Lord of the Rings Online MMORPG

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Have I mentioned that I have tons and tons of furniture taking up vault space that I would be more than happy to donate to the kinhouse..?

Also, the Yule Festival starts today! In fact, they are installing it right now.

I also had at least some chandeliers crafted by little myself - I think I still have at least one which I would like to donate. So, save a spot :)

Hmm, luckily-unluckily, as far as online gaming goes, I currently became fully occupied by SWTOR, which has exceeded my expectations (and which has the slight advantage against LOTRO that its way of visualising a world I already know from elsewhere does not disturb me in any way :) ), so I don't see my activity as very... big at the moment. :)

[Kitanna]

Yule festival, I was afraid I had missed it. My fondest memories in online gaming are there.

I don't know anyone's names on silverlode, but mine is Versarrasine and I could use a friend or two. ;)

[Kuruharan]

and which has the slight advantage against LOTRO that its way of visualising a world I already know from elsewhere does not disturb me in any way :)

What...you find Turbine's vision of Middle earth disturbing...say it ain't so!

Yule festival, I was afraid I had missed it. My fondest memories in online gaming are there.

I have no idea when its going to start. When the servers were taken down today everyone said that was why...but when they were back up there was no festival. After that people started saying it would start tomorrow (Dec 20) but who knows.

I don't know anyone's names on silverlode

Sure you do. My name is Kuruharan. :)

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

What...you find Turbine's vision of Middle earth disturbing...say it ain't so!

I didn't say it is disturbing, or in any case, I don't find it disturbing per se - it has many very beautiful places (or most of them, actually) - but the main problem with me is that I am strongly against any attempts to visualise Middle-Earth in the first place in any other way than in paintings. LOTRO is fine, but it just "breaks the spell": it isn't really Middle-Earth however hard I try. Once again, that isn't bad. I think the game is great and I think they could have hardly done better than that. The "breaking the spell" effect is inherent to it: it is something that has to be there, it comes naturally. It is just that there is the threshold you can never cross. PJ didn't, those folks don't either.

[Oddwen]

I don't know anyone's names on silverlode, but mine is Versarrasine and I could use a friend or two. ;)

Reprimand, Maelusalph, Heypresto, Daltrey, Derndwimmer, Bruiwen, Fytalmi.

I wonder if we can get an all-Wight theater production? :D

[Eönwë]

Yule has begun.

[Kuruharan]

I just had this message flash across the Kinship chat...

Your kinship's Lifespan Rank has changed to Lifespan Rank 7.

Huzzah!

[Oddwen]

Yay!

Okay. So 4 Brookbank street has the best view and has my vote. It's the next lowest price at 15 gold with weekly upkeep of 300 silver. I have two gold currently, so I suppose I'm taking the collection for the initial purchase.

[Kuruharan]

Which neighborhood?

[Oddwen]

I was looking at Moredowns. They're all the same, but I was trying to look for one with "downs" in the title.

[Kuruharan]

That one works for me.

[Eönwë]

We need to do the Inn League pub-crawl thing as a kinship.

The question is not if, but when.

[Oddwen]

Allllllrighty then. We're at 13 towards our 15 gold house fund. You can contact Reprimand if you have money for it. I can foot the extra two if absolutely necessary, but I also want to have money enough for the cute single house in that same neighborhood. Cos it's cute.

Then we can get boozed up and wake up in strange places without our pants.

[Legolas]

Having been playing Warcraft almost exclusively for four years, my raiding guild has finally dissolved. I'm having trouble finding new people because of the changes to the game over the last year and a half; and am currently looking at other MMORPGs.

I recently got the LOTRO demo and played Star Wars: The Old Republic beta, but admittedly only dabbled.

Now I come here and see there's a group of you all playing. What's the game like once you leveled up? What is there to do? Any of you have Warcraft experience to compare LOTRO to?

[Eönwë]

Just out of interest, is anyone in a crafting guild?

[Kuruharan]

Any of you have Warcraft experience to compare LOTRO to?

Cut them against each other and I'd have to say Warcraft is better.

The endgame is basically levelling up alts, raiding or endless PvP.

[Oddwen]

The Shades of Tyrn Gorthad may now be contacted at 4 Brookbank Street, Moredowns, The Shire.

Kuruharan is in a decorating frenzy. I suggest you pop on by and see what we've done to the place! :D

[Eönwë]

I also want to have money enough for the cute single house in that same neighborhood. Cos it's cute.
Which one? I'm tempted to get 5 Chalk Road, but I may end up going to Thorin's Hall Homesteads, being a Dwarf and all.

And yay! Kinship House!

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Just out of interest, is anyone in a crafting guild?

I have been in one for some time already (the jewellers). It definitely is worth it. I don't know what your guild offers, but given how much you have dedicated to crafting, I think you should do it.

[Lindale]

We're on Silverlode.

