Entertainment and Education

  Poetry and FanFiction  
Poetry and FanFiction Ærendboda: Ciardwen and Fyliwion
Poetry: Ciardwen | Art: Fyliwion

Priceless Poetry by Ciardwen

When life gets you down, sprinkle some confetti on it, and it'll soon brighten up. Yes, that's right, this months poetry comes from the rider who wore pink for an entire month, a founding member of the Meduseld 'Newbietiers', the Confetti Queen herself…Lailindëiel Lyftéa!

Currently on her sixth poetry thread, A New Dawn (Lailetry), Lail has shown time and time again that great works are but a few words away. Demonstrating a fantastic flare for free form poetry, Lail utilises a whole host of inspiration to create her loveable literature, and shows a keen use of both enlightening comedic writings, and deep emotional language.

This month I was bestowed the honour of selecting the featured poems myself, though the more I read, the less of an honour it seemed to become…choosing the best of the lot from some six inspiring poetry threads was near impossible! Eventually though, and after a great deal of changing my mind, I selected these two. The first speaks of a happy, peaceful Kingdom…where confetti will brighten even the dullest day. The second, titled I Won't Ever Leave Again, speaks of the feeling of place and saftey on returning home to the land of rolling plains.

Don't you cry.
Soon you shall fly
Here on a ship.
Sailing away, you will be near
This land of gladness and of cheer.
Everywhere there lies confetti
Smiles upon all peoples' faces,
Of sadness here, there are no traces.
Colours all around,
Sometimes there is no sound.
A peacefull place,
Won't you come?
Come to the Confetti Kingdom,
Where I reign as your Confettiful Queen

I Won't Ever Leave Again

I ride wearily home.
Over the green grass
Through the trees in the west
Riding my trusted steed.

I'm glad to be home,
I ride down the road.
And smile to myself.
Still green, still lovely.
Always my home.

Wherever I go
No matter how far.
Rohan is in my heart,
Its my home.
If I ever want adventure
If I ever want to leave
I'll remember this day
And how I felt to come home.

Want to read more? Here's a LINK.

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This last month changes in the Art section have lead the way to a new found freedom. With the addition of the Art and Fanfiction forum the limitations on threads were lifted and a wealth of new art has leaked into the flow of threads. Checking around there is a new variety of artistic skills to look into.

September's highlight, however, is a veteran in the art section. With 10 threads to her name, Eruantë has a prized gallery that any individual would enjoy viewing. She has all types of art forms to appeal to any person, ranging from people to creatures.

Her forms are a combination Manga and real life portrayal that is unique to her style. These figure drawings portray mainly people, she uses an inking design that accentuates the details that colouring might otherwise distort. Where more complicated designs are concerned, she has them highlighted with the black and white contrast. She achieves a wonderful mixture of details and simplicity that makes her pictures a treasure to view. The most vivid depiction of this style is one picture that caught my eye in her latest thread.

Half Horse and Half human the centaur has been looked on with various perspectives, one of the more intriguing was Eurante's in this last thread, Return of the Art. Her penmanship combines with the amazing quality of the piece. The details in the tail especially intrigue the viewer with her work. Other examples of this mixed style are also provided in this thread.

Eruantë also has another form of artistic range that also appeals to her audience. Captured best in her thread Eruantë's Art Gallery 3, she has a few coloured pictures that shine as gems in older threads. The way she produces a mixture of reality and shadows is absolutely amazing. When looking into these portraits it is easy to imaginable one is there with her subject. Starting off the thread with a elegant picture of a ship drawn for Christmas, the viewer can almost smell the sea tides and hear the sound of the sailors manning the vessel. It is a beautiful piece presenting contrasting subjects.

The last of her showcasing talents can be found in her thread Speak Friend and Enter. This is one of her dress designs that truly catches the eye. With an amazing amount of detailing, she reconstructs a period dress with ruffles and frills that could easily come out of any portrait. The detailing of creases and trims makes it a wonderful piece showing the last of Eruantë's various talents and also presents a most realistic picture designs.

Eruantë is one of the great Rohirrim artists in A&FF; her great eyes for detailing and over all work is an invaluable asset to Rohan. Be sure to keep an eye out for her next thread.

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  Bard's Guild   
Bard's Guild Maegisterscop: Éormed

With Altura Flet renouncing the position of Mægisterscop and leaving the Bard's Guild, he has recommended another bard, a long time contributor of song ere even the Guild began. ME!

