The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar
Encyclopedia
The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar (commonly abbreviated to LOTRO, LotRO) is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game
(MMORPG
) for Microsoft Windows
set in a fantasy
universe based upon J. R. R. Tolkien
's Middle-earth
writings
. It takes place during the time period of The Lord of the Rings
.
The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar was developed by Turbine
, is subscription-based and free to play. It launched in North America
, Australia
, Japan
and Europe
on April 24, 2007. The first expansion pack, Mines of Moria
, was released on November 17, 2008. The second expansion pack, Siege of Mirkwood
, was released on December 1, 2009. A third expansion pack, Rise of Isengard
, was released on September 27, 2011. The NPD Group
reported that the game was "the third most played massively multiplayer role-playing game [in 2010]" with Turbine citing their free to play model as the reason for the growing subscriber base.
. However, Turbine does not have rights to any other works in Tolkien's legendarium
, such as The Silmarillion
or The Children of Húrin
.
Much of the gameplay is typical of the MMO format: The player controls a character avatar
which can be moved around the game world and interacts with other players, non-player (computer-controlled) characters
(or "NPCs") and other entities in the virtual world
. Camera angles can be switched between first-person and third-person options. Characters are improved by gaining levels
. A character's level increases after it earns a set amount of experience point
s through the player versus environment
(or "PvE") combat and storyline adventures. Characters' abilities are improved by increasing in level, but character skills must be purchased from specified NPCs after gaining a new level.
The main storyline (also known as the "Epic Quest Line") is presented as a series of "Books", which consist of series of quests called "Chapters". There were initially eight Books when the game was released, with new books added with each free content update.
Tolkien's Middle-earth as represented in The Lord of the Rings Online implements magic
in a different manner than other MMORPGs such as World of Warcraft
. There are only five "wizards"
in the fictional world, none of which are player-controlled. Instead, there are active skills which require "power" (the equivalent of magic point
s). Some skills behave like magic (like healing or throwing a burning ember at an enemy), but are based on "lore". In addition, objects and artifacts are used to create effects similar to magic.
Other features include a fast travel system and a detailed quest log with tracker and history.
combat is included in the form called "Monster Play" or "Player vs Monster Player (PvMP)". Monster Play is unlocked when a player's character reaches level 10; players can then play a level 75 monster. Only one type of monster player is available for free players; others can be purchased individually, or completely unlocked by purchasing a subscription. These monster players (also known as 'creeps') have their own quests, titles and deeds, and fight the Heroes (player characters of level 40 and above, and known as 'freeps,' derived by joining the words 'Free Peoples') in the Ettenmoors. Both heroes and monsters fight for the control of various keeps in the Ettenmoors, of which 5 are able to be taken. When one side holds two outposts (after a period of time the outpost will return to the NPC forces), they are able to go into the Delving of Frór, a dungeon area beneath the Ettenmoors. Outposts are smaller versions of keeps and require fewer people to overtake. As of the expansion Mines of Moria and Siege of Mirkwood the amount of outposts required to enter the Delving of Frór has dropped to two, so that both the 'Freeps' and 'Creeps' can enter the delving of Frór simultaneously (5 outposts overall, 2 required to enter).
Both monster players and Heroes gain ranks in the Ettenmoors through defeating the opposing side. Monsters receive infamy for killing a Hero, and Heroes receive renown for killing a monster player. There are 15 achievable ranks, starting at Footman, and ending at Captain-General (for Heroes) or starting at Tracker and ending at Tyrant (for monster players). Gaining ranks allows the player to purchase specific equipment and armour (for Heroes) or core upgrades, like health, armor and power (for Monsters).
Another aspect of character development is the inclusion of Destiny Points. Destiny Points are awarded for leveling and completing quests and can be used to temporarily increase some of the player's abilities or skills. As a creep, destiny points are used to buy skills and traits. These points can also be earned through combat in Monster Play. Monster players earn destiny points for controlling a keep, killing 'freeps' (the player controlled Heroes) and completing quests. A player's destiny points are shared across all their characters, whether heroes or monsters.
Many players rely on raids or groups to gain "Infamy" or "Renown" for their character. In a raid or group the points gained are divided between the different members, so while killing more quickly each player will gain less per kill. Often during a raid there will be one "leader" who gives directions to the rest of the raid over a voice program or the in-game voice application. Raids are most commonly found on larger servers, but exist on all servers.
Examples of titles:
Examples of prefixes:
Footman,, shows that the character is rank 1 in the Ettenmoors.<br />
<br />
Sergeant of the Guard <character name>,<title>, shows that the character is rank 5 in the Ettenmoors.<br />
<br />
High Warden <character name>,<title>, shows that the character is rank 9 in the Ettenmoors.<br />
<H3>Traits</H3>
Each character has the ability to equip traits earned during the game. Traits give characters a myriad of different bonuses and abilities. Any trait combination can be equipped as long as they have enough trait slots. The number of free trait slots depends on their level. The first virtue trait slot is available at level 7, for example. Virtue, class and racial traits offer a maximum of five slots, and legendary traits offer three slots. Traits can be easily changed by visiting a bard found in most towns, and equipping traits costs a certain amount of money.<br />
<br />
Types of traits include:<br />
<ul>
<li>Virtue</li></ul>
<dl>
<dd>Virtue traits are common amongst all races and classes and can be earned by completing general goals, such as killing a set number of monsters, or completing enough quests in an area. These traits generally improve stats, resistances and total morale and power, including regeneration. There are a large variety of goals, and each has multiple levels that can be earned during the course of the game.</dd></dl>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Class</li></ul>
<dl>
<dd>Class traits are specific to a certain class. These are generally earned by using a class skill or power often enough, or meeting certain conditions with these skills often enough, such as achieving enough critical strikes with a certain skill. These skills improve the power of certain abilities and often give an additional passive bonus to character statistics.</dd></dl>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Racial</li></ul>
<dl>
<dd>Racial traits are specific to each of the races. These traits confer special abilities or improvements, and only a relatively limited number can be used at one time.</dd></dl>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Legendary</li></ul>
<dl>
<dd>Legendary traits confer rare bonuses. They are obtained by collecting class-specific books and their pages which drop from specific enemies, from a series of level 45 class-specific quests, or from combining five class traits of a single type.</dd></dl>
<br />
<H3>Music System</H3>
Characters that reach level 5 can learn to play the <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("20163",this,"lute.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("20163")' href="/topics/Lute">lute</a><span class="hp" id="m20163"><div class="hpHeader">Lute</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i20163"></div>Lute can refer generally to any plucked string instrument with a neck and a deep round back, or more specifically to an instrument from the family of European lutes....</div><br></span> and, depending on their class, other instruments. Minstrels can learn to play all of the instruments and to teach other players, of all classes, to play them, including bagpipes and cowbells. Using macros, the instrument can be played in real time on three octaves and <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("70791",this,"abc_notation.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("70791")' href="/topics/Abc_notation">abc notation</a><span class="hp" id="m70791"><div class="hpHeader">Abc notation</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i70791"></div>ABC notation is a shorthand form of musical notation that has been in use since at least the 19th century, In basic form it uses the letters A through G to represent the given notes, with other elements used to place added value on these - sharp, flat, the length of the note, key, ornamentation...</div><br></span>, with the music broadcast to nearby players who have not disabled hearing it.<br />
<br />
<H2>Setting</H2>
As of the <i>Rise of Isengard</i> Expansion, the latest events in <i>The Lord of the Rings Online</i> are set near the end of <i><a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("96105",this,"the_fellowship_of_the_ring.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("96105")' href="/topics/The_Fellowship_of_the_Ring">The Fellowship of the Ring</a><span class="hp" id="m96105"><div class="hpHeader">The Fellowship of the Ring</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i96105"></div>The Fellowship of the Ring is the first of three volumes of the epic novel The Lord of the Rings by the English author J. R. R. Tolkien. It takes place in the fictional universe Middle-earth. It was originally published on July 29, 1954 in the United Kingdom...</div><br></span></i>. The player starts simultaneously with <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("97361",this,"frodo_baggins.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("97361")' href="/topics/Frodo_Baggins">Frodo</a><span class="hp" id="m97361"><div class="hpHeader">Frodo Baggins</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i97361"></div>Frodo Baggins is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium.He is the main protagonist of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. He was a hobbit of the Shire who inherited Sauron's Ring from Bilbo Baggins and undertook the quest to destroy it in the fires of Mount Doom...</div><br></span> and company leaving <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("73304",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("73304")' href="/topics/Shire_(Middle-earth)">The Shire</a><span class="hp" id="m73304"><div class="hpHeader">Shire (Middle-earth)</div><div class="hpContent">The Shire is a region of J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional Middle-earth, described in The Lord of the Rings and other works. The Shire refers to an area settled exclusively by Hobbits and largely removed from the goings-on in the rest of Middle-earth. It is located in the northwest of the continent, in...</div><br></span>. Each Region of Middle-Earth is represented as being permanently "frozen" at a certain point of time. For example, it is always September of the Year 3018 of the Third Age in the <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("49247",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("49247")' href="/topics/Shire">Shire</a><span class="hp" id="m49247"><div class="hpHeader">Shire</div><div class="hpContent">A shire is a traditional term for a division of land, found in the United Kingdom and in Australia. In parts of Australia, a shire is an administrative unit, but it is not synonymous with "county" there, which is a land registration unit. Individually, or as a suffix in Scotland and in the far...</div><br></span>, December 3018 in <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("99875",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("99875")' href="/topics/Rivendell">Rivendell</a><span class="hp" id="m99875"><div class="hpHeader">Rivendell</div><div class="hpContent">Rivendell is an Elven outpost in Middle-earth, a fictional realm created by J. R. R. Tolkien. It was established and ruled by Elrond in the Second Age of Middle-earth...</div><br></span>, February 3019 in Lothlorien, etc. The timeline moves on and is currently set at the Fellowship's recent escape from Moria and their resting in Lothlórien, combined with the Grey Company leaving to join <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("2389",this,"aragorn.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("2389")' href="/topics/Aragorn">Aragorn</a><span class="hp" id="m2389"><div class="hpHeader">Aragorn</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i2389"></div>Aragorn II is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, one of the main protagonists of The Lord of the Rings. He is first introduced by the name Strider, which the hobbits continue to call him...</div><br></span> in <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("53017",this,"rohan.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("53017")' href="/topics/Rohan">Rohan</a><span class="hp" id="m53017"><div class="hpHeader">Rohan</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i53017"></div>Rohan is a realm in J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy era of Middle-earth. It is a grassland which lies north of its ally Gondor and north-west of Mordor, the realm of Sauron, their enemy . It is inhabited by the Rohirrim, a people of herdsmen and farmers who are well-known for their horses and cavalry....</div><br></span>.<br />
<br />