Aww, is anyone in Imladris? I left my Level 7 character on Silverlode because my brother and cousins play on Imladris, but I'm the only one active in Lotro now:(

[Gwathagor]

The Shades of Tyrn Gorthad may now be contacted at 4 Brookbank Street, Moredowns, The Shire.

Kuruharan is in a decorating frenzy. I suggest you pop on by and see what we've done to the place! :D

Aw, crap, I was going to chip in that final two gold. Sorry, I've been swamped.

[Oddwen]

Eonwe, I now own 1 Wending Way. I really should have packed up furniture before abandoning my old house, I think I lost a bunch of things. Although it's possible they were bound to other characters.

Lindale, just Silverlode. but if you want to restart your character there we have other lower levels, so you wouldn't be stranded or anything.

Gwath, I don't mind if you mail me some golds. ;)

(edit) Yep, everything is bound to characters. I'm putting birds EVERYWHERE, maaaaan

[Eönwë]

Aw, crap, I was going to chip in that final two gold. Sorry, I've been swamped.
I tried to send gold, but you can't unless you've paid for something in-game, i.e. bought some Turbine Points or membership for any length of time. Or something like that.

[Eönwë]

My character now has a house- 3 Frothing Road, Góthbar, Thorin's Hall Homesteads.

[Gwathagor]

I tried to send gold, but you can't unless you've paid for something in-game, i.e. bought some Turbine Points or membership for any length of time. Or something like that.

Ah.

[Kuruharan]

My character now has a house- 3 Frothing Road, Góthbar, Thorin's Hall Homesteads.

It is a nice little house.

Nice and cozy.

[Oddwen]

I tried to send gold, but you can't unless you've paid for something in-game, i.e. bought some Turbine Points or membership for any length of time. Or something like that.


You guys can still pay maintenance though, nudgenudge.

My character now has a house- 3 Frothing Road, Góthbar, Thorin's Hall Homesteads.

Congratumalations!

[Eönwë]

It is a nice little house.

Nice and cozy.

It's not really properly furnished yet. But thanks.

[Eönwë]

I have stocked-up our kinship-house chest with some pipeweed. Just saying.

[Oddwen]

It's some goooooooood stuff, maaaaaaaan. Gabiluzbad and Derndwimmer dressed up in orcish gear and high-fived each other's faces before obscuring the entire house in smoke.

All that needs to be done is to obtain some "golf fire"(heh) and then.....then it's proper foreteen twenty all up in hyah.

[Eönwë]

Er... yeah... what Oddwen said.

I've finally braved the Trallshaws and managed to get to Rivendell unscathed, though I have to say that there were many times when I thought that the MASSIVE CREATURES THAT LIVE THERE would kill me.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I finally managed to pop up in there and install Curufinwen's beautiful home-made chandeliers on our ceilings. Watch out! They are really Elvishly beautiful.

Aside from that, I have also supplied our chest with a bit of Gimifril's pipeweed (only a little, since I think with Gabiluzbad's creations it would already be too much; but there is Longbottom Leaf!), but more importantly also a LOT of good drink! Especially good for house parties! Enjoy!

And Eönwë, thanks for the things you've apparently been sending back and forth for a while - I finally took them :)

[Eruhen]

Well, well, well. Come back to the 'Downs after a couple of months, and looky here!

A Kinship, with a house and everything! Looks like it's time to leave Riddermark and start up on Silverlode. And since the kids are asleep right now and I have no work to do, now's as good as any time.

Look for me soon.

Atandir: Elven Champion (alt)
Eruhen: Human Guardian (main)

[Oddwen]

Very lovely indeed, Legate! :D

And I appreciated seeing the picture of our Warg and Master as soon as I walked in.

[Eönwë]

If anyone's a tailor, I've put some expert recipes in the secondary box.

[Oddwen]

Oooh yes, I was going to explain about the lottery but forgot.

If you log onto www.my.lotro.com/home , there is a place where you can enter your characters into a lottery. Most frequently they have "welcome wagon" kind of things, with some kind of meh jewelry and some food, and they'll also have seasonal and flash lotteries. I got the yule tree and our wallpaper from a lottery, and two of my chars on Silverlode won a bag of Goldfire Pipeweed last week. Right now until the end of today is a lottery entitled simply "PIE!".

[Finrod Felagund]

Hi guys. It's been awhile since I've been active here. I was wondering. What server is our "kinship" on? I've been playing in Imladris since I started LotRO-ing. :D

[Lindale]

Hi guys! Look for Diwata, my new hunter in Silverlode! :Merisu:

[Eruhen]

@Finrod: We're on Silverlode. What are your mains and alts?

Also, I just saw on Facebook that LOTRO's headed to Rohan in the fall! Take a look here (http://www.lotro.com/news/pressreleases/1736-warner-bros-interactive-entertainment-and-turbine-unveil-the-lord-of-the-rings-online-riders-of-rohan?lang=en_US).

[Finrod Felagund]

I'm a Dwarf Guardian. What's the name of your kinship?