That's right, at his recommendation and the approval of the Rulers, Éormed Talumirage of the Bard's Guild of Meduseld is now Mægisterscop of the Bard's Guild of Meduseld. I would like to consider it a temporary title, to be reviewed by Sicilius upon his return, simply as a formality.

The Guild has seen a good number of great songs, and while some of you may be expecting a piece of my own in honour of my new title, I will instead let someone else have the spotlight this month (i.e. haven't written one yet *g*) This song by Allysian particularly caught my eye, though it was a tough decision as all the recent poetry has been superb.

Come sit with me as I remember summer days gone by
And may your nearness comfort, as a tear falls from my eye
Tomorrow comes too swiftly bringing changes that I fear
All the past is far from me, the future much too near

The stars that shone so brightly, now are covered by a shroud
And heaven's mirrored glory buried deep in layered cloud
The wind brings scent of dying leaves, also a graveyard chill
It is no rain that comes this way to bend us to it's will

The daylight now is fleeing fast, and darkness falls too soon
My mind now clings to memories of warm and sunny noon
Now it seems the night comes just after morning's song
The pale sun that rises burns coldly, then is gone

Come sit with me as I tell how the branches once were green
And the singing of the birds and the clouds drifting serene
And as I tell my tale perhaps, then my old mind will see
All the joys of yesterday coming back to comfort me

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  Guild of Historians   
Historian's Guild Hyrde: Anka

Guild Motto
Myntan, Raedan, Awritan (Think, Advise, Write)

The third Guild session had now begun with the successful completion of the previous session. Thank you to all the Guild's members for your unending dedication! Those interested in becoming part of the Guild of Historians are welcome to sign up in the Guild's Kingdom thread.

This months featured essay:
Topic: An examination into the reigns and lives of Folcwine and Fengel- including the battle of Ithilien and reconquering of the west-march - TA 2830 - 2953
Research by: Calisto, Tamsyn, Naefrewyn, Imbeannowyn
Written by: Imbeannowyn


About Folcwine, 14th King of Rohan

Folcwine was born in 2830 and died in 2903. He is the son of Folca the hunter King, famous for having slain the Boar of Everholt. But Folca died of the wounds he suffered during this hunt in 2864 and Folcwine became King of Rohan. Nothing is known about his wife, but he had 4 children, 3 boys and a girl. His third son and fourth child was Fengel, who became the 15th King of Rohan.

When Folcwine became King, the Rohirrim had only just recovered from the ravages and losses caused by the Long Winter and the attacks of the Dunlendings under their new leader Wulf. Under Folcwine's reign, the Rohirrim recovered to full strength and reorganized their forces. From this period on, an Éored was said to contain not less than 120 men (UT, p. 407)

The re-conquering of the West-march - T.A.2864-2885:
Folcwine managed to completely re-conquer the West-march, the land between the rivers Adorn and Isen, conquered by the Dunlendings under the reigns of Deor, Gram and Helm Hammerhand some 72-120 years ago.

The battle of Ithilien - T.A 2885:
Rohan had received a lot of aid from Gondor in the evil times and during Folcwine's reign, Gondor was under attack once more. In 2885, the Haradrim occupied South Gondor and attacked Ithilien across the river Poros. King Folcwine wished to send help to the gondorian steward Túrin II, but was dissuaded. In his stead, his twin sons, Folcred and Fastred lead the Rohirrim into the battle of Ithilien at the Crossings of Poros, the point where the Harad Road entered the lands of Gondor. At this strategic location, the united forces of Gondor and Rohan won a great victory, destroying the army of Harad. But both Folcred and Fastred fell in this battle. Túrin sent to Folcwine a rich weregild of gold and the Rohirrim buried the twins in a great mound, after their costum. Their burial mound, called Haudh in Gwanur and located on the bank of the Poros, guarded Gondor's southern boundaries for long years after.

After a rule of 39 years, Folcwine was succeeded at his death in 2903 by his youngest son Fengel.

About Fengel, 15th King of Rohan

Fengel was born in 2870 and died in 2953, at the age of 83. He was the third son and fourth child of Folcwine. He had two older brothers, Folcred and Fastred, and a sister. Nothing is written about his wife, but we know that he had three children. Among them was his only son, Thengel, who became the 16th King of Rohan and was the father of Théoden.

