!
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending (5):
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), Fladrifv, Indis-(V)/karakedi25
Web:
    Article
    Poetry
Gaming:
    LotRO: Pre-orders are now available for the Isengard expansion.
    WoW: The Mid-summer Fire Festival is coming soon.
    SC2
    Lost Viking
    A Farewell to Dragons
Tolkien:
    Middle-earth based music CD (during the end of Gaming).
    Eonwe's topic: What is the opposite of Creation?
After-meeting:
    A little more chat, farewells.
    The WoW Lothar group joined together for their Sunday after meeting group runs, reported below.

    Gaming / WoW:
       Level 85 capped player if the level is not mentioned.
       Coilfang Reservoir raid completed.
          Participants: Arien (70 druid Annarwen), Bilbo (mage Billboh), Bofur (warlock), Elwing (hunter Elwingv), Eonwe (paladin Auros), Eowyn (shaman Mairovende), Fangorn (healing discipline priest Fangoern), Sauron (warlock Sauronv), and Varda (healing holy priest Varda). We took a while to get started but then rolled through like a train.
       Grim Batol instance completed:
          Participants: Bilbo (Jovius), Elwing (hunter Elwingv), Eowyn (shaman Mairovende), Fangorn (healing discipline priest Fangoern), and Varda (damage shadow priest Varda).
       Glorfindel came in late today, ill, but hit the cap level of 85 questing! This also counts towards the guild achievements even as the above instances do. :)

June 8, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT instance run: Lost Temple.
          Participants: Galdor (burglar Andwegar), Gildor (guardian Marrella), Gorlim (minstrel Aeronwy), Melkor (rune-keeper Passim), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), and Tulkas (hunter Astald). When Tulkas had to leave, Pippin stepped in with champion Avengelina.

June 6, 2011:

    Tolkien Site / Articles:
       Firiel of Númenor by Firiel-(T).

    Tolkien Site / Poetry:
       Cûm-nan-Arasaith: The Mound of Avarice by Firiel-(T). This poem tells of "the burying-place of the slain dwarves who fell at Sarn Athrad after Beren's vengeance."
       The Death of Turamarth by Firiel-(T). The death of Turin Turambar. Turamarth is the Sindarin form of the name.
       The Songs of Heaven by Firiel-(T). The song of creation in the back and forth between Eru and Morgoth.

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Welcome home to Elatan,
who brought a character (Elatanv) into our Landroval LotRO kin today!
       Monday 8pm EDT instances:
            We warmed up with two fast Helegrod wings for Helegrod marks, level 50 drakes and 57 spiders. (Go for the kill 15 in each one.)
                Participants: Galdor (burg Andwegar), Gildor (guardian Marrella), Gorlim (62 lore-master Istarond), Hurin (65 captain Hiurred), Melkor (56 hunter Melkoh), Pippin (56 Faerus), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).
             Then we ran a batch of up and coming alts in their first Grand Stairs run, and got hard mode, gaining upgrades, medallions, quests, and deeds.
                Participans: Galdor (burglar Andwegar), Gildor (61 captain Livinola), Gorlim (62 lore-master Istarond), Melkor (63 lore-master Melklore), Pippin (56 guardian Faerus), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).

June 5, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin.
Meeting Transcript by the illustrious Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (9)
    Aerandir V, AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv, Glorfindel VG, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1 (presiding)
Membership:
    Galdor-(V) is having computer problems with his notebook that has AIM.
    Aerandir-(V) is busy with grad school but managed to chat with us in the meeting today.
Web:
    Art:
       Aerandir-(V)'s crafted art site (under Membership)
       "The Great Hunter" orc model by DeepGroover-(T)
Gaming:
    LotRO - Europe migrating to American servers
    WoW - group is growing and therefore getting credit for higher runs.
    StarCraft 2 new info
Tolkien:
    RP
    Tolkien convention: "The Long Expected Party" in September in Kentucky, USA.
After-meeting:
    More convention chat, considering costumes.
    EVE Online chat.
    Scheduled WoW gaming.

    Gaming / WoW:
        Sunday scheduled gaming after the meeting. We fielded our largest group of Valarites yet, plus guild-friends, gaining glory and guild achievements raiding together in the Sunwell and winning. Another cheery thought is that we can field an even larger group on days when Fangorn and Sauron are not working at game-time. Don't forget to email Eonwe your best screenie of our group at the end-boss!
        We then ran Black Temple and cleared it as well.
           Participants: Valarites were Eonwë, Varda, BIlbo, Glorfindel, Menelvagor, Bilbo, Nob, Bofur, and Elwing. Guild friends were Draxcil, Rayearth, and Schlep.

June 2, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       News from Turbine:
            "European servers are online and migration is now available! Please note that it may take up to 72 hours for your Turbine Points to be applied to your account."

June 1, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday early runs:
          Bogbereth
raid in Angmar completed by Gorlim (60 lore-master Istarond), Irmo (warden Yrmo), Miriel (hunter Mahairiel), Pippin (champion Avengelina), Telchar (49 guardian Gratmo), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).
          Urugarth instance in Angmar completed by Hurin (captain Hiurred), Irmo (warden Yrmo), Miriel (hunter Mahairiel), Pippin (53 guardian Faerus), Telchar (49 guardian Gratmo), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).
       Wednesday 8pm EDT instance run: Dark Delving in Moria. We completed the run including killing Gurvand, the end boss.
          Heroes participating: Galdor (burglar Andwegar), Gildor (guardian Marrella), Indis (lore-master Mereniel), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Pippin (champion Avengelina), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).

May 31, 2011
    Tolkien Site / Art:
       "The 'Great' Hunter" model by DeepGroover-(T). Ok, so maybe not all (or much of) the game an Orc brings back might be considered impressive.

May 30, 2011
    Memorial Day.
We remember and we thank the heroes who have passed on and those who, to our great good fortune, are still with us.

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EDT instance: Grand Stairs hard mode completed for medallions and quests.
          Participants: Galdor (burglar Andwegar), Gildor (61captain Livinola), Gorlim (60 lore-master Istarond), Melkor (63 lore-master), Nimrodel (champion CynthiaJane) and Varda (minstrel Tinwetai). When Gildor had to leave, Pippin came in on warden Illiardo so we could go ahead and take down the final boss, Igash. Some other folks also online during the run were Celeborn, Indis (outside character Alasse), Nar, Telchar, and Tulkas.

May 29, 2011
    Tolkien Site / Poetry:
   
    An Eye Unseen by Firiel-(T), formerly "Beren Watches Lúthien Dancing".
    Tolkien Site / Stories / Language:
       Interlude to Thus Cwæth Ælfwine Wídlast (Thus Spake Ælfwine Wídlast), the Lament of Ælfwine by Firiel-(T). What finally happened to Eriol (Aelfwine)? Elvish used here is Quenya.
       Saeros and Eltrom by Firiel-(T). Saeros' heart darkens in a conversation set not long before he attempts murder. Elvish languages used here are a mixture of Ilkorin and its branch Doriathrin, the languages spoken in Doriath during that time.
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (9)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, Fladrifv, Gilraen-(V)/Iryenth, Glorfindel VG, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1 (presiding)
Membership:
    May 25 was Fangorn-(Valar)'s 58th birthday.
Web:
    Poetry from Firiel-(T)
    Stories from Firiel-(T)
    Funny YouTube link using Battle for Middle-earth 2 from Irmo-(Valar)
    May 22 meeting transcript now formatted with a summary on the News.
Gaming:
    Second Life
    StarCraft 2
       Expansion, teaser
    WoW:
        (see also After-meeting)
    LotRO:
       New instances and skirmishes added this week, plus gaming tweaks.
Tolkien:
    Topic: The more powerful beings had to be lessened or otherwise restrained to allow the Free Peoples to grow up and handle their own problems, rather than remaining as cared-for children.
After-meeting:
    WoW Sunday after-meeting gaming.

    Gaming / WoW:
        The WoW Valar Guild on Lothar server hit rank 9 for the perk and got our second main healer to level cap.
        Ready from that progress, The Valar Guild downed the Lich King. And there was much rejoicing.
           Heroes being awesome for this run were Bilbo (Billboh arcane mage), Bofur (Diziet affliction warlock), Elwing (Elwingv marksman hunter), Eonwe (Auros retribution paladin), Fangorn (Fangoern discipline priest), Nob (Peralt blood death knight main tank), Sauron (Sauronv demonology warlock), and Varda (Varda holy priest).

May 23, 2011
    LotRO update. New instances and skirmish, changes.
    Varda will be away most of this week. Try not to go too crazy partying! I'll try to get back to everything as soon as possible. Firiel, you're not forgotten.
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Report by Galdor-(V):
    Just updating you on Monday PM Instance. Nimrodel (Wildwyn), Eomer (Meluin ?...Warden), Indis (Her Mini...began with letter I), and I ran with 2 excellent PUG's and ran GS HM very quickly. We did a fantastic job representing the kin...so much so that Indis actually commented on it. The guy that ran the group was a British Warden and a very nice guy...he was complimenting us left and right...he was no slouch...his melee damage was 8300...sheesh.
    After that we, Nimrodel (Ardisian,), Indis (her mini again) and Thongaladh ran the School of Mirobel in about 30 minutes flat. A Symbol dropped on the final boss and Indis won it. Then it was late and we had to call it a night.
    All and all and successful Monday instance, albeit under attended by kin.
    Galdor

May 22, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (8)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, Fladrifv, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Glorfindel VG, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1 (presiding)
Membership:
    Ar-Pharazon and Fladrif had birthdays this week.
Web:
    Poetry by Firiel-(T)
    Quenya by Firiel-(T)
    Recipes (rl food) on the Forum by Galdor-(V)
Gaming:
    WarHammer
    Achievement Unlocked 2
    Touhou 7.5
    StarCraft 2
    LotRO
    WoW
    Second Life next generation
Tolkien:
    Topic: The setting of Middle-earth is as much an attraction as the story. What elements in the setting make it stand out this way?
After-meeting WoW gaming.
    Gaming / WoW:
        Ice Crown Citadel right up to Arthas. Raid locks acquired!

May 19, 2011
    Tolkien Site / Languages:
       I Angamando Vere Hante "The Leaguer of Angband Broken" by Firiel-(T). A composition in Quenya and English.

May 18, 2011
    Tolkien Site / Poetry:

        The Winning of Lúthien by Firiel-(T).
        Firiel's Tombstone Inscription by Firiel-(T).
        Firiel by Firiel-(T).
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday run 8pm EDT.
            Grand Stairs completed.
                Participants (level 65 unless it says otherwise): Galdor (burglar Andwegar), Gorlim (captain Athyn), Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Melkor (63 lore-master Melklore), Nimrodel (lore-master Wildwyn), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).

May 16, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday run 8pm EDT: Skumfil Moria instance. We went in to deed the left side several times and kept taking out Brumbereth on the way.
          Participants: Gildor, Gorlim, Indis, Nimrodel, Pippin, and Varda.

May 15, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. It may also be entered using Trillian or Pidgin.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
    Attending: (5)
        AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1 (presiding)
    Membership:
        New Tolkien member: Firiel-(T)
        Helm-(V)
    Web:
        Poetry
    Gaming:
        Touhou 7.5 and the search for a readable English manual.
        StarCraft/BroodWar
        WoW
        LotRO
    Tolkien:
        RP: posting by Eonwe, more by others intended during the week.
        Varda's topic: Tolkien, known as a fantasy genre writer, also slipped into the horror genre in his well-known works. Where do we see that?
        Eonwe's topic, spin-off from the rp talk: Sensing magic.

 Gaming / WoW:
    Sunday After-meeting regular run.
       Run 1: AQ40
       Run 2: Completed Molten Core, picking up Molten Core attunement first for one character and achievements for some others. Participants were Bilbo, Eonwe, Eowyn, Fangorn, and Varda.
       Run 3: Completed Karazahn all the way through 4-manning. Participants were Bilbo, Eowyn, Fangorn, and Varda. Bofur and Nob, Bilbo and Sauron have two-manned it, but this was a scheduled guild run along with questing.

May 14, 2011
    Tolkien Site / Poetry:
       Welcome to Firiel-(T), new to our site with her poem The Isle of Thû. It tells of "Beren and Lúthien's conflict with Thû (Sauron) at Tol-in-Gaurhoth".

May 11, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT instance: Grand Stairs in Moria. We had a group of alts wanting Grand Stairs quests and others wanting deeds, so we ran in and out of GS for some things and then ran as if we were going to do hard mode to kill The Devoted.
       Participants: Galdor (63 burglar), Gildor (58 captain Livinola), Melkor (62 lore-master Melklore), Nimrodel (64 lore-master Wildwyn), Pippin (65 champion), and Varda (65 minstrel Tinwetari).

May 9, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Regular Monday instance 8pm EDT. School and Library runs were done by the illustrious team of Gildor (guardian Marrella), Melkor (rune-keeper Passim), and Varda (hunter Fainan), gaining Superior Third marks and deeds. This is a frequently done run in the kin, but this is what we did for our special time.

May 8, 2011
Happy Mother's Day!
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
     Attending: (7)
        AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), Fladrifv, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Glorfindel VG, and VardaValar1
    Forum:
       New thread made for members to post real-life food recipes.
    Tolkien:
       Forum role-play discussion about the runed orc sword.
       Discussion for Galdor's topic: In the Hobbit, when Bilbo discovered the keyhole on Durin's Day...was Thorin's arrogance at asking Bilbo to now perform his job he was recruited for just an act of hubris or more a show of leadership to the other dwarves?

May 4, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday instance runs: Fil Gashan completed, Grand Stairs completed. Ran as requested for deeding and questing in both.
          Fil Gashan participants: Galdor (burglar Andwegar), Gorlim (minstrel Aeronwy), Maedhros (champion Galadhalion), Nimrodel (62 lore-master Wildwyn), Pippin (warden Illiardo), and Varda (hunter Fainan).
          Grand Stairs participants: same except that Galdor had to leave and Melkor replaced him with 62 lore-master Melklore.

May 2, 2011
    Concert:
        Live concert by the Houston Symphony, along with singers, of The Fellowship of the Ring played along with the movie on July 22 at Jones Hall in Houston, Texas, 7:30pm CDT.
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday instance run: Grand Stairs HM completed.
          Participants: Galdor (58 burglar Andwegar), Gildor (rune-keeper Lirafalla), Gorlim (minstrel Aeronwy), Melkor (62 lore-master Melklore), Nimrodel (62 lore-master Wildwyn), and Pippin (warden Illiardo).

May 1, 2011 Sunday

    Tolkien Site / Art:
        Cave of Deepgroover-(T): new models:
           "Crusader" full figure and setting
           "Goblin Bust" bust of a goblin
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (6)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), Fladrifv, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, and VardaValar1
Membership:
    Finarfin-(V)'s birthday
Web:
    Art
Gaming:
    WoW:
        Patch 4.1 is out. Patch 4.2 is already being worked on.
        Noble Garden
        Children's Week
    LotRO:
        Turbine is taking over Codemasters Online so the Europeans will now be joined up with the Western Hemisphere.
        They retain the old servers but those will be moved to Boston in the US. Should be easier for Euros to move to European servers if they wish.
Tolkien:
    RP posting in the forum. Side talks about Elvish medicine, cleaning sword handles.
After-meeting:
    Hobbit movie news
    RP posting continues

April 30, 2011
    Gaming / WoW:
       Last day of Noble Garden, so a bunch of us got together and cleared as much of the achievement as possible. Special thanks to Fangorn for tireless porting!

April 27, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday instance: Sixteenth Hall of Moria
          Since Galdor needed his burglar quest, we ran 16th Hall and got it for him. We also completed or made progress on a collection of quests and deeds, collected medallions, and showed folks who hadn't been there before how the instance was run. Due to thunderstorms, we lost one member (Gildor) right after completing the boss Tramug. We continued on as a five-man and killed the boss Dhurz. We did not manage to take down the Lost One in one try in hard mode and had to stop since we were losing three more to thunderstorms or we would have gone back for quest mode. The two remaining (Malbeth and Varda) went back in and worked on or completed the crawler deed.
          Participants: Galdor (burglar Andwegar), Gildor (guardian Marrella), Malbeth (hunter Etheron), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Pippin (champion Avengelina), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).

April 26, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Announcement from LotRO:
        "Turbine announced today that it will be expanding its global operations and will assume full control of The Lord of the Rings Online™ (LOTRO) in Europe beginning June 1, 2011.(Click Here) to read the Press Release."
       Codemasters Online previously handled LotRO Europe.
       Turbine is owned by Warner Brothers.

April 25, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday instance: Sammath Gul of Dol Guldur.
          Report from Indis:
                Gorothul and Demafaer are no more.  We completed HM with only one wipe on Gorothul and one wipe on Demafaer (last boss). One symbol dropped.
          Participants: Gildor (guardian Marrella), Gorlim (minstrel Aeronwy), Indis (lore-master Mereniel), Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Pippin (champion Avengelina).

April 24, 2011
Happy Easter!
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
    Attending: (6)
        AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), Glorfindel VG, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, and VardaValar1
    Gaming:
       LotRO: 4th anniversary festivities
       WoW: Noblegarden Easter festivities.
    Tolkien:
       Eonwe's topic: Consider Saruman, his treachery and fall, as it compares to Morgoth and to Sauron.

April 22, 2011
    Gaming / WoW:
       Eowyn, Elwing, and Eonwë popped into a normal random dungeon and ended up in the Halls of Origination.

April 21, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Thursday impulse running: completed Grand Stairs hard mode, Niels Bounty, and killed 100 at Ost Dunhoth.
          Grand Stairs done by: Galdor (hunter Andwe), Maedhros (champion Galadhalion), Malbeth (hunter Etheron), Nimrodel (Wildwyn), Pippin (champion Avengelina), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).
          Niels Bounty: same people, except Nimrodel switched to hunter Ardisian.
          Ost Dunhoth platform: Maedhros, Malbeth, Nimrodel (for part of it), and Varda joining others doing the same thing in a raid.

April 20, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT instance run:
            Moria instance Forges: We completed Forges all the way through, then did the lore-master class quest that comes after Krankluk, then cleared anything left that might hold up it's head and explored odd tunnels or causeways not normally looked at. We cleared a backlog of quests and got well into or completed deeds.
             Participants: Gildor (guardian Marrella), Gorlim (minstrel Aeronwy), Maedhros (champion Galadhalion), Nimrodel (lore-master Wildwyn), Pippin (warden Illiardo), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).
             Others who volunteered but that we sadly couldn't fit in were Malbeth (hunter Etheron) and Indis.

April 19, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       April 19-May 2
is the fourth anniversary celebration of Lord of the Rings Online.For the anniversary time, monsters drop tokens for gift boxes. Plus we have the Thorin's Hall beer brawl, horse races for the new anniversary horse, and new items and housing decorations.  April 21-24 has double experience on monster kills.

       A bit of the impulse-running going on that Varda was part of and knows about, but there's lots more going on all the time, yay us! These are just some of the normal, daily activities:
          Library run completed: Annael (Annil), Hurin (captain Hiurred), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).
          School run completed: Galdor (champion Thongaladh), Hurin (captain Hiurred), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).
          Lorien dailes: Annael (Annil), Hurin (captain Hiurred), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).
          Enedwaith dailies: Annael (Annil), Hurin (captain Hiurred), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).
          Sarnur reputation dungeon: Annael (Annil), Galdor (champion Thongaladh), Hurin (captain Hiurred), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).

