Our first content update, Book 9: Shores of Evendim, expanded the world of Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings OnlineTM: Shadows of AngmarTM with new quests, content, and an entire new region. For our next update we wanted to introduce something a little different!
One of the new features to be introduced in our next big content update is what we're calling Session Play!
Session Play is a new system that allows you to play as a character other than your normal character. These characters do not have permanence, so you don't keep them like you do your Free Peoples or monster play characters. You could play as a Ranger, a Troll, or... a chicken. It's an opportunity to explore Middle-earth from a different - and sometimes unexpected - viewpoint.
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In this sneak peek, you can explore as a chicken. Yes, a chicken. As a most unlikely adventurer, you'll help out your fowl friends defend against the wolf menace. As a feathered fortune-seeker you can talk to other animals and learn more about the world from the point of view of characters like Old Sally, Wolf, Grip, and Fang, and other famous and furry personalities from The Lord of the Rings Online. Talk to a cat in the Cat Lady's house in Bree, or meet the im-peck-able Radagast. This new experience will give you a view of the story line from a different perspective and introduces unique skills, quests, accomplishments, and even an alternative way to earn Destiny Points during your explorations!
Playing as a chicken is dangerous, but has its rewards. By finishing the quest line you can earn a unique weapon, and even an egg-sclusive item, for your player character! As a final perk, once you've finished the quest line you can roam the land, unfettered, in chicken-form, where you can complete Deeds to earn destiny points.
Why did the chicken cross Eriador? Now you can find out!
Sunny days, backyard parties, picnics, fruity drinks with those little paper umbrellas: Summer's coming!
We're happy to announce that from June 20th to July 10th, Middle-earth will be celebrating with its Summer Solstice Festival! Each race knows it by a different name: Lithe Festival for the Hobbits, Summerdays for Men, Summerfest for Dwarves, or the Festival of Enedhin for the Elves. No matter who's enjoying it, the Summer Festival means dancing, drinking, games, and even fireworks!
This two-week-long festival features a variety of quests, vendors, and special events throughout the lands. Be sure to visit all four festival areas - Duillond, Bree-fields Festival Grounds, the Party Tree, and Thorin's Halls - To celebrate!
Special vendors will be on-hand to supply festival items like food & drink, pipe-weed, and fireworks. This is the chance you've been waiting for to finally get your hands on some special Elven Fireworks!
What would a festival be without dancing? Meet up with a Dance Leader who will teach you new, race-specific dance moves. Soon, you'll be dazzling onlookers with your smooth dancing techniques that show your Summer Festival spirit!
After you're finished dancing up a sweat, what better way to cool down on a hot summer night than with friends and drink? Sound good? Participate at the Inn League! It can be summed up in two words: tavern crawl. (Of course, after the quests are finished, those two words will probably come out as: taaaverrnnncraaaawlllIwuveyouguys!)
Summer Festival quests include scavenger hunts, farming, and something called "Hobnanigans!" If you're not sure what Hobnanigans are, you should come to the Bree-fields Festival Grounds and find out. (Hint: It involves chickens.*)
To learn more about these things, you'll have to keep checking back!
*No chickens were harmed in the making of LOTRO.
The greatest fantasy of all time continues to expand!
Beginning in June, heroes can adventure to the Shores of Evendim, the first of many free updates to The Lord of the Rings OnlineTM.
About 100 miles north of the Shire, in northern Eriador, lies Evendim, a vast region dominated by the Lake Nenuial; the ‘Lake of the Twilight'. On the southern shore, the ancient abandoned city of Annúminas -the former capital of the kingdom of Arnor is well known amongst the Free Peoples. For according to the Legends, amidst its ruins lay a great wealth and powerful artifacts now threatened by evil creatures and the nefarious forces lurking in Angmar.
As the Fellowship prepares to leave Rivendell, Aragorn must re-forge Narsil, the Sword of Elendil. Gandalf has asked for help in Aragorn's search of the ancient lands of Evendim for an ancient jewel that once belonged in the sword's hilt. This powerful relic must be recovered before the Dark Lord Sauron finds it.
Players are challenged to secure the valuables of the abandoned city, defy Angmar's encroaching grip on Annúminas and aid Aragorn in his quest to re-forge Narsil.
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