Back from cyberspace

Hi all, I'm back! It was good to be away in cyberspace for a bit, but it's been long enough. Avatar Ravanel has handed over the diary to me again. She finally seems to have settled on spending her life in Star Wars now and celebrated her new insights with a new haircut. 

As for me, the Avatar Blogger Month / Challenge proved to be super hard. It was a fun experiment, but I find I'm not able to write on topics I sort of needed to for the storyline on command. Just like I would secretly love a single-topic blog, but I'm way too enthusiastic about different things to resort to one game. I need to write about the things I care about, or I'll simply loose my interest for blogging. I know, so little discipline!

The coming time I plan to focus on Star Wars as my main game, but I'll still write about other games and topics that enthuse me. I'm playing LotRO from a new perspective (more about that soon) and should really pick up KOTOR again with Tiger. There's already a post ready for tomorrow and now it's time to work on new banners. For those who are reading this: thank you for sticking around!

ABC8: Meditational trip

Dear diary,

As I told you yesterday, I will go off for a few weeks. Mostly to meditate in the woods (singing to trees and such) and perhaps to visit some archaeological sites (but not Haudh Iarchith, I've had enough of that place, depicted to the right), you know the drill.

I need some time to think about my life, so I will be silent here for a while.

Enjoy your rest, I will be back!

Ravanel

ABC7: Lotromance

Dear diary, I know that I've been more quiet than planned. So much has been going on these past weeks. I have spent a lot of time in the world with the force and I have not seen Middle-earth for weeks. It's strange.

I need some time alone, I need a holiday. But before I go, there are still some stories I promised to tell you. The first is the story of Fingolwë Astaldo and Ravanel Griffon (yes, that's me). 

You must know that I have traveled a lot in my life, visiting places I had not been before. I have always been curious, even for an Elf. At first, I studied the herbs and wildlife in what now is called Lothlórien, and soon I made travels to other regions as well. Meeting other people, I became interested in their history and eventually in that of other Elves as well. You see, when the Elves travelled to the west I was just a child and my family stayed behind. I had never left Middle-earth and was intrigued by those who had. Eventually, fate brought me to the hidden town of Gondolin.

The following fragment describing our first meeting is not written by me, but by a dear friend. It is the kind of literature that typically can be found at Elven grocery stores near the checkout:

In the year of F.A. 471, a Nandorin scholar by the name of Ravanel came to Gondolin in the autumn, seeking to study the history of Arda. She was very interested in the Noldorin people and their struggle against the Orcs. She was advised to speak to Fingolwë, for he had seen the light of the Trees of Aman, and had fought in the front lines of the battles of Beleriand. Fingolwë took delight in telling her of Valinor, of the Silmarils and the splendour of Tirion. Ravanel hearkened to his stories, and would also ask many questions about the Valar, about Telperion and Laurelin (for she also took delight in the study of things which grow) and the Wars of Beleriand. 

Ravanel was unlike any other elves Fingolwë had met, at least in his eyes. Calm, beautiful to behold, and with a desire to learn about her past and her ancestry, a desire that he shared. The sundering of the elves was long past, and talking to Ravanel was like meeting a long lost relative for the first time. Having Telerin (and to a lesser degree, Vanyarin) heritage, she in turn was very interested to hear about the Noldor, who she had not encountered before. Having adapted his tounge to that of the Sindar after the shunning of Quenya by Thingol, Fingolwë and Ravanel had no great difficulties speaking to each other. However, Ravanel was curious about the High Speech, and the Tengwar runes that were used to write it. She asked Fingolwë to teach her the tounge of the Valar, and she mastered it swiftly. Talking and studying together, Fingolwë started to find similarities in Ravanel, despite being seemingly different from himself at first. She appeared to show an unexpected interest in him and would listen to his stories for hours. When they were spending time in the library, he found himself feeling strangely detached from his kinsmen, almost as if he was more closely related to Ravanel than to the other Noldor in Gondolin. He remained silent about it, but his perceived connection with her brought him to the library with ever increasing frequency. 