In the initial release, only the area of <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("28960",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("28960")' href="/topics/Eriador">Eriador</a><span class="hp" id="m28960"><div class="hpHeader">Eriador</div><div class="hpContent">Eriador is a large region in J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional world of Middle-earth. In the Second Age, and possibly much earlier, it was largely forested, but the Dúnedain felled most of the forests to build ships. Much of it was encompassed in the early Third Age by the kingdom of Arnor, which...</div><br></span> was available. Eriador was further divided into Ered Luin, <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("61814",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("61814")' href="/topics/Shire_(Middle-earth)">The Shire</a><span class="hp" id="m61814"><div class="hpHeader">Shire (Middle-earth)</div><div class="hpContent">The Shire is a region of J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional Middle-earth, described in The Lord of the Rings and other works. The Shire refers to an area settled exclusively by Hobbits and largely removed from the goings-on in the rest of Middle-earth. It is located in the northwest of the continent, in...</div><br></span>, Bree-land (this included the area around <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("87128",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("87128")' href="/topics/Bree_(Middle-earth)">Bree</a><span class="hp" id="m87128"><div class="hpHeader">Bree (Middle-earth)</div><div class="hpContent">Bree is a fictional village in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, east of the Shire and south of Fornost Erain. It is thought to have been inspired by the Buckinghamshire village of Brill, which Tolkien visited regularly in his early years at Oxford...</div><br></span>, the <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("37757",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("37757")' href="/topics/Old_Forest">Old Forest</a><span class="hp" id="m37757"><div class="hpHeader">Old Forest</div><div class="hpContent">In J. R. R. Tolkien’s fictional universe of Middle-earth, the Old Forest is a small forested area which lies east of the Shire in Buckland....</div><br></span> and the Barrow-downs), the North Downs (lands to the east and south of Fornost), the Lone-lands (the area around Amon Sûl), the Trollshaws (the area surrounding <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("41527",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("41527")' href="/topics/Rivendell">Rivendell</a><span class="hp" id="m41527"><div class="hpHeader">Rivendell</div><div class="hpContent">Rivendell is an Elven outpost in Middle-earth, a fictional realm created by J. R. R. Tolkien. It was established and ruled by Elrond in the Second Age of Middle-earth...</div><br></span>), the <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("66841",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("66841")' href="/topics/Misty_Mountains">Misty Mountains</a><span class="hp" id="m66841"><div class="hpHeader">Misty Mountains</div><div class="hpContent">In J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy world of Middle-earth, the Misty Mountains is a mountain range, running for 795 miles from north to south, between Eriador and the valley of the Great River, Anduin, and...</div><br></span> (then excluding Goblin Town), <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("18727",this,"angmar.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("18727")' href="/topics/Angmar">Angmar</a><span class="hp" id="m18727"><div class="hpHeader">Angmar</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i18727"></div>Angmar is a fictional kingdom in J. R. R. Tolkien's continent of Middle-earth.-Synopsis:Angmar was founded in in the far north of the Misty Mountains by the evil Lord of the Ringwraiths, who became known as the "Witch-king of Angmar"...</div><br></span> and the Ettenmoors. There have been three new major regions added to the game since launch and before the first expansion. The <i>Shores of Evendim</i> update added the region surrounding Lake Evendim and Annúminas, about 100 miles north of the Shire. Book 13, <i>Doom of the Last King</i> added Forochel, a snowy tundra at the edge of the ice bay. With the release of the <i>Mines of Moria</i> expansion, Turbine also released Book 15, the last free update, containing <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("97182",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("97182")' href="/topics/Eregion">Eregion</a><span class="hp" id="m97182"><div class="hpHeader">Eregion</div><div class="hpContent">In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, Eregion or Hollin was a kingdom of the Noldorin Elves in Eriador during the Second Age, located near the West Gate of Moria under the shadow of the Hithaeglir . Its capital was Ost-in-Edhil...</div><br></span>. Other books have added areas such as player housing, or expanded already existing zones, such as the addition of Goblin Town and the High Pass to the Misty Mountains.<br />
<br />
Originally only players who purchased the <i>Mines of Moria</i> Expansion had access to <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("73125",this,"moria_(middle-earth).gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("73125")' href="/topics/Moria_(Middle-earth)">Moria</a><span class="hp" id="m73125"><div class="hpHeader">Moria (Middle-earth)</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i73125"></div>In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, Moria was the name given by the Eldar to an enormous underground complex in north-western Middle-earth, comprising a vast network of tunnels, chambers, mines and huge halls or 'mansions', that ran under and ultimately through the Misty Mountains...</div><br></span> and Lothlórien. This type of expansion was continued with the release of <i>Siege of Mirkwood</i>, the region of south <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("99696",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("99696")' href="/topics/Mirkwood">Mirkwood</a><span class="hp" id="m99696"><div class="hpHeader">Mirkwood</div><div class="hpContent">Mirkwood is a name used for two distinct fictional forests in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. In the First Age, the highlands of Dorthonion north of Beleriand were known as Mirkwood after falling under Morgoth's control. During the Third Age, the large forest in Rhovanion, east of the Anduin in ...</div><br></span> including <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("50325",this,"dol_guldur.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("50325")' href="/topics/Dol_Guldur">Dol Guldur</a><span class="hp" id="m50325"><div class="hpHeader">Dol Guldur</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i50325"></div>Dol Guldur was Sauron's stronghold in Mirkwood in the fictional world of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. It is first mentioned in The Hobbit. The hill itself, rocky and barren, was the highest point in the southwestern part of the forest. Before Sauron's occupation it was called Amon Lanc...</div><br></span> and the storyline continuation Book 9 to those who purchased the game. With the addition of the Region of Enedwaith in 2010, the game returned its attention to Eriador and also saw the shift to the new hybrid Free-to-Play model. As a result, Turbine revised their approach to expansion in the Update following in November: all player could now visit expansion regions regardless of purchase, but were still barred from most of its content until said purchase was made. This approach was continued with the <i>Rise of Isengard</i> expansion, where the Regions of Dunland, The Gap of Rohan, and <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("78152",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("78152")' href="/topics/Isengard">Isengard</a><span class="hp" id="m78152"><div class="hpHeader">Isengard</div><div class="hpContent">In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth, Isengard , a translation of the Sindarin Angrenost, was a large fortress. Both names mean "Iron fortress" In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth, Isengard , a translation of the Sindarin Angrenost, was a large fortress....</div><br></span> could be visited by any players. Turbine have stated that their intention is to eventually fill in the entirety of Middle-earth, but prioritizing the areas visited by the Fellowship.<br />
<H2>Races</H2>
There are four playable races in <i>Lord of the Rings Online</i>. Players can choose a male or female gender for each race apart from Dwarves, for whom only male characters are available.
<ul>
<li><a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("28781",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("28781")' href="/topics/Man_(Middle-earth)">Man</a><span class="hp" id="m28781"><div class="hpHeader">Man (Middle-earth)</div><div class="hpContent">The race of Men in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth books, such as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, refers to humanity and does not denote gender...</div><br></span></li>
<li><a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("54095",this,"elf_(middle-earth).gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("54095")' href="/topics/Elf_(Middle-earth)">Elf</a><span class="hp" id="m54095"><div class="hpHeader">Elf (Middle-earth)</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i54095"></div>In J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, Elves are one of the races that inhabit a fictional Earth, often called Middle-earth, and set in the remote past. They appear in The Hobbit and in The Lord of the Rings, but their complex history is described more fully in The Silmarillion...</div><br></span></li>
<li><a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("4724",this,"dwarf_(middle-earth).gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("4724")' href="/topics/Dwarf_(Middle-earth)">Dwarf</a><span class="hp" id="m4724"><div class="hpHeader">Dwarf (Middle-earth)</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i4724"></div>In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, the Dwarves are a race inhabiting the world of Arda, a fictional prehistoric Earth which includes the continent Middle-earth....</div><br></span></li>
<li><a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("55352",this,"hobbit.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("55352")' href="/topics/Hobbit">Hobbit</a><span class="hp" id="m55352"><div class="hpHeader">Hobbit</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i55352"></div>Hobbits are a fictional diminutive race who inhabit the lands of Middle-earth in J. R. R. Tolkien's fiction.Hobbits first appeared in the novel The Hobbit, in which the main protagonist, Bilbo Baggins, is the titular hobbit...</div><br></span></li></ul>
<br />
<H2>Classes</H2>
There are seven classes that can be played in <i>The Lord of the Rings Online</i>: Burglar, Captain, Champion, Guardian, Hunter, Lore-master, and Minstrel. There are two additional classes that can be played in the <i>Mines of Moria</i> expansion: Rune-keeper and Warden.<br />
<table class="wikitable">
<tr >
<th> Class</th>
<th> Races</th>
<th> Armour</th>
<th> Shields</th>
<th> Weapons</th>
<th> Dual-Wielding</th>
<th> Role</th>
</tr><tr >
<td> Burglar</td>
<td> Man, Hobbit</td>
<td> Light, Medium</td>
<td></td>
<td> Daggers, 1H Clubs, 1H Maces, 1H Swords</td>
<td> Yes</td>
<td> Debuffer / <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("56608",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("56608")' href="/topics/Crowd_control_(MMORPG)">CC</a><span class="hp" id="m56608"><div class="hpHeader">Crowd control (MMORPG)</div><div class="hpContent">Crowd control is a term used in massive multiplayer online role-playing games s to refer to the ability to limit the number of mobs actively fighting during an encounter. It can also refer to abilities that influence or prevent the abilities or actions of other character...</div><br></span></td>
</tr><tr >
<td> Captain</td>
<td> Man</td>
<td> Light, Medium, Heavy</td>
<td> Light</td>
<td> Daggers, 1H Axes, 1H Clubs, 1H Hammers, 1H Maces, 1H Swords, 2H Axes, 2H Clubs, 2H Hammers, 2H Swords, Spears, Halberds</td>
<td> No</td>
<td> Buffer / Pets / Healer</td>
</tr><tr >
<td> Champion</td>
<td> Man, Elf, Dwarf</td>
<td> Light, Medium, Heavy</td>
<td></td>
<td> Daggers, 1H Axes, 1H Clubs, 1H Hammers, 1H Maces, 1H Swords, 2H Axes, 2H Hammers, 2H Swords, Spears, Bows</td>
<td> Yes</td>
<td> <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("8494",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("8494")' href="/topics/Area_of_effect">AoE</a><span class="hp" id="m8494"><div class="hpHeader">Area of effect</div><div class="hpContent">thumb|Screenshot from FreedroidRPG showing Area of Effect.Area of effect is a term used in many role-playing and strategy games to describe attacks or spells that affect multiple targets within a specified area....</div><br></span> / Melee <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("59122",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("59122")' href="/topics/Damage_per_second">DPS</a><span class="hp" id="m59122"><div class="hpHeader">Damage per second</div><div class="hpContent">Damage per second is a term used with computer games to describe the average rate of damage inflicted over time. The term is especially common in massively multiplayer online role-playing games and is a key aspect of theorycraft...</div><br></span></td>
</tr><tr >
<td> Guardian</td>
<td> Man, Elf, Dwarf, Hobbit</td>
<td> Light, Medium, Heavy</td>
<td> Light, Heavy</td>
<td> Daggers, 1H Axes, 1H Clubs, 1H Hammers, 1H Maces, 1H Swords, 2H Axes, 2H Clubs, 2H Hammers, 2H Swords, Spears, Bows, Crossbows</td>
<td> No</td>
<td> <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("84436",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("84436")' href="/topics/Tank_(computer_gaming)">Tank</a><span class="hp" id="m84436"><div class="hpHeader">Tank (computer gaming)</div><div class="hpContent">A tank is a style of character in gaming, often associated with a character class. A common convention in real-time strategy games, role-playing games, MMORPGs and MUDs, tanks redirect enemy attacks and/or attention toward themselves in order to protect other characters or units...</div><br></span></td>
</tr><tr >
<td> Hunter</td>
<td> Man, Elf, Dwarf, Hobbit</td>
<td> Light, Medium</td>
<td></td>
<td> Daggers, 1H Axes, 1H Clubs, 1H Hammers, 1H Maces, 1H Swords, Spears, Bows, Crossbows</td>
<td> Yes</td>
<td> Ranged DPS / Utility</td>
</tr><tr >
<td> Lore-master</td>
<td> Man, Elf</td>
<td> Light</td>
<td></td>
<td> Staves, (1H Swords with Legendary Trait)</td>
<td> Yes (with Legendary Trait)</td>
<td> Debuffer / CC / Pets</td>
</tr><tr >
<td> Minstrel</td>
<td> Man, Elf, Dwarf, Hobbit</td>
<td> Light</td>
<td> Light</td>
<td> Daggers, 1H Clubs, 1H Maces, 1H Swords, (1H Axes with Dwarf Base Passive Skill)</td>
<td> No</td>
<td> Healer / Buffer</td>
</tr><tr >
<td> Rune-keeper</td>
<td> Elf, Dwarf</td>
<td> Light</td>
<td></td>
<td> Rune Stones, (1H Axes with Dwarf Base Passive Skill)</td>
<td> No</td>
<td> DPS / Healer</td>
</tr><tr >
<td> Warden</td>
<td> Man, Elf, Hobbit</td>
<td> Light, Medium</td>
<td> Light, Warden</td>
<td> Daggers, 1H Axes, 1H Clubs, 1H Hammers, 1H Maces, 1H Swords, Spears, Javelins</td>
<td> No</td>
<td> Tank / Solo</td>
</tr></table>
<br />
<H2>Crafting</H2>
In <i>LOTRO</i>, characters cannot choose a single profession, but they choose a vocation which is composed of three professions.<br />
<H3>Vocations</H3>
Professions are bundled into groups of three called vocations. Most vocations include a gathering profession and two crafting professions that complement each other. Vocations create interdependence in the economy, requiring players to trade for resources. A given character can only specialize in one vocation at a time.<br />
<table class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;">