April 18, 2011 Monday
    LotRO / Gaming:
       Monday 8pm instance run was in Carn Dum helping Galdor pick up his class item and others work on or finish deeds.
          Participants: Galdor (burglar Andwegar), Indis (rune-keeper Tengwarien), Nimrodel (lore-master Wildwyn), Pippin (warden Illiardo), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).

       Ulmo's LotRO account was hacked and robbed and used to remove things from the kin-chest. He is taking steps and we wish him all the best! (Update: his items were returned the next day, each character needing a separate ticket. Kin house items were also sent to him.)
        Fortunately the hacker did not delete Ulmo's account and could not sell the outfit he was wearing and left it alone.
       In Ulmo's case, the culprit was a key-logger virus specific to the game and Ventrilo.
        As we learned in WoW, be sure to immediately run virus checks on your computers to remove key-logger viruses because they record key-strokes and can compromise passwords to everything, not just the game, and is the usual cause of the problem. Some worms and keyloggers are specific to games, useful to gold-farming organizations. Act quickly to remove the key-logger and make a report to Account Support for each character (within 10 days, scary policy for those away for work longer than that like Tulkas). Check your email account to see if it's been compromised (in Gmail, open it, find the word Details at the bottom, and click it) and change the email password so that it is not the same as for a game.
            Here is a July 2008 link on hacked accounts and what to do on the forums.
            Here is Turbine Customer Support. Compromised Account Reimbursement Policy. Compromised Account Reimbursement Procedures.

April 17, 2011
    The Hobbit movie, the first of Peter Jackson's blog, from a different source (website for Escapist Magazine) with a link that might work for folks reading this News. Thank you to my old D&D buddy, Adamantium Altgelt, for the link!
    For those of you with Facebook, we give you Eowyn-(V)'s and Schlep's wedding. (Click Go to Facebook.com underneath the logo.)
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace.
          Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (8)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), Fladrifv, Gilraen-(V)/Iryenth, Glorfindel VG, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1
Web:
    Story
Gaming:
    WoW
    LotRO
Tolkien:
    Movie: The Hobbit
    Tolkien Game: Match the starting letter of one name to the last letter of the previous name. Character names of people or animals. Place names

    Gaming / WoW:
    Sunday Dungeon runs:
        Participants: Members: Eonwë, Varda, Elwing, Fangorn, Eowyn
        Guild Friends: Schlep
    First, Eonwe, Varda, Elwing, Fangorn, and Schlep went into Stonecore to complete the quests for those who hadn't yet. The run went fairly smoothly.
    Afterwards, Eonwe traded out with Eowyn, and the group ran the Vortex Pinnacle.

April 14, 2011
    The Hobbit Movie.
On Facebook, Peter Jackson has his first video blog up from where production of The Hobbit is starting. (Click Go to Facebook.com underneath the logo.)

April 13, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT.
          Moria instance: Grand Stairs. We completed this all the way through quickly on hard mode, collecting medallions, quests, and deeds.
             Participants: Galdor (hunter Andwe), Indis (lore-master Alasse), Maedhros (champion Galadhalion), Nimrodel (champion CynthiaJane), Pippin (warden Illiardo), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).
          Moria instance: Fil Gashan. We got to General Talug but did not quite beat him, and some of our group needed to leave, but we collected medallions. After Talug, we went back over the rest of the area and completed quests and added to our deeds.
             Participants: the same as above except that Indis left (plenty of warning) and Gildor took her place as rune-keeper Lirafalla.

April 12, 2011
    Tolkien Site / Stories:
    "The Healer's Path" by Jay of Lasgalen. A series of six drabbles following Estel's journey to becoming a healer. Estel was the name by which Aragorn was known growing up in Rivendell.

April 11, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EDT gaming:
          Ost Dunhoth: Level 65 quest for 100 kills for 20 Medallions of the North-men completed, for the highest level barter.
             Participants: Galdor (hunter Andwe), Gorlim (minstrel Aeronwy), Hurin (captain Hiurred), Maedhros (champion Galadhalion), Tulkas (hunter Astald), and Varda (hunter Fainan).
          Class questing aid in Angmar's Western Malenhad. We killed turtles for the class items then did the quests "Blood Wing" and "Ancient Lair".
             Participants: Celeborn (53 champion Kebb), Galdor (46 burglar), Gildor (43 captain), Nimrodel (as hunter Ardisian at first to help with travel, then as 60 Lore-master Wildwyn), Pippin (54 lore-master Penthagamir), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).

April 10, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
    Attending: (8)
        AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, Fladrifv, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Glorfindel VG, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1 (presiding)
    Tolkien discussion:
       Elrond counseled Gimli against taking an oath to hold the party together ("The Ring Goes South", Fellowship). Why?

April 8, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Friday evening impulse run: complete sweep of everything in Carn Dum. We started with three people and just kept picking up more Valarites, some switching out as time got late..
          Participants: Celeborn (51 Kebb came in after Helchgam), Galdor (hunter Andwe through Helchgam), Gildor (rune-keeper Lirafalla), Gorlim (minstrel Aeronwy after Helchgam), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Pippin (warden Illiardo), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).

April 7, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Morning patch.
       Lots of gaming going on as usual, especially the afternoon Irmorim (evening for them, confused yet?).  A Sword Halls run in the evening by Gorlim (guardian Sprain), Tulkas (hunter Astald), and Varda (minstrel Tinwetari).
    Gaming / WoW:
 
      Report from Sauron-(Valar):
           Bilbo, Elwing, and Sauron ran guild achievement runs: Sethek Halls, Shadow Labyrinth, Botanica, and Mechanas.
          Eonwe got to play with his brother too, long-time guild-friend Dracxil, on lowbie characters checking out the changed areas.

April 6, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT: Two Annuminas marks runs, Sammath Gul. We made it to Gorothul and plan to work more on that boss fight.
          Participants: Gildor (guardian Marrella), Indis (lore-master Alasse), Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Nimrodel (champion CynthaJane; hunter Ardisian for SG), Pippin (champion Avengelina for 2nd Annum run and SG), Tulkas (hunter Astald for the first Annum run), Varda (65 minstrel Tinwetari).
    Gaming / WoW:
       Gaming together: 85's Bilbo, Eowyn, Sauron, and guild-friend Schlep. Glorfindel leveling.

April 4, 2011 Monday
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Servers will be down at an estimated time of 6am to 10am EDT for Update 2's patch 1.
       Monday 8pm EDT: Sammath Gul. We made it to the lightning boss and found that that fight had changed.
          Participants from memory: Nimrodel, Gildor (guardian Marrella), Gorlim (minstrel Aeronwy), Varda (hunter Fainan). Two more (please remind me.)

April 3, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. If you can't enter on your own, IM VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar for an invitation.
    Tolkien chat concerned the forum role-play story.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
     Attending: (7)
        AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, Fladrifv, Glorfindel VG, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1
    Membership:
        Rory-(V) left the guild during the meeting. Forum note given.
    Web:
       Art by Deep-groover-(T)
    Gaming:
       Starcraft 2, patch 1.3.1 came out this week. Not a big one, but it's there. And 1.4.11 was announced
       WarCraft 3 had a patch too earlier in March
    Tolkien:
       Forum role-play discussion.
      
Gaming / WoW Sunday:
       Sunday evening scheduled gaming:
          Dungeons "Stonecore" and "Vortex Pinnacle" completed.
             Participants: Eonwe (85 paladin Auros), Eowyn (85 shaman Mairovende), Fangorn (83 priest Fangoern), (85 paladin Schlep), and Varda (83 priest Varda).
          Dungeon Gundrak completed, gaining the Reins of the Red Proto-drake for Bilbo-(V).
             Participants: Bilbo (85 mage Billboh), Eowyn (85 shaman Mairovende), Fangorn (83 priest Fangoern), (85 paladin Schlep), and Varda (83 priest Varda).
          Others present online: Arien-(Valar), Arwen-(V) (not in guild), Elwing-(V), and Glorfindel-(V).
       Tip on recognizing gear type: Dps: haste and crit. Tank: parry and dodge. Caster: intellect. Healing: spirit.

April 2, 2011
    Tolkien Site / Art:
       Photos of new models may be found deep in the Cave of DeepGroover-(T):
          "Cerdic of Wessex" full figure. This was used to illustrate the Tolkien Encyclopedia articles about Hama.
          "Medieval Knight" bust         

April 1, 2011
    Gaming / WoW:
       Friday evening gaming:
          Blackrock Caverns dungeon completed by Elwing (85 hunter Elwingv), Eowyn (85 shaman Mairovende), Fangorn (82 priest Fangoern), guild-friend Schlep (85 paladin), Varda (83priest Varda). Lots of other questing before and after in small groups while partied in one large group.

March 30, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT:
          Great Barrows level 65: Completed both wings picking up marks, a killing and gathering quest for each wing, then went into Sambrog's wing the same way, and got to Sambrog for the first time for several members. We had to split up for bed but have the locks for the next run.
          Participants: Galdor (hunter Andwe), Gildor (guardian Marrella), Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Pippin (champion Avengelina), and Varda (64 minstrel Tinwetari).

March 28, 2011
    Membership:
       Maedhros mailed off files to the printer for the second book of NeverNever. :)  The first book recently got a new edition.
    Gaming / LotRO:
 
      Monday 8pm EST:
          Ost Dunhoth: We farmed 100 wights and got 20 Medallions of the North-man apiece.
             Participants: Eomer (captain Erkendan), Gorlim (minstrel Aeronwy), Indis (lore-master Alasse), Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Pippin (champion Avengelina), and Varda (hunter Fainan).
          Sammath Gul: We killed the first boss and grabbed the chest before people had to leave for the night.
             Participants: Galdor (champion Thongaladh), Gorlim (minstrel Aeronwy), Indis (lore-master Alasse), Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Pippin (champion Avengelina), and Varda (hunter Fainan).

March 27, 2011 Sunday
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. If you can't enter on your own, IM VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar for an invitation.
    Happy birthday, Meneldil!
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
    Attending: (7)
        AriehnV,  ArPharazonV,  Eonwe Valar, Glorfindel VG, Indis-(V)/ karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1 (presiding)
    Membership:
        Birthdays
    Web:
        Link
    Gaming:
        Mass Effect 2
        StarCraft 2
        Supernova
        Physicsgames.net
        WoW
        LotRO
    Tolkien:
        At the time of the War of the Rings, Middle-earth had a number of powers that had come out of the history on both sides. These could be groups or countries or singles. What powers were operating and how did they come about?
    After-meeting:
       Tolkien chat continued a little into the After-meeting.

    Gaming / WoW:
       Regularly scheduled Sunday evening run.
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Four Valarites joined together with others in the new raid, Ost Dunhoth, and defeated the Wound side. The Valarites were Bofur (minstrel Dagr), Indis (lore-master Alasse), Nob (guard Elenrandir), and Pippin (champion Avengelina).

March 25, 2011 Friday
    Gaming / WoW:
       News reported by Eonwe on the scheduled Friday run:
            Participants: Bilbo, Eowyn, Eonwë, Elwing, Fangorn, Varda
            First, Bilbo, Eowyn, and Eonwë gave a go at a random lvl 85 normal dungeon, and ended up in the Halls of Origination.
            After this, Eowyn was disconnected, so BIlbo and Eonwë queued up for a heroic and ended up in the Vortex Pinnacle.
            After this, Elwing, Eowyn, and Fangorn were on, so we decided to try the Crucible of Carnage. Varda came in, and so she was traded Bilbo's spot in the group, while Bilbo joined us from outside. Eonwë's Auros, a Ret Paladin, was the acting tank. We managed to get 3 bosses down, but ran into a great deal of trouble on the fourth, so after a couple of tries we called it quits.
            At this point, Eonwë called it a night, but everyone else was still raring to go. The others broke into two groups for two different areas and quested until they needed sleep.

    Gaming / LotRO:
       News reported by Indis on an impulse run:
            Yesterday evening Indis (Alasse), Maedhros (Maedhroc), and Ulmo (Niequi) attempted the two new 3-person instances at Tier 1.  In Northcotton Farm (Oatbarton), they were unable to complete Boss 2 (the Cauldron), as that portion of the instance appeared to be bugged.  However, they succeeded in completing the Stoneheight instance in the North Downs.  Next step, Tier 2!

March 23, 2011 Wednesday
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT.
          The farming run for medallions by Ost Dunhoth won't be off the cool down timer in time for tonight's run, but will be available tomorrow.
          A Valarite team completed the Prancing Pony instance of Northcotton Farm on Tier 2. Participants were Bofur (minstrel Dagr), Nob (guard Elenrandir), and Varda (hunter Fainan).
          Some members have already completed the new book including the duo of Irmo and Miriel; solo by Varda; others.

March 22, 2011
    Happy birthday, Menelvagor-(Valar)!

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Spring Festival
is here.
       Tuesday morning had a short downtime to fix a problem in LI relic critting on the server side. The fix worked and relics may be made with no problem now.
       Known issues.

    Tech / Tolkien link from Gorlim of the Eye of Sauron.

March 21, 2011 Monday
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Update 2 is now live.

            New book section starts at Nar's Peak in Enedwaith, where the Thror's Coomb quests are.
            New instances start with Barliman Butterburr at the Prancing Pony in Bree. These lead into 3-man instances and on into a 6-man instance.
            New raid starts at Harndirion for Ost Duruth.
             Legendary Items were all re-set, removing relics and spent points. The relic crit crafting is bugged and the fix is tentatively set for Tuesday morning. Any relic put in an LI cannot be removed, so relics need to be worked up to level 6 before putting them in. This means many of us are trying to work with lower level equipment.

       Locations for the new instances from the Prancing Pony are near their stones from the pre-Update precursor quest. Entering gives a medallion.
           Northcotton Farm (known bug keeps it from showing on the map today) is northwest of Oatbarton.
           The Town of Stoneheight is in Annundir of the North Downs, north of William Peake's farm going around the right side of the hill and up a slope. 3-man.
           Glacier Fortress is in Forochel west and north-west of Suri-kyla. The tent on the shore shows up first, then the boat is visible. Take the boat and go through the ice cave that faces the shore. 3-man.
           The Lost Temple is in the northern Trollshaws. Go through the bridges of the wight towns to Ost Chall and into that door that finally opens. Lovely view! 6-man

    Monday 8pm EDT instance run:
          Our undeveloped LI's leaving us at low strength should have made us cautious, but we were curious about the new content and looked at it anyway.
          Some of those who hadn't already done the stone quest did that ahead of instance time.
          Prancing Pony: At instance time we tried to make two groups to start the Prancing Pony instances. One group made with Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Pippin (champion Avengelina), and Varda (hunter Fainan). Gorlim and Indis tried to start another group but other kinmates were more cautious and wanted to wait before going in. The first part is just travel, no problem. Merely going into each instance and discovering it gave the new medallions (barter for the new armor sets etc. at Harndirion). The new instances were near the stones from the stone quest and each features the talent of a particular gaunt lord. For example, the first one at Northcotton Farm near Oatbarton where four hobbits separately await rescue after a boss defeat is heavy on poison, so we started right off with spiders. It has four hobbits separately awaiting rescue, each found after beating a big bad.
          Ost Dunhoth: For our larger group run, we went to Harndirion and picked up the Ost Dunhoth quest. Then three of us rode over over to the castle and summoned the other two party members, got our medallion for discovery, and then proceeded to successfully do the kill 100 baddies quest on a platform just outside and down from the castle door. This quest is repeatable in two days with the same characters (nice for letting us run the next day with those other 65 alts we've accumulated). This gave us a batch of medallions.
          Participants were Gorlim (minstrel Aeronwy), Indis (lore-master Alasse), Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Pippin (champion Avengelina), and Varda (hunter Fainan).

March 20, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. If you can't enter on your own, IM VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar for an invitation.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
    Attending: (6)
        AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1 (presiding).
    Gaming:
        Mass Effect 2
        StarCraft 2, more on tips for the Supernova mission in the After-meeting.
        WoW
        LotRO
    Tolkien topic:
        JRRT liked Nordic themes. One of them was bravery against hopeless odds. What examples from the books can you think of where he used this idea?

    Gaming / WoW:
       Congratulations to the Lothar WoW branch for hitting level 7 today!
       Arien-(Valar), welcome to the WoW Lothar branch!
       Sunday after-meeting run for guild achievements:
           Participants: Bilbo, Eonwë, Varda, Elwing, and Bofur.
            We started dealing with the Outland Heroic dungeons for guild credit.
            Eonwe, Bilbo, Varda, and Elwing went through Ramparts and Shattered Halls. Then Bofur joined in for Blood Furnace. Afterwards, we went through the Slave Pens, Steamvault, and Underbog.
           After Eonwe had to leave, Bilbo, Elwing, and Bofur completed Auchiindoun Heroic Mana Tombs, then completed Heroic Auchenai Crypts. Eowyn came in a bit too late for the runs but said hi and congrats.

March 19, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Misty Mountains troll deeding
with Irmo and Miriel. Sign up on the Forum.
            When: Sat. 3/19/11 @ 11:30 AM EDT/ 16:30 CET / 10:30 AM CDT
            Where: Gloin's Camp
            The Plan: Group up and complete the Misty Mountain Troll Deed.
             And we did. :)
       LI helper URLs:
            LI Changes - Suggested by Ullmo.
            LI Point Spender - Suggested by Gorlim.

    Monday is Update 2 for LotRO.
The servers are scheduled to be down from 6am to at least 10am. We'll be spending the time re-doing our LI's, checking out what's new on our characters, and trying to get into the new instance. Expect lag and craziness.

March 18, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
    2.6.8
will be run tonight (grabs horseshoe). About 8pm EDT Gildor and Nimrodel should be off of work. Let's help them make 2.6.7 trip to the Bridge Shard for the hat, and to the Endless Stair rubble for speed and fun, then start right into 2.6.8!
    We completed 2.6.8 and got the legendary capstone traits for four members (Gildor, Maedrhros, Nimrodel, and Varda), then moved on and picked up marks in Helegrod (drakes and spiders). We need to run 2.6.8 again for Galdor and Gorlim who couldn't make it in time for tonight's run..
    Participants for 2.6.8: Gildor (guardian Marrella), Indis (lore-master Alasse), Maedhros (champion Galadhalion), Nimrodel (champion Cynthiajane), Pippin (warden Illiardo), and Varda (63 minstrel Tinwetari).
    Participants for Helegrod marks: Galdor (champion Thongaladh), Gildor (rune-keeper Lirafalla), Indis (lore-master Mereniel), Maedhros (champion Galadhalion), Nimrodel (champion CynthiaJane), Pippin (champion Avengelina), and Varda (hunter Fainan).
    Horses should be around 50% off usual sales price from the 18th to the 24th.  =)  This includes standard, temporary, and Algraig steeds.

    Membership news:
      
Celeborn-(V), happy birthday!
       Meriadoc-(V) found this video of a historic planes's first test flight after restoration and recognized it as one he had found room to sardine in the hangar where he works, ahead of a storm. He's been told he could get a flight in it next time it comes back as thanks, so hold up your lucky horseshoe for Meriadoc! The plane was used as a trainer in WW II and is called the Ryan P-22 Recruit.

