A moment of Silence for Robert Jordan, 1948-2007 After a long and brave fight with amyloidosis, international bestselling fantasy author Robert Jordan (born James Oliver Rigney, Jr.) passed on Sunday afternoon, leaving the twelth and final volume of his bestselling series, Wheel of Time, unwritten.
Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He served two tours in Vietnam (from 1968 to 1970) with the U.S. Army where he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with "V" and bronze oak leaf cluster, and two Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses with palm. After returning from Vietnam he attended The Citadel where he received an undergraduate degree in physics. After graduating he was employed by the US Navy as a nuclear engineer. He began writing in 1977. He was a history buff and enjoyed hunting, fishing, sailing, poker, chess, pool and pipe collecting. He lived in a house built in 1797 with his wife Harriet McDougal who works as a book editor (currently with Tor Books). He had deep faith in God, described himself as a "High Church" Episcopalian, and received communion more than once a week.
In Other News.... Albatross 18! Revolution: Season 3 is finally coming! Let's all rejoice!
(If the above clip doesn't work, try clicking here.)
LONG TIME NO NEWS
It has been a while since the site had any news, and since there has been some, but it's all up on the bulletin board, well you get the idea.
In a nutshell, our primary games at the moment seem to be EVE and WoW. Adun is no longer the preceptor of EVE, having stepped down for IRL pursuits. Kyna has taken over as CEO of the HCD Mining Corporation, and to date she and Wei are the de-facto sources of EVE news.
Apparently there is a significant HCD presence in WoW, though a head count and specific server have not been officially announced. More information to come.
That's it for this update, for to-the-minute details on these and other very interesting topics, please feel free to check out our board! For anyone looking to join us, by all means contact one of us in game and we will set you up with a bboard account which will allow you full access to our web site and all the valuable information that it contains.
HCD GOES OFFICIAL IN EVE-ONLINE
For the first time in a very long time, more than 7 members of our illustrious guild have been spotted together in an online game! Check out EVE for more information on the game!
Adun named preceptor of EVE-Tranquility!
The EVE team has reached its first milestone by mining over 160,000 uncommon minerals in one day! Many thanks to the entire crew, all of whom showed up to either mine or show moral support! A great work was done!
For the final bit of news, the Herald would like to remind anyone who hasn't signed up, that the May 11 news article is indeed still valid! Sign up for the LOTRO Beta before it really IS too late!
LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE BETA
Lord of The Rings Online just started beta signups. Even better, they're taking guilds into the beta with preference! This means the more of us who sign up with our guild information, the more likely we'll ALL get into beta! Since guild info is kinda sensitive (and I don't want outsider non-members just riding in without at least signing up for membership), I've put all you need to know on the message board here.
SO CLICK HERE AND SIGN UP FOR THE BETA NOW
HERALD'S REPORT
Still nothing much for news, but I thought I'd throw out some general updates anyway =).
First, we are no longer using XFire to track each other. Everyone who is still tracking others' presences has moved to GoogleTalk. GTalk is gmail members only but just ask anyone and we can get you a gmail invitation.
In other news, a whole slew of new games have come out.
Guild presence seems to be limited to playing Oblivion and chatting about it on TeamSpeak, though BF2 is still on our list of "played" games.
Other games: Auto Assault has hit the streets, though there are no reported Defender sightings in that iteration of post-appocalyptic earth.
Also RF-Online has come available, but again, no reported sightings.
That's it for news. Anything develops, please post it on the message boards, and as always remember to log in, or your post won't make it =).
NO NEW NEWS - NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS?
There really isn't new news. Is this a good thing? Nobody is sure. Most noted, our current presence is concentrated in Battlefield 2 and GuildWars. If you wish to play with us, please see the message board for instructions on how to connect to our guild's Teamspeak server (message board note: You MUST login to see the majority of the board's contents). Look for anyone with an (R) next to their name and introduce yourself so we can register you properly please =).
Note to new users: We are taking a very hostile stance against spambotts. If you wish to remain a member after your bboard registration, you MUST post something. If you do not, we will delete your registration and you will have to do it all over again. Sorry for any inconvenience, but please, we'd like to get to know you anyway!
MORE NEWS From the BattleField!
The HCD Battlefield 2 population now includes EdGuardo! These are some impressive stats indeed! Way to go Ed!
Editorial note: stat tracking images are broken and have been removed until their respective hosts fix them. -- Adun, 3/06, 2006
BATTLEFIELD 2: MODERN COMBAT
This game now has at least three active HCD members, and Zehd has even started to carry the HCD guild-tag with his username, so I guess we've got a micro-chapter going on here =). Here are some of our stat-tracking results... some good, some ... well, not as good... anyway, here they are, crosslinked and updated as their stat-tracking services update them:To locate us, go get the xFire chat client at xFire's web site, then add JamesChord to your friends list. The rest should be self-explanatory =). That's it for the news this time. Until next! --HCD Herald
- Elby:
Stats references removed. See newer news for details.
- Zehd:
Stats references removed. See newer news for details.
- Adun:
Stats references removed, see newer news for details.
NEW GAME RELEASE
I know not everyone's interested in everything, but just in case you are... check out Rag Doll Kung Fu. According to Adun, this game could be the best thing since sliced bread! Woot!
