#mincham

[poetry-draws]

can i get uhhhh..... mean plinko helchon 🥺👉👈

picker wheel tried really hard to kill him, took a few goes

(after 12 rangers in a row that weren't viable for this scenario)

no babyrangers were harmed in the making of this prompt

[find-the-path]

Month-long fic challenge using these LOTRO Rangers + Situations prompts collected by a-lonely-dunedain. Minimum of 100 words, no particular adherence to timelines or canon.

9: Mincham & overheated from wearing his thick northern winter cloak at midsummer

“All of you, in here,” Rhadrog barked, and pulled his band of northerners into a pub tucked against the side of the level. “Come on, Master Imben won’t mind. Faeron, get us water.”

“It’s heat stroke, not Lhaereth’s plague, Rhadrog,” Faeron said. He was by a length the least alarmed by Lothrandir’s fainting spell, though Mincham himself was far too hazy and aching to feel much alarm.

“A good thing, too: I’m fresh out of Viznak’s brew and I’m entirely certain that you didn’t save any. Get us water anyway.”

“There will be diseased bug guts in yours,” Faeron grumbled, but headed to the bar.

“Brungos, bring him around here. You there, whatever your name is, go with them.”

Mincham only realized Rhadrog was speaking to him when the Ithilien Ranger waved a hand in front of his face. “You have overheated as well. Of course you have. Just sit down, drink water, and for Elendil’s sake get that cloak off. That thing’s made for a mountain-top, not Minas Tirith at midsummer.”

The fields of Fornost were as sunny as the Pelennor in midsummer, but at night the temperature plunged once more and harsh gusts of wind carried barghests’ howls from far to the north. Even then, on the shortest night of the year, Mincham would huddle deep in his cloak and listen to madmen’s ramblings to escape the cold.

Perhaps Rhadrog had a point.

[rohirric-hunter]

The Algraig: Go tell your friends to stop fucking around in the barrows.

Mincham: PC! I'm glad you're here! Help me fuck around in the barrows more efficiently, please.

[hallothere]

ok so you said you wanted more Situations soooo... 18. Possession/Mind control! for whoever you find most plinko-able at the moment

18. Possession/Mind control  you guys wanna see the worst fan theory ever

I am a man of Gondor, a friend to the Elves and of all good folk. Call me Ergothorn. I see the danger growing in the East and wish to oppose it.

You stand in the copse of trees down the hill from Lhanuch. Your camp is there, the one you’ve been returning to each night between errands. The one with your Company settled securely in it. Techeron is going to start the next watch and waves to you. It’s a quiet cold night. 

Radanir hurries past him with a piece of paper clutched in his hand. He looks around the camp, probably for Halbarad if this is a message from one of the scouts- though, you wonder who would bother to write their report except maybe Corunir- until his eyes settle on you. At least, you think they do. You turn to see if there’s someone behind you. Not Mincham, who seems irritated with Radanir of late and headed off for scouting of his own. Not Candaith, who was probably asleep. You turn back to him since there’s no one behind you. He’s gotten closer, and there’s an odd gleam in his eye. 

“Oh, well-met friend,” he says, “I found this interesting note affixed to a tree and I need to make sure our leader sees this at once.”

“Halbarad is in town.” You say, “I was going to run an errand for Nona. I came back here for my whetstone, but I'm going back to Lhanuch. I can run it up to him.”

Radanir frowns, but then nods. “Ah. If you have an errand already, let me do the delivering. It’s so strange, I really ought to hurry. Halbarad will know what to do with it, of course.”

Lheu Brenin dispatched a messenger from Tûr Morva in Dunland, but the messenger was beset by foes outside Lhaid Ogo in the Lich Bluffs and was dragged within.

Lhaid Ogo is a dreadful place, and you are lucky to find anyone alive in there. Anirin looks around when you arrive alone, but Halbarad only sent you. You explain, and Anirin breathes a sigh of relief.

"I thought someone was- nevermind. Let us hurry on to Lhanuch, for I have a tale to tell from the Falcon clan."

You have to pick your way back out over puddles of ooze and corpses and corpses of kergrim. Anirin blanches at the sight- you're not sure whether in disgust or fear- and you push on all the faster. You would want to stop at the camp before going to Lhanuch, before presenting Anirin to the Brenin for his own sake- but he insists you hurry. You need to find Glynn Brenin and Halbarad and make this tale known.

