| The Middle Earth Messenger -= Official Newsletter of the Lord of the Rings Fanatics Plaza =- Message from the Editors: We would like to thank everyone on the plaza for their support, and especially the Rulers and Administrators for giving us this chance. In addition, we would like to remind people that this is the first newsletter and everything may not be perfect. Bear with us. In This Issue: |
| Messages from Eru |
Welcome to our first Plaza-wide newsletter. With the Plaza now existing 8 months and having seen it grow to the buzzing place it is now I decided that a Plaza-wide newsletter would be a fun addition to the many Kingdom newsletters and general Plaza fun. This first issue is meant to make all members aware of the existance of this newsletter and to announce some of the major things happening on the Plaza. I will be leaving on August 4th for a three week holiday and have tried to work as hard as possible to finish some of the projects I had been working on. Here is an overview of all the things that have been happening and all the new features that have been added to the Plaza:
So I think those are pretty much the major things that have been introduced in the last few days. I would like to invite you to try them all out (except the spamming of course). Have fun on the Plaza and now that you know of this newsletter make sure to send in your submissions to Trey and Rufie at newsletter@lotrplaza.com. Enjoy! Keep the Dream Alive, Philip Kooijman aka Eru |
| Products in the Spotlight |
In this section new Lord of the Rings Merchandise will be announced that are available in our own Lord of the Rings Fanatics Shop. Remember that shopping at the LotR Fanatics Shop is a great way to support us. You do not pay a penny extra and we receive commissions that are used to keep our dedicated server running. This issues Products in the Spotlight:
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| Idril Returns |
Well well, after her long absence, the dearly missed, Idril (witch king of Angmar) has returned. Just in time too, as Indur (Sauron) has left for a month of sailing and Irwin (Melkor) is never around. The Cirith Gongor training area is quite the hit in Mordor, and the new in character pub "Bubhosh Ronk Ishi" is quite the success. It is a in character only, mandatory ABOVE 200 pub were the minions, any evil ones and anyone seeking pain can come and suck back a few screaming ringwraiths. The dark altar is open to all who seek knowledge of the black magics, taught by nuin the black. The Mordor kingdom page is growing with new fanfics and other works done by minions.Within the last 2 days, we have had two new mouths of Sauron join our ranks. These level 7 horrors are evil men, lieutenants of Sauron, only below the fearsome nazgul in rank. Yes life in Mordor has been full of pain and evil and death and decay lately, the screams of hobbits fill the air. 'Tis wonderful indeed. - Lord_Sauron, Mordor Correspondent |
| Changes in Minas Tirith |
It appears Minas Tirith is a breeding ground for changes. Not only have the positions of King and Manwë been changed, yet others too. Huan, once Captain of the Rangers, went through a mid-life crisis and resigned. So that left the position vacant. After a closely contested vote and Huan's decision, Treyan Andune became the new Captain. Well, we don't know if this is a change for better of for worse, I mean, surely one good thing is that there won't be any more typing errors in the Rangers' Roster! The Healer, Nienna, has also resigned from her position, to live with Morme/Manwë in her cottage on the isle of Cair Andros (one wonders how she can bear to live with him!). In her place, Laielinwen became the new Healer. Well, that again does have its good points. At least we Rangers don't have to undergo physically and mentally horrifying healing experiences such as urine therapy anymore. As Elwing has become the new Lady King, that again left the position of princess of Ithilien vacant. Gwaihir, one of Gondor's most acclaimed ballet dancers and a regular consort to Mormegil, eagerly took the position up, and is now living happily in Cair Loriatha with her dragons, Derm and Anariel. Pray she doesn't set them on you! - Eldarion |
| WDPS: An Inside Look |
A Piece of Extra Information about the Society Cirdar, a minion of Mordor, founded this society in order to raise awareness of the plight of the Dragon species. This noble race is facing extinction, due to the misunderstandings of men and also to illegal trade by poachers. All races that want to join must also love dragons and hate the ones who kills them or harms them in any fashion. This is the first rule of the society. There are two squads of the World's Dragons Protection Society. The squads are the diplomats and the S.O.D. The S.O.D are fighters while us, the diplomats, are the talkers. World's Dragon Protection Society's Briefing of Missions We, of the World's Dragon Protection Society, have been completing missions between our to squads. Our count of members has gone up with each day. The count is now