Homerids Prime (Thrasir) and Secunda (Kayzee) await rescue

Last week I did indeed bring my apprentice bards into the Ettenmoors. We were lucky enough to run into an enormous party of freeps several times. The apprentice bards were suitably impressed by the way Monster-Play puts forward a sociology of zero-sum glory. Or, to put it another way, we were pwnd several times in succession.

Here’s a sample:

.

You feel as though you are being followed…

Liliam defeated Thaluthafar.

Daedeloth incapacitated you.

Nuggdawg defeated Eldiinor.

Treystrife defeated Brynashgel.

Floaty names are now OFF.

Treystrife defeated Lyftfaet.

Ulpenthir defeated Foreshlapscop.

You succumb to your wounds.

Your fellow, Eldiinor, has been defeated!

[Raid] Thaluthafar: LOL

[Raid] Eldiinor: saw that coming from miles away

Your fellow, Thaluthafar, has been defeated!

[Raid] Brynashgel: umm

[Group] Lyftfaet: sooo dead

[Raid] Thaluthafar: lolol

Your fellow, Murshkuff, has been defeated!

[Raid] Brynashgel: what happened?

[Group] Lyftfaet: revive or retreat?

[Raid] Thaluthafar: we just got raided

[Raid] Thaluthafar: =D

[Raid] Eldiinor: retreat

[Raid] Brynashgel: I cant revive

Your fellow, Foreshlapscop, has been defeated!

Your fellow, Brynashgel, has been defeated!

[Raid] Murshkuff: k that was fun

[Raid] Foreshlapscop: honestly my computer couldnt even load everything that was happening, it unfroze when i was dead

Your fellow, Lyftfaet, has been defeated!

[Raid] Brynashgel: Was that related to sociology somehow?

[Raid] Thaluthafar: haha

[Raid] Eldiinor: yeah, the good works together well

[Group] Lyftfaet: yeah it froze for me too

[To Raid] We got too close

[OOC] Fragganator: ‘x if there’s room’

[To Raid] We’ll see if we can observe

The point was actually to analyze how the game and its players put forward various sociologies in various parts and moments of LOTRO: here in Monster-Play, a certain sociology that values competition is particularly visible.

As I detailed in my last post, though, there was another purpose to this visit to Monster-Play: in the quasi-ARG story, the apprentice bards had been told that a group of these competitive players had taken the bardic leaders prisoner. The denouement of that plotline came last night.

The apprentice bards were instructed to go to Scary in the Shire to meet a 1337 contact who had infiltrated the bardic kinship Meldor i Lindaiva. The contact was Fareth, who was played by an old student of mine. In the following chat-log, I’m playing Thrasir; Kayzee, Aphetoros, Tolbrook, and Bomac are all theoretically members of the bardic order. Zannoette, Aeargalad, Cinadin, and Arielion are apprentice-bards—that is, students.

### Chat Log: General 04/11 08:29 PM ###

Townsperson says, ”I’m having an adventure. I’ve paddled all the way from Frogmorton!”

[Kinship] Zannoette: hello

[Kinship] Aeargalad: Greetings kinners

Tolbrook bows deeply before Aphetoros.

Aphetoros laughs at Tolbrook.

[Kinship] Fareth: Im ur 1337 contact. Waiting 4 u in Scary

[Kinship] Zannoette: looks like i need 1 more lvl

[Kinship] Fareth: n00b wut iz ur deal?

[Kinship] Zannoette: im garbage

[To Kinship] Do as he says, operatives. It is for the best.

[Kinship] Fareth: another n00blet. use 1337 speak. br8k the agreement and get pwnd

Tolbrook taps gramsfoot guard on the left shoulder

[Kinship] Zannoette: i dont have the faintest clue what you’re talking about

[To Kinship] *sigh*

[Kinship] Zannoette: :)

[To Kinship] Doo as he sez, ops. 4 teh best.

[Kinship] Aeargalad: wat f we dont wnt 2 use n00b speek?

[Kinship] Zannoette: ya @#$ srsly

[Kinship] Aeargalad: lulz

Your friend, Kayzee, has come online.

