#eldor returns

[rotten-games]

(This might end up excluding all the elves & infernals since they’re like 100+ & I apologize to them profusely 😭) Before the involvement of any MC personality dependent variables, how would the LIs have treated/felt about baby QS if they had been born in Blackhearth or for the ones whose birthplace are important to who they are if the QS showed up there instead of Blackhearth?

For the sake of the answer I WILL include the older/immortal LIs but I won't be including Ettia or Gwyn because, y'know.

It just means, theoretically, the timeline of events would be brought backwards in time.

Ardwen: He was born in Eldor, it's pretty important to his story. If little Queenslayer were an elf they would have made it to the treetop city just fine, however, any other race would either find them lost or dead if not found in due time. Truthfully, Ardwen being the boy he is, and having left Eldor at a young age, they probably only would have met after he returned as a pre-teen/young teen.

BUT assuming all of this takes place, I imagine depending on QS' demeanor he'd range anywhere from annoyingly curious to actively interested at first. Though whether he would act on that is another matter entirely.

Arke: If MC showed up in Orfan, I like to imagine they'd find themselves a fast friend. Arke's home town wasn't like Blackhearth; perhaps because it was often visited by outsiders (after all, it actually had a road that led all the way to Terix). Of course, QS in this case would probably end up a ward of the Church which might have given them a better idea of who they are.

I suppose, the main question is what would have happened to them after Orfan's fall. I like to think they would have gotten out together which may have given them an easier time in Blackhearth.

Bex: Bex, like his sister, would have been an outcast in Blackhearth so he may have sought out QS actively until they trusted him enough to call him friend.

Calyssa: Cal was nothing if not a good girl in childhood. If the town decided QS was an Illfate then surely they must be right, regardless of her own thoughts on the matter. Later, as a teenager, she might have approached the lone child, she might have even offered them a treat as a sign of trust... but she might not have trusted QS herself for quite some time. And this is despite Wolfe being the type of person she might even compare to her own parents.

Druvel: Where Druvel grew up IS important to his character but for the sake of ease I'll plop him into Blackhearth. He would also be an outcast and he WOULD be friends with QS whether they wanted it or not. :)

Emil: I daresay if QS showed up in Terix they would have simply... disappeared and Emil never would have met them. He was very sheltered as a child and didn't think to sneak out. I'd put him into Blackhearth but it's kiiiinda hard to separate Emil from the Crown.

Herron: Herron lived in a village much like Blackhearth; superstitious, isolated, and paranoid so perhaps not too differently. Herron would be curious, always curious, but he probably wouldn't approach baby mc for some time. Partially because of fear of his father, partially for fear of isolation from everyone else. As teenagers, he might just take that step.

Keller: Again, difficult to separate her from her place of home. It also isn't something you would just be able to stumble onto so, like. All I can really say is they probably wouldn't meet.

Korrin: Though they were only chosen as Oracle later in life, Korrin... always held knowledge they shouldn't. Besides that, QS would simply... interest them so you'd have a hard time keeping even baby Korrin away.

Lokeira: Honestly if Lokeira were living in Blackhearth he would not be very welcomed there. He also probably wouldn't approach QS in case that made the bullying worse.

Necrolym: Necrolym is a friendly guy. He also like to pretend he's oblivious to get his way. Having learned that from a young age he'd probably use that to his advantage to get to know the strange child suddenly in Blackhearth. H's also endlessly curious.

Nox: Again, like her brother she'd be an outcast (for different reasons) but she wouldn't actively seek out friendship. It's just not the way she functions.

Qora: She was already a strange one in her village, though in Blackhearth it wouldn't be quite enough to earn her ire. Daughter to a single father and a mother long since gone, she has always been isolated. It would take QS actively seeking her friendship to actually take.

Spotter: They didn't have a lot of friends growing up, mainly due to caring for an ailing mother. No, they were much too busy, too much of the time to even think about it. Knowing them, they'd wonder about the strange child, not realising who it was who sat on the crown when they eventually made it to Terix.

Severa: Can't really separate her from her past either, and if I said anything on that we'd have [SPOILERS]. So, uhhh, you probably wouldn't meet.

[westandwithpalestine]

There are Israelis who are genuinely antizionist, but they're few. It's not comparable the the US. If you actually go onto the Reuters article, these are the quotes from the protestors:

"I'm here today to support a deal now, yesterday," said Natalie Eldor. "We need to bring them back. We need to bring all the hostages back, the live ones, the dead ones. We got to bring them back. We got to switch this government. This has got to end."

"Everyone must be returned. We will not abandon them as the Jews were abandoned during the Holocaust," said Hanna Cohen

"The only thing that keeps us going is the hope that Bar is alive and surviving," said Ora Rubinstein

They're not worried about Gazans but about the hostages.

Were there abolitionists in the South? Yes. But slavery was also driven by the people of the South, and the reason it lasted so long is because those people were the majority, and they clung to it, they created and upheld the laws that made it so. You can't extract Israeli society from its government or pretend Palestinian oppression isn't deeply ingrained in it.

[clarenecessities]

3, 9, 19 !

3. What’s your favorite fic that you’ve written?

Perfect, probably. I was really pleased with how it all came together, and I think I got some good emotional notes in there! And certainly some good puns >:3

9. Do you write every day? If you wrote today, share a sentence of what you’ve written!

I dooooo... but a lot of it is nonfiction. Notes, essays, so on. I'm what you'd call hashtag addicted to research. Thing I've been working on this week is a weird in-between, though. I've been summarizing the Classics timeline in case people want to know the gist of shit without reading five billion bios about characters that don't matter. Here:

(Alternative: He-Ro died here, and in his grief���) Eldor sank the Three Towers into the earth until the "great kings" returned, "and the past and future would need to intertwine", then took the Book and fucked off for five thousand years.

He-Ro either died before Castle Grayskull was built and partially caused the First Ultimate Battleground, or he died during the First Ultimate Battleground, after the dissolution of the Treaty of the Three Towers, which makes slightly more sense because how would he be able to send Evil-Lyn 5000 years in the future otherwise? But like when was the dang Castle built then?

19. Give us a small teaser from one of your WIPs.

Well, only one of them has anything resembling a teaser, though I've been trying to keep this one under wraps since it's taken me on like 15 different research tangents already... Ah, whatever. Teaser below the cut but don't expect the thing to be published any time soon, I'm highly distractable:

Cyra had known that she and her brother were capable of time travel for as long as she could remember. It was just part of the magical nonsense inherent to being She-Ra’s kids. What she hadn't known was how to actually replicate their infanthood misadventure, or that it was possible to do so by accident. Stranded in the past with no idea how to get home, Cyra tries to improve her mothers’ childhood without getting caught (or brainwashed) by Shadow Weaver, who’s far too interested in her potential.  Adam just wanted to horse around and irritate his sister. Now everyone’s freaking out, the contingency plan they worked out with Entrapta won’t turn on, and he’s getting a little bored. Jumping into the past after Cyra probably wasn’t the best plan, but he’s sure the members of the first Alliance can help!

[emperorsfoot]

Classics-Line Mini-Comics, a Summary and Explanation: Issue # 2: "He-Ro Unleashed" 

The follow-up to "the Legend Begins". Unlike "the Legend Begins" this one is not a remake of a Vintage comic because no Vintage follow up to the 1987 "the Legend Begins" was ever made. This is all new content with a never-before-seen story! ...that picks up where the before-seen story leaves off.

Adam is still in the past and still in disguise as "the Stranger", and he's still going around doing good deeds and helping people until he finds what he came to the past to fine.

Here he is protecting a Gar settlement from a villain from the Preternia Era:

Note the Gar warriors are all dressed as Sy-Klone, cementing Sy-Klone as a Gar, not a human in this continuity.

Another important character in this continuity is Gar, so the mention of the Gar people (and their suffering) was not just some casual random encounter they threw in the demonstrate Adam's nobility (although it does also serve that purpose). The decision to include the Gar in the second issue of this run of the comics was planned.

Adam saving the Gar is the noble act that proves the good of his character and, after having been watching Adam from concealment for some time, Ro Littlegray (henceforth referred to as "He-Ro") reveals himself to Adam.

And the first thing He-Ro does is bring Adam to meet King Grayskull and the rest of the Masters of the Universe of their time.

Adam joins the Masters in their battles on two fronts against the Snakemen and the Horde. (And Skeletor is also there.)