I cannot reveal myself to you, but trust that I am a friend. I will contact you again when it is safe to do so.

You mourn Wadu in the way his family wants, the way they best honor him. Wadu was brave, you think, and though you knew him only a short time you still grieve. You are grateful, you think, that it was you and neither his sister or his father that came upon him in the road. Even if they had thought him a coward once, it was a terrible shock.

Radanir waits for you again, that odd gleam in his eyes. You sense it means trouble, and you are right.

"I've found another letter- that is, we have received another letter from Ergothorn. I left it on that crate there. If he speaks the truth, we have little time to waste!"

You must defend this dwarf from the uruks! He knows much that, told to the wrong person, could be hurtful to your errand.

Your legs burn as you climb the slopes to Nar's Peak, Radanir ahead of you as he sprung eagerly up the hill. You are ambushed, and only notice the uruks a second before they attack. Radanir is surprised, and does not look until a sword is swinging down at him. He is lucky his reflexes are good, and manages to best the uruk attacking him while you take care of the archer.

"That is all of them. Make your way further up the mountain and find Candaith on the way!"

You do, but that was not all of them.

To the Rangers:

Corunir and Candaith were not sorely hurt, but Corunir remained behind to reassure your new friends at Nar's Peak. Saruman is at the heart of this trouble, you just know, but now the time comes for something to be done. You and the others begin the long journey to Lhanuch. Candaith nurses bruised ribs, Calenglad broods, Golodir sits his horse ramrod straight, and Radanir mulls over the scenery.

Halbarad seems worse than you remember him. His face is haggard and there's a dullness in his eyes that you do not like. Nothing he says puts you at ease either.

"Ergothorn is dead."

That is a blow, for while you know not how, the mysterious man has warned you and helped you all this way. Unraveling the mysteries of Enedwaith, shedding light on the plans of Saruman. And he is dead, like you so nearly were this morning.

"Halbarad's wishes are my own as well. We will walk the Forsaken Road and see what lies within." Radanir gives you a small smile. Quickly, he turns and surveys the expanse of grass and hills beyond.

They who swore the oath to Isildur at Erech -- you know of them and their home beneath the Dwimorberg -- but you do not know that some number of them sought to flee their curse and came to hide in a place called the Forsaken Road, among the Lich Bluffs

You stand near Radanir in the cave, and you are not warmed. He is unusually quiet, and Halbarad is unusually loud. Your leader of course is bold. He does speak with the authority Aragorn bestowed on him... But it is a long, cold road. The Dead are all about it.

Not all remember the old ways, but I do

Candaith gives his life for yours. You scream, possibly, but you do run. You run until tears blur your eyes and you know not the names of all who fall to the shades as you make your escape. As you leave Candaith and the others behind, all to give Halbarad the intelligence he can already guess the nature of. The Dead are traitors to the last, and beyond.

Radanir is there, holding two swords, his face blank.

"What has happened? All of a sudden, the Oath-breakers fell upon us, and we have only driven them off for the moment! We have to get out of here!"

You run past him, ready to bring him out before it is too late. But your nerves are heightened. You leap out of the way before one of the twin swords cleaves your back in twain. Whirling, you see Radanir rising from the follow through. His eyes are dead.

"Where is Candaith? I have not seen him yet."

The smile is wrong now, though it's the same one you've seen all this time. You don't understand the meaning of this, but you do stand ready to fight. You are too shocked not to be prepared for combat. Not after everything you've just seen. It's senseless and nonsensical. Radanir is not himself. You will fight. You will win, and he will see reason, and you will leave this place together.

"Ah. Pity." He says, and his eyes roll back into his head. Radanir drops lifeless to the floor, and a fell shade like the puppet master of Skorgrim rises to the fore. You scream in either fury or grief and banish the thing from your sight.

And you almost leave Radanir with his fallen brothers until you hear a whimper from the floor. He is not lost. But you do not wait for him either and drag him resisting from the Forsaken Road.

Halbarad is outside waiting for you and takes Radanir off your hands. You don't yet have the breath to speak but point away from the cave. Halbarad takes your meaning and Radanir up into his arms and you run. You run to Mincham's camp and he is ready to tend you all.