    Gaming / WoW:
       Regular WoW run tonight at 7pm EDT done.
       Report from Eonwe:
            Participants:
                Members - Eonwë, Elwing, Eowyn, Bilbo
                Guild Friends - Schlep
            This Friday Eonwe came in late because of that pesky real life thing.
            When I did make it in, our first task was to go through Dire Maul for the final classic dungeon run we needed for guild credit. Eonwe, Eowyn, and Elwing cleared out East and West, and Bilbo joined us in time for North.
            After that, Schlep joined us and with 5 we decided to try our luck at a Cataclysm 5-man. Having noone specced as a healer, Eowyn said she'd give it a try with her Shaman, and I threw in I disagreeistance. We tried the random dungeon finder, and it gave us Grim Batol. The groups weren't too bad, and we made it to the first boss, General Umbriss. This was the real fight :} We died a couple of times, but got him within 20% of death each time. Finally, we got him, and having achieved victory, it was time to call it a night :}

March 17, 2011
    Landroval-(V) is still with the overall Valar Guild and the LotRO kin on his Searil character. He merely cross-kinned some of his characters to find people playing at his time of day.

March 16, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT planned run: 2.6.8 "New Devilry".  Canceled since some of the main people needing it didn't complete the quests between 2.5.5 and 2.6.8 yet.  Soooo...
        Instead most of the group decided they'd like to run for marks, so we successfully ran two wings of Helegrod for drakes and spiders, Annuminas Glinghant wing for darkwaters, and the School and Library.
       Participants for Helegrod and Annuminas were Galdor (champion Thongaladh), Gildor (rune-keeper Lirafalla in Hele, guardian Marrella in Annuminas), Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Nimrodel (champion CynthiaJane), Pippin (champion Avengelina), and Varda (63 minstrel Tinwetari).
       Participants for the 3-man School had to break up into two groups of three:
          Galdor (champion Thongaladh), Gildor (guardian Marrella), and Nimrodel (champion CynthiaJane). Gildor needed to go to bed afterwards.
          Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Pippin (champion Avengelina), and Varda (hunter Fainan).
       Participants for the 3-man Library:
          Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Pippin (champion Avengelina), and Varda (hunter Fainan). Some run-backs afterwards for Scraps of Knowledge.

    Guide to the 6-man version of 2.6.8 from Varda:
        This six-man run will be reduced to a two or three-man to aid people without helpful kins, so let's go enjoy this while it still exists. Normally the boss drops the Singed Cloak, a nice black one for cosmetics, but sometimes he drops the Cloak of Shadow and Flame, not only great for a cosmetic but having nice overall stats, so that people have been known to run this instance again and again hoping to pick it up. Completing Book 6 gives a Legendary trait (all classes) and good Galadhrim reputation. The  Sign-up is available on the Forum under Games/ Lord of the Rings Online /Raids and Quests / 3-16-2011 LotRO Instance 8pm EDT.

       Those needing the instance can start it from inside the Shadowed Refuges's elf camp by the ramp, in the Foundations of Stone, by talking to the elf, Lenglammel. The rest can jump in the pool in the 21st Hall for Victory Marks..
       Defeat five Moria orc-berserkers.
       Defeat Dhugluk, an orc, to rescue the elf Magor who will open the way past a web door. On the other side are two trolls.
       At the two trolls, it's nice to have an off-healer helping the elf Magor and also doing spot heals on the fellowship. Trolls have a frontal AoE hit with knockback, so tanks need their backs to a wall rather than the drop-off. Tanks need to keep trolls turned away from the squishys. If available, it's nice to have a guardian take the main aggro and a champ take the stray aggro. The momentum of the trolls can be reset/slowed with cc such as a warden's AoE fear "Desolation" so they don't hit as hard.
       The two Regmyl, Fire-drinker and Gloom-walker, are the next challenge and act as a tag team. Magor leaves. Keeping most of  the fellowship near the wall helps avoid stepping in void holes that open up.
       Boss fight! Both the main boss, Gwathnor and his  two grims are Ancient Evil. The two grims will take turns coming as adds from either side of the room, fire first from the right; one does fire damage and the other shadow damage and will try to stack their DoT's (Damage over Time) on the adventurers. The fellowship's MT (Main Tank) needs to stay on the boss while the rest of the team takes down one grim at a time co-ordinating through the MA (Main Assist) . Whenever there's a break between grims, hit the boss. The grims come faster the longer the fight goes.

March 15, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Unscheduled deed run in Barad Gularan over and over and, yep, over. We killed the boss, Uldunion while we were at it. (That was for you, Irmo!) The mistrels swapped out taking turns healing or warspeech.
          Participants: Annael (Annil 49 burglar), Gorlim (minstrel Aeronwy), Hurin subbiing in after Irmo needed to go to bed (captain Hiurred), Irmo (captain Irmohir), Miriel (minstrel Mahariel), Pippin (champion Avengelina), and Varda (hunter Fainan).
          The trophy was handsome so it was put in the kinhouse to be watched over by our bird.  Udunion's Swords.

March 14, 201
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EDT planned run: 2.5.5 Battle of the Deep-way completed.
          Participants: Gildor (guardian Marrella), Indis (lore-master Mereniel), Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Nimrodel (champion Cynthiajane), Pippin (champion Avengelina), and Varda (63 minstrel Tiwetari).
       Then we broke into two groups to do three-mans, all successful:
          2.8.4 Lumul-nar including quests. Participants: Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Pippin (champion Avengelina) and Varda (63 minstrel Tinwetari).
          School: Gildor (guardian Marrella), Indis (lore-master Mereniel), and Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian).

    Happy birthday to Aule-(Valar) and Ecthelion-(V)!

March 13, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. If you can't enter on your own, IM VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar for an invitation.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
    Gaming:
        Report by Indis-(V) on the PAX East convention that had a large LotRO section.
    Tolkien:
        Galdor's topic 1: At the end of the 3rd age...where where the Dwarf communities? I know of the Iron Hills, Erebor and perhaps Erd Luin....later on the Glittering caves...but were there more? If so where and what is the estimate of the dwarf population total after the war of the ring?
        Galdor's topic 2: What sort of impact did the battles between Eldamir and Castmir have on the population of the Dunadain apart from the plague? A while back I talked about the kinstrife having an effect on the population, but we never came to a conclusive answer.
        RP posts made.

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Lots of kin members were on making various groups.
    Gaming / WoW:
       Sunday 7pm EDT regular run.
       Eonwe-(Valar)'s report:
Attending: Eonwë, Bilbo, Elwing, Sauron, Bofur

Our goal of the night: Get Bilbo to Chromaggus in Blackwing Lair and see how well he can tame him :}

First task, we got Elwing attuned for Blackwing Lair so she could use the Orb to teleport there (don't know how we missed doing this before :})

Then, we got back to the fun we had on Friday night. Even with some new ideas, this bug was beating us, and each new try we found something else wrong. Finally, we managed a trade of control between Bofur and Bilbo and managed to destroy all of the eggs, and then Razorgore himself. Everything after that was easy :}

When we came to Chromaguss, the rest of us stayed outside the room while Bilbo went in to tame him. Bilbo did so, and on we marched to Nefarion, who also went down easily :}

At this point, Bofur had to go, but we four were feeling adventurous. We decided to go into AQ40. After Eonwë's Paladin solo'd the first boss, we cleared all the way to the Twin Emperors, and managed to get them down to half health before things started going badly. In the end, we lost (though we could've kept it up until the enrage timer if we wanted to), but considering our group composition was 2 hunters, a warlock, and a Paladin, we did quite well.

March 12, 2011

    Membership News:
        Welcome to the Valar Guild as a Full Member, Mirabella Took Brandybuck-(V)!
Mirabella has been with us as Branwyn-(T) since February 4, 2007 but has been bitten by the gaming bug, as has her husband, Nar-(V). She passed her Full Member test with 5/5 bragging rights on March 10 and chose her name today. :)
       Welcome back, Beleg-(V)! Beleg's been out with injuries to his back and leg and still should not stay on the computer too long, so don't press him to stay longer than he should. even though he's willing. /duck  He's discovering all those changes they tossed at captains and the game just in time to be hit with the March update coming soon!

    Tolkien Site / Art:
       New models are now up for DeepGroover-(T)'s art cave:
          "The Dwarf King"
          "The Guardian"
    Tolkien Site / Articles:
       "Tilkal" by Varda-(Valar)

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Sign-in sheet is up on the Forum for the Monday 8pm instance run. Currently 2.5.5 Battle of the Deep-way is planned. We'll probably have time afterwards to run another instance or do marks runs.
       Grouping happened. :)  Irmo's group daily gets together for runs. Also, we had an evening Annuminas Glinghant marks Darkwater run, done successfully by Galdor (champion Thongaladh), Gildor (guardian Marrella), Nimrodel (champion Cynthiajane), Pippin (champion Avengelina), and Varda (hunter Fainan).

March 11, 2011
    Gaming / WoW:
       Instance running this evening at 7pm for guild achievements, regular group gaming started early in the afternoon.
       Report from Eonwe-(Valar):
Participants:
Members - Eonwë, Sauron, Varda, Bilbo, Eowyn, Elwing
Guild friends - Schlep

Our goals today:
1.)Complete the Achievments "Zombiefest" and "Amber Void"
2.) Take Chromaggus in Blackwing Lair for Bilbo's Hunter.

First we took on Heroic Culling of Stratholme. Unforunately, Zombiefest eluded us, as for some reason a chunk of our zombies did not appear to count as they should have. We did complete "The Culling of Time" for Eowyn, however, and Varda won the drake.

We then went into Heroic Occulus for "Amber Void." This run at least went exactly as we hoped.

We then went into Blackwing Lair. Unfortunately, there appears to be a bug such that, when the mind control falls off and Razorgore is not in combat, he auto-kills everyone. As we are just too awesome (:}) to keep him in combat for long, we did not succeed getting past this boss after several tries. We decided to call it quits there and try again later with a fresh perspective. Next time, we'll just have to have less people helping him stay alive :}

At this point, Bilbo and Sauron called it a night. The rest of us went on to complete Razorfen Kraul and Razorfen Downs for guild credit, completing the quests within along the way.

After these runs, we decided to call it a night.

March 10, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Urugarth deeding: a group ran Uru several times working on deeds and clearing a few quests and class quests.
          Participants (probably a partial list as we swapped out): Annael, Gorlim, Hurin, Indis, Irmo, Miriel, and Varda.
    Happy birthday, Arminas-(V)!

March 9, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday gaming:
          Helegrod: We ran two wings of Helegrod collecting marks as intended, all choosing the same quest for mark-collecting as intended..
             Participants: Eomer (captain Erkendan), Galdor (Thongaladh), Indis (lore-master Mereniel), Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Malva (Tuliwen), Nimrodel (champion Cynthiajane), Pippin (champion Avengelina), Ulmo (burglar Ylmir), and Varda (hunter Fainan).
          Forges: We ran Forges collecting a medallion, parts of deeds, beating the first boss.
             Participants: Galdor (hunter Andwe), Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Pippin (champion Avengelina), Ulmo (burglar Ylmir), and Varda (62 minstrel Tinwetari).
          Glinghant: We ran Annuminas' Glinghant wing collecting marks as intended from darkwaters.
             Participants: Galdor (Thongaladh), Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Nimrodel (champion Cynthiajane), Pippin (champion Avengelina), and Varda (62 minstrel Tinwetari). Ulmo's Ylmir remained in the group but outside the instance apparently afk.

    Happy birthday, Dwalin-(T)!

March 8, 2011
    Happy birthday, Beren-(Valar)!

March 7, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday gaming:
        The Carn Dum instance was run with Annael (59 warden Annlyn), Hurin (captain Hiurred), Irmo (captain Irmohir), and Miriel (minstrel Mahariel).
       The Rift was run in a pug with Indis and Pippin.
       2.5.5 Deep-way was not quite completed by Gildor (guardian Marrella), Gorlim (catapin Athyn), Indis (lore-master Mereniel), Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Nimrodel (champion Cynthiajane), and Varda (62 minstrel Tinwetari).

March 6, 2011:
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. If you can't enter on your own, IM VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar for an invitation.
        Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
        Attending: (8)
            AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Gilraen-(V)/Iryenth, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1 (presiding)
       Tolkien:
            "Scouting Ahead" forum story role-play discussion and posting.
            Galdor's topic: Did all the elves who survived Ost-In-Edhil go to Imladris? or did they set up other small outposts? An age earlier, when Turin was raised in an elf refuge, it would seem plausable that other elf small outposts might have sprung up similarly at the time Elrond led the survivors to Imladris.

    Gaming / WoW:
       Regular Sunday after-meeting run 7pm EST. Following is Eonwe-(Valar)'s report:
Participants: Eonwë, Bofur, Elwing, Nob, Eowyn

This Sunday we went into Zul'Aman. As we did not have enough for Guild credit, we just went in for personal credit. We made sure to kill the bosses a bit slower this time around, and lo and behold, made it all the way through the instance without any bugging out.

Afterwards, Nob and Bofur had to call it, so Eowyn, Elwing, and Eonwë went into Stratholme for guild credit, clearing out both sides of the instance. After that, we called it a night.

March 5, 2011
    Gaming / WoW:
       Guild achievement run: BlackFathom Deep. Then we ran Shadowfang Keep. We also had a "stable run" collecting a lot of flight paths for the wolf pack worgens thanks to Bilbo's mage.
          Participants: Bilbo, Elwing, Fangorn, Sauron, and Varda.

March 5, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Book run 2.5.5 for two sections before we had to break for bed.
          Participants: Gildor, Indis, Nimrodel, Pippin, Ulmo, and Varda.

March 4, 2011
    Happy birthday, Gimli-(V)!

March 3, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Report from Indis: Library and School beaten by Indis (Mereniel), Maedhros (Maedhroc), and Ullmo (Ylmir).

March 2, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday afternoon run: Sarnur deeds and reputation:
          Participants: Annael, Eomer, Hurin, Irmo, Miriel, Pippin, and Varda
       Wednesday 8pm EST Annuminas runs: Glinghant and Haudh Valandil.
          Glinghant: We beat the final boss, Nengon, but failed hard mode just barely by killing one ghost too early. We found the best way to tackle the boss was to jump in the water with him and his darkwater ghosts while the minstrel stood nearby on the shore healing everyone, bring down the ghosts a lot, then when Nengon went down, the ghosts could go quickly afterwards.
          Haudh Valandil: This was purely intended as a run for Annuminas marks and a look for some of the gang who had not been there before. We went all the way up to where the final boss fight would be, picking up the last  limrafns we needed and the medallion chest there. We had to call it a night since people needed to work in the morning.
          Participants for both Annuminas runs: Galdor (champion Thongaladh), Gildor (guardian Marrella), Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Nimrodel (champion CynthiaJane), Ulmo (burglar Ylmir), and Varda (61 minstrel Tinwetari).

March 1, 2011
    Happy birthday, Aragorn-(V)!

Feb. 28, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EST Halls of Crafting 6-man Lorien run. We won hard mode. Having more hunters to take out the adds at the last boss before they could reach him was key.
           Participants: Gildor (guardian Marrella), Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Tulkas (hunter Astald), Ulmo (burglar Ylmir), and Varda (61 minstrel Tinwetari).

Feb. 27, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. If you can't enter on your own, IM VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar for an invitation.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
    Tolkien section of the meeting: Quote and discussion of the meeting between Strider and the four hobbits.

Gaming / WoW (Alliance branch on Lothar):
    Sunday WoW run:

        Guild Achievement attained: Magtheridon's Lair Guild Run. Besides Magtheridon we did an Onyxia run killing her, plus assorted bosses in the instances.
           Participants: Bilbo, Bofur, Elwing, Eonwe, Eowyn, Nob, Sauron, Varda and guild-friend Schlep.
        Friday is the next WoW guild run.
     Report on today's WoW run from Eonwe-(Valar):
Participants:
Members: Eonwë, Bofur, Eowyn, Elwing, Bilbo, Sauron, Varda, Nob
Guild Friend: Schlep (Eowyn's husband)

Our first goal was to take on Zul'Aman for personal and guild credit. We were tearing the the instance easily. The only problem was that we apparently killed Halazzi too fast, his area bugged out, and we weren't able to proceed.

Stuck without the ability to finish Zul'Aman, we decided to get personal credit/guild credit for some other raids. We made a quick visit to both Magtheridon and Onyxia, tearing through both. As it turns out, though, there's no guild achievement for Onyxia.

At this point, Sauron and Bilbo had to go. The rest of us went on to Naxxramas and defeated Sapphiron and Kel'Thuzad. After some gloating over Kel'Thuzad's corpse [various ones claiming his ostentaious throne-V], we went on to the Arachnid Quarter and fought Anub'Rekhan. Nob then had to call it. The rest of us quickly finished off the Arachnid Quarter, then we all called it quits.

Feb. 25, 2011
    Gaming / WoW:
       Friday WoW run 7pm EST. Report from Eonwe-(Valar):
 For the Friday run, Bofur, Nob, and Eonwe just did a quick random normal and ended up in the Halls of Origination. It was a fun run that went pretty smoothly, and got Eonwe and Nob some rep with the Guardians of Hyjal. Nob as of the end of the run was only 1k rep away from exalted.

Feb. 23, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday:
          Early run "Mysterious Relics":
Six of us worked on this new deed that took us to recently made places and all but one completed it, but he'll probably finish it tomorrow. Locations included Trollshaws, Oatbarton, North Downs (look what happened to the farmhouse at William Peakes' farm!), Forochel, and Enedwaith. The tricky Laenan Caves has a map on page 6 here. Complete spoilers here.
              Participants: Annael (38 burglar Annil), Hurin (captain Hiurred), Indis (lore-master Alasse), Irmo (captain Irmohir), Miriel (minstrel Mahariel), and Varda (hunter Fainan).
           8pm run: Grand Stairs running with only 5 instead of 6. Hey, we like a challenge. And Pippin was running a low fever. We cleared it in Hard Mode then went back and cleared out anything left standing for deeds.
                Participants: Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Pippin (champion Avengelina), Ulmo (burglar Ylmir), and Varda (60 minstrel Tinwetari).
    Eomer, good luck with your rascally computer!
    Play: A good friend sent this link to the lost Shakespearian play: The Tragedie of Frodo Baggins.

Feb. 21, 2011
    Varda, Fangorn, and Meriadoc are back in their home state of Texas after visiting Eowyn and "Schlep" (he's still reading the books) in Arizona. We got in late and are tired but happy. Meriadoc will be staying over until weather permits him to fly his plane home, hopefully sometime tomorrow.
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EST get-together. Sorry I missed it but hope you had fun!
       And fun they had! Halls of Crafting was the dungeon and it was completed, although they didn't quite get hard mode. More ranged damage would have helped.
       Participants: Galdor, Gildor, Maedhros, Nimrodel, Pippin, Ulmo.

Feb. 20, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. If you can't enter on your own, IM VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar for an invitation.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (4)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), Indis-(V)/karakedi25
Membership:
    Varda, Fangorn, Eowyn, Meriadoc
    New member: Nar-(V)
Web
Gaming:
    LotRO: big update coming in a few weeks.
    WoW: members got together to knock out a big batch of guild achievements.
    StarCraft 2: large patch and small bug-fix patch.
Tolkien:
    Quote from Elrond and Gimli's exchange. Discussion invited.