[Eruhen]

We're the Shades of Tyrn Gorthad. Kuruharan is the seneschal who seems to be on most often (at least, he's always on when I am). Send him a tell next time he's on.

[Kuruharan]

Greetings Fellow Downzians!

Today a GLORIOUS EVENT in the history of the world unfolded. The long awaited SHADES OF TYRN GORTHAD PUB CRAWL!

We started at the Bird and Baby tavern in Michel Delving and it began with a fail as I forgot to start taking screenshots until we got to the dwarven merchant camp at Waymeet. Oh well.

Wandering Minstrels We! (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00005.jpg)

Moving on from the Shire's hobo camp we made our way to The Ivy Bush in Hobbiton where the party really got started. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00007.jpg)

Alas, a little bit too much fun was had at The Bush as poor Gabil somehow managed to get completely lost on our way to The Green Dragon. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00008-1.jpg)

But it was ok, cause we were jammin'! (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00009.jpg)

At our next stop in Frogmorton, our glorious leader Reprimand decided she was feeling liberated from the constraints of customary behavior and good sense and started dancing on the top of a very small barrel. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00013-1.jpg)

The sight so unnerved me that I somehow ended up on top of a house in Woodhall. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00014-1.jpg) This was doubly embarassing because I discovered soon after that Woodhall has no pub. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00015-1.jpg) :o (How long have I been playing this game?)

We rampaged on to Stock, where we were in such fine form that I decided to alert the entire countryside to our presence. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00016-1.jpg)

Our performance was well received. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00017-1.jpg)

I'm a bit hazy on what happened next. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00018-1.jpg)

But no matter. It was time to celebrate good times! (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00024-1.jpg)

FOOSH!! (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00026-1.jpg)

Afterwards we retired to our kinhouse for some moments of quiet contemplation...and plundering the larder. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00029-1.jpg)

Afterwards we blew smoke at each other. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00031-1.jpg)

Then we decided we needed to hold a proper closing ceremony. We all climbed into the piles of rusty orc armor we keep in the kinhouse for such an occasion and I took a picture of us in front of the fireplace. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00038.jpg)

[Eruhen]

Of course, the drunken debauchery happens the one night this week I'm not online...

le sigh.

[Lindale]

Hi guys! I'm on a free to play on Lotro, and having just accumulated 500ish TP, what do you think is the best thing to do with it? Quest pack or expansion? If it's a quest pack, where? Thanks a lot guys!

[Kuruharan]

It depends on what level your character is.

I don't know how the quest packs and stuff are broken up, but if you aren't a high enough level you wouldn't be able to function in an expansion area.

[Eönwë]

*cough* Kinship house maintenance *cough*

I paid for the next one, but still...




Also, I put lots of stuff that I don't need in the second kinship chest.

[Eönwë]

Apparently the only time you can get the Inn League Keg is in the Spring Festival, after completing the advanced version of Bullroarer's Challenge. So keep your eyes out for it when it comes around, kinship.

[Eönwë]

There is a treasure hunt now. Just saying.

Also, someone needs to pay the kinship house's maintenance.

[Eruhen]

I'll get it in a few minutes. Right before I head to the treasure hunt.

[Eönwë]

I paid it in the end. Someone finally bought my stuff at the auction.

[Eruhen]

Sorry. Didn't get a chance to get on for long enough after all. I'll pick it up next time, promise.

[Kuruharan]

I just paid the rest of the upkeep as far as I could.

Unfortunately, I can't be relied on to do that consistantly because Guild Wars 2 is coming out soon. When Guild Wars 2 hits I will be scaling back my LOTRO time significantly. I won't stop playing LOTRO altogether (except for probably the first few weeks after GW2 comes out) but I won't be playing nearly as often.

[Eönwë]

Bullroarer Took Screenshot contest. Anyone interested?

[Eruhen]

Rent's coming due again in a few weeks. In other news, I bought the third chest for the kin.

Also, it seems like I'm the only one who's on anymore. Am I the only Yank on the Downs who plays LOTRO?

[Oddwen]

I haven't been active recently, but have been logging on at least once a week to check on things.

[Eönwë]

I log in every few days.

And is that a yes or a no for the Bullroarer competition?

[Eruhen]

If we can get a group together of more than just the two of us, Steve, then sure. I'll be logging on in a bit here.

[Eruhen]

So, anniversary party will be starting next week. Who's up for some fun as a kin?

[Eönwë]

So, anniversary party will be starting next week. Who's up for some fun as a kin?
Yes, it looks quite exciting!

[Kuruharan]

So I was wandering along peaceably minding my own business after having accidently fallen into a river I couldn't find a way out of when I discovered...

A relative of the evil rabbit from Monty Python's Holy Grail. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00045.jpg)

He'd killed and skinned a bear!

(Upper left in case you can't see it.)

[Eönwë]

Where in Middle-earth was this?

[Kuruharan]

In the Limlight River in northern Rohan.

In other news, I will be available on Saturday afternoon/evening (my time, US Central) for kin group celebrations.