During the battle, Hordak proudly brandishes the tablet containing the Spell of Separation.

It is not explicitly explained in the comic, this is one of the things the audience just has to know, but the Spell of Separation is the thing that broke up the Preternia Continent and divided the planet into the Light Hemisphere and the Dark Hemisphere.

Upon seeing the tablet of Separation, Adam decides that's the thing he came to the past to find. The Spell of Separation is the key to defeating the Snakemen in his present.

Then a bunch of climactic things happen in quick succession.

Adam sees Skeletor among the battle and charges off to grapple with his arch nemesis.

Hordak kills He-Ro; and Grayskull and He-Ro have a very tender and heartfelt "goodbye" scene as He-Ro laying dying in Grayskull's arms.

Grayskull uses He-Ro's power sword and goes berserk on Hordak and chops off Hordak's arm

Eldor begins to sink the Three Towers.

Hordak retreats, maimed and defeated.

After He-Ro's funeral, Teela uses the power of Central Tower that once again stands in her and Adam's present to open a time portal for Adam to return to her, now that he knows what they need to defeat the Snakemen (and their other enemies, although no one actually made mention of them).

Also, this frame will be explained later:

Explanation:

Since this is a follow-up to the previous issue, hopefully it needs less of an explanation. I feel most of the things that need explaining are details that will be explained as the comics progress. But, the Classics-Line comics can also feel more like an "abridged" version of a much larger series.

According to a comic from the Vintage line, Hordak actually built Central Tower. Because of this, he claims ownership of it. Viper Tower is attached to Snake Mountain and under the control of the Snakemen. Grayskull Tower is next to Castle Grayskull and under the protection of the Green Goddess and King Grayskull. The Three Towers are supposed to balance all the positive and negative magic on Eternia. With Grayskull Tower being the pole for all the positive energies, Viper Tower the pole for all the negative energies, and Central Tower is the fulcrum between.

The Three Towers were sunk when Eldor decided that the pursuit of power was the source of all the wars on Eternia. This comic is the first time that event is actually depicted.

You can read "He-Ro Unleashed" here:

[tinygamertris]

You'd find Eldore in the Temple of Nald'Thal in Ul'dah, in the back half where the Thaumaturge's Guild does most of it's work. His quest, if he had one, would be him asking you to go look for a trainee Thaumaturge who hasn't returned from a task that took them outside the city. Likely it's nothing, but he does worry...

6/3/24

If your wol(oc) was an NPC, where would you find them? Do they give a quest?

[lemaistrechat]

Preternia

How would you outline Masters of the Universe’s “Preternia” era?

For me, it’s important that the Three Towers be there, as they always were until Revelation said they only exist in Heaven.

Central Tower would be built by Noah, his student Hordak (with a softer head design than is-that-metal-or-your-bare-skull, matching whatever his skin color was) and a Cat folk architect.

I haven’t figured out if there would be a King Grayskull that Grayskull Tower was named after, or if such a person only comes along later and it has to be named after something else.

There would be a team of heroes, led by He-Ro and including Hordak.

His mentor Eldor would fill a mentor role rather than one of the main hero slots. Eldor would bring He-Ro, who was raised as a primitive tribesman, to the Hall of Wisdom, the pole that balances King Hiss’ fortress.

(The Powers of Grayskull style guide says that Gray/He-Ro was raised by Eldor and the tribal chieftess Sharella. Perhaps she could be his big sister and they lost their parents to the Snake Men, for motivation.)

The first story arc would end with the Snake Men conflict becoming so hopeless that they combine their magic to sink the Three Towers into a fault in the ground to keep King Hiss from using their combined power.

In the next arc, King Hiss accumulates enough power to still come close to winning the war. The team casts another ritual spell, creating a portal to a timeless dimension under Snake Mountain, sucking the evil Snake Men in, at the cost of Eldor’s life. Many Snake Men remain, and they have to decide how to treat their defeated enemies. Hordak and Sharella are the most sympathetic to them, but the others vote that they be denied self-determination.

Hordak leaves his seat on the ruling Council to hole up in his laboratory. As the mortal son of the demon Seferus Kur and an Eternian witch, he envies his evil paternal relatives their immortality and make an evil artifact so that when he dies, he can cheat death as a lich. With no fear of death, he re-emerges and rallies the Snake Men to fight their “good” rulers. He dies, but that doesn’t stop him. The undead Hordak goes as far as reducing the Hall of Wisdom to rubble. Yet the Snake Men eventually suffer a third and final defeat, whereupon some of them flee Eternia through a magic portal.

To protect Eternia against the return of Hordak and forces greater than him, He-Ro and the other four Good Wizards of the Council prepare to make the ULTIMATE SACRIFICE! The wizard Keclar crafts two magic swords to be used by future champions from a chunk of metal from Heaven. The five tell the remaining Snake Men, who will come to be known as Reptons, to elect themselves a peaceful leader. Then the wizards stand at the site of the obliterated Hall of Wisdom and transform themselves into Castle Grayskull. The protege of one, Veena Grayskull, becomes the first Sorceress to guard it.

[whatdoesshedotothem]

Tuesday 16 January 1838

8 ¾

11 55

very fine clear hard frosty morning F26° at 8 ¾ am sun shining now at 9 ¾ breakfast but A- had Mr. Hartley whom Edward had 1st shewed into the north parlour and then into the breakfast room to us thinking him perhaps an acquaintance of A-‘s! came about a power loom shed which ended in a building 3 stories high 22 yards x 11 for which H- would pay A- 7 ½ pc.! A- would give no answer at present but would not build for less than 10 p.c. – H- a constitutional whig – answer to be returned thro’ Mr. Parker – I would not have the gentleman at any price to swell the majority of Messrs. Protheroe and Wood – breakfast and sat talking a little – then read a few pages Rae Wilson – then had Hemingway (Abraham) of Southowram – nothing to be done about a road at present – Mrs. Thompson cannot sell ground – entailed upon her youngest son – wants A.H. to pay an acknowledgement to her for the road he now uses – yes! but she must pay ditto for using the road thro’ my Southowram land – the wood adjoining mine entailed – cannot be sold – all very well – but A.H. wanted leave to fell and ash tree (4 or 5ft. of wood in it) to make a little ground and get the old [stone] out of the old wall race to help to do up the damage the flood did in the brook – then with A- at luncheon an d till after 1 – then read a few pages forwards to p.313 – A- starved with the cold and poorly – off to Cliff hill a little before 2 and back at 4 – from 2 to 4 wrote to Lady S. de R- and Lady Stuart then near an hour with A- got her hot wine and water and biscuit and made her lie down on the sofa in the north parlour and a little sleep refreshed her – from a little before 5 to 6 wrote 3 pages to M- chitchat – received her letter on the 3rd instant so no reproach could lay at my door for delay in writing – begrudged the journeys she would be obliged to take to Leamington merely on account of the Victoria school there – better go to the Rhine next summer (see both sides) – a month would take them to Geneva and Mt. Blanc and back and she and Mrs. Milne would do it for £60 if they liked – for my own part afraid of growing to the place here – began to think of Daphne sprouting into laurel-life – M- if she came would find us here ‘sometime hence’ – feared we could not get off ‘very immediately’ – blotted quite out do as to be illegible (at A-‘s suggestion) the 8 or ten weeks I had written that we should be here – chitchat to Lady S. de R- mention architect and clerk of the works being confined to their bed each 3 weeks and only slowly convalescent could get nothing settled and it would be too imprudent to be far away till myself had seen all outstanding accounts settled – said this also to lady S- and that I had awaked from my dream of spending next Easter at Rome – ask Lady S. de R- if she had seen Bernards’ book on the constitution – ‘not fit for every eye, and for on elective monarchy and state-religion he seems a visionary – a madman – but he is strong and clever against democracy – a person like Lady Stuart de Rothesay or such as she has taught me to believe Lady Hardwicke might read this book, cull out the good, and be interested and instructed? the duke of Wellington would merely smile at the curious mention of himself – against his rock-built house of fame, poor Bernards’ pen is harmless quite’ – A- came and read my letters – sent off this evening my letter to ‘the Lady Stuart de Rothesay’ 4 pages of ½ sheet and 1 p. of envelope and to ‘the honourable Lady Stuart, Whitehall’ 3 pages undercover to ‘Lord Stuart de Rothesay, Carlton-house terrace, London’ § - wrote all the last p. till dinner at 7 10 – A- read French – tea – read the newspaper – Lord Eldor died on Saturday aetatis 87 of old age vid. Herald of yesterday p. 3 col. 2 – fine clear hard frosty day tho’ a little flying about snow shower between 4 and 5 this afternoon - §and sent off also this evening my letter t3 pages and ends to ‘Mrs. Lawton, Lawton hall, Lawton, Cheshire’ – F24° now at 10 20 at which hour came up to bed

the gardener returned today (vid. 5th instant)

[tkwrtrilogy2]

Chapter V: The Fall of Dol Guldur (Pt. V)

“It would be a few days later that word would come from Celeborn in the south. When I was not deep in thought, I spent time with Nenduîl and Tárimë. They were growing up so quickly right before my eyes. As I watched them together in the garden, I could not help but see how much Tárimë had begun to look like Êlúriel. Every day I saw her I would remember things Êlúriel told me about her childhood in Ossiriand.