Fengel's childhood and youth:
Fengel grew up in Edoras during a peaceful period since orcs and other enemies had been driven out of Rohan's lands by Fengel's ancestors. But this time of peace was ended when Steward Túrin II of Gondor called for aid in the battle of Ithilien. The death of his twin brothers in this battle left Fengel as the rightful heir to the throne of Rohan and when his father died in 2903, Fengel was made King.

Fengel, an unpopular King:
Soon after his coronation, he started to have troubles with his Marshals. He was said to be "greedy of food and gold, and at strife with his Marshals, and with his children" (ROTK, Appendix A). People started to use Fengel's name without praise, to say the least. Even his youngest child, Thengel, left Rohan when he reached manhood because he could no longer tolerate the strife he had with his father's lifestyle. Thengel spend a long time in Gondor, winning honour in the service of Turgon.

Nothing more is remembered of the reign and life of Fengel. When he died at the age of 83, Thengel was recalled from Gondor and became the 16th King of the second line.

Sources:
J.RR. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A
J.RR. Tolkien, Unfinished Tales
Annals of Arda - http://www.annalsofarda.dk/annals-of-arda/
Encyclopedia of Arda -http://www.glyphweb.com/arda

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  Rohirric Raiments   
Taethowen

Have you ever gone to the tavern, wondering if the trim on your cloak is a little out of style? Or if your clothing is wrong for the impression you're trying to make? Help is finally here! Never again will you have to worry about looking like you've worn your clothes out - hints and tips for putting life back into your favorite gown or tunic will be included.

Autumn is practically upon us. The light, breezy garments of summer will soon be put away in favor of the heavier ones that will hold in the heat and ward off the chill in the air. The sturdier cloaks, boots and gloves will be brought out of hiding. But what about the variety within the standard?

Deep golden colors will re-appear: tan, brown, orange and red; as well as dark mauves, blues and greens, the last reminders of summer. Layered garments functional for the harvest time are upon us (no pun intended), but elegant, flowing fashions are here as well.

This gown brings all the above elements into play. The under gown is silk, dyed a grass green in color. The sleeves split just above the elbow. The overdress is made of hunter-green velvet, trimmed in reddish-brown and gold trim that goes around the neckline, hem and front edges. Open down the front, it laces with gold ties; the sleeves stop right above the elbow and are made mostly of the trim.

Made of orange chiffon lined with silk, this gown was inspired by Fea. The upper part of the sleeves is puffed, and the gown fits somewhat loosely overall. It's comfortable and elegant, making it the perfect choice for a late evening. It has an empire waistline that 'V's' upward slightly, and a V neck. Around the gathered part of the sleeves, the neckline and the waist have a gold and orange trim.

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  Everything Horses  
Breed of the Month | Common Ailments | Horsecare How-To

Breed of the Month: The Shire
Twin Demon

A descendant of the Great Medieval War horse, the Shire is named after its breeding grounds in the "English Shire" countries, such as Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, and Derbyshire. At first, the Shires had taken the name the English Black and were bred also in the Fenlands. Horses bred in the Fenlands were heavier than those bred in the Shire countries. Also, horses bred in Derbyshire and Leicestershire tended to be Black, contrasting those from Staffordshire, which tended to be brown. The Flemish (also known as Flanders) horse was the main influence in the evolution of the Shire. The Flemish horses were bred with the native England horses in the 16th and 17th century when they were brought with Dutch contractors whose job was to drain the fenland in Eastern Europe, thus increasing farming land.

Packington Blind (named after the village), the founding stallion of the breed, appeared in the Studbook in 1878 which was published by the English Cart Horse Society. In 1884, the name of the English Cart Horse Society was changed to the Shire Horse Society, officially giving the breed their new name. After the Shire Society was created, the Shires were competing in agricultural shows and doing quite well. Eventually, because of foreign interest, Shires were exported to North America, South America, Russia, and Australia.

Shires quickly became part of daily life as they ploughed land, hauled timber, and pulled farm wagons, coal carts, and brewers' drays. Despite the little use for Shires after World War I and mechanization, they remained alive because of their need in breweries. Today, the Shires are still used in many cities and towns at the breweries, as well as competing in Heavy Draft Competitions.

