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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9 years ago
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Happy birthday!

9 years ago
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Thanks for the nice train! Enjoy your byrding party :D

9 years ago
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Bada-bump! :)

9 years ago
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Hopefully you don't have any hogwash on your mind, say a ring or anything to make the party one big confusing mess. I would take your furniture though if you disappear! Happy bday ^^

9 years ago
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Happy birthday~
nice train!

9 years ago
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I misread title as "breading party"... God i have to eat something xD

9 years ago
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Thanks for the train.

View attached image.
9 years ago
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thanks and bump!

9 years ago
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can i hop on the train? i don't pass the requirements :'(

9 years ago
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I certainly want to let as many people as possible onto the train, but looking at your history, you appear to have three non-activated wins (Tidalis, American Conquest, and Rotieer), and two games that you won multiple times (you won both The Few and Desert Thunder twice). Is there a reason you have those non-activated wins and duplicate wins in your history?

9 years ago
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it was some of my first wins here on steamgifts. I gave the games to my younger brother, because we would enjoy them more than me. I know now i shouldn't have done that, and i have paid my price more then a month ban. The double win, is i won the game gave it to my brother and later on i won the game again. I know now i should have read the rules before being so benevolent to my brother :(

9 years ago
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Thanks!! and happy birthday :DD

9 years ago
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Disembarked on 57!

9 years ago
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A shame that sgtool report a false positive about a non activated win :/

9 years ago
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Appreciate the generosity. Hope you had/have a blast.

9 years ago
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BUMP

9 years ago
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-Sigh- Shame that a rookie mistake I did over a year ago is going to limit me from entering so many trains. Happy Byrding though<3

9 years ago
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Great train! Thanks!
Have a bump :).

9 years ago
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HBNayr I'm almost ashamed I hadn't noticed till now, Happy Byrding Party!! This will be a party the shire will remember!!
here is a little something extra http://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/0rdnc/

Edit: it's end at 10pm GMT on the 10th :)

9 years ago
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Happy Byrd-day!

9 years ago
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Bump! Choo Choo!

9 years ago
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happy Byrday. Loved the party. Here is party favor for your guests.

http://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/SGcYX/overlord-raising-hell

9 years ago
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That was an awesome train! Thank you so bebby much!

9 years ago
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We have agreed you are not orcs!

That was most excellent! Thanks for the opportunity and happy Byrthday :P

9 years ago
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Very nice! Thanks.

9 years ago
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Thanks for the train and happy birthday! :)

9 years ago
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bumping, brooo :)

9 years ago
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Bring us a dragon fireworks!! :3

9 years ago
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