So much had changed in the world I had not noticed. Even the trees of the forest seem to sense the change of the ages.

“Ada,” Tárimë said walking toward me. “See. It is a butterfly. It is so pretty, is it not?”

“It is,” I said watching as it fluttered its wings while sitting quietly on Tárimë’s hand. Suddenly it took flight high above us until it was gone.

“You are going to leave again soon,” she said. “I do not want you to go, but I know you must. When your return, will the war be over?”

“I hope it will be, Tárimë,” I said. “It has lasted far too long.”

She sat beside me and leaned her head upon my shoulder.

“Why are there such things as war,” she asked. “I do not understand them.”

“Neither do I,” I answered. It was true—I did not understand them. I did know why there was a need for them. They seemed to steal lives and souls over something as meaningless as power. It seemed to be the only thing any one being could keep for themselves as things intangible as time could not be tamed.

“War is like winter,” she said. “The days are shorter and the nights longer. Like a season that never ends.”

I felt a chill run through me when I heard her words. Êlúriel had said them to me before I left for Dagorlad. I looked at Tárimë—her face stoic and lost in thought.

“You are wise for your age,” I said softly. “Very much so.”

“Nana said that to me long ago,” she answered. “I take after Queen Êlúriel. What was she like, Ada?”

“She was very wise and beautiful,” I began. “She was noble and graceful. I loved her and love her still. Your mother was right. You are very much like her if not rather short.”

She looked at me and smiled.

“I have not yet come of age,” she said giggling. “When I do, will I be as graceful as a queen?”

“You already are,” I said kissing atop her head.

We sat together quietly—watching Nenduîl and Aranduil at play nearby.

“Thranduil,” I heard a voice say behind me. I looked up to see Elmîr. I rose with Tárimë.

“Yes,” I asked. “What is it?”

“One comes from Lothlórien to see you,” he said.

“Thank you,” I said. I turned to Tárimë. “I will see you before I leave. Go to your brother now.”

She nodded and walked away slowly. She glanced back once with a look that nearly broke my heart. I nodded to Elmîr and we made our way into the palace and to the throne room where two elven men stood surrounded by my council and my court.

“I thought you said one, Elmîr,” I said.

“They accompanied the one that came from Lothlórien,” he whispered.

I stood before the two men—both with long golden hair and grey eyes. They bowed to me.

“Your Majesty,” one said. “I am Isílion and my brother Tárion. We come to you from Lothlórien with a bearer of a message.”

“Where is this messenger,” I asked.

Out of the shadow stepped figure hooded in a white cloak. Once removed, the room fell silent. I approached her.

“Lady Galadriel,” I said. “This is quite an honor and rather unexpected. I thought you to be in Caras Galadhon under the protection of guards.”

“I was there,” she began. “And Caras Galadhon is well protected. I come of my own will to you. Our borders are safe as our warriors were able to push them back to whence they came. Dol Guldur. It is now time for you to join Celeborn to bring down what is left of Sauron’s forces that remain.”

“I thought you would be making your way westward by now,” I said. “There is no need for many of our kin to stay longer than we need to. Most of all you, daughter of Finarfin. I am to think you remain for Celeborn?”

“You may think many things, Thranduil, as you will. But I know your heart and it is with your people as ours.”

I motioned for Fëaluin to come to me.

“Prepare to leave at dawn,” I whispered. He nodded and left with Sildúr and Aradin. I returned my gaze to Galadriel. Her beauty had not shown and signs of fading as her age would dictate. She smiled serenely at me.

“Will you remain within my halls until our return,” I asked.

“If it pleases you, Thranduil,” she said. “I will see you and Celeborn again and if it be here then so will it be.”

“Very well,” I said. “I will have my court prepare quarters for you and your companions.”

“I know I will be well served and protected,” Galadriel said.

Ardúin and her sisters Linurial and Súlthulë bowed reverently and escorted Galadriel and her companions away. I gave Eldôr a look he found amusing.

“Thranduil,” he began. “I am quite sure Nenduîl and Tárimë will enjoy her company.”

“What are you not telling me, Uncle,” I asked.

“What would I keep from you,” he asked.

“I am not fool enough to think that the Lady of Light has left her kingdom without someone to see to its routine while she is away. There are only two directions an elf will go and often that is not east to Mirkwood without cause.”

“Elrond remains in Rivendell,” he said. “I do not know whether or not many remain there or in Lothlórien, but he is well aware of the whereabouts of his entire family.”

“Good,” I said. “Then I will not awaken to anymore of them before I leave for battle or is that wishful thinking?”

“No more,” he said smiling. “But they are your kin, you realize.”

“I do not need reminding, Eldor,” I said. “I need this war to end before my kingdom becomes a bastion for any more of my estranged kin.”

I made my way to my study and watched the waters falling in the fading light of day. Tomorrow I would ride to my last battle in this world. I could not help but wonder if I would see Legolas again.”--Excerpt from TKWR Book III: To Eryn Lasgalen by J.M.Miller 02-19-17

Images: ©2012, 2013, 2014. Warner Brothers Pictures. The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies. All Rights Reserved.

[luxmaeastra]

There were so many questions, so many revelations from that day he still needed to weed through before the sun finally sunk below the horizon of their home. Most though he felt were in good handles, most would be handled by those he trusted to be level-headed and think about what they were doing.

At that moment, he knew this was the situation that needed his attention. Viren needed this sorted without the emotions of his beloved, he knew Sarai well enough to know sometimes her emotions ruled her head when it came to those too close to home - as such he always acted to protect her.

His arms folded as he watched the scene unfold, as everything seem to unravel and reveal the truths behind the lies. His attention flickered to Eshkar, his chin rose slightly as he shook his head. His fate would lay with Fergus, if he deemed it his choice to return. In his eyes, the boy had proven himself tenfold, even if he had kept the secret. It was a worthy one, one which now made more sense - it also explained the letter he had received from his Aunt Bryaxis.

"The mess this has become is giving me a headache, so we shall cut this short. I do wish to enjoy my evening and maybe see my daughter return," he shot a glare at Raffiel before he looked toward Eldored. "Are you taking your daughter home? I do not expect anything due to the bond with my son, at this point, he hadn't proven himself worthy and needs to pay for his actions. I just need to know where we are standing with all this..."

Medved moved toward Saorise and cut the bond. She hissed falling to her knees. He shrugged at her.

"If you manage to kill her I won't have our family tied to that strife.

--------

Saorise moved through the woods and toward the Duchy. Eshkar watched her go, he should stay still. He should keep his mouth shut, he -"

"No. No I can't. I - I'm sorry Eshkar."

Her tone had been flat, her eyes too. But he still felt it. The way her soul at ripped to even deny him then. The way she'd tremble as she slipped from his arms.

Love, duty, safety, and destruction. Could he really blame her? To choose the one thing that kept her safe in this world? Even when it was slowly killing her? Killing all three of them.

He moved, beginning to pick up speed and running. Medved signaled for his siblings and pointed to Eshkar.

"Cut his tie."

He wouldn't let a Sympathizer live.

--------

"Where is the Death Muse?"

Raffiel and Eldora paused in the weeding they'd been doing. He rose to his feet facing the female.

"How did you get in? Who the fuck are you?"

He had healed well enough now. Eldora paused and channeled her sister as much as she could.

"Whose asking?"

Saiorse snorted at her in disgust. She recognized the look. It was the same every female changeling had given her in Hewn. As if she was less than them. As if she was lower than dirt. As if she was weak for being soft.