To your surprise, he sets aside whatever mysterious objection he had to Radanir these last days and sees to him first. You know Mincham is kind and never turns a blind eye to suffering--

You turn. You fight your stomach in a nearby bush. Halbarad is soon there and helps you to stand, lends the only thing you think can possibly help you all now: an ear.

"He..."

You don't get that far just yet. Radanir is coming around, and he frowns blearily at Mincham. "You... supposed to go ahead...? Saeradan called you back to camp...? Where--"

You're nearly sick again as it hits you. He's back at Saeradan's camp. He's been there the whole time, on the inside. Halbarad looks to you in alarm and all you can do is gesture helplessly.

"There was- A shade, in the cave-... He had Radanir... had control of him..."

It was too horrible for words as you remembered. Remembered who found the notes, every last one. Remembered the advice, the odd looks, the handprints on the neck of the man you all thought Ergothorn.

Radanir was looking around now, his eyes wide with fear. "What happened? Where is everyone?"

Neither you nor Halbarad have the words just yet.

[sereneceramics]

Regional Arts ...

THE MUSWELLBROOK ART PRIZE!!!

Acquisitive ceramic art prize of $10,000.00

Date: March 9 - May 5.

Location: Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre.

Featuring Artists: Kellie O’Dempsey, Barry Jackson, Ebony Russell, Sassy Park, Natalie Duncan, Merran Esson, Johanna De Maine, Mollie Bosworth, Alexandra Standen, Tracy Dickason, Geoff Thomas, Ros Auld, Simon Reece, Caroline Kerr, Anne Mossman, & Jeff Mincham.

@kellieodempsey #artprize #art @barryjacksonartist #ceramics @ebonyrussell.art @sassypark @merran_esson @johannademaine @molliebosworth #australianart @alexandrastanden #matt #mat @tracy_dickason #regionalarts @geoffthomasthekilnshed #clay @simonreececeramics #prize @carolinekerr_formae #regional @annemossman #regionalart #muswellbrookartprize #yes #themuswellbrookartprize #matte #muswellbrookartprize2019

[lotrolulz]

Do you have a favorite Ranger? Obviously I've a soft spot for them all, but I've gotten to be particularly fond of Radanir; I just find him so lovable.

Omg.. that is a hard question. I love all the rangers, even the annoying and painfully stupid ones. My overall and hands down favorite, though? Lothrandir. His name is sindarin for “flower-pilgrim” and he wears it like a badass, plus he curb-stomps NPCs who try to ambush him and seems smarter than the average bear (ranger). I love that man. <3I’ll do some honorary mentions - I’ve always had a soft spot for Halros, even if he doesn’t seem to do a whole lot. He DID give me his trousers though, so that counts for something. I never cared a whole lot for Candiath until after he died, at which point I came to appreciate him a lot more. Mincham is another I’m fond of, and of course, my dear sweet Amdir, before Turbine slaughtered his character.

…butseriously? All the rangers. I love all of them. .-.

P.S - I adore Radanir simply because he seems so surly all the time, and for that awesome instance in which you get to play him running around a village in Enedwaith stabbing things with his elf-maybe-girlfriend’s hair pin. 

[martechadvisor-blog]

Merkle Joins Forces with Demandbase

Merkle has taken the curtains off with an announcement that confirms its partnership with Demandbase, an ABM platform. Now, Demandbase provides tech-driven solutions in alignment with the agency services and business strategy-fueled ABM solutions that the company offers B2B marketers providing the best offerings to their customers. Through this joint effort, real-time, personalized experiences can be leveraged for audience and customer engagement.

Adam Mincham, VP, High Tech & B2B, Merkle, said, “We are extremely excited to be forging this partnership with Demandbase as their data and technology is a critical component to our ABM strategy and services. The combination of Merkle and Demandbase will deliver huge value to our clients.”

Demandbases’s VP of Alliances and Channel Sales, Kent Ragen, elaborated by adding that ABM, as a category, has seen immense growth and brands adopting it are set to drive the expansion of this entire category as a whole

“Merkle is a best-in-class agency with deep expertise in B-to-B marketing and we’re thrilled to partner with such a high caliber agency to further grow the ABM category and support companies in their ABM journey,” said Ragen.

