LoTRO Serveres are up!

Eledilmir is the server I'm on. I'll be on all day, and I'll get in TS tonight.

Weekend Update, with Wolf Riot

So we all know about that baby polar bear that was rejected by its kin, and now a heated debate has been sparked over what should be done with him. What I want to know is: how the hell did the bears reject him? Look at him! This precious little bastard is so cute! http://www.spikedhumor.com/articles/92512/Baby_Polar_Bear.html

In other news: hugry? Need something to bring you out of your ravenous state and put you in a coma, all in a single sitting? Look no further. Meet (or should I say, Meat) the Quadruple Bypass Burger. http://www.shoutwire.com/viewstory/59450/Quadruple_Bypass_Burger

And now for Riot's Random Websites of the day! This is where I go type in some arbitrary adress and see where it sends me. The popular picks of the day:

http://www.stuff.org/ (Weird)
http://www.huh.com/ (NICE)
http://www.huhcorp.com/ (Genius advertising)
http://www.orly.com/ (I found this funny because I meant the online phrase "O rly?")
http://www.radi.com/ (Radi can't hide her true job any longer!)
http://www.nettle.com/ (I'd be mad about this one)



That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

Aishamau is joining us!

She's gonna get LoTRO too. *wicked grin* She asked me if she could be in our group too...I cackled madly and said, "of course you can, my dear".

So, who has talked to Quick and verified he's going to run with us too?

Cajun, you better get the game. Get it now and it's only 10 bucks a month. I'm going to trade off between games. I'm not done with WoW, by any means!

Universe on tilt

Wow, I'm so happy today! I have my new Ipod loaded and I've got song after song after song in my ears. *blissed*

I have my LoTRO preordered.

I have all you peeps in various games to hang with.

Jesus Christos...the universe must be on tilt for ME to be this cheerful.

LoTRO Kinship Name

For those of us heading on to LoTRO, we should have a guild name ready. We can be traditional and go for "Psychotic Syndicate", or try and come up with something different. I was trying to think of names, but I keep going for the silly ones, and came up with "Mostly Irate Laborers and Farmhands", or MILF for short. An angry, blue collar (sorta) mob is very fitting for some of us :)

Anyway, post your suggestions/opinions!

LOTRO Closed Beta

Here is a link for getting a closed beta key, if anyone is still interested. You have to use it before March 25, 2007. I believe the pre-order server access begins on March 30, 2007.

Hope all is well,
P Dub

http://www.cgonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1075&Itemid=0

From AishaMau...

Well...
All I can say (after gaming with some of you in the upper levels last night) is: Wow - WoW - WOW!
(Actually, I mean... WOWEEEEE!!!!!) LoL!
Not only was finally getting to meet many of you "in personna" so VERY much fun (and a bit overwhelming to my old-fashioned method of communication by keyboard! HA!), but I had the BEST time playing ANY game EVER!
(Actually, I should be really grateful during the session that I didn't have you listening to me because I was laughing aloud and screaming with delight into my computer screen most of the night!)
Thank you ALL so very VERY much!!
It was certainly a heart-warming HONOR (and a huge surprise!!) to be included in such an awesome adventure and I am extremely grateful! (and ever so eager now to do it again!! LOL!!) :-)
One thing it did do for SURE was to get me to remain up into the wee hours making sure I got my voice chat software downloaded... and I intend to get the headphones/speaker before this weekend (tonight if possible!) - Yay! (It will definitely save my fingers and perhaps improve my character's clutzy movements while I try to maneuver around my chatty typing!)
Anyhoo... {{HUGE Contented Sigh}} I am so VERY happy for your many warm welcomes to me - words simply cannot describe how extremely wonderful and generous this group is!!
Hugs and Kisses to you all from this grateful little Elf!!
AishaMau

Belly Dancers, oh my...

Hi guys,

My friend Aishamau (level 14 BELF) is going to start playing with us. She's my friend IRL and you're gonna love her! She's funny, smart and a complete giggle box. She's the one I told you belly dances.

You guys be really nice to her, cause she's very new to the game. This is her first MMO and she's having a blast! She learns super fast, but there is so much that you can only pick up in that game with experience. I've hooked her up with gold, but she still needs a few 16 slot bags. I think Cajun said he would run with us a bit, but anyone else who wants to jump on their elves and join us would be very welcome! :)

I've told her what wonderful gentlemen you all are *coughs* so she's really looking forward to meeting you.

Lord of the Rings

OK, after 7 hours of download, I was finally able to play LOTRO. I am already a level 5 Captain, and of course I am feared throughout the server.

I just had a few questions (if anyone else is playing the BETA), and a few impressions I'd like to share.

1. Are the graphics really jerky for everyone, or is it just me? I tried turning down the graphical requirements all the way down to their lowest levels, and I still have a very major hitch in my stride every other step. I'm afraid if I play this game for too long, I'm going to have a seizure.

2. Do we really have to kill the helpless animals to start these games? Or pick berries? I don't remember anywhere in the movie or book where the hobbits had to go pick berries to save the shire.

