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Site Maintenance: Patch Tuesday
Event Date: Tuesday, February 09 2010
The second Tuesday of every month, Microsoft releases patches and updates for its software. The HASA server will be checked on Tuesday night and any required patches will be applied between 9:00 and 10:00 PM, US West Coast time.
In most cases, the server will need to be restarted after the patches are applied. The exact time of the restart will vary depending on when the patching begins and how long that operation takes. On rare occasions, more than one restart may be required, such as for a service pack.
Please be sure to save all of your work prior to this time on this day.
Not Fade Away
Author: Jael
Rating: General
Chapters: 11
Genre: General
Era: Other
Summary: A modern day woman lands a job that is too good to be true at a mysterious toy company, where things are not as they seem. Has she strayed into a dream? Drama; humor. Characters: All the usual Mirkwood suspects and an OFC. Rated PG-13 for innuendo and naughty language. AU
Glowing Embers
Author: Ygrain
Rating: Adult
Chapters: 1
Genre: General
Era: 3rd Age - Ring War
Summary: Some motives behind Galadriel's test of Boromir, not strictly canon. A thematic sequel to Family Traits, dealing with the problem of foresight. Rated adult for implied sex.
Victim of the Unlight
Author: Alassante
Rating: General
Chapters: 1
Genre: Drama
Era: Time of the Trees
Summary: Finwe was the first elf killed in Valinor. This is about his final moments.
Written for ALEC's October Challenge - Death and Undead Things
2009 MEFA 2nd Place Winner, Races: Elves: House of Finwe
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Latest Comments
Necessity and Desire
Elena Tiriel - 08 Feb 10 - 3:30 PM
I really enjoyed this, Gwynnyd. Not only did it give a plausible explanation for book events -- e.g. Aragorn's absence from the feast -- but his discussions of Sauron's potential military strategies is fascinating and eye-opening.... Of course, Rivendell would be a target for attack, now that the Ringwraiths know the Ring is there.... but I had never thought of it that way before!
Nicely done!
- Barbara
Go to Necessity and Desire
All Things Crooked
maeglin - 07 Feb 10 - 4:50 AM
"He went mad," Faramir pointed out. "He thought that you and the lord Aragorn were plotting against him."
No madness there - in that thought, at least, Denethor was quite correct. They did intend to remove him from rule, at least, and Aragorn was quite willing to do Mithrandir's bidding at Gondor's expense. The last "worked out" only because a miracle occurred - Gollum's actions leading to the Ring's destruction!
Although I do agree that Faramir would behave the way you portray him! 
Go to All Things Crooked
All in a Day's Work
Freyalyn - 06 Feb 10 - 8:17 AM
I really felt the excitement and euphoria, and nearly smelt the sea and blood with this one - it really caught me up in the whole feel of the story.
Go to All in a Day's Work
All in a Day's Work
Elena Tiriel - 05 Feb 10 - 8:56 PM
Ah, what a great drabble series, Gwynnyd! Each drabble is a self-contained gem, with gorgeous details in a few deft words, perfectly suited to the PoV of the character.
And together, they are strung together into a satisfying story line -- and the whole is far greater than the sum of its parts.
Beautifully done!
- Barbara
Go to All in a Day's Work
Bee-Elves
Freyalyn - 05 Feb 10 - 1:42 AM
Fascinating, well written and cleverly thought out. The presumption of superiority is frighteningly plausible.
Go to Bee-Elves
Re: 2010 February Treasure Hunt
Posted On: 02/09/10 1:41 AM
By: Aruthir
In: Treasure Hunt Challenge
Another trip to Sirion for me it is, then. 
2010 February Treasure Hunt
Posted On: 02/08/10 8:01 PM
By: HASA Challenges
In: Treasure Hunt Challenge
The hunt is on!
A new set of treasures has been released tonight for your treasure hunting pleasure.
This month, the focus is on a port from the First Age. You may write about it in any way you wish - set in the time, as an historical account, a memory of a place, a legend out of time, a place that is yet to be.
You might turn your attention to another long-vanished city, or perhaps you like to think of the beauty to be found in the lands beyond that capital. If you would like to stick with danger, you can always venture into Mordor, though you might wish to bring along a few comrades. Not really impressed with battles? Try gem-craft.
In member-only areas, there are a few more treasures. Rings are not always worn on the hand, for example, and you should be careful in serene surroundings. What happens when things fall in between? And here are a few more trees to ponder.
Post in this thread when you enter and again when you add a story to read. If you know you want to write a story, but aren't sure if you can have it completed by the closing date of the challenge, just enter a placeholder. Questions? Post them here!
HASA Challenges
Re: What triggered the attack in Moria?
Posted On: 02/08/10 10:41 AM
By: Aruthir
In: Prospective Challenges
Part of me says that as the Elf-rings were not "tainted" by Sauron, then possibly it would not have noticed the presence of Narya. Another part says that a Balrog- powerful as it was- might perceive even the presence of Gandalf (a fellow Maiar) as little threat, due to overwhelming arrogance (and possibly even due to the influence of the Ring). Yet another part thinks that possibly- with Moria the size it was- that although it simply rushed headlong into the attack it was pure dumb chance that led it to finally confront the Fellowship when and where it did. A fourth part says that possibly Tolkien just thought it made for a good story...
But all parts agree that you've made me think with your challenge, and that I enjoyed writing the drabble that came from that thinking, so maybe I shouldn't kill the goose that laid the golden egg by thinking too much about it.
Re: What triggered the attack in Moria?