Shires are known and desired for their strength, stamina, soundness, and kind temperament, often referred to as "Gentle Giants." Stallions are 16.2 - 17.2hh and mares are 16 - 17hh. Even though these are there general heights, it is not unusual to see a Shire horse up to 18hh. Shire coat colors are black, brown, bay, or gray with white markings. Their heads are lean with roman noses and large eyes, giving them a docile look. Their ears are sharp and sensitive and their necks are long and slightly arched. Their backs are short and muscular and their chests are wide. Their hindquarters are well muscled and, as most draft horses have, Shires also contain silky feathers on their legs.

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Common Ailments: Choke
Twin Demon

"Oh my God, that person's choking!" Well, we all know what that means, but what about when horses choke? Do you really understand how and why horses choke and, most importantly, how to recognize choke and what to do about it? Should you stick your hand down your horse's throat? Give him more food to push it down? Next time you think about giving horses a treat to entice them into a trailer, you'll think again. Take a little time to read; you might be surprised at what you find out.

The real name for choke is Esophageal Obstruction, for obvious reasons. When a horse chokes, like the name implies, they have food or foreign objects stuck in their esophagus. However, horses can still breathe when suffering from choke. Unlike in humans where the obstruction is in the trachea, horses simply cannot swallow. Contrary to what one might think, horses can still breathe freely and will not be gasping for air like humans do when suffering from choke.

Unfortunately, choke can occur anytime in any horse when something, whether it be food or a foreign object, gets stuck in your horse's esophagus. Most often, the afflicted horse has swallowed dry and hard foods very quickly, such as: pellets, alfalfa cubes, carrots, or apples. Beet pulp may also cause choke because the pulp expands when in contact with horses' saliva.

Some horses are more susceptible to choke than others, such as a fast eater. Older or young horses with sharp or just growing teeth might swallow without chewing the food properly. Horses in a stressful situation may also choke if their saliva production has gone down enough and they bolt down food or treats. Any object that can be passed into the esophagus and get stuck may cause choke, not just food or treats.

Several ways to identify choke include green gunk (feed and water) pouring from your horse's nostrils, stretching or twisting their necks, or saliva coming from their mouth since it cannot be swallowed. The last sign is the most positive indicator of choke. Depending how low into the esophagus the object is stuck, horses may try to cough up the obstruction. Horses may also repeatedly open and close their mouth, shake their head, tremble, stamp their feet, back away from food, or even stop eating. However, some affected horses may still eat! Just because they are eating does not mean they are fine.

If you suspect choke, put your horse away in his stall and call your vet. Take away ALL food! The vet will usually try a sedative first, because it relaxes the muscles, including the esophagus. If you have your horse tied (try not to), keep his head lower than his chest so he can cough up the obstruction if possible. However, your horse should remain under the watchful eye of your vet because if he sits too long without getting better, scar tissue may develop, causing repeated choke episodes.

After a few hours, a tube may have to be guided through the nostril to the obstruction to either "push" the obstruction down with pressure or soften it with water or fluid. Very bad cases of choke (statistically 1 out of 10) will need surgery, but it is the less likely treatment. Depending on the severity of the case and how early it was treated, there may be damage to the esophagus, sometimes permanent, which may put your horse at risk for repeated episodes of choke. Depending on the damage; your horse may need to remain on a diet of gruel.

Some ways to prevent choke are to have teeth floated regularly (once or twice a year), soak all pellets and pulp before offering it to your horse, cut treats such as apples and carrots into smaller sections, feed on time so your horse doesn't get too hungry, and feed in a round feed pan on the ground, a more natural position for horses to eat (being grazing mammals and all).

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Horsecare How-To: Water & Succulents
Elestar

Horses, if cared for properly, can be very high-maintenance 'friends'. One aspect of horse care that is frequently overlooked, or not pondered thoroughly enough, is feeding. To feed the individual horse adequately and appropriately for their workload/age/breed/temperament/etc, can be considered an art form. Or, perhaps feeding is not an art but a science; with the varieties of food available to the horse-owner, one has to have quite a lot of knowledge to distinguish between them. Not just any knowledge will suffice; common sense is often not 'smart' enough for this task. We must understand, not only the contents/advantages/disadvantages/purposes/etc, of each type of feed, but we must also understand the inner-workings of the horse. This includes not only understanding the physiological horse in general, but each individual horse must be examined on its own. As in all aspects of horse care, each horse should receive individualized treatment-each horse is an individual, different from his stable-mates.