[Kinship] Zannoette: why should i listen to you

[Kinship] Aeargalad: brb

[Kinship] Zannoette: arent you like

[Kinship] Zannoette: the enemy

[Kinship] Aeargalad: on my way though

[Kinship] Zannoette: you stole homerid prime

[Kinship] Zannoette: why should i trust you?

[To Kinship] Im Pr1me.

[Kinship] Zannoette: hmm

[To Kinship] I n33d u 2 doo wut he sez

[Kinship] Zannoette: k

[Kinship] Zannoette: y r u so bnt on l33tspk

[Kinship] Zannoette: i gr3w 0ut 0f d4t wh3n i wuz 12zorz

[To Kinship] They’re making me.

Kayzee has joined your Fellowship.

[To Kinship] The 1337 have demanded that I admit that the bardic tradition no longer exists.

[Kinship] Zannoette: o snap

[Kinship] Zannoette: s0 why dnt you just pwn them instead

[To Kinship] I have agreed to show them the extent to which I capitulate.

[Kinship] Zannoette: ur homeridprime

[Kinship] Zannoette: u have epic swordz

[Kinship] Aeargalad: w3 r d01n MP again?

[To Kinship] No–meet the contact in Scary

[To Kinship] ((Take a look on the forum if you’re trying to get up to speed.))

[Kinship] Cinadin: what is the signal?

[Kinship] Aeargalad: h4z teh Pr1me fallin?

[To Kinship] There’s no signal–the 1337 contact will make itself known.

[To Kinship] So the 1337 believe

[Kinship] Zannoette: hmm

[Kinship] Cinadin: oh, i see him/her

[Kinship] Fareth: i am teh 1337 and i pwnd the b4rds.

[Kinship] Zannoette: k

[Kinship] Aeargalad: lolololol

[Kinship] Aeargalad: 1 gotz a kr0sbow

[Kinship] Cinadin: lol

[Kinship] Zannoette: sob

[To Kinship] Arielion, the 1337 contact is in Scary, please listen to him.

[Kinship] Zannoette: wwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

[Kinship] Fareth: n33d a widdle guide to h0ld ur h4nd n bring u here?

[Kinship] Zannoette: mebbe

[To Kinship] ((He’s in character–he’s really a nice guy))

[Kinship] Aeargalad: far3th, ur b0w. giv it 2 m3

[Kinship] Zannoette: yeah w/e

[Kinship] Aeargalad: lololololo

[Kinship] Arielion: who should i speak to?

[To Kinship] Where are you, Zann?

[Kinship] Fareth: wh3re r u?

[Kinship] Zannoette: 24.3 93.5

[Kinship] Aeargalad: h3 iz in falathlorn

[Kinship] Zannoette: i gotta go the long way around

[Kinship] Zannoette: too many dw4vzzz

[Kinship] Fareth: im s3nding Tolbrook to h3lp

[Kinship] Fareth: u can no haz me b0w

[Kinship] Zannoette: how do i bind l33t destiny skillz?

[Kinship] Aeargalad: 1 wnt it nao pl0x

[Kinship] Zannoette: i boufgt somethin 2 make me run fastr

[Kinship] Fareth: d4re u cl1mb on my r0x?

[Kinship] Aeargalad: 1 d0n c ur n43m on ittt

[Kinship] Cinadin: lol

[Kinship] Aeargalad: lol hez on teh r0x

[Kinship] Aeargalad: noooooooooooeeeee

[Kinship] Aeargalad: sh3 r0te it

[Kinship] Zannoette: so w8

[Kinship] Zannoette: follow road 2 shire?

[Kinship] Aeargalad: 0WWW

Kayzee sits down.

[Kinship] Aeargalad: H3 R4N 0VR MAI F4CEEEE

[Kinship] Cinadin: i think fareth likes to talk smack

WE HERE INSERT A CAPTURED EXCERPT FROM FARETH’S LOG

### Chat Capture: General 04/11 09:33 PM ###

You flex mightily!

Cinadin looks rather bored.

You mock Aeargalad.