Last month, Merkle unveiled that it has acquired Sokrati, a performance and analytics-driven marketing provider. With that, the existing collaboration with Dentsu Aegis Network leverages the presence of Merkle the APAC region with an employee strength of above 450 with operations in Nanjing and Shanghai.

Earlier, Merkle hired Ted Bray as its growth officer for APAC operations of the company. The initiation marks the growth of Merkle in the region as it targets customers who eye on expansion of their business and maximizing the investments on marketing.

Bray offers an expertise that expands above two decades with an acumen that thrives to deliver sales and marketing spearheads who offer ABM solutions. His experience expands spaces where he has been involved in driving sales and strategic growth over APAC. Bray is no quite new to the Merkle sphere, with past services as VP of Global Partnerships.

This article was first appeared on MarTech Advisor

[poetry-draws]

herblore in Dagorlad is............ different

[find-the-path]

Demonstrably Haunted! Ithilien Rangers my beloveds 🥺

[For this ask game]

Demonstrably Haunted it is! I am finally dragging this old wip out of the dust thank to these asks, and it is dragging up a lot of dregs with it. Here's a bit:

Even warned, Artamir nearly jumped out of his skin when the low sound rose, haunting and hollow. The orcs all startled together, glancing at each other nervously. Rhadrog’s horn moaned unfathomably deep for stretching seconds in the windswept ruins; it drifted through the dust and rattled bones as a gale. Then it shrieked--- sharp and furious at the intruders, it roared!

Rhadrog had closed his eyes to better concentrate, and Artamir had his hands clapped over his ears against the painful sound, but Mincham kept his gaze upon the too-curious orcs. Wary at the moaning, they now screamed at the shrieking; they threw their weapons to the dirt and fled, one crashing headlong into an old pillar in its haste to flee.

Haerondir’s trick horn died as slowly as it had begun, with a final croaking cry that echoed in their ears.

“Well?” Rhadrog prompted with a grin once he’d gotten his breath back.

[a-lonely-dunedain]

ok and here we are with a shorter-ish part 3 wrapping everything in the reverse amnesia loop thingy up! (1, 2) featuring an appearance from @hallothere's guy Bregadir :) (sorry I couldn't Not include him, he was Worried about Tossdir and I'm love him)

also huge thanks to Hal for helping me brainstorm ideas all those... months ago? dang has it really been that long? rip other asks in the box lol. anyway I love Bregadir

Tossdir gave you quite a fright once the curse was broken. You were dazed for a moment after all your memories of him came flooding back to you, the memories of your stalwart but reckless companion, the little brother you never had, the one you would die to protect. 

When you found him crumpled on the floor before you, you feared the worst. But you were able to rouse him, he had only been knocked out for a moment by the sheer mental strain the flood of memories caused him in the heat of battle. You nearly cried with releif. Once the young Ranger regained his senses he clasped you in a desperate embrace. Tears were shed, but you both had little to say save for quiet assurances of ‘I remember you’ and ‘I know you’. You joked that Bregadir would have had your head if you had let something happen to him, and Tossdir laughed but did not disagree.

Once the two of you exit the cisterns, it wasn't long before the other Rangers found you. Once the enchantment was broken they all remembered everything. They remember you, stalwart guardian, cunning loremaster, Golodir’s shadow. And they remember Tossdir, loyal brawler, lonely child, Meneldir’s shadow.

They remember now, too, everything that happened while the curse was in effect. They remember both of your pleas for help, and they remember thinking of you as madmen or worse. As soon as the curse was lifted they scoured the city looking for the two of you, and after they found you spent the next few hours making near-tearful apologies and trying to make absolutely certain you’re both alright. 

Well, most of them were near-tears, but poor young Helcheon couldn’t hold them back. In one of your earlier attempts at convincing him of your story you must have sounded particularly suspicious, and he actually tried to attack you. You insist that you hold nothing against him for it, if you had been an imposter it would have been the correct reaction after all. Mincham thinks that he never really posed any danger to you in the first place, and you're inclined to agree, but won’t say it out loud for Helcheon’s sake. He clearly feels bad enough already, you don’t need to add insult to injury.