There are different categories, if you will, of feeding the horse and each is very important to the animal's health and performance. In my mind, I have grouped the different types of feed into five categories: roughage, concentrates, vitamins/minerals, supplements, and others. Each of these categories can be very complex, but they are all vital to your horse's well being; you must understand each type of feed, and its purpose in order to feed your horse properly.

To start, I will expand on the 'other' category; this category is perhaps the most basic and requires the least amount of technical knowledge-here, common sense will most likely be adequate, though there are a few rules that should be followed. The individual items of this category are water and succulents. I am sure more could be added to this category, but I will leave it as it is, as the other categories will probably cover the 'missing' items.

First, let's look at water. We all know what water is, and what it does for us, right? Well, water serves the same purpose for our horses as well-it hydrates the body, allowing each part to perform its' task efficiently. The absence of water would be promptly noticed in the efficiency of our body's production. If the human body is comprised of 70% of water, imagine the repercussions of dehydration! Apply this to the horse, but be sure to account for the fact that they weigh (depending on the breed of horse) a thousand pounds more than we do. What would dehydration mean for them? If their bodies (and body parts) are larger than ours, wouldn't their water requirement correspond? The average horse requires 8 to 10 gallons of water a day. If they are deprived of adequate water, the effects of dehydration are much more noticeable than ours.

Aside from the amount of water required by the horse, the cleanliness of the water is imperative as well. Many horses are very finicky about what they drink and will not subject themselves to dirty water. Keeping the vessels that contain your horse's water clean should be a regular, if not daily, part of your horse care regimen. Removing any debris from the water and cleaning the algae and scum from the surfaces of the tank are required measures for water cleanliness. Some horses will not drink dirty water, and they should not have to. Their water should be clean enough that you would drink it.

Water is a vital part of your horse's diet, and he should have access to it at all times, except when he is very hot and sweaty. If you allow your horse to drink water when he is hot, you greatly increase his risk of colicing. In the event that your horse is hot, you should allow him small sips of water every 10 minutes or so, as he is cooling down. Once the horse is entirely cool, he should be allowed all of the water that he wants. It is of utmost importance that your horse has ready access to cool, clean, water (except in the previously mentioned scenario)!

Succulents are usually just an 'extra' in the horse's feed schedule; a juicy apple or carrot is considered a succulent. While these are not vital to the horse's diet, they are a nice treat, and can, in certain circumstances, be very useful. Some people soak carrots in water and then feed them to their horse before hauling him on a long trip-these can help keep him hydrated when he does not have ready access to water.

Perhaps it is not mere coincidence that I covered the 'other' category first-as it pertained mainly to water, it is very fittingly mentioned first among the horse's feeding requirements. I cannot over emphasize the fact that your horse needs at least 10 gallons of cool, clean, water readily available to him at all times. Do not overlook this important aspect of your horse's diet! On a lighter note, succulents are a nice treat for your horse and you should not hesitate to feed them, in moderation of course!

So, until next time, remember the importance of water to your horse and Happy Horsin' Around!

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  Turbo Trivia Teasers   
Éoarod and the Raciendas þæra Talu Lore Guild

Welcome back to the Raciendas þæra Talu Trivia Teasers! For those that don't know the Raciendas (Speakers of the Tales) is Med's very own Lore Guild. In its book lined halls we discuss many aspects of The Master Tolkien's works. In addition we are the home of the Med Drill Tweam so there are always lots of Drill type questions being asked and answered by all members of the Guild to keep our wits sharp. We are always looking for new members and hope to whet your appetite with these sample questions from the Raciendas. The answers can be found in the Rædboda House.

And remember the first rule of all of Med's Tweams – have fun!

• Who was crowned with foliage? (and yet not an Ent...)

• What castle was golden and black?

• How many realities existed in Middle-earth?

• Who could be considered the first 'Frisbee dog' of ME?

• Who moved like 'ashen colored ants'?

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  Newbie Tips and Oldie Memories   
Sethiel Eluchil

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment on the Plaza? Anything you regret?

That was the question I asked five Oldies, including myself. Only myself and one other gave regrets, the rest are either too shy to make their regrets public or they truly have none. I suppose that is what I get for making the second question optional!

A certain rider (who asked to remain nameless XD) regrets only her hasty marriage to a man who later 'turned out to be a complete loser.' My own regret (if it can be called that) is that I am not more frugal with my points.

Some were painfully modest such as Ælfwyn, who stated only that her greatest accomplishment was being 'a pretty active cavalry member for more than a year.' Another modest answer is Nuryavë'. Any who know her are aware of her great writing skills. It is not too much of a stretch to imagine that her greatest accomplishment was when she opened her first [of nine] poetry threads.