Cinadin laughs.

You laugh at Cinadin.

Cinadin flexes mightily!

Aeargalad openly mocks Fareth.

You flex mightily!

Cinadin looks rather bored.

Cinadin sits down.

You let out a big yawn.

Aeargalad waves to Arielion.

Cinadin waves to everyone.

Aeargalad points at Townsperson.

You poke Arielion. Hey!

Tolbrook has left your Fellowship.

You scold Arielion.

You scold Aeargalad.

Cinadin looks rather bored.

You flex mightily before Arielion.

Fareth wr1tes h3r n4me on teh r0x

Aeargalad points at Arielion.

You poke Arielion. Hey!

Arielion pokes Fareth. Hey!

You peer into the distance.

Aeargalad drinks to Cinadin’s health.

Cinadin takes a drink.

Aeargalad lies down.

Cinadin sits down.

Arielion laughs.

Arielion sits down.

Cinadin looks rather bored.

Cinadin sits down.

Aeargalad lets out a big yawn.

Aeargalad lies down.

Arielion performs a handstand!

Arielion sits down.

Cinadin laughs.

Cinadin laughs.

Aeargalad hails Zannoette.

Aeargalad defeated the Wolf Hunter.

Your mighty blow defeated the Mature Black-bear.

Arielion defeated the Wolf Hunter.

Aeargalad defeated the Wolf Hunter.

Aeargalad defeated the Mature Black-bear.

Cinadin defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Aeargalad defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Your mighty blow defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Aeargalad defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Tolbrook defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Cinadin defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Aeargalad defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Aeargalad defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Cinadin defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Tolbrook defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Aeargalad defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Aeargalad defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Cinadin defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Cinadin defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

WE RETURN TO THRASIR’S LOG

[Kinship] Aeargalad: he izz h3r3

[Kinship] Zannoette: thx hobbit

[Kinship] Fareth: f0ll0w m3

[Kinship] Zannoette: so why meet hear?

[Kinship] Zannoette: in the middle of nowherz

[Kinship] Cinadin: kidnaprz

[Kinship] Zannoette: yay

[Kinship] Zannoette: why dont we all group?

[Kinship] Zannoette: like sam said

[Kinship] Zannoette: share the load

[To Kinship] Fellow bards, the 1337 have brought me here to tell you that games have nothing to do with the epic tradition. They are here; they have hacked into the goblins you see around you.

[Kinship] Aeargalad: wut do we do?

[Kinship] Zannoette: oh no

[Kinship] Zannoette: all i have known and cherished is wrong

[Kinship] Zannoette: how could we have been so mislead

At this point, the party of students and their “1337″ guide had reached the goblin camp in the Scrag-Dells. I hadn’t anticipated that any of them would aggro the goblins, but Zannoette was low enough that she did. Thus, when they arrived there were no goblins left on whom to commit anti-heroic atrocities.

This situation posed a serious problem, because the learning goal of the module is to be able to analyze an anti-heroic narrative from the epic tradition, and the point of this practomimetic (i.e. game) activity was to give them an instance of anti-heroic narrative to set alongside the examples of the atrocities committed by Achilles and Odysseus in the Iliad and the Odyssey.

To that end, my plan had been to wreak vengeance on the 1337 in an atrocious manner. But that was proving to be more difficult than I had anticipated.

I called an audible, and directed the bardic forces to run, on my signal, across the Greenfields to the other goblin camp. It worked, thank goodness.

[To Kinship] They have instructed me to say that I abandon our order’s claims to know what they are doing when they go about their dirty deeds of pwning n00bs and such.

Cinadin defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Tolbrook defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Aeargalad defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Aeargalad defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

[To Kinship] I therefore declare. . .

[Kinship] Zannoette: any1 need heal?

Fareth defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Cinadin defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Cinadin defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

[To Kinship] That they have mistaken where they are, and what they are doing.

[To Kinship] That they are bards without knowing it, and less elite than the meanest reader of the Iliad, or the Quenta, who yearns to tell his or her story in this game or any other.

[To Kinship] And I say that they shall die. Now. And learn that death, properly understood, makes the hero.