<tr >
<th></th>
<th> Forester</th>
<th> Prospector</th>
<th> Farmer</th>
<th> Scholar</th>
<th> Metalsmith</th>
<th> Weaponsmith</th>
<th> Woodworker</th>
<th> Jeweller</th>
<th> Tailor</th>
<th> Cook</th>
</tr><tr >
<td> Armourer</td>
<td></td>
<td> x</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td> x</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td> x</td>
<td> </td>
</tr><tr >
<td> Armsman</td>
<td></td>
<td> x</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> x</td>
<td> x</td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr><tr >
<td> Explorer</td>
<td> x</td>
<td> x</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td> x</td>
<td> </td>
</tr><tr >
<td> Historian</td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> x</td>
<td> x</td>
<td> </td>
<td> x</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr><tr >
<td> Tinker</td>
<td></td>
<td> x</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td> x</td>
<td> </td>
<td> x</td>
</tr><tr >
<td> Woodsman</td>
<td> x</td>
<td> </td>
<td> x</td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> x</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr><tr >
<td> Yeoman</td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> x</td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> x</td>
<td> x</td>
</tr></table>
<br />
<H3>Professions</H3>
Professions are either a gathering or a crafting one. Gathering professions are used to harvest raw materials, which in turn are used to create items using a crafting profession. The higher the tier in this skill, the better raw materials can be used and more advanced items can be made. Each profession requires a specific tool.<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Cook</b></li></ul>
<dl>
<dd>Cooks create food items consumed to recover morale and power both in and out of combat and give temporary bonuses to stats. They also make lute strings that reduce minstrels' threat. Materials for this skill are harvested by farmers, or by the new hobby skill, fishing.</dd></dl>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Farmer</b></li></ul>
<dl>
<dd>Farmers grow crops used by cooks. This skill differs from the other harvesting professions in that it requires seeds to grow items. Farmers also provide scholars with rare harvests used to make dyes and straw to make traps for hunters.</dd></dl>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Forester</b></li></ul>
<dl>
<dd>Foresters gather branches of wood scattered around the world, similar to ore nodes. They are also able to treat leather from hides that drop from animals for use by a tailor.</dd></dl>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Jeweller</b></li></ul>
<dl>
<dd>Jewellers create various pieces of jewelery, which confer benefits on the wearer, such as additional stats. They also craft hope tokens, runes for champions and rune stones for runekeepers. Jewellers get gems and metal from prospectors (which is a craft skill known by all jewellers).</dd></dl>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Metalsmith</b></li></ul>
<dl>
<dd>Metalsmiths create heavy armour and shields made of metal and tools for all the crafting professions. They get materials from prospectors, tailors and jewellers.</dd></dl>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Prospector</b></li></ul>
<dl>
<dd>Prospectors mine randomly scattered ores, gems and salts. They smelt ore into metal ingots, which are used by jewellers, weaponsmiths, and metalsmiths.</dd></dl>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Scholar</b></li></ul>
<dl>
<dd>Scholar combines both harvesting and crafting. Scholars decipher lore inside urns and vases which are usually found near ruins. Scholar uses lore items and other ingredients to make potions, bow chants, scrolls which serve as buffs for battle, and scrolls that give other crafters a higher critical chance to make a better - 'critted' - item. They also make dyes from plants and mineral salts, and scribe books for hunters, loremasters, and minstrels.</dd></dl>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Tailor</b></li></ul>
<dl>
<dd>Tailors make light and medium armour, cosmetic clothing, burglar signals, captain standards and runekeeper satchels. Light armour requires cloth from vendors, and medium armour requires leather from foresters.</dd></dl>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Weaponsmith</b></li></ul>
<dl>
<dd>Weaponsmiths craft weapons such as swords, axes, and maces. They also produce tricks for burglars, traps for hunters, and shield spikes for guardians.</dd></dl>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Woodworker</b></li></ul>
<dl>
<dd>Woodworkers make wooden weapons (bows, clubs, hammers and spears), minstrel instruments, warden carvings and other crafting components needed by other professions. Woodworkers require treated wood from foresters.</dd></dl>
<br />
<H2> Economy</H2>
The in-game currency is copper, silver and gold coins with 100 copper = one silver coin and 1000 silver coins = one gold coin. Money is earned by completing quests, selling loot obtained by killing monsters to NPC vendors, or selling crafted items to NPC vendors or other players. Money is spent on acquiring gear and equipment from NPC vendors or other players, buying skills from class trainers, repairs after combat, equipping traits at bards, travelling between stable masters, buying crafting materials and purchasing a house. Trading between players can be done directly in face to face contact, via the in-game mail system or through the Auction House. Players with free accounts may have no more than two gold coins, while players with subscriptions, or those who have purchased a gold cap removal from the LotRO Store, may have 9999 gold, 999 silver, and 99 copper coins.<br />
<H2>Storyline</H2>
The main story line, the Epic Quests, focuses on some events that are new additions to the <i>Lord of the Rings</i> story created by the makers of the game.<br />
<H3>Volume I: Shadows of Angmar</H3>
<b>Book I - Stirrings in the Darkness:</b><br />
<br />
After the introductions, the player is sent to <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("35065",this,"aragorn.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("35065")' href="/topics/Aragorn">Aragorn</a><span class="hp" id="m35065"><div class="hpHeader">Aragorn</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i35065"></div>Aragorn II is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, one of the main protagonists of The Lord of the Rings. He is first introduced by the name Strider, which the hobbits continue to call him...</div><br></span>, who needs help weakening the Blackwolds, a hostile gang within Bree-land, loyal to <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("85693",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("85693")' href="/topics/Saruman">Sharkey</a><span class="hp" id="m85693"><div class="hpHeader">Saruman</div><div class="hpContent">Saruman the White is a fictional character and a major antagonist in J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings. He is leader of the Istari, wizards sent to Middle-earth in human form by the godlike Valar to challenge Sauron, the main antagonist of the tale, but later on aims at gaining...</div><br></span>. After helping Aragorn and the <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("36321",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("36321")' href="/topics/Ranger_(Middle-earth)">Rangers</a><span class="hp" id="m36321"><div class="hpHeader">Ranger (Middle-earth)</div><div class="hpContent">In J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, the Rangers were two secretive, independent groups organized by the Dúnedain of the North and South in the Third Age. Like their Númenórean ancestors, they appeared to possess qualities closely attributed to the Eldar, with their keen senses and ability to...</div><br></span>, players are sent to <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("86949",this,"tom_bombadil.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("86949")' href="/topics/Tom_Bombadil">Tom Bombadil</a><span class="hp" id="m86949"><div class="hpHeader">Tom Bombadil</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i86949"></div>Tom Bombadil is a supporting character in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. He appears in Tolkien's high fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings, published in 1954 and 1955. In the first volume, The Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo Baggins and company meet Bombadil in the Old Forest...</div><br></span> to destroy the evil in Othrongroth, the Great Barrow of the Barrow-downs. Though the Wightlord Sambrog is defeated, the Witch-king and his servants, Ivar and Skorgrim escape player's pursuit. Upon returning to <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("38835",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("38835")' href="/topics/Bree_(Middle-earth)">Bree</a><span class="hp" id="m38835"><div class="hpHeader">Bree (Middle-earth)</div><div class="hpContent">Bree is a fictional village in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, east of the Shire and south of Fornost Erain. It is thought to have been inspired by the Buckinghamshire village of Brill, which Tolkien visited regularly in his early years at Oxford...</div><br></span>, player discovers Aragorn has left with the <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("89463",this,"hobbit.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("89463")' href="/topics/Hobbit">Hobbit</a><span class="hp" id="m89463"><div class="hpHeader">Hobbit</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i89463"></div>Hobbits are a fictional diminutive race who inhabit the lands of Middle-earth in J. R. R. Tolkien's fiction.Hobbits first appeared in the novel The Hobbit, in which the main protagonist, Bilbo Baggins, is the titular hobbit...</div><br></span>s and instead meets <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("14778",this,"gandalf.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("14778")' href="/topics/Gandalf">Gandalf</a><span class="hp" id="m14778"><div class="hpHeader">Gandalf</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i14778"></div>Gandalf is a character in J. R. R. Tolkien's novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. In these stories, Gandalf appears as a wizard, member and later the head of the order known as the Istari, as well as leader of the Fellowship of the Ring and the army of the West...</div><br></span>, who arrived too late to help. As he leaves for <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("65406",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("65406")' href="/topics/Rivendell">Rivendell</a><span class="hp" id="m65406"><div class="hpHeader">Rivendell</div><div class="hpContent">Rivendell is an Elven outpost in Middle-earth, a fictional realm created by J. R. R. Tolkien. It was established and ruled by Elrond in the Second Age of Middle-earth...</div><br></span> as well, Gandalf instructs the player to find one of his fellow Istari, Radagast the Brown.<br />
<br />
<b>Book II - The Red Maid:</b><br />
<br />
The player is sent to the Ranger Candaith, who tries to learn the location of Radagast the Brown for the player. While waiting, the player investigates the mysterious events that happened on <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("93233",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("93233")' href="/topics/Weathertop">Weathertop</a><span class="hp" id="m93233"><div class="hpHeader">Weathertop</div><div class="hpContent">In the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, Weathertop is a hill in the Eriador region of Middle-earth, the southernmost and highest summit of the Weather Hills...</div><br></span> and fights the <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("43862",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("43862")' href="/topics/Orc_(Middle-earth)">Orc</a><span class="hp" id="m43862"><div class="hpHeader">Orc (Middle-earth)</div><div class="hpContent">In J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy writings, Orcs or Orks are a race of creatures who are used as soldiers and henchmen by both the greater and lesser villains of The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings — Morgoth, Sauron and Saruman...</div><br></span>-army around and on top of hill. By the time the enemy is defeated, Candaith has found Radagast in the city of Ost Guruth and sends the player to meet him. Radagast asks for the player's help in cleansing the area of Garth Agarwen from the evil <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("94490",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("94490")' href="/topics/Barrow-wight">wights</a><span class="hp" id="m94490"><div class="hpHeader">Barrow-wight</div><div class="hpContent">Barrow-wights are wraith-like creatures in J. R. R. Tolkien's world of Middle-earth, based on the Old Norse Draugr. Barrow refers to the burial mounds they inhabited and wight is a Middle English word for "living being" or "creature", especially "human being"...</div><br></span> that inhabit it. Ultimately the player and Radagast fight Ivar the Bloodhand, their leader and servant of the Witch-king. Upon succeeding, the player is urgently sent to the North Downs to aid the Rangers in those lands.<br />
<br />
<b>Book III - The Council of the North:</b><br />
<br />
The player is asked by <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("95746",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("95746")' href="/topics/Halbarad">Halbarad</a><span class="hp" id="m95746"><div class="hpHeader">Halbarad</div><div class="hpContent">Halbarad is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.Halbarad was a Ranger of the North. He was the second in command of the Dúnedain behind Aragorn and also the leader of the Grey Company. Halbarad was among the Rangers who guarded the Shire. He said of the Hobbits "A...</div><br></span> to aid in the defense of the North Downs against <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("46375",this,"angmar.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("46375")' href="/topics/Angmar">Angmar</a><span class="hp" id="m46375"><div class="hpHeader">Angmar</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i46375"></div>Angmar is a fictional kingdom in J. R. R. Tolkien's continent of Middle-earth.-Synopsis:Angmar was founded in in the far north of the Misty Mountains by the evil Lord of the Ringwraiths, who became known as the "Witch-king of Angmar"...</div><br></span>'s forces, by uniting the three main armies of the North Downs: the Men of the town of Trestlebridge, the local Dwarves led by Dori and Gildor's Elves. After accomplishing this, the player is sent to Rivendell, where the Fellowship has now safely arrived.<br />
<br />
<b>Book IV - Chasing Shadows:</b><br />
<br />