CALENDAR TEST
As you can see the Old Board link is gone from the menu and a new link to our new "test" Events Calendar is up! Check it out, post on the New Board what you think!
If you have any events you would like to host, start, or commemorate, let a Knight know and we'll get it posted there!
GUILDWIDE DONE
Highlights of the guildwide include induction of Sirs Zehd and Elby into new Orders, initiations of new Defenders, and elevation of Xarrell into House Starfire as an Adept Defender. Full details here.
GUILDWIDE ANNOUNCED
Today His Grace announced on the message board the next guildwide meeting, in which many ceremonies will be performed.
- WHERE: EQ2 Antonica Claymore
- WHEN: Sunday, January 23, 2005 -- 8:00PM CST
- WHO: All guild members, from fresh initiates to old grouchy knights.
- WHAT TO BRING: Aside from your rear-end? As little as possible. Frequently the ceremonies that are to be performed include the exchange and conferrence of items, gifts, and badges that may need to be worn as part of the ceremony. Come with several empty inventory slots!
As usual, if you cannot arrive on time, do try to arrive late (better late than never). If transportation or escort services are needed page any online member and we will ensure travel to the site is as safe as possible.
FEATURED NEWS
Holy rusted metal batman! New CoH playable race announced!
Check it out here!
EQ2 GUILD LEVEL 5 DRIVE
With His Grace's increased interest, the guild houses are now in an informal competition to see which house can most greatly assist in bringing the guild to level 5. Prizes to be announced, however Sir Kyna has graciously volunteered to assist in tallying the score, so all get out and help your house haul in the greatest number of points. The finish line is drawn, so lets get to level 5!
EQ2 Guildwide Recruitment Event
Sir Niko, Preceptor of Norrath (+500) Unrest, announced today the first (ever?) guildwide recruitment event. Sir Niko requests any who can participate the whole day, however specific starting time and date and place are listed below:
- SATURDAY, December 4, 2004 @ 3PM.
Anticipated events include:- Writ challenges - how many can you complete in the shortest time?
- Exploration - Just how far can you go?
- Sneak! - Sneak into Freeport without getting caught - come out with the coolest screenshot!
And more. Make room in your schedule and BE THERE.
EQ2 PRECEPTOR NAMED
His Grace, Holy Grand Master Sir Thump has named Sir Nikodemz as preceptor of our endeavors in the lands of Norrath+500. Read the official announcement here.
EQ2 EVENT FIGHT NIGHT ESTABLISHED
- Where: TBD - Norrath+500 somewhere.
- When: 8:00PM CENTRAL STANDARD TIME, Tuesdays.
- What to bring: Your favorite weapon, some silver just in case, and any potions or reagents you think might come in handy.
EQ2 GUILD ESTABLISHED, HUNTING PARTY AND BATTLE TRAINING COMMENSES!
Last night and early into the wee hours of this morning a significant number of ranking members of our order were to be found exploring, questing, and even holding a tactics session in the greater Antonica area of Norrath. Present were His Grace Sir Thump, along with Sirs Elby, Aeramon, Gamanin, Niko, Adun, Squire Wahd, and the first appearance of our newest member, Initiate Lennot! Please welcome our newest member Lennot to the guild, and His Grace reminds you to always be on the lookout for new faces to add to our numbers!
EQ TACTICS AND HERO OPPORTUNITIES (AKA: SKILL CHAINS)
If not already up, check the FAQ section of the boards, Sirs Niko and Adun will be reporting on the findings thus far with regards to this amazingly powerful group tactic! Just a small warning, get out your metronome, because this tactic takes precision timing from all involved!
THE EQ2 RACE BEGINS
Yesterday EverQuest2 officially released. Aeramon is the first reported Knight to enter the new worlds of Norrath+500. Aeramon's wisdom has placed the guild on the server that needs the Defenders most, the server Unrest. Current open debate on the bboard is what shall we call ourselves if SoE again decides our name is too holy for their unworthy game. Read about it on the board. More knights are arriving daily in this what may be "the next big thing" for the HCD. See you there.
His Grace Speaks!
Today His Grace spoke for the first time in months to a very eager crowd of HCD, proclaiming a renewed vigor for the guild. Read the full transcript here.
In other news, IRL, United States' presedential election is finished, and the victor is George Bush, leading the country for another 4 years.
SWG: Jump To Lightspeed RELEASED
On October 26th, SWG:JTL finally released. Preliminary reports indicate something of a stealth release with not much fanfaire, however some things still interesting to note for the guild:
- 180 days active account reward: Luxury cruiser space craft... about the same floor space as two medium houses... with apparently no "maintenance" cost... someone correct me please?
- One free fighter craft (type depends on what faction you are) - rebel craft is called the headhunter, looks like an stylized Earth Fighter from Battlestar Galactica (names fail me, someone correct me please! =)).
- Folks with the preorder code get a free naboo-style landspeeder.
- A new skill set all for pilots... you can now be a professional pilot if you so desire.
HALFLIFE 2 RELEASE IMMENENT
HalfLife 2 is due to release November 16. Check out Valve's site for more details here.
Well, that's it for news this week. As always, your faithful Guild Herald, signing off.
Previous news can be viewed via this "Archive" link or via the button at the top of the News Section