Then she celebrated by killing more things in Tham Mirdain and getting herself the 'Sympathetic' title ^^
Tuesday, 7 April 2015
To the Library!
Tonight, Arae got through the whole of the Library of Dol Amroth instance without dying, and it was her first time getting through it without having to run back to the entrance so as to escape the 6 or 7 mobs all chasing her that she was unable to cc. Tonight, there was none of that, yay! She went through it in a hot new outfit too, so the rest of this post will just be her fighting and looking pretty. Elves.
Then she celebrated by killing more things in Tham Mirdain and getting herself the 'Sympathetic' title ^^
Then she celebrated by killing more things in Tham Mirdain and getting herself the 'Sympathetic' title ^^
Thursday, 2 April 2015
Happy Anniversary, Lonely Mountain Band
For some months now I've been feeling sad that I didn't discover LotRO sooner. Like I've missed out on years of the fun and experiences that this game has to offer, and that I didn't get to discover them with everyone else. It's only in part down to the forum posters bemoaning the game they lost as LotRO went on growing and changing. I have been playing since September 2012. I sneak on in my spare half hours, while my dinner is cooking, if I get home from an evening out before 10. Now more than ever I feel like this game is home, the community is something really special, and I wish I had spent more time in this Middle-earth of ours. And only now have I really got involved with a group of people who feel the same way about the game as I do.
This past weekend we celebrated a landmark for the Lonely Mountain Band kinship. On March the 25th, on Tolkien Reading Day, Gondorian New Year, the LMB hit 7 years of age. On Sunday 29th, we had a meeting of special magnificence that stretched from dusky dinner time until gone midnight. It began with the forging.....with the meeting at the kinhouse. Speeches were given and much cheering garnered in response.
Despite the problems the musical community is having at the moment, I believe it's going to be an exciting year for the Band, with a few events coming up (Spring Racing Carnival, Weatherstock, TSO performances), and some fun activities already underway.
Speaking of which, on Saturday night the inaugural meeting of the new bookclub was held at the Bird & Baby Inn in Michel Delving, and Elimraen got to attend. We're reading and discussing The Children of Hurin. As a ponderous introvert this had the potential to be quite the intimidating evening, but it turned out to be a great discussion of what looks like an amazing book. Already I want to do all the research I can into Fingolfin, and draw up all my own family trees for the ancient Elves! There were 9 of us who attended, a nice mix of new readers and those who know much more of the lore than I do. Elim is really excited for the next meeting.
Back to the anniversary! Next, we all mounted up for a group shot (I'm hoping that someone got a better one than I did, I was too close to the end to get a shot with everyone in), then paraded, mostly at a walk, all the way to Bree-town. It coincided with a sunny afternoon ingame, so we got to walk in sunshine, glimpsing rainbows and local wildlife as we meandered our way through Ered Luin, the Shire, and finally Breeland. We made our way on horseback to the Bree Park where the Andune Ensemble, with guest star Calanne, were to play their special concert featuring the entire Fleetwood Mac Rumors album!
Elim danced until her pretty feet were sore, then was granted a reprieve by Celebnel, who very nervously made her up to the performers to take her place among them, in the Lonely Mountain Band's Megaband! Lhinn had kindly put her on drums for every song in the set, a great relief for a newbie, and aside from a couple of behind the scenes bumps, the performance went very smoothly. Celeb even got to hear herself playing some of her favourite tracks from past concerts, along with the Lonely Mountain Band anthem itself. Our Founder, Galenhir, even turned up in the park to hear the end of the set :D
And then we were onto the final planned part of the evening, the Mad as Heck raid. I think a total of twenty seven of us gathered in Esteldin, armed with nothing but our valour and our tempers. Well, almost nothing. Weapons that I saw in the crowd included pitchforks, shovels, a rolling pin(?), a fish, frying pans, a regular sized flower, flowers the size of people, a pretzel, sparklers, and a basket of apples. Our first task was to dwell upon things that make us really really super cross. Elim failed at this because of a giggling fit that she barely managed to conceal. And then we were off, racing through the hidden town of the Rangers, to the east and north, to storm Dol Dinen and take down the trolls and fell creatures that dwell there.
We totally won.
Then, because people still hadn't whacked the trolls hard enough to rid themselves of their rage at stuff like rain, sun, no organised pictures, and no circus in the promising-looking tent, we ported to Tinnudir for an assault on Annuminas.
It was there, in the ruined city, after battling our way through enemy stronghold after enemy stronghold, that our terrible anger was sated. And I went to bed because it was half past midnight.