<a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("99517",this,"nazgl.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("99517")' href="/topics/Nazgûl">The Black Rider</a><span class="hp" id="m99517"><div class="hpHeader">Nazgûl</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i99517"></div>The Nazgûl are fictional characters in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium...</div><br></span> that survived the Flood of Bruinen by <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("774",this,"elrond.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("774")' href="/topics/Elrond">Elrond</a><span class="hp" id="m774"><div class="hpHeader">Elrond</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i774"></div>Elrond Half-elven is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. He is introduced in The Hobbit, and plays a supporting role in The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion.-Character overview:...</div><br></span> is still somewhere in the Trollshaws, making it impossible for the Fellowship to leave. With the help of <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("2031",this,"legolas.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("2031")' href="/topics/Legolas">Legolas</a><span class="hp" id="m2031"><div class="hpHeader">Legolas</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i2031"></div>Legolas is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, featured in The Lord of the Rings. He is an Elf of the Woodland Realm and one of nine members of the Fellowship of the Ring.- Literature :...</div><br></span>, Elladan and Elrohir, the player chases the <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("4545",this,"nazgl.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("4545")' href="/topics/Nazgûl">Nazgûl</a><span class="hp" id="m4545"><div class="hpHeader">Nazgûl</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i4545"></div>The Nazgûl are fictional characters in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium...</div><br></span>, destroying the Trolls he has corrupted, and forcing the Ringwraith to retreat to the <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("29859",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("29859")' href="/topics/Misty_Mountains">Misty Mountains</a><span class="hp" id="m29859"><div class="hpHeader">Misty Mountains</div><div class="hpContent">In J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy world of Middle-earth, the Misty Mountains is a mountain range, running for 795 miles from north to south, between Eriador and the valley of the Great River, Anduin, and...</div><br></span>. The player is sent to pursue him, where Glóin and some Dwarves have set up a camp.<br />
<br />
<b>Book V - The Last Refuge:</b><br />
<br />
The player's search for the <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("31115",this,"nazgl.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("31115")' href="/topics/Nazgûl">Nazgûl</a><span class="hp" id="m31115"><div class="hpHeader">Nazgûl</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i31115"></div>The Nazgûl are fictional characters in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium...</div><br></span> brings him/her to the final stronghold of Skorgrím and the Dourhands, the corrupted Dwarves. An assault led by <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("81743",this,"gimli_(middle-earth).gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("81743")' href="/topics/Gimli_(Middle-earth)">Gimli</a><span class="hp" id="m81743"><div class="hpHeader">Gimli (Middle-earth)</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i81743"></div>Gimli is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium, featured in The Lord of the Rings. A Dwarf warrior, he is the son of Glóin ....</div><br></span> results in the fall of Skorgrim and his servants. But the Nazgûl has fled to Helegrod, where a long-dead <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("7058",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("7058")' href="/topics/Dragon_(Middle-earth)">Dragon</a><span class="hp" id="m7058"><div class="hpHeader">Dragon (Middle-earth)</div><div class="hpContent">J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium features dragons closely based on those of European legend.Besides dragon , Tolkien variously used the terms drake and worm .-History:The dragons were created by Morgoth...</div><br></span> Thorog has been reanimated as a wight to serve the <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("57686",this,"sauron.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("57686")' href="/topics/Sauron">Dark Lord</a><span class="hp" id="m57686"><div class="hpHeader">Sauron</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i57686"></div>Sauron is the primary antagonist and titular character of the epic fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.In the same work, he is revealed to be the same character as "the Necromancer" from Tolkien's earlier novel The Hobbit...</div><br></span>. The player arrives just in time to stop the Nazgûl, defeating him and making loose control of the Dragon, who escapes. Now that <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("8315",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("8315")' href="/topics/Rivendell">Rivendell</a><span class="hp" id="m8315"><div class="hpHeader">Rivendell</div><div class="hpContent">Rivendell is an Elven outpost in Middle-earth, a fictional realm created by J. R. R. Tolkien. It was established and ruled by Elrond in the Second Age of Middle-earth...</div><br></span> is safe, it is time to move on to <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("33629",this,"angmar.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("33629")' href="/topics/Angmar">Angmar</a><span class="hp" id="m33629"><div class="hpHeader">Angmar</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i33629"></div>Angmar is a fictional kingdom in J. R. R. Tolkien's continent of Middle-earth.-Synopsis:Angmar was founded in in the far north of the Misty Mountains by the evil Lord of the Ringwraiths, who became known as the "Witch-king of Angmar"...</div><br></span> itself.<br />
<br />
<b>Book VI - Fires in the North:</b><br />
<br />
Rangers of the North, led by Corunir and Golodir, have gone to <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("84257",this,"angmar.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("84257")' href="/topics/Angmar">Angmar</a><span class="hp" id="m84257"><div class="hpHeader">Angmar</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i84257"></div>Angmar is a fictional kingdom in J. R. R. Tolkien's continent of Middle-earth.-Synopsis:Angmar was founded in in the far north of the Misty Mountains by the evil Lord of the Ringwraiths, who became known as the "Witch-king of Angmar"...</div><br></span> and their kinsmen want to know what has become of them. Upon arriving in Angmar, the player finds Corunir safe in a friendly Hillmen village. He begs the player to find his lost company, who passed through Rammas Deluon: a great series of statues that weaken (or even kill) those who pass it. After destroying the spirits within them, the player becomes able to resist the power of Rammas Deluon, and finds a hidden <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("34886",this,"dwarf_(middle-earth).gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("34886")' href="/topics/Dwarf_(Middle-earth)">Dwarf</a><span class="hp" id="m34886"><div class="hpHeader">Dwarf (Middle-earth)</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i34886"></div>In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, the Dwarves are a race inhabiting the world of Arda, a fictional prehistoric Earth which includes the continent Middle-earth....</div><br></span> settlement, where a part of the scattered party lives.<br />
<br />
<b>Book VII - The Hidden Hope:</b><br />
<br />
The player is informed that Golodir is settled at Gath Forthnir, far in the North. Upon arriving there, (s)he finds that Golodir is long gone and the Rangers are led by his daughter, Lorniel. Lorniel reveals that Golodir has been captured by Mordirith, Steward of <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("60200",this,"angmar.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("60200")' href="/topics/Angmar">Angmar</a><span class="hp" id="m60200"><div class="hpHeader">Angmar</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i60200"></div>Angmar is a fictional kingdom in J. R. R. Tolkien's continent of Middle-earth.-Synopsis:Angmar was founded in in the far north of the Misty Mountains by the evil Lord of the Ringwraiths, who became known as the "Witch-king of Angmar"...</div><br></span>, and has been locked away in Carn Dûm. As leader of the remaining Rangers, and with the help of the Elf Laerdan, Lorniel launches an assault on Carn Dûm, where she is slain by Mordirith, who then releases broken Golodir in a mockery, to continue his torture.<br />
<br />
<b>Book VIII - The Scourge of the North:</b><br />
<br />
Golodir's grief for the death of his daughter has almost destroyed him, yet he sees a chance to avenge her. Reclaiming an ancient sword, he travels with the player to the heart of Carn Dûm, defeating Mordirith with his blade. But then Mordirith's <i><a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("37399",this,"palantr.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("37399")' href="/topics/Palantír">palantír</a><span class="hp" id="m37399"><div class="hpHeader">Palantír</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i37399"></div>A palantír is a magical artifact from J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy legendarium. A palantír A palantír (pl. palantíri) is a magical artifact from J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy legendarium. A palantír A palantír (pl. palantíri) is a magical artifact from J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy legendarium. A palantír...</div><br></span></i>, a great seeing-stone he used to torture Golodir, is quickly taken by the mysterious Sara Oakheart.<br />
<br />
<b>Book IX - Shores of Evendim:</b><br />
<br />
The player learns that Sara Oakheart is none other than Amarthiel, the legendary Champion of Angmar. She has set up a plot within a tower of Barad Gularan to use the player to weaken Mordirith. Now that she has the <i><a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("38656",this,"palantr.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("38656")' href="/topics/Palantír">palantír</a><span class="hp" id="m38656"><div class="hpHeader">Palantír</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i38656"></div>A palantír is a magical artifact from J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy legendarium. A palantír A palantír (pl. palantíri) is a magical artifact from J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy legendarium. A palantír A palantír (pl. palantíri) is a magical artifact from J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy legendarium. A palantír...</div><br></span></i>, she can communicate with <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("89284",this,"sauron.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("89284")' href="/topics/Sauron">Sauron</a><span class="hp" id="m89284"><div class="hpHeader">Sauron</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i89284"></div>Sauron is the primary antagonist and titular character of the epic fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.In the same work, he is revealed to be the same character as "the Necromancer" from Tolkien's earlier novel The Hobbit...</div><br></span> and challenge Mordirith's position. The player is sent to kill all of Mordirith's Knights, in an attempt to further weaken his power. But despite the player's victories over Mordirith, Amarthiel only grows stronger. After losing Fornost and Barad Gularan, she moves to Annúminas, the ancient capital of <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("66483",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("66483")' href="/topics/Arnor">Arnor</a><span class="hp" id="m66483"><div class="hpHeader">Arnor</div><div class="hpContent">Arnor is a fictional kingdom in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. Arnor, or the Northern Kingdom, was a kingdom of the Dúnedain in the land of Eriador in Middle-earth. The name probably means "Land of the King", from Sindarin Ara- + dor...</div><br></span>. The Rangers there, led by Calenglad, need the player's aid.<br />
<br />
<b>Book X - The City of Kings:</b><br />
<br />
A massive battle in Annúminas ensues and the wise <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("67740",this,"elf_(middle-earth).gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("67740")' href="/topics/Elf_(Middle-earth)">Elf</a><span class="hp" id="m67740"><div class="hpHeader">Elf (Middle-earth)</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i67740"></div>In J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, Elves are one of the races that inhabit a fictional Earth, often called Middle-earth, and set in the remote past. They appear in The Hobbit and in The Lord of the Rings, but their complex history is described more fully in The Silmarillion...</div><br></span> Laerdan offers his services to Calenglad. Mordrambor, one of Amarthiel's captains is captured, but while in captivity, he poisons the mind Laerdan, making the Elf decide to fight Amarthiel on his own, in an attempt to make up for his mistakes in the past. Again the Free Peoples have been tricked by Amarthiel and her servants. Together with the Rangers of Evendim, the player is able to wrestle the <i><a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("19626",this,"palantr.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("19626")' href="/topics/Palantír">palantír</a><span class="hp" id="m19626"><div class="hpHeader">Palantír</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i19626"></div>A palantír is a magical artifact from J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy legendarium. A palantír A palantír (pl. palantíri) is a magical artifact from J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy legendarium. A palantír A palantír (pl. palantíri) is a magical artifact from J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy legendarium. A palantír...</div><br></span></i> from Amarthiel's clutches, but Laerdan is lost. However, within the <i>palantír</i>, Amarthiel saw a glimpse of where Narchuil, her ancient ring, lies. She is now determined to possess its power once more.<br />
<br />
<b>Book XI - Prisoner of the Free Peoples:</b><br />
<br />
Amarthiel's captain Mordrambor breaks free, killing many Rangers. Soon he leads an army out of Annúminas, to find Amarthiel's Ring, Narchuil. The player attempts to find Narchuil before Amarthiel can, searching the ancient ruins of the Trollshaws. After much searching, it turns out Narmeleth, Laerdan's daughter, who originally caused Amarthiel's fall in Fornost, has become possessed by her. But all searching seems in vain, when it is revealed Amarthiel has already found Narchuil. However, <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("72767",this,"elrond.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("72767")' href="/topics/Elrond">Elrond</a><span class="hp" id="m72767"><div class="hpHeader">Elrond</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i72767"></div>Elrond Half-elven is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. He is introduced in The Hobbit, and plays a supporting role in The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion.-Character overview:...</div><br></span> does not fall for her trickery again, he realises Narchuil is still out there, and Laerdan knows where.<br />
