[EVENT] Green Dragon Friday

[Lashley93]

How long is this event on for? I may be able to make it for 9:00pm UK time?

[Linawillow]

Typically around two hours, from 8:00PM - 10:00PM UK time. Sometimes a bit shorter, sometimes a bit longer. See the first post in the thread for details.

[Duissane]

A mixed band plays for the hobbits.


The Brambleburians


The Hopping Song

[Achy]

Another wonderful evening!! Gotta love this Fridays!
Ohh I see my Ksys on one of the picuters in her worn dungarees and pink knittet scarf. (totally fail color-coordination-wise. hehe. But Ksys think she looks smashing!)
I see you all hopefully next Friday

[Keome]

Yay for more photos!

I swear I'm not drunk in that first one, I was dancing, honest! I weren't tipsy or anything. Pinky swear it! That hat I was wearing was making me lean over like that. Yeah.

[Vestrinexx]

Please remember this is a Hobbit prefered RP event.

[TwenBumblefoot]

Aye, we did sort of feel like the odd hobbit out tonight at one point

[Charlock]

Well Primmrose always feels uncomfortable when in or near a crowd of folk she doesn't know, and the more so when they are not even Hobbits. And she is reluctant to sing any of her songs against the 'competition' of foreigners who seem to be having a party of their own. When someone started letting off fireworks (again, sigh) that was the last straw and she left.
Oh, and Primmrose doesn't like to feel that she and her friends are being treated as a sort of circus act that foreigners come to see ...

[Amorey]

Well Primmrose always feels uncomfortable when in or near a crowd of folk she doesn't know, and the more so when they are not even Hobbits. And she is reluctant to sing any of her songs against the 'competition' of foreigners who seem to be having a party of their own. When someone started letting off fireworks (again, sigh) that was the last straw and she left.
Oh, and Primmrose doesn't like to feel that she and her friends are being treated as a sort of circus act that foreigners come to see ...

*Hugs Primmy and pulls a sad face*

Such a shame really ...I must say it is not only the Green Dragon having these issues , but many other places where people used to meet up and have a good time., it is sad when a hobbit like Primmrose feels the only way is to leave the event..it is sad to see people showing no respect for RP events that have been held on this servers for many years...we must be welcoming and we must be kind to all....would be nice if it was working also the other way round. Still there is some lovely people around...just look carefully, and you will find them

[Linawillow]

At the peak tonight, there were more than a dozen men + elves wandering around the Green Dragon, and there were others coming and going over the night as well.

So to repeat what has been said earlier. Big folks have never been banned outright from GDF, but it has always been pretty clear that this is a hobbits very much preferred event, with the odd dwarven visitor welcome. These guidelines were not set to be mean, or to stop people from playing the game. But for two hours each week, we try to have a lively night for hobbits, with hobbit interaction, news, stories, music, dancing, poetry and so on. This is pretty hard to do when there's a dozen big folk going on about how cute and merry hobbits are.

Players have for the most part respected the event guidelines over the last years. Keep on doing that, and all will be grand *smiles*

[Taogan]

I think that the problem is deeper than just a problem of races. Indeed it's much better when we bring a hobbit at a hobbit even, but it's not the only element :
First of all is a question of sensitivity and behavior. When you come to a place you are not used to, please take the time to watch, to feel the kind of ambiance people are building there, and whatever your race, even if you are hobbit, try to act in harmony with this ambiance.
Yesterday was a good example : a group of people who are used to behave in a certain way in a certain place, decide to visit another event (the Green Dragon Friday). they come in mass, and behave there just like if they were at home, not even trying to be attentive, to adapt to a place they don't know. This is not the right way to do it, and all you will win is the feeling to be unwelcome.
I often bring my human in the Shire, and at the Green Dragon, but i try to behave as discreetly and softly as possible, and if i see that there are too many non-hobbits, i immediatly switch to my hobbit alt. It's a question of being attentive to others, and to the ambiance you enter in. And i repeat, whatever your race. Coming with a hobbit alt doesn't mean that you don't have to be careful with your behavior...

[Jiiro]

Such a shame that tall folk seemed keen to spoil a hobbit rp event. I find it annoying when just one tall folk turns up, because in terms of being in character a tall folk would rarely infact they'd most likely never be seen at the Green Dragon, or any other inn across the shire.

A dwarf would be more likely, but again that would still be rare.

So to those who turned up 3 foot taller than the rest of the crowd *claps* Bravo, Bravo indeed, thanks for ruining a fun event. How about making an event yourself in another inn, oh wait there is such an event. Infact each race has an event, I don't take my hobbit to the elves or the dwarves, I respect there event for what it is, and if I want to go, I roll an alt so I fit in.