Saiorse skipped over her and looked to Raffiel.

"She killed my mate's family. Where the fuck is -"

"Leave them be Saiorse."

Eshkar panted as he stepped toward them. Saorise snarled looking to him.

"You'd let them harbor her? You'd let them for all intents and purposes declare war on the families here? Some who lived longer than this duchy had existed!?"

Eshkar showed his teeth and reached for his spear. He flicked her eyes to her and she swallowed. She tried not to acknowledge how her heart was beginning to beat faster. She finally shook her head, silently begging him to leave.

Raffiel's shoulders slumped and he looked down at her.

"Why am I not enough for you?"

Eldora stared up at him and shrugged.

"Be happy that you have me. You can't be everything to everyone."

Eshkar stepped away, ignoring the venomous look Raffiel sent him. He turned to go back to the trees he ignored Saiorse's siblings.

She could see all the ways this wasn't just a retreat. He was washing his hands of her, of whatever they could have. Could she really blame him?

Saiorse laughed and cut at his neck. And for a moment she stopped hearing it. The song snapping silent. She moved before she truly understood what she was doing. She gripped her shoulder her knife carving down her back.

She pulled at her spine, her heart pounding for retribution. Till she felt arms slowly wind around her. Till she felt him still her fingers.

"I'm here. I'm here Eldora. It's okay. I'm here."

Eldora couldn't stop shaking twisting to look at Eshkar. She gripped his collar, her fingers skimming the wound on his neck. It was another scar added next to his burns.

"I - I stopped hearing you. I stop - I couldn't hear you -"

"Ela are you okay?"

She turned to see her sister, Alienor dressed in chiffon. Her hair unbraided and flowing in the wind. Her family had come and their father snorted as he looked to Viren. Alienor somehow wasn't harassed or tried to be broken. Perhaps she was a Heart like everyone whispered. Maybe that's why a peice of her hated her so.

"I told you Viren. She wasn't made for this -"

She looked back to Alienor. She could feel Eshkar around her, keeping her grounded. She could feel the tears fall. She was so tired of fighting this alone. She was tired of needing to be so put together.

She looked to Raffiel and back to Alienor.

"I - I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't - I just wanted to feel safe."

She let go of the tether. She broke the bond she'd made to call Raffiel to her. His look of confusion somehow hurt more than anything else.

"What do you mean? Eldora what are you -"

But he turned as the last of that bond fell away. Alienor and he stared wide eyed at each other. She looked to Eldora tears in her eyes.

"I - you did - I - told you how much. I pushed him away thinking he was - you stole him from me!"

[fossadeileonixv]

Behind Enemy Lines: ROMA!

Next up in our season preview series comes the hot freshness of ROMA! The trendy, hipster pick to challenge for the Scudetto this year. To dish the dirt on the team from the eternal city we have brought in our man Steve Sciavillo. 

Steve ‘has been a Roma fan since the mid-2000s and started writing for Chiesa di Totti (chiesaditotti.com) five seasons ago. Just over a year ago we also started a podcast called "Across the Romaverse" which can be found on all major platforms. I'm also part of a newer podcast called "Kicks & Picks", which looks at the EPL & Serie A through a betting lens. You can follow my work on Twitter at @ssciavilloCDT ‘

On to the Q and A!

How do you like your teams transfer window so far? 

Steve:  I'm very happy with Roma's transfer market so far. I think Tiago Pinto has done an excellent job the last two seasons of clearing a lot of bad contracts and unwanted players off of Roma's books, which has made the incoming mercato possible. So far, Roma has only spent €7 million on incoming transfer fees (Zeki Celik from Lille), while bringing in Paulo Dybala, Nemanja Matic, and Mile Svilar on frees and Georginio Wijnaldum on loan. Meanwhile Andrea Belotti is set to arrive any day now on a free. It's been great from a business sense and very strong in terms of upgrading the roster to Jose Mourinho's liking.

What do you expect in the last few weeks of the window? 

Steve:  First and foremost, I expect Eldor Shomorudov, Gonzalo Villar, Carles Perez, Justin Kluivert, and Riccardo Calafiori to follow Jordan Veretout out the door. (A couple of them will probably be gone before this is even published.) Once Shomorudov heads to Bologna, then Roma will be able to make Belotti official. After that a fifth center back should arrive to provide more cover along the three man backline. Right now it looks like Eric Bailly on loan from Man United or Dan-Axel Zagadou on a free transfer are the two most likely arrivals. I still think that another CM needs to arrive to really complete the roster unless they plan on playing Pellegrini deeper than his usual trequartista position. I'm still holding out hope that Roma may swoop for Davide Frattesi late. Meanwhile, I don't think they sell Nicolo Zaniolo, but with Tottenham still sniffing around, you wonder how much would be too much to turn down.

What excites you for this season? 

Steve:  I mean there's a lot to get excited about for the upcoming season. Roma is coming off its first trophy in over a decade with one of the winningest managers in European history at the helm. The ownership is fully backing him with signings of players like Dybala and Wijnaldum. This to me means the minimum objectives for the season need to be a top 4 finish and return to the Champions League, along with deep runs in the Coppa Italia and Europa League. I think the added depth could allow that to happen, whereas last season the lack of depth hurt Roma in the league table as it went deep into the UECL.

What worries you? 

Steve:  For one I worry about the expectations being too high and putting too much pressure on the squad too soon. For good reason there's a lot of enthusiasm surrounding the team, but all of this Scudetto dark horse talk has me a little weary. Roma is a pressure cooker environment, which often weighs on the squad, so I just hope people keep their expectations in check until we see just how good this team is in the first few months. Secondly, on the pitch I worry about the possibility of a player like Dybala or Smalling missing considerable time due to injury given their past histories.

Your top 4 predictions for Serie A. 

Steve:  At the moment my top 4 sides are Inter, Milan, Juve, and Roma, but the rest of the transfer market still has to play out.

Anything from the rest of the league that most peaks your interest?

Steve:  A couple other things I'm keeping an eye on are: How much better is Juve than last year with the signings they've made? Can Lukaku bring Inter back to the top? Will Milan be able to repeat last season's feats? Does Atalanta bounce back without European commitments or was last season the beginning of the end of their competitive run? Can Monza push mid-table with the signings they've made?

Well done my friend and thank you for the Roma perspective. 

Best of luck this year to all our Roma friends and thanks again Steve!

Cheers!

Lisi

[ssportsnews]

Mourinho prepares for Juventus match with Uzbek striker Shomurov 먹튀검증

먹튀검증먹튀사이트먹튀검증사이트먹튀 검증  먹튀 사이트 먹튀 검증 사이트

AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho prepares Eldor Shomurov starting cards ahead of the Juventus match.

Roma will play the 2021-2022 Italian Serie A round 8 away game against Juventus at Allianz Stadium in Turin, Italy on the 18th (Korean time). Juventus are the enemy of all southern Italian clubs. It has a strong sense of rivalry as much as Dervision. As of the 7th round, Roma is in 4th place with 5 wins and 2 losses, and Juventus, which was sluggish in the beginning, is in 7th place with 3 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses.

Roma's striker Tammy Abraham's appearance is uncertain. He suffered from a bruise on his right heel, which he suffered from with the England national team. Although it is not a major injury, there is a high possibility that he will not play properly in his first match against Juventus after returning to Rome.

If Abraham can't fall behind, the alternative is Shomurov. Shomurov is the representative striker of Uzbekistan who received a love call from Rome for his excellent performance with eight goals and one assist for Genoa last season. He is 190cm tall and has the ability to play a team sincerely. When co-existing with Abraham, he yields to the front and looks for opportunities on the left flank, but his original position is at the forefront.

Shomurov has only played one game as a starter in Serie A so far, and has been replaced for the rest. He's a chance to prove his ability as a starter at the forefront.

The power loss of the attacking team is worse at Juventus. Paulo Dybala is out, and Alvaro Morata is accelerating his rehabilitation with the goal of being part of the Roma lineup. Both players are more likely to leave, and it seems that the player in the starting lineup is not in my condition. Mois Keane is expected to take the front line instead.

[unleashedcollectiblez]

For just $20.99 The return of a classic! Based on the classic Filmation cartoon character designs as well as Mattel's original action figures, this Masters of the Universe Vintage Eldor 5 1/2-Inch Action Figure comes on retro packaging and a cool accessory. Each figure has a spring-loaded punch mechanism, plus a custom character history card. Collect them all - they're awesome! Ages 14 and up. Only 6 remain!