thirty-three members. We have gone on both diplomatic and violent missions. We are striving to keep the hunter, slayers, and others from hurting the dragons by providing them with a safe-haven, of which the exact location shall remain unknown. We are providing them with food, shelter, and protection from all forces. In the first mission, the diplomats did most of the work. We were to convince a dragon to move his clan to the haven. There were dangers but all but one of the participators found a way to subdue the protectors of the dragons. We proceeded with the talks until there was a wrong turn. We were attacked by small dragons and had no choice but to defend ourselves without hurting them. Thanks to a sleeping powder, the small ones were no longer attacking and we met another dragon that was interested by our offer. We talked to him, convincing him it was the best choice. Our next mission was to bring the clan of dragons to the location. It was hard since we were thought to be a group of slayers. A loan of the dragon of Minas Tirith saved us the agony of thinking of another proof that we were the true WDPS. There had been a leak of information by a spy whom was thought to be one of us. We were told that none would go with us until the spy was revealed. A scruffy hobbit was found and killed by the dragons for being the leak of information. We soon set out with the dragons to the safe haven. There is a mission going on at the moment, though at a pause. I'm afraid that the details of that mission aren't going to be published in this story. It has been heard that there is a mage, a tacky one at that, that had a dragon under control. As the current temporary acting head of diplomats, I won't confirm these rumors until the mission is over and I have a chance to write once again about the society. This is Lothorethiel signing off. Last note: If anyone is a hunter or slayer of dragons, beware. I may be a diplomat but don't get me mad by hurting a dragon. And if interested in joining, the WDPS thread can be found in the Mordor forum. - Lothorethiel |
| Mud Wresting Tourney |
In the first bout of the much-anticipated Mud Wrestling Tournament taking place in Minas Tirith's Tower Theatre, "Pink Tights" Thorongil took on Cave Troll Cupcake, resident at Dor Moretirith. The stands were full to bursting with Gondorians, a mad Elf, and more Gondorians. Much was taking place in the stands before the bout, and even during the match. The particularly gruesome sight of Galiun losing an ear made me lose my appetite. An Elf shouting Cupcake was Gollum was particularly irritating to the ears, but in the end he quietened down. It didn't take long before the contestants got down to some real dirty business. At one corner was Thorongil, wearing his particularly glaring pink tights, which glinted in the bright sunlight. On the other end was Cupcake, wearing tights specially made for her by Gwaihir, who is a most fashion-conscious designer. After many armlocks, further locks and whatever (I never do get wrestling terms, do you?) they were completely down and dirty in the mud. Perhaps the worst part of the bout came when the tights Cupcake were wearing tore at the seams, to reveal a female Cave Troll's anatomy, rarely seen before. To say the least, it definitely was not aesthetically pleasing. After a bit more rolling in the mud, Thorongil was declared the winner. He decided to retire after the fight, becoming a commentator, while Cupcake returned to Dor Moretirith to wallow in the mud. The competition is still ongoing. Tickets are on sale at the entrance to the Tower Theatre. - Eldarion |
| Site of the Month: |
"Back in my day, we didn't have a Plaza all the time." If you have heard this, you have probably been talking to one of the oldies on the plaza. One of those crazy, brightly-lit members who run around, telling people what to do. Well, ever wonder what they did when the plaza was down? Ever wonder where those crazies would retreat to -grumbling and ranting- when there was no way to log in? Well, here is your chance to join a growing mini-plaza, created by Treyan Andune from Minas Tirith. It is a place where plaza-folk go to talk about Lord of the Rings or to talk in Character and have general fun. Stop by for a good story, or perhaps a poem: http://www.avidgamers.com/tolkarda - Rufie |
| Talking Point |
