Ales and Tales at SoN (5/17/2010)

[Harperella]

What an epic Ales and Tales its been! The Sons of Numenor truly mustered the Free Peoples of Middle Earth for a night like no other! Harperella was provided escort by two dashing warriors, Thoriann and Ainuril.



We forded the little stream by the waterfall and turned the corner to their absolutely gorgeous kin house!



There were crowds of people clustered all about the grounds. Some dancing to music, others simply enjoying the warm afternoon sun. But soon Benjimir and Harperella had that vast expanse of people squeezing into the kin house.



And my what a crowd it was! I counted 131 patrons, but I'm sure I missed some. Here is a partial list of hose in attendance:

Aanxia, Adelo, Ainuril, Alathfled, Alditha, Althantine, Anastassia, Araduna, Arkanam, Arthuriel, Astleigh, Astoniel, Azethel, Balgosa, Bandomier, Benjimir, Buschx, Byrdie, Cassyan, Celuaeron, Cerciel, Corwil, Coryander, Cryssi, Daewath, Daludor, Dandilyons, Dandya, Diancecht, Dovie, Dukale, Earmir, Earmirora, Eija, Eledraug, Eleiron, Eli, Elithraniel, Ellacin, Elorhir, Eobyre, Eorndrid, Eornrid, Estelina, Fariontir, Faynwen, Felthas, Freyjanna, Galenswerd, Galyn, Gimdorn, Giorfast, Gisa, Gleowyne, Glinimer, Glorenthir, Grayhawke, Halderyck, Halithas, Harperella, Heatherleaf, Hjorgim, Ilisdor, Iskilde, Ithmadrae, Javelarry, Jorgim, Kailia, Kaleigh, Keldridor, Keptwise, Komot, Kymli, Lannos, Lansei, Lanselio, Laverna, Leanndra, Lennidhren, Lexxor, Liebnizriel, Lisewyn, Lobyre, Lumesia, Lunnatheburg, Lynndor, Lynxa, Lyonardo, Maglavodh, Makalaure, Marlornwyn, Martik, Mistion, Mylan, Nightengail, Nimras, Oconcocbair, Olnas, Olyver, Omsi, Ophrysia, Pontifix, Railadan, Randwin, Ravenlocke, Razzalon, Rohanwoods, Selgar, Sophronia, Sufi, Sullric, Svend, Sweetgale, Syggurd, Tamred, Taranthere, Tarnorili, Taurval, Thoriann, Tiggyn, Tii, Tinki, Tombsor, Troubadorn, Tyffani, Unula, Valaraein, Valistis, Vanrana, Vulfkyn, Wyndella, Zerthkel, and Zikan



That's Lavernia providing music to our assembled audience. What followed was more tricks and pranks than a boarding school as everyone let off fire works, used force emotes, and flashy skills. Harperella patiently waited for them to get it out of their system and then introduced our next act, Arkanam. He recited a poem called "Traitor" while Harperella added some interpretive music.



But after such a sad tale, it was time for something a bit more lively! The Eriador Music Society consisting of Astliegh, Makalaure, Heatherleaf, Dovie and Keptwise gave us some toe-tapping tunes to twirl around to. Here we engage in some graceful elven dances...



We followed that with a partner dance with music provided by Ainuril and Maglavodh . Sadly, only one gent was up to the challenge tonight. Sullric and Harperella are dancing here. Kaleigh and Lennidhren were left to dance their only single sets. Though Javelarry did jump up on the stage near the end. His subsequent stage dive was rather ill-conceived...



Kaleigh took the stage next to regale us with a Tall Tale version of Ales and Tales, where nothing is as it seems...



Next was the touching (and somewhat scandalous) scene between Eija and Tarnorili. Eija revealed herself as a dwarf-lass in search of her missing husband. Tarnorili had earned himself three kisses for services rendered in the blighted lands of Angmar.



Keep dreaming Tarnorili... the dwarf lass is taken! Though her husband is MIA...

Randwin provided further music, which got everyone back on their feet...



And Galenswerd showed up to our merry occasion. Of course a certain Hobbit named Tiggyn showed up. This provided a good case-study the dangers of too much and too little ale.



Tiggyn had a great deal to say against dwarves and elves immigration. His views were not shared by the Sons of Numenor, who showed him the road.

The gathering wandered out to see the drama play out and were greeted with the rising of the sun. Galenswerd pointed out a few wan constellations before they were erased by the glory of dawn. Ithmadrae played a lovely tune and urged us on to mount and ride!



And what a ride it was! You can see it here...

Harperella travelled to Esteldin by secret paths and greeted the riders with song as they Thundered to their final conclusion.




What an amazing Ales and Tales it was. My apologies for those who had tales or songs that we were not able to squeeze in. You'll have to save them for next time.

And speaking of next time... We will be meeting in Little Delving for a Hobbity Birthday party and gift exchange! The Hobbits Adelo and Giorfast share a birthday, and that is a great excuse to exchange gifts. We will be having a Mathom exchange. Bring some unusual or odd item to gift to a friend at our next Ales and Tales. A true mathom is interesting and terribly rare--but utterly useless. Thankfully, we have many such items in Middle Earth. Bring one along and join in the fun!

--Harperella

[`Tinki`]

That was possibly the 2nd largest event on landroval? Next to Weatherstock?
Are we quite the kin or what!

[Galenhir]

As always, great recap post Harp! It really is amazing how the LMB came together and has attracted some of the most creative and dedicated people in LOTRO as far as I know. I truly hope we all get to meet in RL someday.

As I'm sure for many of you, LOTRO is far more than a great game for me at this point - it is a great gathering of wonderful people.