    Gaming / WoW:
        Regular Sunday after-meeting run around 7pm EST. Report from Eonwe-(Valar):
This Sunday, Nob, Bofur, and Eonwe queued up in the LFD tool for a couple of heroics for guild credit. First we ended up in the Stonecore (heroic), and despite a few shaky moments and a couple of healer tradouts, we cleared the instance.

With that group, we decided to run the Valentine's bosses (only available as non-heroic) as well, and cleared them out easily.

Then we went into Shadowfang Keep (heroic) with that same group. A couple of bosses were tough, like Commander Springvale, but after a few tries we got him. There were also a couple of close fights, be we came out on top :} We even managed to pick up the achievement "Bullet Time" while fighting Lord Godfrey.

Feb. 16, 2011
    Varda will be absent for about a week, out of state. See you when we get back!
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday get-together
, a bit later than 8pm EST. Thank you to Indis for sending the following report!
            Indis (Mereniel), Maedhros (Maedhroc), and Pippin (Avengelina) did the Library at Tham Mirdain. 

Feb. 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day!

    Welcome to the Valar Guild, N
ár-(V)! Nár was scouted by his wife, Branwyn-(T), and tested by Varda for 5/5 with bragging rights. He used to play WoW but now plays only LotRO, joining our branch with his character, Valiamir. Nár also plays historical games including "Europa Universalis" and "Guns of August". He's 59, from Ohio, USA so he's on Eastern Standard Time, same as Valar time. He's read the H, LotR, Sil, and CoH. About every two years since reading the LotR he listens to it on audio, saying it keeps him from skimming. His favorite LotR character is Gimli because he's not glamorous but is dependable.

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EST instance: Sixteenth Hall
for class quests for Gildor's rune-keeper and Ulmo's burglar. Bring disease pots. CC is nice here. Hunters should trait Rain of Thorns and LM's should trait Proof Against All Ills (group disease cure) are good to include here. Captains are popular for kiting the Lost One's buggy friends, or another off-healer, while the tank handles the Lost One. Ranged is needed vs mushrooms by the Lost One, since the mushrooms explode and slow any nearby player.
       The main objective of class questing was completed. We continued for fun but we failed hard mode on the boss and couldn't go back for quest mode on the boss due to lack of time. We completed the burglar and rune-keeper class quests for Ulmo and Gildor respectively, picked up some Medallions of Moria, completed a batch of quests clogging our lists, and completed or progressed on deeds.
       Participants: Eonwe (champion Auros), Gildor (58 rune-keeper Lirafalla), Nimrodel (champion CynthiaJane), Pippin (warden Illiardo), Ulmo (burglar Ylmir), and Varda (60 minstrel Tinwetari).

Feb. 13, 2011
    Tolkien Site / Stories:
       "Dereliction of Duty" by Jay of Lasgalen. "Elladan and Elrohir are young warriors under Glorfindel's watchful eye as they undertake their first ever patrol - but on the last night before they return home Elladan makes a serious error of judgement." Elladan, Elrohir, and Glorfindel.
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. If you can't enter on your own, IM VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar for an invitation.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (8)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Gilraen-(V)/Iryenth, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1 (presiding)
Membership:
    New members
    Maedhros
Web:
    Art
    Story
Gaming:
    Steam
    Flashgames
    WoW
    LotRO - report from the test server
Tolkien:
    JRRT said that he was makng a mythology for England as it didn't really have one of its own.  He hoped that people would add to the mythos with paint, stories, and more. : In what ways have you seen that happen?
        After the meeting, the WoW folk joined together and did a lot of guild achievement WotLK dungeons. :)

    Gaming / WoW:
       Sunday 7pm EST regular run. Report from Eonwe-(Valar):
This Sunday we got together to complete some WotLK heroic guild achievements, and also to check off some achievements for Glory of the Hero.

Participants were Eonwe, Bilbo, Varda, Menelvagor, Sauron, and Eowyn.

First, Eonwe, Bilbo, Varda, Menelvagor, and Sauron cleared out Culling of Stratholme. Unfortunately, we didn't get Zombiefest this time, but we'll get it next time. Menel had to go near the end.

Then, Eonwe, Bilbo, Varda, and Sauron cleared out Gundrak, Azjol Nerub, Halls of Stone, and Occulus. For various people, we completed "Lessrabi", "Good Grief", "Brann Spankin' New", "Abuse the Ooze", "Snakes. Why'd it Have To Be Snakes?", "What the Eck?", "Emerald Void", and "Ruby Void." Varda also picked up "Northrend Dungeonmaster."

Eonwe, Varda, and Bilbo then went into Ahn'Kahet and got "Respect Your Elders" and "Volazj's Quick Demise."

Finally, Eonwe, Bilbo, Varda, and Eowyn went through the Frozen Halls instances, clearing out the Forge of Souls, Pit of Saron, and Halls of Reflection consecutively. Along the way, we completed "Doesn't Go To Eleven" and "We're Not Retreating; We're Advancing in a Different Direction."

We decided to end the run on that high note and after picking up a nice chunk of guild rep along the way.


Bofur and Nob were also on tonight, and while we weren't able to get guild credit for it, they successfully 2-manned Karazhan after going through the grueling task of completing the quest chain to get the Master's Key.
   

Feb. 11, 2011
    Maedhro's father died today. Maedhros, our hearts are with you and your family.

    Welcome to the Valar Guild, Eol-(V)!
Eol joined us in LotRO today, coming in from DAoC where he was known to Valarites as Apoc. He was scouted and tested by the Irmo. Eol's 33 from England, land of JRRT! Previous games he's played before joining us in LotRO were Diablo, EQ, EQ2, Warhammer, Aion and DAoC. He's read both the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. His favorite LotR character was Tom Bombadil because he was authentic and original, different from all others, as a bard who operates by songs of power.

Feb. 10, 2011
    Gaming / Steam:
      
Scatha emailed in that he is holding "Valar Guild" for us in Steam. Here's his letter:

    Not much to say, still playing Team Fortress 2.. and Left 4 Dead 2, when I can.  Usually too busy working.  I must be a work-a-holic! ;)
    If any Valar members have STEAM they can catch me on there by searching "STEvil of the Big Game Hunters" or  "Valar Guild" which will lead them to the Valar Guild gaming group I put on Steam just so nobody would grab it ;)
    Anyways, guess i'll go back to doing what dragons and their kin do best.. lying low.
    Namarie
    - STEvil/Scatha

    Gaming / LotRO:
      
Unscheduled Thursday run: Thank you from Varda for helping minstrel Tinwetari finally get past 2.4.7 The Drowned Treasury! A smooth 5-man of this 6-man instance was pulled off by Gildor (58 rune-keeper Lirafalla), Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Nimrodel (champion CynthiaJane), Pippin (warden Illiardo), and Varda (60 minstrel Tinwetari.) Afterwards Pippin gave good advice on a slow goat path to jump from for the next area and Maedhroc helped with killing orcs in the next part of the epic

Feb. 9, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EST Skumfil the continued saga.
Left side boss Brumbereth and end boss Hwandrin went down!
          Participants (all 65 except the minstrel): Gildor (guardian Marrella), Indis (lore-master Mereniel), Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Nimrodel (champion Cynthiajane), PIppin (champion Avengelina), and Varda (60 minstrel Tinwetari).

Feb. 7, 2011

    Tolkien Site / Art:
       Three new mosaics by Elatan-(T) are now online at his cave in our art site. They are "Ulmo at Vinyamar", "Breaking of Spring", and "Smaug and the Lonely Mountain".  Enjoy!

    Welcome to the Valar Guild, Celeborn-(V)!
Celeborn came to us in LotRO yesterday from Dark Age of Camelot where he played with Irmo, Miriel, Annael, Hurin, and other Valarites so he's a long-time friend known as "Keb". He was scouted by Irmo and Miriel. He's also played Ultima Online. He is 45 and hails from New Mexico, USA, so he's on Mountain Standard Time. Celeborn read the H, LotR and Sil multiple times. He tested a strong 5/5 with Irmo so he has bragging rights!

    Welcome, Annael-(V), to the Valar Guild! Yesterday Annael joined us in LotRO from Dark Age of Camelot and is a therefore a long-time friend known as "Riaz" and "Ann". He was scouted by Irmo and Miriel then tested by Irmo. He's 38 and lives in Sweden so his time zone is UTC+1. He's played a large number of MMO's of which a partial list includes EQ, UO, AC, DaoC, Warhammer, Aion, WoW, and LotRO. He's read LotR and his favorite character from it is Arwen because she's strong, self-confident, and independent.

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EST regular instance time. Six-manned book instance 2.6.8 and a low level one, Skorgrim's Tomb.
          Participants 2.6.8: Eomer (Erkendan capt), Gildor (Fairmaiden min), Maedhros (Maedhroc warden), Melkor (Passim rk), and Nimrodel (Ardisian hntr).
             Blog with picture by Maedhros.
          Participants Skorgrim's Tomb: Meriadoc (Kalimacoin 60 grd), Nimrodel (Ardisian hntr), Pippin (Avengelina champ), Sigurd (Tinuariel), and Varda (Fainan). This was mostly companionship and fun, while helping Sigurd past a place where he was stuck.

Feb. 6, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. If you can't enter on your own, IM VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar for an invitation.
    Super Bowl Sunday.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda.
    Attending: (5)
        AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1 (presiding)
    Membership:
       Welcome to our two new members today! Celeborn-(V) and Annael-(V) joined us after being scouted and tested by Irmo-(Valar). Irmo and Miriel brought the rest of their characters into the kin as well.
    Web:
       After the meeting, Elatan-(T)'s art page was rearranged according to media.
    Gaming:
       LotRO:
          Text from the Launcher:
              Weekend Sale in the LOTRO Store! 25% off all Skirmishes, Skirmish Mark Boosts, Summon Skirmish Soldier & more.
          2.5.5 run successfully made in all three parts just before the meeting, moving two members along in their Epic Book and helping a number of us get to practice together, some for the first time in quite a while.
             Participants: Galdor (Thongaladh 65 champion), Hurin (Hiurred 65 captain), Irmo (Irmohir 65 captain), Miriel (Mahariel 65 minstrel), Ulmo (Ylmir 58 burglar), and Varda (Fainan 65 hunter).
    Tolkien:
       Grey characters in Middle-earth.
       Galdor-(V)'s topic: Languages.

Feb. 4, 2011
    You Tube recommendation:
        Gimli destroys the One Ring - suggested by Maedhros-(V) and seconded by Sauron-(Valar). Now on our Humor page links.
    Gaming / WoW:
       For Friday, WoW's Lothar night starting late, we collected a batch of guild achievements by running at high speed through Classic dungeons with five members, then four guild members and one guild-friend. Five is the normal group size, as six is for LotRO.
       Dungeons run by group one: Deadmines, Sunken Temple, and Blackrock Depths.
       Group two ran Gnomeregan.
       Participants for the first group: Eonwe (Auros 85 paladin), Eowyn (Mairovende 85 shaman). Fangorn (Treebeerd 82 mage), Sauron (Artano 85 warrior), and Varda (Varda 82 priest)
       For the second group: Eonwe (Auros), Eowyn (Mairimage 45 mage), Fangorn (Treebeard), Varda (Varda), and guild-friend who is husband to Eowyn (Schlep 85 paladin).

Feb. 2, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Skumfil
Moria instance 8pm EST Wednesday: We completed the champion class quests for Galdor and Nimrodel, then went on for fun and killed Grimreaver. Afterwards some of us went on to do Esteldin Bounty runs.
           Skumfil participants: Galdor (65 champion Thongaladh), Gildor (65 guardian Marrella), Maedhros (65 warden), Melkor (65 rune-keeper), Nimrodel (64 champion CynthiaJane), and Varda (59 minstrel).
               Skumfil blog by Maedhros.
           Bounties: Galdor, Nimrodel, Melkor, and Varda.

Jan. 31, 2011
    Membership 2011: Please make sure to contact Varda at NOSPAMvarda.elentari@gmail.com (erase NOSPAM) to let her know you would like to keep your association with the Valar Guild gaming and Tolkien fan club, and please include your guild name.
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Dark Delving: Monday 8pm EST for your regularly scheduled instance nuttiness. We ran the Moria instance of Dark Delving for Maedhros-(V)'s warden class quest and got it, along with the incidental medallion and victory mark.
       Participants: Gildor (guardian Marrella), Maedhros (warden Maedhroc), Nimrodel (64 champion Cynthiajane), Pippin (champion Avengelina), Ulmo (loremaster Vailimo), and Varda (59 minstrel Tinwetari).

Jan. 30, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace. If you can't enter on your own, IM VardaValar1 or Eonwe Valar for an invitation.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda.
    Attending: (7)
        AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1 (presiding)
    Membership:
        Quite a few members had news including ones not actually present at the meeting..
    Web:
        New articles, poetry with art, stories.
    Gaming:
        WoW, LotRO, Tasty Planet: Back for Seconds
    Tolkien:
        Chat topic: When we read Tolkien's works, we tend to be drawn into the setting as much as the plot. Is that so for you too?

Jan. 28, 2011
    Tolkien Site / Articles:
       Purpose and Fate of Man
by Varda-(Valar)

Jan. 27, 2011
    Tolkien Site / Poetry:
       The White Returns
by He that Walks Unseen-(T). Gandalf becomes the White.
    Membership:
        Letter from Landroval-(V) aka (Rana):
            Its with much regret that I send this to you but I feel that I can no longer stay in the Valar Guild. I have several reasons, even selfish ones, but I have been here near two years and I dont feel that I have ever truely integrated into the guild. i still feel on the outside. I also feel that I am not able to attend any of the events as it usually conflicts with my work schedual, such as it is. Know that I have enjoyed learning deeper lore from you and those willing to share it but I must say that this is a game and i dont feel like I get much game here as i mostly solo since I joined Valar and I often only get to fellowship with my wife as many times most Valarim are too busy. And even when we are able to get a group of Valar to go, its too often that it is met with frustration or utter failure. All this said i find that lately I dont even log into the game. So I feel that I must leave. I only hope that you feel that I made a contribution to the Guild while I was here and that you can send me a response.

Jan. 25, 2011

    Tolkien Site / Articles:
       Elves Part 2 by Eonwe-(Valar) is now online. Part one gave information from The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, while part two gives information beyond that from volumes of The Histories of Middle-earth.

    Membership 2011:
Please make sure to contact Varda at NOSPAMvarda.elentari@gmail.com (erase NOSPAM) to let her know you would like to keep your association with the Valar Guild gaming and Tolkien fan club, and please include your guild name. If you've forgotten your guild name please mention that and we'll work out what it is. Tolkien-onlies who have not sent anything for the Tolkien Site this year need to let her know if they have something planned to send, or just send something.
    Pallando will be losing his desktop computer in a month as he returns to a barracks-room. He will have a tiny netbook but it can barely run plants vs zombies.

    Gaming / LotRO:
      
Wednesday 8pm EST instance: the epic book of Devilry 2.6.8. Four members had the quest and all six would like that one cloak.
       Participants: Galdor, Gildor, Indis, Maedhros, Melkor, and Nimrodel.

Jan. 24, 2011

 Tolkien Site / Stories:
   "
The Deserter's Just Deserts". Story by Branwyn-(T). "When a deserter from the army of Rohan is captured in Ithilien, Faramir finds that his wife is strangely troubled by the Rider's plight."
 
  Gaming / LotRO:
    Monday 8pm EST 6-man
get-together.

Jan. 23, 2011

 Tolkien Site / Poetry:
    "Song of the Moon and Melian".
Poetry, Sindarin translation, and painting by Luthien-(T).

Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda.
Attending: (8)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eomer-(V)/dudeman51983, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1 (presiding)
Tolkien:
    Festival in the Shire Art Exhibition. How to go, websites for sneak previews.

Jan. 22, 2011
    Gaming / WoW:
       The guild is now level 6. Congrats all!

Jan. 19, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EST: Grand Stairs
for quests and deeds. We also collected medallions and took out the final boss, Igash.
        Participants: Galdor (60 champion Thongaladh), Gildor (59 guardian Marrella), Indis (65 lore-master Mereniel), Nimrodel (59 champion CynthiaJane), and Varda (59 minstrel Tinwetari). Our pick-up helper was Elverod (60 rune-keeper).

Jan. 17, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EST: Skumfil.
We completed the champion class quest for Melkor and the minstrel class quest for Varda, then continued on down the right side and killed the boss, Grimreaver. We stayed at the top of the hill with him, champion doing area effect dps on the bugs with some help, but most of the group stayed on Grimreaver. The healing minstrel was best put more or less behind the boss. The group had a lot of fun with companionship and worked very well as a team. The more experienced taught the less. We also worked on quests and deeds, completing a lot of them.
       Participants: Eomer (65 captain Erkendan), Gildor (59 guardian Marrella), Gorlim (65 minstrel Aeronwy), Nimrodel (65 hunter Ardisian), Melkor (65 champion), and Varda (59 minstrel).

Jan. 16, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (8)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, ArPharazonV, Eomer-(V)/dudeman51983, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Gilraen-(V)/Iryenth, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1 (presiding)
Tolkien Discussion:
    Galdor's topic: the search for the Entwives.
    Eomer's topic: the music of creation.

Jan. 15, 2011
    Please remember
that any member can email in a News story.
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Welcome back
to Irmo, Miriel, and Hurin! They've moved back to LotRO this week.
       Forgotten Treasury
completed for quests and deeds.
       Participants: Galdor (part-way, had to sleep), Gildor (rune-keeper Lirafalla, + guardian Marrella), Nimrodel (champion Cynthiajane), Varda (minstrel Tinwetari), and three pick-ups.

Jan. 10, 2011
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EST Urugarth.
We started late but made it all the way through the end boss, Lagmas. The main purpose was to help Eomer's rune-keeper, Malradir, intended to aid later as one of the main healers in high level runs. Others on the run also found this run a help. A special thank-you goes to Dis-(V) who knew the new set-up for Lagmas, as those of us who had done it before only knew the old system.
       Participants: Dis (level 65 hunter Laurel) who joined us just before the Lagmas attempt replacing Evenriel, Eomer (level 50 rune-keeper Malradir), Gildor (level 58 guardian Marrella), Indis (level 65 lore-master), Nimrodel (level 55 champion CynthiaJane), Varda (level 58 minstrel).  Thank you to Evenriel (level 65 champion) who was pugging and was surprised to find himself in a kin run, but ran with us from the beginning until he ran out of time just before Lagmas.

Jan. 9, 2011
Happy birthday to Meriadoc-(V)!
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda.
Attending: (6)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presided second part), Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1 (presided first part).
    Indis-(V) said hi to the group from her mobil phone.
Tolkien:
    Themes in Tolkien's works.  

Jan. 6, 2011
    Tolkien Encyclopedia:
       "Elves" by Eonwe-(Valar) is now online. This is part one of his overview of elves. (Mithril flake received from Varda-(Valar).)

Jan. 4, 2010
    Tolkien Encyclopedia:
        "Elf Types" is now completely re-written and re-organized with the addition of the Falathrim and mention of the Úmanyar. (Mithril flake received from Eonwe-(Valar).)

