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Good point, Tolkien did draw his inspiration from Norse and Celtic mythologies. His languages are all based on real-life languages within those realms. I remember reading a biography that said he chose Old Welsh to base the Mordor language on because he hated how Welsh sounds. (Sorry if anyone out there's Welsh.) Most of what Tolkien used he didn't all dream up himself. Super-strong and super-light metals have, of course, been around for a while. I maintain, though, based on my research, that Tolkien was the first to use mithril specifically. He also introduced the race of orcs/orks as big, very strong, ugly, brutal humanoids, though the name itself (orc) is an Old English word, and of course, he was influenced by mythology, specifically the undead creatures in Beowulf. If anyone would like to provide counter-sources to the ones I have and continue our discussion of Tolkien, I'd be happy to talk. I was in a class that talked mostly CS Lewis, but touched on Tolkien, and I miss the discussion. I'm not sure this is the place, though. I mean, I'm new here, but wouldn't a discussion about Tolkien belong in the Off-Topic section or something? Warned, I haven't read the books in so long, I can't remember, either. I do think you're right, though; mithril is supposed to be stronger than steel. Hmph, looks like someone needs to correct the dictionary. I'll have to remember that quote, too. On-topic, though, I guess what I'm trying to say is I don't think anything in RuneScape consciously draws from LOTR, but because so many of our "fantasy standards" (possibly aka "cliches" ) are drawn from ideas first written about in and/or popularized by LOTR, it draws from it indirectly. And I ain't sayin' ALL fantasy standards are out of Tolkien, by the by. Just a number of them. Again, we can further the discussion of this topic in the appropriate thread. (PM me if anyone wants to start it, or point me in the right direction if it already exists.) Stealing? Well, that depends on your definition. I'd agree with Darklunix to say that RuneScape is cliched, but I wouldn't say it steals. Anywho, that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it. 8-)

Well, y'all got me curious about where mithril really comes from. Turns out, according to my quick research, it is indeed a Tolkienism. Dictionary definition of mithril Squaresoft's (the maker of the Final Fantasy games) explanation of the origin of mithril. Wikipedia article on mithril, including etymological origins (it's Elvish, FYI) So, yeah. DanCool actually was right. Hmmm, I wondered who originated other RuneScape elements now? (I still say D&D was the first to use color-coded dragons!) Also, as far as place-names go, don't forget that Tolkien's languages operated like real ones, so the thought process for naming places was hardly "Hmmm, 'Isengard' sounds exotic. I think I'll name it that." Dunno what Andrew and Paul's naming process is, but I doubt it's that sophisticated. (no offense) Oh, and if you have issues with Wikipedia, please don't flame me about it. I did include other sources, too, after all.

I think darkblade hit it on the nose. RuneScape draws from a variety of sources *cough cough Camelot cough*, and I personally notice a lot of "fantasy standards" used in RS. The tree gnomes, mad kings, evil dragons, stupid goblins, evil red-robed priests, fulfilling prophecies to defeat eeevil...that's just a few of the standards I can think of off the top of my head. As far as other sources go, it could be argued that the idea of different dragon colors comes from D&D. And mithril armor I have actually seen in fantasy outside LOTR, although Tolkien probably was the first to use it. (I think it was David Eddings, but I'd have to check on that.) and then again, a lot of so-called fantasy standards are inspired by (aka lifted from) Tolkien anyway, IMO.

This is my current favorite outfit. (Yay for the princess blouse!) My holiday outfit. I also like wearing a black cape w/ a blue wizard blouse, or a blue cape w/ a black wizard blouse, both while carrying the plain staff and wearing my default pants. It's all about coordinating the outfit. 8-)

People seriously find runecrafting hard to level up? I'm finding it's one of the easiest for me! But then again, I'm F2P, so that's really easy for me to say. -.- Anywho, my vote definitely goes towards prayer. OH. MY. WORD. So many bones you have to bury... it drives me nuts!

Okay, okay, I got another short one! So I'm fishing lobbies at Karamja. I'm wearing the Woolly Hat (the yellow and blue one) from Christmas 2005 and matching scarf. I'm in the general store, having just sold my latest batch when a level 36 says, "Nice party hat." I say, "Who, me?" 36 says, "Yeah." So I go on to explain that it's not a party hat, it's a holiday item from 2005, no it's untradeable, and no, sorry, you can't get it anymore. It was a nice, polite conversation, and level 36 leaves. Not thirty seconds later, back on the dock, a level 29 says, "Nice party hat." :roll: I was amused. And I can see how one could think that, if they've not seen many true party hats.

So I've been lurking around and reading this thread, and I had a "close encounter of the noob kind" last night that I just had to post. I wasn't involved in the following conversation, but I did witness it. Oh, and this was after the designated noob had just been calling everyone within eye-shot offensive names. What a great friend. :-s

*unlurk* My name is Celidah. I'm a F2P level 57. Been playing since Fall 2005. Better melee-er than a mage, and a terrible ranger. If you're curious as to why I don't have a higher level after so long, there are two very simple reasons: 1. Real life. 2. Easily distracted. :-w Back to the shadows now. *lurk*