Posted On: 02/08/10 10:13 AM
By: Orondo Brandybuck
In: Prospective Challenges
Well, you asked for it- and might I say thankyou for triggering this one off, Orondo?....
That's an interesting concept. Since the Balrog apparently knew of the Fellowship's presence from the moment they stepped across Westgate's threshold, did the Balrog then simply wait for the most opportune moment to attack? If so, what made the moment it chose most opportune? Also, since the Balrog perceived the Ring, did it also perceive Narya? And Gandalf? If not, why not? Certainly I'd expect it to be especially attuned to fire-related objects and people.
Why didn't the barrow-wight take the Ring?
Posted On: 02/07/10 9:13 PM
By: OrondoBrandybuck
In: Prospective Challenges
This has long puzzled me. The wight had Frodo in its physical grasp, and -- at least for awhile -- under something of a spell. It certainly could have taken the Ring. (indeed, it *did* take Merry's, Pippin's and Sam's clothes -- but not Frodo's; hmm.) And, as an undead, it seems unlikely that it couldn't detect the Ring or didn't have a good idea of what It was. Gandalf said that Frodo's encounter with the wight was "touch and go: perhaps the most dangerous moment of all", which could be taken to imply that the wight could recognize the Ring only if worn (Frodo had considered whether he could escape the wight by putting It on). But this contradicts other directly-stated and implied understandings about the Ring's tendency to attract evil.
Write a story that resolves this seeming paradox.
Happening at HASA
Latest Challenge News
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What's a Challenge, you may ask? Quite simply, when one writer says to another, "I dare you to write this story," and at least five others say, "You're on!"– that is a Challenge. Read more about challenges...
From the Research Library
Estella Bolger
Estella Bolger is the sister of Fatty Bolger and the future wife of Meriadoc Brandybuck.
Fredegar Bolger
Fredegar "Fatty" Bolger is a friend of Frodo Baggins who conspired with Merry, Pippin, and Sam to keep tabs on Frodo after Bilbo left the Shire.
Most Recent Playlist
Inspiring Stories
Updated: 05 Feb 10 - 18 stories
Owner: Elena Tiriel
- Transformation
- A totally unexpected peek at some of Tolkien's early cosmology.... Delightfully subversive!
- Aglarond
- A joyful tale of unlikely friendship in an exquisitely-detailed setting.
- Battle of the Golden Wood, The
- An enthralling and eye-opening saga of the battles of Lórien during the War of the Ring. Celeborn is both dangerous and wise....
- Dark Dreams
- A tenderly-drawn sketch of Imrahil's love for young Faramir and Boromir, with a strong characterization of Denethor in absentia.
- Reflections in the Dark
- A horrifying view of an underground cave-in as seen by a trapped and regretful Gimli; companion piece to Musings by Torchlight
- Musings by Torchlight
- A horrifying view of an underground cave-in as seen by a frantic and regretful Legolas, searching for Gimli; companion piece to Reflections in the Dark.
- Among the Fields of Green
- A vignette about Elfhelm reflecting upon the Battles of the Fords of Isen; the language is evocative and beautiful.
- Wind of Change
- A profoundly moving story about Maglor's presence at the Fall of the Berlin Wall; it left me in (happy) tears.
- High Flight
- A fascinating look back at important events from the discerning viewpoint of an ancient Eagle.
- Seeing Stone, The
- A sad tale of Gondor's Kin-strife, told by one who witnessed it up close and whose memory is undimmed by time.
- Last Grey Ship, The
- A hauntingly bittersweet view of the decision by two dear old friends to leave Middle-earth.
- Weight of Pliant Wood, A
- A most unusual and well-written slash pairing.
- Smiting Ruin
- A tongue-in-cheek examination of the meaning of words -- if you relished the wordplay between Gandalf and Bilbo when they first meet in The Hobbit, you'll enjoy this story!
- The Beginning of a Wonderful Friendship
- How Galadriel's wicked humor at Finrod's expense mollified Celeborn's wicked temper.
- Observation and Dissection of the Common Wood Elf (Telerius galadh)
- A disturbingly reductionist scientific study of Elves.
- Word of Caution Regarding Hobbits, A
- A gently humorous tale of aggravation and reconciliation.
- Gofi and the Balrog
- A lighthearted view of Elrond's young sons, and the very special adult who helps them recover from a traumatic experience.
- Very Dark, Very Wet, and Very Miserable Morning, A
- An excellent example of how a dry, understated wit can be hilarious... especially if you enjoy black humor.
What are Playlists? Playlists are lists of stories that belong together. Readers, authors and workshop members can create lists of stories, and everyone can collect lists they like. Find out more about playlists...
Featured Story
Fight the Dusk, Spite the Dawn
Author: Moonlighter
Rating: General
Status: Reviewed
Chapters: 4
Word Count: 9,752
Genre: General
Era: 3rd Age - The Kings
Published: 20 Dec 03
Summary
The early beginning of Elrond and Celebrian's long courtship, mainly from the perspective of Celeborn and Galadriel. A lighter blend of romance and coming to terms.
Go to: Story Overview | Chapter One
Featured stories are chosen randomly from the entire catalog of reviewed and general works. The selection changes every fifteen minutes.
HASA Business
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HASA news - last month's stories
Saturday, February 6
From this month on we’ll be going back to more or less weekly news items. This week we look back to the stories written and updated in January.
And don’t forget to enter your story for the first ‘Treasures’ Challenge, which closes February 7th!
Read the rest...
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