Our 33rd GRB

Hi everyone. Please bear with me while I get into my stride writing these GRB posts. As I keep saying, Zaha is a hard act to follow, not only as a GRB coordinator, but also as a writer. Well, here goes.

I logged in on Saturday 2 hours before GRB to find Dawn sitting at Keol BS already watching the guild-list (and I thought I was nervous - LOL). After we had been discussing teams, tactics and who might turn up, for what seemed like about 30 minutes, the 90 minutes were up and it was time for everyone to gather at the BS. Still with no idea of the teams, we winged it the best we could. The time soon came to go in -and we were all in a raid party - not my favourite. We were a bit late so at least had no lag problems and got in immediately.

We went to our respective portals, while my husband, Jeremy, struggled to get the laptop going. Then, to my horror, as we were killing, I saw Lore nearby and heard her say, "Who's going to take me to 1-15?" It was then that I realised that there were only 2 level 15s there, Dawn and Nalpus, tank and mage . The raid party had put me off, as I can't work with it on screen and so have it totally transparent. However they had already started on the mobs and were bravely making headway (and points) in blue section. We in red section, however, had lots of people: Ash and Lore as healers, Marce on his BP, 2 fighters, Slay and Jeremy (on KK), Demon on his def, Jeff on his archer, and me on Mage_Kat. Sooo what to do. Well, I asked hubby to take Lore to 1-15, which seemed like the obvious choice, but I'd forgotten one very important detail. He had only ever done 2 GRBs a long time ago on Teos, and had only made the journey through to that area once. He didn't know the way . Not wanting to leave getting Lore to Dawn and Nal to chance, we quickly swapped seats (and toons) and therefore computers. OH NOES!!! Panic stations . Me playing on the laptop for the first time, ditto for him with the PC (now you all know why we were both bumbling and fumbling ). I could hardly type. On the way to the 1-15 section, Lore was wondering who the hell I was, cos she thought I was on Mage_Kat, and there had been no time for introductions (sorry about that guys, I'll do it next week I promise ). Halfway to blue section, I found that Jeff was behind us. And boy, am I glad he was. When we got there, we quickly killed the boss, and then started to round up the mobs. It was an unspoken decision for Jeff and me to stay once we were there, and I think it was the right one.

In the beginning, we were all over the place, but much to Lore's relief, after I'd died surrounded by mobs, while everyone else was otherwise engaged, Dawn and I started rounding the mobs up in the same area, and the rest went smoothly, except for a couple of random mobs getting onto Nal and killing him. Lore always got us back on our feet as soon as she could. (Thanks sweetie ) Jeff kept kept an eye out for mobs getting onto Lore and Nal, and saved their butts a few times. But these things do tend to happen in GRB, as you all know. We soon adapted and the points came rolling in from both teams. Another bonus was that no UMs died so no runes were used

Now that we know what to do, next week's GRB should run far more smoothly. For one thing, I won't start off so nervous, panic-stricken and feeling like a bear with a sore head . It seems as the minutes ticked by the points piled up quicker and quicker, until we eventually made just over 12k. I was thrilled to bits when I read the board and found we are now ranked 16th. I was like WOOT WOOT we got back innnnnnn (well I was! ). We now have well over 2,500 Etin too, so keep them coming guys.

Well done and a huge thank you to all who came. I would like to mention here that Jeremy did extremely well as he hasn't been playing Shaiya recently. I'm going to try and get him on Punkette HM this week to plvl my HM mage to 30 so we can use her instead of Mage_Kat, who is only NM. It'll give him some practice too, ready for Saturday.

I'm really sorry, but I've only got one screenshot for you this week. I had no time to think, never mind press extra buttons on a strange computer - LOL. So if anyone has time to take screenshots next week I would be extremely grateful (err Bran? our resident screenshotter, or is that screenshooter? lol). Also, there is hardly a mention of red team here, but that is due to the fact that Dawn and I were in the same team, and Jeremy was still getting used to Shaiya again (also he usually plays fighter on laptop and not mage on PC, as I mentioned before ^^) and was in no fit state to tell me what went on afterwards - LOL. Mind you he did keep me informed of progress and I heard from him that you all watched each other's backs very efficiently. You all did great.

A fantastic GRB was had by all. RH is ranked once again, after just one off-week, which can happen to any guild. With the exact same teams, and knowing what we know now, I'm sure we could make 1,000 more points. The guild in 12th place only had a little over 200 points more than we did.

We hope to see you all next week same place same time (and anyone else who can make it is more than welcome to join in the fun )

OMG - it IS long. I never really noticed before now. I'll make it shorter in future (if I can). Just don't want to miss stuff out.

I know red team rocks - AND ices and lots more besides, but Kalion wasn't the main priority the other day, not enough points to make the time needed to kill him/her/it worthwhile, tho would be nice to get the 100 Etin ^^ (for GH, Marce for GH lol).

I expect we can get Kalion this week. We wasted time last week so this week we should be ok - although i personally feel Kalion should be left until fairly near the end, to avoid any 'bajas' whatever that is in English. Also we should get quite a few points under our belts b4 taking him on. Any ideas on what to do?

Yes Dawn, more mages would be a big boost. Remember we should have Bran's BP back soon, I hope, which is a huge boon, especially against the fire mobs. It would be great if Tam got his mage back with us. Where did he go? I thought he loved GRB

Although I agree with you on this Sky, I feel at the same time, that the faster we start making points, the better. So for the time being, and until everybody has the necessary higher levels to do both 1-15 and 16-30, we are going to keep a few level 15s (in fact there were only 2 there last week).

Please keep the suggestions coming. They are very helpful and it is nice to know that someone else is thinking along the lines I am. And if you have a UM rec mage and want to give it a go - there's always Saturday

Thanks Stand. I wish you had been there in the toon-flesh though - lol. We all miss you not being with us. And Zaha, well that goes without saying .

As I mentiond in the post, we intend to do our best to make next week's GRB even more successful. With the regular GRBers we have, it shouldn't be too hard, as long as nothing unexpected happens.

Well not if you tell us first hon - and we'd love to have you. If Home can spare you of course.

*sudden thought* OMG please tell me you didn't manage to log on in time last week and that what I saw of you on guild chat was NOT from inside GRB, cos I didn't include you in post if u were there - I DID see ur cheerleading ^^. Much appreciated

Thank you, Bran. We did our best. And we'll do as well as we can again tomorrow.
I hope you can make it too, Bran. It'd be great to have you back with us. You're a great asset to the team and we miss those fantastic screenies too