[extendedtkwrtrilogyend]

Chapter XXIV: (EXT) Call from Lothlórien (Pt. I)

“Coirë seemed delayed with the waning of hrívë. Darkness lingered far longer and the winds blew cold as ice. I knew it was morning, but clouds blanketed the skies tightly and not a ray of sun could break through. The halls of the palace were silent as I walked slowly toward my study.

“Ada,” Tarthôn said, startling me as he stepped from inside.

“Tarthôn,” I said. “You frightened me.”

“I apologize,” he said. “You are early. Where are Nenduîl and Tárimë? Did they stay with you last night?”

“No,” I said. “What are you saying to me?”

“Ëariâth and Aradúlin cannot find either of them or Aranduil anywhere. I thought he may have followed them into your chamber.”

Without a word, I walked toward the main gates as swiftly as I could. They opened the doors and walked outside as the blistering winds rushing across my face like the claw of a wild beast. I knew where I was headed but I did not know why. I cross the bridge—hearing the voices of Elendôr and Tarthôn behind me.

“Where are you going, Thranduil,” Elendôr asked. “Why would they come out at this hour?”

I stopped abruptly—standing before the grave of Súlelenth looking down at five small children.

Tárimë looked up—her face calm even as mine gave her stern look.

“Tárimë,” I began calmly. “Why are you here?”

“Because,” she said. “I wanted to show Eärluin where our mother was.”

“She is in there,” Auríel asked bewildered.

“Yes, Auríel” Aranduil said. “She is in there.”

“Sleeping,” Eärluin said.

“I do not understand,” Tarthôn said.

Elendôr picked up Auríel as I settled down before the others—four little innocent faces looking at me without fear of anything I might say to them.

“I know you meant well Tárimë,” I said softly. “But you should not venture outside alone so early. It is very dangerous.”

“But Eärluin wanted to know,” Nenduîl said.

Eärluin pointed to her mother’s tomb. I did not know what to do—I was beside myself in turmoil as I tried to understand what their little minds were going through.

“I understand,” I began. “But you should have come to me first, Nenduîl.” 

I felt the presence of shadow above me. I looked up and saw three elves standing before me. I stood up and they bowed before me. They were dressed in blue cloaks—their hoods over their heads.

“Your Majesty,” one of them said. “We have come to you from Lothlórien.” As Tarthôn picked up Aranduil, Nenduîl and Tárimë hid behind me as I took Eärluin’s hand.

“Who has sent you,” I asked cautiously.

One of them stepped forward and removed his hood. His eyes were as the morning sky and his long hair near the color of mine.

“Lord Celeborn, Your Majesty,” he said. “I am Haldir. These are my brothers, Rúmil and Orophin.”

Rúmil and Orophin removed their hoods.

“You are king now,” Rúmil said. “It has been a long time.”

“Rúmil,” a voice behind them said. “Watch your tongue. You are in the presence of royalty.”

The three moved and another stepped forward.

“Celeborn,” I said. “This is a surprise.”

“Yes,” he said. “And not a pleasant one, I am afraid.”

“What is wrong,” I asked. “And where is Galadriel?”

“She is well,” he said. “Safe, I assure you. That is far less than I can say for the rest of us.”

“Come,” I said. “We shall speak inside. Your presence will alarm the forest and as you know Mirkwood has eyes and ears all around.”

“I know,” he said. “They seemed to have wandered as far as Lothlórien.”

Tarthôn motioned to Nenduîl and Tárimë as I picked up Eärluin as Celeborn walked with me to the palace with Haldir and his brothers close behind.

“Why are your Marchwardens so far from your borders,” I whispered.

“Borders give little comfort now, Thranduil,” he answered. “Evil seems to have found its way to the borders of Lothlórien. Orcs rose from Dol Guldur--though in far less numbers than before the Battle of Dale. They were seen not long after Legolas had come to us when we had taken notice. They bide their time to lay siege upon us and I fear it may be soon.”

I stopped right before the gates at sound of my son’s name.

“You have seen my son, Legolas,” I asked. “Was he well?”

“Quite well,” he answered. “He travels with Aragorn of course and another man. Boromir, son of Denethor steward of Gondor as with a dwarf named Gimli, son of Glóin from the House of Durin.”

“Do not forget the four halflings,” Haldir said. “Four Hobbits.”

“Yes, I remember,” Celeborn said smiling. “One of them is a relation to a friend of yours. Frodo Baggins, nephew of a certain Bilbo Baggins.”

We entered the gates as Ëariâth and Aradúlin approached us with Eldôr and Fëaluin. They bowed to Celeborn.

“Lord Celeborn,” Fëaluin said. “We have been expecting you.”

“We have,” I asked.

Everyone looked at me oddly.

“You were out of the palace, Thranduil,” Eldôr said. “You went looking for Nenduîl and Tárimë.”

“Yes, of course,” I said. “And look who else I found?”

“Brilliant recovery, cousin,” Celeborn whispered.

“Thank you,” I whispered back.

“Come, children,” Ëariâth said. “It is time to eat.”

“I think we all should have something to eat before take on the worries of the world,” Fëaluin said.

“Ëariâth, take Eärluin to Êlúriel,” I said, handing her over. “She must be worried.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” she said.

As the children were led away, the rest of us made our way to the dining hall. All the way I thought of Legolas.

**** **** **** *****

After breakfast, Fëaluin settled Celeborn and his escorts as I waited for Celeborn in my study.

“You are deep in thought,” Súriar said from across the room. “Is something the matter?”

“No,” I said softly. “I am awaiting Celeborn.”

“Celeborn, brother of Galathil,” he said. “Father wrote much of him. Do you require that I leave upon his arrival?”

“No, Súriar,” I answered. “What we discuss should be made record. Celeborn would agree with me.”

“Yes, I would,” I heard him say from behind.

I turned to see him and Eldôr and Elranduil alongside. He had made a change, dressed in a long silver coat of embroidered leaves of his kin. He took a seat by the balcony beside Eldôr as Elranduil leaned against one of the pillars nearby.

“It has been some time since I saw you last,” I said. “Things have changed, but I am quite sure you know of it.”

“Your household and your people have grown much since then,” Celeborn said. “Your father would be proud of you.”

“Yes, much has changed since Eryn Galen became known as Mirkwood,” I said.

 “How is it that my kingdom and my people were punished for an evil over which we had no control?"

“It was not your kingdom we were concerned about, Thranduil,” he began. “It was to warn those in Arda that may attempt to traverse through the Rhovanion and meet with dire consequence.”

“And should one meet with me, they would come before the Elvenking,” I growled quietly.

“The evil that rose in Dol Guldur was palpable.”

“My father died fighting that evil,” I said angrily. “You were not there when I saw that evil with my own eyes at Dagorlad. I lost my name and my kingdom for that evil—as if we brought that evil into this world. Our people have been forced to live in darkness of that evil while our kin in the west condemned us for that evil only to be asked to sacrifice my son and heir to that evil.”

Celeborn stood up and walked over to me.

“I understand your anger, Thranduil,” he said softly. “I cannot undo what has been done."

"There is no name that will keep those who wish to cross into our borders away if determined,” I said. "Thorin Oakenshield found his way to Erebor and lost his life fighting against the evil no name could contain.” 

“That evil remains palpable,” Eldôr said. “We know that what comes from Dol Guldur has its roots in Mordor.”

“Where it has returned,” Celeborn answered. “Where the Fellowship goes to destroy the ring that keeps us all beneath this shadow.”

“Yes,” I said. “Elrond sent word throughout Arda for the bravest out from every kingdom. My son is on his way to Mordor to rid this world of an evil the Alliance failed to bring down at Dagorlad and unite the kingdom of Gondor as Aragorn is its rightful king."

“The evil that took Thorin and his father still flows from Dol Guldur,” Celeborn said. “Between there and Mordor lies Angrenost where Curunír has taken arms against his calling.”

“I am well aware of this,” I said.

“Lothlórien will be their next conquest,” he said sternly. 

“Why would the orcs take the chance to cross from Dol Guldur to the borders of Lothlórien,” Elranduil asked. “There are Beorings on our western borders not to mention our Marchwardens.”

“Not anymore,” Eldôr said. “The Beorings’ numbers are sparse at best. It is rumored some have ventured as far as Rohan.” 