*mutters*

[Achy]

One thing I have been very proud of regarding Laurelin is the excellent RP-community and the respect for one and eachothers events during the years. As a person that regulary host event/support others events with music, I know how much work/effort it lies in such things, and to keep going making fun for others, one need to be motivated and one need support along the way..Is very easy to loose motivation when someone "take over" th event.

For me Lina & co is a bunch of people that is very laidback/tolerant with their style of RP, I have never seen them rejected an elf/human or some dwarfs showing up at this event sometime. Actually they have created fun moments by watching them and observing them with puzzling looks when such things has happened, the players has been welcomed anyway
But this comes down to mutual respect I think.. It really doesn't matter who comes, as long as they show a certain respect for the event itself and know that THIS is a hobbit-event.
Oh and I would recommend people to roll an hobbit! this events are fun!

EDIT:rewriting my post as it was a little harsh and I don't want to offend anyone.

[BangoTwinkletoes]

I'm going to have to hold my hand up and plead guilty to, at least in part, the invasion of the tall folk.

We had planned last night a kin event that included a stroll through the Shire and a quick stop off at the Green Dragon. I did not expect so many to attend but it was inconsiderate of me and for that I do humbly apologise. As soon as I was aware of the discomfort we pulled out and ran as fast as we could back to Bree and to the familiar surrounds of the Prancing Pony.

Rest assured this will not happen again.

Regards,

Bango.

[Linawillow]

Very gracious of yer, master Bango! Rest assured I don't think there was any ill will involved, it was simply one of those nights where it was too much and out of sync. As you say yourself, most of the big folk crowds left as soon as us locals started getting a bit vocal, so well done and don't worry too much about it afterwards *smiles and offers a biscuit*

The guidelines as outlined in the first post set the general frame for what we try to achieve. Generally, we try to avoid policing things too much at the Dragon, in order to create a free atmosphere where both newcomers and veterans are allowed to participate and enjoy themselves, and where you aren't blasted into orbit if you do "wrong" things. Last night that didn't really work, but I am sure we will be back on track soon enough!

It felt a bit strange to sing the following song last night, though. Especially the last verse *grins*

The Grand Shire Song

From the east a group of travelers came
Sixteen hundred years ago
Hobbits crossed the Brandywine
Bodies weary but their eyes aglow
Seeing the fair fields their hearts were afire
This is our land, this is the Shire

In the days of old our ancestors moved
Seeking lands both fair and free
Running from an eastern dark
Crossing the mountains, settling down in Bree
But in their hearts were a stronger desire
This is our land, this is the Shire

Rumours came of golden fields in the west
Northern kingdom hunting lands
Hobbits two set out to ask
The king gave in to their demands
Marcho and Blanco won all they desired
This is our land, this is the Shire

Hobbits, we enjoy a peaceful time
Far removed from big folk eyes
Harvesting our golden fields
Life fair and free beneath the sunny skies
The sight of our fair lands set all hearts afire
This is our land, this is the Shire

((Best sung to the tune of Corydon and Phyllis))

[Lothilia]

Well lessons learned I think! It's not the first time this hobbit event has been invaded by folks taller than they should be, and it most certainly won't be the last. The strength lies yet again in good old hobbit resolve and initiative. The guidlines are hobbit preffered, and great importance should be placed on my ancient text which states clearly ''Come as a hobbit, you will find you get MORE RP this way''. That to me speaks books, for both the hobbits in attendance, and those people who must get dizzy being over 5 feet tall.

I remember one time, those pointy ears of Vanimar stumbling upon our event, and some hobbits got their chicken feathers ruffled over it for about a min or so, until I decided to be inclusive of those strange lop eared creatures, and told them a few riddles, and played them a few songs. Of course I knew some of them in Vanimar, nice chaps to be fair, and they were very gracious, even though it was a ridiculous concept of Elves and Hobbits in a Shire Pub, we made the best of it, on both sides! I think that's key here.

If anything, hobbits should not forget that one day, these tall folks may roll hobbits and attend an-mass next week, so I would hate to hold bad feeling. Big folks, should observe and respect guidlines to a hobbit preffered event of course, but I hope dearly you attend as your shorter 'self some time, and try to fit in better.

Not that i'm in charge any more, those rascals in Grand Order do a fine job. All the best to this event, and those attending. Don't forget, todays lankershanker, could be tomorrows finest hobbit-story-teller ! x

[BangoTwinkletoes]

Thank you Lina for those kind words. I have put something in the post to you to help with next week's event

[TibbaStoutfoot]

Indeed, Master Bango, you shouldn't worry too much about it. You and your guests had the misfortune to arrive at an evening where at least three more groups with tall folk were present, and the resulting number of all these tall people was simply a bit too frightening for us hobbits. But you left as soon as you noticed our discomfort, which shows a lot of consideration. So thank you to you and your friends.