<br />
<b>Book XII - The Ashen Wastes:</b><br />
<br />
Amarthiel has Laerdan transported to <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("74024",this,"angmar.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("74024")' href="/topics/Angmar">Angmar</a><span class="hp" id="m74024"><div class="hpHeader">Angmar</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i74024"></div>Angmar is a fictional kingdom in J. R. R. Tolkien's continent of Middle-earth.-Synopsis:Angmar was founded in in the far north of the Misty Mountains by the evil Lord of the Ringwraiths, who became known as the "Witch-king of Angmar"...</div><br></span>, where she learns from him under torture where her Ring is. In a brave attempt to save both Laerdan and the ring Narchuil, the player is able to get to them before Amarthiel does, but only half of the ring was found. Laerdan confesses to <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("99338",this,"elrond.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("99338")' href="/topics/Elrond">Elrond</a><span class="hp" id="m99338"><div class="hpHeader">Elrond</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i99338"></div>Elrond Half-elven is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. He is introduced in The Hobbit, and plays a supporting role in The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion.-Character overview:...</div><br></span> he has broken the Narchuil in two, and reveals where the other part should be. But then he swears an oath upon <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("24653",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("24653")' href="/topics/Varda">Elbereth</a><span class="hp" id="m24653"><div class="hpHeader">Varda</div><div class="hpContent">Varda Elentári is a deity in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium to whom the hymn A Elbereth Gilthoniel is directed..-Character overview:Varda is one of the Valar, a group of semi-divine beings similar to archangels. Also known as "Queen of the stars", she is said to be too beautiful for words; within...</div><br></span> that he will not rest before he has saved his daughter, and leaves the Council.<br />
<br />
<b>Book XIII - Doom of the Last King:</b><br />
<br />
Trying to find out more about the other half of Narchuil, the player is sent to Forochel. However Amarthiel's forces have already arrived, and their search is underway. In an attempt to find the ring before the Angmarim, the player receives help from the shade of the Last King <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("25909",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("25909")' href="/topics/Arvedui">Arvedui</a><span class="hp" id="m25909"><div class="hpHeader">Arvedui</div><div class="hpContent">Arvedui is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium.Arvedui was the son of King Araphant of Arthedain. He was born in T.A. 1864 and came to the throne in 1964 at the death of his father...</div><br></span>. During a confrontation with the enemy, it appears that Mordrambor has betrayed Amarthiel: the two battle each other and disappear from the view. The player then retrieves the second half of Narchuil and returns it to Rivendell.<br />
<br />
<b>Book XIV - The Ring-forges of Eregion:</b><br />
<br />
Still seeking to save Narmeleth, Laerdan travels with the two halves of Narchuil to <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("52480",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("52480")' href="/topics/Eregion">Eregion</a><span class="hp" id="m52480"><div class="hpHeader">Eregion</div><div class="hpContent">In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, Eregion or Hollin was a kingdom of the Noldorin Elves in Eriador during the Second Age, located near the West Gate of Moria under the shadow of the Hithaeglir . Its capital was Ost-in-Edhil...</div><br></span>. Amarthiel, baiting him in, reclaims Narchuil for herself. Elrond sends many Heralds of <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("53737",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("53737")' href="/topics/Rivendell">Rivendell</a><span class="hp" id="m53737"><div class="hpHeader">Rivendell</div><div class="hpContent">Rivendell is an Elven outpost in Middle-earth, a fictional realm created by J. R. R. Tolkien. It was established and ruled by Elrond in the Second Age of Middle-earth...</div><br></span> to all corners of <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("29680",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("29680")' href="/topics/Eriador">Eriador</a><span class="hp" id="m29680"><div class="hpHeader">Eriador</div><div class="hpContent">Eriador is a large region in J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional world of Middle-earth. In the Second Age, and possibly much earlier, it was largely forested, but the Dúnedain felled most of the forests to build ships. Much of it was encompassed in the early Third Age by the kingdom of Arnor, which...</div><br></span> to help him in his search for the lost Ring-lore. But all efforts are too late, for Narchuil has been reforged when the Free Peoples reach Eregion. It quickly becomes clear none are able to withstand Narchuil, until Mordrambor, Amarthiel's former servant, arrives. Sowing confusion in her, he shows her the arrival of Mordirith, who is in power once again, but Amarthiel does not surrender and believes she can defeat him with use of Narchuil. But Mordirith has the power of the Witch-king and defeats her, claiming Narchuil as his own. Just as he is about to finish Amarthiel, Laerdan appears. He reveals his knowledge that Mordirith is actually Eärnur, the last King of <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("81564",this,"gondor.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("81564")' href="/topics/Gondor">Gondor</a><span class="hp" id="m81564"><div class="hpHeader">Gondor</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i81564"></div>Gondor is a fictional kingdom in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings, described as the greatest realm of Men in the west of Middle-earth by the end of the Third Age. The third volume of The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, is concerned with the events in Gondor during the War of the Ring and with...</div><br></span>, taken captive by Witch-King and made a Wraith in mockery of his former defiance. Under Mordirith 's orders Mordrambors kill Laerdan, after which the two leave. Amarthiel is devastated by the loss of her father, and taken captive by the Free Peoples.<br />
<br />
<b>Book XV - Daughter of Strife:</b><br />
<br />
With the death of her father, Narmeleth is once again freed from the evil influence of Amarthiel. She becomes a captive of the Free Peoples, but volunteers to avenge her father. In Angmar, the final battle between the Free People and Mordirith ensues. First Mordrambor is defeated and Narchuil is finaly destroyed by Narmeleth. In the final confrontation, she sacrifices herself in order to defeat Mordirith. The book ends bittersweet with Narmeleth's redemption and her death and Elrond comforts the player, saying that she had found peace in the Undying Lands.<br />
<H2>Group Instances</H2>
One of the most challenging aspects of the game is grouping to do big private instances. This can be done in small three-man fellowships, which were first created with the Eregion update. For full fellowships there are 6 people involved, examples of this are Fornost, Carn Dûm or Annúminas. There are also harder instances for raids like The Rift and Barad Guldur (12 people, or a double fellowship) or Thorog (24 people, or 4 fellowships). Due to the difficulty of the encounter and the many players involved, each of the classes is usually assigned a specific task by the raid leader.<br />
<br />
Most of these instances can be scaled to the level of the group, making sure that older instances are still challenging and not forgotten. There is only one 24-man raid left in the game, Thorog. Turbine has announced that because of the people required, they are unlikely to make a new one. In order to save the progress, some of these instances have locks, giving players the chance to spread out the instance over a few days. Locks are related to the progress of killing bosses.<br />
<H2>Development</H2>
Sierra On-Line first announced the development of a licensed Middle-earth MMORPG in 1998. Sierra had financial troubles in <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("60020",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("60020")' href="/topics/1999_in_video_gaming">1999</a><span class="hp" id="m60020"><div class="hpHeader">1999 in video gaming</div><div class="hpContent">-Events:*British Academy of Film and Television Arts hosts the 2nd annual BAFTA Interactive Entertainment Awards*March – Game Over republished as “Game Over: Press Start to Continue”...</div><br></span> and replaced the staff working on the game. Sierra continued to confirm development of the MMORPG but did not release any development details.<br />
<br />
Vivendi Universal Games, the parent company of Sierra, secured eight-year rights to produce computer and video games based on <i>The Lord of the Rings</i> books in 2001. Vivendi announced an agreement with Turbine in 2003 to produce <i>Middle-earth Online</i> (at that time expected to be released in 2004). In March 2005, Turbine announced that it bought the rights to make an MMORPG based on Tolkien's literature and that Turbine would publish <i>The Lord of the Rings Online</i> instead of Vivendi.<br />
<br />
A closed beta was announced on September 8, 2006. An open beta began on March 30, 2007, and was open to all who pre-ordered the game's Founders Club edition. On April 6, 2007, the beta opened to the public.<br />
<H3><i>Mines of Moria</i> Expansion</H3>
On March 14, 2008, Turbine announced the first commercial expansion. The expansion was released on November 18, 2008. This expansion in addition to adding new areas set in <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("11906",this,"moria_(middle-earth).gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("11906")' href="/topics/Moria_(Middle-earth)">Moria</a><span class="hp" id="m11906"><div class="hpHeader">Moria (Middle-earth)</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i11906"></div>In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, Moria was the name given by the Eldar to an enormous underground complex in north-western Middle-earth, comprising a vast network of tunnels, chambers, mines and huge halls or 'mansions', that ran under and ultimately through the Misty Mountains...</div><br></span>, added two new classes and leveling items.<br />
<br />
The areas added focused around Moria, but also touched Lórien. Turbine announced that Books 13 and 14 would be released before <i>Mines of Moria</i>, and Book 15 would be the climax of the storyline. <i>Mines of Moria</i> included the first six books of a new storyline centering in Moria.<br />
<br />
In addition to the new classes, Warden and Rune-Keeper, the level cap was raised to 60. Turbine promised that the increase in the games level cap by 20% would affect crafting, raids, PvMP, and everything else.<br />
<br />
According to <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("13163",this,"turbine,_inc..gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("13163")' href="/topics/Turbine,_Inc.">Turbine</a><span class="hp" id="m13163"><div class="hpHeader">Turbine, Inc.</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i13163"></div>Turbine, Inc. is an American computer game developer that pioneers 3D massively multiplayer online role-playing games . Turbine was founded by Johnny Monsarrat, Jeremy Gaffney, Kevin Langevin, and Timothy Miller, changing their company name in 2005 to Turbine, Inc...</div><br></span>, the Mines of Moria would be one of the greatest environments of any RPG yet. Creatures would use the environment to their advantage, such as sneaking through dark water or jumping out of the shadows. Parts of the mines would change to reflect your progress.<br />
<br />
The two best-known creatures connected with Moria, The Watcher in the Water and Durin's Bane would both be encountered within those four books.<br />
<br />
The official presentation on Books 13, 14, and <i>Mines of Moria</i> can be found at:<br />
Part 1: <a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=NS1MAbo5y1Y">Youtube.com</a> Part 2: <a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=R1nYRlziigU&feature=related">Youtube.com</a> Part 3: <a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=XEFFisIAOIw&feature=related">Youtube.com</a><br />
<H3><i>Siege of Mirkwood</i> Expansion</H3>
On September 4, 2009, Turbine announced the second expansion. Release date was on December 1, 2009 and in Europe on December 3, 2009. This expansion raised the level cap to 65 as well as open up the southern part of Mirkwood around Dol Guldur. It also included new traits, virtues and skills.<br />
<br />
The biggest change in the expansion was the new "skirmish" system that allows for repeatable, randomised and scalable combat based instances that can be accessed from anywhere in the game world for 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 players and new 3, 6 and 12 player private instances that take place in Dol Guldur proper. In Skirmishes, the player is provided a companion soldier whose role can be customized to suit the class of the main character. Skirmishes yield regular XP for kills, XP for completion, and special skirmish marks that can be exchanged for various goods and benefits.<br />
<br />
Game play enhancements have also been added and include changes to the combat, mount and legendary items systems.<br />
<H3><i>Rise of Isengard</i> Expansion</H3>