That was the most fun I've ever had in this wonderful game. It was ridiculous and chaotic and glorious! And the LMB still going strong after seven years is what made it happen. I'm relatively new, I'm still not very 'known'. I'm split between two servers and fifteen characters, only two of whom are in the Band, and I'm fairly shy. I have a thing where I look forward all day to logging onto Landroval, then it comes to decision time at login and I go for Gladden instead, because I've had a busy day or I'm peopled out for one reason or another, and I want to run around Middle-earth being a hero without any kind of social expectations on me. Stupid social weirdness. But at the same time, I already care a lot about this group. Their (our! Yay!) enthusiasm, friendliness and positivity are a breath of fresh air in the middle of a lot of sourness that one comes across amongst players. I've not told anyone about this blog because I'm using it more as a personal record of events than a thing for anyone else to read, even though it's technically public. But if anyone from the LMB stumbles across this, this is kind of a love letter to you <3
I'm logging onto Landroval now :)
This past weekend we celebrated a landmark for the Lonely Mountain Band kinship. On March the 25th, on Tolkien Reading Day, Gondorian New Year, the LMB hit 7 years of age. On Sunday 29th, we had a meeting of special magnificence that stretched from dusky dinner time until gone midnight. It began with the forging.....with the meeting at the kinhouse. Speeches were given and much cheering garnered in response.
Despite the problems the musical community is having at the moment, I believe it's going to be an exciting year for the Band, with a few events coming up (Spring Racing Carnival, Weatherstock, TSO performances), and some fun activities already underway.
Speaking of which, on Saturday night the inaugural meeting of the new bookclub was held at the Bird & Baby Inn in Michel Delving, and Elimraen got to attend. We're reading and discussing The Children of Hurin. As a ponderous introvert this had the potential to be quite the intimidating evening, but it turned out to be a great discussion of what looks like an amazing book. Already I want to do all the research I can into Fingolfin, and draw up all my own family trees for the ancient Elves! There were 9 of us who attended, a nice mix of new readers and those who know much more of the lore than I do. Elim is really excited for the next meeting.
Back to the anniversary! Next, we all mounted up for a group shot (I'm hoping that someone got a better one than I did, I was too close to the end to get a shot with everyone in), then paraded, mostly at a walk, all the way to Bree-town. It coincided with a sunny afternoon ingame, so we got to walk in sunshine, glimpsing rainbows and local wildlife as we meandered our way through Ered Luin, the Shire, and finally Breeland. We made our way on horseback to the Bree Park where the Andune Ensemble, with guest star Calanne, were to play their special concert featuring the entire Fleetwood Mac Rumors album!
Elim danced until her pretty feet were sore, then was granted a reprieve by Celebnel, who very nervously made her up to the performers to take her place among them, in the Lonely Mountain Band's Megaband! Lhinn had kindly put her on drums for every song in the set, a great relief for a newbie, and aside from a couple of behind the scenes bumps, the performance went very smoothly. Celeb even got to hear herself playing some of her favourite tracks from past concerts, along with the Lonely Mountain Band anthem itself. Our Founder, Galenhir, even turned up in the park to hear the end of the set :D
And then we were onto the final planned part of the evening, the Mad as Heck raid. I think a total of twenty seven of us gathered in Esteldin, armed with nothing but our valour and our tempers. Well, almost nothing. Weapons that I saw in the crowd included pitchforks, shovels, a rolling pin(?), a fish, frying pans, a regular sized flower, flowers the size of people, a pretzel, sparklers, and a basket of apples. Our first task was to dwell upon things that make us really really super cross. Elim failed at this because of a giggling fit that she barely managed to conceal. And then we were off, racing through the hidden town of the Rangers, to the east and north, to storm Dol Dinen and take down the trolls and fell creatures that dwell there.
We totally won.
Then, because people still hadn't whacked the trolls hard enough to rid themselves of their rage at stuff like rain, sun, no organised pictures, and no circus in the promising-looking tent, we ported to Tinnudir for an assault on Annuminas.
It was there, in the ruined city, after battling our way through enemy stronghold after enemy stronghold, that our terrible anger was sated. And I went to bed because it was half past midnight.
That was the most fun I've ever had in this wonderful game. It was ridiculous and chaotic and glorious! And the LMB still going strong after seven years is what made it happen. I'm relatively new, I'm still not very 'known'. I'm split between two servers and fifteen characters, only two of whom are in the Band, and I'm fairly shy. I have a thing where I look forward all day to logging onto Landroval, then it comes to decision time at login and I go for Gladden instead, because I've had a busy day or I'm peopled out for one reason or another, and I want to run around Middle-earth being a hero without any kind of social expectations on me. Stupid social weirdness. But at the same time, I already care a lot about this group. Their (our! Yay!) enthusiasm, friendliness and positivity are a breath of fresh air in the middle of a lot of sourness that one comes across amongst players. I've not told anyone about this blog because I'm using it more as a personal record of events than a thing for anyone else to read, even though it's technically public. But if anyone from the LMB stumbles across this, this is kind of a love letter to you <3
I'm logging onto Landroval now :)
Monday, 9 March 2015
The Starlight Orchestra 2015...
.......has a Celebnel! I've done what I've been threatening to do for several months and joined a music group in LotRO. And what a music group. Wheee!
