What, exactly, is a byrding party? It was a concept invented by J.R.R. Tolkien for the world of Middle-Earth, and was how a hobbit celebrated his or her birthday. There were many byrding traditions in the Shire that dictated a strict etiquette for the receiving - and giving - of gifts. Gifts were received in private, so as to not embarrass the gift giver. But what about that other part of gifting tradition? Was the hobbit celebrating their byrd-day expect to give gifts? On one's own byrd-day?

Yes, in fact, for the hobbit celebrating their birth-day anniversary, the giving of gifts was a long-held tradition alongside the receiving of gifts. Tolkien imagined that hobbits celebrating their byrding past the third year would give gifts to friends and family. The giving of gifts depended on the age and status of the hobbit celebrating their byrd-day: a young hobbit would be expected to give bunches of wildflowers to their parents and family, while an older and richer hobbit might be expected to give expensive gifts to all those living in their house, along with any employees and close neighbors.

My birthday anniversary is on December 10, and following the hobbit traditions established by Tolkien - as well as traditions common to SteamGifts - I am throwing a byrding party for all my fellow forum-readers. I have made a small (or small-ish, relatively speaking) train of games, with entry levels ranging from 0+ to 4+. The cost to ride the full length of the train is just over 1,000 points, assuming you own absolutely nothing being offered along the route (unlikely, given the nature of this site and the number of bundle leftovers in the train, but possible for someone just starting to build a library). I sorted the games based on their Steam ratings, from lowest rated at the beginning of the train to highest rated at the end; games rated under 65% positive are level 0+, games rated 65% - 74% positive are level 1+, games rated 75% - 84% positive are level 2+, games rated 85% - 94% positive and level 3+, and games rated 95% - 100% positive are level 4+. The train is mostly bundle leftovers, but I still hope there might be at something for everyone somewhere along the route.

But enough talking, let get this party started! If you will all follow me, here is the boarding station, and I would greatly appreciate a bump when you choose to disembark. Thanks, and enjoy the ride!

Oh, and a final note regarding blacklist drama: bring it on. Well, don't bring any drama to the thread, please. But let me know if you get past the bouncer, but can't see the train. It's the end of the year, my birthday is approaching, and it's the holiday season; I am feeling especially benevolent, and would love to clean out my blacklist. Most people on my blacklist are there because they gave evidence of using a bot, script, or macro to enter giveaways on the site, and I am feeling forgiving for anyone that can show they are either a real human being who visits the forums here, or any bot clever enough to understand what I am saying and willing to notify me that their owner is blacklisted. I don't want to get on the wrong side of any AI clever enough to pass the SteamGifts version of the Voight-Kampff Test...

Edit: Some extra gifts for my guests, courtesy of Tewam, Destroyer91, and kretonbadge:
Clergy Splode
There Was A Caveman
Overlord™: Raising Hell

9 years ago*

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Awesome train Nayr. Do you know when the new season of Rick and Morty is gonna start? It kind of finished abruptly and I really want to see what happens next :P

9 years ago
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They haven't yet announced an official premier date for season 3 yet. According to the last information I read, the scripts for season 3 had been written and submitted for approval by the time the last episode of season 2 had aired. They need a few weeks to record the audio, and then six to nine months for animation, and I'm guessing that the producers and standards and practices for the network need a few weeks to sign off on the episodes. So it might be close to a year - or more - until we get to see more Rick and Morty.

So that leaves us plenty of time for rampant fan speculation. My own thought is that either the Council of Ricks is going to rescue our Rick, since it seems to be the only organization with the ability to stand up to the galactic government. Or Unity might intervene on Rick's behalf, and rescue him from imprisonment. It's certainly a cliffhanger, but Rick still has friends out in the galaxy that can help him out of this seemingly inescapable situation.

9 years ago
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Hmm the Unity coming to rescue scenario is actually very believable. I myself thought that morty might go and rescue him with the spaceship, but it would be kind of lame since Morty doesnt have that heroish character in the show. My other thought is that Rick would have already planned his escape prior to getting jailed, like a device from his garage or something, and Morty would have to figure out how to set it up.

9 years ago
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Happy Birthday!

9 years ago
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HB and thx!

9 years ago
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Happy byrd-day! :)

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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Have a bump!

9 years ago
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Bump, thank you, and +1 for Blade Runner reference. :)

9 years ago
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Have another bump :D

9 years ago
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happy future birthday :P
my birthday is on 11th so.. XD yay :D we can celebrate it together :D heheh

9 years ago
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wow that was quite a train :) thanks a lot

9 years ago
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Byrding bump!

9 years ago
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Bump, finally finished the train... Thanks so much!

9 years ago
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That was a huge train! Thanks!! Happy byrd day to you!

9 years ago
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Many bumps for many games and many happy byrding days to come :)

9 years ago
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Bumpity bump!

9 years ago
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Crazy train! Happy early birthday and thanks for the ride. :)

9 years ago
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Entered a couple. Thanks for the train.

View attached image.
9 years ago
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Happy birthday and thanks for awesome train!

9 years ago
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bump and Happy near Birthday :)

9 years ago
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Thanks for the very long train.
Happy birthday!

9 years ago
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thanks for it! and Happy B-day:)

9 years ago
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Happy Birthday!

View attached image.
9 years ago
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Nice byrding party! Not a small train at all, and a pretty interesting one!

9 years ago
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Great train. Thanks for the ride.
Bump

9 years ago
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Bumpy birthday, you must be exhausted after creating all of those giveaways! Thanks and HBD :)

9 years ago
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