On November 19, 2010, Turbine made a press release for a third expansion, <i>The Rise of Isengard</i>, which officially brings the game's timeline to the events of <i><a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("90361",this,"the_two_towers.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("90361")' href="/topics/The_Two_Towers">The Two Towers</a><span class="hp" id="m90361"><div class="hpHeader">The Two Towers</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i90361"></div>The Two Towers is the second volume of J. R. R. Tolkien's high fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings. It is preceded by The Fellowship of the Ring and followed by The Return of the King.-Title:...</div><br></span></i>. Players will accompany the Grey Company as they ride to the aid of Aragorn, travelling through the new areas of Dunland, The Gap of <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("91618",this,"rohan.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("91618")' href="/topics/Rohan">Rohan</a><span class="hp" id="m91618"><div class="hpHeader">Rohan</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i91618"></div>Rohan is a realm in J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy era of Middle-earth. It is a grassland which lies north of its ally Gondor and north-west of Mordor, the realm of Sauron, their enemy . It is inhabited by the Rohirrim, a people of herdsmen and farmers who are well-known for their horses and cavalry....</div><br></span>, and the legendary region of <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("42247",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("42247")' href="/topics/Isengard">Isengard</a><span class="hp" id="m42247"><div class="hpHeader">Isengard</div><div class="hpContent">In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth, Isengard , a translation of the Sindarin Angrenost, was a large fortress. Both names mean "Iron fortress" In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth, Isengard , a translation of the Sindarin Angrenost, was a large fortress....</div><br></span>, seat of Saruman the White. New enhancements include a level cap increase to 75, level 75 <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("92875",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("92875")' href="/topics/Second_Age">Second Age</a><span class="hp" id="m92875"><div class="hpHeader">Second Age</div><div class="hpContent">The Second Age is a time period from J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth fantasy writings. Tolkien intended for the history of Middle-earth to be considered fictionally as a precursor to the history of the real Earth....</div><br></span> legendary items, a new crafting tier, a 24-man raid, and new traits. On June 7th 2011, Turbine announced a release date of September 27, as well as various pre-order options with special in game items. Like the previous expansion, it was released digitally only.<br />
<H2>Free Updates</H2>
Until 2008, approximately once every two months a major update was added to <i>The Lord of the Rings Online</i>. Each update was an extension to the epic quest called a book. Despite the <i>Mines of Moria</i> being an official expansion to the original game, it will not be required for subscribers to continue receiving the free content updates. However, any new content exclusive to <i>Mines of Moria</i>, including any area past <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("18190",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("18190")' href="/topics/Eregion">Eregion</a><span class="hp" id="m18190"><div class="hpHeader">Eregion</div><div class="hpContent">In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, Eregion or Hollin was a kingdom of the Noldorin Elves in Eriador during the Second Age, located near the West Gate of Moria under the shadow of the Hithaeglir . Its capital was Ost-in-Edhil...</div><br></span>, will not be accessible. In the case of items such as legendary weapons, they will be viewable but unable to equip.<br />
<H3>Book 9: Shores of Evendim</H3>
The first free content update was released on June 14, 2007.<br />
<br />
Updates include: (<a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Release_Notes_Book_09,_Part_1_(2007-06-13)">release notes part 1</a>), (<a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Release_Notes_Book_09,_Part_2_(2007-06-13)"> part 2</a>), (<a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Release_Notes_Book_09,_Part_3_(2007-06-13)"> part 3</a>)
<ul>
<li>Discovery of Evendim</li>
<li>Over 100 new quests</li>
<li>Raid in the Battle for Helegrod</li>
<li>Nine new monsters</li>
<li>Collectible armour sets</li></ul>
<br />
<H3>Book 10: The City of the Kings</H3>
The second free-content update was released on August 21, 2007 in North America and on August 24, 2007 in Europe.<br />
<br />
Updates include: (<a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Release_Notes_Book_10_(Part_1)">release notes part 1</a>), (<a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Release_Notes_Book_10_(Part_2)">part 2</a>), (<a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Release_Notes_Book_10_(Part_3)">part 3</a>), (<a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Release_Notes_Book_10_(Part_4)">part 4</a>), (<a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Release_Notes_Book_10_(Crafting)">crafting</a>), (<a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Release_Notes_Book_10_(Hunter)">hunter</a>), (<a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Release_Notes_Book_10_(Captain)">captain</a>)
<ul>
<li>Continuation of the Story Line.</li>
<li>Legendary Play – Players can now use Destiny Points to play as a Ranger of the North or as a Troll.</li>
<li>Critter Play – Players can now explore Middle-earth from a different viewpoint as a chicken.</li>
<li>New Reputation and Bartering Systems – The Reputation system enables players to earn positive and negative standing with different races and groups in Middle-earth based on both monster kills and quest completions. The Bartering system allows players to trade trophies earned in battle for rewards, such as armour sets or mounts.</li>
<li>Over 100 new Quests.</li>
<li>More customizable user interface.</li></ul>
<br />
<H3>Book 11: Prisoner Of The Free Peoples</H3>
The third free-content update was released on October 24, 2007 in North America and October 25 in Europe.<br />
<br />
Updates include (<a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Release_Notes_Book_11_Official">complete release notes</a>):
<ul>
<li>Continuation of the Epic Story arc, including 13 quests.</li>
<li>Player housing – players will be able to customize their houses with items such as furniture and doormats.</li>
<li>Second raid called "The Rift" – 12-player raid in which players encounter a <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("19447",this,"balrog.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("19447")' href="/topics/Balrog">Balrog</a><span class="hp" id="m19447"><div class="hpHeader">Balrog</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i19447"></div>Balrogs are fictional demonic beings who appear in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. Such creatures first appeared in print in his novel The Lord of the Rings, though they figured in earlier writings that posthumously appeared in The Silmarillion and other books.Balrogs are described as...</div><br></span> for the first time. Turbine has stressed that this is not the Balrog from Khazad-dûm.</li>
<li>Two new areas – Tâl Bruinen in the Trollshaws, where <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("46017",this,"gollum.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("46017")' href="/topics/Gollum">Gollum</a><span class="hp" id="m46017"><div class="hpHeader">Gollum</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i46017"></div>Gollum is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. He was introduced in the author's fantasy novel The Hobbit, and became an important supporting character in its sequel, The Lord of the Rings....</div><br></span> will be introduced for the first time, and Goblin Town in the <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("71331",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("71331")' href="/topics/Misty_Mountains">Misty Mountains</a><span class="hp" id="m71331"><div class="hpHeader">Misty Mountains</div><div class="hpContent">In J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy world of Middle-earth, the Misty Mountains is a mountain range, running for 795 miles from north to south, between Eriador and the valley of the Great River, Anduin, and...</div><br></span>, featured in <i>The Hobbit</i>.</li>
<li>More than 100 new quests.</li></ul>
<br />
<H3>Book 12: The Ashen Wastes</H3>
The fourth free content update was released on February 13, 2008 in North America; and February 14, 2008 in Europe.<br />
<br />
Updates include (<a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Release_Notes_Book_12_Official">complete release notes</a>):
<ul>
<li>Continuation of the Story Line.</li>
<li>Character customization - Increased character customization "ranging from haircuts, to some (possible) additions to the trait-system." In addition, the Outfit system, along with many special social clothing designed just for it, will be introduced where a second or third set of clothing can be slotted and displayed while retaining the statistical bonuses of the currently equipped items.</li>
<li>The Delving of Frór - A new Monster Play PVE (and PVMP under certain circumstances) area will be introduced: An expanse of caves and catacombs located beneath the Ettenmoors.</li>
<li>The Great Angmar Revamp - A revamp of the most high-level region of the game's current 9 PvE regions. The revamp included the reworking of many quests, areas and other changes, such as new horse routes.</li>
<li>Barbershop - You can customize the look of your avatar in-game with around 50 new haircuts and second set of details.</li>
<li>Updates to the Burglar, Guardian, and Champion classes.</li></ul>
<br />
<H3>Book 13: Doom of the Last-King</H3>
The fifth free content update was released on April 24, 2008 in North America and on May 1, 2008 in Europe.<br />
<br />
Updates include (<a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Release_Notes_Book_13_Official">complete release notes</a>):
<ul>
<li>A new playable map area: the Ice Bay of <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("21960",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("21960")' href="/topics/Forodwaith">Forochel</a><span class="hp" id="m21960"><div class="hpHeader">Forodwaith</div><div class="hpContent">In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth, Forodwaith was the name both of a region and the people that lived there.-Geography:...</div><br></span>.</li>
<li>Players being able to see the ocean for the first time, confirmed as the Ice Bay of Forochel in recent developer chats.</li>
<li>Fishing - the first of a new system in Lord of the Rings Online, called 'hobbies'.</li>
<li>New PVMP Monster Healing Class - Orc Defiler.</li>
<li>Looking For Fellowship- and Quest-panel improvements.</li></ul>
<br />
<H3>Book 14: The Ring-forges of Eregion</H3>
The sixth free content update was released on July 22, 2008 in North America. It was released on July 24, 2008 in Europe.<br />
<br />
Updates include (<a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Release_Notes_Book_14_Official">complete release notes</a>):
<ul>
<li>Climax of the "Shadows of Angmar" storyline.</li>
<li>Added selected sections of <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("47274",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("47274")' href="/topics/Eregion">Eregion</a><span class="hp" id="m47274"><div class="hpHeader">Eregion</div><div class="hpContent">In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, Eregion or Hollin was a kingdom of the Noldorin Elves in Eriador during the Second Age, located near the West Gate of Moria under the shadow of the Hithaeglir . Its capital was Ost-in-Edhil...</div><br></span> (Region leading towards the Gates of Moria).</li>
<li>Epic Quest events that will allow interaction between players regardless of server.</li>
<li>Prelude quests for and leading up to the <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("97902",this,"the_lord_of_the_rings_online_mines_of_moria.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("97902")' href="/topics/The_Lord_of_the_Rings_Online:_Mines_of_Moria">Mines of Moria</a><span class="hp" id="m97902"><div class="hpHeader">The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i97902"></div>The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria is the first retail expansion pack for the MMORPG The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar released on November 18, 2008. It was announced on March 14, 2008 at ....</div><br></span> expansion. Which will have updates leading to Lothlórien, Fangorn, Rhovanion and Rohan.</li></ul>
<br />
<H3>Book 15: Daughter of Strife</H3>
The seventh free content update was released on November 18, 2008. This update was released in tandem with the <i>Mines of Moria</i> expansion for players who did not purchase the expansion release.<br />
<br />
Updates include (<a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Category:Epic_-_Vol._I,_Book_15:_Daughter_of_Strife_Quests">Epic - Vol. I, Book 15: Daughter of Strife Quests epic</a>):
<ul>
<li>Conclusion of the "Shadows of Angmar" storyline.</li>
<li>Added the zone of Eregion expanding on the selected sections from Book 14. The zone does not include the Hollin Gate leading to the Black Pool.</li>
<li>Added UI enhancements</li></ul>
<br />
<H2>Soundtrack</H2>
The soundtrack for <i>Lord of the Rings Online</i> has received much praise for its quality and variety. It features compositions from <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("48531",this,"turbine,_inc..gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("48531")' href="/topics/Turbine,_Inc.">Turbine</a><span class="hp" id="m48531"><div class="hpHeader">Turbine, Inc.</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i48531"></div>Turbine, Inc. is an American computer game developer that pioneers 3D massively multiplayer online role-playing games . Turbine was founded by Johnny Monsarrat, Jeremy Gaffney, Kevin Langevin, and Timothy Miller, changing their company name in 2005 to Turbine, Inc...</div><br></span> composer Stephen Digregorio as well as original songs from acclaimed video game composer <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("99159",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("99159")' href="/topics/Chance_Thomas">Chance Thomas</a><span class="hp" id="m99159"><div class="hpHeader">Chance Thomas</div><div class="hpContent">Chance Thomas is a composer and producer of original music for video games. He has worked on titles such as King Kong, X-Men, Lord of the Rings, and Quest for Glory V: Dragon Fire. Thomas' projects have won major awards, including the Oscar, Emmy, IGN, and G.A.N.G...</div><br></span>. Other composers include Geoff Scott, Brad Spears, and Egan Budd. According to Thomas, all references that were made to the music of the peoples of Middle-earth in the books were used to extrapolate as much information as possible about the instruments and styles that each race would have used to create their music. This information was then used as the base for creating the score. Additionally, 61 songs from the game were made available for free in <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("49787",this,"mp3.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("49787")' href="/topics/MP3">mp3</a><span class="hp" id="m49787"><div class="hpHeader">MP3</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i49787"></div>MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...</div><br></span> format using a download manager released by Turbine.<br />