The amazing Lilikate is the brains behind the orchestra, a 24-player group which performs concerts of (mostly) well-known classical pieces. I took Celebnel to her first rehearsal on Saturday and we played four pieces, including the wonderful Fellowship of the Ring medley, similar to what we heard them play at the Storyteller's Festival in September last year. The chatter in Raid was fun and friendly and not once did I feel like I was the annoying, clueless newbie in the corner. Maybe because I wasn't in a corner. But they do seem to be a very helpful and patient bunch. I'm so looking forward to more rehearsals and actual performances with these guys later in the year. A concert on Gladden has even been whispered about, so maybe Arae will be able to take part in this one!
It's exciting after nearly 2 1/2 years in the game to be experiencing a brand new element of it. I think this is going to be really special.
One more thing! The Starlight Orchestra is still recruiting for this year! Go forth/come hither and join!
The amazing Lilikate is the brains behind the orchestra, a 24-player group which performs concerts of (mostly) well-known classical pieces. I took Celebnel to her first rehearsal on Saturday and we played four pieces, including the wonderful Fellowship of the Ring medley, similar to what we heard them play at the Storyteller's Festival in September last year. The chatter in Raid was fun and friendly and not once did I feel like I was the annoying, clueless newbie in the corner. Maybe because I wasn't in a corner. But they do seem to be a very helpful and patient bunch. I'm so looking forward to more rehearsals and actual performances with these guys later in the year. A concert on Gladden has even been whispered about, so maybe Arae will be able to take part in this one!
It's exciting after nearly 2 1/2 years in the game to be experiencing a brand new element of it. I think this is going to be really special.
One more thing! The Starlight Orchestra is still recruiting for this year! Go forth/come hither and join!
Wednesday, 14 January 2015
Arae's Adventures in the Brown Lands
Here we are then. I was admiring this particularly fine screenshot of Arae in super Hunter action (level 100 in the Brown Lands /cheer) aaand then noticed this little friend she seems to have made/acquiescent servant she seems to have acquired.
She completed the Explorer deed in the Garden of the Entwives. A hauntingly beautiful place in an otherwise very bleak landscape.
Tuesday, 16 December 2014
Happy Yule Fest
From anonyHobbit and Bee, who just built their first snowman. (Bee found the acorn.)
Monday, 15 December 2014
Breathe Deep the Mirkwood Air
Having seen The Battle of the Five Armies (twice) when it was released on Friday, I returned home with a strong desire to visit Mirkwood again. I found it spookily beautiful when I first came there, and missed the bare trees and misty air. So Arae went back. She completed a few deeds that she'd skipped the first time through, and killed one heckload of Orcs.
I now begin the painstaking process of putting together an outfit based on Thranduil's armour!
Far-Gazer
I now begin the painstaking process of putting together an outfit based on Thranduil's armour!
Monday, 3 November 2014
Horrorfest 2014
The crowds gathered in force this past weekend for the crazy fun that was Landroval's Horrorfest event. Elimraen and Faina spent an enthusiastic week trying to find perfect outfits, cancelling all other events in the diaries, stocking up on pie/beer/wool (I was supposed to be knitting at the same time as dancing) and made their way to the Da Bugans homestead of doom in time to catch the first band on Friday night.
Here follow just a small selection of the screenshots Elim took. She thinks she has a promising future as a photojournalist. Judging by the dreadful feelings of withdrawal I was going through yesterday*, I'd say she's going to be spending enough time at future events to make that dream a reality.
*Araewenel ran around Enedwaith for about ten minutes last night, finishing off some random Algraig reputation quests. The music craving got the better of her after that and she ported to Bree, desperately ran around looking for musicians, couldn't find any, so ran to the Pony to buy a harp from the Bard so that she could play something herself. There, thankfully, she found a minstrel playing in front of the fire and had a jig. Crisis averted.
Screenies!
Here follow just a small selection of the screenshots Elim took. She thinks she has a promising future as a photojournalist. Judging by the dreadful feelings of withdrawal I was going through yesterday*, I'd say she's going to be spending enough time at future events to make that dream a reality.
*Araewenel ran around Enedwaith for about ten minutes last night, finishing off some random Algraig reputation quests. The music craving got the better of her after that and she ported to Bree, desperately ran around looking for musicians, couldn't find any, so ran to the Pony to buy a harp from the Bard so that she could play something herself. There, thankfully, she found a minstrel playing in front of the fire and had a jig. Crisis averted.
Screenies!
BARA BAHAU
New party outfits
Flock of Smeagols, making us feel all kinds of uncomfortable
We had a right little sync-dance troupe going
The Starlight Orchestra <3
Vethlo's 'and now I must return to my home planet' pose
A Rock and a Hard Place, plus fireworks!
Mondbarden!
And my favourite band of the event, Old Winyards. They played the Farmer Maggot Pibgorn-off song and Elim went weak at the knees
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