[Eönwë]

Should I get us a windmill, or do we already have enough in the background?

[Eönwë]

Ok, so there was a Bullroarer Took photograph competition, and while I didn't win, I thought I'd share some of my entries.

Looking for mushrooms at the kinhouse:
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO/ScreenShot00019.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO/ScreenShot00025.jpg

Music at our stage:
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO/ScreenShot00032.jpg

[Eönwë]

Visiting Bag End:
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO/ScreenShot00059.jpg

And the view outside:
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO/ScreenShot00061.jpg

Some fun with the locals at the Green Dragon:
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO/ScreenShot00082.jpg

[Eönwë]

And more music there:
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO/ScreenShot00074.jpg

As a member of the Mathom Society:
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO/ScreenShot00106.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO/ScreenShot00097.jpg

[Eönwë]

And then, in true Bullroarer style, my character bought a hobbit club and went to fight orcs in Golfimbul's hole:
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO/ScreenShot00172.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO/ScreenShot00232.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO/ScreenShot00221.jpg


And on another note, today Kuru and I shared some Anniversary festivities. He'll be posting about that in more detail at some point soon.

[Kuruharan]

As Eönwë said we had a little kin celebration.

It started well when we discovered that I can't type. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00046.jpg)

Then we had fireworks!

One. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00047-1.jpg)

Two. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00050.jpg)

Three. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00060.jpg)

Four. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00067-1.jpg)

Five. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00068.jpg)

Six. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00069-1.jpg)

Seven. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00080.jpg)

I thought I had some pics of us playing music to fireworks, but apparently I was pressing the wrong button.

[Eönwë]

Just wanted to mention that it's the Spring Festival, for those that are interested.

Also, has anyone played the chicken quests? Because I only just discovered them now, and playing as a chicken is actually quite fun. :D

Also, our house is locked due to no-one paying the maintenance (I only realised when it was too late and I had no kinhouse teleport).

[Benjimir]

LOTROcon 2012
Join with fellow LOTRO fans, for fun, frivolity, and fellowship! Bring a Kin or bring yourself, as we see what life is like under that bright shiny object in the sky!

July 20, 21, and 22
Cedar Point, Ohio


RSVP NOW!
www.LOTROcon.com (http://www.LOTROcon.com)

About
LOTROcon is player organized gathering of Lord of the Rings Online fans. This inagural year's event is being held at Cedar Point, the historic amusement park on the shores of Lake Erie. LOTROcon is a social gathering, with a light mix of activities, and a heavy focus on simply having fun among our own. Individuals are welcome to come and meet other, and represent their server. Those who are part of Kinships are encouraged to represent their kinmates.

Where:
Cedar Point
Located on the north shore of Lake Erie, in Sandusky, Ohio. 1 hour west of Cleveland, 1 hour east of Toledo, 2 hours north of Columbus. Cedar Point features something for virtually anybody.

When:
July 20, 21, and 22 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)

What:
Enjoy roller coasters, live shows, crystal white sand beaches, vintage arcades and games, to water parks, resort hotels, and boat excursions. In between, visit with LOTRO players from across the servers and country! Break bread at the Dinner of special Magnifice and Second Breakfasts. Compete in the first Bullroarer Classic or Thorin’s Hall Clash. Gather with your fellow players or Kinships at the gatherings and Kinmoot!

Agenda:
Friday, July 20
10 a.m. Cedar Point Opens - Friday is a travel day for most, so we keep it loose. Enjoy the park, have fun!
8 p.m. Dinner of Special Magnificence - Tomo Habachi, Japanese Steakhouse. Gather with the earlier arrivals for dinner and the show!
10 p.m. - After party. TBD based on group.

Saturday, July 21
8 a.m. until 10 a.m. Second Breakfast - Perkins, Hotel Breakers at Cedar Point.
1 p.m. Bullroarer Classic - Mini-Golfimbul, Challenge Park, Cedar Point.
6 p.m. Thorin’s Hall Clash - Bumper Car Frenzy, then dinner
7 p.m. Kinmoot - Dinner and talk of all things LOTRO, Kinships
12 a.m. Afterparty - TGI Friday’s, Hotel Breakers, Cedar Point

Sunday, July 22
8 a.m. until 10 a.m. Second Breakfast - McDonalds, next to Breakers Express
10 a.m. until 10 p.m. Cedar Point, in groups and otherwise.

RSVP:

Those wishing to attend, are asked to RSVP with the LOTROcon website.

http://www.LOTROcon.com

[Benjimir]

Also a note.

We have a series of events friendly to those who play or want to try playing LOTRO, as well as visitors from other servers. Take a gander at: LINK (http://www.sonsofnumenor.com/community/index.php/en/2012-05-27-20-16-44/in-game-events)

[Kuruharan]

I figured that I would comment since nobody else has, but there is a new expansion coming in less than/about a month.