<H2>Reception</H2>
<i>The Lord of the Rings Online</i> has been received very positively thus far, as reviews continue to appear since the game's initial release.<br />
<br />
GameDaily awarded the game 9/10, praising its rich, fantasy-themed universe, well-integrated trait and title system, and a story that remains true to the works of Tolkien. <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("416",this,"yahoo.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("416")' href="/topics/Yahoo!">Yahoo!</a><span class="hp" id="m416"><div class="hpHeader">Yahoo!</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i416"></div>Yahoo! Inc. is an American multinational internet corporation headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, United States. The company is perhaps best known for its web portal, search engine , Yahoo! Directory, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Groups, Yahoo! Answers, advertising, online mapping ,...</div><br></span> Video Games wrote a review with few negative mentions, awarding the game a score of 4/5, while <i><a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("25730",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("25730")' href="/topics/Computer_and_Video_Games_(magazine)">Computer and Video Games</a><span class="hp" id="m25730"><div class="hpHeader">Computer and Video Games (magazine)</div><div class="hpContent">Computer and Video Games is a video game magazine and website published in the United Kingdom.- History :...</div><br></span></i> called the game an essential purchase for <i>Lord of the Rings</i> fans, scoring the game a 9.2/10.<br />
<a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("1673",this,"eurogamer.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("1673")' href="/topics/Eurogamer">Eurogamer</a><span class="hp" id="m1673"><div class="hpHeader">Eurogamer</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i1673"></div>Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on...</div><br></span> scored the game a 9.0/10, calling it tough to resist. Gamespy gave it 4.5/5 stars, claiming the game "opened up Middle-Earth to the masses" but commented negatively on its weak PvP content, while <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("26987",this,"gametrailers.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("26987")' href="/topics/GameTrailers">GameTrailers</a><span class="hp" id="m26987"><div class="hpHeader">GameTrailers</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i26987"></div>GameTrailers is a media website that specializes in video game related content. It provides free access to original programming , game trailers and recorded game play. Along with standard definition , many of the video clips are offered in a higher resolution .Users can upload videos, create...</div><br></span> awarded it 8.5/10, citing its interesting tweaks to the MMO genre. IGN.com ranked it a similar 8.6/10, praising it for its solid experience, though criticizing it for its lack of major improvements to the genre. GamerNode.com awarded the game an 8.8/10, calling it the best MMO launch experience since <i><a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("53558",this,"ultima_online.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("53558")' href="/topics/Ultima_Online">Ultima Online</a><span class="hp" id="m53558"><div class="hpHeader">Ultima Online</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i53558"></div>Ultima Online is a graphical massively multiplayer online role-playing game , released on September 24, 1997, by Origin Systems. It was instrumental to the development of the genre, and is still running today...</div><br></span></i>. The New York Times called the game "a major achievement of interactive storytelling, the first game truly worthy of the ‘Lord of the Rings' franchise and a must-play for just about anyone with an interest in Tolkien or the future of online entertainment." In a <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("5443",this,"gamespot.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("5443")' href="/topics/GameSpot">GameSpot</a><span class="hp" id="m5443"><div class="hpHeader">GameSpot</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i5443"></div>GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...</div><br></span> review, the product was awarded an 8.3/10, praising its appealing polish and intriguing Monster Play feature. Gamepro.com's review gave it an overall 4.25/5, pointing out how engaging the epic quests are, as well as how faithful to the novels the game managed to stay. GameSpy declared <i>The Lord of the Rings Online</i> 'Game of the Month' for May 2007. Midway announced that the game sold over 172,000 copies in North America during its second quarter.<br />
<br />
In April 2007, <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("81385",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("81385")' href="/topics/Salon.com">Salon.com</a><span class="hp" id="m81385"><div class="hpHeader">Salon.com</div><div class="hpContent">Salon.com, part of Salon Media Group , often just called Salon, is an online liberal magazine, with content updated each weekday. Salon was founded by David Talbot and launched on November 20, 1995. It was the internet's first online-only commercial publication. The magazine focuses on U.S...</div><br></span> reported that the game had dropped a planned feature for in-game players marriage because of the controversy around the possibility of same-sex and inter-species<br />
weddings. One developer stated that the design rule was for weddings to be allowed if examples could be found in the book, as between elves and a humans. The online magazine for <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("32014",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("32014")' href="/topics/Gaymer">gaymer</a><span class="hp" id="m32014"><div class="hpHeader">Gaymer</div><div class="hpContent">Gaymer or gay gamer is an umbrella term used to refer to the group of people who identify themselves as gay, bisexual, lesbian, or transgendered and have an active interest in the video game community, also known as gamers....</div><br></span>s <i>GayGamer.net</i> commented that, while Tolkien was a devout <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("7957",this,"christian.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("7957")' href="/topics/Christian">Christian</a><span class="hp" id="m7957"><div class="hpHeader">Christian</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i7957"></div>A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...</div><br></span>, his stance on gay rights isn't known as the topic wasn't a public issue at the time. Video game critic <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("58585",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("58585")' href="/topics/Ian_Bogost">Ian Bogost</a><span class="hp" id="m58585"><div class="hpHeader">Ian Bogost</div><div class="hpContent">Ian Bogost is a video game designer, critic and researcher. He is a professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology and a founding partner at Persuasive Games...</div><br></span> compared it to the case of <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("34527",this,"the_sims_2.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("34527")' href="/topics/The_Sims_2">The Sims 2</a><span class="hp" id="m34527"><div class="hpHeader">The Sims 2</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i34527"></div>The Sims 2 is a strategic life simulation computer game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. It is the sequel to the best-selling computer game, The Sims, which debuted on February 4, 2000. It was first released on September 14, 2004 for Microsoft Windows. A port to Apple Mac OS X...</div><br></span>, a <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("85155",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("85155")' href="/topics/Blockbuster_(entertainment)">blockbuster</a><span class="hp" id="m85155"><div class="hpHeader">Blockbuster (entertainment)</div><div class="hpContent">Blockbuster, as applied to film or theatre, denotes a very popular or successful production. The entertainment industry use was originally theatrical slang referring to a particularly successful play but is now used primarily by the film industry...</div><br></span> MMORPG video game that did allow same-sex marriage.<br />
In August 2007, Codemasters announced that <i>The Lord of the Rings Online</i> had received five <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("61098",this,"noimage.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("61098")' href="/topics/Golden_Joystick_Awards">Golden Joystick Awards</a><span class="hp" id="m61098"><div class="hpHeader">Golden Joystick Awards</div><div class="hpContent">The Golden Joystick Awards, also known as the People's Gaming Awards are the world's oldest gaming award ceremony, awarding the best computer and video games of the year, as voted for by the general public...</div><br></span> nominations for the five applicable categories for the game, and in October 2007 that it had won the "PC Game of the Year" at these awards. And again won the same award on October 2008.<br />
<br />
In December 2007, GameSpy awarded <i>The Lord of the Rings Online</i> 6th place in the top 10 PC games of 2007. On December 18, Turbine announced it had also won the GameSpy MMO of the Year award.<br />
<br />
In January 2009, mmorpg.com awarded Turbine both MMORPG studio of the year 2008, and MMO Expansion of the Year for <i>Mines of Moria</i>.<br />
<br />
In May 2010, RPGFan's Adam Tingle named Lord of the Rings Online the best MMORPG of all time in a top-10 countdown.<br />
<br />
In January 2011, PC Gamer Magazine chose Lord of the Rings Online as the MMO of the year. Praise was given for treating fans to two new Epic Books worth of quests, two added regions, expansion of in-game events, improved UI elements, and the revamp of the character creation and starter regions. It also notes the success of the move to Free to Play, stating LOTRO is "quickly redefining the way a successful subscriptionless MMO is run."<br />
<br />
RPGLand had similar compliments as it awarded the game 2010's "Freebie Award" for being the Best Free-to-Play MMORPG, saying, "Turbine has just plain done an awesome job with turning its subscription games into some of the best F2P MMOs on the market."<br />
<H2>Releases and subscription model</H2>
In North America, players who pre-ordered the game were offered a special founder's offer, a lifetime subscription for $199 or reduced cost of $9.99 per month. Standard monthly fee is $14.99 with three, six, twelve month, and lifetime discounts available. European players had a similar program from Codemasters. A Holiday subscription was available in December 2007 and January 2008 for $9.99/month for a 3 month commitment. A one year anniversary addition includes a $9.99/month subscription or a $199.99 Lifetime subscription, which was again offered during the lead up to the release of Mines of Moria.<br />
<br />
The <a class='greylink1' onMouseover='ShowPop("62355",this,"special_edition.gif", event)' onMouseout='HidePop("62355")' href="/topics/Special_edition">special edition</a><span class="hp" id="m62355"><div class="hpHeader">Special edition</div><div class="hpContent"><div class="hpImage" id="i62355"></div>The terms special edition, limited edition and variants such as deluxe edition, collector's edition and others, are used as a marketing incentive for various kinds of products, originally published products related to the arts, such as books, prints or recorded music and films, but now including...</div><br></span>, which costs $10 more than the regular edition, includes a full-color manual, an item called "Glass of Aglaral", a cloak of regeneration, which is visually different from the one in the regular edition, a "Making of" DVD, soundtrack, and a 10-day buddy key.<br />
<br />
On June 4, 2010, it was announced the game was to add a free to play option in the Autumn, with an in game store. Free to play was successfully launched in North America on September 10, 2010. After a delay in Europe free to play went live on November 2, 2010. Since then, the revenue has tripled, according to the company statements.<br />
<br />
On April 26, 2011 it was announced that Codemasters would relinquish control of the European service back to Turbine. On June 1st the European servers were transferred, with all the data intact to Turbine. After a transition period of a few days the servers reopened under a unified Lotro global service.<br />
<br />
<H2> External links </H2>
<ul>
<li> US <i>LOTRO</i> Official <a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://www.lotro.com/">Website</a> / <a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://forums.lotro.com/">Forums</a> / <a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://www.lotro.com/component/content/article/125-fansite-listing">Fansites</a> / <a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://my.lotro.com">my.lotro.com</a></li>
<li> Europe <i>LOTRO</i> Official <a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://www.lotro-europe.com">Website</a> / <a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://community.codemasters.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=417">Forums</a> / <a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://www.lotro-europe.com/fansites.php?linktype=Fansites&country_option=">Fansites</a></li>
<li> China <i>LOTRO</i> Official <a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://lotro.cdcgames.net/">Website</a></li>
<li> Japan <i>LOTRO</i> Official <a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://www.lotro-japan.com/">Website</a></li>
<li> Korea <i>LOTRO</i> Official <a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://lotro.hangame.com/">Website</a></li>
<li> Russia <i>LOTRO</i> Official <a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://www.lotro-russia.com/">Website</a></li>
<li> <a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://lorebook.lotro.com/">Lorebook – official wiki</a></li>
<li> <a rel='nofollow' class='greylink1' href="http://lotro-wiki.com/">Lotro-Wiki (unofficial)</a></li></ul>
<div class="article-reference">The source of this article is <a class='greylink1' href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings_Online!col_Shadows_of_Angmar">wikipedia</a>, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the <a class='greylink1' href='/gfdl'>GFDL</a>.</div>
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Massively multiplayer online role-playing game
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
(MMORPG
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
) for Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
set in a fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
universe based upon J. R. R. Tolkien
J. R. R. Tolkien
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the classic high fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Pembroke College,...