Jan. 3, 2010
JRRT

Today would be J.R.R. Tolkien's birthday, January 3, 1892! Thank you, for all you've given us!

    Gaming / LotRO:
        Monday group goofing around planned for 8pm EST. Eonwe has offered LotRO gaming members a mithril flake for any new article (not done by Varda) for the Tolkien Encyclopedia. (Ask Varda if you're not sure how to go about this.) Tolkien trivia may be asked in-game today so have your thinking caps on.
       We did a Dark Delving run for class quests and Moria medallions. Participants were Eomer (captain Erkendan), Indis (lore-master Mereniel), Melkor (champion Melcor), Tulkas (hunter Astald), Ulmo (minstrel Niequi), and Varda (guardian Timbridhil). Gildor's guardian Marella made a quick run-in, as did Melkor's warden.

Jan. 2, 2011
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (6)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), fladrifv, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1
For LotRO gamers: Eonwe is offering a mithril flake for a quality article for our Tolkien Encyclopedia. "While supplies last."
Tolkien:
    Eonwe's topic: Which elves had silver hair?
    Tomorrow would be JRRT's birthday.

Jan. 1, 2011
Happy New Year!

Dec. 31, 2010
    Congratulations
to Gimli-(V) and his wife for the birth of their daughter today!

Dec. 29, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EST
: Thror's Coomb.
       Participants: Indis, Malva, Tulkas, and Varda.

Dec. 27, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EST:
Grand Stairs.
       Participants: Galdor, Gildor, Melkor, Nimrodel, Orome, and Varda.

Dec. 26, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Gaming:
    WoW
    LotRO
Tolkien:
    Sigurd and Gudrun
    Favorite scene from any of Tolkien's books about Arda

Dec. 25, 2010
Merry Christmas!

Dec. 22, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EST:
Annuminas boss wing.
       Participants: Gildor (minstrel Fairmaiden), Indis (lore-master Mereniel), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Tulkas (hunter Astald), Ulmo (warden Wingilot), and Varda (guardian Timbridhil).

Dec. 19, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (6)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, and VardaValar1
Membership:
    Varda
    Eowyn
Web:
    Gaming Site: Eonwe's external hard drive died, problem being handled.
Gaming:
    Battlenet 2.0 is about to include StarCraft2 to allow chat capabilities.
    Christmas-style festivities began in WoW and LotRO.
    LotRO: considering afternoon runs on Monday for small groups, due to time difficulties. Monday 8pm EST 6-mans will be run when we have sufficient numbers. Wednesday 8pm EST is for high level instance runs.
Tolkien:
    RP
    Magic, sub-creation spun off from the RP talk and went enjoyably long. Tolkien discussion continued into the After-meeting.

Dec. 15, 2010
    LotrO / Gaming:
       Wednesday 8pm level 65 instance:
Annuminas.
          Participants: Galdor (hntr), Melkor (rk), Nimrodel (hntr), Pippin (wrdn, champ), Ulmo (min), and Varda (grd).
       Annuminas is also planned for next Wednesday with the same group (change, Melkor can't come). Monday's instance is not yet decided due to uncertainty of who can come.

Dec. 14, 2010
    LotRO / Gaming:
       Yule Festival begins.
Your mail tells of the new stable hands next to the main city stablehands who can send you to the festival. This time we have a new region like a short-term mini-expansion including a plot (help versus the greedy mayor after having seeing the problems), an eating contest where you're the one eating, theater (where three of the audience are randomly chosen as actors and the audience throws flower petals or rotten fruit), and snowball fights. New items are available for barter.

Dec. 13, 2010
    LotRO / Gaming:
       Monday 8pm EST level 65 instance.
We didn't have enough people who could stay long enough to run a 6-man, so we ran some smaller groups including the 3-man School and Library for marks. Participants of the "official" run were Gildor (minstrel Fairmaiden), Tulkas (hunter Astald), and Varda (guardian Timbridhil). Other questing and book runs were also happening.

Dec. 12, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (7)
    Ancalagon-(V)/Ancbeard, AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (co-presider), fladrifv, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1 (co-presider).
Membership:
    Eowyn and Faramir-to-be are moving to Arizona starting their trip Monday, and intend to read more of the The Hobbit to each other during the long drive. Now there's a good use of a book.
Gaming:
    WoW:
        The group is very busy with Cataclysm, and the Lothar guild branch is already nearly to level 3.
    LotRO:
        Reorganization of instance nights now in progress, taking suggestions, taking volunteers for running book and lowbie log-jam quests. Mon/Wed 8pm EST nights need to be for level 65 6-mans as that is hard to get during the week. Two 3-mans run starting at the same time are also fun.
        Help wanted: member volunteers needed to help with picking a time and running the log-jammed instances for books and regular quests.
Tolkien:
    Help wanted for the Tolkien Site's Encyclopedia section.
    Forum Role-play discussion: what we do as we leave Mirkwood.

Dec. 8, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EST run:
        Book 2.5.5's first part, "Battle of the 21st Hall", was completed and is now updating properly, thank you Devs for fixing that!
        Thanks to this run, a problem was pointed out of needing our Monday and Wednesday runs to be for high level instances that we can't normally do during the week. We need to have a regular time for book and regular questing log-jam spots to aid progress of the membership's main and alts, run by members who can come regularly.
        During the week we heard from volunteers willing to help with such runs including Eomer, Galdor, Indis, and Pippin. No special nights have yet been chosen, although Pippin did suggest to call out in the kin and they'll see about setting up runs. We're also asking people to add the number of the book quest into the note: 1.2.3 would mean Volume 1, Book 2, Chapter 3, but please keep your name at the start of the note..

Dec. 7, 2010
    Gaming / WoW:
       Much questing going on in the new area, Hyjal seems to be the more interesting of the two directions so far. Old areas look quite different after Deathwing flew overhead, trainers and portals are in new places. We're starting to try out the new Worgen race. Guild rep goes up with quests and quite a bit with cooking repeatables.

Dec. 6, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
        Monday morning game
update, Patch 1 to the November update. Servers were down from 6am to 10am EST. Official release notes.
        Afternoon runs
for some folk unable to run later:
            Library, School: Indis (lore-master Alasse), Ulmo (minstrel Niequi), and Varda (guardian Timbridhil).
            Thror's Coomb: Eomer (captain Erkendan), Indis (lore-master Alasse), Ulmo (minstrel Niequi), and Varda (hunter Fainan).
        Instance run 8pm EST. 6-man canceled due to lack of people, so we ran in duos instead.
    Gaming / WOW:
       Cataclysm expansion
comes out at midnight. Deathwing awaits. Urgent last-minute questing is going on.

Dec. 5, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (5)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, Indis-(V)/ karakedi25, VardaValar1
Gaming:
    WoW: Tuesday of the coming week is the release of Cataclysm.
    LotRO: Monday the November Update came out.
    Eve: war
    Guild Wars
Tolkien:
    Arien's topic: Dragons. What do we know about them? Where did they come from?And special importance for our special friends Bilbo and company.
After-meeting:
    WoW Cataclysm.

    Gaming / WoW:
       Regular Sunday 7pm EST WoW run. Report from Eonwe-(Valar):
The scheduled run is ICC, if we have enough, but first, the plan is to finish the AQ40 run from Friday night.

Attending: Eonwë, Sauron, Fangorn, Bofur, Nob, Gimli, Dracxil, Rayearth

We finished Ahn'Qiraj 40 fairly quickly, but didn't have enough to try ICC.

Eonwe, Rayearth, Fangorn, Bofur, and Sauron went into Blackrock Spire and got those of us who need it attuned to Blackwing Lair. We then went into Blackwing Lair, and with virtually no problems took the place apart.

Dec. 3, 2010
Gaming / WoW:
    Report from Eonwe-(Valar):
Our scheduled run was Molten Core, but we had time so went into Ahn'Qiraj 40 as well. Attending were Eonwë, Gimli, Bofur, Sauron, and Rayearth.

First we popped into Blackrock Depths to get the Molten Core attunement for a couple of us, then went into MC. We cleared the area easily, defeating all bosses. The whole trip took about 1 and a half hours.

Having some time left, we went into Ahn'Qiraj and fought to the Twin Emperors. Unfortunately, we couldn't kill them before they enraged, and so that's where we stopped for the night. The plan is to finish them Sunday night.

Dec. 1, 2010
Gaming / LotRO:
    Instance: The Wednesday 8pm EST scheduled run was held in the level 65 Annuminas instance: Valandil's Tomb where we collected the Annuminas instance mark and Superior Third Mark.
    Participants were Fundin (60 lore-master FundinV), Melkor (rune-keeper Passim), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Pippin (warden Illiardo), Ulmo (minstrel Niequi), and Varda (hunter Fainan).
    Suggestions for a smoother run were to have quicker interrupts for Dolvaethan, such as from a champion, and to trait Tolerance.

Nov. 29, 2010
Gaming/ LotRO:
   
The November Update is being added today, so the servers will be down in the morning. Official Release Notes.
    Instance time at 8pm EST was in the Great Barrows level 65 instance, two runs for Superior Third Marks.
        First run participants were Eomer (captain Erkendan), Gorlim (minstrel Aeronwy), Indis (lore-master Alasse), Melkor (Passim), Pippin (warden Illiardo), and Varda (guardian Timbridhil).
        Second run participants were the same except that Dis (hunter Laurel) substituted in for Eomer who had to leave.

Nov. 28, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (7)
    Ancalagon-(V), AriehnV, ArPharazonV, arwenv1, Eonwe Valar, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1 (presiding)
Gaming:
    WoW
       WoW video short
    LotRO: Nov update Monday
    Guild Wars
    Eve Online
Tolkien:
    Topic: LotR: The two main sides have very different philosophies. Sauron's side is mostly into monolithic activity, while the free peoples operate in small ensembles, duos, and sometimes even alone yet work together. Can we come up with examples of these two opposing philosophies? One operating solely under the boss, the other with a lot of individual and small group activity?
    RP discussion

    Gaming / WoW:
        After the meeting, the Lothar World of WarCraft branch met for a raid, Ahn'Qiraj 40-man, and successfully completed it all the way through the final boss C'Thun (a huge eye on a tentacle, with tentacles and damaging shadow edges that can swallow players whole), taking out optional bosses along the way and collecting new mounts. Some swapped out characters for parts of it, such as Gimli changing to successfully go for new pets for his hunter.
        Participants were all level 80: Bofur (paladin Atesia), Eonwe (paladin Auros), Fangorn (mage Treebeerd), Gimli (death knight Jimuri, hunter Suzuuka), Nob (death knight Peralt), and Varda (priest Varda). Also helping in the early part was a real life friend of Eonwe and Dracxil's: Rayearth (dranei shaman, druid).
        WoW Report from Eonwe-(Valar):
We intended to go to ICC, but didn't quite have enough so we went to Ahn'Qiraj instead. Attending this run were Eonwë, Varda, Fangorn, Gimli, Nob, Bofur, and a rl friend of mine who we'll call Rayearth, after his Shaman.

Our run went mostly smoothly, except for some snags while we were trying to help Gimli tame two of the three bug bosses grouped together. He got Vem and Lord Kri, but Princess Yauj proved too much of a pain.

We also had a bit of trouble with the Twin Emperors, but we eventually prevailed. C'thun was easy after those two :}

Nov. 21, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (6)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), Gilraen-(V)/Iryenth, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1
Membership
Web:
    New story posted today: "The Hands of the King" by Branwyn-(T). "'The Pyre of Denethor' with a different twist. Alternate universe, inspired by a visit to a huge exhibit of medieval reliquaries and relics this afternoon."
Gaming:
    WoW
    LotRO
    Guild Wars
    Eve Online
Tolkien:
    Forum RP discussion and posting.

Nov. 18, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Next expansion announced for Fall 2011: "The Rise of Isengard". Trailer. Press release. The current game will continue developing as we head that way.

Nov. 17, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Orome-(Valar)
was installed as Heir for the LotRO kinship.
       Wednesday 8pm EST runs:
            Helegrod drake, spider, and giant wings in order to pick up Helegrod marks, ran successfully.
                Participants for drakes and spiders all 65's: Galdor (hunter Andwe), Landroval (hunter Rana), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Pippin (warden Iliardo), Ulmo (minstrel Niequi), and Varda (hunter Fainan).
                Participants for giants: same as above plus Gildor (65 minstrel Fairmaiden).
             Volume 2 Epilogues: Cucheron's Bow, Barvessain (including Gath Ulunn) completed.
                Participants: Melkor (rune-keeper Passim), Pippin (warden Illiardo), and Varda (hunter Fainan).

Nov. 15, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Library run, other small runs, but we had a good turn-out.
    Membership:
      "Valoh" is now an initiate in our LotRO kin, brought in by Melkor. He's re-reading the books and choosing a name to become a Full Member.
       Sigurd-(V) is now belatedly on the Membership page. My apology for the delay. His write-up is on Oct. 29, 2010.
       Tulkas is back to sea but should be back in December.
       Eomer passed the test for the New York State Security Guard and Firewarden.
       Malva will be in surgery Nov. 30, but expects to feel better afterwards.

Nov. 14, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (6)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, arwenv1, Eonwe Valar (presiding), Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Indis-(V)/karakedi25
Membership:
    Today, Eowyn and her husband are back from their honeymoon.
    Festival in the Shire event.
    Sinterklaas visited the area of our Netherland members.
Web:
    Nothing new.
Gaming:
    StarCraft patch.
    WoW: pre-Cataclysm elemental invasion.
    LotRO: no LotRO gamers gave a report.
    Guild Wars: Ar-Pharazon
    Bible Online: Ar-Pharazon
    Eve Online: Arien
Tolkien:
    RP mention.
    Arien-(Valar)'s topic:  Was there a kind of Christmas or Sinterklaas or some figure of that sort in Middle-earth? Additional note on the subject from Varda at the end of the transcript.

Nov. 7, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
    Attending: (9)
        AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), fladrifv, galdorandwe, Gilraen-(V)/Iryenth, GwaihirValar, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1
    Membership:
       Daylight Savings Time in the USA ends.
       Varda is traveling this week. Back Thursday night. Gone during next Sunday's meeting.
    Web:
        Tolkien Site / Stories:
           "Beruthiel's Kittens" by Branwyn-(T). "During the Siege of Minas Tirith, the healers are not the only ones tending to the wounded."
    Gaming:
       WoW
       LotRO
       Bible Online
    Tolkien:
        Good and evil.
        Overall guild RP (not the forum RP). Email Varda if you wish to add to the discussion or say aye or nay.

Nov. 3, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT instance runs:
          Mirobel: Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Pippin (warden Illiardo), Landroval (hunter Rana).
          Bounties starting from Esteldin, did all of them: Galdor (hunter Andwe), Melkor (60 champion Melcor), Nimrodel ( hunter Ardisian), Pippin (champion Avengelina), and Varda (55 minstrel Tinwetari).

Nov. 1, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EDT instance run: level 65 Great Barrows.
          Participants: Galdor (hunter Andwe), Gildor (minstrel Fairmaiden), Indis (lore-master Alasse), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Tulkas (65 hunter Astald), and Varda (guardian Timbridhil).
       Steeds of Middle-earth: Page of LotRO horses with real horse information too. Link suggestion by Indis-(V).

Oct. 31, 2010
    Daylight Savings Time in Europe ends. Next weekend it ends in the USA.
    Happy Halloween!
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda.
    Attending: (5)
        AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar
        Varda was absent, going with the remaining wedding guests and family to the Texas Renaissance Festival. Valarites present for the festival (as well as the wedding), were Arwen-(V), Elwing-(V), Fangorn-(Valar), Meriadoc-(V), Sauron-(Valar), and Varda-(Valar). Yes, we went in costume.

Oct. 30, 2010
    Eowyn-(V)'s marriage.
Eowyn and her husband

Oct. 29, 2010
    Welcome to the Valar Guild, Sigurd-(V)!
Sigurd is from Texas, USA, in the Central Time Zone. He now games only in LotRO and has put each of his characters in different kins, so we should see him as Tinuariel weekly. His favorite character is Faramir

Oct. 27, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT run: Thror's Coomb Nar's quests, lots of gold tokens. Oh yeah!
          Participants: Belladonna (lore-master Wraithlyn), Landroval (hunter Rana), Tulkas (hunter Astaldovalar), and Varda (hunter Fainan).
         

Oct. 25, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EDT instance runs:
        Great Barrows, picking up Superior Third Marks that time! No, they don't always drop.
          Participants: Galdor (hunter Andwe), Melkor (rune-keeper Passim), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Pippin (warden Illiardo), Tulkas (hunter Astaldovalar), and Varda (guardian Timbridhil).
       Book 1.7.8: The Gates of Carn Dum, and on to Sara Oakheart when we had to stop for sleep.
          Participants: Galdor (hunter Andwe), Landroval (hunter Rana), Melkor (59 champion Melcor), Nimrodel (56 lore-master), Pippin (warden), and Varda (55 minstrel Tinwetari).

Oct. 24, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda.
     Attending: (10)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Gil-galad-(V)/Xseanzee disco, Menelvagor Valar, mimvalarguild, pallandovalar, VardaValar1 (presiding).
    Tolkien: the three Kin-slayings.

Oct. 22, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Guide t
o the Haunted Cellar made by fans and suggested by the LotRO launcher news.
       We ran the Haunted Cellar and other Harvest Festival events.

    Gaming / WoW:
       Eonwe-(Valar), head of the WoW branch said:
Heya all,

We haven't done the Friday Lothar grouping too strictly for the last bit, understandably due to real life and the like. With the coming of Cataclysm, I'd like to revive it.

If some of us can't make it on Friday, and anyone would like to add another day during the week, let's talk about that. Right now I'd strongly recommend against Monday and Wednesday, since several of us play LotRO on our grouping days there, and I wouldn't want them to have to choose between LotRO and WoW.

Oct. 19, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Harvestmath begins. New: Haunted Cellar of Hobbiton, with new rewards including decorations.

Oct. 18, 2010
    Screenshots
from the Anniversary fireworks run in LotRO taken by guild-friend Lycius.
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EDT instance run. We ran the high level GB (first two parts before we needed bed) to make a lot of us eligible to go straight to Sambrog and to pick up goodies.
          Participants: Galdor (hunter Andwe), Gildor (minstrel Fairmaiden), Indis (lore-master Alasse), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Tulkas (hunter Astaldovalar), and Varda (guardian Timbridhil).
    Gaming / WoW:
       Hallow's End begins.

Oct. 17, 2010
    Forum:
        New trivia games started!
Try your luck at the Name Games!
        Silmarillion and LotR trivia:
new question time, since it's been so long since the last person was supposed to post. Ask one!
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
    The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace.
    Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon, Menelvagor, and Varda.
    Attending: (10)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), fladrifv/alwin0, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, mimvalarguild, pallandovalar, VardaValar1
    Tolkien: the land and people between Mirkwood and the Misty Mountains.

Oct. 14 2010
    Gaming / StarCraft 2:
       Patch 1.1.2 is out.