And if I may mention one thing in general to further peaceful co-existence if different groups happen to use the same place: remember when starting to play a song that you do not only have to be out of earshot of the other performer, but out of earshot of their audience as well, or the audience will hear both tunes. If you keep away twice the distance at which you cannot hear the other performer anymore, you can be sure that neither tunes nor chatting will carry from one group to the other, and that alone will make the evening a lot less stressful for everyone concerned. For example, in the Green Dragon the second fireplace would be a good place for a second group, in the middle of the room close to Barmy is not (although I can see the appeal in being close to Barmy's ale).

Apart from that, I can only concur with what has been said before: Remember that you are in the Shire, which in our times is fairly closed in and not used to visitors from out of bounds. Remember that what is perhaps a one-time visit to you who are from the race of Man or Elf (and thus may fall into the "ah, they won't mind this single visit" category for you) is not a one-time special occasion for us hobbits if each friday several of the tall folk have the same idea. So please, help us maintain the Shire as it is described in all lore. I can promise it will not diminish you, but enrich your experience.

[Loriandra1979]

remember when starting to play a song that you do not only have to be out of earshot of the other performer, but out of earshot of their audience as well, or the audience will hear both tunes. If you keep away twice the distance at which you cannot hear the other performer anymore, you can be sure that neither tunes nor chatting will carry from one group to the other

I wish everyone else would take that into consideration as well, not just in The Shire... *sigh*

(sorry, off-topic)

[Grymrock]

Wise words, wise words indeed.

I myself feel a bit out of place at the Green Dragon as being a dwarf and all. I hope I can continue to visit
though, cause my hobbit-alt have no clue about whats up and down on a lute...and for singing... *shivers by the thought*.
The Green Dragon is also 'the' place to be when it comes to new tales and songs, and everyone know that that is the bread and butter for a bard. Hope I do not offend to many by listening in, and maybe perform a little tune or two with the rest of the lads in 'The Chosen Few'.

Grymrock Grey


- The Chosen Few-
-- Order of the Divine Brew --

[Charlock]

I'm sure no-hobbit minds a few dwarves and lankies, providing they join in the fun, and don't just look on it as a spectacle, or have their own impromptu parties that disturb us hobbits! It is in fact a pleasure to see Grymrock and others joining in the music-making .... and didn't I see him hopping during the hopping song the other week?

[Grymrock]

aye, but would prefer that fact to remain in the shire though...*looks around a little worried*
[low] I even know how to dance a little hobbit'ish..*ssshh!*

[Aegohl]

I wouldn't have come but that I was invited by a hobbit friend of my character who was nervous about attending his first Green Dragon event, as he was planning to play there. I explained that I had crashed the party once before and regretted it because while I felt uncomfortable at the event and left quickly, a kinsmen of mine stayed even after some hobbit players had talked him down both IC and OOC. He insisted several times and finally mentioned that there was plenty of tall folks present already, so I wouldn't be out of place.

The first time I attended I was new to the server and I personally feel now that I was disruptive then and I hope that everyone's forgotten about it and forgiven me. Although, in general, the reaction of many of the hobbits that I received was not altogether negative, I realize now that I was exacerbating an already-existing problem only by being there.

This second time that I was pushed into attending, I tried my best to focus all of my rp on my hobbit friend and on the activities of the hobbits, to be an accessory to what was going on rather than any sort of integral part to it. I found myself in conflict with the tall folk there, as I would politely ask them to step aside so the shorter folks could see.

Finally came the point where a verbal scuffle broke out between a couple tall ladies and a hobbit. I don't altogether know what caused it. I think I heard something about the tall person being angry because she wasn't invited up to say her poem. Really I don't care if she was Emily Dickenson, let the hobbits have their fun if you must watch. I attempted, IC, to break up the fight and scolded the lady for being a bad guest, and I felt the same sentiment out of character.

A hobbit shouted something along the lines of "why don't you go back to the Pony!" and I felt that that was aimed as much at me as it was the people perpetuating the argument, so I made a point of leaving once I knew the two women who caused the trouble were gone.

I won't come back on a Green Dragon night again, no matter if I'm asked to or not. And while I sympathize with the angry hobbit players, I also offer a word of advice. No matter how much you poke and prod LOTRO, LOTRO is not going to be the books by Tolkien in interactive format. Some things you have to accept with a sigh and get a cup of tea.