's Middle-earth
Middle-earth
Middle-earth is the fictional setting of the majority of author J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy writings. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings take place entirely in Middle-earth, as does much of The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales....
writings
Tolkien's legendarium
The phrase Tolkien's legendarium is used in the literary discipline of Tolkien studiesto refer to the part of J. R. R. Tolkien's high fantasy fiction being concerned with his Elven legends; that is, historic events that have become legendary from the perspective of the characters of The Lord of the...
. It takes place during the time period of The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is a high fantasy epic written by English philologist and University of Oxford professor J. R. R. Tolkien. The story began as a sequel to Tolkien's earlier, less complex children's fantasy novel The Hobbit , but eventually developed into a much larger work. It was written in...
.
The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar was developed by Turbine
Turbine, Inc.
Turbine, Inc. is an American computer game developer that pioneers 3D massively multiplayer online role-playing games . Turbine was founded by Johnny Monsarrat, Jeremy Gaffney, Kevin Langevin, and Timothy Miller, changing their company name in 2005 to Turbine, Inc...
, is subscription-based and free to play. It launched in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
on April 24, 2007. The first expansion pack, Mines of Moria
The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria
The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria is the first retail expansion pack for the MMORPG The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar released on November 18, 2008. It was announced on March 14, 2008 at ....
, was released on November 17, 2008. The second expansion pack, Siege of Mirkwood
The Lord of the Rings Online: Siege of Mirkwood
The Lord of the Rings Online: Siege of Mirkwood is the second retail expansion pack for the MMORPG The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar and was released on December 1, 2009 in North America and December 3, 2009 in Europe. Unlike the first expansion this edition was only available via a...
, was released on December 1, 2009. A third expansion pack, Rise of Isengard
The Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard
The Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard is the latest expansion pack for the MMORPG The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar, released on September 27, 2011...
, was released on September 27, 2011. The NPD Group
NPD Group
The NPD Group, Inc. is a leading North American market research company. The NPD Group consistently ranks among the top 25 market research companies in the independent Honomichl Top 50 report, which the media and the research industry acknowledge as a credible source of information on the market...
reported that the game was "the third most played massively multiplayer role-playing game [in 2010]" with Turbine citing their free to play model as the reason for the growing subscriber base.
Gameplay
The game's milieu is based on The Lord of the Rings and The HobbitThe Hobbit
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, better known by its abbreviated title The Hobbit, is a fantasy novel and children's book by J. R. R. Tolkien. It was published on 21 September 1937 to wide critical acclaim, being nominated for the Carnegie Medal and awarded a prize from the New York Herald...
. However, Turbine does not have rights to any other works in Tolkien's legendarium
Tolkien's legendarium
The phrase Tolkien's legendarium is used in the literary discipline of Tolkien studiesto refer to the part of J. R. R. Tolkien's high fantasy fiction being concerned with his Elven legends; that is, historic events that have become legendary from the perspective of the characters of The Lord of the...
, such as The Silmarillion
The Silmarillion
The Silmarillion is a collection of J. R. R. Tolkien's mythopoeic works, edited and published posthumously by his son Christopher Tolkien in 1977, with assistance from Guy Gavriel Kay, who later became a noted fantasy writer. The Silmarillion, along with J. R. R...
or The Children of Húrin
The Children of Húrin
The Children of Húrin is an epic fantasy novel which forms the completion of a tale by J. R. R. Tolkien. He wrote the original version of the story in the late 1910s, revised it several times later, but did not complete it before his death in 1973...
.
Much of the gameplay is typical of the MMO format: The player controls a character avatar
Avatar (computing)
In computing, an avatar is the graphical representation of the user or the user's alter ego or character. It may take either a three-dimensional form, as in games or virtual worlds, or a two-dimensional form as an icon in Internet forums and other online communities. It can also refer to a text...
which can be moved around the game world and interacts with other players, non-player (computer-controlled) characters
Non-player character
A non-player character , sometimes known as a non-person character or non-playable character, in a game is any fictional character not controlled by a player. In electronic games, this usually means a character controlled by the computer through artificial intelligence...
(or "NPCs") and other entities in the virtual world
Virtual world
A virtual world is an online community that takes the form of a computer-based simulated environment through which users can interact with one another and use and create objects. The term has become largely synonymous with interactive 3D virtual environments, where the users take the form of...
. Camera angles can be switched between first-person and third-person options. Characters are improved by gaining levels
Level (video gaming)
A level, map, area, or world in a video game is the total space available to the player during the course of completing a discrete objective...
. A character's level increases after it earns a set amount of experience point
Experience point
An experience point is a unit of measurement used in many role-playing games and role-playing video games to quantify a player character's progression through the game...
s through the player versus environment
Player versus environment
Player versus environment, or PvE , is a term used in online games, particularly MMORPGs, CORPGs, MUDs, and other online role-playing video games, to refer to fighting computer-controlled enemies—in contrast to PvP .Usually a PvE mode can be played either alone, with human...
(or "PvE") combat and storyline adventures. Characters' abilities are improved by increasing in level, but character skills must be purchased from specified NPCs after gaining a new level.
The main storyline (also known as the "Epic Quest Line") is presented as a series of "Books", which consist of series of quests called "Chapters". There were initially eight Books when the game was released, with new books added with each free content update.
Tolkien's Middle-earth as represented in The Lord of the Rings Online implements magic
Magic (Middle-earth)
Magic, here defined as mystical, paranormal, or supernatural activity, appear in various forms in J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional realm of Middle-earth.-Laws of nature:...
in a different manner than other MMORPGs such as World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the fourth released game set in the fantasy Warcraft universe, which was first introduced by Warcraft: Orcs & Humans in 1994...
. There are only five "wizards"
Wizard (Middle-earth)
In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, the Wizards of Middle-earth are a group of beings outwardly resembling Men but possessing much greater physical and mental power. They are also called the Istari by the Elves. The Sindarin word is Ithryn...
in the fictional world, none of which are player-controlled. Instead, there are active skills which require "power" (the equivalent of magic point
Magic point
Magic points are units of magical power that are used in many role-playing, computer role-playing and similar games as an expendable resource that is needed to pay for magic spells and other abilities, such as special attacks...
s). Some skills behave like magic (like healing or throwing a burning ember at an enemy), but are based on "lore". In addition, objects and artifacts are used to create effects similar to magic.
Other features include a fast travel system and a detailed quest log with tracker and history.
PvP
Player versus player (PvP)Player versus player
Player versus player, or PvP, is a type of multiplayer interactive conflict within a game between two or more live participants. This is in contrast to games where players compete against computer controlled opponents, which is correspondingly referred to as player versus environment...
combat is included in the form called "Monster Play" or "Player vs Monster Player (PvMP)". Monster Play is unlocked when a player's character reaches level 10; players can then play a level 75 monster. Only one type of monster player is available for free players; others can be purchased individually, or completely unlocked by purchasing a subscription. These monster players (also known as 'creeps') have their own quests, titles and deeds, and fight the Heroes (player characters of level 40 and above, and known as 'freeps,' derived by joining the words 'Free Peoples') in the Ettenmoors. Both heroes and monsters fight for the control of various keeps in the Ettenmoors, of which 5 are able to be taken. When one side holds two outposts (after a period of time the outpost will return to the NPC forces), they are able to go into the Delving of Frór, a dungeon area beneath the Ettenmoors. Outposts are smaller versions of keeps and require fewer people to overtake. As of the expansion Mines of Moria and Siege of Mirkwood the amount of outposts required to enter the Delving of Frór has dropped to two, so that both the 'Freeps' and 'Creeps' can enter the delving of Frór simultaneously (5 outposts overall, 2 required to enter).
Both monster players and Heroes gain ranks in the Ettenmoors through defeating the opposing side. Monsters receive infamy for killing a Hero, and Heroes receive renown for killing a monster player. There are 15 achievable ranks, starting at Footman, and ending at Captain-General (for Heroes) or starting at Tracker and ending at Tyrant (for monster players). Gaining ranks allows the player to purchase specific equipment and armour (for Heroes) or core upgrades, like health, armor and power (for Monsters).
Another aspect of character development is the inclusion of Destiny Points. Destiny Points are awarded for leveling and completing quests and can be used to temporarily increase some of the player's abilities or skills. As a creep, destiny points are used to buy skills and traits. These points can also be earned through combat in Monster Play. Monster players earn destiny points for controlling a keep, killing 'freeps' (the player controlled Heroes) and completing quests. A player's destiny points are shared across all their characters, whether heroes or monsters.
Many players rely on raids or groups to gain "Infamy" or "Renown" for their character. In a raid or group the points gained are divided between the different members, so while killing more quickly each player will gain less per kill. Often during a raid there will be one "leader" who gives directions to the rest of the raid over a voice program or the in-game voice application. Raids are most commonly found on larger servers, but exist on all servers.
Deeds
Characters obtain titles and traits by completing "deeds" in the game. Deeds are earned in each area of the game, by killing a set number of monsters in an area, using a certain ability a set number of times, completing a number of quests in a given area, or finding certain locations or unique items. Completion of these deeds yields a fixed amount of Turbine points to the player, and usually awards traits or titles.Titles
Titles have no direct impact on gameplay. Instead they provide another means of customization by adding additional information to a character's name. Some titles are common while others can be difficult to obtain. Each character starts with one title that indicates their origin. Titles are earned by completing deeds and quests and by mastering tiers in professions. Only one title can be active at a time. Characters who are ranked in the Ettenmoors can also have a prefix to signify their rank. It is also possible to receive a title of Kinship rank. Some titles are harder to get than others, such as meta deeds which require many other deeds to be done before the title is given.Examples of titles:
the Wary (received by attaining level 5 without being defeated) of Bree Bree (Middle-earth)Bree is a fictional village in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, east of the Shire and south of Fornost Erain. It is thought to have been inspired by the Buckinghamshire village of Brill, which Tolkien visited regularly in his early years at Oxford...
(One of the many origin titles that players start with)the Undying (received by attaining level 20 without being defeated) , Spider-Foe (received by defeating 30 spiders in the Bree-lands) , Pie-eating Champion (received after winning a pie-eating contest) , Master Apprentice Woodworker (received after finishing both the basic and master-level tiers of Apprentice Woodworking) , Vanquisher of Thaurlach (received after defeating the Balrog in the Rift of Nurz Ghashu)
Examples of prefixes:
Footman