Oct. 13, 2010
    8pm EDT Wednesday LotRO run: Thror's Coomb
in Enedwaith. We ran all of Nar's quests, setting up some characters so that these can be run together without having to go back to the cave half-way. A plus to this run is that we can take a lot of hunters at once; happily they proved their quality leaving aggro to the excellent tank all the way through.
    Participants were Galdor (hunter Andwe), Indis (lore-master Alasse), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Pippin (warden Illiardo), Tulkas (hunter Astaldovalar), and Varda (hunter Fainan). This was Tulkas' first time leading a Valar Guild 6-man, and it was very successful, with thought taken for both those who had never been and those who had been before, and completion of all objectives.
    Other folks were on and we tip the hat to them! We've been having more than we can take every instance night, a healthy sign, so we give preference to those who need the run most and are ready to go on time. The rest are welcome as stand-bys and to start another run of any kind together or do their own thing.

Oct. 12, 2010
    Gaming / WoW:
       Patch 4.0 is out, major. Time to get used to the class changes.

Oct. 11, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       8pm EDT Monday LotRO run
, regularly scheduled instance. Carn Dum: Four of the group members had class quests there: Galdor, Gildor, Landroval, and Nimrodel.
          Participants were: Eomer (captain Erkendan), Galdor (hunter Andwe), Gildor (52 guardian Marella), Landroval (53 minstrel Tulamarth), Nimrodel (56 lore-master Wildwyn), and Varda (54-55 minstrel Tinwetari). A special thanks to Indis and Melkor for bowing out of the fellowship to let two members come in their places for class quests.
          Afterwards some of the kin went on a Helegrod run: Bofur, Dis, Indis, Nob, and Pippin among them.

Oct. 10, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
        8pm EDT LotRO CD
run put together by Landroval-(V), started a bit late since two that needed their class quest, Gildor and Nimrodel, needed to be away to tend to their cat who's been with them 22 years and may be dying. We went ahead and worked for Tulamarth's class quest.
        Participants were Aungrod, Khori, Mirminuial, and Tinwetari (54 minstrel).
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon, Eonwe, and Varda.

Oct. 7, 2010
    Welcome to the Valar Guild, Beregond-(V)!
Beregond is 38, from Nottingham, UK and has a degree in Religion and Philosophy. He's currently interested in ancient Anglo-Saxon studies. He joined in LotRO as Akanlor, a 31 elf hunter, leveling that fast in only a week of starting LotRO. He's played other MMO's before including WarHammer, DDO (and books), SWG, EQ1 and 2. He left EQ2 since the last expansion seemed to be just a money-making scheme. He's read H, LotR, Sil and picked up a copy of Children of Hurin for more light reading ;) .  He was scouted and tested by Varda, 5/5. In the books, he found the book Beregond to be an outstanding character because he had hope during a time of little or no hope, showed determination, and seemed more human than the other, larger than life characters. He had a son and was willing to sacrifice himself for Faramir.

    In other great news, Malva-(V) is still with us in the overall Valar Guild and has learned after surgery that she does not have cancer. Rejoice, all ye folk!

    Belladonna Took-(V) has gone from initiate status to Full Member! Congratulations!

Oct. 6, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT instance runs. Fil Gashan, Forges. FG was bugged, unfortunately.
            Participants were: Gildor (64 minstrel Fairmaiden), Indis (lore-master Mereniel), Melkor (rune-keeper Passim), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Ulmo (warden Wingilot), and Varda (guardian Timbridhil).

Oct. 4, 2010
Happy 13th Anniversary, Valar Guild!
13th Anniversary of the Valar Guild, by Elwing-(V)
Art by Elwing-(V). Click it to see the full-sized version.

    Chat marathon! Our AIM room remains up from yesterday's Sunday meeting to the next Sunday meeting as a marathon and way to get together from all over.
    WoW: Fireworks planned to be shot in World of Warcraft starting on Lothar server around 7pm EDT/ 6pm CDT. [Side note: Cataclysm is officially Dec. 7.]
    LotRO: Fireworks were shot in LotRO, using the start of the regularly scheduled Monday event/instance time of 8pm EDT. Bring your mains! Bring your fancy party duds!
    Tolkien Site: Send in your bit for the Tolkien Site to Varda, marked that it is in honor of the 13th Anniversary. This might be an article, art, poetry, humor, translation, music, or anything else your creative minds do!
          Art (see that picture just above? :)
          Articles: Elendilmir by Varda-(Valar), The Kinstrife in Gondor by Arien-(Valar)
    Forum: lift a glass of good cheer in the 13th anniversary thread!
    13th Anniversary Page.
    State of Valar Gaming 2010: annual report by Eonwe-(Valar).
    Fladrif-(V) won a months-long chess championship today!

Oct. 3, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda.

Oct. 1, 2010
    Membership:
        Scatha-(V) says that Makar-(Valar)-ex is a daddy now!
        People responding to the Games Site Mass Update (GSMU) automatically have membership for 2011! These cool people are:
            Angrod, Arathorn, Arien, Ar-Pharazon, Bofur, Elwing, Eonwe, Falathar, Indis, Irmo, Landroval, Melkor, Menelvagor, Merry, Miriel, Sauron, Scatha, Thorondor, Thror, Tulkas, and Varda.
    Gaming / LotRO:
       20% off shared storage and deed accelerators at the LotRO store now through Oct. 8.
      

Sept. 30, 2010
    Welcome to the Valar Guild, Mim-(V)!
Mim is 30, from Ontario, Canada in the Eastern Time Zone, and his wife is a Linguistics professor. Mim plays LotRO and can be on a couple of hours in the evenings on weekdats and some on weekends. He was scouted by Nimrodel and tested by Varda, with a 5/5 in LotRO on his Borodoin character.
    He's read H, LotR, Sil, and UT. He enjoyed the Gimli and Legolas relationship and that they journeyed together after the War of the Ring through the Glittering Caves and Fangorn Forest. Mim also enjoys characters that span across the Silmarillion into the LotR, such as Galadriel and Glorfindel, and enjoys reading about how the characters developed in JRRT's mind over time.

Sept. 29, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT instance run: Skumfil left side for the minstrel quest against Crackjaw, successful!
       Participants, all 65 except 62 Fairmaiden: Eomer (captain Erkendan), Galdor (hunter Andwe), Gildor (62 minstrel Fairmaiden), Indis (lore-master Mereniel), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Varda (guardian Timbridhil). This was Eomer's first time leading a Valar Guild 6-man; congratulations on a successful completion of the mission!

Sept. 27, 2010
    Membership:
       
Happy birthday to Sauron-(Valar)! (Did we just say that?)
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday morning downtime
for servers for an update and repairs.
       Monday 8pm EDT instance run:
"A New Devilry" epic book 6-man, completed. Indis' Alasse won the Singed Cloak.
         
Participants were all 65 except Gildor's: Eomer (captain Erkendan), Gildor (minstrel Fairmaiden), Indis (lore-master Alasse), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Tulkas (hunter Astaldovalar), Varda (guardian Timbridhil).

Sept. 26, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon, Eonwe, and Varda
Attending: (13)
    AriehnV,  ArPharazonV, arwenv1, Ecthelion-(V)/BFIIShotgunner, Eonwe Valar (presiding), fladrifv, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Gilraen-(V)/Iryenth, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Luthien-(T)/luthienathariel,  Rory-(V)/cipher nemo, TulkasValar61, VardaValar1
Membership:
    Bilbo-(V)'s birthday
    Arien-(Valar): death of a monitor
Web:
    GSMU
    13th Anniversary of the Valar Guild Oct. 4
    AIM shortcut
Gaming:
    WoW
    LotRO
    SC2 and others
    Ventrilo for laptop problem solved
Tolkien:
    Luthien's topic: composer for "Born of Hope" is looking for aid with translations of Quenya and Sindarin for a choir to sing, Luthien is helping.
    Varda's topic in honor of Sept 22's joint Bilbo and Frodo birthday in the books: Why Bilbo adopted Frodo and how that worked out for the both of them
After-meeting:
    More Tolkien chat:
       Eonwe's topic 1: Noldor still considered themselves Amanyar (Elves of Aman) after the Exile.
       Ar-Pharazon's topic 1: Let's say Feanor and his own had gotten the Silmarilli back. Like, within a few years, and no major casualties. Would they have returned to Aman if they had permission?
       Ar-Pharazon's topic 2: We know Beren got away with a Silmaril (though it cost him his hand). What if he (or someone else) had gotten away with all 3? What if all 3 were returned to the Noldor (dead or alive Feanor) through stealth instead of war, and Morgoth's forces as it stood remained undefeated?
       Eonwe's topic 2/tangent: While we're on the subject, way to help Huan save face. Huan doesn't die to any "normal" evil wolf of Morgoth's, he dies to a Berserking evil wolf of Morgoth.

Sept. 24, 2010
    Happy Birthday to Bilbo-(V).  :)

Sept. 22, 2010
    Happy Birthday, Bilbo and Frodo!

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm Eastern Time instance runs.
          Annuminas level 65 re-match.
              Participants: Eomer (captain Erkendan, for first part), Galdor (hunter Andwe), Indis (lore-master Alasse), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Pippin (champion Avengelina, subbed in for Eomer), Ulmo (minstrel Niequi), Varda (guardian Timbridhil).
          Grand Stairs: completed hard mode.
                Participants: Melkor (rune-keeper Passim), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Pippin (champion Avengelina), Tulkas (hunter Astaldovalar), Ulmo (minstrel Niequi), Varda (guardian Timbridhil).

Sept. 20, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm Eastern Time instance run: Annuminas 65 scaling.
            Went a long way but needed an actual tank to complete.
            Participants: Eomer (65 captain Erkendan), Indis (65 lore-master Alasse), Nimrodel (65 hunter Ardisian), Pippin (65 champion Avengelina), Tulkas (65 hunter Astaldovalar), Ulmo (65 minstrel Niequi)

Sept. 19, 2010
    Talk Like a Pirate Day
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5) Sept. 19
The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon, Eonwe, and Varda
Attending: (7)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1 (presiding)
Membership News:
    Malva-(V):
LotRO mail from Malva-(V):
       I regret to say that I must resign my position in the kin.  I find that I have little time to devote to both Valar and arda.  Since I am not active it seems ingenuous of me to stay. with Valar.
I love you all and I wish I could do both.
Malva [Note: Oct. 7, 2010 In conversation, she explained that she meant she was pulling out her LotRO character from the kin branch, but would like to remain in the overall Valar Guild. She's having surgery and is not well enough for everything she wanted to do.]
    Arien-(Valar)
    Ar-Pharazon-(V)
    Pallando-(Valar)
Web:
    13th Valar Guild Anniversary coming up Oct. 4. Please start gettting your Tolkien Site contributions ready and send them to Varda.
    Games Site Mass Update is underway. Send your current gaming info to Eonwe.
Gaming:
    LotRO
    WoW
    SC2
Tolkien:
    Varda's topic: How did pirates (Corsairs) affect the Lord of the Rings storyline?
After-meeting:
    Tolkien chat continues
    RP talk
    Forum bookmarks and how to re-set for email notifications, editing your Profile info.

Sept. 13, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm Eastern Time instance run.
         Pre-instance instance runs:
             Sword Hall: Indis (65 hunter Tinirian), Malva (65 minstrel Tulipan), and Pippin (65 warden Illiardo).
             Tham Mirdain Library: Melkor (65 rune-keeper Passim), Ulmo (65 lore-master Vailimo), and Varda (65 hunter Fainan).
         Main instance:
             Carn Dum in Angmar for class quests for three kinmates: Gildor, Nimrodel, and Varda.
                Participants: Gildor (57 minstrel Fairmaiden), Indis (65 lore-master Alasse), Melkor (56 champion Melcor), Nimrodel (54 lore-master Wildwyn), Pippin (65 warden Illiardo), Varda (52 minstrel Tinwetari)

Sept. 12, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon-(V) and Varda-(Valar)
Attending: (8)
    ArathornValar, AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), fladrifv, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1
Membership:
    New Full Member: Rory Brandybuck-(V)
    Arathorn-(V) returned after the loss of internet for a year.
Web:
    Stories:
       "Guarding the Heedless Folk" by Branwyn-(T) posted today. "When a man disappears, the Breefolk reluctantly enlist the aid of an untried ranger."
    Forum revamp and suggestions.
    GSMU: Games Site Mass Update
Gaming:
    LotRO:
       Free to Play has begun, In-game store, new area for level 64-65's Enedwaith.
    WoW:
       Pre-Cataclysm events have begun, including calls to save Gnomeregan and the Echo Isles.
    SC2
Tolkien:
    Galdor-(V)'s topic: other battles going on during the War of the Ring.
After-meeting:
    Tolkien chat continues

Sept. 11, 2010
     9/11. We remember.

Sept. 10, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Free to Play begins for people who've never paid for LotRO before.

Sept. 8, 2010
    Welcome to the Valar Guild, Rory Brandybuck-(V)!
Scouted by Indis, tested by Varda for 5/5, he's 35, a software writer, and lives in Pennsylvania, USA, in EST. He plays LotRO, Age of Conan, and Star Trek Online and is waiting for Star Wars: The Old Republic.A character in the LotR that stands out for him is Frodo, for volunteering to take the Ring to Mordor.
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm Eastern Time instance run: Grand Stairs.
       New servers up. Beta and paid subscribers can try out the new content.

Sept. 7, 2010
  Gaming:
    LotRO:
        The worlds
will be down today to put in the free expansion containing free to play, the new Enedwaith area for level 64-65, and the in-game store. This will be available to beta players and subscribers on the 8th, free on the 10th. Imladris server was chosen by the players to be the second rp server after our Landroval server so, if you're visiting, please remember to use our friend channel to find each other.
    WoW:
       Pre-Cataclysm event: At long last, The High Tinker calls us to retake the surface area of Gnomeregan!

Sept. 6, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm Eastern Time instance run.

Sept. 5, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace.
          Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon, Eonwe, and Varda
           Attending: (7)
                AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), fladrifv, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, GwaihirValar, Indis-(V)/karakedi25
Web / Tolkien:
    "Report: Festival in the Shire, Friday 13th August 2010" by Arien-(Valar)
    Games Site Mass Update
Gaming:
    LotRO
    WoW
    SC2
Tolkien:
    Indis' topic: Why didn't Pippin recognize Sindarin after being at Elrond's house so long?
    Tolkien Trivia game

Sept. 1, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT instance run: Urugarth for class quests, deeds, quests. We went alllll the way through. Congratulations to everyone for having plenty of people available early so that we started on time!
       Participants: Indis (65 lore-master Alasse), Melkor (60? captain Melkus), Nimrodel (65 hunter Ardisian), Pippin (65 warden Illiardo), Tulkas (65 hunter Astaldovalar), and Varda (50-51 minstrel Tinwetari).

Aug. 30, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EDT instance run: Fil Gashan.
    Tolkien Site / Art:

      Cave of Luthien-(T): new art, revamped area.
       Menel Forodhren section added with art done in watercolor and crayon of subjects mostly found in the Silmarillion and Histories of Middle-earth. New art there:
          "Aule's Dwellings"
          "Elbereth, lady of the stars"
          "The elves are concerned about Telperion."
          " Pond in a forest under rising full moon"
          " Company walking  up a hill outside Alqualondë"
          "Nost-na-Lothian in Gondolin"

Aug. 29, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
The meeting is held in the AIM room named Valar Guild Meetingplace.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (7)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv/alwin0, galdorandwe, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1 (presiding)
Membership:
    Arien-(V) is back from her holiday.
    Ecthelion-(V) is moving, so he'll be out of LotRO for a bit.
Web:
    Art: Luthien-(T)
    Games Site Mass Update: Eonwe is about to start emailing.
Gaming:
    SC2
    WoW
    LotRO
Tolkien:
    Arien-(V)'s report: the Festival in the Shire
    Menelvagor-(Valar): LARPing.
    RP: discussion tabled due to some RP'ers not present or just leaving.
    Varda-(Valar)'s topic: JRRT had certain ideals that were naturally a part of his creative work. Topic kept to just LotR for brevity.
After-meeting:
    More concerning the Elessar stone worn by Aragorn in the LotR.

Aug. 25, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       8pm Wednesday instance gaming: Fil Gashan. The main purpose was to complete Gorlim's captain's class quest, quite a hoot! An additional parameter was that Gorlim had a limited time in which to play. This quest starts right after getting past the potential pan-searing of the chef and picking up medallions, but in the same room. The captain started the quest then, and we handled wave after wave of orcs until we finally killed enough. We had at least one more wave to complete after that, as it started up during the time that the number needed was hit. This is a great way to help handle the orc deed in there! Although our objective was complete, we continued on for the fun of it (more medallions and deeds didn't hurt either) since it wasn't quite time for Gorlim to have to leave. When he did have to go, Tulkas came in as his replacement. We made one try at General Talug, not quite succeeding, and then we had other members whose time was up and had to stop.
    Participants: Gildor (65 hunter), Gorlim (Athyn 59 captain), Malva (Tulipan 65 minstrel), Nimrodel (Ardisian 65 hunter), Pippin (Avengelina 65 champion), Tulkas (Astaldovalar 65 hunter), and Varda (Timbridhil 65 guardian).

Aug. 23, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
      
Morning: The three high population servers, including our Landroval server, are down for maintenance this morning.
      
8pm Monday instance gaming: Forges. The group went through the first boss before some of the people needed to leave. Participants were Eomer (Khori 65 champion), Galdor (Andwe 61 hunter), Indis (Mereniel 65 lore-master), Melkor (Passim 65 rune-keeper), Nimrodel (Ardisian 65 hunter), and Ulmo (Wingilot 65 warden).

Aug. 22, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
The meeting is held in the AIM room: Valar Guild Meetingplace. AIM, Pidgin or Trillian are programs that all work for joining in.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (6)
    ArPharazonV, AuSteinM-(T)/austeinm, Eonwe Valar (presiding Tolkien), fladrifv, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1 (presiding business)
Web:
    Art: new art from Luthien-(T) incoming.
    Forum (ours) and how to use the skins. The old one is still available.
Gaming:
    WoW: Cataclysm Collector's edition can be ordered
    LotRO: Free to Play's new content available for those in it already Sept 8, Free to Play is available Sept 10.
    StarCraft 2 Patch 1.0.3; character renaming
    AIM: can be used to talk between games like our old Bnet. Eonwe is making himself available more in AIM for folks looking for a tester.
Tolkien:
    Menevagor's topic: Valar and the Greek pantheon.
    Galdor's topics: Loss of Silvan language, Oropher's rash charge, Fangorn and Celeborn on boundaries.
    RP
    Upcoming articles

Aug. 19, 2010
    Elwing-(V)
, have a happy birthday today!
    Indis-(V)
is traveling today but taking her newly repaired laptop, so we should still be seeing her in LotRO.

Aug. 18, 2010

   Gaming / LotRO:
    Free-to-play LotRO is now planned to come out on September 10 next month.
    Wednesday 8pm EDT instance time: we ran Dark Delving to successfully finish Pippin's class quest for the warden in killing the Mad Captain, incidentally collecting Moria medallions, DD quests, and deeds. Participants were Finarfin (Gilothalion 65 hunter, replacing Tulkas after he crashed and could not return), Indis (Alasse 65 lore-master), Pippin (Illiardo 65 warden and, for the part after the warden quest, Avengelina 65 champion), Tulkas (Astaldovalar 65 hunter), Ulmo (Niequi 65 minstrel), Varda (Timbridhil 65 guardian).