I like some of the changes I am reading about in it (and I'm liking how the story in it seems to finally be focused more on what Tolkien actually wrote).

Its just kind of a pity that the model of game LOTRO is based on is becoming obsolete, especially compared to Guild Wars 2.

[Kuruharan]

The Riders of Rohan expansion brings LOTRO back to a level its not had since Shadows of Angmar as far as enjoyability. Overall its a lot of fun to play.

There are a couple of issues I have experienced myself. The biggest has been lag...I've had quite a lot of it, especially in mounted combat. Other people have not had as much lag but for me it has been a real problem.

Also, Turbine has tried to implement some dynamic questing like what is present in Guild Wars 2, which I commend them for trying. However, LOTRO is definitely beginning to show that its an aging game in the way it struggles to accommodate some of the newer features. I don't know if an MMO has ever made a transition from one engine to another to give itself a new lease on life, but I hope the big wigs at Turbine have something like that on their agenda if they want to make it to Gondor and beyond with LOTRO.

And now the funny screenshots...

FRODO LIVES AND HE IS ME!!! BWAH HAWH HAWH HAWH!! (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00057.jpg)

One does not simply walk into being Boromir. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00059-1.jpg)

How Boromir views the rest of the Fellowship. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00058-1.jpg)

I am also Sam. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00061-1.jpg)

[Eönwë]

So, with a special thanks to Oddwen who helped me through the wastes of the Trollshaws, I have finally got the Cloak of the Cluck! Here (http://i5.minus.com/ib1hmElZ3D3DvC.jpg) is Gabiluzbad with those two noble chickens, George and Billina. I regret not taking pictures of the travels in some of the more inhospitable places, but I'll be sure to do so when I attempt Free Range.

[Kuruharan]

So I was wandering along peaceably minding my own business after having accidently fallen into a river I couldn't find a way out of when I discovered...

A relative of the evil rabbit from Monty Python's Holy Grail. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00045.jpg)

He'd killed and skinned a bear!

(Upper left in case you can't see it.)

I recently found that the rabbit had moved on...I was exploring in the newly opened area in north Rohan and what should I come across but...

The Killer Rabbit!!! (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00066-1_zpsa03b45e0.jpg)

View 2 (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00070_zps11239984.jpg)

and

View 3 (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00065-1_zps44811ab0.jpg)

also, later on I got some pet goats. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00072_zpsca46a6b1.jpg)

I have enjoyed the recent update more than most people seem to have. There is a great deal of complaining about the current state of the game that seems to be growing in momentum. While there will inevitably be a chorus of grumbling at all times, there does seem to be something of a distinct exodus of players from LOTRO right now.

There are also concerns circulating around the LOTRO forums currently that the game may be genuinely in danger of shutting down in the next year or so. Apparently Turbine's contract to run the game is expiring and there are no announcements or any discussion at all regarding the future of the game. The fears are that this indicates that Warner Brothers and Turbine have decided to let the contract expire and close down LOTRO when it does.

I'm not sure I buy into these theories as there is still lots of time for some new deal to be announced, but it is food for thought.

As much as I complain about LOTRO and its various problems (and its got a lot and a number of them seem to be getting worse and I disagree with some of the directions Turbine seems to be going) I still have played as Kuru for a number of years now and will be sad whenever the time comes that the servers shut down for good and he goes to that great big server farm in the sky.

[Oddwen]

We had a populous weekend! We had as many as THREE kinship members on at once!!

I don't think there are any "official" festivals coming up soon, so maybe we should make our own. Is there any upcoming weekend when we would all like to try to get together and do something? Synchronized Weathertop jumping? Ganging up on the evil weather-master who is impersonating Tom Bombadil and slapping him sillier? A Barrow skirmish?

[Kuruharan]

I'm unfortunately going to be out of town next weekend, so maybe the weekend after.

[Eönwë]

So, for those of you following my chicken adventures, this is an update. This is my first attempt at Free Range. Luckily, I managed to find a level 85 to assist me for Evendim (supposedly the hardest part), but I still managed to get killed before the end, sadly.

Here are some pictures of the quest:

At the Ivy Bush (http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO%20chicken/Chicken1.jpg?t=1374151158)

Swimming in the Brandywine (http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO%20chicken/Chicken2.jpg?t=1374151167)

At Bag End (http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO%20chicken/Chicken3.jpg?t=1374151171)

Back at Sunset (http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO%20chicken/Chicken4.jpg?t=1374151176)

Alone in the Wilderness (http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO%20chicken/Chicken5.jpg)

At the High King's Crossing (http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO%20chicken/Chicken6.jpg?t=1374151290)

Feeling cocky (http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO%20chicken/Chicken7.jpg?t=1374151297)

Taking the leap (http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO%20chicken/Chicken8.jpg?t=1374151302)

Into the town (http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO%20chicken/Chicken9.jpg?t=1374151321)

Waiting for the sunrise (http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg242/Eonwe-Kalmo/LOTRO%20chicken/Chicken10.jpg?t=1374151356)

[Kuruharan]

Just as a head's up for anyone who may be interested, but the release date for Helm's Deep has finally been announced. It is November 18.