My own is in a category of my own making: The far too broad category. *g* I have not had any 'lightening bolt' accomplishments that would leap out of the page at you, but I do hope that I have had some sort of impact on another Plazarite because that would be the most profound and long-lasting thing I can think of.

Others still were a bit more specific. Vanyahiril is one of these: Her greatest accomplishment on the Plaza is 'becoming a Paethfindian in the Cavalry.' Another example, spoken by Shimanocono, is being on the winning side of a Meduseld-only debate.

All of these riders required some poking or prodding before they would come out and state/brag about their accomplishments. I am sure that had I asked enough people, I will have eventually found someone willing to share a long list of great accomplishments with me. I am quite glad that I found none of these people, for I think it shows the great modesty and humility that our great kingdom possesses. I place those two qualities very high up in importance and feel that we should all be proud to be part of this wonderful kingdom!

Newbie tip of the Month: If you want to 'BUMP' a thread in a point-earning forum without cluttering it with unnecessary posts, simply make a post of 200+ characters, post it, and then delete it. Your thread will come to the top of the forum and you will not clutter it or gain an unearned point.

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  Rohirric Recipies
Chefs Idesinholdè and Éile

Cheese Orange | Rohirric Harvest Bread | Well Done Wild Duck | Cheese Biscuits | Sweet Potato Casserole

Cheese Orange *3rd Place Winner in the Orange Invasion*

3 cups whole milk
3 cups heavy cream
¼ tsp mesophilic-M starter
¼ tsp calcium chloride
2 drops of liquid rennet
2 Oranges

Whisk together the milk and cream in double boiler. Slowly warm to 72 degrees. Remove pot from heat and stir in Mesophilic-M starter.

Add calcium chloride and stir. Add rennet and stir. Cover pot and set in draft-free area at 70 - 74 degrees for 24 hours to ripen. When done it will look like yogurt. At that point you peel the two oranges, but them in a blender, and pretty much everything but the large lumps (and seeds) into the cheese, and stir.

Line colander with cheesecloth and place in basin to drain. Ladle cheese mixture into colander. Pull up ends of cheesecloth and knot them together to hang. Hang cloth over pot for draining. Let curds drain for 12 hours or until it no longer drips and is a solid mass. Spoon into an airtight container and stir till creamy. Store up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

Now if you feel that this is too much work and time, I suggest you buy some cheese with little taste. Peel two oranges put them in a blender and remove big lumps and seeds. After that is done, put the cheese in the blender and umm blend really good. Then you put it in an airtight Tupperware (make sure cheese is creamy) and store 24 hours in the refrigerator.

That should leave you with some Orange colored, and flavored desert cheese *g*

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Rohirric Harvest Bread

2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup honey
4 eggs beaten
2 cups cooked, mashed sweet potato or pumpkin
1 ½ cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Cinnamon
½ tsp. Nutmeg
2/3 cups water

Mix all ingredients in the order given. Spoon into two greased loaf pans. Bake at 350F for 50 minutes.

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Well Done Wild Duck

¼ apple, chopped
1 tsp chopped onion
1 medium chopped onion
Butter
Salt & pepper

From scratch, literally… Pick, singe and draw, then soak duck in salt water for 2 hours. Remove from salt water, rinse, and wipe dry. Rub with salt, pepper, and butter. Inside place the apple and 1 tsp onion. Place the duck in a baking pan and over it chop a medium size onion. Cook uncovered in a 450F oven until seared all over, basting frequently with butter and drippings.

Add ½ cup of water, cover, and cook at 400F until tender. Remove top from baking pan and continue cooking and basting until duck is crispy brown. A gravy can be made from the drippings by adding a thickener.

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Cheese Biscuits

2 cups sifted flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
5 tbsp vegetable shortening
1 cup grated sharp cheese
¾ cup milk

Sift flour with salt and baking powder. Cut in shortening. Add cheese and cut it into mixture. Add milk and gently stir with fork to blend ingredients. Toss onto lightly floured board and roll into ½-inch thickness. Cut with floured biscuit cutter and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 450F for 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Take care not to overbake. Makes about 24.