Aug. 16, 2010
   Gaming / LotRO:
    Monday 8pm EDT instance get-together time. Not enough people showed up to run an instance, so some of us worked on the deed of killing trolls in the Foundations of Stone together. Troll-hunters were Indis, Ulmo, and Varda.

Aug. 15, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
AIM room: Valar Guild Meetingplace. AIM, Pidgin or Trillian are programs that all work for joining in.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon, Eonwe, and Varda
Attending: (6)
    ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), fladrifv, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar
Membership:
    Ar-Pharazon's grandmother has passed away.
    Landroval's wife is now an initiate in LotRO.
    Arien is missing this week while traveling.
    Fladrif is traveling, probable reason for his connection problems during the meeting.
Web:
    Forum revamp for the Valar Guild. Send comments and suggestions to Eonwe.
           The RP section moved from the LotRO area to the Tolkien area of the Forum.
Gaming:
    LotRO
    WoW
    StarCraft 1 & 2
Tolkien:
    Indis' topic: RP chat only, no Tolkien discussion. Forum unavailable for posting at the moment.

Aug. 11, 2010
    Membership:
       A hearty welcome to Landroval's wife, on her Isawen character, who joined in LotRO as an initiate. She has read LotR and will be taking her test and picking a name to gain her Full Membership. [Note: chose Belladonna.]
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT scheduled instance grouping: book instance 2.6.8. Will the cloak ever drop?
       For some reason some scheduled participants showed an hour late as if we had time zone confusion.
       Participants: Isawen (60 minstrel), Landroval (Rana 65 hunter), Pippin (Avengelina 65 champion), Ulmo (Wingilot 65 warden), and Varda (Fainan 65 hunter).

Aug. 9, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EDT scheduled instance grouping: book instance 2.6.8.

Aug. 8, 2010
Mail suggestions for changes to the guild's Forum to Eonwe-(Valar).
All emails are listed on the Membership page.
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
AIM room: Valar Guild Meetingplace. AIM, Pidgin or Trillian are programs that all work for joining in.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (9)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Ecthelion-(V)/BFIIShotgunner, Eonwe Valar (presided Tolkien), Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Gilraen-(V)/Iryenth, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, TulkasValar61, VardaValar1 (presided business)
Membership:
    Arien-(Valar) is on holiday, will miss the next two meetings.
    Fladrif-(V) is traveling.
    Tulkas-(Valar) is going on leave in ten days.
Gaming:
    SC2
    WoW:
       Gwaihir-(Valar) requests Real ID Bnet info from other members who are willing to trade it with him.
    LotRO:
       The ban against talking about the LotRO beta was lifted August 2nd.
Forums:
    Facebook - some of us are friending each other. Most of those at the meeting were against us going as far as having a Valar Guild page or putting our Facebook info on the Membership page of our website.
    Forum for our guild: Complaints were made about the colors and format, which are now being addressed and will be worked on during the week, hopefully with the major changes completed by next meeting.
    Forum for MyLotRO: Complaints were made about some of the text, fixed during the meeting.
    Forum for LotRO Kinships on Landroval: Since the format was changed for that, we got dropped out of sight. A new page was made that day, but it was not made exactly  according to the template given and will probably have to be remade.
Tolkien:
    Several different discussions.
    Tulkas' quote for a Tolkien Moment: of bliss and glad
    Eonwe's topic: Aule and Yavanna's argument over the woods and their use suggests that everything and everyone has its use. It also suggests why some relations are not as cordial as they might be in Middle-earth such as for dwarves and ents. Manwe and Varda are like the opposite side of the coin, more complementary to each other. Morgoth - excessive pride, greed; he could not attract the Valie of his choice.
    Galdor's topic: Palantiri size
    Arien's quote for a Tolkien Moment: Who deserves death?
    Galdor's topic: Galadriel and Celeborn's different stories in Unfinished Tales are not resolved in UT.

Aug. 6, 2010
    Gaming video funness: WoW gnome + "Big Iron"
       Meriadoc-(V), who just incidentally plays a gnome on WoW, suggested this YouTube link as proof that gnomes rule. Enjoy!

Aug. 4, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT regular instance time: we ran the epic book instance 2.6.8 a couple of times. The first group did very well, the second had horrible Link Deadness and had to call it a night. We will be doing it again, don't worry. Participants today were all level 65.
            Group 1: Gildor (Gwennair hunter), Indis (Mirminuiel captain), Nimrodel (Ardisian hunter, winner of the Singed Cloak), Pippin (Avengelina champion), Ulmo (Niequi minstrel), and Varda (Timbridhil guardian).
             Group 2: Finarfin (Gilothalion hunter), Gorlim (Aeronwy minstrel), Nimrodel (Ardisian hunter), Pippin (Illiardo warden), Ulmo (Wingilot warden), and Varda (Timbridhil guardian).

Aug. 2, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm regular instance time: Sixteenth Hall. Having three hunters meant we shot through fast; we also had a very large number of Fellowship Maneuvers. Gemsin, a friend of Nimrodel's, aided as minstrel for the first part before he had to leave, and is welcome to run with us again. Valar Guild participants: Gildor (Gwennair 65 hunter), Gorlim (Aeronwy 65 minstrel) replaced Gemsin as we came to the first boss, Malbeth (Etheron 65 hunter), Nimrodel (Ardisian 65 hunter), Pippin (Illiardo 65 warden), Varda (Timbridhil 65 guardian).

August 1, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
AIM room: Valar Guild Meetingplace. AIM, Pidgin or Trillian are programs that all work for joining in.
Meeting Transcript by Eonwe, Menelvagor, and Varda
Attending: (10)
    AriehnV, Arwenv, Ecthelion-(V)/BFIIShotgunner, Eonwe Valar, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Gilraen-(V)/Iryenth, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, TulkasValar61, VardaValar1 (presiding)
Membership:
    Lalwende-(V) is our new member this week.
    Eilenel-(V) has made contact again.
Gaming::
    StarCraft2 came out Tuesday. Send your review to Eonwe to publish on the Games Site.
    Sacred 2
    EverQuest 2 is getting a free to play option, but on different servers than for the main population.
    World of WarCraft
    Lord of the Rings Online
Tolkien:
    Ring of Gyges
    Politics that might have been discussed around the dinner table or campfire during the time of the Lord of the Rings in the Shire, Gondor, and Mordor.
    Role-play story discussion and posting.

July 30, 2010
    Membership:
       Welcome to the Valar Guild, Lalwende-(V)!
Lalwende is a long-time friend of Indis', who scouted her, and tested with Varda in LotRO. She's from California in the USA, PST. She's 43 with a husband who read LotR and a 10-year old son who's had it read to him. A favorite character in the LotR for her is Eowyn, the only woman who did much, including killing the Witch-king.

July 29, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EDT scheduled instance time: Skumfil run. Participants included Indis (Alasse 65 lore-master), Maedhros (Galadhalion 65 champion), Nimrodel (Ardisian 65 hunter). Pippin (Illiardo 62 warden), and Ulmo (Niequi 65 minstrel)
    Tolkien:
        Galdor-(V) commented that there is a possibility that a story called "Ring of Gyges",  XII-Glaucon in Plato's Republic, may have influenced Tolkien, a suggestion also given by others online since it predates the Lord of the Rings and was very likely part of Tolkien's reading. In it is a ring that turns the wearer invisible (no retaliation for anonymous behavior), that Glaucon insists to Socrates would corrupt even the just if they had an opportunity to use it.
        Perhaps Tolkien's answer to how to handle the problem is in Faramir's comment: "Not if I found it on the highway would I take it", and in Gandalf's refusal to take it.
        Playing anonymously online lets us show our true quality.

July 28, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:

       Skumfil run both sides, stopping at the spider Hwandrith.
       The run went a long time so we had a few people who had to leave and were replaced. Thanks go to our patient guild-friends Isawen (60 min) and Vandred (65 ). Participants included Indis (Mirminuial65 capt), Maedhros (Galadhalion 65 champ), Malva (on both Necta 65 grd and Tulipan 65 min), Nimrodel (Ardisian 65 hntr), Pippin (Illiardo 62 wrdn), and Varda (Timbridhil 65 grd).

July 26, 2010
    Gaming / StarCraft 2:
       StarCraft 2 is now out. Please email Eonwe to let him know if you are playing.
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EDT scheduled run (as opposed to whim runs all during the week): We ran 2.5.5 in all three parts successfully, requiring some substitution as some had to leave due to work the next day.
        For aid in healing, we had the level 65 rune-keeper, Keshin, known to Indis-(V) who is now a welcome guild-friend in the friend channel. Valar participants included Gildor, Indis, Maedhros, Nimrodel, Pippin, and Varda.
       The Wednesday run is expected to be for Moria medallions, with requests so far for Skumfil (class quest included), Grand Stairs quest mode, and Dark Delving.

July 25, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EDT (GMT-5)
AIM room: Valar Guild Meetingplace. AIM, Pidgin or Trillian are programs that all work for joining in.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon, Eonwe, and Varda
Attending: (10)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Ecthelion-(V)/BFIIShotgunner, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, Gilraen-(V)/Iryenth, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1 (presiding)
Membership:
    Ecthelion-(V) is our new member this week.
    Ar-Pharazon will not be here next meeting.
Gaming:
    StarCraft/BroodWar
    StarCraft 2 pre-orders
    WoW
    LotRO
Tolkien:
    RP: Forum RP discussion and posting continues through the rest of the meeting. The Gilraen chat is during a wait. The Spider digression is sparked by the RP talk.
    Gilraen and Aragorn's experience compared to other sons of chieftains.
    More RP
    Spiders in the books: Ungoliant, Shelob, Mirkwoodians
    Yet more RP.
    We collapse after a four-hour meeting.

July 23, 2010
    Welcome to the Valar Guild, Ecthelion-(V)!
Ecthelion joined us in LotRO today after responding to a call from Varda. He has bragging rights from testing 5/5! He's been in LotRO since 2007, and was recently off for three months. Some of the games he's played or still plays are LotRO, Titan Quest, and Sacred 2. He used to play StarCraft and looks forward to SC2 and Diablo 3. He's played a lot of Bioware games including Baldur's Gate 2, NeverWinter Nights 1 and 2, Mass Effect 1 & 2, Dragon Age, Knights of the Old Republic, and Jade Empire.
    Ecthelion has read H, LotR, Sil, and parts of HoME. His favorite character is Gandalf, whose sacrificial bravery to save the group made him feel safe.

July 22, 2010
    Membership and Gaming / WoW:
        Menelvagor-(Valar) transferred a level 76 character to our Lothar server branch group in World of Warcraft.

July 21, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday night 8pm EDT instance run: Grand Stairs Hard Mode, ran twice, both successfully, and both times the Insidious Cuff dropped.
       Participants: Gildor on the first run (Gwennair 65 hunter), Indis (Mereniel 65 lore-master), Melkor (Passim 65 rune-keeper), Nimrodel on the second run (Ardisian 65 hunter), Pippin (Illiardo 60-61 warden), Ulmo (Niequi 65 minstrel), Varda (Timbridhil 65 guardian)

July 19, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday night 8pm EDT instance run: Grand Stairs Quest Mode, went through Igash on quest mode and wiped out a lot of quests, gathered all possible medallions.
       Participants: Indis (Mereniel 65 LM), Maedhros (Maedhroc 65 wrdn), Melkor (Passim 65 rk), Nimrodel (Ardisian 65 hntr), Pippin (Illiardo 59-60 wrdn), Varda (Timbridhil 65 grd)

July 18, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
AIM room: Valar Guild Meetingplace. AIM, Pidgin or Trillian are programs that all work for joining in.
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon, Eonwe, and Varda
Attending: (9)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), Fladrif-(V)/fladrifv/alwin0, Gilraen-(V)/Iryenth, GwaihirValar, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar
    VardaValar1 (After-meeting)
Membership:
    Gilraen and Gwaihir are going to Blizzcon this fall.
    Arien is going to The Festival in the Shire in Wales this August.
    Indis is heading to California late August.
Gaming:
    WoW
    LotRO
    StarCraft 2 pre-ordered by Ar-Pharazon.
Tolkien:
    Link to "The Tolkien Professor"
    Role-play on the forum.

July 12, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       For the Monday 8pm EST get-together, we ran Fellowship quests in Gathburz of Mirkwood, doing a few dailies on the side.
       Participants were: Indis (65 rune-keeper), Maedhros (65 warden), Malva (65 guardian), Varda (65 guardian).
       Melkor and Aratan ran together working on leveling Aratan's level 60 hunter so that he can run the higher level areas too.
       Other folks were present but had characters too low-level to come.

July 11, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
AIM room: Valar Guild Meetingplace
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (10)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv, Galdor-(V)/galdorandwe, GwaihirValar, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, TulkasValar61, VardaValar1 (presiding)
Membership:
    Voted to keep meetings in AIM even after LotRO goes free to play.
    Galdor-(V)'s Few Words.
Web:
    Link: Born of Hope online movie
Gaming:
    WoW Realid
    Second Life: Fladrif's one year anniversary party.
    Master of Orion
Tolkien:
    Menelvagor's topic: How did the Doom of the Children of Húrin affect the Doom of the Noldor? (and possibly vice versa?)

July 6, 2010
    Links:
       "Born of Hope": LotR-based movie, link suggested by Eomer-(V).

July 5, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Epilogue instance run.

July 4, 2010
Happy July 4th!
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
AIM room: Valar Guild Meetingplace
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (8)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, arwenv1, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv, Gilraen-(V)/Iryenth, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1 (presiding)
Membership:
    July 4th.
    Indis' birthday.
    Eowyn's engagement.
Gaming:
    WoW beta for Cataclysm may now be talked about and Arwen gave us some cool info.
Tolkien:
    Arwen-(V)'s topic concerns the Archetype of the Hero's Journey, and how Frodo didn't follow it in the usual way. A related url brought up was on TV Tropes with the Hero's Journey.
    Forum role-play story discussion and posting.

June 30, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Fil Gashan: we successfully completed hard mode, taking down General Talug.
       Participants: Indis (lore-master Mereniel), Maedhroc (warden Maedhroc), Nimrodel (hunter Ardisian), Tulkas (hunter Astaldovalar), Ulmo (minstrel Niequi), and Varda (guardian Timbridhil).

June 29, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Summer Festival begins! Details.

June 28, 2010 Monday
    Gaming / LotRO:
       8pm instance time, to be determined by who shows up. I'm hoping for a Moria instance to grab medallions and/or slipping into the Warg Pens long enough to complete some of the quests we started..

June 27, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
AIM room: Valar Guild Meetingplace
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon, Eonwe and Varda
Attending: (7)
    AriehnV, arwenv1, Eonwe Valar (presiding), Gilraen-(V)/Iryenth, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1
    Pallando-(Valar) in Gmail-chat.
Membership:
    Two new Full Members this week: Frodo-(V) and Galdor-(V)
Web:
    New stories this week:
       The Robin's Tale by Branwyn-(T)
       Meals on Wheels by Jay of Lasgalen
Gaming:
    "LotR: Aragorn's Quest" coming out probably later this year.
    "LotR: War in the North" coming out probably early next year.
    "Starcraft 2" coming out in about one month from today.
    "WoW" Patch 3.5.5 is out including Real ID that might be useful to someone.
    "LotRO" free to play is coming out this fall and several members have said they may be able to join us then who can't now.
Tolkien:
    Eonwe's topic: Legitimacy of Sauron's claim to the Ring, and should he get it back according to other Middle-earth precedents.
    Forum role-play discussion and posting together. Check out a lot of new stuff!
After-meeting:
    A little more rp talk, Pallando said hi from Gmail-chat and may join us in the free to play LotRO this fall.

June 25, 2010
    Membership:
       Welcome to the Valar Guild, Galdor-(V)!
Galdor joined us today in LotRO after locating us on his own and emailing Varda. He's played Diablo, Baldur's Gate, NWN, and Icewind Dale. He's read the H, LotR, Sil and UT and tested 5/5. He's 41, from New York State in the USA, EST, and married to a fellow Tolkien fan. A stand-out character from the LotR for him is Gandalf, the counselor who could also fight.

June 24, 2010
    Tolkien / Stories:
       "Meals on Wheels" by Jay of Lasgalen. A dwarf is spotted by orcs that have never seen one before. Drabble.
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday instance running: Warg Pens. We tried two three-man groups and got a good start on the quests. One team was of Nimrodel (Ardisian hunter), Ulmo (Niequi minstrel), and Varda (Timbridhil guardian). The other team was of Gildor (Gwennair hunter), Landroval (Rana hunter), and Maedhros (Maedhroc warden).

June 23, 2010
    Membership:
       Welcome to the Valar Guild, Frodo-(V)! Frodo joined us today in LotRO. He's 16, from the USA, in the Central Time Zone. He's read the H, LotR, Sil, UT, and Children of Hurin. He likes to game daily. One of the most stand-out characters in the LotR for him was Elrond. A difference between the book and movie versions was that he reforged the sword for Aragorn right away, and certainly didn't go to Rohan while wearing his Ring and leaving Imladris undefended by it.

June 22, 2010
    Tolkien / Stories:
       "The Robin's Tale" by Branwyn-(T): "How the least of Lord Denethor's servants came to his defense." This short story includes Denethor, Faramir, and Gandalf.

June 21, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       8pm EST: instance time. A group of us ran in Mirkwood in the Gathburz area that needs fellowships to complete.

June 20, 2010 Sunday
Happy Father's Day!

Elrond and Estel, young Aragorn. by Cassia-(T)

Elrond and Estel (young Aragorn), art by Cassia-(T)
The origins of Father's Day.
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
AIM room: Valar Guild Meetingplace
Meeting Transcript by Eonwe and Varda
Attending: (4)
    AriehnV, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv, VardaValar1 (presiding)
Gaming:
    Chess:
       Fladrif has moved into the chess finals in Second Life.
    Star Trek Online:
       STO is now out of beta and some members are trying it out.
    WoW:
       A new upcoming Cataclysm area was unveiled: Grim Batol.
    LotRO:
       LotRO Beta started and some of our members are in it. Don't forget to use our usual friend channel to find each other!
       We learned that the ctrl \ command to move items in the interface is different on the European keyboard where the command is ctrl # although this part of the meeting is not in the transcript. Differences like this make it difficult for Europeans doing programming in the US.
Tolkien:
    In Middle-earth, who are some of the fathers we can think of?

June 16, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm EST Dark Delving. This is in the Foundation of Stone, nearest stable is at the Shadowed Refuge.
       We completed two class quests: guardian and warden, which was the main intention. We also learned for sure that we couldn't swap and run another guardian or warden back in the same run for a class quest. Today Ulmo's Wingilot warden and Varda's Timbridhil guardian completed their class quests, and our group made it up to Gurvand to take a look at the last boss fight. We also completed or made progress on quests and deeds.
       Participants were all level 65: Gildor (Gwennair hunter), Indis (Alasse lore-master), Nimrodel (Ardisian hunter), Pippin (Illiardo warden and Shamat guardian), Ulmo (Niequi minstrel and Wingilot warden), and Varda (Timbridhil guardian and Fainan hunter). Shamat, Wingilot, and Fainan were present only for short sections. Other folks showed up as well, but did not get to make it into tonight's run.
       Pippin will be working during the upcoming.Monday instance.
             lotro-wiki walkthrough of the Dark Delving, a little dated as it refers to the old style coins.
             A successful Gurvand boss fight.
                Shouts might cause attacks such as "Shut Your Mouth" and "Bleeding Ears".

