ALES & TALES (every Monday!)

[Harperelle]

What about elves?

The knowledge of elves has nearly passed out of memory from Combe. Should some show up, I'm sure arrangements could be made.

--Harperella

[Valaraen]

The knowledge of elves has nearly passed out of memory from Combe. Should some show up, I'm sure arrangements could be made.

--Harperella

I know one who may show up. Possibly with a human escort. You know, so they don't get too freaked out.

[Harperelle]

We had a wonderful time in Combe this week at the Comb and Wattle:



The festivities were well attended by such notables as:
Adalmina, Aerothor, Algrogo, Araduna, Astleigh, Blomst, Briffo, Conlann, Diamiond, Dovie, Erarl, Ethanrel, Fansalwe, Filidor, Grayhawke, Gurim, Harperella, Hartigen, Hoedown, Javelarry, Jondaire, Kaleigh, Keptwise, Kerdeth, Lyonardo, Mavelle, Merrydew, Miromenel, Olalie, Ruthelia, Sanilea, Sidri, Sledged, Sweetbroom, Tamirien, Taylehn, Valaraein, Vivienna, and Whispe!

Dovie started us off with two self-accompanied songs of incredible beauty and complexity. The lyrics matched the melody to a tee. Certainly an amazing way to start off our evenings activities. Keptwise, Diamiond, Astleigh, Filidor and Briffo provided foot tapping tunes for dancing throughout the night.

Adalmina told a lovely poem story of a maid whose heart is not for sale. Conlann gave us the tale of a tree, a bucket and a mouse and a house. And Merrydew entertained us with a chicken dance song. And chickens were in good attendance! Though they seemed crowded out of the space.


Finally, we burst out into the night for some final music and dancing!


The locals were kept up well into the night by our merriment, I'm sure!


You can read all about it here:

Ales and Tales Transcript

See us next week at the Mathom Society!

[HeyDoMerryDew]

Hi All...

I hope you took pictures. I tried coming by but in spite of collecting every gift mathom I could find I was 1800 short of getting in the door.

See you all next week.

Merrydew

[Harperelle]

So sorry to hear this, Merrydew! Next week will be a bit of a challenge as well, we are holding Ales and Tales at Ost Forod. I know that there will be a Bounder expedition from Oatbarton for those who need some assistance in travelling through this rough area.

--Harperella

P.S. If you are worried about gaining experience, make your fellowship a raid. I believe that negates all mob XP.

[Harperelle]

This week's Ales and Tales was held at the Mathom House in Michel Delving. The Mathom Society was nice enough to lay out a spread of snacks and food for our crew. Sadly, no drinks were provided, but Omsi the Dwarf of The Lonely Mountain Band was kind enough to bring a pack full of ales. After eating our fill (not speaking for hobbits) and admiring the mathoms (not speaking for dwarves) we retired to the upstairs, which had been prepared for our festivities.

In attendance were:

Alditha, Algrogo, Araduna, Ashenwoods, Blomst, Diamiond, Eldalin, Falibrand, Grayhawke, Harperella, Javelarry, Jessiah, Kaleigh, Keptwise, Lucilla, Lyonardo, Meadowlarke, Mymir, Omsi, Sophronia, Tarnorili, Tegwen, Tinki and Valaraein.



Ashenwoods, Diamiond, Keptwise, Omsi, and Sophronia kept us entertained with graceful tunes throughout the evening. The music was really exquisite, and well themed for this day after Valentines. Valaraein learned to play the harp and proved herself an apt student as she played us some music that some called a mode of Depeche.





We had some great tales told this eve. There was Falibrand with a tale of his uncle and a staring contest with a very tenacious bear. Lyonardo told us a the secret behind the note of affection he had been carrying around (you'll have to ask him if you want the secret!) And we were pleased to have Tegwen share a poem of Moria for us. Truly she is a Battlemaiden in another land.



As always, our audience was nearly as entertaining as the tale-spinners. Whether it was Javelarry's wooing of big women, Alditha's fierce pet turtle, or the great shire accents heard around the room, the room was always hopping. You can read about it all here:

Ales and Tales Transcript

[HeyDoMerryDew]

The meeting last night looked like a heap o' fun! Perhaps next time...

Ost Forod is no problem, I think I may already have the stable there. I have a tendency to 'plan ahead' when it comes to stables.

[Greenhand]

Next week will be a bit of a challenge as well, we are holding Ales and Tales at Ost Forod.

Higher level hunters could provide shuttle service from Michel Delving, Bree, or Thorin's Gate to Tinnudir. A high level captain could also summon people directly to Ost Forod.

[Valaraen]

Lightning, Alditha's attack turtle



Music for the Masses!



Poems from the Mines of Moria



A last song and a few drinks before heading to Bree to aid in the Defence of the Prancing Pony...

[Harperelle]

Another wonderful Ales and Tales, held this time in Ost Forod...



