Catching Up is Hard to Do

Hey there everyone.  Sorry, it has been a few days since I've posted.  Lots going on both in and out of game that's ended up with me a bit too tired to post at the end of the day.  So here's a catch-up day covering the end of my week in Middle Earth...

Sarharien took this shot out in the north of Esteldin; its one of the beacons of Minas Tirith, and one of my favourite scenic spots in-game.  To see what this little gazebo is used for, click here!

Bumped into Sinew while in North Downs, and we decided to do some quests together.

Grabbed Tsering and away we went for some troll-stomping, orc-smashing fun.  We all had some deeds and quests south of Esteldin to complete, but at our levels (L37-41) they were a bit too challenging to take on solo.  Besides, this is an MMO... and I much prefer fun in groups!

My goal on Friday was to get Kierraen into Moria.  It all starts just east in Eregion, smacking around some idiot dwarves who clearly have not seen Lord of the Rings and the enjoyable rock-throwing Pippin.  <sigh>  Must I scold every dwarf myself?

Yay!  Found the door... then the foreman says:  "Oh, but there's rocks and rubble in the way, Kierraen would you mind clearing us a path?  We're taking a dwarf-break and eating your yummy sandwiches.  No, we're not watching you work at all..."

This is where the Jaws theme song should start playing.  I mean, seriously?  Have you been stuck out here in this swamp your whole life?  Any B-grade horror flick would have educated you enough to know "still water spells trouble".

See?  Told you... ah well.  He complained about my sandwiches anyways.  "Anyone else?"

/Swoon  Any guy man enough to run around Middle Earth carrying a big beautiful flower, gets big points in my book.  Well, then you go and name yourself Remorsefulshadow, and I'm thinkin' I'll just call you "Remo".  ;)

YAY!  Kierraen finally makes it into Moria (less a few sandwich-hating dwarves).  This dungeon is really well done.

It's got pain-in-the-arse stairs everywhere...

...big gorgeous landmarks like this geode egg... but did I tell you it has lots of stairs?  Ugh.  Seriously trying to do this Moria place sans-goat is biting the big one.  Time to go earn me some Thorin rep.

Took a break out in Lone Lands to quest with Aexion and Casablancas.  Smashed us some wights and this skeletal boss guy.  Fun stuff!

By this point, after a couple days in Moria, Kierraen had a serious overload of ore to work through.  Thankfully the 21st hall (now THAT was a LONG WALK from the front door) has a forge.  Hardll, Caliath and Morrhien kept me company.

While Sarharien was picking up some mail in Bree, I bumped into Dafien on her nice Mathom steed.

After spending about an hour in the Sarnur public dungeon, and with a HUGE thanks to some kinmates (Delques and others) who sent me some rep items, I was able to enter the crafting hall in Thorin's basement...

...and bought me a GOAT!  Yay!  So much nicer running around Moria when it's someone else's legs doing all those stairs!

"Oooooh, look at the pretty whirlpool!" <WHACK> Little stupid goblin ruining another of my pretty photos.

Made the mistake of accepting a quest from a drunk dwarf.  He was upset about some friend I found dead down in the depths of Moria.  I don't know if it was because he heard about my sandwiches, or what, but he suggested that I visit 10 of his buddies and have a drink with them.  Ugh.  Vile stuff that dwarf brew...

I do apologize to whomever I passed out under at the 21st hall (more dwarf brew), because I don't know who you are to enter you in this week's victim draw!  Oh well, just don't step on my head.

While crafting in the 21st hall, I bumped into Ebree, Gustafsson, Ordun, Esten, Anaxthes, and the famous Atador, who seems to have caught the Ilthel bug.  Hugs to Atador and wishes of a speedy and safe return on your real-life adventures.  We'll miss you and keep your spot warm.  ;)

A bit later in the day, I was doing the Annuminas dungeon run with some friends, and while running down a couple hallways... <WHAM> I found myself suddenly floating over Evendim!  Kinda scary actually... and annoying when there are mobs right in front of you that you can't see!  Some sort of graphic glitch I guess.

While down at the Orc Watch in Moria, said hello to Gonor.  I wasn't fast enough for a nice photo when he came and stood beside me.  Ah well.  ;)

<Snicker> Don't you love it when you get together with friends (Wargstalker, Orand, Porkchopsandwich, Presdas, Zubzubziggywiggy, Erlilda, Ilthel, Caspur, Jacbo, Missey), and decide on some really stupid things to do?  Like... "Let's see if we can <hic> outrun these <hic> really huge and pissed-off mammoths!?!"  Yeah, I think this is going to end badly...

Yes, that's right ladies (Missey & Zub)... this is OD Tier 2 Wound Wing... just don't turn around.  Seriously, you think you're freaked out now?  Just don't turn around, but RUN when I tell you to... ;)  I don't know if they were messing with their moods on their own, or if the dungeon randomizes moods on the players, but these two were hilarious to watch.  Missey's eyes were literally vibrating.  Turn off that cell phone, honey... oh, it's not a cell phone?  Sorry... O.o

A bit later in my evening, Caliath and Toa and I decided to three-man Carn Dum for some items we all needed for various quests and toons of ours.  Here we are at a boss, and Toa begins to contemplate his pull-strategy.

Then the two of them walk forward into the courtyard and the whole place empties onto them - 20+ mobs, and Toa says "Oh yea, we can do this," while I snap the screenshot...

...and about 10 seconds later I'm running over the bridge, I turn around to take another shot, they both die, and the entire crowd starts chasing after me!  I ran them all the way back to the entrance, and met Toa and Caliath on the way... suffice to say, NOT the way to clear that boss room.  :)  But fun!

A little later on, this rude talking dragon comes down, yells some profanity at us, and flies off...

...so we go hunt down his offspring!  :)  Smash a baby, smash a brother...

...and finally crush Lhugrien.

"I told you not to diss my sandwiches, Lhug."  Caliath jumps in celebration.

This is why I have learned not to ask people to "pose" for my photos... we kill our last boss of the night (some crazy bird-orc dude), and then Toa and Caliath go into these fits of "pose" attempts.  Completely uncoordinated, not in sync, and well - I think this was the best photo of the night.  Yeah, I know... boys.  ;)

Back at Bree to turn in some loot at the taxidermist (a dead hand with a bird for my house), and I bump into this beeutiful trio of performers: Tickle, Tackle, and Ghostofslane.  They were there a long time... before and after I traded in my loot.  It's almost as if someone forgot about them... ;)

THIS WEEK'S WINNER!

Congratulations to Tsering, who is this week's "victim" winner!  Your prizes will be mailed to you soon.  Everyone else, have an awesome weekend in Middle Earth everyone!  Can't wait to bump into more of you soon!

Love and hugs to all my fellow Dwarrowdelfians,

Sarharien -- Bowchick of Red and Collector of Shoes

Kierraen -- Minstrel of Delightful Octaves of Pain
Niphredila -- Warden of Gleeful Green Giggles