3. I like the classes, they at least show some initiative (captain and minstrel, for example). But what about only having four races? OK, granted, the major players of humans, elves, dwarves, and hobbits are there to play for the good guys. Hopefully the game will have a very long story line for the Fellowship; otherwise, people may lose interest without the option for people to play on the side of Sauron (PvP creeps, etc. notwithstanding).

4. This is not a criticism of LOTRO, but of MMO RPG's in general. Isn't it about time for someone to think of a new game dynamic besides tank, healer, buffer, DOTer, stalker? LOTRO tries to depart somewhat from this by giving what appear to be more hybrid models, but time will tell. And it should be noted that in LOTRO character descriptions, they don't even try to disguise things, and actually say "tank" or "healer." We shall see how well they hold up in the long run.

5. Overall, I like the look and feel of the game. I'm sure Riot has played it in more detail, and can give us a little more insight into the later course of LOTRO.

Take care,
PDub

Shaman For Hire

Hi my name is Khudukha aka Khud sometime's Dukie....

My current level in the World of warcraft is 70 and my proffesions are alchamy (375) and Herbalism(390). My current spec(build) is Enhancement(10/51/0) can be viewed at

http://armory.worldofwarcraft.com/character-sheet.xml?r=Cenarion+Circle&n=Khudukha

The reason for this post is plain and simple I need work this man-cow is too young to be put out to pasture. So if your stuck on a quest or need 1 more to complete your 5 man team hollar.....

Just give me a try and ill make sure you don't die :) and if you do a rezzin i will do......

White boys got muthafukin soul!

This is courtesy of Cajun...watch the whole thing, the ending is amazing!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1FT_aoHonw

Hellfire Citadel, Underbog

Anybody want to do some instances tonight? It would be so cool. Trust me.

Haikus

Here are some festive haikus from your buddy, Riot. I thought I should share. (Warning: These may not be appropriate to any moral, god-fearing human being)

(Blogging)
I have a new blog!
What the hell? So much traffic...
And now my blog's down.

(50 DKP Minus)
Don't over-agro.
Even side has mini-whelps.
Now handle it! FUCK!

(Fat Albert)
What's happening hoe?
Gimme some chicken and beer,
And some jello, son!

(Pedophile)
Stop touching me there.
Your hands are rough and calloused.
I am only six.

(Recluse' Strike Force)
"So, cool it down now?"
"No, still opening the map...
Everyone login!"

Damn I forgot the MadCap Password

Sowing Season

The song of that name by Brand New suits me perfectly today.
http://myspace.com/brandnew

Running with the Gang

I had a lot of fun running with the old school gang last night. Let's keep the crew going!

Take care,
P Dub

Hot Librarian anyone?

Let me introduce you to Ms. Dewey. She's a search engine. She's hot. She has a very "interesting" peronality. She talks to you, gets impatient with you, and will actually tap on your monitor if you don't pay attention to her. Click on "Best of Ms. Dewey" for a laugh.

So, go to the link on the right (make sure your sound is on) and check her out for yourself. She's not your grandfather's librarian. *wink*

LOTRO's version of PvP

LOTRO has a different way for players to engage in PvP (aside from the consentual duals), and it's called PvMP, which stands for Player-versus-Monster-Player. Think of this style of play as something similar to Warsong Gulch, and areas of that sort from WoW. Players can either play as their normal characters, the Free People, and creature characters, Sauron's minions. I will refer to these types as Freeps and Creeps, respectively.

There is currently one area dedicated to PvMP (I'm sure updates will add more areas), and this is the isolated region of the Ettenmoors. It's roughly the size of the Shire, and helluva lot more dangerous. NPCs range from 48-50 (the current max), so treading into the Ettenmoors as a Freep is not wise if you're not prepared, or are alone.

To enter the Ettenmoors as a Freep, you need to head to Rivendell and be at least 40. I've not made the journey myself, but that's your destination. To enter as a Creep, you must be at least level 10 and head to the slums of Bree-Town (near the Burglar trainer, and go to the ominous looking crimson obelisk. From here, you can choose to enter the Ettenmoors or spend your Destiny Points (DP) to buff up your character. PvMP has perks that affect your Freep, as WoW has Marks of Honor. Since you only need to be level 10 to be a Creep, you can expect the journey into the Ettenmoors as a Freep to be very dangerous (hence, all the more exciting).

If you decide to play a Creep, you have a choice of 5 monsters to play as: Uruk Warleader, Uruk Blackarrow, Orc Reaver, Spider Weaver and Warg Stalker. They each play a specific role in combat: tanker, DPS, crowd-control, rogue, and support. The beauty of this is you can have one of each, so don't feel like you have to marry yourself to a single Archetype. Play them all!

When you select a Creep of a type you haven't played before, you get to name it. You can only name it once. I was foolish and made my warg, named him "FuzzyEggs", and now I'm stuck with it. Freeps come riding up the hill, and they face FuzzyEggs on the field of battle. Roar. My point is: make sure you choose a name you're sure you want to stick with. They never explicitly tell you it's a one time naming deal. They might change this later, but for the time being, Creeps are sorta like your evil alts. Also, this Creep type will be saved, and the progress you make carries over like an extra character. So if I play a Warg, then play a Spider, then go back to Warg, my Warg will be with the stats he last left off with.