[Kuruharan]

I was having a chat with Eonwe ingame yesterday and we discussed the possibility of having a kinship run of the HD epic battle instances since the instance auto-levels the players to 95.

I told him I would post today to see if there was any interest.

[Kuruharan]

Hello, I thought I should pass this along.

LOTRO is suffering the inevitable fate of a MMO that is losing steam. Servers are going to be closed and the players on them will have to transfer to other servers to keep playing.

There is some info here (http://lotro-wiki.com/index.php/Server_Moves_and_Migrations) and here (http://lotro-wiki.com/index.php/Producer%27s_Letter_-_May_2015).

On the plus side, there is a new PvP map opening up tomorrow.

[Kuruharan]

A post (https://www.lotro.com/en/game/articles/world-transfers) regarding the closure process has gone up. The announcements regarding which worlds will close will happen on Monday.

I know I'm the only one who logs into the game very often anymore, but if you have any place you would particularly like to go, now is the time to let me know.

[Kuruharan]

Per this (http://www.lotro.com/en/game/articles/world-closure-announcement) post, Silverlode is one of the servers closing.

I find a couple of Turbine's selections of servers to stay open a little odd in two instances but there isn't anything we can do about it.

Everyone will have to move their characters individually, but as the leader, Oddwen will have to move the kinship if we want to keep our house and kinship ranking (which would be desirable to do).

[Eönwë]

Which server is the kinship moving to?

[Oddwen]

I have not moved us yet. It has been quite some time since I logged in actually. In researching I am leaning towards either Arkenstone or Landroval. Kuru or anyone have you played in any of the remaining servers?

[Kuruharan]

I have, unfortunately, been out of commission for the past few weeks because of a computer problem.

While I was out, the transfer for Silverlode opened. It seems like there are only a few weeks left at most before the server goes dark.

My vote is for Arkenstone.

[Kuruharan]

Getting bored by myself on Silverlode (there was literally one other person on the server at the time) I went ahead and moved the kin to Arkenstone.

Your membership will transfer over if you make the move and you will get money for your house.

I haven't gotten around to getting a new kinship house. I will update on that when I do.

EDIT: So after moving, I made the hilarious discovery that kinship membership on transfer fouls up more than it works properly, so if you come over and it doesn't work let me know and I can fix it.

[Kuruharan]

Hobbit kinship houses are freakishly popular. They are almost all taken up on the entire server. However, I managed to find one and it even had the same address, although not in the same neighborhood.

The new address is 4 Brookbank Street, Harville.

[Morthoron]

I was just talking to a few of my cohorts from back when LotRO was Middle-earth Online. Sadly, the alpha and beta of LotRO embittered so many people and broke up the gang. One of the best group of online gamers and posters I've ever been associated with. Excepting my friends here at BD, of course. :D

[Kuruharan]

Coming very late to this particular party, but I was rereading this (http://lotrocommunity.com/forum/topic/3465-lotro-pvpersare-they-really-that-bad/?page=15) thread on another forum today where one of the former Turbine employees raises the curtain a bit on LOTRO behind the scenes and the former employee posted the following and it was so hilarious given some of my early complaints about the look of the game that I thought I'd come post it...

Oh god the armor. I have no idea why it looked so awful, especially in SoA, or how any art director could look at these designs and say, 'great work, ship it!'. Running around at lower levels I really felt like I was being trolled by the game. You know there's a problem when the cosmetic system-allowing you to cover up your hard-earned gear-was one of the most universally popular systems ever released for LOTRO. In WoW my little mage wore her PvP armor with pride. In LOTRO it was like being forced to wear that awful sweater your aged aunt gave you for Christmas every time you went to school.

[Kuruharan]

Lord of the Rings Online has been sold from Turbine to a new developer called Standing Stone Games.

See here (https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?649784-Standing-Stone-Games-A-message-from-Rob-Ciccolini).

This came out of nowhere and has taken the player base completely by surprise.

However, while there is a general sense of worry and hand-wringing since things like this rarely mean good things for the future of a game, there is also a seemingly widespread sense of optimism since Warner Brothers and Turbine were running the game into the ground.

[Morthoron]

Lord of the Rings Online has been sold from Turbine to a new developer called Standing Stone Games.

See here (https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?649784-Standing-Stone-Games-A-message-from-Rob-Ciccolini).

This came out of nowhere and has taken the player base completely by surprise.

However, while there is a general sense of worry and hand-wringing since things like this rarely mean good things for the future of a game, there is also a seemingly widespread sense of optimism since Warner Brothers and Turbine were running the game into the ground.

Standing Stone Games, a newly-independent studio staffed by people who have been working on DDO and LOTRO for many years.

