They don't make them like they used to....

I have officially decided that the creators of Lotro do not make locations, instances, and fights like they used to. Take, for instance, the instance of Ost Elendil in Annuminas:

This is quite possibly one of the prettiest and most regal locations I have ever seen in the game. The strategy for completing the instance is interesting as well, and I can't think of any other place in the game that requires the tactics needed to beat this area. Granted, at level 65 in a level 50 instance, the mobs weren't too much of a challenge, but like several of the old instances, this will all change in the fall when instance scaling is released. I know I am thoroughly going to enjoy running this and all the other old instances, but this time at level 65.

And yes, I know I could run the current instances at their intended level of fifty, but I am too lazy and skeered.

The Questing Geese Jugglers

Several months back, Squid and I created our own kinship for our alts, mostly as an experiment to see if we could use it for storage once we were eligible to buy a kin house (five months later! Aghhhhh!). After a while we forgot about the kin house though, until one day, while I was on my (then) measly level 6 champion, that I and a friend put down a wager to see who could reach level forty the fastest. I suggested a rather large sum of in-game gold (for my budget, anyways) as the prize, with certain variables for the winner's stats upon reaching forty. If everything went as planned, there was the possibility that the loser would have to pay up 15 gold. I would never have proposed this ridiculous amount of money unless I was sure I could win, which I was, seeing as how I currently am unemployed and have unlimited free time, while my opponent has a job and a farm to take care of. I felt pretty darn sure of myself.

Everything was going hunky dory, until I realized one day that no matter how hard I thought I was pushing to level, every night my opponent would manage to gain the same amount of levels or more in half the time. This was probably due in part to the difference in our classes, and that I was a heavy armor melee class, with practically no heals, and he was a light armor tactical class that could send out either massive heals or dps as needed. Finally I began to panic and realized that he was probably just toying with me, and if he so chose, he could blow me and this contest out of the water. So that weekend, I sat and stupidly played for over twenty hours straight. I made it to 40, pushing harder on some quests than I should have, and dying many more times than I could count, but I made it. Granted, I pushed so hard that I didn't have much time to level virtues, the variable factor in our wager, so I didn't come out on top with as much as I could have, but still, I came out with about 8 gold. I also came out with a strained wrist and had to wear a brace for four days. It still twinges, even now.

The prize money, combined with what I already had scattered about my other characters, finally gave me enough to purchase our Kinship house. So if you're ever in the Thorin's Hall homesteads on Gladden, feel free to stop by 5 Roaring Road, Tonbry. There's free ale, if that makes any difference.

Squid and I have yet to truly celebrate our new house (we have fireworks saved in our bags to shoot off) but I know in the future it's going to get a lot of use, provided we can remember to pay the monthly upkeep.

As silly as the contest was, we have decided to one day do it again, but on a different server where we have no backup money from other characters to fall on if need be. THAT should be interesting.

Balrog Down

After weeks of trying and countless gold pieces spent in repair bills, I finally managed to down the balrog with an outstanding group.

The most amazing thing to me is that after all these dozens of tries and failures, where the group would wipe multiple times - on this go around, not a single person died. It was perfect. Textbook, in a sense.

Other than getting bugged out at the end of the fight and thereby unable to receive any loot ( insert sad panda face here) I gleefully ran back up to the surface to turn in the quest. This was the final step in gaining my Dunedain Warhorse, the first of my meta-deed mounts.

However, after turning in the quest, I was woefully surprised when my meta-deed did not update, and I did not get my horse either! In something fast approaching a fury (it is amazing how, when you play a game long enough, not receiving a reward, even a pixelated and quite imaginary one, can send one into confused and startled anger. Like a badger), I cried out to the gods on Olympus (aka the GMs) and asked where my horse was. I wanted my horse.

The GMs actually responded, and a certain +Ohtah+ told me to try relogging. I did so tentatively, but upon my return to the game I found a Dunedain Warhorse waiting for me in my inventory and a very satisfyingly complete Saviour of Eriador meta-deed.

So here is the much sought after horse, and while he is indeed rather ugly (the modeling of the head is the most horrific), I ride him proudly throughout Middle-earth, showing off my triumph and dedication to the game (and also my complete and utter lack of any meaningful activity, production, or social life).

Video Games and the Movies

I've been seeing trailers for this movie called "Scott Pilgrim vs the World" floating around, and while I know I don't normally talk about movies here, I felt since the film seems to have an awful lot to do with video games I would mention it. Especially since their website has this fun little character creator.

See? I made me ^_^

If I was better at drawing comic-style art, and had a reason to draw myself (wow I suddenly sound very narcissistic) I suppose this is how I would make myself look. Except maybe taller. That chick up there looks a bit on the petite side, and I'm not that, for certain.