Zannoette is confused by Arielion.

[To Kinship] To me, Homerids!

Aphetoros lets out a mighty ROAR!

Several high-level hunters, portraying bards’ characters, came out of stealth simultaneously. The effect was very cool.

Tolbrook defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Too far away.

Tolbrook defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Kayzee defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

The target is dead.

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Tolbrook defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Bomac defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Kayzee defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Tolbrook defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Badger threatens to attack!

Badger threatens to attack!

Bomac defeated the Shire White-tail Doe.

Aphetoros defeated the Mature Black-bear.

Bomac defeated the Badger.

Badger threatens to attack!

Bomac defeated the Badger.

(I’m rather hoping that my students’ reports will focus on the atrocity involved in needlessly killing badgers, actually.)

Bomac defeated the Wolf Hunter.

Aphetoros defeated the Wolf Hunter.

Bomac defeated the Wolf Hunter.

You cannot do that in combat.

Tolbrook defeated the Mature Black-bear.

The target is dead.

[Kinship] Fareth: N000000

Tolbrook defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Too far away.

Aphetoros defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

The target is dead.

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Aphetoros defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

The target is dead.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Kayzee defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Fareth starts crying.

Tolbrook defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Aphetoros defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

The target is dead.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Tolbrook defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Tolbrook defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

[To Kinship] Die 1337, die!

Kayzee defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Bomac defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Aphetoros defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Tolbrook defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

[Kinship] Fareth: th1s k4nt b3!!

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Bomac defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Aphetoros defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

The target is dead.

[To Kinship] Feel the wrath of the bards!

Aeargalad defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Kayzee defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Aphetoros lets out a mighty ROAR!

Aeargalad lets out a mighty ROAR!

Kayzee lets out a mighty ROAR!

Zannoette lets out a mighty ROAR!

Arielion laughs.

Aphetoros defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Kayzee defeated the Gramsfoot Defiler.

The target is dead.

Kayzee defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

The target is dead.

Aphetoros defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Tolbrook defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

You do not have permission to use that.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Aphetoros defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Bomac defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Aphetoros defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Aphetoros defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Kayzee defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

[Kinship] Zannoette: hmm

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

The target is dead.

Too far away.

The target is dead.

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

You need a valid target.

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

[Kinship] Cinadin: great

Aphetoros defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Kayzee defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Too far away.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

[Kinship] Zannoette: leave me!

Kayzee defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Bomac defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

[Kinship] Zannoette: the mission is too important

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Cinadin tells you, ‘we can’t get in’

Aeargalad defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Tolbrook defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Tolbrook defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

You tell Cinadin, ‘Stay with the group!’

Aeargalad defeated the Gramsfoot Battler.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Bomac defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Aphetoros lets out a mighty ROAR!

Arielion roars at Wild Gramsfoot!

Tolbrook lets out a mighty ROAR!

Kayzee dusts herself off.

Arielion sits with Wild Gramsfoot.

[To Kinship] Monomachy.

[To Kinship] Kayzee and Fareth

[Kinship] Aeargalad: w have victory!!

Aphetoros laughs.

[To Kinship] We shall see who has the kleos

Aphetoros openly mocks Fareth.

Floaty names are now ON.

Aeargalad defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Defiler.

Bomac defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

Bomac defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

Kayzee defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

[Kinship] Aeargalad: I fell

Cinadin defeated the Gramsfoot Hurler.

Tolbrook defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

You have injured yourself in a fall!

Kayzee defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

[To Kinship] The Monomachy will be here

Kayzee defeated the Gramsfoot Guard.

[Kinship] Aeargalad: Monomachy?

[To Kinship] Single combat

[To Kinship] Kayzee and Fareth

Zannoette cheers.

Bomac defeated the Wild Gramsfoot.

[To Kinship] ((sparring isn’t working))

[To Kinship] ((We’re going to Thorin’s)

You leave your Fellowship.

[To Fellowship] I’m going to port you

[To Fellowship] Stand close, OK?

Entered the Thorin’s Hall – Trade channel.