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Sweet Potato Casserole

Casserole:
3 cups of boiled, mashed sweet potatoes (about 5)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tbs vanilla
½ cup butter

Topping:
1 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
½ cup butter
½ cup pecans or nut of your choice is optional
(mix together with fork)

Mix all ingredients well and pour into greased/buttered casserole dish. Top with brown sugar mix. Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes.

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  Life in the Riddermarket  
Shopping and Living in the Riddermarket: Rohirric Stables, Owned by Twin Demon
Taethowen

This month's shop is the Rohirric Stables, owned by Twin Demon. It is one of the older establishments of the Riddermarket. Offering both permanent and short-term boarding, it is a handy place for the shop owners, patrons, and visitors to Edoras to leave their mounts.

Twin says there are straight and box stalls available. One to three days in either stall is five gold pieces, and the prices go up to twenty-five gold for one month in a straight stall, and thirty gold for a box stall the same amount of time.

To quote Twin - "Our services offer daily turnout, grooming, mucking twice a day, feeding twice a day, and water twice a day. But if a horse drinks fast, we'll do it a third or even fourth time ;)."

Mairuanna is Twin's only apprentice right now, but she says she's looking for another hand around the place. They do the chores listed above, and when they're through, Twin says they take a break and do whatever they want. After that it is time for the evening feedings and whatever else is left (or comes up) to do.

With about nine birds she flies by the paddock and a cat, Tiger, the place gets lively at times. Her pony once got out of his stall and into the hay storage, greeting owner and apprentices that way when they arrived!

Be sure to visit the Rohirric Stable if you want to see a friendly face, and if your horse needs a rest!

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  Meduseld's Monthly Mystery  
Miny Aranor

The Monthly Mysteries game is pretty simple to play. You simply need to read the mystery, pick up the clues, and try to solve it. Each month a new mystery will be released with the answer from the month before. Sound interesting? Want to give it a try? Here's the first mystery...

~The Fishermen~

On one of Miny's trip he was riding past the Isen River when he spotted a small fishing boat anchored on the river. Noticing that the only occupant was in turmoil, Miny decided to help and with haste. As he approached, the man on the boat called out, "It's Goldwine!! He's drowned!" Miny dismounted his horse and walked onto the boat to examine the corpse. He noticed that it was a man around 35 years old, bald, wet, and definitely dead. Goldwine had a huge cut on his forehead and a huge bump on the back of his head. Miny turned to the fisherman and asked, "What happened?"

"Goldwine was on the rudder, on the stern of the ship, and I was on the bow..." explained the fisherman. "We were sailing in favor of the wind, when suddenly a gust of wind, on the contrary side, made the sail gyrate and hit Goldwine in the forehead throwing him back into the water. I held on to the rudder and tried to change the course of the boat. But it took me around twenty-five minutes to do it. When I got there, Goldwine was already dead. I tied a rope around his feet and pulled him inside the boat. His head hit the side of it, causing that bump on the back of his head." Miny frowned a bit imagining what had really happened, after awhile he grabbed the fisherman's arms and said, "There is no doubt in my mind that you were the one who killed him and forged that crazy story."

How could Miny know that? Was he psychic? A good guesser or just in possession of a suspicious nature, perhaps? Keep an eye out for next month's edition of the Rædboda for the answer.

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  From the Forums   
Advanced Lore: Gemætancwén | Middle Earth People and Races: Calisto* | Tolkien: the Man: Calisto*

Advanced Lore Report
Gemætancwén

September opened in Advanced Lore with the eighth issue of Hoth's In Character Challenge: Dwarves!!!, in which the contestants were asked, as usual, to create dialogues between various characters from Middle-Earth.

The first theme was "The prayer of Mîm," in which we were asked to depict the conversation between Mîm and Húrin, before the doors of Nargothrond, when Húrin menaced to slay Mîm for betraying Túrin. The second theme "Speak friend and enter," was a bit lighter, as it invited us to describe a friendly conversation between an elf and a dwarf, at the time when there was no strife between these two peoples. Needless to say, the Dwarves were numerous to propose their contribution to this topic.

A topic was moved to Ad Lore lately: "Éowyn: Truly a Heroine?" With such a title, how could the Rohirrim not react!? Many went to Éowyn's succour, and Éowyn's deeds were scrutinised: were they really heroic, or did she abandon her duty to her people for an occupation that suited her better? The fact that she helped to kill the Witchking was recalled (How could anyone in his right mind forget such a thing?) and her motivations were analysed, as well as the notions of "courage" and "bravery".