June 14, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday instance day!
       First we successfully ran as two groups of three people through the Library in Eregion, near Echad Mirobel: Ulmo (Wingilot warden), Nimrodel (Ardisian hunter), and Gildor (Gwennair hunter); Maedhros (Maedhroc warden), Finarfin (Gilothalion hunter), and Varda (Timbridhil guardian). For some members, this was the first time through.
       Then we ran the Sixteenth Hall Moria instance (in the Foundations of Stone, with a stable at the Shadowed Refuge) all the way through with Indis (Tengwarien rune-keeper), Finarfin (Gilothalion hunter), Nimrodel (Ardisian hunter), Pippin (Avengelina champion), Ulmo (Niequi minstrel), and Varda (Timbridhil guardian). The main purpose was to complete Indis' rune-keeper class quest, but we continued on and cleared all the way through the Lost One. This was the first time into this instance for a couple of the participants.
       Wednesday we hope to do the Dark Delvings Moria instance and pick up class quests for wardens and guardians.

June 13, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
AIM room: Valar Guild Meetingplace
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (8)
   Ancalagon-(V)/Sarujil, AriehnV, ArPharazonV, fladrifv/alwin0, Eonwe Valar, Gilraen-(V)/Iryenth, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, VardaValar1 (presiding)
Membership:
    Indis-(V) is back from Egypt with her repaired computer.
    Ar-Pharazon-(V) is back from Spain temporarily before heading to England for a WoW gathering.
    Dreamlord-(T) recently had a birthday.
Web:
    Art: Ryan Lovett repaired the Rolozo site which is now working again, and also happens to be the main source of illustrations for our Tolkien Encyclopedia.
    Games Site: now hugely revamped by Eonwe-(Valar).
Gaming
Tolkien:
    Does it seem to you folks that J.R.R. Tolkien used blond hair as something special in Middle-earth or perhaps as a plot device? Did any villain have blond hair?
After-meeting:
    Afterwards, Fladrif showed Varda around his beautiful homes and garden in Second Life, and showed some of the costumes he's made including a tree, tree-man, and tiger-man.

June 11, 2010
    Tolkien Site:
       Ryan Lovett, who does the Rolozo Tolkien art site that is our main source of Tolkien Encyclopedia illustrations, has repaired the coding. We have art again!

June 9, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
        For Wednesday instance night, Varda and Dis, with Dis' husband Alrid, joined Lhee group for a quick Watcher run.  (Lhee is Amroth-V, Lhee group includes a good number of guild-friends and is a mixed kin group that raids and whom we've run with at times since LotRO went live.)
        Afterwards, we had enough Valarites to make a full fellowship and did Drowned Treasury, the epic book quest in which we find where the Watcher went after it blocked the doors to Moria. Some members used the pool to enter the instance, and aided Nimrodel's Ardisian and Varda's Timbridhil to complete the quest. Thank you! Participants were Dis (Freyah), Gildor (Gwennair), Nimrodel (Ardisian), Pippin (Avengelina), Varda (Timbridhil) and guild-friend Alrid (Dis' husband).

June 6, 2010
    Tolkien / Stories:
       "Refuge" by Branwyn-(T). "The White City lies becalmed in the summer heat. Set after the Ring War."
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5)
AIM room: Valar Guild Meetingplace
Meeting Transcript by Eonwe and Varda
Attending: (9)
   Ancalagon-(V)/Sarujil, AriehnV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), Finrod-(V)/TH0R0NGIL, fladrifv, Gilraen-(V)/Iryenth, Indis-(V)/ karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1
Tolkien:
    The Hobbit movies and directors.
    Did Feanor still have rights to the Silmarils that he crafted?

June 4, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       This fall, LotRO begins a Free-to-Play set-up going to level 50. Paid and Lifetime subscribers have a lot more privileges. http://www.lotro.com/betasignup/ includes how to sign up for those who haven't played and info on paid, plus the new perks added to the game. That info and more is also on the regular LotRO forum.

June 2, 2010, Wednesday:
    Gaming / LotRO:
       8pm EST: Forgotten Treasury. Come finish deeds and help Ulmo's warden with this 6-man instance.
    Humor YouTube:
        
Bruce Lee vs Iron Man, suggested by Meriadoc-(V) for the cameo at the end.
    Hobbit movies:
        May 30: Guillermo del Toro is no longer directing the movies, although willing to continue helping with some duties, due to MGM Studios foot-dragging. He was signed for a three-year contract, after which he had a lot of other projects lined up, but MGM wanted to drag it out to six years. Already done: script, choreography for battle scenes, costumes, sets, at least partial casting.
        His statement is on the OneRing.net.
        Peter Jackson is already committed to directing other movies, but there's a chance he might do it if no one else can be found. See The Dominion Post.

May 31, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday 8pm EST: Forgotten Treasury run planned, to aid Ulmo's young Warden and to complete deeds. Not enough people could make it at that time.
    Tolkien / Art:
       New model photos from DeepGroover-(T): Evil Wolf; Grand Master of the Teutonic Order.

May 30, 2010:
Happy Memorial Day!
Aragorn

Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5) May 30, 2010
AIM room: Valar Guild Meetingplace
Meeting Transcript by Indis and Varda
Membership:
    Fangorn's birthday was May 25.
    Indis will be out of the country on a business trip between the 2nd and the 12th of June.
    Arien has her vacation days set and is trying to get tickets to be our reporter for the Festival of the Shire Convention.
Gaming:
    World of WarCraft (WoW)
    Lord of the Rings Online (LotRO): Monday Forgotten Treasury is the planned instance.
Tolkien:
    In honor of Memorial Day, name one battle from any Tolkien book, with at least one participant and what that person did.

May 27, 2010
    Varda, Fangorn, and Sauron will not be available as they are going overnight camping and leaving this morning.

May 26, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       8pm regular Moria run
: Fil Gashan
       We ran Fil Gashan and completed it, then went back to clear trash mobs for deeds. At least two people finished up enough medallions for radiance items. We want to hit it again to complete the deeds and improve our smoothness.
       Participants: Gildor (Gwennair 65 hunter), Indis (Tengwarien 61 rune-keeper), Nimrodel (Ardisian 64 hunter), Pippin (Avengelina 65 champion), Ulmo (Niequi 65 minstrel), and Varda (Timbridhil 64 guardian)

May 25, 2010
    Happy Birthday, Fangorn-(Valar)!
    Gaming / WoW Lothar:
        Eowyn, Fangorn, Sauron, Schlep, and Varda got together in WoW Lothar server and did a couple of old world instances for Fangorn's birthday: Stockades and Gnomeregan. Gnomeregan will probably be gone with the Cataclysm expansion, so we went completely through it.
    Gaming / LotRO Landroval:
       Free weekend starts today, for the Memorial weekend holidays, May 25-31. Free stable rides and extra experience. Details.

May 24, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
        8pm Fil Gashan run. We worked more on clearing some questing and deeds this time and still picked up a few Medallions of Moria.
        Participants were: Gildor (Gwennair hunter, had to leave for work near the end), Indis (Tengwarien 65 rune-keeper), Melkor (Passim 65 rune-keeper, connection problems and had to bow out early), Nimrodel (Aridisian hunter), Pippin (Avengelina 65 champion, took Gildor's place), Tulkas (Astaldovalar 65 hunter, took Melkor's place), Ulmo (Niequi 65 minstrel), Varda (Timbridhil 64 guardian).

May 23, 2010:
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5) May 23, 2010
AIM room: Valar Guild Meetingplace
Meeting Transcript by Eonwe and Varda
Attending: (8)
   AriehnV, arwenv1, Eonwe Valar (presiding), fladrifv, Gilraen-(V)/Iryenth, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1
Gaming:
    World of WarCraft (WoW)
    Across games: Eonwe intends to be more available to both WoW and LotRO and to general chat by being in AIM more often, sort of like our old Battlenet days.
    In WoW, Eonwe got with some of the members in-game on the Lothar server and discussed how to use the guild bank best.

    WoW Guild bank summary by Eonwe:
In June I intend to do some "spring cleaning" of the Lothar Guild Bank. Today, I posed to the Lothar membership present in World of Warcraft a series of questions concerning the layout and organization of the Guild Bank. Of the discussion that ensued, we generally agreed on a few things:
 
1.) That the guild bank should focus on collecting rare or generally harder to obtain items, with a preference for items from the current expansion. For example, armor, weapons, and crafting recipes should be of rare (blue) quality or higher, glyphs should focus on the more useful ones, and consumables should be from the current expansion.
 
2.) That a single bank tab should be allocated for items encompassing the experience from levels 1-60. Whatever falls between this level range is to be put here, but once it's full, it's full until something out of it is used. There is to be no spillover into other bank tabs. Anything falling beyond this level range can be stored normally, with respect to the above.
 
3.) That items used to gain reputation with a faction were generally given a pass.
 
4.) Profession-specific items (i.e blacksmith keys, leatherworking drums) should not be stored in the Guild Bank, as they are not universally usable. It's better to store these in one's personal inventory.
 
More detailed (though not necessarily comprehensive) notes will be put into the info tab for each bank tab once the cleaning is done. For anything that will not be found in the guild bank after the cleaning, members are welcome to seek these items from other members either in person, or through the WoW Trading section on the Forum.

    Lord of the Rings Online (LotRO)
       Monday and Wednesday night 8pm EST group instance running has had very good attendance, possibly needing a second group running soon.
    Chess
       Fladrif is moving into the last section of the chess matches.
Tolkien:
    Festival in the Shire conference, first one. Anyone who can attend in Wales should have a great time. Arien (from the Netherlands) hopes to go with her husband and bring back a report. Music demos are on the site under J.R.R. Tolkien Inspired Music, and small, rolling demos of art under Artists.

May 21-23
    Varda was out of town only until Saturday night. Work called us back to town earlier than expected.

May 19, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Wednesday instance night: Fil Gashan
completed.
       All Valar run. Champion on Talug the whole run. Guardian on the Fang-caster for the whole run, during the first part bringing it to the middle since it drops fire traps. First part: The champion drags Talug into the fire traps making him vulnerable, and then the dps goes after Talug. Second part: Then drag the Fire-fist next to Talug and when it dies, the splatter damages Talug.
       Participants: Gildor (Gwennair hunter), Indis (Alasse 65 lore-master), Nimrodel (Ardisian hunter), Pippin (Avengelina 65 champion), Ulmo (Niequi 65 minstrel), Varda (Timbridhil 63 guardian).

May 18, 2010
    Gaming / LotRO:
       Monday instance night: Fil Gashan
as planned. Varda was late due to being unable to get home in time, so we got a late start. Most had to leave because the time needed would run over sleep time ahead of work, and some were at work and could not pay close enough attention for an instance. We did run Fil Gashan 5-man up to General Talug, when we added one more person, but did not bring down Talug. We did pick up some Medallions of Moria and had a mithril flake drop.
    We partnered with friends from Keepers of Ayrshire for this run and enjoyed their company.
    Participants: Dis-V (Lilyblossom 65 minstrel, Keepers of Ayrshire co-leader), Pippin-V (Avengelina 65 champion), Varda-Valar (Timbridhil 63 guardian); Alrid (65 hunter Keepers leader and Dis's husband), Connaver (63 burglar Keepers, now in our friend channel), Litesha (65 hunter Keepers, Connaver's wife, came in to help with Talug).
    Suggested: take wound potions vs fire (waterfall helps too), be sure hunters have fire oil vs Talug, lore-masters are good for fire damage spells. A minstrel is required to Distract sentries for hard mode. A champion is good to Clobber interrupt Talug's helper, the Fangcaster, who otherwise hits the party with powerful fire arrows. The Fangcaster is immune to being Riddled by a burglar.
   

May 17, 2010
    Letter from Faramir-(V)-ex
        I decided to move my characters to a kin that some of my old friends recently started that's going to focus a lot on raiding.  I hope there are no hard feelings.  I enjoyed my time with Valar Guild, but have lately felt that perhaps I don't quite fit in the way I would like.  I would still like to keep in touch with you guys if possible, so feel free to ask me for help if you need it.  Your friend, hopefully, always ...
Faramir

May 16, 2010
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5) May 16, 2010
AIM room: Valar Guild Meetingplace
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (9)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, arwenv1, Eonwe Valar, fladrifv, Gilraen-(V)/Iryenth, Indis-(V)/karakedi25, Menelvagor Valar, VardaValar1 (presiding)
Membership:
    Ar-Pharazon-(V): one month field trip starting tomorrow
    Fladrif-(V): birthday
Web:
    Links
    News page
Gaming:
    Guild Wars: Ar-Pharazon
    Second Life: Fladrif
    Chess: Fladrif
    Armadillo Run: Arien, Fladrif
    World of WarCraft (WoW)
    Lord of the Rings Online (LotRO)
Tolkien:
    RP discussion. The plot is hung on getting a message from Calaron.
    How much information would the Avari pick up from the Silvans?
   
May 14, 2010
    Links:
    "The Tolkien Professor". Recorded lectures from Dr. Corey Olsen, a tenured English professor at Washington College, whose PhD is in medieval literature and a long-time Tolkien fan. Link recommended by Daddy Twofoot-(V).
    "Festival in the Shire Journal". An online magazine discussing Tolkien and Tolkien-related works.

May 12, 2010
    Gaming/LotRO:
       Wednesday 8pm was for our scheduled instance run. Some who had come earlier were running the Dannenglor book skirmish instance together. The group running the scheduled instance completed Forgotten Treasury in the Flaming Deeps, one that several of us had quests for and that we had tried previously but run out of time. For Monday's 8pm EST run,  we will probably do Fil Gashan, its neighbor, which has medallions.
       The group  started as a five-man, adding the sixth when Indis was able to come online, despite a case of the flu and a bad internet connection. Those running were Gildor (63 hunter), Indis (Mirminuial 65 captain), Nimrodel (Ardisian 62 hunter), Pippin (65 champion), Ulmo (Niequi 65 minstrel), and Varda (Timbridhil 63 guardian).

May 11, 2010
    Gaming/LotRO:
    The gang tried out Skumfil, a Moria radiance instance. (Varda was out of town.) According to Gildor's report in chat (which he didn't expect to be on the News):
        "did Skum for the first time last night with fellow Valar. Unfortunately it was bugged and and we to leave. Kept resetting.
        "the main baddies in the Hive Nest kept respawning. You would kill one boss, then another, but 30 seconds later they would appear again and again and we kept dying. No medallions."
       Some of the participants were Dis, Gildor, Melkor, and Pippin. I'm guessing Nimrodel was there.

May 10, 2010

    Happy Birthday Fladrif!

    Gaming / LotRO:
       Planning to do an instance 8pm EST. We'll see which one when we see who comes. :)
       Next planned instance Wednesday 8pm EST.
       Other instances will be done spur of the moment as usual.
       We are trying out Mondays and Wednesdays as planned instance times, and by in-game discussion found that 8pm was best due to work schedules. This will not replace spur-of-the-moment runs, but add to them.
       First scheduled run since Turtle days:
          8pm EST may be too early. Most showed up around 9pm. For that hour, Nimrodel, Gildor, and Varda (as Timbridhil) knocked out a few Moria quests to clear quest room for instances and to level Nim's and Gildor's mains. Faramir's Celebrandt was already on pugging in Sammath Gaul, a successful run.
        When enough of us came online at around 9, we joined up for Forges, a Moria radiance instance in the Flaming Deeps. Fil Gashan is right next to it allowing a few of us to complete the exploration deed. The instance seemed bugged according to several members who had done the instance many times before, but we still picked up Moria medallions, a first for some of our characters and some folks leveled. The problem was that despite any varieties of aggro, the two trolls kept getting back together.
        Participants were Faramir (Timbenzedrine minstrel alt), Gildor (Gwennair 63 hunter main), Gorlim (Sprain 62 guardian alt), Indis (Mirminuial captain alt), Nimrodel (Ardisian 63 hunter main), Pippin (Avengelina 65 champion main, subbed in when Gildor had to go to bed), and Varda (Timbridhil 63 guardian alt). The company was great! Fun was had by all.
          One suggestion generally agreed on was that we all need to get our mics working.
          Dis brought in a new alt to the kin during the same time: Disvandl (vandl means staff).
          Eonwe was also on but his main was not quite up to the Forges yet. Give him just a little more time and he'll be in the thick of it.
       Next planned instance is on Wednesday at 8pm.

May 9, 2010

    Happy Mother's Day!
Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5) May 9, 2010
AIM room: Valar Guild Meetingplace
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon and Varda
Attending: (5)
    AriehnV, ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), fladrifv, VardaValar1
Tolkien topic: mothers in Tolkien's works, their children, and their husbands.

May 6, 2010

    Happy Birthday Ar-Pharazon!

May 2, 2010

    Welcome to the Valar Guild, Nob-(V)!
Nob, aka Elenrandir, joined as a Full Member in LotRO today, then in WoW transferred his level 80 Peralt from another server and joined our guild branch on Lothar. He's been gaming with us in LotRO for months, finding us through Indis. Varda tested 5/5. He's 24, from Texas, USA in CST. He has training in web design. His favorite character from LotR is Sam the awesome, brave and clever, who was able to resist the One Ring.

    Welcome to the Valar Guild, Bofur-(V)! Bofur, aka Eldwin and Dagr, joined as a Full Member in LotRO, then had a playful contest with Nob to see which of them could transfer their WoW character faster. He, too joined our WoW Lothar branch and the two gamed with Bilbo and Eonwe there. As Dagr in LotRO, he is the leader of the kin Goldtaggers Anonymous, with his friend, Nob-(V) above and a couple of other people rarely seen, and they will be keeping their kinhouse. He too has been gaming with us in LotRO for months with Elenrandir, finding us through Indis. Varda tested 5/5. He's 24. One of the characters he finds most interesting in the LotR is Sauron. "Conquering the whole world via jewelry? Genius."

    Welcome to the Valar Guild, Bard-(V)! Bard, aka Anglaf, joined as a Full Member in LotRO where he's been gaming with Varda (5/5), and is fairly new to LotRO. He's played many MMO's before this but now plays exclusively LotRO. He's 19, from Ohio, USA in EST. Bard is going for his degree in Information Systems Management with a minor in Computer Science. He works in IT at college, where he's in R.O.T.C., and will be going into the military for eight years. Bard has read the Hobbit (favorite book), the Lord of the Rings, and the about the first one-hundred pags of the Silmarillion. His favorite LotR character is Aragorn for plot development and archetype, and is the one he can relate to the most for himself and for his struggle. Bard is also a softy for love stories.

Sunday Meeting: 5pm EST (GMT-5) May 2, 2010
AIM room: Valar Guild Meetingplace
Meeting Transcript by Ar-Pharazon the Golden and Varda
Attending: (5)
    ArPharazonV, Eonwe Valar (presiding), Gilraen-(V)/ Iryenth, Indis-(V)/ karakedi25, VardaValar1
Tolkien:
    Peter Jackson knighted.
    In-game trivia with prizes.
    Badguys in Tolkien: Redeemable or not?
       What the free people would do if they had the Ring.
       Eonwe's illustration: Different moralities for mankind shown in LotR and Wheel of Time.


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