This is the coolest thread in the Metaverse!

AOL Time-Warner filed suit today claiming copyright infringement against Sauron Technologies for using much of their coding for AOL IM service as part of the much touted Palantir. William Slotnik of AOL had this to say, "Sure, they used our code base. Yeah, yeah, they added the whole soul snatching, will bending, parts but we were working on that." Inside sources deep in Mordor had no comment.

Film at 11:00

For a more in-depth report go on-line to www.insidemordor.com

Hi, my name is Paige Davis and this is Trading Spaces! Today we have two middle earth families ready to trade their spaces with each other for two days.

The red team is Sauron and his evil minions, the blue team is Arargorn and the Heirs to Gondor. Sauron is looking for a new master bath while the Gondorians would like a new game room.

Meanwhile Arargorn was heard to say “I simply must have a sauna and an arboretum! I just don't know if this will do!" LOL

Tonight on 60 Minutes:

Legolas had it all going for him. Fame, Fortune, a really cool hairstyle. But a surprise revelation from Frodo that Legolas was actually in love with Gimli.

Forbidden love destroys a career...on the next 60 Minutes.

Only on Hobbit TV .... brought to by the Hobbit Weed Emporium.

Dateline Hobbiton

The IHL (International Hobbits League) has started an investigation into several key Shire families for alleged use of performance enhancing draughts.

Here at the Green Dragon, several Hobbits were quoted as saying that these tall-curly haired fellows have ruined the league. "These fellows should be drinking naught but fine beer, not some greenish glowing draught!" "They look like big folk," said another fed-up hobbit.

When questioned, the Thain had no comment for our report, and our camera crew was thrown into the Brandywine by the Bucklanders.

Terl: Were you aware of the IHL's investigation? I don't think the FotRCTF was notified. I consider this to be a severe breach of protocol. I mean .... what if ... aw shucks Andy! Sorry, lost my place there for a minute!
[Message Edited]

LOL

Well, it's time to go home finally!! Thanks for making today tolerable, guys!

See everybody tomorrow (or later tonight if I get a chance to play!)

Have a good evening ..... catch you later.

I tend to agree!

This is bigger than we thought. The IHL is actually a front for Hobbiton Organized Crime. It is secretly run by Lucky "The Gimp" Took. I think we need to investigate this more closely. It is interesting that they would draw such attention to the very libations they manufacture. They may be craftier than we thought!

I think you’re right. This “draught” thing is most likely just a diversion to draw our attention away, while they perpetrate a much greater crime! We should increase our manpower and focus on this situation. Don’t want to get caught with our knickers down, you know.

Good morning, all!

Well, I uninstalled then reinstalled SDC and tried submitting that game last night. It still didn't work. I decided to play a quick Tiny/Maso to see if another game would submit.

Then the winds came. Yes, the weather in Virginia conspired against me. The power went out four times. I finally gave up on trying to finish the game about 11:00 PM.

So, I don't know if I'm going to be able to submit games or not.

It was dark this night and a low ground hugging fog had crept in lending an eerie air to the streets of Hobbiton. The FoTRCTF officers stayed low in their concealed positions outside the Naked Horse tavern in preparation for the raid that would be forthcoming once the proper warrants had been received. Greldon and Terl had gotten word that the IHL and the Took branch of the mob were meeting in the backroom this very night. Agents from ACME (Anti-Crime Middle Earth) were also involved and Terl and Greldon were concerned that this evening could turn out as a giant turf war not only for the criminals but also the policing agencies.

The officers crouched lower as a skimpily clad hobbit, Velma Brandybuck, swished her way across the darkened streets. Terl shook his head sadly and said to Greldon, "It is sad to see a fine Hobbit dame turn to these guys." Greldon agreed and both officers set their wills to bring down this outfit.

"Good thing we prepared the old Pits of Angband for use again," Greldon said to Terl in a hushed tone. "Though, it won't be the punishment they deserve," he added.

They waited quietly for the warrants to arrive....

Theoden looked over the paper work that the FotRCTF had sent over.

"Hmm...they need a warrant for a search and seizure at the Naked Horse? Well, it's a sad day when organized crime has infested even Hobbiton."