In the year following the coming of Ravanel to Gondolin, Maedhros planned to assault Morgoth with the gathered forces of the Elves and Men in Beleriand. King Turgon had received word of this, and on midsummer he issued from the gates of Gondolin with an army of ten thousand to join the hosts of Maedhros and Fingon. Fingolwë marched, clad in silver and with his blade Angcrist, under the banner of Turgon towards Eithel Sirion. Unceasingly optimistic, it was his custom to speak with his friends during such a journey, but he did not do so that day. Glorfindel found his silence peculiar, and turning to him he said: 'What is the matter, my friend? Thou hast a stern look upon your face that I am not accustomed to. Is something troubling thee?' Then Fingolwë answered: 'Nay, troubled is not the word. But I am not myself; I should be wholly focused on the battle at hand, yet the Nandorin scholar, Ravanel, still occupies my thoughts.'

I do not think I need to tell you more to see how this story ended. Since these days in Gondolin, I have not left Fingolwë's side.

Fingolwë, forever my silver-plated monster-slaying hero.*swoon*

In June, slightly delaying into July, 'the other Ravanel' takes over Ravalation to ponder about her life as an avatar in the light of the Avatar Blogger Challenge (ABC). Above posted story was written by Tiger.

ABC6: Picture of the day

Not all the things about Skyrim are that bad. Apart from using overpowered Burning Embers, you can also become invisible. Pretty handy if you want to move about unseen. Which in its turn is handy because not everyone is as friendly to me as I deserve. I'm merely trying to save the world from a dragon invasion, but sometimes it seems as if everyone in this world is set out to kill me!

The first time I was a bit surprised when I became invisible. I could still see myself, but I soon found out that others could not. It's not like Elven stealth, which is more like camouflage: you are literally look-through. It's more like a certain ring I've once heard of, but let's not speak of that here. Either way, it was an interesting experience.

In June, 'the other Ravanel' takes over Ravalation to ponder about her life as an avatar in the light of the Avatar Blogger Challenge (ABC).

ABC5: Selfperception in a galaxy far, far away

Look at me. Yes, that's me in one of the weird dreams that I keep having lately. This time, I apparently thought it was a good idea to touch some strange radiating relic in the holy temple of a mystical species nobody understands called the Voss. I mean, really? Didn't I remember rule nr. 1 of galactic survival "Don't touch strange glowy objects, especially when in an unfamiliar holy temple of sorts"? (If it hasn't been written yet, it should be.)

As a result, I was thrown backwards all the way through the room. A pretty soft punishment considering. For all I know, I could've gotten trapped in an alternative-universe-within-an-alternative universe! Or wait, that happened to me earlier on already, when I was on some sort of mission to save my master. But apparently I thought it was a good idea to touch another strange glowy object. Okay, fine, so I am no wise lore-master in this world, but does that mean I have to be this retarded?

Another example of my sillyness can be observed on the picture to the right. What am I trying to impersonate here, a turkey? And wait... what am I wearing?

I don't actually wear this robe anymore because of its 'inferior stats' (read: they were too heavy to nimbly move in and the shoulder and arm flaps got stuck behind everything - could have told you that beforehand). Luckily I was never caught wearing the accompanying bananasplit hat. Can you imagine how this outfit is actually in the style of members of the Senate, supposedly the 'wise people' ruling this galaxy?

Eventually someone must have discovered this blight of the galaxy and eradicated all copies for sale, for you cannot obtain this robe anymore. The robe is of a dying race (sorry, had to use the Elf reference there), and that apparently makes me want to keep it in my personal bank forever "just in case" (I want to look like a clown). I told you I am crazy.

Eventually, I found out how to obtain the boons of the relic without getting to see all corners of the room. It involved performing a lot of tasks for the Voss (why does this sound familiar?). Perhaps there is hope for this sage after all.

In June, 'the other Ravanel' takes over Ravalation to ponder about her life as an avatar in the light of the Avatar Blogger Challenge (ABC).

ABC4: Picture of the day

I found an old box full of pictures and thought I could share one.

This was the first time I fought in the Rift, where the great Balrog Thaurlach was enchained. I was late to the party, because it was already in the days of Moria, or was it even Mirkwood? Butterfly-winged staves were still in fashion. Either way, I was excited to see the raid that everyone had been going on for so long. Of course it wasn't really a challenge anymore (we were 10 levels too high), but I very much enjoyed it. I liked how we were almost crushed by the Eldgang, who only found out at the end that we were not 'evil'. My reputation with them is still among the lowest of many peoples, simply because I wasn't in there at the start, when everyone was sucking up to them. I spent 'too much time playing with the Halflings', they say. In reality, I was taking my time to explore the whole of Eriador, where I had not been before. I met many friends during my travels, of which more perhaps another time.