I'm going to check with my moles to find out who exactly these staffers are. It would be nice (however unrealistic) if they moved back toward the old Middle-earth Online (MEO) model that Turbine abandoned so they could emulate WoW. Not sure how many of you were pre-Beta, but there was a whole different game being planned previously.

[Kuruharan]

I'm going to check with my moles to find out who exactly these staffers are. It would be nice (however unrealistic) if they moved back toward the old Middle-earth Online (MEO) model that Turbine abandoned so they could emulate WoW. Not sure how many of you were pre-Beta, but there was a whole different game being planned previously.

We shall see.

After the Standing Stones split off, Turbine/WB have announced the impending closure of Asheron's Call and Asheron's Call 2.

Given the demise of the Asheron's Calls, a potential plausible scenario to my mind is that, as many players had feared for quite some time, WB/Turbine had decided to pull the plug on all of their MMOs including LOTRO. The LOTRO devs didn't want to see the game shut down and found an investor (or perhaps pulled together the money) to save the game via setting up their own company. It would be interesting if this theory could be confirmed.

My sympathies are with the long time players of Asheron's Call. I never played the game myself, but it had been around since 1999 (one of the longest running MMOs in history) and I am sorry to see it go. :(

[Eönwë]

So I've finally logged back on after a long absence. Anyone up for an in-game meetup?

[Kuruharan]

This weekend is looking awfully busy for me.

Maybe next weekend?

[Snowdog]

I'm going to check with my moles to find out who exactly these staffers are. It would be nice (however unrealistic) if they moved back toward the old Middle-earth Online (MEO) model that Turbine abandoned so they could emulate WoW. Not sure how many of you were pre-Beta, but there was a whole different game being planned previously.

Yes, I remember those days. The group I was in pretty much abandoned-in-place the great little website they set up for their kinship when the found the released game was nothing like they had anticipated during development.

We shall see.

After the Standing Stones split off, Turbine/WB have announced the impending closure of Asheron's Call and Asheron's Call 2.

Given the demise of the Asheron's Calls, a potential plausible scenario to my mind is that, as many players had feared for quite some time, WB/Turbine had decided to pull the plug on all of their MMOs including LOTRO. The LOTRO devs didn't want to see the game shut down and found an investor (or perhaps pulled together the money) to save the game via setting up their own company. It would be interesting if this theory could be confirmed.

My sympathies are with the long time players of Asheron's Call. I never played the game myself, but it had been around since 1999 (one of the longest running MMOs in history) and I am sorry to see it go. :(

That is sad to see somethin that started last century meet its demise. How has the LOTRO change in ownership work out so far?

[Kuruharan]

That is sad to see somethin that started last century meet its demise. How has the LOTRO change in ownership work out so far?

In many respects it is still too early to tell.

My impression (and this is just an impression) is that the player base has stabilized somewhat. However, I am on one of the more populated servers so that may distort my experience. I've heard that Brandywine has taken a big hit in population and it was the king of server pop by an exponential amount ever since the start of the game.

I'd describe there being a sense of resignation on the part of the player base regarding expectations of Standing Stones. There is a sense that Turbine broke the game so badly that Standing Stones, all being late-comers to LOTRO development, don't have the historical know-how of the code to perform substantial changes without breaking the functioning of the entire game.

What happened to the Guardian class is continually held up as an example of this. It is a particularly glaring example where Turbine almost right before the end completely broke the class and SSG hasn't really done anything to fix the situation except for a few faltering and poorly received steps.

People are on the whole excited for the coming Mordor expansion, if for no other reason than this will provide the climax of the story. SSG claims to have a couple of years more of development and content sketched out after this. It probably depends on how well Mordor sells if this comes to fruition.

I think we will probably end the sort of honeymoon phase with SSG with the deployment of Mordor.

For all its problems, LOTRO has one major thing going for it. It is the only Tolkien themed MMO out there. People who what to play an MMO in Middle earth have no other place to go. Most of the players who are left are there for that reason or keep coming back for that reason. If this game had not been set in Middle earth I believe it would have died some time ago. But us Tolkien folk are stubborn. ;)

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

So, I am going to bite the bullet and play this. I'll let you know how annoyed I am with it in like one day.

[Kuruharan]

So, I am going to bite the bullet and play this. I'll let you know how annoyed I am with it in like one day.

The opening stages of the game are pretty good.

Its later on that all the annoying problems become apparent...

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

The opening stages of the game are pretty good.

Its later on that all the annoying problems become apparent...

I'll let you know what I think once I get the game running. I should be able to pay here in about twenty minutes or so. I've always liked MMORPGs, so I think I'll have a good time. At least it keeps me from playing the Sims, right?

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

So I've been playing today, but I talked to Eonwe and he said that everyone moved to the Arkenstone world and I'm in Crickhollow. Can I move my character to be with the Downer party world, or do I have to make a new character? I'm on level 10 and I don't really want to start over, but I will if it means that I get to play with friends.

[Kuruharan]

You can transfer, but I think you have to pay for it.