“Power,” I began. “Sauron will use anyone or anything as a means to gain power over Arda for his master. The danger he presents to us is his relentless pursuit for power. His minions will do his bidding. They will give their life for something they will never have for someone that will never give it to them.”

“If it is not defeated,” Celeborn began. “Only then will th whole of Arda will fall into shadow and it will be unstoppable. Put aside your anger with me, Thranduil. If only to unite with Lothlórien to protect our borders. You know if they lay siege upon us, there is nothing that will keep them from doing the same to you.”

I stood looking at Celeborn for a moment. I knew he was right and he knew that I knew. 

“Very well, Celeborn,” I said. “You have my word. Elranduil, send for Aramoth and Randúmîr. Who covers your East?”

“Haldir,” Celeborn said.

“I shall send for Sildôr,” Eldor said, rising to follow Elranduil away. “He has given Arawë charge of our western defenses.”

I nodded and they left.

“He will serve you well,” Súriar said, bowing to us. “Arawë is my daughter’s son. If I may, Your Majesty, I wish to take my leave.” “Of course, Súriar,” I said softly.

“We can defeat this shadow, Thranduil,” Celeborn says.

“We have to defeat it,” I answered. “We have no choice but to defeat it.”

Celeborn nodded and took his leave from my study. It had not been long since I last saw battle and I knew this would be unlike anything I would see again. It was the defining hour for the entire world.

**** **** **** ****

I decided some time in the gardens would do me well. From the balcony, I could see Nenduîl and Tárimë playing below. I thought of all the times I left for war—leaving someone behind at home or upon the field of battle as a decaying remnant.

“Ada,” I heard Tarthôn say. “Something troubles you.”

“It is nothing, Tarthôn,” I answered. “Nothing more than I always have.”

“It is war again,” he said. “This time, I will not stay home.”

“Then who shall take my place if I do not return? If Legolas does not return? You are my son as well.”

“I know,” he said. “And as such, it is my duty as your son and a prince of this realm to defend it with my life. I am ready and I am not afraid.”

Looking at him, he reminded me of Melros. He was the age his father was when he was lost at Dagorlad. I had been often more protective of him than of Legolas as my promise to his father lingered in my mind.

“You sound so much like Melros,” I said. “So valiant and brave. He knew so well he would have a son. ‘He will be a good son,’ he said to me. He was right. You are a very good son.”

He smiled and laughed.

“Fëaluin told me he would tease you mercilessly.”

“He is one to talk,” I said. “He did the same. He and his brother, Fínduin. Not without some cajoling from Elranduil, of course.”

“Stop lying to him, Thranduil,” Elranduil said approaching us. “I did no such thing. I will say it was fun to watch. Thranduil was the youngest and the smallest then.”

“You were no taller,” I said.

“True,” he said. “But I was far better looking. You can imagine awe in the court when someone agreed to marry him.”

“I thought Nana loved him,” Tarthôn said trying not laugh.

“She loves him very much, Tarthôn,” Elranduil said. “Someone had to eventually. He was very lucky.”

“That is the only truth you have spoken,” I said. “I was extraordinarily blessed.”

“Ëariâth wishes to speak with you,” he said to Tarthôn. “You will find her in the court with Ardúin.”

“Thank you,” Tarthôn said. “I will speak with you later, Ada.”

I nodded as he rushed away from us.

“He reminds me so much of Melros,” Elranduil said. “He sounds like him. If he were here, he would be burst with pride.”

“Yes, he would,” I said quietly. “Especially with Aranduil.”

“Am I to assume he has asked to go to battle,” he asked.

“Yes.”

“You cannot keep him from it,” Elranduil said. “He is a father as we are. His daughter has a son of her own. Stop blaming yourself for what happened to Melros.”

“I do not blame myself,” I said.

“Thranduil, aside from your father, your mother, my parents and your wife, I know you better than anyone.”

“I did not have a choice,” I said quietly.

“You would not change things for the world,” he said smiling. “As it is, Tarthôn wishes to ride alongside you as Ardôr and Orísil will ride beside me and Eldôr. He said as much to them after he learned Ardôr was allowing Elendôr to do so.”

I glared at him in disbelief. I could not believe what I heard.

“Should something happen to any of us, what then,” I loudly. “You wish to let the whole of our family fall to this evil?”

In the gardens below, I could see Nenduîl and Tárimë stopped playing at the sound of my voice and were looking at us.

“Thranduil, calm yourself,” Elranduil said. “Do you think I am not worried? Ardôr is my son. Elendôr is his son. If something happens to either of them, all I have is Êlenuil in Mithlond.”

“I beg your pardon,” I asked angrily. “Êlenuil is where?”

“Mithlond,” he whispered. “He sent word of his arrival. He has not sailed yet.”

I could feel my anger rising. I tried to stay composed.

“You have more than Êlenuil,” I said seething. “You have Nenduîl, Tárimë and Eärluin—his children that he left with me for Aman and you are telling me he is still in this world?”

“I just learned of it,” he answered. “Father told Ardôr and Ninyáre. Ardúin was with them. She said you should know of it, but Ardôr would have none of that. He thought you might get angry.”

I glared at him so long, his features faded into a distorted blur. When I could recognize him again, I was calmer but no less furious.

“Elranduil,” I began slowly. “Legolas is out there on a perilous journey to face the same evil that killed my father, my wife and my best friend. Tarthôn wishes to do the same, as it is his duty as my son and a prince of this realm. I could lose both of them! If something were to happen to me, Nenduîl, Tárimë and Eärluin would be left without me! Do you know they call me ‘Ada’?

“No.”

“They do because their father is not here and I am. Now you are telling me Êlenuil is in the Grey Havens at the very moment when this world could fall into darkness and his children with it. I am not angry, Elranduil. I am furious.”

“Are you alright, Ada,” I heard the sweetest little voice say. I turned to see Tárimë and her brother looking frightened. “Did we do something wrong?”

I picked her up and embraced her.

“No, Tárimë,” I said. “Neither one of you have done a thing. I did not mean to frighten you.”

Nenduîl took my hand. My mind was at rest and I felt myself again.

“I will speak with you later,” I said to Elranduil. “There is much to discuss before Celeborn returns to Lothlórien.”

I led Nenduîl and his sister toward their room. I decided to stay with them for the remainder of the afternoon, as I knew the evening would bring a burden I had to bear one last time.

**** **** **** ****

It was nightfall when I made my way to my study to speak with Celeborn one last time before he would depart for Lothlórien. It would be the largest gathering to battle in centuries—since Oropher ruled Eryn Galen. As I entered my study, it was filled with members of my council and military commanders.

Celeborn, Haldir, Rúmil and Orophin waited patiently with Eldôr, Elranduil, Ardôr, Elendôr, Tarthôn, Nimlos, and Aruilos.

“Celeborn,” I said. “I trust you are well rested.”

He nodded with a smile.

Soon, Fëaluin entered with his sons Elenadar and Elenatar. Behind them came the whole my commanders: Sildúr, Elmîr, Árelë, Nînuir, Aramoth, Aramír, Sildôr, Findôl, Târuil, Tatháron, Aradin, Eldúir, Arawë, Aldáros and Randúmîr. Sildôr and Arawë stepped forward.

“I was told that Haldir of Lothlórien is Marchwarden of their eastern border,” Sildor said. “Arawë has seen many things.”

“Yes,” Haldir said as he approached him. “So he has told me. It seems Aiwendil spent a great deal of time wandering your western border but remained close to Rhosgobel until he wandered westward for a time. Long enough to allow Sauron to regain control of it.”

“When was this, Arawë,” I asked.

“I would not know, Your Majesty,” he said. “I had not yet been assigned further south than Emyn-nu-Fuin.”

“What control he gained was hardly enough to do much,” Sildôr said. “There has been far more done at Angrenost under Curunír. What lingers there are remnants of what once was. Nothing more.”

“Just enough to lay siege on the surrounding borders,” Celeborn said. “Their power is not what it was but it is enough.”

“Whatever is there will not venture east,” Árelë said softly. “I have seen nothing save a few forest creatures and an Easterling or two. Father believes their plans are definite.”

“I do,” Elmîr said. “They wish to move as far west as possible. To Rivendell if they can.”

“I hardly think they would try to get that far,” Orophin said.

“If they can put us down, they most surely can,” I said. “They know we would come to the aid of our kin.”