I also remember how I thought my burgundy-with-yellow dress matched perfect with the Balrog - some things never change.

In June, 'the other Ravanel' takes over Ravalation to ponder about her life as an avatar in the light of the Avatar Blogger Challenge (ABC).

ABC3: Rohirric funeral

A typical day in Middle-earth. Fingolwë and I have traveled to Wildermore, where a mysterious force is at work, causing the land to freeze while it should be summer. 

I could tell at once that this was more than a mere coincidence. Even I as a lore-master can only lower the temperature by a subtle amount, and on eight creatures or people at most, with utter concentration. And I have trained hundreds of years for this. It's no easy task to change the environment of a whole region, and at this scale I sense the influence of a Maia. There's only one I can imagine doing such a thing...

But let's not speak of such things now. Fingolwë and I are doing what we can to help and try to see things from the bright side. 

I don't remember what Fingolwë said here, but it made me blush. Bad Elf!

What, you don't know who Fingolwë is, you say? I promise to tell you one day, but not today.

Still, it's hard to stay positive when you see the whole family of Gárwig, thane of Forlaw getting claimed by the ice. The old man is one of the few left in his line, surrounded by mourning women. I don't envy him. We tried to help out with the funeral the best we could, but I cannot help to feel out of place.

These people are short lived, and it's hard to imagine what's the difference in a twenty year more or less to live, but their pain is real and makes me feel uneasy. It's terrible to see how Mankind suffer under the hands of evil once more. Sometimes I wonder if it isn't time for me to head for the Grey Havens and be done with it all.

I'm sorry for this depressing entry, dear diary. This is the diary of an old Elf, after all.

In June, 'the other Ravanel' takes over Ravalation to ponder about her life as an avatar in the light of the Avatar Blogger Challenge (ABC).

ABC2: Disturbing dreams

Hi there, dear diary, this is Ravanel speaking. You know, me, the wise lore-master from Lothlórien. Or so I used to believe.

The truth is, I'm not so sure anymore. You see, I'm getting old, very old. In my childhood, the Golden Wood of Lothlórien was still a wood like many others. I grew up there. I saw Middle-earth take shape in thousands of years. People came and went. So much has happened.

A dear old halfling in Rivendell once told me he was feeling thin, almost stretched. I think I know how he feels, but I cannot help to feel there's also something different going on. I've been having these strange surreal dreams lately. Since about a year, or two. I'm not sure.

Sometimes in these dreams, I wear two braids. I am not an Elf, but my skin is light and my hair blonde as usual. I'm not in Middle-earth, the world around me is called 'Skyrim'. When I'm in this dream Skyrim feels as my home, it feels as real to me as Middle-earth does. I have amazing powers, comparable to that of the Valar themselves. For instance, I can sprout lightning or fire out of my fingertips. Burning Embers is totally getting out of hand. But this is normal. There are more 'mages' in this world, although they are frowned upon by ordinary people. There are also Elves, but they have nothing to do with the true Elves. Many of them are thieves. Can you believe it? Thieves!

Luckily, I haven't had these Skyrim-dreams for a while now.

More often, I get teleported into a totally strange and futuristic world. In this world there are no Elves. My hair is tied into a weird bolt in my neck, and my eyes are large. A popular weapon is the 'lightsaber', some sort of glowing sword with devastating power. I wield one too, radiating with a green light. I spend a lot of time healing other people with a power drawn from something called 'the force'. Like I do as a lore-master, but at a much larger scale. I'm at least as effective as a good minstrel. I also take interest in plants and other organisms, just like I do in Middle-earth. But it's not really me, or is it?

Lately, my normal life in Middle-earth has disappeared in favor of my dreams. I spend almost all my time in the weird place with lightsabers and the force. I have heard of how wiser Elves than I have been brought visions of a twisted reality, sometimes telling the future. Is the same happening to me? How do I know what is real and what is not?