Theoden signed the warrant and gave it to the messenger to deliver to his field agents. Perhaps tonight would signal the beginning of the end of the IHL.

They lay in the stilness; still no warrants. Terl and Greldon knew the judicial system was slow but this was rapidly approaching ludicrous. They watched the tavern closely looking for anything that would help them when they gained entry.

They heard a commotion in the streets. A group of hobbit teens was coming down the street. They were in a nice V formation and bent slightly at the waist. Every few steps the would leap, snap their fingers and land deftly while shouting "Jets". Greldon and Terl was amazed at the lightness of their steps and the almost ballet like quality as they would jump, shout, and occasionally twirl about.

They then heard a shout from behind the youths. "Hey you, get off my streets!" It was officer Grupke Baggins! This was his normal beat. The youths passed the huddled officers followed closely by Grupke Baggins.

The commotion passed and the officers heard a lilting voice through the night, "I feel pretty, oh so pretty...."

Greldon and Terl looked at one another and Terl said, "You hear that? What the heck is Legolas doing here?"



[Message Edited]

Some background for our readers: The IHL, or International Hobbits League, was formed by a divine revelation from Manwe. The league was originally designed to bring, according to the charter, the game of "cricket for the wee folk". It was a difficult proposition for the Hobbits understood cricket even more poorly than anyone else. The few games they did try to play proved to last longer than even the closest and most well fought games of other cultures, for the Hobbits would have to pause the game quite often due to their desires for frequent meals.

To induce the Hobbits to play longer and perhaps better the previously unmentioned secret wing of the IHL created, in conjunction with some less than honest wizards, a rather yummy draught that would enhance the Hobbits' playing skills and give them greater stamina to play for longer periods. Of course the preparation and distribution of this libation required the assistance of the local mob bosses who controlled most of the pipeweed network in Hobbiton and parts west. Elliot Baggins-ness was responsible for the areas west of Hobbiton and had taken down Nitty Took the prior year.

It was a crafty move indeed when the IHL leaked word of a purported investigation to the media. They were hoping, by being forthcoming, at least looking as such, that the whole incident would blow over and that they could continue business as usual after the fact. Little did they know the FoTRCTF had an informant on the inside.

This is what brings us to where we now are, in the foggy, dark streets of Hobbiton, crouched and waiting for our warrants which we have heard, have just been signed.

Hobbits learning cricket? There's hope for you yet.

After receiving the signed warrants, the task force prepared to enter the inn. Harry, the department's wizard took up a location near the door with the entry force. He chanted lowly and pointed at the door which popped open at the sound of his voice. The entry force stormed inside sweeping the room.

A lone figure leapt through the front window and started down the darkened street with Harry quickly following. The thug tripped and fell. He lay sprawled on the pavement when Harry caught up. Harry pointed his gnarled, twisted finger at the downed thug and said hoarsely, "What's it gonna be punk? You gotta be askin' yourself, 'Did he use five spellpoints, or six.' Well, punk, how many mana points do I have?"

Back at the inn, the task force quickly cleared the main rooms of the inn and moved toward the back room. The follow on force processed the patrons found in the cleared rooms; releasing those that were not needed.

The task force burst in the back room with a violent push only to find it empty. There were signs of someone having been there, but no one remained. There was no exit. How? Where could they have gone?

Terl and Greldon spun about and went back to speak with the innkeeper. "Who was in the back? Where are they?" Greldon demanded.

"I don't know, officer. They was there, then they wasn't," the innkeeper stammered.

"Who?" shouted Terl angrily. "Who was there."

"Why, Saruman and the others, don't know 'em all."

Terl and Greldon looked at each other. They understood now. Yes Saruman had been there but was now gone. Terl looked at Greldon shook his head and said, "Damn, they cut him out of the story again!"


[Message Edited]

Greldon,

Congrats on getting into the #25. It's really impressive that you did it so quickly...

-Cypher

LOL I missed this edit! This is great! LOL

Greldon's our version of Ginata, I think!

Good morning!

Terl: Outstanding story telling!



When you're a Jet, you're a Jet ..... LOL



Thanks CypherPax, but not as impressive as you and Special Forces.