Many were in attendance, including: Alditha, Algrogo, Arachas, Araduna, Ashenwoods, Astleigh, Dagodor, Dill, Drathoros, Eija, Eornwyn, Fionnuala, Fornwyn, Giluil, Grayhawke, Harperella, Hartigen, Ithmadrae, Javelarry, Jolfhedir, Kaleigh, Keptwise, Melissende, Merrydew, Mynastari, Omsi, Penairas, Sidri, Sophronia, Tarnorili, Tinki, Valaraein

We began with a short introduction and tune by Harperella of the Lonely Mountain Band. Harperella also shared the sad tale of Smeagol and Deagol and a treacherous treasure. Diamiond followed with a poem about a Captian of Gondor, which was quite well received. Keptwise, Ashenwoods, Omsi, and Sophronia provided us with wonderful dance tunes throughout the evening. Fionnuala also gave us a wonderful tune from the elven regions.




There were so few gents dancing though! So they were asked to line up nicely in a line for an impromptu Lady's Choice. Sadly for one dwarf, there were more gents than ladies for this particular game. We switched it up with Gent's Choice on the next tune though.



Omsi led us in a merry game of Taunt the Troll, where participants tried to one-up each other with ever greater insults. Also, I had the distinct honor of announcing the engagement of Ithmadrae and Melissende.

All in all, `twas a wonderful night of dancing, drinking, and song. A potentially dangerous combination on this high ledge. We lost more than a few to leg injuries before the night was out.

See you all next week. Ales and Tales location to be announced.

--Harperella

[Harperelle]

This week we will be back in the Shire at Woodhall. The hobbits in that part say that Woodhall is the finest town in all the shire. Of course, they say that and keep the doors to their holes firmly shut. If we come by day, then meet in Woodhall. If by night, we'll be kind to our hobbit neighbors and move our festivities to the abandoned elf-camp just above the town.

--Harperella

[Dago_Red]

This week we will be back in the Shire at Woodhall.

--Harperella

*claps* An' good plan too! Many a fine time has been had at Woodhall an' up above in the wood at the abandoned Elf camp too. Why, sometimes theys even been Elf's there! *looks at the Tirn En Taur*


(Make sure you log in early, there's another game/book update being spammed out monday and you know they sometimes take a while to DL)

[Zopar]

Gee, I think I might give this Ales & Tales thing a whirl. Do I need any rep to enter woodhall?

Z

*edit* Ok, der, I remember where it is now, lol...

[Laurefinde]

I wish there would be a list of places and dates where Ales and Tales will be held way in advance. I find Monday rolls around and I have to do some fast studying of the forums to see if I can decipher where the one that night will be located.

Can you post a list? That way I can put the information on my kinships website and more of us can attend without it being a last minute rush.

[Harperelle]

I wish there would be a list of places and dates where Ales and Tales will be held way in advance. I find Monday rolls around and I have to do some fast studying of the forums to see if I can decipher where the one that night will be located.

Can you post a list? That way I can put the information on my kinships website and more of us can attend without it being a last minute rush.

Your comment is timely indeed. I made a very embarrassing mistake recently of booking a location and then not showing up. (many many apologies, Dovie!) Also, for locations such as the Mathom Society that require rep, it would be nice if players had a good heads up to build up the required reputation.

So in that vein, I've created a lorebook page!

Ales and Tales

The last part is a calendar that you can refer to in the future. Currently its mostly empty, but that should change as I nail down more dates. Best of all, you can get to it in-game!

--Harperella

[Harperelle]

Ales and Tales had its biggest turnout ever at Woodhall. In attendance were:
Alditha, Algrogo, Araduna, Ashenwoods, Astleigh, Beansidhe, Beldorn, Blomst, Briffo, Butterfeet, Caedwulf, Daffodillia, Diamiond, Dovie, Draedin, Eija, Eikh, Emmalline, Goldenstar, Grayhawke, Harperella, Hoedown, Javelarry, Jolfhedir, Kaleigh, Keptwise, Laerwend, Leeta, Lucillia, Lully, Lyonardo, Meadowlarke, Melanie, Merrydew, Mikill, Mymir, Naerrin, Nokodoc, Padfast, Peren, Periadoc, Reddhawke, Sanavorn, Serenyalen, Squiggo, Taterbug, Tinki, Trinney, Valaraein, Veneration, and Witred

We began before light broke in an abandoned elf-camp. Its a lovely hidden little nook under the boughs of a giant oak tree. You can spy through the leaves down on the sleeping hobbits below. As dawn began to break, The Bounders of the Shire came and let us know that it would be ok to begin our festivities in the village squre down in Woodhall. The hobbits wake early in this part of Middle Earth it seems.

Jolfhedir and Butterfeet treated us to a brace of lively tunes up on a rock bordering the town commons. As the light grew stronger, we moved to the front of the wooden structure that functions as Town Hole here in Woodhall. Dovie had a lovely little story and rhyme to keep us entertained and leave us hungering for Pie!



Soon the band struck up some dance tunes and we were on our feet as Ashenwoods, Blomst, Diamiond, Keptwise, Lyonardo and Witred played us a number foot tapping rhythms!