I cannot talk to anyone else about this, for they would call me insane, and perhaps with reason so. But at least I now have this diary to write down my thoughts. I plan to spend 30 days investigating the present, the past and the future. Perhaps all I need is some time to think and make sense out of this mess.

In June, 'the other Ravanel' takes over Ravalation to ponder about her life as an avatar in the light of the Avatar Blogger Challenge (ABC). This is her introductory post.

ABC1: Ninja'd into the Avatar Blogger Month

This is Ravalation being read by an avatar on a threadmill in Second Life. I'll have to infiltrate Second Life one of these days to find out what that means. Picture by Vaneeesa Blaylock.

Inspired by the NBI, Vaneeesa from iRez is organizing an Avatar Blogger Challenge in June. Yes that's right, that's now! So what's going on?

From iRez, June is Avatar Blogger Month!:

WHO:
Any Avatar Blogger who blogs about their adventures in 1 or more virtual worlds. Any worlds. Gaming worlds. Building worlds. All that matters is that your avatar is the blogger.

CHALLENGE:
30 posts in 30 days. It’s easier than it sounds! Don’t think you’re writing the great novel! Just a simple post a day. A short post. A photo post. Any post. 30 posts in 30 days.

I said to Van that it was a great idea, but I was still thinking about a format for my own participation. And then I unexpectedly ended up in the hospital for a week and now we're already way into June. But there was a surprise when I came back home: Van had secretly put my name on the participation list! Thus came to be that I was totally ninja'd into the Avatar Blogger Month.

Participants

Here are the 26 participants of the Avatar Blogger Month, who's avatars will all write one post a day. I'll update the list when needed. There are some late comers, so you can still join if you want. If you do, leave a comment to Vaneeesa here.

From iRez, Avatar Blogger Month - Participation List!:

1. BACON SPAM
flickr.com/photos/sillyblog
2. ALEX AND HERO
alexandhero.wordpress.com
3. RAVALATION
ravalation.blogspot.com
4. LIVING IN A MODEMWORLD
modemworld.wordpress.com
5. STRAWBERRY SINGH.com
strawberrysingh.com
6. PAYPABAK WRITER
paywriter.tumblr.com
7. A COZEY SECOND LIFE
cozeyinsl.wordpress.com
8. STUFFERY
stuffery.crashthemode.net
9. PICS BY PEEP
picsbypeep.com
10. CHAOTIC VIRTUALITY
chaoticvirtuality.com
11. A SECOND FOR IMAGINATION
secondimagination.wordpress.com
12. KITTYWITCHIN’
kittywitchin.com
13. BEHIND THESE EMERALD EYES
behindemerald.wordpress.com
14. DARK PHANTOM
aaryaphantomhive.blogspot.com
15. CONFESSIONS OF A FIRST-TIME PAGEANT MODEL
pageantconfessions.wordpress.com
16. VIXXIE’S VIRTUAL LIFE
virtualvix.wordpress.com
17. SQUIRREL SEEKING CHIPMUNK
eailineen.tumblr.com
18. SONGS FROM THE COALFACE
canarybeck.com
19. MODELESQUE 2 LIFE
modelesque2life.wordpress.com
20. HEY, IT JUST ME
nievethor.wordpress.com
21. DEFINING MOMENTS
definingmomentssl.blogspot.com
22. THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY FASHIONISTAS
leagueofextraordinaryfashionistas.wordpress.com
23. PRINCESS BRAT
princessbrat.wordpress.com
24. ORCA’S WORLD
orcasl.blogspot.com
25. DAALLEE: THESE ARE THE DAYS OF MY SL LIFE
daallee.com
26. LIZZIE GUDKOV It Takes a Village
irez.me/author/lizziegudkov

Bye bye

So, this was my last post of this month. From now on, I give this diary to my avatar Ravanel, who's name I've borrowed for such a long time now as a blogger. She's free to do with it what she wants. Pretty scary, I have no idea about what's going to happen. Promise me to be nice to Ravanel!

P.S. All posts related to the Avatar Blogger Challenge will be labeled "ABC" here on Ravalation. The number states which issue it is and will go up to 30 for each post in the challenge.

P.P.S. All pictures of this post are shamelessly stolen from iRez and produced by Vaneeesa Blaylock.