Mithrendan wasn’t able to hold the tears back either. Apparently when Tossdir had come to him for help, Mithrendan had called the guards on him. He recognized the sword he bore as once belonging to Elenath, and thought he had somehow stolen it. 

But now he has the memory of that event, of Tossdir shouting at him through tears as he was being dragged away, begging him to remember, but he remembers Tossdir not as the raving madman and stranger he saw then, but as Elenath and Orndir’s son, the lonely boy he watched grow up in Tornhad. 

Mithrendan has returned the sword to him, apologized for it probably a hundred times now, and Tossdir has forgiven him the same amount. Tossdir now says that getting him arrested ‘wasn’t even a big deal’, as the wardens forgot about him at the same time every night so escaping was a trivial task for any ranger, even one with so little skill in the art of stealth.

But earlier today when he told you about that incident, while the curse was in effect and he thought you would not remember the conversation, you could tell he was near tears even just remembering it. He laughs about it now, he doesn't want the memory to be painful.

The most unexpected one present is Bregadir. You thought he was far away aiding in the cleansing of the Morgul Vale, but soon after the curse was broken you were informed that Bregadir had already been on his way back to Minas Tirith since a few days ago. After a dark mood came over him in Rath Dúath, Dagoras believed it was the darkness of the vale taking its toll on him so he was made to return to Minas Tirith for a respite. But now you can put the pieces together, the reason for Bregadir’s sudden depression was being made to forget his younger cousin and believing he truly had no family left. Needless to say you’re a little alarmed at just how far the range of the curse’s effects truly were, but it’s over now at least, only terrifying in hindsight.

You all expected that the breaking of the curse would hasten his journey towards the city, you all expected him to arrive tomorrow or maybe the next day. None of you, however, expected to see him burst into the room mere hours later haggard and disheveled, breathing like he had just run over ten miles (he might have, but for the sake of his health you hope not), and demanding to know if Tossdir was alright.

He got his answer when he was nearly knocked to the ground by Tossdir, hugging him with a running-start. He’s all right now, at least.

But everything has calmed down now. You’re all back here in Ethedis’ room in the guest houses, really a cramped place for so many Rangers to be gathered at once, but no one wants to leave despite how late it is. Some of them are crowded on the two small couches in the room, seated on the bed, or just on the floor. You yourself are huddled next to the fire along with Tossdir and a frankly absurd amount of blankets and pillows. The horrible chill caused by the curse did not leave all at once, but warmth has slowly but surely been seeping back into your bones over the last hours, and here surrounded by your friends and kinsmen you finally feel comfortable again. You’re glad none of them have left yet.

None of you have said such out loud, but you all share the same worry at the moment. Your kin remember how quickly the curse could take effect, they remember you becoming a total stranger to them mid-conversation, and it’s a thought they’re all now horrified by. 

The curse took effect late at night, and it’s getting late now. You all know, logically, that the curse is broken, but knowing something isn’t quite the same as believing it, not when it has been your reality for nearly a month now. As the night wears on the conversation becomes much quieter, and you catch some of them casting nervous glances to you or Tossdir, making sure they still recognize you. You catch yourself doing the same.

Ethedis is curled up under your arm, as close to you as she can be. Partially because she’s afraid to let go of you, partially to make enough room for Tossdir and Bregadir to sit with you as well. You long for sleep, you have hardly slept at all these last few weeks, and you can tell just by the look of him and the same is true for Tossdir. Your eyelids are so heavy they threaten to remain shut every time you blink. But both you and Tossdir are still awake, both too nervous for any rest at the moment.

Eventually you all hear distantly the ringing of a bell marking the hour, a familiar sound in the city that you might usually ignore, but not this time. You know what it means, it is the late watches now, and the curse always took effect a little while before that time, never after.

No one is alarmed by your presence, you know the young man next to you is Tossdir, and you do not feel cold. You feel perfectly warm and comfortable. Safe too, for the first time in a long while.

Tossdir looks at you with a little uncertainty, just checking one last time to make sure he’s still remembered. You respond with a gentle smile, putting your other arm around him and pulling him close.

“It’s really over then?” he quietly asks for maybe the fourth time, but for once sounding like he’ll actually believe the answer. 

“Mhm,” you respond groggily “We did it, Toss. Everything is going to be alright now.” You feel all the tension go out of him at once.