“Sauron relies on his stronger forces to the south,” Eldôr said. “They have far more adversaries there. He still thinks we are few in number since our loss at Dagorlad. But he is knows we can and will fight against him. The only way to know how many we are is to attack Lothlórien and how many come to its defense.”

“We can keep them well from Caras Galadhon,” Rúmil said sharply. “For how long, I cannot say.”

“They will come to us,” I said. “Of that I have little doubt. More than anyone, they wish to destroy us. We are far more dangerous to them than anyone.”

“Why is that,” Tarthôn asked.

“Sauron cannot control us,” I said. “We do not have a ring of power like Galadriel or Elrond—no matter how ineffective. Sauron fears what he cannot possess. The dwarves fared better than most. Men, I am afraid have a weakness for power. It is a gift to strong to resist when offered. For now, those with a ring remain safe unless, of course, Sauron finds the one ring before it is destroyed. Lost once the power to control the Elder Children, his vengeance will be taken and the whole of this world will suffer a great many things.”

An uneasy silence filled the air like mist after rain. I could not hear a breath taken or a heart beat. Everyone seemed lost in their thoughts. We all knew what was coming and knew this would be the final stand against this evil. Suddenly, the doors opened and the mood changed immediately as Êlúriel entered the room. I found delight watching everyone bow to her as she glided toward Celeborn.

“Lord Celeborn,” she said. “It is good to see you again no matter the circumstances. I must apologize for my absence at your arrival as my duties took me away in that moment.”

“Queen Êlúriel,” he said, bowing. “It is always a pleasure. There is no apology needed and hope our gathering has not disturbed you in any way.”

“On the contrary,” she answered. “For wherever there is a gathering of our kin, no matter what is spoken, it serves only to make me glad. Please, continue.”

“Tomorrow, take your leave to Lothlórien,” I said to Celeborn. “Sildôr, Aramoth, Arawë and Randúmîr will take you as far as the borders of Dol Guldur. Their guard will keep watch from there. As for the rest of us, we wait. For, as you know, they will come swiftly for us. Aradin, have our archers cover the guard from both sides of the river on either side of the palace gates. Findôl, Aramír, Árelë and Aldáros will cover the gates with Fëaluin, Elenadar and Elenatar.”

“I shall have my smiths set to task,” Tatháron said. He bowed and left quickly.

“As for the rest of us, we will fight against what comes,” I said.

“Lothlórien will meet Mirkwood at Dol Guldur,” Celeborn said. “We will end this.”

“I have no intention of doing anything other than ending this, Celeborn,” I answered. 

He smiled, bowed to Êlúriel and left with Haldir, Rúmil, Orophin in tow. Eldôr and Fëaluin took their leave, motioning to the rest to follow.

“You will return to me again,” she said. “When that day comes, you will return to me.”

“Always,” I said.

I embraced her—my only thought was to protect my family and my people even if it meant losing my life.”––TKWR:BII The Saga of Thranduil (EXT. VER.) by J. Marie Miller 12-20-17

Images: ©2012, 2013, 2014. Warner Brothers Pictures. The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies. All Rights Reserved.

[ciathyzareposts]

Game 323: Ultizurk II: The Shadow Master (1992)

          Ultizurk II: The Shadow Master

United States

Independently developed and published

Released in 1992 for DOS

Date Started: 26 March 2019

“This is the one–this is the one I’ll be remembered for,” Ed Wood says, completely unironically, as he revels in the cheesy opening monologue at the premier of Plan 9 from Outer Space. This happens in Tim Burton’s film, anyway, but it’s entirely in keeping with the personality of Wood–a man so in love with making movies that he didn’t much care how he made them, whether anyone ever saw them, or whether they were any good. If you’ve ever seen Plan 9–and if you haven’t, you really should–you probably agree that, as bad as it is, there’s an inescapable earnestness about the thing. That’s why it makes all those “so bad it’s good” lists.

I think of Ed Wood occasionally when I encounter an RPG developer who kept cranking ’em out despite what must have been virtually no audience, and Robert “Dr. Dungeon” Deutsch of Allentown, Pennsylvania, must be preeminent among these. Ultizurk II is not his second game but something like his twentieth: the series went through at least nine Zurks (maybe 10) and three Heritage of Zurks before the first Ultizurk, and he had other series called Gork, Babysitter, and Spookhouse. I think Ultizurk I was his first non-text game, but it’s tough to get information on a lot of them. Whenever you see a ludography for Dr. Dungeon, it tends to include a lot of games that were unfinished or existed only as a title.            

The Shadow Master begins with a sci-fi framing story.

           There is evidence that Deutsch, unlike Wood, eventually got good at his craft. By Ultizurk III (1993), he’s managed to nearly mimic the Ultima VI engine, and his re-release of Madman! (2017) plays a bit like a combination of Ultima VII and Diablo. (Both of them are still pretty weird, but we’ll deal with that when we reach them.) But in these first couple of Ultizurk games, he’s just starting out with graphical interfaces, learning as he releases, and he has quite a bit to learn. Ultizurk I had monsters that couldn’t move from their squares. He’s conquered that–perhaps overly so–in time for this game, but it still has plenty of problems. And yet, like the first one, there’s a kind of goofy earnestness about the game that makes me like it more than it deserves.           

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Despite sounding like parodies, both the Zurk and Ultizurk series are completely straight games that pay homage to, rather than make fun of, their inspirations. Both series feature the same persistent protagonist, who (I gather) becomes a “grandmaster” over the course of the Zurk series. But every time he arrives in a new world, the teleportation process has stripped him of his skills and knowledge, and thus he has to build himself up from Level 0 again. In the first game of this series (which I played about a year ago), he helped King Eldor combat an invasion of monsters by re-powering an ancient race of servant robots. At the end, the protagonist’s efforts to return to his own world are interrupted by an old enemy called the Shadow Master (the antagonist in Zurk II, I gather) who has his own intentions for the Grandmaster.

The introduction to Ultizurk II sets the game, like the first one, in a blend of fantasy and science fiction. The computer at Andromedan Relay Station #5 is in the middle of a report to its superiors, indicating that “eco-system project 1752RG9 is entering phase 11 decline” because of an imbalance in the water cycle. The life forms on the planet are dying. The computer is advising that the project be terminated, when suddenly its monitor beacons show that two “unknown bipedals” have arrived. It cancels the termination to monitor the events.             

The character arrives.

             There’s no character creation. The Grandmaster begins with 85 hit points, no experience, 50 sling stones, and 5 rations of food. Nearby, he finds the Shadow Master, or a projection of the Shadow Master, who says that they are on a planet in the “Arcturian Star System,” although somehow in parallel realities. Each one of them will be working on a quest to power up some machines with crystals, which will somehow get them back to Earth, and whoever achieves it first will become the new Guildmaster. The Shadow Master suggests that the two competitors confer now and then to trade clues.              

Despite the planet’s water crisis, the Shadow Master is standing next to an overflowing fountain.

           The opening area turns out to be a small, deserted city teeming with monsters that the player must dodge while desperately trying to find some equipment. Eventually, among the buildings, you find some more rations, sling stones, a sling to go with them, and a club. Monsters are pretty tough, partly because their movement is tied to the game clock rather than to the passage of rounds. Thus, depending on the speed of your machine (or, of course, emulator), monsters might flit all over the screen in between any two of your own movements or attacks. But you don’t want to set the speed too low because it seems to exacerbate the game’s persistent failure to read many of your inputs. But it also caches every keypress that it does read, meaning that you don’t want to hold down any of the movement keys because that will lead to a situation where your character bumps into an object for 40 minutes while you write your blog entry and periodically check back to see if the buffer has cleared yet.           

Hurling sling stones at a “rock troll.” Other enemies include “desert gryphons” and “sand stabbers.”

        Another problem is that the author had not yet figured out how to realistically block ranged attacks with obstacles. Monsters capable of missile attacks–and a lot of them seem to spontaneously acquire this ability–can hurl rocks or whatever through trees and walls and even from off screen. If you don’t want to waste your own limited supply of sling stones, you have to make your way to them under bombardment and beat them with your club. I died a lot during the first couple of hours. Fortunately, “death” has you immediately resurrected next to the Shadow Master with no loss of items or attributes.             

Finding items in the opening city.