Minas Tirith, the main city of Gondor, seems to be going through a population boom. The entrance to the City is often thronged with crowds, the marketplaces swamped, the Pubs filled with people (and beer), and the stables filled with more.well, you know. As such, many questions arise out of this phenomenon. Firstly, why has this come about? Secondly, how can the King and Queen deal with this influx of new citizens? Naturally, why? Most of the time, the effect of the common people is the main motive for moving. Just about everyone on the Plaza is friendly anyway, so there must be a motive, no matter how strong the pull of people may be. If you would just take a stroll along the levels of Minas Tirith which are accessible to the common lay people and visitors (obviously the highest level was reserved for the royal couple and their risqué activities) you would see along the Third Circle, a long street lined by many identical-looking houses. Most of them are Pubs, whether or not they are being presently used or are now derelict and falling into ruins. Of course, the nearby trumpets of Oliphaunts signal the tearing down of one of the old Pubs. Though they may appear dirty and in shambles, these may in fact well be one of the main pulling forces of immigrants from other kingdoms. For instance, when pubs in Rivendell were banned, Minas Tirith received a very large influx of Elves in its Pubs, and some of them were spammers who talked rubbish. Of course, our dear trusty rulers of Rivendell (yeah right), banned all those Elves from visiting other kingdoms' Pubs too. A Pub always gives people the impression of a nice place with pipeweed for smoking and getting high, beer for drinking and Old Peculiar for getting drunk and chasing after pretty ladies. It is a place for the lay people and the royalty to congregate in a convivial atmosphere. The antics witnessed inside a Pub are often hilarious, sometimes frivolous or plain lame. But of course, everyone has fun, so that's the point. As another reason for the large population, Gondor's liberal policies and people might be mentioned. No other kingdom allows, or even thinks of, having three Pubs a day. The past and present rulers, Mormegil, Gilraen and Elwing, though strict (obviously, with delete buttons, hammers and whips) allow a radical change in Gondor that is not exactly allowed anywhere else. Now comes the aftermath, how to clean up the utter devastation. Numero Uno on the list is how to deal with spammers. Well, obviously, knock them with the hammer. Delete the posts out of them. Spank them and bite off their ears. Or simply clean the Stables (well, someone needs to help me!). Perhaps counseling is the best way. Or capital punishment. Maybe following the Healer's method: Cover their mouths with a leech. Perhaps kicking them out will be the best. Spammers beware! Minas Tirith is a crazy place (though perhaps with other kingdoms, it pales in comparison), with good-tempered people, two wonderful rulers who don't need locks on their doors anymore, and well, good people. Long may it be so! Note: The author wrote this particularly twisted article in a moment of boredom while at a hiatus in cleaning the stables. Please forgive him for any bias or any bad comments (not that he'll make any, he's such a nice guy! Yeah right.), but most of all, enjoy this Newsletter! - Eldarion |
| Split? |
Recently the Plaza awoke to a shock announcement of the split of Anna Greenleaf and Huan the Captain of the Rangers. The two who were the first official couple to be married on the plaza fooled everyone with no one having a clue about the apparent troubles the two had been suffering. More rumors fueled by Huan that it is another man who split them apart. At the moment none know whether this was the reason for the break up or if it sparked the end for the couple after weeks of troubles between them. Huan was reported seen moving out of the quaint cottage in Minas Tirith with their two children Voronwe and Lirulin. Following him we saw him moving into Gwahir's apartment who kindly offered her house for him to stay in until he could find accommodation. When asking Huan about the break up all he would say to our questions was, "It was a long timecoming and Anna and I shall try and remain friends." More will hopefully be found out when the divorce papers are filed. - Huan |
| Marching Song for Mordor |
(sung to "Eye of the Tiger", by Survivor) Rising up, In Barad-dûr It's the time for our master. Victory we'll face this time, not defeat For we know that the One did survive So now we'll search across all the lands For this place called the Shire Won't lose our chance, For the War is not past We will reign with our Lord of the Eye. It's the Eye of the Dark Lord That will see in the night Searching forth to the terror of our rivals. And at last the Master Ring Will give him clear sight He'll be watching us all with the Eye Of the Dark Lord. Face to face in a dark dell You will soon meet our master Don't resist, he will never be beat You do not have the strength to survive. It's the Eye of the Dark Lord That will see in the night Searching forth to the terror of our rivals. And at last the Master Ring Will give him clear sight He'll be watching us all with the Eye Of the Dark Lord. Rising up, straight to the top With the Ring for his glory Such great power, you are not going to stop Lord Sauron with his all-piercing Eye. It's the Eye of the Dark Lord That will see in the night Searching forth to the terror of our rivals. And at last the Master Ring Will give him clear sight He'll be watching us all with the Eye Of the Dark Lord. The Eye of the Dark Lord The Eye of the Dark Lord (repeat and fade) - Uruloki |
| Unsubscribing from this Newsletter |
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