Entered the Thorin’s Hall – Advice channel.

Entered the Thorin’s Hall – Regional channel.

Entered the Thorin’s Hall – LFF channel.

Entered the Thorin’s Hall – OOC channel.

Townsperson says, ”Not very good at all.”

Arielion laughs.

Kayzee shakes her head ‘no’ to Fareth.

Kayzee wishes Fareth luck.

Fareth begs Kayzee.

Aphetoros laughs at Fareth.

Kayzee doesn’t seem that thrilled with Fareth.

[To Kinship] Make a ring!

[To Kinship] Stand forth, champions!

Kayzee indicates to Fareth that she is ready.

[To Kinship] Go Homerids!

You cheer at Kayzee.

Aeargalad cheers at Kayzee.

Tolbrook lets out a mighty ROAR!

[To Kinship] Euge Secunda!

Aphetoros lets out a mighty ROAR!

Arielion lets out a mighty ROAR!

You mock Fareth.

Winner! Kayzee has won the match against Fareth.

Aphetoros laughs at Fareth.

Aeargalad roars at Fareth!

Kayzee roars at Fareth!

[Kinship] Zannoette: noooooooooooooooooooooo

Fareth glances at Kayzee and swoons.

Zannoette starts crying.

Fareth glances at Kayzee and swoons.

You cheer at Kayzee.

You congratulate Kayzee. Good job!

Arielion laughs at Kayzee.

Kayzee flexes mightily before Fareth.

[Kinship] Aeargalad: I call the bow

Cinadin laughs.

[Kinship] Aeargalad: ;)

Aphetoros bows deeply.

You bow deeply before Kayzee.

Tolbrook bows deeply before Fareth.

Kayzee bows deeply.

Zannoette kneels.

Arielion bows deeply before Kayzee.

[To Kinship] We hope you enjoyed our bardic occasion!

Fareth kneels before Kayzee.

Townsperson says, ”What a long day.”

Townsperson says, ”A beer tasting! Excellent.”

Laurel Sackville says, ”Welcome to the Inn League Tasting! Please help yourself.”

[Kinship] Cinadin: good timing!

Townsperson says, ”This looks delicious!”

Townsperson says, ”Beer!”

Townsperson says, ”How peculiar….”

Townsperson says, ”No, no, no….”

Townsperson says, ”What vile brew is this?”

Townsperson says, ”Oh my.”

Townsperson says, ”I…I have never had anything so foul in my whole life!”

Townsperson says, ”A beer so foul that it broke my heart….”

Townsperson says, ”I am done for! The Inn League has killed me!”

[To Kinship] All chat’s been logged, of course–questions will be answered on HuskyCT

Townsperson says, ”Despicable.”

Townsperson says, ”I did not like that at all….”

Townsperson says, ”I feel sick!”

Laurel Sackville says, ”Something’s wrong!”

Townsperson says, ”Yech!”

Townsperson says, ”No, no…nooo.”

Townsperson says, ”Curse you, Inn League! Curse yoooou!!”

[Kinship] Aeargalad: Suddenly I dont wanna try the beer anymore…

Townsperson says, ”Blagh!”

[Kinship] Cinadin: me either!

[Kinship] Aeargalad: Sounds right dreadful

Townsperson says, ”Not very good at all.”

[To Kinship] If you know ROTK the film, we just got pumpkined

[Kinship] Arielion: sounds like no beer for me…

[Kinship] Aeargalad: Pumpkined?

[To Kinship] That was really a ton of fun, guys, thanks.

Fareth points at Aphetoros.

[Kinship] Cinadin: did we rescue prime??

[To Kinship] Yes!

[Kinship] Cinadin: cool

[Kinship] Aeargalad: Are the 1337 def337ted?

[To Kinship] They are!

[Kinship] Arielion: great!

[Kinship] Zannoette: thank god

[Kinship] Aeargalad: Cheers

[Kinship] Zannoette: i will never use leetspeak again

[Kinship] Cinadin: told ya they were talkin smack!

Zannoette sighs.

[To Kinship] Have a great night, all!

Aeargalad cheers.