“Well,” you cheerfully address everyone in the room now “If it was going to happen tonight, it would have done so already. I think I can safely say the curse is officially, irreparably, broken.”

“You will not get rid of us that easily, brother.” Radanir says with a wry smile from his spot on the floor.

“I am still not going anywhere,” you hear Lothrandir say from the couch. “As long as Ethedis does not mind our continued presence, that is.”

Ethedis merely shakes her head “And you two aren’t going anywhere either…” she mutters sleepily, squeezing you a little tighter “Not letting you out of my sight.”

It looks like Tossdir is already asleep against you, you wouldn’t dare disturb him “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that, Eth.” you say softly. You adjust yourself into a slightly more comfortable position, and are soon lost in a long overdue slumber.

[rohirric-hunter]

Thank you for your recommendation Mincham

[hallothere]

49 for someone who doesn't normally get plinko'd!

49. Self-sacrificial well, Orthonn is almost unplinkoable.... almost (based on his very most painful bit of dialogue)

The hill stood behind him. It was not so tall and imposing as Amarion's Amon Raith, but it served the same function. Well, the hollow bit of earth and debris just behind him did. A little ring of rock and sludge and metal.

Mincham lay in the open space stunned, for the moment insensible. Faeron was working his way to his feet, but not quickly enough. He'd taken enough cuts to fell another man, but either they looked worse than they were or his luck was greater than they supposed. Next to him, at least one Ranger of Ithilien lay unconscious. The other... he did not know.

They had rescued the pair, and a man of Rohan as they fell back to Aragorn's position. This last had his legs but not his wits about him. He was in as much danger as the rest.

But it was much the same. He stood between the defenseless and certain death. No ravaging wargs, but four orcs of Mordor. They would make quick work of Faeron and their Rohirrim. Cut down Mincham and the others where they lay.

He might not survive this, but it would give them a chance to run. Faeron and the Rohirrim, if none else. He would hold the line. This time, none would pass to threaten those he defended. None ever again.

[sereneceramics]

THE MUSWELLBROOK ART PRIZE!!! Acquisitive ceramic art prize of $10,000.00 Date: March 9 - May 5. Location: Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre. Featuring Artists: Kellie O’Dempsey, Barry Jackson, Ebony Russell, Sassy Park, Natalie Duncan, Merran Esson, Johanna De Maine, Mollie Bosworth, Alexandra Standen, Tracy Dickason, Geoff Thomas, Ros Auld, Simon Reece, Caroline Kerr, Anne Mossman, & Jeff Mincham. @kellieodempsey #artprize #art @barryjacksonartist #ceramics @ebonyrussell.art @sassypark @merran_esson @johannademaine @molliebosworth #australianart @alexandrastanden #matt #mat @tracy_dickason #regionalarts @geoffthomasthekilnshed #clay @simonreececeramics #prize @carolinekerr_formae #regional @annemossman #regionalart #muswellbrookartprize #yes #themuswellbrookartprize #matte #muswellbrookartprize2019 (at Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre) https://www.instagram.com/sereneceramics/p/BvjQxfmgur5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bot2sufbl4py

[find-the-path]

Demonstrably Haunted!

[For this ask game]

Sorry this took so long! It's an old wip I started, left the Wastes in-game, and forgot about, so I delved the wiki to refresh my memory. Here's something from near the beginning:

“Hold that thought, sorry.” Rhadrog squinted into the dust southward, a knee up on the low crumbled wall to gain height. “I thought-- yes, there they are. It is to be hoped they are only getting stupider, not bolder, for only two days ago they were poking around.”

“Who are?” Artamir asked. He was the scholar an officer had handed off to him and brusquely ordered 'Don’t get him killed' that morning. An explanation of what the man was doing on a near-active war-zone had not been offered by either party.

“Orcs. Rank and file, looks like. No archers. Stay down.” He slid down from his own perch and whistled softly to signal anyone else in the area. “You don’t want to spoil the fun, do you? It’d be a shame if they figure out we’re not ghosts this late in the game.”

[poetry-draws]

Grey Company Optional Midsummer Pub Crawl

[poetry-draws]

I look at what happened at the farmlands as a failing of my own...

.....but I wish to make amends for my negligence

;)