We danced line dances, circle dances, and even had a ladies choice partner dance. Truly this was a well coordinated group of dancers!



Laerwend entertained us with daring stories of storming the Great Barrows of Othrogronth. And Valaraein shared the story of Alditha and her turtle Lightning. All set to delightful harp music. Lightning the turtle was once again a great source of entertainment, alternately terrifying and captivating the assembled hobbits. In fact, it seemed a very different Ales and Tales was occuring in the minds of some of the participants...



Of course that could have something to do with the many drinks that were flowing freely amongst the crowd. Everyone was quite merry with Old Winyards and Blackberry Ale in their bellies.

Thank you all who found the time to attend, and a special welcome to the newcomers and the many from other servers. Especially exciting was the live webcast by Veneration via theLOTRONetwork.com. You can see the whole event on that site under "Live streaming" then "Video on Demand". You may want to skip the first 5 minutes or so while the bugs were getting worked out. You get a good idea of what the event is all about though.

Next week we will be holding our festivities on the Scholar's Walk in Bree. There's a lovely view and a good space for dancing and music.

--Harperella

[morrowbreeze]

I was the barkeep that nite. And after confirmation from the vendor, I passed out 180 plus drinks to thirsty patrons! Indeed it was a very big event!

[Dago_Red]

I hauled a entire case o' Old Winyards from the Burd with a troupe who left from there. Ye was with Tinki!

It was a pretty nice time Harp!

Even though someone was blindingly missing....

[Harperelle]

Don't forget--we're at the Scholar's Walk in Bree at 1030 EST (Evendim Standard Time).

Of course you'd already know that if you looked at the lorebook entry.

--Harperella

[Harperelle]

Ales and Tales was in Bree up upon the Scholar's Walk...



It was a wonderful turnout of adventurers, including:

Algrogo, Alifirin, Ashenwoods, Astleigh, Baranion, Calaeriel, Calemiron, Dagodor, Diamiond, Eija, Emmalline, Finhl, Giluil, Gonzalez, Halheronnas, Halina, Harperella, Hartigen, Javelarry, Kaleigh, Keptwise, Khelgrum, Lyonardo, Meadowlarke, Nizno, Nokodoc, Peppino, Sanavorn, Sophronia, S****ian, Tarnorili, Thrandirhad, Valaraein

Halina started us off with some beautiful music while the crowd gathered. Ashenwoods did her best to distribute her 367 ales. She wasn't successful and tried to dispose of the evidence at the end of the night in her belly. It didn't work...

Lyonardo had a rustic poem from the Shire that brought the life of a bounder alive to the breelanders assembled. Algrogo, Astleigh, Diamiond, Javelarry, and Sophronia kept our feet moving with a number of spritely dance tunes. Valaraein brought another tune in the mode of Depeche, and Halina reprised us with a tale and tune. Finhl and Calemiron made their Ales and Tales debut with a duo tune of great beauty. Though by this time, the dwarves were bristling at the number of hauntingly beautiful elven tunes in the air. So Eija, S****ian, and Khelgrum took the stage to inform us about the upcoming struggles of the Frosthammer dwarves in their Axes of the Dwarves RP event coming in the summer.



We must have been making quite a racket, for we brought the attention of the local authorities, Arion and Idarwen. Perhaps they just wanted to make sure that the Blackwolds were not running any scams amongst the crowd.

We continued to dance and sing into the evening as the sun began to set.



But twas a long road back to the Shire for many of our number. Kaleigh, Tarnorili, Harperella, Valaraein, and Finhl decided to walk back to Tuckborough with Algrogo. It seems there was some trouble in the Greater Smials. We did take care of the troubles, but the hobbits were none too happy with our late arrival. As we looked around at the blackened lawns and burning pyres, Valaraein still was looking on the bright side...



Thanks to all for making this another great success! We'll see you next week in Frogmorton in the Floating Log.


--Harperella

[Valaraen]

S****ian,

Reeeeally?! Why on earth would his user name be ****'d out?

We did take care of the troubles, but the hobbits were none too happy with our late arrival. As we looked around at the blackened lawns and burning pyres, Valaraein still was looking on the bright side...

Indeed, they could use some new... uh... planters. And lawns. And maybe paint on the hobbit holes. And who doesn't love a roaring bonfire?! Mmm, marshmallows.

See? Silver lining, people!

My pictures will be up later

[Fickle]

I had fun at my first Ales & Tales, although I had to leave early (I even pulled the log in plain site vanishing trick).

[Harperelle]

Reeeeally?! Why on earth would his user name be ****'d out?

Methinks this might be a dev in disguise... I didn't ****** anything... But ssssh! Or you might be next!

--Harperella

[Fickle]

Methinks this might be a dev in disguise... I didn't ****** anything... But ssssh! Or you might be next!

--Harperella

The name is S****ian ... S.t.a.r.d.ian...the filter is picking up on part of it that is often used as a term of endearment in some circles.

[Alditha]

Sounds like you had fun! I myself was much too braindead to attend last night, but I hope to be back next week! Those Bounders haven't rid themselves of the "turdle" quite yet.