Lastly, the question was brought up of Mandos' harshness when pronouncing his Doom: "Mandos too Mean?". Indeed, he laid his Doom on all of the Noldor, whereas few of them only were guilty of the Kinslaying. It appears now that Mandos has been extremely severe in his judgment, banning many Noldor from Valinor when not all of them truly deserved it.

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Middle Earth People and Races
Calisto*

The Gift of Dwarves?

Did they have a gift? It seems that two particular races had a gift - Elves and Men -

We all know the story of how Aule created dwarves, and how Eru finally adopted them as his adopted children. So Eru's original children were given gifts, elves have their immortality and men have their mortality, but dwarves are on the loose here. After they die they go to Mandos and stay there without any reincarnation unlike elves. I must admit that it's weird that dwarves as one of "good" races have no gift like children of Eru. First of all it's not their fault that they weren't original Eru's creation and they still remain sort of punished.

So could we say that dwarven resistance to corruption by evil (as Aule made them to resist the evil that... it's all in Silmarillion, read it) is their gift, or could it be something else? Or nothing at all? -- Arú Gimil

Arú, I think you're interpreting too much. Mortality is called a gift to Men, but immortality is never called a gift to Elves. And since the Dwarves are mortal, one might say that mortality was their gift too. It is never mentioned though, I believe, where the Dwarves go in their afterlife, except that they believe themselves that Aulë has some halls set aside to them especially. -- Aduchil

This thread momentarily became comical when Dahak posted his own thoughts - Well, on the one hand, Dwarves have very strong wills. It's near impossible to dominate their spirits or turn them into wraiths, unlike the weak-hearted Men. And, um, they also have beards! Wonderfully coloured beards that are easy to braid and comb and display to all the other beardless wannabes. The others are just jealous of their beardedness! Their hairless chins could never compare! So, uh, the Gift of the Dwarves are beards.

But Estel soon set them to right - Well some might say that to die and spend forever with your creator would be a gift. In fact a lot of Religions say it! Also I would never say that the elves immortality was a "gift". Who knows if the Dwarves gift was a resistance to corruption by evil maybe it was, but could life itself not be their gift?

Her words rang true when many others voiced similar thoughts - and is not life itself a gift immortal or not?

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Tolkien the Man
Calisto*

Commemorating a true gifted writer like JRR Tolkien this month, it was 31 years on the 2nd of September 2004 that John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, son of Arthur Reuel Tolkien and Mabbel Suffield, died on the 2nd September 1973. On 31st August he was taken to hospital and a acute bleeding gastric ulcer was diagnosed. The first medical reports were optimistic, but on the 1st September a chest infection was developing and he died early in the Sunday morning of 2 September 1973. In the grave of Tolkien and his wife the following inscription can be read:

Edith Mary Tolkien, Lúthien, 1889-1971. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, Beren, 1892-1973.

Link to post your thoughts: HERE

But on to what Tolkien gifted us with, a topic such as the next one to remember him well by - Is Tolkien Eru?

Now you would think that he was, a writer so gifted, truly the worth of a legend that our time will never see again on his genre. From the view of subcreator then yes Tolkien would be an Eruish character. However, In his own mind he was recording a history and thus one could say that he was not Eru within his own mind. But as a subcreator he was definaly Eruish. - Taliesin

Okay guys, now i break all of you by saying that my girlfriend's brother said that! he's 13 years old and cause of me he's starting likin LOTR and when i was explaining the creation of arda he came up and said, "did JRRT wanted to make himself as ERU?" i was shocked. and thinking i think yes, no matter the fact of his cristianism, cause everything in arda is known by eru now, so....he knows everything in arda cause he writes it so thats my point of view....anyone can say anything? - Lolindir

I do not believe that in anyway shape or form Tolkein picture himslef as Eru. He did not act as though he had complete power over the book but rather that he was recording history. He did however show that he had some power, the power to allow his veiws to become present in his works, but not the power to change it wholely and completely. - Gerin

Yes, Tolkien may have been a devout catholic - but as in other threads, continually formed in the forum of Tolkien the Man disputing his religion, it comes down to just one thing. Tolkien never once pushed his own beliefs onto others and created a fantasy world. A world of races that had their differences between them (eg: the elves and the dwarves). A place for you to believe and like whom you will in the world created by him in a time of war, where he delved into his imagination and gave us freedom to play in our minds and here on the plaza in reality.

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