Unfortunately, the Transfer wizard seems to be on the blink at the moment and I can't check it. :(

In other news, the pre-order for the Mordor expansion went live today.

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

You can transfer, but I think you have to pay for it.

Unfortunately, the Transfer wizard seems to be on the blink at the moment and I can't check it. :(

In other news, the pre-order for the Mordor expansion went live today.

Well, poo. I guess I'll set up a new character on Arkenstone if I can't transfer my existing character........ :o

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

I am a level 14 and I am currently staying at Tom Bombadil's house. This game was not made for the casual movie fan. The Shire is so pleasant, I don't want to leave, but I want a horse and I have to go to Bree to get one. One more level and I'll be able to get a house, which is exciting. The Old Forest is definitely spooky and scary. I really wanted to use my hunter power to transport me back to Hobbiton, but I persevered and now I have met old Tom Bombadillo! Oh joy. Where is everyone else in the game? Surely much further than I am? I started as a hobbit. Do you get a different beginning of the game if you start out as another race? So many questions.

Anyway, I'm on the Arkenstone server now, so I should be able to play with you guys.

[Eönwë]

I am a level 14 and I am currently staying at Tom Bombadil's house. This game was not made for the casual movie fan. The Shire is so pleasant, I don't want to leave, but I want a horse and I have to go to Bree to get one. One more level and I'll be able to get a house, which is exciting. The Old Forest is definitely spooky and scary. I really wanted to use my hunter power to transport me back to Hobbiton, but I persevered and now I have met old Tom Bombadillo! Oh joy. Where is everyone else in the game? Surely much further than I am? I started as a hobbit. Do you get a different beginning of the game if you start out as another race? So many questions.

Anyway, I'm on the Arkenstone server now, so I should be able to play with you guys.

What's your character's name?

In any case, I agree. I think the Shire and Breeland are really well done, especially when you're at the appropriate level - I won't spoil anything, but I was also really impressed with the Barrow-Downs.

As a F2P player (and also someone who hasn't sunk that much time into the game), I decided try not to level up too fast (and therefore make the free areas boring/unplayable), so I'm only level 33 on my main character (and I don't think I bothered transferring the others). And yes, your race does determine starting location.

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

What's your character's name?

In any case, I agree. I think the Shire and Breeland are really well done, especially when you're at the appropriate level - I won't spoil anything, but I was also really impressed with the Barrow-Downs.

As a F2P player (and also someone who hasn't sunk that much time into the game), I decided try not to level up too fast (and therefore make the free areas boring/unplayable), so I'm only level 33 on my main character (and I don't think I bothered transferring the others). And yes, your race does determine starting location.

Violaodorata. That's the Latin name for sweet violet.

I'm F2P too. If I get to liking the game enough, I might consider paying for it if there is anything tantalising behind a paywall. It would be interesting to start as another race, but I'm pretty happy with my current character. It seems that you could really play for quite a long time before you would have to pay for anything.

[Eönwë]

Violaodorata. That's the Latin name for sweet violet.

I'm F2P too. If I get to liking the game enough, I might consider paying for it if there is anything tantalising behind a paywall. It would be interesting to start as another race, but I'm pretty happy with my current character. It seems that you could really play for quite a long time before you would have to pay for anything.

Ok, my main character's name is Gabiluzbad.

[Kuruharan]

I thought that some of the log in artwork had a particular look.

Now that I know this (https://www.lotro.com/en/u21-Ted-Nasmith), I'm surprised I didn't think of him sooner.

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

I've been playing about once every two days and really enjoying the game. Just wanted to know when you guys usually played. I am a high enough level now that I can probably do fellowship quests with you and I wanted some help in the Great Barrow, even though I've been hanging out in the Lone Lands recently.

[Kuruharan]

Since Dark and Light came out I've been playing that. Not sure I've logged into LOTRO at all. :o

I will try to log in sometime this coming Sunday.

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

It's a bit late for this announcement now, but all areas in LOTRO are available for free through the end of the month. I have been logging more hours on this game than I'd like to admit recently. :o

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

It turns out that all LOTRO areas are free to play through August 31st. They also have a coupon code that unlocks all the areas except the expansion areas. The code is LOTROFREEQUESTS. They are also selling expansion areas for 99 LOTRO points each, so it's a steal no matter what you do. I was thinking about paying for a membership in February, and I'm glad that I didn't! Now I get to enjoy all the areas I want to play in for free. I'd really recommend to anyone who's still interested in LOTRO to take advantage of all the free stuff! :D

[Kuruharan]

Even though this game is kind of old by this point, it can still be pretty (https://postimg.cc/PvHPtF4F).

[Eönwë]

For those still playing, LOTRO have put out a temporary coupon code for getting a ton of free quest packs, and are also drastically reducing the cost of other quest packs, both until the end of August. The code is LOTROFREEQUESTS and there's more information here (https://www.lotro.com/en/friendsforever).

[Snowdog]

Anyone still play this? I see the released 'Cardolan' in November 2022.