We, in Bree, experience the same issue with elves and dwarves and hobbits invading our personal spaces, if anything moreso than any others. I appreciate that the hobbits have worked hard to create a depth of rp unattainable anywhere else on the map, and really you all deserve a big clap on the back for your songs and poems and stories, because every time I see you all I wish I had a hobbit character, I really do. But we also have to face facts that we're in a video game and people are moving over the whole of the map, no matter how unrealistic it is, collecting, turning in quests, turning in mathoms, and we're going to invade eachother's space no matter if we mean well or not.

If anything, use your superior (and it is superior, that's me being honest) rp to scare away the intruders. Regard them with suspicion. Tar and feather them for causing a menace. I would appreciate so much more that you mistreat me in-character than complain about me on the boards, because frankly you don't know me or what my motivation was.

In any case, I hope to see all of you ingame soon doing what you do best, even if I won't be at the Dragon anymore.

Mitch,
Player of Fabien Loeher

[TibbaStoutfoot]

Hullo Master Fabien,

I remember the evening you were at the Dragon with a few of your kin. Military men you were all, if I remember correctly. I also remember that out of the fifteen or twenty hobbits that were there, one was being unkind to your group at the start of the evening and made one of you leave in anger (that would have been you, I suppose). Since you left, you could not see that the hobbit in question was immediately chided by another hobbit in front of your remaining group. It was explained to him that tall folk are made welcome in the Dragon as long as they behave well.

Now I have visited every friday evening since I arrived in the Westfarthing a year ago, and I can only agree with that: always were travellers who chanced upon us been made welcome if they displayed good manners. Such it has been during the whole last year and I have no reason to believe it was any different in the years before (and young hobbits might do well to remember that). So please, Master Fabien, do not think that anyone voiced a complaint about chance travellers, for they did not. Also nobody voiced a complaint about you who are merely accompaning a hobbit friend from Bree or Staddle. Such things are easily explained, and you are of course welcomed.

The last friday evening was a singular occurrence which probably does not even merit all the excitement it has stirred up. Four groups independently decided to come during our two hour gathering which is held only once a week. The chances of such a thing are low, I for one have never seen it before, and perhaps it would have been best not even to mention it, but it did cause the evening to be less enjoyable than normally for many hobbits who come to the Green Dragon regularily, and it pains me to see that, as it is the work of these regulars which makes the evenings so special. Seeing as I for one am always looking forward to these two hours for the whole week, I can understand that some were so disappointed that they had to voice that. Now that it has been mentioned, I have seen others write some very good and insightful advice that applies to special gatherings in general, so at least some good did come from the whole issue and I am glad for that.

[Amorey]

Fabien,

The hobbit the shouted "why don't you go back to the Pony!" should be a bit ashamed and I am quite sure was scolded by other hobbits. This is not how we do things in the Shire. If I feel uncomfortable when tall folk visit I will find a little excuse and leave :

" Oh I just remembered I have a pie baking in the oven, please excuse me...I have to go. Goddbye! "

There is no need to be unkind or unwelcoming...especially in the Shire

I understand how you feel but it does sadden me to read you will not go back to the Green Dragon Friday. It is sad when anyone on the server feels not welcome and decide not to take parts to events *sigh* . The Shire is a a lovely part of Middle-earth....every day is a 'happy day' there. Some hobbits will be a bit scared and curios about tall folk, some will hide away, others could even sound a bit unwelcoming but the those that do that do not represent the majority of the hobbit community on Laurelin which is wonderful. We all know LOTRO is a game...and yes, we are all gamers...but to many on this server especially Tolkien's legendarium is very important. We try to follow the lore as it add to our immersion and game experience.

You write that in Bree you ( tall folk ) have the same issue. I would not agree with that and I shall explain why... I am a hobbit, all my characters are. I am often in Bree and at the Pony and I feel very welcome there. I play music for my tall friends and I never ever felt I was in the wrong place. I was there last night and I had a lovely time with my tall friends. As a hobbit in Bree I respect the tall folk RP , and never ever invade their personal space. Bree as Bywater is open to all players of all races...tall or short and as long as everyone behave nicely ...everyone is welcome. I really think you should try to create a hobbit and enjoy the warmth and happiness of the Shire...this could be a wonderful new project for you, try...give it a go ...we have pies

There is no such thing as 'superior RP' in the Shire...hobbits will be hobbits, as I said, some are just a bit shy and scared of tall folk. The hobbit community of Laurelin is lovely and welcoming and no one should feel unwelcome or unwanted. It may not always be perfect, but that is because the community is 'real' and as in real life, sometime there can be some problems and little issues that we will try to solve. Green Dragon Friday is a wonderful long running hobbit event which has some guidelines so that everyone taking part can enjoy and have a great time and if those guidelines are followed by all Green Dragon Friday is an amazing RP experience for short, medium, and tall folk