A reading update, and friends make it worthwhile
I have finished reading the second Gotrek & Felix Omnibus, a while ago actually. Initially I had planned on moving on to The Ghost King, the third book in the Forgotten Realms Transitions trilogy, which I had received as a Christmas gift from my sister. However, since it has been a while since I read book two, The Pirate King, I figured it wouldn't be any harm to move on to the third Gotrek & Felix Omnibus and save The Ghost King for when I was done.
I've already finished the first novel in the omnibus, Giantslayer, and moved on to Orcslayer which is where Nathan Long had picked up the series. I have to say, even though I'm not even halfway through it, the difference between William King's writing and Nathan Long's is noticeable. I can't complain about the difference though, as I'm finding that I actually seem to prefer Nathan Long's style. You see, I'm very much weaned on fantasy fiction by starting out with much of the initial Dragonlance novels by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, then moving on to Forgotten Realms when I had consumed most of what was available in the Dragonlance "universe". I found that I preferred Forgotten Realms, particularly R. A. Salvatore's writing style, and stuck with it never looking back. While my love for the Forgotten Realms and Dungeons & Dragons in general has kept me waiting with baited breath for new novels to be released, I have ventured over to the Black Library to seek literary sustenance in their Warhammer Fantasy offerings (Warhammer 40k has never really caught my interest).
Dragon Age expansion coming in March
I just read that there is an expansion to Dragon Age: Origins coming in March, called Awakening. I bought Dragon Age earnestly hoping to play it almost exclusively, as we weren't playing WAR anymore at the time. That went by the wayside once the server transfers happened and the RvR action started picking up again (ie. the game became fun again). I think I will have to take it a bit easier again and move back to Dragon Age in hopes of completing it before March rolls around (yeah right). The expansion will allow the importing of a character from the main game, presumably regardless of whether they finished it or not. There is a trailer available, along with more information at the official site (haven't checked it out yet since I'm at work), as well as information about the release of the Return to Ostagar DLC which was delayed from its January 5, 2010 release date.
Last night in WAR, Destruction was out in full bloody force; an estimated 4 or 5 warbands worth. I was able to join up with an organized warband, but the rest of Order seemed a bit disorganized and there simply wasn't enough to put up much resistance. We were able to lock Reikland, but that was the most damage we could do to Destruction's campaign as afterwards they rolled us no matter where we went. However, I was lucky enough to see a Sovereign Warclasp of the Unbreakable drop when we wiped a force of Destro at the Graveyard in Praag. Congrats to Jaros on that one. I ended up logging out around 10pm about 30% renown ahead, and less than 1900 influence to go in finishing up my High Elf Tier 4 ORvR influence. Not too bad, I'm hoping to have my Mallet of Remembrance and the ability to wear at least some of my Invader pieces by the end of this weekend.
~MikeR.