(5 characers per server, 5 Creeps per Freep = 25 Creeps you can carry per server)

When you enter the Ettenmoors, your HUD will now be red and evil looking, your hotbars changed to reflect your new abilities, new BIO and War stats, etc. Your purpose is twofold. 1) Run repeatable missions from Sauron's many disparaging minions (I get called maggot a lot), and 2) Smite Freeps. Sounds fun? You bet your @$$ it's fun!

Running missions, killing Freeps and all nets you DP. DP is used to upgrade your Creep, OR when you exit the Ettenmoors it carries over to your Freep, allowing you to get some hefty buffs (like amplified XP, increased Morale/Defense, etc.). The choice is yours. The DP that carries over to your Freep only applies from the last Creep you played. If my spider (CreepyCrawly) has 170 DP and my warg (FuzzyEggs, from earlier) has 69 DP, I will only have 69 DP if FuzzyEggs was the last one I played.

Upgrading your creep is essential to being able to "pwn" in the Ettenmoors. Even if it may not benefit your Freep, it's kinda like CoX. City of Villains is puny compared to Heroes, but playing both sides is still fun. When you feel like bashing in a friend's skull, hop on your Creep (again, FuzzyEggs is my Creep of choice) and go to town with a buffed monster.

There are strongholds that can be controlled by Creeps and Freeps. When control shifts, the NPCs shift with it.

If you die during your escapades as a Creep, all unfinished missions get dropped, so you have to be smart about combat and avoiding hopeless battles, if you want to earn DP. The most fun you can have is traveling in packs with players. I went as a group of 25 on my FuzzyEggs, and we just cleaned up as a neat little monster troop. Lots of DP, tons of fun. It's truly a blast.

Those are the basics of PvMP. I can't wait to do the real thing. Maybe rename my damn warg so his name isn't so...terrifying.

Tibetan Monks are hot

That's all.

Armory

If you guys haven't done so yet, check out the armory section in today's update. You can see all of the stats for every player in the game. So cool. I think I just had a joygasm. See y'all soon.

PDub

Radi visits Southpark!!

My friend, FancyThat, showed me this site where you can create an avatar of yourself in Southpark style! They're soooo funny!! I added the url to my links on the right of the page. Here's what I would look like...hahaha

They're hard to save though. What Fancy suggested was make a screenprint, then paste it in word. Save the image from word, then change the image to get rid of the junk on the sides and you're left with just the picture!

Next time I'm in TS I'll help anyone who wants me to, through the process of saving the pic. :)

Instances

Anybody up for running instances today? Or in the next couple of days? Perhaps teaming with a pally? Emeraldella is awfully lonely. Let me know if there is anything exciting happening.

Love ya,
PDub

Hmm

I was just wondering does it smell like feet in here or is it just me???

Adventures of Nettlekiss and Snitch!

OMG!! I LOVE LOTRO!

The character Design: Nettle is a black haired, grey eyed beauty with pointy ears. lol Her face and body were very easy to customize. She's lovely and graceful.

The graphics for powers: She actually reaches into her bag and pulls out some powder, pulls something out of a second bag and combines them in her hands to throw a fireball!! If you're grumbling that this takes too long...ask yourself how long it takes to get a shadowbolt off in WoW...

The environment: Sooo beautiful and realistic. The haunting sounds of the Whippoorwill, the ominous bass of the unexplored cave, your muffled footsteps in a snowy forest, but in case you're thinking it's all airy fairy...uh uh! The very first moment from logging in, I was immersed in the tension of the gameplay. Things were on fire, people were injured and someone was trying to get my attention so I could go help them hold the gates!! Get this....I defended the gate and guess who showed up to run with me to the next commander who needed my help? Elrond...yeah...fuckin' Elrond.

This is what sold me though (cause I'm a geek like that)...I have a pet raven. I'm able to name him. He's inky black, realistic and sinister. He's the coolest thing EVER! He even attacks for me. He swoops in and bats his wings at them, pecks and claws at them. Just having him travel with me, flying at my shoulder adds the coolest element to the mood of the gameplay.
After a brief (in gamer standards) gaming session of two hours, I'm hooked.
That's it. I deactivated my CoX account and I'm pre-ordering LOTRO!!
**giggles like an 8 year old**

P.S. Thank you Riot for your generousity. Being able to try the game before buying was great!

Warlock Epic Mount Quest

This is the mats list I promised Bella so she could be working on them before she reaches 60 on her Lock.

10 Elixer of Shadow Power - you need 3 Ghost Mushrooms per Elixer, so a total of 30

6 Large Brilliant Shards - Start breaking drops for them now - or bug Quick for them. heehee

25 Dark Iron Ore - I think you said your alt has mining...or again...bug Quick for them.

35 Black Dragon Scales

3 Arcanite Bars

DO NOT buy the Wheel, The Candle and the Bell back from the Goblin before you're ready to summon the Dreadsteed. Any other Warlock who has these can accompany you on the quest and use them for you. It's 250 gold to buy them yourself!!

For visitors...

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