            During your explorations, you come to realize that many of the plants on the ground can be harvested for their herbs, yellow and blue ones healing you and green ones causing monsters to freeze for a few rounds. Other items that you find include a tent, a watch, and a map. Using the map gives you a little auto map of the area. Using the tent has you sleep for the night and restore all hit points. This is something that you want to do every night whether you need it or not, because the game simulates darkness (a la the early Ultimas) by having the window close in around you, making it a nightmare to try to find anything. Best to just sleep until morning. Resting also levels you up, which gives you more hit points and I guess maybe combat skill.           

Camping with the tent at night.

         There are other issues with the interface. My character icon looks like a woman in a track suit. Half of the screen is wasted until you bring up the inventory. The inventory screen only lets you “ready” one item at a time, meaning that either it doesn’t support armor (I haven’t found any yet) or you just have to trust that armor items in your inventory are doing something. If you pick up an item, you can only ever drop it on a tiled floor, where it will then block movement. On the positive side, the game follows the Ultima convention of mapping each action to a key and also displays valid current commands on the screen. Targeting, for both attacking and using the “Look” command, works pretty well, although I wish the game remembered the last enemy you targeted.         

The game tells me that the object in front of me is a “sign” but offers no command for reading it.

         Eventually, you exhaust anything to do or find in the first city. Other than the Shadow Master, there are no NPCs to talk with, although the manual suggests they’ll show up eventually and will (as in the first installment) respond to the Ultima IV prompts of NAME and JOB.

Once you’ve explored enough, conferring with the Shadow Master gives more clues to the main quest. He believes that returning to Earth requires you to find five orbs and place them in a machine in a nearby building. Furthermore, he believes that each orb will be found by using a “mind machine” to briefly enter some kind of dreamworld. (As with Ultizurk I, there’s a faint Martian Dreams influence on the plot.) The mind machines, in turn, run on crystals found in the dungeons. I’m glad he figured all that out because I never would have gotten it.            

He’s basically the most helpful person to ever have the title “Shadow Master.”

           Ultimately, the game world consists of several outdoor areas, or cities, linked by long, winding, maze-like dungeons. In dungeons, the problems with enemies is multiplied. They can fling missiles at you through walls that take you hundreds of steps to circumvent to bash their skulls. I discovered the hard way that I needed to level up several times and bring plenty of herbs before attempting the dungeons.            

Wandering the dungeon. All of these enemies can attack me at range despite the walls.

            Weirdly, the map itself doesn’t work in the dungeons, but “mixing” a yellow herb produces an automap. The mechanic is so illogical that I feel the programmer must have been compensating for some inability to port the same code used outdoors to the indoor environment, but for the life of me I can’t imagine what the problem would have been. Anyway, the map just shows the dungeon layout, not exits, so you still have to wander around to find those. With the movement issues I described above, I found it easier to save at the entrance and reload when I hit dead ends rather than retrace my steps.         

You think he could have made the map fill more of the screen?

           Ultimately, I found the first three crystals in the first three dungeon levels, titled Coprates Chasm, Australis Tholus, and Albor Tholus (all features on Mars and thus strengthening the Martian Dreams connections). I also found a huge cache of rations and sling stones. Not having to engage enemies in melee combat is a big bonus. I returned to the surface, figured out how to drop the crystals in the mind machine in the right order, and entered the dream world.            

Using the crystals in the mind machine.

         The dream world was a thin set of catwalks through a firmament. To get to the orb, I had to find two “magic star carpets,” which create bridges across the void. I had to use them strategically to reach an otherwise isolated area. Soon, the first orb was mine.            

Laying carpet to reach the first orb.

         By now, it was clear that, unlike its predecessor, this wasn’t going to be a single-entry game, so I’ll have to continue exploring in future entries. I’ll make a prediction now, though: The Shadow Master will get back to Earth first because I’ll sacrifice time (or some other resource) helping this planet with its water problem. Nonetheless, despite technically losing according to the rules, I’ll get a bunch of extra points for Gryffindor for “having done the right thing” and thus end up the Guildmaster anyway.

I know my description makes the game sound pretty bad. But while the interface issues should make Ultizurk II essentially unplayable, occasionally the developer pulls an original idea out of a hat and manages to lure me along for the next chapter. This is not the one he’ll be remembered for, but there’s still something memorable about it.

Time so far: 4 hours

source http://reposts.ciathyza.com/game-323-ultizurk-ii-the-shadow-master-1992/

[lordofsark-blog]

Chapter 3 (Part 1)

“What?” William asked, indelicately.

Critias almost felt himself smile at the look on his son’s face. The disbelief was highly apparent in the young man. He couldn’t help but notice the shape of his face, his nose, was very much like his mother’s. Critias swallowed past a lump in his throat.

“Yes, I’m afraid so. I will not come until the tale is finished, in its entirety.”

William’s face grew even more angry, as if he were having a trick played upon him. Critias understood the sentiment, but in this he was resolute.

“We could just take you in, now. We have your weapon.”

Critias felt his eyebrows raise, even as his grip on his throne tightened almost painfully. He internally began begging the fates that this was not the path chosen for him. Time for a different tact.

“William, why do think the remaining armies of the Eld Empire haven’t simply marched up to my door and captured me? Why send strike forces to take me in?”

The group before him shifted uncomfortably. It was probably something they had discussed in depth many times. Often times, Critias himself found it amazing that the King had never had the gall to try it.

It was, instead, the Tael that spoke up.

“Because they don’t want you dead? Perhaps you know something important. Or perhaps the King simply thinks you would wipe out any force sent to you. Too risky.”

Critias made a so-so gesture with his hand.

“Close. The King fears I will be angered and inform the peoples of certain truths. So he plays the wise game and instead tries to play on my morals.”

William openly scoffed, shaking his head, and Critias slowly looked upon him once more. He felt the cold stab of hurt, even if he expected his son to despise him. It still hurt him to his marrow.

“You doubt my inherent goodness? Hardly without reason.”

William fixed him with a righteous furious glare.

“Forgive me, Oathbreaker, but you decimated the last squad sent here leaving only two as messengers.”

Critias nodded plainly.

“I did. They attacked me without warning. One does not attack someone like me without repercussions.  I made it quick, considering.”

“And what are you, exactly, Oathbreaker?”

Now that Critias had not been expecting. His retort stopped dead, and he found himself at a loss for words. He folded his hands before him and took a deep breath.

“A fair question,” he said after a moment, “that can be answered by listening to my story. I will only tell it once, for I have been preparing it for you for many years now.”

He could see his son grinding his teeth, tightly gripping the pommel of Nae’gling. Critias straightened his back and beset them all with his best commanding voice.

“Do not think you can best me. I will have this, or you may leave. I doubt your King would be overly pleased, however.”

The group glanced between themselves. The Tael shrugged and made to sit on one of the cushions, and the other two Eldor followed suit a moment later. William was the only one left standing.

“Common, Lieutenant,” the woman said gruffly, “It’s just a story. A bit of a long-tale and he will come with us peacefully. I say it is worth it.”

The others nodded in agreement. Critias silently pleaded with any powers that would listen for a total agreement. His heart pounded in his chest for the first time in a long time. After what seemed like an age William sighed heavily, shoulders drooping as if under a great weight.

“Fine,” he said pointedly, “But it won’t change a thing.” He fell into the last cushion, arms cradling Nae’gling tightly.

Critias nodded and leaned back, letting out a pent-up breath he didn’t know he had been holding.

“Right,” he said before pausing. Where to begin?

He gestured to Salien. “Could you bring a small barrel of ale? I feel I shall need to wet the gears of thought to get going.”

Without comment, Salien rushed off to the kitchens. Critias examined those before him, as if trying to read a lengthy book he didn’t much care for.

“Right, some ground rules. First, I shan’t be interrupted. Or questioned. Secondly, everything I am about to tell you is true. As wild as these things may seem, that are all factual. This is a tale that spans into realms beyond the moral fold. Time and often logical rules no longer make sense in some of these places. Thus, will seem like falsities. I assure you, however, that they are not. So do not presume I lie if something seems fanciful.”

Slow nods, and a glare from William, were his only response. Eventually Salien returned carrying a rather heavy cask of ale and several wooden mugs. He was rather red-faced as he set it down and passed out the mugs, before looking expectantly at Critias.

“You may stay and listen too, if you wish, Salien.” Said Critias, taking the hint. Almost before he had finished speaking, the manservant had fallen into a sitting position with an eager look on his face.

“Well, now that it is settled, I suppose we should begin where it all started. Or, depending on one’s view, where it all ended.”